Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Word Count: 803
AN: The resident red-head is full of it this chapter! Some further male bonding between my favorite bros.
And yay follows and favs! Thanks for joining! Ouu- and did you see- this fiction is now part of a community! Wow. I'm honored, truly. Dearest L.G. I believe you'll get what you want soon enough- hold on for the baby-love!
A Kiss for Shelter
Here's to You
Long legs sprawled out before him, Renji leaned back on his hands on the tatami. He sighed in satisfaction taking in the empty bowls stacked to the right on the table he'd just quit. He now sat alongside the low table, looking completely relaxed despite the very elegance of the Kuchiki banquet hall. For a moment he eyed the bottle of umeshu and then the bottle of sake.
Decisions, decisions.
The captain said nothing when he poured himself a cup of each.
With another sigh he eased back, drink in hand and spoke off-handedly, "Sooo… what I caught of that lady the Elders practically gift-wrapped for you-,"
Byakuya gave a derisive, "Hn."
"- she's pretty easy on the eyes… I tell ya Taichou, most guys would be jealous of the position you're in… Two women at your beck and call…" Renji drawled, shaking his head slowly.
Byakuya scoffed into his cup. When he had placed the glass back down on the table he gave Renji a wry look, "There is little to be envious of. Sakura-san was essentially sent as a spy and an… incentive, while Xochitl- I would hardly consider her at my beck-and-call."
The lieutenant smirked at this, "Careful, Taichou, you sound a little bitter bout that."
The noble ignored the man's goading, casting his gaze aside and sweeping his cup up once more with fluid grace. He took a sip and when he set the cup back on the table his countenance was thoughtful.
"Sakura-san is beautiful. Well-spoken, clever, and attentive. She can anticipate my needs and never seems to mind my preference for silence…"
"And Xochitl-san?" Renji prompted, hiding his crooked smile behind his cup. He watched as the pensive mien on his captain's face morphed. Byakuya's eyes flickered between emotions, fondness, irritation, concern…
"She is not the ideal wife." He said finally.
Renji startled, slopping a bit of sake down the outside of the painted porcelain in his hand. He frowned down at himself and wiped idly at the wet spot on his uniform with one hand. He quickly polished off the cup and set it back on the wood with a clunk.
After swiping at his mouth with the back of his hand he lifted a brow in his captain's direction, "But ya asked her- or wait- told her you were gonna marry her."
"Mm," Byakuya agreed, staring now down the length of the hall, "I did. My intentions have not changed. I have only put the matter aside for now… What I meant was that she is- Xochitl- is not the mate I thought I might have chosen- or was intended to choose." A rare smile crossed his features then as he huffed out an even rarer laugh, "I cannot imagine Sakura-san hitting someone with her slipper…"
He missed the look of confusion that furrowed his lieutenant's brow.
Renji gave a half shrug his expression clearing as he said, "Xochitl-san is from the Rukon. Bred tough- if ya get me…"
"Yes." Byakuya murmured quietly in response.
"Ideals change," Renji gazed into the cup he had just poured, "We all think we know what we want until somethin' different is staring us in the face and we can't avoid it- cuz it's just that damn intriguing."
The hall was quiet for a time. It was almost eerie for such a large space- a large extravagant space- one that rang of royalty.
Finally Byakuya spoke, narrowing an appraising look at his companion, "At times Lieutenant… you are startlingly insightful."
A snort echoed with all impropriety throughout the room. Renji tossed back another cup before flashing a cheeky grin, "Oh yeah, Taichou, I'm a real ::hic:: philo-so-pher when I wanna be."
No doubt encouraged by the alcohol Byakuya gave a low chuckle at this and lifted his cup, "To the philosopher in you, Renji."
A full blown grin spread across the other man's face and his laughter, less controlled, resounded. When he had recovered he shook his head, the smile still playing about his lips, "Nah, Taichou." He lifted his glass high in salute, "To you and the next generation of Kuchiki's!"
…
After more toasts that grew increasingly random (mostly from Renji) the two men had collectively finished four bottles of umeshu and three of sake.
Needless to say, the next day, Renji was a little worse for wear. And yet, somehow his captain looked like the poster boy for clean living.
As he plunked down at his desk, the lieutenant leaned heavily to one side, eventually propping up his head on his fist.
Byakuya looked up to give the man an assessing look, "Lieutenant, I do expect that report on the progress of our newest scouts within the hour."
Bloodshot brown eyes glared back. "That is the last time I phil-philoso-phisize with you, Captain." He muttered darkly.
AN: I guess Byakuya is a badass all around, huh? Maybe two more chapters before the main event- so if you are so inclined- please cast your votes in the poll at the top of my profile!