Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Word Count: 375
A Kiss for Shelter
From Sun-up
Insistent sunlight draped the office in a yellow-white gleam- too intense for weary eyes. After casting a glance at his captain, the Sixth Division's Lieutenant shuddered the window slightly, fighting blindness. He grimaced as the light became muted and he blinked away the dancing spots in front of his eyes.
He paused a moment, hand still on the window, but there was no protest from behind him. He sighed gratefully.
A gaping yawn practically cracked the red-head's jaw and for a moment he was unconscious of his actions as he stretched his hand back to lazily massage at his neck. Again he couldn't help but dart a look his superior's way anticipating the man's bemused gaze.
But the man's sharp attention was not pointed in his direction. A frown pulled at Renji's lips as his captain contemplated the water clock across the way on another windowsill.
By this time Renji should have at least received a round-about admonishment regarding his obvious lack of sleep. Yet his captain had not even commented blandly as he might any other day.
A smirk dared tug at the lieutenant's mouth as he interrupted the quiet, "Rough night, Captain?"
The preoccupied grey eyes grew sharp and the noble murmured a negative, "Nn… I slept quite well, Lieutenant."
Renji stiffened when he felt his captain's shrewd look, "You, however seem to have missed a few hours."
A half shrug and a sheepish look was Byakuya's answer and he looked back down at the paperwork before him.
He had slept well. In fact he could only vaguely recall seeking his bed.
He distinctly remembered staring at the bottom of the teacup he had drank from. He was aware that he had informed the woman that he would be taking tea in the evening with her after which he expected an instruction in the boy's language. But other than the direct command and the warm feeling of the tea- he was certain the impromptu meeting had passed in the blink of an eye.
His sleep had been sound, uninterrupted by his overactive mind.
Byakuya felt his lips curl briefly. Clever tea-maker. I will have to be more wary when taking tea with her, else she send me to my bed much too early.
AN: Renji's (delicious) punkass will be a familiar face- especially once the cat's outta the bag.