Angel of the Morning

Renji Abarai had been the First Captain Toshiro Hitsuguya ever promoted. His examination was of course viewed by the Head-Captain along with Captain Sajin Kommamura, Captain Shuhei Hisagi and of course Captain Byakuya Kuchiki who finally listened to his Lieutenant's pleas and spoke on his behalf.

And now he was the Captain of the Third Division of the Gotei 13. One of it's elite members, part of a unique council, he even had one of his friends for a Lieutenant. All his goals had seemed to come true, all except for one.

"Captain Abarai." He picked his head up to view his Lieutenant in the doorway." A Captain's meeting has just been called." Renji only nodded and rose from his place to head out to Squad One.

Rukia Kuchiki had been in the Thirteenth Division for her entire career in the Gotei 13. After years of struggling and working hard she finally attained the promotion and the position she desired, the Lieutenant of Squad 13. Following in the path of her mentor Kaien Shiba.

But these days she had a new mentor. And if she was late he was going to be pissed.

She had been spending some time at Squad Six hoping to spend some time with her brother. She had no sooner arrived than he had left for a Captain's meeting. But she did get to see some cousins she hadn't seen in some time.

She waved them a happy goodbye as she turned and headed for Squad One.

The Captains had all gathered by the time he got there. All except for the Head-Captain himself. Toshiro was making his way through the halls of Squad One, preparing to arrive within a few moments. And when he came to the doors he found Rangiku and Chojiro with him.

But as he approached the eyes of the two narrowed in confusion as they looked him over. And right before Toshiro headed into the meeting room Rangiku stepping in front of him.

"Uh Toshiro?" she said.

"Hmh? What is it?"

"You've got something on your face." She said pointing to her face for emphasis.

"Where?" He questioned following after her example.

"Here." She pointed to one cheek." Here." She added pointing to the other." All over." Toshiro was quick to catch on. He hadn't shaved the past few days and that allowed for several thick, white whiskers to grow out of his face. It was truly a strange sight.

"Lieutenant Matsumoto can get us a few minutes." Chojiro said stepping up." It won't take me more than five to shave that for you."

"I don't want it shaved off." Toshiro said stopping both of them from proceeding further." I want to grow it out."

"I don't think a beard would suit you Captain." Rangiku said.

"How will I know if I don't try?" He responded. And that would be the last he'd ever hear on the subject." Yamamoto had a beard remember?" He moved to the door and prepared to enter the meeting hall.

"And he was bald." Rangiku said." Are you gonna shave your head next?" Toshiro narrowed his eyes and looked over his shoulder at her. Then he turned and entered into the Captain's council.

But Rangiku and Chojiro weren't the only ones who found his unshaved appearance unnatural. At first glance most didn't see it, but it was the second glance that had heads turning and eyes bugging open.

Toshiro moved across the room and sat in his place with 24 eyes looking right at him. Kenpachi had even lifted his eye patch to make sure he wasn't seeing things. Their stares made him even more uncomfortable.

"Let's get down to business!" He said in a stern voice. That snapped them back to attention and they looked away from him.

The Head-Captain might have spoken but Captain of Squad Three wasn't listening very intently. Renji peered across the room and at the end of the row opposite the room he saw an Officer of the Thirteenth Division. Although it wasn't the one he was looking for.

You would think as Officers they would see a lot more of each other. But that couldn't be farther from the truth. She was in the Thirteen Division and he in the Third, therefore they lived at literally opposite ends of the Soul Society. Hell he hadn't even seen her since his promotion.

Rukia herself at that moment arrived in the courtyard of Squad One, where her training always took place. This had been the first time she'd ever arrived before him. But now she had to wait for him. And sometimes those meetings seemed to go on and on and on.

The meeting continued on for a short time after that but when it was done the Captains dispersed and headed back to their own divisions.

"Boy that was a boring meeting." Shuhei said as he came alongside Renji." He could have just made a general announcement instead of summoning us all here like this."

"Hmh." He agreed nodding his head. Shuhei cocked his head to him and raised an eyebrow.

"You okay?" he asked.

"Yea, Yea." Renji nodded." Just a little tired." He glanced over and watched the Head-Captain disappear around the corner.

Rukia was sitting in the dirt, her sword drawn and using it to draw on the ground to pass the time.

"That's hardly a proper use for that weapon." She heard the cold voice of her master coming towards her. In one motion she sheathed the blade and jumped to her feet, facing him.

"Good After-ahhh." She said facing him. His growing facial hair was as much a surprise to her as everyone else. His eyes narrowed and she saw the vein in his head appear.

"Shall we continue?" He grumbled.

"Yes, sir!" Rukia said. "Please sir! Good Afternoon, sir!"

Renji meanwhile had walked all across the Soul Society to Squad 13. He had never come this far before unless on official business. And his official business today was to see her.

He raised his hand and knocked on the Barack doors. The face that greeted him was not the one he expected.

"Oh Captain Abarai." Ukitake said with a smile." So nice to see you, would you come in?" He stepped aside and allowed him to pass.

"Thank you Captain Ukitake." Renji said doing so." I was wondering if-"

"Would you like some tea?" Ukitake asked." Or something stronger? It's five o'clock somewhere right?" Ha added with a laugh.

"No thank you, sir." Renji answered with a smile." I was just wondering."

"Yes? Wondering what?"

"Wondering uh is Rukia here? I'd like to see her." Ukitake's expression softened a bit.

"I'm afraid you just missed her."

"Missed her?" He repeated.

"Yes." Ukitake nodded.

"Where is she?"

"She's at Squad One, learning from the Head Captain. Isn't that something?" It certainly was. It hadn't been more than an hour since the meeting ended. That meant he could only have just missed her. She either left just as the meeting had concluded or maybe she was waiting at Squad One the entire time. All the same it meant that if he wanted to see her he would have to walk all the way back the way he came.

So he walked all the way back across the Soul Society arriving back at the Squad One barracks. He made himself at home as he entered inside and began looking around.

"Captain Abarai." Lieutenant Sasakibe said as he appeared beside him." Can I help you with something?"

"I'm looking for Rukia." Chojiro raised an eyebrow at him." Lieutenant Rukia Kuchiki."

"She's in the courtyard with the Head-Captain." Chojiro said pointing over his shoulder. Renji looked past him and out the nearby window. And there she was for the first time in a long time. He took a step forward but was stopped as Chojiro raised his hand. "You cannot go in there." He said blocking his path.

"But I have to talk to-"

"The Head-Captain doesn't wish to be disturbed." Chojiro said." You'll have to-"

"Renji!" called a voice from outside. Both men turned and looked to see Rukia starring in their direction." Renji is that you?" The Captain of Squad Three gave a smirk to the Lieutenant as he pushed past him and walked out into the courtyard." It is you!" Rukia said approaching him with her jaw dropped." And it's true! The Captain of Squad Three!" She reached up and tugged at the coat on his shoulders.

"And you." He smiled." A Lieutenant. Good for you." She ducked her head away blushing.

"Captain Abarai!" Toshiro said. Renji flinched as he turned over and faced the Head-Captain for the first time. That facial hair was so damn distracting." As you can see we are in the middle of something, however if you would like to contribute I see no problem with that. Beside this will work best with a practice dummy." He turned his back to Renji and began walking away.

"Practice dummy?" Renji said.

"Yea and it sounds like you're the dummy, dummy." Rukia chuckled.

" Now Captain!" Toshiro said getting his attention." Come at me with everything you've got. Pay attention, Lieutenant." He pointed to Rukia. She nodded her understanding. Renji prepared to do as he was told and reached for his zanpaktou, drawing it half-way from his sheath.

"No! No!" Toshiro called." Not your sword. Put that down!" He pointed to the dirt." We're not practicing that today."

"Huh?" Renji questioned.

"We're practicing unarmed combat today." Rukia told.

"Yes. "Toshiro responded." How to defend yourself in unarmed combat." Renji did as he was told and sheathed his sword before removing it from his person entirely and resting it on the ground." Alright!" Toshiro continued." Attack me. Come at me with everything you've got."

"Good Luck." Rukia whispered to him. Renji gulped down his fear and lunged forward. He took two giant strides forward and was now before the head-captain. But he hardly had time to draw his fist back before Toshiro struck him with a chop to the throat with one hand. Knocking his head back onto the ground, forcing his body to following.

As he lay there Toshiro stepped over him and towards Rukia.

"There are several vital points that affect all creatures Lieutenant." He told." And no matter how powerful one is, it is nigh-impossible to prepare oneself for an attack to these vital spots. Hence Captain Abarai's current throat pain." He pointed to the coughing Captain." Now you do it." He pointed to Rukia." Captain Abarai on your feet."

Renji still coughing put on arm out to balance himself to sit up, then slowly staggered himself onto both legs. He took in deep, panted breaths. Hardly looking like a threatening enough foe to attack, at least from Rukia's perspective.

"Go on!" Toshiro urged her. And Renji hardly able to stand watched as Rukia ran up to him, swung back her leg and then kicked him were it mattered. Right in the family jewels.

His face went red like a cherry and he squeaked his pain before falling flat on his side.

"Good show Lieutenant." Toshiro said nodding at Rukia's side." Now onto the next lesson! Captain Abarai!"

"Uh." Was the groan of Renji's response.

"On your feet." Hurting or not his superior gave him an order." And pick up your sword, I'll let you use it this time." Still stumbling Renji walked over to retrieve Zabimaru while Toshiro spoke to Rukia." How to defend yourself while unarmed and against an armed foe." He turned away from his student and to the test dummy." Captain Abarai whenever you are ready, come at me with everything you've got." Not wanting to be humiliated and hurt again Renji quickly acted.

"Howl Zabimaru!" He commanded. And he ran forward, shikai activated and stretched all throughout the courtyard. But very casually Toshiro pointed his index finger at Renji and the Byakurai Hado did the work for him. With one direct hit to the chest, sending Renji straight to the ground.

Fortunate for Renji he was allowed to sit out the rest of the lesson. And after a series of punches, kicks and kido the lesson concluded for the day and Rukia was allowed to leave.

"Thank you for the lesson Head-Captain." She said bowing before him.

"Be here all the earlier next time Lieutenant."

"Yes, sir." She said. Then she turned and began walking away.

"Rukia." Renji said stepping out and towards her. She turned to face him." Uh May I walk you back to your barracks." She nodded her answer.

So there they were. Two old friends at the peak of their careers at the top of the Gotei 13. He looked down at her rubbing his neck nervously, not sure of where to start. And when she turned and looked up at him he quickly turned away, causing her to wonder where to start.

"So." Renji said, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand." Training with the Head-Captain, how long has that been going on?"

"Not long." Was Rukia's response. Renji once again fell back into silence. And in his silence Rukia decided to ask a question." Your hair's gotten longer. And is that a new bandanna?"

"It is." Renji said running his hand along the bandanna the same color as his hair. But this kind of small talk wasn't doing them any good, they were old friends there shouldn't be this awkwardness between them.

They were passing by Squad Six. Renji's old Division and home to someone the two of them knew well. And Renji hoped he wouldn't show his face.

"So Rukia." He said. She turned and looked up at him." There's something I want to ask you."

"Yes?"

"I was wondering-" He was suddenly silenced as a shadow descended upon them both. Turning he saw none other than Captain of Squad Six Byakuya Kuchiki. Renji took a step back frightened, although Rukia was more excited to see him.

"Oh Big Brother." she said. "It's so good to see you." Renji however didn't share her enthusiasm and gulped down his fear. Byakuya's eyes went from his sister to his former Lieutenant.

"Good Afternoon Captain." Renji said to him.

"Good Afternoon." Byakuya replied." Rukia." He replied looking at her." Are you ready to go?"

"Go?" Renji cut in." Go where?"

"Oh." Rukia said turning back to him." We're taking the weekend off and going to the Kuchiki Manor."

"The two of you?" Renji asked scratching his neck.

"No not the two of us. It's a Family reunion!"

"Oh." Renji replied. That meant that nearly all the top officers in the 6th Division would be going." But uh can you?" Rukia looked up at him with a raised brow." I mean Captain Kuchiki." He said turning his attention to Byakuya." Can you just leave your division unmanned like that?"

"The Head-Captain is aware of our departure." Byakuya said." And it will not be a hindrance to this organization in anyway." Renji stepped back." I've already had your things packed." He said turning to his sister." We'll be heading off soon." He turned and Rukia prepared to go with him. But then she remembered something.

"Renji?" she questioned." Didn't you have something you wanted to ask me?" Renji gulped down a breath. Looking up he saw Rukia looking at him. But he also saw Captain Kuchiki looking at him.

"It can wait." He nodded gulping down another breath." It can wait till you get back."

"Okay." She smiled. Then she turned and he watched her walk away with her brother.

So he waited. Waited until the weekend was over and for her to come back.

"She's not here." Captain Ukitake told her again." The Head-Captain requested her presence." Renji let out a sigh of annoyance. Once again he had come all the way over here for nothing only to have to walk across Soul Society again.

So thanking Ukitake he turned and began walking to Squad One.

"Head-Captain, sir." Renji said. The Commander turned and faced him. Over the past few days his facial hair had come in even more, a thick new beard starting to form. It was unbearable to look at.

"Captain Abarai." Toshiro answered." What is it?"

"I was wondering, sir. If Ruk, If Lieutenant Kuchiki was here. I wanted to speak with her." He starred at the Head-Captain's stern face, trying to make out what he was thinking.

"Lieutenant Kuchiki is not here." Toshiro answered. Renji jolted up to face him." She has gone away. To the World of the Living on a special mission." Renji stood back wondering what that could mean.

At that very moment Rukia was in the world of the living with fellow Lieutenants Rangiku and Yorucihi. They'd somehow managed to acquire themselves bottles of alcohol and a car to go with it. Their heads beating along to the sound of the music as they tried to sing with it.

"My Milkshakes brings all the boys to the yard and there like it's better than yours. Damn right, it's better than yours I could teach you. But I'd have to charge!" As the beat continued Rangiku pulled hard on the wheel and turned the car. And then she drove it…right into a telephone pole.

The Three Soul Reapers were propelled from their seats and out through the car window onto the ground below. Despite the car nearly being in two the trio could only laugh.

"Well, Well, Well." A voice said." What have we here?" Looking up the trios of girls saw a man dressed just like themselves. With the black robes of a Soul Reaper, Zanpaktou at his hip. But his biggest distinguishing factor was the white coat that hung out from his shoulder.

With some impressive shunpo he disappeared and then reappeared before them. And lo and behold it was a face they all knew. Matter of fact Rangiku knew him very well.

"Captain Shiba!" she pointed at him. She kicked up her legs and tried to roll to her feet but only managed to roll herself over. Isshin jut watched her with a raised brow. Rangiku pressed one hand to the ground in an attempt to push herself up. " Captain Shiba!" she said after finally doing so." How have you been?!"

"I've been fine." He responded." So tell me who are your friends." He pointed to the other two woman. Yoruichi was crawling on the ground like a cat while Rukia tried to balance herself on her head.

"Their Lieutenants just like me!"

"What a joke." Isshin chuckled. "So tell me. How is it back in the old 13? How's little Toshiro doing?"

"He's not so little anymore." Rangiku snickered.

"I can imagine that." Isshin nodded." Boys grow. And grow up fast don't they. What is he Captain of Squad Ten, as I predicted." He said with a smile.

"Better than that." Rangiku answered.

"Huh?"

"He was the Captain of Squad Ten but now he's the Captain Commander of the Entire Gotei 13."

"C-Captain Commander?" Isshin said nearly taken off his feet. Now that he hadn't expected. But he quickly regained himself." I'm not surprised. He was always destined for greatness that boy. And you" He pointed to Rangiku." You were destined for less." He chuckled. Rangiku reached out and gave him a playful punch to the chest chuckling with him.

"When will she be back?" Renji asked." How long will she be?"

"I do not know." Toshiro answered." They are on a scouting mission observing a section of the World of the Living, they-"

At that moment the door opened up and in came the Three Lieutenants. Each stumbling and tripping over themselves. It didn't take long to know how they'd spend their time.

"It appears Captain Abarai." Toshiro said his voice displaying his anger." Lieutenant Kuchiki had returned." Renji's attention went to Rukia laid out on the floor, her arms and legs spread out.

"C'mon Rukia." He said reaching down and putting both arms around her." I'll take you home."

"Captain! Captain!" Rangiku chirped getting his attention." Look who decided to pay us a visit!" she turned and pointed to the door where a familiar face walked in.

Isshin walked across the room. Across from it was the boy who was once his subordinate. The boy who he said would one day be Captain of the Tenth Division but who had gone on to become Captain Commander. But when he looked at him now tall and strong with thick white hair coming in on his face he saw none of those things. He saw something entirely different

"Oh hey there Santa Claus!" Isshin laughed. Toshiro's face suddenly went bright red and all faces in the room turned to him.

"HAHA!" Rangiku pointed and laughed at him." You do look like Santa!" That certainly didn't help." Hey Santa can you bring me some sake for Christmas!" Embarrassed and with his face red like a tomato Toshiro turned and marched off to the bathroom.

And from that day after Toshiro Histuguya was always clean shaven.

Rukia was like dead weight in his arms. She might have been small but with all the squirming and calling she did, didn't help much. He was in for a long walk back to the Thirteen Division, but he could never get there.

A light went on in the nearby building and it shined out into the street, onto Renji and the Lieutenant in his arms. Now none would dare impede the passage of a Captain, unless it was another Captain. And Renji turned his head to see the one he feared most standing in the nearby building.

"What are you doing?!" Byakuya commanded but seemingly without raising his voice.

"Y-Your sister, sir!" Renji stammered." I-I-I, She's drunk. And I was helping her-" Byakuya raised his hand in front of Renji's face.

"Enough!" He turned that open hand pointed off to his side." Bring her inside!" And Renji could not argue with him. With Rukia still squirming in his arms Renji brought her inside.

Byakuya pointed Renji in the direction of his old room. It had been vacant since his departure but would serve for Rukia's for tonight.

"Okay Rukia. "Renji said placing her down on the bed." Time for bed."

"Bed, Bed, Bed!" Rukia repeated. Renji pried her hands off him and sat her down. She rested her head onto the pillow and continued to repeat "Bed, Bed." Renji meant to stay. Meant to see that she was comfortable but Byakuya was standing in the doorway.

"Abarai!" He said in his stern voice. The newest Captain did not argue and jumped to his feet.

"Captain Kuchiki." He said walking towards him." I want you to know I-"

"Get out." He said not even looking at him. Renji did not argue.

Rukia awoke to find herself in an unfamiliar place. The walls of the room around her were plain and boring without the Chappy posters and dolls she had. The bed was hard and firm and not soft like her own. She jumped to her feet and stepped outside to see her brother in the nearby office. That could at least explain where she was.

The Lieutenant of Squad Thirteen let out a yawn as she stretched her arms, thinking it best to get a head start on the return to her own Division.

The morning was bright and beautiful.

"Rukia." She heard her named whispered. She turned her head left and right trying to find it's source." Rukia." She turned to the nearby bushes to see a tussle of red hair poking out of the green. "Rukia?" Renji said poking his head up.

"Renji?" Rukia questioned.

"SHH!" Renji said putting a finger to his lips. He gave a nervous glance to the nearby window, no doubt scared for Byakuya." What are you doing?" Renji took a few careful steps to stand beside Rukia." Rukia. "He spoke her name.

"Hm?" Rukia responded rubbing the sleep from her eyes and yawning. Renji gulped down a breath before he could continue. But after all this time, after all this running around he would finally ask his question.

"Would you like to go get some coffee?" Rukia turned his head and looked up at her friend. Then a toothy smiled appeared on her face.

"I would like that very much."