Chapter 4: Nighttime walk and a Mission!

"So, Uncle, what brings you here?" Ayane asks, sipping some tea with her captain, visiting uncle and Lieutenant Abarai. Iroh smiles at her, "Just checking up on my favorite niece!" He ruffles her hair playfully and she laughs, "I'm your only niece!"

"As I was saying, I came to check up on you because I heard from the servants that you brought a red-haired man into your room last night. Both Ayane and Renji spit their tea out, Ayane's hitting Renji in the face, "Whaaat!"

Iroh smirks, "Soo… What did you and Lieutenant Abarai do last night?" Ayane blushes a deep red and Renji blushes as well, "W-We didn't do anything! He didn't even sleep in my bed! I forgot about him the next morning because I was so damn drunk and so was he, I swear!" She explains, rather loudly and flailing. Iroh starts laughing, "I was joking, Aya." Ayane looks down, blushing, "… Um… Right…" Iroh smiles gently and pats her head, "I just wanted to make sure that you're okay!" Ayane smiles as she stands up, "Oh… okay… so you'll be heading back to the Tachibana estate?" Iroh nods, standing up himself, "Yes, they need me there." He bows to Renji and Byakuya and walks out of the office. Ayane waves and smiles gently, bowing to her captain, "Well, Captain Kuchiki, I'm ready to receive any and all punishment you may give me…" Renji stares at her in shock and Byakuya just glares, "Just go fill out the paperwork that was left in your office." She nods as she bows again and leaves the office. Renji follows, "Ah! Wait, Ayane-san!" She stops and looks at him, "Yes, Ren-chan?" "I, uh, was wondering if…" His face turns a light tinge of pink, as he looks away a little, "Um, I was wondering if you wanted to go out and… uh, go for a walk after you're done with your paperwork…" She blinks and smiles, "Sure, Ren-chan! It sounds like fun!" He smiles, "Alright. Just come and get me when you're finished." She nods and heads into her office.


Near midnight, she finally finishes the HUGE stack of paperwork Byakuya had set for her and she sighs, "I wonder if Renji's still up…" She leaves her office and knocks on Renji's door, "Oi, Ren-chan… you still awake?" No answer. She opens the door to see Renji asleep at his desk. Ayane pokes him and he lets out a loud snore.

She sighs then she suddenly hears, "Don't wake him." She flails and jumps back, seeing Byakuya stand there, "Oh… It's only you, Captain…" He gestures for her to leave the office and she does so, shutting the door behind her, "Well, so much for that…" She sighs gently. Byakuya raises an eyebrow, "Explain." She rubs the back of her head and looks up at him, "Well, Renji and I were planning on walking together… but he's gone and fallen asleep, so now I'm stuck walking home alone." She pouts a little and crosses her arms. Byakuya stares at her for a second, "… Then I shall walk you home." She looks at him, "Really? I mean, you don't have to…" He nods and starts walking away and Ayane follows him. They walk in silence the entire time when they reach Ayane's home. "Thank you, Captain." She bows gently. He nods, "We have a mission tomorrow. Be by the west Rukon gates by noon." She nods, "Alright."


Byakuya walks away and Ayane walks into the gates, "… Hm… Renji had a stack of paperwork next to him when I found him… could it be that… naah…"