Etsuko found herself in a place she had a feeling she had been before. A realm of darkness encroached upon her on all sides. In the middle of the emptiness was a cage. She barely made out the silhouette of a man inside. He was speaking, but she couldn't hear a word he said. She walked towards him. The man inside raged; he beat at the bars, tried to pry them open before taking out swords and slashed at them. Nothing could free him. He seemed to be looking at her. He waved to her and spoke. Again, she could hear nothing but the whipping of the wind.

"You want to get out of there, right mister?" She moved closer.

The wind lashed at her the closer to the cage she got. "I'll get you out of there, I promise!"

Little cuts appeared on her hands and cut towards her arms as she pushed forward. Etsuko could see the man more clearly than she had ever seen him before. Her heart beat a little faster. His piercing blue eyes were intently focused on her. Etsuko nearly froze in place as she took him in. He was a tall man with long deep purple hair that flowed down to his waist as his fringes fell on the sides of his face that stopped just below his shoulders. Yet again she stepped forward, ignoring the cutting wind as best she could. Now she could tell he was wearing a beautiful dark green kimono and hakama that seemed to be made only for him. The man had to be some samurai going off to battle. He wore golden armor in the form of a breastplate, and matching greaves and gauntlets that only shielded the backs of his hands. Over it was a black sleeveless high collared haori trimmed with gold. A translucent pale green dragon was draped on his shoulders. His daisho was held by a black strip of cloth tied at his waist. She never halted her advance, and her eyes widened as they rested on his daisho, a beautiful katana and wakizashi set gilded with intricate gold markings. On his back was a spear with the same markings as his swords. The man appeared to be a cross between a samurai and a prince. She could tell he was yelling at her, but the words never reached her ears. His arms waved at her wildly, trying to shoo her away.

"Don't worry Prince Samurai! I don't like cages either! It's just a little bit further." The pain the wind inflicted had increased tenfold. She had been so entranced with the man that she had no thought for herself. The wind had been making little tears at her clothes.

Onward she moved, forcing herself at the wind railing against her. Etsuko had not realized she was screaming with each step. There was only one thought in her head. "I'll free you from that horrible cage!"

"Etsuko!" A brash voice called her to consciousness. "Wake up, you little brat!"

Opening her eyes, everything was too bright. Squinting, she made out a worried Kaien. "G-good morning, Kai-chan."

"Don't 'good morning' me, Etsu!" His voice rang clearly through the air with a hint of annoyance. "What happened? Why are there tears in your pajamas and random scratches on you?"

"Huh?" The child sat up and instantly dropped back down from fatigue.

"Don't 'huh' me, kid!" Kaien did the most hilarious impression of the girl that she had to stifle a little giggle. "Did you sneak out and climb that tree again? You'd think falling off of it would teach you not to do stupid things like that!"

"I don't think so?" Etsuko's face was a picture of innocence that apparently did nothing for Kaien. It earned her a hit on the head before he picked her up and put her on his shoulders to brush her teeth before breakfast.

"Good morning Mi-chan!" Etsuko warmly greeted. Her dream was a forgotten memory. Kaien placed her at the table and then sat down beside her. "Are you eating breakfast with us today?"

"Good morning, Etsu-chan!" Miyako sat on the other side of her. "The captain asked me to see to dressing you today. You have a very important meeting so you have to be on your best behavior, ok?"

"Okay!" The girl said through a mouthful of eggs.

"No one's gonna like you if eat with your mouth full!" Kaien teased, doing the exact same thing.

"Really, dear? Am I hearing that from you?" Miyako replied before flashing a warm smile at her husband.

Etsuko enjoyed mornings like those. Miyako always made the best food and sitting together with the two of them was always so warm. Miyako was the most beautiful and kindest woman Etsuko had ever seen. Someday she hoped to be just like her.

"Oh, everyone's really lively this morning, I see." Jushiro entered the room.

Without another word, the little girl flew from the table into his arms. "Daddy!"

"Good morning, little Etsuko!" The white haired man lifted her up and put her on his broad shoulders. "Did you sleep well?"

"Hmm…I had a dream, but I don't remember what it was."

"Captain, you should punish Etsu here. She's been a bad girl, getting scratches and ruining her clothes." Kaien stuck his tongue out at the little girl when Jushiro wasn't looking.

"Stupid Kaien's lying!" Etsuko protested. "I don't know how it happened!"

"Hey, Etsuko," Jushiro scolded gently. "Let's not use mean words, ok? How about we take a bath before Miyako gets you ready for the meeting?"

"Okay!"

Bath time with her father had become one of her favorite things to do. The first time Etsuko saw the huge bath, she ran around squealing with delight. Though she tried to be more mature about it, the giddy feeling of having such a huge bath to themselves never left.

"Let me wash your hair, Daddy!" Etsuko had to stand on a stool as well as on her tiptoes to reach her father's head. "It's so pretty! I've always wanted longer hair, but Papa always cut it saying that it was too much work."

"Oh?" Jushiro indulged the little girl that had become his daughter. The feeling of her little fingers massaging his scalp felt good.

She ran her fingers through his hair. "I'm really excited about it! Miyako said she'd teach me how to braid it when it gets longer! I'll braid yours too, Daddy!"

The 13th Division captain laughed nervously. "Your turn!" He began washing her hair and back.

Etsuko giggled. "You're so much better than Kaien! He always tickles me!"

"You like it here, right? With Kaien and everyone?"

"Mm-hmm!"

"Then you have to be very good at this meeting, okay? It's really important."

"Yes, Daddy!" Etsuko ran out of the bath immediately after and bumped into Kaien right outside.

"Oi!" Kaien grabbed a towel and wrapped her in it. "Why are you always running out naked? You crazy brat!"

"You're the crazy brat!" Etsuko retorted, relishing the annoyance in her friend's voice. "You're just jealous that I got to bathe with Daddy!"

Kaien laughed as they walked to her room. "Maybe I'm jealous that the captain got to bathe with you instead of me!"

"Aaaaah!" She ran away from him, a tinge of red on her cheeks. "Y-you've got Miyako, you idiot!"

"Honestly, what am I going to do with the two of you?" Miyako questioned sternly as they burst into the room.

Kaien and Etsuko both looked at the floor in unison. "Sorry"

The three of them happily chatted away as Miyako dressed her. Looking at herself in the mirror, Etsuko couldn't help but gasp.

"I look so pretty!" She exclaimed, turning her head from side to side, making sure that it was really her reflection. She had never worn a kimono as the beautiful as the pink floral one she had on. The camellia flower in her short hair made her look like a regular little girl. "We could never afford any of this back in the human world! Papa would always say that pretty things just hid the ugliness in people's hearts, but looking at this, I guess I don't mind it now!"

"Etsu, I guess even you can be cute!" Kaien tried to get a rise out of her.

She stuck out her tongue at him before Miyako frowned at the both of them.

"Come on, Etsu, I have to take you to Captain Urahara." Kaien took her hand after waving goodbye to his wife.

"Be good!" Miyako's voice drifted behind them. It was meant for the both of them.

"This is where I leave you, Etsuko." Kaien let go of her hand in front of the 12th Divison's barracks. Their walk had been too brief as he tried to impart the gravity of her situation.

"Kai-chan?" Etsuko's voice sounded small. The importance of the meeting had been emphasized so much. "I'll see you again, right? They won't take me away at the meeting. That's what it's about, isn't it?"

"Don't worry, Etsu," Kaien answered confidently. "Nothing bad will happen. Both Captains Ukitake and Kyoraku will be there. And even if they take you away, I'll come rescue you. I make a pretty awesome hero. All you have to say is 'Kai-chan, you're so handsome and strong, please save me!' and I'll be right there."

Etsuko laughed and hugged him. "Thanks, Kaien."

Kisuke wasted no time with introductions as he quickly removed her reiryoku limiters and put on new ones. This time they were gold plated.

"Ah!" Something triggered in Etsuko's mind as the old cuffs were removed, only to become hazy when the new ones were clasped on. "They're…gold."

"I thought it would suit you better, Et-chan." Kisuke's playful smile never left his face. "After all, you're a girl, and you look super cute today too."

"Will this make me tired like the other ones?"

"Hmmm, for a little while, I think, but you'll get used to them." Kisuke put her up on his shoulders. "Hold on tight."

Within a few seconds, they were at the First Division's Captain's Assembly Hall. Etsuko let out a little yell of surprise.

"How did you do that? What just happened?" Etsuko feet was now firmly on the ground.

"Depending on how the meeting goes, I'll teach you, would you like that?" Kisuke straightened the child's kimono. "I'll go in ahead, I think we might be late, but when you hear a scary old man call your name, walk in, okay?"

Etsuko nodded, feeling more nervous than ever. She closed her eyes and tried to calm herself. Thinking back on the flash of recognition she had, she knew she had seen whatever it was before. It was a cage. Wringing her hands, she hoped that wasn't where she was going. Catching the glint of gold under her kimono sleeve, she pushed through her memory. "I knew I saw something gold. Why can't I remember?"

"Abe no Etsuko, enter!" A grim voice called from inside the room.

Etsuko gasped in surprise. "Calm down, Etsu. You can do this." Unballing her fists, she tried to loosen her body as she opened the door and entered. I have to greet that man first. What was his name again?!

All eyes were on her as she took measured steps and walked up to the head of the Gotei 13. She dared not look around. Focusing on the grandfatherly looking man at the front of the room, she bowed as well as she could remember. "Greetings, Captain Commander Yamamoto. I Abe no Etsuko, I have come as you have called and am at your service."

Genryusai Yamamoto arched his eyebrow quizzically at the response.

Internally, Etsuko cheered herself. It was exactly how her Papa had taught her to do in the human world. She never had the chance to use it, but it came in handy now.

"Do you know why you are here?" The Captain Commander questioned.

"No, Captain Commander Yamamato." Her voice remained steel though inside she was breaking down under his gaze.

"Due to the immense spiritual power that dwells within you, it has been already decided that you cannot go your own way. The Gotei 13 has taken responsibility for you. The captains and their lieutenants will be in charge of lessons to control your reiryoku and eventual use of your reiatsu. It has come to my attention that you may be a great boon or the destruction of Soul Society and the Gotei 13. It is my responsibility to protect it. Will you help or hinder us in this matter?" Genryusai explain calmly.

There were quiet murmurs from the other captains at the last statement. Etsuko did her best to hide her astonishment. Her fathers had told her of her unusual amount of power. She wondered if that's what the captain commander was talking about. Refusing to help would be a death sentence; she knew that well enough. "I would never dream of hurting Soul Society or the Gotei 13; I will do whatever I can to be of use to you."

The old man directed the girl's gaze to the table in front of him. On it there were weapons of all sizes. "These are Asauchi, given to those entering Shino Academy. Taking care of it will eventually lead to the manifestation of your spirit into the weapon. Please choose whichever calls out to you."

The two lines of captains looked on intently. She could feel their eyes bore in the back of her head. Etsuko had no clue how a sword could call to her. Staring at the weapons on the table she concentrated as she touched them all, hoping something would happen. It was the wakizashi that drew her in; there was something familiar about it. Holding the wakizashi, she picked up a tanto because it seemed that they were meant to be together. With them in her hands, she briefly saw a flash in her mind of a purple haired man with a satisfied smile on his face. It was a face she knew, but could not remember from where. She closed her eyes, hoping that something more concrete would tell her which one it would be. They both felt right. Were they really calling to her?

"Kyoraku, it looks like she takes after you." Genryusai patted her on the head gently.

Etsuko looked up at him confusedly. He seemed so nice now. "I can't choose between the two of them."

"You like them both, don't you?" The Captain Commander stated rather than asked as he stroked his beard. "It's okay, you can have them."

Etsuko slipped them both through her obi and bowed deeply. "Thank you, Captain Commander Yamamoto."

Though she could not see the captains behind her, they were all smiling as if she made some joke. After another pat on the head, the grandfatherly leader ushered her out of the meeting. She took the time waiting for Kyoraku and Jushiro to walk around the quarters, waving to the odd shinigami that passed her.

"Etsuko!" A woman's voice rang behind her.

"Lisa!" The child turned around with a smile. Lisa had become like a sister to her after spending many days with her Papa. "The Captain Commander gave me these!"

Lisa inspected the swords in wonder. "Good for you! Are you excited to learn about all these new things?"

Etsuko chatted away recounting how fast Kisuke had moved and how he would teach her as well as her excitement about the swords and wondering when her first lessons would be.

That night Lisa read to her like she always did as she fell asleep. Kyoraku had spent the rest of the day with her instead of drinking and napping like he was wont to do. By the time it was time to sleep, Etsuko was more than ready.

"Thanks, Lisa," Kyoraku whispered to his second in command as she left the room.

The man in the flower kimono leaned against the wall, looking down at the face of his new daughter. She chose a daisho as a vessel for her zanpakuto. His own zanpakuto was a daisho of a katana and wakizashi. He had been the only one to his knowledge that had two weapons that made up his zanpakuto. The man wondered if it was fate that they were the ones to find her that night. Putting those thoughts aside, he turned back on the matter at hand. Jushiro had told him of what happened when she slept the first time it happened. The soul inside her was trying to communicate. He knew how dangerous it could be. To be able to use that power meant you had to prove yourself to the spirit and that caused her reiatsu to seep out. She was just a fragile little girl; sometimes he thought she would break if anyone looked at her the wrong way. Would she be able to survive whatever the spirit had planned for her? Thinking back on the meeting, he smiled. She seemed so strong then. Etsuko had surprised him, and he had a feeling, she would continue to do so.

Etsuko found herself in the familiar realm of darkness. The cage in the middle was unchanged. The silhouette of the man was still there. She walked through the windstorm towards the cage. As usual, the man tried to shoo her away.

"I'm not going anywhere, samurai!" She yelled at him. "I'm going to free you if it's the last thing I do!"

"Stay back!" A deep, strong voice answered.

The raven haired child gasped. It was the first time she could hear him. Scared but motivated, she pushed on. The winds increased in fury.

"You're going to get hurt, Etsuko!"

"Huh?" She ignored the pain of the cuts starting to form. "You know my name Prince Samurai? All the more reason I should get you out of that cage!"

"Go away!" His voice became stern.

Etsuko screamed. She felt wetness on her clothes. Looking down, her eyes widened. Her clothes were drenched in red. "I'm not leaving until you're out of that cage!"

"LEAVE NOW!" His voice bellowed, cutting through the gale.

"Samurai!" Etsuko's eyes opened that instant. Shunsui's face was the first thing she saw.

"Samurai?" He asked cradling the girl. He had picked her up during the night and held her in his arms as the wind started to make scratches in her skin. There was only so much he could do to protect her physical body from what happened in the dream.

"Huh? Papa?" She slumped into his arms. "Is it morning already?"

"Good morning, princess." Kyoraku yawned as the girl slid off and sat next to him. "What's this about a samurai?"

Etsuko closed her eyes, trying to remember. Her mind was like a sieve; the more she tried to picture him, the less clear he became. "I think there was a samurai in my dream, but I can't really remember."

Kyoraku adjusted his straw hat, deciding that she would learn of what was happening to her when she was ready. There was no cause to make her worry. "Well, there's only room in my princess's heart for one samurai, and that's me!" He struck a heroic pose that brought on a fit of laughter from the girl.

Etsuko clutched her stomach. Her father's antics had already started, she was afraid she'd die of laughter. "Of course, Papa!

Kyoraku playacted that he was hurt at her reaction and after many reassurances from the child, he settled into a more serious demeanor. "You have a big day today, princess. You'll be heading off to Kuchiki Family Manor to gather some introductory books for your lessons. There's a boy a few years old that you there, a bit hot tempered if you ask me, but Jushiro thinks it'll be good if you had someone closer to your age to talk with."

"Sounds fun!" Etsuko paid no attention to the grimace on her father's face. She got up and groaned as she collapsed on the futon. "Oops, I guess I'm still a little tired and very sore. Ki-chan said it would take me some time to get used to the new cuffs, but don't worry, I'll do my best with training! Then I'll be able to protect Soul Society like you and Daddy!"

Kyoraku found it hard to meet her gaze. The meeting the day before had been a small victory in a losing war. Etsuko would be raised with the utmost care in order to be a weapon against all who would stand against the Seireitei. The semblance of family and freedom that he and Jushiro would create would eventually fall apart once the Gotei 13 started to use her. Since the first time he looked into those deep brown eyes, he knew he would do everything in his power to ease her suffering. The captain had no fantasy that her life would be easy, but he would try to make it as good as he could for as long as he could.