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Tag	By : LilMonk Category: Bleach > Het - Male/Female Views: 11403 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 14
- 15
- 16
Disclaimers: Bleach is the
sole property of Kubo Tite. I only own this fanfic.

A/N:Words in Italics denotes personal
thoughts (hence scenes of the past are in this font, as they are being
remembered).

When I use the word
�man�, I�m using it in the context of gender and not (im) mortality.

Previously:

The other man was running like the wind. There was no way he
would duel again with this fifth seat of the eleventh division, when there was
no substantial improvement yet in his own power. Shuuhei made a mental note to
self: when colourful sprinkles vanish and those sparkly eyes no longer twinkle
like a baby�s, it�s time to head for the hills.

�Oi, get back here! If you don�t, I�m coming after you!�

The sound of fading footsteps left a still figure alone in the shadows
once more.

The only way to do so is to die� to
hesitate, when there is no surety of a tomorrow� I won�t make the same mistake
twice!

0o----------------------o0

Swansong?

The moment had finally arrived. Their rescue-and-retrieve mission had
ended, and it was time to return to the human world before school started for
these teenagers. The central courtyard was filled with people, enjoying one of
the sunnier mornings of inconsistent spring weather.

Zaraki was grinning at a nervous-looking Ichigo, while Ikkaku heartily
slapped him on the back after telling another cheesy joke. Renji was happily
conversing with Rukia and Kira. Ishida was attempting to convince Shunsui of the
benefits of changing his robes for something less flowery and shapeless (maybe
something with a leaf motif), while Unohana tried not to laugh at how seriously
her friend was arguing against those proposed merits. The debate ended when an
irritated Nanao dumped an entire basket of petals forcefully onto her captain�s
head, knocking him into a blissful daze at the same time. Ganjyu was getting
annoyed with an enthusiastically gushing Yumichika and vice-versa, causing
Shuuhei to try and act as mediator before everything went up in fireworks.

That little vice captain of Zaraki�s was befuddling Chad with
never-ending questions. Jyuushiro was an adorable beet red as Kuukaku teased him
about his hair; wait until he found out about her house(s)� Orihime was chatting
with Rangiku about recipes involving red bean paste and describing Karakura
High School. From the puzzled looks on Hitsugaya�s and Hanatarou�s faces, they
weren�t quite getting the concept of inserting straws into packet drinks.

Observing from under the shade of sturdy awning, she was glad that they
had all made friends worth keeping and remembering. If any further problems
cropped up and help was required where Aizen was concerned, Kurosaki Ichigo was
always welcome. Furthermore, she would be the bridge for both sides, since
Yama-ji, Shunsui, Juushiro and Soi Fong had tag-teamed together to coerc-er,
persuade her to help re-strengthen Seirei-tei. With all the reconnaissance
missions, she wouldn�t be spending much time in here anyway. Coming back to
Soul Society would be no problem for that newly acknowledged shinigami, but as
to the rest� Enough delaying. It was her turn to intervene. Rising and
stretching stiff haunches, the black cat pottered towards the large group. Her
gravel-like wryness captured their attention.

�Done with the farewells, I hope. Let�s go to our departure point-�

A huge shadow fell across the small feline, and she could see everyone
staring with varying degrees of frozen inquisitiveness at something behind her.
Tense hackles rose as she sensed danger. Rukia gave her the biggest clue as to
this sudden intrusion.

�N-Nii-sama�?�

Glancing around behind her and having to crane her neck painfully didn�t
really tell Yoruichi anything, since he had on the same glacial expression that
could have instantly solidified hot water. Ignoring everybody else while
nodding in acknowledgement of Rukia�s greeting, his entire attention rested on
furry sleekness at his feet.

�Shihouin Yoruichi. There�s something I would discuss with you� in
private.�

�Just spit it out.�

�I refuse to speak to one who�s clearly lacking in decorum.�

Man and animal stared coldly at each other.

What was it Kisuke had said, about the past coming back to bite one�s
ass with a vengeance? Glancing around, she could see that everybody else
present was shooting puzzled looks their way, while trying not to cower at the
suffocating enmity of their combined spiritual pressures. Zaraki Kenpachi
however, was looking at her with the creepy smile he normally reserved for
Ichigo� Damn. She should have continued restraining her spiritual aura. Orihime
was twiddling her thumbs worriedly; the girl was probably wondering if the two
were going to fight. Ichigo and Ganjyu had identical �I smell insanity�
expressions on their faces.

If there was such a thing as reincarnation, Yoruichi decided to come
back as a plant. Asexuality was so much easier and so was social interaction.
She threw a fierce glare at the other people, the sternness of that look
warning them not to interfere or eavesdrop.

�All right, but be quick.�

Following the man who had turned his back on her and was walking away,
the black cat padded after him noiselessly. Finally halting behind the first building
they passed, Byakuya whirled around and gestured towards a dead end ten feet
away. Pale amber slits shrinking in suspicion, nevertheless the wary feline
slunk past him. After a few more footsteps, the sound of his movement ceased.
Now she was the one who had to turn around and attempt to figure out what he
was after.

Being instantly blanketed in mauve softness was the last thing she
expected. It was hard trying to find her way out of these troublesome folds,
when one did not possess hands. Has he gone mad-

�Change back to your original self. Now.�

On top of that, he had lost all semblance of polite etiquette. Well, she
couldn�t teach him a lesson in quadruped form. Her answer came out muffled as
she inhaled a mouthful of cloth midway.

�Don�t peek-�

Coughing as she pushed the thrown fabric off her face, Yoruichi was
relieved that he was no longer facing her. However, it did occur to the
ex-Special Operations commander that he had frequently seen everything on more
than one occasion, so the request for preserving modesty was rather� redundant.
Hastily pulling the garment on and doing it up properly, she sighed. The
sleeves were overly long and this kimono was too roomy.

�I�m done.�

Resisting a ridiculous urge to back away from the advancing figure, that
only heightened her discomfort and induced her to switch into leadership mode.
The younger man definitely had the psychological advantage here. She felt
slovenly in appearance, by comparison to him. Neither could she guess his
motives and was inwardly off-balance. He was definitely fit to be the leader of
the House of Kuchiki, for his air of regal seriousness was starting to
intimidate her.

�You want everything conclusively resolved, don�t you?�

Oh no, he was still fixated on that night. What had possessed her to
ever become involved with this stubborn shinigami in the first place? A
splitting headache was probably going to strike soon. Deciding to play along
and see where this was going, she nodded.

�Kiss me.�

�What?!�

It came out as a strangled squeak. Shocked incredulousness was too
apparent, as she retreated involuntarily until the wall greeted her back.
Putting out one hand to stop the approaching noble, all he did was push that
arm down by her side but came no closer.

�You said the past is dead. Prove it. This should mean nothing to you,
since our history no longer matters.�

So grave� So proud- She could not stand it. Resisting the unseemly urge
to panic meant being unable to subdue the sarcasm.

�Killing me seemed more preferable.�

A fine black eyebrow was arched. There was the mildest hint of reproach,
along with (what could possibly have passed for) minor regret in his reply.

�In light of our history together, was my reaction at the Senzaikyuu
really that� surprising?�

�No. Yes. I don�t know.�

He didn�t like seeing her this miffed. Some pacifying might be
necessary.

�Seeing you after so long and saving the enemy, especially the way you
caught-I mean, sided with him-So I� might have overreacted.�

Saucer-shaped yellow irises were staring at Byakuya, as if he�d just
announced Ukitake Jyuushiro�s romantic elopement with a herd of goats into the
mountains.

�Might. Have. Overreacted?�

�I was compelled to do so, in the line of duty.�

She was massaging her temples. A huge migraine was definitely brewing.

�Wait, I caught Ichigo and that�s why you objec- As if I�d let him be
further injured after cruelly knocking him out! And did I just hear you
confess-�

Pale skin around high cheekbones was now suffused with deepening pink,
as her next line of incredulousness confirmed the embarrassing revelation he
had unintentionally given away.

�You were jealous� of a fifteen-year-old boy?!�

He said nothing.

�Granted, Kurosaki-bo is rebelliously tempting. But he�s practically a
baby by our standards. You-you-�

An enlightened Yoruichi didn�t know whether to be pleased or stupefied,
but she definitely wanted to box some sense into the man.

On the other hand, Byakuya had had just about enough (self-)humiliation
for one day. Plus they were meandering rather far from the main contentious
issue.

Both sides tried to glare a hole through the other�s skull.

It was so painfully familiar- She looked away first, showing a reluctant
smile that could not be hidden while shaking her head.

Seeing her relax, he too softened in response. Just recapturing that
little bit of awry amusement was oddly comforting.

They were back to square one.

He was not touching her, and standing half an arms-length away. Both
hands remained against his robes as he looked down at her. Shihouin Yoruichi
swallowed nervously. This was not a scenario she had envisioned or was prepared
for. There was no obligation to do so, but� It was never fair on him.

Kisuke was right, she owed him some form of honest answer. Still� Can
I really kill everything that happened between us? She�d find out.

Byakuya watched the play of changing emotions over agonized features.
The only thing that was evident was conflict. Those unique irises held a mild
gleam of green, as a weak ray of sunlight fell across dusky delicateness. Then
she stepped closer, eyes focused on his mouth. All emotion was gone now, as a
small chin was tilted towards his. Sudden fear struck him as irrational. Am
I really going to lose her forever?

The gentle pressure of uncertain softness on his lips interrupted
further speculation on that question.

They did not move. Lips touching, limbs remaining apart, everything
seemed hushed. Then he felt a slight shift, as a much greater surface area of
warmth came into contact with his body. An opening in vulnerability was
initiated, which she readily reciprocated. Their tongues tentatively meeting,
then-A slim hand closed about his shoulder as the other went to his waist. A
long-lost surge of joy filled him.

Losing herself in the deepening haze of pleasure, she was dimly aware of
being pulled closer, cool fingers cradling the nape of her neck as his other
hand found the small of her back. No matter how much I try, I still can�t
deny- Trembling slightly at the daunting mixture of elation and contentment
washing over her. A familiarity only experienced with him.

Hip to hip, shoulder to shoulder, consumed by the mutual inclination of
unsuppressed yearning and tender sentiment, a high-pitched squeal from a
cherubic pink-haired girl roused the two out of their bubble of intimacy.

�Sorry, I didn�t mean to see that!�

Yachiru merrily waved at them, while a battered-looking Makizou was attempting
to crawl away from her. Upon catching sight of a pair of yellow eyes blazing
with murderous intent, he decided to crawl faster. His little vice-captain was
not the least bit perturbed.

�Ikka-chan, Yumi-chan, wait up! I�m supposed to take you three there and
meet Ken-chan!�

Grabbing hold of a traumatised friend and hoisting him above her head,
she scampered off after a disappearing cloud of dust. The two were left alone
in the alley once more.

�About Hisana��

He could hear the pensiveness in her voice; see the doubt on her face.

�She too has a special place in my heart, but you were always there
before her.�

Yoruichi opened her mouth again to question him further but his kiss
clarified everything. Breaking apart for air a short while later, he whispered
hoarsely, �I don�t care about the unexplained past. I need your presence� as much
as you require mine.�

Breath catching in her throat at the implications, a choked gasp escaped
her as his lips found the exposed triangle of flesh, leading up the bare
expanse of her neck to graze her cheek. Tasting saltwater, Byakuya stopped.
Kissing her closed eyelids, a thumb and forefinger encircled her chin.
Perplexed concern gently questioned Yoruichi.

�Why are there tears?�

She could not explain overwhelmingly staggering relief any more than she
could embrace the moon. All she could do was give a weak smile.

�I�m j-just being silly-�

�Shh��

Drawing her even closer, he was nudging her nose with his. Lips brushed
passion-bruised softness once, twice� then recaptured what he had missed so
despondently all this time. Curling fingers slipped down to grip his shoulders,
as their bodies shifted to seal off unnecessary space between them. Loose folds
slid off slim shoulders. Threading her fingers gently through black hair, she
pressed her mouth hungrily against his.

Lean fingers slipped between the seams of oversized clothing to close
over the curve of her hip. Moving along the arch of a sloping spine, shallow dip
of a small waist� Her body was flattened against his, as their kiss became more
intoxicating. Unintentionally undoing barely concealed propriety, while
inflaming growing possessiveness-

�Ichigo! If the Eleventh-division captain doesn�t kill you, I will!
Tossing Rukia again, you dumbass sonofa-�

Skidding to a halt on worn cobblestones, the vice-captain of the sixth
division blinked as he looked to his left. A bright red blush coloured his
cheeks, the vibrant shade clashing with his magenta hair. Was it possible for
the earth to immediately open and swallow him up? Nevermind the seductively
dishevelled allure of the woman, whose body was shielded from view by the man
who had turned slightly. The spiritual aura of his captain had suddenly become
intensely suffocating and from the menacing glint in those jet-black eyes, he
might be seriously considering bankai-ing his fuku-taichou into oblivion.

�M-my apologies, Kuchiki-taichou��

It was amazing how much fuel Fear could add to speed.

�Byakuya, I have to go now.�

She couldn�t delay, or else she might never want to leave. Those
children would need guidance, and she had promised Kisuke to return. Plus,
there was still Aizen and his plans to deal with�Torn between bittersweet
aching and responsibility, she could see the same torment reflected in the grim
lines of his face. The insistent pressure of his body against hers told her how
much he wanted her, a craving that she was having extreme difficulty
restraining oneself from reciprocating on the spot.

He could wait. He would settle for nothing less after this, as all those
painful years had taught him.

�I�m the most selfish of men. I want it all� Kuchiki Yoruichi.�

While tracing a gently sloping jaw-line, his fingers were caught by
darker ones that brought his hand to rest against rounded softness of her
cheek.

�Keep the hairpins properly. I may want them back.�

Then she was gesturing for him to turn around. Long hair mussed,
clothing partially undone yet standing there with such regal poise; still exquisite,
still endearing� still his. Lowering his eyes respectfully, he turned away from
her. Several seconds later, a non-descript black cat paced past him. Stopping
in its tracks, saffron mistiness met night-black gentleness.

Then it veered right around the corner and was gone.

Looking up at scattered clusters of unblemished clouds, he noted the
soothing manner in which they were streaked through with radiant sunlight.
Picking up discarded clothing, straightening his robes and walking out of the
alley, he turned left to head towards the execution grounds. The outsiders
still had to be sent off. Byakuya also had a mountain of reports to go through
in his office. Later, he would take Rukia to visit her sister�s grave.

It was going to be a beautiful day.

Owari

A/N:From here, it splits into 2 parts. There�s a possible future AU that does not cater to the manga but whimsical indulgence, and goes for 3 chapters. Then after that, it�s one chapter to tie back in with the manga. Both parts have nothing to do with each other.

Trivia: Ended up completing a full circle of sorts throughout this fic.
Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring. Incidentally, that last season is what�s
currently happening here. Hm.
- 14
- 15
- 16
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