A drabble after reading chapter 247, spoiler warning!
Something random I thought about. As usual.
As the gates to the living world closed, he saw her turn around and give him a respectful bow. Yet he felt no sadness, no pain.
Because she was smiling at him, radiant, brilliant.
Stepping back from the gates, he ignored the knocked-out guards (they will wake up not even realizing they fell asleep) and hastened back to his division offices before anyone realizes something is wrong.
Technically, Kuchiki Byakuya was not breaking any laws (and nobody knows Soul Society's laws better than him). He had followed his orders properly, took her back to Seireitei and reported their return. However, no one ever said that she wasn't allowed to go back again. And even if he tried to, he had no doubt that Rukia would have found a way to sneak out, and that would have simply been unacceptable. Logic reasoned that it was better for him to know where she was (even if it was Hueco Mundo, of all places) than having her disappear on him without a trace.
And it isn't like he was being careless and sending her off without protection. Renji was there for a purpose, afterall. And even if Renji's ridiculous look made him uncomfortable, he was determined to let her go in true Kuchiki style; cloak, cape and all.
Of course, that was all just precaution. Byakuya can never be quite sure that the foul-mouthed disrespectful orange-headed substitute shinigami (why is his name Ichigo anyway?) can look after his precious sister properly, so he must hasten Yamamoto-Genryusai's old bones and get permission to raid Hueco Mundo himself. Byakuya was sure Zaraki would have no objection to that.
Meanwhile, he would just have to remain stoic and look blank when the disappearance alarm is raised. A Kuchiki has dignity to maintain, afterall.
reviews are much appreciated, thanks!