'You see me running back and I do wanna try, because if falling for you is crazy then I'm going out of my mind. So hold back your tears this time.' -Hedley "For the Nights I Can't Remember lyrics"-
It's evenstar lady again, we meet again 3 weeks. :) It's been a VERY busy 3 weeks and there's been trouble here and there again but I thank God for every single day. I hope everything is going well for each and every one of you. :)
Thank you for all the reviews for the past chapter, I really appreciate them! (and terribly sorry for the cliffhanger) Pope Benedict, I did miss your reviews. (actually, I thought you gave up on Demons halfway through and then your review arrived and it all started coming back again. :D) One question: Are you a guy? (your review seemed to imply so) If yes, I'm going to get really excited because I've always believed ALL my ByaRuki readers were female.
I'm starting to face the start of some writer's block where I just get lazy to write (the plot's there, it's just the will to pen down the words). I might consider putting out a fresh story when I find the time, just to allow me some space for writing other than Demons. :)
It's about 1am now and I'm just about finishing this one chapter update, it might appear slightly bumpy at parts once again. There's a couple of characters' perspectives used this time, and it's my first time experiencing with multiple ones other than Byakuya and Rukia's. But overall, I hope you like the end result, Chapter 22. :)
DISCLAIMER: Don't own Bleach but I do own this fanfiction, the plot and the works. :)
As the door closed with a subtle click, the directors nodded gravely at the figure who bowed in turn.
"Let us allow the meeting to continue."
xXxXx
Rukia stared at her reflection in the mirror and could not help that unexplained sinking feeling in her stomach. She turned toward the door from where she could hear Nel haphazardly shoving stuff about in the living room, looking for a certain blush powder box for her makeup. Rukia turned back to the mirror.
It was evening and approximately two hours since Nel barged into Rukia's bedroom to get ready for the gala night. She had forced Rukia to change into the white dress Rukia purchased in the mall last week, before seating her down in front of the mirror to work on her hair and foundation. Rukia obediently sat through all of it but her forced cheeriness had not fooled Nel.
"It will be okay, Rukia. Trust me," Nel had said and both of them knew what she had been talking about without need for further elaboration.
He was coming home tomorrow.
Rukia felt her stomach tie itself into knots each time the thought popped into her head, which was a rather frequent occurrence every five minutes. What was going to happen? And what could she do? He had not called her once from Seattle and his phone remained disconnected. He might just return to Tokyo tomorrow and never come see or talk to her again, and she could not do anything about it. Rukia had been thinking, should she go find him tomorrow? Confront him perhaps, and tell him everything that had really happened? His iciness would definitely hurt her again, but at least she could sleep a teeny bit better knowing she had made the situation clear. If he never wanted to see her again, she could live with that. She had long visualized this happening.
What Rukia had not counted on was how much it actually hurt.
xXxXx
"Oh wow, the committee really went the whole way tonight!" Nel exclaimed as she stared happily at the decorations hanging from the ceiling of the gigantic ceremony hall. Rukia looked about the area and had to admit that the student body did indeed go through great lengths for tonight's gala dance. The enormous hall had been transformed into a beautiful white dancing hall. Furniture lined both sides of the hall complete with rows of food and drinks tables. The center of the hall had been cleared out for dancing, and this was where a major portion of the students were centered, moving to the rhythm of the music.
"Come, let's get some refreshments first!" Nel smiled and linked her arm through Rukia's, steering her toward the beverage table on the left.
"Er, you should start paying more attention to Grimmjow or he's going to get grumpy. After all, he did pick us up from the apartment," Rukia pointed out as both girls arrived at the table. Nel looked behind her shoulder to see Grimmjow following them with a sulky expression.
"I can't just abandon you like that!" Nel handed Rukia a cup of fruit punch.
"I will be fine." Rukia smiled. "I won't die just because you had to entertain your date for tonight, you know." She sipped the punch and nudged Nel toward Grimmjow. "Go on now."
"I promised you I wouldn't leave you! I-" Nel looked at Rukia but Rukia just smiled again.
"I'm okay. You can come back and check on me when you have had a dance or two."
Nel smiled. "Okay. Try to enjoy yourself okay?"
"Yes, m'am."
Rukia's smile disappeared as soon as Nel's back was turned. She checked the huge clock in the hall.
5.30 p.m.
6.00 p.m.
"You look really beautiful tonight, Rukia."
"Thanks." Rukia smiled at Ichigo. "Nel did my hair and all the works." She looked down at the ends of her white dress.
"Oh. Who did you come with?"
"Nel and Grimmjow. I was the third wheel." Rukia laughed again.
"I see. Um..." Ichigo looked out into the crowd. "So... do you want to dance?"
"Oh..." Rukia looked out at the dance floor, where a slow song was now playing. "I think I will give this number a miss. I did one with Shinji just now."
"Oh... okay."
Rukia checked the clock once again.
7.30 p.m.
Rukia had already danced five times, and she was rather proud of her achievements despite her not feeling like dancing at all. She had danced to three fast songs, with Shinji, Ishida and Sado (the last one almost qualified for a slow one but Rukia couldn't bring herself to point out to Sado that he was eight beats behind the rhythm). She danced two slow songs, one with the kind elderly campus security guard... and one with Ichigo. The last one had been awkward, Rukia tried looking everywhere but at Ichigo as they danced, knowing full well that his eyes were boring into her. She had also put as much space as she could between them as they danced, trying not to go as close to Ichigo unless absolutely necessary.
She had also eaten some burritos, and checked the time again.
8.00 p.m.
Two cups of juice, and more burritos. She should start to tackle the main course of the buffet lined out on the tables, that would perhaps take an hour (or even two, if she managed some mega-slow speed of food consumption).
What time would it be considered legal to actually leave the gala dance?
Time. Check.
8.30 p.m.
One more dance with Shinji, he was such a riot.
Rukia checked the time again.
9.00 p.m.
Rukia was mentally preparing a logical reason for leaving the dance in thirty minutes, that wouldn't be so obvious, would it? She had dutifully danced the dances, ate the food, chattered with her friends, everything one should do at a gala dance.
She just wanted to go home now.
Rukia was so lost in thought, she didn't even hear the announcer talking about the next slow dance until the people around her started milling around looking for partners. Rukia jumped as she almost stepped on the foot of a fellow student. "I'm so sorry!" She shook herself. Get a grip on yourself, Rukia.
It was then that she noticed a very young boy running toward her. Rukia's eyes widened in surprise as the boy stopped before her.
"Hello." Rukia could not help it as she bent down and smiled at the young one, the boy was very adorable. "Are you lost? Did you come here with someone?"
The boy shook his head and smiled. "Are you going to dance, sister angel?"
Rukia laughed softly. "I don't think so, I don't dance good. Do you? Maybe you would like to dance with me instead?"
The boy shook his head again. "The announcer said this dance has to be danced with the one person you wished from the bottom of your heart to dance with."
Rukia smiled. "Is that so?"
The small boy nodded eagerly. "They said if you close on your eyes and turn one round and say the person's name, your wish will come true. One of the big brothers over there told me so."
"Really? Then I guess I should try it." Rukia smiled and then closed her eyes for the benefit of the small boy. But as she turned around once, her lips moved as she uttered one single name.
This dance has to be danced with the one person you wish to dance it with ...
If you close on your eyes and turn one round and say the person's name, your wish will come true. ..
Rukia stopped and opened her eyes only to see the small boy run away from her. In confusion, she watched him run across to the other side of the dance floor where he then stopped.
A figure stepped out from the side of the pillar next to the boy.
Rukia's heart and body froze. She could only watch as he bent down to talk to the small boy as he patted the boy on the head. She could only watch as the boy smiled at her from across the hall and whispered the word he had heard her say... into the man's ears.
Byakuya...
Her body froze, she could not move. She was unable to do anything as he straightened up from the little boy and gave him something before the boy ran off. She was unable to do anything as he slowly walked across the dance hall toward her. He was dressed in an immaculate black coat with a white dinner shirt underneath. His long black hair reached past his collars, and strands of it hung low over his left eye.
She would recognize those misty pair of grey eyes anywhere.
"Good evening."
Rukia was so confused. What was he… wasn't this man Byakuya? If he was, it was impossible for him to be here, he was in Seattle. Even if he was in Tokyo, he couldn't have known she would be here, in a specific hotel for her university's gala night as she had refrained from informing him about it. But it was impossible that he wasn't Byakuya.
Rukia momentarily thought she had dreamt him up. Maybe it was some other man who had walked up to her, and she was now envisioning him as Byakuya instead. The sadness gripped her heart, was she that desperate?
Rukia could only watch as the tall, handsome man bowed elegantly before her. He straightened up, keeping his grey eyes on her.
"I'm truly sorry but I will have to cut my presence here short."
Byakuya straightened up as the board of directors started whispering amongst themselves, hushed tones of disbelief and shock. The young executive took a moment as he regarded his audience, and then he opened his mouth.
"I am very much in love with this woman back in Tokyo. We have not formalized our relationship yet and there is a university dance she is attending tonight. I have just found out that she has not told me about it, probably because she realized it coincides with my business trip today. I have to go to her now, because I have spent my life dedicating it to this passion, my hotel enterprise… and I have allowed little room for anything else. The passion I feel for this woman is equal, if not more, to what I feel for Azaris. It is in that spirit, the very same spirit in which I make my way here to stand before each one of you, that I take my leave now, however inappropriate it may be. I hope you all will allow understanding on this matter and of Azaris. I have never worked for something that is not completely worthy of effort and this corporation is my pride, which I hope to share with all of you. I thank you and my sincere apologies again. My representative will finish the presentation and take any inquiries from here on."
Byakuya bowed and swiftly turned to walk to the meeting room doors. He opened it and nodded to the figure standing outside.
"Matsumoto."
"Hai."
"Do your best, good luck."
As the door closed with a subtle click, the directors nodded gravely at the figure who bowed in turn.
"Let us allow the meeting to continue."
Rukia watched as the man stopped in front of her and bowed. Her eyes were wide and she could not tear them away from him, even if she wanted to. There were so many things she wanted to say, but all of a sudden her lips could not utter a single word. There were so many feelings tossing about within her… relief, anger, happiness, sadness, desperation, frustration, gratitude.
She wanted to run away from him, get rid of these feelings, never see him again.
She wanted to run to him, throw her arms around him and stay like that for as long as she could.
She wanted…
Byakuya secured the cover back in place and turned on his mobile phone. He carelessly tossed his International SIM phone card into the small bin in his limousine. Reaching over to the panel on his right, Byakuya pressed a button and spoke, "Drive faster, I have a very important ceremony to attend to and I am already late."
"Yes, Mister Kuchiki." The chauffeur's voice answered his statement.
Byakuya leaned back but his eyes immediately diverted to his mobile phone as the notifications appeared on the screen. The grey eyes widened as he scrolled down the list.
Rukia.
So many missed calls from her. And a voice message.
Byakuya hurriedly clicked on the retrieval number and put the phone to his ears. He listened to the scratchiness of the line before finally hearing Rukia for the first time in the week.
"I… uh…" Rukia's voice trembled slightly on the line and Byakuya felt his heart wrench slightly. "… I guess I won't be seeing you for a bit. I, uh…" She paused again and Byakuya heard the recorded voice of Rukia take a deep breath. "… I didn't get a chance to say much to you… you left too fast…" Her voice sounded thick, it sounded like she was holding back tears. "I… just wanted to say that I knitted a little jacket for you to wear in Seattle. It's grey and… it looks really stupid actually…" Rukia laughed softly. "I gave it to Renji to give to you but… you don't have to wear it, you could just keep it or throw it away…" She forced another laugh. "But that's fine… the sweater is horrible anyway, but I just wanted to give it to you in case… I won't be seeing you." Suddenly her voice became slightly firmer. "I really want to say something…Ichigo, he was just…" Her voice stopped suddenly. "Um, I hope you come back safe, Byakuya. G-Goodbye."
She had called everyday after that. Once and sometimes twice in a day, but she never left a voice message anymore.
Byakuya watched Rukia steadily as he stood in front of her. No, he wasn't going to look away anymore, every second was precious for him. Every second that he did not spend by her side, every minute of the day that he did not hear her voice, every lifetime that he did not love her… they were all wasted.
She was dressed in a beautiful white dress tied with a dark blue ribbon at the back, her black hair held up at the back with a white glittery pin. Byakuya had slipped in the hall earlier and watched her easily from one of the darker corners. His heart had performed the characteristic leap when he first saw her, she was laughing at something her friend (a brown long-haired female) was saying to her. Byakuya had immediately taken the hall in quickly and noted how many of the men were watching Rukia with interest, Ichigo included. He could not have blamed them, she was… entrancing. And when they finally called for a dance, Byakuya knew how he could use it to pave his way to her.
Her eyes were big and bright now, and he could see all the emotions playing through the violet irises and Byakuya read them all at once.
Rukia, did I come back to lose you now?
"No, I don't want to dance," Rukia whispered. She started to take a step back but a pale hand latched onto her arm. That warm, familiar touch… the touch of his hand… Rukia felt everything melt away from her conscious mind.
"If my lady could be so kind as to spare me a dance... and to give my restless heart a moment of bliss?"
Rukia's eyes widened at the request but Byakuya put out his right hand to her and bowed his head low.
To give my restless heart a moment of bliss…
Slowly, the smaller hand made its way gently into the bigger one. Fingers interlocked and then the handsome executive steered the petite girl gently away from the dance floor.
xXxXx
"Who is that?" Shinji asked in a hushed tone as the group of friends watched Rukia standing with a tall, handsome man at the side of the dance floor. They had been more than surprised to see the mysterious male stranger solicit their friend right before the slow dance. They weren't the only ones looking, almost all the females in the hall had their eyes on the unexpected handsome guest of the event.
"He looks familiar somehow. I think I have seen him somewhere." Hiyori scrunched up her face in an attempt to remember.
"I know!" Orihime cried as she watched her friend and the tall man slowly walk away from the dance floor, towards the glass doors leading to the outdoor gardens. "Isn't he that rich man who donated money to our university? The one Ukitake-san had to show around?"
Shinji and Hiyori's eyes widened in realization. "Oh my God, it is him! What's he doing here? Why is he with Rukia?" Slowly, the pair exchanged incredulous looks. "Has Rukia been keeping something from us?"
Orihime watched as Rukia and the male heir slowly disappeared from their sight. "Do you think – Kurosaki-kun? Kurosaki-kun! Where are you going?"
For the orange-haired boy had walked out from the group, his stride determined and purposeful in the direction of the glass doors through which Rukia had just walked out of.
xXxXx
"What is it?"
"Huh?" Nel looked up in surprise to see Grimmjow watching her with a dubious expression on his face. She thought he looked rather uncertain, but adorably so.
"Nothing." Nel smiled. She turned to the left where she had been watching Rukia and Byakuya at the corner of the dance floor.
So he had turned up.
Nel could not help the smile that curled the corners of her lips.
Good luck, both of you.
"You aren't looking at some other guy, are you?" Grimmjow's voice brought Nel's attention back to him. "Because if you are, I will let you dance with him instead… after I punch him."
Nel laughed as she moved in closer to Grimmjow. "The only guy I want to be with is right here."
Byakuya held Rukia's hand firmly in his as he led her out to the gardens. He had detected a movement from the orange-haired boy out of the corner of his sharp eye. Ichigo was going to come after them.
Byakuya's hand tightened on Rukia, but gently so. He wasn't going to give up without a fight, and fights were his specialty. A small smile curled the corners of the Incubus's lips.
Ichigo burst out into the gardens and turned left and right, trying to detect any sign of Rukia and the mysterious rich male heir who had just materialized on their gala night and taken off with her.
What was happening?
Ichigo did not like what was going on, did not even understand what had just happened. It baffled him, that Rukia seemed to know the man. No, it wasn't mere acquaintance. Ichigo had seen Rukia's expression from afar and he had not liked what he had seen in her eyes.
They had been more than just… mere friends.
Ichigo's hand tightened into a fist. Why had Rukia never mentioned this to him, to anyone in their group of friends?
The orange-haired boy broke into a run, choosing a trail on the right and making his way through it. Ichigo was going to get to the bottom of this tonight.
Rukia's eyes widened. Byakuya had led her through several bush trails in the garden… right up to a hidden, small white pavilion. "How…"
"I own Azaris, and so have to know how my competitors work, and that includes the general layout of their hotel grounds." Byakuya bowed slightly in front of Rukia. "The music is rather faint here now, but I hope you can grace me with a single dance… Rukia."
Rukia's eyes widened, as she turned to the outline of the hotel building from where the faint strains of slow music could be heard. The questions spun with overwhelming speed in her brain. Why was he here, how did he know about this gala night? Why wasn't he being all cold and stand-offish? What… did he want?
She turned back to Byakuya as he stepped forward.
The answers are all here, Rukia. Just dance with me.
Rukia closed her eyes as she felt the strong arms of Byakuya envelop her body close to his. Then he was moving gently, and her body swayed easily with him. They danced in silence for a while, the night sounds and lights all around them but hardly a distraction in their small little world.
"What... is this?" Byakuya finally heard Rukia whisper softly. "Why are you here?" He felt her body tremble slightly in his arms. "Weren't you already done… with us?"
Byakuya felt his heart twist painfully at her words, and his hands tightened a little more on her waist. "Forgive me, Rukia... forgive my rashness and stupidity."
"I… Ichigo, we were just-
"Shhhh." Byakuya held Rukia tenderly in his arms as they moved slowly together. "I don't need to hear anything from you, it was very unfair of me. I have no right to question you at all, Rukia. Not when you have never questioned me."
He looked down and saw her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Byakuya's heart ached terribly.
He went on to speak. "Do I have the right to ask so much of you? You are pure, and different from my dark world. But I cannot help that." Byakuya's hand touched Rukia's face. "I was jealous, I was afraid… that I didn't win your heart after all."
Rukia's eyes widened.
"You have uncertainties of your own, of how you may fit into my life. I do too, Rukia." Rukia looked up in surprise and Byakuya held her gaze. "Sometimes, I am afraid I cannot compete… with all the things in your life, which have been built upon so many years before when you never knew me." He moved slowly, holding her. "But this trip to Seattle opened my eyes. I don't know if I can compete, but I will continue to do so. Because this here…" Byakuya moved his hand to his left chest, taking Rukia's hand with it. She felt the steady pounding through the expensive fabric. "… doesn't permit me to do otherwise."
"I will always come back, Rukia, whether you want me to or not."
A tear slid down Rukia's cheek and Byakuya leaned down to capture it easily on his lips. Another droplet joined the trail and he tasted it all off, watery evidence of her unspoken fears, her anger, her frustration… her happiness. Rukia's trembling hands clenched tightly onto the front of Byakuya's coat and she did not let go.
"It… hurts."
Byakuya's eyes widened at the soft whisper, as Rukia's hands fisted some more at his front. "I don't want to hurt but it does." The petite girl trembled in his arms. "Baka."
Why have you weakened me, Byakuya?
How do you make me so weak like this, Rukia?
So weak.
So… weak….
And so… in love…
And then he was leaning forward, closer to her. His misty grey eyes held her violet ones and she didn't even need him to will her, she wasn't going to look away this time. Slowly, his head bent downwards and hers angled just slightly upward in response. Their lips met in a soft, tender kiss as the Incubus held his human girl close to his beating immortal heart.
If he could kiss her forever like this, he would. He would kiss her and never break apart… not until they both turned to stone, locked together in an eternal embrace. If time could grind to a halt right now… so he could hold her like this for always, hold her warm petite frame which fitted so perfectly in his arms where he could feel her every curve. So this was the gift of heaven after six hundred years of waiting…
Hmph.
Renji rolled his eyes slightly as he watched the two figures in a tight embrace, locked in what Renji could see was an unmistakably passionate kiss. It was the very first time he had seen his superior kiss a woman like that. Usually, Byakuya's love acts consisted of a lot of necking and groping and it was all over as fast as it started. This here was different. Byakuya was definitely holding Rukia close against him but his touch appeared gentle and somehow desperate. Even the kiss was… tender, and Renji had never seen anything like it before.
As he watched, Byakuya moved lower onto Rukia's neck. Renji grinned in satisfaction.
Some things never change. Hey! Maybe I should videotape this, get some blackmail material as a future safety net!
The redhead was jolted out of his naughty plans when he heard loud footsteps of someone crashing down the garden path somewhere ahead. He watched as the familiar orange hair appeared among the path lined by rows of dark bushes. Renji immediately straightened up and walked toward him. Ichigo was too busy looking the other way to notice Renji had walked up to him, until the redhead tapped him on the shoulder.
"AHHH!"
"What?" Renji asked in an annoyed tone.
"Oh, it's you Renji." Ichigo looked at him suspiciously. "What are you doing out here?"
"I could say the same for you."
"I was looking for Rukia, I think she came in this direction. Did you see her?"
"Not a chance." Not a chance, idiot.
"I think…" Ichigo craned his neck over Renji's shoulder. "I think there's something over there…" The orangehead started to walk past Renji but the Incubus swiftly placed a hand on Ichigo's shoulder, halting him.
"There's nothing there."
"I think there is." Ichigo started to move again but Renji gripped his shoulder. Renji closed his eyes to think and an idea came to him immediately.
"Hey, have I told you this before, Ichigo?"
Ichigo's annoyed expression greeted Renji's mischievous smile. "What?"
"I've always thought you are really sexy, Ichigo…"
"Huh?" Ichigo took a wary step back.
"On second thoughts, let's go in that direction. There's a pavilion over there, we can enjoy our time there together." Renji reached out to take Ichigo's hand but the boy had already taken three huge steps backward. "Don't you want to spend some time with me, just the two of us?"
Renji watched as the human boy practically fled from the scene.
'Oh man, my public image…' Renji shuddered slightly. "Byakuya now owes me three free days of Aiko patronage and a cellar of Mont Bleu." Renji turned to the shadowy lights cast into the air by the pavillion.
He had to chuckle. "Lovebirds…"
Rukia gasped softly as she felt Byakuya's warm lips against her neck. She unknowingly arched it back slightly to feel more of his passionate kisses. A soft moan escaped her throat as he sucked hard on her skin, and she felt herself slide higher up against the pillar.
It was a déjà-vu of sorts, of the one time where the very same man pressed her up against a pillar in the pavilion of her university campus.
But this time, Byakuya wasn't holding back as much.
They had kissed in the middle of dancing, and then the kiss had gotten fiercer, more passionate and neither was dancing anymore. Byakuya had lifted her up easily, allowing her legs to straddle him in turn as he pushed her up against one of the pillars. Now his hands were pushing the ends of her dress higher up on her thighs as his lips worked a trail of fire down her neck.
She felt him scrape his teeth against her skin, giving more life to the dangerous pressure building in the lower region of her body. Rukia threaded her fingers through Byakuya's hair and he growled in response. She gasped softly as he moved lower still, down her shoulder... to her chest. He kissed the spot of cleavage not obscured by the front of her dress, before nipping gently at the fabric covering the swell of her left breast. At the same time, his hand made its way under her skirt and caressed her inner thigh.
It was fire, pure passion and desire. Byakuya could not hold it in much longer, the distance and time spent apart when he was in Seattle had made him a desperate and very hungry demon. A demon that happened to desire so heartily a single human girl.
"Rukia…" Byakuya murmured huskily, as his lips returned to hers, fluttering against her mouth slightly as they breathed heavily against each other. "Don't do this to me anymore."
Rukia looked back at him with wide eyes and sex-flushed cheeks, Byakuya's very own temptress. He started to pull the strap of her dress down... when his mobile phone rang. Both Byakuya and Rukia looked at each other.
Fuck.
Fuck this.
Byakuya regrettably let her go and gently lowered her back on her feet. He then reached into his coat pocket for his phone. As he held it up to his ear, Rukia adjusted her dress slightly, a blush colouring her cheeks.
"Hello, Kuchiki Byakuya speaking."
"Hey, I'm terribly sorry to interrupt the making of the pavilion pornographic movie but…" Renji's voice was an awful teasing tone but he then grew serious. "I think there's going to be a very important phone call from Seattle in fifteen minutes or so. I suggest we head back to Azaris for a bit, then you can come back and finish whatever business you have here."
Byakuya nodded. "Alright. I will meet you in the parking lot."
He placed his phone back into the pocket and turned to Rukia. He reached out to smooth the hair from her cheek. "I have to leave for a bit, but I promise I will come see you tonight. Would you walk me to the parking lot?"
Rukia smiled, and slid her small hand into Byakuya's as they started to walk out of the pavilion together.
"Is it something serious you have to attend to?" Rukia asked as they walked hand-in-hand to the parking lot.
"It is just a phone call from Seattle. I expect it will be the result of the meeting I abandoned this morning."
Rukia stopped, aghast but Byakuya just smiled at her and walked on. Rukia dashed after him.
"You what? You walked out on your Seattle meeting to come here?" She scurried forward and planted herself in front of him so he had to stop walking.
"Is something the matter, Rukia?"
Rukia stared at Byakuya in shock. "Of course there is! You… it's a very important deal in your career! I…" Rukia shook her head in a panic. "Hurry, we will get a taxi right this minute! You get back on the plane to Seattle! I think it'd be very expensive for me to come along so I'll call from Japan to apologize directly to the board of directors! I… you shouldn't have come back here! Doesn't matter now, I will tell them it's not your fault and-
Rukia's eyes widened, her words abruptly stopping. Byakuya had raised a hand to her cheek, gently caressing the side of her face. She looked up at him uncertainly and he was smiling softly at her.
"Do you know what I told them before I left the meeting?"
Rukia shook her head numbly as Byakuya's hand lingered on her cheek.
"I told them… that I love this one woman back in Tokyo."
Rukia's eyes widened.
"I love her, so I had to come back to her. Because I was uncertain where I belonged in her life, and I needed to find out somehow. I might die inside if I found out I never had a place in her life, but at least that will give me a clear goal for the next few weeks of killing someone off so I can fill that vacancy."
Rukia chuckled in spite of herself, but her eyes still remained worried.
"I was afraid I would lose you forever, lose you to Ichigo," Byakuya whispered in his deep voice and Rukia's eyes widened. "The last few days in Seattle… they were the worst of my life. Jealousy, anger, loneliness…" Byakuya withdrew his hand from Rukia's face. "So I came back, to prevent you from falling in love with him tonight. I will do whatever it takes, Rukia. Barriers, threats, I will even carry you with my own two hands away from him."
Rukia laughed softly.
"I cannot prevent you from liking him, so all I can do is stop the feeling where it is."
"That won't be necessary."
Byakuya stopped and looked at Rukia.
"Because I already like someone else." Rukia smiled. "And he came back… which means he must like me too."
A soft smile graced the handsome features of Byakuya. He lowered his hand to take Rukia's. "Rukia… be my girlfriend."
Rukia's eyes widened.
"My official girlfriend. I don't want any more uncertainties between us, or between other people. I want everyone to know that I have settled down, and am now in a steady relationship. I want your friends to know that you have a boyfriend, that you are taken."
Rukia looked up, her eyes shining. Then she spoke, a soft smile on her lips. "Actually… I thought I already am."
A happy smile crossed the Incubus's face and he started to pull Rukia closer. The bush nearby suddenly made loud gagging noises, and Byakuya and Rukia broke apart in surprise.
Byakuya shook his head. "Yes, Renji. I'm coming."
Rukia's eyes widened in surprise. "Renji?" She chuckled. "Come on out."
Byakuya and Rukia watched as the prominent red appeared at the top of the bushes first, before the tall figure of a man stepped out onto the pavement.
"Hey."
Rukia smiled. "Hey. So… you will be heading home today?"
Renji smiled as he shrugeed. "I think so. Pity though, a lot of hearts in Nagoya will be breaking."
Rukia laughed. "I will have to agree with that one."
"You'll be seeing me around though." Renji smiled. He turned to Byakuya, his eyes suddenly turning serious. "For reasons which you might find unbelievable in future." The redhead laughed. "But I think Nagoya's grown on me." He winked at Rukia. "And you too."
Rukia smiled. "Arigato, Renji. It was a huge pleasure getting to know you." In a surprising gesture, she moved forward and hugged Renji. Both Renji and Byakuya's eyes widened but then the moment passed and Renji returned the hug, trying to mask his embarrassment and touched expression.
"Don't be silly, this is childish."
"Arigato, Renji." Rukia's voice was a muffled whisper. Arigato, I know it was you who brought him to me.
"You already said it!" Ah, don't be silly, human.
Rukia laughed and let Renji go. "Okay. Well, good luck... and I will see you sometime." She waved at both Byakuya and Renji as they got into the limousine.
"Abarai."
"Ah."
Byakuya turned to his right to look at his assistant, his face calm despite the warm happiness brewing inside him. His face expressionless, despite what might await him at Azaris for having failed for the very first time at acquiring the most important business deal in decades.
"Why did you make an effort to call me about the dance, knowing that I would abandon business for Azaris?"
"I didn't want you to kill yourself when you come back and see your precious human ex-girlfriend all cuddly-cuddly with an orangehead. Also, my life would be on the line if it happens."
Byakuya stared at Renji in silence.
Renji spread his arms over the limousine seat. "Actually, it just plain hurts my demon pride to see you lose to a trivial human boy, flat-chested or no flat-chested girl in question."
"I owe you gratitude, Abarai."
"Huh?" Renji looked at Byakuya in surprise but his young superior had already turned to look out the windshield. The limousine continued to speed through the highway, as the tall building of the Azaris hotel appeared in the distance.
"I never did like repeating myself."
"I know. And you are bloody hell welcome."
"Who will be calling from Seattle?" Renji asked as the two tall Incubi strode through the silver halls of the Azaris corporate floor level.
"Matsumoto. I left her in charge of my position when I left." Renji blanched in horror at the statement but Byakuya walked on. "I told her to get me on the line when the outcome has been made, and to allow me to speak to the board representative for my reasons."
As if on cue, the phone at the empty receptionist desk rang. Renji looked at Byakuya as he reached one hand forward.
"Before you take the call, I just want you to know that the reality hasn't sunk in for me yet. That I, on intention, persuaded you to return to Tokyo for a dumb gala dance for a human girl... and abandoned a huge business opportunity for our demon clan."
Byakuya looked at Renji calmly and nodded.
"And that I also want a decent, if not good outcome from it. And I'm not talking about the Lamborghini. I'm talking about the both of you. You and Rukia," Renji grouched. "Don't let my bloody efforts go to waste."
Something passed through Byakuya's grey eyes for a split second and then he picked up the ringing phone.
xXxXx
Rukia stared at her mobile phone for a bit as she sat on the bed. Her body was still tingling with electricity, spots of intense warmth glowing on her skin where Byakuya's intimate touches had been previously.
He had come back. Better still, they had sorted out everything. And…
Be my girlfriend, Rukia.
A small smile played on Rukia's lips at the memory, lessening slightly as the worry and guilt crept in over Byakuya's abandoned Seattle meeting. He had left the States to return here, just for a trivial dance night. Rukia closed her eyes and prayed the the board of directors would be lenient and did not judge him based on his sudden exit.
A short tap on her balcony glass door drew Rukia's attention to the balcony. She frowned as she caught sight of a small pebble lying on the floor. Rukia hurried outside and looked past the balcony.
"Good evening."
Rukia almost screamed… had she not recognized the teasing, sexy deep baritone.
"BYAKUYA!"
Byakuya smiled slightly at her, the night breeze blowing the stray strands of his hair just over his eyes. Rukia watched with wide eyes as he leapt agilely over the balcony rail. She hurriedly put her hands out to stabilize him but he managed the feat gracefully as he landed easily in her balcony.
"What…" Rukia's feelings were a mixture of total confusion and curiosity. "What are you doing here? You should have gone back to Seattle!… What Renji-
"I told you I would come to see you again tonight," Byakuya replied calmly. "Rukia, I am not going back to Seattle." A faint smile curled his lips slightly. "And they did sign the contract with Azaris."
"They did?" Rukia's mouth dropped open in surprise but her eyes filled with happiness. "They really did give you the business deal?"
Byakuya nodded, and a small smile curved his lips as Rukia gasped and started jumping on the balls of her feet in excitement.
"That's wonderful!" Without thinking, she threw her arms around Byakuya and hugged him. The smile on the Incubus's face widened ever so slightly but before he could pull her closer, Rukia had drawn back. "We should celebrate!" she exclaimed in happiness.
"We… should," Byakuya leaned forward slightly, closer to her and intentionally injecting a huskier tone to his voice. He could easily think of the best way of celebrating, especially where it involved Rukia.
But Rukia was already excitedly stepping backward into her room. "I know just the thing! I'll be right back, and don't make too much noise, Otousan is already sleeping."
"And… ta-dah!" Rukia whispered softly as she revealed a long green bottle from behind her back.
Byakuya chuckled. "Arigato, Rukia." He watched as she placed the bottle of wine onto her bed, along with the covered red plastic dish.
"I had to tiptoe downstairs past Otousan's room, and insert a wedge along the fridge door line because it creaks."
Rukia smiled as she placed two rabbit-themed glasses on the bed, before popping the wine bottle open expertly. Byakuya cocked his eyebrows in surprise at the relative ease in which she handled the wine bottle.
"I've been practicing," Rukia whispered and he had to chuckle again. She uncovered the dish and Byakuya smiled at the two rows of home-made strawberry tarts with whipped cream.
"I made them myself, I was going to serve them tomorrow for dessert but I think this calls for it. I will make some more for Otousan tomorrow." Rukia smiled sheepishly. "Well, it's nowhere near as good as a proper celebratory dinner at your office would be. Plus, we have to whisper..." Rukia spoke softly, smiling as she poured the wine into Byakuya's cup. She poured a quarter of amount into her own.
"This wins over an office dinner anytime," Byakuya whispered back calmly. Sitting on your bed and whispering with you, Rukia, while eating aphrodisiacs… beats anything.
Rukia grinned and took up a strawberry tart to offer to Byakuya, who took it from her hand. "Eat up. I hope it's good."
"I don't understand why you are tucking me into bed like a child." Rukia looked up with her beautiful wide violet eyes and it took everything Byakuya could not to jump into the covers with her (he had already restrained himself from licking a splotch of whipped cream off the side of her lips just now as they polished off the tarts). She looked so adorable.
It had been after the little celebratory pastry dessert, and Rukia hid the dish and used glasses in her drawer to be cleaned tomorrow. Byakuya had then manuevered her into the bathroom and insisted she get ready for bed before tucking her in.
"And this thing?"
"It was the real reason I came to see you tonight. I really hope you can come to the dinner." Byakuya smiled.
Rukia's eyes lowered to the dark red envelope in her hands. It was sealed with a thick black ribbon down the back, lined with gold. In the middle of the ribbon, a red wax seal bore a crest of sorts. The invitation was unlike anything Rukia had ever seen. It was mysterious and old-fashioned, and rather dark-looking but elegantly so.
"This is the Azaris symbol? I have never seen it before." Rukia pointed at the wax seal.
"No, it is not. This is my family's crest, the Kuchiki family crest." Byakuya looked at the envelope in Rukia's hand as he sat by her bedside. "They are the ones holding the celebration dinner over at Azaris this time, even though there will be business associates."
"Your… family?" Rukia's voice betrayed the slight nervousness she was feeling. "You all actually have a crest for symbol?"
Byakuya nodded. "You have seen some of my family members and they will certainly be there during the dinner. Renji and Unohana-sensei." Byakuya touched the wax seal slightly. "I apologize if I am too sudden in this matter. I just wanted you to meet some of my family, so they can also meet and get to know you. It might take some time, but I wanted this to be a first step."
"No, not at all! I mean…" Rukia looked down at the invitation envelope. "I'd love to meet your family but…" She laughed softly. "I can't promise that I won't trip or fumble and embarrass you. You know how uncomfortable I am during functions."
"I know," Byakuya replied. "I won't leave your side, I promise."
Rukia chuckled. "That won't be necessary. Oh, so I have to get a dress for the event? I don't have many formal dresses but I think I will wear the one I wore today though you have already-
"The instructions will be in this second envelope, this one's from me." Byakuya allowed a small smile to play on his lips as he placed a white envelope on top of Rukia's covers.
"Oh… okay." Rukia took up the white envelope with curiosity.
"But for now, you should rest, it's already late. Sweet dreams, Rukia." Byakuya rose from her bed, bent down and kissed her lightly on the nose.
Rukia watched as Byakuya started to turn away. "But… how are you going to get down?"
Byakuya smiled. "I will think of something." He stopped at the balcony door and opened it. Immediately, a sharp wind blew into the room, shaking the curtains and blowing open the book on her desk. Rukia closed her eyes slightly as the pages riffled through in the wind.
In the split second when she opened her eyes, the balcony was empty.
Rukia's eyes filled with subtle wonder. How did he get down so fast? Did he actually… jump? Part of her wanted to rush to her balcony and look down just to check that he wasn't down in the garden, having fractured his leg or something. Another part, the part that trusted and understood Byakuya, told her that he had set off on his way home and that he had intentionally tucked her in bed first so she would not trouble herself to go look.
It was the part that told her this man that she loved… was impossible from the beginning.
"Good night, Byakuya," Rukia whispered softly.
And there you go. Chapter 22 done. I'm too tired right now to type out any explanations but yep, ByaRuki reconciliation and more developments. :) Hope you did enjoy the chapter. :D