AN: Life is getting in the way again…

Thank you for your reviews alerts and those that just read. I appreciate you all!

Vocab – Rirakkusu: Stand down. Shihai: Control. Mou ii jo: Stop, enough. (although I think that's next chapter…)

Chapter 10

It was late evening by the time Toshiro reached the warehouse. He opened the hatch and went down the ladder. Shinji and Hiyori were off to the side, arguing. The other visoreds were in the upper warehouse doing their own thing. Ichigo was kneeling beside Rukia; his head in her lap, eyes closed. He took a deep breath as familiar feelings of jealousy started to rise.

Scowl firmly in place, he let himself in the barrier and took a position on her other side. He resisted the urge to shove Ichigo off of her. Instead he focused on her face. She no longer looked tortured by pain. Her eyes were closed, her breath even. Her face was relaxed; she was as beautiful as ever.

As his eyes traveled downward, they landed on her chest and the hole that was now in place of her heart. He frowned. Maybe it was too late for Rukia. Maybe she was gone forever. Tossed aside by one person then the next, never having the happiness she managed to find last. He closed his eyes. He was no different. He should have been man enough to admit his feelings, should have been man enough to tell Momo that he would keep his promise, but he loved Rukia. He never should have pushed her away. Never should have broken it off with her.

For a prodigy, he was stupid.

His eyes opened and fell on the orange mop and his hand twitched. Still fighting to urge to shove him, he thumped Ichigo on his head instead, waking him up.

"You're going to drown her in your drool."

"Huh?" he said, bleary eyed. He stretched and blinked a few times.

"How is she?"

Ichigo matched the scowl on his face with one of his own. "How good of you to come."

Toshiro sat down. "It looks as if the pain eased."

"Yeah," Ichigo said as he sat up. He had a faraway look on his face. "I met with Chad and Ishida today. Told them what happened with Inoue. When Urahara-san can get the gate open, we're all going."

Toshiro nodded. He expected as much.

"Renji wasn't happy to see her," Ichigo said as he stared at the bone on her hand. "He thinks she's too far gone. That we've lost her. Ishida agrees in that we should take advantage and kill her now or use her to get Orihime back."

Toshiro sat for a while before speaking. "Maybe we have lost her."

Ichigo frowned. "If that's the case…"

"If that's the case then we can't help Rukia," Toshiro said as he looked up. Their eyes met. "We'll help Zero."

Ichigo raised an eyebrow.

"Rukia will always be a part of Zero. That's all that matters," he said quietly. He touched her hand.

"You really care for her." He said his voice flat.

"I didn't know how to keep my promise and love another. She suffered because of my stupidity and that is something I will never forgive myself for."

"Che…You know she wouldn't want you here out of some kind of obligation."

"I know. It's not just that," he closed his eyes.

Shinji and Hiyori finished their argument and separated. Shinji looked over at Ichigo and Toshiro before heading up the ladder. Hiyori came over and plopped down next to Ichigo. "Are we going to finish this session or do you need to gawk at sleeping beauty more?"

"I'm not gawking."

"Whatever."

"Let's go," Ichigo said as he stood. The two of them left leaving Toshiro alone.

He watched her for several minutes as his mind sifted through memories of her.

Toshiro looked up from his paperwork as Rukia entered his office. It was late, almost dark. He was trying to catch up from being gone for the previous few days on a mission.

"I thought you would be hungry, working late and all," she said as she set a bento on his desk. He eyed it but continued with his papers. Rukia stood in front of his desk.

"I'll get to it, thank you."

"Toshiro…"

He didn't say anything, just kept working.

"Never mind," she said as she turned for the door. Toshiro watched as the door closed.

He was an idiot and a coward. All he had to do was tell her that he was trying to help Hinamori in their old district, help her settle in, help her gain her strength back. He shook his head before placing it on her chest.

"I don't think I can ever apologize enough for the things I have done. I know you won't ever remember, but I will never forget."

"So, I have cleared things with my Taicho and I now have tomorrow off. I am glad that you are going to go with me to visit my old friends. With Renji off on a mission, I didn't want to miss telling them about our past year. I know it's a bit silly to still visit the hill every year, but when they died, it changed everything for both Renji and I -" He looked at her and frowned. "What?" She asked. While she expected a range of reactions, frowning wasn't one of them.

"Rukia…something came up and I can't go with you."

"What?" She looked at him with her big violet eyes. He could see the Kuchiki mask as it slid into place so easily, hiding her emotions.

Toshiro squeezed his eyes tighter.

"Toshiro, I'm so glad you're back! I – "

"We need to talk. I can't right now, but meet me later." He watched as the excitement in her eyes shifted and changed into concern.

"Oh…ok."

"If you'll excuse me, I need to make my report," he said as he lifted his hand and indicated the door.

"O-of course. I'll see you later."

He had it all planned out. How he was going to tell her about Momo, but once he saw her…

"So, what's up?" She asked him, her face still showing a measured amount of concern. She had waited for him at the training grounds where they usually talked.

"Rukia, there's something I need to tell you. I – " he stopped and looked at her. His breath caught, stopping him from continuing. She was looking at him with her beautiful eyes. He couldn't do this. He couldn't hurt her. He would make this work. He would find a way.

"What is it?"

"I, uh…" He ran his hand through his hair. "I..uh…wanted to know if you would like to accompany me to the third district. They opened a new place to eat that's supposed to be good."

Rukia let out the breath she was silently holding in relief. She blinked a few times and smiled. "That's what you wanted to talk about? Taking me out to dinner?" She touched his arm as her eyes lit up. "Why, Taicho, are you asking me out on a date?"

Toshiro blushed.

"I suppose I am."

He shook his head. "I can't fix it, but I can protect you. I won't let Aizen, Soul Society or anyone hurt you. I'll do everything I can to keep you safe," he held her limp hand to his chest as he made his vow.

He turned to see Kisuke walk up and stand beside him. He was holding another syringe.

"This will keep her unconscious for a while longer as it helps start to heal what they have done to her," he watched as Toshiro's eyes widened with excitement. "It's not going to bring Rukia back, but it will help her relieve some of the pain and restore some of the brain's functions that were tampered with."

Toshiro nodded and absently watched as the blue liquid was injected into the back of her neck.

"The skin is softer here in this area. It's not like the rest of her, like an Arrancar, hard. I believe this is so they can maintain control," Kisuke continued.

"They control her mind?"

"They took her memories, why stop there? Why not control what she thinks, what she feels, how she acts?"

"How?"

"I don't know the specifics, but between the scan and the fact she's still receiving some kind of constant treatment from them…it was the best conclusion."

Toshiro shook his head. "Utter control…"

"She isn't going to heal overnight. There's too much damage. She's going to have a long road ahead of her. We all will."

Toshiro nodded as he met the man's gaze with a determined one of his own. He wouldn't let her down again.

As the morning came, Toshiro opened his eyes. Rukia was still asleep. Kisuke had given her another shot so she would stay that way until her mind had a chance to heal. Then they would begin the next phase. Re-training her mind and giving her back some of the things she lost. Control being the main thing. Hopefully in the process, she would realize they were on the same side.

He watched as she slept. Shinji suggested she might be an asset in the war. Toshiro wouldn't hear it. It wasn't an option. Ever. There was no way he would allow Aizen the chance to have at her again. Kurosaki had backed him up on that. He frowned as his eyes shifted to where the orange head was still sleeping on a mat on the other side of Rukia. He had feelings for her as well.

He sighed and stretched. He had to get back to the apartment, make his report and check on Momo. Maybe she remembered something. Maybe she knew why Aizen took her for only a short time.

"You leaving?" Ichigo said as he sat up.

"Only for a few hours. I should be back by lunch."

"What about Hinamori?"

"Matsumoto will take care of her today. I've shortened the patrols but am keeping everyone on alert so she can stay with her."

"Well, we'll see you later then, " Ichigo said as he turned his attention back to Rukia.

She was weightless… Floating…

Everything was dark, unable to see or feel anything, including what was the constant pain in her head.

Had death finally come for her?

"I'm sorry, Rukia…"

Voices…

Whose? It wasn't anyone she knew, was it?

"I promise to protect you…"

He sounded sorrowful, determined.

Protect…

Me…

Why?

She tried to focus; the male was speaking about before - a time when they were…together. She felt herself close to the surface, his voice clearer. This wasn't the same one who was with her before, Ichigo. This was someone else who knew her. She listened as he spoke of their time and his regret on how he would have made things different.

Then another male had joined him. She listened as they talked, confused.

Memories…stolen…

She wanted to hear more. She wanted to understand. They weren't trying to kill her. They were trying to…help? Why?

The voices became harder to hear as she floated back down into the darkness. She struggled as she tried to maintain focus.

Failing, everything went dark.

He pinched the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. He didn't exactly lie to the Soutaicho, just omitted and avoided anything having to do with Rukia. His conscience started bothering him about his oath to the Court Guards. He had already violated that oath.

Things were going to become more complicated.

A soft knock interrupted his thoughts.

"Are you finished with your report?" Matsumoto asked as she opened the door.

"Yeah."

"How is she? Renji told me he thinks she's too far gone."

"He's wrong," he said fiercely.

She gave him a sad smile and decided to switch topics.

"Hinamori is making you a snack to take with you on patrol. She spent most of the night putting it together."

"Fine." He stood and made his way towards the door. He was frustrated Momo still couldn't remember anything after trying a few relaxation techniques and he was anxious to get back to Rukia. Discussion with the others about her recovery needed to take place, along with a long term plan of keeping her from Aizen and Soul Society.

"Wait!" Momo said as she ran to Toshiro. He stopped close to the front door and looked at his friend. She gave him a kiss and handed him a bag of amanattō. "Be careful on patrol!"

"Uh, yeah, thank you," he said as he left.

"Want to go shopping with me?" Matsumoto asked as she came out of the hallway.

"Sure, care to have a snack first?"

Toshiro made his way down the ladder and looked around. Hachi and Ichigo were sitting near the futon, talking.

"Where are the others?"

"They're with Urahara talking about Zero. They're trying to come up with the best way to handle her rehabilitation," Ichigo said. Toshiro immediately frowned.

"Why wasn't I – "

"Hinamori is why. Urahara was going to come in this afternoon, but Shinji had some other errands to run. The others followed him."

"I see," he said. It still pissed him off. He sat down and opened the bag of amanattō.

"Oooh, can I have one?" Hachi asked. Toshiro held the bag for Hachi and Ichigo to have some of the treat. Hachi downed several pieces.

"These aren't that bad," Ichigo said.

"Any change?" Toshiro asked as he nodded to Rukia who was sleeping soundly on the cot.

"None."

Ichigo looked at the ground. "I'll be leaving in a few days."

"You're going after Inoue?"

"Of course." Ichigo said it so naturally, like there was never any doubt. Toshiro envied him for a moment before his thoughts turned. Ichigo wouldn't have hesitated to go after Rukia. If he had known about it then, she might not have had to suffer as much as she did. She might have still been a Shinigami. Toshiro's anger rose. HE should have gone. His heart started to pound and he felt a wave of nausea pass through him. He looked over to Hachi who had his eyes closed.

"Hachi!" The big man fell over, passed out.

"I don't feel so well," Ichigo said. Toshiro turned to the sound of the hatch door opening and watched as a small figure made their way down the ladder. His vision blurred as another wave hit him. He looked at the bag of amanattō he brought and then looked at Ichigo. Ichigo was on his knees holding his stomach and was sweating.

Toshiro was on his hands and knees, trying to focus his vision on the small figure. He was going to pass out soon. The figure was now at Rukia's side.

"Hina…mori!" he exclaimed. He tried to focus as he watched her bring out a syringe and inject Rukia with it. He felt the cold as Rukia moaned and awakened. Her reiatsu spilled and flowed around her.

Ichigo wasn't in any better shape as he realized what was going on. He held his hand out as he watched Momo assist Zero. She stood and saw the three men on the ground and narrowed her eyes. She exerted her reiatsu and focused on Momo.

"Rirakkusu!" Momo yelled with her hands raised defensively. "Lord Aizen sent me to save you and bring you home!"

"Save me?" Rukia asked. The pain in her head had receded to a dull throb. Definitely manageable considering how it was. She flexed her fingers. She regarded the woman in front of her.

"Hinamori Momo. Aizen-sama was my Taicho before he left. I wanted to go with him, but he didn't…he didn't take me," tears were building in her eyes.

Rukia ignored them instead she looked at Ichigo and cocked her head.

"I didn't hurt them, only incapacitated them for a while," Momo said.

Rukia took a few steps and stumbled as her muscles protested being used after so long. As she fell to her knees her gaze met Toshiro's as his eyes were closing. He managed to keep them open as he looked at her. "Why?" she asked.

Toshiro couldn't answer, his thoughts jumbled. Momo betrayed me…again. What is she asking? Did she hear me? She's going back to Aizen! No! Momo is taking her away from me…I…

Not getting an answer, Rukia stood and tried to open a Garganta. Confused, she looked at Momo. "This warehouse is protected by a kido barrier, come on. We need to get outside." Momo headed for the stairs.

Rukia looked at Toshiro and Ichigo once more.

"Zero! Come on! They won't be out for long!" Rukia turned and followed Momo up the ladder.