I do not own Bleach, but please do not use my original characters. Thanks.

Chapter 9

Captain Kuchiki remained at the Division for several hours. He knew there was work left from even a day not there. He wasn't worried about the status of anything. Kei did an excellent job and managed things well in his absence in the past. He would have known if anything was truly urgent. Regardless, he began to work through the stack of papers that needed his attention.

It kept him from having to deal with the elders and Central 46 regarding Rukia's actions.

Everything felt inevitable. There was nothing to be done to save her at this point. No rule that allowed her to be saved or punished less severely for her crimes. Nor was there any explanation that might satisfy the rest of the Kuchiki Clan as to why Rukia committed the crimes she did.

Word would spread fast of what happened, both in the Gotei 13 and among the Noble Clans. Even before an outcome was determined. Even then, he couldn't be certain what the best action was at this time was. He knew what his family would expect, what the Soul Society would expect.

But also, what Hisana would want.

He didn't want to think about this anymore. Instead, he set the papers he'd been staring at aside. Nothing that couldn't wait for him to rest for a few hours and allow himself some time to sort things out. Still, his mind didn't stop churning as left his office and began to make his way out of the division. It was quiet, as expected for the early hours of the morning. Most hadn't even been on duty when he and Renji returned. Every office and common area were quiet and settled.

He did pause as he came upon the shared office space for the Renji and Kei. It was a rather large room that only became a shared office space because of the growing reliance the Division had on Kei and as the former Lieutenant's responsibilities outside of the Gotei 13 grew as his business did. The light was low, but still on. Renji had been in no mood to manage the paperwork now and Kei should have left hours ago.

Still as he focused on the Reiatsu from inside the room, he recognized it as Kei's.

It always seemed faint to his senses. If not for comments from other officers, he would have wondered if it was his imagination or if he was mistake. They had all sensed the same things and noted how constant it was. Very rarely did it fluctuate or falter from the steady level he'd grown to expect from her.

He knew he should interrupt and tell her to finish for the evening, but another part was curious. Nothing she was working on was urgent as far as he could remember assigning to her. Rukia was imprisoned and secured. There wasn't a reason he could find for her to still be here.

Not wanting to hesitate, he pushed the door open and scanned for Kei. He found her standing at her desk, which was covered in papers, texts, and books. Her eyes remained on her work as he remained still. He couldn't be certain if she hadn't noticed him or was waiting until finished with whatever she was reading.

He didn't plan to for her to rush to an explanation. Instead, he focused on the notebook set on a small table closes to him. He recognized Kei's compact, delicate handwriting. It wasn't particularly legible. A bit to cramped on the lines of the page, but he'd grown used to it over the years. The notes he let his eye dart over at this point were personal mission notes from her time shadowing the Quincy. He imagined the interest was sparked by his and Renji's recent reports.

His attention didn't hold long on the notes as Kei let out a sharp, startled noise. Her face flushed as he turned his gaze towards her. There wasn't a hint of her spiritual pressure faltering still. It was a level of control that astounded him for a Soul Reaper without mastery over her Zanpakuto.

"Captain," she said, bowing slightly. She took a deep breath as she straightened and looked at him. "My apologies, but I didn't hear you come in. Is there something you need?"

"What are you researching at this hour?"

He was careful to keep his tone even, not actually scolding her. What Kei did during her off-duty hours was her own business if it didn't harm the Soul Society. Still, she straightened her posture more.

"I read the reports from you and Renji. It seems…"

He waited as she seemed to gather the right word. Her eyes darted to the papers on her desk and then the notes in front of him.

"Unique."

"Absurd," he corrected. Kei shrugged. "You know of the Quincies in Karakura Town."

"I did, but I wasn't expecting any of them to still be around. There are some rumors about Division 12." Kei stepped a bit closer, distinctly avoiding looking at him and focusing on her notes. "There's a chance it's a family I knew, but I hope not. Some of them were awful to deal with. The whole Substitute Soul Reaper is what struck me as a bit outlandish."

"Why so?"

"I don't recall seeing any details about them listed before. Let alone ones powerful enough to go toe to toe with a Lieutenant. Even then, it's not normally successful, let alone lasting a few months."

"There have been cases."

Kei hummed slightly, still focused on the notes. He wasn't surprised that she had questions about this situation, but was a bit surprised she hadn't just asked. He'd grown used to her just outright asking rather than struggle for too long.

Then again, she seemed very conscious of the face Rukia was involved. He'd hardly heard a word from her about this situation. Including when he chose to take Renji to Karakura Town rather than her, which must have struck her ego.

"There is no need to continue researching this," said Byakuya. "The situation in Karakura Town is settled."

He looked down at Kei as she looked away from her notes towards him.

"Yes, sir."