"Oi, Haruka!" Sakura's loud voice woke Hajime from her slumber, "We have Kido training today." Hajime looked at the time and it was 7:50 already, Hajime has never been late to class before and all she wanted to do right now was sleep.

"I'll be going first." Sakura stated as she left the room without any worry for Hajime.

Hajime barely got any sleep last night since all she was able to think about was the close encounter with Renji. Hajime tried to clear her thoughts and quickly got ready for class.

Making it to class just on time, Kisume greeted Hajime with a large smile, "Yo, you're pretty late today. Were you dreaming about me?" Kisume winked in a playful tone.

"Uh-" Before Hajime could even respond to Kisume, Gengoro entered the room.

"Alright everyone, we'll be making our way to the Kido training field. Get together with your partners and form a group of six." As everyone got into their groups, Gengoro brought his students to the outside field.

"Okay, Group 1, your task for today will be Bakudo #4: Hainawa. Aim for the wooden target in front of you."

As the first group said their incantations and performed Hainawa, an energy rope appeared and bound their targets' arms. Gengoro nodded his head at the group and wrote down his observations.

It was finally time for Group 6 to take their turn. Group 6 consisted of Hajime, Kisume, Sakura, and three other teens.

"Okay Group 6, you all will be performing Hadou #33: Sokatsui. Remember to say the incantation correctly and keep steady control of your reiatsu. If you say the incantation incorrectly or your reiatsu balance is off, the spell will end up blowing up in your face.

Heading the warning, the six students prepared their stance and recited the incantation in unison, "O Lord, mask of flesh and bone, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of man, truth and temperance, upon this sinless wall of dreams unleash but slightly the wrath of your claws!" Six waves of blue flames whipped through the air and damaged the targets creating a cloud of smoke. As the smoke cleared, it was revealed that one of the puppets lost its arms, one lost its head, two were damaged severely at the chest, and another two were completely destroyed.

Tracing the destroyed puppet back to Sakura, she received looks of praise and a round of applause, she gave them a sly grin in return.

No wonder the Toujiro girl received high marks in all categories; she's highly skilled but… so is the Kisumoto girl, Gengoro thought to himself as he traced the other destroyed target to Hajime. He wrote down his observations and the next group was set to perform their task.

As the group returned to the back of the line, Sakura was still getting a handful of compliments and she loved it, she couldn't stop flipping her hair or putting on that fake gentle smile.

"Hajime, you did great! I know everyone's focused on the Princess right now but wow, you have great spiritual energy!" While getting complimented by Kisume, as always, his word choice was quite odd when talking about Sakura.

"Princess? Is Sakura a Noble?"

"Eh? Ah… Haha, forget I said anything." Kisume gave a smile and walked over to Sakura.

That was weird, Hajime thought to herself as she observed both Sakura and Kisume talking to one another.


A couple of months have passed by at the Academy and it was almost time for the winter holiday break. Many of the students are returning to their families in the different areas of Soul Society but there were also a handful of students staying within the dorms; one of the students being Hajime.

"Are you heading back to see your family, Sakura?" Hajime asked as she was observing Sakura pack her belongings.

"Family? I don't really have any family here but I don't want to stay here for the break. I'll be visiting Kisume's family and staying over their place. What about you, Hajime?" Sakura asked. Not too long ago, Sakura and Hajime got more comfortable with each other and are now considered friends. Sakura decided it was only right to address Hajime by her actual name.

"I don't have any family here either. I'll be staying in the dorms but I'll most likely be visiting my friends today, see if they have any holiday plans."

"Friends?" Sakura's eyes lit up, "Then, are you going to see Renji Fukutaichou?"

Hajime stopped what she was doing and thought back to the past couple of months. After the Kido training incident, Renji has been acting differently around Hajime. He's been distancing himself from her and it seems that he's gotten closer to Sakura instead.

"Ne, Hajime, you think all the attention I've been giving Renji Fukutaichou has been paying off? He's been visiting me frequently."

"That is true…" Hajime stated as her voice drowned out and she thought back to the moment when her lips and Renji's nearly made contact. She remembered the look in his eyes; they were genuine and full of affection. Maybe I read his feelings wrong?

"I'm going with you!" Sakura declared, breaking Hajime's thoughts.

"Eh?"

"It'll be a good chance for me to ask him on a date! And you'll be there, you said you two were good friends right? You can put in a good word for me! Please, Hajime?" This is Hajime's first time ever hearing Sakura say please. It must mean that she's either desperate or her feelings for Renji were stronger than Hajime thought. Hajime wasn't the type of person to deny a friend's request so she simply gave a small smile and a nod, agreeing to Sakura's request.

. . .

Hajime and Sakura made their way to the Sixth Division Barracks and began their search for Renji.

"Hey, you don't think the Taichou's here, do you?" Sakura asked a little wearily. However, as if right on cue, the two young women bumped into Byakuya in the common area near his Captain's Quarters. Sakura grew startled and quickly hid behind Hajime.

"Kisumoto-San? Are you looking for Renji? Ah, and you brought a fri-wait a minute, Sakura, is that you?" Byakuya asked as he tried to get a better look at the pink haired girl hiding behind Hajime's fragile body.

"EH, Kuchiki Taichou, Sakura, you two know each other?" Hajime asked in surprise as she turned around to face Sakura and reveal her face to Byakuya.

"You remember Akane, don't you Kisumoto-San? My wife… Well, Sakura is her younger sister."

"Half-sister." Sakura emphasized.

"Then, you really are of noble blood." Hajime commented as she thought back to Kisume's words a couple of months ago.

"I am a noblewomen by name, not by blood. Aka-Nee, as I call her, only share the same mother as I do. She's the one born with the Toujiro blood. When my father passed, mother thought handing me the same name would bring in suitors and would give me a better reputation but I'm still considered an 'illegitimate' child."

"But things are different?" Hajime observed.

"I was granted freedom," Sakura stated as she looked at Byakuya with a smile, "Since I didn't share the same blood as the Head of the Toujiro Clan, I had the option to not participate in the clan's affairs and the title was passed to someone else; Byakuya-Sama's little sister, Rukia. Thanks to their sacrifice, I was granted freedom. Freedom to do whatever I want and… to fall in love with whomever I want." After learning more about Sakura, Hajime gave a gentle smile in her direction but that smile didn't last long as a certain redheaded Fukutaichou entered the common room.

"Renji…" Hajime whispered under her breath as the two locked eyes with one another. There was a brief moment of longing and pain behind their gazes that lasted less than a second when Renji's focus was turned to Sakura.

"Renji Fukutaichou!" Sakura called out as she noticed his presence and grabbed onto his arm with eyes full of admiration.

"Yo Sakura" Renji greeted with a large smile. He then looked once again at Hajime and his smile grew smaller and less bight, "Hajime" he acknowledge while giving a slight nod. Hajime returned his smile.

Finally understanding the atmosphere in front of him, Byakuya narrowed his eyes slightly. Renji, you fool.

"So, what are you two doing here?" Renji asked.

Well, our Winter break is tomorrow and I wanted to know if you wanted to go on a date before I leave for the holidays." Hearing the word "date" caused Renji, and even Byakuya's, eyes to widen in surprise.

"A d-date?" Renji asked while caught off guard. He looked towards Hajime again and she had on such a warm smile, Byakuya unmistakably detected the ache behind that smile.

"Renji, you may or may not know this but Sakura really likes you. It took a lot of courage for her to ask you to go on a date. Won't you say yes? She's a really great person, at least give it a try?" Hajime urged with her soft voice.

Looking at Sakura's glittering green eyes, Renji thought to himself, This is good… I need to quickly separate myself from Hajime and clear my mind. I can't stand to look at her eyes anymore; I need her to get over me quickly.

"Sure, let's go on a date then Sakura. We can even go now. I finished all my errands today." Hajime felt a sharp sting in her chest.

Sakura jumped in joy as she clung onto Renji's arm, "Thank you!"

Renji then turned his attention to Byakuya who was still in the room and was looking for his chance to bid the three his goodbyes, "Taichou…"

"Take your time, I'll be sure to keep Kisumoto-San company." Byakuya stated as he walked toward Hajime and put his hand on her shoulder only to realize that she was quite tense.

Renji and Sakura bid their goodbyes as they left arm in arm to enjoy their impromptu date. As the two of them left, Hajime looked upon Renji with saddened eyes.

Slowly, she turned to face Byakuya and with an obvious painful expression, she gave a gentle bow and also bid farewell to Byakuya.

He couldn't bear to have her leave with such a pitiful expression so he invited her to have tea with him.

"Thank you for the offer Kuchiki Taichou but I don't want to interrupt your work or anything…" Even though she said that, Hajime actually wanted some company right now. She didn't have many friends and Rukia was off on a mission and the only other person she's gotten to get to know better was Byakuya.

"I insist. We've met many times and you've come to visit the barracks frequently yet I still know little about you. I'd like to get to know you better and you are never a bother Kisumoto-San." The way Byakuya spoke with such gentleness and calm, Hajime was unable to refuse his offer.

The two headed to the garden in the back of the barracks, it was beautiful and very relaxing; cherry blossom petals flooded the ground and the sweet aroma of flowers filled the air. Just breathing in the fresh sweet air made Hajime feel like she was in a whole new world. Tea was already prepared at a table underneath a cherry blossom tree and as they sat to drink their tea, it felt as if the world stood still and everything was calm.

"Kisumoto-San." Byakuya began.

"Ah, I've been meaning to tell you this but since we've known each other for a while now, I'd like for you to address me as Hajime, if that's okay with you, Kuchiki Taichou." Hajime said with her usual gentle smile.

Looking at her innocence and gentleness, Byakuya couldn't help but give a smile in return, "Then, Hajime, how have your studies been coming along? Have you been enjoying yourself at the Academy?"

Hajime told Byakuya about her days at the Academy, meeting Sakura, meeting Kisume, the hectic class schedule, and how she's happy Renji convinced her to join the Academy.

"You've made some memorable experiences, haven't you? It also seems like that Kisume boy has taken quite a liking to you?"

"I suppose… but he isn't the one… Uh, I mean he isn't…" Hajime doesn't even know what she wants to say.

"He isn't the one you like?" Byakuya questioned as he nonchalantly took a sip from his cup. "Renji, he's important to you, isn't he?"

"Was it that obvious?" Hajime asked, slightly embarrassed.

"It's the way you look at him, I can tell he's special to you but Renji… he's a complicated one and unfortunately, his heart already belongs to another."

"Ah, really? Would it be Sakura?"

"I do not know who has taken his heart but he has been behaving differently. I caution you to be careful Hajime. If you give him your heart and he does not hold the same feelings, I would be saddened to see either of you hurt." Even though Byakuya knew of the mission given to Renji, he knew it was not his place to tell Hajime and so he only offered that small piece of advice. Renji, I understand I told you that completing your mission is your first priority but do you realize the damage you've done? After all this, does your heart still belong to Rukia?

While Byakuya was deep in thought, Hajime admired his beautiful features; his long black hair flowing in the direction of the wind, his air of dignity and pride, and how beneath all that, he was gentle and caring of others. Admiring the graceful image before her, Hajime pulled out a piece of paper and pen from her pocket and started to sketch Byakuya.

No one knew of Hajime's secret, not even her mother, but Hajime was an artist at heart and she loved to draw. As much as she loved learning and reading, her heart belonged to the arts and no matter where she went, she would always carry a piece of paper and pen with her and draw whatever catches her eye. Today's model was Byakuya. As Hajime quickly finished her sketch, she folded the scrap of paper and placed it under Byakuya's plate while he wasn't looking.

"Kuchiki Taichou, I should probably head back to the dorms, I don't want to keep you any longer. Thank you for chatting with me, I enjoyed it very much." Hajime said with a smile as she stood up, gave a bow, and made her way back to the dormitories.

As Byakuya finished his tea and was getting ready to head back to his paperwork, he noticed a piece of paper under his plate. Opening up the paper and looking at its contents, he saw a beautifully sketched portrait of him sipping his tea with his hair floating in the wind along with the cherry blossoms. He gave a small smile at the scrap of paper and placed it in his pocket for safekeeping.


Meanwhile, at Shinigami Café, Renji and Sakura were enjoying their desserts.

"So, you think she bought it?" Sakura asked while eating her parfait.

"I hope she did. I need her to rethink her feelings for me, and hopefully we can become good friends again. Thanks for your help Sakura."

About 1 ½ months ago.

One morning, Renji was told to head to Shinigami Academy and deliver a message to Sakura from the Toujiro Family.

"From Akane, Taichou? What does she want with Hajime's roommate?"

"Oh, that's right. I haven't told you yet, have I? And it's been almost five years since the union." Byakuya said as he sat at his desk finishing his paperwork.

"Tell me what?"

Byakuya told Renji about the true nature of Sakura; how she's Akane's half-sister and how she was granted freedom in exchange for agreeing to an arraigned marriage.

"Wait, she has a fiancé?" Renji asked in surprise since Sakura has flirted with him countless times, "But she's flirted with me every time we saw each other!"

"That's Sakura's way of enjoying herself. I, personally, do not approve of such actions but since her husband has already been chosen for her, and at such a young age, I do not blame her for behaving as such."

"Then, this message…"
"That's right. Akane and her mother have found a suitor for Sakura and they wish for her return immediately. I figured since she's also Kisumoto-San's roommate, it would be more convenient if you delivered the letter. You would be able to spend time with Kisumoto-San as well since you have finished your duties for today."

"Ah, she's been pretty busy lately so I haven't seen her much." Renji gave an excuse as he thought back to the incident a few months ago, "But I'll deliver to message anyway and drop by to say hi to Hajime. Be back later."

. . .

Arriving at room 329, Renji took a deep breath and knocked on the door. He was greeted by Sakura who had on a large playful smile.

"Ah, Renji Fukutaichou! Is there something you needed?"

"Is Hajime here?" Renji asked wearily.

"No, she's with her teacher, she's been having trouble with her Zanjutsu lessons."

Thank goodness, Renji thought to himself, "Well, I have a message from Akane for you."

"Akane? Then, you know?"

"Yeah, you can drop the act. The Taichou just told me."

"Boo. I was enjoying teasing you too." Sakura said as she grabbed the letter out of Renji's hands and sat on her bed.

"Well, thanks for the message, you can wait for Hajime here if you want, I'll be heading to my sister's soon."

"Uh, no, that's fine, I'm gonna go too."

"You… what exactly are you to Hajime?" Sakura questioned as Renji was about to leave.

"Why-why do you ask?"

"She told me you two were friends but it seems more complicated than that. I've noticed that you've been distancing yourself from her. You know right? She likes you. But you, you don't know what your feelings are, is that right?"

"I already have someone I like." Renji explained.

"That may be true but it seems Hajime's in your heart now too. If she wasn't you would've told her straightforwardly that you already have someone you like." Sakura stated as she observed Renji with narrow eyes.

"It's complicated but I can't have Hajime falling in love with me. Maybe-maybe you can help me with this."

"Ooh, drama. I love it. Spill."

Renji told Sakura about everything that happened; he told her about the mission the Captain-Commander gave him, how he feels guilty for deceiving Hajime, how Hajime's developed feelings for him, and how they almost kissed.

"Wow. I-I don't even know what to say. So, where do I come in?"

"I need you to keep doing what you're doing. Keep flirting with me, keep talking about me, whatever. In the end, I need you to ask me out in front of Hajime. I need Hajime to believe that I have feelings for you and not her. I'm sure she'll get over me quickly."

"So, deceive her again is what you're saying."

"There's no other way. I can't tell her the truth, she trusted me. It'll destroy everything we built."

Sakura thought about it for a moment, "Okay, I'll help but on one condition. When I ask you to take me on a date, can you actually take me on a date? I signed my love life away already so I'd like to enjoy some fun time while I can."

"That's simple enough. Then we have a deal?"

"Deal."

. . .

"Well, thanks for taking me out, it was fun. I had fun." Sakura said as she got up from her seat, "Good luck with, uh, everything, haha." The two bid each other farewell and Renji made his way back to the barracks.

Returning to the Sixth Division Barracks, a message came telling Renji to head to Byakuya's Chambers.

"You called for me, Taichou?"

"Have a seat Renji." Byakuya said, or rather commanded, as he was continuing his paperwork from earlier this afternoon.

Renji gave a gulp, "Did I, uh, do something wrong?"

"Kisumoto Hajime, how much longer are you planning to deceive her? You brought Sakura into this as well, didn't you? Earlier when she was talking about her family to Hajime, she was speaking falsely. What have you done Renji?"

"Taichou, ever since I got the mission from the Captain-Commander to play with Hajime's feelings, I don't know what I'm even doing anymore! If I tell Hajime that I don't like her, she'll question the reason why I pushed her so hard to come to Seireitei and join the Academy. Hajime is smart, she'll find out I was lying just to have her become a Shinigami. But the thing is Taichou, even though my heart belongs to Rukia, there's a part of me that feels attracted to Hajime. It's like she somehow crept into my heart and she won't leave. I'd rather have her feel like I don't love her than to tell her I played her." Renji was getting worked up. The guilt, the stress, and the confusion were building up too fast. Byakuya took pity on him. "We even almost kissed. I didn't back away or anything. If our third seat didn't come when he did, I think we actually would've kissed Taichou. I would have built up her feelings even more. Ah, I've really screwed up, didn't I?"

"Yes, you did. I understand everything Renji and I'm simply looking out for you but I do not want you to keep dragging this on and hurting yourself and Hajime even more."

"Hajime?" Renji questioned as he looked at Byakuya with widened eyes and a small-amused smile.

"Wipe that smile off your face. Have you forgotten? I am married."

"Not to a woman you love." Renji interjected.

"Be that as it may, we simply had tea and she told me to address her as Hajime. We've known each other for a while now and she wanted me to drop formalities with her."

"And to her, you are…?"

"Kuchiki Taichou." Byakuya stated in his usual tone of voice.

"Right." Renji said sarcastically.

"Stop changing the subject Renji. It's been half a year already since this whole charade has been occurring. You must figure out a way to put an end to all of it, do you understand? The longer you continue to deceive Hajime, the worse the pain."

"I understand. I'll do something about it soon."

"Good. You are dismissed."

"Hai." Renji gave a bow and left Byakuya's room, "If there's anyone that's deserving of Hajime, it's the Taichou." Renji spoke with a grin as he made his way to the Thirteen Division Barracks.


[[ Boring? Probably. Sorry!

Leave me a review and let me know what you think.

I'll be working on another chapter so until next time my loves! ]]