A Drop in the Ocean:
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters and locations belong to Tite Kubo
Chapter 1:
A strong heat was pouring gently over the Seireitei, the height of summer was clearly upon them. Although the Captains remained in their uniforms, many of the Gotei 13 squad members had taken to wearing light yukatas as they performed their duties. Escaping the heat, to them, outweighed the scolding they got from their superiors. A light breeze travelled through the streets, small dust clouds swirling up around the soul reapers' feet as they scurried around. The dryness only accentuated the heat, the gritty clouds settling on every surface and blanketing it. Even the Kuchiki manor was caught in the onslaught of dust, the attendants hurrying to move it outside. Byakuya swept the sand from his desk lazily, his fingertips narrowly missing the steaming cup of tea perched on the corner. The breeze from his open window blew in another cloud; one dark eyebrow rose a fraction. The futility of his hand sweeps apparent, he did his best to ignore the sand and continued signing papers. Almost half of the parchment scrolls belonged to Renji, the wayward lieutenant under Byakuya. Said lieutenant was currently missing from his post, choosing instead to enjoy the weather. Byakuya would have objected more to his subordinate's goofing off, but he knew had he made him stay he would have been plagued by complaints about the heat. As it was, Byakuya was enjoying the peace and quiet, the only sounds the distant scratching of gardening tools from his attendents in the gardens. The captain had never realized just how much noise Renji usually made, although how one makes such a racket filling in forms Byakuya would never know. He paused his writing and reached for his tea cup, taking a delicate sip and savouring the taste. Footsteps echoed outside in the hallway. Byakuya lowered his cup and peered at the door. Renji burst in quite suddenly, the loose black yukata he was wearing showing an inappropriate amount of his chest. Byakuya found himself averting his eyes, annoyance flashing through them briefly,
"Abarai" he said, his tone clipped "If you are going to barge in here at least ensure you are dressed correctly"
Renji looked down at his yukata, pulling it around himself and smirking,
"What's the matter Kuchiki Taichou? Too distracting for you?" the red head's grin grew wider. Byakuya turned back to his lieutenant,
"You are disrespecting me enough by refusing to wear proper uniform without wandering around half naked as well" he fixed Renji with a harsh stare "Now, did you need my attention for anything important?".
Renji reached up and scratched his top knot, still grinning mischievously
"You've been shut up in this stuffy office for hours, you need a break" he said "A group of us are heading to the beach, you should come with us"
"I have neither the time nor the interest for such frivolities" Byakuya picked up another scroll "If that is all you may leave, unless you want me to find you something more useful to do"
"Come on Taichou" Renji folded his arms "You can't stay indoors forever, put on a yukata and live a little"
"I assure you I live just the right amount" Byakuya was starting to lose his patience, though he expression remained carefully calm "As a Captain I cannot abandon my post, and neither can I be seen in something so casual as my yukata"
"Suit yourself" Renji shrugged and headed for the door, already loosening his yukata "You know, we are due a training session, and the sand would make it a good challenge"
Byakuya ignored his lieutenant, resuming his paperwork silently in hopes it would end the conversation
"He has a point master, and you could use a break"
"I do not recall asking your opinion on the matter" Byakuya didn't look up from his papers, hearing Senbozakura laughing softly at him in his mind
"I only do what I think best for my master"
"I was under the impression you were my weapon Senbonzakura, not my guardian"
"Someone has to nudge you in the right direction from time to time, and I don't see you listening to anyone else"
"You really are quite bothersome" Byakuya put down his pen and stood up "Abarai, a moment please".
The weather was somehow even hotter at the beach than it had been at the Seireitei. Byakuya was sat in a wooden chair upon the sand, his captain's haori, scarf, tabi and sandals in a folded pile next to him. Sweat was making his remaining clothes uncomfortably sticky, he was almost wishing he had gone for a yukata like Renji had suggested. The red head had ran off as soon as they had arrived, choosing to splash around in the ocean with Rukia. Byakuya watched his sister and his lieutenant playing in the water; his stern expression almost daring Renji to move closer to her,
"You should join them for a while master, you need to cool down"
"I brought plenty of drinking water, that will cool me sufficiantly for now" Byakuya picked up a flask and took a sip to make his point, he caught sight of the ocean and turned his head away, a barely noticeable tremor creeping across his hands "Besides, I do not wish to get my hakama wet"
"I do not think it is your hakama you are worried about, master"
"Are you accusing me of lying, Senbonzakura?"
"Never, master"
"Good, then be quiet"
Byakuya leaned back in his chair, looking around and purposefully keeping his gaze away from the water. He could see he was not the only captain who had been forced to attend. Toshiro was sat a short distance away with Momo and his lieutenant, Rangiku. The young captain was clearly sulking as he sat underneath a large parasol, biting viciously on a large slice of watermelon. Byakuya allowed himself a very small smile of amusement, clearly the other captain had been bribed,
"Hey! Kuchiki Taichou!"
Byakuya quickly resumed his neutral expression, looking up calmly when he heard Renji shouting. The red head skidded to a halt in front of the chair, creating a spray of sand and water droplets. Byakuya turned his head in distaste,
"Abarai, you are sullying my uniform" he said,
"Sorry Taichou" Renji grinned nervously "You wanna come swimming with us? You'll cool off in no time"
"I am cool enough, thank you" Byakuya ignored the bead of sweat trickling down his cheek "Return to Rukia and leave me in peace"
Renji frowned at his captain's dismissal. There had to be some way to get him to cooperate. The red head sighed and turned to leave; from the corner of his eye he saw the pile of clothes by Byakuya's chair. A mischevious grin spread across his face, his hand darted out and grabbed the tabi from the top of the pile. Byakuya looked up sharply when he saw Renji's hand move,
"Abarai" he said "Put those back immediately"
"Sorry Taichou" Renji laughed, swinging the tabi in his hand gently "You want'em, you gotta get'em" He moved back a few paces, dangling the tabi teasingly. Byakuya stood up, fixing his subordiate with a cold stare,
"I will not ask you again" he said "Unhand my tabi"
"Nope!" Renji winked at his captain and flashstepped away, appearing at the end of a small rock jetty stretching out into the ocean. He turned and waved happily, a smirk on his face. Byakuya didn't move, staring hard at his subordinate on the rocks. His hands were clenched, his knuckles turning white. Reluctantly he flashstepped after his lieutenant, appearing a few paces behind him. He tried to take a step forward, several waves splashed over the rocks and onto his feet. Byakuya almost flinched, his toes curling involuntarily under his hakama. He looked up at Renji sternly, holding out his hand. Renji laughed and jumped off the rocks, splashing heavily in the water. Byakuya's eyes widened a little, his body flinching involuntarily,
"Abarai!" he kept his voice as still as possible "My tabi" Renji broke the surface of the water, laughing along with Rukia as he stared up at his captain. He swam forwards and reached up, grabbing Byakuya's wrist
"Come get'em, Kuchiki Taichou!"
Byakuya's eyes widened as he was suddenly pulled forward, his whole body froze as he plunged head first into the cold waves. He gave a silent, involuntary scream, his mouth filling with water. His body jerked around uselessly, trying to find a way out. The waves were crushing him, forcing him further down. Byakuya couldn't think clearly, his vision hazy and fading fast
"Okasan! Watch me!" Tiny footsteps on a rock, the sound of rushing water
"Be careful darling, you'll fall" A warm voice giving him warning
"Okasan!" His feet felt the air, the freezing cold hit him instantly
"Byakuya!"
Byakuya jolted and gasped, coughing up a mouthful of water. He wheezed heavily, his eyes wide as he panted. Several people were hovering over him, their faces blurred. Something heavy dropped onto his chest,
"Nii-sama! I-I thought..." Rukia whimpered, shaking as she hugged her brother. Byakuya forced himself into a shaky sitting position, pushing Rukia away,
"Enough Rukia" his voice was hoarse yet still stern "Do not embarrass me so carelessly"
Rukia fell back onto her knees, stinging from her brother's harsh words. Byakuya pushed himself to his feet, trying to retain what little dignity he could. His body gave an odd lurch, his limbs still weak. The fabric of his uniform was saturated, the weight affecting his balance. Several pools of water had already formed at his feet; Byakuya ignored them and started to slowly walk away. Renji was suddenly in front of him, his hands clutching at his wet kosode. The red head was no longer wearing his yukata, his only item of clothing a pair of long swim shorts. His hair was loose from it's usual tight top knot, hanging in wet strands around his shoulders,
"S-Sir!" Renji's grip tightened "Y-You can't-"
Renji's eyes were wide and slightly frantic, a tinge of guilt across his features. Byakuya gave him a very cold stare before roughly brushing his hands away,
"You are in no position to tell me what I can and cannot do" he felt gripped by anger; he quickly brushed past his lieutenant and carried on walking away. The heat of several stares hit his back; Byakuya felt a shudder run up his spine. He continued to walk, keeping his body and posture perfectly still. Another feeling was starting to creep over him, one he almost felt ashamed to feel. Byakuya was glad his back was turned; it would not do for his inferiors to see his burning cheeks right know. Embarrassment was a foreign emotion to him, one he did not allow himself to acknowledge. Yet now he was powerless to control it.
After all, what kind of Captain was afraid of water?