Skeleneko's Note: This isn't my story. I have permission from Twilight Countess (Amy) to repost this. If you like this story be sure to look out for her book "Eris"!

Senbonzakura

Present Day…

Chapter Thirteen: Nanao's Secret

Byakuya's P.O.V.

Byakuya stood in front of the door that led to the 8th Division Office with Ukitake-taicho by his side. He looked, if it were possible, even more intimidating than usual. He knocked on the door briskly. He was met by a man with a flowery haori and a straw hat.

"Ah, Jūshirō, Kuchiki-taicho," greeted Shunsui. Byakuya hid his surprise that the actual captain was in his own office.

"Where is the 8th Squad Lieutenant, Ise Nanao," asked Byakuya calmly.

"Oh?" Shunsui stiffened at little at this. "At what business do you have with my lovely Nanao-chan?" Shunsui had gone into protective mode.

"It's nothing, Shunsui!" Ukitake reassured. "We just have a message for her."

"Well, I'm sure I'm capable of passing it along to her," said Shunsui.

"I'm afraid not," said Ukitake. "It's a private message from an old friend of hers."

Shunsui sighed. "Where else would you find Nanao-chan on such a lovely day as this?"

"…"

"In the library, of course, my Nanao-chan has the highest metabolism for knowledge."

"Thank you, Kyoraku-taicho," said Byakuya. He and Ukitake left Shunsui in a haze of shunpo.

They entered the library to see the woman in question filing some books on a shelf. They slowly approached her.

"Ise-fukutaicho," said Byakuya, towering over her. Nanao turned around to see two captains in her wake.

"Kuchiki-taicho, Ukitake-taicho," she gave a deep bow.

"And how are you, Nanao?" asked Ukitake gently.

"I am well, Ukitake-taicho, thank you," Nanao said.

"We need to speak with you, Ise," said Byakuya. Nanao looked at him with a little confusion.

"Very well, Kuchiki-taicho, what about?" asked Nanao

Byakuya pulled out Hisana's gold bangle from his robe and offered it to Nanao.

"Hisana sent me," said Byakuya, his eyes never leaving Nanao's face. Her eyes widened behind her glasses and she swallowed nervously. She reached out and took the bangle.

"Yes," Nanao whispered, more to herself than the two captains, "Hisana asked me to tell you, if you ever approached me with this. She made me swear not to tell a living soul unless you came and said she sent you…"

Nanao turned her head both ways to see if anyone was around. When she was satisfied that the coast was clear, she beckoned them to follow her as she walked down the maze of book shelves. Ukitake and Byakuya walked swiftly behind her. Nanao came to a stop.

"Be sure to stand close to me," Nanao said. She stood on a pile of books and reached for a small red book on kido spells. She removed the book from its place. The floor shook and the book shelf began to move. It spun half way, leaving a bare wall back in the library.

Byakuya, Ukitake and Nanao stood in complete darkness until a ball of red flame ignited in Nanao's hand.

"We are standing in the secret passageway that Hisana discovered 58 years ago," said Nanao. She paused to let this information sink in.

"Does anyone else know about this?" asked Ukitake.

"No, I was the only one that Hisana confided in," said Nanao. "This way."

Nanao walked down the passage, with Byakuya close behind her. "Where does this tunnel lead?" he asked.

"You'll see," she said. "But can't you feel it?"

Byakuya closed his eyes and felt the undertone of kido surrounding him.

"This passage has spells cast upon it so Shinigami outside cannot sense the presence of those inside the tunnel," Nanao explained.

"Why did you not inform a superior of your findings?" demanded Byakuya. "What if during the ryoka invasion…"

"I combed this place from top to bottom when I was informed of the supposed death of Aizen-taicho. No one had used it because we three are now the only ones who know it exists."

They continued to walk, the passage sometime going left of right. After walking for half an hour, ever so often, a mirror six feet tall would appear set in the stone.

"They are two-way mirrors," said Nanao. "While they serve as normal mirrors, they also serve as a way for those inside the tunnel to spy on the outside world. Here we are."

Nanao had stopped at one mirror.

"Look though the glass, Kuchiki-taicho," said Nanao. "Where are we?"

Byakuya peered through the mirror and saw the captain's office of the 5th Division.

"Over 50 years ago, right where you're standing, Hisana overheard an interesting conversation between Aizen and Ichimaru. She didn't tell me what it was about, but…"

Nanao pointed to an envelope wedge into the side of the mirror. "I think she'll tell you."

Byakuya slid the envelope away from the mirror and opened it.

Byakuya-sama,

Hisana's P.O.V.

"How is Sayuri's progress?" Hisana heard Aizen ask, sitting behind his desk. She remained absolutely silent, hoping they wouldn't sense her behind the mirror.

"She's doin' fine," said Gin. "She has a few …tricks…up 'er sleeve…" Hisana smirked at this, "…she fights smart, not hard."

"I notice that she has yet to reveal her shikai form," said Aizen.

"Oh, I wouldn' worry 'bout that," said Gin. "Ya know 'ow much they drill kido into their brains in the 2nd Division."

Hisana blinked. Gin was…feeding Aizen that crap?

"But she's got potential," said Gin. "She's just a late bloomer,"

Aizen chuckled at this. "Really, Gin, do you honestly think I allowed her in my squad because I thought she had any real skill?"

Hisana's jaw dropped. Twice in one day, Hisana saw Gin's face twitch in confusion.

"Not sure I'm quite followin' ya, Taicho."

"I didn't let her in because I was impressed with her pitiful excuse for sorcery," said Aizen.

Hisana's eyes narrowed.

"I permitted her to join us because she possesses the qualities any man would want in his wife."

"WIFE!"Hisana screamed in her head.

"Ever since I saw her in that garden, there's been something about her," said Aizen.

"Yer wastin' yer time if yer hopin' fer a connection to the aristocracy," said Gin. "She's just a poor soul from Rukongai."

Gin didn't see Hisana sneer at him behind the mirror. "Just like you, Fukutaicho!"

"It's nothing to do with that," said Aizen, getting up from his chair. "It has to do with not wanting to waste a woman with such…beneficial assets."

Hisana felt bile creep up her throat.

"Just keep deluding her in thinking that she is actually valuable to the squad, and I will have her married to me within a year."

"Hai, Aizen-taicho," said Gin.

So you see…that was the real reason why I transferred out of the 5th Division. Aizen didn't dare approach me once my engagement to you was announce. I think he realized that he couldn't risk ruining his warm-hearted façade by chasing a woman who was publicly known to be involved with another captain. I'm sorry I never told you, but I was afraid that you would think that I had used you for my own gain.

So, you're almost there, Byakuya-sama. Seek out my former lieutenant, Ichimaru Gin. He has the final piece of the puzzle. I love you, Kenseikan-taicho.

-Hisana

Byakuya handed the letter over to Ukitake. Ukitake's face got paler and paler as he read on.

Byakuya started to walk briskly towards the book shelf entrance of the tunnel.

"Where are you going, Byakuya?" asked Ukitake.

"Where do you think…?" asked Byakuya. "To Hueco Mundo."

Author's Note: Bet you've never read a ByakuyaXHisana fic with this kind of twist!