Isn't anyone going to press that beautiful purple button if I don't beg shamelessly?
The hell butterfly fluttered noiselessly before landing on Rukia's outstretched finger.
"Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryūsai calls for a meeting. All captains and lieutenants of Gotei 13 are expected to attend immediately."
She felt slightly uneasy as she left her office for the meeting hall, wondering what could be so important that it required the presence of all captains and lieutenants.
When she reached her destination, she found out that most of the attendance was already present, except for the slothful Kyōraku, who stumbled in a moment later with a bottle of sake still in his hand.
Yamamoto cleared his throat, and that was all that was needed to quieten the assembly. The murmurings dwindled to an expectant hush as over two dozen people waited for the general to speak.
"We have gotten whiff of Aizen's activities in the real world." There was a pause.
"It seems that he has been recruiting hollows for his army, and apparently, the arrancars have been doing the dirty work. As such, several squads will be dispatched to the real world to deal with this matter and the rest of the squads will remain in Sereitei, preparing for the battle ahead. "
Whispers broke out as a few captains discussed the new turn of events.
"It has been decided that squads 6, 10, and 13 will be dispatched to the real world," Yamamoto continued. "However, all captains are to remain behind and the lieutenants of the respective squads will lead this mission."
Rukia's soaring heart plunged. Nothing to do with Byakuya, nothing to do with Byakuya, nothing to do with Byakuya.
"Also, substitute shinigami Kurosaki Ichigo and his team will be assisting the squads in this mission. The squads will set out at dawn tomorrow." With that, he tapped his wooden staff and the assembly understood themselves as dismissed.
Captains…… to remain behind in Sereitei? Ridiculous. The desire to go to the real world had nothing to do with Rukia going, Byakuya told himself firmly. Nothing to do with Rukia.
Rukia returned to the Kuchiki mansion in preparation for tomorrow's journey. After dinner with herself in the vast dining room, she returned to her room for an early night.
Clothes for my gigai……Check. Chappy bunny…… Che-
"Ow!" She had walked into a pillar. No, wait. She had walked into Byakuya. He looked down, and Rukia was surprised to find that his face had an expression on it. Omgwtf. Was it… concern?
"You are leaving for the real world tomorrow."
"Uh, yes." This is very awkward.
"Then…" his voice trailed off as his lips met hers.
Horrible cliffy, I know. Still ... (looks shiftily downwards)