Um, hi... I guess I should start with saying sorry. I feel so ashamed! I've been done with this chapter for quite a while, but I just haven't gotten around to typing it until now. And I have to inform you that it's the last chapter... Please don't kill me! *hides behind desk*

No seriously, this story has caused me so much trouble. I lost my inspiration halfway through and I've really had to struggle to write this. I am in no way pleased with it, but I'm happy that I at least managed to finish it. It didn't turn out the way I wanted to, but I hope you've all enjoyed it.

Oh, and some practical stuff. I've changed the rating to M because of a little scene at the end. It's not smut exactly, but just to be safe. And there are also four little omakes (or extras) at the end, just to wrap things up, so don't stop reading after -The end-

Yeah, that's about it. THANKS to everyone who has read, reviewed and faved! It means a lot! Now I'll be taking a little break from writing Bleach-fanfics, but feel free to send me a message or to check out my other stories.

So, after much pointless rambling, I give you: The last chapter!

Chapter 9 – In the aftermath of the party

It was almost dawn when Byakuya found himself safely in his bedroom. Loud snores could be heard from the bed where he'd left Renji, who'd collapsed the moment they stepped through the door.

Byakuya felt rather tired as well, but refused to go to sleep. Because sleeping in the same bed as a still quite drunk Renji was a rather risky business. So instead he just sat by the window, looking out at the garden when something caught his eye.

There were two people, one clearly drunk, making their way through the garden. Because they were too far away, Byakuya couldn't quite make out who they were, but then he noticed a gleam of orange hair and guessed that the taller figure was Ichigo. And if Byakuyas guess was right, the shorter, clearly drunk one, who was clinging to Ichigo in a rather provocative way, would be...

As realisation struck him, Byakuya immediately jumped to his feet, filled with a rather sensational fury, and marched out into the garden, leaving the sleeping Renji behind. Nearing the figures he could now make out what they were saying.

"Come on Ichigo. I know you want me..."

"Wha- what are you talking about?"

She giggled madly and poked his chest before coming way too close to his face, making him blush.

"Oh, Ichigo, don't play dumb!"

"I'm not! I thought we were going to your room!"

"Ooooh, straight to the point, eh?"

"No! No, no, no! That's not what I meant, I- You're drunk!"

"Really?"

"Yes! Now show me the way back to your room!"

But Rukia wasn't paying attention, as she pointed at the air.

"Look! Sakura-petals!"

"Idiot! There are no sakura in win... ter..."

Ichigos eyes went wide with understanding and then...

"Aaaargh!"

As the blades struck him, Ichigo collapsed onto the ground, cursing loudly in front of a stunned Rukia.

"Ichigo? Why are you bleeding?"

"Damn it! Byakuya, you bastard!"

"I won't let you harm my sister"

Byakuya slowly stepped forward, sword held high, ready to further restrain the bleeding Ichigo on the ground. Said shinigami looked absolutely furious as he glared at Byakuya, but Rukia on the other hand seemed rather surprised to see her brother.

"Nii-sama? I thought you weren't going to come here..."

"I changed my mind and came back. And it's a good thing I did so"

He shot Ichigo a nasty glare before turning back to Rukia. She stood completely frozen for a few seconds before suddenly throwing herself at her brother, hugging him tightly as she cried.

"Nii-sama! I'm so glad you came back! I thought you hated me!"

For a moment Byakuya just stood there looking very perplexed, but then he seemed to find his voice again.

"It's fine, I don't hate you. I just don't like people meddling with my private life, that's all"

"Of course Nii-sama, it will never happen again!"

She pulled back from him and wiped her face on her sleeve as silence fell for a moment. Then Byakuya snapped his fingers and a couple of servants appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.

"You called, Kuchiki-sama?"

"Yes. If you would please escort Rukia to her room, she seems in need of rest"

"Yes Kuchiki-sama!"

"Also, please remove this trash from my house"

He pointed at Ichigo, who looked shocked, and suddenly remembered that he was angry, having been temporarily stunned by Rukias sudden outburst.

"Hey! What did I do?!"

Byakuya cast him a quick glance before turning around and leaving.

"Hey! You bastard! Answer me!"

Byakuya stopped in his tracks and looked back over his shoulder.

"You had inappropriate thoughts about my sister"

And that was that.

-----

It wasn't until late afternoon when Renji finally woke up. Looking around, he realised that he was still in the Kuchiki-mansion, laying on a very soft futon. Through the large windows he could see the magnificent garden outside, a small river running through it quite peacefully.

"So you're finally awake"

Renji jumped and fell of the futon with a loud yelp and an even louder crash. Now lying on the floor he found himself staring up at his Captain.

"Ah... Mornin' Capt'n"

"Renji, it's the afternoon"

"Right"

Blushing a little, Renji tried to sit up, but failed as pain shot through his poor head. Not very surprising, considering the amount of sake he'd consumed the night before. Byakuya moved closer to Renji and pulled him back onto the futon.

"I think you should stay in bed today"

"Yeah... that sounds like a good idea"

There was silence and Renji wondered what to do now. What he really wanted to do was to go home. If he'd been uncomfortable around Byakuya yesterday, it was nothing like now. Add to that a hangover that even prevented him from standing up straight, Renji felt less that cheerful. Still, his Captain didn't seem to mind him much. He was standing completely frozen, looking out of the window with a distant look on his face. Renji decided to try and break the silence.

"Um, Captain?"

Byakuya seemed to snap out of his daze and steely, grey eyes focused on Renji instead, as he spoke.

"Renji. We need to talk"

"Oh. A- about what?" asked Renji, afraid of the answer.

"Well, I thought I should tell you why I even bothered to show up at this ridiculous party yesterday"

"Right... and... why was that?"

"I heard something from Yoruichi. About you... no, about us, actually"

"Re- really?" Renji was shaking a little now.

"Yes. She said something along the lines of 'the two of you need to face your feelings sooner rather than later'"

Renji didn't know what to say to this, so he just stared fearfully up at his Captain. And then something miraculous happened: Byakuya smiled. He actually smiled. Renjis jaw dropped and Byakuya smiled even wider.

"There's no need to look so worried Renji. I merely wish to sort out a few things"

Renji gulped and tried to calm down a little. He failed though, as Byakuya sat down next to him on the futon.

"Now then Renji, before anything I want to ask you: what are your feelings towards me?"

"Um... er... well, you're my Captain, so I... re- really admire you..."

"No, no, I don't mean in our work relationship. I mean as a person, outside of work"

Renji gulped again and tried to find his voice, which seemed to have escaped him.

"Um... Captain, I- I don't know what you mean-"

"Oh, get on with it" said a voice from the window.

Renji jumped again and the two of them found a black cat sitting on the windowsill. Byakuyas eyes flashed dangerously.

"Yoruichi" he growled.

The cat smirked.

"Oh, so you've abandoned the nice nicknames, eh? I remember what you used to call me when you were younger- "

"What do you want?" Byakuya cut across her. She smirked even wider.

"I think you should speed things up a little. You're never going to get your idiot Vice-Captain to admit to liking you" Renji blushed an interesting shade of pink "so just give him a kiss, little Byakuya and see if he kisses you back! Or you could just tell him that you love him"

Now it was Byakuyas turn to blush as Renji gaped at him.

"Ca- Captain...?"

Yoruichi looked very smug now, and was just about to speak again, when suddenly Byakuya was on his feet, eyes flashing again.

"Get out"

"Now, now, little Byakuya. Why would I do that? I don't want to miss the show-"

"Get. Out. Now"

Youruichi didn't move. And for once, Byakuya lost his temper.

"GET OUT! NOW! Get out before I throw you out!"

He made to move towards the cat but before he reached her she was gone. Turning around he muttered something that sounded a lot like "Demon-cat", but the noble seemed to forget all his anger at the sight of his stunned Vice-Captain.

"Renji..."

"Is it true? What she said, is it true? Do you really... love me?"

Their eyes met for a second and Byakuyas gaze softened as he answered.

"Yes. Yes it's true"

"But- Why? Why me of all people? I'm not a noble, I'm from the Rukongai, I have no social skills and- Oh for fucks sake, I'm your freaking Vice-Captain!"

"I know Renji, but one does not control who one falls in love with"

For a few seconds they just stared at each other. Then Byakuya was leaning over Renji, who for a moment wondered if his Captain had just used shunpo to get to him... but then their lips connected and Renji didn't wonder anything anymore.

Outside the window Yoruichi smiled to herself as she snapped picture after picture of the two in the bed. This was really a Christmas party to remember.

-The End-


It's not over yet! Please check out the omakes below!

Omake 1 – The camera

"Ah... Captain!"

"Hm?"

"Fa- faster... please..."

"If you say so"

"Aaah... yes, just like that!"

By now Renji had completely forgotten his previous awkwardness when he'd found out about Byakuyas secret feelings for him. He'd also learned that his Captain could be very... persuasive. So kisses had led on to further activities and the position they were in now.

"Ah, Captain... I- I'm gonna..."

"I know..."

They came at almost the exact same time, and Renji briefly wondered if he'd ever had sex this good.

Breathing hard after the previous activity, Byakuya rested his head against Renjis chest, looking out of the window absentmindedly. What he saw outside, however, made his insides squirm.

Outside the window stood a grinning Yoruichi, holding up a camera and giving him thumbs up. Byakuya growled and jumped up, but she was gone before he was even out of the bed.

The next day Byakuya found a note on his desk saying:

Yo, little Byakuya!

I got some really nice pictures of you and your Vice-Captain yesterday! I do so hope that we can be very good friends from now on, doing little favours for each other! And if you don't do what I tell you to, those pretty little pictures will soon be all over the 6th division!

Love~

Yoruichi

Needless to say, Byakuya did not lose his temper with Yoruichi again. (Though he did burn the note with a streak of grim satisfaction)

Omake 2 – Ikkakus anger

On the day after the party Yumichika found himself waking up with a very annoyed Ikkaku by his side. Wondering what was wrong now, Yumichika sighed and glared at his lover.

"What? What did I do this time?"

"You fell asleep! That's what!"

"I... fell asleep?"

Now Ymuchika was confused. This apparently made Ikkaku even angrier.

"You idiot! You fell asleep last night, well morning really, before we even did anything!"

"Did... anything?"

"Oh, for fuck's sake Yumi! You were the one who were all seductive and went 'how about we continue this back at home'! And then we get home and you fall asleep before I even get to touch you!"

Ikkaku was practically fuming. But Yumichika didn't really mind as he spoke in a dangerously sweet voice:

"Oh, I'm terribly sorry. But I could just make it up to you now..."

That was an offer that Ikkaku couldn't very well say no to, and this time, Yumichika didn't fall asleep.

Omake 3 – Why is Ichigo covered in bandages?

A conversation which took place a few days after the party, between Byakya and Renji.

"Um, Captain?"

"Yes Renji?"

"Why is Ichigo covered in bandages?"

"That is because he is covered in cuts"

"Oh. Then... why is he covered in cuts?"

"Because I taught him a lesson"

"What?! But you didn't have to cut him up!"

"Renji... he was having indecent thoughts about my sister"

"Indecent thoughts... about Rukia...?"

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Actually Captain, I think you were right to cut him. In fact, next time I might give you a hand"

"There won't be a next time, Renji"

"Oh I know it won't, I'll make damned sure of that"

The next time Byakuya saw Ichigo, he was strongly resembling a mummy.

Lesson learned.

Omake 4 – The problem with bandages

Rukia found herself having a laughing fit when she saw Ichigo a few days after the party.

"You- ha ha ha... look like... heh heh heh... a mummy!"

"I feel like a mummy!"

"Ha ha ha!"

"Rukia, it's not funny!"

"Yes, ha ha, it is!"

"Oh, please! Stop laughing!"

"Ha ha ha!"

"Rukia, I could have died!"

"Ha ha, okay, sorry..."

She wiped some tears away and tried to regain her composure.

"So... what's the reason for your, um, mummified state?"

"Your dear brother, if you don't recall. And then today Renji showed up and gave me a beating too, saying something about 'indecent thoughts about Rukia' and 'leave her alone'"

"Indecent thoughts, eh? But you don't have any of those, do you?"

She was moving towards him now, with that look in her eyes and soon enough, Ichigo found himself pressed against the wall with her tongue in his mouth. For a moment he wondered if she was still drunk, but that would be impossible. So then this must mean she really liked him... right? But then again, that didn't really matter right now, because she was kissing him and it felt damn good.

When they finally broke apart, Ichigo was panting heavily and Rukia looked downright seductive as she spoke.

"I think we should go to my room, don't you agree? It's a bit more private. Don't want you to get beat up again, do we?"

Ichigo was oh so willing to go with her, a little too willing in fact, because when he tried to move, he stepped on a loose bandage and fell flat on his face, sending Rukia into hysteric fits of laughter.

"Ha ha ha! The mummy tripped on his bandage! Ha ha ha HA!"

"Oh, forget it!"

And so, Ichigo left her on the floor, rolling around with laughter, thinking that he'd definitely take her somewhere private, and far away from Renji and Byakuya, once he was de-mummified. And then he'd find out if she really liked him, or if she was just teasing. Because knowing Rukia, he couldn't be so sure.


It's finally over! Hope you liked it, and one last time, please review^^