Thanks for all the reviews (lunagirl, back to back... thanks!), kept me writing! :D

Here's Chapter 12, the one I said would be a BIG chapter, in terms of development and storyline. Hope you enjoy! :)

Warning: A teensy bit of IchiRuki.


"YAHOOOO!!" Keigo shouted and twirled around happily. Rukia smiled at him, as she perched on a high stool, trying to hang the pink heart-shaped paper cutout from the ceiling.

"Kuchiki-san, thank you for helping with the decorations!" Orihime came to her and beamed.

"No problem."

Keigo approached them. "Kuchiki-san." He bowed low. "Thank you so much for the help you gave me in chasing the gangsters away! I owe you my life for eternity!!!" Rukia smiled weakly back at him. "And so… I would like to escort you to the dance formal… as your partner!!!"

The entire student body stopped what they were doing and turned to stare at him, and Rukia.

"Ah? Err… I…" Rukia looked around nervously, as everyone stared at her. "I… I am sorry, Keigo… but I-I think I will be going alone… well, with friends…" She trailed off.

"KUCHIKI-SAN! Please! It is the ONLY way I can repay you for your kindness, and this is the perfect time! I promise there will be no groping, and no need to fight me off! I-

"Hey, you're disturbing the peace in here," Ichigo's disgruntled voice cut through the conversation. Keigo turned back to Rukia, who was smiling apologetically.

"I'm really sorry. But I will definitely see you there."

Keigo acted sad for a second, before he brightened up again. "OKAY, Kuchiki-san! We will dance one dance together, but I will not give up!!!!!! YAHOOO!!"

Rukia laughed uncomfortably, before turning to hang more decorations in the school hall.

"Hey everyone!" Ishida burst in through the entrance, holding up a paper in his hand. "I've all the arrangements and permission signatures from the principal and school administrators. We are good to go!"

A cheer went up in the hall.

"Ishida-kun, you did a really good job!" Orihime went up to him and bowed.

"Ahh… Inoue-san, you worked hard too."

"Everyone who wants a look at the fantastic menu list can proceed to the bulletin board. I have made a copy and pasted it there. We also have a list of teachers to act as chaperons and they are the ones we go to should any problems arise, though probably all the teachers will be present. I will read them here. Tanaka-sensei, Shimizu-sensei, Takahashi-sensei, Yoshida-sensei and… Kuchiki-sensei."

Rukia's eyes widened as Ichigo stood up.

"Kuchiki-sensei?" All the girls in the hall immediately reverted into dreamy mode upon the name. Rukia could practically see them already outlining the shopping plans to get their best dresses off the shops, and the best possible ways of ambushing a tall and handsome man in a crowded school dance hall.

She smiled to herself.


"Hey…"

"Hmm?" Rukia turned to look at Ichigo. They were walking back home, after having helped out in the school hall decoration for the dance formal.

"Why did you reject Keigo just now?"

Rukia looked up. "I… I don't know. It would be just weird, you know… going as partners when we are just friends… I don't know…" Rukia tapped her chin with her finger thoughtfully.

Ichigo turned back to the pavement. "Right."

They walked together in silence.

"So who did you ask?" Rukia smiled at Ichigo.

"Huh? W-What do you mean?"

"To the dance formal. It's less than a week away."

"I… Well, I… I'm like you so I would not like going with friends as partners, as well." Ichigo stuck his hands in his pockets and looked away.

Rukia nodded absently.

They walked on.

"Say, Rukia…"

"Yeah?"

"You… I mean, I…"

"Ichigo, what's wrong with you??" Rukia turned to him and burst out laughing. "You look like a tomato!!!"

"Hey, shut up!"

"No no!" Rukia chortled. "You look like a Ichigo* (strawberry)!!!!" She bent over laughing.

"Shut up! I was trying to… to ask you to the dance!!!!"

Rukia's eyes widened as her laughter died instantly. She looked at Ichigo, who looked away sullenly, his cheeks still red.

"A-Ask me to the dance?"

"Yeah." Ichigo still did not look at her.

"Oh…" Rukia turned away herself, feeling her own cheeks heat up. "I mean, we are friends…"

"I know that."

"Err… so… I will see you at the dance anyway… so I guess…"

"I know."

Rukia looked at him. "I... Thank you for asking me anyway, Ichigo."

"....."


"Nii-sama."

Byakuya nodded as Rukia entered the room. He was sitting at the desk, with a staggering pile of paperwork.

"Err…"

Byakuya looked up at Rukia.

"What is it, Rukia?"

"I'm sorry about last night, Nii-sama. Causing so much trouble… and then taking up your sleeping place." She blushed slightly at the thought. She had woken up this morning in Byakuya's bed, before realizing she had slept the entire night there. She also realized that he had probably slept at his desk, in his uncomfortable chair. He was already gone though, when she awoke.

"It's alright." Byakuya turned back to his paperwork.

"Err…"

He looked up patiently again.

"Something else?"

"Y-

"YESSSSS!!!!!" The comical gruff voice sounded outside their door as Rukia whirled in shock. The door opened and Kurosaki Isshin entered the room happily.

"Rukia-chan!!!! I would like to thank you again for the marvelous tidying up of the house last night, despite your injury! The house is spotless now!!!"

Rukia nodded dumbly, as Byakuya watched on silently.

"And…" Isshin lifted a finger and winked. "I heard you have had a couple of suitors for the upcoming dance at school!!! Even my harebrained Ichigo asked you out!!!!"

Rukia felt her cheeks heat up instantly. "N-No… it's just Keigo and Ichigo were really nice and…" She trailed off softly.

"HA HA HA!!! Well, pick well, Rukia-chan! Byakuya-san. I'm off!!!!!" Isshin waltzed away and closed the door.

Rukia turned back dumbly to Byakuya.

"You were saying, Rukia?"

"Ah… Oh, well… Orihime's taking us out shopping for dresses for the dance and she thought you might like to come as well."

Byakuya looked at her silently for a minute. Rukia lowered her eyes nervously. "Okay."

Rukia nodded uncomfortably and turned to her closet.

"Asano Keigo and Kurosaki Ichigo both asked you to the dance?"

Rukia turned back at Byakuya's deep voice.

"H-Hai."

A beat.

"What did you say?"

"I… I politely told them no. It would be rather-

Her words were cut off when twin loud beeps were heard in the room. Recognising one as her own, Rukia dashed to the closet.

"Hollow!"

She turned to her Nii-sama, who had also produced a silver sleek Soul phone of his own.

Two flashes, and both Byakuya and Rukia waved to their owners as the two Shinigamis disappeared into the night.


Byakuya halted as they neared the area, and Rukia stopped behind him. They could both sense it now that they were near.

"Rukia."

"'The reiatsu…" Rukia's eyes narrowed. "It's so much bigger than a normal Hollow. Only a sole reiatsu… and at…" Her expression was both of disbelief and worry. "… at Arrancar level."

"Be on your guard, Rukia."

"Hai, Nii-sama."

Byakuya Flashed forwards, Rukia right behind him. They arrived at the spot where the foreign intrusion had been detected. Byakuya's grey eyes scanned the quiet area slowly.

Nothing moved. And yet…

His grey eyes waited, cool and emotionless.

The air seemed so still, almost deceivingly still…

Byakuya turned at the sudden whoosh of wind and Flashed off the spot he was standing as a pale hand pierced the air, right where his heart would have been seconds ago.

"Nii-sama!"

Byakuya did not say anything, and looked forward at the newcomer now standing in front of him.

"Very fast, I'm amazed." The figure turned, and both Rukia and Byakuya saw a plain-looking man with short white hair. He had thick eyebrows and wore a simple white robe. But there was no Hollow mask on him anywhere, he looked like an ordinary man and yet the powerful pounding reiatsu continued flowing out from where he stood.

"You both are… Shinigamis." The man smiled as he observed them.

"Who are you?" Rukia asked.

"Me?" The man smiled again. "My name is Miedo. Nice to meet you."

"Aizen Sosuke is dead," Byakuya said in his cold voice. "Is this an after-death plan of his? To send an Espada here… at this time? And have that Espada control the fluctuating strength of Hollows to wreak havoc in the real world? I do not see any reason behind it."

The man's brows furrowed. "Who is this Aizen Sosuke? And Espada? What is that? I'm not an Espada, whatever it is."

Rukia frowned and turned to Byakuya.

"And what might be your intentions here then?" the Shinigami captain addressed the intruder.

"My intentions are purely to spread… fear."

He shot forwards in a maniacal grin towards Rukia. Her eyes widened and she reached for her zanpakutou. He pushed his hand forwards to puncture her body and…

… hit the blade.

Rukia's eyes widened. Her hands were just about to draw Sode no Shirayuki.

Standing in front of Rukia, Byakuya swung Senbonzakura out in a slash towards the stranger and he flew back a few paces, kicking up a trail of dust. But no sooner had he landed on the ground, he shot towards Byakuya again. Byakuya brought Senbonzakura in front of him and…

The sound of blade against blade collided in the silence.

Byakuya's eyes widened.

"Zanpakutou," he said, staring at the thin, steel-grey katana in the stranger's hand. "Who are you?"

The stranger answered with a smile, before slashing at Byakuya. Byakuya brought his sword down to hold the shot and retaliated with a blow near Miedo's arm.

In the next half hour, two figures flashed repeatedly back and forth between Earth and sky, the clanging of blades marking the tight battle. The ground shook whenever both men landed, trading slashes. The wind whooshed out, blowing Rukia's hair wildly about her face. She watched worriedly, disturbed that the Espada-like entity could keep up with Nii-sama's speed and power.

"You are an Espada," Byakuya remarked coolly as he flashed down to the ground. "A zanpakutou of your own… and use of Sonido… you have to be an Arrancar, at the least."

The man smiled. "Righto. I am an Arrancar, but I do not know what is this Espada you are talking about." Rukia turned to him and saw the large red spot slowly spreading across his white robe. Nii-sama had apparently succeeded in cutting him across the shoulder. Quickly, she looked at Nii-sama, trying to see if he was injured. He appeared unscathed.

"Then where is your Hollow mask?"

The man smiled knowingly. "If you defeat me, I will let you know."

Byakuya's eyes narrowed.

Miedo smirked.

"As you wish."

And the Arrancar's eyes widened as Byakuya held Senbonzakura out in his hand, before dropping the katana. It fell and dissolved into the ground, as energy waves rippled out from the point of contact.

"Bankai."

Rukia watched her brother, in awe and fear. What was going to happen?

"Rukia." Hearing her name, she quickly looked up.

"It might get rough in here. I would like you to stay close to me."

Quickly, Rukia took two steps in his direction, but still a safe distance away.

She almost heard Byakuya sigh inwardly. "You might want to pick a closer spot, if you do not wish to be blown away later."

Closer? Was this not close enough? She stepped closer, and stood directly behind him. She could easily lift her hand and touch him from where she was standing.

Satisfied, Byakuya looked straight at the Arrancar.

"Shire, Senbonzakura kageyoshi."

The deadly two rows of gigantic blades rose on either side of Byakuya and Rukia, as the former kept his steel grey eyes on the Arrancar.

"Feel fortunate that you have the chance to witness the magnificence of a Bankai."

Rukia held herself steady as the rows of blades exploded into an infinity of deadly pink petals, as the powerful force blew out everywhere. She watched as a pink wave built above them before zooming in on the figure in front of them.

So fast, so powerful, so lethal.

Nii-sama did not move, did not even say anything. Completely controlling Senbonzakura with his thoughts and will. Rukia watched as the millions of tiny blades joined in a single powerful force towards the Arrancar.

Miedo smiled.

And he was gone as the pink wave smashed into the ground, blowing up a enormous crater in the middle and a lot of rubble into the air. Rukia gasped but the petals immediately diverted to the left, where she managed to get a glimpse of the Arrancar just before he disappeared. The pink webs of petals moved at lightning speed, following Miedo's every move, as he continually evaded them. It was a blur of pink everywhere Rukia looked. The wind blew up against her face, almost painful in her eyes but she kept them open. She wanted to see the battle, wanted to see Nii-sama finally capture the Arrancar. And despite the danger, it was a breathtaking view from here, right in the center, watching the beautiful yet deadly petals form complex formations and motions, and with the very man who was controlling them.

Suddenly, Rukia felt something rush at her from behind and immediately turned around. Her eyes widened as she saw Miedo heading right for her, his blade pointed straight at her heart. His expression was one of mixed frustration and anger, and his white hair blew out in every direction.

She gasped. She wasn't going to…

A layer of pink petals flew from four directions in front of her, forming an orb-like shield that clashed magnificently against Miedo's blade. Rukia immediately noticed the long arm that was stretched out in front of her, the first real movement of Nii-sama she had seen since he unleashed his Bankai.

With the movement of his hands, the speed of the petals doubled and they pressed firmly into the Arrancar's blade, sending him hurtling back into the sky. And behind him, the rest of the petals formed a spider's web of death as the pink wave shot him straight into it.

"Too slow." Rukia heard Nii-sama's deep voice.

The force collided in a powerful explosion of pink and white in the air, before a figure was seen shooting down to the ground in the midst of the smoke. The Arrancar hit the ground hard, and Rukia felt her feet shake below her. The petals slowly died down in ferocity and speed, floating slowly with the wind.

"Nii-sama!"

Byakuya looked ahead as his eyes narrowed.

The figure was struggling up from the ground, bleeding at every part of his body. The Arrancar had been defeated. He clung onto his Zanpakutou as he tried to find his feet, enduring the pain of the injuries from a thousand blades.

He breathed hard, blood flowing down the side of his face, as he looked back at the impassive Shinigami Captain.

"Die, Shinigami."

Byakuya looked back at him, not saying anything.

"I… I will KILL you!!!! And I will make sure you die a slow, and painful death! Far from reality… and in all your deepest fears!"

The Arrancar gripped his Zanpakutou and raised it in front of him.

"Diffuse, Nos Terrorem."

The simple grey and white katana rose slowly from his hand into the air, as if suspended by invisible strings. Then as they watched, the sword slowly disappeared, dissolving into thin air; blade, hilt and everything.

Byakuya's eyes narrowed.

Miedo smiled at them, as nothing seemed to happen except that he just lost his zanpakutou to the air around them.

Byakuya gripped his own Zanpakutou hard, as his grey eyes stayed carefully on the Arrancar. He saw Miedo turn to Rukia and Byakuya's eyes widened.

It can't be.

Immediately, he heard the tortured scream that emitted from her. It was unlike any sound he had ever heard from Rukia. She sounded as if she was in the worst pain of her life and she could not do anything about it. It sounded so excruciating, so helpless, so… fearful.

Byakuya flashed-stepped in front of Rukia to shield her and placed his hand gently on her head.

"Rukia." He called her name, steadfast.

"No… no… please… no…"

He did not know what was wrong with her, she was trembling and her eyes were so wide in terror and shock. He watched her, as she continued stuttering and shaking. Even by shielding her from the Arrancar, he could not protect her.

"Rukia?" He reached out and peered at her worriedly.

"P-Please… no… no…"

Her eyes. Even though they were so wide, they were out of focus and staring. She was seeing something, something he could not see. Something the Arrancar was making her see.

"Rukia, it's okay. Look at me."

He heard her gasp in fright, but he did not think it was because of what he said. He did not even think she could hear, or see him.

He felt his own brand of fear and anxiety creep into his heart. Rukia…

She gasped again, and shook even more as he held her. "No! Don't!... No please!... K-Kaien-dono!!!!"

Byakuya's eyes widened.

But Rukia continued shaking, and stuttering, and before Byakuya could stop her, she had sank to the ground.

"No… no!!!!" She gasped again, and began rocking backwards and forwards on the ground. It pained Byakuya to see her like that, as he hurriedly knelt next to her.

"I-I… ICHIGO!!!"

"Rukia, it's not real. Listen to me!" Byakuya raised his voice, but it was to no effect.

"N-No please! I-It… can't…"

Rukia suddenly jerked forcefully, and Byakuya reached out to hold her still.

"NO!!!! Please!!!! N-Nii-s-sama!!!!"

Byakuya's looked at her in shock, but she continued trembling, her movements getting more violent with every second that passed.

"Rukia, I'm here. Look at me. Listen to me!"

Byakuya saw the flash of silver and immediately brought his hand out, summoning the pink petals as an orb around himself and Rukia.

"Hmm… still very alert… even with all the emotional issues flying around…" Miedo smiled as he removed his blade from the barrier, and flew back a few paces.

Byakuya stood up. "What did you do to her?" His voice was a deadly whisper.

Miedo smiled in pride. "Nos Terrorem. Terror. Everything everyone fears, that desperate feeling of fear. The essence of my Zanpakutou seeps into you and summons your most terrible fear from deep down in your heart, and bring you into the realm where there is no escape, away from any other concrete feelings, away from reality. And that is what I am here for. To show you fear."

"Now that I've told, you, shall we have a little demonstration?"

He turned to Byakuya and smiled.

There was no way for Byakuya to avoid this. His eyes widened, and then he saw it. Saw… heard the voices…

Byakuya gripped his Zanpakutou hard to keep his hand from trembling, as his heart pounded fast. He was lost, it was impossible to fight this. He could not see anything else, hear anything else.

No, please…

His knees felt weak, he was going to crumble. Somewhere far off, he could feel the shield of his blades slowly fade away, his power diminishing.

No!

He tried hard to drown out the voices, close his eyes so he could not see.

This is not really what is happening, not what I am seeing, nor what I am hearing.

But he could not stop his hand trembling.

And I will make sure you die a slow, and painful death… far from reality… He could faintly heard his blade shaking as he tried hard to grip his Zanpakutou firmly. His blade…

Bring you into the realm where there is no escape, away from any other concrete feelings… away from reality…

Concrete feelings... reality...

Shut it out… just a second… shut it out…

The blade...

He took a deep breath, trying to ignore everything around him. Focus on the hand… his blade… there it is… even if you don't seem to be lifting it…

He gripped his Zanpakutou and brought it up in a slash.

Blood sprayed into the air.

Miedo's eyes widened in shock. Then his mouth curved into an evil smile. "Very good, Shinigami."

Byakuya looked up at him, his grey eyes calm and unaffected. And completely in focus.

Blood dripped from the Sixth Division Captain's right arm.

"How did you work that out?" Miedo smiled, though the smile did not reach his eyes.

"You said you would bring us far from reality and deliver us into fear, away from other concrete feelings. Besides fear…"

The crimson drops continued to dot the ground.

"… pain is a very concrete feeling."

"And bleeding… is reality. So these sort of nightmares are very easy to awake from. In fact, they are very much… insignificant."

"Oh really?" The Arrancar tried to smile despite bristling in anger.

Byakuya did not say anything but Flashed to Rukia's side. She was still trembling on the ground, and Byakuya felt that familiar ache in his heart. He peered at her closely and saw her face. Her cheeks were wet, and tears continued to stream down her face.

Rukia was crying.

Byakuya raised Senbonzakura in front of her. In a flash, he swiped the zanpakutou cleanly across Rukia's arm, cutting shallow through the skin in a crimson line.

Rukia's violet eyes immediately cleared and she gasped. Quickly, her eyes diverted to the man in front of her.

"N-NII-SAMA!!!!!!"

Before Byakuya could stop her, Rukia threw her arms around him and held on tight. "N-Nii-sama, d-don't!!!!! Don't… Don't die please!!!!!"

His grey eyes, wide from shock, slowly softened as he gently pried her hands away from him. "Rukia, it was just an illusion," he stated in a soft voice.

Rukia looked at him, her face smudged up and wet. "I-Illusion?"

Byakuya nodded. "It's alright now." He straightened back and stood up.

"So what are you going to do? Blood dries up sooner or later and then what? Keep cutting yourself until you have no more blood left? The end result is still the same… Death." Miedo smirked.

"No. I will no longer need to cut myself after this. This will all end before my blood dries up."

Byakuya walked forward.

"Now it is my turn to show you the real… fear."

The crimson drops of Byakuya's blood on the ground began to glow and lift up in particles of spiritual force. The spiritual energy rays spread out around Byakuya with Rukia next to him, and Miedo. These rays then shot up to the sky and unite in a dazzling pink glow.

As the light faded, Rukia gasped as she took in her surroundings. Thousands of glowing pink swords surrounded them in a dark blue background, floating in four continuously rotating rows. They appeared to be in some sort of orb-like barrier, with all these swords surrounding them. They were now all caged in, at least until the battle came to an end. Until one of them defeated the other.

"Senkei Senbonzakura kageyoshi."

Rukia eyes widened. She had heard stories of this Senkei form of Senbonzakura, though rumours had it that only two people had ever witnessed it. They called it the most menacing of Senbonzakura forms and as Rukia looked at the revolving swords, she felt her heart pound fast even though she was on Nii-sama's side. Ichigo had once told her he was terrified out of his wits when he was caged in with her Nii-sama during her rescue in Soul Society.

The Arrancar looked about as much as Rukia felt. He was frozen, staring at the multitude of swords continuosly moving through their rows.

Byakuya raised his arm as spiritual power emanated from it. The rows stopped moving and a single glowing sword detached itself and fell into Byakuya's hand, immediately taking form into a normal sealed Senbonzakura.

"Rukia, do you trust me?" Rukia looked up shock at her Nii-sama. He was not looking at her, his eyes kept ahead of him.

"Y-Yes, Nii-sama."

"Then do not move from where you are standing, no matter what."

Rukia's eyes widened. "B-But…"

"No matter what. Especially if you see me getting injured. In terms of fleeing, I believe you will not need to move away because-

Byakuya finally turned to her, his grey eyes unreadable. "… he will not reach you."

He will not reach you.

Rukia's eyes widened even more.

"Do I make myself clear?"

Rukia, do you trust me?

"H-Hai."

Byakuya nodded and started to turn back to the combat.

"N-Nii-sama!!"

His head turned slightly.

"Please… be careful."

He was gone in the next second.


Rukia's hand clenched into trembling fists, as she held herself back from joining into the battle. She would only distract Nii-sama, and trouble him from using his full abilities during the fight.

Stay safe, please…

She tried to banish the fear of what she had seen for the excruciating period of time before Nii-sama had cut her to "awaken" her.

She watched as Byakuya fought against the Arrancar. The blade seemed to be more lethal in Senkei form, as she watched Nii-sama deposit a shallow yet severe slash across Miedo's left arm.

They Flashed on the ground, mid-air, not being able to move too far away from each other due to the barrier. Blood continued to drop to the ground, but they were not Byakuya's.

Rukia clenched her hands so hard she could feel her nails biting into her skin.

Nii-sama…

She watched as both of them Flashed back to the ground, Byakuya in front of her and Miedo facing them.

"So this is what you have been doing? You invoke the deepest of fears in Hollows, causing them to go berserk and consume more human souls?" Byakuya questioned, his blood-stained sword in his hand.

Miedo was badly injured but he still stood straight and looked Byakuya in the eye. "The greatest fear of all is fear of Death. Everyone fears Death, even the bravest of men and the kindest of souls. Of fearing you would die, and fade away like ashes in the wind into nothingness, forgotten and forsaken. From the fear of Death stems the will to survive, the will to get stronger. To be the last one standing. Yes, I make them feel the fear of Death mostly, since that is the strongest of fears. And so, they have to eat… to get stronger… to not… die."

Rukia saw something pass in the Arrancar's eyes but it was gone the moment she tried to get another look.

"Shall we then, Shinigami?" He held out his Zanpakutou and the wind whooshed out as Miedo unleashed the bulk of his spiritual energy in his blade.

For the final fight.

Byakuya held out his, and Rukia had to shield herself against the enormous reiatsu blowing out from Byakuya's core. It was enormous, gigantic, unrestrained power. Byakuya's eyes narrowed.

The rows of swords stopped rotating...

And they charged at each other.

Rukia closed her eyes as she braced herself. When the force came, the ground everywhere shook and the spiritual force blew out in every direction as both overwhelming entities clashed.

Please… please…

She opened them to see Miedo facing her, though a little distance away. He smiled at her, and she could almost sense a sad tiredness in him. Nii-sama was on the other side, facing in the other direction.

"You are very brave, Arrancar." Both Rukia and Miedo heard Byakuya's deep tone. Miedo smiled even more.

"I once fought an Arrancar much like yourself, who had the power to gain sovereignty over any object his multiple eye touches. He attempted his power on me, and then her. I had to injure myself... just to be free of that power, just like how I did with yours." Miedo looked at Rukia at Byakuya's words. "I cut him down in the end. But you are much braver. Both of you knew you were going to die, but you stood tall and took it in the end. And for someone who utilizes fear, it is essential for one not to fear… at all."

Miedo slowly turned to Byakuya.

"But there is one thing you should know, Arrancar." Byakuya turned to him as well. "We do not fear Death. Because we are…"

"… Death Gods."

Blood sprayed into the air from the wound across Miedo's chest. Rukia's eyes widened.

"I would like to know... do you fear Death?" The Shinigami Captain looked straight at the Arrancar.

Miedo smiled. "Yes."

"Be warned though…" He lifted his eyes to the impassive Sixth Division Captain before him.

"The fear is not to end here."

And the Arrancar dissipated into the wind as black ashes of death.


"Does it hurt, Rukia?"

Rukia shook her head and moved her arm a little. "It was a clean and shallow cut, Nii-sama. Thank you."

Byakuya nodded and put down the tray of bandages and medication. They were now back home, and patching up each others' injuries. Byakuya had carried a trembling Rukia (her limbs refused to obey her) and Flash-stepped across town back to the Kurosaki residence where they took up their respective gigais. Rukia had now recovered a little and was now sitting on his bed, Byakuya in his chair.

"H-How about yours, Nii-sama?

"It will heal fast."

Rukia nodded, and Byakuya turned away to put the tray back on the table.

"Don't you want to ask me what it is I saw?"

Hearing her voice, Byakuya turned back to Rukia. She had curled her knees up and put her head down on them, as she sat on the bed. She had her back against the wall, and kept her hands around her knees. The fear had apparently stayed… a little.

"You saw something bad happen to…" Byakuya hesitated. "… Shiba Kaien, Kurosaki Ichigo and myself."

Rukia nodded, but she did not look at him. "I… All of you were…"

Byakuya already knew the answer before Rukia turned to him with wide, uncertain eyes.

"… dead."

"Rukia, Kurosaki Ichigo is more than a match for any opponent… and I…"

"Nii-sama."

Byakuya turned to Rukia. Her voice was suddenly soft.

"Can you come closer?"

Byakuya looked at her. She did not blush, as she smoothed the sheets and covers, implying that closer would mean joining her on the bed.

He stopped a while, before rising out of his chair and walking over to her. He got onto the bed, and sat with his back also against the wall next to the huddled figure, though a little far off.

Rukia took a deep breath.

"Remember you asked me… whether… I liked… him?"

Byakuya turned to her. His eyes were a misty grey. He slowly nodded.

The fireworks.

The rooftop.

Shiba Kaien.

"Actually… I did."

Byakuya looked away. "I see."

"I… He was the first person who treated me for who I am, undaunted by the Kuchiki name then. He also did not partake in the gossips behind my back that I only got into the squad solely because of the noble family background." Rukia stopped a while as her breathing got a little heavier. "He trained me… and he was strict, he wanted me to get stronger. He also…" Rukia struggled and had to stop again but Byakuya stayed silent.

"… was the one who was open and caring to me at that time when no one else was."

Byakuya did not move, neither did he speak.

"I-I didn't really love him as i-in a lover's love… I knew he had a wife and I was full of admiration for her… but sometimes I can't help feeling what it would be like to be his woman… the one he cared for and loved the most…"

Rukia laughed slightly, though the laugh sounded painful. "It was just a workplace crush."

"He was so good to me, wanted the best for me and… and I…" Rukia's breath suddenly hitched in her throat and Byakuya turned to her.

"… I killed him."

Rukia felt the tears welling in her eyes. She hurriedly wiped them off, laughing to cover up her pathetic condition. I shouldn't have mentioned this, knew I would be a mess…

"This is stupid, Nii-sama. Forgive me."

She looked up at her Nii-sama. He was suddenly so near to her. He had moved closer. Without realizing it, Rukia had also slid nearer to him.

"I would like to listen, if you would like to tell me."

Rukia looked up in wide-eyed surprise, but Byakuya continued looking at her calmly. Then she opened her mouth.

"I-I killed him… a-and… t-to kill someone you love… y-you cannot imagine how it feels like… t-to see their blood on your hands…" Rukia lifted her trembling hands. "… to feel their dead weight on your body… and then…" A fresh wave of tears overwhelmed her.

"… to hear them say thank y-you…"

Rukia's tears streamed down her face. "I-It… killed me."

"And now… Ichigo… you probably already noticed but h-he looks like h-him very much… we've shared so many things between each other… and it's just… I can't let him… this time, I need to protect him from leaving me the way K-Kaien-dono…" Her tears started coming out again, but she did not feel like laughing anymore. "I-I can't let him die…" The tears streamed down her cheeks. "It will be too… It will be… losing… all over… again. And if that happens, I will… I will really die."

"You can't die." The words came out harsh from Byakuya's mouth.

Rukia looked up in shock. Byakuya himself seemed stunned momentarily by his own words. Then he looked at her, as his face smoothened back, serene.

"You won't die."

A hand touched her wet cheek, hesitant and very, very tentative. Rukia's eyes widened but she did not move away. Using his thumb, Byakuya stroked her tears away.

Rukia hiccupped slightly. "Nii-sama, I'm sorry."

Fresh tears welled up in her eyes again. She couldn't see properly. She felt Byakuya's firm arms turn her to him, and she did the only thing she wanted to do.

She leaned into his chest, and smothered her sobs in the front of his shirt.

"Rukia, it's okay to cry."

"N-"

"There is no Nii-sama here."

Byakuya held her tenderly as she cried.

Open up to me, Rukia.


Rukia stirred slightly, and opened her eyes slowly. Bright sunlight. She blinked, and started to rub her eyes. She felt dried streaks on her face and remembered.

Rukia, it's okay to cry.

You can't die.

Nii-sama…

She remembered crying so hard in her Nii-sama's arms. Crying so hard the front of his shirt was wet from her tears. Crying so hard she was short of breath, in between the hiccups and sniffles. And his arms, tight and protective around her… she could still almost feel them…

She looked down and gasped.

Strong arms were around her, holding her in place.

Slowly, she looked up. Byakuya's eyes were closed, his head leaning against the wall, his arms around her. Rukia had apparently cried herself to sleep while clinging onto her Nii-sama, and he had not moved away. He did not lie down on the bed, he had kept himself upright, and kept her right in his arms.

Rukia felt her face grow hot. She wondered what she should do. Move? But that would wake Nii-sama up. Stay like this? But this was so… wrong… though it did not exactly feel horrible this way…

Rukia gave herself a mental slap. 'What are you thinking?'

Byakuya saved the conflict for her in that moment. His eyelids fluttered a little, and then opened slowly. He looked down at Rukia, whose wide eyes were staring up at him. A beat and then…

The grey orbs widened in Byakuya's face. He quickly removed his hands from around Rukia, and she hurriedly scooted away from him.

"Good morning, Rukia," Byakuya greeted her, as Rukia kept her head down.

"Good morning, N… Nii-sama."

They were still both on the bed, Byakuya sitting at the head of the bed, Rukia at the foot. Noting that, Byakuya quickly stood up.

He turned to Rukia, whose usual red was creeping over her face. "How are you feeling now?"

Rukia looked up in surprise. Byakuya stared at her. "F… Fine."

"Better?"

"Y… Yes." And as she said so, Rukia realized something. She did feel better, much better. It was good, to have let everything out now. Though it meant Nii-sama now knew a secret part of her life she had always kept away and let no one in on it. He had invaded a very private part of her life… but she was grateful for it. The burden weighing on her had lessened somewhat.

Byakuya nodded, and turned to the bathroom.

"Nii-sama!"

He turned at the voice.

"I… Thank you."

He nodded, and closed the bathroom door.


Byakuya turned on the tap, and let the cold water run over his hands as he thought back on the events last night. Rukia had never cried in front of him before. She looked so weak, so helpless and it pained him a lot. But then she had opened her mouth and he had heard everything about her guilt and her fear.

And about Shiba Kaien.

So she had loved him. Byakuya always knew she did. That much was obvious from her excited expressions whenever his name was mentioned, and her neverending adoration for the lieutenant.

Byakuya had not liked the man. Shiba Kaien held a certain disregard for rules and formalities, a feature in the commoners Byakuya detested so much. He was rude, loud, brash… Rukia should not have loved someone like that.

But then he had heard those words from her own lips, and they cut through him and weighed his heart down with guilt.

He was the one who was open and caring to me at that time when no one else was.

That time. It would have been the initial years during her adoption into the Kuchiki family. Byakuya had distanced himself from her the minute she stepped into his household. He did not once look full at her, and their only conversations concerned work reports and routine formal greetings. Nothing else.

No heart-to-heart conversations, no how-was-your-day exchanges.

Nothing.

He shared nothing of his world with her. Did not want anything to do with her, except the name link and adoption papers between them.

Though he would be lying if he said Rukia was happy with that and he knew that she expected, wanted more from him. He often caught her staring at him with curiosity and sometimes, breathless admiration. And whenever he ignored her, which happened on the frequent side, he knew she was hurt and disappointed. And that was the reason she learnt fast to never show much of her true self in front of him ever again.

But last night… last night had been completely different.

You know nothing about Rukia, and yet you wonder why she finds solace and companionship in other people and other places.

Kazumasa had been right. She had been hurt and slighted by the distance he had put between them. She had loved Shiba Kaien, because he had won his place right into her heart.

Byakuya had felt an initial ripple of anger then at her confession. What commoner would have been so deserving of her love and attention? But that anger was quickly swept away by the pain he felt as he watched the trembling girl slowly fall apart in front of him, her tears streaming down her face. He also felt grateful… grateful that Rukia had allowed him into the deepest and darkest of feelings she kept in her heart.

And in that moment, he had wished for Shiba Kaien to be alive again. If only to see Rukia smile from the pain, if only to erase that eternal black mark from her past. He would have Shiba Kaien live again if he could, despite how much he hated the man.

But he could not do anything as he watched Rukia tremble and cry next to him. It hurt him, pained him. And all Byakuya wanted to do…

… was to hold her. To hold her in his arms, to have her cry all her tears away while he kept her safe and close to him. He had made the decision while his hands trembled by his sides. He had lifted his hand and touched her face, and wiped her tears away. And when she did not seem to shrink away, he had placed his arms around her and pulled her gently to him so she could have… just one shoulder to cry onjust one sanctuary to find solace in… if only for that night.

And when her tears had dried, he heard her peaceful breathing and her small hands slowly relax on his chest. Her head leaned in and she fell asleep right in his arms.

He had served his purpose. She was alright now and he should let her go and place her back on the bed. It was wrong, already wrong for a brother like him to hold his sister like this, even if it was out of concern and care.

But in that moment, he did not want to let her go. And so they had both fell asleep in each other's arms.

And for the first time in his life, Byakuya fully regretted not having made the effort to get close, just a little closer to Rukia.

He regretted it, but there was no other way.

Byakuya closed his eyes, as he leaned over the sink.

It is for both our own good.


And there you have it, Chapter 12!! I cannot describe fight scenes that well (which is why I avoided full use of them in "Teach me How to Love"), but I tried my best so I hope you like it. It was rather hard for me to develop a new character, especially in combat. A few interesting things to note about this chapter:

1) Miedo, I believe, is "fear" in Spanish. I think... feel free to correct me though if I'm wrong. :)

2) 'In Terrorem' means 'To Frighten'... however, coz 'In' sounds weird, I substituted it with 'Nos' which means 'Us'. So... 'Frighten Us'? Anyway, that's the message... and I think Nos Terrorem sounds kinda cool... Lol :D

3) Anyone felt sorry for Miedo as he died? I suddenly felt sorry for him as I was writing and I was like "Hey, that's not how it's supposed to be! He's the bad guy!" But there's just only so much to hate charaters with integrity, even if they are weak. :)

4) Because I'm not really that creative, you might have noticed that the fight scene between Byakuya and Miedo and Miedo's specialty itself are a hybrid of the Byakuya/Zommari and Byakuya/Ichigo fights. The fear power is an exclusive creation of mine, but the fights are a little of the Ichigo and Zommari mix. And I felt Rukia would get a kick of being in the Senkei as well... so I put her in... :)

5) And of course, the ByaRuki ever-progressing relationship!! I really liked the after-battle part when I was writing it, so hope you did too!! It is actually my dream come true because I've always wanted a ByaRuki story to explore fully their past and feelings... I was toying with the idea during "Teach me How to Love" but I never really got to expand Rukia's side due to time constraints so I'm really happy I got to do it here! Hope you liked it. :)

Oh, I had plans for Chapter 13 to be big... but I've moved it back one chapter to Chapter 14... as I have cut this Chapter 12 into two parts... Lol, I'm just trying to buy some time...lol... I will try my best to make Chapter 13 interesting before the important chapter 14. :D

And because it's near that time of the year, MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!!! I will be baking gingerbread and also making chili con carne on Sunday with my supervisor in her house in the hills. Sounds fun... just hope I don't blow up the oven :D Enjoy the festivities with your loved ones, and friends! I'm far from my family right now and missing them (though I'm having my own share of enjoyment and hell here, lol), so do appreciate the ones you have managed to keep close to you. :) The next chappie probably won't come out until after Christmas... or would you guys like a Christmas present?? Lol :D

And as usual, please please review and tell me what you think... and support me to write!!! :)