Mating Rituals - Chapter 5

AN: Okay, I know. I'm such scum. Really, I have no excuse - I'm just a lazy ass. I feel as if this chapter might disappoint a lot of people. It's a filler, introducing Hisana and a lead in to another chapter. No hot IchiRukiness. However, if i get enough incentive (hint) I have this scene in my mind for the next chapter that involves a smutastic Ichigo/Rukia redevous. Sorry again and I hope you guys at least get some satisfaction in the fact that I AM updating and not abandoning this story!

Disclaimer: No mine. oh poopy pants!

WARNING: not beta'd. Landmines abound!

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Hisana Abarai hated Mondays. Most assumed that since she was the principal Karakura Town's most prestigious academy, the first school day of the week was a welcomed event. But truthfully, Mondays sucked a royal fat one.

Most thought Friday evenings officially begun the weekend, but for a high school principal, Friday's consisted of staff meetings and arranging for weekend events. She had to be present Saturdays to oversee many of the weekend concerts and activities put on by the multitude of student groups. But Sundays, Sundays were her only reprieve from a very long grueling week. On Sundays, she would meet with her little brother, Renji, for a late brunch since both refused to get out of bed before noon. Then she would go through the mundane processes of life. It wasn't that she didn't enjoy these moments of quietness away from the roaring crowds of high school, but she could feel that these happier Sundays were coming to an end.

Renji would be leaving for Tokyo University next fall and Hisana would be left alone without her annoying little brother to look after. No more yelling at him for getting into fights with Kurosaki Ichigo. No more Thursday evenings cheering in the stands as he ran across the soccer field. No more yelling at him afterwards for getting into a fight with Kurosaki Ichigo…

So in the end, she was becoming ridiculously aware of the fact that come next fall, she was going to be a very lonely thirty year old woman. Thirty years old and already a well regarded principal of one of Japan's most well regarded academies. At times she realized that it wasn't so much due to her more than above average academic achievements. No, she was at this point in her professional career because she knew how to play a much undefined, unofficial, game of academic politics. She knew when punishing a student wasn't worth the two weeks of meetings a CEO's lawyer would put her through. She knew which parents to send especially personal Christmas cards regarding their child's academic achievements and which parents simply didn't care enough to open.

It was this undefined, unofficial, political game that made Hisana agree to meet with Kuchiki Rukia's intimidating brother. The elder Kuchiki-san's family had donated millions to the school's infrastructural renovations over the last decade. Who was she to deny one of the academy's star pupils a meet and greet with the pupil's acclaimed "worried beyond belief" brother? A brother that was most likely reminiscent of every other self-centered, egotistical parent or guardian that demanded her attention, claiming their child the brightest of all.

God Hisana hated Mondays.

***

"Miss Kuchiki, I don't understand why it's pertinent to meet with your brother now. You're graduating in a few months and have already accepted Harvard's offer." Hisana could already feel the beginnings of a migraine. She had just come back from the junior high buildings when her secretary informed her that Kuchiki Rukia was waiting anxiously for Hisana in the lobby.

"I realize that this is very unorthodox Abarai-san, but Nii-sama is simply worried that since this is the homestretch, something will go wrong. I am simply making a request that you set up a meeting with him – to assure him that I am doing fine." Rukia's face showed a hint of desperation as she pleaded with Hisana.

In the three years that Hisana had become principal, inheriting the position after Yamamoto-san retired, Kuchiki Byakuya had not once requested an update from Hisana. While she was the assistant principal, she knew that Kuchiki-san had met with Yamamoto-san. But really, those meetings were most likely more business and family oriented. The Kuchiki family had very close ties with the Yamamotos. It was only natural that the Kuchiki's head of house stay in contact with the aging Yamamoto. In truth, Hisana had never laid eyes on the mysterious Kuchiki Byakuya. She simply assumed he didn't care enough about his sister's education to worry.

"I will be happy to send home a letter detailing your academic and civic achievements Miss Kuchiki. But really, I haven't the time to meet with any parent or guardian that feels anxious about their senior's last few months of high school." Hisana was also starting to remember that the reason she had been at the junior high's building was because Miss Kuchiki's boyfriend was threatening a younger pupil. Of course, Hisana has a suspicion that said younger pupil was bullying Kurosaki's little sister…

"I understand Abarai-san. I don't wish to waste any of your precious time. I just assumed that since the Kuchiki family has always been very devoted to educating the youths of Japan, you would do me this small favor." Rukia's face looked very demure as she murmured these words softly. Her face, angelic. Her thoughts, not so much.

Hisana knew an underhanded threat when she heard one. Miss Kuchiki was playing the 'rich donor card'. With Miss Kuchiki matriculating in a scant few months, the Kuchiki family would no longer have a reason to make their yearly donations. But if Hisana played her cards right, if she could just appeal to Kuchiki-san's more philanthropic ideals, then perhaps the donations would continue to roll in. Of course, this thought just made her feel guilty. Had education truly come to this?

'That sneaky girl!' Thought Hisana.

"Miss Kuchiki, there's no reason to play that dirty yet. You're graduating soon, it's only natural for your brother to be worried. I'll have my secretary call your brother's secretary to set up a meeting. Now, is there anything else you would like to trouble me with?" Most days Hisana would have used more tact, but Miss Kuchiki's boyfriend has already started Hisana's migraine and Miss Kuchiki herself seemed to be finishing off the one-two punch.

"No Abarai-san. Thank you for your understanding. I'll leave you to your work now." With that said, Rukia daintily stood up and exited Abarai-san's office. Hisana would have thrown a fit if she had seen Rukia's satisfied smirk.

***

"Abarai-san, Mr. Kuchiki-san has arrived." Hisana looked up from her budget reports to answer her secretary. "Let him in please."

Readying herself for what would most likely be a very long day, Hisana stood up when Kuchiki Byakuya entered. When she lifted her eyes to meet his, she was bombarded with the most intense eyes she had ever seen. They were grey. No! They were violet? A dark violet. A lighter grey? Hisana had to stop herself from rushing over to see for herself their color.

When she gathered her thoughts to examine the rest of the Kuchiki patriarch she was satisfied to learn that the rest of Kuchiki Byakuya didn't disappoint. He was tall, that was for sure. His long hair was combed neatly, tied at the base of his neck in a no nonsense manner. His dark suite was impeccable, hand tailored by the look of things.

When Hisana's eyes reached his face, she was happy to learn that his eyes were not his only astounding attribute. His long thin nose screamed Aristocracy and his mouth, those gorgeous lips set in a straight line must have made businessmen cringe on site.

Hisana inhaled and extended her hands to the dark Adonis across from her.

"Good afternoon Kuchiki-san, it is a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance."

Perhaps Mondays were looking up.

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I've come to realize that I just can't make anymore promises on when the next chapter will come out. I apologize for no Rukia/Ichigo-ness in this chapter, but I really hated to leave Byakuya alone after Rukia left for university. Perhaps this lack of IchiRuki goodness will force me to get off my lazy ass and write more? Here's hoping.

As always, please review. Because really, rainbows are the bridge between fairy tales and satan's ass crack.