The sun had barely started to rise when Byakuya walked into the sixth division offices. His unit stood for inspection. With quick smooth strides he marched up and down each row appraising his subordinates. There was no emotion on his face when he found something he disliked, only a slight nod to Renji. His lieutenant would correct the error with a sharp smack with the flat end of his Zanpakuto. No one was spared his scrutiny, not even the quivering new recruits that had just joined their ranks. When he was done he dismissed them with no more than a passing glance and headed to his office.

Paper work was already pilled neatly on his desk. The sensitive materiel sat in sealed scrolls and the rest Renji had already made his way through. Just as he sat down a lower ranking member of his staff brought him a hot cup of tea. Wordlessly she set the tray on the table and bowed politely as she left nearly backing into Renji. "Watch where you're going," he chided the girl as she bowed again and nearly ran from the room. Taking his usual seat at his desk he started his own pile of paper work.

Signing the document he was reading he didn't spare his lieutenant a glance. "Are you prepared to train with your Bankai today?"

"Yes captain."

Training was the one time of his day when he had to utilize every part of his mind and body. His senses had to be focused or he would get hurt or be hurt by his opponent. It was the one time he didn't allow a fraction of his spiritual pressure to constantly search. Even now, his senses spanned out hoping to feel the tiniest trace of beautiful pure Reiatsu. Scrolling a neat signature on the document he was reading, he placed it on a pile of papers to be filed. The morning continued in silence as he analyzed the reports and requests that needed his attention. Just as he picked up the last document for review a black butterfly flew into the room from the open door.

Fluttering down to Renji's shoulder, it sparked with Reiatsu. "Captain Commander Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamato requests the presence of all captains and their lieutenants at an unscheduled meeting to be held immediately in the division one conference room."

Byakuya's face tightened and his lips pursed together. Very few people would notice the change or register his annoyance, Renji certainly didn't. Instead he piled his papers neatly on the corner of the desk and waited for his captain to lead the way. Signing the last report he carefully re-sealed the scroll and placed it in a pile to be delivered to other divisions. Gracefully he stood swept out of his office and down the hall.

The crowded hallways parted in deep bows as lower ranking Shinigami moved aside to let him pass. Byakuya reached the first division to find the waiting room full of captains. The only one missing was Kenpachi, who was always last to arrive. He showed his respect to the other captains by nodding to them in greeting. Finding a spot against a nearby wall he impatiently waited for the meeting to begin.

Nearby on a long couch sat Shunsui and Joshiro. "I know what I felt and something came through," the ladder was saying with a considerate look on his face.

"If the gate had been opened we all would've felt it." Shunsui sat back resting his hands on his stomach. With half closed eyes he sighed heavily as if to fall asleep in the captain's waiting room. "It's probably in impromptu inspection. The old man is still peeved that we lost our Hiaori in the war."

"We would have only felt the gate open if it had been open from this side. If a member of royalty had opened from the other side there would have only been traces."

"Yeah, but royalty doesn't really like visiting the soul society now do they?"

Byakuya locked keen violet eyes on the two with peaked interest. But, before anything else could be said Kenpachi burst in with a pink haired girl on his shoulder. "I hope were going to war. Cause I was just starting to enjoy training."

The conversation between the two older captains never resumed because Lieutenant Choujirou appeared from behind a sliding door. "Head Captain Yamamoto is waiting." Gesturing lightly, he walked back into the large meeting hall. One by one the other captains filed in behind him with their lieutenants close tow. Byakuya took his place in line and fallowed the crowd.

When he entered the pristine room, shock nearly froze him in place. Fortunately he caught himself before the emotion registered in outward appearance. Unfortunately, he wasn't unable keep his breath from coming out in short huffs. Nor was Byakuya able to ignore the tightening of his chest. At the front of the room sat the head captain. Next to him stood an elderly woman and beside her stood Rayna. Head bowed, hands clasped in front of her, she didn't look at any of them as they entered. But, he would have recognized her silhouette anywhere.

Byakuya took his place and studied her through half closed eyes. He had never seen her dressed so formally and for some reason it disturbed him. The layers of formal Kimono didn't suit her, nor did the high tight bun her hair had been pulled into. For a moment he questioned whether this was the same women he had longed for. Then he realized that he couldn't feel the tiniest trace of her Reiatsu. The stone mask he wore tightened and his frown deepened.

"The Tenshiawai Kurirayna Ishume Hirosasuke had returned to the Soul society. It is our duty to protect her." The head captain made a slight gesture toward Rayna. "Make your divisions aware that her word is law and can only be usurped by the king. Disrespect her and it will be considered treason. Touch her and you will face the ultimate penalty. The Akurai that she has been assigned will not hesitate to enforce it." Head Captain stood faced Rayna then bowed politely and the rest fallowed his example. Byakuya stole a glance at her but still couldn't see her face to her discern her thoughts.

While their heads were still bowed Rayna stepped forward and returned the honor with a deep bow of her own. "I apologize for any inconvenience I cause and know that I honor you greatly. I thank you for protecting my spirit. Please look upon me kindly." Bowing again she turned dragging layers of silk behind her she took her place next to the elderly woman. I hand maid came forward to right her clothing then quietly disappeared into the entourage behind the redhead. She didn't looked at them, didn't turn her face to them, and no emotion touched her voice. Byakuya was terrified by what she had become.

"That will be all." Head Captain dismissed them with a brisk bark.

For a moment, Byakuya stared openly waiting for Rayna to acknowledge him. She never did. The noblewoman was so quiet and still he almost doubted she was breathing. Uncharacteristically, the raven haired captain took a deep breath to calm his nerves, before he turned and fallowed the others out of the room. It didn't occur to him to care if anyone saw the fractional change in his features.

There was a buzz of conversation in the captain's waiting room. "There is no way that was Lady Rayna. Is it possible she had another twin?" Shunsui rubbed his chin with a puzzled and thought strained look on his face.

"Shouldn't we have felt her presence? Or a strange wave of spiritual pressure?" Joshiro shook his head in confused concern. "I have never met the girl before now, but my lieutenant described her as vivacious. Could court have changed her so drastically?"

"We should be grateful she has returned." Toshiro's tone was not sincere and he had closed his eyes and pinched the skin at the top of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. His brain was trying to process what they had just witnessed to what he previously knew to be truth.

Byakuya had had enough. If it was Rayna why couldn't he feel her? Why didn't she return to him first? And why was she so different? This was not the return he had been hoping for. Powerful Reiatsu oozed from just before he used flash-step and disappeared.

Shuuhei made his way to the captains training yard, grumbling to himself. He had achieved the rank of captain yet was still reduced to the position of messenger. Rounding the stone wall his eyes widened and he let out an involuntary gasp. The training grounds had been virtually destroyed. Smoke billowed up from small fires and fragmented stone still fell from the sky. Carefully he slowly walked toward the cause of the destruction. Byakuya stood in the center of the training field surrounded by millions of shining bright pink petals.

The new captain was no fool. He knew how deadly those blades could be. "Captain Kuchiki I bring a message from Head Captain Yamamato." Taking a few more steps forward he stopped and waited for the noble to sheath his weapon.

Byakuya raised his hand and with a clean sound of vibrating metal his Zanpakuto took on its unreleased shape. Sheathing the deadly weapon he turned dark eyes on Shuuhei. "I am sorry to interrupt your training, but you have a new assignment. The Head Captain wants…"

"Thank you Captain Hisagi I can manage from here," a soft voice said.

Without thinking, years of training made Hisagi draw his Katana. Before he could turn around and face the new voice a sharp steel blade was at his throat. "How dare you unsheathe your blade in the presence of a lady of the court?" A new voice asked softly. It was strangely calm, almost melodic, and not nearly as threatening as the weapon at his jugular.

"Mizuke," a now familiar voice prompted. Rayna stepped forward into Shuuhei's field of vision. Turning bright hazel eyes on him she sighed heavily. "Mizuke, I am tired of rules and formalities." She looked nothing like she did in the meeting hall. Auburn hair had been freed and waves of it flowed down her back. The short, dark green, kimono she wore was cinched at the waist with a gold corset and she wore matching sandals that threaded up her legs. This looked more like the Lady he knew.

"I withdraw when he does," the calm voice said in a whisper from beside him. Carefully Shuuhei sheathed his sword and raised his hands. The blade at his throat disappeared and he turned to see who had nearly taken his life. Ice green eyes, set in porcelain skin, framed by mahogany hair met his gaze and he lost his breath. The woman standing next to him dressed head to toe in black and partially covered with a black hood was stunning. Actually she was more than stunning she was breathtakingly beautiful. Only one other person had made him lose his breath and her powers were not nearly as potent as this woman's.

Ignoring his stunned expression the woman walked passed him and stood next to Rayna. The circular blade in her hand shrunk to a bracelet that adorned her wrist. Shuuhei noted that she wore a matching set. Removing her hood, she looked at Byakuya, who stood stony and quiet, "he doesn't look happy to see you."

"He is." Rayna smiled brilliantly at the dark haired captain and Shuuhei suddenly felt relief. She hadn't changed. Well not completely. "Mizuke, were going to need a moment."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, and take Captain Hisagi with you."

OK, I am back from Dragoncon and epic-ly awesome writing classes... tell me if I have improved... or tell me if I suck.. Any who here is the new installment. I don't think this story will be as long as the first. It may be just as dirty, I am a perv after all. Oh yeah I have created a second pairing... I am pretty sure it is obvious.

I don't own Bleach Tite Kubo does, even if he leaves me famgirl frustrated at the lack of play for my favorite character.. thanks for the teasing glimpse though.