I had such a busy week that I didn't get much time to write, but I promised myself that I'd at least manage to update this fic. So here's Chapter 4. This one is alot lighter than the previous one. Hope you enjoy it, and Thanks for reading.

Warning: Will contain at times; coarse language, sexual and possibly some drug references, implied violence and OOCness. Rated M for suggestive themes, especially later.

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or its Characters.


~ FOUR ~


"They're just children..."

Through a small slit in the plastic over him he could see a woman in a white lab coat, brown hair tied up in a bun. Tears still on her fogged-up glasses. Somehow he just knew she wasn't sad.

It was the lab technician from before. The one who had come to collect him. The one who always came to collect them. He didn't remember her name...

She was speaking to someone, though he couldn't see who.

His body felt cold and weird. His chest burned. Heavy eyelids closed as he tried to figure out what was happening. He needed to know. To get up. To go back to...her...

"They're just children!" The technician shouted. "I am going to give him a proper burial, and there's not a DAMN thing you or They can do about it! Do you hear me?!"

He wanted to tell her that he wasn't dead. He couldn't be, or how else would he hear? But he couldn't move, and now he couldn't even open his eyes.

The other party must've said something in her ear because she let out a startled breath.

"So help me..."

...

...Byakuya spasmed awake from the depths of subliminal torture. Cold sweat beaded his hard, chiseled and naked upper body. Hands clenched and unclenching in silk satin sheets. His breath coming out in ragged, raspy pants with his erratic heartbeat thudding in his eardrums.

It had begun. The floodgate of memories now open...and there wasn't a damn thing he could do about it.

Sitting up, Byakuya traced the outline of a faint scar three inches from his heart. Oddly it formed the shape of a blossom.

He'd asked his parents how he'd gotten it, and they'd told him - "You got shot dear." He asked why, why would someone shoot him? "Because there are some very bad people in the world." He didn't remember being shot. He didn't remember anything. "We know, and it's probably better that you don't. It's a miracle you're still alive." Why don't I remember? That had been his next question. "You were asleep for a very long time." The young boy who slept asked nothing more.

The bedside clock told him three hours had passed. After he injected himself with serum to heal the cut on his bicep, he'd succumbed to its trancing effects. A bottle of isopropyl alcohol and cotton squares was next to the clock that he'd used to clean around the wound site. The packaging of the gauze bandage along with the used syringe lay on top of his ruined shirt in the wastebasket.

Then Byakuya rose and shrugged into another shirt from his wardrobe, as he walked out of his room to his computer desk. Shaking off the drug-induced haze with each step. He'd only taken a small dose and recovered quickly.

The LED light glow of his flat-panel computer screen lit up the front of his body as he sat in the adjacent chair. Waiting. Idle. Like its owner. Cursor arrow flickering repeatedly in the same spot. It was almost hypnotic. Cool grey eyes swept the screen as he replayed the fragmented memory over and over in his head.

'Who was the girl in the tube?'

"...Rukia." That was her name.

But Byakuya would not think on these things. 'Attachments are for the weak'. Another one of his firm beliefs. The boy in the cell had cared, loved and sacrificed - for the girl in the tube. Special Agent Byakuya Kuchiki had not done these things.

The computer screen lit up again. Images of horrid truth unveiled themselves. His eyes flickered in between rapidly mounting scripts, articles and diagrams, speedily searching for any standout mention of 'Them'.

"That's a good girl."

Then the download cut-off. The other party had found the kill-switch. Although, Byakuya had more than enough to go on.

Byakuya got on the phone. "Did you get all that?"

"Yes, Sir, as per your request."

"Good. Have the Lexus brought around immediately."

"Very good, Sir. Change of pace from the Aston Martin?"

Byakuya could hear the amusement in his butler's voice, and smiled. Hollow had blown up his $300,000 convertible. His Lexus carried a price tag of an extra $150,000. He liked fast women and even faster cars.

"The Aston Martin has been put out of commission."

"How unfortunate, Sir. I will see to it that all arrangements are taken care of. Will there be anything else?"

"No, that will be all."

"Certainly. Goodnight, Master Kuchiki."

"And to you."

With that sorted, the Agent went onto his next call...


"Hmm..."

Rukia snapped her eyes away from the flurry of images appearing on the projectile monitor at the alert blaring from Prodigy's workstation. "What is it?" she asked in alarm.

Toshiro began clacking away on the keys, his hands becoming a blur of speed. He leaned back in his seat and glared. A wisp of smoke wafted from the cyber glove on his right hand from the friction.

"It seems your nasty Agent fixed the microchip."

"Nasty, yes. My, no," Rukia scowled. "Shiro, I don't even know what that means. Fixed what?"

"Meaning," Toshiro sighed, "The contents of the chip uploaded on his database as soon as I decrypted the files."

So that's why he let us go...'Oh did you think it was for some other reason?' Rukia's disgusted expression deepened. Bastard!

"How much does he know?"

"Enough." Toshiro looked contemplative. "The question is, what is his motive?"

"I wish I had an answer for that."

The phone rang.

"Looks like we're about to find out. No one has ever gotten through before," he muttered, his voice tinged with appraisal at the Agent's resourcefulness.

Toshiro connected the call and put the line on speakerphone.

Rukia tentatively spoke up first. "How did you-"

"-Irrelevant." Byakuya's deep baritone voice interrupted, "You have ten seconds to answer your cellphone. This conversation is for your ears only...Hollow."

The line went dead. A shiver ran up her spine. 'WHOA!' What was she supposed to say to that? Rukia looked to Toshiro for approval who with a curt nod, consented.

She bolted out of the Hub and down the hall into her room to hear her cellphone ringing. Chappy the bunny swung off its cord as it edged off the table. Snatching her phone up, she held it up to her ear.

"That's better."

Rukia's heart skipped a beat. 'What a sexy voice-' . She blushed at the thought. 'Are you KIDDING me?!'.

"I can hunt you down."

Her heart caught in her throat.

"But I won't."

She knew where this was leading. "What do you want from me?"

"What you do best - Breaking and Entering."

That didn't make sense. She was gobsmacked. "Why?"

"I would've thought that was obvious." His voice turned cold. "You want answers, so do I."

Rukia resisted the urge to cry. She was at the mercy of this Agent. Her choices were simple - Incarceration or do what Byakuya wanted. She had to stay strong.

"Fine, I'll do it. I only ask that you let me finish this. After that, I don't care."

There was a slight pause. "Don't get caught or killed."

"Now who's stating the obvious." Once again Byakuya was taken aback by her defiance. It made a refreshing change, and he liked it. The curve of his mouth twitched up into a smile. "Sorry, perhaps my manners are reserved for people who aren't trying to shoot me."

"I'm skilled, but not even I could shoot you through the phone."

"Did you mean to sound arrogant then-" She broke off in a gasp. 'What the HELL? Turn on your verbal filter!' Her subconscious screamed.

"-Hollow, you are no use to me dead," Byakuya sounded mildly irritated. "Now listen carefully. I don't like repeating myself."

"Yes, Byakuya, I'm listening." Rukia said in submission, without even realizing she'd called him by name.

"Good." ...Girl.

Byakuya relayed his instructions, yet felt a myriad of conflicting emotions. He was too close to the Law, so it had to be her. She didn't even know who he was. Not specifically. To her, he was the enemy. Perhaps that was for the best.

At the forefront of his thoughts were; 'What did They do to you?'


Rukia went to see Rangiku, who took care of all their clothing and equipment, for a set of new gear. The buxom blonde took one look at her ripped-up scarlet dress and broke out into a beaming smile.

"Woo-hoo showing some leg. Are we letting out our inner-female now?"

"Only you could say that, and make it sound like a compliment," Rukia mumbled. "As it happens, lasers and layered hemlines are a dangerous mix."

The gleaming smile stayed firmly in place. "Only you could make it sound like a bad thing. Honestly Rukia, your aversion to fashion is disconcerting. You're a beautiful woman, I don't know why you don't flaunt it more."

Rukia blushed again. She didn't think she was particularly beautiful, not like Rangiku.

"I'm going to have to stick you in dresses more often."

"I really don't think that's a good idea-"

"-We'll see about that." Rangiku could be very persuasive when she wanted to be. "So was there something else you wanted?"

"I'm going on another job."

Rangiku's bright blue eyes went wide. "So soon?"

"Yes, it's urgent." Rukia bit her lip.

"Are you sure it can't wait? You look like you need rest."

"I'd rather get this done now."

"What's the location?"

"A Library."

The two women exchanged weirded-out looks. "Feeling Poetic?"

"Purely for research purposes."

"I see," Rangiku giggled, "So what do you need?"

"I'll need a new holster."

This got the outfitter's full attention. "What happened to your last one?"

Rukia flushed deep crimson, recalling the memory of Byakuya removing it from her thigh. "I...um...it was taken..."

Now that she thought about it, had it been really necessary that he took it?

Rangiku was unashamedly glowing. It was a little scary. "Ooh I heard you had a run-in with the Agent. So how good-looking is he?"

"I wasn't really paying attention!" she muttered, slightly indignant.

Rangiku's bubbly laughter sang out. "Wow that good huh. Pity."

It was a pointless debate. When it came to men, the blonde seemed to have a sixth sense. "Looks aren't everything... Trust me, the guy is an arrogant bastard."

"Married?"

"No."

"Gay?"

"Between evading bullets and being pinned to a wall, I didn't find the time to ask!"

"Pity," The ghost of a smile was still there. Rangiku gave Rukia her new holster, an outfit and a two-toned Heckler & Koch USP compact with a detachable rail. "Upgrade. Fight lead with lead."

Taking the items in her hands, Rukia stared at the gun with a wistful smile. If she remembered correctly, Byakuya had a H&K MK23. "Funny."

"What is?"

"Ah nothing." Rukia shook her head in dismissal. Stop thinking about him now, later, or ever.

"Alright," Rangiku shrugged. "Have the others come see me pronto."

"Um-"

"-Don't you dare give me your 'ums' young lady! You're not going alone, and that's final!"

Hands on hips, Rangiku looked ready to clock Rukia should she protest further.

"Okay, you win."

Packed and rearing to go, Rukia entered the Common room. Shuhei, Renji, Ichigo and Senna were sitting at the table and chatting. At her arrival, all conversation stopped and eyes bugged out.

"Heh you're looking mighty spunky, baby girl." Renji wolf-whistled and ribbed Shuhei in the gut. 'Baby girl' was his nickname for Rukia. He was the only one allowed to call her that, everyone else learned otherwise with her mean punch.

"Get your own." Shuhei joked and got up, placing his hands firmly on her shoulders. It was a long running joke as Renji's 'match' was most likely dead.

Putting on his best serious face, Shuhei was about to speak when Rukia silenced him with her hand to his mouth. "Not a solo mission." she grinned. Relief flooded his face and in a burst of spontaneity picked her up and twirled her around. Catcalls and more wolf-whistling filled the room.

"Get a room!"

"Morons!"

After the commotion died down, and the crew were ready to go, Renji piped up. "So where are we going?"

"Would you believe, a Library?" Rukia replied.

"Lame..."

"Only to your inarticulate mind," Ichigo retorted.

Renji was quick to snap back. "Fuck up Blade, you're not exactly Mr Literary yourself."

They left the hideout and made their way through the underground carpark to their black van.


The night watch security guard at the SFA Library stared dispassionately at the 14" black and white TV screen. A b-grade movie was playing with a paper mache dinosaur stomping around breathing strings of orange crepe paper. Another droll shift in a dead-end job. At least the low-risk factor made his wife happy.

Suddenly a hard rap on the window glass snapped his attention back to the here and now. The surprised guard looked up to see a frantic young woman in obvious distress.

"Please, come quick! ...It's my...brother! He's collapsed. I don't know what's happened to him. Please help us!" Large wide grey eyes brimming with tears pleaded forlornly back at him.

He sighed. "You're not supposed to be here..."

"W-We got lost. PLEASE!"

"Fine, where is he? Tell me what happened." The guard got up from his chair and securing his keys onto his belt, stepped out of the booth. It was his duty to assist civilians in need.

"OH Thank you! He's right over there." She pointed to a man lying awkwardly on the ground. He didn't appear to be moving. The guard rushed over in a hurry, hoping it wasn't serious. His first-aid skills weren't the best.

"Call an ambulance-"

Reaching the victim, the guard stooped down. He went rigid as an AMT Hardballer semi-automatic pistol jammed in his mouth.

"I feel fine now, thank you." Shuhei stood up, slowly forcing the guard upright with his gun. "Easy does it. No sudden moves and this will work out just fine."

The petrified guard trembled all over. A dark patch formed at the front of his crotch. Shuhei noticed and scrunched his face up a little at the pitying sight.

"Please...I have a wife...and kids...!" He begged with baited breath.

Shuhei's face went deathly blank. "Do you love them?"

The guard though evidently confused by the question, nodded emphatically. "W-With m-my life!"

"Good, you'd better. Children are precious, remember that." With one quick movement, Shuhei popped the guard's skull with the butt of his gun. He sunk to the ground in an ungainly heap, knocked out cold.

Renji swooped in and picked the guard up, slinging him over his shoulder. With a grunt he heaved him out of sight around the other side of the Night watch booth. Ichigo and Senna made a beeline for the workstation while Shuhei joined Rukia at the boom gate.

"Nice acting," Shuhei said with a small smile. "But, brother...?"

"Sorry, it just came out," Rukia said softly. She was hoping he hadn't heard her say that. "It was a nice thing you said to the guard." Peering sheepishly up at him, Rukia slipped her hand into his and gave it a comforting squeeze.

"It's true."

"I know." She went misty-eyed. "When I think about...our past..."

Shuhei instantly felt regretful. He hadn't meant to invoke a trip down memory lane. "Rukia, I'm sorry-"

"-No, it's okay. I don't remember much of it really. Only being scared...and the pain. Everything else is...empty."

"Oh, is that all." Shuhei was trying to make light of it. It usually helped. Softly, he touched her cheek and tucked a wayward bang behind her ear. He had the urge to kiss her but he wouldn't. He was waiting for her.

"Shu..."

Hurt, regret and an emotional void tugged at his chest. There was no changing the past, but they could alter the future. The closer they got, the more at peace they became.

"Oi you two, quit making googly-eyes at each other and let's get this party started."

Renji bounded up to the pair fired up and ready to go. Nodding their affirmation, phase two began.

Rukia's bionic lenses did a sweep of the building. "Eight levels. Two underground basements and a top level which appear to be offices. Elevators on the left side, stairs on the right. All access points security locked."

"Some Library. Are the books made of gold?"

"Two guards on each floor. Armed. Trip alarms on floors two to nine. Sensor sweepers on each, at ninety second intervals. CCTV surveillance. Looks like we have our work cut out for us, boys."

Renji grinned like a schoolboy, smacking his fists together. "That's how I roll, baby girl."

Rukia and Shuhei sniggered, then Shuhei patched into Toshiro. "Think you can kill the cameras? We wouldn't want any gatecrashers."

"Of course. CCTV out in twenty seconds. Then you have two minutes forty seconds to make it to the second level. I can release the locks on each entry point giving you three minutes per level before the door shuts and the codes reset."

"Understood."

"On my mark." The trio braced themselves. "Go!"

"Let's dance."

Simultaneously, Shuhei, Rukia and Renji took off inside. Their earpieces belting out tunes of Classical, Electronica and Rock music through their systems. There was something about the music...

...In the booth Senna was bored out of her brains. She hated the waiting. She was always made to wait. Even though there was nothing else she could do, sometimes it was just a pain in the ass.

Senna aka Nirvana was one of the third and final generation survivors before Project Ground was disabled. As a last minute pairing with Ichigo, They made her a Precog. However, Senna was rescued with the others before the full extent of her capabilities were discovered.

At least she had Ichigo to keep her company, but for some reason he was acting strangely gloomy tonight. He stared dully at the same lame movie the guard had been watching. Frustrated, Senna jumped up on the console and reached up to flick the TV channel over.

"Hey I was watching that."

"No you weren't. You were spacing out, besides I'm bored," Senna pouted.

"You're always bored."

"Because there's nothing fun ever going on!" Perched at an awkward angle to effectively reach the TV set, she swung her leg under the console desk to stop her from falling off. Unknowingly her foot tripped the silent alarm.

Ichigo got up and lifted Senna smartly off the desk. "Stay off there before you hurt yourself."

Her amber eyes flared with annoyance. "What's eating you?"

"Nothing, just try and stay still. And don't touch anything!"

Folding her arms crossly, Senna sat in the corner sulking silently as Ichigo resumed 'not-watching' the lame movie, having changed the channel back.


"Agent Kano!" The security Agent greeted the new recruit with surprise. "We weren't expecting to see you for...another seven hours, Sir!" Glancing at the time on her dashboard to clarify.

Special Agent Ashido Kano had auburn-colored hair and startling silver eyes and an intense brooding gaze.

"I caught an earlier flight, thought I'd get a head start." His smooth calm voice made the female Agent go weak in the knees, momentarily speechless. Ashido kept a steady gaze with that same serious straight-face. "Is everything in order?"

Flushing like a schoolgirl, she nodded and handed him a clear plastic zip-lock jacket. The package contained his security key card, SFA ID badge, keys to his new allocated apartment along with official documents of his civil identity. Holding it aloft in one hand, Ashido scrutinized the contents quickly then satisfied, nodded. "Thank you."

"Ah Sir, Agent Kano?" The female found her voice at last, blinking dazedly up at him from her desk chair. "You can pick up your special class firearm from the weapons vault whenever you're ready."

"I've got my own." Sweeping his jacket to the side, he took out his Beretta 92G Elite II from its holster and held it up for her surveillance. The pistol's usual black or silver body was skillfully repainted in a pearly cream colored enamel finish that made it look like bone. "It's a sentimental thing."

She nodded again, eyeing the unique firearm appreciatively. Handsome, mysterious, alluring and sentimental. Dreamy.

Ashido holstered his weapon once more and looked mildly at a silent alarm blinking on one of the monitors.

"What is the location of that site?" Indicating said screen with a dip of his head.

The female followed his gaze, and answered, "The Library. It could have been tripped by accident." Then realizing how unprofessional that sounded, she amended her statement.

"It's fine, I'll go." Ashido's expression was still cool as a cucumber. "Give me a chance to learn my way around."

She let out a breath of relief at not being reprimanded. "The address-"

"-I'll find it."

Tapping his finger to the side of his head he left the premises to investigate.


"Oh no!"

Senna's eyes clouded and her mouth sagged, her body gripped in the thrall of a premonition. A vision of red and cream ...(bone?) overwhelmed her.

Ichigo grasped her shoulders, staring at glassy eyes as if he could tell by empathetic thought. "What's wrong?"

She shook her plum-colored hair and whispered, "Death is coming..."


Author's Notes: Isopropyl alcohol - Rubbing alcohol.

I thought long and hard about how I wanted to approach Byakuya and Rukia's relationship in the present, so I hope I'm going in the right direction.

Thanks so much to evil villainess. Your comment cheered me up because you are so right. YAY for fanfiction! :) And Thank you all for the feedback for Chapter 3. It wasn't easy to write.

Special Thanks to; evil villainess, seras3791, Guest, arlingtonsteward, ReckoningDay, AkuRokuTurkTrainee, KunoichiDoll, iivogelchen, LuciL06, The13thConspiracy, PAMILA DE CASTRO & ANF-Byaruki for your reviews. It's wonderful to get such feedback :)

Thanks for reading, and please R&R. Any feedback, suggestions or criticism is welcome, especially on the finer details that I may have gotten wrong.