Chapter Two – Soul Society

In retrospect Renji knew he was screwed when Kenpachi didn't start fighting him immediately they arrived at Seireitei, seriously, all he did was get knocked-up up, disappear for seven years with a noble child that was probably the Kuchiki heir, he didn't think he did something wrong, so why the hell were people looking at him with those murderous looks, and why was there a crowd in the first place.

Okay so he might have broken the rule for staying in the human world longer than most, but seriously why was that a major crime in the first place. It wasn't like he killed anyone, used his soul reaper powers or gave his powers to someone; all he did was live somewhat peacefully with his daughter for several years dammit!

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Renji waited for his trial by central 46, he wondered if he would be able to hug his daughter one last time. While Renji was waiting for his trial, Miki had broken free from the Kido ropes; she made a mental note to thank Yoruichi the next time she saw the cat lady. she had heard some whispers about how her dad was going to be sentenced for staying in the human world for a longer time, she had also heard some say the captain-commander could help plead his case, she had no idea who this was, but she wasn't going to lose her dad.

She masked her reiatsu and blended with the environment looking for squad one, she had no idea what the captain-commander looked like all she knew was that he was in squad one, she also had no idea how to infiltrate the squad that would no doubt be highly secured, she also didn't know what office the said captain-commander would be in but she wasn't going to give up, she loved her dad too much to lose him.

Luckily, thanks to Renji's arrival most officers had gone to confirm the redhead's presence giving her some time to sneak in, at the far end in the building was a room that would stereotypically be where a captain's office is, she took her deep breath, tried to suppress her fear, although that didn't work too well, with shaky legs she walked to the office, before she could open the door a male voice from inside the office told her come in.

"Come in kiddo." Came a lazy masculine voice. Despite how soft and soothing the voice was, it only made her more afraid, never the less, she was determined so she put on a cold exterior, straightened her back, opened the door and walked proudly into the office, only to meet a man with long brown hair and a straw hat slouching quite ungracefully on his chair. She raised an eyebrow at his behavior and concluded that she was in the wrong room.

"Sorry, it would seem I'm in the wrong room, I apologize for interrupting your… well whatever it was you were doing." Kyōraku laughed cheerfully in response.

"Yare, Yare, no need to be so stiff and afraid. Who are you looking for?" Miki was shocked he knew she was afraid, she was deep in thought as to what would have gave away her fear, she was sure she wasn't shaken and her voice definitely didn't sound shaky. Kyōraku seemed to understand her train of thought "Relax kiddo, if I wasn't used to someone similar to you I wouldn't have known you were afraid." Well that cleared things up.

"I see, once again I apologize for interrupting you. How do I get to the captain-commander office?"

"So stiff, aren't kids supposed to be relaxed and playful?" he got a glare in response, reminding him of a younger Byakuya. "Well congrats kiddo, you're in the right office." Miki's guarded composure dropped as she gaped in disbelief that the lazy looking man was the oh so great captain-commander. Hearing a chuckle from Kyōraku she cleared her throat and regained her cool and collected composure. "Relax kiddo, I'm not gonna hurt you, take a seat." She sighed and took a seat next to him.

"Can you help my dad?"She was trying hard not to break down in front of the man, for some reason she was no longer afraid and the man's presence made her want to spill out all her bottled up fear. Kyōraku looked at her thoroughly although the fiery red hair probably already gave away who her father was.

"I'm guessing your dad is Abarai?" she nodded in response. "Well he did stay way longer than the time a shinigami is supposed to spend in the human world."

"B-But he only did that to take care of me, please help him, don't let them kill my daddy please." Despite all the noble lessons she was still only a seven years old and there was only so much cold attitude a kid could display, she only had one parent, she wasn't ready to lose her dad. The prospect of losing her dad made all her defenses crumbled and for the first time in years, Miki cried openly in front of someone who was not her dad, Yoruichi or Urahara.

Kyōraku could see that the kid wasn't one to cry openly, he wondered how Renji had such a closed and guarded kid, and he wondered what had happened to him during the last few years. He walked towards the crying kid and comforted her, patting her head affectionately.

"Shh, it's okay, nothing will happen to your dad."

"Promise?" she asked will tear filled eyes; he really couldn't say no to a kid who looked so hopeful so he nodded in reply.

Back at squad 11, Yumichika, Ikkaku, Ichigo and Rukia were looking for Miki, Rukia was filled with overwhelming guilt, because of her blabber mouth and emotions Renji was going to be sentenced, to make matters worse his daughter was missing.

Byakuya sat in his office, he had heard about Renji's return, he wanted to go see for himself of course, but that could be done later. He had more important things to do like ask Kyōraku-Sotaichou to plead to central 46 on Renji's behalf, as much as he was disappointed in his ex-vice captain he still didn't want Renji to die, besides he had kept the vice captain seat open for years as he saw no one else fit to take the position.

As Byakuya approached the captain-commander office he heard the sound of laughing and giggling coming from the office, normally he would have left and returned at a later time but time was of the essence. On opening the door he was met with the shock of his life. A smaller, female version of Renji(minus the tattoos) playing with the Sotaichou's hair, while hers was a mess reminding him even more of Renji's stubborn and spiky hair. He cleared his throat to signify his presence, to his surprise the kid composed herself and walked to the nearest seat, sitting down with the grace and manners of a noble.

"Aw, you scared the kiddo." Kyōraku drawled, Byakuya was more surprised when the kid glared at the lazy Sotaichou in response.

"I am not scared." She replied with an air of superiority, Kyōraku pouted(?) in response causing the kid to chuckle.

"Well I wanted to talk about Abarai's trial but I can see you are… busy?" At the mention of her father's name Miki sat up right and paid rapt attention to the raven haired man, Byakuya of course took notice of this, so did Kyōraku.

"Ah, well Byakuya meet Renji's daughter." He spoke lazily motioning to the red-haired girl looking at Byakuya with what he would call hope. Byakuya had heard a few murmurs of Renji having a daughter, but he definitely did not expect to see the girl in the captain-commander's office, and he most definitely did not expect his daughter to be so cultured and upright. Of course he did not show his surprise outwardly.

"I see, I assume she was here to plead for the release of her father." Kyōraku nodded in answer. "While I understand that Abarai has committed a crime for staying years longer than usually allotted for soul reapers in the human world…" He was cut off by the little girl who was standing and looking at Byakuya square in the eyes without intimidation

"Daddy did nothing wrong, I know it was wrong to stay longer in the human world but he has done nothing that can be called a major crime, he did not break any rules since he came to the living world, he did not interfere with any soul reapers in the living world and did he use his sword for anything other than for training, you can verify that with Miss Yoruichi and Mr. Urahara. You cannot punish him simply for staying in the living world to raise his daughter." Byakuya and Kyōraku stared at the girl, very few people could stand up to a captain much less look them in the eye without being afraid yet the kid did so, very few kids could speak with such eloquence yet she could, she was obviously intelligent and thought highly of her father, they could see she had a great potential.

"I see." Was the only reply Byakuya gave, he was curious about this kid. She might be Renji's kid but she gave off a superior yet refined and mannered aura that was a bit unlike Renji, then again it had been seven years, the redhead might have changed. He wasn't surprised to know that Yoruichi and Urahara knew about her.

"Relax Kiddo, he isn't against your dad." Miki return to her seat but kept an eye on Byakuya. Kyōraku sighed, he had of course already figured out who her other father was, the signs were there and the two were painfully similar; she might look like Renji but she acted a lot like Byakuya, from the way she looked at others to the way she held herself, he wished she could relax and enjoy her childhood though.

Two days later, everyone was surprised when the charges against Renji were dropped, rumor had it Kyōraku-Sotaichou and Byakuya had something to do with it, some said Ichigo threatened to resign as captain of squad 8 if the charges weren't dropped. The three had pleaded with the council for Renji's release, and although the charges were dropped Renji was banned from going into the living world except in emergency situation.

Everyone was even more surprised that Renji was assigned back to the sixth squad although most people doubt he would get back his position as vice-captain even though the position was still opened.

No one was more surprised at the release than Renji himself, he had thanked Kyōraku for his help who simply told him to thank Byakuya as well as his daughter for sneaking into his office, he laughed at that, making a mental note to get her favorite ice-cream. Ichigo had asked him to repay him with a spar, he made another mental note to beat the now-captain's ass when they sparred. For some reason he couldn't find Byakuya anywhere.

At squad 8 training grounds there was a small crowd gathering to watch Ichigo and Renji's fight.

"Oi, Renji I'm not going to hold back, I hope you haven't gotten weak." Renji laughed in reply, he doubted Ichigo would believe the kind of 'training' Yoruichi and Urahara put him through. As the two were bickering Renji caught Miki looking at one of the lower seated officers of squad 8, Ichigo noted Renji's silence as well as Miki looking at his officers.

"Oi, Ichigo who's your 20th seat?"

"Eh… Probaby Masato, why do you ask?" He turned to Renji but the redhead was looking at his daughter who looked at him with pleading eyes, when Renji sighed he figured the father-daughter duo were done with their silent conversation.

"Miki wants to spar with him." Ichigo blinked once, then again wondering if he heard right, Renji's seven-year old brat wanted to spar with a seated officer, even though it was the lowest rank for seating officers that was still too much for the kid.
"Not that I mind, but do you want to kill your kid. I've only known her for a few days and I can understand why you want her dead, believe me I've thought about it several times, but isn't that a bit too harsh." Miki diverted her attention from Renji and glared at Ichigo, that condescending glare he got from Byakuya at every captains meeting.

"Nah, she'll be fine, if it gets too tough she can always surrender."

"I will not surrender to anyone." Renji shrugged and turned to Ichigo.

"Well you heard the kid she is fine."

Ichigo looked at Renji as if he had lost his mind, never the less he called his 20th seat. When Masato was told he'd be fighting a seven-year old girl he laughed… Well he did until he met the death glare of the said kid as well as one from Renji behind the kid looking every bit a devil who would not hesitate to kill him should he actually hurt her.

The crowd that had expected to watch Ichigo and Renji's fight were surprised when they saw Miki and the 20th seat of squad eight at the center of the training ground, some wondered if Renji was trying to use his daughter to buy some time before his fight, others wondered what kind of parent Renji was.

Masato was at the center of the field shaking in fear, he knew he was stronger than the girl but the last thing he wanted was for Renji to kill him for hurting her. Renji however noticed the shaking man and decided to put him out of his misery.

"Oi, kid stop shaking, I won't kill you, believe me can't hurt her that badly many have tried, I will not interfere unless she wins *Masato snickered* or she surrenders."

"I will not surrender, he is clearly underestimating me."

"Well you are underestimating him too so that's kinda fair." Renji handed her, her Zanpakuto as well as a bokken. Ichigo wondered why she needed two swords (although one was wooden). A few meters away from the crowd Byakuya, Kyōraku and Ukitake were watching the scene.

"Oi, Renji are you sure she's okay."

"She's fine, despite her pride she is smart enough to know when to give up, besides she wouldn't have asked for the fight if she didn't think she could win."

Immediately the fight begun Miki started her attacks, using her speed to her advantage, Masato wasn't as fast as Miki but he was stronger and used it to his own advantage. Miki fought using both swords but her attacks were blocked by Masato, five minutes into her fight and she was clearly over powered.

"Aww, are ya gonna cry to your daddy." Miki knew he was taunting her, and normally she would have kept her cool but this time she lost it.

"Collapse Kazerokumaru." The Zanpakuto split and formed a strong wind shield around her, leaving her with only the hilt and the bokken. Murmurs were heard as they were surprised she could use a Zanpakuto. Kyōraku laughed.

"I knew she had it in her." Byakuya and Ukitake said nothing watching the fight intently.

Miki hadn't mastered the Shikai and was somewhat able to use the wind for defense. Surrounding herself with the wind she transferred the bokken to her right hand and began to counter, striking Masato with quick strikes she had learnt from Yoruichi, she began to deal fast yet dangerous attacks giving him no time to counter, utilizing her speed and skill to make up for the major gap between their strength. Masato could only use his zanpakuto in sealed form but he was better at sword play than her, he began to breach pass her wind wall, striking her, at the same time taunting her for her weakness.

"You know sometimes when your opponent over powers you, all you need to do is even your breathing, clear your mind of pointless things and thing of a plan."

"Thank you Aunt Yoruichi." She muttered under her breath. Calming down Miki stood still, and closed her eyes.

"Oi, Renji are you sure she is okay, she has frozen up in the middle of a fight." Renji ignored Ichigo's comment and looked at his daughter, she was never one to freeze up simply because her opponent was stronger, she trained regularly with Yoruichi and Urahara and they were obviously stronger than her opponent. When she opened her eyes, he saw a deadly glint in her eyes; he knew she had won the fight.

"Dad, use your Bankai" She asked, more like ordered in a tone that gave nothing away.

"I won't interfere, If you don't think you are strong enough to defeat him them give up and train harder." She turned to him and he saw the look on her face, she had something planned. "Fine, I trust you." She nodded and sent Masato a feral smile. She was done with tactics she was going to use the last trick she had up her sleeves.

Byakuya watched her studying her posture, he could see the glint in her eyes and he knew she was up to something, when she asked Renji to use his Bankai, he thought she had given up, but when Renji agreed and told her he trusted her, Byakuya could see she had something planned.

Kyōraku watched the kid, to be honest he wasn't expecting her to win, he just wanted to see how she coped with an opponent stronger than her. When she closed her eyes in the middle of the fight, at first he had thought she had given up, but he noticed her breathing was starting to become even and when she opened her eyes he could see that she had something big planned. He was surprised when she asked Renji to use his Bankai, and was even more surprised when Renji agreed, he seemed to trust her to know what she was doing.

"Bankai, Hihiō Zabimaru." Miki closed her eyes once again, she steadied her breathing then opened her eyes, and the deadly glint was still present this time more menacing than before, to everyone surprise the wind around her got fiercer, her Reiatsu increasing, becoming as high as Renji's Bankai. She let out a loud ear slitting cry that sounded like a growl, when the wind reduced, the sleeves of her shirt ripped, on her arms were black markings similar to Renji's tattoos.

Her cry was terrifying yet pained, Renji was close to calling off the fight but he had given her his word and told her he trusted her, Ichigo looked at Renji and saw that the Redhead had no idea what was going on.

Masato was over whelmed by the rise of her Reiatsu, it was crushing him, making it difficult to breathe be could barely stand of his feet, when he looked up he could see her looking at him with a feral yet condescending look, he tried to run but he could rarely move, he was overwhelmed by fear, his breathing became erratic and he could feel his heart about to give out, the prey became the predator, and the little girl he had taunted looked deadly, the black markings on her arms making her more feral, the winds blowing her blood-red hair in all directions only made her appearance more menacing, she looked every bit the devil.

Miki knew she could only use this technique for a few seconds before she collapsed and so she made the most of it, she used the wind from her Zanpakuto to envelop her bokken, she used Renji's reaistu to overwhelm her opponent, giving her an opening to attack, using all of her strength she put it into one last attack, she slashed him with the bokken which was enveloped by Kazerokumaru, sending him flying.

Everyone stared in disbelief at the fact that Miki had won the fight, Kyōraku laughed, the kid was definitely something else, he couldn't believe she used Renji's Reiatsu to overwhelm her opponent. He could see she had the potential to be very powerful if well-trained.

Byakuya couldn't believe it, the girl was definitely intelligent, she had a lot to work on but he could definitely see her becoming one of the strongest Shinigami in the future.

Kenpachi was amused, he was starting to like the little squirt, he wasn't surprised she had won considering who her fathers were.

Renji rushed into the center catching Miki before she hit the ground, she was obviously exhausted, from the fight, and he was definitely going to scold her for her recklessness, never the less he was proud of her.

"Don't do that again" she nodded in response. "And I'm proud of you." She smiled tiredly. He lifted her up. "Oi Ichigo I'm taking her to the fourth, we're having our fight tomorrow."

"Sure don't run away." Renji snorted in response and flash stepped to the fourth division.