1/N: All right chapter two thanks to a very slow day at work. The chapter is introspective and slow, but just setting some things up. If it doesn't make sense now, it will eventually. I think I can at least promise that much. Thanks to those who reviewed and hope everyone has some patience as things get moving and I adapt my writing to the Bleach Universe. Just take some time I think. I think I've found where I want to go with this story, and it could end up being longer than I intended. Who the hell knows...good luck to the readers as much as myself I guess.

Perpetual Twilight

Chapter 2: No Words

By: Finalitylife

Disclaimer: I don't own anything related to Bleach or its characters. That's all I got..

Yoruichi stood leaning against the wall, her golden orbs carefully watching over the sight in front of her. Orihime kneeled before Rukia's battered form, her powers in full effect encompassing Rukia's small body, slowly repairing what had been broken by...by whatever that had been. Deep inside, she knew exactly what it had been and a deep sense of foreboding lingered around her entire being.

Yoruichi shifted slightly in the clothes she had borrowed from Orihime, her nakedness having unsettled Orihime though it bothered Yoruichi little. To simply help the young woman relax a little, she had taken the clothes that simply did not fit all that well because of the two woman's difference in height as well as other areas. The dark-skinned woman let out a deep sigh, causing Orihime to look over at her with soft but sad eyes, but also the tiniest bit of hopefulness there...a hope that Yoruichi would explain what had happened to Rukia. Of course Yoruichi had not been all that forthcoming with the details because she really didn't want to see the look on Orihime's face if she told her that Ichigo had been what happened to Rukia.

Yoruichi had seen many horrors in her long life, but she knew seeing that look on Orihime's kind, gentle, and always shining face would just be too painful to handle. Right now, Yoruichi was just thankful Orihime did not need any answers to heal one of her closest friends.

Again Yoruichi shifted though this time was not because of the confines of the uncomfortable and confining clothes she was wearing, but because of the heavy apprehension that kept creeping through her body. What she had witnessed tonight was something that she never had even imagined she would ever see. She had seen the unwavering conviction Ichigo had carried within him when he had done the impossible and rescued Rukia from execution...had given everything that he was to make sure she was safe. Ichigo was the last person in all of existence who would have ever hurt Rukia yet...Yoruichi felt her body go cold. She had seen the raw terror and helplessness in Rukia's eyes when her cat form had been investigating the strange spiritual presence she had felt, and that look in Rukia's eyes...it would be awhile before she would be able to rid herself of that memory as well.

The whole encounter was one long nightmare that Yoruichi knew was far too real. She had fought fist to sword against the tormentor of Rukia who in fact had been the very young man she had trained with what could only be described as a Hollow mask covering most of his face. His maniacal and sick laughter flowing through the night as she fought back his advances, clearly his only desire was to get to Rukia. Yoruichi had managed to hold him back, though it had been difficult. It was a chilling thought to Yoruichi to think that the fight with Ichigo had been so difficult despite him not even being in Bankai form. Had he unleashed his full power, she truly wondered if she would even still be standing here with life in her body.

For whatever reason though, fate had granted Rukia and her a small reprieve as suddenly Ichigo simply stopped, ripped off that demonic mask from his own face with a terrifying scream of pain before once again she could see Ichigo's real eyes, and the confusion that was there. The howls of pain from Ichigo that would follow were just another memory that she probably would never be able to forget. Sadly, she had little more time to deal with Ichigo as Rukia continued to bleed into the street, knowing the only person who could save her now was Orihime. She simply had to leave Ichigo there lying in the street as the rain started to fall, knowing deep inside that he wouldn't be going anywhere.

She had contacted Kisuke as soon as she could, telling him quickly of the situation, and from the strange tone in Kisuke's voice, a slight change only Yoruichi would have been able to pick up on, she quickly suspected he had some prior knowledge about something that had to do with this tragedy that he had never mentioned. This of course wouldn't be the first time either of them had keep a secret from each other, but considering the things she had dealt with, Yoruichi knew it would take a little longer for her to forgive her oldest 'friend'. He would definitely be sleeping alone for awhile.

It was at that moment that Yoruichi suddenly felt an incredibly strong spiritual presence appear, one she recognized quite easily. The cold, stoic voice only confirmed exactly what she already knew.

"What has happened here?" Yoruichi did not even turn her head to the voice, knowing that if she wasn't ready to tell Orihime what had happened, she sure as hell wasn't ready to tell the Captain of the Sixth Division.

–

Kisuke Urahara sat on the ground, his body relaxed on the surface though highly nervous on the inside. He observed the pathetic sight in front of him still in tattered and slightly wet shinigami clothes, shakily holding a warm cup of tea in his hands though had yet to actually drink any. His eyes remained fixated solely on the table top in front of him with the most vacant look he had almost ever seen. He had blood on him though not all of it was his this much he knew. This was not good...not good at all.

Ichigo had yet to say anything, his only responses quiet grunts that probably didn't mean anything as Urahara asked casual questions like do you want to sit down or do you want some tea. He wasn't sure if he wanted to ask the bigger questions yet...questions he knew would get him in probably quite a bit of trouble with the certainly unstable young man in front of him. Nothing had been truly intentional on Urahara's part, but nonetheless, he had known since the moment Ichigo emerged from that hole with a Hollow mask on that something like this happening was very, very possible. He just had not told anybody this fact. Perhaps he had been wrong...perhaps...

When Yoruichi had called him he had been shocked...shocked by the fact she was actually using a phone. In fact he had been less shocked by what Yoruichi had frantically told him over the phone though he had been rattled by what had happened. He imagined that if Ichigo had actually turned into his Hollow form, it would be to defend himself from a strong enemy, not to hunt down and kill the young woman he clearly cared so much for. Urahara realized he might have overestimated a few factors like Ichigo's control but in truth he wasn't exactly an expert when it came to dealing with humans who had unimaginable shinigami powers, but also at one point had a Hollow emerge from their soul. He was an expert on many things, just not this particular situation.

"So Kurosaki, how is your tea?" Urahara was slightly surprised when he actually received a verbal response.

"Fine." It was extremely quiet, but at least it was a word, despite it clearly being a complete lie as Ichigo hadn't even sipped the tea yet.

"Good...good. So perhaps we should talk about what has...has transpired tonight? I think it might be a good idea."

Ichigo did not say anything, but Urahara could see his body tense up completely at the mention of the incident. Ichigo's hands even stopped shaking for the moment. A tense silence filled the room, Ichigo not even breathing as Urahara waited for...something.

"How is Rukia doing?"

Urahara raised an eyebrow from beneath his ever present hat. Obviously Ichigo knew that Urahara had no new information since coming to 'retrieve' him, but still he asked. As Urahara studied the young man, his brain processing the information, he slowly started to realize that Ichgio was asking in a round about way for Urahara to find out what was going on with Rukia. The young man who in reality was capable of redefining the word 'blunt' was unwilling to simply ask him to do something. Such a change in personality...this was troubling indeed.

"Well I guess it is time for an update. I will go call Yoruichi at Orihime's. She should know what's going on."

The young man did not move as Urahara rose to his feet, slowly disappearing into the next room that had almost no lightss on, doing his best to always keep one eye on the unsettled young man...just to be on the safe side. However, he lost sight of him as he made his way toward the phone on the other side of the next room.

Urahara pulled on a crinkled piece of paper that had Orihime's home phone number on it, Yoruich having given it to him to keep in touch in case of any important changes. He dialed in the number, waiting for someone to pick up, but it just kept ringing and ringing. He hung up the phone, picking it up again to dial again, making sure he put in the right number this time. Again it just kept ringing and ringing. Urahara, now getting slightly concerned that there was no answer, started thinking about what the next step should actually be. It was at this moment that a flash of lightning from the storm outside lit up the room, revealing Ichigo standing ominously only a few feet behind Urahara, causing the older man to jump in surprise but also the smallest bit of fear...though he wouldn't actually admit the second one.

He quickly realized that Ichigo was only standing there, no mask on his face though for a split second Urahara could have sworn he saw Ichigo's eyes flash yellow.

"So there was no answer then?" Urahara quickly got his breathing in order, resuming his relaxed pose with a big smile on his face.

"No, but its no big deal. If something was really going on, Yoruichi would have called me. Let's just go back and sit down and finish our tea. Shall we Kurosaki?"

Urahara motioned his arm toward the doorway back toward the room with light in it, but Ichigo didn't move, only continuing to stand there.

"I wish I could tell you not to be afraid of me, but I honestly can't. Please tell me what is happening..." Urahara couldn't help but feel pity as he heard the weak and broken voice coming from the normally confidant and brash young man. It just was not right.

"Well..." Urahara was cut off by his phone suddenly ringing, his hand quickly grabbing for it.

"Urahara Shop, how can I help you?"

"Shut up and listen Kisuke. Byakuya just showed up at Orihime's and took his sister back to Soul Society. I don't even know where he came from, but he insisted Rukia be taken to the care of the Captain of the Fourth Division. I...I didn't have any right to stop him. At the very least, Rukia is stable thanks to Orihime, but Byakuya is not happy to say the least...we're going to have more problems I think..."

Urahara listened to Yoruichi but couldn't help but fixate his sight on the terrible look of shock that had formed on Ichigo's face, him too being able to hear what was being said.

"I remember now...that's what we were fighting about. She told me her brother wanted her to come back to Soul Society, and she agreed. She was leaving tonight...I didn't want her to go...didn't want her to leave..."

Urahara watched as suddenly Ichigo grabbed the sides of his head as if in terrible pain, though did not know that Ichigo was hearing a voice and laughter only he could hear.

"Hahahahaha...of course we didn't want her to leave us, and we did our best to make sure she never would leave again." The laughter only grew more twisted, echoing to the very depths of Ichigo's soul, and all he could do was scream, Urahara dropping the phone in an instant, the barely audible voice of Yoruichi asking what was going on lost to the night.