Chapter 3 people. Hope you enjoy this one.

Just in case you don't pick up on it, the part that's written in italics is a flashback.

Disclaimer: All Bleach characters are Kubo-san's property. If they were mine some wicked things would happen.... Like lighting Aaroniero's head. The mask looks just like a cigarette, at least to me. I own nothing.

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We were sitting at the table, enjoying some tea and light conversation. Outside, there was a sakura tree that could be seen through the window. I caught her gazing at the blossoms for a moment as they swayed. Her usual sad expression in place.

"Spring is arriving"

"I'm sorry. You were saying something?" she replied startled.

"You were following the blossoms with your eyes"

"Oh… yes. I generally like nature, not just sakura trees. There's not much life in this side of the Rukongai"

Our eyes crossed for a moment as she smiled at me. I grabbed my cup of tea and took a sip. When I was done I noticed she was staring at the tree again. I think they make her hope, although it's unknown to me what she is hoping for.

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From a young age I was raised to be the head of the clan, and this involved many responsibilities. Some of them were beyond my understanding at the time, and others I was willing to meet. This is why I trained everyday in order to achieve proficiency in all four of the shinigami's basic techniques.

And being a noble I could always count with the best teachers, which is why by the time I inherited the highest hierarchy position in the Kuchiki family, I was considered the strongest member of the clan in 28 generations.

I would become the sixth division's taicho, having climbed the ranks rather quickly since being admitted into the Gotei 13. Even when not a long time had passed since becoming taicho, I was already recognized as one if not the strongest of all those who took part of the thirteen divisions.

But all things come at a price.

Between my many responsibilities and my upbringing, which was so restricted from the outside world, a wall had been built to cover my true self, though I had always fought it. But after her death I felt sheltered behind it, not having to face the world on the other side.

I had learned my lesson the hard way. Breaking the rules of the nobility would only cause me harm. And even then I dared to break them one more time, in full awareness of the consequences it could bring.

I had always been a man of honor. And many times I pondered over if this had to do with my title or if it was simply me. I'd always consider the latter. Regardless of this, I'd always been proud. And many times when my pride and my honor were confronted, I would act upon the first.

While on my wife's death bed, I made a promise. And I followed it.

Once I had adopted Rukia into the family, making use of the power I wield, I couldn't help but think that the situation would repeat itself. Once again I would bring suffering upon myself and others by breaking the rules.

This is why after I fulfilled the promise made to my wife, I went ahead and made a new one. This time on my parent's grave. I wouldn't disobey the laws again, regardless of the personal consequences.

But the promises I made conflicted, and this was sure to bring its consequences eventually. It took nearly losing my sister, the only tie linking me to the outside world, to understand the truth.

Some rules are meant to be broken.

She was going to be executed for borrowing her powers to a human, all in favor of saving lives. But no one saw through that perspective. Not even me. In fact, I was so determined to see the sentence fulfilled that I would stop at nothing to make sure justice was imparted.

But it was me who learned a lesson on justice from a mere ryoka. Somebody completely beneath me. He beat my pride aside and confronted me with my true beliefs.

Since then I have not been the same. My pride was intact, but I had gained a new sense of honor, one much broader than I ever thought possible before. Like I said, some rules are meant to be broken, and true honor comes from battling the rules when they don't meet justice.

Yet, the wall remains.

After all, I'm still a noble. And there are specific manners to follow. This made me resent my background from time to time, having realized that it didn't give me a position in the world. On the contrary, it isolated me.

"Nii-sama" Rukia called, derailing me from my train of thought.

"Rukia"

"Oh, you're having your tea. I'll come later"

"You're welcome to stay and join me"

I sat in the terrace overlooking the gardens of the Kuchiki mansion. I poured Rukia a cup of green tea as I saw her settle on a chair next to me. She smiled shyly at me and looked apologetic as she thought she was invading my personal space.

Our relationship was not one of words, but after all that had happened I can sincerely say I enjoy her company, even if all we do is sit silently, drinking tea and staring at the sky.

"I heard Renji is leaving tomorrow morning" she stated.

I nodded affirmatively.

"For how long?"

"Yamamoto-sotaicho was not specific. It depends only on how long it takes him to complete the mission"

"Hmm…" she said intrigued, as she took one sip of tea.

"Did you come to talk about Renji, or was there something else?"

"Well I heard he was leaving and…" I turned to look at her but she had stopped talking. I noticed she was frowning, trying to put her thoughts in order "… I worried over you"

There was no reason for her to be concerned. After all it was not the first time Abarai left on assignment. But as I heard her words I couldn't help but feel warm inside. So I decided to put her at ease.

"You should not concern over me. I've grown accustomed to him leaving. I'll be fine"

I noticed she was not convinced. How could she worry over such a frivolous matter?

"You've been acting different lately" she replied.

"How so?"

I could see her gathering her thoughts once more. "For an outsider, you're the same Kuchiki Byakuya. But I've learned a few things about you over the years". I remained silent, waiting for her to finish since she'd stopped once again.

"Is it that time of the year now?"

I turned away from the view and stared impassively at her, but before I could notice, my eyes shifted, consenting to her question. Looking at Rukia right then was painful, so I turned away.

Hisana died during the spring, so the sight of blossoming plants - as beautiful as it may be – takes me back to a dark place in my mind.

I couldn't help her.

All this years I've had the same thought. I tell myself the next year will be different. The next year my spring won't be so dark.

And every year I fail miserably, consumed by the pain this particular anniversary brings to me.

I have learned with time to conceal it, but spring always reminded me of who I am. I try hiding behind work, focusing all my energies in my countless responsibilities.

But nothing can change my reality.

I am alone, and that makes it all the more hard for me to find my balance.

We continued to sit there in silence, looking at the gardens. I was puzzled by Rukia's perceptiveness. Looking through the wall I'd built is no easy task, but apparently she had learned to read the cracks in the surface. I could now understand her concerns.

"I also heard you'll be working with Matsumoto-fukutaicho" she spoke, breaking the silence between us.

"Renji is supposed to lead the practices for the officers, but since he's leaving on a mission I suggested he finds a replacement"

"How come Renji asked Matsumoto-fukutaicho to sub for him? Out of all the people…" Rukia said, staring into space thinking aloud, although this was involuntary. For as long as I've known her she's been prone to that.

"Do you think Matsumoto-fukutaicho is not suited for the task?" I asked.

"It's not that. She's very skilled in fight, and she has ways that would throw anyone off during battle"

I spared a moment to think of what Rukia said. Of what ways was she talking about? It is well known throughout the Seireitei that Matsumoto Rangiku was not one to go unnoticed, but could Rukia be referring to that in particular? It's a disgrace what the woman does for attention, but then what could you expect from a Rukongai brat. Maybe in the heat of battle those attributes favor her.

I turned my attention back to Rukia "What do you mean by ways?"

"Well growing up in the Rukongai, almost dying of starvation and having to fight for your life everyday teaches you one or two tricks. You can't live in the Rukongai depending only on your reiatsu, because it alone can kill you"

"I understand now" I said, subtly retrieving the frown from my face.

"Nii-sama, what did you think I meant by ways?"

The frown returned to my face. "Nothing in particular, I only wished for you to elaborate" I said, trying my best to brush her comment.

"She's a good woman. I'm sure Renji didn't think of her as his first choice, but it speaks highly of a person when she's willing to sacrifice her personal time for a friend"

"Maybe they're more than friends"

"I don't think so Nii-sama, I would know" - she answered confident – "Renji and her don't know each other that much to even be close friends. Plus I'm sure he's not Rangiku's type"

That's interesting. So apparently Renji's not her type. The woman has standards, and they're high. Wait. Why am I even thinking of Matsumoto Rangiku's love life? That is not of my interest at all. Rukia must be turning me into gossip lately.

Still, I felt curious. That's odd.

"Why wouldn't Abarai be a suitable match for Matsumoto-fukutaicho?"

"I don't know, you'd have to ask her. Why are you interested in knowing?"

I could not contest to that. I had turned if only for a moment into an old hag. I've never cared for this things, and even now as I'm asking I don't quite understand why I do it. I really have no interest. Clearly I'm looking for ways to avoid thinking.

"So, Matsumoto Rangiku, do you know her?"

"Not much really. I've seen her spar once or twice, and I'm sure she'll give your division some good training sessions" – Rukia stopped for a moment before resuming – "Aside from that, she's a very particular woman. She lives by her rules but always shows care for those around her. She seems very perceptive to me".

I didn't know much about her. All I knew derived from small comments I'd picked up along the years. They usually placed her as a fun loving but not so hard working object of desire of the male shinigami. That last part was obvious. The woman, like Rukia said, indeed has her ways.

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That's it for chapter 3. Now we know why Byakuya doesn't like this season.

I should be posting chapter 4 during the weekend or the beginning of next week, so I don't believe you'll have to wait much for the next installment. It's pretty much done but I still have to fine tune it before I publish, get in perfectionist mode.

Please send your comments to see how you're liking the story so far.