Hello kiddies! It's the weekend so there's a new chapter for all of you to enjoy. This one is sort of a filler chapter but it's still important for the story. Anyway, you'll get it once chapter 9 is up.

Thank you all for your comments. Sorry I keep you waiting so long for an update but I do have a life. To make up for it, I'm working on a project for all of you to enjoy. Once it's done I'll let you see it. I've got two words for you: Fan Art :D

No more ranting on my part. Here's chapter 8.

Disclaimer: All Bleach characters are Kubo-san's property. If they were mine some wicked things would happen.... How about Yachiru and Nel playing Hopscotch? That'd be so cute. But I own nothing.

---------------X---------------

It took me a moment to realize that we were alone in the room, and I was left once again subject to her mind games. It doesn't bother me that she plays with me, all I seem to care for is that she does it so effortlessly.

We sat across the table from each other, silent. I could see there were many questions she desired to ask, but couldn't quite bring herself to do so. It interested me to some degree to know what she wondered about.

"Aren't we a talkative crowd?" she remarked sarcastically, with a quirk of her brow.

I searched my brain for an appropriate response but given her tone I could only reply coldly.

"I don't see a need to be sarcastic fukutaicho. Can't you enjoy silence?"

"Aw taicho, it was only a joke. I'd ask you to chill but one can't get any colder than you already are."

I chuckled slightly, unable to control the sudden reaction. She noticed and retorted with a smile of her own.

We remained silent for another moment, in what it seemed to be a staring game. It was particularly interesting to consider how she could sustain my gaze for so long, being this a task of the utmost difficulty for most people.

"Kuchiki-taicho, since we're here you might as well tell me. What is it you want to discuss with me?"

She addressed me differently this time. I thought it was only another trick, but she was serious. She indeed wanted to know the reason behind our meeting. That meeting that had continuously changed locations and times, and that now was finally starting.

"I want to know your opinion of the division. How are my officers doing?"

"They're not as bad as you think" she replied slickly.

"How so?"

"Well if I have to be honest, the day you watched them train… it just wasn't fair to them"

"What do you mean by fair?" I asked confused.

"It was the first time they trained with me so that made them nervous. Also, it's hard for people to take me seriously so I had to make my presence known"

The smallest hint of modesty hit her eyes, and I was almost too slow to catch it. However, I did, and it prompted me to ask about it.

"Why do you assume other shinigami don't treat you with the proper respect? After all, you are a fukutaicho. The title is not up for sale to anyone"

"However, it happens Kuchiki-taicho. You know it does. I would even dare suggest that you have thought so too"

Her remark confused me. I did not know whether to apologize to her or feel offended. She was right when she said I probably didn't take her seriously. After all, I know I didn't until that day she started training my division. I could only hope my shame wasn't visible.

"I can admit I have underestimated many people in the past, but let me warn you, Matsumoto-fukutaicho, that's an attitude one comes to regret eventually, once you're forced to see the consequences of your actions"

Upon hearing my words she shot me a look I could not decipher. What I said was a perfect lead for her to scold me on my harsh behavior or my lack of empathy for my officers. But she refrained from this, opting for advice.

"I think you should be more lenient with your officers. They don't lack talent, what they need is mental strength. I'm surprised you didn't notice that my taunting was weakening them to the point they acted purely on instinct and without any intelligence. And being cheered by their peers, well that only aggravated it. They were so eager to slash at me that it didn't cross their minds to release their zanpakuto, even when I allowed them to"

I had never noticed how articulate Matsumoto Rangiku could be when she wanted to. After all those years of watching her at meetings, rubbing elbows with the higher ranks in Seireitei, all the impression I had of her was that of a drunken, loud, uneducated exhibitionist who was granted the privilege of being in that room for who knows what reason.

However, my impression couldn't be any further from the truth, as I now saw her show her brightest side. I'm sure that's what claimed the other shinigami's attention, even when I was too blind to notice then.

"Kuchiki-taicho… You should watch them train someday. I'm sure that would lift their spirits and push them to do better. It's always important to have healthy competition amongst the officers. That's the real secret for success"

She got up from her position across the table from me, and walked towards the door. She grabbed the handle with her hand and opened it.

I was sure she had left, but in her usual habit she would not pass up the opportunity to get in my head once more.

"Don't tell my taicho about that last part. He would love to know, but it's best if he finds out on his own… Kuchiki-taicho"

She closed the door behind her, and once again she had left me with that feeling that was starting to become usual.

The woman does know how to puzzle me.

---------------X---------------

I was working in the office taking care of the stack of papers that lay on my desk. Since Renji left for the human world, work had started to pile up and that is something I can't allow. So after lunch I concentrated on reducing the amount of office work that was left undone.

Still, my brain managed to shove various thoughts in between my brushings. I did my best to dismiss them and keep my focus on work, but some thoughts resisted, plaguing my mind with memories of her for brief spaces of time.

She got in my head, and it was becoming increasingly difficult to keep my concentration. However, after a few hours of hard work I had narrowed the piles of unfinished paperwork to only a few sheets, so I chose to have some tea and relax for a while.

A recruit brought into my office some hot water and an assortment of teas to choose from. He had placed them on a table near the window, facing the training grounds.

She was there, training with the officers. She was sparring with one of them, this time with wooden swords, practicing zanjutsu.

It was comforting to know this time she could not dissect me as I looked at her. Whatever I did would remain a secret to her since she didn't know I was watching, so I indulged, not that I was interested in something different than watching my officers train. At least that's what I'd convinced myself of.

I found her form interesting, it being so different from that of most shinigami. At times it reminded me of myself as she remained calm during battle, thinking of her next move and anticipating the enemy's maneuvers.

I always considered this to be an essential strength for any shinigami. Impetuous behaviors are misleading and hurtful, and if one does not master their instincts defeat is the most probable result.

But this is irrelevant. All that matters is that she passes onto my officers the sense of tranquility that is important to succeed in battle. It's not important to wonder how or under which circumstances she had gained such mental strength. To know how she managed to overlook fear and carry on with her purpose is not of any use to me. It provides me with nothing, so I stifled the thought that it was me who was dissecting her now.

It matters not that I had gained respect for the woman, she's still just a commoner. Just another one from the masses that stand below me, and to whom I owe no special regard. I chased away the idea that I was finding myself interested in yet another of her kind.

Or so I thought, since I still looked at her, trying to convince myself to stop.

---------------X---------------

The clan meeting was in progress and as is habitual in them, the elders were discussing different events that occurred during the past days. Of course, I found their commentaries random and pedestrian. All this years of presiding meetings for the clan had showed me that the purpose for holding them was none other than to provide the elders and other Kuchiki's with a safe haven in which they could indulge in gossip and pass judgment on anything they deemed worthy of it.

I turned to my side and glanced at Rukia, who seemed to be just as bored as me if not more. She looked at me in return, spelling out her wishes for this meeting to be over. Unfortunately, these meetings are a rule in the family and I do not intend to halt proceedings if only because we are tired of hearing their pointless arguments, so I could not respond to her wishes.

I directed my attention to the matter being discussed. At the moment, the elders were arguing over the education of one of the younger members of the clan. They had noticed certain traits in the boy, so they debated over who would be an appropriate sensei.

As I had done many times, I neglected the idea of listening and immersed myself in thought. I didn't worry over missing any piece of valuable information since Rukia always regarded with contempt the behavior of the attendants, so anything she found particularly disturbing she would notify me of.

I usually thought of work, of what was left undone and other happenings of the day, if only to distract me, but this time the musings were different. I regressed to those thoughts, those that were plaguing me constantly since she barged into my surroundings.

She is certainly a sight to behold, but also a riddle. And much to my surprise, one I'd like to solve.

The woman had risen from her marginal beginnings and managed to become the vice-captain of the Tenth Division, which I must admit is no easy feat as I'm familiar with the discipline required to obtain such title. She has also proven herself to be a powerful shinigami and a natural leader, as I had surmised from our recent interactions.

Despite this, she carried herself in ways completely unfitting of her position, almost proud of her lack of care for conventions. It matters not to her the effects her personal appearance and demeanor could earn her. Hence, she has shown disregard for proper etiquette and rules, constructing her own.

This particular fact is one of many that would constitute her as a conundrum. As she has expressed to me, most shinigami find it hard to look past her appearance and find her virtues, therefore not treating her with the respect she deserves. In spite of this, she continues to act in the same manner, refusing to adapt to rules that would surely result in others holding a more favorable perception of her.

Apparently she would rather deal with the consequences her particular personality brings upon her than to change in anyway. This, as unusual as it may be is very much admired by someone like me, whose personality has been shut so it can mold to the stereotype of nobility.

"Byakuya-sama"

It's difficult to accept that a woman like her is so far from a man like me, even when I'm sure I can relate to her in ways most people can't. Perceptions are deceitful. In her case, she has always been expected to perform under her skills. My case is the complete opposite.

I trained so hard so I could meet the expectations everyone had for me. On the other hand, she worked hard so she could break them. They're both lonely paths.

"Nii-sama, they're calling for you" Rukia whispered in my ear before the rest of the attendants could realize I wasn't paying attention.

I was unpleased by the interruption, having pulled me from my private musings. It was strange for me to realize all those thoughts had a common aspect between them, but I didn't mind singing her praises as I was confident no one could intrude in my thoughts nor condemn me for them.

"Yes?" I answered, staring blankly at the crowd.

"What is your opinion on all of this Byakuya-sama?"

"The boy was assigned a sensei a while ago. That decision will not be reviewed"

"But Byakuya-sama—"

"Back when the decision was made you agreed with it. I won't repeat myself. Next issue please"

A man raised his hand, asking for permission to speak. I granted it, confident that this —like most matters discussed in these meetings— would be unimportant. However, I listened to the man for a moment before deciding to retrieve once again to my inner realm.

I tried to resume my reflections, finding this impossible. I had indeed muted the voices coming from my surroundings, but I was unable to feel comfort in my thoughts anymore, as the scene played right in front of me.

They would never understand. They did not understand in the past and won't do it in the future. To harbor any feelings, whichever they may be, is futile. I can't subject someone else to the hardships of nobility based on selfish reasons.

It's best to leave things be and forget this foolish notions. I would only hurt her, just like I did my sister and my late wife, and I can't allow myself to do that. In my present condition I can't muster the strength to stand up to the family once more.

It's clear my destiny was sealed a long time ago.

---------------X---------------

So that's chapter 8. Not much dialogue but it sets the stage for chapter 9, which is going to be the bomb!... Well if you ask me :D

On that note, I'm trying to get at least one chapter up each week. I hoped I would be able to write far more but school sucks. I've got planned out what chapter 9 will be so I just have to sit and write, which is easier said than done. Regardless, I believe I might be able to get 2 chapters up during next week, but this is a belief not a promise. It's up to the muse and the fingers which hopefully won't be too tired to write. Soccer starts this week so getting my dose of physical activity should help clear my brain.

As always, please leave your comments and reviews for me to read. I really enjoy reading your opinions and thoughts on how the story is going and where you think it might go. I also want some feedback on the writing department. I think I'm doing pretty good but is always nice to hear other opinions.

Thanks for reading and have a nice week!

Important: Rangiku's birthday is Tuesday, and I want to write a one-shot or something in honor of her special date. I'm accepting suggestions. I'm considering doing a couple of short drabbles and post them all in one story. I really want to do this but my muse is being lazy and won't come up with a plot. I wrote a small one but I'm not too happy with it. Please give me some suggestions, prompts, anything. If I like it I'll do the drabble and give the proper credit. Thank you!