Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach

A/N: ...Here's a fic

The Iron heart-prologue

Soul Society had been abnormally since the war. It was quiet for once no hollow attacks no rogue captains that have vendettas up there you know what. The activity was at a all time low. So as the captains of the thirteenth court guard squad stood in there respective spots in the head captians room there truly wasn't anything to report. Other then the routine updates that was mostly it. the most part everything was calm...except Byakuya Kuchki.

His mind was as turbulant as the sea barely concentrating on each captain as they spoke. It usually happens this time of year. Autumn...he hated Autumn. He found that ever since his wife died things have become increasingly difficult. Being the head of one of the great houses restricted him to be...normal. How many people would not cry at there own loves funeral. Was he always this aweful..so cold, not caring for others well being?

Well that wasn't all true. Rukia. He protected her like he would...he closed his eyes. No he refused to say the name. fearing if he did that it would make things that much more difficult, harder to supress the feelings sealed in his heart.

"Captain Kuchki?"

Byakuya snapped out of his thought process looking up, he turned his attention to Yamamoto ignoreing the curious stares coming from his piers.

"Forgive me...I did not hear the question."

His fellow captains shared glances..out of those to not pay attention, Byakuya would not be one of them.

"You have lost many in your squad have you yet chosen those to fill in those spots?"

Byakuya slightly straightened his posture. "It will be...finalized by tommorrow morning."

Yamamoto tapped his cane lightly on the ground. "Anything else needed to be addressed?"

Captain Unohana looked toward the old man. "Since the war I have not been able to replenish what is needed for those who no doubteably be sick during the winter months."

Byakuya's eyes zoned out for a moment as he heard Captain Hitsugiya speak...something about..over due paper work. Or maybe it was Kyoraku. The sixth division Captain shook his head slightly succeeding in makeing his hearing to be dormant for a moment. He suddenly felt hot and weak as his legs felt like they were evaporating. He had to breathe.

Byakuya's odd behaviour caught the concerned eyes of Captain Ukitake. Opening his mouth to voice those concerns but Byakuya stepped out of the line and turned his back on the head commander.

The Head Captain called out to Byakuya who managed to the sixth division captain that he made it a quarter of the way down the line. Byakuya kept his impassive behaviour barely in check blinking again. He knew he had been occupying himself with more training and to going over consumed paper work. maybe he had been working himself to hard? or perhaps the many sleepless nights. Deep down he knew it was something more than that.

"This meeting has not ended, return to your position." Yamamoto barked out.

Byakuya turned opening his mouth to answer, to give his explaination. He needed air...to be calm himself Instead he felt himself falling, the last thing to break through that mental barrier was the smiling image of his wife. he felt the last breath of air come from his lungs before he collapsed completely on the floor!

A/N: I know it is short but the chapters will be longer than the prologue.

FC27