A/N: Sorry guys! I know I'm a day late posting this but I have semi good reasons!

I've been pretty busy lately with getting ready to move, this school year coming to an end, as well as being hit with writers block. I rewrote this thing like three times because I wasn't liking how it flowed :l

Also, about the moving thing. I'll be working on getting into a nice updating pattern but I'm going to be moving some stuff into my new house any chance I get. I'm down to my last two weeks of my junior year so I'm going to be really busy with moving, as well as school. (Yay me!) So I'll write in my free time. However, I'm not sure how much free time I'l have.

My new updating schedule, once things start dying down some, will consist of posts Friday afternoon and Monday night (if things go nicely).

Anyway, enough of my pointless babbling. On with this story! I made it as long as I could in the time I had to make up for the short chappy's. 3

"Miss you need to wake up soon. You can't sleep forever y'know!"

Lilith bolts upright in bed, tears rolling down her cheeks, her violet eyes are shining in the moonlight coming in through the window. Her visions blurs around the edges and she feels slightly dizzy. Her whole body aches from lying still for so long. She places her head in her hands and sobs uncontrollably. "I'm so sorry Daisuke. I'm so sorry I couldn't save you. I'm never going to be able to protect the people I care about. I-"

Stop your whining girl. You're driving me absolutely insane!

Lilith freezes. You... Why didn't you help me?!

Foolish girl! When will you realize that you can do things on your own instead of relying on everyone else to save you? He spits.

I don't-

That's my point. You're always whining about not being able to protect everyone. Not everyone can be protected! Look around you, girl. You aren't the only person suffering from the loss of someone! He sounds broken and frustrated. Lilith sits in stunned silence, her breathing is the only thing she can hear.

I-I'm sorry.

Silence. She lost her chance to communicate. Lilith briefly closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. Her legs were wrapped in a light blue blanket, most likely from thrashing around in her sleep. She untangles herself from the sheets. Her movements are awkward, her muscles are stiff from sleep. Her hand brushes up against something hard and cold. She jerks her hand away from the sheathed sword laying next to her. Although she understands where he is coming from, she still finds it hard to forgive him for leaving her to fend for herself. She stands, placing her hand on the desk beside the bed to keep her balance. She takes a tentative step forward and slowly removes her hand from the desk, testing her balance. Her leg feels tight, as if something was wrapped around it. She places her hand on her thigh and feels bandages beneath her shihakusho.

That's right. The hollow cut…me…

She gives her head a sharp shake and instantly she regrets it. She feels a wave of nausea wash over her. She stands there for a few moments calming her churning stomach and then glances around the room. She notes how bare it is. This couldn't possibly be a woman's room... There's a closet a few feet in front of her and she tiptoes over to it, hesitantly sliding the door open. There was a futon placed on the shelf in the closet. Who would sleep in the closet? She leans into the small space and looks at the walls. Poorly drawn rabbits cover the walls in a variety colors. She is so engrossed in deciphering the drawings she didn't hear someone enter the room.

"Lilith? What are you doing snooping in the boy's closet?"

Lilith jumps at the sudden voice behind her. She turns on her heel so quickly she slams her head into the closet door as she attempts to close it. "I-I-I-I was ju-just looking!" She stammers placing her hand on her head. "You shouldn't sneak up on people like that Suki!" She shouts, blushing furiously.

Suki is crying at this point, having laughed herself to tears. "You've always been skittish Lilith but this is a new one for you!" She said between barely controlled giggles.

Lilith simply glares at the girl who is grasping her sides.

A thought occurs to Lilith. "Where are we anyway Suki?"

Suki, recovering from her fit of giggles, strides over to the bed and sits down. Lilith follows suit. "We are at the Kurosaki clinic in the world of the living. I didn't want to bring you home to Kazumi looking as you did. Isshin and Ichigo showed up as you killed the hollow and offered to fix you up here when I arrived."

"And my mother?"

"I contacted her when we arrived two days ago to let her know our mission would take longer than it should have."

I've been asleep that long?

Lilith suddenly feels a tingle as she senses someone approaching the door of the room. Two sharp knocks and the door was opening. A young girl with black hair enters scowling slightly, "Sorry to intrude, but I was sent to tell you that dinner is ready if you're hungry."

"Thank you Karin. We'll be down shortly."

The girl nods at Suki. She stands there for a few moments looking directly at Lilith with a strange look on her face, then turns and rushes from the room, dragging the door shut behind her.

Suki sighs. "It doesn't seem she is too thrilled by our presence."

Lilith looks at the door. "I suppose I can relate. I wouldn't be too happy about two strangers in my house dressed strangely either." Lilith turns her head sharply to Suki. "Why is it she can see us?"

"It seems this family has unusually high levels of reiatsu. They can all see us."

"Hm." Lilith is slightly suspicious but doesn't think too much on it. It must be my imagination.

Suki rises. "I guess we should go get something to eat. We should head out afterwards. Kazumi-sama must be worried sick."

"Mm." Lilith unsteadily gets to her feet. "Knowing her she has already burned holes in the floor pacing back and forth."

Suki laughs at the thought, striding over to the door and opens it. Lilith follows Suki through the house, down the stairs, and into the dining room. There were already three people seated at the table and one still dishing out the plates. At the table sits the same black haired girl that informed them of dinner, an older man with short black hair, and a boy with bright orange hair. The girl dishing out the food looked a lot like the black haired girl, except with dark blond hair that reaches just past her shoulders. "Oh! I hope you two are hungry. I made plenty so please eat!" She gives the girls a kind smile. The girls take their seats and look at the food laid out in front of them.

Lilith isn't sure what to make of the rather spiritually aware family she is dining with. But decides not to think too much on it. She takes a tentative bite of the food and suddenly she is hit with an overwhelming feeling of hunger. I didn't realize just how hungry I was. The food tastes simply divine. Lilith is baffled. This girl made all of this? She can't be much older than me!

The meal is spent in relative silence as nervous glances are shared between the two parties.

After eating, Lilith rises, thanks the girl for the food, and makes her way back up to the room where her zanpakuto still sits. Opening the door, she strides over to the bed. Her gaze full of disdain as she lays her eyes on the sheathed blade resting heavily on the sheets. She sighs, leaning down to retrieve it and straps it to her waist.

"You're zanpakuto is part of you. It can tell what you feel towards it, y'know."

Lilith turns towards the door and spots the orange haired boy standing in the doorway.

"How do you…?"

The boy simply waves it off. He walks over to the desk and sits in the chair. "You're Lilith, right?" He asks, curiosity in his gaze.

Lilith nods, turning to face him. "And you're," she pauses a moment, thinking. "Ichigo. Right?"

He too nods. "Your friend, Sumi-"

"Suki." Lilith corrects him.

"Right, Suki. She mentioned your sword won't tell you it's name. Is that right?"

Lilith regards him warily. "And if it is?" She states crossing her arms.

He holds up his hands. "I was just thinking that maybe the sword needs something from you before it will reveal it's power to you." He pauses, crossing his arms as well. He looks like he's pondering something.

"What do you mean? He refuses to talk to me, much less tell me what he wants." Lilith asks curiously, uncrossing her arms.

"Maybe he already has." Ichigo states simply.

Lilith's eyes widen. "You mean-"

"Lilith! Are you ready to go? We need to-" Suki appears in the doorway and catches sight of Ichigo, stopping mid-sentence. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to intrude!" She turns to leave.

"Suki! We were just talking. I'm ready to leave now, sorry for making you wait." Lilith takes one last glance at Ichigo and heads for the hallway. "Let's go."

Suki bows to him. "Thank you for all you have done for us, Ichigo. Please thank your father for me, I think he left the house a couple minutes ago so we won't see him before we leave." She stands straight, waving goodbye. He nods in response.

They remain silent as they made their way through the house and to the front door. As Lilith is about to open it, a voice speaks up behind them.

"You guys are leaving already?" Lilith and Suki turn to see a slightly disappointed look on Yuzu's face. "I thought for sure you would stay longer since you guys are Ichigo's friends…" She trails off.

"We're not-" Lilith starts.

Suki giggles, cutting Lilith off. "Oh Yuzu. We'll come back eventually to see you again. I promise!" She winks at the girl. "And next time, we just may stay longer!"

The girls face brightens up, hope shining in her eyes. "Mm!" She nods happily. "I'll wait!"

Suki gives one more smile before ushering Lilith out the door and closing it behind them.

Lilith sighs as they make their way down the street. "Is it okay to lie to the girl like that, Suki?" She glances at the other girl. "We are going to get chewed out when we return home and I don't think mother will allow us to come back," Lilith states. "Not any time soon anyway." She adds thoughtfully.

Suki shrugs. "Who knows. Maybe she'll go easy on us?"

Lilith grunts. Unlikely.

It's completely dark out when they finally arrive home in Algerin, the lamps located along the pathways are off. Everyone must have already turned in for the night. Lilith muses as she walks with Suki towards Kazumi and Lilith's home. Lilith's heart is beating a mile a minute at the impending confrontation with her mother.

They're approaching the door when suddenly it's thrown open and Kazumi jumps at Lilith and smothers her in a hug. "Lilith! I was worried sick! Are you guys alright? What happened?"

"Mmfff!"

Suki taps on Kazumi's shoulder. "I think you're choking the poor girl."

Kazumi jumps away from Lilith, allowing her to breathe. "Oh!"

Lilith, gasping for air, speaks breathlessly. "I'm fine mother. We're fine. Just had some…" Lilith pauses, her gaze dropping to the floor as she clutches her shihakusho. Her knuckles turning white from squeezing the fabric, "hollow trouble."

Kazumi glances at Suki and is met by a sharp shake of Suki's head. Kazumi frowns.

"Well, get inside Lilith. I'm sure you're tired. Go on to your room and relax. I want to speak to Suki for a moment. And say hello to Tsukasa would you? He's been up my ass since you've been gone, wondering if you were okay."

Lilith smiles, looking up at Kazumi. She notices the dark circles under her eyes and her disheveled appearance. She is wearing her shihakusho as usual, but didn't look as neat as Kazumi usually kept herself. Lilith frowns and walks inside in search of the butler of this house. She finds him in the kitchen sitting at the table drinking tea, his back to her. Putting aside any thoughts of how worried her mother must have been, Lilith plants a smile on her face. "Tsukasa! I'm back!" She shouts at him. She giggles when she sees him nearly jump out of his skin.

He turns and shouts with glee when he sees her standing there. "Lilith darling!" He sets his cup of tea on the table and rushes over to her, nearly tripping himself in the process. He crushes Lilith to his chest. "I'm so glad you're safe! I was so worried. When you're mother told me you hadn't returned yet I was so distraught I barely slept a wink!" He goes on and on like that until he realizes Lilith is slumped in his arms, drooling slightly. "Lilith! Oh honey did I squeeze you too tight?!" He waves his hand in front of her face to try to wake her up.

She slowly comes to and wipes her mouth of the drool. "Huh? Wha-ack!" She jumps up and out of his arms, "Tsukasa! Why do you always squeeze me so tightly?!" She huffs.

"I got so excited when I saw you I'm afraid my body just took over…" He confesses, tearing up dramatically.

She smiles and walks over to the teary-eyed man. "Oh it's alright," she says looking up at him. "I forgive you."

Tsukasa stops his dramatics and produces a dazzling smile. "It's great to have you home Lilith! I'm so happy you're safe. Are you hungry? I can whip you up something delicious in a jiffy!" He asks.

Lilith shakes her head. "No thank you, I ate before returning home. So I'll save that ticket for the morning when I wake up." She winks.

"Okay honey," He says, still grinning. "Go on and lay down then. You must be exhausted."

"Mm." Lilith turns and makes her way to her room. Tsukasa is one of many people here in Algerin that don't have much fighting ability, or any at all in some cases. Although, he is a one of a kind man. Lilith has known several women coming on to him only to end up rejected. Lilith suspects it isn't because the woman aren't beautiful - because they are - but because he doesn't swing on that side of the tree.

Each house in Algerin has a butler or maid that tends to that house. Each caretaker, having no knack for fighting or otherwise, decided to take over the household chores and medical care of all living here in Algerin. Kazumi has stated numerous times that they are a lot like the fourth division in the Soul Society, whatever that means.

Opening her door and stepping into her room, she breathes in the familiar scent of home. She notices the lamp is already on. Mother must have been in here waiting for me to come home… She walks over to the bed and sits down with a sigh. Laying back, she goes over the events in the human world. "It's my fault he's gone," she whispers to herself and signs again. "I have to get stronger. I need to be able to protect, instead of always being a burden." She places her hand on her zanpakuto still strapped to her waist. "I better give it a try. Maybe…" She whispers, trailing off.

A-Are you there? She asks tentatively.

Find her.

Who? Who am I supposed to find?

No answer.

With a scream of frustration Lilith, sitting up and unstrapping the zanpakuto from her waist, launches the sword across the room. It flies through the open door and hits the wall of the hallway and clatters to the floor.

She just sits there breathing heavily and soon tears began rolling down her cheeks. She places her head in her hands and cries. Time passes and eventually Lilith's tears are reduced to pathetic hiccups. She suddenly hears light footsteps coming down the hall, and she spots someone retrieving her zanpakuto from the floor. The shadowy figure turns and enters her room. When the lamp light hits her, she can see Kazumi standing there, holding her zanpakuto and frowning slightly. She's no longer wearing her shihakusho and instead is wearing a white silk dress that reaches just past her knees. There are beautiful black and pink swirls near the hem and on the sleeves. The tips of her hair dragging across the floor behind her. As she walks, the lamplight shines on her necklace, illuminating the bands of color within the precious stone hanging from a thin chain. "Lilith? What is your zanpakuto doing out in the hallway?" Kazumi asks. Lilith can see concern and something else in her maroon colored eyes as she regards her sitting on the bed. "Are you alright?" Her voice holds none of the concern the question should have.

"I-It's nothing. I was just-"

"Stop." Kazumi cuts her off and walks over to her. Lilith watches as her mother approaches her, clutching the zanpakuto in her hand. She rears her hand back and whips it across Lilith's face. "Don't you dare lie to me." She hisses between clenched teeth.

Lilith is reeling from the hit. She places her hand on her stinging cheek and looks up at Kazumi's face. Anger and some other emotion Lilith doesn't recognize are visible in her mother's eyes. She's stunned into silence, unable to speak.

Kazumi glares down at her. "How dare you put yourself on the line for a child you don't even know?!" She is seething with anger, her face is flushed.

Lilith simply stares at her mother, dumbfounded. Confused as to her mother's sudden change in mood.

"Suki told me everything. She told me how you failed to protect the boy and how you allowed him to be at peace. You allowed the boy's spirit to move on to the Soul Society." Kazumi's eyes fill with tears. "And most heartbreaking, you were hurt trying to protect him. I could have lost you out there."

"Mom I-" Her voice cracks. "I-I'm sorry. I just couldn't handle the thought of the boy dying because I did nothing to help…" She trails off.

"Lilith he still died. There was nothing you could do. When you realized that you should have left him there. That boy means nothing to me, but you do. You mean the world to me. If I had lost you out there I-" Kazumi stops, unable to continue speaking. Lilith remains silent. Kazumi stands there for a few moments longer before she remembers the sword in her grasp. She holds it out to Lilith. "Take better care of it."

Lilith reaches up and hesitantly retrieves the blade. She looks down at the sword in her hand. By the time she looks up, she sees her mother's back as she walks out the room, closing the door behind her.

Lilith stands shakily, her cheek still stinging slightly. She places the sword on the bed and wanders over to her dresser and opens it. She reaches in and grabs the clothes from the drawer, a pair of plain black sweatpants her mother brought her from the human world and a black tank top. Something that was hidden in the folds of the fabric clatters to the floor. Lilith jumps and takes a step back. She bends down and picks up the object. A daffodil, preserved in amber, dangles from the chain. Lilith turns the stone over and read the words engraved on the back. My daughter, keep your head up. Everything happens for a reason. Lilith clutches the necklace to her chest protectively and closes her eyes. I remember when mother gave this to me. I was so happy. I was always scared to wear it because I didn't want to lose it.

Lilith opens her eyes and walks back to the bed and sets the clothes down. She grasps the necklace in both hands and clasps it around her neck, the amber daffodil falling just below her collarbone. She dresses swiftly, retrieves her shihakusho and zanpakuto, and strides over to the chair near the door. She folds the shihakusho and places it neatly on the chair, laying the sheathed blade on top.

Lilith gives the sword one last glance before turning and making her way to the bed. She clambers into bed and soon drifts off to a dreamless sleep.

To be continued.

Gratitude: Thank you Sebby! I poured over this chappy thinking I corrected all my mistakes but alas, it was not so :c Thank you for correcting the things I missed! 3

A/N: I hope you guys enjoyed :3 Please don't forget to review! I'd love to get some opinions on how this story is progressing so far *D*

Also, the people who take to the household chores/medical care? They were not formerly shinigami. At least, not a lot of them were. These are the people who were taken in by someone in Algerin much like Lilith was and were just never trained. That or they didn't have enough reiryoku (spirit energy) to be particularly useful. And those that were shinigami no longer have the wish to fight.