"You call it madness, I call it love." -Don Byas-
"Love that is not madness... is not love." -Pedro Calderon de la Barca-
Here I am, with Chapter 24! :D Pretty fast, eh? I had one week of holidays last week actually so I thought to finish up this chapter because it marks the start of something from here on in this fic. :)
This is the longest chapter I have written out in my entire experience here in FF :D (pretty sure this record will be surpassed somewhere in the future if I keep writing anyway XD). I hope it makes for some good reading time. Normally, I'd split this chapter into two because of the length, but I think the overall feel would be lost if I did so I just put them together and I hope you'd enjoy this one long chapter! :)
Thank you to all my reviewers of the past chapter, I love you all for the kind feedback and motivations you took the time to give to me. I hope you will enjoy this chapter, which, given the length, I dedicate to you all: silver woman, Xio Yven, RunSakura, Voidy, LadyAllan, BexBluedragon, ReckoningDay, Rose of Ice, L, Mai, DarkAngelLida, Lilian Violet, compa16, byarukixOxO, silverqueen, FreeSoul1990, Fumi Raisin, Crystal-Clear Hope, Suisho x Hirako Shinji, xxUlquiorraLoveRxx, seras3791, K.a. , onlyluna, LuciL06, vicky73, Sakimi1014, YuzurihaNoRyuu, BlackBurningHeart, cintiasnakeblack, Oicherealtai, DRUON, cactuspd, Daylite, byakuchiki, couples lover, Kichou and The Tears-Of-Heaven.
WARNING: ByaRuki moments alert! XD And also OOC-ness in AU setting. If you cannot stand sappy love stories as well, back off now.
Hope you enjoy, Chapter 24. :)
The white spotlights played on the front of the grand entrance to the Azaris hotel, where an enormous red carpet rolled down the polished marble steps. Rukia thought it all looked rather like an Academy Awards ceremony. She watched the women in long, colourful dresses and the men in dinner jackets exit their expensive cars to head up the steps into the hotel.
"ID pass?"
Rukia jumped slightly as she heard the gruff voice of the guard through the driver's car window which Renji had lowered down. The redhead flashed his entrance card.
"Passengers?"
"Two guests to the dinner."
"Do allow me to confirm that."
"Just look though. They are very expensive property, don't want them breaking, do you?"
Renji pressed a button on the right side of the steering wheel of his Jaguar and the tinted car window nearest to Matsumoto lowered.
"Hello there, kind Sir." Matsumoto flashed a flirtatious smile. "Working hard, I see."
"Y-Yes, my lady." The guard gaped at Matsumoto for a bit then lowered his torchlight to shine just briefly into the car. The light fell onto Rukia, who was sitting next to Matsumoto. As the guard registered her presence, he did a double take as he looked at her. Rukia looked back at him nervously but by then, the car window had lifted up and blocked her from view.
"Satisfied, Sir?"
"Y-Yes."
"You sounded so cool back then, Renji!" Matsumoto laughed merrily in the backseat. "They are expensive property, don't want them breaking, do you?" She mimicked Renji and burst out laughing again. She was so infectious Rukia could not help but laugh along.
"Hey hey, watch it, both of you. Just because I became your chauffeur for the day doesn't mean I put up with girlish shit as well." Renji parked the Jaguar easily into an empty parking space and killed the engine.
"The guard seemed to be very suspicious of me though…" Rukia spoke up. "Did you see him just now?"
"That's because he just got an erection the moment he looked at you!" Matsumoto laughed again as Rukia blanched in horror. Renji smacked his forehead.
"Don't listen to her, Rukia. Now get out of the car, and don't trip."
xXxXx
"I really think-
"You aren't chickening out, are you?" Matsumoto looked at Rukia and spun her to face the glass of the elevator. "Look at yourself! You're going to be stealing hearts the moment you step into the place!" The taller woman gave the petite one a warm smile. "It's alright to feel a bit nervous at functions like these but try to enjoy yourself in the meantime. Just think, you will be seeing Byakuya soon!"
Rukia thought about that, but it only made the butterflies in her stomach flutter a lot more vigorously.
She watched as the number 39 light up and the elevator jerked to a stop.
You can do this, Rukia.
Rukia took a deep breath as the silver doors opened.
She gasped as the most wondrous hotel ballroom she had ever seen spread out before her eyes. It looked like something out of a fairytale, the dance in the palace which Cinderella went to. The ceilings were ablaze with golden light from the numerous hanging chandeliers which shone down over the guests milling around the enormous dinner hall. It had two levels with white pillars and the dance floor was a square of smooth polished oak parquet in the middle. On the right side, enormous glass doors opened into balconies alternating within the pillars where more guests were milling around. On the left, silver buffet platters stood on tables lined with velvet cloth, each supervised by two waiters. More waiters weaved silently through the guests, expertly balancing more platters with expensive appetizers or a waiting bottle of fine wine.
"Welcome to Azaris, Rukia." Matsumoto spoke as she stepped up beside Rukia, Renji following suit.
"Allow me to introduce to you!" Matsumoto beamed. "This beautiful princess here is… Rukia-san." She beamed at Rukia who bowed politely.
"Rukia-san, pleased to meet you."
"Rukia-san! You are so beautiful!"
"Oh…" Rukia smiled at the blond-haired man and black-haired girl. "It's a pleasure to meet you too…" She trailed off as she looked at Matsumoto.
"Now this here is Kira Izuru, he's one of the hottest bachelors in our office though of course, you wouldn't be interested!" Matsumoto laughed while Izuru smiled weakly at Rukia. "And this adorable little thing is Hinamori Momo. Look, she's about the same size as you are!" Hinamori smiled amiably at Rukia.
"Rukia-san, your dress is very pretty. Where did you get it?"
"I, uh…"
"It's from Belle Lista," Renji replied absently, eyeing the crowd. "Courtesy of Byakuya."
"Byakuya?" Hinamori's eyes widened in surprise as Izuru blinked. "Oh, so…" Now it was their turn to look at Matsumoto in confusion.
"Rukia-san is here on Byakuya's invitation." Matsumoto nodded, her brown eyes suddenly taking on a serious, knowing look at her two friends. "She is his dinner partner."
Rukia clasped her hands in front of her, feeling suddenly awkward at the curious looks she was getting from Hinamori and Izuru. But when she turned to look elsewhere, some unknown man or woman was staring at her and she had to turn back quickly. This was really uncomfortable.
"So what do you think of my dress, Rukia-san? It doesn't compare to yours, of course, but you haven't said anything about it." Hinamori smiled.
"I think it's very beautiful. The colour suits you." Rukia smiled at the knee-length pink pleated dress with the full skirt. Hinamori was very pretty, and very friendly too.
"She looks like delicious cotton candy, and that's her favourite food," Matsumoto laughed and looked at Rukia. "Myself, Renji, Hinamori and Izuru are sort of a clique in the office."
"They are one of the best people I know," Renji agreed, smiling. "Byakuya requested me to personally introduce them to you first."
"Unohana-sensei?"
"Yes, Isane?"
"Look over there, Sensei." Unohana turned to the far end of the room where Isane was gesturing with her hand. The soft eyes widened slightly before they turned back to the calm blue.
So… this is how it is.
"What about it, Isane?"
"Do you know that girl, Sensei? She came in with Abarai and Rangiku-san. I have passed her just now on the way here and she smelled different somehow. She smells like a human." Isane smiled, sheepish. "Not that there aren't any here but I just find it strange that she, as a single individual, is talking amongst Rangiku-san and her group of friends. They look… pretty close."
"She is not Rangiku-san's friend, Isane. At least, not at first."
"Huh?"
"She is Byakuya's friend."
"Ohh…" Isane's eyes grew round with realization. "She is here tonight as Byakuya's company?" The grey-haired girl smiled faintly. "His choice this time is the best I have seen, the girl looks stunning. Look at the other Incubi and men, Sensei, they are all focused on her at least once." Isane chuckled. "I thought she was pretty nice too, from the conversation I heard on the way here."
"No, Isane."
"Huh?" Isane looked confusedly at her mentor.
Unohana's blue eyes grew slightly darker. "She has been Byakuya's company for… months now."
"Appetizers?" Matsumoto grabbed a waiter by his collar as she smiled ladylike at Rukia. "Here, my dear, you can take your pick. We have the standard baked French cheese, the Norwegian smoked salmon bites, the hot crab artichoke dip…" She practically popped something of unknown substance into Rukia's mouth which tasted surprisingly delightful to the tongue.
"Icth twaste gwood…" Realizing her mouth was still full, Rukia swallowed the food as Matsumoto giggled.
"You are so funny, Rukia! Eat nicely, I know the food is good."
"Not as good as the way you two look, ladies."
Matsumoto and Rukia turned at the sleazy, deep voice.
"Pervert Sensei!" Matsumoto laughed and hugged the tall man with long, wavy brown hair. Rukia stood to one side nervously as she watched the proceedings. The man turned to look at her and Rukia reflexively inched backward.
"Ah now, see what you did, Rangiku? The girl's practically terrified of me now. Kyoraku Shunsui, my dear. Nice to meet you." The tall man took Rukia's hand and gave it a light kiss.
"Nice to meet you. My name is Rukia."
"Rukia? That's a very beautiful name. So what brings you here today, Rukia-chan?"
Rukia opened her mouth but Matsumoto had already started on the answer. "She's here as Byakuya's date, Sensei." Kyoraku turned to Matsumoto in surprise, before looking back at Rukia.
"I see." His brown eyes stayed on her. "And beautifully deserving, I would say."
Rukia lowered her eyes. Despite having a flamboyant way of dressing (this man had on a black coat over a pink flowery dinner shirt) and careless way of speech, Kyoraku seemed to command an air of authority and seniority in the place.
"When did you first meet Byakuya, Rukia-chan?"
"Oh? Oh, I… met him some months ago."
"Months?" A brown eyebrow raised itself in the lined face of Kyoraku as he turned to Matsumoto, who was now looking at him seriously. "I see. Did something very memorable happen then? A very romantic first-time encounter, probably?"
"Actually, when we first met…" Rukia looked sheepish, her voice almost tiny. "… I threw his money back in his face because I thought he was insulting me."
The loud laugh broke the air and the people nearby turned to look at the tall man. Kyoraku wiped the corners of his eyes as he looked down at Rukia, who was smiling in surprise at his response. "I see, I see. Well, I wish you well, my Lady." Kyoraku reached out and again took Rukia's small hand in his before kissing her fingers lightly. "Now, please excuse me, there's some ladies I have yet to introduce myself to."
"It was very nice meeting you, Kyoraku-Sensei."
"The same, Rukia-chan, the same."
Rukia bowed and turned back to look at Matsumoto who was staring at her with her mouth open. "You threw money back in Kuchiki Byakuya's face on the first day you met him?"
xXxXx
The sudden sharp noise of blades whirring in the air drew the attention of the guests to the main balcony. The waiters stopped distributing food and wine, and ushered the guests out through the enormous glass doors.
"He's here!" Matsumoto gasped and grabbed Rukia's arm and Renji's, pulling them toward the balcony. There were many guests already crowded in front so they had to stay off to the back. They watched as a sleek black helicopter materialized in the night sky, the bright head light shining down onto the balcony.
"Please make way for the chopper! Stand beyond the black line please, ladies and gentlemen!" The security guards ushered the guests to safety. "The chopper will be landing on this balcony's helipad!"
Rukia watched the helicopter carefully but she could not detect any signs of Byakuya. The windows appeared tinted and the doors were closed. She turned to Matsumoto.
"How come a helicopter?"
Matsumoto smiled. "Byakuya attends his last-minute meetings this way to cut through the rush-hour jam. He had one this evening so the fastest way would be to dress up in his office, go to the meeting and come back here in full speed. It helps the high-class entrance factor look too." Matsumoto winked. "You should know he's the flashy kind."
Rukia chuckled and nodded.
The whirring noise got louder as the helicopter started to descend, lowering over the balcony's spacious helipad. The wind stirred up by the helicopter blades whipped around the compound and the guests. As everyone started to shield their eyes against the sharp treacherous air, the helicopter started to land onto the hotel balcony. Rukia saw the silver words 'Azaris' imprinted on the body of the helicopter.
The helicopter landed on the helipad and Rukia kept her eyes open despite the sharp wind around her. The whirring sound was almost deafening but she did not cover her ears. She watched as the pilot gave the thumbs-up to one of the security guards and they rushed forward as the door started to slide open.
And then she saw him.
Byakuya stepped out of the helicopter easily, almost as if he had done so so many times before. The wind whipped his hair about his face but his grey eyes stayed open and focused. He looked as handsome and flawless as ever, dressed in an expensive black dinner suit over a white dress shirt, complete with a dark green tie. He nodded to the guards and walked out from the helicopter, bent slightly to avoid the treacherous blades. When he reached the safety line, the helicopter started to lift up into the air once again.
Byakuya adjusted his coat once and smiled politely at some of the guests. His hair, which had been whipped earlier by the hard wind, now fell perfectly back to brush his collar, and the usual strands hung over his left eye.
The guards led him through the crowd of guests and Rukia hung back timidly, afraid to catch his eye. Byakuya walked up to the small podium erected at one corner of the ballroom as the guests moved in to fill the hall.
"Arigato. I thank you all for gathering here today," Byakuya spoke in his deep voice. "Today is a dinner held here in Azaris to celebrate the signing of the business venture with our partners in Seattle." He stopped to allow the applause which had interrupted him halfway through his words. "My heartfelt appreciation goes out to the staff of Azaris, the head board of directors, the executive assistants ("He never mentions us," Renji grouched next to Rukia), the senior officers and their assistants, the office staff of Azaris, the service staff in the hotel who provides the five-star quality known to our name."
Rukia watched with pride and amazement in her heart as Byakuya went on with his speech. It was amazing. Here in Azaris, she saw how he carried himself in front of his work colleagues and staff. He was crisp, collected, professional, almost cold. He was different from the man who washed the greens in the kitchen, who whispered huskily in her ear, who held her in his warm arms.
Rukia shook herself as another applause rang through the room. Focus, Rukia!
Byakuya was still talking. "- And of course to Unohana-sensei who played an integral part in organizing the dinner today for me, so that I may have enough to eat and dance from my previously deprived weeks."
Laughter rippled through the guests.
"I entreat all of you to eat and make merry tonight here in Azaris in the spirit of celebration and hope for more progress in this wonderful hotel enterprise. I myself intend to do so immediately after my speech now, with my first dance whom I would like to dance with my partner… Rukia."
Rukia, who had been smiling, gasped in shock. Matsumoto and Renji froze for a second before turning to look at her. The guests were talking amongst themselves, apparently looking for the mentioned partner.
Byakuya looked into the crowd. "Rukia?" He spoke into the microphone again.
"Hey, he's calling for you! Answer him!" Renji poked Rukia.
"I… I…"
Matsumoto laughed. "Trust him to come up with something like this to show the Kuchikis."
"I don't dance!…" Rukia whispered in a panic. "… not in front of everyone!"
"Pffttt. What, are we so scary? We don't eat people... well at least, not literally," Matsumoto laughed as she winked at Renji, who started to put his hand up into the air.
Byakuya stepped back from the microphone and waited. He looked out into the crowd, trying to catch any hint of movement or telltale signs to where Rukia was. When he had arrived, he had failed to catch sight of her but he was very sure Renji and Matsumoto had brought her here as per his instructions.
The ghost of a smile crossed his lips, as he thought of how scared she would be at this moment.
I can wait, Rukia.
"What are you doing?" Rukia spoke up, her voice worried.
"Signalling to him where you are," Renji replied absently. He put his hand up and waved even harder. Rukia started to grab at his arm but she could not reach that high up. "Can't you tell that he's looking for you?"
"Hush, Rukia, why are you so scared? Don't tell me you are going to hide in corners and not come into contact with Byakuya once all night? You look fantastic, he's going to be panting like a dog," Matsumoto laughed and joined Renji, putting up one perfectly-manicured hand into the air as well.
"I… no, what I…" Rukia bit her lip and looked toward the front of the hall. Everything melted away as she caught sight of the misty shade of piercing grey… now finally fixed on her from across the hall.
How could he have missed her?
Byakuya looked right at Rukia from across the hall and felt his heart thudding dangerously out of his ribcage. His eyes could only take in the ethereal sight of her, a shrine of worship and desire immediately constructing itself in the depths of his body and soul.
Rukia.
Other than the traditional colours of red and black, demons and demonesses loved the colour green. It was a poisonous colour, and vibrant enough to carry the elegant and dark classiness of the immortal beings in a single hue.
He had chosen that colour, just for Rukia today.
And as always, there were no mistakes to be made.
She was almost vixen-like.
Byakuya's hungry eyes took in her otherwise-hidden curvy form, which was accentuated perfectly by the form-fitting emerald green evening gown. The dress hugged her curves in perfection to her hips, and down to her feet. Her hair was held up at the back of her neck and as she turned around to look at Renji in a panic, Byakuya saw that it was fastened back with an ornate gold butterfly pin.
Madam Kabuki hadn't bothered with an overload of accessories. Rukia had on a pair of dark green teardrop earrings which sparkled at her ears and no jewels at her neck, further enhancing the bare creamy skin of her shoulders and chest, an invitation of erotic porcelain against the emerald hue. The dress was strapless and Byakuya's eyes travelled down to her cleavage where the sweetheart neckline exposed just enough to provide an alluring sight. The dark jeweled bodice hugged her waist tight with a high slit up one leg. The dress fell to her toes, where her feet was adorned with matching dark green small-heeled sandals.
She looked like a goddess of seduction, surely created to overpower hearts of men and destroy every last bit of reason for lust and passion. Those violet eyes in the beautiful oval face, her black hair held up to expose the thin, fair neck... she was exotic, a beauty crafted by God's great finesse. Her skin was glowing against the emerald, which further enhanced the delicate bareness of her shoulders, her arms, her chest. The finest of porcelain, imparting just the tiniest hint of softness to touch, the promise of endless sexual possibilities of flesh which easily stirred up the primal instincts so known to an Incubus.
Amour du démon.
The Demon's Love.
Byakuya felt his heart start to triple its beats with each step he took toward Rukia, even though his face remained calm and devoid of emotion. Every pair of eyes were focused on him as he walked silently forward but he had eyes only on one, and that was the most beautiful woman he was headed for.
She looked virtually terrified, and was almost hanging off Renji's arm, probably to stop him from exposing their location. Byakuya felt a tiny twinge of jealousy at their proximity but he knew for sure Rukia harboured no special feelings for his assistant. She only loved one… and she was dressed up only for him now. Byakuya felt all his passionate instincts and desires rush to the fore.
Surely she had been in the spotlight like this before? How could she not, looking the way she did now, the epitome of beauty and desire of all men? How could she not have men falling over themselves to please her, when she could tempt even the coldest of hearts? Her eyes were wide as she looked at him, violet jewels in her pretty face, filled with all the endearing emotions of humankind. She was anxious, very nervous and there it was, the simple question in her eyes, of why he had chosen to dance the first formal dance with her in front of everyone when she might slip or do something terribly embarrassing.
Byakuya felt the amusement dance within himself, in spite of all the desire already brewing inside him.
Why you, Rukia?
He stopped in front of her and heard the flurry of noise as the guests whispered among themselves.
Why you… Rukia?
His heart was pounding the fastest he had ever felt in over six hundred years… and all for this human girl in front of him. Byakuya bowed his head low, but not low enough so his eyes could remain locked on Rukia's. He extended his right hand to her, the traditional gesture for man to ask a lady for a turn on the floor.
Because I… simply want to hold you close forever.
The guests watched as the tall handsome executive led the beautiful petite woman into the middle of the floor. The demon clan members were watching the couple with disbelief and wariness but the mortal business associates (who were completely unaware of any situation) were heartily commenting on how beautiful the two looked together.
But right in the middle of the floor, only two soft voices mingled with each other.
"Rukia, don't be so nervous…" The deep voice whispered in her ear. "You look like you are about to have a heart attack right now, you're starting to worry me." Byakuya could not help the amused tone as he held her close and started to move to the soft classical music. One of his hand curved around her waist, the other held her small hand in his.
"Why is everyone looking? They should dance themselves!" Rukia's voice came out in a flustered whisper.
Byakuya chuckled softly. "They are looking at you." He pulled back slightly so he could look at Rukia. "And rightfully so." The misty grey eyes warmed as they burned into her. "You look very beautiful tonight, Rukia."
Rukia blushed under the intensity of his gaze. "I… arigato. This dress must have been very expensive! I will rent the dress this once and I guess I will have to pay you back in installments…"
"Trample not on my pride, Rukia." Rukia looked up in surprise at Byakuya as they moved across the floor together. "A man has to shower his beloved with everything he believes she deserves and is in his power to give her."
"But this dress, the money-
"Every cent was well worth spent. Amour du démon…" Byakuya's warm breath played against her ear as he leaned in close. "The Demon's Love…"
Rukia chuckled softly. "Something tells me the name was taken right off the first day we met."
"Well then…" Byakuya's hand tightened on Rukia's waist. "If I was the demon, would you be my love?"
Rukia laughed but she leaned into his body as they danced together. "I'd be honoured to."
Rukia closed her eyes as she stayed in Byakuya's arms, moving slowly to the music together. Her head laid on his chest as his hand stayed on her waist, their other two hands connected together. It was so warm like this, and Rukia felt an inexplicable sense of warmth and safety as she leaned on his body. The only other person who ever gave her this feeling in her life was Otousan.
If I could stay like this for some time...
"We will keep dancing like this until the dinner is over," Byakuya's deep voice murmured close to her ear.
Rukia chuckled. If he only knew. "You have your guests to entertain."
"They have a lot to entertain themselves with..." Byakuya's hand pulled Rukia closer against his body. "And it is only right that I get entertained myself."
Rukia laughed softly, her voice slightly muffled by Byakuya's dinner coat.
"It's really nice like this, Rukia... thank you for coming," Byakuya whispered as they continued to dance. He bent down and kissed her gently on the top of the head.
xXxXx
"Green really suits you." Rukia looked up in surprise from the giant glass punch bowl she was filling her cup from, and stared at the stranger. After dancing, Byakuya had brought her to several business associates to make small talk. Through all these proceedings, he kept his arm around her waist (in similar fashion to their night in Cirque), as if to prevent her from running away from him or to shield her lest a guest jumped up and bit her.
They had also met Unohana together but Rukia felt that the beautiful woman was acting rather differently from the first time she had seen her. The long-haired family doctor seemed very distracted and even the smile she had given Rukia was very slight. Byakuya did not appear to pick up on these irregularities and so Rukia put it all up to lethargy from work.
When more and more business guests came up on the young executive, Rukia decided that her presence was more of a hassle and told Byakuya she wanted to get a drink. He had insisted to accompany her (refusing to let go off her) but then Rukia had quickly stood up on her toes and kissed him lightly on the cheek, momentarily catching him off guard. With a meek 'See you in a bit', she had then hurried away with a smile and warm cheeks. When she had arrived at the punch table, Rukia had turned back to look at Byakuya and saw him give her one lingering look before turning around to converse with the people demanding his attention. Smiling, Rukia had then taken the spoon to serve herself some punch.
Now she stared at the pale stranger who was dressed in a smart black suit, with the greenest pair of eyes she had ever seen. They were the sort of piercing bright green, all the more enhanced by the dark lines around his eyes. Rukia found herself briefly wondering if he was wearing eyeliner.
"I- Thank you for the compliment."
"It is a compliment." The man moved to fill himself a drink from the bowl as well. "It should be, considering how much I associate myself with that colour." He placed his sleek black mobile phone down on the table as he took a sip of the drink.
Rukia did not know what to say, and tried to drink her punch as fast she could. After a minute of silence, the stranger spoke up again. "So… what brings you here today?"
"Oh… I… was invited." Rukia didn't feel like talking much, she felt this man was rather strange.
"By Kuchiki Byakuya? I was surprised." The pair of green eyes flicked around the room. "I would have to say, standing here among the lot of us, you do…. stand out."
This time, Rukia bristled slightly. "What do you mean?"
"That will be up to you to decipher, because you have just revealed to me your knowledge, or lack thereof, of the running affairs around you."
Rukia frowned. Who did this guy think he was? She watched as he started to turn away.
"Hey," Rukia grouched. When he turned back, she gestured at the black mobile phone on the table. "As knowledgeable as you seem, you sure are careless about the things around you."
Something passed through the green eyes as the pale arm picked up the phone. "I thank you, lady. And, just a word of the wise…" The careful voice lowered slightly. "It would do you much good if you stayed away from Kuchiki Byakuya."
Rukia's eyes widened. What? Stay away from Byakuya? "Why-
The man suddenly smiled, and his thin lips curled upward. "I think it would be such a pity if a girl this pretty in green gets into an… unexpected mess, wouldn't it?"
Rukia looked up in angry defiance but the man bowed slightly and walked off.
"Hey!"
Rukia jumped at the voice behind her, almost spilling the punch from her glass. "Renji!"
"Why were you talking to Ulquiorra?"
"Ul-what?"
"Ulquiorra. The green-eyed fella." Renji frowned at the figure now walking to the other side of the hall. "He belongs to the Cifer family, a… competitor to our Kuchiki family in terms of business and… lands."
"Oh…" Rukia frowned slightly.
"What was it he was talking to you about? I bet he was bad-mouthing us and the Kuchikis…"
Rukia only managed a wry smile. "Something like that. But don't be bothered..." She trailed off, her words forgotten as an elderly couple walked up to her and complimented her dress.
"Excuse me." Rukia heard the deep voice behind her and felt warm fingertips touch her bare arm. She turned around, and Byakuya was looking down at her, his grey eyes as misty as ever.
"Oh, Byakuya…" Rukia turned back to look at the old couple she had been conversing with. The elderly man was a long-time business associate of Azaris and the woman, his wife. They had come up to Rukia earlier to tell her they had adored her dress and then Rukia had found out that the old man had once worked at an old bakery she used to love. They had been exchanging anecdotes on the place. "Err…"
"I'm terribly sorry for the rudeness of cutting your conversation short, Mister Sato. I wonder if I could have Rukia for a bit?"
The old man smiled and lifted his goblet. "Please, Mister Kuchiki! And congratulations on the business deal for Azaris! I see you are lucky not only in business, but with this beautiful and courteous lady here."
Byakuya smiled and bowed politely, as Rukia blushed. "I know I am." As the elderly couple walked off, he put one arm around Rukia's waist and effortlessly steered her towards one of the glass balconies.
"Byakuya…"
"Let's go somewhere more private, where I would be much less inclined to bump into associates and then have you decide to take it upon yourself and run off with a strategically-planned kiss."
Rukia blushed slightly as Byakuya pulled her a little closer, standing to one corner of the balcony. She smiled softly up at him. "It's your job, that's fine with me. Renji and Rangiku are taking turns accompanying me anyway. I got to meet a number of your family members already, actually."
"You did?" Byakuya raised a perfect eyebrow.
Rukia nodded. "There was Unohana-sensei just now, and also Kotetsu-san." She smiled slightly as she started ticking off her fingers. "Also, Kira-san and the adorable Hinamori… they are both very nice. Let's see… and Kurotsuchi-sensei…" An unconscious shudder ran through Rukia's body, something which made Byakuya smile and pull her closer. "… and… Kyoraku-sensei."
"That is a lot…" Byakuya murmured as he leaned in to breathe in the scent of Rukia's hair. "But those were the people on the top of the list I told Abarai and Matsumoto to bring you to."
"I know."
"You do?" Byakuya pulled back slightly at Rukia, who was beaming.
"Renji told me."
"I see you and him have bonded thoroughly over a short period of time."
Rukia smiled widely, seemingly oblivious to Byakuya's statement, which had been uttered with a hint of jealousy. "It's strange though, they are your family members but they do not appear to have the same family name, Kuchiki."
"My family is vast. And the long-term associates and workers do become part of our family after a while, after they have gained our trust and become part of our inner workings. Then they belong to the Kuchiki family as well."
"Oh." Rukia nodded, her eyes wide."I also got to meet some of your business partners. There, Mister Sato and his wife. I also got to meet the handsome Shiba Kaien just now, and his sister."
"Handsome?" Byakuya raised an eyebrow at Rukia. She nodded and he frowned in response. Byakuya wasn't used to other people calling another demon handsome in his presence, or the feeling of jealousy that popped up at hearing Rukia do so.
Rukia nodded again but then she surprised Byakuya by giving him a mischievous grin, making her look so adorable despite her elegant appearance. "He's handsome but I don't like spiky hair much…" Byakuya suddenly felt her fingers weave themselves softly into the strands at the side of his head. "I like softer ones."
This girl… is such a tease…
His momentary anger forgotten, Byakuya leaned in slightly as he pulled Rukia even closer. Their lips met softly and Byakuya pulled back to kiss Rukia again once, twice, three times in short, playful kisses. He felt her mouth curl into a smile and he kissed the upward corners of her lips.
"Who else did you meet?" Byakuya's voice came out husky when he drew back again.
"Oh, Ulquiorra. Ulquiorra Cifer."
At this, Byakuya's grey eyes narrowed dangerously. "Ulquiorra? What did he say?"
Rukia stopped suddenly, as the strange conversation she had had with the mysterious man ran through her mind. And the strange warning, about staying away from Byakuya…
"Nothing. He just complimented me on the dress."
"And rightfully so. Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?"
Rukia smiled and tapped the side of her head. "You did, when we danced just now."
"Then do allow me to say it again. You look absolutely entrancing."
Rukia blushed faintly again but Byakuya drew in nearer. "Absolutely…" His voice dropped low. "…. mouthwatering."
This time, his lips met hers in an openmouthed kiss. Rukia was caught off-guard and Byakuya's tongue easily swept past her lips into her mouth. As his mouth dominated hers, his hand snaked its way expertly through the high slit in her dress, running along the warm skin of her thigh. A soft moan escaped Rukia's throat as Byakuya's tongue teased hers playfully. Her hands reflexively moved from his chest to his face to feel the hollows of his cheek as his mouth moved over hers.
Byakuya started to grope higher on her thigh, as his mouth began to descend down her neck-
"Ahem."
Byakuya and Rukia's eyes shot open when someone cleared her throat. Byakuya's grey eyes immediately narrowed but he slowly turned to face the offending person. Rukia smoothed her dress slightly before smiling uncertainly at the person standing near the balcony doors. "U-Unohana-sensei."
Unohana nodded but her smile was very slight. Byakuya leaned forward to speak to Rukia. "Rukia, wait for me here, I will come back after I have had a word with Unohana-sensei. Do not run off anywhere, alright?"
Rukia nodded, her violet eyes wide. She watched as Byakuya turned around and led Unohana back into the ballroom.
Byakuya stared at Unohana, expressionless.
"Byakuya, I need you to understand that this matter is going beyond what is allowed of us demons."
"And that be?" Byakuya smoothly lifted a drink from the tray of a passing waiter and lifted it to his mouth easily.
"That be your relationship with Rukia-san. I did detect the more… intense aspects of your relationship when I met her for the first time but you promised me then, Byakuya, that you knew what sort of troubles this issue will bring and that I should not worry. Now, I regret not having confronted you more on that matter at that time. What is the meaning of this, bringing her here now?" Unohana's voice was soft but her tone slightly reprimanding.
"It is as you see it, Sensei. It is a symbol, a message to all of you." Byakuya lowered the drink and his eyes were firm. "You will not need to trouble yourself for matchmaking meetings anymore."
"Hello."
Rukia, who had been looking out over the night lights on the city, turned around in surprise. The voice was cold, slightly deep, but undoubtedly belonging to a female. Now she looked into the hard, dark grey eyes of a petite woman. This woman had short black hair and two long white braids running down each side and was dressed in a black evening gown, one side strapless. Though looking rather severe, she was rather beautiful with very sharply, defined facial features.
"Oh… hello."
"Are you Rukia?"
Rukia nodded carefully. "Yes, I am."
"What is your relationship to Byakuya?"
Rukia's eyes widened at the abrupt question. "I…"
"Actually, I was interested about that too." Rukia looked up at the male voice as she watched two figures walk forward, behind the short-haired woman. One was a blue-eyed woman who had her black hair tied up behind her, the other was a rather feminine-looking man with accessory red and yellow feathers fastened on his right eyelash and brow.
"I'm sorry for not introducing myself first. My name is Yumichika Asegawa." The man bowed slightly and flipped his short hair. The other woman had a rather grim expression. Rukia felt slightly intimdiated but stood up a little straighter. "This here next to me is Ise Nanao… and of course, you would have heard about Miss Soifon here."
Rukia hadn't heard anything, at all. She did not know these three people. What did they want with her?
"Well, as Miss Soifon was asking, we find it rather peculiar that Byakuya had called for your company tonight at this dinner. Are you… somehow attached to him? Or, I'd be inclined to believe…" Yumichika looked Rukia up and down. "… a modern type of courtesan?"
"I'm not a courtesan!" Rukia spoke a little louder, feeling the anger seep in.
"Well, you certainly do not belong here." The woman named Nanao spoke up. She was frowning slightly. "You are not one of us. Why would Byakuya bring you here?"
"You will not need to trouble yourself for matchmaking meetings anymore."
Unohana's eyes were equally firm as the ones of the Incubus standing before her. "News about this will have reached Ginrei before this night is over. Do you believe he will take to this kindly?"
A flash passed through Byakuya's eyes but he spoke, "I will talk to Grandfather when he wishes me to."
"What are you thinking, Byakuya?" Unohana's voice was soft but desperate.
"Only and selfishly about the one I love."
"I was invited here." Rukia spoke. "I am… his girlfriend." Her voice lost her strength somewhat as she spoke the words.
A dainty laugh cut through the silence and Rukia looked up. Yumichika was laughing slightly. "Are you now? Or maybe you are his new toy? I've seen this sort of thing plenty of times before. The dresses worn to the parties change, and so do the girls."
Rukia's eyes flashed with the anger and hurt from the stinging words.
"Don't worry so much about it, Soifon." Yumichika smiled at the cold-looking woman, who was still staring at Rukia. "She's nothing at all, just one of Byakuya's many dinner dates. He's not serious."
"Who are you to say he's not serious?" Rukia shot back angrily.
"Well, you probably don't know him all that much to even think he would be. Because this here…" Yumichika motioned to the woman in front of Rukia. "… is Soifon, the chosen candidate as Byakuya's fiancee."
Byakuya walked smoothly across the hall, headed for the balcony. His heart was thudding dangerously, and not out of excitement. He was angry, and rightfully so. Why couldn't they take to Rukia nicely? A little disbelief at first would have been acceptable, but the spontaneous hostility was a little too much.
He wasn't going to leave her side tonight.
Byakuya walked out onto the poslished tiles and looked around. He immediately frowned as his sharp eyes noted the absence of a stunning woman in green. Byakuya looked down as his mobile phone starting ringing. He looked at the name on the screen and picked the phone up immediately.
"Rukia."
"Byakuya, I…"
Something was wrong, Byakuya immediately noted the strangeness in Rukia's tone of voice. "Rukia, where are you?"
"I… doesn't matter. Byakuya, I don't feel well, I…"
"Rukia, just tell me where you are. I am coming-"
"No. I'm really sorry but I think I have to leave now. Congratulations again. I will-"
"Rukia?"
"… see you later."
"Rukia!"
A dead dial tone answered Byakuya as he stood there in the balcony. Rukia was leaving? Why? Had something happened to her? Was she sick? She seemed to be alright when he had left her side just now.
The handsome Incubus looked up to see three figures standing at the doors leading to the balcony.
And he understood immediately.
Rukia walked as fast as her long evening gown could allow her to, as fast as she could toward the silver elevators at the end of the hallway. She swallowed the tears as she jabbed the elevator button and the doors sprang open.
Byakuya was going to have a fiancee.
Rukia scurried inside the metal, glassed elevator box.
Those were his family members too, and they had been so rude, so… hostile. They didn't like her one bit, especially about her background. They kept saying that she wasn't one of them.
Rukia jabbed the button for the ground floor and forced the bitter feeling in her throat down. It was okay, she would sleep and forget all of this come sunrise the next day. She just couldn't allow Byakuya to see her like this…
Rukia gasped as a pale hand suddenly stopped the closing elevator door. She watched as the doors sprang open and her eyes narrowed angrily. "What is it you all want?" Her voice came out in a whisper.
The thin lips curled upward slightly as the green eyes focused her. "I had forewarned you prior to that. The Kuchiki clan is a dangerous clan to mess around with. You should leave, and never come back."
"Rich snobs have never taken me down," Rukia retorted. "I just did not wish to cast a dark cloud over Byakuya's dinner. It is his day today and I don't want to dampen it. Now if you will excuse me, your hand is blocking the elevator."
The man smiled in surprise but he released his hand. "They are more than rich snobs and they can hurt you… a lot more than that." He stepped back from the elevator. "I wish you well… human."
Rukia's bewildered expression was last to be seen before the silver doors clanged close.
Yumichika's mouth opened in a desperate attempt to draw in more air but the long, lethal fingers tightened around his neck, almost crushing his trachea.
"Hey, what do you think you are doing, Byakuya?" The bald man rushed forward but was thrown backward with a single hand. The two burly men blocked the entire balcony from view, moving aside momentarily for a single woman to pass through before resuming their body wall.
"Byakuya! What is the meaning of this?" Unohana strode forward in indignance. "Let Yumichika go!"
Byakuy lowered Yumichika down and tossed him backward, the metrosexual Incubus landing in a heap on the floor. "So this is what happens when you ask to talk to me about Rukia." The deep voice was poisonous with rage. "Several members of my own clan come up and antagonize her to chase her away from my dinner."
Unohana looked at Byakuya, her expression serious but soft. "Byakuya… she never did belong-
"She does." The deep voice cut off the older Succubus, cold with fury. "She belongs to me. And with me." His expression unperturbed, Byakuya took a deep breath and started to walk away from the balcony.
"Where are you going?"
"Somewhere where I won't be forced to kill one of my own kind."
"You are not... leaving this dinner?"
"Watch me."
Unohana watched the back of Byakuya as he walked away from the balcony. In the middle of the hall, he was accosted by several eager businessmen who were invited to come to the celebratory dinner. Unohana gave silent thanks that there were so many guests around to keep the young Kuchiki heir busy. She turned to Yumichika, whom Ikkaku was helping up from the ground.
"That was very wrong of you, Yumichika. I wouldn't say that you did not have this coming."
"Sensei… what did I do wrong?" The Incubus winced slightly at an unseen bruise.
"By handling the matter so rashly like that." Unohana's voice was soft. "That would only turn him against us, Yumichika." She turned to her grey-haired assistant. "Isane."
"Hai, Sensei?"
"It is important that Kuchiki Byakuya does not leave Azaris building tonight."
Byakuya looked down through the hard glass of the Azaris building, having just diplomatically brushed away one businessman who came up to him. He watched the long line of white-and-blue taxis stationed outside the red carpet of the Azaris entrance.
"Mister Kuchiki." One of the elite guards came up to him and bowed. Byakuya had earlier ordered the guard to trace Rukia's whereabouts after she had exited the elevator. The hotel cameras would surely have captured her departure.
"Where did she go?"
"She left the hotel lobby fifteen minutes ago. Our security cameras caught her taking one of those taxis outside the hotel." The guard nodded in the direction of Byakuya's gaze. "We have also identified the taxi number."' The guard produced a mobile phone from his pocket. "I have the taxi company on the line just in case you have specific instructions."
"Very well, thank you. You may leave." Byakuya took up the phone as the guard bowed and walked away.
The Incubus lifted the phone to his ears. "Hello?"
xXxXx
Rukia sat in the taxi, her hands clasped in her lap as she tried not to think about anything at all. She was so weak, it was just some rude statement by some family member of Byakuya's! She should have withstood them and waited for Byakuya to return to her. He had sounded confused and worried on the phone just now, when she had abruptly told him she would be going home.
How selfish of her.
And he had even gone out of his way to make sure she would have at least a decent time at the dinner tonight. Getting her such a beautiful dress, making sure she was always accompanied by someone she knew.
But she couldn't call him back now. He would know... he would be able to tell from her voice that something was wrong with her. She didn't want that.
Rukia bit her lip.
You are not one of us. Why would Byakuya bring you here?
Her hands fisted in her lap.
Or maybe you are his new toy? I've seen this sort of thing plenty of times before. The dresses worn to the parties change, and so do the girls.
Rukia felt the tears spring into her eyes.
She's nothing at all, just one of Byakuya's many dinner dates. He's not serious... This here is Soifon, the chosen candidate as Byakuya's fiancee.
"My lady, are you alright?"
Rukia looked up in surprise at the taxi driver, who was peering at her in the rearview mirror with a concerned expression. She thought he looked rather kind.
"No. No, it's nothing." Rukia unfastened the clasp on the handbag and took out a pack of tissues. She hurriedly dabbed at the corners of her eyes.
xXxXx
"Matsumoto."
"Oh… Byakuya!" The high-pitched giggle broke the air as Matsumoto grinned at him. "Congratulations again. Are you enjoying yourself?"
"Rukia has just left the dinner."
Matsumoto's happy expression turned into one of shock. "She did not! Why did she?"
"Yumichika and a few decided to talk to her." Byakuya's voice was hard.
"Those ugly fuc-" Matsumoto turned back to Byakuya after she failed to spot the said demons with her evil eye.
"It does not matter now. I'm going after her."
"Oh wow, Byakuya, you sound like Prince Charming!" Matsumoto giggled again. "Sure thing!" She winked. "I will help cover for you in this dinner, like I did in Seattle."
The surprise passed easily in the grey eyes of the Incubus. He offered his arm to Matsumoto, who took it and they walked toward the front doors of the dancing hall.
"See those guards?" Byakuya spoke as he walked, his eyes momentarily flicking to the four burly men stationed near the entry doors of the hall. "They just moved into position a moment ago. I believe it was Unohana's doing, to ensure I do not leave this dinner."
"I see them, Byakuya. Piece of cake. And good luck to you." Matsumoto smiled and walked forward to the men. Byakuya heard her give a merry, fake laugh.
"Hello, gents. Now what do we have here?"
xXxXx
"How was your night, my lady?"
"I…It was good."
The kind old man smiled at her and Rukia could not help smiling back. Suddenly, the phone in the taxi went off and the taxi driver nodded to her. "Excuse me." The driver picked up the receiver and looked in front of him as he drove. "Hello, yes?" He listened into the phone for a bit, his brows frowning slightly.
His eyes abruptly flickered to Rukia slightly but she did not notice, having turned to look out the window.
"Yes, I understand. Yes, I have a customer right now. I… yes, I understand. I think so."
The taxi driver placed the receiver back down and smiled again at Rukia. "I am sorry about that."
"That's fine."
"Oh, and I forgot to compliment you, my lady. That is a very pretty dress."
xXxXx
Byakuya strode into the silver elevator and hit the button 10. His eyes flicked to the cabinet on the left side of the hallway, where two unconscious men were currently stashed in. The front four guards were very drunk right at this second, courtesy of Matsumoto.
Byakuya watched the numbers start to light up in descending order as the elevator moved. He wasn't going to stop at the ground floor. Knowing Unohana, there would be more guards and more dirty business if he came into contact with them. He was going to get off at Level Ten, where there was an adjoining silver bridge to the building next door, a building which served as the Azaris sister building.
Byakuya got out at Level Ten and walked along the corridor to the next building. It was then that he saw the lone figure standing at the entrance to the office building.
"Renji."
"Byakuya."
"I see. So Unohana put you up to this."
Renji made a wry face. "I couldn't say no directly to Sensei, you know."
"Very well." Byakuya took off his expensive office coat and tossed it to the side. "Either you let me through, or I will make you let me through."
"Is this really necessary?"
"The night was not supposed to end like this." Byakuya's grey eyes were firm but his expression remained unperturbed.
"Hey, look. Rukia, she… you can talk to her about it tomorrow, right? Buy her gifts, bury her in your best kisses and whatnot, she will forgive you as easily-
"It is not that, Abarai." Byakuya turned to face Renji. "It is about me, about what I feel. It would be easy to make more business here and settle the matter tomorrow… only if she did not matter. But she does to me, Abarai."
Renji huffed and looked away.
"It has been hundreds of years since I grew up listening to stories about my father and mother. About how close they were, how she would follow him on expeditions even when she was pregnant, how he would willingly drop everything he was doing when he found out she was sick." Byakuya's grey eyes were steadfast. "I used to laugh at those stories, but I am not laughing anymore. Because that is what is happening to me."
"You do know what it means if you leave the dinner now?" Renji walked forward as Byakuya did, their polished black shoes clean and swift against the red carpet. "It is a form of betrayal to our colony, you leaving us and your celebratory dinner… all to go after a human girl."
"There is no betrayal… if they did not force me to choose in the first place."
Renji stopped and stared at Byakuya silently. Then the redhead finally spoke, "Whatever." He took a step forward... and then to the side.
Byakuya stepped forward, stopping just next to him.
Renji spoke, "You forgot there's something you have to do."
Renji felt the force hit him in the stomach and pain shot through his body, though not as much as the last time in the pub. "Thanks for not choosing the face."
"Arigato… Renji."
xXxXx
Rukia jerked and woke up with a start as the tyres of the taxi hit an unexpected bump on the road. She looked out the windows at the dark landscape. Her eyes widened and she hurriedly turned to the front.
"Where are we? Where are you taking me?" Her voice was loud and wary, as her hands slid into her handbag onto the pepper spray she had brought out with her.
"My lady, forgive me. I mean you no harm, I really do. Look, I have kids and this job." The old taxi driver gestured to the pictures of two children hanging from his front mirror as he drove.
"That doesn't explain anything! This is not my home! Where did you take me?"
"My lady, we are almost there. Please bear with me."
The taxi slowed to a halt in front of a huge white bungalow. Rukia hurriedly got out of the door, and held her dress up with one hand. She was going to have to make sure she could fight the best she could, even in this dress. The cold night air hit her in a strong breeze and she could hear the impossible sound of waves somehow. She looked off into the distance and noted the expensive bungalows in single, spacious lots in one line of expensive houses. From the distance, she could just make out the ripple of water from the moonlight playing on the surface.
She turned to the taxi driver as he got out of the taxi with a flabbergasted expression. "We are at the seaside?"
The taxi driver bowed. "This is your destination, my lady. He asks that you meet him here."
Rukia turned to look at the house in front of her. It was an enormous pure white bungalow, the front lit by orange lamps with a flagstone path leading up to the front door. Rukia gaped slightly as she stared at the huge fountain right out in front of the garden, the water a velvety black in the night. Whose house was this? Why had the taxi driver brought her here? Whoever had asked him to?
A sudden revving sound made Rukia turn back to the taxi. Her violet eyes widened as she watched the taxi started to pull away from the curb.
"Hey! Hey!"
"You will be alright, my lady! And you don't have to pay me!" The taxi driver shouted as he drove away.
Rukia looked after the speeding taxi, contemplating to throw her heeled sandal at it. Great. Now what was she going to do? Why were horrible things happening to her today? She stood out on the road in her overly extravagant green dress and felt helpless.
He? Who planned this? What did they want with her?
Rukia checked her handbag once. At least she still had her mobile phone, she could call for a taxi or even Nel to come get her in this miserable place. Rukia turned back to look at the bungalow. There were golden lights playing on inside, just dimly... someone was in.
Rukia found herself reaching for the black iron gates out front, and pulling them open. After glancing at the glorious fountain, she started up the steps to the front entrance.
Rukia's heart was pounding fast as she walked. This was ridiculous, she was going to get caught for trespassing or get shot down by some paranoid old man for being on his property! There might be something bad inside, she didn't even know and she was walking straight for it!
He asks that you meet him here.
In spite of all these scary thoughts, Rukia found herself pushing the glass door, which was unlocked, open. The atmosphere seemed all too familiar and she found herself drawn forward…
A chandelier burned dimly in the center of the enormous hall as Rukia walked in. It suddenly felt like she was attending another formal dinner in another place. An enormous marble spiral staircase spun up out of view but Rukia was looking at a door on her left, where a bright light seemed to be coming from. She picked up the ends of her dress and her sandals clicked against the marble as she walked off to the left.
Rukia pushed open the door and jumped when it creaked slightly. She entered the room apprehensively.
And gasped.
It was a vast expanse of a hall… an enormous drawing room. There were countless drawing stands with white empty pieces of paper, small tables with colour palettes, and silk cloth of so many contrasting dark and pastel colours hung from the high ceiling like roots from a huge ancient sycamore tree. Rukia fingered one of the dangling cloths as she passed. There were so many drawings mounted on the wall, some in frames, some beautiful pencil strokes on taped-up paper.
She was amazed. Whose room was-
"You like them?"
Rukia whirled around at the deep voice and her eyes widened.
Byakuya smiled slightly at the doorway before he stepped in, closing the door behind him with two hands. He wasn't wearing his dinner coat, it was just his dinner shirt underneath, a light cream colour and the dark green tie on his front.
"What are you doing here?" Rukia asked, and her voice echoed in the enormous drawing room. She looked around at the place. "This-
"This is my sanctuary." Byakuya took another step into the drawing room. "I had the taxi driver re-route your way here. Nobody knows this place ever exists… save for myself."
Rukia's eyes widened.
"None of my family members know I own a beachside villa, or that it is used as my personal getaway from the hustle of life at times. Or that I… draw."
Rukia's eyes widened and she turned to look at the drawings around them, and the beautiful cloths hanging everywhere. These were all… Byakuya's?
"And…" Rukia turned back to look at Byakuya as he continued to stride forward. "… I want you to be the first and last person to know of this place. Just the both of us."
Rukia took one step back as he walked towards her. "You have a dinner party to attend to. With a lot of potential for business. And… company waiting." She did not know what made her stress the word 'company'.
Byakuya smiled. "And I am terribly unfortunate to receive a horrible side-effect from my appendectomy two days ago and have had to leave the dinner, despite how much I want to be in it." His expression grew serious. "You left, Rukia. I couldn't leave you like that, feeling less than the princess I wanted you to be tonight. So I came here to wash out the lies they had planted to make you doubt me."
"It doesn't matter, we can talk about this tomorrow. Your celebrat-
"It does matter, Rukia."
Rukia's eyes widened but Byakuya strode forward. He moved to the right however and stepped past her, continuing to walk deepter into the room. Rukia stared after him. When he did not stop or turn back, she lightly followed him with tentative steps.
They approached one corner of the huge drawing room and here in this corner, the cloths hanging from the ceiling were all red. They were numerous, and the cloth spread out onto the floor in a sea of crimson. Byakuya stopped before the wall, which was covered a flimsy wrap of white silky cloth. Rukia could just make out several shades of colours but she did not know what it was.
Byakuya reached out and whipped the white sheet cleanly off the wall.
And as it fell away, Rukia gasped.
It was a mural of… her.
Her face smiled back at her, personalized in a beautiful mixture of shaded paints and strokes. She was wearing her old lacy yellow blouse and smiling. And the features on her face, even the marks at the left shoulder… they were all exact.
Rukia looked up at Byakuya, who was now staring at her.
"Do you like it?"
"I… I…."
"I spent three whole nights working on this painting, the night after I met you at Aiko's." Her eyes widened. "I came in here after office hours and sat and relived every moment I had with you on that night, in order to paint and draw you right." Byakuya smiled. "On certain days, I would come here and look at you for hours and relive once more all the moments I had with you."
Rukia's eyes widened as Byakuya took a step towards her. He walked slowly, each step a moment to emphasize his words.
"I thought I would never meet you again after that night, so I extracted a single picture of you and your phone number from your personal items."
Rukia gasped.
"The one photo you are currently missing without knowledge is of you wearing that exact outfit." Byakuya gestured to the painting on the wall but he continued talking. "And then, something beyond my imagination happened. You came to Azaris to return me the money I discreetly deposited into your bank account. And that was when I realized something, coupled with the fact that I refused to bed any other woman ever since that night."
Rukia's eyes widened.
"Those moments weren't going to be enough." Byakuya's grey eyes fixed steadily on Rukia as he stepped toward her. "It was unbearable, the desire in me. You were like a drug… I could not help but be drawn to where you were. So I came to find you. And reality proved… much better than my fantasies."
A small smile curled Byakuya's lips. "I still come here to relive those moments time and again."
"Every moment… how your lips moved whenever you gasped…" He came a little closer and Rukia's brain was somehow screaming at her to move. She shouldn't stand here and somehow egg him on with her presence, he had more important affairs to attend to.
"How your skin felt like under my fingertips…" Her feet were rooted to the ground, she couldn't move. His hand touched the side of her face now, and Rukia felt something shoot down her body like a current.
"How your body moved below mine…" He tipped her face up to his, and she was forced to look into those penetrating grey eyes, which were now darkening in their beautiful shade of colour.
"How your tears tasted on my lips…" His voice was dropping, almost to a whisper. He tilted his head low… lower…
"And how it felt as I made you… mine." His lips met hers, and everything blanked out in Rukia's mind as it had always did. She felt his warm mouth over hers, moving gently and expertly coaxing a response in turn. When she kissed him back, it was only natural when she felt his tongue trace the seams of her lips, asking for an entrance she had granted him many times before but which he would willingly ask for again and again. And when her lips parted for his tongue to delve into her mouth and connect with hers, the mutual pleasure was reflected in the duplicated moans. Byakuya's hands roved over her curves, seeking desperately satiation in the form of warm, bare flesh.
It was getting so hard to think, he was wiping out all her reasoning and rational thoughts with his mouth, his hands. She had long forgotten the dinner party, or her earlier wish for him to return to the hotel. All she wanted was the shots of warmth now running through her body, and she wanted more.
Rukia was out of breath from the kiss but when they broke apart, she found herself breathless once more as his lips swiftly traveled to the hollow of her neck. Her hands moved to his head and weaved themselves through his flowing black hair, the better to hold him close as he deposited kisses and nibbles on her skin.
Rukia did not even know she was moving until she felt her bare shoulder touch the smoothness of silk. She then realized Byakuya had lowered her down onto the sea of cloth bundles on the floor. He hovered over her now before leaning in to capture her lips once more, his right hand now pulling the zipper on the side of her dress low…
Red.
It was the only colour which jumped into Byakuya's mind whenever he thought about Rukia. It was the only reason he had replaced the painting cloths around her drawn mural into one single colour. Red… the colour of fire, passion, lust, love. The colour burned, and so did his feelings for her.
And as he stared down at her spread out onto a background of red before him, Byakuya felt all his instinctual desires leap to the surface. She was a perfect picture of impossible temptation, her wide violet eyes as she looked up at him, that slight tinge of blush on her cheeks, her small mouth invitingly half-opened. He could feel her delicious spiritual power pounding hard within her body, and it matched his heart... beat for beat.
Kuchiki Byakuya wasn't going to return to Azaris tonight.
Rukia moaned softly as Byakuya sucked on the sensitive skin of her neck. He moved lower still, to her bare shoulders. She felt his right hand, which had snaked through the slit of her dress, stroke her thigh and then moved higher up. He had unzipped her dress but he was taking his time, making her body ache with want as his mouth and hands coasted over her skin in tantalizing touches. She gasped when he kissed her cleavage once and his hand ran over the swell of her right breast covered by the expensive designer cloth.
"You had no idea how it tortured me… to only dream of seeing you, to only want to taste your lips, to only hunger for your touch." Rukia's eyes widened as she heard Byakuya speak. "Don't run from me anymore, Rukia." Byakuya's voice was husky. "We have held back… for too long." He ran his mouth down her dress and latched onto the diamond bodice above her waist, before pulling the upper part of her dress down with his teeth, exposing her breasts.
His eyes roved over her modest bosom as she blushed (after all, he had last seen her vulnerable like this so many months ago), and her hands flew up to cover herself only to find his strong ones gently trapping them on her sides. "You are beautiful, Rukia." Byakuya leaned forward, his voice deep and lilting. "Stay with me… tonight."
Rukia softly gasped when she felt his warm hand begin to run itself over her breast, a warm sensual exploration of intimacy. His thumb rubbed at the pink areolar in erotic circles as her breaths started to come out even faster than before, the growing pressure in her lower regions beginning to build up. He began to knead her breasts even more as his mouth began to kiss its way downwards. Rukia felt his lips travel a tantalizing path over the swell of one breast and at one spot, biting lightly into the supple flesh. She gasped again when he took one nipple into his mouth, swirling his warm tongue around the sensitive bud.
"Byakuya, please…" Rukia whimpered as his mouth began to stir up raging sensations in her body. Her whimper was cut off by a loud moan when Byakuya started suckling on her breast, and her back arched off of the floor in raw pleasure. Her hands threading his hair in desperation, Rukia started to move feverishly in desire as his mouth worked on her breast but Byakuya's firm hands kept her in place. He growled when her legs lifted up to straddle him tightly at the waist.
Byakuya drew back slightly and looked at the erotic woman who now lay below him. She was panting heavily already (as did he), her eyes slightly unfocused and her chest heaving up and down. When he reached down to undress her completely, she realized that he was still fully clothed, even if his shirt was half unbuttoned and his tie hanging loose.
Byakuya gave Rukia a smile and bent closer to her in an unspoken gesture to allow her to undress him. He himself worked swift on her dress, resisting the impulse to just rip the whole thing off of her. His tie came off easily and then his shirt, dropped carelessly onto the red cloth next to Rukia. Byakuya trembled slightly when Rukia took the opportunity to run her fingers down his body. They moved in butterfly strokes, so tentative yet sure, so gentle but firm. He groaned when she ran one finger over his hard nipple, mimicking his erotic plays on her previously. He grabbed her hand, placing it at the same spot and she acquiesed, giving him yet another rush of pleasure. Her hands then moved down to the waistband of his pants, where a noticeable bulge was already evident.
Byakuya slid the magnificent dress off of Rukia as she did his pants and both garments joined the pile next to them. A moment later, the final two pieces finished off the last of the barriers.
Rukia stared up at Byakuya in his naked splendor and felt her cheeks start to heat up. His chest and the whole of his body was honed to perfection, like sculpted marble. She briefly wondered which places touched would pleasure him, and which would cause his disinterest. Slowly, her hand lifted up and touched him tentatively in the center of his chest. When Byakuya remained still to allow her to proceed, Rukia's other hand moved to touch the muscles at his abdomen. Feeling a little braver, her hands slowly began to glide over his skin, touching him more fully under her palms. She moved her hands over his shoulder, massaging them slightly with her fingers and then over his chest to graze his hard nipples on the way down, hearing him groan as she did so.
He was perfect, beautiful. Why he chose to be with her... it was always going to be a question, but a question Rukia would rather not hear the answer to. Tonight, he was here with her, tomorrow who knows? But Rukia wanted to know him this once as he lay with her here. If she couldn't know all the mysteries that surrounded this beautiful man, at least she would remember the texture of his skin under her fingertips, that little scar on his right chest, know which places that pleasured him greatly when touched, know how his skin tasted...
Byakuya's eyes widened when he felt Rukia pull him down slightly over her. Then he felt her soft lips kiss him on the neck and lick its way down to his collarbone. Byakuya groaned in pleasure when he felt her warm mouth over his chest, making the fire in his abdomen all head south.
Rukia, the things you could do to me...
Byakuya's eyes slid close as he reveled in Rukia's kisses and touches. How long had he dreamt of this, how long he had waited... to touch her, to be touched in return... A groan escaped his throat once again when he felt her warm tongue sweep across his hard nipple. Byakuya trembled and his hands tightened on Rukia. Here, he wasn't the master, he was her slave begging for the heat of her touch on him, like sunlight after a dark storm.
Rukia watched Byakuya, heard the guttural sounds from his mouth. She felt a sense of power that she could make him feel this way, make him tremble like this above her. She wasn't here to torture him, she wanted to please him as much as he did her, experience everything with him...
Byakuya jerked as he suddenly felt Rukia's hand around his hard member. He felt her grip him in her hands before starting to tentatively stroke his length. "Ru...kia..." His words came out raw as he stopped her fingers. He pressed her back into the bundles of red cloth. No, it wasn't time yet... he still wanted to go a long way on her.
Byakuya stared down at Rukia, his eyes roving easily over her body inch to inch. "Rukia…" he murmured and bent over her once again, his body pressing down on her. He felt her nipples graze his chest, making him even harder than he already was. Byakuya kissed Rukia fiercely and as their tongues entwined once again, he suctioned her spiritual energy into his body. It was delicious, and her pure spirit taste was almost orgasmic for him. She tasted like heaven, after he had waited in need for so long, suppressing his desires and fantasies... all for the right time. Byakuya groaned again and took more out of Rukia, but ever mindful of the limit he should draw out of her.
When he had had enough, he moved his mouth down her naked body. It was time to give to her what she gave to him.
Rukia felt one moan after another rip from her throat as Byakuya kissed his way down her body. From her breasts, he moved over her stomach with gentle kisses and dipped his tongue into her navel. As he moved downward still, Rukia reflexively closed her legs together only to have them pried open gently by his assuring hands. She blushed when Byakuya moved to touch her intimately, as his fingers contacted her feminine folds.
"Rukia, you are wet…" His voice was raw and she blushed at his discovery of how aroused she had been. Rukia gasped when she felt his fingers start to touch the sensitive nub of her nether region.
"Byakuya, don't-" Rukia threw her head back in a moan as he started to rub her clitoris with his fingers in circles. She jerked slightly as waves of pleasure washed over her. Byakuya continued his ministrations, bringing her to the peak as her warm fluids stained his fingers. He looked at Rukia as he brought his hand away from her body. As she watched, he tasted one finger into his mouth, his eyes not breaking contact from hers.
An erotic display, only for her eyes.
Byakuya leaned back over Rukia as he spread her legs gently apart. He took one more look at her. "It is true that Soifon is one of my potential mating candidates." He watched Rukia's glazed expression lessen slightly, replaced by confusion at the mention of another woman at such a time. She turned away slightly, probably in shame and anger. Byakuya gently turned her cheek to face him again, as he controlled his burning desire for just a while longer. "But what they don't know is… I have already found her."
He bent down even closer. "I want… to mate you, Rukia." Rukia turned to him with her wide eyes and their noses almost touched.
How delightful.
It was simply too different from the other women who got close to him like that. He would feel disgust, repulse, disinterest with them. But with Rukia, he was a slave to her, forever bound to needing her, wanting her.
Byakuya moved closer so his nose touched Rukia's as his lips closed the distance to hers, stopping just a teasing breadth of air from contact.
"I want to mate you… for life."
I want to mate you… for life.
Rukia's momentary gasp entered Byakuya's mouth as he kissed her again. As she felt his mouth work over hers, she felt body go limp for a split second.
What is this? Why am I feeling so… tired?
Rukia forgot her momentary confusion on the matter when she felt something strange happen. She had felt this before when she was with Byakuya like this. It was a strange feeling, like something was being injected into her... somehow... somewhere. In a flash, her sudden lethargy had diminished and there was nothing strange to feel at all. Just the passionate man on top of her, and the way he was making her feel.
And as his hands started to wander again, Rukia soon forgot everything else.
The Sacred Exchange.
Byakuya completed the energy exchange and he watched those violet eyes begin to clear once again. He was always going to want her with him, want her responsive below him as he made sweet love to her.
He couldn't go slow anymore, couldn't hold back much longer. He had gotten much bigger with arousal as he had prepared Rukia, teased her with the erotic foreplay. This was all the waiting he had done throughout all these times, all the pent-up desires and energy. He needed release now.
Byakuya positioned himself in between Rukia's legs and kissed her once. Keeping his eyes on her face, he slipped into her. Rukia hissed in pain as Byakuya penetrated her, and buried her face into his shoulder. Byakuya trembled in pleasure as he felt her warm tightness grip him. He was so big and she was so tight, it was remarkable. He kissed the side of Rukia's neck to ease her tension and when she appeared a little soothed, he moved in until he was fully encased in her hot core.
Byakuya waited, his breathing fast. The feel of her walls snugly around his member was almost mindblowing but he waited. He was going to get her sooner or later, he just needed to make sure he would not hurt her as much.
Byakuya, I need...
Tonight, you are mine, Rukia…
Rukia moaned, her fingers scrabbling desperately at the back of the man on top of her as he moved rhythmically in and out of her. His thrusts were fast and powerful and he was going deeper with each one, sending shocks of pleasure through her body. His name, insterspersed with moans, left her throat time and again as she felt the waves start to rock her to the peak, to the finale of satiation and release.
Rukia couldn't think, she couldn't even make sense of what her body was doing, it was all a haze of lust and pleasure. Her hips bucked against Byakuya's in rhythm, drawing him deeper into her and earning a pleasured growl from the man on top of her.
Byakuya, please…
It was so hot, and he was spiralling out of control as the pleasure washed over his body in raw, hot waves. Byakuya was sure he had hurt Rukia but his body refused to comply to his reason, only wanting to pump harder and faster into the woman below him. He had bitten her on the neck more than once when the pleasure reached unbearable limits but not until she bled, though enough to leave red marks which he immediately soothed with his tongue.
Rukia did not seem to mind. She moved in rhythm with him and allowed him where he wanted to go. The sweet, erotic sounds coming from her lips only served to push his desire sky-high and the way she called his name in her throaty voice as he made love to her, Byakuya took pride in knowing he pleasured her greatly, as she did to him in turn.
He had to touch, taste her, he could not get enough. Beads of sweat formed on their bodies as they moved together and Byakuya grabbed one of Rukia's thighs, pulling it higher onto his waist so he could penetrate her deeper.
And then he was moving faster, harder, more powerful. His thrusts became a frenzy of desperation and Rukia kept up with him. Their wet skins slapped against each other and both held the other tight, their fingers leaving bruising marks below the nails, a sign of powerful want and possession. Byakuya panted as he felt the beginnings of an orgasmic wave coming on, as Rukia started to arch her body below him, her head thrown back.
"Look… at me… Rukia…" His voice was deep and commanding, yet gentle in itself. Those were the words spoken by a dominant king, yet also by a passionate needy lover.
Rukia's glazed eyes locked onto Byakuya's misty grey ones as he spoke the words.
"You are… mine."
Byakuya gave one final powerful thrust into Rukia and her back arched off the floor as she screamed out her orgasm. Flashes of white exploded in front of their eyes as the raw, hot pleasure ripped through both their bodies. Byakuya echoed her cries in his deep voice, trembling as he came inside of her.
For a moment, everything remained still in the air of the drawing room… except for the two lovers woven together into an island of red on the floor. Their foreheads were pressed against each other, and they were nose-to-nose as they tried to slow their panting.
"Ru…kia…" Byakuya's hands gripped her body tight.
Her violet eyes, still clear despite the draining effect, locked on his. "B-Byakuya…"
"I love you."
Her eyes widened at his confession, and at the sudden movement when he lifted her so she was sitting up in his arms. Byakuya swept the red cloth up from around them and used it to gently wipe the sweat from Rukia's forehead. Then he covered her bare back with the rest of the cloth and tucked the fronts in to keep her warm. Slowly, he leaned in and kissed her tenderly on the lips and the kiss was soft, a little uncertain at the aftermath of their love-making and his sincere confession. Byakuya pulled back and gazed at Rukia before whispering the words again.
"I love you, Rukia."
Just in case she hadn't heard him the first time. Just in case she needed to hear it again, to make sure he wasn't playing around with her like so many had thought he was. He didn't need a response, though his heart did heartily hope for a positive one. He only had these three words to make her understand and whether or not she was prepared to reciprocate them, he was always going to be by her side.
Byakuya's eyes widened as he felt Rukia's small hands suddenly pull him close and he felt her rest her head against his chest in what was an unmistakeable embrace. As his heart thudded fast, she pulled back and he saw her bright violet eyes and the beautifully faint pink on her cheeks.
"I love you too, Byakuya."
The smile curled Byakuya's lips as one did on Rukia's and she snuggled closer to him. Suddenly, Byakuya moved and rose from the floor, carrying Rukia in his arms. She looked up at him in surprise as he started to walk out of the drawing room, headed for the spiral staircase. Byakuya bent down over Rukia as his arms tightened around her.
"I'm not done with you, Rukia," The deep husky voice whispered into her ear sensually, sending tingles down her body as they ascended the staircase to approach a vast bedroom. "There's so much more I want to show you tonight."
And there you have it. :) I left the ending open like that... so it will be up to your imagination what else Byakuya "showed" Rukia through the night. :D If I write through the entire thing, the fic will soon be labelled with triple X ByaRuki. ;)
This is one of the more graphic lemons I had ever written out in FF (and still plan to experiment further more in Demons in the future). The best thing I have always enjoyed about AUs is the relative freedom I can write with and with an Incubus story base, the sexual tension never gets far away and that is what I have always loved about ByaRuki - the forbidden love factor :D (which is then, um, translated into more physical ones here in this fic XD) I hope you did enjoy the lemon - have some induced palpitations, get hot all of a sudden... or something like that. XD
I had the idea about Byakuya being an artist and drawing Rukia's picture ever since Chapter 1 and I wrote out the Rukia mural part very early on, after the lemon of Chapter 3. :) Then I just thought it fits perfectly to this passionate night chapter and integrated them together. So Byakuya is a very talented artist and somewhat ironic, isn't it, given his Wakame artistry accomplishments in the Bleach universe? XD But it's an AU so I thought it would come along just fine. :)
Here, more characters come to the fore - we have Unohana, Isane, Momo, Kira, Shunsui, and some Ulquiorra interactions as well. :) But of course, the main two will always be Renji and Matsumoto, and I hoped I have built enough for them to be two of the most important demons to link Byakuya to Rukia (and of course, two of the more hilarious ones).
I hope this chapter did satisfy some of your appetite for ByaRuki. It took me quite a bit of time, a little over a day for this one chapter here. I won't be writing for a bit now because the next following weeks will be VERY busy for me but after those weeks are over, I will go through another holiday so hope you'd wait for me then. :) I hope this chapter will be enough for you throughout the coming period. :) As before, I will always feel compelled to finish something I've started so I will definitely return. :)
Hope you did enjoy this latest update (and lemon ;D), and I will see you sometime.
p/s: Something unfortunate happened today. My entire Microsoft Office software crashed T.T but I'm thankful at least this update is out for now. :)
~evenstar lady~