As The Pendulum Swings



Disclaimer: Again, I have given up hope of ever owning any part of Bleach. So long Byakuya, I guess we were never really meant to be, huh? –Insert ridiculous laughter here-.

Note: As promised, this chapter is a blast from the past. Wow, talk about a cliché (referring to 'blast from the past').

Thanks to the following for the author/story favourites and alerts: bluedione, everlastinglily, satupilvi, nalintood, silver wolf demon.

To Anihana: The shout out was well deserved!
To Kairi-senpai: Told you I'd update again!
To Gimlet: I forgot if I replied to your review hehe. The other sword's name is Kashipome. I believe it closely resembles the Japanese word for eagle.
To :-): You are my most consistent anonymous reviewer and I completely love you for it.
To Sesshylover978: Agh, I wish Shinji would beat him up. Haha.
To kudokuchan69: Well, this isn't exactly what happens next, but I hope you like it anyways.
To ThierryMyst: Hope you enjoy this one!

If I missed anyone, I'm really sorry.

Song Recommendations: "Nyaami" by Stereo Pony.


Chapter Nine
Whispers Of What Almost Was



Training with Juushiro and Yoruichi needed two things: drive and perseverance. The two senpais found those traits in their two students as they neared the end of the session for the day. Byakuya and Kumiko were both eager students, open to learning and willing to try anything. One might say that Kumiko was a little bit more enthusiastic, but she was given that slight edge only because she knew that she had no one and nothing to help her get through Shinigami Academy except this.

Juushiro and Yoruichi were settling down into a mood of relaxation now. The taxing part of the lessons, where the pair would correct the mistakes made and exerted physical effort, was over as the younger ones had moved into the sparring portion of their day's activities. They were sitting on the veranda of Juushiro's home, their eyes sharp enough to watch their students while enjoying a well-deserved cup of tea. The private training grounds of the thirteenth division captain had become the home of Byakuya and Kumiko when they weren't in the academy or Byakuya in his home at the manor. The ground was wearing away from the amount of time spent there and soon Juushiro would have to have some of his subordinates dig out a pit to limit the damage done to the surrounding greenery.

Yoruichi yawned and leaned back on some pillows when Juushiro spoke to her, "I suppose Byakuya's a lucky boy, isn't he? From what I know, the Kuchiki elders haven't been affecting Byakuya's regular activities too much."

Juushiro lightly tilted his teacup to his lips as the Shihouin clan head eyed him, "Those nosy elders expect a lot from little Byakuya. You know that."

"Well yes, but it doesn't seem so bad," Juushiro said, knowing how taxing it could be to deal with the elders of the Kuchiki clan. In fact, he shuddered at the thought.

Yoruichi sat up and sighed, "Genrei's been protecting Bya-kun from the influence of the elders as much as he can, especially since Byakuya's parents aren't around to do it for him. He doesn't want the boy to be forced into doing the same things he was. To be restricted and controlled like he was."

Juushiro nodded, half expecting that to be the case. He faintly remembered the scandal of Genrei's relationship with Unohana Retsu. The Kuchiki clan head was devastated when he was forced to end the relationship, growing reclusive but developing his own little ways to rebel against the restraints of the rules. His sponsorship of Kumiko's education in the Academy was one such example, but something he wished to be kept a secret from the girl.

"Yoruichi-san," Juushiro commented, "How is it that you know so much about other affairs?"

"Apart from the fact that I head the secret mobile corps, you mean?" Yoruichi teased. "Shihouin clan women like to gossip."

Yoruichi winked at Juushiro before she jumped up onto her feet. She cupped her hands at the edges of her mouth and sucked in a breath. Juushiro prepared himself for the volume Yoruichi was going to use to instruct their students.

"Enough with those swords you weaklings," Yoruichi shouted, "Put some elbow grease into it and get busy with the hand to hand combat!"

Byakuya quickly wiped away the sweat that trickled down his forehead. In front of him, he saw Kumiko mirror his movements, breathing heavily. They were both exhausted but neither one would admit it. At least not until one of them had emerged victorious from their self initiated competition. Byakuya wanted the bragging rights for having defeated the most promising student of the Academy's current batch and Kumiko simply desired to rub Byakuya's perfect ivory face into the ground. She always did say that he was much too vain and arrogant.

They sealed their zanpakuto, they were the first two students to be honoured with the names of their zanpakuto spirits, and set them carefully off to the side of the training field. Their eyes never left each other as they did so, cautious as to who would make the first move.

"You're going to be in a serious amount of pain when I'm done with you," Byakuya boasted, flexing his hands and circling Kumiko.

"Get on with it, Byakuya," Kumiko laughed as she watched him, standing perfectly still but ready to defend herself. "You're all talk, all the time."

"We'll see about that," Byakuya said before he disappeared.

Kumiko felt Byakuya's proximity before she saw him, quickly spinning around and bringing her arm up to block the wide birth that his fist was swinging at. Using Byakuya's momentum against him, Kumiko's hand deftly worked around her opponents arm and pushed away, her other arm aiming to deliver an open palm up into his chin. Byakuya barely blocked the attack, his eyes narrowing when he saw her readying the offensive strike.

He had enough time to muse that perhaps the Shihouin devil was giving Kumiko extra lessons on the side when the girl flashed towards him, a smile on her face and her fist coming at his face. Byakuya had always clearly had the upper hand when it came to combating with weapons but, though he refused to acknowledge it, Kumiko was the better fighter when there were no swords involved. Her smaller frame was much lighter, making her the faster of the two.

It took a lot of effort from Byakuya to ignore the taunting that Yoruichi was screaming at him from the lake house. Kumiko tried hard not to laugh at the combined images of their immature senpai, Byakuya's contorted face of irritation and restraint as well as Juushiro's pained face as he attempted to block out the loud level of Yoruichi's voice. Yoruichi's goading had done the trick as Byakuya charged at Kumiko with full force.

Knowing that it was going to take a lot of energy to dodge the new onslaught of attacks that Byakuya was throwing at her, Kumiko focused on defensive movements, saving her energy up for one powerful offensive strike. Fortunately for her, the opportunity came faster than she anticipated. Byakuya had thrown a punch with a little too much force so that when he missed, it took him a few seconds longer to recover. Summoning all her energy, Kumiko threw one powerful punch at Byakuya, catching him on the cheek.

Not quite expecting the force of the punch, Byakuya fell backwards onto his back, groaning when his body hit the ground. At least the grass made for some padding. Byakuya groaned as he attempted to refill his lungs with the air that he had been deprived of. He blinked a few times over, his eyes seemingly unfocused. Kumiko cringed at the impact that her friend's body had connected to the ground with. She ran to Byakuya quickly and kneeled down next to him, placing a hand on his chest.

"Are you okay, Byakuya?" Kumiko asked, her eyes scanning over his body to check for any real sign of damage.

The girl got no answer but she did hear Yoruichi yelling something about being a man from where she stood. Kumiko brought her hand to Byakuya's cheek, running her thumb over the curve of his cheekbones as she asked her question again. Byakuya blinked his eyes a few more times before his gray tinged indigo eyes focused on the worried face of his friend.

Kumiko's eyes widened when Byakuya smiled, his expression the result of a preconceived notion of success. Her brain registered what was coming next, but her body didn't have enough time to respond. With a cry of triumph, Byakuya grabbed Kumiko's shoulders and pulled her down, quickly using the momentum of her fall to pull his body up and over Kumiko's much smaller frame. Byakuya's strong arms quickly pinned Kumiko down and his grin grew exponentially.

"I win," Byakuya said, his words simple but voice filled with mirth.

Kumiko's scowl was deep and struggled beneath Byakuya, "That's cheating!"

"Try to recall the devil cat's words, Kumiko," Byakuya chuckled, "She never truly did give a set of defined rules. Just a cue to start."

"So?!"

"So, that means, technically, that there is no such thing as cheating," Byakuya said matter-of-factly. "In an occasion where cheating is not defined, cheating does not exist."

"Since when were you so enthralled with philosophy," Kumiko muttered, trying to push Byakuya off of her.

Much to Byakuya's amusement, Kumiko's efforts were a waste at best, "The elders have been making me take more lessons. Honestly, I feel like they're trying to control my life. Every step I take is bent to their will."

From Juushiro's home, Yoruichi had somehow managed to conjure up a bottle of sake. She poured herself a generous helping before tipping the alcohol back to her greedy lips. She wiped the residue of the drink from her lips with the back of her hand while Juushiro attempted to edge the sake jug further from the second division captain.

"She had him," Juushiro noted cheerfully. The majority of Kumiko's studies were his responsibility, even if Yoruichi claimed otherwise, and he was proud to note that his student was learning quickly. Though Juushiro was Byakuya's senpai as well, the young Kuchiki had a preference to seclusion when training and thus relied heavily on his grandfather to teach him the majority of what he knew. Hand to hand combat was not Genrei's forte.

"Probably why Byakuya makes up for his losses with weapon combat," Yoruichi had drunkenly pointed out one night, weeks ago, when some of the captains were enjoying a night out at the taverns.

Yoruichi crossed her arms, smiling contently as the two students still held their positions on the ground. It was amusing really, how they were worlds apart but so strikingly similar to each other. Unfathomable was the word that her lieutenant, Soifon, had used to describe the two. The captain had to agree but quickly found the friendship of the two young shinigami to be good for them both.

"Sad that things will change," Juushiro said, following Yoruichi's line of sight to Byakuya and Kumiko who were still arguing about one thing or another.

Kicking the sake jug up into the air, Yoruichi snatched it out of the projectiles path and took a hearty gulp, "Let them cherish it while it lasts. Whatever happens will happen."

It was only after a prolonged amount of arguing that Kumiko was finally able to push Byakuya away. The nobleman fell onto his back, staring up into the sky and they found themselves content to rest, side by side, as the clouds danced and gathered in the vast amount of blue.

"If I had known that this was the brunt of your training, Byakuya, I would have permitted the elders to enrol you in more lessons."

The voice that had spoken was deep, gentle and yet stern all at once. It was an easily recognizable voice. Nevertheless, Byakuya tipped his head back and peered into the amused eyes of his grandfather for confirmation of his beliefs. At the sight of Kuchiki Genrei, flanked by their senpais, both Kumiko and Byakuya jumped up at once, the latter tipping his head down respectfully while the former bowed clumsily. Kumiko had lost her footing at her surprise of their arrival and gave a shy smile.

"Good afternoon, Kuchiki-taicho," Kumiko greeted. "It is pleasant to see you today."

Genrei smiled kindly in return, dipping his head ever so slightly, "And you, Hisashi-san. I trust your lessons are doing well."

"Hai, Kuchiki-taicho," Kumiko replied, her voice giving way to the obvious enjoyment she was having.

"I am pleased," Genrei said in approval, "Please, rest. I know that you both must be rather tired. Byakuya, I will have a word with your senpais then I request that you accompany me back to the manor."

They returned to Juushiro's home where the host poured his visitors a fresh cup of tea. Yoruichi itched for more sake but did well to contain her cravings for the most part, sipping begrudgingly at her tea.

"So," Genrei began, "How are they?"

"Quite well, if I do say so myself," Yoruichi grinned, resting her arms on her knees.

"I must agree," Juushiro smiled, "They are both making great progress. Byakuya has shown immense skill in his control of Senbonzakura. He is able to bend the spirit to his will now and as each day passes, his ability to manoeuvre the blades is better than the last."

"Ha!" Yoruichi cried, "But what's really important is that his shunpo is extraordinary. He may be my best student yet. Actually, he may be my best student ever! He'll be a master in no time, Genrei."

There were chuckles, and loud guffaws on Yoruichi's part, exchanged at the Shihouin's pride and willingness to boast. Modesty was not one of her better traits. They were quick to come to the conclusion that both Kuchiki Byakuya and Hisashi Kumiko would make formidable Shinigami in the near future. One sooner than the other, it seemed.

"Might I ask how the captain examinations went?" Juushiro asked. He had been rather curious about this for a while now but Yamamoto-sotaicho had not chosen him to be amongst the examiners.

"Aikawa Love has passed the test," Genrei informed them, "It was quite a performance. I expect that he will given the official title of seventh division captain in a few days time. This, of course, means that Captain Hirako is on the lookout for another lieutenant."

"Yes, Hirako-san should be quite proud of himself," Juushiro laughed. "His squad has produced how many captains now? Two?"

"Correct, and don't go reminding him either," Yoruichi scowled, "His ego is big enough. He doesn't need any help inflating it any further. His influence on the third and seventh squads are enough, I think."

"A little touchy, are we?" Juushiro questioned. Yoruichi and Shinji were quite competitive in their nature. They had struck up a bet before on who was the better captain. It had seemed that the best way to determine this was by the amount of subordinates that they could train and promote to captain. So far, Shinji was leading, two to nothing.

Yoruichi ignored Juushiro's statement entirely and he chuckled at the silence. He turned his attention to Genrei, who had also taken some amusement out of the Shihouin's response, instead.

"Has he any idea who he may take as his new lieutenant?"

"I overheard the other day that he's taken some interest in Kumiko," Yoruichi stated, her mood growing foul. Let Shinji have her and she was quite certain that she would be three points behind. The mere fact that she couldn't figure out what exactly he was doing to terrorize the bankais out of his subordinates only infuriated her further.

Juushiro smiled, "Ah, he'll have to fight Shunsui for her then."

"Are you sure you don't mean that he'll have to fight you?" Genrei asked with a twinkle in his eye. He was very much aware that Juushiro had grown very fond of his student. It was only logical that he would request that Kumiko join the thirteenth squad.

"I've already taught Kumiko all that I can," Juushiro responded truthfully, "She needs to learn from someone else now. Aside from Shunsui's obvious affinity to beautiful women, he will be able to help her better utilize her shikai."

"Rare zanpakuto spirit, isn't it?" Genrei mentioned.

"Only the third of its kind in hundreds of years," Juushiro clarified.

"Well, I'm sure we all know that Shinji is very good at getting what he wants," Yoruichi pointed out.

"You forget, Yoruichi-san," Juushiro debated, "So is Shunsui."

"An interesting situation indeed," Genrei said and conversation turned to other things.

---

Two years had passed before Kumiko and Byakuya graduated from the Shinigami Academy. It was common knowledge that Byakuya would have graduated sooner, but the elders' desires had interfered with the noble's early graduation. They had requested that Byakuya take additional lessons to better his knowledge in things other than battle tactics and weaponry. Byakuya had taken this as an insult as it was his only desire to become a Shinigami and take over his grandfather's squad when the time came. The young Kuchiki was always quick to show his distaste in dealing with the elders and anything that was closely related to his nobility for that matter. He simply found no enjoyment in any of it.

It was late one afternoon when Kumiko walked through the gates of the sixth division. Many of the Shinigami there greeted her with kind smiles and waves, recognizing her now as she and Byakuya were, for the most part, inseparable in their trouble making. Many found it odd that Byakuya had chosen to, for now, take residence in the squad barracks when he had a comfortable manor at his leisure. Only few understood that Byakuya had the same commitment to his squad as his grandfather. Furthermore, if his grandfather was taking residence in the division barracks, then so would he.

"Byakuya," Kumiko called out, a smile reaching her face as she neared the person she was looking for. He was walking down the veranda when she finally spotted him. "You're hard to find sometimes, did you know that?"

"Have you ever considered that maybe I was avoiding you?" Byakuya called back cheekily.

"Were you, now?"

"It is quite possible."

"But highly improbable," Kumiko laughed. "Who then would you taunt and tease? If I'm not mistaken, you also take sick pleasure in sparring and beating me."

"It's not my fault that you don't know when to back down from a fight," Byakuya snickered.

"Look who's talking," Kumiko retorted.

They walked out of the division grounds and proceeded to make their way towards the thirteenth division. The training ground of their senpai's division was still their favorite spot in the Seireitei. After all, they had done most of their growing there and a short distance away was a nice little secluded clearing that they had taken a liking to.

"I'll race you there," Kumiko smiled, the slight shine from her earlier laughter still lingered in her eyes in the depths of her eyes. "First one there gets to order the loser around."

"What a childish game to play," Byakuya scoffed, fussing over the sleeves of his uniform.

"Am I to suppose then," Kumiko said, "That you are quite the eager one to become like those noblemen that you despise so badly?"

"You're going to regret this," Byakuya said quickly, barely finishing his sentence before he ran forward, making use of his shunpo here and there.

Byakuya was fast. In fact, he was very fast. Yoruichi was right to have told Genrei that he would be her best student yet, but Kumiko was always a very close second. She had the advantage today though. Had the path been straight, Byakuya would surely have won, but it was not and Kumiko was gifted with the skill of finding the loopholes through the terrain or course they were racing through. They were both careful not to knock any unsuspecting Shinigami over as they dashed towards their destination. There were one or two unlucky people that had walked into their path, promptly being shoved aside or tunnelled through. Kumiko and Byakuya thanked their lucky stars that they were going too fast and were too much of a surprise for any of their victims to realize who they were.

The lead that Kumiko had gained in their travel through the division areas was quickly lost as the obstacles lessened and their paths turned to grass. They were near now and without the obstacles of their earlier paths, Byakuya was quickly gaining on her. With a laugh, Kumiko made a jump for their tree but found that they still tied.

"You're much too fast," Kumiko said in between her gasps for air. "Yoruichi-taicho spent more time with you."

"That's hardly an excuse," Byakuya said, falling to the ground, his gaze to the skies, "Besides, Ukitake-senpai spent more time with you."

"What can I say," Kumiko teased, "Juushiro-senpai is quite handsome."

Byakuya made a face at the statement as Kumiko fell backwards at Byakuya's side, using his arm as a cushion for her head. She allowed them a while of comfortable silence, content with each others' company as they usually were. She sighed, knowing very well that she brought him here so that they could talk. The grass was comfortable beneath their bodies and if the weather had been any better, there was a possibility that it might have lulled them both to sleep as it had on many occasions.

Kumiko turned on her side and peered up at Byakuya's face. He seemed happy enough, despite the many trials the Kuchiki nobles had been putting him through. Their grip on his future was tightening ever so slightly at a steady pace and she feared that soon he would lose himself to their commands. She was certain that Genrei would never let it happen if he had a say in it, Yoruichi had said as much, but she wasn't sure just how much the captain would be able to shield his grandson from everything. Had Byakuya known just how much Genrei was doing to keep them at bay, he probably would have asked his grandfather to stop. He never was one to have another fight his battles for him.

"I need to say something, but you won't want to hear it," Kumiko finally said.

Her gaze fell to the ground as Byakuya turned his head to face her.

"If you are convinced that I won't be pleased with your news, then say it as quickly and painlessly as humanly possible."

"I've been promoted to fifth division lieutenant."

Though the news was technically supposed to be good news and worthy of celebration, Byakuya could not help but feel a small tinge of sadness pull at his heart. Kumiko had spent nine months under the watchful eye, for one reason or another, of Kyoraku Shunsui as the eighth division's third seat. The level of responsibility that a third seat held alone was enough to cause a considerable decrease in the time that they spent together. Kumiko was one of the very few friends that Byakuya had, it was only natural that he missed her. The girl's promotion to lieutenant would increase her responsibilities tenfold.

Not only would she be in charge of leading the training sessions of the fifth division, but she would be at the constant beck and call of her captain. Between her responsibilities and his, there would be little time left for them to spend with each other. Upon seeing the worry in Kumiko's eyes, Byakuya quickly forgot his morose demeanour.

"Those two certainly fought over you, didn't they?" Byakuya asked with a smile, referring to Shinji and Shunsui.

"Hardly," Kumiko replied, smiling a little. "I just think that Kyoraku-taicho was right. I needed someone to help me with Kashi-Kami. Only two people have ever wielded a zanpakuto similar to mine. And now that they've taught me, I feel much more confident about my own skills. All I have left to learn from now on is experience."

Byakuya turned his gaze back to the skies, closing his eyes for a brief moment, speaking slowly, "It was always there, you know? You just needed an era push in confidence."

Apart from the comfort that she felt from the words that Byakuya was speaking, she listened intently to the sound of his voice as it held just as much comfort. His voice was deep, rich and smoothly rolled off of his tongue. It was like velvet to her ears. Kumiko took the opportunity to ask Byakuya of his progress with his squad, though she already knew the answer. Shunsui was quite the gossip and could very well rival the women of the Shihouin clan.

"Not much change," Byakuya said. "I'm still the third seat and probably will stay the third seat for a while. The demands of nobility have been denying me of the time to train harder. They're taking more actions towards grooming me for succession every day. It's annoying at best."

"If it's any consolation, Byakuya," Kumiko said, "You don't need them and their teachings to become a capable and just clan head. You were born with it, I think. Much like Kuchiki-taicho. From what you've told me, he doesn't like those elders much either and he still seems to be doing a fine job."

"Arigato, Kumiko," Byakuya said, a soft smile gracing his lips. Those smiles came rarely now, Kumiko was quick to note.

Time flew by quickly for the both of them and soon Byakuya rose from his place on the soft ground, stretching his back and neck, "I should be going. I have lessons in a while and I shudder to think of what they'll do to me if I get there late again."

Byakuya began his departure, all the while waiting for a good bye from Kumiko that never came. He was just about to turn and question this lack of farewell when purple clouded his vision and he felt an impact at his abdomen. Byakuya got back up quickly and narrowly dodged Kumiko's fist. He was about to demand what it was about when he spotted the smile on her face and soon after heard the laughter that he was sure would come. Byakuya grinned in return and threw a punch of his own. His opponent stepped out of harm's way easily.

Kumiko was obviously stronger than he was as of now, given that she had the advantage of continuous training while he was stuck inside the manor, cooped up in a small room repeating verses from an endless pile of textbooks. Kumiko thrust an open palm out at his chest and he fell backwards onto the ground. She straddled him quickly after, her hands resting on his broad chest, breathing deeply.

"I win," she smirked.

She leaned back and Byakuya fought hard to suppress a groan. Kumiko wasn't heavy, but that her weight was putting on the lower extremities of his body wasn't very comfortable.

"Not so fast," Byakuya said, wrapping an arm around Kumiko's waist and forcing himself to sit up right.

It was a bit of a struggle, but Byakuya managed to bring his legs round from under him before he leaned forward. He stuck an arm out to brace their fall and ensure that he didn't crush Kumiko under his weight. When he was sure that he wouldn't knock the wind out of her, he pinned Kumiko down, his arms at either side of her head. Kumiko's hair had fanned out around her head and she laughed at Byakuya's refusal to give up. It had been that way in the beginning and, it seemed, would stay that way till the end.

"I yield," Kumiko said soon after her laughter subsided. She picked a leaf out of Byakuya's hair, "We must look horrible."

"I am quite certain that my appearance is suitable," Byakuya said arrogantly, "You, however, look like you've been to the living world and back."

"What do you mean?" Kumiko demanded, pinching his side.

Byakuya chuckled and pulled out the twigs and leaves that had caught in Kumiko's hair. When he found no more, he rubbed at the dirt on her forehead and cheeks. All the while, Kumiko laid beneath Byakuya's body, watching his face with curiosity. She was afraid that it would be long until she saw him again and attempted to memorize his face, though she was sure that she would never forget what Byakuya looked like. It was hardly possible and she certainly wasn't being sent out on a mission or anything any time soon. It was just responsibility that would hinder her time, wasn't it?

Byakuya had successfully wiped the dirt from Kumiko's face clean when his thumb ran over her lower lip. It lingered there for a few moments, and Kumiko's lips parted in the slightest of manners. Her warm breath tickled his fingers. He pulled his hand away quickly when Kumiko spoke.

"Byakuya, did you mean it when you said that nothing would change?"

"Yes." Short, quick and succinct. The type of answer that Byakuya favoured.

Kumiko smiled. Gravity had started to take its toll on Byakuya it seemed as his body fell lower and lower towards Kumiko's. Had anyone ran into the pair, they probably would have guessed that the two were intimate. Kumiko shifted under Byakuya's body. He was handsome, she would never deny that, but she had grown to find much more to him than a good looking face. The tenderness that she was witnessing of Byakuya now was one that she knew was quickly leaving him. Byakuya himself would have admitted that to her if she asked him flat out.

Every day he found that he forgot what it was like to care or show affection, needing a stimulant or reminder of what it was like to have some semblance of emotional response to his surroundings. It was much like Kumiko, though he would never admit it. She, along with his grandfather, reminded him that he had a heart and that there were some things worth keeping that heart for, no matter what the elders said. They taught that in being the future successor to the clan, he would have to learn to push his heart aside and listen only to what logic and reason was telling him.

Byakuya caught himself before he dipped his head towards Kumiko's, "I really should be going now. They always force me to write more when I'm late."

He pushed himself up and brushed off his uniform. Kumiko sat up with an understanding smile and took the hand that Byakuya offered her.

"They act that way now, but in the future, you will make them very proud," Kumiko foretold, her eyes closed and arms reaching towards the sky, "Then they will have no words to bring against you and you will feel satisfied that you were able to shut them up once and for all."

Byakuya laughed, "How is it that you have so much faith in me?"

Kumiko set a hand on his chest, over his heart and said, "Simply because I see you."

The young Kuchiki was pleased to note that he was on time as he arrived at the manor. He had taken to the rooftops in an effort to reach the manor grounds faster and the decision had proved itself to be a fruitful he one. Without much effort to be silent and disturb little, Byakuya slid the shoji screen back and entered the room where three of the elders that had taken on the task of teaching him sat.

"Sit down, Byakuya."

They were much more hostile today than usual. Byakuya's eyes narrowed at the three old men as he sat down. What did they want this time?

"It seems that there is something that we need to clarify and speak to you off."

"What is it?" Byakuya asked, not one to enjoy the avoidance on a topic or prolonging a point. It irritated him how, often, the elders' words always went in circles, never reaching a definite and clear point of conversation.

"It has come to our attention that you have been greatly misinformed about the past of one of your...acquaintances."

"Who in particular?"

"We believe her name is Hisashi Kumiko."


[Chapter 10 Preview]:

"Aw c'mon Kumiko. It isn't like you haven't seen me naked before."

[End of Preview]



A/N: Well, I hope you guys enjoyed that. I realize that Byakuya may seem a tad bit OOC here, but I'm sure you guys have seen the turn back the pendulum arc by now (and if not, have at least read its manga counterpart) so think of Byakuya's attitude then and apply it to him at this point in time, only he isn't quite as...temperamental as he was then.

Reviews are welcome. :)

-theholysee