Chapter 13: Lelouch the Kido Instructor

(A/N: Hey folks, it's me: draconichero. Deadpool quit. I ran out of money and since he doesn't accept discover or check payment he just up and left…along with my FLASHDRIVE! THIEF! Well at least he took one that didn't matter to me. It doesn't have anything important on it. Just some year old files for school purposes. WHO'S LAUGHING NOW? …probably him cause he's still making money and my fantasy wallet is empty T^T. *sigh* Anyway enjoy the chapter)

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or Code Geass

Lelouch's dream

Lelouch's pov

It was that awful dream again. Again there was a hollow attacking Kallen and again I appeared as a Soul Reaper captain and attacked the hollow, and still I was looking from the hollow's eyes. Before everything went black I felt a numbing sting from my dream body's throat. My eyes opened to my bedroom and the first thing I did was make sure that my throat was unscarred. There are theories that very real dreams can kill you if you don't wake up quick enough. There was no wound on my throat. I then realized how panicked my breathing was.

Something the matter Lelouch? My Zanpakuto asked me.

I calmed down. It's nothing. I said.I left my office and headed for the academy. Today was my first day with my teaching position. I felt ready. I had spent the past several weeks working up lesson plans and conversing with the senior administrators and the academy headmaster. All of the first year teachers other than me that had Kuchiki Byakuya as a student of theirs were nervous wrecks. Their panic was understandable, but not justified.

Byakuya was an ok kid. He reminds me a lot of Suzaku when he was younger, but Byakuya is much less naïve. He's a law abider to the letter, but he's not about to let that stop him from using it to his advantage for the right reasons.

As I walked I wondered how Yoruichi was enjoying Soifon's gift. Soifon had gotten her a weekly vacation to the Shiroishi Onsen. (Literally means White Rock Onsen). The vacation was for this week. And since Soifon was always on guard with Yoruichi that meant that she was there too. And since Omaeda-fukutaicho was away on an important assignment that meant that Urahara-san was in charge. Soifon was not too happy when she realized that Omaeda-fukutaicho's assignment collided with Yoruichi's vacation. And since Soifon put professionalism above petty grudges she reluctantly had to leave Urahara-san in charge. Yoruichi told her not to worry and I agreed. Urahara-san may not have been the most active or tidy officer, but he did his job and he did it well.

I entered the academy grounds and walked straight to the classroom where I would be taking attendance. I was teaching the advanced track for Kido. My body hadn't aged a day so I still looked like I could be in the academy myself…then again so did Rox-sensei.

A bunch of students, twenty eight to be precise, entered my classroom, where the targeting range was out back behind the classroom. Byakuya took a seat right in the front and center. A lot of the students knew he was. He had started staying at the academy a few days prior to entering and word about his arrival spread fast since his dad and a few servants had escorted him. As his teacher I didn't care that he was the son of the most famous noble family in the Soul Society. If he didn't do his job I wouldn't put him through. Of course, I wasn't worried about Byakuya in the least. In the short time I had known him he showed promise of being a good student. Then again, so did I and I was always completely unmotivated when I was alive.

As students walked in the seats around Byakuya were reluctantly filled up, save for one time. A girl with short black hair, frayed like she had just rolled out of bed, and dark violet eyes entered the room and sat down promptly next to Byakuya's right; the only open seat at the front of the classroom.

I wasn't always watching the door. I spent some time writing my name on the board and setting up lesson plans on everyone's desk. We wouldn't actually be practicing Kido for a couple of lessons, just as was recommended to me by the other instructors.

When the class was filled of students I started my opening speech. "Good morning students I am your Kido instructor, Lamperouge Lelouch. You will refer to me as Lamperouge or Lelouch-sensei at all times unless given permission to refer to me otherwise." I was going to command respect so long as I was in charge. I had every right to. Of course I wasn't above forming closer, supportive relationships with the students if they were having trouble. There was nothing in the handbook that said you couldn't be on friendly terms with your instructor. "As members of the advanced track I expect great things from you all. You each have the potential to become valuable members of the Gotei 13. You have entered into my class as mere souls, but when you leave my classroom this year you will be prepared for what's to come in future years." There was silence and I looked at the rather blank expressions on my students faces.

I think you overdid the speech there. My Zanpakuto said.

I didn't ask for your opinion. I told her. "Right then." I said grabbing hold of the clipboard. "Let me take the roll call." I had gotten all the way to the I's without running into anything rather interesting. I swallowed when I saw the next name on the list. I thought it was possibly a mistake since I hadn't seen him walk in the door and he never showed interest in being a Soul Reaper. I spoke articulately as I called his name. "Is there an Ichimaru Gin here?" I asked.

At the back of the classroom Gin stood up next to his desk. "Right here, Lelouch-sensei." His usual smile was plastered upon his face.

I continued to the next student on the list. "Kuchiki Byakuya."

"Present, sensei." He responded promptly. The students nearby him were now even more nervous of his presence, save the one girl who had promptly sat down next to him. Either she didn't know how important the Kuchikis were to the Soul Society or, like me, she simply didn't care and viewed Byakuya as just another student.

I finally got her name when I called out, "Sayuri, Hisana."

She jumped to her feet and saluted. "Ready sensei!"

"Very good, have a seat." I told her and checked her name off the list.

There was only one other name that stuck with me and only because of the face that matched the name. "Shapikni, Susanna."

"Here." The response was so quiet I barely heard it. I looked over to my right, which would be the far left side of the room for the students. At the left end of the third row was a girl with silver hair and red eyes. She looked very introverted and timid. It reminded me of Yuna when we first met.

Besides Hisana, Susanna, Gin, and Byakuya, the remaining twenty-four students in my class were rather plain. None of them really stuck out as anything peculiar or special.

I had meant to talk to Gin after class, but he was out the door before I could get a hold of him. I did manage to get a chance to speak with him after the seventh day when he was sitting on the sidelines waiting for a chance to practice Hado 31. I handed him a slip of paper indicating that I wanted him to meet me in my office after hours. I did it discreetly so that none of the other students would see it. Gin was a good student so good lord knows what kind of rumors would have spread if I gave a hard working student a notification to see me in my office.

To cover up that there was anything going on I shouted at one of the students who hit one of the targets: "Nosakami, good aim!"

When Gin reached my office, about five minutes later than I had asked him to be, he walked in, without knocking and sat down in the chair in front of my desk. "Hey dere sensei. Am I in trouble?"

"Gin why are you here?" I asked him. "When we met all those years ago you never showed any interest in wanting to become a Soul Reaper. What brought you here? More importantly where's Rangiku."

"Not sure I should be tellin' ya dat. Why else do ya think I've been avoiding ya? I only came here cause you got da better of me dis time. If I refused yer invite you woulda written me up and I woulda been in quite da mess. That woulda caused a lota problems for my objectives." Gin stated.

"What objectives would those be?" I put my elbows on my desk, interlocked my fingers and rested my face against them.

"Like I said, not sure I should be tellin' ya dat." Gin responded.

"Fine, then at least answer me this: where's Rangiku?" I asked.

"She's here. She's in da beginners' track." Gin told me. "She followed me here."

"So you were planning on leaving without her?" I asked.

"I've said too much." Gin replied.

"Look, Gin. Whatever reasoning you have for coming here, is it really so bad that you can't trust an old friend?"

"Friend?" Gin asked. "We knew each other for two days."

"I could always ask Rangiku to visit my office." I suggested.

Gin opened his eyes. "You wouldn't dare."

"Try me." I said. Rangiku is his Achilles Heel. I grinned. I've got the advantage in that I'm a staff member so any funny stuff and I can have Gin roped in for interrogation.

Gin closed his eyes. "All right, I suppose I could tell ya just da basics." I sat silently and listened. I brought my chair a bit closer to the desk and leaned forward slightly. "Ya remember dat guy Aizen right?"

"I haven't seen him since I got here, but yes I remember him." I replied.

"Remember when Aizen asked ya fer help wit a little 'experiment'?" Gin asked.

I scowled. "Did he get to you?" I asked.

"Not me…Rangiku." Gin responded.

"What exactly did he do to her?" I asked.

"And what do ya think you could do wit dat kinda knowledge? If you went and tried ta expose Aizen right now he'd turn da situation around ta make you look bad. Even if ya went to yer captain who do you think da Central Forty Six is gonna believe? De testimony from a captain delivered to dem by der supporting officer or a Vice-Captain?" Gin asked.

"I have my methods of taking down monsters of his potential caliber. What did he do?" I asked.

"Aizen's workin on some kinda experiment to make some kinda device. I didn' get a good look at it, but he used it ta take fragments of Rangiku's soul, or rather his men did, who I followed." Gin stated.

Of all the possibilities, this had to be the one that's the truth. Great. I commented. I was unsurprised by what Gin had to tell me. I had come up with 1481 possible reasons for why he was here. What he had told me was low on probability, but it was still a possibility. The fact that it was true was rather…unnerving. The incident with Hoshima was bad enough, but the fact that Aizen could be just like him was problematic. No, it was worse. Hoshima was cocky, overconfident and smug. Aizen was clever. He would have to be to beat the Head Captain at chess. I wondered if I should potentially ask Hirako-taicho to keep an eye on Aizen's behavior. The man didn't like Aizen already, but I don't know if opening my mouth would be the best idea. If Aizen indeed was plotting something sinister it would be best if I kept all information to myself and didn't give the man reason to think anyone was suspicious of him.

If I went to Hirako-taicho unwittingly, just to tell him about Aizen, the chances of Aizen being aware of my visit were scarily close to 100%. If Hirako started keeping a watchful eye on him right after our visit, Aizen would surely know I was suspicious of him. He wouldn't have forgotten me. He certainly didn't forget Rangiku.

"This is going to remain between you and me." I told Gin. "Just do me a favor and stay out of trouble."

"Ya know I can't completely do that."

"Just stay away from Aizen until you graduate from the academy. If you do something and it comes out that I knew about your grudge towards him, especially considering my roots. I'd be axed for sure. I can't have that. If you're here for revenge do it discreetly and don't drag me into it." I told Gin.

"I thought you'd be willin ta join forces. How disappointin." Gin answered.

"You said it yourself. You and I are similar, but not the same. I plan to get back at Aizen for this, but doing so right now would prove fruitless. Because of his position he'd win out in a case of just testimony and even if I did win my case he'd just get a slap on the wrist for abuse of Rukongai civilians if anything at all. Whatever Aizen's up to, it's a lot bigger than just taking fragments from Rukongai citizens and I'll be sure to dig up what and expose it." I stated.

Gin opened his mouth so that his teeth showed as he smiled. "Yer a very interestin guy Lelouch, just like I thought." I didn't say anything in response. "We done? Can I go now?"

"Yes. You're dismissed. If anyone asks what you were here for you can tell them the truth." I said. Gin was confused. "That I was chatting with an old friend I grew up with."

Gin smiled again. "Ah telling the truth, but not da whole truth, one of my most favorite word games of all time."

A game…yeah, I grinned like Gin was, it is sort of like a game isn't it?

"See ya tomorrow for class den." Gin said and left.

After he was gone for a couple of hours I had finished my evaluations of my students. Gin, Byakuya, Hisana and Susanna were at the top of the class in that order. Once I finished with my work I sat down on my bed with my Zanpakuto across my lap. My urgency didn't get me into my inner world, but it got my sword to speak to me.

Yes Lelouch?

I finally figured out what I potentially want to do with your power. I said.

Oh? She asked.

Aizen-fukutaicho. Depending on how things develop with him, I want to be able to use your power to take him down. I said.

Words mean nothing unless you put them into action. She said. Show me you mean what you say, and then we shall revisit this point again.

Very well. I said.

The months seemed to fly by as I worked as an instructor. I did a really good job at it too. I didn't have many complaints from students. I was tough on them, but I didn't expect what they couldn't produce, save for my star pupils. The fact that I revered Hisana, Byakuya, Gin, and Susanna's abilities turned out to be a double edged sword for each of them; they were often called upon to be examples and I often would pair them up with someone who needed to be tutored. Out of the four of them, only Hisana seemed to be unbothered by it all.

During one August afternoon Susanna came by my office. She shut the door and shouted, "I can't take it anymore sensei!"

"Susanna, lower your voice and sit down." She did so grudgingly. "Take a deep breath and start again."

She did so and then said. "I…why do you always have to pick on me to help other students? Why do you have to keep calling attention to me?"

"You're my 4th best student. You, Kuchiki Byakuya, Sayuri Hisana, and Ichimaru Gin, all are on a different level of ability from the other students. I don't have teaching assistants so I make do with what I have and I have the four of you." I told her.

"But…" Susanna's distress showed we were getting closer to the heart of the problem.

"It's not like I don't think you can handle the extra work. I talk with your other teachers beforehand before assigning you to tutor someone." I told her.

"And that's just the problem. That and always making me an example to the others students." She complained.

"Why is it a problem?" I asked.

She started to get depressed. "I…surely you know that I don't exactly look…normal."

"It's true that silver hair and red eyes are hard to come by for someone your physical age, does that have something to do with it?" I asked.

"It has everything to do with it!" Susanna was distraught and it puzzled me as to why. I had the feeling I was about to learn a little more about her.

"And it's for things like this that I have an open door policy. Go ahead Susanna." I told her.

"During my time in Rukongai people always avoided me. They thought my red eyes and silver hair made me creepy. Some people would throw things at me and call me a freak. I'd still be out there, in the woods, fending for my life, avoiding people…"

"But someone changed your mind."

She nodded. "A woman Soul Reaper. She had long green hair and her eyes were like mine. She saw me all crumpled up in a pile of hay, trying to fend off the cold. She appeared to be travelling alone, but I could sense so many other presences around her."

"Did you catch her name?" I asked. The person she was describing sounded a lot like…

"Homura Yuna." Susanna responded.

I smiled slightly. Even on the hunt for revenge, you still can afford to be a civil human being, eh Yuna?

"Sensei, you're smiling. Do you know that woman?" Susanna asked.

"Depends, what did she do?" I asked her.

"She saw me there lying in a heap. The darkened aura of my spiritual pressure had her nearly mistake me for a hollow. She said she was busy with a mission, but she said that my spiritual pressure was too high for me to stay out there like I was. She commented how it was too dangerous for me to travel with her so she had some of her companions escort me to the Seireitai and join the academy." Susanna answered.

"I do know her. The woman you met…used to be my vice-captain." I told Susanna with pride in my voice. I then went back to being serious and professional. "I take it that your hair and eyes are still getting you picked on by the other students."

"There are always arguments during the tutor sessions. Some have tried to take advantage of me. I've been trying to keep everything together, but I can't take it anymore!" Susanna complained. "I know you probably don't see it, but every time you put me up on a pedestal the other students look at me like 'Yes of course Susanna's doing it right, she's a freak'!"

"Why did you wait until now to tell me?" I asked.

"I wasn't sure what to say or what you would do if I told you." Susanna said.

I'm assuming what she doesn't want is me calling attention to this in the middle of class. I also can't play favorites just because she's a good student. I think I know something I can do though. "Susanna, I want you to trust me to handle this properly. Go about your day and I'll see you tomorrow ok?"

"I…ok sensei." She left.

The next day class assembled and according to my lesson plans I would be running drills for casting Bakudo 21: Sekienton without an incantation. Before I did though, I called Susanna, Byakuya, Hisana and Gin to stand next to me while the other students were sitting on the deck. "Students." I said. "Standing before you are this star students. I don't make a habit of pointing out proper procedure, but these four have delivered properly each time. From now on I will not be calling upon them to demonstrate how to do things properly if I see any of you failing to do things properly. If you need help or need to see an example wave me over and ask me for one of them or if you would prefer I myself will demonstrate just like I do at the start of the lesson. Is that clear to all of you?"

"Hai, sensei!" they said in unison.

"Good now get ready for today's lesson." I replied.

After class I asked Byakuya, Hisana, Gin and Susanna to stay behind so I could talk to them. Since they would now be my unofficial teaching assistants they needed to be prepared for the lessons in advance. I told them that after class each day that they were to stay behind and I would give them the next day lesson. I wouldn't say how to do it or give recommendations. I trusted them each enough to do things properly.

"Ah wonderful, as if I didn't have enough work already." Gin complained.

"I won't let you down sensei." Byakuya saluted.

"I am honored for this task. Thank you sensei." Hisana bowed low.

"Thank you sensei." I could see it in Susanna's eyes that she was very happy with the way I handled things. I dismissed the four of them and went to the teacher's lounge. A couple of my colleagues pulled me aside to discuss a particular student: one Gin Ichimaru.

"What about him?" I asked. As far as anyone except I knew, Gin was a very good student, if but a little smart mouthed.

"We've been discussing his ability. He's very gifted, he knows more than some of the sixth year students." His academic professor, Yuriske-sensei, stated.

"Both Tsubasa-sensei and I have seen Gin take down students twice his size." Inogata-sensei, Gin's Kendo instructor, stated. Tsubasa-sensei was his Hakuda instructor.

"And, what's the big fuss all about?" I asked.

"Lamperouge-sensei, now that you're here we want to know how are Gin's Kido skills?"

"He's my top student. Why?"

"His ability has caught the eye of the Central Forty Six. They've declared him this generation's child prodigy. They want us to test him to see if he can graduate at the end of the year." Tsubasa-sensei stated.

"That's a hefty title to put on someone, what if he doesn't want to?" I asked, thinking of Rangiku.

"He'd be wasting his time here in the academy if he is indeed ready. It's a chance for him to prosper sooner and be of use to the Gotei." Yuriske-sensei responded.

"What's my role in this then?" I wanted to know.

Inogata-sensei handed me a folder. "In here is a list of Kido he needs to know. Give this to him and tell him he needs to know it by the end of the semester and he can graduate with the sixth years."

I looked at the list and recognized it. It was nothing new from what I had learned myself, but for Gin to learn it all in the span of a few months I didn't think could be done. If he really was a prodigy though, and if he did graduate in one year, he'd beat Akari-taicho's old record.

…I can't believe what I'm thinking. I chuckled to myself.

You mean not handing Gin the list so that your former captain can keep her old record? My Zanpakuto asked.

I hate it when you do that. I groaned. She laughed.

I wasn't that petty to do that, not to Gin anyway. In fact I figured the sooner this flawed revenge scheme of his was over and done with the better. I gave him the packet after Byakuya, Susanna and Hisana had left, so as not to crush their own morale, Byakuya's especially, and then sent Gin on his way.

I returned to my office to sit down and think. As I sat at my desk there was a knock at the door followed by a joyous: "Knock, knock." It was Urahara-san.

"What are you doing all the way out here?" I asked.

"I want to talk with you, you got a minute?" he asked.

"I've got a bit of evaluation reports to finish." I said.

"Eh, if you get in trouble you can blame everything on me. I'll take the rap." I didn't know if Urahara-san was being serious or if this was his usual lackadaisical attitude towards everything he did, but I also knew that it would be faster to go with him and see what he wanted, then to continue to argue the point. I put my pen down, got up and went with him.

After a few minutes of walking Urahara-san started the conversation, "Lelouch, you know how things work around here right? The chain of command and all that?" I nodded. "Well, here's the thing. You know Hikifune-taicho right? Or at least know who she is?" Urahara-san asked. I nodded again. "Well here's the thing, according to Yoruichi she just got a request to join the Zero Division."

"Is she going to accept?" I asked.

"Well she just got the request today, but she probably will. If she does, I have the feeling Yoruichi is going to ask me to take her place." Urahara-san said.

"Don't you need Bankai for that?" I asked.

"Now where in that little head of yours do you have the idea that I don't have Bankai?" Urahara-san asked me.

"If you did wouldn't Yoruichi have you as Vice-captain?" I asked.

Urahara-san smiled. "It makes sense that you would think that, but the reasoning behind that is simple. I didn't obtain Bankai through normal methods." I frowned, but Urahara-san spoke before I could open my mouth. "Relax, I didn't do anything illegal. I created a device that allows one to forcibly manifest their Zanpakuto. Using this device one can master Bankai in the span of three days. And that's exactly what I did."

"I wouldn't exactly put it past you." I said that like I was joking, but I really meant it.

"So here's the deal, if I'm the one that becomes captain, we don't exactly know if there are going to be any other candidates put forward, because if I don't then this whole deal out the window. If I'm the on who takes over Hikifune-taicho's position Yoruichi wants you to go with me. Your teaching job was more than just an assignment Lelouch. A lot of the intelligent Soul Reapers wind up in the 12th Division at some point, myself and Aizen included. Yoruichi's been pushing for Hikifune-taicho to take you under her wing, but she wanted you to have some teaching experience first if she was going to take you at a higher rank than you are now." Urahara-san stated.

"Sounds like a fair deal." I was pleased about this, I was moving up and I'd have a captain I already knew. "What position would I have?" I asked.

"Assuming everything goes well, Fifteenth seat, the same any novice academy instructor would have." Urahara-san answered. "Yoruichi also thought that if you liked the students you were working with that she'd pull a few strings, maybe talk to the Kuchikis, and see what she can do about having you staying as Byakuya's instructor till he graduates. Of course, that depends on you and him."

"Well I'd certainly like to have some more teaching experience under my belt." I said. Even if Gin is going to graduate this year, facilitating the instruction of Kido can give me access to other future members of the Gotei. If I'm going to take down Aizen I'm going to need to be at his level. I have to get to Yuna's rank, maybe above. What happened with Hoshima won't happen a second time. When I bring down Aizen and expose him, he will be incarcerated on sight. Whatever he's plotting I'll make sure I get to him before he finishes his plan. Still, if Gin graduates, I need to set up an extra failsafe in the event of a worst case scenario. "How strong is Yoruichi's pull?"

"Hmmm, do I detect a deal in the process of being made?" Urahara-san asked me.

I nodded. "I'll continue to teach, but there are terms I want agreed upon, any chance I could sit in on that meeting when Yoruichi 'pulls her strings'?"

"I don't think she'd be against that. You've got a friend in our captain Lelouch, and in me." Urahara-san patted me on the shoulder a few times before shaking it. "Never hesitate to come to us if you ever need help."

"I…uh," I looked away, trying to hide my discomfort, "thank you."

"So, how about we go on back to your office so you can get those evaluation reports done?" Urahara-san asked me.

"Sounds good." I answered.

Kuchiki family grounds

The school year was over. Much to my surprise, not that I didn't think it could happen, Gin passed all qualifications. He also got a dangerous location, a seated ranking in the 5th Division. Yoruichi said that Hirako-taicho deserved bragging rights for reeling the guy in. I knew why he got Gin, but I kept my mouth shut. However, right now I had more pressing matters to be concerned about than Gin's desires for revenge.

Kuchiki-taicho, Yoruichi, Soifon, Byakuya and I were all sitting in the same meeting room. We were discussing away what to do with me before Urahara-san's captain's exam. No other candidate had been put forth so if he succeeded in completing the exam, something of which even I thought would be a walk in the park for him, I'd be moving to 12th Division. Soifon nagged me for following him there, wondering how I could follow a captain whose dorm smelled like mayonnaise left out in the sun. I just told her I was interested in climbing higher. If that meant I had to have Urahara-san for a captain then so be it. My words didn't deter our friendship in the slightest, and it was the truth.

Yoruichi said she wondered what she might do now that she had a 3rd seat's position open. I asked her on the way to the Kuchiki grounds if she considered promoting both Lusca-senpai and giving his position to Otamachi-senpai. When she asked where this was coming from I just said two words: Otamachi Takiko.

"Ah, you heard about that did you?" Yoruichi had scratched her head in response to my statement on the walk here.

"I make it a habit of knowing information about key personnel wherever I go, like knowing that both you and Soifon are from noble families and that she follows her duty with the utmost professionalism, while you make a habit of following the words 'if nothing interesting is happening, I'll make it so'." I had responded.

"Lelouch! Show some respect!" Soifon, who was with us, had said.

"Calm down Soifon. No reason to jump down the kid's throat when he's spot on mark." Yoruichi had told her.

Soifon had blushed. "Hai, Yoruichi-sama. Gomen."

It had been about twenty minutes since that conversation. We were now sitting in a meeting room discussing my future given the circumstances. Byakuya had entered the room rather eagerly when he heard I was here, but his enthusiasm dropped considerably when he saw Yoruichi.

"What is she doing here?" Byakuya glared.

"Now, now Byakuya," his grandfather said to him. "Shihoin-san is Lelouch's captain. As such, it is against Gotei policy for me to make a deal with Lelouch without discussing it with her first." Byakuya grunted and sat in a chair next to his grandfather.

"So, Byakuya-bo, do I pick bad teachers?" Yoruichi asked.

He ignored Yoruichi's comment and looked at Kuchiki-taicho. "Gii-san, if possible I'd like to continue to work under Lamperouge-sensei, so long as he's moving on up to a fifteenth seat position as he announced to the class he might be." I had mentioned to my class what Urahara-san said to me that day when one of the students noted that I was unusually cheerful.

"I don't think that's outside the realm of both the Kuchikis to get Central Forty Six to comply too." Kuchiki-taicho replied. "Of course the young sensei and Shihoin-san must agree to this first." It struck me as interesting that Yoruichi condoned such formal addressing of her, but I speculated that Kuchiki-taicho was an exception, much like Soifon.

"I've got no problem with it if Lelouch doesn't have a problem with it." Yoruichi stated.

"I don't either. I'd be more than happy to keep teaching your grandson, Kuchiki-taicho." I told the head of the household.

"Well then, if the agreement was this easy, why are we having this meeting?" Kuchiki-taicho almost laughed.

"Lelouch said he has some special arrangements he wants us to consider. Go ahead Lelouch." Yoruichi told me, leaning back in her chair.

"Hai," I answered and then sat up straight. "If the pull of the Shihoin and Kuchiki clans combined is as strong as I believe I'd like to have two other students looped with Byakuya into my classes. They were my other top students in a league of their own. I'd be reluctant to have their talent squandered by another teacher who doesn't know them as well as I'd do so long as I can avoid such things." I said, making sure the Kido emblem on my vest was reflected off the chandelier light.

"I don't think that's unreasonable. A fifteenth seat constantly looping with three students that is also an academic and Kido valedictorian, who is also the man who taught this generation's child prodigy, wouldn't be turned down by the Central Forty Six if we both made the request. What do you think Shihoin-san?" Kuchiki-taicho asked her.

"I say if Lelouch recognizes talent we should let these two lucky students be taught by the best the Soul Society has to offer at the moment." Yoruichi stated.

"Very well then." Kuchiki-taicho was in agreement.

I, however, wasn't finished. "Hold on a moment, there's one more thing I want to add."

"Very well, speak up." Kuchiki-taicho stated.

"I'd like to oversee a class in the beginning level, second year. There's a student, a Matsumoto Rangiku, whom I'd like to oversee her studies." I requested.

"That's…unusual." Kuchiki-taicho stated.

"Old friend of yours?" Yoruichi asked.

I nodded. "I only knew her for two days, but…look I know it's a lot to ask, but it would mean a lot to me if I could teach her." I had other reasons for wanting to be Rangiku's teacher, but both Kuchiki-taicho and Yoruichi didn't need to know them. With Gin now as close to Aizen as he could possibly get, if Aizen got wind of it or if Gin acted while Rangiku was still at the academy, I knew Rangiku would need someone she could use as support. The chances of either of those things were low, but I wanted to have things put in place just in case. Gin wasn't a fool by any margin, but then again neither was Aizen. You don't beat the Head Captain in chess and not have street smarts.

If Gin was found out and an investigation was sent underway there would be no way of proving that I had preemptive knowledge of the attack, even with this action put into place. To the average mind I was simply attempting to be a pillar of support for a girl who lost a friend. No one knew the real me. Not Yuna, not Akari-taicho, not Yoruichi, not Soifon, not Naomi. No one. I wasn't as nice a person in the dark as I made myself out to be. I could be a very cruel person if need be. The potential for that still terrified me, but I would do what was necessary if it turned out that Aizen was truly a monster. For now I'd have to keep my head low and wait for development.

"Well I don't think that's unreasonable. It's not like Lelouch wouldn't be able to handle teaching classes of two different levels. Not with his brain." Yoruichi commented.

"Still, the Central Forty Six might not see it that way. Lelouch knows this Matsumoto Rangiku and…"

"Two days taicho." I interrupted. "I was only in Rukongai for two days. Don't believe me, check the records. Still, I owe her for food and lodging. This would be my way of paying her back."

"Gii-san, let Lamperouge-sensei teach his friend. With Ichimaru graduating that makes me his top student. If he needs help I can always throw in some extra hours off of my free time." Byakuya stated.

"Someone's quite attached to their sensei." Yoruichi chuckled.

"Quiet! My assistance would benefit the Kuchiki family. It would show that we believe in the people coming first. This has nothing to do with the interaction between myself and Lamperouge-sensei!" Byakuya shouted.

"Thanks for the offer Byakuya-kun, if I run into trouble I'll be sure to notify you." What I said seemed to keep him in good spirits. I refer to Byakuya with the 'kun' honorific only when speaking with him. He might be a noble, but I find referring to him as Byakuya-sama or Byakuya-dono to be a bit too formal. Also, in the Gotei, it's skill before birth, so to denote my respect for him, but show that I'm still the one in charge: Byakuya-kun. Of course, I only do so to avoid a confrontation with the idea that I don't respect nobility. In my head I don't add an honorific for that reason. I consider us close enough for that. I've been his teacher for a year and I was his tutor beforehand. Plus the kid respects me.

"Well, we'll see what the Central Forty Six has to say about this. Is there anything else you want to add Lamperouge-sensei?" Kuchiki-taicho asked.

"I'm good, and you can call me by given name if you'd like. You don't have to be so formal towards your grandson's teacher." I already have the next head of the Shihoin clan on my side. If I could get the Kuchiki's in my pocket, I'd be golden.

"Hmph, it would be unbecoming of a Kuchiki not to refer to a professional by his respectful status. So as long as you keep this teaching position I shall call you Lelouch-sensei." Kuchiki-taicho responded.

"Fine by me." I responded. I kind of figured that would be his response.

"Well," Yoruichi got up and stretched, "You and I should probably get some rest eh Ginrei?" she asked him. "Urahara-san's exam is tomorrow. By the time we get to our division's it'll probably be late evening."

"Have a pleasant evening, Lelouch-sensei." Byakuya's bow was shallow, but it was rather low for someone of his level.

"You sure you should be bowing that low to me?" I asked. "You are the grandson of the most famous noble family in all of Soul Society."

Kuchiki-taicho was the one to speak. "The boy respects your authority with the utmost devotion. He doesn't show his teachers even half the respect he does you when he talks about his studies."

Byakuya stood back up. "Lamperouge-sensei knows what he's doing as an instructor. Gii-san, when he gets better you should put him in your squad."

"Well he'd have to improve his Shunpo ability a great deal to get at least a fourteenth seat's position in my squad. I hear your stamina is still giving you trouble."

"Not as much as it used to," I scratched my head, "When I first entered the academy I was on the ground at the end of the physical. Now I could probably do that in my sleep. Still, you're right, a couple dozen flash steps and I'm like a person with asthma in need of an inhaler."

Kuchiki-taicho smirked. "Well, if you make progress with your Zanpakuto, for most, that generally increases spiritual ability. As you gain reiryoku it begins to substitute itself for natural energy. And since mastery of the Zanpakuto is the best way to control one's reiryoku, progression with it is absolutely vital for those with low physical abilities to some extent."

"Thanks for the tip." I said.

"Please, you're my grandson's favorite instructor. I'm only repaying the kindness you've shown him." Kuchiki-taicho responded.

"Well, thank you." I said. I gave a low bow to Kuchiki-taicho. "I appreciate you putting forth my request. This means a lot to me."

"As I said before, it's really no trouble." He replied.

I stood up and pointed my thumb over my shoulder. "Anyway, I should probably get back to my division. With school on break, I have regular academic duties, plus if Urahara-san passes his exam I need to be prepared to support him when he addresses the squad."

"See you in a month sensei." Byakuya said to me.

"Yeah see you." I said and left.

As I walked back to my division, my Zanpakuto spoke to me. You really are hell bent on getting them to like you.

Why not? The Kuchiki family is the most famous noble family. If I become more than just a familiar face to them, like say for instance a mentor to Byakuya, I could easily get a lot of pull. Captain Kuchiki Ginrei isn't going to be the head of the division forever and neither will his son Captain Kuchiki Sojun. If I stay in as saintly in Byakuya's eyes as I am now then by the time he becomes head of the house he may start looking at me as an unofficial advisor. I replied.

You've really thought this through.

Did you expect anything less? I asked. My objective hasn't changed, and now with Aizen becoming a potential threat I need to be ready in the event of a worst case scenario.

Perhaps you are indeed deserving of my power.

Mind telling me your name then? I asked.

I cannot. You probably still wouldn't be able to hear it. Face it Lelouch you don't have the true motivation. Right now Aizen is just a phantom enemy. If he turns out to be the real deal then we'll talk.

Did I ever mention how much you remind me of a certain green haired witch? I asked my Zanpakuto.

More than once. She responded. I growled. You've got company. She terminated our connection.

One thing I disliked is that communicating with my Zanpakuto like that weakened my sixth sense so it made it harder for me to sense approaching individuals. Judging by the position of the moon and the location of the Senzaikyu I figured I had to be smack dab in the middle of division four's territory. The person I sensed I could not see. It seemed as if they were trying to hide. "Who goes there?" I asked.

From around the corner stepped a woman. She had a scruffy Shihakusho, a Vice-captain's armband, and long green hair. "Good evening Lelouch." She said. Her expression wasn't all that cheerful.

"Y-yuna?" I couldn't be sure, but it looked exactly like her. It had to be her. "Wh-what are you doing here? I thought you were chasing down Hoshima." I said, surprised to see her.

"The trail has me at North Rukongai One, so I stopped by to pay a visit. No one knows I'm here. I entered from the Northeast side so none of the Gate guards saw me." Yuna responded. "If I'm found I'll be put back in the division on sight. I can't do that, not yet."

"Then why sneak in?" I asked.

"I snuck in because of you." Yuna said and walked closer to me. "I wanted to see you again."

"Why me?" I asked.

"Just so I don't forget your face, and to personally thank you for giving me this chance. Hoshima won't get away with what he did." Yuna responded. "And also…I wanted to apologize."

"For what?" I asked.

"I…was selfish. I took that kiss and I didn't think about your feelings at all. I don't know how long I'll be gone. I probably made you harp on me and I don't want that, not if you find someone else first." Yuna said. "I don't expect you to start liking me. I am…infatuated by you. I didn't know how else to express my gratitude, but in retrospect I think my actions were a bit over the top."

"There's no reason to apologize. I haven't found anyone worthy to start falling apart over. I don't think I will really." I told Yuna.

"I…good. But if you do, don't think about my feelings. They're unimportant." Yuna stated.

I changed the subject. "As long as you're here I want to thank you for something."

"Thank me? For what?" she asked.

"Do you remember a girl you sent to the Seireitai? She had silver hair, same color eyes as yours."

"I do. Why?" Yuna asked.

"I'm now the Kido instructor of that girl." I told Yuna.

"I…good. You'll be good for her I'm sure." Yuna responded.

"I'm also the Kido instructor for the Kuchiki family head's grandson." I told her.

"That's…impressive." Yuna responded.

"Do you think you'll ever come back?" I asked her.

She shook her head. "I don't really know. I want to, but Hoshima must pay for what he did to Mari-sama."

"I see." I responded.

"It was a pleasure having the chance to chat with you this evening." Yuna told me. "At any rate I should get going."

"Then I guess this is goodbye for now." I told her.

"Yes, but before I leave," she said.

"Yes?" I asked.

"When I first appeared you…called me by my given name. I…when did you…start doing that?" she asked.

"When you left that day is when I started. Since you're following your desires instead of staying with the squad, which I find quite admirable, it breaks the professional bond it set between us and I thought that…if you did have feelings for me that you wouldn't mind such informality. Or am I wrong?" I asked.

"No." Yuna answered. "I…I have to go." She disappeared with Shunpo.

I simply closed my eyes, took a deep breath and started off again for the 2nd division. Yuna, don't let your wish for revenge consume you. I thought to myself. Don't become…like me.

End of Chapter 13

(A/N: Before I say anything else, let me make this perfectly clear: whatever Ho Yay any of you might be getting between Byakuya and Lelouch erase it from your minds right now. It is completely unintentional. While I condone Yuri, I will never ever write Yaoi to any degree. EVER. Right then, so Lelouch has now been informed that Aizen is potentially a real douchebag and he's also potentially become Byakuya's permanent teacher. And he'll be around to be Urahara's potential sidekick. And yes I condone the idea that Hisana could've been a Soul Reaper herself before she got sick and died. Byakuya wouldn't simply marry a regular woman without good reason. He would've have to have known her a while before considering marriage as an option. That's my opinion anyway. Also those of you who read my Bleach and Gurren Lagan Xover, Standing at the Top, will recognize my OC Susanna Shapikni in Lelouch's class. Anyway it's late and I'm tired and I also have my summer class tomorrow. Later folks.)