Chapter 14

You lose. He had hoped he was right in saying those words. The battle had ended too close to call, and as such, Nyruki and Central 46 had been deliberating for hours since she had released the other captains from her hold.

When he had finally broken free, she was already pulling the Head-Captain's haori from his shoulders and by the time he grabbed her wrist and brought the blade of his Zanpakutō to her throat, it had just come into her hands. The whole scene had been replaying in his head ever since, consuming his entire mind and making it impossible to concentrate.

Byakuya sat, nearly slouching, in his chair in his office, staring blindly out the open window as the Squad trained and practiced below in the barracks square. His desk was covered in forgotten paperwork that he had tried with all his might to work on, if at all to help distract him from his worry that he hadn't broken free in time, but it was futile. His mind was simply incapable of focusing on anything else.

His leg began to idle as he stared out the window, gripping the armrest tightly as he silently chided himself for not being fast enough. He was so lost in his own head that when the door opened to his office, he didn't even acknowledge his visitors.

"Byakuya?" Ukitake tried, only to be met with no indication that the Captain of Squad 6 was even aware of the world around him.

"Hey, Kuchiki." Kyōraku said, stepping around the desk and placing a hand on the younger man's shoulder to give it a gentle shake.

Still, Byakuya never acknowledged them and just continued to stare blindly out the window with his chin in the palm of his hand.

Ukitake's shoulders dropped as he stood on the other side of the desk and tucked his hands into his sleeves. He understood without asking what Byakuya was thinking, and he was worried too, but all they could do was wait.

"Little Bean." Ukitake said quietly.

For some reason, it was that nickname that snapped Byakuya out of his head and he finally focused in that he had company. He turned away from the window and rubbed his eyes with his forefinger and thumb from the ache of not blinking, squeezing them shut to rewet them as the ache moved to the inside corner of each silver eye.

"I apologize." He said, opening his eyes and sitting up normally in his chair.

"It's alright. How're you doing?" Ukitake asked quietly as he sat down across from him.

"Uncertain." Byakuya said as he gripped the meat of his neck with both hands.

"Us too, Kuchiki. That battle didn't turn out how we thought it would." Kyōraku said, releasing a long sigh as he glanced over at his best friend.

"Nyruki's power is immeasurable. The stronger her thralls, the stronger she is." Byakuya said as be scrubbed his face.

"We already knew this was an uphill battle, Byakuya. If her thralls had been Lieutenant level, than we would have been able to fend her off for a period of time." Ukitake said with a softness in his eyes that helped to ease Byakuya's worry.

Byakuya nodded, "I am aware." He sighed.

"You'd be proud of her, Byakuya. She fought spectacularly." Ukitake said with a soft smile.

"I'm already proud of her." Byakuya said.

"Shunsui gave her a run for her money. He was able to fend off three of her attacking thralls." Ukitake said, shooting a glance over to Kyōraku, whom was smirking with a crooked grin.

"I could've held out longer if she hadn't intervened. Three on one wasn't very fair." Kyōraku huffed.

"She played by your own rules, Shunsui." Ukitake said, arcing a brow.

"Yeah, I know." Kyōraku grumbled and slouched where he stood.

"The disadvantage of being turned first, means I know nothing that occurred during the battle." Byakuya said, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.

"She said 'Takaoni' before turning me. She had the higher ground." Kyōraku said with a groan.

"You never should have taught her that when she was still in the academy." Byakuya said as he offered a soft, but crooked smirk.

"My fault, I know, but in all honesty, if she hadn't ordered Komamura to stop when he did, I would have gotten smeared." Kyōraku shrugged.

"She wasn't out to hurt us, Shunsui." Ukitake said simply.

"Tell that to Soi-Fon. Kuchiki carved her up pretty good." Kyōraku said as he went for the other open chair next to Ukitake and sat down.

"I beg your pardon?" Byakuya arced his brow again.

"Oh yeah... You went into Bankai and sliced her up good. Nothing more serious than superficial wounds, but still." Kyōraku said with a grin.

Byakuya lightly cringed, "I hope I don't reap the repercussions for that."

"You won't. Retsu's already finished healing her." Ukitake smiled.

Kyōraku sat up very straight and rolled out his shoulders, producing a long series of cracks and pops that made him wince and drew the curious attention of the other two.

"I think I'll need her to crack my back come to think of it." Kyōraku groaned as his spine popped loudly and relieved, at least, some of the pressure.

Byakuya's brows lightly furrowed, "Feeling your age?"

Kyōraku glared as Ukitake snickered, "Hardly, Pup. I landed on it when Nyruki intervened in the fight."

"You left a crater." Ukitake chuckled, covering his mouth in a weak attempt to keep it from sight.

"Hey, it hurt." Kyōraku said, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I imagine so." Byakuya said, huffing a smile.

"I find it interesting about that bomb maneuver she used. I hadn't thought that her own thralls could spread the mist." Ukitake said.

Byakuya's eyes widened, "Pardon me?"

"If she breathes an excess amount of mist into a thrall, they become capable of spreading the mist further like a plague. She had done it to you, Shunsui and Soi-Fon." Ukitake explained.

"I see," Byakuya rested a knuckle against his chin, "I wonder if she used the battle to experiment with her own capabilities." He mused out loud for the others to hear.

"I would imagine so. But if that is the case, then another battle could pose even more difficult than this one." Ukitake said.

"Do you think we'll have to do it again?" Kyōraku asked, heavily slouching in his chair and resting his head against the chair back.

"It's possible. Central 46 could deem it too close to call." Ukitake said, looking over at his best friend.

"I hope that is not the case." Byakuya said with a sigh.

"As do I. If we are ordered to do battle again, however, we will need to come up with another strategy. Nyruki knows of this one now." Ukitake said, releasing a long sigh.

"What else could we possibly do, other than use all of our abilities against her? My Bankai alone is not one she can handle." Kyōraku said with no humor in his voice.

"Nor mine. I fear we will be forced to use them however, if at all to slow her thralls down. I know Byakuya will allow himself to be turned and his Bankai is devastating in its own right. Between he and the other captains whom will inevitably be turned, we will not have a choice." Ukitake said, his smile gone.

Kyōraku grumbled, "I don't like how that sounds."

"Neither do I." Ukitake said.

Byakuya sighed heavily as a small cluster of Squad 6 members walked by the office door, talking loudly about the battle they had gotten to watch. It was clear by the level of their voices that they had enjoyed it to its fullest extent and it appeared that the smashing of Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi's Bankai was the resident favorite.

"Are the squads aware that if Nyruki is declared the victor, then her Zanpakutō is destroyed and she is cast out?" Byakuya asked, glancing back out the window.

"Squad 13 is. I informed them when I returned to the barracks. They had thought the opposite." Ukitake said, looking down at his lap.

"Squad 8 knows as well." Kyōraku said.

"As does Squad 6, but it appears that they enjoyed the battle nonetheless." Byakuya said, looking back at his company.

"Can't say I blame them. I hear the next issue of the Seireitei Communication is going to have a feature on it. There's a running poll on which clash was the Gotei favorite." Ukitake said as he started to pick at his fingernails out of the need for something to do.

"Who's leading thus far?" Byakuya asked, arcing a brow.

Ukitake lowly laughed, "Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō stomping on Konjiki Ashisogi Jizō. There will be pictures."

Byakuya huffed a smile, "Figures that would be the running favorite. Nyruki's order?" He asked.

Ukitake shook his head, "No. It appears her thralls are capable of strategic thinking. She gives the overall command and objective, and her thralls fill in the rest. Komamura thought of that all on his own."

"Did the crowd cheer?" Byakuya asked, smirking.

"As loud as I have ever heard." Ukitake smiled.

"What was I doing?" Byakuya asked, curious to have the man fill in the blank spot in his memory.

"You and Shunsui were with Nyruki as she came to the Head-Captain's office. The rest leveled Mayuri. I was not predicting that Nyruki would separate her thralls, nor that she could." Ukitake said, rubbing his neck.

"Imagine the destruction she could wrought if she enthralled a squad of Hollows." Byakuya said, slowly shaking his head.

"Imagine if the number she could enthrall goes up, which is a real possibility if she is given time. She could enthrall an entire army of Hollows and turn them against our enemies." Ukitake said.

Byakuya's eyes briefly widened, "That is a bit daunting to think about."

"It is." Ukitake nodded.

"If given enough time, she could become a captain. Though, I think she needs much more experience. Her prowess is great, yes, but as of right now, she is not captain material." Byakuya said, drawing in a deep, lung filling breath that filled out his chest.

"Agreed." Kyōraku nodded.

"Such truth regarding your own girlfriend." Ukitake chuckled.

Byakuya arced a brow and sighed, "The entire Gotei knows, don't they." He deadpanned.

"And are gushing about it." Ukitake smiled.

Byakuya groaned as he pinched the bridge of his nose, "So much for a private life."

"Don't think I didn't see that-" Kyōraku tried, but was cut off when Byakuya glared hard in his direction.

"Shush. That is the last you shall speak of it." Byakuya said with harshly furrowed brows.

"I saw it." Ukitake teased while he snickered.

Byakuya rolled his eyes, "Since you two will not stop unless I make you, all I will say is yes."

Ukitake squeaked, "I knew it."

"You two are a pair of overgrown girls." Byakuya groaned as he hung his head and rubbed the back of his neck with both hands.

Their low chuckling soon fell on deaf ears as his thoughts began to run amuck through his head once more. He was prepared for the worst, to hear that Central 46 had decided she had won the battle and would destroy her Zanpakutō. He was expecting to see her tears, but he knew she would accept it should that be their decision. She wouldn't argue and she wouldn't put up a struggle when time came to surrender her blade. Zanpakutō, or not, she would still be the woman he loved.

Suddenly, the office door burst open, causing all three to jump with a start.

"Captain! She's coming!" Yelped a young member of Squad 6 with wide green eyes and a smile that reach his rather large ears.

Without a word, Byakuya pushed passed the young member and headed down the hall with a quick pace that billowed his captain's haori out behind him. His expression was set into his usual steel scowl that parted any obstacles in his way, including others of squad 6 whom scrambled to open the doors before he got there.

He stepped out of the main building into the late afternoon sun, where he finally got to experience the soft breeze that was blowing through. It felt refreshing against his skin as he approached the large gate that the sentries opened, drowning out the rustle of the breeze with the heavy wooden groan as the gates swung open and ground against their hinges.

Stopping at the wide open gate, he stared down the street, seeing two petite silhouettes coming towards Squad 6, one with waist length hair that flowed in the breeze. The shadows didn't need to clear for him to know whom it was as his eyes widened and he started forward, each step increasing in speed until he was running.

It only took a few moments before they reached each other, near collapsing into their mutual embraces. He easily lifted her and held her close, burying his face into her neck as he spun her around, smiling and overjoyed to be holding her.

"I love you. I will love you no matter what Central 46 has decided." Byakuya said lowly, stopping their twirl to set her back down on her feet, but kept his forehead against hers.

Nyruki placed her hands along his jaw as she just breathed, her eyes glassy and threatening to shed tears at any moment. They glistened in the late afternoon sun, but her eyes were missing something, something that he thought he would see.

They weren't sad.

"Please... Please tell me. Did I break free in time? Did I stop you?" Byakuya asked, nearly pleading as he swiped his thumbs beneath her eyes to capture the fresh stream of tears.

Nyruki's eyes spilled more tears as she sucked on her lips and stared hard into his eyes. They were steady, solid as they held his gaze, and as the loud squelch of a PA system crackled to life around them, he listened without taking his eyes off hers.

"Attention all members of the Gotei 13... Attention all members of the Gotei 13. Central 46 has returned with the victory decree for today's battle royale between the captains and Ms. Nyruki Sawada of Squad 6."

The PA went silent to let the tension build and Byakuya glanced around to the surrounding crowd. They were all giddy with anticipation, looking at each other and then at the couple standing in the middle of the street. They were desperate to hear the outcome and after only a moment, they were given their answer.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the Gotei 13, the victor for today's battle royale is... the captains of the Gotei 13! Ms. Nyruki Sawada's standing within the Gotei is clenched and will be staying with Squad 13 under the charge of Captain Ukitake!"

The crowd erupted into thunderous cheers as Byakuya's heart ignited its fire and skyrocketed straight into the heavens. In that instant, he crashed his lips down onto hers, smearing the tears between them. She smiled against his lips as he held her close, wrapping his arms around her waist while hers snaked around his neck and fingers laced into his hair. Not a single thing in existence could ruin this moment, and with the whole of Squad 6, and his adoptive sister looking on, Byakuya kissed Nyruki in front of everyone.

The crowds cheers shifted from being elated about the battle's outcome, to the sight in front of them, but Byakuya didn't care in the slightest. All he cared about was that he had come through for her, had kept his promise that he would ensure she kept her place in the Gotei 13. He had found the single difference that separated the Nyruki he now held in his arms and the one in his illusion, had spotted that one thing that helped him to make the decision to shatter the mirror.

He separated their lips and gently turned her head to bring the reddish blue bruise just below her ear into his line of sight, resting his forehead against her temple as he breathed passed the sting in his eyes. He gently placed his lips to the darkened patch of skin he had caused the night before and through all his resolve, he wasn't able to stop his lips from spreading into a smile, despite being under the gaze of his entire squad.

He had no intention of taking his lips off of her until his name was called, looking back over his shoulder as Ukitake, Kyōraku and Renji all came trotting up with smiles across their bright faces.

"Papa!" Nyruki beamed as she separated herself from her lover to embrace Ukitake.

"You lost, Flower... I've never been so happy for a loss in all my long, long life." Ukitake smiled just as wide as he planted a firm kiss to the top of her head.

"You fought well, Nyruki-Chan. You fought incredibly well." Kyōraku said, resting a hand on Nyruki's back.

"Renji, go to my estate and inform my attendant to prepare for a feast this evening. Tonight, we celebrate." Byakuya said, finding that his breathing was a bit quickened from kissing Nyruki.

"Aye, Captain," Renji said with a curt nod as he grabbed Rukia's hand and both vanished in an instant.

Nyruki released her iron hold on Ukitake to give an embrace to Kyōraku, knowing full well that he would be heartbroken if he didn't get one as well. He too, pressed a kiss to the top of her head before she let him go to fall back into her lover's arms.

"You came through, Byakuya. I have to know; How did you manage it?" Ukitake asked as the cheers around them continued.

Nyruki blushed as she tucked her hair behind her ear and Byakuya gently cupped her chin to turn her head, which showed the two the bruise just below her ear.

"The Nyruki in my illusion didn't have this." He said, releasing her chin.

"Who'd a thunk a hickey would save the day." Nyruki chuckled as she smiled up at Byakuya and threaded her arm around his lower back to rest her hand on his opposite waist.

Byakuya pulled his arm out from between them and draped it over her shoulders, but the moment his arm came down, several flashes of light and the rapid clicks of shutters went off.

His brows instantly furrowed hard as he whipped his head towards the flashes, glaring at the Lieutenants of Squad 10 and 12.

"Butter. Butter. Butter." Repeated Nemu Kurotsuchi as she snapped away.

"It's cheese, but whatever. Isn't this great!" Rangiku beamed as she clapped her hands together and giddily bounced.

"Lieutenant Matsumoto-" Byakuya growled as he clenched his available fist.

His rising temper wasn't enough to stop her as she whipped out a small pad of paper and a pen.

"Please answer a few questions, Captain Kuchiki. It's for the feature article!" Rangiku grinned.

Byakuya's brows furrowed harder, "Go. Away."

"Oh, relax, Byakuya. You lost this one." Nyruki said as she rested a gentle hand on his chest.

With a heavy sigh, Byakuya finally admitted that she was right. The Women's Association was going to win and finally get their article, whether he liked it, or not. All he could do was hope that it wouldn't be a deplorable article.

"Fine. What do you want?" He asked, releasing the tension in his fist and relaxing his brow line.

"Can you tell me what about the lovely Nyruki Sawada was able to attract the great Byakuya Kuchiki?" Rangiku smiled even wider as she held her pen at the ready.

Byakuya went rigid at the question, very much not wanting to answer and if ever a messenger had been timed better, he would like to know because in that moment, a messenger from the Kuchiki estate arrived to save him.

"My Lord, the clan elders are requesting your presence." Said the messenger as he dropped to a knee and bowed his head.

Byakuya's brows lightly furrowed, "Did they say what it was regarding?" He asked, taking his arm back from Nyruki's shoulders.

"No, my Lord. Just that they needed to speak with you immediately." Said the messenger.

"Tell them I'm on my way." Byakuya said lowly.

Without even standing, the messenger vanished from sight, having taken the smiles away from everyone's faces as he went. Squad 6 was still cheering, not knowing that the mood in the small group in the middle of the intersection had changed.

Byakuya glanced down at Nyruki, whose eyes were now dry, but showing a bit of concern that something could be amiss. As did the others.

"I apologize, Lieutenant Matsumoto, but your questions will have to wait." He said, still looking into Nyruki's eyes.

"Aw... That's not fair." Rangiku frowned as she lowered her pen and pad of paper.

"We'll leave you to it, Byakuya." Ukitake said, offering a much softer smile to Nyruki that she returned.

"Please, come to my estate tonight for the feast... Both of you." Byakuya said as he clutched Nyruki's hand.

"Wouldn't miss it for anything." Ukitake said with a nod.

With their goodbyes said, Byakuya and Nyruki turned to leave, but the cheers from around them increased. His shoulders dropped as he glared ahead, hearing the low chuckles from Nyruki next to him and it was then he decided to maintain his reputation. His brows furrowed as hard as they would go and his mouth set into a hard line, Byakuya looked back over his shoulder at his squad.

In that instant, that singular moment, Squad 6 silenced themselves and scattered.

He looked back forward as they continued to walk and sent Nyruki a sidelong glance as his mouth twitched up into a small smile. His reputation was intact.

The pair decided to enjoy the walk to his estate as the sky began to deepen in color with the arrival of early evening. The soft breeze continued to dance through their hair, caressing their skin with just enough pressure to cool it from the sun that still continued to shine. It put sweet and soft smiles on both of their faces until they reached the front gate of the Kuchiki estate.

As they stepped through the large gate, Byakuya gave Nyruki one last smile as she stepped passed him, but as he looked into the estate, he saw the last vestiges of his servants scattering like cockroaches.

He closed the gate and offered Nyruki his arm that she immediately took as he lead her along the stone path to a bamboo bench that overlooked the pond.

"I must take my leave to meet with my clan elders, My Love. My estate is entirely open to you." He said softly as he rested a hand on her hip and brushed the back of his other across her cheek.

Nyruki smiled, "Hopefully it's nothing serious."

"Who knows with them. A blade of grass that is longer than the rest would constitute an emergency." Byakuya lowly chuckled.

"Figures," her smile softened, "I love you." She whispered, taking a step closer to him.

"I love you too, My Love. I will return." He said as he ducked his head for another kiss.

It was a stilled kiss, one that was void of tongue and eagerness. He wanted to stay there with her into the wee hours of the morning, but he knew he had to go and deal with whatever the clan elders wanted. He parted their lips and started for his estate, clasping his hands behind his back and straightening his posture. He held his head high and set his expression into his steely scowl as he entered the estate and followed the hallways until he arrived at a rather ornate door that was flanked by two lighted wall sconces.

He slid the door open and went to another on the opposite side of the empty room. He opened this one to arrive into a large, dark room that was only lit by dim light along the walls. The room was entirely empty, save for the raised platform in the back of the room, where five old men knelt in a line.

"Thank you for coming, Lord Byakuya." Said the man in the middle with a shallow bow of his balding head.

"If at all to keep you from lecturing me about clan head duty and responsibility." Byakuya said evenly, interlacing his fingers behind his back.

"Which we are entitled to be concerned about, Lord Byakuya. Our concerns reside with the maintenance of this great house." Said another old man.

"I believe that is my job, not yours. Your position only allows to be an advisory council to the head of the clan. Your only other duty is to provide marital options should the need arise." Byakuya said with his brows furrowing ever so slightly.

"Which brings us to why we have summoned you." Said another.

Byakuya's brows furrowed harder.

"You'll forgive our concerns, Lord Byakuya. We are worried that you have yet to sire an heir." Said a fourth.

"The term is 'Father a Child.' I am not some animal you can stud out whenever you wish it." Byakuya said firmly.

"Your father had produced you by your age. With the death of your first wife, it is time you take another and continue the Kuchiki bloodline." Said the man in the middle.

"Upon which I will, but on my terms. Not yours." Byakuya said.

"That is not your call to make, Lord Byakuya. We have called you here to present several options for you to look through and choose a possible wife." Said the same man.

Byakuya's eyes widened, "I don't need them. You have wasted your time."

"Are you saying that you do not wish to look and see if one suits your desires?" Asked the fifth man from the far right.

"You would be correct. My heart does not belong to those women. It only belongs to Nyruki Sawada." Byakuya said, taking in a deep breath to keep his temper under control.

"We have heard this rumor regarding your relationship with this Ms. Sawada. Is she of nobility, or she another peasant woman?" Asked the old man on the far left.

Byakuya glared hard at the panel of five, "She is not of noble blood, but rather a woman whom has earned her standing with the Gotei 13."

"A Shinigami? Do you think that wise considering your history with wives? You have already lost one. Are you prepared to lose two?" Asked the second from the left.

"That is not for you to be concerned with. Hisana passed due to illness, but where Nyruki is concerned, her prowess is great and not only do I love her with all my heart, but she is capable of protecting herself far more than any of those women you seem to want to set me up with." Byakuya hissed between lightly clenched teeth.

"All we wish is to ensure the Kuchiki house continues to remain one of the four great noble houses." Said the man in the middle.

"And you nearly handed this very house over to the Dejan'Ra on a silver platter. If it wasn't for Nyruki, Zaya would have stopped at nothing to acquire this house in her attempts to put her within reach of the royal throne." Byakuya said, continuing to breath through his rising temper.

"Yes, we are aware of this, Lord Byakuya, and we have closed that chapter after hearing of her plans. The Royal Family sends their thanks for bringing the matter to their attention." Said the man in the middle with a furrowing of his overly bushy gray eyebrows.

"I am aware that Zaya was removed as head of the clan and that one of her sires was appointed as the new head." Byakuya said.

"In thousands of millenia, a male has never headed the Dejan'Ra until you came along. Your habitual rule breaking is becoming a nuisance, Lord Byakuya." He said gruffly.

"I will break whatever rules I see fit. If you haven't noticed, Soul Society as a whole has shifted in its old fashioned views to be more accepting and understanding that perhaps, we have been too short sighted to keep up with the times. With the arrival of Ichigo Kurosaki, I have seen this and see no reason why I can't dictate my own personal life and whom I decide to spend the rest of my life with." Byakuya said, tightening his fists behind his back, out of sight of the panel of five advisors.

"Lord Byakuya, please understand our concerns-" Said the fourth from the left with genuine concern in his nearly black eyes.

"I have heard your concerns, and I simply do not care any longer what you think. If the Kuchiki house is to remain in its position as one of the four great noble houses, than we too, have to adapt to our surroundings." Byakuya interrupted, having raised a hand to silence the old man whom was speaking.

"That is not what a noble house does, Lord Byakuya." Frowned the middle man.

"It is what this noble house will do. A Shinigami is taught, first and foremost, that we must learn to adapt to situations on the battlefield. I do not see how this is any different." Byakuya said, lowering his hand back behind his back.

"My Lord, we are simply trying to-" The fourth tried again.

"Enough! There is nothing more you can say on this matter. My personal life is my own to live and not to be dictated by a panel of senile old men." Byakuya said, beginning to smirk that he had taken Ichigo's advice.

"It appears time has not granted you the level of respect your Grandfather had. May he rest in peace." Said the old man in the middle, sitting just a bit higher than the others.

Byakuya scoffed, "I have plenty of respect to those whom have earned it and you most certainly have not. It would seem you have forgotten that the head of the clan is just that; The Head of the Clan. I am not a simple figurehead that you can control from the background. I will do whatever needs to be done to ensure my house remains and as such, I have decided that all of you have extended your usefulness."

"Excuse me?" The old man in the middle gasped with widened eyes.

"I am dismissing you all with my thanks for your many years of service to the Kuchiki clan. However, it is time to find a new panel of clan elders whom are willing to adapt to their surroundings. You may leave." Byakuya said with the slightest bow of his head.

"You can't-" The man in the middle tried to speak, but the words caught.

"I very much can. Goodbye gentlemen." Byakuya said, standing up tall with a slowly growing smirk across his lips.

Four of the five elders rose from their seat pillows and started for the door behind their lord, bowing as they passed by that he returned with a shallow nod of his head.

However, the fifth, being the man in the middle, remained, scowling at the young head of the clan with the refusal to rise from his seat.

"Have it your way." Byakuya said with a roll of his eyes as he raised a hand and snapped his fingers.

No more than a second later, the doors opened as a squad of four guards entered with their hands clutched around long pole-arms. They stepped passed Byakuya and immediately went for the remaining man, where they stood at each corner of him to escort him out.

"See him out." Byakuya said simply.

The two guards in the back of the old man poked the ends of their pole-arms into the man's back, where he scowled and stood from his seat. The four escorted him out, passing by Byakuya's attendant that had arrived while his back was turned and watched with a bit of nerves as the guards passed by.

"My Lord... Is everything alright?" The attendant asked with real concern as he bowed.

Byakuya returned the bow, "Everything is fine. Though, I find myself in need of a new advisory council."

"My Lord?" The attendant lightly gasped.

"It has been a long time coming," he paused for a moment, "I must inquire, however, why you have not been appointed to such position." Byakuya asked.

His attendant stiffened, "M-My Lord... I-" he drew in a deep breath, "I have only ever known direct service of my lord. I am not clan elder material."

"I beg to differ. You have served the Kuchiki clan, dating all the way back to when my grandfather was first given my title. How does that not qualify you to take up the mantel of head of the advisory council?" Byakuya asked, softening his gaze at the far shorter and far older man.

"I-I... I'm not sure, My Lord." The man bowed.

"I think it is time you do. As head of the clan, I am appointing you as the new Head of the Advisory Council of Clan Elders, affective immediately. When you are ready, you may choose your four adjudicators." Byakuya said, returning the bow so that the man would rise.

"I understand, My Lord. If I may inquire, whom will be your attendant now?" The man asked with a shallow gulp.

"A position I will take care of in time. I am fully capable of taking care of myself. Congratulations." Byakuya said as he offered the old man an ultra soft smile.

For the third time, the man bowed, "Thank you, My Lord! May I perform my last duty as your attendant?" He asked, rising from the bow.

"Of course."

"I came to inform you that your guests have arrived." He said, slipping his hands into his sleeves.

"Thank you."

With a final bow, Byakuya stepped around his new council head and headed back towards the gardens, smirking the entire time that he had stood up against his clan elders and even used Ichigo's own advice. That alone was a bit of a shock, but perhaps, in the orange haired boy's brashness, there was something to be learned. Even humility.

However, as he stepped back out into the expansive gardens, he realized that yes, his guests had arrived, but what his new clan elder neglected to mention, was that his guests included the entirety of the Gotei 13.

"What in all the realms?" Byakuya exhaled as his eyes went a bit wide at the sight.

His entire garden had been turned into a giant party venue, complete with a massive spread of food. The eaves of the estate had been adorned with multicolored string lights that stretched from one end to the other, and huge spot lights were being wheeled into position at the front gate. A stage was nearly built towards the back of the gardens, flanked by two towers of speakers and with overhead truces that suspended rotating lights.

With a quick shake of his head, thinking that the action would have proved the whole thing to be an illusion, he shifted his dazed glare to that of his red-headed lieutenant and his sister that were walking up to him with Nyruki a half step behind.

"What's going on, Renji?" Byakuya asked, tightening his jaw to keep from freaking out that his gardens had been turned into a giant club.

"You said you wanted to celebrate." Renji grinned as he gripped the back of his neck.

"I said feast... Not party!" Byakuya barked, clenching his fists tight at his sides.

"There's a difference?" Renji asked innocently, looking up and away from the furious glare he was receiving.

"There's a band, Renji!" Byakuya said as that very band took to the stage and began setting up their instruments.

"Not just any band, Nii-Sama; Hisagi and 69ers." Rukia grinned.

Byakuya huffed a heated breath hard through his flaring nostrils like a raging bull as he began to lightly shake from his rage. One of his eyebrows twitched with irritation as the gentle throb of the vein in his forehead quivered. He was irritated beyond words, beyond comprehension of the two in front of him and he would have continued being as such if it wasn't for the gentle hand that drew his head down so a soft pair of lips could kiss his cheek.

"It'll be fun." Nyruki said quietly as she grabbed one of his fists to massage it until it relaxed.

Byakuya let out a loud sigh, "There's a dance floor." He grumbled as he pointed.

"Uh huh." Nyruki nodded.

"And wait staff." He mumbled.

"Uh huh." Renji said.

"And lights." Byakuya sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Uh huh." Rukia said.

Byakuya's throat rumbled with a growl as he scanned the bustling garden that was nearly finished being set up for the spontaneous bash. Every squad had showed up to help set up and as such, it had happened during time he had been meeting with his clan elders. The food and drink had been set out, the guests were elated and nearly all had smiles across their faces with the prospect of getting to have a party.

"You've already invited everyone, haven't you." Byakuya deadpanned, lightly pursing his lips together as he glared off into oblivion.

"It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission, Nii-Sama." Rukia said as she threaded her arm around Renji's elbow.

"You and I are going to have a talk later because I know you authorized this." Byakuya said sternly.

"And you'd be right." Rukia said smugly.

With a heavy sigh and a glance over to Nyruki, whom was sweetly smiling up at him, his rage began to dissipate. Her achievements were worth it. She had fought for everything ever since the beginning, every since crash landing in his pond four years ago. She had battled through the Academy, had cleared her slate of the past she hated so much and had even learned to accept it while she fought for her standing with the Gotei 13. She had earned it all and through all of that, all the trials, she had learned to love a widower whom didn't think he could love again.

Above all, she was worth it.

"Fine... We'll have the party." Byakuya grumbled as he draped an arm over Nyruki's shoulders and pinched the bridge of his nose again.

"Yes!" Renji and Rukia hooted as their arms shot up into the air in victory.

The pair darted off to help finish the last few preparations, leaving Byakuya and Nyruki standing on the porch just outside the door he had returned from. The gardens were far too busy to notice them, so instead of watch and possibly risk the return of his irritation, he decided to pay attention to his love.

He gave her a gentle tug and brought her to him, placing his hand against her cheek as he ducked his head to capture her lips. She smiled against them as her hand flighted down his cheek, coming to rest with her fingertips just under his chin. His grip on her tightened to bring her closer to him and he could feel the warmth of her against him.

He had planned to feast and spend time with her now that there was nothing looming over their heads, but that had quickly dissipated thanks to Renji and Rukia's little leisure with what he had ordered. He was resolved to accept that he would have to wait, but that was until he felt her hand, beneath the cover of his captain's haori, grab a fistful of the front of his hakama.

The breath in his throat caught hard with a gargle as he parted their lips and looked down at her subtle smirk with a gulp.

"Don't start anything you can't finish, My Love." He said lowly, taking in a deep breath to muscle passed the heat that was rising just under his skin.

"Oh, I plan on finishing it. Don't you worry." She said huskily.

Byakuya found himself lightly biting his bottom lip, "Upon which I look very much forward to." He exhaled.

"Care to be a little late to the party?" She asked, biting her own lip.

He leaned down to bring his lips to her ear, where he placed another soft kiss, "I'll grab a bottle of that wine while you grab one of those hors d'oeuvre platters and meet me in the bedroom."

"Done."