Supernova

By Willow Athena

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or any of its characters, but Rien and this story are definitely mine

Author's note:I know, I know…I'm weeks, and weeks late with this update. I'm really sorry. My internet has been down, and I have been having problems with my laptop, as well as excavating myself from under a pile of work while inflicted with the flu. There is little more I can say about the all too common mishap of life, but I am sure you all know and understand…but if anyone wants me to walk the plank for keeping you in suspense, then I will 'shiver me timbers' and embark on that mission.

Chapter 20 – Torn

"Are you excited about beginning training with Jyuushiro this morning," Yoruichi beamed at breakfast. The weekend had flown by surprisingly fast. Everyone had gone home, except Yoruichi, and Rien could hardly believe that it was Monday morning.

"Hai." Though Rien attempted to conceal it, Yoruichi knew where her mind had gone.

"I'm grateful that you said you'd do it, but if training with Byakuya is too much for you to handle, then we will have to think of another plan." Yoruichi had praised Rein's quick decision at the Kuchiki dinner. She had known how important it was for keeping the peace, but she also knew how difficult it would be for her younger sister, and how strong Rien had tried to be thus far. She loved her younger sister, though she knew she could no longer call her 'little' sister, she had shown far too much maturity to warrant that label.

"I'm sure it will be fine," Rien said doubtfully, trying not to really dwell on it – on him. She had been plagued by the memory of their last kiss, but his behaviour at the dinner a few days ago had been a further mystery to her. He was as cold and dispassionate as he ever was, but she had not been able to shake this feeling of closeness with him. It always felt as though they were the only people in the room. But she knew her feelings to be one-sided, and bordering on delusional, so she had been trying to dismiss them, even though all her instincts shouted that it was real.

"It is tradition that you stay at your sensei's house while you train. The Ukitake and Kuchiki Clans have both extended an invitation to you. You may, in theory, chose either," Yoruichi explained, a searching, heavy expression on her beautiful face. She had left this explanation for the end, not wanting to ruin Rien's weekend with her friends. In theory, Rien could choose to live at either House, but in practice, there really was no choice.

"Um…for how long?" Rien whispered, already resigned to her fate.

"For the duration of your training."

"Oh…um…okay, I guess."

"Where will you stay?"

"Don't make me say it. You know I would much rather go home."

Would you, really? Rien doubtfully wondered. Yes, she finally concluded. She did not want him like this, to have him endure her, to push her unwanted presence on him. It was over and she knew it, it had been over since the moment his lips had left hers, and she was now basking in the acrid aftermath of that knowledge.

"Will you be okay?"

"I'll be…fine." She hoped rather than believed that to be the truth. It really was going to be torture to be around him so frequently. Six months ago, it would have been self-inflicted torture, but now, all she wanted to do was run as far away as possible from his intense silver gaze. He did not want nor care for her, and that knowledge alone was felt like acid pumping through her heart killing one cell at a time, causing a chain reaction in her, corroding away the very essence of her.

"Uh…I'm going home – to the real world. I have to see Kisuke. I don't want you to stay here alone, my Little One – this house will drive you mad. I'd rather you be with Jyuushiro, but I guess it can't be helped. I'll make sure he won't hurt you." Youruichi whispered her private reason for leaving to Rien alone. She desperately wanted to return home with Yoruichi, but she knew how delicate the situation with the Kuchiki clan was. Rien also understood Yruichi's need for Kisuke – for the safety of his arms after the sadness of this place…she would feel the same if ever her unrequited love were returned, if she ever found a place to be safe.

Jyuushiro's face brightened, and he smiled warmly as he saw her. He walked in from the porch overlooking the beautiful garden, and briefly noted how much more joy his new view gave him.

"May I take your coat?" Kiyone asked the noble guest. Rien unbuttoned the red coat and gracefully slid it off of her shoulders, handing the beautiful garment to Kiyone with a sincere smile.

"Thank you." Her voice sounded like the most beautiful music, Kiyone thought, as she left the room to get the tea Ukitake taichou had asked for.

"Your home is beautiful, Ukitake taichou, and thank you again for this opportunity." Although Rien's beautiful black dress had considerably distracted him, he could see the effort she was putting in to being noble, detached. He could handle this, just as well as she was, he told himself, shaking away the distraction her body caused. He would be professional, she was 'just another student'.

"We leave her in your capable hands then, Ukitake-taichou." The Shihouin elders all filed solemnly out of the comfortable room.

It looked like home, Rien thought, not her home with Yoruichi, but a home – Jyuu's home. How she longed to be able to stay with him, to feel safe and cared for always. She couldn't place her finger on it, but that is always how he made her feel, safe and …cared for.

"Hai," he said, as the last of the elders closed the door. They really shouldn't trust him with her, if he didn't trust himself, he idly thought as he released an inaudible sigh.

She closed the small distance between them as the door closed. She flung herself at him, the unexpected force of it pushing Jyuushiro back into one of the railings of the porch. "Yoruichi's gone home," she exhaled, burring her head under his chin, her hands tightly squeezing the folds of his clothes. He felt her cool breath caress his satin skin, as she spoke, her lips brushed his collarbone. Although she did not cry, her body vibrated against his with the tears she held in.

It was in this moment that it became vibrantly clear, how difficult it was going to be for him. Jyuushiro let out a defeated sigh and encircled her with his arms.

Rien heard the jingle of the tea cups being carelessly slammed onto the table inside, and instantly recoiled from Jyuushiro's embrace. They both turned to see a dishevelled Kiyone, putting the tea tray down on the dining room table.

Rien slowly walked to the table and sat down on a cushion and Jyuushiro slowly followed, both pretending that they hadn't been caught, that there was nothing to feel guilty about.

"I'm sorry, I'm so clumsy sometimes." Kiyone spoke softly, painfully, looking at Ukitake taichou alone, who himself looked at bit…startled.

"No, its entirely my fault Kiyone-san. Please forgive me," Rien plainly stated, placing a hand on the rattled girl's shoulder. Kiyone turned, startled by the gesture, and looked at Rien's warm, sincere smile.

It had been her fault, Kiyone thought. How could she dare to hold Ukitake taichou in such an intimate manner, and more importantly, why had Ukitake taichou held her so close, so tenderly…

"No, it's my fault." Kiyone's words dripped with ice. She decided that she would not let Rien-san take even this from her. Not this too, she thought.

Rien did not protest, she just let it slide, she could not comprehend why, but she could see how much it meant to Kiyone. Rien removed her hand from Kiyone's shoulder, and was about to offer to pour Jyuushiro a cup of tea, but Kiyone had beat her to it.

"Please don't worry about it Kiyone. They are just things," Jyuushiro smiled down at her when she handed him the cup.

"Hai, Ukitake taichou," she almost blushed. Rien understood immediately. How could other people not love him, she thought. He was loveable in everyway. Kiyone bowed and left after pouring Rien a cup of tea as well.

"She loves you, you know," Rien sighed after a sip of the delicious strawberry tea.

"Yes, she cares about me a great deal. I think she still worries that I may become sick and die." He spoke softly in his calm, deep voice. Rien could listen to him speak like this for hours, but she shook that thought away.

"I'm glad you have someone to protect you. I do so many careless things to hurt you. I hope she will be enough to stop me," Rien sighed deeply, as she even then, wanted to touch him.

"You don't hurt me," Jyuushiro stated, lifting her chin as he did. Although his words sounded sincere, looking into Jyuushiro's eyes, Rien could tell that they were a lie. "And I don't need protection from you," Jyuushiro chuckled.

"No, you don't want to be protected from me, but you do need it," she heavily stated, finishing the last sip of her tea. "Perhaps this was a worse mistake than I had anticipated." Rien got up and turned to leave.

"Way of binding, number 4: Hainawa, Crawling Rope."

"What is this supposed to be? I'm not going to play your game, Jyuu," she smiled, inspite of herself.

Jyuushiro had shunpo'ed in front of her, a cocky smile appearing on his beautiful face. "If you really want to go, then I wont stop you. You can leave, if you can leave." His smile broadened at the issued challenge.

"I have broken out of stronger binding spells before," she smiled. "Though it was all unintentional," she added, as she struggled against the spell. It was a lot harder than she had anticipated to release herself.

"I assure you, my kido spells, regardless of the levels, are far stronger," he winked at her, teasingly.

"Well, according to Kisuke, there are two ways to break a binding spell: force, or distraction. Since I'm not sure I could force this rope off…" Rien appeared next to Jyuushiro and quickly swept his legs out from his knees. Jyuushiro fell with a loud thud on the wooden floor. Rien appeared over him, her knee on his chest. "I've never noticed how delectable you look lying down, before," she blurted the first thought that came to her mind. They were thoughtless words she immediately regretted, but they had served their purpose – he was distracted. Rien wanted to distract him, so his concentration would falter, and she could wriggle out of the binding spell – but not like this, not with careless, hurtful words.

The door slammed open as Rien was about to apologise. Kiyone saw Ukitake taichou, lying on the ground, with Rien's knee on his chest, and Rien herself subject to a binding spell. Kiyone didn't know what to think – perhaps this ryoka girl had finally snapped and attacked Ukitake taichou…A million scenarios went through her mind, but none of them really mattered. Ukitake taichou was hurt, and Rien would pay with her life.

"Way of destruction, number 31: Shakkahou, Shot of red fire," Kiyone's voice rang a second after she opened the door. There was no thought before Rien's reaction, just action. She flipped lithely through the air, and only narrowly dodged the red ball of kido fire, her arms still restrained at her sides.

"Way of destruction…," Rien heard Kiyone begin the spell again.

"Way of binding, number 9: Geki, Strike," Rein clearly articulated each word as she landed, using her now free, hands to direct the spell at Kiyone. Rien then closed her eyes, and braced herself, fully prepared to take the second fire ball. But, it never came. Jyuushiro had discharged Kiyone's poorly aimed kido spell.

"Rien, are you okay?" Jyuushiro held her by the shoulders as she opened her eyes, urgency and desperation in his voice. Rien nodded silently as he kneeled next to her. They had both momentarily forgotten Kiyone's paralysed presence in the room.

"Forgive me, I should have reacted sooner," Jyuushiro said, while helping Rien up.

"Stop worrying Jyuu, I was never in any real danger," she said, as she caressed his cheek, and then quickly pulled away, feeling guilt for the intimate touch.

This was certainly going to be difficult, but at least she would have time to get used to his presence, and learn to control her confusing emotions. The incident was a small, short-lived story, easily soothed away by Jyuushiro and his infectious calm. Although Kiyone was excessively apologetic and calm afterwards, Rien still got the feeling that Kiyone's animosity towards her was going to be a tough nut to crack.

She was escorted to the Kuchiki estate by Ukitake taichou, who handed her over to Byakuya, and then affectionately rubbed her shoulder as he said, "Stay safe until we next meet, Rien." Byakuya silently took it all in, appearing as though he wasn't interested, but their interaction riveted him. Ukitake had never touched him in that manner when they had trained together. Ever so secretly, perhaps even unconsciously, Byakuya resented the ease with which Ukitake showed her affection, that he showed her affection at all, perhaps even that he had dared to touch what was not his…she was not Ukitake's, after all.

Their first training session was more of an event than training. The Kuchiki elders, led by his grandmother, Kimiko, had prepared afternoon tea for Rien, to welcome her to the Kuchiki Estate. His grandmother doted on her, and remarked on how long it had been since she had had a guest with whom she could chat. Byakuya hoped that there was not going to be any chatting taking place, he had better things to do after all. His grandmother begrudgingly let Rien go with him, but not until extracting a lunchtime date with her sometime that week.

The truth was that Kimiko and Byakuya had had a close relationship, when he was a child, but now all that was left of that, was a strained, fragile, interaction where little was said. Having dealt with catastrophes of a similar magnitude, while her husband Genrei was alive, she was immediately called into action by the 'Rien problem'. Kimiko was the initiator and leader of the 'I disapprove of Hisana' rebellion that had plagued Byakuya when he had announced his intentions to marry. Although Kimiko had tried to repair the damage after Hisana's death, Byakuya felt that it was too little, too late. She did not often come to this part of the estate, and he had been surprised by her presence at tea. Not that he had been planning to have tea – he just wanted all this over and done with.

Renji had begged and pleaded to be allowed to come for afternoon training with Rien, saying things like how helpful he would be, and how he had trained with her before, and how he would keep the crowds at bay. Byakuya had wondered what crowds Renji was referring to, but when they entered the training area, they were greeted with a crowd of spectators, who Renji efficiently pushed back.

Renji's hair was at first tied up, in the usual manner, but then it was suddenly lose the next time Byakuya turned around to motion Rien and Renji forward. As Rien passed him, he saw the rubber band in her hand, and Renji stealthily trying to get it back.

Neither Byakuya nor Rien relished the idea of spectators; Rien because she was afraid she would fall flat on her face and make a fool of herself, and Byakuya, because he hated being watched, especially around her, when he felt his control would be at its weakest.

The red coat she wore was not suitable for training, it was too heavy, and he did not want to have that conversation with her, he just hoped she would realise it by the end of the training session. But, to Byakuya's surprise, she unbuttoned the red coat with black embroidery, which Renji promptly took, and revealed that excessively distracting black dress from the other night. He hated the dress, he felt it was teasing, showing too much and not enough at the same time. Definitely no crowds tomorrow, he vowed.

The training area of the 6th squad barracks was packed to capacity, with fukutaichous, Kuchiki and Shihouin elders, and many other lower ranking members of his squad. It was barely enough room to train, and he contemplated ordering them all away, but decided that it would be in poor taste and may spark further unwanted rumours that he wanted to be alone with the troublesome girl. He would issue a memo later, stating that all further training sessions were not open to the public, and if the squads were lacking better things to do, he would find something for the idle hands to busy themselves with.

Kimiko came forward just as they were about to begin. "My dear child…" she looked up, turning her short gaze at Rien. "On behalf of the Kuchiki Clan, we would like to present you with this katana, with which to train." Warm assuring eyes bore into Rien.

"Um…" she looked towards the Shihouin elders who were nodding. "T-thank you, it is my honour to accept such a beautiful gift," she replied, her eyes questioningly darting in Byakuya's direction. He did not look happy, a serious expression plaguing his beautiful features. Kimiko left to watch with the others, a satisfied look on her wrinkled face.

"Don't use it today," Byakuya cautioned, while taking Kimiko's place next to her. "She failed to mention that the katana is magical…it has certain enhanced properties," he whispered the words to her as everyone else strained to listen.

"I can't just dishonour her like that, she will be hurt," Rien spoke, just as softly. Since Renji tried to listen in as well, he forgot about the crowd, and the stealthy way in which they all encroached on the couple in the middle.

"She is more hardened than you can imagine," he replied evenly.

"I'm sure it will be fine. But I won't use it if you order me not to…so, are you ordering me not to?" She looked a little annoyed at his previously commanding tone. She was not a child, not his subordinate…not even a shinigami. At this point, all they were doing was humouring their families, and she did not appreciate being ordered around. It wasn't like she wanted to be there anyway.

"Do as you wish," he said, with a hint of anger tainting his words. She would soon regret it, he thought, and that clamed him somewhat. He glared at the crowd almost on top of them, and then at Renji who was doing nothing about it. He needed to direct his glare somewhere, and it didn't seem like it worked on her, at all.

During training he could see her pretend to be worse than she was, to give him something benign to teach, and he in turn did not exert even a fraction of his true force on her. They practiced attacking and defending with a katana, their audience riveted, half of them hoping for a repeat incident, the elders worried and weary at every turn or slash made. He talked briefly about meaningless things, such as the correct breathing when attacking and defending, and suggesting she practice the routine movements of an attack and defensive stance for that day, instead of them actually having to spar – which he knew everyone else was waiting for. They finished off with shunpo combined with katana attacks. He noticed her sluggish shunpo, obviously a consequence of her incomplete recovery. He decided to end the lesson there. He really was done. Done watching her distract him from his real duties, real training he could be doing, and the cold shower he now needed.

Byakuya left the training area with a few begrudged words to her. Hating the need for pretence. Glancing back, which he never did, and no one noticed him do now, he saw the empty, pained expression on her face as Renji tried to keep the other fukutaichou's from overwhelming her with needless personal questions.

Byakuya found himself at home that night, in time for dinner, although he didn't know how he had managed to finish all that paperwork – without any of Renji's help! He idly wondered why he had bothered to go home that day. He often didn't return home at any decent hour, usually having his meals sent to the 6th squad's offices. Venturing into his dining room, he noticed her sole presence, lounging with ease, having already hungrily gulped down the first course.

She paused when she noticed his presence, "Kuchiki taichou…I'm sorry, I would have waited for you had I known you would be coming. The chef said that you rarely…but I guess, I mean…" she stumbled on her words, afraid to be alone with him. "Rukia is on duty with Jyuushiro this month," she added, as a type of apology for him to have to endure her, alone. The cool breeze filtered in through the open silk screen doors, and the magical night time sounds followed close behind, echoing an uncomfortable silence between them. She began to stare past him to the beautiful garden, hoping he would stop loitering at the entrance, her only route of escape.

He walked in, not bothering to comment on her words or glance in her direction. He soundlessly sat down across from her. "Please excuse me, Kuchiki taichou. I hope you enjoy your meal," she said, attempting to get up, to run as far away as she could. Not that she would remember how to get back to her designated room, its location remote, private, and a sudden mystery to her. She should have paid more attention when Kimiko-san had shown it to her earlier, but the whole estate was breathtaking, every aspect begging for her appreciation.

He caught her wrist gently as she attempted to rise. "Do not make yourself uneasy. You belong here now." With me, always. "I do not require isolation in order to eat. You will not be in my way if you stay," he simply stated, not bothering to glance up at her, momentarily forgetting to release her wrist. She bent to his will, gravitated towards his touch, until she caught herself leaning intimately in his direction, and hastily moved away as the chef brought the next course of the meal through.

They ate without speaking. She watched him, fascinated by his every graceful movement, trying not be obvious about her study. She chided herself for this indulgence. He was not entertainment, and she was trying to forget about him and all his allures, not even allowing herself the luxury of his name – a captain should not be addressed so casually, so intimately – she remembered his chiding from the other night.

He noticed her stiffness, the formal nature with which she addressed him, that she rarely looked at him anymore, and not like she used to, not with her trusting innocence anymore, but a burdened façade behind which she hid. She was beginning to understand what it meant to be noble, he regretfully thought.

He noticed her unfinished desert, and he had also noticed her collection of peas on the side of her plate during the main course, all just small hints about her that he didn't know why he took notice of. She had observed, necessitated by her downcast gaze, the excessive amount of honey he had in his tea, the twenty clockwise stirs, and then the twenty anti-clockwise stirs. She thought it odd that he prepared his tea himself, obviously being very particular about it, and thinking others too incompetent to follow the simple instruction.

He suddenly rose and went outside, not saying a word to her, taking the newly made tea with him. She followed, unsure of what else to do. He sat on a wooden bench, under one of the various cherry blossom trees that he was so fond of, and began to leisurely sip the tea. He peered up at the moon, with an expression so open, it made her want to enfold him in an embrace. He looked at ease, not the cold, controlled atmosphere he normally projected. She felt like an intruder on his intimate solitude. She briefly thought of leaving, but could not tear herself from him when he was like this, it was too rare a treat to experience him in this way…it was a quiet, comfortable moment between them. His indulgence of her with him now said more than he could with words, more than he was ready to say with words, more than he truly understood about his feelings.

Rien came closer, drawn in by a familiar scent. "What tree is this?" she impulsively inquired, then hated herself for interrupting his relaxation.

"A sakura tree, of course," he breathed, as though she was an imbecile for not knowing. "Why do you ask?"

Because this scent lingers on you, always. "No reason. It's beautiful," she chimed, stretching her arms out and twirling as a gust of wind blew a rainfall of petals on them both. "They don't have this type of tree in Karakura Town," she added, as an explanation for her lack of knowledge.

"The climate there is not ideal," his deep melody rang, closer to her than she expected, her twirling body stumbling from the surprise. He easily caught her. The position was too intimate for her to breathe, and even Byakuya found himself holding his breath, until he remembered to let her go.

"Do you require assistance in getting back to your quarters?" he stiffly inquired, the mask quickly setting to protect him.

"I don't want to inconvenience you any further, I'm sure it will happen upon me sooner or later." She cheerfully chimed, momentarily forgetting her noble façade.

"I'll take you there." It was more of an order than a suggestion or invitation, and Rien could not imagine the reason behind it, or forsee a way out of it.

"Really…I'm sure I will…"

"It is close to my old room. I know the area well, even in the dark."

"Why would it be dark?"

"The whole wing is yours now, and you're obviously not home. That wing has been desolate since I married." She stopped following him, momentarily startled that he would bring up something personal in her presence. She continued to follow after a few seconds, and had to run to catch up. He seemed unphased by the admission. She slammed into his chest as he turned, her hands flat against his torso. "Here it is," he said, as he slowly peeled her away from him, his hands warm on her clothed arms.

"Thank you, Kuchiki taichou," she whispered to his retreating form. She felt like she was constantly watching him walk away from her. "Goodnight, Byakuya," she sighed heavily against her closed door after entering the cold, empty room with every comfort except the one she wanted.

Still 'Kuchiki taichou', he thought, more than a bit disappointed not to hear his name sung in her melody.

Training the next day was torturous for them both. Byakuya had decided that they should train at the Kuchiki manor, instead of the 6th squad's barracks, like the day before. No spectators would dare enter his house. There was a beautiful garden at the front of her bedroom, one of many beautiful sights dotted around the estate. Jyuushiro had cancelled training for that month, since he was on assignment with Rukia, and he felt that she needed to further recover. Byakuya however, was not as considerate.

So, not having gotten to sleep the night before, because she was afraid of where she would end up in the morning, she had gone to breakfast, starving and not having slept. Lunch was no different, a servant had woken her for the meal, saying something about Byakuya being home for lunch. When she arrived, bleary-eyed and semi-conscious, she saw him already waiting for her.

She sat down silently, wearing her training outfit, that she had hastily thrown on. "Forgive me, I did not expect you for lunch, or…" she sighed heavily. She was tired of apologising for things that were not her fault – she really was beginning to hate being noble.

"How was your day, Kuchiki taichou?" her sleepy voice cracked a little.

He made no answer, just started eating. She decided not to point out the fact that he was being rude by not answering her question. "Did you not like your room?" he inquired, not sounding the least bit interested in her answer or the question itself.

"The room is beautiful, as is the rest of your house, Taichou." Not nearly as beautiful as you, she thought, but mentally slapped herself for slipping back to loving him.

Silence followed her answer, until he suggested that they begin the day's training. He walked slowly, seeming as though he was lost in thought. Stopping in front of her bedroom, stepping off the porch and into the garden. She quickly ran into her bedroom and retrieved the katana forgotten in her hurried, sleepy haze.

When she emerged, he turned, the wind catching in his haori, hair whipping behind him. "Draw the katana," he instructed. She obeyed, tossing the sheath to the grass, out of their way. "You're holding it incorrectly," he sighed, knowing she had no idea of what he was referring, necessitating that he have to speak to her more often than he would anyone else. He saw her shift the way she was holding it, and try to figure out what he meant.

"That is the perfect way to hold a katana, but that is not why I am training you. I am training you in the use of a zanpakuto." He walked towards her and stood looking at the elegant hand he wished would touch him. "Not so tightly. Hold it with ease. Never allow your hands to touch on the hilt." He could see her confusion, the perplexed expression on her beautiful sleepy face.

He sighed in discontent. He moved behind her. She froze, not out of fear, but out of exertion – she had to exert an immense amount of control to not reach out immediately and touch him, or cling to his beautiful body.

To her surprise, he wrapped his arms around her. His lips hovered at the hollow beneath her ear, gently brushing her skin as he spoke, "Lower the katana," he purred from behind her, and she immediately did as he commanded, staking the katana in the ground. He unsheathed his zanpakuto and held it in front of her with both his arms around her. "See, like this – no tension. A zanpakuto is apart of a shinigami's soul, an extension of their power – not a mindless weapon." His deep baritone vibrated near her ear, causing her hair to bend around his breath. She wanted to turn, to hold him back, to kiss him. But she was paralysed by his touch, remembering how much it would hurt once he pulled away, and discarded her and her feelings once more.

"Feel my hands on it," he instructed. She slowly moved her hands down his arms and over his gloved hands. "See – no tension." However, he could feel the tension in his body, but it was not because of the zanpakuto. He did not remember it being this uncomfortable when Ukitake taichou had done it to him – but, he was ten at the time, and far smaller and shorter than she was now. His 6ft frame easily encased her petite body, and he dared not take this any further. She seemed to lean into him a little as her hands moved up and down his bare forearms, and she almost rest her head on his shoulder. He felt the corners of his mouth twitch, wanting to smile, but having forgotten how.

"Practice that for the rest of the day, and all the things we spoke of yesterday as well. I want you to spend at least one hour of everyday in meditation." He sheathed his katana and moved away from her. He wanted to retreat as far and as fast as he could. No more, he told himself once more. He felt that his feelings for her, whatever they were, were ridiculous and not worth dwelling on…but everytime they were together, he felt like her smallest smile could defeat him and shatter all he had worked for.

Rien could not speak, was barely able to breathe, and was on the verge of giving up her struggle and holding onto him for as long as she could, for as long as he would allow. She felt the pain crush her as he pulled away from her, and was glad when he left her to practice, alone, in the sudden shower.

Author's Note

Hope you guys like the Jyuu-Rien-Bya triangle sort of unfolding. Readers have asked if I had added Jyuu out of a sudden whim…but if you go back to previous chapters (for eg. White Knight…kinda ambiguous about who it was, on purpose), or had read carefully, you would have seen that Jyuu has always been around. Yes, my many wonderful reviewers – Jyuu and Bya are also my favourites…guess that is why I like to write them.

One of my beautiful reviewers said that they would love this story to be featured in Bleach – I almost cried…huge compliment! And yes, I would probably drop dead(of happiness), go to Seireitei and become a shinigami if BLEACH ever actually decided to do this story.

Give me four weeks before the next update, if you can (it will probably be less, but just in case). It is mostly done, but you know how I like to brood over it. It will have more of the same, and an episode of Ruk-Ren-Ichi as well.

Review if you can, and have the inclination to do so…I always thoroughly appreciate them. Please keep me on the straight and narrow.