26/7/2016 EDIT: So I've finally fixed this story, three years later (my bad guys). I've updated this all in one go, so the whole thing should be fixed for y'all to red. I didn't do much to change the story, just kinda edited it to make it nicer/better than before. I didn't add much either, I just wanted to fix what was there, so it's not much longer than before. Enjoy :)


It was that time of year again, and he couldn't help but think about her no matter how hard he tried to forget. Despite all of the years since her death, it's not easy to forget your soul mate when your love never diminishes.

He reminisced on the days past, when he would spend every waking hour with her just to please her. He loved it when she smiled, especially when it was because of him. But she couldn't smile anymore; she was dead. It had been almost 125 years since her death, caused by an unknown illness. He learned to live without her, eventually, but he would never be the same.

He was in his office when Renji entered, working diligently on paperwork so he could go home a little earlier today. He barely looked up at his subordinate, concentrating on his task, until Renji was standing right in front of his desk, staring at him. They both continued on like that until Byakuya couldn't stand the gaze anymore. "What do you want, Abarai?" he asked, his voice clipped. He was in no mood to deal with his lieutenant's antics today. Definitely not today.

"I've come to let you know the Senkaimon is ready for your departure now, sir," Renji replied.

He frowned; there had been no notice he was going on a mission. "I do not believe I asked for the Senkaimon to be opened."

"The head-captain is giving you a vacation, sir, to the World of the Living for one week."

His eyes narrowed dangerously, yet the lieutenant never flinched, meeting his gaze. "I do not recall asking for a vacation, Abarai."

"Yes sir. I requested one for you. You always get so moody around this time of the year, and after the war, I thought it would be best if you got out of the office for a little while," Renji replied.

A short stare-down commenced between the two 6th division officers. Neither proud man was willing to back down, but the stress from the war and the loss of his wife forced Byakuya to reluctantly concede. Sighing, he stood up and gathered his zanpakutō leaning beside his desk. "Fine, tell the head-captain I will be departing soon," he said as he headed out of the barracks towards the Senkaimon. When he arrived he saw that it was indeed already open and waiting for his departure.

After walking through the Senkaimon, he took a few moments to get his bearings and realized he was in Karakura Town, the location of the Winter War. If he was going on vacation, Karakura Town would have been the last place he picked. The chances of running into that loud and obnoxious ex-substitute shinigami were extremely high, a chance he did not want to take.

He walked down the street to where he knew Urahara Shoten and its crazy shopkeeper would be located so he could get a gigai and maybe some extra clothes. Or some money so he could leave the Town. As he was walking, it began to lightly drizzle before turning into a full-on shower. Drenched completely and extremely annoyed by now, he started walking faster. What had he done to deserve this? All he had wanted to do was finish his paperwork, go home, and mourn the loss of his wife alone. Was that too much to ask for, considering all he'd done in his life? Apparently not.

A squeal of delight stunned him out of his inner griping. Curious, he looked around the path he was on for the source of the noise. The road he was on was situated atop a hill that overlooked the city, and underneath that hill was a small park where the noise originated. How anyone could be out in this rain intrigued him, and he wandered over the ledge to look.

He stopped short and his breathing slowed as he glimpsed two figures on the swings facing away from him and laughing as if it wasn't raining buckets on them. Unaware of his actions, he caught himself whispering a name he hadn't spoken aloud in over a century. "Hisana."

As soon as the word was muttered the young girl turned around, searching. Her eyes widened when she saw him at the top of the hill, and she quickly spun to tell her friend. He turned around at her word, but seemed unable to spot Byakuya. When she made to turn around in order to point him out, she found he was no longer there, having hidden himself with kidō. She frowned, and he almost wanted to dispel the kidō, but she brushed it off as her imagination and turned back to her friend.

The soon got up and walked away, still talking and laughing without a care in the world. He stared after her until she disappeared from his sight, his mind running with possibilities. Without another moment to spare, he turned and continued his journey to the small shop where he hoped he could find more information.

He didn't have to wait long because as soon as he arrived at Urahara Shoten he was shown inside by the little girl that always seemed to hang around the shop. He entered the small sitting room, and was surprised to see both Kisuke and Yoruichi waiting for him. "Please come in, Captain Kuchiki," Kisuke said. "We weren't expecting your sudden visit, so we didn't have time to get your gigai ready. If you're willing to wait, I can have it brought to you in a little while."

"That is fine. In the meantime, I have some questions to ask."

"Of course," Kisuke replied good-naturedly. At that moment, Tessai came in with a pot of tea and some cups, which he placed in front of the shinigami. "Tessai, would you mind getting the captain's gigai ready?" he asked once he was done.

"Right away, sir," Tessai replied before moving to one of the back rooms, presumably to do as Kisuke asked.

He turned back to Byakuya. "So, what seems to be on your mind, Captain?"

"And don't try to hide it; I know what you're thinking," Yoruichi added with a grin, leaning forward on her elbows.

Byakuya calmly took a drink of his tea while he took the opportunity to gather his thoughts and decide what he wanted first. "Has she really been reincarnated?" he asked solemnly, his gaze trained on Kisuke for his answer.

He sighed and his gaze lowered. "Yes, I've already confirmed it's her," he replied.

"And neither of you thought to inform me?" Byakuya said sharply, his gaze narrowing at the ex-captains.

"I apologize if I've offended you, but I was personally asked to keep this a secret," he replied, honestly sorry. "However," he went on, "this was not until after I'd already sent a report to Yamamoto. The Soul Society is aware of the situation."

Byakuya frowned at Kisuke, his mind thinking back to the scene at the park. So it had been all his fault. The thought reignited the minute anger he felt towards the boy. "So you actually did as the boy asked?" he asked semi-incredulously. "What, pray tell, prompted you to listen to the Kurosaki boy?"

"He had a sound argument," Kisuke said quickly. "I figured it wouldn't hurt if I did, and it's not like I was obliged to inform you anyways."

"That's not what matters; the point is you are helping him in the first place."

"Well, he did ask nicely," Kisuke recalled. "Even got down on his knees and begged."