Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Word Count: 312
AN: *Xochitl- is Aztec (Nahuatl) and means 'flower' or 'flower of god'- also there are a couple pronunciation: S-oh-chee, Soh-cheet, or S-oh-cheel. I tend to lean toward the first.
A Kiss for Shelter
Negotiate
The receiving room was traditional, simple, with delicately painted screens and a simple low table around which two zabuton were placed.
After the tea had been laid out, and introductions had been made, the woman's mask of servility dropped.
Blue shards of ice gauged the noble shrewdly, "She has only been with one man. A man of my choosing to blood her upon her entrance into our ranks… I do not accept girls without experience, you see. Though I suppose it was a bit premature as she is not assigned missions that require the… sensual arts."
He did not move as the woman circled languidly, bearing her gaze with unshakable calm.
She clicked her tongue, the slightest bit disappointed by his lack of reaction. When she stopped to face him she drew a deep breath, "Xochitl is not like my other girls. Her talents lie in areas that insure her a different sort of assignment in the squads… Certainly she is asked after by the patrons upon seeing her skill, but she has never accepted any of the offers I lay before her..."
Byakuya watched as the woman's lips curled like smoke- a sinister happening that threatened to make him uneasy.
She cocked her head to the side, "What makes you think she will consider you?"
"I will spare no expense." He answered.
The mistress laughed. Shaking her head she smirked at him, "You think to charm her with money? Many a man has tried to bribe her, Kuchiki-sama… Please be more creative."
His jaw set, a frown threatening. He did not like to haggle. In fact he was quite unused to the concept. To do so over a soul left a bitter taste in his mouth.
She sighed- seeing the stubborn cast to his features.
With an airy gesture she rolled her eyes, "Oh fine. I shall present her with your offer… I'm eager to see her reaction." Her lips twisted again, eyes dazzling with mischief.
"Hn."
AN: I feel like B. would be a do-it-yourself kind of guy in some situations. I think despite everything he is a noble among nobles and defies convention in ways. He's just got too much swagger to think he'd be hopelessly reserved…