Cherry Blossom Love Song

Anime: Bleach

Reader:
Aika
Female
Unknown
Auburn waist length hair, chocolate brown eyes, pale skin, 5'6", nicely curved body, C-cup breast
Soul Society, Squad 4, No rank
Human
Healing, suggested fighting abilities

Character:
Byakuya Kuchiki
Male
Unknown
Raven colored shoulder-blade length hair, slate gray eyes, pale skin, 5'11", well-built body
Soul Society, Squad 6, Captain
Soul Reaper
Shikai, Bankai, Flash step

Plot: After Soul Society arc.
Warning: Byakuya will be a little OOC here. Okay, probably really OOC. Don't hate me. It's my first time writing him. With that in mind, enjoy!
Word Count: 3,692

"Would you just hold still!?"

"You would be wise to speak to me with respect." The raven haired man on the bed glowered up at the nurse tending to him. Her chocolate brown eyes sparked with annoyance. She tugged at the bandages surrounding his torso, earning a wince from him. "You did that on purpose."

"Maybe." She huffed, tucking an auburn strand of hair behind her ear. Standing straight, she placed both hands on her hips. "Look, I may not even hold a seat in Squad 4, and you may be the captain of Squad 6, but that doesn't matter right now. What matters is that you were seriously injured, both by that orange-haired ryoka boy and by Lieutenant Gin. And I have been placed in charge of you and making sure you heal correctly. So whether you like it or not, I'm the one who's going to be giving orders for a while, understand?"

The bedridden man looked up at the nurse above him. Sighing, he closed his slate gray eyes, relaxing into the mattress. "I understand, Nurse Aika." She smiled softly, gently laying a hand on his arm.

"Please, Captain Kuchiki. Just Aika. You don't need to be formal around me." The slate irises revealed themselves slightly as a ghost of a smile passed across the injured captain's face.

"But you are in charge. If I did not call you by your title, it would not be proper." The woman giggled softly, shaking her head at her patient.

"That would be true… if I had a title. So just Aika is fine." She reached inside her hakama, taking out a small card. She pressed it into Captain Kuchiki's palm, wrapping his fingers over it. He held it up so he could look at it.

"What is this?"

"A reiatsu card. In the human world, patients have buzzers that they can use to contact the nurse in charge of them. I developed my own version based on it for the same purpose." Aika smiled, clasping her hands in front of her. "If you need me for anything, just focus your reiatsu on the card and think or say my name. My card will alert me that you've called, and I'll be here in a flash. On that note, is there anything else you require tonight?"

Kuchiki thought for a moment before shaking his head. "No, thank you. I'll be fine." He glanced at the woman to see her smile softly before bowing to him.

"In that case, I bid you goodnight. If you need anything, don't hesitate to contact me." Aika turned, gracefully walking out of the room, gently closing the door behind her. Kuchiki stared at the door for a little while, before turning his gaze out his window.

"Goodnight, Aika." His eyes widened when he thought he might have accidentally called her, but then remembered that he hadn't performed the first step. "Ridiculous." Placing the card beside him, slate gray eyes returned to the night sky. He stayed that way well into the night, thinking about the young woman who had been placed in charge of him.

桜愛情

Aika groaned as she her patient's status. "Honestly, Captain Kuchiki. You've barely improved at all!" Lifting her eyes, they narrowed at the dark shadows under his. "Captain Kuchiki…" her voice lowered to a growl. "It seems you were lying to me when you said you were sleeping well." He scoffed.

"Ridiculous. I have no reason to li-" His words were cut off when her hands cupped his face. His gaze was ripped from the window to stare at the nurse, who had suddenly become very close to his face. His eyes widened at their close proximity. A slight heat rose to his cheeks.

Aika, on the other hand, didn't care. Her gaze was focused on his face, and she resisted the urge to smirk at the raised heat and slight pink tint on his cheeks. Her eyes narrowed further at the pronounced dark coloring under his slate gray eyes. "Evidently you have reason enough to hide the truth from the person who has been entrusted with your well-being." Dropping her hands from his face, she sat down on the bed. "What is troubling you?"

"Why did you choose to go to Squad 4?" Aika blinked several times. "If I remember correctly, there was a bidding war for you." She blushed, looking down.

"You remember that, huh?"

"I was one of the highest bidders." Aika's head whipped up, her chocolate brown eyes wide. Her auburn hair swung back and forth with the strength of the gesture. "Which is why I was disappointed when you didn't choose my squad."

"It wasn't on purpose, I assure you." Kuchiki tilted his head, his raven colored locks obscuring one of his eyes.

"Then what was it?"

"A random guess." Aika chuckled, shifting so her legs hung off the bed, her hands placed on the frame. "I wrote down the name of each squad on a piece of paper, threw them all in a hat, and plucked one out." She shrugged. "Turned out to be Squad 4. Not that I'm complaining. I quite enjoy my work here."

Kuchiki watched her, his eyes taking in her entire form. She had matured a good deal, compared to the gangly, underfed, filthy child from the Rukon District she had been when she had first entered the Seireitei all those years ago. She was taller, her hair longer, although it was held back in an elaborate braided bun, her skin pale but healthily so with a light cherry tint to her cheeks, a slight but nicely curved body… and she held the respect of most in the Seireitei not only for her extensive medical knowledge, but her bravery, her compassion, and downright no-nonsense attitude, something Kuchiki appreciated.

"Do you mean that?" Aika nodded, glancing at the man sitting up in the bed.

"Yes… but there is a part of me that wishes I could be on the frontlines." A wistful smile appeared on her face. "I miss fighting, if you can understand that." Kuchiki nodded.

"I can. So why not transfer, or move up in the ranks?" To his surprise, she laughed.

"I've actually been offered the rank of 3rd seat multiple times by Captain Unohana and Lieutenant Kotetsu. Yasochika himself has expressed the desire that I take his place."

"So why don't you?"

"I have no desire myself." Kuchiki's eyes widened. "My current placement allows me much more freedom than the 3rd seat would. I'm capable of going anywhere I want, helping anyone I want, and visiting anyone I wish. That kind of freedom is just one of the many things I would have to give up should I take the 3rd seat, even though that rank would provide me with more on-field experience."

"Many things? What is something else you would have to give up?"

"My excursions to the World of the Living." Kuchiki's eyes widened again. "I know, I know. Most don't travel to the World of the Living unless they have orders from above." Aika smiled. "But I'm allowed to go whenever I wish, so long as I don't take a seat."

"Why does Unohana permit you to travel to the World of the Living?"

"Despite how short their lives are, humans have made massive headway in their medical advances. Some things are even ahead of us, and that alone is impressive." Aika sighed, resting more of her weight on her hands. "I learn from them as much as I learn from experience or Unohana. I hate to admit it, but I've even taught Unohana some things." She chuckled to herself. "I can't believe how far they've come in such a short time." Kuchiki's eyes narrowed as another light shone in her eyes.

"That's not the only thing you do in the World of the Living, is it?" Aika sighed, dropping her head.

"No…" she said quietly. "It's not." Swallowing slightly, Kuchiki reached out, taking one of Aika's hands in his. She started, but didn't look at him. Instead, when he squeezed softly, she flipped her hand over to grip his hand back.

"Aika…" Kuchiki whispered. "Have you made contact with a living person?"

"In a way." Slate narrowed to flints. "I knew them before I came here."

"What do you mean 'before you came here'? You mean to tell me you met them before you entered the Seireitei?" Aika nodded.

"Yes… and no. I knew them before I even entered the Soul Society." Kuchiki's eyelids flew up.

"You mean…"

"Yeah. I knew them before I died." Aika laughed to herself. "It's funny. Normally people like me, people with regrets become Hollows, but, for whatever reason, I entered the Soul Society without the need of a Konso."

"Who were they?" Aika hummed softly in confusion, glancing at Kuchiki. "The people you visit. Who were… are… they to you?"

"My family." Aika dropped her head again, but didn't pull her hand free from Kuchiki's grasp. "My mother, my friends… they grieve every day, even more so on my birthday and the day I died, especially Mom. She has endured so much, losing my father and then me. I watch, wanting to do more for them, wanting to let them know I'm okay, but watching is all I can do… and I hate myself for it." Kuchiki gripped her hand again, providing comfort. "But it also gives me the strength to carry on here, and why I'm grateful I pulled Squad 4 out of that hat."

"Why?"

"So I can help people. So I can prevent others from having to go through the pain I put my family through, and the pain I deal with every day. Squad 4 gets a bad rap, especially from those Squad 11 punks, but, in some ways, we are the most essential squad in all of the 13. If it wasn't for us, many Soul Reapers, like yourself or Lieutenant Abarai, wouldn't be alive right now."

"That's very true." Kuchiki looked out the window, watching the sun drop behind the horizon. "How do you deal with it?" Aika looked up at him, watching him staring at the sunset. "The grief of losing those you loved." This time, it was she that observed him as she thought about her answer.

Even though it had been several days since the truth of Rukia's execution had been unveiled and Aizen's betrayal, she still wasn't used to seeing the Squad 6 Captain without his normal regalia and kenseikan. His raven colored hair draped freely around his face and shoulder blades, framing his aristocratic face and steely slate eyes. His skin was pale, but that was common among Soul Reapers. Without his Captain's coat and hakama, his toned form was quite visible under the hospital gown and bandages. Aika blushed softly, thankful the sun was shining through the open window. Looking down, she studied the hand that was still wrapped around hers. Free of his tekkō, she realized his hands were unscarred, but calloused at the same time, undoubtedly from centuries of fighting.

Realizing he was still waiting on an answer, Aika took in a deep breath. "I don't really know. It eats away at me every day, but… at the same time… it builds me up. It's weird."

"You feel like you can't carry on, but at the same time that is what gives you strength to do just that."

"Yes…" Aika's head rose on its own, her chocolate orbs locking with slate ones. Normally so cold and calculating, they held a soft, caring light… but that was shadowed by painful understanding. "Exactly."

"I went through the same thing when I lost my wife, Hisana." Aika's eyes widened. She had heard rumors of Lady Hisana, but nothing had ever been confirmed. "I lost her a long time ago, but the grief stayed with me. Now, I can't even remember her without a painful strike to my heart." Kuchiki's eyes closed as his head dropped.

They stayed that way for a little while, not saying anything. Their hands remained intertwined, both taking comfort from it. Aika watched him, wondering if he was going to do anything. The only reason she knew he wasn't asleep was the fact that he would squeeze her hand from time to time, checking to see if she was.

Deciding to act on a sudden rush of daring, Aika lifted her free hand to brush it through his bangs. Kuchiki froze, but didn't pull away. Taking that as a signal to keep going, she did, stroking his forehead, before trailing her fingers through his hair, continuing all the way till the strands fell from her digits of their own accord. She would then repeat the gesture, over and over again.

"What are you doing?" A husky whisper asked. Aika froze, dropping her hand.

"I'm sorry. It's something my mother would do when I was upset. I just thought-"

"I didn't tell you to stop, Aika." Kuchiki cut her off, lifting her hand back to his head. Smiling softly, Aika resumed the caresses. Kuchiki sighed, turning his head into her hand. "You are so gentle… just like her." Aika swallowed softly, feeling a burning behind her eyes.

"Thank you, Captain Kuchiki."

"Please… call me Byakuya." Aika's eyes widened. Never before had a captain asked her to address them familiarly, let alone in a tone that was akin to begging. "At least… when we're alone like this. Please."

"Alright… if that is your wish." He nodded, pressing his cheek into her hand as it trailed down his face. Aika stopped, her heart throbbing in pain when she felt a stream of wetness. "Oh Byakuya." Leaning forward, she touched her forehead to his. "How long have you endured in silence? How long have you borne this burden alone?"

"Long enough." He sighed, pressing into her touch. "It has been so long since…"

"Since what?"

"Since I have felt so vulnerable. After Hisana died, I shut everything, and everyone, out, only letting those who were there the day she passed." Aika bit her lip, trying to keep her own tears at bay. "Until now." The young woman smiled softly, stroking Byakuya's cheek with her thumb.

"Do you… do you mind if I do something else that my mother used to do for me? If you wouldn't mind I mean." Byakuya opened his eyes, tilting his head up slightly.

"What is it?"

"She would sing to me." Byakuya thought about it for a moment, before breaking the contact between their foreheads. He lay down, not taking his eyes off Aika's.

"Of course you may, Aika." She smiled, getting up. He watched as she sat down behind him, resting his head on her lap. She resumed the hair strokes, wiping away the tear stains as well. Byakuya closed his eyes, letting her ministrations soothe him. "By the way, what song did she sing to you?"

"Well… a whole lot of them. The one she sang at my funeral was the one I sang at my father's."

"Sing that one, please." Aika nodded, stroking the hair where his kenseikan would normally be.

"Of course." Byakuya sighed, relaxing into her lap. Aika smiled, taking in a deep breath. As she began singing, the moon rose in the sky.

"You were once my one companion,
You were all that mattered.
You were once a friend and father,
Then my world was shattered.

Wishing you were somehow here again,
Wishing you were somehow near.
Sometimes it seemed,
If I just dreamed,
Somehow you would be here.
Wishing I could hear your voice again,
Knowing that I never would.
Dreaming of you,
Won't help me do,
All that you dreamed I could.

Passing bells and sculpted angels,
Cold and monumental.
Seem for you,
The wrong companions,
You were warm and gentle."

When she stopped singing, Byakuya opened his eyes to look up. Aika didn't return his gaze. Instead, her eyes were still fixated outside, watching the moon. Byakuya's expression softened slightly at the sight of a tear running down her cheek. He slowly lifted a hand, stroking it along her cheek to catch the salty droplet. Aika looked down at him, smiling, even though her eyes were filled with pain.

'How long has she suffered in silence? How long has she borne that burden alone?' "Please. Don't stop singing. You're wonderful." Aika's smile grew slightly. Leaning down, she pressed a kiss to his forehead. His breath hitched, his lips parting as she pulled back, her own lips forming words.

"Too many years,
Fighting back tears.
Why can't the past just die?"

Aika leaned back, but Byakuya's hand on her neck prevented her from fully sitting up. He tucked her hair behind her ear, stroking her cheek. She smiled at him, earning a soft one from him. Both of their tears flowed freely… as both began to let go of the past.

"Wishing you were somehow here again,
Knowing we must say goodbye.
Try to forgive,
Teach me to live,
Give me the strength to try.
No more memories,
No more silent tears.
No more gazing across the wasted years.

Help me say goodbye.
Help me say,
Goodbye."

"That was beautiful, Aika. Thank you." Aika smiled.

"It was my pleasure, Byakuya. Any time you wish me to sing for you, just call me, and I'll come running." Byakuya smirked softly, turning his head as he pulled her down.

"I may not have to call… if you're close enough." Lifting his head, the Squad 6 Captain pressed his lips to hers. Aika inhaled sharply, but soon relaxed. Byakuya's hand trailed down her cheek softly, his fingertips brushing lightly across her skin. Aika threaded her fingers through his hair one last time before they parted.

"Goodnight, Byakuya." Aika said as she slowly got off the bed, pulling his sheets up and over him. He stroked her cheek gently.

"Goodnight, Aika. Sleep well."

"Sleep well."

桜愛情

"RENJI!" Aika threw open the door, her heart pounding in her chest. She had been walking back to Byakuya's room to let Lieutenant Abarai, who was currently visiting his captain, that his presence had been requested by Toshiro, the captain of Squad 10, when a shout had sent her into a dead sprint. Ichigo, the orange-haired ryoka, was leaning over the windowsill and Byakuya's bed. Renji, who had been sitting peacefully in a chair, was now forehead-to-forehead with the equally hotheaded ryoka.

"What the hell!? How dare you charge in here like that?! I was just about ready to say something really cool and you totally ruined the moment!"

"Sorry. How was I supposed to know?" The apology stopped the staring contest. Ichigo pulled back, resting his arms on the windowsill. "Hey, have you seen Rukia around anywhere lately?"

"What?! You better not have lost Rukia again."

'Again?' Aika slipped into the room unnoticed. Well, almost unnoticed. Byakuya saw her, but didn't give away that he did.

"No, no. I just thought you might know where she was." Another set of hands appeared beside the ryoka. Ichigo's ryoka female friend, Orihime, appeared.

"What's going on Ichigo? So what did you find out?"

"How did you get all the way up here? No way." Both looked back into the room. "Sorry to barge in on you, Byakuya. Later Renji."

"We'll be going now." Both ryoka dropped from sight, running across the courtyard.

"Wonder what the hell those two are up to." Byakuya gripped his chin, a thoughtful hum escaping his throat. Renji looked at his captain in concern. "What is it? Is something wrong, sir?"

"Just that… well I certainly hope this Ichigo doesn't intend to keep calling me by my first name. I find his lack of respect… disturbing." A gentle chuckle floated across the room, directing both men's attentions. Aika dropped her hand from her mouth where it had undoubtedly tried and failed to cover up her amusement.

"Well what else can we expect from an uncivilized ryoka?" She walked forward a couple steps, clasping her hands in front of her as she bowed. "Excuse the intrusion, but your presence has been requested by Captain Hitsugaya, Lieutenant Abarai. He's waiting in the lobby for you." Renji nodded, casting one last glance at his superior before walking out of the room.

"Get well soon, Captain Kuchiki. Thank you Nurse Aika." Both watched the redhead walk out of the room. Byakuya sighed, leaning back onto his headboard.

"It's little wonder you have such a poker face."

"Hm?" The injured Soul Reaper glanced at the auburn-haired nurse.

"Your patience must be tested day in and day out with someone like Abarai as your lieutenant." Aika turned back to Byakuya, taking a wad of bandages out from behind her back. "Now, time to check those wounds." The raven haired man groaned, watching as the woman walked over, sitting down on the mattress.

"Are you sure this is necessary? I don't feel any pain." He stated as she unwrapped the bandages around his torso.

"Nonetheless, it still needs to be done. Just so long as you remain here." Byakuya nodded, lifting her chin with a finger.

"And what happens when I'm cleared for duty?" Aika shrugged, removing her chin from his digit to focus on rewrapping his wounds.

"You return to Squad 6, and I remain here."

"I meant between us." Aika's hands froze momentarily, but she resumed her work quickly.

"I'm… not sure." Byakuya smirked as a childlike mischievousness rose up in his breast.

"I could always get injured again."

"And then I'll have to kick your ass for not being careful." He chuckled softly, cupping her chin so she had to look at him again.

"It'll be worth it…" he whispered as he leaned in. "If this is the reward." Their lips brushed gently. Aika smirked, nuzzling his nose with hers.

"Be careful, Captain." She teased. "You might ruin your reputation." Deft hands fastened butterfly closures, not needing observing guidance. Now free, they trailed up to rest on the uninjured part of Byakuya's chest.

"I thought I told you to call me Byakuya, Nurse." His slate gray eyes sparked with mischievousness. Aika leaned in, her lips a hairsbreadth away from his.

"Make me."

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! (dies from kawainess) (revives) And I'm back! Geez. This was supposed to be short in order to show you guys what a request might turn out to be, buuuuuut….. yeah. Not my fault, but I'm literally in love with this guy (hence I'm on my favorite pairings list with him. *insert troll face* But hey! yours might turn out like this, so don't hesitate, unless it's Byakuya, and theeeeeeeeen…. If I decide I like you I'll try. *evil face* Kidding! Seriously. The more I like a character the better an oneshot will turn out.

Anyways, translations!

Aika = Love song
Kuchiki = Mediation; Influential person; Eloquence; Way of speaking
Byakuya = White night
The kanji means "Cherry Blossom Love". Real original, I know. Deal with it.

The song was Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again, sung by Emma Rossum from Phantom of the Opera. I thought it was fitting. I was actually listening to it before writing this, and Byakuya and Hisana just came into my head. (Don't make it weird) I thought it was perfect for what Byakuya went through after the death of Hisana, so I wanted to integrate it. Aaaaaand, because I wanted a romance fic for him, in came Aika.

Anyways, don't forget to leave your own request and tell me what you think of this one!