Disclaimer: Although I would very much want Ukitake Juushirou or Byakkun to be real and mine, but sadly they are not and they belong to Kubo Tite who also owns BLEACH and all the other gorgeous characters. Only the OCs Kuroki Yuu and Tsubasa are mine.

(From now on only Japanese words that were unexplained before will be in italic format. They will be explained at the end of each chapter just like before. Emphasizes are bolded and in italics, so as to separate them from the former.)

Chapter 21 – All things beautiful.

"Tsubasa!" Yuu called from outside her attendant's room. "Oi!"

Startled by his mistress' voice, Tsubasa dropped the reports he was helping his mistress to file up and stumbled clumsily to open the door in a panic. "Hai!"

"Let's go to the market." Yuu grabbed onto Tsubasa's hand and dragged him out of his room. "We need to get you some new sandals. Your stupid trip back to the palace got your old pair all worn out."

"Don't say stupid, Ojou-sama. It's rude." Tsubasa chided as he got dragged, quite willingly, down the hallway. "At least we got things settled."

"Irrational then." Yuu suggested. "Or maybe ridiculous? Ah no, absurd! Take your pick."

"Ah mou…!" Tsubasa pouted. "Then your plan of enrolling me into the academy was of an equal level."

"E-Eh?" Yuu halted and placed her hands on her hips. Her face was burning slightly, not due to anger but because she was embarrassed by what Tsubasa just said. He was actually correct. "Since when did you learn to talk back?"

"Er… Le-Let's go Ojou-sama!" Tsubasa stuttered as he tried to change the topic. He then grabbed onto Yuu's hand this time, pulling her towards the main door. But of course, Kuroki Yuu wasn't one who would be fooled so easily. Hence Tsubasa was only spared from all the nagging when they finally arrived at the Kuchiki house stable. Just a short break for his ears, Yuu emphasized before entering the carriage while Tsubasa got onto the black mare.

Apart from new sandals, Kuroki Yuu actually plans to get Tsubasa a new set of formal wear so he would look presentable on the dinner that the housekeeper mentioned. Not just as a Royal Servant, she believes she somehow represents Byakuya as well. If Tsubasa or she herself does something inappropriate, Byakuya will be the one facing the consequences and getting nasty remarks. She wondered just what gave him the courage to invite them to such an important event. Does Byakuya really trust them so much? Or like what the housekeeper said, he really needs a company to give him a confidence boost?

"Haa… I hate dining with rich people!" Yuu sighed and dropped her body onto the carriage couch, lying flat on it like it was a bed. Very unladylike, that goes without saying. "Hopefully all the Kuchiki elders are as quiet as Byakuya…" She was absorbed into her world of imagination. Imaginations of how the Kuchiki elders would look like. As feminine as Byakuya but with a lot of wrinkles? Yuu's eyebrows furrowed at the thought of it. "Maybe I should get anti-aging creams for them as gifts?"

The Royal Ambassador was still giggling and amused over her silly ideas when the carriage suddenly came to a halt. The sudden force flung her off the couch, making her fall flat onto the base of the carriage.

"We're there, Ojou-sama!" Tsubasa's cheerful voice announced as he got down the black mare. "The market! Do you want the carriage to go in as well? Or should I let Girlfriend stay here?"

"Tsu…" Yuu clenched one of her fist, while the other was rubbing her forehead. "…basa!"

"Hai?" Tsubasa got down the horse and went over to the carriage, but only to find the seats all empty. That was when he finally realized his mistress was sitting on the floor in between the two couches. "Ojou-sama? Why are you down there? Please get up."

"Why my dear, I was just about to…" Yuu flashed her sweetest smile, as she picked up the small bag of gold coins that fell out from her sleeve when she stumbled down the seat. She threw it at Tsubasa, who was opening the carriage door, aiming for his head, "pick this up so that I could crack your skull! Why did you stop the carriage so suddenly! My poor forehead…"

"Your aiming is still so perfect, Ojou-sama." Tsubasa smiled sheepishly. "Shall we proceed?"

"Mou…" Yuu stumbled out of the carriage and dusted her Haori. "Tie Girlfriend to the post. We shall visit the shops one by one to get the shopping done."

"Hai." Tsubasa went to get his task done. Using his fingers, he brushed Girlfriend's back for a few times before joining Yuu who had already entered the market on her own. "What do you plan to get first, Ojou-sama?"

"Shoes for you." Yuu said casually as she looked from side to side to check out what the vendors are selling on the crowded streets of Jurinan. "Then clothes."

"Clothes? But I already have quite a few sets." Tsubasa slightly counted in his mind. "They are still as good as new."

"I want to get you something presentable for the spring welcoming dinner at the Kuchiki Estate. We must present our best and not let Byakuya down."

Tsubasa nodded approvingly, quite proud that a servant like him could attend such an event. All thanks to his mistress. "I am so excited. It must be a really grand dinner since the Kuchiki is the highest noble house in Seireitei."

"Ahh." Yuu nodded. "Must be really tiring too. Damn the Furisode. My poor back and waist would suffer the whole day."

"Ojou-sama! Don't say damn. Speaking of that!" Tsubasa suddenly remembered the new Yukata Kuchiki Byakuya got for his mistress together with the Furisode. "Why aren't you wearing the new Yukata Byakuya-sama got for you?"

"I will get soil and dirt all over it, my dear boy. It's in white."

"But it looks nice. So you will never wear it?"

"I might." Yuu shrugged. "Maybe indoors? Just not outside."

Tsubasa nodded. He believes Yuu would look really good wearing the Yukata. He agrees that his mistress' choice of color for her clothes is too dull for a female who likes floral so much. White, black, grey, brown and olive. The only bright clothes she owns are her uniforms. But then again, like Yuu had mentioned to the housekeeper, as a Royal Servant she has rules to follow and an image to upkeep. The only people he could recall dressing brightly in the palace were the King and direct members of his family.

After getting Tsubasa new shoes and a set of formal wear, Yuu went around, wondering what she could get for the Kuchiki elders, as well as for Byakuya, as a gift in return. But really, what could they possibly need?

A wife? A haircut? Pink scarf?

Or pink colored Kenseikan?

Yuu shook her head, silently rejecting her own crazy ideas. Byakuya will just kill her with Bankai if she gets him those things.

"Haa… Give me some ideas, Tsuba." Yuu punched Tsubasa's arm gently, like how she did to annoy Byakuya. "You're not helping!"

"I'm thinking… It's a tough question…"

"Maybe I can get the elders some… artsy stuff? Maybe paint something?" Yuu shrugged. "With the Royal Stamp and my signature so it looks valuable? Nobles tend to like stuff like that. Hang them in the main hall and tell the whole world say, hey! A Royal Servant was once here! The King knows my presence! Duh."

Tsubasa chuckled at Yuu's exaggerated impersonation. "With the Royal Stamp and the Royal Ambassador's signature, it would immediately become something valuable, Ojou-sama. Not just look like one."

"Whatever. It's still a painting in my opinion. What's so great about that stupid stamp? I should make a few replicas and sell them."

"Eh?" Tsubasa's eyes widened upon hearing what his mistress suggested. "You will get imprisoned!"

"Nah, the King is not so draggy." Yuu said casually. "I will get an immediate death sentence. Fast and clean. Oh, you're coming with me too."

Tsubasa chokes while Yuu simply laughed at him. "Okay, then it's settled. Let's go get a canvas. No, a scroll will be better. That shall add on the mysterious factor to it."

"So you're really going to paint it on your own? You haven't been painting for awhile."

"You doubt my skills?"

"No, no! Of course not!" Tsubasa shook his head nervously. "But what are you planning to paint?"

Yuu shrugged. "Even if I draw a stickman they might say it's a masterpiece."

"You aren't serious… are you, Ojou-sama?"

"I heard you visited Jurinan this afternoon, Yuu." Byakuya said casually while sitting at the dining table, watching his two guests as they enjoy their dessert like a child. He himself sat there, sipping on his tea from time to time, looking like a guardian. Usually, he would return to his chambers or studies right after dinner to carry on with his work, but this time he chose to stay instead. He had completed most of the preparation for the upcoming dinner and hence he had the time to spare.

When he returned from work today, his servants told him that Kuroki Yuu went out to the Jurinan market with Tsubasa, saying they had clothes to get for the dinner. This made Byakuya quite worried that Yuu was not pleased with the Furisode and Yukata he selected.

But then again, why should he worry?

"Ojou-sama," Tsubasa gentle nudged Yuu who was busy with the confectionaries and whispered, "Byakuya-sama is speaking to you."

"Hm? Wharrissit?" Yuu looked up and said. Her words all muffled with the dessert spoon still hanging in her mouth.

"The spoon…!" Tsubasa tried pulling the spoon out of his mistress' mouth, but Yuu was biting onto it stubbornly like a playful puppy in a game of tug-o-war. He struggled for awhile, trying his best not to hurt Yuu before Yuu got tired of playing and let go, causing him to stumble backwards. "Ojou-sama… Don't play at the dining table…"

"Ahaha!" Yuu laughed at her poor attendant, before crawling over on her knees to help him up. "Get up you silly and give my spoon back."

Byakuya watched as the Royal Servant fooled around, wondering if he did the right decision by inviting her to attend the annual dinner. Thank goodness Grandfather does not reside in this estate anymore to witness this. If not he would have released his Bankai. "I asked you a question, Yuu."

"Oh!" Yuu crawled back to her Zabuton. "I went to get Tsubasa some formal clothes for the dinner."

Byakuya sighed inwardly. He was relieved that she did not get a Furisode to replace the black piece he got for her. "It was me who requested your presence at the dinner. You should have told me if you needed anything for it. I could prepare them for you."

"It's okay." Yuu continued eating her dessert as she spoke. "I employed him, so I ought to take care of things like these."

Byakuya nodded. "So I take it as you have no problem with the Furisode presented to you?"

"Nope!" Yuu flashed a wide smile. "It's beautiful. Thank you!"

"Is there any problem with the Yukata?" Byakuya further enquired. "You don't seem to plan to wear it anytime soon."

"Ah, that." Yuu swallowed the cake down her throat before continuing. "I will. I'm just afraid I would dirty it."

"I rather you get dirt on it than look sick wearing that plain Yukata of yours."

"Tsk. I believe I don't look that bad." Yuu rubs her own cheeks. "Anyway! I'll be away for a few days. I need to get back to the palace and run some errands, submit the reports and!" Yuu turned to give Tsubasa a death glare. "Return the scroll Tsubasa got from the King."

Tsubasa smiled sheepishly, but gasps when he recalled the reports he was filling halfway before Yuu dragged him out for the shopping trip. "Acks! I still have those filling to be done! Shitsure Itashimasu!" He got up and bowed before leaving hastily.

"I trust that you will be back before the dinner." Byakuya continued after the attendant left.

"Of course!" Yuu gave Byakuya a thumbs up. "I will be back as the ladylike Kuroki Yuu, fully equipped with good manners and table etiquettes."

"Oh? You mean she exists." Byakuya said sarcastically.

"Oi." Yuu punched onto Byakuya's arm once again, which only gained her a death glare. There was silence between those two, until Yuu broke it. "Can I ask you something?"

Byakuya nodded, signaling for Yuu to continue.

"Spring is almost here. With my allergies I don't think I will ever have the chance to visit the very large garden you once mentioned... unless I want to suicide." Yuu shrugged. "Anyway, what I want to ask is… how is the garden like?"

Byakuya raised a brow, surprised at the question because he was expecting a joke or some sort.

"Can you describe to me? Erm…" Yuu scratches her head. "I know it must be pretty, but in what way? What is there?"

"Rows of cherry blossoms." Byakuya started listing out what he remembered. He hasn't visited the garden in ages too. "In spring, they dye the whole garden in a shade of pink. When there is wind, the rattling sound of the leaves and the petals carried by the wind will calm your senses."

Yuu nodded, as she listened attentively while trying to picture everything in her mind.

"There is also a pond, of course, but much larger than the ones we have in other gardens. In them we keep giant Koi. But sadly they had been depleting in numbers without a reason."

"Giant Koi…?" Yuu raised a brow. She vaguely remembered she saw quite a few in the waters surrounding Ugendo when she was still staying there. Ukitake mentioned that his Koi had been growing really big and strong recently. "Okay… what else?"

"A small bridge, where you can get a great view of the fishes. It is also a great spot to watch as the sun set. A great spot to spend time with the people you love…"

Yuu watched as Byakuya flashed a very faint smile with his head slightly lowered. It might be a smile mixed with a tinge of sadness, but it is still a smile nonetheless.

A smile from Byakuya.

"Thank you." Yuu said softly. She felt that she needed to thank Byakuya. Not because he answered her question, but because she felt that Byakuya was viewing her as a person that can be trusted and she appreciates this.

"What for?" Byakuya asked, but Yuu just shook her head gently with a smile and hence Byakuya did not put it to heart. "Well, just remember it as a consolidation of all things beautiful in this estate."

End of Chapter

Koi are… carps. Yes. The colorful fishes you find in most ponds in Japanese/Chinese gardens. Yachiru had been stealing them and putting them into Ukitake's pond, making Byakuya emo.

Short chapter without much progress. My bad. :x

Ah by the way, there might be a chance I'll become a teacher. Holy! Poor kids!