scnkei

[scnkei]

Seireitei Smashability Showdown: Round 3, Match 240

[scnkei]

He'd learned. Of course he had. If he didn't improve, he would be left behind. He moved forward, yet he never forgot the wisdom of the past.

He remembered that Renji did not like gifts. Perhaps he'd gotten more accustomed to them by now. Still, Byakuya remembered the look on his face. How he'd touched the yukata with awe, and never worn it, thinking it was only for special occasions. Renji had a completely different view on spending money, which was a given. Byakuya saw value in what was considered luxurious. He had the feeling Renji saw it as a waste of money.

Therefore, this time, he wasn't going to gift him with an expensive item. There would be no wrapped gift for him on his birthday. Instead, he was going to give Renji something he would ( HOPEFULLY ) like.

❝ Happy Birthday. ❞ Byakuya told him, softly. Quietly. It was early morning. He could've arranged for his Fukutaichou to be allowed do sleep in on his birthday, but - he had someplace he had to take him, and ( childishly ) he was too excited about it to postpone it long enough for Renji to have a lazy morning.

❝ I have a gift for you, but I don't have it here. You must come with me. ❞ He knew Renji wouldn't mind. On the contrary, he would be thrilled to go somewhere with Byakya that wasn't the office. They would go after breakfast.

Perhaps Renji could guess what the gift was. Byakuya had never seen the value of surprises, so this didn't matter to him. The direction where he led him probably made it obvious where they were going.

It had been a while since they'd been at the orphanage. Even so, it had not suffered in their absence. Byakuya had made sure of that. He'd expanded, and invested. The building was bigger. There was a library, and a garden with a newly planted orchard that was now showing the earliest signs of autumn colours. Byakuya was pleased to see that everything he'd left instructions about had been completed.

What he was the most excited to see was what would be Renji's birthday gift, and something Byakuya had worked on together with the woman he'd hired to be in charge of the orphanage. Together, the two of them had made a system for adoption. As it turned out, there were many who desired a family in Soul Society. Even those who didn't have much - they still wanted to complete their household with children. Of course, without reiatsu, it was impossible for a child to be born. The only option left was adoption. Couples from all over Soul Society could come here now, and bring a child into their care. This way the orphanage wasn't the final destination for children. They could have more. They could have a life. Byakuya hoped Renji would approve. It had been a lot of work to get it all up and running, to ensure the children were placed in good homes, and to even make people aware of the option to adopt.

/ @monkifuraibo .

[scnkei]

Why do you love Hisana as strongly as you do? What do you see that others do not ?

❝ I do not need to justify my love for Hisana to you or anyone else. ❞ Came his COLD reply. He'd been asked this so many times. "Why her?" - WHY HER? "You could do better" , "She is not worthy of you". Had it not been against the law, he might've been tempted to wield Senbonzakura against such people.

He ESPECIALLY hated the phrase: What do you see in her.

A phrase filled with judgement towards Hisana. The fact that people failed to see her value was not a reflection of her, but simply proof of BLINDNESS by others.

To him, she was everything.

From the moment he saw her - or, actually - from the moment he felt her reiatsu, he had been drawn to her. A red string between them, he was certain. A pull. Like gravity, only stronger ( for gravity, he could resist - but not her ). He had buried his emotion when he came of age, but she had lit them again. He'd come alive. Alive for her.

To him, she was pure. Not because she had never made mistakes, but because in her heart lived nothing but innocence. She'd lived a life of hardship, and yet she looked at him, who'd been given EVERYTHING, with love. Resentment was absent from her soul, despite how she had every reason to be tarnished by that feeling. Her purity, her kindness, her warmth, her gentleness... It was a beauty that radiated to him like a lighthouse in the dark. She truly was the most beautiful soul that had ever existed, or would ever exist.

[scnkei]

Byakuya shouldn't be working right now. It's far past their working hours. They've already retired to his captain's estate and are sharing the relative quiet of his study. But.. that doesn't mean that Byakuya should still be worrying himself over division matters. It is relaxation time. And Renji is making it a point to become a distraction.

He's made himself at home on a zabuton near Byakuya's desk. Initially, he was reading, but he'd noted his captain's diligence and.. seemingly growing frustration (?). So now, he gently reached out, took Byakuya's hand and put aside the brush he'd been holding. That delicate hand was brought to his lips, a kiss pressed to each individual finger, then the inside of his wrist. He shifts, and turns Byakuya's chair in order to comfortably slide between his thighs, still kissing along that beloved arm. Soon, though, he is leaning forward, and buries and nuzzles his face into the layers of fabric against Byakuya's belly with a soft, appreciative hum.

"Almost time for bed," he argues "time ta stop workin'"

The page would soon be filled with his beautiful handwriting. Diligently and without rushing, he wrote, knowing full well that it was getting late. Renji's presence in the room alone was a distraction. Not that the other had said anything, but Byakuya could not help but feel a certain expectation coming from him. That the two of them were supposed to spend time together. Byakuya had work to do and - unfortunately for Renji - he tended to prioritize that above all else.

When Renji reached for him, Byakuya made no attempt to swat his hand away or escape the soft hold. The brush was gently taken away from him, and his hand brought to Renji's mouth. Lovingly, the other kissed his fingers. Byakuya let him. It was always difficult - almost impossible - to pull away from Renji's touches. That's how much he craved them. Each finger was graced by Renji's lips, and then his wrist. Byakuya's pulse quickened ever so slightly. He loved feeling the warmth of him. More kisses followed. This was clearly Renji stating that this was enough work for one day.

His vacant hand found Renji's hair, brushing softly into it as the other buried himself in the loose fabric of Byakuya's yukata.

Byakuya liked that Renji was bold enough to tell him to stop working ( otherwise he really would just work all night ). The fact that he knew when to ask for attention was reassuring, because Byakuya often worried that he didn't pay enough attention to him.

❝ You're right. I can finish this page tomorrow. ❞ How telling. His past self would've told him: I'm going to finish this page first. But no. He could not resist his company when he was being this affectionate. Byakuya would rather be with Renji than work.

[scnkei]

Yachiru's sneakin' up in here to bring Byakuya a gift! It's...a box of tea! Don't ask where she got it. Unohana won't miss it. Probably.

A gift, presented to him by Zaraki's (strange) Fukutaichou. He accepted the box ( and for once, he had to lean down, how unworthy - ) . It was a box of tea, he could tell right away from the scent. Byakuya, unlike some of his colleagues, drank only tea ( no coffee ). However, the tea he drank was always the same expensive brand of green tea. The only times he would drink something else was when he was invited for a cup of tea by a fellow captain ( like Ukitake ).

He wondered where Kusajishi had gotten the tea, and whether it was even safe to drink. He'd heard that she had an act for sneaking into Kurotsuchi's laboratory ( she also snuck into the Kuchiki Manor ).

❝ I do hope you don't intend for me to invite Zaraki to enjoy this tea with me. ❞ He had to make sure that was not her intention, because he'd sooner commit seppuku than drink tea with Zaraki.

[scnkei]

Violet orbs gazed softly at the man before her, a light smile upon her porcelain features. "Work has been taking its toll on you of late. While I know you can handle it, I still wish to be of assistance. What can I do to help alleviate some of your stress, Byakuya-sama? I can do nothing for you work wise but at home, is there something you wish of me?"

HOW COULD SHE TELL? His perfect mask, transparent before her. She knew him better than anyone. Sometimes better than he knew himself. The last thing he wanted was to burden her. She should not be able to tell that he was under a lot of stress recently. It was not just about work - but about the tension between himself and the rest of the family. Since he had disgraced them, they expected him to at least shine in his position as captain. He needed to reach a greater strength. He needed to achieve MORE. What he needed was an opportunity to shine. It was not wise to wish for battle, but - how else was he supposed to prove himself?

Hisana's love for him would help him stay afloat amidst anything. No matter what kind of turbulent times he was going through.

This is nothing . He wanted to tell her. Not dismissively, but because he wanted her to know that yes - he could handle anything. Anything at all. ESPECIALLY for her. If he couldn't shield her her, then... What COULD he do?

❝ You must not worry about me. ❞ He said, his tone softer than usual, like it always was when he spoke to her. Yet it would never fully escape the cold. ❝ You already do so much for me. Staying by my side. ❞ He held out his hand, for her to take. A rare physical affection, but he craved it right now. She was already sacrificing everything for him. As if he could ask her for more. As if he deserved more.

[scnkei]

Your wife is adorable. That’s all I wanted to say.

If it was meant as a compliment, it was poorly worded, for he did not see it as such. He always felt defensive when it came to Hisana. A feeling he masked as well as all his other emotions. He always assumed others were out to disrespect her. To judge her. His family would not accept her, so how could he hope that anyone else would?

The word ' ADORABLE ' sounded condescending to him. It was the sort of word you would use for an animal. A kitten, perhaps. It was not a word that should be associated with his wife. And - IT WAS NOT FOR OTHERS TO ASSIGN WORDS TO HER ANYWAY. She was not an item for people to comment on.

❝ It is not your place to describe Hisana. ❞ He might even go as far as to say it was nobody's place to even look at her. They were unworthy.

[scnkei]

Summoned? Him? No.

[scnkei]

His words did not have the desired effect. Instead of obediently falling in line, the mortal got defensive. This was one of the reason Byakuya disliked having to interact with mortals. They didn't afford him the respect that his rank and status demanded, simply because they didn't know who he was. Even so, Byakuya's presence carried with it an undeniable aura of authority. He knew he could not punish someone for ignorance they were supposed to possess. Still, it didn't mean it didn't annoy him.

The mortal spoke again, this time with accusation in his voice. Byakuya listened to his words. There was regret there. Sorrow. Something had happened to this man. Loss was a feeling not exclusive to any type of being. Byakuya knew the feeling well, and maybe he could even sympathise somewhat. But - it wasn't his job to protect the lives of mortals from anything except Hollows.

Whatever it was the mortal had lost, the memory burned too painfully for him to share, so he switched the conversation into a different direction. He was claiming that he wasn't seeking power for the sake of power, but for different reasons.

❝ It hardly matters WHY you wish to obtain these powers. They will weigh on you equally heavy all the same, for they are not meant for you. ❞ His tone still cold, but perhaps a little less harsh. ❝ What is it that you seek? ❞

The sternly received impression nets a begrudging response, told in the creasing of brows and unwavering stare. On paper, he was exactly that, a biogenetic genius, given to harebrained notions about protecting and defending realms that existed beyond his own, having invented a form of interdimensional travel that focused in on variants, rather than other stages of existence.

For all the good that his accelerated vision did, the Spider still remained oblivious to the death god's role, and assigned station. The shared term's a new phrase to his ears, but something that he's quick to acknowledge carries a important weight attached to its usage. "That's funny. I don't recall asking for your permission or your help." All that he had built, the kernel of an idea spun into a intricate network of highly skilled, and willing, Spiders, had been carried out under his own authority, seeking the approval of no one else. Had he intended to pursue power, the realisation hadn't yet hit home.

But the blueprint was already in place, inclusive of the desperate lengths he went to, in order to ensure that all those operating under his authority performed their duty as requested, without taking exception. Without disobeying the very orders that he had firmly believed kept the entire span of the world of mortals in check. "Who are you to tell me others? More to the point, where the shock were you when I--" An exertion of restraint cuts him short, the name of his erased daughter, going unsaid, her loss still festering, despite all his attempts to bury his grief. "...Sorry. But let me correct the record. I didn't do any of this in search of power. I did it because..." He sought happiness, a family that this lifetime had denied him. "... Look, I had my reasons."

[scnkei]

He could've walked the gardens of the Kuchiki Manor. It was spring, and the plum trees were blooming. Beautiful, as they were every year. The gardens were full of memories of her. It wasn't as if Byakuya wished to forget. However, he didn't want spring to be ONLY about missing her. About regretting losing her. It disturbed the tranquillity of his mind. Made him emotional. Almost.

This place was almost like a garden. Yet it had clear signs of wilderness. Flowers blooming on the ground. Unkempt grass. Ants marching on the branches of the blooming apple trees. There was beauty in the wild, even though he certainly preferred what was tamed. It reminded him a little of Renji.

He was not alone here, he quickly realized. There was an obvious reiatsu. A Shinigami not from his division, the spiritual pressure not familiar to him. He wouldn't reprimand him for not being on duty. He had half a mind to simply pass by the tree where the other was seated. There was no point in walking around here if hew as not alone, as it wouldn't be meditative, which was the whole point. He stopped instead, not looking up.

❝ I was unaware we had anyone stationed here. ❞ It was his way of asking what are you doing here.

@scnkei asked: 027. - an apple orchard in the middle of spring.

He'd managed to escape. Leaving before he could get roped into doing Matsumoto's paperwork for her again and vanishing into the sprawling forests that surrounded Soul Society. Wandering through them until he'd followed the soft floral scent of apple blossoms to a hidden grove that seemed untouched for the most part. A soft gentle breeze whispering through the tree's elegant branches and carrying a flutter of petals into the air.

The sight was like that of a dream from long ago. Calling back to memories of long ago, before his life had become one of bloodshed and duty. Days spent running wild and free with her at his side.....before she'd died in an attack from a hollow. It had been the catalyst that had pushed him to become a Shinigami in the first place.

Wandering through the trees he finally climbed up into one of its branches, settling onto one of the longer limbs. One leg dangling from the tree as his eyes closed, the peace and serenity seeming into his body as he drifted off into a light slumber. So relaxed that he didn't even notice the whisper of spiritual energy marking the arrival of another.

[scnkei]

PRIDE.

[scnkei]

saw ur post on my dash asking for a tokinada >.> <.< >.>

[ !!!!!! hello YES ANON!! Need interactions between these two beautiful nobles.... Would be so interesting imo. ;O; It's forever on my wishlist for Byakuya interactions! ]

[scnkei]

He has more self-control than any man, but one thing that is really testing him is having a button to press. Must. Not. Press. But --- He really, really, really wants to!

[scnkei]

them !!

[scnkei]

renji: would i still be your fukutaichou if i was a worm? byakuya: no

[scnkei]

❝ Fool. ❞ Byakuya's judgement was calm, yet harsh. Since his wisdom had been so arrogantly disregarded, perhaps some stricter words were in order. ❝ It is not for you to protect the balance of the worlds. That is the job of the Shinigami, and we do not require your help. Leave these powers you seek behind. I will not ask you again. ❞ AS IF he was "asking" in the first place. Byakuya did not ever make suggestions. He always ordered. He always spoke the truth. As if he would taint his pride with lies.

He was not a stranger to MORTALS seeking powers that they were not meant to have. He had his doubts of whether or not it was justified that so much now rested on Kurosaki Ichigo's young shoulders. He too had had the best of intentions when he looked for power, and now... It was a burden that only death would make him part from.

This was why humans should not look for power.

They were not meant to possess it. Not like Byakuya, who was born with great powers. Born to be one of the strongest of all. Striving for a fate that was not meant for you... Could bring nothing but misery.

@scnkei asked; "You reach for powers that are not meant for mortals."

As a matter of practice, he had always been the sort to press up against boundaries, pushing the limits of what was known to make discoveries anew. Overstepping when necessary, where arrogance had once been his armour, insulating him first from the viperous climate of corporate sabotage, followed later by his very own ventures, time as well as his own follies had seen such protection bend and break. As useful as glass against the tumult that surged into his life, sweeping away all that he had cherished.

Set up with a fresh remit and vastly changed circumstances, armed with experience, his drive to learn has become a force that's been quartered and bound, kept in line by an unflinching will and a need to maintain dimensional parity. Having made the transition from discovery to prevention, with lessons learnt, he barely flinches at the accusation levelled at him, words that take firm aim at the scorched paths his need for new knowledge had led him down.

"Someone had to do it. I can't stand by and let everything fall apart."

Still bearing the open, festering wounds of his catastrophic failures, he proves to be an inattentive student. Rather than heed the other's warning, he deafens himself to their words to remain steadfast in his unflinching ways. With the multi-verse in danger, he needed to mend what had become ripped and torn open, connecting worlds that should've remained separated. Never once stopping to consider if such actions truly helped at all. Or if the forces he utilised came with consequences of their own.

Too much was at stake.

"Never again."

[scnkei]

A vacation? No.