A/N:

And I am back again...as promised. I hope whoever is reading this is interested in reading this story. Views and reviews are nice. Suggestions are welcome as well for future story ideas (or thoughts on this fic). Don't be shy.

Chapter Six:

Four hours later, Rani was heading with Captain Kuchiki to a residence further than the Kuchiki Manor, and she was nervous. Hours before, she read the letter that was sent to Captain Kuchiki in response to his request to the Takayama clan. The head agreed to have Captain Kuchiki as a visitor, but it had to happen that evening since they were expecting guests the next day.

Once they arrived, they were escorted inside by a servant who did not say a word to either of them.

"Remember what I said."

"I am to stay outside until I am called inside, if I am called inside." Rani repeated.

Her captain nodded as he then followed the servant inside. The servant noticed Rani not heading in and looked at the captain confused.

"It's fine. She can wait outside."

After a nod, the two walked inside.

"I was surprised, Lord Kuchiki, to receive your request this morning. I am sorry though, that I asked you to come on such short notice."

"It is fine." Byakuya greeted. "I am just thankful that you agreed to see me."

"I am also confused, since your request was..a bit vague."

"Forgive me for that, and please forgive me for what I am about to say and bring up." he started. "I am going to be a bit blunt here, so my apologies again." Lord Takayama was slightly intrigued and worried. "Is your daughter, Lady Sugi, still alive, by chance?"

"Sugi? Yes, she is. Did you want to speak with her instead of me?"

"Not me. My lieutenant, who is waiting outside would like a word with her. Sugi might have some insight for her regarding a certain clan."

Lord Takayama's eyes got wide.

"You don't mean…"

"Yes, I do."

The seated lord stood up abruptly and walked over to Captain Kuchiki.

"What connection with that clan does that child have? Is she the missing daughter?"

"If I answer you, you must promise to keep it secret. Official word has not been sent out anywhere for one reason alone."

"I swear I will not tell anyone."

"She is Lady Amaraniyah, sole heir to the Sutahomu clan."

"Thank the heavens! She has been found safe!"

"Lord Takayama!"

"Yes, yes, quite right." He said as he walked past Byakuya. "Follow me."

Captain Kuchiki followed him out the door and stopped when he saw Rani.

"Miss, please follow me." Lord Takayama stated.

Rani looked to her captain confused. He nodded and followed as well.

Lord Takayama led her through the compound and to a small house. He lightly knocked on the door and walked in. Captain Kuchiki and Rani waited outside.

"My dear, Sugi, you have a very special visitor."

"Who?"

"I want her to tell you, so can she come in?"

"Okay."

Lord Takayama came back outside and motioned for Rani to go in.

"Just a word of warning, my daughter is not in the best of health."

Rani nodded and then carefully walked inside.

"Lady Sugi?"

"Yes, may I help you?"

Rani kneeled down in greeting.

"My dear, do not worry about formalities. I am not in any position to warrant that."

Rani got up and looked at the woman before her.

"So, who are you exactly? My father said he wanted you to introduce yourself."

"My name is Hitsugaya Rani, formerly Tómasu Rani."

"The names do not ring a bell, I am sorry."

"I knew they wouldn't, but maybe my actual birth name would." Rani said and then paused. "I was born Sutahomu Amaraniyah, and I am the sole heir of the Sutahomu clan."

Lady Sigu's eyes got wide with excitement after processing what Rani just admitted.

"Oh my!" she said as she flew her arms and got up, surprising her servants. "Little Raniyah!" she exclaimed as she put her hands on either side of Rani's face and stared at her. "It really is you. Where have you been all this time?"

Rani nervously swallowed.

"In the Rukongai and Gotei 13." she answered. "But Lady Sugi, I came here to see you. I have questions, so many of them, about my family. I think you are the only one who can answer them."

"Tea. Get us tea. NOW!" she barked. "Yes, I am sure you do."

Once the tea was brought, Rani sat down with Lady Sugi and nervously started to ask questions about her family. In the process, she told Lady Sugi about the dream that turned out to be a memory.

"I am sorry that's how you found out - through a repressed memory."

"Where is my uncle?" she bluntly asked. "What happened to him?"

Lady Sugi was shocked at the bluntness, but in a way she understood.

"Taiki was with me the night the attack happened. We were here. Visiting my parents." Lady Sugi stated. "We found out about the attack in the early hours in the morning. He was frantic. He headed back while I stayed here, but he soon returned a broken man. He adored the three of you - the twins and you. He doted upon all of you when you were around us." she said and then paused. "When he came back he almost didn't tell anyone, but he did talk to me before deciding to mourn in his own way. He ordered my whole family to keep quiet about us finding out about it. Since he was from a more prominent clan, we had to listen. It broke my heart seeing him suffer. We then got word that you were not among the dead and it gave him hope, but he opted to not look for you. He wanted to though, deep within. He thought if you were alive, that was enough for him. You would survive life somehow and be happy." another pause. "He lived a good life afterwards. Taiki passed away about ten years ago. I vowed to never marry again, however, you do have a cousin if you would like to meet him."

Rani listened to the heart-breaking tale of her uncle. The news of a cousin gave her some hope for some sort of familiar ties.

"I would like to meet him."

Lady Sugi nodded and requested her son be brought to her. A little while later, a young man of about 20 years of age came in.

"Mother!"

"Yoshi, I would like for you to meet your cousin, Amaraniyah."

He looked over at Rani confused.

"You can just call me Rani."

"Mother?"

"Believe me, I am surprised as you are, but we have told you the story of the Sutahomu clan. Amaraniyah was never found. She recently found out who she was and that her uncle may have survived."

"I know it's a shock, Yoshi, do not feel obligated to treat me as family. I'm still processing this and coming to terms with everything.'

He nodded before speaking.

"Have you thought about the clan? What will become of it?"

"Now that you mention it, since I didn't have any other family to my knowledge, it changes things." Rani realized. "I'm not the only heir if you are alive."

"Don't feel obligated to keep the clan. I am fine here. I even use the Takayama surname."

"Not the Sutahomu? How? Why?"

"Before Taiki passed, he asked Yoshi to use my surname from that point on. He wanted Sutahomu to not exist anywhere knowing that the Gotei 13 ordered the deletion of all records of the clan name and history." her aunt answered.

"But now that you know who you are, you can reverse that, right? If you want to, that is?"

Rani was torn. Here, she had family. A cousin who should be using his father's surname, but chose not to at the request of his late father. He was also an heir to the clan, so he could also revive the clan and use the grounds as a residence. But he was happy here. Her eyes started to water at the thought.

"Rani, I know it's a lot to think about. I am sure this isn't the first time you were approached with this question, but please do not feel like it's a necessity to restart this clan if you do not want to." Lady Sugi started. "You heard your cousin. He is fine here. You are the head since you are the eldest. Plain and simple. It's your choice. As a history of the Sutahomu clan, they never put one heirs sex above the other. First born, or oldest, that's how it always worked. Taiki told his son to remove the surname. He was the next heir since no one knew what happened to him and he chose to delete it to."

"This is a lot for me still." Rani realized.

"Go with your heart, Rani." her cousin pleaded. "I am fine here. I am engaged to a wonderful girl who's assuming my surname is Takayama. It's fine with me."

Rani let out a small chuckle at the "go with your heart" comment.

"You don't have to decide tonight, Rani." Lady Sugi commented. "I can see how torn you actually are about it. But let me say some things to possibly organize your thoughts - are you happy where you are now in the Gotei 13? Are you going to want to take control of a clan's business who has not been around in over twenty years, and all the responsibilities that go with it?" she asked then paused. "These are questions you need to answer."

"Is it a lot of work to be the head of a clan?"

"It is when you start from nothing and have no experience." Lady Sugi answered.

Rani was quiet for a few moments before asking her next question, which was going to change the topic.

"Do you know what happened to Nene and Chiyo?"

"I know Nene found work in a home in the Rukongai - a family in the South 4th District I believe. I think Chiyo was placed somewhere in the West 7th District. I don't know if they are still alive, but I am sure they lived a life they could be happy with."

Rani nodded, pleased with the answer she was given.

Before Rani and Captain Kuchiki left, Rani agreed to tell them her decision through a letter. Yoshi also led the two to his father's burial place in the Takayama cemetery. Rani paid her respects in private and then left with her commanding officer.

"Forgive me for butting in where I should not, but I do hope to take everything they told you into account in your decision, which is up to you alone. I know you have a lot going through your mind, but there is no rush in deciding the fate of your clan."

"Thank you captain." Rani said as she left him to go to Squad Ten.

~Three Days Later~

Rani focused on her work during the work hours, but once home she mulled over her dilemma not fully knowing what to do. She opted to take out a piece of paper and split it down the middle to write the pros and cons of reviving her clan. She couldn't make a long list on either side no matter what she thought of. The only "pro" was that her family's name would be back in history, but that was already being done by the captain commander. If her cousin was happy being a Takayama, she could just be happy being a Tómasu-Hitsugaya. She had no real knowledge on how to run a clan, and she certainly didn't want to start taking lessons. Although her family were on good terms with all clans, and friends with Lord Kuchiki Ginrei, that also was not enough for her want to revive it. She could always teach her kids about her side, about her story, instead of placing a heavy burden on them. Mid-thought she was surprised by someone tapping on her shoulder.

"Eek!"

"Sorry." Umeko said with a giggle.

"Hey Umeko."

Umeko looked at the list Rani was making.

"Well, this brings me back to the academy. How are you?"

"Going crazy."

"Do you want my opinion?"

"Sure."

"Don't revive your clan."

"What?"

"Think about it. You've lived as a Tómasu longer than a Sutahomu, right?" Rani nodded. "You may have been born into that clan, but that's not what makes a family. Without the two servants whisking you away in time, you would've been dead too. You wouldn't have met the parents who raised you, you wouldn't have joined the Gotei 13, and you certainly wouldn't have married Captain Hitsugaya." Umeko paused. "You wouldn't have experienced all that you have, nor become who you are today without living in the Rukongai." Umeko pulled Rani into a hug. "I can't imagine what is going on in your head, but you would not be the same person you are today if you were raised in a clan environment. You can always tell the story of your real identity to those around you. You have proof and confirmation of who you truly are, and that's what matters."

"I suppose you are right. If the Seireitei survived this long without the Sutahomu clan, they can survive eternity without it. And besides, there are other clans that die out as well, right?"

"Exactly." Umeko agreed. "Now come on, Kiyomi has news for us. We're meeting for dinner."

"Okay. I need a drink after all of this."

Umeko grinned as the two left and headed to meet Chiharu and Kiyomi. Before leaving, Rani left a note for her husband who was still in his office.

"What do you think Kiyomi has to tell us?"

"Maybe Lieutenant Hisagi proposed." Rani joked. She stopped walking and shook her head. "If I am right, do not laugh."

"You really think he proposed to her?"

"It's not entirely NOT possible. And we haven't really seen much of her lately."

"True." Umeko agreed as they arrived at the restaurant.

A minute later Kiyomi and Chiharu arrived laughing. They walked in and were seated immediately in their usual spot.

"The usual orders, ladies?" the waiter asked.

"Yes, please." the four chimed.

"So, what's the news, Kiyomi?" Umeko asked as soon as the waiter was gone.

"Well, Lieutenant Hisagi may or may not have proposed to me." Kiyomi answered slowly and finally grinning from ear to ear.

There was a delay in the screams of joy from the three, but it did eventually happen.

"THIS IS AWESOME!" Chiharu exclaimed. "Now we get to help plan your wedding."

"Right…about that…we aren't going to do a large spectacle like Rani, but I do want you girls there."

"Will you have a bachelorette party at least?" Umeko asked worried.

"Yes. Just not the big ceremony and all that. Rani's was too much for me, and too many people."

"It was large, but that's because who I had to invite since it was being held at the Kuchiki Manor. I had to host some of the larger clans, even though I was slightly disappointed about that." Rani admitted.

"It's going to be a simple affair with just Hisagi and me at the altar. You ladies and other guests will be in seats. We aren't having bridesmaids or groomsmen, no offense, but we want a nice dinner together afterwards, maybe in the Living World if we can swing it. Urahara said he can help us out if needed."

"Who's going to perform the ceremony with the vows?" Chiharu asked.

"I was thinking of asking the Head Captain if he would like the honor. I have to run that by Hisagi though, first."

The girls nodded in understanding and then decided to change the topic to other news updates in each other's lives as the food and drinks came out. Two hours later, they were all headed to their squads and homes and calling it a night.

"Did you have fun?" Toshiro asked his wife as she came in the door.

"Yes, I may be a little buzzed, but I needed those drinks tonight after yesterday and today." she answered as she crawled into the bed.

He shook his head and smiled.

"Any news with your friends?"

"Funny you should ask." Rani started groggily. "Kiyomi and Hisagi are engaged. I don't know when the small ceremony will be, or where, but I do know they aren't doing a big one like us." she ended.

Toshiro was partly shocked, but then again, he wasn't really.

"You just go to sleep. You do have work tomorrow."

"Mm-hmm."

Rani was off to dreamland before he knew it. He finished reading the paper in his hand before calling it a night himself.

Rani immersed herself in the work she missed just so she could try to catch up. Her random days off were getting more and more frequent as of late, but at lease she wasn't the one who was giving them to her - it was all on her captain. He was the one to blame when her work got backed up, and Rani was pleased to even think this.

Once the pile of reports was filled out to Captain Kuchiki's specifications, she put them on his desk for his approval. The ones he did approve, he handed to the Third Seat before heading out for a walk around the barracks. She made it to the dojo to find the Fourth Seat practicing with some new recruits. When she got to the practice grounds, she found the captain training some shinigami as well. She hurried along so she wasn't seen by him. Rani didn't want to be a victim to his "get back to work" attack which he had been using a lot more recently. On her way back to the office, she ran into Onishi Mei.

"Lieutentant, this package came for you."

"Thank you Onishi. Does it say who it's from?"

"No. But the person who delivered it was not from any of the Gotei 13. He was a commoner, I think, or from a clan." she answered as she pulled out two envelopes. "These are for you and the captain as well."

"Thank you. Oh, hey, did he ever apologize for when the two of you collided the other day?"

Onishi grimaced.

"Yes. He did come and find me. Was that your idea?"

"Maybe. It wasn't really anyone's fault. He should have seen you in the doorway and backing out."

"Thank you. I have to get back to work now."

The young shinigami left and Rani made her way upstairs to the office. She placed her package and envelope on her desk and then placed the captain's over onto his. Walking back over to her desk, the Third Seat also came in with some tea.

"Oh, the captain's not here?" Shirogana asked.

"Not yet. I am sure he will be though. I'll pour it for him when he comes."

"All right. Are there any more files that need to be put away?"

"I thought I put some on the table in there. Did you already file those?"

"Uh…no. I just made the tea and came up here."

Rani nodded. He left to do his work leaving her to contend with the package and envelope. She opened it to find it was a wedding invitation for her cousin.

"He must have been invited too." she thought out loud before starting to open the package.

"What is that?" Captain asked as he walked in.

"No idea. It was delivered here to me. As well as a wedding invitation. You might have received the same one." she said absentmindedly as she opened her parcel and he picked up the sealed envelope.

"Who's wedding?"

"Yoshi's." she answered curtly as she struggled. "Geez! This is hard to open."

"Use your katana."

Rani whipped her head over at him. She was unsure if he was serious or joking, and as the man never laughs it was really hard to tell.

"I don't want to risk destroying whatever is in here. I'll deal with it later."

He glanced over at her and the package.

"I can see from here how well sealed it is. Whoever did that didn't want anything happening to it in transit." he said as he walked over.

With a little luck and persistence, Captain Kuchiki was able to open it revealing some valuable looking clothing items with the Sutahomu Clan crest on it, as well as some jewelry and other items. Tucked inside a haori, was an envelope.

"This should have been delivered to my house in Squad Ten. Not here." Rani realized. "I'm sorry, captain."

"It's fine. I guess Lady Sugi found these and sent them here to you."

"Or Yoshi." Rani said absent-mindedly before placing the box to the side and out of the way.

Byakuya read the invitation and shook his head.

"I am not sure if I should attend the wedding, but you should. Even if your cousin is using his mother's maiden name, you are still family. And I doubt Lord Takayama would let anyone be rude to you."

Rani looked at him puzzled.

"We'll see. The wedding is in two months."

"I'll assume you are going to go. I'll make the arrangements for you to be clear from your duties."

"Thanks….I think." Rani replied before opting to change the topic. "What did the Central 46 say?"

"Nothing. They are shocked that such an event was deleted from the Seireitei's history, but understanding as well. Also, they said it is entirely up to you if you want to reinstate the Sutahomu clan."

"Great. I am not sure if being a head of a clan is more work or stressful than deciding on whether or not a clan should be reinstated."

He looked over at his lieutenant, and stayed silent. He had no words that would help her. And he did feel bad about it.

"I have a meeting tomorrow with the captains at eleven. I believe you have a lieutenant's meeting as well?"

"Uh..yes. Mine is at ten o'clock."

"Okay. We've got new forms to fill out before our meetings."

"UGH!" she moaned. "These form changes are driving me bonkers. I'd rather deal with Hollows than all of this paperwork."

"You are not the only one. A new threat would be nice."

"Now that's not funny, Captain Kuchiki. Not in the slightest." Rani said out loud while she laughed inside at the obsurdity of her captain's comment. She just hoped he didn't jinx the Seireitei or Living World.

Thanks again for reading!

~Kirby42280~