Unmei wo Seisu (I Control My Destiny)

by Z. Angaros

Chitsuki finds herself in a place she's only dreamed of, running from a past that haunts her while trying to understand the new sensations that she's feeling. *Rated 'M' for lemon, OC/Sunsui & OC/Kenpachi*

1. Chapter 1, The Arrival

A/N: Welcome to my story, this Chapter has been edited twice since I first posted it years ago so I hope you enjoy the updates. The setting of this story takes place after the Aizen incident and will not have mention of the Reigai's but that will be the only arc not to be mentioned.

Bleach and all the Canon Characters belong to Tite Kubo, the OC's you'll meet along the way belong to me.

This Chapter was Beta Read by Akrximay here on

Wake up child!… Wake up!

The first thing she could feel was falling. The wind rushing past her ears, a deafening roar that drowned out all her thoughts… all but one.

'I'm free.'

Her eyes fluttered open but she could barely keep them that way, her escape had drained every last ounce of her spirit energy. She had nothing else left in her to offer; no strength, no will, no care. So what if she died by falling to her death? At the very least she was dying as a free woman, this way was the only guarantee she had that she would never be found; never be shackled and caged ever again. Yes, she was at peace with this decision.

Call out my name child!… I can save you if only you would call out my name!

That voice, she knew that voice. It had spoken to her many times before, comforted her when her body would ache from the beatings, hushed her gently when her tears would not stop flowing, and tell her stories of places to fill her dreams with joy and wonder. She loved those stories of a place called the Soul Society; when sitting in that cold, damp and wretched cell, she would dream of it and all the wonderful things she was told about it. Her favorite stories were the ones about the Captain of Squad Six, a noble man of a great family who held honor and law above all else. Oh, how she dreamed of running away to that place… running away? Why did that strike something in her, something so vastly important that it made her heart start to race, there was something she was supposed to do…

Yes child! Yes!… Now if you'd only call out my name!

That was it! She was free because she escaped and ran! She was running away to the Soul Society! She was falling because she was able to slip through the barrier that kept her in that forsaken realm after it had been cracked by her spirit… the voice… her spirit. They were the same…

Please child!... Call out my name before it is too late!

Yes, Yes! She remembered it now, she remembered what she had to do, and she remembered…"TENGOKU NAMIDA!"

She felt a warm power surge within her and explode from her chest, her spirit erupted and took shape into the form she had come to know so well. To anyone looking at it she knew they would be frightened but she was not fooled by the white mask that it wore, it's eyes empty and razor teeth forever clenched in its porcelain setting as it's long cerise hair draped around it. Its torso deceptively giving way to the illusion of a well formed woman before transforming into a twisting serpents' body that's scales looked like bits of pearls, every bit of its form had an ominous look to it but still it did not frighten her, she welcomed its embrace as it wrapped itself around her. It's body utterly encompassing her, protecting her from all harm as she fainted once more from absolute fatigue and into that sweet oblivion.

---

The Captains were all gathered for yet another meeting, Head Captain Yamamoto sitting at the head of the hall with cane in hand, sighing to himself as he listened to them bicker amongst themselves yet again; Zaraki and Kurotsuchi being the main culprits in the matter as per usual. There was something bothering him though, a feeling that something was coming and rather quickly. He wasn't overly concerned about it, he sensed no malevolent energy coming from it but what was nagging at him was the fact that it was such a massive level of spirit energy coming from very far off and the alarms had not yet been risen which meant that Research & Development had not yet detected it. Considering how fast the intruder was heading this way and it's respective level, he was certain that the other Captain's would be picking up on it quite soon... Even the ones lacking in the ability to sense spiritual energy like Zaraki.

He watched them all carefully, he could see the occasional pause when they spoke. A momentary hesitation as they concentrated, trying to see if what they felt was real or not. A shifting of weight, a quick look around the room to see if anyone else had noticed it or if they were just imagining things.

Yes, they all had noticed it now. They knew something was coming.

The spirit pressure grew heavy as it descended upon them, most definitely it was headed right at them. Quite literally, right at them into this very room. Much closer now, any moment it would be upon them. They looked around questionably, surely the Head-Captain felt this but he wasn't concerned in the least. Granted, with whatever it was planning to land right in this room, there really wasn't a point in going anywhere and if it truly wanted a fight then it was going to be soundly dealt with. Only a fool would want to pick a fight in a room filled with nine Captains of the Thirteen Court Guard and the Head-Captain that was stronger than them all.

The alarms finally began to sound.

"Attention! Attention! Unidentified Intruder has breached the Seireitei! All Soul Reapers are to report to their stations and apprehend the Ryoka! I repeat; all Soul Reapers are to report to their stations and apprehend the Ryoka!"

The Head-Captain cleared his throat, drawing the others to his attention as he stood slowly to welcome this intruder to its poorly chosen destination.

"It would be wise to step away from the center of the room."

With that the roof came crashing down, sending the other Captain's dashing out of the way. The creature that had come thru just lay there, its white mask creating unease around the room. It didn't have the spiritual energy of a Hollow but what else could it be? It was an odd looking one to be sure. No, there was no hole in its chest so it couldn't be a Hollow. It didn't make sense at all, stranger still it wasn't just lying there, it was guarding something in its arms, protecting it with its own body.

'Damn it, hurry up and get up so I can kill you!' Kenpachi thought to himself, that thing had some impressive spiritual energy. It had to be able to give him a good enough fight, at least one that would give him a decent workout and a little bit of fun.

'Interesting…' Mayuri's mind was already thinking of how fascinating it would be to dissect such a creature, surely he'd be able to do some valuable research with it. Now to figure out a way to get it into his lab without these insolent fools making a fuss about his work being 'inhuman' and 'unorthodox'. As if they could never understand his work with their limited mental capabilities anyways.

'Well, there goes the neighborhood' Shunsui mentally sighed to himself. This was going to cause a real hassle that he didn't want to deal with, he had naps to take and sake to drink.

The creature shifted to one side and released its hold of its precious cargo. In its arms lay a girl dressed in the most tattered rags anyone could ever imagine, stained with dried blood and dirt, her long hair tumbled around her face hiding her features from all. From what parts of her slender body you could see she was absolutely covered in scars. Where ever she had come from must have been a nightmare for her.

Her hair, Byakuya noted, reminded him of Renji's, except hers had a more pinkish tone to it. The same color as the creature's hair, oddly. In fact the girl's body even seemed to resemble the creatures, well, the torso at least. He pondered what connection the two had. Especially since hollows, which this thing seemed to be, weren't the type to care about, let alone protect, anyone other than themselves.

"I beg you…"

Their eyes widened as the creature spoke in a voice too soft and gentle that it had no right coming from a being with such a macabre appearance. Begging at that.

"This child… protect this child. She is innocent and scarred by a reality most cruel. She has no place to call home, no one to love her but me... Please, protect the child... I do not have the strength…"

The creature went silent, it's body going limp as the spirit energy left within it faded to nothing. It wasn't surprising, seeing how the Seki Seki barrier most likely drained everything from the both of them. Suddenly the creature's body began to fade, its form turning black before dissipating into a cloud of smoke. Moving in wisps back into the girl's body till there was no evidence of it ever being there. Now, only the girl's flaccid body was sprawled against the cold floor, hair spread out around her and the dilapidated dress that clothed her desperately clung to her.

'Damn it. There goes my fight...' Kenpachi fumed to himself, with nothing to battle he was completely uninterested in being here any longer.

'How odd.' Mayuri thought to himself, this specimen would truly be a prize for his research. Seeing how the creature flowed back into her then that massive spirit energy must surely belong to the girl, perhaps he could find a way to coax it out of her and keep it materialized then dissect the both of them! Oh yes, that would truly be valuable, he was sure of it!

"Captain Unohana, if you will." Yamamoto directed a hand towards the unconscious child, he wasn't sure what she was exactly but it would do no one good to let her just lay there suffering. At the very least they will care for her till she awoke and could give a proper explanation to where she came from and why she was here. Personally he wanted to know more about the creature that guarded her and if that spiritual pressure he felt belonged to her or it. There was something bothering him about it all that he couldn't place.

Retsu gave a bow of acknowledgement as she moved to the child's side to check her vitals. Carefully and with absolute care she rolled her onto her back with arms at her side to allow Retsu to properly inspect her, the girl's hair falling free of her sullied face revealing a small ruby tear drop embedded in her forehead. She ran her thumb over it to determine that it was actually connected and not some form of jeweled accessory. Her hands moved across the girl's body, probing her carefully, her face growing more and more grim as she did.

"The condition of the child is as follows: Mild concussion, three fractured ribs, left and right tibia fractured, left fibula fractured, left wrist fractured and jaw fractured in multiple areas, extensive trauma to the skin in forms a lacerations and burns all over her body, as well as severe bruising all over her body…"

Shunsui and Jushiro exchanged glances of concern and pity for the girl as Retsu continued on with her list as more injuries were discovered, they couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

Toshiro took it all in trying to gage the situation and if it warranted his concern or not, right now though he just wished they could get all of this over with so he could get out of here. He already knew Rangiku was going to be hounding him to know what happened… What a pain.

Soi Fon and Sajin stood by patiently, caring only for what Head-Captain Yamamoto decided to do with this Ryoka. All else was irrelevant to them until that decision was made.

Retsu let out a sad sigh and rested a hand on the girl's stomach. "That concludes the findings on this child, her spirit energy is completely drained but despite the various injuries she has sustained her life is not in any immediate danger. It is my recommendation that she be taking to the Squad Four Compound for medical attention…"

Kenpachi couldn't help but smirk at the report, he had to give it to the kid. Whatever she might be, she was resilient. Maybe he could get a fight out of this girl when she heals up and is at full strength.

"Also…" Retsu began again "What concerns me the most is that these injuries were not acquired from the fall or the crash thru the ceiling, many of them are weeks and even month's old. She also shows evidence of a multitude of previously healed wounds and broken bones. Proof being the series of scars that cover her body."

"Wait." Jushiro stepped forward, his heart aching for the child's anguish. "You're saying that this girl had been tortured? Who could have done this to her?"

Yamamoto stepped forward to get a better look at the girl, it seems that the creature's pleading was not without good reason. "That is what we must find out then. She will be granted sanctuary until she awakens and is able to tell us who she is and most importantly where she came from, with reasoning that the creature that resides inside the girl will also be explained. Captain Unohana, I will grant your recommendation for the girl's treatment, see to it that she is immediately brought to your compound. Afterwards I want her to be transferred to the Squad Six holding cells till she awakens."

"You're going to imprison her?" Jushiro asked quizzically. "Why not allow her to stay in the medical unit?"

"I can understand your concern Captain Ukitake but truthfully we do not know anything about her or if she and the creature are a threat to us or not. Also I believe this is the best choice for her own protection. Word of her arrival will undoubtedly be known to everyone in the Seireitei and she must be kept safe from those who might wish to bring her harm out of ignorance." He directed that last statement towards Kurotsuchi, knowing full well he was already devising plots to get the girl into his lab for experimentation. "You are all dismissed."

Slowly the other Captain's filed out of the room to go about their business, Retsu already administering medical treatment to some of the girl's lesser wounds as a messenger went to find Isane and a relief squad to retrieve the girl. Yamamoto sat back down in his chair, studying her cautiously. Something bothered him about her, specifically something about the jewel in her forehead that warranted caution in the back of his mind from a time long ago. He did not believe her or the creature wished harm upon the Soul Society but whatever it was they were running from must not be thought of lightly.

---

"WHAT!" Rangiku exclaimed as she heard the news of what went on at the Captain's meeting. She knew that there had been a massive spiritual pressure descending into the Seireitei but to have actually crash landed into the middle of a Captain's meeting was insane!

"Quiet down Rangiku." Toshiro sipped his tea casually; he hated how she had to dramatize everything. "Head-Captain Yamamoto doesn't want to make a big deal out of it until she wakes up and can tell us what the situation is. So just shut up about it already."

"Well you don't have to be so mean about it." She pouted back at him. She wanted to ask more questions but she knew Toshiro didn't know much more than she now did, maybe she'd see about going to visit her and talk to Captain Unohana herself. Where ever that kid had come from must have been hell.

---

Isane stood beside the girl's bed, saddened by the state she was in. She and Captain Unohana personally saw to her healing, her body had been washed thoroughly and bandaged tightly. All that was left now was for her to rest and regain her spiritual energy on her own. She had the girl's head propped up carefully so she could comb out her hair, now that she was relieved of the layer of dirt and grime that plagued her she was rather beautiful. Her hair was now silky and shining in the moonlight that poured thru the window, the jewel in her forehead glinting occasionally as rays of light hit the many facets within it.

"Isane." Came the cool voice of her Captain from the doorway. "Lieutenant Abarai is here to escort the relief squad that will be taking the girl to the Squad Six holding cells. Is she ready to be released?"

"Yes Captain, I was just combing out her hair. Would you like me to go with Lieutenant Abarai for the transfer?"

"That will be unnecessary, I'm sure he will be capable on his own. You look tired Isane, you should go home to rest. I know you are concerned about her but the safest place for her would be in the Squad Six compound until she awakens."

"You're right Captain, thank you." She set down the comb and went to leave, giving a nod to Renji as she left to retire for the evening.

"So that's the girl all the fuss is about huh?" He never was one for pleasantries, he had to admit she was kinda cute though. "Well, let's get your guys up here so we can get this done Captain. It's getting pretty late."

"Agreed and thank you for coming over so promptly to retrieve her. I am worried that Captain Kurotsuchi will look for any opportunity available to acquire her for his so called 'research'." She had no desire to let this girl fall into his demented hands if she could help it.

"I hear ya, that freak Kurotsuchi gives me the creeps." He made a disgusted face as he stated that.

With that the conversation was done as the relief squad entered the room to transfer the girl to a stretcher for her move to the new compound. With any luck she will wake up soon so all this confusion could be settled.

---

You are safe now child…

'Tengoku… I'm so happy, Tengoku!'

I know you are child, I can feel all that you feel… It is almost time now child...

'Time?...Time for what?'

To wake up… You've been sleeping for so long… Our strength has almost recovered...

'Yes… I want to wake up… When I wake up I can be a Soul Reaper like in your stories Tengoku.'

We shall see child… we shall see...

'Do you think I can be in Squad Six?'

That's not for me to decide child...

'I hope so… that would make this dream so wonderful.'

You can only dream when you sleep child… and this one is coming to an end...

'What do you mean…'

Her eyes fluttered open, moonlight shone down on her face from a single barred window. She winced slightly, her eyes unaccustomed to such a light after so long a time. She sat up slowly expecting to feel her normal aches and pains but they were gone. She swung long legs over the edge of the bed and opened the white kimono she was dressed in, it was so soft to the touch, and her body was wrapped in bandages from her arms to her legs. Someone had taken very good care of her while she was unconscious; they even washed her body and hair! It had been so long since she felt this good! The soul society really was as wonderful a place as Tengoku's stories promised.

She looked around her surroundings, the stone walls and bars that confined her were well known to her. She knew of cages all too well but why would they put her in here? She hadn't done anything wrong.

Don't be frightened child… it's only for your protection...

But why would she need to be protected here of all places? She supposed she could find all this out later, she was more curious about all her wounds hiding beneath these bandages. Depending on how they looked maybe she could figure out how long she had been out. She jumped from one foot to the other, testing if her legs would falter… nothing. No pain what so ever, no pain from anywhere on her body for that matter. She started to unwrap the bandages, growing ever amazed as they revealed no more than her usual scars but how could this be? She knew what condition she was in before she got here, this kind of healing would take months. There was no way she had been asleep for months… could it?

Don't be silly child… have you forgotten my stories already?

She thought for a moment… of course! The soul society had people who could heal! That must be how she was in such good health but how was she to know how long she had been sleeping now? Oh well, she could always ask the first person she sees but since nobody was around… guess that meant she'd have to find somebody.

She walked towards the window and placed her hand against the cold stone. She knew she would need Tengoku's help for this, just as she needed it on the night they fled. At least now she can say she is not running from fear, in fact she was not running at all. She'd be more than happy to come back here once she got out to take a look at her new home… Home, saying that made her feel so good inside that her heart was racing. She finally had a place she could lay her head in peace, a place where her heart could finally grow.

"Tengoku, I need your help to lay waste to this obstacle before me."

As you command child…

She could feel her spirit moving within her, it was not long ago that she discovered the power her spirit had to assist her in things like this. Beneath her flesh she felt the creation of steel, the very first time she had done this the feeling made her uneasy but she came to be at peace with it. Tengoku told her that this ability would help her to become a fine Soul Reaper and Tengoku had never lied to her before.

---

"Lieutenant Abarai!… Lieutenant Abarai!… Wake up!"

"Eh…wha… whazzit?" Renji stirred, annoyed that he was being woken up long before he should be up. He rubbed his eyes and sat up with a grumble. The man that woke him was practically banging down his door. "Hold on already!" Man, there had better be a damn good reason for him to be getting woken up this damn late. He stormed to his door and threw it open, the guy trembling in fear with the look Renji gave him. Wait a second… "You're the guard who's 'spose to be watching that girl. What the hell are you doing here!"

"I'm sorry Lieutenant Abarai but… but…." He hesitated not wanting to be the person telling him this news.

"Spit it out already!"

"The girl escaped! Her bandages were scattered all over the floor of her cell and there was a large hole in the wall where she must have gotten out at." Brace yourself….

"What! How the hell did this happen? You weren't 'spose to leave your damn post till someone came to relieve you! What the hell were you thinking!"

"I'm sorry sir! I had to go to the bathroom, she was dead asleep when I left! I'm sure of it!"

"Apparently not dumbass! Have the other squads been informed yet?"

"Yes sir! Head-Captain Yamamoto said that all Squad Captain's and Lieutenants were to fan out a recover her immediately! That's why I was waking you sir, Captain Kuchiki has already left."

"Damn Idiot! Why did you wait till the last minute to tell me! Get out of here!" He slammed the door and ran to his room to get his clothes on and grab Zabimaru. He had to hurry and find her before that freak Kurotsuchi took the opportunity to get her while everybody is running around in the confusion.

---

Shunsui stood in the shadows of a building not far from his own Squad Eight compound, he had seen her almost immediately after he received the Hell Butterfly telling him of the escape but… she didn't seem like she was actually trying to escape. If she was, she was doing a very poor job at it. Surely she would have known that they'd be looking for her, so sitting in a cherry blossom tree staring at the moon in plain sight wouldn't have been the best choice of someone who really was trying to escape.

Ah well, best to get this over with so everyone could get back to sleep. He moved from his hiding spot and strolled toward her casually, he knew he'd be able to catch her if she ran but he had a feeling he wouldn't have to worry about that.

The soft sound of footsteps reached her ears and she turned to greet whoever it was with the warmest smile possible. The man walking up to her was rather handsome and his outfit was kinda funny looking but she liked it. She liked that she was finally going to meet a Soul Reaper!

"Hello!" She greeted him with wave from her perch within the tree, swinging her legs happily as he approached.

"Why hello yourself." He couldn't help but smile at her innocence or notice how cute she was with her hair combed and draping down along her shoulders and back for that matter. She looked more like a woman now that she had been cleaned up, a very buxom woman he might add, how did he miss that earlier? She even had the brightest crystalline blue eyes that shone in the moonlight and quite possibly the warmest smile he'd ever been given. "You've put everyone into quite a stir looking for you."

"Oh, I'm sorry." she pouted slightly, she didn't mean to upset anyone but then again she should have figured that would happen. Damn her lack of patience. If she would have just waited in her cell someone would have surely been by soon enough to talk to her.

Don't be so hard on yourself child…

"Now, now. That's not fair to pout at me like that." He chided her with a laugh, if she kept doing that he'd be tempted to kiss her. "What are you doing up there anyways?"

Her smile returned along with a giggle, this man was rather comical. "I was watching the moon…" She turned her gaze upwards and took a deep breath. "It's so beautiful, I've never seen a moon so large." She liked the red tint it had, a 'blood' moon is what she'd heard it called in the past.

He smiled again, she defiantly had a childlike nature to her but considering the place she must have come from, the moon must have been a treasure to her. How sad that someone so young had to endure such hell.

"Can I ask you something Mister….um?" She tilted her head quizzically, realizing she never got his name.

"Shunsui." He tilted his hat with a smile. "I'm Shunsui Kyoraku but please no 'Mister' alright. You're going to make me feel like an old man saying things like that." He laughed at her.

She giggled again "Alright, Shunsui Kyoraku. Can you tell me how long I was sleeping for?"

"Let's see… you've been out for about three days now."

Her eyes widened, only three days? The Soul Society must have some really amazing healers to perform such a feat! She shifted herself and leapt off the limb she had been resting on, landing softly in front of Shunsui. She raised a hand up to the top of her head to measure her height against his, giggling happily as she tapped him on the chin with the side of her hand, which for some reason made her happy and the fact that he allowed her to size herself against him made her happy as well. Granted, everything was making her jovial right about now. She stepped back away from him and put her back against the tree, sliding down till her butt hit the soft grass beneath her, then she motioned for him to join her with a pat on the ground beside her.

What the hell, couldn't do much harm really. He took his spot next to her and pulled out a jug of Sake with two small saucers to accompany it, he poured out one and handed it to her. "Here, share a drink with me."

She looked at it, puzzled, as she took it from him and sniffed it cautiously. "What is it?"

"It's Sake, you've never had it before?"

She shook her head gently, sending tendrils of her hair tumbling over her shoulders and onto her breasts.

"Well give it a try then." He poured one for himself and drank it to show her that it wasn't dangerous. From what he got off her she lived in a very treacherous place, the threat of being poisoned could have been a possibility to her.

She tipped it back and drank it, making a bit of a funny face which made Shunsui laugh. She wasn't sure of what to think of it just yet, maybe after a few more she'd be able to decide. She held it out for him to refill as she looked back up at the moon. "Hey Shunsui."

He took another drink of his sake. "Yes?"

"Does this mean we're friends?" She looked into her drink, trying to catch the moon's reflection in it.

He looked at her calmly, studying her. She had this sad, lonely, look on her face as if she was about to start crying. It made him want to comfort her, so he told her the only thing that he could to do just that. "Yea, it means we're friends."

She turned to him with that warm smile she had given him earlier and rested her head on his shoulder. "That makes me happy Shun-Chan." She tipped back her drink and held it out once more "You're my first real friend… other than Tengoku that is." She added with a giggle. The drink was making her belly feel warm inside.

"Tengoku? Was that the name of the creature that was guarding you when you came here?"

She nodded, returning once again to her game of capturing the moon, not realizing the importance of the topic.

"What is she exactly?"

"My spirit." She said without much interest as she drank down another serving of this 'sake' stuff.

"Your spirit?" He took another drink before filling up both their cups. "You have a rather interesting 'spirit'…uh. Well now, it seems you've put me at a bit of a disadvantage now." He smiled at her with a bit of a laugh.

She looked at him confused. "What do you mean?"

"Well, I told you my name but you never told me yours."

"A name?… I…it's…" she looked like she was about to cry again as she struggled to find the right words.

"Come on now, it's can't be that bad of a name to get so upset about it." There she goes making me want to comfort her again. I'm going to have to be careful around her, I might end up wanting to spend more 'time' with her otherwise.

"No, it's not that. It's just… I don't have a name."

He looked at her wide eyed, no wonder she had gotten so upset. He paused a moment, trying to find some solution that would make her smile that wonderful smile again. Ah! "Tell you what, If you like then I can think of a name for you but you'd have to give me some time. I'd want to find the perfect one for you." He smiled at her and patted her on the head affectionately, that ought to make her happy.

She stared at him in disbelief, her eyes growing as wide as the saucer that was in her hand. A name? She was finally going to have a name! She gave this small little screech of excitement and pounced on him, wrapping him in a hug and nuzzling his neck excitedly, making them both spill their cups of sake.

She didn't care though she was so excited! She was getting a name!

"Oh, thank you Shun-Chan! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" she erupted into a giggling frenzy as he burst into a cheerful laughter himself.

---

Kenpachi had been just about ready to leave, seeing as Shunsui had everything under control and he was extremely disappointed to having been woken up for absolutely nothing at all, he was glad he left Yachiru at home and asleep since she'd be complaining non-stop right about now and loudly at that. He had paused though when he heard what she had said.

'I don't have a name.'

He had known that feeling all too well. He thought back to her crashing thru the roof of the old man's meeting room, the way she looked all ragged and worn down… the same way he had been back before he became a Soul Reaper. He could tell she was strong too, you had to be if you had been beaten as badly as she was and still carrying on like Yachiru after she's gotten into a big bag of candy. He wondered what else they had in common… She said that creature was her spirit, whatever that meant. Man, he really wasn't cut out for this thinking crap.

He did know that he'd keep an eye on her. If she started to show the kind of spirit energy she had when she came crashing down on top of them then he was most defiantly going to cross swords with her but until that time came he didn't have much else to offer the whole situation.

---

'Damn! Damn! Damn it all!' He was too late! Kurotsuchi cursed to himself as he saw the horrid display of affection his future research specimen was displaying to that drunken buffoon, Kyōraku. This was all that idiot Nemu's fault! If that worthless excuse of a creation had woken him in time then he would have been able to get to the girl before anyone else. He had to remember to do something most painful to her later for allowing his most perfect opportunity to slip out of his grasp! Still this could possibly prove to be useful to him, the dim-witted girl seemed extremely trusting. It might prove easier than imagined to lure her into his lab but that 'Spirit', as she so simply put it, could prove to be troublesome. If it had a name when she did not it would imply that her 'spirit' was a separate entity entirely. Much like a Zanpakuto is to a Soul Reaper… now there was an interesting idea. Perhaps this 'Tengoku' was indeed this girl's Zanpakuto but the ignorant child was still unaware of that fact but for it to achieve the level of manifestation it displayed earlier then the girl must have been at the spiritual level of a lieutenant at the very least, which admittedly seemed very unlikely. Also, was the fact that she did not have a Zanpakuto in her possession… how very curious. He would definitively have to think on this further, but what he was sure of was his resolve to have this girl was absolute.

---

Shunsui had leaned back against the tree and gently shut his eyes, the girl had finally calmed down from the excitement of getting a name sometime in the near future and had laid her head in his lap. It was only a short time after that she began to snore softly, the effects of never drinking sake before, he bet. He knew he had to be getting her back to the Squad Six compound soon since nobody had known that he had found her, well he couldn't say that. He had felt Kenpachi and Mayuri's spiritual energy, even though the science geek was trying to hide his, so he guessed he could say nobody who would tell anyone knew he had her. He was a bit distracted though, he had promised to give the girl a good name but he had no clue what it would be… She liked the moon… that was about all he knew about her too. Damn it, he should have asked her more questions instead of giving her alcohol. Ah well, nothing much he could do about it now, except rest here for just a moment. It was really quite a perfect situation for a nice nap.

"Damn it Captain Kyoraku!"

He opened one eye to see a rather pissed off lieutenant of Squad Six glaring at him. Yea, he knew this was coming. "Shhhhhhh." he brought a finger to his lips and hushed Renji with a smile "Keep going on like that and you're bound to wake her up."

He had to be kidding, all the Squad leaders are out here looking for this girl and he didn't think to let anyone know about it! To top it off they'd been drinking! How the hell did this guy ever get to be a Captain anyway!

"Whatever, I'm taking her back to the Squad Six holding cell now. This wild goose chase has gone on long enough, no thanks to you!" He stooped down and lifted the girl with ease, he was amazed at how light she felt, he could have sworn she was heavier when they moved her out of the Squad Four compound. With that he turned and dashed off, the girl had enough sake in her system she wouldn't be woken up by anything less than a kido blast to the head right now, so he wasn't as worried as the Captain had been about waking her.

Speaking of, the others aren't going to be too happy once they find out the Captain Kyoraku was with her the whole time. Maybe he could leave that part out and just let them know that the Captain found her and he was bringing her back to the compound now… yeah, that seemed like a much better idea. It was way too late to be dealing with a bunch of pissed off Captains and Lieutenants right now, he just wanted to go back to sleep already!

He had reached his compound in no time at all using his Shunpo, the girl not even offering up so much as a stir or whimper in her sleep.

"Lieutenant Abarai! You've found the Ryoka!" The guardsman gave a quick salute as Renji passed him without as much as a word. It was too damn late to deal with formalities; he just wanted to get her back into a cell so he could get back to sleep. Was that so much to ask for?

He carefully laid her down on the bunk of the cell that was next to the one she had destroyed. Not much that could be done about that now, he just hoped she didn't do the same to this one. Head-Captain Yamamoto didn't want her spiritual energy to be suppressed in case it interfered with her healing.

Obviously she was well enough not to have to worry about that. At least this meant all this commotion about the girl and the thing she had inside of her would be settled soon, which meant he was hopefully going to be rid of her. The last thing he needed was another kid to deal with.

It had been two days since the girls first 'escape' from the holding cells and it didn't get any easier after that. The very next day she had promptly escaped again right after breakfast only to be found shortly afterwards having tea with Captain Ukitake in his home, of course he had sent Kiyone and Sentarou to immediately inform the others but he had given her permission to stay long enough to finish her tea. The day after that she was placed in special restraints to suppress her spiritual energy so she couldn't get out again… and that security measure failed miserably. Shortly after lunch the restraints were found in pieces on the floor and the telltale hole in the wall explained the rest. It took much longer to find her that time because she had apparently been in a fierce match of 'Hide & Go Seek' with young lieutenant of Squad 11.

Now they were all once again gathered in the Captains meeting hall, awaiting a much anticipated discussion with the girl who had been proving to be rather troublesome so far. They waited patiently for Renji to bring her up from the holding cells, praying she hadn't escaped already. She had been told of this meeting which got her very excited, so with any luck she stayed put. With the way the girl was acting it was almost like a child in an amusement park they'd never been to before, she asked many questions about everything to anyone she could get to listen and spent her 'free time' doing the same thing. Yamamoto let out a mental sigh contemplating everything; she had spent a substantial amount of time with Shunsui, Jushiro and Yachiru. It may prove fruitful to get their opinions on her before she arrived.

"Captain Kyōraku, it's my understanding that you spent a considerable amount of time with the girl during her first… excursion into the Seireitei. Could you enlighten us on what you two discussed?"

Aw man, he could feel the glares from half the other Captain's at that. They weren't happy in the least to find out he didn't tell them about finding her… Had to point me out huh Old Man Yama.

"I can't say much in all honesty." He shrugged deciding to be as truthful as he could. "I asked her about that creature she had and all she said was that it was her 'spirit' and referred to it as 'Tengoku' but that's about it." He gave a quick smile thinking about his time with her, it wasn't often that he got a girl to be so willing to snuggle up to him like she did. "After that we got on the conversation of giving her a name, you see she apparently doesn't have one and it just so happens that she picked me to be the lucky guy to give her one." He chuckled a bit, he did think of one for her and a damn good one at that. He knew she was going to just love it.

"You can't be serious." Soi Fon looked at him, wondering if he came to the meeting drunk again. "She's actually trusting you to give her a name?"

"Hey now, I happen to be really good with names."

"And what pray tell is this name?"

"I can't say." He shrugged with a smile. "Seems that I've forgotten it, I'm sure I'll remember it when she gets here though." He gave Soi Fon a sideways glance, he couldn't help teasing her. She really made it too easy. Man, she looked like she was about to tear his head off!

"Enough you two." Yamamoto interrupted, the last thing they needed was more bickering. "Captain Ukitake, you also spent some time with the girl?"

"Yes, it wasn't for very long though. She managed to get past Kiyone and Sentarou, which is a feat all its own. She found me inside my home and asked me about the tea I was drinking. Seeing the opportunity to speak with her I offered her to stay and have tea with me but we didn't speak on too many things. She inquired upon my illness and told me that she wanted to help me. She expressed a desire to protect others from suffering and then she proceeded to ask about Squad Six and Captain Kuchiki."

Byakuya turned to look at him at the mention of his name, odd that the girl would know enough to ask for the specifics of his division. "And what exactly was she enquiring of me?"

"She wanted to know if you were really like the Captain she had heard about from the stories her 'Tengoku' told her. She's under the impression that you are an honorable and noble man, she also stated that she wanted to be placed in Squad Six to serve you and uphold your law. She holds you in very high regard, when she was speaking she seemed much more… mature than the playful girl we had been seeing."

"So…" Yamamoto interjected "This Tengoku seems to have extensive knowledge of the Seireitei to be able to tell this girl such bedtime stories. I believe it to be imperative we speak with this 'Spirit' of her's first and figure out who and what it really is. It seems this is not the creature's first visit to the Soul Society." He looked around the room at the series of nods, agreeing to his decision. "Captain Zaraki, your lieutenant also spent time with this girl. Did she say anything of it?" He doubted it greatly, the young lieutenant was not known to have the patience for such thing and often her reports were completely irrelevant to what was actually being asked.

Crap, I hate it when he tries to involve me with these stupid things. It'd be so much easier if I could just fight instead of dealing with these idiotic meetings and he really thinks Yachiru would waste time interrogating that girl? She cares less for that kind of crap then I do!

"No… said she was good at hiding and wants to play with her again is all." Hope he wasn't expecting anything else because that's all he had to give. Granted a part of him was happy that Yachiru had found a friend who enjoyed playing as much as she did.

Just then the doors began to open slowly, Renji had arrived with the child just in time to save Kenpachi from any further inquiries of Yamamoto. She walked in carefully, taking note of this new place. She didn't know who these 'Captains' were but Tengoku had told her that they were the most powerful people in the Soul Society, so this meeting with her had to be really important if all of them were here just for her. She looked to her left and smiled brightly when she saw two faces standing together that she did recognize, with a giggle she skipped over to them and wrapped Shunsui in a big hug.

"You're mean Shun-chan! You didn't tell me you were a Captain!" She stepped back and playfully punched him in the gut with a right hook for not telling her.

"Sorry but you didn't exactly ask either." He responded with a laugh, she definitely was a spunky kid.

"You're still mean!" She stuck her tongue out at him before turning to Jushiro with another warm smile she was becoming known for. "Hello Jushiro, How are you feeling today?"

"I'm fine, thank you." He smiled back at her, she made it hard not to.

"That's good. I'm hoping I can come by again for some more tea, if you don't mind."

"I don't see why not."

Soi Fon let out an aggravated sigh, this was supposed to be a serious meeting not a social event. "We don't have time for this, the girl is here for a reason and it's not for you two to be playing nice with her!" She scolded the two of them for breaking protocol; those two were always doing things like this.

"I agree." Mayuri added, he was having enough trouble stomaching the disgusting display of pleasantries his, soon to be, research specimen was dishing out to these brainless dolts. "I have very important research I could be doing now!"

The girl jumped a little, she hated it when people were upset, especially when they were upset with her. "I'm sorry, you're right. Please forgive my rudeness." She took a step back and bowed apologetically to them.

It's all right child… You just need to stay calm...

Byakuya watched silently, she displayed a childlike nature first but when reprimanded she immediately became respectful to those she obviously recognized as her seniors. Her casual nature towards Captain Kyōraku could not be helped seeing as he denied her the information of his status, although Captain Ukitake should have been wise enough to teach her of such things when he had his time with her. If the Head-Captain allowed her to stay in the Seireitei she would have much to learn about etiquette but at least she was not completely hopeless.

"Hold on now." Shunsui stopped her with a hand on her shoulder as she was turning to take her place in the center of the hall. He bent down and whispered something into her ear, which made her grin ear to ear. She bit down on her thumb to restrain herself from bursting into a tumble of hugs and eccentric giggling that would have undoubtedly gotten her another scolding.

She knelt down respectfully in the center of the room facing the Head-Captain, she knew it was him because of what Tengoku told her, her eyes kept down at the floor as was expected of her when addressing someone as great as he was. This was her chance to show them, more specifically whichever one of these Captains that was Captain Kuchiki, that she could be a fine Soul Reaper. To uphold the laws and traditions of the Soul Society! Granted, she did kinda already mess that up but she could still make the most of this.

"Thank you for seeing me Head-Captain Yamamoto-Genryusai, I am honored to be in the presence of all the Captains of the 13 Court Guard Squad. Please ask what you will of me." Her voice was cool and calm, she was pleased with herself. This was a great way to make up for the way she acted when she first came into the room.

You're doing very well child… I am proud of you...

The Captains all arched a brow in unison, the child like girl that had walked in here seemed to transform right before them, she knew all the proper formalities befitting her status and even her voice changed into something more… mature. A woman had been hiding beneath the playful façade they had seen just moments ago.

Byakuya was pleased, she really did show promise now.

Kenpachi just smirked, she was trying really hard to impress the Old man now. He liked her better when she was causing chaos instead of acting like some stuck up princess like Byakuya.

Well now, Mayuri studied her carefully. Clever girl was only acting like a neophyte, she may prove to be more trouble than originally thought. Never the less the goal remains the same, he will have this girl for his research and experimentations yet!

She's been well informed, Yamamoto mused, not many addressed him with that kind of formality these days. She also displayed the retention for discipline and honor, a complete change from the unruly child that he first perceived her to be. There was much to be learned about her apparently.

"Stand." He spoke in a stern tone, one of intimidation to gage the girl's confidence in herself. "Tell us your name."

She shot a quick glance at Shunsui and spoke with a grin she couldn't hide. "My name is Chitsuki Yume." It was hard to fight the smile trying to break out across her face, she loved her name. Shun-chan had kept his promise of finding the perfect one. She loved how it sounded, she loved how it felt coming off her tongue, she loved everything about it!

Yes child… That is a beautiful name for you...

"Well then Miss Yume, the first thing we'd like to consider is the creature you refer to as 'Tengoku'. You can understand that we are wary of such a being within the Seireitei considering it's resemblance to a Hollow. Can you enlighten us on this matter?"

This was to be expected… allow me to speak upon my own behalf child...

"To correct you Head-Captain, her full name is Tengoku Namida and she would like to speak for herself if you will allow it. She'd be able to explain herself much better than I ever could." Okay, now she was getting nervous. Even she didn't know much about Tengoku, other than the fact she knew a lot about the Soul Society.

It will be ok child… trust in me...

"Very well. Call forth this Tengoku Namida then, we are anxious to hear what she has to say."

She held a deep breath and concentrated hard, her eyes shut gently. She had been practicing this for some time, before Tengoku would only visit her in her dreams. It had taken some time till she learned how to draw her out into this world. She placed a hand over her heart and exhaled slowly, with her breath she could feel the warmth leaving her body.

Behind her a dark mist started to take shape, Tengoku Namida rose up towering over even Sajin. Her tail swayed gently forcing the Captains to take a step back so as not to be struck by it. She placed her hands on either side of Chitsuki and took a low bow, her hair cascading down around the girl beneath her.

"It is an honor to be in your presence Head-Captain Yamamoto-Genryusai." She repositioned herself to her full height and looked down to meet Chitsuki's gaze "Please forgive me child… but it is time for you to sleep." She placed a finger on the girl's brow, using a silent kido to force her into a deep sleep. As Chitsuki's body fell she caught her in her other hand, cradling her as if she was a babe.

"Explain yourself Tengoku Namida." Yamamoto's concern matched those around him, he had not expected the creature to be able to use kido let alone use it against the girl the moment she was summoned.

"Forgive me Head-Captain but what I am about to reveal unto you this child must never know. I wish to protect her from all things… including myself… Captain Kyōraku, would you please hold her a moment." She handed the limp body to him ever so gently, watching that he took the utmost care in holding her. She then raised a hand to the edge of her mask and pulled it away, instantly the dark mist encircled her. The haze swirled round and round like a small typhoon, growing ever smaller until all that was left was a woman standing alone. She wore the shihakusho of a Soul Reaper and looked much like Chitsuki, she stood taller and her eyes were much sadder but still the resemblance was uncanny right down to the ruby stones embedded in her forehead.

"So Kyuuketsuki… it was you after all." Yamamoto stood slowly, looking long and hard at the woman who had disappeared so many years ago.

"Care to explain to the rest of us what's going on Old Man Yama?" Shunsui was just as confused as the rest of them. He could tell as he looked at the faces of the other Captain's. Whoever this woman was it seemed she had a not so pleasant history with the Old Man, he thought that her name sounded familiar but it would have been something he heard long ago to have been forgotten.

"You have much to answer for Kyuuketsuki." He ignored Shunsui as he glared at her, standing tall as he judged her and his spiritual pressure bearing down on all of them, his anger and disappointment as fresh now as it was so many years ago "For the crimes you have committed against the souls of the Soul Society, 'Vampire of the Seireitei', who devoured the Reiryoku of countless souls! How dare you show your face back here after what you have done!" His voice boomed thru out the room, shaking the very ground, his spiritual pressure flaring even greater.

"Vampire of the Seireitei…" Byakuya stated. "I have heard that name before. I believed it to be stories to frighten children in the night."

"We've all heard of these stories." Sajin stepped forward. "But never did I think they would be true."

Well now, this peeked Kenpachi's interest quite a bit, from what he knew she was one of the most ruthless people of her time. Hunting the strongest of foes and devouring their spirit energy to make herself even stronger. It was her Zanpakuto that gave her that ability. Some even say that it was the Zanpakuto that controlled her for its own blood lust. Now things were starting to get interesting.

Kyuuketsuki kept her eyes on the ground, not once daring to meet Yamamoto's furious gaze. "I know you can never forgive me but I beg of you not to let my daughter suffer for the sins I committed in my past life. The misery in which she has already endured was brought on because of me, I cannot bear her to endure anymore of my wrongs." She touched her brow where her own red jewel was, her personal mark of sin…

"So, it is true that this child is yours. I suspected such from the jewel within her brow but what mercy we give to her is only for the sake of her own innocence, you deserve none. Your betrayal deeply wounded your Captain's heart Kyuuketsuki, he thought of you as his daughter. He had nothing but the highest regard for your training, hoping to make you his lieutenant one day and this is how you thank him for his praise? "

"I did not deserve Ginrei-Sama's praise. Even then I was a creature not worthy of such an honor. If I could separate myself from Chitsuki without destroying her then I would give myself to you to receive the punishment I deserve."

"You served under my Grandfather?" Byakuya stepped forward, he had no idea that this 'Vampire of the Seireitei' had been under the command of his grandfather and apparently long before he was even born. That fact must have been left out of the histories to protect the integrity of the Kuchiki clan.

"Yes, I did. I served as the 3rd seat of Squad 6 when your Grandfather was younger man." She looked saddened, the memories of that life tearing apart her heart. "When my crimes had been discovered I fled the Soul Society and hid within the world of the living. There I began a new life with a unique man, whom took me in and made me his wife. I destroyed my Zanpakuto and vowed never to commit such atrocities ever again, he did not know of who I had been nor did he ask what I had been running from." She paused, choking back the tears of her beloved. "But he was murdered…and I made a slave to the one who slew him. Having abandoned my Soul Reaper powers I was all but powerless to overcome this man. By that time I was already with child, the man who enslaved me kept me alive solely for me to bear him my daughter. Her father's blood runs strong thru her veins, she is a most special creature and my captor knew that. From birth he chained her and raised her to his specifications while I could do nothing but watch. So I did the only thing I could to protect her, I linked together our Spirit Threads and took my own life. On that night… Kyuuketsuki died." She hugged herself, she didn't want to tell them anymore but she knew that what had been said truly needed to be. She could not tell him everything though, her child's safety depending on some things to be kept a secret from everyone.

Yamamoto studied her face, he knew that all she spoken was true. "The method you used is a forbidden technique, believed to have been lost to the ages. I was unaware you had such knowledge Kyuuketsuki." This troubled him deeply that she knew of it and worse yet was able to perform such a technique. "You realized that should you have failed you both would have lost your lives that night?"

"I had deemed that the benefit greatly outweighed the consequence should the worst have happened but to be honest I'm not sure if I was right."

"What technique are you going on about?" Mayuri inquired, he prided himself on his extensive knowledge of the kido used by Soul Reapers but from what was being said nothing sounded familiar to him. That and he hated to be left out of such discussions involving anything 'forbidden'. From the sound of it, this method was a very dangerous one and he would love to learn more about it.

"It is a form of reincarnation that only Soul Reapers of the highest level can perform." He looked around the room, making sure he had everyone's attention before going on, what he was about to explain must never be repeated. "This technique allowed Kyuuketsuki to become a Zanpakuto. Once completed Kyuuketsuki did indeed die and was reincarnated to the being before you, the Zanpakuto Tengoku Namida."

"I didn't think such a thing was possible." Jushiro spoke up uneasily, such a power should never had been created let alone bestowed upon anyone. From the look of it he shared the belief of the other Captains, all but Mayuri and Kenpachi seemed distressed by this news.

"It would have been better if that was true." She continued "I succeeded in becoming a Zanpakuto but then I become bound by the regulations of being such."

"Meaning you couldn't protect her until she became aware of you on her own." Shunsui finished the thought she was trying to say.

"Yes…" She began to cry softly, she had been trying so hard to hold it in but she just couldn't anymore. "I abandoned my daughter and left her prey for the lusts of man. I could do nothing but watch as he used her in every way a man could use a woman, then broke her body as easily as he broke her spirit.

Every night I would cry out to her but she could never hear me, her spiritual energy had not yet developed enough to do so. For years I could do nothing but watch…" She fell to her knees and began to cry as hard as her body would allow. "It's all my fault, I denied the gods their castigation of me so they took what they were owed from my daughter… she suffered the wrath of my horrid sins."

Nothing could be said, all stood in shock of what they had been told. The girl appeared barely older than eighteen and her body had endured more than what anyone should have in a lifetime. Shunsui held her close to him, unconsciously trying to shield her from the horrors that she had already known. The sickening feeling filling his stomach as he mulled over all that had been said. Chitsuki hid the horrors of her life so well behind that wonderful smile that one could never have known she was a product of such revulsion.

Yamamoto turned away from her, returning to his seat. This ordeal was grim indeed and deserved proper thought. "Tell me, Tengoku Namida. What is it you desire of this child?" He discarded her former name for the time being, it was evident to him that the abomination known as 'Kyuuketsuki' was truly dead.

She dried her eyes with her sleeve before she stood, trying to regain some form of control over herself. "I will not impose any of my desires onto her, it has been proven that the actions I have taken not once proved to benefit her, regardless of the aspiration behind those actions. I live now only to serve her and the desires she have chosen for herself."

He nodded thoughtfully, her choice was indeed wise. "And has she spoken of such chosen desires?"

She smiled softly "Yes." She raised her head high, her heart burning with pride for the fine woman her daughter had become through her own will and despite all the tribulation set upon her. "She wishes nothing more than to become a Soul Reaper and uphold the laws of the Soul Society, she has chosen justice to be her path and prays that she will be granted the opportunity to walk it." She turned a thoughtful eye to Byakuya "And she has told me that she wishes to serve you, Captain Kuchiki. I told her of the great man your grandfather had been and that I was sure you had followed the same path as he." She turned back to Yamamoto "Those are the wishes of Chitsuki Yume, if you will have her I know she will prove to be a fine Soul Reaper. She has very unique talents that I am confident will set her apart from any other before her."

"Very well, such a request will be considered thoroughly before any decision is made. Once we see her abilities for ourselves then we will determine if she is truly worthy to enter into the Soul Reaper Academy."

She bowed to him. "Thank you Head-Captain Yamamoto-Genryusai, you honor us both with your consideration. If it would please you I'd like to take my leave and allow her to speak for herself now but before I do may I be so bold as to make a request of you and the Captains of the Thirteen Court Guard?"

"You may."

"Please make sure that she never knows the truth of what has been said this day."

"You have my word, what you have spoken today will be forbidden to ever be repeated."

"Thank you…"

With that her body turned to mist as before, flowing back into Chitsuki in wisps till there was nothing left of the manifestation. Chitsuki stirred in Shunsui's arms as the kido was lifted from her, her eyes opening to his welcoming face smiling down at her.

"What happened?" She rubbed her eyes as he helped her to her feet, her mind drawing a complete blank on why she was in his arms. Granted, she didn't mind all that much. He had such a nice scent of flowers on him, it was such a warm comforting scent.

"Nothing too exciting really, just another boring Captain's meeting." He looked at Old Man Yama with a nod.

"Chitsuki Yume." Yamamoto addressed her coolly. "It is my decision that you shall be considered to enter the Soul Reaper Academy provided you can demonstrate sufficient knowledge of your own spiritual capabilities."

She got wide eyed with astonishment, she wasn't sure what happened when she was knocked out but something very good must have been said, this was her chance to finally prove her worth to them. "Of course! What is it you would like me to demonstrate for you?"

"Firstly," Mayuri spoke up without hesitation, this Tengoku Namida had declared herself a Zanpakuto but clearly the girl was not carrying a weapon on her. "Where is your Zanpakuto girl? You did not arrive with one and no one has seen evidence of you having one for that matter."

She laughed at him, which only served to highly irritate him and make a number of the Captains chuckle. "That's because I keep it in the safest place possible." She placed a hand over her heart and tapped her chest. "Tengoku is a part of me, she resides within my body at all times."

"How is that possible?" Toshiro finally spoke up for the first time since this fiasco started. "For that matter how are you able to use it if it's inside you at all times?"

She thought for a moment. "To be honest I don't know how it's possible, it just… is." She pulled back the right sleeve of her kimono, as she did they could make out a line of scars around her wrists and more scattered across her forearm. A telltale sign that she had spent a good deal of time being bound. "And as for how I can use it…" A long blade slid out thru the flesh of her palm, earning her many a disturbed look from everyone but Yamamoto. She wasn't too bothered by their reaction; it was really to be expected of such a bizarre ability. "I can make any part of Tengoku come out of any part of my body, like this." She flipped her wrist of her left hand and made a long thick chain slap against the floor like a whip. "Also I can make as many blades as necessary come out." She flipped her left wrist again to call back the chain and replaced it with another long blade.

"Doesn't that hurt having such things ripping thru your skin?" Shunsui asked a bit concerned, as amazing a feat that is to control; he doubted the effects of using such a technique would have on the body.

"Yes, it does hurt and the wounds caused by the blades slicing thru the flesh don't heal right away. They are actually formed just below the skin and above the muscle so it is only damaging the flesh" She called back the weapons to show the cuts on her palms. "But pain is something you have to overcome to become stronger and mere cuts to the flesh mean nothing to me now." She spoke firmly, she was willing to go through any hardship to prove to them her resolve.

Now that's the right kind of mindset, Kenpachi had a shark's grin spread across his face. He had a feeling that he'd be able to have some real fun fighting against her once she got to her full strength. She could withstand slashes without even a flinch and a technique like that would make it hard to read her moves, she could make a blade come out of nowhere at the very last minute, he was getting charged up just thinking about what kind of a match that would be like!

Chitsuki turned to look at the large man with the odd hairstyle, she had felt his Spiritual Pressure begin to surge. What a terrifying feeling that was, such raw animalistic fury, she hated to see anyone go up against a man like that…yet, why was she having such trouble looking away from him? Was she really this overwhelmed by his Reiryoku? No, she wouldn't allow that. That would mean she had a weakness she couldn't control and she would not allow herself to have such a flaw. She refused to allow herself be subject to such a physical limitation. This was her time to step out of the shadows of her past and begin anew… now, if only she could back up such fine words.

"Calm yourself Zaraki." Yamamoto reprimanded him, the last thing they needed was for him to go off into one of his rampages. "Well, Captain Kurotsuchi. I assume her display answered any doubts you may have had about her." That offered more chuckles from around the room that only furthered Mayuri's irritation.

"Absolutely." He spoke through clenched teeth, how dare they insult him in such a manner! And that girl won't be laughing once he had her sprawled out and torn to pieces on his operating table! He'd grind that body into mush so that her blood and skin were indistinguishable from one another!

"Now then, if we may continue." He turned his attention back to the girl. "Have you ever attempted to perform kido?" Her mother had been adept at it from what he could recall and one of the most skilled of her time as well.

She let out a nervous, halfhearted, laugh. "I must admit I don't like kido very much. It's not very fun or fair."

I'm starting to like this girl already, Kenpachi approved of her idea. All that kido crap was a waste of time anyways, Incantations and all that were too much of a bother to deal with. It got in the way of all the good hacking and slashing you could be doing! The real skill is in your own strength and ability to use your own weapon.

"Of course it's not going to be fun." Toshiro shot at her. "The only person who thinks fighting is fun is Zaraki and he's out of his mind anyways."

"Hey kid! There ain't nothing wrong with that!" Kenpachi shot back, damn little snot.

He went on, ignoring the cursing Kenpachi was now doing. "And the whole point of kido is to give yourself an advantage over your enemy so whether or not it's 'fair' to use it is irrelevant."

Uh oh, she needed to choose her words more carefully next time. "I'm sorry, that didn't come out the way I planned it to." She let out another halfhearted laugh to try and cover for her unease. "I meant it's not challenging for me, which is why I said it wasn't fun and when I said it wasn't fair I meant it wouldn't be fair to judge my skill on the types of kido I can do because of Tengoku's ability." This was going to be an interesting explanation.

"Please clarify that a bit more." Jushiro asked kindly "I thought Tengoku's ability was to have a complete symbiosis with your body, thus the capability to call on it as you did."

"Yes, well…" She was fighting for the right way to say it. "That's just a… default ability. Since we share the same body, creating those blades is almost like extending my arm. It just… happens." Man, she was not doing a very good job at this. "Tengoku's actual ability is to copy kido. Once I've seen any kido performed I can automatically do it to the same degree that I saw it done as many times as I like." Yeah, that wasn't confusing to say. "That's why I don't like kido, I want to have skills that I've earned through working hard and training. Using kido is just an… unsatisfying method."

"Would you care to demonstrate this ability for us Chitsuki?" Yamamoto had to admit, he's never heard of such an ability and seeing it performed would be rather interesting. "Captain Kuchiki and Captain Zaraki, please step forward."

'What the hell is he calling on me for?' Kenpachi didn't like the idea of playing Guinea Pig, for any reason.

"Captain Kuchiki is the most adept at kido, he will chose one and aim it at Captain Zaraki. Which I do apologize for this Kenpachi, but you're the most… resilient one of the group and much more so than this room. I'm certain anything Captain Kuchiki uses won't harm you." He said with a faint smile.

"Hadou 63: Raikouhou." Byakuya wasted no time in performing his kido, the destructive blast shot off toward the unprepared Kenpachi striking him in the chest. The explosion sent dust flying everywhere and shook the whole room, forcing the other Captains to shield their eyes from the debris. He had specifically chosen a high level kido without the incantation to test the girls claim.

"HA! Is that the best you got!" Kenpachi stood there as the dust cleared, completely unfazed by the attack, grinning from ear to ear. "Something like that isn't even worth my time."

Chitsuki stared at the man in disbelief; he must have been a great warrior to stand up to something like that with nothing more than a smile… a very large, toothy, fairly creepy smile she couldn't take her eyes off of. "Is he always like that? He is absolutely monstrous."

Shunsui laughed. "You don't know the half of it; you should see him when he's actually fighting back."

She wasn't so sure she really wanted to see that happen actually.

"Come on girl." Kenpachi opened his robe to give her a clear shot of his chest just like before. "Give it your best shot!"

"Hadou 63: Raikouhou!" A blast equal in power to Byakuya's shot from her hand and made its target against Kenpachi, sending forth the same reaction as before. Right down to a snide remark from Kenpachi about wasting his time. "See what I mean? It's not something that's going to earn me any achievement awards." She stated plainly as she rubbed her palm, if it were her choice she'd never use another kido till the day she died.

"Most Impressive." Yamamoto praised. "That kind of ability can prove to be useful and it is good that you are not one to take advantage of such a thing as well. Instead relying on skills you earn on your own through hard work and determination." Such things speak highly of her character; he believed she would indeed make a worthy Soul Reaper. Once she left he would discuss matters further with the other Captain's but he was certain he knew what the outcome would be. "I believe we have seen enough for the time being, at a later point in time I believe we'd like to see your swordsmanship but we shall save that for another day when… emotions are not so high." He could still feel Zaraki's Spiritual Pressure flaring, the demonstration had got him in the mood for a fight and Chitsuki's exceptional technique with her weapon seemed to have peeked his interest earlier as well, he was surprised he had not yet openly challenged her as of yet. Then again he most likely knew that she was nowhere near his level as she was now, in time though she would be. He had no doubt of that.

She bowed deeply to them all, her heart was racing. She hoped they didn't notice how much her hands were trembling. This was it for her, her future as a Soul Reaper was in their hands now and all she could do was wait. "Thank you for this opportunity Head-Captain Yamamoto-Genryusai." As she was turning to leave she caught a glimpse of Shunsui shooting her a quick wink as if so reassure her, she returned it with a smile and a slight nod. He really was a good man, she was lucky to have become his friend. On her other side she saw the man known as Captain Zaraki… his look was so intense, she felt like he was crushing her with his gaze. She tried not to stare at him but that eye of his… she just could not look away from that terrifying man.

The doors closed slowly behind Chitsuki, she turned to look at the disappearing image of her friend, Shunsui, before letting out a long sigh.

"What's the matter with you?" Renji was waiting for her outside, his lieutenants meeting had ended before they were done with her, so he was propped up against the nearest wall till she came out. "Didn't think you could get unhappy." He wondered what had happened in there, from what he had already scene with her she was very inquisitive and cheerful all the time.

She looked at him, admiring him briefly, with any luck this man will become her lieutenant someday. "Everyone can be sad…" she feigned a weak smile for him. "I'm just usually better at hiding it." Only she knew about being in the darkness of the night, when she was alone and no one was around to hear her cry. She cried often but never in front of others, she didn't want them to see how weak she truly was. How scared she was all the time, she wished she wasn't, she wished she really was as happy as she pretended to be in the eyes of the others. She wished she could be strong.

"Hey Onee-chan!" Yachiru came out of nowhere landing on Renji's head with a giggle and waving happily. "Stop being so unhappy!"

"Hey! Get off me!" Renji swatted at her, damn little pest was always jumping around landing on people.

Chitsuki smiled she really liked Yachiru, she was always so genuinely happy. "Shun-chan gave me a name, so you don't need to call me that anymore Imouto." Although she did like being called 'Big Sister' and she did like to think of Yachiru as her little sister.

"Oh yeah?" Yachiru tilted her head slightly with that innocently clueless look of hers. "Well, what is it?"

Renji wanted to hear this too, she had mentioned that Captain Kyōraku was going to give her one.

She giggled happily, Yachiru made it so easy to smile. "My name is Chitsuki Yume." She bent down and placed a hand on the little pink haired girls head affectionate. "So maybe you can call me 'Chi-chan' now."

Yachiru thought about that one for a moment. "No." She laughed playfully. "I like Onee-chan better!" She laughed again before reaching up and smacking Chitsuki on her face abruptly.

"Ow!" Chitsuki rubbed her nose tenderly and pouted. "What was that for, Imouto!"

Yachiru erupted into another giggling spree from the look that she got. "Because silly! You're it!" With that she dashed off down the hall ahead of her.

"Not fair! You cheated!" Chitsuki took after her as fast as she could, her current sorrow forgotten as she became determined to catch that little girl and tickle the life out of her!

"Hey wait! You're not allowed to be running around on your own!" Renji tried to stop her but she was already gone before the words left his mouth.

"Great… here we go again." He took off after the two of them. The Captains are not going to be happy about this. "Hey! Rangiku!" He saw her walking up to the Captain's room and stopped her. "If they ask for Chitsuki let them know I'm trying to catch her!"

"Who?" she looked at him quizzically.

"Oh right, you don't know yet. Captain Kyōraku named that Ryoka 'Chitsuki Yume'."

"Oh no! She escaped again?" This makes the 4th time now that she's gotten away from them.

"Not exactly." He scratched his head. "Yachiru 'tagged' her and ran off so Chitsuki ran off after her to 'tag' her back. Anyways I got to get going before I completely lose them!" He ran off after the two fleeing girls, cursing and mumbling under his breath.

Rangiku smiled, she never did get the chance to meet this girl but she did seem very lively and it was good that Yachiru found someone she could play with without driving them absolutely nuts. Poor Renji, he's going to get stuck chasing after her until they figure out what to do with her.

Yamamoto looked carefully at the faces of the other Captains; they now knew the truth of the girl's past and were shown a small sample of her abilities. All that was left now was to settle on what to do with her. He was confident that in the end she will be allowed to become a Soul Reaper but to be fair he had to hear out the trepidation of his fellow Captains, should they have any that is.

"Now, I will hear each of your concerns pertaining to the girl before I make my final decision on the matter. This is a serious decision and is not to be taken lightly, as such I expect input from each of you on the matter and you're over all recommendation." He looked around the room studying the faces of his fellow Captains. "Soi Fon, if you will."

"Sir! It is my belief that the Ryoka should not be trusted. She should be sent back to the human world where she belongs, having something like that around would be as bad as allowing that substitute soul reaper to be in the soul society!"

"Have you forgotten." Shunsui interrupted. "That Ichigo Kurosaki has proven to be a valuable asset numerous times over? Just think about having that kind of asset on our side all the time."

"There's only one kind of 'asset' you care about." She shot back at him. "My recommendation is that she not be allowed to stay in the soul society."

Yamamoto nodded his head in recognition of her decision. "Captain Unohana, what say you?"

"It is my belief that the girl known as Chitsuki Yume be allowed to stay." Her voice was cool and calm. "This decision is not only for the sake of what she can do for us but also for her own safety. In the human world she would once again fall prey to the being that caused her much anguish."

"That is a wise conclusion to have considered." He thought of the same thing himself. "Captain Byakuya, it is your squad she has requested for. What is your decision on the child's consideration for the Soul Academy?"

He was silent for a moment, weighing the words he was about to speak carefully. "I think it would be a waste of time." His voice was stoic, giving no hint to his true feelings on the matter. "Should she be allowed into the Academy she would end up passing all her kido training the very same day. She has also shown that she has completely mastered her Zanpakuto to a level of most Lieutenants, as evidence from her ability to manifest Tengoku Namida. So allowing her into the Academy would do nothing more than waste everyone's time. If she is to be granted sanctuary within the Soul Society she should just be allowed into one of the Thirteen Court Guard immediately."

Yamamoto took in all that the Captain had said and from the look of it so were the other Captains. There was no denying the girl's skill; it was quite believable to allow her to bypass the academy without much complaint from the others. "Yes, what you say is true Captain Kuchiki. Should a decision be reached on the child staying in the Seireitei would you be willing to honor her request and accept her into Squad Six?"

"Should that happen then yes, she will be allowed entrance into my squad without complaint."

It was obvious he was not going to offer any further remarks on the topic so he turned his attention to Shunsui. "Captain Kyōraku, I doubt I really need to ask what your recommendation is."

"Well thanks for asking anyways, sir." Shunsui offered up a lazy smile. "Obviously, I'd like Tsuki-chan to stay. From what Kyuuketsuki and Captain Unohana said she needs to be kept in a safe place, so why not here with us."

"I knew I would not be surprised by your decision Shunsui. Captain Hitsugaya?"

"I don't care." He really didn't want to waste time bickering with a bunch of old people.

Yamamoto shook his head, he should have expected much from Toshiro. In matters such as this he did not have much to say, although he seemed to be favorable towards the Substitute Soul Reaper, so one could assume he would not have any real complaints regarding the girl. "Very well then. Captain Kurotsuchi, what is your recommendation?"

"Oh yes, I believe she could prove herself a very valuable addition to the Soul Society." He failed to add that she would prove to be very valuable to himself.

The Head Captain had a feeling he should keep an eye on Mayuri, his interest in the girl would not be overlooked. "And you Captain Komamura?"

"I cannot ignore her desire to walk the path of justice. She is driven by such a desire and I believe she will not disappoint us. I recommend that she stay under Captain Kuchiki's guidance."

Yamamoto nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, your decision holds much truth Sajin. Captain Zaraki, what are your feelings on the matter?"

He let loose one of his large, toothy grins. "Sure, why not. She looks like she could be fun." He let out one of his deep, chilling laughs, the girl definitely had some potential brimming under the surface; he couldn't wait till she was ready to go up against him.

"Finally, Captain Ukitake. What is your recommendation?"

"I believe she should be allowed to enter Squad Six as she wishes. She has a pure heart and from being able to speak with her I know she would never betray Captain Kuchiki."

So there it was. Yamamoto had already figured this would happen, with exception to Byakuya's proposal for the girl to immediately be placed into his division. The only one who really voiced concern was Soi Fon but it admittedly seemed prejudice to the fact that the girl was indeed not a soul. Regardless though, it had been a unanimous conclusion. He thought heavily on their words for a moment and stood slowly to announce his decision.

"Very well, it is then my judgment that Chitsuki Yume be placed in Squad Six and be named the 12th seat. It will be up to her to advance any further should she so choose. Her skills cannot be disregarded nor her high level of mastery over her Zanpakuto. This matter will now be closed to discussion, bring her back in here so that we may tell her."

The doors opened slowly once more but to their surprise, the person standing there was most definitely not who they were expecting.

"Rangiku! What the hell are you doing!" Toshiro snapped at her, now what could have happened?

"Sorry Captain, I guess you're wondering where Chitsuki went huh?" She offered up a half-hearted laugh.

"I don't consider this to be amusing Lieutenant Matsumoto, where is the girl?" Yamamoto already had a feeling as to what might have happened. The girl, while promising, seemed to have trouble showing restraint when away from the watchful eyes of himself and the other Captains.

"I'm sorry Head-Captain. Yachiru apparently dragged her into a game of 'Tag'. Renji went after them but he was having trouble keeping up to the looks of it."

He let out a long sigh. "Very well. Captain Zaraki, I expect you will be able to detain your lieutenant long enough to instruct Miss Yume to report to the Squad Six division?"

"Yea, no problem." Damn it Yachiru, of all the times you could pick to cause trouble.

"Captain Kuchiki, you can see to informing her on our decision. With that, you are al dismissed!" He could already feel the headache growing behind his brow; hopefully none of them will end up regretting today's choices.

"What?" Renji exclaimed with disbelief, his Captain had managed to track him down shortly after he lost the girls.

"I'm assuming your ears are not working properly today." Byakuya glared at him, he hated repeating himself. "Kenpachi Zaraki is pursuing them as we speak. Once found the girl known as Chitsuki Yume will be sent to our division, where you will welcome her in as the new 12th seat. You are charged with directing her to her new quarters and explaining to her what will be expected of her. I will not tell you again."

With that Byakuya turned to leave Renji gaping to himself, if he was able to do his job right and keep the girl from running off then none of this would have been necessary in the first place.

Renji just couldn't believe what he was told, that girl had to have display one hell of a power for them to decide not to make her go through the Academy and to give her a fairly high seat in his squad on top of that! Damn, now he really was going to get stuck dealing with this kid. Today had so not been his day.

"You're just too slow Yachiru!" Chitsuke giggled happily, she had managed to tag her but it was only because she snuck up on her while she was staring at a butterfly. She was able to keep out of her reach but just barely, if she stopped for any reason she knew that Yachiru would get her.

"No fair! You cheated!"

"You cheated first!"

"No I didn't!"

They laughed as they played together, Chitsuki had no memory of being this happy and carefree before. She almost wished it would never end, although she was a bit distracted. For a time she could sense Renji chasing after them but she hadn't felt him for a while now, could be he gave up but she doubted that he'd do something like that without being told. Then there was that other presence she felt but it was such a strong one that it scrambled her senses, she couldn't pinpoint on where it was coming from.

She really should have been looking in front of her.

With a very heavy and deafening 'Thud' she came to a rather complete and abrupt stop. The force of the impact sent her back a foot and landed very hard on her rear end.

"TAG!" Came Yachiru's very energized proclamation as she slapped Chitsuki on the shoulder. "Yay Kenny! You helped me catch her!" She bounced excitedly up and down having 'won' the game.

"Ouchies." She rubbed her head and butt with a little pout, thinking she was careless enough to have run into a tree.

"You there." Came a rather frightening voice. "You're Chitsuki, right."

Hearing her name she looked up to see the intimidating form of the Captain Zaraki, who was most definitely not a tree, towering over her. The look in that eye chilled her to the core as her heart began to pound so hard it threatened to burst from her chest. " Y… Yes." She quickly fixed herself and bowed respectfully to him. "I…I'm sorry for running into you, sir."

"Knock that crap out." He rubbed the back of his neck, this girl was way too uptight when it came to Captains. "I didn't come here to hear you apologize for something so stupid."

She took a step back defensively, the man's nature quite obviously scared her but there was something about him she couldn't place. Something that made her face hot and her heart rage inside her.

"Aw, be nice Kenny!" Yachiru leapt onto his shoulder and gave him a smack on the head. " Hey Onee-chan, why are you blushing?" She gave another one of those oblivious looks again.

"Um…I'm just…uh." She stumbled to find the right words, why the hell wouldn't her brain work right! "Tired! I'm just a little tired from all the running." Yeah, that really sounded believable. What the hell was wrong with her? It would have been so much easier if the Captain wasn't staring at her like that. "Um… so what is it that you needed Captain Zaraki?"

Heh, he didn't believe that 'tired' crap at all, she wasn't even breathing heavy liked she'd been running as hard as she was. She had to be fast to be able to keep away from Yachiru, even if she was only ahead of her by a little bit. She was acting odd though, that look in her eyes was off too… ah, screw it. Trying to think about some girl's actions was a waste of time. "I'm supposed to take you over to the Squad Six Compound and have you talk to Renji… And you." He turned his attention to Yachiru. "Shouldn't go running off with people like that. We weren't finished with her yet."

"Sorry Kenny, I just wanted to play with her again." She gave a little pout.

Damn it, he could never be mad at her. "Don't pout at me…" Friggin' hell, he didn't want to deal with her being upset. "Tell you what, once the girl gets settled in you can invite her over to play again."

'Settled in?' Chitsuki let that play over in her head, did that really mean what she thought it meant? He did say she had to go to Squad Six and talk to Lieutenant Abarai…

"Hurray! Onee-chan gets to come over!" Yachiru jumped up and down repeatedly to announce her excitement. "Maybe Onee-chan can sleep over sometime with me and Kenny too!" She laughed happily at the thought.

"Sleep…Over…With?" That immediately ripped Chitsuki from her thoughts, she knew all too well about men and what sleeping anywhere in their vicinity meant. Yes, she had fallen asleep on Shunsui's lap that first night but it was different with him. He had such a warmth that put her at ease… not to mention that sake stuff knocked her out, but the man before her… Her face burned even hotter at the thought of this terrifying man in the night, she hugged herself and began to shake. She didn't think he'd be as cruel as her master had been but still…those unwelcome memories erupted in her mind.

No child… do not remember such things... It will not ever be like that here...

Kenpachi looked at the girl trembling before him. Damn it Yachiru. He couldn't be upset with her though, the comment that she made was innocent enough but she didn't know what he did about this girl's past. He could only imagine what 'sleeping over' had meant to this girl, especially in regards to sleeping around a guy like him. He knew he wasn't someone a girl, other than Yachiru, could look at without being repelled.

"No sleep over's." He stated plainly, it was good enough to get the girl to stop shaking at least. "Don't give me that look Yachiru. Come on, we got to get going." This was about as awkward as he needed things to get right now.

Chitsuki looked at the man differently now, he… wasn't like her master. She was being so stupid, how could she really believe that a Captain of the Soul Society would be like him. Stupid!

"Please forgive me Captain Zaraki…I'm feeling unwell. Could you please escort me to the Squad Six compound now." It was definitely time for her to go, she needed to compose herself so she could stop acting like such a fool.

"Yea but you're not going to like it." He turned around and waited for her, he wasn't up for a leisurely stroll and they'd taken long enough already. He was going to have to carry her back, there was no way she'd be able to keep up with him.

"Come on Onee-chan! You got to hop on and hold on tight! It's really fun!" Yachiru giggled to herself, patting his back happily.

Go on child… you can trust him...

"Um…" She wasn't entirely sure she was up for this but she had no intention of disobeying a Captain, she already made a fool out of herself in front of him. She gave a slight leap and grabbed onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck and using her legs to cling onto his back. Yes, this definitely felt odd. She'd never once clung to anybody like this, not even Tengoku.

"Here, this will make it easier..." He repositioned her legs in his arms to make it more like a piggy back ride, he was honestly unsure of how to handle her without freaking her out again. He determined though that he'd like to beat the hell out of the guy she had ran away from, scarring her the way that he did made Kenpachi second guess how he handled things typically. He really, really, hated second guessing himself. He might have been the 'Demon of Zaraki' but at least he knew how to treat a woman, sheesh, now he was thinking about shit he really didn't need to be.

"Hang on Chitsuki." He took off before she could even respond, a good hard run would definitely make him feel better after all this.

Chitsuki let out a little yelp as Kenpachi tore off at full speeds, she'd never moved this fast in her life! She had to use all her strength just to hang on to him, she could hear Yachiru laughing to herself but she dared not open her eyes. She just buried her face into the base of his neck and tried not to let go, allowing his scent to fill her lungs. He didn't smell nearly as nice as Shun-chan but he had this odd, musk like scent about him. Almost like the scent of sweat and blood. She breathed it in deeply; this wasn't as bad as she feared it would be, in fact, it was almost… nice.

---

"Damn that Kenpachi!" Renji paced back and forth outside the Squad Six gates, he'd been waiting on that man to bring back Chitsuki for hours! What the hell could be taking him so long… unless, he got lost… again. That man had the worst sense of direction!

Off in the distance he could hear what sounded like a stampede heading right at him; that could only mean one thing.

Kenpachi came to a stop in front of Renji, the cloud of dust gathering around him in swirls as it settled to the ground. He could still feel the girl clutching his neck, and he smiled to himself at that. The girl should feel lucky, it's not often anyone but Yachiru got to ride on him, although he doubted she felt the same way.

"You can open your eyes now, rides over." He let go of her legs so she can get down on her own.

Chitsuki slowly opened one eye, to make sure he wasn't lying, she saw Renji there looking at her with a look that distinctly reminded her of annoyance. She let out a low sigh, she knew she screwed up again.

"I'm sorry for running off like that Renji." She let go of Kenpachi's neck and slid down to the ground but as soon as her feet touched the earth she grabbed onto his arm, her legs just wouldn't work right and her balance was all off.

Kenpachi let her steady herself, he had feeling this would happen. It always happened on the very rare occasion when he carried someone, the force of his speed had a habit of messing with a person's equilibrium if they weren't used to such things. He couldn't help but smirk at how tightly she had pressed up against his arm, it actually felt kinda nice. If her eyes were actually open she'd notice it too then she'd probably start blushing again. For someone that had spent her life being used she sure did seem bashful.

She let go of his arm and took a step forward, testing her footing… there, much better. She turned to face Kenpachi, her view of him had changed. He didn't seem to be the monster he appeared to be at first and she had surprised even herself with being able to hold onto him in such a manner, granted, she wasn't exactly comfortable with it but at least she didn't break down trembling like some beaten dog.

She bowed to him. "Thank you Captain Zaraki for… um… letting me… ride… on you, sir." She couldn't help blushing. Those were definitely not the best words she could have chosen, she straightened herself but looked away from him and that gaze of his. This was so awkward.

"Not again…" He rubbed the back of his neck, rolling his eye. "Knock it off with all that 'Sir' crap, I'm not as uptight as Byakuya." He waved a hand dismissively and turned away. "Come on Yachiru, we're going home." His hand didn't leave his neck as he walked off, it felt warm still from her breathing on it. He didn't want to admit that it left a tingling sensation that he didn't dislike.

"Okay Kenny." She waved cheerfully at Chitsuki. "Bye bye Onee-chan! Hope to play with you again real soon!" She laughed joyfully as the man she rode on walked off in the direction of their home.

Chitsuki couldn't help but laugh in return. "Okay! Goodbye Yachiru!" She waved back happily, she really did like her, she was quickly becoming like the little sister she referred to her so affectionately as.

"Now that all that's settled." Renji got her attention; he was still pretty annoyed with her. "Come on." He waved her to follow him and made his way into the compound. She followed without complaint, thankfully, and he led her to a room marked with the number '12' beside the door.

"All right, listen up because I'm not going to say this again." He cleared his throat. "It is the decision of the Thirteen Court Guard that you be placed in the Sixth Division as the 12th seat, you are expected to perform the duties assigned to you as a member of Squad Six and you will report to the court yard at 7am tomorrow to receive your orders. If you plan on staying with us then I suggest you learn how to restrain yourself, no more of this running off! Understand?" He glared at her.

Chitsuki couldn't believe her ears! She was really going to be a member of Squad Six! She took a very low bow, smiling brightly. "Yes sir! I promise you will not regret having me Renji-sempai! I swear I will do everything to make you and Captain Kuchiki proud of me!" She had to bite her lip as not to cry out with excitement, this was by far the happiest day of her life!

I am so very proud of you my child…

"Alright, enough of all that formality crap." He opened the door they had been standing in front of to reveal a small 15x15 foot room, a single mat had been laid in the center of the room with a table right next to it and there was a small closet at the very back of the room. A thin layer of dust covered everything and the air was stale. "This is where you'll sleep, it'll need to be cleaned up, we haven't had a 12th seat in some time. I know it's not that big…"

"It's absolutely perfect…" She cut him off, her voice like a gasp of breath. "This really belongs to me?"

He looked at her with an arched brow. "Yeah…"

"The whole room?"

"Um, yeah."

She looked up at him, biting her lip. Oh, she couldn't hold it in any longer! She leapt up and gave him a hug around his neck. "Thank you Renji-sempai! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I've never had a room this big before! It's absolutely amazing! Thank you!" She was beyond thrilled right now, giggling as excitedly as she had when Shun-chan said he was going to give her a name! This was now, the greatest day of her life!

What the hell, Renji couldn't believe she was getting so excited about being given this little hole in the wall. She must have been from one hell of a place to think that this was the biggest place she'd ever lived in. Even when he was growing up in Hanging Dog, he had lived in bigger shacks than this.

"All right, cut that out." He put his hands on her shoulders and gently moved her back, having her holding him like that was a bit awkward. "Look, I'll send someone from Squad Four to bring you some cleaning supplies."

She smiled warmly at his hand on her shoulder and placed her own on top of his with a gentle squeeze before looking at him with those bright crystalline eyes. "I swear, I will live my life solely for you and Captain Kuchiki." She'd never felt this way before, this warm feeling deep down in her very soul. It filled her, she felt so… complete. She never thought she'd be able to deal with another man ever touching her but today she had ridden on the back of a Captain and now she was holding the hand of her lieutenant on her shoulder. She could feel her inner walls crumbling; this was truly her new beginning.

Renji pulled his hands back, he could feel his cheeks getting red. Why the hell was he blushing? That look she gave him… what was it, devotion? Damn it, he didn't need to be trying to figure these things out right now. "All right, I'll see you at 7. Just don't go wandering off anymore." With that he turned and left her.

Chitsuki smiled once more at his form disappearing around the corner before she looked back into her room. This was so perfect; she had grown up living in a cage for all to look at her, never giving her any privacy or a moment's peace. So this was bliss for her, a place where she could go to be alone and safe from the eyes of everyone.

Slowly she began to move the minimal amount of furniture outside to dust them off and wait for the Squad Four member to bring her some cleaning supplies, she wanted to make the room immaculate.

---

"Yachiru…" Kenpachi was looking out the window of his office, staring off towards the direction of the Sixth Division. "Why is it you call that girl 'Onee-chan'?" He usually didn't care about the nicknames she handed out to people but that one was odd, to actually refer to this girl as 'Big Sister' was different.

"Oh… When I met her she said she liked my hair." Yachiru went about coloring in her book mindlessly. "She said it was even pinker than hers and that if she had a little sister she wished she'd have hair like mine, so I told her that she could be my big sister and I could be her little sister since she'd never be able to find a girl with hair like mine." She giggled happily and looked at him for a moment. "If you don't like it I can give her another name."

"No, it's fine." He put a hand on her head and ruffled her hair affectionately. "If it makes you happy then there's no reason to change it." Admittedly, it was odd for him. He thought of Yachiru as his daughter but then to have her referring to this girl as a sister might imply that he'd have to think of her as a daughter also… No, that's not going to happen. There was something off about that girl though, the way she looked at him… At first he had thought it was just senseless fear but there was something else there that he couldn't quite grasp… Hell, he needed to stop trying to figure these things out. As if a guy like him should really be worrying about some random girl anyways, he doubted he would see her that often to have it actually matter.

---

Chitsuki was just about finished with her cleaning; the boy from Squad Four had offered to help her, which made it go a lot faster. "Thank you so much Hanataro." She smiled at him as he was helping her to bring the mat back inside. "If you didn't stay to help then I would have been here all night."

"Oh, it's nothing really." He smiled back at her. She was much nicer than what he thought she'd be, he was honestly a bit nervous when he was told he had to bring supplies to the Ryoka that had crashed down into the middle of a Captain's meeting, then sent all the squads into a commotion for three days after she had woken up but she was much different than that. Lots of the other squads don't like dealing with the members of his squad but she was very welcoming and nice to him the entire time, even thanking him over and over. It made him rather happy to be helping her.

It only took a few minutes to move what little furniture she had been given back into the room, afterwards they sat down just outside the door to allow the room to finish airing out and to let some of the smell from the cleaning solutions air out too.

"So…" Hanataro figured he might ask her a few things before he left to finish his errands for the day. "I heard that you came from the world of the living, is that true?"

A sour look crossed her face, she didn't have the best of memories of that place. "Yes."

"Oh, do you happen to know Ichigo Kurosaki then?"

She looked at him with a bit of a confused look, tilting her head to one side. "Who?"

"You must not then. He's a Substitute Soul Reaper that lives in the world of the living. I've been there a couple times and I have to say that I really liked it." He let out a soft laughter, remembering working at that convenience store with Ganju.

"I'm sorry Hanataro…" She had this deeply sad expression on her face. "But I hate the world of the living. I'd be happy if I never return to that place again for as long as I live. It's such a horrible place!" She shook her head firmly to emphasis her point.

"Oh, I'm sorry Chitsuki." He felt bad; he must have said something to upset her. "I didn't mean to offend you in any way. Please don't be sad anymore."

She smiled at him again. "It's not your fault; I just had a very bad experience there. I'm glad that you had a good time but it's just not for me. I'd much rather stay in the Soul Society." She looked over towards the sun setting into the horizon. "Well, I should be getting to bed, I have to be up early and I don't want to make Renji mad at me again."

"Yes, I really need to finish up my chores also." He stood up and brushed some of the dirt off his clothes before giving her a slight bow. "I really enjoyed meeting you Chitsuki, hopefully I'll see you again soon."

She stood up and bowed back to him. "Yes, I'd like that." She gave him a warm smile with a hint of a laugh in it. "You have a goodnight Hanataro."

With that they parted and she went into her room, shutting the door gently behind her. She began to take off the white kimono she had been dressed in all this time, Hanataro had brought along a change of clothes for her as well, it was a couple pairs of the basic Shihakushō for her to wear from now on and a pair of pajamas that had been donated from his Captain, so he said. It was more than she had ever received in her entire life and she was definitely content with it. She put on the pajama's, which had been a silky pair of shorts and tank top that was actually a bit small seeing how it only covered half her belly, it didn't bother her though she just loved how it felt against her skin. Once she got money she had to buy more pajamas like these, granted, outside of this room she'd never want to be seen in them. They were certainly too revealing for anyone to see her like this, that and she had no desire for anyone to see the scars that covered her body or that accursed mark on her right arm. That was something she was extremely self-conscious about. She knew that if somebody saw them, then they'd be bound to ask questions about where she got them from and that is something she didn't want to get into.

She shook her head; she didn't need to be thinking about those things right now. She laid down in her bed and pulled the covers up around her, relishing in how they felt against her skin, she had to sleep now and be prepared for tomorrow. That is when the first day of her new life would really begin. She had much to prove to everyone and she was determined to do just that. She could feel her eyes growing heavy and she released herself to the most perfect sleep she had ever experienced.

Sleep well child… I am so very proud of you...

To Be Continued...

A/N: I hope you enjoyed the Chapter, please leave reviews along the way and if by chance you noticed any errors that the Beta Reader or I have missed (hey, it happens) then don't be afraid to let me know :)