Don't own Bleach. Boo.

NOTICE:

So, this isn't a continuing chapter for "Love And…" this is something I wrote up 'cause I thought it'd be fun. Take it as an apology for taking a week off. Chapter 5 is currently under construction and near completion. Hold on for one more day (or two, or three…).

These are little vignettes, I suppose, based around the time Byakuya goes around to all the captains asking them not to promote Rukia should she be placed in their squad. They were entertaining ideas at the time. Hope you have fun.

Convincing Unohana

"God damn."

This was the single phrase that rang through Byakuya Kuchiki's head as he lay on a sick bed in the 4th division.

"Now now, Byakuya," Retsu Unohana, captain of the 4th division and Soul Society's finest healer, chided. "This is only fair; one good turn deserves another."

The head of the Kuchiki clan had paid a visit to his fellow captain (as he did with the rest of the different squads) in order to inform her of his sister's situation. Should Rukia Kuchiki be placed in her squad, the young noble was to be barred from any and all seated positions. Unfortunately for him, Captain Unohana would not agree to this so easily. She required…a favor first.

"Yes, but isn't this sort of thing more suitable for the 12th division?" the stoic noble grunted—as stoically as possible, of course. "I wouldn't have expected you to be one for—ugh—strange experiments."

Unohana smiled serenely. "This is all for the betterment of Soul Society. Here at the 4th division, we strive to improve our ways of healing, which not only includes training in kidou, but exploring the medicinal value of various substances." She picked up a pen and note pad to take notes. "Now please, rate your pain from the injection from 1 to 5—1 being absolutely none and 5 being absolutely excruciating."

Byakuya retched.

"Oh my," Unohana giggled. "Hanataro! Please bring a mop and towels! I'm afraid Captain Kuchiki has decided to share his lunch with us."

"Huu-agh!"

"Goodness," Unohana put a hand over her mouth. Byakuya had managed to make the noodles he ate for lunch that day magically reappear all over the 4th division floor.

"That reminds me…Hanataro!" the healer called out. "Be a dear and fetch me some of that delicious soup from the near-by food stand!" she noticed the stare her current patient was giving her. Unohana merely smiled. "It's never good to work on an empty stomach, you know!"

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Chance encounters of the embarrassing kind…

"Che, I don't see why Kuchiki needs to go around telling all the captains not to promote his sister." Toushiro Hitsugaya complained to Rangiku Matsumoto, his vice-captain. They were walking back to the 10th from a meeting with the uptight noble ("You know, you don't really have a right to call him uptight…Ow! Captain, I was just kidding!"). "She's probably just some bratty little rich girl who'd never be able to reach that level of ability anyway."

"Actually, Captain, I hear Rukia overall did very well for herself in the academy." Matsumoto contradicted. "And I also heard that she isn't Byakuya's real sister. She's adopted. It's causing quite the stir!"

The white-haired boy snorted. "Those could just be rumors. There actually happen to be some pretty nasty ones being spread about her."

"Ooh! Like what?" Matsumoto asked, excited at the prospect of juicy gossip.

"That she's a horrible she-demon from one of the tougher districts of Ruko—HEY!" Hitsugaya stopped himself. "Matsumoto! I will not be pulled into your gossip addiction!"

The busty reaper frowned. "You're no fun!" The two continued on in silence that Hitsugaya prayed would continue.

"I wonder…"

'Somebody hates me up above.' Hitsugaya rolled his eyes.

"…You think she'll be in our squad?" Matsumoto asked her captain.

"God, who knows. If she's causing this much of a stir in the Gotei 13, she's probably really troublesome." Hitsugaya answered, eyes closed and hands behind his head. He walked ahead of his second in command in an effort to not be pulled into any more useless conversations.

"Captain! Look out!"

"Oof!"

Hitsugaya collided with something and as a result, fell down. But the impact with the ground was a lot softer than expected…

Hitsugaya could only stare at the face just inches away from his.

"I-I-I'm really sorry!" it stuttered out. "I-I wasn't looking where I was going."

Nervous violet eyes looking everywhere but his face, soft-looking milky skin, shiny black hair framing delicate facial features…needless to say, the girl he had toppled over was beautiful. Hitsuguya was speechless.

"Um," the girl finally looked him in the face. "W-would you mind?"

"Huh?" was all Hitsugaya managed to say. He looked around and finally realized he was sprawled out on top of the poor girl. "Oh! Sorry!" Quick as a flash, he stood up and helped the pretty young lady up.

"Thanks," she nodded. She dusted herself off and said, "I'm really sorry about that…" she took a good look at what Hitsuguya was wearing and noticed the special captain's haori. "Sorry, Captain." She bowed respectfully.

Hitsugaya blushed. "I-um, it's fine."

"Well," The girl looked from Matsumoto to him and gave each a friendly smile. "I guess I'll be going then?"

"Um, yes!" Hitsugaya cleared his throat. "Sure. As you were." He and Matsumoto watched as the girl continued walking in the opposite direction.

"That was super smooth, Captain." Matsumoto shot the boy a sly grin. "For a second there I expected you to start taking advantage of the poor girl." His vice-captain's eyebrows were wiggling up and down suggestively.

"Matsumoto…" the young man threateningly growled.

"That was the infamous Miss Kuchiki by the way." The blond vice-captain began waltzing back to the office giggling to herself. "Better make sure Big Brother Kuchiki never finds out you were in that position with his pretty little sister."

Hitsugaya gave a shaky exhale. He gazed back at the retreating form of the adopted Kuchiki and blushed again.

"Hmph…definitely trouble."

End.

Remember, these were just for fun and of no real consequence to our current story. There may be allusions to these shorts, but they don't really hold any importance. Just thought I'd share the fun, that's all.