A/N: OMG, my favorite scene so far. I've been dreaming of this ever since...well, I don't know how long exactly, but it's been a while. Anywho, I loved this scene, and I hope you will too. Lemme know what you think in form of a review wink wink!
Also, I'd like to thank everyone who's had a chance to review, I know I upload super mega fast sometimes, and it barely leaves anyone any time to review before another chappy is up. Please review the chappies individually anyway if you can, before hitting that wonderful "next" button. I like to know what goes through your heads as you read the chappies individually, that way it gives me a better idea of whether I need to re-think the pace of the story, and whatnot.
Joseey you're so hilarious, I can imagine you trying to get away from work to lie in the sun! :) Good for you, but I hope you get some time to read up before you have to go "work again"
Jenny don't worry, your ideas will definitely make the cut ! Keep them going...as you'll see, the revenge thing will be going for a while, so I'm sure I'll run out of ideas pretty soon !
Disclaimer : Here's a shiny red apple, Tite Kubo, no ,I promise you won't fall asleep, or die. Go ahead, and take a bite.
Revenge of the Koi
Maya had absolutely loved the idea Yachiru had innocently given her during the afternoon they spent together, unaware Maya had been itching for revenge ever since the "kiss and splash" episode. Maya hadn't told anyone about what had happened, specially since a) people would find out about Byakuya's unfortunate dip in the pond, and declare it was because of the curse b) she was too embarrassed to talk about that kiss with anyone, and finally c) no one had found out about the incident, which meant everyone thought her date had been a success, despite the fact that she had been in a foul mood ever since the ball. So, when a candied-up Yachiru had commented that she hadn't been to Ugendo for ages, now that Ukitake didn't get sick as often, a tiny little devil had sprouted on Maya's shoulder, talking softly of the perfect revenge on the Koi-loving kiss thief, and how they could accomplish it so flawlessly within this very night.
For starters, she had only to "plant" a few ideas in Yachiru's head, such as how her dad missed her gifts (not true), and how poorly he'd been feeling lately (definitely a lie), and how Yachiru should totally visit more often, since her presence had a delightfully restorative effect on her dad ( absolute bull crap), and how she would be honored to help Yachiru find the best gift ever for Ukitake, who absolutely adored fish, specially Koi fish. Truth be told, it had been almost too easy to lead Yachiru down the path of fish-thievery, which was how they found themselves now fully armed with plastic bags, buckets and other fish-related paraphernalia, ready for the biggest aquatic heist of Sereitei.
They met in the woods behind the Kuchiki grounds at precisely midnight, both dressed in identical cat suits, ready to slink into the Kuchiki complex, courtesy of Yachiru, who claimed Koi hunting was only fun when they dressed the part. In all honesty, Maya had not put up a fight at all when it came to that, loving the look of the funny cat suits, and excited to dress in the weird outfit, if only for this particular adventure. They had checked and rechecked their infiltration plans (which consisted mainly of a poorly drawn picture Yachiru had made in pink crayon), looked for traps and guards, and finally, not seeing either, scaled the back wall of the Kuchiki complex like professional 2nd squad members, agilely and soundlessly, making it to the other side without a problem.
They made their way towards the pond quickly and as quietly as possible, considering Yachiru had picked that time to start "meowing" like a cat, which was apparently part of the whole Koi stealing ritual. When they made their way to the perfect place beside the huge pond, they wasted no time with chitchat, instead, focusing on the fine art of Koi-grabbing. Yachiru, having been doing this now for decades, was decidedly better than Maya, who barely managed to grab 3 fish to Yachiru's 30, which they were collecting in a variety of buckets specially bought for the occasion. Thankfully, the Koi were not huge like the ones in Ugendo, which would have been much harder to transport if that had been the case. Instead, they were much smaller, since the big ones had been transported over the years by the ever efficient Yachiru, who looked delighted with the sport at the moment, meowing happily with each Koi she fished out, Maya noticed, grinning at the pink-haired cutie.
They were both so intent in catching the fish, and giggling at each other's kitty imitations, that neither noticed the shadow that had been intently moving towards them for quite sometime now, until he was right on top of them. Yachiru, being much more used to these midnight forays, grabbed two buckets and sped away in a flash, barely leaving a reatsu trace for anyone to follow . Maya on the other hand, stood still like a guppy out of water, caught red-handed ( or fish handed ) by an angry looking Byakuya, who stood right above her, staring at her, and the poor Koi she had in her hands, with murder in his eyes.
"This is not what it looks like!" Maya exclaimed, at a loss at what to say exactly.
"Maya-san. Pray explain what this is then." he said calmly, although his eyes still spoke of bloody murder.
"Uh...would you believe if I told you I was checking the Koi for... fish diseases?" she asked, wincing at her weak explanation.
"I see. Fish diseases?" he repeated calmly, although she could tell he was not in the least calm, the tell-tale twitch in his eye jumping at her, even in the poor moonlit pond.
"Yes. Apparently...there's a f-fish disease that's decimating the Koi population of Sereitei." she stuttered, making it up as she went, scared of the unholy light in his eyes, "Yes, exactly, its c-called... Spottilitis...yeap, it's when Koi start developing Spots, which turn them into...fish-zombies within days, feeding on other Koi, and eventually attacking helpless, unsuspecting people who might be walking close to the pond!" she said, excited now that she had managed a plausible explanation.
She got excited too soon, she regretted, gulping nervously. It was obvious, by the twitch in his eye, and the hand he brought up to his forehead, as if to hold himself together, that he was not falling for her "good samaritan" routine, although she thought it was a perfectly good explanation, in her opinion.
"Don't you want to defend the Kuchiki clan against this horrible, terrible disease? What kind of monster would I be if I neglected to check your fish for-" she started, acting offended, but stopped immediately when he brought one hand up to silence her.
"Maya-san. Spare me. Please return my Koi to the pond." he said, gritting his teeth in an honest effort to keep from choking her,
"But, the zombies!" she exclaimed, now totally into her own lie.
"Maya!" he said firmly, giving her his best glare.
She rolled her eyes, and dumped the few Koi she had acquired back in the pond, knowing that when he glared like that, it was because he was a millisecond away from going Bankai on someone's ass.
"Fine, sheesh. I hope they don't eat your-" she mumbled,
"Silence!" he shouted, and with that turned back, walking slowly in the direction of the buildings in the distance. Maya was astounded that he would just leave her like that, in his garden, by his pond, without even a proper lecture, or some sort of explosion of temper. Instead, he was walking away from her, not caring that his fish could very well attack her and eat her alive (well, they wouldn't but he didn't know that, for certain, did he?). She huffed, mad he would so easily walk away from her, even after kissing her stupid yesterday, and being dumped on a pond. Even after she tried to steal his precious Koi...how dare he? Outraged at the lack of... regard for her person, she picked up the nearest rock, and threw it at his back, too angry to think of the consequences. He stopped immediately when the rock made contact with his Haori, falling sadly to the ground with a "ploink" after making contact with his back. She gulped when he stopped, a sure sign he was not amused. He didn't even bother turning back, merely asking softly, yet dangerously,
"Did you just throw a rock at me, Maya-san?" he murmured, stopping cold on his tracks, waiting her response.
"Yeah, I did. Whatcha gonna do, bully? Nobody walks away from me like that. How very rude!" she told him in a courageous voice, although she wanted nothing more than to run away and hide.
He turned around, and walked back towards her, anger apparent in his slate colored eyes and his predatory walk. She cringed, but maintained her stance, too pissed off at the stupid man to back away, like a smarter person would do at a moment like this. He stopped walking only when he was nose to nose with her, having to bring his head down to intimidate her, and her having to stretch her neck fully to meet his angry eyes,
"Don't make me lose my temper, Maya-san. I will promise you that you won't like it." he whispered, staring intently into her jade-green eyes, which were sparking with anger and excitement.
"Oh, yeah, what are you gonna do, you big bully? Hit me?" she spat, narrowing her eyes at him, not sure where she was getting the balls to stand up to him, but liking the fire in his eyes notheless.
"Worse." he whispered, and with that, grabbed her forcefully, crushing his lips against her, punishing her many transgressions with one mind-melding kiss, forcing upon her just how utterly dangerous he could be to her sanity, and her very heart, instead of just her sorry hide. The kiss lasted only a few seconds, but it was enough to make the fight leave her body. Unfortunately, the fight came right back seconds later, but unfortunately too late, when he parted his lips from her, and gave her the tiniest of smiles, before throwing her into the pond, and walking away, waving good night as he made his way home, leaving a wet, raging mad Maya stuck in the pond, surrounded by confused Koi.
OOOooooOOOooo now Maya has just cause to exact even better revenge. Let's hope it doesn't result in another midnight swim !