Chapter One: Opened Eyes

In a tranquil garden somewhere within the Kuchiki Clan Manor, there was a lone boy. He was still in the lanky stage of adolescence and training with a wooden bokken. He did so with almost an almost obsessive energy. The wooden sword had been carved by some of the finest workmen, sanded down so that nary a splinter was on it. It was of the finest wood. His dark hair was tied behind his head with a headband of silk. He was clad in loose white clothes of the finest material, which left his arms exposed. As he worked, an elderly man with noble features approached from behind.

'Well that's quite impressive, Byakuya.' said the old man. 'I see you are working very hard.'

The boy turned around, smiling as he wiped the sweat from his brow. 'Grandfather.' He said, closing the distance between them. 'What an unexpected surprise. Did you decide to rest here today, rather than at the barracks?'

'Mmm.' replied Grandfather, nodding in affirmation.

'I'm so glad you did.' said Byakuya. 'It's been a long time since I've been able to talk to you. I very much enjoy our conversations.'

'Hmmhmm,' said his Grandfather, 'so what do you say, Byakuya? How about taking a break from practice for awhile, I brought someone here to see you.'

The boy opened his mouth to speak, eyes widening in sudden fear. A pair of huge perky breasts, clad in a black jumpsuit pressed themselves up against his head. His eyes narrowed, and he turned around, swinging his bokken. 'It's you cat monster!'

His strike was in vain, for she backflipped out of the way laughing. Her violet hair fell around her in the morning light. She landed before him and crossed her arms with a smirk. 'Cat monster?' she asked in mock horror 'That's what I get for coming over to visit? And here I made a special trip.'

'Oh please, when did I ever say I wanted you to come here and visit me?!' he asked. 'As the next head of the Kuchiki Clan I don't wish to be involved in your games, they're not fun!'

'Oh is that so?' she asked, before appearing behind him and making a movement faster then he could follow. His headband was plucked from his hair, which fell down around his shoulders, as she laughed.

His eyes narrowed again, and he whirled around with another strike. Once again he struck in vain as she flash stepped back to stand atop the wall, waving cheekily. 'It may be games to you, but I'd be worried about the clans future if a mere girl was able to steal a head band so easily right off its leaders head.'

'Stay right where you are, Ms. Yoruichi Shihoin, you haven't seen my flash step yet.' said Byakuya.

'Oh yeah,' she turned round and took a runners position 'looks like you lost.' And then she was gone.

Byakuya looked down at the grass. 'I do see… it appears you are trying to make me really angry. Fine, I guess you'll have to find out for yourself. The fact of the matter is that I'm about to prove that my flash step is far superior to yours!' And with that, he disappeared in pursuit.

The old man sighed. 'That boy… there is no telling how far Byakuya could go if he could just find some way to control his temper. Nothing I can do about it now. Guess I'll have some tea.'

Byakuya did not actually think he'd catch Yoruichi. Bluster aside, Byakuya had to surpass her as a long term goal. And to that end was throwing everything he had into pursuing her. Even so, he had learned to pace himself. Once before he had gone all out too quickly, and become too exhausted to pursue. She was, for now, faster than him. Thus he traced after her, from rooftop to rooftop, squad to squad. In most circumstances, she would stay still for a moment. Long enough to allow him to get close enough to get another strike in.

Yet today she seemed to have another agenda. She led him onward through the Seretei. Suddenly she came to a point where she was nearing the open gates. Byakuya expected her to turn and go elsewhere, yet she did not. She leaped right through, into the midsts of the Rukongai. Byakuya stopped atop the wall, staring after her, and wondering if he should pursue. He had never been this far out before, and he was not certain he was ready.

Then he saw her on a rooftop, waving from afar, and his veins were filled with fury, and he pursued her, caution be damned. On the chase went, through deserted alleys and upon roofs, going on and on without an end in sight. Byakuya found himself becoming exhausted, and yet he pressed himself to his limits.

All of a sudden Yoruichi disappeared. It wasn't that he lost sight of her, he hadn't been in sight of her for a very long time. Yet all of a sudden he could no longer sense her. For a moment he wondered if she had been killed, before dismissing that thought as absurd. If all the gangs of the Rukongai were gathered into one place, they could not hope to defeat a Captain.

He stopped in place, within a dark lit alley and only just then realized how tired he really was. His every muscle hurt, his every fiber burned from how far he had pushed himself. He took a few steps forward and then collapsed against the side of the alley. He fell down into a sitting position as he glanced either way. There was no one in sight. Beyond the mouth of the alley lay a dusty and barren street, where people in drab colors walked to and fro.

Judging from the sun above it was midday. How long had he been chasing Yoruichi Shihoin anyway? He shook his head, and rose to his feet, feeling parched. His throat was sore with a need for water, and he felt hungry. Whatever the case, he needed to get out of here, and quickly. There would be plenty of both in the Kuchiki Clan Manor. Assuming he could reach it. Assuming he could find where it was. Initiating a flash step, he appeared on top of the nearby rooftop. He figured out which direction the gates of the Seretei lay in. Then he leapt down back into the alley and landed. He was too tired to flashstep.

Byakuya made his way out of the alley, knowing he had to make for the gate. Once he got there, he could gain admittance. It was getting there that would be the trouble. He doubted he'd be able to get here the same way he came. Beginning to flashstep took a great deal more energy than continuing it. He had a few moments worth at best, once he got moving.

As he walked through the broken down houses and dusty streets, he noticed the people. They worried him, for their expressions were dark, and their glances were unfriendly. One of them brushed him roughly, sending him stumbling back a couple of paces. He kept his bokken close after that. Yet others were pitiful, lying upon the ground with hopeless eyes, devoid of energy.

As he was walking, someone grasped him by the hand. Byakuya stepped backward on reflex, turning and half raising his bokken. Before him cringed a young woman, clad in rags, and he lowered in bokken. 'I…' He paused. 'I did not mean to alarm you.'

'Please…' Her voice was parched. 'could you spare some coins so I can get something to eat?'

Byakuya searched his pockets for everything he had, but he found nothing. 'I…' He found himself scarcely able to speak. 'I'm sorry, I don't have anything. I don't have anything on me.'

The way her face became downcast as she turned and walked away. It shattered his heart into a thousand pieces, yet he beat his shame down with anger. This was absurd! His family had a greater level of affluence than the Spirit King had when he still resided in the Soul Society! He was quite literally richer than god! How was it possible that he hadn't thought to take any money with him?!

He turned and made his way onward. A foul mood came over him as he marched in the direction he roughly knew the gates to lie in. As he did, he mulled over his lack of preparation. It was the Demon Cats fault; these endless lessons always took him off guard. Why did she drag things into the Rukongai? She should have given him time to get anything he needed. She should have informed him.

Then a dark voice in his mind suggested that she was hoping he would run afoul of bandits and be killed. Certainly, such plans had been known to occur in the darker ages of Soul Society's history. Yet he dismissed this, for one thing, he didn't believe the Demon Cat that murderous. For another, that dark age had ended with the establishment of Central Forty-Six. Noble Houses did not kill each other anymore, it wasn't done. Today their task was to support the existing order.

He had only resolved this matter in his mind when he became aware of a gang of rough looking men standing before him. He raised his bokken as he ground to a halt. They had swords, real swords. A trained soul reaper, of course, could have defeated these thugs. But Byakuya's training was not yet complete. He'd been told he had a great deal of natural potential, but that was no reason to be careless.

'Step aside,' he said, putting as much command into his voice as possible. 'I am only passing through.'

'Oh far be it from us,' said their leader, a bearded man with a large frame, 'to inhibit your pressing business. But here is the thing, we're men trying to make our way in the Soul Society. So here's a deal, we step aside, and in exchange, you give us all the valuables you have on you.'

'I'll tell you what I told the beggar woman.' replied Byakuya. 'I don't have anything on me of value.'

'Someones' naive.' noted the Leader in amusement. 'Those silk clothes you are wearing could sell for enough money to feed us for a month. You didn't even realize that silk wasn't something the average person could afford, did you?'

'I…' Byakuya realized that what he said was true. He could have given that beggar woman everything she needed to survive by taking off his shirt.

'Didn't think so,' said the leader, 'you should count yourself lucky. Some of my boys want to kidnap you and hold you for ransom. However I know better than to mess with the Seretei, so we'll make a compromise. Hand over your clothes, and we'll let you live.'

Byakuya realized something. Even if he had given her his silk shirt, she would have been robbed and murdered for it. These men were no beggars, they were bandits, robbers. Scum. They preyed on the weak as a matter of course. 'You'll get nothing from me.' he said, trying to sound bold. 'Step aside, and you may live to see another moonrise.'

The Leader motioned with his head, and all of them charged at Byakuya at once.

Everything slowed down for a moment. The thugs, the leader, the people around him, all seemed to be moving at a snails pace. Byakuya knew at once that he stood no chance of beating them all, tired and inexperienced and thirsty as he was. So he searched along the approaching line and saw the weakest man in the group, fairly elderly. He charged towards him, and struck him with his bokken across the face. The man fell backwards. Byakuya ducked under a sword swing meant for his neck and raced into the streets beyond.

The gang was swift on their feet after him, and Byakuya picked a street and ran down it. He could hear their calls after him. Their footfalls faded into the distance behind him as he ran on and on, until his lungs burned and his side ached. Even so, he pressed on, until he tripped and hit the ground and remembered no more.

When he awoke, he was lying in an alley, and for a moment he wondered if he had imagined the whole thing. Then he noticed subtle differences between this alley, and the one he had last been in. Wonderful, so he had started in one alley, and was now in the middle of yet another alley. This was… well, it wasn't typical for Byakuya's luck at all. He'd been born into nobility, and never had to live with the kinds of terrors and troubles which these people had to. The Rukongai was one of those subjects which at the dinner table in the Kuchiki Clan no one talked about. He'd read reports regarding what happened there. He'd known on some level that heaven was a less than ideal place. Yet none of it had really sunk in.

He saw his Bokken lying near him, and picked it up.

'Oh you are awake,' said a voice, and he looked up to see standing at the mouth of the alley a girl around his age. She was petite, with wavy dark hair falling around her shoulders. As she approached Byakuya rose up.

'Did you…' he realized how parched he was when his voice came out as a wheeze. 'Did you move me?'

'Yes,' she said, 'I saw those men chasing after you, and figured I'd hide you. They passed by some time ago. You aren't from around here are you?'

'…Its obvious I suppose,' admitted Byakuya after a moment. 'what is your-' He broke out coughing and she approached with a jug.

'I brought some water from the well,' she said, opening the stopper. 'here.'

He drank of it, and it felt heavenly upon his lips. He could have drunk the entire thing, however, he restrained himself from doing so and offered it back to her. She drank of it as well.

'What is your name?' he finished saying.

'I…' she paused, 'My name is Hisana. What is yours?'

'I am-' he stopped as he realized telling anyone his last name right now could mean trouble for him. 'I am Byakuya. I'm an academy student for the Soul Society. I got lost out here, and I need to get back to the gates.' He could see the holes in his story a mile away. Academy students were denied contact with the outside world once they got in. This was the prevent them from bringing what they learned into the Rukongai. Thus the Soul Society remained the only powerhouse.

'I see.' she said, before her eyes grew distant. 'I'm looking for someone.'

'Who?' He asked before he could restrain himself.

'Someone I lost.' she said evasively. 'I can take you as far as the first district if you like. I know the way pretty well.'

'Thank you, Hisana.' replied Byakuya.

They made their way out of the alley, and into sight of the night sky. The day had passed by, and now the stars were high above them gleaming. Hisana led him through the streets, keeping a low profile as they made their way ever onward. At last, they came within sight of the gates. Byakuya picked up his step, and rushed forward only to stop suddenly.

He turned to Hisana, who was waiting. Looking at him, and he reflected suddenly that she was very beautiful. 'Hisana, if we ever meet again… I will be happier for it.'

She blushed. 'I… I should probably get back to searching.'

'Thank you.'

They parted ways and Byakuya made his way, exhausted and having missed multiple meals in one day. Then he halted, sensing something.

A figure appeared before him. Shihoin Yoruichi was standing there, an impassive expression on her face. She looked very serious as he made his way forward. He could have shouted, could have accused her of dragging him into the middle of hell, but he mastered his temper. 'You dragged me out here,' he said, 'why?'

For a moment she didn't answer, remaining stony faced. It was not the ordinary way he was used to perceiving her. 'Let me tell you a story, Byakuya. Some days ago, Central Forty Six was provided with a report. It said that the Kuchiki Clan was plotting against the Soul Society. Rather than make a trial of the whole thing, they decided to destroy the clan by killing the heir apparent.

'As a result of this, the Captain of the Stealth force was assigned to lure you into the Rukongai. With all the brutal thugs he would surely be killed. It would be a great tragedy. So it would not at all be surprising when your Grandfather committed seppeku.

'Unfortunately, you successfully made your way out. wWhich means I'll have to try the direct approach.'

It happened so fast, and Byakuya scarcely had time to comprehend it. The Kuchiki Clan had been plotting against the Soul Society? That was absurd! Yet there had been enough evidence to indicate that they were responsible. There must have been a mistake. The Kuchiki Clan had always been devoted to the law! It wasn't fair to end things like this!

Yet it was all legal, what Central Forty Six was doing. They had every legal right to do this. He raised his bokken to field some meager defense. All he could think about was how no one should have this kind of power. No one.

All of a sudden Yoruichi burst out laughing, appearing the way he recognized her. 'I can't believe your fell for that!' she said, falling to her knees while chuckling hysterically. 'As if your Grandfather would actually ever plot against the Soul Society! He's about as lawful as anyone can get.' Byakuya flinched as she appeared in front of him and handed him his headband. 'What? Why are you acting so surprised? I wouldn't be much of a professional murderer if I couldn't appear intimidating would I?'

Byakuya shook himself out of the fear which had possessed him, and found it replaced with outrage. 'It's not funny. None of this was funny! And you didn't even answer my question?! Why did you drag me out on this wild goose chase?!'

Yoruichi sighed. 'Alright, fine, I'll say it flat out. Some things can only be learned by seeing them first hand. The Rukongai is a subject the noble families talk about over exotic dishes. But they never actually do anything about. Me? I don't get that luxury. I'm an assassin Byakuya, I know I don't look it, but I kill people for a living. A lot of those people end up being people trying to challenge the Seretei's control of the Rukongai.

'You learn things about a place when you have to spend endless hours on stake out there.' She sighed. 'Byakuya, you are planning to follow in your Grandfathers footsteps. There is nothing wrong with that. But the people who live in this place don't give a damn about any of this, its an endless struggle to survive here. You should understand what its like out here.' She glanced back. 'Can you flashstep with me to the gates? Your Grandfather will kill me if I keep you any longer.'

'Of course, I can!' snapped Byakuya.

They returned to the Seretei and both returned to their respective homes. Byakuya arrived very late. He was scolded for being out so late, and refused to tell anyone anything of what he had seen. It was truly a day to forget.

Yet even after it ended nothing was the same anymore.

Authors Note:

This concept was written some years ago, however, I paused and never revisited it due to stalling out. I more or less decided I wouldn't post it until I had the entire first arc written. As of this posting, the first arc is at last done. The fic isn't done, but that can wait I guess. I plan to update once a week until I catch up with the story.

The thing about Bleach is that Ichigo Kurosaki unsuitable to be main character. Everyone plays him up as the chosen one. But the reality is that he never has any idea what he's doing. He is entirely reactive, and he has almost no personal motive for going after Aizen. Its true that Aizen killed his mom, but Ichigo never even finds out about that. Not until after Aizen has been locked up, and he barely reacts.

I theorize that a Bleach with Byakuya Kuchiki as the main character would be interesting. He has an actual character arc and some personality flaws to speak of.

Enjoy!