Chapter 11
Dinner had been a welcomed change. The whole lot of them had spent a majority of the evening in celebration of Renji's induction as a Kuchiki familiar, with only a few hiccups as Rangiku tried to pry information from Nyruki about her relationship with the Captain of Squad 6. She had been successful on all accounts to steer the conversation away, simply by pouring the woman another cup of sake that she would promptly swallow down, ultimately ending up just as drunk as Izuru Kira and Shūhei Hisagi.
All three had been the first to leave at the end of the night, both held firm beneath Rangiku's arms and needing her help to stand. Ikkaku Madarame and Yumichika Ayasegawa had been the next to say their goodbyes, both being on the far side of tipsy and laughing at nearly everything.
It had left Nyruki and Rukia with the task of hoisting the very drunk Renji home again, but instead of taking him to the Squad 6 barracks, they had crashed at the Kuchiki manor with the exception being that of Nyruki.
Instead of going to sleep, she had met with Captain Ukitake and Captain Kyōraku to give them another shot at garnishing their freedom from Kibōyūwaku. She had hoped with all hopes that there would have been some sign that they were close, or that they would both garnish their freedom, but again, like all the nights before, neither had.
As Nyruki quietly closed the door to the training room, having just finished tucking them in to get their much needed rest, she heavily sighed and rubbed an eye from the near unbearable levels of exhaustion. She ached all over as if her joints were grinding against each other and her muscles felt weak, almost atrophied and even groaned every time they flexed. She strolled through the garden to help clear her head, as it raced with thoughts of the approaching battle. She was scarred. There was no denying that and the mere thought of having to face the captains was enough to cause her stomach to somersault. She couldn't focus on anything else, even her need to sleep and she knew, that if she were to lay down to try and go to sleep, her mind wouldn't let her with how fast it was going.
Beneath the high moon that had begun its descent towards the morning horizon, Nyruki sat down by the edge of the pond to watch the koi swim without a care. She envied their lives that were void of hard decisions, void of having to impress anyone, to accomplish goals that seemed too out of reach. She wanted that carefree life of swimming simply for the sake of swimming with no responsibility, but she knew it was out of her reach; A pipe dream that she would have only while she slept.
She traced her fingers through the water in slow circles, sending small, rolling ripples through the moonlit surface. They waved the moon's reflection to make it dance and she smiled at its beauty until a black silhouette blocked it out.
"I would have thought you would be in bed by now." Said that familiar deep voice that sent a warm shiver down her spine.
Nyruki looked up from the water and watched as Byakuya sat down beside her, giving her a soft, yet tired smile that reflected in his eyes. He admired her, how her eyes twinkled beneath the silver light of the moon and how her skin looked snowy white as he reached out and brushed aside a lock of hair to tuck it behind her ear. Her skin still glistened with the mist of remaining sweat from the heat that lingered from the day, but it had lowered just enough so that it wasn't uncomfortable to breathe.
"There's no way I can get to sleep." She said softly as she leaned into his touch.
"How come?" He asked, letting his hand hover against her neck.
"My mind won't let me. I'm scarred, Byakuya." She said, slowly blinking as she held his equally tired eyes.
Byakuya drew in a long breath as he reached out and tugged her into his side, keeping his hand resting against her waist as she leaned her head against his shoulder.
"I know. I am too," He softly kissed her hair, "I want above all else for this to end how it should, but I know there is a real chance it will not. I've told you before that no matter the outcome, I will still love you with all my heart." He said, letting his lips dance over her hair as he spoke.
"I know. It helps knowing that. I wasn't expecting you back tonight." She said as she rested a hand on his knee.
Byakuya rested his head against the top of hers, "We've broken for the night. I am to report again at dawn so we can continue." He released a slow sigh.
"How's it going so far?" She asked.
"Exhausting." He said with a crack in his voice from that very thing.
"You're hoarse." She said, having caught the unnatural rasp that had taken hold of him.
"I have done a lot of talking today." He said as he enjoyed the moment of calm.
"You should have some tea." She said, nuzzling down a bit more against him.
"I already have some being brewed." Byakuya said with a low and long exhale.
"Good. Is there enough for me too?" She asked, shifting her head up just enough to look at him.
"Of course. Shall we?" He asked as he lifted his head and released his hold on her waist.
All Nyruki did was nod as both climbed to their feet. Byakuya rubbed and rolled his neck as he offered Nyruki his other hand so they could walk to the kitchen. She took it with a tired smile and walked alongside him close enough so that their arms brushed against each other with each step. They stepped up onto the bamboo porch and found their way to the kitchen that was massive, fully equipped and entirely empty.
He led her to a large table and offered her a chair to sit down while he went to stove where the tea pot was already screaming. Steam blew from the spout and instantly fell over the stovetop while he plucked two tea cups from the cupboard and placed them on a tray. He went to another cupboard and found which flavor of tea he wanted, being the tea that was gifted to him for his last birthday by Captain Ukitake, which was loose leaf and needed preparation.
Nyruki found it calming to watch as Byakuya scooped some of the leaves into a tea infuser before pouring some of the boiling water into one of the cups. He dunked the infuser several times to wash the leaves before he poured the brew down the nearby sink and plopped the small cage into the pot.
"You have that down to an art form." She said softly, having rested her head in her hand as she watched.
Byakuya lightly smiled as he set the pot on the tray and headed for the table.
"Many years of practice." He said, setting the tray down between them before he poured the tea into each cup.
"I'm pretty sure your attendant would lose it if he knew you were making your own tea." Nyruki said, sitting up as she accepted her cup from him.
"He would. However, this late at night, I'm content to let my servants sleep since they are so busy during the day. I see they slaved away to clean up the gardens today despite the heat." He said, sitting down across from her.
"It looks really good." She said, taking a delicate sip, as the brew was still piping hot.
"I'll make sure to thank them." He said.
The pair fell into a content silence as they enjoyed their tea, with the crickets outside chirping their songs beneath the moon. It was a serene sound, but it was not enough to make Byakuya miss the distant and worried look in Nyruki's tired eyes.
"You're bothered." He said, his voice quiet, but enough to shatter the silence.
"Yeah. There's only one more night, Byakuya. I'm just trying to resolve myself for the worst." Nyruki said, tucking a lock of hair back behind her ear.
"You keep on like this, you won't have the energy to fight." Byakuya said, drawing in a deep breath of the white flower aroma wafting up from the tea.
"That could be a blessing." Nyruki huffed.
"Hardly... You have too much pride to simply allow yourself to lose." He said, watching her face.
"Do I?"
"Of course. The Nyruki I know and love will fight to the end no matter what, and have faith in us that we will come through for her." He said with a soft clearing of his dry throat.
"I do have faith in you. It's me I don't have faith in. It's been a long time since I've had to face off against a captain. You were the last when I reported to Squad 6." She said, looking up from her cup.
Byakuya's brows lightly furrowed, "It's not the outcome you're scarred about, but rather whether you will be able to put up a good fight against us, that is."
"Surprise." Nyruki tiredly laughed.
"Nyruki... My love... You were trained by us, our skills were instilled in you. You know better than most how we all fight and I know for a fact that you will be a formidable opponent." He said, offering her a sweet smile.
"If I'm gonna go out, I wanna go out with a bang." Nyruki huffed a smile.
Byakuya's smile widened, "Good girl. How was your evening?"
Nyruki groaned as she leaned back in the chair, "Full of fending off the Women's Association. Rangiku is desperate to write up an article about us."
Byakuya's smile vanished, "I figured as such. I'm sorry you have become a target for them." He reached across the table for her hand.
Nyruki sighed as she took it, "It's fine. Comes with the territory of loving you."
Hearing that, his smile returned, "Where were you that this was happening?" He asked, taking his hand back from her.
"Rukia and I went to dinner with everyone to celebrate Renji's induction as a Kuchiki familiar. I was able to fend her off well enough, especially the more drunk she got." She lightly chuckled.
"I see. Was the night enjoyable otherwise?" He asked as he finished off his cup.
Nyruki nodded, "Yes, though, I have a little confession to make."
Byakuya acred a brow.
"I think, that maybe, Rukia and Renji are... a thing." Nyruki said with a silent snicker as she bit her bottom lip.
Byakuya lightly groaned as his head dropped to his chest and he pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I should have seen this coming." He groaned.
"Would it be bad if I told you they're asleep in Rukia's room?" Nyruki cringed.
Byakuya glared across the table at her, "Oh, how the clan elders are going to love this." He slowly shook his head.
"Sorry." She continued to cringe.
"No no. There's nothing to be sorry for. It was my mistake in thinking it wasn't a possibility. They were meant for each other in all honesty." He said, refilling his cup of tea.
"You really think so?" She asked, holding her cup out for more tea.
Byakuya finished pouring his cup and then poured into hers, "I do. Rukia has a way of taming the beast. It's almost an art form how she has mastered her handling of him."
"They did grow up together." She said.
"Yes... How foolish of me to forget." He rolled his eyes as he set the tea pot down on the tray.
Nyruki lowly chuckled as she took a sip of the freshly poured tea. It felt soothing to not just her body, but to her mind as well, and as the sip crashed into her stomach, that tightness in the back of her jaw produced a sucking yawn.
Having seen her yawn, the age old saying of yawns are contagious rang true as his own erupted from the back of his jaw. He covered his mouth with an elegant hand as he allowed it its duration, if at all so that the tightness would go away.
"Sorry." Nyruki said, rubbing the back of her neck.
"What is it with us and late nights? It seems as if that's all we've had as of late." He said with a sad laugh.
"That's because it's the only time we have not filled with stuff." Nyruki said, releasing a long, drawn out sigh.
Byakuya nodded, "I'm content to go to bed. Care to join me?" He asked, throwing back the tea in a single gulp.
Nyruki did the same as both rose from the chairs, leaving the tea and cups on the table without a second thought. Their hands joined as they left the kitchen and walked the porch, with their feet softly scuffing along the bamboo with each step. They reached the master bedroom as their exhaustion produced another yawn between the two of them, and without a word, both began to change into their night clothes.
Nyruki shed her Shihakushō and left it on the floor, far too tired to care as she donned the same light purple robe she had worn before. She sighed with content as she slipped into the large, king sized bed and waited while Byakuya finished in the bathroom in removing the four pronged silver hairpiece. He padded across the bedroom to the large closest and hung his captain's haori before pulling off his Shihakushō, which garnished Nyruki's attention as she admired his bare back.
"The view's nice." She smiled, curling onto her side with her head cradled in her hands.
Byakuya smirked as he glanced back over his shoulder before dropping the hakama, letting them pool around his ankles.
"Now it's even better." Nyruki tiredly snickered.
Byakuya's own tired laughter joined hers as he put on his light blue robe and tied it around his waist on his way to the bed. He crawled in on his usual side and wasted no time in curling against Nyruki, draping an arm over her side and threading his other beneath her neck.
"Sleep tight, My Love." Byakuya whispered as he closed his eyes, not realizing that Nyruki had already fallen asleep.
The morning air felt cooler than it had the day before, but it was still going to be a hot day. Nyruki took in a deep lungful of air as she stretched long, instantly sending a waking wave through her body that made her groan. It felt wonderful as she rolled onto her back, expecting to see Byakuya, but the only thing there was an empty space where he had been and a folded piece of paper on his pillow.
Her head tilted as she sat up and picked up the paper, flicking it open with a slight furrow to her brow. But as she read, that tightness loosened and she began to smile.
My New Bloom,
I hate to leave you with this instead of being there when you open your golden eyes, but as I said last night, Central 46 expected me back in their chambers at dawn. I have only gotten a few hours of sleep, but being next to you, getting to hold you in my arms, it felt as if I had gotten a full night's rest.
I hope your day is wrought with happiness and ease before this battle tomorrow, and no matter how many times I have to say it, no matter its outcome, you will always be in my heart.
I love you my new bloom, and I will see you once this is finished.
My Love,
Byakuya
Nyruki couldn't stop the smile from spreading across her face as her cheeks radiated with a subtle heat and her bottom lip became trapped between her teeth. Despite him not being there when she woke up, she still felt giddy, almost a little too much as she climbed out of bed and straightened the covers. She almost danced around the master bedroom as she bathed and dressed, smiling the entire time before stepping out into the sunbathed gardens.
"You've must've slept well." Rukia said from the small bridge that stretched over the pond.
"Yeah. It was nice." Nyruki said, still smiling as she made her way to the bridge, "Where's Renji?" She added after only a moment.
"Still sleeping. Can't blame him. He was very drunk last night." Rukia chuckled.
"Very. Kinda wish I got some of it on film." Nyruki said as she came to admire the pond alongside Rukia.
"I might've snapped a picture, or two. You get a chance to see Nii-Sama last night?" Rukia asked, leaning her elbows on the banister of the bridge.
Nyruki nodded, "Yeah. He didn't get in until late. He was already gone by the time I woke up."
"I see. Did you want to train again today since this battle is tomorrow?" Rukia asked.
Nyruki shrugged, "Maybe. I'm gonna go check on Captain Ukitake and Captain Kyōraku and see if they're ok."
Rukia shook her head, "They left this morning."
"Really? I wasn't expecting them to wake up so early." Nyruki said.
"They weren't either. Captain Ukitake said before he left though that it's getting easier to recover. They aren't feeling as fatigued as they were." Rukia said, tossing some small pebbles of food for the fish that immediately swarmed for it.
"That's either good, or bad. I haven't decided yet." Nyruki said quietly as she held her palm out for some fish kibble.
Rukia dropped a small pinch of the fish food into her palm that she tossed in with an underhand toss. The food plopped down onto the water's surface to float, but near as soon as the small round pieces hit the water, the fish were upon them and sucking down the pieces whole.
"Hungry little dudes." Nyruki smiled down at the fish as they ate.
"They spent all winter beneath a sheet of ice. They better be hungry." Rukia chuckled.
"I have a lot to learn when it comes to keeping a koi pond." Nyruki said, rubbing the back of her hair.
"It's alright. I imagine Nii-Sama will teach you." Rukia said, smiling.
"I'm sure he will. It's calming when we just sit out here and enjoy it." Nyruki said as she clasped her hands together on the banister.
"That's what it's for." Rukia said.
Nyruki tossed in the last couple of pieces she held in her palm before dusting off her hands and leaning against the banister.
"We sat out here for a bit last night when he got home." Nyruki said softly as she continued to watch the fish.
"You must have been up late." Rukia said.
"I haven't been sleeping well lately. Not with this battle coming up." Nyruki admitted as she hunched over enough to rest her chin on her interlocked fingers.
"I can understand that. I bet you'll sleep like a million bucks after it's all over." Rukia shrugged.
"Maybe. After all this craziness, I just wanna spend time with Byakuya." Nyruki sighed as she softly smiled.
"I'm sure he feels the same." Rukia said.
"I know he does. I'm still getting used to being loved by a man like him. I don't feel like I'm deserving of it, to be invited into this life when all I've ever known is hardship, you know?" She said, rolling her head over so she looked at the tiny woman.
Rukia's smile widened ever so slightly as she rested a hand on Nyruki's shoulder, "Believe me, I know the feeling. Probably better than anyone."
"Yeah... I suppose that's true. If I can ask, how did you feel when they adopted you into the clan?" Nyruki asked, looking back to the water.
"Doubt. Like I wasn't worthy, or didn't belong, but at the same time I was so eternally grateful that Nii-Sama could do no wrong in my eyes. Even when I faced execution and he was actually for it, I wasn't angry with him and I didn't beg for him to save me." Rukia said, taking her hand back to leaned on both elbows.
"I'm kind of glad I wasn't around for that. I heard about it from Captain Ukitake, but I'm happy I didn't have to see it first hand." Nyruki sighed.
"It was bad, but, to be honest, I'm not going to complain about the outcome." Rukia said.
"No shit." Nyruki started to laugh.
Both began to chuckle as they started to walk, heading off the bridge towards the manor where the attendant was summoning them for breakfast. They stepped inside and sat down, where they were soon joined by a very groggy, somewhat hung over Renji who took up Rukia's other side, all while rubbing his eye like a four year old child.
"Well good morning, Sleepy Head." Nyruki chuckled at his bloodshot glare.
"Shut up." Renji deadpanned as he threw back some tea without letting it cool first.
"Oh, be nice, Renji. It's not her fault you're hungover." Rukia said with a poke to his side.
Renji flinched at the jab, "I am way too hungover to be picked on this morning." He grumbled.
"All the more reason to pick on you." Rukia chuckled.
"I will end you." Renji glared.
Nyruki snickered as she accepted her plate from the familiar small little servant girl she had seen on many occasions bringing them meals. She smiled a quiet thank you to the girl, whom bowed her respects before going about her business and leaving the three to enjoy their breakfast.
They had only reached halfway through their meal when a fourth joined them and sat down on Nyruki's other side and placed a soft kiss to her temple.
"Good morning. I got your note." Nyruki said softly as she offered a slice of banana to Byakuya.
Byakuya plucked the slice from between her chopsticks, "I wasn't fond of simply leaving you this morning, but I didn't have the heart to wake you." He popped the piece into his mouth as a servant brought him his plate.
"It's fine. There'll be many more mornings where you won't have to." Nyruki said as she took a sip of tea.
"I hope so." Byakuya smiled.
"All done with Central 46, Captain?" Renji asked, blinking away the tired ache in his eyes.
"With the presentation portion, yes. Now, we wait." Byakuya said.
"There seems to be a lot of that when dealing with Central 46." Nyruki scoffed, taking a bite of her rice.
"They are not fast and there has never been a congregation of members that have been." Byakuya said, rolling his eyes and shaking his head.
"I don't envy you." Nyruki said as she bumped a shoulder into his.
"No one envies having to deal with Central 46." Byakuya said with a crooked grin.
"Think it went well, Nii-Sama?" Rukia asked as she popped a bite into her mouth.
"I cannot answer that." Byakuya said.
"Classified?" Nyruki asked.
"No, it's just that I'm not sure how to answer. With the identity of the chamber members unknown, it adds a level of difficulty in reading their reactions. It was my voice that filled the chamber the most." Byakuya said before taking a sip of tea, as his throat felt scratchy and overused.
"We can hear it. You're all hoarse." Rukia said.
"I am looking forward to all this being put behind us." Byakuya sighed.
"You and me both." Nyruki nodded as she rested her head on his shoulder.
The four ate quietly and enjoyed the slightly cooler air of the morning, giving Byakuya a chance to just sit in silence without having to drum up words from his sore throat. It had been a marathon of speaking whilst in front of the Central 46 chamber members and as far as he knew, not a single one voiced their reactions to anything he was saying.
He had detailed the last seven months, regaling them with how operations were in Karakura town before Grimmjow and Neliel arrived, so that they understood to the fullest extent just how much of a difference the pair made after their arrival a month later. He told them of how they were hunted by the other Arrancar, had fled to Karakura town as refugees and how Ichigo and his friends had saved Grimmjow's life. He told them of the scores of priority Hollow that they had tracked and killed, and the only reaction he managed to garnish from the chamber members, was their soft gasps and mumbles when he told them just how much Ichigo had amassed in bounties.
A total sum of $150,000 in the six month period.
They finished their breakfast and the small servant girl took the plates and left with her usual small bow to the clan head that he returned with a nod. It was still early morning, but the heat was already on a steady climb up as if the sun, itself, was the thermostat lever.
"Captain? Do you think Central 46 is gonna issue the black flag order again today?" Renji asked as he rubbed the back of his neck with both hands.
"Perhaps. Why do you ask?" Byakuya asked as he accepted a fresh cup of tea from the servant girl.
"There's a street fair out in District 3 in Southern Rukongai I was kinda hoping to go to." Renji said with the slightest hint of pink in his tan cheeks.
"Oh! The craft one? The one we used to go to?" Rukia's eyes went wide as she smiled equally as much.
"Yeah. That's the one," Renji smirked crookedly, "Remember we used to get all gussied up and make the trek there the night before since we had so far to go?" He asked.
"If by gussied up, you mean bathed, then yes." Rukia chuckled.
"Yeah." Renji's blush deepened.
"That sounds really fun. What's usually there? Just food?" Nyruki asked with a glint in her eyes that betrayed her rising excitement.
"There's food, handmade stuff, performers, all kinds of stuff. It's a good time." Renji said, feeling a bit more normal now that he had eaten.
"I wanna go! Lets go, Byakuya!" Nyruki hopped with excitement, her eyes wide and smile stretching from ear to ear.
Byakuya froze, "Oh realms, I'm not one to go-" Nyruki cut him off.
"Come on! Please? It'll be fun!" Nyruki was near bouncing where she sat as she tugged on the sleeve of his Shihakushō.
"Nyruki, you're more than welcome to go with them if you wish. I was hoping to work on a few things here." Byakuya said.
"What're you gonna do? Feed the fish? Rukia and I already did that this morning, so come on! For me?" Nyruki's eyes got so big and doe like, that Byakuya's cheeks started to turn pink.
"You are making it vastly more difficult than it needs to be to say no." Byakuya said as he released a sigh.
"Good! You need to spend a day out after all that crap with Central 46." Nyruki grinned.
Byakuya's mildly achey throat groaned as he pinched the bridge of his nose. He didn't need to look to know he was under three sets of eyes, and the most prominent ones were from the woman still hanging off his sleeve. He rubbed his eyes as he felt Nyruki lean in close, very close, nearly in his lap close.
"Nyruki, what are you-" He started, only to have his neck assault.
She tackled him to the floor as she playfully nibbled his neck, instantly erupting his skin in gooseflesh. He had been able to resist the sensation for a few moments, but all too soon, his neck exploded into tickles.
"Nyruki! Stop that!" Byakuya laughed as he tried to cower and protect himself from her assault.
It was no use as Nyruki all but gnawed on the flesh of his neck, laughing and only making the tickling sensation worse.
There was only one way to make the assault stop, and that was to agree to go. He had planned on spending his day in the calm and serenity of his estate, but it wasn't looking like that was going to be the case. He should have known that wherever Nyruki was concerned, things were all, but normal.
"Alright! Alright!" Byakuya yelped, still trying to protect his neck from her onslaught.
To his relief, Nyruki ceased her tickling of his neck and sat up, releasing him from the floor for him to sit back up.
"I used to be stoic, shielded by a reputation I have spent over a century building, only to have it shattered in an instant by you." He glared at Nyruki, ignoring the wide eyed looks of shock from his Lieutenant and little sister, whom both had their hands up over their mouths.
Nyruki grinned as she stuck her tongue out at him, not caring that she was under his fierce glare. She was immune to it now that she knew she had come into his carefully guarded inner circle, and no amount of his irritation was going to rattle her cage.
"It'll be fun, I promise. I've gotten a taste of your world, so why not get a taste of ours?" Nyruki asked as she pointed to her, Rukia and Renji with a swipe of her finger.
Byakuya sighed as he rubbed his neck where she had attacked with just her lips, "I suppose that's a fair point."
"Come on, Nii-Sama." Rukia said, softly smiling with Renji's arm over one of her shoulders.
Byakuya's eyes briefly narrowed at Renji's display of affection towards his sister, but he pursed his lips together and let his shoulders slouch in defeat.
"Fine... I admit defeat. I'll go." Byakuya sighed.
Nyruki threw her arms up in victory, "Yay! So when we going?" She immediately asked as she looked over at Rukia beside her.
"Anytime. By now, the place should be bustling." Renji said as he took his arm back and shifted to stand.
Nyruki wasted no time in grabbing Byakuya's hand and popping up onto her feet, nearly dragging Byakuya along with her. But once they were on their feet, Byakuya brought her to him for a warm embrace and a soft kiss to her forehead.
"Slow down, My Love. I should at least stop by my office to see if the black flag order was given." Byakuya said, brushing back a lock of her hair that was streaked with white from her dyed bangs.
As if on cue, Byakuya's attendant stepped into the dining room holding a small piece of paper and bowing low.
"Pardon my intrusion, Lord Byakuya, but this just arrived from Central 46." He said, holding out the paper.
Byakuya took it and flipped it open, only needing a moment to scan the short message before closing it and handing it back to the old man.
"Well that solved that problem. Black flag order issued. Renji, go to Squad 6 and dismiss them for the day." Byakuya said, keeping a hand resting on Nyruki's opposite shoulder.
Renji bowed, "Aye, Captain."
Both he and Rukia left the room as Byakuya led Nyruki out into the gardens that were already warm and void of shadow. The sun had streaked across the sky until it was suspended directly overhead, meaning Nyruki had twenty-four hours exactly until the battle was scheduled to take place.
"I'm happy we're gonna blow off the day." Nyruki said lowly as they walked the path around the pond, hand in hand.
"A welcomed distraction?" Byakuya asked.
"Very much so. Plus, dragging you along is gonna be enjoyable." Nyruki sweetly smiled up at him.
Byakuya rolled his eyes, "I have no hope of getting out of this do I."
"Not a chance." She smiled wide, grasping his arm with her other hand.
"Then I shall yield to you, My Love." Byakuya said as he reached across his chest to rest a hand on her cheek.
The pair left the estate and met up with Renji and Rukia, whom were just leaving the Squad 6 barracks after having the squad dismissed for the day. They followed them towards the Southern exit of the Seireitei, not drawing any attention until they stepped through the massive gate, held up only by the equally massive arms of the elite sentry.
It wasn't until they were walking the streets that people gawked a bit, wondering why four Shinigami, one of which being a captain and high ranking noble, was paying a visit to their district. While Renji, with his arm once again hung over Rukia's shoulders, lead them for District 3, Byakuya and Nyruki walked a couple steps behind, again hand in hand. That alone was enough to garnish murmurs and stares as they walked by, as even out in the Rukongai, Byakuya was well known as the bachelor head of the Kuchiki clan.
It was a lovely, yet slightly lengthy walk until they reached the outskirts of District 3 where they were immediately greeted with a crowd that was packed into the street fair.
Her eyes wide, Nyruki drank in everything she could see. There were food vendors and booths selling handmade goods ranging from jewelry, to clothes, to handcrafted fabrics. There were paintings that were being painted right there on the spot and an area that had been set aside for performers. Musicians, acrobats and even a puppet show was being held, where scores of children were gathered to watch the chibi looking Shinigami take out the equally as chibi Hollow.
"This is spectacular!" Nyruki beamed, furiously looking around in an attempt to see everything.
"Renji and I used to spend the whole week here when we were kids. At night, the food vendors would be cleaning up and they'd hand out whatever was leftover." Rukia said, weaving through the crowd on a slow, aimless stroll.
"Clever... Oh! Look!" Nyruki squealed, unable to keep her focus as she tugged Byakuya over to look at a booth, heavy with handmade jewelry.
Nyruki examined the very object that had caught her eye, being a bracelet that glimmered beneath the sun from its high polished silver color. It was a simple interlocked chain with a charm hanging off that had been molded into the shape of a crescent moon that wrapped around a pointed star with a lavender gem in the middle.
"Look, Byakuya. It's so pretty." Nyruki cooed as she delicately picked up the piece to get a closer look.
Byakuya couldn't stop the soft smile, "Very becoming." He said quietly.
"B-Byakuya? As in Byakuya Kuchiki, head of the Kuchiki house?" Asked the older woman behind the booth with her blue eyes wide with shock.
Byakuya nodded once, "Yes, but do not be alarmed. I am here for pleasure."
"O-Oh. Well... Then the piece is only ten Kan if you wish, My Lord. It would be a wonderful piece for her ladyship." The woman bowed.
"Ten Kan? For such a pleasant piece?" Byakuya asked with a mild furrowing in his brow.
"Yes, My Lord. As you are nobility, I can't possibly ask my usual price." She said, timidly rising from her bow.
"What's the real price?" Byakuya asked calmly.
"Oh... Um, I usually ask twenty for it. The glass gem in the center is a bit difficult to get." She said, looking down at the table of wares, instead of up at him.
"Then twenty is what I'll pay." Byakuya said.
He reached into the top of his Shihakushō and pulled an amount from an inside pocket, holding the coins in his palm as he quickly counted it out and handed it to the shocked woman.
"Oh, Byakuya... I couldn't-" Nyruki tried to protest, but stopped herself when Byakuya took the bracelet and wrapped it around her wrist.
"Nonsense. If you like it, then it is yours." He said as he clasped the ends together.
Nyruki blushed, "Oh gods-" She breathed.
Both nodded their thanks to the woman before stepping away, finding Rukia and Renji already stuffing their faces with market fair. Both had their arms full of treats, from fresh grown fruits, to confections that both seemed to be wearing around their mouths.
"What in the world happened to you two?" Nyruki asked, once again holding Byakuya's hand as they stared.
"Oco-ate ipphed ananas. -ant on?" Rukia asked, holding out one such confection while another was in her mouth.
Nyruki took the treat, only then being able to piece together what the hell Rukia was saying with her mouth so full.
It was a chocolate dipped banana on a stick.
Rukia finished chewing her oversized mouthful and swallowed, "They're super good." She immediately took another huge bite of hers.
"They took a perfectly good banana... and ruined it." Byakuya glared down at the confection with an arced brow.
"I've never had chocolate before." Nyruki said quietly as she took a gentle sniff, instantly knowing it was a sweet thing.
"You haven't lived." Renji and Rukia both snickered as they continued stuffing their faces.
Nyruki hesitated for a moment as she glanced up at Byakuya and shrugged, taking a far more modest bite than Rukia had been. The moment the chilled confection touched her tongue, she was assaulted with the sweet and rich flavor of the chocolate, that was immediately followed by the modest hint of banana.
"Oh gods... This is delightful." Nyruki sighed quite happily as she took another bite and offered it up for Byakuya.
"No... No no." Byakuya said, leaning back a bit as he pushed her arms back down.
"Oh come on. Try it." Nyruki said, biting off a piece and holding it between her fingers.
"There's chocolate... No." Byakuya protested with a mild grimace.
"Please?" Nyruki's eyes went doe like.
With a groan, Byakuya glared down at the piece still pinched between her fingers. His lips were curled into a slight cringe of disgust as the three stared, watching and waiting to see what he'd do and he hated to think that he might, just might actually try something Nyruki was offering him.
He released a long, drawn out sigh as he rolled his eyes and took the piece from between Nyruki's fingers.
"Gods help me." Byakuya grumbled before taking a bite.
He cringed as he waited for the intolerable flavor to explode on his tongue, but to his surprise, the taste of the rich chocolate was soothed by the flavor of the banana, making it not feel as if it was sticking to his ribs. That was what he disliked the most, was that heavy feeling of the confection clinging to the inside of his body. However, that was the exact opposite of what he was finding himself enjoying in that moment.
As he finished chewing, he swallowed down the chewed mash and scraped his tongue against his teeth to get rid of the chocolate that remained.
"If it wasn't for the banana, that would be intolerable." Byakuya said, releasing another sigh.
Almost as if they had won a major sporting event, Nyruki, Rukia and Renji cheered and gave each other high fives.
However, the lighthearted mood shifted as Rukia pulled a camera from her sleeve and snapped a picture of her brother and Nyruki, upon which both of their eyes, silver and gold, went wide.
"Rukia!"
Both Byakuya and Nyruki tore after her with the desperation to get their hands on the camera. It didn't take a rocket scientist to know that she had taken it with the intent to give the photo to the Women's Association. They had only chased her a few booths before giving up, knowing her small stature would vanish in the crowd and sure enough, she did.
She had only vanished a few minutes before both she and Renji reappeared, but now the camera was gone and as much as he didn't want to admit it, Byakuya knew she had already made the hand off.
The rest of their afternoon was spent admiring performers, and for Rukia and Renji, buying up as much food as they could carry, simply to eat it all as if they hadn't eaten a day in their lives. Byakuya and Nyruki found entertainment in watching them and as the evening drew closer, and Rukia and Renji lay spread eagle out on a grassy hillside, both with self inflicted stomach aches, the four sat and were content to watch the sun set.
Nyruki had lost track of time of how long they sat there as the sky turned a deep shade of red and orange, but she didn't care. She simply enjoyed sitting between his legs and leaning back against his chest. The air still smelt of the hordes of fresh foods and confections, and she could still hear the music in the nearby distance. It was one of the most perfect evenings she had gotten to experience in a long time and she could think of nothing that could spoil it.
Save for one thing.
With the whoosh of a flash step catching their attention, the four looked over as a hooded messenger appeared, immediately bowing and dropping to a knee.
"Pardon my intrusion, Captain, but I come bearing a message from Central 46." Said the messenger, never looking up from the grass.
"Have they reached a decision?" Byakuya asked, gently coaxing Nyruki to vacate her spot so he could stand.
"Yes, Captain. They are requesting your presence immediately in the central chamber." Said the messenger.
Byakuya rose to his feet and dusted himself off, "Understood."
With another whooshing flash step, the messenger was gone, once again leaving only the four of them standing on the grassy hillside.
Byakuya looked down at Nyruki, whose eyes were reflecting the rays of the setting sun. The shadows of the light cast her face with exhaustion and he could clearly tell that she was tired. So was he, but he had work to do.