Reasons

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My eyes widened at that confession. Was it true? Or was he playing with me? Perhaps he didn't say that at all--perhaps I only heard what my heart desires. I needed affirmation. "What?"

He stepped closer, his breath ghosting over my face. "You heard me, Byakuya. I want you." His hand moved down from my wrist to play with my fingers. Fingers that longed to touch him. "Why is that so hard for you to believe?"

Why? Simply because it was too good to be true. Nothing in my long life had ever been easy. I am acutely aware of everyone's jealousy of me and my family. No one seems to realize exactly how difficult it is to achieve and maintain the high standards set down by my ancestors. Nervous and self-conscious, I found it nearly impossible to maintain my customary indifference, the arrogance that has become a part of me.

"Please stop." I pulled my hand away from his stroking fingers, instantly missing the warmth, the comfort of his touch. I saw the hurt that flashed in his eyes before he simply turned and walked away.

I wanted to call out to him; I wanted him to stop and come back to me. But I couldn't. That damn Kuchiki pride. It is keeping me from reaching out and holding on to what I desire the most. Ichigo Kurosaki.

My eyes blurred. I blinked rapidly to clear the wetness from them. It wouldn't do for the Kuchiki heir to so easily display emotion. That had been drilled into my conscious and subconscious minds from the time I was a mere infant.

But enough of that. Helpless, I watched as the man I love walked away from me. I was lost. What should I do? I couldn't chase after him--not with Renji, Urahara, and Yoruichi in the next room planning our attack. They needed me to be ready to lead them in this fight against the Menos.

Joining my comrades, I concentrated on the upcoming battle; shutting my emotions down, ignoring the almost overwhelming presence of Ichigo standing next to Renji.

Yoruichi looked at me, looked at Ichigo, and looked back at me. Taking me by the arm, she all but dragged me outside. "Talk to me, Byakuya. What happened between you and Ichigo?" She smiled smugly at my startled expression. "Yes, I saw him go outside. I also saw the look on his face when he returned." Her face hardened, his voice grew harsher. "What did you say to him? If you hurt him, I...."she stopped, shaking her head. "I care a lot about the boy. He's a very rare person. He's innocent and naive, yet strong and fearless."

"I am well aware of his capabilities, Yoruichi. Please don't interfere in my personal life. What takes place between Ichigo and myself is none of your concern." I looked directly at her, my impassive mask firmly in place. There was absolutely no emotion in my face or my eyes. The "Kuchiki look" Rukia calls it.

"Answer me this. Do you love him?" She held up her hand, effectively delaying my response. "If you truly love him and want to be with him, then quit pushing him away." She glanced back towards the room where the others were waiting for us. "Don't make the same mistakes we did. It has taken us almost a century to reconcile the differences and work through the anger we both held onto. Kisuke and I wasted so much precious time; time that we could have spent together instead of living in virtual isolation apart from each other."

"I'm afraid." That was undoubtedly the hardest confession I had ever made. Me, Kuchiki Byakuya...afraid.

She laid a gentle hand on my arm. "I know. But don't let your fear drive him away. Fight for him. I know your family will object, but there are ways to stop them from harming Ichigo."

I looked into her golden eyes, attempting to discern her thoughts. What did she mean? How could I fully protect him from the wrath of my dysfunctional family?

"How?"

She laughed lightly. "Byakuya, in some ways you are more naive than Ichigo. Who was your taicho?"

"Ukitake Taicho. He taught me about fighting, about kidou, about discipline."

"And who is his lover?"

"Kyouraku Taicho." I blinked as I grasped the example she was using. The two senior taichos have been involved for centuries, yet no one seems to care. They are not ostracized, they are not shunned, they are not ridiculed. They are loved and admired by all of Seireitei. Why? Because Yamamoto has given his approval of their relationship. That made all the difference.

But my situation is different. The one I love is not a true shinigami. He is a human. While Yamamoto admires him, having one of his taichos in love with Ichigo is, I fear, unacceptable. Still, perhaps....

I vowed to discuss this with Ukitake Taicho and Kyouraku Tiacho when I returned to Seireitei. Although it went against all my beliefs to confide in someone, to ask someon'e advice on how to protect the one I love, I was willing to do so.

Although my facial expression didn't change, the inflection in my voice was less strained. I relaxed slightly, having found my resolve. "We've wasted enough time here. It's time to either destroy or send the Menos back to Aizen." It wouldn't be too much longer before we would be forced to wage a true battle between the Shinigami and the Arrancar.

She smiled, astutely perceiving the minute change in my reiatsu. "Apologize," she admonished, smiling brightly at Urahara.

After successfully battling the Menos, we returned to Urahara's house. Following Yoruichi's advice, I grabbed Ichigo's arm. "Stay with me...please."

I sensed his hesitation, I saw the wariness in his eyes. Yet, he agreed to remain outside with me. That eased my mind somewhat, yet I still didn't know what I was going to say. The silence lingered, seconds, then minutes passed with neither of us uttering one word.

I couldn't take it anymore. "I'm sorry, Ichigo. I shouldn't have pulled away from you. I didn't mean to hurt you. You must believe me; I wasn't rejecting you. The truth is.....I'm afraid." I refused to lower my eyes; I needed to see his face and let him see that I was being honest and sincere.

"Byakuya, you aren't the only one who is afraid. I've never felt this way before; it's overwhelming and frightening to care so much about another person." He stepped closer, our bodies almost touching. "Please, don't shut me out. If you want to be with me, if you care at all for me, then let me be part of your life."

How could I resist that plea? The last of my resistance melted as I read the emotions shining in his eyes. "Ichigo", I whispered, closing the tiny gap between us. Gently, I touched his face, trailing my fingers across his firm lips. I longed to wrap my arms around his firm body and kiss him endlessly, but now was not the time.

His own hand rose and caressed my face, the roughness of his calloused fingers arousing me. I bit back a whimper as his hand trailed along my jaw and descended down the sensitive skin of my neck.

I captured his hand with my own. "Now is not the time. They are waiting on us." I inclined my head toward the house. "Come."

To my surprise, he followed without an argument.

After a brief discussion about Aizen and the Arrancar, it was time to return to Seireitei. For the first time in my memory, I was not anxious to return home.

I focused my attention on Ichigo. He stared back at me, his eyes pleading with me to stay. But how?

"Urahara, Yoruichi. Would it be an imposition for Renji and I to stay here tonight? I need to discuss a few things with Kurosaki." I kept my impassive mask in place, maintaining my reputation as a cold-hearted, unfeeling bastard. I could not allow anyone to discern my true reason for staying tonight.

"Of course, Byakuya." Yoruichi granted permission, warning Urahara to remain quiet with a sharp glance. Whatever comment he was going to make died on his lips.

Renji stared at me, obviously puzzled by my request, but wisely chose not to question me. I had taught him well; a fukutaicho should never question his taicho, no matter what.

"Kurosaki. Do you have time to walk with me? I would appreciate learning more about this town, especially since it seems that Aizen has chosen to concentrate his attacks here."

"I think I can manage that," he replied, walking towards the door. He turned to stare at me. "Are you coming Byakuya?"

I tried to avoid the double entendre of that question, and focus on the appropriate context of the innocent question. "I'll let you lead. After all, you are a native of this area. I'm sure you have some interesting places to show me."

"Renji, stay here. Get some rest tonight," I instructed. "I'll be back soon." Without giving him a chance to argue, I motioned to Ichigo and followed him out the door.

We walked in silence until we reached the river. Ichigo sat down on the grassy shores, grabbing my hand and pulling me down beside him. "This is where my mom died," he stated. "The Grand Fisher killed her."

I was stunned. Rukia had never mentioned that fact. Of course, I had always cut her off whenever she started discussing Ichigo. Thinking of my adopted sister made me curious about their relationship. "Ichigo. What kind of relationship do you and Rukia have? How involved are you?" I held my breath, waiting for his answer.

He frowned. "What are you talking about? Rukia and I are friends...good friends." His brown eyes widened. "Did you think that she and I are involved?" Anger flared in the depths of those expressive eyes. "What kind of fucking person do you think I am? Do you really think I would date your sister and be interested in you too!?" Disgusted, he stood and attempted to storm off.

Unwilling to let him leave, I grabbed his arm tightly. "Ichigo....please. I'm sorry. You cannot blame me for my thoughts. It is what almost everyone is thinking. After all the fighting you have done to protect and to save her, how can you not expect people to gossip about the two of you?" I relaxed my grip, sliding my hand down his arm to his fingers. I twined my fingers around his,. "I'm very happy that the rumors are false," I whispered, moving closer to him. I shivered as his breath caressed my face, his fingers playing in my hair.

Hesitantly, I reached up with my free hand, slipping my fingers through his spiky orange hair. I was amazed at the softness. I caressed his cheek, trailing my fingers down his neck. I tilted my face up slightly as he lowered his. Our lips touched in the gentlest of kisses. It was barely more than a brush, but it shook me to the very center of my being. I had never imagined being so affected by a simple kiss.

Our eyes locked, communicating more loudly and more eloquently than mere words ever could . Eagerly, I kissed him again, the tip of my tongue tracing his lips, begging for entrance. Permission granted. I explored the warm recesses of his luscious mouth, battling with his tongue for dominance. The kiss continued until the need for oxygen became a necessity.

I struggled to control my feelings, my desire for him. I have never been so aroused by a kiss. Of course, I'd never loved anyone as much as I do Ichigo. Never. Not even Hisana. For the first time, that thought did not fill me with guilt. I did not feel as if I was betraying her.

"Why?"

He understood my simple question. His eyes were gentle, shining with a myriad of emotions. A genuine heartfelt smile played across his lips, so different from his usual scowling expression. "I don't know if I can explain it. I mean, yeah, you're beautiful, but it's more than that. You are brave, loyal, honest, strong, and committed to your own sense of justice." He paused, the smile transforming into a grin. "You're also stubborn and arrogant."

He slid his hand down my arm to my hand, our fingers instinctively twining tightly together. "I've never felt this way about anyone before. I realize I'm young, but no one has ever captured my attention like you have."

"Ichigo. I have to return to Seireitei in the morning. Once I do, I am going to discuss our relationship with Ukitake Taicho and Kyouraku Taicho. They have been lovers for many years, yet no one shuns them. I believe the reason for this is because Yamamoto supports their relationship." I tightened my grip on his calloused fingers. "I want to find out if they will support our relationship."

"There is more. My family will do whatever it takes to prevent us from being together. They will do nothing to me; they wouldn't dare. But you.....you are a different subject. You are a human. It doesn't matter that your father was a Taicho. Your mother was human. You are human. That is what the Kuchiki clan will see."

He wrapped a strand of my midnight hair around his fingers. "I don't care about them. As long as you want me, I will be there for you....no matter what."

I embraced him, our reiatsu swirling around, twisting and mixing together. Just holding him in my arms was very comforting. I knew that I would never be lonely again; not as long as I had Ichigo by my side. I reached a decision at that moment. "Ichigo, come back to Seireitei with me, please?"

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Okay....Another chapter done!! Please read and review!!Arigato!!

Thanks to everyone who has read this drabble....extra special thanks for all the lovely reviews!!!