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Moon on the Water

The sound of the flowing water from the fountain calmed her turbulent soul. Rangiku was wondering what she was doing in the garden of the Kuchiki estate, surrounded by sweet, colourful flowers bathed in the soft yellow light of the lamps scattered along garden paths and corners.

She could have refused the invitation she received earlier. Why did she accept? Is it because she can't refuse Kuchiki Byakuya because he is a captain, a superior? Or is it because, unconsciously, she did not want to be alone even if it is just for one night? Perhaps a part of her wants to be with him for a little time.

"Rangiku," a soft, baritone voice tenderly called her name.

"Taichou," she replied automatically.

For a split second Byakuya's eyes narrowed into snake-like slits. "Drop the formalities, Rangiku. We are not on duty."

"I'm sorry," she apologized, eyes downcast. "It was a reflex."

"I'd like for you to remember it."

The hard edge that Byakuya spoke with a while ago was gone from his voice.

Instead of raising her eyes to him, Rangiku looked away, turning her back him, to admire the surrounding scenery. What a pretty garden, she thought. It would be nice to have something like this to look at every day, in the morning when the greens and splash of colours will be rained by the sun's radiant rays.

Byakuya closed in on the little space between them. With utmost care he wrapped his arms around her small waist and rested his chin upon her head.

No words passed their lips. Silence reigned. Their breaths mingled. The beginning melodies of a flute sifted through the fissures of stillness.

The beating of their hearts held their conversation for them. There was no need for them to speak. They understood each other, knew the feelings that each wanted to convey.

"Byakuya-sama, I…" Rangiku started. "I cannot respond to your feelings now. Please give me time to sort out what I feel."

"You don't have to return them now," Byakuya assured. "I only want you to know and remember I love you."

Byakuya turned Rangiku around to face him. Without preamble he dipped his head to claim her slightly parted lips, as if they've been waiting for this moment to happen. He held her body closer to him still, taking care not to crush her. His hands were gentle on her back but firm, not giving her a chance to escape or resist.

He has been aching for her since he saw her admiring the garden, a smile playing on her lips. What he has been wanting to do he was now doing. His heart was glad, feeling relief when she started kissing him back meekly.

His lips became more assertive, his tongue began to delve into her mouth. His hands from her back roamed down to her hips, and becoming bolder, cupper one cheek of her back, pressing her to his throbbing hardness.

Rangiku could feel his obvious maleness nestled against her thigh. She moaned at the heat coming from his body. So long, it's been so very long since she last experienced being held and caressed.

Byakuya extricated himself from the kiss and drew a breath of hair, trying to calm his surging need. Rangiku was flushed and breathing as heavily as he was. Refusing to meet his eyes due to embarrassment, she stared fixedly at his chest, clutching his kimono's lapels, feeling strangely disappointed that he stopped.

He kissed the top of her head and whispered, "Dinner comes before dessert."

Rangiku looked up, startled. "What dinner?" she asked, curious at the evident merriment in his eyes. Then it dawned on her. She was invited here for dinner. And for something else, a naughty voice in her head maliciously added.

From her peripheral vision she saw servants carrying trays of food and bottles of sake enter the garden. They passed by her and Byakuya with nary a word, setting the food and drinks at the table, leaving as they had come.

Byakuya took her hand in his and led her to a table overlooking a pond of koi whose source of water is the fountain sitting in the middle of blooming red flowers.

The landscaping allowed the water to form a square where a rounded island is suspended in the middle of its torrents. The table was situated at the lower left edge, having a view of the alighted house.

"What is the purpose of that little island?" Rangiku asked.

"When I took over the family I had that added. It is where I sit when I'm troubled to calm myself or simply to while away the time."

She was going to ask him another question when he stilled her with "Let's eat, Rangiku. It is bad manners to waste good food and good company."

She smiled at him meekly and started to eat.

"Did you like the foods?" asked Byakuya after they had eaten.

"Yes, they were delicious," replied a very satisfied Rangiku with a smile.

They had different kinds of sushi, maki, noodles, and tenderly cooked nmeats that easily melt in one's mouth. Everything was delectable.

But that is to be expected. Nothing but the best for the Kuchiki.

"When I lie like this outdoors and reach a hand to the heavens, I feel like I could really touch the stars and pluck them out at will," started Rangiku.

After dinner and one bottle of sake, Byakuya invited Rangiku to his little island of solitude. They're lying side by side now, just looking at the heavens, their thoughts their own.

Byakuya slightly turned his head to his left to see Rangiku's expression. He, too, held out his hand to the sky. "We don't have to look up the heavens to find and hold a star."

He inched closer to her, planted his elbow on the grass, and rested his head on his hand. "Sometimes we're too awed by something unreachable we fail to notice that there's a greater treasure right by our side."

"That's true for some but not for all."

He circled her waist with his freed, started raining kisses over her face. He couldn't resist, hold back. He doesn't have to have her now, I merely want to taste her lips again, he rationalized to himself. If she wants me to stop then I will.

She was enjoying his little kisses. Way too much. They're opening her box of passion that she has kept lidded for too long a time. It gave her the same feeling she'd had when she was about to receive her first kiss. Giddy. Expectant.

She closed her eyes as he started nibbling her lips. It was an electrifying feeling, experience. But it's too early for us to do this, a more logical side of her protested.

Rangiku put her hands between them on his chest. Slowly, gently she pushed him from her.

She looked into his eyes carefully.

There was nothing there to say that he was frustrated that he can't have what he wants yet. There's only love, patience and respect.

What she saw in his eyes floored her. A warm sensation flooded her chest. She just might learn to love him very soon.

She smiled and framed his face with her hands.

"Thank you."

Byakuya didn't say a word, didn't ask what the "thank you" was for. He only embraced her tight, hoping that she would understand the feelings he wanted to impart.

They lie in each others' embrace, allowing the air to caress their skin, cloaked in the scent of flowers, their sole other companion the silent moon on the water.

To compensate for my lack of updates for many months I'm posting with this another chapter. Tell me what you guys think of the story so far.

I already planned the outlines of the remaining chapters. Please be with me 'til the end and in other fanfics. :)