Hello, it's been quite a while, hasn't it? I believe the last update was in December 2015, which makes it almost half a year since the last update for Demons! I apologize for the long delay, but I have recently started on pursuing a specialist course starting early this year for two years and will end in 2017. Wish me luck. :)
So of course on top of the monthly assessments and assignments now, I barely have time to write fanfiction. I actually aimed to get an update out near Feb/March but I was too busy to write. I found some time to write this weekend, so I decided to do up another chapter for Demons. As I have said before, I do fully intend to complete this fanfic. :)
Thank you very much for all your reviews for chapter 40! You have no idea how much they motivate me for this fanfic. I was really touched by all the feedback and the encouragement, and have replied each of you in the ending AN. I would have preferred to PM each of you, but there are anonymous reviews as well so I thought why not just reply it all in a huge bunch in one super-long AN (like the ones I used to do when I started writing fanfiction XD) Thank you xxUlquiorraLoveRxx, WithoutPen, Guest, Oicherealtai, Julimouto, Guest, Mymina, majrob, mengtoreality, Lilian Violet, Mallomars, kagxsesshy4life, Becwaters, crazykenz, Aurora, P.N.M 80, Guest, Polaris-Sakura, Anon, Please, PAMILA DE CASTRO, SakiXX1, LadyKuchiki4709, lona-Violet Flower, Guest, Guest, SleepyJ, BlackBurningHeart, Guest, Guest, kiti4life, alicia jen .havens, Heir-to-Sunspear-23, Deliberatee, E.N.D.K, Guest, IloveCandies, Kuchiki Kay, couples lover, annanya, 4635346, xxlebzaxx, jamesrose26, jofig525, Guest, Guest, Guest, Shihoin-hime, Guest, kriya, Guest, ReckoningDay, Anon and AC-mademoiselle05.
DISCLAIMER: I don't own Bleach or its characters. I do however, own this story and plot.
I hope you enjoy Chapter 41.
Rukia blinked slightly as her sleep-fuzzled mind struggled to make sense of her surroundings. She shifted and slowly got up in the hospital bed. Feeling thirsty, Rukia reached for the glass of water on her left bedside table. As her hand closed around the glass, Rukia's eyes fell upon the ring on her left ring finger and she felt a happy smile immediately spread across her face.
It had been a blissful night for Rukia, Byakuya had proposed to her and she had said yes. After the proposal, he had driven both of them back to the hospital and her fiancé had easily scaled his way up twenty-two floors of the hospital building with her in his arms. As the nurses frantically ran around outside looking for Rukia, Byakuya had gently tucked her into bed with a goodnight kiss. He then openly left through the ward door, leaving the hospital staff completely baffled.
Rukia chuckled slightly and reached for her breakfast platter, the nurse had apparently left it for her on the table. As she was about to start eating breakfast, the door to her room flew open with a loud bang.
Rukia blinked in surprise.
"RUKIA!" The familiar voice of Matsumoto rang through the hospital suite as the Succubus strode into the room airily, dressed in a form-fitting black dress with a plunging neckline. Behind her, Rukia could see the few nurses gathered at the counter shoot dark looks at the voluptuous woman.
Rukia could not help the smile that curled her lips. "Rangiku-san. You look beautiful today."
"Don't I?" Matsumoto flipped her hair as she settled by Rukia's bedside. "It's new, by the way. I know it's a tad overdressed for a hospital visit but I couldn't wait to wear it out."
Rukia laughed as another newcomer, a tall figure with red hair, walked into the suite.
"Renji!" Rukia smiled in surprise.
"Matsumoto, you should cut the noise down. It's a hospital. People need some peace and quiet so they can recuperate… or at least die nicely, you know." Renji closed the room door with a click.
Matsumoto ignored him as she turned back to Rukia. "So how are you? You are looking much better today!"
"I do feel better." Rukia nodded as she waved the chicken sandwich in her hand. She looked between Renji and Matsumoto. "Aren't the both of you supposed to be at work?"
"Well, Renji called in sick because he knew Byakuya was going to murder him for telling you about his stressed-up condition. I just decided to visit you so I ditched my work and accompanied Renji over."
"Like, really murder." Renji nodded solemnly. "He will skin me alive and then hang me by my pectorals from the ceiling on meat hooks. While he is with you, he's your Byakuya. When he is with us, he's the Byakuya."
Rukia felt her mouth drop open, as Matsumoto aimed a blow at the Incubus.
"So anyway, I was thinking that we should do some girl shopping when you are discharged from the hospital. It's two weeks from Valentine's Day!" Matsumoto winked.
"Sure." Rukia nodded. Nel and her university friends had visited her a few days ago and made her promise to go on one of their outings too. It felt almost surreal, making normal casual plans like this. Rukia felt as if she hadn't been doing much of normal things lately, that her life had been anything but normal.
This was a good start.
Rukia was so lost in thought that she did not realize Matsumoto inching forward, her keen eyes fixed on something on the blankets.
"Oh… my…"
Before Rukia could even react, the Succubus had snatched up her left hand from the blankets. "Rukia… this is…!" The Succubus stared with wide eyes at the silver ring on Rukia's left ring finger.
Rukia only smiled in embarassment.
"RENJI!" Matsumoto all but shrieked. "Renji! Come here!"
"What?" The Incubus, who had been busy flipping through a magazine, approached the two women. His eyes widened as he stared at Rukia's hand. "Oh my… in the name of all things dirty…" Renji's voice was in awe as he stared at the ring but Matsumoto smacked him hard at the neck.
The Succubus turned back to Rukia with wide, happy eyes. "When? When did it happen?"
Rukia smiled. "Last night. We secretly left the hospital for dinner and then he suddenly proposed."
"That sounds just like him. Whisk the poor girl away for some fairytale dinner and then catching her off guard and giving her a heart attack… minimizes the chances of her saying no, isn't it?" Renji laughed loudly. "That is just like Byakuya." The Incubus's face soured. "And bastard didn't even tell us, we could have helped him prepare, you know."
Matsumoto laughed. "I think he wanted it to be personal. Plus, if he had you in the arrangements, there would be strippers involved for sure."
Renji waggled his finger. "Wrong there! I would ask Byakuya to be the stripper. You know, he can just dirty dance topless and ask Rukia to marry him. She would say yes, any girl would say yes!"
Rukia who had been sipping some water, immediately choked on her drink. As she coughed slightly, Matsumoto aimed another slap at Renji.
"You can be so stupid sometimes." The Succubus shook her head. "So when is the wedding, Rukia?" She turned back happily to Rukia.
"I don't know." Rukia shrugged.
"Knowing Byakuya, the wedding arrangements would probably already be underway." Renji winked at a mortified Rukia. "He wouldn't want to give you time to change your mind."
"I would not change my mind!" Rukia protested aloud before she could stop herself, and the two demons grinned at her teasingly as she blushed. Rukia finally looked up. "So… both of you aren't surprised?" Her question was tentative.
"Should we be?" Renji frowned.
Matsumoto smiled and reached over to hold Rukia's hand. "It was going to happen sooner or later. I do not see any other ending for the both of you."
"I did." Rukia looked down at her hands. "I thought…" Her voice was soft, thoughtful. "… that we would just go on like this till it was time for me to go. Just as lovers, and nothing more. I honestly did not expect anything more than that."
Matsumoto and Renji watched Rukia with serious expressions.
"I did not think that he would ever propose to me. For a split second I considered telling him no, that I don't want to be his wife and then eventually leave him." A smile slowly began to curl Rukia's lips. "But then I decided I was going to try. And if eventually I do leave him…" Rukia's eyes were bright. "… I would have spent all my life with him by then."
Matsumoto smiled, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Only you will make Byakuya happy." The Succubus tightened her grasp on Rukia's hand. "And you will be happy with him."
"Arigato." Rukia nodded. "Rangiku. Renji."
Renji winked. "You are welcome, future Mrs Kuchiki."
xXxXx
"Rukia, congratulations!" Rukia smiled as she embraced the turquoise-haired girl. Neliel had been the first friend that Rukia had told of the engagement, and her roommate had reacted with much happiness and enthusiasm.
"Arigato," Rukia smiled. She had missed Neliel very much, as her time in the dorm had been limited by the many happenings lately.
"I am so happy for you and Byakuya-san!" Neliel's hazel eyes were bright. "When's the wedding?"
"I don't know," Rukia smiled honestly.
"I think it will be very soon, though," Neliel whispered conspirationally in Rukia's ear. "Byakuya-san looks like a very intense, passionate man."
Rukia felt the heat rise in her cheeks, and she gave her laughing friend a shove. "What about you and Grimmjow?"
"We are good. He's the usual idiot, but he's a good guy." Both Rukia and Neliel looked across the room where the cerulean-haired boy was arguing with Shinji, and they both burst out laughing.
Rukia had been discharged from the hospital a day after Byakuya's proposal. Ukitake had decided to hold a dinner at their residence to celebrate Rukia and Byakuya's engagement a week later, and their close friends were all invited. The couple was due to have their celebratory engagement dinner soon on Byakuya's side, and it was planned to be a formal grand event held at Azaris.
This one, however, was all about family and friends.
Rukia was thoroughly thrilled and happy to be a part of the dinner, she had been eagerly helping her father prepare the food and decorate the living room. Byakuya and Unohana-sensei were also present, and the former proved to be quite a distraction to Rukia (whenever he came up to secretly kiss her whilst she was preparing the food).
Today, both Byakuya's and her close friends were all gathered here in the same place.
"Oh, Abarai-kun!" Nel's eyes widened in surprise. Rukia looked up to see the Incubus come in through the front door, dressed in a simple white shirt and designer pants. As with the natural beauty of the demons, he looked dashing as well.
"Oh, it's Nel, isn't it?" Renji smiled as he recognized Rukia's university mate. "How have you been?" He stopped in front of the two women. From across the room, Grimmjow frowned as he stared at the red-haired Incubus as Nel chatted to him.
"I am good. So how was your degree course?"
"I… passed with flying colours, as expected." Renji winked at an amused Rukia. "My graduation was a month back, and I am now working at Azaris for my cousin, Byakuya."
"Rukia!" Matsumoto walked in after Renji, dressed in a knee-length pale pink dress. "We brought wine, even though Byakuya has clearly told us both that you do not take alcohol. We thought we could pop the bottle here today, and then your father might like vintage wine." The Succubus smiled as she handed over the wrapped bottle tied with a red ribbon. "Well, isn't this lovely?" She smiled at the living room, where silver-and-pink streamers hung from the ceiling. "I hope the clan dinner will be able to top this." She winked at a beaming Rukia.
"We are so happy to have you all here." Rukia smiled, as Byakuya came over and put a hand over her waist. The people in the living room turned to the couple as Rukia took a deep breath. "I wish to thank you all for making it here, for this simple dinner of celebration." She smiled at her group of friends of Nel, Grimmjow, Ichigo, Shinji, Hiyori, Orihime, Ishida and Sado. "This has been an unbelievable year for me, I have had many blessings I could never hope to have." Rukia took a deep breath.
"My Otousan is healthy and happy…" Ukitake smiled as he watched from the doorway, Unohana standing by his side.
"I have my beloved friends with me…" Matsumoto and Renji watched with happy expressions.
"… and now I have someone so special loving me by my side now." Byakuya watched his fiancé, his hand entwined with hers.
"I, really,…" Happy tears pooled slightly in Rukia's eyes. "… really thank you all."
"Arigato."
Byakuya stood out in the small garden of the Ukitake residence compound, his impassive face turned up to the sky. He heard the footsteps but continued to observe the silver pinpricks in the black sky.
"Kuchiki."
"Kurosaki Ichigo." The Incubus finally turned to look at the boy before him. This human boy, whom Byakuya had envied for everything he did not have. Rukia's prior affections, her time spent with him for a much larger portion of her life, and his mortality. This boy… who clearly loved Rukia as well.
"All the best for your upcoming wedding." Ichigo's voice trailed off. "And… you take care of her properly."
"What makes you think I would not?" Byakuya's voice was emotionless.
"You hurt her before." Ichigo's voice was hard. "I do not know her reasons for taking you back, but…" The orange-haired boy's voice suddenly took on a grudging tone. "… I know she loves you very much."
Byakuya kept silent.
"So if you ever hurt her again, I will take her away. And I will kick your ass." Ichigo's voice was firm as he fixed a serious stare at the Incubus.
"I will never let her hurt ever again," Byakuya answered, meeting Ichigo's stare. "Also, you would be wise to believe that you would never defeat me in a million years, Kurosaki."
"We can someday try to see who's stronger… though I hope we never have to." Ichigo spoke, but now he was smiling slightly.
Byakuya looked up at Ichigo, but hurried footsteps interrupted their conversation. The Incubus looked up as a frazzled-looking Rukia burst out onto the garden and looked between the both of them, no doubt expecting a fight to have broken out.
"Rukia." Ichigo smiled.
"Ichigo." Rukia smiled, but she still looked uncertainly between both men. "Er?"
"We were just having a small talk." Ichigo laughed sheepishly and ran his hand through his orange hair. "Do not worry, Rukia."
Byakuya turned to Rukia and nodded, before walking up to her. He put his arms around her and led her back into the house.
Ichigo watched the couple, and his smile did not disappear.
Be happy… Rukia.
"Is everything alright?" Rukia tried to keep the anxiety from her voice, but as usual there was nothing she could hide from her fiancé. Byakuya smiled slightly and held her close as they walked through the hallway.
"Yes, Rukia. Do not worry. I am not about to kill someone during a dinner at your house."
Rukia chuckled.
Byakuya tipped her chin up to him. "After all, if I did feel like killing him, I will just ask you to do the same thing you did the last time, to hold me in."
Rukia's eyes widened.
'Kiss me.'
'W-Wha…'
'I'm really jealous now. Kiss me.'
Rukia smiled as she remembered how she sat fearfully in the Porsche, how a jealous Byakuya had demanded a kiss from her in exchange for not going out to confront Ichigo, how she had given in to the kiss, and how the tenderness of his hands and lips had surprised her.
How things have progressed... up till this point.
"What is it?" Byakuya's deep voice jolted Rukia from her reverie.
"H-huh?"
"You had a very beautiful smile upon your lips just then. What were you thinking about?" His misty grey eyes burned into her, as if trying to read her thoughts.
"I… was just thinking… about how far we have come."
"Indeed." The Incubus's hands curled around his lover. Rukia closed her eyes momentarily, basking in the scent of Byakuya. He smelled like a wonderful combination of fresh soap, sakura and mint. "Kiss me… Rukia."
Rukia chuckled and then gave him a soft peck on his left cheek.
A frown creased his handsome brows as he stared down at her. "What was that supposed to be?"
"The kiss you asked for," Rukia replied, trying not to laugh at her lover's mildly indignant expression. "We are not going to make out in front of my father and friends!"
"That is a highly interesting proposition," Byakuya replied but Rukia had already circled away from him. He watched as she ran back into the living room, her lovely laughter ringing back at him.
xXxXx
Rukia's eyebrows furrowed in concentration as the sweat dripped from her forehead. She focused on the fist-sized rock on the table and extended her right hand toward it. Her hand trembled violently, and then a wave of frost travelled from her hand across the table and over the rock, before it burst open in a small explosion of icicles.
"Haaa.. haa.." Rukia panted, but her eyes were bright and happy. It had been many days since the dinner at her house, and Rukia had returned to her studies at university. Today was one of her off days and she had requested for permission to train in Byakuya's training room one floor below his penthouse unit. It was a huge perimeter of arena, clearly designed for combat training. Her fiancé had grudgingly obliged, before telling her not to overdo her training.
Now, she turned to face the vast perimeter of the training room and lifted both her hands. Icicles slowly began to rise from the ground out of thin air, beginning to form a huge ice shield to cover the arena. Rukia's hands trembled violently and she felt her energy begin to give way.
Just a little… come on, just a little…
But this time, something was wrong. She felt the lethargy sink in too quickly, and then her feet could barely hold her. Rukia stumbled forward, refusing to fall but the damage was already done. The shield crashed to the ground before it could even form halfway over the arena. The huge structure exploded as it hit the floor in an earthshaking vibration, scattering huge pieces of ice everywhere.
Rukia gasped in pain as sharp ice splinters appeared and traveled up over her arm, encasing her hand in frosty ice. She felt the ice start to break immediately, her skin breaking along with it.
Rukia bit her lip as the blood appeared in small cuts where the ice had broken too fast, opening up wounds on her skin.
"Slowly." A warm hand suddenly enveloped hers, to stop the ice breaking too rapidly.
"Byakuya, let go!" Rukia's eyes were wide as the frost started to grow over Byakuya's hand as well. He did not let go of hers.
Rukia's frantic eyes shot up, only to be met by Byakuya's unusually gentle ones. "A little bit of ice would not kill me. I am a far more stronger demon than that." She felt his grip on her hand tighten reassuringly. "Slowly, Rukia."
"Melt… slowly."
Rukia nodded, and took another deep breath. She felt the tension in her body ebb away bit by bit, and the ice slowly and gradually began to thaw over her skin. Byakuya did not let go off her hand until the ice turned to water.
He lifted her right hand to examine the damage. "Come, I will bandage it for you."
"I am sorry," Rukia apologized as Byakuya led her over to a table at the corner of the training room. "I just wanted to try and create a bigger shield."
The Incubus applied some ointment to the wounds on her hand before slowly and gently wrapping it in bandage. "Do not overexert yourself. Training has to be done gradually. Our powers are honed over time, they do not immediately gain control. Doing so risks damage to one's self, Rukia."
"Hai." Rukia nodded.
Byakuya taped the bandage in place. "I ended up with terrible cuts over both my hands when I was younger and impetuous when training. Do exercise control next time, Rukia."
Rukia nodded again. "I am sorry for the trouble." She looked up at her lover questioningly. "What are you doing here? Aren't you at work?"
"I came to extend you an invitation." Byakuya stood up, now smiling mysteriously at his lover. He gently pulled Rukia to her feet. "There is somewhere I want you to accompany me to. Abarai will be our chauffeur."
Rukia's mouth fell open as she stepped out of the car.
"I told you he wasn't someone to waste time over something so important to him," Renji muttered under his breath beside her.
"Miss Ukitake Rukia." Three young girls greeted Rukia, Byakuya and Renji at the entrance of the luxurious boutique.
"Oh, I…" Rukia turned uncertainly to look at Byakuya, but the Incubus just nodded.
"We are here for an appointment of Miss Rukia's first bridal gown fitting."
Rukia shot a look of panic at Byakuya but he just smiled mildly at her and allowed her to be steered deeper into the fitting rooms by the three assistants.
"Rukia-san." The feminine voice greeted Rukia, as a familiar figure stepped out from behind the mirrors of the dressing room.
"Madam Kabuki!" Rukia smiled in recognition, forgetting her panic and awkwardness for the time being.
"The very same." The Succubus smiled as she greeted Rukia. Byakuya had told Rukia some time ago that the famous designer was actually one of their own, an immortal creature who proved to be a maestro at design of fabrics and arts. "I must congratulate you on your and Kuchiki-san's engagement."
"I… Arigato."
"I also heard word that you wore my design to great effect so many months ago." Madam Kabuki produced a measuring tape as she approached Rukia. "Amour du Demon."
"The dress was very beautiful." Rukia remembered the ethereal emerald dress that Byakuya had her wear to his company dinner.
"The aesthetic value of a masterpiece does not only depend on the painting, it depends on the canvas to project it as well." Madam Kabuki straightened the measuring tape to smooth across Rukia's shoulder. "That dress was made for you, my dear."
The designer took a step back and this time, went to measure Rukia's waist. "So, what would you like your wedding gown design to be? Strapless? Thin straps? Or perhaps some beautiful, delicate sleeves?"
"I… I don't know." Rukia felt foolish. Byakuya had not even told her that she was going for a fitting session today, much less a bridal gown fitting!
Madam Kabuki turned to face Rukia, scrutinizing her carefully under her rimmed glasses. The younger girl suddenly felt self-conscious.
In the next thirty minutes, a strapless white mermaid wedding dress was fitted onto Rukia as a trial fitting. It was beautiful and hugged her curves nicely, but Madam Kabuki still frowned as she fussed over Rukia with the measuring tape.
"There are also rumors that you are descended from the Kiyowara clan." The Succubus turned to the racks of white gowns.
"Only through my paternal side." Rukia stated. She allowed the pride to fill her voice before saying, "My mother is human."
"Indeed." Madam Kabuki approached Rukia with several white fabrics, and began matching them to her skin. "I do actually see a wonderful creation for you in my mind, but it will take some time… and a bit of expenditure. Which I am sure Kuchiki-san will gladly agree to."
"Em, I… I think I might have to discuss that with him." Rukia was sure that whatever Madam Kabuki had in mind was going to be mind-blowing but her creations were really, really expensive. While Byakuya would not have minded at all, Rukia did not want to lavishly spend on luxuries when the wedding was not even planned out yet. "I mean-
"Go ahead with whatever you have planned, Madam Kabuki." The cold male voice made Rukia look up in surprise.
"Kuchiki-san." Madam Kabuki bowed and then stepped down from the podium on which Rukia now stood, dressed in the strapless white dress. She walked off to inspect other potential dresses, as Kuchiki Byakuya approached his fiancé.
"Byakuya…" Rukia whispered frantically. "What is this? You didn't tell me I was going to have a fitting session today!" She looked up at him with wide eyes. "And a wedding dress created by Madam Kabuki is going to be very expensive!"
"It will be worth every cent." Byakuya smoothed the stubborn bang from Rukia's forehead. "Even in this simple dress…" Byakuya gently pulled Rukia closer. "… you look absolutely breathtaking."
Rukia felt her breath still in her body as he pulled her closer still.
"I could just marry you…. right now…" Byakuya's voice was husky as he leaned closer toward Rukia, unable to resist the natural pull of his lover's beautiful violet eyes.
"Ahem." Renji cleared his throat loudly at the doorway, snapping the couple from their moment together. "I am very sorry to interrupt you two. Aside from the fact that I am feeling slightly nauseous right now, I believe we can conclude the fitting sessions and move on to the planning of the decorations and venue. You two can still get lovey-dovey during Valentine's, which is in two days' time anyway."
Rukia chuckled and stepped away from Byakuya, but not before the Incubus shot a cold murderous look at Renji.
xXxXx
Rukia smiled happily as she rode the elevator to the level of Byakuya's office suite. It was finally Valentine's day and she was giving a surprise gift for him. Rukia looked down at the contents of the paper bag she was carrying, and her smile grew bigger. The soft tinkling announced her arrival, and the silver elevator doors slid open. Rukia stepped out and was about to make her way left to Byakuya's office suite, when she heard his voice.
"What about the investors based in Kyoto?" Byakuya's voice was cold.
"We have a meeting due with them in two weeks."
"Print the full report and have it sent to my office by this week."
"Yes, Mister Kuchiki."
Rukia peeked her head to the right in time to see Byakuya walking in her direction toward his office suite. He looked handsome, dressed in a dark blue office suit and was surrounded by a group of similarly-dressed men, all looking serious and important. His expression was cold and he held himself with an aura of importance. It always amazed Rukia how different he was when he was with her.
Rukia did not know what prompted her to do it, but her eyes quickly scanned the vicinity as Byakuya's entourage fast approached the place where she was standing. He had not seen her yet. Catching sight of a storeroom nearby, Rukia swiftly reached out and jerked on the doorknob. It opened and she hurriedly ran inside, shutting the door behind her.
In the darkness of the storeroom, she let her stiff body relax. Again, she could not help running from Byakuya whenever he was with his hotel business partners or high-ranking socialites. Rukia wasn't ashamed of her status, and she knew Byakuya wasn't ashamed either. But still… she couldn't help herself that she would prefer to stay out of his high-ranking circle.
She heard the clicking footsteps pass her hiding place, and decided to give herself a few more minutes before making her way to Byakuya's suite.
'It's going to take some time to get used to it,' Rukia nodded to herself. 'You are not going to run anymore next time, Ukitake Rukia.'
Rukia was about to open the door when the knob twisted by itself and opened on the other end. Rukia was about to fumble an excuse to an unknowing staff when her eyes widened.
"Even if I could not see you, did you think I would not recognize your scent on the air?"
The door closed behind him, plunging Rukia and Byakuya into darkness once again.
"I…" Rukia was too shocked to say anything.
"Why do you hide from me?" Byakuya's voice was gentle as he approached Rukia. "Or is it perhaps a game you wanted to play?" The Incubus bent closer down toward Rukia. His lips barely brushed her right ear as he whispered, "If so, I am always interested."
Rukia felt her heart pound fast as they stood so close to each other in the storeroom. She felt Byakuya's hands lift around her waist and her face burned. She immediately pushed against her fiancé's chest. "That is not my intention!"
"Ah, I see." Byakuya took a step back and gave her a sexy smile. "I am somewhat disappointed." Rukia knew he was teasing her, and she was angry and flustered all at the same time.
"I… came to give you something." Rukia held the string paper bag in her hand. She could not stop the smile that grazed her lips as she thought of what lay inside the bag.
"And I shall receive it in my office." Byakuya reached for the doorknob and opened the door, gesturing for Rukia to walk before him. They exited the storeroom and came face-to-face with a flabbergasted red-haired figure.
Rukia blinked in surprise.
Abarai Renji blinked as well as he stared at the human girl, and then his eyes widened as round as saucers as he noticed Byakuya behind Rukia. The Incubus's sharp eyes quickly traveled to the door they had just exited from.
Byakuya's expression remained stoic.
"What were you two doing…" Renji practically shouted as he tried to peek behind Byakuya's shoulder. "… in the storeroom!?"
Rukia was wide-eyed. "N-Nothing!"
"Our private business remains our own, Abarai. And do lower your voice." Byakuya's curt reply caused Renji's eyebrows to shoot up into his red hair, as Rukia shot an angry look at her fiancé. "Now unless you have some matters to discuss with me, Rukia and I have some business to attend to in my suite."
Renji winked at Rukia and stepped aside to let the couple pass, before dashing off to find his gossip partner, Matsumoto.
"Why did you have to say like it like that?" Rukia hissed at Byakuya as they walked to his office suite. Her lover only shot her a mildly bemused look, as if he had no inkling what she was talking about.
Rukia struggled to find the words. "You were telling Renji as if… as if we were… doing it in the store room!"
"And exactly what is it?" Byakuya shot her another handsome smile. "Pray tell."
"I… You!" Rukia spluttered but then she stopped as Byakuya opened the doors to his office suite.
A feminine figure stood in the suite, with an hourglass body. As the woman turned around, Rukia's eyes widened.
"Kuchiki Byakuya, it has been a while." The woman's velvety voice was a purr as she sauntered toward the couple.
"Who gave you the permission to enter my suite?" Byakuya stepped in, Rukia following behind him.
"I was waiting for you, Byakuya-sama… and since your secretary was not at his desk, I decided to walk in. Why are you being so cold?" The model stepped closer to Byakuya, who frowned in return. "It's been a while since we have talked, don't you think? Today's Valentine's Day, so I thought you might be lonely." She flicked a perfectly manicured finger towards Byakuya's coat. "Maybe we could have dinner-
"I am afraid I have no time. I will be spending Valentine's with my fiancé, and have little time to entertain trivial matters." Byakuya's words were as cold as his grey eyes.
The model's gaze flicked toward Rukia at the mention, who stood behind Byakuya. Rukia felt an unsettling feeling in her stomach as the beautiful woman eyed her from head to toe slowly, a slightly distasteful frown upon painted eyebrows. "That is your fiancé?"
"Yes. And get out of my office, I hope the need to call the security will not arise here."
Rukia's eyes widened as a strong arm suddenly curled around her waist as Byakuya steered her into the office and past the dumbstruck model. Her heart was still pounding as the sound of heels clicked across the suite and the model left the suite in an angry huff.
The cold aura around Byakuya immediately dissipated as the door slid close, leaving only Byakuya and Rukia in the office suite. Rukia made to disentangle herself from Byakuya's arms, but then he only held her closer against him.
"Byakuya, I… arigato." Rukia's voice was soft.
At these words, Byakuya pulled back slightly to gaze at his lover. "Why do you thank me?" He was frowning again.
"I…" Rukia trailed off, only smiling at him.
"There is nothing to thank." Byakuya's voice was a soft reprimand. "I do not know how many times I will have to say this…" Byakuya fixed his piercing grey eyes onto his lover. "But I will love no other, and have no other but you."
The blunt confession made Rukia's cheeks heat up. The sight seemed to please Byakuya though, as he pulled her back into an embrace. "Perhaps when you finally hold the title as a Kuchiki, the remnants of your insecurities shall fade." A single pale hand stroked Rukia's hair gently. "No woman… has ever made my heart beat fast just by simply holding her like this." Byakuya's hands tightened around Rukia. "No woman can ever compare to you, Rukia."
Rukia's eyes widened but then she struggled again in Byakuya's embrace. As he reluctantly stepped back from her, she reached into the paper bag and extracted a small tin box. It was squarish in shape, lined with alternating colours of red and white, and tied with a beautiful red ribbon.
Rukia's eyes glowed as she handed it to Byakuya. "Happy Valentine's Day, Byakuya."
The Incubus smiled and accepted the box, easily untying the ribbon and opening the cover to reveal the contents.
"I made them myself." Rukia smiled with pride. "Chocolate truffles, I did them in two batches. The white-coated ones are coconut, and the brownish are almonds. It's my first time doing them, so some of them came out in weird shapes." She watched excitedly as Byakuya lifted a chocolate truffle from the tin box. Rukia had started working on the dessert early this morning, she had learnt the recipe earlier from a cooking book and had been keen to make delicious chocolates for Byakuya on Valentine's Day. She was eager to know if he liked them, and hoped very much that he would.
Byakuya's long fingers slowly brought the chocolate to his mouth and he chewed on the dessert. His face was impassive, but he kept his misty grey eyes trained on his lover.
"How... are they?" Rukia queried, feeling her cheeks warm under Byakuya's suddenly intense gaze.
"Delicious," Byakuya answered as his eyes burned into hers. He wasn't looking at the chocolates.
Rukia's face felt as if it was on fire and she hurriedly ducked her head down.
"May I have one?" Rukia asked as she took the tin from Byakuya.
"Of course," Byakuya's deep voice was just faintly amused as he gave the tin to Rukia and walked across the office suite to his large polished table.
Rukia picked out a coconut-flavoured truffle and popped it into her mouth. It was not bad, not bad at all. The chocolate was creamy but maybe a bit more truffle and lesser of the coconut-
"Rukia."
"Huh?" Rukia looked up momentarily, she had been too engrossed in tasting her own homemade chocolate. Byakuya had seated himself in his executive chair by the window. As she looked at her fiancé, Byakuya pressed a button on the silver remote on his table. With a soft whir, the electrically-operated blinds slowly eased themselves downward over the huge glass windows.
Rukia watched as the evening sunrays behind Byakuya began to disappear into a thin line. Byakuya continued looking at Rukia as the light completely diminished, his grey-eyed gaze intent upon his lover.
In the now dimmed suite, Byakuya lowered his eyelids slightly at Rukia and patted his right thigh.
"Come here." His deep voice was husky.
Rukia placed the chocolate box down on the lounge table and walked toward Byakuya. Her heart was starting to beat faster with each step, the air around her suddenly tingling with electricity. She watched his hooded eyes travel from her face down the entire length of her body almost lazily, as if undressing her with his eyes alone. The thought sent a thrill of anticipation down Rukia's spine.
She wanted this as much as Byakuya did.
Underneath the overbearing excitement, Rukia wondered with amusement as to when she had started being so constantly sexually aroused just by being around Byakuya. Was this what they called the sexual nature of the Incubi and Succubi?
Rukia finally reached Byakuya, and she easily lowered herself onto his lap as he sat on his chair.
"May I receive another Valentine's gift?" Byakuya's deep voice was a sultry whisper, as his hands easily slipped around her waist to hold her closer.
Rukia smiled at her fiancé and placed both her hands on his chest. She felt his hands around her waist tighten, and her heart raced along with his touch.
Rukia dared herself to ask. "And what would you like, Mister Kuchiki?" The small hands smoothed the front of Byakuya's office shirt.
"A kiss." Byakuya's grey eyes were unwavering as they locked on Rukia's violet ones. Even as she sat on his lap, her eye level was only slightly raised from his own.
"Hai." Rukia's voice was a soft whisper as she leaned in and gently kissed Byakuya. She felt his lips part slightly at their contact and she did the same, allowing his tongue to slip into her mouth. And then he was starting to kiss her harder, a little more urgently, his head tilted up to hers and one of his hands now holding the side of her face. Rukia's hands travelled from his chest to loop around her lover's neck, kissing as if it was the last thing they would do alive.
Byakuya kissed Rukia passionately, his desire flaring as she pressed her body harder against his. Their tongues entangled together, and Byakuya groaned softly at the tantalizing pleasure and the flavour of chocolate in his lover's mouth. His hand moved to run through her silky hair, tugging gently as his lips trailed down her neck to her pulse point. Byakuya almost smirked as he felt Rukia unconsciously arch her neck back.
Byakuya had not been able to take his eyes off her, as she walked over to him in the suite. Her curves, those beautiful violet eyes, the shy yet expectant smile on her delicious lips… she was beautiful. He could never get enough of her, could never get enough of wanting her so much.
How could any other woman compare to his Rukia?
Without taking his mouth off her neck, Byakuya's hands went to unbutton her pink shirt. He swiftly slipped one button off at a time and then his mouth was skimming low over Rukia's neckline, finally stopping at her chest to nip playfully against her bra-clad breasts.
Byakuya's hands expertly travelled to her back and unhooked her bra, casually tossing it away from where they sat at his table. Rukia could not hold back her moan as Byakuya's mouth immediately found one exposed breast, licking and biting the fevered skin. His right hand sought the other mound not being pleasured by his mouth, and granted it attention with his fingers.
Rukia was so thankful that the office door was locked, and that Byakuya's office was soundproof.
Her moans were driving him crazy, and Byakuya could feel his manhood painfully hard and begging for release. He closed his lips over a single nipple and sucked persistently, causing Rukia to arch her back and her moans to intensify. Yes, he was going to pleasure her so much that she would scream his name so many times over as he made love to her here in his office.
Byakuya's hand moved from Rukia's other breast to travel downward, causing a distinctive sound of protest to escape her lips. The Incubus chuckled softly as her protests were cut short by a sharp intake of breath; his hand had slipped beneath her skirt to touch her through her panties.
Thankfully she had worn a skirt today, it was going to make his work much easier.
"W-We shouldn't…" Rukia started to say halfheartedly. Did he not have a board meeting due soon? Her body was betraying her however, pressing so deliciously into the man she loved as she sat in his lap. He started to stroke her sensitive spot, and his mouth had left her chest to hover close to her face.
Byakuya chuckled seductively in her ear, the deep vibration of his voice causing Rukia's body to tingle pleasurably. "Shouldn't what?" He whispered huskily before kissing her ear and then trailing a string of butterfly kisses to her neck again.
"Shouldn't…-ahh!" Rukia cried out as Byakuya's hand slipped through her panties to boldly stroke the sensitive skin between her legs.
"Louder, my love." Byakuya's voice was a husky growl.
Her hands gripped the edges of his shirt collar as she gasped, the heat and pressure all pooling between her thighs. Trying to find release, Rukia grinded the lower part of her body against Byakuya's, and heard him give a low groan of pleasure.
Her fingers moved down his shirt now, slipping buttons off along the way. She splayed her hands over his bare chest underneath his loosened shirt and he grunted in approval, as he gently squeezed her thigh. Her hands travelled lower to the waist of his pants and Rukia tugged on the expensive material, almost impatiently.
Byakuya suddenly moved, gently pushing Rukia back against the table as he started to get up and swiftly rid himself of his lower garments. Once he was done, he dropped back to the chair and then Rukia was stradlling him, his mouth over her throat.
Rukia raised herself slightly and then slowly but surely sank herself on him, and moans escaped from both hers and Byakuya's lips. He started to thrust up hard, and she met him each time, setting up an erotic rhythm of their hips. Pleasure shot through their body with each thrust, and Byakuya fiercely claimed Rukia's lips in an openmouthed kiss.
Her tongue teased his, but then there was something there… something that wasn't there before in any of those times they had kissed. Rukia did not know how to describe it, it was more of the taste of Byakuya's lips, or perhaps his mouth, it was subtly minty and strangely throbbed like something that was somehow alive. Rukia broke the kiss in confusion, but then she heard him.
"Take it… Rukia…" Byakuya's voice was raw with emotion, even as they moved together.
Take it…
Was this… what they called… the Sacred Exchange?
Rukia was unsure, what was she supposed to do? How was she supposed to… take whatever it was? Was Byakuya asking her to leech off his life energy?
Her confused thoughts were cut short, as Byakuya abruptly kissed her again. She sensed him starting to take a little of her life force into him, he had always done it in a teasing rhythm, taking bit by bit almost as if he was merely nibbling on her skin.
Take it… Rukia…
Take it…
Rukia focused on the throbbing life force and slowly tried to draw it into herself. Her eyes shot open as she felt the life force, no doubt Byakuya's, slowly enter her body… and the pleasure that followed, that washed over her in waves was indescribable as they moved together. She felt Byakuya slowly release his life force to her, and she did the same.
Byakuya's hands moved to cup her face as they kissed. He moved his lips away from hers and murmured huskily into her ear. "It feels so much better, doesn't it?" His mouth moved to her neck, and sucked her pulse point. "Stay with me… Rukia."
"Hai…" Rukia gasped as Byakuya suddenly gave a powerful thrust up, catching her off guard. Her hands looped themselves around his neck as they moved together, and this time his thrusts were forceful, his kisses passionate heat against her skin.
The pleasure was killing Byakuya surely, as he reached out to hold Rukia's hips steady. The armrests on either side of his executive chair was reduced to pieces of fabric from where he had gripped them in moments of pleasure. He could feel the climax building, and his thrusts intensified in an erratic manner. Rukia was moving against him deliciously, her nails scraping his back through his shirt, and he knew she was equally close.
Her moans of pleasure was driving him to the edge, he could not hold off much longer, they were going to have to find release soon. Byakuya roared as he gave two powerful thrusts, and Rukia's body stilled as the orgasm overwhelmed her and her sweet voice filled his ears. Byakuya followed soon after, the white hot pleasure blinding him in waves as he released inside his beloved.
As they slowly came down from their high, Byakuya leaned forward and kissed Rukia gently on the lips. She returned the kiss, still breathing hard from their lovemaking. Without a word, Byakuya reached to the right for his electronic phone. Rukia's eyes were wide as she watched him press a single button on the silver machine.
"Mister Kuchiki?" Hisagi's crisp voice cut the air.
"Adjourn the meetings for today. I am busy," Byakuya instructed his secretary, keeping his voice unaffected even as he breathed hard. Rukia's mouth fell open and she struggled against Byakuya, trying to move away from him. His hands tightened on her, as his lips curled into a very handsome smirk at her.
"Hai, Mister Kuchiki." Hisagi's voice promptly cut off.
"Y-YOU!" Rukia spluttered. "Your work!" She almost thundered at him.
Byakuya loved it whenever Rukia got mad, she looked adorable and all-too-irresistible. The Incubus swiftly removed his still-hanging necktie and discarded his opened shirt, he had not bothered removing them just now. Not when he was so needy, and not when Rukia was being so sexy like this.
He dropped the last of his clothing to the carpeted floor, and gave his fiancé a seductive smile as he reached for her.
Right now she might be angry… but he would make the anger all worth it.
xXxXx
Byakuya shifted the gear into position and the Porsche roared out of the parking lot onto the main road. The Incubus looked to his left, half-expecting to see an unconscious Rukia sleeping comfortably in the passenger seat. Instead, a smiling Rukia greeted his sight, her head resting against the car headrest. She looked a little worn-out but was conscious, her eyes bright and beautiful and focused on the road.
Byakuya felt his heart swell a little with pride and love.
They had performed their first Sacred Exchange together in the office today, and it was unlike anything Byakuya had ever experienced. To feel her suction his life force and then channel her own into him as he did the same, it was… fulfilment. He was unable to control himself as he made love to her many times in the office till nightfall.
Byakuya reached out and placed his left hand over her right in her lap, holding her fingers in his. Rukia's eyes widened momentarily but then she smiled and covered his hand with her left hand, their silver rings glinting in the light of the lampposts that flew by.
I hoped you liked the chapter. You might feel it's just fluffy scenes mostly (plus one lemon XD), but I had to put this chapter in to transition the story for development. I felt that I had to close the engagement part with Rukia's friends, for Ichigo to find closure with this couple (without this, it would feel too much rushed. And I'm already rushing bits and pieces of the story XD). I really, really liked writing the dinner part, maybe one day I will come back and prolong it and add more details. And then Rukia's powers have to be developed a little more, that training scene was a little tribute to the Bleach manga (those who have regularly read it will know ;D. Also, the idea to use that scene was pitched to me by a reader, so there you go :D). And then of course, for me this is the biggest part - for Rukia to finally engage in a Sacred Exchange for her development as a Succubus.
All in all, I hope you liked the chapter. Reviews are much appreciated so do leave me one this chapter and tell me your feedback, ideas, etc.
Thank you very much, and hope to see you soon. :)
And now here are the replies to the past reviews for Chapter 40. Thank you, you don't know how much your words motivate me for this fanfic:
xxUlquiorraLoveRxx: Thank you very much for your review! Actually I do know what you mean, and I do look forward to the ending of Demons too XD Hopefully I will be able to see it through to its ending and give it a good one :)
WithoutPen: Thank you very much! I am really happy that you enjoyed following this fanfic. About Byakuya's despair... I won't spoil anything for you, I already do have a rough idea as to where to take Demons and hopefully you will like it. :)
Guest: Thank you so much, and I won't abandon this story, do not worry. I just... might take some time bringing in updates. :)
Oicherealtai: I am happy that the update managed to lift your mood. I know bad days, I have them quite frequently. :p
Julimouto: You are welcome for the update! Yes, I was forced to cut down some significant plot bunnies in my mind, and I still think I might take a lot of time finishing this fanfic. Ohh, you are right about Rukia's mother's name! Yes, I took the name Juri from Vampire Knight, I always thought it was a lovely name. And I do like writing Byakuya when he's concerned about Rukia; I believe he will turn things upside down if he was worried sick. XD
Guest: It's a shame you had to feel that way about my story. To be honest, I do seriously cringe when I read my own writing in 'To Win You Back' years later, it hasn't reached that stage for Demons yet. So five years from when this is done, maybe I will cringe as well. Hope you find the best BR fic.
Mymina: Thank you for your review! I can't spoil anything to you about Rukia's condition, but she's stronger in this chapter - so hope you will like it :D
majrob: Thank you! I do hope to finish this fanfic, so fingers crossed! :D Hope you like the latest chapter.
mengtoreality: Thank you very much! I look forward to finishing it too... when I have the time ;)
Lilian Violet: Thank you for your kind words. And I hope you like the new chapter :D
Mallomars: Thank you :)
kagxsesshy4life: Thank you very much! Your wish has been granted, and a lemon has been served to you on a ByaRuki platter.
Becwaters: Thank you! There's no Ginrei here this time, but I hope you like the chapter update still.
crazykenz: Thank you very much for your kind words. :)
Aurora: Thank you, and for still being on this journey with 6 years counting. I'm really sorry about The Emperor's Last Consort, but I do intend to complete Demons. It's taking quite long between updates, yikes.
P.N.M 80: Thank you for the review and feedback. I'm happy that you think my writing of combat scenes are improving, will try to make it even better next time. I don't think I will go back to Emperor or Death God after I am finished with Demons. These fanfics take too much time, and I no longer have much of leisure time. Though I will remain committed to finish Demons. :)
Guest: Thank you for your review. I will not return to writing the other fanfics upon completion of Demons, I will probably straight out retire from fanfiction. It has been lovely in here though, but there's still some time required to end Demons.
Polaris-Sakura: Thank you :)
Anon: Thank you, and I hope you like the new update. :)
Please: I can't spoil anything for you, so won't be revealing the ending just yet. Hope you enjoy the new chapter.
PAMILA DE CASTRO: Thank you. :)
SakiXX1: Thank you for the review! I'm so happy that you enjoy the story thoroughly. I did enjoy writing Rukia's past and her involvement with Ginrei. :)
LadyKuchiki4709: You are right about finding the time to write as a doctor. Half a year and no updates. XD But I thank you very much for enjoying my stories. Though I won't be continuing Death God and Emperor anymore, but I still remain committed to finishing Demons. I know how frustrating it is to wait for a story I reallyl like, so I hope I will at least spare readers by finishing one more fic.
lona-Violet Flower: Thank you very much :)
Guest: Thank you for your compliment, I'm happy you enjoy the fanfic. You are in med school? The real challenge starts when you become an intern, but hard work and enthusiasm for knowledge will take you far. Good luck!
Guest: Thank you :)
SleepyJ: Your review has affected me the most, and no review has done so for quite some time. I am really happy that you have enjoyed all the ByaRuki fanfics that I have created, there is no greater joy for an author than sharing her own work and having people enjoy the work shared. Your review touched me very much, it's not often that a reader takes his/her time out to properly construct a long review to tell the author what is on their mind. I used to love Fanfiction Net very much back in the day, more so in the past than now (though it could be due to a significant lack of time spent on here nowadays), and readers used to tell the authors EVERYTHING. We shared anecdotes, we followed each other on dA, had ByaRuki fanclubs in forums... ah, the good old days. It's very much different nowadays. The fanclubs have died down and are nonexistent and almost all of the authors I follow no longer write anymore. if there was one thing I regretted, it was my bigheadedness back in my earlier years of fanfic writing (that would be about near ending of 'To Win You Back' and the early-to-mid chapters of Demons. Surely you would have noticed it in the ferocious ANs in some chapters XD), when I could not really take criticism back then and only felt upset when someone critiqued my work. It was rather a waste back then, because I received many critiques back then. I am definitely much better now, and I guess it's also significantly due to fanfiction no longer playing a huge part in my life? Back then, writing stories were a big deal for me so a bad and rude review would mean probably anger and a disturbed night... but not anymore now. There's way more important things to pay attention to. But anyway, sorry for a really long reply. You gave me a long review so I decided to share some stuff with you and now it has turned into a news article. XD I thank you very much for your very kind words, and your review definitely boosted my motivation for writing. (though eventually it did take a few more months later than expected to come out with this update, yikes). I hope I will be able to finish Demons, and I hope you will also be there to tell me about it when it is completed. :)
BlackBurningHeart: Thank you very much! I hope you like the newest chapter update :)
Guest: Thank you for your review. :) Hope you like the newest update... and I can't spoil Rukia's development plot-wise for you so I will just remain silent for now.
Guest: Good idea. I can see the fun in that, really. XD
kiti4life: Thank you! Hope you like the latest chapter as well :)
alicia jen .havens: Apologies for the long wait, but I hope you like the new chapter :)
Heir-to-Sunspear-23: Thank you for your review, I'm happy you enjoyed this story. I myself enjoyed writing the proposal scene. :)
Deliberatee: Oh, happy belated birthday! Can't spoil the plot for you regarding the possibility of babies... so I will have to keep mum on that. :) Hope you like the newest chapter.
E.N.D.K: Thank you! And here's the update, I took 6 months yikes.
Guest: Thank you, and I am happy you enjoyed reading this story. Hope you will like the new chapter.
IloveCandies: Thank you for your kind words. There's no Ginrei-Rukia interactions in this chapter, but I still hope you like it nonetheless. :)
Kuchiki Kay: Thank you for the review! My apologies for the long delay in updating, but hope you like the new update.
couples lover: Thank you! I hope you like the newest chapter :)
annanya: There's something that can be even more beautiful - a wedding :D Thank you for your review!
4635346: Thank you!
xxlebzaxx: At my current time... 1st of May.
jamesrose26: Thank you very much for the review! Hope you will like the newest chapter.
jofig525: Updated.
Guest: Yes, Kuchiki Rukia. ;)
Guest: Can't spoil the plot for you, so will have to keep mum on that. XD Hope you like the latest chapter.
Guest: Lemon for you as requested. XD
Shihoin-hime: Thank you for your review! You are from Singapore? We are literally neighbours ;) I hope you like the newest chapter.
Guest: Thank you :)
kriya: Thank you. :)
Guest: Updated.
ReckoningDay: Thank you :)
Anon: Thank you for the review. Hope you like the chapter. p/s: A human-demon child or a demon child itself can only come about by copulating and performing Sacred Exchange at the same time. To be pregnant with a human-demon child even during Sacred Exchange is possible, but not very probable. Hope that cleared some confusion :) I remember describing it in some chapters back but I can't remember which.
AC-mademoiselle05: Thank you for the review! I hope you will like the newest chapter. :)