My first Bleach fanfic... Might seem quite... romantic at first, but I promise you there will also be other genres such as Action! Tragedy! Drama! And anything else I can shove in :D So please be patient :) Happy reading then~~

One | There was Him

Kuchiki Byakuya, the 28th Head of the Noble Kuchiki Clan, one of the four noble families in Soul Society. Captain of the 6th Division within the Gotei 13, he is a reputable aristocratic Shinigami known to be always cool, calm, and collected. A man that followed the rules through thick and thin.

* * *

" Byakuya. Don't let Captain Shihouin get to you. You would improve greatly if you didn't get heated up over everything."

"I have improved, Grandfather. I am level headed. I am calm. I am a Captain."

"Byakuya-sama. Somehow, please protect my sister with your power, without telling her the truth."

"Hisana. I have fulfilled our promise. Rest well."

"Kuchiki Byakuya! It has been 17 years since that woman has passed away. It is time the Kuchiki Clan prepare for the next heir – find yourself a suitor, or we will!"

"…"

* * *

It was a calm day in Soul Society. Ever since the appearance of the substitute Shinigami Kurosaki Ichigo, Soul Society had faced many difficulties and enemies, and now, everyone was having a well deserved rest and recuperation. The cherry blossom petals danced in the wind, with no destined path or current, tranquil and carefree in its beauty. Byakuya admired the sweet scenery that Spring brought. Memories of a Spring from centuries ago came back to him, where he had a wife by his side, pouring him Sake as they sat in taciturn silence, enjoying each other's love and company. Those bitter sweet memories still hurt, just not as much. He closed his eyes. He tried to imagine her smell, the soft touch of her hair, the smooth stream-like trickle that was her laugh. He couldn't see it. He couldn't smell it. His memories of her were limited and fading.

"-sama…"

Byakuya snapped to attention. It was not like him to get so lost in his thoughts. He turned to the servant who was kneeling beside him. "What is it?"

"Er…um…" stammered the servant, "K-Kuchiki-sama…y-you ordered me to note you at noon about your m-meeting with the Elders…"

Byakuya nodded, his deep violet-gray eyes un-readable, un-wavering. As he got up he addressed the servant. "You are dismissed." Then he made his way out of the mansion to the horse carriage.

* * *

He looked towards a large, Japanese castle. Jade roof tiles glistened in the season's sun, climbing up in three stories as if to reach for the life bringing star. The building itself was as intimidating as the people within: The Council of Elders of the Kuchiki Clan. But Byakuya strode forward with ease and confidence, his feet eating up the pathway with aristocratic dignity. Having breaking the rules twice by bringing in Hisana and Rukia from Rukongai into a noble clan, Byakuya had made a promise before his parent's graves that he would follow the law of the clan and Soul Society with no hesitation and complete discipline. Since Rukia's incident of near-execution, his mind was changed slightly. Nevertheless, he still held his oath to his parents… but with logic and to the best of his ability. Whatever the elders had in planned, and he was pretty sure what, he would co-operate.

Byakuya kneeled before the council of elders. All five sat behind bamboo blinds on a raised platform. Their expressions hidden but shown through their voice. After giving formal introductions, they cut to the chase.

"Kuchiki Byakuya. You have done exceptional in serving the Clan and as Captain of the 6th division. Do you think you have any flaws?"

The man answered with poise. "Yes, as does anyone. What improvements do you believe necessary?"

One elder flicked his fan to a close. "You are smart, Byakuya. You have been Head of the Clan for over a century, and preparations need to be made in advance. It takes years for an heir to hone his skills. You understand, don't you?"

Another elder picked up the sentence. "You are familiar with the Nakatomi Clan, I presume."

"Yes. A Clan only a degree less sublime to the four great noble families."

"Indeed, that Nakatomi's only daughter, Yuzuki Nakatomi will be your fiancé. She will be arriving to your palace tonight, and staying there till further notice. We all bless you two very, very well."

Byakuya's eyes stayed stern, never shying away from the elders. But underneath his long black kimono sleeve, a finger twitched.

"Kuchiki Byakuya!" Boomed the voice of the elder in the middle, "Any objections!?"

Byakuya refrained a sarcastic smile. Did he even have a choice? "None. Thank you for the blessings, dear elders."

* * *

Byakuya strode through the halls of the 6th division's base, giving curtly nods to his subordinates, and ignoring their whispers of "Oi, oi, does Captain Kuchiki look pissed to you?" He subtly gritted his teeth. Pissed? Of course he's pissed! A woman he's never seen or exchanged a few words to is becoming his fiancé! He sucked in a breath, discarding those rebellious thoughts. His only wife is Hisana, that's all he needed to remember and he'd be able to live through these orders. Orders. That's all it was. This woman is just an extra that came with the package. Nothing more.

As he turned the corner to the Captain's chamber, he saw a familiar face leaning on the wall beside the door – Kuchiki Rukia.

"Nii-sama!" she exclaimed, a humble and embarrassed smile overcame her features, "I wanted to talk to you about something…"

His eyes narrowed to the sketchbook she tried to hide behind her back. It was small, but it was there. Kuchiki Byakuya smiled. It was rare for him to do so, and most people were awed by the movement of muscles even he was capable of.

But little did he know… he would be smiling a lot more in the near future.

Hope you liked this! And if you did... please review!