As always I don't own bleach, and I seek no profit from what I write… But much thanks to T. Kubo for creating a world that I can play in… Sorry still no smut… Lie I said I like a big build up… And sorry for any typos.. Working on a PC because the MAC is in the loving hands of the repair man, waiting on parts sigh I miss my ibook… Background noise for today was Alias (the series) on TV, and the O.S. American~Indie playlist, which included Sugar, Dinosaur Jr. and Trippin' Daisy

Part 5 "Defiance and Obedience"

The next time Byakuya woke up the Reiatsu he felt earlier was gone and he was alone on his futon. He sat up quickly taking stock of himself and his surroundings. The pain in his limbs was now manageable. Able to move with some decorum of grace he stood up.

Thankfully the room was empty, he hated showing weakness even if it was due to an injury.

As he began to right himself he started going over the events that led him here. There were many questions that needed to be answered and a report must be filed. As he filtered through events he decided the woman that was lying next to him was just a dream. There was no other explanation for it. Plus, if there had been a woman in his bed he was certain he would not have allowed her to stay there no matter what the circumstance.

The dark haired captain didn't have time to dwell on it. Just as he placed his Zanpakato, Kisuke came in to the room sipping a cup of tea. "Hey there." he said as he sipped his tea.

"How did I get here?" the Captain demanded.

"Well now, we already have a problem because I can't tell you that." He set his cup down on the saucer he carried. Byakuya knew that this man was not about to give up any secrets so he dropped the subject. "But, I have do have a favor to ask." Kisuke said as he took another sip of tea.

"You are in no position to ask me for anything." The captain cut in as he walked toward the door. Knowing he would not get any answers here, he decided to seek out the boy from yesterday.

Kisuke casually stepped in front of the sour faced captain. Setting his tea cup back on the saucer, he pulled a small slip of paper from his pocket. "Then take this to the head captain. I will expect he will find it interesting" Byakuya looked at it and noted it was just a sequence of numbers. "Lt. Abarai is waiting to escort you back." Without saying another word Kisuke left the room sipping his tea as he went.

Byakuya took another moment to memorize the numbers on the paper. Recognizing the sequence of numbers as a highly classified file, he had every intention of accessing it later. He put away the paper and left the room.

The captain walked carefully down the hallway. His attention was caught by voices from an open door way ahead. Carefully, so as to not be discovered he approached the open door. There was more than one way to get information. The voices became clearer as he got closer to the open door down the hallway.

Byakuya recognized Lady Yoruichis voice. "There is no where you can hide where someone won't eventually discover you. It is better to place you somewhere safe, and when Captain Kuchiki returns the court guard will be looking for you." Her tone was serious.

"So you intend to place me in the Lions den. What makes you think I will stay?" Byakuya did not recognize this voice but it certainly commanded a presence. There was also a defiant tone.

When he approached the open doorway he positioned himself so that he could see inside the room without being seen. The scene in the room was tense. The boy he had planned to seek out stood in front of his former teacher with an arrogant stare. Byakuya noticed how neat the boys' appearance was even dressed in rags and a plain green cap. He watched as the boy took on a manner not befitting the station of a street urchin. "Hidden in plain sight will not work, especially in that noble house."

"You do not have a choice in the matter. The Arrancar and the court guard have a sense of your power you can no longer remain hidden."

"I refuse," the boy still challenged the noble woman. "You will risk too much. Even you would not chance the lives of others. When the truth comes out, and it will eventually, then a threat will be assessed. That kind of risk is not worth the illusion of safety."

It was insulting how the boy spoke to his superiors. "That is enough boy you will not talk to your superiors as such." The captain said coming into the room with the two of them. The two occupants turned to stare at him.

"Captain Kuchiki, how fortunate for us, that you are here." Yoruichi said with a smile. "I have no doubt that you have decided to arrest the boy. We are prepared to relinquish him to you, provided you take the boys escort with you."

The Captain saw no reason to argue. "Very well, we will leave at once," he said this purposefully looking down on Rayna.

Raynas look turned to furry and she was not going to be intimidated by the raven haired noble. "I would be careful Captain, there are situations that can prove too convoluted, even for one with your abilities and title."

Byakuya was insulted, not only by the words the boy used but the manner in which he delivered them. The boy spoke as if he was of the noble class. It was time the boy knew exactly what he was dealing with. The spiritual pressure in the room began to rise.

"You will come to find that I will not intimidate easily Captain Kuchiki." Rayna said. Actually, she was very intimidated but her anger had given her power.

There was a quick movement and a sudden cracking sound. The boy was now on the ground in front of Byakuya as Renji stood over him. No one moved. "How dare you talk to a captain of the thirteen court guard that way? I should kill you where you lay for your insolence." Renji had his hand on his Zanpakato ready to strike.

"That will not be necessary. The boy is my charge and any discipline will be administered will be done by me." Everyone turned to meet the steely grey eyes of Yarinju as he walked into the room. "It is best to avoid conflict in these situations." He continued walking forward until he stood over Rayna. As he looked down on her, he pulled a Sekki-sekki collar from his Kosode.

Byakuya watched as the boys' fury increased, and as it did, his pure spiritual pressure unleashed itself. "You would not dare," he yelled. "It is not your place or your right." Backing away from the white haired man, the boy put himself in a crouching position ready to strike.

"But it is mine," Yoruichi was behind the angry male with the collar so quickly the boy didn't have time to fight. Snapping the seal in place, everyone watched as the boy struggled and grunted in obvious pain before he passed out slumped in a pile on the floor. The spiritual pressure the boy emitted died immediately.

Renji looked dumbfounded. Byakuya understood his confusion no Shinigami had ever had that kind of reaction to the Sekki-sekki. Everyone remained silent, lost for words. The white haired man that had entered the room had a pained look of concern on his face as he moved toward the boy. Yoruichi stepped aside allowing the man access to the boy. "I am sorry. It had to be done," Yarinju said to Rayna as pulled a clean cloth and wiped away the blood from her split lip.

Byakuya took note of how the older man gently picked up the boy. He cradled the lad against him as he righted the child and pulled the hood of his cloak up to cover his face. Then he stood carrying the boy against him as he made his way to leave the room. "Captain the boy will not cause any more trouble. I agree that it is best we leave at once."

As the man exited the room Byakuya thought on what he had learned here today. There were even more unanswered questions. He wanted answers. The fact that Kisuke and Yoruichi knew something that the Seireitei didn't made the situation very alarming. The captain followed the white haired man with his lieutenant closely on his heels.

Rayna awoke to the smell of old stone and dust. It was a smell she would never forget. Finding herself in prison again did give cause for alarm but it was certainly better than the alternative. Quickly, she sat up familiarizing herself with her surroundings. The cell was empty except for a single chair and the uncomfortable wooden bench she had been placed on. There was a small window in the back and the sun came streaming through. It created a bright spot in the very dismal cell. When she turned her head to look out the bared wall. There was a small dark haired Shinigami staring back at her. He was holding a broom with obvious fascination on his face.

"I am Hanataro Yamada, I am not really supposed to talk to you. Although, I suppose I would have to, to be able to tell you I can get you some food." He trailed off at the end as if he knew Rayna wouldn't get his logic.

"It is hard to follow contradictory orders." Rayna said offering the best smile she could muster. "Any food you have would more than suffice." Standing as she said this she came over to the bars to face him.

"I always meet the nicest people cleaning the 6th division prison. It is one of my better punishments." Leaning the mop against the wall he quickly disappeared.

Finding herself alone Rayna investigated the cell block she had been placed in. There were probably six cells in here. There was a key trigger mechanism on her cell which meant they all held them. Snorting to herself, she was willing to bet they had never had a master thief in their cells or they would have changed the simple mechanism long ago. The door at the end could prove a bit more difficult it had no visible means of opening it from the inside. This meant there was a guard on the outside. Her suspicion was soon confirmed when she heard Hanataro say "It's me," and the door opened to let him pass.

The high windows were too small for her to fit through. That would mean she would have to maneuver a stealthy quick exit. There was always another possibility but the thick Sekki-sekki walls would mean she would have to call upon a lot of power and that would be sensed. That secret is not one she was willing to reveal to any at the court guard. That left only one rout of escape.

Needing to gather information first she decided to stay put for the moment. Perhaps Yarinju and Lady Yoruichi had decided prison was better for her. She could not be mad at them for their high handedness. They were trying to protect her as they always did. Holding onto anger was not her way even if she was quick tempered.

They were right she would be hunted now that the Arrancar had a sense of her. But they underestimated Gotei 13, it would not be to long before they assessed her as a threat. Perhaps it was time to make a move to the living world.

Rayna turned her back to the iron bars. Deciding it best to stay put for the time being she filed her escape plans away for later use. She reached up and stretched, trying to shake off the achy effects of the Sekki-sekki. Prison could be problematic. It would be a little hard to hide the fact that she was a woman with so many watching her. At least, there was a window. Stepping forward she bathed herself in the glow of the sun.

The noble woman longed for a bath and her attic room with all the children playing downstairs. They would be eating right now and Binta was probably having a hard time keeping their manners in check. Runi was probably finding one way or another to get into trouble and the worried Nonu was probably right behind him trying to keep him out of it. Rayna smiled to herself. Duchira and Serai where probably sitting somewhere talking nonstop, she would expect no less from teenage girls. The thought of home made her happy.

"Control your Reiatsu." It was an unmistakable command barked by only one person. Rayna had been so lost in thought that she did not notice him come in.

"Captain Kuchiki," she turned around to see him watching her carefully. It was hard to read his face but it was not a good look.

Rayna almost turned away from him to hide her embarrassment. Then she remembered that he was seeing a teenage boy not the woman who slept in his arms last night. Relief washed over her. Silently thanking Yarinju for the disguise, she faced him. Dark eyes evaluated her. This looked nothing like the man she had found herself next to in the early hours of the morning.

When she had awoken it was to the steady sound of his breathing and he had one of his arms wrapped around her. Rayna moved away carefully extricating herself from him. As she did so, she studied the man. Something was different. His aristocratic features seemed softer and he did not wear that stone mask of his in his sleep. He lips and features were soft looking not drawn in a threatening stare. Mussed dark hair gave him the air of almost being human.

Rayna was used to people being attracted to her Reiatsu. But, as she stood there she herself did not want to leave. Unable to explain it, her Reiatsu was drawn to his. She wanted to stay here. Something was wrong. There is no way in the world that she would like such a sour man. So why was she tempted to stay here with him? Even though she had healed the poison, his soul had demanded more of her spirit. It called out to her and against her own will she wanted to respond to it. Gathering her things and leaving, Rayna hoped that he would never know that he didn't sleep alone.

Standing here now she was relieved because she didn't feel the same way. All she could sense was the same domineering Captain that she had pick-pocketed two days ago. "Isn't it usually the head captain that gives the prisoners their sentence or where you disappointed when you found out it was not execution?" Rayna could not keep the look of 'I know something you don't' know' off of her face. Despite her sordid past Central 46 had sealed her file and upheld the order of protection. For now, it would keep her safe from Gotei 13.

The Captain did not seem to notice. "You insulin child, I will make sure that you learn your place. It seems you are to live under the protection of my house and my rule." His cold tone did not relay any of his emotions. It was a good tactic she bet it infuriated a lot of people not her.

What did get her attention was now Rayna was faced with the alternative. As a noble she would not succumb to his rule, nor did she need his protection.

Beyond angry and tantrums, it was time for action. Rayna had a strange calm that came over her. There was no time to gather information. If she was going to escape now would be her only chance.

Another Shinigami came to stand beside the captain and inserted a clumsy wooden key. The door opened and the Captain turned his back on her expecting her to follow obediently. The fool, he gave her the opportunity sooner than she expected. Rayna knew her only chance was to outrun him. When the outside door opened, she would take advantage of the opportunity. Lifting her hood to cover her face, she calmly began to follow him.

"Captain," a familiar voice said as an iron hand grabbed her wrist. Yarinju pulled Raynas' hood back. "A word of warning, when you see this look." He motioned to her face, "be on guard. No good can come of it." There was no mistaking his tone. It was unlike any she had ever heard before, he was seething with anger.

"I will be accompanying you with the Captain. I am not sure he realizes how troublesome street urchins can be." He moved forward quickly and dragged her with him. Their footsteps echoed in the almost empty corridor.

"What was that for?" Rayna hissed at Yarinju.

"I know you where not considering something that would jeopardize the position we have arranged for you." Yarinju growled. "The Kuchiki house will keep you safer than anywhere we can put you, and you were about to guarantee yourself a stay in the prison." Raynas' trusted companion was squeezing her wrist so hard that it was hurting. "The Arrancar have a sense of your Reiatsu they will be looking for you now. I think a noble house is less menacing than they are. And, you know the dangers of being in prison. I will not have something precious lost to me over something as trivial as your pride."

Yarinju was really mad at her. Rayna could tell one more word and he would probably pummel her for what he thought was sheer stupidity. Allowing herself to be dragged Rayna didn't speak until the pressure on her wrist lessoned. "But, you gave away my secret," she said finally.

Yarinju stopped and looked at his noble Lady. She was absolutely unbelievable. The smile that touched the corner of his lips told Rayna that his anger had subsided and her most trusted companion was still here with her.

Behind them Byakuya watched them without saying a word sometimes it was just best to observe. A lot can be learned just watching. Today he had learned a great deal about the boy and his companion. Byakuya did question why a street urchin would have a man servant but circumstances were in his favor and he would find out soon enough. "My house will not be peaceful," he said as he followed them.