A/N: I like this pairing so much that I don't care if I get reviews or not…..jk

Their routine hadn't changed. She still had tea ready for him every morning, got his lunch and occasionally, even gave him more kido massages. But things were still….different. Like there was an undercurrent of an unspoken feeling in their every interaction. But he didn't have time to dwell on that, he needed to concentrate on the totem pole he was sculpting. It was the day of the banquet and he and Rukia were putting the finishing touches on the decor. Everyone had really came through with their responsibilities. The 1st and 4th division catered, 3rd and 8th provided the alcohol, 2nd and 11th were security, 5th and 13th booked the entertainment, 6th and 10th did decorations, and 7th, 9th, and 12th as clean up. "All finished?" Sode no shirayuki's wielder asked as she came to stand beside him.

"Just about," he replied as he carved the last part of his pole. "So I bet you're excited about the banquet this evening?"

Rukia glanced at him sideways, "I suppose I am. Aren't you?"

He shrugged, "Not really, but I don't do well in these type of situations. I'm more of a loner."

"You're kidding," she retorted and her sarcasm made him smirk. She nudged him playfully and this time she turned to look at him fully. "Well, you don't have to be alone this time."

Her words reached a tender spot and not for the first time since their acquaintance he wondered how she could possibly be so perfect. "Thanks Kuchiki-fukutaicho, that means a lot to me."

That night at the banquet everyone marveled at the decor, especially the totem poles made by Seireitei's ice element shinigami. The party was well underway and very informal. Most people had abandoned their regular shihakusho, for sun dresses and Hawaiian shirts. Toshiro wore a simple thin, white linen shirt and pants. Somehow he found himself seated next to Rangiku (showing most of her breast in a v-neck dress) Ichigo, Orihime and Renji who was still bragging about his prowess on the fire walk. Next to Renji was Byakuya Kuchiki who seemed to be engaged in an intimate conversation with his new second seat. He couldn't hear what was being said, but he felt that they were sitting closer than what was strictly necessary. But there was still no sign of his own vice-captain. Sighing, he got up and ambled across to the bar for a refill. He had no idea if his drink contained alcohol or not, but it was cold and it tasted like watermelon. "Do you come here often?"

The voice caught him off guard, but the familiar timbre made him smile, "Something like that," he replied turning to witness a vision. She looked gorgeous in her white knee-length dress, heels and a lily in her hair.

"Good evening taicho," his title rolled off her tongue like a caress and in that moment he'd have given anything to hear his name instead.

His smile widened, "Evening Kuchiki. It seems our poles are a hit," he commented dryly. He looked over toward one of their totems being pulverized by some guys who belonged in the 11th.

"I see," the laughter was in her voice, even if she did not laugh herself. "Been sitting here all night?"

"No."

"But I bet you haven't talked to anyone," Damn, she got him there. She stepped closer, extending her hand, "Dance with me."

It was a bold move, she knew, but she getting get the idea out of her mind. She just wanted to be closer to him, to feel his arms around her. Having witnessed his toned flesh firsthand, the urge to feel him again haunted Rukia's dreams. She was infatuated with her boss, and worse-she knew it was futile. He would never look at her in that way. But that didn't keep her from being his friend.

Hitsugaya eyed her hand and his heart skipped a beat. Was he seriously considering her offer? "Alright," he said taking her hand and allowing her to lead him to the semi-crowded dance floor. The first dance was upbeat and he watched Rukia giggle as he bobbed up and down lamely to the beat. So what if he wasn't much of a dancer? If his two left feet put that smile on her face then so be it. And then the song changed. It was slow, soft. To his surprise Rukia leaned into his embrace. He might have felt subconscious had he been the only one dancing with his subordinate, but he wasn't. And honestly, he didn't think he'd stop if he was.

As they spun around the room Toshiro could barely fight the smile on his face. Leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead; he couldn't help but wonder what would happen if he actually did kiss her. As his lips touched her skin the responding sigh caused him to crush her closer to his body. He didn't know if it was the music or his own musings, but at her sigh his heart fluttered inexplicably.

Had she imagined it? The kiss to the forehead? Her heart told her no, but surely it went against all logic? There was no way he could want her. But those lips felt as real as the muscled arms wrapped around her. The song ended way too quickly and the cry for a limbo contest could be heard. Rukia parted from her captain reluctantly and took his arm as he escorted her to the table. There, she caught up with her friends from the human world.

Not much had changed, save for the fact that Ichigo and Orihime were an item now. Not that it came as much of a surprise. Now, seeing her brother actually smiling (or, what constituted as a smile in Byakuya-sama's case)-that was a surprise! She made a mental note to have a talk with the purple haired shinigami. Speaking of strange hair colors, where was her frosty captain? She craned her neck and found him back at the bar, nursing another one of those fruity drinks with the umbrellas in them. She stood up and sauntered over to him, heels clicking against the tile. "How many of those have you had?"

"I don't know, four?" The slur was almost undetectable, but she still caught it. "Maybe five." He downed the glass in front of him. "Six."

She cracked a smirk, "You're going to regret that in the morning."

"Probably so." He got down from his stool, staggering a bit. "I think I'll call it a night."

Rukia shook her head, "Here, I'm coming with you. Can't have you falling down anywhere." It didn't take long to get back to the 10th's barracks. As they entered into the Captain's quarters he led them directly to his bedroom. She turned to leave, but a hand on her wrist halted her exit. "What is it Toshiro?" concern causing her to drop all formalities.

"Stay." It was an innocent request, but the possible interpretations of his request scared her. Besides, he was inebriated and therefore not fully cognizant of his decisions. No, she wouldn't be staying. Yet, when she looked into his pleading turquoise eyes, her resolve crumbled. She nodded and slid beside him in his bed. Lazy limbs embraced her and together they settled in for a much needed rest.