Standing in the section of the Kuchiki Manor where the largest privately owned river sat. Wasn't the most shocking sight for Victor and Charmaine as they stood still.

"They're the size of a Butter Case," Victor couldn't believe the size of the kio, "I thought I've seen everything."

"Look at the colors they come in," Charmaine was amazed, "I must send an image of the back home since nobody will believe me."

"Why are there so few of them?" Victor asked, noticing a few less.

"We could ask," Charmaine was also curious, "Just a servant would allow us to approach them."

Around she looked to find the area in which they were left was completely empty. Not a speck of life besides themselves and the kio.

"This have to do with us being foreigners or is the whole tradition of guests being invited over still practiced?" Victor asked his mother.

All she could do was shrug at that statement since not a single servant had approached them since they arrived. Ones that did speak were the ones that showed them inside and spoke how honored they were.

"Let's just wait and see," Charmaine adjusted her shawl, "I siblings can handle the cafe without us."

"You trained Harlee and Valarie enough," Victor had faith in his siblings, "To know what they are doing."

"True." Charmaine didn't want to sound like she was doubting them.

They stayed in silence for some time until footsteps that Charmaine knew by heart were heard coming their way. Victor tried to get in his mother's way when she started to get nervous in those seconds. All over the legal neck flap detail single breasted shirt dress she decided to wear. In a simple black coloring and pearl white buttons that shined in just the right light. Her usual black ballet style flats and simply done up hair with a shawl being worn for warmth. Fit the waist coat outfit Victor decided to wear with usual taste in boots and hair in a fixed braid. Matching buttons and white embroidered work in the corners of his clothes weren't too much. Since he ended up bowing to the person that had invited them over for family dinner.

"I understand your youngest ones will not be joining them," Byakuya informed them, "Is everything alright?"

"Despite the two extra hands from division four," Charmaine pointed out, "We still need someone to fill in into we can find more people.."

"I can handle your family while you two sort this out," Victor was fine with being left alone, "Go on and solve this problem."

Byakuya offered an arm to Charmaine as he had a servant take Victor to where his family were awaiting for them. This is where they were split apart since they were all going in different directions. One that made Charmaine blush until her cheeks were the color of freshly bloomed cherry blossoms. Byakuya thought it was the cutest thing about her as they walked. She came to rest her head on his shoulder as she got close to him in their quiet walk. It was a reflection of how they usually walked when out together in light of the moon of the Seireitei. Instead of the chirping of crickets and music that drifted long from the Rukongai district. Distanced sounds of servants running about mixed with running water of the lake.

Somehow created a mood that had given Byakuya a chance to show Charmaine his most private quarters. Since the smile she wore when he told her about the sight of the river that flowed there. Along with the rising sensation he hadn't felt in centuries since his first marriage to Hisana. Arousal was rearing its ugly head from innermost, the darkest depths of his very being. Brought on the appearance of this woman walking slowly beside him as she held his arm. Had him using his famous self control to not ravish her until she cpscramed his name on those lips.

Robust and Plump with slight pinkish hue

"Byakuya!" He felt a slight tug on his arm, " … is everything alright? You haven't said a thing since you told me about that wonderful view of the lake.

"Unwanted thoughts I haven't had since my late wife was alive," He explained as he reached out to her, "Forgive me?"

"I thought I was the only one who wanted to comb her fingers through your long black hair after … " She was cut off.

Into the air, she was scooped by him with one arm supporting her under her legs and small of her back. Then drawn so close to clothed muscles that had left her waking from sexually charged dreams. Down went her hands without her not looking where she fumbled to get a grip in that instant.

"Shaamein!" He mispronounced her name at where her hands landed.

She loosen the neatly tucked manner of his Yukata's collar to point part of his chest was revealed. Once more the blush she thought she dismissed in full furry. This time taking over her face completely and making him further call her beautiful. Slowly he lowered her with his head tilting and eyes closing until they touched. Slowly at first the surfaces of their lips touched for five seconds

"Wait!" Charmaine pulls away from him, "Are you sure about where this is going? What are we about to do? Your guests and my son?"

"With you?" He couldn't take his eyes off her, "Hai!"

He recaptured her lips with his own as she traced the already loosening collar of his kimono. Until one her hands found the back of his neck to pull him further their kiss. He accepted when he felt her slip a bit of her tongue past their lips. Furthered fueled their awakening desires as he used his mastery of Shunpo to move. Be careful not to drop him when bringing them to the privacy of his chambers. Letting the softness of his futon not be the only memory Charmaine had of him.

8*8

The request for an extra set of hands came in the form of a Full Bring in the company of a Shinigami from 13th division. Young man had to no older then Victor and came straight from the World of the Living. His circumstances were none of Charmaine's concern as she welcomed him. When she showed him where he would be living on second floor and for his measurements. She saw he carried frost bite scars on left side of his torso and healed surgical incisions.

"I was barely survived a hollow," He told her, "Tsukabishi- san was the one that found me half dead just hours an ice based hollow attacked me. Took me back to his place of work to be treated and sheltered from hollow that stalked me."

"Did you ever get the chance to test out your new found ability?" She asked.

He answer came when he froze over a cup of tea she brought him with a single touch of his finger. then created a pure snowflake when he traced the pattern on surface of the trey she held. Ended when a Broombuggy squealed from just the open entrance in this attention seeking voice.

"Sorry," Victor walked into voice, "He got away from me."

"Meet our new employee," Charmaine got introductions out of the way, "He arrived just today."

"I am honored to be working with you." Victor picked up Delmare.

"Well I am off to Purgatory Company," Charmaine had errands to run, "Show him the ropes and introduce him to everyone else."

Agreed with since he knew his mother was going to order clothing for their new employee among other things. Explained why she had a measuring tape and this person was without a shirt.

"Would you like to share some back ground with me," Victor looked to guy's blood-soaked clothing on the floor, "So I have something to tell everyone."

"I worked in the Urahara Shop after working in service industry since I was 16," He recalled, "I was brought here since the ice based hollow started stalking the outside of the Urahara Shop. she always disappeared every morning after spending all hours of the night outside. Scratching at the doors and hissing to be let in this voice."

"Sounds like a nightmare." Victor didn't like what he was told.

"The flash frozen victims after me," He had to stop to calm down, "Were found dumped outside the shops door with a dead Shinigami."

"Must be a reason why you were sent here," Victor figured, "Must be a reason why your here since the hollow was focused on you."

"Last time I checked," He shrugged, "Another Shinigami fell to her icy touch when I was trying to get away from her. I was saved by one with orange hair held her off enough to damage her. Before she retreated with a vow about ending him and finishing me off."

Victor grew quiet after that with thoughts running through his head about why this person was brought here. Left to sigh since there wasn't much he could do until next time he went to human world.