Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or story elements that are specific to Bleach, they all belong to Tite Kubo.

Chapter One

Night had fallen in the Soul Society. Now that Spring had arrived, the air carried the scent of the Sakura trees in full bloom. Byakuya Kuchiki relaxed in the private onsen of his estate. He sank into the heated water, sighed, and let his body and mind relax. The soothing effects took over and he drifted into a light slumber.

Myssa Starjax felt like a crazy person. Who in their right mind would climb a tree to get into the Kuchiki estate and sneak up on the head of the clan? The answer: she would, because desperate times called for desperate measures. She just hoped he'd give her a chance to explain herself before he blasted her to bits with his kido.

On hands and knees, she carefully made her way along the length of the branch that stretched over the hot spring. Once she was near where Byakuya dozed she looked for a place to swing down. That was when she got her first look at him. He was magnificent - powerfully built, handsome features. Distracted, she dropped the shield on her reiatsu for an instant.

Below, Byakuya woke with a start. What was that reiatsu? He didn't recognize it. Was it just a dream? It had been only a titter, a pulse. Then he saw the shadowy figure on the limb above the spring. "You know, it is rude to spy on someone in their bath." His deep timbre was calm.

A feminine squawk of surprise echoed through the onsen before a body splashed into the water a few feet away from him.

By the time Myssa got her bearings and pushed wet hair out of her face, Byakuya had gotten out of the spring. He was tying a belt around the robe he had slipped on. "Who are you? And why have you come here?" He was assessing her. He could no longer sense any reiatsu from her. He took inventory of her appearance. Her features were beautiful and delicate, hair dark from being wet and trailing down her back. Her wet clothes clung to her body giving him a show of all her lush curves. His eyes were drawn to very sexy, full lips. He wondered what color her eyes were.

"My sincerest apologies, Lord Kuchiki! I am Myssa Starjax. I have come here to speak to you about an important matter."

The Kuchiki estate guards arrived, pointing their weapons at Myssa. She went still. This was it, either he'd have her thrown out or send the guards away.

"Stand down, go back to your posts." His voice was full of authority. The guards bowed and left. "Myssa Starjax," he seemed to be testing her name on his lips, "why have you not requested an audience with me as proper protocol demands?"

She began walking toward him to get out of the hot spring, "I have. For two months I have come here every day for an audience with you."

"What reason were you given for being denied?" He held his hand down to her to help her out of the water.

She accepted his hand, "I've never been told anything. Your lady watchdog puts me in a bare room, leaves me all day, and only returns to tell me that you have retired for the day." Her eyes lifted to his. "After the first two days I learned to bring a well-packed bag."

"You were given no food or drink?"

"Not a crumb, not a drop. Although if disdain and hostility were worth gold, I'd have enough to catch the eye of a dragon."

"It's hard to believe that a member of my staff would treat anyone so dishonorably."

"Why else would I climb a tree and make a fool of myself? I was desperate."

He put a large towel around her. The light from the outdoor lighting fell on her face. He was close enough to see the color of her eyes. He spoke softly, "Hm, they're green."

She looked confused, "Green?"

He stiffened. She dismissed the comment and went to retrieve the tote bag that she had dropped when she fell. Thankfully it had landed on the grass and not in the water.

"You need to get into some dry clothes. Come with me." He said.

"I don't want to impose, Lord Kuchiki. I can come back Monday for a proper meeting."

"It is no imposition. I am curious to find out what would send you up a tree and into my bath. It must be important." He turned and expected her to follow him, "Now, come with me. I do not like repeating myself."

The walk to his private study was longer than she expected. Just how big is this place? She wondered. He spoke with a male servant, giving instructions for hot tea to be brought for them and for someone to bring a kimono for Myssa.

By the time they had reached his study, a female servant was waiting with a simple black kimono. Myssa was sent into a small bathroom attached to the study. The servant waited for Myssa's wet clothes to take them to the laundry to be dried. She didn't close the door. Byakuya couldn't see her, but he could see her reflected in the mirror that spanned the wall above the vanity. She had her back to the mirror as she took off her clothes. He saw a huge, jagged scar crossing her back from her left shoulder all the way down to her right hip. His eyes widened at the sight. He was stunned at the damage that had been inflicted on her. What had done this to her?

Quickly, she was covered as she slipped into the kimono. She handed her wet clothes to the servant, thanking her before she took them away. She used the towel he had given her to squeeze some of the water from her hair. Using her fingers, she combed out her hair as best she could. She examined her reflection, shook her head and sighed. Byakuya watched her, enjoying it all more than he should. A male servant arrived with a tray of hot tea as she was walking out of the bathroom. Byakuya began pouring tea as she sat down across the table from him. "Thank you very much for your kindness, Lord Kuchiki."

"You are welcome." He said, handing her a cup of tea.

She took the tea and sipped. "This is certainly not how I imagined this evening turning out."

"Oh?"

"Yes. I was worried you'd kido my ass into the next district."

He suddenly did something he didn't think he'd ever do again, something he had almost forgotten. He laughed. It didn't last long, but it felt good.

"Oooch, that sounded rusty." She said.

"It's been a while." The way she was looking at him made him feel like squirming. Why was he feeling so unsettled around this woman? He turned his attention away from her and to his tea. "In which district do you live?"

"Right now, I am a guest in the Seireitei. Head Captain Shunsui Kyoraku has been a dear friend for many years. I am currently staying with him."

He froze. She was close enough to the Head Captain to live under his roof and someone in his household had treated her horribly. Anger bubbled up and he had to tamp it down.

She saw his anger, "Please don't trouble yourself about your staff member's behavior."

His eyes flew to hers. Could she read minds?!

She smiled, "I have spent a lifetime dealing with nobility, courtiers, royalty, and soul reapers. I understand what your life is like. I understand the anger I just saw and why you feel it. Let me assure you that I have taken no offense from you or the Kuchiki clan."

He refilled her tea, his face returning to its placid calm. "How is it that you are in contact with so many different classes?"

"I am a relic hunter." She replied.

Of all the things she could have said, that was one he never expected. He perked up. She'd hit a secret button in him. He had always been interested in archaeology and relic hunting. She had a fascinating vocation, one that he wouldn't mind having himself if he were free to choose his own path. "What brings a relic hunter to my door?"

"Research." She smiled a bit. "I ran across information in the royal archives of lost relics belonging to the Kuchiki clan." His eyes widened a bit in surprise. She immediately warmed to the subject. "I was only able to put together a list with scant descriptions. I am hoping that you would be willing to allow me to have access to Kuchiki clan records and anything in your library that might help me track them all down."

"What is your plan for the relics? Will you hand them over to the royal family?"

"Never!" Her voice was heated. "I plan to recover them and see that they are returned to you and your clan. It's where they belong!" She looked insulted and he wondered why.

"The royal family is well known for the treasures and relics they keep. We guard them when they move them from place to place."

"All of those are dangerous. Certain relics and objects cannot leave the royal vault. Those that are moved are the most dangerous and are done so to protect them from threat of theft. Think of it more as a prison than a treasury."

"And the Kuchiki relics? Are any of them dangerous?" He asked.

"Historical mostly, monetary and scholastic value. But, there is one…" She retrieved her bag and pulled out a folded piece of old parchment. Opened and spread on the table, it showed a drawing of a ring with a few notes. She moved around the table to sit next to him. "This is the Chieftain's Ring. It is a relic of power to be worn and wielded by the head of the clan."

He was interested. "Any idea what power it possesses?"

"I don't know. What you see on this paper is the extent of my knowledge of it. That's why I am here." She looked at him next to her. "Any elders in your clan may be helpful if they can tell me about any clan history or legends about the ring. That is, of course, if they are willing to talk to me about it."

Having her so close was having a profound effect on him. She smelled amazing. Her skin was clear and looked to be smooth as silk. He wanted to touch her to find out. Her face was so close, it wouldn't take much to brush his lips against hers.

She knew she should get away from him. She could feel his body heat warming her whole side. His black hair, so long and silky was a temptation to her fingers. Her lips tingled with the desire for him to kiss her. Those gray eyes were much softer now. And the way he smelled…he was a dream.

Byakuya sat back, he needed those extra inches. "How long do you expect your research to take?"

"It's hard to say. I hope it will only take a few weeks. It will depend on how much information is available and how long it takes me to go through it. All of it is dependent upon your granting my request."

He looked thoughtful. "In truth, all of this greatly interests me." His eyes met hers. "I will grant your request on two conditions." He saw the spark of joy in her eyes. "First, you will give me daily reports in person of all your research. Second, when the time comes, I want to go with you to retrieve the relics."

He expected her to balk since his conditions made it seem that he didn't trust her. But, what she did took him completely by surprise. She threw her arms around him and hugged him. "Thank you so much, Lord Kuchiki!"

The smell of her was now filling his nose. He should be pushing her away and scolding her for being inappropriate. But, he didn't want that, he wanted this closeness with her. He gave in and put his arms around her. She felt so good in his arms. He wanted to bury his face against her neck and just drink her in. "Myssa…" his voice was thick with need.

The sound of her name made her realize what she'd done and jerked back from him, "I am so sorry, Lord Kuchiki!" She saw raw emotion in his eyes for only a moment before he went aloof again.

He had a pressing need to hear his name on her lips. "From now on you will call me Byakuya."

Her eyes widened just a bit in surprise before she smiled at him. "As you wish, Byakuya."

He really like the way she said his name. "Tell me of the other relics."

She fished a journal out of her bag. It was worn from so much use. The pages crackled as she flipped to the right one. She handed him the journal. "I wasn't allowed to make copies of the files. I took pictures of the images as best I could. Some are a bit dark, but I had to work fast. I'm not exactly a favorite in the Royal Realm."

"Oh?"

"It's a really long story," she said, "and not something I unload on anyone if I can help it."

He looked up from the journal, "Trouble with family?"

"My family history is…very messy." He sensed that she didn't want to tell him anything too personal. He decided to let it go, for now. He directed the conversation back to the Kuchiki relics. She instantly relaxed now that they were focused on what she was passionate about.

They talked until a servant returned with Myssa's clothes. She got dressed in the small bathroom. Her hair was still rather wet. Unfortunate because he really wanted to see what color it was when dry.

Myssa thanked Byakuya again for his kindness and packed her things to leave. He instructed the servant to guide Myssa to the front gate and to have her wait for him there. He used shunpo to go to his room, change his clothes, and make it to the front gate just as Myssa and the servant were arriving. She was surprised to him dressed in a dark gray kimono and hakama with his zanpakto on his hip. "You don't have to walk me home."

"It is very late. Either I escort you or you stay here tonight."

She couldn't help making a joke. "If you make me stay here, I'll tweak your nose every time you fall asleep."

His voice was blunt and even, "Tweak my nose and I will kido your ass into the next district."

She threw back her head and laughed, a rich, musical sound that he instantly wanted to hear again. He tucked her hand into his elbow, beginning their trek to Shunsui's home. "How long have you and Head Captain Kyoraku been friends?"

"Forty-two years. I met him through Jushiro Ukitake. I recovered two relics for Jushiro's family. We've all been friends ever since." She looked at him, "I know your sister and your lieutenant very well too."

"It's surprising that we have not met until now."

She shrugged. "Not really. I tend to stay very low-key when I visit the Seireitei. I have a tendency to come here when I need to lick wounds, or I need to remind myself that there really are good people in my life."

"Which reason is it this time?"

"A little of both. My last hunt had me skating a little too close to painful memories so I came for a visit to soothe myself. Running across the Kuchiki clan files was a happy accident and a chance to do something good. Rukia and Renji always speak so highly of you, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to meet you."

"You said running across the Kuchiki clan files is a chance to do something good. Was your last hunt really that bad?" He asked.

She fidgeted. "The relic I recovered was a thing of pure evil. The Soul King himself dispatched me to track it down and bring it to him."

"What did he do with it?"

"Destroyed it." She shivered, "Just touching that thing made me feel tainted."

"What was it?"

"It was known as the Bloodstone, an object of concentrated power. It's origins and composition were so obscure it took me a year to track it down. When I found that it had been taken into to the Beast Realm I went there to retrieve it. I spent four months there before I found it. The havoc it wreaked on those guarding it – it was horrific. I've dealt with Were-beasts before, but these poor folks – the stone had twisted their minds so badly they were little more than savages. I was lucky to get out alive."

"What happened to the Weres?"

"The last time I checked, with the stone gone they're all recovering from its effects."

"Then you accomplished something good. You saved people from the influence of evil."

"Yes," she said, "but the stone put me in proximity of the Soul King's court. I – don't do well there."

Before he could broach the subject further, a messenger intercepted them. He bowed before Myssa. "I beg your pardon. Myssa Starjax, I have a message for you from Lord Haiko Fujiama." He handed her a folded letter. "I am to await your answer, my lady."

She sighed, "What now?" She opened the letter and quickly read it. She growled so low only Byakuya heard her. "This idiot never gives up!" To the messenger she said, "Please tell Lord Fujiama I thank him for his kind words. However, my social calendar is filled indefinitely for the foreseeable future."

"Yes, my lady." The messenger was gone in a shunpo blur.

"Lord Fujiama sent you an invitation?" Byakuya asked.

She sighed heavily. "There really are times that I wish I was invisible or just too plain looking to be noticed."

"Surely it's not that bad." He sounded a bit amused.

"You have no idea. I have to be careful of my appearance in public. No cosmetics, plain clothing, simple hairstyles. Most times I have to wear those irritating veils to hide my face all because so many men cannot control themselves. It makes me so uncomfortable when they stare." She squirmed. "And the looks I get from the likes of Lord Fujiama – makes my flesh crawl and my stomach turn."

"I've never known a beautiful woman that didn't like being admired."

"I don't mind admiration, I appreciate it. It's when it goes beyond what's polite or worse, they don't take 'no' for an answer. That is when it becomes a problem." Shook her head. "Lord Fujiama will wait a day and then try again. He's been hounding me since I showed my face at Jushiro's party last month."

"I was there. I didn't see you." He said.

"Because I ran away to Shunsui's house to get away from Haiko. He's an asshole and he's handsy. I chose to leave instead of making a scene."

He didn't like the sound of this at all. The thought of someone harassing her didn't sit well, nor did the thought that it was a noble behaving so badly.

They arrived at the gate to Shunsui's house. Byakuya noticed some flowers and gifts left at the gate. "Your admirers?"

"They are persistent. I'll have to clean it up. I don't have the heart to ask the servants to keep doing it." She looked a bit sad. "Thank you for the escort, Byakuya. I enjoyed your company."

"It was my pleasure."

"I'll report to your home Monday morning."

"I'll make sure the watchdog is gone." He said, hoping to hear her laugh.

She smiled so beautifully that it cut right through him. "Some things happen for a reason. Our meeting this night has been rather unusual, but I'm sure, in time, we'll come to enjoy the memory of how our friendship began."

There are moments in time that the mind often revisits to savor a memory. Byakuya knew that this would be one of them. He bowed his head and brought her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss to her soft skin. "I look forward to welcoming you to my home. Until then, I bid you goodnight, Myssa."

"Goodnight, Byakuya." Her voice was a little breathless. She walked through the gate, the flowers and gifts forgotten, the image of Byakuya's lips against her skin playing over and over in her mind. It would be a long time before she got to sleep and even then, he would haunt her dreams.