This story will explore the complex sibling relationship between Byakuya and Rukia.

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, Tite Kubo does.


For a while now nights had seem desolate—cold. Even when the moon shone its rays with jubilance, vanishing all the eerie, lurking shadows, and the stars suffused delicately across the ebony skies, the nights carried with them an obvious desolation. Since the defeat of Kadiya, the seireitei bore the semblance of peace. But peace, as it always seemed, had an expiration date. Allowing the idea that destruction had surrendered to peace wrought the mind was foolish. Byakuya Kuchiki had known that well. From many years of leading the clan and dealing with his responsibilities as a captain, he knew very well that as often as peace came, it was never a lasting concept. Wars were inevitable; thus far, it was always wise not to conform to the complacency of peace, but to stay guarded.

As the others accepted peace, allowed themselves to no longer feel threatened, the captain of squad six remained alerted. His guard never wavered even when he'd partake in trivial matters.

The squad six captain had also expected the same mindset from his squad. Renji, the lieutenant of squad six had relayed the captain's orders to the other seated officers. Making sure they knew that the protocols remained intact now as it did before. To the seated and unseated officers, the practice seemed futile, not worth adhering. But knowing their place and lacked there of political stance, they accepted—of course with reluctance.

Renji understood the captain's reasoning. Considering the casualties, the captain was taking a logical step forward. To celebrate a victory that became only through destruction was not right, and thinking back to when one of the bounts had slashed through Rukia's body without remorse, Renji felt it necessary to accept the captain's demands. No celebrations, just work. A few years back, Renji would have hated the new ruling. It would have seemed unnecessary, maybe even drastic. Now, however, as the memory of Rukia's mulled figure flashed behind his closed eyes, Renji deemed the whole thing necessary.

It was a colder night than most and Renji was in charge of the east sector. He had spoken to Ikkaku earlier about some party being held at Rangiku's quarters; he'd turn it down of course. He was tempted. The thought of sinking into a sofa, sake in hand, surrounded by boisterous laughter and jokes was far more enjoyable than shivering ruthlessly against the crisp night, standing guard, and waiting for nothing.

"Lieutenant Abarai." Renji turned to face the man who called him, trying in vain to shoo the shudders that threatened to rise from the cold. The officer saluted him promptly, and he noticed the man was also subsuming his shivers."Word from Captain Ukitake, he wants you to come and see him as soon as you're relieved of your patrol." The officer saluted him one final time before marching off. Renji sighed; his patrol wouldn't end for another hour, and wished whatever Captain Ukitake had to say, he'd have the officer deliver it to him instead. Making a trip to squad thirteen after eight hours of patrolling the sectors of Seireitei was enough to make his head hurt. Reflecting on sleep and the warmth of his bed he would soon be rewarded with was what kept him from collapsing onto the ground with defeat.


Rukia sat quietly outside of her captain's office. She was beckoned by Kiyone to meet the captain promptly after her sweep in the Rukon district. Usually her captain wouldn't make haste to confer with her unless to give her an assignment that warranted a trip to the world of the living, and even then, he wouldn't pull her from a task.

As Rukia swung her legs to and fro, she thought of reasons her captain summoned her so late at night. To discuss a promotion, Rukia thought smiling to herself. Maybe he wanted to—Rukia's predictions were then cut off by an approaching shadow. The shadow danced along the floor, and when its form materialized into a figure she'd known so well, Rukia hopped of her chair. Renji.

Renji walked up to where Rukia stood; he too had not expected her there. Rukia cleared her throat, preparing to say something, but was beaten to the punch. "What are you doing here?" The lieutenant rubbed his eyes, chasing away his exhaustion.

Rukia was aware of the new protocols assigned to squad six by her brother. She'd felt bad for Renji: he cancelled out his leisure hours, focusing only on his work. Which was oddly uncharacteristic for Renji. She knew him to be the slacker type, only getting to his work last minute or half-assing it. He was never the astute type, not even when they attended the academy. That had always been her.

"I'm meeting my captain." Rukia offered him a concerned look.

Renji caught the unsaid message from Rukia's expression and waved off her concern with his own uninterested look.

"I'm fine, Rukia," said Renji in his most resigned tone. Rukia knew he wasn't but resolved to accept his word for it. Bantering outside of her captain's office was rude. She'd press on about his work later on when he wasn't grumpy from lack of sleep.

When Captain Ukitake popped his head out from his office, he was surprised to see both Rukia and Renji there. "Oh, you two have arrived at the same time." The white haired captain offered the two of them his softest looks. "Well, come in. Both of you."

Renji and Rukia exchanged looks before slipping, side by side, into the captain's office. There was always a vast difference between a captain's office and any other seated officers, Renji noted the moment he entered the open spaced office. Compared to this office, his office was a small cluttered square. Like his captain's, captain Ukitake's quarters was vast and unnaturally organized. Captain Ukitake's office emitted a wave of tranquility, the same effect he had on others, Renji realized. His walls were the color of eggshells, clad with a few pictures here and there. The furniture in the room were scarce, only a crimson sleeved sofa and tawny colored desk and chairs, arranged with a minimalist eye occupied the office.

Renji looked around in awe, as it was his first time ever stepping foot in Captain Ukitake's quarters. When he went to take a seat on the sofa, he was served a reprimanding look from Rukia. Taking the hint, Renji stopped, inches from the cushion, and rose up, giving her an apologetic shrug. Captain Ukitake with his back still turned ordered them to find a seat anywhere. Now it was his turn to serve Rukia a look. Rukia rolled her eyes at Renji's impish grin.

Captain Ukitake leaned against his desk. He acknowledged Rukia first: "Rukia, how are you feeling?"

"I'm fine captain," she said hastily. She sat on the cushion next to Renji. Side by side, the two contrasted greatly in size; Rukia dwarfed by Renji, even when the other soul reaper hunched over, cutting five or six inches from his actual height.

Captain Ukitake looked relieved. "That's fantastic…" Finally the captain's kind eyes wandered to Renji. "…and Lieutenant Abarai, you look tired."

Rukia looked at Renji sideways. Captain Ukitake was highly perceptible and Renji's languor could be seen by anyone, perceptible or not. She kept her gaze on Renji. If anyone could sap the truth from Renji, it was her captain. The man radiated good intentions, and anyone dealing with anything would willingly offer him their distress. They'd feel their confessions would be safe with him, just as Rukia felt.

Renji stretched himself out languorously on the sofa. His arms stretched out either sides and curling back in from their pull. He forced his eyes to widen, chasing away the heavy lids that threatened to steal his vision. He tried to focus his gaze on captain Ukitake, but every once in a while, the blur would cloud his sight.

Finally reclaiming his win over exhaustion, Renji felt it safe to respond. "I'm fine—all I need is a solid ten hour, uninterrupted sleep." He unsuccessfully stifled a yawn.

"I see." The captain said, partly to himself.

"Captain," Rukia began, her gaze leaving Renji. "Is there a reason you called me?" Rukia was speaking for Renji too, though she did not say it. Her captain unpinned himself from his desk. His expression was one Rukia was all too familiar with. An expression denoting that he had an idea for her—or seeing how coincidentally Renji was there too, for the both of them.

Captain Ukitake clasped his hands before him, enthusiasm claiming his otherwise soft features. "You two have proven yourself effective in times of war…"

Before the captain relayed more, Renji knew—had a solid idea what his next line of sentences would soon be. He'd gotten so used to turning down invites to spot them before they made themselves known. First it started with an obvious compliment on a job well done, then it would seamlessly segue into a statement that acknowledged the person's exhaustion earned from the hard work—

—"From all your hard works you two seem utterly drained." Renji, casting Rukia a dry sidelong glance, made a sound, one made when he was not amused. She seemed eager to hear what her Captain had to say. But it was clear to Renji what would come next. His shoulders sagged at the thought of turning down the captain's offer.

"I spoke to the head captain." Renji's interest piqued. If it were an order from the head captain, then it would mean whatever protocols his owns captain had set were, at best, negated, right? It was best not to let his hopes up high. He waited for the captain to conclude.

"He's sponsoring a three day break for all the squads. Free to do whatever it is you please—free of all obligations. Free to rest…"Captain Ukitake gestured a hand at Renji. "Free to spend time with family." The captain gestured a hand at Rukia.

"Oh, wow." Rukia smiled wildly. She was happy not just for her, but for Renji as well. She turned to him. He looked so drained. Renji caught her stare and she noticed him blushing a little. He wasn't the type to wholly admit to being overwhelmed. He took his position very serious, and his loyalty to his captain, her brother, was important to him as well.

Renji smiled shyly at the captain, though the realization had yet hit him. Exhaustion had stripped him of a fast reaction time. It wasn't when Ukitake repeated it, this time more forward did he finally feel himself excited of the news. Renji folded over, his body hadn't felt this beat up since he trained for his bankai, and even then he had time to rest.

"That's not all," Captain Ukitake said, turning to his desk and grabbing two forms of paper. "I also have this." He passed it to Rukia who then passed a copy to Renji.

Rukia skimmed over the sheet. It was an invite from the head captain. A banquet held at his house; everyone was to attend.

Rukia's eyes widened. As a low ranking officer, she was not really allowed to attend banquets such as these. It was for captains, lieutenants, and third seats. An officer below that of a third seat was not permitted the honor. Though she'd never attended, she had always mused over what occurred at those functions. And now, she was given the chance. Hiding her excitement deemed impossible, but in a tempered excited manner, she looked up at her captain incredulously.

Rukia folded the paper. "Captain," she breathed. "This is too much."

Ukitake waved a hand dismissively at Rukia. "Nonsense…you deserve it." He turned to Renji. "Renji, will you be able to attend?" The captain was now seated behind his desk, arms clasped, pressed to the desk as if he were tending to important matters.

Renji looked over the invite again. Unlike Rukia, head over heels about the whole thing, he wasn't leaping for joy. He had regularly attended these functions back in the day. It was held every five years, and he had attended them, never missing one since being a lieutenant. The gala, since Aizen's betrayal was not held the previous year, and he assumed was postponed to now.

Still gazing at the paper, Renji recounted the last time he went; he was Kira and Momo. They'd seclude themselves throughout the night, with Momo occasionally making conversation with the captain of squad ten. It was ten years ago when he had went, and that night had drawn out, bland and congested with a sort of formality he often felt uncomfortable around. Though the prospect of it all was awe-inspiring, the room filled with soul reapers clad in pure white, the floors—ceiling pristine. The sight and ambiance of the room had provoked a feel of astonishment, nothing he'd ever forget. Everything had been dressed lavishly: the tables, the chairs, and even the music.

Now as he stared blankly at the paper, the captain of squad thirteen waiting for his answer, he felt inclined to say yes. Really, all he wanted to do was sleep for those three days. He looked over at Rukia who seemed more than please. He inwardly groanen; of course Rukia would want to. She'd never been to one. He was sure if she went once, she would share his disinterest.

Rukia stood abruptly, surprising Renji. She stuffed the paper into her pocket, bowed and thanked her Captain. With her head still bowed, she turned to Renji, waiting for him to thank the captain and give him his 'yes.' When Renji kept quiet, Rukia's gaze on him hardened. She restrained from verbally chastising him.

Renji pulled himself off the sofa—his movements were stiff and lethargic.

He regarded the captain with a respectful nod. "Thank you for the invite Captain Ukitake." He didn't give the captain his answer, to do so now meant he'd have to commit to it. His mind was drained, his muscles were barely able to execute the easiest of demands.

Renji's lack of response did not bother Captain Ukitake as he understood the tired man before him. He identified with him, even. There had been many weeks—months when exhaustion had robbed him of interest. Noting Renji's unsaid decline, the white haired captain simply offered Renji a smile, dismissing him with a simple nod.

Captain Ukitake looked down at Rukia, who was still over the moon about the invite. "I'm sure you'll be attending, Rukia."

Rukia held back some of her excitement. "Yes, captain."


Stay tuned for the next Chapter! No promises, but I am hoping the next update will be next Thursday or Friday...