They were born the same year. Kitagawa Aoi. Kuchiki Byakuya. Yes, those were their names. Two, at that time, children not knowing their fates were forever connected. Both from nobility, both aspiring for something more. To be brought together only to be torn apart again and again. But they were steadfast. Never gave up. They strayed but came back. Here is their story.

The Kitagawa and Kuchiki families had long been in a tense civility that never really was good but not a problem. Thousands of years past in the same sense. Then, two children were born of the families. Kuchiki Byakuya and Kitagawa Aoi. The children were unique right from the start. No mothers. Byakuya's died at child birth. Aoi's was allowed to stay in soul society to give birth then she had to leave to join the Zero Division. Gentle fathers. Kuchiki Sõjin was of the most gentle nature always caring for Byakuya. Kitagawa Takumi was not as gentle but taught his daughter to be strong and kind. Strict grandparents. The current leaders of the Kuchiki and Kitagawa clans were strict, but even so, loved their grandchildren more than anything. Saijin and Takumi we quite good friends and knew their children were of the same age and brought them together one fateful day.

"But Father, he probably smells like poop" whined little Aoi. Time was different in Soul Society, though she had been alive for 15 years she still resembled a 5 year old. She was around 3 feet tall. Her young face was set with features she would surely grow into. High cheekbones, full lips, a straight nose. But above all was her scarlet red hair pulled into long pictails. A small hand poked out of a flower designed kimono. The hand clutched at her fathers, even though she sounded annoyed she was actually quite nervous. She had never had anyone to really play with, only maids and other servants. She got lonely at times, but she had found happiness in the art of sword. She trained day and night to escape boredom. She remembered her father teaching her the basics of it all. Stance, agility and strength all slowly built over time.

The two approached a simple play park. It had two swings, a small jungle gym, and 10 foot tall slide. Aoi's face lit up as she ran for the swings. She climbed on and waited for her father to come push her. Once he got her going she started going higher and higher. She closed her eyes. It felt like she was flying. She felt herself go higher than the bar. She heard her father give a warning but she ignored him. When she flew forward again she felt herself rise to the peak and let go. She flew forward, arms out spread. Then she felt herself fall and then heard a "thud". She felt pain flash across her knees. She looked down, her knees were bleeding. She held back tears trying to save face in front of her father. With a small smile she said, "I'm okay Father."

"So is this the cry baby I'm supposed to play with?"

Another two had appeared, clearly father and son. The younger appearing to be five with jet black hair pulled into a little ponytail, bangs falling elegantly into his already perfect face. Him and Aoi were the same height and age.

"Father, I don't want to play with some crybaby!" Aoi felt a flash of iritation.

"Whose crying?" She spit back at the child. Byakuya took a step back, no one had ever spoken to him like that. Before he could regain his composure Aoi was in his face. "I don't see anyone crying," she turned to her father, "Can we go home now?"

Her father had been slightly grinning but fixed his face into a stern look. "No, you will stay here. No daughter of mine runs away."

"Now Takumi, don't be too rough on her. She's still young let her have a childhood." Said Sõjin with a smile. Takumi gave him a nod but said nothing. Sõjin pushed Byakuya towards Aoi with a smile icy enough to send shivers down Byakuya's spine. He knew not to mess with his father.

Aoi, irritated, turned and began to run towards the jungle gym. Byakuya decides to look cool and beat her there. As he sped up so did she and soon they were sprinting as Aoi pulled ahead and beat him to the jungle gym. She climbed to the top triumphant, throwing up dueces on each hand. Byakuya glared at her and scrambled up the jungle gym. When he got to the top he wrested Aoi for the top. They fell down 3 feet through the hole at the top and wrested on the ground. Aoi pinned him down using her inner thighs. Again, she threw up the deuces. Byakuya struggled to escape until he finally wiggled free. She laughed as he scrambled to his feet covered in mulch. Aoi grinned. She had finally found some sort of competition. Everyone up until now that were age we weak and pathetic. This one had some fire to him.

Byakuya did not grin. He had always been the strongest, quickest; the victor. He looked around him and picked up a small branch that was lying on the ground. He looked it up and down and then took his stance. Aoi realized what he was doing and scrambled for a branch also. She took up her stance and stared directly into his eyes. He stared back and saw a sort of fire behind those grey eyes. After an tense moment, they sprung. Byakuya swung right but Aoi blocked it and then delivered a quick jab. He dodged it and again swung. She ducked and swung out her leg. It was over in an instant. As she swung out her leg she knocked him down and then knocked the branch out of his hand. Byakuya fell to the ground and pointed her branch at his chest.

"Beat you," she said, face neutral.

He was furious. How? She was a mere girl, his age, shorter then himself (so he thought), not as athletic. He jumped to his feet, climbed out from under the jungle gym and walked over to the swings slowly. He heard footsteps behind him, but he didn't turn around.

"Hey you're pretty good. Where did you learn how to do all that?" Asked Aoi, giving him an innocent look. Byakuya didnt look at her and continued to walk towards his father. "Now come on don't be a stick in the mud. I just asked a simple question."

Byakuya spun around and looked her in the face. This was the first time he really took in her appearance. He took in her deep grey eyes and noticed how her hair caught the light in a way that made it glow. His face reddened as he looked down.

"My dad taught me. Plus I'm home alone a lot so I just practice on my own," he muttered. Aoi looked him up and down and grinned.

"I do too! Father is usually out doing his duties with the Gotei that I don't have much time to play with him. Well, we should start playing together more so we can practice together instead of alone!" Next she held out her hand like how she had seen her father do so with other adults. Byakuya looked down at it for a second and then grasped it.

"I guess we can work something out together."

Aoi smiled hugely and Byakuya reddened again. She ran towards her father and asked if they could invite the Kuchiki's over for dinner and tea. It was plum blossom season and it would be a good night to view the blossoms.

Takumi looked down at her in surprise having been in deep conversation with Sõjin. They had pretty much ignored everything the kids had been doing up until this point. Takumi looked over at Sõjin who smiled and inclined his head. Takumi sighed.

"Yes, they can come over as kong as you don't bully Byakuya." Aoi grinned mischievously and nodded kissing her father in the cheek. The two families stayed at the playground for another hour during that time Takumi had sent a message to the house that they would be expecting guests for dinner. Sõjin and Takumi later called over Aoi and Byakuya to go back to the Kitagawa residence.