Ch.2

Hotaru was cleaning up the bar one afternoon when the door opened and in walked several people. She didn't look up from her work until the owner said "Welcome Sirs, how can I help you today."

What she saw horrified her. "Soul Reapers," she thought in disgust.

"We are looking for Hotaru Takahashi," Byakuya Kuchiki said looking straight at Hotaru. He walked past the owner and stood in front of Hotaru. "Takahashi, Hotaru you are under arrest for fleeing the duties of a Soul Reaper. Come with us at once."

Hotaru sighed and then said, "Sure took you guys long enough to find me. I'll come peacefully if you promise not to punish this kind gentleman who took me in."

"No harm will come to him," Byakuya promised. "Now come home," he whispered.

The next few days were a blur for Hotaru. She returned to the Seireitei and to the 6th squad barracks. How she hated the 6th division but there was an upside to being back, she could see her best friends again Rukia and Renji. They didn't seem as close as they used to be, something happened in the last few years since she had seen them. She had a feeling it had something to do with a substitute soul reaper with orange hair. She didn't know his name yet but she'd find out eventually. Everything seemed the same besides that.

One day while delivering some papers to Captain Kuchiki, he saw a girl that reminded him of the girl from the bar. He had been back several time but had yet to see her. Now she seemed to be everywhere he went. Was she a figment of his imagination or was he really seeing her in the soul society?

Suddenly someone ran into him. He looked at the figure that he fell on top of after they collided. It was her! He jumped up off her. "W…what are you doing here," he asked.

"I could ask you the same question." Was that hate he saw in her eyes?

"I'm sorry for falling on you. I wasn't looking where I was going…"

"Oh stuff it. It was my fault. I wasn't paying any attention to where I was going. I… I got distracted by…"

"By what?"

"huh? Oh nothing. So who are you again?"

"Lieutenant Shuuhei Hisagi. We met at that bar you sang at."

"Oh. I don't remember. I'm Hotaru Takahashi the runaway."

"Runaway?"

"Yep. Five years ago I ran away from the Soul Society. Leaving behind my duties and the arranged marriage I was about to be forced into. There has been quite a ruckus around here lately. Can I ask you something?"

"Sure what is it?"

"Did Captain Aizen really do what they say he did?"

"Yep. The whole sordid mess happened," Shuuhei got a bad taste in his mouth while telling that to Hotaru.

"How unfortunate…"

"Unfortunate… unfortunate! It was downright horrific!" Shuuhei fumed.

"Ok… ok… I'm sorry. Calm down Hisagi-san. May I ask what happened?"

Shuuhei looked down at her. She gave him a small apologetic smile. He caved… he couldn't be mad at her she wasn't here for all the turmoil that man had caused… to everyone… to him personally.

"What are you doing, Hotaru," came Byakuya Kuchiki's voice. Hotaru groaned.

"None of your bees wax Byakuya," Hotaru growled.

"Lieutenant Hisagi, Don't you have work to do?"

"Yes sir. I was just having a friendly conversation with Takahashi-san."

"Get back to work. Hotaru let's go." Hotaru looked at Shuuhei with pleading eyes just begging for him to help her, but he could do nothing. He didn't know what to do for her anyway.

"Coming." She smiled and waved at him like it was the last time she would ever see him. It caused him to feel bad for her and he really, really wanted her to stay.

When they were out of hearing distance of Hisagi-san, Hotaru asked, "why are you such a jerk, Byakuya."

"I'm not a jerk, Hotaru. You are to be my future wife so please refrain from flirting with other men."