Well, I am officially done with finals! Woot! Sorry this took a while. I needed to unwind. Here you go!

Tsukiko stared at the man in front of her. His eyes were hidden by a green and white striped hat and a cane sat next to him. Beside him were two children, a girl and a boy, staring at her, as if she were some exhibit on display. Rangiku sat next to Tsukiko, smiling and talking away about what was going on in Soul Society. Tsukiko tried to look as respectable as possible. She had never really been to the human world. Her life evolved in Soul Society. Never had she been allowed to come down to Earth. She wanted to visit the places and try the foods. Especially the juice in the box that Rukia always talked about.

"Where are Rukia and Renji?" Tsukiko asked. "Pardon my rudeness, Urahara-sama."

"There's no need to apologize, we are friends. You were such a young girl when I left Soul Society so long ago. Your elder brother worked for me, I believe he is dead now. Poor soul." Urahara smiled. "Oh yes! Your question, well, Rukia and Renji will be back later with Ichigo. They are staying at the Kurosaki place for now."

"Have you sent them a message?" Rangiku asked as she picked up a sake cup. Tsukiko eyed the cup and then her friend. This night was not going to end peacefully.

"They will be here first thing in the morning. I assure you. For now, let us get some sleep. Tomorrow, your gigai will be ready and then you will be prepared to go to the high school!" Urahara seemed happy.

"High school? Tsukiko asked.

"Yes, Inoue Orihime has become a special target amongst the hollow. Grimmjow is after her for some reason or another. As is Ulquiorra Schiffer. I heard battles between the two have been waging in Hueco Mundo for a while."

Tsukiko looked confused. "I thought Ulquiorra had been captured."

"He escaped. How, no one knows. Soul Society believes that there are some people behind all of it. As in shinigami." Urahara hinted smiling.

"And so they are after Inoue? Again?" Matsumoto asked. Tsukiko thought about the young girl who had helped her out during her wedding. She was nice and simple. A bit daft but smart enough to fight for the things she loved.

"Yes, it seems both have taken a liking to the girl." Urahara laughed. "Well, let us have some sake and then relax." Urahara smiled as he reached toward the cup.

"I will pass, I am sorry." Tsukiko nodded her head and then turned to Rangiku. "I think I will go to bed." Tsukiko said goodnight to everyone and then followed the young girl to the room. There were two mats in the room. Tsukiko walked over to one and then sat down. Kicking off her sandals, she placed her head on the pillow and looked out at the window. The moon shone bright. Sleep filled her mind and with a sigh, she fell asleep.

Back at Soul Society, Byakuya met with a few others in secrecy. There was Jūshirō Ukitake, Shunsui Kyōraku, and his lieutenant Ise Nanao, Sajin Komamura, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, and Kenpachi Zaraki. All seven of the leaders sat as the talked about what they had just done. A faction had been created, amongst soul society. One that could bring peace to the war stricken Hueco Mundo wnd Soul Society.

Grimmjow Jeagerjaques had taken over Hueco Mundo. Fueled with love for Inoue Orihime, he started to wage war on everything he saw just to get to her. He let the hollows run boundless without restrictions. Earth was full of creatures that killed souls. Some had even managed to make it to Soul Society. Now, the captain of the Soul Society, growing senile after years of leadership, did not care what this brought. As long as the hollows were dealt with, it was not his problem. Grimmjow was just misguided, figured the seven, and they knew something needed to be done. Under the secrecy of the name Oscuro, the group tried to bring peace not only to Soul Society but also the ramparts of Hueco Mundo.

"We could seriously get punished for this." Nanao spoke as she sat down amongst the men. Taking a pad of paper and a pen out, she started to jot down notes. "If Yamamoto-sama finds out what we have been doing under his nose, he will exile us."

"Do not fret. No one, and I repeat no one here will say anything." Hitsugaya looked around warning the members. "Oscuro has affected us all. We together let Ulquiorra Schiffer escape, and we together will bring a better tomorrow."

"And what if we are exiled? What then?" Nanao asked.

"The whole point of Oscuro was to get exiled." Byakuya started. "You knew that fully well." The Kuchiki leader stood up and walked over to a window. "The whole point is to get exiled. So we can join with Oscuro on the earth and then win back Soul Society. The only way to have change on this plane is if we take it over. Kenpachi, your squad is all behind you, as is Komamura's and Hisagi's is behind him as well. They will do whatever you tell them. As long as we have some one here giving messages to the teams, we shall be fine."

"And that is where Unohana-san comes in." Nanao sighed. "Although she said she would not be in exile with us, she did agree to try and send information through Hanataro." Nanao still looked uneasy about everything that was happening.

"Don't fret Nanao-chan, everything will be alright soon!" Shunsui chided as he placed his hands on Nanao. "We must do this for the betterment of Soul Society and the world." Shunsui himself felt unsure as he spoke.

"Tomorrow, the council will find out. And then we will be exiled. Have you told your families this? That you will be exiled. Especially you Byakuya, Kuchiki-obasan knows that you will be forced to live on earth for a few years?" Ukitake warned.

"She knows and will pretend to grieve for the Kuchiki name. My grandmother will also be sending messages to us through the servants."

"As will Komamura-sama, he will stay here and be our eyes and ears." Shunsui sighed.

"I will."

"Then all is good." Ukitake sighed. "As of tomorrow, we will no longer be members of Soul Society but of the Earth."

"Go home tonight." Byakuya sighed.

"And what of Renji, Matsumoto, and your wife?" Hitsugaya asked. "Will they stay on Soul Society or stay with us.

"Renji and Matsumoto need to be on our side for the plan to work. They know what is happening. I've already spoke to both of them. My wife, she...she will be returning to soul society with Rukia." Byakuya spoke.

"Wouldn't it be wise to keep them with us? I mean, your wife and Rukia are also powerful and they would be good as backup if needed." Komamura sighed. "It would be the safest route."

"NO! They will be staying here. I will not endanger their lives."

"Their lives will be in more danger if you keep them here Kuchiki sama." Komamura stated. "Think about it, the questions, the house arrest. And also, we need Rukia's strength, and I have heard about your wife's bankai. I hear she's got a terrific one."

"Keep my wife out of this."

"Byakuya-san, Komamura-san is right. It would be much safer for your wife and Rukia to be with you." Ukitake spoke before coughing. Byakuya thought about what they had all said. Maybe it was better to do so. Tsukiko was already a part of what was going on. They would be in trouble regardless of their involvement. Byakuya sighed and then nodded. "Good, then, let us sleep in our beds tonight. Tomorrow, we will be exiled and sent to earth."

"How sure are you that is going to happen? What if they imprison us?" Nanao asked.

"Then we flee for Hueco Mundo." Kenpachi smiled.

"Then leave, we will leave tomorrow night." Hitsugaya left. And soon after everyone did as well. Only Byakuya stood there, silent. He didn't know why he agreed to keeping Rukia and Tsukiko with him but he was relieved. It was as if part of him wanted them there.

Tsukiko woke up to noise inside the small shop. Standing up, she made sure her clothes were on right and then she slid the door open to see Urahara, Rukia, Matsumoto, and Renji standing there. Walking forward, she smiled at Rukia who returned the smile. "What is going on?" Tsukiko asked as she looked around. Urahara, with a paper in his hand, sighs.

"Tsukiko-san, you will no longer be a member of soul society." Urahara spoke calmly. "Neither will be the people in the room. You and your family, disregarding your grandmother in law, will be forced to stay here on Earth. As will everyone here, and many others." Urahara looked around. "That means we'll have a lot of guests. Hmm." Urahara wondered off and leaving the letter on the table. Before anyone could take it and read it for themselves, Tsukiko picked it up.

"Read it out loud." Matsumoto spoke, wanting to know more about what was going on.

Tsukiko cleared her throat.

"Urahara Kisuke,

As we have told you, the plans to reestablish Earth, Soul Society, and Hueco Mundo have gone underway. The only way we could do so was by freeing Ulquiorra Schiffer, as you know, and also by releasing Ichimaru Gin into the hands of the former Espada. If plans are to follow, we, that is Jūshirō Ukitake, Shunsui Kyōraku, and his lieutenant Ise Nanao, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, and Kenpachi Zaraki will be staying on Earth with Kuchiki Rukia, Abarai Renji, Rangiku Matsumoto, and Kuchiki Tsukiko. Please find gigai for us and we will be eternally in your debt. Also, please establish identities for us so we may stay under Soul Society's radar as we recapture Hueco Mundo, and then continue to reestablish Earth and then Soul Society. Expect us there by 23:00 tonight. Thank you."

Tsukiko stared at the paper. What did this all mean? She was bound to Earth, forever? Turning around, she looked over at Renji and Rukia. They were shocked as well as Matsumoto. "This can't be." Rukia spoke. "What about oba-san?" Tsukiko looked over at Rukia and noticed the fear and pain in her eyes. Trying to make herself strong, she looked at her sister in law.

"Let us wait for Byakuya-sama. Meantime, why don't we follow our plans and protect Orihime Inoue as much as possible." Tsukiko smiled.

"Yes, Renji and I will go to the school." Rukia spoke.

"As will we, remember, orders were to not let Inoue or Kurosaki Ichigo know about anything. We shouldn't bother them anymore about this. The Quincy is probably already noticing changes but hopefully he will be too absorbed with his new love interest that he will not notice." Matsumoto reminded.

"Then let us leave." Tsukiko stepped into her new gigai and then tried to accommodate herself to the feeling. Her gigai had a short skirt on, which was a part of the uniform. "Are these always this short?"

"Yes, they are." Rukia smiled as she looked at her sister in law. Tsukiko smiled and then pulled her hair up. "School, all over again eh?" Smiling, she looked over at her friends. "Let us go then?" The group left the house and towards school. During the entire time, the mock students planned out the personality of Tsukiko. She was the cousin of Rukia since they shared a common last name. Tsukiko acclimated herself to her surroundings and noticed how beautiful they were. Toddlers were playing in their mothers arms as young school children ran to class. Tsukiko smiled at the children. They seemed to so happy here.

In Soul Society, children were expected to train harder than anyone else. It was a Spartan ideal and it worked for many years. But now, the shinigami were depressed. Only those who had been raised in a traditional yet modern household were happy and content with their lives. Tsukiko thought about her husband, maybe that was the reason why he couldn't love more than one person. Maybe because it was the way he was raised.

"We're here." Matsumoto whispered into Tsukiko's ears. "This is Karakura High." Tsukiko looked up at the majesty of the building. While it did pale in comparison to the buildings of Soul Society, this building seemed more alive. Smiling, she followed Rukia into the building. There were many classrooms with many students getting ready to start a "hard" day of studying. Rukia turned into a room making Tsukiko follow. The three girls and one guy walked up to the sensei and smiled.

"Ohayoo Gozaimasu sensei, this is my cousin Kuchiki Tsukiko and our friend Rangiku Matsumoto. They will be in your class from now on." Rukia introduced.

"Please take care of us." Tsukiko bowed and then smiled. "We are very happy to be instructed by you."

"No problem," the sensei smiled. "Rukia, show them where to sit." Rukia led the three over to where Ichigo and Inoue sat with Chad and the Quincy, Ishida. Rukia walked up to them and introduced everyone.

"You guys remember Tsukiko-chan and Matsumoto-san?"

"Of course we do!" Inoue smiled. "How have you been? We saw each other less than a month ago. And you are here already! That's great. Have a seat with me. Both of you." Inoue pointed to the seats in front and behind her. Tsukiko walked behind the girl and sat down.

"Ohayoo Gozaimasu!" The sensei yelled as class started. Tsukiko smiled as she looked around. People were looking at her and Matsumoto, the boys mostly but both women disregarded it. Tsukiko, getting bored from the lecture, started to think about what had happened so far.

All she knew was this.

Ulquiorra Schiffer had escaped with the help of shinigami.

Inoue Orihime was being sought after by both him and Grimmjow.

Many of the Captains were being sent to Earth.

But why the Captains?

There was no big threat. If there were, it would be the lieutenants and the leading officers who would be sent. Not the Captain.

Tsukiko realized it. It was the Captains who had set him, along with Ichimaru Gin free. That was the only way. The Captains along with Matsumoto, Renji, Rukia, Nanao, and her were being exiled. That was the answer. They were forced to leave their homes for something their captains had done. Tsukiko looked over at Matsumoto who had fallen asleep. Inoue absentmindedly looked out the window as the others, excluding the sleeping Renji, attempted to pay attention to the lesson.

Turning her head to the outside, Tsukiko noticed a hollow outside. Looking over at Rukia, they nodded and then left their gigai as soon as they swallowed a pile allowing the bodies to pretend to be animated. It was a minor hollow. There was no need for the others to leave their places to kill it. And anyways, Tsukiko needed to get out, and she needed to talk to her sister in law.

Both Kuchiki girls ran at the monster and killed it in less than a minute. Neither had to even unleash their swords. All they used were the demon arts. As they walked back Tsukiko noticed Rukia in pain.

"Rukia!" Tsukiko spoke as she looked at the girl. "What is wrong with you?"

"Nothing. I've been experiencing problems with my stomach. Probably something I ate."

"Rukia, you are not holding onto your stomach. Stop and sit down." Tsukiko ordered. Going into her medical mode, Tsukiko started to poke and prode at various places. "Does that hurt?"

"Kind of."

"Have you been feeling tired? Nauseated? Have you thrown up lately?"

Rukia took a minute to think. "Yes."

"Rukia, tell me the truth, who have you been with?" Tsukiko's medical mode turned into sister in law mode. This was not good at all. "Rukia, you're pregnant. Who have you been with?"

Rukia looked up at her sister in law in shock. This could not be happening to her. "Are you going to tell Nii-sama?"

"Rukia, who have you been with?" Tsukiko asked.

"Are you?" Tears were pouring down the unwed woman's cheeks. Tsukiko took her sister in law into her arms and let her cry. As the young girl cried, Tsukiko thought about what was going to happen. If she told Byakuya, he would rage and probably kill the man. But who could the man be? Tsukiko realized who it was in a flash.

"It's Renji's is it not?" She asked as sweetly as possible. "Am I right?" Rukia looked up and nodded. "I will not tell your brother, but you must tell him." Tsukiko smiled. "And from now on, no more hollow hunting. If you endanger that child, I will tell him. Understand?" Rukia nodded. "And you have to tell Renji. Make sure you do that first." Rukia nodded. "Let's get back to class." The two women walked back to class and by the time they were there, class was over. Returning to their gigai, they left the school and safely delivered Inoue back to her home. Matsumoto decided to stay there and she forced the others out.

Silently the others walked back. Tsukiko gave the couple space as Rukia broke the news. Renji, terrified, consoled his girlfriend as much as possible and promised to marry her, but he knew that was impossible right now. They had to tell Byakuya-sama, how though, they did not know.

Back at Urahara's shop, Tsukiko managed to find some old Kimono and she changed waiting for her husband. Managing the store alongside Urahara, she heard stories about how life was in Soul Society a long time ago. How joyous it was. The entire time, Tsukiko felt as if there was something dangerous coming.

"Tsukiko chan, once the groups get here, they will rest first and then we will congregate for a meeting. Byakuya-sama will pretend to be a couple that lives under Inoue Orihime's apartment. Rukia will show you where that is, her is the key." Urahara placed a shiny silver key in her hand. "Your furniture and everything is there."

"Thank you."

Rukia led Tsukiko to her new home and left her at the door. Rukia and Renji needed to talk things over and Tsukiko understood. She just didn't know if she could keep it in her when her husband came. Sitting down on the couch, Tsukiko picked up a book that lay on the table and started to read it. It was some story about a girl who constantly tried to find love but didn't realize it was beside her all along. For five hours, she sat and waited and when he came through the door around midnight, she noticed his apparel. The great Kuchiki Byakuya in pants and a shirt. He looked angered as he and his gigai moved forward.

"Byakuya-sama."

"Tsukiko." He nodded as he stepped inside. Stepping out of his gigai, he reassumed his original clothing. Tsukiko, not realizing before that she was in her gigai, let herself out and then smiled. "How have you been?"

"What is going on Byakuya sama? Why are we stationed here?"

"You will find out later." Byakuya sat down on one of the chairs. "Have you found out if you are pregnant or not?" Tsukiko's heart beat faster. Pregnancy. She instantly thought of Rukia. "Tsukiko?"

"No, I don't think I am."

"What's with the look on your face?" He asked as he stood up.

"Um...nothing." Suddenly someone tapping on the door startled her. She walked up to the door and opened it to find Renji and Rukia, holding hands.

"What is the meaning of this?" Byakuya asked as he stepped forward.

"Nii-sama, we have something to tell you." Rukia spoke as she entered the room.

"And what is it?" He asked. Tsukiko closed her eyes waiting for the rage.

"Renji and I married each other." Tsukiko's eyes shot open.

"What?" Byakuya asked looking at his sister and her husband. "Who gave you the permission!?" Rukia looked over at Tsukiko terrified. Byakuya, perceiving the glance as an accusation, looked over at his sister. "Leave now, I will discuss this with you later."

"Nii-sama."

"LEAVE!" The two left Tsukiko and her husband to herself. Byakuya locked the door and turned to his wife. "How dare you?"

"What did I do?" Tsukiko asked shocked.

"Why would you give them permission without asking me first?" He was angry, she could tell that much. Never had she seen this much rage from her husband. She started to step back but he grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. "I said, why would you?"

"They were in love." She stated, trying to help them. With the back of his hand, he unleashed his strength and hit her across the face. She fell to the floor, shocked. When her father hit her, she hurt physically, never emotionally. But when Byakuya hit her, she felt pain everywhere. On her face, on her skin, in her mind, and in her heart. Holding her cheek, she looked at him with tears pouring down her eyes.

Byakuya looked down at his wife, calculating what he had done. He had never hit a woman before this. Never. He wasn't even thinking when he hit her. He turned around, about to move.

"Do you want to know why I gave them permission?" She spat, crying. Byakuya turned around and looked at her. "Because they actually found love. Something that is incomplete in both of us." She stood up, still crying. "They love each other Byakuya sama, just the way you loved Hisana-sama. They did what they thought was best. You can't blame them. Byakuya-sama, you of all people should know what love is, and how fragile it is. Anything can take it away. Anything."

"Since when have you been a scholar in love?" Byakuya asked as he tried to regain his esteem.

"Those who do not have something, long for it, and that is how they discover what it is, even though they can never have it." Tsukiko spat.

"What are you trying to say Tsukiko."

It was then that it occurred to her. "Don't you get it Byakuya-sama?"

"Don't say you love me." He sighed sitting down.

Tsukiko looked at him and then at her feet. Did she love him? She started to search her heart.

"The problem is, Byakuya-sama. My mind doesn't love you. It hates you. It hates what you have become. But my heart, it speaks differently. It tells me that I love you. But how can I love you when all you have given me is hurt? Why would the heart love something that hurts it?

"I don't know Tsukiko."

"Byakuya-sama, you should be happy that they have found love. You lost love and you know what it feels like. And I, I have love right in front of me but its nonreciprocal. If neither of us will ever have love, then let them."

"Tsukiko. I may not love you but I do not hate you."

"And my problem is, Byakuya-sama, that I seem to hate and love you."