Standard disclaimers apply.

Notes: Posted this fic on my LJ few weeks back. I have some Bleach stuff that I don't publish here. If anyone's interested, you can visit www(dot)livejournal(dot)com(slash)users(slash)rasquine. Hehe...

- : - The Diamond's Worth - : -

It was unusual for his attention to stray. Yet, despite trying to keep up with whatever it was the 5th division captain was saying, Byakuya found himself stealing glances towards the group of shinigami chatting under a huge sakura tree, particularly at the redhead who kept grinning and laughing out loud, seemingly totally at ease and enjoying himself very much. Byakuya had never been privileged to see his vice-captain's carefree expressions up close.

"Something wrong, Kuchiki?"

Byakuya realized his gaze had strayed a few seconds too long. Calmly, he turned back to the older man before him. "Nothing's wrong. Forgive me."

Aizen Sousuke offered a genial smile. "It's rare for you to be distracted as such," the captain remarked good-naturedly. He slid a glance to the group of shinigami which Byakuya had been interested in. "Ah, I see. Abarai-kun, is it? He has been a good vice-captain, yes?"

Byakuya maintained his stoic composure. "He's loud and brash. Vulgar in terms of words and with the way he carries himself. Thinks with his heart first. He still has a lot to learn."

Aizen nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, I agree. That was why I had him transferred to the 11th division." Seeing Byakuya's raised eyebrow, he chuckled lightly. "I was just joking. Abarai-kun has great strength and potential, which was why I think he was more suited with the 11th division known for being the strongest division around. And I was right; he was promoted to the post of vice-captain after all. Though I admit it surprised me that he is your vice-captain."

Byakuya decided not to press further on Aizen's insinuation. "Perhaps it was an unwise decision on my part."

"Nonsense!" Aizen stated firmly, yet still retaining that gentle cadence. "Abarai-kun is one of the finest shinigami around. Then again, we can't expect anything less from the 11th division. It seems that quite a number of our vice-captains are from that division, including mine."

Byakuya said nothing. He cast a glance yet again to the group which, with the exception of Renji, was made up of seated members from the 11th division. Besides being the strongest division around, it was also the most tightly-bonded one, a strange irony indeed considering the captain was a shinigami known for his brute strength and his insane love for carnage.

"Though I have to admit, Abarai-kun is a loose cannon. He is independent, no doubt, and like you said, he thinks with his heart first. Perhaps there may come a day when we would witness that stubborn streak of his, though I pray he will learn to keep that fiery spirit of his in check."

Aizen seemed to be speaking in riddles, but Byakuya sensed a subtle warning behind those words. He allowed a slight frown to crease his forehead. "What are you trying to say?"

The older man looked perplexed. "Oh dear, please do not take my words so seriously, Kuchiki. I was just making an observation of Abarai-kun, nothing more." But unless he was just imagining it, Byakuya could have sworn there was a strange flicker – amusement or mockery, he was not sure which – in those soft brown eyes.

"Ah, forgive me. I was being too hasty."

Aizen smiled sympathetically. "It's only natural for a captain to be defensive about his vice-captain. I can see you do care for him."

Care? For that loudmouth? Hardly. "Emotions are useless. I am just concerned with the members' discipline. I will not tolerate those who break the rules, whatever their reasons may be. And as the vice-captain, it is mandatory for Renji to set a good example. I will make sure of it."

"You're certainly a model captain, Kuchiki," Aizen said with a small sigh. "But as his former superior, I do hope you'll not be so harsh with Abarai-kun. That boy's a diamond in the rough and a little polishing up would not hurt. But wear him down and he may be a deadly weapon."

Diamond in the rough? A deadly weapon? Out of respect for the man before him, Byakuya kept in check any derisive comment he had in mind. "I shall keep that in mind. If you'll excuse me, I need to get back to my post."

Aizen nodded. "Yes, certainly."

Byakuya gave a slight bow and took his leave. But as he brushed past the other man, he thought he heard the latter saying, "Keep an eye on him." He stopped in his tracks and looked over his shoulder, but Aizen had already walked away.

- : - : -

Some time later Byakuya returned to the office only to find his vice-captain sprawled on the couch, asleep. His top half of the black robe was bunched around his waist and a thin stack of papers lay haphazardly on his naked, muscled torso. Byakuya narrowed his eyes at the sight. Such impudence.

"Renji!" he called out loudly. He tried again, but the fool was apparently deep in slumber. Byakuya wondered what the redhead had been up to until he was tired out as such.

Left with no choice, Byakuya reached over and whisked the papers off his vice-captain. Hardly a stir. The sight of the tattoos emblazoned across the redhead's skin held Byakuya's attention then. Stupid really, these meaningless lines the redhead proudly embodied. They were as weird as those colorful, flowery robes he often wore when off-duty. Commoners.

Yet, this was the man he chose to be his vice-captain. The shocked expression Renji had when it was announced before the council of captains and other seated shinigami that he was the new 6th division captain still remained etched in Byakuya's mind. Their eyes had met, and Byakuya saw a strange fire in the other's eyes, almost challenging. But Renji had respectfully bowed then and when he looked up, the fire was gone.

But why Renji indeed? Perhaps it was his strength and potential, as what Aizen had said. Among the contending seated shinigami, the loudmouth had stood out impressively. Or perhaps it was precisely that, his loud personality. Many knew and liked him. And the 6th division seemed livelier with him around.

Renji stirred then, a low guttural moan escaping him as he stretched. Byakuya stood his ground, watching his vice-captain. Renji yawned widely as he slowly opened his eyes, blinking a couple of times to break free from disorientation. And predictably, those eyes widened and Renji immediately sat up.

"Kuchiki-taichou! I… I didn't realize I fell asleep. Please forgive me! I shall get back to work immediately!"

Byakuya held up the papers in his hand. "Don't bother," he said harshly. "I will do this, since you're clearly incompetent."

A faint blush crept up the other's cheeks. "I'm terribly sorry, Kuchiki-taichou. Please, let me do it."

Byakuya hesitated for a few seconds before finally edging the papers towards Renji. His vice-captain looked relieved as he took the papers.

"Thank you, Kuchiki-taichou."

The said captain kept silent and turned, striding off towards his desk. He rested his zanpakutou on the desk and started on his own paperwork. A quick glance and he saw Renji slipping the top half of his robe back up.

The office remained quiet.

- : - : -

She remained eternally frozen within the frame but the warmth of her tender smile was still felt. He never tired gazing at her and telling her of the day's events. She was the perfect listener and even though she could offer no words, her smile was enough to soothe away any worries he might have.

He told her secrets too since she was trustworthy. She would listen with that ever-present smile and she never once made him feel awkward. He could tell her everything and she would accept them all, never judging and always patient. With her, he could be himself, the barriers he built around himself when with others momentarily lowered.

"Aizen called him a diamond in the rough. But how can that be, when he clearly outshines even the finest cut there is? His true worth, not even Aizen could see it." She smiled, she listened. "It took me a while but I finally have him by my side. Perhaps then your smile will truly live on? And even if her smiles are with him, I can still look on from a distance, can I not?"

Silence. "Yes, even his smiles."

Another bout of silence. "I agree; it's getting late. I will see you tomorrow then. Good night… Hisana."

- owari -