A/N:I have a lot of love for this pairing, actually. I hope you do too ^_^

Kuchiki Byakuya was a proud man.

Born of the Four Noble Families and succeeding his grandfather at quite a young age (well, younger than most heads, anyway), he forced himself to let go of his childish ways to live up to family expectations. Becoming the Captain of the Sixth Division, life was quite focused on work and duties of the Gotei 13 until he stumbled upon a sad town in the outskirts of Rukongai and was captivated by a pair of pale-blue eyes.

And so he took Hisana, married her and continuously loved her even though he fully knew that she married him for his wealth. He liked to think that she eventually learned to love him. However, due to their inability to produce heirs, and possibly stress over many matters, Hisana quietly passed away. Although extremely humbling, for Byakuya realized that not everything was within his control, the entire experience was – and still is – excruciatingly painful.

So it is quite right to say that Kuchiki Byakuya was a proud man.

After all the suffering and the pain he endured, many found his demeanor quite cold, but to those who knew him long, like Ukitake Jyoushirou and Kyouraku Shunsui, it was all but a mask. They saw his compassion when he took Hisana's sister as his own, and when he allowed a brash and brazen Abarai Renji to assist him as his vice-captain.

"Taichou!"

The doors slid open, even without Byakuya's permission, and his fiery-haired fukutaichou barged into his office. Byakuya released an exasperated sigh – this must be something Renji enjoyed doing.

"Arato-fukutaichou has advised me that the division is scheduled for an annual check-up this afternoon," Renji started, a bow following his statement.

"Understood," replied Byakuya, not even lifting a finger as he signed his paperwork, "Kindly send word to the rest of the division,"

"Hai, Taichou,"

And without another word, Renji left.

Byakuya set down his brush and let out a heavy sigh, silently closing his eyes. He wouldn't really admit it, but he learned to rely upon Abarai Renji so much, especially after the war against Aizen and the arrancar. He was quite unstable after that, and if it wasn't for Renji, he wouldn't have recovered as quickly as he did.

"You're thinking quite deeply, Byaku-nii,"

He felt familiar reiatsu come into the room through his window and a soft chuckle escaped his lips, "Doors have been invented, Arisa,"

A pair of lips lightly pecked him on the cheek, "You don't seem to be complaining,"

Byakuya's eyes opened, "I am not," he said to Ukitake's vice-captain, "Your company is pleasing,"

Arisa shrugged, "You say that about Renji too, but you allowed him to leave just now."

Gray eyes turned to her and she met them with her bright amber ones, "We've talked about this, Arisa,"

"Yes, but you're still so stubborn," Arisa made her way towards his desk and sat on it to face him, "I understand your fear – taichou went through that,"

Like a child does with his mother when he's done something wrong, Byakuya turned away, "But their love is pure,"

A hand a caressed his cheek as Arisa lightly motioned for him to look back at her, "What makes you think that yours isn't?"

"I'm shattered, Arisa," Byakuya heaved a heavy sigh, "I am not whole. How do you love someone wholly if you, yourself, are broken?"

"You move on," and the vice-captain of the thirteenth smiled warmly at him. And in that moment, although he surpassed her in years, it seemed that she knew much more than he ever did.

"Oh Arisa," Byakuya wouldn't let himself get caught doing it, but he wrapped his arms around the younger shinigami's waist, "Thank you," he whispered in her ear.

They pulled away, keeping a close proximity, knowledgeable of their brother-sister relationship and how it could easily be misunderstood by others.

"You're very-"

"Kuchiki-taichou, have you seen-?"

But the gray eyes of Hisagi Shuuhei widened as he opened the screen doors and his question got caught in his throat, seeing Arisa in Byakuya's arms. Of course he knew that they shared nothing more than a sibling bond, but he couldn't help the jealousy boiling within him, seeing them that close to each other.

Knowing what was running in the young fukutaichou's head, Byakuya raised an eyebrow at the girl before him and jerked his head towards Hisagi's direction.

In a quick step, Arisa had her arms locked around Hisagi, her head resting right under his chin. She emanated warmth, "Thanks for picking me up,"

And just like that, Hisagi's insecurities melted away, a light shade of pink staining his cheeks, much to Byakuya's amusement, "Uh… Yeah," the vice-captain nuzzled her hair, kissing the top of Arisa's head, "I wanted to have lunch with you,"

Arisa pulled away, smiling at him," Lunch sounds great,"

The two vice-captains turned to Byakuya, who gave them a nod of approval. Her grin widening, Arisa gave a short bow and said, "Thank you, Byaku-nii,"

"Yes," Hisagi bowed as well, "Many thanks, Kuchiki-taichou,"

Byakuya resisted the urge to roll his eyes, "Just take care of her, Hisagi,"

Naturally, Hisagi Shuuhei didn't need telling twice.

A/N: Many thanks if you choose to continue to read this :D