Greetings and Bonsoir my fellow fanfictioners :) Yes, I know I've been away for a loooong time, but I'm back and full of ideas :D I've finished (and passed) my degree and graduated a few months ago, I've been working and am finally getting use to balancing work life with play life ^.^ I'll get there eventually!

Any who, I'm trying something different, I've been writing this for a while and wasn't planning on publishing it, but my Jaybird persuaded me that it's good enough soooo, here I am, baring my mind's ramblings with you all.

Criticism is always welcome, but please be constructive, telling me I suck and can't write isn't going to help me make this fanfic better :(

Fire Rises fans, please don't hate me . I am writing the next few chapters as we speak! (Not literally, but once this is published I'll be putting the final touches to the newest chapter)

P.s I do not own Bleach nor do I own any characters that I haven't created, I get no financial gain from this fan fiction, it is purely for entertainment.

I digress...again Introducing...

Cherry Blossom Petals in a Thunderstorm

Chapter One

Etsu Okinawa was an hour early. But then she had to be with a captain like hers. Lord Byakuya Kuchiki, head of his household and stoic captain of the 6th Division of the Gotei, a man known for his pride, beauty and strict discipline; no one could beat him in battle and it meant brutal defeat for those who did.

The Okinawa household, a shrewd and very old noble family who were world renown for their orange orchards, tea plantations and tea houses.

At its helm, the famous Hisao Okinawa, world renown shinigami who trained the Head Captain Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto and slew countless Hollow including ten Menos Grande. It is not known how old he is, but rumour has it that he was a descendent of the Emperor Ojin.

Their estate was known to be one of the oldest manors in the Seireitei, with its vast gardens both private and public, housing the magical and revered cherry blossom trees.

The family had been pleased that she had past the shinigami exams but were even more delighted when she had been assigned to the 6th Division, placing 'blue bloods' together as her mother had said would mean great things for the family.

But then, her mother hadn't really approved of her daughter, the heir to the Okinawa estate, being a warrior in the first place, much less a shinigami, at first she had thought that the reason Etsu had joined was to find a husband, but when she came home one evening covered in bruises, she fully realised that she wasn't joking, she soon changed her mind when it was revealed who would be Etsu's Captain, much to the dismay of Etsu, as if Lord Kuchiki would even acknowledge such a union.

The early morning sunrise beat down on the pale skin of the newly qualified shinigami, her Shihakushō clinging to her curvy frame making her feel slightly self conscious, she wasn't as voluptuous as lieutenant Matsumoto but she wasn't far off, she would have gladly worn her winter kimono over her uniform but according to the quartermaster, any items of clothing that were not issued by the quartermaster himself was strictly prohibited, except for scarves, gloves and head wear, that and she have no privileges, if she were captain, she could wear whatever she wanted.

A heavy sigh passed her lips, as she scanned the area with her grey - green eyes, the classic Okinawa trait; walking a few minutes longer before reaching Captain Kuchiki's office. Patting her Zanpakutō's hilt, she took the strength Raiju gave her, glad that she had her best friend by her side at this nerve racking moment.

"Yeah I know we'll be fine." She said, wrapping her finger around the pale blue ribbon woven into the design on the hilt, the softness of its silk reassuring her further.

She could sense the powerful reiatsu of her new Captain as she approached, removing her waraji and kneeling before the rice paper door, she took a deep breath and knocked the frame clearly.

"Yes?" An authoritative voice answered.

Etsu slid the door open and bowed low, her nose touching the floor as she addressed him.

"Officer Etsu Okinawa reporting for duty, sir."

She sat up but kept her head down, waiting for his instruction. Byakuya rose his eyes lazily from his reports to look at the new recruit.

So this was Etsu Okinawa, he thought, at least she has manners.

"Come in and take a seat." He said, his eyes going back to the paper in his hand.

Etsu rose and slide the door shut behind her, striding towards the mahogany desk and sitting in the chair opposite Byakuya.

Byakuya didn't acknowledge her, his silver eyes low as he concentrated. The minutes ticked by as he continued to ignore her, clearly the report was much more interesting than her. Etsu clasped her hands in her lap, waiting nervously for his orders.

The captain's office was daunting yet simple with the only furniture in the room being his desk, two chairs and the portrait of the squad's insignia, a magenta Camellia. The walls were bright white with tatami flooring and extensive floor to ceiling bookcases to the right of them. The stories of the Captain's beauty underestimated him; the sun radiating off his alabaster skin, the kenseikan delicately decorating his jet black hair gave him an air of regality as his slender face and authoritative chin seemed to know no emotion.

He finally put the file down and studied her, yes, he could see the Okinawa family resemblance. The blue black hair, the slender nose and rounded chin, yes, the familial olive shaded eyes that screamed defiance, however in Etsu's case this morning, fear and anticipation. Byakuya continued to study her, in his eyes she was pretty plain looking, but then he hadn't assigned her for her looks; his eyes falling on her lips, lips that were far more provocative looking than she probably realised, shaking himself, he cleared his throat, looking back into her eyes with an eyebrow raised.

"Lady Etsu Okinawa, you're early." He remarked, before looking back down at her document with a bored expression on his stone like face.

"I wanted to make a good impression, sir." She replied.

Byakuya raised his other eyebrow, his eyes not leaving her file, "Indeed, first in her class excelling in Kidō and Shunpo, her swordsmanship is exceptional, however improvement could be made with her Hakuda, a mere formality, we can work on this through strict training."

"Yes sir." She nodded.

Byakuya ignored her again. "Every division put an application in for you, I will admit your record is impressive, no reprimands and high praise from every tutor,"

He raised his eyes to give her a stern look, Etsu froze in her chair, gulping loudly, his gaze, albeit a small one, terrified her, she didn't even want to imagine what it would be like if he was angry.

"I expect the same here, I will not tolerate any sort of misconduct and I expect you to uphold the reputation of the Gotei even when you are off duty, squad 6 prides itself for having strong, law abiding members, have I made myself clear?"

"Yes sir!" She replied, her voice hitching in her throat as she scorched under his burning glare. There was absolutely no way in Hell she was going to be stepping out of line, his reiatsu alone was making her sweat. No she'd just keep her head down, get her work done, serve the Seireitei and stay out of trouble.

Byakuya nodded, his face softening a fraction, it seemed his words had hit home, good, she may be the heir to the Okinawa estate but this was the 6th Division, the only title that mattered was his.

"In light of your reports from Shin'ō Academy and the fact that you were so in demand, that and because it's the only seat available, I have decided to give you the third seat, I will not repeat myself about respecting the squad."

Etsu bowed her head in gratitude, smiling brightly, "Yes sir, thank you sir, on my life, I won't let you down!"

She couldn't believe it! Third seat! Her grandfather would be so proud! And little Aiko, her younger sister, well, she's just fascinated that she had a zanpakutō so she'll be just as happy.

Her mother on the other hand, would probably be more interested in the fact that she had sat a few feet away from Byakuya and had held a conversation with him, although it wasn't a particularly easy one at that.

There was a knock on the door which opened before Byakuya could respond, he shot a steely glare at his lieutenant who was standing in the doorway removing his waraji. He crossed the threshold, bowing his head low to his captain.

"Sorry I'm late Taicho, I was sending the paperwork of the new recruits to the 1st division and got sidetracked." Renji said.

Byakuya paused a moment to collect himself, the one thing he hated more than anything was being disturbed, but seeing as it was Renji Abarai, he would let it slide.

Renji strode into the office casually and looked down at the girl sat opposite Byakuya, he'd seen her at the cherry blossom festivals but didn't know her name, Etsuko Okinawa? Something like that anyway, well, if this was the same Okinawa, then this was going to be interesting.

"Abarai, this is our new recruit, Etsu Okinawa, she will be taking the 3rd seat as her report is too impressive to just waste her talents, you are to show her around the barracks and where her office is, I shall be busy all day, so unless a Menos Grande appears, I do not wish to be disturbed." Byakuya said, sighing heavily.

"Anything else Taicho?" Renji asked, nudging Etsu to her feet.

"That will be all." He replied, dismissing them.

Etsu followed Renji out and after donning their footwear began to make their way around the barracks, in all honesty she should have been paying attention to what the lieutenant was saying but his tattoos and fiery hair were a distraction, they made him look like a thug, someone you didn't want to mess with, but when you looked into his eyes, he didn't seem as hard as his exterior made him out to be. Renji sighed, stopping as he looked down at the short raven haired girl, frowning as he put his hands on his hips.

"Are you even listening to me?" He growled, annoyed by her gawking.

Etsu flushed a deep red, flinching at the spike in his reiatsu, "Sorry, it's just that you look so different, I've never really seen anyone with hair this red, what do you use to dye it?"

Renji couldn't be mad at her for long, letting out a chuckle as he pulled his hakama down a little, startled, Etsu looked away before looking around in case anyone was around.

"What are you doing?" She exclaimed.

"Showing you that this is my real hair colour." He chuckled, revealing the long line of red hair trailing from his belly button down to places unseen.

"Okay okay! I believe you!" She cried, averting her eyes.

"Jeez Renji! You could have just said yeah I'm serious this is my natural hair colour like a normal person!"

"But I ain't a normal person, eh, you'll get use to it." He grinned, fixing his clothing.

Red faced and flustered, Etsu stormed off ahead of Renji, who chuckling, caught up with her, he nudged her shoulder as she stewed, angry at being shamed like that in public, if it had been in private she would have been embarrassed but at least no one would have been around, anyone could have stumbled upon them just then. Etsu grumbled under her breath, shooting evil looks up at Renji would was still smiling at her. Come on! He had no shame!

"Okay, I'm sorry, I couldn't resist, you're just so goddamn innocent." He chortled, nudging her again.

"Oh and you thought flashing me would make me less innocent?" She snapped.

"Yeah, pretty much," He shrugged.

"Look, you look like you've never seen a man naked before, believe me the thirteen court guard squad members are naked a lot, especially squad 11, you're gonna have to get use to it."

She paused, sighing heavily, what had she gotten herself into? She had been happy to join squad 6, its accolades are second to none and seemed like the one squad she would have less problems with, a squad she could thrive in, keep her head down and get on it. Oooh no, she was given 3rd seat and Renji her lieutenant was a pervert. She was extremely happy to be a 3rd seat officer but she hoped that Renji wasn't going to be a problem.

"Seriously, let me make it up to you." He said, observing how quiet she was.

"How?"

"Let me take you to squad 11, meet the guys there, have some fun, what do you say? I'll even buy lunch." He replied.

Mulling over her options, Etsu pouted a little as she thought, he was offering her the chance to make some friends, or enemies, that and he was providing lunch. The thoughtful pouty look on her face sent a shiver down Renji's spine, seriously, her lips were more provocative than she realised. Her granite eyes flashed instantly, this could work in her favour, above all else, food was her favourite thing; and sake, lot and lots of sake, it got to the point that one year her grandfather had reduced her sake intake to one bottle a month, much to her mother's distaste, if it was up to her, Etsu would be eating rice cakes and sipping tea for the rest of her life.

"Will there be oyakodon?" She asked slowly.

"I'll buy you all the oyakodon you can eat, just please...stop pouting." He replied, biting his lip, she had already gotten mad at him for flashing her, if she realised what her expression was doing to him, she may have a new necklace before he knew it.

Smirking, she tilted her head up to Renji, she knew that look. She had seen it on the face of every suitor who had been invited to the family manor; she would pout and they would sweat.

"Fine, you win." She nodded, walking ahead again, swinging her hips a little just to rub it in.

Renji sighed in relief, watching her walk for a second or two before catching up with her, leading her to squad 11's barracks. Etsu was incredibly beautiful and it was possible that she didn't see herself that way at all, which made her even more beautiful.

The captain has his work cut out with this one, she's argumentative, I like that about her, but Byakuya would see her as arrogant and beneath him. Renji thought.

"We'll shunpo to squad 11's barracks...it's quicker." Renji mumbled, disappearing into the distance again.

Oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

"Sooo...you grew up in the big house." Renji said as they walked through the winding streets to Squad Eleven.

"Well, one of them. My family was one of the clans that helped form the Gotei." She replied.

Renji stuck his bottom lip out, nodding. He had heard of the Okinawa family, as strict as they were ruthless, they had cleaned up the crime in the Rukongai centuries ago. Yeah the people have it bad now, but it was worse in the early years.

"With your background and breeding, I'm surprised you don't have my job." He scoffed.

It's what the nobles did, promote inexperienced shinigami family members to roles they were not ready for, as far as they were concerned, Renji was just a seat warmer.

Etsu stopped in her tracks, making Renji stop and turn around to face her.

"My grandfather would never have asked, nor would I expect or accept it," She said sternly, her face hard.

"I got into the academy on my own, I trained as hard as I could to get to where I am now, I never asked my grandfather to boost me up into higher ranks, he firmly believes in hard work, if I were to ask for help, he would have taken it as a personal insult. He defeated scores of Hollows and I couldn't even get through Academy without help? I'd be the laughing stock of my family."

Okay, that made him feel bad, he had assumed that she had had an easy life, that she had gotten the job purely on her name and not her skill.

"Sorry." He said, scratching the back of his head.

"It's fine, just ask me before you assume things next time." She smiled, nudging him with her shoulder as she walked past.

Renji fell in behind her as she stalked off down the road, she seemed like she didn't suffer fools gladly so she should be fine with the Eleventh.

"So before I assume that you are a Yakuza thug that killed the previous lieutenant of squad 6, what's your story?"

Touché. Zabimaru guffawed as Raiju rumbled out a chuckle.

"Don't underestimate them," The Baboon said.

"They may look naive but the power within them rivals Senbonzakura." Hissed his companion.

"Wait, this pint size princess is stronger than Byakuya!" Renji looked Etsu over with narrowed eyes, she didn't look like she could beat Momo...she was tiny. Well compared to him she was. But then look at Yachiru...she was a child, and yet she packed a wallop.

"Don't tell them this," The baboon huffed.

"It would only inflate the wolf's ego."

"You okay there?" She asked.

"You look a little spacey."

"Me? I'm fine, I was just wondering what a pint size like you would want with the Gotei, you ain't gonna find a husband here." He jibbed, giving her a haughty look.

Etsu kicked him in the shin for the pint size joke, "I'm here for the same reason as you, I was sick of my old life, people assuming things about me, expecting me to be something I'm not, I don't want to sit around all day and meet suitors, I want to train and spar until my legs are weak and my arms are heavy. I can't let Raiju down by slacking."

Renji put his arm around her as they walked through squad 11's barracks, Renji waving to the guards who nodded back.

He could relate. Life sucked in Inuzuri, people took advantage if you didn't watch your back, the food shortages meant that theft was rift, got caught stealing and you got branded as a thief, literally, they held you down and tattooed thief on your forehead. Renji's tattoos started off as a punishment, but ended up as a way of life. They matched his soul, his heart, his nue.

"Nothing can stop us." He grinned.

Zabimaru huffed in agreement.

They walked through the doors to the canteen, already stepping over the drunks and light weights on the way in. Renji was greeted heartily, many of them patting him on the back while others offered him a drink.

"Guys, this is Etsu Okinawa, Squad 6's new 3rd seat." Renji called as he opened two bottles of beer with his teeth, handing one to Etsu.

"Third seat eh?" One of the unseated laughed.

"How long did you suck Kuchiki's dick for to get that position?"

"Obviously not long enough, Renji's still lieutenant." Another one said.

The crowd laughed hard, Renji was about to retort, but Etsu laughed along with them, tilting her head playfully at the unseated officer.

"That's funny," She nodded.

"Tell me...how long did you suck Zaraki's dick for before he let into the Eleventh?"

The crowd howled, making fun of the officer who went red and started trying to defend himself.

Renji clinked his beer bottle on hers as they sat down next to Ikkaku and Yumichika, " You know what, you are gonna be absolutely fine."