A/N: I've been itching to write about this couple so I'm undertaking a series of one shots. Here's the first, hope you all enjoy and please review to tell me what you think!

The barracks of squad thirteen were relatively quiet today which was unusual. The dark haired female shinigami crossing its gates noted that immediately with a knowing smile, wrapped parcel in hand, as she was waved through the gate with reverent bows the guards. She walked pass the training halls and courtyards, acknowledging her subordinates along the way, storing the small glimpse of their progress in the back of her mind for her next lessons.

Arriving at the captain's office, she spotted Kiyone on guard duty at his door, vigilant as ever. The sandy haired girl smiled brightly with a bit of confusion at the back of her eyes.

"Miyako-sama, wasn't today your day off from duties?" She asked bowing towards her elder. Miyako shook her head gently.

"Within the 13 Court Guard Squads there is always work to be done Kiyone-chan. I'm delivering something for the captain furthermore how many times must I insist that you call me Miyako-san or just Miyako will do fine," she reprimanded with a small giggle. Kiyone blushed as she bowed yet again.

"I wouldn't dream of…I look upon you with far too much admiration and respect to do so as does everyone else in the squad, Miyako-sama. We love you! Er-I mean we all-I'll go and fetch some tea for the captain and yourself. Please excuse me!" She said before leaving towards the kitchens.

Looking after the energetic shinigami's back that disappeared around the corner, Miyako knelt smoothly before tapping lightly on the dark walnut shoji screen door.

"Cough-cough Enter." She pulled the screen aside, stepped inside and turned around to close the sliding door before facing her captain who was seated at his desk pouring over what could only be reports and assessments results for this year's roster.

Ukitake Jyoushiro looked up from signing off a report and his slightly pale face immediately brightened.

"Miyako! I thought I gave you the day off today." He said as she settled herself on a cushion facing him across the table placed on the tatami covered floor.

"Is that a rebuke taicho?" She asked as she started un-wrapping her parcel with her always present serene countenance.

"Not at all," he amended quickly, setting his brush on its stand. "You know you're always welcome but I expected you would spend your day off away from your duty."

"I tried. I was at home all morning. I packed a bento and rice balls for Kaien and Rukia's training session and somehow when I entered the kitchen I realized I made too much food. So I packed it all into bentos and personally delivered it to the fuku-taicho meeting today. They were all pleased and Byakuya-san was there as well." A fine white eyebrow rose.

"Byakuya? Why didn't he just send one of his seated officers?" Ukitake asked perplexed.

"Apparently, his fukutaicho could not make it today. He said that it's his squad so it lies with him to make sure all the higher up administrative work and duties are accomplished." She explained placing the bento carefully on the table, chopsticks resting on its lacquered surface. With practiced ease, she rotated the table so that Ukitake's pile of work faced her and the food faced him.

"There was one bento left over so decided to bring it to you. I guessed you'd either be hard at work or hardly working depending on how you felt today. I'll go through the assessment results since I can't sign reports for you. " Miyako said picking up a pile of papers.

Ukitake smiled at the kind gesture as he opened the bento box. His squad really did rely heavily on the woman pouring over his work. He recalled the first time he met her and never regretted that meeting.

Miyako had been originally placed in the Demon Art Corps due to her proficiency in Kidou, Hadou and Bakudou. She was soon placed in Squad 6 and immediately given the 4th seat after Kuchiki Byakuya who was the 3rd seated officer at the time upon graduating from the Shingami Academy.

This was expected as she was the sole child of one of the 6 judges of the Central 46 Chambers and a woman who was a retired member of the Demon Art Corps. This union alone was rare and the birth of Miyako was celebrated. She was to be one of the many beacons of the noble families to the members of the 13 Court Guards.

However, Miyako, despite her gentle birth, strived to be acknowledged for her own merits and not those given to her because of her blood. She asked for a transfer to a different squad but was refused as her parents did not think she should leave Squad 6 which held the much available Kuchiki heir within its ranks, a perfect match in their opinion.

Miyako tried hard but her parents, namely her father who kept watch over her actions, would not allow her to move freely. It was by chance that Ukitake came upon her staring up at his baracks's gates as he usually took the back way into his squad grounds.

A young and striking woman was starring at his barracks and Jushirou Ukitake didn't know what to say. He knew who she was, everyone knew who she was, but that didn't explain why she was here.

"Miyako-san, what brings you to my squad?" He asked bowing. She returned it and stood erect, eyes hard.

"I have a request." He could tell it was important so he led her inside and into his audience chamber.

"Please, speak freely."

"Thank you. I am sure you already know why I am here."

"I have a guess."

"I wish to join your squad Ukitake-taichou."

"Miyako-san let me be frank with you. There is no easy way to go about this. Your family, though small, holds influence in the affairs of the Seireitei. I know it seems unfair but our system is run by the higher ups and the noble families. "

"I know that but if I can get approval from at least you and four other captains, I may have my transfer approved." She revealed. Ukitake did a double take.

"You have approval? From who?"

"Zaraki-taichou, Unohana-taichou,Komamura-taichou and Shunsui-taichou."

"How did you manage to convince Zaraki-taichou?" Ukitake asked both impressed and curious.

"That is my little secret Ukitake- taichou." She replied with a small smile. It faded slowly as she bowed so low it made him uncomfortable.

"Please…I cannot bear these chains anymore. I am proud to be a member of the 13 Court Guards but to have earned it like this is not honorable. Let me be Miyako and not just my family name. Onegai-shimasu."

Ukitake closed his eyes and thought about it briefly.

"Miyako-san, I have only one thing to ask you and that is concerning my fighting policy. There are two types of battles in life." He started, blue eyes looking at her bowed form. "Whenever we are in battle, we must be one of the two; the ones where you fight to protect life and the ones where you fight to protect pride. Which battle are you fighting?"

"Both Taichou." She stated slightly rising from her hunched position.

"I fight this battle because my heart tells me that I must fight. I fight to protect the heart that creates pride and life; that creates the bonds we make in life, to protect what is precious without any doubt of my position tearing at my heart. This is my battle at the moment sir." A small smile formed on the white haired captain's face as she enacted another bow.

"…You'll have to start from the beginning just like the others who graduated from the Academy. You'll have no seat and you must earn that. Your noble lineage will be known but I will not treat you any different than I do anyone else. Can you live with that?"

Miyako rose from her bow, dark blue eyes filled with tears. A shaky smile formed on her lips as she nodded her assent.

"Hai, taichou!"

"Good. Have your things moved into the barracks. Training starts at dawn. I'll speak to the Captain-Commander about your transfer."

"Arigatou gozaimashita Ukitake-taichou. I won't let you down."

"I expect great things from you Miyako-san. Welcome to Squad 13." He said with a large smile. She mirrored his with a beaming grin.

"Arigato, taichou."

4 years later

"Oi! Taichou, why aren't we moving?" Kaien asked in his boisterous voice, alerting Miyako to their presence. She turned to face them and bowed flawlessly, hands before her.

"Ukitake-taichou, I have come to deliver you your medicine, you forgot them this morning as you were rushing out." She said stepping aside gently

"Thank you Miyako. I was rather absent minded today." Their captain replied.

Her deep violet blue eyes searched Kaien with slight recognition. "And you as well Shiba-sama, accept my apologies. Welcome to squad 13."

Kaien blinked for a moment. He was stunned by her beauty but he knew he had seen her before. He smiled and gave her a thumb up which startled the young woman.

"Yoroshiku onegaishimasu…ano…eto…" Kaien scratched his head for a moment.

"Kaien, I'm sure you remember who this is." Ukitake prodded. "She was at Yoruichi's birthday celebration."

"Sorry, I had a though morning today so I'm not in the right mindset to remember names."

"Which translates to he's terrible with names." Ukitake supplied much to Kaien's chagrin. Miyako laughed it off.

"That's alright; 5TH seated officer of Squad 13, Miyako Megumi-Tengoku." She expected Kaien to bow low and start offering his well wishes to a father she had never met but he remained smiling and headed through the gates but he tripped on a basket left at the entrance as he turned to look back to see if she was following and landed on his face, behind in the air. He picked himself up with a grumble, kicked the basket for good measure and dusted off his hakama.

"Well are you coming in or not?" He called back, with a frown on his face, to the speechless shinigami. Miyako couldn't seem to help the giggles that started wracking her body. Kaien approached her with a deeper frown.

"Oi! What's so funny?"

"That basket contained taichou's medicine." She said in between giggles.

Kaien sighed loudly.

"That's no reason to laugh."

"You look funny when you frown."

"Funny eh? You're one strange girl Miyako." He said smiling as he turned back to the gates. " Come on; let's get going. I have to whip those slackers into shape, 3rd seated officer and soon-to-be Vice-Captain Shiba Kaien has arrived." He exclaimed charging into the barracks. Yells broke out within the minute.

"Please go and make sure he doesn't kill them Miyako." Ukitake asked taking the recovered basket from her hands with a sigh.

"It will be my pleasure taichou. Please make sure to drink it all."

"Yes of course. Miyako?" He called. She stopped and turned back.

"What do you think of him?" He asked. She stood there, cocking her head to the side.

"He's quite brash and outspoken, like you said he would be but I like him. You've made a fine choice captain. The squad will surely love him. Don't worry, I'll watch his back."

With a quick yet well performed bow towards the present captain, Miyako followed after Kaien with a smile.

"Taichou? Taichou, are you alright?" Miyako asked bringing him out of his reverie.

He nodded his head and ate a piece of umebo.

"Delicious as always Miyako, is there nothing you can't do?"

"Removing the pain in Byakuya's eyes is one."

"It's that bad is it?" He asked as she pulled a file that was in the nomination for seated officers.

"Hai. He hides it well but to those of us who know him its quite obvious. Kaien tries but Byakuya refuses to move from that fated day's tragedy." Miyako read through the file and her eyes brightened.

"Rukia is being nominated by Kaien. She'll do well as a seated officer."

Ukitake placed his empty bento down and faced Miyako.

"I won't be letting her take the examination."

"Why? She's worked hard taichou." There was no reprimand in her tone of voice for which he was thankful; he would rather her husband yell at him than her at the moment. Miyako could be fierce when agitated.

"It's out of my hands."

"…And in those of her brother."

"You know him well."

"Byakuya is a creature of habit." She admitted with a thin grin. "He acted the same with Hisa-chan up until when she told him to stop following her on her searches for Rukia. If only Rukia would speak her mind, the poor girl. However, we must leave him be and not interfere where Rukia is concerned. Indulge his majesty." She said placing the report on the table and taking up another.

"You think I was awaiting your approval?" She placed the other report down.

"Don't you always? Kaien isn't around and asking Byakuya proved futile so that leaves me to be the rational one when it comes to Rukia. You will promote Kiyone and Sentarou won't you?" She added as an afterthought.

"Of course, they've earned it no matter how odd the pair may be when it comes to me." He said affronted.

"No need to get ruffled, you might keel over and die."

"I'm already dead Miyako." He responded to her joke.

" Ara, look at the time. I should get going, Kaien will be returning soon. Will you join us for dinner taichou?"

"No, not tonight; you kids have fun on your own."

"You make yourself sound so old taichou." She said giggling behind her hand. She placed the reports in a pile and the ones she had gone through in another before turning the table around and cleaning up the bento box.

"Oh, yeah that reminds me. Here you go taichou." She said sliding a wrapped gift across the table.

" Thank you but it's not my birthday or anything special today Miyako…"

"I know. But it is almost exactly 30 years to the day that you gave me my new life here in squad 13." He looked at her shock in his eyes.

"Miyako."

"I'll see you tomorrow taichou." She said rising and leaving silently.

Ukitake took the gift in hand and un-wrapped it. Inside the box laid a wonderfully hand crafted tea cup the color of bamboo shoots. It was breathtaking. On its face was the kanji for life and pride emblazoned on each circumference with black ink.

He could not control the overwhelming adoration and care he felt for his 3rd seat. He picked up the slip of paper inside the box.

Ukitake-taichou,

I made this cup 30 years ago, on that day you accepted me into you squad. That was my beginning. I gained everything that I lacked in my old life. I gained true friends, comrades, family, freedom, respect, my pride and surprisingly true love. But most of all I gained a friend and a father in you who guided me and took time to train me even in your illness.

Upon finishing the cup, I had no idea what to write on its surface until recently. Kaien and I had a discussion about your fighting policy recently and it suddenly came to me. I finally placed the kanji on the tea cup. I hope that whenever you drink your tea, it will remind you of what you represent to me and to your whole squad.

I also hope that in our next lives, I can have the honor to truly be born as your daughter.

With love,

Shiba Miyako

A tear drop fell on the letter. Ukitake quickly wiped the other away. He picked up the cup again and marveled at its meaning.

"Kiyo-"

"Here captain!" Kiyone exclaimed bursting into his room, tea tray in hand. She set it on the table and seated herself.

"Please pour me some tea in this cup from now on please." He said pushing it towards her. She picked up the pot to pour but she hesitated.

"Captain, there is something in your cup." She pointed out. Perplexed, Ukitake looked inside and shook his head with a small smile. He pushed the cup towards her again.

"It's alright Kiyone, just pour the tea."

"Hai! May I ask what's inside sir?" She said pouring his a full cup. He raised the cup to his lips and sipped at the green tea. A secret smile bloomed on his face, nearly causing the blond girl to faint.

"Heart, Kiyone, heart."

"Miyako!" Kaien called leaning against the barrack gates, his bag with the Shiba crest slung over his shoulder. She smiled and made her way towards him. Kaien took the bento from her hands and she wrapped her hands around his tattooed arm as he headed towards their home.

"So, how did the captain like his present?" He asked looking down at his wife.

"I don't know I left before he opened it." She admitted.

"You what? Miyako, you should have taken pictures of his tearful face! I could have used that as future blackmail material to complete my collection!" He said with a smirk. It faded with her laughter.

"You wanted to give him some time alone with it right?" He asked more seriously as they were about to pass the 6th division.

"You know me too well."

"Because you're part of my heart Miyako, of course I do." He admitted as if it was the biggest fact of the world. She smiled and stepped in front of his path.

"Thank you anata, for helping me with this gift," she said with a tender look in her eyes. He brushed her hair away from her forehead and touched her cheek.

"I knew how much it meant to you, I'm glad you finally gave it to him. Now about my promised reward…" He whispered in her ear earning a giggle from his beloved as he pulled her into his arms.

"That will have to wait until tonight anata plus Rukia looks like she's about to faint from our display." Kaien turned and saw Rukia standing before the gates of the 6th division hands splayed over her eyes.

"Please forgive me! I did not see anything!" She exclaimed.

"Mataku, Kuchiki! We didn't do anything worth covering up your eyes for. Stop being an idiot!" He berated walking up to her and hitting her on the head.

"K-Kaien-dono!"

"Enough with the day dreaming Kuchiki, aren't you supposed to be doing chores at the barracks?"

"Hai, but I had to get changed as my uniform was dirty from training sir. I'll get right on it! Have a nice evening Kaien-dono, Miyako-dono."

"Wait Rukia, why don't you have dinner with us tonight," Miyako suggested gently. Rukia looked shell-shocked. Her idol was asking her to dine with them!

"I couldn't possibly impose myself on your day off, plus I still have my duties and you rarely get to have time for yourselves and my brother…" She said slightly dejected but hiding it. Not well enough for Kaien.

"Don't worry about the iceman, I'll talk to him. If you get back quickly you will be done in time to reach our home. Now run along Kuchiki!" He said pushing her forward.

"And don't be late, dinner starts at 8:30 sharp. If you're late you go hungry." He called after her. Rukia looked back. 'He can't be serious.' But the devious smile he sent her spoke otherwise. 'He is!'

Miyako waved until Rukia disappeared around the corner, catching the smile that bloomed on the small woman's face.

"You didn't just invite her to get out of your promised reward did you now Miyako?" Kaien asked grasping her hand in his long and calloused hand. She grinned.

"Of course not, Byakuya was probably harsh on her. She needs you more than I do tonight." Miyako pointed out.

"Like I said, you're far too kind Miyako."

"And so are you, because we're of the same heart, ne?" She replied with a beaming smile that melted his heart.

"Hai." He replied leading the way home. "I still can't believe you managed to get me to write that kanji inside that cup. It took forever with that tiny brush!"

"Oh yeah, I forgot to mention, Kukakuu is also joining us for dinner." Miyako said heading towards the market. Kaien almost ran into a passerby. He caught up to the snickering beauty and glared at her.

"You know she's mad at me for kami knows what this time. Forget what I said, you're cruel, very cruel."

"And you're very funny when you frown Kaien," she declared going on her merry way acknowledging the people who saluted her on her way.

Kaien smiled tenderly as he walked slightly behind her, watching her graceful steps. He would do anything for this woman whose smile was his driving force and existence illuminated his own.

Even sit through dinner with his murderous sister.