Whew! I updated a bit faster this time. This may be the last chapter for this year, but who knows? Maybe I'll be able to write another chapter in the last few days of my school holidays. But don't get your hopes up, though. As the saying goes: Don't count you chicks before they hatch!

Present time… Some house in Rukongai…

Kazane sat against the wall, her right leg brought to her chest and her left leg crossed under it. Her zanpakto was laid right beside her hand, which rested against her side. She gazed outside boredly, looking at Orihime who was still healing Jindanbou.

'Come in and sit. I want to discuss our plans for today and tomorrow,' Youruichi said. Ichigo and the rest, excluding Orihime, came in and sat down beside the fire. Youruichi continued, 'Once the gate has been open, security would increase dramatically behind it.'

'Then we won't be able to fight the guardians for passage anymore?' Ishida asked.

'Fighting Jindanbou was never the best idea, Ishida-san. We should be grateful that Ichigo made it out in one piece,' Kazane said from her position. 'The other gates are at least 10 days away. If you're thinking of walking to the other gates, forget it.'

'Then… how do we get in?' Ishida asked, slightly nervous.

'You seem to have something on your mind, Youruichi,' Kazane noted.

'The gate isn't the only way in. We'll just go in without using the gate,' Youruichi said.

'Without… using the gate?' the group chorused in unison. Kazane shook her head and smirked.

Youruichi turned to the Elder. 'Do you know where Shiba Kukaku is?'

The Elder gasped, 'Shiba… Kukaku?'

'In the past, the house used to be somewhere around here. However, since Shiba is a drifter, there's a chance that she might have moved elsewhere,' Youruichi said.

'Can it be… that you plan to get into Seireitei using… THAT?' The Elder's eyes were big.

'Using what?' Ichigo asked.

'Ahh…' Someone through the door.

'Someone broke in! Who's that?' Shouts were heard throughout the house.

'Is that… a pig?' Kazane's eyebrow twitched. 'Eww, you were actually riding on that?'

'Ah, I fell off the boar again,' the man got up and struck a pose. 'Yo, old man. Long time no see.'

'Ganju! What are you doing here? Go home!' The Elder said.

'What? I haven't seen you in a while and you're already kicking me out? Don't scare the guests! Look, you're already freaking them out!' Ganju waved his hands nonchalantly.

'You're the one that's scaring them!'

'Wait…' Ganju's eyes landed on Ichigo. 'Hey… what's a shinigami doing here?'

'Huh? What're you staring at?' Ichigo said as he got up.

'Hey, I asked you a question. What's a shinigami like you doing in a place like this?' Ganju grabbed Ichigo's hakama and pulled him up close.

PUNCH! Ichigo threw his fist at Ganju's jaw and knocked him away. Ganju flew 10 feet away.

'Ow! What do you think you're doing? Do you want to pick a fight with me?' Ganju roared, clutching his broken nose. He looked around and saw Kazane still sitting on the floor. 'Hey! There's another shinigami punk in here!' Ganju stormed to her and grabbed her by the collar. 'Oh, this time it's a girly shinigami. Hey, you aren't deaf, are you? Answer me, what's a shinigami like you doing here?'

SMACK! Kazane slapped him with her left hand. Her face was twitching, 'Watch who you're talking to, Shiba Ganju. And get your face out of mine!'

'Ganju… I suggest you don't do anything to her. She's the-' The Elder tried to reason with the enraged man.

'I don't care who she is! A shinigami is a shinigami! There's no difference between them!' Ganju protested.

'No difference between all shinigami, huh?' Kazane's eyes had a dark glint. 'Alright then, I'll fight you without using my shinigami powers! Let's take this outside.'

'Alright!' Ganju smirked.

'Kazane! What are you doing?' Youruichi asked. 'Isn't it best to conserve your energy for later?'

'This will only take a while… don't worry, I won't hurt him… much…' Kazane grinned and walked out of the hut. Her zanpakto was at her waist, but she didn't make any move to draw it. She faced the man and said, 'First person on the ground is the loser.'

'Fine by me,' Ganju shrugged. 'Hey, where are you?'

'Right here,' Kazane said from a tree branch. She jumped and landed on the ground like a cat, charging at the man. 'Get ready or you'll die.' She kicked him in the stomach and slammed the heel of her hand to Ganju's jaw. He stumbled backwards, clutching his bleeding face. In a flash, Kazane was right in front of him. She stabbed him with her hand, knocking him off balance.

'I. Win.' Kazane said tauntingly.

Ganju growled, 'It's not over yet!'

KICK! Kazane kicked him in the face… hard. She said boredly, 'You're boring, not much of a fight. Bt the way, shouldn't you be home by now?'

'Oh shoot! It's almost 9! I have to go!' Ganju whistled for his boar. 'We'll settle this tomorrow.'

'Yeah, yeah, we'll meet again tomorrow,' Kazane gave a small wave. 'In your sister's house.'

'Kazane! That was cool! Can you teach me how to do that?' Orihime squealed excitedly.

Kazane sweat dropped. 'So much enthusiasm… ah, she collapsed!'

'Inoue!' Ichigo caught her lightly. 'She's exhausted. It's hard to believe she was so excited just now…'

'You bring Orihime-chan to rest. I'll finish the healing job,' Kazane rolled up the sleeves of her hakama. She walked to Jindanbou and knelt down. Placing a hand to the almost healed cut, she did a healing Kido spell and treated his wounds.

'We'll be leaving him to you, Kazane,' Youruichi nodded and said. 'Come on, that Orihime girl needs some rest. We'll set out tomorrow, first thing in the morning.'

Jindanbou and Kazane were all alone now. Kazane looked at the giant laying in front of her. 'I hope you'll forgive me for roping you into this. It's my fault you nearly lost an arm.'

Jindanbou opened his eyes. 'I never blamed you for anything, Jyuusan-hime. Back then, when I first met you, you were still a noble. Nevertheless, you were kind-hearted and caring, despite your cold appearance. When you met your fiancée, you started to warm up and I was happy for you. When you fell from the ranks of the nobles, you still remained kind at heart. You would confront anyone who was being unfair to others, shinigami or normal souls. I like you for that. When I was the gate keeper and was often lonely, you would sneak out to see me and keep me company, even though it was against the rules. I can't blame you for anything, Hime-sama. I'm in your debt.'

'I see. Then in that case, may I talk to you for a while. My feelings are in a mess and I need someone to talk to,' Kazane said softly.

'Let's hear it…' Jindanbou replied in an equally quiet voice, which one may think impossible for a man of his size.

'You do know my ex-fiancée, Kuchiki Byakuya, do you?' Kazane received a nod. 'He's… not the same noble I knew many, many years ago. He's turned… I don't know… He doesn't think of me anymore. It hurts to think that the man I love the most doesn't acknowledge me anymore. I still can't stop thinking of him. My heart still loves him deeply; it always has. The years of separation did not weaken my love for him. But… part of me is glad that he has the strength to move on. He's forgotten the past and moved on. He no longer suffers the pain of separation. I want to feel happy for him…'

Jindanbou looked at the small girl beside him who was carefully healing his arm. 'Do you know what I think? I think you should just be yourself. You may have many titles, but in the end, you're still the same person, with the same persona. Others may know you as Jyuusan-hime, Tensai Hiroshi or any other worthless titles, but those are not you, the actual you. The real you is right there,' Jindanbou pointed to her heart. 'There's no wrong in being you. You are no longer bound to anything. You are free to be the one who you truly are. That's why… you should just act how your heart feels. If you want to feel jealous and happy at the same time, then do it. That's the real you and you have the right to be like that.'

'Kazane looked at him with amazed eyes. 'Since when did you have a PhD in emotional support?'

'Uh, what's a PhD?' Jindanbou had a confused face on.

Kazane sweat dropped. 'I forgot… you died nearly half a millennium ago. There's no way you could have know about the latest form of education unless you went to the real world… Never mind. Thank you for your advice, Jindanbou. I feel much better now.'

Jindanbou smiled. 'It's cold at night and you have a long journey tomorrow. Get some rest. I'll be fine here by myself.'

'But your arm…' Kazane looked reluctant.

'It's pretty much healed right now. It just needs a few more days to get better. Don't worry about me.'

'I… see…' Kazane got up and picked up some bandages on the floor. 'In that case, I'll just bandage up your wound and go to bed. Be sure not to aggravate it.'

'Hai, Hiroshi-sensei,' Jindanbou said in a teasing manner.

'Did you know that I wanted to get into the 4th division at first?' Kazane told him as she wrapped the bandages around his arm.

'Why?'

'Otou-sama was gravely ill at that time. It was due to his past illnesses when he was a human. The illnesses plagued him even after death. I wanted to become a healer so that I could treat his illnesses. But then, I heard about the Research and Development centre being set up and I thought to myself, Instead of becoming a healer whose powers are limited, why not become a researcher to find out more about the horrible fates of the unfortunate and spare others from the pain and suffering?'

'That was a noble thought, Jyuusan-hime.'

'Duh, I was a noble at that time,' Kazane giggled. 'The 12th division just went under a major change, so they were focused mainly on inventions. I found my talent in computers and was highly successful in it. But I didn't stay in the 12th division long enough to be able to fulfill my wish.'

'The 12th Division is different without Urahara there,' Jindanbou told her, sitting up.

'Yes, that was expected with Mayuri as the new president. I knew he would turn the 12th Division into a weird Division, but I know that he'll never do something that would potentially harm the future of science. That was what the Division was set up for: the future of science. We, the souls who have ample time on our hands, would be able to take science to the next step. It was all for science, nothing else. Even now, I doubt the ideals have changed,' Kazane muttered as she tied up the bandages. 'I'll go now. Please rest.'

Jindanbou watched her retreating figure. If I could, I would wish that I could take away all the burdens on her. Even though she is no longer a noble, she's bounded deeply to the past. The pressure of it all is almost too hard for her to bear. I don't know why she just won't let the burden go away. She can clearly move on. Her internal strength is far greater than that of Kuchiki Byakuya-taicho.

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Next day… Rukongai…

'When the wound is healed, be sure to do light exercises to regain mobility of your arm. If you don't, you may not be able to move your hand properly again. But don't strain it. You may burst a blood vessel or two…' Kazane examined Jindanbou's shoulder. She prodded it gently, looking up to see his reaction. 'If it hurts, you can always say so.'

'IT HURTS!' Jindanbou yelled. A few birds in the trees nearby took flight. Kazane covered her ears and winced.

'I… see… Take a good rest then, Jindanbou,' Kazane got up and prepared to leave.

'SORRY, I OVERSLEPT!' Orihime shouted, coming outside in a rush. 'Sorry, I was just too tired and I couldn't wake up…'

'It's alright, you worked very hard yesterday. You deserved the rest,' Kazane assured. 'I've already taken care of Jindanbou, so don't worry.'

'Right,' Orihime rubbed the back of her head. 'Are we going now?'

'Yes, once we got the map to Shiba-san's place,' Kazane told her. 'It shouldn't be far. We can get there on foot by noon.'

'Kazane-chan?' Orihime scrutinized Kazane's face.

'Y-yes?' Kazane followed Orihime's eyes cautiously.

'You seem different today. Somehow, you seem more… ease at heart. Ah, I don't know what I'm saying! Forgive me,' Orihime bowed.

Kazane smiled. 'Am I really that different?'

'Yep, the weather in here is beautiful. Your heart is at ease now and I can feel it.' Haruka took a deep breath and exhaled.

'Hmph, maybe that oaf is useful sometimes,' Shiroi snorted.

'Shiroi-hime! Please, watch your mouth!' Haruka scolded, scandalized. 'That sort of behavior is not acceptable!'

'Yeah, yeah, whatever…' Shiroi said uninterestedly.

'Shiroi…' Haruka was a bit angry now.

'Yikes! I better go now!' Her voice disappeared quickly.

'Everyone's… all trying their best. I'll do my best too,' Kazane thought.

'Kazane,' Haruka said gently. 'Remember that we're always here for you. If you're afraid to face the past, we'll do it with you. You're not alone. You never will be.'

'Thank you…' Kazane smiled and walked forward. 'The new chapter begins…'

Muahaha! That's the end of the chapter! No, I'm just kidding. There's still a bit more to go. Sit back and enjoy!

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Somewhere in Rukongai… Shiba Kukaku's house…

'Uh, it looks like Shiba-san's taste hasn't changed much,' Kazane stared at the… weird house with two gigantic arms and a ridiculously long chimney. 'The arms are ridiculous.'

'You can notice it at a glance, right?' Youruichi said.

'How can you not? That entire 'living in a quiet place' thing must be a lie! He'll probably be kicked out of the village for having a house like that!' Ichigo protested out loud.

'I hate to say this, but I agree with you, Kurosaki,' Ishida pushed up his glasses.

'It's human arms this time,' Kazane noticed. 'That's a real change.'

'Human… hands? It's different each time?' Ichigo wondered out loud. '

'I so don't want to be seen walking into that house. I'm glad it's in the middle of nowhere,' Ishida said.

'Anyway, let's go,' Ichigo started to march towards the house.

'Hold it!' Two insanely large men appeared and blocked their path. 'Who are you? Your clothes are strange, and two of you look like shinigamis!'

'Such suspicious people,' they said. 'We will not let you past! Get out or you'll die here.'

'Che, why is there guards everywhere. Soul Society is such a troublesome place,' Ichigo placed his hand on his zanpakto, ready to draw it.

'Ichigo,' Kazane slapped his hand away. 'Fighting doesn't solve things. You need to use your brain more often or your brain cells will rot.'

'I second that,' Youruichi said as she walked to the front of the group.

'Youruichi-dono! Jyuusan-hime!' they gasped in unison.

'Yo!' Kazane waved. 'Long time no see!'

'I'm so sorry. I didn't expect our master's two most favourite guests to be with these people. I'm sorry, Youruichi-dono, Jyuusan-hime,' one of the guards apologized as he led them down the stairs. 'Please wait here for a moment.'

'What is it, Koganehiko?' Someone from the other end of the door called.

'You have two important and rare guests,' he replied.

'Then hurry up and open the door!' came the irritated voice.

'Yes!' he hurriedly opened the sliding door. He opened the door to reveal a very… attractive (?) woman sitting on the floor.

'Yo! Long time no see, Youruichi! I see you're here too, Kazane!' Kukaku greeted.

'Ku-Kukaku is a girl?' the group, save Youruichi and Kazane, exclaimed.

'Hm? Who are these kids?' Kukaku noticed the assorted teenagers standing at the doorway. 'Are they your boyfriends, Kazane-chan?'

Kazane's eyebrows twitched. 'No, they're not. We came to ask you for a favour.'

'Oh? I thought so. Isn't it the same every time you come over?' Kukaku said. 'Is it complicated?'

'I think so,' Youruichi replied.

'Scrape that. It's either we live or we die,' Kazane said.

Kukaku looked at them for a moment. 'Ha, it's been so long since we had this kind of conversation. Okay, tell me. I love complicated stuff.'

A while later…

'I see,' Kukaku placed down her pipe. 'I think I understand… Alright, I'll accept this job.'

'Really?' Youruichi said.

'Yep. Since Urahara is in this, I can't really refuse. And since it's Kazane-chan, the heroic and smart Jyuusan-hime asking, all the more I can't turn you guys down. However… even though I trust you both, I don't really trust those kids with you. I'll be sending one of my men with you just in case. No objections?'

'Oh course not,' Youruichi said.

'Your little brother I suppose,' Kazane folded her arms.

'Yeah. Even though he's just a punk, he's still not good enough for my standards. Is something wrong?' Kukaku looked at her, with her hand on the door, preparing to open it.

'No, it's just that your brother… Never mind…' Kazane sighed and shook her head.

'Oi! Are you ready?' Kukaku called. 'I'm opening the door. Be courteous.'

'G-got it, Onee-sama.'

Kukaku opened the door and revealed her little brother, who was bowing and had a ridiculous smile on his face.

'Hello, everyone! My name is Shiba Ganju! Nice to meet you!' Ganju had a forced smile on his face.

There was a silence in the room. Everyone stared at the new arrival.

'Isn't he the idiot that was in the village yesterday?' Ishida asked Orihime.

'Maybe, they look the same. But the personalities are worlds apart. He could be that idiot's twin,' Orihime pondered.

'That smile is sending shivers up my spine,' Chad stated.

'No doubt. I'm getting the chills too,' Ichigo rubbed his arms.

'I'm betting that a fight between Ichigo and Ganju will break out,' Kazane told Youruichi.

'I'm betting you and Ganju will have a fight. I win and you teach me how to hack into computers,' Youruichi raised a paw.

'If I win, you have to teach me more of your flash-step moves,' Kazane lifted a hand to the paw.

'Deal,' they shook hands (paws?) and said in unison.

'Ahhhhhhhhh!' Ichigo and Ganju shouted in unison. 'You!'

'What? Do you two know each other?' Kukaku was confused.

A fight broke out between those two. They brawled on the floor, rolling about and using underhand means to hurt the enemy.

'I win,' Kazane smirked.

'Ah, I lost. But I don't understand. Those two only met each other yesterday and his attention was mostly directed towards you. Why did he attack Ichigo and not you?' Youruichi sighed.

'Like poles repel,' Kazane answered her simply. 'I'm betting that Kukaku will threaten Ichigo and then act as if everything had never happened.'

'Deal,' Youruichi shook hands again. 'I'm winning this one.'

'The price is the same then?' Kazane said.

'Sure,' Youruichi nodded.

'Stop it, you two!' Kukaku punched Ichigo and Ganju on the head. The people in the room gaped. 'What's the matter with you two? You started fighting the moment you saw each other!'

'Jumping out of nowhere without warning… like brother, like sister, I guess,' Ichigo muttered angrily.

'But onee-sama, he was the one that started- Ow!'

Kukaku kicked Ganju… very hard. She then rounded on Ichigo and grabbed his head. 'Hey, punk! This is my house! If you don't like the way I run things, you can get the hell out!'

'Uh, okay,' Ichigo said, scared.

'Okay, as long as you get the idea,' Kukaku let go of his head.

'Damn, I have to teach you my secret technique for losing that bet!' Youruichi slammed a paw on the floor.

'Kukaku-san is prone to sudden mood changes, Youruichi. I bet you already know that well enough,' Kazane smiled, proud of herself. 'What's more… Ichigo looks like someone…'

Youruichi looked up and examined Ichigo's face. 'Indeed, there's a resemblance.'

'I told you,' Kazane fanned herself with a fan produced out of nowhere.

'Alright everyone, follow me!' Kukaku marched to the door. The group followed her, walking along the brightly lit corridor.

'There's no electrical wiring but it's so bright down here,' Ishida noticed.

'I planted some light vines between the walls and the ceiling,' Kukaku told him.

'Light vines? Is that some sort of special plant in Soul Society?' Ishida asked.

'We're here! Ganju, open the door!' Kukaku yelled, completely ignoring Ishida's question.

Ishida sweat dropped. Kazane sniggered and said, 'Light vines are a special type of plants that were developed in the 12th Division labs. I oversaw their development myself.'

'Is that so? Then can you give me more details?' Ishida scrambled for his notebook. When he finally retrieved it, she was already gone. Ishida was stumped.

'Wow, your… chimney is as magnificent as ever,' Kazane praised. 'Is it exactly 231.559 feet tall, 21.3345 feet wide?'

'Yes. The ultimate weapon for breaking into Seireitei is right before your eyes,' Kukaku turned to them. 'I'll be using this to send you guys to Seireitei, through the sky.'

'THE SKY?' they gasped.

'Yes! I'm Shiba Kukaku, the best fireworks maker in this area!' Kukaku announced proudly.

'Fireworks maker?' Ichigo repeated.

'That's right!' Kukaku said. 'Koganehiko! Shiruganehiko! Pull us up!'

The platform began to rise slowly. The ceiling opened and they rose to the surface. They were greeted by sunlight.

'So? What do you think, kids? Amazed? This is my personal fireworks station!' Kukaku told them.

'Kukaku Cannon!' Ganju added.

'Who said you could come up here, you idiot!' Kukaku kicked Ganju away.

'This is no time to be joking around! I don't care if you're a firework technician or what! It's impossible!' Ishida protested loudly. 'We'll die for sure!'

PLONK! A round, spherical object bounced off Ishida's head and into Ichigo's hands. Ichigo stared at it for a long moment. 'What's this?'

'It's a Reisyukaku. Hold it and give it some of your reiatsu,' Kukaku instructed.

Ichigo kept staring at it. 'Oi, how do I give it reiatsu?'

Kukaku was dumbfounded. 'You just focus your reiatsu on your palm like you do in Kido. Don't all shinigami know how to do Kido?' Kukaku made a small ball to show him.

'Ichigo isn't an officially trained shinigami. He's knows nothing about being a shinigami, except for fighting,' Kazane sighed. 'Just look at him, reiatsu if flowing out of him like a tap.'

'Che! There's no other way then. Ganju, show them!' Kukaku said irritably.

'Hand it over!' Ganju dived around, trying to snatch the ball away from Ichigo's arms.

'Like hell I'd give it to you!' Ichigo shouted.

'Punk, are you trying to pick a fight?'

'Yeah, like you could catch me! Come and get me if you dare!'

PUNCH! Kukaku punched them on the head. 'Behave yourselves!'

'S-sorry…'

Once Ganju recovered from the attack, he picked up the ball and looked as if he was constipating. 'Guuuuuuuuuuu!'

A sphere formed around him. The people gasped.

'This is the cannonball,' Kukaku announced. 'Listen up. If you think Seireitei is just guarded by wall, you're dead wrong. The walls are made of a special mineral that completely blocks out reiatsu. If you don't make a hole in the wall, you can't get in. Furthermore, this mineral releases a special energy wave from the cut surfaces. That is to say, both above and underneath Seireitei is protected by a spherical barrier. Therefore, if we just fly in bluntly, our bodies will dissolve into dust. That's why we need this!' Kukaku slammed a hand on the round ball around Ganju. 'My invention creates a specially hardened shell! By providing reiatsu to the Reisyukaku, you can create a cannonball strong enough to break through the barrier! I will use the Kukaku cannon to shoot you guys up into the air and break you in with one clean shot! Any questions?'

There was a silence. 'Uh…'

'Okay, meeting adjourned. Off to the training room you go!' Kukaku said. She added, 'You better train hard. If you can't do it by tomorrow, you'll be blasted into bits!'

'Hey! No one mentioned anything like that!'

'Okay, Ganju, you're done here. Go to the training room with them,' Kukaku dusted her hand and said to him.

'Onee-sama, are you really gonna help them? I don't care what you said to Onii-sama, but-'

'Ganju, I told you never to bring that subject up again!' Kukaku had an unmistakable look of rage and sadness. 'Go, you're done here. Also, don't ever let them see your pathetic face.'

Kazane looked at the siblings from a distance. 'I wonder what happened to Kaien-san that caused Ganju to hate shinigami so much. Wasn't Kaien-san a shinigami as well?'

'I can think of two reasons: One, Kaien was stuck up and got killed as a result.'

'Next,' Kazane said boredly.

'Two, Kaien was killed by a shinigami.'

Kazane was shocked. 'Killed… by a shinigami? No way, too many people respect and like Kaien-san to possibly hold a grudge against him.'

'What if it wasn't a grudge? What if it was due to a mission?'

'If that's so, then I don't see any reason to kill him. Kaien-san does not disobey orders unless he has a very valid and important reason.'

'What if…'

'Don't say anymore, Haruka. Please, I'm still finding hard to cope with his death.' Kazane shook her head and walked in the plains surrounding the house.

'Wait, you're not training with them?'

'There's no need. I can do stuff like that easily,' Kazane said.

'Boasting, are we?'

'It's the truth. Just because Ichigo has a problem controlling his reiatsu doesn't mean we all do.'

'True.'

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'So you're here,' Kukaku said.

Kazane looked up at the older woman. On her lap was her laptop, the screen showing top secret information of the Gotei 13. 'Yeah, I wanted some place quiet to do my stuff.'

'You always isolated yourself from others,' Kukaku sat down beside her.

Kazane resumed her typing. She said after a while, 'Is Ichigo alright? He drew out a heck lot of reiatsu just now.'

'Yeah, but he'll be asleep for quite a while. He's probably not accustomed to drawing so much reiatsu unless he's fighting,' Kukaku produced a bottle of sake out of nowhere. 'Want some?'

'No… I'm still underage…' Kazane gave a small smile.

'152 years old is hardly considered underage,' Kukaku scoffed.

'I'm 153 actually,' Kazane corrected gently.

There was a silence between them. Kukaku glanced sideways at her. 'Aren't you going to ask?'

'Ask about what?'

'You should already know what I'm talking about.'

There was nothing but the sound of typing coming from her. Then, she said softly, 'I don't want to talk about something that only brings pain to others.'

'I've already gotten over it,' Kukaku argued.

'But bringing it up only brings pain, no?' Kazane looked up and stared into Kukaku's eyes. She paused for a moment before asking, 'but if you do insist, then I ask you: How did Kaien-san die?'

'He was killed by a shinigami,' Kukaku replied instantly.

'I told you,' Haruka said proudly.

'Shut up.'

'Who killed him?'

'I'm not too sure. But I do know that it was a shinigami from the same Division as his. And it was a female.'

'On a mission?'

'Yes.'

Silence reigned once more between them.

'Do you hate shinigami?' Kukaku suddenly asked.

'I could ask you the same thing,' Kazane was amused.

'No, honestly, do you bear resentment towards them?' Kukaku was serious.

Kazane thought about it for a while. 'The Gotei 13 wrongly accused us of committing a crime we would never, in centuries, ever do. They abandoned several high-ranking shinigamis –Captains and vice-captains, to be exact- without even confirming whether their condition was reversible or could be tamed. They abandoned us like rags! They wouldn't even listen to what we'd say! I can never forgive this sort of injustice, nor can I hate the group of people I have grown so much to love,' Kazane said in a pained voice. 'I miss the 12th Division, really, but so long as the past is still fresh and clear in my mind, even if I'm allowed to go back as a member of the 12th Division, I can never feel the same nor can I be the same as I was a century ago.'

'Tough life.'

'I know… Kukaku, you do know the name of the female shinigami who killed Kaien-san, don't you?' Kazane fired suddenly. 'I can tell that you're hiding something from me.'

Kukaku was stunned. 'How did you know?'

'I can just tell. Please, tell me. Who killed Kaien-san?'

'She's… I can't. If I tell you, you'll be hurt terribly.'

'Nothing can make me more hurt that I am now, Kukaku,' Kazane said impatiently.

'Well then… I guess I can't keep it from you. But don't tell Ganju, okay? The shinigami is… Kuchiki Rukia.'

Kazane gasped and then moaned. She dropped her head into her hands and shook her head silently.

'I told you it would hurt you. Are you alright?' Kukaku leant toward her, wrapping her arm around her shoulder.

'No, it's just that… the person I'm after is Kuchiki Rukia,' Kazane moaned. 'In her… Urahara placed something in her and I need to get it back or destroy it before Aizen gets his hands on it. Knowing that she's killed Kaien-san… I'm really worried.'

'That you'll kill her?'

'No, that I won't be able to stop myself from killing her. She's important to Byakuya. If she wasn't, he would never adopt a random girl from Rukongai like that. Even if I'm after her… I just can't bear to kill her. I'm afraid my anger will overcome my senses…' Kazane sighed.

'You'll make it, somehow. I know you can,' Kukaku hugged her tightly.

'Thank you... Kukaku.' Kazane leant against Kuakaku's shoulder. She gazed up at the moon. 'If only life was as tranquil as the moon…'

And that's it! The latest chapter is done! How was it? It's around 5K words and a bit longer than the previous chapter. Please RXR!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! And to those who celebrate Boxing Day, Happy Boxing Day to you! (I never really understood the meaning of Boxing Day…)