Disclaimer: Still don't own Bleach, just this story.
Author's Notes: Okay I'm a little lost. I have a clear idea of what the next chappy should be but getting there is still fuzzy. So, something to appease your curiosities here's a short chappy for my Bya X Ran pairing. (^^,)v Hope you still like it though!
At the driveway, where glamorously dressed guests were stepping out of limosine after limosine, the orchestra's wonderful music could be heard. Already it was creating an ambiance fitting for royalty. Butlers and servers were impeccably dressed and politely greeted the guests who made their way through the wide hallway to the main ballroom. A pair of tall intricately carved mahogany doors was open to welcome guests to where the main festivities were at. From the expensive chandeliers, to the sparkling champagne and to the dazzling people, everything was simply glowing. With just one look, you could come to the conclusion that this is how the Kuchikis did things.
The annual Kuchiki Corporation Charity Gala is a venue for leaders and prominent personalities to gather and to raise funds for the numerous charitable institutions and projects that the company supported. Perhaps one could say that for the corporate world, or for anyone who's anyone in the international community, this is their Academy Awards. Many years ago a small construction company was put up by one of the Kuchiki family's most renown patriarch, Kuchiki Genryusai. At first, the newly opened business received a few projects from the small villages surrounding Tokyo. More than a year after the founding, on his birthday, Genryusai held a small gathering for his clients to show his gratitude for having their business. At the same time he used this opportunity to get even more business from his past clients under the banner of charitable work for less fortunate villages. Years have passed and this is no longer celebrated as the founder's birthday party but has emerged as an entity of its own – the Kuchiki Corporation Charity Gala. Still held during the date of Genryusai's birth, the Gala is host to a night of festivities for clients, shareholders, personalities and the like for a good cause.
Looking around the lavish ballroom, on a corner, artworks which will be auctioned off are displayed. On another dancing couples occupy the dance floor; swaying to the orchestra's tune. To a different section, set up around a stage area which is still vacant of tonight's master of ceremonies but nonetheless immaculately decorated are tables. Already numbered or labeled with a guest's name or designation, some tables were already occupied by the more elderly attendees or those simply immersed in conversation. Naturally, on the arms or standing beside the rich and famous men were stunning beauties who seemed to have been cut out of magazines. They were laughing at jokes, fawning over their company for the night and making sure to look like they were worth every penny spent for their company. A strawberry blonde bombshell stood out among them. The melodious tone of her laugh turned heads seeking to find the source of such music. Her long vibrant hair, curled stylishly for the night, swayed with every swish of her head. It was framing a face that seems to have been chiseled by a master sculptor. Perhaps what caught the attention of most of the men and women in the hall was her voluptuous form encased in a shimmering midnight blue gown with a slit on one side showcasing her long legs, a v-neckline low enough to display a peek at her cleavage, and an open backside revealing every curve of her flawless back. The luckiest man of the night, whose arm she was holding onto, was Barragan Luisenbarn from the Hue Mu Conglomerate.
Although an official of a rival company of the Kuchiki Corp., the Gala was a social event open to all so even competition were somewhat expected to attend. Even more so, the frivolous appearances and 'stunts' these rival companies pulled during these events have become a sort of anticipated segment of the events. Apparently, to some at least, the 'stunt' for this year is to arrive arm in arm with the most stunning woman in the ball. A lot of the attendees wondered where she came from, which agency in particular whether it was a modeling or escort service firm, or if she is an unknown actress hoping to make a big splash by showing up at the Gala. To the men, she was a dream come true and if they're lucky they would get the name of the agency and have her escort them to the next events if not attend to them in other more disturbing affair. To the women, she was a vision to be envied. To those who bothered to ask, her name is Rangiku Matsumoto.
"I must commend whoever it was who did your hair," said another daring not so gentle man as he reached for her locks that were resting comfortably on bare shoulders, "it is just lovely. Perfect for such a lovely lady." (AN: It's really lame. I know. *hides under a rock*) Before his slithering tentacles could make it to her shoulder, Rangiku raised a hand to expertly flip her hair, keeping her hair and her self away from the man's outstretched hand, as she replied, "why thank you good sir. I do try to take great care of this old thing." A playful chuckle was added to complete the shy but enticing demeanor.
/ I've gone through tons of snakes like you, man. You've got to come up with something more original than that. Hah / Ran thought behind her smiling mask. / If I knew things would go like this, I would have never agreed. I'm gonna cut you up Shinji when I see you. /
++++ FLASHBACK ++++
"Irasshaimase!" Said the sales personnel of the ShiHara clothing store as new customers went through the glass doors of the boutique. A new season has just begun which meant new displays at the boutique. Also, some of the old merchandise were on sale so patrons and other passers by could not resist dropping by the store even if it's just to window shop. By the counter, assistant store manager Rangiku stood watch as the staff catered to the new customers.
"Come on, Ran. It'll be so easy! There'll be free food and tons of booze. Just make sure not to get too drunk to go home." Believe it or not, that came from store manager Shinji Hirako who was on his knees (though hidden safely behind the counter) with his hands clasped together as he begged his subordinate shamelessly.
"For the last time, Mr. Store Manager Sir, I don't want to escort some probably wrinkling old dude to some party. No matter how much you ask, even if the thought of free booze is tempting." Rangiku turned away from the customers and faced Shinji with her eyebrows knitted together and her tone as menacing as possible without raising an octave so as not to draw attention to them.
"There's absolutely nothing to worry about. Only really really and I mean really rich people will go. No one will recognize you. Plus, the pay is unbelievably good since it's last minute. If I had even the semblance of breast or a feminine face, I'd go for it myself." He added emphasis to this statement by placing a hand to his hair and the other on his hip imitating the faces of models on bikini ads plus a few shakes of his hips.
"Bleh!" Rangiku feigned the expression of vomitting. "Have some shame, Shinji. I happen to like what I ate for lunch. Don't make me waste it through vomiting."
"Come on, the money would be enough to bring Grimmy to that amusement park carnival place he's been talking about." With a few shakes of his eyebrows, Shinji began massaging Rangiku's shoulders. He continued, "think of all the nice stuff you can get the poor boy. Or better yet, you can use it to fund your collection. Imagine this by attending just one fancy dinner. You could start your own clothing line."
/ The silence is quite reassuring. / Thought Shinji as Rangiku made no rebuttal of his argument.
Releasing a heavy sigh, Rangiku hung her head and closed her eyes in contemplation. Truly what negative outcome could this agreement have? All she had to do was show up at an event with some company's big shot; be pretty and not get drunk. It was way better than what most people who go by the term "escort" had to deal with. The pay was incredible too. Although the event is already for tomorrow night which meant that she had to get a sitter. / Seriously, what kind of mother am I if I can't do such a small thing for Grimmy. /
"Okay. I've decided." Pause for dramatic effect.
"And?" Shinji's eyes were practically sparkling.
"I'll do it."
++++ END OF FLASHBACK ++++
As the evening progress, by some miracle, Rangiku managed to get away from the crowd that seemed to constantly follow her and the bulbous man that was supposed to be her 'date' for the night. She managed to slip by the other guests and attendants as she kept her head low and flat out ignored the calls made to her. Truly, she has an array of lines and moves to receive forgiveness from these suckers and to have them forget what had happened. Passing a pair of framed glass doors partly covered by rich velvety curtains hanging from the ceiling and reaching the floor which is tied to the side by a golden rope, she was greeted by the cool night breeze from the balcony. Despite all the fancy things, the shimmer, the glow and the oozing glamour of everything in the Gala, the hall could only be described as stuffy. It was challenging for her to handle more than ten (10) not so gentle men at the same time. Add to that all the snide and cheap jabs those puffed up women. This night turned out to be more taxing than she thought. Honestly, she was starting to wonder if it was still worth it. Thankfully, the balcony was empty so she could contemplate in silence. She managed to slip by without much hassle. Would they really notice if she slipped all the way out of the Gala? She thought about it for a moment but decided that she might not get paid after if she decided on this by herself.
/ I think I can wait it out a bit more. These things probably don't last that long. / She looked at the slim silver watch on her wrist and seeing that it's a few minutes past 10 o'clock. / I can't imagine all those old people could stand in heels for much longer. / She leaned on the carved railing and a light breeze carried around wisps of her hair. Once again, she looked at her watch. Only a few minutes have passed since she first checked. Maybe she could spend a few more minutes to relax before going back to the snake pit. A soft chuckle escaped her lips at that last part.
"my, my. Aren't you just a sight," said Barragan as he entered the balcony. The expensive tuxedo he was wearing could not hide the bulging sagging stomach he had. His once cheerful face melted into that fitting of a man of his standing – sinister and ominous. He made his way to approach Rangiku. At the same time, lines and moves to escape were running though Rangiku's head. Generally, when in an isolated place with a man who looked like that and who usually got what he wanted, it was best to escape to a more populated area. There were a few options in a situation like this. Given that this monstrous place had equally spacious balconies. It would take more than a few steps to reach the safety of the ballroom.
"I definitely need to give that agency a big bonus for sending you. Absolutely delectable." The roll of his tongue, as he said that, deepened Rangiku's feeling of dread. He was only a few away now and Rangiku has not yet come up with a comeback. Just a step away from truly invading her personal space, he reached out to grab her wrist. "Just a little bit more and this whole farce would be finished, I can already taste you."
There were very few times when Rangiku was left completely speechless which was something that she promised herself never to happen again. So, she gathered whatever nerve she had left to make a comeback at him. She tried to pull her hand free from the grip his fat fingers had on her but it was to no avail. As his face came closer, panic was rising and rising in Rangiku. It seemed that the remaining options she had left was to scream for help and hope that anyone of those attendants would come to her rescue or to go along with it and wait for the opportunity to bolt. She was leaning towards the first option. To hell with the money.
"I would like to get my hand back please, sir." She wasn't sure where that came from but she couldn't take it back now.
His grip didn't loosen in the least, in fact, it got tighter and he tried to pull her in a bit more.
"Ahem." Broke through the standoff that the pair were in. Stepping out of the shadows, smooth porcelain skin shone under the moonlight contrasting with his sleek hair which was as dark as midnight. He didn't seem like an attendant given how well he was dressed and this aura he had. "I believe that the lady would like you to release her, Barragan-san."
"Che." Barragan turned away from the man who had stepped in but kept his hand firmly on the girl's wrist. Rangiku hoped to the heavens that would be enough to save her. "This doesn't concern you Byakuya-kun. So why don't you head back inside. Let the adults talk here."
"It might be rude to correct you, Barragan-san, but this is our Gala and it is up to me to ensure that it goes smoothly and that the guests are well taken care of especially those who need the assistance of security on their way out." His look darkened somehow, Rangiku thought, as he continued. "So, it would be best to unhand the lady as she requested."
For a moment, his grip on her wrist tightened even more that Rangiku audibly winced. She was about to retort when the grip disappeared. Her tormentor said nothing directly at either of them but grumbled things as he walked back into the ballroom. She had to watch his back to make sure that he really went all the way back into the ballroom. She gently rubbed her now sore wrist and faced her savior. To her surprise, he was making his way out of the balcony as well.
"Wait please." She called almost desperately at him, still glued to her stop by the railing. He stopped his stride and turned to face her a bit. His expression was blank save for the slight rise of an elegant brow. "I have to thank you properly. I was thinking of ways to escape but none came to mind quickly enough. So, I…" But she was stopped by the look he had – utterly uninterested. It was a look she hasn't seen in a long long while. "….I…well…"
"Please don't misunderstand. I simply did not want him to cause a scene. I know people like you are quite common at events such as these but I believe it is wise for you to go home now." He said all of these without changing tone nor expression.
"Why you?! I've been putting up with stuck up pricks like you all night long and I have just had it. If you must know, I am not one of those 'people like you' as you say. I am a decent hard working assistant store manager at ShiHara's who was begged to replace a girl who got into an accident and was gonna use to take my son out for his birthday. So excuse me, Mr. big shot." Once her rant ended, she wasn't sure where it all came from. He was her savior for Pete's sake. She ended up releasing all her tension on him.
"I see."
/ That's all?! I scream at him and scold him. Then all he has to say is, "I see." Is he made of stone? Well, whatever I should head home though I'm probably not getting paid anymore. What a waste. /
"If that's all, I'm Rangiku Matsumoto by the way. Since, it's pointless to stick around anymore I'm heading home. Good night, sir." She finally moved away from the spot she had been glued on the past minutes, although they felt like hours. It was hard to not look at his beautiful chiseled face as she neared him. He was still unmoving. But she stopped as an outstretched hand was front of her when she was only two or three feet away from him.
"Byakuya Kuchiki, miss." Once she looked at his face, it seemed to have soften somewhat. / Were her charms finally working? Nope that's not it. / She was shook out of her reverie with his deep voice echoing in the silence of the balcony. "The welcoming staff can assist you with your transportation." The hand that was outstretched took in her reluctant hand in a firm but still somehow gentle hand shake. When he released her hand, she was stunned. She hadn't even moved when he started walking away. He looked back to see she had not followed him. "Please follow me there. I don't believe that Barragan will lay off quite easily." She was stunned once more and was almost lost in thought again as she contemplated his gesture. This man who she had only met was, dare she say it, compassionate towards her. Not lustful, not sinister, not judging, he simply understood. The rise of his brow made her realize that he was still waiting on her. So, she quickly but gracefully made her way beside him.
The long but comfy silence capped off an unforgettable encounter.