Chapter 4

This was it. It was her turn and no amount of wishing for it not to be was going to change that. She needed to go in front of Central 46 and prove to them, show them that there was absolutely no ill intentions when her and Byakuya left without so much as a word to anyone. She had to do what she could to secure Grimmjow's safety, secure Neliel's, as having that on her conscious would feel as if she were trapped in Overlorde's embrace all over again.

She was scared of what to expect, of what would happen to her, as when they had finished with Byakuya, he had returned to their cell in the same state as Uryū; covered in sweat and heavily panting for breath. He could barely stand on his own and had collapsed on the floor where he slept for hours, simply to recover from the ordeal of being strapped to Kurotsuchi's machine.

That was when she was taken away.

She had been escorted to the Central 46 chamber, standing in the center of the coliseum beneath the yellow light. She was surrounded by the forty-six members whose faces were obscured by the plain partitions and all she could do was stand there in the middle, hands bound, and wait for the lions surrounding her to attack.

"Nyruki Sawada. Occupation; unseated Gotei Shinigami assigned to Squad 13-"

"Squad 6." Nyruki interrupted, never taking her eyes out of her level stare, as it helped to battle the assault of nerves.

"Are you not aware?"

"Aware of what?" Nyruki asked, flicking her eyes up for a brief moment.

"You are no longer in Squad 6. Captain Byakuya Kuchiki has had you reassigned to your previous squad under Captain Jūshirō Ukitake."

Nyruki's eyes widened, "W-What?... When?"

"Since you and he vanished. We crosschecked his claims after he was dismissed."

Nyruki sucked in a long breath to help settle her stomach, but she remained entirely silent as she powered through the nervous flips and waited for the chamber members to continue.

"We are under the impression that Captain Kuchiki did this due to your relationship."

Nyruki softly gulped, "I know he did." She said a bit quietly, focusing on her breathing.

"How do you know?"

"W-We've discussed it." She said, exhaling a breath that was a bit more shaky than she would have liked.

"Before you and he vanished?"

"Y-Yes. I actually made the request first." Nyruki said, lowering her eyes to the floor.

"Interesting."

"The night you vanished, why did you think it best to take a captain with you? One of the most powerful within the Gotei 13 no less?"

"Because he offered to come. I made no attempt to convince him." Nyruki said with a slight clatter in her teeth from her nerves.

"You had originally planned to go alone?"

Nyruki nodded, "Yes... Hunting Overlorde was my burden, no one else's and I was not gonna saddle those I held dear with my burden. To me, it was easier simply to vanish than to say goodbye." She said, shifting her eyes upwards to scan the coliseum.

"Yet you still went to say goodbye to your captain the night you vanished."

Nyruki's stomach was tying itself into knots that could baffle even the most astute scientists. It felt as if her insides were smoldering like hot coals from the simmering acid that was building up, but she had to keep charging forward, knowing each word brought them one step closer to possible freedom.

Nyruki sighed, "I think the reasoning behind it is obvious."

"Is that when he discovered your plan to go alone?"

Again, she nodded, "Yes."

"Up until then, you had not had contact with Overlorde since your arrival. Why choose then to pursue your personal quest?"

"I needed to clear my slate and By-," She sucked in a quick breath to stop herself, "Captain Kuchiki agreed with me that in order to unlock my full potential, it needed to be done." She exhaled that breath.

"Did he give you any other reasoning behind his apparent decision to join you?"

"He also said it was because he had contacts in the World of the Living that could help us pick up Overlorde's trail." Nyruki said, settling her eyes back into the level stare.

"Is that when Ichigo Kurosaki and his companions intervened?"

Nyruki swallowed, "If you mean joined us, than yes."

"Was it willingly?"

"Of course." Her brows began to furrowed.

"All of them?"

Her anger began to overshadow her nerves.

"Now hold on a second... Are you under the impression that I forced them into helping to eradicate Overlorde with my Zanpakutō?" Her brows furrowed harder.

"Did you?"

"Of course not! They all helped hunt down Overlorde willingly and as far as I see it, we did you a favor!" Nyruki snapped, clenching her fists from the accusations.

"Do not presume you have done so. Yes, Overlorde has eluded us for 2,000 years, but so long as he remained in his Northern territories, he was not our top priority."

"You knew where he was and yet you did nothing?" Nyruki asked with her brows drawn down as far as they could go.

"He was outside of our reach and therefore, not a top priority."

Nyruki's throat rumbled with a growl, "That's your prerogative, but he was my top priority! I could not grow as a person, nor as a Shinigami so long as he plagued my past!"

"And yet, you still took it upon yourself to vanish without a trace and take a Gotei captain with you."

"So what? I did not, in any way, force him to! He volunteered and I'm happy he did because otherwise I never would have found Overlorde!" Nyruki was near yelling now.

"Yes... How were you and Captain Kuchiki able to pick up his trail?"

"Ichigo lead us to his contacts." Nyruki said, still in a firm voice and with furrowed brows.

"The Arrancar?"

"Yes. They've been providing vital information to Ichigo and his friends and helping to keep his town clear of Hollow. In fact, Grimmjow and Neliel have given Ichigo access into the spiritual underground that have lead to the eradication of major Hollow, as well as a few imperfect Arrancar." Nyruki explained without any nerves, having reached her stride and limit of tolerance for the chamber members.

"What?"

"This cannot be."

"This is the first we have heard of it."

The chamber members seemed to mumble amongst themselves for a moment, forgetting that Nyruki was there to listen to their shock that she decided to add to. She could use their shock to her advantage because apparently, she knew something they didn't.

"Ichigo had even applied for the bounties, but many of them were denied." Nyruki said, swallowing down her smirk as she stood up a bit taller.

"Why would a Substitute Shinigami need the bounties?"

"To help support Grimmjow and Neliel for their efforts in helping him. Perhaps you would like to hear their story as well?" Nyruki asked, squaring her shoulders.

"What story?"

"Grimmjow and Neliel are refugees, living solely with the support of Ichigo and his friends. They help Ichigo hunt the higher priced Hollows and then claim the bounties to help cover their living expenses." Nyruki said, finally relaxing her brow.

"Why was Ichigo Kurosaki denied the bounties?"

"I don't know. You tell me." Nyruki said flatly.

"We do not have the answer. We will look into this matter."

"And what of this one?" Nyruki asked without giving them a chance to think.

"We have a lot to discuss, Ms. Sawada. You will return to your cell in the meantime."

"Why can't we be released on the same condition as the others? I'm sure by now you're more than aware that this is nothing more than what it is. There's no conspiracy, no hidden agenda. It was just us leaving to take care of business." Nyruki said with the furrowing in her brow returning.

"Perhaps it can be considered."

Nyruki tried not to groan, but a small bit of it slipped anyways and with the vastness of the Central 46 chamber, it was easily heard.

It was soon drowned out by the large arched doors behind her opening to a pair of guards whom had been given the task of taking her back to her cell. She followed behind them as they ascended the stairs, finally reaching the welcoming embrace of the fresh air outside.

The weather had finally decided on which season it wanted to be in, as it was a moderately warm day with subtle humidity and a gentle breeze. The blue sky was broken with puffy white clouds that blotted out the sun periodically, giving the air just enough snip to make it chilled. It was welcomed to help cool her skin from the sheer amount of nerves when in front of Central 46, but something in her had snapped, had shifted those nerves from a horde of butterflies, into something akin to anger and determination.

She didn't know what it was that had triggered her resolve to harden in such a way, but it had snapped the nerves right out of her stomach. She stood her ground against Central 46 despite their accusations, and somehow, she felt good, like a massive weight had been lifted from her shoulders and all she wanted was to get back to the cell.

They soon reached the Squad 1 detainment wing and headed inside. There was no change in temperature as she walked through the doors and in all honesty, she didn't mind. It felt nice to breathe air that wasn't sweltering in her lungs and it actually put a subtle smile across her face.

They rounded the last corner, only to see Hayato and Shirō unlocking the cell door with a wrapped bundle cradled in Hayato's arms.

"What's going on?" Nyruki asked as she stopped walking.

One of her escorts turned and removed her bonds without saying a single word, or even looking into her eyes before both retraced their steps back down the hallway to leave.

"Word came down from Central 46. We're to release you, but you cannot leave the Seireitei." Hayato said as he flipped open the canvas bundle to show that he held their Zanpakutōs.

Nyruki's eyes widened for a moment as she went to the cell just as Shirō slid the bars open, running through and straight into Byakuya's awaiting arms.

"I did not expect you back so soon." Byakuya said lowly as he brushed her white bangs from her face.

"Neither did I. I confused the hell out of them." She smiled up at him as she unwound her arms from his trunk.

"What you do?" Ichigo asked, accepting Zangetsu back from Hayato.

"They didn't know what you've been up to, let alone knew about how Grimmjow and Neliel were helping you. I told them." Nyruki said, glancing over at Grimmjow.

"What they say?" Grimmjow asked.

"Not much. They were pretty baffled as it was." Nyruki said as she took back her Zanpakutō.

As Hayato handed back the last Zanpakutō, being Senbonzakura, Grimmjow's brows furrowed hard as he realized that Pantera was not among them.

"Hey... Where's my sword?" Grimmjow asked, curling up a corner of his top lip.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Jaegerjaques, but Central 46 is not willing to return it to you yet. You're being allowed to leave, but you are not, under any circumstances, allowed to be out of any of their company. If you are seen without the accompaniment of at least one of them, then you will be returned to confinement." Shirō said with genuine apology in his brown eyes.

Grimmjow crossed his arms, "Are you serious?"

"I'm sorry, but that is the order." Shirō said.

"Where the fuck am I supposed to go? I might as well stay here and alleviate the whole damn issue." Grimmjow growled.

"If that is what you wish-"

"If you are willing, the Kuchiki manor is open to you." Byakuya interrupted, resting a hand on Nyruki's shoulder.

"Why is it open to him and not me!" Ichigo suddenly boomed as he placed Zangetsu on his back.

"I did not say such a thing. As neither of you have anywhere to go, including Chad, Orihime and Neliel, my manor is more than large enough to accommodate everyone." Byakuya said evenly.

"Oh... Sweet." Ichigo smirked.

"And I will close that door should that smirk be any indication of your intentions." Byakuya deadpanned.

"Oh, relax. Since when do I ever mess up your place?" Ichigo rolled his eyes.

"Do you really wish for me to answer that?" Byakuya glared and crossed his arms.

"No... No, I really don't." Ichigo said.

"I didn't think so."

With a final goodbye to the two guards whom had done nothing but show their support, Byakuya and the others left the Squad 1 detention wing without an escort, their first time in three days. The fresh air and newfound freedom was like nectar to a starving butterfly and smelt fresh and clean from the previous rains. The gentle rays of sun felt just as good as water against their dirty skin along their walk to Byakuya's estate, and to much of their relief, none bothered them.

When they reached the front gate of the Kuchiki manor, Byakuya merely pushed it open and stepped inside, holding the large wooden gate for the others to enter.

"Holy shit, Pretty Boy! You live here?" Grimmjow gaped at the expansive garden in front of them.

"As have all the Kuchiki." Byakuya said, closing the front gate.

"Makes my place look like a broom closet." Grimmjow nearly mumble.

"You reside where you can afford." Byakuya said.

"So which room is mine-" Grimmjow started, only to stop when Neliel came bounding threw the garden.

"Grimmy!" Neliel yelped with the biggest smile spread across her face.

"Nelly!"

Grimmjow ran to her and instantly wrapped her up in his arms as they slammed their lips together. He easily lifted her and spun her around as they kissed, with Neliel's hands on either side of his jaw.

"They set you free. Does that mean you got your pardon?" Neliel asked, placing one last kiss to his lips before he set her down on her feet.

Grimmjow's smile faded, "No... I'm pretty much on probation."

"He is not allowed to separate from anyone I'm afraid, so I imagine most of his time will be spent here." Byakuya said as he, Nyruki and the others walked up to them in the middle of the garden, near the pond.

"Oh... What about his pardon?" Neliel asked softly.

"A work in progress." Byakuya said, clasping his hands in front of him.

"Oh." Neliel sighed.

Not even a moment later, Byakuya's attendant emerged from the manor and headed straight for them without even closing the door behind him.

"My Lord! I was unaware you were returning!" The attendant said as he hurried over.

"It is fine. Our release came unexpectedly." Byakuya said.

"I see. I hope you are not upset, My Lord, but Lady Rukia gave permission for the others to stay here." Said the elderly attendant.

"Again, that is fine. However, we will need another room prepared, as we have more houseguests." Byakuya said with a quick point to Ichigo, Uryū and Nyruki.

"I understand, My Lord. Shall I prepare the bathing suites?" The attendant asked.

"Yes. Also, set aside new clothes for them as well." Byakuya said with a bow of his head to his attendant.

The attendant returned bowed, "As you wish, My Lord." He rose and left immediately.

"Servants, private suites, grand ass manor, mega pond... What are you, Pretty Boy? A king?" Grimmjow gaped with a jaw that might as well have hit the grass beneath his feet.

"No. Head of the clan." Byakuya said simply, but with the smallest of smiles gracing his lips.

"You eat just as good too?" Grimmjow asked, swallowing with the idea of getting a large meal.

"You will find out in a few hours. Now, if you'll excuse me." Byakuya said with a slight bow of his head.

As he began to walk away from the group, Nyruki stiffened up a bit from the thought of following him, but she didn't want to be so obvious about it. Since returning to the Seireitei, they hadn't gotten to spent a single moment alone, and she felt like they needed to in order to discuss a few things.

That's when she remembered what she had heard when in front of Central 46.

With just a smile, Nyruki took a step back from the group while they conversed, having already been joined by Orihime and Chad. She managed to get away without drawing attention to herself as she followed him, only to stop at the closed door he had vanished through and hesitated.

She was nervous to knock, to alert him that she was there. She stood there, biting her bottom lip, chewing on it as she tried to talk herself out of it, but the sun overhead broke through the white puffy cloud that had shielded it and lit her silhouette against the traditional door.

As she mused to herself, blindly staring at the door, it slid open from the inside, snapping her out of her head.

"Did you need something, Nyruki?" Byakuya asked quietly, having untucked and opened the top of his Shihakushō.

Nyruki gulped, "Oh... Um, I uh-" She sighed, "Do you have some time to talk?" She asked, drawing in a long breath to steady herself.

"Of course. Please, come in." He said softly and stepped aside.

Nyruki managed to smile as she stepped into the room, realizing only then that it was his bedroom.

It was a large open space with a giant king sized bed in the center of the back wall. It was draped with exquisite sheets of the finest cotton, dyed in the colors of sage green and pastel blue. There were a pair of bedside tables on either side, each with a small lamp that was only large enough to light that side of the bed, so not to disturb the other. The walls were hung with traditional art and along the left side of the large bedroom was a wide sliding traditional door that lead into his own private bathroom.

"Wow." Nyruki breathed as Byakuya quietly slid the door closed once she had stepped inside.

"I will admit, that this is not how I planned on you seeing my bedroom for the first time." Byakuya said lowly as he rested a hand on her back while he stepped around her.

Nyruki blushed and rubbed the back of her neck, "It's um... It's ok. I just wanted to talk for a minute, then I'll leave you be."

"What do you wish to speak about?" He asked, taking his hand back and clasping his hands in front of him.

"You transferred me?" She asked, only out of the need for confirmation.

Byakuya nodded, "I did. You are apart of Squad 13 once again." He looked down at the floor, almost as if he was ashamed.

"I'm not angry... I'm relieved." She said quietly, beginning to pick at her fingernails.

"You are?" He looked at her.

Nyruki nodded, "Yeah. It means that awkwardness from before is gone. I feel like you and I can... we can... be."

"That was the intention." He said in just above a whisper, taking a single step closer to her.

"Even though I almost ended your career as a Gotei captain?" Nyruki asked as she huffed a weak smile.

"Trivial in comparison to restoring one's honor. I nearly did the same not long ago restoring the honor of my house." He said, reaching out and grasping a fidgeting hand.

"Now you've done it twice." She sighed as her fingers threaded through his.

"And I will not be shocked should it happen again. I will never turn away if I feel the cause is worth fighting for." He said, raising her hand to his chest.

That skip in her chest returned as she locked gazes with him to drown in the silver liquid of his eyes. They were sincere, genuine, and soft, almost appearing just as comfortable as his bed looked. She felt safe under their gaze, shielded from all the bad she had ever experienced. She liked being under those soft eyes that very few saw and they built on top of her soft smile to make it stronger.

With a soft bite to her bottom lip, Nyruki stepped in close to him, never once looking away from those soft eyes as she placed her hands on his mostly exposed chest. She slowing drifted them up his skin, taking the time to glide them over the curves of muscle that contoured his pale flesh. They came to rest on either side of his jaw while his hands softly gripped her hips and his fingertips lightly pressed into her skin. She rose onto her toes to bring her to him and her eyes flicked down to look at his slightly parted lips as they twitched with that barely there smile she had come to adore. She looked back up into those safe eyes for one last moment before they closed in time for their lips to touch.

With a long intake of air, their lips grazed over each other, almost feather light, but still just as warm as she remembered. His arms wrapped around her, bringing her closer to him as their kiss shifted from chaste to firm and their tongues began to slick over the other's lips with the need to taste as much as possible.

In a matter of only a minute, their tongues were exploring each other's mouths, sliding long, unbroken strokes along the other's. Her fingers threaded into his dirty hair, resting on the nape of his neck that only served to build a low, almost delicate rumble in his throat that vibrated against her lips. It was a delicious sound, almost as delicious as hearing him laugh, which in and of itself, was a sound she was devoted to hearing again.

Without ever breaking the kiss, Nyruki ran her hands down his chest once more, slipping them beneath the top of his Shihakushō that made him shutter. His breath skipped as his skin erupted in gooseflesh beneath her hands and his throat rumbled once more, only this time, stronger.

"N-Nyruki-" Byakuya breathed as his hands tightened their grip on her hips.

Nyruki didn't answer as she thrust her tongue back into his mouth to meet his eager one. Her hands spread outwards, taking his top with them until it fell from his strong shoulders like the finest of clothes taken by a the softest of breezes.

The moment his top slipped from his shoulders, he broke their firm kiss, but kept his hands on her hips and his forehead rested against hers. His breath came hot and heavy, splaying across her face in heated waves that fluttered through her equally as dirty hair.

"Nyruki... If we do not stop, I fear I will not be able to." He whispered with a shaky voice as he looked at her through half lidded eyes.

"Maybe I don't want you to." Nyruki whispered back, holding his gaze as she continued to slip his top down his strong arms.

Byakuya gulped, "I only wish for you to want this." His hands trailed around to her stomach and began to slowly climb upwards, threading around the hem of her top.

Nyruki's heart was thundering, but not unpleasantly so as she held his gaze and pushed his top down to his elbows. She softly bit her bottom lip, but it instantly popped free from between her teeth when Byakuya captured them again.

This kiss was different. It was harder, more fervent as their tongues instantly began to battle for supremacy. It was fast and sucked the air right from her lungs as his hands grabbed the hem of her top and ripped it open, exposing her bandage covered chest as the cloth immediately hung off her shoulders. Her arms wrapped around his neck as he picked her up with his arms around her waist, carrying her through the bedroom to his private bathing suite that was open and luxurious.

However, Nyruki saw none of it as Byakuya set her down and without even breaking their kiss, cranked on the water of his large, tiled shower with multiple shower heads that rained down water as if it a Spring storm. She was thankful for the sudden noise, as it drowned out the sound of their bruising kiss as she shed her top to let it fall to the floor to be forgotten.

"Do you have any idea what you do to me?" Byakuya breathed as he shed his top, discarding it onto the floor without a care.

"Probably the same thing you do to me." Nyruki answered breathlessly, softly biting her lip as she looked up to watch his reaction to her hands.

Byakuya's chest heaved with his panting and his eyes were half lidded as her hands drifted down his stomach, fluttering over his abs to his obi sash. He softly moaned and bit his bottom lip as she tugged its length, instantly loosening it and allowing his hakama to hang off his hips, in grave danger of falling to the floor.

Byakuya gulped hard, "N-Nyruki... Please." He stuttered as his body started to shake from the building heat low in his abdomen.

"Please what?" She whispered up to him, holding onto his obi sash and being the only reason his hakama hadn't fallen to the floor yet.

Byakuya gulped once more as he raised a hand and gently placed it against her cheek.

"Not like this... You deserve better than this." He said lowly, taking in long breaths to help steady him.

"This is better." She said, ignoring the ache in her chest as she softly bit her lip again.

"A-Are you certain of this?" He asked, bowing his head to capture her lips for a much softer and slower kiss that was void of tongue.

Nyruki nodded, but kept her lips against his for another moment before pulling back just enough for her to speak, "Would it make you feel better if we didn't... if we didn't-"

"It would." He said, keeping his forehead to hers as if it would allow him to hear her thoughts.

Nyruki gently caressed the nape of his neck beneath his hair, "Ok... Just don't... run." She started to lightly shake and he could see it.

"Why would I run?" Byakuya asked airily as his hands began to play with her obi sash.

"You'll see." Nyruki whispered as her hands trailed down his arms and held on, almost as if she needed his help to remain standing.

Ignoring his hammering heart that was sending his blood racing, Byakuya watched her eyes that now refused to look at him. He wanted to see her reaction and the closer he got to untying her obi, the more she started to shake with fear.

With a gentle tug, he untied her obi and her hakama instantly fell free, only catching on her hips with a last ditch effort to remain, but with a gentle flight of his hand along her skin, over her hip, he slipped them off.

The black cloth crumpled to the floor around her ankles in a puddle, but the sight was not seen by Byakuya's silver eyes. His hands trailed up her sides to the black bandaging she wore around her breasts and slipped the end free from between them. The bandaging fell away and revealed exactly why she wouldn't look at him.

Beneath her clothes, covered by the bandaging and her hakama, were old scars that sliced her inner thighs and around her breasts. She had been cut by knives, bit by teeth, whipped by chains and scratched by far too eager nails. They were faded scars, but still rough enough to be felt by his fingertips as they softly trailed over the ones around her breasts.

The faded scars ran between them and carved into the supple flesh, coming close to her small pink nipples before running their course back outwards. Another ran underneath, disappearing beneath her modest breasts before reappearing along the outside and running underneath her arm.

His eyes trailed down her lithe form to her thighs and they visibly shook with more fear that he would run. The insides were scarred from a knife that had laid a devastating trail from her knees up to her core, topped with a trimmed hedge of black hair that she kept in a thin strip. These were far deeper than the scars around her breasts, made by a sword which made them clean lines that swept over her skin.

"This is what they did to you." Byakuya exhaled, softly trailing a hand over a scar along the outside of her left breast.

Nyruki nodded, "I've never been treated gently." She swallowed.

With just a simple and slow exhale, Byakuya reached out and slid the glass door of the large shower open, never once taking his eyes off of her before slipping his loose hakama from his own hips. He grasped her hand and stepped inside, guiding her in to be completely washed over by the torrent of water falling from the six shower heads overhead.

The very moment the water hit her skin, she looked up into his eyes, expecting to see disgust, or terror at her myriad of scars that served as reminders, but what she saw was not horror, or disgust, but rather that same softness and caring that helped to sooth her mind. In fact, his eyes scanned her nude form, never once shying away from the scars as he coaxed her to him, wrapping an arm around her waist while he untied the ribbon of her hair and let it fall down her back.

"I will only ever treat you how you wish." He said, brushing her wet hair back away from her face, feeling her nervous shake against his water soaked body.

She could here her heart hammering in her ears, and she knew he could feel it against his chest, but despite that, despite her nerves, she willed her hands to flutter over his skin, sliding effortlessly with the thin layer of water beading down his body.

Byakuya gently cupped her cheek as he bowed his head, brushing his water soaked lips over hers so gently that their heat was lost to the heat of the water. He slowly ran his hands down her bare back, coming to stop at her hips when he broke the chaste kiss and offered a tender smile that forced her lips to return it. He felt the shaking in her body began to ease the longer he looked into her eyes, stroking the back of his fingers along her cheek as he laid ultra soft kisses against her other on his way to her ear.

"Do you trust me?" He whispered, tightening his hold around her.

Nyruki's arms found their way around his trunk as she nodded, too frozen to speak.

Byakuya stood up straight and unwound his arms from her, never once looking away as he reached for a bottle that was amongst a group of five. He palmed a generous amount and rubbed the thick liquid between his hands before threading his fingers into her hair, massaging in the shampoo to foam it into a thick lather.

Nyruki tilted her head back so that the soap didn't fall into her eyes, finally beginning to relax in his presence and offer her a real chance to see him in his entirety.

As he massaged her hair, she let her eyes wonder over his water slicked form, admiring the smooth contours of the velvet wrapped steel. His muscle definition was soft, but easily seen, with the lines casting the barest of shadows against his pale skin. His pectorals, abs and even the lines on his hips were perfectly shaped by the hard muscle beneath, defining his hips and flowing effortlessly into his strong thighs. He, himself, was a lithe man, certainly not the most muscled amongst the captains, let alone the rest of the Gotei, but he was very much a man with a healthy size that didn't take away from the rest of him.

Her soft smile widened as she dared to place her hands on his stomach, feeling the muscles twitch from her touch that highlighted his abs for a brief moment.

"You're such a beautiful man." She breathed as he washed her hair clean of the shampoo.

"And you are a beautiful woman." He said, scraping his fingers back through her hair.

Nyruki sighed with delight at the feeling of his fingernails against her scalp, lolling her head back to let her hair hang down towards the tile floor.

"Even all scarred?" She asked, managing to smile just a bit wider as he never once shied away from looking at her body.

"Even scarred." He returned her smile.

Nyruki bit her bottom lip once again as the last of her shaking left her, stepping in close to him as she wrapped her arms around his trunk. Their lips met again with feather light touches, remaining chaste and slow and void of tongue as they just held each other close.

The water washed away their days of being trapped in the cell, vanishing down the drain as they took turns washing each other, staying slow and void of lust. Both were content to simply touch each other, exploring their skin and how it molded around them in unbroken waves.

When it had come time to wash his hair, he knelt down in front of her, bringing his head level with her chest as she massaged his scalp. A short lived pang of nerves spiked in her stomach with the thought that he would find her scars grotesque, but as she washed his hair, he placed the softest, most tenderest kiss to the scar between her breasts.

"I will love each one of these because they are apart of who you are." He said, looking up at her, not caring about the water cascading down from overhead.

"They'll never go away." She said, combing her fingers through his hair as she rinsed it.

"I don't want them to. I will not run because of the decisions you've made, or how you have survived for a hundred years because each one brought you that one step closer to finding me." Byakuya said as he rose to his feet and cupped her chin.

"Was it fate, or our decisions that brought us together?" She asked, letting her hands fall from his hair to rest along his jaw.

"I do not give a damn."