A/N: Hello again! Here's the second chapter to my new story. I wanted to thank AbaraiArekushisu for the my first review! It literally made my heart swell when I read it, so thank you so, so much! Thanks for those of you who also followed or chose to favorite the story! It really means a lot to me. For those of you still feeling out this story, please stick with it and let me know what you think (shameless "review please" plug).

Anyways, enjoy!

Disclaimer: Umm...nope. No, I still don't own anything in Bleach. Shocking. I do own the plot though.

Chapter 2

"You wished to see me, Ukitake-Taichou?"

Rukia stood at the door of the Thirteenth Division office, her head bowed in respect for the superior in front of her. She had been summoned early that morning by a Hell Butterfly, and had hastily dressed in her shihakusho, pulling her newly acquired Lieutenant's arm band up to rest around her bicep as she walked towards the office. As she stood waiting for Jyuushiro Ukitake to acknowledge her, she allowed herself a small silent yawn. She felt dead on her feet.

"Kuchiki-Fukutaichou! Come in, come in. I've been expecting you." His voice was always so warm and inviting. As she moved to sit across from him, she looked up into his smiling face and felt herself relax. The man had always possessed a calming effect on her. As she smiled, she noticed his grin slip slightly, revealing a look of concern.

"Goodness, Rukia-san. Are you feeling well? You look exhausted."

She smiled weakly, lifting one shoulder in a casual shrug. "I'm alright sir. I haven't slept well, that's all."

"Should I postpone this meeting until later? I have a Captains' meeting in an hour or so, but my afternoon is free, and that would give you a chance to rest," the white-haired man suggested, reaching to grasp the tea that was cooling on his desk. He took a lingering sip as Rukia shook her head gently, her eyes downcast. She felt foolish for allowing these dreams to affect her. Even with her captain, the man who she would usually confide in for every small concern of hers, she was embarrassed.

"Thank you, but I assure you I am alright Taichou," Rukia looked back up at her captain, training her face to be the characteristic mask of the Kuchiki family, patented by her brother.

Her captain looked unconvinced, but dropped the matter. He gave her a small smile, one that told her he would be there if she wanted to voice what was bothering her, but picked up a folder off of his desk and held it up.

"I called you in this morning to discuss the new graduates that will be joining our ranks," he began, smiling at the thought of new recruits whose information resided in the folder in his hand. The Academy graduation was two days ago, and the class of new Shinigami had been divided up amongst the divisions. The Thirteenth Division would receive twenty new recruits, a slow year after the War. "I was hoping we could go over their paperwork to make sure they are placed appropriately within our Division."

"Yes sir."

The older man split the forms into two stacks, handing one half to Rukia and keeping the other for himself. Rukia retreated to her clean desk, laying the papers down with a soft plop before focusing her attention on the material. They worked in a comfortable silence for a while, though the raven-haired woman could feel her Taichou's gaze from to time to time. When she paused to take a particularly large yawn, feeling her eyes slip closed for a moment, the man cleared his throat.

"Rukia-san, why don't you go rest? I can finish up this paperwork."

She looked up, guilt creeping into her mind. She felt like crud, but she would feel even worse if she knew she could not even do simple paperwork. But seeing the amused smile of her captain, she sighed. She knew that look. He wouldn't take no for an answer on this one. Still, she felt herself question his words.

"Are you sure, sir?"

His smile just widened. "Yes, Rukia-san. I would prefer my Lieutenant to be well rested than to be staring at these boring forms. I am sure I can manage to finish it up. Please go rest."

She nodded once, standing at the dismissal. She bowed briefly, feeling her sore muscles protest.

"Thank you sir."

"You are quite welcome," came the cheerful reply. "If you need anything, even just a good listener, please do not hesitate to find me. I'm always ready to help my favorite Lieutenant."

Rukia chuckled slightly at the words. "I am your only Lieutenant, Ukitake-Taichou," she reminded him, though her mind flooded with the memory of the man who had held her place previous to her, the man whom she admired greatly. Kaien Shiba. She could still clearly picture the man she had practically worshiped, could still remember the way he had laughed, the way his eye shone with his emotion, but more than anything she carried the words he had shared with her about heart. She knew she would never forget those words as long as she lived. She wondered what he would have said about her making Lieutenant, wondered if he would have been proud of her. He would have surely been a captain by now if he hadn't have met his fate at his young age. She had almost turned down the position when Ukitake offered it after the War, but the thought of disappointing Kaien made her reconsider. Her eyes became distant, a smile touching her lips.

Always perceptive, Jyuushiro's grin turned reminiscent and his eyes shone with understanding. "It does not matter. It does not change the fact that I am extremely proud of you. I'm sure Kaien-san would have been overwhelmed by his pride to see how far you've come."

She smiled widely at the words, feeling her face brighten. Like always, Ukitake knew exactly what she needed to hear.

"Now go catch up on your sleep. The next few days will no doubt be exciting with the new recruits." The older man chuckled at the thought. The Soul Society will be bubbling with the anticipation of eager new Shinigami.

"Yes sir." Rukia bowed once more and took her leave, but not before sending one last smile over the shoulder.

X

Renji was exhausted as he walked the grounds of the Kuchiki Manor, making his way to Rukia's room.

He had awoken much earlier than he had wanted to, groaning as he pulled himself from his bed at the obscene hour of five o'clock. The loud redhead had originally thought training early would allow him to focus on his paperwork later, but with the little amount of sleep the night before he immediately regretted it.

Oh, I'll get up early and train. What was I thinking? he had thought as he dressed, choosing to leave the shitagi and kosode for later which rendered his chest bare, the intricate tribal tattoos that marked his skin clearly visible from his head to where they disappeared beneath his hakama. At that time in the morning, no one would care if he was shirtless or not.

Renji had pushed through a long workout and practice session with Zabimaru, loving the way his body woke up with every movement. As he prepared to leave, he was asked to participate in a sparing demonstration Shuuhei Hisagi was giving a few of the Academy students.

The dark-haired Shinigami, though no longer a teacher at the Academy, had been giving tips to the group of students as Renji walked by. Noticing the larger man, Shuuhei had called out to him, asking if he would help. Renji had readily joined in, taking pride in the way the students had whispered frantically to one another about him and his former instructor. It was well known of both men's contribution to the War, and Renji couldn't help but grin at the smaller man as he heard the collective gasp that left the younger fighters' mouths as they locked blades, muscles rippling with the effort. Shuuhei seemed to enjoy the attention as well, though he would never admit it; he had always been more reserved when it came to praise. After the demonstration, the taller of the two had bid a farewell, giving some last minute encouragement to the Academy students as he left them in the capable hands of the other inked man.

Renji remembered being in their shoes while he was in the Shino academy. He remembered feeling the sheer awe of seeing a Captain or Lieutenant, remembered watching Shinigami with wide eyes as they sparred. Hell, he still got that way with some of his comrades and superiors. They were magnificently skilled and their power was a force to be reckoned with. Renji considered himself lucky to be counted among those great men and women, was proud of his accomplishments that he had marked on his body for the rest of the Soul Society to see, though he knew he still had a way to go to be a Taichou.

He was stronger every day. In time, he hoped he would eventually be considered worthy of being a Captain. He took reassurance from Zabimaru strapped to his side, feeling the presence of the spirit settle on his mind.

Renji had changed promptly before going to talk to the raven-haired woman, less he be subjected to a Byakuya lecture on how to dress appropriately in the presence of a Noble lady…again.

I go swimming one time with Rukia, and he nearly has a heart attack…

He pushed the thought from his mind as he came to a stop in front of his friend's door.

It was nine o'clock. She should be up by now.

"Rukia? You in there?"

The door slid easily enough, Renji's head poking through the opening to peer inside. Nothing. The room was empty.

Sighing, he figured he would just wait outside. As he began to pull back, however, something caught his eye. There, on her neatly made bed, was a pink Chappy doll. The pink Chappy doll. The one he gave her when they were still in the Academy together, before she became a Kuchiki.

As if in a trance, he walked further into the room. Reaching the bed, he picked up the doll gently. It was definitely the toy he had given her. Its pink fur was slightly faded and the signs of age were evident, but it was still here. She still had it.

He grinned at the memory of giving her this toy. He had been in the human realm on a surveillance mission and had come across it in one of those building with different markets inside. A mall he would later here Ichigo call it, though at the time of its purchase he had not known the orange-haired boy. The tattooed Shinigami had donned a gigai to purchase it for her, knowing she would love it. She had practically cried tears of joy at the gesture, squeezing the bunny so tight to her chest that he thought she would pop the stitches of it on the first day. She had thanked him profusely, to which he only shrugged and smiled.

Now, as he gazed down at the stuffed toy, he couldn't stop the wide smile that crossed his face. She kept it.

He repeated the words over and over to himself, a feeling of overwhelming joy incasing his heart. To think that this woman, a noble who could have anything she desired at the drop of a hat just by asking big brother Byakuya, had kept such a simple toy that he had given her made his heart swell. It showed just how much she truly cared for him.

His smile fell slightly, saddened at that. Because he knew she cared. Just not in the way that he wished. Not in the way he cared for her. He would forever be the stray that barked at stars. No matter how much he had achieved, no matter how much he had overcome, that star that he longed for was still out of his reach.

She was the same rank as him now, having been promoted to Lieutenant of the Thirteenth Division after the battle with Aizen. Ukitake had thought it time to have someone fill Kaien's spot once more after being left vacant for so long. Rukia had matured, and she was now ready for that step. Yet, even though she was now his equal, he still couldn't reach her. They were friends, yes, but not as close as they were before joining the Soul Society. He had forfeited that bond a long time ago, despite his better judgment. The boisterous redhead wondered if he would always carry that burden with him, marking him just like the tattoos that adorned his tan skin.

Sighing, he shook his head. Now was not the time to dwell on mistakes and lost relationships, no matter how much his heart still called out for hers.

"Hey! Put Chappy down!"

Renji hadn't noticed her spiritual pressure as she had entered. But though he didn't feel her come in, he felt her swift kick to his vulnerable shin. Yelping, he threw the bunny back onto the bed and rubbed his leg furiously.

"What was that for?" he hollered, glaring at Rukia with a look that would have killed weaker Shinigami. The dark-haired woman didn't even blink. Rukia stooped to pick up the bunny, checking for any damage his callused hands might have caused. Finding it to be unharmed, she turned to him with her fists clenched at her side, staring daggers at the man in front of her.

"What are you doing in my room? This is an invasion of my privacy!"

"Oh, come off it! Like I've never seen your room before!" Renji retorted, crossing his arms over his chest as she fumed. She opened her mouth to protest, but the larger Shinigami wasn't finished.

"Your brother asked me to speak with you this morning. I came by and you weren't here, so I waited."

Rukia's anger faded, replaced by the furrowing of eyebrows as she thought through his words.

"Nii-sama asked you? As in a favor?"

Renji snorted, taking a seat on her bed as he nodded. "Yeah, but I'm sure it was far from a suggestion. It's still Byakuya we are talking about."

Rukia laughed at that, and Renji smirked at the way her laugh rang through the room. It had always been a welcome sound to his ears ever since they were children.

"So what is it that you want to talk about?" she questioned, bringing the crimson-haired man back to the present. He cleared his throat as she took a seat next to him, turning her frame to face him.

Up close, he noticed that she paled in comparison to the Rukia he knew. She was still beautiful, no doubt, but she looked…tired. The anger had melted, leaving her face looking drained, paler than usual. Renji could see the slightly darkened skin under her eyes. She made a good effort at appearing to be as lively as ever, but the redhead knew better.

"Well…about your nightmares," he said, watching as Rukia visibly stiffened at the word, "you had one last night, right?"

"How did you know that?" she asked, her voice defensive. This wouldn't be an easy topic to discuss with her. She hated appearing weak, especially in front of Renji. After all, they had always been competitive. He sighed, knowing he would have to go about asking his questions carefully.

"I was in the office late last night and heard you scream, Rukia."

Her shoulders sagged at his confession.

"I had hoped no one had heard me," she admitted, rubbing her arm haphazardly.

"Taichou told me that last night was the third night this week," he continued, hating himself for the pain he saw flash in her eyes. "Your reiatsu was ridiculously high, as if in battle. When I felt it, I thought for sure an intruder or something was trying to kill you. But for you to react like that to a dream…what happens in these dreams?"

She looked away from him, her hair falling into her face, acting as a barrier between the two of them. He could no longer see her eyes, but he was certain that if he could he would not be able to restrain from pulling her to his chest and whispering the promise that everything will be alright. Instead of doing that, however, Renji waited, knowing that if he pushed her he would not get any answers.

"They are just dreams. They aren't real," she muttered, her voice soft and lost in thought.

"They may be just dreams, but they are hurting you," Renji replied, forcing his hands to stay relaxed in his lap instead of reaching out towards her.

A silence fell between the two of them. It stretched on for what felt like hours, neither of them moving or speaking. Finally, when the tattooed man was about to leave, convinced that Rukia would not tell him anything about what plagued her during the night, she spoke.

"It's the same dream every time. I am wounded, defenseless, and surrounded by a darkness that seems to go on for miles, standing in the middle of a snowy field. I'm taunted by someone I can't see, and then you appear. As you prepare to help me, you are killed."

The words poured out of her mouth so softly that Renji had leaned forward, closing the distance between the two of them so that he didn't miss a word. He allowed the words to click in his mind before responding.

"Rukia…I'm still alive. I'm still-"

"Don't," she spat, shaking her head. "Don't talk to me as if I am a child. I realize it is only a dream. I realize that you are not really dying. But while I am in the dream, it is real. What I feel in the dream is real."

She turned to look at him then, her eyes widening slightly at his proximity. The redhead was merely inches away now. If he was smart, he would pull back from the Kuchiki woman. Renji, however, was never the brightest student. He reacted on instinct more than anything, relying on what felt right. At the moment, this closeness felt right.

"It scares me," she whispered, violet eyes locked with brown, "I never want to lose you." Renji felt his heart ache. He had always imagined her saying those words to him. He knew she didn't mean it like he wanted, but it still stirred up the love he felt for her, whether she realized it or not.

"You won't," came his soft reply, those two words promising her he would never leave. And he wouldn't. He would make sure that he would always be there for her, in whatever way she needed.

Rukia stared at him for a second more before flinging herself into his wide chest, burying her face into the crook of his neck. His arms wrapped tightly around her, surrounding her with the warmth of his body as he breathed deeply, taking in the floral scent of her shampoo. She had told him once the name of the flower it embodied. Winter Daphne. The strong floral scent suited her, especially with her zanpakuto being an Ice-Type and the flower being one that began its bloom in January and February. Both the flower and the sword were beautiful, much like the woman they represented. Renji inhaled the aroma, knowing he probably would have to wait a very long time to smell it once more, if ever.

"Promise?" she asked, her words mumbled against the exposed skin of his neck. He reveled in the feeling, pausing for far too long. Using all of his remaining willpower, he gently pulled her up, clutching her petite shoulders in his hands as he looked at her. Rukia's eyes held so much hope that he could not help but grin.

"You bet," he answered easily, watching with delight as a smile of her own stretched across her lips.

"Thank you, Renji." The words fell easily from her mouth, a phrase she seemed to always be saying to him.

"No problem." Renji took the moment to stand, straightening his uniform as he smiled. "You know I'm always here for you, Rukia."

Always.

Sighing, Renji headed towards the door reluctantly. "I better head out. I still have a ton of paperwork to finish before Nii-sama gets back from the Captains' meeting." He said with a sneer. Damn paperwork…

Rukia laughed aloud at her friend's use of the name she used for her brother. "You better not let him hear you call him that," she warned, giggling at the very thought of seeing his reaction.

The inked man rolled his eyes. "Later," he called cheerfully, giving her a small salute. He heard her lofty goodbye as he left the room, turning down the hall towards the direction of the offices. All the way there, he could still smell Winter Daphne.

X

Isane-Fukutaichou ran as hard as she could, hearing nothing but the sound of her heart pounding in her ears. She barely glanced at her surroundings, weaving in and out of the many streets in the Soul Society. She knew the way to the Fourth Division by heart, having been a part of it for ages. As she sprinted, feeling her muscles ache with the effort, she willed her feet not to fail her. She had to get to Unohana-Taichou immediately. She's the only one who could help.

I hope I am not too late.

Reaching the doorway of the medical branch, she skidded to a halt. Panting, she looked up at the curious eyes of the medical division. For a moment, there was silence, her fellow healers waiting patiently as she glanced around the room. She couldn't see the woman she needed. She tried to catch her breath to relay the situation, but found it difficult to get the amount of oxygen her lungs required. She leaned over, coughing in her struggle as she gripped the doorway to stay upright.

"Isane-Fukutaichou, what is it? Are you alright?"

"What happened?"

"Are you injured?"

A chorus of concerns filled the tall woman's ears as she felt many of the Shinigami step forward to provide help. She hastily shook her head, a hand shooting out in front of her to stop them as she gasped for air.

"Not…not me. Get Unohana-Taichou now! It is urgent!" she ordered, noticing the way some of the others visibly stiffened at the volume of her voice. She was not one to yell. The silver-haired woman was known to be quiet. If she was yelling, something was horribly wrong. Her knuckles were white with the amount of pressure she put into staying on her feet, and her legs trembled beneath her weight. Stubbornly she remained where she was, refusing to let her body rest until her message was delivered.

"She's still in the Captains' meeting. I'll fetch her," one of the underlings replied quickly. Isane heard footsteps as the girl hurried off.

As she watched the place spring to life once more, Isane reluctantly allowed two Shinigami to usher her to a chair. She sank into the chair with a groan, her muscles screaming in protest but relaxing once she was settled. One of the others handed her a glass of water and instructing her to drink. She gulped the contents of the glass down greedily, only stopping to breathe when the glass was almost empty.

"Isane-san?" the tired Shinigami heard. She turned her head to find the graceful figure of Retsu Unohana striding towards her. Her ever present black braid moved ever so slightly as she practically glided towards her underling. Kneeling in front of the Lieutenant, Unohana placed a hand on Isane's knee.

"What happened?" she questioned, her voice calm and to the point. That was her Taichou. Serene even in the face of confusion and urgency. She handled everything professionally, and unless you were specifically watching her eyes, you would never see any emotion other than kindness and determination on her face. But Isane had watched her eyes, saw the concern they portrayed. She was worried, even if she wouldn't allow herself to show it.

Isane took a deep breathe, shaking her head.

"There's been an accident Captain, an attack…" she said quietly, aware of the small audience that had formed around the two. The slight furrowing of Unohana's brow showed the confusion. And for good reason. Hell, Isane was still confused herself. It was a time of peace in the Soul Society. An attack was the furthest thing from anyone's mind.

"An attack?"

"Yes ma'am. I didn't see it happen, but I saw…it was unlike anything I've encountered. He was fine and then…I heard the screams from over half a mile away." Isane knew she was rambling, but she could not stop the flow of words. They fell from her lips in quick succession, blending together at points to where she could barely understand herself, let alone expect Unohana-Taichou to understand.

"Isane-san, please calm down. What happened? Who was attacked?" Unohana-Taichou asked, bringing Isane back into focus.

"He was just patrolling. Someone ambushed him."

"Who?" her Taichou questioned again, squeezing her hand to encourage an answer.

Isane grimaced slightly, remembering the sight of the man writhing on the ground, his body arching and twisting in some unseen pain with his zanpakuto lying beside him just out of his reach. He had a single cut across his cheek, but his screams promised some greater pain than what she could see in his outward appearance. If she hadn't have seen his face, seen his distinctive feather accessories she would have never believed it was him. The moment she realized what she was seeing, she had taken off, determined to bring the man help. The silver-haired woman swallowed hard, meeting Unohana's unwavering gaze with her own bewildered stare.

"Yumichika Ayasegawa."

Ah, the cliffhanger. A writer's best friend. Sometimes. A reader's worst nightmare though (no pun intended).

I don't mean to beg (really, I don't), but please let me know how I'm doing with this story. The reviews and alerts and follows and favorites keep me going. They also tend to make me want to update sooner... (Is that bribing? Eh, probably. Oh well).