A/N: So next chapter will be written from Byakuya's POV! I wanted to thank the lot of you that follow this story, but especially the ones that leave reviews; those comments really make me happy :)

CHAPTER TEN:

Collision.

Silence fell upon them after Ichigo punched the red-haired Shinigami. The force of the hit caused her head to turn to the right, and a small reddish mark began to form on her cheek. Her orange eyes were wide, shock dancing in them, before anger took over.

Ichigo had turned his back to her, as though she weren't there, and was facing Byakuya. The noble was watching, apparently with no interest, the exchange between both Shinigami. Rukia, on the other hand, knew nothing good was about to happen. Had he gone mad? Didn't he know about Rena's temper?

A confident smirk was decorating Ichigo's features, however, as he stared at Byakuya. Either he had forgotten about the angry female behind him, or was obvious to the dangerous waves coming from her. His hand wrapped around the handle of Zangetsu as he altered his stance, ready to attack. But, Byakuya's eyes weren't locked on him; something behind the Shinigami had caught his attention.

"I won't die so easil-" he couldn't finish the sentence.

Rena's foot appeared next to his face before she kicked him with enough force to send him flying. He crashed on the cold surface of the floor, slamming his nose against it. With a grunt, Ichigo pressed both hands on the ground and attempted to lift his aching body from it. He had the feeling that some of his wounds had opened because of the impact, as they were sending painful shivers to roll down his veins.

"Maybe you will," Rena's cold hiss caressed his ear.

Her foot was planted on his back to prevent him from standing, and she was bent down towards his head.

"I didn't think you could be such an arrogant, reckless idiot," she said, her voice harsh. "It's pretty obvious that you're in no condition to fight that bloody idiot," she continued, pointing at Byakuya with her thumb. "Geez, I'm surrounded by idiots."

"Says the one who won't stop complaining about your tragic past," Ichigo dared to talk back, glancing at her from his uncomfortable position.

A shadow crossed her eyes. Rena closed her mouth, his lips forming a thin line. A grimace crept on Ichigo's face when her foot pressed heavily against his aching back, but his eyes watched her closely. Something in his mind told him he had made a huge mistake by saying those words, as he didn't really know about her past. He only knew a few details about the relationship she shared with Byakuya Kuchiki, which was a small portion of her past. Almost insignificant.

"I should kill you," she muttered, her voice void of any emotion. "But there's no fun in killing someone as weak as you."

Suddenly, a hand encircled around her neck.

"Rena, get away from him."

The woman glanced at her former sensei from the corner of her eye, an unhappy expression plastered on them. A frown formed on her lips and she gave her a determined look.

"Don't make me do it myself, Rena," Yoruichi warned, her yellow eyes staring deadly serious into her orange ones.

An expression of betrayal crossed her face before Rena drew her elbow back. Yoruichi's other hand stopped it before it hit her stomach, gripping it strongly. The red-haired Shinigami cursed silently, as she didn't feel like starting a fight against Yoruichi.

"That's better," the former captain said, sounding pleased, when Rena lifted her foot from Ichigo's lying form.

The orange-haired boy didn't hesitate and jumped to his feet as soon as he felt the pressure leave his back. He glared at Rena then, who was still unable to move because of Yoruichi's grip on her neck. She didn't return the gesture, but showed an unreadable mask instead.

"Oh, I almost forgot about you," Yoruichi turned on her heels, taking Rena with her, and faced Byakuya. "It's been a while, little Byakuya."

The noble hadn't moved from his spot, and watched calmly the situation before him. His eyes drifted to Rena for a second before they glanced back to Yoruichi's grinning face. The feline-like woman stood her ground, even though it would be a matter of seconds that Byakuya grew annoyed.

"I don't think we should interrupt this meeting, Ichigo."

"Wha-"

It all happened too fast. Yoruichi's hand abandoned Rena's neck, only to clench into a fist and punching Ichigo in the gut. The Shinigami gasped for breath before he dropped on Yoruichi's shoulder, out cold.

"You'll make a good distraction, Rena!"

Then, the purple-haired Shinigami shunpo-ed away.

What the bloody hell?

Rena could only stare blankly at the spot where she had been just a second ago.

"For once, that annoying woman did something good."

Immediately, Rena turned around. She had forgotten about Byakuya, and that had been a mistake. His zanpakuto was pointing to the blue sky, his hand gripping the handle as he stood in front of her.

"Damn," was all she muttered as she pulled out her own zanpakuto.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Rukia getting a hold of Hanataro and pulling him back; away from the Shinigami. Under the bright sunlight, Korakuinshi seemed to glow with excitement. Rena could almost feel it throbbing in her hand.

Some miles away, in the 13th Division's barracks, Jushiro Ukitake gave a shaky cough. Sighing tiredly, he lay back on the comfy mattress. His gaze waved towards the only window in the room, a frown plastered on his effete features. He had felt the reiatsu of the captain of the 6th Division from there, along with another one. For some reason, it carried some familiarity to him. However, he couldn't figure out who it belonged to.

"Captain Ukitake!"

The door slid open, revealing Kiyone and Sentaro. As though they just realized the presence of the other, they glared at each other before turning towards Ukitake.

"The meeting finished some minutes ago, but I couldn't come because of the ryokas!" Kiyone explained, only to be interrupted by Sentaro.

"I'm sorry, captain!"

Ukitake waved a hand in the air, and chuckled hoarsely.

"Alright, alright," both 3rd seats stopped fighting. "Why don't you tell me about the meeting?"

"Of course, captain!" Sentaro started.

"A ryoka was captured and Captain Unohana confirmed their identity," continued Kiyone.

"It's Rena Aeren, captain!" Kiyone glared at Sentaro, who had cut her again.

Ukitake's eyes widened. Ignoring the argument his subordinates were having, he stood up. Immediately, Kiyone and Sentaro stopped shouting, only to try talkin the captain into lying back.

"But she escaped, am I wrong?"

The two glanced at each other before giving him a guilty look. As fast as his sick body allowed him to, Ukitake walked out. Kiyone and Sentaro quickly followed him, still attempting to know what was in the head of the old captain.

"Captain Kuchiki cannot fight her," he explained.

Kiyone frowned.

"Why not, captain?"

Ukitake took a deep breath before replying with a worried:

"Their reiatsus colliding could mean the end of both of them," he confessed, and added: "The probability that they die is too high."

Orange met purple, and they stared at each other.

"Scatter, Senbonzakura."

"Confound, Korakuinshi."

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