A/N: This is my first fan fiction, translations will be at the bottom. Enjoy x


Amazake-babaa's Anguish - 1

Sure-footed steps echoed throughout the passage as Byakuya Kuchiki made his way along the tatami flooring towards the audience chamber. The air was much cooler inside than the almost unbearable heat which beat down outside the walls. Many shinigamis stopped their movements as they stared at the newly assigned Captain of the Sixth Division. Murmurs of wonder and awe trailed behind him, but he paid no attention, it was just irritable noise. Not giving any eye contact he continued making his way forward until he was in front of a pair of doors. Trying to pull them open, nothing happened. The renovations that had taken place in the Second Division several decades earlier were unknown to Byakuya. He maintained the apathetic expression upon his face while scrutinizing the situation before him, they just wouldn't open. Should he stay standing in front of these immovable doors, which would make him look ridiculous, or turn around to ask one of the shinigamis, which would only succeed in crushing his pride? It was a hard decision to make, but Kami was on Byakuya's side as someone clearing their throat stood behind him.

"Ano… Kuchiki-taichou?"

Turning around Byakuya had to lift his gaze to look at the owner of the voice. He was wearing too much jewellery that any man should be comfortable with and there were crumbs scattered all over his purple collar.

"These were the first doors to be put in when I started the renovations. They're a bit old but with a few knocks-" Marechiyo Ōmaeda demonstrated by pounding his large hands against the surface. "-they start working again."

Byakuya watched the doors silently open, a smug smile lit up Marechiyo's features.

"Right, arigatou."

Without further words needing to be said, Byakuya entered the audience chamber. The Shihōin clan emblem was engraved into the far wall behind the throne which Suì-Fēng sat in. The symbol itself brought back unwanted childhood memories of the cat-monster, former Captain of the Second Division, he would prefer to forget. The walls of the chamber were lined with cloaked members from the Stealth Force waiting for orders from their Commander, the current Captain of the Second Division.

"What are you doing in this part of the Seireitei Kuchiki-taichou?" Suì-Fēng asked, grey eyes piercing his own.

"I went to enter the Maggot's Nest but was informed I had to get your permission."

"Hai."

Suì-Fēng motioned Marechiyo to kneel down before her and whispered into his ear. Byakuya couldn't hear a word of what was going on and the threads of impatience started to intertwine.

Marechiyo left making his way towards the far side of the barracks, to a room that was separated from the rest. The office was small, too small for someone with a ranking such as the owner. A desk was the dominant piece of furniture which touched both opposite walls, dividing the room into two. Paperwork littered the desk creating a mess that only one person would have the knowledge to sort through. There were two objects also on the desk, the only items that gave away any clues of who the owner was. At different ends, a lone framed picture and a tantou. He entered the cramped space coughing a little to gain attention.

Her stormy-blue eyes, full of confusion, flickered to the figure standing at her door but a smile formed as she recognized who he was.

"Marechiyo-san, I haven't seen you in a while." Her voice was light and traces of humour were laced into it.

"Taichou needs your help with escorting someone important. They want to go into the Maggot's Nest."

"Ever since I've been made Head, no one has ever wanted to go in before. Why now?" The question wasn't asked with the intention of gaining an answer, it was merely just an observation said aloud.

"Taichou said it's important." Marechiyo knew it could be a challenge getting her out of the office, not sharing the same views on their Captain.

"Souka, let me just finish this work and I'll be right over." She dipped the quill into the ink pot and resumed writing on the paper currently in front of her.

"Taichou said to come right away."

"Demo…"

"Right. Now."

A huff of defiance left her lips, jumping over her desk so she wouldn't disturb the contents. "Fine, I don't see how you have so much respect for that woman."

"Aren't you going to lock your office?"

"There's no need. I never get any visitors." They left to walk through the maze of paths.

"She is a good Captain you know." Marechiyo said, breaking the lengthy silence.

"She's short and I'm beginning to wonder whether she is stupid as well." She nodded to a fellow shinigami that greeted her. Short and Stupid Suì-Fēng. The alliteration made her giggle.

"Naze?"

"I'm going to have to bring this person all the way back to my office before leaving. Do you know how much time will be wasted?"

Marechiyo laughed, "You make it seem as if Taichou has a vendetta for you."

"Can you give me a reason as to why she moved me to the most inconvenient place in the division, after gaining her position?"

"She wanted you to be able to work in peace?" Even Marechiyo had trouble believing that excuse, she did have a point.

Smiling in triumph at his words, they entered the audience chamber with all eyes resting on the new arrival. Normally she wouldn't have minded the attention, but this wasn't a pub and she wasn't partly drunk. She ended up walking in Marechiyo's shadow the rest of the way towards her Captain, keeping her eyes downcast, in hopes of hiding from the stares.

"Kuchiki-taichou, I would like to introduce you to my Third Seat, Ishikawa Mikazuki." Suì-Fēng's voice interrupted the silence that had built up and Marechiyo pushed the aforementioned person in front of him.

Mikazuki bowed lowly, eyes having never left the ground. It had been a long time since she had last seen the noble, back in her Academy days. News of Byakuya's and Gin Ichimaru's promotion spread fast throughout the Seireitei. Now, there was only the Tenth Division which had a Captain and Lieutenant's position needing to be filled.

"Hajimemashite, Kuchiki-taichou. Follow me."

Byakuya didn't like the tone this woman, who was at least a head shorter than himself, used. It was condescending, yet still respectful enough that many wouldn't have picked up on it. He noticed that they had passed the ground gates and were going further into the barracks.

"Is there a different way to the Maggot's Nest?"

"Iie." Mikazuki looked over her shoulder at him, or rather his zanpakutou. "Weapons are not allowed inside the Nest of Maggots, my office is the safest place to store your zanpakutou."

"Senbonzakura."

"Nani?"

"The name of my zanpakutou." He had to try and find some way to gain superiority of this conversation.

"Oh." They had reached her office, automatic doors sliding open and close. "Well, just chuck it anywhere."

Byakuya didn't know whether to be disgusted by her words or the state of her office. It was tiny and without many belongings it was clean, but his gaze couldn't get off the messy piles of paperwork scattered over her desk, reminding him of the crumbs from the Lieutenant.

"I am not leaving him in here."

"You have no choice." Mikazuki folded her arms. "You could leave him to be looked after by the guards, I'm sure they would have plenty of fun-"

"Where is yours?" Byakuya interrupted while leaning his katana against the corner so it wouldn't fall over.

"My?"

"Your zanpakutou, I noticed you didn't carry it with you."

"Oh, on my desk." She pointed out.

"That kaiken?" His voice showed his disbelief.

"She is not a kaiken, she's a tantou."

"Such details do not matter. Your zanpakutou is still small, much like your office."

His eyes lingered on the picture frame which she quickly turned facedown, even though the picture it held was facing away from him. Not wanting to talk anymore Mikazuki ushered him out of her office, quite forcefully, and locked it using the keypad outside. Beeping indicated her objective had been completed. Turning around she saw that Byakuya was nowhere to be seen.

"Kuso." Mikazuki muttered under her breath and slowly made her way to the gates of the Second Division grounds.


Byakuya didn't want to be in that woman's company any longer than he had to be. It didn't help that being around the unusual refurbishments made him uncomfortable. So he decided to shunpo the rest of the way, only to be stopped by the guards for a second time this morning. No one was behind him and he was careful not to let his frustrations show. Minutes passed and there was still no sign of her, his patience was truly being tested today.

Mikazuki made it to the gates sometime after. She had gotten distracted along the way when a butterfly had crossed her path. While following it she soon remembered the task she had been given and quickened her pace, somehow knowing that he wouldn't appreciate her tardiness. Seeing the look of displeasure upon Byakuya's face, her steps faltered slightly. She tried to pay no heed to the scowl he sent her way as the guards let them through.

"What took you so long to get here?"

"Well, I can't…" She trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence.

Byakuya gave no reply, looking at the back of her head as she led the way.

"I can't… shunpo." Mikazuki only gave a half-truth, it was part of the reason she was late but not the whole reason.

Byakuya ceased his movements and if Mikazuki hadn't turned around because of the silence, she wouldn't have realized. He did not fully believe her response, but let it slide. Her words finally registered to him and he suddenly shunpo'd so he appeared right in front of her, causing her to fall back.

"You can't shunpo?" He almost shouted making her flinched.

"Iie."

"Are you completely useless? What were you even doing in the Advanced Hohou class to begin with?"

Both were questions he didn't want to know the answers to and he just walked off into the direction they had been heading. Though he would never admit it, Byakuya was slightly embarrassed that the woman had made him lose his cool so recklessly.

"Matte!" Mikazuki quickly got to her feet and went after him. "Kuchiki-taichou, matte kudasai!"

Byakuya didn't slow down and it took Mikazuki all her strength to chase after him. She didn't notice when he abruptly stopped and crashed into him, both falling over onto the bridge. If not for the sides they would've already fallen into the river below.

"Gomen nasai!" Mikazuki got up once again.

"It was to be expected." Byakuya maintained his dignity and lightly dusted himself off. "Someone useless never watches where they are going."

"I am not useless!" She glared at the man behind her. "I wouldn't be a Third Seated officer if I was."

"I've come to the conclusion that you got your position by accident."

"I did not get my position by accident!" Mikazuki stormed across the bridge.

She didn't pay attention to the way it swung and didn't care either. She was sick of the man's haughty attitude and if he wasn't a Captain she would show him exactly why she was the Head of the Detention Unit.

The two guards on either side of the door bowed at Mikazuki as she entered into the dark and dank surroundings. They kept their mouths shut on the downwards trip, only the dripping of water from the rocks above into the puddles below could be heard. As the doors were opened to the compound inside, every resident turned to the entrance.

"Is there any way to have a private conversation with one of the prisoners?" Byakuya asked looking around the open space.

"Which prisoner do you want to talk to?"

"That's none of your business."

"Be that way then. You can't have a private conversation in here, but you can use the table and chairs in that corner."

In the far corner there were a couple of the prisoners playing a game of shogi. Other tables were scattered around the room with other sorts of competitive games going on. Byakuya left Mikazuki at the door and went off to grab a prisoner. She didn't know how he knew who he wanted to talk to because the prisoner he grabbed was one that had never caused any trouble. She only knew him as one of the many prisoners that were already residents from before her time as the Head. They sat at the previously occupied corner. Mikazuki looked around unsure of what to do, it was obvious that Byakuya didn't want to be disturbed and even the other prisoners kept their distance from the man.

"We haven't seen you in here for a while." A man of similar height stood next to her.

"Big Mouth! I thought you would've been chewed out by now."

He laughed but the humour didn't reach his eyes. Mikazuki quickly made a check of the room in case this was some sort of decoy, something she wouldn't put pass the guy. Lastly she saw Byakuya, who was now in deep conversation with the unfamiliar prisoner.

"Actually, there's something you could be useful for." Mikazuki said this as she unsuccessfully tried to read the lips from the other conversation taking place.

"Nani?"

"When we leave, I want you to find out what Kuchiki-taichou is talking to that guy about." Her voice was hushed as she led Big Mouth to the side.

"Only if you get me out of here, if anyone can it's you."

"You know I can't let you leave this place Big Mouth." For a second time Mikazuki observed the room. "Demo, I can make sure you have daifuku for a whole week."

His mouth almost watered at the mere mention of his favourite dessert, "Make it strawberry and we have a deal."

Mikazuki silently nodded as she agreed. Across the room shouting could be heard between two prisoners and a fight was sure to begin as a group of people started to surround them in a circle. She made her way over to stop it from starting, only to be stopped by a hand resting on her shoulder.

"Let me do this. We wouldn't want you getting hurt." Byakuya passed her and confronted both prisoners.

She sent imaginary daggers into the back of his head with her eyes. Mikazuki knew how to handle these situations. Contrary to popular belief she wasn't Head of the Detention Unit for nothing, she felt only animosity towards the Captain at this stage. Knowing that he wasn't good at Hakuda was the one reason why she stayed back and just watched, he would get what he deserved.

Byakuya managed to get through the crowd and didn't seem fazed that the soon-to-be fighters were both taller than him. Each had their hands on the other's white robes, using stares to try and deter the opponent. At first Byakuya instinctively reached at his side for his zanpakutou. It took a few air-filled grasps before he comprehended where it actually was. He couldn't remember the last situation where he couldn't rely on Senbonzakura to get him out, it was so long ago.

Byakuya stood there amidst everything trying to look decorous while strategizing a way to separate the two without getting touched by either. He decided to use his next best weapon and increased his spiritual pressure but that did little to the prisoners he was focused on, only those watching had fallen to their knees finding it difficult to breath. Mikazuki rolled her eyes she was still quite a bit away so the pressure wasn't so bad. Byakuya stepped forward and pushed one of the men away to try and get room in between them.

"Ku-" Mikazuki tried to yell out a warning but soon found something covering her mouth.

Byakuya turned at her outburst to see the prisoner he had noticed her conversing with earlier holding her back. During this, a well-aimed punch from the first prisoner connected with his face. The last thing he saw before he was hurling to the side of the room was the horrified look in Mikazuki's eyes.

She tried to make quick work out of Big Mouth by stamping on his foot. He released her while shouting out in pain trying to comfort his sore appendage. She then grabbed his robes and threw him towards the two prisoners. They were still at each other's throats now that Byakuya was out of the way. Big Mouth collided with them temporarily parting the pair.

Mikazuki proceeded to hit prisoner one, who had turned to help up Big Mouth, at the occipital ridge behind his head with a kick. With the right amount of force this caused him to instantaneously blackout. Prisoner two was in a shocked state after seeing his opponent already on the ground, using this to her advantage she tripped him over with her other leg. He fell backwards and ended up knocking his head pretty hard against the floor, hindering him to an unconscious mess as well. She saw some blood but not enough that needed the attention from the Fourth Division. The crowd that had gathered around the two at the beginning quickly dispersed not wanting to gain any attention from the Head.

Grabbing Big Mouth's robes for a second time she got really close to his face. "The deal is still on and I suggest you don't make another mistake."

Satisfied Mikazuki went over to Byakuya, lending him a hand in getting up but he just ignored her. A bruise had already started appearing around his right eye. They made their way out of the Maggot's Nest, the prison that was never referred to as one.

"Maybe you should get some attention for your eye." Mikazuki tried her best to hide the snigger that threatened to escape her lips, resulting in her smirking. "I'm sure Unohana-taichou could fix it up in no time."

"This is your fault." Byakuya's eyes narrowed even further than she thought possible.

"Sumimasen?"

"If it wasn't for your interruption I wouldn't have gotten distracted."

"Demo-"

"If you weren't so useless, you wouldn't have been caught in the first place."

"That w-"

"Maybe if you were better at shunpo, then-" This time when Byakuya fell onto the bridge it wasn't an accident. Mikazuki shoved him, immobilizing him to the wood, by pinning him down.

"Urusai! Urusai! Urusai!" She was almost red with anger and couldn't take any more of his insults. "If you weren't such a princess maybe you could have actually stopped the fight from even getting to where it got to."

Byakuya stared up at her in silence, unsure whether it would be wise to speak. His lips pursed thinly at what she had called him.

"Don't even think about saying it again. I am not useless!" A statement Mikazuki repeated while stabbing him in the chest with her finger. "I am not…"

It was soon after that she realized the compromising position they had been in the whole time while on the bridge, her voice wavering into nothing. Byakuya hadn't even realized himself, he was too distracted by the blonde wisps of hair that tickled his face. A faint blush appearing on Mikazuki's cheeks as she quietly got up and fumed off back to her office. She was then followed by Byakuya, who made sure to keep his distance.

"Just get your zanpakutou and leave."

Byakuya did what she said but stayed in the doorway watching Mikazuki get over her desk and continue with the paperwork still in need of completion. Looking up she noticed him still in her office.

"I'm sure I told you to leave?" Uncertainty was in her voice as if trying to remember exactly what she had said seconds earlier.

"What were you talking to that prisoner about?"

"That's none of your business." She purposely copied the words he had told her.

"I'm a Captain and also the 28th Head of the Kuchiki clan, yo-"

"I don't have to tell you anything." Mikazuki interrupted. "As Head of the Detention Unit you still refused to tell me your own business concerning one of my prisoners. If I were to ask you again what you were talking about with that prisoner, would you tell me?"

"Iie."

"Your titles mean nothing in here. Now leave, onegai."

Byakuya stood there for a few minutes wanting to argue with her as she ignored him. The only people who have ever talked down on him would be the Captain Commander and his own grandfather, Ginrei Kuchiki. He didn't want her to get away with it, but when he saw her move aside the second piece of paper he realised he had his own work to get on with.

It felt like forever, trying to resist the urge to make eye-contact with him. Mikazuki wasn't really reading the words that were in front on her, only pretending to. Pretending to look like she was busy and doing her work, just so he would take the hint and leave already. He had no more business to attend here and hopefully not ever again. If she were to never see this man again it would still be too soon.

Finally alone, Mikazuki tentatively reached for her own zanpakutou. It had black weaving around a gold hilt and the tsuba was circular with the outline of a bird. That bird was the inspiration for a tattoo she got on the inside of her right wrist. Turning her palm upwards she stroked over the darkened area on her wrist.

It had been a while since she had visited her inner world. Although her connection with the spirit was exceptional, the jobs she would need to carry out made her tend to forget about the tantou. Placing a hand over the weapon and forcing herself to relax, she tried to empty her mind and make her way to communicate with the spirit.


Opening her eyes, Mikazuki knew that she wasn't in her office anymore and silently cursed, thinking that she should've locked the door before coming here. It was dark, but it always was to begin with. She slowly made her way forward, following a path that she memorized over the years. The path seemed to just go on and she knew that this was her spirit's fault since the last time they communicated was at least a few months ago.

There was no warning for when she reached the clearing on top of the cliff. At one point it was pitch black and the next there was an invisible sun beating down on her. Looking over the edge she lost her breath at the sight she saw. Clouds covered parts but the majority of what lay below could be seen. A wide river ran from one side to the other and there were trees scattered all over the ground. As far as Mikazuki could see there were no movements that indicated any life forms down there. Not that there should've been, this world only inhabited one being.

Behind her the trees she came through surrounded the clearing. They were so close together no gaps could be seen. What caught Mikazuki's attention was a shadow that made its way from the trees to the middle of the clearing, just in front of her. Stopping, the shadow materialized above ground into a large black bird. It was hard to remember back to when this bird had taken the form of a hatchling. Growing into an older looking bird as their connection grew, though the mind of this bird would still be much more advanced than her own. Mikazuki wondered whether the spirit had reached her growth limit.

"Tobenaitori." It was said as a greeting and a statement.

"It has been a while." Instead of coming from the manifestation of the spirit, the voice lingered in the breeze to be heard from all around Mikazuki. "What do I owe the pleasure of this visit?"

"I had to take someone to the Nest of Maggots today." Mikazuki sat down, very tempted to just sleep in the lush grass until the day was over.

Tobenaitori just stood there staring with her beady black eyes, which couldn't be distinguished from her dark features, focused on her owner's form. She stayed silent knowing that Mikazuki would continue talking when she got around whatever was going on inside that head.

"Do you think I'm useless?" Mikazuki looked up, eyes glistening with tears she refused to shed.

"If you were useless, you wouldn't be capable of wielding me."

"That man is so infuriating, thinking he can walk around acting as if he owns the place." Pausing, she gave in to a small giggle. "I suppose I can't complain though, that black eye is going to last a while."

"Is Urahara Kisuke back?"

"Iie."

"Then who…?"

"Kuchiki Byakuya."

"Souka."

"I don't like being left out." Mikazuki stood up, almost pouting. "I want to know what he is up to."

The silence that drifted between the two was not uncomfortable and it allowed Mikazuki to concentrate on calming herself. Tobenaitori never moved from the spot where she had risen, not even to stretch or flutter her wings. It was strange having a conversation with one's zanpakutou. Mikazuki knew that hers could hear the thoughts that went through her own mind. It was most likely the same for everyone else as well. She wished she could hear the thoughts going through the spirit's mind, that way when the conversation came to an end she wouldn't be leaving her inner world confused.

"Would you like my advice?" Tobenaitori asked, already knowing the answer.

"Are you going to make any sense?"

"It is not the solution to the problem you want but what brings about the effect."

"That doesn't answer my question and can't you just give me straight advice?" Mikazuki started pacing. "I'm sure other zanpakutou's are easier to talk to."

"I am not here to make life easier for you. I just try and guide you into the right direction." Tobenaitori started sinking back into the ground, forming a shadow once again.

Mikazuki could feel herself begin to black out unwillingly as she was being kick out of her inner world. Yet you always choose to follow the opposite direction. With those parting words all Mikazuki could see was the darkness.

Waking up her hands went straight to her head. It felt very sensitive and also pounding on the inside. She was sure that she hadn't fallen while gaining consciousness.

"Argh, what happened to my head?" The question was said out loud and to no one in particular, since Mikazuki was still in her office.

"That would be my fault."

She jolted being surprised at getting a reply. Mikazuki looked over her desk to see Marechiyo picking up many fried rice crackers from the ground. She then noticed a lot of crumbs were on her desk and all over her paperwork.

"Do I want to know?"

"I had brought you some leftover food from my lunch because I know you sometimes don't eat. I saw you sleeping but you wouldn't wake up so I might have hit you a few times…"

"Baka! No wonder you never get any women, you're so abusive." Mikazuki leaned over some more to hit him behind the head. "Didn't you realize I was performing Jinzen?"

"I did. Well, after you wouldn't wake up." Marechiyo was rubbing the back of his head to ease the pain. "I knocked over my rice crackers just before you woke up."

"Arigatou Marechiyo-san for the thought, I do feel hungry now."

He nodded just before leaving, his food left on her desk. Mikazuki stared at it for a while before slowly taking a minuscule bite of one fried rice cracker. Grimacing and spitting it out almost instantly, the thought of them being on the ground didn't improve the taste at all.

She picked up the frame which held a picture of her make-shift family inside. Living in the Rukongai had never been easy so being without food for one afternoon wouldn't do anything. The thoughts of her family made it endurable. It also reminded her of what she needed to do after her paperwork was completed.


Mikazuki always felt ill when walking throughout the Twelfth Division. Visions of what must be taking place inside the walls of each building never put her nerves at ease. As long as she didn't bump into the Captain everything would go smoothly. The Shinigami Research and Development Institute was easy to locate, it wasn't because this isn't her first time inside the barracks but because the gate was so grand. It could be seen from the entrance to the division.

Inside was almost as bad as the Nest of Maggots entrance, almost. Lights flickered constantly giving an eerie feel about the surroundings. She quickly walked through the many corridors making her way towards the Development Department, being sure to not be in doorways for too long so she was out of the scientist's way.

"Onee-chan!" A childish voice resonated through the area.

A young boy stopped what he was doing and rushed over to Mikazuki. He was wearing a lab coat much bigger in size than his original one so had stumbled a few times. She bent down to make herself smaller and hugged her younger brother.

"Ryo-kun what happened to your lab coat?"

"Ano… well Taichou wanted me to help him with an experiment. So I did." Ryo looked down at his hands which were covered by the sleeves of the larger coat. "But then I got blood all over it. Akon-san let me have one of his."

As soon as she heard experiment and blood, Mikazuki hurriedly checked him for any injuries. Another voice stopped her from a further investigation.

"It wasn't his blood." A guy with three horns on his forehead spoke.

"Oh, arigatou gozaimasu Akon-san." Mikazuki looked back at her younger sibling. "What was it then?"

"Me and Taichou inserted an advanced form of Pneumonia into some humans that were captured and brought here." Ryo grinned. "One of them started coughing blood over me. We are trying to find a cure, to help Ukitake-taichou!"

Mikazuki laughed humorlessly at Ryo's enthusiasm, there have been many times when she's been close to questioning his sanity. "If that evil, mad-scientist of a Captain ever asks you to experiment with him again I want you to not do it."

"Is that so?" The chilling voice of the said Captain was heard from behind her.

"Kurotsuchi-taichou!" Both Mikazuki and Akon exclaimed while standing up straight.

"I can order my own subordinates to do as I please." The make-up covered and hat wearing Captain, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, leered at the two. "Ryo-kun showed that he is not always the useless brat he appears to be. If I want his help with experiments he will have no choice."

"What happened to those humans?" Mikazuki asked, keeping Ryo behind her.

"They're all dead."

Mikazuki tried not to show her shock, it's not like she expected any less from the sadistic bastard. Ryo started cheering while Akon kept his face expressionless.

"Well, you don't need Ryo-kun for anything else do you?"

"Iie." Mayuri left the room. "Nemu! Order more shinigamis to get more human subjects."

"Hai, Mayuri-sama." Her voice was bleak and in a monotone.

Wasting no time and not wanting the Captain to find something else to berate her for, Mikazuki left the Twelfth Division with Ryo in tow. Since she was holding his hand, he didn't stumble quite as often as he would have if left alone. They made their way to Junrinan, the First District in West Rukongai, where they lived. The house was small but it was comfy. Upon entering, smells of their dinner cooking wafted towards the entrance of the house, Mikazuki's mouth started watering since she barely had eaten all day. Ryo ran through the rooms, most likely to find his biological sister.

"What are you cooking Takeo-kun?"

"Not Takeo-san." Yumichika Ayasegawa came out of the kitchen wearing a lavender apron. "I'm disgusted you would mistake my cooking for his."

"What are you doing here?" Mikazuki was surprised to see the man.

"Takeo-san told us that if we came with him to pick up Sayuri-chan, he was shouting us dinner." Yumichika went back to continue what he was making. "I must say, Sayuri-chan looks absolutely adorable in her nurse's outfit."

"I can't believe it." Mikazuki went into the kitchen and leaned against the counter. "He can't go into the Fourth Division by himself can he? How many of you are here?"

"Just the Taichou, Yachiru-fukutaichou, Ikkaku-san and Yumichika-san." The one responsible made his appearance smirking with his arms crossed.

"Takeo-kun you are a coward! Why not just invite the whole Eleventh Division?" A little bit of sarcasm dripped from her words.

"Oh I tried Suki-chan, but Unohana-taichou would only let five people in."

"You're lucky that she hasn't just banned you all from her division."

"You should've seen the way the other members ran from her, cowardice is not a pretty trait to have." Yumichika's input made Mikazuki smile.

A vigorous laugh came from the next room interrupting the conversation in the kitchen. If Mikazuki didn't know who it had belonged to, she was sure she would've been scared. Another manly laugh followed, this one was not as deep as the other.

"Dinner's ready." Yumichika sang loud enough for everyone to hear.

Squealing shrilled from the younger shinigamis as Ryo, Sayuri and Yachiru came rushing to the table. Plates were piled high with the Okonomiyaki that Yumichika had cooked. The table was very crowded, it normally only fit four but had to occupy twice as many people now. The only sounds heard were munching and the humming of satisfaction.

"You should swap places with Takeo-kun." Mikazuki said after finishing the meal. "He is such a useless cook Ayasegawa-san"

Yumichika softly laughed, "Well, I wouldn't mind hanging out with Sayuri-chan and Ryo-kun more often."

"Oi! No one is swapping places with anyone." Takeo commented with faux hurt, internally scared that Yumichika might actually accept her semi-serious offer. "My cooking isn't that bad."

"Onii-san, your cooking is terrible." Ryo coughed out before resuming his eating.

Mikazuki tried to hide her own laugh by coughing, but the glare she received from Takeo meant that he had caught her.

"Kiki-chan, you should see these pictures I drew of Ken-chan!" Yachiru shouted over the other conversations taking place at the table. "Here's one of him killing a strong hollow and the other Ken-chan and even Bya-kun!"

"Did Kuchiki-taichou die in the picture?"

The girl's pink-haired head bobbed up and down, "Hai!"

"Serves him right." She muttered under her breath, Yumichika gave her a questioning look.

"Yachiru-chan let me use her crayons, so I drew some pictures as well!" Sayuri said lifting up the various scribbles on her pieces of paper, wanting some attention.

"Squirts, go into the other room." Kenpachi's gruff voice ordered.

"Naze?" All three asked at once.

"Grown-ups are gonna have a grown-up talk."

Yachiru quickly went into the other room to be the first one to the crayons. Ryo and Sayuri were a bit reluctant at first, they weren't as young as their looks made them out to be, but under Kenpachi's glare they left the room one after the other. Mikazuki gazed at the Captain confused, having no idea what he was going to talk about.

"Takeo-san tells me you guys grew up in Inuzuri." Kenpachi's statement was aimed at Mikazuki.

"Yeah…" Still confused she had no idea where this was going and looking over at Takeo he seemed to have no clue either.

"I know I have no right to order you around and you hardly take orders from your own Captain but, just stay away from there for the time being."

"What do you mean? What happened there?"

"I can't say. There was just a Captain's meeting about it this morning."

Ikkaku scoffed, "When have you ever kept quiet about those Taichou?"

"Since now, I don't want the old guy on my back. It's bad enough that I had to learn kendou."

Mikazuki cleared the table while the two had their mini argument which soon elevated to the point where she was scared they would start denting the table. Yumichika just closed his eyes shaking his head, muttering something about arguing being ugly. Takeo had left the room to see what the others were doing and also to remove the temptation of involving himself in the argument.

"This place is always lovely to come to." Yumichika said deciding to help Mikazuki with the dishes.

A crash was heard from the other room cause both of them to flinch.

"Spoke too soon." Yumichika had gracefully caught a plate which Mikazuki had accidentally released from hearing the crash.

"Why don't you get a place around here?"

"Taichou and Ikkaku are too lazy to even bother about thinking about moving and I wouldn't want to leave them." Yumichika grabbed another plate putting it away. "I think living at the barracks is just easier."

"Hai." Mikazuki looked into the other room seeing Ikkaku and Kenpachi wrestling on the ground. "It would be but I wouldn't want to change though."

"Iie, I can imagine."

Not being able to take it anymore Takeo joined the two men wanting a bit of the action, looking at them she wondered whether there was any deep inside the closet issues. Mikazuki was surprised that they hadn't unsheathed their zanpakutous and was glad that Kenpachi kept his eye patch on. The other three kids in the room started cheering for one guy each, even though there wasn't any way that any of them would win, but they were having fun.

After being proclaimed the winner, Yachiru ended up giving him an advantage, Kenpachi decided that it was time for them to leave. It was already very dark and way past the bedtime for the children. Putting Ryo and Sayuri to bed, Sayuri complained about 'Ikkaku-kun's' loss, stating that he should've been the winner instead. Mikazuki also got ready, only not for sleeping but a night time stroll. She always found it hard to rest during the nightly hours and normally took walks to tire herself. A night like this would be no different.

Each time would be an altered route, never the same, a habit she picked up from living in the harsher areas of the Rukongai. Mikazuki was unaware of where her feet were leading her. A river far away from her home had been their destination, alike many of the rivers in the Rukongai. She admired the reflection of herself on the river's surface, smooth currents and clutters of duckweed obscuring the image. Mikazuki was often viewed as someone who was vain and she could not help what was being said behind her back, usually ignored their opinions anyway. She would never admit it out loud, but they would be right.

At first when he saw Mikazuki, Byakuya thought it wasn't real. That notion was then cancelled because he had no reason to be imagining that woman. From the basic knowledge he knew of her, she lived in the West Rukongai - First District. They were in South Rukongai. He also enjoyed walking at midnight, especially when sleep didn't come easy for him. There was an opportunity he didn't want to pass by and quietly he got closer until he shunpo'd right behind her.

"Konbanwa."

Mikazuki saw a familiar face behind her from the reflective water's edge, caught by surprise she turned around quickly. Her foot slid backwards ever so slightly causing her to slip on the dirt closest to the river and she felt herself falling. Struggling to keep her balance, she reached for Byakuya who was just in front of her but she swore that he leaned back just a bit to be out of her reach.

"Kuso." She whispered, more to herself than to him.

Luckily the river was only about waist deep but that didn't stop her from submerging and being drenched head to toe. Sharp rocks cut into her hands and legs as she got to her feet.

"Baka!" Mikazuki shouted at the culprit, tendrils from her tied up hair was sticking to her face.

Byakuya stayed silent, ignoring the insult. A small smirk, hardly noticeable, was on his face. He watched as Mikazuki put her hands through her sagging hair.

Disgusted at seeing duckweed mixed with blood on her hands, she tried to wash them thoroughly in the river. Mikazuki tried to get out of the way of more duckweed, which seemed impossible, but was glad that the current was slow and not strong enough to push her downstream.

"Could you at least help me out?" She asked sincerely, holding out a now clean hand.

Byakuya felt suspicious of her intentions as he eyed the hand, it started bleeding again from the cuts it had received. After an internal debate he did feel a little bad for the woman and grabbed her hand, telling himself he would need to get one of his servants to disinfect his own straight away. While attempting to pull her up the sincere smile suddenly changed into one with evil intent. Before he could figure out the meaning of this, Mikazuki placed her other hand against his stomach and threw him to the other side of the river behind her.

Byakuya spluttered as he stood up, forgetting to close his mouth, he now had a revolting taste in there. Also drenched he was glad to have removed the kenseikans from his hair earlier that evening. The duckweed that is all through Mikazuki's hair and most likely in his own, would've surely ruined them.

Mikazuki got out of the river and started laughing at the sour look on Byakuya's face. He waded through the water to get out, contempt filled him at her reaction. As much as she tried to stop the sounds coming from her mouth, Mikazuki could not find it in her to do so. Instead she got up and started walking in the direction she assumed her house is in.

"Where are you going?"

"Home, I need to wash up and sleep."

"Junrinan is the other way." Byakuya pointed in the direction opposite to the way Mikazuki had been headed. "Maybe you should just follow me, it's much later and the streets are not safe."

"Kuchiki-taichou, your concern is unexpected and I can look after myself."

"I don't know how long it took you to get here, but it would probably take a while to get back."

Mikazuki paused and contemplated his original suggestion. It was true that it would most likely take her a long time to get back to her house. It also didn't help that she was scratched up and hurt, the sooner she got cleaned up the better chance she won't have to deal with infections. His sudden generosity was still a mystery to her, especially after the stunt she performed.

"Fine."

The walk to the Kuchiki manor didn't take as long as Mikazuki thought it would. As soon as they went through the gates she tried to keep the wonderment from showing on her face. It was very rare for someone outside the family to see inside. Byakuya signature small smirk showed as he looked at her reaction. She could just make out the koi ponds and sakura trees.

"What sort of tea would you like?" Byakuya asked as they made it into the genkan, both of them dripping water onto the floor creating two puddles that started to merge.

"Ano, do you have peach?" It was a secret love of hers, anything peach was.

"Hai." Byakuya called over one of the female servants. "Take Ishikawa-san to the second bath."

The female servant didn't say anything and just bowed at Mikazuki then walked away, she took this as a hint to follow. The manor was just as bad as the barracks, instead of pathways it was just a maze of hallways. She knew that if left alone, getting lost would most definitely happen.

"What's your name?" Mikazuki asked trying to get the girl to say something, anything.

"I'd rather not talk. Kuchiki-sama would get mad. He is not nice when angry." The girl kept her head low until she got to a door and quietly opened it.

Mikazuki nodded, "I can imagine."

The room was very plain, drawing attention to the bath which was in the very middle. There were shelves filled with robes and towels, as well as different assortment of shampoos and soaps.

"Kuchiki-sama will be in the living area, once he is done." The servant girl made a move to leave, but turned around when Mikazuki called out to her, a questioning look over her features.

"Will you come back to show me to the living area? This place is so difficult to navigate through."

"Of course." The girl bowed again and then left.

She waited until she was alone in the room before getting into the bath. It was much different from the one she had in her own house. Steps led up to area and it was already filled to the brim with warm water. The water cascaded over the edge as she stepped in, feeling slight stings from the little cuts. Mikazuki leaned against the side of the bath lolling her head backwards as she finally relaxed. The warm, clean water felt good and was well needed after the day she had. Her mind was soon occupied with thoughts of the man that owned the manor. She wondered why he offered for her to come here knowing it wasn't out of the kindness of his heart, he wasn't a man like that. Maybe Byakuya had the need to show off his riches? Mikazuki wouldn't put it passed him for that to be the reason. It was well known that she grew up in the Rukongai. He would take any chance for him to have one up on her.

A soft knock brought her back to her senses, Mikazuki didn't know how long she had been in the bath but the noticeable wrinkling of her fingers and toes showed that it had been a long time.

"Hold on." Mikazuki quickly got out of the bath and wrapped a towel around her body. "Come in."

The female servant slid open the door and came into the room holding a very decorative sleeping kimono. Bowing lowly she left the kimono in a shelf and went to wait outside. Mikazuki gathered the sleeping kimono in her fingers and noticed how the fabrics felt very smooth and silky. It must've been worth a fortune, more than her life's worth of living. Having nothing else to wear because her former sleeping attire was dirty, the bath robes looked comfortable but didn't seem suitable, she got into the kimono.

She had to call for the girl to help her, since she was not accustomed to the type of kimono it was. The servant helped without uttering a single word, the silence made Mikazuki feel uneasy. She also tried to memorize the way to the living area, for a reason unknown since she was sure she wouldn't ever be a guest in the manor again. She would make sure that the opportunity wouldn't arise. The living area was just as tidy as everywhere else she had seen. There was a table in the middle with cushions positioned around the edge as seating arrangements. On the table was a large tray with a steaming teapot, empty cups and other necessities such as sugar and milk.

"Kuchiki-sama will be here after he is finished." The servant gave one final bow before leaving Mikazuki on her own.

Cautiously she went over to the table and knelt on one of the cushions, the smell of the peach flavoured tea making its way to her nostrils. Mikazuki was unsure to whether she should pour herself a cup while waiting for Byakuya to finish. After minutes of internal struggle, she decided to resist the temptation of the tantalizing beverage and wait. Sure that he would find some way to reprimand her if she didn't.

Exhaustion from the day had finally started to settle in Mikazuki and she found it harder to keep her eyes opened. She looked around the room think that she should make her way home, but then there was a chance of ruining the sleeping kimono she was dressed in. The cushion beside her seemed to beckon her, wanting her to rest. Frowning at the thought that others must've kneeled on the cushion before, she easily fixed that problem by turning it over.

Her first mistake was touching the potential pillow. Her second mistake was lying down. Just for a few minutes, she told herself, thinking the excuse was enough. Now in a horizontal position the fight to keep her eyes opened became much more difficult and it was a battle that she lost.


Byakuya was overseeing a few servants who were getting a futon ready in the guest's room. Their work was good and he knew that already, he was just wasting time for his own arrival to the living area. He had no idea why he offered that woman back to his manor, she had humiliated him. Thoughts of the Captain's meeting earlier that day came to him, he deduced that he was just keeping Mikazuki safe. He didn't want to feel the guilt of another death on him.

Hisana, his belated wife, her death that happened less than a decade earlier was still fresh in his mind. He still blamed himself for her getting ill because he was the one that brought her into nobility, even when it was forbidden by the elders. It was his fault she suffered. In a way Byakuya felt like he was betraying her memory by letting Mikazuki in the manor.

Byakuya found the room empty, servants having finished earlier. He made a decision to tell Mikazuki she had to go home. His steps towards the living room were definite much like the steps he took when inside the Second Division earlier that day. Upon entering the room, he found it also empty. Staying still for a minute he could hear the faint sound of breathing and when inspecting the room further, he found her sleeping on the cushions over the far side of the table.

The tea looked untouched and Byakuya was surprised by her patience, but obviously that patience turned into fatigue. Picking the woman up he found himself surprised again at the lightness of her body, not that she should've been heavy in the first place. He thought about all the range of emotions he had experienced that day, from anger to minor satisfaction, all because of the one woman who was in his arms. Mikazuki, who up until that day, they had only exchanged a couple of sentences in conversation.

Taking her to the spare room, he placed her under the covers of the readily made futon. He was careful not to accidentally bend one of her limbs in an uncomfortable position. Quickly Byakuya got up to leave as if not wanting to get caught but he paused at the door and turned his head around.

The words came out of him in a breath so that even if the woman in question was conscious she probably wouldn't be able to hear them. "Oyasumi nasai Mikazuki-chan."


A/N: How was that? Your thoughts and opinions would be greatly appreciated. Now for the translations.

Kami - God

Ano – um/uh

Arigatou – thank you (informal)

Hai – yes

Tantou – weapon with a blade slightly larger than a dagger

Souka – I see

Demo – but

Naze – why

Hajimemashite – nice to meet you

Iie – no

Nani – what

Kaiken - dagger

Kuso – swear word (equivalent to sh*t)

Matte – wait

Matte kudasai – please wait

Gomen nasai – sorry (formal)

Shogi – Japanese chess

Sumimasen – excuse me

Urusai – shut up

Onegai – please

Baka – idiot/stupid

Arigatou gozaimasu – thank you (formal)

Okonomiyaki – sort of like pizza

Kendou – modern Japanese martial art of sword-fighting based on traditional samurai swordsmanship

Konbanwa – good evening

Genkan – Japanese entryway

Oyasumi nasai – good night (formal)