Byakuya Kuchiki, as much as he seemed the ice prince of Seireitei, had an open door policy. If you sought an audience with him, all you need to do was come to his room where he worked, knock politely on the door, introduce yourself, then wait for Byakuya to grant entrance. It was not as open as ex-captain Urahara's policy, which was come in at any hours you feel as long as you bring booze and maybe a game of checkers.

After a few months of this, Byakuya made a mental note to put some kind of lock upon his door that only he could enter (thinking this for the first time as he stepped nimbly over the drunken sleeping forms of several Gotei 13 members who had decided yet again to turn his office into an impromptu party room in the name of 'good company and companionship'), along with Rukia. She was someone he could trust.

It was afternoon, and Byakuya was just sitting down to fill out some more paperwork when he heard a light rap at his office door. He beckoned the person to reveal their name, all the while scratching out his signature on another form. At the sound of their name, he stood and in seconds had the door sliding open to reveal who was outside.

There was a kind of tension in the air as Byakuya served tea to Rukia, both sitting at the low table across from his desk for such purposes. Rukia seemed unusually quiet that day; clearly, there was something on her mind. Something that, hopefully, she would reveal on her own. He did not enjoy meddling in the feelings of others, except when it interfered in the operation of Soul Society.

Byakuya did not waste time with pleasantries. "What brings you to my office in such a way?" It was troubling enough that she had come by on such short notice, but in such a manner that betrayed a deeper feeling (one which Byakuya could not tell if it would be good or bad for the both of them).

"I've heard the Division is looking for someone to join the others in living world duties." She seemed to carefully measure each word as she spoke, watching Byakuya's face for any betrayal of emotion.

He took a drink from his cup. "Yes. Most likely, I shall choose someone fresh out of Academy. I've already seen several applications pass my desk."

She leaned forward, the fabric of her hakama overlapping slightly on the table's edge. "Any of interest?"

Byakuya's tone was solid. "No --- and I mean that as an answer to your underlying question."

"But it's only been a day!" she protested. "You have not even seriously considered it!"

"I have considered it enough."

"But ---"

"As captain, the decision falls ultimately to me, and my decision is final."

Notes of desperation crept into her voice. "You can't keep me out of active duty forever! I'd only be dealing with spirits, not hunting down rogues like other divisions."

"Precisely. We are not 'other divisions'. Therefore, we act differently. And one difference is that not all members take active roles in the duties in the living world." The floor gave a tired groan as Byakuya came to his feet, gathering the tea back where it had came. He noted silently that Rukia had not touched a drop of her own.

He heard his sister call his name, "Byakuya . . ." but did not turn around.

"I must cut our time short. I am due an audience with Captain Hitsugaya shortly, and cannot be late."

Byakuya could hear Rukia stand behind him. "Of course . . . I will see you later, then." He did not reply, too busy shuffling papers into a neat stack to take to his meeting. But, in the corner of his eye, he can see Rukia leave his office, eyes downcast. The door slides shut behind her, and the room is once again silent.

A week later, however, once his thoughts have composed themselves into something proper, Byakuya finds himself putting his signature in ink on the one document that will take Rukia away from his side for good. He thinks of Hisana, the first and last great love in his life, and wonder if he is letting her down by putting her sister in harm's way. He sits in front of her funeral tablet and mulls for hours at a time, sometimes refusing food while doing so. In the end, however, he lets Rukia go. It is just another step forward for the two of them.

And then, half a year later, Rukia meets a teenage boy by the name of Kurosaki Ichigo, and everything goes downhill fast.