"So…. Why are you loitering on the roof Masami, don't you have any paperwork to do?"

Masami shrugged, flash stepping back to her spot so that she could continue to soak up the morning sun. Not that it would make any difference, she'd always been pale and a tan always seemed impossible for her to achieve.

"Well, unlike you, I've finished all my paperwork and I've got no orders in from Captain Kuchiki. So I'm just enjoying my free time"

Renji felt his eye twitch at her playful smile. He'd met her a few times during her time in the academy, the Angel of district 64, she'd always seemed quiet and reserved, elegant and strangely sacred, untouchable even. It reminded him a little of their captain.

"Why you little, don't think I won't find a way to dump more paperwork on you!"

"I'd still finish all yours before the sun set. scratch that, before lunch ended and your monkey face was done stuffing itself"

But now, he could see that it was all a mirage. Whilst she still held the resemblance of elegance and grace, Renji knew better. She was a devil, filled with mischief and a smile filled with joy… A strange beacon of light that dazzled all who got to know her.

"Start running brat, you're gonna pay for that!"

Pearls of laughter rang out, Masami's hair flicking with her movement as she dodged each attempt he made to grab her. She'd forgotten what it was like to feel so free, what it felt like to enjoy the company and comfort of friends. She smiled, dropping her guard for a moment and screaming in indignation as she was caught by the scruff of her neck.

"Gotcha, Sami, now what work should I get you to do first? Maybe all the reports I have to file for the squad six missions, or even cleaning up my office after Rangiku used it for a drinking party… Hmmm, choices choices"

"Dammit Renji! I'm not doing your work for you, get your monkey mitts off me! And clean your own damned room!"

To the rest of the world, they looked like they were genuinely arguing, a subordinate giving cheek to her superior as he dangled her by the ankle from the top of the squad thirteen barracks. But the lights in their eyes told the truth, a jovial game between friends.

"Lieutenant Abarai. Is there a reason as to why you are dangling sixth seat Hoshigumo like a rag doll from the top of Captain Ukitake's office roof?"

The pair blinked, Renji looking down from the roof as Masami did her best to do the same from her upside down position, their captain meeting their gazes as the pair panicked at his sudden arrival. Renji would laugh about it later and Masami would probably attempt to elbow the tall red head for his actions, but the lieutenant lost his grip on the small woman's ankle, watching in horror as she fell to the ground below with a disgruntled shout, her hand shooting up to rub the sore point on her head as she straightened into a seated position.

"Apologies Captain, Hoshigumo was trying to skip out on work so I was chasing after her"

Masami's glare could have frozen hell as Renji sent a devious smirk her way, that monkey faced bastard! How dare he lie about something like that, she worked her butt off for the squad.

"Oh my, that doesn't sound right. From what I've heard of young Hoshigumo, she isn't the sort to skip out on work… Quite the opposite in fact"

Masami grinned for a moment, sticking her tongue out at Renji in defiance before realising that, though her defender had kindly come to her rescue, she had no idea who he actually was. She turned towards his kind voice, a look of wonder spreading across her face at the tall man who reached out his hand to help her up from the floor.

His hair was as white as her own, something she'd never seen in anyone other than herself and young captain Hitsugaya, deep brown eyes filled with kindness as she accepted the hand and was pulled to her feet, unable to look away. That was until she spotted the Captain haori he wore. Oh no, this really wasn't turning out to be a good day for her. Why had she needed to make a fool of herself not only in front of her own captain, but captain Ukitake as well.

"I'm so sorry captain, we didn't mean to cause you any trouble"

"Haha, you have caused me no trouble at all. It is a pleasure to meet you Masami"

Masami looked up for a moment from her apologetic bowing, surprise upon her face as she tried to figure out how he could have possibly known her name. Ukitake continued to smile at her as he spoke, Masami seeming to be the only one who could sense the annoyance beginning to radiate form her own captain. Her eyes could see clean through his stoic lie.

"You seem surprised my dear, it's only natural to know your name when you were the talk of the academy for the duration of your time there. I was quite saddened to hear of your decision to join the sixth decision, you would have been a wonderful addition to my own squad"

"That is only a half-truth on your part sir"

Ukitake felt shock as her eyes finally met his own square on, pale blue seeming to sink into the very depths of his soul, plucking out any lie he could utter to hide his true intentions as he attempted to look towards Byakuya for answers, the noble choosing to keep his gaze away from the sixth seat completely, before turning to Renji, who merely looked exasperated and shrugged, mouthing 'this is her thing' to him.

"Whilst it is true that you have heard my name for varying reasons through my time as a student, it is not for my abilities that you wished to have me join your squad… But rather that it is my hair colour"

Ukitake looked shocked. How on earth had she known his true intentions?

"My Zanpac-to, Marisha-Ten, and I are forever one sir… My eyes can see through any lie, just as her light can pierce through any darkness, we see this world in its rawest sense, good and evil, truth and lies… My eyes see them all and her blade judges accordingly"

For a moment, the squad thirteen captain was silent before breaking out into a nervous smile, noticing how Masami seemed to come back to her own senses, all feeling of seriousness leaving her as she stared at him curiously, watching as he moved to obtain something from his office.

"Then I suppose it would be pointless to say that I simply wished to share this candy? I will not lie that I have a fondness for those with hair like my own, it is rare to find another and you are only the second besides Captain Hitsugaya. Will you still accept my odd little gift?"

Her smile caught him off guard as she allowed him to pass her the candy, watching how a gleam of warmth came to her eyes.

"Thank you captain Ukitake…. But I cannot keep them for myself. Will you allow me to share them with the children of the Rukon districts? With your permission only sir"

He was amazed as he watched her for a moment. How could one be so kind? He couldn't even fathom a lie within her words as she waited anxiously for his reply, hoping that she hadn't offended him somehow.

"It would be my pleasure if you shared the confectionaries with the children, and give them my regards as well"

She bowed in thanks, listening as Renji made an excuse for them both to leave before flash stepping away to get ready for her trip back into the Rukongai, the captains both watching as the pair left, neither removing their either from the young woman.

"You are lucky, Captain Kuchiki… One so pure should be cherished, not trained to fight as a soul reaper"

"I am aware of her rarity, that she possesses something others could only wish for… But, you are mistaken if you believe that she cannot defend herself in battle... There is much you do not know or understand about Hoshigumo"


Renji watched as Masami made her way through the streets of the Rukon districts, her determination written across her face and evident in her footfall as she made her way to her destination.

He'd noticed that, since joining the squad, nearly all of her spare time would be spent in the Rukon district. She would say that it was simply because it had been her home for a while, but he knew that it was something more than that. She never returned to the same district, going around them randomly in pursuit of something that she would never tell him. Today, she had chosen to return to her own district once more.

"You didn't need to follow me, Lieutenant, I'm sure your work is far more important than making sure I don't get into trouble. I promise that I can take care of myself"

He simply chose to ignore her comment, it lacked its usual playful bite so there was no point playing along. She simply seemed in a world of her own at that moment, a fond smile coming to her lips as she turned a final corner and came to a halt in front of a group of kids.

"Hey look, it's Masami!"

"Oh Wow, she brought candy too!"

Her laughter caught Renji by surprise. He'd never seen this side of Masami before, from the elegant and untouchable beauty of her academy days to the playful devil that he had learned to handle in work. This was neither façade.

Her smile and the gleam in her eyes was one that only a mother or an older sister could hold as she was engulfed by the group of children and held each of them in greeting, listening as they all spoke of what they'd done since last seeing her, asking what it was like being a soul reaper and if she'd be able to come visit them again soon.

They all looked so happy as Masami moved to put some small distance between them all, helping to pass the candy out. Had she built her own little form of a family?

"You shouldn't look so surprised Renji… I've always had a soft spot for children. I offer them the guidance of a parental figure, someone to watch over them and chase away the monsters…In return, they bring peace to my own heart… It is enough until I am able to find my little brother, Hiroki"

Her brother? None of her files had made mention of blood relatives. Could that mean that it was a brother that had died with her in the living world, separated by their passing and now left searching for the other? Masami did not seem inclined to continue her explanation as she gave her full attention, once more, to the children. Renji chose that moment to leave, the sound of her voice singing a gentle lullaby filling his ears and bringing a strange comfort to his own heart. Such a strange woman.

"Natsuhiboshi, why are you so red?

Because I had a sad dream last night,

My eyes are red from the tears I've shed,

Swollen as I cry.

Natsuhiboshi, why've you lost your way?

I'm searching for a child who's gone afar,

He can't be found, though I search all day,

My sad dreams come once more"


The night was still as Byakuya finally placed his pen down upon the desk, a gentle sigh of exhaustion passing his lips as he moved to stand from his chair. It had been a long day and he would be sure to punish lieutenant Abarai for his lies earlier.

It appeared that, whilst the lieutenant had been adamant about the sixth seat lack of work ethic, all of Masami's paperwork had been completed and handed in on time, unlike a certain vice-captain. It had meant that the Kuchiki clan leader had been left to finish up the remaining work, pushing him well past midnight and ensuring that he would be sleeping in his captain's quarters rather than the comfort of his bed at the Kuchiki manor.

Passing by the window on his way to the adjoining bedroom, something faint caught his eye through the small office window as he moved to take a better look, his eyes softening for a moment at the sight before him.

Masami. Sat in her usual perch on the roof of the barrack dormitory, her face turned to the sky as she seemed to speak quietly to the stars and moon above, the captain having to strain his ears to hear what she was saying. So little was truly known of Masami Hoshigumo beyond that she was a prodigy that had passed on from the living world. He knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but not even her Zanpac-to seemed to give a clear picture of the woman who loved to sit in the moonlight.

"It's been so long, Hiroki… I hope you're well brother and I hope that you've found peace too"

Byakuya furrowed his brows. Her brother? Her file made no mention of a sibling. Straining her ears once more, he continued to listen to her one sided conversation.

"I'm doing well and I've managed to make friends since coming to the soul society… I'm happy now, but I promise that I'm still looking for you, so you'll know that what happened wasn't your fault or the end and that we can still be a family again… Just wait a little longer for me Hiroki"

Byakuya chose that moment to take his leave, closing the door to his bedroom behind him as a small amount of guilt began welling within his heart for listening in on something that seemed so personal. But he was curious, what had happened between herself and her brother? What would he believe had been his fault and why was it so important for her to find him once more?

What had happened to Masami before coming to the Soul Society?


Ok, so that was chapter two, really hope you liked it and that you'll tell me what you thought.

Preview: DUNDUNDUUUUUNNNNNN

"You shouldn't always trust the light, captain Kuchiki... For even on the brightest days, shadows still lurk in the background"

A mission gone wrong forces Masami to reveal the secret form of her Zanpac-to's shikai, catching the attention of an unwanted admirer intent on using her gift to his own advantage. And what is this she's heard about a soul reaper being arrested in the world of the living for giving her powers to a human boy with bright orange hair?