Chapter 6: Goings on.

Captain Ukitake looked at the devastation that was once the 11th Division barracks and shook his head. All around him members of the 4th Division were running around carrying members of Zaraki's division on stretchers off towards the ICUs back at the 4th Division hospital. He spotted the 4th Division Captain Retsu Unohana directing her subordinates and walked over to her.

"What happened here?" asked Ukitake.

Unohana gave him a weary smile. "It seems my fear of what would happen if Ikkaku and Zaraki had their training fights came true."

Ukitake looked at her in amazement. "They did all of this?"

Unohana nodded her head. "Yes and in one night too." Unohana sighed. "The damage at the 5th Division Barracks is worse. My Division is doing its best, but we are overwhelmed. Its seems in their zeal Zaraki and Ikkaku left few men able to move."

Ukitake smiled and patted her on the shoulder. "Don't worry," he said. "I'll lend you my Division." Ukitake turned around and cupped his hand around his mouth. "Kiyone, Sentaro!"

Before he lowered his hand his Co-3rd seats and temporary Lieutenant appeared.

"Yes sir?" said Kiyone and Sentaro.

"I want you two to mobilize the Division and help the 4th Division. I'm placing the Division under Captain Unohana's command."

Kiyone stood up quickly. "You can leave it to me sir," she said. "I'll get the whole Division mobilized in a few minutes."

Sentaro stood up even faster than Kiyone and pushed her behind him. "No leave it to me sir," he said. "I'll get the Division mobilized in one minute."

Kiyone put her hand on Sentaro's head and pushed him down. "I'll get them mobilized faster sir and I'll get more of the injured to the 4th Division that the old goat here."

Sentaro grabbed Kiyone by the feet and flipped her on her back. "Don't listen to this nag," he said. "I'll get more men to the Hospital while Kiyone faints from the sight of all the blood." The two of them started to wrestle around and Ukitake was about to stop them when Unohana stepped forward and gave them her "smile". When Kiyone and Sentaro saw this they stopped and stood at attention. "I thank you for your help," said Unohana sweetly. "If you would please get started we have much to do."

"Yes ma'am," they said in unison. Kiyone and Sentaro both left and headed to the 13th Division Barracks.

Ukitake rubbed the back of his head. "You have got to tell me how you do that," he said.

Unohana smiled at Ukitake. "Someday maybe." She gave Ukitake a bow. "Thank you for your help."

Ukitake returned the bow. "No problem. If you will excuse me, I have to get to the 6th Division."

"Byakuya found out about Rukia's promotion to your Lieutenant?" she asked.

"Yes he did," said Ukitake. "He tried to block it, but General Yamamoto overruled him."

"I see," said Unohana.

"Captain Unohana," said a 4th Division member. "Captain Zaraki is giving us trouble again."

Unohana gave out a sigh. "I will talk with you later Captain Ukitake," she said. With that she went into the 11th Division to tend to the volatile Captain Zaraki.

Ukitake stayed long enough to give some final orders to his Division and then continued on his way to the 6th Division. As he came up to the 9th Division he saw Renji approach him.

"Hello Captain Abarai," said Ukitake.

"Hello Captain Ukitake," said Renji. He gestured to the members of the 4th and 13th Divisions that were running back and forth with the wounded and empty stretchers. "Don't suppose you know what's going on?"

"Zaraki and Ikkaku have begun their Cross Divisional Training," said Ukitake.

Renji winced in mock pain. "Ouch," he said. "I bet Captain Unohana is overwhelmed. Is that why I see the 13th Division helping out."

"Yeah," said Ukitake. "I was on my way to see Byakuya when I saw the damage at the 11th so I offered her my Division to help until they were done." Ukitake stretched his arms. "Here is some advice you need to know Renji. Always be nice and help the Captain of the 4th Division. That way when you get hurt, they are more willing and a lot more gentle when they are healing you."

Renji nodded his head in agreement. "Captain Ukitake can I ask you a question?"

"Sure," said Ukitake. "What is on your mind?"

Renji looked down at the ground then back up at Ukitake. "Rukia."

Realization came across Ukitake's face. "Ahh."

"I always said that when I became a Captain that I would march into Byakuya's office and demand the right to marry Rukia."

Ukitake looked Renji up and down and smiled. "I don't see any flower petal shaped holes in you so I assume that you haven't asked yet."

"I was going to, but Rukia has spent so much time in the real world that…" said Renji.

"You're worried that she may have started to fall for Ichigo," finished Ukitake.

Renji nodded his head. "Did she say anything to you the last time she were here?" he asked.

Ukitake thought for a moment. "She didn't say anything to me," he said. "If she did say anything I would think she would talk to Rangiku or Nanao."

"I can't ask them because they can't keep their mouths shut," said Renji. "Nanao would keep it a secret, but Rangiku would tell everyone and once Byakuya found out he would make sure I would never get the chance to ask Rukia to marry me."

"And on top of this your afraid that you will lose her to Ichigo who doesn't care what Byakuya thinks," said Ukitake. Renji nodded his head. Ukitake patted Renji on the back. "Don't worry about it Renji," said Ukitake. "Rukia is over a hundred years old, I doubt she is going to get involved with a boy who isn't even twenty yet."

Renji smiled. "You're right," he said. "I forget that Kurosaki is still a kid." Renji let out a sigh of relief. "I'm sorry if I bothered you."

Ukitake smiled. "Don't worry about it," he said. "I have to be going, I've still got to talk to Byakuya about Rukia's promotion to my Lieutenant."

Renji's eyes lit up. "You mean she is a Lieutenant now?" Ukitake nodded his head. "That's great. That means she will have to spend more time here in the Soul Society. I'm going to make dinner reservations to celebrate her promotion." Renji ran back into his division and Ukitake continued his walk to the 6th Division.

Earlier that day…

Byakuya took a sip of his tea and grimaced it was cold. He had spent most of his day trying to block Rukia's promotion to Lieutenant. Normally they would have given into his arguments and they would not promote her. Now with many new shinigami being brought in to bolster the decimated ranks, Yamamoto had approved the promotion in order to train the new shinigami. Everyone knew that he had kept blocking the promotion to make sure she did not get dangerous missions. Few knew that he had promised his wife Hispana that he would protect Rukia. He knew deep down in his heart he had failed Hisana by allowing Rukia's execution go as far as it did. After that he had made a promise to himself that he would do anything to make sure Rukia would stay safe. Anything.

A knock came at his door. "Enter," he said.

The door opened hesitantly and his new Lieutenant came in, Momo Hinamori. "Captain Byakuya the visitor you have been waiting for has arrived," she said.

Byakuya nodded his head. "Show him in," he said.

Hinamori nodded then looked at his tea. "Would you like a fresh cup sir?" she asked.

"That will not be necessary," he said. "I am not to be disturbed while I talk to this person."

"Yes sir," said Hinamori. She left to go show the person that Byakuya wanted to meet into his office. While he did approve of Renji's promotion, he had not happy with the choice of his replacement. It had been decided that Lieutenant Hinamori was not at fault for what happened with Aizen and she had in fact helped in his downfall. She was allowed to keep her rank, but General Yamamoto on the advice of Captain Unohana decided that it would be best if the moved her out of the 5th Division and pair her with a Captain that she would be less likely to grow attracted to. The first choice had been to send her to the 12th Division, but Mayuri Kurotsuchi refused citing that he had a Lieutenant and did not want to take on a mental case. So it was decided that she would become Renji's replacement. Byakuya took another sip of his tea and frowned. 'Maybe I should have taken her up on her offer for a new cup,' he thought. Now after several weeks Byakuya came to the conclusion that she was a better Lieutenant than Renji had been. Hinamori was always on time, she got her paperwork done on time, and she did not come in drunk or with a hangover. The most important thing was that she managed to keep that little hellion Yachiru from bothering him. That reason alone was enough for Byakuya to give her a raise in pay and some extra time off.

The door opened and Hinamori held it open for Byakuya's visitor. "Lord Akashiya," said Byakuya evenly.

"Lord Kuchiki," said Akashiya coming into the office followed by a robed figure. "For what reason have you asked me here?"

"Lieutenant," said Byakuya. "See to it that we will not be disturbed." Hinamori nodded her head and gave a fleeting glance at Lord Akashiya then left shutting the door behind her. The robed figure turned and looked at Akashiya who waved him out.

"That's a pretty one there," said Akashiya glancing at the door. "If I was few hundred years younger I would most certainly have some fun there."

Byakuya felt some anger rise in his gut at the suggestive comment. "I would appreciate if you did not talk about my Lieutenant in that manner."

Akashiya gave a slight bow. "My apologies," he said. "Please forgive an old man and his fantasies." Byakuya gestured to the seat in front of his desk and Lord Akashiya sat down. "Why have you asked me here Kuchiki?"

"I wish to discuss an alliance between our two clans," said Byakuya.

Surprise registered on Akashiya's face and he leaned forward in his chair. "This should be interesting," he said.

An hour later the doors opened and the two of them stepped out of Byakuya's office.

"I'll being to make the necessary arrangements," said Lord Akashiya.

"I will take care of the arrangements with my Clan," said Byakuya. "I will send the messages and tell the elders of this."

Akashiya nodded his head. "I'll contact you soon," he said with a bow.

Byakuya flanked by Hinamori escorted Akashiya and his unnamed bodyguard out. Before he left Akashiya turned to Momo. "I hope to see you again soon young lady," said Akashiya smiling. "Perhaps lunch sometime?"

Momo's eyes widened. "I.. uhh.. I mean to say," she sputtered. Byakuya placed a hand on her shoulder causing Hinamori to blush and gave Akashiya a hard look. "As I said earlier," said Byakuya. Akashiya smiled gave another bow and left.

Hinamori looked up at Byakuya "What happened?" she asked.

"Think nothing of it," he said. "I'm expecting Captain Ukitake soon please wait here for him."

Hinamori gave him a smile. "Yes sir," she said. Byakuya felt his heart skip a beat at her smile, but he suppressed his feelings and looked at the back of Akashiya as he walked down the street.

'Anything,' he thought.

I'd like to thank everyone who is reading my fic. I've gotten a ton of positive feed back and I'm enjoying writing this. I hope to update a lot more often. Thanks for reading and please Read and Review.