A new chapter update again for Demons! :) It's been a lazy week so I had the time to do some writing. Seriously, I have just been pigging out on food (Momma's and non-Momma's XD) and driving about town all week. =P It's also the eve of a celebration today so Selamat Hari Raya to everybody who celebrates and are reading this right now. :) :) Who's willing to spare some ketupat and rendang for this food-deprived (not at all) girl? ;) I'm getting ahead of myself here. XD
Back to the fic, I would like to thank each and everyone who reviewed the past chapter, there were a lot of interesting comments and opinions about the last update. :) Especially about the sudden appearance of Hisana. :)
For this new chapter, it's still angsty but I hope you would still enjoy it. :) :)
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Bleach or the characters. I own the plot.
"Marry me."
Hisana's shock at her boldness was replaced by the shock at Byakuya's sudden proposal. The Incubus's expression remained stoic however, even at the effect of his words.
"I…" Hisana looked away, blushing. Her heart pounded fast. They had just known each other for a few days… and now, he was... proposing? Did she hear wrong?
Byakuya had remained silent and expressionless, observing the Succubus. He did not take back the proposal… but neither did he repeat it.
"I…" Hisana looked up, but slowly her uncertainty was replaced with a faint glow in the eyes. "It would be an honour, Byakuya-sama."
xXxXx
"Byakuya proposed?" Unohana smiled in surprise as Isane nodded her head.
"Hisana-san told me over the phone yesterday night. They are coming over right now."
"That is wonderful news. This is perfect, and it calls for a celebration in our clan soon enough. Byakuya has finally found a suitable mate."
A knock stopped the chatter between superior and assistant. Unohana sat up and called, "Come in."
Byakuya and Hisana walked into the office suite, Hisana holding onto Byakuya's arm. Hisana was smiling, Byakuya wore his usual emotionless façade.
"Byakuya. Hisana." Unohana smiled. "Congratulations, both of you! I'm so happy for you two."
"Arigato, Unohana-sensei." Hisana smiled and hugged the Succubus.
"So how did it go with your parents?" Unohana motioned to the seats opposite her.
"They are excited, to put it simply." Hisana smiled as both of them took the seats. "They like Byakuya-sama very much."
Unohana nodded in satisfaction, before turning to Byakuya. "Byakuya, how about you take today off and show Hisana your apartment suite? It would do good… for her to adjust to… in future."
Something went through Byakuya's grey eyes but Hisana only smiled shyly.
"I will just have to make a call to cancel an appointment today then. I would be glad to." Hisana got up from her seat. "Please excuse me."
"Isn't she a lovely one?" Unohana smiled as she watched the door close behind Hisana. "You are very lucky, Byakuya."
"Unohana-sensei. I believe the matchmaking appointments can be cancelled now… as they are no longer necessary?" Byakuya's voice was devoid of emotion.
"But of course." Unohana smiled. "Wouldn't want to disturb you lovers, would we?"
xXxXx
"Your house is beautiful, Byakuya-sama." Hisana smiled as she descended from the car to gaze at her surroundings. The Succubus followed the Incubus to the elevator, which took them to the apartment suite.
"Oh… this is beautiful." The Succubus smiled at the thick beige carpets and the white chaise lounge and couches. She walked over to the velvet drapes covering the windows and lifted a single one to take a look outside.
"Thank you," Byakuya answered simply.
Hisana gazed around the metallic kitchen and the living room before looking at the wide spiral staircase. "Byakuya-sama, if I may?"
Byakuya gave a curt nod and followed behind Hisana as she ascended the staircase. The Succubus looked into the huge study where there were countless racks of books placed against the wall, giving it the appearance of a huge library in the apartment suite. She walked along the carpeted hallway and saw a huge door ahead. Smiling, Hisana started to approach the door.
But as she reached out, a pale hand fiercely jerked the doorknob back so she could not open the door. Hisana stared in surprise at Byakuya, who had stepped forward beside her and was holding the doorknob.
"B-Byakuya-sama?" It was the first time she had seen such fierce and abrupt movements from the usually calm Incubus.
"That is my personal room, Hisana."
Hisana blinked, surprised at the cold edge that had crept into the Incubus's voice. He had never used that tone with her before in conversations.
"Oh… I thought that it was your bedroom so I-"
"It is my bedroom."
Hisana blinked again. "Oh… well, I thought since we were going to be… married…" Her voice softened as she blushed. "… I thought I would have a look in and see…"
"After we are married, the kitchen, living room, study and the general rooms will be for your use. You may utilize them as you please." Byakuya's voice was deep and emotionless. Hisana only stared at the Incubus, wearing a puzzled expression. "However… my bedroom remains my personal space. You will not enter it at any given time."
This time, the surprise was evident in Hisana's soft facial features. "But Byakuya-sama… I..." The Succubus stared at the door, as the questions began to pool on her tongue. "I... I apologize for my rudeness."
"There is no need for that," Byakuya spoke. "We will get another room. Or another house."
The Incubus finished the statement with a note of finality and walked down the stairs, leaving Hisana unsettled.
xXxXx
"Byakuya proposed!?" Matsumoto stared at Renji in shock.
"Apparently so." The red-haired Incubus nodded, as he drank from his coffee cup. "He even brought Hisana to his apartment suite a few days ago, apparently."
Matsumoto and Renji were having afternoon coffee break in the office cafeteria, when the Incubus told the Succubus of the impending marriage of their superior.
"Is Byakuya crazy? Why is he doing that?" Matsumoto shook her head.
"Maybe… he's in love with her?" Renji suggested.
"No, he's not. Only idiots would actually believe that he loves her." Matsumoto shook her head firmly.
Renji snorted.
"What? You don't believe me? Remember when Byakuya was with Rukia?" Matsumoto dropped a sugar cube into her coffee. "He was in good spirits all the time, and talked to us a lot! He even complimented me on a dress I wore to the office one day!"
"Really?" Renji looked up. "Because hell, that's some twisted form of mind he must be in to compliment your dressing sense."
"Yeah." Matsumoto nodded, lost in thought and barely discerning Renji's insult. "Those were the days when he was in love. When was the last time he talked to you?"
"Five days ago." Renji sighed. "Well… now is now. And he's now going to be married."
Matsumoto shook her head. "Smells like a storm coming."
xXxXx
"Rukia, where are you? I thought you said you had closed your flower shop for the day already!"
"I did!" Rukia laughed as she listened to her dorm mate's exasperated tone.
"Where are you? We are all waiting outside the campus!"
"I'm coming!" Rukia hurried along the street.
"You are getting your dessert, aren't you?" Nel's voice was knowing.
"What dessert? I will be right there," Rukia chuckled as she ran toward the ice shop. "See you!"
The petite girl placed her mobile phone back into her sling bag as she arrived at her favourite shop. There was already a small line for the dessert stall.
Oh well.
Rukia dutifully got into line. She looked up, trying to count the number of people in front of her. Nel would murder her if she was delayed for more than thirty minutes.
And at that moment, Rukia's heart stopped.
Because five people ahead, with his back to her, was a figure she would never ever forget in this lifetime.
Rukia felt the smile on her lips fade away as the pain came to clutch again at her heart. And it was ironic, that this was the first place that they had met each other for the very first time.
He was as tall as ever, his black hair brushing the back of the collar of his very expensive coat.
What was different was that he stayed in line now, waiting for his turn. What was different was that she now knew who he truly was.
But what was the same was that they were now strangers… as they were on the first day they met.
Rukia wondered if she should go off somewhere and then return after he had bought his dessert. He probably did not want to see her, and she didn't want to make things more awkward than they already were. But Rukia would be lying, if she said she did not wish to see his face. On the contrary, she wanted to see Byakuya very much, just to make sure that he was okay, that he was healthy.
You fool. Of course he's healthy. Rukia's inner voice scolded her.
"And there you go. Strawberry ice… with extra sago and milk."
Rukia was jolted from her thoughts as she heard the female worker's voice. Byakuya had received his order already, and was going to leave the stall and walk in her direction! She had been too busy thinking, she had not realized that the line had moved forward. There was no way she could run off without him noticing her now!
Rukia shrank back slightly as she stood in her position in line, turning her head away from the stall. It was a good position like this, he might not notice her this way. She heard his polished shoes click on the ground as he walked closer.
For a moment, she thought his footsteps had stopped as they neared her but then she realized they had not. Byakuya walked straight past the line… and past Rukia. Rukia pushed her own disappointment away, and turned just slightly to peek a glance at Byakuya. He held his chin straight, his eyes in front of him, emotionless and calm.
Perfect, as always.
They were now strangers, and she should be getting used to it.
Rukia felt herself smile sadly, and then she turned back slowly to the line in front of her.
But almost the next second, she found herself turning back to look for him again.
Will I always be like this? Looking around corners… forever searching for him?
Byakuya was nowhere in sight. Rukia guessed that he must have his car parked somewhere far away, because she hadn't noticed any luxurious cars on the way to the shop.
"Yes, miss?"
The voice of the female worker brought Rukia back to reality.
Rukia hurriedly pasted a smile on her face. "One strawberry ice… with extra sago and milk."
Rukia walked came out from the shop, happily sipping her iced drink. It was amazing how the sweet milk and fruit could lift her spirits so easily.
I can do this.
She rummaged in her bag and pulled out her mobile phone. "Hello. Nel? I have gotten my drink now." She listened to her best friend and had to laugh. "Well, tell me all about it when I see you. Alright, fifteen minutes and I will be there."
Rukia snapped her phone shut and put it back into the bag. Turning quickly to check her reflection in the mirror of a white car parked nearby, Rukia gave her outfit a once-over and thought it was good. A button-up dress with small boots.
She smiled in satisfaction at her reflection.
I can do this.
Byakuya watched Rukia as she walked out from the shop, smiling a beautiful smile and holding a drink so similar to the one in his hand. She walked out onto the walkway and took out her mobile phone.
From where she was standing, he could see her pretty features so easily. She looked happy, and seemed to be in good spirits. Byakuya felt a very small smile curl his lips upward, even as his heart bled.
He drank in the sight of her, with the desperation of someone parched too long for water. His eyes took in everything of hers, so fast as if they were desperately afraid they would miss her in the next blink.
He had already noticed her presence just now, when she was five shops away and walking toward the dessert stall. His heart had started beating like a runaway horse as he realized what she was coming for. The Incubus wondered if he should walk back to his car and wait until she had gotten her dessert before coming back to buy his own similar flavour. But then she would certainly notice him if he walked out now. So Byakuya decided to stay in line, trying to calm his traitorous heart and the need to turn around to look at Rukia.
When he had finally purchased his drink, he had noticed the way she shied away the moment he had turned around. She was trying to hide from him.
Walking past Rukia was the hardest thing Byakuya ever had to do, to walk past her and pretended that she was anything but the center of his universe. Only the image of her bandaged heavily and scarred in the hospital bed was what made Byakuya survive those steps, his resolve to keep her safe and happy. And yet, a part of his horrible heart wished so much for her to call out to him.
Will I always be like this? Looking around corners… forever searching for you, Rukia? And yet, making sure that I am hidden behind the wall so you would never have to lay eyes on me again?
Suddenly, Rukia stared straight at him and for a heart-stopping moment, Byakuya thought that she had seen him. But no, she was only checking her reflection in his tinted car window. And then she unknowingly smiled… at him. On the outside, it was only to her reflection but the smile shot straight to Byakuya, the person sitting behind the glass. The Incubus felt his heart lift as he saw her smile like that.
It had been so long since he had seen her smile at him. And for once in a very long time, he felt that warm feeling brush the edges of his blackened heart again… even if that smile was not meant for him in the first place.
Byakuya watched as Rukia turned and hurried to chase after a bus, yelling loudly on the street.
"Mister Kuchiki?"
Byakuya jerked out of his reverie as he heard the voice panel in his car. For once, he was grateful that he had chosen a cheaper car to drive out in this afternoon.
"I will be in the meeting room in five minutes." The white car pulled away from the curb.
xXxXx
"I'm sorry for the delay!" Rukia smiled as she dashed up to her friends.
"Rukia!" Nel almost jumped. "O-Oh, I thought you would be later than that!" Rukia's best friend looked up from something she had been reading with the rest of the gang, and hurriedly shoved the thing behind her back.
"Well, I exceeded your expectations then!" Rukia beamed and tossed her empty dessert bottle into a rubbish bin nearby.
"Heh… heh…" Nel laughed weakly.
"What?" Rukia peered curiously at her friend. "Why are you babbling?"
"Huh? Am I? N-No, no such thing!" Nel put her hands up.
Rukia frowned slightly. "You are. On the phone, you sounded really excited earlier. Now you just sound nervous." She looked at Grimmjow, Ichigo, Shinji, Hiyori, Ishida and Orihime. "Actually, all of you are. What's the matter? Did something suddenly happen?"
"Nothing!" Orihime smiled and waved her hands in front of her.
"There is… something!" Rukia grinned as she snatched the thing from behind Nel's back.
"Rukia please!" Nel shouted and lunged forward but Rukia had already looked at the thing that the gang had been hiding from her.
It was today's newspaper. Rukia's eyes widened as they took in the bold, capital words splashed across the front page.
CITY'S HOTTEST BACHELOR GETS ENGAGED.
Rukia felt as if the ground was tilting beneath her feet but she read on, unable to tear her eyes away from the print.
Kuchiki Byakuya, heir to the prestigious Azaris hotel chain, has proposed to his unknown girlfriend three days ago. One of the company's spokeswoman told Tokyo Letter that the bachelor had finally decided to settle down in a proper marriage. 'He has found the right woman for him, and fell in love. He didn't want to waste any more time, he wanted to settle down,' the source was quoted as saying. Kuchiki, who struggled to keep his private life under wraps for years, has a known history of partying in nightclubs and an expensive playboy lifestyle. The identity of Kuchiki's new fiancée is currently unknown.
"R… Rukia?" Nel spoke tentatively as she watched her friend carefully.
"A-Ah!" Rukia looked up, quickly pasting a reaasuring smile on her face. "I see."
"You… are you alright?" Nel placed a hand on Rukia's shoulder.
"Yeah! Why not?" Rukia smiled brightly, surprising her friends. "You guys actually thought this would affect me?" The petite girl threw the newspaper back to Grimmjow, who caught it with a shocked expression. "We had already broken up a long time ago!"
Shinji started to smile. "See, I told you Rukia was stronger than that."
Rukia smiled back, as Hiyori and Orihime linked arms with her. "Let's go and have some fun!"
The friends laughed merrily together. Only the concern remained etched on Nel and Ichigo's faces as they watched Rukia's hands... which had remained secretly fisted by her sides to prevent them from trembling.
xXxXx
"Rukia, are you alright?" Ukitake's voice was soft outside the bedroom door. The knob turned lightly but the lock prevented her father from opening the door.
"I'm fine!" Rukia injected a happy tone in her voice as she stared at herself in the mirror. The petite girl looked at the horribly prominent black circles under her eyes, and gasped. But given that she barely slept a wink all night, this was a reasonable appearance.
"Why is the door locked?" Ukitake's voice was soft.
"I'm changing, Otousan! I will grab breakfast downstairs, you should leave for the company soon or you'll be late! I'm fine!"
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, positive!" Rukia replied as she hurriedly dabbed makeup under her eyes. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Why shouldn't I be?
It wasn't her business with Byakuya anymore. She chose to break up with him first, and now he had finally reciprocated that ending. Renji had told her that the Succubus was Byakuya's fiancée-to-be.
Rukia just didn't know it would be so fast.
He proposed to her… after only a short period of time. They must have had a remarkable connection with each other… for him to do so.
'Just like the remarkable connection between the both of you on that first night?' the sneaky voice at the back of her brain laughed at her. Rukia swallowed slightly as she suppressed her sadness.
Don't be silly, you! He's good now, he's happy! What's there to be sad about?
Rukia nodded slightly at her thoughts and allowed her lips to curve slightly in a small smile. Yes, he was healthy, happy and living the life he wanted. On top of that, he had a mate now and was going to love her forever more. Immortals, together forever.
Rukia cautiously pried her bedroom door open and listened for sounds. Her Otousan had apparently left, as per her instructions. Rukia heaved a sigh of relief as she headed to the kitchen to get some breakfast. One look at her appearance and Otousan would throw a fit for sure.
Rukia poured herself some cereal and settled down at the dining table to eat. Today was an off day for Rukia, so she was going to continue her work in her flower shop today. She was rather looking forward to some routine work to get her mind off things.
After she had finished breakfast, Rukia headed to her flower shop and changed the 'Closed' sign to 'Open' before taking down her list of orders to be completed today. An hour into her work which found the petite girl humming to a tune, the shop telephone rang.
"Hello. Amor Florals." Rukia made the usual greeting.
"Hello, I would like to place an urgent delivery for a bunch of twelve roses. I am rather busy at work now, so could you deliver it to my workplace? I need to give it personally to my girlfriend." The man's voice was rushed.
"Right." Rukia nodded. "Colour?"
"Yes, the papers are coming in, very soon. Very soon." The man spoke to someone, before quickly replying to Rukia. "What? Pink, pink."
"Okay." Rukia jotted down the details. "Any message?"
"A 'I am sorry' would do."
"Okay. Your address, sir?"
"Yes, yes. They are coming!" The man hurriedly spoke again to someone off the line. Then he replied to Rukia's question. "Address, yes. Do you know Azaris?"
Rukia's eyes widened, as she almost dropped the phone.
"Hello?"
"A-Ah. Yes… I do know… Azaris."
"I work there, on the fifteenth floor. Please ask for Takumi."
"Okay… right."
"Thank you very much! Bye."
Rukia listened to the dead dial tone for a long time before she started to do up the flowers.
xXxXx
"These are the wrong flowers!"
Rukia stared at Takumi in shock, as she held the beautiful bouquet of pink roses in her hand. "What do you mean?"
Rukia had endured her walk across the Azaris foyer, up the elevator, and onto the fifteenth floor. She had prayed hard, and had met nobody of acquaintance. And now, this man was telling her the flowers were… wrong?
"What do you mean? They are exactly as your ordered!" Rukia was unable to keep the frustration from her voice.
"Really?" Takumi stared at her, bewildered. "My girlfriend likes red roses, not pink."
"You ordered pink, you did."
"Oh…" A guilty expression appeared on Takumi's face. "Oh my God, I really apologize then."
"That's okay." Rukia stared down at the bouquet. All the work… for nothing.
"Could you make another one, but with red roses this time? Here's the money for this bouquet. You may keep this one. I will also pay you for the second bouquet when you are finished." Takumi held the money out.
"N-No… I can't do that. If you pay it then it's yours."
"No." Takumi smiled. "You came all the way here, and it was my own fault with the order anyway. Please take it… and use the flowers for some other purpose."
Rukia had to accept the money. As she started to turn away, she looked back. "Mister Takumi?"
"Yes?"
"I am very sorry to trouble you but can you come over to my shop to pick up the second bouquet? I don't think I will be able to make a second trip."
Because I don't think I can make a second trip.
Rukia bowed her thanks and walked toward the elevator before pushing the down button.
Byakuya had been preoccupied with his thoughts as he strode along the carpeted floor. Deciding that he needed lunch somewhere, Byakuya decided to take the elevator down to the basement to his car. He was grateful that the elevator was empty, because the Incubus didn't think he could take another congratulations for his impending marriage.
He barely masked his annoyance as the elevator stopped at the fifteenth floor. The silver doors opened…
… and everything evaporated around Byakuya.
He stared at her, dressed in simple jeans and her white lacy blouse. She had her usual sling bag over one shoulder, and was carrying a beautiful handmade bouquet of flowers. Compared to the fresh pink roses in her hands, she was the more beautiful.
Byakuya could not think, nor move. He could only look at her, watch her as her violet eyes widened in shock, and her mouth gaped open.
Then the moment passed… and Rukia awkwardly walked into the elevator Kuchiki Byakuya was in.
Rukia stared at the silver elevator wall in front of her, trying not to suffocate under the heavy silence in the elevator. She was also trying not to look at the single figure standing on her left now, and wondering why that feat was so difficult
She was frozen as the elevator doors slid open to reveal Byakuya before her, wearing his expensive dark blue suit and tie. His misty grey eyes had widened slightly, the only indication to the shock he had felt at seeing her.
Rukia was immediately seized by an impulse to run, to run away from the elevator and the one person standing in it. And yet her feet remained rooted to the ground as she stared at him, her mouth slightly open. She considered smiling and telling him that she wasn't taking the elevator down but that would be a pathetic excuse… what reason did she have to go to the upper floors?
So she could only walk into the elevator… to endure the trip down. And not too long ago, she had come to his office to talk to him. But right now, her throat was jammed, her voice was gone, she couldn't think.
It is Byakuya's wish. He personally requests for you to forget him. He himself will do so about you…
It was his wish, so she would respect it. She wouldn't force her speech on him, she would lay all her questions and uncertainties to rest.
"How are you?"
Rukia's eyes widened at the deep voice, and she turned to look at Byakuya. He was not looking at her, his grey eyes fixated on the elevator panel. For all she knew, he could have been asking the glass box itself.
"I… I'm fine. Y-You?"
Back then, she would speak to him in such a playful tone…
"Busy, but I am alright."
And he would always have some cheeky, seductive answer up his sleeve…
Rukia looked down at the floor and nodded. After a while, she cleared her throat and spoke again. "I… Congratulations on your recent engagement. I… read about it in the newspapers." She paused as she smiled serenely. "Your future bride must be very beautiful."
It was then that Byakuya turned to her. Rukia saw something unreadable pass through his misty grey eyes. "She is… very much so. And thank you."
"Ah." Rukia continued to smile, even as her heart bled. She looked up at the elevator panel. Six. Five. Why was the elevator taking so long to reach its destination? Rukia did not know what else to say and stared down at her hands. That was when she realized she was still holding the bouquet of roses.
Byakuya was trying so hard not to look at her, even as his heart pounded loudly in his chest. How many times had he wished to see her, and close to him like this? But now, he couldn't look… he could never look. Who had coincidentally called for Amor Florals from his office? Rukia seemed to be a lot thinner than the last time he saw her. Was she eating well? Was she sick? So many questions, and there was no way he could get any answers.
'Ground floor.' The cool female voice broke the still silence in the elevator and Byakuya looked up, just as he noticed Rukia turning to him. The next second, she had reached out and bowed low, holding out the bouquet of flowers.
"This bouquet is not much… but please accept it as a small token of well wishes. Someone in Azaris ordered a bouquet but I made it in the wrong colour so…" Byakuya watched as the lovely violet eyes widened and the beautiful blush naturally appeared in Rukia's cheeks, as she realized her babbling.
How… how much he just wanted to reach out and touch her…
And how it killed him all over again… that he could not…
Rukia's eyes were still wide. "I mean, I'm not recycling it as a gift! I just… I probably won't get a chance to give you a gift for the occasion so…" Rukia hurriedly bowed, hiding her red face, as Byakuya accepted the flowers.
"Ah… congratulations again to the both of you! I know you two will be very happy together and I wish you all the happiness in the world." With that, Rukia ducked out from the elevator as the doors opened. Byakuya could only stand and watch as Rukia ran across the Azaris foyer to the entrance, never looking back.
It wasn't until she was well out of sight of the hotel did Rukia finally stop running and wipe away her tears that had begun to fall.
xXxXx
Rukia woke up with a start as she heard someone tapping at her dorm apartment door. This was one of the rare nights she had actually found herself falling asleep, and now it was ruined. Who was it, and this late in the night? Was it Nel?
Couldn't be. Nel's off to camp with Grimmy.
Nel had been a worrywart for Rukia all week, in the wake of Byakuya's marriage proposal news. Her dormmate had insisted on staying by Rukia's side all the time, doing homework and fun stuff. Rukia had been deeply moved by Nel's concern, and finally told her friend that she was fine and pushed her off to weekend camp time with her grouchy boyfriend.
Now Rukia padded to the door with her jacket on and slowly eased the door open. "ICHIGO!"
It was Ichigo alright, but it was a mess of Ichigo.
Rukia stared at Ichigo, who was bent over and stumbling slightly even as he stood on his two feet. The petite girl hurried out to stabilize him, immediately catching the scent of alcohol. "Ichigo, are you alright? Were you drinking too much?"
"You are not alright." Rukia blinked in surprise at hearing Ichigo's slurred words.
"Come in first! What are you doing out so late at night, and drinking?" Rukia half-pulled, half-heaved Ichigo into her apartment. She sat Ichigo down on the couch and knelt before him with a towel and a cup of hot tea.
"You are not alright…" Ichigo slurred again. "You never were…"
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Rukia admonished Ichigo as she tried to coax him into taking a sip of tea.
"Your heart, Rukia…"
Rukia's eyes widened.
"You… you pretend… and you think that we can't see…" Ichigo bent over slightly. "And… it makes me miserable…"
Rukia's hand gripped the teacup hard, her knuckles turning white. I should have known... that only Nel and Ichigo would know...
"Give up… on him already, Rukia."
Rukia gasped.
"I will never hurt you… the way… he did." Ichigo bent forward even more, his eyes unfocused. "I want to fill… that hole he left, Rukia. And someday… I want you to smile again..."
His body bent forward and this time, Ichigo's body hit Rukia as he lost consciousness. His head lolled over her shoulder as Rukia placed her arms around Ichigo.
Soon enough, her tears followed.
xXxXx
I should be happy...
The wind blew against her cheek, refreshing and cooling. Her black hair blew about her face, like an ebony veil. Her strong legs pedaled faster, as the bicycle sped along the grassy path.
"Ho!" Rukia's eyes lit up as she saw her target and hurriedly stop her bike, before running toward the green patch where the yellow flowers grew.
"Yellow-banded irises!" Rukia smiled happily as she approached the flowers with a basket.
It had been a week after Byakuya's marriage announcement, and three days after Ichigo's drunk confession. The orange-haired boy had woken up, disoriented and shocked, on Rukia's living room couch with no recollection of what he had said to her the night before.
Rukia hadn't told him… but she had made a firm resolution.
She was going to be happy.
So today, Rukia had felt that the wind was calling to her and so taken her bike to the grassy hills for iris flower-picking. Irises were her Otousan's favourite flowers, especially yellow-banded irises that were rare in the wild.
After Rukia had gathered enough of the flowers in her basket, she hurried back to her bike and started to head back home. She was going to make a lovely arrangement in a vase when she got home, and then cook her father's favourite dishes.
Rukia had been too busy enjoying the wind, that she had momentarily closed her eyes as she felt the wind against her face. That action proved to be a mistake as the bicycle suddenly collided with a solid figure in front of her, throwing Rukia and the bike to the side.
"OHHH!"
Rukia got up quickly, as she had landed safely on the soft grass. She stared ahead and gasped as she saw the old man who was also struggling to get up from the grass. "Oh my God, I'm so so sorry!"
Rukia rushed over and helped the old man carefully to his feet.
"We should go to a hospital now!" Rukia looked about the hills, wondering where she could get transportation.
"Do not worry. I am alright." The old man waved off her concerns. Rukia saw that he had grey hair with a moustache.
"Really? No no, this won't do. You might have broken something!" Rukia hurriedly looked the old man over. However, he did not seem to be having any difficulty moving about.
"There will be no need, child."
"Oh… okay." Rukia nodded uncertainly. After a while, she looked up. "Are you here with somebody? Or alone?"
The old man smiled slightly at Rukia. "Let us just say that I am not here with anybody. Anybody important, that is. I was just walking in the hills to take in the sight and sun."
"Oh." Rukia nodded.
"Those are very lovely flowers."
"Oh?" Rukia stared in the direction the old man was looking in, and saw her basket of yellow irises.
"They are yellow-banded irises, are they not? Very rare around this time in the year."
Rukia nodded. "Yes, you know them too? I came out here to gather them specially." As she looked between the basket and the old man, Rukia started to smile. "Please have them!" The petite girl held out the basket.
The old man smiled. "Perhaps you would allow me to buy your irises. It is hard work to come to gather them here in a hill, much more for a young girl like you."
Rukia shook her head. "No, I can give them to you, Gramps!" Rukia smiled and handed the flowers over. "It's the least I can do for banging into you."
The old man had seemed surprised at the somewhat affectionate address Rukia had used, but then he smiled. "That would not be good. I will pay for them."
"No, I'm really giving them to you. You can make me happy… by receiving them." Rukia smiled.
The elderly man smiled back. "Alright, my child." He took the flowers. "Thank you very much. You make this old man happy."
Rukia beamed. "I have to get back soon to prepare dinner for Otousan. Would you like me to walk you back? It's going to get dark out soon."
The old man smiled. "It's alright. I'd like to stand here for a bit."
"Oh… okay. Please be careful. And it was very nice meeting you." Rukia bowed and took up her bicycle.
"It was very nice meeting you, child. Take care."
The old man watched as the small figure rode her bicycle fast into the distance as she waved.
xXxXx
Byakuya sat in his parked Porsche as he stared out at the late evening sky. He had taken to driving aimlessly around town, to ease his mind.
'And perhaps to catch a sight of her, if you think you were lucky.' The small voice at the back of his head mocked him.
Byakuya closed his eyes, remembering his last encounter with Rukia days ago. It had tore at him, as she wished him congratulations on his engagement. He had driven right back home after that, to carefully place the pink roses into a crystal glass. The Incubus had then spent his time gazing at the flowers, trying to imagine Rukia's excited face as she completed the flower bouquet arrangement in her shop.
He was pathetic… but right here, he could think about her… in the privacy of his home or office space or car.
He kept to his word, never purposely going to find her despite dying to do so. No one, friend or enemy, will ever know that he had loved her so very much… and was still in love with her.
Not even Rukia herself.
"Give it to me!" The happy voice reached Byakuya's ears and his eyes widened in shock. He knew that voice, he had heard it on so many occasions before in the exact same tone. It was also the voice that plagued him on lonely nights in the bedroom. It was the voice he had been dying to hear.
Rukia.
Byakuya reflexively turned around in his car seat to search for her. And then he saw her.
Rukia was running along one of the shop lots, several plastic bags in hand. Her black hair swept around her face as she ran, her violet eyes wide and keen. She was wearing jeans and a light-blue blouse, and a pair of white sneakers.
"I said, give it back!" Rukia shouted, and she laughed out loud. Byakuya's eyes widened, realizing that he had not heard her laugh for weeks now.
"Come get it, midget!" And then he heard that teasing male voice, and watched as Rukia tackled the orange-haired boy running in front of her.
Ichigo. Kurosaki Ichigo.
Ichigo piggybacked Rukia through the rest of the journey and Byakuya's pained eyes could only watch as she buried her head happily in Ichigo's shoulder as she laughed.
No one, friend or enemy, will ever know that he had loved her so very much… and was still in love with her.
Not even Rukia herself.
xXxXx
"Where is Byakuya?" Unohana looked up at Isane as she entered her office. "I have been searching for him all morning."
The assistant shook her head, puzzled. "I do not know. Shall I place you on a call to his home, Sensei?"
"That would be nice, Isane." Unohana nodded and smiled as she took a seat at her office table. She listened to her assistant dialing the number before she picked up her phone. She listened to the tone for a few seconds before it was picked up.
"Kuchiki… Bya…"
Unohana immediately noted how Byakuya was slurring on his words. "Byakuya, it's Unohana."
Silence met the statement.
"Are you drinking?"
"I am afraid I will be taking… a day off from work today…"
"Byakuya, honestly, this- Byakuya? Byakuya?" Unohana was only met with a dead dial tone. Byakuya had hung up.
On the other end, Byakuya stretched out on his cream sofa, feeling groggy and unfocused. His head hurt so much, but it was nothing compared to his heart.
She was happy. She was happy. Rukia was happy… without him. She was happy in someone else's arms.
It was what Byakuya had wanted from the start, for her to happy and safe in her beautiful world… without him. He just hadn't realized how much it would hurt. But if it that is what it takes to keep her laughing freely like that, he would endure it. He would always endure it… for eternity.
The Incubus slumped onto the couch and allowed the expensive wine bottle in his hand to slip through his long fingers. The crystal bottle hit the carpet softly and as the amber liquid soaked across the rich burgundy carpet, a single tear joined them.
The roses stood in the vase on the table, all of it withered away.
Yes, angsty indeed. Do not fault Byakuya for leaving Rukia, because after all, her life matters most to him, he doesn't want Rukia dead and he has a lot of enemies. So now Byakuya and Rukia had finally met each other after the Aizen battle... and while they struggle with the sadness, both of them are trying to lead separate lives... with much success/failure? I really enjoyed writing their meetings, both in the ice shop and in the elevator... I don't know why, I guess I was just soaking up the bittersweet feeling.
And yes, Byakuya keeps his bedroom off-limits to everyone... except the one person he had willingly brought into it before. :)
Please leave a review for me, your thoughts/comments/opinions/suggestions are very valuable for me as feedback, as much as a source for motivation of writing. Thank you. :)