A/N: Chapter 10! I don't own Bleach and I hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Thanks for all your loving reviews!

Kenpachi turned around; "This fight…isn't worth fighting." He said walking down the dark street, his bells jingling softly with each step that he took. Rukia and Ichigo stared at his retreating form, "Should we go after him?" Ichigo asked glancing over at Rukia.

"…I…don't know…" Rukia scowled and placed a hand on Ichigo's shoulder. "We should have your father see your wounds." She said but Ichigo didn't move.

He felt…cold…but it wasn't a bad type of cold, it was nice. Like a much needed wind on a warm summer day. He could feel the scrapes on his back turn icy and then he couldn't feel the pain anymore. Was Rukia…healing him? Ichigo looked at Rukia's hand, it was faintly glowing with a soft white light. Yes, she was healing him but judging by the look on her face; she has no idea she's doing it.

"I think I'll be fine midget." Ichigo said with a smirk. Rukia moved her hand and slapped him; "I'm not a midget. Watch your tongue you fool!" Rukia said with a growl. An orange glow seeped from the horizon, "The sun?" They both said in unison, "C'mon…" Rukia said pulling him by his arm back towards the Kurosaki clinic. At that moment, Hisagi stepped out of the front door.

"Hey you two…" Hisagi greeted, giving Rukia a pat on the head. "I have to go and report to my boss…" Rukia and Ichigo exchanged glances. "Ichigo, please don't go and get yourself killed." Hisagi said with a chuckle before heading down the sidewalk.

"ICHI-GO!" Isshin yelled before tackling his son to the ground. "Old man! What the hell is your problem?"

"Oh! Daddy is so happy!"

"get off me!"

"I thought you would die—"

"Get off!!"

"Yuzu and Karin would be—"

"Get the hell off!!"

"So sad! Daddy would be sad too!"

"Argh! I'm going to kill you!"

Rukia watched the sun rise, Ichigo and his fathers words were just noise in the background. 'Why would Kenpachi give up the fight like that? He doesn't seem the type to just throw away a fight…especially since he was winning. Did he have a change of heart? If so…then why? Was it because I threw myself to save Ichigo?' Rukia lifted her hand to her mouth and coughed, the blood filling her mouth and seeping through her fingers. Her abdomen ached with pain, Kenpachi had a fist of steel. Rukia quickly wiped away the blood on her skirt's fabric; no need to cause worry after all that happened already.

"Rukia?"

"Hm?" Rukia turned around, her heart raced seeing Ichigo's face. He was still scowling but his eyes looked unguarded, worried possibly? But why? Why would Ichigo be worried about her…Rukia Kuchiki was no weakling. She can take care of herself and yet…'I couldn't live without Ichigo as my guardian. Always there; to protect me.'

Ichigo opened his mouth to speak but Rukia cut him off, "Thank you."

"Huh?" Ichigo scratched the back of his head.

"Don't make me repeat myself…"

"For what?"

"…Protecting me."

"But Rukia—"

"Just say you're welcome, idiot."

Ichigo smirked, "You're welcome, idiot."

Rukia rolled her eyes, "We should find Zangetsu and Shirayuki. They'll know what to do." Rukia suddenly frowned looking down at her arm in the sling, "What's the matter?"

"Nothing…" Rukia looked back up and made a mental note to ask Shirayuki if butterflies have strange healing properties. Her arm didn't hurt even though it should after being thrown to the ground.

"Speak of the devil…" Ichigo said as two figures approached them, none other than Shirayuki and Zangetsu.

"The calm after the storm…sweet but fleeting." Shirayuki said carefully examining Rukia with her eyes.

"Ichigo, fighting Kenpachi was very brave but also very foolish. That last blow would have and should have killed you." Zangetsu said glancing at Rukia behind his sunglasses for a brief moment.

"No worries my sweets, Zangetsu and I have plans…Ichigo may we come inside your humble home?" Shirayuki asked and Ichigo nodded numbly, Zangetsu words hit him harder than Kenpachi's punches. 'Should have killed you…but why isn't Rukia dead then? Is it because of her butterfly powers or something?' he thought while leading the group into his house.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Reno looked at his empty glass on the bar, "I feel your pain, man." He said to Renji who was sitting next to him. "We couldn't do a damn thing. I thought working for Aizen would bring me closer to Rukia, not drive me away." Renji said sliding the bottle of scotch over to Reno, who grabbed it quickly and poured some in his glass.

"Soi Fon…Do you remember her?" Reno asked before taking a drink from his glass.

"The President? Before Aizen?" Renji's head perked up, how could Rukia and Soi Fon have something in common.

"3 years ago, when she was president…that's when the world flourished. I was only 18…I swore to protect her. I was the head of the Elite Bodyguards and I was always by her side." Reno began, stopping to take another drink. "Then…just like that—" Reno snapped his fingers "she was gone. I lost her…"

Renji caught the bottle when Reno slid it down the smooth bar. "…You still have Rukia, you gotta quit this job and go to her." Reno said looking at the bottles of alcohol lined up on the shelves.

"Yeah…but I think I already lost her…"

"How so?"

"…I lost her heart."

"Man, she's not in love with that Ichigo dude is she?"

"I think so…"

"You don't know that…" Reno said patting his friend on the back before stealing the bottle back.

"Reno, I do know. I know just by the way she looks at him…"

"This sucks…" Reno frowned and folded his arms on the top of the bar, resting his chin on his arms. Renji too a drink from his glass and sighed. "Yeah…"

"There are more fish in the sea…you just gotta find the right one!" Reno said with a grin to Renji. The other red-haired man laughed, "Yeah, like you and Nene?" Nene, was the girl that Reno had met recently, and after taking her out to eat and then dessert back at his place. This morning, Nene confessed that she was married.

Reno frowned, "Whatever." Reno said throwing an ice cube at Renji.

-.-.--.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Aizen was fuming, he was livid with anger and yet only those who knew him well could tell. He kept his physical appearance calm but when someone, anyone walked into the room, the temperature would drop twenty degrees. "Jin, where is Hinamori?" Aizen asked drumming his fingers against the desk, a sign of annoyance.

"She left…I'm sure of it." Jin said leaning back in the leather chair of in front of his father's desk.

"Oh my…what a shame…" Gin said from the corner of the room. At that second a woman came into the room, her blonde hair was down and square framed glasses rested on her nose. "Mr. President?" She said quietly, still standing by the doorframe. "Yes my dear?" Aizen said standing.

"May I have a word?" She asked fidgeting a little, she was new obviously, and felt weary. Out of the blue, Aizen had taken interest in her, often patting her on the back and giving her words of encouragement. She had just graduated and was just here to help with the third division who handles all the paperwork. Aizen nodded to his son and advisor, they left the room slipping by the new girl without another word.

"Please…" He said motioning to a chair, "have a seat…" Aizen said with a smile. The girl shut his office door and moved like a frightened animal to the leather seat. Aizen sat back down in his seat and watched the girl from the rim of his glasses. "Well sir—"

"Call me Aizen."

"Oh…okay…well um…Aizen, I have news."

"Good or bad?"

"It's bad…"

"Go on." Aizen said with a smile that would trick anyone into feeling secure, the room's temperature seemed to have gone up.

"Hinamori did leave, she was seen leaving the building with Hitsugaya." She said slowly getting up from her chair. "That's all I have to say…" She said attempting to excuse herself. Aizen stood in a flash, "Thank you…" he said walking around his desk and to her side. "You are a very honest young lady." Aizen said stroking his thumb against her cheek.

"Oh, t-thank y-you." The girl stammered. "Very beautiful too." Aizen complimented and the girl blushed.

"Aizen, I must be going…" the girl said, attempting once again to excuse herself. Never once did she feel so…so…trapped. "Must you?" Aizen said lowering his hand to her shoulder and shifting his body so he was behind her. "I have work to attend to." She whispered softly. Aizen made a noise from the back of his throat, sliding his hand around her waist and pulling him to her. "What's your name?" He asked into her ear, his hot breath against her skin. "H-han…Hana." She stammered. "Flower, what a lovely name…" Aizen kissed her neck softly. Hana froze, her brain just turned off, all the self-defense classes she took and everything she learned from her brothers went out the window. "Aizen…" She said and it was meant to come out like a plea but instead came out as more of moan. Aizen used the hand that was on her shoulder to tilt her head towards him, his finger under her chin. "Hana, you could be so much more…" Aizen whispered leaning in closer. Hana bit her rosy red lip, why her? Part of her admired and actually wanted the President. Power was sexy in her eyes. Then the other part of her, the smart part of her, was telling her to run. "Aizen—" Hana began but was one second too late. Aizen was already kissing her, their lips in a tight lock. Hana struggled against him but Aizen took it as an act of passion and only kissed her deeper. Hana's head was foggy, like the kiss somehow messed with her brain.

Aizen broke the kiss and turned her to face him, "You're a smart girl…" Aizen said and Hana nodded slightly afraid to say anything. "What else do you know?" He asked holding her face in between his hands. "Hinamori and Hitsugaya…they are heading to get out of town. That's all I know." Hana said and Aizen smiled.

"Thank you." Aizen said before kissing her again and this time Hana couldn't resist, she raised her arms up and circled them around his neck.

-.-.-..-.-.-.-.-.--.-.-.

Hitsugaya stood next to the taxi, his white button-up shirt's sleeves were rolled up to his elbows and the green tie he wore was loose around his neck. "Hitsugaya…" Hinamori pleaded, her hands in front of her chest clasped together. "Hinamori, you're getting out of here. With or without me." Hitsugaya said for what seemed like the fiftieth time.

"But…" Hinamori felt tears fill her lower eyelids. "What if Aizen…" Hitsugaya sighed and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Nothing will happen." He said attempting to cheer the girl up.

"Hitsugaya!" Hinamori cried suddenly throwing herself into him, causing the older man to fall backwards and lean up against the taxicab. Hinamori had her arms wrapped tightly around his waist and her face pressed into his shoulder as she cried. Hitsugaya slowly wrapped his arms around her, "Hinamori…don't worry about me." Hitsugaya said staring at the pavement of the sidewalk below them.

"But…but…" Hinamori said between hiccups, here she was pouring her heart out to him, why couldn't he see that she loved him? He always just wanted to be friends, but Hinamori couldn't stand being 'just friends' she wanted so much more and wasn't selfish enough to ask.

Hitsugaya pushed Hinamori away and handed her a tissue from his front pocket, "Now go…before Aizen does find something out." He said opening the door to the taxi. Hinamori wiped away her tears, "Promise…that this isn't our goodbye." She said staring at him with her bloodshot eyes. Hitsugaya was silent for some time…

"I promise."

Hinamori smiled and climbed into the taxi, Hitsugaya shut the door and hit the roof of the taxi. He watched as it merged with traffic and then went off into the horizon. Hitsugaya ran a hand through his white hair and sighed. 'Be safe Hinamori-Chan.'

-.-.-.-.-.-.-..--.-

Byakuya sat at his desk filling out forms, his eyes drifted over to the only picture he had on his desk. His wife, Hisana, the butterfly that he couldn't protect. She died from natural causes and although they said she could use her powers to heal herself, she did not.

(4 years ago)

"Hisana…" Byakuya began looking at his wife as she laid in bed.

"Don't…my love…don't be sad." Hisana said placing her always-warm hand on top of his. "I have lived a wonderful life. I am not afraid." She said with a small smile."You found my sister for me…I got to hug her, hear her voice…you said that when she's 15, Kaien will begin training right?" Hisana asked and Byakuya nodded.

"My soul will live on, in Rukia and in you my love. So do not fret, I will forever be here." Hisana placed her hand on his cheek.

That night, Hisana passed in her sleep and Byakuya to this day wishes he could of done more.

"What can I do to protect Rukia?" Byakuya muttered setting down his pen. "Hisana…what can I do?" Byakuya reached over and picked up the frame gingerly, running his thumb over the glass. 'Hisana…' When they became bonded, butterflies were just a myth; the president believed that if they were real…then we should just leave them alone. Byakuya couldn't leave Hisana alone; he loved this woman and against all the rules, they sealed their fate to each other. Byakuya hoped that since Hisana died; he would die too. However, Byakuya continued to live but like Hisana had said, she would always be here; in his heart…and in Rukia's.

-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-

"I feel horrible Uryu." Orihime said sitting down on the stool in the kitchen while the young man was cleaning up, she rocked her legs back and forth in a swinging motion. Her hands placed on her lap, smoothing out wrinkles that weren't there.

"Why is that Orihime?" He asked kindly with a warm smile.

"We couldn't do anything to protect Kuchiki-san and now…she's gone." Orihime covered her face with her hands and shook her head. She felt Uryu place his hand on her shoulder, "Orihime…we'll think of something. I promise." Uryu said trying to comfort the young girl. Orihime lifted her head and smiled, "You're right…we can't just sit here and do nothing." Orihime climbed off the stool and hugged Uryu causing the man to blush.

"I'll talk to you tomorrow." Orihime said before leaving the kitchen, Uryu pushed up his glasses and smiled slightly.

-.-.-.--.-.-.

Shirayuki smiled while sitting at the table with the rest of the group. "So, Ichigo…pack your things." She said glancing over at Zangetsu who was getting up from his chair.

"We will leave soon. We can't stay here for long, even in daylight…Aizen and his men still lurk in the shadows." Zangetsu walked out of the room and out the front door.

"Oh! I almost forgot…" Shirayuki reached inside her white robe and pulled out a small black box. Rukia gasped and outstretched her hand, glad to feel the soft velvet against her fingers once more. "Thank you." Rukia said opening the box and then shutting it, Ichigo saw that box somewhere…where did he see it?

"You gonna propose to me or something?"

That's right! He saw it in Rukia's room…'I wonder what makes it so special anyway?'

"Rukia-Chan, I'm sure Yuzu has some clothes that will fit you." Isshin said with one hand on the shoulder of the softer of the twins.

"Oh? Um…thank you." Rukia said as she stood, Yuzu smiled and took Rukia's hand, leading the raven-haired girl up to her bedroom. Ichigo stood and made eye contact with his father;

"Don't die! Papa will miss you!" Isshin yelled throwing himself onto the table, Ichigo groaned, couldn't his father be serious even for just a moment? Ichigo muttered a curse and went to the stairs, he could hear Yuzu's soft voice and Rukia's laughter. 'How can they laugh when we—they are all in danger?'

A/N: Not a crazy chapter or anything, but we see the wheels start turning now. I actually had to make like a time-line for this story because I was confusing myself. ::chuckle::

Okay! Well thank you for reading and please make my day by reviewing! I just ran over my writers block with a bulldozer ::grins:: Have a wonderful weekend!