Disclaimer: I do not own bleach. I am just using the characters for my own amusement. =)
...
Byakuya sighed as he grabbed for yet another pile of paperwork. At this rate, it seems like he would not be able to get out of his office until well into the night. 'I guess I will have to cancel yet another dinner with Rukia.'
His sister had been actively trying to engage him in more bonding events. It was not a secret that the anniversary of Hisana's death was coming up, and everyone was trying to be extra friendly to him. It made him want to growl in anger. He wasn't such a weakling who needed people to coddle him. He would deal with her death as he always has.
Shoving some papers aside, he summoned a Hell Butterfly to rely the message to Rukia. He knew that she would not be happy about this, as he has canceled twice already and this would mark the third time. Her earlier words came back to him.
"Nii-sama! I may be speaking out of line, but it's been over ten years. I don't think my sister would want you to mourn her forever! And don't you try to deny it. I see that look in your eyes when you go out into the gardens. She would want you to be happy…" Rukia's hands bunched into fists. Her brother had been working himself to death lately. He was always like this when this time of the year came around, but this year, she was sick of his attitude. She vowed to spend more time with him and to close that gap between them that had opened ever since the incident of her arrest. Besides, isn't that what family was for?
Rukia had always kept a distance with her brother, because that's what she thought a family was supposed to be like. She really had no other examples to draw upon. But ever since she went to the human world and made her first friend, things just seem different. Seeing Ichigo's interactions with his siblings and father also gave her an idea of what it means to be a family.
So when she received the message from Byakuya saying that he had to cancel another dinner, she was furious! It wasn't often that she was in soul society and she would not be able to stay much longer. In fact, her and Ichigo had only come back to visit for a few days, and that was quite rare in itself.
Ichigo shivered at the cold, dark aura that very suddenly popped up beside him. Rukia was holding onto one of those black butterflies and a sinister black cloud enveloped her. "Uh… Rukia?" He slowly backed away from her, afraid that any sudden movement may incur the wrath of the girl.
Rukia had a dark look on her face, "Nii-sama… has canceled dinner... for the third time…"
"You shouldn't be upset, Rukia. I'm sure that he just has tons of work to do." Ichigo said nonchalantly. He sat on the grass, chewing on a strawberry pocky. "Besides, he's what, a couple hundred years old? I'm sure he can take care of himself."
Rukia glared at Ichigo. "It's that time of the year and he's holed himself up in his office. I've heard from Renji that he hasn't been eating or sleeping much lately…"
"So you're worried. Why don't you just go to him for dinner? That way he can't complain or try to get out of it."
"Ichigo! That's a brilliant idea. But…" Rukia narrowed her eyes. There was a problem.
"But what?" Ichigo shouted. He thought it was a great idea.
"I can't…" Rukia spoke softly.
"Why not?" Ichigo wanted to know.
"…I'm mad at him," the dark haired girl mumbled.
"Geez, you're both just as stubborn as the other!" Ichigo shouted.
Rukia's eyes lit up. "But that's why you will be bringing nii-sama's dinner to him!"
That made Ichigo's eyes widen in surprise then it quickly turned into protest. "No way! Besides, Renji and I have already made plans."
"But…" Rukia pouted and gave her best 'puppy eyed' look that the girls showed her at school.
"Ahh…" Ichigo sighed, "Alright then! Just stop looking at me like that."
"Okay! Then I will leave it up to you, Ichigo! Be there by six! Oh, and stay with him to make sure he eats." Rukia shouted as she ran away, not giving Ichigo any time to change his mind.
"Where did she learn how to do that?" Ichigo mumbled. What did he get himself into? It wasn't like Ichigo even got along with the captain! Everytime he accompanied Rukia to visit, the Kuchiki heir never even paid him any attention. In fact, Byakuya barely even speaks to Rukia! Ichigo could just imagine the dinner now, an image of a staring contest and crickets chirping came to mind.
...
Yumiko hummed happily as she strolled down the street. She couldn't believe how easy it was getting the 4th division to hand over a fertility potion, as well as a potion to increase desire. All she had to say was that her sister was having trouble getting her husband in the mood and was just too shy to come ask for it. Soul society was seriously lacking in children after all, so all married couples have been urged to procreate.
It worked perfectly for her plan. She had waited for years for the chance to do this. Every day, she tried to look her best, to catch the attention of the 6th division captain. But like everyone else, he ignored her. It made her so angry! If that low life Hisana could catch his attention, there was no reason she couldn't do it.
Her sister had even tried to tell her that it was an unhealthy obsession! Couldn't she see that Kuchiki Byakuya was the perfect guy for her? They were meant to be together. Yumiko even went as far as getting hired as a servant in the 6th division just so she could be closer to her beloved. It's been six years and he hasn't even noticed her!
A pleased smile made its way onto Yumiko's face as she clutched the potions closer to her body. But her plan will work tonight. She even placed extra copies of paperwork for her captain just so he would have to stay longer at the office. After everyone has gone home, she would launch her plan and Byakuya would be hers.
Yumiko hurried to prepare a light meal for the captain. The potions will have to be placed into sake so that the alcohol could mask the taste. Also, the sealing charm would have to be placed as well.
...
Ichigo cursed as he held the dinner Rukia had made. He made it to the entrance of the 6th division buildings and the sky had already begun to look like it was going to rain. Clouds littered the sky, casting a dim shadow over soul society. 'Oh, this weather will definitely put the captain in a cheerful mood,' he thought sarcastically. He knew he was stalling, but the orange haired shinigami couldn't help himself. The awkwardness of dinner with Kuchiki Byakuya wasn't something he was looking forward to.
Just then, Ichigo saw a flash of red in the corner of his eye. "Renji! Where did you come from?" Ichigo gave his friend a big smile. Maybe he could convince Renji to join him and Byakuya for dinner. He knew the redhead could not pass up free food.
Renji stopped to greet Ichigo. "Just went to report to Captain Kuchiki, and let me tell you, he is so not in a good mood right now. I would avoid him at all costs today."
"Ehh!" *sweat drop* "So does that mean I can't convince you to have dinner with us?" Ichigo gave Renji a pleading look.
"Sorry Strawberry! But I have dinner with Rukia tonight and nothing can convince me out of that one!" Renji grinned at Ichigo.
"Don't call me strawberry!" Ichigo growled. It was just not his luck today.
"Don't worry about it. If anyone can survive the captain's wrath, it would be you!" Renji gave Ichigo a pat on the back. "Goodluck."
Ichigo looked exasperated as his friend fled. 'Rukia is going to owe me big time for this.' He began to slowly make his was to the captain's office.
...
Mayuri Kurotsuchi was not happy. In fact, he was one step away from enraged. "What do you mean you sent the wrong batch of potions!"
"Well, you see, they were labeled the same thing, so when the 4th division asked for more fertility related potions, I sent them thinking they were the right ones!" The shinigami knelt down further, trying to sink into the floor and disappear. His captain was going to kill him! "I-I didn't know the red ones were experimental, captain."
"Experimental! They just came from being developed! I haven't even had the chance to test them yet. That's why they are marked red for danger! Although they should work fine in theory, I don't know if they have any long term or any side effects! Who knows how well they will work? Have you sent someone to retrieve them then?" Mayuri did not like this at all. It was unacceptable for his division to make such a mistake. It would be a good laugh if no one got hurt, it was fertility potions after all, but if there were any side effects, his division would be held accountable.
"Y-Yes sir! We have most of the potions, although a few of them got passed out to couples. Since the 4th division doesn't keep track of such simple potions, we have no idea whose hands they are in now."
Mayuri was starting to feel a headache. "We should cooperate with the 4th division to see if any couple is experiencing any symptoms and such. Report to me immediately if anything comes up. I will be in the lab to do further testing."
...
Yumiko smiled at herself in the mirror. She had put on her most flattering kimono and spent a long time doing her makeup. Byakuya-sama would be so pleased. With a final spray of perfume, she grabbed the tray of food and sake and made her way to the captain's office. The charm was tucked neatly into a fold of her dress. If placed properly, it would seal the door of the office and then Byakuya-sama would have no choice but to spend dinner with her. All she had to do was press a bit of her spirit energy to activate it and then it was on a one minute timer. As long as she stayed inside the room for at least a minute, her plan would go perfectly.
She glanced at the sky and grimaced. It looked about to rain and she had better hurry if she didn't want to be soaked. Yumiko quickened her pace.
Upon arriving at the captain's door, she quietly set up the charm and took a deep breath. She had spent years planning this and she could not fail! Pressing her energy into the activator, she knocked on the door. One minute, she could do it. She would just have to make pleasant conversation for a little bit.
"Yes?" A deep voice sounded from the room.
"It's Yumiko. I've brought your dinner, Captain Kuchiki." Yumiko pulled the door open slightly and entered when she saw a nod from Kuchiki.
"I don't remember asking for dinner though." Byakuya frowned. "Just set it down and leave."
Yumiko widened her eyes. She had to prolong her stay for just a little bit longer. "Captain, I see that you have been overworking. Perhaps a little company would-" She did not get to finish her sentence as Byakuya was now looming before her. How did he move so fast? He was just sitting at his desk a moment ago.
"I said LEAVE! You know, I never ever ask for dinner at my office." He began eyeing the girl suspiciously.
Yumiko gasped at the spike of energy in the room. She had to think quickly. "Rukia-sama thought you might be hungry," she said in a meek voice. The aura rolling off of the captain was enough to suffocate her. She suddenly couldn't get enough air. Survival instincts told her to leave the room, but she was so close. She had to hold out just a little longer.
"Did you not hear me? LEAVE NOW!" Byakuya didn't like this woman. Something about her aura was not quite right and he wanted her out of his office. The fact that she was standing there refusing his orders was also surprising.
Yumiko didn't understand why her love seemed so angry. Didn't he see how hard she was trying to impress him? Tears welled up in her eyes as the air in the room thickened even more. She couldn't breathe! And to think he was causing this by his aura alone! She took a step back, trying to regain her composure.
Ichigo felt a dark energy ahead. 'Lucky me, it's coming from Kuchiki's office.' He thought grimly to himself. He looked down at the trays of boxes Rukia packed for him and sighed. It was enough food to feed a family. Only Byakuya could be so lucky to eat Rukia's cooking.
As he got closer, he realized the door was opened and a girl was standing at the threshold of the door. The girl had a look of horror and determination in her eyes. Ichigo sped forward as he saw the girl stumble backwards, about to fall. Catching her in one arm, he spun her around, away from the doorway.
Ichigo turned to face the pissed off Kuchiki. "Yo." Ichigo greeted as he stepped inside the room so he could put down the dinner boxes.
Yumiko panicked. She was outside the room! She had to get in before it seals. Her plans would be ruined! She took a step towards the office when she hears a loud slam. The door had closed without her being inside and the seal has been complete. She stared at the door, stunned, as her plan went up in flames. It was over, and when the captain finds out it was she who did this, she would be sentenced to death!
NO! It wasn't supposed to happen this way. Byakuya-sama was supposed to fall for her and with the fertility potion, she would have his baby and they would be a family. Yuniko sunk down to the floor. She failed. Despair settled in as the seriousness of the situation sunk in. She needed to get out before anyone notices.
"Didn't think you were the type to terrorize girls," Ichigo turned to see if the girl was alright. He opened his mouth to introduce himself to the girl when the door slammed in his face. "Ahh! Don't do that, Kuchiki!"
"Kurosaki. That was not me." Byakuya looked at the dinner boxes. "Why are you here?"
"Well… Rukia was worried about you, so she sent me to deliver these to you. She's mad at you, you know." Ichigo set the boxes on an empty part of the desk.
"I see." Byakuya glanced at the other dinner that the girl had brought. Didn't she say they were from Rukia too? It didn't make sense that Rukia would send for two sets of dinner and he wasn't about to doubt Ichigo. He knew there was something strange with that girl. She sure looked familiar enough, but he couldn't place his finger on where he had seen her before. 'Hmm… She's still outside. I will just ask her what her plan was right now.'
Byakuya reached for the door and pulled. He frowned. It did not open. The captain tried again, this time harder, but the door still did not budge.
"What are you doing?" Ichigo saw the captain trying to pull at the door, but nothing happened. Was it true then, Rukia worrying about her brother? Did Kuchiki starve himself so much that he couldn't open a simple door? Nah, Ichigo had felt his aura earlier and it did not seem weak, so what was wrong?
"It won't open." Byakuya stepped back as Ichigo came forward to try to open the door, but it was no use.
Byakuya frowned as he concentrated and he could see tiny, web thin tendrils of energy surrounding the room. "It's no use, Ichigo. It's a seal charm and we will be here until the energy for it runs out."
"What? How long would that be?" Ichigo did not want to be in a room with a pissed off Kuchiki. "Can't we just blast this thing?"
"No. I would like to keep my office intact. We will be stuck here for a few hours at most." Byakuya smirked as he heard Ichigo groan. The boy was annoying, but he could be amusing at times, especially when he was acting so immature.
Ichigo pouted and headed over to the food. "Well, if I am to be stuck here, might as well eat and take our minds off this imprisonment. Oh! Is that sake?"
Byakuya ignored the loud mouth shinigami and sat down at his desk. He had paperwork to do after all. He took his pen and dipped it into the ink, ready to continue before he was so rudely interrupted. Hadn't he filled out something exactly like this an hour ago? Maybe eating dinner would be a good idea.
"Hey Kuchiki! This sake is really good!" Ichigo was working on his fourth shot of sake already. "Here, try some." He handed a cup to the captain. Byakuya eyed it a moment before taking the cup. It's just sake. What was the worst that could happen?