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Having both busy schedules it wasn’t uncommon for Byakuya and Sakura to be apart for long periods with Sakura’s training, overseeing the dojo and travelling to her tournaments and the plethora of oversea business trips and projects that needed to be overseen by none other than Byakuya himself. But they were both independent and self-sufficient people due to their upbringing. So when Byakuya had to travel or fly to a whole other country with a different time zone and everything, neither party was phased by the few days of separation.
Granted, Sakura was still adjusting to recently moving in together. Primarily to adjusting to living in such a large estate filled with staff. But Byakuya made the necessary accommodations to ensure she was content. Expanding the gym, making sure Sakura could tend to her own chores, errands and cooking when needed and not feel suffocated by the staff. He even managed to incorporate a pile of tires for her to hit with a hammer. But there was always this feeling that this wasn’t exactly his lover’s home.
In an attempt to remedy this, Byakuya insisted Sakura was free to rearrange and decorate the manor as she saw fit. Paint it bubblegum pink if she felt inclined to (although not to actually do that). Sakura was sensible, he couldn’t picture himself being entirely repulsed by her choices.
Well, he just landed back in Japan after being in Italy for a week so if she made any chances he would find out.
The limousine pulled up past the golden protective gates of the estate. Once the vehicle was parked, much to Byakuya’s surprise he was greeted by his staff who took his luggage. While this was the norm before his relationship with Sakura, despite being involved with a man of his influence and wealth she still insisted on being old-fashioned and greeting himself and their guest herself.
“Is Sakura not here?” he asked, handing his bags off to a maid. He messaged her that he was on the way home, surely she shouldn’t have left.
“No, Miss Ogami is just busy in the garden.”
Ah, so she taken up gardening? A few flowers, brushes and plants here and there sounded pleasant. He just was thinking that the garden could use some more foliage.
Jet-lagged, he made his way through the halls of the manor and to the spacious garden. Complete with a rainbow of exotic brushes, trees and flowers that were in bloom and even a classic hedge maze in the centre.
He made his way along the stone path, keeping his eyes peeled for Sakura or whatever flora she opted to add. Rather than his girlfriend or any new greenery added to the garden, Byakuya came across some odd structure made of wood and chain link. He found himself staring at the unexpected structure unblinking and entirely baffled.
“I see you found the outdoor rabbit hutch.” He turned around, seeing Sakura walking up towards him.
“Rabbit hutch?” Byakuya echoed back. “We don’t own a rabbit.”
To answer his question, a brown rabbit hopped into his field of vision and straight to Sakura’s feet. She scooped up the rabbit and held the animal close to her chest.
“His name is Cinnamon,” Sakura announced as Cinnamon visibly relaxed in her arms. “I was running an errand for Gundam, remember him from Hope’s Peak?”
“Unfortunately.”
“While he needed someone to drop off a pet food donation at the animal shelter. In doing so I strike up a conversation with a volunteer and mentioned rabbits. While they usually handled cats and dots, they had a lone rabbit someone abandoned recently.” she began, stroking Cinnamon lovingly. “They offered to let me see him, and he seemed to take to me. I couldn’t stop thinking about him so I made the arrangements to formally adopt him.”
“And you didn’t think to ask me this beforehand?”
“The time zone was rather confusing. You were in a bunch of meetings and you always have your phone off during them.” Sakura answered. “I will admit it was rather impulsive, but he was all alone there. I assure you I will take on the responsibility of pet ownership.”
Try as he might, Byakuya couldn’t be annoyed at the unexpectedness of this. He did want Sakura to see this estate as hers as well as his and that she was free to use the same privileges he had.
“Alright then.” he folded his arms across his chest.
“Really?” he confirmed with a nod of approval. “Thank you, I truly appreciate your cooperation.”
While Byakuya didn’t dislike animals he wasn’t exactly a pet person… but a rabbit wasn’t as noisy or destructive as a cat or dog. And seeing how felicitous Sakura was with Cinnamon, he could learn to tolerate the mammal.
…..
“My, don’t you look handsome.”
Byakuya smiled and closed the book he was reading. He was wearing the new suit he had custom trailered today as well as a new cologne. Seemed like Sakura noticed.
He opened his mouth to speak with some flirtatious reply as Sakura sauntered up to him…only to pick up Cinnamon who was resting on the floor by the loveseat Byakuya was currently sitting in. She held the rabbit close to her chest, staring lovingly and deeply into Cinnamon’s dark eyes before peppering his furry face with dozens upon dozens of soft kisses before setting him down and leaving the room. Completely ignoring Byakuya’s mere existence as if he wasn’t even in the same room.
Jealousy wasn’t a feeling Byakuya felt often. After all, it was often others who were jealous of the success he managed to acuminate. However, as absurd as it sounded in that moment Byakuya found himself jealous of a mere animal.
His eyes locked onto Cinnamon as he hopped about and sniffed at his surroundings with his twitching nose and gave the rabbit a cold glare.
….
“We need a second rabbit.”
Byakuya looked up from his computer screen and was greeted by Sakura and of course, scooped up in her arms was Cinnamon.
“I think one is enough,” Byakuya answered, eyes returning to the business email he was typing out.
“It isn’t,” Sakura spoke. “While Cinnamon has bonded with me rabbits are social animals. He requires a second rabbit.”
“Is that really necessary?” Byakuya questioned as he took a moment to push his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “He has you after all.”
“I won’t always be here. Granted the staff agreed to tend to him when I’m away, but he requires companionship with someone he can bond with. I’ve been talking to Gundam and he agrees a second rabbit for Cinnamon would be beneficial to his well-being and the most responsible thing to do.”
As much as Byakuya hated it, Sakura had a very good point. This was about responsible pet ownership, he would have to put his indifference about this whole situation aside.
A defeated sigh escaped his lips as he looked at her. “Do you have a rabbit in mind?”
Her face broke into an excited grin as she set Cinnamon down and pulled out her phone.
“His name is Flopsy.” Sakura began as she held the phone up to Byakuya’s face to reveal a picture of a droopy-eared white and grey rabbit. “I came across a shelter across town that had some rabbits in need of a home. They said I can pick him up today.”
“You were planning this the moment you got the first one, didn’t you?” Byakuya gently accused with his eyes narrowing at Sakura.
“Of course, when you get rabbits you need to own multiples. That was one of the promises I had to follow through on when I agreed to adopt Cinnamon.” she when on to explain. “Forgive me, I was too excited with Cinnamon I forgot to tell you.”
Hmp, that’s awfully convenient.
…..
Byakuya had a meeting to attend, so he wasn’t there when Sakura made the trip to fetch Flopsy (the ridiculous name made him feel bad for the rabbit) but as it wasn’t overseas he would be back at the estate just a few hours later after Sakura picked up the second rabbit… or at least that was the plan.
The second Byakuya stepped inside he was greeted by Sakura, who had Flopsy in one hand and a white rabbit in the other.
He stared at the unexpected sight before him.
“I can explain.”
“You said you were just picking up the one!?”
“I was, but the shelter failed to mention Flopsy and Snowball are a bonded pair and need to be adopted together. I tried calling but your phone was off. I was rather put on the spot and adopted both, so I had to take in her as well.”
“Her? It’s a female?”
“Don’t worry, she’s fixed,” Sakura reassured. “There won’t be any unexpected kits.”
He let out a frustrated sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose as his shoulders shrugged forward in defeat.
“Fine, but three is the limit.”
….
“So his name is Noir.” Sakura introduced, holding up a small black rabbit up to Byakuya’s frowning face.
“I thought we agreed on no more rabbits?” he said, feeling his right eye twitch in annoyance.
“Yes, but this was a rather dire situation. I found him on the side of the road, abandoned.” Sakura spoke. “The vet said he’s fortunate to be healthy. The shelters are rather full at moment and ill-equipped to add more to their workload. We have plenty of room and resources so it was the most logical solution.” she stroked Noir’s black fur.
Byakuya let out a frustrated groan and massaged his temples. “We agreed on three.” he reminded.
“There’s nowhere that can take him.” she reminded, holding the rabbit closer to her. “I do hate to spur this on you, but I wouldn’t be asking if there was no other option.”
Of course, there wasn’t. It seemed the universe was insistent on forcing more pets into his life… at least this one had a far less ridiculous name. And with his jet black fur would be far less visible on his black suits, dress pants and blazers.
“Fine, he can stay.” Byakuya gave in. Sakura took good care of them and the staff were more than happy too when she was away, so there was so real reason to say no that wasn’t for his petty reasons.
“Thank you, I truly appreciate this.”
“Yes, yes, just please don’t bring any more home,” he begged.
“That won’t be a problem, four is enough,” Sakura reassured.
….
The weather was warm today, so Byakuya opted to take his laptop out with him in the garden as he handled his work. He was halfway through his workload when he caught sight of Noir at his feet. He frowned, glaring at the creature near him, looking up at Byakuya with his big eyes.
“I’m not patting you,” he warned, shifting his gaze back to the screen of his laptop as he continued to type away. A few minutes later he glanced back, and Noir remained still by his feet. “If you want affection go seek out Sakura,” Noir responded by flopping onto the ground. “And now I’m talking to a rabbit… I’m truly losing my mind.” he sighed, getting up from his seat and kneeling down to stroke Noir. “Fine, I will do this,” he muttered.
Noir soaked up the affection as expected. He seemed content, the calmest among the four rabbits. Rather surprising given Sakura found him dumped on the side of the road.
“There, satisfied?” Byakuya asked, getting up.
Noir sprang back to his feet and hopped away and back to Sakura and the other three rabbits she obtained.
“That one seems rather fond of you,” Sakura commented.
“How long were you standing there?”
“I believe you were questioning your sanity.” she jokingly remarked with a sly smile as she scooped up Noir in her arms. “And long enough to take a photo.” she held up her phone after getting Noir situated in one arm. Revealing the photo she had taken of him patting Noir and the clever caption ‘My love and the rabbit he said he didn’t want’. “And don’t fret, I won’t post it.” she immediately reassured, to which Byakuya breathed a sigh of relief. “You don’t have to hold back affections for them. Especially since Noir seems to like you.”
“He is merely very persisted for a rabbit.” Byakuya dismissed.
“Do you want to hold him?” she offered.
“….fine.”