(Gah! What the hell happened to my motivation? I feel so bad for not updating this in forever. -_- I will try to do better. I promise!…GAH!)

Chapter 12: First Date

Sakaki woke up feeling discouraged by Rukia. She was so worried that she was going to hurt her in some way or another. She was so surprised that Byakuya was so oblivious to his adopted sister's feelings for him.

She got herself ready for the day at an extremely slow pace. The walk to her captain's office was extremely short. She was hoping to go on a mission since she was finally active in doing so again. She entered leisurely. He was waiting in a bored manner for her to come in. she faced him cautiously.

"Um…captain," she murmured peering at him. "Do you have any missions for me to go on?"

"Nope," he informed rather bluntly. It didn't even seem like he had even tried to find one for her.

"There aren't any?" she asked, not completely believing him. All she wanted was to go on a mission.

"I'm surprised that you aren't wearing that old captain's jacket I've given you," he announced, purposefully changing the subject.

Getting rather caught up in what he said Sakaki answered, "Well I don't want to ruin it any further than it already is. It's my treasure." Her cheeks tinted red as she said that, even though it was true.

She watched as a small smirk spread across his face. He seemed rather pleased that she treasured what he had given her. He stood up and approached her promptly. Before she could talk anymore to him, he wrapped his arms around her petite body, burying her face in his chest. The cute expression on her tomato red face caused him to chuckle.

"Why don't you stay here today and do some paperwork for me," he told her sweetly.

"But captain I'm better equipt to go battle hollows, not do your paperwork for you," she complained truthfully.

"But I don't have any missions for you to go on," he told her, "so it's just better if you stay here and help me with my paperwork."

He pulled away from her and glanced down. He was staring at her with a type of face like he really wanted her to stay and help with his paperwork.

She gasped for a second, never realizing that he could use such charms on her. Her face deepened to crimson before she had to look down at her feet so she wouldn't have to look at that face.

"Uh…yes captain. I would gladly love to help you with your paperwork," she stuttered, totally defenseless by now.

"Good," he informed, esquarting her to his desk. He led her to his seat, setting the work in front of her. "I've got to go to a meeting." He immediately left her after that.

Sakaki sat there pouting for the longest time. How could he leave her alone with his paperwork? Was he really serious when he told her he loved her or was he just looking for a secretary? She slumped in her seat, crossing her arms. She refused to do the work.

"What are you doing here Sakaki?" Renji came into the office with a confused look on his face. He had expected Captain Kuchiki to reside there.

"I came for a mission…instead he made me do his stupid paper work," she pouted glaring at a paper in front of her. She was just about to stab it with a pen.

"Hmm. That's a little strange. Would you like me to talk to him for you after his meeting?" He asked, trying to be a good friend.

"Yes please," she murmured grumpily.

"Alright. You can go home now if you want. The captain can do his own paperwork," he informed.

She nodded and stood up. She was still melancholy about what she was previously thinking about. What if he really didn't love her? It was just a lie. Maybe she really was completely useless, even after all the training. She sighed, feeling self-conscious now.

"Don't give up shortly," Renji announced. "I promise you his feelings are sincere. I'm sure he has a legit reason for not letting you go on missions."

She merely nodded at him then exited. She wasn't sure what to think. He could just as easily go off to his sister. She would probably make him happier anyway. She moped all the way home and just lay on her bed when she got there. She knew better than to fully believe in people.

A couple of hours later Renji had returned to her home. He once again disregarded knocking. He smiled at her, even though she was glaring harshly at him.

"He wouldn't tell me why he wouldn't let you go on a mission. I know it was a lie when he said he didn't have any," he sighed, slightly frustrated.

"Oh," she moped, disheartened. She was really beginning to question her captain's motives. She had to be right. He didn't really love her.

"But," Renji started again. "The captain did request you go on a date with him tonight. He's taking you to a festival in the human world."

Sakaki perked up when her friend mentioned a date. She just stared at him for a long time. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. Captain Kuchiki wanted to take her on a date? Maybe she was wrong after all.

"Come on. I'll take you to him," he said, smiling.

She followed excitedly. She had wondered when and if they'd ever go on a date. She couldn't help but smile when they reached their destination. Byakuya was waiting patiently next to an old tree. Renji pushed her over to his side and she paced to him in a cautious manner.

"Here she is captain. I'll leave you two alone now," he informed, briefly smiling at Sakaki before he left.

She glanced nervously at her captain. He was still standing in his spot beside the tree. What did he have planned? She wanted to know what he was thinking so very badly. It wasn't fair that she couldn't know. It also didn't help when she felt so insecure around him.

"Do you want to go on a date with me?" He asked, slowly, peering at her. He could tell she was uneasy around him at the moment.

She glanced up at him in an innocent manner. There was an uneasy yearning look on her face that made him think he'd done something wrong.

"Um…of course I'd love to go on a date with you captain Kuchiki," she announced, hoarsely. She appeared incredibly nervous.

"That's great," he smiled reassuringly at her. "Come." He took her hand and pulled her off to get ready for their date.

Sakaki never would have thought that he would take her somewhere so cool. He remembered where she liked to go. They were back in the world of the living. More than that, they were at a festival in the world of the living. It was so exciting and exhilarating! This was something she always wanted to see first hand. She no longer felt like she had to question his motives.

She peered back at him with a big smile on her face. She loved how they looked in their kimonos. It was nice to see the captain in clothes other than his soul reaper uniform. He smiled back as well.

"Can we go do that?" she asked him pointing at more than one of the various stands set up all around them.

"Whatever you want," he informed. He now sounded a little less than pleased. He must not like going around to such common things. Sometimes she forgot he was of nobility. Things like this dulled in comparison to what he could be doing. She tried to shrug it off, because he was the one who brought her there.

The date was so much fun. Sakaki never thought she could have this much fun at one time. She smiled at her captain as they sat on a bench under a tree. The fading sunlight made it a perfect romantic setting to end the date with. She shyly peered at her captain. He still looked so serious. Was he mad at her for something? She didn't recall ever doing anything wrong. She scooted closer to him to see his reaction. He did nothing. She sighed.

"What's the matter?" He asked her, concerned.

She glanced at the ground, peering straight at her tiny feet. She was feeling doubtful again for some reason.

"Why is it that when I go places with you, you acted so stiff and serious?" She asked simply.

There was no answer from him. That made her even more doubtful. Why could he never tell her what was on his mind?

"Is it my fault did I offend you captain?" She wondered, looking over at him.

"No," he said in a distracted tone.

Sakaki frowned. He didn't sound in the least bit convincing to her. She was beginning to get frustrated by his antics.

"Then why won't you let me go on anymore missions?" She asked, bravely.

Once again he wouldn't answer her. She had had it with him being so unresponsive to her. She took her shoes off, stood up, and threw one of them at him. Now he was finally paying attention to her.

"If you don't want to tell me anything, fine! I don't care! I'm not you're girlfriend anyway! You can just stay in your stupid selfish world for all I care!" She hissed, and then ran off. She ran as far as she could. She didn't care if she could never have a chance of being with her captain forever. It meant nothing to her now. She was not going to play stupid games with him forever. She'd rather have life go back to the way it used to be than be stuck in some aristocrat's silly little love games. She didn't need that.

(Thanks for reading. I will update when I can -_-)