DISCLAIMER AND WARNING ALL LISTED IN CHAPTER 1
A FEW DAYS LATER -
Byakuya sat at his desk working on his paperwork as he usually does. The Sou-taichou wanted reports done and ready to turn in at the next Taichou-Fukutaichou meeting, which actually in 2 hours. As Byakuya tried to focus on his paperwork, his thought drifted off. He had been doing this since the incident with Gingou ended 6 months ago. They always seem to land on a certain orange-haired boy that was no longer there. For some time, Byakuya had found himself having fallen for the teen. Why? Even he didn't have the answer. There was just something about Ichigo that struck him and now the orange haired 'brat' was embedded in his heart.
Opening his desk drawer, he pulled out a picture frame that housed a picture of Ichigo, Rukia, and himself. They had taken it afterwards since it was the one time that all 3 of them had gotten together. Rukia had told them that she wanted a picture with her two favorites males, but she also knew how her brother felt about Ichigo. She always tried to get her bother to confess to Ichigo, but he always seems to refuse too. He knew why. He was afraid of getting rejected.
Lost in thoughts, he didn't hear the knock at his door. The door opened and Rukia stood there looking at her brother. She knew what he was thinking about. He had been doing this a lot lately. Walking up to the desk, putting her hands on it. "Nii-sama?"
Shaking himself from his thoughts, he looked up at his sister standing there. "Rukia?"
"Yeah, I had knocked but you were lost in thought that you didn't hear me." Walking around his desk, she sat on the edge, looking at her brother. "You're thinking about him again, aren't you?"
Shaking his head, he ran his palm over his face. "I can't seem to get him off my mind. Every time I try to concentrate on something, he enters my mind. Maybe I do need to go to Karakura and just confront him."
"Yeah, you need too. Nii-sama..." she said but stopped as a knock come to the door.
"Enter," Byakuya said as he regained his composure. He looked up to see his fuku-taichou, Renji Abarai, entering. "What is it, Abarai?"
"Sir, the Sou-taichou sent a hell butterfly saying that the meeting has been changed and will be in the next 30 minutes. Also, he says that the reports can wait and ask that Rukia attend the meeting as well."
"Wonder why the Sou-taichou wants me there?" asked Rukia, looking over at her brother.
"There is no telling." Byakuya rose to his feet, straightening out his hoari. "I think we should head on over. The 6th is never late for a meeting."
"Hai, Taichou," Renji said, bowing. He then left the office, heading for the 1st.
"Shall we, Rukia?" Byakuya asked, holding his hand out for his sister. Rukia took his hand and the siblings headed out in the direction of the 1st.
Yamamoto-soutaichou looked out at the Taichous, gazing at each one of them. As his gaze landed on Byakuya, he couldn't help but smile. When Isshin visited him the other day, he learned something and was more than willing to help. He just hoped that it went off without any problems.
"Now, that everyone is present, I believe that it is time that we deal with the empty positions in the Gotei 13, mainly the 3rd, 5th, and 9th division. Now, I have spoken to several of you and have the final decisions for the promotion. Will Renji Abarai and Shuuhei Hisagi step forward?"
The two fuku-taichous looked at each other before stepping forward. Shrugging their shoulder at each, they stepped out and walked over to the Sou-taichou.
"Now, Abarai, you served the Soul Society well. Your courage and pride saved a lot of people. Also, you are the first fuku-taichou to ever achieve Bankai and that says a lot about your strength. It is my honor to promote you to the Taichou of the 3rd squad," he said as he handed Renji the hoari.
Renji was speechless for a moment. He knew who had put in the recommendation. To say that he was surprised would be a lie. Bowing to the Sou-taichou, he smiled. "Thank you, sir. I will serve the 3rd to the best of my ability."
"I know you will, Abarai. Now, you may take your new position." He watched as Renji put on the hoari and take his place in the 3rd squad taichou position, after getting a congrats from Kira-fukutaichou. "For the position of 5th squad Taichou, I am bringing back a former taichou. He would be here but is taking care of last minute details before he joins us. Hinamori-fukutaichou," he said as he turned to the young woman, "your new Taichou will be Kurosaki Isshin. Please make sure that he sees me once he arrives." Byakuya's eyes went wide as he heard the news. Ichigo's dad was going to be a fellow captain with him. He remembers stories of Isshin from his grandfather when they were both captains, hundreds of years ago.
"Hai, Sou-taichou," the young timid woman said as she bowed.
"For the position of 9th squad Taichou, I believe, should go to you, Hisagi. You have held the squad together since the defection of Tosen Kaname. Your fierceness in battle and your loyalty to your friends is unquestionable. Also, your bankai is very impressive. I congratulate you, Hisagi-taichou," he said as he handed Hisagi the 9th squad taichou hoari. "You've earned this, Shuuhei. Don't tell yourself different."
"I won't, Sou-taichou. Thank you," he said as he bowed and took his new position.
"Now, we are now left with 3 empty fuku-taichou positions. The 6th, 9th, and 13th are in need. Rukia Kuchiki, please step forward." He watched as the petite Shinigami stepped forward, totally oblivious to the smile that Byakuya had on his face. "Rukia, you have gone beyond the call of duty. Without you, we wouldn't have had the means to defeat Aizen. After many discussions with Ukitake-taichou and your brother, we have decided that you are ready to take the position of Fuku-taichou of the 13th. You have earned it, Rukia," he said with a smile as he handed her the Fuku-taichou badge to the 13th.
Rukia didn't know what to say. She never thought that Byakuya would ever let her do this. Bowing, she smiled. "Thank you, Sou-taichou. I will make the three of you proud."
"I know you will, my dear." Rukia walked back over to Ukitake and took her position, behind him. "Hisagi-taichou, your new fuku-taichou will be Keima Hishiro. Please make sure that you brief him on his new position."
A knock come to the Meeting Hall doors. After getting a nod from Yamamoto, Rukia walked over and opened the doors, revealing Isshin standing there. Isshin walked in and headed for the Sou-taichou. "I do apologize for arriving late, Sou-taichou."
"There is no need to apologize. Sasakibe had explained everything to me. I welcome you back, Isshin and am glad to have you back as the Taichou to the 5th," he said as he handed Isshin his new hoari. As soon as Isshin took his position, Yamamoto continued. "For the last position of 6th squad fukutaichou. Kuchiki-taichou," he said as he caught Byakuya attention, "careful consideration was given when it came to this choice. I know that you require someone that can keep up with you and has a strong loyalty to a squad and his friends. The young man I have selected comes with several recommendations, including mine. I know this young man to be a man true to his word and will never back down."
With that, the doors opened again revealing a young man with bright orange hair standing there. Byakuya's breath caught in his throat as he watched Ichigo walk in, up to the Sou-taichou. 'I can't believe that he is here' he thought to himself. He continued to watch as the Sou-taichou continued to speak.
"Ichigo Kurosaki, I have asked you here today cause of something that has come to my attention that I have learned from your father. I need to hear it come from you. You are wanting to join the Gotei 13, correct?"
"Hai. Ever since the war ended, I've had no purpose. While I fought alongside the Soul Society, I had one. I was able to make a difference. After talking to my father about this in depth, he completely supports me in this and then he told me about the offer that you had given him so I had asked him to speak to you," Ichigo had replied. "I realize what I am giving up in doing this, but I believe that my place is here in the Soul Society."
Yamamoto-Soutaichou had a smile on his face. "Well, I offer you the position of fuku-taichou of the 6th. You are the perfect candidate to take this position ad I believe that you will be a valuable asset to Kuchiki-taichou and the 6th division. The decision is your, Ichigo."
"It will be an honor, sir. I will fulfill my duties accordingly," Ichigo said calmly.
Yamamoto smiled. "Well, then, I welcome you to the Gotei 13, Kurosaki-fukutaichou," he said as he handed him the fukutaichou badge to the 6th. "Actually Ichigo, the honor is ours."
Bowing to the Sou-taichou, Ichigo placed the badge around his right upper arm and walked over to where Byakuya was standing. Byakuya still couldn't believe that Ichigo gave up his human life to come to the Soul Society. Regaining his usual stoic demeanor, he looked at his new fuku-taichou. "I expect you to fulfill your duties, Kurosaki-fukutaichou."
Ichigo smiled at the noble. "You can count on me, Bya...I mean, Kuchiki-taichou," he replied with a slight bow. Ichigo stepped behind Byakuya, taking his position.
"Is there anymore business that needs to be attended to?" Yamamoto asked, looking around at the Taichous and Fuku-taichous. With no response, he continued. "Very well, then. I expect the reports from all divisions on my desk by tomorrow. Dismissed," he said with his cane banging the ground, signaling the end of the meeting.
Everyone started filing out of the Hall. As Ichigo was getting ready to leave, he turned to see Byakuya still standing there. "Hey, Rukes, I'll catch with ya later, okay?"
"Okay, I'll see ya later, Ichigo." Glancing over at her brother, she hoped that he would finally admit to Ichigo how he felt. Smiling, she left her brother and best friend alone.
Ichigo walked over to his new taichou, noticing that he was lost in his thoughts. Placing his hand on Byakuya's shoulder, jostling him out his thoughts. "Taichou, are you alright?"
Turning to see Ichigo standing there, he let out a breath. "Yes, Kurosaki, I'm fine. Just lost in thought there for a moment."
"Okay, I was getting worried about you there for a moment. Shall I meet you at the division, then?"
Thinking, he wondered if he should try talking to Ichigo tonight. Tomorrow was his birthday and for once, he wanted to do something for himself. "Actually, will you mind coming to the Manor for dinner tonight? There is something I would like to talk to you about and would prefer if we were alone when we did talk."
Ichigo couldn't believe that he had asked him to dinner. He had been struggling for the last two days on how to tell Byakuya; maybe he would get a chance tonight at dinner. "No, I don't mind at all. What time did ya want me there, Taichou?"
Byakuya started to head out, but stopped right by Ichigo's side, leaning close to his ear. "Be there at 7. Oh, when we are alone, you can call me Byakuya. I shall see you tonight...Ichigo," he whispered flirtatious.
With that said, Byakuya walked out of the Meeting Hall, leaving a stunned and flustered Ichigo standing there. 'Was Byakuya just flirting with me?'
