Sorry for the late update, had visitors for the holiday weekend. This chapter is mostly about Rukia' new job.


"NI! I mean Byakuya-sama it came! Renji! Its here." she ran in with the envelope waving in the air.

"Calm down Rukia." Byakuya said.

"Open it already." Renji said.

"I cant, you read it Renji."

" 'Kuchiki Rukia of the 13th division. Your abilities have been reviewed and have been found to be above par and at the level of lieutenant. Your written test scores were exceptional and everyone we interviewed had positive things to say about you. Your essay was of particular interest and had influenced the outcome. I regret to inform you that you will not be needed as a lieutenant.' " Renji read out loud.

"I didn't get it." she was looking forlorn and the mood in the room dropped.

"I'm so sorry Rukia. Wait there's more. 'Your services to the Gotei 13 have been more then exceptional, we have also considered your experience in the living world. I have given my recommendation to the current 21 members of the central 46. It is with great honor that I extend to you the seat of the 22nd representative of the central 46. Please report to the main headquarters of the central 46 at 7:45 tomorrow where you will be assisted by other members on procedures and protocol. Sincerely General Yamamoto.' Damn Rukia!"

"I think I may faint." Rukia said her eyes bugging out.

"The seal is official. Congratulations Rukia. You have been given the seat of Masao Kuchiki." Byakuya said.

"I will send message to the manor. Grandfather will be more then delighted to hear about this. Abarai you will join us for diner this evening." Byakuya said.


Rukia went to bed early that night. There was no way she was going to be late for such an important first day. Her family had indeed been delighted, even the elders were happy and where no longer eager to marry her off for political alliances. She was now way more valuable as she was now a vote in the government and she could influence the outcome of laws and rules. It was more then beneficial to keep her.

Byakuya was really happy but for another reason, there was no way she could get injured doing that job and it was well suited to her argumentative personality. This was going to be a good outlet for her to be herself.

"Good morning Kuchiki-sama. I am Eda Nori. I am your personal secretary." she bowed

"Good morning Eda-san please assist me well." she bowed back.

"I will do my best. Let me show you to your office. There's plenty to learn so just ask if you have any questions. I've been doing this for the last hundred years. Your position requires a bit more work then some of the others as you represent some of the higher number districts. I am told you are already aware of the conditions of the 73-80th districts."

"Yes I'm from the 78th."

"You will be representing their interests along with special projects throughout soul society. I don't envy your position."

"I thought you only had to show up once or twice a week?"

"Yes some representatives do choose to do things that way. It is entirely up to you but the position is a 40hour work week whether you decide to show up or not. Some members have outside tasks that keep them from doing much more then showing up to the most important meetings. Many other tasks can be conveyed to me over the phone if you wish. You can put as much effort into this position as you wish. Your predecessor was very dedicated."

"I will do my best to be a dedicated employee. I wish to take this seriously." Rukia bowed.

"I will do my best to assist you." she bowed back.

"Oh that building to the right, that is where your apartment is should you wish to stay there. I have already taken the liberty of having it furnished with all of the basics so you will not have to worry yourself. Third floor 2B. I have only had a short time to research your likes but I will do better in the future as I get to know you."

"I already have a place to stay." Rukia said.

"Sometimes meetings can run late you may want to stay the night to make it easier. Either way it is there. Here we are."

"My name is already on the door. You work fast."

"How do you take your tea?"

"No cream or sugar." Rukia said as she walked into the office to see her secretary's desk with neat piles paper, a computer, and a phone.

There was a painting to the left of a landscape and on the left pictures of the previous member who held the seat.

"I can have that removed if you wish." Eda said pointing to the portrait.

"No I think it's best we leave it there." she looked at it remembering the few times she met Representative Kuchiki before Aizen killed the central 46. While she didn't always agree with him, she admired his passion for his job.

She then came to another door with her name plate on it and opened it to see a large office with a floor to ceiling window and shelves filled with wide books. She sat in the big chair behind the desk not knowing what to do.

"Kuchiki-sama this is the first of the items that needs to be looked over. If you have any questions or concerns let me know. I am so glad you are here." Eda said.

"Eda-san really, it's her first day." came a male voice.

"Raiden!" Rukia said.

"Looks like were partners. I'm representative 21 and your 22 so we will be sitting together and my office is right next door. They sent me to help you get acquainted with procedure. So how is your first day going." he said.

"I'm still in shock. What's all this about procedure?"

"Nothing really. You have to wear this robe during work hours. It should be here. Yep." He opened a cabinet and took out the piece of clothing.

It was white and long sleeved meant to be worn over ones clothing kind of like a captains hayori only it was less fitted and the collar closed around the neck and it had a black stripe running down the front.

"It fits perfectly." Rukia said as she did the clasp around the neck.

"I contacted your personal maid for your measurements and had the tailor hem it last night."

"Eda-san your amazing." Rukia said.

"Come on we can go to today's meeting together. It's your first day so try not to be too intimidated. Mostly old people arguing."

"I've attended enough meetings with the elders to be used to that." Rukia said.

Raiden led Rukia to a hallway, they came to a door and entered. It was a private balcony. Two seats in front and four behind them for other staff. Rukia looked out at all of the other balconies it was four stories tall. Each floor containing ten balconies.

"What about the other six?" she asked.

"They are the higher elected officials they sit there on the dais of the ground floor. We all have to stand when they come in and bow. The top floor positions still haven't been filled."

"How can they hear us?"

"Don't worry sound has a way of carrying here."

"All rise for the

honorable Chancellor Hikono sadao,

vice chancellor Hazuki Naiomi,

secretary general Suo Shinji,

Secretary of Culture and Education Yufu Norika,

Secretary of economics, Commerce, finance Watabe Rei

Secretary of Health, Agriculture, and Public Works. Jodai Shun.

Everyone rose and bowed, and the bows were returned. Rukia was in awe of the whole process. Everything looked so important and Rukia had no idea how she was going to cope with all of this. It was too overwhelming so she just sat and watched.

"Today's meeting is now in session and will come to order. What do we have first?" Hikono asked.

" I believe we have a new member today. Kuchiki Rukia from the Kuchiki family." Suo said.

"Yes she is under my jusidiction I believe." Jodai said.

"Will everyone please stand and welcome 22nd seat Kuchiki Ruka." everyone bowed.

"Next is the situation with the farms in the Northwestern 5o- 51st districts."

"Water, It hasn't rained in two months. They can not irrigate the land." one man said.

"What about the dam?" another asked.

"It needs repairs. So we can not let the water out." another said.

"It will cost too much." a man in the corner said.

"We can up production in the 1st through 5th districts." another said.

"No that will make the power over the commodities uneven."

"We will have to relocate the villages."

"They are unimportant. I think we should turn the southern part of my district into farm land."

"But that is protected land and there are already people there."

"We can move them." he rebutted.

"No way you just want to profit from that."

"Like you did from the mining law."

"How many will die?"

"Not more then ten thousand."

"What the heck is wrong with you people!" Rukia yelled.

"The committee recognizes Kuchiki Rukia." Hikono said.

"These are real people you are talking about. They will starve if you don't agree to do something. How can you talk about letting them die! If fixing the dam will solve the problem then fix it!" she yelled.

"I second the motion to fix the dam." Raiden said.

"Motion?" Rukia asked in a low voice.

"All those in favor." Hikono said.

"Aye!"

"Opposed." he asked.

"Nay."

"The ayes have it we fix the dam." Hikono said.

"What just happened?" Rukia turned and asked Raiden.

"Seems you just helped save 10,000 people. Good job."

"It all happened so fast." she said.

"Yep get used to it. Come there breaking for lunch. I'll buy." Raiden said.


They went to the dining area of the building. The first thing she realized was the place was nothing like the mess halls in the 13 squads. Instead this place was like an upscale restaurant. They sat at a table and began to chat.

"Now that were partners we can help each other out. We have so much in common. I love your passion. There's a vote coming up later about construction. It would really help me out if you back me Rukia-chan." Raiden said.

"Yeah sure." she said.

"You aren't trying to influence miss Kuchiki are you Sugimoto-san?" a man said.

"No of course not." Raiden answered.

"Good because that is what I am here for. Forgive me 18th seat Kasema Tadao." he bowed and sat down. "There are some issues with the cultural festival coming up, I hope you will side with me."

"These days are getting longer." Raiden said.

"Yes I'm afraid I have to be here most mornings." Tadao answered.

Rukia had a long day indeed there were more things to vote on and a pile of work that needed to be looked over. Then someone suckered her into joining a planning committee. It was tempting to go to her new apartment but she wanted to rush home and tell Byakuya all about her day.

Raiden walked her home and they were laughing as they approached the manor. Byakuya watched on very irritated about the situation. He noted how dignified she looked in the robe and how proud of her he was for such an accomplishment. She greeted him excitedly. When she sat to dinner she told Byakuya and Ginrei everything that had happened that day.

"Rukia I had this made for you in honor of your first day." Byakuya said handing her a box after they finished the last course.

"Ni I mean Byakuya-sama. I can't wear a Kensaikan!"

"We have agreed that since you now represent our family you should wear them." Ginrei said.

"Wow I don't know what to say."

"If you are not too tired will you walk with me this evening?" Byakuya asked holding out his hand.

"I'd love to." She took his hand with a demure smile.

"I am glad to see you are still wearing the ring I gave you." Byakuya said while they viewed the lovely foliage at night.

"It means quite a bit to me, and you told me never to take it off." she said stopping and turning to him with great sincerity.

He faced her and couldn't hold back the smile that was developing. When she saw that she had somehow pleased him she smiled back. Lifting his hand he moved the hair that always hung over her forehead and ran his hand down her cheek. The only thing she could do was excuse herself to bed. All she wanted him to do was kiss her but she knew it was impossible. He stood there in the night wondering what he was doing wrong. Her eyes had said so much to him so why was she gone?

Rukia spent the next day doing office work and helping to plan they layout of a new village. Before she finished for the day she sent word to the manor that she would stay at her apartment for the night. It was what was best, as long as she stayed away from him none of those feeling would arise.

It wasn't but ten minutes when she walked into the door to the apartment a knock came.

"Byakuya-sama what are you doing here?"

"The Kenseikan suits you well. I wanted to see if the place was adequate and I thought we could have dinner. The chef worked hard. She nearly cried when she heard you might stay here permanently." he said holding up the boxes of food.

"Oh well it's so close to work. I was thinking of staying here more. Of course I'd be fully available for family meetings."

"Have you settled in?"

"No I haven't even seen the other rooms yet. Will you stay and eat with me?" she took the boxes from him.

Rukia found all the necessary items in the kitchen and laid the food on the table. At first the meal was silent but then Rukia began to speak about all of the work she was doing and all of the projects going on.

Bottles of wine sat on her counter as welcome gifts and she took her chances and opened a random bottle. They sat and talked and drank well into the night. Byakuya had no intention of leaving her alone. Just the idea made him feel uneasy. If he had to come every night to see she was safe he would. Byakuya had pretended to fall asleep on the couch.

Rukia looked at his sleeping countenance. He looked so peaceful, so handsome, so untroubled. Only she noticed how the lines on his face had softened. No one else would notice however slight, the changes in his face throughout the day. He could hide his feelings from the world all he wanted but she could always tell when he was suppressing an emotion.

It took her a moment but she realized he was pretending to sleep. If she wanted him to go home she would have woken him. The comfort of his riatsu make her feel at home. She placed a blanket on him and went to bed trying not to think about how she would have rather snuggled up to him instead of going to her own room. He woke in the morning to the smell of food.

"Good morning Byakuya-sama." she said while cooking. "You fell asleep, breakfast will be ready in a moment. Don't worry, I started early so you can hurry home for work."

"Thank you Rukia." He said.

When breakfast was over Byakuya walked Rukia to her building.

"Are you not afraid someone might talk about my coming out of your apartment this morning? Your position is more susceptible to scandal."

"People always talk. I care just as much about it as you do. Will you come over again?" she asked.

"If I have time. Have a good day." he answered her.


"Hey where were you yesterday?" Rukia asked.

"You know how it is being head of a family. So your wearing one of those now?" Raiden pointed to the Kenseikan in her hair.

"Byakuya-sama insisted."

"I see. Well will you have lunch with me today and every day after?" Raiden asked.

'Sure, I'd like that." she said.

"What is that look for? Ah I see. I don't know who this other man is but I'm going to make you forget about him."

"It's not that." she said trying to lie and doing a poor job of it.

"Really it isn't? I know you better then that. We've been dating for a while and now that your brother isn't around to insist that you stay home to study anymore, I was thinking we could get more serious." he asked.

"I…I don't know what to say." and she really didn't.

"Just say yes. We are going to make a great pair." he said.

"Kuchiki-sama please don't panic but you must look at this." Eda said holding out a piece of paper.

Raiden took the paper from her and read it out loud.

"Looks like your first death threat. I wouldn't worry about it, I get at least one a week. It means your doing your job. But I'll walk you home to be on the safe side. Eda you know the drill." Raiden said.