So this is the sequel to my fic 'decode'. It doesn't really matter if you haven't read it I suppose, my character is 'recapped' and the things which happened to her will be... refreshed I suppose.

It DOES contain spoilers for chapter 423. As of right now, I do not have the faintest idea of where I am going with this; and since bleach is on a two week break... well, I have no story line to follow. As such, updates might be few and far in between until I have solid ideas, but I really wanted to write this up.

Enjoy.

Chapter One

In which Shiori is not quite the same.

Some say the world will end in Fire,

Some say in Ice,

From what I've tasted of desire;

I hold with those who favour fire.

"So the central 46 is in agreement upon the decision of Mogami Shiori's fate."

Murmurs echoed in the halls; it was a strange occurrence. Passing judgement on a human soul because she wasn't quite average.

It had taken the central 46, 3600 minutes or 60 hours, or, in easier terms, two and a half days exactly- and I mean exactly, as their decision had been made precisely to the minute, to the second in fact- to come up with their decision on the debate on Mogami Shiori- or, known to most people, Shiori Cooper.

The simple human girl was not that; simple, nor human, and so there had been plenty of confusion. She had died before her time, and she had not died how she should have, and to add more confusion and debate on top, her soul was not a human soul any more.

But neither was it Shinigami or Hollow. It had been altered after her death, leaving things quite the pickle. She had died, while she was dead. Now, one would assume, just like other spirits who died, she'd become one with her surroundings, become part of the fibre that allows the others to live, to become the very energy they need to fight, protect and grow.

After her second death, at the hands of Aizen Sosuke nonetheless, her spirit had transported it's self to soul society, where it did not quite fit in.

As a human, Shiori could never of harmed a fly; if she had died normally and been sent to the other side normally, she would have joined soul society and may have perhaps, even went onto become a Shinigami. Before she died, before she was altered, Shiori was an exceptionally innocent and kind hearted girl.

Hollows who's only sins are committed after they have been transformed into beastly monsters, are purified and also sent to soul society, for their 'crimes' are acted purely upon instinct, rather than with a malicious intent.

A person who was evil before their death was sent to hell.

Spirits who, after they have died, act upon their own malicious, evil intentions- what become of those? Usually trials are run, and often they are sentenced to imprisonment, depending on their actions and what drove their evil intentions. The state of ones mental health tends to affect the outcome of these things in the human world. Soul society was not quite the same.

Aizen Sosuke was sentenced to imprisonment for no less than 18, 800 years. Considering what he'd done the amount was not surprising- supposedly, some people had argued for more, but that had been considered the amount he 'owed.'

Mogami Shiori had been hard to place judgement on. Alive, she was quite pure and innocent, in her death she had knowingly 'aided' Aizen Sosuke's ambitions with evil, and malicious intent. However, she had not hurt a single person, with said intentions, and the whole time, she had been plotting against him. To bring him down from the inside, as they say.

She had given her life to protect the shinigami, and the humans from the evil which had not only killed her, but had corrupted her wholly.

So the question was, what to do with her? They could, reform her spirit, imprison her if they wished. But the fact was, no matter how people looked at it, she had not sinned. She had no reason for atonement or imprisonment. In fact there was nothing about her they could find that would suggest she deserved such a cruel, unjust fate.

Fear drives people into doing crazy things, and so the doubt was there; if they restored her, and let her live in the rukongai... would she one day attempt to free Aizen Sosuke? Would she one day, perhaps, become their enemy and try to pull the foundations from the core of soul society?

And so, after two and a half days debating, arguing and suggesting, they had finally come up with their verdict. It seemed almost sad they were passing judgement, and the poor girl herself was not there to defend herself. Well, not in any way that could actually talk.

Urahara Kisuke had managed to gather up all last trace of her essence and entrusted her to Retsu Unohana. In turn, the female captain had brought her- along with Captain Kuchiki, to the central 46. They alone held the power to... reform her, or at least purify her so she could find her place at last.

It seemed sad, that the only person who was able to pass defence for her was Kuchiki Byakuya. He didn't know her first hand, and barely knew of her existence before his adoptive sister's mentions of her, and his vice-captain asking him what would happen to her spirit after death.

Urahara Kisuke, Retsu Unohana, Kuchiki Byakuya and Yamamoto Genryuusai were the only ones who knew of the other trial going on now. It seemed silly, really, to keep such a simple thing top secret but...

There were shinigami within soul society who were fond of her. If her fate ended badly, perhaps it was kinder for them to think she had simply died back then, that she was part of Hueco Mundo or soul society. And when the time came for her release, none of them would probably remember her, or any bonds or feelings they had.

However, the central 46 were not cruel people. They were not unjust, and they had realised becoming a prisoner was not an option for her.

So what was?

They had four options.

One. Purify her spirit, and let her become part of soul society.

No one had seemed fond of that idea. They all agreed upon the fact she deserved to live, if she had not made such a noble sacrifice, she would still be alive within Hueco Mundo, and would have been allowed to stay there.

Two. Reform her spirit, and send her to live within the rukongai.

Again, no one seemed fond of that idea either. As stated earlier, fear motivates into doing silly, idiotic things that no one can really explain.

Three. Reform her spirit and sentence her for imprisonment.

No one really thought it was even an option. It had already been made clear no one wanted her imprisoned, and the ones who did were saying that because they knew of the hassle it would be to decide upon her fate.

Four. Reform her spirit, but wipe her 'clean'. That is, erase her being.

It was not a preferable choice, wiping memories, erasing bonds and personalities. It was part of the reason central 46 had kept her trial secret. If this was indeed her fate they could only imagine how overwhelmed she might end up becoming if the shinigami sought her. However, they could see barely any other option.

They might have had the powers to reform spirits, to erase them to a 'blank canvas', to start from scratch; but they could not give life back where life was taken. Either the choice, she was to stay a spirit.

Byakuya Kuchiki shifted uncomfortable, eyes closed as he listened to the murmurs. Retsu Unohana stood not far, hands folded in front of her, her eyes also closed. He did make a note, of how ironic it was, that her only defence were people who'd never known her. Regardless, he'd not really known why he agreed to it. Because he knew it would perhaps hurt Rukia if...?

No, that couldn't have been it. No one else knew about the chances for her. So was it because he wanted to see her happy, grinning from ear to ear? He may not have been fond of Kurosaki Ichigo, but his sister was. Now she'd lost one friend, probably two since she'd have no real means of spending time in the human world with Inoue Orihime; did he want to save one of them?

It made no sense to him. From what he'd worked out, no one had really spent much time with her and no one knew her that well. Renji had spent the most time with her it seemed, but he'd not even known her family name. Byakuya wasn't sure if that was pathetic or sad.

He didn't feel sorry for her- he was not doing this out of pity, he knew that much.

Perhaps it was because she could become a strong ally.

He sighed. He supposed if it had been someone else who'd been in her position, sacrificed him or herself for people who were practically strangers, he would have done the same for them. Even to him, what she had done was noble and it was not befitting of one's character to look away at another's sacrifice.

"So it is decided," a loud, clear booming voice declared. The other noises in the room stopped and an eerie silence set in.

It seemed to the two captains present minutes, perhaps an hour passed before any noise was heard again. It was a tense feeling, not unlike the one you felt upon the battleground, waiting for the enemy to move.

"Mogami Shiori will hereby be restored and sent to the rukongai- all of her memories and her current state will be wiped out." The loud voice went quiet again. "Those directly affiliated with her are to be told of her state, but are not permitted to discuss the prior events with her!"

Unohana sighed, smiling softly. It was not a bad ending really, if the previous bonds were supposed to be created, they would be reforged again. Her memories were gone, and there was a chance her personality had changed again; it was hard really, to tell how she would end up now.

"Unohana-taichou." She stepped forward at her name and bowed her head lightly in respect. "You will stay until her spirit is reformed and then escort her to the rukongai, she is in your care until you depart!"

"I understand," she said softly.

Byakuya sighed softly; so they would leave the footwork to him. He supposed if he told Rangiku it would soon get around though he didn't wish to directly speak to her himself. Perhaps he could mention it to Toshirou. He wanted to tell Rukia himself though- the thought of seeing such an elated smile... something that might be able to cheer her up. And as for Renji, well... he would probably end up being the last to know.

Toshirou Hitsugaya was sat in his office. Which, as far as the past week had gone, was strange for him. Usually he'd been training to become stronger- so he'd be able to protect...

"Hinamori..." he sighed softly, staring at the paperwork though not really seeing it.

He debated for a few moments on whether to go back and train but... The paperwork sure wasn't getting done by Matsumoto- like usual- so it was better he do it before there was far too much left to do.

They'd won but... barely. They'd had to rely on someone who wasn't going to be there in the future- they all had to become stronger in case anything like this happened again!

His pencil snapped in half, breaking him out of his thoughts. He sighed softly; he hadn't realised how angry he'd gotten at the thought of that man. He'd caused everyone pain, some emotionally, some physically...

He supposed they should have been lucky, getting off as lightly as they did. Three deaths- thankfully Unohana had saved the count from going up. He stared absently at the spot where his vice-captain usually napped.

She'd been quiet and not herself since. He wished he knew what to say to comfort her, but the words never came. She was lazy, selfish and short tempered, but in many ways she was like an older sister to him. A little annoying, but there when he needed her to be.

And now it was his turn to be there for her... He felt like he was a complete and utter failure. She'd lost two people important to her. A simple, 'I'm sorry' did not seem to cut it, in his mind anyway.

The death of the man she was in love with was probably something only another woman, or someone else in love could help and console her with. He was neither, and really he'd never been fond of Gin. Was it really right to help her when he could barely think a decent thing about the former captain?

And as for Shiori.

Toshirou let out an annoyed sigh and sat back in his chair. "Troublesome."

"If my presence here is troublesome, I can soon leave... Hitsugaya-taichou."

The white haired captain almost jumped at the other voice, but he just stared wide eyed at the sofa in front of him. How long had he been out of it? He hadn't been sat there before, but Byakuya looked quite at home sat there.

He felt a little embarrassed really, and he sighed. "Sorry, I got caught up with my thoughts."

"I could see that."

Both captains were ones of little conversation, and an awkward silence sat in. Hitsugaya was confused- why on earth was he here? It wasn't that he disliked the other captain, but they'd barely ever spoken to each other.

In fact, as far as he remembered, Byakuya had never set foot within his teams compound before.

He blinked a few times fast. "Is there something I can help you with?"

Byakuya shifted awkwardly, before sighing. "I suppose I could have sent the message with a hell butterfly." He seemed more to be talking to himself, but Toshirou's interest was perked.

Something 'important' he'd bring it himself?

Was Hinamori okay? Maybe she was better! But why would it be him telling her? Maybe it was something to do with Ichigo-

"I am here concerning Mogami Shiori."

Hitsugaya was confused now. "M-mogami?"

"I believe 'Cooper' is how you know her." Byakuya looked uncomfortable, he wanted to get to the point.

Toshirou sighed, staring at his desk. He didn't particularly want to talk about it- he barely knew her and yet...

"Central 46 decided upon her fate within a trial," the dark haired captain carried on. He didn't pay attention to the younger captain's stare, and carried on before he could butt in any questions. "Her spirit has been reformed and she has been sent to the rukongai under Unohana-taichou's care, though she has no memory of any of the events." Byakuya stood up. "She is not to be informed or spoken to about the events concerning Aizen Sosuke, but other than that, I assume you're free to converse with her." He paused at the door. "Make sure your fuku-taichou knows that firmly before she rushes off."

It was known that Rangiku had a large mouth.

Toshirou stared dumbly at his desk, not registering when the door opened and closed and the other captain left. He tried to think through his words, but he seemed to be putting two and two together and getting five, not four.

Shiori had survived? But according to those that had been there, all traces of her had gone. No, he'd said 'reformed', so only her soul's 'essence'? Had Kurotsuchi actually done something noble?

He scoffed. "I doubt it."

It had probably been Urahara.

He had no idea how any of this really happened- they'd kept it secret, assuming if things had turned out badly no one would be wiser but... Maybe this would be able to cheer Rangiku up a little, though she was nowhere in sight.

Letting out an annoyed sigh, he stood up from his chair. Usually, he disliked her ability to show up randomly, usually squealing his name, or forcing his face into her chest, and for once, he found himself wishing now would be one of the moments she'd suddenly appear.

Because he had not the first idea of where to find her.

"So I leave Mogami-san within your care." Unohana's voice was soft and gentle as she handed the woman's unconscious form to the other. She'd explained everything- up to the fact some shinigami would probably come looking for her.

They were allowed to see her, but under no circumstance was 'Aizen Sosuke's' name to be uttered. Of course, both knew the girl would eventually go her own way. There was a chance she would end up becoming a shinigami and then it would only be a matter of time before she heard the name.

Even though central 46 had erased her memories, there was still the risk of them coming back, and they were terrified of the prospect of her devising a mutiny. No one really thought they would, but they were being safe.

Mostly Shiori would stay with this woman for a time until she felt she could go on her own. She would learn the simple skills and knowledge to survive in the rukongai from this woman, and then...

Well, only time would tell.

Unohana stared intently at the woman. From what she'd been told, the woman's hair and body had changed upon Aizen Sosuke's inference with her body, but she seemed back to how she was before. If the descriptions she'd had were true anyway.

Her hair was chin length and a dark brown, a bit scruffy in places and she had a fringe which just covered her forehead and bordered on covering her eyes if it was left to grow much more. She was small- supposedly as small as Kuchiki Rukia, and her pale face was lined with a few freckles.

"I trust you to look after her well, Hirako-san." Unohana gave the other woman a small bow, before taking her leave.

Hanabi sighed softly, staring gently at the sleeping woman in her arms. She'd wake up in perhaps a few hours, clueless as to how she got there- or even where she was. It was not the first time she'd taken in 'new souls' at the request of soul society, though never before had the situation been quite like this.

And those souls had not the capacity to be able to become Shinigami like this one. It was a first for a lot of things really. Perhaps tomorrow she'd take her to see Kyuukaku, send a message to the human world about her status.

For now though, she needed rest.

Hanabi chuckled, taking her into her small house and resting her on a futon. She wore a simple red robe- it was thick enough to keep her warm if it got cold, though probably too thick for the current bought of good weather they seemed to be having.

The elder woman was fairly short too- though perhaps stood five or so inches above the other. Her curves were subtle, but they were there, easy to spot if she wore the right clothes.

Her hair reached her waist, though it was always tired up simply to keep out of her face during her housework, and was a soft, bubblegum pink colour. Her eyes were large and a fierce blue colour. She too, had once been pale, though being outside in the sun quite often had darkened her up a little.

Hirako Hanabi could not quite remember how long she'd been within soul society. Thinking about it made her feel quite old, and though her face was creased in places with small lines, she did not wish to get older.

"Only as young as you feel," she chuckled to herself, kneeling simply beside the other girl's side. Though even she could admit, she did not feel quite as young as she did before.

Hanabi was not as gifted as her friends, nor her younger brother to be able to become a Shinigami. At first, she'd resented them all for becoming one and leaving her alone, but, shortly after they had graduated, each often came to see her.

She lived alone, but often found herself wishing for less company. She never found herself lacking in conversation, and so she could not complain. It was shortly after her brother had become a captain, that she'd started looking after souls that the shinigami asked of her. All she had to do was look after them for a few days, weeks or a month or so until they got their footing, and then they could either choose to stay, or they could leave.

Most of them left and the few who did initially stay did eventually leave too. Ever since the exile of Urahara Kisuke and Yoruichi, she'd had nothing really to do with the shinigami.

She'd despised them for what had become of her brother under their noses and wished very much that someone would get revenge. Those dark and somewhat spiteful thoughts and wishes had disappeared quite quickly, but she refused to speak to a single shinigami, even though they tried frequently.

Mogami Shiori was the first person in a long time that she had taken in, for the simple fact, she could not turn her away. Even if her brother could still not come back to her, Aizen Sosuke, the one who ended up separating them had his comeuppance.

The girl didn't really have much to do with that, but it was his fault she was here in the first place. It wasn't pity, nor self duty she felt to look after her. She supposed there was some form of respect for her, but not much else.

How could one feel such shallow emotions for someone you barely knew?

Shiori, however, did not deserve to suffer and did not deserve to be alone, she had earned that much. Even though she wouldn't be alone for too much longer. When the few shinigami who knew her learnt of her new whereabouts, they were bound to give her more company than she could ever want.

Hanabi smiled softly, watching the girl intently with her blue eyes as she stirred softly. "Mogami-san, can you hear me?" She lent over her.

Shiori's eyes fluttered open, and she blinked a few times to get used to the sudden radiance above her, for the most part, the elder woman blocked it out but the few bits which escaped past her still stung her eyes.

"Mogami...?" Her voice was soft, shy, unsure and on the higher side of the octave scale.

"Yes, Mogami Shiori; do you not remember your name?"

According to Unohana, she had memories up until she'd moved back to Karakura down. She would not remember the shinigami, or anything after that. It was kind of sad really, friendships so easily lost.

But so easily regained too, she thought softly, appraising the young girl.

"Y-yes..." Shiori slowly sat up, hand running through her dark, messy hair. "It's just... been a long time since someone used 'Mogami'," she frowned for a few moments. She felt quite like she was missing something.

Shiori's bright green eyes glanced around, taking in her surroundings. She paused for a few moments, before her soft pink lips pursed out into a small pout.

"Where am I?"

Hanabi closed her eyes, chuckling softly. How many times had she had the same conversation with close to a thousand different people?

"You're in a place called soul society, what do you remember last?"

Shiori frowned lightly, hand resting on her forehead as she thought. "I remember being in a car with my mother... and it was raining," she closed her eyes. "Raining quite hard." She shook her head frantically, eyes opening to stare intently at the other woman. "It's... empty after that."

Hanabi sighed, closing her eyes. "Soul society is where the deceased go," she explained softly. "If you can't remember much more after that, I'd assume your death was quick and peaceful."

The dark haired girl's eyes widened for a few moments. She replayed the words a few times, then frowned. "I see."

Still, it didn't seem quite right. Being dead... no that sounded right, but... Well; everything was dark, how was she supposed to remember how she'd died? How was she supposed to remember if there was pain, or if it had been quick or slow?

"My name is Hirako Hanabi," she smiled softly, brushing her own hair out from her face and tucking it behind her ear.

"I suppose you already know me," Shiori uttered, cheeks going a soft crimson. "Mogami Shiori. How did you know my name anyway?"

Hanabi paused, hand resting on the back of her neck. "The shinigami who sent you here told me, she came to check on you after she'd sent you and she requested I take care of you."

Shiori nodded at her words, before biting down on her lip for a few moments. "... Shinigami?"

Hanabi chuckled for a few seconds, before she gracefully rose to her feet. "You should rest for a few moments and I'll grab you some food-" she paused when the other woman opened her mouth. "I'll explain how you can be hungry when you're dead after, it'll tie in explaining about Shinigami anyway."

Shiori was left staring at the empty air-space where the woman had been. She'd left quickly, but had lost no grace, elegance or poise with the briskness. The woman's confident aura and overall majesty was quite intimidating.

"Dead, huh?" She sighed, hands resting in her lap as she closed her eyes. It unnerved her how calm she really felt hearing that. Shouldn't she be shocked? Frantic maybe? Perhaps she was just dreaming.

No, it did not feel like that. She trusted what the other woman said, she trusted that she was indeed now nothing more than a spirit. So why was she so calm? It was as if some part of her already knew she was... dead. Some part of her already knew where she was.

She could think of no other reason as to why she would feel so calm with the fact she was dead and in a completely strange place. Maybe that was how it was supposed to feel, maybe that was how everyone felt. Perhaps she should ask the other woman but... if that wasn't how she was supposed to feel she'd perhaps be branded a freak or something. And so, she decided she'd be better off keeping that to herself.

Sighing, the green eyed woman closed her eyes and brushed some of her hair behind her ear.

Death is peaceful.

But if I had to perish twice,

I think I know enough of hate,

To say that for destruction- Ice,

Is also great, and would suffice.

- Robert Frost.