Title: One Brief Moment
Author: Shadow/Phantomness
Pairing: Senbonzakura x Rukia
Fandom: Bleach
Theme: #165, Hold

Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Bleach belongs to Kubo Tite and TV Tokyo. This non-profit, non-copyright infringing fanfiction belongs to me under international copyright laws and taking it is plagiarism. Thank you. *Phantomness bows*

Notes: Same universe as themes #173 and 97.

Warnings: AU, het, angst

 

            The night was dark, gloomy clouds covering the moon. Not a sliver of light escaped as a slim figure slid quietly out of bed. Her absence did not go unnoticed, however, and her companion waited barely a moment, before he followed her.

            She had not far to go, only out into the gardens and beneath the branches of a tall tree, its limbs bare and covered with snow. Yet, she was not chilled, despite her bare feet and thin robe, for she was a child of the snow herself, though not so much a child any longer.

            He watched, silent and unmoving, as she wept, but did not offer comfort, for at this time, it would be ill-received and do more harm than good. An eternity seemed to pass, but in truth it was only a few moments, before she rose and turned to face him.

            The wind stirred his long hair, a few cherry blossom petals scattering in its wake.

 

            Her face crumpled, and that was his cue. He gathered her gently in his arms.

            “Senbonzakura…” She murmured, between tears. “I wish…”

            He nodded, not speaking. He knew what she would have said. If only Byakuya had not died. If only her brother was here, right now, for he was a poor substitute. What could he offer her? He was only a shadow of his Master, and though he was a powerful zanpakutou, these affairs of the heart were complicated. He was not privy to them.

            True, he did have affection for her, but what good would it do?

            As Rukia wept, he only held her. And when she slept, he removed his mask, and dried his own tears.

 

End Fic

Completed 3/4/10

I’d consider this a crack! Shipping, but I do ship Byakuya with Rukia, and if Senbonzakura is also his soul…