Well hello friends, it's been some time, hasn't it?

So sorry for disappearing, a lot happened and writer's block hit me so hard with this next chapter.

This chapter is pretty short but better than nothing, right? I needed an 'in-between' chapter that pulled into the events of the next so I had little planned at first for what to write.

Thank you so much to old + new readers for liking this fic! Since I have a sudden rush of inspiration, the goal is to get this finished by this year. Hopefully, I can release chapters more frequently. I would say we are about 3/4 of the way there, maybe?

Well, until next time!

Opening her eyes to the gentle sunrays, Akane was met with Hiro's gaze. No matter what she tried to hide, he could always see right through her with his sparkling eyes.

With a smile on her face, she whispered, "It wasn't a dream..." as she lovingly traced her fingers across his face.

Hiro gently placed his hand on top of hers and stared at her intensely, as if trying to etch her image into his memory. "You have no idea how much I've missed you."

"I think I may have an idea…"

"Akane," he said, his tone becoming serious as he sat up on the bed, "What happened last night was a mistake."

Akane, sitting beside him, let out a sigh and gently placed her hand on his back, leaning against it. "It's not fair for you to come back into my life out of nowhere and expect me to be okay with you leaving again..."

As he turned around, he reached out to hold her hand and moved his lips closer to hers, but stopped himself before they could kiss once more. As he glanced at her, he noticed her eyes were shut, and she longed for another kiss. "It's time for me to go," he murmured, slowly disengaging.

When Akane was getting dressed, she cautiously checked outside her room and realized that no one was in the hallway. She pulled Hiro along with her, bringing him to the front courtyard by the gate of the manor. No words were spoken between them, only looks filled with longing. As they let go of each other's hands, Hiro looked back and passionately pulled her in for one final kiss. Pulling apart, Akane asked, "You won't ask me to go with you?"

"If I did, would you?" With a conflicted expression, she glanced at him, acknowledging that they both knew her purpose for being there. Tenderly brushing her cheek one more time, Hiro said his goodbyes and discreetly exited through the gate of the manor.

Akane took a step towards the closing gate, but her mother swiftly yanked her back.

"I was so drunk yesterday that I thought I was hallucinating," she said angrily, her grip on Akane's wrist tightening. "But that person I just saw was Hasegawa Hiro, right?" With her gaze shifting, Akane had to be cautious in selecting her next words. "What if someone saw you? I made it clear that you should stay away from him. He abandoned you! He-"

"You lied to me!" Akane snapped back, pulling her wrist out of her mother's grip. "He told me everything. He told me what you did to him, how he feels, he-"

"It doesn't matter how he feels!" Her reply was sharp, "So you believe you're completely free to do as you wish? He tells you he loves you and you think you're meant to be?" With intense gazes exchanged, Akihiko eventually inquired, "What did he want?"

In a gesture of annoyance, Akane rolled her eyes and let out a scoff.

Narrowing her eyes, Akihiko asked, "Did you sleep with him?"

There was no response from Akane as she shamefully looked away.

"Answer me!" Akihiko shouted, forcefully gripping Akane's shoulders, demanding, "Did you sleep with him?!"

"Yes." Akane's response was filled with spite as she smirked at her mother. Filled with anger, Akihiko forcefully slapped Akane. Surprised by the sudden slap, Akane simply laughed as she put her hand against her stinging cheek.

"Are you really the kind of person we should rely on to lead our clan? Your father would be disappointed," Akihiko said in a chilly manner.

Akane's anger built up until it reached its breaking point, but before she could raise her hand against her mother, someone grabbed her arm.

"Akane-Sama," Hajime greeted respectfully, bowing slightly and holding onto Akane's arm, "I wanted to confirm that you did not need my assistance today." They made eye contact, and she could sense the hidden tears beneath her anger. "You must be exhausted from yesterday's festivities. How about I prepare a bath for you?"

Taking a deep breath, she agreed to the bath and made her way back toward her room. Hajime gave a small bow to Akihiko before trailing closely behind Akane. "How much did you hear?" she asked.

"Enough." She admitted.

. . .

"How are you feeling?" Hajime asked as she was brushing Akane's hair while she was in the tub.

"Who told you to intervene?"

"I was just trying to be helpful..."

"I didn't ask for your help. Let alone your pity."

Hajime sighed softly as she set the hairbrush aside, asking, "Do you believe that ignoring your pain will make it disappear?"

"What do you know about my pain?" With a defeated tone, Akane turned slightly towards Hajime and asked.

"I may not know the pressures you face as a noblewoman but… I know what it's like to be a prisoner in your own home." Akane and Hajime shared a moment of connection as they both recognized the pain in each other's eyes. "Hasegawa Hiro was your escape, wasn't he?"

Remembering the incident when Akihiko punished Hiro in the courtyard, Akane closed her eyes and admitted, "I have only brought him heartache and pain."

"And yet, he longed to see you. To speak to you one last time, despite the consequences."

And just seeing him so briefly, caused my heart to stir. Akane let out a sigh and said, "Before, when I believed what my mother told me, and pushed Hiro out of my heart, I thought Byakuya-Sama and I could fall in love. He was kind at first. He knew I was displeased with the arrangement but still made sure I was taken care of and was comfortable. Eventually, I let go of my anger and accepted that this was my fate. I married him like I was told, so why couldn't I enjoy myself while I was free to do so? He never cared about how many people I slept with or if I returned the next day from a nobleman's party. I broke all our vows and yet, he showed me no ill will. Even throwing myself at him, he showed no emotion. He simply tolerated me. I thought maybe he was incapable of love after losing his first. But I was wrong. His demeanor changed, gaze softened, and his voice grew sweeter. But that wasn't because of me." She looked directly at Hajime and said, "It was because of you."

Surprising her, Hajime became flustered and couldn't find the right words, "Uh. Um-"

"I'm constantly underestimated," she scoffed, "but I'm no fool."

Guilt consumed Hajime as she sat there, reflecting on the events of last night.

"I see the way he looks at you because I had that once, too. And while I would do anything to get that back, Byakuya-Sama and I are trapped in this loveless marriage, forced to bear an heir.

"Akane-Sama, there's something I feel I should tell you…"

She gestured with her hand, signaling "Don't."

As they sat in silence, Akane couldn't escape the echoes of Akihiko's words: "Your father would be disappointed."

In shock, Hajime quickly grabbed a bathrobe from the closet to cover Akane, who had suddenly stood up from the tub.

Akane, with wet hair and barefoot, finally found Byakuya as she paced around the manor. Renji was briefing him on a mission report when she rushed over, catching the two men off guard.

"Byakuya-Sama," she said desperately, "Let's have a baby."

Stunned, Byakuya stood frozen, his eyes wide open, searching for the right words. Throat cleared, he questioned, "Akane, you're not suggesting this instant, are you?"

Sensing it was time to go, Hajime and Renji, blushing intensely, hurriedly came up with an excuse to escape the uncomfortable situation, talking over each other as they made themselves scarce.

Akane blushed as she became aware of her appearance and quickly adjusted her robe to cover herself more securely. Byakuya found amusement in witnessing a side of Akane he had never seen before. Taking off his haori, he covered her with it.

"After being married for five years and facing pressure from both our families, it's finally time, Byakuya-sama."

Byakuya understood that Akane's unwavering belief in the prophecies from the fortunetellers earlier that year meant that it wouldn't be long before she was ready to begin attempting to conceive a child. He simply wished that the timing had been different, particularly in light of what occurred last night.

"It is not as if we haven't consummated our marriage before," Akane stated.

"I understand," Byakuya responded. He took a moment to collect himself, inhaling deeply before informing Akane that he had an important matter to disclose. Placing her finger on his lips, she gently shook her head and reassured him that she was not concerned about whatever it was.

"Would it be okay if I returned to the main room with you?" She interrupted him and asked, not giving him a chance to continue speaking.

"Of course. I'll make sure to have Mikasa transfer your belongings back."

"Leave them. My mother will stay in my room, and she doesn't have many of her belongings here."

"In that case, I shall instruct Kisumoto-San to gather new furniture and clothing for you immediately. I have some business to take care of this afternoon, but I should be home at a reasonable time today. I will see you tonight?"

Responding with a smile, she leaned over to kiss him on the cheek, "I will see you tonight."

. . .

When Byakuya returned home for the night, he was surprised to learn that Akane had requested that they have dinner in their room. When he entered their room, he couldn't believe the scene before him.

The gentle illumination of the candles bathed the room in a soft and inviting ambient glow. Akane, in her nightgown, had a thinly decorated kimono draped over her as she sat on the tatami. Meanwhile, a romantic place setting awaited on the low table. The scent of lavender filled the air and scattered rose petals adorned the room, creating a calming effect for Akane, who was extremely nervous.

Akane greeted Byakuya with a warm "Welcome home" and helped him take off his haori. Changing into a simple white kimono, Byakuya joined Akane at the table for dinner.

It had been a while since they had the opportunity to be alone together, so engaging in casual conversation was a refreshing change.

After completing their meal and getting ready for the evening, they found themselves at a loss for what to do next. Although they have been affectionate in the past, it has been quite some time since they were last intimate with each other. Seeking clarity, Byakuya positioned himself near the open shoji, reminding himself of his duties.

Fed up with waiting and eager to take action, Akane removed her outer kimono and approached Byakuya, settling herself on his lap. With her hand on his cheek, she detected a faint hesitation in his gaze. Ultimately, she was starting to feel it as well.

"Akane…" he murmured.

"Close your eyes," she whispered, "And pretend I'm someone else. The people we long for the most but can never be with, that's who we can be to each other." As she caressed his face with her other hand, she drew closer and gazed into his wavering eyes, whispering, "Byakuya-Sama..."

Her soft whisper brought him back to the passionate night he had spent with Hajime. Gradually, he encircled her waist with his arm, while his other arm moved up to cradle the back of her head as their lips collided in desperation. Kissing passionately, he carefully carried her to the bed. Laying her down, they both looked at one another and envisioned the person they craved the most.