To hopelessromantic and xMousex, thanks much.
Disclaimer: As is usually mentioned by every author, there is no profit gained from this.
Ichimaru Gin grinned widely as he faced his visitor. "You want me to share any information on the Butterfly Killer?" he asked, amused. "You are actually asking me to help you?"
The man in front of him grunted in annoyance. "She's my prey. I don't give a jack shit if the mission was specifically given to that bastard. I owe the Butterfly Killer for this," he growled, pulling down his shirt so he could show Gin the scar.
The foxy man raised his brow. "And what made you think that I will give you information which even Ulquiorra is not interested with?" he challenged.
"I am certain you will give it to me. Otherwise," he stopped and his eyes roamed around the bar before settling on the woman who was jovially serving drinks to her friendly customers.
The grin remained on Gin's face. "I would be careful if I were you." He said the line in a friendly way that his companion briefly wondered if there's anything that could make this guy thick. "I'm simply an informant you know. And the information that I give my customers always came from a hefty price – the lives of my men who worked so hard to gather information for me. So you see, I don't give info so easily." Gin reached for his glass. "Of course, it's a different story if you even so much as use her to bait me."
"How much?" the man growled, his temper flaring.
Gin sighed. "While I am proud about my intelligence network, I'm ashamed to admit that I don't have any leads on the Butterfly Killer so you see, coming here for that purpose only proved naught." He did not even flinch as a barrel of gun was pointed at him. The action caught the attention of other customers who screamed in panic and some were already running away.
"Are you trying to piss me off?"
"Nah..." he thought for a moment. "A little I think." He grinned once more.
"I will fucking kill you!"
"Do that and I am certain that it will be your head first," a lazily voice drawled out from behind. Both Gin and his client looked at the newcomers. "Really, As Nodt, don't you have better things to do other than bullying a defenceless guy?"
Defenceless eh? Gin mused. One more minute late and Gin is certain he will make an enemy of the whole Black Berets if he killed the asshole. Not that it mattered to him but it's troublesome to make enemies from a bunch of cold-blooded killers.
Pulling away his gun, As Nodt simply gave the newcomers the dirty finger then stalked away, scaring the remaining customers. The foxy guy sighed as soon as As Nodt was out of sight.
"Ara, now I suddenly owe you my life," he said dramatically making them roll their eyes. "But that's why you guys are my favourites."
"Enough with the dramatics, Ichimaru. Honestly, it makes you look stupid," Nnoitra drawled. He unceremoniously sat on one of the seats. "So what do you have for us?"
Gin sighed twice. "But you're in an intelligence agency. How come you are lacking in information?" he quipped.
Grimmjow chuckled. "We all know the answer to that." That in reality, they are an assassin squad. He looked around the bar, nostalgia hitting him. After all, they used to hang out here. "So, had Ulquiorra ever dropped by this place?" he asked, hoping to fish for information. His friend had been MIA for the whole day.
"Yes, the other day. He asked me to make a way to fit into Jin's birthday without attracting too much attention. But you know me, I love to exaggerate things. So instead, using connections, rumours about Jin's party being a comeback party started circulating. There is no doubt the senator is pissed. But he couldn't say no to that person anyway."
The three stared at him like he had grown two heads. "Is something the matter?"
Ichigo shooked his head. "It's creepy to hear you so talkative is all."
"Ah but I am talkative Kurosaki-kun."
"Hey Gin, can I ask you something?" Grimmjow asked seriously, jerking his thumb over the empty room used for private talks.
"What's so important that you don't want us to hear about it?" Ichigo asked .
Gin met Grimmjow's eyes as the latter answered cryptically. "It's about a woman you two know nothing about. And this is personal."
His companions left it at that, respecting his privacy. Gin and Grimmjow walked towards the room in silence and when sure that they are out of earshot, Grimmjow bombarded him with questions.
"Do you know something about why Ulquiorra left a year ago? Or anything significant about the woman he killed five years ago in this very same place?"
He leaned on the wall and looked out the window. Gin simply stood in the middle of the room. "Not much."
"Then tell me."
This time, in a rare show of sincerity, Gin smiled. "Grimmjow, you are his friend. He considers you that I believe. And if I tell you what I know, then you will surely meddle with his affairs. I'm positive he warned you already so it's best that you keep out of this."
"It's exactly because he is my friend that I want to know what made him change. He told me...the woman whom he killed here was only a victim. He did not tell me more."
"Because he knows so little yet. I'm afraid there is nothing I can give you this time."
Frustrated, Grimmjow brushed his hair with his fingers. "Fuck. Two years ago, he was like a different person with his woman you know. And as his childhood friend, it's really my first time seeing him so...content? But he just upped and left...asking me to look after her for a while. When he returned, he was no longer that person two years ago. So I'm asking you to help me understand."
Gin smiled again before he made his way for the door, a signal that the interrogation is over. "You are a good friend, Grimmjow. Now I suggest we step outside already. I'm pretty sure your friend appreciates your sentiments." He opened the door and stepped out. "What you should remember was that...Rukia would have been in danger if your organization found out about her involvement with Ulquiorra. You live with the code that states that you die with the organization. Not for anyone else. Not for somebody else. It was like a statement of honour."
Grimmjow knew that to be true. In fact Black Berets is no different with the Reapers. They cannot just leave the organization whenever they felt like it. There are only two ways out. If you're old enough to retire or you're dead. An assassin will be an assassin till the day he dies. What probably only differentiate the Berets from the Reapers is that they are secretly funded by the government in the guise of an intelligence agency.
She hid at the rooftop, surveying the area where the party will be held. Assassinating Jin will be done at a far-range scale than her usual kill. Not unless she can get close to the senator without being detected. But perhaps it was stupid of her to declare her next victim. That's why Jin is now heavily guarded twenty-four seven. To make it more difficult for her plan, Byakuya will also be around.
Adjusting her mask, she peeked through the binoculars and gasped a little at the sight of her brother talking with Shiba Kukkaku and Kurosaki Isshin. She studied him carefully and something tugged at her heart. He looked so...lonesome.
"So, this is where I can find you. You make it difficult for the Reapers to contact you."
She looked over her shoulder to find one of the Reapers standing a few feet from her. Damn, she wasn't able to feel her presence. It's one of the things that an assassin should be good at. To feel someone's presence and at the same time to remain moving in stealth.
"Tatsuki," she acknowledged using her name. They call each Reaper with the code they were known, a detachment from every member actually. But Rukia is personally close to Tatsuki and considers her a good friend and mentor. After all, Tatsuki had been in the organization a lot longer than her. But when other members are around, Rukia calls her with her alias.
"I have been told to find you. There's a job for you."
"I already have a job to do," she returned to surveying. She felt Tatsuki move closer to her and the other woman stared ahead.
"Rukia, when you started attracting attention, I advised you not to be headstrong when it comes with the organization. If they tell you to do something for them, you set aside whatever you are doing to accomplish that. You already know what happens when you keep insisting on what you want. We were all witness to it – a year ago when Soi Fon was killed. It was a demonstration of what the group is capable of."
She pursed her lips at the underlying threat. "Are you threatening me now?"
"No. I'm simply reminding you not to get ahead of yourself. Now let's go. The "Captain" awaits us and you know how he does not like waiting."
Taking a deep breath, Rukia decided to pack her things and took one last glance at her brother before she stood up. Only when they were away from the building and driving back to their base did she remove her mask.
From another building, a man tossed his binoculars on the bed and reached for a cigarette. He merely shook his head.
"For a renowned assassin, she's still a newbie. Black Butterfly huh?" he mused and took a dreg of smoke. "A job as simple as this can be taken care of by anybody else." He turned to his companions who tagged along with him under the pretence of being bored.
Ichigo Kurosaki looked troubled though. "The other woman who did not bother hiding her face, I know her."
"Ho? Then we can make this job easier by asking her, don't you think?" Grimmjow asked as he played with his wine.
The comment earned a hard look from Ichigo who was a doctor by profession and an assassin by choice just like the three of them. "No. Look man, keep her out of this. She may be a Reaper but I am telling you, she's a good person. I went to the same school with her back in the days."
"A person can change in a matter of time. The mere fact that she is a Reaper is enough telling that she is just as dangerous as we are," Nnoitra put his cent in while Ulquiorra listened with boredom. He observed Ichigo who was getting easily frustrated just by debating with them.
"Listen, please, leave her alone. If she starts to become a problem then let me deal with her myself but as of now, don't make a move."
Ulquiorra decided to walk towards the door. "it doesn't really make much of a difference whether there is a Reaper that you knew or not. That Black Butterfly is merely an insect I can crush anytime. But she looks boring for an enemy so I'm sitting this one out. Have a nice night, gentlemen," he stepped out the door and left the three to argue. From the corner of his eyes, he caught a glimpse of a man moving away and acting casual about it. Ulquiorra only watched him go deciding to let the man be free for a while. His phone beeped and the content of the message is simply a name.
His next target while waiting for the Black Butterfly to make her move.
Another beep and details of his next prey were sent.
"Hinamori Momo? Who is she?" Rukia dared to ask as she glanced at the photo flashed in front of her. She studied the photo and wondered what made the Reaper want to bury her. She looked innocent and kind. Then again so are the rest of them. But somehow she looked familiar to Rukia. Like she had seen her somewhere.
The man cleared his throat. "After being with this group for a while, I would have thought you understood one of the simpler rules and that is never to ask question. There's just so much leniency we can give you know. But in light of your achievements, I will overlook this transgression and answer your question. She is a woman very special to this man – " he flashed another photo which showed the face of a brown-haired guy wearing glasses and smiling mildly. A small gasped escaped her lips upon recognizing him.
But she couldn't speak knowing her limits. Sensing her surprise, the man chuckled. "I imagined you'd be surprised. But yes that's exactly Aizen Sousuke's fiancée."
"But that's like declaring war against the entire Berets."
The "Captain" shook his head in amusement. "Despite your skills, you still have much to learn. We don't mean to invite trouble to the organization but it is necessary that we off her before the Berets gets to move against us. Right now, Hinamori Momo holds an important video that could be detrimental to all of us. She came across that after investigating the death of Soi Fon. She's representing Omeada in court and we all know that. Had she remained ignorant and quiet about this, we can spare her. But as it is, someone sent her a tape."
Rukia studied the photo once more before she nodded. "Consider it done."
The "Captain" smiled. "That is all."
The female assassin bowed in respect and turned on her heels. Upon opening the door, the man spoke again. "Oh Rukia, get that video tape."
"Yes sir."
He observed the man busy with his customers across the street. A double-sided life just like him and everyone else. There are only few who actually lived as assassin day and night. He glanced at his watch. It's almost time for the man to close his shop. Ulquiorra stood up from where he was observing and left – his destination was certain. A few hours later, a man was found dead in his sleep.
He wasn't shot in the way Ulquiorra's previous victims died. And investigation will lead them to believe the man died of overdose. It helps that this guy is in medication. As quietly as he entered the house, Ulquiorra left with an envelope in his hand – information that will lead him closer to what he is seeking for.
Zommari LeRoux alias Amore. A discharged member of the Reapers or so the information says. An expendable pawn was what became of him after he got himself injured and unable to move. But according to Gin's network, he still holds valuable information about the Reapers in general. Ulquiorra sighed and glanced at the envelope. It was the only thing he managed to find in his place. The rest were garbage.
His phone rang. It was the phone he uses when working as an assassin. "Is it done?"
"Yes."
"Did you get anything?"
"By anything I can go back and gather all those garbage but then his death wouldn't look like an overdose."
There was silence from the end of the line. "It's surprising that you didn't off him like you usually do with your targets." The boss sounded surprised.
Ulquiorra grunted. "Changing methods of killing is merely a piece of cake for me. The only reason I stuck with the usual bullet in the head was because it was the fastest way. Where shall I meet you with this?"
"You can bring it tomorrow. I'm calling a meeting for the core members."
"Tomorrow then," he said and ended the call.
From the end of the line, Aizen Sousuke shook his head at the man's action. He glanced at the officers. "Well then, it was done. Nice and clean."
"With the information he has, perhaps we can have a glimpse of the general members of the Reapers," Shinji said with a sigh. "Honestly – they work us to the bones."
"Well they have a reason to fear the Reapers. After all, most of the members that died there during its inception were former Berets. So it really does not come as a surprise to us if they knew about us either. Especially the older members," Ukitake commented. "Our problem though is that they seem to know our every move – like someone is feeding them information. Information discussed with the members from top to bottom. It is difficult to fish out the rat."
"They want us to finish this mess as soon as possible before the election starts. Shihouin Yoruichi is running for the governor's office, Juha Bach for the presidential seat against Genryusaai. Finishing the Reapers isn't about an old-age war between Reapers and Berets but because it necessitates the need for change. We need to support the one that will bring us change."
"Soi Fon's death was linked with the assassin's group known as Reapers as well as the government unit known as the Berets. What I am trying to uncover though is the reason as to why Soi Fon was murdered," Momo discussed with her colleagues as they gathered around the table. "Miss Yoruichi has sued against this person, an alleged member of the elusive group known as Reapers."
"Without proof though, he cannot be prosecuted."
"You know what as we dig deeper, more and more questions come up. Just like the evidence we reviewed. If that man was truly the suspect, then how come this woman was the one shown killing the victim?" they played back the video of a woman in a mask firing the shots repeatedly but her face was covered with a mask.
"Who is she?"
"I had it ran into the police and intelligence database. Results should arrive in a few hours according to my contact," Hisagi Shuhei provided and tapped his pen over the table. "But why did this evidence come a year later?"
Momo checked her watch before she answered. "Good question. Then the matter of Mr. Omaeda's guilt is questionable."
A braided woman with eyeglasses stood up. "We'll discuss this further tomorrow. I have a court-hearing in about an hour so I have to leave," she gathered her things, signalling all of them to move as well. "Later guys."
"Lisa is a damn workaholic, she never rests," one of the members of the team complained. "It's like her work is her life."
Shuhei chuckled. "It is her life actually," he mentioned. "I heard that she was the man in her house too."
"Her husband is always the eccentric type though. Come to think of it, doesn't he work in the same agency as your fiancé, Mo?" Mizuru asked.
Momo smiled. "Mr. Kyrouraku was a retired member I believe."
"When is your wedding anyway?"
"In a few months. You are all invited by the way." She stood up with her briefcase in tow. "Bye guys."
At night, when she arrived home, she was met with the deadly silence of her house. Despite being used to it, something about now seemed different. Alerted, Hinamori Momo carefully brought out her gun. Turning the lights on, she was met with a small woman comfortably sitting on her sofa, a gun aimed at her.
"Good evening, attorney."
"Who are you?"
The smaller of the two women merely shrugged. "You don't need to know. I believe you have something of value to us."
Momo immediately thought of the video tape and inwardly cursed. And she has it with her. Noticing the slight change in her expression, Rukia sighed.
"Then there is no use prolonging the talk – where is it?"
"I don't have it."
"Yeah?" she challenged. Momo was trying to figure out why she looked familiar.
"Yes. Look, I don't – "
"It's too bad attorney." Without warning, three shots were fired even before Momo could fire her own. As she stared at the ceiling, breathing her last and the woman looked at her, it finally clicked on Momo.
"You..." before she could continue, another shot was fired and everything went black.
Rukia stared at the lawyer before rummaging through her things. After a while, she left with a videotape in hand. Not wanting to see her car drive away from a crime scene, she actually stole someone's car and used it to drive to a nearby place where her car remained hidden. Being very cautious, she made sure that she parked in a place that a camera could not catch. She jumped down from the stolen car, leaving the gun she used and climbed her car.
She was driving away when her phone rang. Glancing at the caller ID, she pressed the answer button. "Rukia here."
"Ru, I'm sorry but Zommari was found dead. From what we can tell, he was dead two or three hours ago," Tatsuki broke out the news.
She stiffened and screwed her eyes shut. "No," she managed a gasp. Zommari was an old friend who helped pick up the pieces of her life five years ago. Five years ago...the rage overwhelmed her once more as she drove the car like she was racing the devil herself. "Was it the Chameleon?"
"No. His neighbour found him dead on pills. Paramedics said the cause of death was overdose. It happened to him once or twice so maybe he wasn't able to control it again. I'm really sorry."
"Damn it," she cursed and turned left. Due to the speed she was driving and her anger, she was unable to react on time when a truck came from the other side of the road. The last thing she heard was Tatsuki's worried voice.
Tatsuki was driving away from Zommari's place when she was talking to Rukia. She doesn't know where Rukia was at that moment and she didn't ask knowing the Captain sent her on a mission. But she heard a crash and she knew something happened. To be sure, she turned the radio on, waiting for any news about a crash.
Her mobile rang at that exact moment. "Not now Renji" she said to the caller.
"Everything alright? I simply called to tell you I will be late for dinner. I'm on my way towards an accident area. A truck hit a car and the driver of the car was found in critical condition.
"Renji, I was talking to Rukia when I heard a crash. Can you make sure if she's that one?" she asked, her gears already working. If the police are there and investigate, they will find the weapons in Rukia's car. She needed to get there fast and unnoticed by anyone especially Renji.
Renji did not respond to her but Tatsuki is confident that he will heed her request and so a few minutes later, he called back.
"Tat, it's Rukia." And he gave her the details. Tatsuki checked her map to see how far away she was from the crime scene. She prayed she can make it on time. "She was insistent that she's fine but I had Nanao take her to the hospital just to make sure. She did not sustain much injury so don't worry so much. But the third driver, the one who emerged from the left was in critical condition. Tat, she's Kurosaki's kid sister, Yuzu."
Renji was busy instructing the team to pack everything up when an explosion nearby caused everyone's attention. Thankfully only the police were left at the scene already and paramedics left with the drivers.
"What's that?" he asked, motioning his men to move. "Go check on it."
"Kira already drove there, lieutenant," one of his men informed.
"Is everything wrapped up here?" he asked.
'Yes sir. We only have to tow – "
"Sir, come have a look at this," one of his subordinates called while looking inside the cargo truck. Glancing at the direction of the explosion, he sighed then moved to towards the one who spoke.
"What did you se—holy shit," he cursed when he was met with the sight. Wanting to be sure, he moved closer and scooped a little. "This is – "
"Cocaine. Lots of them. The entire truck is filled with them," Hiyori continued for him in her bored tone as she emerged from inside the cargo. "And I found these too," she said extending her hand pointing to crates of guns.
Renji screwed his eyes shut. "Damn it, I'm never going to get the vacation I wanted," he groaned, imagining Tatsuki's annoyed expression. He sighed deeply then turned to Hiyori. "Any significant details about our driver?"
She only shrugged. "I'll have Yumi work on it."
The lieutenant nodded his head. "Alright, I'll leave – "
He did not get to finish his sentence when it suddenly rained bullets everywhere. Immediately ducking, he pulled Hiyori down as they bought sought for cover.
"Where the heck did they come from?!" Hiyori asked and winced. Renji noticed this and realized she was hit as her hand was covering her stomach wound. "Fuck," she hissed in pain.
"Hiyori – "
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me," she cut him off. Both turned to their left when another of the remaining police force was gunned down. "I will call for back-ups."
"They must have come for the cargo," Renji told her as he brought out his gun and looked around him. He took a peek. "We have to get out of here and find a better hiding place." He traded shots before he surveyed his surroundings. They are literally in the middle of the road, far from the urban area. From the way they were ambushed, it's very clear that they were surrounded. Those men probably took the time to surround them while creating a diversion to divide their forces. "Hiyori –" his eyes widened upon noticing what's coming for them. "Shit! Down!" he said, pulling Hiyori away from the car.
Later, he will remember that seven of his men died that night while they were ambushed by unknown men. Later, when he regained consciousness, he would remember that he only survived because Hiyori chose to shield him after the car they were hiding from exploded.
He doesn't remember much about what happened that night. All he remembered as he watched them lay down the caskets was that the explosion was merely a diversion so those people can attack the remaining enforcers and steal the cargo. His right arm suffered severe injuries as well as other parts of his body. But he couldn't feel the pain.
He clenched his fist as he stared at the peaceful face of Hiyori. "Damn it. I will make them pay," he whispered. "I will make them pay, Hiyori." He straightened his back and turned on his heel where he was met with Tatsuki and Rukia.
"Ren – "
"If there's something I was thankful that night – it's the fact that you were brought to the hospital before that happened, Rukia," he said to his friend. "Unfortunately for the driver, I am not done with him."
"I'm really sorry for what happened to them. I understand HIyori is close to you," Rukia said. She and Tatsuki wore a frown that Renji could not understand but paid no mind. "But anyway, I'm willing to answer any questions in case – "
"They have already given me the report. You were coming from the other side of the road. The cargo came from the left. Yuzu was coming from behind and was about to overtake. I saw the video." He sighed then turned to his wife. "I might be late for dinner."
"Yeah." Tatsuki firmly held his arm as a show of support.
When they were both in Tatsuki's car, the woman gritted her teeth. "It all happened so fast. By the time I got there, Renji was already fighting for his life. The cargo was gone. Whoever fucked with my husband will face retribution. I'm going to do my own investigation."
The news about what happened became known nationwide and being a part of the accident, Rukia was forced into hiding from the press. It also helped that Tatsuki moves in the world of journalism and pretended to have had a private interview with her.
What probably caught the attention of the media was the fact that on that same night, two other people were found dead as well. One was reported to have died from overdose while the other was reported to have been murdered.
"Do you think it's the Berets?" she asked tentatively.
"Honestly? I don't know. It would be so much simpler if we blame it all to the Berets."
They were both quiet as they drove away. "Tat – "
"You should lie-low for a while. I think killing the lawyer was a mistake. Her fiancé isn't a very forgiving man when it comes to the people harming the ones he loves."
Rukia sighed. "The Captain was thoroughly pissed when I told him the tape was lost in that explosion." She ignored her friend's advice. "It was reckless of me. I consider that my failure and to think I was curious to know what was on that tape."
Tatsuki glanced at Rukia and shook her head. "Sometimes I wonder if you have a death wish. You love to show your defiance, an act that tells the Reapers they don't own you. And you also obsessed with the Chameleon."
Rukia chose not to comment and took a nap while Tatsuki plotted her own revenge.
A short man growled in fury as he collared one of his men and slammed him on the wall. "What part of do not cause unnecessary trouble did you not understand?!" he said.
"We were told to retrieve the cargo at all cost. We had a timetable to meet and we can't afford to let the police take hold of those evidences. We only did what we had to do to keep our asses safe, Toshirou," Kusaka spoke calmly.
Hitsugaya Toshirou raked his hair in frustration. "Fuck this, I leave things to you and you always manage to fuck me up." He turned on his heel and left the room. Kusaka sighed as he stared at the retreating form of his friend.
"Does he truly understand what would happen to our group if we failed to deliver that on time?" one of their companions asked.
"He does but at the same time, Toshirou is a guy who abhors unnecessary killings. Especially when there are civilian casualties involved. Just give him time to cool off his head." He sighed. "We managed to buy us time before we can relocate. It is only a matter of time before someone will start breathing down our necks for the mess we have created."
Ulquiorra found Ichigo sitting beside his sister's bed. "Any development?"
The doctor shook his head. "You know, I've been thinking...that accident...that truck..."
Ulquiorra chose a spot near the window and leaned slightly on the wall, his eyes fixed on the outside as if he is assessing the very surrounding itself. "The past three days, we did some digging. Good thing we know a genius who specializes on forensics." Fishing out something from inside his coat, Ulquiorra handed his friend a white envelope. "Most of the paper trail may have been lost when the cargo truck was stolen but we managed to retrieve that and made some little research. Do you recognize the insignia?" Ulquiorra asked as he watched the doctor open the envelope and stare at the paper.
Ichigo whispered. "Black Hawk."
"They were probably hired to deliver the cargo. Or they knew about a shipment and decided to steal them."
"I thought they were lying low."
"They have – at least in this area. They have mostly concentrated their operations in Taiwan though. Anyway, I simply came to drop you that." He leaned away and glanced at Yuzu. "I really hope she gets better soon," he said sincerely, being reminded of the warm and sunny smile of this woman who always made them feel very welcome in the Kurosaki household.
"Me too," Ichigo nodded. "I don't care if they said it was an accident. I won't stop until I find out the nest of the Black Hawks. And I might be dropping a visit to a friend – after all, he was involved in this too." After hearing about accident, Ichigo immediately made arrangements to transfer Yuzu to the hospital he is working for. He never got the chance to see and talk to Tatsuki or even visit his friend. He was in Thailand when that happened and Nnoitra was the one who facilitated his sister's transfer.
Ulquiorra glanced at his friend and nodded. "I see," he started for the door when Ichigo spoke once more.
"You know – I'm pretty sure you and Grimmjow did not take me and Nnoitra as fools. We know about Rukia too. We know she was your woman and we truly waited for you to tell us the truth but it seemed you preferred not to let us in."
"Then I should congratulate you two for being observant and all," he sniggered.
Ichigo scowled. "Seriously though, does she have a penchant for car accidents? We recently met one with her and not a month passed by and she's already destroyed another car."
"She does have a penchant for that," he agreed and waved his hand as a sign. "Ja ne."
Rukia watched the water below. Managing to run away from the press, she decided to hide in this place. She found out that nothing changed about it. Her and Ulquiorra bought this lakehouse as investment – a hideaway place when they wanted privacy.
When he left a year ago, Rukia never bothered to come here but having left with no other choice, she decided to stay in this place for a while. Her employer, she hoped, would understand. She sighed and thought about the lawyer she killed.
Hinamori Momo. She killed her and Rukia knew there is no coming back from that. Her only option now is to survive and move forwards until eventually, she can kill the Chameleon.
"But what was on that tape?" she could not help but ask to herself. She intended to make a copy of that video before she gives it to the Captain but alas, her luck ran out that night. What was deemed detrimental to the organization that the Captain risked waging war against the Berets?
As she mulled over that, she felt a presence creep behind her so she turned around to be met with the casual form of Ulquiorra leaning on the small bridge with his arms crossed together. Rukia frowned. How come she never felt anyone approach? Does he always move like that? Rukia couldn't remember.
"I have been watching you for fifteen minutes. I knew this is where I can find you."
Rukia swallowed, having been reminded of her last conversation with him. "What are you doing here?" she asked bitingly.
One brow was raised. "Just because I was absent for one year does not mean I can't come here. I also own this place, Rukia."
Moving away from him, she sighed. "Then I guess I should leave. The point of coming here alone is so I can have time for myself."
"Or wasn't it to run away from the press?"
She stopped as her eyes widened. "You – "
"I remember two years ago, you were terrified of the press. That's why I had to keep you as a secret. But now," he shrugged. "You don't have to leave. I simply came to see how you are doing. After all, you met another accident."
She clenched her fist. "So you came here because you felt so? Is that it? You just pop out every now and then without so much as a word of hello and goodbye?" she turned to him, eyes filled with bitterness and fury and pain. "Am I simply that easy to throw away and pick up when you felt like it?"
His face did not show any reactions at all. He simply stared at her and watched as she vented out. When she realized that he has no plan of speaking at all, she turned on her heels and left. "Fuck this! I'm done with this! And I'm done with you!" she left and never looked back. After packing her things and she looked around, she just knew, he was gone.
Rukia stared at the lake as she stood at the door. "Huh," she said in disappointment and fury. "What did I expect?" she asked and screamed in fury as she thrashed the place.
He simply leaned and listened as she screamed and wailed in fury and pain. He willed himself to remain where he was hidden and not go to her. When the news about that night came out, Ulquiorra's immediate concern was Rukia and Yuzu. He cursed her luck for getting into some freaking accident again.
Of course, when they were told she was safe and sound and only suffered minor injuries, Ulquiorra can only sigh in relief. Due to Yuzu being in the state she was in, Ulquiorra together with Grimmjow and Nnoitra took it upon themselves to have some research about that cargo. They were just finished talking with Mashiro, their forensic contact, when he received a call to meet at Starrk's club.
"What's this?" he eyed the locket placed at the middle of the table.
"I have a job for you," Gin said.
"Not interested."
The foxy man gave a wolfish grin. "Oh I'm pretty sure this will interest you very much, Ulquiorra-kun."
He simply stared at the silver-haired guy. His eyes flickered at the sandy-haired woman who gave him a wave of her hand. In response, Ulquiorra acknowledged her with a nod. Gin only grinned at the exchange.
"Considering the recent buzz, it's only a matter of time before that guy will move. Now that her name and face is all over the news, there is just no way he will sit back especially knowing there could be a very big chance that he will see her again. Hence, he came to me with this offer. And really I simply cannot refuse. He's offering me a big amount," Gin explained. "Well, it's considered small for him but you know, money is money."
Had he not worked with him for years now, Ulquiorra might have believed that Gin is a man interested only in cash. But Ulquiorra knew better and he knew there's always a reason for Gin. Be it entertainment, be it curiosity but it was never for money. That much he knew.
"I'm really not interested. I'm an assassin for hire and not a detective," Ulquiorra whispered so that no one can hear. But despite that, curiosity got the better of him and he reached for the locket. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Gin grin widely as if anticipating a suspense action to happen. Sighing, Ulquiorra opened it and blinked. Then he glanced at Gin before glancing back at the picture inside.
He was quiet for a while which forced Gin to finally speak. "You're such a bore sometimes," he complained. "I was waiting for a reaction like "What the hell" or something along that line." He sighed. "Still not interested?"
"What's the meaning of this?" he asked with a frown.
"That, my boy, is Kuchiki Byakuya's long-lost sister, Kuchiki Rukia, the owner of the locket found in this place two years ago."
He shook his head at the recent memory as his hand fished out for the locket. Now, he understood why she never wanted to be seen in media with him. A long-lost sister huh?
He wondered, did she run away? Why doesn't she want to be found? So many questions and it struck him that despite how much he loves her, he knew nothing about her past. Except what she told him. He never pried. He was never the type to pry into someone's privacy. Something like regret bubbled inside him. How much did he know about her?
Before he had the time to ask more questions, his mobile vibrated. Fishing it out, he answered the phone. "Yeah?"
"Hey, have you heard? Someone bombed the Honky tonks," Grimmjow broke the news.
"What?" he asked and leaned away.
"Nnoitra was already there. I'm on my way. He found Rangiku...dead. Not from the explosion but she was gunned down."
Gin!
"I'll be on my way," he said and looked back at the house. Their hide-away place. A place just for the two of them. It's too sad that so much had changed between them stemming from that decision to leave and protect her.
"Perhaps...one day..." he said to himself.
Well, it's my longest chapter so far, introducing a few more characters as we move with the plot. Each character's fate will one way or another cross with each other. Hope you enjoyed it.
