It's been forty years... forty years since that man first introduced his idea to Head Captain Yamamoto. Forty years since his project was approved, and we were recruited into his ranks. In joining the ranks of the Soul Reapers, I followed in my father's footsteps. I turned my back on my clan. Had I known what it would lead to... had any of us known...


"Are you sure you want to do this?"

It was the first thing the taller figure beside her had said since they had left Shirosaki. She stopped momentarily, casting her eyes toward the cloudless, sunset-illuminated sky. A warm breeze blew across the open plains, causing several petals from the nearby cherry trees to cascade across the darkening waterfront between the two women and the prestigious-looking household of the Nakajima clan. The taller blonde cast a sideways glance toward her companion, her dark eyes showing no hint of emotion.

"Misa."

"... I'm sure," the more petite blonde replied with an affirmative nod, although the expression on her face belied the statement.

The taller girl raised an eyebrow before brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. She stood in silence for several moments, as if expecting her companion to suddenly decide against the entire plan, but the shorter girl said nothing.

"This could easily lead to your death," the taller girl muttered quietly.

"I know that..." she responded, her eyes shifting to look away from the other figure.

"The Soul Reapers are going to get involved," she warned, "Things could get... messy."

"Which is why I still don't understand why the Ryota would get involved."

"We exist to keep order," the taller blonde responded, a hint of mild irritation in her voice, "There can be no light without darkness, no peace without war... no order without chaos. You would have known that, once. What I do here, I do for the good of the Soul Society."

"And you don't think the Soul Reapers will take this out on the Ryota?" Misa responded quietly.

A faint smile crept onto the face of the taller blonde, though it was invisible to her companion under the pale yellow mask covering the lower portion of her face, "I think they'll be more concerned about how you came back from the dead, little sister."

Misa's eyes set on the water in front of them. The plan was a simple one. Emiko Nakajima, first-born daughter of Sadao Nakajima, had contacted Ayame Arai, head of the Ryota clan, a few months prior with information regarding a place called the Void - a now-sealed training ground where former Soul Society social-climber Orochi Nakajima had sent his squad during the final phase of their training.

Emiko insisted that she had discovered her uncle's research regarding the Void, complete with instructions on how to unseal it. She claimed only a member of the Nakajima clan would be able to unseal the training ground, and had pleaded with Ayame to allow her to assist them in their endeavors. However, there was a catch - Sadao Nakajima was quite insistent that the Void remain sealed after the incident that had killed so many several years prior. In order to re-open the Void, the Ryota would be forced to "kidnap" Emiko Nakajima.

"We should move," Ayame stated quietly, receiving only a faint nod from her little sister in response. She turned to face her sister, her long ponytail-tied braids blowing in the breeze, "Last chance to turn back."

"I'd sooner die," Misa retorted, pale blue eyes narrowing slightly, "If I can get back inside that thing... if I can destroy it... everything I've done up until now will be worth it."

Ayame nodded before flash stepping, appearing on top of the lake in front of them, and immediately disappearing again. Misa's head turned to look behind her one last time. Ever since they had arrived on the Nakajima household grounds, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was watching them. Her eyes scanned the area, but, unsurprisingly, she found nothing. After a moment's pause, she, too, disappeared across the lake.

The figure that had been tracking them emerged from the shadows as the two women disappeared on the horizon. A slight frown formed across the corners of his lips as he watched the two vanish from view, but he did not pursue them. Instead, he merely watched for several moments, his hand resting quietly on the blade of his zanpakuto, before disappearing in a flash step as well.


The large, open courtyard of the Nakajima household had begun to empty out as the sun continued to set over the horizon. The servants were beginning to file toward their respective rooms, and the night guard had just taken their places across the palace. The courtyard was so secluded, and located so close to the middle of the Nakajima estate, that it was very lightly guarded. This is what made it the perfect spot for Emiko's "abduction". She was to leave the palace via the courtyard along with the Ryota after they had disposed of the four guards in the area.

The two women stood crouched on opposite ends of the courtyard, concealed by the shadows around them. Ayame stood silently, her eyes closed in contemplation. Misa, however, fidgeted slightly, her eyes scanning the courtyard in nervous anticipation. The sound of a door opening caught her attention, and her gaze snapped toward the door that had just slipped open. Emiko stepped out, clinging a large book to her chest. The young brunette looked around the courtyard before offering a large smile to the evening guard.

"It's a bit late for you to be out, Miss Nakajima," the guard offered with a kind smile in return, "Is Master Yuudai aware you're here?"

"Of course!" the young girl lied behind innocent green eyes," I'm just passing through, I thought I'd get a bit of fresh air before returning to my studies."

The guard nodded before turning his attention back to the courtyard. Emiko's distraction had given Ayame just enough time to adjust her position, and a moment later, she brought her hands into the back of both mens' heads, knocking them to the ground. Misa followed suit, disposing of the two guards on the other side of the large, open courtyard. Emiko grinned and waved, but was careful not to make any noise to alert the other guardsmen. She clutched the book tighter into her blue kimono before making a dash for Ayame.

"That's far enough," a voice boomed before the brown-haired girl found herself plowing into a large figure and falling backward. She let out a loud gasp as she looked up at the rather imposing figure of Yuudai Kurenai, her guard and caretaker.

"Y-Yuudai!" Emiko stuttered, her already large eyes growing even wider, "What are you doing here?"

"I could ask you the same thing, Lady Nakajima," Yuudai growled, "I could also ask you why I count four guards lying on the ground."

"I... uh..." Emiko stammered, trying desperately to come up with an explanation.

"Cover's blown," Ayame stated audibly before flash stepping in front of the large guard and grabbing the Nakajima girl.

"COURT GUARD SQUADS," Yuudai bellowed loudly, "IT IS AS I PREDICTED, RYOTA HAVE INFILTRATED OUR MANOR. I DEMAND THIS MATTER BE DEALT WITH."

Misa Arai's eyes widened drastically as captains and lieutenants from the Soul Society's revered Thirteen Court Guard Squads appeared along the roofs of the buildings above them. Despite their best efforts to act in secrecy, one of the Nakajima watchdogs had somehow caught wind of their attempt to kidnap Emiko. With the Court Guard Squads already at the estate, things were going to get ugly, and fast.

Ayame was already two steps ahead of her, and had drawn her scythes protectively in front of Emiko.

"Take her and get out of here," she instructed Misa quietly, nodding toward Emiko. Misa nodded, reaching to grab the startled girl's hand. She barely managed to step out of the way before a whirl of ash came flying toward them, pieces slicing Misa's cheek as it flew past.

"Rend their flesh," Ayame muttered, flinging her scythes toward their assailant, "Yoake, Yugure!"

Emiko yelped as Ayame's scythes connected with Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto, causing her to scream out in pain. Another lieutenant rose to take her place as the captains stood, watching. Yoake and Yugure flew back to Ayame, and she immediately readied them for a second attack.

"Crush, Gegetsuburi!" Marechiyo Omaeda yelled as he flung his large, cannonball-shaped shikai toward the girls. Both flash stepped to avoid it, but the ground quaked violently as Gegetsuburi connected with it, throwing both off-balance as they landed. There was no chance for recovery before another attack came their way.

"Howl, Zabimaru!"

How had they failed to notice it before? The change in spiritual pressure was blatantly obvious. Someone had used their bankai. And now, the released form of Renji Abarai's Zabimaru hurdled violently toward them. Ayame moved to shield the Nakajima girl from the bankai's impact, while Misa was left staring in horror at the large, spiritually-charged bone snake as it screeched violently toward them. Running in front of the two huddled-up figures, Misa threw her arms out in front of them, her eyes connecting with the assailing lieutenant's for a split second.

"ZABIMARU!" she shouted toward the snake, which immediately stopped its assault.

Renji Abarai's hand shook violently and his eyes widened in shock at the sound of that voice echoing through the courtyard. It had been several years, but even with the pulled back hair and the crimson-colored mask covering her face, that voice was still unmistakably the same. Misako Arai, more commonly referred to as Misa. She had been the Co-Captain of the now defunct Dual Strike Tactical Force, a very close friend of his, and, up until thirty seconds ago, she had been dead... slain by Squad Six Captain Byakuya Kuchiki after turning against the Court Guard Squads and assassinating Orochi Nakajima, proprietor and sponsor of her former squad.

The commotion resulting from Misa's outburst allowed Ayame just enough time to flash step away with Emiko, although several lieutenants followed in pursuit. Misa, however, was left standing in front of the unmoving zanpakuto and it's befuddled wielder.

"Finish it," Captain Kuchiki ordered, but Renji didn't move.

"Snap, Tobiume," Lieutenant Momo Hinamori ordered, sending a ball of fire cascading toward the unsuspecting Ryota girl. Without warning Renji flash stepped away, grabbing the blonde and using Zabimaru to deflect Momo's attack. The anger and frustration in his voice was apparent as he spoke in a hushed tone.

"I hope you have a good reason for this."

"I do..." she responded quietly, not resisting as Renji dashed away from the other soul reapers and after Ayame with her in tow.


It had taken a lot of running and some careful manipulation of her spiritual pressure, but Ayame had finally managed to shake the lieutenants that had been trailing after her. Sitting the terrified Nakajima girl down on the roof of the building she had stopped on, Ayame doubled over, attempting to catch her breath. Emiko wiped the tears from her eyes as she watched her "captor". This was not what she had expected at all. She had been very careful to destroy the evidence of her contact with the Ryota. Somehow, though, Yuudai had found out, and now, he had gotten the soul reapers involved.

"I swear, I didn't do this," the young girl stated to Ayame, still fighting back tears, "I wanted to leave too... father's been acting so strangely, and I think... I think Uncle's research has something to do with it. I don't know how... how..."

"Don't worry about it," Ayame stated flatly, raising to her full height once again, "I believe you. I know you didn't set us up... and I knew this wouldn't be easy."

"O-okay... but..." Emiko started, but Ayame simply placed her hand on the brown-haired girl's head.

A strong burst of spiritual pressure behind them caused Ayame to turn around, scythes at the ready. The scowling, fire-haired figure standing in front of her caused the Ryota to frown as well. It was a face she had not seen in many, many years - and to be frank, it was a face she could have done without seeing again. Renji Abarai, soul reaper and Squad Six Lieutenant, or so she had heard.

"I should've known I'd have to see your stupid face again," she mused, a faint smirk playing across her hidden lips.

Renji frowned, causing Ayame to raise an eyebrow.

"Cat got your tongue? Or is this all too much for your tiny brain to handle."

"Ayame..." Misa, who hadn't spoken since Renji had released her, chastised.

"You know you're going to get into a lot of trouble for this," Ayame continued, adding to the frustration written across the Squad Six Lieutenant's face, "I'm not sure interfering was the best course of action... especially in this manner."

"Shut up," Renji stated abruptly, his hand absent-mindedly rubbing the back of his head, "Don't you think I know that?"

"I'll tell you everything," Misa insisted quietly, her eyes scanning the sky around them, "But not here. We need to move, it's dangerous to stay here."

"Agreed," Ayame affirmed quietly, "We need to find a safe place to open the Senkaimon."

Before the quartet could move from their position, they were assaulted by another, much stronger wave of spiritual pressure. Sighing quietly, Ayame assumed a defensive stance in front of Emiko. The spiritual pressure was familiar - a captain's. In particular, the Squad Six Captain's. Byakuya Kuchiki, head of the Kuchiki household, and Renji Abarai's superior.

"It seems the dead have risen," Byakuya stated solemnly, not making eye contact with any of the group.

"I..." Misa stuttered quietly, as if trying to find the correct words for the situation, "You don't..."

"You said she was dead," Renji spouted suddenly, shooting an accusatory glare toward the head of the Kuchiki house, "You told me you killed her."

"It would appear you were misinformed," Byakuya stated flatly.

"Misinformed?" Renji retorted angrily, "You knew."

"That does not concern you," the Captain replied nonchalantly.

Renji's eyebrow twitched as Ayame let out a quiet laugh, "You really are stupid, Pineapple Head. Do you think for a second that the murder of the Ryota's Second would go unavenged? Had he killed Misa, even I could not stop the Ryota from waging an all-out war on the Soul Society. In fact... I would be heading it. Did you honestly never wonder why there was no retaliation from us? Do you think that our code binds us from vengeance? How ignorant."

It took several minutes for the revelation to set in, and even after it did, Renji was left standing dumbfoundedly in front of his captain.

"But Captain Kuchiki, why-"

"Renji Abarai," Byakuya spouted suddenly, "You have been found guilty of playing accomplice to the kidnapping of Emiko Nakajima. You, along with your co-conspirators, will die. This is this will of the Soul Society."

"...What?" Renji blurted out, only to feel a delicate brush against his shoulder as Misa turned to turn.

"Scatter, Senbonzakura."

Byakuya's sword disentigrated, turning into a hundred thousand cherry blossom petals that swirled around the quartet. Renji turned to run, only to realize what Misa had been heading for. During his conversation with Byakuya, Emiko had opened one of the Nakajima's private Senkaimon. Ayame and Emiko had already disappeared through the gate, and Misa bolted ahead of him. Instinct took over, and Renji simply ran. It was strange, he thought absently, none of Senbonzakura's petals seemed to have come in contact with any of them.