Book One: Young Blood

Chapter II: Greatest Creation

A/N: I'm back everyone! So, last chapter got two reviews, and I'm so glad the both of you are enjoying the story. I hope you also enjoy this chapter; sadly, Renji will not be in it because I decided to cut it into two parts, but he is in the next chapter, and a lot of him is ;). Anyways, this chapter gives a bit more information about Kanako, and leaves off on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I guess spoils a bit of the show? Though I'm sure if you're reading this you're all caught up on the show unlike me… But, I hope you all enjoy, and don't forget to review! Xoxo

-:-

"So leave that click in my head

And I will remember the words that you said

Left a clouded mind and a heavy heart

But I was sure we could see a new start."

Kanako pursed her lips as she looked around the courtyard of Division six, the place rather empty for the time of day. But she wasn't complaining, her head was pounding and the last thing she needed was a few of her subordinates running up to her, begging for a training session. She took in a deep breath as she moved to sit on the wood panels, letting her legs hang off the edge. Peace and quiet, that is definitely what she needed right now.

"Kanako," The sound of Byakuya's voice made her pout, and she turned her head, staring up at her captain, and twin, a sour look on her face, "Shouldn't you be heading out to be on time for the lieutenants meeting?" He asks, and Kanako sighs.

"Probably," She grumbles, leaning back on the palms of her hands, "But… I'm thinking of skipping it, my head is killing me, and I don't think I could sit through a boring lecture without vom-"

"Kanako get up and go." Byakuya sighed shaking his head, a bit annoyed at his twin, "I expect a full report from the meeting."

Kanako pouted again, "But Byakunii-chan," She whined looking up at him, doing her best puppy like expression, "I feel so ill, and I would only make a fool of myself If I went to the meeting in this condition." She cried, and Byakuya stared back at her.

"You always make a fool of yourself," He said quickly, and Kanako gasped, "Get up and go, then I expect you to be back in time for your date with Takahiro." He says, and Kanako rolled her eyes, jumping onto the grass, "And really, what have you done to your uniform?" He asked as Kanako turned, smiling now.

"You like it?" She questioned happily as she placed her hands on her hips, extending her leg out. She had had her seamstress take her Shihakushō in a few inches in her waist, considering the fabric before had been far too loose, the Kosode and Hakama expertly sewn together into a dress, and cut from right to left, the right side shorter than the left that fell down to her knee, while her right exposed her thigh, and the dagger holstered there. She kept her lieutenants badge tied onto her red Kuchiki family scarf around her waist, rather than the standard obi the other shinigami wore.

"You look as if you belong in a brot-,"

"LEAVING." Kanako groaned as she quickly walked away from her brother, hearing him actually chuckle to himself before she was out of earshot.

Kanako was grumbling to herself as she headed towards first division, already five minutes late to her meeting, and really not caring. She was sure that Division one's lieutenant was going to gripe at her about her tardiness, but the other's would probably be fighting to keep awake. She used Shunpo to get to the division, before deciding to walk sluggishly towards the meeting room; her body slumped forward some as she let out a yawn, her eyes squeezing shut.

"Kana-San," Kanako jumped when she ran into someone, and she opened her eyes, smiling a bit at the sight of the tall brown haired man in front of her, who pushed up his glasses, smiling.

"Oh Sōsuke," Kanako bowed before her old friend, "I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention to where I was heading." She said laughing lightly as he smiled at her, shaking his head.

"It's no problem at all Kana-San," He said tilting his head a little, "Aren't you running late for your meeting?" He asked, and Kanako nods, smiling sheepishly.

"Yes… just a bit," She says, and Aizen smiled again.

"I shouldn't keep you then," He said, bowing his head a bit, and Kanako smiled, doing the same before she went to walk past him, "Oh, wait, Kana-San," He said, taking her wrist quickly, and Kanako turned, raising her eyebrows, "Why don't you join me for tea after the meeting, so we can catch up, it has been awhile since we last spoke properly." He said, and Kanako nods.

"Of course," She says as she takes a step back once he released her wrist, "Right after the meeting I'll head to your office." She says, and gives him a small wave, "Goodbye Sōsuke!"

Aizen waved back to the noble before she ran off, trying to get to the meeting, hoping she could slip in unnoticed by anyone. Meetings lately were rather boring, considering nothing extreme was happening within the soul society as of lately.

Kanako stood outside the door leading to the meeting room, and took in a breath, slowly sliding the door open as she peeked in, seeing Rangiku already passed out with her head on the table, Shuhei looking rather bored himself, and a few others zoned out as the meeting went on. Kanako stuck a leg into the door, and slid in, the lieutenant of division 1 to mesmerized by his own words to notice her tip toeing over to sit beside Shuhei, smiling at the tattooed man before slowly lowering herself in between him and the sleeping Rangiku.

"It's about time you showed up," Kanako cursed silently when it seemed she was caught, and she turned to look at him, smiling innocently.

"I got sidetracked," She said laughing, her eyes shut as she scratched the back of her head, Rangiku letting out a yelp as she sat up, looking around with wide eyes.

"NO, NOT MY SECRET STASH." She screamed out, the lieutenant mumbling a few rude things under his breath as Kanako laughed at her friend, before he went on with the meeting.

-:-

Kanako was exhausted now, pouting, her arms crossed over her chest as she walked out of the meeting room, after have being lectured in front of everyone about her behavior and how she should act better considering she was a noble, and a lieutenant. Stupid lectures, at least she had some catching up with Sōsuke to look forward to, and then maybe hopefully she'd get to run into Renji. She smiled at the thought, wondering if he was hoping the same thing or if Mori had scared him off.

"Lieutenant Kuchiki," Speak of the devil.

Kanako raised an eyebrow as she looked over at Mori, who bowed before standing back up , "I'm here to escort you back to the division, Byakuya wants you to start getting ready for your date with Lord Seito."

Kanako shook her head, "I have another appointment to make first," She said as she started off towards Division Five, Mori following after her, "I'm having tea with Captain Aizen, I should only be a few minutes… I will just go on my date dressed as is."

Mori nods slowly, "I will escort you to your meeting with Captain Aizen then." He said, and Kanako sighed.

"Cut it out with the formalities Mori-Chan, seriously, you should like a robot." Kanako grumbled looking over at him, seeing him smile some.

"Fine," He said looking down at her now, his hand on the hilt of his Zanpakto, "How was the meeting?"

Kanako shook her head, "Boring, exhausting, and I got yelled at, a lot." She pouted again, making Mori chuckle shaking his head.

"And did you happen to see Sixth seat Abarai running around?" He asked, looking over at Kanako and she felt herself blush shaking her head.

"Shush," She whispered, looking over at him, "If Byakuya found out h-,"

"He'd have your head, and then some." Mori finished for her, Kanako frowning, "Your secret's safe with me Kana-Chan."

Kanako smiled at him, "I'm so glad you're on my side Mori."

"There's no other side I'd rather be on."

"My side is obviously the best," She says giving a firm nod, "Byakuya's side is full of boring parties and snobby nobles." She says, and Mori laughed a little.

"And your side is full of breasts and tattooed men?" He asked, and Kanako rolled her eyes.

"Rangiku and Renji are not the only things in my life Mori-Chan," She says quickly, and Mori nods.

"Oh but of course, you've got violent children, and that strange talkative friend of yours as well." He said, and Kanako gave him a look before she used shunpo, deciding a little friendly race would be a good way to shut him up, and she laughed when she heard Mori say 'oh no you don't'.

The thing about the Seireitei Kanako always disliked was how far each Division was from one another, which made being on time for meetings even worse for her, but racing to each division was always fun for her, especially since she always won, no matter who she was racing with.

Just like she had expected, she reached division five before Mori, and she slid to a stop in front of the gate, laughing as he rested his hands on his hips, leaning back as he tried to catch his breath.

"You've gotten faster," She laughed pushing against his shoulder some, laughing more when he stumbled over, and he gave her a playful glare, before smiling.

"I will wait here for you to be finished." He breathed out, gesturing for her to go ahead and enter the division, and Kanako shook her head.

"No, you go, you've got the day off don't you?" She asks, Mori nodding slowly, "As you're superior I order you to relax, go have a few rounds with Shuhei, leave me on my own." She says seriously, and Mori bows his head a bit.

"Whatever you say, lieutenant."

Kanako rolled her eyes at her subordinate, before slipping through the gates of division five, and leisurely made her way towards Aizen's office.

She had met Aizen when she was just the third seat of Division six, under her grandfather. She had always felt there was something strange about Sōsuke, something off, but she also found herself drawn to him. Their friendship was one-sided, with Sōsuke always wanting to hear and learn about her, but never sharing anything about himself… but she never questioned it, and she just went along with it.

She knocked once, before entering the room, finding herself raising an eyebrow at the sight of Captain Gin Ichimaru standing beside Aizen's desk, Aizen looking up from his paper works, smiling at her.

"Gin," Kanako said slowly looking over at the silver haired man, his eyes narrowed and a fox like smirk on his face, as always.

"Kana-Chan, long time to see," He said, giving her a small wave, and she looked towards Aizen, who merely continued to smile, finishing up what must have been his paperwork.

Kanako gave a wary smile as she nods, walking over to the chair in front of Aizen's desk, and sunk down low in the seat, feeling Ichimaru's narrowed eyes on her.

"Is Gin joining us for tea…" Kanako asked quietly, knowing very well that Aizen knew her past with Gin, and he shook his head.

"Captain Ichimaru just stopped by for a visit, but he's leaving now." He said as he set down his brush, and turned to look at the captain, who smile grew wider.

"See ya around Kana-Chan," He sung out suddenly, and Kanako watched as he started for the door, and shut it behind him. Kanako relaxed once he was gone, and slumped even further into the chair as Aizen stood, and began to prepare a pot a tea, Kanako closing her eyes.

"He's such a creep," She muttered placing her palms against her tired eyes, stretching her legs out further, hearing the clatter of tea cups.

"You and Captain Ichimaru never made up for what happened in the past?" Aizen questioned, and Kanako shook her head, even though he couldn't see.

"I haven't spoken to him since it happened," She mumbled, sitting up a little as Aizen walked over, and handed her a cup, Kanako thanking him quietly, "Why was he here anyways?" She grumbled, and Aizen smiled just a bit, going over to sit back behind his desk.

"He is my former lieutenant as you know," Aizen said, Kanako nodding slowly, "He and I were just catching up, I apologize if his presence upset you Kanako, I hadn't expected you to show up so quickly after the meeting."

Kanako blew into her tea, before taking a sip. Gin Ichimaru was really one of the last people Kanako ever wanted to see, "It's alright Sōsuke," Kanako said, looking back up at him, and smiled, "Ichimaru is just an old memory."

Aizen nods, "How are you Kanako?" He asks now, deciding not to pry more into her past with Gin, "Is your engagement going well?"

Kanko frowned, shrugging a little, "Takahiro is a good man," She mumbled, running her finger along the brim of her cup, "Just… He's just not the man I want to marry." She admits, looking up at her friend, "If there was a way to stop the engagement I would," She was being honest; really the only person other than Mori and Sakura she felt she could be this honest with was Sōsuke, "But… There's nothing I can do, and every day, the man falls more in love with me."

"And yet, you cannot love him." Aizen says quietly, Kanako nodding, "You just need a way to escape." He said, and Kanako looked up at him, raising an eyebrow.

"What was that?" She asked, and Aizen smiled shaking his head.

"Nothing," He said, taking a sip from his tea, and Kanako pursed her lips, "You've come a long way since I first met you Kanako." He said, and Kanako smiles a little, "You're relationship with Gin in the past, the chaos you caused for your brother because of it, you're much different now then you were then."

Kanako shrugs, "I'm not all that different," She admits, setting her tea down on the small table beside her chair, "But maturity I suppose does come with age." She says and Aizen nods.

"Do you remember the first time you and I met?" He asked, and Kanako tilted her head to the side, trying to remember.

"It was when my grandfather was taking my brother and I on a tour of the Seireitei wasn't it? After we were given our seated positions in division six?" She asks, and Aizen shakes his head.

"No, there was a time before that." He said, and Kanako shook her head slowly, not remembering at all. "It was before you were even a shinigami," He started now as he stood up, "You were just a girl in the wrong place, at the wrong time."

"What?"

"Centuries ago, former comrades of mine were attacked and killed," Aizen said as he moved to stand in front of her, leaning against his desk some, "They were all hollowfied, and became monsters…" He said, and Kanako creased her eyebrows together, "Somehow, you found your way into the middle of it all, and you almost fell victim to the infection they all caught." He said, and Kanako shook her head again, she couldn't remember any of this, "Kisuke Urahara managed to save you though."

Kanako stood up, "Kisuke?" She remembered him, she had met him when she was younger, she had met him through Yoruichi.

"Ah, so it's coming back to you then?" He asked, and Kanako shook her head.

"I… No, I don't know." She muttered, as she stared at the ground, irritated with herself, why could Aizen remember all of this so well? Why didn't she have any memory of it?

"Do you know what Hollowfication is Kana-San?" Aizen asked, and Kanako looked back up to him, "The bonding of a soul reaper's spirit with a hollow?"

"Aizen, you're not making any sense." She muttered, and he nods slowly.

"Even before I met you face to face Kanako, I had big plans for you."

Kanako felt a strange presence as she stared at Aizen, the words he'd shared were strange, and they were buzzing in her mind… It seemed so familiar… she knew she had heard those terms before, when she was younger… she must have, when he first met her, like he told her. "Kanako," Kanako froze in her spot at the sound of Gin's voice right in her ear, and she turned, Gin's hand grabbing her wrist, as Sōsuke came slowly came to stand beside her now.

"You're Reiryoku is higher than anyone I have ever experienced before," Sōsuke muttered beside her, and she looked at him, confused, terrified, and silently pleading for him to make Ichimaru let go of her.

"What are you talking about?" She asked, a bit angry now, "What is all this about Sōsuke? What are you planning?" She demanded to know, thrusting her arm out of Ichimaru's hold, and pushed the taller man back, turning her full attention back to Sōsuke.

The man smiled, his eyes sparkling just a bit as he pushed his glasses up, "I was unable to use you in my plans in the past, when I was merely a lieutenant, when I first met you" He muttered, "You were not as strong then as you are now, and I had yet to perfect what I had in mind for you," Kanako opened her mouth, but was unable to speak before him, "I have big plans for you Kanako Kuchiki." He whispered, his hand going to the hilt of his Zanpakto, "You will be my greatest creation."

Kanako's eyebrows creased together in confusing and worry, and she fought back the rising fear deep within her as she took a step back, "Sōsuke…" She muttered his name, her eyes widening suddenly when she felt a something slice through her.