I want to say thanks to Kain101, Tallowlyplum80, Livingdeadclaire, and "Guest", for posting reviews and leaving feedback for the story. It really means a lot to know you guys are enjoying this. With that in mind, I'm going to seriously try to stick to having a new chapter posted every other week (time providing)- maybe more often, if I can get far enough ahead with the writing. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy this chapter.

TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW

Chapter XV:
"Business as Usual, Part 1"

Soul Society...
Central Chamber, Gotei Assembly...

Following their encounter with the rogue Arrancar, Hitsugaya had quickly assembled a passable report to presented to his fellow Captains. He was seated in the Gotei Council chambers, waiting quietly while the other Captains arrived to join him. They were already scheduled to meet- to discuss various matters they were currently dealing with- so this was as good a time as any to appraise them of the situation.

"We only encountered two of them- Katsuro Onigiri and Arachne Van Gewindes- though they claimed to know the location of a number of others, including the Sexta Espada, Grimmjow Jaegerjacquez." He explained, quickly peaking their interests with that last bit of information. "...And I got the feeling from Onigiri's remarks that others from Las Noches may be alive as well."

"So, he survived after all..." Szayel remarked in a low tone, a smile on his face. "Figures, that he'd find a way, given how stubborn he's always been." The Octavio commented. "It could prove advantageous if we could count on the support of the surviving Numeros, or the Privaron."

"I briefly encountered one the three Privarons, Gantenbainne Mosqueda..." Captain Unohana revealed to the others. "By the time I arrived, he'd been defeated by the human, Sado Yatsura, just as a group of skull-faced Arrancar- led by one with Horns- came to collect him... seemingly for execution. But they withdrew without him when they saw Lieutenant Kotetsu and myself."

"Tell me, Captain Hitsugaya," Shinji began, holding his hand up. "As someone who has already had direct dealings with these people..." He paused. "What is your assessment of them, do you believe they are to be trusted?" The blond asked, lips of his wide mouth parsed.

The young Captain didn't reply immediately. "Honestly, Captain Hiraku, I can't envision any reason for them to try and deceive us." He paused. "Though, by that same line of reasoning... We've hardly given them sufficient cause to trust us." Hitsugaya offered evenly.

"Regardless," Byakuya interjected. "The fact remains that the encounter with the two Arrancar that you spoke of has yielded some rather interesting results." The noble remarked. "In fact, it's been brought to my attention that my own Lieutenant has been seen... fraternizing with one of them."

Toshiro almost balked at this, but was able to maintain his calm. "Captain Kuchiki, it's hardly my place to comment on the private affairs of others." He offered evenly.

Szayel turned to the dark-haired man. "Why Captain Kuchiki, you almost make it sound as if you don't trust my kind?" He asked in a mock-serious tone, sporting an obvious grin.

Byakuya regarded him briefly, a stern look in his gray eyes, then he turned away. "I don't." He replied coolly, his veneer of refined calm never wavering.

"Now, now, gentlemen." Ukitake spoke up. "What Lieutenant Abarai chooses to do in his own time is purely at his choice. After all, he is an officer, and so I would hope that we would be able to trust in his judgment and discretion on the matter." He added diplomatically.

The Kuchiki heir appeared as if he wanted to speak further on the matter, but he ultimately chose to let the matter go, for whatever the reason. Still, Soifon couldn't help but bristle inwardly somewhat, given her relationship with Ggio. Though, she quickly opted to remain silent, lest the woman end up drawing any unwanted focus upon either herself or Ggio.

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Elsewhere in Soul Society, the Lieutenants from the various Divisions were similarly gathered around a long table to discuss their respective divisions and to compare notes, as it were...

"We are still no closer to selecting a new Commander for the First." Lieutenant Sasakibe lamented with a sigh as he addressed the other Officers.

"That could be a problem..." Kira chimed in, a resigned look on his face.

"No, I haven't heard anything either." Hinamori added.

Ikaku nodded to himself. "The Captains have been pretty tight-lipped about the matter... Though, if you think about it, there really are only three people who could take the place of Yamamoto."

"He's right." Renji began, shifting in his seat. "To serve as the Supreme Commander... Well, the other Captains either lack the experience or the power to lead the First Division."

"It could only be entrusted to either Unohana-san, Ukitake-san, or Kyoraku-san." Sasakibe remarked, a serious expression gracing his features. "No small responsibility."

"Not that any of the Divisions can spare to loose their Captain." Hisage added. "Given the losses from the War, more than half are already dangerously undermanned as it is."

Nanao cleared her throat. "While Captain Kyoraku is arguably most qualified for the position, I can't imagine him taking on such responsibilities." The bespectacled woman offered them with a sigh, before adjusting her glasses so that they remained perched on the bridge of her nose. "He can hardly manage to run the Eighth Division as it is... and our casualties were comparatively low."

"And Captain Unohana isn't just in charge of the Fourth," Isane commented. "She's also responsible for the Medical Corps... The Corps wouldn't be able to function without her, not now."

"Yeah," Kiyone chimed in. "Just like how the Thirteenth can't spare Captain Ukitake!" The younger of the Kotetsu sisters declared, rising up slightly.

"Yeah, Captain Ukitake can't risk the strain on his health!" Sentaro chimed in, his larger frame allowing him to tower over his smaller Co-Lieutenant.

"Hey, don't you upstage me!" She declared, her gloved hands gripping his shoulders in an effort to try and force him back down to eye-level with herself. Their struggle would have seemed like just another scrap between rivals, except that to those familiar with the intricacies of their relationship- who would have been more inclined to liken it to affectionate roughhousing.

While Isane shook her head at the antics of her younger sibling and her counterpart, Rangiku gave a soft chuckle at their antics. "Maybe in a few more centuries... Captain Hitsugaya might be ready." She offered with a smile as she addressed the others at the table.

The buxom blond then turned to regard Renji, quickly drawing the gaze of the red-haired Officer as she looked at him with her blue eyes. "On a different note... Renji-san," she began, her tone low and almost conspiratorial as she continued. "Tell me, Lieutenant, just how well are things going with you and that sexy new lady friend of yours?" She asked with a salacious grin.

Renji's face flushed a dark shade of crimson, matching his hair. Countless pairs of eyes turned his way, and suddenly all he wanted to do was slink away out of sight. Rangiku rolled her eyes and glanced back to the others. "Oh come on, don't tell me that the rest of you aren't eager to know? After all, it's not as if I can just go ask Captain Soifon about her and her cute neko-kun. She'd probably kill me if I did."

"Seriously," Rangiku went on, turning back to him and leaning in. "What's it like being with her?" She asked, her voice low and silky. "I mean, if I'm honest, I have to say that she really strikes me as the type that would be pretty wild to have in bed." The strawberry blond reasoned deviously.

Renji blanched at that, and both Kira Izuru and Momo Hinamori blushed faintly at the outrageous tone of their fellow Lieutenant's remarks. At the same time, Isane and Nanao- as well as Hisagi and Ikaku- seemed at a loss as to how to react, possibly curious themselves, though too polite to ask outright.

Nemu remained silent and indifferent through the entire exchange, as the crimson-haired man fumbled over his words in an effort to deflect the question.

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Byakuya brought the cup of tea to his lips, taking a drink from the earthenware vessel, then lowered it as he turned to address the other Captain. "Regarding the future of the First Division, it is my view that we can no longer procrastinate on the subject." He began. "For centuries, the First has largely existed to oversee the other Divisions." He continued evenly.

"Aizen's attack and subsequent failed coup for the Celestial Throne has greatly destabilized the balance between the realms." Byakuya reminded them. "For the foreseeable future, I would advise that the First Division's focus be on setting right the imbalance."

"In the wake of the death of the Supreme Commander, and given the radical changes we have enacted, I do not believe it would be efficient to return to a chain of command that places absolute authority in a single figure." Byakuya added. "While this council was formed in the absence of the Central 46, it has more than proven to be an effective means of governing the affairs of Soul Society... Just as it shows that we- the Officers- are the most qualified to make the necessary choices."

At this, a ripple of murmurs arose from the other Captains. "Surely, you're not suggesting what I think you are, Kuchiki-san...?" Rose asked, giving voice to the others concern.

"And why not?" Byakuya asked. "The Nobles who formed the Central 46 existed for the sole purpose of providing oversight for the Court Guard Divisions... And they were slaughtered, like helpless cattle, with the massacre totally unremarked upon." He continued. "And I believe an elite Officer and Warrior would be much harder to assassinate. The three or four senior-most Officers from each of the Division will form the permanent Gotei Council." The noble set down his cup. "I believe that would amount to roughly 40 members, more than enough to handle to the day-to-day concerns of Soul Society."

Unohana was the first to speak up. "Without the Central 46, governing power would shift exclusively to the warrior caste, not unlike the Japanese Shogunate." She began. "What you are proposing would effectively reduce the civilians to to a form underclass... Surely you see the inherent problem in this- the people will not accept what they would surely perceive as nothing less than exploitation."

"On the contrary." Byakuya replied evenly. "The Shinigami are hardly exclusive to the nobility, they are the people they are tasked to protect." He continued. "More than half of the graduates come from the 'lower classes'." He remarked. "In fact, some of our most distinguished Officers have come from the slums of some of the impoverished districts."

"Perhaps, Kuchiki-san," Ukitake began. "though any such gains have largely been to the benefit of the Elite Court Guard..." The Captain explained. "While the state of the people outside the walls remains unchanged. Surely we have some obligation to give something back to them- I mean, what's the good in protecting them from Hollows when they're more likely to die from hunger or sickness?"

"He's right," Hitsugaya remarked. "We're hardly proving the efficiency of the Gotei 13, when there are people dying every day- from preventable causes- while we sit here, chatting over tea."

"It's all well and good to speak of helping the people," Captain Komamura offered. "But without some tangible means of aid, this entire discussion is purely academic."

"So than, any suggestions?" Kensei asked idly, looking to the others.

Szayel adjusted his glasses. "The districts are badly in need of basic infrastructure. Setting up lines of communication would allow us to provide necessary service to the populace."

"Above all else," Captain Unohana began. "what the people desperately need is clean water, food, and access to the basic medical treatments." Unohana declared in her usual tone. "These simple necessities would dramatically reduce the current mortality rates."

"And what of the financial feasibility of such an undertaking?" Shinji asked, folding his arms in front of his chest. "Have you given any real thought to how to pay for these services?" The blond-haired man asked with a toothy grin. "That's a lot of food, water, and medicine to move from point A to point B."

"Perhaps... a Tuntian approach is in order?" Ukitake began. "Provide the means and equipment for the people to tend the land and grow crops." He continued thoughtfully. "And then, when the first harvests come in the spring, they sell a portion of their crop yields to us at a reduced price- in order to recover the expense of the equipment, while leaving them with means to sustain their continued needs."

Szayel smiled again. "And the best thing about farming is that the tools are quite simple to make and even simpler to master the use of." He remarked. "It would be easy enough to produce large quantities of the tools to farm the lands, given the abundance of wood and iron."

Shunsui adjusted the brim of his hat. "Yes, well, you can never have too much of the basic food staples- such as rice, grain, and protein-rich vegetables." He offered. "It's essential, given the high caloric needs of the more spiritually powerful. And not to mention, timely with the wave of recent graduates and those still currently enrolled at Shinô Reijutsuin academy." The scruffy captain added.

"He's right, it's no different from feeding an army." Kenpachi added, finally breaking his long silence since the start of the captains' meeting. "Like troops, Shinigami march on their stomachs."

"As to the medical aspect," Szayel began. "The Twelfth spent a great deal of both time and resources in developing toxins to kill people." The Espada continued. "Perhaps, some of that energy might be put to better use by saving lives rather taking them, don't you think?"

"Well, that's one issue addressed." Hitsugaya began seriously. "However, what we need now is a clear overture on our part, something to prove that Soul Society is the inclusive organization that I'm sure all of us here would like to think of it as." The younger Captain remarked.

"Which ties in with another important point, the Arrancar." Byakuya began. "As we go forward with this new alliance, the people need to understand that they will soon be a permanent fixture, as well as the benefits of this new arrangement... And I believe the new Division, comprised of both Shinigami and Arrancar, will facilitate this." He reasoned coolly.

"He's right," Kensei chimed in. "As Vizards, we're all well aware of the stigma that comes with simply having manifested Hollow powers... So anything that can be done to lessen the people's inherent fears of the Arrancar themselves would be an invaluable step forward."

"Not to mention," Rose interjected calmly. "it will allow the Arrancar to take an active role in their own species' development." He added, his expression mostly neutral as he spoke.

The Captain of the Sixth nodded. "While the files you were given go into greater detail, I cannot stress enough the importance of a truly integrated Division." He paused. "Given what I've discerned of her so far, I feel confident that Nelliel-Tu Obberschank possesses both the qualifications and the temperament needed to serve as Captain of this new division."

Szayel paled slightly at this. "Oh yes... Lady Obberschank is quite formidable, in fact, I..." He fidgeted slightly before continuing. "I'd go so far as to say she's undefeated... well, mostly." The Octavio Espada managed uneasily, as he tucked his hands into the pockets of his Captain's haori.

Byakuya regarded the pink-haired Arrancar with a look of mild suspicion, only to promptly resume the line of the conversation. "There will be two Lieutenants, one Shinigami and one Arrancar, to serve as intermediaries for their respective Division members." He continued. "Captain Kyoraku, perhaps your former Lieutenant, Yadomaru-san, might be interested in serving as Blue Lieutenant?"

"Goodness, now that's a thought..." Shunsui replied with a broad smile. "Well, I can certainly ask my dear Nanao-chan to speak to her about it." The brown-haired man explained.

"Please see that she does." Byakuya replied, giving a small nod. "As to the matter of funding the creation and operation..." he paused, holding up his hand in a gesture, resulting in one of his retainers appearing at his side to present him a small rectangular object wrapped in cloth. The elder Kuchiki swiftly unwrapped the object, revealing a wooden box.

He rotated the box around, so as to face the others, then- with a small flash of reiki- proceed to lift the lid up to show the Captains what was inside. "This koban chest contains ten gold Dai-Ryō, equal to 100 gold Ryō, or if you prefer, two-thousand silver Gō." He explained calmly, everyone taken aback by the presence of so much currency before them. "This koban is an investment- not just by the Kuchiki, but a number of other families. In fact, it's only a down-payment, half of the total. Thanks to the generosity of the Omaeda Family, I can promise a second koban- another 100 Ryō."

He then closed the lid and placed a talisman on it, the same kido spell flashing momentarily to reseal the box once more. "Now, as I am sure that you- my fellow Captains are all eager to return to your own respective divisions, the only matter left is to see that this is safely transferred to the relics vault within the Central Chamber." Byakuya remarked. "Captain Hitsugaya, I am confident that you appreciate how important such a tasks is? So, unless there are any objections, please see to it's safe journey."

The snow-haired Captain looked on, wide-eyed as the dark-haired nobleman presented the small chest before him. Hitsugsaya nodded, quickly managing to compose himself as he accepted the koban, then rose to his feet smartly. "Yes, of course, Captain Kuchiki." He replied. "I'll see it right away."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Toshiro let out a sigh as he exited the Central Chamber, making his way down the steps. Along the way, he spotted the curvaceous figure of his Lieutenant, waving to him. She moved to intercept him, a smile on her face, as she effortlessly fell in step alongside him.

"So Captain, how was the meeting with the other Division Commanders?" The blond woman asked cheerfully as they walked toward the barracks of the Tenth.

The youth exhaled, glancing her way. "Exhausting." Hitsugaya replied. "Still, it looks like things are on track- on our side, at least- to facilitate the summit between the Shinigami and this growing new faction of Arrancar in Huecco Mundo." The young Captain revealed. "It's another important step in the right direction- we have to win over the Arrancar, if we're going to restore stability to the realms."

He ran a hand through his hair, pausing to rub the back of his scalp. "I've never seen so much gold in one place... But why was he so quick to entrust me with it...?" He murmured to himself.

"Captain?" Rangiku asked, a look of curiosity on her face.

The sound of her voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "Oh, nothing, it's nothing." Hitsugaya replied, with a shake of his head. "More importantly," the Captain resumed in his usual tone. "Have you gotten started on your paperwork yet?" He asked, without bothering to look her way as they walked.

"Actually I finished it." Rangiku answered cheerfully.

"W-what?!" Hitsugaya sputtered, coming to a stop. "You're actually being serious?"

She smiled and nodded, taking a few steps, then turned to face him, still smiling at the confused sight of the white-haired youth standing stiff before her. "Wow!" The blond declared. "It was totally worth it just to be able to see the look on your face right now, Captain, you know that?"

Upset, he swiftly turned away from her, a brooding look overtaking him. "Dammit, Matsumoto! I can't believe how far you're willing to go just to get a- a cheep laugh at my expense!"

Her grin soured for an instant, then she moved to clap a hand on his shoulder, only for him to shrug it off and continue to keep his back to her. "Oh come on, don't be like that, Captain!" Rangiku implored the simmering young man. "I- it was just a joke."

Hitsugaya attempted to go on his way, only to be stopped in his tracks as she encircled him in her arms from behind, abruptly drawing him into her embrace- and bosom! He blushed at first, feeling her warm body against his own, the back of his snow-white main nestled in her chest. "Captain, please, I couldn't help but tease you... You're always so serious and stressed out. It worries me."

He really should have been more upset by this, but he couldn't help but feel strangely at ease, there in her arms as if that was where he was meant to be. After a moment, Toshiro allowed himself to relax and took a deep breath, his eyes closed for a moment. "Come on, Matsumoto... Let's go home, back to the
Tenth where we belong." He began, easing out of her arms.

They weren't that far from the barracks now. He took her hand in his and led them silently. Rangiku blushed as she allowed herself to be led, hand-in-hand, by her Captain... Not simply the Captain of the Division, but her Captain- the one person she felt she fully depend on. Thankfully, for Hitsugaya at least, they didn't run into anyone as he brought her to his office.

He let go of her hand and slid the door open. Once the woman followed him inside, shutting the door behind her as she did so, he turned to her with one of his rare smiles. "Well, seeing as how we're both caught up on our paperwork." Toshiro began. "How about I prepare some tea?"

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Byakuya exited through the main gate of Central Chamber, only to sense a familiar powerful reiatsu signature directly behind him. "Kyoroku-san." He spoke without looking.

The disheveled man appeared beside him amidst the flourish of pink floral sequence material, with a leisurely grin set amidst his unshaven face. A hand came up to adjust the wide brim of his straw hat as he regarded the other man, the nobleman being his mirror opposite in so many ways: refined, prim, well-groomed, and by Shunsui's logic- far too uptight for his own health.

"Well now, Kuchiki-san, I must say, that was quite a gambit you played back there." Shunsui began with a sly smile. "It would seem that Jinrei-sama trained you well." He commented, giving the man a knowing look as he met his gray eyes with his dark brown ones.

This prompted Byakuya to turn to him. "Is there some point to this discussion?" He countered coolly, giving away nothing as he addressed his fellow Captain.

"Ah, well... Not really." Shunsui replied. "You're a very good strategist, but don't forget that there's a lot of pieces in motion in this game that you seem to be playing." He added cryptically, giving another smile before turning to leave. "And as long as you keep on making the right moves, well, I suppose it's your game to play." He added, before departing in his usual languid manner. "Just keep in mind, this isn't Shogi we're talking about."

Byakuya watched in silence as the man gradually disappeared into the distance. After a moment, he turned to see Unohana standing to the right of him. "Captain Unohana." He acknowledged.

The woman nodded. "Captain Kuchiki." She returned. "This proposal of yours... There is one aspect of it that I am curious as to- why?" Unohana asked evenly.

Byakuya nodded. "It's simple," he began calmly. "When one wishes to rebuild a home, simply recreating the structure is meaningless, as long as the foundation is warped and rotten."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

Ukitake had been on his way to make a quick stop off at his family estate, before heading back to the Thirteenth Division. However, upon his arrival, he was met by the sight of Stark- actually awake of his own volition, standing at the front gate. Aside from seeing the male half of the Primera Espada upright, the tall man wore an expression that the Captain could only describe as "distracted".

To further drive home how uncommon this all was, Stark spoke first. "Jushiro-san," he began, having grown more accustomed to addressing the Shinigami by his given name. "Do you have a moment...?" He continued. "There's something I've been meaning to talk to you about for a while."

The Captain nodded after a moment. "Of course, Stark-san." He replied. "We can talk about it inside."

The tall Arrancar nodded, as he turned to follow the white-haired Shinigami- down the stone pathway that ran through the front garden, up to the front steps leading to the entrance.

Ukitake lit the flame under the tea kettle, taking his seat on a cushion in one of the back rooms of the estate that looked out across the rear courtyard. "So, what's troubling you?"

Stark, seated across from him on the tatami mats, his long legs folded, took a long breath, before he met the gaze of the other man. "It's about Lillynette..." He began after a moment. "When the war ended, it felt like she finally had found a focus in her life- a place away from the dangers of Huecco Mundo, and people with whom she could finally form bonds with."

Ukitake arched a brow, processing the Espada's words, as well as the measure of unease in his voice as he spoke to him. "From what I've observed, as well as what I've heard from Unohana, Lilly-chan seems perfectly happy to me." He recounted. "Has something changed?"

"That's the problem." The scruffy Arrancar began. "Recently, something's changed- she's been on edge and irritable at times..." He paused. "And when I try to talk to her about it, she just tells me that nothing is wrong and refuses to speak any further about whatever is bothering her."

Ukitake crossed his arms, rubbing his chin as he mulled over what he'd been told. "Hmm, her posture and body language is different... And she changed her attire recently, into something more practical, as if she gained a greater sense of modesty or..." He paused. "Wait, now both yourself and Lillynette have existed for a very long time." He continued. "But physically and emotionally speaking, she's far more like an adolescent girl." The Captain declared, a thought expression gracing his features, as the tall Espada's eyes widening slightly over the sudden revelation.

The kettle started bubbling, prompting Ukitake to remove it and pour the contents into a pair of cups on a small tray. He handed one of the cups to Stark before he went on. "Think about it: As yourself and the other Espada have become more like my kind and the humans, then it could easily stand to reason that this evolution would make you more... human, as it were. And might, thereby, make you subject to the related effects associated with this stage of development."

Stark took a drink, but remained silent as he listened...

Ukitake nodded to himself. "Yes, it's starting to make sense, the more I think about... Not unlike what I observed with my sisters when I was younger." He paused. "She's starting to enter an important stage in her development... And she'll need help." The captain sipped from the cup. "But far more than any kind of help that either of us would be able to provide her."

"Then what can we do?" Stark asked uneasily. "I created her, from a portion of my own reiki, to walk beside me, so that I wouldn't have to be alone." He paused, rubbing his chin. "But she's more than just a piece of me- Lillynette is her own being, far beyond anything I could have foreseen at the time."

At this, Jushiro nodded understandingly. "Right now, she doesn't need any men- Shinigami or Arrancar- prying into such personal matters." He remarked with a small smile. "Rather, what she needs right now is someone she can relate to, someone who's experienced what she's going through..."

"In other words, another female." Stark ventured.

"Yes. One she feels comfortable around and who she respects." The Captain added with a smile, as he set his cup down on the tray. "I'll be sure to speak with Unohana-san next time I meet her, about putting aside some time to talk with Lillynette, one-to-one."

. . . ...o.o.o... . . .

As soon as Renji arrived at the front gates of the Sixth Division, he was greeted by the fluttering luminescence of a Hell's Butterfly. The small winged messenger delivered its message, instructing the Lieutenant to report to Captain Kuchiki's Office upon his return.

The tattooed Soul Reaper wasn't accustomed to receiving such open-ended instruction, given the strict formality that was characteristic of the nobleman that led the Division. Just as Byakuya Kuchiki wasn't to sort to surrender his time to the pursuit of idle conversation. Never the less, it would be even worse for an Officer to willfully ignore a summons from his Commander, let alone one from his Captain.

As Renji made his way down the halls of the Sixths, his thoughts lingered on the possible reasons for why he was being called on. Renji had began his career in the Eleventh, serving under the embodiment of mayhem that was his previous Captain, so he was no stranger to tension or to violent confrontations with his fellow Division members. However, the man he now served was almost the polar opposite of Captain Kenpachi: controlled in temperament, elegant in poise, and seemingly unflappable.

He arrived at the door, giving a small knock before opening the door to reveal the dark-haired figure of his Captain, seated behind his ornate wooden desk- resplendent, with his long hair help in clips and the priceless wind-silk scarf around his neck. He didn't look up at first, instead opting to finish signing the documents before him and replace his pen in the ink nearby ink well. Once this was done, he cast his gaze up, impassive gray eyes meeting his brown ones.

"Captain." Renji acknowledged with a bow.

"Lieutenant." He answered with a nod. "You may be seated." Byakuya instructed evenly, indicating the cushion situated in front of his desk.

Without further prompting, Renji knelt down on the cushion and took his seat, hands folded in his lap as he silently waited for the man before him to continue.

"I summoned you here so that I might speak with you," Byakuya began. "To begin with, the personal affairs of those serving under me are not within my purview. It is neither my interest nor duty to harbor opinions regarding the means in which my subordinates chose to comport themselves in their own time, as long as their actions remain their own, and have no baring on the functions of the Division."

There was a pause, and Renji felt a chill run through him.

"However, as of late," Byakuya continued. "Your recent actions are such that I am now required to call you here, in person, so that you might explain yourself."

The tense atmosphere was now on its way to becoming downright oppressive. And the almost accusing tone of his Captain wasn't helping either. "Captain, sir, I don't understand..."

"Don't insult my intelligence by feigning ignorance." He countered. "You know perfectly well what I'm talking about, do not attempt to imply otherwise." Byakuya continued sharply. "You are doing yourself no favors by your insistence in continuing this ruse."

The Lieutenant swallowed. "Captain Kuchiki, sir," he replied. "I am not hiding anything, I don't even know what is that I am being accused of."

The nobleman fixed his with a hard gaze. "So be it then." Byakuya began darkly. "I had entertained the idea that you might see some sense and spare me the trouble... But as you refuse to speak of the matter, then I will," he continued coldly. "I will be quite plain with you, Lieutenant. The female Arrancar, the one you have involved yourself with... Did you think I would somehow not be fully aware of this?"

"Arachne?" Renji spoke up, now confused. "Sir, what does she have to do with any of this?"

"Enough!" Byakuya snapped. "I did not call you here so as to play games. Were it not for your years of service, I would have had you detained for interrogation." He continued icily. "She has done nothing to warrant our trust, and we know next to nothing about her. Yet, you have invited her into the heart of our entire operation, into this Division... She has been seen repeatedly, in and around your quarters."

The crimson-haired man bristled at this. "Captain, with respect, surely what I choose to do in my own private time is purely a matter of my judgment." Renji countered, his body tensing.

"Judgment?!" The Captain fired back. "You presume to speak to me of your judgment? When you may have already compromised this entire Division, perhaps even Soul Society!" Byakuya exclaimed, as he leaned forward, glaring at Renji. "And for what? To sleep with her?!"

"Arachne is not your concern." Renji countered sternly, taken aback by the other man's tone.

"Your incompetence is very much my concern!" Byakuya snapped. "You're risking everything- your career, your future, the future of this Division, of Soul Society!- and all just so that you could remain between the legs of that monster!" He exclaimed. "Well, answer me! Do you have nothing to say for yourself?!" His clenched fist crashed down against the desk as he uttered the last bit.

By now, any sense of restraint or notions of decorum shattered as Renji's outrage surged fourth like water frothing and spilling from an overheated cauldron. "You may be my superior officer, but I have no intention of sitting here and listening to you insult me and someone I care about!"

"You took an oath, damn you!" Byakuya barked, standing up.

Renji bolted to his feet. "I took an oath as a Shinigami! I owe you my loyalty as an officer and as your Lieutenant, but my life is my own!" He exclaimed. "And if my loyalty isn't enough for you, sir, then you should find another Lieutenant! Because your personal approval isn't worth me pretending to be someone or something I'm not!" The inked Shinigami declared defiantly.

"How dare you throw everything I've given you in my face!" Byakuya countered.

"Given me?!" Renji snapped. "Everything I have that matters, I earned! The only thing you've 'given' me was this badge!" He declared, plucking it from his robes and holding up it up for Byakuya to see, the redhead's frame moving as he breathed. "And if you want it back, then I'll gladly hand it over to you, because I don't need an object to make me the person I am."

Silence fell between them, then to Renji's confusion, Byakuya's expression and posture relaxed as any sign of outrage vanished. "Well put, Lieutenant." He offered calmly. "Please, have a seat." The Captain added, taking his seat behind his desk, gesturing for Renji to do the same.

Dumbly, Renji slumped down into a seated position before his Captain, at a total loss as to how to react to this sudden development- the mood shifting from anger to to one of civility.

"There comes a time, in every man life, when they must dig their heels in and take a stand, to be ready to fight for their principles." Byakuya explained calmly. "It's one of the things that proves whether or not you're ready to wear a Captain's jacket one day."

"Wait," Renji began, flustered. "This was a test?"

Byakuya nodded. "And you passed." He answered simply. "Now, I suspect that we could both do with a cup a tea." The Captain remarked, forming a Hell's Butterfly.

(- End of Chapter XV -)

Well, as with Ch 13 and 14, I could tell- even in the outline- that this chapter was going to end up too long to fit into a single installment. Rather than condense or cut scenes, I chose to divide it into two chapters. However, this chapter ended up running short in the first draft, while the next chapter wound up running way too long... To the extent that I had to move a couple of scenes to this chapter, in order to keep the second half from spilling into yet another chapter.