A/N: Hey again. You're back? That's freaking awesome! Thanks for reading and favoriting. Seriously. You guys are beautiful people. I'm going to try to update chapters on a regular basis for ya. "Try," being the key word here as I have school and such.

But what did you think about June? She's a fighter and totally awesome and she just doesn't know it yet. Sorry the last chapter was all over the place, but I wanted to establish a few things and a few important people that will definitely pop back up later. Well, here's chapter two.

Feedback (not flaming) is greatly appreciated as it helps me craft something entertaining. If something seems off about the story, let me know and I'll change it. I'm open for it.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Bleach or any other aspects that seem familiar in mainstream media. Only the OCs Kirei Kaizoku and June Ishida in the story are mine and mine alone.

Enjoy.

Chapter 2

This particular day in Soul Society was shaping up to be a gorgeous one. The sun was high and bright amidst a crystal blue sea; the sky completely clear of any obstructions that would damper the sheer and natural beauty. In addition, a light breeze whispered through the blooming cherry blossoms, gently tugging the delicate pink flowers from their branches and carrying them along the wind. The breeze brought the right amount of chill to offset the warmth of the sun, creating a day right out of an oil painting.

Amidst the tranquility delicately swirling about the Kuchiki Manor courtyard, the 28th head of the Kuchiki Clan and Captain of the Sixth Division was knelt behind a small table. In his hand was a calligraphy brush and in front of him, a leather bound book as the parchment and a small ink well. Expertly he swirled impeccable black brushstrokes on the stark white pages, filling the personal tome with random musings from past mission notes to ideas for the Calligraphy club. Every now and then, he'd casually tuck a jet black strand behind his ear as the breeze seemed to disrupt the soft raven silk that fell around his shoulders.

Byakuya Kuchiki wondered if he should indulge in the placid atmosphere and meditate. His meditations, which were supposed to consist of mental spiritual training to harness the harmony within to aid him in battle, had instead turned into the key that never failed to unlock a dark place within him. It had become the proverbial needle in his arm, tearing open the long since inflicted wound and flooded his veins with a venomous guilt that had been the strength behind his battlefield focus. It had become the drug of choice that kept his feet moving, kept his skills sharp, and had been the temporary solution to patch the damaged shards that had been the cause of his outward stoicism.

It was the memory of his late wife, Lady Hisana Kuchiki.

Byakuya's meditations whisked him away to a different time in his broken life; a time where he couldn't have been happier just to wake in the morning. Although he'd shattered the very rules that his family were sworn to uphold just by marrying the commoner from the Rukongai, there had been something about that woman, something that held his attention when she'd insisted on straying away to find her sister. Maybe it was the way her hair seemed to glitter in the moonlight as they walked under the curtain of twilight. Maybe it was in the way her hand seemed to fit perfectly with his as they laced their fingers together. Maybe it was in the way they made love wildly and without abandon.

Oh how Byakuya loathed the loneliness he'd been cast into upon her death. Yes, it was true he honored his late wife's wishes and found her sister at Shin'ō Academy. And with a heavy heart he graciously, and despite his grandfather's stern disapproval, accepted the petite mini-Hisana into his home, into his family, and into his life. But that had been the end of it. He'd avoided her like she'd been afflicted with a plague. Byakuya Kuchiki paid handsomely for her lessons, paid even more handsomely for her training. He'd shoveled out generous amounts of kan time and time again just to avoid staring into the eyes of a woman that seemed to mirror the same brand of blind devotion his dead wife possessed. It was a sweet devotion that although he craved desperately to have in his life again, he felt guilty for not being able to return.

Thankfully, meditations weren't on the checklist for the day and he decided to keep that wound closed until the pain it would inflict was needed most. During battle. That and he had been interrupted by the presence of an old friend.

"Kuchiki-dono." An aging and white-haired man, only known to the family as the Cleric, slowly knelt in at the edge of the grass, lowering his head in respect for his elegant master.

At the sound of the familiar voice Byakuya calmly sat his brush down on the table with a soft click and cut the man an acknowledging glance from the corner of his eye. "What is it?"

The Cleric paused for a moment before lifting his eyes to meet his Lord's. "You have been called to a special Taichou's meeting. I was sent to inform you that it's… mandatory." He'd rattled off the last part in remorse before his eyebrows knitted in consternation.

Byakuya breathed as frustrated sigh and delicately pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and index finger. Not only was it fairly late in the modest afternoon to properly gather all of the Captains for this meeting, but it was supposed to be the only day off for those exact captains. Perhaps, not today, he mused. He nodded curtly before standing, scooping the book off the table and tucking it into the thin sash around his kimono.

"Then I shall promptly attend." His eyes slid shut in utter annoyance. "Perhaps nothing can be done to prevent it." Byakuya spoke in that same casual and detached manner as he breezed his way past the Cleric, the hem of his kimono billowing out softly around his legs.

The Cleric dutifully followed his master, staying the customary two steps behind him. "As you wish, Kuchiki-dono. Shall I inform Ginrei-dono that you will not be attending evening tea?"

That was a thought that had already grazed through Byakuya's mind, and all the response the Cleric had managed to catch was another curt nod and a light huff of displeasure before the door to his private chambers slid shut behind him. Within his dimly lit chambers and now standing in front of his bookcase, Byakuya slipped the book he'd been writing in earlier into the gaping hole he retrieved it from. From the corner of his eye, another similarly bound book with familiar golden letters permanently etched into the binding caught his attention. Their golden glint in the sunlight drew his fingers over the binding and with a soft sigh; he pulled the small journal out of its place and brushed his fingers over the dust coated cover.

Kasumi-sama…

To prevent his mind from wandering to the heartache he still felt that would result to him being late to a meeting that necessitated his presence, he morosely slid the tome back into its slot with a deep thoughtfulness as he snatched up his Captain's haori and left his private study.

"KAAAAAIIIZZZOOOKKUU-KUUUUUUUNNNN!"

On the opposing side of the Seireitei from where Byakuya Kuchiki was fuming with a silent rage, the crimson haired 4th seat of the 11th division frowned slightly at the obnoxious boom of their captain's graveled voice that echoed through the hallways of the division's barracks and into the training room. It took her so off guard that Renji Abarai, her inferior and the 11th Division's 6th seat to her 4th, got off the kick he'd needed to win the late afternoon sparring match between them because to let 3rd seat Ikkaku Madarame be the judge, she was so kicking off in Renji's ass. All bets were always on her anyway as she was one of the best the division had in their repertoire. As his foot connected with her jaw, Kirei's head subsequently snapped to the side and she landed right on her face to the displeased shouts of their spectators.

Kirei groaned softly into the pliable mat as she had known the sound of her Captain's lumbering and labored footsteps almost as well as a daughter would know her angry father's. No, she hadn't been related to this man to her knowledge in any way or raised by him, but she'd been in trouble with him enough times to know his particular brand of raging anger. As Kirei awaited her scolding, he burst through the door and stood there, tall and brooding as always. His subordinates cringed at the mere size of him and cleared a path straight to the woman still recovering from the sucker kick on the floor.

The petite bells that hung on the edges of his spiked hair preceded the sound of his movement as he stormed over to the woman and simply lifted her up off the mat and off her feet by the collar of her shihakushō. Everyone around gasped lightly at what could be construed as unfair treatment because she was female, but she allowed herself to hang there in his grasp, staring defiantly into his uncovered eye with a look of mixed emotions in her own lavender grey's. She knew showing any ounce of fear to this man would cause her a serious demotion; or landing a blow on her captain in this setting would cause a fight she'd inevitably lose; however, she genuinely respected her Captain enough not to attempt to fight back physically. But she'd be damned if she'd coward down in front of her division.

That was Kirei Kaizoku.

Kirei had been one of two women in the entire division: the other being her Lieutenant and reason she'd even made 4th seat in the first place before she even left Shin'ō Academy. Yachiru Kusajishi surprisingly fought for her to have a seated position within the 11th before completing the full curriculum due to her sheer strength and barbaric fighting style, which rivaled only the Captain himself. That and Yachi got away with it by telling the Captain that it was to have someone fetch her food and girly things, since none of the men in the division were willing to embarrass themselves. With that explanation and a roll of the eyes, Zaraki couldn't and wouldn't dare refuse.

Regardless, here she found herself in an intense stare-down with her Captain.

"You're comin' with me, damn it." He released her collar and stormed out of the room, his bells again being the only sound following him out the door since the entire room had become so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

As all eyes slowly swiveled to become transfixed on the crimson haired beauty, a smirk tugged the edge of her lip as she sucker kicked Renji in the chest so hard he hit the wall before she went trotting after her captain, leaving behind the sound of Renji's threats and more displeasure from the division.

Once away from the commotion in the training room, she found her Captain staring out into the grounds past the barracks with a frown crinkling the scar that trailed down the left side of his face. Kirei took her position next to her Captain, keeping her head lifted as not to again, show any weakness or guilt as she crossed her arms.

"Why, Kirei-kun? Why'd you go and piss off Kuchiki Fukutaichou again?" Kirei could tell by the wavering of his graveled voice that he was trying to hold back an amused laugh.

"Zaraki Taichou, she-"

Zaraki cut her off purposefully, letting the amused chuckle rumble through his chest. "Ya should have just kicked her ass and called it a day. Damn, they're a real pain in the ass. Do you know Kuchiki Taichou wants me to reprimand ya?"

The weight obviously lifted from Kirei's shoulders by the way she put her hands on her hips and her tone took one more of trust with her superior than guilt of incurring his wrath. "Trust me, Taichou. I was two seconds from it. She's got this fucked up noble attitude where everything has to go her way and it pisses me off."

He turned to his 4th seat with an air of respect and perhaps what could be viewed as paternal care playing in his expression. "That's my girl. But, look. Next time wait 'til ya get back here. I'm tired of Kuchiki Taichou's shit and at least here, they got me to contend with. And I ain't gonna let nothin' happen to ya."

"I'll keep that in mind." Kirei chuckled nervously before she rubbed the side of her neck. "Tell me something, Taichou. Why do you insist on manhandling me every time I get in trouble?"

Zaraki turned back to stare out, the smirk still curled on his lips. "That's an easy one. Just because yer female don't mean ya get treated any different than the rest of 'em. 'Cos those boneheads-"

"ZARAKI-TAICHOU!"

Both the Captain and Kirei grumbled a sigh of annoyance and rolled their eyes when they heard the sound of one of the lower seats high pitched voice ringing out into the afternoon. Kirei looked up at Zaraki in a silent plea, asking him if she could kick his ass and in response, he shook his head before the frown returned so that he could answer the man.

"What?" Zaraki grumbled as Kirei did her best to look like she'd just been chewed out.

"Yamamoto Soutaichou sent word of a mandatory Taichou's meeting." The man, who Kirei recognized was one of her own personal squad, huffed lightly as he spoke because he was definitely out of shape and because he'd interrupted then, she planned to run him around the compound.

"Yeah, yeah. Tell the old man I'll be there." Zaraki turned completely around and patted Kirei's shoulder once the man wandered back towards the barracks. "Now, go in there and kick Abarai's ass. He deserves it after that sucker punch. Make me proud, girl."

Without staying for a response, the Captain lumbered off and left Kirei to her thoughts. She rubbed her softly throbbing jaw in consternation, her thoughts moving between the spiritual pressure of that weird hollow in the World of the Living and how badly she was about to kick Renji's ass to embarrass him so he wouldn't want to contend with her ever again.

She picked the latter and stomped back into the barracks to a hail of cheering from her comrades.

Captain Jūshirō Ukitake's loud and blood soaked death rattle from the Ugendō Quarters could be heard all the way in the 13th Division's main meeting hall. Rukia frowned slightly at the disparaging sound as she released the Jigokuchō that had delivered the mandatory meeting orders. Deep down Rukia knew their Captain wasn't anywhere near up for the task. Ever since they'd gotten back from the World of the Living two days ago, he had been holed up in the homely hut towards the rear of the grounds coughing his lungs out. But the orders were classified as mandatory and the meeting had been called on their behalf. Rukia felt that she should, at the very least, bring it to her Captain's attention and let him decide their fate.

But that woman from Karakura? Who was she? Why did she possess so much spiritual pressure for a human? Was she truly a Quincy? And how did she destroy that hollow without a Quincy cross? For the last two days, Rukia couldn't seem to get that woman or the mission off her mind. She'd spent her nights up working late, sorting through books on rare occurrences and odd situations within the World of the Living and the Seireitei. She even resorted to heading for Shin'ō Academy's massive library to research anything and everything she could find. And as much as she hated to admit it as her findings were nil to none, she resolved to begrudgingly admit that maybe Kaizoku was right. Something felt off about this entire situation. Something felt off about the hollow, about that teenage boy, and about the woman with the snow white hair. It had frustrated her so much that she broke Gotei 13 protocols and asked her brother for advice.

Without anything to go on since Byakuya kept his silence because it wasn't his particular mission to begin with, she even went to an unlikely source: a source she knew would at the very least have some information on oddities. A quick unsanctioned stop by Urahara Shop and a short conversation with Kisuke just added to the mystery brewing around them. Rukia had known Kisuke was withholding information from her by the way his smile became crooked as he sipped his tea, but what information, she couldn't put her finger on. As she meandered her way to her Captain's quarters, she vowed to get to the bottom of this before that woman hurt herself, hurt others, or gained herself a death sentence.

With a soft knock on the dark wooden doorjamb, Ukitake hid the now bloodstained kerchief as he called out for his visitor to enter. Rukia immediately fell to her knees in a respectful bow as she slid the door open and addressed her Captain.

"Ukitake Taichou. I've just received orders from Yamamoto Soutaichou that the meeting we requested will be today." Rukia kept her stance as she respectfully awaited her Captain to respond.

In her haste she hadn't realized he'd had another visitor, the Captain of the 8th Division, Shunsui Kyōraku and it was he that spoke up so Jūshirō could have a sip of his flavorful tea to placate his burning throat.

"Kuchiki Fukutaichou. So nice to see you today." Shunsui tipped his straw hat her way as he was reclined in front of the low table that sat betwixt the best friends.

Ukitake rolled the heavily scented liquid around on his tongue and after becoming pleased with its soothing results and aromatic taste, he lifted an eyebrow. "Are you sure he called it for today?" He then gestured for Rukia to come in and close the door behind her.

"Kyōraku Taichou. It's nice to see you too." Rukia acknowledged the brown haired man and moved three feet forwards, keeping her respectful stance, and slid the door shut behind her. "Yes, Ukitake Taichou. He scheduled it for a half hour from now." Her eyes then lifted to her ailing superior. "Are you sure you can make it? If not-"

"I can make it, Rukia-san." His warm chuckle only calmed Rukia slightly. "Whatever happened that night in the World of the Living needs to be reported to the other Taichous by eyewitness accounts." Jūshirō took another sip of his favorite tea and sighed softly and sadly as his eyes moved to Shunsui. "I'm just afraid that once Genryūsai hears of this, he will hand out an execution order on the grounds that she is a danger to Soul Society."

"Naaaah." Shunsui waved his hand dismissively. "He'll probably just order you to bring her here so he can question her. Issuing an order like that on a human, let alone a Quincy, without any knowledge is bad for business, especially when we don't know what she's really capable of." Shunsui stretched out and propped his hands under his head as he casually let his eyes slide shut.

"I hope you're right, Shunsui. She seems like a nice girl and it would be a shame to have to execute her." Jūshirō mulled morosely before finishing his tea and it was then that Rukia spoke up as her eyes widened.

"Can Soutaichou do that? Issue an execution order on a human?" Rukia cried out in discontent as she lifted those widened eyes.

In response, both men stayed contemplatively silent. They had known the Head Captain's temperament, as they both had experienced it firsthand during their training under his care and stories of the first Quincy War. Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto was a paranoid and aging man who would do anything to uphold the laws of Soul Society. This meant he'd take any action deemed necessary, even if it meant the execution of a possible threat on the grounds that it would upset the balance. It hadn't mattered who the threat was, even if it had been one of the Gotei 13's own Captains.

Ukitake sighed softly before nodding slowly. "Yes. Although it's unprecedented as humans are just souls waiting to be sent to hell or here, it's entirely possible."

Rukia lowered her eyes in sorrow as she could feel the determination growing within her again. Part of her wished she hadn't gone on that mission just so she wouldn't have known about the woman. Not that she'd met her personally, but they had been in the World of the Living and had come across her a few times. Rukia had crossed paths with her on her way to work, and killed a hollow or two that had chased her home on occasion. She'd even encountered her at Urahara's shop, but kept her distance as she was in fact, human, and probably couldn't even see her. Rukia felt akin to her in a way because she always seemed to be alone, and usually deep in thought. Whatever she was or was capable of, she didn't deserve death.

Ukitake chuckled softly, sensing his Lieutenant's deeper feelings. "Don't worry, Rukia-san. I don't think Genryūsai is feeling homicidal. So I think she's safe."

This brought a subtle joy to her heart before Shunsui spoke up again. "If you see Nana-chan, let her know that I know about the meeting and we both will be there."

"Yes sir." Rukia took that cue as her exit orders, bid the Captains farewell, and started her journey towards the Captain's Meeting Hall.

As the Captains slowly shuffled into the Meeting Hall and took their designated places with the even numbered captains to the Head Captain's right and the odd numbered captains on the left, there was light chatter filling the entire hall to the brim. To the surprise of the entire Gotei 13, Head Captain Yamamoto had also requested for the Lieutenants to attend the mandatory meeting, which caused more confused and surprised voices to thicken the air and add to the buzzing chatter. Not to mention the tensions were at an all-time high this afternoon because not one of the attendees really wanted to be there on their day off. The Meeting Hall had become a humming hive of moving shihakushōs, and only the sound of Yamamoto's wooden cane clacking against the surface of the floor called everyone to order.

"I know you are all wondering why I called this meeting on your day off." Yamamoto's deep, elder voice boomed through the room and Zaraki grumbled softly, "but the information that has been brought to my attention demands immediate action. Ukitake Taichou, report what you have found during your recent mission to the World of the Living."

To the disheartened and whispered complaints that erupted in the moment of silence, Rukia, who had been present for the meeting, gave her Captain a worried look as he lifted his head and took a breath before speaking.

"During a routine mission with my Fukutaichou and the 11th Division's 4th Seat to observe and track the hollow Grand Fisher, we noticed a large amount of spiritual pressure nearby. Assuming it was another Soul Reaper, we arrived to witness a hollow attacking a human. However, the human…" Jūshirō paused, taking the time to phrase this correctly as not to cause too much suspicion with the Head Captain, or any of the other Captains, leaving the Quincy assumption out of this, "the human exhibited unique supernatural powers, and defeated a hollow without a zanpakutō."

"You must be mistaken, Ukitake Taichou." It was Mayuri Kurotsuchi, the Captain of the 12th division who's nasally shrill sounded to the surprise of the other attendees as he dramatically flailed his hands about. "Humans are far too weak to amass that amount of spiritual pressure. It's virtually impossible!"

The confusion and buzzing chatter erupted again and Yamamoto tapped his cane against the floor to call everyone back to order. Even Byakuya Kuchiki's eyes which usually stayed closed out of frustration and contempt for even being called to a circus such as this, shot open and his head lifted at Ukitake's report.

"That may be true." Ukitake replied once the chatter subsided as he tucked his hands in his sleeves. "But it's worth a deeper investigation before we come to any concrete conclusions."

"I agree with Ukitake Taichou." Sōsuke Aizen, Captain of the 5th Division, chimed in with his soft spoken, yet deceptively caring voice. "There's no need to resort to deeper measures when we don't know what we are dealing with. Perhaps we should assign someone to monitor her."

"Who do you suggest, Aizen Taichou?" Yamamoto aimed the question at Aizen as he opened one eye to get a good look at the bespectacled man.

Aizen smiled softly and bowed respectively in Ukitake's direction. "Though I believe that this falls under the jurisdiction of the 13th Division, given the current weakened state of Ukitake Taichou, I humbly offer the services of the 5th Division it its stead."

Captain Zaraki snorted from his location, glancing over his shoulder at Yachiru, who shrugged her tiny shoulders. The Lieutenants of the 9th and 10th Divisions, Shūhei Hisagi and Rangiku Matsumoto respectively, exchanged worried glances across the room in reference to Kirei's involvement with this and silently made a cue to grill her about it later over Sake. And although the Captain of the 3rd Division, Gin Ichimaru, stayed uncharacteristically silent on the matter, his smile widened a miniscule amount. Though miniscule, it had been enough to catch the attention of Nanao Ise, the Lieutenant of the 8th division. She looked up at her Captain with a worried look behind her glasses and his response was but a subtle nod of understanding.

Before Head Captain Yamamoto could utter even one order, a soft gust of wind fluttered the haori draped over his shoulders and no other than the Lieutenant of the 1st Division and Yamamoto's closest companion, Chōjirō Sasakibe, appeared next to his Captain on his knees. Resting comfortably in his lap was a fresh parchment, closed by a seal with the insignia of Central 46 cooled into the red wax. Without so much as a word spoken the Lieutenant graciously and gracefully offered the order to Yamamoto. Upon opening the scroll and with only a barely noticeable shift in his expression; Yamamoto huffed out a short breath and casually rolled the thin paper closed before setting it ablaze.

The entire room fell deadly and eerily silent as the ashes from the mysterious order rained down to the floor in front of the Head Captain and to say that all eyes, as well as all attention, was glued to their Head Captain was an understatement. It seemed that everyone had become suspicious and for good reason, too. The anticipation was so thick; you couldn't cut it with a zanpakutō.

Head Captain Yamamoto took into account the suspicion crackling through the air and stayed contemplatively quiet before he handed down the order. "As of this moment this matter has been sealed by the authority of Central 46 and I've just received their direct order. After taking into account Ukitake Taichou's condition, they have chosen Kuchiki Taichou to oversee this matter. He is to be dispatched to the World of the Living immediately to observe this woman until he receives further orders."

All eyes moved to the stoic and currently lieutenantless Captain of the 6th Division in a combination of jealousy, anger, awe, and surprise. Even Gin's eyes opened at Central 46's order as he was sure Head Captain would have assigned Aizen. Byakuya, however, could feel the tension in the room as his name was called out and deep within the apathetic man, he wanted to question Central 46's orders as well as all of their sanity. Why out of all the capable captains would Central 46 choose him, he'd never know. But now wasn't the time to argue.

"I understand, Soutaichou. I will head out at once." Byakuya replied with a bow, his long locks hiding a frustrated look on his features.

Another tap of Yamamoto's cane was the official dismissal of the meeting. As some of the Captains and Lieutenants offered support to Byakuya before making their way back to their respective divisions, Byakuya had a sneaking suspicion from the look in Rukia's eyes and how readily Aizen offered his squad that he'd been chosen for this mission for a reason.

And in a month's time that reason would manifest itself but until then, Byakuya Kuchiki wondered how much trouble could babysitting a human woman really be?