A/N: So here is the beginning of something I have been thinking about writing for awhile. I don't have a plan for this piece the way I do with my others, but it will be multi chapter and I'll update as often as I can. Enjoy! As always, leave me a review!

Aizen won. He'd really won, the battle they'd fought so hard to win. The end of everything they knew was upon them, everything they held dear was crumbling and dying in front of their eyes. It was surreal, completely unbelievable, his mind caught in a haze of fear and disbelief as he made his way through what used to be the grounds of the 13th. There was almost nothing left of the division, it had been all but leveled, leaving a large charred crater in the earth where it used to sit.

Re entering Soul Society through the garganta that Urahara had opened for himself and Kenpachi, there was chaos everywhere. Falling debris and smoke filled the air, explosions almost one after another, and some of them closer than he would have liked. As usual, Kenpachi ran off with a maniacal grin on his face, hungry for his next fight. If what they'd heard was true, he was most likely going to get himself killed very shortly. It might seem cowardly, but his instincts told him that if he wanted to live, it was time to run like hell, his pride be damned. If he was caught, Aizen might not even kill him...but the thought of being a slave to that psycho was worse than death.

Naturally, Rukia was the first person he thought of and rushed to find. Unfortunately it looked as though if she'd been on the grounds of her division when it was attacked, she was likely dead. He had to believe that wasn't true though, that she was still alive and safe somewhere. He could feel Senkaimons being opened all around Seireitei, so hopefully, as much as he hated to even think it, she was with Kurosaki or Renji. They would both give their lives to keep her safe if it came to it. Though he didn't know what was left of Karakura after the Ouken was created, if they went there he was sure they'd find a place to hide out, maybe even venture to another city all together.

He would find her eventually, but if he didn't get out of there soon, escape wouldn't be an option anymore. Hiding his spiritual pressure, he made his way towards the Kuchiki mansion as quietly as possible. He needed to grab supplies like clothing, some basic food and as much money as he could, enough for two people to survive with, for when he found his sister. With arrancar running wild, he had to duck behind debris and the corners of crumbling buildings several times on his way.

There were fires raging everywhere he turned, the putrid smell of smoke and burning flesh reaching his nose. Even his own division had not been spared, most of the roof now caved in on itself and the training grounds awash in dead bodies, ally and enemy alike. While that told him that his men didn't go down without a fight, it was still a little hard to look at. He kept moving right past it all, figuring there was nothing there that would help him now.

Finally his home came into view, looking empty and almost untouched, but he knew that wouldn't last long. Moving faster than he thought he could, he grabbed a large duffle bag and ripped his closet door open. Tossing in as much clothing as he could grab in two handfuls, ripping the fabrics from their hangers without remorse. Next, he stripped off his captains haori, windflower scarf, tekko and kenseikan, adding them into the bag. He didn't want to be easily recognized as he moved through the wreckage of the Seireitei. There were several places where he had money stored and he collected from as many of them as he could between his room and the kitchen storage. Once he felt he had everything he needed he stopped to take one last look at the place he'd called home his entire life, there was no time to be distraught, but he was sure to miss it later. His favorite quiet spot, with the koi pond and the sakura tree was sure to be destroyed before too long and he felt a pang of sadness and anger comimg from his zanpaktou.

Bag slung over his body to keep it secure, and Senbonzakura safe at his side, he ventured back out into the pandemonium and wreckage. The sound of people screaming as if they were being tortured would surely haunt his dreams for the rest of his life. But there was no time to think about that, he needed to find a safe place to open a Senkaimon, keeping an eye out for Rukia and dodging enemies as he searched. Time was quickly dwindling, making his chances of finding her slimmer by the second.

"Lord Aizen is shutting down their Senkaimon access, no one else is gonna be able to escape. Once we've got 'em all rounded up we're to meet at the first division grounds for a roll call and further instructions." He overheard as he crouched behind a hedge of bushes.

Shit. Now what was he going to do? His only option was to try and flee into the Rukongai, or worse into the woods beyond. While he'd camped in the woods on missions plenty of times, he really didn't know anything about actually living out there, without pre prepared supplies and shelter. If only he could find Rukia, she would know how to survive, and better yet she was familiar with the Rukongai which would be at a great advantage to their ability to fly under Aizens radar. Unfortunately he needed to get out while he still could, the proverbial noose was beginning to cinch around his throat.

He'd be damned if he got caught and enslaved by that megalomaniac, even if it meant leaving Rukia behind. He was out of time to find her. Besides, he'd be of more use to her and everyone else as a free man, he would find a way to save them all, even if it cost him his life, of that he was sure. It would take time and patience though, so for now he needed to ensure that he got as far away as he could in the next 24 hours.

Spiritual pressure as low as he could get it, he moved at full speed towards the southern exit of the Seireitei. Not because he knew where he was going, but because it was the closest route to freedom. He was almost to the gate when he heard twigs snap, alerting him to a presence nearby. Stopping abruptly he ducked behind a tree, waiting to see if the enemy would pass.

Everything was silent, the only sound that reached him was someone's heavy breathing. It could be an injured shinigami, or it could be an injured enemy. He wasn't sure he wanted to find out, but decided that if they didn't pass by soon, he'd take his chances. Suddenly a voice cut through the air around him, a woman's voice, one that sounded somehow familiar.

"Ow...son of a bitch. I'm never gonna make it out of here like this." She said out loud, still trying to be quiet in case of enemies nearby. She'd tripped on the root of a large tree and fell hard.

Her plan had been to get out to the Rukongai and then open a senkaimon once she was there. That way none of Aizens men could get to her before she got through, even in her current condition. She'd watched in horror as Gin failed to kill Aizen, running to his side after he'd been struck down by the mad man, begging him not to die, not to leave her. Once it was clear that Ichigo and the others were fighting a losing battle he begged her to run, to get out of there and find a way to survive while she still had the chance. As much as she would rather die at his side, he'd made her promise to go, and not look back. So no matter the pain in her heart, she honored what was possibly his final wish.

Unfortunately her escape had not been as clean a getaway as she wanted it to be. Kira hadn't healed her completely before she ran off to try and stop Aizen and Gin, and it was biting her in the ass now, slowing her down more and more. She was woozy from the blood loss, tired from the running, low on spiritual pressure, and worst of all she was starting to cough up blood. But her goal was in sight, it was just a little further and she could find a place to lay low and recover before heading for the living world.

Trying to get up and brush herself off, she swore she heard something, feeling a presence nearby, and attempted to ready herself for an attack. Reaching a hand back and gripping Hainekos hilt she surveyed her surroundings with caution, her heart beating faster with anticipation. She caught movement out of the corner of her eye, turning to face the threat head on, and braced herself for the fight of her life, literally. Looking up into the eyes of the one who would surely kill her, she couldn't fight much in her condition, she was surprised to see a somewhat familiar face.

"Lieutenant Matsumoto?" His deep baritone asked in disbelief.

"Captain Kuchiki?" It had taken her a second to recognize him without his usual adornments.

"You're hurt...let me help you up." Moving to her side and placing an arm around her waist, lifting her from the ground and onto her feet.

"Thank you."

"Can you still walk? We have to get out of here quickly." Placing one of her arms over his shoulders for support.

Before she could answer him they heard a commotion in the distance, voices getting closer to their location. Ducking behind a tree, he lowered them both to the ground.

"Hey! We've gotta get that gate sealed up, let's go! Quit fooling around!" A male voice coming from somewhere behind them.

"Go. Leave me." She said without hesitation. He still had a chance if he left that moment.

"I can't just leave you, it wouldn't be right." He argued.

"Look, my adrenaline is wearing off, I can barely walk...I'll only slow you down, just go while you still can...I'll distract them and make sure you get away." Pulling away from him.

"Using an injured woman to ensure my own safety...what kind of man would I be?" Lifting her into his arms and launching into shunpo all in the same beat.

The world around her blurred, his neck and chest the only things she could see with her head against his chest. What was he doing? He couldn't really carry her all the way to safety...could he? Even if he could, where was he headed? Did he have a plan, or was he just running blind? And why would he bother, she was practically dead on her feet. Healing her would keep her alive, but it would take her far to long to recover completely. She really hoped he knew what he was doing.

"Where are we going?" She asked, her voice just above a whisper, she could feel her eyelids getting heavy as she fought to stay awake.

"Senkaimon access has been shut down, so we can't escape to the living world. Our only hope is to disappear in the Rukongai, or the woods beyond. My aim for now is the forest and we can figure it out from there. For now, get some rest, you'll need it if you're going to make a full recovery." His tone soft and calm.

Damn, she should have known Aizen would shut down all of their exits as soon as possible. He'd want to watch them all squirm, like rats trying to escape a maze. If Kuchiki somehow failed to get them out of there before the gate was sealed, there would be no hope for them. They would surely be found sooner than later. She was still trying to process the fact that the captain was taking her with him. They didn't even know each other, why would he risk his freedom to drag her along? It didn't make any sense, but her vision faded out along with her consciousness before she could ponder the situation any further.

Tired, bleary eyes cracked open, squinting from the brightness that assaulted them. She was in a tent, sleeping on a cot, but couldn't remember how she got there. Her head felt like it was going to explode and her body felt like she'd been hit by a truck.

"Welcome back...how are you feeling?" A voice to her left.

"Captain Kuchiki...I feel like shit to be honest." Her mind slowly coming back to her.

"Please Matsumoto, you do not need to address me by title...we are no longer officers of the Gotei...as far as anyone is concerned we are just normal plus souls." He said, a hint of sadness and regret in his tone. She chose to disregard it for now.

"How am I even alive? Did you heal me?" Touching her right side, which had been badly damaged the last time she'd seen it.

"I did. Unfortunately I had to wait until I felt we were far enough away to use kido. I didn't want to draw attention, or give away our location. Thereby prolonging your recovery."

"Well, thank you...for saving me. How long have I been out?" She questioned, testing the idea of sitting up.

"Several days. I was beginning to get worried...I must admit that seeing you awake gives me a sense of relief." A look of sincere concern flashing across his face before he turned his gaze away.

"Did you also change my clothes?" Realizing that she was not in her torn, soiled uniform anymore. She could swear a light blush took over his cheeks.

"Yes, even our standard uniforms are recognizable to people in the Rukongai. I figured it would be easier to blend in...I assure you I did nothing inappropriate...nor did I look any more than I had to." He replied, images of her half naked body flashing through his mind, making his face feel warm.

"It was a good idea...but this fabric is far too expensive for anyone in the lower Rukongai. At a glance it works, but if we got too close to someone, we'd become targets immediately." She said offhandedly.

"I suppose it wouldn't matter what I put us in, I don't...didn't own anything made from cheap linen...No offense." He never thought he'd feel bad for being wealthy, but there he was.

"It's alright. It works for now but we've got a lot to think about, and we need to move as soon as possible. Where'd you get the camping supplies?"

"I found one of the packs the squads use for camping and managed to carry it along with us." He responded, neglecting to tell her that he'd taken it off the back of one of her good friends, a dead Shuhei Hisagi.

He didn't think that she needed to hear about that at the moment, so he 'd spare her the gory details. He also left out the fact that the extra weight had caused him to run out of energy much sooner than planned, that he'd collapsed against a tree trunk with her in his arms for several hours before he could even move enough to set up camp, let alone heal her in any manner. He was just glad she'd survived until he had the ability to do so.

"Any more questions?" He asked, changing the subject, lest he let something slip.

"Yeah...just one...Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you risk your life and your freedom to bring me with you? Why take the chance of being found just to save my life? We don't even know each other...what use was I in that condition?" Her voice going quiet as her gaze focused on the ground.

"For starters, you are my colleague... You were hurt and in need of assistance, what kind of captain...no, what kind of man would leave a comrade behind to die? Even if I couldn't save you, you deserved a more dignified death than the one that monster would give you...and secondly, I realized that I have no idea how to blend in and survive out here. I have never needed to fend for myself before, at least not the way I need to now...but you, you grew up in Rukongai. It can only be an advantage to have someone like you by my side." He hated admitting that he needed help, his pride wounded, but he had to if he wanted her to stay with him.

"Oh...I guess that makes sense...either way I appreciate it, no matter your reasons." Giving him a small smile.

"It was no problem, really. Here, you need to regain your strength." Handing her two of the onigiri he had left in the food supply.

"Thanks...so I guess we need to figure out what to do next...we can't stay here forever. Where are we anyways?" Biting into the food unabashedly and getting right down to business. He hadn't really been expecting that, considering he'd always heard that she was a bit of a slacker. But he was grateful nonetheless, she wasn't even back on her feet yet and she was already trying to pull her weight.

"Yes. I didn't want to try and plan too far ahead without you...we're out beyond the 80th district right now, but I have no idea where the best place to go from here is."

"Well, for starters, what district is Rukia from?" He could see bits of rice threatening to fall as she spoke with her mouth full.

"The 78th...Why?"

"Alright. I'm from the 64th, so that'll be the first place he'd look for me. It would stand to reason he might look for you in the 78th if he knows you're alive. So we shouldn't go to either of those districts at all, it would be much too risky"

"Hmm...I suppose. That does leaves us quite a few other districts as options, but I'm curious. You seem to think that Aizen would look for you specifically, why is that?"

"Because of Gin...you weren't there, but I was. He was apparently playing double agent and tried to kill Aizen before the hogyoku could finish his transformation. Unfortunately he failed, and after pretending to get rid of me. I just wouldn't put it past the man to take out his anger on me in place of Gin...cause I'm pretty sure that if his injuries didn't finish him off...that bastard did." Blinking away tears and shaking her head as if to clear the images.

"While it's true that we have plenty of options, what we really need to do is make him stop looking for us all together...if we can. It's safer if he thinks we're dead." Focusing on the task at hand.

"You mean like...fake our deaths? Do you have any ideas on how?" He was intrigued by her thought process. In the few days that had passed, he'd never once entertained that line of thinking. That was something that only a survivor would think of, something he'd never had to consider until now.

"Well...there's one way...but I'm not sure either of us could go through with it..." A distant look in her eyes.

"There aren't many choices for us right now if we're going to stay out of the grip of a wannabe God. We might just have to do something we don't like...probably many things."

The likes of which he wasn't sure he was ready for.