Byakuya was rather displeased with Charmaine when he heard she was in the company of Kisuke. He became angry and was ready to confront her on the subject. To only be reminded that starting up a pointless argument wouldn't lead to good terms with her. Staying away from her or avoiding her wasn't going to help him any. Left him unable to come up with a possible answer to confront her. Which ended up solving itself one evening when she came to division six barracks after her deliveries. All the way to his office she was allowed to go with her basket hanging off her arm. Kurozakura happily cooed once he saw Byakuya when they entered.

"Are you angry?" First thing Charmaine asked him, "I know we never made an announcement about being official despite the rumors."

"I wish you I formed me about you alternative plans," He rose from his seat, "I felt like a fool for showing up and you weren't there."

Down on the corner of his dispels she placed the basket not knowing how to fully react. Since she felt guilty for not keeping Byakuya in the loop about her activities. Kurozakura off her shoulders as she removed her capelet to get comfortable.

"I know you're a private man and have been through…" She was silenced when he reached out to her.

"I would be pleased for the whole Seireite to know about us, " He gently placed a hand on her cheek, "If you have me?"

"I will always have you." She stepped forward.

The kiss was a simple but brief form of affection for them both as Kurozakura cheered for them. He then opened the basket's flap and started feasting on the banana cake she brought. Which got him picked up by her to salvage what was left for them to eat. Which didn't bother Byakuya when he looked at the simple routine of eating beside her. The dessert she baked for him was now only one piece of banana cake. She threatened Kurozakura with a muzzle if he tried again. Which got him picked up by Byakuya and placed far from them. On to a pet bed he had specially crafted for the Broombuggy for time like this.

"I think you're getting attached," Charmaine brought up Byakuya's behavior toward Kurozakura, "Should I be worried?"

"Part of accepting everything about you." He returned to her side.

He ended up wiping away her tears when she started to cry out of the sheer joy. He ended up removing his fingerless white tekkō to reach up and brushed tears away. Which had her noticing his hands for the first time since they were close.

"I always forget you're a seasoned Shinigami." She felt roughness and calloused of his hands.

"Years of battle." He allowed her to take hold of his hand.

He ended up taking in how soft her own were compared to this when she took nos of his from her cheek. Smoothness just gliding across his skin reminded him of her bandages on her hand still. Which he brought to his lips and kissed the back when faster laid.

"They say my hand is healing nicely," She informed him, "Frost bite hasn't done any real damage and I may have full range of my hand."

"Stil angers me," He kept his eyes on her hand, "That Hollow came after you."

"I got Yuki out of it," She. Reminds him, "Your niece and him have been a big help."

She then stepped closer to him, going on about how her eldest son and only daughter were due back. She wanted him to be a part of the celebration she was throwing for their return. Not wanting to accept whatever excuse he had unless he existed. Which surprised him since he didn't know Victor and Valarie all that well.

"Before you object," She knew he would, "Keep in mind I want you there."

"Are you sure?" He asked, still not feeling up to it.

"You're going to be a part of their lives," She reminds him, "I want you to be included."

He wouldn't further argue with her on that subject when the smell of her food caught him by his nostrils. He knew a half eaten banana cake beside some other dish was inside the basket she bought for him. Soon to be revealed as carefully packed away Spicy Beef & Pepper Stir-Fry. She set out on his desk like she always did when empty the basket of its contains.

"I didn't know how spicy you wanted the dish this time," She shared her worry, "So I stayed the range I use for my children on."

"Sometimes I think you spoil me ." He looked over his choices.

He got a kiss at the corner of his lips as her way of a goodbye when she put her capelet back on and took hold of an empty basket. He would have seen her out if it wasn't for the stack of paperwork in his in box. On top of that, preparing for a captain's meeting and greeting the new members of sixth division. Which he hoped left him some down time for their nightly stroll.

"Tonight?" She asked with Kurozakura chasing after her.

"Our usual place?" He asked.

"Ojisan?" Ichika loudly spoke as charged into his office.

She landed when Charmaine exiting with Kurozakura curled on her shoulders. Facing the direction of her uncle as he stood at his desk looking over packaged food. Both clearly looked at each other with their mood completely shattered.

"Do I interrupt anything?" Ichika looked between them.

"I was just leaving," Charmaine pointed toward busted opened doors, "My business with your uncle is cleared up."

"You're not making any more?" Ichika asked her uncle.

"I thought we have been over this," Byakuya reminded his niece, "Those manners we don't speak about outside the family."

Charmaine so badly wanted to stick around and find out what Byakuya was moping about. Figuring it had to do with the manner they just cleared up. Deciding to step in or two was having her just stood there and waited for the moment.

"Ichika," Charmaine stepped toward her, "Why don't you walk back with me to the cafe? We can chat about any subject you want."

"Sweet," She led the way, "Beats spending the rest of my day with my Ojisan."

8*8

Asked to pick photos showing their boss was asked off every one that worked in the cafe. Yuki and Harlee didn't have much trouble with their selections upon request. Kirakio and Koshi needed more time in choosing their own. Giriko and Koshi added their two senses over the rejects that they liked. Ichika worked with her uncle on a few pictures she gathered with Charmaine's help.

"A photo book?" Byakuya looked at the photo.

"Others were a hit," Charmaine pointed out, "I have two copies of yours."

She would have gone on, if the messager from the Shinigami Women's Association hadn't showed up. Who instantly went over to the pet bed set up for broombuggies. She got giddy over Kurozakura yawning as Delmare rolled over his back.

"You can purchase their photo book." Charmaine reminded her.

The transition followed by photos sealed in an envelope were taken by this messager. Leaving Charmaine to cuddle near Byakuya since they were sitting. Table they occupied where tea and a bowl of the newly spicy ice cream waited.

"Are you sure you want to try this?" Yuki asked Byakuya, laying a spoon down, "I used what is called the Carolina Reaper pepper for this."

"I'll be fine." Byakuya assured him.

Ichika had to convince Harlee to use that spell that captured mental images and turn them into photos. To capture this moment she was currently watching when she watched her uncle. Up went the spoon and into the first scoop the heated metal surface went. Taking along with it a spoon serving small enough to melt in one's mouth.

"Oh dear." Charmaine watched in worry.

Those few minutes tucked by when Byakuya took the first spoon full into his mouth. Concern about his delicate taste buds that only eats certain food meant for months of Shinigami nobles. Wouldn't be able to handle a pepper in which he never heard was felt by everyone. Kirako crossed fingers while Koshi and Yuki went to the back to clean the dirty dishes. Harlee was stuck watching the whole thing with Ichika stuck to his side just watching. Giriko went on to finish closing duties like he was shown during his training.