First off, I want to say thanks to MLJCoyoteStarrk, Starscape91, Kain101, taity, "Guest", and everyone else for their reviews and feedback.

While plotting out the storyline, I started to realize that there were a number of ideas and scenes that didn't fit into the overall narrative... Sometimes, the context of the scene or scenes was at odds with the flow of the chapter. Other times, the original idea (as planned) turned out not to be long or robust enough to sustain a chapter by themselves. And in other cases, it might be an entire side plot that I decided to cut for reasons of continuity and/or pacing, or when the chapter wound up running too long.

After thinking about it for a while, I realized some of these ideas and scenes could still be of benefit to the story, as special supplemental content that could flesh out the main story- set between the chapters- hence why I chose to label them as "Interludes". Some of these will be shorter in length than the actual chapters, because they're focused on only one or two characters, or a single plot thread. Others will focus on several characters, linked thematically by a common thread in their narratives. If it helps, you can think of these as bonus content (or "omakes").

TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW

Interlude 01: "The Patriarch"

The Past...

Soul Society, the Kuchiki Estate...

Byakuya Kuchiki was seated on a plush cushion, inside of one the many large ornate waiting rooms within his family's massive sprawling household. He'd been instructed by his grandfather, Genrei, that he was would be visited by a man- who's both name and purpose, he was not at liberty to divulge.

Instead, the elder Kuchiki had said only that it was within the powers of this nameless visitor to decide whether or not he was indeed fit to lead the family. This sudden revelation had struck Byakuya as odd, given that he'd been recognized as the head of the family for some time by this point. However, Genrei had gone on to inform him that his forthcoming visitor came and went "in his own time", and that he represented the larger concerns of his suitability, and not those of the elders.

The young noble had been unsure as to how to respond to this. And the vagueness of his Grandfather's explanation had done little to clarify any of it. Byakuya was not used to dealing with situations wherein he was at a clear disadvantage- as the mysterious visitor seemed to hold all the cards. And he'd further taken aback at the notion that an outsider could hold such sway over the lofty-minded elders operating out of that musty grand assembly hall in the heart of the estate...

Byakuya looked up as the decorated wood-and-paper door slid open. And he was even more taken back by the figure that entered the room. The man looked like nothing he'd ever seen before.

Firstly, the man was dressed almost entirely in black. He wore a plush black jacket, over a matching vest and white buttoned shirt- with ruffles in the front and protruding from the cuffs of his jacket- with some kind of black silken scarf fixed around the collar. He wore a pair of sleek black pants and a pair of shiny black boots covering his feet, along with tight white gloves on his hands. But the most unusual part of his ensemble was the long cape-like cloak that hung from around his shoulders- fastened below the neck with some kind of locket. He also brandished a long cane in his hand- made of finished wood, capped at the base and with a hook-like handle at the head.

Wordlessly, he took a seat across from Byakuya, the cane resting across his lap. The Nobleman noted that he was clean-shaven, with a strong jaw and a long straight nose. His dark brown hair appeared to be slicked back- such that his ears were visible- and parted to side on top, leaving the slicked locks in the front to fall in neat wave of hair at an angle his brow-line.

"Well now, I suppose you must a great deal of question," he began. "And I suspect that among them is 'who is this strange man sitting before me'?" He asked with a smile.

"That at least," Byakuya began. "You are the proctor of this test, whatever it may be."

The man only smiled deviously. "Oh, come now, I am far more than that... Just as what you are about to experience is far more than a mere test." He continued. "My identity is immaterial, just as my motives are my own." The man went on. "You need only to concern yourself with the present."

"And what, exactly is the purpose of this, then?" Byakuya asked indifferently.

"You do not know? Good, this is as it should be." The stranger remarked. "My unannounced arrival was by intention- so that your honorable Grandfather, his Lordship Genrei, would not have the chance of inclination to take it upon himself to prepare you for what is to come." He paused. "For this to be a success, you must come in blind to the very nature of this meeting."

"If you wish, you may think of me as 'the Inquisitor'." He explained. "Though that is more a title than a description of my purpose." The Inquisitor paused. "For the duration of this meeting, I shall be the one asking the questions, and you shall be the one giving answers. Do you understand this?"

Byakuya nodded, watching as the man rose to his feet, his cane tucked under his arm, as he reached into his cloak and produced a slip of paper. "You, Byakuya Kuchiki, are the heir-apparent to one of the most prestigious families in the realm." He began. "However, you must first understand what qualities defines one as noble... Titles, land, wealth, these are all things bestowed merely by virtue of one's birthright, regardless of merit or character. And so, if you are to have any chance of success, then you must accept that 'nobility' is not simple a title of rank, but a virtue."

The Inquisitor broke the wax seal on the paper as he continued. "I am here, today, to serve as a neutral arbiter, to judge your worthiness, without bias or prejudice." He explained. "As you may have surmised from my dress and manor, I am an outsider within this society of yours. I have no rank or title here, and my actions are my own. I have no authority over you, beyond what you allow me. Your participation in this is entirely voluntary, and you are free to leave at your own discretion... However, know now that doing so will mean a judgment of failure."

Byakuya arched a brow at him. "And why would I wish to leave?"

The man set his cane down. "Again, you come to me with questions, even though you know there will be no answers." He replied. "You need only concern yourself with the task at hand. The the details of this inquisition are my concern." He paused. "Now, do you understand?"

Again, Byakuya simply nodded.

With that, the man smiled and retook his seat across the table from him, the folded slip of paper still casually clasped in his gloved hand. "Now then, let us begin with a simple question." The man started in a genial tone. "Firstly, please tell me who you are?"

"You know who I am." Byakuya answered dully.

"Do I?" The man countered. "And for that matter, do you?"

Annoyance flickered briefly across the noble's gray eyes. "Is this some kind of game?"

"That's a question." He reminded him.

Byakuya exhaled, then nodded. "The Kuchiki are one of the oldest and most prestigious clans, with a lineage that can traced to the Celestial King, and I am the Head of the Kuchiki family."

"That remains to be seen." The Inquisitor replied with a smile. "And it's fast becoming apparent to me that we have a great deal of work ahead of us if you are to reach that point." He went on. "Though, if your tone is any indication, I should warn you that your suitability is in doubt."

"I can only answer you based upon what I know." Byakuya retorted. "You asked me who I am, and this I know, so I have given you the answer." He reasoned.

The man in black frowned. "On the contrary, you have told me nothing more than that which has been ingrained upon you by your family, since you were a boy." He replied cuttingly. "I am not of your clan, so the colorless platitudes handed down to you by the cabal of Kuchiki Elders- who have meticulously molded and shaped your all your life- are of no interest to me."

At this, he leaned back slightly, fixing him with a stern gaze. "What I require of you are answers, and yet so far, all you have provided me so far are words."

Byakuya visibly frowned this time. "I fail to see the point of your continued obtuseness."

The Inquisitor smiled. "And I fail to see the merit in your continued refusal to move past your stubborn pride and speak truthfully." He fired back at him. "Have you nothing to say of your own?"

"I am Kuchiki," the noble responded. "I was born into this way life, it is the only perspective I know."

The other man's eyes narrowed at this. "I don't believe that," he began, shaking his head. "And I don't think you do either." He continued. "People are more than the sum of the circumstances in which they are born into. You... You, for example, you desire to live hidden behind the masks you created..."

It was in this moment, that Byakuya realized that they the waiting room had been engulfed in shroud of darkness, and he could see nothing beyond the small circle of light they now resided within, inside this void of nothingness. The nobleman was further taken back when a cloaked and hooded figure appeared at their side- the face covered by a white mask, with arching slits where the eyes and mouth would have been, similar to the face of a kitsune votive figure.

"Behold, Byakuya Kuchiki, yourself." The Inquisitor declared, gesturing the figure with a wave of his gloved hand. The raven-haired Shinigami turned to the figure, just in time to watch- transfixed- as the figure reached up to remove its mask... revealing his own face.

"But for what reason do you hide?" The Inquisitor mused. "Do you wish to hide away from the world, or is there something concealed within you...?" He asked. "Some facet of yourself, perhaps- something that you do wish known to the prying eyes and ears of others?"

Byakuya turned back to him. "I have nothing to hide, not from you, or anyone else."

"Now you are simply lying." The man replied. "Everyone has something to hide- something they do not wish to be exposed- and you are no exception." The Inquisitor declared. "I myself have long since discarded notions of vanity or ego." He continued. "They came to me, neither angles nor demons, but something more... They helped me to cast aside my old identity, like bones onto the desert sands. And in so doing, I finally understood... it was the understanding to see through to the core of others."

"If you really intend to see this successfully through to its conclusion, then you must withhold nothing from me. You must me your true self." He declared. "Though, I am afraid that we are fast approaching an impasse in this exploration." The Inquisitor added. "For reasons, that I intend to uncover as this goes on, you are unwilling to be open with me. And so, if a subtle technique will not work, then perhaps a far more... direct approach is required." He reasoned as he unfolded the paper.

"Sìgnantés es," he began chanting. "de sanctûm décem quadrátum ex vèritaté!"

There was a flash of energy, as a ten-sided chamber formed around them. Byakuya rose up, but had to shield his eyes as the energy turned to matter- entrapping them. A second wave of energy knocked him back onto the ground. He promptly opened his gray eyes, just in time to watch as the final addition to the room took shape before him- in the form of two waist-high pillars.

Byakuya looked on as the Inquisitor rose to his feet. "What is this, what have you done?" He asked as he got back up onto his feet yet again.

"Arté ligáre," the man declared resolutely, as he turned the tip of his cane toward Byakuya in a quick flurry of motion. "Manícis hæreticus!" He added.

Circles of energy formed around both of Byakuya's wrists. "It is done." He resumed. "With this, I have bound you with shackles- forged link by link, from your own energy." The Inquisitor explained calmly as he lowered his cane. "You are familiar with principle behind the technique?"

Byakuya regarded him wearily for a moment. "Kido... you, you've sealed me."

He nodded. "What you know as 'reiki', is hardly exclusive to your culture... It has many names, Chi, Brahma, mana, among others." The Inquisitor remarked. "The spell I have placed you under is unique, if you lie or attempt to withhold anything related to the matters we will be addressing, it will react by inflicting pain upon you... Be warned, it can detect any measure of obfuscation, whether intentional or on an unconscious level- and will punish you regardless. There is nothing that you can hide."

Byakuya regarded the man with a scornful look, but otherwise maintained his composure as he reached up to loosen the front of his robes around his neck.

"Now, place your hands atop the two pillars before you." He calmly instructed, content to observe as Byakuya mulled over the situation, and eventuality capitulated. "Now, I should warn you that this is a bit more subtle than just a means of punishing you for telling lies. The purpose is to bring forth the truth that you are unwilling to acknowledge... And through pain, you will find deliverance."

"This is... sadism." Byakuya replied. "But do what you will, I'm not leaving."

"You really think me so petty? That this has all been orchestrated for some perverse desire on my part to inflict pain on you for my own amusement?" He asked. "I desire only the truth... But alas, facing the truth can be painful for some." The Inquisitor paused. "However, if you wish, I will tell the word you can speak to free yourself, so that you may leave..."

He gestured to to the side, as a door appeared in one of the facets. "You simply command it to end, and then you can leave through that door." The man explained. "This is not an interrogation, this inquisition exists to uncover the truth. However, remember that leaving is an admission of defeat."

"That's hardly a choice..." Byakuya replied.

"But still, it is a choice." The Inquisitor replied. "Choice is the foundation of life. And the truth is that you hold all the power because it's your choice- whether you stay or walk away."

Byakuya shook his head. "You speak as if leaving were an option for me... We both know there's too much at stake for me to simply 'walk away' from this."

"Interesting that you should say that," he fired back with a smile. "but no matter, we'll cover that topic in due course." He remarked. "For the moment, I'm far more concerned with learning how much of the person before me is the real you- where the youthful bravado end, and the man begins."

"I assure you, I am not so young as you think me to be." Byakuya sniped.

"True, but you're hardly 'old' in any sense of the word. Certainly, not old enough to justify the morose manner in which you comport yourself." He fired back. "Now, it's clear that you have a strong will, not to mention pride... But pride can only take a man so far. So let us try something different. Let's us begin with your professional life, shall we?" He remarked casually, as he sat down in a tall chair with a high back and armrests. "You are Captain of the Sixth Division, one of the thirteen units that comprises the Elite Court Guards... You hold one of the highest posts that could ever be dreamed of."

"And yet, by all outward accounts, you seem to take no joy or pride in this auspicious post, treating it with little more than a perfunctory deference." He went on, gesticulating with his hands as he spoke to the nobleman before him. "And given that we're only just beginning this session... Well, I have to say that it's hardly a promising start..." He began gravely.

Some time later...

The Inquisitor held the strange sleek cup to his mouth, taking a sip from it, before replacing it on its saucer, next to an unusual kettle, atop the nearby tray. "Now then, tell me, my dear Byakuya, in your own words, what it means to be a Captain." He instructed cordially.

Byakuya took a moment to compose his thoughts, this- whatever it was they playing- had been going on for a while now. "The Captain is the leader of the Division, its Commander. He is the man in which authority is vested, and the one the troops are to follow, and-" He was interrupted by another sudden painful sensation, surging though his body like he'd been struck by lightning.

The Inquisitor frowned and shook his head. "What a disgustingly pedestrian answer... Please don't tell me that's the tone you take with your men?" He asked incredulously. "I was under the impression that a leader must have passion and a zeal for life, that inspires those around him. But you, sir... Well, you're hardly inspiring. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that you're downright depressing."

"How was any of what I said untrue?" Byakuya began coarsely. "I wasn't lying to you!"

"No! You're lying to yourself." The brown-haired man sniped back at him.

"Tell me then..." Byakuya continued. "Tell me what you want to hear, so that I-" But the spell struck him again, interrupting him mid-sentence.

The man watched as his knees trembled slightly. "Look at you, the reason the spell keeps lashing out at you because you're unwilling to honest with yourself." He admonished. "There's no conviction in what you're saying. You're just citing from a script... You are yet to convince me that there is any measure of substance to you- not as the head of your family, nor as a Captain. And at the rate you're disappointing me, we'll soon be out of avenues to explore." He declared.

"Unless, this truly is the extent of who and what you are... Then, continuing this dialogue would serve no purpose." The Inquisitor remarked. "If you have nothing worthwhile to tell, then you might as well do us both the courtesy of leaving now- just undo the binding of the spell and take your leave through that door, sir... At least then, you'll no longer be wasting either of our time, hmm?"

"No... I refuse to leave... Continue with your questions-" Byakuya was halted mid-sentence yet again as the spell lashed out him, filling his with pain. He toppled to his knees, gasping for breath, while the Inquisitor left his chair to approach him. "...why?"

"Because the words have to mean something." He explained, looking him in the eyes. "Just saying the words from memory doesn't mean anything, a common starling could accomplish that, but only a man can say the words and mean them." The man explained to him. "If you're not yet prepared to speak the truth, you can at least do me the courtesy of being sincere in your defiance... I'm afraid, Mr. Byakuya, that spite does not become you, my good sir." He offered.

He then stepped back. "Now, back on your feet, as we still have a great deal of ground to cover, and you've already fallen woefully behind as it is, so you don't have the time to slack off."

Slowly and with deliberate motions, Byakuya rose up and shook his head, trying to clear his mind and get a handle on his thoughts. "I can't think clearly, it's hard to breath..." He murmured aloud as he undid the tie to his haori and slid it off, to relieve himself of some of the choking warmth that came with the layers of expensive fabric he was clothed in. "Go on..." He spoke, placing his hands on the pillars.

The Inquisitor nodded, back in his chair. "Normally, I would not pry into such delicate matters, but I fear that it has come to the point where I can no longer afford you any courtesy." He began. "Now, as I understand, you were married at one time... Please tell me about your late wife?"

Byakuya looked at the mysterious man for a moment, disdain flickering in his gray eyes, some of his long black hair having come loose, but he once again relented to the man's questions. "Her name... her name was... Hisana." He replied with effort after a moment.

The man nodded, interlacing his fingers together in front of his face. "Go on, please."

The nobleman gave an unguarded expression, one of genuine tiredness as he regard the man in black seated before him. "What specifically do you want to know?"

The Inquisitor shook his head. "Again, the same clinical tone... Is that the way you spoke to Hisana?"

Byakuya stiffened at this, bristling at the man's dismissive tone. "What?" More emotion seeping into that single word than anything else he'd said previously.

But the Inquisitor remained undeterred by the slight shift in his tone. "You're not a man." He countered contemptuously. "You're a statue, cast in marble, with a heart of stone, and no woman worth pursuing would ever harbor any true measure of feeling for man like yourself!" He declared, giving a dismissive wave of his hand as he spoke. "Your words are hollow and rehearsed. And I do not believe that the man standing here now could ever be capable of harboring any real feelings for her."

He eased into his chair, looking down the bridge of his nose at Byakuya. "After all, people like you, of your lofty social standing, are far too practical- you don't marry out of love, you forge alliances through prearranged unions." He continued mockingly. "And being the ever dutiful Kuchiki son that you clearly are, you would be obliged to act in the interests of your family. So, tell me then... Just what did your precious family gain from your marriage to Hisana?"

The dark-haired Shinigami's brow furrowed and his gray eyes darkened. "Don't you... ever talk about... Hisana like that." He said, practically through grit teeth.

However, the strangely dressed man just smirked and cocked his head. "Come now, it's a little late for you to suddenly become defensive, don't you think?" He retorted. "Now, answer the question, what did your family gain through you marrying her?"

"You already know the answer the answers that question!" He snapped angrily.

"Don't be so certain of that." The Inquisitor replied. "I want to hear you say it! So stop hiding behind family and speak for yourself, man!" He demanded. "Or, did Hisana truly mean so little to you that she isn't even worth the words passing your lips?"

"Stop saying her name!" Byakuya exclaimed. "You never knew her- I loved her, I loved Hisana!"

"But your obligation to your family, what of them?!"

"I... I..." Byakuya faltered at this, torn between the warring impulses in him.

He was on his feet in a flash. "You expect me to believe that you would go against your entire family simply to marry a woman of no discernible social standing or pedigree?" He exclaimed as he moved to approach him. "A woman too sickly to bestow you with an heir, who then dies and leaves you alone to handle the burden of caring for her younger sister?"

"No!" Byakuya screamed. "I have never thought of Rukia as a burden! I gave my word to Hisana- not as the head of the Kuchiki, but as her husband- that Rukia would want for nothing. Because in the end, I couldn't save Hisana... But, I could free her of regrets in her final days. Because I could give Rukia the happiness that time stole from Hisana and myself, because... because..."

Byakuya felt overcome by fatigue and started to topple forward, only to be stopped in his plummet by the Inquisitor, who then helped him to stand up. "Because you loved her." He finished for him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Just as you love Rukia, as if she were your own flesh and blood..." He paused, looking into the man's gray eyes. "But it wasn't that simple, was it?"

Byakuya shook his head. "No... I failed her... I failed Rukia as her elder brother, and so doing, I failed Hisana as her husband... and as man." He lamented in a tired voice.

He helped them over to sit in the chair. "How did you fail them?"

"Somewhere, along the way, I... I forgot." He began. "I allowed myself to become distant and cold, I became detached, I escaped into my work and duties." Byakuya admitted. "Perhaps I wanted to escape. Or... maybe I was just frightened, frightened of facing reality."

"Most boys are taught what it means to be a man..." Byakuya began. "But I was taught what it means to be an heir to a legacy." He paused. "Trusting another, loving another... These concepts were not part of my upbringing... And when following my instincts, it lead me to heartache."

"A boy must become a man, he cannot be made into one." The Inquisitor replied. "Your family tried to make you into something other than what you are... But you're just a man, like any other, with all of the same flaws and fears of any other." He explained. "Byakuya... Tell me, tell me about that day."

Byakuya looked up at him for a moment, then nodded. "Rukia... she had been framed for the murder of Gin Ichimaru..." He began. "The Central 46 had sentenced her to death. And I... I was silent, because I wasn't just her brother, I had obligations, as a Captain and the head of the family to consider, and what is one life when weighed against all of that...?"

"And so you chose the interests of the many over the one, others over yourself?"

"Yes..." Byakuya replied, taking a long breath. "And it was a mistake... Perhaps the worst mistake of my entire life." He confessed. "You were right about me, I am hollow... Rukia, oh Rukia... Her welfare should have been my only concern..." He lamented. "But I turned my back on her, in her time of need, and for what- my family, my pride?" The noble asked. "No... She looks to me, she trusts me, and still she speaks kind words of me... words I am unworthy of."

The nobleman clenched his chest. "The words, those words, she speaks them to me... But to me, who has failed her as a brother, the words are like hot embers upon my flesh... I am nothing, I deserve to be nothing, when I could remain idle... as a motley crew of mortals she'd befriended in the Living Realm went against all of Soul Society just to free her." He slumped in the chair. "I can offer you no excuse for my inaction, only my acceptance of your judgment..."

"Byakuya, tell me..." The man started to say. "What have you learned from all of that?"

"That once all is said and done," he began wearily. "that saving face and beholdance to obligations and superficial institutions amounts to nothing in the face of what's truly important in our lives..." Byakuya paused, nodding to himself. "Heh... Now that I think about, I do recall something that my grandfather once told me, something that makes a great deal of sense to me upon reflection."

"Tell me, Lord Byakuya."

The dark-haired Captain nodded. "That being a man, means taking a stand for what's most important to you, regardless of the consequences or what others might think... Because in the end a man is defined most by his actions and by the courage of his convictions." Byakuya revealed.

"Yes, a man must protect what he holds dear." The Inquisitor replied. "It's a good piece of advice... You should remember it, in case you need to pass it on one day- either to one of your officers, or even to the person that one day will succeed you as the head of your family."

Byakuya looked up. "What?"

The Inquisitor stepped back and turned to face him. "I had to push you, to bring you to the point where you could longer hide, from either of us." He explained. "The point of all this, it was never about your suitability to lead your family," he revealed. "It was a test of your character- it was imperative to know what kind of man you were and are... Not for my benefit, but for yours."

"That's the whole point." He continued. "Throughout all of this, I have not been the one judging you, it was you. In the end, the harshest judge anyone will ever face is themselves." The Inquisitor revealed, as he folded his arms. "As for myself... My true role in this process, is as a guide to the participant... In your case, I had be far more... hands-on with you then I normally care to, but my objective remains the same- to guide you, when necessary, to the truth you must face."

"And the verdict?" The Kuchiki asked.

"Of you?" He asked, unfolding his arms. "You carry a heavy burden, one that few men could. You are cautious when it comes to matters of the heart, because you have been wounded, and you bare the scars of your past upon your heart." The Inquisitor explained. "And yet, there remains, within you, a depth of feeling and compassion." The black-clad man reasoned.

"As both a man and a Captain, you are remarkable." The Inquisitor explained. "And as the head of the Kuchiki family, you are more than able." He continued. "You have faced the truth within yourself, and are a better man for having done so." The man paused. "Solvité!" He exclaimed, snapping his fingers.

The spell on him dispersed, along with the darkness and the chamber they had occupied, to reveal the two of them, back in the waiting room. "Congratulations, Byakuya-san, you passed."

Suddenly, it was as if the tiredness and pain he'd been feeling had vanished from his body, just as the mysterious chamber had. Byakuya noted that he once again properly dressed, including his haori, and that his hair was back in place, just as when he'd arrived. Watching, as the man retrieved his cane from the tatami floor, he spoke up. "Tell me, do you have given name by which to address you?"

The man nodded. "Adam, my name is Adam." He replied. "And now, Byakuya Kuchiki, I must bid you farewell." He added, with a nod as he opened the door. "You know," he began, checking his cloak as he stood in the doorway. "Traveling really does broaden the mind... It was only 1902, when I was summoned from London by my benifactors." He mused. "It really is amazing how much can change in a hundred and ten years."

And with that, he was gone in a flash, as the door slid shut!

(- End of Interlude 01 -)

As some of you have noted (especially Kain101), things have played out over a longer period of time than they originally did in the manga. I mention this, because it's one of the reasons why the timeline is different. To start, Orihime was held captive in Las Noches longer, and the Winter War played out over a longer period of time than in the manga. So, there was more of a gap between events than there was in the manga.