A/N: I've had this idea in my head for a while and finally got around to writing it down and getting it on here. Hope you like it! ^-^ I tried to keep Byakuya as in character as possible but he will be a a little OOC, Hope you don't mind! I'm hoping to have the next chapter up by this week. Anyway, let me know what you think, please ^-^ Oh btw when its like this it means they're in thought.


"Oh come on captain it's her birthday, how about you give her the day off?"

Byakuya takes his gaze from his lieutenant to the young woman standing by his side.

"Is that what you want Euphemia?"

Immediately she raises her head to look at Byakuya.

"No... I mean I... I want what ever you choose for me my lord."

"I would like a cup of tea."

Euphemia bows in respect.

"Yes my lord."

"Let's be on our way then." Without another word he turns to head back to his office. Right away Euphemia begins to follow him.

"Of course my lord."

"Well I tried… anyway happy birthday Euphe! See ya later!" Renji shouts out at her retrieving form.

Stopping for a brief moment Euphemia turns to Renji, giving him a slight bow she thanks him and instantly she is back to following the sixth squad captain.

When they are back in Byakuya's office Euphemia turns to head to the door that leads to the small kitchen in his office.

"I will get started on the tea at once my lord."

"I do not desire tea at this moment."

Euphemia turns to look at her lord confused.

"But... you had said..."

She stops talking when she sees him pull out a small red box from his desk. When she looks back up at him he takes his attention from the box to her.

"For you."

Euphemia's red eyes widen.

"A gift from me on your birthday."

Byakuya adds. His statement causes her eyes to grow even larger.

"Oh... no no my lord, thank so very much but I can't..."

"Are you rejecting my gift?"

She gasps and turns a bright red.

"Oh no! Of course not my lord! I just meant..."

"Then no more explanations, take my gift."

With the box in hand he walks up to her and extends his hand holding the red box in the center of his palm. She nervously looks at him once more than gingerly reaches her small shaky hands for the box. Once she has taken the box from him she stares at it for a few moment then bows.

"My lord thank you, thank you so much. I will cherish this very thoughtful gift from you for the rest of my life. Thank you."

"You have not opened it yet, how will you know if you like it?"

"What Ever it is my lord I know I will love it because it came from you. Even if it's just this box it is the most beautiful box I've ever received. Thank you again my lord so very much."

"I would like for you to open it Euphemia."

She raises her head to look at him.

"Oh. Yes Of course my lord."

Slowly opening the box her eyes open up to their fullest capacity again and she gasps in shock.

"My lord it's... it's ... I can't this..."

"Do you not like it?"

"Of course I do! But I cannot wear this, I am just a servant. This is for..."

"You." He finishes "I bought it for you and would like you to wear it."

Euphemia stands frozen in shock.

"May I?" Byakuya reaches for the box from Euphemia who looks like she could pass out at any moment. Reaching inside he takes out the extravagant ruby studded hair clip that has left Euphemia shocked.

"Your hair, remove it from its hold." he orders.

With shaky hands she removes the bun that holds her hair in place. Byakuya watches as her long lilac colored hair falls in loose waves around her shoulders.

As quickly as she can Euphemia combs it out with her fingers parting it to the side. Once she has clasped her hands back in front of her Byakuya steps closer to her, his hands go to gather some of her hair. He stops momentarily feeling the softness of her hair under his fingertips and slowly inhales the faint fragrance of cherry blossoms coming from her hair. The subtle intimacy causes a warm sensation to settle over Byakuya. Immediately he forces himself to stop the ridiculous feelings that have crept up inside him and gets back to his task. He makes sure to gently secure the hair clip on the side of her head.

Her cheeks turn a soft shade of red at the close contact. This was the first time his hands had ever been on her. Euphemia tried with all her might to ignore how nice it felt to have her lord so close to her, with his long fingers running gently through her hair. But the part of her that knew this would never happen again gave in to the warm feeling he was causing her. When he is done he steps away from her.

"Look at me."

Slowly she raises her head to look at him. Byakuya had never seen Euphemia with her hair down, she would occasionally wear it down when she was in the world of the living but in front of him she always wore it in her neat bun. He couldn't deny that she looked absolutely beautiful. Even without the ruby hair clip... but of course he would never admit it out loud.

Without a word he turns, walking back to his desk he pulls out his hand mirror from another drawer. He walks back to Euphemia and hands her the mirror. She turns the mirror around to look at herself and releases a silent gasp upon taking her image in. Euphemia had never really thought of herself as someone who was pleasing to the eyes, she was just a servant after all. There was nothing special about her, she thought. But at this moment she saw herself as someone who looked very pretty. She loved how the hair clip's rubies matched her eyes and she loved how her hair looked. She mentally has a small laugh at how good of a job her lord did on her hair. As she continues to look at herself she almost dared to think of herself as elegant.

"It's beautiful." is all she whisper before she feels tears start to prickle at her eyes. Don't dare act like those sobbing women in front of lord Kuchiki, pull yourself together. You did not receive this very thoughtful and generous gift from him because he wanted to see you cry. Taking a breath she continued.

"My lord it is truly the most stunning gift I have ever received. I love it and will treasure it forever, thank you so very much."

"I would like my tea now." is his response and extends his hand out to take the mirror from her. His instant change of conduct didn't surprise her because she never let herself forget her place but if she was being honest with herself she would prefer him how he was being with her a few moments ago. Strong yet gentle, kind and sweet even in his own way. But that would never happen and Euphemia knew it. He had only been that way with lady Hisana and she was gone which meant that part of him was gone as well.

"Yes of course." she answers and places the mirror in his hand. When he turns to walk back to his desk she turns to the kitchen to make his tea.

After she had made and served him his tea Euphimia sat quietly on the couch located next to Byakuya's desk while he worked on his paperwork. Through the corner of his eye he would occasionally see Euphemia's hand mindlessly go to her hair clip and as her fingers slowly ran over it a soft smile would touch her lips. He was very satisfied with himself and his choice in gift. She had a lovely smile he thought and was pleased that his actions had placed it on her graceful features.