A/N: thank you, enjoy.

'Damn Byakuya!'

Were the first thoughts a stunned Ichigo had a second after the initial blast dissipated.

Rukia predictably had fainted and sagged limply in Ichigo's arms. He was thankful for that so she wouldn't have to see her precious 'Nii-sama' get his ass kicked. Shirosaki hovered at the ready to tackle any unforeseen problems he and his 'King' might expect in the process of getting…what they both wanted.

"Where? Where is he?!"

………………………………….V

'That serves them both right!' Senbonzakura happily crowed.

Byakuya stood on one of the higher buildings and gazed down at Kurosaki trying to revive a passed out Rukia. When he'd suddenly left the Squad six offices, Renji hadn't batted an eye only let out a sigh of relief—the evil eye was gone. Byakuya couldn't say he felt anything but the vilest feelings of jealousy toward Kurosaki below.

'I say you should challenge the Strawberry fly to a duel,' Senbonzakura suggested with a wicked grin.

'And 'what' exactly would be the prize, Senbonzakura?' Byakuya asked his Zanpaku-to with a lingering trace of sarcasm in his tone.

'Why…your Rukia dear of course!' she said as if it was the most obvious thing in the whole world.

'Rukia?'

'Surely she would be the ultimate prize, Bya-chan. After all YOU do…want her, right?'

Byakuya couldn't answer.

For all of how she greatly resembled her dead sister, he still couldn't sort out the way he really felt about her.

Which wasn't fair to either of them.

'Who is talking about what's fair and what's not? Hmm? Certainly not me,' Senbonzakura asserted, 'if you want something then take it. Instead of dillydallying about which in the end…someone WILL TAKE HER.'

Byakuya knew that despite his Zanpaku-to's outward suggestiveness she spoke the truth.

She knew what was really inside his heart.

Maybe…

………………………………………….V

"Kurosaki," Byakuya said quietly.

Ichigo flinched and spun around angrily already drawing out Zangetsu.

'Such a brute,' Senbonzakura said distastefully, 'and Zangetsu's just like him.'

"Byakuya, what're YOU doing here?" Ichigo asked coldly; Rukia was off to the side still unconscious.

"You should know, Kurosaki. Otherwise you're just a fool with an overgrown sword," Byakuya said smoothly.

'Good! My Bya-chan is the King of insults!' Senbonzakura sniffed and wiped away a fake tear.' He makes me so proud.'

"Why you…" Ichigo's eyes flashed dangerously and Shirosaki leered at Senbonzakura.

'Rotten Bastard,' she muttered darkly.

Byakuya watched him calmly, "Kurosaki, I challenge you to a duel."

"A-A-A what?!"

……………………………………………….

To be continued.

A/N: please review.