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“Oi, Kuchiki, what are ya doing here?”
Byakuya cast a wary eye on Zaraki, who was deeply engrossed in his drinking in the noisy bar that Renji and his friends frequented. He had come to locate his wayward Lieutenant because the man had once again blundered with his paperwork, and certain matters required clarification and correction before they could be approved.
“Where is Abarai?” Byakuya asked, scanning the bustling crowd. It was getting a bit uncomfortable staying there, and he was getting weird looks from the patrons since he wasn’t usually seen in such an establishment.
Zaraki shrugged, and as Byakuya contemplated circling the bar to search for Renji, Zaraki quipped “I’d wait here if I were ya. This place can get a bit rowdy, especially for a princess.”
Normally, Byakuya would retort with a sharp comeback upon hearing that annoying nickname yet again. Who dares call him ‘princess’ anyway!? He should be a prince! A prince! He just wasn’t in the mood for petty banter with Zaraki.
He wished to complete his work as quickly as possible and return home. It was only Renji’s erroneous paperwork standing in his way.
“What’s got your panties in a twist, huh?”
“That is none of your business.”
“Maybe, but I want to know what could cause the prissy noble to be even more prissy than normal.”
“Be silent, Zaraki.” Byakuya scowled because he was starting to get irritated.
“Sit down, princess. Have a drink.” Zaraki gestured with his bottle to the chair opposite him, and Byakuya responded with an exasperated sigh. He complied and accepted the drink Zaraki poured for him, unable to summon the energy for further resistance.
“There you go. Sip on that, and perhaps you’ll relax a bit. Those furrowed brows don’t make ya any younger, ya know?”
Byakuya shot the other captain the iciest glare he could muster, but the man remained unfazed, maintaining his trademark grin. The man doesn’t stop being annoying even when he’s not asking for a fight to the death.
Reluctantly, Byakuya knocked back the liquor Zaraki had poured for him and almost gagged at its unpleasant taste.
“What is this?” he asked distastefully, knowing there was much better liquor back at his estate that he should be drinking instead.
Zaraki nonchalantly shrugged. “Cheap sake.”
“This is an abomination.” Zaraki grinned in response.
“Well, at least we agree on something. I’d prefer the high-class stuff, but buying that every day would leave me broke.”
“Still , this is far from enjoyable. You should consider an alternative. It tastes almost like Fourth Division medicine.” Which is true, because that thing sucked. Byakuya had gone to great lengths to avoid the Fourth Division whenever possible, resorting instead to his clan’s healers, who crafted palatable remedies at his behest. It was one of the perks of his position.
On the other hand, Zaraki really couldn’t care less what he drinks, as long as there’s something to drink. “Maybe we should dip into your liquor stash. I’m sure ya got plenty of the good stuff at your place.”
“That does sound more agreeable,” Byakuya replied, pushing the glass away from him and rising from his seat to leave. Zaraki watched him intently as he walked away. “Are you not coming, Captain Zaraki?”
With a wide grin as if he won a lottery, Zaraki stood up and followed Byakuya out of the establishment, leaving a few extra coins on the table.
Byakuya decided he would send a Hell Butterfly to inform Renji of his absence and, for once, enjoy his birthday with an unexpected companion and a far more exquisite bottle of alcohol that left no room for comparison.