"Head Captain, is this really necessary? Shouldn't we be spending time with more important things?" Soi Fon stepped forward from the line of captains to fully express her distress to Head Captain Yamamoto. "We should not be bothering with something as trivial as relationships and a Match Maker."
It was the day of the match maker and the captains were called to the weekly meeting. They were openly showing their disagreement with the knew waste of time the Shinigami Women's Association convinced Old Man Yama to accept.
"I agree. I can understand everyone else but why must we captains participate?" Captain Komomura spoke out, feeling the game was unnecessary as well.
"I have no need for romance. We should focus on capturing Aizen so I can research him," Captain Kurotsuchi complained, eager to disect the former captain. "This seems like a waste of time."
The 12 captains bickered and complained to the head captain. Most of them did at least. Some were content with it or simply didn't care one way or the other. Some knew they had no chance in persauding the head captain once he made up his mind.
"That's enough," Yamamoto silenced the room of captains. He opened his eyes only slightly to stare at each one of them eerily. "Everyone will be participating. The Shinigami's Women's Association came to me with this idea and I see the benefits of a relaxing game. There will be no further discussion. Just like every other soul reaper, you will fill out the match maker form and be matched with someone. In this game you are not a captain but simply another soul reaper. Do not expect special treatment."
"Relaxing, my ass," Kenpachi Zaraki grumbled under his breath. How was being stuck with a woman going to relax him. Unless they were just going to have sex. He scoffed. Like he could find a woman who would be up for that.
"It really doesn't seem that bad. It's only for fun anyway. It's not like you are obligated to fall in love," Captain Ukitake smiled softly, hoping to lighten the mood.
"You will be participating as well, Jushiro," Yamamoto said pointedly to one of his oldest captains.
"I- well, of course... don't you think I may be a little too old for a match maker, though?" Ukitake pressed lightly, feeling a little uneasy now that he knew he had no chance of getting out of this. What he said before wasn't a lie. It didn't seem that bad... However, he did feel guilty for whoever would get him. He was much older than most soul reapers and he was often ill. He didn't want to drag anyone through that.
"Everyone will be participating. Each and every one of you. If there are no more questions,this meeting is ajourned," he tapped his cane on the floor to dismiss the meeting. A few of the captains talked amongst themselves as they headed out the door. Some simply left without another word. It didn't take long for the meeting room to empty and be ome silent once again.
"Today we have set aside time for everyone to meet their match. Please use this time wisely and get to know them. You will be spending a lot of time with them so you might as well use this time. Do not ignore this message. If you do not meet up with your match, we will set a date for you. Thank you for your time and have a wonderful day."
Seina sighed as the announcement rung out over the seireitei. It had only been a day since they got their results of the match maker and now they were being forced to meet the matches. She knew this would come but she still didn't want to. I mean, Byakuya Kuchiki? Of all people in the 13 court gaurd squads, she was stuck with him? Did that mean she was like him?
The brunnette shivered at the thought. She surely hoped she wasn't like that stuck up stiff.
"Squad six... I have to find squad six and get this over with. Maybe he'll want someone different and I won't have to deal with him long... yea, that's the best case senario," Seina muttered to herself as she walked through the streets. Everyone seemed to be taking the announcement seriously because it seemed as though everyone was out looking for their match.
As long as Captain Kuchiki doesn't think she's a noble, he'll definitely want to get a new match and she won't have to spend any time with him.
She walked through the seireitei lazily, hoping to avoid meeting the 28th head of the Kuchiki Clan for as long as she could. However, since she was in the 5th division, it didn't take very long to get to the 6th. She looked into the opening of the squad and bit her lip nervously.
'I am so not ready for this,' she thought to herself. She stood at the door, pacing back and forth as she debated actually going in. She chewed at her nails anxiously, a bad habit of hers when she was nervous or dreading something.
She was about to turn and chicken out when someone called out to her.
"Excuse me? You, girl," a red headed male came up to her. He was covered in tribal-like tattoos and even adorned a lieutenant badge on his arm. "Are you looking for your match? If you tell me their name I'm sure I can find them for you. There's been a lot of girls like you coming by. Trust me, the men of squad six are just fine."
Seina looked at the man, registering him as Lieutenant Renji Abarai of squad six. She smiled politely as he seemed to be rather nice.
"I, uh..." she trailed off slightly, not sure if she could really explain that she was here to see the captain. There were probably tons of girls pretending to be matched with captains just to get near them. Seina realized the captains were attractive and that some people really enjoyed the authority thing but honestly, some girls were crazy. "I was wondering... where the captain's office would be?" She questioned, hoping the other didn't press her for further explanation or tese her for being matched with a captain.
"The captain's office? I can show you," he waved for the girl to follow him, assuming she was here on business and not because of the match maker. He knew his captain had participated but it never really registered with him that a girl would be coming to see him today as his match.
The two walked towards the captains office in silence. Seina was glad the other didn't ask questions. Her nerves were getting the best of her as she ran her fingers through her hair and chewed her bottom lip. Most people would think she was nervous because she liked him, but really she wanted to be anywhere but here.
Before she knew it, Renji had stopped and turned towards a door. His posture straightened and his face grew much more serious, probably things the captain comented on when he didn't do them. He knocked. "Captain Kuchiki. You have a visitor," Renji explained through the door.
"Send her in," was the monotone response they got before Renji slid open the door and let the girl in. Still oblivious to her reason of being there, he slid the door shut behind her and left to see his own match.
Seina looked around, never having been in the squad six captain's office before. The captain himself was sitting at a desk doing what looked to be paper work. "Hello, I am Sei-"
"Raiko Akiyama. I have been waiting for you," Byakuya simply nodded at the girl before going back to his paper work.
Seina bit her lip, remembering that she couldn't use her real name. Byakuya got a sheet saying she was 'Raiko Akiyama'. That was close though. She almost blew her cover already.
There wasn't really a point to the fake name anymore besides hiding the fact that she lied. It didn't even work how she intended. She still ended up with a noble. Who knows what Byakuya would do if he found out she broke a rule. She might as well just play along.
"My apologies. I didn't mean to make you wait, Captain Kuchiki," she quickly apologized, the manners driven into her from childhood evident in her words. Sometimes she hated her manners. How they had been ingrained in her since she was little. Even people who probably didn't deserve her respect, always got it.
"Sit," was all Byakuya said to the woman as he signed the last of his papers.
The woman blinked at his blunt command. She glared, gritting her teeth and biting back some words before quickly changing her face to a sweet smile when he looked up. She sat down on the chair in front of the man's desk, doing as she was told. 'Stuck up, ass,' she thought to herself, looking to the side with an annoyed look in her eyes.
"I am only participating because it is required. You should come to understand this now," Byakuya said bluntly. He gestured to both of them, stoic as ever. "This," he started, referring to the relationship they were made to participate in, "is business and nothing more. Do not expect this to go anywhere."
Seina looked at the other pointedly. He was awfully blunt ,wasn't he? Of course she hadn't wanted anything from this match maker in the first place. But having Captain Kuchiki straight up tell her that nothing was going to happen thr first time they meet kinda pissed her off. Honestly, was she that unappealing that within five minutes of knowing her he gave up all hope? She assumed he had that planned from the begining, no matter who he had gotten but... but... but still!
"Uh... Understood," she recovered from her shock quickly. After no response, she sighed and spoke again. "So... is that it? You don't want to get to know me. "
"I have no need to mix with someone of your status. Unless you have other business here, I'd like for you to leave," Byakuya stated stoicly before returning to his paper work, ignoring her completely now.
"Ok, uh... Thanks for seeing me... I guess," she muttered, standing up hesitantly. Seina looked down at the man who barely recognized that she was there anymore. She scrunched up her nose in anger and disgust before turning on her heel to leave. She flipped her hair over her shoulder, completley annoyed with the outcome of the meeting
That's it? He wasn't even going to bother to try and talk to her? What a fricken snob. This was why she hated most nobles and did not want to marry one.
Byakuya watched as the women walked out full of sass and with a confident stride he only saw in nobles. His eyebrow furrowed for a second before brushing off the feeling and going back to his work. He had now need for romance. He had already fallen in love. No one could ever replace Hisana. Especially not this woman.
Squad thirteen... squad thirteen...squad thirteen...
Emiko was walking briskly through the seireitei as she tried to find the 13th division. Her little legs had to move fast to move through the crowd and get to the division before she lost her chance. Of course she knew she would have other chances but she really wanted to take this first opportunity. Besides, how rude would she look if she missed out on the first meeting.
Emiko barely beleived what was happening. Her body seemed to move on its own. She was really doing this. She was going to talk to Captain Ukitake and have a real conversation.
She still couldn't believe she had been matched with the white haired captain of squad 13. She still kind of feared that she would get there and it would all be a joke. She was just going to be laughed at , wasn't she? Someone was just messing with her. What were the odds of her being matched with Captain Ukitake? How could it be real?
'SQUAD THIRTEEN'
Emiko read the sign at the front of the 13th division and sighed in relief. She felt like she had been walking for hours. She felt like she could puke from how nervous she was but at least she had found the place.
'Now... where's the captain's office again?' She thought to herself, stepping inside the division and looking around for someone to ask directions. She had been to the division once or twice thanks to the ties between the 8th division and the 13th division but she couldn't remember where the office was.
There was practically no one in sight. "I suppose everyone's looking for their own match..." Emiko said softly to herself as she looked around for anyone to help.
She walked further into the division grounds, looking at the doors in hope that the captain's office would be labeled and easy to find. If she was more confident like Raiko and didn't worry as much like Seina, she would open each and every door until she found the man of her dreams but, being Emiko, she couldn't possibly do that.
"Can I help you find something?" A gentle, male voice came from behind the short blonde.
Emiko jumped slightly and turned to look at the person offering help only to see the one man she was there to see. She blushed softly as she looked up at the 6'1, white haired captain. She felt so small next to him, standing at a mere 5'2. Gosh, he was so handsome.
"U-uh, actually... I'm, um, Emiko Tsukino," she introduced softly, bowing and waiting a moment to see if he recognized her name as the one on his match maker sheet. She was about to explain why she was there when something seemed to click in the older males head.
"Oh! Emiko Tsukino," he pulled a paper from his haori and looked at it carefully. "Would you be looking for me, by chance?" He asked gently, showing his paper to her to see her name clearly printed on it.
She smiled sheepishly, relieved it wasn't just some sick joke. If he really had her name on the match maker sheet and she had his on her own, it had to be real. She pulled her own sheet out of her haori and showed him where his name was printed on her sheet. She was so nervous. She was actually talking to Captain Ukitake. They were really matched together.
Jushiro gave a closed eyed smile to the smaller girl, causing her heart to skip a beat. "I'm glad to finally meet you, Emi. Do you mind if I call you Emi?" He asked cautiously, not wanting to disrespect her. She seemed so small and fragile- like a child. He felt like if he said something wrong he could make her cry right there.
Emiko bit her lip trying to keep from smiling too wide. She shook her head softly. "No, that's fine. I'm glad to meet you, as well, Captain Ukitake," she smiled adorably.
"Please, you can call me Jushiro. I don't mind since we are matches," he smiled politely. "Would you like to come to my office and we can talk. I actually have something for you," Jushiro gestured for the girl to follow him to his office.
Emiko nodded eagerly and followed the tall Captain down the hall. Her cheeks were a terrible pink and she was chewing on her lip as she tried to keep down her excitment. How long had she thought about even being this close to Captain Ukitake let alone dating him (game or no game). This was like a dream to her.
Finally they came to the captain's office and the door slid open. She followed in, holding her hands behind her back innocently. She didn't know how to act or how to even speak to the man. He said he had something for her. What could he possibly have for her?
"Please, make yourself comfortable. Feel free to sit down," the white haired male gestured for her to take a seat. She obligued and sat down, making sure to sit up straight and be as polite as possible. She couldn't ruin this.
Jushiro opened a drawer in his desk and began sifting through it delicately. He was muttering softly to himself, "I know I put it in here." After a minute or so he yelled "Ah!" and smiled brightly as he pulled a small box out of the drawer. He walked over to the small girl and handed it to her. "I hope you like it. I picked it out based on what the paper told me so I hope you like it," he smiled generously.
"Oh, you didn't have to do something like this," the blue eyed girl blushed softly and gave a thankful smile as she took the box into her own hands. She slowly lifted the top and looked inside. She bit her lip as she smiled, opening it fully and taking out the hair brooch. It had pearls and diamonds placed throughout its intricate design and beautiful swirls. A few blue jewels were thrown into the mix which would make her own blue eyes pop. "Oh my... I-I can't accept this. It must have cost a fortune-"
"No no, please accept it. It really isn't much but I'd like you to accept it," Jushiro insisted softly, blinking his green eyes at the woman. "Here," he gently took the brooch from her hands and carefully placed it in her hair. It was easy to do thanks to her signature bun. "You look beautiful."
That did it. Emiko's whole face turned a bright red. Even the tips of her ears were tinged. He called her beautiful. Even if he was probably only being polite or not overly thinking about his words, that made her heart flutter. She was beautiful...
"I-I-I, um... Thank you," she smiled sheepishly and looked down, curling a piece of hair behind her ear.
Jushiro seemed to notice the magnitude of his words now for his own cheeks became tinted with a soft red. He looked to the side with embarrassment of his own. She was really something. It had been so long since he had courted someone. He hoped he wasn't too rusty.
The two sat in silence for some time, unsure of what to say after that. They didn't speak until sudden coughing cut through the the silence. It wasn't nervous coughing but bad, lung problem kind of coughing.
Emiko looked up to see Jushiro hacking into a hankie. She stood, worried about his health. Everyone knew the captain was always sick although Emiko couldn't think of the actual sickness he had at the moment. She was too worried to remember the word. What was she supposed to do?
"C-can I help? Do you need some water?" She asked hurriedly, looking around frantically before seeing a sink in the corner with small paper cups. She filled one of the cups and brought it back to the captain, offering it to him gently. She didn't realize how she automatically pressed a gentle hand to his back, instictually rubbing it. She didn't realize how close they were either. She was too worried.
Jushiro took the cup and downed the water. After a minute or two and a few cups of water, his coughing fit ended and he thanked the smaller woman. He turned to see just how close she was, neither person having noticed until now.
Emiko quickly pulled away and bowed repeatedly, uttering endless apologies as she blushed.
Jushiro tried to calm her down, assuring she was alright to be that close although his own face was blushing red as well.
"I swear, I am asking for a replacement as soon as I find out where to go to do that!" Raiko growled as she slammed her fist on the table.
The three friends were sitting at a table in the squad 5 mess hall. Raiko was drinking sake like it was water while Seina sipped from a cup. Emiko avoided the stuff, not liking the taste of alcohol.
Raiko had just finished telling the two about her first meeting with her match from the 11th division. She clearly did not like him. Emiko didn't really get it. He sounded nice enough for a guy from the 11th.
"He brought up marraige and children and just fucking everything. I ain't doing that shit, ok? I just want a guy who isn't looking for commitment, you know? I am perfectly fine with just abusing this time for sex. Why is it so hard to find a guy like that?" Raiko ranted, chugging some more sake. The sad thing? She wasn't even that drunk yet.
"You're a heathen, Raiko. You realize most girls say its impossible not to find a guy obsessed with sex. Besides, you should at least try to form a relationship. Even if it's just a friendship," Seina rolled her eyes at her friend. "Captain Kuchiki made it very clear he wasn't going to try anything. He said it was 'business'. I mean, not that I wanted a relationship with him, but he could at least try to have some fun with it. He didn't even let me stick around long enough to talk. Stuck up noble," she grumbled, crossing her arms with a 'hmf'.
"What 'bout you Emiko? How'd it go with the ol' fart?" Raiko smirked at her small friend, pointing at the brooch in her hair questioningly. It was pretty and Raiko knew she had never seen the woman with it before.
"O-oh, well, it was alright," she said softly, obviously holding back her excitement.
"Come on. Just because we had less than desirable matches doesn't mean you can't be excited about yours," Seina insisted, also checking out the new hair accessory.
"It... It was like a fairytale," Emiko sighed dreamily, curling a strand of hair around her finger and giving into her desire to spill every wondeful detail. "He bought me this brooch and was even kind enough to put it in for me. He," she blushed deeply and smiled wide. "He even called me beautiful. Captakn Ukitake called me beautiful," she squealed slightly before giggling. "Oh that reminds me. He said I can call him Jushiro," she cooed with a giggle. She definitely didn't expect him to be rude or anything but everything he did seemed like so much more than she expected.
"That's amazing, Emiko. I'm so proud of you. At least you got something out of today," Seina smiled happily for her friend, bringing her into a tight hug and petting her hair gently.
"You's a lucky girl. You gettin' exactly what ya want- that's great," Raiko congradulated her in a slurred voice.
"He had a little coughing fit which worried me but then I helped him and we started talking and I didn't even notice how much time had gone by. One of his lieutenant's came and brought me back to reality really. I didn't stay long after that. I was just so scared I was being intrusive," Emiko explained further, remembering the events of an hour ago.
"I'm sure you were great, Emiko. Don't you worry. Captain Ukitake is sweet and gentle. I'm sure he'll never do anything to hurt you," Seina assured the girl gently before turning to sip at her sake again.
At least one of them was happy with the match. Raiko was already applying for a new one and Seina was seriously considering it. This would be fun.
Here's Chapter Two. See you got to see the captains. Kenpachi not so much but a little bit. I'm sorry if Byakuya and Ukitake aren't perfectly in character. It's my first time writing them so I'm still figuring stuff out.
Anyway, if you would like to read more please follow/favourite to keep track of the next chapter. In the meantime you can drop a review. Tell me what kind of stuff you want to see. I was thinkg the SWA would have little challenges/games for the couples to make sure they weren't just sitting around. Like going to the beach or coming up with a killer first date or something like that. If you have any idea feel free to write them in a review for me ^-^ Or you can just tell me what you think of it so far. Thank you.
February 28, 2016