Byakuya Kuchiki would dream about the blue haired girl from his childhood every once in a while. The one person that gave him even more trouble than that damned Yoruichi Shihouin. He had not seen her in decades, but she still lingered in her thoughts. He did consider her a friend, a good friend as a matter of fact, but no romance ever developed between them. Hisana had been the recipient of his affections and she had been engaged to a male of the Shihouin clan. Yet and still, the girl would come to his dreams; sometimes as his playmate, sometimes as a grown woman. This night was no different.
* * *
"Stay still Byakuya. Let me finish combing out these tangles." Byakuya pouted.
"Why do I have to sit here for this? I like my hair like it was."
"Well, be that as it may, your hair is not presentable for the company that you are having today. As a member of the Kuchiki clan, you want to look your best whenever a noble comes to visit you."
"But I thought that the Hidaka clan wasn't as highly ranked as we are."
"That's true, they aren't."
"So why do I have to look nice for them? Shouldn't they look nice for me?" Byakuya's mother swatted him on the arm. "Ow!" Byakuya grabbed his arm where he had been hit.
"Regardless of the rank, they are still nobility. We are supposed to look and behave our best whenever any noble family comes to visit. You remember that." The young boy sighed deeply.
"Yes ma'am."
"Besides, the Hidaka clan isn't that much below us. They have the same ranking as the Kasumi-Ooji clan and the Ito clan." His mother stepped back when she had finished doing his long, black hair. "There. All finished. Now go get dressed. They will be here shortly."
"Hai haha." Byakuya climbed out of his mother's lap and left the room.
* * *
"Oh there you are, Byakuya. I've been looking all over for you." Sojun Kuchiki asked his son as Byakuya walked out the front door. "Where have you been?"
"Mother was combing my hair and she told me to get dressed. She said I had to look nice for when the Hidaka clan stopped by."
"Your mother is right. Come here, let me see you." Byakuya obeyed, walked over and stood in front of his father. Sojun gave him a good look over, straightened his haori and nodded his head in approval. "Very good. You look nice son. Very handsome, just like your father." Sojun chuckled as he playfully hit his son in the forearm. Byakuya giggled as he took a seat beside his father on the patio.
"What is this boy like, father? Why do you want me to play with him?" Sojun looked down at his son and smiled.
"Well, her name is Sayori and she is a very sweet girl. She is friendly and she has impeccable manners, something that hopefully, will rub off on you."
"Chichiiii!" The elder Kuchiki laughed.
"I'm sorry son. I'm only kidding. But yes, Sayori has good manners and she is very pretty as well. Her father is the captain of Squad Five. He and your Grandfather suggested the ideal of a play date to me, and your mother and I agreed. I think you'll really like her son." Byakuya crinkled his nose at the ideal of having a play date with a girl. His wasn't really fond of them, since he always had to be on his best behavior around them. Plus, they didn't enjoy the same games as boys did. All they wanted to do was play tea or house or with their dolls.
"I don't really like playing with girls, chichi." Sojun chuckled, patting the child's head.
"Just give her a chance, musuko. I'm sure you two will get along quite fine." He gave Byakuya a reassuring smile, but it did nothing to settle his doubts. Sojun turned his head, hearing the sound of feet scrunching against the graveled pathway leading up to the Kuchiki manor. The Squad Six lieutenant smiled as he rose to his feet, seeing the current head of the Hidaka clan, Yoshimitsu, and his second child, Sayori, walk up the pathway. Sojun grabbed Byakuya by the arm and pulled him to his feet as well. Byakuya stared at the visitors as they came closer to the manor. He immediately realized that his mother was right. Even though the Hidaka clan was of lesser status, one could immediately tell that they were still highly esteemed nobility. Both the father and daughter carried themselves with a tremendous amount of confidence and pride. He also could tell that Yoshimitsu was of considerable power. He stared in awe of the Court Guard Squad captain; a position that he dreamed of holding one day. Yoshimitsu was quite tall, hovering around 6'3''. He had an athletic build, being neither too small nor too large. His long black hair was tied into a high ponytail and his cerulean eyes gleamed in the sunlight. He had a huge smile plastered on his mocha colored face that was covered in a black goatee. The man looked like he was harmless with that smile, but Byakuya knew better.
"Sojun! My man, how are you doing today?" Yoshimitsu greeted his comrade with a high-five/handshake. Sojun smiled as he gave him a brotherly hug.
"I am just fine, Yoshi. How are you?"
"Oh you know me. Can't complain. Sorry Sayori and I are late. I had to check on the missus before we left the manor. Had to make sure that she was alright."
"Oh? How is Yume doing?"
"Good. Real good. She's eight months. Won't be long now, ha ha."
"Well, congratulations. I think Lady Kuchiki and I are finished in that area." Both men laughed. Sojun turned his attention to the young girl holding firmly to her father's hand. He smiled warmly as he squatted in order to meet her at eye level. "And how are you doing Sayori?" Sayori nodded her head.
"I'm fine Kuchiki-dono," she said, bowing. Sojun smiled, patting her cheek.
"That's good. Hey, I have someone I want you to meet." He extended his hand, motioning for Byakuya to come stand beside him. Byakuya reluctantly obeyed and came. Sojun wrapped an arm around his shoulders and brought him in closer. "This is my son, Byakuya. Byakuya, this is Sayori Hidaka."
"Hey," Byakuya said. Sojun discreetly pinched him on the arm. "Uh . . . I mean – nice to meet you." He bowed, taking his father's warning in.
"Nice to meet you too, Kuchiki-sama," the girl replied, bowing as well. Byakuya stared at her for a few moments, trying to see if what his father told him earlier about her was indeed true. The girl was a little on the tall side, taller than him at least and thin. She had the same brown skin tone and almond-shaped, cerulean eyes as her father, but her hair was this rare blackish-royal blue color. That's odd. She was dressed in a nice, pink kimono with white and yellow flowered printing. Her hair was decorated with pink and white hair ornaments. He had to agree with his father. The girl was pretty, but that still did not change the fact that she was probably a dull playmate.
"I'm glad that you two finally got to meet each other," Yoshimitsu said to Byakuya with another bright, white smile. "I have heard many, great things about you, Byakuya. Hopefully you kids will have a good time."
"Byakuya, take Sayori to your room or in the backyard and show her around the manor. Yoshimitsu and I are about to attend a meeting with the Head Captain. I better not hear of any misbehavior from you when I return."
"You either, Sayo. Be good for the Kuchikis."
"Yes Sir," both children replied. Both men waved goodbye to their children and started up the pathway. Sayori stood quietly and rocked back and forth on her heels for a few moments, waiting for Byakuya to direct her.
"Come on," he finally said, motioning with his hand. Sayori nodded and followed Byakuya down the hall to his bedroom. Sayori smiled to herself as she inhaled the scent that lingered in the air of his room. The sweet smell of cherry blossoms. She stood by a wall, getting a good look in the room while Byakuya rummaged around in his toy chest. His room was a little bigger than hers and cleaner than expected. Even though he was a member of one of the four great clans, she still expected his room to be a sty, like her older brothers. After all, that's how boys are, right? After a couple of minutes, Byakuya found what he was looking for; a red rubber ball. He bounced it a few times for good measure and stared at Sayori. "Do you know how to play dodge ball?" Sayori's face lit up. She nodded her head. Byakuya was a little surprised. He had expected her to say no. "Good, cause that's what we're gonna play. You might get a little dirty you know."
"I know."
"You won't get in trouble if you do?"
"I don't know. Probably not."
"Okay. If you say so. Come on." He walked passed her and out of the room, leading her to the backyard.
* * *
"Okay, line up against that wall over there," Byakuya instructed, pointing to the brick wall that surrounded the hind parts of the Kuchiki grounds. Sayori nodded her head and jogged over to the wall. She stood straight, back firmly pressed against the bricks. "You ready?"
"Yes!" As soon as she said it, Byakuya let the red ball fly out of his grip, aiming for her head. Sayori gasped as she ducked. The ball bounced back and Byakuya immediately threw it again. Sayori barely missed it this time, jumping to the right to avoid the hit. The ball bounced back again and on the third throw, Byakuya nailed her in the left thigh. "Ow! That hurt!" Sayori said with a slight whine and a little anger.
"It's supposed to hurt. It's dodge ball. But you can go play tea with my mother if you want to," he teased. Sayori narrowed her eyes briefly, slightly insulted.
"No. I said I want to play this game. My turn."
"No. We go to five, then we switch." Byakuya let the red ball fly out and hit Sayori in the left arm, this hit being a little harder than the last.
"Ouch!" she grimaced, grabbing her arm. He ignored her and threw it again. He missed. He threw it four more times, missing each one, but connecting on the fifth. He got her in the head. A several throws later he hit her in the head again, knocking an ornament from her hair. The last hit was right after, landing right in the middle of her stomach. "Ow!" She doubled over and grabbed where she had been hit. She looked up at Byakuya, who had a smirk on his face. It was clear that he was messing with her, obviously not wanting her as a playmate. He thought she would give up and ask to go home, or beg to play a more girl friendly game, or leave him alone for the rest of the day to go play with one of the servant girls until her father returned. Little did he know that Sayori was a little on the tomboyish side. Sure, the Hidaka princess did enjoy playing dress up and with dolls, but she also liked to play kickball and wrestle.
She slowly stood back up, and looked Byakuya dead in the eye. "My turn." Byakuya continued to smirk as he threw the ball to her and switched positions. "Ready?"
"Yeah!" This should be easy. Sayori smiled widely.
"Good." The girl wound up and launched the ball at the Kuchiki prince. Byakuya barely missed. He turned from the grass he was currently kneeling in and stared wide eyed at the mocha toned girl. He smile had gone and a look of pure concentration was in her eyes. "You got lucky." Her voice was cold. Serious. He narrowed his eyes as he sprung to his feet, now a little angry.
"I didn't get lucky. You got lucky!"
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah!"
"Okay!" Sayori threw the ball again, with more speed and more force. It connected with Byakuya's right rib. Byakuya cried out as he grabbed his side.
"Damn!"
"Oooo! You said a naughty word. You're not supposed to say things like that."
"Shut up! I can say what I want, it's my house!" Sayori narrowed her eyes at the boy and grinded her teeth together. The atmosphere of their play date was quickly going downhill.
"Fine then! Heads up!" The ball came flying with even more speed and force, landing on the side of his face. The next throw connected as well, smacking him on the lower part of his back. She missed several of the subsequent throws but finally hit him for the fifth time when the ball landed on his other cheek. Byakuya fell to the ground from the force. Sayori felt a little guilty for being rough with him as he lay in the grass, holding onto his cheek. She dropped the ball and ran over to the wall. She knelt beside him. "Are you okay?" She reached out to touch his face, but he swatted her arm away.
"Don't touch me!" he growled at her.
"I was just trying to see if you were okay."
"I don't care. I said don't touch me!" He climbed to his knees and gave her a hard push. Sayori gasped, as she fell backward, landing hard on her rear. Byakuya glared at her and she returned the favor. "I'm not hurt! No way a girl can hurt me!"
"You're lying! You know I hurt you! You were crawling on the ground!"
"I was not!"
"Yeah you were!"
"Were not!"
"Were too!"
"Were not!"
"Were too!"
"Shut up!"
"No, you shut up!"
"No, you!" Byakuya reached out and punched her in the arm. He continued to glare at her as she grimaced, grabbing her arm in pain. She bit her lip.
"Why did you do that?"
"Because you won't shut up!" He hit her again on the side of the thigh.
"Stop it!"
"No!" He hit her again in the same place on her thigh. He smiled briefly, seeing her grimace again, but the smile was soon completely wiped of his face as she reacted. Sayori released a small battle cry as she launched at Byakuya, tackling him to his back. She climbed on top of him and slapped him in his face before punching him on the other side.
"I told you to stop!" she said while slapping him again. Byakuya growled.
"Get off me!"
"No!"
"I said, get off!"
"No, stupid!" He grabbed her by the arm when she tried to hit him again and used all his strength to roll them over until he had the dominant position again. He pushed her head in the dirt, knocking even more ornaments from her hair until her head was completely naked. Sayori fought back intensely, eventually gaining the upper hand. She was able to roll them over so she was on top again. "You are a mean, stupid boy, Byakuya!"
"Not I'm not! You are mean and stupid!"
"Only a stupid person would say that! I'm a smart girl!"
"No you're not!"
"How do you know? You're stupid!"
"Shut up, Sayori!" The two continued to wrestle in the dirt and grass for quite some time, each one dirtying up their fine clothing. However, neither Byakuya or Sayori cared at the moment. Their only concern was defeating the other. It had to have been a good ten or fifteen minutes before anyone came to break up the fight. Unfortunately for them, it was their fathers.
"What th – what the hell! Byakuya!" Sojun shumpoed to the very back of the backyard where the two children continued to fight. Yoshimitsu followed. Sojun angrily grabbed his son by the collar and pulled him away from the girl. However, Yoshimitsu had to pull Sayori off of him first.
"Sayori! What has gotten into you, girl!" the Squad Five captain scolded. Sayori huffed, trying to catch her breath, as she glared at her playmate. She pointed at him.
"He started it!"
"I did not!"
"Yes you did!"
"No I didn't stupid!"
"You're stupid!"
"No, you!"
"Hey, hey hey! Enough of that!" Sojun said, voice full of anger. "Byakuya, you know better than to call people names."
"And you do too Sayori. You know better." Sayori lowered her head, continuing to huff with anger and now, shame.
"I wanna go home," she said in a low quiet, voice.
"GOOD!"
"Quiet!" Byakuya groaned as his father swatted him on his already sore arm. Yoshimitsu sighed deeply. He grabbed his daughter by the hand.
"Alright. We'll go home. But you know you're in big trouble, right?" She nodded her head. Yoshimitsu sighed again. He turned to his comrade.
"I apologize for my daughter's behavior, Sojun." Sojun lifted his hand.
"No need to. I apologize for Byakuya's actions. Trust me – " he turned to look at his son, "it will not happen again." Byakuya gulped, seeing the anger in his father's eyes. Uh oh. Oh no.
"Maybe some other time? After they've both calmed down?"
"Yes. We'd love to have Sayori over again." The Hidaka clan leader nodded his head. He placed his hand on Sayori's back, leading her past the two hosts and back inside of the Kuchiki manor. Sojun squatted in order to be at eye level with his only child. "You crossed the line musuko. You know not to fight with anyone, much less a girl, much less a girl that's nobility. Have you gone insane son? Have you?"
"But chichi, she was – "
"Ah ah. I don't want to hear it Byakuya Kuchiki. I want you to go inside that house, clean up and get ready for dinner. Your mother and I will deal with you later." He hung his head.
"Hai, chichi."
"And you better believe that your grandfather well be hearing about this." Byakuya immediately lifted his head. He looked at his father with pleading eyes. Sojun shook his head. He pointed in the direction of the manor, warning his son not to protest. Byakuya sighed and walked defeated toward the manor. Sojun had to hold back an amused chuckle noticing how his confident and prideful son had suddenly gained a sense of humility.
I hate Sayori. I really do.
* * *
Byakuya sat up in bed, stirred from his dreams. He looked groggily around his dark bedroom, trying to regain a sense of reality. That had been the third time in a week that he had seen her in his dreams. It was not unusual for him to see her but it was very unusual for him to see her that frequently. He could not help but wonder what the dreams were trying to tell him, if they were trying to tell him anything at all. He sighed and rubbed a hand over his face before turning to look out the window. Dawn. It would be a few hours before he was to go to work. He decided to go in early. Work would surely take his mind off the dreams. At least, he hoped so.
A/N: Wooo! Chapter one is finished. Hope you enjoyed it so far. Sorry for the typos -_-
