AN: Everyone's reviews have been wonderful! Thank you! Well, there was one about the fact it's non-linear. But in my defence, I think it makes it more interesting – working out where things happen. But that's just IMHO. At the end, I'll put up its chronological listing. Anyway – theme number five, chapter eleven – short and sweet – go!
5. "Ano sa…"
Byakuya had been allowed to take the rest of his paperwork home for the evening, and now sat working in his study. Hisana was tired from searching Rukongai yet again, and wasn't content to rest somewhere alone, so was stretched out on the floor with a cushion. She wasn't a fan of napping, so just lay there, watching Byakuya work. He was like a machine, writing reports, looking over documents and signing forms. And he appeared completely oblivious to the rest of the world.
As such, Hisana couldn't resist this opportunity.
"Did you hear me scream this morning? I tripped on Senbonzakura and almost took a toe off," she said casually, letting her gaze drift over to Byakuya.
"Mmn," he grunted, carrying on his writing without even a flicker of noticing anything amiss.
Hisana sighed and sat up.
"I also tried to get honorary membership of that new Shinigami Women's Association they recently formed, but they wouldn't let me because I was married to you and not a shinigami. They told me with a hot man like you for a husband, I didn't need to think up ways to track handsome captains down and mercilessly take photos of them, or force interviews out of them. They said they'd wait until you were a captain and use me as a secret weapon to get photos and interviews out of you. I said I was happy to."
The speech failed to affect Byakuya.
She scooted closer so she was only a few feet from his desk. His face was placid as he shuffled some papers and put them to the side before drawing a new pile towards him. She couldn't help but roll her eyes and came closer until she was right in front of his desk.
"I'm secretly having an affair with the head of one of the other four noble families," she explained, trying to sound as guilty as possible.
He looked up with a baffled expression. Clearly she didn't know two of the heads were extremely old and the one who had been gone almost half a century was a woman.
She took the opportunity to kiss him. He relaxed, caressing her cheek before pulling back and picking up another mound of papers.
"It took an affair to make you pay attention?" she asked and Byakuya gave her a smirk.
"Who said I wasn't paying attention? Did you really say you would help the Shinigami Women's Association when I become captain?"
She grinned, placing her hands on his shoulders and leaning closer.
"Afraid so, Byakuya. Unless, of course I'm given a reason not to."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Is blackmail sufficient?"
Hisana narrowed her eyes and he sighed, putting the papers to one side and standing, pulling Hisana into his arms. He headed to their bedroom.
"With the duties a husband gets from his wife, it's a wonder I get anything done…"