(A/N: Moving right along with the series. Luke will get back the spotlight after having it ripped from him and being given a big side bench seat throughout the climactic portions of…well rather just the Soul Society arc in general. BUT NO MORE! Luke gets his starring role back starting now.)

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Tales of the Abyss

Three Days Later

Luke's pov

I wandered onto the 6th Division grounds with some paper work. Besides handing it to Captain Kuchiki there was also some business I needed to discuss with him. I knocked on his office door.

"It's unlocked," came his cold authoritative voice from inside. I opened the door and walked in. Inside Captain Kuchiki was sitting at his desk scribbling something, "Hello 5th Division Captain Fon Fabre."

"Hey, I brought some paperwork that needs transferal to your division," I said.

"Leave it on the in pile," he said without turning from whatever parchment he was filling out.

"Yeah sure," I said doing so. "Ummm…"

"Do you have further business to discuss with me?" he asked.

"Um yeah," I answered.

"Have a seat then," he said, again without looking up. I sat down. "What is it?"

"Umm, I wanted your permission…since I know you're close to Rukia…and there's that whole noble stuff to go through…before I went to Captain Ukitake with the proper paperwork…if I could transfer Rukia to my division," I explained rubbing the back of my head.

"That's fine," he responded.

"And I wanted to make her a seated officer," I added now having my hands on my thighs, sitting straight up.

There was a pause. Captain Kuchiki even stopped writing for a moment. He resumed and then said, "That's also not a problem," he said plainly, "What rank?"

"7th Seat," I said. The point broke on Captain Kuchiki's pen. I winced. "Ummm," I started to sweat.

Captain Kuchiki stood up, "Captain Fon Fabre since you are Rukia's former lieutenant and mentor I'm not just going to outright deny your request however let me make things a bit clear."

"Are you negotiating with me?" I asked.

"This isn't a negotiation this is either you listen to my constraints or your permission is denied." There was now a dark piercing glare in Captain Kuchiki's gaze, "If you double cross me I will use Senbonzakura to saw of your important parts beyond reattachment or recognition do I make myself clear?"

I made to cover myself, "Crystal," I gulped.

"Good," he sat back down, threw his broken pen into the trash bin, set aside whatever he was working on and leaned forward, elbows on the table and his chin resting on his fingertips as his hands interlocked and stared right into my eyes. "Now then, if you can follow my constraints to having Rukia assigned to such a position I will allow it. Break it and I already let you know what will happen. Constraint number one: under no circumstances will you send Rukia on an incredibly dangerous mission by herself."

"I can do that," I said.

"Constraint number two: You are not to overwork her," Captain Kuchiki told me.

"Agreed," I said.

"Constraint number three: I am permitted at anytime to do a status check up to make sure constraints two and one are being followed," he urged.

"Done," I said. I really didn't have a problem with this at all.

"I see, well then that settles it," he said and went to reach for something in a folder on top of his filing cabinet. He came back to the desk with a sheet of paper and slid it onto the desk in front of me, "This was Rukia's original inauguration into the Gotei 13. As you can see it's already partially filled out her seat being ranked 7th and the only things unspecified were the Squad details. You can fill the rest of that out now and then all you need are Ukitake's signatures and my own."

"Why do you have this?" I asked.

"I kept it because I figured the day would come when I could protect Rukia from this sort of thing no longer. It was also a personal memento of sorts. I managed to get it from the Gotei higher-ups before anything was done to endanger Rukia's life," he told me.

"I see, thanks Captain Kuchiki," I smiled and made to leave.

"Although it's not like you'll be able to do much for her immediately anyway," he said as I reached the door.

"Huh?" I asked turning my head.

He turned to look at me, "Rukia has been assigned to another mission in the living world to watch after Kurosaki Ichigo. Since the order comes directly from Head Captain Yamamoto it doesn't matter what squad she's in. However, if you want the transfer done before she leaves I suggest you make haste."

"Thank you Captain Kuchiki," I bowed.

"You don't need to bow to a same ranked officer Captain Fon Fabre," he said.

"Ah right, I'm still not used to this whole captain thing I guess," I scratched the back of my head.

Captain Kuchiki went back to his work and I took that as a sign to get going and leave. I went to my division and filled out the rest of the sheet, at least what I could do. I brought it to Ukitake and hopefully to tell Rukia about her promotion, but apparently she was off duty at the Kuchiki family grounds. Since I wasn't allowed on those grounds without Captain Kuchiki's permission and didn't bother asking for it. I figured I could only stay and wait until she was transferred.

Two days later

Luke's pov

I was sitting at my desk filling out paperwork. I had a lot of it to do since Momo was still incapacitated. Even when she did recover I was going to give her a leave from doing any work anyway until she was discharged and was in the proper state to some work. As I poured over my work a hell butterfly flew into the room. It was from Captain Unohana saying that Momo's brain wave activity indicated she would be waking up soon. I rushed to the 4th Division as fast as I could, but slowed down and gathered myself as I approached the special recovery ward. I met Captain Hitsugaya on the way there.

"Aren't you excited?" I asked him.

"More like relieved," he said, "I'll be departing for the living world soon so I'm glad I'll be able to see Momo before I leave."

"Huh? Where are you going?" I asked.

"Matsumoto and I going to the world of the living along with Abarai Renji, Kuchiki Rukia, Ayasegawa Yumichikia and Madarame Ikkaku," he answered.

"Oh Captain Kuchiki told me about that. I didn't know you were all going with her," I said.

"Well actually originally only Abarai and Madarame were supposed to go with her, but things sort of got out of hand so now I'm stuck playing supervisor," he said bitterly.

"Ouch," I sympathized.

"Well it's better than having to sit in the office all day that's for sure," he said.

A thought struck me, "Hey wait what are you going to do about paperwork?" I asked.

"Since Matsumoto and I are both going I had to have the paperwork split amongst various squads namely the 13th, the 6th and yours," he said.

"Wait I didn't agree to that!" I protested.

"Well then you can just fill out the request form sitting on your desk to reflect that when you go back to your division," he said.

"Huh, it's not set in stone yet?" I asked.

"Have I left yet?" he asked.

"Point taken," I said.

"I didn't think you'd deny the request that's why I acted like you were going to," he said.

"I will…I just have bad luck with people going behind my back and…" I recalled what happened over a decade ago.

"Let's lay the past to rest that demon has been purged after all," Hitsugaya said.

"You're right," I agreed.

"From what I hear the Research department has taken quite a few positive steps forward with Captain Nebilim in charge," Hitsugaya said making conversation.

"Like what?" I asked.

"Well for one she released all test subjects from Captain Kurotsuchi's lab. The 4th Division psychiatric ward has its hands full dealing with that, but a lot of Rukongai civilians were reunited with their family members. Captain Nebilim kept the research Kurotsuchi Mayuri documented on file. She also released from the Gotei a few workers Kurotsuchi was holding against their will. The Research department has also started several new projects many of which are under wraps but Captain Nebilim has been following ethical conduct as far as anyone can tell. Morale has also reached a new high within the division itself. She certainly is amazing to have been able to done all that within a few days," Hitsugaya beamed at that last statement.

"Yeah she certainly is, kind of like someone I know from back home," I said thinking about Jade.

"Ah Captain Hitsugaya, Captain Fon Fabre, good to see you both," I heard Captain Unohana's kind motherly voice, "I take it you got my hell butterfly?" she asked. We nodded. "Very well, this way please."

We followed Unohana to Momo's room. It was a little less cluttered of machinery since I had last been here. "You should stand by her," I told him, "Your face should be the first thing she sees."

"No, you should be the one to comfort her, you're her captain," he said taking a step behind me.

"You're her childhood friend," I encouraged him, "If I was in the hospital I know I'd rather see someone like that than my employer."

Hitsugaya sighed in defeat, "Fine you win."

I sat down in a chair near Momo's bed and Captain Hitsugaya stood near her, "Please Momo," I heard him say to her, "open your eyes." I heard a quiet moan and saw Momo stir. Slowly she opened her eyes. They were only slits, but they were something.

"Too fast," she mumbled, "room spinning."

"Momo, are you awake? Momo?" Hitsugaya asked her.

Momo's eyes opened wider and she turned her head to the side to see Hitsugaya. The back of her head was to me so I couldn't see her expression, but I could only guess she was happy to see him, "Sh-shiro-chan?" her voice was groggy.

"Momo, your awake," he grabbed her hand with both of his. "Thank Goodness. I'm so relieved." I saw water drip down onto Momo's hands.

"Shiro-chan are you crying?" she asked the grogginess from her voice having faded somewhat.

"Of course not," he denied letting go of her hand and rubbing his eyes with his arm, "I just have something stuck in my eye." He stopped and smiled at Momo, "I'm just happy that you're awake Momo."

"Me too," I heard her say. I saw her grab Captain Hitsugaya's hand, "I'm sorry Shiro-chan…for making you worry. I shouldn't have run off on my own," There was sorrow in her voice, "You told me to stay put, I should've listened to you."

He pat her head, "It's all right," he said to her. He pointed over her head to me, "Of course I'm not the only one you should be apologizing to."

"Huh?" Momo turned her head and gasped when she saw me. "L-luke-san?"

"Hey," I said to her.

"Luke-san," tears were welled up in her eyes.

"Why so formal?" I asked her.

Momo shut her eyes, "I don't deserve to be on such friendly terms with you. Not after what I did. I pointed my sword right at you. And we're supposed to be friends!"

"I don't think Luke hates you for that Momo," she turned back towards Hitsugaya, "In fact when he found you on the floor bleeding he charged right at Ichimaru and Ai…" I frantically drew my finger across my neck, "I mean he leapt right in to save you. He was so worried about you."

"Really?" Momo turned towards me.

I nodded, "Baka how could I ever be mad at you? It's not like it's your fault you being manip…" Hitsugaya did the same gesture I did two seconds ago, "I mean I forgive you for what you did. It wasn't your fault."

"Luke," she dropped the honorifics finally.

"Anyway," I said standing up, "Check this out." I turned around and pointed to the kanji symbol on the back of my haori.

"Ah that haori," Momo gasped.

"That's right," I said turning to face her, "Starting today I'm your captain."

"Luke-taicho," Momo sniffed.

"Anyway I need to get back to the division. You stay here and rest ok?" I asked her.

"Ok," she said. I made for the door. I was about to exit when she called out, "Ah Luke-taicho!" I turned around; she was sitting up.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Um, I just, when I'm well enough to return to work will you promise me something?" she asked.

Just had to use that word, "What do you want me to promise?"

"Will you tell me why you became a Soul Reaper?" she asked.

"Huh?"

"I," there were tears in her eyes again, "I never knew anything about Captain Aizen. I just blindly admired him…and so…I don't want to make the same mistake and…" she leaned forward, "I want to know all I can about my taicho when I return to the 5th Division!"

I smiled, "It's a promise."

"You promise?" she asked.

"Yes, and I always keep my promises."

Momo smiled and lay back down, "arigato, Luke-taicho."

"Are you coming?" I asked Hitsugaya.

"I'm going to stay here for a bit," he responded.

"All right," I said, "See you later."

I left the 4th Division and returned to my own. When I arrived in the upper seat offices I saw Rukia standing near my office. She was wearing a traditional plum colored Kuchiki kimono.

"L-Luke dono what are you…"

"Hmm, what is it Rukia?" I asked her.

"Umm, well I was asked by nii-sama to go to the 5th Division barracks since I was being transferred here, but I wouldn't be returning to the field until the day of my departure to the world of the living so I wasn't going to get a chance to meet whomever had taking command of the squad," she bowed, "I've been on Kuchiki family grounds all this time so nothing has reached me regarding news of the Gotei 13's business. Luke-dono are you…"

I nodded, "Yeah I'm the captain of the 5th Divison I was promoted five days ago."

"Luke-dono…ah can I still call you that…I mean…" she seemed flustered over possibly having to be so formal with me from now on.

I eased her worries, "Hey we're friends aren't we? You don't have to be so formal with me."

Rukia bowed again, "A-arigato gozai masu Luke-dono."

"It's no problem," I told her. "Um…would you like an escort back to the grounds?" I asked.

Rukia flushed, "Ah…I don't want to impose and you probably have a lot of work to do with Hinamori-fukutaicho still in recovery and…"

"It's fine…" I told her. "Come on let's walk together. We haven't spoken in a while so I want to know all about what you went through on your mission to Karakura town and about this other one you're going on to the living world."

"H-hai," Rukia said. With that I walked with her all the way back to the Kuchiki grounds.

(A/N: Sorry I know I'm moving kind of slow here with the plot. Blame Xerosonic he's the one telling me "not to move so fast". In all honesty I LIKE sending out chapters rapid fire because otherwise that would make me a hypocrite because I complain about waiting a week for manga authors to get out new chapters to the public. Anyway I hope to have the next chapter out soon. Review plz).