Chapter 10: Rumors, Lies, and the Truth

It was incomprehensible how some much drama could unfold in a matter of days. Not only had the damage control been totally in vain, but several evenings had been ruined, namely Kuchiki Byakuya's.

It was still very early morning, the sun was just peaking its head above the horizon, slowly giving warmth to the chilly air. Byakuya frowned at the beautiful sunrise as if it was mocking him; reminding him of the hell that he had to look forward to for the rest of the day, despite it's starting with a spectacular scenery.

He turned around to see his vice captain trailing behind in a fowl disposition. He looked awful; like his world was crumbling beneath him and there was nothing he could do about it. Though from a certain angle this assumption could hold some truth to it; especially with the way Rukia and Ichigo were carrying on. But regardless of whether or not an affair was going on, no lieutenant of his was going to continue on like this in his presence. Though he would never admit it, the 6th division did have an image to uphold.

"Renji…" Byakuya started, still walking forward.

Renji looked up very surprised he had almost forgotten where he was, and definitely didn't remember that he was still with his Captain.

"Yes, sir." He replied quickly.

Byakuya stopped walking to turn to his Lieutenant. His face was now back to his normal uncaring pose, no longer holding the anger it did before the sunrise.

"Renji, I am aware of the situation between you and Rukia, though I do not care," he began, "Do not continue to carry on this way, its degrading and not worth it. What's to come in life is uncertain, but I do know that choosing to look conquered before the battle has even begun is worst than defeat itself."

Renji looked at Byakuya puzzled at first than a little angry. What the hell was he talking about? He wasn't defeated! Not even close, how could he say-

"Renji, do not take offense. It was merely a suggestion to help you on your way…"

"On my way…?"

"Yes, I was supposed to meet with Rukia this morning, but I am sure she has forgotten. Pull yourself together and go remind her." He said as he calmly turned and continued on his way.

"Che, I don't need to pull myself together…." Renji grumbled as he headed off toward Rukia's Location.

Byakuya was right to send someone to remind the younger Kuchiki of their meeting. For at the very moment Rukia was sitting in the spot she and Ichigo said goodbye. The world around her was insignificant. The only thing on her mind was the man she had to keep saying goodbye to. She didn't understand her fate sometimes. The men she never wanted to utter something as small as "see ya later" kept being taken away from her by force.

So she sat there. She sat there and thought as she stared at the grass. Was any good to come of this? Was she doing the right thing?

"No," she answered herself and smiled, almost giggling. "Wow, That's an answer that idiot would give, he's rubbing off on me."

She continued smiling; thinking of all the stupid things Ichigo would do and say. All their arguments that meant nothing more than "I love you but I'll be damned if you shut me up." They were fun, especially when Ichigo lost. But the part she enjoyed the most was the kisses afterwards. Those kisses that followed after one of those meaningless arguments were some of the best memories in her life, especially that first one…

Suddenly she was interrupted in her thought. The once sunny atmosphere she was in became a cloud when a shadow hovered over her. She quickly turned around to see who it was.

"Renji?"

"Yeah, it's just me…" he said dully, "I would have said something sooner, but you looked so happy I didn't want to bother you."

If he had said that with a little more emotion he might have sounded like a hollow that just wanted to kill her and not dismember her. And yes she was in a good mood, a very good mood, and over that damn strawberry surprisingly enough. And now it was gone. Rukia was getting sick of her good moods going to waste.

"Is there something you wanted?" she said coldly.

"No, there isn't. But your brother wanted me to remind you-"

"SHIT!!!"

And in an instant she was gone and had completely forgotten about the red head whose heart she was stepping on everyday.

"What's to come is uncertain, but I do know that choosing to look conquered before the battle has even begun is worst than defeat itself"

Renji was reminded of his captain's words and frowned.

"God damn it, I need a drink…." he said angrily.

Meanwhile at the Kuchiki manor, Byakuya was heading for his study to wait for Rukia, but was stopped when he heard a strange noise coming from his bedroom.

He walked toward his door and slowly opened it. He was getting ready to scold whichever servant was in there, they knew better. But to his surprise it was not a servant, not even close.

"Oh, why hello Captain Kuchiki," a slightly blushed female face said as she looked up.

Byakuya was completely baffled. How did she get in here?

"Captain if you are wondering how I got in here, its quite simple," she smiled as she walked up to him and gently graced her hand over his check as if to kiss him, but instead she whispered in his ear, "I walked through the door."

Byakuya let a small smile creep across his face. He couldn't help it.

"I knew a smile was hiding in there somewhere," the woman laughed softly, "But I am sorry, to have to barge in here, the meeting cut our evening a bit short… and I forgot a few items…"

Byakuya turned and saw that, indeed, quite a few of the items on the floor did not belong to him.

"I was wondering how you were dressed so fast. Apparently you neglected a few essentials," he said in plain voice, but still with the small smile on his face.

The woman looked at him and smiled as she began to talk.

"You know-"

"NI-SAMA, I'm so sorry I'm late, I went to your study and you weren't there so I came- Captain Unohana?"

What was going on here? Did Rukia just see her brother smile? Is there really a female in his room? Rukia felt like a child running in on a parent. She could not believe her eyes, so she closed them.

"Umm….I didn't see a thing and I'm going to the study to wait for you Ni-sama!" she said as she ran with her eyes closed.

Both Captains were dumbfounded for a moment. Rukia ran in and out so quickly, if either of them would have blinked they would have missed her. After a few quiet seconds, Unohana decided to speak and ease the atmosphere.

"Well, that happened a bit soon didn't it? I think you should go after her before she runs into-"

"OWWW!!!" yelled a female from the hall.

Byakuya's frowned at the noise and Unohana just smiled.

"Go, you two have a lot to talk about…"

"Yes, unfortunately." He replied as he exited the room and left Unohana to finish gathering the rest of her things.

He walked down the hall, nearing his study with his younger sibling patiently waiting inside.

Rukia could feel his presence right away. She sunk into her seat, as if she was trying to hide from the situation

Byakuya walked in, sat down and eyed the small person who sat in the chair in front of his desk.

"Rukia, what you just saw, is not what we are here to talk about," he started, and watched as Rukia nodded, then, he continued. "I am here to discuss you and Kurosaki."

Rukia cringed. She DID NOT what to talk about this with anyone, let alone her brother.

"Rukia I understand the history you have, but this nonsense must stop. You are reckless, rash, and uncaring for those you effect by strutting yourself around-"

"But ni-sama I'm not-"

"You not sleeping with him?" he said as he stared her down. He was daring her to lie to him.

"…."

"As I was saying….you need control. The rumors have started again, though you have been too busy to notice."

"Which rumors, ni-sama?" Rukia asked afraid to hear the answer.

"Do not play coy, you know which ones," he replied coldly, "And the one being talked about the most, the one you tried so hard to settle 2 years back-"

"Ni-sama, please…don't remind me. I understand. I need control…" she said sadly.

Byakuya looked at his sister, waiting for her to say something more, but nothing came. He didn't want to, but he was going to have to step in if things were going to end well for the sake of the Kuchiki name.

"Rukia, I spoke to the elders about this situation," he said staring at her blankly.

"What?" she said as her eyes sprang up in attention.

"It is your choice what you do with you life, but you WILL NOT continue to disgrace this family any longer. You may leave."

Rukia had tears in her eyes and she walked out of the study quickly. Unohana was outside the door and Rukia passed right by her, not addressing her at all.

"Are you going to stand there all day or come in?" Byakuya asked the woman standing outside his door.

"Byakuya was that needed? Have you forgotten so quickly what I asked you to remember?" She said feeling badly for Rukia.

Byakuya turned and looked out the window, just in time to see Rukia enter her room across the garden. He stared at his sister who fell down on her bed, obviously in tears. He turned to face Unohana once again. She also noticed the young woman crying across the way.

"Byakuya?"

"No, I haven't," he said, finally answering her question, "It was your very statement that fueled the conversation."

His expression was cold, and uncaring to Unohana. Was he saying that to spite her? No, that wasn't Byakuya at all. He doesn't do anything to spite. But what in the world did he mean?

With a head full of questions and a look of confusion, Unohana bid the captain a good morning and left. Though she was still pondering one very important thing; and she could not leave it unsaid. Though it would be a bit rude, she was going to say what was on her mind out loud and loud enough for the captain to hear as she turned the corner.

"Kuchiki Byakuya is your surname more important to you than your sisters' heart?" she said as she headed for the Kuchiki main door.

Byakuya frowned at the question, a bit insulted. He sneered and turned to his paper work and began writing.

"What a ridiculous question."

The human world was not as awake as Soul Society. One lone man was awake in the University apartment. He was a tall man with glasses wearing a pair sweat pants and a beater stood angrily as he looked over his kitchen, looking rather parched.

The Quincy shed the majority of his clothes due to the difficult task that was laid before him. Even after the hours rolled on he still was in denial; he actually worked up a sweat picking up after the chaos that occurred earlier. It took him all night (some of the morning) to clean up the mess those shinigami made. Why he chose to be friends with those people is still a mystery. He turned and slowly glanced over to one last band aid that was on the floor next to the refrigerator. He walked over and causally picked it up and threw it in the garbage.

"Ah, Finished. I still can't believe it took that long." He sighed.

He slowly walked over to the girl still sleeping soundly in the living room. She turned over slightly as he looked over her from the edge of the couch. She looked like an angel while she slept; not hurt and confused, but peaceful.

"I hope your dreams aren't lying to you…." He said as he strolled around the couch and knelt down beside her, "But even if they are, I'm glad to see you happy."

He smiled at her and gently brushed her check with his hand.

"…I love you…," she said in her slept and she lifted up and softly kissed Ishida on the lips, "I knew you would come back to me. I know Ichigo…"

She smiled and slipped back into her slumber.

Ishida stood shocked for a moment. Her lips were just as soft as he remembered, but there was a sting to them this time. The kiss was not meant for him. He stood angrily and returned to the kitchen, leaving Inoue alone.

Inoue breathed softly again and smiled in her sleep, "I know Ichigo… I know Ichigo is not who I love. The truth is I love you Uryuu. I knew you would wait for me…."

She rolled over again, but this time hitting the floor.

"OWW! This couch is small!" Inoue gapped as she rubbed her butt. The pain soon left her as she recalled some of her dream and smiled once again. Suddenly, she could here noises, like someone was cooking. She stood and headed for the kitchen, she was a bit hungry.

Ishida was making breakfast when Inoue entered. She came in and sat down in a stool by the counter. Ishida looked at her briefly and returned back to the food.

"Morning Ishida!" she said cheerfully.

"Morning," he said dryly.

"What are you cooking?"

"Eggs and bacon."

"Oh. Is there enough for me?"

"I'm sure there is…" he said, but even colder than his previous statements.

Inoue frowned this time. At first she thought he was just grumpy like he usually was in the morning, but this was different. He was being mean to her.

"Is something wrong Ishida?" she asked sincerely.

"No, why would something be wrong?"

"Well, for one you're burning the eggs…"

"Shit!" he yelled, dumping the pot into the sink. The steam got to his hand and burned him a little. "Ow, damn it! This is not my morning."

"Ishida what's wrong?" she asked sternly.

"Nothing Inoue, just learn to stop sleep talking and I'll be much better."

Inoue blushed, "You heard that?"

"Yeah, I heard it, and I think you're a fool. You didn't understand anything I was saying to you?"

"What? What are you talking about?! I only said-"

"I know what you said. And I don't care. You have your Kurosaki."

"Ishida, what are you-"

He set down a plate of burnt eggs and bacon in front of her and took his own plate and began to leave for his room.

"I don't know anymore Inoue, I thought I did, but now I know I don't. But do me one favor, when you ask the man you love so much where he was last night, don't come running to me afterwards." He said coldly.

Inoue stared at him practically in tears as he left the room. He was speaking to her so harshly, as if she was the enemy.

"What just happened?" Inoue asked herself. She distinctly remembered dreaming about Ishida. Did he not like what she said? Maybe, he misheard something. Or maybe---Inoue gasped at her next thought, she never thought it would hurt so much. She put a hand to her mouth as a tear slid down her face, "Maybe he doesn't love me anymore."

Renji had officially lowered himself to as low as he could go. He had went from bootlegger to bootlegger trying to find something to drink, but was unsuccessful. Each establishment he went to someone with large boobs or a bald head had already been by and bought them out.

"Bastards, getting all the alcohol that was left." Renji muttered to himself.

As he continued walking through the streets of Seireitei, he contemplated going to the 11th or 10th squad headquarters to find one of the two, but decided not to. He didn't want either of those two asking questions as to why he needed another drink. He wasn't about to confess to anyone, that he felt alone.

Renji immediately shook his head and put a frown on his face. What the hell was wrong with him? He was a man! Men are not lonely!

"Damn straight," He said out loud to himself.

"Abarai-kun, who are you talking to?" a small voice said from behind.

"Ah, hi-er, no one! How are you Hinamori?" Renji asked while trying to mentally remove his foot from his mouth.

"I'm fine, much better than yesterday at least." She replied smiling.

"Ah, that's good," Renji began. Suddenly Momo's face changed, it turned very sad. "What's wrong?"

"Abarai, I have something to tell you, but I don't know how to say it…" she started. She was fidgeting with her fingers nervously behind her back. "Well…"

"What is it? Just spit it out."

She looked to the ground and then back up to an angry Renji. He hated when people didn't tell him things, and she knew it. But how was she going to tell him this. She looked at him and he waited for her to open her mouth. But before she could speak, they could both hear the whispers….

"Oh my god is she going to tell him?"

"Does he know?"

"How could she do that to him?"

"Pour guy, do you think it's true?"

"Rukia never loved him anyways."

"How can Renji call himself a man?"

"I hear she leaves him every night?"

Renji couldn't believe his ears. This couldn't be happening, not again. But this time it was worst, this time the rumors are more vicious, and true. Then suddenly he heard the worst one, the one that made him want to rip someone's head off for tarnishing Rukia's name.

"Do you even thing those-"

"ABARAI!" Hinamori yelled at the top of her lungs.

Renji snapped out of his stupor and ceased listing to the whispers. He looked over to his friend more upset then before.

"You should have just told me. You could have just spit it out! Do you think I care what these lying pieces of shit say to me behind my back!?" Renji roared as his sprit pressure rose and he turned to face the passing crowd.

"IF ANYONE HAS ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT 6TH SQUAD'S LUIETENANT, A CANDIDATE FOR CAPTAINCY YOU KNOW WHERE TO FIND ME!"

Renji's anger was beyond that anyone had ever seen. His spirit pressure was so high some of the members of the crowd fell to the ground. But Renji didn't care; what mattered to him was that there was silence: no more whispers could be heard. No one would dare disrespect his presence again.

It had been a while since Hinamori saw Renji this way. She stepped closer to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Renji…"

He immediately flinched away and glared at her.

"Don't ever do that to me again, Hinamori…" and with that he stormed off.

Hinamori sighed as he flash stepped away. She would have to make this right later. She didn't want to lose another friend.

"Ouch!" Momo yelled as she was taken away from her thoughts as a passerby ran into her.

"Sorry Hinamori-Chan!" a large breasted woman yelled, "We're late!"

"Oh, it's ok!" Hinamori yelled back as Matsumoto speed past her.

Hinamori rubbed her arm where Matsumoto hit it. "I wonder where she's off too. And what does she mean we're late?" She thought as she saw more of the woman's dust tracks.

Matsumoto on the other hand didn't give Hinamori a second thought. She and Rukia were supposed to meet at the research department 30 minutes ago and Rukia never showed. So that's why she was racing off to the Kuchiki manor to grab Rukia before they got into anymore trouble with Commander Yamamoto.

Inoue continued sitting in the kitchen with her food untouched still sitting in front of her. She was trying to compose herself. She didn't want anymore tears to fall from her eyes. She gave her checks one final wipe and she got up from her stool to leave and ran into something bright orange.

"Orihime! "Sorry. Didn't expect you to be up so early." Ichigo said surprised.

"Yeah, I sleep pretty well last night." She said with a hint of sadness still in her voice.

"Is something wrong?"

"No, not really…" she began.

"What is it?" He asked a little irritated. He hated when people couldn't spit stuff out.

"Ichigo, Where were you last night and this morning." She asked sadly.

"And this is why you don't live with you girlfriend…" Ichigo thought to himself, "I had a late night fighting hollows, and I went out to a bar."

"Oh. Did you go with anyone?" Inoue asked curiously because Ichigo always made fun of people that went to bars alone.

"Yeah, umm, Ikkaku, Yumichika, Shuhei, Kira, Matsumoto, and ah…Rukia." He said, trailing his voice off on Rukia's name.

"Rukia?" Inoue asked surprised.

"Yeah, it was pretty much the whole gang from the old days; it was pretty fun until that fight broke out."

"Fight? Over what?" Inoue asked out of concern.

"Uh, I was pretty drunk…It could have been over anything." He said, not telling the whole truth.

"Oh, well at least your ok." She said smiling.

"Ok my ass," he said suddenly, "Oh, sorry Orihime. It's just, Soul Society had a ban on drinking for all shinigami and we were caught. I got some ridiculous punishment because I'm a "candidate for captaincy" and yadayadayda."

"…Candidate for captaincy?"

"Shit, I didn't tell her either." Ichigo sighed in his head. "Yeah, I took the test for it a while back… before we got together."

"Oh, because of the stuff that happened with Rukia?"

"What? NO! Why would you say that?"

"Well, because of what you said to her…back then I mean." Inoue said sadly.

Flash Back 4 Years ago….

The sky was growing darker and darker upon Karakura town, the rain always seamed to be coming. Waves of hollows had been coming in non stop for about a year now. It was just the start of the war really; Azien was just sending out his "tester" hollows. Everyone knew that these heavy spirit pressure Adjuchas were nothing compared to what was to come. Azien had the Hōgyoku; he could make anything now….he was just toying with the great 13 Gotei.

Inoue was away from the battle, at Urahada's house which was designated as the relief station. She helped the forth squad with the healing. She and Unohana were in charge of the fatal injuries. But even though she was healing, she still could here the pain of war, feel death all around her, not to mention…see all the blood of the wounded.

She was completely wiped out; day in and day out she was healing and putting up barriers when necessary. Her friends where all out to battle; the last time she saw anyone she knew, other than a few members of the 4th squad, was at least 2 weeks ago.

She stood over her next patients firmly despite how tired she was and began healing their wounds. The first 3 lost a lot of blood; the other two lost a lot of limbs. Slowly she restored them as she began to sweat. Tsubaki couldn't even stand to see Inoue how she was and gave a few encouraging words.

Suddenly, two faces she hadn't seen in ages showed up, though they were not in the condition she was hoping for.

Ichigo and Rukia had just walked into the relief station, well actually Rukia walked; Ichigo was limping on Rukia's shoulder. They both looked pissed, though Ichigo was the only one who was hurt. Inoue couldn't help but feel sad for Ichigo. He had been through so much and his face showed it. It wasn't the face she remembered at 15, and that was only two years ago. But still, he was only 17, and Ichigo looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. She wished she could do something to ease the burden he carried, anything at all.

Suddenly she was snapped out of her stupor by Ichigo and Rukia. They were arguing like always, but it seams different somehow. They ended up stopped a few feet away from Inoue.

"What the HELL where you thinking Ichigo?"

"What do you mean what was I thinking? What were you thinking?"

"You could have been killed!"

"No, you could have been killed! I just got injured."

"Ichigo you idiot, stop trying to save everyone all the time!"

"Oh, ok, next time I'll just let you fight 20 hollows by yourself!"

"My life is not important. You are the one who will defeat Azien, don't give your life up over nothing."

"Over nothing?!"

"Yes nothing! Your life is more important than mine!"

"The hell it is! They day I stop protecting you is the day you stay out of fucking trouble!"

"This is a WAR Ichigo! I will never be out of danger!"

Ichigo stopped leaning on Rukia for support at that moment. He stood up straight with a stern look in his amber eyes. Rukia back up, but stared right back at him, fury written all over her face. Ichigo grabbed her shirt with one arm and pulled her closer to him. Neither one changed the emotion on their face; even those they were so close their noses were almost touching.

"Then you've got two choices: get stronger or get used to me being around. 'Cause I'm not going to let you die. I will always protect the people I care for, especially you." He said in a serious voice.

Inoue couldn't help but stare at the change in Rukia's face after Ichigo spoke. She looked angry, but also confused. It was as if her violent eyes were asking why Ichigo cared for her so much. Inoue stared at the two of them, still concentrating on her patients, but also paying just as much attention to her friends. She watched as the two stared into each others eyes for what seamed to be an eternity. Never in her life had she seen so much passion in two peoples' eyes.

"Ichigo, don't make promises you can't keep," Rukia began softly, as Ichigo's wound opened up and started to bleed on the ground, "Come on lets get you healed," she finished, as she tried to pull Ichigo to an available 4th squad member.

Ichigo stopped her and sat on a nearby porch, "Rukia, you know I keep my promises." He said huskily.

Ichigo stared bleeding profusely from his abdomen, as he sat down. He grunted in pain, but stopped when a soft hand touched his injury.

"You idiot," Rukia said softly as she knelt down on her knees and began to heal Ichigo's wound. Her eyes began to water up as she felt how severe his injury was; how much blood has he lost because of her?

"Ichigo-"

"This is nothing for you to worry about. Just keep healing me," he smirked.

Inoue had seen many looks between the two of them, but this was one to add to her list. Rukia and Ichigo smiled. They found happiness with each other in the mist of all the death that surrounded them. She lost herself in pity for a moment, could she ever have a relationship like that with Ichigo?

"Hey Inoue, are you ok?" Ichigo yelled after seeing her space out.

"Yeah, I'm fine! Don't worry about me? You want me to heal you?" she said bashfully.

"No thanks Inoue. There's a lot more you can do out there. Rukia's got me." He said smirking at Rukia.

"You sure?" Inoue asked timidly.

"Yeah, don't worry Inoue. I got him," Rukia said with a small grin as she punched Ichigo's opposite side and continued tending to his wound.

"Ow, you bitc-"

"Hey, none of that or I won't let you kill any more hollows," Rukia said in that voice Ichigo hated.

"Che." was the only reply he could give.

Inoue walked away to continue healing more injured shinigami as her friends continued arguing. She turned back to look at them and chuckled.

"He doesn't need me to help him with his burdens, he never did. Forgive me for interfering…I know you have him, Rukia….." Inoue thought as she vanished into the blood and gore of the relief station.

End Flash back

What made Inoue remember this now was beyond both her and Ichigo. It wasn't until this very moment Inoue remembered feeling that way; that Ichigo and Rukia belong together. Was it her own selfishness that made her forget it?

That day was as far from Ichigo's memory as possible; he couldn't believe he almost forgotten. He saved Rukia from a hollow that was about to stab her though the heart. His stomach for her heart was a fair trade in his book. He would do anything for her, and that day was proof. Even Inoue saw it.

He stopped his thoughts to look at Inoue. Her expression was so sad. What was she thinking? What made her remember that? In the back of his mind Ichigo knew what was happening, but he was not ready to have this conversation with her. It was too soon, he really did care about her; he didn't want to hurt her like this. He had to keep it cool. So he tried to answer the question somewhat honestly.

"Oh, well, I wanted to protect people, and becoming a captain seamed to be the best bet. That was so long ago, what made you think of that?" Ichigo asked uncomfortably.

"Well, it's just, ever since Rukia came back, I haven't seen you much. Did anything ever happen between you two?"

Ichigo was shocked. She wasn't going to let this go. "What does it matter? That was so long ago…." He said trailing off again.

"It matters to me!" Inoue yelled loudly. She was hurt, and not for the reason Ichigo thought. She didn't want to be alone in love anymore. Not when she had someone who cared for her, possibly more than she could ever imagined.

Ichigo stood astounded. She never raised her voice, ever. She knew. There was no denying it anymore.

"Orihime, back then was back then. Things are different."

"I really can't see how, "she sighed, "After all these years, I still can't get that look out of you, but she still can. It only took her one glance."

Inoue smiled at her last comment, thus completely confusing Ichigo.

"I knew it, I always did, but still, I never thought it would hurt so much." She said starting to tear up.

"Orihime," Ichigo started.

"Don't say anything," she said softly as walked over and hugged him, "This is what I've wanted for so long, let me pretend a little longer."

Then she kissed him, soft and sweet. She closed her eyes tight as tears streamed down her face. For some reason, she didn't see herself doing this again, with anyone.

Ichigo stood there as she kissed him with his eyes open. He didn't know how it happened, but Inoue knew everything. But now wasn't the time to speak it into existence. They both knew what each other knew, but for it to be spoken was too painful right now. So just for a little while, Ichigo would agree….he hated to see her cry.

"Ok Inoue," he whispered to her as she released the kiss.

She looked up to him and smiled and released the hug, only to see Ishida standing in the door way angrily. Orihime couldn't take it. She was so confused. She had to leave to get some air.

"I am going to get dressed, and then I have to get going," she said as she walked quickly to Ichigo's room to change.

Ichigo and Ishida stared at Inoue as she walked away, then they looked to each other as the door slammed shut.

"So what was that about?" Ishida asked nonchalantly.

"I think we may break up soon…" Ichigo said sadly.

"You say that like your not messing around with Kuchiki." Ishida said coldly.

Ichigo stood their in shock. Was he really that obvious?

"And yes you are obvious as hell, so get rid of that dumb look." He said harshly, "You should be ashamed of what you're doing to Inoue."

"Whatever Ishida, drop it. It's not for you to worry about. Anyway, I came back early so I could ask you to spar with me. So, you up for it?"

"No."

"Ok…"

"Why don't you go ask your father?"

"Are you crazy?! That man really tries to kill me!"

"You're telling me this like my father didn't nearly stab me in the heart."

"Again?"

"Yeah."

"I think our Dad's are crazy." Ichigo chuckled.

"Runs in the family," he said jokingly, finally letting go of his anger.

"I believe those are your blood lines too…" Ichigo chuckled.

"Don't remind me."

"Ha! You're just mad I got the better end of the deal?" Ichigo smirked.

"Just because your mother and my father are siblings doesn't mean you have something over me." He yelled.

"Yeah, only strength!"

"Is that a challenge?"

"That's what I've been saying!"

"The answer is still no. I'll have more fun imagining what your father is doing to you."

"Bastard."

Ishida laughed. As much as he hated admitting it, he got along with Ichigo. Even with what was going on with Inoue, he didn't think he could ever honestly hate Ichigo.

"So what brought up wanting to spar anyways?"

"Oh, the new hollow development. I just want to stay ahead of the game. Something about this is worrying me. It reminds me of how Azien would send out his tester hollows."

Ishida stood still, he was shocked. He hadn't heard that name in a long time.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I'll look more into later."

"Ok, let me know what's up. And say hi to your dad for me!"

"Yeah, whatever."

Ishida walked away returning to his room, leaving Ichigo alone. Ichigo slowly walked over to the phone and dialed his old dreaded telephone number. He did not want to spar with that old man. And he really didn't want to hear him give advice on relationships.

"Hello?"

"Dad? It's Ichigo."

"ICHIGOO!!!! YOU MISS DADDY!!"

"SHUT THE HELL UP OLD MAN! God! I just wanted to know if you'd spar with me."

"OF COURSE I"LL SPAR WITH MY ONLY SON!!!"

Ichigo pulled the phone away from his ear and yelled into the phone.

"I'll be over soon!" he yelled loudly.

"AND SON… HEEY GET CLOSER TO THE PHONE!"

"This bastard knows me too well…." Ichigo muttered as he put the receiver back to his ear, "Yeah dad?"

"Do be prepared to talk about Rukia while I kick your ass."

CLICK.

A/N: This is my Happy New Year's to you all! I hope to put up another chapter tomm in honor of the new year….and my 4th consecutive day off from work!!! Love when holiday's fall right after the weekend! But soon it's back to school, so I want to get all the chapters in I can before then. I hope this chapter wasn't that bad, a lot of you expected it to get pretty angsty, well you were right, and hold on b/c this is only the half of it! But don't worry, it will get better! And now, I know Byakuya seams OCC, b/c he obviously cares for Rukia if anyone is keeping up with the manga, but don't worry, there is a reason for everything. AND YES! ENTER ISSHIN NEXT CHAPTER! I can't wait to write his dialogue. He's cool. And yep...Ichigo and Ishida are realated! I will give the story on that later. Also sorry for any grammar errors, its 12am, I should be sleep. Anyways…..don't forget to…….

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