"Although I deeply understand why you all wish to know what happens in the story, I really think the flow should not be interrupted. For one, Ichigo needs the time to develop his powers and his resolve to fight Aizen."

"Since we all know what Aizen is up to, why do we need to rely on Kurosaki?" Soifon taichou asked. "We can take him on. We are all captains of the Gotei 13. We are more than enough to handle those three!"

"You forget that every single person in Soul Society has seen the release of Aizen's Kyoka Suigetsu," R replied. "Even if your power is beyond his, he can still manipulate you all into a loss. Ichigo has never been exposed to Aizen's sword, he is your only chance at a victory."

"I suggest," R went on, "that you keep doing what you were doing. Rukia, Renji, Madarame San, Rangiku san, Yumichika san and Hitsugaya taichou, sou-taichou told me you have already received the orders to proceed to the WOL in a few days. Please carry on and be careful when the Arrancar turn up to fight you. You can keep Karakura Town safe while Ichigo masters his hollow with the Visoreds."

"Will the Visoreds join us?" Kyouraku taichou looked at her with his droopy eyes.

She smiled. Of course. "Yes, they will. But not for Soul Society. They owe Aizen back one, for how he ruined their lives with hollowfication." She looked at the Sou-taichou. "I do believe though, that the Gotei 13 owes the Visoreds an apology for ostracizing them when they were only victims. Even Urahara san, Yoruichi san and Tessai San, who were only trying to save the—"

"That's quite enough from you. You are only required to provide the information that is asked of you," the sou-taichou cut her off, making her fume internally. For someone who'd lived a millennium, the sou-taichou was one of the brattiest people she had ever met. He never said thank you, or sorry.

"Of course. I'm open for questions now." This was really beginning to resemble her weekly meetings at work.

"Is any of us going to die?" Rangiku san caught her eye. R felt her stomach sinking.

"Everyone from Soul Society will survive if we play our cards right," She answered, but even then, she saw the light go out of Rangiku san's eyes. Did she catch the unspoken words? Why does Gin have to be such an idiot, she thought, but it did nothing to ease her regret.

"We are not going to stick with the original plan then, are we?" Unohana san directed her question to R.

"I suggest we do. But now that you know that Aizen plans to lock half of Gotei 13 in Hueco Mundo, you should figure out a way to prevent that from happening. Even with Orihime's abduction, we have to go through with it. Because you can transfer pillars, but it is too risky to cause Aizen to bring his whole force into the WOL. Half the fight has to take place in Hueco Mundo. And Ichigo has to go through all of the fights, so he will gradually gain more power."

The meeting room became more agitated, and the sou-taichou, realizing that he would not be able to contain all of the conversations going on in the room, decided to end the meeting.

Rukia walked over to R once most of the attendees had streamed out. "Ichigo… he's… related to the Shiba clan?" was the first thing she asked R.

"Yes Rukia. He was born of a Shinigami and…" she looked at Rukia's worried face. Another time then. "and his mother. That's why he has all that reiatsu."

"I never even considered… that he… that Ichigo was related to Kaien dono…" Rukia looked lost.

"It doesn't change anything, does it Rukia?" R asked her. Rukia looked up at R. "He is still your Nakama, the man whose powers you awakened, and the one who risked his life to save yours in return. He still needs you, you still need him. Your bond will remain, no matter the history." Seeing Rukia's face lighten up a little, she hugged her. "I hope you will always be a source of his comfort and encouragement." She wouldn't push Rukia toward a romance, although she had her preferred ship. That was Rukia's and Ichigo's choice to make. Especially since throughout this conversation, she had noticed Renji looking at Rukia with some regret and longing.

Byakuya san walked up to them. "It's time to return," was all he said, tersely, before walking away, leaving R to run behind him to catch up.

"What's up with those two? The atmosphere is sort of weird," Rukia mused, while beside her, Renji smirked in a knowing way, causing her to blush and smack the back of his head.

"Byakuya San"

"I have some preparations to get to before Rukia leaves for WOL. I also have a meeting with the Sou taichou early tomorrow morning, and I have dinner with my clan tonight."

R was stumped. "But I never asked."

"I'm telling you that I am too busy to afford time for this conversation." They were standing at the entry of her quarters.

She ignored his words. "About last night—"

"I believe I told you I do not have time for this," he raised his voice.

Hurt, she looked him in the eyes. "One moment please." She went to her room and picked up the shawl she had carefully folded away, and breathed deeply in his scent. She brought it to him a second later. "Thank you for everything you've done for me," she said, without realizing that tears were filling her eyes. She took a step back into the house. "I'll not keep you from your duties."

He moved to take his shawl from her outstretched hands, wondering why he felt so frustrated. Why did it feel like she was rejecting him? And why in the world did that hurt?

Before he could stop himself, he had grabbed her hand along with the shawl. He pushed her into the house and slid the door shut behind him.

"B-Byakuya san" she was looking up at him helplessly, her wrist still encased in his hand. "I understand where you're coming from. You're going off to war, and I will leave. I understand we cannot continue with this," she told him, even as regret flooded her eyes.

"You're not going anywhere," his eyes burned into hers. "Not until I say so." He pulled her into his arms, pressing his lips to hers.

She stiffened for a second, and then parted her lips to kiss him back, melting into his embrace. He dropped her hand and put his arms around her pulling her close, feeling her heated body press up against him willingly. Her softness enveloped his hard trained body, as he prodded her with his tongue, demanding entry. She complied with a sigh, and pulled him close by his haori. His body started responding against hers, and he rocked himself against her. R kissed him deeper, as she felt his hands move up to her chest, gently massaging her aching flesh in his palm. She felt his passion, his loneliness, his fear, and his stubbornness, all in his devouring kiss. She instinctively let out a moan and bit his lip gently, delighted to feel him shudder in her arms.

Cursing himself, Byakuya slowly pulled away. She looked at him as he did, eyes hazy with desire, and he had to struggle to stop himself from taking her then and there. But they couldn't do this now. He wouldn't prey on her weakness, or use her to satisfy his loneliness. His pride wouldn't allow it.

"I will come back for you," he told her, cupping her chin in his hands, his smoldering eyes arousing her more than physical touch. He turned around and left before she could find a word to utter. She took a step forward and stumbled, weak in her knees from that powerful kiss. This was real now. She was falling fast, and she did not even know what was going to happen, or even if he really did exist.