Chapter 3 Tashi's Plea

Tashi went to the 6th squad's temporary office in the administrative wing of the school. When she entered she saw Captain Kuchiki signing a document at an ordinary desk in front of her. His Vice-Captain closed the door behind her and Tashi realized she didn't even know he was there. They nodded to each other and Tashi stepped forward.

As was her people's custom when in the presence of someone higher status than themselves, she gracefully got down on her knees and bowed. She did her best to keep her posture feminine and correct in order to make the impression that she had been raised by 'decent' people.

It was a long quiet moment before the Captain spoke. He finished signing his documents and put down his pen. Renji leaned up against the opposite wall, bent his knee, and crossed his arms. He was curious about this etiquette as he had seen none of it growing up himself and it wasn't common place among the military.

The Captain then asked "What brings you here?" He waited, testing her etiquette. When she said nothing he told her "You may speak."

"Thank you, sire." Without raising her head she said "Sire, I hate to bother you with the petty concerns of a mere student, however, my concern is for my family not myself."

"Who is your family?" he asked.

"My family is this Touichi clan, from the western districts of Soul Society, sire."

"I am familiar with the name, but please refresh my memory."

Tashi was relieved. She said, still bowing "My father was General Kutou Touichi, sire. He fought in the fall raids of the 28th Hollow attacks. My mother is Kisa Touichi, daughter of Bontai and Desiree Kuchiki."

'Shit!' thought Renji. 'This twirpy girl is nobility? High up there too if she's got Kuchiki blood. Then again she does have the spirit power of a noble…'

"So we are relatives. I am not familiar with Bontai nor Desiree."

"They are distant relatives, related by marriage, not blood, sire" said Tashi "I would suspect you would have no reason to know them."

"State your concerns" said the Captain flatly.

"It's my brother, sire. He's very ill." Tashi realized she had to say this quickly as she felt she was wasting his time with her sob story. "My parents raised me as a properly as they could to be a suitable wife and mother for an appropriate husband. Then my elder brother became very ill and will most likely not recover. They then looked to me to carry on my father's legacy. Becoming a Shinigami was the only way I thought I could develop the power I need to help my people, and have my family retain their honor."

Renji noticed her hands trembling ever so slightly. He saw his captain turned away and looked out the window, his thoughts a mystery.

Tashi continued "What you witnessed this afternoon, sire, is—"

"Of no concern to me" said the Captain flatly.

Tashi couldn't believe that she was being refused the opportunity to explain in such a flat out manner. "Sire, please let me explain—"

"What happens between you and the other Captains is of no concern to me."

"Sire, I need your help! That captain has -"

"Do not make me repeat myself" said Kuchiki-sama with finality.

'I can't believe…he abandoned me!' thought Tashi.

Renji thought the Captain was a little harsh, and didn't understand his methods. He motioned to say something in the girl's defense, but when she sat up and walked out of the room he knew there was nothing he could say. He didn't understand their world, and didn't know what to do.

After she left Kuchiki-sama gazed out the window "Renji, she does not need our help." His sad eyes then leaned towards his Vice-Captain and he said "But she doesn't realize that yet."

Renji knew better than to question his captain outloud, but it didn't stop the questions from running through his mind. He wasn't sure what that Tashi girl wanted, but he would help her if he saw the opportunity. "Yes, sir."

"I sense she will be worth keeping tabs on. I will include her in my report to Captain Yamamoto."