Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or it's characters, that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Nor do I own Bleach or it's characters, that right belongs to Tite Kubo.

Author's Notes: This chapter was written to be kinda serious, but I happened to be listening to Cotton-eyed Joe on repeat... Just... Don't ask... please… Also I will not be posting the pairing until it is revealed in the story. So if you do not like that, I politely ask you toturn around and leave now. Because I don't see the point in you wasting your time and mine.

His back was straight, legs the perfect distance apart as he took in a deep calming breath and looked down the grass way to the target. Eyes were focusing on the center point as he factored in the soft breeze blowing. On his exhale, he released the arrow, watching with a small smile how it flew straight and true to the dead center of the target. A soft thunk as it embedded alongside the others he had fired.

"Seriously, you don't have to do this."

He paused at the sound of the familiar voice. He had heard it several times in the eight months since the Academy students had graduated. A part of him had been let down when that person had not taken the invitation to join his Division — and having seen her around the Seireitei with either her Division members, the women's association, or just for a stroll. He found he was drawn to the enigma that she was.

"I do, too, Kagome."

"No... no, you don't... is it even safe to be here?"

"You cannot seriously be asking that... No, this is you, so yes, you are..."

Listening as the voices got closer, he pulled another arrow from the quiver and focused on the target and centering himself as he got into the proper stance and drew the bow's string back. Only to jerk at the last second, losing the arrow at an odd angle. Eyes wide at what he was hearing.

"So, you told your hubby or brother yet?"

"What do you mean, Kagome?"

"Please, I saw you at the last two Women's Association meeting. You hardly ate. I saw you nibbling on the bread and sipping water."

"Uh... I don't know what you mean..."

"Do not try to fib to me! You have a certain glow and been avoiding things that have a heavy smell."

"... I was thinking about dinner tonight, as it is a family affair..."

"Ah, so that is why you snagged me while I was at the market... Please tell me you are not going to cook... those poor boys..."

This had him smiling. He was well aware of how awful his younger sister's cooking could be. But since she married his Lieutenant, she had tried to be more domesticated, failing in the kitchen horribly. That first attempt had left him with stomach cramps for a few days. Renji had not gotten as lucky. He had to excuse the man for two weeks. But the fact that he had not noticed the change in his sister was shocking.

"Yeah... sorta... I mean, the cooking lessons you give at the meetings are nice and all... and with Nanao wanting to do that huge like dinner based around the earth Holiday Thanksgiving in two weeks..."

"Oh, Rukia, you know I will help. But, I have my duties in my Division. Though most have learned the basics of cooking, I refuse to let them in my kitchen for dinner... or any meal if I can help it."

He lifted his eyebrows at that. There had been rumors flying all over the Seireitei's Divisions about how Kagome had straightened them up. Ran them with an Iron Fist. In fact, he had the pleasure of overhearing the conversation between Renji and Ikkaku about how much of a tiny tyrant Kagome could be. And her accuracy when throwing a knife at their Captain to keep him from her kitchen.

Readying another arrow, he once more tried to focus on the target. Eyes narrowing just a fraction at that one arrow embedded in the outer red ring. He took pride in his skills. And to see something out of place bothered him greatly. Taking a deep breath, he once more got into the appropriate stance and let his body relax as he drew the string back. Trying his best to block out the conversation that his sister and 11th Divisions Kagome were having.

Rukia was glad that she had run into Kagome. Though she was a bit surprised at the fact that Kagome had been way more observant than she had thought. And it was rather embarrassing. In fact, she just had her condition confirmed before seeing Kagome in the market. Just to be struck with the idea of having her help cook dinner. Thinking that would be the best way to break it to her elder brother, husband of sixteen, almost seventeen years, and their daughter.

Bringing her to the house, to show her the archery range her brother had set up, and get permission for her to use it was just to sweeten the deal. She was very well aware of her shortcomings as a domesticated woman. Having been a tomboy in the Rukongai, then the Academy until her brother had come and adopted her at her now deceased elder sisters bequest. Then she had focused solely on her duties in the 13th squad. Which she was now Captain of.

"Kagome, thank you!" she said as they rounded the corner, her dark eyes catching her brother practicing his Archery.

"Oh, well, no problem. Besides, it would be nice to play with your daughter again, Rukia," Kagome replied.

Rukia saw Kagome stop and just stare. Not missing the way her blue eyes brightened at seeing what her brother was doing before a mischievous smile curled her lips. Already well aware of the grief she had given her brother for six years in the Academy while taking his calligraphy class, Rukia stiffened. That smile that was spreading across Kagome's face was not a good thing.

"Oh, looky, Captain Kuchiki is a noble samurai!"

Biting back a bark of laughter when her brother twitched visibly and the arrow snapped out of the bow and flew instead crookedly. Only to hit at the bottom of the target. Knowing her brother did not like Samurai, to begin with, let alone being compared. Rukia turned away before he could see her reaction while noticing that Kagome had an 'innocent' smile on her face while her eyes sparkled in dark amusement.

She knew she shouldn't have said it, but she couldn't help it. Eight months was a long time not to pick on the poor man. And she loved getting a reaction out of one Kuchiki Byakuya. It was too good of a situation not to aggravate him. And the fact that Rukia was looking up at her, partially turned away from him, let her know she was enjoying her brother's little miss-hap with his shot.

"Miss Higurashi, to what do I owe the honor of you being at my estate?"

At his question, Kagome bowed politely at the waist, before gliding towards him. Hands clasped before her person. Back straight as Sesshomaru snickered in the back of her head at her actions. He had been schooling her on manners and propriety in their sessions while thoroughly thrashing her ass. Saying she was getting crude and lawless. He would not have that since there was both major and minor nobility in the Seireitei.

"Your sister brought me to help with something. I am sorry if I distracted you," she said, knowing he knew she was not sorry at all.

"Indeed. And what would that be?" Byakuya asked.

At his question, Kagome looked at Rukia, who waved her brother off. Smiling at her friend, Kagome took the time to look at the bow that Byakuya was holding. It was well used but kept in immaculate condition. The wood was smooth and shone. The quiver he had at his hip was a simple leather with single fletch yarrow wood arrows.

"Ah, brother... Kagome likes Archery... and I was hoping to get your permission to allow her to practice here for helping me, of course," Rukia spoke up.

Kagome couldn't help the shock that crossed her face, as it heated in a faint blush. His intense gaze focused on her. But she just nodded her head in answer to the silent question.

He was a bit taken aback with Rukia, claiming that Kagome liked Archery. Not once during her academy days had she even mentioned Archery. So, when she just nodded her head yes to his look. During which he noted that she blushed under his gaze, causing her eyes to dance, he held his bow out to her, which she took and hefted for a few seconds before looking at him.

"It is too large and heavy for my frame. So, I would be unable to draw it and use it correctly," Kagome said, handing it back.

This had him lifting an eyebrow as he took it back. Then pointed to the rack where there were various other bows and quivers. He watched as Kagome walked over and looked at each one in turn before selecting one that was half her height. It was a sturdy ash bow. On the smaller end for Longbows, before she picked a quiver that Yarrow arrows that were double fletched.

It was an interesting combo, but he remained silent as he stepped away from the range and waved for her to take his place. The sunny smile she shot him, before pausing and grabbing an archers glove and wrist guard. Once she had that on, she moved a few feet closer than he was for a starting point, which was smart due to the shorter bow.

The moment she readied herself, slipping into the stance, Byakuya was surprised. There were no wasted movements or expended energy. She knocked the arrow perfectly, pulling it back and lifting the tip just a bit up and to the left due to the breeze before firing. The arrow's flight was true, though it is embedded in the second inner ring.

"I am a bit rusty, but not bad," she said, voice happy, content even.

When she turned and looked at him, he just tilted his head to indicate she could continue. Each time she fired another arrow, she was more and more accurate. There was an elegant grace and beauty to her form. And the fact she was practically radiating happiness was shocking.

Rukia watched her brother as he interacted with Kagome, and she was amazed by the way he was focused. It seemed to be polite and patient. There was no frown or even his typical mask in place. He was calm, relaxed — the way he was when spending time with her and her daughter. Even after almost two decades of marriage to Renji, he still was a bit stiff. Then again, Renji was his subordinate.

But this gave her an idea. It was high time her brother thought about moving on. And she knew the elders wanted him to marry again. To continue the family line. Even if they didn't approve of the woman he chose, as long as he married and gave the Kuchiki Clan and heir, they'd be happy. Besides, gaining Kagome as a sister in law would be a bonus.

"Forget it," Kagome's voice broke into her thoughts.

Blinking, Rukia looked at her friend. Seeing she was still focused as she fired another arrow. The quiver was almost empty.

"Forget what?" Rukia asked.

"What you just thought about. Meddling is rude," Kagome said as the arrow hit the dead center.

Not sure what Kagome was going on about, Rukia quietly shelved her idea and looked up at her brother. Seeing he was still focusing on Kagome. It could be a good possibility. Kagome had a knack for drawing people out of their shells. And from the stories both her brother and friend had told her of the antics that she pulled on him during Calligraphy Class, Kagome would be suitable for her brother.

Mentally sighing, Kagome finished firing her last arrow. The way Rukia's aura was fluctuating, on top of the odd swirl in it already that indicated she was pregnant. Kagome didn't have the heart to be mean and break it to her. She could never want Byakuya. The idea of being in a Noble family made her skin crawl. In fact, Sesshomaru agreed with her through their bond.

Lowering the bow, Kagome looked at Byakuya, conveying her thanks silently as she walked down the range and began to pluck both her arrows and his from the target. It felt good to do this. The cathartic feeling was just so relaxing. Allowing her to connect with her past on earth in the feudal area. She missed her friends and her family. Making a new life for yourself was not as easy as one thought. Especially when you had to keep your actual powers, abilities, and the fact that you had all your memories to yourself.

TBC!