A/N: I did some editing on the first 3 chapters and added an Intro page. I thought it was needed =] And since I'm a perfectionist, I keep changing things lol I apologize for it, but hopefully it makes the story better.

All mistakes are mine, so please, if you notice any, let me know they are there!

Eramaeni - Thanks so much =] I know you were pissed lol I'm sorry, I'm sorry, but HERE IT IS!! I hope you aren't too mad at me =] especially because this one ends sooo horribly

emmettcullenluver - Ichigo loved Rukia as in 'lover' not sister.. But you'll have to wait to see how it plays out! I know it sounds bad to put him with Bya, but trust me =]

isamu-michi - I love when people give me in depth reviews so thanks! Not many people like the fact that Renji left, but as you'll begin to see in this chapter, there's a reason for it. I agree that if I kept Ichigo in character, he would probably say no, but I'm not going to be keeping him in character the entire time, but most of the time he will be. As for the rest, you'll find out soon!

This one is shorter than the others, sorry, but you'll have to bear with me =] I'm working hard on keeping my grades up for my scholarships!

Thanks For Reading Everyone!

Have you ever noticed that when life gives you difficulties, it seems like they all come at the same time? It's more like, life hands you a difficulty on a silver platter, then pelts all the others at you, hitting you square between the eyes every time, while you're trying to digest the first one. Ichigo sighed and shook his head. When he said he'd do anything to stay in the soul society, he didn't know this would become an option. Becoming a lieutenant, becoming Byakuya's lieutenant! Maybe he really would just ask them ifhe could clean the sewers. That may possibly be a better solution than working all day with the 6th division captain.

"Kurosaki," The head captain interrupted his train of thought, "This is something that must be dealt with right away, will you accept this position or not?" He was becoming agitated, waiting so long for Ichigo's answer. They had been threw the What's and the Why's and the How's and whatever else, and Ichigo still had not come to a decision.

Byakuya, patience wearing thin, came up with an idea. The only thing he could think of that could work. "Kurosaki… What would Rukia have told you to do?" It was a low blow, he knew, but he had to get Ichigo to accept this position. If he didn't, his plans would flow right down the drain. He wasn't that horrible, that Ichigo couldn't live a few months of working for him, he was sure.

Ichigo's eyes took on a distant look, his face seemed to immediately become shallower, paler and Byakuya felt disgusted with himself for bringing her into this. But before he could figure out a way to take those words back, Ichigo spoke.

"She would have wanted me to do this…" He said, even his voice a little distant, like his mind was in a far off place. "She would have told me this was the right thing to do…" His eyes snapped into focus, a fire smoldering behind the surface the way they do whenever he decides to take on a challenge. "I'll do it, I accept."

Byakuya nodded and walked past him to the door. Pausing as he opened it, he told Ichigo, "I expect you at headquarters at 5:30, tomorrow morning." And then he walked out, leaving Yamamoto to explain the duties to his new lieutenant.

___I___

Six hours. Six hours. He didn't realize it was possible, that explaining all the duties of his new position could take that long. Did lieutenants really do more than paperwork? Apparently, yes, they did. A hell of a lot more.

'Why did Renji do this to me? Where the hell is he? He needs to get his ass back here because I can't do this shit. This is bullshit. It's all Renji's fault. If he would have just stayed put, this wouldn't have happened. Why the hell did I even say yes? Oh, that's right, because of Byakuya. Change of heart, it's all that bastards fault. He brought Rukia into it, which was low. What the hell does he get out of it anyways?

Ichigo grumbled, walking around his guest room, which he would be moving out of tomorrow, to occupy a house set up just for him, like they knew this would happen. The thought of that made Ichigo growl, just a little. It probably was all a plan, that they would wait until something big happened then convince me to stay here and help them. Those dirty, sneaky bastards.

He lay on his bed and thought to himself some more, something that was becoming quite normal. His mind filled with Renji. Why had the man left in the first place? Obviously it had something to with Rukia's death. (Rukia's death… that still made Ichigo cringe) But why hadn't he told anyone? Why isn't anyone looking for him? To Ichigo, this didn't seem like normal 'Renji behavior'.

___B___

Byakuya practically floated around headquarters, seeming to glide on his smugness. You could almost taste the mood radiating around him. That was easier than he thought it would be, though it took much, much longer than he thought it would, but was definitely easier. For one, he was expecting a flat out 'No.' but when that didn't happen, his outlook on the situation became much more hopeful. Now that he had the orange haired boy working for him, everything would go as planned, he was sure of that. Ready to go home for the night, he walked through his office once more, shooting a glance at Renji's old desk, now to become Ichigo's. Renji should have known better, Byakuya never leaves a mystery unsolved. In a few days time, he will know where Renji is, and hopefully, why he even left.