Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, I don't own WoW. Myself, I am owned by WannaBeNinja. :) Tessah and Serrelle are my own personal minions. They do as I say! Reika Arakaki belongs to my Master, WannaBeNinja. She has been kind enough to allow this humble minion to borrow her character for special appearances in this story.


Special dedication of this chapter goes to my master,
the one and only WannaBeNinja!! BOW TO HER!
And read her stories -nods- My Sanity is basically
some of the many strange conversations we have, but in
the world of Bleach. WOOTNESS!

This chapter also comes with a recommendation of
reading ArjetLuna's story Reborn. The chapter posted
today was HOT HOT HOT! OMG The story itself is just freakin
awesome! It just sucks you right in.

Again...my husband has yet to proof this one. He'll get around to it
tomorrow mebbie. Same as always, if you spot an error LEMME KNOW!
Not telling me is like letting me walk around all day with lettuce in my teeth
or something. (That HAS happened too and it SUCKED)


RECAP

Mayuri was fiddling with a vial, preparing to inject her with an experimental drug, when he felt a familiar spiritual pressure drawing near. 'Dear me, it seems I've run out of time already. Now how is that? Tsk tsk'

"Alright gentlemen, I'm finished with her for now. As promised, she's all yours." He said in a suspiciously polite voice, already walking towards the door. He tossed them a backwards wave and vanished.

Serrelle sighed when she heard he was leaving. She allowed her body relaxed a bit, the torture was over. She hadn't even heard the last of it; she was so relieved to be free of him. The guards moved towards her now and she looked up expectantly. They were smiling down at her now, a dangerous gleam in their eyes. Her breath froze in her lungs, her lips paused a breath before speaking out. It was the same look she had seen on Captain Zaraki's face when he had stared at Lieutenant Arakaki…only much worse.

Chapter 12

The flimsy silk of her dress tore with a loud rip as it was pulled roughly away from her. She gasped as the air hit her bare flesh, causing her skin to prickle. Her arms tried to cover her exposed chest automatically. She moaned when she remembered she could not. Hot tears poured down her cheeks again, her head shaking from side to side. She tried to hang her head to hide her shame, only to have it jerked up roughly.

"Pretty little thing, isn't she?" the man said to his companion. His friend snickered in response, tugging at the silken loincloth that still covered her.

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Byakuya was almost to the Senzaikyu when he felt Kurotsuchi's spiritual pressure moving away. He paused, debating to follow the other man or to continue to the cell. He could have taken her with him, though it seemed doubtful. It would have served no purpose, him sneaking around in the night, if he meant to steal her away so blatantly. His gut told him she was still there. Mayuri must have sensed him coming and fled. He only hoped she was unharmed.

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Trailing behind Byakuya, Renji pushed forward. He felt an ominous reiatsu fleeing the Senzaikyu and he was sure his Captain had felt it too.

"Kurotsuchi, you bastard" he cursed.

The next time some bird starts pecking at him like that, he swore he would listen. 'Tessah will never forgive me if that freak hurt her sister. Oh gods I hope she's okay. Faster feet! Faster!' His speed picked up after some mental urging, but his legs were starting to burn. He didn't think he'd ever run this fast before. It still wasn't fast enough.

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They were arguing over who would go first, laughing about the ways they would violate her. Bile rose in her throat as she listened. She tried again to rise off the chair, but her body was completely unresponsive. It was no use.

One of the guards heard her strained grunt and leaned in towards her, holding his face close. Her nose wrinkled automatically at the smell of his sour breath.

"Don't be in such a rush baby, I'll be with you soon enough."

"Let's flip a coin, heads you first. Tails, I go first." The other one rumbled, his voice booming through the cell. The more excited he got, the louder he spoke.

"Fine, but keep it down asshole."

"Che. No one is going to hear anything. You could take that gag off her and let her scream. There aren't any barracks, bars or residences anywhere close enough to hear."

The other man just 'hmphed' flipping the coin into the air. He caught it on its downward arc, slapping it down on top of his hand.

"Damnit. Tails."

The loud man grinned happily, walking over to their captive. Jerking the cloth down, he pulled the gag free. "Go ahead. Scream. I'll turn me on."

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He was almost to the expansive bridge that connected to the top of the Senzaikyu when he began to doubt himself. What if Mayuri had taken her with him after all? Renji was following close behind him and he could check the cell for her. Doubts plaguing him, he turned to follow Kurotsuchi.

A piercing scream reached his ears just as he was turning. It was his name. She was screaming for him, calling out his name... Fear gripped him, closing tightly around his throat. Mayuri was gone, but Serrelle was not out of danger. He spun, turning back the way he was originally heading. He reached the bridge in seconds. There was a faint spiritual pressure ahead. 'One of the guards' he thought as he charged ahead. Growing closer, he could see one man standing in front of the open door, keeping watch.

He gave the man little time to react as he approached, vanishing from sight halfway across the wide expanse. He reappeared directly in front of the man, elbow catching the guard square in the throat. Byakuya never even slowed as the blow landed, flinging the other man inside the cell.

"Byakuya!!"

Serrelle screamed his name again when she saw him, her voice choked with relief. The man who had been assaulting her held his hands up in surrender. He cowered as the Captain drew near, sweat pouring down his face as he watched the man finger the hilt of his sword.

"C-captain…" he stammered.

Byakuya's hand wrapped entirely around the hilt, placing his other hand on the scabbard, thumb pushing the blade free an inch.

"Captain Kuchiki!" yelled Renji as he slid into the room, out of breath.

He knew if the other man drew his sword, he would be committing a first-class offense and thereby breaking the law. He could see the decision warring on his superiors face. The killing intent would have filled the room had spiritual pressure not been sealed away in this chamber.

"I will not sully my sword with the likes of you" Byakuya said after an agonizingly long moment, taking his hand away from his sword.

Renji seized the opportunity and rushed in. Striking the other man at the back of his neck, dropping him instantly. Byakuya barely gave him a nod before stripping off his haori and using it to cover Serrelle.

"Are you alright?" he asked her softly.

"I…thought…you'd never…come" she said between sobs.

He stroked her cheek lightly with his thumb. It pained him to see her this way. His innocent little doll, broken. If they had stolen her virtue he would kill them, laws be damned. Renji cleared his throat, pulling him away from her face. The redhead had tossed the first man over his shoulder and was holding the other by the scruff.

"I'm going to drop these two off in a cell and see about a replacement guard."

Byakuya nodded and his Lieutenant began to move away. He had only gotten a few feet before the other man spoke.

"Lieutenant Abarai." Renji stopped, not bothering to turn around. He already knew what the man was going to say and he had the same thing in mind.

"Select the new guards personally."

"Way ahead of you on that" he said, walking out and dragging the man's body behind him.

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Cutting away the ropes, he pulled her free and lifted her, holding her tightly to his body. She winced and let out a sharp cry when his hand brushed over the wound on her back. Frowning, he walked behind her and saw dried blood surrounding a small puncture on her spine, just above her shoulder blades.

"Who did this to you?" he asked.

He knew the answer, but he wanted to hear it from her lips. Lifting her, he held her gently in his arms, carrying her out of the tower.

"That horrible man, the one with the painted face." She whispered as they walked, wishing she could actually grip the haori that covered her. It was already in danger of falling off.

Byakuya stopped just outside the Senzaikyu and set her feet on the ground. They gave way immediately, forcing him to catch her before she fell. Holding her tightly to him, he peered down into her frightened eyes.

"Serrelle…" he began. It dawned on him that she had not moved on her own once since he arrived. He was supporting her weight entirely.

She was weeping again. "Kuro-kurotsuchi….he…he paralyzed me, but…I can still feel…EVERYTHING!"

The last word she wailed loudly. The experience was still all too fresh in her mind. The pain, the never ending torment that had been inflicted while holding her completely helpless. Cut off from Elune, she couldn't even heal herself. Had Tessah been here, she could have at least cured the poison. It was still coursing through her veins.

Eyes softening, he lowered her to the ground, turning her slightly to examine the wound on her back. It looked deep, a quarter inch wide hole burrowed directly into the spine. It made him burn with rage almost as much as it made him want to hold her and soothe her aches away.

"I'm going to heal this for you." He spoke quietly, already using kido to close the wound. His voice was tight, desperately trying to mask his rage, his pain. "Is this the only place you are hurt?"

Whimpering, she shook her head, looking down at her exposed left arm. It was riddled with needle marks on the inside of her elbow. Rage welled up inside him again. Kurotsuchi had overstepped himself. It was a grave mistake. He would see to it that the man did not escape punishment as he was so prone to do. It was not the first time he had disobeyed orders. If he had anything to do with it, it would certainly be the last.

Byakuya tried to ignore that other voice in his mind that was shouting, demanding to be heard. 'She is MINE. How dare he, how dare ANYONE touch what is mine?!' He was heavily considering having the two guards quietly disposed of. Kurotsuchi, he would have to take formal routes. The guards…it was tempting. He wanted them gone, dead for even thinking of touching her.

Turning her, he cradled her head in one arm and began to heal those wounds as well. Watery blue eyes stared up at him, quietly observing his expression. Pretending he could not feel them watching so closely, he tried to draw her attention away from him.

"Those guards, did they hurt you?" he asked, dreading her answer. He was not certain he had arrived in time. Her eyes fell, seeking escape from that piercing, smoky gaze.

With his gentle prodding, she turned her face back to him, shame now mirrored in those glowing pools. "No…I mean…" A blush rose in her cheeks. "Other than humiliating me…no"

Slowly he let out the breath he had been holding. Her innocence had not been compromised. The worst of the damage was already healed away thanks to his kido.

"Thank you" she whispered shyly, peeking at him through lidded eyes.

He lifted her off up again, returning to the cell. He was trying to form a response when she leaned her head against his shoulder, nuzzling his neck lightly. It made him aware of his arms and hands across her bare skin, the haori providing covering only her chest and part of her legs and just barely at that.

Placing her body atop the small bed, he studiously tried to avoid looking at her barely concealed flesh. "Perhaps I should put the haori on you" he said quietly, staring at the western bed as though it was his first time seeing it.

Serrelle's jaw twitched in response. He was trying to help, she knew, but she had no desire to be seen unclothed again. It had been a mortifying experience. Never before had she felt so degraded. It was not a feeling she wished to undergo once more.

"I will keep my eyes closed, if that would ease your discomfort."

Dark, full lips trembled into a smile. The man was truly not as uncaring as he wished everyone to think. Nodding, she silently agreed to his proposal. It would help. She'd been shamed enough this night; she did not need further scrutiny, even if it was from him. 'You didn't seem to mind the idea when you were kissing him the other day…' whispered a voice inside her head. Already she could feel her cheeks heating from the thought. It was true, which embarrassed her further.

As promised, Byakuya closed his eyes, though not before he caught the verecund blush that darkened the skin on her cheeks. It was no easy task, he realized, as he fumbled with supporting her body in one arm and attempting to maneuver the haori coat in the other. When the side of his hand brushed against her bare stomach, he both heard and felt her sharp intake of breath. A small frown formed on his face. Did she believe he'd done that on purpose? Did she doubt his honor? Or was she perhaps still reeling from the trauma?

Prickles formed across her skin, radiating outward from where Byakuya's hand had lightly touched her. It had reminded her of his fondling before. The way his hands had moved across the thin silk of her dress, caressing her. It brought a sigh of pleasure from her lips before she could stop it. Looking warily at him, she watched is frown deepen, his brows furrowed in what she assumed was confusion.

Shifting her to his other arm, he pulled the haori over her back, hooking it on her shoulder while he floundered about, searching for her arm. 'Why did she sigh like that? Is she angry with me?' The tightly shut lids twitched. He would have liked to look upon her countenance at this very moment. Of course, his mind chose to torment him with the possibilities of gazing upon things other than that lovely face of hers. Tightening his face, he managed a surprisingly good glare for someone who held their eyes closed.

Serrelle did not miss the angry look on his face, though she mistakenly thought it was directed at her. 'Oh goddess he knows!' the panicked thought danced through her mind. 'He knows, and he is angry with me!' Her brain commanded her body to move, to pull away, but it was still having none of it. The drug was fading at least. She was still rendered immobile, but a tingling sensation was beginning to form in her arms and legs. As though they had been asleep and were only now awakening. In her haste to explain herself, she blurted out an apology.

"I'm so sorry, it's just that, it reminded me of…of…" she stuttered, searching for a tactful way to say it. "It made me think of the other day, and…I didn't mean to! It's just that when you touched me…I…"

Her words died out when she looked back at his face and saw him staring into her own. Her heart skipped a beat at the look in his eyes. It did not seem to be anger, but she was unable to place an accurate description on it. It was not a look she'd seen before, from anyone.

"You are not…upset?" Her unexpected apology had thrown him off track, forgetting himself enough to open the eyes he'd just promised to keep closed.

Her cheeks grew dark as the blood rushed to her face. "Well, no…I daresay I relished it. It's all I've been able to think about these past two days…"

Byakuya's jaw grew slack in response to her confession. He'd read her all wrong, he hadn't even understood what her apology had been in reference to. She…relished his touch? She'd thought of nothing but it since then? It seemed he was not the only one plagued by it. Her lips had been so soft…

Taking a quick peek up at him, she saw the dark eyes had softened, along with the rest of his face. They held a faraway look to them now. Much like the expression he had that day, that moment. A tingling sensation spiraled repeatedly in her stomach. They were so close now, dangerously close. A new heat began to build, centering between her thighs. The spark flickered, growing as his hand reached up and cupped her cheek. The odd feeling in her stomach ran amok, electrifying the very blood that coursed wildly through her veins. It was getting stronger as he was coming closer…'so close'…

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Landing on her outstretched finger, the little bird relayed the recent events to a graceful figure. Tessah was sitting atop a rock above the waterfall, staring out into the night. Worry nagged at her and it grew the more she learned. She was glad she had the foresight to leave the little one to watch over her sister when she could not be there herself.

When the little bird told her of its difficulties waking Renji she let out a sharp bark of laughter. Startled, the bird ruffled its feathers and scolded her with a myriad of tiny chirps.

"Oh, don't be angry my friend. I should have told him to expect you. I appreciate your troubles, may Elune watch over you and Cenarius shelter your path."

The blackbird blinked, cocking its head to the side for a moment before taking flight. He would return to his post, along with his friends, keeping watch over her dear sister. Renji should have arrived in her cell by now. Elune send that she was alright. She would strip his hide if harm had come to Serrelle because he wasted time arguing with her messenger.

Picking up the staff she had recently crafted, she rose from her seat. Entering the Seireitei was dangerous for her, but it was risk she was willing to take. She doubted Renji would be stopping by to fill her in. She would just have to take matters into her own hands.

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His knuckles were starting to ache, covered in the blood of one Koji Namikawa, a non-seated officer of Squad 12. One of Kurotsuchi's henchmen as he liked to think. This was the man who had been seconds away from raping an innocent woman. His friend was lying in the cell beside him with a crushed windpipe. The man needed medical attention, but Renji was in no hurry to provide it.

"Please! I've told you everything that I know" pleaded Namikawa, his hands clasped together.

The back of Renji's hand connected with the man's face, jerking it to the side. "Whiny little bitch" he muttered.

Koji began to sob loudly "Kurotsuchi-taichou gave us permission…he said it was okay--"

He cut off as the wind was knocked out of him. Renji's knee now firmly planted in the man's stomach.

"Since when is it okay to rape someone?! You're just as twisted as Kurotsuchi, you sick fuck" he said, dropping his elbow on the man's spine as he fell forward.

Namikawa fell to the floor in a bloody heap, gasping for air. Renji made a sound of disgust and left him there. He slammed the cell door shut on his way out, stopping to speak to the guard on duty.

"Send someone from Squad 4 over here to take care of their wounds. Tell 'em to take their time about it."

The guard nodded, a smirk on his face. He was a member of Squad 11, violence was amusing to him, in fact, he might just have a little fun with the prisoners himself. He also held a tremendous amount of respect for Lieutenant Abarai, who had been a member of Squad 11 just a few years back. He'd make certain Squad 4 did not receive that message for a little while longer.

Renji wiped the blood off his hands onto his yukata. It was ruined already; Namikawa had managed to bleed all over it. Grumbling to himself, he stepped back out into the night. Now it was time to find replacements for the Senzaikyu. He knew just who to go to.


a/n: Can I get some reviews? Puh-lease?! I'm starting to think you people hate me. This story has been around 3 weeks exactly and has 1069 hits (as of right now) and yet the only reviewers are my two wonderful friends WannaBe and Angil. WHATS THE DEAL YA'LL?? I don't think I suck...you people make me wonder though! A simple 'I liked it' would take like two seconds...Anon reviews are enabled too!! -cries- I need some love!! -buries herself in Bya's haori- oooh...soft...mmmmm

On another note...I'm on like...cup 7 of sake. So yeah...if there are typos...now you know why. HAHAHAHAH Iz also 5:30 in the AM. My vision is blurry for more than one reason -nods-