Several months later, Aoi and Byakuya along with Rukia that had just returned from the world of the living were having dinner. It had been an exciting day for both women and they could not wait to share their news. Rukia started by telling them that Ichigo was still unable to see them but that the Soutaichou had decided to start preparations to give Kurosaki his Shinigami powers back. Aoi was also bringing interesting news. Unohana and the Soutaichou had been contacted and they had put forth her name for further training. Initially, Byakuya was confused that she was announcing this as exciting news since Aoi had taken part in several training modules for this to be different, until she passed him the letter. As he read, he realised his error. This training, with a full semester's duration, was not going to take place in Soul Society. She had been accepted to be trained by the Zero Squad. Not as a member, thankfully, his pride could not have taken a hit like that, but only as a trainee for the purpose of expanding her knowledge in healing.

"Aoi-sensei, those are interesting news. When is this training going to start?"

"I have a week to decide and let them know," she said.

"You don't wish to go?" he asked, hoping that she would stay with him but knowing that this was not the case.

"I do, Byakuya-sama but I wanted to ask-" she said but stopped when he raised his hand.

"This is important both for you and for our clan. You will go," he said and she exhaled as a smile touched her lips. "Congratulations, Aoi-sensei," he said, raising a small cup of sake and they all drank to her continuous improvement.

"One week?" he asked her for confirmation as they entered their bedroom that night.

"Yes," she said and turned to look at him.

"I am sorry this came up now," she said.

"Īe, it would have been worse later…" he said, trying to be encouraging.

"I will miss you so much," she said and hugged him, burying her face is his chest.

"Me too," he said, embracing her gently. "Did they tell you if you'll be able to contact me?"

"Only with the communication device we use for the living world missions," she said. "I will inform the Academy tomorrow, although it was both their recommendation as well as Unohana's."

"Still… You should inform them formally."

"I will, I will… I just wanted to discuss it with you first."

"I won't lie to you, I want you to be here with me but this is too important to pass. So I will wait for you to finish your training and upon your return I will steal you away for a few days," he said and she smiled. She felt exhausted. Her training with the Visored and Yoruichi was still ongoing and so were her teaching sessions. Looking back at her training, Aoi was certain that there was lots of room for improvement in all aspects of the Shinigami fighting styles and that the kind and encouraging demeanour of her senpai was mainly due to Byakuya's involvement. To his merit, Byakuya had not involved himself with her training at all but she did not know that.

As the days passed and her departure drew closer, Byakuya became reluctant to leave her alone. He got two days off to spend them just with her and she couldn't be happier.

Aoi was making her luggage. She had opened all closets and was removing anything that she deemed essential leaving everything else behind. Byakuya was observing her and for a moment he felt stressed that she would leave nothing behind making him return to his days before her arrival, until she heard her mellifluous laughter and he approached her to see what had caused it. She picked something up and as soon as he got close to her she put it on his head. Byakuya stood there with his kanmuri on, watching her laugh at him.

"Wakata, wakata…" he said smiling at her. Her reaction was expected. He loathed how he looked in that ridiculous hat anyway.

"And now you know my secret…" he said.

"Your secret?"

"The reason why I chose the kenseikan," he said and she smiled.

"And even if I do not like them, I prefer them to this," she said.

"Mmm…" he removed his hat, placing it in its case and took her in his arms.

"Thank you," he said.

"What are you thanking me for?"

"For making this easier for me," he said and she knew what he meant. She had felt his pain and had tried to make him feel better.

"Let me gather my things, my love," she told him and he released her.

##########################################################################################################

Īe: No

Wakata, wakata: Alright, alright...

kanmuri is a traditional hat, search google for the image... just imagining Byakuya with that on top of his head ruins the whole picture :P