this time was fast. Thanks again to BellaLuz64 and all those who added this story to their favorites list/story alert. :) i'm really happy!

I'll try to update again soon, but no promises...it's going to get really busy when school starts...as usual, r/r

Disclaimer: I do not own bleach.

Recap

"Stop it, Ichimaru!" I slammed the door at his face. Then, I turned to face Rukia. "Well then, now that we are at peace…Rukia chan!"

Skye

I hugged her tight, elated to see her. "Uhh Minori san…can't breathe…Minori san…"

"Oh I'm sorry. Call me Skye. I don't like people calling me Minori." I led her to sit down.

Rukia gave me a small smile. "Well then, why do you want to see me, Skye?"

"Nothing much. I just wanted to talk to you." I said, holding her hands. "I really like you. And we haven't talked much since I arrived at Seireitei, so I figured that we could talk like normal friends and get to know each other before…you know…that happens."

Rukia nodded, overjoyed that I considered her as a friend, then she remembered her situation and looked down again.

"What's wrong? You can tell me, you know…that's what I'm here for."

Rukia hesitated before looking at me apologetically. "I'm sorry, Skye…I am happy that you're here, but I can't help feeling sad…Not that you are making me sad, but the fact that I can't be your friend for long, I can't stay by your side after this…I just…I…It's my fault." She paused. "I want to prepare myself for the soukyoku. So that I will die beholden to nothing and nobody. I…I…I'm sorry. This whole thing…the execution, it's just so hard for me…and now befriending you…I am really really REALLY happy to know you, Skye. Anyway, thank you so much for thinking about me."

"Come on, I am the one indebted to you. You sent me flowers everyday when I was recovering."

She smiled and tilted her head. "You sound weird today, Skye. You seem…oddly emotional! I always thought that you are as emotionless as onii sama!"

"Really?" I chuckled. "Nah…I'm like this. This is the real me. The emotionless 'me' you see is just a façade I put on to prevent people from coming near me. But since you are my friend, I don't want to pretend to be anything in front of you."

"Why do you not let people into your heart? You just let me in, didn't you?" Rukia questioned.

I quieted. She's right. Why did I let her in, knowing that I'll be hurt once again when she dies? "I don't ever want to be hurt again. I may not survive if history repeats itself. But forget that, let's talk about something else. What do you usually do?"

"Usually do? I report to work in the morning, have lunch, sometimes train in the afternoon if there is no paperwork, and go home in the evening. That sort of sums up what I usually do." She admitted.

"Don't you do something interesting? Like partying with your friends, cooking, or something special?"

"Oh no." Rukia answered almost immediately. "Of course not. If I do something else other than my usual routine, I would have to report to onii sama first. Besides, onii sama and the elders seem to think that it's not fit for any member of the Kuchiki clan to enter the kitchen."

"I see. Do you like your brother?" I changed the topic quite abruptly.

"H…hai. I give him my gratitude for adopting me and –"

I cut her off. "Why did he adopt you?"

"I…well, I was told that I looked very similar to his deceases wife."

"Oh I remember. You told me that before."

We are silent for a while, enjoying each other's presence. "You know that onii sama will not let you off that easily when he finds out that you visited me." Rukia broke the silence.

I laughed dryly. "Let him punish me then. I'm doing his job for him. He's really a good brother." I said sarcastically.

Rukia nudged me. "Onii sama is not like that. I hope he's fine. He mentioned that I will not see him again until the execution day."

"I know. I can see that he's not what he seems to be. Byakuya may seem serene and apathetic towards people, but he is really conflicted deep down inside."

Rukia stared at me. "I know that because that's what I do too, but for different reasons, I believe. However, that does not mean that I forgive him. He has been a complete bastard towards me, making me angry and exposing me…my hate towards him is brewing. Hn."

Now, Rukia is completely shocked. I smirked. "Didn't expect me to curse, did you? I know you want to say that too. Byakuya is an idiot, not realizing that he has a perfect little sister."

Rukia blushed at my compliment. "Come on, just say it once. Byakuya is an idiot."

"…"

"Come on! He's not going to punish you anymore! If you think positively of this situation, you're free from Byakuya and the elders. You can say anything you want and no one is stopping you. Say it."

I can see a smile playing at her lips. "Really?"

I nodded, squeezing her hands to encourage her. Rukia took a deep breath. "B…Byakuya is an idiot."

For a second, we were silent. Then, Rukia burst into laughter, followed by me. It does sound strange, for something like that to come out from Rukia's mouth.

"Byakuya is powerful, you know." Rukia clutched her stomach, suppressing the laughter that may come out from her any time.

I rubbed away my tears. "Yeah. Of course he is. He's not captain for nothing."

"But you are powerful too. Why didn't Yamamoto taicho make you a captain too? Or a futaicho?"

I froze. My powers. Again. I should get used to the discussion of my powers. I love my zanpakuto, but I don't really love my powers.

"You don't have to tell me. It's okay." Sensing my discomfort, Rukia tried to ease the tension.

"No. You are my friend. This is what friends are for, isn't it? To share one another's joy and pain." I looked at the small window facing Soukyoku hill. The rain has subsided. "My powers are not something to be proud of."

Rukia waited for me to speak. "Honestly, I don't know what to think of them. My powers saved my life, but killed my sister."

"Minori, run!"

"Kara. Wait, don't, I can fight too!"

"So, which one of you is going to stay here and be my dinner? Its okay, the coward gets to be dessert!" The hollow said menacing, licking his lips. "I can't wait. Now, run along, one of you. This makes my hunting even more fun!"

Kara drew out her zanpakuto. "I will be your opponent." She turned to me, her eyes wide with fear and determination. "Get out. Run. Find help. Don't stop until you are save. Don't worry, I'm fine. I'll find you later."

Although I'm afraid, I can't just leave and let my sister fend for herself. "You are so convincing, Kara. I can help. I have a zanpakuto too. See?" I drew out hotaru no hikari.

"No don't. You are not trained yet. You just recently gained your shikai. You don't want to die, do you? Just let me handle this. You're still new to this fighting thing anyway." Kara said through her teeth. She strikes the hollow with a blow, but it dodged.

"Is that all that you can do?" The hollow chuckled. "Well, at least you are doing something, your partner there is just watching you fight. How pathetic. As a reward, I shall eat your partner first. Does that sound appealing? You get to live a while longer!"

With that, the hollow swung its tail at me. I tried to block the sudden attack by putting my zanpakuto in front of me, but it hit me with such force that there was no use blocking. I was swiped backwards and hit a pillar, blood oozing out from my mouth.

"Mmm, you look nice…more blood!" The hollow's claws began to extend, and it's left hand clawed at me. I don't even have time to move or block it. A second later, I screamed. Pain at my chest, so unbearable that I'd rather die. "Kara!"

Kara growled. I rarely see her so angry before. She gave a heartrending cry. "You son of a bitch! I'm going to kill you! How dare you touch Skye!"

"Steal, Tsuki no Yami!"

Despite the pain, I forced myself to look at Kara. "Don't…you can't…control…" I reached out for her weakly. The lights in the room began to flicker and it became pitch black. I can't see a thing, and I did what I always do when I feel helpless. I prayed. I prayed silently for the safety of my sister.

"You think you can get me just like that?" And immediately, I heard a scream. "Let go of me, you filthy hollow! .GO!" Another scream.

"Kara. Kara? Where are you? Are you okay?" My voice shaking with fear.

"Ha! I caught you! It can't be helped that you are so eager to be eaten." I heard something being tore apart, then another hear piercing scream. "Don't…argh…Skye, run! Get out of here now!"

I don't need telling. I would do anything to get out of this place. The darkness made everything even more frightening than before. I put all my strength in my arms, trying to push myself up. But my head feels dizzy with my every move. I winced as blood oozed out from my chest when I sat up straight.

"Oh, it sounds like your little friend is terribly hurt. Run all you can, I will catch up with you after I finish her."

Silence. I could only hear my heart pumping. I tried crawling, but that only hurt my wounds even more.

"Tsuki no Yami, complete control!"

Kara is still fighting? But the hollow already got her. How can she even attack? Then I realized the attack she is using. That attack can only be used in a long range, so how is it going to kill the hollow? Unless…it's not directed at it…

I feel my body go numb, and then, I moved. I stood up. My brain took quite a while to comprehend the situation. I can't control my body. She is freaking controlling my body! I wanted to shout at Kara to stop, but I can't open my mouth.

"Skye. I'm sorry." I picked up my zanpakuto. What is she trying to do?

I raised my zampakuto horizontally in front of me. "I want you to know that no matter what happens, I love you." I can feel Kara smile. Then, she turned serious. "Now."

My lips moved. I didn't even know what I said until after the command came out. "Hotaru no HIkari, Aoi!"

The blue light shot outwards. I heard a groan.

"What…what did you do?" I heard the hollow say in a disbelieving tone.

Did I hit him? Is the hollow dead? With that thought in mind, the lights flickered,, before slowly lighting up the room again. That's when I saw everything.

My blue light cut through the hollow's mask, and also Kara. Kara was flung onto the ground. My muscles relaxed and I stumbled. Aoi faded as I dropped my zanpakuto.

The hollow screamed as it slowly disintegrated. I just stared at the bloody figure lying a few feet away from me. I began to crawl towards the body, too shocked by what happened to do anything. My body hurts, but I couldn't care less.

I looked down at her twisted face; her messy tangled hair; the bloody trial where my light cut through her; her right knee bone protruding out. She coughed. I stared. She is not my sister. She is not my sister. She is –

"Sk…Skye. Are you alright?" My illusion shattered. This person right in front of me IS my sister. I can't deny that fact. However, realization haven't hit me yet.

I gently held her hand. "Why?"

"I…I can't…" She choked on her own blood. "I can't die…If I die…that thing…that thing will eat you next…"

"Why?" I repeated.

"You…you are not capable of fighting…you'll get killed too…that's the only idea I came up with…at that moment…I'm sorry I used you."

I caressed her face. "Why?"

"To save you." Kara stated simply this time.

My senses came back. "I don't need saving. I don't need your sacrifice. I don't need anything. You always tried to act brave. Don't. I'm not forgiving you this time. You don't just force your sister to kill you." I snapped.

"If I don't force you, you won't do it." She smiled. "Skye, promise me something."

"It depends."

"I want you to train hard, everyday. Learn to protect yourself. Achieve bankai if possible. I want you to be powerful. But…but don't use them unless you are desperate, okay?"

"That's it? I don't need to promise you that, you will just force me to train everyday."

"Promise me." Perhaps it was the urgency in her voice, I nodded grimly.

"Don't be too hard on yourself, kay?"

I didn't speak. After a few seconds, I remembered what I'm supposed to do. "I'll go and get help now." I said firmly. "Don't you dare move while I'm gone, Kara. Kara?"

I felt her hands drop. Her eyelids fluttered and closed. "Kara? Kara? Don't play with me." I felt for her pulse. Nothing. All that is left is a pool of blood with an empty shell that used to be my sister.

It started as a small nugget of pain deep inside, but it grew and grew until it was a huge choking ball of agony. As soon as a tear escaped, my flood gates opened. My heart felt as though it was dropped down twenty stories. I cried, softly at first. I didn't know when I started wailing and screaming and hitting the floor with my clenched fists.

"After I buried my sister, I went far away to another district in Rukongai. Many things happened after that and I finally reached bankai in the shinigami academy, and was called to see Yamamoto taicho. He wanted to appoint me as a vice captain, but I rejected because I don't want to be constantly reminded of my abilities and using them. Guess that didn't work out as I planned, huh?"

"You achieved bankai?" Rukia said, mostly to herself. "I see. Your powers brought you a lot of pain."

"Keep my bankai a secret, I don't want others knowing besides you and Yamamoto taicho."

"Of course." Rukia smiled warmly at me.

"Attention! This is an emergency! Intruders are spotted in the city! All personals should report to their stations."

Upon hearing this, Rukia's face paled.

"Are you okay?" I asked, noticing her change.

She glanced at me. "I'm fine…It's just…the intruders…"

"Don't worry, you are save here." I chuckled at the irony of what I just said.

She fidgeted. "Well…I…I sort of know those intruders. They are friends that I've made during my mission in Karakura town."

"Friends? But they are attacking Seireitei! Oh wait…they're here to save you!" I exclaimed.

"I uhhh…I just…Skye, can you do me a favor?" Rukia shot her head up towards me. "Could you help me make sure that they are fine? The intruders, I mean. But…nevermind. Forget what I said. This is too much to ask…I mean, they are going to attack anyone who stand in their way…especially Ichigo…Just do your duty. Nevermind."

I took in what she said. After a while, I stood up and headed towards the door.

"Are you leaving? I guess that's goodbye huh…" I could hear the disappointment in her voice.

I turned and smirked at her. "Do you think that I'm leaving to capture those intruders?"

"Yeah…then where ARE you going?" Rukia asked, confused at my actions.

"To find them, of course. Especially the one that you called Ichigo. I need to stop him from doing something reckless and gets himself killed by someone. He sounds like a idiot to me."

Rukia looked at me, speechless. "Your friends are my friends too. Besides, I need to thank them properly for saving you. I really hope they succeed though. They are so much better than your powerful but useless brother." I explained before opening the door.

"Don't do anything stupid, Skye. Don't try to save me." Rukia warned me, but there is hope and gratitude mixed in her tone.

I waved my hand at her. "I wouldn't promise that. See you soon, Rukia chan."

Rukia

I watched her leave. I know that I shouldn't expect much as death is approaching me, nonetheless, I can't help but feel a glimmer of hope.

I signed. What a stupid thought. I'm endangering my friends who are trying to save me. It's better to give up all hopes of being rescued. After all, it only prolongs my torments. I glanced at the Soukyoku. I wonder how Skye will react if I tell her about Kaien Shiba. She was forced to kill her sister. I actually had a choice.

Byakuya

I walked back to the 6th division with Renji, wondering who were those intruders. They had come to save Rukia, no doubt. I was secretly pleased with the fact that someone's doing my job for me. Seems like I'm going to act as the bad guy from now on. What is Minori doing, I wonder. She and Rukia…if they really become friends, I have no doubt that they will be inseparable.

"Taicho, do you think that the orange haired guy we fought will be here?" Renji asked.

"Definitely."

"I knew it. That idiot will come and save Rukia. Sheesh…what is his problem, causing chaos everywhere he goes." Renji scolded under his beath, obviously not meant for me to hear.

I stopped on my tracks. "Renji, I want you to inform everyone in the division to stay alert and stop those intruders at all cost. We don't know what they are capable of. Tell MInori that she would be on the night guard duty today."

Skye

"Hai." I replied, after Renji told me of my duties.

He raised his eyebrows. "You recover fast. Considering the fact that you were crying and shouting at Byakuya taicho before that. So how was your little visit?"

I ignored his comment. "It went well. She's fine. Thank you for not reporting to Byakuya taicho."

"You are lucky he didn't punish you for showing disrespect to him. If he finds out about this –" Renji shuddered at the thought. "Nevermind. I got to inform others too. Try and keep a low profile from now on. There are too much problems happening here already."

~Twilight~

"Shine, Hotaru no Hikari." Waving my zanpakuto, I made numerous balls of light and directed them to form a circle around the entire 6th division. Satisfied, I stood on the roof top of my division while doing night duty. This way, I could see everyone nearby and of course, hopefully, spot any intruders.

I already made up my mind not to hurt any of those intruders, especially the one named Ichigo. He must be an important person to Rukia. I want to know how they plan to save her, and if I'm insane enough, I would help them.

I felt a familiar reiatsu behind me. On instinct, I shunpoed behind that person and pointed my zanpakuto, still released, at the stranger's neck. However, before I can succeed in angling my sword, my hand holding on to my zanpakuto, was grabbed. The stranger already shunpoed behind me. My other hand was pinned behind my back and I felt a warm breath against my left ear.

"This is the second time you tried to hurt your taicho. I will not tolerate such behavior the third time, do I make myself clear?"

Byakuya. "H…Hai." I barely managed a whisper. I'm not frightened by his presence, but rather what he was doing. He's so close! Half of me felt like squealing with delight, while the other half wanted to push him away. I feel something churn inside my stomach. This feeling…it's different from how I feel when Gin was near me.

Hearing my response, he let go of me. I wanted to turn around and examine his face, but I don't want him to see my blush. How does he feel? I wonder.

"Shouldn't you be heading home, Taicho?" I asked with my head down.

"It's the duty of the captain to check on the subordinates. Besides, Seireitei being attacked. We can't afford to let the subordinates fight while the captains rest. I'll stay in the division until the intruders are captured." He said blandly.

I walked away from him. After inhaling some fresh air, I was finally able to think straight. He's not as bad as I think, I suppose. Maybe I would actually like him if he shows me his true self.

I shook my head. What are you thinking, Skye. He's the cold hearted man who refused to save his sister! I mentally slapped myself.

"Focus." I heard him say. "Concentrate on doing your job."

"Hai."

We lapsed into a moment of silence. I stared down at the streets hoping that someone would appear and bring me away. I actually prayed for Gin. How could Byakuya expect me to concentrate when he's standing a foot away from me, doing absolutely nothing?

I wanted to talk to him, to break the silence. However I finally decided against it. He may still be angry at me for this afternoon. Besides, he already know the real me, and I know nothing about him. I felt inferior and suddenly angry at him again. I stayed silent despite my discomfort.

"Where did you go after you left my office this afternoon?" Byakuya asked without looking at me.

"I went to find Ichimaru taicho." I lied. Well, partially lied.

I listened as Byakuya's breathing became irregular. It's not obvious unless you listen very very closely. Then, it returned to normal again. "After that?"

"I stayed in the 3rd division until the alarm sounded." I didn't even blink as I said that.

"I see."

"I don't think the intruders would attack at night, taicho. They were separated when they arrived, so they should be hiding, planning and maybe trying to find each other now." I said, desperately changing the topic.

"Do not under estimate your enemies, Minori." He simply said.

"Would you stop calling me Minori?" I asked, slightly irritated by this. I already said that to two people today.

Byakuya looked at me. "What would you prefer to be called then?"

"Skye."

"It would be too informal for me to address you by you name."

I signed. "Taicho, it's just a name."

"Just a name? Your name is given to you by your parents. It is not 'just a name'. Are you disgusted by your surname?" Byakuya seemed angry all of a sudden. "Such people do not deserve to be respected."

Now he's giving me a lecture? I can't believe him. He just assumed. And to think my impression of him changed for the better…"Only one person can call me Minori. And he is dead. I will not allow others to speak of my surname so casually."

I know what I said is weird, but it's the truth. Most people, like Byakuya, would rather be called by their surname as a form of respect, but me…I just can't allow anyone to call me that…

"You are still lingering in the past. So what if that person is dead? You are alive. His death is nothing but an obstacle to you."

DID HE JUST SAY THAT? THAT TAEDA IS A NOBODY?

"You knew nothing, taicho. Do not speak of him as if he were dirt beneath my feet." I seethed. "Just because you are from a noble family doesn't mean that you can view others in disdain."

His eyes widened slightly at my confession. Just then, I saw a flicker of black run past the streets. I gripped my zanpakuto tightly and turned my head just in time to see a small black cat.

I was relieved that it's not Ichigo or any other intruders. I can't help them now. Byakuya is beside me, and would be monitoring my every move.

From the corner of my eyes, I noticed that Byakuya frowned. He saw the black cat too.

He's so worked up. After all, it's just a cat.

Suddenly, he shunpoed down to the streets and disappeared into the darkness, not illuminated by my light.

Finally, I'm alone. I looked at the moon above me. Which is better, darkness or light? I wondered. I can't shine my light on every single place. I can't watch over everyone. Kara, will you tell me? You always have the answers.

To be continued. I know some of you may not be satisfied with this chapter cos it is mostly about Skye's past...but its part of the story! I do welcome suggestions, anything that you hope to happen in the later chapters...so yup. Until then! -.-