A/N: My very first Bleach fanfic. XD
I hope someone out there likes this little one-shot. ^^

There is only silence.

Sound has not pierced Byakuya's world in some time. Taste and smell don't exist. Colour, too, has no place in his life, not since she left his side.

There is nothing, because she was everything.

–

It is another quiet day when he finally finds her. She looks so young, bursting with life, with health. A quiet, muffled sound makes its way to his ears. There–it is her voice responding to something someone has said. It is sound.

She turns and fixes him with a curious, violet gaze. They are the same–those eyes, that face. Her orbs widen in surprise and amazement. Byakuya can't help but avert his eyes. The imaginary scent of orchid drifts by and he finally lifts his eyes to hers. There is only one thought in his head: violet is colour.

–

Today, he feels something remotely close to hunger. She's late this morning, and he waits at the large table until she comes into view. Her head is bowed as she murmurs an apology and takes a seat across from him. He continues waiting until she has taken a bite of her meal before he begins to eat. Somehow, the rice dumplings don't taste nearly as bland as they usually do.

–

Life moves a little more quickly. He no longer feels void, frozen; rather, the sensation now is more like still, calm water. There are ripples every so often; some are small, some are big. But always, always it returns to calm.