Disclaimer: I do not own bleach, never have never will

Childhood Promises

They had played tag together since they were little kids, but he had never been able to catch her. Not even once. But the days of them playing are in the past. They are captains now, with too many responsibilities for childish things like games. Yet he couldn't stop himself from thinking about her, remembering all those afternoons they spent walking together, trying not to care about their futures, even though they were reminded ever day by their parents. He loved it when she called him "Little Byakuya" even though he pretended to be annoyed. Sure there was an age difference, but when it came to her, he could care less.

The only other woman he had ever felt this way about was Hisana. He felt bad for having feelings for another woman, but he knew Hisana wasn't coming back to him.

He saw her walking with the 12th squad captain, Urahara Kisuke. They're inseparable now, he thought. She probably won't even notice me sitting here all alone.

"Byakuya-chan!! What are you doing there all alone? Get over here," Yoruichi asked.

"Hello, Yoruichi-tachiou. Urahara-tachiou."

"Come on Byakuya. It's just us. No need to be so formal," Urahara said.

"So Byakuya-chan, how are you? I feel like we haven't talked in centuries."

"Me and my squad are fine. And we have talked here and there."

A hell butterfly then flew to Urahara and he listened to the message. "I'm sorry, but there's been a problem with one of the inventions. I have to go. I'll catch up with you later Yoruichi. And I hope we get to talk more Byakuya-tachiou."

"So Bya-chan, I hope you don't think that that excuses you as well. Come one, let's walk around like we used to."

So she still remembers. I would have thought that she would be too interested in her prodigy Soi Fon or her buddy Urahara.

"I'm amazed you still remember our little walks."

"How could I ever forget."

"I would have thought you were too busy with other matters to reminisce in the past."

"You sound as if I forgot about you. How could I ever forget my little Byakuya?"

"You know how much I hate that nickname of yours."

"Yes, I do. But I could care less if you like it. So Bya-chan, do you still remember that the walk we took on the first night of summer?"

"There are too many walks to remember."

"But this one had something special about it."

"I have no idea what you are talking about Yoruichi."

"Are you honestly telling me you don't remember the night that we...um...kissed?"

"What?! Yoruichi what in the world are you talking about? I think I would have remembered that," he said, the usual calmness in his voice now replaced by uneasiness.

"Byakuya, that night we were talking about how we were going to become captains in the Gotei 13, and you told me that no matter what happens, you will always care for me. And then you kissed me."

It was all coming back to him.