broken and breaking

The pairing that started Bleach, in my opinion; without Hisana's death, Byakuya would not have adopted Rukia, and I seriously doubt she would have gone through all that she had, let alone met Ichigo. Aside from that, Hisana is the woman that changed Byakuya's life. She was a commoner, but regardles of that, Byakuya married her. I think it's fairly obvious that Byakuya cared for her more than she did him; she even states that she wished she could return the love that he had given her. Even if Hisana did not love him, Byakuya clearly was attached to her and would do just about anything for her - include break the rules of his noble house not one time, but two times. He nearly dies for Rukia when all is said and done, because of his promise to Hisana, and because he finally realizes Rukia is his sister, not a pawn of his aristocratic family.

Byakuya and Rukia's relationship is a tad bit... strained, at first. It's pretty clear he has difficulties around her because of who she looks like, and because of what she symbolizes - a breach in his noble lifestyle, and a break in the rules. He comes off as antagonistic as first and rather cold towards her, but I think most of that was his inner tourmoil over the situation as it was. After he tells her of Hisana, it seems as if a weight has lifted off of him completely, and for the first time, he shows affection towards his adopted sister: he holds her hand. So adorable!

If Byakuya didn't fight Ichigo, he would not have seen the clear path of simply breaking the rules again and saving Rukia. I think Byakuya respects Ichigo, but also sees the child that is still present beneath the enormous amount of power and would quite prefer if he would stop calling him 'Byakuya', or at least attached a '-sama' on there. X3

Yoruichi is the head of the noble Shihouin clan, and the ex-head of the Special Covert forces. Not much is known between Yoruichi and Byakuya except they are acquaintances (though I speculate they had an arranged marriage at some point XP). The only thing that is known though is that he played shunpo tag with her when he was younger, which in itself promotes a closer relationship than one would assume at first sight. Byakuya-bou~ XD

Ohoho, what this shrine is here for. Check out my explanations on their multi-faceted relationship by going back.