WALKING THE BLOOD RED CARPET | open

Apathetic golden orbs gazed into the architectural elegance of the Sixth Division barracks, black garbs dancing lightly in the rapping of soft footwear, a black armguard nudging outward from the pockets against three sheathed armaments at the left hip. Countless eyes gravitated towards the ruffled mane of red hair, and the distinct black fur curl about the collar, though none had the audacity to lock eye contact, much less speak.

It had only been a month since the lieutenant had returned from his special mission from the Royal Guard, and every mouth that spread the rumor of his disappearance had perverted the truth more and more.

His pattering stopped in front of distinct doors and a single dextral hand slide them open, and his eyes couldn’t help but to dilate at the surprising sight, even though his devilish grin was trembling with hilarity. He chuckled, closing the door behind him as he came to lean his against the wall. He embraced her with his intense, unwavering eye contact. “Really?” He said, his deep baritone a perfect accent to the pure evil, and greatly powerful spiritual force seeping out of his body. “You’re who they appointed?”

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Her spicy response slapped his visage with amusement; he simply couldn’t but to tumble out another dark chuckle. “Don’t worry, princess.” He teased, lifting his back from the wall. “You’ll get used to it.”

He licked his lips, pattering his footwear towards her lethargically. He sighed, embracing her oceanic orbs with cold eye contact. “If I have another professional assessment in an office today, I’m going to commit seppuku.” As casually as breathing itself, he strolled around her desk and audaciously swept her light body into a bridal-style carry. In the millisecond that he gazed upon her, there was nothing but an abyss of intrigue devouring any lurking remnants of boring professionalism.

And in that heartbeat, a masterful high-speed motion left the ambience of the Sixth Division barracks a mark of their memory, and brought them to the small roof of one of the highest towers in the Sereitei. The true, untapped beauty of their residence rested out before their eyes, the welcoming streams of wind carrying the daytime sounds of what looked like ants at their altitude. His grin seemingly amplified as he chauffeured her body to their feet, his eyes managing to find her own once again.

“Welcome to the big leagues, Yuka-chan.”

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“It’s my style.” He joked, offsetting the implication of his wit with the curl of his roguish lips. He was surprised to see a smile on her face, and even he couldn’t lie that it accented her beauty well. Her following question, however, was met with a short pause from his smirk, a calm breeze of wind interrupting the bout of silence. He cast the curious glint of his vision into the skyline, a slight tilt of the head.

“My only advice...” He began, his deep voice softened slightly. He turned his interested golden eyes onto her face, and twitched his eyebrows in a double take. He sighed whimsically, shaking his head. “Is not to trust the bad boys.” He outstretched his hand to tenderly pinch a small strand of his hair from her cheek, returning his gaze to the sights as he whisked it into the calling winds.

He nonchalantly wrapped his defined arm around her shoulder, a forefinger pointing towards the elephant in the cityscape; a gigantic crater with ruins and ash decorating any of the standing establishments. The invading scent of his exquisite cologne and minor perspiration was a blessing compared to the smell lingering about the war-breached portion of Sereitei. “Did you hear about the rumor of what happened right there, princess?”

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“Apparently, that’s where the upcoming war just started.” He began, exhaling a sigh of jest. “Rumor says that a sexy redhead lieutenant was enjoying the festival that welcomed him back, with a fun group of women slightly more attractive then yourself. But then, apparently that lieutenant got attacked and then a riot broke out in the streets.” He licked his lips, tapping his free hand against the small slot of his bare chest. “Being the handsome devil that he is, he defeated his attacker, but he ended up being one of the few survivors in his entire division.”

He gestured his hand into the air, accentuating his vagueness. “But the rest of that is boring.” He chuckled, sliding his prolonged eye contact to her. “He got attacked by a dragon, he went to check on his girlfriend, and then he volunteered to make sure this gorgeous brat knew what she was getting into.” A tongue parted to lick his lips, his vision dancing along the artful sights of the Sereitei.

“But that’s just a rumor, you’re not the type to listen to those, are you?”

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Pearly whites came to glint off the sunlight, a chuckle dancing along the sound waves. The underlying vanity in her joke was so palpable that he could take a bite out of it—and it was tempting. Though she caught his attention with her pause, and he just knew he wouldn’t care for a word that came out of her mouth, but he kept his grin nonetheless.

It was obvious that the reality of the scene had slapped her; the decadence around them was just a sheath for constant war and danger. He eyed her sidelong, trying not to interrupt her with his unmatchable wit.

I wonder what you call this smile on me then.

“Wait a minute.” He said, shaking his head as he bemusedly crossed his arms about his chest. “Are you trying to tell me the sexy redhead’s opinion means that much to you?” A single wine-colored eyebrow rose to mimic the curl of his lips.

The mention of the name shot a pang into his heart, and grouped particles of happiness into his eyes. He looked down momentarily, sighing silently. Yeah, she is. He embraced her with his visual contact, though he knew even if he couldn’t hide the adoration that sparkled in his once cold eyes. “You know that’s funny.” He said, his forefinger curving about his jawline before coming to point towards her. “Most of them were telling me I should watch out for you, sweetheart.”

He obviously disregarded a portion of her question, completely failing at the assignment that he willingly volunteered for. Though he paused for a moment, his grin unwavering.

“It’s not fair that I’m giving you these details when I’m so interested in you.” He paced a single step forward. “As much as you’d like to see you swoon on the rooftop, I’ve got a better idea. You get to cook for me, and I’ll give you all of the juicy details.”

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Piqued curiosity tilted an eyebrow. He drowned his urge to say a lewd or extra-flirtatious line in the reserve of his heart, and merely tickled the sound waves with a soft, deep chuckle. His head turned to watch her body morph into a blur, his eyes shamelessly admiring the artful sculpting of her legs. I feel special now. He licked his lips, and slowly pattered onto the roof, easily following the steps of her form.

Wine-colored strands stopped their waltz with the wind as his feet landed paces behind the woman of the hour. His rested his hands in the comfort of his pockets, and couldn’t help but to admire the building, and her passion. He eyed her, and followed her in with a genuine smile. “Not bad.” He admitted, his golden orbs trailing the darkness. “Now remember, beautiful, this is only a friendly date. Try your hardest not to flirt with me.”

He continued to delve inward, his head twirling curiously. His predatory gaze drifted onto her visage, his eyes as dilated as ever, and his hunger obviously marinating. He tilted his head.

“So what dish are you going to bless my stomach with?”

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