Note: It's been almost 2.5 years since I've updated this. I hope that the style has remained somewhat similar, but apologies if I am a bit rusty. Also I'm aware that Bleach has undergone quite a lot of changes with characters, but my favorite era of Bleach was during the Soul Society and Hueco Mundo arcs, so I will limit characters from those arcs and as this is an AU anyways, I don't plan on following any of the Bleach storylines!

UNDER THE CHERRY BLOSSOMS
by Yih

3. The start of obsession

This was getting ridiculous.

He was getting absolutely no work done. Byakuya tossed the fountain pen in his hand onto the desk where a stack of paperwork awaited his perusal. He couldn't concentrate. He kept thinking about that girl. The one who looked like Hisana.

But it wasn't simply because she looked like Hisana. He wasn't drawn to her pretty face. He was attracted to the contrast of what she tried to be and what she likely was in truth. She didn't keep it well-hidden, though. He could catch glimpses beneath the façade.

She had dared to speak up to him. When was the last time someone had actually done something like that? A very, very long time and certainly no one dared to unless they were his equal, if not his superior within the business, but she had not only dared she had spoken up.

She wasn't like Hisana at all.

Hisana, he thought bitterly, had left him without a word. He had been infatuated with her soft, modest beauty, her sweet shyness. He had loyally visited her every chance he got at the hostess club where she worked. He had tried to shower her with gifts and she had taken some of them, and she had won him over with her undemanding solemnness. He had truly thought she cared for him. But one day when he had gone to the club, he had found that she no longer was working there anymore and she hadn't even left a point of contact. No one, not even the Mama-san had known where she had gone.

She had disappeared without a trace three years ago and he hadn't set foot into a hostess club until last week.

And it was starting all over again – his intrigue over a simple hostess girl.

But he wouldn't let it get any further. He wasn't going to make the same mistake twice. He was going to stop himself before anything could happen. He was going to purge Hisana from his memories and he was going to forget the fact he had met a girl that looked like her twin, Ruka.

Byakuya picked up his fountain pen and stared down at the contract.

Rukia didn't matter, but this did.

"Nee-san," Rukia said as she knelt in front of the glass that held her sister's ashes, "I am here."

Today was Hisana's birthday and she would have just turned 30 if she was still alive, but she had been taken at far too young of an age and left Rukia all alone in the world. Had it only been a year or so since her sister's tragic passing? But Hisana had been gone longer than that, as the cancer had ravaged her body, she had faded from the world and wasn't herself anymore.

Rukia had promised Hisana that she would not cry and that she would be happy; however, it was so difficult when she felt so alone. If it weren't for Ichigo, who was waiting in the front for her, she didn't know what she would have done. She would have been out on the streets already. But he had taken her in and given her a place to stay.

Still, even though she had vowed she would weep, the tears still welled up in her eyes and fell down her cheeks and disappeared into fabric of her clothes. "I miss you, nee-san, and I love you. I hope you're happy wherever you are and I know you're watching me from above and I'm doing okay. I'm doing more than okay.

"I know you wouldn't have wanted me to be working as a hostess, but I'm not ashamed. You did the same work and it wasn't shameful to me. You provided for me, put me through school with that money, and there's nothing that you've done I would ever look down upon." Rukia smiled brightly at the picture that was next to her sister's ashes. The face was so familiar to her and resembled her own so much. "I've met nice people in my job and I've been lucky. I hope… I hope you are proud of me."

Rukia stood up and gently traced her finger over the glass before turning around and walking out of the building. She wiped away her tears before she headed over to where Ichigo was waiting. She smiled up at him, her oldest friend and her best friend. "Thanks for coming here with me."

He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and steered her in the direction of the bus they'd take to get back to the apartment they rented together.

She felt safe in his arms and she leaned into his warmth.

"Everything," Ichigo said, "will be more than okay."

The contract was signed and completed, but he honestly couldn't remember much of what he had read at all. He knew he hadn't been foolish, nothing had raised any alarms that would need to be sent to his lawyers to redraft what was written, but it wasn't like him to be so unfocused when he was at work. He knew the reason why was because of her. Had it only been one day since he had met her at the hostess club? She had become such a distraction…

"Shachou," Renji said as he stuck his head into Byakuya's office, "I'm heading out soon, but I wanted to check if there was anything that you needed from me before I went home."

Byakuya shook his head. Nothing at least that Renji could provide since he wasn't that short, young girl with the enormous violet colored eyes. "No, that will be all for today. Have a good evening."

Renji nodded. "I will. You do the same." The door was about to shut close when Renji stuck his head back into the office. "Shachou?"

Byakuya looked up from his paperwork. "Yes, Abarai-san?"

"Did you enjoy last night?" Renji asked. "I had forgotten to ask yesterday."

He had not enjoyed the previous evening at all, but Renji didn't need to know that. If he hadn't set eyes on the girl, it would have simply been a boring night that he would have forgotten readily the next day. Instead Ruka had been the mirror image of Hisana and everything from that night was playing over and over again in his head, much to his profound irritation. None of that was Renji's fault though, that honor distinctly lied with him.

"It was rather enjoyable," he stated. "Now good night."

"Good night," Renji echoed and finally left Byakuya to the peace and quiet of solitude.

Byakuya stared at the clock. It was closing in at 10 o'clock, approximately the same time they had left for the hostess club yesterday. He was tempted, no he was more than tempted to go back and see the girl again. He knew he shouldn't, and even though he was a consummate pro about keeping everything in check—he was vulnerable here. He wanted to see her; he wanted to talk to her; he wanted to forget her.

And not seeing her, not talking to her, would only make him keep thinking of her.

His mind made up, Byakuya stood up, grabbed his coat and headed for Shidarezakura.

"You know you don't have to keep doing this," Ichigo said as they walked together from the subway station to the hostress club. "I make a decent wage as the kurofuku to afford the rent on the apartment. You could work part-time at a shop or something and we'd do all right."

Rukia smiled. "Yes, we'd do all right, but we'd never get ahead. We both have tuition to pay for school for the upcoming semester and we'd never be able to afford it if I didn't earn my fair share, would we?"

Ichigo grunted in response.

"Are you—are you unhappy I'm working as a hostess?" she asked hesitantly.

Ichigo glared down at her. "Are you unhappy I'm working as a kurofuku?"

She laughed. "It's a little different what I'm doing."

He shrugged. "I just don't want you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. I know this isn't what you would be doing if… things were different and I know you don't like it."

"I don't especially enjoy it," Rukia admitted, "but it's not so terrible and we're working together. We keep the same hours and we can usually go to work and come home together. Is that so bad?"

"No," Ichigo said and paused just before the last turn that would lead them to Shidarezakura. "Rukia."

She stared up at him, getting this feeling that was making her very nervous that he was going to say something that she didn't want to hear yet. Maybe if Hisana hadn't gotten sick, if she was still alive, maybe everything would be different. Rukia knew and had known she liked Ichigo very much and at one time she was certain that they were going to start dating… but then Hisana died the last year of high school and things had changed.

She had so much on her plate right now, and even though she was living with Ichigo... they were living together as best friends, as… roommates. They were nothing more to each other, although she knew he'd been hinting for a while that he wanted to be something more to her. The problem was she wasn't ready. Losing Hisana, her older sister and more like a mother really to her and the only family she really had, had hurt too much. Rukia was afraid, very afraid of hurting that much again. And Ichigo was all she had now. If they dated and things didn't work out, she'd lose the only person left in her life…

"Rukia?"

She shook her head at him. "Please, don't…"

He sighed and nodded. "All right."

"Ichigo?"

"Yes?"

She reached up on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around him, pulling him down for a hug. "I'm sorry. I'm so, so sorry."

He hugged her back and for a brief moment, she regretted not hearing what he had to say, but it didn't last. She felt more relieved when she heard him say, "I understand."

She needed him, but as a friend and only as friend for now.

"Kuchiki-san," Ichigo said, bowing tightly but respectfully, although Byakuya was certain that it was all an act. "What an honor that you have decided to return to Shidarezakura. How may I help you?"

Byakuya glanced up at the pictures on the wall, noting that Ruka was not amongst them. Of course, Ruka wasn't her real name, but it seemed to almost suit her. He wondered what her real name was and how far her hostess name was from it. Hisana had used a name very similar to her own, Hina-chan, but he reprimanded himself for thinking of Hisana when he was here to see Ruka, even if it was because they physically resembled each other.

It was disrespectful to Ruka for him to be thinking of her when he was here to see someone different. They were different and he had no intention of seeing Ruka because of her. He had decided that on the drive over. Even though his interest had been sparked by their resemblance; he was curious, he admitted, to see how far the differences truly were. And the way she talked to him, the way she interacted with him was intriguing.

"I would like to speak to Mama-san," Byakuya stated.

Ichigo slightly raised his eyebrow, the only indication in his stoic manner that betrayed his surprise. "Certainly," he said. "If you will follow me, it's this way."

Ichigo led him down the hallway, past the rooms and hallways where the girls entertained their guests, to the very end where there was a small office. He knocked politely on the door and then opened the door to show Byakuya in before leaving them alone.

Byakuya was not impressed by the interior of the office. It was small, cramped, and ill-decorated, but looked cozy enough from the way Matsumoto was lounging in the chair in front of her desk. "Kuchiki-sama!" she exclaimed, jumping to her feet. "What an honor! What brings you back to Shidarezakura? Did one of my girls catch your eye?"

He would have liked nothing better to do than to deny it, but instead he inclined his head. "Indeed."

"Ruka," she stated with absolute certainty. "I am not surprised. If you had come to me, asking for a recommendation, I would have assigned her to you." Matsumoto tilted her head thoughtfully. "Still I am surprised that you are here."

And he was surprised that she was so insightful. He would not have guessed it of her, but then he shouldn't be. She was the proprietress of Shidarezakura, and she wouldn't have been able to climb from a lowly position as hostess without acumen. "I would like to initiate an exclusive shimei with Ruka."

"Indeed?" Matsumoto said. "You know she has been on dohans with your fukushachou, Abarai-san."

"I had gathered as much."

Matsumoto shrugged. "He was decent enough, kind enough as her first serious shimei, but it's not a great loss." She narrowed her eyes a little. "I believe you will not want to meet her at Shidarezakura, will you?"

"You have guessed correctly."

"Other arrangements will need to be made then," Matsumoto stated. "It will be better for her. She is not quite suited as a hostess, but she needed the employment and I knew she would be a hard and honest worker. I will speak to her, but we will need to decide on the terms as she will not be making Shidarezakura any money if she does not bring you here after her dohans with you and subsequently will not be making any money for herself other than what you choose to gift her with."

"I understand the implicatons," Byakuya said. "I am willing to provide a sponsorship fee for her and for Shidarezakura, for as long as I see her per month."

"Very generous of you," Matsumoto responded, "but you do realize we are not that kind of service."

"I am aware of the limitations of contact."

"Then," she said, smiling brightly, "I will make the contract and have it sent to you tomorrow, if that is not too late. But of course, you may see her tonight here."

Byakuya shook his head. "No, I will make other arrangements once the contract is signed. I would… I would like you to inform her of the entire situation and the unusualness of it."

"Of course," Matsumoto said smoothly. "I will do that. It was a pleasure to see you today, Kuchiki-sama, and to do business with you."

"Well," Matsumoto declared as Rukia walked into the cramped office, "I think you will be very happy with the recent turn of events."

Rukia stared at Matsumoto with her wide, brilliantly violet eyes. She looked so sweet and innocent, but Matsumoto knew the steel that was within the girl or she never would have allowed her mischievious best friend, Ichimaru to get anywhere near the girl. Even as it was, Matsumoto was not sure she had made the right decision to allow Momo's interaction with Aizen. Although Ichimaru's shachou had always been respectful and considerate to Momo, there was something that rankled Matsumoto about him. If Ichimaru wasn't such good friends with him and he wasn't the shachou of Hueco Mundo.

"Ah, I can see the confusion and curiosity in your face," Matsumoto remarked. "You really need to work on controlling your emotions better. Anyone with any kind of perception could read everything you're feeling and thinking, but getting to the point of asking you to my office… do you remember Kuchiki-sama?"

Rukia nodded slowly. "Yes, of course. I saw him yesterday night."

"He has requested you for an exclusive shimei with unusual requests."

"What kind of requests?"

"You will be meeting him outside of Shidarezakura and since the contract is exclusive, you will not need to work the nights here anymore as you will be on call for him whenever he requests your presence," Matsumoto stated. "I did have the foresight to inform him that you were a University student and would need to have some nights off in which to study and he said that he would keep that in mind and give you 2 to 3 nights off per week. I am not entirely certain what he will request for the dohans, but I made it clear that we are not that kind of establishment. However, please tell me if anything untoward in his behavior or actions concern you as your mama-san I must know. I do not think Kuchiki-sama would do anything above reproach as he has his own reputation to think of as well. As you will not be coming to Shidarezakura after your dohans it would be impossible for you or the establishment to make any profit, thus Kuchiki-sama has generously made an arrangement to sponsor you while he sees you on a per month basis."

"How long has he contracted me for?" Rukia asked softly.

"For three months so far," Matsumoto said. "Here are the terms of the contract. He was quite generous with your allowance as you can see you will not be able to see other customers while he is contracting you. I also had mentioned to him that your lack of presence at Shidarezakura might negatively impact you when he decides to absolve the contract and he has made provisions for that as well."

Rukia stared at the contract in front of her that stated that he would provide her with 500,000 yen per month, which was double what she was currently making as a hostess when she was having a great month.

"That does not include any gifts that he may be inclined to give you," Matsumoto said with a warm smile. "You, of course, still need to sign the contract, but I think this is a great opportunity for you, my dear. Kuchiki-sama is about the best I could hope for with any of my girls and these arrangements are exceedingly generous. I also know that you are not particularly inclined to be a hostess, so perhaps if you are able to hold his interest for long enough, you will not need to work as a hostess after this is over if you save properly." She paused. "You could do other work to make ends meet until you've finished University."

Rukia took the pen that Matsumoto offered her and held the tip over the line for her signature. She didn't hesitate as she signed the contract. "Mama-san?"

"Yes, Rukia-chan?"

"Thank you so much."

Matsumoto reached over the small desk and rumpled up her short black hair. "He requested you and I only did what I should be doing for you. I don't know what you did or said to him, but he is captivated by you or else he wouldn't have made these arrangements."

"Captivated by me?"

Matsumoto chuckled. "Indeed, although I don't know why it's shocking to you. You are very charming, Rukia-chan, and very cute in your own particular way. Ah, before you go," she said, reaching into the drawer of her desk and pulling out a sleek cell phone, "this is for you. He told me to tell you he would communicate with you the meeting times and locations through this cell phone. I have also added my own personal number should you need anything or have any questions."

Rukia took the cell phone and stared at the flashy device.

"And Rukia-chan?"

Rukia looked up at Matsumoto, her eyes quite mesmerizing with their deep violent coloring. "I have one piece of advice for you, some person advice I want you to have because I don't want to see you hurt. I know that you have not known me for very long, but even though I am the mama-san of Shidarezakura, I would like to believe that you and the other girls think I have your best interests at heart."

"Of course we do!" Rukia exclaimed.

Matsumoto smiled and she placed her hand onto Rukia's. "It is quite clear to me that Kuchiki-sama is very intrigued by you and I can understand why as I would have chosen for you to work here if there was not something special about you, but his interest and even subsequent infatuation for you is not the same thing as love. Do you understand? Guard your heart and your feelings against falling for him because loving someone who does not love you is the worst feeling in the world."

TBC

Please review!

A/N: I am fairly certain no one thought I would ever update anything again as it's been more than two years since I've released anything in any fandom. I have recently decided that I wanted to get back into writing as I haven't written anything of any length in more than a year and the best way to get back to original writing is to dabble back into fanfiction. I started back writing short stories/vignettes and then started resurrecting series that have long laid dormant, but had not finished any of the chapters until this one. I hope you guys will encourage me and support me in my writing endeavors as you have in the past.

If any of you guys read yaoi/boy love manga, I have updated my boy love original series on fictionpress. You can find the link to my pseudonym on my author's profile, which is "mugi-sensei."

Thanks for reading, and I'm glad I'm back and hopefully for good!

Released on February 21, 2013.