Forbidden Touch

Three and a half weeks later.1

It had hardly been recorded in Bleach's history about a Soul Reaper and a Quincy training together. Soul Reapers use their power that emanates from their Soul and Zanpakutō. A Quincy's power, however, uses their surroundings. They have their own spiritual powers, too, but they mainly rely on spiritual weapons, making them versatile fighters.

For that given period, Uryū's training had fared better than Silas expected. The two would train consistently until the former was deemed ready.

Silas would have Uryū rest from his duties of slaying Hollows. While Rukia, who slept in Silas's closet, was oblivious to their covert training. Assuming her soul pager went off at night, Silas and Uryū would have sensed that Hollow ahead of time. And even if, by chance, she arose from her sleep, the artificial soul would already be in bed.

But apart from her ignorance, there was something crucial that Silas had been orchestrating for Rukia. Each day that passed, he would help acclimate her to the world of the living. One could say that he was coercing her off her feet when they weren't slaying Hollows. At home, he would buy her favourite drinks and take her out to eat at her favourite restaurants.

At school was an even bigger change. The students particularly liked spending time with Rukia. She would often be by Silas's side in case a Hollow was present, but that didn't stop Silas from manipulating her into having lunch with people like Orihime and Tatsuki. She was integrating so well and getting attached to the world of the living that she had honestly begun studying for tests.

• • •

After school, Rukia and Silas were seen walking home together. This was an occasional thing they did when there were no Hollows present. And each time they were alone, Silas would purposefully get closer and closer to her heart. That is, until one day, she stopped to ask him, "Ichigo, how do you feel about me?"

"What do you mean?"

"At lunch, the girls asked if you and I were dating... I practically choked on my juice box."

"What are you getting at?"

"Just give me a moment to explain!" she shouted. "When we first met, you said you were only going to work with me because I helped save your family... I honestly thought you were just a hostile kid who didn't like me."

As Rukia continued, Silas's eyes twitched. The scene he had been waiting for was finally happening.

"I never thought you'd be so different... Passion, friendship, and affection. When did you start showing all those things to me? I'm a Soul Reaper, remember? And I—"

Before she could finish, Silas embraced her. "I know who you are, Rukia. That rugged road you came on to help save my family; those eyes of determination that's always shining when you smile..."

Rukia tried to pull away a little, but he wouldn't let her. They stood there in silence as she melted in his arms. His hair whispered against her head. They were so close that he could practically feel her heart hammering through her bosom. But if only she could see Silas's face: a coldhearted, sadistic smile that looked as if it said, 'I won!'

'Watch closely, Aizen... This is what you wanted me to do, right? Befriend this thing so you could force me to enter the Soul Society after you take her.'

• • •

'Why is he so warm?' Rukia thought to herself. She listened to him say her name. 'His voice. It's shaky. Is he just as nervous as me right now, or am I just imagining things?'

He squeezed her tighter as the silence stretched, the weight of anticipation settling between them. Confessing his feelings for her, Rukia's breath hitched.

'What am I doing? Ichigo and I are just friends. He's rude, irksome to be around. So why is he making me so anxious?'

Rukia's knees felt weak. The sun's light permeated the scene. She was lost for words until a soft smile bloomed on her lips.

"I… I feel the same way."

Silas gradually let go of his hold. What she felt next was something soft on her forehead. It was a tentative kiss, sweet to the touch. The world around her almost faded, making her heart beat even more. He pulled away with flushed eyes and a radiant smile.

In that moment, everything felt possible for her. The weight of being a Soul Reaper, the threat of fighting Hollows—all of it slipped away into the sunset.

• • •

After Silas's confession, the two walked home together, holding hands. Rukia was still ever so nervous, a tad unsure of whether or not what she was doing was right. Her accepting Silas was the same as saying she no longer wanted to do her duties as a Soul Reaper.

Isshin had done something similar, having been a captain in the Soul Society, only to abandon it all to be with a Quincy. Acts like that were beyond taboo.

This was all for the sake of making Aizen's job much easier. He knew perfectly how certain things would play out. If he were to see that Rukia was finally getting too attached to the world of the living, he would send Soul Reapers to capture her soon. Exactly what Silas needed him to do.

By the time the two made it home, Silas went straight to the bathroom and began washing his mouth. For all he knew, Rukia was probably thinking about his lips as opposed to how dangerous the situation was. From every angle, both Aizen and him were pulling her strings.

All Silas could think of now was how upset his wife would have been if she knew what he had done. He was a faithful man, fully honouring their marriage.

That weak kiss held no meaning for Silas whatsoever. The moment his lips touched Rukia's forehead, he felt utter disgust. She was nothing more than an imaginative spirit for Silas to use. Perhaps people who desired Ichigo and her to be a couple, Silas, didn't remotely find that "ship" appealing.

She was written to have married Renji Abarai by the end of the story. While the only end Silas saw was her head pierced by the edge of his sword.

Just as he finished wiping his face, he gave a light smirk. It was because two very powerful spiritual pressures had just entered Karakura Town!