Hello people. Yesterday was my birthday so I'm in posting mode. Also there was an earthquake and a storm yesterday and it felt like the end of the world for a number of reasons, so I'm posting number 6 before I'm buried under my building or drowned in the basement.

Important. This chapter is written in Rangiku's POV. I read Narutofan1091's lovely suggestion and decided to go for it, so here you go, Ran's POV. I had already planned this chapter to pan out the way it does, but I wasn't planning on adding Ran's POV. However, it fits the chapter and in my opinion makes it more fun. I hope I did a good job writing her and didn't portray her as a klutz. Next chapter we'll be back to Byakushi's POV but the suggestion was so appealing to me I had to take it.

I hope you like this latest installment.

Disclaimer: All Bleach characters are Kubo-san's property. If they were mine some wicked things would happen... Because it's my birthday, I'd have Aizen and Gin dance the Macarena. Why them? Well, simply because it'd be fun. I own nothing

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There are a few things that a girl like me dreads. There's always the problem of my boobs possibly feeling rebellious and slipping out of my uniform – which is a constant hazard - or running out of sake in a party – May Shunsui have mercy on all of us. But from all those terrible things that could happen any given day, there's one in particular that raises every single hair in my body from fear.

That is paperwork. Mountains of paperwork sitting on a desk unfinished, waiting only for your taicho to notice so he can use that pretty voice of his and yell "MATSUMOTOOOOOO!"

This is why, when I arrived this morning from my now usual early morning practice, I decided to dive right into those awful piles that lay in my desk.

However, there is an upside to all of this. Since I was training with the sixth division, covering for Renji in practice, my taicho was more lenient with me in regards to this unpleasant task.

Toshiro is a firm believer that all divisions must join forces in the restoration efforts, and that includes rebuilding Seireitei's army. This is why I jumped at the chance to help Renji, because anything is better than sitting in a desk for hours holding a brush to your hand and filling and signing form after form.

It's not that I fear screwing up the paperwork – I'm sure I could do it with my eyes closed – it's just that it's so boring to do it. Anyways, paperwork isn't the only reason why I decided to help Renji. There's also the matter of my zanpakuto.

Haineko was always as lazy as me, but since the war ended she has been tugging at me to improve my skills, which is why lately I found myself waking up early to practice. Threats to the Soul Society are now small and easily contained, but no one ever expected Aizen – along with Gin and Tousen – to betray the shinigami, so I now understood that there's no good reason for waiting until another war breaks out before becoming stronger.

So for a while now I've taken on any battle I can get my hands on. And training with the sixth division is as good as any other, if only to build confidence in myself.

However, I must tend to my responsibilities or I'm sure Toshiro's screams will be heard in the human world. That and the fact that my taicho has always been considerate with me is why I can't just dump all on him.

So I slashed furiously away at the paperwork, picking up a form from the unrevised pile, taking a quick glance at it, filling it out and signing it, on and on in the same manner. Well, at least until I heard someone calling from outside the door.

"Matsumoto-fukutaicho, I need a word with you"

"Announce yourself"

"Kuchiki Rukia, of the thirteenth division"

"Urgh, come in Rukia" I replied, annoyed by her apparent impossibility to call me by my name.

She slid the door open and entered.

"What the hell Rukia? I thought it was someone else. What's with the name? You don't usually call me by my title"

"I'm sorry Rangiku, I thought Hitsugaya-taicho was in the office, and you know how he gets with names"

I couldn't help but giggle at her comment. It was so true.

"Yeah, my little taicho is a little uptight" I replied, smirking at the girl. "Have a seat Rukia. Oh, and if my taicho comes in, you're here on business. I've been working so hard this past days I need a break!" Also true, since my hand was turning red from holding the brush.

"I heard you're working with the sixth division"

"Yes, I've been subbing in for Renji in practice"

"So, how's it going so far?"

"Most of the officers in the sixth are new, so I guess your brother promoted those who survived the war to the higher ranks, but I could tell they're not at the level they should be to be holding the seat they do. Kuchiki noticed too" I answered, not bothering to add the proper suffix.

I noticed Rukia was frowning at the mention of Kuchiki Byakuya.

"Nii-sama was watching them train?"

"Yeah! In fact, he got so pissed off at them that he came here to talk to Toshiro to find out if we used any 'special strategies' during training. I could notice the sight of his officers rolling all over the floor really got to him" I said, chuckling at my remark.

"You know, your Nii-sama complemented me" I added, not noticing that Rukia – much in the same manner as Renji – had spaced out, completely ignoring what I said.

"Ah?...Were you saying something Rangiku?"

"Hmm… You're just like Renji, going off into your own little world while others talk to you. You're so cute when you do that. I said that your brother complemented me Rukia"

"Oh…" Rukia replied, frowning even harder. "How so?"

"Well as I said, he watched us practice. Then when he came by yesterday, he told Toshiro that he wanted to compliment him on his fukutaicho for 'the joke she made out of my officers' were his exact words" I said proudly, holding back a few laughs.

Rukia had a weird look on her face. It was not one I had seen before. It looked like she was trying to figure out just why her brother would do something like that. I can't blame her though, the man is a freaking puzzle.

"That seems out of character for him. He's not one to be giving compliments to anyone"

"Hey! I'm not just anyone. I'm Matsumoto Rangiku, Juubantai fukutaicho. Give me some credit here" I retorted, slightly pissed off at her comment.

"I'm sorry Ran, it's simply a fact. He doesn't say these things about anybody. I can't remember him ever giving anyone a compliment before"

Ok, Rukia has a good point. Kuchiki Byakuya, nurturing boss?. There must be something wrong with that sentence.

I quickly glanced back to that afternoon. He was standing there, with that void look on his eyes, dissecting me. And he was basically telling me that I did a good job. He almost seemed proud of me. What was that about? As quickly as I reminisced I brushed off the thought that he was flirting with me.

Kuchiki Byakuya, flirting? This time I'm sure there's something wrong with that sentence.

"Well then, do you want to get really spooked?" I said, dismissing the idea that I might have flirted back.

"What?"

"He didn't stop there. When training was over he said something like 'I can see my officers didn't trouble you, Matsumoto-fukutaicho'" I narrated, imitating Byakuya's voice.

Rukia was laughing at my impression, but this time it was me who had spaced out. Not that Rukia would notice. Why the hell do I remember what he said to me? It's not like it was that important. After all, it's not the first time I get props for my skills. I decided it was best to continue with the tale, if only to keep Rukia from falling off the chair.

"And when I told him no, he said 'then you're the right one for the job'" I said, making fun of the man's tone once more.

This time Rukia was deprived from her self control and burst out in loud laughter. It was so infectious that I couldn't help but join her.

After a good minute passed we stopped laughing. Rukia is not one to care for gossip, so I knew she had to have a reason for being here. I decided I'd give her a chance to come out with it since she was beating around the bush.

"So did you come here to chit chat or is there's something that you need to say?"

"I'm glad you mention it Rangiku"

Suddenly her face had changed from bright and smiley to hard and serious. I felt a little guilty for changing the subject, but no good can come from holding things in, so I pried.

"What's wrong Rukia?"

Rukia remained silent in her chair for a moment. I could see she was holding back a sigh, wondering if it was a good idea to share her problems with me.

"It's Byakuya…"

What the…? All the paperwork must have fried my brain, because in all the time I've known Rukia – and it's been a while – she has never referred to Kuchiki Byakuya by any other title than Nii-sama. She won't even call him taicho, and I'm sure that would be more pleasant for him, so why would she do it? Why use his name now?

"What about him?" I asked, trying my best to hide my surprise.

"I don't know if you've noticed or if you can notice, but he's been acting strange lately"

Rukia was dead serious. And well, if you ask me the man had indeed been acting strange. Come on, the man flirted with me! Not for long, but he did. He gave me a compliment. And it's not that I think I'm unworthy of the praise, it's just that Rukia was right when she said it's not in his nature to do so.

My brain was definitely fried, so I opted for silence.

"He always acts different around this time of the year, and I never understood why. But yesterday I—" Rukia stopped for a moment.

"—I heard him. He was in that room. That room he keeps off limits to everyone else. I never knew what was in the room until yesterday"

"What did you hear?"

"It's Hisana's shrine. He was talking to her. He sounded so desperate. I couldn't hear the whole conversation because I felt sorry just hearing it. I felt like I was intruding in a private conversation"

Wow. Kuchiki Byakuya, desperate? That's a first. The picture of stoicism, of self control, desperate? I did not just feel empathy for the man, or did I?

"Hisana was his wife right?"

"Yes. She was my sister, which is why Nii-sama adopted me into the clan. He promised her he would find me and make me his sister"

I was starting to understand the problem, but everything seemed so strange I needed Rukia's imput.

"So why do you think he's so upset?"

"For what I understand she died during the spring. I had always sensed him more secluded during the season, but…"

"He feels lonely then?"

"I think so"

I now understood the problem, but that doesn't mean I have a solution. Helping anyone in that position is not easy, but this him we're talking about. Nothing is simple with this man, and this is no exception.

I could only sit there in silence, giving Rukia the chance to vent, since she was very concerned for her brother.

"What can I do Rangiku? I mean, I usually wouldn't come to you for something like this, but Renji's gone, and aside from him I'm the only one who's close enough to him to get any chance to help"

I sighed. How am I supposed to help her? Also, why wouldn't Rukia come to me for help? Ok, that's not important right now, so I'm dismissing it. My pride is not the issue.

Rukia's hands laid over her lap and I could see her shrug. It's obvious she's not like her brother, since she can't hide her feelings with the ease he does.

"I'll help you Rukia" I whispered, trying to cheer her up.

"You would really do that Rangiku?"

"Of course. We're friends, remember?"

I could notice a slight glimmer coming out of her eyes. Apparently I had managed to comfort her, since she looked so worried before.

"Thank you Rangiku-san" she said softly.

"You kids are never going to learn! It's Ran-chan, or Rangiku. Boy, you and your manners…" I understood why she used it this time, but my remark seemed appropriate to lift her spirits.

It worked, since Rukia quickly smirked back. She then rose from her seat, staring at me.

"Thanks for the talk Rangiku"

"Don't mention it"

Rukia turned from my desk and started walking toward the door. I'm glad I was able to help her, but there's one thing I need to get off my chest.

"Rukia…"

She turned to look at me "What is it Rangiku?".

"Next time… Don't feel you can't come to me for advice. Even if it is about your brother"

"Thank you" She said smiling.

"Nah… Now get out of here. I've got lots to do before I leave for the sixth"

If Rukia didn't know better she would have skipped out of my office, relieved that she had found a solution to her predicament.

Well, if you ask me she didn't solve anything. She just dumped the problem on me, but I wasn't about to let that bother me. I had promised Rukia I would help, and while I don't know what I'm going to do to, I'm sure there has to be something. She deposited her faith in me, so I'm not letting her down.

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I was working late in the office tonight, slashing at some of those ugly piles that were so common. This is not how I like to spend my evenings, but if I want to get some practice time tomorrow I have to sacrifice.

I was trying my best not to fall asleep on my desk, hoping this torture would end soon. I entertained myself thinking of how particular my last days had been.

First, Renji asks me to replace him in practice while getting completely hammered at the same time. Then, a few days later Kuchiki Rukia comes into the office and feeds me all this information on her brother.

Poor girl. Not only does her brother pulls strings to keep her well under the rank she deserves - I mean come on, the girl killed an Espada! She almost died in the process but hey, the guy's dead - but now she has to worry over him.

And that brings me to him. Kuchiki Byakuya that is.

He is probably the most interesting character to appear the last few days. Especially if you consider the man was flirting with me. Or was he really? Maybe that's in my head.

After talking to Rukia I got the feeling that what he needs is company. That and also this idea that's been floating in my head. But that's not important.

So back to the point. The man feels lonely, how do you fight that?

I'm not one to know the answer. It's been so long since I've had company. Well, the kind of company he must be yearning. I've got my friends for whatever I need them. If I feel sad they drink with me, if I'm happy they do as well. When I need to talk they listen and when I'm feeling devious they play along.

But it's clear to me that's not the case with him. Rukia said it herself, he only has Renji and her, and Renji barely counts.

However, when I said I feel empathy for the man I didn't mean pity. I understand what it's like to try to move on after losing someone important.

I stopped my brushings for a moment, let out a sigh and carried on.

What Rukia can't understand is that when you're in that position there's no amount of company that can make things better. What you need is resolve, and that is mighty hard to find. Also, that's not something someone can give to you, it must come from within for it to be tangible.

But that idea kept swirling about in my brain, and it was constantly growing in speed. Not important. It's there only because I'm tired. I'm forbidding that idea from ever entering my brain again.

I wonder how long it will take before this particular resolution fails me.

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So that's it for chapter 6. I hope you enjoyed it.

As always, comments and suggestions are very much welcomed. I try my best to reply all the comments I receive, since I feel I'm reading the story along with you so it's like discussing it.

In regards to publishing the next chapter, I don't know exactly when I'll do it. I estimate that it should be up by sunday next week. I know that's a far longer deadline than I've placed before, but it's the first week back in college and I've got some matters to take care of in terms of schedule and such. Worry not though, I will continue to write the fic during college, but updates may take a bit longer than they have in the past.

I don't mean to push you, but like I've said before comments make me happy. Me in a good mood equals more writing and faster updates. Let me know how I did with Rangiku's POV and share your opinions of the story so far. Really, anything you feel like sharing with me I'll be pleased to read.

Best of lucks to you, and I hope you don't get a Doom's day birthday like the one I had. Geez I'm still not over the 6.2 earthquake we had yesterday.