AN: Here's a little piece of advice… Do NOT fall asleep in front of the TV while Handy Manny is on and you're thinking about Bleach story lines… I had one hell of a crossover involving Manny, Kelly and Orihime. It had something to do with fixing a draw bridge while going to a strawberry festival , Kelly fell down a coal shaft and Orihime used the power of her boobs to make Manny forget all about Kelly and on to the festival they went leaving her behind. But it was ok, because Kelly was rescued by a dragon… Yeah… I think I'll just file that one away… Waaay away…

Thank you!: KZShiro, Shadow Pain, ponypainter, XLightningX, janeway74656kat, Lunar Iris, Omili, Denidene, GoranR, Star Princess, KhempriIrisi, and everyone else reading!


Chapter 12

Toshiro was fuming to say the least when another knock on his door was heard. Matsumoto popped her head in and noticed the state of her former Taicho.

"Bad time?" She asked. When she didn't get a response she walked in and shut the door. "I need to talk to you about Momo."

Toshiro looked at her, his hands balled into fists. "I think I've had about enough of her for one day. Hell, make that a decade."

Her brows went up, and then came together. "Something happen?"

Toshiro went into their recent encounter. While it shouldn't have surprised her, she was shocked as to how far she went with her confession. In turn she told Toshiro of their conversation the previous night. That didn't help his mood at all.

"Do you think she had something to do with Rukia's kidnapping?" Toshiro grated out. It was already cold in the office. Matsumoto looked at him.

"If you're going to make it any colder in here, then we need to talk about this outside." She said as she rubbed her hands up and down her arms. Toshiro closed his eyes, took a deep breath and tried to relax. It was like unfolding a rusted up beach chair.

"I thought she was cured."

"I don't know. Something is definitely off with her though."

"You never answered my question. Do you think she had something to do with Rukia's kidnapping?"

Matsumoto sighed. "I certainly wouldn't rule it out."

"Momo would never intentionally hurt someone. She's not like that."

"She never used to be like that. Since being under Aizen's influence for so long can we really say for sure what she is or is not capable of? I never thought she would say the things she said to me last night either. But think about it. She's been acting strange ever since her release and ever since you chose Kuchiki-san over her."

"That's no reason for her to act like she is. She's talking about how I loved her and how she loves me now and…ugnh." He said, frustrated.

"She's jealous."

Toshiro glared at her. "That's no reason to hurt Rukia. If anything she should be mad at me. I'm the one not returning her feelings. Maybe once…a really long time ago when I thought I knew what love was."

"You did love her, in your own way."

"Yes. No…I don't know. I thought I did. I felt like I had to always protect her. I thought that's what love was. She was always there for me, with my grandmother, but when I'm with Rukia…it's different. I want to protect her, yes, but there's more."

"You feel complete when you're with her. You feel like something is missing when she's not there. Your skin is on fire when you touch, even something as small as brushing fingers as you pass a cup or a report." Matsumoto said wistfully.

"Ye-yeah," Toshiro said, clearing his throat.

"Aww! Our little Shiro is in love!"

"Stop it, Matsumoto!" he growled as he shot her another glare.

She smiled. "So, what should we do about Momo?"

"We start watching her. I'll talk to Soi Fon to see about getting a proper tail on her. She's good at sensing reiatsu so one of us tailing wouldn't be of any use."

"That's a good idea. How is Rukia by the way?"

"I don't know, I'm headed back over there. She freaked out this morning and Unohana is doing some more tests on her."

"Poor girl."


Taro was sitting in a booth at a ramin shop in the 40th district when a man approached him.

"You've done well. According to my subordinate, she will be down for the count for a while. I am very pleased with the results." The man said handing over an envelope.

Taro took it and opened it. Inside were several hundred large bills. "Not that I'm complaining, but this is more then what we agreed on."

"You have a way to reverse what you've done to her, yes?" He asked completely ignoring the other man's statement.

"Yeah," he said reluctantly, "but this isn't the way we usually do our business. The drug and its effects are our insurance that clients like you pay."

"This is a much better way to go now rather than risk getting caught with another kidnapping. While I appreciate all the planning you and my subordinate have done so far, I am very pleased with these results." He said as he sat back in his chair.

"So what do you want us to do now?" Taro asked.

"I want you to disappear. It won't take long for Unohana to figure out what's been done and I don't want you guys hanging around for someone else to find you. Not to mention once Hitsugaya finds out what's been done he will be sure to be hot on your trail."

"Yeah, Juro's not going to be pleased." He said with a sigh. He wasn't looking forward to telling his brother he can't have what he wants.

The man across from him quickly grew angry and leaned forward. "You tell that brother of yours he's lucky that Hitsugaya was more concerned with the girl then capturing him or he would be dead right now! I told you she was not to be harmed."

"Yeah, I've talked to him about that. He just doesn't understand."

"Understand this; the whole point in not harming her was to get her out of the way for a while till things settle. She is still a respected fukutaicho and if something permanent was to happen to her the entire Gotei 13 would be out for revenge. While you are powerful with your forbidden spells, you can't take on one Taicho, let alone all 13."

"So you're going to just let her mentally rot?"

"No, you are going to give me the drug that will counteract your insurance one. When the time is right I will dispense it."

Taro shook his head. "I thought types like you didn't want to get your hands dirty?" He asked as he fished through his shirt pocket.

"Oh, I won't physically do it myself. I have other people for that." He smiled as he took the vial. "It's been a pleasure." He said as he stood and left.

"Fuck," Taro said figuring out the best way to break the news to his brother.


"What do you mean she's going to get worse?" Toshiro's angry voice boomed, as the temperature dropped. Matsumoto put her hand on his shoulder.

"We're not sure of the cause. It could very well be a kido spell, we're just not sure. The tests have come back inconclusive so we've forwarded everything we have to the 12th. All we know is that she's getting worse," Unohana said in that calm voice of hers. Isane stood beside her, shivering.

"What happened?" he demanded.

Isane looked to her Taicho before proceeding. "She woke up during the examination thinking she was still in the Winter War. She thought Unohana Taicho was an Arrancar killing her brother. She thought I was her brother, dying in front of her," she said sadly. "She finally snapped out of it and we put her back to sleep."

Toshiro was speechless. Rangiku squeezed his shoulder. "When do you expect word back from the 12th?"

"You know Mayuri loves to take his time with these kinds of things. Rushing him will do no good." Unohana said. "However, I will be taking frequent walks over there."

"Can I see her?"

"Of course." He looked at Matsumoto who nodded and let him go.

Toshiro entered her room, eyes moving directly to the bed to the left of the door. She was lying there in what should have been a peaceful sleep. Her face was contorted, her body askew, her dreams obviously were not pleasant. He walked over to her and touched her hand. She immediately stilled, her face relaxed.

"What did they do to you?" he whispered. With his other hand he caressed her cheek and carefully smoothed out her hair. Her eyes fluttered open.

She looked over and tried to focus. Who was touching her? She saw the while hair and relaxed. "Toshiro?"

"Yeah, I'm here," he tightened his grip on her hand.

"What's going on? What's wrong with me?"

"That's what we're trying to find out."

"It was so real. I reached out and…and Nii-sama was there…" she looked at him, eyes full of pain and torment as she held her arm out. She looked at her hand, then back to him. He pulled her towards him and wrapped his arms around her. "Why is this happening?"

Toshiro closed his eyes and held them shut as he held her tighter. He didn't understand what was going on. He thought she was saved. He felt a wave of anger wash over him as he thought of that bastard naked and ready. What more did they do to her?

"Rukia, I'm going to go talk to a few people, I'll be back ok?" He released her and looked into her eyes. She had the same look as this morning. She was looking at him, but not seeing him. "Rukia?" Her expression changed as her hand flitted to her neck.

"No," she whispered.

"Rukia?"

Both hands were to her neck, clawing and pulling. "No," she said again.

"Rukia!" Toshiro grabbed her wrists and held them in front of her. Her neck was already showing red angry lines. She slowly turned to him.

"Hello? I know you're there," she said.

Matsumoto and Isane slowly and quietly came in. Toshiro knew they were there, but didn't take his eyes off of Rukia.

"What do you want with me?" She asked.

"Rukia?" he asked again.

"This might be when she first met the kidnappers. Do you think we might get anything useful if we let her play this out?" Matsumoto asked quietly. She already knew he wouldn't want her to. She looked at the concern on his face and touched his shoulder again. "Taicho?"

"Who are you?" Rukia asked again, her voice louder. This time Toshiro stayed quiet, but he held onto her wrists. He knew Matsumoto made sense. If they could learn anything, get a scrap of information, something to go on…Maybe, maybe they would find them and then they would pay. They will fix her and then he will deal with them.

He was snapped out of his thoughts and she threw her hands up. "Stay away!" He was about to say something when Matsumoto increased the pressure on his shoulder. He narrowed his eyes instead.

"No!" She yelled. He was forced to let go as she flung her body back and screamed. Toshiro drew his hands into fists as the temperature in the room grew colder.

"Enough!" he spat, "Rukia! Rukia!" he shouted while shaking her. "You're safe, Rukia!" She stopped screaming.

Matsumoto breathed a sigh of relief as did Isane.

"Safe?" asked Rukia quietly.

"Yes. You're with me…Toshiro. Remember? We took you from there and brought you home. You're in the 4th Division now."

"Home?" she asked as a whisper as if this was the dream. She closed her eyes. "I'm tired. Can I sleep for a little while?"

"Yes, of course you can," he replied. He kissed her forehead. "I'll be back to check on you later, ok?"

"You're not going to look at my chart and laugh, are you?"

"No," he said surprised. Taking a chance he said, "Who did that, Rukia?"

"Kira-Taicho. I couldn't hear what he said, but I know he was here. I heard him laugh…so tired…head…hurts…"

"Shhh, it's ok. You just rest now." Her eyes were closed and she was already breathing softly and evenly. Toshiro turned to see shocked faces on the two women behind him.

"Let's go, Matsumoto," he said as he was already through the door.


"YOU! This is ALL YOUR FAULT!" Momo screamed as she found her target as he was walking back to the higher districts. She unsheathed her sword and pointed it at the short, fat man.

"What are you talking about?" He asked turning to greet her.

"That vial of CRAP you gave me! I made a total fool out of myself and it's all YOUR FAULT!"

Taishoku put up his hands in defense, "Did you say the incantation correctly?"

"Of course I did! I said it twice!" she said getting closer.

"Are you sure he drank the contents?"

"Yes, I put it in the whore's morning tea at the 4th. When I saw him, I asked if he wanted some tea, he said he had some!"

"Ok, ok! Well then, are you sure he was once in love with you?" She stopped.

"He was. He had to be." She faltered.

"If he wasn't in love with you, it won't work. It doesn't create feelings; it only brings forth ones that were already once there."

"He did love me! He looked at me the same way he looks at that…that bitch!" she shrieked.

"Humph. That youngster? I wouldn't be surprised if he said he thought he loved you. How can one so young even know what real love is?"

"But he…he defended me…he…he…"

"Shinigami's are not supposed to have feelings, right? They're not supposed to love, right?"

"Matsumoto said he used to love me in "that way". "

"I don't know what to tell you. Maybe he loves this girl more?"

"Would that make a difference?" She asked, frowning.

"Of course, why do you think I asked you if you were sure he loved you? The stronger feelings always win out."

"Are you telling me he already loves her more than he ever loved me?" She looked like she had been smacked.

"That's what it looks like considering all the steps were followed properly."

"So there was no guarantee to begin with?"

"Nothing in life or death is guaranteed, my dear." He said as he turned to walk away.

"Hey! Want about the barrier? Don't you need me to get you in there?"

"No. New orders, we've done our job."

"So you're not going to go after her anymore?"

"Not for the client who hired us."

"Then I want to see Taro."

"Why?"

"I want to hire him." She said with a grin.

"I'll talk to him. Meet me back here tomorrow in front of that water stand over there," he said as he watched her smile. "No guarantees."

"Whatever just make sure he's here."


AN: Wow! Kira-kun what are you doing? Who are you working for? Hmm…