Summary: A high aristocrat and an ex-Rukongai dweller have nothing in common, and somehow they found some similarities…
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It was Zaraki who passed through the aristocrat at the Seireitei corridor, all sweaty, blood stained and in the rags he called Captain's outfit, while the pink ball of doom of a vice captain bounced cheerfully at his back.
Byakuya's only reaction as both of the 11th division members passed him by was a short nasal voice that clearly signifies disgust.
And despite Yachiru's very loud explanation of her latest 'Nip and rip the Hollows project', Kenpachi just have the exact timing to hear it.
"Did ya just say something?"
Byakuya stopped and turned around to look at his fellow captain, who had his sole attention focused on him. Beady eyes, blood soaked, no sense of dignity and growling voice—Zaraki Kenpachi was the very sole entity of a thug of thugs. How could this creature even walk and blemish the soils of Seireitei? "I did not. Have you been using dirt to clean your ears again?"
"Like how you use wax to rub your eyes? You definitely did say something."
"I did not."
"You did."
"I did not."
"You DID."
The sixth division captain slowly blinked and stopped himself from sighing loudly. "I made a sound."
"You made a sound."
"Yes."
"You tryin' to mess with me, young master?"
"Hey, hey, hey, Ken-chan, are you playing a game with Bya-kun? Can I play too? Please please? Pretty pretty please?"
"NO, we're not playing, and stay out of this. Go back to the division by yourself, Yachiru." Kenpachi turned his attention back to Byakuya. Hair curlers, fair complexion, stoic face, a goddamn sissy scarf that can buy a house and unreadable expression, Kuchiki Byakuya was the avatar of the haughty blue blood that has been dominant in the shinigami ranks for centuries. How much he wished to crack that porcelain face with his fist. "If it is so, then you come and say it to my face. Don't go around making girly noises behind my back."
"I have no desire to answer that," Byakuya said.
"Why, not enough balls to do it?" Kenpachi said, advancing further.
"No, because I did not think you low lives would have enough working brain cells to understand the meaning behind it."
Zaraki narrowed his eyes and cracked his knuckles. "And apparently you don't have enough brain to say it outright, either. How about I give you a special medical treatment free of charge? One fist to your nose oughtta do it."
"Lay one filthy finger on me, Zaraki, and I shall--"
Byakuya moved in time to evade Kenpachi's fist aiming for his face.
"You'll what? Flip your hair in disgust? Ooooh, I'm scared!"
"I shall teach you the word fear, Zaraki."
"What're you gonna do? Smack my ass with that sissy scarf?! I swear I'll make you whimper like a girl!"
"Yes, I bet you will love that! And I shall make you beg for mercy beneath me!" Byakuya immediately reached for his scarf in fury. "Well, here it comes!"
Pause.
From her position somewhere around the two grown men's knees, Yachiru saw their expression slowly grinding down to stone-like.
Kenpachi was the first to leave quietly, and with his silent departing, Byakuya decided to cooperate as well.
They could only look at each other in the eye without looking away a good forty years later.