Chapter Forty Three

Rukia's POV

"Stupid Renji." I muttered mostly to myself aloud as I made my way to my first class of the day. The Academy had been fun for a short time but now it's starting to get annoying. Yeah, it had been a few months in and my classes have been going well but slow as anything. The work was hard but I can still dream of old summer days in the Rukongai. Not everything is as bad as Renji complains: we had our friends but now that they are gone, we really had to do right by us. I never would have thought that that spikey headed idiot would leave me behind to join the advanced class though. I sighed and remembered the conversation we had earlier. What would I be? What am I doing when I'm not applying myself? Did I want to be that strong? Of course, I did! I thought that we would be doing it together though. That's how we handled everything.

Shaking my head from my thoughts I knew I was being stupid. I had lived before Renji and the rest of our friends and I can do it again now that he is a few classrooms down. I had to get stronger! Maybe I'll make it in the Advanced Class by next semester. Maybe by that—My thoughts stopped, suddenly feeling self conscious. I felt these eyes on me. Looking around the hall where I was sitting to find no one even looking in my direction. It had to have been outside. I strained my eyes through the window and saw nothing. The feeling of being watched was still lingering and the unrelenting thought that it was important. Shrugging it off I had made my way to the library. I might as well sharpen up on my studies while I still have time. My kido seems to be good so I really should start working on my swordsmanship after studying. Everything is looking brighter as I make my way down the stairs and through the courtyard.

A pair of, from the looks of things, nobles were just standing there looking over at the advanced class that was gathering for their combat class. I can see Renji's hair from here. I had to hold back a sigh of remose one again as I should have been there as well. "That tutor is starting to sound real good right now actually." I heard the blonde girl state in a sad tone. "I can arrange for it if you would like." The black-haired nobleman offered in a tone of understanding. I could not help but roll my eyes. Always trust a noble to cut through the hard way to get to the same objective. Maybe, I could change her mind. It could not hurt to have a new friend to learn with. I crept up as slowly as I could, the man's spiritual energy was intense. I was almost afraid to approach them but had called out, "Excuse me?"

Forty-Three Split

Byakuya's POV

I walked down the streets keeping track of anything that felt remotely close to Hisana. I had been doing this every day that I had available, being my grandfather's lieutenant was not an easy job but it was my duty as a Kuchiki. At least I had help today. Midori stubbornly insisted on coming with, she missed Hisana almost as much as I did. Unfortunately, it had gotten in the way with her studies. "Uncle Byakuya, do you think she might be trying to be a Soul Reaper?" I heard her before taking my attention off of the dusty streets of the Rukongai. She was still looking out onto the road in contemplation. "Why do you suppose she would do that?" I inquired. The possibility of Hisana's sister to that was a good one knowing the district of Hanging Dog and its reputation of being rough country. For all I know, she has been dead all this time and Hisana's search was just a folly. "I remember collecting my things a couple months ago and seeing some one that resembled Aunt Hisana. I thought I was seeing things and never mentioned it to anybody." Midori reported hopefully.

What a fine time to bring it up now! I wanted to exclaim my frustrations but when I was about to she looked at me and I could not do it. She was still hurting over just talking to me about it, that part was evident. She even dropped out of the Academy because she was having trouble coping with the loss. I was not happy to hear the news, neither were her parents. "Did you now? I think that we will have to make a special trip to the Academy then." I replied and offered her my arm. Midori clung to it and tried to match my speed as I used a flash step to get to the front gates. Personally, I was never a student here. My father and my grandfather were excellent teachers and I had private tutors and Heather to learn with for the bookwork that my family had been too busy with duties to teach. I had assumed Jushiro would have tried to do the same thing for Midori and I would have been more than happy to send a tutor over for her. Heather assured me that, despite the fact that she did not like the situation either, her husband knew what he was doing. The young Hisagi, Shuhei grabbing her affections had me wary I was close to hunting the boy down and threatening him within an inch of his life.

My goddaughter staggered away from me when she thought that she was able to walk again-apparently, I still have not lost my touch. If Shihoin was still alive I might be able to catch her again since I am stronger than I was the last time. We were evenly matched in our tally, so who knows at this point. "Jeeze, you're fast. I thought mom was just bragging when she said you were the best, you know "FlashMaster: Byakuya Kuchiki" and all that. I always caught you at 'Tag'." Midori laughed after I steadied her. My heart melted; she still remembered that? She was little the last time we played a game after that duties came up then Hisana came into my life then-

I stopped in mid thought and realized that I had really pulled away from them after I met her, only my wife tried keeping the ties close despite the many things she was already handling. How shameful of me. I looked over the grounds of the school as we entered the gate and felt some form of appreciation that I was here. "Ukitake! You're back!" I heard a voice address Midori and turned to see the boy who dared speak to her. My eyes narrowed on a tall young man with short, shaggy hair and-What. Was -THAT on his face? "Hisagi!" Midori called in reply waving subtly. She knew better than to make a spectacle out of herself when traveling with high ranking officers. She was raised to behave like an aristocrat like her stepfather's bloodline would expect of her. At least in public to my knowledge. So, this was the illusive Shuhei Hisagi that Jushiro kept grumbling about. I stiffened my figure and the boy had faltered his step. My bloodline or not, I am not about to let this boy think that he's going to get away with anything.

"Lieutenant Kuchiki, Sir?" Hisagi questioned, getting into the position of attention. I observed his form and could not help but to marvel at his stature, spirit energy and poise. Perfect soldier material; no wonder the captains were having bidding war for him. My grandfather was telling me that he was a young marvel from his grades and performance thus far. Jushiro wants him and everyone knew why. He was not something I cared about, however, not at the moment anyway. "Uncle Byakuya, he's okay. Daddy already met him." Midori tried to calm me down with a small smile. "Uncle?!" Hisagi exclaimed looking between her and myself incredulously looking pale. He was nervous? Good. "Her Godfather." I explained myself plainly and seen the fear turn to confusion. "It's a method my mom brought in. He takes over when and if my parents die before I come of age." she explained trying to calm her boyfriend down. "Midori, Rukia?" I inquired shortly. I really did not want to get caught up in all of this. I just wanted to fulfill my promise, clear my conscience and have my wife rest soundly. "Oh! Right!" Midori responded chipperly and turned to Hisagi. "So, you're not coming back?" he questioned in disappointment. "Not right now. I'm still—" Midori said topping towards the end, not wanting to admit that she was still hurting. I did not feel the need to step in but she will be returning here if I had anything to say about it. That, or forcing my sister to take a tutor in for Midori's sake. Hisagi looked between her and myself again he looked determined and stated. "You'll be back."

Midori kissed his cheek before turning away. The boy gave a dumbstruck expression before touching his cheek with a goofy grin in place as she walked towards me. Jushiro would be steaming at the ears with that display. I opened an arm inviting her to join me and I ushered her forward. I was not going to put up with him running after her, too much time was already wasted here. "Where do you think she would be?" I questioned in a hushed tone, no one needed to know our business and I was not about to announce it.

Midori shrugged and looked around at the grounds in minor confusion. "I only saw her, Uncle Byakuya. I don't know anything else but she looked freakishly similar." she defended herself and I had to take a deep breath. Sure, she had told me only just that but that was six months ago, who knew if Rukia was still here even. It was just a lead that I was following, after all. I got too excited too fast, I don't even know how my darling Hisana was able to handle this kind of suspense for so long. We searched the main halls for her before I thought to ask a teacher. He rolled his eyes and stated that the average classes were already out for the day. That was not at all very impressive but, she was still here. Midori had a light chuckle at me before stating that there were too many students for the staff to keep track of. "That does it! I'm sending a private tutor to your home and soon." I finally mentioned. This public schooling was not good enough, Jushiro be damned. "Dad won't let you." she chimbed in softly.

Her mother all over again. I rolled my eyes and looked at her in disapproval. She looked to the advanced class and sighed. "It's going to take me forever for me to catch up with him. That tutor is starting to sound really good right now, actually." Finally! Someone with sense! Why didn't I think of that argument?! Catching up to the class may be just a way to graduate the same time as her peers but I still won this round, now it was the matter of convincing her parents…or… "I can arrange for it if you would like." I urged knowing that she still wanted to be in the class but I wanted her to achieve while her parents had their attention more centered on whatever marital issue they were working through for the past few years. Not saying that it would not have happened if she had chosen me but…

I internally shook my head to rid myself of those thoughts. It's been a lifetime go I was still a boy and she was right about Hisana. Now I am carrying her task out long after she's gone. "Excuse me?" a voice called out tentatively. I turned my head and felt my heartstrings tug. It was her! It had to have been her!

A/N: Hey there! So sorry to my readers and/ or followers for the fact that I have not posted a thing in forever. I had more than I could chew between computer crashes, life in the real world and problems with not only this fic but others that I had been either working on or editing so they are, at the very least, postable since I no longer have a beta. Hopefully there will be a lot more to come from me in the future. As for this fic, expect delays, I had been typing many chapters in advance and realized that I had been KH3ing the later chapters which was NOT the way I wanted this to go (Spoilers: the flow of the stories do not get effected by Sora Donald or Goofy's presence and they're just there no matter their importance). So a total "My bad" on my behalf. I promise to try and keep up with the updates as best as I can.