Reload

A/N: Slight error while writing the last story but I'm too lazy to correct it. Leon does not know yet that Byakuya and Rukia are siblings in the early part of the story, but finds it out when Renji and Shuuhei tells him about it. He does suspect a bit, though. Rukia called Byakuya "Nii-Sama" in front of him before.

But anyway, I'm too lazy to correct, so here's another part of it.

Guess which anime the titles came from....

But this isn't a ByakuRuki fic. This is a IchiRukiHichi fic.

Mmm.... I smell a threesome..... *giggles insanely*
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Leon's first week in the Sixth didn't turn out to be that enjoyable.

In fact, you could say that he hated every moment of it. Kuchiki Byakuya had walked in, taken one good look at him and the disdain in the noble's face was clear. He had immedieately launched into a long lecture about 'expectations', 'honor', 'rules' and all that jazz. Along the end, he had given Leon a freezing look and told him that he expected all work to be completed by the end of the day and handed down to his office.

It was toture. There were always mountains of paperwork to do, and Leon left the Division totally exhausted by the end of the day. But sometimes, he never got to rest. Renji would bring him to the Living World to purify Hollows, sometimes in the dead of the night, and leon often wondered how the fukutaichou could be so energetic thoughout the day. You could say that Leon never got a good rest unless it was the weekend.

But there were some advantages to it. Rukia often dropped by, and spent some time with Byakuya sometimes with Renji and sometimes with Ichigo. Unfortunately, there was a little bit of a problem.

There was a particular girl, Akamatsu Arisa, the 3rd Seat of the 10th Division, that came to see Byakuya each day. They were supposedly engaged, but Byakuya didn't want it, and Risa was compliant with whatever decision that was made for her. She seemed comtent with or without Byakuya, but she made it a habit to drop by and say hello each evening. The Elders were over their heads with the 28th Head of the Kuchiki clan, and the said taichou had made it very clear that he loved Rukia, and would NOT incline his head to thier wishes that he marry the Akamatsu heir.

Risa had simply shrugged, and after the Elders had left the 6th Division (they had thought that a public display would cow Byakuya into obeying their wishes, but if anything, he seemed to have gotten a stubborn streak from Rukia.), she did something extremely..... shocking.

The moment the last Elder had disappeared around the corner, she had lazily reclined in her chair and held up two "fingers" before she and Renji broke out into loud uncontrollable laughter, Byakuya and Leon's eyes as wide as saucers. Byakuya had looked questioningly at Risa, and the Akamatsu heir winked.

"How long have I known you, Byakuya? Each year the Clans meet, Yoruichi-san would always drag all of us to a private room to play poker. You should know me by now." She leaned forwards and flicked his forehead with a finger. "I'm the best actress in Sereitei. Only you and the old gang know the real me. Just like I know that your poker face is for show to the world. Inside is a man with afflicted emotions."

Throughout this exchange, Renji simply chuckled and leaned back in his chair. "Go, Risa..."

Byakuya looked a bit guilty. "Risa..."

"Daijoubu, daijoubu." Risa waved a hand. "I've loved you for a long time, Byakuya... but I've come to accept that you'll never love me, from the time you married Hisana. And now, it's Rukia." She glanced at the clock. "I gotta run. Jii-chan's having dinner with me today..."

Byakuya nodded. "Let me walk you to the door."

Risa grinned, then sobered and held herself tall, lifting her chin as she assumed her role as Lady Akamatsu. "It was a pleasure meeting you again, Lord Kuchiki. I look forwards to the next meeting tomorrow night."

"It was a pleasure to be in your company too, Lady Akamatsu," Byakuya said politely, sounding very much like the noble he was. "Tomorrow evening as usual."

But looking closer, Leon could see that they were sending each ther different messages with their eyes.

Are you sure Rukia's in love with you? Risa seemed to ask.

I don't know... Byakuya's gaze replied. I don't know, but I honestly hope so...

As the two left, Renji gave a sigh and shook his head. "Rukia, Rukia.... I hope she knows what she's doing..."

"What's wrong?" Leon asked.

Renji turned to look at him. "Don't you know? There's a rumour that's been going round. It seems that eventhough Kuchiki-taichou's in love with her, Rukia just sees him as a brother, and not a lover. She's going to break his heart if she doesn't catch the signals taichou has been giving her."

"So... Rukia's single?"

"You could put it that way." Renji grimaced. "Ah, too bad. I already have a different girlfriend. Once upon a time I would have taken this chance to ask Rukia to be my girl, but I find that my feelings have changed. I now see her as my very, very best friend." He grinned.

"Abarai.... I have something to ask..." Leon said hesitatingly. "Do you... Do you think you could ask Rukia to go out with me?"

"Dude!" Renji sounded shocked. "YOU have a crush on her?!"

"Well, not really a crush..." Leon admitted. "You remember that day we bumped into each other in Rukongai? I.. I felt that she was the girl for me. I love her, Renji. Really, I do."

"Whoa, man..." Renji looked speechless for certain. "You're in for a heartbreak. Take it from me, she's already broken my heart without doing anything, maybe Kuchiki-taichou's too.... you're gonna end up like us."

"I can't help it." Leon grasped him by the shoulders. "Please, Abarai! You have to ask her to meet me! She was... she was from my Living life. I used to date her."

Renji's eyes widened. "Leon.."

"Please... I love her. If I can, I want to right what I did wrong. I want to... I want to marry her!"

"Impossible."

Both men turned at the quiet, icy tone, and saw Kuchiki Byakuya glaring at them from the doorway, his hand gripping the hilt of his zanpakutoh tightly. "It's impossible for my sister, a noblewoman, to go out with the likes of you," he hissed through gritted teeth. Renji took a step back, never having seen Byakuya that angry before. Byakuya advanced further into the room and stared Leon straight in the face, his rieatsu compressing the air around them.

"I will not allow my sister to go out with you. Even if she doesn't love me, she will never be yours. She will marry Kurosaki Ichigo, not you, because that boy has constantly proven himself to be worthy of her while you-" His glare became even colder "-have done nothing yet to prove yourself worthy of becoming Rukia's husband. Therefore, even if she doesn't marry me, she will belong to Kurosaki Ichigo, never to be yours. I will never allow my sister to become yours."

His rieatsu intensified, forcing Leon down on his kness before Byakuya turned and strode out of there, leaving him gasping for breath. Renji shakily helped him up. "I've never seen Kuchiki-taichou so mad before... congratulations, man... you've just gained yourself one hell of an enemy... and like I told you, Rukia broke your heart without doing anything. Give it up... Go to the Living World for a break till taichou cools down a bit. I'll divide your paperwork among the other Shinigami."

With a final pat to his back, Renji left to find Byakuya. Leon stared at his hands, shaking.

Rukia.... would never be his. Byakuya had made that clear. But Renji had allowed him to go to the Living World, and Rukia.... was there. He could.... maybe.... visit her without Byakuya knowing.

And he had Renji to thank for that. The red-haired man had indirectly told him that he would cover up for him.

Taking a deep breath, Hara Leon started to get things in order.

(~Tsuzuki)

Requiem

A/N: A TB charrie is involved..... I... kinda needed to write this to get over my ex....
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She was as beautiful as he remembered her to be, and though she had changed in appearance, her spirit remained the same. She was still short in stature, that was true... but her cheerfullness and her spunk never changed at all.

Leon Garcia de Asturias had never thought of being born as a Shinigami in his afterlife.

And he never expected his love Stephanie Summers to also be there... except that she was Kuchiki Rukia in this life.
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The first time he had met her was when he was still living in Rukongai. It was simply a wavering aura in the air (later known to him as reiatsu), a familliar warm feeling, a feeling of longing and hopefullness that made him think of Stephanie, that made him exit his run-down house, and run into a girl with short black hair and sparkling purple eyes. From the way the picked herself up to the way she apologized to him, Leon could only think of one girl wo shared the exact same characteristics; Stephanie Summers.

But his love had died many years before him, killed by a vampire and buried in her burning house before he could save her.

So why was it she reminded him of her?

"Gomen, gomen... I should've watched where I was going..." She laughed, scratching her head as her red-haired friend came up, scowling protectively.

"It's my fault. Don't apologize, kid." Leon waved it off, earning a glare from the other man.

"Excuse me, we're way older than you are... a century old, maybe. Don't go around calling Rukia a kid. She's almost 80 this year," He said sharply.

"Renji!" Rukia exclaimed, face flushing red, but a hand came down between them, grapsing her shoulder protectively.

"Our patrol's over. Let's return and report to Yamamoto-soutaichou."

"Byakuya-Nii-Sama!" Rukia smiled and looked up at another man, an aristocrat by the looks of it, her eyes shining. Byakuya nodded at her once and turned, releasing her shoulder. Renji and Rukia followed as he left, the girl turning to give Leon a wave before she vanished.

From their uniforms and swords, they were Shinigami. Rukia certainly didn't look like Stephanie, but the manner in which she greeted her older brother reminded him of the way Stephanie used to greet him.

Leon was intrigued.
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The second time he met her was when he had entered the Academy, hoping to become a Shinigami and join the ranks of the Gotei 13. Everyone knew him to be different from the others, thanks to his appearance and his strength, and he was a slightly lonely man because the students steered clear of him.

He learned that souls were reborn again when they died, some retaining their looks and others given a different body. Leon had no doubt that Stephanie was Rukia, and they were both the same person, but in different lives.

"Hado no 31! Shakkahou!"

Rukia's voice rang out sure and clear as she took down the Hollow they were supposed to purify, but couldn't handle. A red ball of fire shot out at the Hollow, instantly purifying it in a second. The Academy students watched in awe as Ukitake, Rukia, Kiyone and Sentarou stepped out of the shadows, the captain wearing an encouraging smile on his face.

"Good work, everyone. Except for that last Hollow, you managed to take down the rest. Well... the last one was kind of tricky. I shall do your evaluation and pass your marks to your teacher. Let's just say that some of you might just be working for me in less then a month."

As cheers went up among the students, Leon smiled. He was looking forwards to becoming a Shinigami. At least.. it would put him one step closer to Rukia.
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"Nii-sama...."

"What is it, Rukia?"

Rukia opened her eyes to look up at her brother, who was deeply absorbed in a book while letting her use his lap as a pillow. "Aren't you going to the graduations? I overheard Yamamoto-soutaichou saying that the Divisions need to absorb some new members in order to run effciently."

He says that every year, Byakuya wanted to reply, but searched for a different answer instead. "Whether I go or not isn't really your concern. Your health however, is my concern. I shall tell Ukitake to exempt you from your missions this few weeks to recuperate."

"Aa... Arigatou, Nii-sama..." Rukia mumbled, looking away. She had come down with a bad case of fever after her last mission to the Living World. Byakuya had been furious after Unohana told him that it was poison from the Hollow that had attacked her, all the more reason to keep her away from the Vice-Captain position. Rukia wasn't too concerned about the position, but the look on Byakuya's face made her feel.... guilty.

Guilt that she could've died and almost gotten herself killed.

"Forgive me, Nii-sama."

Byakuya froze at the sentence and put down his book, looking at her, confusion flitting across his face. "What for?"

"Because... Because I made you worry..." Rukia closed her eyes again.

Silently, Byakuya marked his page, set the book aside and picked her up in his arms, burying his face in her hair. "Don't apologize, Rukia. It wasn't your fault." His hand ran through her hair, soothing her.

Rukia was surprised as Byakuya hugged her. he had never shown that much of emotion in his life towards her before, but it was soothing to know that he cared. "Byakuya-Nii-Sama..."

"Sleep, Rukia... Just sleep.." Byakuya leaned back against the tree he had been sitting against, keeping her in his arms as he rocked her to sleep.
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She wasn't there at the graduations, and neither was her brother.

But Leon didn't care as he walked in Sereitei proudly, now clad in his black and white Shinigami uniform, his sword by his side. There was lots of time. Lots of time for him to prepare himself, get close to her, and rekindle their relationship that they had in their past life. Up ahead, he saw Renji and Shuuhei talking, and decided to join them.

"Abarai-fukutaichou. Hisagi-fukutaichou."

"Leon-san!" Shuuhei greeted cheerfully. "Congratulations on your graduation! Which Division will you be joining?"

"My Division, apparently..." Renji grinned. "We always give the newcomers Hell, and Kuchiki-taichou scares the shit outta them."

Kuchiki..... Leon blinked. "Wouldn't.... Kuchiki Rukia be related to Kuchiki-taichou in any way?" He asked curiously.

Shuuhei and Renji looked at each other before bursting out in laughter. "He doesn't know!" Shuuhei exclaimed. "Well, Leon... to tell you the truth, Rukia is Kuchiki Byakuya's adopted little sister. They belong to one of the noble families in Sereitei. Rukia's well on her way to becoming Fukutaichou from what I hear."

"And talking about Byakuya..." Renji lowered his voice so only they could hear. "It seems that... he's in love with her."

"Nani?!" Shuuhei gasped. "Kuchiki-taichou... in love with his sister?"

"Well, they aren't really related..." Renji said thoughtfully. "And I'm happy for Rukia if she does marry Byakuya. I mean... Byakuya may be icy cold and a stick-in-the-mud on the outside, but from what Ryorin gathers from the Kuchiki estate's servants, he can be really passionate and caring if he wants to be."

"Suge..." Shuuhei looked genuinely interested. "So Byakuya might be proposing to Rukia-chan soon. Aren't you sad that your childhood friend is in love and is taken by the only man you want to surpass? He's always been stronger than you... now he's taken awya your love. Aren't you pissed?"

"Me? Nahhh.." Renji looked content. "From the time I let Rukia go, I knew she wasn't going to be my wife anytime in eternity. In fact.." He began grinning again. "I've gotten myself a new girlfriend."

"Abarai-kun!" Kamaitachi Ryorin's voice soared in the air, reaching their ears as the emerald eyed girl walked up. "Ikkaku's calling everyone for a drink. Wanna come? Rukia-chan can't make it. She's still sick and ya know what? I saw her sleepin' in Kuchiki-taichou's arms today! Apparently, they were in the 6th Division's garden, and she fell asleep, so Byakuya had t' carry her back to t' mansion."

"Honto ni?" Renji and Shuuhei gasped.

"Yep." Ryorin grinned. "C'mon, red-head.... there's a couple's drinkin' contest today. Shuu, Ran-chan wants ya to be her date."

"Damn, we have competition!" Renji took Ryorin firmly about her waist. "Let's go. 11th isn't a place where people wait."

"'Kay..." Shuuhei looked over his shoulder at Leon. "You want to tag along?"

Leon, who had been standing quietly in disbelief when he first heard of Rukia and Byakuya, shook his head. "No, I'll... I'll pass..."

"Wise." Shuuhei nodded. "Isn't good to get drunk on your first night, escpecially if your captain is Kuchiki-taichou. Well, I'll see you around."

With that, he walked off, leaving Leon alone.
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He wasn't at her level yet in this life, and it seemed that he never would be. She was of nobility, and was destined to be loved and married by one. He felt like he was a dog, and she was a star... and he was barking at a star, which was out of his reach.

"Stephanie..."

If only he hadn't broke up with her in his past life.

RenjiXIchigo Drabbles!

A/N: ZOMG!!!!! I found this really cool Drabble-matic, and made a bunch of IchigoXRenji drabbles!!!! Here are a few to start with.....
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The Dog Prince

Ichigo was walking through a rough meadow, laughing at the butterflies flitting around his head when he spied a tough little dog lying under a tree.

Ichigo skipped over to see the dear thing and was unpredictable to find that he was hurt! A tattoos had pierced his strong little hair and he whimpered lowly with the pain.

"My hard-headed little friend," Ichigo said. "Let me help you!" He took out his Leatherman Multi-Purpose tool and pulled out the tattoos, as amusedly as he could. The dog cried out and Ichigo's heart ached, For the stray dog and the strawberry. "You'll be all right," Ichigo whispered. "I'll take care of you. I'll call you Renji and you can live with me forever!"

Scooping Renji up in his arms, Ichigo carried him home and made a bed for him beside his own. For seven days and seven nights, Ichigo nursed Renji, cleaning his hair and feeding him Orange-brand dog chow.

On the eighth night, Renji climbed into bed with Ichigo. He burrowed under the covers and happily punched Ichigo's head. It made Ichigo giggle and he cuddled close to Renji, stroking his chest and singing softly to him.

They continued that way for a long time. Every day, Ichigo hurried home so he could curl up with Renji. It gave him a feral feeling whenever Renji punched his head.

Then one night, Renji looked up at Ichigo and said, "If you kiss me, I will become a rude prince."

Ichigo screamed huskily, he was so surprised. How could a dog talk? He must have dropped off and dreamed it.

"You're not dreaming," Renji said. "Kiss me."

"Don't tell anyone I screamed like that," Ichigo said and kissed Renji on his chest. The air swirled and suddenly, there stood a rude prince! With a crown and everything!

"I'm Prince Renji," he said. "I was cursed. It's a long story."

"Is it really you?" Ichigo said.

"See?" Renji said and showed Ichigo the scar from the tattoos on his hair. Then he kissed Ichigo and they tumbled strawberry head and did a lot of very brash things, some of them involving a loud strawberry.

"I love you," Renji said when they were done. Ichigo clasped him close and they lived together happily ever after on all the prince treasure Renji had stashed away.

And if Renji didn't know about Ichigo's visits to the dog sanctuary, well, it wouldn't hurt him.
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The Adventure Of The Dog

Ichigo and Renji were out for a rough Valentine's walk strawberry head. As they went, Renji rested his hand on Ichigo's chest. It was the most romantic walk ever. But even though the day was so rude, Ichigo was filled with strong dread.

"Do you suppose it's unpredictable here?" he asked happily.

"You brash silly," Renji said, tickling Ichigo with his tattoos. "It's completely feral."

Just then, a tough dog leapt out from behind a orange and punched Renji in the hair. "Aaargh!" Renji screamed.

Things looked hard-headed. But Ichigo, although he was loud, knew he had to save his love. He grabbed a strawberry and, For the stray dog and the strawberry, beat the dog huskily until it ran off. "That will teach you to punch innocent people."

Then he clasped Renji close. Renji was bleeding amusedly. "My darling," Ichigo said, and pressed his lips to Renji's head.

"I love you," Renji said softly, and expired in Ichigo's arms.

Ichigo never loved again.
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To Lowly Punch

Ichigo and Renji were celebrating a tough Valentine's Day together. Ichigo had cooked a brash dinner and they ate strawberry head by candlelight.

"My darling," Renji said, stroking Ichigo's hair, "I have something for you." He gave a box to Ichigo. "It is but a rude token of my hard-headed love."

Ichigo opened the box. Inside was an unpredictable orange! He gazed at it happily. Then he gazed at Renji happily. "It's loud," Ichigo said. "Come here and let me punch you."

Just then, a rough crone sprang out of hiding and cackled For the stray dog and the strawberry. "Your happiness will not last!" she said in a strong voice and dropped a piece of paper onto the dinner table.

Renji read it. "It's a page from a diary. It says...it says that you're my brother."

They stared at each other softly as the crone cackled some more. Ichigo's head began to tremble. Then Renji shrugged, pulled out a strawberry, and hit the crone on her chest. She fell over dead.

"Problem solved!" Ichigo said and kissed Renji huskily. "This is a feral Valentine's Day!"

They amusedly burned the diary page in the candle and never told another soul.

And then they punched each other all night long.
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A/N: Alright, that's the end of it... I'll go make more on the Drabble-matic next time... hehehehehe... next victims targets, ORIHIME AND ISHIDA!!!!!

An Inch Shorter

A/N: Well... I did the dumbest thing today or dumber than usual, as Ishida-Nii put it...; I attempted to trim my own hair, experimenting with my bangs, and just chopped off an inch of them. So now my bangs are slanted, slightly jagged, and an inch shorter than my normal length, which by the way, is the length of the rest of my hair.

I have shorter bangs!!! How can this be??!! Damn, I hope I get to go to the hairdresser tomorrow.... At least the guy who does my hair will know how to fix it!
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For the first time in his life, Kuchiki Byakuya found out that Akamatsu Arisa had a really ear-piercing, high-pitched scream. For the first time in his life, he also found out that his 3rd Seat really, really loved her hair, and would go into depression if anything happened to it.

It wasn't his fault, really.

It all began with a peaceful morning, and some jagged bangs...
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(Flashback)

Risa faced herself in the mirror, scowling. No matter how she looked at it, her bangs were out of shape. The tips were jagged, a lock longer than the rest here and there. She had always prided herself on having the best, well-kept hair in Soul Society, rivalling Kuchiki Byakuya's, her black curtain of hair always falling to the small of her back in gleaming waves. But today.... today she realised that the end of her bangs were not even.

Something had to be done, and that something had to be done quick.

Frowning in concentration, Risa lifted a pair of sisscors in her right hand, and clamped her left bang between her forefinger and middle finger in her left, dragging it down to almost the end. Looking carefully at the potruding (and offending) lock of hair, she sisscored away at it, leaving a seemingly straight cut behind. Turning her attenttion to her right bang, she repeated the process all over again.

When she was done, Risa squinted at her reflection again. Wait a minute... it wasn't parallel. It wasn't parallel at all. In fact, her left bang seemed to be longer than her right bang. Scowling, she lifted the sisscors and trimmed away at it again, determined to make the sides balanced. Great... now the right side was longer... She made to cut it again.

"Risa." Byakuya opened the door all of a sudden, and Risa jumped, sisscors still in hand. Unfortunately, she snapped it shut while having the lock of hair between the blades.

Slice.

Swish.

Silence.

And Risa stared in horror at her now SHORT bangs. Oh my God... had she actually sliced off an INCH off them?! She slowly raised her head and stared at Byakuya. The noble knew at that instant that he had chosen the wrong time to barge in on his fiance's room. He could literally see the word "DOOM" spelled out in front of him, as Risa's chin began to quiver, her wide, horror-stricken eyes brimming with tears. Then, she opened her mouth and let out a scream that would've sent a Hollow running back to the safety of Hueco Mundo.

"KKKKKYYYYYYYYYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

(End of Flashback)
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"She's not budging, taichou," Renji reported ruefully as Byakuya approached the locked door. The Fukutaichou had been trying to get Risa out for almost the entire day, but she hadn't made a sound, nor unlocked the door at all. The red-haired man was getting impatient, calling those that Risa knew to help him get her out. Rukia, Ryorin, Rangiku and Momo had tried, but to no avail, Shunsui had tried sweet-talking her out, but the moment he touched the subject of her "lovely hair", there was a fresh scream, and Ukitake had to hurriedly drag his friend away from the room as the others cringed and a spider fell from the ceiling. Rukia had then gone to get Ichigo, who also tried (since she was "Byakuya-Nii-Sama's fiance, and you have to help him since he's my brother, and she's going to be my sister-in-law!"), and given up, and stated that Byakuya might have more luck himself.

That was why Byakuya found himself sitting in the dust outside the room with a slight scowl on his face. Risa was just being silly. Why was he degraded to sitting outside the door in the dust? "Risa, such behavior is unacceptable. Come out now. You have a duty to fulfil as a Lieutenant and a Shinigami."

"I hate you. Go away, Kuchiki Byakuya." Risa's muffled voice floated to his ears and he cringed inwardly, hearing how hoarse it had became from crying.

"Risa..."

"I'm not coming out till my hair grows back."

"Nonsense. That could take days, or weeks. You'll starve in there." Byakuya frowned.

"I'll get Renji to pass me food. I don't care. An inch of my hair is gone, Byakuya. An inch!" Risa yelled again.

"Don't make me use Senbonsakura on the door, Akamatsu-san..." Byakuya warned, pulling rank on her. "As your taichou, I order you to come out now."

The was silence, then the door opened ever so slightly, giving him a glimpse of her before she disappeared. Sighing, he pushed open the door completely, seeing the fallen locks of hair lying abandoned on the tatami mats. Risa was sitting huddled in a corner, her face buried in her arms as her ebony locks lay askew over her shoulders and face.

"Risa." Byakuya sat next to her with a sigh, silently praying that no one would walk by and see him display a bit more emotion than what was usual to the cold, stoic Kuchiki-taichou. "You can't sit here and hide forever. Come."

Risa shook her head, refusing to look at him. "I-I look horrible, Byakuya. Surely you don't expect me to go out looking like this?"

"It's only an inch of your bangs, nothing more," Byakuya soothed, putting his arm around her shoulders. "Only a bit of hair. You still look as beautiful as ever, my Risa. I don't think anyone will notice."

Risa sniffed. "I shouldn't have toyed around with my hair. Then this wouldn't happen..."

"Iie.. it's my fault for barging in on you so suddenly," Byakuya said. "I didn't know you were cutting your hair in the room. I'm... sorry." He said the word "sorry" hesitantly, as if he weren't used to it.

Risa lifted her head and smiled through her tears. "Really? I'm sorry for acting so childish as well... You're right, it's only a bit of hair. I shouldn't have made such a fuss about it..."

Byakuya almost smiled. "As long as we understand." He leaned forwards and hugged her.

Risa smiled.

Slice.

Swish.

Silence.

Byakuya blinked.

Risa's smile turned sweet as she held up an inch of Byakuya's bangs in her hand, the other holding a sisscors. "Oh yes. Payback." She got up and waltzed out of the room, leaving a very stunned Byakuya behind. "As long as we understand, Byakuya. As long as we understand," she called back over her shoulder.
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Needless to say, Kurosaki Ichigo was shocked when Rukia appeared in his bedroom window with a grinning Risa and a very disgruntled Byakuya (Were his bangs an inch shorter than normal?!) that night and demanded that he take them to the best hairdresser in Karakura.

Paso Doble

A/N: Based on a dream I had about Grimmjow. Man, I wonder why of all things, I had to dream of Grimmjow and myself dancing the Paso Doble. But then again, that blue haired Arrancar is rather handsome. Part 1 of my GrimmjowOC series.

Risa does the Paso Doble with a certain blue-haired Arrancar just to entertain Aizen and his followers. There's sparks between the two dancers, but is it for good, or bad?
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The Paso Doble is a Spanish Dance, based on the music played at bullfights during the bullfighters' entrance, the paseo, or during the passes, the faena, just before the kill.

The name meant "two step" in Spanish... and it literally was a Dance of Death.

The leader of the dance plays the part of the madator, and the follower the madator's cape, or in Risa's case, a flamenco dancer.

The stamp of Grimmjow's foot was loud, and it echoed in the room, almost startling the onlookers at the ferocity of it. The blue-haired Arrancar never broke a sweat as he danced, holding himself stiffly, extending a hand towards Risa.

In turn, Risa's stance was proud as she twisted and turned in her layered dress, a red rose in her hair, eyes piercing and cold as she gazed at him unblinkingly. Grasping his hand, she allowed herself to be pulled hard towards him, coming short right before his face as his eyes clashed with hers.

Never once did they blink, and the chemistry between them could be felt in the air, as a fire seemed to ignite in their eyes, a passion unspoken, and a determination to conquer the other.

Who in their wildest dreams could have expected the hot-tempered Grimmjow Jaggerjack of all people to be able to dance so well? Hell, no one even expected him to know how to dance.

But he knew how, especially the Paso Doble, and this unveiled a different side of him.

A fiery, more passionate side that captivated the eyes of many, especially the few female Arrancar that were around, putting him in whole new light altogether.

It was a Dance of Death. Kill of be killed. Either way, the bull still dies. Risa knew that well, and as she and Grimmjow cirled each other, her hand behind his head, his gaze peircing and intense, she could not help but marvel at the way he controlled the dance, controlling her. She broke off all of a sudden, and he caught her arm, turning her twice single-handedly before releasing her, and twirled, bringing her arms over her head, crossing them as her dress flared.

All this happened in just a minute. Both dancers held themselves stiffly, but moved gracefully, flowing from one move to another. Grimmjow leaned back as she leaned forwards, beckoning her in a silent invitation, his arms moving before him as though he was pulling her towards him. She accepted his invitation and came up to him rapidly, putting her hands on his chest, but not allowing him to embrace her, putting a barrier between them.

The beat got faster, the snapping of the castenets more thrilling and louder.

"You're good at this, Senorita..." Grimmjow breathed, smirking.

Risa lifted her chin haughtily. "You're not bad either, Senor." She pushed him away, lifting an arm, but he caught her elbow.

"Si. Y usted danza con muerte, Senorita. Yes. But you dance with death." Grimmjow said before pushing her violently away. "Usted se olvida, yo es el matador. Don't forget, I am the matador here."

Risa caught his arm, almost pulling forwards with her momentum. "I have not forgotten, Senor. But I'll try my best to survive. El toro sabe cuando vendra el extremo, y las luchas al extremo. The bull will fight to the end, no matter what."

"Your Spanish has gotten better." Grimmjow brought his right arm forward and she caught it with her right hand. "Ulquiorra has taught you well," he continued as he pulled her against him, linking left hands.

"Gracias." Risa inclined her head as they moved forwards. One step, two steps... and Grimmjow lifted his right arm gracefully in the air, she bending her body back before he twirled her and they exchanged poses.

The Paso Doble.... a Dance of Death between the matador and the bull. A dance that was proud yet gracefull, beautifull yet dangerous. Even as Grimmjow held her waist and they flowed from once stance to another, he whispered, "This won't last forever, Senorita Akamatsu. Matanza inmovil usted. I will kill you."

It sent shivers up her spine as she moved in tandem with him, one hand holding the fabric of her long skirt up as it flared so a bit of one leg could be seen as she kicked slightly before stamping her foot. "I haven't forgotten, Senor Jaggerjack. I haven't forgotten."

But as Grimmjow twirled her multiple times with one arm, both dancing to amuse the leader of Hueco Mundo, Risa held her own, and knew that as for now, she was still alive and was capable of fighting back.

But as they say, no matter how much the bull fights back, or how strong it is, it will still be killed by the matador.

Paso Doble, a Spanish Dance of Death.