CHAPTER ONE:

A sneak to the past

"Byakuya!" A joyful voice called out before someone jumped on the boy's back, almost causing him to fall forward.

His violet eyes glared at the grinning girl behind him, an annoyed frown formed on his pale face. However, his cheerful friend didn't seem to notice his annoyance. That, or she actually didn't care. In fact, there had been so many the times his glares had fell upon her, that she had ended up becoming used to his grunts and deathly stares. A warm breeze stirred her short, red hair, making it brush softly against the exposed skin of his neck. Her orange eyes glowed under the reflect of the rays of the sun. Her smooth lips were pursed up into a smile, which only caused her face to look even brighter.

Realizing he had been staring at her for long enough, the noble turned his face away, averting his violet eyes from his friend as she giggled amused. A pink blush spread across his cheeks when he felt her arms tighten around his neck, and her slender fingers playing with the end of his black locks. The red-haired girl buried her face into the crock of his neck and let out her hot breath on the sensitive skin, feeling the boy tensing under the warm pressure.

Suddenly, the girl jumped off from his back and, supporting her body on the fresh grass with her hands, she leaned towards it and kicked the noble right in the back of one of his ankles. It happened so fast that Byakuya hadn't been able to avoid the attack. She took advantage of his shock to kick his other ankle, causing the boy to fall backwards. His back hit the hard ground and, before he could even think of getting up, the girl jumped onto his lap. Her legs pressed against his own as her hands took both of his wrists, preventing him from moving.

"Gotcha." An amused smirk was playing on her lips, her eyes sparked in victory.

"Get off," Byakuya demanded, only to be laughed at by her.

He glared up at her, struggling under her as an attempt of pushing her away from him. She grinned devilish before her free hand moved to her back, and pulled out the small blade from its sheath. However, a voice interrupted the young girl's amusement.

"Rena, you can stop there."

Rena's eyes averted from the boy to the figure before her. Yoruichi Shihoin was sitting on a branch of a huge tree, her arms crossed loosely over her chest and her left side leaning slightly against the thick trunk.

"But, why?" The girl complained, pouting slightly. "I was having a good time."

Yoruichi laughed, her yellow eyes sparking amused. She jumped off and walked over to her pupil, who was still sitting on Byakuya's lap. All the trapped boy could do was glare up at his friend. Nevertheless, he was angrier with himself for falling in one of her stupid tricks… again.

"I think little Byakuya has been humiliated enough." Yoruichi's gaze drifted to the lying boy. "Unless you're actually feeling comfortable in that position."

A dark blush spread across the cheeks of both kids, and their eyes locked for a second before Rena quickly got up. A frown worked its way to her face as she put the blade away.

"I thought you were the one who told me to annoy him, Yoruichi-sensei?"

The Shinigami grinned at her, and placed a hand over her head.

"And you're going to annoy him, but not today." Her voice sounded serious and her eyes suddenly weren't showing the amusement they usually held.

"Did something happen?" Rena asked, worried as she scrutinized her tanned features, trying to figure the possible problem out.

Yoruichi smiled a tense smile and that was all the little apprentice to Shinigami needed to see to know something was off. Silence fell upon the two of them, their eyes staring seriously into each other's ones. Byakuya, who had already stood from the grass, was standing some paces away from Rena, watching them with hidden curiosity.

A quiet sigh escaped the woman's mouth before she averted her eyes, unable to hold Rena's intrigued gaze. They'd talk when they were alone. Rounding on her heels, Yoruichi glanced one last time at the young boy behind Rena, wondering what his reaction would be when the news reached his ears. She shook her head and started to walk away, but not without a last sentence that left Rena more confused than she already was.

"Come to my place when you're finished."

With that, she took off.

'Finished with what?' Rena asked herself as she stared straight ahead. Her mind wandered around, trying to understand the real meaning behind her sensei's words.

"What a jerk," A voice muttered from behind her, and she turned around to face Byakuya.

Orange met violet for a second before they averted their gazes, both flustered. Rena scratched the back of her neck, brushing some of her red locks with her small fingers.

"I think I should go," she casually commented, not looking at the boy before her.

The sun was starting to set on the horizon, its last rays caressing her pale skin as it disappeared behind the buildings of the Seiretei. The warmth of the breeze became colder, announcing the arrival of the night. The shadows extended, the chant of the birds came to an end. It was time to go.

Smooth, warm lips pressed against his cheek, making the boy's eyes widen in surprise. However, as soon as the pressure had come it went away, and Rena winked at him playfully before she turned around.

"Don't let your guard down next time, Byakuya!" She called out, sending him a smile and waving her hand as her silhouette began to disappear in the shadows of the night.

Byakuya glared at her small frame while mumbling incoherent things under his breath. But, before she was out of sight, the raven-haired boy yelled back in a sharp tone.

"Just leave me alone!"

Her fast footsteps stopped at that moment. Rena glanced at him over her shoulder, her orange eyes holding an expression he couldn't get to catch. The corner of her lips turned up slightly, as if she was forcing herself to smile.

And then, she was gone. Byakuya finally relaxed and let out a relieved sigh, before beginning to walk towards the opposite direction she had followed.

There was something he didn't know though; something that would bring anger and irritation, desolation and guilt. But, as the time went by, a feeling of betray would surpass them all.

That was the last time he would see his annoying, yet cute friend. And only time would tell if their paths would cross again.

I've also started a story for Levi from Shingeki no Kyojin, it'd be awesome if you read it.