A/n: I own nothing. This is a gift for the absolutely lovely SesshomaruFreak. If you are not SesshomaruFreak you should totally check out her work, fluffy and sweet with just the right touch of darkness and solid character arcs. She also has Collaborative work with Spunky0ne on both her and Spunky's page and the HTM spin-off Sun and Monkey on theDrunkenWerewolf's page.
Warnings: Cursing, OFC, pre-slash.
"Finally." With a sigh Hime wiped sweat from her face, made sure her silky blue-black hair was in place and entered Tawamureru Kitsune, a high-end tea cafe she'd spent the last two hours searching inner Seireitei for. After another hour of waiting and two cups of overpriced tea, it should be illegal for something to taste that bitter and not get you drunk, the entry bells chimed alerting her to the arrival of the man she'd been waiting for. Despite growing impatience she waited for her mark to get settled with his drink before making her move.
"You know he likes you too?" she whispered in Byakuya's ear as she walked around him to the opposing chair, he jumped slightly in surprise. She smiled at the small victory before turning to face him and take her seat.
Those intense amethyst eyes narrowed. "And who would this be who you imagine steals my affection?"
She laughed mirthlessly. "Renji, love."
Byakuya blinked. "Surely you jest. He's a loyal lieutenant but not—"
"Oh how blind can you be?" the woman cut in and he blinked again, taken aback by her disrespect.
"I hardly consider my—"
"Just ask him out. He's not that bad—"
"Bad? No madam," it was Byakuya's turn to cut her off. "He may be uncouth but a better man I cannot—"
"Than why not just ask him out!" she barked unable to contain herself any longer.
"Because he finds me scum just as you thought I found him," Byakuya stated with the slightest crack of his voice.
Hime winced and leaned over the table. Careful to keep the draping sleeves of her black and red gothic dress from dipping in the tea, she wrapped her arms around him. "Give him a chance."
"I would. Yet he would not return the favor." Despite the monotone delivery he trembled slightly in her arms. After a moment he spoke again, daggers of ice in his voice, "Would you kindly return to your seat, people are staring."
She did so, miffed but not surprised.
"Are you so selfish as to do leave him alone and unrequited to spare yourself any chance of rejection?" Her lips quirked in a cheeky smile.
"No I am not that selfish I am however that prideful."
"Honest too. Just be honest with him."
"He can hurt me others cannot."
"He would doubt his ability there."
"And so I would wish."
"You're such a coward?"
Byakuya nodded miserably.
Her mouth fell open stunned and betrayed. "You're arrogant, haughty, dickish, self-absorbed but never a coward."
"In this I am."
She groaned in exasperation. "He loves you."
"I'm sure and your name is?" he asked with a touch of sarcasm.
"Hime"
"Orochi's creature then."
"Fuck no! I'll have no truck with that one!"
With a tight smile Byakuya raised his tea glass in a mock toast. "A lady after my own heart."
She was speechless for a moment then smiled. "Mayhaps sir."
X
That night Hime swayed dervish-like in time with the music and slowly, as though by accident, made her way across the Wolf Den's dance floor toward a muscular, shirtless redhead. They danced next to each other until the song ended.
"You're pretty good." Renji wiped damp crimson hair from his eyes, smiling.
"You're not bad either," Hime said off-handed. Understatment of the century.
"Ow." Renji laughed. "Partner up?"
Hime pretended to think about it. "Definitely."
To her surprise instead of club dancing, Renji led her in a more traditional style. They moved entwined. His large, sword-callused hands gripped her hips, whisky-scented breath warm on her neck. Occasionally he'd switch his grip, holding her hand for twirls. It was odd, especially given the songs but she wasn't complaining and they were good enough for the other dancers to back off and give them room.
After a few more songs they retired to a table, sweating and exhilarated.
"Good music tonight." She dried her face with a napkin.
Renji nodded, catching his breath. "Ichigo and his boys can play."
"Indeed. I didn't know you could dance like that."
Renji shrugged. "I wanted to learn, it's good exercise so I asked Yoruichi to teach me."
"Right exercise."
Renji blushed like wildfire while she innocently sipped her peach whisky.
"If Byakuya tries to talk to you—"
Renji winced at the use of his first name. "He'd never do that unless it was absolutely necessary."
"If he does though, take him at face value."
Renji snorted, "So pretend he isn't insulting me every other word, like he doesn't think I'm dumb enough."
"He doesn't think you're dumb."
He gave her a scathingly incredulous look that did nothing to hide his pain.
"Trust me and...be gentle."
Renji laughed out loud at that. "I know he might look fragile but he's one of the strongest...no toughest mutha' fuckers I've ever met."
She gave him a knowing smile. "I could say the same about you...and here you are...almost in tears at the mere thought of his rejection."
"No I'm not!" he yelled reaching for his sword before his eyes widened. "Sorry, forgot you were just ryoka."
"Hey remember the last 'just ryoka's' you met?"
He scrubbed a hand through flaming hair and blushed anew. "Ah right."
As one they returned to the dance floor for a cover of Twenty-one Pilots' 'Heathens'.
As the final strains of the song faded Hime spotted Kenpachi. For a moment she almost changed her mind, wanting to stay in Renji's embrace but she tore herself away for Byakuya's sake.
"I'll be right back."
"Awww." Renji groaned playfully.
Dammit.
Her curvy hips drew appreciative looks as she sashayed over the crowded dance floor. She met the lusty gazes with a pointed glare, normally she enjoyed the attention but tonight she was on a mission.
Leaving the dance floor and free of the press of bodies she made a beeline for the bar, more specifically for the giant shinigami seated on a stool, shoulders slumped.
Kenpachi looked at her over his bottle of sake. "Whatcha wan' bitty?"
She took no offense he sounded more tired than anything else.
Settling on the stool next to him she affected a languid voice, "You do realize..."
He raised an eyebrow at her intrusion.
"That you're the closest thing 'e's got to a friend?" she mirrored his sloppy accent and signaled the bartender for a drink.
"An who's tha'?"
"You know who." she smiled sweetly, mocking him. The bartender delivered a glass of peach whisky and she took a long sip while Kenpachi glared at her. Or perhaps at the world in general, it was hard to tell sometimes.
"Byakuya," she said sing-song.
His jaw dropped. "Bull fucking shit!"
She just nodded knowingly.
He sighed. "He considers me a threat on the best days."
A hint of bitterness caught her ear.
"And yet you're the only one he ever shows how he really feels."
"If by that you mean hatred..."
"Actually I do..." she walked away, smiling.
X
Byakuya flash-stepped up to Renji as the crimsonette made his way to the Wolf Den. Hime grinned, she'd been watching the pair closely in the week since she'd set out on her mission and it seemed Byakuya had finally mustered the courage to make a move.
"Captain what is it?" Renji barked, immediately in battle mode.
"It's not work related," Byakuya replied softly.
Renji looked adorably puzzled, his head actually tilted to one side.
Yes that's it, ask.
Byakuya lowered his head slightly. "It's...I mean."
Renji's puzzlement turned to slack-jawed shock as Byakuya fumbled for words, which in turn made it worse and the smaller shinigami turned aside. "Nevermind."
"No captain, what's up?" Renji asked frowning. Hime smiled it was cute how ruffled his fur got whenever he thought there was some sort of threat to his idol.
Byakuya didn't look back. "Could I perhaps buy you a drink."
Renji burst out laughing. "What?"
Hime face palmed. Nooo Renji. I said don't fucking do that.
"Of course, forgive my forwardness." Byakuya stalked away.
She reached Renji right as he registered what'd just happened, turned and punched the nearest building. "Fuck. Fuck. FUCK."
"You idiot."
"I didn't think he was serious. Besides why would he ask?"
"I warned you." she groaned. "And because he thought you'd say no."
"No?" he asked in a tone like she'd suggested rocks could swim.
"Yeah. Duh."
"He finally asks me out and I...oh fuck."
"Just go. And. Explain."
"R-right." Renji flash-stepped away.
By the time she caught up they were embracing like neither would ever let go.
X
A month later the newly conjoined pair approached her outside of the Wolf Den.
Renji beckoned her away from the entrance. "We wanted to thank you for...what you did for us."
"It was nothing. It's good to see you both so happy."
"He meant...we wish to do something to thank you."
"Uh like what?"
Sparkling cinnamon and amused amethyst eyes met hers.
"What would you like?" Renji asked.
"I believe you will find us quite open to suggestions," Byakuya added.
She smiled devilishly. Suggestions eh?
