I do not own Bleach and have no affiliation with Tite Kubo or whoever actually owns it.
I would like to quickly thank my beta reader Zazuki Kurosuki, and would like to say this is simply the prologue for a much larger story.
Prologue
Byakuya
No matter how strong a defense, a stronger offense will always shatter it. - Byakuya Kuchiki
It was humiliating to be confined to the 4th division, but necessary. Injured first by the hands of Ichigo Kurosaki, and then Gin Ichimaru, Byakuya was in no shape to go anywhere. His Zanpaktou that was shattered before his eyes would take time to regenerate, and his injuries prevented him from performing basic kido.
Truly his fight with Ichigo was humbling if nothing else.
However, being confined to the 4th division did not mean there was not work to be done. Squad 6 could survive under Renji's leadership for the time being, however the Kuchiki family would suffer if he were to take a prolonged leave of absence. Byakuya would not allow his family to go the way of the Shiba's, so he was forced to hold clan meetings from his recovery room in the 4th Division much to Captain Unohana's displeasure.
"Business is down throughout the Seireitei. Peasants and nobles alike are holding on to their coin, it seems like they're waiting to see how this situation with Aizen plays out," Takanao Kuchiki stated calmly from Byakuya's bedside. "Our house is still recovering from the Ryoka invasion. If this war drags on, or if we end up on the wrong side of it, the situation will spiral out of control. If the other houses see this as an opportunity; we have the potential to lose millions in revenue."
Takanao Kuchiki, the second in command of the Kuchiki family, and Byakuya's first cousin. Takanao was rash impulsive and a bit crude. He was known womanizer who had numerous mistresses despite his marriage, and was often criticized for his short temper. Yet, he was also charming, a gifted businessman, powerful, and fiercely loyal to Byakuya who he was friends with since childhood.
"The situation has never been in control," said Ginrei Kuchiki. The former Sixth Division Captain was also once the head of the Kuchiki family, but he had long since passed the reigns to his grandson. "The Shihoin won't oppose us, at least not directly, especially not with Yoruichi returning they have far too much to lose at this time."
"I'm not worried about them, they're not the problem. The Jimmu and the Cuneo. Their the problem. The Cuneo would work with Aizen if they saw a benefit, and the Jimmu are little more than thugs. If we show even a moment of weakness, then they will come down on us, just like they did with the Shiba."
"What happened with the Shiba was unfortunate, but we are hardly in the same position," Ginrei stated.
"Unfortunate? That's what you call what happened? We lost our greatest ally and business partner because the Jimmu saw an opportunity, and we just allowed it to happen." Takanao threw his hands up in exasperation, and looked at Byakuya for support.
"There was nothing we could do. Three of the great Noble Houses told us to back down, we did not have the strength to oppose all three of them," Byakuya spoke up for the first time, "at least not without risking everything. The Shiba were a dear ally, and when the time comes their house will be restored."
Takanao grew quiet, and conceded to Byakuya's point, but only due to his respect for the Kuchiki clan leader. "Still our situations are similar, you have to admit that."
Neither Byakuya or Ginrei spoke, which Takanao took as permission to continue.
"Think about it. What happened to the Shiba? They lost their two strongest members. One was killed in combat, the other was considered guilty of High treason. Then look what happened, the Jimmu encroached on their land, while the Cuneo and Shiohin put on political pressure. The next thing you know, the Shiba clan is no more. Yeah Rukia was found innocent in the end, and you survived, but history has a habit of repeating itself."
"Hmm, perhaps it is worth taking certain precautions," Ginrei thought outloud. "Byakuya, I know Captain Unohana said no visitors, but in this time it's important to keep up appearances, lest the other houses think something's wrong."
"I shall speak with Captain Unohana at my earliest convenience, I'm sure I will be able to convince her to see reason." Byakuya said, a small look of concern graced his features as he glanced at his grandfather. The look on Ginrei's face was more than enough to warrant action from Byakuya.
Ginrei smirked at that, "I do wish you luck with that endeavor, I was never able to convince her to do much of anything back when I was a Captain. I shall also have your Zanpaktou brought from the Sixth Division office along with your uniform, it never hurts to look the part."
"Isn't your Zanpaktou still broken?" Takanao asked Byakuya.
"It is, but no one except a select few should be aware of that fact. Regardless, keeping it close by will act as a deterrent," Byakuya explained, " Anyway, I do believe that concludes our business for the evening."
Byakuya looked at both members of his family, both Ginrei and Takanao had little more to add at this point. There would have to be a larger meeting in the future to include every member of the family council, but for the time being, there was nothing more to be done.
"That it does Byakuya, I have a meeting to attend anyway," Takanao said standing up, and giving his cousin a smile and his grandfather a brief nod.
"A meeting?" Ginrei questioned, an accusatory look aimed at Takanano appeared on Ginrei's face, just as a feeling of disappointment took hold in his chest
"A special kind of meeting," Takanao assured., waving off the concerns of his family with a small laugh. He looked around the room finally settling on staring out the window, as long as he didn't have to look at Ginrei.
"So a women?" Ginrei questioned again, staring blankly at Takanao's.
A feeling of guilt began to overtake Takanao as he felt his Grandfather's disappointment. He opened his mouth to explain himself, but the word's didn't come. Looking down dejectedly, Takanao let out a sigh. To avoid continuing the conversation, Takanao wished both a good evening before disappearing in a flash of shunpo.
"His father would be ashamed at the way he treats his wife. It's not right for a Kuchiki to be associate with other women in such a manner." Ginrei nodded his head in disappointment.
"That much is true. However I doubt you wish to discuss Takano's infidelity, you seem concerned Grandfather." Byakuya stated with an impassive glance at his grandfather's direction.
"Very well, Takanao is right, however he doesn't yet understand why. With the Central 46 completely destroyed, there is nothing standing in the way of a war. Normally, the Central 46 has the authority to order a cessation of hostilities if a war were to break out between the great families. However, now there is no such safety net. I personally find it unlikely that the noble houses would go to war when Aizen threatens the whole of Soul Society, but it is a possibility."
"What would you recommend we do?" Byakuya asked calmly, his Grandfather was far more experienced in the dealings of politics, perhaps more than any man alive. His past as a captain and Clan leader made him an invaluable asset.
"As I said, begin accepting visitors immediately. Nobody will make a move against you in broad daylight, and by showing yourself you show the other nobility that you have recovered and moved past your defeat." Ginrei explained, and Byakuya nodded his head in understanding.
"Very well, as you depart find Captian Unohana. I will inform her of the importance of allowing visitors. If there is nothing else Grandfather, I suggest you depart, it doesn't look good for you to stay so long after Takanao departure."
"Very well Byakuya," Ginrei stood from his chair, and gave his grandson a slight bow of his head before turning on his heel and moving towards the exit.
"One last thing grandfather," Byakuya spoke and Ginrei stopped in his tracks, turning his head to see what Byakuya required.
"Inform all houses who have sworn loyalty to us to prepare for the worst, we shall not go the way of the Shiba" Byakuya spoke, his head looking out his hospital room window. His grandfather did not feel the need to respond to his order, and simply vanished in a flash of shunpo.
...
Hours after his grandfather left, and after his conversation with Unohana, Byakuya laid awake. His thoughts always returned to his battle with Ichigo.
It seemed strange that little more than a month ago Byakuya Kuchiki considered himself a model captain and citizen. He never broke the law, he was loyal to the Gotei 13 and everything it stood for, and yet here he laid dormant in the 4th division. Defeated by a human boy who should have never lived. A boy who looked strangely familiar.
Why though?
Why was it that Ichigo seemed so familiar to him, the first time he met the boy he had the same thoughts, back then he was able to shake them off and move on. The boy was unlikely to live any longer, and it was easy ignore him. The boy he wrongfully blamed for Rukia's imprisonment, Byakuya felt a certain satisfaction with Kurosaki's death.
That changed when the the boy returned, again and again. Each time stronger than the last, until he finally saved Rukia, accomplishing everything that Byakuya had long ago deemed impossible.
Thoroughly humbled by the experience if nothing else, Byakuya contemplated where it all went wrong. He should never have allowed Rukia to be arrested, he knew that technically speaking the Central 46 had no authority to arrest a member of the Kuchiki family, at least not without receiving direct orders from the Soul King, yet Byakuya backed down and refused to break the law for his sister.
Was it because I lacked the strength? No of course not, I lacked the will. That realization stung perhaps a bit more then it should have.
Byakuya had the strength to stop the execution. He was one of the most powerful Captains in Soul Society. Only 4 Captain's were more powerful than himself, and of those 4, Byakuya was certain he could have recruited Ukitake and Kyoraku to help him if he only asked. Even Kenpachi would have helped him if he simply asked, but for whatever reason Byakuya did not have the strength of will, so instead, he simply backed down.
Even worse, if Byakuya took the legitimate option. If he demanded that Central 46 receive permission from the Soul King himself, and demanded an audience with the Royal Guard. Aizen would have been discovered sooner and Soul Society would currently be at peace.
Under his leadership the Kuchiki family had seen a resurgence in strength and prosperity not seen since the days before Byakuya's own grandfather. Yet when Rukia needed him most, when his family needed him most he failed.
If it wasn't for that boy, Rukia would be dead. His pride would be dead. His reasoning for waking up would be gone. For years after Hisana's death, Byakuya struggled to find purpose. He threw himself into his job and into his family, but happiness had always eluded him. With Rukia, when he brought her into his life, byakuya found something that eluded him for so long.
Byakuya found purpose.
However, he nearly lost that due to his own arrogance. Byakuya would not make the same mistake again, never again.
Byakuya sighed out loud, sleep would not come to him easy this night.
Suddenly the guard outside his door let off small a burst of reiatsu. The room felt momentarily heavy as a Kuchiki soldier with all the strength of a seated officer released his power. Then there was the sound of something hitting the ground, a soft thump reverberated from behind the door, and the guards reiatsu disappeared entirely.
Byakuya had a moment of confusion before the realization hit him. He's dead. Someone killed him, someone's here to kill me.
Byakuya turned to the window besides his bedside and struggled with the opening. As a captain, Byakuya would normally be able to fight off all but the most powerful of enemies. However, weakened without a Zanpaktou, Byakuya didn't like his odds.
Just as the window clicked signifying it was unlocked, the door to Byakuya's hospital room burst open in a shower of splinters. Turning his head, Byakuya's grey eyes locked with the assasin's own, just as a feeling of cold dread swept into the Kuchiki lord.