Disclaimer: - I don't own Bleach. Kubo Tite owns Bleach.

WARNING MASSIVE SPOILERS

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Explanations

Rukia and Renji arrived back to Soul Society late at night, utterly exhausted. Nevertheless Renji walked Rukia home before departing for his own quarters. They discussed the Captains meeting the next day, preparing what they were to report on. Although he wouldn't admit it, it was Renji's first report as a Captain, and he was a little nervous. They agreed to meet up early the next day to fine tune their report before going to the Gotei 13 meeting hall.

Rukia walked down the dark hallway through the gardens. The smell of midnight Sakura blossoms greeted her nose. As she passed the grand hall, she noticed the lights were still on. Her brother was still up. Wearily, Rukia carried the small box to her room. She barely had enough time to buy the pens and writing pad promised to Ichigo. Knowing that it was a gift for someone else, she couldn't help but smile at the thought of Ichigo hiding his kindness under that veneer of ice. Instead she had got him another present from herself, a pack of juice poppers she intended to share with him.

As she opened the door, a field of Chappies greeted her sight. Just from the doorway, she could see Chappy on her bed, her dresser, and her wardrobe. The white bunny filled every other flat surface imaginable. Her jaw hung open as she struggled to find air. Surprise changed to jubilation as she ran out to find her brother.

"Nii-sama" she watched her manners.

"You're back," Byakuya was as bland as ever.

She knelt beside him, keeping a straight face. "Thank you for the gifts. Nii-sama."

She knew that he knew she liked Chappy, his reply however, left her muddled "They were not from me."

"Who…?"

"They are gifts from Kurosaki," he opened his eyes and carefully observed her reaction.

"Ichigo!?" she staggered, then suspicion crept in. "What did he want?"

"Nothing. He arrived one morning, unannounced, simply to give you those gifts."

Speechless, she was perplexed by her own emotions and hoped it didn't show on her face. She fingered the box she had brought in. Byakuya noticed her fidgeting and broke the silence. "Is that a gift for Kurosaki?"

"Yes."

Byakuya motioned for one of the maids to enter, instructing her to deliver the package to Ichigo. Rukia protested. "Nii-sama. I wish to give this to him personally."

"You are forbidden to approach him."

"What!" seeing the disapproval in Byakuya's eyes she softened her tone. "Nii-sama. But why?"

She was sure, ever since the war, Byakuya had started to tolerate Ichigo. Not necessarily like him, but at least tolerated him and allowed her to maintain contact with him. Byakuya watched her expressions like a hawk. He wondered why it was Ichigo and only Ichigo that could drive Rukia to raise her voice around him.

"Hear me out Rukia," taking a deep breath he sought to explain. "Grandfather, the head of the Kuchiki House, has ordered that you are not to approach him. It seems your behaviour has been noticed by some other members of the house. Although I did not wish to interfere, I too disagree with your unseemly behaviour around Kurosaki. You are a noble and it is best that you act like one."

"Yes. Nii-sama," sounding not too pleased with what she was hearing.

"However, he has given Kurosaki permission to visit you through the proper channels."

"Proper channels?" Rukia asked warily.

"He has been allowed to approach you, if he comes here to ask permission first. Grandfather has granted him the right to court you should his intentions be pure."

"Court!" Rukia was alarmed. "You mean…"

"Marriage, Rukia. You should not be so surprised. You are of marrying age after all," Byakuya replied, his face, a mirror of calm. "Furthermore Kurosaki has agreed."

Agreed! Rukia was flabbergasted, not only at the sudden announcement, but also at the fact that Ichigo had agreed. She couldn't fathom why she felt a twinge of happiness nor could she fight the pinkness spreading across her face. She quickly excused herself, leaving her box with the maids, and shut herself in her room. She was tired, but her conversation with Byakuya all but guaranteed a restless night.


Renji met her early the next morning, outside the Kuchiki mansion. He was surprised when she came out beside the imposing figure of her brother. He was even more surprised to see the dark rings around her eyes and her pale, haggard complexion. They spoke little as they made their way to the Gotei Meeting hall.

When the pair arrived, all the captains were already present and stood in two parallel lines. Seated at the head was Captain Yamamoto Genryuusai of the 1st Division and Commander of the Gotei 13. Renji and Rukia stood before the old man nervously.

"Captain Abarai of the 5th Division. Reporting, Commander." Renji bowed.

"Kuchiki Rukia of the 13th Division, unseated. Reporting, Commander." Rukia knelt down on one knee keeping her eyes to the floor.

As was protocol, Yamamoto signaled for Renji to stand at ease while Rukia was to remain on the ground.

"Commander Yamamoto-san. We arrived at the real world one week ago. Since arrival to leaving we faced organized Hollow attacks twice in that time, both led by Gillian class Menos."

Renji went on to detail the fights, subsequent damages, damage control and an explanation of his Limit Lift request. Limits lifting times from request to authorization had been dramatically reduced since the return of the Arrancars but Captains were still required to personally explain their reasons to the Gotei if Arrancar were not involved. It was the subject of their meetings with Urahara Kisuke that he broached with more than a little trepidation. Although the former Captains treachery had been pardoned there was still mixed feelings about him, especially from the older Captains. As the official liaison officer between Soul Society and The real world forces, it was Renji's job now to check up on him.

"Urahara Kisuke has requested the assistance of more Shinigami, Commander. His forces are unable to act against the new wave of attacks. It seems someone who understands their world is behind all this and is able to utilize it to prevent them joining the battle," Renji finished.

Whispered discussions ran through the hall. Yamamoto raised his hands, bringing on silence. Turning to Rukia he asked. "Is there anything else you'd like to add to that report Kuchiki Rukia?"

Rukia thought for a moment, carefully weighing her words. "It is as Captain Abarai says, the real world is in need of Shinigami support due to the nature of these attacks. They suggest that the enemy is fully aware of the real world's defense capabilities. Except for the first time, when Aizen attacked the real world he was careful to preserve lives in order to create the Royal Key, Ou Ken (1). This time the enemy is not interested in it. They are more interested in having Urahara-sans forces immobilized. Whoever in command is aware of all the sides of the battle, their movements and strengths, and is relaying all that information to the Arrancar."

"Are you suggesting traitors among the Shinigami?" Kyouraku Shunsui, Captain of the 8th Division asked.

"If there are traitors, I'll find them and execute them personally," an irate Soifon commented.

"Surely you don't suspect a Captain do you, Rukia?" Ukitake Jyuushiro, Captain of the 13th Division, Rukia's Captain, asked.

"I did not say that, Captain. I'm merely saying whoever it is has a lot of in-depth information about Soul Society as well as the forces of the real world," Rukia defended herself.

The old Commander stared at Rukia through half opened eyes. His forehead furrowed in concentration as he slowly stroked his long white beard. He sat thinking for a while, half listening to the discussions between the various captains. At length, he finally dismissed them all, except for Byakuya, who he had wanted to see privately.


Tsukimoto Kenjimaru sat at the tea house, absent mindedly drinking his sake. He was waiting for his older brother, Tsukimoto Daimaru, to join him. It was late afternoon and the tea house, although small, was fairly busy, being located in the 3rd District of North Rukongai. Its patrons consisted mainly of the nobility or minor nobles here to relax after a hard day at Seireitei.

It wasn't long before his brother walked in. Like himself, Daimaru shared the same chocolate brown hair and square jaw line. Unlike himself, Daimaru was gaunt whereas he was muscular. His brother's chalky, tissue like skin, seemed somewhat translucent, giving him an almost skeletal appearance.

"So how has it been so far?" Daimaru asked as he sat down.

"Not very good. Nii-san."

They sat quietly as an attendant brought out another bottle sake and a plate of preserved daikon radish. Daimaru looked at his brother sternly, "What seems to be the problem?"

"He is a lot stronger than we thought. Even Kuchiki-sama had not expected him to be this strong."

"How strong is strong?"

Kenjimaru looked up at Daimaru, his eyes told his brother everything.

"That strong!" Daimaru said with a hint of surprise. "Guess he's not just a show pony then. I wonder what he's doing in the academy then?"

"I don't know his full power yet, but I think he is close, if not already the most powerful Shinigami among all the students," he whispered. "There's also no record of him ever dying, or entering Soul Society via normal means."

Daimaru knitted his eyebrows in deep concentration. "Well that may explain a fair bit, but I'll need to confirm a few things first. If I'm right, that would explain why we've been given new orders."

"Read it in private then destroy the letter. It's from Kuchiki-sama." He watched as Kenjimaru took the envelope and put it into his kimono before continuing. "Do your best Kenjimaru. I know you can do it. Do not fail Kuchiki-sama and one day we can revive our whole clan back to the glory it once held."

Kenjimaru's eyes steeled over. Anger seemed to build up within him. Daimaru reached over gently and patted his younger brother on the shoulder. A look of understanding passed between the two. "I promised father that I would revive the clan name, that I would make it glorious and well known throughout Seireitei."

Daimaru smiled before leaving his brother at the small tea house.


Ganjyu sat down against the cavern wall, huffing. Hyou and Yukino had been already training with him for some time. They were all drained from the evening's practice and beads of sweat lined their faces. Ganjyu had taken it upon himself to train these two in Zanjutsu and Hakudo, especially when Ichigo wasn't around. Tonight was one such night.

"Where's Kurosaki-san?" Hyou asked.

"I dunno." Ganjyu replied. Then remembering his promise to Ichigo, Ganjyu reached inside his kimono and withdrew a package. "Yamada-san. Ichigo asked me to give these to you."

Yukino took the package carefully, curious as to what it could be. A box fell out, which she gingerly opened. She knew what the writing pad was for but she was not familiar with the long sticks. Ganjyu, who had spent some time in the real world, knew exactly what it was. Smiling, he took it off her, clicking on the button at one end. "It's a pen!" he explained as he scribbled on her new notepad.

She looked at it in wonder and reached over to put the nib in her mouth.

"No, no. You don't need to do that anymore. Ichigo got it for you so that you don't have to get dirty trying to talk anymore."

She looked at Ganjyu incredulously as if she was just told the secrets to creation. Ganjyu clicked on the pen explaining, "These things are from the real world and they can write for a very long time, each," he emphasized the word pointing to her full box of pens. "They also don't need you to wet them as the ink doesn't dry easy. You just gotta click 'em back in when you're not using 'em so they don't dry."

"That's amazing!" Hyou exclaimed. "So Yamada-san will never need to lick anymore ink to write."

Ganjyu nodded. Yukino's eyes lit up, a look of pure ecstasy overcame her as she realised the implications of what this little tool could do for her life. She bowed heartily to Ganjyu, again and again.

Ganjyu raised his hands, laughing. "Easy Yamada-san, don't thank me! Thank Ichigo, he arranged it for ya!"

They sat down together basking in her joy, relaxing from the strict training regime that Ganjyu imposed on them.

"Shiba-san. How long have you known Kurosaki-san?" Hyou finally decided to ask.

Ganjyu smiled, his eyes glazed over. "5 years now nearly 6."

"What was he like back then?"

Ganjyu laughed a little. "He was a real brat all right. First time we met, we fought each other!"

"You fought?"

"Yeah, it's a long story, but back then I used to really hate Shinigami."

"What changed your mind?" Hyou asked although that wasn't the first question that came to his mind.

"Meeting Ichigo, Rukia. Getting involved with certain people. A lot of little things I suppose." Ganjyu sighed. Those days seemed so far away now.

"What made you decide to become a Shinigami in the end then Shiba-san?" Hyou and Yukino sat closer to him, becoming drawn into his story.

"Well, if I had to say what most made my choice, I'd say it was 'bout 2 years ago in the real world. My sister… she's really scary… well, she sent me into the real world to help out. Although the war was over, there was still some fighting going on. That's kinda when I met her."

"Her?" Hyou raised an eyebrow.

Ganjyu laughed a little. "Nah! Nothing like that kinda 'her'. It's a lot simpler than that. I guess there's no harm in telling you."

"I met her at a park. Her name was Sanae Miyoko. She was there with her parents I think. But then some Hollows attacked the park."

Ganjyu drifted to a time long ago, when he had visited the real world. The war was already over but there was still the occasional Menos and above, taking advantage of the diminished power of Soul Society. More than ever, the real world forces were crucial.

Ganjyu remembered that day. She was only around ten, having an outing with her parents, holding on to their hands. It didn't take long for him to realize something was wrong when she started screaming. "Mummy! Mummy! Stop that noise! It's scary!"

Her mother looked around but couldn't see the giant Hollow before them. She turned a worried look at her daughter. Before she could say anything, the Hollow struck. In one hand, it had decapitated both her parents. The girl stood there crying, not knowing what to do.

"What did you do to my mummy! Daddy!"

The metallic taste of blood on her face told her everything she didn't want to know.

"You can hear me child," the hollow laughed..

She couldn't respond, simply putting her hands forward and stumbling around as if somebody turned off all the lights in the world. As Ganjyu watched in horror sprinting to the scene, the Hollow raised its arm. It didn't look like she could see it.

The blood streamed from the fresh wound on his back as he rolled on the ground with the girl in his arms. He had just made it in time to snatch her from the clutches of the Hollow. He ran, firing a firework into the sky. "Don't worry little girl! I'll protect you!"

The girl reached up and put a hand over his face. "Who…Who are you?"

Her eyes were clear and unfocused. She kept touching his face. "Who are you? Where's mummy and daddy?"

"They're dead, girl. But don't worry, I'm here to save you." Ganjyu replied, looking for a place to hide, and hoping somebody had seen his fireworks.

"Save me? Mummy and daddy dead? How?" she cried.

"You… You can hear me?" he wasn't in a gigai.

"Of course I can, I'm blind not deaf! Where's mummy, daddy… what did you do with them?" she started getting hysterical.

"Shh..shh.. please. I need to fight the monster that killed your parents. Can you trust me so I can protect you?"

She touched his face again. Her scream was all Ganjyu needed to tell him he was struck from behind. A long talon through his shoulder poured more blood onto the poor girl. He held her close as he fell into the darkness. "Don't worry… I will… protect… you…"

"But you didn't die right?" Hyou interrupted. "So who saved you?"

"Well, let's just say it was a Dr. Isshin, but from what he told me it was actually Yoruichi that saved me and dumped me off at his clinic."

"Dr. Isshin?"

"He's a great Doctor from the real world, a nutcase most of the time, except when he's healing!"

Yukino was already developing the habit of chewing the butt of her pen. She held up the pad and Ganjyu read the neat handwriting, 'What happened to Miyoko?'

"Ah. Well, we were both injured so I talked to her a lot and told her a lot of stories. It took me over a month to get her to smile again but she did, eventually. By then I was coming and going from the clinic and helping out in the occasional fights that I could!" Ganjyu beamed at his self professed accomplishments. "She tried to make herself useful too, helping out Dr. Isshin and cheering up the other patients. But when her wounds healed, she had to leave. It seems it was the law in the real world."

"The law?"

"Yes, she was too young to look after herself so she was going to be sent to an Orphanage."

"You must have been sad."

Ganjyu gave the young man a dreamy look. He leaned back, with his hands behind his head, and continued with his story.

They had decided to go for a little walk together, with her clutching protectively at his hand. They had walked to an empty playground and the two of them sat down on the swings, gently rocking gently back and forth.

"Are you an angel?" she asked.

Ganjyu was startled. Where had this line of question come from?

"Are you my guardian angel? I think you are."

"What makes you say that?"

"Well, no one else can see you or hear you, except me and Dr Isshin. All the patients always ask me who I'm talking to. They must think I'm crazy or something," she added sadly.

Ganjyu patted gently on her head. "You're not crazy."

"I know. I know you're real. I can hear you and touch you. I can even feel you when you are around. I just know it when you're there," she confided. "You are my guardian angel aren't you?"

"Yes. Yes I am," Ganjyu managed a smile she couldn't see.

She grinned widely. "My own guardian angel! You must be really handsome then. And really brave too."

Ganjyu burst into a hearty laughter. "No, no. I'm just your average everyday guardian angel. Nothing special."

"You are special. I think you go and save a lot of people everyday. To me that's special," she turned her sightless eyes on him and became glum. "But you've been sad lately. I can feel it. Is it about me? Is it…"

She whimpered. Ganjyu did the only thing he could think of at that moment, and pulled her into a gentle hug.

"Do you have to go now?" she asked.

"Yes. I don't wanna leave but… I have to keep protecting people. Other little children need protecting as well."

"Are you sad because you have to leave…me?"

"Of course I am," and he was.

She touched his face running her fingers across its broad features. "You have a big nose!"

The two laughed. "Yep! I sure do!"

She held out her fist, her little finger extended. "Promise me you'll come to visit me sometimes and I promise to try to be happy."

Ganjyu linked his pinky with hers and answered solemnly. "Miyoko-chan. I promise."

"Promise you'll also save lots and lots of people. I know you can do it! I don't want anymore people to be sad like me."

"I promise."

Hyou sat there, mesmerized by his story. It was a while after Ganjyu finished that conversation started again.

"So you became a Shinigami because of a promise to a child?"

"Hahaha!" Ganjyu roared. "It's not that. She was more like the final straw. I was thinking about it for a while by then already, but certain things were stopping me."

Yukino held up her pad,'I think it's sweet. A promise is still a promise and it's a worthy promise after all.' She gave him a thumb of approval. It seems the possession of a pen had now opened the floodgates to her desire to communicate.

"Wow," Hyou stated wistfully. "It's been a long time coming, from hating Shinigami to becoming one. So tell me Shiba-san, who won that first fight, you or Kurosaki-san?"

"I ran out of time," guffawed Ganjyu. "Or else I would've won!"

"Isn't it ironic that you almost beat up a Shinigami you meet and now six years later your practically best buddies with him!" Hyou laughed.

"Yeah. Funny how life works."

"So," Hyou turned an interrogatory eye on Ganjyu, "Was Kurosaki-san a Shinigami six years ago?"

Ganjyu looked guiltily as if he was caught with his hand in a cookie jar. "Uh… No. Back then I beat him up 'cos he was a wannabe Shinigami!"

Hyou smiled and nodded and let it drop. He knew Ganjyu was lying.

End Chapter 12


(1) Ou Ken – "The Key of the King" translated in this fiction as the Royal Key

A/N: Thanks again to my editor Shannon for a great job. Merry Christmas to all and sorry this one was a bit late in coming! Hope you like it. Next is all Ichigo!!