Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach

Chapter 10: It should be dead

A/N: At this part of the story, Chapter 433 of Bleach was just released, so there is no mentioning of Fullbringers or the Quincy War. Also, I don't dwell on the little factor of how Ichigo regained his powers.

The 12th Division had freaked me out since I was a kid, luckily I rarely visit it. The room I was waiting in was dark and smelt of a sort of acid. No one was there; I searched for other people's reiatsu, but nothing. Not even Nemu was here. The tower seemed dead and cold, like something was bringing pain to it.

The lights were bright, but everything felt dim. The main hall was reminding me of a doctor's waiting room. I don't like doctor's waiting rooms. I have spent too many times in one; waiting and mostly fearing. The only joys I've ever felt in a waiting room; were when my siblings were born. I breathed the acid scent in and my stomach turned sour. When I finally got tired of just sitting around; I took a little stroll to see what I could find.

It was abnormal for this place to be so empty. Captain Mayuri must be here somewhere. I walked into a room filled with large containers with glowing liquid inside.

"This dude is seriously disturbed". The rooms just continued and I walked and walked and walked. At the end of the hall I came to a stop. The few times I've been here I walked around a lot, and this was where the computer room was in the future and it should be here in the past to. One door down, one I didn't even see the first time, portrayed a big sign CONTROL ROOM. I turned back and headed out.

"Yuki."

I swore I heard my name, but it could've been my imagination. But if it wasn't? The corridor went on forever. "Wait, the exit should be here?"

Shit… I'm so lost! I turned into a room just to find another corridor. This is so fucked up. Then my nostrils filled with the smell acid.

Oh thank god…!

The smell got heavier as I continued to walk down the hall. The hall ended to, but this time there was a door. The computer room?

The door swung open. "Oops, you found me Yuki." Sitting in front of the huge computer screens, that had the whole Seireitei under surveillance, sat that entity, sat it.

I wanted to summon Kaen no Shinzo, but I was held in place, no arms surrounded me and I felt no Reaistu holding me down. Not that any Reaistu can hold me down.

Sitting and staring at me intently it got up.

"I really don't like you, Yuki." It wasn't human, nor hollow or anything close to that. It had a scrawny figure, thin and frail. Its head was covered in something that should not be named hair, it was in a dark orange hue. It stood up and walked to me. Stopping beside me, its hand tilted my head upwards so I could stare in his eyes, but it had no eyes; just dark pools of abyss. It held sorrow and pain. His fingers touched my cheek and it felt like ice grew on the spot. I wasn't the biggest fan of cold weather, some always argued with me about it. Hot vs. Cold; neither ever won.

"You look scared, Yuki." Its voice was detached from any feeling, any sense of righteous.

"How?" I was there starting to wonder how this creature/Shinigami/hollow/ I-have-no-fucking-clue-what was still alive and so power.

I should get some answer while I am at it. But getting answers was going to be hard and maybe painful.

"I have the same power as you, Yuki, don't you feel it?" The way it said my name, just made me sick to the stomach. And no, I didn't feel whatever I should have felt. That's why it is so hard to track it; it has no reiatsu or anything near it. The only time we had seen it was after Mom had died; it came to snarl and rub her death in our faces.

"You bastard, don't compare me to you!"

"Yuki, I'm not, I'm just stating the facts. If I should compare us; I would be God and you a lonely ant under my control." I tried again to break free, but my efforts were useless.

"Ha! You can't be that powerful!" I had no idea why I was provoking it, but it was getting mad – I think - I couldn't really see its face very well.

"Oh, I am." So nonchalant, so emotionless at the same time… what is he?

"Why do you want us dead? What do you have against my family?"

"You killed me once. Now, it is my turn. I'll take everything away from you, before you ever took your first breath. Just like me!" What was he talking about? I had this sense that somehow there was a bond between us.

"Let me go! And fight me!"

"In your condition… ha! I couldn't be bothered." I knew what he was talking about, the 4th Division tried the best, but my injuries after my battle with Obito was severe. But yet, I snuck out to find the answer everyone was searching for. When he reminded me of my current state of health; a crippling pain inhabited my body.

"Who are you?" My words barely came out over the pain, why was I in pain now? I had been fine on my way here and now…

"The entity that was destroyed, before it could take your mother's life"

Entity? It had been listing to our conversations.

"What?" I wanted to continue talking and getting answers out of the enemy, but the pain; felt like death was knocking on my door.

XXX

It's been an hour since I last saw Ichigo. I still couldn't believe what had unfolded. I was pacing in my room, when I heard footsteps come from outside. Not now Ichigo. There was a gentle knock on the door and a voice that held no emotion. "Rukia, may I enter."

"Y…Yes, Nii-sama." Why was Byakuya here? I really wasn't in the mood for his moods, well his non-existing moods. The door slid open and a tall dark haired man walked in. His face held no emotion and yet, his eyes were worried.

"Rukia, what happened between you and that boy?" Ichigo… why on earth should I speak with Byakuya about this?

"Nii-sama? Nothing, nothing at all." By nothing; I meant more than anyone could or should know. He came closer to me, he looked out of the window and inhaled deeply and then spoke.

"Rukia, this relationship between you and this boy is something I can't forbid, but I'm highly against it. I already broke the rules by marring… Hisana and by doing that I brought shame to our family name. But it looks like, in the future, you get away with it. So..." he gulped… he actually gulped "If you want to be in a relationship with that boy… Ichigo Kurosaki… I would respect your decision." I was totally speechless, beyond that; I was breathless. But I quickly pulled myself away from gasping for air and composed myself.

"Thank you, Nii-sama, but you don't have to worry, it actually looks like there won't be a relationship." The words hurt me more than I can describe. There was prove of a relationship between us, but was that all fake? Well the one thing I was certain of, is that even though I didn't want to admit it, I did … do love Ichigo. For two years I bottled it up. I was cold and emotionless. A true Kuchiki, but I was so lonely. So many times I wished I could go to the World of the Living and see that orange haired idiot, but there were too many obstacles in my way. But when I received word that a group of humans were trying to help Ichigo regain his power, I was so happy, even if I couldn't see him at the given time. But if it had resolved to it, he could see me.

"Rukia?" Byakuya held little emotion on his face, the only emotion I could see was confusion.

"Nothing to be bothered about." I flashed him one of my fake-acting smiles.

"Rukia." His voice was too stern "What happened?" Why was he meddling in like this? He never gave any thought about my relationships.

"Nothi-" I wanted to lie, but Byakuya made me scared "Ichigo doesn't love me." Straight to the point. The only way. The way I didn't really like in these situations.

I was going blind or mad, but I saw Byakuya smile… no… grin. Like someone who held a secret. "Byakuya? Nii-sama, what do you know, that I don't know?"

"Probably just the fact that he does love you." the grin disappeared. Oh I wish I had a camera at that moment. Blackmail?

"Love? How could you possible know that.?"

"I have my ways. Just know, he does. That's why he almost died a few days back." Byakuya's eyes grew dark and almost evil.

XXX – Byakuya - XXX

I just caught Rukia holding that… that thing's hand. How could I not see this coming. I promised Hisana I would protect Rukia from any dangers and he was on the top of the list.
"Rukia, please tell me you're not the mother of the boy's children?"

Both their eyes flew wide from shock, what did they think I would say? 'Oh, Rukia I see you became I kindergarten teacher'… yeah, like that would help.

"Byakuya… uhm… I uhm…" Ichigo was stuttering in Rukia's place, her eyes just grew distant.

"Boy… silences your mouth." With that Ichigo went silent "Rukia, would you mind going to the manor? Alone. Right NOW." Without a word she headed to our hom,e while I had the little bastard for myself.

"Byakuya" This boy had no respect, was Captain Kuchiki so hard to say? "Uhm, oh screw this." Ichigo got a look in his eyes and it scared me "Look Byakuya, you can attack me with Senbornzakura now, but I have to say this… I love Rukia. Okay? Can you accept that?" I felt a vein pop in my head. I had no trouble that he loved her; it is just the way he said and held himself while saying it. It reminded me of that Were-Cat.

"Look boy! If you dare hurt her, I would inflicted more pain on you than what you have ever experienced!" What words poured from my mouth. "And who gave you permission to love her?"

His eyes were confused and he wasn't the only one. I was too… like an over protective big brother going on a rampage… I thought I locked these emotions away, that I have tamed my anger. Well, it doesn't look like it anymore, Ichigo Kurosaki knew how to push my buttons. Ichigo gulped.

"Uhm, while we are on the subject." What subject? "Could I ask for Rukia's hand in marriage"

SLAP!

I have never slapped anyone; okay, maybe a few people in my youth, but he asked for it.

"What was that for…?"

"For being cocky!"

"Hey! I wasn't, I really do love her!"

"You're moving too fast in this relationship. You may marry her in 20 years… and no less!" this boy pushed all my buttons and if I hadn't left then; he would've been surrounded by pretty pink petals.

I turned away, and continued on my path to the manor. Leaving a gapping orange haired idiot behind.

XXX

If Ichigo does love me, what was with that conversation?

Oh hell, nothing made sense anymore.