#kuchiki

The Delulu Origin Story.

You were like… 13 when you first saw him during some Kuchiki-funded academy ceremony.

And it hit you like: “oh. okay. that’s my husband. cool.”

He walked past—a literal breeze followed him—his hair ribbon catching the light like God Himself said “watch this.”

And you?

You thought he looked right at you.

You clutched your little academy textbook like it was a love letter.

He absolutely did not look at you. Girl, that man was thinking about clan duties, tea temperature, and repressing emotions.

But in your mind? “He saw me. He felt something.”

You were DONE.

Your Academy Life With Your Crush.

You sit in the courtyard “reading” but actually angling your body like a sunflower hoping Byakuya will walk by.

• When he does? You pretend you didn’t notice him and immediately drop something because your body short-circuits.

• You once bowed so fast and so low you almost face-planted.

Your friend had to yank you up by the collar.

• When someone mentions the Kuchiki Clan, you perk up like a cat hearing a can open:

“Who? Where? When? He’s here?”

It was awful, and cute, and embarrassing.

The Worst Part? HE SEES YOU. Not romantically, not yet—don’t get excited—but he DEFINITELY clocks you.

Byakuya has that soft, elegant, bored expression, but he’ll catch:

• you staring

• you tripping over air

• you fangirling quietly in polite noble-safe doses

• you fixing your hair when he walks by

And he’ll do that little blink…

That “hm.” Very subtle. Very noble. No emotion. But internally?

“This child has looked at me 27 times today.”

A worse man would file a restraining order. He’s not annoyed yet… mostly confused and mildly concerned.

Your Friends HATE You For This Crush! They see you suffering. They see you spiraling.

“Girl, he doesn’t even KNOW you!”

“Yes he does, he looked directly at me—”

“He looks at EVERYONE like that.”

“He walked slower past me today.”

“That’s because you were blocking the walkway.”

The First Time He Actually Talks to You, You were in the gardens sketching him from memory like the disaster you are.

He appears out of nowhere—silent, elegant, rude for no reason—and goes: “Your posture is incorrect for drawing. You’ll strain your wrist.”

HE. HE TALKED. TO YOU. You nearly screamed.

And he just… walked away. Like he didn’t completely ruin your life with one sentence. For the next week you swore your wrist felt blessed.

Renji sees your crush and is like: “You too?? Damn.”He’ll pat your back sympathetically. You both have a Byakuya Problem™.

You know that Gen-Z summer crush energy? You give it off HARD.

Like: “ugh he said my form was weak I’m gonna pass out??”

“I KNOW he didn’t mean it like that but WHAT IF HE DID??”

“Do you think he noticed my new hair clip??”

“He didn’t even glance up—

omg he hates me—

wait he blinked?? BABES HE BLINKED??”

Your friends are begging you to touch grass. You refuse.

ACADEMY ERA — YOU’RE GETTING INTO HIS SQUAD EVEN IF IT KILLS YOU

(and it might. but like whatever.)

Your Motivation? Downright Criminal.

Everyone else is studying to:

serve Soul Society

honor their families

You? You’re studying to get closer to one (1) emotionally constipated porcelain prince.

Your entire personality becomes: “Squad 6 or I ROT.”

You’re in Kido class whispering under your breath:

“for Byakuya for Byakuya for Byakuya—”

Your friends think you’re deranged. You think you’re focused.

You’re in the courtyard at 5AM doing sword drills like you’re filming a shounen opening.

Instructors: “You don’t need to overexert—”

You: “HE’S IN SQUAD SIX.”

You trained like you had a sponsorship deal.

You trained like you were the underdog protagonist with a blood oath. People genuinely worry about you.

You Start Stalking His Patrol Routes (But Like. Politely.)

You SWEAR it’s “coincidence” but baby… you are never where you’re supposed to be. Library? No. Class? Who cares.

Wherever Byakuya is? Suddenly you’re there.

Walking past the Squad 6 barracks with a totally innocent “oh haha weird fancy seeing YOU here—”

You are NOT subtle. Not even in the realm of subtle.

And yet…

Byakuya never calls you out. He simply gives you that graceful blink… pause… continue walking. Which somehow makes you try even harder.

Yamamoto Reading Your Application Like

This old man absolutely notices that your transfer papers got filled out with way too much enthusiasm.

Like damn girl you practically wrote: “PUT ME IN SQUAD 6 THIS IS LIFE OR DEATH.”

He stamps it with that long tired sigh elders give children who are “not a threat but definitely a concern.”

Meanwhile Byakuya Has NO Idea

Byakuya genuinely thinks you’re:

just extremely disciplined

passionate about your training

unusually present in all the same locations

maybe hard of hearing since you never notice him until he speaks

It doesn’t even occur to him that this is about him. This man is so dense it’s a medical condition.

You Graduate. You Wait For Assignments. You’re Sweating. Your hands are shaking like you’re about to check college acceptance letters.

Your friends beside you like: “Girl you cannot cry if you don’t get it—”

You: “WATCH ME.”

Assignment list comes out. You drag your finger down the parchment.

And then—SQUAD SIX.

You SCREAM so loud they hear you in Hueco Mundo.

Renji two rows over is like: “oh nah. another one.”

Byakuya’s Reaction? He reads the roster like: “Hmm.”

Literally nothing else. No emotion. No flicker of recognition. But deep inside that stoic noble chest?

A very faint pulse of curiosity. “This student again… hm.”

The Real Gag? Yamamoto DID Consider Smacking You.

He saw that desperate academic climb, the way you nearly exploded when the results hit.

He absolutely had a moment of: “this child will either become a prodigy or a problem.”

Spoiler: It’s both.

YOUR FIRST DAY IN SQUAD SIX

You step through the gates like: “This is it. This is destiny. This is fate. This is my wedding venue.”

Everyone else in the squad is clocking in like normal employees. You? You’re vibrating with delusional optimism.

Your uniform is crisp, your hair is done, your nerves are absolutely in shambles.

And then— You Spot Him. BYAKUYA.

He’s crossing the walkway. Hair tied perfectly. Haori flowing. Looking like a white swan that hates emotions.

Your stomach FALLS OUT OF YOUR ASS.

You bow so hard Renji thinks you’re about to eat dirt.

Byakuya: “Hm.”

And keeps walking. LIKE YOU ARE A DECORATIVE ROCK. You’re left in his breeze like a wilted flower.

Renji clocks everything instantly.

He’s barely two minutes into meeting you and he already knows you’re down astronomically bad.

He walks up behind you, crosses his arms, and goes:“So. You’re the little stalker kid from the academy.”

You choke on air.

“EXCUSE ME???” He smirks.

He smirks with the confidence of a man who has survived Byakuya Kuchiki’s taxes.

“Yeah, yeah. You’re the one who kept ‘coincidentally’ showing up wherever he was, right?”

You: “I DID NOT—YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW—”

Renji: “Girl you’re BLUSHING, don’t lie to me.”

Renji follows you around the entire morning like an oversized red-haired menace.

Anytime Byakuya appears?

Renji leans in: “Quick, stop breathing weird.”

“Fix your back. You look like a shrimp.”

“OMG HE LOOKED THIS WAY—WAIT NO he didn’t, false alarm.”

“Hey captain! Look! She’s concentrating REAL hard today!”

Byakuya: *glances mildly*

You: *dies from organ failure.*

Renji: *absolutely delighted with himself*

When You Try To Act Normal

You grab paperwork, trying to be professional.Trying to be calm. Trying to be NOT the thirsty child who once drew him in the academy gardens.

Renji casually drapes an arm around your shoulders.

“So, you gonna confess today or what?”

You almost drop the entire stack.

“RENJI.”

“What? I’m just saying. You trained like a rabid raccoon for this squad. Don’t waste the opportunity.”

You swat him away like a gnat.

You’re in formation, waiting for orders. Byakuya is walking down the line. You’re sweating.

You look like you’re about to commit a crime or pass out.

Renji leans over and whispers:

“If you faint I’m not catching you.”

“I MEAN IT. I’ll let you faceplant.”

You elbow him so hard he coughs.

Byakuya pauses. Looks between you two.

Renji instantly straightens like a soldier who suddenly remembers consequences.

You? You look guiltily adorable.

Byakuya: “Lieutenant Abarai. Control yourself.”

Renji: “YES SIR—ABSOLUTELY—FULL CONTROL—100%—”

After he walks away? Renji gives you the deadliest side-eye.

“He DEFENDED you. Ohhh you’re DONE. You’re GONE. You’re GONNA MARRY HIM.” You nearly scream.

The Teasing NEVER Stops

He calls you:

• “Kuchiki Reject”

• “Little Simp”

• “Future Captain’s Wife”

• “Thirstling”

• “Mini-stalker”

You threaten to kill him at least once a day. He laughs because you absolutely cannot.

And somehow??? He becomes your first friend in the squad.

You’re minding your business eating lunch like a normal emotionally unstable squad member when you glance across the courtyard and—

There he is.

Byakuya.

Walking beside a girl. A VERY pretty girl.

Elegant. Graceful. Polished. Noble-looking.

She even matches his whole aesthetic—soft colors, perfect hair, quiet demeanor.

Your stomach falls into your shoes. Your brain immediately starts spiraling:

“Oh my god they look good together.”

“WAIT—WHAT IF HE’S WITH HER—”

“NO PLEASE I’M GONNA DIE—”

You freeze mid-bite, food halfway to your mouth, eyes glazed like a traumatized anime cat.

Renji Sees. AND HE BEGINS HIS VILLAIN ARC.

He slides up next to you, looks from you to them, back to you—

And grins like the devil.

“Oooooh. OHHHHHH. Damn. Captain’s walking with someone PRETTY today.”

You: dead inside.

Renji, fanning the flames:

“They look real good together, huh? Wow. She’s got the noble vibe. Maybe he likes that.”

You inhale. Bad move.

You choke on your own saliva and rage.

“Renji—shut up—”

He doesn’t. Of course he doesn’t.

“You losing him before you even GOT him is crazy. Couldn’t be me.”

You see RED.

YOU TACKLE RENJI. MID. LUNCH.

Not a warning. Not a countdown. No threats. Just pure feral cat energy.

Renji blinks, confused for half a second— And you LAUNCH yourself across the table.

You tackle him so hard the entire squad gasps like the start of a reality show fight. You’re on top of him, straddling him, fists swinging, enraged little gremlin noises coming out of you.

Renji: “WAIT—WAIT—WAIT— OW—STOP—

HEY—DAMN YOU’RE STRONG—”

You: “DON’T TALK ABOUT HIM LIKE THAT—

I WILL END YOU—”

People stop eating.

Tables are abandoned.

Someone starts chanting.

Someone else starts recording with a Hell Butterfly like it’s TikTok.

This is the best entertainment Squad 6 has had in years. Your legs are squeezing Renji like a vice. Your hair is everywhere. You look absolutely feral.

Two guys try to pull you off him— YOU BITE ONE.

Someone screams: “SHE’S RABID—”

And Then… Silence. Because Byakuya arrives.

Captain Suite. Haori. Grace. Disappointment. The crowd parts like Moses parting the sea.

He looks down at the scene:

• Renji flat on his back

• You straddling him like WWE

• A small ring of terrified onlookers

• A table flipped

• A dumpling stuck in Renji’s hair

Byakuya inhales slowly through his nose. The world stops breathing.

“…Explain.”

His voice is calm. Too calm. The dangerous kind of calm.

You freeze on top of Renji like a cat caught knocking over a vase.

Renji—your so-called friend, your bully, your partner in chaos—IMMEDIATELY throws you under the bus.

“Captain—SHE—ATTACKED ME— JUST FULL SENT IT— I’M A VICTIM HERE—”

You slap him across the chest.

Byakuya looks at the two of you like he’s debating using Senbonzakura on both of you

You scramble off Renji, fixing your uniform, hair, pride, EVERYTHING.

You bow so fast your forehead almost hits the floor.

“C-captain I— I wasn’t—I mean he— He said things—

And I— He— IT WAS HIS FAULT—”

Byakuya raises one perfect eyebrow. “Abarai.”

Renji sits up, bruised, betrayed, offended.

“Sir?”

“What did you say to provoke her?”

Renji chokes.

THE CROWD GASPS. YOU NEARLY ASCEND.

Renji: “CAPTAIN?! WHY DO YOU ASSUME I—”

Byakuya: “Because you speak before thinking. Frequently.”

Whole squad: OOOOOOOOOOOOOOH

You: internally screaming, kicking your feet, about to die happy.

He looks at you longer than he usually does.

And it’s not the irritated “why is she here again” look.

It’s… assessing. Curious. Slightly disappointed but also faintly amused?

“Restrain yourself. Violence within the squad is unacceptable.”

You nod so fast your neck pops.

Then—

Then—

You swear you see it:

The tiniest twitch at the corner of his mouth. Almost a smile. Almost.

He turns, walks away, hair trailing like silk. You drop to your knees. Renji groans on the ground.

The squad screams like they just witnessed the season finale.

The girl he was walking with? Yeah.

It was Rukia Kuchiki.

HIS LITTLE SISTER. Not his lover. Not his fiancée.

Not some noble princess he was secretly courting.

Just his literal adoptive baby sister who he is aggressively protective of and would DEFINITELY murder someone over if they hurt her.

And there you were… Punching Renji like he stole your man.

After lunch chaos, you’re still mortified, fixing your uniform, avoiding eye contact, trying to erase your existence from Soul Society.

Then you hear a soft voice behind you: “Um… excuse me? Are you alright?”

You turn around and see her.

Pretty. Kind eyes. Small smile. Zero menace. Zero competition. Not even on the same romantic frequency as Byakuya.

You freeze like a busted cartoon character.

You: “…are you… the girl…”

She blinks.

“Oh! If you mean earlier, I’m Rukia. I’m Captain Kuchiki’s younger sister.”

You internally collapse into dust.

She’s looking at you like: “Why did this random Squad 6 member look like she was about to cry blood when she saw me walking with Nii-sama??”

She has NO idea you were spiraling.

And she very gently adds: “We were only discussing patrol expansions. He wasn’t… ah… with me.” You swear you hear angels singing.

You’re still vibrating with embarrassment.

Rukia is just being polite.

And Renji limps in, bandaged, bruised, dramatic as hell: “OH HEY. LOOK WHO IT IS. THE DEMON WHO ATTACKED ME.”

You throw a rock at him.

He dodges and goes: “Anyway, Rukia—guess who thought you were dating the captain?”

YOU LUNGE AT HIM AGAIN. Rukia’s eyes widen SO HARD.

“D-date?! ME?! With Nii-sama??”

Renji nods proudly. You want to MELT INTO THE EARTH.

She turns to you, cheeks pink, a little smile forming like she’s connecting every dot at once.

“Ah…I see.”

YOU DIE INSIDE.

She gives you the gentlest, most sisterly little grin:

“Nii-sama’s standards are… very particular. But… don’t worry. You’re not disqualified.”

You practically choke on air.

RENJI LOSES HIS MIND: “OH—SO SHE’S APPROVED?? BRO WHAT—”

Rukia absolutely tells him.

And he absolutely responds with: “I see.”

Externally: cold, bored, unreadable.

Internally?

A quiet, slow: “…Hn.”

Because now he knows:

• you weren’t fighting out of insubordination

• you weren’t being unprofessional

• you weren’t being chaotic for chaos’ sake

You were jealous.

Of someone he cares deeply about. And that?

That hits him in a place he keeps locked up and frostbitten. He notices you twice as much after that.

The entire barracks is quiet as a funeral when Byakuya calls: “Abarai. With me.”

Renji walks like he’s heading to the gallows. And everyone hears through the sliding doors: Byakuya’s calm, disappointed voice.

Not yelling, not angry…

Worse.

Quiet. Controlled. Lethal.

The whole squad is frozen like: “F in the chat for Renji.”

The door opens.

Renji steps out.

Eyes dazed.

Pride shattered.

Soul slightly cracked.

He looks at you with that “save yourself” look and mutters: “Good luck. You’re next.”

And he leaves like a man who saw God and got humbled.

⸻

“(Your Name). Come in.” Your stomach DROPS.

You swear the air changes when he says it.

It’s cold, soft, commanding—enough to make your knees jelly.

You walk into his office like a child being summoned by the principal and your crush and death itself.

The door slides shut behind you with a terrifyingly final thnk.

Byakuya sits behind his desk, hands folded neatly, head slightly tilted downward.

No emotion. No warmth. Just pure noble frost.

You bow so fast you almost knock your head on the floor.

“Captain Kuchiki, sir— I deeply apologize for—”

He raises a hand.

Silence.

Instant.

Your mouth clamps shut.

⸻

“Explain your conduct.”

He doesn’t look angry.

He looks… disappointed. Calm. Curious.

The kind of tone that makes your whole soul want to crawl away and hide behind a tree.

You start rambling, tripping over your own tongue:

“I–I wasn’t trying to start anything, sir— Renji said something— I reacted— I don’t usually attack people— I mean I do sometimes I mean NO I DON’T— He provoked me— Not that that’s an excuse— I wasn’t thinking— I—”

You’re spiraling.

You’re sweating.

You sound deranged.

Byakuya finally speaks:“You are a member of my squad. I expect discipline.”

Your heart cracks.

Then he adds, much softer: “Not impulsive violence.”

Your heart BREAKS.

⸻

BUT THEN… HE STANDS. Slowly. Gracefully.

He walks around the desk, approaching you.

You freeze like prey spotting a predator.

He stops just in front of you—close enough that you smell his perfume (clean, soft, expensive as hell)—and tilts his head just slightly.

“You were… jealous?”

You nearly combust into flames. You stutter so hard your soul leaves your body.

“J-jealous!? No— I mean— yes— I MEAN—RUKIA— I DIDN’T KNOW SHE WAS YOUR SISTER—”

His eyes lower—barely—and he murmurs: “I see.” You’re about to pass out.

He doesn’t move away.

He watches your face, the way your hands fidget, the way your breathing stutters, the way his proximity demolishes your entire brain.

His eyes soften. Just a little.

Just enough that you see a flicker of something human. “Control your emotions. They rule you too easily.”

You nod frantically. “Y-yes sir.”

“However…” Your heart stops.

“You showed loyalty.

And… passion.

These are not flaws.”

EXCUSE ME??? HELLO?????

You blink at him like an owl. He looks away, as if annoyed at himself for saying too much.

⸻

The Moment That Ends You

He steps past you toward the door, opens it, and says quietly: “Do not fight within the squad again.”

Then—

AS YOU’RE BOWING—

You feel it.

A soft tap on your shoulder. A barely-there brush of fingers. You look up.

Byakuya is already walking away, haori trailing, but he says: “You may go. And… compose yourself.”

You’re done. Finished. Ruined. Deceased.

The squad watches you exit like: “OH SHE GOT THE SPECIAL TREATMENT???”

Renji, holding an ice pack, squints at you: “….bro. BRO. He wasn’t even that mad at you, was he?!”

You just shake your head, stunned.

Renji: “NAH. NAHHHHH. He likes you. He LIKES you. I’m calling it.”

And you just stand there, heart pounding like a drumline, realizing—

He wasn’t cold.

He wasn’t angry.

He was paying attention.

—————

Ever since your “incident,” Renji has become insufferable.

He spots you in the hallway, arms full of paperwork, minding your business—

“Soooooo…

you gonna fight me again today?

Or do I gotta show you the captain with another girl first?”

You stop.

Slowly turn your head.

Death in your eyes.

“Renji.”

He grins.

“Yes, my lovely violent gremlin?”

You hiss through your teeth:

“I will feed you to a hollow.”

Someone gasps.

Someone else whispers, “AGAIN???”

Renji cackles like you’re the funniest thing he’s ever seen.

⸻

HE KEEPS GOING BECAUSE HE WANTS TO DIE

You try walking away.

But no—

This overgrown red-haired menace trails behind you like a commentary track:

“Damn, you’re mad again?

What happened THIS time?

Did the captain look at you for half a second and you forgot how to breathe?”

You spin around.

“Say ONE more thing and I SWEAR—

I will break your face—

You will need a NEW face—

I will re-arrange every bone—

Don’t test me.”

Renji puts his hands up in surrender: “Oooh scary— but also kinda cute— the captain’s gonna LOVE—”

You lunge.

He RUNS.

The squad watches like they bought front-row tickets.

⸻

BYAKUYA WALKS IN ON THIS… AGAIN

You’ve got Renji halfway cornered against the barracks wall, fists up, eyes wild.

Renji is yelling: “SHE’S UNHINGED, CAPTAIN— I FEAR FOR MY LIFE—”

You yell back: “YOU STARTED IT—LET ME HIT HIM— JUST ONCE— I NEED THIS—”

The room falls into silence like someone hit a mute button.

Because Byakuya has appeared.

Standing there.

Holding documents.

Looking BEAUTIFULLY disappointed.

He glances between the two of you.

Renji: breathing heavily, messy hair, panicked.

You: feral, murder-ready, absolutely not helping your case.

Byakuya exhales through his nose—

VERY softly, but enough to make Renji flinch.

“Abarai.”

Renji stands at attention SO FAST he hits his head on the wall.

“S-sir!”

“Stop provoking her.”

The entire squad loses their minds internally.

You blink. RENJI BLINKS.

Renji whispers: “Bro… BRO???”

⸻

THEN HE TURNS TO YOU

Not angry. Not even annoyed. Just that unreadable noble calm.

“And you. Violence should not be your first response.”

You nod.

“Yes sir.”

Then—with ZERO warning—he adds: “However… considering Abarai’s behavior… I understand.”

RENJI’S JAW DROPS.

The squad collectively GASP-WHEEZES. You go stock-still like a stunned rabbit.

Byakuya gives you the gentlest side glance—

barely there, but enough to make your knees wobble.

“Return to your duties.”

He walks away like he didn’t just pick a side.

⸻

Renji After Byakuya Leaves

He stares at you in horror.

“……Did—did the captain just… DEFEND YOU??”

You shrug, smug as hell: “Maybe he likes me more than you.”

Renji clutches his chest.

“YOU’RE HIS FAVORITE??

THAT’S NOT FAIR—

YOU’RE A MENACE—

I HATE THIS—”

You grin.

“Say something else and I’ll feed you to TWO hollows.”

Renji groans into his hands.

When you spar with Renji, there’s NO holding back.

The instructors just wanted a light drill.

You show up cracking your knuckles like:

“Warm-up? Nah. Let’s see whose ancestors we meet today.”

Renji sighs IMMEDIATELY.

“Why can’t you just FIGHT NORMAL—”

But you’re already swinging.

⸻

The second the match starts, your entire aura changes.

Your eyes narrow.

Your reiatsu spikes.

You grip your wooden sword like you want to break it over his skull.

You charge Renji with ZERO hesitation.

Everyone watching flinches because you don’t fight like a squad trainee—

You fight like you saw a vision of Renji marrying Byakuya and you’re trying to prevent the timeline.

⸻

He’s blocking.

He’s dodging.

He’s sweating.

And between hits he’s yelling:

“WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME—?!”

You swing harder.

“STOP MOCKING MY FEELINGS—”

“I WASN’T—”

“YOU WERE AND NOW YOU SHALL PAY—”

Wood cracks.

Dust flies.

You nearly knock him off his feet.

⸻

People watching are like:

“Is this a… breakup fight?”

“They’re not even dating—”

“WHY DOES SHE HATE HIM LIKE THAT??”

“A Hollow wouldn’t survive this.”

“RENJI definitely won’t.”

Someone else whispers:

“Should we… call the captain—?”

Of course he comes.

Byakuya Kuchiki walks into the training grounds just in time to see you trying to take Renji’s head off his shoulders with a bokken.

Renji, dodging for his life: “CAPTAIN—HELP—SHE’S UNHINGED—”

You: “STAND STILL AND ACCEPT YOUR FATE—”

Byakuya stops.

Watches.

Says NOTHING.

⸻

Byakuya’s Internal Monologue is Just: “…Again?”

He approaches slowly, hands behind his back, expression bored but eyes very fixed on you.

Renji sees him and screams: “CAPTAIN, SHE’S GONNA KILL ME—”

Byakuya, completely unmoved: “She is not.”

You swing.

Renji blocks.

Barely.

Byakuya adds, calmly: “If she wished to, she would have already succeeded.”

THE ENTIRE ROOM GASPS.

RENJI LOSES HIS MIND.

You freeze mid-swing like a glitching NPC.

⸻

You lower your weapon, cheeks hot, breath short, because Byakuya just:

• acknowledged your skill

• defended you

• lowkey implied you COULD kill Renji

• AND sounded almost… impressed?

Renji looks betrayed by the universe.

“CAPTAIN… YOU’RE TAKING HER SIDE AGAIN?? SHE’S TRYING TO MURDER ME—”

Byakuya gives him a single quiet look.

Renji shuts up instantly.

⸻

AND THEN HE TURNS TO YOU.

His gaze softens—barely. Subtle. But enough to make your heart explode.

“Control yourself. You are capable of far more than reckless aggression.”

Translation: “You’re strong. But stop throwing hands like a gremlin.”

You nod violently.

“Y-yes sir.”

He steps past you, his voice low enough only YOU hear:

“Your passion is admirable. But focus it.”

You nearly pass out.

⸻

He gets up off the ground, wheezing.

“I hate this. I hate YOU.

Why does the captain BABYSIT you??

Where is MY praise??”

You twirl your bokken smugly.

“He likes me more.” Renji throws dirt at you.

Days pass and the members are sparring with Byakuya himself, and now it’s your turn.

You Step Onto the Mat Like a Baby Deer

Heart hammering. Mind blank. Hands clammy. Trying to look composed but everyone can see you’re three seconds from fainting.

Byakuya stands opposite you—calm, regal, bored.

Sword lowered.

Posture perfect.

He says: “Begin whenever you are ready.”

Which is insane because you are NOT READY. Your soul is tap dancing.

You Hold Back. Obviously. You swing slow. You hesitate.

You pull your strikes at the last second because HELLO??? That’s BYAKUYA. You’re not about to decapitate your crush.

You’re practically tip-toeing through the fight.

And he notices IMMEDIATELY.

Byakuya blocks a weak strike and says, in the driest tone known to man: “Pathetic.”

OH???

OH EXCUSE ME?????

You freeze.

He continues, voice cool as iced tea: “You fight Renji with far more conviction. Do not insult me with restraint.”

THE WAY YOUR JAW DROPS.

Renji on the sidelines SCREAMING: “YEAH—SHE TRIES TO KILL ME—GO ON, CAPTAIN, LET HER—”

You snap.

You go: “Okay. Rude.”

Byakuya lifts one brow ever so slightly.

You inhale. And then???

You go feral.

You come at him with everything you have. No hesitation. No fear. No crush-induced brain fog.

You SWING.

Fast.

Sharp.

Aggressive.

Your reiatsu flares.

Your strikes whistle through the air.

You actually make Byakuya—BYAKUYA—step back a half-step.

The squad watching goes: “OH? OH SHE’S SERIOUS—”

You’re fighting like he just said your bankai was ugly.

Byakuya’s eyes narrow at you, He parries one hit—

Two—

Three—

But he’s definitely working harder now.

You almost catch him on the shoulder and the entire barracks SCREAMS.

Byakuya straightens, eyes glinting.

“Better.”

You don’t even respond—you’re BUSY TRYING TO WIN.

Your strikes get faster. Footwork sharper. You’re moving completely on instinct.

Byakuya is deflecting cleanly but he’s no longer coasting—

He’s actually engaged.

And every time he blocks you, he murmurs things like:

“Too slow.”

“Left side open.”

“More pressure.”

And you SNARL like you’re fighting for custody.

Then you catch him by surprise.

You feint low—

Pivot— And SLAM your blade forward, stopping an inch from his ribs before he redirects it.

His eyes widen.

Just a fraction.

But YOU SEE IT.

The squad collectively GASPS like it’s a soap opera.

Renji yells: “SHE ALMOST GOT YOU—OH MY GOD—”

You: panting, flushed, feral, adrenaline-drunk.

Byakuya: calm… but now his voice drops a little lower.

“Do not hold back again.” Your heart does a backflip.

The Final Clash You charge him—

He steps forward—

Blades collide with a shockwave of reiatsu—

Dust kicks up—

Everyone shields their eyes— When the air clears???

You’re pinned. Sword at your shoulder. His hand gripping your wrist.

Bodies CLOSE.

Too close.

Your breath catches in your throat. His does not.

He is perfectly steady.

But his voice…It’s softer.

“This… is what you are capable of.”

You melt. Completely. He releases you slowly, almost reluctantly.

His parting words nearly send you into a coma, he turns pausing just once: “Next time, do not make me provoke you into showing effort.”

You stand there staring at him voice on replay in your brain, Renji walks past like: “He basically said fight me like you mean it next time, babe.”

Byakuya’s still in from of you, you see something akin to pity in his eyes. Your eye twitches…

You kick him—hard—right in the chest.

You (snapping): “You do NOT get to tease me!”

He steps back, eyes narrowing a fraction.

You (voice rising, furious): “You and Renji treat my feelings like a game!”

You swing again—your blade slamming into his.

Then again.

And again.

Each strike harder than the last, the impacts cracking through the training hall.

Your reiatsu spikes—wild, shaking, bright.

You look pissed… but also on the edge of crying.

You (breath breaking): “I worked my ass off for you!”

Another strike.

You: “I gave it everything I had—until there was NOTHING left—just so I could be here with you!”

Your grip tightens. Your swing sharpens.

You (choking, angry, hurt): “And you—YOU SMUG NOBLE BASTARD—”

Your blade crashes into his again, sparks flying.

You (voice cracking): “You keep looking at me like you pity me!”

Your eyes shine. Tears tremble on your lashes.

You (shouting): “Well I don’t NEED your pity!”

And then—

You drop your sword and punch him. Square in the face. Hard. His head snaps to the side. Silence.

Your breath freezes in your chest as the fog in your mind suddenly clears. You blink.

Your voice goes tiny, horrified:

You: “Oh my goodness, sir! I’m sorry!”

You stare at Byakuya Kuchiki, horrified at what you’ve done.

Your breath catches.

You (panicked): “Oh my goodness, sir! I’m sorry!”

His eyes are still widened, his cheek faintly bruised where your fist landed.

He opens his mouth to speak—

But you’re already gone.

⸻

You flash-step away

You vanish in a burst of panicked reiatsu.

Not graceful. Not planned.

Just pure emotional flight. You sprint through the barracks, through the hall, down the stairs—

Until you find an old storage room. You look around frantically. Then you see it. A barrel. You don’t think. You climb inside and curl up like a raccoon hiding from rent collectors.

⸻

Inside the barrel. You grip the rim and whisper-sob into the darkness.

You (rambling):

“I assaulted my captain—oh my god—

I punched him—

I kicked him—

I’m going to jail—

I can live in a bush, I swear—

I don’t need food—

I’ll just photosynthesize—”

Your breathing is fast, shallow. Your tears fall on your knees. You rock gently, losing your mind.

You: “Stop crying—STOP—

you absolute idiot you HIT him—

I’m going to die—”

You hear footsteps. You freeze.

⸻

Byakuya enters the storage room. The door slides open with a soft shhk.

His spiritual pressure is faint but controlled—clearly lowered so he doesn’t overwhelm you. He stands in the doorway.

Silent. Calm. Deadly composed.

Byakuya (quietly):

“…You are not difficult to find.”

You slap a hand over your mouth.

You whisper:

You: “No I’m not.”

You absolutely are.

⸻

He steps further in His haori brushes the wood as he walks.

Byakuya: “Your spiritual pressure is… noticeably distressed.”

You whisper into your knees:

You (desperate): “Shut UP spiritual pressure—stop snitching—please—”

He pauses in front of the barrels.

Then:

Byakuya:

“…You are in the barrel.”

You (lying instantly):

“No I’m not.”

He lifts one hand—

and taps the lid with a single finger.

tok.

Byakuya (firmer, low):

“Come out.”

You don’t move.

Silence.

Byakuya: “Now.”

Your stomach drops through your soul.

⸻

You pop out. You erupt from the barrel like a traumatized jack-in-the-box.

Hair everywhere.

Face blotchy from crying.

Breath shaking.

You stare at him like he’s the sun and you’re a mole that hasn’t seen daylight.

You (frantic):

“I wasn’t hiding—

I mean I WAS—

but only because—

sir I swear I’m sorry—

please don’t exile me—

I can be useful—

I’ll clean things—

I’ll mop the seireitei—

I’ll mop the sky—”

He raises one hand. You shut up instantly.

⸻

Byakuya looks at you, His cheek still shows the faint mark of your punch. His eyes soften — just barely.

He studies your trembling hands. Your red-rimmed eyes. Your quivering mouth.

Then he speaks.

Byakuya (quiet): “Do not speak of yourself in such a way.”

You blink, lost.

His hand lifts — slow, careful —

and his knuckles brush a tear from your cheek.

You suck in a breath you didn’t realize you were holding.

⸻

He steps closer

He lowers himself slightly, kneeling so your eyes are level.

His voice is low, steady, grounding.

Byakuya: “You struck me with intent. You spoke with honesty. You fled with shame.”

You shake, staring at the floor.

You (breaking): “I-I wasn’t thinking— I just— I don’t know anymore— I don’t know what I’m doing—”

Tears spill again.

⸻

Your confession begins…

Your hand curls into your uniform, clutching the fabric.

Your voice trembles.

You: “It’s different for me…”

Byakuya’s brow shifts slightly — listening, deeply.

You: “People come here to this squad because they look up to you.”

You shake your head hard, tears falling.

You: “Because they want to be you…”

Your breath hiccups. Your fist tightens.

You (whispered, raw): “I just wanted you.”

Byakuya goes perfectly still.

Frozen. Not with fear. Not with disgust. With realization. You cry harder, voice breaking.

You: “I have no idea what I’m doing anymore.”

Your knees wobble.

Your breath collapses.

⸻

Byakuya catches you, He moves faster than you’ve ever seen him —

one hand catching your elbow, the other steadying your waist.

Your forehead drops forward— your vision swims—

your breath stutters in short, broken gasps.

Byakuya (soft, low): “Breathe.”

You try.

Nothing comes in.

You whisper:

You: “I think…”

Your voice is faint.

You: “I think I’m going to pass out…”

Your fingers cling to his haori without meaning to. He does not pull away. He shifts even closer, hand rising to your jaw.

⸻

His forehead meets yours

Gently. Purposefully. Shockingly intimate. Your breath stalls.

His voice drops to a whisper meant for your soul only.

Byakuya:

“Stay with me.”

You tremble. Your noses almost touch. He inhales slowly — guiding you.

His hand at your waist tightens just slightly, anchoring you upright.

Your voice breaks.

You: “…sir…”

He breathes out — a soft, shaken exhale.

Then, quietly:

Byakuya: “Do not call me that. Not right now.”

Your pulse stutters.

You (bare whisper): “What… should I call you…?”

His forehead presses more firmly to yours.

Byakuya: “My name.”

You gasp.

You: “Byakuya…?”

His eyes flutter shut. His breath shivers.

⸻

The admission

He pulls back just enough to look at you. Not above you. Not beyond you. At you.

His voice is barely audible.

Byakuya: “I noticed you long before you believed I did.”

Your breath breaks.

He brushes another tear from your cheek with his thumb.

Byakuya:“Your focus. Your stubbornness. Your devotion.”

Your heart pounds hard enough he can feel it.

Byakuya: “I saw you.”

Your lips part — nothing comes out.

He continues:

Byakuya (soft, truthful): “I did not understand why I could not ignore you.”

Your knees weaken again.

His grip on your waist steadies you.

Byakuya:“And when I tried… it unsettled me.”

You stare up at him, shaking.

You: “Why… didn’t you say anything…?”

His thumb grazes your lower cheek, almost to your mouth.

He answers honestly.

Byakuya: “Because I did not understand my response to you.”

His voice deepens—quiet, vulnerable.

Byakuya: “You changed something in me. Long before today.”

Your breath disappears. Your world tilts.

Your fingers clutch his haori like you might fall without him.

Your breath trembles against his.

Your forehead is still pressed to his, your noses brushing lightly each time you inhale.

Your voice is barely there:

You (whisper): “…Byakuya…”

His eyes lower to half-lidded softness.

Your name leaves his lips in the same tone:

Byakuya (quiet, warm): “…Yes.”

Your chest tightens.

Your fingers curl into his haori.

He watches the movement— watches you—

with an expression you’ve never seen on him before:

Open. Unmasked. Faintly shaken.

His thumb traces the edge of your jaw again. Every touch is delicate—careful—as if you might break.

⸻

He leans in Slow. Measured. Beautifully intentional.

The air between you disappears. His forehead presses a little shift lower— your temples touching, your noses gliding against each other. His breath warms your lips.

His hand on your waist tightens, guiding you closer—

closer— close enough to make your knees buckle. You tilt up instinctively. He tilts down.

Your mouths hover— barely a breath apart.

Byakuya (whisper against your lips): “…May I—”

He doesn’t finish. He doesn’t need to.

You exhale a trembling “yes” without even forming the word. Your lips part— He closes the last inch—

⸻

THE DOOR EXPLODES OPEN

SLAM.

A voice shrieks down the hallway:

Renji Abarai: “CAPTAIN—ARE YOU IN HE— OH— OH HELL NO—WHAT IS THIS?!”

You jump so violently you knee Byakuya’s thigh. He snaps upright—tall, composed, furious in silence.

You stumble back, face burning, breath hitched. Renji stands frozen in the doorway, eyes bulging, hands in the air like he walked into a crime scene.

Renji: “ARE YOU— ARE YOU TWO—WHAT— WHAT IS HAPPENING—?!”

You hide your face with both hands.

You: “Renji PLEASE—”

Byakuya turns toward him— slowly. Too slowly.

His expression is blank. Terrifyingly blank.

Byakuya (flat, lethal calm): “Leave.”

Renji sputters.

Renji: “NO because WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST—”

Byakuya takes one step forward.

Renji jumps back like a kicked puppy.

Renji: “O-OKAY! I’m leaving! Relax! Don’t kill me—

BUT ALSO WHAT THE—”

He slams the door shut. You hear him screaming down the hallway:

Renji (fading out): “HE WAS BREATHING YOUR AIR WHAT IS GOING ON—”

You want to die.

⸻

Silence. Thick. Uncomfortable. Too intimate. You don’t look up. You can’t.

Your voice is a squeak:

You: “…sir— I wasn’t— I mean— you were— we almost— I don’t know what to—”

Byakuya raises one hand.

You stop instantly. He looks at you for a long, impossible moment. His cheek still flushed. His lips still parted from the almost-kiss.

His voice lowers:

Byakuya: “This conversation is not concluded.”

Your heartbeat slams against your ribs.

You: “…It’s not?”

He steps closer— not touching this time, but close enough your breath catches again.

Byakuya (quiet certainty): “We will not be interrupted next time.”

Your knees nearly give out.

You whisper:

You: “…Byakuya—”

He turns toward the door, stops with his hand on the frame, and glances back at you— a look softer than anything he’s ever shown.

Byakuya: “Compose yourself before you return. Abarai is… insufferable.”

Translation: He will torment you for the rest of your life.

You nod, dazed. He leaves with silent footsteps.

⸻

Immediately outside Renji is WAITING like a feral raccoon. The second Byakuya is out of earshot, he grabs your shoulders:

Renji (screaming): “DID HE KISS YOU?! WERE YOU GONNA KISS HIM?! OH MY GOD WERE YOU MAKING OUT IN A STORAGE ROOM—?!”

You punch him in the arm with all your remaining dignity.

You: “RENJI SHUT UP—”