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Day 4. ❆ The first Snow
“Nii-sama, Nii-sama!” Rukia pulled a very stiff and reluctant Byakuya Kuchiki all the way through the Kurosaki household. He was not a fan of Isshin's antics but Rukia had insisted him to take a weekend off from his captain and clan leader’s role.
“I’m coming, Rukia, it isn’t propper to pull,” he tried to sound stern, however, since they mended their relationship, he had never been able to scold her again. If he ever tried, her cheeks would puff and her lips purse into a cute pout and her, rendering him useless.
“But, Nii-sama, we have to hurry!” Rukia was adamant, she had to reschedule and ask favors to free his agenda that weekend, pack his bag, and practically threaten him to get him to come. “I don’t want to miss it!”
“Miss what? Ichigo Kurosaki will wait for us,” he actually was enjoying Rukia’s efforts and how she held his hand tightly all the way.
“But the snow won't!” She let his hand go, changed her strategy, to push him through the dangai. “Please!”
“I see,” Bakuya now understood, somewhat, her hurry. Her zanpakuto's affinity with the element compelled her to get closer; he’s had the same feeling during the sakura season in the human world. “Let's hurry then,” he put his hand around her waist and carried her the rest of the way using his shunpo until they exited the path. “We’re here,” he said as he put Rukia on the floor.
“Nii-sama, don’t do that ever again!” her cheeks were blushed and she breathed heavily. “At least let me know...” She was more than a little dizzy, she had never been held that physically close to Byakuya and that was very overwhelming, not to mention his impressive speed made hold onto him for dear life.
“Let’s go to Urahara,” Byakuya offered her his hand to help her get back onto her feet. “We need gigai to visit Kurosaki,” he gave her a tiny smile at how cute she looked, it was a rare time she lowered her defenses in front of him.
“Y-y-yes...” Rukia reddened even more, up to her ears and neck, as she took his hand. “This way, Nii-sama.” The weather was quite cold and the sky gray, the contrasting temperatures accentuated her flushed cheeks.
As she led the way to Urahara Shoten, albeit unknowingly to the younger sister, Byakuya blushed because she reminded him a lot of Hisana. Both women were so much alike, even if they never got to actually know each other.
“Rukia, wait,” he grabbed her by the wrist to stop her midstem.
“Yes?” her voice came like a whisper, there was another reason why she brought him to Karakura.
Byakuya’s sudden actions paralyzed her, they were so out of his normal self. He placed his hands on her face and gazed at her with the softness she never expected to see from him, a paternal gaze.
“Hisana would have loved sharing this day with you,” and he placed a kiss on her forehead. “Kurosaki is a very lucky guy,” he was jealous to give Rukia away, a hundred years would still be too soon for him, yet he was also happy that Ichigo was the man in his sister’s heart. “And he better ask for your hand this weekend or he’ll face my wrath. I can’t thrust Renji with the paperwork,” he kept walking to Urahara without waiting for Rukia.
She was still stunned that he had figured out the reason Ichigo asked her to bring Byakuya, she hoped he didn’t guess the second reason.
The first snowflakes of the season began to fall on them without them realizing it.