Disclaimer:

I do not own Bleach. Bleach is by Kubo Tite.

A/N:

Oooppps! Okey, wait up! Let me speak.

Yes. I understand I have TOO many stories that are presently in HIATUS. But life is currently busy firing stuff on me and it seems to be having fun with it that it keeps going. However, I need to write but since I'm busy I need to keep away from messing up with my full blown stories. So, yes, drabbles come in.

Yosh! So much for procrastinating to finish my school project! Let's get this on!

~0~0~0~

The Rhodonite Ball

Red

"This isn't tea!" Ukitake Jyuushiro distastefully wiped his lips with the back of his hand.

"Oh! It isn't?" Kyouraku Shunsui asked mockingly. "Jyuu, sake is better than tea. I told you, did I not?" He flashed his friend a knowing smile, "Should have heeded my warning ne."

Ukitake frowned at his expression, "Sake would help me recover Shunsui? Are you trying to kill me?"

The said man straightened, "Don't kid like that." Sure that was a bad joke from Ukitake as it made Kyouraku regress from his laid back expression.

"Alright. I know you're not."

"That was a bad joke." Ukitake just had a fit of his recurring case of tuberculosis. The worst he had by far. Worst enough his formerly black hair had completely turned white in a mere span of three days. Those days, Kyouraku was stuck worrying over his best friend.

Ukitake sighed, "But why would you insist on sake over tea anyway?"

"A cup of sake won't hurt. I asked Retsu-senpai before offering them to you."

The now white haired captain traced the sincerity in his best friend's voice, "Point taken. Why would you put salt in tea then?"

Kyouraku gave a small smile, "Sake is better than tea my friend."

July 11.

Kyouraku's birthday.

Not much a big celebration, just immediate family, captains of the Gotei Thirteen and some friends outside Gotei. The garden by the east side of the Kyouraku manor was immense enough to contain the number of guests.

"My present of course."

"You have my gratitude Jyuu. This is?"

"As promised."

"Ah! Very well. Thank you once again!"

Just then Yamamoto Genryuusai, Sou-taicho of the Gotei 13, approached to greet his student.

"Yama-ji!" chorused the two younger captains.

"Another year Shunsui. Live well."

"Thank you Yama-ji. My family is honored of your presence."

The Sou-taicho nodded in acknowledgement.

"Shall I open this then Jyuu?" Kyouraku gestured towards the package handed awhile ago to him.

"Do so."

Carefully Kyouraku unwrapped the package, smiling expectantly. However the smile dissipated and was replaced by a baffled expression as he turned to Ukitake.

"I thought pink suits you better," Ukitake smiled as he waved goodbye to his best friend, joining the other Gotei 13 captains.

Two days earlier.

"What is wrong with pink?"

"It looks gay."

"No."

"Red looks more masculine."

"Still, I think a red haori is too bright. It doesn't suit you."

"A pink haori will definitely not suit me. It looks too gay."

Ukitake eyed his friend, "A pink haori would suit you."

"No."

Kyouraku could not do much but stare as his friend walked away. Defeated he turned to Yamamoto, "Pink?"

"That was for putting salt in his tea, he said."

"Yama-ji! Don't side with Jyuu!"

"I'm not on anyone's side."

"Fine! Pink. Fine! But why with petals?"

Yamamoto Genryuusai chukled, "Learn your lessons Shunsui. You two have been friends for years." With that, the Sou-taicho walked away from his student.

Crushed, Kyouraku snatched the piece of paper with Jyuushiro's flawless calligraphy:

"Pink suits you better than red.

The embroidered flowers are for your zanpakutou's namesake.

Happy birthday!"

~0~0~0~

A/N:

Retsu is Unohana Retsu, of the 4th squad. She is older than Ukitake and Kyouraku, so they call her 'senpai'.

You may have noted that Kyouraku sounded formal at times. Yes, because he is a member of nobility. Though the Kyouraku isn't one of the great noble houses which includes the Kuchiki and the Shihouin, they are still nobles; thus the formality.

The pink haori had embroidered flowers, not printed because I assume embroidered ones are more expensive than printed ones. And Ukitake is of noble descent as well. I made up the whole embroidered stuff.

Kyouraku's zanpakutou Katen Kyoukotsu's English (translated) name is Flower-Heaven Bone of Madness; thus, the namesake.

Yes, I believe Kyouraku does not mind the pink haori NOW. But in my little brain I do believe the flower decorated pink haori once made him flinch, at least once upon his youth. You have the right to disagree. I have the right to my opinion. Smile!

On pink being gay-ish. Come on people, don't bash me on this. It is an opinion.

A/N Part II:

I'm bad at humor so excuse me. Hehe! Though I hope it wasn't too bad.

This is part of Feisu-chan and I's first '500 words weekly drabble challenge' - just another way of our procrastinating over our academic works.

Three drabbles coming for soon for The Rhodonite Ball. Stay tuned!

Next update next week.

P.S. Reviews would not hurt! I'd like them much! And smile people, it makes you look good! Aw, my humor sucks…