Purely Platonic chapter.6: Duel Conclusions pt.1
'One week from tomorrow then,' Senbonzakura mused, she fanned herself vigorously with a pink fan, pouting slightly, 'Bya-chan…' she whined.
'What is it now, Senbonzakura?' Annoyed, Byakuya stopped in the middle of his ablutions for the night, his hands under the icy jet of water spouting out from the silver faucet.
'You will get rid of that rotten jerk Zangetsu and that rotten bastard Shirosaki, right? They're so rude to me!' Senbonzakura began pacing agitatedly, her cherry blossom gown swishing.
He decisively turned the faucet handle and then dried his hands on the navy blue towel hanging on the side, 'that's what you say about everyone else's Zanpaku-to spirits. Last time you wanted me to skin that low-ranking boy from Zaraki's Division, the narcissistic freak because his peacock spirit insulted you.'
'—By saying he was prettier than me! The nerve! I am the most beautiful of them all! Don't you think so too, Bya-chan?' she giggled as she said it and conjured up the usual pink-backed mirror to primp before it happily.
Senbonzakura's wielder rolled his slate eyes at such frivolity. This was why he despised Yoruichi Shihoin. One frivolous—add—flirtatious woman was enough. Two even worse. He shook his head, raven locks free of the binding Kenseikan and loose, brushed the silken bed kimono he wore as he climbed into his great bed. Hopefully Senbonzakura wouldn't realize that he hadn't answered her question. She could be quite persistent when she put her mind to it.
Byakuya glanced around the darkened room once, briefly feeling its emptiness and the lack of warmth beside him then closed his eyes…and began to dream.
~~~*~~~
They both fought fiercely, Kurosaki unrelenting even as blood dripped from his taut hands wrapped around the sleek black hilt of his sword. Razor sharp pink petals gathered at Byakuya's command, preparing for the final assault. He knew it was almost over, Senbonzakura in his mind knew it too, but still pressed on, her strength beginning to wane.
Byakuya silently willed the cherry blossoms to attack at the same instant, Kurosaki swung the smaller bankai version of his blade toward him, bellowing, "Getsuga—"
"Stop it!"
Both men, shock clearly written on their faces, sweat dripping from the foreheads, stared as the petite girl whom the duel was about, come running up to them, a familiar puppy-dog faced boy at her heels. "H-Hanataro?" Kurosaki asked stupidly. Vaguely Byakuya recalled the boy as having helped the Ryoka at the time of Rukia's execution. But what was he doing with her now…?
Suspiciously, Senbonzakura watched the boy begin to administer to some of Kurosaki's wounds, 'I don't like this kid, Bya-chan. He reeks of trouble. And you know I'm always right about these things!'
You always say that, Byakuya thought with a sneer. But did notice the boy's hesitant look whenever he felt Byakuya watching him. Rukia stood back, her arms crossed over her chest, surveying them all with visible annoyance, "Hana, aren't you ever going to ask what you wanted of Nii-sama?" she asked impatiently.
"Er—sure, Ms—"
"I told you not to call me that!" she snapped, her violet blue eyes glaring.
Hanataro, to Kurosaki and Byakuya's astonishment, went and dropped down before him, bowing deeply, "honorable sir, I humbly ask for Rukia's hand in marriage."
'See! See! What did I tell you?!' Senbonzakura crowed angrily.
Byakuya simply shell-shocked much as his rival was, continued to stare at the hopeful boy, thinking their silence was probably an augury of acceptance.
"I know I'm a plain low-ranking Soul reaper, Kuchiki-sama. But I can make Rukia happy! She loves me!"
"SHE WHAT?!" Kurosaki nearly choked on his words, spat out. "Rukia! What is this? Don't tell me you—"
"Yes, Ichigo! I have a life too!" she rounded on him, challenging the Strawberry bastard to deny her as Byakuya calmly, oh so calmly gathered Senbonzakura's pink petals, "Kurosaki."
"What is it now—"
Kurosaki smirked, then nodded, "I see. Good idea." Rukia didn't understand what their sudden camaderie was, until their combined reiatsus hit her. She passed out as Byakuya and his Strawberry rival turned to the interloper, swords—well Senbonzakura's petals were already released—withdrawn and ready for the kill. Hanataro chuckled a little nervously looking from his prospective brother-in-law to his friend.
"What's going on—guys?"
"DIEEEEE!!!!!"
~~~*~~~
Byakuya awoke stunned at the ferocity in which the dream had brought out in him. Sweating profusely, he stared at his shaking hands and slowly brought them up to his face; Gods had he really wanted to kill that harmless little Soul reaper over Rukia?
Well maybe…since just earlier in the day he'd wanted nothing better than to skewer Kurosaki for laying his hands on her…
~~~To be continued and concluded in Chapter.7: Duel Conclusions. Pt.2~~~
A/N: short I know…but I had things to do. Ahem, well the end is nigh and um, reviews are appreciated!