Byakuya kept his eyes solely on Akane even as he spoke in answer to Natsumi.  "You're a child destined for great things," he said softly.  "You're to awaken a zankpaktuo that is unrivalled in its strength.  Even General Yamamoto will not have a weapon to match it.  You are the child of two noble houses that were never to intermix.  But we did.  And we'll all pay for it.  The Council will not be lenient upon us.  More than likely if we all do not die...Akane and I will be stripped of our power, and you will be executed."<br/><br/>This floored Renji, who immediately began with "But what if," before Byakuya turned his head and glared at his lieutenant.  "There is no what if, Renji.  We will do as we are ordered and we will accept what happens."  But Byakuya, the stoic, the immovable Kuchiki, had his voice break on the last few words.  He couldn't be so stoic, emotionless when his own daughter was involved.