Editor's Notes: Ah, so we meet again *taps fingers together contemplatively* haha, just kidding :) I wanted to give you all another chapter before I go away for just a little bit (maybe a week or so). I'll have much more story for you when I return, so stay tuned!

Happy Reading!

Bleach: Zombies

Turning Point

The past.

seven hours ago.

Sei Rei Tei.

After he parted ways with Ikkaku and his fellow lieutenants, Renji made his way to his captain's office to give Byakuya Kuchiki his report. Unable to find the noble in his office, the red-haired man searched his barracks and division for another hour for his elusive raven-haired captain.

Not finding him anywhere, Abarai stops his search and props his lightly sweating body up against a pole. What the hell's going on? Why am I sweating after just walking around? Ah, forget it; I'll go to the fourth squad after I find Captain Kuchiki. He's probably at his estate, but if I don't find him there, I'm calling it quits... After taking a deep breath, the sixth squad lieutenant pushes himself off of his resting spot and flash steps to the Kuchiki Manor.

The gates to the large estate are closed and gaurded by two still-as-stone sentries. Just as Abarai comes out of his flash step on the borders of the grounds, the large wooden doors swing open and reveal a Kuchiki that Renji had not inteded to see.

Renji: 'R-Rukia? What're you doing here?'

The small violet-eyed woman simply stares at her long-time friend before answering his question.

Rukia: 'I live here.'

If the red-haired man wasn't sweating already, he certainly is now.

Renji: 'No, that's not what I meant! What're you doing here now?'

The adopted noble folds her arms impatiently.

Rukia: '... I was given the night off by Captain Ukitake. I'm spending it here with Nii-sama.'

Renji: 'Oh; wait, so Captain Kuchiki is here! I knew - ungh - '

Before he can finish his thought the soul reaper staggers about as he clutches at his head.

Rukia: 'Renji! Are you okay?'

Steadying himself, Abarai puts his hands on his knees as he takes a few deep breaths.

Renji: '... I'm fine... I think. I just feel a little light-headed. I was going to go to squad four after I spoke with Captain Kuchiki.'

The adopted Kuchiki walks over to her friend and puts an arm around his hunched frame to support him. As she does, Renji's sense of smell comes alive as he breaths in her scent! No way! She smells so... good! W-wait! This is Rukia; why does she smell... good? Before he can regain control of his thoughts or actions, the red-haired reaper slowly rears back his head and ever so slightly opens his mouth. Before his jaws can close around her bare neck however, a force so fast that it defies description comes between the two long-time friends!

Byakuya: '... What are you doing here... Renji?'

Rukia squints at the amount of piritual pressure that is unleashed on the lieutenant when her brother speaks his name. This barrage of power brings the soul reaper out of whatever... trance... he was in as he realizes where he's at.

Renji: 'C-captain!'

The lieutenant removes his mouth from the noble's arm and backs away very quickly; embarassed by his actions.

Renji: 'I-I'm sorry captain! Please forgive me!'

Just now realizing what has happened, Rukia chastizes Abarai from behind her brothers protective stance.

Rukia: 'What do you think you're doing Renji? Were you going to bite me?'

Renji: I-I don't know! Something... about - argh! I-I gotta go!'

The man spins around and flash steps away, kicking up leaves as he disappears. The proud noble quietly watches him leave, but chooses not to persue his strangely acting subordinate. After a moment of silence, the raven-haired captain quietly asks his adopted sister;

Byakuya: 'Are you alright?'

The young woman shakes her head; still trying to process what just happened.

Rukia: 'I-I'm alright, brother.'

Byakuya: 'Very well. Stay here tonight.'

After hearing his direction, the violet-eyed woman nods and then follows the taller captain back inside; never noticing the small amount of blood that stains the ground where Byakuya was standing...

Renji doesn't come out of his flash step until he's well within the borders of his squad. What the hell was I doing? Byakuya's gonna kill me tomorrow! The man's perspiration has increased but he doens't seem to notice due to the situtation that he finds himself in. Suddenly, another headache brings the sweating lieutenant to his knees! He clutches at his head as he writhes in considerable pain. I'm... burning up...! I can't... seem to... concentrate on... anything. The pain subsides and the red-headed soul reaper slowly makes his way to one knee. Sweat drips from his tattooed forehead, soaking the white bandanna that adorns his cranium. His breathing comes in the form of quick gulps, slowing to a more even pace as the minutes tick by. He finally stands up to nearly his full height; hunching just slightly. As he exhales, a low groan begins to follow his breaths and his last coherent thought before his vision is completely obscured by a red-tinged haze is of; flesshh...

Sei Rei Tei.

Now.

Ichigo sits in a chair across from Head Captain Yamamoto as he listens to the elder soul reaper explain what is happening in further detail. With each passing minute, the youth becomes more and more impatient as all he wants to do is rush out of this office and find his friend Rukia. However, he maintains his composure throughout the powerful man's briefing as everyone else listens quietly as well.

Yamamoto: 'You are aware that the men and women you'll face out there are not hollows. They are soul reapers; they have sworn to defend Soul Society with their dying breath. Even if they have to defend it... against themselves.'

Ichigo: 'I get all that. I just want to find Rukia.'

The scarred elder captain pauses as he allows Ichigo to vent his frustration. In this tense moment, the kind captain of squad four picks up where her senior left off.

Retsu: 'Kurosaki-san; the infected are extremely resilient to physical harm. Anything save a killing blow only serves to slow the... zombies down. However, what the head captain is saying is that killing these soul reapers has a good chance at upsetting the ballance of souls. Similar to what a Quincy does with his or her bow versus a hollow, a zanpakuto used against another soul reaper finishes them off completely; with no chance of them being re-born.'

After saying her piece, the raven-haired beauty closes her eyes as she takes a sip of her tea. After hearing this matter-of-fact explaination, Ichigo's eyes go wide at the realization that Zangetsu could potentially destroy the friends and allies that he has made!

Ichigo: '... Does that mean...?'

The orange-haired teen struggles to finish his thought, but the wild captain of squad eleven finishes it for him.

Kenpachi: 'That's right; old man Yamamoto's killed his fair share of his own squad ta get here in one piece! We've all done a little killin' up to this point.'

Ikkaku: 'It's either them or you, Ichigo...'

The color from Ichigo's face fades as he looks at the grinning, eyepatch-wearing captain and his steel-faced third seat. In the silence that follows, it's Soi Fon's turn to provide the substitute with a narrative.

Soi Fon: 'Listen; we haven't even told you the worst part about this. This... thing... is spread through the slightest bit of fluid transfer. One bite or scratch from the infected and you're as good as one of them.'

As if things can't get worse for the substitute and the mission that his mentor, Kisuke Urahara has sent him on! He listens to everyone's input on the dire situation that they all find themselves in before saying anything else.

Kira: 'Captain Soi Fon is correct, Kurosaki-san. The change takes place roughly within a few hours of contact.'

Retsu: 'Healing the infected has no effect on the pathonogen either. It appears that our healing kido only heals the wound and not the virus that ravishes the infected person's body.'

The teen grips the pants of his shihakusho as everyone provides him with the information that they have gathered up to this point.

Ichigo: 'So what're you saying? You're just going to wait for the end?'

Retsu: 'I am currently working on a cure for this outbreak. The designer of this epidemic is Captain Kurotsuchi and his ability to create deadly concoctions should not be over-looked.'

The teen's eyes go wide as he recalls the powerful, albeit, insane captain of squad twelve.

Ichigo: 'Is he... one of them?'

Yamamoto: 'No. Currently he has barracaded himself in his own division. Nothing is certain though, as we lost communication with him several hours ago.'

The orange-haired substitute sighs before getting up.

Ichigo: 'It doesn't matter; all hell's breaking loose out there and it's only going to get worse if we do nothing. You say that Renji's already been... changed. Fine. But none of you know what's happened to Rukia. I'm going to find her and bring her back safely. I don't care about anything else.'

After saying his peace, Ichigo Kurosaki turns and heads for the exit. As he slides the door open, his progress is haulted by a strong hand on his shoulder.

Kenpachi: 'Don't think for a damn minute that i'm gonna let ya have all the fun! I've been cooped up here just waitin' around. You're my excuse to get outta here.'

The wild captain grins madly at his younger ally and Ichigo smirks; glad to have some help.

Yamamoto: 'Very well. However, I'll not let the two of you go alone. We have seen that these zombies are vulnerable to kido, but since neither of you are the least bit efficient at utilizing that skill, I will have Lieutenant Izuru accompany you.'

Ichigo nods as the battle-hungry squad eleven captain rolls his uncovered eye, disappointed. The blonde lieutenant bows in acceptance of his orders and grips his zanpakuto as he follows the two men out the door.

...

Editor's Notes: What'd you think of this chapter? I had to 'step back in time' for one more segment just to flesh things out a bit more. Get it? 'flesh' things out? *rubs head* yeah, bad timing lol. So from here on out, it should be all 'present time' happenings.

Enjoy!