Hey guys and girls, I'm back! School is such a pain in the ass when you're a senior! But it's almost over. I'm almost free and the government has NO say in whether I have to go to school or not. I'M FREE. The title was actually inspired by my favorite band's song. What Lies Beneath by Breaking Benjamin. They're awesome!

In the last chapter, we left off with Izuru offering Byakuya his job back. Will he take it? Will he deny it? Find out now!

Byakuya stood there speechless, looking at the blond man before him.

"You want me to what?"

"You heard me right," Izuru spoke. "We want you back on the force, Byakuya. Jushiro spoke with everyone else and they agree. We even have your badge waiting for you." he said. Byakuya was silent. His dream job... could he take it back? Flashbacks of that day... the blood, the body, and the phone call that changed it all... he promised Rukia he would never do it again, especially what that led to not that long ago. "We could really use your help again, Byakuya. Especially with the case that we're currently dealing with." Izuru said. For a moment, Byakuya looked down. He was torn between this. A pro was that he was going back to the thing he loved doing the most and getting a better income to pay the bills. The con, leaving Rukia again…

"Izuru, this is a wonderful offer but…" Byakuya paused seeing Izuru suddenly frown. He didn't want to turn it down… he really didn't. He wanted to go back more than anything. "Just, give me time to think it over." Byakuya said. Izuru nodded.

"No problem, Byakuya. Take your time. I don't want it to seem like I'm pressuring you." Izuru said. Byakuya put up a hand.

"You're not at all. Sorry to have you come here only to have this as your answer." Byakuya looked down.

"No, it's okay. This was my decision anyway." Izuru looked away as well. With a sigh, Izuru turned and started down the porch stairs. "Well have a good night, Byakuya. Call me when you decide." Izuru waved good-bye and got in his car. Byakuya waved him off and turned around to enter the house. He pushed the door open and felt it hit something.

"Ow!" Yoruichi exclaimed. Byakuya hit Yoruichi with the door. "You jerk!" She yelled at him. Byakuya glared at her and slammed the door shut.

"You were eavesdropping." Byakuya growled.

"Of course I was." Yoruichi admitted. She rubbed her head for a bit before lowering her hand and looking at Byakuya intently. "So," she whispered. "Are you taking the job?" Yoruichi asked. Byakuya was silent. He only stared into her golden eyes as a reply. "You'll have to tell Rukia eventually." She said. Byakuya closed his eyes and sighed.

"I know," he retorted. "I just don't know how she's going to take it. And I don't know how I'll handle going back there myself." Byakuya looked at Yoruichi again. Yoruichi blinked at him.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"They'll all question me." Byakuya said with grief. "They'll all ask me why I left in the first place and I don't want to be harassed like that." Yoruichi understood. She wouldn't want to get pestered about her personal business like that either.

"I know it'll be hard shifting gears like that, but don't worry." Yoruichi smiled. "It was hard for me to move here. And to get used to your smartass attitude." She smirked. Byakuya glared at her.

"Smartass attitude? I beg to differ, you cat-loving witch." He growled. Yoruichi laughed.

"Well you have one of those parts right." she sneered at him. Byakuya grunted. "But I believe you can do it. And don't worry about Rukia. I'm sure she'll understand."

"And if she doesn't?" Byakuya asked. "Don't forget that she wanted to kill me for what I did last time."

"What you did last time was secretive and sneaky. Rukia was angry at you and I because we lied to her. But now she knows you're doing this for a good reason. To start over and make things better." Yoruichi smiled. Byakuya only stared at her.

"If I recall correctly it was your idea to do that." Byakuya said.

"We're both to blame!" Yoruichi yelled. "You're the one who went through with and caused chaos!" she retorted. Byakuya and Yoruichi stared immensely for a but in a suffocating silence before Byakuya chuckled. Surprised, Yoruichi chuckled herself. "What a load if shit we've gotten ourselves into." Yoruichi said with a smile.

"What are you complaining about? You're not the one who has to deal with everyone." Byakuya said.

"True, but I do have to deal with you on an everyday basis." Yoruichi remarked. "You aren't so easy to deal with even when you're not here."

"And neither are you." Byakuya replied. Yoruichi giggled.

"The only thing I can say Byakuya is to do what you think is right. I want you to be happy." Yoruichi said.

"And that job does make me happy…" Byakuya whispered. Yoruichi stepped closer to Byakuya and looked into his steel eyes.

"Then make the call tomorrow." She whispered back. Byakuya was going to say something but his words were halted when Yoruichi pecked him on the cheek. He stood there, wide-eyed and stunned. "I know you can do it." she smiled before walking away and going upstairs to bed.

There was a sudden feeling of… emptiness… that seemed to crush any overall feeling around him.

Opening his eyes, Ichigo was met with a blue sky. Fluffy white clouds depressingly trudged through the air, almost as if something was weighing them down.

"Huh?" he muttered. Why was he outside? And where was he? Sitting up, Ichigo rubbed the back of his head. He realized he was lying in concrete. Why was he lying on concrete? Last thing he remembered was falling asleep in bed after dinner. "Where am I?" Ichigo questioned himself. He got to his feet and was astonished to see that he was on top of a building. A huge sky scraper, among a sea of other tall buildings that seemed to be stretching for miles. "What the…" all the buildings were white. They had no color and no people. Everything was vacant except for him standing there.

Ichigo found himself the guts to walk to the edge of the building he was atop of and looked down. He was hundreds of feet high from the ground and just looking to the empty sidewalk made his stomach turn.

"Oh, God…" Ichigo stumbled backwards away from the edge and took a deep breath. "Okay, this is weird. Maybe there's a way out?" Ichigo wondered. He turned and started forward but soon realized there was no door. That's when he began to panic.

Looking around, Ichigo noticed that this concrete jungle looked… vaguely familiar. He felt like he's seen this place before; like he's been IN this place before, but nothing struck him.

"Where the hell am I?" He continued to wonder. Nothing right now made any sense to him. He felt lost and stranded. How was he supposed to get out? More importantly, where was everyone? No one was around but him. And where was Rukia? "Rukia!" Ichigo called desperately. But the only response he got was his own echo. "Rukia, where are you!" He yelled louder, but again, his own voice answered him with the same question. He was alone.

Ichigo turned around again and started walking a different direction more hastily. He was desperate to get out. There had to be a way out.

"… what's the hurry?"

The ominous purr sent shivers down Ichigo's spine and he stopped dead in his tracks.

'Was that a voice?' Ichigo thought as he looked around. He was completely alone. No one was around him. Who was that? "Hello?!" He called. Only an echo. Was his mind playing tricks on him? "I must be losing my mind…" Ichigo said as he put a hand to his forehead.

"In a sense, yes!"

The voice came again; this time it was louder and closer. Ichigo felt his heart thump against his chest. He wasn't alone. Someone was here with him!

"Who's there?" Ichigo called defensively. "Show yourself!" He yelled. There were no words, but a menacing cackle rang through Ichigo's ears. It was so loud. Like it was coming from inside his head. Ichigo clamped his hands over his ears and groaned in pain. Why did it hurt so much?

"You'll find out soon enough!" It screamed in his ears. "Just wait! Just you wait!" Ichigo collapsed to his knees as his ear drums shattered. He was in so much pain. What was happening?

Ichigo cracked in eye open from the pain and noticed that the buildings were one by one disappearing. His eyes shot open in horror when he realized the building he was on was slowly disappearing as well.

"Wait! No!" Ichigo struggled to his feet and tried to run, but the ringing in his ears took away his sense of balance and he stumbled. "Damn it! No!" The building was rapidly vanishing and Ichigo soon found himself falling into oblivion with an evil laugh echoing in his head.

Sweaty and shaking, Ichigo awoke with a violent jerk and his eyes shot open. What the hell just happened?

"Ichigo?" Ichigo looked up and saw Rukia standing at his bedside. "You okay? You were shaking. I thought you were cold." She said.

'A dream… it was just a dream… thank God.' Ichigo relaxed a bit, his eyelids drooping in relief. "I'm alright. Just chilly." he lied.

"I thought so," Rukia replied. "You don't have a shirt on and your window was open all night." She crossed her arms and pivoted her hip. "You know that late spring has cold nights, Ichigo. What if you would've gotten sick again?" Ichigo slowly sat up. She was right. His shirt was indeed off and on the floor by the corner of the bed. 'When the hell did I take my shirt off? Did I do that in my sleep?' Ichigo wondered. Ichigo never showed skin in front of Rukia or anybody else for that matter. Speaking of which…

Ichigo instantly threw the blankets over himself and blushed bright red. He was half-naked in front of Rukia!

"U-uh… could you hand me my shirt… please?" He asked. Rukia giggled.

"Of course." She agreed. She got his shirt and handed it to him and turned around so Ichigo was okay with dressing himself. Ichigo still had that scar from the night his parents died all those years ago. He was extremely shy about showing it to anyone, even Rukia. But she didn't mind. She didn't care. So long as Ichigo was with her.

After Ichigo got his shirt on he stood up and stretched. He still couldn't fathom of just what he dreamed of... and how his shirt got off.

"It's about time you've gotten up." Rukia said as she turned to him. Ichigo arched his eyebrows.

"What do you mean?" Ichigo asked, clearly confused about what she was talking about.

"What do I mean? Ichigo, it's half past noon." Rukia said. Ichigo's jaw dropped.

"Wha-?!" Ichigo looked back to his clock by his bed.

12:30 p.m. He's never slept in that late before!

"Were you up late last night again?" Rukia asked, crossing her arms. Ichigo shook his head.

"No! I went to bed not long after you." Ichigo said. Rukia's seriousness was gone in a flash and she began to chuckle at him.

"It doesn't matter, Ichigo. I'm just kidding with you. Come on, might as well start the rest of our day shall we?" Rukia smiled. Ichigo smiled back at her, but couldn't help recall the dream he had. Instead, he forgot about it for now and followed Rukia down the stairs. When they made it to the living room, they were more than surprised to see Byakuya standing just in front of the doorway to the kitchen. "Byakuya?" Rukia said in surprise. Her brother turned to them. "I thought you were supposed to be at work? What are you doing home this early?" she asked. Byakuya was still and silent for a brief moment before walking up to her.

"Rukia, we need to talk." he said in a deep voice and beckoned her to follow him. Ichigo gave Rukia a worried glance. He was afraid of what Byakuya was going to say. What if he was going to say he had to leave? Ichigo didn't want to leave. Where would he go?

"I'll be right back." Rukia told Ichigo and followed her brother outside on the porch. Ichigo was left alone in the living room, worriedly pondering what could be going on. When Kon walked in and rubbed against Ichigo's leg, he turned his attention to the cat.

'Maybe it's Kon he wants to get rid of... not me.' Ichigo thought. What was he talking about? Kon was here way before he ever was and he knew nothing was going to change that. But Rukia said that he was never going to leave. He was staying right here. So why was he worrying?

"Ichigo." he turned and saw Yoruichi standing in the kitchen. His worry gaze made her look concerned, too. "Come here. I have to tell you something." she said and walked into the kitchen. Ichigo felt his heart skip a beat and walked in with Kon behind him. He found Yoruichi leaning up beside the counter. "Don't give me that look. You're not in trouble." she said. Ichigo sighed in relief. He wasn't going to tell her his irrational fear. She'd probably laugh at him.

"Is Rukia okay?" he asked her.

Yoruichi nodded. "She's fine. For now I suppose." Yoruichi said.

"For now?" Ichigo wondered. "Why for now? What's going on?" he asked more frantically. Yoruichi gave a very uneasy look down.

"Well... you know how Byakuya had that job as an investigator all those years ago?" Yoruichi asked him. Ichigo did remember hearing something about that. But he thought that was Izuru's job?

"Yeah. What about it?" He asked.

Yoruichi looked back at him. "Well…"

Outside on the porch, Rukia stood in front of Byakuya. He looked worried if something.

"Rukia, I need to tell you something." Byakuya started.

"Tell me, then." Rukia said sternly. "But before you do, does it have something to do with work?" She asked. When Byakuya didn't answer, Rukia's face paled. "Byakuya, please tell me you didn't lose your job…" she begged. Byakuya shook his head.

"I didn't lose it." He told her. For a minute, Rukia breathed a sigh if relief until, "I quit."

Her eyes nearly bugged out of her head. "You did WHAT?" She almost yelled.

"You heard me. I quit my job down at the jail." Byakuya repeated.

"But why?" Rukia asked. She couldn't believe what Byakuya just did. Was he insane? They'll lose the house! "Byakuya how could you do such a crazy thing? What about our house? Where the hell are we going to live if we lose this house! What is wrong with you!" Rukia yelled at him.

"Rukia, calm down." Byakuya said in a strict tone. Rukia went quiet but couldn't hide her anger very well in front of her older brother. "I was offered another job. A job that has better benefits and pay. That's why I quit." he explained. Rukia became calmer. That was good news she supposed, but the question was: where and what was it?

"Okay, so what's this job that's so much better?" Rukia asked. Byakuya hesitated. Rukia caught on and narrowed her eyes.

"Byakuya, what's wrong? Are you hiding something from me?" she asked. Byakuya took a deep breath.

"Izuru came by last night and offered me a position back on the team. I called him this morning and told him I'd take the spot. I start tomorrow afternoon." Byakuya said. Rukia was stunned at first. Izuru actually offered him his job back? But Byakuya said...

"I thought you said you wouldn't go back? I thought you were officially done with it." Rukia asked.

"I thought, too, but..." Byakuya looked down at the porch. "I didn't realized just how much I had a passion for it. As for what I did last time…"

"It's okay, Byakuya." Rukia said. Byakuya looked to Rukia. She was smiling. "I understand. It's not up to me what you want to do." She said. Byakuya nodded and breathed an invisible sigh of relief. That was easier than he expected. "I'm thankful that you told me instead of sneaking off like a fox behind my back." she glared playfully at her. Byakuya smiled a bit. Then Rukia walked up to him and hugged him. It surprised Byakuya. He hasn't gotten a hug like this from his sister in a long time. "Does this mean I'm getting my brother back?" Rukia asked. Byakuya hugged her tightly.

"Where did I go to begin with?" he asked. He knew fully well what she meant by that. Rukia looked up at him.

"Just make sure you don't get lost again. Promise?" she asked.

Byakuya nodded, "Promise."

"Aw, how sweet." the two turned to see Yoruichi and Ichigo standing at the door. Ichigo's face was tinged pink a bit. "Looks like Byakuya has a heart after all. And all this time I thought he was filled with hot air and gas." she giggled and Ichigo suppressed a snort. Byakuya glared at her. Rukia laughed.

"You'll regret that, Yoruichi Shihoin." he growled at her.

"Uh-oh! He used my full name. I'm in trouble!" Yoruichi ran into the house laughing. Byakuya sighed briefly before walking in after her. Rukia laughed.

"Don't kill her, Byakuya!" Rukia called after him. Ichigo walked onto the porch and next to Rukia with a smile.

"I'm glad Byakuya's taking the job back." he said. "Yoruichi told me he loved doing that. I think it's a good thing he's going back."

Rukia smiled at him. She knew Yoruichi told him. She wondered if she told him how he found out about his past. By the looks of it, it seemed Ichigo was still clueless. That's good. Rukia wanted to keep it that way. For his sake.

"I think so too." she said. "I'm glad he's going back. He'll be happier like he should be. It's not fair that he quit... especially for the reason he did." Rukia's smile faded, and Ichigo gave a worrisome glance.

"You may have told me already, but... what was the reason he quit?" Ichigo asked. Rukia didn't answer. She felt like telling him why Byakuya really left was too personal. So she went with what she thought was the truth for so long.

"I got sick when he was out on a case once. He said he quit so he could take care of me, but even the job he has now took up nearly all his time. So there wasn't much of a difference." Rukia lied. Ichigo frowned.

"I'm sorry that happened to you, Rukia. How come Yoruichi wasn't there to help you?" he asked. Rukia looked up at him.

"Yoruichi never lived with us when it happened." Rukia said. "In fact, we didn't even know Yoruichi during that time, and Renji was just a new friend that happened to be there. But that still worried Byakuya, and he quit, but was never happy with it." Ichigo nodded in understanding.

"If I was there I'd probably panic..." Ichigo admitted. "I'm not good under pressure like that..." Rukia smiled at him and hugged him.

"You're so sweet, Ichigo. I panicked myself because I didn't know what was wrong with me. But I doubt it'll happen again, and I want Byakuya to continue doing this and not worry about me so much." Rukia said.

"He loves you." Ichigo said. "Like a brother should do. It's a great thing to have someone who cares for you like that." Ichigo smiled.

"As I'm sure it's great for you to have us love you." Rukia said. Blushing, Ichigo nodded. With a sigh, Rukia let go of Ichigo and looked up at the sky. The afternoon was setting soon. The sky was tainted the slightest bit of pink. "I'll admit, I'll miss seeing him every day. Knowing Byakuya, he'll be gone on cases for days, even weeks at a time. It'll be different again." Rukia looked down at the ground. "Funny... I was so used to be alone when he was gone and now that he's been around more often... I think I'm going to miss him more." Rukia said. Ichigo wrapped his arms around Rukia.

"You still got me." he said. Rukia chuckled.

"And I'm glad I do." she turned and kissed him on the cheek. Ichigo flushed pink. "You're so cute when you're all bashful. Come on, let's go see if Yoruichi is still alive." Rukia took Ichigo's hand and led him inside.

Evening rolled around. And thankfully, Yoruichi wasn't killed by Byakuya and managed to make dinner. After eating, Rukia sat on the couch, Ichigo resting his head in her lap. His eyes were closed, and he was drifting in and out of sleep. Rukia sat, reading her book, stroking Ichigo's orange hair. He was still so cute when he slept.

"You two really are inseparable." Rukia looked to the side and saw Yoruichi standing at the side of the couch.

"I know. I want to keep it that way." Rukia smiled. Yoruichi chuckled.

"I think it'll stay that way for a long time. Anyways, Byakuya's outside and I'm not sure how he's going to react to seeing you two like this when he walks in." Yoruichi said. Rukia sighed. She had a point.

"I guess you're right." Rukia said.

"I'm surprised you've been able to keep it this calm for all these years around him." Yoruichi smiled. Rukia shrugged her shoulders.

"Well, when he's not being an annoying brother, he's being an annoying father." Rukia giggled. She poked Ichigo in the chest and he cracked open his eyes and looked up at her. "Time for bed, honey." she whispered. Ichigo yawned.

"Okay." Ichigo sat up and stretched before standing up and walking towards the stairs. Rukia got up too and laughed quietly at him.

"He's so funny. By the way, Yoruichi," Rukia turned to her. "I've noticed you've been taking some liking to my brother." Yoruichi only blinked at her. "Is it true?"

Yoruichi smirked, "I would be lying if I said no." was her reply. Rukia smirked at her in return.

"I thought you'd never show your love to him." Rukia said.

"Love?" Yoruichi spat. "I don't love him, Rukia. I like him as... a brother. Like you." she said. Rukia rolled her eyes. She knew that was a lie.

"Whatever you say. I'll see you tomorrow." she winked at him and walked away and up the stairs. Yoruichi sighed. Looks like her feelings were a lot more obvious than she thought. Though that didn't matter.

Yoruichi walked towards the front door and opened it, exiting the house to the cool air outside. She closed the door and turned. She saw Byakuya sitting on the porch steps, looking out to the dark. She walked up to him and took a seat beside him.

"You look lost in thought." she said. Byakuya turned to her.

"A bit." he admitted. "It's going to be different." he said. Yoruichi looked up.

"I know. But it'll be a good kind of different." she told him.

"It's been years since I was there." he said. Yoruichi raised an eyebrow.

"You were there not that long ago, remember?" she said.

"I mean by work means. I'm being thrown into a case tomorrow that I don't even know what's going on." Byakuya said.

"You'll be fine. I know it's hard adjusting, but I adjusted to your uptightness pretty well." she smiled. Byakuya shook his head.

"And you're like an annoying fly in my ear." Byakuya growled at her. Yoruichi chuckled. They sat in silence for a while, enjoying the night air and listening to the crickets and frogs croaking. Byakuya was thinking about everything. What it was like before and what it could be like now. Yoruichi knew it wasn't easy for Byakuya to confess like this because of his ridiculous amount of pride he had on him. However, she was glad he was talking to her like this.

"Will you miss me when I'm gone for weeks at a time?" Byakuya suddenly asked. Yoruichi was caught off guard, but she smiled and leaned on him. Byakuya jerked a bit, not expecting her to do that.

"Actually, I will." she answered. "Even if you're an uptight bastard, I've gotten used to it by now, and I have to say... I kind of like it." she said honestly. Byakuya didn't say anything for a while, resorting back to listening to the night's sounds. "Will you miss me?" she asked. Byakuya inhaled deeply.

"Yes... yes I will."

Sorry if this chapter was crappy. These last and final two weeks of high school have left me with zero time to focus on anything, but I'm really glad I got it up!

Looks like we got some romance going on between Yoruichi and Byakuya, huh? (bow chika wow wow!) . And what was with Ichigo's dream? Did it mean something? And how will Byakuya's first day back on the job be? Stay tuned to find out! And please, don't forget to review!