~Kairi's P.O.V~

~Two Days Later, Outside Captain Kuchiki's Office~

Letting out a deep breath then, inhaling another one, I was just about to knock on Captain Kuchiki's door, having finally mustered up the courage to do so, when he answered it himself. "I'm sorry Captain Kuchiki, I was-," but Byakuya cut me off with a wave of his hand, and invited me inside his office.

Shutting his office door, he looked me over before giving me a gesture to sit down at a small table, that was in the corner of his office, pouring some freshly made tea for the both of us, he handed a cup to me, before placing his cup on his side of the table, and then he sat down. "I know this marriage is hard on you Kairi, I also know that you are young, and you haven't really had a chance to explore the Soul Society yet, but don't worry you'll have several chances to, and contrary wise to what the other captains believe, I'm not as cold-hearted as they think I am, and don't tell me you haven't heard the rumors that the captains like to spread about me, I hear them to." He said to me, before taking a sip of his tea, and then adding to me afterwards, "I'm not to sure why the Head Captain thought me marrying you was a good idea, but I understand his reasons behind it all. I'm not to sure if you've heard this before or not, but I'm going to tell you anyways. I was married once before to Rukia's sister, and her dying wish was for me to adopt Rukia, and I did so. I guess after begin alone for so long, the Head Captain figured maybe I would like some company, even if it is someone who is at a very young age." He added out to me, as he stared out the window beside his table.

There was silence between us for a long time, or at least until I broke that silence, and asked Byakuya a question that's been weighing very heavily on mind ever since the captains meeting. "Why do you want me to not be in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, Captain Kuchiki? Is it because you think that I would be a burden to squad thirteen? If that's why then I won't be, I'm a quick learner-," I didn't get to finish my sentence because Byakuya cut me off with a cold stare.

Byakuya's once calm and relaxed posture soon became tense, giving me another look, he spoke to me. "No, that's not it at all Yuuki, my one sin is my pride, and let's just say you fail at the academy, as we both know once you fail in the academy, you can't ever go back, but you could get a lowly position in squad thirteen, and as part of my noble family, you would be out casted and mocked, and you would bring disgrace and shame upon the Kuchiki family name, and that would forever haunt us, the shame and disgrace that you would bring upon me, would cause me to lose my position as Head of the Kuchiki clan, and I would be stripped of my power and fame, and I'm not willing to lose that, not to anyone, not even my future wife." He confessed to me, before taking another sip of his tea, and speaking to me again. "There's also another reason why I don't like you becoming a member of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, is because should you face a battle that you know you cannot win, and no one is there to back you up, you will die, and I cannot allow that to happen, there are other thing both inside and outside the Seireitei, that Captain's Ukitake, Kyoraku, myself and even the Head Captain cannot protect you from, and I'm not just talking about Hollows either Yuuki, there are captains here, who would love to see you dead, or worse, and it would kill me to see you get hurt, but I have a solution for that." He added to me, as he reached into his robes and pulled out a black box with black ribbon tied around it, and he handed it to me, telling me to open it.

Unwrapping the ribbon from the box, I opened it and saw a pink jewel hanging from a chain that had Sakura Cherry Blossoms all around it. "Thank you Captain Kuchiki, I don't know what to say other then it's very pretty." I confessed to him, as I took the necklace out of the box, and tired to hang it around my neck, but I failed.

Not saying a word, Byakuya, sensed my distress, and got up from the table, and helped me put it on. Asking me to stand up, so he could see what I looked like with the necklace on, I did as I was told and stood up. "It looks beautiful on you Yuuki, but I must explain the necklace's clan secret to you, seeing as you will soon become a part of the Kuchiki clan, you have a right to know." He said to me, as he took in a deep breath then, let it out and added to me. "This necklace belongs to every living Kuchiki clan member, meaning both Rukia and I wear one. This necklace will allow either Rukia or myself to your aid should you ever need us to. Simply place one finger on the jewel, and we will be at your side, no matter where you are, but the jewel will only work in the Soul Society, and the jewel will only respond to Kuchiki clan members and no one else. Should Rukia or myself be busy at the time you call us, place one finger on the jewel again, and a shield will come up and stay up until we get there wherever you may be, and one last thing do not use the jewel as a toy, or we might not come to your aid. Rukia and I are very busy people, and seeing as I am Head of the Kuchiki clan, I also have duties to the clan, that I also must do." Was all he said to me, before moving closer me, and whispering in my ear. "You are a very bright girl Kairi Jinjou Yuuki, but please be careful in who you confide in, there are some captains in the Soul Society, whose only wish is to see you die, slowly and alone, you are dismissed, I will see you again next week." Was all he said to me, but not before quickly planting a kiss in the dead center of my forehead, and then turning his back on me.

Walking back to his office table, he resumed whatever he was doing before he answered his office door.

Bowing to him, I left Captain Kuchiki's office and headed back toward squad eight's barracks...

~End of Kairi's P.O.V~