DISCLAIMER: Unfortunately, I do not own Bleach. ;( *sob*
ONE. Strawberries
Strawberries.
The sixth division captain stared at the five pieces of red fruit scattered on his desk upon entering his office. He just stood there with his eyes coldly hovering at the sight of the fruits, not noticing that he wasn't just staring at the berries, he was glaring at them. It was as if he was seeing somebody through them. He remembered someone that shouldn't be remembered, and he cursed his mind and the berries for slipping an image that he ought to forget.
He shouldn't be thinking about her. But whether he liked it or not, which was not, he still did and he clenched his fists for it.
That pink haired lieutenant sure had done it again this time.
The noble heaved a sigh of frustration, his face now tainted with a scowl as he sat in front of his desk and in front of the strawberries. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the fruit, and he wondered what in the world was going on in the mind of that evil lieutenant. Her presence had always been a curse inside his office and he had no choice but to entertain her by stuffing sweets into her mouth. But he never expected that she would thank him with none other than strawberries. Of all of the fruits out there, why strawberries? But the most repulsive question to himself was why in the world was he bothered by such a trivial fruit?
The captain buried his face into his palms, shutting his eyes. Once again he let out an endless sigh of depression as his mind wandered at the thought of the person behind those strawberries. It had been almost a year since she last lost her powers and disappeared from the sight of Soul Society. It had been a long time since he last saw her face of pure determination to save Seireitei. Now, as the image of her conquered every depths of his mind, he felt absolutely troubled.
He shouldn't be like this. It was unlikely of him to feel so plagued about her absence. In fact, he should even feel indifferent, no, relieved by the fact that the he won't see the presence of that orange headed girl for a long time. But the huge problem was himself. His beliefs and principles were currently warring within him, making him so bloody confused. Now the only thing he wanted to do right now was to terrorize his lieutenant, his stress reliever.
With one last sigh, he let his grey eyes fall upon the berries. He knew he wouldn't dare eating them but somehow, for a moment, he was tempted to do so. He killed the thought immediately, knowing the consequences if he did and knowing the huge disruption it will bring within him. Once again, he buried every thought he had of that girl and made sure that not ever again will she trespass his mind. He had been careless. She wasn't supposed to be there in the first place and he must never let it happen again.
Finally determined and composed after moments of dreadful contemplation, Kuchiki Byakuya was able to get rid of those infernal strawberries. But for our concern, he wasn't really planning on throwing them. Unconsciously, he really couldn't make himself do it. Instead, he decided to take it home with him and slip it inside Rukia's room.
Author's Note: Forgive me, but I'm truly a major fan of ByaXFemIchi 3 I love them so much! Anyway, if anyone cares, next chapter, The Return of the Strawberry LoL XD Reviews are very much appreciated!
