Yuki didn't realize that she fell asleep on the floor after she cried. She got up from her place and looked outside her window. It's still dark and stars are still seen on the sky. She checked the moon's position and figured out it's already 1 in the morning.

She looked down on Seiretei and saw no one on the streets and lamps only illuminate the pathways.

"Of course no one would be up. It's too early." She mumbled to herself

"Yuki-sama?" Two voices rang in her head

Yuki quickly closed her eyes and concentrated. When she opened them again, she was in a vast flower field where butterflies of different colors and sizes fly abundantly. She was in Muracho's inner world.

"Muracho!" She called out loud while looking around

"We are here, Yuki-sama." Voices called to her from behind and she turned

There, she saw a very beautiful lady descending with butterflies around her. Her hair is freely flowing but she is wearing a flower crown consisting of violets and lilies that reach up to the tips of her knee length black hair. She is wearing a traditional purple kimono with white snow designs on the edges. She has a black obi with gold designs on it. Her eyes consist of a blue color with no pupils at all. On her back are giant butterfly wings that looked like the starry sky is seen from it.

"Hello, Muracho!" Yuki said and ran towards her

Muracho welcomed her with open arms and giggled when she reached her.

"Greetings, Yuki-sama. You seem to be doing well now." Her dual voice said

"Yes. I can't keep crying forever. Shinji wouldn't want that." Yuki said still hugging Muracho

"I'm sure Shinji-sama is happy wherever he is now." Muracho said then kissed her head

Yuki opened her eyes again and she is back in her room at the squad 1 barracks. It seems like she was in the inner world for about 5 minutes. Since she couldn't fall back asleep, she decided to just take a stroll around Seiretei. She jumped through the window and flash stepped to the roofs.

While she is walking around, she caught sight of a sakura tree inside the walls in one of the compounds. This turned out to be the Kuchiki compound but Yuki didn't knew it. She flash stepped towards it and sat on the grass looking up at it. As if as a greeting, the sakura tree began to emit a light pink glow and the wind gently blew lifting the fallen petals. Yuki gave a slight giggle when a sakura petal brushed past her nose.

She raised her hand and the fallen petals automatically became covered in ice. She smiled a little and stood up, an idea coming out of her head. She positioned her feet in a crisscross position and spread her arms out with her head lowered, she then started moving her arms and the frosted petals converged forming somewhat of an ice sash circling both her arms. She raised her head and started dancing.

Every move she make, the sakura petals follow her like a shadow. The wind seems to know when to blow lifting her snow white hair. She twirled, leaped and moved with outmost grace and the sakura tree seemed to dance along with her. What Yuki didn't know, she has an audience just standing in the shadows.

When she finished her dance, the sakura petals dispersed but didn't fall on the ground. Next thing she knew, a blade was pointed in her neck.

"State your business." A deep monotone voice spoke behind her

She knew that voice so she quickly bowed and apologize.

"A thousand apologies, Master Byakuya Kuchiki. I wasn't aware I'm not allowed here. Please accept my apology." Yuki said when she turned around and bowed on her knees

"Stand." Byakuya commanded and Yuki quickly obeyed

Byakuya looked around and saw that his sakura tree was giving somewhat of a glow.

"Why is my sakura tree glowing?" He asked

"Um... It is-"

"Look at me when you speak." Byakuya cut her off

"I believe I cannot do such a thing, Master. Looking straight into your eyes is a punishable thing." Yuki said still bowing

Yuki was surprised when fingers reach up to her chin and make her face him.

"Then I command you to look at me when we speak." He said with authority in his voice

Yuki can't help but blush at the sight of Byakuya's face. Who wouldn't? A face as if the Gods sculpted themselves, eyes that seem to see the very soul of your being, a personality that every lady would fear and fall for. His aura as a noble also never falters. He is utter perfection.

"Y-yes, Master Byakuya. Oh, am I permitted to call in such a manner?" Yuki asked still blushing

"You may. Now my question. Why is my sakura tree glowing?" Byakuya asked again

"The Sakura clan has control over the sakura trees. It is once said in the ancient times that if a member of the said clan visits a sakura field, the trees pay homage to them by glowing. It is as a sign of gratitude for taking care of them. Huh?" Yuki suddenly stopped and blushed even more

"N-n-no, Master Senbonzakura. There is no need to do such a thing! I appreciate it, though." Yuki said still blushing

Byakuya raised an eyebrow at Yuki's words.

"You speak of my zanpakuto. What did he say to you?" Byakuya asked

"He said that he wants to materialize out of his inner world and serve me as a sign of gratitude, but I told him there is no need. So he just ended up going to Muracho's inner world." Yuki explained

Byakuya gave a nod and looked at the sakura tree.

"So you mean that if a member of your clan walks by a sakura tree, it will glow?" He asked while touching the petals

"Yes, Master. It will." Yuki answered

Byakuya looked at the ground and saw the ice covered petals. He picked one up and examined it. He then remembered.

"The dance? What is the dance you did called?" He asked again

"That dance is the Sakura Dance. A traditional dance of our clan only to be danced before a sakura tree. Every women of our clan is obligated to know it." Yuki answered

"You speak of your clan with pride. Is your clan part of a noble group?"

"I am afraid not, Master Byakuya. We may have a vast history and traditions, but we just a mere clan of servants and slaves."

"Where are the rest of your family?"

"I am the only one left. Aside from being in the Sakura clan, we are also Snow Felines that are hunted for our hearts. My entire clan, family and race are wiped out after merchants and killers seek us. I am the only survivor of all of them." Yuki answered in a sad tone

He didn't know why but he suddenly felt a pang of guilt after he heard her answer.

"Sorry to hear that." Byakuya said

"Do not be, dear Master. No one is at fault. We are destined to be killed so we embraced it faced head on." Yuki answered with a small smile

Byakuya didn't like her answer but he knows he can't do anything about it. A frozen sakura petal brushed past his eyes and he observed it.

"Why does the hunters seek your hearts?" He asked

"Well, it was just an old saying, but it was once said that if you were able to collect 100 Snow Feline hearts and eat it, you will gain control over the element of ice and the others who can also control it will die." Yuki answered

Byakuya nodded his head and looked at the cat girl in front of him.

"Dance." He said out of the blue

"Master?" Yuki asked

"Can you dance again for me? I want to see it again." He said facing her

Yuki's eyes glistened and she eagerly nodded yes. She positioned herself and performed her dance again. This time, in front of Byakuya. He didn't know why but he felt something weird in his stomach and chest when she saw Yuki dancing. It would constrict every time she would look at him and smile. He isn't used to this foreign feeling so he shrugged it off thinking it will eventually pass.

After that her dance, Byakuya seemed to grow interests in Yuki's past and culture that they didn't notice they were already talking for hours. They also ended up sitting on the ground and talking casually. Byakuya even allowed Yuki to play around and it made him let out small smiles. It seems like the Noble of the Cherry Blossoms took quite a liking to the Sakura Clan's Snow Feline.

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