No More Paperwork, Please?[Byakuya]

”Auu…why me? Why paperwork?” came the soft whine of the fox-boy Shinigami. It was around mid-afternoon in the realm of the Soul Society, and not much had been going on as of late. However, for one particular Shinigami, Akito Miyagusuku, he’d been dealt with the task of handling various amounts of paperwork, while his Captain, Jushiro Ukitake had to attend to other matters. He understood that very well, and was able to deal with it. However, as of late, he’d been getting nothing but paperwork all day. And quite frankly, it was starting to take its toll, as well as tax him of his patience. More or less, it was starting to become rather tiresome.

Auu…this really does suck. But, it’s my duty, and it’s for the sake of everyone, so I can endure.” Akito had a tendency of speaking to himself, as well as not paying attention to his surroundings. However, it was a bit hard to do that when he was having a bit of trouble just carrying a stack of books that went well above his head. It was rather strange as to how exactly it was he was making his way throughout the Seireitei when he couldn’t physically see where he was going.

However, his mind began to wander a bit as he walked. No doubt, thoughts about the man he’d been crushing on since he arrived among the Gotei 13’s ranks. He wanted to be with him so badly. And yet, he was certain that there was no chance of such a thing. That particular Captain…he was much too cool for a lowly child like him. The thought made Akito sigh, before he finally came back to the Spirit World, only just realizing that he’d bumped into someone, falling to the ground. The books with all of his paperwork falling and strewn about everywhere. ”Tetetetete!...Ah!” Completely forgetting about the paperwork, the fox-child got to his knees and began bowing apologetically. ”Gomen nasai! I wasn’t paying attention to where I was going! Please forgive me!” However, when he looked up to see who it was, he wasn’t quite expecting who’s presence to be before him.

It was mid-afternoon, which was usually a busy time in Seireitei. The streets would be lined with shinigami running back and forth, talking with their friends and making a racket. It was something Byakuya absolutely hated, especially when he was trying to get his paperwork done. How could one concentrate while constantly listening to about a hundred shinigami talking to one another? It wasn't easy. But luckily it was raining today, so not many shinigami were outside. The ones that were weren't talking, but walking quickly, heading toward home. Byakuya could see this all through his office window, which faced the streets of the sixth division. Normally he hated having an office that was this close to the streets because of the noise, but when it rained it was oddly calming.

The captain tore his gaze from the window and looked again at his paperwork. Almost done. Byakuya quickly picked up another paper and wrote something in beautiful scrawling calligraphy. He worked fast but intently, always re-reading everything he wrote to make sure it was just right. Of course, this paperwork wasn't due for another two days, but like usual, Byakuya wanted to get it in early. He always turned his paperwork in at least a day early, figuring this was it was out of the office and something couldn't happen to it. Not that he himself would let anything happen that is, but his lieutenant.... Well, Byakuya was always very careful.

With a flourish, he finished the last sentence and carefully read over his work. It was the divisions weakly report on how everything was going, whether the shinigami were behaving, and how the division as a whole was working. Of course, everything was fine, as it usually was in the sixth division.

Byakuya carefully put his pen and ink away, and just sat there for a few minutes, looking out at the rain and waiting for the ink to dry. When it was, he got up, wanting to deliver the paperwork to the Captain Commander as soon as possible, and headed outside. It had stopped raining, and the sun was just peaking out behind the clouds. Byakuya walked quickly towards the first division, papers in hand. He heard a sudden yell, and turned around to see what was going on. Two shinigami, not from his division, seemed to be fighting. After a minute, they saw him watching, and stopped, quickly walking away. Foolish shinigami. Byakuya was about to turn and start walking again, when something knocked into him. Startled, his papers dropped from his hand and onto the ground. Luckily, none landed in puddles.

Byakuya glanced over at the person who had knocked into him, and recognized him as the 13th division lieutenant. Byakuya looked at him coldly, not making any move to retrieve his dropped papers. The boy was bowing and apologizing, but Byakuya wasn't listening. He didn't care.

"You really should look where you're going," Byakuya replied, his voice like ice. "More would be expected of a high ranked officer like yourself."

Upon the moment of hearing that icy voice, Akito already knew who it was right away. He looked up to have his eyes meet those of Byakuya Kuchiki himself. Captain of the 6th Division…and his semi-known crush. Every other Shinigami seemed to know about his helpless infatuation with the man, despite the fact that it was more than likely his feelings would not be returned. However, everyone of them had promised they would not say a word about it before him. At least, so they had said. But so far, it seemed the promise was valid, as he may have heard something otherwise already.

In any case, those words seemed to cut deep, though the fox-child knew Byakuya was right. He should have kept his senses more open than to blindly walk around the Seireitei the way he did. Thinking on this, he immediately spotted the man’s papers, before flailing a bit and scrambling to pick them all back up. Thankfully, not a single one had been dampened by the ground, in which he held them back up to the Captain, keeping his eyes averted below him. His process of thinking was that there were three problems: Byakuya was of noble blood, therefore, one such as himself was not worthy to look up at the man since he was from the Rukongai. Second, he was a lower rank than Byakuya, therefore, he was to show him respect in what ways he could. Finally, his little crush was another factor to making him feel somewhat…insignificant to Byakuya. In other words, he viewed himself as a small pup looking for that certain something. Though, possibly, looking for it in the wrong place.

”Gomen nasai…I shall do better from now on, Byakuya-taichou.” Akito’s voice came out rather soft, but almost whisper-like. His fox ears lowered and pinned against his head, as though a dog had just been scolded or hit by its master, therefore, shrinking back in fear. Another reason he was staring at the ground while addressing the man was to keep his face hidden, as currently, he was red as a cherry. He always seemed to flare up with his infatuation whenever Byakuya was even within the vicinity. However, he couldn’t simply brush it off like he had done so far whenever others were around. So he’d have to do his best to keep those emotions and feelings buried until he had accomplished his task.

Though the Lieutenant truly did look sorry, and a bit scared as well, Byakuya's gaze didn't soften. He really didn't care what kind of impact his words made on the other, as long as Akito listened to him and followed his orders. "Make sure that you do so," he replied, his voice hard and firm and not at all sympathetic. Sympathy was not something Byakuya knew. The captain was about to turn away and continue walking, when he suddenly remembered Reikou Yuuri had asked him to give a stack of paperwork to the 13th division captain when he saw him. Since he wasn't about to go all the way to the 13th division now, he figured he would just give it to Akito.

"Come," he told the lieutenant, motioning for him to follow. "I have some paperwork for your captain." Byakuya turned and begin to walk back to his office, a bit reluctantly. What he really wanted was to go home. He didn't wait for Akito, and opening the door, walking over his desk and started looking for the papers.