Slowly, her breathing returned to normal, and she opened her eyes to see Byakuya's dimly lit face. "I'm scared," she admitted, "I'm scared, Kuchiki-Sama."

"Let me get you some tea to calm your nerves."

As he got up, Hajime quickly grabbed onto his haori stopping him in his tracks, "Please…" she begged, "Please don't go…"

Byakuya sat at the edge of her bed and reassured her, "I'm here."

Was that a dream? Hajime thought to herself as she vaguely remembered the events of last night.

"Knock knock," Rukia was at the door, "Hajime, are you awake?"

As Hajime got up to open the door, she felt pain shoot up from her ankle. Lightly limping over to the door, she saw a worried Rukia with a tray of tea.

"Ah, Hajime. I'm so glad, you really had me worried there."

"I'm sorry for worrying you," The two girls sat by the window and enjoyed a warm cup of tea, "Uh, h-how did I get here?"

"Oh, you don't remember? You fell in one of the storage rooms in the cellar when the power went out and twisted your ankle. Nii-Sama carried you back here and helped ease your pain, though you should probably head to the Academy infirmary to get that completely healed."

So it wasn't a dream… What an idiot I am…

"How embarrassing," Hajime gave a soft nervous laugh, "Is Kuchiki-Sama still here? I'd like to thank him at the very least."

"He's in his chambers, it's right down the hall. I'll meet you downstairs when you're finished, they need help setting up the decorations that got misplaced last night before the banquet starts."

"Ah, the banquet was moved to today?"

"What better day to celebrate the holidays than on Christmas?" Rukia asked with a smile, "Nii-Sama and I usually have this day off from our Squad duties, so he insisted on hosting the banquet today. You're still welcome to join us if you're up to it."

"Of course," Hajime said with a smile, "I wouldn't miss it for the world."

As Rukia made her way downstairs, Hajime made her way to Byakuya's chambers. Unsure of what she'd say, she hesitated before knocking on his door.

"Come in." His voice called out.

Hajime peaked her head into his chambers and slowly made her way to face him. Then, just as he was about to greet her, she bowed down on all fours with her head against the floor.

"Pl-Please forgive me, Kuchiki-Sama!" She exclaimed shakily, "My behavior yesterday was completely undignified, as a guest and a student. I don't know how to make it up to you but if you wish for me to never step foot in Kuchiki Manor again, I will happily oblige!"

Taken aback by her sudden apology, he simply walked over to her and helped her to her feet, though she refused to get up and continued with her apology. "You are a Captain and a high-ranking noble, how foolish of me to drag you into my personal struggles, I-"

"Hajime," Byakuya interjected softly as he kneeled beside her, "You have nothing to apologize for. I'm happy to see you're feeling better."

She still didn't budge. He softly laughed to himself and walked back to his table.

"I suspect you heard the news. The banquet will start in a few hours, I suggest you get ready before our guests arrive, unless you plan to stay here with your head to the ground for the rest of the day?"

Slowly lifting her head, she looked at Byakuya, who was clearly finished with the conversation at hand and was continuing with his paperwork. He really is beautiful… She thought to herself as she couldn't help but admire his relaxed appearance.

Getting to her feet, she gave a bow and met with Rukia downstairs.

. . .

It was time for the banquet to begin and all the guests were starting to roll in. Each year, at Kuchiki Manor, important Noblemen and women are invited to have a holiday dinner with the head members of the Kuchiki Clan. Akane, bored of clan affairs, always decides to ditch the banquet and goes back home to her parents. However, she decided to partake in this year's banquet.

As her carriage pulled up, she and Sakura entered the Manor together.

"Akane Nee-Sama," Rukia greeted in the main foyer, "I'm surprised to see you home so early."

She gave a sigh, "The storm yesterday delayed father's visit and it's boring when it's just me and mother. I heard the banquet was moved to today, I figured I might as well come to one of these events."

"Hey, Rukia, where should…" Her voice drowned out as she encountered Akane who couldn't help but give a distasteful expression.

"What are you doing here?" She asked, or rather demanded to know, "You're like a pesty little cockroach who won't leave me alone."

"She's my guest," Rukia chimed in, "Is there going to be a problem?"

"Keep her away from me," Akane ordered as made her way to her room to change.

"Well… I should probably invite Kisume over," Sakura stated, "he'll kill me if he finds out I didn't invite him to the annual Kuchiki Clan Banquet. It's good seeing you Rukia-Nee, Hajime." Sakura gave a slight bow and made her way to her room.

"If me being here is going to cause issues," Hajime began, "I can leave, it's absolutely no problem. I don't belong here anyway."

"Nonsense! Who else is going to keep me sane during the banquet?" Rukia laughed as she looped her arm with Hajime's, "Come on. Let's get dressed!"

As everyone gathered in the main dining hall, Byakuya and Akane entered together, inciting applause from their guests. Following them were Rukia and Sakura, the ladies of the household.

Hajime was already seated at the dining table with Kisume, and when the four nobles were seated, the dinner officially began.

Chatter, laughter, and the clanking of glasses filled the hall as all the guests were enjoying themselves.

"Cheers Hajime," Kisume held out his glass of champagne alongside Rukia and Sakura who were eager to join in.

"Eh?" She hesitated. Hajime was never one to indulge in liquor, not because she didn't like it, but because she can't handle it. Just a glass of champagne makes her woozy. But she didn't want to leave her friends waiting so she clinked their glasses and took a large sip.

During dinner, Byakuya was called away for some important clan affairs. Akane grew tired of waiting for him and decided to reacquaint herself with the guests, specifically the younger good-looking ones.

Feeling the effects of the two glasses of champagne she drank (compared to her friends who already drank two bottles worth by themselves), Hajime decided to get some fresh air.

She didn't realize it until she stepped outside but it was snowing! She's always loved the snow, despite never being allowed to play outside in it as a child. She looked up to the sky with a solemn expression as a tear fell from her eye, Merry Christmas, Mom. I hope you're doing well… wherever you are.

"Tears don't suit you, Hajime." She felt a hand brush against her cheek as it wiped away her tear and turned to see that it was Kisume who was beside her.

"Ah, sorry," She quickly apologized as she regained her composure, "Did you come to get some fresh air?"

"You know…" He spoke, changing the subject, "You really are beautiful." He walked closer to her and backed her up against the Manor walls. She could smell the alcohol on his breath.

"K-Kisume… You've had a lot to drink, you should probably t-turn in for the night." He continued to get closer to her and she tried to push him back.

"Why must you turn me away," he pleaded as he brought his face closer to hers. Grabbing onto her wrist, he pinned her arm against the wall.

She yelped in pain, "Kisume… you're really hurting me." She tried to wriggle her arm out of his grip.

"Won't you be mine, Hajime?" As he was about to kiss her, he felt a cut on his cheek. Looking beside him, he saw a lone cherry blossom petal disintegrating and Kuchiki Byakuya standing at the entryway.

"Mikasa," Byakuya called out, "Show Takahashi Kisume to his room. He's had too much to drink for the night."

As Mikasa guided a still very drunk Kisume to his room, Byakuya walked over to Hajime, who was trying to catch her breath.

"While overconfident and foolish, Takahashi Kisume would never intentionally harm someone he claims to love. There is no excuse for his actions but when he is too inebriated, he's a different person entirely," Byakuya informed her.

Hajime didn't speak. She was still trying to process everything that just happened.

"I warned Sakura to keep an eye on him since she insisted on inviting him." Still nothing.

"Hajime," He spoke gently, "You should turn in for the night," his voice finally broke through as her gaze met his, "I'll have Mikasa send you up some tea."

"Right…" As she walked past him to head to her room, she turned around and before she could speak, an intoxicated Akane came to drag her husband back to the banquet hall.

"Honey, come on, you're missing all the fun!" Pulling Byakuya back to the banquet hall, she rested her head on his shoulder and laughed gleefully.

Watching the two of them leave, Hajime whispered to herself, "Thank you, Kuchiki-Sama… for everything."