Uh... I have no idea why, but have a Bleach/FF7:AC crossover
Not dead, despite life's best efforts. I probably won't be around much till late June, as I am involved in running this years National Science Fiction Convention and it's taking up a lot of time. However today, while cooking dinner, the following fic idea popped into my head and insisted on being written. I have no idea why, especially since there's at least a dozen things I should be doing instead, not to mention it's been forever since I watched, read or played either of these things. It's completely bananas and strangely worked. And it would have been much, much shorter if Byakuya would have just shut up. For a character that barely speaks he sure THINKS a lot! Anyway...
Title: And then they all died and lived happily ever after
Series: Bleach/Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children crossover
Characters: Byakuya, Sephiroth, Renji, Zack, sundry others mentioned but not appearing because this is already too damn long
Spoilers: Bleach through Soul Society storyline, FF7... um... spoilers for who died in the game and Advent Children (is that even a spoiler???), also mention of Zack's new last name
Rating: G
Kuchiki Byakuya sipped at his tea slowly and meditatively, savouring the aroma and flavour. Opposite him, his guest mirrored his actions, his hands equally graceful around the fragile cup.
Outside in the garden there was an almighty crash.
"Oops! Ummm... I'm totally sure that can be fixed."
Not even the slightest twitch marred either face as the two men continued in their solemn tea-savouring ceremony. Finally, when the first mouthful had been fully experienced, Kuchiki's guest deigned to reply to the mishap.
"If it cannot be, Zachary, the replacement cost is coming out of your pay."
Byakuya inclined his head towards his guest, and Sephiroth, Captain of the 9th Division, returned his acknowledgment.
"Perhaps, Renji, you might take your guests further into the gardens," Byakuya added onto the earlier comment, being careful not to place any stress at all on the word 'your'. "That way there can be no further damage from your... training."
"This is training? I thought this was some stupid Gaian game?"
"It's not a game... it's a sport. A great and noble sport, with ancest... antece... ancient origins and everything!" The last sentence was shouted a bit louder than strictly necessary. Clearly Zack had taken offence at the use of his full name. "He's right though, we better take off before we interrupt the lack of conversation again."
Sephiroth showed no expression at this lack of respect from his supposed second, but Byakuya didn't really expect to see any. Certainly he made no response to Renji's shouted, "Later Captain! You two play nice in there, okay?"
That didn't however mean the two Captains weren't contemplating some form of... not revenge. Petty men plotted revenge. Men such as Byakuya and Sephiroth...
"I have been thinking about introducing a new training regime for my senior officers," Sephiroth said calmly. "But I am concerned that only using it on my own officers will make it difficult to track their progress."
Byakuya did not, in any way, shape, or form, smile. "Perhaps if we were both to implement this regime, we might be able to better measure any improvement," he suggested. "I would very much like to see your plans for this training program."
"I should be very pleased for any suggestions you might have," Sephiroth replied.
Byakuya sipped his tea again, and closed his eyes to better savour the scent, flavour, and peculiar sensation of... enjoyment... in having someone around with whom one could truly communicate.
When he had first been introduced to the new Captain, Byakuya had assumed from Sephiroth's natural aloofness that the man had originally come from an aristocratic background. Although he was not normally given to surrendering to the demands of others, his recently-returned-to-his-side sister and his vice-captain had been strident after the Ryoka Incident and the subsequent Great Betrayal that he needed to "make some real friends". Having finally found what he thought might be a social peer (not an equal, of course, but certainly One Of Us) he had tentatively attempted to initiate some sort of camaraderie with the other man. He had eventually realised that not only was Sephiroth common-born, but that he was not even naturally-born, and that what he had thought was a natural assumption of his superiority to others was in fact a severe lack of social skills.
After some consideration on the matter, Byakuya had decided that the simple fact that Sephiroth was one of the very few people he could stand to spend any time at all around outside of work was perhaps sufficient to over-rule the circumstances of the other man's birth. Besides, the man was an excellent swordsman, and the Masamune a truly noble Zanpakuto. And so their peculiar friendship continued.
(Although if Renji ever again referred to their weekly tea-meetings as "play-dates" (a piece of obnoxious Gaian slang that Byakuya knew exactly who to blame for) he was going to find himself in serious trouble. Still, at least he got along with Vice-Captain Fair. The last time Captain Soifon had come to discuss some details of patrolling the city, the two Captains had returned to the office to discover Renji forcibly stuffing rice-crackers up Vice-Captain Omaeda's nose.)
(Oddly enough, Captain Soifon had seemed neither particularly surprised nor upset by this.)
The first cup of tea finished, the men turned their attention to a far more difficult challenge.
Casual conversation.
"Your sister continues well?" Sephiroth spoke first (it was his turn to begin).
Byakuya bowed his head in acknowledgment of an excellent starting gambit. "Rukia endeavours as always to uphold the family name." He murmured politely, before pausing slightly and continuing. This next section was always a bit tricky. "And your brothers, they are also continuing favourably?"
"Kadaj and Yazoo do well at the Academy," Sephiroth sipped his tea as he contemplated how to phrase the next sentence. "Loz... does not do so well. I fear he is not... educationally inclined."
There was an awkward pause as both men tried to work out where to go from here.
"However Captain Zaraki has graciously condescended to take an interest in Loz's development, and he is much in the company of the Captain and Vice-Captain Kusajishi."
From the look on Sephiroth's face, he wasn't entirely sure if this was a good thing or not. Having been Vice-Captain Kusajishi's former favourite playmate, Byakuya understood completely. On the other hand, he had been enjoying the quiet of late, and so...
"I am sure that the association will benefit him greatly," he murmured politely.
The slight tilt to the glance Sephiroth sent him showed that the other man had not been fooled by the comment at all, but as he was unlikely to be able to prevent Loz and Yachiru from playing "tag" across Soul Society at all hours of the day, Byakuya was not particularly concerned.
"Vice-Captain Abarai's bankai seems to be developing swiftly," Sephiroth observed next, and Byakuya pursed his lips thoughtfully as he contemplated his response.
"I have hopes that one day he will develop into an... adequate opponent."
This was far more praise than Byakuya had ever heaped on his second before (and hopefully more than he would have to give ever again), but he could not possibly let Sephiroth's comment stand. Hmph. He had thought the other man above the childish "my Vice-Captain can beat up your Vice-Captain" arguments that certain other Divisions felt the need to indulge in. Loz must have been bringing Zaraki and Yachiru home for visits.
Byakuya continued with a dig of his own.
"Of course, it is a shame that Vice-Captain Fair refused to take over the Captaincy of the 12th Division when it... fell open."
Sephiroth's lips twitched briefly. "Vice-Captain Fair has my full support in his handling of the situation regarding the 12th Division."
Byakuya nodded. He did not, of course, listen to court gossip. Kuchiki's were above such things. Rukia, sadly, had yet to grasp this particular concept, and in the interests of furthering a true family bond between his sister and himself Byakuya had perforce not interrupted her when she had sat down one evening and told him everything she had managed to find out about Sephiroth. Including the circumstances of his birth and death.
"Just to make sure you don't go saying something awkward that might damage your relationship," Rukia had assured him. "I think it's good that you have a friend, brother."
At the time he'd been just touched enough not to take offence at the implication that he might say something "awkward".
"Still," Sephiroth stared into his tea. "The lack of shinigami of sufficient level of power to take over a Captaincy is somewhat concerning, considering the current situation. Perhaps I should have another conversation with Zack."
Byakuya stared into his own tea, aware of Sephiroth's acute unhappiness with the idea of losing his valued Vice-Captain. After Zack's... removal of former Captain Kurotsuchi, the man had been heavily pressured to take over, if not 12th, then one of the other vacant Divisions. Sephiroth's arrival and taking over of Tousen's old Division had eased things somewhat, but Soul Society was STILL short three Captains and it was becoming difficult to function. Byakuya was aware that the fact that Zack was easily Captain-level and yet refused to leave Sephiroth's side was causing conflict in the higher areas of the Court of Pure Souls. Sephiroth and Zack themselves had had... discussions on the matter. Byakuya pondered his loyalty to his friend and to Soul Society. Then he thought about Rukia again.
"I believe the walls of Soul Society are still ringing from the last such 'conversation'," he observed finally. "However, if you feel you must waste energy in a futile endeavour, then I shall not attempt to dissuade you."
Some of the tension leeched out of Sephiroth, and he bowed his head slightly.
Byakuya considered the argument further. "Perhaps it might benefit Soul Society to take another look at the resources we already have, before seeking further afield." He mused. "Besides Renji, I am fairly sure that at least one other individual has achieved bankai, and has chosen not to make that information public."
Sephiroth's eyebrows rose. "Do you know who this individual is?"
Byakuya shook his head, although he could probably guess at the likely person. He was not going to however, because Renji's tiny slip that he had a good "sparring partner" had been made during a private conversation and he would never betray his Vice-Captain that way. And also because the concept of that particular individual becoming a Captain was horrifying on both a personal and professional level. Byakuya would sooner see Kurosaki in a Captaincy.
"Speaking of the 12th Division, how is former Vice-Captain Kurotsuchi doing?" He inquired, changing the subject abruptly.
Sephiroth accepted the change without question. "Nemu is well. Aer... 4th Division 6th seat Gainsborough reports that she and Kadaj have discovered that they share a number of similar experiences and have begun to spend time together. Miss Gainsborough hopes that this will lead them towards further healing."
Byakuya nodded, and personally thought that if the Court were going to complain about individuals who were hiding their lights under bushels instead of taking Captaincy's, they should be starting with the ridiculous situation in 4th Division. 6th seat Gainsborough indeed.
The conversation continues in fits and starts through the battle-preparedness of various Divisions, training regimes (Byakuya has several suggestions for Sephiroth's new plan), and the quality of new recruits coming out of the Academy (both Byakuya and Sephiroth consider the latest batch unacceptable and have each written independent but surprisingly similar letters to the teaching council expressing their opinions on the matter).
Eventually the conversation dries up, and they are content to sit in silence, simply enjoying the peace. It doesn't last long however, as Zack and Renji both have very good ideas of how long their Captain's can "relax" before they begin to feel that they are wasting time which could better be spent training or working (not very long).
And so it was without much surprise that both Captains heard the peace shatter under the sound of raucous (and quite possibly drunken) laughter.
"No, no, seriously. I'm telling you the truth, this is my natural hairstyle!"
"Riiight... and so is Captain Zaraki's. Hey, there's an idea, maybe you should put bells in yours too!"
"Why don't you shove Captain Zaraki's bells up your..."
"ZACK! RENJI! TERRIBLE NEWS!"
Sephiroth and Byakuya twitch briefly at the bellow from Vice-Captain Tetsuzaemon, each stroking a hand down their zanpakuto.
"Don't yell so loud, you idiot. The Captain's are talking."
"Oh, I wondered why it was so quiet. But anyway... news! Terrible news! There's a challenger for your Captain, Zack, and he's really, really strong!"
Sephiroth and Byakuya trade glances and promptly dismiss this as an incorrect interpretation of terrible. Now, if the challenger was of a low power level, that would be terrible.
"Oh yeah? And what's the name of this suicidal nutcase?"
"Uh... didn't catch it. But he blew through the remainder of 12th Division on the way here without even stopping, and was last seen working his way through 3rd. He may not make it here though - Yumichika has decided the guy's beautiful and is trying to persuade Captain Zaraki to take him on, and I think he's seriously considering it - not because he's beautiful I mean, but the little guy's got the most awesome bankai."
Byakuya blinked as Sephiroth suddenly became even more alert.
"Little guy?" Zack's voice was equally intent.
"Yeah. Short, blonde, kind of pretty. Probably be even shorter if he didn't stick his hair up on end like tha... ZACK! Where are you going??!!!"
"Gotta clear up some misunderstandings! YUMI!!! You can't have him, he's OURS!!!"
Sephiroth stood, smiling slightly, and inclined his head towards Byakuya. "My thanks for your gracious hospitality." He said politely. "I hope I will have the pleasure of your company next week."
Byakuya bowed politely in return, firmly squashing any trace of curiosity. Outside, Renji and Iba were decidedly not doing so and being very loud about it.
Sephiroth turned to leave, and then turned back briefly. "I apologise for my reticence on this matter, and I hope to be able to explain properly next time we meet."
"There is no need for you to explain," Byakuya replies, and means it. Sephiroth is a fellow Captain, and owes no one an explanation unless it directly relates to his work. While it is true they are "friends" of a sort, Byakuya would never expect an explanation.
Something around Sephiroth's eyes loosens slightly. "Perhaps then I simply wish to explain it to you."
Byakuya examines this peculiar sentiment and finds himself... not displeased by it.
Sephiroth's mouth quirks. "And, I hope, perhaps be able to proffer a suggestion for one of the empty Captaincies."
And then he leaves and Byakuya is confused again, but not annoyingly so. Sephiroth is not given to exaggeration, and so perhaps he will not be forced to see another halfwit in a Captain's jacket.
That would be pleasant.
End
A/N: Man, I hadn't even had chocolate when this one ambushed me. I blame Byakuya. Who is not even my favourite character in that damn series!!! Now, ZARAKI's appearance I could rationalise. But Byakuya?
Edited to add: And now I am fighting off the one where Zaraki encounters holic's Watanuki and wants to keep him because he attracts all the big cool monsters and this way he doesn't have to go looking for him and Doumeki is all "No." And Zaraki is all, "We would take GOOD CARE of him. I wouldn't break him or forget to rescue him or anything!" And Doumeki is all "NO!" This is not what I meant when I said I liked you, you big dumb freak! Enough already!
Title: And then they all died and lived happily ever after
Series: Bleach/Final Fantasy 7: Advent Children crossover
Characters: Byakuya, Sephiroth, Renji, Zack, sundry others mentioned but not appearing because this is already too damn long
Spoilers: Bleach through Soul Society storyline, FF7... um... spoilers for who died in the game and Advent Children (is that even a spoiler???), also mention of Zack's new last name
Rating: G
Kuchiki Byakuya sipped at his tea slowly and meditatively, savouring the aroma and flavour. Opposite him, his guest mirrored his actions, his hands equally graceful around the fragile cup.
Outside in the garden there was an almighty crash.
"Oops! Ummm... I'm totally sure that can be fixed."
Not even the slightest twitch marred either face as the two men continued in their solemn tea-savouring ceremony. Finally, when the first mouthful had been fully experienced, Kuchiki's guest deigned to reply to the mishap.
"If it cannot be, Zachary, the replacement cost is coming out of your pay."
Byakuya inclined his head towards his guest, and Sephiroth, Captain of the 9th Division, returned his acknowledgment.
"Perhaps, Renji, you might take your guests further into the gardens," Byakuya added onto the earlier comment, being careful not to place any stress at all on the word 'your'. "That way there can be no further damage from your... training."
"This is training? I thought this was some stupid Gaian game?"
"It's not a game... it's a sport. A great and noble sport, with ancest... antece... ancient origins and everything!" The last sentence was shouted a bit louder than strictly necessary. Clearly Zack had taken offence at the use of his full name. "He's right though, we better take off before we interrupt the lack of conversation again."
Sephiroth showed no expression at this lack of respect from his supposed second, but Byakuya didn't really expect to see any. Certainly he made no response to Renji's shouted, "Later Captain! You two play nice in there, okay?"
That didn't however mean the two Captains weren't contemplating some form of... not revenge. Petty men plotted revenge. Men such as Byakuya and Sephiroth...
"I have been thinking about introducing a new training regime for my senior officers," Sephiroth said calmly. "But I am concerned that only using it on my own officers will make it difficult to track their progress."
Byakuya did not, in any way, shape, or form, smile. "Perhaps if we were both to implement this regime, we might be able to better measure any improvement," he suggested. "I would very much like to see your plans for this training program."
"I should be very pleased for any suggestions you might have," Sephiroth replied.
Byakuya sipped his tea again, and closed his eyes to better savour the scent, flavour, and peculiar sensation of... enjoyment... in having someone around with whom one could truly communicate.
When he had first been introduced to the new Captain, Byakuya had assumed from Sephiroth's natural aloofness that the man had originally come from an aristocratic background. Although he was not normally given to surrendering to the demands of others, his recently-returned-to-his-side sister and his vice-captain had been strident after the Ryoka Incident and the subsequent Great Betrayal that he needed to "make some real friends". Having finally found what he thought might be a social peer (not an equal, of course, but certainly One Of Us) he had tentatively attempted to initiate some sort of camaraderie with the other man. He had eventually realised that not only was Sephiroth common-born, but that he was not even naturally-born, and that what he had thought was a natural assumption of his superiority to others was in fact a severe lack of social skills.
After some consideration on the matter, Byakuya had decided that the simple fact that Sephiroth was one of the very few people he could stand to spend any time at all around outside of work was perhaps sufficient to over-rule the circumstances of the other man's birth. Besides, the man was an excellent swordsman, and the Masamune a truly noble Zanpakuto. And so their peculiar friendship continued.
(Although if Renji ever again referred to their weekly tea-meetings as "play-dates" (a piece of obnoxious Gaian slang that Byakuya knew exactly who to blame for) he was going to find himself in serious trouble. Still, at least he got along with Vice-Captain Fair. The last time Captain Soifon had come to discuss some details of patrolling the city, the two Captains had returned to the office to discover Renji forcibly stuffing rice-crackers up Vice-Captain Omaeda's nose.)
(Oddly enough, Captain Soifon had seemed neither particularly surprised nor upset by this.)
The first cup of tea finished, the men turned their attention to a far more difficult challenge.
Casual conversation.
"Your sister continues well?" Sephiroth spoke first (it was his turn to begin).
Byakuya bowed his head in acknowledgment of an excellent starting gambit. "Rukia endeavours as always to uphold the family name." He murmured politely, before pausing slightly and continuing. This next section was always a bit tricky. "And your brothers, they are also continuing favourably?"
"Kadaj and Yazoo do well at the Academy," Sephiroth sipped his tea as he contemplated how to phrase the next sentence. "Loz... does not do so well. I fear he is not... educationally inclined."
There was an awkward pause as both men tried to work out where to go from here.
"However Captain Zaraki has graciously condescended to take an interest in Loz's development, and he is much in the company of the Captain and Vice-Captain Kusajishi."
From the look on Sephiroth's face, he wasn't entirely sure if this was a good thing or not. Having been Vice-Captain Kusajishi's former favourite playmate, Byakuya understood completely. On the other hand, he had been enjoying the quiet of late, and so...
"I am sure that the association will benefit him greatly," he murmured politely.
The slight tilt to the glance Sephiroth sent him showed that the other man had not been fooled by the comment at all, but as he was unlikely to be able to prevent Loz and Yachiru from playing "tag" across Soul Society at all hours of the day, Byakuya was not particularly concerned.
"Vice-Captain Abarai's bankai seems to be developing swiftly," Sephiroth observed next, and Byakuya pursed his lips thoughtfully as he contemplated his response.
"I have hopes that one day he will develop into an... adequate opponent."
This was far more praise than Byakuya had ever heaped on his second before (and hopefully more than he would have to give ever again), but he could not possibly let Sephiroth's comment stand. Hmph. He had thought the other man above the childish "my Vice-Captain can beat up your Vice-Captain" arguments that certain other Divisions felt the need to indulge in. Loz must have been bringing Zaraki and Yachiru home for visits.
Byakuya continued with a dig of his own.
"Of course, it is a shame that Vice-Captain Fair refused to take over the Captaincy of the 12th Division when it... fell open."
Sephiroth's lips twitched briefly. "Vice-Captain Fair has my full support in his handling of the situation regarding the 12th Division."
Byakuya nodded. He did not, of course, listen to court gossip. Kuchiki's were above such things. Rukia, sadly, had yet to grasp this particular concept, and in the interests of furthering a true family bond between his sister and himself Byakuya had perforce not interrupted her when she had sat down one evening and told him everything she had managed to find out about Sephiroth. Including the circumstances of his birth and death.
"Just to make sure you don't go saying something awkward that might damage your relationship," Rukia had assured him. "I think it's good that you have a friend, brother."
At the time he'd been just touched enough not to take offence at the implication that he might say something "awkward".
"Still," Sephiroth stared into his tea. "The lack of shinigami of sufficient level of power to take over a Captaincy is somewhat concerning, considering the current situation. Perhaps I should have another conversation with Zack."
Byakuya stared into his own tea, aware of Sephiroth's acute unhappiness with the idea of losing his valued Vice-Captain. After Zack's... removal of former Captain Kurotsuchi, the man had been heavily pressured to take over, if not 12th, then one of the other vacant Divisions. Sephiroth's arrival and taking over of Tousen's old Division had eased things somewhat, but Soul Society was STILL short three Captains and it was becoming difficult to function. Byakuya was aware that the fact that Zack was easily Captain-level and yet refused to leave Sephiroth's side was causing conflict in the higher areas of the Court of Pure Souls. Sephiroth and Zack themselves had had... discussions on the matter. Byakuya pondered his loyalty to his friend and to Soul Society. Then he thought about Rukia again.
"I believe the walls of Soul Society are still ringing from the last such 'conversation'," he observed finally. "However, if you feel you must waste energy in a futile endeavour, then I shall not attempt to dissuade you."
Some of the tension leeched out of Sephiroth, and he bowed his head slightly.
Byakuya considered the argument further. "Perhaps it might benefit Soul Society to take another look at the resources we already have, before seeking further afield." He mused. "Besides Renji, I am fairly sure that at least one other individual has achieved bankai, and has chosen not to make that information public."
Sephiroth's eyebrows rose. "Do you know who this individual is?"
Byakuya shook his head, although he could probably guess at the likely person. He was not going to however, because Renji's tiny slip that he had a good "sparring partner" had been made during a private conversation and he would never betray his Vice-Captain that way. And also because the concept of that particular individual becoming a Captain was horrifying on both a personal and professional level. Byakuya would sooner see Kurosaki in a Captaincy.
"Speaking of the 12th Division, how is former Vice-Captain Kurotsuchi doing?" He inquired, changing the subject abruptly.
Sephiroth accepted the change without question. "Nemu is well. Aer... 4th Division 6th seat Gainsborough reports that she and Kadaj have discovered that they share a number of similar experiences and have begun to spend time together. Miss Gainsborough hopes that this will lead them towards further healing."
Byakuya nodded, and personally thought that if the Court were going to complain about individuals who were hiding their lights under bushels instead of taking Captaincy's, they should be starting with the ridiculous situation in 4th Division. 6th seat Gainsborough indeed.
The conversation continues in fits and starts through the battle-preparedness of various Divisions, training regimes (Byakuya has several suggestions for Sephiroth's new plan), and the quality of new recruits coming out of the Academy (both Byakuya and Sephiroth consider the latest batch unacceptable and have each written independent but surprisingly similar letters to the teaching council expressing their opinions on the matter).
Eventually the conversation dries up, and they are content to sit in silence, simply enjoying the peace. It doesn't last long however, as Zack and Renji both have very good ideas of how long their Captain's can "relax" before they begin to feel that they are wasting time which could better be spent training or working (not very long).
And so it was without much surprise that both Captains heard the peace shatter under the sound of raucous (and quite possibly drunken) laughter.
"No, no, seriously. I'm telling you the truth, this is my natural hairstyle!"
"Riiight... and so is Captain Zaraki's. Hey, there's an idea, maybe you should put bells in yours too!"
"Why don't you shove Captain Zaraki's bells up your..."
"ZACK! RENJI! TERRIBLE NEWS!"
Sephiroth and Byakuya twitch briefly at the bellow from Vice-Captain Tetsuzaemon, each stroking a hand down their zanpakuto.
"Don't yell so loud, you idiot. The Captain's are talking."
"Oh, I wondered why it was so quiet. But anyway... news! Terrible news! There's a challenger for your Captain, Zack, and he's really, really strong!"
Sephiroth and Byakuya trade glances and promptly dismiss this as an incorrect interpretation of terrible. Now, if the challenger was of a low power level, that would be terrible.
"Oh yeah? And what's the name of this suicidal nutcase?"
"Uh... didn't catch it. But he blew through the remainder of 12th Division on the way here without even stopping, and was last seen working his way through 3rd. He may not make it here though - Yumichika has decided the guy's beautiful and is trying to persuade Captain Zaraki to take him on, and I think he's seriously considering it - not because he's beautiful I mean, but the little guy's got the most awesome bankai."
Byakuya blinked as Sephiroth suddenly became even more alert.
"Little guy?" Zack's voice was equally intent.
"Yeah. Short, blonde, kind of pretty. Probably be even shorter if he didn't stick his hair up on end like tha... ZACK! Where are you going??!!!"
"Gotta clear up some misunderstandings! YUMI!!! You can't have him, he's OURS!!!"
Sephiroth stood, smiling slightly, and inclined his head towards Byakuya. "My thanks for your gracious hospitality." He said politely. "I hope I will have the pleasure of your company next week."
Byakuya bowed politely in return, firmly squashing any trace of curiosity. Outside, Renji and Iba were decidedly not doing so and being very loud about it.
Sephiroth turned to leave, and then turned back briefly. "I apologise for my reticence on this matter, and I hope to be able to explain properly next time we meet."
"There is no need for you to explain," Byakuya replies, and means it. Sephiroth is a fellow Captain, and owes no one an explanation unless it directly relates to his work. While it is true they are "friends" of a sort, Byakuya would never expect an explanation.
Something around Sephiroth's eyes loosens slightly. "Perhaps then I simply wish to explain it to you."
Byakuya examines this peculiar sentiment and finds himself... not displeased by it.
Sephiroth's mouth quirks. "And, I hope, perhaps be able to proffer a suggestion for one of the empty Captaincies."
And then he leaves and Byakuya is confused again, but not annoyingly so. Sephiroth is not given to exaggeration, and so perhaps he will not be forced to see another halfwit in a Captain's jacket.
That would be pleasant.
End
A/N: Man, I hadn't even had chocolate when this one ambushed me. I blame Byakuya. Who is not even my favourite character in that damn series!!! Now, ZARAKI's appearance I could rationalise. But Byakuya?
Edited to add: And now I am fighting off the one where Zaraki encounters holic's Watanuki and wants to keep him because he attracts all the big cool monsters and this way he doesn't have to go looking for him and Doumeki is all "No." And Zaraki is all, "We would take GOOD CARE of him. I wouldn't break him or forget to rescue him or anything!" And Doumeki is all "NO!" This is not what I meant when I said I liked you, you big dumb freak! Enough already!