Byakuya loathed unnecessary fidgeting. If it was not absolutely vital for a person to speak, then they should hold their tongue; not tapping their feet, not clicking their fingers and above all not humming a repetitive and irritatingly catchy tune softly under their breath. He frowned around at the other captains, seeking the culprit in order to give them the full benefit of his withering stare. Zaraki had no interest in music, Tousen showed no sign of concealed mirth, Ichimaru… ah. Of course it was Ichimaru. Who else could it have possibly been.

The sixth squad captain turned the full force of his freezing glare on Ichimaru; it had as about as much effect as if he had glowered at a sock. He cleared his throat. It seemed that Ichimaru's grin grew just a fraction wider, and the volume of the humming increased infinitesimally. As Yamamoto turned to speak with Kyouraku and Ukitake, he seized his chance.

"Ichimaru," He began coldly, "I must ask you to remain silent during the meeting unless you have something of worth to contribute."

"Mus' ya? Thass nice." Ichimaru said nonchalantly.

Byakuya lost patience with the infuriating man, for not the first time. "Yes," He hissed, "Or I will be forced to impale you with Senbonzakura and drag your still-warm body back to your office."

"Well, when you put it that way…" The silver-haired captain shrugged, and then cocked his head. "Meetin' seems ter be over."

He began to whistle his obnoxious tune again as he strolled out of the room. Byakuya started after him, but was stopped by a gentle hand on his arm. Aizen.

"You can't win, Kuchiki-san," The bespectacled captain shook his head, "I'd give up before you begin."


Second of the oneshots I found whilst leafing through old notebooks. ^^

R&R please.

~Featherz.