ＤＯＮＴ ＬＥＴ ＧＯ (Byakuya Kuchiki/Ichigo Kurosaki)

ＤＯＮＴ ＬＥＴ ＧＯ (Byakuya Kuchiki/Ichigo Kurosaki)- 21

One week later;

Byakuya Kuchiki has a problem, to be more accurate he has several MAJOR problems. The first and most distracting issue being Kurosaki's coma. He drifted to sleep shortly after obtaining the Hogyoku, and hasn't so much as moved since. It's annoyingly typical of Kurosaki to do such a thing. If he isn't dragging his sister off to dangerous places, he is having personal meltdowns. He releases a sigh walking over to the large window in his office. His eyes move in the direction of the relief station. How can he go check on Ichigo without looking like he is?

"Something wrong captain?" Renji asks hearing the odd sounds from Captain Kuchiki.

"Nothing." He replies stepping toward the door. The next problem on his list being his Vice-captain, Abarai. The red head is practically sweating in his shoes waiting for him to say something about his recent trip to the Real world. However, Byakuya didn't feel the need to address it formally. He is secretly enjoying the mental torture of his silence. Just how many of the six major torture groups could he inflict on Renji? Maybe he could write a list and have Renji pick one?

"Going out? I can come too." Renji follows behind him babbling about the weather and pointless things. Then, there is the problem of Renji on his heels constantly. Following him around like a stray dog, barking at anyone who gets too close to his master.

To make matters worse Rukia is hanging around him asking him if he is alright. What does she mean? He isn't acting any different than normal, everything is like he was never human. People just won't leave him alone. So many distractions, no wonder Senbonzakura won't speak to him right now.

Wake up, Ichigo... I have to explain. Wake-up, wake-up, wake-up!!!

Byakuya is jolted from his thoughts as a shock of familiar reiatsu ripples around Soul Society.

"Ichigo's awake!" Renji exclaims taking off toward the relief station. Byakuya watches Renji vanish from sight, waiting until he turns the next corner and walks to the dead end in front of him. His shoulders droop slightly as the tension building up inside him for the last week is purged.

"Nii-sama."

"Yes Rukia?" Byakuya turns around wondering what Rukia was doing here.

"Ichigo is awake, I thought you might want to come with me to see him."

"Why would I-"

"I thought that if you went with me it would be less suspicious." Rukia's large eyes look up at him waiting for his response.

So many distractions...indeed.

"Ridiculous, there is no reason for me to-" Deny everything!

"Nii-sama, perhaps I should have worded my request more carefully." Rukia taps her index fingers together in false modesty. "Will you accompany me to the relief station?"

"Alright." He replies, colder than usual, stepping next to her as they walk to the relief station. Since when did Rukia learn to handle him so well? He sees through her request, but something compels him to be gentle with his little sister. It's weakness and self-indulgence to allow her influence over him. Kurosaki is kind to his sisters, maybe it's normal to patronize younger siblings? It doesn't matter, the bigger issue is, how is she aware of his...relationship? (Is that the right word for the thing between him and Ichigo?) Just how does she know about it? If Renji told her...torture! Blunt can be first, he can hit him with the hilt of Senbonzakura.

Thankfully Rukia didn't feel the need to say anything else until they walked into the relief station. Byakuya's gratitude will be short lived. She turns to him in an eerie high pitched voice saying the one thing he hadn't a contingency for.

"Nii-sama, I'll distract Renji for you so you can talk to Ichigo alone."

"Why do I-"

"Nii-sama, my room is next to yours." Rukia's voice drops low to a whisper, she leans motions Byakuya around the corner.

"I don't understand."

"You talk in your sleep."

CRAP! Fix that right away!

True to her word, Rukia manages to drag Renji out of Ichigo's room to 'talk'. Byakuya considers turning around and walking out the door. He rethinks that, squinting his eyes, no way he was going to run from anything. He is a Kuchiki, they don't run away but... they do deny things. Just pretend nothing happened, and you can go back to your comfortable life. With a brilliant plan in his head on how to act around Kurosaki, he walks into his room. Byakuya takes one look at his amber eyes and curses under his breath. Damn it, he looks sad.

"Yo Byakuya what brings you here?" Ichigo turns his head away from the dark-haired noble, forcing his gaze out the window.

"Rukia." Byakuya answers with his normal disinterested tone, secretly hoping his is acting is as convincing as his sister's.

"Ah, that sounds like her." He scratches his head, shifting his weight from foot to foot. "I always knew I'd end up here, but I assumed it would be a long time from now."

"Your decision was wise, for Orihime's and your sake."

"How is Inoue?" He turns to look at him for the first time; his eyes scan Byakuya's pale smooth skin.

"When Shinji was released they vanished into the night." Byakuya steps toward the door, fighting the urge to look in his eyes.

"Then she'll be fine, Shinji can protect her." Ichigo walks in over to the bed and picks up his sword.

"I have stayed too long, excuse me."

"Byakuya, I won't cause trouble for you."

Byakuya stops in his tracks, hearing Ichigo's strained words, his hand touching the warm wood of the door.  "I-I did not expect you too."

"Oi! Ichigo!" Renji bursts through the door, blowing Byakuya's hair back from his face. "Oh, sorry Captain Kuchiki, I didn't know you were in here."

"I was just leaving Vice-captain Abarai."

"Renji! I still think that picture is crooked, come back here and fix it!" Rukia yells, dragging Renji by the sleeve.

"Ichigo, I pulled some strings and turns out you can stay in the barracks with me until they place you in your division." Renji pats Ichigo on the back with a big grin on his face. Byakuya begins to walk out the door when Rukia speaks up.

"That's too bad because I already invited him to stay at the manor." Rukia elbows Byakuya for a reply. "Isn't that right, Nii-sama?" Byakuya stands there, dumbfounded at Rukia's actions. If he stays with you, maybe... Byakuya frowns creasing his brows together. Just ignore it, another distraction.

"Rukia, I-I don't want to be any trouble." Ichigo replies, sweat drips from his brow, the room feels steamer than a hot spring.

"I told you already, you are not trouble." Byakuya adds before flash stepping away.

"Then it's settled. Ichigo will stay with us!" Rukia's violet eyes shimmer with a devious plan. Tee-hee, I am so brilliant!