Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Your Memory is My Revenge ❯ The Kiss ( Chapter 3 )

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any Bleach affiliates.

 

(A/N: My God it's late and I have to work tomorrow, ah well, here you go, Chapter numero trois, as always, read and review!)

 

Chapter 3

 

“After our first night together my days were filled with thoughts of Byakuya. He stayed with me as much as he could, and occasionally, he even neglected his duties as Captain to be beside me.

 

My happiness, however, was short lived. My thoughts, everyday, were mostly of him, yet there was another, one who I could not get out of my mind no matter how hard I tried…

 

It was one month into our marriage when I told him of her.

 

We were eating together when I placed my utensils down and pursed my lips.

 

Byakuya noticed the change in my demeanor and placed his down as well, he was sitting across from me and frowned slightly, asking what was wrong.

 

I stared at my hands for a long while before I was able to look him in the eye.

 

He was quiet, knowing that I needed time before I was able to speak.

 

`I have a sister.' I murmured quietly, my hands twisting in my lap. `But she is gone.'

 

`If she is still alive,' he answered automatically, `There is nothing I can do.'

 

`It is not that.' I said, tears brimming in my eyes. `She is in Rukongai, somewhere, but where, I know not.'

 

`You were separated when you came to this world.' Byakuya said quietly. `You came at separate times; it is understandable that you were divided.'

 

`No, Byakuya, it is not that.' I was biting my lip so hard it was beginning to bleed. `I—I—'

 

`Hisana,' he interrupted, `Please, if it is too difficult for you to say, do not say it.'

 

`No!' I cried, `I m-must.'

 

I was weeping openly now, my fingers covering my eyes. Byakuya came to me and picked me up, he cradled me again, hugging me tightly.

 

`Hisana…' he murmured, kissing my forehead.

 

`I—I ab-abandonded her!' I wailed, pressing my face into his chest. `She was just a baby when she died and I abandoned her! I found a dirty, rank alleyway and I set her down.' I held my hands before my dripping eyes; it felt as if they were covered in blood. `She—she cried, she was crying painfully and I left her, I left her! She could be dead! She could be thirsty! Hundreds of horrible things could be happening to her! I am living in a grand palace as a princess and she—she is left alone! Byakuya, I am terrible for letting this happen to her!'

 

`Shh, shh, shh… Hisana, please, do not get so excited. You must rest.' He whispered, rocking me with a gentler touch.

 

`I cannot rest,' I sobbed. `I was selfish and thought only of myself. We died at the same time and were sent to the same place but I left her! I left her Byakuya, and I can never find rest, never! Not until I find her, Byakuya, I need to find my sister, Rukia!'

 

I remember collapsing in his arms, tears flowing freely down my face. He picked me up with care and took me to our room, I remember crying as he set me down and held me, rocked me, as I slowly fell into a fitful and pitiful sleep.

 

When I woke the next morning and he was not there. My eyes were red and puffy and I felt as if I had been crying for years.

 

I rose from my bed and made my way to the veranda. It was where Byakuya went to stare at the cherry trees and think.

 

I needed to apologize to him, I needed to tell him my outburst was out of line, I needed to tell him that my own actions came with my own consequences, and I needed to tell him that those consequences were not his to bear.

 

I found him exactly where I thought he would be. I wrapped my robe tighter and came before him. Bending my neck I started to murmur my apology when he swiftly came before me and placed a finger underneath my chin.

 

`Stand,' he said clearly, `You are my wife and I shall not have you bowing before me as though you were a servant.' His voice was chilled but I knew it held no ill will.

 

I nodded and did as I was told, however my eyes were still averted.

 

`Byakuya,' I muttered, `I am sorry for breaking like that. I should have had more self control.' My eyes glanced towards the side, `My problems with my sister should not burden one such as yourself.'

 

His eyes hardened slightly, I gulped at the sight but knew what he was thinking.

 

`I know, Byakuya, I should not think that way, I am your wife and… and you love me.' I whispered.

 

`Your problems are my problems, my love.' He said, placing a hand on my shoulder. `Come.' He murmured, he held out his other hand and smiled warmly at me.

 

I took his proffered hand and allowed him to lead me to the courtyard of the Kuchiki house. The blossoms were in full bloom and they graciously floated down, riding on tiny breezes sent from the heavens. One of them fell on top of my nose and I sneezed… I had been doing more of that lately… sneezing that is.

 

I was led to the center of the courtyard, where three men, dressed in the traditional Shinigami robes, stood. I did not recognize them but they seemed to recognize me.

 

Each of them bowed and addressed me properly. I nodded my head to them and bent my spine slightly, and then I turned to Byakuya. `Who are these men, Byakuya?'

 

A small smile turned his lips slightly. `These are men from my squad, they are to help you in your search for your sister…' he paused and glanced down at me. `Our sister.'

 

My bottom jaw dropped and my hands flew to my mouth, `B-Byakuya!' I trembled and flung my arms around his neck; he wrapped his arms around my waist and hugged me tightly.

 

`I want you to be happy, Hisana, and if finding your sister will make you happy, then I will help you find her.' He murmured into my hair.

 

We ignored the other men in the courtyard, who were uncomfortable with the obvious affection my husband—their captain—was showing.

 

`Thank you,' I murmured and hugged my husband tighter.

 

`Anything for you,' he said, kissing me lightly on the mouth.”

 

Rukia shrieked as she was slammed against a stone wall.

 

Groaning, she slid down the brick and wiped the blood from her eyes. The violet irises watched the Hollow in front of her approach ominously. Summoning her spirit energy she shouted, “Kido number one! Restrain!” Her fingers made the appropriate movements and the binding spell fell into place.

 

The Hollow before her shrieked as its arms locked behind its back. With that once occupied, Rukia turned to the other, more formidable monster.

 

Lurching forward she placed her hand on her Zanpakuto, unlocking the guard she withdrew her blade and called its name.

 

“Sode no Shirayuki!” She cried drawing forth her glimmering white Zanpakuto.

 

Leaping towards the beast she dodged its three-clawed hand—which was five times her size. After missing once and then again he rushed forward and swiped at her a third time. The last hit was successful, as the tip of one claw grazed her shoulder, slit the skin, and dug deep into her flesh.

 

Snarling in pain she released her swords ability with a sharp cry and watched as a circle of ice was formed to engulf the beast. Its body froze and shattered into the alley. Rukia turned on the other one and dove forward, she slit the things bone-masked face with a single stroke. It disappeared into the air and Rukia floated to the ground.

 

After a moment of rest she stood shakily and sealed her Zanpakuto. She looked down at her shoulder and snarled, the injury was deep but not serious, in an effort to dull the pain she began to rip at the cloth covering the injured appendage. She tore off the clothing piece by piece until she had enough for a makeshift bandage.

 

Wrapping it around her shoulder, she then moved her fingers through her hair, searching for the cut that seared through her forehead.

 

“Great…” she muttered, she drew her fingers back and felt the sticky blood that ran down them. “I need something to stop the bleeding.”

 

“Rukia!”

 

She turned her head and felt her glare grown in proportion as Ichigo came running up behind her. He was in his Shinigami clothing and had his hand pressed to the hilt of his Zanpakuto.

 

Her profile grew rigid as he approached, her icy cold glare warning him. Suddenly he stopped and his eyes widened at the sight of her, her hands covered in sticky red liquid, her shoulder bandaged improperly, and half her face covered in crimson blood.

 

Before she knew it he was before her, his hands tightly grasping her forearms.

 

“Rukia! What happened? Were you just attacked?” He cried frantically, shaking her slightly.

 

She tried to push his hands away but they tightened on her bloodied arms.

 

“I took care of it.” She huffed, jerking herself away.

 

“You're covered in blood!” He shouted and suddenly yanked her forward, enclosing her in an impenetrable embrace.

 

Rukia gasped and tried to pull away, but he wouldn't let go. She felt his body shaking as he held her. Probably with anger, she thought bitterly. What will he do, squeeze my head off?

 

“Rukia,” he whispered, and she felt something light touch the top of her head.

 

Her back stiffened and she quaked in—in—wait, what was she quaking in? Or was he just making her shake?

 

“Rukia,” he said once more. There it was again, the feather-light touch on her head, only it was lower this time, further towards her temple. She was shaking again and she knew it was of her own doing, in fact, she was shaking almost as badly as he was. She knew she wasn't cold, she knew she wasn't afraid, she knew she wasn't angry, all she knew was she was just standing, awaiting Ichigo's next move.

 

“Rukia, you have to call me, you have to… you can't get hurt, you just can't, you have to be safe, you just have to be…” he muttered, he was speaking to her temple now, his face touched it lightly and she felt the cords in her neck tighten at the contact.

 

“Ichigo,” she whispered shakily, “What are you doing?” His hands had let go of hers and were gripping the back of her neck, pulling her closer to him.

 

“Rukia, you need to let me protect you.” He whispered, his lips brushing her cheek. “You can't get hurt. I won't have you spilling anymore blood.”

 

His lips, lightly tainted with her blood, skimmed over her lips. She tried to jerk away but his fingers tightened on her neck. Within a moment he leaned forward once again and brushed his lips over hers. The brush led to another and another and another until there were no more objections from her, until there were no more punches in the arm, until she was beginning to beg for the contact. It was only then that he settled his lips completely over hers.

 

Rukia gasped and felt her head tilt back. Good God, what was she doing? This was Ichigo! Ichigo who had… who had…

 

She felt a moan come through her mouth as it opened wider and wider under Ichigo's assault. The taste of him was overwhelming as it flowed through her body. The sweet taste of blood—her blood—on his tongue was driving her wild.

 

Her hands snaked their way up his arms until she was gripping him as tightly as he was gripping her. Now there was need, only need, raw need. She felt the pounding in her heart growing louder and louder as Ichigo's mouth angled over hers. His lips, his teeth, and his tongue knocked against hers as they fought for dominance of the hard pressed kiss.

 

This kiss was… it was…

 

It was bright outside, Rukia was walking home from school; she was supposed to be walking with Ichigo, only he had stayed after class to ask the Ms. Ochi about a missed homework assignment.

 

She had turned a corner to walk to his house when she saw him… them. His bright orange head was pressed so close to hers, her hair was equally as colorful, their lips and their arms were as entwined as hers and his were now.

 

“Stop it!” She cried, pushing him away, the pain she had forgotten in her shoulder came screaming to life again.

 

Ichigo jumped back, a dazed look on his face.

 

“What?” He asked, his voice sounding oddly breathless. “What is it?”

 

Rukia could feel her body shaking and her heart pounding. She placed her uninjured hand over her bloodied shoulder and pursed her lips. In a deadly voice she whispered, “Don't ever, ever, do that again.”

 

“What?” Ichigo started, coming forward as she turned to leave, “Rukia, why?”

 

She turned her head sharply, tears flowing from the lids, and screamed, “I saw you kissing her Ichigo! I saw it with my own eyes!”

 

And in a flash she was gone, leaving Ichigo in the alley, his heart and his mind tumbling.