Chapter 1

The Criminal

Wind rustled the trees as the clouds hung low overhead. It was clear that it would soon rain and droplets of water fell from the sky. It was an odd day in the Soul Society, for it rarely rained or stormed in the peaceful place. But a shower was often welcome despite the fact it could be hindering to travelers. There were a few travelers on the roads as it was now. Four people in dull brown cloaks kept pace with one another as the wind whipped at their clothing. Their faces could not be seen for their hoods where up and low over their faces, hiding their identities.

A small town ahead was their destination and they did not stop as many of the town's people turned and stared. They continued right up to the door of the local tavern and went inside without hesitation. Once inside, they were greeted with shocked silence.

Most of the tavern's occupants were men, but a few were women, and it was obvious they had every intention of being seduced by the men. No man was without a weapon, and each dangerous object lay within an arm's reach. Many of them placed their hands on their hilts of their swords warily.

The bartender called out in a voice riddled with nervousness, "What do you want? Money? A drink perhaps?"

A deep voice emitted from the tallest member of the cloaked group. "We are looking for a man named Riyan. He is wanted by the Central 46 for crimes against the inhabitants of the Seritei. We have found he likes to inhabit this bar. Is he here?"

The men in the bar all pointed to a scraggily haired man cowering against the wall, a club in hand. He gulped and cried out, "You'll never take me alive!"

Suddenly, he rushed towards the cloaked group, club raised. One of the cloaked members stepped forth and partially drew his sword, revealing his black robed arm in the process. The club thunked harmlessly on the weapon, and Riyan backed up a few paces in fear.

"You're – You're a Soul Reaper!" The criminal gasped.

"Of course you dunce head. Who else would the Central 46 send?" The member who had drawn his sword snapped. He reached out a hand to grab the man's shirt, but Riyan swung his club and whacked the cloaked man on the hand. He yelped in pain and jumped like a frog in surprise.

Riyan saw his chance and leapt through a nearby window and began to race away. The cloaked man whimpered and snarled, "That's my sword hand!"

"Quit whimpering, you let him get away you idiot!" Said another of the members. He was about the same height.

"Shut up Izuru!" The other member snapped back.

"Renji!" Said the tallest figure. The man dipped his head and fell silent.

The small group left the tavern and paused outside. The tall figure pulled his hood down and let his black hair dance in the wind.

"Captain, I'm sorry for my disgraceful acting"- Renji began but was cut short.

"Enough. Forget it and let us fan out. We will circle him and capture him." The captain said. He shrugged off his brown cloak and revealed the white captain's jacket beneath. He pulled out his white scarf from the satchel he carried at his side and flipped it around his neck. If you hadn't guessed yet, this was Byakuya Kuchiki, Captain of Squad 6.

The others were about to take off when a loud voice said,

"Wait!"

The others paused as the last member, very short compared to the others, lifted down her hood. She had slightly longer than shoulder length milky brown hair with a single black stripe on one side that ran from her bangs all the way to the ends of her hair that rested on her back. Her green eyes were narrow and mysterious, and she had a seemingly, constant, sly smile. Her forehead was covered by a blue and green headband and two flowers stuck out of her hair, giving her a more childish appearance. She too, unlatched her cloak and tossed it away to reveal her own captain's jacket.

Byakuya sighed. "Every moment we waste lets him get further from us *Pyanfar! Let's move!" (*pie-an-far)

"Yes Captain Starchaser! Please! I don't want to be caught in the rain!" Izuru complained.

"Quiet Kira!" Pyanfar snapped at the young man. He looked at the ground, his blonde hair falling even further over his left eye. The squad 3 captain continued, "I'll pursue him alone. Stay here."

"No you're not!" Byakuya snapped. "I won't have it. We need to work together, it will be faster."

Pyanfar sniffed, "I never get to have any fun! Come on Bi-Bi! It won't take long I promise!"

Byakuya's cheeks flushed in embarrassment as Renji and Izuru glanced at him and snickered. He gave them both an askance look but his cheeks remained red as he replied, "No, absolutely not!"

"Ok! I'll be right back!" Pyanfar as she disappeared in a flash step.

Renji looked at his captain and said in a teasing voice, "I guess we don't have much of a choice do we Bi-Bi?"

Renji was knocked clean off of his feet by Byakuya's stinging slap.



Riyan raced through the woodlands at a break-neck speed. His breath was ragged and he could barely breathe, but he dare not slow down. They would catch him for sure if he did. The criminal glanced behind him and noticed he was not being followed. Relief swept over him and he slowed to a stop to catch his breath. He stood panting for a moment, glancing around the trees to make sure he was alone. He realized he was and puffed out his chest.

"That's right you stupid Soul Reapers! You'll never catch the likes of Riyan the Great Warrior!" He announced proudly to the wind.

"Stupid? I'd hardly call any of us stupid when you're declaring your victory to nothing but air."

Riyan jumped with a yelp and clutched his club to his chest. "Who's there!?"

"Look up doofus."

Riyan glanced up at the tree in front of him and saw a girl in a black kimono covered by a Captain's jacket. Her hair was frizzy, yet a lovely light brown and her sinister green eyes were watching him with interest. She flicked her head skyward and the flowers poking from her hair bounced. She sniffed and then stretched with a yawn and asked,

"Now that you know I'm here, what do you suppose we do?"

Riyan was shaking violently, fear making his eyes bulge. He didn't know how to react, nor did he think he could.

"A-are you with t-those others?" he stuttered.

The girl leapt down from her perch in the tree and walked up to him. He raised his club in defense, but she stopped just out of its reach. She smiled sweetly and her eyes took on an innocent sparkle. She held out her hands wide with the palms up to show him she had no tricks.

"Who ever are you talking about? Why would I be trying to hurt such a brave and handsome man as you?" She asked, her voice haunting and light.

Riyan was still wary. "You're a Soul Reaper. You must be with them!"

The girl sighed and shook her head. "What are you talking about? I was never sent to hurt you."

Riyan squinted at the girl and then lifted an eyebrow with curiosity. She seemed sincere, even though she was a Soul Reaper, and she had not moved any closer to him. He let his club drop and he leaned on it.

"So…I'm handsome huh? You're not bad looking yourself. What do you say to going back to my place and…you know." Riyan said, lifting his eyebrows to emphasize his words and then he winked.

The girl blushed and moved in a bashful manner. She looked at the ground and said, "Maybe. Maybe I'd love to."

Her eyes grew narrower, and a sly smile crossed her face. She walked slowly over to him and looked him in the eye. He began to sweat with excitement. She was going to kiss him! She was going to kiss him!

Suddenly, he was slapped in the face and before he knew what had happened, his legs were knocked from under him and he was on his back. The club was in the girl's hand and she placed a foot on his chest. Her eyes were sparkling with mischievousness and she laughed and then the evil smile returned to her face.

"You're stupider than I thought you were." She sneered.

"W-What?" He stuttered.

The girl let out an annoyed laugh. "You don't get it. I was playing a game with you. I just tricked you. Did you seriously think that I would be attracted to such a desperate and cowardly heap such as yourself? You're absolutely disgusting! I'm one of the Soul Reapers sent to capture you, although as foolish and stupid you are I'm surprised a subordinate couldn't catch you."

Riyan suddenly grew angry. How dare she trick him! She grinned slyly and said, "Now come peacefully so I don't have to hurt you."

The girl pulled back and turned away from him. Riyan saw his chance. He leapt forward and was about to grab her neck, when she whirled around and called out, "Bakado Number 1, Sai!"

Suddenly, Riyan couldn't move. His arms were stuck behind his back and he struggled to stand, but only succeeded in falling face first into the dirt. The girl had stopped him without even completely turning. He looked up as she glanced at him over her shoulder, her eyes narrow and cold and yet the smile was still on her face.

"Fool." She said, "You think you could stop a Captain of Soul Reapers? Please, don't waste my time. I promised Captain Kuchiki that I would be back quickly. I plan to keep that promise and I don't have time to play your little games."

The girl grabbed the back of his shirt and began to drag him through the woodlands. Riyan yelped every time he hit a rock.

"Hey watch that ditch!" he yelped as his butt collided with a rock in the bottom of it. "OOO! Hey- YOWCH! Please- EEEEE! ARE YOU TRYING TO HIT EVERY DAMN ROCK ON THE ROAD- YOWCH!"