This is going to be rather light-hearted a fic, I promise. Perhaps not extremely comedic, but still reasonably romantic and also without any severe dark themes :-)

In fact, the reason I chose Daffodil as a title was because the flower actually represents new life, and new beginnings. I really liked that- and I found it quite apt for the storyline.


A thick layer of foundation. A tilt of exotic mascara. A slight flourish of dark, rich red lipstick. And finally, the swift lifting of mid-length dark locks into an elegant, chopstick-protruding bun, with gorgeous black bangs let loose to sweep across the pale face femininely.

She sat up from her small armchair, her silk pink shawl rippling. Next to her, another female, dressed in a casual yukata, was holding a clipboard and reciting the contents of her schedule today.

She was ready for today. Or as ready as she ever was.

''Today's a tough one,'' the fellow female who was holding the clipboard, named Naruki, sighed, adjusting her glasses. She was a weary-looking woman in her mid-forties. ''There'll be new guests who will be arriving this afternoon, and you'll have to cater to them. So straight after the 12 o'clock performance, and also after you tend to that batch, there'll be a brief lunch break for half an hour. And-''

She smiled fondly. Dear old Naruki. The older woman was one of the kindest and warmest staff in this place, and she was absolutely devoted to her job as the assistant manager. It was refreshing- to see someone so responsible and genuine in charge. She liked her very much.

''I understand, Naruki-san,'' the petite, dark-haired woman answered gently, a soft smile crossing her full lips. ''It's alright, just pass me my copy of today's timetable, and you can attend to your other duties.''

''Are you sure?'' Naruki asked anxiously. ''You're always so responsible... but just in case-''

She lowered a small, pale hand on her superior's shoulder. ''I'm sure.''

And with that, the assistant manager finally relented, before leaving the dressing room with a final beam at her, glasses slightly askew.

The younger woman watched her go, the small smile fading gradually from her scarlet lips as the door shut loudly. As usual, from where she stood silently by the vanity, the female currently felt like a doll; a doll that was coated with excessive cosmetics and accessories. Everything that represented her person was so artificial, and so redundant. Unconsciously her bony hand reached up and grasped the small pendant lying comfortably against her protruding collarbone. It was an unusual, almost morbid article, and yet one of the few things so genuine to her, and how she so treasured it to no end.

The sturdy bamboo of the tiny, finger-tip-sized pendant was carved unmistakably into the elegant kanji, White. Until today, she did not know why it was so. All she truly understood was that this had been her mother's treasured pendant, and also the very same pendant that had been hanging from her neck on the day when she had been vehemently crushed to death by a demon.

Be careful, darling, her mother had always told her. There are masked demons in this world, and they possess no hearts, no kindness, no empathy, and certainly no love. And yet they are not the most terrifying things in this world. Remember to fear the creatures in black, darling, for they resemble humans, and ironically hold enough power to destroy the very demons we fear.

And if they are destructive even to demons, then, tell me, what will become of you?

And don't ever forget, above all - fear humans... My darling.


Abarai Renji inwardly lamented to himself as he obediently followed his superior along the verdant greenery of an almost deserted path, their footfalls quiet and serene along the hard concrete. The duo was currently walking along at a more silent and exotic part of the Living World; in a place that was far outside the boundaries of Karakura Town and yet still somewhere within Tokyo, where there was less of the bustling streets and more of the peaceful, refreshing countryside.

For Renji, he personally could not help but feel somewhat disappointed about their designated location for their new mission in the Living World. It was rare for the flame-haired Shinigami to be able to venture to this second world, and he had always been eager for the chance to explore the modern inventions and many human offerings available here whenever he could. The enthusiastic male had looked forward to donning human clothing, to try out their incredible varying fashion styles, and definitely not to be presently wearing a dark red kinagashi, which was not very different from the kind of clothing he wore everyday in Soul Society.

He knew that the place they were currently strolling along, that this vastly beautiful country-like land was actually a very expensive tourist attraction in Tokyo. People paid millions to come to this opulent, exotic place, with its sophisticated, pretty bowl-shaped fountains gurgling every now and then along the vast flagstone grounds, and the tall elegant bamboo trees surrounding them.

And right in front of the pair, looming prominently, was the stately outline of a regal building, also known as the place's trademark hotel resort. It was a five-star hotel (Ichigo had earlier on informed an initially confused Renji that the more stars, the better the place), designed deliberately in a Japanese traditional setting.

There was no question that all of this (staying here) costed a bomb, that the amount for a few days of stay probably equivalent to some years' total of Renji's salary. This was also a reason why the Captain Commander had assigned the mission to himself and the Sixth Captain. After all, if it wasn't for the latter's monetary contribution, they could've hardly afforded to be in this mission.

Renji grudgingly doubted that his captain's contribution to the bill was considered a large amount in the reticent male's point of view. After all, the Kuchiki Manor was about as large as the hotel they would currently be staying at. The money was likely chicken feed to the Kuchiki.

''Renji.''

The red-haired male instantly stood to attention at the sudden rich, calm baritone resounding unhurriedly towards him. He resisted the urge to squirm as the tall lithe back, which had initially been facing him, now turned slowly in his direction.

''Focus, Renji,'' Byakuya Kuchiki spoke quietly. ''It is unbecoming to be idle, be it in mind or body, during an assignment.''

Renji gulped. He had no idea how his captain had known he was spacing out when he had been right behind the older male the whole time. Still, the fact remained that this mission would not affect the Kuchiki as much as it did Renji, for Byakuya had never displayed much interest about the Living World, or about most things, to be honest. Staying in the luxurious hotel resort would probably be of no difference to him compared to his own home in Soul Society.

''My apologies, Taicho,'' the lieutenant blurted hastily. ''I won't let it happen again.''

Said captain sent him a fleetingly impassive glance in response, his expression unfathomable. His kenseiken was currently absent, allowing the silky dark locks of his raven mane to sweep freely across the angular features of his face. ''Have you gone through the details of our report?''

Renji lowered his head respectfully. ''Yes, sir.''

It was not a complicated mission, really. In the famous Sakura Hotel Resort of the Living World, the Twelfth Division had issued reports of a few women who had been found mysteriously dead at said place within the span of a couple of months, and traces of reiatsu discovered along their corpses had been noted. This was possibly a Hollow's handiwork, but the truth was that a Hollow could've hardly been this discreet, with such little traces of violence at the crime scenes. The hotel had hushed the cases up, more for the sake of its renowned reputation than anything else.

Therefore, the Sixth Captain and Lieutenant had been assigned to head there while disguised as touring patrons, and to promptly see to the bottom of the mysterious matter. Since the hotel resort was set famously in the traditional ambiance, they had retrieved their gigai upon reaching the Living World and dressed customarily in kinagashi.

''I see,'' Byakuya stated, turning away, his plain white haori drifting gracefully along with the fluid movement. ''Keep it closely in mind then, Renji. We would not want another mishap here now, do we?''

The flame-haired male blinked bemusedly, before eventually following his superior along the mossy path once more. Sometimes, he simply just could never read his captain's mind. He absently wondered how Rukia did it; how she could actually live with the man, and yet never have a heart attack was completely beyond him.


Naruki blinked.

Well, the assistant manager had to admit privately that it had been quite a while since she had last seen a man as attractive as the dark-haired one currently standing before her from behind the marble counter. Perfect angular features, delightfully pale skin, and exotic slanted eyes, not to mention a tall, powerfully sleek build beneath his long robes. Perhaps if more creatures like him could turn up once in a while, then slaving away in this hotel everyday would definitely be more worth it.

''Kuchiki Byakuya-sama and Abarai Renji-sama?'' Naruki said politely, looking up from her laptop screen, her respectfully inquiring gaze going past said dark-haired Adonis to the red-haired, slightly taller man behind. ''Ah. Yes. Your reservations are right here. Also, your luggage are already checked in to your respective suites, so please do not worry.''

The redhead nodded politely, while his companion remained silent. ''Thank you.''

The two didn't look as if they were here for some fun, Naruki thought privately. Despite the hotel being a tourist attraction, she would not be surprised if they were here for an official business trip of some sort. The pair was dressed casually; the heavily tattooed redhead in a simple dark scarlet kinagashi, and the other man dressed in a silk white haori with light blue robes rustling underneath. Yet their expressions looked practically deadpan. The long dark-haired man's eyes were in fact lightly closed, as if absolutely disinterested in his beautifully plush surroundings.

If this was their vacation, Naruki mulled, then it seemed a rather dull vacation for them.

Determined to impress, however, the assistant manager moved past the reception counter and began politely guiding the guests across the spacious, elaborate air-conditioned lounge of the hotel. After all, the men were among the special few guests who had reserved the Emperor Suites, and even if she had not heard of their names before in the country, there was no doubt that the pair were patrons of higher standing within the hierarchy here. Naruki had served celebrities and nobility before within the hotel, and something about the reserved, graceful air from one of the guests vaguely reminded the female of her previous said experiences.

They quietly moved on, feet gliding briskly across the smooth timber floor, and surrounding the trio were other people leisurely strolling about, mostly dressed in traditionally colourful kimonos as well, while a vast bamboo water fountain popped serenely from the center of the enormous lounge. It was a known fact that all of the resort staff here usually donned Japanese robes, save for the manager, who was presently out of sight.

Not too long later the trio then crossed a small, deliberately designed arched wooden bridge within the hotel's large corridor as they eventually traversed away from the lounge, and all the while Naruki went on cordially to her patrons about the numerous attractions of the resort.

''Here we have our famous hot springs, Jacuzzi, swimming pools, and massage services are of course also available,'' she gushed warmly. ''All of this is in our spa package. If you'd like something more adventurous than that, however, there is of course the beach- and we have our own sport halls available as well, plus there are many shops in our own personal Sakura town just by the hotel. I assure you both that you will be spoiled for choice.''

For the first time since their arrival, the red-haired man looked interested, although his silent companion appeared as serenely indifferent as ever beside him.

''Shops? What do they sell?'' Abarai Renji asked.

''All kinds of products, sir,'' Naruki replied eagerly, bowing slightly, her yukata rustling. ''Clothes of the latest fashion, souvenirs, and other accessories."

She straightened up. "But of course, before you begin your activities, surely you must both be currently starved from your long journey here. Allow me to invite you to our buffet luncheon. In fact, it happens that our renowned singer Daffodil will also be performing there. Surely you must have heard of her. She is actually one of the main highlights of our resort.''

The red-haired male nodded, scratching his chin. ''Ah. I've seen her name in the brochure, I think.''

Naruki smiled in response, as the small group finally came to a stop before a large lavish, oak door that loomed before them. ''Yes. Without Daffodil- well, our resort might not be as successful as it is so now.'' Demurely the middle-aged woman bowed once more, one hand reaching out to grasp the side of the gigantic door. ''Please, enjoy.''


Renji turned to his superior, his tattooed face looking slightly excited from where they sat side by side on the tatami mats by the lowly-inclined refined bamboo tables. Already mouth-watering dishes of sushi and miso soup were being served, including small clay cups of expensive, fragrant tea. The dining hall was packed- with many other patrons also seated within the luxurious, peaceful atmosphere while some of them explored around the numerous rows of varying culinary delights offered on the buffet tables.

Now, for Renji, this was the life. The man just couldn't wait to head back to Soul Society soon and tell Hisagi and Ikkaku about it. Sure, the ambiance here was not very different from what he usually experienced in Sereitei (not exactly modern) but it was the lifestyle of the wealthy, and the red-haired male was just beside himself.

And it was all free for him! All free!

''This isn't so bad, is it, Taicho?'' Renji asked, picking his chopsticks up. ''Judging from what the woman said just now about this place- it's actually pretty good.''

Byakuya lowered his clay cup of tea with long, adroit fingers, exotically slanted eyes still closed with disregard. He spoke quietly.

''It is... decidedly unimpressive.''

The vice-captain flinched slightly. ''Ah. I... I see.''

The male was saved from the rather awkward situation (for him, anyway) when the MC proceeded to abruptly announce the well-known singer 'Miss Daffodil''s entrance on the stage. It seemed the female performer was truly rather popular in this resort, for most of the dining patrons looked madly enthusiastic as they applauded loudly for her even before her appearance. And then, the dark red curtains rippled slightly as the grand material began to part above the rising stage, signalling the beginning of the performance.

Boredly, Renji picked up a sushi from his plate and shoved it into his month with relish, enjoying the delectable taste of glutinous rice and crunchy seaweed. It tasted like utter heaven, and he chewed vigorously onto it, so caught up in the delicious dish that he instinctively blocked out the light melody of a piano-driven piece which had begun to flow prettily within the hall.

And then- Kuchiki Byakuya suddenly stiffened beside him.

It was a subtle gesture, one so soundlessly subtle that if it weren't for the fact that Renji had been his lieutenant and partner for such a long time, the redhead might not had noticed. An average person, after all, would have none the ability to read Byakuya's almost unrevealing body language. But somewhat notice Renji did, and the younger male turned to look curiously at his captain, his mouth still filled with overwhelmingly tasty sushi.

The silent male's tall back was strictly straight, his imposing, aristocratic figure discreetly tense and his artistic large hand had stilled noiselessly over his cup of tea. The exquisite dark silvery eyes were now finally open beneath long, flickering sooty lashes, and had also slightly widened with an enigmatic emotion Renji could not decipher.

The redhead quickly glanced in the direction of his captain's discerning, unwavering stare, right at where the stage was- and froze himself.

The now stunned vice-captain took in a sharp, shaking breath, his mouth wide open (he was nearly choking on the remains of sushi in his throat), and after a few long seconds, finally exhaled a single choked word that fell from his strangled lips. ''Rukia.''

His chopsticks nearly fell from his disbelieving fingers.

The first insane, impulsive thought that had sprung forth within his dazed mind was simple and at the same time utterly ridiculous: Miss Daffodil was Rukia Kuchiki.

But upon taking a closer look at the revealed singer and after forcing himself to hastily regain his composure, Renji blinked confusedly, and stared. This woman on the stage was certainly not Rukia.

She was enchanting- beautiful, absolutely beautiful, and there was no doubt about that fact. The petite female was gently sashaying across the huge space of the wide stage, elegantly dressed in a figure-clinging outfit designed to resemble a kimono, but was also most definitely not a kimono.

The torso half of her dress was a long-sleeved, pure ivory white, puffy top, the soft material only starting from right below her exposed, creamy shoulders, while delineating the modest mounds of her breasts before stretching onwards onto her flat belly, before being fastened around her perfect waistline by a light pink obi. And then the rest of her gorgeous costume simply ended off with a lengthy, darker pink skirt which snugly clung to her stunningly-shaped hips and lovely thighs before fashionably flowing out like flickering petals along her shapely legs.

And her face. Her face.

It was no wonder that at first glance Renji had immediately associated her with Rukia. The basic features were the same- large violet eyes, heart-shaped pale face and little lips, plus those familiar silky dark bangs.

Yet now as he stared dazedly on, he began to realize that Daffodil did not look as much like Rukia as he had initially thought.

While Rukia's eyes were a rich, striking shade of violet, Daffodil's eyes were lighter, more akin to shimmering violet pools of intense liquid emotion. Her fine features appeared older than Rukia's, more mature, and also more delicate. While Rukia's beauty lay in the intensity of her vitality and vigor- this enthralling female's beauty seemed to arise from raw melancholy and her vulnerability.

Daffodil's small lips were painted a sensual dark red, and her eyes heavily made up with black mascara and eyeliner. Her smooth complexion was absolutely pale and exquisite. The woman's beauty clearly did not just awe Renji alone, for the other dining patrons were still applauding passionately and some actually wolf-whistled from their seats.

However, Renji stubbornly clung to the feeling that he had seen this woman's face before prior to meeting her today, perhaps not as Rukia, but certainly in someone else. He had definitely seen her before somewhere.

And then it struck him.

The lieutenant had seen that delicate, gentle face plenty of times, hadn't he? He had seen that face from a precious photograph within the Captain's own personal shrine in the Sixth Division, had seen that face from another similar portrait located in the shrine of the Kuchiki Manor, and also in other private places from within the large manor.

Renji turned slightly, hesitantly, on the tatami mat.

Kuchiki Byakuya's face was now completely unreadable. It was as if the shutters in his expression, which had never been so much as opened in the first place, had now been pulled down entirely. The sculpted, sharp features of his regal semblance were absolutely deadpan, and yet, he was staring coolly with a frightening, almost predatory intensity at the female standing not far from them.

His deceased wife brought the microphone to her tender, gentle lips and began to sing.