A/N: Well I got this chunk done a few minutes ago and figured it was a decent place to stop for a chapter. My plan is to make myself write by knowing that people are more likely to be waiting for more X3. So, while updates won't be as speedy as Dejected was, they should still be pretty regular...I hope, but the whole story will be done in the next two weeks for sure if thats any consolation XD. Also, I've rated it(whole story) M because it's basically part of the first, so anyone who decides to go back to that one should be forwarned that it's M rated, plus I'm pretty sure there'll be a bit of M-ness in this one. Maybe not as much as last time though...I don't know. I'm going to stop rambling and let you read now.
It was late, and Hana was lying in bed staring at the wall as his thoughts wandered. He still couldn't believe that the last couple of weeks were real, that it all wasn't just some elaborate dream. Something his mind had produced to stop him from giving up all together. But the feeling of Byakuya's arms tightening around him and the warmth of his body pressed to his back reminded him just how real it all was.
He turned over and pressed his face to 'Kuya's chest, breathing the heavy scent of cherry blossoms that always accompanied him. What would he have done if 'Kuya hadn't helped him? Hana wasn't sure he even wanted to imagine how things would have continued in his life.
"Are you awake?" a groggy, sleep laced voice mumbled above Hana's head. He looked up and smiled sheepishly into a pair of slate grey eyes.
"I'm sorry I woke you."
"Is something wrong? Was it the nightmares?" Byakuya asked, absently hugging Hana closer.
"No, it wasn't that. I was just thinking about us; it all still seems too good to be true." Hana curled into 'Kuya's arms.
"I understand, it feels that way for me at times; like maybe it's all just a dream." 'Kuya mumbled, softly brushing his lips against Hana's hair. "But it's not, you are mine now; and I'm not letting you go."
Hana smiled up at Byakuya, he could never begin to get past the feeling it gave him to belong to him.
"Now, get to sleep Hana; we're returning to Soul Society tomorrow, and I don't want to have to carry you because you're too tired to walk straight." 'Kuya yawned before casting Hana a lazy smile and his eyes slid shut.
Hana closed his eyes, but still couldn't fall asleep; worries about what was going to happen when they returned buzzed through his head. He worried about whether it would be accepted by the other soul reapers or not. He had heard of some situations where a Captain had relations with his vice or sometimes another Captain. Captains Kyouraku and Ukitake; and before Aizen had left with his followers, Captain Ichimaru and his vice Izuru had been involved. But he was a seventh seat, even more so he was the seventh seat of the Fourth division and 'Kuya was a Captain and a noble on top of that; there was bound to be some disagreement over their relationship…
Some time during his troubled musings, Hana's mind settled enough for him to fall into a light sleep.
Hana automatically fell into step behind Byakuya when they stepped through the gate into the Soul Society. Part of his actions driven by habit, part by conscious effort to avoid drawing attention.
Hana was already missing the warm, relaxed 'Kuya that had worn jeans and dress shirts and let his hair free. He glanced up at 'Kuya as they walked through the maze of walkways that made up the Seireitei; he looked like the old Byakuya, hair held in place by the thin white kenseikan, his white captain's haori on over his bulky uniform. Even his face bore his signature stoic, nonchalant expression. The only thing that was out of place was the absence of his scarf, making his shoulders and neck look oddly bare.
Hana's hand absently reached up to his own neck where 'Kuya's silky scarf was loosely wound about his throat. Byakuya had insisted that he wear it because it would keep anyone from bothering him; not that Hana didn't like the scarf, but he was concerned that it would draw more attention to him than it would deter.
Byakuya smiled faintly to himself as he saw Hana playing with the scarf out of the corner of his eye. He knew Hana was worried, but he really didn't know how to calm him, he'd just have to wait and see what happened.
His thoughts wandered to what would happen when they reached his home; he tried to imagine what Rukia would say. She would be surprised, no way she couldn't be; actually, just about everyone was going to be surprised once the word spread. No one would have expected him to be capable of feeling, let alone feeling for a boy from the most looked down upon squad in the Seireitei. He smiled to himself again as he thought of the shock it would bring everyone.
As they approached the front gates of his manor, Byakuya stopped short when he couldn't hear Hana's foot steps behind him anymore. He turned to see Hana a few feet back, staring at the building, a slightly alarmed look playing over his face.
"Is everything alright, Hana?" 'Kuya questioned, puzzled.
"Y-yes…It's just- are you sure it's going to be okay for me to stay here? I mean, this is a noble house…and well I'm sort of NOT a noble…" Hana trailed off.
"Hana, I am the leader of the Kuchiki family, therefore it is my decision as to whether or not it's okay for someone to live here." He smiled, "No one will mind anyway, most of the family doesn't stay here often and I doubt the servants will be all that bothered by one extra person."
"A-alright…" Hana smiled weakly and started to follow 'Kuya.
Byakuya waited for Hana to reach his side before pulling him close, leaning down and catching his lips in a long kiss.
Hana's gasped slightly as Byakuya's lips pressed against his; he felt 'Kuya's fingers sliding though his hair as he crushed him close. He relaxed in his arms and let the warm embrace clear his head. He still felt some apprehension, but he had 'Kuya so things would work out, they had to.
'Kuya pulled away enough to see Hana's face; gently biting his lower lip as he did. Hana smiled slightly at him.
"Everything will be fine Hana." 'Kuya's calm voice further relaxed him, helping him to believe the words. He leaned into Byakuya and nuzzled his chest; 'Kuya's hand slowly rubbed the back of his neck.
"Brother?" Hana jumped and stepped away from Byakuya as he heard a surprised voice behind him. He felt a rush of heat run up his neck and fill his face as he turned around to see Rukia coming towards them.
"Hello, Rukia." Byakuya replied calmly, as she came to stand in front of them. She looked from Byakuya to Hana; she paused when her eyes fell on his flushed face.
"Hanatarou? Is that you?"
"You remember me?" Hana looked up at her, startled yet again.
"Of course, Hana! Why should I forget you, you were usually the only person I saw when I was captive here! What are you doing here, and why are you wearing brother's scarf?" She cast a puzzled glance at Byakuya.
Hana didn't know what to say, he knew Rukia would have to know at some point; but he hadn't been expecting to need to explain so suddenly. He felt his face getting hot again as he looked up to 'Kuya for some help.
"Hana is going to be living here from now on; and I gave him the scarf." Byakuya answered for him.
Rukia stared at her brother for a moment, and then glanced at Hana who was now focusing very intently on the ground between his feet. She suddenly burst into laughter, causing Hana to jump and stare at her with unease; if she didn't stop startling him like this he was likely to pass out.
"You two are together?!" Rukia managed to gasp out between bouts of laughter.
Hana couldn't decide if her reaction was a good one or a bad one. He was beginning to worry about how much the lack of oxygen was going to affect her mind when 'Kuya made a point of clearing his throat.
"Is there a problem Rukia?" He arched a brow as he waited for her to compose herself enough to answer.
"No, I just never expected this from you." She suppressed a giggle then turned to Hana, who was still watching her warily, and wrapped him in a tight hug without warning; making him squeak in alarm.
"I would appreciate it if you would stop surprising him Rukia, I'm having a hard enough time of getting him into the house without you mauling him at the front door." Byakuya stated; a hint of amusement in his voice.
"Sorry brother." Rukia smiled sheepishly up at Byakuya.
Hana let Byakuya lead him through the oversized house as he thought about what had just occurred. Rukia obviously didn't have a problem with his being with her brother; if anything she seemed unnaturally excited about it. He really wasn't sure what to make of it. After she'd hugged him, she'd left claiming she had some work to finish for Captain Ukitake and ran off in the direction of the 13th division.
Hana looked up when Byakuya lead him through a door way and closed it behind him. The room they entered was big and bright from the afternoon light coming through a window in one wall. It was clean and orderly but really very bare; there was a large bed to one side, a chair near the window with a small table, and a chest of drawers against one wall. This must be Byakuya's room; it had the same cold appearance that he always has around others. Hana thought it odd though; 'Kuya is so warm and happy when he's away from everyone, it seemed like his room should reflect that.
"This is where we'll sleep; unless you'd feel more comfortable staying in one of the guest rooms." Byakuya said this with such a serious expression that Hana couldn't stop himself from laughing.
"Of course I'd rather stay here with you! And why are you being so serious?" Hana came forward and wrapped his arms around 'Kuya's neck and stretched up to kiss him.
Byakuya returned the kiss and pulled Hana against him. "It's a habit, better to stay serious so that people do not question me; it's how I was always raised to act."
"Well, you didn't act like that with me before we came back."
"I trust you, and honestly I didn't mean to use that tone now. Just being back in Seireitei makes me feel like I have to maintain my position as the unfeeling captain and noble."
"Hmmm, well you can still be like that if you want to, but you don't need to with me." Hana murmured against Byakuya's chest as he tightened his embrace.
Hana jumped slightly when 'Kuya took a few steps back, pulling him with him, and falling onto the bed; dragging Hana on top of him. He pulled Hana against him, pressing their lips together. Hana laughed softly as their lips parted a minute later.
"Did I say something that great?" Hana asked with a slightly puzzled expression.
"Mmmm, Yes and no. I already knew that, but it felt good to hear you say it for some reason." And it had, Byakuya had always felt it to be somewhat of a chore to be the cold person he was, but it was ingrained into him. It became easier after years of being alone, but with Hana around it felt good to…well, feel. He watched Hana as he sat up, his legs straddling his hips.
"Hmmm, well here is something else you must be aware of; you look better with your hair down." Hana reached forward to try and unweave his hair from the Kenseikan. "I wish you'd stop wearing these things."
"They signify my rank; but I suppose I could stop wearing them when I am not working." He smiled as Hana managed to free the 'things' from his hair and drop them to the floor. He sat up and pulled Hana against him; pulling the scarf from his throat and kissing the curve of his neck. He used one hand to slide Hana's kimono from his shoulder, trailing breathy kisses over the exposed skin, and the other to pin him to him at the waist.
Sometimes it nearly overwhelmed him, how good it felt to have Hana's thin body pressed against his. He smiled inwardly as he heard a soft moan escape the other when he gently bit the side of Hana's neck. 'Kuya moaned low in his throat moments later as Hana began slowly rocking hips against him; he pulled Hana's face down for a heated kiss. He smiled softly against Hana's lips as he felt the boy's hands reaching between them to work at the sash knotted about his waist; at times it still surprised him how outgoing Hana could be when they were alone.
Byakuya tensed and straightened suddenly, pulling away from Hana. Hana made a low groan in protest, attempting to pull 'Kuya back to him.
"Mmmm, 'Kuya, what're you doing; don't stop now." Hana pleaded as he continued to try and tug his lover against him.
"Someone is in the hall causing problems." Byakuya replied with irritation lacing his voice.
Hana quieted and listened, then he realized that there was in fact someone in the hall; two someones. He wondered how he had not heard the louder of the two voices, it was practically shouting and it had a familiar rough tone.
"I don't give a damn if he's busy, I need'ta see him!" The voice was getting closer rapidly.
Hana heard Byakuya make a low noise somewhere between a groan and a growl just before the door to the room slammed open. Standing in the doorway was a tall man covered in exotic tattoos. Hana felt his face turn the color of the man's bright hair as he recognized Lieutenant Renji Abarai.
A/N: Haha, yeah I know that chapter ending was a bit of a cop out, but hey, why should I leave you with nice little endings all the time? Anyway, it'll give you something to wonder about while I work on the next chapter X3. And I'm apologizing now for any OOC-ness, obviously there's going to be some when odd characters are paired X3 but I know that some of the other chars. like Rukia and Renji etc will be a bit off just because I cant help it. Call it creative licenese. So yeah I apologize for this chapter and any future chapters. Remember Reviews make me happy and push me to write more! X3