Disclaimer: Same as before, people. Everyone should know it by now.

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Chapter 12

"...Huh." Alex stood as still as a statue near her bathroom door. She had just finished taking a shower, so she had on her robe and a towel for her hair.

Bobo laid on her bed while reading a child's bedtime storybook. Once hearing the brown-haired girl, her blue eyes looked up from the book and at Alex. "Is there something the matter?"

Alex's eyebrows knitted themselves toward the other in slight frustration. "I...don't know. It feels like something's happening someplace else, and someone I know is in danger. I'm not sure if it's my intuition or not." The teenager made her way over to her dresser for her night wear. "But...do you think it's subconscious returning my memories to me?"

The little girl shrugged. "Maybe. Maybe not."

Alex sighed. Her arms limply fell to her sides. Green eyes stared up at her ceiling in deep thought. There had to be a reason for her sudden feeling. If Alex went over the events that happened so far, something just might come to her. Alright, let's see. A finger would go up with each thought. From what I remembered, there was the Menos Grande incident, the Soul Reaper that was sent here to talk to Rukia about something, Kon being one of the few mod souls left, and Rukia transferring her powers to Ichigo. Hm... If I could just remember exactly what that Soul Reaper said to Rukia... A short gasp left Alex in sudden realization.

"Alex? What's wrong now?" Bobo started to feel a bit uneasy. If Alex were to suddenly gasp after thinking over something for a long time, something had to be going on.

Silence flooded the room as no words were said between the two girl. Alex was the first to break the deadly silence. "Bobo, if you're able to, I need you to help me change into a Soul Reaper. It's important that you do so now."

Bobo didn't understand what was happening. But from the way Alex acted, it must be serious. "Well, I don't think that I can. I don't have the glove your friend Rukia uses, nor the cane Mr. Hat and Clogs has."

Alex whipped her head around to face Bobo. She used so much force that the towel wrapped around her hair fell down, allowing wet strands of brown hair fall to her shoulders. "Then how am I supposed to help Ichigo if I can't become a Soul Reaper?" She would have yelled had not it been for her family being in the same building as her. Alex shook her head and gave a soft smile. "Sorry, I tend to be a bit loud when frustrated. Please don't feel hurt."

Bobo smiled. "Oh, I don't cry or anything. I just whack people on the head whenever they need to snap out of it. So it's no big deal."

An eye twitched with irritation. "Really? Are you friggin' kidding me?"

"Nope!"

"I wasn't...never mind." Alex mumbled while getting dressed into a pair of black leggings and a red T-shirt with a pink Tulip and music notes circling around it. She left her hair be and would just have to deal with it. "Bobo, if I don't come back before morning-."

"I can have your room?" Bobo's eyes lit up.

Alex's brow twitched. The star-child would have been perfect as her little, annoying sister. "No. I was going to say that I will be at Urahara's Shop."

"Oh. How come?"

"...To make sure a certain bonehead stays alive." Alex reached up and touched her locket. It felt warm, and the blue light faded in and out of sight. Once she put on a pair of dark blue flats, Alex left to find Rukia.

Bobo watched after her with a worried face. "Alex...please make sure that you stay alive, too, okay?" She said in a soft voice. It's as if she really were Alex's younger sibling. Who could blame her? For the past couple of months, Bobo had the time of her life with Alex. Sure they didn't see eye to eye and would sometimes become confused with the other's words, mostly Alex, but the two of them were still able to understand one another. If anything were to happen to the brunette, Bobo would feel broken-hearted. But for now, all she could do was hope that nothing happens.

By the time Alex began her search, Rukia had reached a far enough distance away from the Kurosaki Clinic. She knew that it was time for her to leave. The Soul Society would come for her soon, and she couldn't just sit and relax knowing that someone was bound to arrive. So, once Rukia left Ichigo and Kon her farewell letter, she ran away.

Not a single sound was heard from Rukia save for her shoes' heels hitting the pavement. As she ran, memories of her time staying in this town started to flood her mind. The first one was the moment Ichigo became a Substitute Soul Reaper to save his sisters and Alex. Things and events of importance or joy to Rukia replayed in her head one after another. If I'm going to leave here one day, all of these memories will only be a burden. Compassion, friendship, and affection. They're a nuisance. All of these feelings aren't necessary for a Soul Reaper. They're unbecoming of me. Violet eyes stared at the ground. I've remained in this world for far too long. It's time to move on.

A moment of silence passed before someone yelled and brought Rukia out of her thoughts. "Yes! Finally get it, don't ya?"

Rukia stopped, whipping her head around while looking up an unknown figure watching her from above. They sat upon the top of a telephone pole. It seems that it was a Soul Reaper. And not just some random one, but the one with the tracking glass-wear and spiky, red hair.

He unsheathed his Zanpakuto and held it in place. The blade glinted off a bit of light as it stayed in a sort of curved position. "But you know, I really gotta hand it to ya. I'm very impressed! By sulking around so long here in this world, you actually managed to prolong what little life you have left, Rukia." He grinned down at said girl in a playful yet scary fashion.

Once getting a better look at the Soul Reaper, Rukia's eyes slightly widened with recognition. "Renji... What in the world are you doing here?"

Instead of answering, Renji jumped from the wooden pole with his sword raised high. Using both of his hands, he brought it down with a battle cry and would have gotten Rukia had she not barely moved out of the blade's path. As it met with the concrete, a burst of green energy shot out from his Zanpakuto.

The same grin was plastered on Renji's face as he looked up at the astonished girl. But it might have been a boasting smirk. The green energy soon faded away, allowing Rukia to see Renji's face more clearly. "So you're telling me that you had two hunters from the Soul Society lurking right behind you, but you were so lost in thought that you didn't even notice, huh?" White particles floated up from where Renji's sword hit the ground like small bubbles.

Rukia only stood there trembling with a surprised look in her eyes and on her face. Is this really the same Renji she knew before her departure for Karakura?

"I'll grant you that spent the last few months in that Gigai. But still, don't you think that you've grown just a little too lax?" Renji straightened himself up as he brought his sword up, laying it on his shoulder. The strength of his attack left multiple cracks in the ground. It almost looked like a crater. Smoke emitted from the sidewalk and dispersed entirely once Renji's Zanpakuto rose away from it. "Spit it out, Rukia."

She regained her composure and only stared at the red-haired man in front of her with a blank expression. Rukia mustn't show any signs of fear or anything of that nature. It's true, she was amazed at Renji's growth in power. But it didn't mean she would show it and give in that easily.

To help Rukia understand what he meant, "So where is the human who took all of your powers away from you?"

"What are you talking about? Just because I'm inside a Gigai right now, it doesn't mean I've lost any of my power! And anyway, why would you even think it was a human who took that power?" Rukia said defensively.

"It was a human." Renji's grin left his face and was replaced with a serious frown. He didn't have time for Rukia's little mind games. "It's obvious; just look at you! Otherwise, you wouldn't have that stupid human expression on your face."

Rukia could only widened her eyes, locking them in place as they stared out into the distance. Had she really become too lax the more she stayed in the World of the Living? Or is it that she subconsciously gained the characteristics of a human while spending time with Ichigo and the rest of his friends?

"You're a runt from the Rukon District like me, and yet you were taken in by the noble house of Kuchiki." Renji moved a few steps to the side as he faced the other way. "They put a lot of time and money into making you the perfect Soul Reaper, one of the elite. Huh, am I wrong? You're the great Rukia Kuchiki, aren't you?" He jabbed a finger at the one and only. Rukia only stared blankly at Renji. "Gaping like some worthless human! What the hell is the matter with you?" Just then, Cherry Blossom petals flew past them. "Right, Captain Kuchiki?" The second Soul Reaper appeared behind Rukia.

Rukia's eyes widened at the mention of her sibling. She turned her body halfway around with the same surprised look. A car passed by with the both of them as she finally spoke. "Byakuya... It's you, brother."

Byakuya Kuchiki looked down upon Rukia with a somewhat cold and blank look. "Rukia." His voice had no emotion in it. It was hard to whether or not he was happy or disappointed to see his sister.

While the two siblings had their small reunion, Renji readied his Zanpakuto, making his way toward Rukia. She turned her head around just in time before barely dodging his attack. As a result, small cut showed as a dark red liquid dripped out of the thin opening on her cheek. The force from Renji's blow caused Rukia to fly forward. She stopped herself short by using both of her hands and feet as they were dragged against the concrete.

"Passing on your Soul Reaper powers to a human is a grave sin." Renji stated with his blade positioned near Rukia while she stayed close to the ground. "Be glad the higher-ups were compassionate and let us handle this instead of the Execution Squad. Now, tell us where this human is, Rukia. It's over." Rukia straightened herself up, the wound on her face leaving a small trail of blood. "We're taking you in, and then we're going to find the human who stole your powers and kill him. Don't even try to protect him. You know what just happened." Renji raised his sword behind him using a single hand."The only reason why you dodged my attacks was because I let you dodge them. The next move I make with this blade...will be fatal."

Rukia began to step back at a steady pace. Renji did the exact opposite, trying to close the gap between him and Rukia. Byakuya watched silently, waiting for his subordinate to make his move. Both of them stopped as Renji took hold of the hilt with his hands and swung his sword, aiming it at Rukia. Said girl dodged it by leaping over Renji's head. The red-haired man grinned before jumping high into the air. Before landing on the sidewalk, he brought his sword down and aimed at Rukia.

For the umpteenth time, Rukia dodge yet another one of his attacks by pushing herself away from him. But she slipped and ended up tumbling like a log, She soon stood tall as she got up. However, she must have hit her arm hard while rolling against the concrete. Rukia was then forced to go down on both knees.

Renji saw this and took it as an opportunity to inflict the final blow. "This is it." He walked over to Rukia, raised his sword, and prepared to strike. But there was something glowing in his sword. It seemed like a reflection of an incoming projectile. "Huh?" Renji saw this just in time. He moved out of the way, barely avoiding it. His head turned and faced the one responsible for attacking him with a slight growl of frustration.

Up ahead was an unknown figure approaching the scene. "Two armed men attacking a defenseless young girl. I have to tell you, it's not a pretty sight." Revealing himself under the lamp-post's light was Uryu the Quincy. His wore casual clothing such as a blue, striped shirt with a dark blue cross and regular pants. He carried a plastic bag in one of his bandaged hands. "I don't know; it just isn't my style. Know what I mean?"

"Alright, kid, you can see us! So tell me, just who the hell are you?" Renji demanded.

Uryu adjusted his glasses using the hand that held his bag. "Just a classmate."

"Classmate, huh?"

"One who hates Soul Reapers."

Byakuya decided to examine the newcomer at a closer range. He immediately and quietly appeared behind Renji with the same blank face. Not a single sound left him.

Uryu? Rukia stood up with her hand still holding on to her injured arm. "Ishida, what are you doing here?"

"Just passing by. Nothing for you to worry about. But if you must know," he held up his plastic bag. "I had a sudden urge to go to Sunflower Seams, this all night thread shop I frequent. So I happened to be out for a stroll this evening and came across your little party. I mean, come on. It's not like I sensed the presence of Soul Reapers in this city and ran off into the night carrying a bag of needles and thread with me to use as an excuse when I finally caught up with you." A cartoonish star shined near Uryu's head as he explained.

Rukia sweat dropped as she stared at the glasses wearing boy. That's the worst lie I've ever heard. He's not that stupid.

"Although, I understand if you're skeptical." Without realizing it, something had cut Uryu's bag's plastic handles, leaving a slit on his wrist before it bled. He took his hand away from his glasses and looked at the damage.

"Hey! I just asked you a question." It seems like Renji was responsible. His blade now rested on his shoulder while his free hand was on his hip. "I said: who the hell are ya, kid?" The only response he got was silence. "Hey, that fine. You don't have to answer if you don't want you. We skip ahead to the part where I kill you." By now, the tip of his Zanpakuto pointed straight at Uryu.

Rukia stepped in front of Uryu. There was no need for anyone else to get involved in her problems. "Wait a minute, Renji. He's got nothing to do with it-!"

Uryu cut her off. "Just what are you talking about? I already gave you an answer. As I already told you, I'm a classmate of Rukia's, and I hate Soul Reapers."

"Well, I don't care much for your answer. So why don't you try again?" Renji retorted.

For a moment, Uryu stared back at Renji with a calm face. He closed his eyes before opening them again. "Uryu Ishida. It's a pleasure."

"Huh?" Renji slightly cocked his head to the side, his sword still aimed at Uryu. "What's with you all of a sudden?"

"Well, I just thought you had a right to know. You may be a Soul Reaper, but you should know the one that's about to kill you." Uryu adjusted his glasses, the light from the lamp-post glinted off of his lenses.

Renji's grip on his sword tightened as his entire body trembled. But it wasn't because of fear. A wide grin broke across Renji's face, one that belonged to a psychopath killer. "That settles it. I'm going to cut you in half!" His own vein throbbed near his temple. This was not going to be a pleasant sight. An aggravated Renji would most likely result in disaster or destruction.

"For the love of crud! Where the heck is Rukia?" Alex cursed to herself while leaning on her knees. She panted heavily after running for so long. For at least ten or fifteen minutes, Alex searched for the raven-haired Soul Reaper. Think, Alex. Where had Renji and Byakuya stopped Rukia from going any further? A flashback slowly faded into her mind, showing Uryu facing off with Renji. The scene faded away, and Alex finally remembered the exact location. Her legs hurriedly ran into the direction of her destination, hoping that nothing serious has happened yet.

"But what are you going to do when you get there?" Bobo's voice echoed in Alex's head. It caused her to slow down and actually think for a second.

"...What am I going to do? I'm not able to change into a Soul Reaper. And without any other way, I'm stuck as a human." Alex whispered to herself. She stopped altogether, green eyes staring at the ground with a lost look in them. "How can I do anything if I don't have the power to do so?" Both hands clenched themselves into tight, frustrated fists. "Screw it! Just because I'm a human, it doesn't mean that I'm weak! At least I know that I tried to help!" With that in mind, Alex broke out into a run to where Rukia and Uryu were. A few minutes passed by before the teenage girl was able to find her friends. But it seems that she was too late.

Uryu fell face forward on the hard, cold concrete. Renji must have badly beaten him. "Well, well, looks like you were nothing but talk." Renji stood over Uryu's body. Coughing could be heard from the Quincy as the wound he received oozed out his crimson blood. Renji knew that this fight was over before it even started. If this guy thought that he could actually kill me, there must have been something wrong with his head. No one way am I letting some brat talk big at me without getting away with!

Rukia watched as Uryu struggled to somehow stop the bleeding from his injury. Her attention went back to Renji with a worried look. Renji's strong. He's even stronger than before! I can barely move, let alone stop him. If only I had known that he and brother followed me this entire time, none of this would have, and Uryu wouldn't be on the ground in such bad shape. Out of the corner of her eyes, Rukia saw yet another shadowed figure in the distance, along with the sensation of a certain person's spirit energy. Wait a second...could it be? Oh, no! If Alex doesn't run now, she'll surely end up just like Uryu! There must be a way for me to warn her. Luckily, Renji hasn't noticed Alex just yet.

As sneakingly as she could, Rukia tried giving Alex a sign to leave immediately and to find a safe place for her to hide in. But it was no use. The brunette brushed off her warnings with a slight shake of her head. Why, Alex? Why did you come here? You haven't even changed into a Soul Reaper! How do you plan on beating either one of them with your powers? Did you not witness the power and strength Renji beholds? There is a very slim chance that you will even last ten seconds against a real Soul Reaper.

Renji probably didn't see Alex while he advanced toward Uryu. "Now then, let's finish this off, shall we?" He raised his Zanpakuto and held it there. "Remember this as you part this world: Renji Abarai is the name of the man who killed you."

"Hold on!" Rukia spun around and tried to prevent Uryu from getting killed.

Nonetheless, Renji brought his sword down with full force. "Pleasure knowing ya!" Suddenly, the ground underneath cracked and broke off into different shapes and sizes. An unknown blue energy was the cause of the powerful strike. Renji was forced back, landing on a gate built on the other side of the sidewalk. He saw that another guest arrived for the party. "So who in hell's name are you?"

Standing high and tall with the tip of his over-sized Zanpakuto pointed downward was none other than the orange-haired, Substitute Soul Reaper. "The name is Ichigo. I'm the one who's gonna beat your beat ass. How's it going?" All but Byakuya stared at Ichigo in shock.

"Wearing a Shihakusho? I don't know you; what squad are you from?" Renji asked in curiosity. His eyes then saw the sword now resting on Ichigo's shoulder. "Check out that over-grown Zanpakuto!"

"Oh, yeah? So, you're saying I got a big one, huh? It's funny. To tell you the truth, I've been thinking this thing looked kinda big compared to Rukia's and Alex's blade. But you know, I've gotta say. Up until now, I haven't had anything else to compare it to." Ichigo said. He stood behind a smoking crater that was a result of his powerful attack.

"Ichigo..." Alex then noticed that Uryu was still hurt. In a stealth-like manner, she rushed over to his side and knelt down next to him. Uryu saw her and tried forcing out her name. But with the pain and continuous loss of blood, he had a difficult time doing so. Alex gently shook her head, letting him know that he didn't need to say a word. With the few healing techniques Rukia taught her, Alex used her Kido to attempt to close Uryu's wounds.

Renji realized something else about Ichigo's sword. "The size of it reflects a Soul Reaper's spirit energy. How did a snot-nosed, little brat get a sword that size? Is he for real?" He thought aloud.

Rukia inched a step closer with a worried face. Ichigo, you fool! Why did you come?

"Oh, I get it." Renji brought Rukia's eyes to him. "You're the lowly human who took Rukia's powers, aren't ya, Carrot Top?" Ichigo didn't exactly follow, but it didn't matter to him. Now that Renji knows who's responsible for the theft of Rukia's powers, he could deal with him right here and now. He sprang up into air and swung his own Zanpakuto down on Ichigo's. The attack was blocked, but that wouldn't stop him. "Come on! Come on! What's wrong? Is that big sword just for show? Huh?" Their blades repeatedly clashed against the other's, sparks flying in all directions.

Finally, Ichigo was able to push Renji back, far enough for him to strike. He used both of his hands to swing his sword down. But unfortunately, Renji easily dodged it as he leaped high over his head.

Renji took this as a chance to strike from behind. With one slash from his blade, Renji forced Ichigo to drop to his knees with a dumbfounded expression. Blood shot out of Ichigo's right shoulder before he grabbed onto it. Both Rukia and Alex's eyes widened.

"Ichigo!" Alex shouted with a strained voice.

You're going to hate me for this, but I have to end the chapter. Don't worry! I will hurry with the next update. So no getting impatient on me, ya hear?

See you next time!