"What the fuck is the big idea?"

"A good afternoon to you too, Kurosaki-taichou," said Byakuya with ineffable serenity. "I suppose this is not a social visit."

Isshin sat right in front of the sixth division captain without waiting for an invitation. "Why the hell are you trying to poach my lieutenant?"

"Because I have need of his skills." The noble's gray eyes were lit with an inner amusement at Isshin's obvious irritation. "But I can trade you another shinigami who has lieutenant potential."

"Why not keep him for yourself?" Isshin retorted.

Byakuya raised an eyebrow. "She will work better for your obvious charm and charismatic leadership, whereas I do not know how to communicate with such as her. An experienced leader such as you will be more beneficial to her career."

The compliments did what Ichigo told Byakuya would: Isshin practically swelled up with an inflated ego. The captain tossed his head back and smirked. "You could have clarified with me before making him the offer."

"I wanted to see if Kira was interested in the offer," replied Byakuya. He definitely owed Ichigo a word of thanks; it could have been a long, tedious argument otherwise. "If he had not indicated that he did not mind a transfer, I would not wish to raise the issue."

Isshin narrowed his dark eyes, for a second uncharacteristically shrewd and astute. "You aren't doing this because of personal feelings, are you?"

Byakuya matched him stare for stare. "I do not harbor inappropriate feelings for Kira."

"Because if you do," Isshin went on, still with that severe expression on his face, "I will kick your ass seven ways to hell and back again."

The Kuchiki noble tilted his head. He didn't know that Isshin was that protective of Kira.

The other captain pushed to his feet. "He's been through enough grief with one captain; don't you dare use your position to force him into a relationship."

Byakuya risked a thin smile. "I think you misread Kira, Kurosaki-taichou, but I will take your advice to heart. Good day to you."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

"So it's done?"

"Done deal."

"Thanks. I did wonder if he'll see it through after I heard about it."

"Nah, never doubted it. Hey, you owe me a good one, man. I made myself a jerk for this."

"What are you talking about? You've always been a jerk."

"Fuck you."

"Language, sir, language. Your long stay in the human realm has taught you some bad manners."

"Anyway, I don't think it's gonna turn out the way you want it to. He's not interested."

"He's not the most forthcoming about his real emotions, in case you haven't realized."

"In case you haven't realized, that stick up his arse has been shortened significantly after he dated my son."

"I hope you're right."

"Me too. Now where's the sake?"

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Renji could not believe his ears when he heard the announcement at the fortnightly All Captain's meeting. Yet, the subtly triumphant glint in Byakuya's eyes demonstrated the truth of that matter. It baffled Renji why Byakuya would wrestle Kira away from the Third Division; Kira had given his shinigami life to that division and shaped it into the intent, focused division it was today.

Opposite the desk, Shuuhei had frowned once before he smiled widely at Kurosaki Isshin. That's interesting, Renji thought. The only person who knew Kira better than Renji was Shuuhei, and if Shuuhei didn't seem too concerned then Renji wouldn't be, either.

After the meeting, Shuuhei caught up with his lover and pulled him aside. "Hey, I saw your face just now. Don't go asking Kira, all right?"

"I was looking at your face. I won't ask if you don't think it's much of a concern." The red-haired captain cast a brief glance over his shoulder at his former captain. "It's just... he's never been concerned about other people, you know, not... obviously. This whole business about getting Kira to swap divisions sounds fishy."

"You know him best," said Shuuhei quietly. The dark-haired shinigami captain schooled his emotions and added, "Maybe you can approach him to find out what he's planning."

Perhaps Renji was too distracted by his friend's transfer to notice the odd note in Shuuhei's voice. "I don't think so. He won't tell me anyway."

"He might."

"I doubt it."

They fell in step as they headed for the eighth division offices. It was a familiar silence that fell between them now; they nodded at a few acquaintances here and there until they came to Kyoraku's division.

Shuuhei took a deep breath. "Renji, you know I love you, right?"

"I know that," answered the redhead, slightly surprised by the sudden declaration.

"Good." Shuuhei smiled and touched Renji's hand, the ring on his finger, and strode off to his own office. "Then go to Kuchiki-san and ask him about Kira. Else you're just gonna fret."

Renji watched Shuuhei disappear around the block. He knew that Shuuhei was still a little uncomfortable with the idea of Kuchiki Byakuya acknowledging Renji as a brother. It was sign of acceptance into nobility; Shuuhei never got over his self-identification as a street rat made good. Still, his spouse was right. Renji would be bothered about Byakuya and Kira until he could figure it out.

Ah fuck it. I've never been known for my tact. Renji took a deep breath and strode towards the sixth division. He'd wait the whole day if he had to.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Kuchiki Byakuya had been waiting for his former lieutenant. Already he had ordered a subordinate to brew up some proper tea and bring in the snacks.

"I never know how you know, but this time round I'm glad you know." Renji risked a small smile at the noble. "Good afternoon, Nii-sama."

"Good afternoon. Have a seat and help yourself," said Byakuya, pushing the dish of taiyaki closer to Renji. "These are the finest I could locate in Seireitei."

Renji sat down. "Why?"

Byakuya sipped his tea. "Because I know you like them."

"I meant," said Renji with a vague wave of his hand, "why do you want Kira to be in your division under your command?"

"Direct as ever."

"Don't change the subject." Renji waved a scolding finger, only half in jest.

Byakuya half-smiled, like he found something amusing. "Ukitake-soutaichou has been trying to matchmake him and me. I thought I'd make it simpler by transferring Kira. Otherwise I'll have to sit through another inane plot to find me a suitable mate dreamed up by the oldest children in Seireitei."

Renji's hand had paused in mid-air while holding a taiyaki. "Ukitake-soutaichou...?"

"Yes."

"And Kira?"

"Yes."

"But you..." Renji frowned, trying to make sense of things, "you don't like Kira, right?"

"I like him," Byakuya stated calmly, "as a person. I don't think of him as a potential lover, if that's what you're saying. Don't worry, Renji. I know what I'm doing."

That's what I am worried about. The redheaded captain kept the thought to himself, nodded and ate the snack.

It really was very good.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Next to visit was Kurosaki Isshin. This time round Byakuya prepared beer and peanuts for his guest. Isshin didn't acknowledge the thoughtful gesture beyond a curt nod.

"Let's just talk," the older man said. "Friendly-like. Not as captains. And thanks for the beer, but I won't be having any."

Byakuya inclined his head. "All right."

"Kira Izuru is a special young man." Ishhin grinned, showing all his teeth and resembling Zaraki for a second. "He's been through a lot of shit, a bit more than most."

"I understand that," said Byakuya.

"And most of the shit he's been through was with that bastard captain Ichimaru Gin." Isshin's grin had snapped shut. "Yet he still has an inclination to trust his captains a little too much."

Byakuya waited.

Isshin leaned forward and said in a voice so quiet that even the dark-haired noble had to strain to hear it, "Once again, a fair warning. If you dare to give Kira grief, I will thrash you five ways to hell."

"You didn't threaten me for Ichigo," said Byakuya. "And I thought you said seven ways, there and back again."

"He needed a romantic heartbreak to mature," said Isshin, waving aside that consideration, "and the discount is because I'm in a good mood."

Though he disagreed with the first statement and distrusted the second, the younger captain nodded. "Kira will be in good hands, Kurosaki-san."

Isshin grunted, and got up. "He had better be."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

Kira raised his eyebrows when Shuuhei popped into his office. The captain glanced around.

"No one to help you pack?" asked Shuuhei, taking a chair opposite Kira's desk.

The blond smiled. "You're here."

"Fine, fine." Shuuhei started sweeping miscellanea into a handy box. "Are you excited?"

"Not really," said Kira. "It's something different, that's all."

Shuuhei pulled out a dusty old file and patted it vaguely. "It's the first time I heard of Kuchiki-san actively wooing a shinigami from another division."

"He did it for Renji too," Kira reminded, taking that dusty file from Shuuhei and tossing it into a larger box behind him.

"Then why aren't you excited?"

"Because Kuchiki-san – I guess it's Kuchiki-taichou from now on – has an ulterior motive," said Kira airily.

Shuuhei put down the box and took up another one, this time for books. "And you know what the ulterior motive is?"

"He says it's because of the lieutenant potential that may be stalking him," Kira explained. "I doubt it's the reason though."

Now Shuuhei was intrigued. "What is the reason then?"

Kira stared into space, apparently lost for thought. Finally he said, "I'm not sure yet. But it's far more complex than a girl who has a crush on him. He's handled so many of those already, one more can't make a difference."

"Is that the reason he gave for asking you to his division?"

"Yes."

Shuuhei shook his head. "He's really bad at lying, isn't he?"

Kira smiled and shrugged. "I played along. I want to know why he wants me. In his division," he clarified when he noticed the odd look his best friend shot him. "I don't feel anything romantic for him, Shuu. Not my type."

"He is beautiful," said Shuuhei. A wicked gleam was in his eyes now. "And rich. And strong, very strong."

"The way you speak, you might be the one crushing on him," teased Kira. He hefted his heaviest box and led the way out of the office. "Come on. I still need to unpack."

"Yes, yes..."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXx

When he was left alone at the new office, Kira Izuru thought about his lack of resistance to the move.

Five years ago – heck, a year ago, even – anyone who suggested that Kira should get a change of scenery would find themselves firmly and definitely ushered out of his circle of friends. The blond believed that he embodied the Third's beliefs: the despair of war, the despair of struggle, the despair of life.

It is in despair that we start searching for new answers. Only when you've made it through the abyss of despair, then can you find new hope.

Kira smiled sadly. That had been Aizen's reply when Kira asked about the significance of the Third's insignia, and why it meant what it meant. Gin had ignored the question and never once alluded to the meaning of the flower representing the Third division.

Did Kira want a change? He couldn't answer honestly; the conflicting feelings warred deep within. He longed to stay where he had started, where the memories were, but he also knew that he needed to move on.

Sighing he got around to unpacking his files and personal belongings. There were not much of his own memorabilia. Most of what he had brought with him were documents he had compiled over the years pertaining to designing a training schedule, workshop materials on developing leaders and other such matters. They were his own notes, but he doubted they could be counted as personal stuff really, since they were related to work, and he was definitely in need of some rest because he was babbling to himself.

He kneaded his temples. Sinking into a seat, Kira wondered if he really was prepared to take on Kuchiki Byakuya's strange fancies.