The Finale

Chapter 4: Byakuya's Dilemma

Byakuya was too focused on what Haschwalth had said to notice that Kenpachi had taken care of the meteorite. He had only shown concern when he heard the many voices cheering on Kenpachi for destroying the meteorite. Byakuya walked off from Rukia; he needed to be alone with his thoughts, thoughts that were disturbing his concentration.

How could this have happened? The last time I saw her was two years ago…two years, has it really been that long ago? Perhaps I should have stayed in touch with her. Maybe I shouldn't have let my pride get in the way. I really need to move on with my life. I can't just stand here and not know what is going on; I must try to get in contact with Urahara surely he knows…

Byakuya was interrupted from his thoughts; as he felt a slight tinge of pain radiating from his temples…Kenpachi, the ever thorn in his side.

"Tsh, what do we have here? Why are you so far away from your sister? There's enemies all around here you know." Kenpachi asked, while tapping his zanpakuto over his right shoulder.

"What's this, a thousand and one questions?" Byakuya replied back as he glared at Kenpachi.

"I see you're back to your normal noble self."

"Look you barbaric idiot, I don't have time for you to spew your nonsense everywhere. It is none of your concern as to why I am over here." Byakuya replied angrily.

"What's that you say?"

"Nothing." Byakuya replied as he watched Kenpachi starting to walk away. "Wait."

"What is it? I don't have all day."

"I need you to stay with Rukia while I search for Urahara." Byakuya answered. He really didn't want to ask Kenpachi, of all people; but Byakuya had no other choice. He would have to swallow his pride-this one time.

"Do I look like a babysitter to you?" Kenpachi shouted. The nerve of this man asking me to babysit his sister; a lieutenant, of all things. Kenpachi thought to himself. "Fine, go ahead."

Byakuya turned around to leave, but not before he took one last glare at Kenpachi. The man was surely a thorn in his side.

Kenpachi walked over to where Rukia stood watching the fight between Renji and Na-Na-Na.

"Guess I am here to babysit a lieutenant." Kenpachi sarcastically said.

Rukia turned around and looked at the person who spoke to her with a confused look, "Where is Captain Kuchiki?"

"Said he had to find Kisuke Urahara."

Rukia remained silent and wondered what business her brother had with Urahara. She focused back on the fight and wondered why her brother did the things that he do.

Research and Development

Byakuya arrived at what looked like the Research and Development department. He was instantly met by Captain Kurotsuchi.

"I don't remember summoning you, Captain Kuchiki." Captain Kurotsuchi snidely stated.

"It is not you I seek to speak to, but rather Kisuke Urahara." Byakuya coldly replied.

"Everyone wants to see Kisuke Urahara; and for what reason do you have for seeing him?"

"It does not concern you."

This seemed to made Captain Kurotsuchi's blood boil. "Do you not know that I am the captain of Research and Development department? Perhaps, being in the Royal Realm scattered your brain cells."

"I am fully aware of your position." Byakuya replied as he sensed another presence entering the room.

"Captain Kuchiki, I thought I heard your voice; how can I be of assistance to you?" Urahara casually said.

"I need to speak to you about Yoruichi Shihion."

"Perhaps, it will be better if we speak in private about this matter." Urahara said as he gestured Byakuya to follow him. Urahara took Byakuya to a room that had not been destroyed by the current invasion. "Would you like to have a cup of tea, Captain Kuchiki?"

"I don't think it would be appropriate to be indulging in tea at a time like this."

"Perhaps not; how can I help you then?"

"I want to know how Yoruichi got to be captured by the Quincies."

He's always straight to point, as usual. Urahara thought to himself as he placed his finger on his chin while raising his head at the ceiling. "After the Aizen incident Yoruichi had helped in restoring Ichigo's powers back to him. Everything was going pretty well until recently. Jinta, Tessai, Ururu, and I had all gone to restock on supplies; and we left Yoruichi alone at the shop. We didn't think there was anything to be concerned about. When we returned, she was gone-vanished. We looked everywhere for her. It was only when I was on my way to Hueco Mundo with Ichigo did I learned that she was taken by the Quincies along with Tier Haribel. Why all of a sudden the concern for Yoruichi? No disrespect, but you haven't thought about her welfare for a very long time, if any." Urahara said as he turned around and faced Byakuya.

"I have my reasons and there's no need to explain that to you."

"You plan on trying to rescue her? I would advise against that."

"Right now my responsibilities lie in protecting the Soul Society. There is nothing that I can do at the moment." Byakuya said as he started to exit the room. "However, when the time comes I will need your assistance."

"Anything I can do to help." Urahara replied as he returned back to his work.

Byakuya left and was on his way back to where Rukia was at, but not before he had a chance to ponder over Urahara's question. Why am I all of a sudden concerned for her? This question seemed to eat at his very soul. It was really simple, he told himself. I'm tired of being alone. I suppose this war has made me look at things in a different perspective. War changes a person; it makes a person appreciate things more. I almost lost my life because of this nonsense of an atrocity war. I cannot keep on living and taking things for granted as I once did. I've been given another opportunity at life and I won't make the same mistakes twice, Byakuya promised himself as he reached his destination.

Rukia noticed that Byakuya had returned, but decided not to ask the proverbial question of why he went to see Urahara. She turned around and continued to watch the fight, when she noticed a familiar spiritual pressure arrived…Ichigo, she silently said his name to herself. Even though she knew it was him, his spiritual pressure seemed somewhat different. It was like a familiar one she had known long ago…but this couldn't be she thought. It almost felt like the spiritual pressures of the Shiba Clan…this can't be.

Next: The Transcendent