Forbidden Love
Chapter 5

There wasn't much else to do after she organized her clothing, getting them straightened out and placed where they could be placed. She did notice not all her clothes were there, but she couldn't really complain too much. At least Rukia did her best.

With Jushiro not home, it was left to Sasha to get to know her surroundings better. As she gave herself the fifty-cent tour, she took note the living room was quite spectacular in her opinion. With one wall covered in books with a table and chairs for reading, the opposite side viewed the garden with 2 sofas facing each window with a third in between. Two low tables in between. Near the center of the room was the spiral staircase. Across from the sitting area, there was another with two chairs facing a fireplace. The opposite side of the room was what appeared to her as the grand entry to the house.

She couldn't help but notice Jushiro's home was a size for seven occupants. That would explain why there were four dining tables and tea settings. As she continued her tour, it was very noticeable the property wasn't a very large one, not like the ones she could see in the distance from over the walls that surrounded his yard. But it was larger than those in Karakura Town and even her own... when she lived in a house with her ex-husband.

Her eyes sparkled with joy when she saw his pool, which had a private pathway leading away from the house. There was a river that flowed around the house and went between the main area of the house to the kitchen. It then branched off around a bend. In the distance, she could see another building structure. She was more surprised he had one when from as far as she could tell he lived alone. But then again hearing about Rukia and Renji, perhaps he did it to help pass the time away or something. She would have to ask him about it later.

Following the river to little past the edge of the house, she noticed it spilled into a basin resembling a pond, with a small building in the middle of it attached to a bridge. The bridge attached to the house lead to a gate much like the main gate leading to the main house. and the main area of the land, allowed access back and forth.

Finally her tour ended with marveling at the garden, which had two sections. The first section had a couple benches with an outdoor terrace table surrounding two fountains. The second section had a fountain and was more isolated with Sakura trees. Jushiro's home was completely amazing.

Thinking of Jushiro, her mind drifted to how kind and caring he was to her. He was very respectful and had a very unique gentleman quality. She wondered if there were other men in the Soul Society who was like that. Though he did not look the age, she could tell through his warm brown eyes, he had seen much. Which meant he probably knew the ins and outs to a woman's heart. Just that thought alone had a shiver go up her spine. He probably could teach her a thing or two about love.

Blinking, she shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. Where did that thought come from? "Come on Sasha," she muttered to herself. "Snap out of it. He might be handsome, but he'd never see me in that sort of way. He's just protecting me and that's that. Once this crisis is over, I'll go home and never see him again."

"Oh, there you are," said Jushiro as he came around the corner, seeing her marveling his garden.

She jumped, startled by his sudden presence. "You scared me!"

"I'm sorry," he replied, concerned. "It wasn't my intention to startle you."

"That's alright," she answered, fully regarding him. "After last night, it's probably natural for me to be a bit jumpy."

"That it can be," he agreed. "Finding everything you need, ok?"

"Yes, thank you. Your home is very beautiful. I've never seen anything like it before. It's so peaceful here, it's like living in a garden or something."

He took a glance around the property. "I've never thought of it like that before." He lightly laughed, but his eyes revealed a hint of sadness. "I suppose you're right. This does remind me of a garden. I'm surprised I've never noticed it before." His gaze turned back to her. "As much as staying here admiring the view from a different prospective is interesting enough, I actually came to tell you, you will have to be bare without me just a little bit longer. There has been called an emergency Captain's meeting about your situation."

"You just got back," she said, slightly disappointed she was going to have to go longer without anyone to talk to.

"I apologize," he answered. "If you need anything, ask any of the servants and they'll get it for you."

"They have been very kind," she replied. "You have wonderful people. I'm not used to being catered to though."

"Well you can just inform them you'd like to do it yourself," he said. "I will be back as soon as I can." He gave her a gentle smile before turning away and heading back to the main gates of his property. Sasha watched him leave until he disappeared behind the wall. She noticed his hair completely covered the symbol on his haori, showing which squad Captain he was. "So handsome..." she muttered when he was long gone.

Realizing what she was saying. She slapped her forehead and decided to retreat back inside, which there wasn't much she could do. She didn't want to turn on her laptop, knowing it could be the last time she could use it. She hoped this Captain Kurotsuchi would be able to help her with her computer problems.

Over in Squad 1 barracks, the remaining ten Captains were gathering for the meeting dealing with Sasha's arrival and what would be placed for protection of her. Normally humans weren't brought to the Soul Society for protection, but with this woman, rules had to bend. Someone from Heuco Mundo was hunting down humans with high reiatsu and the woman Jushiro was protecting seemed to have one of the highest next to Ichigo.

"What is the meaning of this ridiculous summons?" Mayuri snapped. "We're just getting the Seireitei under control once again since Captain Aizen betrayed us."

Yamamoto looked at the remaining nine Captains. "To answer the question Captain Kurotsuchi. A human has been brought here under our protect from the latest threat dealing with Heuco Mundo."

"Heuco Mundo?!" Mayuri blinked. "That still baffles me in who would be the one behind all of this. I already took out all the wonders Heuco Mundo had to offer."

"That is a mystery," Yamamoto answered. "But for the time being she will be staying here until the threat is over."

"That could take years," replied Toshiro who stood beside Mayuri. "Forgive me Head Captain but do you think that is wise? I know without Ichigo Kurasaki's help, Aizen wouldn't have been defeated, but should that give the right to allow a human to remain here in the Soul Society? They aren't even spirits."

"Your concern is well noted," Yamamoto stated. "However, last night Lieutenant Abarai and Captain Kyoraku assisted Captain Ukitake with the human."

"And fighting that guy wasn't exactly a walk in the park," Shunsui offered. "Who was it again Jushiro?"

"Her ex-husband who she legally divorced last year," Jushiro answered. "He was sent to prison for spousal abuse and endangering lives."

"Seriously!? We are protecting a human from her ex-husband," Mayuri exclaimed. "This is nothing more than a marital spat and shouldn't be addressed as if…"

"You don't understand," Jushiro interrupted. "Her ex-husband was turned into a very powerful Hollow. And he even stated he was there to capture for the new Master of Heuco Mundo."

"How would a man who was arrested become a Hollow?" asked Toshiro. "Unless he was killed."

"I have been looking into that," Shunsui replied looking at Toshiro who was beside him. "Lieutenant Renji and Miss Kuchiki are working on it as we speak in the world of the Living and so far what they have come up with is not exactly a typical case. The ex-husband was killed while in prison, which is, apparently quite a common occurrence."

"For what purpose would someone kill a fellow inmate?" asked Sajin.

"Lots of reasons," Byakuya answered for the first time. "Rukia was telling me earlier in how humans will kill other humans sometimes for just amusement and love to see them suffer. Whatever the reasons were behind this former human in being arrested, his inmates must not have liked it."

"That does make a lot of sense," replied Kenpachi. "Fighting is quite a popular action in the World of the Living."

"Head Captain," said Toshiro, looking to the old man. "Was this human brought here for her protection because of the Hollow?"

"That and because she was the very person who was eluding our tracking," the old man answered.

"Impossible! How would a mere human female possess such a strong power?" protested Mayuri shaking his head.

Jushiro looked at the crazy Captain. "You have already seen the power in Orihime Inoue. That there shows you proof they can be strong as well."

"Captain Ukitake?" Toshiro turned his large cerulean eyes to the one man who nearly shared the same letters in the name as he. "What is the name of this human?"

"Sasha Rufleton," he answered. "And telling her about the Soul Society has been quite a lot for her deal with, but she is beginning to manage it. She's been able to see spirits and Hollows nearly her entire life. Even seen one of our men from time to time, but kept silent about it."

"Just like Ichigo Kurosaki." Byakuya had his eyes closed, listening to everyone. He often didn't speak during meetings, but there were times where he would put his two cents worth in. "He too has been able to see spirits since he was a young child and even met the Grandfisher, which his father killed just before the event with Aizen began."

"Since Sasha will be with us for who knows how long," Yamamoto announced. "We will meet here again tomorrow so she can meet all of us. There is no sense in keeping things from her since she is staying here."

"Yes, Head Captain. She, I'm sure, is a bit curious in meeting you all," Jushiro nodded. He turned to Mayuri. "And perhaps you could do something for her."

"Me?" blinked Mayuri, staring at the gentle Captain. "What could I do that she possibly wants? Studying humans are often boring."

Jushiro frown at his choice of words. "No. She has what is called a computer. Perhaps you could rig something up so it could feed off the reiatsu like the rest of our technology does. She doesn't have much left after her home was destroyed."

"That is a good idea," agreed the Head Captain. "Captain Kurotsuchi, you will work with Captain Ukitake in helping her to feel more comfortable here. Captain Unohana, I'll have her sent over to Squad 4 so you could put her blood in the database in case of medical problems in the future. We have no idea how long she will be with us. And she is here for protection from Hueco Mundo. The rest of the humans have their bodyguards."

"Head Captain," Jushiro stepped forward. "I am wondering, will she be placed in normal bodyguard surveillance?"

"No," he said. "She'll remain in your care until the threat is over. However long that will be."

"I understand," Jushiro replied with a nod. "It's best to try and make her stay here as comfortable as possible."

"We are going to have do something, however, with her disappearance in the World of the Living," Yamamoto continued.

"That has already been covered," Shunsui interrupted. "Young Ichigo Kurosaki has dealt with that by saying she's in protective custody, which is mostly the truth."

Yamamoto nodded. "Good enough. I have taken up enough of your time."

"So this human is staying indefinitely?" Soifon asked, frowning. She didn't like the idea of a human staying in the Soul Society."

"Until the threat is over," the old man replied. "Meeting adjourned."

Soifon gawked, displeased by this. She was the Captain of the punishment force and the Head Captain wasn't giving her time to protest nor did he tell her this human was staying here already until now. She glared at the white haired Captain as the Captains began to disburse.

As Jushiro began to leave, he could feel Soifon's eyes on his back, but he ignored her. She was one Soul Reaper one didn't want to piss off.

"Hey Jushiro!"

Hearing his name called, he turned to see Shunsui stepping to him. "What is it?" he asked.

"How is your friend doing?" Shunsui inquired.

"She seems to be doing alright," Jushiro answered. "While I was at the barracks today, she gave herself her own tour of my estate. She finds it rather remarkable."

Shunsui tipped his hat. "That's good to know she's getting used to her surroundings. Well I guess I should be going and let you get back to that beautiful young woman."

Jushiro rolled his eyes. "You're impossible." The comment, however, hit a few heart strings, but he forced it down. Now wasn't the time.

Shunsui smirked. "But of course. Have a good night Jushiro."

"Good night Shunsui."

Shunsui continued to walk out, leaving Jushiro for a few moments to his own thoughts until he was the last one left. Jushiro soon left to do some thinking in how he was going to proceed with this. Sasha was going to be staying with him for some time and he had to make her comfortable. He was going to need Rukia's help on this.

It being quite late, sometime after 11, Sasha sat on the bridge leading to the house, dangling her feet over the edge, knowing full well there was water directly below her. She was now dressed in a long sleeping gown with a housecoat over top. With her being in a new place, she was having a hard time getting to sleep. The realization had hit her some time ago on the fact she wasn't going to see her friends for while and it was bothering her. Also where the owner of the house wasn't around, she was feeling seriously out of place.

"I wonder how much longer he will be," she muttered to herself, not realizing the man she was speaking about just came upon her sitting there.

For the moment he was mesmerized by how she was sitting and wearing. He wanted to interrupt her thoughts, letting her know he was there, but he didn't want to startle her either. "I'm surprised you're still up," he replied gently after staring at her for several minutes.

Her head whipped around, slightly startled by his words. She looked up at him. "Couldn't sleep. Being in a strange home, in another world even is quite unsettling."

"I suppose that can happen," he agreed. "The Head Captain wishes to meet you tomorrow. And since you've already met Shunsui and Retsu and of course you know me, you'll meet the other eight remaining Captains."

"Oh…" she trailed. "I suppose it's best to get that done and over with now." She then gave a slight shiver. To her though she wasn't sure if it was from being in the presence of the man before her in her nightclothes or if the air was chilly.

Jushiro saw her shiver. "Are you cold? You didn't have to wait outside for me you know. Actually you didn't have to wait up for me at all." He offered his hand to her, to help her up.

Taking his proffered hand, she then offered her other hand to him. First, she pulled her feet up onto the wooden planks of the bridge before allowing him to fully help her to stand. "Thank you," she shyly replied, feeling how strong and warm his hands were.

He gave her a gentle smile. "Would you like some warm milk before bed? I'm told it can help the body go to sleep.

She returned his gaze and smiled. "That would be great." She looked down at herself, realizing she was dressed in strange clothes to him. "I apologize for my state of dress. This is actually what many humans wear to bed, if any at all, that is... well minus the housecoat, that is." Beneath her light blue housecoat, she wore a pale green sleeveless nightgown. The bottom of the nightgown, actually extended a little longer than the housecoat and the robe went nearly to her ankles.

Jushiro gave her a strange look. "Do not apologize," he stated. "Just because what you are wearing may seem strange doesn't mean you should make an apology. You are here as my guest and I want you to be comfortable. Don't feel you have to apologize for something you're used to doing or wearing."

Sasha was a little surprised by his statement. This man was truly trying to help her through this new change and make her feel at ease about all that was going on. She couldn't help but smile once again. "You really are a kind person. I've never met anyone quite like you before. I wish there were more men on Earth like you."

He smiled once again. "I will take that as a compliment."

With his hand still in hers, the two went inside, making their way through the living room and out onto the other bridge leading to the kitchen where he made her some warm milk. Just as he was handing it to her, she then noticed, he seemed to be standing a little rigid. She knew stress when she saw it, since she went through a major stress cycle for a few years. Once taking a drink, she rested the drink on the counter and stepped over to him.

"Jushiro, is something the matter? You seem a bit tense. You were not so tense last night."

He seemed a bit startled by her question. "Don't worry about it. It's nothing really, that you should be concerned about." Jushiro left the kitchen and went to the living room, taking a seat on his sofa.

'Oh no you don't,' she thought. 'You're not getting away from me that easily.'

Grabbing her drink, she followed him into the living, taking a seat beside him. "Come on. I know something is bothering you. I can see it. I may just be a mere human, but I know stress when I see it. You're looking at someone who lived it for four years."

With a sigh, he looked at her. "I'm just slightly worried on who wants you and why. Plus concerned in how I could help make your stay here to be more pleasant. You've lost many things in your apartment and you can't communicate with your friends either. That has to be tough on you."

She nodded, a little sad. "Yes, it is a bit tough on me. But I'll manage. If I lived four years in hell with my ex-husband, I'm sure being here will be more like a walk in a park."

"I have no doubt in my mind that would be true, however there are going to be some people who will protest against you being here and you need to be prepared for that. Also not all Soul Reapers are kind and gentle."

"Like yourself?" Resting her drink down on the table in front of her, she pulled her legs up on the sofa, resting her hands against his arms. She could feel the muscles moving through his haori and uniform and could feel he was very tense. She had to do something to calm his nerves. She knew he wasn't exactly the healthiest man in the Soul Society even if some human with phenomenal powers healed him. She couldn't heal him completely.

"Jushiro, I've lived through 6 years of marriage. You don't have to keep a strong front up for my sake. Yes, at first I was quite overwhelmed. I am still getting used to all this information, but there is nothing I can do. You're doing your job to the best of your abilities. As for those you know, I say 'let them throw what they want at me'. I can deal with it. It can't be any worse than learning you're from another world who happens to be over 2000 years old."

For someone who knew the gentle Captain for a week, sure was worried about him. Perhaps it was because of the kindness he was showing towards her and she felt she could trust him. Whatever the full reason was, Sasha felt the need to give him reassurance, though he had been alive longer than Jesus had been dead.

"I'm fine, I promise." Jushiro gave her a small smile as he moved one arm, forcing her to let go so he could rest a hand on hers, "Now you should get some rest. I don't want you exhausted for when you meet the other Captains and it wouldn't surprise me if the Lieutenants were there as well and so far you've only met one. I don't have a Lieutenant anymore."

"Why not?" she asked.

"He was killed some time ago when his wife was absorbed into a Hollow and she slaughtered many of my men who died thinking she did it. That day was very hard for me, seeing all those who served under me be killed by the person they thought they could trust."

"How awful," Sasha said, feeling sad by the information. "And you've never taken the time to find another?"

He shook his head. "None has ever, so far, been able to fulfill his shoes. There were times I was encouraged to recruit another, but none ever passed. However, there is a likely candidate being looked into, so hopefully soon, the position will be rectified."

Sasha finished her milk just as a yawn disrupted her. "Guess the milk is working. Perhaps I should try and get some sleep."

"Yes, that would be a good idea. Tomorrow after the meeting, we'll see about getting you some more things so you won't be so bored. I'll probably assign you a bodyguard while I'm working so you can move around the Seireitei."

"That is kind of you." She stood from the sofa, getting ready to go off to bed. She turned to see he wasn't moving. Planting her hands on her hips, she frowned. "Hey! If you want me to rest, you must as well. I refused to go to sleep unless you are resting too."

He blinked, surprised by her sudden outburst. He smiled once again. "I suppose that is only fair." He stood. "Why don't I walk you to your room?"

She smiled back, frown disappearing. "That is acceptable."

Taking her hand once more, not realizing he did, but she did, which caused her heart to skip a beat, the two walked to the spiral stairs. Unlike the first time, he kept a hold of her hand as the two ascended. Upon reaching her room, he stopped to face her.

"Have yourself a good night," he replied.

"You too," she said. "And thanks again for everything you have done for me. I hope this arrangement isn't for too long. I don't want to feel like I'm imposing."

"Nonsense," he shook his head. "You could never impose. It's actually kind of nice having a guest here. It's been awhile since I had one." Realizing he had a hold of her hand, he lifted her hand up until it was high enough for him to bend a bit, lips touching the back of her hand.

She felt herself flush as his lips touched her skin. She wanted to say something just then but no words could form. All she could do was stare at his bent head until he was satisfied enough to lift his head, looking into her blue eyes once more.

"Good night, Sasha," he said quietly, releasing her hand.

"Good…night… Jushiro," she quietly stuttered, allowing her hand to drop to her side. That same hand then slid her door open and she took a step backwards into the room.

As she stepped into her room, he slowly turned, heading to his own. He couldn't believe he just kissed her hand. But at the same time it just felt right for him to do so. She was a very kind woman, even if she was human and she was beautiful too. Of course that wasn't the first time he did it.

For Sasha, she too was surprised by his kiss, even if it was only the back of the hand. But it was still very gentlemen like and he was very gentle towards her. He was basically everything she wanted in a man. If he weren't a Soul Reaper… literally a spirit from another world… it would be easy to fall in love with him.