With the fortune tellers and fertility doctors set to arrive in the afternoon, Akane and Akihiko wanted everything to go perfectly. Hajime was ordered to come to Akane's room early to bathe and dress both her and her mother. Hajime was also in charge of cleaning the room the reading was going to be held and helped prepare breakfast for the family.

"Listen," Akane spoke as Hajime was dressing her for the reading, "Once we get our readings, the fertility doctor will examine me to see if it's a good time for me to bear children. These fortune tellers have been working with my family for generations and they have yet to be wrong. If they say I am going to have a child, I need you to get everything I need to prep myself. I also need you to send out our anniversary invitations by the end of the day."

"You want me to make and send out over 200 invitations today?"

"Must I always repeat myself around you?"

"Akane, dear, the readers have arrived. Let's gather in the room down the hall."

"Coming!" Akane called out, "Let's go!" Hajime has never seen Akane so ecstatic, she couldn't help but feel guilty for her feelings toward Byakuya.

To the Toujiro Clan, fortune teller readings were held in high regard; it was almost like a royal tradition. This was a highly confidential reading as only Takana (Byakuya's personal attendant), Hajime, and Akihiko was present. Akane was dressed in a lavishly decorated kimono with glitter and beads everywhere. Byakuya also wore a decorated kimono that accentuated his noble features. Hajime was in awe of his magnificence. As Byakuya and Akane entered, they both sat in the middle of the room, facing the fortune tellers. The four of them bowed to each other and the old woman facing Byakuya held out her hands. Byakuya placed his hands in hers and as she released her reiatsu, her eyes turned silver.

"Ah, yes. Kuchiki-Sama, you have quite a future ahead of you."

"What do you see," Akane asked curiously.

"The woman in your heart, it would be wise to keep her close to you." Akane smiled gleefully as she thought her feelings for Byakuya were finally going to be returned.

"This woman," the woman continued, "she is the key to your future; for both you and your family. I also see… troubles will arise in the years to come. You will face obstacles you never thought you would. It is best to keep a clear head when facing this matter."

"Do you see anything else? Perhaps a child in the future?' Akihiko urged.

"A child? Yes, a child is definitely conceived."

Akane and Akihiko were overjoyed as Byakuya remained neutral as usual.

"Lastly," the woman's voice lowered, "someone close to you will fall ill... Their condition is unknown." The woman's reiatsu slowly faded as she released Byakuya's hands, "That was all I was able to read of your future, Kuchiki-Sama."

"Yes, thank you," he said politely.

"Then, Akane-Sama," the other woman spoke as she held out her hands for Akane's, "Ah, yes. As Youko stated, a healthy child is born. Congratulations. I also see trouble in your future and if you do not remain calm, your troubles will overtake you and you could lose everything you care for." Intensely listening to her reading, Akane was hanging on to every word, "You would be wise to think before you act, some actions are just completely unforgivable." Fading out her reiatsu, the old woman released Akane's hands, "Congratulations Kuchiki-Sama, Akane-Sama, you two are going to be parents, I'm sure that is what you both wished to hear today. We understand there are doctors here to examine Akane-Sama so if you will excuse us," the women bowed, "we will take our leave now."

As Byakuya, Tanaka, and the two fortune tellers left the room, the doctors promptly made their way into the room to begin their examination.

Lost in thought, Hajime couldn't help but think back to what the fortunetellers said, Why… do I feel like I was just punched in the gut? He's married, so of course, he and his wife are going to have a child. What type of person am I to have feelings for a married guy anyway? I'm happy for him, she tried to convince herself, I have to be…

"Hello! Hellooo" Oi, Filth!" Akane yelled out as Hajime was deep in thought, "Did you hear what they said? I'm in perfect health to have a child!" She said joyfully, "so here's a list of vitamins and other products I need you to grab ASAP. And don't forget about the invitations," she warned, "our ball is in September, and we need those invitations mailed out."

"Yes, Akane-Sama. I will get the invitations started immediately." Exiting the room to get a head start on those invitations, Hajime saw one of Akane's maidservants walk by with a familiar object in hand.

"Ah, wait just a minute!" Hajime called out as she shuffled through the fabric in the maids' hands. Pulling out a soft lavender hair ribbon, Hajime was relieved she could finally get it back, but it was soon stripped away as the maid forcefully yanked the ribbon out of her hand and stuffed it in her pocket.

"This is Akane-Sama's most precious item, only those certified are allowed to touch it. Even if you are Akane-Sama personal attendant, you are not on the list. I suggest you tend to your duties."

"You've got to be kidding me. Most precious item? Only those certified? She's only worn it once and it belongs to me." Hajime protested as she tried to grab it from the maid's pocket.

Causing a ruckus outside the room, Akane stormed out of there, infuriated, "What is all the commotion?!" Making eye contact with her maid, she noticed the purple fabric hanging out of her pocket, "Didn't I give you a job to do? Go. Now!" The maid quickly bowed and rushed away as commanded.

"Akane-Sama, please," Hajime pleaded, "It's been weeks since you've taken it from me. Just when are you-"

"Enough!" Akane snapped back, "I told you; you would get it back when I was finished with it. Now get to work or I'll let Byakuya-Sama know how you're failing in your duties and cut your pay."

Clenching her fists in anger, Hajime stormed away to her room. She had no choice but to follow orders if she wanted to graduate from the Academy. After almost six hours of going through different invitation templates, Akane was finally pleased, and Hajime was able to send out the invitations to the ball in September.

. . .

As Hajime returned to school, she was met with ridicule and disgust. Making her way to her seat in Kido 3, her classmates threw crumpled pieces of paper at her. Opening one, she saw that it read "cheater" on it. She figured all the rest had the same tone and tried to ignore it. Throughout the day, Hajime only spoke when spoken to and took every bit of hatred thrown at her. By the time she returned to the Manor, she was mentally exhausted.

Having some spare time before heading to Akane's side, Hajime decided to meditate with her Asauchi in the garden. It was the best way to continue to form the bond between them and she really needed the fresh air.

Byakuya, who just returned from his Barracks, couldn't help but stop and observe Hajime, she sure is working hard, he thought to himself with a smile.

"Byakuya-Sama!"

"Honey!" Both Tanaka and Akane called out in unison.

Hajime turned around and her eyes met Byakuya's, only silence was shared between them.

"Byakuya-Sama, your presence is requested immediately," Tanaka stated.

"Wait, honey. You're not going to be gone all day, are you?" Akane batted her eyelashes to try and make Byakuya feel guilty. With how her reading went the other day, she found hope and decided to openly show her affection toward Byakuya. Though he wasn't quite used to that and it caught him off guard a bit.

"My apologies, Akane. I have duties I must tend to. Do not wait for me."

Disappointed, she turned her bad attitude to Hajime whom she spotted meditating in the garden, "Oi, filth!" she yelled out, "Go fetch some wine for me and my mother. Now!"

Releasing a sigh as she was only able to meditate for a couple of minutes, Hajime put her Asauchi away and made her way to the kitchen. However, she noticed that the kitchen staff was too preoccupied with looking through the tiny crack of the door into the kitchen.

"Um, is something going on in the kitchen today?" She whispered, sending a chill down the workers' spine.

"Ah, Kisumoto-San! Don't scare us like that!" One of the workers whispered back.

"Sorry! But what's going on?"

"Look!"

Hajime walked over and peered through the crack of the door to see Rukia intensely mixing a substance inside a bowl. "Rukia? What is she doing?" Hajime asked the staff. However, before they could answer, they heard Akane yell from down the hall and one of the startled workers accidentally pushed Hajime through the door and she fell on the floor with a loud thud.

"Ah, that hurt," she said rubbing her forehead as she slowly got up off the floor.

"Hajime? What're you doing down there?"

"Nothing!" She gave an embarrassed giggle, "What're you doing Rukia?" She looked at the contents of the bowl and recognized the familiar sweet substance, "Are you making chocolate?"

"Yeah…" She admitted, embarrassed. "Valentine's Day is coming up soon and I thought I'd make Renji some chocolate but…" Looking at the bowl in her hands, the chocolate was stiff and clumpy; a non-desirable texture for making chocolate.

That's right… I forgot about Valentine's Day.

"Hey, Hajime, do you know how to make chocolate?"

"Eh? Ah, yes, I do."

"Really?! Rukia's attitude perked up, "Let's make some together! You should give some chocolate to someone too!"

"Give chocolate to someone…?" Her mind instantly thought of Byakuya, only causing her more pain. I could never…

"So…" Rukia examined Hajime's expression, "There is someone then?" she teased.

Hajime blushed and quickly tried to distract Rukia by dumping out her batch of chocolate and gathering the ingredients to make a new batch.

"Is it Nii-Sama? Rukia asked bluntly with a smile.

Shocked, Hajime looked at her while trying to keep calm, "H-How…?"

"It's obvious the way you two look at one another. And I've noticed early on that he calls you 'Hajime'. You like him, don't you?"

"N-no!" Yes, she thought to herself, "of course not!" Hajime started to blush as she tried to deny her feelings for Byakuya.

"Oh?" Then why are you getting so flustered and so… pink?" Rukia examined with a small chuckle.

Slowly losing her smile, Hajime placed the bowl down and looked to Rukia, who was able to sense the sadness in her eyes, "He's married… His fate has already been decided for him. I'm a nobody, what right do I have to interfere with his marriage?'

"Hajime-"

"Oi!" A loud voice yelled from the kitchen entrance, "Didn't I tell you to fetch us some wine?! How long does it take to fetch a glass?!"

"R-right! Forgive me, Akane-Sama!" As Hajime went down to the cellar, Akane scanned all the bowls and materials on the countertop.

"What's all this?" She asked.

"We're making chocolate," Rukia explained.

"Chocolate?' Akane questioned in a disgusted tone, "what for?"

"Did you forget, Valentine's Day is just around the corner."

"Valentine's Day?" As Akane was about to go on a tangent about how much she hated Valentine's Day, she saw this as the perfect opportunity to shower Byakuya with some affection. Since the fortune tellers foretold a baby in the future, she believes she'll be able to get Byakuya to fall in love with her. Returning from the cellar, Hajime brought up a bottle of wine for Akane as requested. Snatching the bottle from Hajime's hands and returning to her room, Akane ordered Hajime to make her a set of chocolates for her to gift on Valentine's Day.

"That's odd," Rukia spoke, "Akane and Nii-Sama have never exchanged Valentine's Day gifts before, I wonder what changed her mind."

"She's been acting differently towards Kuchiki-Sama since their reading the other day. Since they're fated to have a child, she's probably trying to win his heart."

"I hope Nii-Sama doesn't fall for it…"

"We should get started…" Hajime urged, trying to change the subject, "I, uh, have some studying I want to catch up on."

After hours of melting chocolate, pouring them into molds, waiting for them to harden, and decorating them, the girls were pleased with their final results. Rukia decorated Chappy shaped chocolates and packaged them nicely for Renji. Hajime made some chocolate roses and put them aside for Akane.

"Are you sure you didn't want to make any for yourself?" Rukia asked.

"It's ok!" Hajime reassured her, "It's getting late and I wanted to spend more time meditating with my Asauchi. I'll see you tomorrow!"

As Hajime walked back to her room, Rukia grabbed her box of chocolates and decided to call it a night. On her way back, she saw Byakuya who returned earlier than planned.

"Nii-Sama," she greeted him.

"Rukia." He looked at the box in her hands and grew curious, "what's that?"

Embarrassed, she quickly hid the box behind her back, "Nothing!"

"It's chocolate, isn't it? For Renji." Rukia couldn't hide her embarrassment any longer, "I'm happy for you, Rukia. To find someone you love."

"Nii-Sama…" her tone sorrowful as she thought back on her conversation with Hajime, "Do you ever wish you weren't the Head of the Kuchiki Clan?"

Caught off guard he asked, "what do you mean?"

"For the past five years, you've been married to someone you don't even love. And now they're pushing for an heir?!"

"I never once loathed my position as the Head of the Kuchiki Clan."

"But look what it's cost you… Your freedom, independence, chances at love…"

"My duty is to my clan…and to my wife."

"And what about your duty to your heart—to yourself? I know you made a vow to Akane but she broke her vows a long time ago."

Byakuya stayed silent.

"You deserve to be happy too. To find love," Rukia paused, "I see how the two of you look at one another, don't you have feelings for Hajime?"

Thinking back to his encounters with Hajime, Byakuya couldn't deny that he felt nothing towards her. During the thunderstorm at the holiday banquet, Byakuya wouldn't dare leave her side after seeing how frightened she was. When she's injured and tries to brush it off, he can't help but want to ease her pain. And as their gazes briefly met this afternoon, he felt it; the pain and longing in her eyes.

"I just know," Byakuya spoke, "that it hurts, seeing her hurt."