Disclaimer: Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo

Chapter 6

Humans are Predator's too

It's been a month since the incident now and nothing's happened since then, but we've still not let our guard down. I have a feeling that this is just the calm before the storm. I hope I'm wrong, but I think I'm right. We've all been on edge waiting for another attack, so this past month hasn't exactly been a peaceful one.

Raina turned 6 months during that time. She's sitting all by herself now and she can get into a sitting position from being on her belly as well. She's beginning to understand more things now. She likes to throw things just to see one of us go and get it. She's a sneaky little thing. She's just as talkative as ever and loves to make noise. Banging things together is her favorite past time it seems. She also loves it when she's babbling if I talk to her like I understand what she's saying. We have whole conversations that way. She's so cute and loves the attention. She's trying her hardest to crawl. I think it's only a matter of time before she gets the hang of it.

I've also finished up my 3rd month of pregnancy and am now on my 4th. I've officially started showing, even only if it's a small bump. It's still there and can be seen if I wear tight clothes. I can feel her moving around now. It feels a little different than with Raina. That's probably because I never experienced Raina's movements in this stage. Gin wants to feel her move so bad, but it's too soon. I wasn't sure when he would be able to, so I asked Nana. She said give it another month and he should be able to feel her. I know he's a little nervous about being a father, but I can tell he's a little excited too. Though maybe it was Paizley's powers that helped me realized that. Empathy is rather handy sometimes, but I'm glad I don't have it all the time. I'm fine with just the stints. Sometimes they come at the worst moments though. Like once this past month, I was with Renji when it happened and I could feel how he felt about me. That also included the fact that he wanted me. It took everything I had to keep myself off of him, but I never said anything to him about it. This power is crazy. It controls you. Unmei says it does that to me because it's not a power I'm meant to have. She has assured me that it won't do that to Paizley. She'll be able to distinguish and sort through the emotions, unlike me.

Even though I was threatened by Collin, Dad still won the award. I was confused as to whether he really wanted to sleep with me or whether that was some kind of trick. Maybe it was both. Whichever it was, I would be seeing him tonight at the banquet. They always had a banquet in the winner's honor and as the winner's daughter, I couldn't just not go. I had to be there for my dad. Renji wanted to be there, so I arranged for him to go with Tory since she was dying to date him. I knew nothing would happen, because he wasn't excited about going with a date. I told him he had to have a reason to go and being the father of the winner's grandkid wasn't a good reason, considering we were no longer together. Tory's mother worked with my dad, so she would be there anyways. She was his was his way in.

Since all of us were going to be out of the house, I was taking Raina to the Soul Society, with the Head Captain's permission. Rukia was going to watch her for us and Rangiku was going to come to the banquet in soul form in case we needed back up.

I was getting Raina's bag together while she played in the floor when Renji walked in. "You ready?"

"Yeah, I think I have everything. You want to get her?"

He picked her up while I got her diaper bag and then we headed downstairs. I went to the kitchen to get her bottles out of the refrigerator that I had already fixed and packed them. Gin was in the nook eating his favorite food, dried persimmons.

"You sure you don't want to go?" I asked.

He smiled. "I don't think I'm very welcome up dere nowadays, so I'll just stay here."

"Ok then. I'll be back shortly." I gave him a nice kiss. "I love you."

"You too."

I traveled to the Soul Society via Senkaimon with Renji. Raina seemed very amused with the Hell Butterflies. We then made our way to the 13th division. Rukia told Renji that she would be with her Captain. He was apparently sick and she was visiting. We made our way to down a bridge that lead to a small building in center of a pond. The pond had Koi in it. It was incredibly beautiful.

"Look at the fishies, Raina." I put her diaper bag on the walk way and held my arms out. She reached for me, of course, and I took her. I squatted down, so she could see the water better and pointed at the fish. "Look, aren't they pretty?" She reached towards them. "No, you can't have one. They have to stay in the water."

Renji squatted down next to us. "They're called Koi. Can you say Koi, Raina?"

She looked at Renji for a second and then smacked him square in the face. She busted out laughing and so did I. "I guess that meant no."

"Why am I always the one she beats up on?"

"She'll smack anyone if they're close enough. Don't think she hasn't got me?"

"Well, it always seems to be me when I'm around."

"You're not around all the time. She's gotten me too."

He just smiled and picked up the bag. "Let's go."

Renji knocked on the door and someone said come in. There were four people in the room. A man with long white hair, brown eyes and pale skin sat in a chair close to a window. I recognized him from the war. He was the captain of the 13th division, Jushiro Ukitake. Two people stood on either side of him.

One was a petite girl with gray eyes and dark blonde hair in a boyish cut. "3rd seat Kiyone Kotetsu." She bowed.

"She's actually co-3rd seat along with me." The other guy standing beside Ukitake said. "Sentaro Kotsubaki." He bowed and Kiyone stuck her tongue out at him. Sentaro happened to see it and the proceeded to get into an argument, in which Rukia stepped in to make them stop.

Ukitake started coughing horribly. He covered his mouth and I noticed blood starting to seep through the cracks in his fingers. "I need to lie down." He said and started to get up.

"Wait. I can help."

He looked at me with a kind face. "I don't think there is anything you can do to help me."

"There is. I can heal you."

"I don't think so. Even Captain Unohana hasn't been able to heal me of my illness."

"Using my daughter's power, I can."

Renji shook his head in agreement. Ukitake sat back down and motioned for me to come forward. I handed Raina to Renji and then knelt in front of the sick captain.

"You won't feel a thing, except better." I smiled and placed my hands over him. As I healed him, I watched his skin regain its color. The two 3rd seats jaws dropped. They looked as if they were trying to catch flies. When I finished, I stood back up. "Feel better?"

"Much." He said, standing up. "I don't understand how this worked."

"It's better not to try to understand how it does." I laughed.

He smiled. "And said those were the child's powers?"

"Yes."

"So you can tap into her powers?"

"To an extent and other's powers as well."

"That is some ability. I'm glad we're all on the same side now."

For now. Unmei commented after being usually silent for a while.

I smiled and turned my attention to Rukia. "So everything she needs is in her bag, diapers, wipes, extra clothes, toys, everything. I have her some bottles prepared for her. They needed to be refrigerated. I've written down her feeding times." I handed her a piece of paper. "She's on a schedule, so she'll be hungry and want to eat at those times. If you have her bottle ready to feed her at those times, she won't cry or anything. But if you wait, she will. Just warning you. And you should probably check her diaper every hour or two."

"She's got it, Kris." Renji said, handing Raina to Rukia.

Rukia smiled. "She looks like Renji, only much cuter." She teased.

"Hey!" Renji said.

"You better not ever get those funny eyebrows like your dad." She told Raina.

"I am standing right here!" Renji exclaimed.

"I know." Rukia smiled.

"We better go. Mommy loves you Raina." I gave her kisses and she returned with some sloppy ones. Renji did the same.

Before we could walk out the door, Ukitake stopped me. "Thank you, Kristen. I can't even express how much this means to me."

"It's no problem. I like helping people. I know that the Head Captain and Soifon both lost an arm in the war. If they want me to restore it, I can. All they have to do is ask."

He smiled. "I will let them know then."

Why did you say that? Unmei asked.

Because we have an enemy out there that we know nothing about, but they apparently know quite a bit about us seeing as how they severely weaken my powers. We are going to need backup and who better than some of the more powerful Soul Reapers?

Ah, whatever. I'll save my breath on a lecture, because it's not like you're going to listen to me anyways. One you've made up your mind there is no talking you out of it.

Thank you for not lecturing me.

Yeah yeah.

We left and headed over to the 10th division. Renji said Rangiku should be there since she is the Vice Captain of the squad. But when we got there, she wasn't in her office. So we went to see her captain, Toshiro Hitsugaya.

"I don't know where she is, but I wish I did. She is behind on her paperwork." Toshiro complained.

"I told her I wouldn't be gone long."Renji said seemingly frustrated with her.

"She may have gone to see Izuru." Toshiro said.

"We'll check with him then. Thanks, Toshiro."

"It's Captain Hitsugaya." Toshiro corrected Renji.

"Ah, sorry, Captain Hitsugaya."

We turned to leave."Kristen?"

I turned around. "Yeah?"

"Thank you for healing Momo."

I smiled. "Anytime. She is my friend too."

"I'm glad she has a friend like you."

"Don't you mean one with access to powers like mine?" I joked.

"No, with a heart like yours."

I couldn't help but smile. "It was really no problem."

He nodded. "When you find Matsumoto, tell her she should catch up on her paperwork. Maybe she'll listen to you."

I laughed slightly. "I will."

We took our leave.

"He's not normally that nice, so don't get used to it." Renji said.

"Really?"

"Yeah, but Momo is his soft spot and what you did for her was very kind. He was worried about her and you made everything better with one action. I think you're on his good side."

"I've got friends in high places now. I made two captain friends today, Jushiro and Toshiro. Hey their names sound similar." I laughed.

Ha ha. Unmei commented.

Renji smiled. "You could easily get another captain friend if we visited Shunsui. He'd love you."

"How do you know?"

"You're an attractive women. That's how."

"Oh, so he's one of those guys."

"Yeah."

"Since I'm pregnant, I don't think he'd get too much of a thrill out of seeing me."

"What are you talking about? You can barely tell you're pregnant. You're still beautiful."

I smiled. "I wasn't saying that. I know I still look good." I joked. "And I'm proud of my small baby bump. Why do you think I'm wearing a shirt that's form fitting? I'm happy to be pregnant. It's just that pregnant woman aren't normally attractive to men, except ones who are in love with them."

"That luring ability of yours changes all the rules, though. He's definitely got lust in his heart and he wouldn't want to resist. So yeah, wouldn't bother him."

I just laughed.

"We've got to go all the way to the 3rd division. You up to using flash step? I can carry you if not." Renji said.

"I can flash step. Bet I can beat ya!" I grinned.

"You're on." He said and we took off.

We arrived with a tie, but that didn't shock me since I was using his ability. I noticed persimmon trees on the third squad grounds. I immediately thought of Gin. He probably planted those, because he sure does love his dried persimmons. When we passed the door that had captain on it, I stopped.

"What is it?" Renji asked.

"Uh, nothing. You go on. I'll wait here for you."

"You tired?"

"A little." I lied. "Just go on."

"Alright. Be back soon."

As soon as he was gone, I opened the door to Gin's old office and went in. It was empty for the most part. I guess when he left he didn't want to leave anything behind. I looked at the empty desk and chair. I could just picture Gin sitting behind it in his uniform and captain's haori. Seeing him like that in my head was turn on for some reason, but I shook it off for the time being. I noticed a few books on the bookshelf, so I looked though them. They were nothing special, probably something every captain had. I was looking through it when someone touched my shoulder. I jumped straight up and dropped the book.

I turned around to see Izuru. "You scared me."

"S-sorry. Renji went to get Matsumoto-san. He said you were tired, so he just wanted me to tell you to wait here."

"Ok. Where was she anyways?"

"She was here earlier, but then she went to the pharmacy to buy some make up."

I laughed. "That sounds just like her."

He walked over to the desk. "So what did you need her for anyway?"

"She's going to keep watch tonight in case something happens."

"Did something happen?"

"Sort of. Kind of surprised Renji never mentioned it. Rukia was there too."

"Well I'm usually not one to have other people's personal problems dumped onto me. Usually it's the other way around."

"Oh, I'm sorry about your problems."

Why are apologizing? It's not like you did anything to him.

"You honestly can't mean that."

"I really do though."

"Prove it."

"How can I do that?" I asked, confused.

"Name a personal problem of mine you actually know about, that you feel sorry for"

"Uhh..." I didn't want to say his name and cause any grief, but it was the problem I knew about. "Gin."

"I don't ever want to hear that name again." He said, now very moody and cross.

"I'm sorry, but you asked. That's the one I know you have the most problems with."

There you go apologizing again.

"Problem is an understatement. After what he did, the squad's been in disarray and it's been hell just trying to keep them together. The Head Captain is looking for replacements, but it'll be a while before the squad can trust anyone as a leader again" He paused. "He's still out there isn't he? My former captain."

I was surprised that he didn't know. I just nodded yes.

He sighed. "I knew it. The rest of the squad doesn't want to believe me and official Soul Society reports have him labeled as deceased, but I know better. If he were actually dead Matsumoto-san wouldn't be her usual chipper self. She'd be going to where the two of them stayed in Rukongai at least once a week to have a moment to herself. I should know, since she did that, albeit less frequently, when he betrayed us." He paused again. "What's he up to? You know don't you?"

I couldn't lie to him. He deserved to know. "I guess Ran kept her mouth shut this time and Renji must not have said anything either. I do know where he is and everything else."

"Would you mind telling me? The only thing that Rangiku is going on about is that you're expecting, but every time I ask about the father she dances around the subject."

"The father is...Gin."

His expression looked like someone just killed him puppy. "You...you mean...you and he are...I mean." He put his hand on his head. "I mean...I knew you...but I didn't...what?"

"He and I are together. He lives with me, but he's not who you think he is. He's not a bad guy."

"I...I'm going to need a moment, could you wait outside in the hall?"

"Are you ok? I'm sorry..."

Just how many times are you going to say that to him?

"No...no it's just...I just need some time...to let this settle...I didn't think…" He sighed, no doubt in frustration.

"Didn't think what?" I put my hand on his arm, to let him know I was here for him. "Let me be here for you. I know you don't really know me, but you're close to Renji and he and I are...close. Let me help."

"I just didn't think he was the type to choose to settle down like that. I just...I mean you're entitled to choose whomever you want, but I just never expected it could be..." He trailed of and sighed.

This boy has some obvious issues. Unmei commented again.

I can't really blame him. Betrayal by someone you trust so much is hard to get over. I know.

"He's not who you think. He never meant to hurt you. You should know that."

"I don't know that. He betrayed all of us? And for what? We were told that he was cut down in battle by Kurosaki Ichigo, but you know the truth don't you? Else you wouldn't be with him. I want to know the truth, Kristen. What happened on that battlefield? What do you know about him that no one else wants us to know?"

I sighed. "He should be the one to tell you this. But he betrayed Sosuke and almost killed him. But Sosuke came back and almost killed..." I started to cry, because just thinking about this hurt me. "Sorry, damn hormones. I don't like to think about this part, but he almost killed Gin. He would have died if I hadn't been there to heal him. As for the why, I just can't say. It's not my place to say. But know he was always against Sosuke. And he never wanted you or Ran to get hurt."

"Why didn't he tell anyone? If he knew Aizen was a complete monster from the very beginning why didn't he expose him before any of this happened?" He asked in an indignant tone.

"I don't know. We don't really talk about it. He doesn't want to talk about it. I guess he was waiting for the right time, but Sosuke knew, rather he claims he did. I fell for him before I knew about all of that. I was a little shocked when it happened myself. He had me fooled. He had just about everyone fooled."

"He pulled the wool over all of our eyes," He sighed. "Could you give him a message? Tell him that one day...I want to talk to him about his motives. I want to know why he did everything he did, and why, as his lieutenant, why he couldn't trust me enough to help him."

"I will. I tried to get him to come today, actually. I had no idea they had deemed him dead. That explains why they haven't tried to take him away from me. Seems we're both left out of the loop in some way."

"Yes it seems that way."

Renji returned with Rangiku soon after and we all headed back to my house.

"Have you eaten?" I asked Ran as we walked through the door.

"No." She held her stomach as it growled.

"Well, help yourself to whatever is in the fridge. They're some leftovers from last night."

"Don't mind if I do." She smiled and headed off to the kitchen.

"I'll be down in a few." I told Renji which was actually a hint for him to stay downstairs. I went to my room where Gin was. "Hey handsome."

"Dat sounds all too familiar." He grinned.

I closed the door. "You know with Raina in the Soul Society we don't have to worry about her interrupting us."

He grinned wider and got up. "I like what yer getting at."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"One thing though."

"What's dat?"

I waved my hand and using Raina's powers, I changed his clothes to the ones he wore when he was Captain, complete with haori and sword on his hip. "This."

"Ya want me dress like dis?"

"Yes. You be the captain and I'll be the subordinate who's disobeying orders."

He smiled deviously. "I think I'ma like dis game."

"I thought you might."

He was standing in front of the bed, so I just pushed him down on it and got on top on him.

"I'm da taicho, what're ya doin' on top?" He asked.

"Like I said, I'm a bad subordinate. I have to be put in my place." Just then I sensed someone, I slung my hand towards the door. It opened a little before my telekinesis forced it shut.

"Hey!" I heard Rangiku say on the other side of the door. "This how you treat company?"

"We're busy." Gin answered.

"Just what are you two doing in there?" She asked, teasingly.

"Do ya really have ta ask?"

She laughed. "And here I came all this way to see my two best friends and they want to stay locked up in their room."

"Ya didn't come dat far. And just give us an hour….or two."

"Two hours? Someone is greedy." She teased.

"Yer right I am and yer killing da mood, Ran-chan."

"I'm sorry, Rangiku. We'll be down shortly." I said.

"Liar." Gin whispered, knowing that it wouldn't be shortly.

"I'm just playing with you two. I just came up to ask where the forks were." She said.

"Second draw to the left of the fridge."

"Thanks. You two have fun!" She laughed as she walked away.

"Oh, I intend on it." Gin said and flipped me over to my back. He held me by my wrists to the bed. "Ya been a really bad girl, not following orders. Now yer taicho has ta punish ya." He smirked.

After an hour or so, we came downstairs. Renji did not seem to be in the best of moods. I guess maybe I had been too loud. He had to know what we were doing up there anyways, even if he didn't hear. No telling if Rangiku came down and teased him or not. I know Gin picked up on Renji moods and messed with him a little bit. It wasn't very nice, but I couldn't help but laugh. Teasing was just in Gin's nature. I thought it was rather cute. The teasing made Renji mad and he ended up stepping outside. We didn't get to spend all that much time hanging out with Ran, though.

"We should probably start getting ready for tonight." I suggested as I sat on the loveseat by Gin.

"But you guys haven't even been down here that long." Rangiku whined.

"Well maybe if we didn't have to spend so much time looking for you in the Soul Society then we could have spent a little more time hanging out." I teased.

"Or maybe if you two weren't such horn dogs, then we would have had more time." She teased back.

"Can we not talk about that again?" Renji asked.

"Aww poor Renji. You'll be ok." Rangiku put her arms around him, treating him in child like manner.

"Would you stop that?" He pushed her off.

"Touchy!" She said.

I laughed. "We'll be down in a few." Gin stood up and so did I. "Come on, Renji. You have to get ready too. I got you a suit to wear."

Renji followed us upstairs and I gave him his clothes. He went to the other room to change.

"Did you know the Soul Society thinks you're dead?" I asked Gin as I got my dress out of the closet.

"Dat doesn't surprise me. I figured dat's what they thought."

"Why?" I asked as started getting ready.

"Well, they've not been knockin' on da door lookin' for me."

"What do you mean?"

"If they thought I was alive, then they'd be lookin' for me so they could give me a completely biased trial and lock me up."

"Biased trail?"

"Yup, Central 46 is corrupt. Always has been and even if they got new people, it always will be. Dat's just da way it is. I did a lot of bad things, Kristen-chan. Many people saw my betrayal and most were Captains at dat. But who saw me redeem myself and turn on Aizen? You, dat's it."

"I can be your witness."

"Think they're really gonna believe ya? You were on Aizen's side too. Yer as trustworthy as I am to them. Add dat to the fact dat yer carrying my child and dat pretty much makes you biased. You would say anything ta keep yer lover out of jail. Dey know dat too."

"Well, they can't be stupid enough to mess with you if they know you're with me. If they think I would ever just let them take you away from me peacefully, then they have another thing coming. I will kill them."

He smirked.

"Maybe they will just leave you alone if leave them alone and don't cause any trouble." I said.

"Dat's fine with me. Truth is, I don't want ta go back. Yer here, so dis is where I wanna be. And I still get ta see Ran-chan this way too. 'Sides her, I have nothing there."

"What about Izuru?"

"I betrayed Izuru. He probably despises me, but can't blame him."

"I talked to him today actually and I didn't exactly tell him why you did what you did, but I did tell him you betrayed Sosuke and never wanted to hurt him. He said he wanted to talk to you about what you did one day and why you didn't trust him enough to help you."

He smiled. "Ah, Izuru. He was indeed loyal."

"It wasn't that you didn't trust him, was it?"

"Nah."

"I didn't think so. I won't pry anymore. That's between you and him."

"I'm impressed."

"Why?"

"Yer learning ta not be so nosey."

"Yeah. Even if you are my…boyfriend? It feels weird to call you that. You seem so much more. But anyways, even if you are, that doesn't make everything that involves you my business."

"Yer learning." He finished buttoning his shirt up and started to put his tie on.

"Do you want me to do that?"

"If ya want."

I smiled, got up from my vanity and began tying his tie.

"Maybe I seem like more den yer boyfriend, because I am." He said.

I looked up at him and smiled. I was happy to know that he felt the same way. I finished with his tie. "There. Perfect."

When we both finished getting ready, we went down stairs. Renji was already down, but he had his tied just hanging around his neck, untied.

"Can you tie this?" He asked me.

"I volunteered to tie it, but he wouldn't let me." Ran said.

Renji just shot her a look and I tied his tie for him.

Grandpa and Nana had been at my parent's house for most of the day. They were all going to meet us at the banquet hall. Tory met us there and she made such a fuss about how good Renji looked. She's been all over him ever since. It kind of bothered, but whatever. My Dad was introducing Gin to some people when I seen Collin from across the room.

He started to walk this way and I tugged on Gin's jacket. "Gin."

He looked at me and I used my eyes to direct his attention to who was coming.

"Excuse us." I said to dad and his friends.

"Hey, where's that beautiful wife and daughter of yours?" I heard Collin ask dad as he approached.

"Princess, come back for a second." Dad called out to me.

I looked up at Gin.

"Don't worry. He won't do anything to ya while I'm here." Gin assured as me made our way back. Dad went to get mom when we got there.

"Nice to see you again." Collin extended his hand to Gin in which Gin just looked at it and then smiled. "Oh, you're Japanese, right? Should I bow?" He bowed.

He snickered at bit. "Dat'll work."

"You're looking awfully enchanting tonight." He said to me. "And you're even showing a little." He reached out to touch my stomach, but Gin grabbed his wrist before he could touch me. Collin pulled away. "Hey man, I wasn't coming on to her. No need to be that way."

"She doesn't like her stomach touched my people she barely knows. Just lookin' out for her." Gin said, smile long gone.

"I see. Next time you should just say so. You wouldn't want to grab the wrong person that way and get hurt, would you?" He said, almost like it was a threat.

"Dat sounded like a threat." Gin said, noticing what I did.

"It wasn't. Only a friendly warning. I suppose it be stereotypical of me to assume you know some form of self defense. But even if you do, there are some things you can't fight." He walked away to meet my mom and dad who were coming up.

"I don't like dat guy. I shoulda cut his hand off for tryin' ta touch ya." Gin said.

"He can't actually believe that I didn't tell you what he did."

"He knows ya did. He knew da moment I wouldn't shake his hand. Seems he was tryin' ta get me ta react."

"Why would he want you to react?"

"Ta see if I had powers? Maybe dat's why he asked you ta sleep with him in da first place, just ta see if ya would react dat way. Think about it, he pushed ya into a corner with all dat information he had on you and those threats. And he asked ya ta do dat knowin' ya were not only taken, but pregnant. What do animals do when they get cornered? They come out fighting and dat's exactly what ya did."

"I fell right into his trap. I was manipulated…again. Gah, am I really that stupid?"

"Yer not stupid, Kristen-chan. Don't ever say dat. Ya don't have ta be stupid ta be manipulated. They're some master manipulators out there who can manipulate some of da smartest people. 'Sides, how were you ta know dat a human would know about yer powers? Ya couldn't."

Good thing Tory had been dragging Renji all over the building and not once introduced him to Collin. I think Renji would have killed him. We all sat down at our table when it came time for dinner to be served. Renji didn't get to sit with us. The seats were sort of assigned and Renji was setting in Tory's guest's seat, which was at the table with her parents. At our table was me, Gin, Mom, Dad, Nana, Grandpa, Mitch, Debbie and Miranda. The tables sat ten, but Miranda didn't bring a date, so there was an extra chair. Renji could have sat there, but that would have been weird for him to sit with me and not his date.

After the second course, I had to go to the bathroom. I told Gin I would be back, but he wouldn't let me go alone. He didn't let me go alone much of anywhere now after the incident. I thought it was sweet that he wanted me protected at all times. He waited outside the door for me. When I walked in the restroom, two of the stall doors opened. I was shocked as to who came of one. It was Andrea and another Asian looking girl. I started to backup and call Gin, but before I could Andrea was behind me and covering my mouth.

"No one to help you here this time. If we get rid of you, the book will be ours for the taking." Andrea said. "Do it." She said to the other girl.

She grabbed my arm and I tensed up from the pain. It felt like she was pulling something out of me. She only did it for a second though. Andrea let go as soon as she did and before I could do or say anything, the other girl slung her hand and sent me flying into the wall. My head hit it pretty hard.

Was that my powers she just used? I thought to Unmei before everything went black.

3rd person POV

After hearing the loud thud in the bathroom and feeling Kristen's reiatsu drop, Gin ran into the bathroom. He didn't see anyone, but Kristen. She was lying in the floor with blood dripping from the back of her head. He knelt down next to her.

"Sorry about that. I know she was your girlfriend, but I had to. We need the book." The other girl said, stepping out of the stall again.

Gin slowly stood up. Using the power Kristen had given him to summon his Zanpakuto while not in soul form, Shinso formed in his hand. The woman didn't see it, as he was turned away from him.

"Unfortunately for you, you must now die." Andrea said.

Gin turned his head. "Bankai."

"What?" The woman asked.

"Kamishini no Yari." In a flash, Gin stabbed through the woman who had attacked Kristen and turned his sword to exit her abdomen by tearing out of her side.

"Sister!" Andrea screamed in tears as her sister fell to the floor, bleeding profusely.

Gin withdrew his bankai and quickly made to attack Andrea, but she teleported away. Gin stood over Audrey's sister.

"Please, don't kill me. I did this for Andrea." She confessed. "Please, I'll tell you anything you need to know."

Gin squatted down and touched her arm. "Kill, Kamishini no Yari." The poison started eating away at her from the inside out. She screamed out in pain. "Sainara." He said emotionlessly.

Renji ran into the bathroom at time, having felt Kristen's reiatsu drop, in soul form. "What happened?"

"We need ta get her away from here, so Unmei can heal her. Kristen mentioned something about the jewelry weakening her powers." He picked her up. "I'm guessing it only reaches out a certain length though. Is anyone in the hall?"

"No."

"Unmei, come out as soon as ya can and freeze da area so ya can heal her." Gin instructed as he knew Unmei could hear him.

Renji headed held the door and Gin walked down the hallway, hoping not to run into anyone. Luckily, everyone was too busy eating. He almost got to the front door when Unmei came out and automatically began healing Kristen.

Kristen's POV

When I opened my eyes, I was in Gin arms. I looked up at him.

"Ya ok?" He asked.

"Yeah, now I am."

"Think ya can stand?"

"Yeah." He put me down.

"You're ok now and so is the baby." Unmei said and returned to my mind.

"What about the body?" Renji asked.

"What body? Her body should be rotted away by now." Gin said.

"Whose?"

"Da girl who did dat to ya. I killed her. Da other one got away though and I'm sure I'm number one on her hit list now. They were sisters."

Before I could say anything, Rangiku ran inside, but she wasn't alone. Izuru was with her. "I felt your reiatsu drop. You ok, Kris?" Ran asked.

"Yeah. Why is Izuru here?"

He seemed a little shocked to see Gin.

"I needed back up. I was attacked by a few people. That's why I took me a little longer to get to you. We managed to kill one." She said.

"Me too." Gin said.

"This blonde Asian girl called them off. She was in tears when she did."

"Probably 'cause I killed her sister." Gin said.

"They were all wearing weird jewelry."

"That's where they're getting the powers from. I think it's the reason they have no reiatsu." I said.

"That explains why Izuru was able to kill one when his necklace fell off." Ran said.

"I noticed they all had that weird jewelry on and I figured it was connected somehow, so I managed to hit it with Wabisuke a few time and it got so heavy, it just fell off. The guy had no power then." Izuru explained.

We all went outside to see the body, but it was gone. We searched for the broken necklace, but it was nowhere to be found either. I seen Gin looking up and then he took off.

"Gin!" I yelled, but he didn't answer.

Rangiku went after him. They weren't gone long before they came back.

"What that about?"

"I seen Andrea, but she got away." He said. It was obvious to me that he wanted them both dead after what happened.

Gin wouldn't leave my side once we went back inside, so he sent Renji to the bathroom to see if that girl's bracelet was there. He came back empty handed.

"So someone is collecting da dead bodies and da jewelry." Gin said.

"Are they planning on resurrecting them?" Ran asked.

"Probably just covering up their tracks" Gin said.

"And they could always give the jewelry to someone else." I added.

"The girl said she wanted the book." Gin told me.

"Andrea said if I'm dead the book will be hers for the taking, but she's wrong. I'm not the only one linked to it."

"She must not know that." Renji said.

I sighed. "Tonight was supposed to be a happy night and this happens. I mean I'm not surprised. That's why we had Rangiku come, but I was hoping to wrong."

"Let's go back in dere and try ta enjoy the rest of the night. We'll just worry about this when we get home." Gin suggested.

"You and Izuru can talk if you want to."

Gin looked back at Izuru. "If ya hang around til dis is over, we can talk."

"Really?" Izuru asked.

Gin nodded.

"I will wait then." He added.

"I hope Tory hasn't like raped my gigai. That girl is aggressive." Renji said as we walked back inside.

When we sat back down at the table, the main course had already been served.

"What took you to so long?" Mom asked.

"Long line in the bathroom." I lied, but she didn't act like she believed me. She probably thought we went to some random room to have sex. That sounds like something she was think.

I felt like I was stared at as I was eating, so I turned around and Collin was staring at me. He locked eyes with me and had this intense look on him face. Suddenly it was harder to breathe and I got very hot. I held my throat.

"What's wrong?" Gin asked.

"Kristen?" Dad called my named.

"Krissy, you ok?" Grandpa asked.

I couldn't answer them. I could barely breathe. Then this intense pain came all through my body and I screamed out. The room got quiet and people started to gather around me as I screamed. I couldn't help it. It felt like my blood was on fire. Then it just quit. Just like that. I looked into the crowd of people while everyone was asking if I was ok and seen Collin. I nearly got in Gin's lap to get away from him. He did that. It had to be him. I wasn't sure how he did it or what he actually did, but I just knew it was him.

I wrapped my arms around Gin's neck and laid my head on his shoulder. "It was him." I whispered.

Author's notes: Thank you to dranconichero19 for being Izuru for me. And I got my commission in of Kris and Gin, i'll post the link of my profile on here, since it wont let you post links on here. Review plz!