Every year, on the very first day of flower viewing season, Byakuya would always find himself seated under a lonesome cherry blossom. It was a massive tree carefully tucked away at the top of a hill, hidden perfectly in the secluded part of town. No one knew of its existence, and no one ever bothered to venture this far out.
He, too, would have never known of its existence had he not wandered aimlessly through town a few weeks after Hisana's death. After she passed, everything seemed void of color. His eyes saw nothing but monochromes of black and white. His entire world had turned gray. Not even Captain Unohana knew what had caused his colorblindness. He tried everything – herbal medicine, essential oils, guided meditation, blessed incense sticks, and even reiatsu manipulation – nothing worked. But just one look at that tree, and his eyes were instantly brought back to life. In his bleak world full of ashen palettes, it had been the only thing in color.
It became his solace, the one place he could truly feel at ease. Slowly, his eyes gained back the life they had lost. He never thought how beautiful the world was, until he finally starting seeing all the hues and pigments that were once lost to him. This place was his treasure, and it belonged to him alone.
That was, until today.
Byakuya openly glared at the figure occupying his sacred space.
"Captain Soifon."
Soifon glanced down at the Kuchiki heir with disinterest, as she continued to sway the foot she had dangling off a branch. She had an open thermos in one hand, while the other clutched a plain black porcelain tea cup. "Captain Kuchiki." Directing her gaze back onto the beginning signs of sunrise, she let out a silent sigh of appreciation.
Byakuya stayed rooted on the spot, just a few paces away from his beloved flora, as he eyed the petite woman loafing blithely on his tree. "May I inquire the nature of your… visit?"
Soifon raised an eyebrow. "Visit?" She scoffed at the nod her fellow captain gave as a response.
"Does this property belong to the Kuchiki clan?"
Byakuya narrowed his eyes at the challenging tone of the Onmitsukido commander-in-chief. "No."
Soifon paused to take a sip of her tea, taking her time, enjoying the annoyance it brought out of the sixth division captain. "Then why the question?"
Byakuya brought down the woven basket he had taken with him for the occasion, and crossed both hands on his chest in a gesture of persistence. "For years I have taken this space during the first day of cherry blossom season."
Soifon knew exactly what he was trying to do. "So?" She watched with veiled amusement at the way the Kuchiki heir's eye twitched.
"So I would greatly appreciate it if you were to vacate the premises."
Soifon looked at her now empty cup and started filling it back up to the brim, relishing in the way her dismissal irritated him.
"Captain Soifon-" Byakuya felt his mouth open slightly as she raised a hand to silence him. He couldn't believe the audacity of this woman.
"Like I said, does this property belong to the Kuchiki clan?" Her tone was monotonous and uninterested.
"No, however-"
"Is it, in any way, leased to your name?"
"Not that I know of-"
"Are you aware that this land still falls under the premises of the public park, therefore it is a free space for all of soul society inhabitants?"
Byakuya was silent now, seething at the relentless interruptions by petite woman before him.
Soifon looked at the aggravated form of the sixth division captain unfazed. "I'm not leaving this spot Kuchiki. So you either sit still and wait, or go find another tree to lounge under."
Byakuya continued to stay silent as he composed himself. There had to be some way he could convince her to leave. He watched as she stared out into the town, completely aloof towards his presence. This tree had the perfect view of all of soul society. This was his spot. He found it first all those years ago. There was no way he would relinquish it to her so easily.
"What can I offer you, in exchange for your departure?"
Soifon scoffed. So this was how he wanted to play? She kept her gaze onto the expanse of the city. Everything looked so tiny and fragile. "There's absolutely nothing of yours that could interest me."
"How about a few things that belonged to Shihoin Yoruichi?"
Soifon turned her head to glance at the arrogant man standing stubbornly below her. His stern gaze met her nonchalant eyes. "What I'd want to know is why you have them at all."
"Do you want them or not?"
Not bothering to give him the satisfaction of a response, Soifon directed her gaze back to the horizon.
Byakuya released a sigh. So the rumors were true. The second division captain seemed to have gotten over her infatuation after the Shihoin princess married Urahara Kisuke.
"Is there really nothing that can get you to leave me in peace, Captain Soifon?"
His insistence was wearing her patience thin. "No."
Releasing a sigh of renunciation, Byuka picked up his woven basket.
Soifon smirked and was about to voice her farewell, when she saw him move up further towards the tree, leaning the basket by its trunk, before taking out a pale pink and silver blanket.
"What are you doing?"
Byakuya paid her no heed as he continued to straighten the blanket on the grass.
"Captain Kuchiki-"
"You said so yourself." He began, finally satisfied with the way the blanket draped evenly on the ground. "This is a public space." He moved to take out a tea set, setting down a few packets of snacks carefully in perfect order.
Soifon watched with growing displeasure as he made himself at home under her tree. "But is it not common courtesy to relinquish a space to whoever had gotten it first?"
Byakuya sat cross-legged on blanket, his back leaning casually on the tree bark. He looked up, meeting the stony eyes of the second division captain who sat on a high branch directly above him. "It is more than enough to house both of us."
For some strange reason, she found it hard to take him seriously with the way he had his head tilted all the way back, and his neck straining to meet her gaze. She tore her eyes away from him to hide the small smile that graced her features. It wasn't often you'd see the Kuchiki heir lose a bit of his poise.
Byakuya took her silence as settlement. He began allowing himself to relax as his gaze drifted onto the expanse of the town. Sitting near the edge of the hill, leaning on the smooth trunk of his beautiful tree, he couldn't feel more content.
Hearing soft shuffling, Byakuya shifted his gaze up, only to watch the Onmitsukido commander-in-chief land on the grass a few paces to his left. He saw the expanse of her exposed back for a fraction of a second, before her haori fluttered down all the way to floor. "Why-"
"I do not wish to be made the object of hate by nearly half of the members of the Shinigami Women's Association (SWA)." Soifon answered curtly.
Byakuya narrowed his eyes both in annoyance and confusion. She just loved cutting people of, didn't she? "I don't understand what you mean exactly, Captain Soifon."
Soifon turned around, her face donning an expression of disbelief and amusement. "Are you serious?"
Byakuya could only look on puzzled.
"Every year the SWA asks for your presence during the Sakura season for the viewing ceremony. And every year, you turn that invitation down." Soifon sighed. Judging by the expression on his face, he really was clueless. "So what do you suppose they will think if they find out that you and I had been together viewing flowers in private?"
Byakuya let out a small scoff in disbelief. "This wasn't on purpose."
"But they don't know that." Soifon shook her head slightly. "The last thing I need is Yachiru running all over my division wreaking havoc."
Soifon turned around to leave.
"Wait."
Turning her head around, Soifon watched as the sixth division captain stood up from his position by the tree.
"You were here first." He began. "And it is because I have learned how beautiful this place is, that I understand your attachment to it." He bent down, picking up the woven basket, moving it closer towards the blanket as he picked up a tea cup. "I'll leave."
Soifon turned to face the Kuchiki heir, releasing an exasperated sigh in the process. "Stop right there."
Byakuya directed his attention towards the second division captain. She had a hand up once again. That gesture, and her incessant need to interrupt him, irked him to no end.
"I only ever stay until sunrise. This is the time I usually take my leave." Soifon clarified as she brought her hand back down. "You can stay."
With a look of finality, Soifon used shunpo to disappear from the area.
Byakuya placed the tea cup back onto the blanket, before returning to his position against the tree. Finally, he could have his peace.
Soifon stopped in her tracks, disbelief flooded her features as she stared at the man sitting nonchalantly on a pink and silver blanket, sipping a steaming hot cup of tea. It was still a good couple of minutes before dawn but he looked like he had been here a while.
"Captain Kuchiki."
Byakuya didn't need to turn his head to know who called out his name. He had an inkling she would come, just as she had last year. But this time, she would not beat him to it. This year, he was here first.
"Captain Soifon." He greeted, nodding towards her direction, his eyes still on his cup of tea.
Soifon eyed the half eaten sandwich, dried up apple cork, and the bottle of water riddle with precipitation. "How long have you been here exactly?"
"A while." Was all he was willing to answer.
Soifon sighed as she gripped the handle of the small bag she had slung across her shoulder. "Well, you win."
Turning around, Soifon began heading down the hill.
Byakuya didn't know exactly what it was that compelled him to call out to her. Perhaps it was the way her shoulders slumped slightly at the sight of him, or the manner in which she turned around almost dejectedly, before taking small melancholic steps away. Or perhaps it was because he knew how much this place could mean to someone, that he couldn't bring himself to let deny her any access.
"It is more than enough to house both of us."
Soifon turned around in surprise. She certainly didn't expect the Kuchiki heir to surrender even a tiny bit of his space to her.
"You allowed me shared ownership the previous year." Byakuya clarified. "So I extend the same courtesy."
Soifon blinked, unsure of how to respond. But the expectant look on the sixth division captain made her nod her acceptance.
Silently, Soifon positioned herself on the same branch directly above the space Byakuya occupied. They stayed silent, neither feeling the need for small talk. They stayed in companionable silence, each sticking to sipping his/her own tea, occasionally nibbling on a snack, as they watched the first rays of dawn.
"How did you discover this place?"
Soifon blinked, before glancing down at the man below her. His eyes stayed focused on the horizon, a cup of warm tea sat on his hand. She sighed as moved to refill her now empty cup. "Two years ago, I had gone tired of the SWA and their incessant need for creating a spectacle out of flower viewing."
Byakuya leaned his head back on the trunk, eying the lone foot dangling off the branch, swaying slightly in a steady rhythm.
"So I decided to find myself a solitary spot to enjoy the scenery in silence." Soifon took a sip of her tea, letting out a contented sigh. "And here I was."
Byakuya nodded in understanding, as he plucked a grape off its stem before tossing it gracefully into his mouth.
"I've been here ever since." Soifon concluded.
"I see."
"And you?" Soifon's gaze landed back on top of the six division captain's head. "How long have you known this place existed?"
"At least 50 years."
Soifon blinked in surprise, before leaning back onto the tree chuckling to herself. "Now I understand your strange possessive nature towards it."
Byakuya allowed himself a small smile.
"But why this tree?"
Byakuya turned his head to meet Soifon's gaze. She had her body tilted to one side, her head bent at an uncomfortable angle. "I beg your pardon?"
"You have a handful of these in your compound." Soifon clarified as she tapped her dangling foot against the branch she sat on. "So why venture all the way out here, in the middle of nowhere, for one cherry blossom tree?"
Byakura eyed the way the second division captain balanced herself without the use of hands. She looked as if she could fall any moment, and yet she showed nothing but composure. "I just do."
Soifon raised an eyebrow at the brief answer. She could tell there was more to the story, but she didn't want to pry. Tilting her body back onto a more comfortable position on the branch, she began packing her things away.
"Leaving already?"
Soifon paused. Was he just being polite? Or did he actually want her to stay?
Shaking her head, Soifon slung the bag over her shoulder, before dropping down onto the grass with ease. "I told you, I only ever stay until sunrise."
Byakuya eyed the retreating back of the petite woman before him. He would never admit it out loud, but it fascinated him to watch her fight. After all, how could someone so small, so seemingly fragile, have all that strength and power?
Soifon wave a nonchalant hand over her head, not bothering to spare him a glance. "Until next year."
Byakuya found himself taken aback by the gesture. But more than her seemingly amicable farewell, it was the small bit of anticipation in his chest that surprised him all the more.
"And you beat me yet again this year. Why am I not surprised?"
Byakura turned his gaze towards the smirking woman standing a few feet away from where he sat. He gave her a nod of acknowledgement. "Captain Soifon."
Soifon eyed the items on his blanket, taking note of a few empty food containers. "You've been here quite some time as well."
"A couple of minutes." Byakuya lied.
Soifon rolled her eyes. "I think you mean a couple of hours."
Jumping off to land on her favorite branch, Soifon began unpacking. She always brought the same three things – a thermos filled with freshly brewed tea, her black porcelain tea cup, and a cloth to clean up just in case.
"Would you like some biscuits?"
Soifon turned her attention back down to the Kuchiki heir who had his head tilted up towards her, one hand offering a packet of what looked like butter cookies.
Soifon quickly turned away to hide the grin she failed to suppress. There was just something inherently childlike about the way the Kuchiki heir looked up at her as he offered her sweets that made her want to laugh.
"Is something the matter?"
Soifon immediately schooled her expression back to normal, before glancing down to shake her head. "Thank you captain, but I don't care much for sweets."
Byakuya nodded as he brought the biscuits back down on the blanket. "Would you prefer dried seaweed instead?"
Soifon leaned back onto the tree, rolling her tongue in her mouth to stop the smile from spreading further. His attempt at being amiable was unbelievably amusing.
"There is one in wasabi flavor, and another just salted."
Soifon didn't try to fight the grin on her face this time around. The endearing way he was genuinely offering made it impossible for her to refuse a second time. She dropped a hand on one side of the branch in a gesture of acceptance. "Salted would be great. Thank you."
Soifon clutched the perfectly aimed package in her hand before muttering her thanks. She allowed herself a small chuckle. "Why do you have so many snacks? You didn't bring that many in the past two occasions."
"I noticed you never had any."
Soifon felt her smile fall as she glanced over to sixth division captain, who now looked busy trying to organize all the food he had on his blanket. "I'm sorry?"
Glancing up momentarily, Byakuya turned his impassive gaze towards her surprised ones. "I didn't know your preferences. So I went with as many variations as I could."
Soifon was speechless as she watched the Kuchiki heir inspect each item of food in his basket, organizing them accordingly on his blanket.
"It seems you prefer salt over sugar." Byakuya continued, his hands still busy organizing his things. "If you find that snack to your liking, there are a few more you can peruse if you wish."
Byakuya gazed back up, only to see the second division captain in a state of silent shock.
"Is something the matter?"
Snapping out of her trance, Soifon shook her head and cleared her throat. "No. Nothing. I just…" She leaned back against the tree, opening the packet of seaweed she had been offered. "I never took you as the considerate type."
Glancing back down onto the random packets of food, Byakuya contemplated.
Sensing the sudden silence, Soifon glanced back down, only to see the top of the Kuchiki heir's immobile head. "Hey, I didn't mean to offend-"
"You're right."
Soifon narrowed her eyes in confusion. "What?"
"I am rarely the considerate type." Byakuya folded both his hands on his chest, his head slightly tilted to one side in deep thought.
Soifon scoffed in amusement at his candidness. "So why all the snacks?"
"I was just thinking of you, and how you never seem to have anything other than tea."
Soifon felt her smile fall yet again, a strange feeling akin to embarrassment bubbled in her chest. "Well it wasn't as if I couldn't afford any."
"Certainly not." Byakuya glanced back up at her, quickly correcting himself. He understood later on how his statement could have appeared condescending. "I apologize if I sounded offensive."
Soifon leaned back on the tree and sighed as she began nibbling on a piece of seaweed. "No offense taken."
A comfortable silence followed suit, much to Soifon's relief. For some reason, conversing with the Kuchiki heir just never failed to surprise her. He was starting to break her formed opinion of him, and she didn't particularly like it. She preferred things to be concrete – black and white. He was a work associate, nothing more. In no way was she beginning to consider him a friend.
Soifon stared at the sun one last time, content at being able to watch it rise under the protection of her favorite Sakura tree once again.
Byakuya watched as a pair of feet landed just a few paces from where he sat. For the first time, she didn't have her back to him.
Waving a now empty packet, Soifon voiced her thanks. "The seaweed was delicious. I appreciate it Captain Kuchiki."
Byakuya nodded as he directed a hand onto the pile of snacks on his blanket. "Please feel free to take more."
Soifon chuckled as she bent down to inspect them. "Octopus flavored gummy bears, tempura flavored gum, strawberry flavored bonito crisps, gravy candy, s'mores covered bacon chips, garlic chocolate…" Soifon paused to cringe. "Where in the world did you even get these?"
"I asked Rukia for advice." Byakuya paused to look at the snacks. "She told me you seemed like the type who would like to try new things."
Soifon stood up to her full height, raising both hands up in disbelief. "Wait, what did you say?"
Byakuya blinked, unsure of the sudden change in her demeanor.
Soifon began sauntering towards the still confused Kuchiki heir. "You told Rukia what exactly?"
Byakuya looked up at the demanding captain before him. Her head was dangerously close to his with the way her body coiled over him. He blinked again. "I inquired about snacks you'd probably enjoy while viewing the flowers."
Soifon turned around abruptly, running a hand over her face in exasperation.
Byakuya felt the need to stand as he eyed the aggravated form of the second division captain. "Captain Soifon, I believe I do not understand-"
Soifon turned around abruptly, annoyed at having to tilt her head up to look the sixth division captain in the eye. "Kuchiki."
Byakuya exhaled. She was using that tone of hers again, saying his name in that way that told him she was cross with him.
"Do you not have even the slightest idea of how your request could have come across to Rukia?"
Byakuya scrunched his eyebrows, deep in thought. "She was simply highly enthusiastic to help, and promised utmost secrecy. Though for whatever reason I am unaware."
Soifon turned around once again, raising both hands up in disbelief. He was clueless! Honestly, completely, utterly clueless! She was not equip to deal with such a socially inept person so early in the morning. She began to walk away.
"Captain Soi-"
"See you around!" Came Soifon's sarcastic, exasperated response as she stomped her way down the hill.
Byakuya was still confused, but it seemed she wasn't that angry with him, if she was still willing to 'see him around'.
"Until next year, then."
Soifon whirled around, ready to scream at him for being the biggest socially awkward idiot she knew. But the way his face lit up in surprise calmed her down slightly. The genuine expectant look he gave her made her want to try and keep her annoyance in check. It wasn't his fault he was oblivious to the implications of his words. The same way it wasn't his fault that he was one of the most sought after bachelors in all of Soul Society. She just didn't want to be dragged into the drama of it all. He may be completely ignorant to the ways of society in general, but she wasn't. There was no way in hell she would allow her peaceful days to be overtaken by screaming fangirls, aggravating gossips, and an unwarranted level of popularity.
"Captain Soifon?"
Soifon snapped her attention back to Kuchiki heir. He was making his way towards her, his demeanor showing unbridled hesitation.
"Did I, perhaps, do something wrong?"
Soifon sighed as she stared at the gray eyes that looked so much like hers. "Not exactly."
"Are you angry with me?"
Soifon clicked her tongue. She really wanted to be, but the way he was sincerely trying to understand things made it difficult. "No."
The answer seemed to have pleased him. His face remained impassive, but the way his eyes lit up made it impossible not to notice. Soifon blinked. Had he always been that expressive? Or was she just starting to get used to him?
"Then, I look forward to next year."
Before she could give an answer, the sixth division captain had already made his way back up the hill.
Soifon sighed. Since when was it so hard to hate the arrogant sixth division captain? "Next year." She found herself calling out.
Turning his head around, Byakuya nodded in acknowledgement.
Soifon wasn't certain if her eyes were deceiving her, but she was pretty sure he had just smiled at her.
End of Chapter 1
A two part story because I no longer write multi-chapter ones, and because I've adored these two I'm surprised it took me this long to write one.
Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated!