Prologue

Peace. That had been what had been occurring so far, all thanks to that Ichigo Kurosaki. It was a mess and a handful, but I have to admit, we owe him. The Soul King owes him. Ichigo had the honor of meeting the Soul King, being brought to him by the former Captain of Squad Twelve. Kirio Hikifune. I really didn't know her personally but Ichigo seemed well acquainted. Ichigo came back after meeting the Soul King, he was somber and didn't really react to much. He was there for a whole week and was attacked by Yachiru when he got back however he had somehow sensed her and turned around catching her before she hit him. After that he and his companions proceeded to go home where those dreadful feelings began. My heart clenched when he went through the senkaimon. I had thought I smothered those unwanted feelings yet it never failed at least once a day that damned nuisance would cross my mind and the feelings would return full force.

I sighed as I grabbed the next document that needed my attention. I poised my writing utensil when I heard the knock and the voice of my lieutenant ask for permission to enter. "Come in."

Renji entered and he was wearing a casual kimono. Something I scowled at, he did however hold a small envelope with a gold lacing the opening. "A letter arrived for you, Captain."

I set down my pen and held out my hand. He placed the letter in it and I nearly dropped it from what it said. Renji's expression contorted. "Captain? Are you alright?"

I nodded and read the letter again. "Yes, Renji. You may go now."

"Yes sir!" After that he was gone and I read the words on the page for the third time.

I then placed it on the my desk and left my office and my barracks quickly. Using flash step I arrived where the Captain's exam was held. I watched as Head Captain Kyoraku, Captain Unohana and Captain Ukitake were entering the room. Captain Ukitake turned and smiled politely at me. "Byakuya, welcome come join us we are about to start."

I walked over to him and followed him into the room and I was wondering where the person we would be testing was. Usually or so I heard you could always at least sense their spiritual pressure. Kyoraku, Unohana, Ukitake and I took our seats. That's when I looked up and saw a hooded figure sitting in front of us. The Head Captain chuckled and started us off. "Alright why don't you go ahead and take off that cloak of yours?"

The figure shook his head. "I would rather not."

The voice that echoed around the room was warped sort of like a hollows but I couldn't tell whose it was underneath that. Presuming I knew the person. Kyoraku chuckled again. "Alright, a name?"

"Those are the rules, Head Captain," The figure said. "I am not allowed to show you anything other than my abilities in Kido. You know as well as I this whole exam is just a formality."

The Head Captain ducked his head moving his hat to cover his eyes. "Of course. King's orders. Should we introduce ourselves then?"

The person did nothing. I tried to analyze his spiritual pressure, but felt nothing. Who was he? This was honestly getting the better of my curiosity. I didn't know who he was and he was ordered to come here under orders from the king. Just who the hell was he?

As we progressed and Kyoraku had him performing every kido in the book including the forbidden ones. He did everything we asked without making a sound, he didn't say their names he didn't say the incantation. I was increasing impressed as we continued, by the time we were finished, I felt some akin to that of the impatience I had been suppressing since my teen years rise in me. This person was infuriating.

As we exited he rose and bowed in respect as we left the room. I caught up with Ukitake as we all went about our everyday duties. "Ukitake."

Jushiro Ukitake turned around and smiled politely. "Yes, Byakuya?"

"Who was that?" I asked relaxing the tension in my shoulders. I needed to stay relaxed my body was reacting with instinct and I did not like it one bit.

Jushiro smiled sadly and walked up to me worry in his eyes. "I'm not sure, Byakuya. No one knows who he is. He will not say. He was sent here with a envelope with the king's seal on it and refuses to show us his face or his abilities. We are completely unsure if he is good or not. But it is certain he will become the next Captain of Squad Eight. The Soul King demands it."

The Soul King demands it? When has the Soul King demanded anything of us or associated himself with us? When has the other captains ever not known the names of the Captains surrounding them?

1 week later…

The Captains have gathered it has been a week and I still don't know know what to do about that strange candidate. Kyoraku was standing at the head of us holding the haori. He had a concerned glint in his eyes, As did Unohana and Ukitake. No one knew anything about this strange new captain and his namelessness. Some of the other captains had heard rumors about the nameless captain. My head snapped to the door and my body tensed like it did every time in his presence. He walked casually up to the Head Captain and bowed low. "Head Captain."

I saw some of the other Captains tense. Those who had never seen him before. Kyoraku stepped forward and held out the haori. "I announce you the new Captain of Squad Eight."

The new Captain took the haori and draped it over his shoulder. My eyes narrowed at the action. Usually Captains would put on the haori directly after being granted it. He didn't. "We do need something to call you, a name. I know it's against your orders to tell us your real name as of yet but we do need something to call you."

The new Captain was quiet for a moment presumably thinking it over. "Kuro. You all may call me Kuro."

Black? What kind of name was that? "Kuro?"

Kuro nodded and proceeded to leave. "You wouldn't like to stay and become acquainted with your new comrades?"

Jushiro had asked that and Kuro stopped before pushing open the door. "I am already acquainted with all of you. You just don't know it yet."

I felt a shiver go up my spine. That was unnerving. He was already acquainted with us. I watched as some of the other captains looked after him. Eyes wide and obviously disturbed. This man was truly odd.

After the meeting I decided to go home. I was greeted by a couple of my attendants as I walked through the door. "Good Afternoon, Master Byakuya."

They bowed as I nodded to them walking through the house and to my study. Today was another interesting day. I have been having a lot of these lately. It's so upsetting. I really am fond of my routine. All this chaos started with that orange haired boy that my heart and body were so fond off. He wasn't even around anymore and he set me into a frenzy. I remember the first day I saw him. I always thought he was quite a sight to look at . That spiky bright orange hair, that seemed to glow with it's color, that beautifully toned body. It sent shivers down my spine thinking about it. Yes. I was undeniably and irrevocably attracted to the orange haired Soul Reaper. And I would be lying if I said nearly killing him didn't make my heart clench.

And then there was when he rescued Rukia. He looked even better that day. With his sword the shape of a Khyber knife as long as his body. The way he had such determination to save my sister even though he had only known her for a couple months. He was determined to save her life and die trying all because she had given him the power he needed to save and protect his family. I wasn't particularly fond of cutting him up like that. That's why instead of killing him right off I made it so he had a chance to live if I defeated him. But then there was his hollow. His hollow was horrifying and violent. He acted purely on instinct a trait I noticed Ichigo had obtained later. He didn't fight with his head. He fought and used instinct and his instincts were raw and sharp as nails. It was like he didn't even think about his movements he just fought and loved it. He loved the thrill of a battle and jumped when we needed his help. He had once told me that he was extremely bored with everyday life and without the thrill of the battles he got bored so easily.

Sometimes I wondered how long that boy's attention span was, he was so easily distracted and yet something as trivial as battle caught his attention and held it for longer than anything I had ever seen. I chuckled at the thought, but then my thoughts went back to the looks of the boy. He looked even better when we came to give him his powers back and see his choice. His features had become sharper and his orange silky looking hair a tad bit longer. He was taller too. His body as toned and taut as ever. It blew my mind how one man could hold my attention for so long. And a man at that? It was unbecoming of the head of one of the most prestigious clans in Soul Society to be so infatuated with a man. I slid open the door that led to the wrap around porch and the Kuchiki gardens. I could sometimes still hear the racing footsteps of Ichigo as he ran around the manor. He had stayed for a week on some special business. Rukia and Ichigo had ensured that he stayed here. Having become greatly fond of my younger sister and her orange haired companion. I couldn't resist how they pouted and begged. They were the best of friend those two, almost completely inseparable.

"You think to much, Bya-chan," Said the laughing voice of Ichigo in my head. He had said that too me once when I was discussing matters that required a lot of thought. The way he said it sounding as if he had already reached an answer to my problem. Which of course he had and later with a lot of glaring and empty threats he caved and gave me the answer I sought. The answer he had chosen was the best one I had heard. I growled at the thought of his nickname for me. He called me Bya-chan. It was so disrespectful, degrading really. To have someone like him call me Bya-chan, it infuriated me. I mean even that evil cat of a women didn't call me Bya-chan. Little Byakuya was bad enough, now I have to deal with Bya-chan when Ichigo is around. The most infuriating thing is I don't even try to stop him. I correct him until I get tired of that and then I just let him do it. If I wanted too I could most likely get him to stop and respect me but if I'm being completely honest with myself. After awhile I don't really care. Sure it's infuriating at first but then it doesn't really bother me.

I was ripped from my thoughts by the sound of footsteps on the porch. I turned my head and there was Rukia, she seemed confused when she saw me. "Byakuya? What are you doing here?"

I choked back a chuckle. "I live here, Rukia."

She blushed and crossed her arms. "I know that. I meant I wasn't expecting you to be here. I was expecting you to be at your barracks."

"I was tired of work for the day, so I came home," I told her returning to looking out into the garden.

"Have you seen the new Captain of Squad Eight?" She asked moving to stand next to me. "He seems kind of ominous."

I nodded. "I was one of the Captains that witnessed his exam."

She gaped at me. "Really? I didn't know that. Those things are restricted information, even for lieutenants. I haven't spoken to him yet, I heard he wouldn't tell anyone his name. What do we call him then?"

"Kuro," I told her turning to look at her. She looked up at me confused. "He told the captains that everyone could call him Kuro."

She made a face, I mentally chuckled at. It was the face she made when she didn't quite understand something and thought it was in the words of my infatuation "utterly stupid". It was an adorable face. Her brow furrowed and her little nose scrunched up. "That's odd."

I nodded. "Yes, was there anything you needed, Rukia? Or were you just passing through?"

"Oh, I was wondering about the new captain because I was told to go give him the lieutenants form, considering Nanao transferred with Captain Kyoraku."

I nodded. "Be careful, Rukia."

She grinned at me and bowed. "Of course!"

And with that she ran off, once again leaving me to my thoughts.

Three months later…

I slid open the door to my lieutenant's office. He was sitting at his desk running a hand over his face focusing on his paperwork. "Renji."

His head snapped up and he stood I raised my hand to him and he sat back down. "What is it, Captain?"

"I am going home for the day," I announced stepping back into the threshold of the door. "Be sure to finish your paperwork, Renji."

He sunk in his chair as I left his office closing the door. I decided to walk instead of using flash step as I had come into a habit of doing that because for the first year after the end of the Thousand Year Blood War, Ichigo was there almost everyday. I infuriatingly found myself getting excited after those days of work and using flash step to get home. I knew he wouldn't be there so why even bother. Now do not mistake, I love my sister and I love spending time with her, but she doesn't make my heart pound and race like a rabbit on coffee or make me feel infuriatingly giddy at the thought of seeing her. Like Ichigo did.

I sighed in irritation. That was the third time today that the orange haired nuisance invaded my thoughts. I took a deep breath and cleared my mind of everything, looking up at the sky the stars and moon illuminating it beautifully. It was the night of the full moon. I always loved the moon. It was light in the never ending darkness of night. It was beautiful for lack of better words.

Tonight was a good night as well. It was just the right temperature for a walk and the slight breeze making everything seem perfect. I stopped for a moment and took a deep breath. I loved nights like this. I continue on my way after a little bit when I felt something odd. I wasn't even half way to the manor. I was however farther away from the quarters of Seireitei. I turned around when I noticed what it was, a person. "Come out. It's no use hiding any longer."

The trees to my right rustled as a person clad in black with a red sash around his waist came out of the had bright blond hair that peaked out in odd places around his head, cloth covering his mouth and nose. "You know, I was told you were good but I didn't think you were that good."

I felt my eyes narrow. "Who are you?"

The man laughed as he unsheathed a small blade at his back throwing it up and catching it the blade poking out past his pinky. "My name is unimportant, however yours is mighty important and I'm here to end all that fame. This shouldn't be too hard. Soul Reapers don't carry their zanpakuto in Peacetime."

I glared at him as he flashed toward me and attempted to kick me in the stomach. I caught the foot and twisted it causing him to jump and spin yanking his foot away from me. I glared as he ran at me again this time going with an elbow I blocked it and he switched position of his blade and swung at me cutting my shihakusho just barely as I moved back. He growled and came at me more ferociously. He tried to land blow after blow, but regrettably thanks to my training with that demon cat I could block each one of them until he feigned with his blade and I went to grab his wrist but he kneed me in the stomach and switched the hand the blade was in driving it into my shoulder. I hissed and shoved him away the small blade coming lose. I reached up and grabbed my shoulder, trying to move my left arm, damnit. It was difficult the arm going stiff. My assassin ran at me again switching hands again and running fast but before he could reach me he was stopped. A dark figure appeared in front of him. He elbowed him the stomach throwing him. The assassin stood and charged my savior. The man was wearing a black cloak the hood pulled up. The man dodged the assassins blade and the hood was pulled back and the figure in it slid across the ground coming to a halt in a crouch. I froze when I recognize the bright orange hair sparkling in the moonlight. I looked over the figure again it was Ichigo.

He was wearing a white haori over his black Shihakusho. His long blade strapped to his back and the smaller blade of his zanpakuto sheathed at his waist the chain that extending from the end of it attaching to his wrist. He glanced at me and scowled. He swore and yanked his smaller blade out of it's sheath by the chain, using flashstep he was on top of the assassin in the blink of an eye. He drove his smaller blade in to the chest of the assassin up lifting his sternum, then slitting his throat, before driving the blade into the assassin's skull. He drove it so deep that half of the blade as long as his arm disappeared into his head. He stood and kicked the cloak he was previously wearing with a scowl. He sighed and turned to me. "Hey, Bya-chan."

I glared and stomped over to him. "Don't 'hey, bya-chan' me. What is the meaning of this?"

I gestured out with my working arm and he looked confused. "What? The assassin?"

I glared at him and then he finally got it. "Ooh, you mean me being a sneaky little bastard and becoming a Captain without telling anyone my name."

I cocked an eyebrow. "Care to explain?"

He grinned and nodded. "Yeah, after I fix that shoulder of yours."

He grabbed my hand and pulled me along in the direction of the manor, I glance back at the assassin as he faded away in what looked like dust. I felt my eyes widen as Ichigo continued to pull me. When we reached the manor he immediately bypassed the front door and took me straight to my bedroom. "Sit, Bya-chan."

I growled at his nickname but did as I was told anyway, sitting down as he went behind and tugged at my haori and shihakusho. I let him tug it, thankful he only pulled enough so he would get to my shoulder. He swore. I turned around, "What? What's wrong?"

I felt the dark energy of his mask as he pulled it on and then to the side of his head. "Forgive me, Bya-chan, but this will hurt a lot."

I was about to ask him what he was doing. I didn't get the chance to as I clenched my teeth as agony bloomed in my shoulder. The agony persisted for what seemed like hours until it finally started to fade and I was able to register what Ichigo was doing. He was licking my shoulder. I felt my face heat up. I jerked away from him. "What the hell are you doing?"

Ichigo poked his head around me and gave me a soft glare. "If you keep jerking away like that I'll never get it all out. You want to live, don't you?"

I scoffed. "Of course, you imbecile. Do not be foolish."

He smirked at me. "Then quit jerking away and let me get you all fixed up, Bya-chan."

My heart clenched at the deep tenor of his voice. It was been two years since I last saw him and the years had been kind to him. He looked the same as I remember, but his eyes were older. It sent shivers all over my body his voice did. And I hoped to god he didn't notice. If he did he did he didn't say anything about it. I just sat there as my nuisance continued licking my shoulder. It was weird and utterly embarrassing.

I was relieved when he planted a loud kiss on my shoulder and peaked around again. "All done, Bya-chan."

I growled and he crawled around and sat in front of me his legs crossed as he seemed to look me over. My body became all hot again, I quickly pulled my Shihakusho and haori back into place. "Have I ever told you, you look much better without the hairpieces? It used irritate me to no end when you wore the Kenseiken."

I glared at him. My heart racing. "Don't try to stall. You will explain this now."

Ichigo sighed and sobered up. "Alright, Byakuya. Here's how it is. It all started when I went to visit the Soul King for the second time. He had me train there for a week straight and then he told me he wanted me to become a Captain. I couldn't refuse so I said alright I just wanted sometime with my family. He consented and gave me two years. I went home and when the two years was up Kisuke approached me and gave me this black cloak that concealed my spiritual pressure completely. I was given direct orders from the king not to tell anyone who I was and what I was doing until the Koroshiya arrived. The Koroshiya are special assassins that can only die in the way you saw me kill that one earlier. They also have a special poison that only a Visored or an Espada can heal. Each and everyone of either the Espada or the Visoreds have a special enzyme for lack of a better word in their saliva. It overcomes and destroys the poison. But violently so, there is no evidence of the cut or poison ever being there but that's why it hurt so bad. I'm sorry I hurt you, Bya-chan."

I glared at him and he chuckled. "So why you?"

"Why me?" He asked sobering up again. "Well, you see, mine is the only one capable of not leaving any evidence that the poison was ever there. The rest of them usually leave one of those scars that just blend in with your skin. As well as I am the only one capable of killing their supposed leader. And the only way they would move forward is if they thought I was out of the picture."

I froze my eyes widening. "You mean you're dead?"

He chuckled. "Well yeah I guess technically now I am. I can't go back to the world of the living for awhile, because I'm supposed to be dead."

I grabbed his shoulder. "Why are you so calm about this? You are dead now. You cannot go back to your family. What did you do? Fake your own death but actually kill yourself?"

Ichigo placed his hand on my wrist and his usually molten chocolate brown eyes went ice cold. "I wasn't calm about it before, Kuchiki. I am well aware of the fact that I'm dead and I can't go to see my family, but they can come here. The Soul King gave each of them a hell butterfly. And I did fake my own death so they would continue with their plan. Kisuke made a exact replica of me as a mod soul and put it into my body. The Koroshiya assassinated my body. The body I once had is dead. It's now six feet under next to my mother."

He shoved my hand back at me and stood. "I know what I did, Byakuya, and I accepted it. I chose this route because it meant my family and friends were safe. That way I could focus my attention on protecting everyone here. I highly suggest keeping Senbonzakura on hand at all times."

He picked it up where it leaned against the wall by my closet and chucked it at me. I caught it just in time to see the billowing robes of white and black as the Captain left my bedroom.

I felt all the tension I was holding inside my body release as I fell back on to my bedding. I stared at the ceiling. "Did I just make Ichigo mad at me?"