Konnichiwa, Minna-san! I'm so sorry that I was so late in updating! Anyway, more info at the end!

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING BUT THE FANCONCEPT OF THIS FANFICTION.

-xXx-

Best Chance

The Reason why I want to spit out these grating Sentiments, is that I have no other proof that I even exist.

-xXx-

I was still suffering from the side-effects of shock and I still couldn't believe that someone with such a high rank of a taichou was... killed....

What scared me even more was that Aizen was, without a doubt, one of the most powerful Taichou in Seireitei. If the murderer turned his target towards Toshiro, then...

I shook my head. I didn't even want to think about it, but I couldn't keep the fears at bay.

A 4th Division member was bandaging my wound. Rangiku had to go check on Kira since she is the fukutaichou of the taichou who arrested them, it was her responsibility to make sure that they both arrived in their cells without any trouble.

''Miyuki.''

I tilted my head up to see Flamel standing by the door and had to blink a few times to make sure I was seeing things right. She looked horrible, her eyes were red as if she was crying a few minutes ago. Her expression was miserable and her face was nearly as pale as mine.

''Flamel...sensei...?'' I asked. The shinigami who was wrapping my wound bowed as he finished.

''Dozo,'' he said, I glanced at him.

''Arigato,'' I said before he went out the door. Flamel walked over to me and laid a hand on my head. My eyes were as wide as plates at her sudden display of affection.

''You're okay, I'm glad,'' she said. But judging from her tone, her mind was elsewhere. ''You were one of the first who found Sousuke's corpse, right?'' she asked. I nodded, her abnormally gentle hand on my head stayed in its place as I looked up at her. Her head was tilted forward, her bangs shielding her eyes from view.

''Did Sousuke...look like he was in pain...?'' she asked, trying her best not to tremble.

Why is she so upset about Aizen's death? She wasn't that close to him, was she?

''Gomen...but he was too high up for me to see.'' I heard her taking a deep breath as she slowly pulled her hand back and let it fall limb on her side.

''Sou...ka...''

´...What the hell came and killed her world?` I heard that voice again, but ignored it- however it did have a point.

''Flamel-sensei...what's the matter? Why are you so depressed?'' Worry was clear in my voice. She looked up at me and smiled, but it was empty and sad. I frowned. This was definitely not the teacher who trained me...I wasn't even sure who this was anymore.

''It's nothing.'' She turned around and walked towards the door.

''Ano, Flamel-sensei! I was able to do a transmutation without a circle again!'' I said, trying to cheer her up.

''Souka? I'm very pleased with you, Miyuki,'' she said with the same hollow voice as before. She didn't turn. ''Training is cancelled for today. I'll see you tomorrow.'' With that, she was gone.

Flamel worked very hard to help me perform alchemy, but what on earth was her connection to Aizen Sousuke? I asked myself over and over again, but no matter how much I mulled it over, I just couldn't come up with a satisfactory answer.

I walked down the hall of the 4th Division and heard a few whispers here and there.

''Did you hear about Aizen-taichou?''

''I did. Oh my God, what's going on?''

''They think that the ryoka were behind it. Unohana-taichou has just went to give Zaraki-taichou emergency treatment!''

''What?! You've gotta be kidding! Zaraki Kenpachi taichou was defeated by one of them?!''

''But Hanatarou, the 7th seat...if the rumours are true that he's with the ryoka, then...''

''Assuming that the ryoka were the ones who killed Aizen-taichou? Yeah, he's been lablled as a traitor.''

I stopped to listen to the group of gossiping division members.

''The leader is a shinigami with orange hair and a Zanpakto the size of his own body!''

''He said that he's going to free the death row in-mate, Rukia-dono, right?''

''To be honest, I feel really bad for her. I mean, she's so kind- she isn't someone who deserves to be executed!''

''You know that what the office of 46 says is absolute. We have no right to say anything against it. But I...I know what you mean.''

''Excuse me,'' I said as I walked over to them. As they noticed me, their eyes grew wide. ''May I ask where Kuchiki Rukia is being held?''

''A-Ano, she's not allowed to have any visitors...'' the one boy said hesitantly. I smiled wearily and waved him off. I wanted to go there because I didn't really have anything else to do- Toshiro was visiting Momo and I want to give them some privacy, Rangiku had work to do, all the Gotei 13 are in uproar and sitting in the office all by myself would be boring...as well as lonely.

''I understand that, I just would like to see the cell.''

'Cell'. Yeah, that's what I said. The Senzaikyu, 'Shrine of Penitence'. I was looking at it.

...

What part of these freaking towers could you possibly classify as a shrine?! It's huge, they're huge! I thought that she would be in a prison cell like Momo's or something like that!

I felt my eyeballs were about to fall out of their sockets as I stared at the buildings. Then my eyes travelled to the bridges, then to the knocked out guards, and then to the open entrance.

I blinked. Wait...

Knocked out guards? Open entrance?

I ran up the ridiculously long staircase and was panting by the time I reached the top. My mouth was agape at the scene before me. A large man wearing green and a shorter, dark-haired Shinigami were inside. Their backs were facing me and I saw a girl in a white kosode and black hair further in. Was that Kuchiki Rukia? So this is a breaking out attempt? My hair blew freely in the wind behind me as my brain went into hyper drive.

There was only one phrase for a situation like this, a British one that Flamel used regularly, and I muttered it in a barely audible voice.

''Shit a fucking brick...''

-:-:-:-:-Frozen Passion-:-:-:-:-

''Hinamori.'' The brunette jerked and looked up at me from her sitting position. Her frown was filled with deep regret and great despair for her lost Taichou. I felt very sorry for her, since I had first-hand experience of seeing what she had go through to become Aizen's fukutaichou. Her eyes were bloodshot, and had dark bags under them. She slumped in her seat, and her whole form emanted exhaustion.

''Hitsugaya...kun...'' She said, tears still in her eyes. She then looked down. ''Sumi masen deshta,'' she apologized formally.

''...It's not me you need to apologize to,'' I said, she flinched.

''I don't know...how to...express how much I regret hurting...Miyuki-kun...'' she stuttered, ''All she tried to do was help, and yet I...!''

I didn't answer and she understood that there was nothing else to say about this subject.

''Ano...Outside...What is happening?'' She looked up at me with questioning eyes. I narrowed mine and sighed before looking to my side, thinking of the best way to explain the situation.

''It's chaos. Something like this occurring inside of a Division is completely unheard of. And there's the matter of the ryoka...Everyone's moving on their own and getting out of control.'' This really is a very big problem, and in all my years of being the Taichou here, I have never experienced anything close to this.

''Sonna...'' she said, ''Then, what about arresting the killer?'' I could hear anxiety rising in her voice.

''They still haven't finished inspecting the scene,'' I said as I turned to look at her, ''We have no choice but wait for the Soutaichou's decision.'' She frowned at my response. Disapproval clearly written across her face.

''But...'' She turned to me ''But the one who killed Taichou is-!'' I cut her off.

''Yameru!'' I narrowed my eyes. ''Don't just blindly jump to conclusions!''

''But you also suspect Ichimaru-taichou, don't you, Hitsugaya-kun?!'' she asked.

''It's only a hypothesis, Hinamori!'' I could see the realization dawning on her face, ''I have no proof that it's correct.''

She looked away again in shame. Even though I understood that she was in enough grief already, I needed her to understand that what she did was inexcusable.

Both as a captain and comrade...but most importantly as a friend...

''Just now, I told you that the whole of Seireitei was in chaos, but the one worst off is the 5th Division! They lost both their Taichou and Fukutaichou in the same day!'' Her eyes widen at me, ''Do you realize what'll happen?'' My eyes soften slightly.

''I can understand how you feel...'' I said, imagining Miyuki pinned onto that tower instead of Aizen, I may very well have acted even more reckless than her, ''... But the rank of a fukutaichou is only a mere rank below a taichou, it's not trivial.''

''Gomen nasai,'' she said, looking down at her lap, ''I...I...'' She didn't seem to know what else to say with that shaking voice of hers. I sighed, knowing that she got the message. I took Aizen's letter out of my sleeve and handed it to her.

''Kore yo.'' She looked at it with wide eyes. ''Miyuki found it in Aizen-taichou's room, and asked me to give it to you,'' I said, ''You're the one who this letter is addressed to.''

''From Aizen-taichou...to me?'' she asked and took it carefully with two hands.

''You're lucky that Miyuki found it before anyone else had seen it. It would've ended up in the evidence bureau and would've never made it to you,'' I said, she had a very regretful expression on her face and I could see tears sliding down her cheeks. I knew that Miyuki and Hinamori had grown very attached to each other. They became very close friends almost instantly, ever since Hinamori kidnapped her to Rukongai for the first time.

''Even though I...'' She sobbed as she hugged the letter close to her, ''...went as far to threaten her...she...'' More tears slid down her face.

''...Miyuki cares for you that much because you're dear to her,'' I said, ''She is still very worried about you.'' She looked up at me with wide eyes, tears still falling. I didn't like that expression on her face, I only wanted her to smile and be happy. But I knew that wish won't fulfilled for a long time.

''She isn't...angry with me? She doesn't hate...me?'' she asked, looking scared.

''She just wants you back,'' I said, even though Miyuki didn't talk about it, I knew that this is what she wanted, ''As her treasured friend.'' She calmed her sobs and looked at me, worried.

''Miyuki-kun...I...wounded her...is she alright?'' she asked. I frowned.

''She's fine,'' I answered; I saw the relief in her eyes. I inwardly smiled, deep down, Hinamori was too kind to even hurt a fly.

''I don't know what's written in that letter,'' I said, turning the attention back to the letter. ''But him leaving his last words to you, is something to be happy about.'' I turned to leave. ''Read it gratefully.''

''Ano...Arigato gozaimashta, Hitsugaya-kun!''

''Hitsugaya-kun ja ne, Hitsugaya-taichou da!''

-:-:-:-:-Sincere Resolve-:-:-:-:-

Here I was, just wanting to have a look at the senzaikyu's structure, and two weird people broke in right when I was here. Great, just great. Too many things are happening in one day- First Aizen's death, now this?

Surprise was apparent on my face when I saw that the bigger one had grabbed the girl by the collar, despite the protests of his smaller companion. Isn't this a rescue mission? He wasn't planning on killing her, was he?! I ran towards the door, drew my katana and held it next to the smaller one's neck. He gasped and shivered in fear, which made me frown in confusion. Even if I did suppress my reiatsu, my steps were so loud and obvious they must've heard them- either that or they were nothing compared to the Taichou class. Since I've been surrounded by highly skilled warriors I was used to being noticed all the time. But that wasn't the case here. The taller slowly looked over his shoulder with wide eyes and I saw his long eyelashes. I hate men who have eyes like that, they creep me out.

´Aw, how cute. But then again, you've already got your priorities set, haven't you?` I suppressed my blush and ignored that comment from that voice in my head. Literally.

''Put Kuchiki Rukia down, now.'' I said firmly, trying my best not to tremble. Damn me and my hero-complex! I noticed that he didn't do what I said and knew that more persuasion was required. ''Your friend here will be the one to pay if you don't.'' What a down-right lie. But he can't know that, so I'm safe... for now. But I don't even know if I could stand against the big guy for any decent amount of time.

The next thing I knew I felt an enormous reiatsu, enough to make even the strongest warriors tremble from the knees in the atmosphere. I could feel the restriction of breath and knew that the others felt it as well.

''W-What is it with this reiatsu?!'' the larger man managed to rasp. We all looked back at the newcomer, the two intruders had horrified expressions and mine was merely surprised. I knew that this man had no intentions of killing me. But if I were in their shoes... 'panic' would be an understatement as to what I would be feeling.

''That's the roku bantai taichou...Kuchiki Byakuya-dono!'' the boy said who still had my katana by his neck.

''Kuchiki-taichou!'' I said, surprised.

''You're in my way, get behind me.'' I gulped and pulled my katana back before hurrying to do what he said. I wouldn't get in a fight if this guy was participating, not even if my life depended on it. I sheathed my sword when I heard the argument between the two ryoka.

''Are you tellin' me to risk my neck for her?!'' the bigger man said, ''She killed my Aniki! For someone...For someone like her?!'' I raised my eyebrows at that. What the hell? Was this a rescue mission or not? Or was this an assassination attempt on a deathrow inmate? ...It looked like the shinigami clad boy was the one who wanted to save Kuchiki Rukia and the other guy the exact opposite. What a strange pair. The shinigami said a few words which I couldn't hear because of the distance, and I was astonished when he turned around and walked towards us slowly. Was he...was he seriously thinking about challenging Kuchiki?! Judging by his terrified but determined expression, I'd say he was. There was also a little struggle with the muscular man and Kuchiki Rukia- he was blocking her way with his arm despite her protests. But after a few seconds he pushed the ravened haired girl back, gave a battle roar and dashed towards us as well. The shinigami, Hanatarou if I heard Kuchiki Rukia's call right, yelped in surprise before the man jumped over him and landed with a big 'thud'.

''Get back!'' he said.

''Ganju-san!'' Hanatarou said with a wide smile, but that soon faded as he was grabbed by the collar by his companion. I tilted my head to the side in confusion and arched an eyebrow. But my eyes were wide when I saw that this Ganju threw Hanatarou back.

''Not agaaaaiiiin!'' His cry lasted until he made contact to the ground. Ganju then turned to us with a confident grin on his face, showing his teeth. His fists smashed into each other as a sign of being prepared and his grin only widened.

''Ikuze, bo-chan!'' he said as he brought a fist up, ''Your enemy is ME!'' I was impressed by his courage, but after what seems like a few seconds, he was already panting from the sheer force of Kuchiki's reiatsu. This was the first time I was glad that I'd grown immune to this, as I spent so much time around Shinigami with high reiatsu levels.

''Feeling a faint motion of reiatsu here, I wondered what kind of powerful warrior was hiding his presence to slip inside...but it is just a gnat.'' Kuchiki's remark was as full of contempt as ever. I saw that Kuchiki Rukia had gotten out of the tower and was on her knees, Hanatarou was by her side. She seemed... exhausted.

Ganju dashed towards us, giving another battle cry before pulling something out of his pocket. ''Kurai! Chi Namida-'' The name of his attack was cut off by Kuchiki using shunpo to create a gash in his arm. I gasped at the pure speed of the attack. I knew that the Taichou were strong, but this is a standard where I couldn't even trust my eyes.

''Disappear. My Ten does not exist to crush insects like you.'' Ganju fell to his knees, clutching his serious wound right in front of me, gasping in pain. But after Kuchiki took a few steps forward, Ganju stood, facing the Taichou.

''Hold it!'' he said, and I was starting to think that this guy was insane.

''It seems you do not understand words,'' Kuchiki said, ''I told you to disappear.''

''Urusei! There ain't a single coward who'd turn tail and run from that! Not among the men of the Shiba clan!'' As those words left Shiba's lips, I saw a definite change in attitude from the black-haired taichou. He was aiming to kill. I could see that horrified expression on Kuchiki Rukia's face, as if she knew what was going to happen when he releases his Shikai- which is what he was about to do.

''Chire, Senbonzakura.'' I watched in amazement as the blade disappeared into pink, glowing pedals. The Taichou's sister yelled from the top of her lungs.

''NIGERO!!!''

But it was too fast for comprehension and I saw Shiba being slashed to strips before my eyes. Shocked wouldn't even begin to describe my expression at that moment as he fell back, lying on the ground, motionless. Kuchiki turned around, ready to attack Hanatarou too, even though his sister was begging for mercy. I opened my mouth to reason as well, but the words instantly died in my throat when I saw Ukitake suddenly appearing in front of me, holding Kuchiki's Zanpakto back. How did he...what the...? I didn't see him dash past me, I only saw him appearing in front of me!

Ukitake sighed. ''Yare, yare...busodan na,'' he said, smiling in relief, ''Why don't you stop about there, Kuchiki-taichou?''

''U-Ukitake-taichou...'' Kuchiki Rukia said, shock apparent in both her voice and face.

''Howdy, Kuchiki!'' Ukitake greeted his subordinate with a smile and a casual salute. ''You lost a little weight. Daijobou-ka?'' I could feel my eyes twitching at that. 'She's going to get executed, does that sound alright to you?!'

''What are you doing here, Ukitake-taichou? Shouldn't you be resting?!'' I asked, sounding more strict than I usually do. He turned to face with a sheepish smile. I've always been very stern with him about his health, and once I threw a fit, which I rarely ever do, when he didn't listen to me. Since then, he took my advice more seriously, but not as much as I would've liked.

''But Yuki-chan...'' he said, I narrowed my eyes at him and crossed my arms. He waved me off with a nervous smile. ''But if I hadn't come, then it would've ended up badly!'' I wrinkled my nose as I realized that he had a point.

''What do you think you are doing, Ukitake?'' Kuchiki asked, I could tell that he was quite livid, though his composure masked it perfectly. Ukitake frowned at him. I looked on with admiration for Ukitake-taichou, who wasn't cowering in fear like me.

''Oi, oi, that's my line,'' he said, ''Releasing one's Zanpakto in a place like this is a class 1 forbidden act. Maybe it is for the sake of repelling ryoka, but what are you thinking?'' I raised my eyebrows at that. That's right, Ukitake was ill during that announcement.

''By war martial orders, the release of Zanpakto has been permitted,'' Kuchiki said, Ukitake looked flabbergasted.

''War martial? The ryoka intrusion has become that serious?! Don't tell me the one who killed Aizen was-'' He was cut off by a burst of reiatsu.

I could feel the tightness in my chest again, my hand automatically jumped to it. My head snapped up to see a guy with orange hair and shinigami robes hovering over us. My eyes fell on his Zanpakto- it was large. I remembered the rumours of the ryoka leader.

''The leader is a shinigami with orange hair and a Zanpakto the size of his own body!''

He landed on the ground before Kuchiki Rukia on one knee. The girl seemed astonished by his presence, but he walked right past her to Hanatarou, checking if everything was alright with him. After that he turned back to Kuchiki Rukia. I couldn't hear their conversation, but looking at them like that... they somehow looked like lovers. That'd explain why he was so hell-bent in saving her. My shoulders slacked in stupefied shock as I saw the sudden change of attitude between the two.

''From this point on, you have no say whatsoever! Got that, Boki?!'' the ryoka yelled when he pointed a dramatic finger at the girl, who stood tall to protest.

''What the hell is that?! You're ignoring all of my rights?! What kind of tyrannical way is that to save someone?!''

''Urusei! The one being rescued doesn't get to complain!'' he said, ''You just do your part: Stand somewhere trembling and say 'Oh, save me!' Act more like a girl, will ya?!'' Her fist was shaking.

'' 'Oh, save me!' my ass! I don't tremble! And my appearance is none of your business!'' Okay...not your average pair...I actually had to hold in a laugh when I saw the ryoka sticking his tongue out at her in the most mocking manner imaginable. She was trembling, alright, trembling with fury. Once they calmed down, they exchanged a few more words, which I was now cursing that I couldn't hear since I was such a hopeless romantic.

''Byakuya... who is that?'' Ukitake asked with wide eyes. Kuchiki looked at us over his shoulder.

''No relation.'' He turned his head to face the ryoka ahead, ''He is nothing at all, just a ryoka. I will erase him. Then it will be over, and this entire minor conflict will end.'' With that, he walked forward, just like the ryoka did.

''You're takin' it awfully easy, ain't ya...not attacking even while I talked to Rukia for so long,'' The orange head said as he gripped for the sword on his back, but didn't draw it yet.

''Who do you think you are talking to? Are you telling me to exploit an opening for the likes of you?'' Kuchiki asked, ''Don't speak out of your league, koso.'' I gasped when Kuchiki let out an enormous amount of reiatsu, far too much for me to handle. My knees gave in and I would've fallen onto the floor if it weren't for Ukitake's arm shooting out to catch me right before I made contact with the ground. He looked down at me worriedly.

''Daijobou-ka, Miyuki?'' he asked, using my name instead of that nickname he thought up. I nodded feebly, but sweat was gathering on my forehead at a rapid rate.

''N-... Nanto...ka...'' My response was hard to understand as I was panting and exhausted. I could only stare in amazement as I saw the ryoka getting into a fighting stance with his Zanpakto ready.

''Oh? Completely unaffected by this much reiatsu... it seems you have improved quite a bit.'' My head jerked towards the sound of his voice. Kuchiki had fought against this guy before? ''I do not know how you once more obtained shinigami no chikara, but... you would have done better to live peacefully in the living world. Who could have imagined you would come all this way to discard the life you held onto...'' I decided not to try deducing the relationship between the two. The rough idea was that Kuchiki fought against the ryoka when he went to the living world to bring his sister here. The taichou obviously won and here we are. I didn't understand the whole: 'once again regained the power' comment, but I didn't want to waste any energy thinking about the details.

''I don't intend to throw it away,'' the ryoka said flatly, ''I'm going to beat you and go home with Rukia.'' I gulped, feeling the ominous aura emitting from the 6th division Taichou.

''I told you not to speak out of your league, koso.'' With that, Kuchiki dashed torwards him using shunpo, but before he could pierce his opponent with his katana, it was blocked by the ryoka's. He was able to see his movements? That's impossible! I couldn't see Kuchiki's face, but I knew that if I could, I'd find a very shocked expression.

''I see you,'' the ryoka said before he turned to face him, ''Kuchiki Byakuya!'' He swung his sword, pushing them away from each other and he got into his stance. I didn't need to face him to see that he was smirking. ''How about it, Kuchiki-san?'' he asked, tilting his head down and raised his zanpakto. ''Surprised? I can see through that shunpo of yours!''

''Don't get full of yourself just because of a lucky strike, orokamono.''

''Why don't we just see if it was luck or not?''

The two were fighting on the same level, but it became apparent that Kuchiki was only using the tip of his power. After a few clashes, Kuchiki brought his sword up.

''Naruhodo,'' Kuchiki said, ''You have improved more than I had thought. No choice then.'' He held the sword up. ''Before you get intoxicated by your own power, I shall show you a decisive power gap that you cannot overcome even with a millennium of struggle.'' With a swift movement he turned the sword 90° like a key.

''It's no use, Ichigo! Run!'' Kuchiki Rukia said with panic in her voice. If it weren't for the seriousness of the situation, I would be amused by the name- 'Ichigo', 'strawberry', for a guy? He's got weird parents, I'll give him that.

''Chire...'' Senbonzakura's blade started to glow pink, but before he finished the release, a white band, was already wrapped around the metal. The one responsible was a woman, kneeling on the ground, her hand holding the other end of the fabric. I was surprised. Sure, another person just appeared out of nowhere, but that wasn't the reason. She had dark skin, yellow eyes and the same hair colour as my eyes. But I noticed that our attire was quite similar. I had white leg and wrist warmers, instead of leg-pads. She had an orange instead of a purple kimono top and I didn't have those white pads on my shoulders.

''That's...'' Ukitake's voice trailed off.

''You!'' Kuchiki exclaimed. I frowned, they knew her? Great, more things I didn't know about. But it's safe to say that no one here was expecting her arrival.

The woman stood, ''Osashiburi jano,'' she said as she looked at Kuchiki over her shoulder, ''Byakuya-bou.''

''Shihouin Yoruichi...'' Kuchiki said as he swung his sword to rid his blade of the material. ''Former Supreme Commander of the Onmitsukidou, as well as Corps Commander of the 1st Squad thereof, the Correction Corps, Shihouin Yoruichi. I have not seen that face in a long time. You've hidden your whereabouts for over a century. I considered you long dead.'' ...Kuchiki really likes to talk, doesn't he?

''Yoruichi-san,'' the ryoka, Ichigo, said. Shihouin tilted her head to the side slightly to show that she was listening. ''You came to help me, didn't you? Saan-kyu. But sorry, I need you to move outta the way. I have to take that guy down.'' Shihouin looked over her shoulder at Ichigo.

''Take him down? You, take him down?'' she asked, ''Orokamono!'' She disappeared and reappeared in front of Ichigo well within a second and jabbed him in the stomach with her hand. My mouth was agape; this is just making less and less sense to me. But it seems that my shock was a feeling we all shared, including Kuchiki.

''Wh-What're you doing... Yoru...'' Ichigo fell unconscious before he had the chance to finish. Shihouin pulled her hand out, blood splattering everywhere, and caught the orange head before he fell forwards.

''Medicine?'' I looked up at Ukitake when he asked. ''Gaten or Houten... you pounded some kind of powerful anaesthetic directly into his internal organs. What are you going to do with him, Yoruichi?''

''Ukitake...'' Her voice trailed off. But she side-glanced at Kuchiki as he took a step towards her.

''Whatever you are going to try, it is useless. You cannot escape from here,'' Kuchiki said, Shihouin smirked.

''Oh? You've learned to talk big, haven't you, Byakuya-bou? Has there even been a single time where you've beaten me in tag?'' she asked, her smirk never wavering.

''In that case,'' Kuchiki said, his eyes narrowing, ''Shall we see?''

The two went into a series of shunpo, Shihouin was trying to escape with Ichigo in her grip and Kuchiki was trying to strike her with his katana. Shihouin dashed passed Ukitake and I, reaching the end of the bridge. But Kuchiki used shunpo and said one thing before he slashed her.

''Did you think you could escape me with such sluggish shunpo?''

His eyes widened when he saw that he had merely destroyed a clone. The next thing I saw, Shihouin landed on Kuchiki's out-stretched arm, still carrying Ichigo. I was stunned that Kuchiki didn't even budge at the extra weight, he was 'only' shocked.

''Did you think you could capture me with such sluggish shunpo?'' Shihouin asked with a smirk on her face. She used shunpo to jump up on a roof above us, looking down as the wind blew her hair. ''Three days,'' she said.

''Within three days, I will make this boy stronger than you. Selfish as it may be, until then, we will take leave from the fight. Follow us if you wish.'' She paused and smirked. ''Shunshin Yoruichi... is still far from being caught by the likes of you.'' She turned to leave, but halted and turned to look down at us again, I gulped when I realised that it was me she was looking at. She grinned.

''I like your version of this outfit, chibi no washi.'' With that, she disappeared. I blinked. 'Little me'? I don't look anything like her!

''Well, with that getup, you do look a lot like her, Yuki-chan.'' I looked up at Ukitake and realized that I was thinking out loud. I narrowed my eyes at him.

''I don't want to hear a man's view in this,'' I said grumpily, and he smiled softly. What the heck happened to the epic feeling of mystery a few seconds ago?! Kuchiki was taking his leave, but Ukitake turned his head to look at the taichou.

''Where are you going, Byakuya? You came to arrest the ryoka, didn't you?'' Ukitake asked, but Kuchiki didn't halt. I walked towards Kuchiki Rukia and Hanatarou, wanting to make sure that they were alright.

''I have lost interest,'' was Kuchiki's answer, ''Do with them what you will.'' Ukitake sighed and held a hand up to his head and looked up slightly.

''Yare, yare. He's just as spoiled as ever.''

''Ah!'' I exclaimed when I saw that Kuchiki Rukia was about to fall on the ground. I hurried the last few steps towards her and caught the girl before she fell.

''Rukia-san!'' I heard Hanatarou's call as he paced towards us. Ukitake called for his 3rd seats, Kotetsu and Kotsubaki. He ordered the Kotetsu to get medical attention from the 4th division for Shiba and Kotsubaki to return Kuchiki Rukia back to her cell. That was after the two wasted our time arguing about which one of them respected Ukitake the most. As nice as they are, they can be downright annoying at times. Kotsubaki came to us, and glared at Hanatarou who was standing in his way.

''Move.''

''N-No I won't! You can't put Rukia-san back in the cell...'' The boy was grabbed by the collar by Kotsubaki, who gave him a livid glare. Hanatarou had a horrified smile on his face.

''GET OUTTA THE WAY ALREADY, YOU DAMN BOOGER! YOU THINK I'M DOING THIS 'CUZ I WANT TO, HUH?!'' Kotsubaki asked and his response was a whimper from the frail boy before he was thrown back. Kotsubaki turned to me with a frown, and I smiled at him.

''Ano, Kotsubaki-san, may I carry Kuchiki Rukia in?'' I asked, he raised his eyebrows at that.

''Why would you want to do that?''

''...She feels warm. I want to hold onto that for a bit longer.''

Though Kuchiki Rukia was taller than me, I was still able to carry her over to the cell. I frowned. She was too light for her height. But that doesn't surprise me, who would feel like taking care of themselves when they're on death row? I wouldn't, I'm sure. I looked around the interior of the tower. There were stairs, but there was no bed, nothing comfortable for her to lie on. I decided to set her on the ground in the middle, where there was sun light shining from the slits in the walls. She lie there; her expression peaceful.

''Yuki-chan!'' I heard Ukitake's call and looked over my shoulder.

''I'm coming right out!'' I said before turning to let my eyes rest on Kuchiki Rukia's frame. She was pretty, I noticed. Her hair had a nice shine and her skin had the perfect shade. Mine was paler, much to my dislike. I always found tanned skin far more attractive. Ghastly skin like this only makes people think that you're weak, sickly and anti-social. I was immediately labelled as a Goth on my first day in school.

I took my light purple kimono top off, leaving my black, turtle-neck, long sleeved undershirt. I folded the cloth and tucked it under the raven haired girl's head, so that it may be used as a pillow. I brushed a strand of hair out of her face before standing up.

Tanned skin... An image of Toshiro flashed through my head, making me blush. I turned around and had a look of dread on my face. Toshiro's so going to throw a fit when he gets wind of the whole fiasco...

´Don't pretend anything, you like the fact that he can get so worked up because of you, right?`

-Owari.-

Before I start with my notes I'll say this, since my dearest editor asked me about it and I'll give my wonderful readers the right to know this:

I'M NOT GONNA MAKE MIYUKI A LITTLE MISS FLASHSTEP NUMBER TWO! THAT'S A BIG NO NO!!! I just wanted you guys to have an understanding of what she was wearing XP

A/N: Again, sorry that I took so long to update! There's been a LOT going on and I'd be ranting to infinity and beyond listing them all up! I'm not living in America like the most of you, so I STILL have school XC Lots of things to worry my ass about! XDD

And I was quite... amazed that I got 30 reviews. I mean, WOW. YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME... I LOVE YOU SO MUCH! I ONLY WRITE FOR YOU!! NEVER FORGET THAT!!

StardustQueen , waterlily777(Kawaii-chan!) , Dragon of Twilight (*whispers* ~~~-chan!) , darkheart1992 , RheaTheMeepoe , Emerald Gaze , The Infamous Salem-chan , IkuXYori , Yuki Rein , rockbellrocksroll , NeverEndingDreamEnds , AngelTenshi-chan , Leopardstar , ore-sama , Sweet Nightmare's Good Byes , SapphireJKH , , Arin-chan , XxAimTheFlamexX , KurokamiHaruhi , KazeNoSakura , Manaxsavior , Mitsuki Tsukiya , ShivaSummon , ToushiroHitsugayaROX , ShadowBlade7330 , XxPyro-samaxX , Lady Of Summer Haze , I'm me, obviously , LadyAmazon .

Please continue reviewing, each and everyone of them really mean so much to me! XD

And those who alerted and faved this story, I love you too! But I'd LOVE you if you post a review for lil' old me!! I'll love you forever! And yes, I know that I love a LOT!!!

A very special thanks to my beta, Arelissa. I'm feeling so guilty for making her do so much when she's on her holidays! !

I also thank Dragon of Twilight for taking time to correct this chapter, too!

btw, what do you guys think of my new penname? XD

AND!!! There is a Poll-question on my profile which regards this very story... Please vote your opinions!

Last, but not least, the translations!Sumi masen deshta- I'm very sorry

Sonna- That

Yameru- stop it right there

Kore yo- here

Aniki- big brother

Ikuze, bo-chan- let's do this, rich-boy

Kurai- eat this

Chi Namida- Chi: blood, Namida: tear(s)

Ten- sword

Chire- scatter

Nigero- run

Yare, yare- My, oh my.

Busodan na- so dangerous

Boki- dumbass

Koso- boy

Nanto ka- somehow

Shinigami no chikara- death god powers

Orokamono- foolish one/ fool

Naruhodo- I see

Osashiburi jano- long time no see

Byakuya-bou- little Byakuya

Saan-kyu- thanks- actually the Japanese form of 'thank you' in English

Gaten- piercing point

Houten- collapsing point

Chibi no washi- little me

Hmm... maybe I should cut down on the Japanese... What do you guys think?

~Love it? Hate it? Review, Review, REVIEW!!!

Jibun no Omoi