A/N- new hitsuruki story, yay or nay? personally, i think it's a yay because it's been a while since i last poked my nose in this pairing but it's also a nay 'cause i have all this other stuff that i need to work on. but that aside..new hitsuruki story! yayyy!

yes, inspired by katekyo hitman reborn. mafia!bleach is very sexy, no? owo rating might also change. gore...drugs...crimes...etc. that coupled with cobalt's perv-thoughts might force this fic to go rated M

thanks to snicky and lenny. snicky for the encouragement and lenny for the bitchy bitching. F33

takes place in an alternate universe coz the current bleach universe pisses me off. (really, tite? really? butterfly wings? yeah, that's a little stupid on your part..)

not beta'd, sorry for any mistakes. anyone wanna beta this story? that'd be a biggggg help.

Disclaimer- i don't own any mangas, including bleach, so no lawsuits fer meee!

Chapter One

x-x-x

Prologue and a Monday Kidnapping

Nineteen Years Ago...

An anxious looking man paced back and forth in an empty hospital lobby. He glanced up at the clock for the tenth time and to find that only a meager four minutes had passed. The man checked the time on his cell phone as well but there was no difference.

He let out an exasperated sigh and planted himself onto a cushioned chair. Time seemed to have had it out for him. The longer he stayed and waited in the white room, the slower time seemed to tick. He swallowed what little saliva his dry mouth held and prayed for the best.

After all, his wife of two years was in room not too far from there and ready to give birth to their daughter any moment now. He and his wife had decided long ago what they would name her.

Rukia, Rukia Kuchiki.

What a beautiful sounding name it was. Perfect for his darling little girl. He had no doubt that their daughter would grow up to be the wonderful girl he and his wife envisioned. Only one thing stood in between them and that vision. His wife's health.

After being impregnated, his wife's health had begun to deteriorate. Doctors were baffled by the strange illness and could do nothing but prescribe medicine to her that they thought might help. Those worthless pills and drugs were useless and only pushed his wife closer and closer to the end of her rope.

Her husband, helpless to the situation and desperate for some line of help, had contacted a group of people notorious for their ability to solve anything and everything, both physically and financially, but at a horrible price. They had said that they knew what his wife's illness was and that they might be able to save both her and their unborn child. The man, nearly ecstatic with the thought that his family might have a chance, even a small one, agreed to the terms and signed the contract.

The medicine that would save his wife and daughter...in exchange for his life.

The mysterious people had been good to their word and quickly sent the man the medicine his wife so desperately needed. The drug they gave her did its job, but still took an immense toll on its user. He listened some nights as his wife bolted up from bed and stumbled to the toilet, vomiting everything in her stomach, sometimes even blood.

But through those long nine months, his wife stood strong, fighting against both the illness and the effects of the medication. Finally the day had arrived when Rukia was set to arrive. In the middle of the night, the couple rushed to the nearest hospital and the doctors wheeled his laboring wife away to give birth. The man had been told to stay in the lobby and wait for the nurse to escort him to his wife and child after the ordeal was over. He argued that he should be with his wife in such a time, but in the end gave up and agreed to sit and wait.

He stared up at the clock and waited, countless scenarios, good and bad, playing out in his mind. He nearly jumped from his seat when the door swung open, revealing a familiar face.

"What happened? Has she given birth yet? Is my daughter okay? Can I go see them now?" he asked, almost biting his tongue in his barrage of questions. The person, also a man, raised his hand.

"Yes, your wife has successfully given birth to a healthy baby girl. But, no, you may not." the man frowned and rose from his seat. That voice...it sounded familiar. But not familiar for the reason he would have hoped. His former assumption that the man speaking to him now was the doctor from before who had so rudely refused him from being with his wife during the birth of their child, was in fact, wrong. This man was one of the people he had come to for help eight months ago. The people who sent the wretched, but effective medicine that saved his wife.

His brows knit together in confusion. "You...why are you here? And why can't I go see my own wife and child?" he asked.

"We'll discuss why I am here in a moment. First, I have a bit of information that will also answer your second question and a shed a little light on your current situation." the man replied, adjusting his green and white striped hat that sat atop his messy blonde hair to ominously cover his eyes from sight. The other man frowned at the nonchalant, but smug air the man had.

"Situ-? I don't care about whatever situation I'm in. I am still aware to the terms of the contrac-" the blonde-haired man interrupted him.

"Your wife is dead, Mr. Kuchiki." he stated. The man practically choked on his own breathe. He fell back down into his chair and looked up at the other with a broken look in his eyes.

"My wife is what?" he asked blankly, trying to believe that the words he had just heard were empty and came from the lips of a liar. But deep inside himself, the man knew they held some truth. He just couldn't accept it.

"Your wife passed away briefly after giving birth to your daughter, who is now asleep in the hospital's nursery. We believe that the strain of the labor was too much for her already worn-out body to endure after months of dealing with her disease and the side effects of the medicine gave her." he stated. The defeated man sitting in the chair only nodded. The medicine that was supposed to save both her and their daughter had killed his wife, exhausting her to the point where the act of childbirth was enough to end her life. It was supposed to save their family, but instead took away the only woman he'd ever love.

"Ayumi.." he muttered, tears streaming down from the corner of his eyes. The other man only blinked, a sight such as this common in his line of work and therefore no longer held the effect it had once had on him. He coughed to get the other man's attention.

"Mr. Kuchiki, I am sorry for your loss, but we must address the other point of the matter- the means of payment for medicine." The man glared up at the other with bloodshot and teary eyes.

"Payment? That horrible drug you gave us already killed my wife. It was supposed to save both her and Rukia, but instead it killed the woman I loved!" he spat, his words dripping with bitter venom and hate. His remark had no effect on the other man, who remained impartial and standing with his arms held behind his back.

"We never said it would save her. Only the up the chances of her and the child's survival. It was an untested drug with unknown side effects, at least up until now. At the very least, the medicine saved the life of your daughter. For that, you should be grateful." he said. The man was silent. He cleared his throat and began to speak again. "However, my people and I still require the means of payment we agreed to eight months prior." The man looked up at the blonde, a puzzled expression on his face.

"What do you mean? You've already taken my wife, shouldn't one life be enough for this despicable drug?" Again the other man was silent. He scoffed and shook his head in disbelief. "So now, you're going to take my life as well?" he asked, already knowing the answer.

"The terms of the contract have not changed, Mr. Kuchiki. After the document has been signed, all terms and conditions are finalized and become permanent." the blonde replied. The man stood up from his seat.

"Isn't it enough that my daughter has lost her mother? Now she has to lose the only other parental figure she has? Who the hell is supposed to take care of her?" he shouted.

"Please keep your voice down, Mr. Kuchiki, we are in a hospital." the hat-bearing man said. The other grit his teeth with distaste." And to answer your last question, your daughter now belongs to us as a part of our Stocks. However the custody shall be placed in the hands of a Mister...Byakuya Kuchiki." The man's eyes widened. His brother..? But how? He and Byakuya hadn't spoken in years. All of the sudden, a sharp, but somewhat dull, pain erupted from his chest. His mind snapped over to the memory of swallowing a pill given to him by the man in front of him after condemning himself by signing his name to his contract.

"No, Rukia can't...she has to have...please you can't do this...please...my daughter, she needs..." he sputtered, his limbs slowly becoming numb from a poison that had laid dormant up until now. The hat concealed the man's eyes from view for a second time as he watched another contractor fade away from existence.

"Farewell, Mr. Kuchiki. May you meet your late wife in the afterlife. It was a pleasure doing business with you." he said, vanishing from the room.

As he lay dying on the floor, the man uttered out a single name.

"Ru...kia..."

And with that, he too vanished.

Present Day...

Rangiku groaned with exasperation from her seat on the couch. The other two women in the room turned to look at her. Actually, only one of them really turned around to see what was wrong with their companion, the other just brushed it off and continued to surf through the channels on TV.

"What's wrong, Rangiku?" the one with dirty blonde hair asked. Rangiku peered up at the worried-looking girl and groaned again.

"Nothing, Yuzu. I'm just so bored. There's never anything to do in this place." she complained. Yuzu sighed and nodded her head in silent agreement. The other girl scoffed.

"Quit whining to us about it, Rangiku. Talk to Toshiro about it." she said, finally setting on a channel playing reruns of some sitcom. Rangiku frowned and sat up.

"You know Toshiro's of no help, Karin. Besides, it's not like I haven't asked him about making things more lively around here. Ever since she left, he's all 'doom n' gloom' about everything. All he does is work, work, work. No wonder he's got white hair.." Rangiku moped, crossing her arms unhappily. Yuzu's worried expression deepened.

"Rangiku! You know you're not supposed to talk about that!" Yuzu chided. "But.. you are right. Toshiro's hasn't been in a good mood since then..." Rangiku sighed with boredom and attempted to direct her attention to the angry father yelling at his teenage daughter on television. She knew the conversation wouldn't go anywhere.

Rangiku stared at the upset teenager as she tried to explain her actions to her dad, the sound of automated laughter following her explanation soon afterward. Suddenly an idea came to her. Yes, why hadn't she thought of it before? The perfect way to freshen things up at this droll and lifeless place...a new member of the Court.

"Girls, girls! I have an idea! It'll totally bring some zest back into Toshiro's life and make things here way more fun!" she exclaimed, giddy with excitement. Karin rolled her eyes.

"Okay, I'll bite. Oh, Rangiku, what is this wonderful idea of yours?" she asked sarcastically. Rangiku frowned.

"No need to use sarcasm, Little Miss Sassy-pants. Anyways, my idea. Are you ready for this? What if...we got...a new member!" she cried, just waiting for the 'oh that's a great idea!'s and 'wow, you're so smart, Rangiku!'s. But she got none. Rangiku frowned at the two's silence. "Well? What do you think?" she urged.

Yuzu bit her lip. "A new member...to be part of.." Rangiku nodded. "Oh...um."

"Your idea is stupid, Rangiku." Karin finished for her sister. Yuzu's eyes widened.

"Karin! Well, Rangiku, you idea isn't stupid..it's just...not very...good?" she said, half expecting Rangiku to start yelling at her.

"Have you been hitting the booze again?" Karin asked, looking over at Rangiku's eyes to see if they looked foggy or not. Rangiku growled and shook her head.

"Oh, shut-up, Karin. My sake has nothing to do with this idea! And you two are wrong, it's a GREAT idea! Just think about it...a cute, little new girl comes over to help Toshiro get over the past. Plus if she was a rockin' party girl like me, then things could really get lively up in this joint!" she said, hoping the two would consider the idea. They looked thoughtful, perhaps Yuzu and Karin would actually agree to it.

Karin was the first to speak, although her tone of voice made it seem like she was still pretty skeptical of the whole idea- which she was. "Hm..Toshiro definitely needs some cheering up...even if he says he doesn't. Also, having another voice of reason in this Court would be really nice.." Rangiku nodded. Yes, yes, just say it's a great idea already!

Yuzu put a finger to her chin in thought. "Another girl in the Court really does seem nice...and it would be really good for Toshiro, too. I think this might actually work, Rangiku." The voluptuous woman nodded and resisted doing a double victory fist-pump right then and there.

"Alright! So 'Operation New Girl' is a go, yes?" she asked. Yuzu nodded and Karin shrugged, but Rangiku took that as a yes anyway. She whipped out her cellphone and pressed speed dial nineteen. "Okay, I'll give Urahara a call and ask him to check the Stocks for a cute, young girl. Any special requests, ladies?" Karin nodded.

"Yeah, ask him for a chick who doesn't look like your run-of-the-mill, average girl. Someone new would be nice." Rangiku nodded as she waited for Urahara to pick up.

"Okie-dokie, one cute lil' black sheep coming up!"

Ring...

Ringg...

Ringgg...

Click.

"Hello, Ururu speaking. May I ask who's calling?" a young girl with two pigtails asked. She heard a familiar voice on the other end giggle in response.

"It's me, Ururu, Rangiku. I have an order to place, so can you please give the phone over to that lazy boss of yours?" Rangiku replied. Ururu nodded and handed the phone over to the blonde man laying on the porch outside taking a nap.

"Mr. Urahara, Rangiku wants to talk to you." she said. Urahara opened one eye and with a sigh took the phone from Ururu's outstretched hand.

"Thanks for interrupting my afternoon nap, Rangiku. Now what's this about an order?"

Rangiku let out another giggle and Urahara could almost see the wide, and somewhat creepy, smile plastered on her face as she said, "The girls and I all agree that we need a new member to brighten the place up. Also to cheer up our boss. So I was wondering if you had a cute girl stored somewhere in your guys' Stock."

Urahara scratched his slightly stubbly chin and walked over a nearby computer. He clicked on a file labeled 'Stocks' then double-clicked on a tab reading 'Females' and scrolled through the list of names and pictured following.

"Well, we've definitely got some cute looking girls here, looking for someone specific?" he asked.

"No, just make her cute, young, feisty, a bit stubborn but loyal, sweet and polite with a little immature streak in her. Oh, and also try and find someone close to Toshiro's height. We don't want him to feel over-shadowed by the new girl. ...Didja get all that?" Urahara sighed. This would be like finding a needle in a haystack. Wait...hello. Urahara cracked an accomplished grin.

"Yeah, I got it. This is one tall order you got here, Rangiku, but I think I've already found the girl you're looking for. We claimed her nineteen years back when she was born." Rangiku let out a low whistle.

"Wow, that was fast. You are good. But, jeez, you guys got a hold of her when she was just a little baby? You really don't play around. But okay, a nineteen-year-old seems perfect! What's her name?" Urahara squinted at the computer monitor to read the small print.

"Uh...Rukia, Rukia Kuchiki." he read. Rangiku clicked her tongue.

"Nice. Alright, we'll take her." Urahara nodded as he shouldered the phone while he typed.

"Okay then. Should we package her over today?" he asked, Rangiku scoffed from her end.

"And let you guys have all the fun? No way. Me and my friends will take care of it. Fax me the receipt and I'll pay it with Toshiro's credit card." she said. Urahara chuckled.

"Alright then. Pleasure doing business with you, Rangiku. Have fun."

"I will. Buh-bye and thanks a bunch, Urahara!" Click. She hung up. Urahara put the phone done and finished up the last of his typing and printed the document out.

Rukia Kuchiki

Age- 19 Current State- Good, Alive

Status- Bought and owned by Toshiro Hitsugaya as of July 10th

Rangiku pocketed her Blackberry and let out an excited squeak. Yes! It was finally happening! Things were going to be a lot more interesting from here on out.

Karin shot her a bored look from her seat in the recliner. "I take it everything went well." Rangiku nodded happily. "Great. When are they sending her?"

With a little smirk, Rangiku walked over in front of the television and shut the electronic off. Karin frowned.

"Hey, what gives?" Karin asked.

Rangiku smiled again and answered, "Nothing. We've just got better things to do. And Urahara isn't sending Rukia over, we're going to fetch her ourselves."

"Rukia? Is that her name? And no way. Kidnapping on a Monday is so tacky. And don't even think of convincing my sister to join in your criminal act. Go ask your weird friends." she said, pressing the power button and turning the television back on. Rangiku huffed and pouted at her companion.

"Yeah, that's her name. And why notttt? I can tell you're as bored as I am. And what better way to spice things up with a little criminal abduction? Even if it is on a Monday." Karin rolled her eyes. Rangiku sighed and grabbed her bag. "Fine then. I'll just go ask Hisagi and Izuru if they want to help."

She sauntered over to the exit and let herself out. "Hope you enjoy your reruns of Family Matters, Karin! I've got a hot nineteen-year-old to kidnap!"

Rukia waved at the last of her friends as they parted ways. School had seemed to drag on forever today and she was relieved that the day had finally come to a close. Mondays truly sucked.

She shifted the weight of backpack as she walked down the sidewalk. Tiny tufts of grass and other types of greenery peeked out from cracks in the weathered cement. The street beside her wasn't busy in the least and the whole areas seemed a ghost town at the moment. Only the sound of bird chirps and the faint cry of insects were present. Rukia paid no attention to it, more focused on the paper she held in her hands that had a big, fat C- written on it with red marker. Byakuya was going to flip when he saw this.

Rukia's uncle, Byakuya Kuchiki, had been her guardian since her mother died after giving birth to her and the strange disappearance of her father shortly after. At the age of nineteen, he had assumed the responsibility with no quarrels. Her stern uncle set out a variety of goals he hoped for his young niece to meet and eventually exceed. That was hardly the case, though.

Rukia's grades were average and occasionally fell below that line. Plus, she wasn't exactly all that active in school sports and clubs either. Rukia preferred to fly below the radar and did her best to keep to herself and the small group of friends she had accumulated. Three to be exact. And all boys too, much to Byakuya's displeasure. Keigo and Renji, he could tolerate, but that Kon was way too friendly with his niece. Always attempting to hug, kiss, and grope his charge. Luckily, Rukia was quick to stop Kon in his tracks with a swift kick to the head.

Anyways, today was just another boring school day in which Rukia had received another less-than-stellar grade on her chemistry quiz. Great. Maybe she could 'accidentally' drop the quiz in a paper shredder. ...No, Byakuya had access to her grades via ProgressBook, a crummy program that allowed parents and guardians to peep in on how their kid was doing in school.

Ugh, what was she going to do...wait, what was that?

Rukia frowned and stopped suddenly. She heard the faint squeak of car tires stopping without warning. How long had that car been following her? The last time she checked, the road was empty.

She decided to continue walking as if nothing were wrong. Absolutely certain that whipping around and demanding who the hell was in the car and why in the world they were following her, of all people, (it wasn't as if Rukia had a creepy stalker of an ex-boyfriend, the only relationship Rukia was in was the strict, naggy brother-sister dynamic she had going on with Byakuya) wouldn't end up in a position favorable to her.

The car continued to follow her as she walked. From her peripherals, Rukia made out a black SUV with the covered license plate. Crap, that didn't sound very good. God, why was this happening to her?

Rukia carefully made a right on the next corner and the SUV did the same. With a shaky breath, Rukia paused again then made a mad sprint for the loft she lived in with Byakuya. Probably not the best idea, but Rukia's nerves were starting to get to her and it wasn't like she had anything to lose. People would notice a nineteen-year-old girl running for her life while a big, hunkering SUV tailing her from behind.

...Right?

Rukia cursed as she felt herself trip over a ledge. She came tumbling down on the cement, but luckily landed on her butt with a handful of nice, bloody cuts and scratches on her knees. Rukia stumbled to get up, abandoning her schoolbag and quiz, not noticing that the SUV had come to a stop and that two men were stepping out of it and slowly approaching her.

"Oh, look what you did, idiot! She's noticed us already!" Hisagi snapped, smacking Izuru, the one at the wheel, upside the head. Izuru glared at the man sitting shotgun beside him.

"Like that's my fault? She was bound to notice a big fat SUV following her every move eventually." Izuru retorted, directing his attention back to both the road and the girl.

The little handheld radio sitting between the two sputtered with static before an annoyed voice managed to filter through. "Knock it off, you two. Izuru, just keep tailing her."

"Alright, Rangiku." Izuru said. Hisagi adjusted the small webcam atop his laptop to zoom in on the girl, giving Rangiku, who was back at home base watching everything play out on a large flatscreen TV with Karin and Yuzu, a clear view of everything that was happening.

"Shit, she's taken off running. Follow her, Izuru!" Hisagi yelled. Izuru frowned and stepped on the gas pedal a little more. They continued chasing the running girl for two more blocks before she tripped and fell. The radio nearly jumped with noise.

"Now! Now! Get her now, guys!" Rangiku commanded.

Izuru stomped on the brake and pulled the car to a stop and exited the vehicle with Hisagi. His accomplice pulled out a handkerchief drenched in a slightly bitter smelling liquid from his coat pocket and covered the schoolgirl's nose and mouth with it. The girl reacted quickly to the chemical and was out cold in a few seconds. Izuru walked over and lifted the small teen bridal style and carried her back into the SUV. Hisagi followed from behind shut the car door with a sharp slam.

"Mission accomplished, Rangiku." Hisagi told the radio as Izuru buckled the unconscious girl into her seat and handcuffed her hands to the large handle of the car door.

"Good job, boys." Rangiku replied. "Time to bring dear Rukia to her new home now."

A/N- this took a short time to type up, a lot time to edit, and an even longer time for cobalt to think up a decent title and summary for it. -_- cobalt is finally getting back to her original inspiration to write fanfics, the glorious pairing of hitsuruki. oh yes. highfives everybody, cobalt is back! Owo

updates for this will be unexpected but they're probably gonna be spread apart. i mean, this isn't the only fanfic i've got going on and school is overly generous with homework. sobb.

EIGHT REVIEWS FOR THE NEXT CHAPTERS, FELLAS. AND IT'S ALREADY UP AND DONE IN MY MIND SO ALL I'VE GOT TO DO IS TYPE AND RECIEVE YOUR WONDERFUL FEEDBACK! SO PLEASE REVIEW IF YOU READ!