Disclaimer: Bleach belongs to the great Kubo Tite

Author's note: Just a random idea popping in my brain after Byakuya's confession in chapter 98 and 179. Please review if you like it.

First meeting

Byakuya Kuchiki walked by in the corridors of the Shinigami academy lost in his thoughts, barely acknowledging the respectful greetings and low bows of the students with a nod and not noticing the admiring gazes of the young girls. It was his first inspection there but luckily his reputation of being cold and aloof had preceded his visit hence nobody could guess that he was in fact in great turmoil underneath his stony composure. Ever since Hisana has passed away his days went by in a daze, he did everything mechanically barely paying attention to details. Even when his superior passed away and he had to shoulder all responsibilities of the sixth division as the vice captain, he barely reacted at all. Rumour in the sereitei was that he would be soon promoted but he couldn't care less, all the power of his noble clan could not save Hisana so he didn't give a damn about the upcoming post even though he was raised with this ambition.

Everyday for the past eight months he kept reliving the last days of Hisana, her slowly weakening body, the dying light of her violet eyes and her dwindling reiatsu. He had been unable to do anything for her not even find her sister, nor say the right words to soothe her. Despite his protests, she wouldn't stop apologising on how she had let him down by not giving him an heir and neglecting him while looking for her sister. Years of concealing his feelings as required to his station had made him unable to tell her how much he loved her, how happy her mere presence made him and how all warmth from his heart was seeping away as her life slipped away. The only thing he could do was promise her to find her sister and he was determined to do that at least but even for him it was a Herculean task.

The Rukongai was immense and how to look for a little girl in it, Hisana didn't even have a physical description of the girl. He had other worries too, his mourning had not even been complete that the other family members were already looking for a second bride, as the son of the clan he was expected to marry again and produce an heir but as far he was concerned he will always remain married to Hisana. Suddenly he stopped dead in his tracts; he had felt a very familiar reiatsu, Hisana's. His heart began to pound, but he calmed down reminding himself that it was impossible besides this one was different. Hisana barely had any spiritual powers and this one was quite powerful and lively. Concentrating his mind he pinpointed its location: in the park adjoining the academy, concealing his reiatsu he used his shyunpo to appear at a safe distance from the familiar reiatsu.

His breath caught his throat as he saw a small dark haired girl eating lunch, he barely took notice of the tall red head next to her: She looked liked a younger version of Hisana, smaller and even frailer, eyes dark blue instead of violet. He never regretted the fact that Hisana had not given him children but he now knew that if they had a daughter, she would look exactly as the girl sitting under the tree when she grew up. This had to be her; he felt relief surging through him as well as pain of his loss more acute than ever. He watched her for a few more minutes teasing her tall friend who was easily twice her size and could snap her into two but she easily bossed over him, unlike Hisana she had a lot of spunk. As her friend complained, he caught her name: Rukia. He smiled at the irony, all the time spent looking for her while she was right under his nose and immediately returned to the Kuchiki mansion to prepare for her adoption.

Rukia had trouble concealing her surprise when she heard the adoption proposal from the Kuchiki clan. She had been leaving class when four regal looking people asked to have a private word with her in an empty; two of them looked like they were body guards, one of then was an old man carrying a scroll and the most impressive of them was a tall handsome man wearing a hair apparel that she knew was reserved for nobles. He had not spoken to her at all and barely glanced at her direction, but her eyes were strangely drawn to him, she recognized him as the vice captain of the sixth division: Byakuya Kuchiki, and his reiatsu was so high, even higher than that of the few captains she had met. She had a lot about him but never paid much attention; rumours about his upcoming promotion, and about his strength, he was predicted to become one of the most powerful shinigami ever. What could he possibly want with me she thought, it was the old man who replied, the Kuchiki clan wished to adopt her and if she consented she will become the little sister of the head of the family.

She was stunned, the Kuchiki clan was the foremost one among the nobles, and it was most exceptional that they were willing to take in a commoner like her but all of this didn't matter in front of the prospect that she was going to have a family, a real one like Renji and she had always dreamed about. "Renji" her thoughts stopped abruptly as the name came to her mind, if she was adopted she would most probably had to break her ties with him and she couldn't do that. Renji was the only family she had ever known; her best friend and she couldn't abandon him. As if sensing her confusion, the tall man glanced at her, despite his aloof demeanour she could see that his dark slate eyes held a lot of warmth and a glimmer of something else, pain perhaps. "This man would become my brother", she thought, her heart fluttering, he seemed so strong, solid and warm, and somehow she knew that by his side she would be safe but her heart still went out to Renji. Their talks were interrupted by a loud shout, Renji was boasting about his exploit and abruptly stopped when he saw that she had company. "We will await your answer eagerly" the old man said before the party retreated. She was surprised at her longing to follow them especially Byakuya, sighing she looked at the enquiring Renji, she would have to make a decision.