~Hey guys! I know I said I'd post this a weeks ago but I came across some complications so it took longer than expected. Posting on other stories we've made, having to keep up in school, plus MY dentist appointments, getting ready for the anime convention in town...it was just too much to take at once. It's probably my worst chapter too...Sorry! -Bows- Anyways, read and enjoy!~

Chapter 4 - Tiring Tempers

It was almost unbearable. The fact that despite what his instincts told him, he kept the fact that he was keeping that hollow hidden in his household from everyone else...even the Head-taicho. He sighed deeply as he thought of what he was going to do. He had a multitude of questions that he wanted answers to but had to wait for the hollow to awaken first. And hopefully without any ruckus or trouble. The noble got up from behind his desk and left the Calligraphy room, making his way to the dining room.

Along the way, he met up with his younger sister, Rukia. "Good morning Nii-sama. I trust you had good nights rest?" Rukia asked the older noble. If only she knew he had stayed up all night doing leftover paperwork and making sure the hollow wouldn't attempt an escape. Of course, he'd never tell anyone that. "Yes. Let us go and eat breakfast now..." Byakuya tiredly stated before resuming his way towards the dining room. They ate in silence for a few minutes before they headed out to their separate barracks.

Byakuya entered his division barracks, slightly surprised Renji was training with Zabimaru. I had been a while since any of the zanpakto really made any real appearance. On seeing Byakuya enter the barracks, Renji seethed his zanpakto in its scabbard and bowed to Byakuya in respect as Zabimaru disappeared. "It's good to see you are alright Kuchiki-taicho. After you went off towards the Rukon District, I'll admit I wa-"

"Renji. I was just checking the perimeter and got held up" Byakuya interrupted the red head with the lie. "Of course, Kuchiki-taicho" Renji responded as Byakuya headed into his office. Byakuya sat in his office and with one look at the stack of papers pilling his desk, he groaned loudly. It was already stressful having to stay awake all night to watch an insane hollow, but paperwork was a major kicker. He could only hope that Renji had actually done his section of the paperwork. He took a deep breathe to try to relax a bit before he started on the stack of paperwork.

It was dark...and cold...and stuffy? Where was he? Last he remembered was the sound of multiple screaming. 'Am I dead' he questioned himself as he looked around the infinite darkness surrounding him. How long has it been since his body was taken from his control? How many had he hurt? Ichigo curled up like a scared child, trying to hide himself away in the darkness. He was afraid he'd kill those he loved and now just wanted to disappear...

Byakuya set the brush down and leaned back in his chair in the Division 6 barracks Captain office. He sighed as he sank further down in the chair to relax better for once. The paperwork had been hell like usual. He felt tense and ached in his hand and shoulders. What he wouldn't give for the shoulder massage Ichigo gave him on one occasion a while back when he was too tired to stop the persistent orange haired Substitute Shinigami...

There was a sudden loud knock making the noble sit straight and put his stoic expressionless mask on. He never aloud anyone to see him unless he had that exact emotionless expression on. "Enter" he commanded and the door opened to reveal the red haired lieutenant, Renji, with a smirk. "Kuchiki-taicho! You can go home and rest. I'll take care of whatever's left!" Renji suggested and Byakuya nods in approval before standing and leaving the barracks quickly, wanting to do nothing but rest as soon as possible. The cool night breeze blew past him and through his hair, making him feel slightly refreshed. That is until he remembered he still had Ichigo's hollow sealed in his household.

"How dare that arrogant bastard lock me away like this!" Shirosaki yelled out in a room somewhere in the Kuchiki Household. He pulls on the chains to break out, but with the Bakudo collar around his neck sealing his hollow powers away he couldn't even budge the chain from the wall. He slumps against the wall, breathing a little heavily from exhaustion of using so much stamina and strength. It was dark, cold and a little stuffy in the cell despite it being so clean. He hated it so much...he felt as weak as a damn mortal human!

'Why...Why didn't King take over while was out? That's not like him...What do you think Zangetsu?' he mentally asked, calling out for the zanpakto. However, there was no answer. "Dammit...the stuck-up, arrogant asshole must've taken Zangetsu and sealed him away as well..." the hollow grumbled. Shirosaki stood up again slowly and leaned against the wall, his temper finally reaching the limit. "GET YOUR ARROGANT NOBLE ASS DOWN HERE, BYAKUYA KUCHIKI!"

Byakuya awoke with a start as he heard his name being shouted from below his room, sitting spine straight and eyes wide. He growled lowly as he closed his eyes and covered his face with the palms of his hands. He was now highly irritated with his sleep being disturbed by the Substitute Shinigami's insane hollow. 'This hollow will soon pay for awakening me...' the noble inwardly grumbled as he slowly stood and put a warmer yukata on before leaving his room.

"Tch! That arrogant ass is probably in his room catching up on his beauty sleep..." Shirosaki irritably grumbled. Just as he was about to shout out again in anger, the door in the ceiling opened and Byakuya dropped down through it. "Silence your voice this instant, hollow" Byakuya commanded in a strict tone. "Tch, and why should I listen to you Shinigami?" Shirosaki countered.

"You are completely immobile in a hidden area of my families household. No one but me knows you are here. If you do not want to die from starvation, I suggest you be silent NOW" Byakuya threatened in a dangerous tone most would beg for mercy or forgiveness after hearing. Shirosaki froze instantly and looked directly at Byakuya to see if what the noble said was true or a bluff. Unfortionatly, he saw absolutely no emotion on the noble's face, unable to read him.

"Why should I believe you? I bet it's an empty threat. You Shinigami need Ichigo to much to us die." Shirosaki sneered at the noble quietly, making Byakuya smirk, too tired to hide how felt anymore. "Apparently you do believe me though, as you have quieted your voice.

That really pissed Shirosaki off but before he could yell at the noble, Byakuya had already left through the ceiling door and slammed it shut. Shirosaki tugged hard on his chains as he tried to follow the noble. "Byakuya! Get back here!" he shouted up the noble but received no answer. He collapsed back on the ground against the wall. 'You'll pay, Kuchiki...I'll make you pay for this...' he thought before roughly slamming his head back against the wall, successfully knocking himself out as he did not want think or do anything anymore at the moment.

~Yeah, it was crappy but oh well! Thanks for waiting and reading! Please review if you can! Till next time!~