Author's Note: This chapter features Rukia and Byakuya, no incest. I found it interesting how Rukia's attacks with her zanpakutou are in the form of dances and the idea of Rukia as a ballerina appealed to me greatly. n.n

Disclaimer: Kubo Tite owns Bleach.

Kuchiki Rukia sat in the dark, taking deep breaths as she waited for her instructor to call her to perform. It was the Shinigami Academy's Annual Ballet Presentation and she was backstage, waiting to perform as Odette in the academy's production of Swan Lake. It was the first showing and she played with her fingers as she tried to clear her mind from worry. Her brother would not be there to see her perform, but she somehow wanted him to be there. After all, when he adopted her, he was the one who recommended that she join the Ballet Guild at the academy.

She recalled the day she joined the guild. Never having any formal ballet training (which was impossible in Rukongai), she was somehow able to move like the intermediate ballerinas in the guild. The moment she realized she can dance ballet, she liked it and was determined to excel at it. It seems that her efforts paid off, but her brother was not there to see.

"I have to attend to noble duties that night. As for the other performance dates, I have obligations and duties to my division."

That was what he had told her.

"Kuchiki!"

Rukia looked forward and saw her instructor. She stood up and approached the sensei.

"My Odette! Kuchiki, you look magnificent. You've become a swan from being an ugly duckling no?" the instructor joked.

"Yes, Uehara-sensei. All thanks to you," she replied.

"To think, I almost backed down from this production because I was not satisfied with my highest-level ballerinas. I never consider just intermediate ones for lead roles, you know. It was Kuchiki Byakuya-sama who pointed out that I seemed to have neglected one intermediate student who has been surpassing those ballerinas," Uehara said while directing a smile at her.

Thoughts ran in Rukia's mind.

"Nii-sama? Why…? No wonder I was suddenly asked to audition…"

Uehara spoke again.

"Very well. Get ready. It's just a few minutes."

True enough, the performance started momentarily. By the end of the whole program, if one were to observe the faces of the audience, one could see that most were surprised at how a girl from an unsatisfactory Rukongai district could move with such grace. There was such a huge round of applause when she bowed, but that did not distract her from seeing who was sitting right in front of the stage.

"Nii-sama…" Rukia murmured. The curtains closed.

Rukia came home after the show and found her brother in the backyard, reading by the koi pond like he always does each night. She approached him.

"Excuse me, nii-sama," she began.

Byakuya nodded lightly to acknowledge her.

"I-I just wanted to thank you for coming, nii-sama," she continued.

"It was a duty that I thought was more important than any noble duty for tonight," Byakuya replied.

Rukia blinked. To her, it seemed that he just implied how important she was to him.

"Nii-sama, I… was told that you were instrumental in making Uehara-sensei consider me for Odette. I-I thank you," Rukia said, bowing when she finished.

Byakuya put his book down and stared at the koi.

"It is your talent and skill that went unnoticed by Uehara. I merely pointed out the obvious: that you were ready and perfect for the role of Odette. You proved me right with your performance tonight.

"However, you must be consistent. There are other show dates and you must not tarnish your first performance."

"Yes, nii-sama," Rukia replied.

She made her way into the house with a smile on her face.

Consistent she was and Byakuya knew. Though Rukia did not know or notice, he attended each of her performances.