To Love A Little Ichigo

by ShadowWolf XIII

After drinking something from the twelfth division Ichigo has turned nine again! That's not the only problem, he has to stay in Byakuya Kuchiki's manor! Even Byakuya has a problem of his own, that's falling for the little guy!

14. Chapter 13: Connections

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, everything wonderful belongs to Tite Kubo and the Viz media company.

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Chapter 13: Connections

It was thanks to the "cycle" that high-ranking officers were granted the day off from work, all except squad eleven since they were, as usual, very behind in the paperwork. Since Rukia and Renji, even his grandmother, had reported that Byakuya was working on his day off he was granted another two days to make up for it, and right now Byakuya felt like he was going to murder a certain werecat. He was currently glaring at the cat from his spot on the porch, resisting the urge of even twitching an eyebrow. He would not lose to this werecat, even if it kills him!

"So then he fell in the koi pond, got up, and was about to flash step when he tripped on a rock in the pond and fell in it again," Yoruichi told the small boy.

"No way! Byakuya was clumsy?" the boy's eyes went big and tilted his sweet innocent head.

The cat woman nodded in confirmation, "Yes very, there was this one time when he tried to get the ribbon from me but a koi fish jumped out and slapped him in the face-."

"That would be enough Shihoin," Byakuya coolly tried maintaining his composure.

"I better get going anyway," Yoruichi got up and stretched, "It's my turn to run the shift in Karakura Town this afternoon, don't want to be late."

"Ah, I wanted to spend more time with Auntie Yoruichi today," the small boy pouted.

Byakuya looked away from the small boy, trying his hardest to destroy the blush that threatened to spill on his cheeks and then get teased at by the woman before him. He could still feel the softness of those small lips or the warm brush against his cheeks. The moment just wouldn't be erased from his head and for some reason he would be flustered every time the boy looked his way. There was also no explanation of the sudden rage or the unusual amount of times of wanting to kill the werecat. Why couldn't he just get this out of his head?

"Why don't you come to the world of the living then?" Yoruichi offered and both Ichigo and Byakuya looked at her in slight shock.

"I-I though I was…" Ichigo looked towards the ground. Golden eyes flickered over to the Kuchiki to see him silently panicking and raging on the inside. Oh how she loved to mess with Byakuya!

"Well I asked the head captain earlier," Yoruichi informed.

"I can go back to Karakura Town?" the small boy smiled brightly. The dark haired man just couldn't help notice how happy the boy looked when he heard of going back home. Just how much did he miss his family? Just how much did he miss his real home?

"Just be on your good behavior and you can invite whoever you like," Yoruichi offered.

"Thanks Yoruichi you're the best!" Ichigo ran up and gave his aunt a hug.

"Well it's glad to know I'm the best," the emphasized the last three words. She didn't need to look to know she was being glared at.

"I have to tell Rukia, Renji, Zangetsu-," he started listing when the woman interrupted.

"Well I suggest going and telling them now, no need to wait around," the cat woman chuckled.

"I'll be back then!" Ichigo ran off, huge smile on his face.

"Ah, such a sweetheart," Yoruichi cooed before smirking at the glaring Byakuya before her.

"Are you really sure taking him to the world of the living is a bright idea?" Byakuya lifted an eyebrow, tone cool and mellow. His old childhood friend rolled her eyes, knowing it was part of the usual act these day because of that 'mask'.

"Course it will, I have everything taken care of," she leaned across the pillar and crossed her arms.

"What if he sees his family, or his mother's grave? It could send him into shock," the Kuchiki noble protested, "There's even the chance of him seeing a hollow."

"Like I said everything is taken care of," she flapped her hand, "His family is off on a business trip and I've already made sure the hollows are kept to a minimum, there's a low chance of him ever meeting a hollow. Besides, it's my shift so there's nothing to worry about, all you need to do is make sure he doesn't stumble across his mother's gravesite." Golden eyes observed how the gray ones dodged towards the ground, her gaze hardened. "You are coming right?" she inquired with a mildly serious tone.

"Lately I've been questioning that my presence around the boy brings misfortune," Byakuya confessed in a muttered.

She shrugged, seeing that as a pathetic excuse, "Too bad, little Ichi will be disappointed then. I guess I'll have him all to myself in that big bustling city with barely any protection-."

Golden eyes widened a little as the wind suddenly whipped her hair. Gaze looking back there was no one there where Byakuya once sat. A knowing smirk crossed her lips as her suspicions were confirmed. Whenever Ichigo was involved these days you had Byakuya Kuchiki wrapped around your finger. It was still strange to her though, the man suddenly taking a sudden interest to the small boy. Was he really that oblivious before Ichigo had been changed to a small nine-year-old boy? Then again he was always dense headed and now was still no exception…

This trip was going to be fun!

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"Nothing is still happening," Monkey still crossed her arms.

"I liked it better when they were fighting! At least it was cool," Snake groaned.

"Well bankai is about a physical and mental balance, it would make sense to meditate once in a while," Sode no Shirayuki whispered over to Zabimaru.

"It would also help to have some peace once in a while!" Senbonzakura barked over at the three. The trio sighed at being scolded by the samurai again; honestly didn't he just ruin the silence with his yelling?

The samurai was punched on the shoulder and he rubbed the throbbing area in response. His young lover knew sure how to throw in a punch. He looked over and blue eyes softened and started to adore the sight before him. The deep, calm, and concentrated look on the teen's pale face just made him use everything he had in him to not suddenly wrap his arms around the other and just bury his face in the crook of the young zanpakuto's neck. Zangetsu was just too irresistible for his own good; the only zanpakuto who was truly immune was Hyorinmaru. Senbonzakura had caught glances from other zanpakuto, even Sode no Shirayuki and Monkey on occasions yet it rarely happened since both women knew cloaked teen was practically his.

Just because he technically promised that he wouldn't be so outwardly protective didn't mean he could be inwardly protective and jealous.

He let his eyes wander around Zangetsu a bit. His short brown hair that barely reached his shoulders was a shade or two brighter in the rays of the sunlight and his pale face more ghostly, probably due to the cloak he was wearing. The teen was currently sitting with his legs crossed and hands resting on his legs trying to relax and focus his mind. His build was thin yet not extremely thin and it make him curious as to what he would look like underneath without that big flowing cloak in the way. The zanpakuto's chest rose and fell slightly with each breath that passed through sweet soft lips. Behind the pale eyelids were brilliantly colored pale blue eyes that made his heart stop.

Suddenly lips thinned and there were a few twitches of the tips of his fingers. There was one twitch of the eyebrow and his breath caught as his eyes opened and looked towards him.

He blinked his blue eyes a few times before asking, "Something wrong?"

Zangetsu turned away, eyes closing and grunting a little, "Lost my concentration, again."

Senbonzakura's gaze rested on the ground, slightly disappointed in knowing he was the one who broke it and how Zangetsu stopped looking at him. "Sorry," Senbonzakura whispered lightly and returned to focusing on his own. He couldn't hold the concentration for long; however, because he felt his hand intertwining with a slightly smaller one, making his pulse race.

"It's alright," Zangetsu softly murmured back.

There was a slight squeal and both turned to look at the snow woman. Zangetsu's expression was calm, one eyebrow slightly raised and looked at his friend while Senbonzakura wore a plain annoyed expression under his mask, eyes bluntly staring at his "sister".

"What?" she pouted. How could they honestly expect her to be quiet when they were holding hands? No fair, she could be a fan girl when she wanted to! This was her "brother" after all and her best friend who she basically owed for turning her annoying brother for the better. Also there was the moment of where Senbonzakura was staring sweetly and longingly at his partner. Of all the times how does she keep forgetting Rukia's camera!

"Zangetsu!" the teen was suddenly attacked from the side and his pale blue eyes went wide. He looked down at his shoulder and sighed.

"Is there something you need Ichigo?" he inquired the hyperactive boy.

"Zangetsu! Zangetsu! We're going to Karakura Town again!" the boy happily cheered.

The zanpakuto blinked, "We're going back?" The boy nodded and Zangetsu didn't even have the courage to look at Senbonzakura anymore.

"Oh! Karakura Town? I've never actually had a good look at it, may I come?" Sode no Shirayuki asked.

Ichigo smiled towards the snow woman, "Course you can! I'm also bringing Renji and Rukia too!"

"Well if Renji is going that means we're coming along too," Zabimaru smirked.

"The more the merrier!" Sode no Shirayuki burst in sing song.

"I better go get Rukia and Renji, see ya later Zangetsu," Ichigo hugged the teen's arm.

Zangetsu nodded, "See you later Ichigo."

The small boy ran off and both zanpakutos behind them started talking about the world of the living in excitement. Senbonzakura looked over at the other, worry in his eyes. Just because they were going to the world of the living doesn't mean they were staying there, right? Closing his eyes he lightly squeezed Zangetsu's hand, he turned inwardly depressed when the teen pulled his hand away.

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"So what do you think Captain Hitsugaya called us in for?" Rukia asked the tall red head beside her.

Renji shrugged, "Beats me." He shyly looked over again, staring at his childhood friend. Today she was wearing a sky blue kimono that faded to white at different places, despite it not being the season there were small snowflakes printed flowing across the traditional robe that looked like they were caught in the swirling white winds. A deep blue sash was wrapped around her and made her eyes shine even brighter today. Inwardly he wished he wore something less formal than his uniform today. He barely had anything fashionable in his closet so he had just decided to wear his uniform on his day off like most people would.

They reached the door to the squad ten offices and Renji held the door open for Rukia. His face when a little red when she smiled at him and they entered the captain's office. Toshiro was snoozing on the couch, his zanpakuto sitting on the floor in a deep meditation. There was a small kettle on the office table that was still heating up on the portable heater. They both looked at each other, wondering if they should leave as to not interrupt when the kettle started whistling.

The ice dragon's eyes snapped open and calmly looked over at the pair. "Good evening Lady Rukia, Sir Renji."

"Hello Hyorinmaru," Rukia bowed slightly, "Sorry if we interrupted anything, did we come at the wrong time?"

"Not at all, it was about time to wake up my master from his nap," Hyorinmaru stood up and went over to the white haired captain, shaking him slightly. "Master, time to wake up, Rukia Kuchiki and Renji Abarai have arrived," he accounted.

He groaned and tossed in his sleep mumbling, "Later."

"The kettle is boiling," Hyorinmaru told him, "It's going to overheat."

"Leave it," Toshiro groaned.

"Rangiku is telling everyone to call you "Little Captain"," Renji crossed his arms.

Immediately he sprung up, eyes twitching, "That Rangiku…"

"Master, the kettle," the ice dragon warned as he glanced at the pot.

Toshiro yawned and looked over, he scratched his head wondering why Hyorinmaru didn't get it himself when he took into account that his zanpakuto particularly didn't like to be around heat unless absolutely necessary. If he had asked, the zanpakuto would have froze the kettle before touching it. He sat up and leaned in, snapping it off and gently set it on the coaster before motioning a hand.

"Come on, sit down," he ordered groggily before rubbing an eyelid.

They both sat down and looked at the white haired captain who was blinking out the last bit of sleep out of his eyes. Hyorinmaru went over to the desk, probably going to search for something and they looked over at Toshiro again.

"So Captain Hitsugaya, why did you call us here?" Rukia remembered to still be formal, she knew how the young captain liked things a little more this way. Sure he was one of the youngest captains in the Soul Society but that didn't mean you could just be informal with him right away.

"Tone down the formalities Kuchiki," Toshiro yawned as he leaned back into the sofa, "It's my day off and I want to at least relax a bit."

"Very well Toshiro," Rukia smiled.

Hyorinmaru came over, a basket in hand and the inside was wrapped in tissue paper. Rukia recognized it as Ukitake's handiwork. He would always pass out sweets to the squad members if they were having a terrible and hard day of work. She had even received special gifts whenever she was sick or upset like Chappy items.

The basket was set down and Hyorinmaru cut away at the ribbon, the paper softly fluttered down to reveal a colorful set of macarons. Toshiro started pouring tea into cups and set the kettle on the coaster again. Renji reached forward and popped a macaron into his mouth with Rukia following suit.

"I wanted to share this with you earlier but I was busy, you remember when the zanpakuto first started materializing correct?" Toshiro took a sip of tea.

"You went to the labs?" Renji raised his eyebrows.

Toshiro nodded, "Of course, anyway while I was there I discovered that Captain Kurotsuchi was developing some sort of device that would allow the zanpakuto to roam freely."

"That's wonderful! I've always missed Sode no Shirayuki's company, I just love speaking to her again," Rukia reminisced the times she was able to speak to her zanpakuto so clearly.

"It's kinda weird that he would do something so nice though," Renji scratched his head.

"Well he says he was doing this for research so it makes sense to me," the white haired captain sighed.

"Nonetheless I know I'm going to be thanking him," Rukia mumbled, "Better ask captain Kyoraku what kind of sweets he sends…"

"Thanks for going to the twelfth squad for us Captain- I mean Toshiro," Renji lightly chuckled remembering the young captain just wanted to relax for the day.

"Think nothing of it Abarai," Hitsugaya nonchalantly flapped a hand, "I also happened to find out something else while I was there."

"What did you find?" Rukia inquired.

"Well while I was there Captain Unohana was there as well. It turns out squad twelve or more like their captain was related to the sudden change that happened to Kurosaki," he informed the pair.

"He didn't do anything bad to him did he?" Rukia panicked.

"No, more like Ichigo drank something on accident," the young captain explained.

"To think I warned him not to drink anything," Renji grumbled.

"Captain Unohana is working on reversing the youth elixir, if you want to know her progress you'll have to take it up with her," Toshiro said before they could bombard him with questions he didn't know about.

"Thank you for everything Toshiro," they were about to leave when the door busted open.

"Captain! Do I have some news for you!" a familiar voice squealed throughout the room.

Toshiro felt his eyebrow twitch, all of his earlier tension returning, "What is it Rangiku?"

"Ichigo just invited us to the world of the living!" Rangiku announced.

"Rukia! Renji!" another small familiar voice called out and both soul reapers smiled as the small boy ran up to them.

"Hey little guy," Renji ruffled his orange hair.

"I'm not little!" Ichigo crossed his arms in protest and pouted.

Rukia giggled, "So what's this about the world of the living?"

"Aunt Yoruichi just invited me to go there and she said I can take whoever I want!" Ichigo happily chirped.

Both soul reapers exchanged a look of worry. Bringing Ichigo to the world of the living in his current state would be rather risky given he could faint at any moment if his memories were to be triggered. Despite it being Yoruichi, they still hesitated.

"Is my brother coming with us?" Rukia questioned. She felt as if her older brother came along everything would at least be a bit more secure. Once Ichigo nodded his head she relaxed and let a sigh of relief out.

"Come on Captain, get rid of that sleep and let's go!" Rangiku slapped her captain's back.

"I don't remember being invited," Toshiro muttered, not really wanting to go.

"Exploring the world of the living would be interesting wouldn't master?" Hyorinmaru suggested.

"No thanks," the white haired captain yawned and laid back down on the couch.

"Are you a captain?" turquoise eyes opened and looked over at the small boy's curious brown eyes.

He scoffed and looked away, "Of course I am."

"You look around my age though!" Ichigo was purely astounded. They all looked at him in shock, amazed that he would even say such a thing. Just even mentioning Toshiro's height or age could have the said captain in a yelling frenzy.

"Are you calling me a kid?" Toshiro snapped right back up. They all held their breath except for Hyorinmaru who just sighed.

"No but it's pretty cool that someone like you is a captain. People must really look up to you!" Ichigo said with a happy smile.

He blinked before rubbing the back of his head. No one really complimented him like that when it came to his age. In fact most people looked down upon it at first but in the end he would always win out his subordinates respect…with the exception of Rangiku and his close friends. "Well not really," he then chuckled, "some people just tend to do whatever they feel like."

"Well they must be happy if they have someone like you Toshiro," the small boy complimented.

"That's Captain Hitsugaya to you," a soft smile appeared on his face. He ruffled the orange hair as if he were his kid brother.

Rukia blinked, she knew Ichigo was someone good at making friends when he was older and left and impression on others. When he first fought with her brother Byakuya became more protective of her and they both started to at least get closer. Now that he was this young she could see that Ichigo brought smiles with him everywhere and influenced them even deeper. Just how much had Byakuya changed so far since he practically had direct contact with Ichigo since they were taking care of him at the Kuchiki manor? The younger Kuchiki wondered if Byakuya could now find peace and happiness with Ichigo around.

"So Ichigo, can my captain come with us to the world of the living?" Rangiku winked at the boy.

"Of course!" Ichigo chirped.

"Master, we simply can't turn down an invitation," Hyorinmaru told his master yet Hitsugaya assessed this as just wanting to go.

"Oh well, I'll go to the world of the living then," he sighed seeing as how the odds were against him.

"Hurray! I'm going to tell Yoruichi, see you all later!" Ichigo waved as he ran out the door.

"Come on Hyorinmaru, let's go get ready," Toshiro stood up and left the office.

"Well come on you two, you guys better hurry. Especially you Rukia, you know it's code to always wear your shihakusho to the world of the living," Rangiku winked.

"I know, I'll go back to the Kuchiki manor and change then," Rukia walked off ahead of them.

Renji sighed as he watched her leave. He should have admired her wearing a kimono today but if he were caught staring her too long then it would only cause trouble.

"Well lover boy," Rangiku slung an arm over his shoulder, "Asked her out yet?"

"W-What?" as soon as the words processed, his face was about the same color as his hair.

Suddenly Haineko popped out of nowhere, "Ooo! This should be interesting, how much do you like her?"

"I uh…" Renji stammered and didn't really know how to respond.

"Come on admit it, you love Rukia Kuchiki," Rangiku nudged.

"Hey she's noble isn't she?" Haineko asked. Rangiku nodded and the cat woman zanpakuto clapped her hands together, "You wanna know what I think?"

"Forbidden love!" both cheered at the same time. Renji blinked at them confused at what they just said. How could just simply having a crush on Rukia be forbidden?

"You might want to ask her out as soon as possible Renji, no doubt after the Winter War there'll be tons of suitors lined up at the door," Rangiku warned.

"I-I don't get it," Renji balled his hands into fists, "I don't know what you're talking about. I'm n-not in l-l-love with Rukia! She's just a childhood friend!"

"Well that blush speaks volumes lover boy," Haineko flicked his cheek. Renji rubbed his arm against his flushed skin as if rubbing it a good amount will drive it away.

"The whole Soul Society practically know how you feel about her, even Rukia might-," she didn't get to finish when she was interrupted.

"Rukia knows!" Renji screeched.

"Well she ought to by now, she's pretty smart after all," the strawberry blonde woman sighed at the dense head.

How could Rukia figured it out? He knew he was obvious about it but was he that obvious about it… Well there was that time when they were walking towards the squad four barracks. Yet there was always that sense of doubt, what if he just wasn't good enough for her? The red head was just a lieutenant, nothing special and the Kuchiki clan would choose a noble over him any day.

"Well…I don't know if a can, I mean her family is noble after all and-," this time Renji was interrupted.

"That's what you're worried about?" Haineko scoffed, "How pathetic, get with the program! All you have to do is show them you have the potential and the spirit pressure."

"You know Renji, if you're so worried then why don't you become a captain? You do have a bankai after all," Rangiku reminded him.

"My kido sucks though, I barely had my bankai, and my rank in the sixth squad-," He was punched in the back of the head.

"Renji! How stupid can you get? You practically gained ten years of experience in the Winter War and then some, and what would be more important, your rank in squad six or become a captain and having a chance of being an eligible candidate?" she huffed.

"If I where you I'd chose the course of love," Haineko suggested, "doubt any other girl would want someone as dense headed like you."

Rangiku intervened before the red head could say anything; "You know you could always have Rukia help you on Kido. You know, some tutoring to get close to her."

"Well that doesn't sound to bad," Renji muttered, forgetting about being insulted.

"Plus you can use today to get close to her, buy a gal some jewelry, a few accessories," Haineko swooned at the thought of shopping at the world of the living. They had such lower prices than here in the Soul Society, plus the most incredible and amazing things as well!

"That reminds me! We better get ready if we want to go to the world of the living!" Rangiku told her zanpakuto.

"All right!" both women bolted out the office in excitement.

Renji sighed and walked out of the office, closing the door behind him. His thoughts were complicated and mixed up right now; he even impressed himself on how he didn't explode right then and there. Well…all of these thoughts consisted of Rukia so there was one line of thought that held him together. Now that he thought about it, buying something for her didn't sounds so bad but what the heck was he suppose to buy? He sighed; things would work out in the world of the living…he hoped.

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Yoruichi looked at the group that had been gather, and looked down at the boy.

"This everyone?" she asked.

"Yep!" Ichigo chirped.

She smiled at the group it consisted of Renji, Rukia, Rangiku, Toshiro Hitsugaya, and of course Byakuya all with their zanpakuto. Sadly Ikkaku and Yumichika couldn't make it seeing as how Ikkaku was currently on Seireitei gate duty and Yumichika was working on squad paperwork seeing as how they were regularly behind like always. Even so it was still quite the group. The butterflies came and flapped right beside the person they were assigned to.

Once they reached the other side of the Senkaimon they were in the yard of none other of Urahara's shop. A man came up wearing traditional clothing; the more trademark items were the hat, clogs, and a cane.

"Yoruichi! I was wondering when you would be back looks like you brought some guests," Kisuke looked at the group of soul reapers and their materialized zanpakuto, "What's the occasion, hollow trouble, vacationing perhaps?"

"I invited them here Kisuke, well I should say Ichigo invited them," Yoruichi clarified.

"Where is my little "nephew" anyway?" Kisuke flapped his fan with a knowing smirk. One the first day the cat woman had returned she had told him about Ichigo's transformation. He held this a secret towards his group of friends Chad, Orihime, and Uryuu who were also working part time around the shop. The shop owner couldn't wait to see their reactions!

"Yoruichi, who is this?" the small boy asked.

"Ichigo this is Kisuke Urahara," she introduced him to the shopkeeper.

"Nice to meet you little guy," Kisuke smiled at him.

"Nice to meet you to, you must be close to Auntie Yoruichi," Ichigo guessed.

"What do you know, he does call you his aunt! Then I guess I carry the honor of uncle," he smirked as he nudged the woman who punched his arm.

"Get real Urahara, she gets the honor of being called an aunt because she's earned it," Rukia came up and huffed. She looked down to see Ichigo tugging lightly on her hakama. The younger Kuchiki got down, wondering what he wanted.

"I don't mind calling him 'Uncle'," he whispered in her ear.

She smiled softly, "I know but we like to mess around with him a bit."

"Okay," Ichigo grinned.

"Well come on in! No use standing out here all day, it'll take me a while to get everything ready, Yoruichi do you mind helping a bit before going out on patrol?" he asked with a slight flirting plead.

"Fine," she rolled her golden eyes, "If there's a hollow attack it's on you."

They followed them into the shop and Tessai greeted them kindly before leaving to go make some tea. Most decided to wait at the front while Rukia and Renji went on ahead to see their friends, Ichigo following behind them.

"Hello Mr. Urahara, need anything else done?" Orihime asked.

"Not right now, we've got some guests here!" Kisuke let the others in.

"Orihime, Chad, Uryuu, it's nice to see you again!" Rukia greeted happily.

"Nice to see you guys again," Renji greeted as well.

"Where's Ichigo?" Orihime finally noticed.

"Um…did you guys hear about it yet?" Rukia inquired.

"Hear what?" Chad asked.

"Ichigo couldn't come today or something?" Uryuu asked as he pushed up his glass.

"Well…thing is-," Renji was interrupted.

"Rukia, Renji, did Yoruichi tell them about me too?" they all looked at the small boy standing beside Rukia.

"Ichigo!" both Orihime and Uryuu looked in shock while Chad was also mildly in shock as well.

"There's a lot to explain," Rukia laughed nervously, "Ichigo why don't you go with Byakuya and see about getting a gigai?" He nodded and left the room in order to go search for the captain.

"Oh he's so cute!" Orihime squealed.

"Wonder what happened," Uryuu muttered as he regained his composure, Chad nodding beside him.

"Guys, don't bring up anything, the little guys has a bit of memory loss and tends to faint whenever we try bringing it up," Renji warned his friends.

"Don't worry we won't," Orihime promised.

"You think it was a good idea to bring him here despite his condition though?" Uryuu questioned them both.

"Well, it's was worth the try, he should be okay as long as he doesn't go to any graveyards and luckily his family is out on a business trip like Yoruichi told us," Rukia informed.

"Found him!" Ichigo chirped as he came back inside the room with Byakuya following behind him.

"Oh, hi there Captain Kuchiki," Orihime greeted politely.

"Hello there Captain Kuchiki," Uryuu greeted Rukia's brother and Chad gave him the silent nod.

"Good evening," he greeted back with a slight bow.

"So how's everyone with their gigais?" Rukia asked her brother.

"Captain Hitsugaya and Lieutenant Matsumoto already have their gigais. It will take a while for Urahara to have gigai for us all. He insisted on giving me the permanent gigai instead of the disposable one," Byakuya scoffed at the last sentence. Despite there was no annoyance in his tone his disapproval was clear.

"Think we should go get ours now Rukia?" Renji suggested to her.

"I'll wait with my brother," she said and smiled towards her brother.

"All right, I'll go get mine then," Renji sighed as he walked out.

"Byakuya, why do you think Senbonzakura isn't getting a gigai or even Zangetsu?" the small boy asked the older man.

"I'm not sure," Byakuya murmured thoughtfully.

"Zangetsu and Senbonzakura?" Uryuu lifted an eyebrow.

"Oh I forgot to mention-," the door opened again.

"Lady Rukia! Would it be all right if I got a gigai as well?" Sode no Shirayuki popped her head in the doorway.

"Of course Sode no Shirayuki," she nodded her head. Her zanpakuto happily smiled and quickly disappeared Rukia looked back and sighed again at her friend's faces. Oh yes…lots of explaining, fun.

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"Are you sure you don't want a gigai Zangetsu?" Senbonzakura asked the teen again.

"I'm fine," Zangetsu's eyes flickered again before looking at him again, "You can get a gigai if you want to, I wouldn't mind."

"I wasn't planning on getting one anyway," Senbonzakura explained.

"Please don't just say that to make me feel better," Zangetsu sighed as he leaned against the wall.

"I'm not, I have my reasons not to anyway," Senbonzakura tapped his mask.

"Oh… right," Zangetsu remembered how the other zanpakuto didn't really like to make a show of his face.

"Zangetsu, is something bothering you?" the samurai asked.

"I-It's nothing," the teen looked at the ground.

He didn't buy it and went up next to Zangetsu, taking his hand into his own. It seemed to calm him down a bit and for this he was grateful for. "You know you can tell me anything, right?" he gently whispered into Zangetsu's ear.

The cloaked teen shuddered; it was like his lips were right there instead of the mask blocking them. He could feel his face turning red but tried everything he could not expose it. If she were here then-

"Good evening, Zangetsu," immediately he tensed and his pale blue eyes widened at the sound of the voice. Senbonzakura noticed how the teen looked paler than usual. Immediately he looked up and saw a woman walking up to them. She had crimson red hair with a crimson tassel hanging from the right side of the bangs and a crimson kimono. The traditional kimono had floral patterns and a large dark red sash around her waist. Her skin seemed pale due to the bright coloring and her lips were smiling yet it did not reach her cold black eyes. He felt Zangetsu pulling his hand away and hands had turned into fists but they were slightly trembling. Just who was this woman and why did he make the teen so nervous?

"Good evening, Benihime," Zangetsu returned the greeting and looked as if he were trying to fight off his nerves. The name the teen used actually suited the woman, Crimson Princess, but whenever he thought about it, he thought of the color of blood.

"Who is this?" her eyes settled onto him and he tried to look away but somehow he found he couldn't. It was like she was holding him there forcefully with just her gaze.

"This is Senbonzakura," his voice seemed calm but no doubt he was still nervous or shaking on the inside.

"A samurai," she looked him over.

Somehow he regained the strength to at least bow, "Good evening."

"Good evening to you as well," he looked into her eyes again, they were still unfriendly yet he inwardly shuddered. There was something hidden in her eyes that he just couldn't read.

"It's been a long time," she spoke to Zangetsu.

"Quite," the zanpakuto simply answered.

"Are you getting a gigai like the rest?" she inquired.

"No Lady Benihime," Zangetsu spoke with the utmost polite tone.

"That won't do, we simply must get you one," she smirked at him.

"If you insist my lady," Senbonzakura looked at him slightly shocked. He thought Zangetsu didn't want one.

"I'll go ask Kisuke then," she spoke with a tone of poisonous honey.

"Of course," he replied. Once she left Zangetsu looked at the ground with a calm expression yet his eyes were hardened.

"Zangetsu are you all right?" Senbonzakura asked softly.

"Just fine," he replied.

"Who was she?" he asked.

"Don't bother asking, it's best that you don't learn about her," Zangetsu said as he started walking away.

"What do you mean it's best not to know her?" he questioned the zanpakuto's suspicious behavior.

"Benihime is Kisuke Urahara's zanpakuto that all you need to know," the teen informed him yet it was enough for his curiosity.

"How do you know her?" the samurai continued to question.

"When I first awakened she was practically the one who trained Ichigo and me," he explained.

"Is that why you're so nervous around her?" Senbonzakura paused just in time as to not to run over the other. They stood there in the deafening silence and the voices of the others were lost behind them. There was just something inside of him that screamed that something was about to break if he pushed this any further yet he continued to do so. He loved Zangetsu, so wasn't it natural to try to help him whenever he felt distressed?

"Don't concern yourself over this," his blue eyes widened, as Zangetsu was about to walk away he quickly snatched his wrist.

"What do you mean I shouldn't? Zangetsu I love you! I'm only trying to help because I'm worried about you!" he narrowed his eyes and tightened his hold. He could feel it in his grip that the other zanpakuto was shaking.

Zangetsu yanked his wrist away and he was about to catch it again when he felt himself being pulled forward, his masked face just passed the other's and he felt Zangetsu's warm breath ghosting the shell of his ear.

"Please, don't get anywhere near her," the teen pulled away and the samurai watched as he walked down the hall. Inside the zanpakuto's tone was fear mixed in with pleading and desperation. Today it was like Zangetsu didn't want to be anywhere near him, everything was just fine before… So why had it suddenly changed?

8888

Zangetsu's lips thinned as he walked further and further into the hall. He regretted every single time he pushed the samurai away and each time he did it was a stab to his heart. Thinking how it was for the best did not help and it only weighed down on him. Sliding the door open he entered and didn't even jump when another voice spoke.

"He says those words quite easily don't you think?" he turned and his eyes narrowed down on the woman.

"I don't believe so," she smirked at the teen.

"Tell me, did he really mean it or was it the heat of the moment?" she inquired.

"Of course he meant it," he tried his best to remain calm and composed.

"I guess he doesn't realize how much you love him. I can tell that you love him so much that if anything happened to that poor samurai you would immediately jump between him and the problem," he clenched his teeth as she started walking around him, "I guess that problem is me." Her fan snapped shut as she stopped right in front of him.

"Stay away from him," he warned.

"Or what?" her tone almost made his knees give in, "You're pathetic, your shikai may be present when summoned but it's all for show. There is nothing behind that amount of power, no skill or experience. At this very moment I could snap your blade with the tip of a nail, that's how pathetic you are."

"You don't feel anything for him, so why waste your time?" Zangetsu asked her.

"Simple, no doubt there must be something worth hiding under his mask. Just because I don't feel anything doesn't make him any less desirable, I wonder what would happen if I were to snap his mask right off," she stopped and narrowed her eyes.

Zangetsu moved but his pale blue eyes widen. His right arm was suddenly being pulled from behind and he was on his knees. Benihime's grip tightened and he covered his mouth with his hand, catching the blood that nearly stained the floor. He forced himself to swallow it, tasting nothing but salt and iron in his throat.

"How pathetic, I thought I trained you better," his arm was released and he curled up and gasped for breath. Just how strong was this cruel woman? "I really do wonder how much he really means it. A lot of people confuse lust over love so how do you really know if he truly loves you when he says those words in the heat of the moment?" she asked him. There was no answer, and she simply left after telling him she would be back with his gigai. Zangetsu rolled on his back, wondering if he would ever find the answer to her question.

8888

"Aren't you getting a gigai Hyorinmaru?" Hitsugaya asked his zanpakuto.

"No, I decided I'd rather observe without attracting attention," his zanpakuto assured.

"All right then," Toshiro rolled his shoulder, he could never get use to this gigai.

"You're not getting one either?" the samurai asked as he came over.

The dragon shook his head, "I've heard women in this world are more…"

"Bold?" Senbonzakura suggested.

"More like raging mad for a good looking guy to brag about," Toshiro muttered. He was now in his gigai wearing gray pants and a sleeveless shirt. There was a thin white jacket tossed over his shoulder in case they decided to stay until the night where it would be colder.

"Oh this is so exciting!" Sode no Shirayuki came to the front wearing a white tunic with a big deep blue bow wrapped around her. She wore white flats and jeans underneath, her hair was fully down as well. The zanpakuto was finally in her gigai and despite it being a little weird she couldn't help but bounce around.

"Come down Yuki you're starting to act like your brother sometimes," Monkey muttered behind her. She was wearing a deep green t-shirt with a light green horizontal stripe just an inch or two down from the light green collar and wearing gray slacks as well. Snake came behind her wearing almost the exact same shirt except it was red with a white stripe and collar and wore jeans instead of slacks.

"Excuse me but I don't go bouncing around like an idiot," Senbonzakura crossed his arms in defense.

"Did you just call me an idiot?" Sode no Shirayuki glared at her brother, silently threatening to freeze him to death.

"N-No! I merely meant what they were thinking!" Senbonzakura waved his hands in defense.

"I'll forgive you this time Senbonzakura but only because I'm in a good mood," she huffed. Senbonzakura inwardly sighed in relief that he wouldn't find himself incased in ice tomorrow.

"Been a while since I wore a gigai," Renji muttered. He came out with a plain red t-shirt, a black sleeveless jacket and a pair of jeans.

"You get use to it," Rukia sighed as she walked right past him. She wore a simple sky blue dress that reached a few inches below her knees. She smartly wore light and simple drawstring white pants underneath with white flats. He blinked; even when she wore something casual she looked amazing.

The younger Kuchiki walked over to her brother. He was simply dressed in jeans, black shoes, a plain black t-shirt with an open white button up shirt on top. His kenseikan were no longer in his hair and his scarf was gone as well. She smiled; he seemed more relaxed without them.

"How's the gigai brother?" she asked.

"It's fine but I still have yet to be accustom to it," he answered.

"Hey Captain!" Rangiku walked over. She was wearing a yellow tube top with a white button up shirt with half of the buttons unbuttoned and a pair of jeans. Haineko was wearing a white tube top with a light pink halter-top with a gray skirt that reached just above her knees. "Want to go shopping with us?" Rangiku offered.

"Sorry but I have other plans," Toshiro informed or rather excused himself from carrying bags everywhere.

"Aw! Where else would you go?" she pouted.

"Ice cream shops," he plainly answered.

"Oh," Rangiku sighed in defeat.

Yoruichi came over to Byakuya, Rukia, and Renji in her cat form. "Well as soon as I say goodbye to Ichigo I'm leaving for patrol, if you need anything just start sending up spirit pressure," Yoruichi told the three by the door.

"Thanks for inviting us to the world of the living Yoruichi," Rukia bowed.

"Ah, it was nothing," she flapped a paw then smirked over to Byakuya.

"Shouldn't you be leaving werecat?" he asked as he glared back at her.

"Well I did promise little Ichi I would say goodbye before I left. Little jealous?" Yoruichi cooed.

"Not in the slightest,' Byakuya narrowed his eyes.

"Come on Zangetsu hurry up!" Ichigo chided as he hurried up to the front. The girls mostly squealed and "aw"-ed as they saw Ichigo in khaki shorts and sky blue light cotton drawstring hoodie with short sleeves and a white horizontal stripe just an inch or two below the collar.

"All right, all right," Zangetsu sighed hopelessly as he walked to the front. He wore a zip up hoodie that looked like it had its sleeves tore off but it added a nice effect. Underneath was a white shirt with sleeves that stopped just above his elbows, had its collar up, along with a button or two undone at the top showing his neck and a bit of his collarbones. The black jeans were somewhat tight with the addition of a brown belt and some black and white converse shoes.

The teen sighed inwardly at how many stares he received from the zanpakuto women with their mouths agape. Must have been a shock since he usually wore a long cloak. He glanced casually at Senbonzakura before walking over at Ichigo; he tried not to blush as he remembered Benihime's words.

88 Minor Flashback 88

"Here leave a button or two undone, this belt will also make a nice accessory," Benihime chided then handed over the item.

Zangetsu sighed as he put up the collar before she could, somehow knowing she would fix that as well, "Why am I so concerned about my fashion sense again?"

"Well you want to impress your man don't you?" Benihime huffed.

Zangetsu lifted an eyebrow, "Weren't you just threatening my relationship?"

"Yeah but I saw your boyfriend in the hallway," Zangetsu's face turned a bright red at the mention of "boyfriend", "I like men who are bad, mysterious, and romantic turns out he's just sappy underneath that mask of his."

"He is a sap all right," Zangetsu muttered darkly as he zipped up the hood but made sure not to do it all the way.

"I also like them with blonde hair and green eyes," Benihime muttered, "I won't go for anything else other than a guy with that hair and eye combination unless they're worth it."

Zangetsu inwardly sighed knowing that Senbonzakura and Byakuya Kuchiki were off the list. Thank heavens she wouldn't go after Byakuya, he wasn't that mysterious unless you looked into his past and all he did was follow the law, not to mention the eye and hair color was wrong. It would be awkward going after him seeing as how Ichigo was close to the man and it would break his heart of anyone else won the Kuchiki's heart.

"Thanks Benihime," he sighed finally done getting dressed.

"Remember, I expect a white icing cake decorated with peaches on the top and a single cherry in the middle, plus the middle has to be icing with strawberries, as payment," she folded her arms.

"I won't forget," he hanged his head, already thinking of the kinds of punishments she had planned if he did. Sometimes the zanpakuto woman could be like her master, expect instead of just plain candy she preferred cake.

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Senbonzakura blinked at the vision before him. Dear kami he was about to faint from just looking at Zangetsu. He truly looked like a living modern teen in those clothes. Now that the cloak was gone he could see Zangetsu having a strong build underneath. His legs were perfect and slim and those dark jeans just hugged his legs in all the right places. When Zangetsu glanced at him he nearly swooned before Hyorinmaru quickly hit him in the upper arm.

"Too much?" Hyorinmaru asked in concern. He generally didn't like hitting his friends but it looked like the samurai needed it.

"No just what I needed," Senbonzakura sighed as he rubbed his arm for the second time that day. He was glad to regain his composure, Byakuya had lectured him about overreacting before and didn't feel like having one today. "Thank you," the ice dragon brushed it off and the samurai inwardly sighed as he continued looking at the teen. Oh how love sick he was…

"Yoruichi do you really have to go?" Ichigo pouted.

"Yep, it's my turn to patrol town today. Once I'm finished I'll come find you," Yoruichi winked.

"Okay," Ichigo immediately brightened up when he heard this.

"See you all later," she winked at Byakuya when the others didn't notice. She inwardly smirked at his glare and knew how jealous he was right now. Oh the simple joys of getting a little boy's attention while the other getting jealous, gets you every time.

They all split up into basically three groups. Orihime, Haineko and Rangiku went off to do some shopping; Toshiro, Hyorinmaru, Sode no Shirayuki and Zabimaru went off to go check out the ice cream parlors and a few restaurants. The rest were just going to the park to go out on a walk.

"I can't believe I'm back home!" Ichigo chirped happily as he ran along.

Rukia giggled, "Looks like he's more than happy to be back."

"Wow, I didn't know the little guy missed his home this much," Renji commented nonchalantly.

On the outside Byakuya seemed calm and collected yet on the inside he was distressed. Sensing this Senbonzakura walked over to his maser in order to calm him down.

"Something wrong?" Senbonzakura inquired.

"Nothing," he could hear Byakuya's voice in his head, "It's just the stress."

"If you're so stressed then I wouldn't sense any depression from you, just the stress," Senbonzakura softly countered.

"Lately it seems everything has been switched around with Kurosaki," Byakuya inwardly sighed.

"Well a child's attention span is rather short, shouldn't you feel a little relieved that you at least have a bit of time to yourself?' Senbonzakura questioned.

"Not when that attention is focused on Shihoin," he thought with an annoyed tone.

"Could you be jealous master?" Senbonzakura hopefully asked.

"I am not jealous of that werecat," Byakuya twitched his eyebrow once.

Maybe jealous was too strong of a word for Byakuya, "Well are you perhaps a little worried that he might chose to stay here instead of coming back?"

"Worry doesn't even begin with it," Byakuya thought to himself as he looked up and watched the boy happily chasing a little yellow butterfly. Just thinking about him leaving… why did it make him feel so unsettled? He gently touched the cheek and lightly brushed where Ichigo had lightly kissed it. There was a bit of warmth beneath his fingers and didn't even care if he blushed at this moment. He'd only notice that Rukia and Renji had wandered off somewhere. Something inside of him was screaming at him to hold onto the boy tightly and never let him go yet he ignored it. Should he really be feeling this?

Then it snapped, had he really just now realized that he was actually feeling again? He buried his face within his hands and was gratefully glad no one was around to see him. Another snap and he looked up and saw Ichigo was still jumping in order to reach the butterfly. Walking up he simply reached a hand out and relaxed himself, eventually the butterfly landed on his finger and he held it up close to Ichigo. The boy smiled and blinked as the butterfly landed on his nose he giggled slightly which made the small creature fly away. Looking back the small boy gave him a soft smile and he tried all that he could to steady his slowly increasing heartbeat.

8888

Renji kept glancing at the shops as they walked by. Rukia followed him when she first started noticing that he was drifting away from the group. Nothing seemed to really catch his eye around these parts. Eventually at least an hour must have passed and they both decided on lunch. Since Rukia was more experienced she ordered and Renji paid. It was then that across the street that he noticed an antique shop had caught his attention. He didn't know why but he was somehow drawn to it. He quickly glanced back down and took the last bite of his sandwich, hopefully Rukia hadn't noticed.

"Hey Rukia, I thought I saw a shop earlier and I was wondering if you could wait here while I go check it out," Renji told her.

"Want me to go with you?" she offered.

"I uh…wanted to buy my friend a top secret gift and I can't let anyone find out about it," he somehow managed to scratch up the truth.

"All right, then I'll just wait here. I got a new manga while we were in that book shop earlier," she pulled out her new copy but Renji didn't have the time to check the title.

"Well here's some money in case you want something, be right back!" he said as he quickly made his way out.

"Renji," she sighed hopelessly, "What am I suppose to do with a little over eight thousand yen- hey dessert!"

8888

He quickly crossed the street and once he was safely over he glanced over at the restaurant to see Rukia walking over to the counter. Using this he nearly ran to the store and once he reached the door he looked back to see Rukia ordering. Using his time he went inside the shop and his eyes widened when he looked around. They had pretty much everything that was traditional in here. There were clothing and instruments around the shop but when he reached the counter he was amazed at all the jewelry.

"Can I help you with something?" looking up he saw someone walking up to him. Strangely he couldn't determine if the person was a guy or a girl, not even the voice gave him a clue. The employee looked nice though, even had kind brown eyes; the dark hair brushed the forehead and was kept straight and short.

"Just looking around," he explained.

"Tell you the truth not a lot of people come in here," he looked up, unable to believe this when the other gave him a soft but sad smile.

"This place looks pretty cool to me," Renji truthfully told.

"Well the only time people come around here is the festivals, they love the kimonos here. I'll get around a few customer looking for something else," the teen explained.

"You run the place?" Renji was impressed at how young the employee was.

"Well for a couple of weeks at least, mostly work part time around here. My dad runs the business but I was put in charge seeing as I'm the only one interested in this old place. He's out of town somewhere getting a good deal on some antiques," he was still impressed the teen was trusted with handling the store at such a young age though.

"My name is Renji Abarai," he introduced himself, feeling that he's already made a new friend, "You can call me Renji."

"Ryo Yukimura," the temporary owner winked, as if assuring the next part "call me Ryo."

"So think you can help me find a present for a friend of mine?" he sheepishly rubbed the back of his neck.

"Well it depends, does your friend like swords?" it was then that Renji looked at the wall with mounted swords. Some looked ancient while others looked like they've just been made today then his eyes rested on the one in the display case.

"What's the story behind that one?" he asked.

"Oh, this is just for display only," Ryo informed him.

"No I meant, it does have a story, right?" Renji asked again but clarified. He saw how the brown eyes stared to shine and look sweetly at the blade. Renji looked at it as well somehow sensing that this wasn't an ordinary sword. Somehow…he felt spirit pressure from it.

"I call this sword Masamune," the brought the sword out of its case, "It's been passed down my family for generations. It's not the actual Masamune from the legends but I decided to give it the name "tender hands" because it suits it."

"Suits it?" Renji echoed confused.

Ryo nodded, "Somehow this sword will cut nothing that is innocent. When I first heard of the sword legend I told my father to call it Masamune and he passed it down to me."

"Are you sure it won't cut down anything?" Renji asked.

"Not even a leaf," the sword was unsheathed, if one looked closely there was a slight wave pattern verifying how old it was, "Just watch."

The sword was tossed up in the air, Renji watched in horror as it came down, about to hit Ryo. He was about to jump over the counter and push the crazy employee out of the way when he was pushed back and the sword came down. It bounced off his head and there was not even a sign of a puncture.

"H-How did it," Renji couldn't believe his eyes.

"I really don't know but I sense that this sword, even this place has some sort of spiritual connection. Most of my customers sometimes say that they felt drawn here but they don't know why," Ryo chuckled as he sheathed the sword.

"Must have been the spirit pressure coming from this place, it feels nice though," Renji thought inwardly, "I wonder how high this human's spirit pressure is but I'm not a master at sensing it, maybe Rukia and I could stop by later. Damn! I forgot about Rukia!"

"So is it a sword your friend is interested in? I have old display swords that date back to the age of the samurai but if it's a sword that you can actually use then I have to make sure you have a license," Ryo informed him.

"You have to have a license for having a sword?" Renji was shocked.

"Yep, I was surprised myself when I heard it as a kid. My father gave me my license in order to keep and use this sword. Despite its age I've actually defended myself with it. There was a time where a figure, I'm not sure what it was but something that came to our house during the middle of then night and I was surprised when it cut the shadow so cleanly. All that was left was blood and surprisingly my father, brother and me were the only ones who saw it. My mom just walked right past it without even noticing, even stepped on it sometimes and it just vanished on its own. Another reason why I call this sword Masamune since it somehow knew that the shadow had pure dark intentions," Ryo looked at the sword with gratitude.

"Nice story but I'm not looking for a sword," Renji explained.

"Oh! Sorry, once I start talking about Masamune I just can't stop," Ryo laughed nervously, "So what are you looking for?"

"Um, maybe some jewelry?" he looked at the display case.

"Does your friend happen to be a girl?" the teen smirked.

"W-Well yes," Renji sighed in defeat.

"Hm, what is she like?" the young store owner asked.

"Well she's a strong, independent girl, really smart too even made the highest grades in Kido," he accidentally slipped out.

"Kido? Is your friend into the dark arts?" brown eyes were wide at hearing this.

"Ah, I mean kendo! Kendo! She really can use a sword!" he laughed nervously.

"Ah! Kendo, I practice day and night with Masamune, no other sword seems to suit me so well even my father said so. Well what else makes this girl of yours special?" Ryo started looking around.

"Well she's kind, beautiful and has these amazing blue eyes that just sparkle when it snows," he sighed.

"Ah, a lover boy," Ryo cooed.

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" Renji turned red again.

"Look, denying your feelings doesn't help so much. I know since I've had a crush of my own but it turns out he just wasn't the one for me once I thought about it. I told him I had feelings for him, it turned out fine, and we're still friends. So even if you get rejected you don't have to worry about it they'll always love you in their own way," Ryo advised.

"So Ryo's a girl," Renji thought at the mention of a guy.

"Well, we have blue gems and stone, they can be quite pricey but really know how to impress the girls," Ryo motioned a hand to the items. He walked over and started looking. Nothing really seemed to catch his attention until…

"Wow," it wasn't a snowflake like he thought it would get but it was a butterfly instead. The wings shown with brilliance and the smooth stone that covered the wings were the exact same color as Rukia's eyes. Its body was made of silver and so were the outlines and even the delicate comb accessory.

"I know, a real beauty isn't it," Ryo whistled, "I also like the one over there."

He looked over to where she was pointing and saw another piece of jewelry that just screamed Rukia. It was a necklace this time, the end was thin but as it traveled downwards it got slightly thicker. In the middle of the silver snowflake was another sapphire gem that blazed like Rukia's eyes.

"I'll take them both," Renji pulled out his wallet.

"Are you sure you want them both at the same time? They're sort of expensive," Ryo warned not really meaning to make the poor guy empty his entire savings.

"No problem, is this enough?" he pulled out a handful of yen. Ryo's eyes bulged out again at the sight and quickly counted. She handed over the change and smiled as she got the two pieces of jewelry out. When the teen was about to put then in a velvet casing Renji looked a bit worried. "Do you have a case that's pretty sturdy? I don't want them to be damaged or anything," Renji asked.

Ryo sighed, rich kids and their cash. Didn't they know how to save their money? Then again this guy had pure intentions on giving it to a girl he liked, and they way he described her he truly must have loved her. Walking over the teen pulled out a bouquet of white flowers and a bottle of sake in order to reach the steel cases for the jewelry.

"What's with the flowers and sake," her hand froze.

"Oh, that's for my brother," she explained and got a small case out. No doubt he was going to hide it from his girl until the right moment. "It's his death anniversary and I'm going to the cemetery today to pay my respects. He was an investigator that was solving a woman's death by a river. I believe her first name was Masaki?" she guessed, "Never did solve the case and the cruel irony is he got murdered for continuing it. He was down by the river trying a new theory but…"

"Oh sorry…" he sounded like he regretted asking.

"It does bring painful memories, heck I still remember the rainy day and the flash of lightning. I was actually there with him, but I fell unconscious and the last thing I remember was my brother fighting a shadow," Ryo murmured as she put the jewelry in its new case and handed them over. She picked up a rag and started polishing one of the dirty orbs on the back counter.

"Really sorry about the loss," he apologized.

"No worries, I was young back then, about twelve or something? I've had a long time to think about it and managed to cope. I don't think about revenge or the like because it would only make my brother worry. I know he's in a better place now and I hope he's found peace as well," she smiled.

"I know your brother is in a better place," she blinked. It sounded as if he'd really known, as if he'd seen the place before. Recovering from the slight shock she started speaking again before he left out the door.

"Hey Renji! You must be a really great guy if you're willing to buy something so expensive. I know she'll return your feelings, all you have to do is tell her!" she smiled as the red head blushed about the same shade of his hair. Once he left she laughed and continued her cleaning. She looked at Masamune and smiled, "I know they'll make a great pair, right Masamune?"

8888

He practically ran across the street, worried about how much time he wasted over at the antique shop. When he entered the restaurant Rukia was still in the booth still reading, looking at the clock he saw that he spent thirty minutes.

"Sorry it took me so long, I got caught up in a few things," Renji laughed nervously as he sat down.

"No worries, I ate dessert while you were gone," she smiled at him, "So did you see anything you liked?"

"I saw a couple of swords," it was then that he remembered Masamune, "Hey Rukia, do you think it's possible for a zanpakuto to be in the world of the living?"

"Hm…well I've heard of one legend where there was a zanpakuto that fell to earth and was used by many but never found it's rightful partner, it's only a myth though," she shrugged.

"I think it might be real! There was this girl who had a sword on display, I thought I sensed something weird about it," he informed her.

"Really? Let's go have a look, we can't let this go unreported," she stood up.

"Work? On vacation?" Renji groaned, slightly regretting telling her.

"Come on Renji we still have our responsibilities as soul reapers," she said and started walking towards the door, "So where's the shop?"

"Just down the street," he pointed out.

After crossing the street they quickly went only to see that it was closed. Renji asked Rukia if they should go to the cemetery to catch up with Ryo but she decided against. If she was heading towards a cemetery then they should let her pay her respects. They would interrogate the girl a bit when she came back.

"Maybe we should go check on my brother and Ichigo," Rukia suggested.

"Right," Renji muttered, slightly disappointed that he missed the opportunity to ask Rukia out right there and then. He gripped the steel case in his pocket; hopefully Rukia would return his feelings.

8888

Where was he? As soon as they went into a big crowd all he did was follow a butterfly! As soon as it wasn't crowded anymore Byakuya was gone! Ichigo silently made a promise to himself that sometimes following a butterfly in a crowd wasn't the best of ideas. The small boy had tried his best to get back to the park but instead he found himself lost deep within a neighborhood. If only Byakuya was here with him…

After crossing a few streets he sighed in defeat as he walked around the cemetery. It was kind of strange when you walked around this place when you lived in the afterlife for a while. Looking around there wasn't really anyone around to give him directions. Looking up he blinked when he saw another butterfly.

"Hey! You're the same one that got me lost!" he pouted. The butterfly landed on a tombstone and he sighed again, "I'm sorry, it's not your fault. I'm the one who got lost." Ichigo read the tombstone the butterfly landed on and his eyes widened.

"M-Mom…"

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Masamune was strapped on her back over her dark sweater. For some reason when she felt this strange aura around her it got cold. She always heard when you were around spirits that it was cold but she doubted that Renji guy was a ghost, looked like a human all right. Usually when she saw spirits they had chains on their chest, it was weird but she didn't question it. Sometimes she would talk to a few of them and try helping them find peace yet when she left they were still there the next day.

"Sorry," she apologized to a dark haired man. He looked at her for a minute and quickly apologized before walking away. People these days…always in a rush. After finally walking out of the park and down a couple of streets she arrived to the cemetery, with the flowers and sake in hand. On her way she would say hello to the woman's grave in the case her brother was working on but when she arrived she was surprised.

A boy that looked around nine or ten years old was in front of the woman's grave. He wore a light blue hoodie and khaki shorts with small sneakers. What stood out most though was his orange hair and the fact that he looked like he was sleeping in a cemetery.

Ryo knelt down and started shaking the boy, "Hey little guy, what are you doing way out here?"

There was no response and she touched his forehead. It felt slightly warm, just how long was he here. After sitting him up and removing his little hoodie in order to cool him off Ryo placed the sake bottle and the flowers in a bag and carried the boy in her arms. She just couldn't leave him here. Just where were his parents or guardians?

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"Ichigo where are you?" Byakuya muttered as he looked for any sign of a small boy with orange hair. That boy made a habit of disappearing when he wasn't in sight. He'd already informed his zanpakuto to look for Ichigo but he wasn't sure if he'd told Zangetsu yet. Something inside told him Zangetsu would have a panic attack if he found out Ichigo was lost in Karakura.

"Brother!" he turned around to see Rukia running up to him, Renji following behind, "Hey brother, how are you and Ichigo doing?" He looked away, he knew that she would be able to figure it out without tell her. "Not again! He got lost in a huge crowd didn't he?" Rukia asked and he nodded a response.

"Does Ichigo have a habit of disappearing," Renji whistled.

"Renji! His is no time to fool around! He could be anywhere!" Rukia started looking around nervously.

"Calm down Rukia, you know every time Ichigo disappears he comes back unharmed so we should just relax and keep an eye out for him. Besides, Yoruichi is around town patrolling, she would find Ichigo and protect him from anything bad," Renji tried calming her down. He looked towards his captain and his eyes went wide when he saw him already walking away to go find Ichigo. Could the man walk fast!

"You're right Renji, I'll just send a text to the others then," Rukia sighed as she pulled out her phone to inform the others of Ichigo's disappearance.

"You gotta have faith Rukia, it is Ichigo after all," Renji put a hand on her shoulder.

She smiled at him, "You're right, thanks Renji."

"Come on, let's go look for him," he led the way.

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He blinked his eyes open and yawned a little. There was a splashing sound and rubbed his eyes. Somehow there was a feeling that he forgot something really important. When his vision cleared he saw a teen with light and dark honey brown hair with honey brown eyes.

"That's the last of the sake," she smiled. She blinked and looked over to him, a smile on her kind face, "Hello there."

"Hi," he smiled back.

"I found you unconscious in the cemetery what happened, are you okay now?" she asked.

"I'm okay, for some reason I just fainted," he explained.

"Must have been the heat," she chuckled, "I'm Ryo."

"My name is Ichigo," he happily introduced himself.

"Well Ichigo how did you get so lost, where is the one taking care of you?" she asked.

"I followed a butterfly then got lost, I can't find Byakuya anywhere," he mumbled.

She sighed, child innocence sometimes but who could ever blame them? "Don't worry Ichigo, I'll help you find Byakuya," she assured.

"Thank you!" he felt relieved at hearing this.

"I brought some tea if you want some," she took out a can of tea.

"You're very nice Ryo," Ichigo said and started drinking the cool beverage.

"Guess so," she looked at her brother's grave, she placed the flowers she brought on his grave and looked around. She smiled when she saw something familiar. "Yoru-chan!" Ichigo when looked to see a black cat with golden eyes he instantly smiled.

"Yoruichi!" he chirped. The cat's ears pricked up and looked at him. It hopped down from the wall, walking up to Ichigo.

"You know this cat?" Ryo asked.

"Of course!" Ichigo smiled as he picked the cat up.

"Huh, I thought it was a stray. I met it one night and decided to name it Yoru-chan. I feed it cooked fish and give it milk from time to time. Which reminds me!" she pulled out a bottle of milk and took the lid off the container to reveal the said cooked fish. She put it down and Yoruichi walked towards it, "Milk is still cold." Ryo pulled out a bowl and poured the entire milk bottle in, "Eat up Yoru-chan."

"You've met Yoruichi before?" Ichigo asked.

"I should be asking you the same thing," Ryo sat down in front of the cat, "Is she yours?"

"Nope," Ichigo giggled, "She lives with Mr. Urahara."

"Hm, I've heard that name before. He runs a small local candy shop, he's not bad but he is kind of weird," she threw in a crooked smile.

"So where did you meet Yoruichi?" Ichigo was curious how his aunt met Ryo.

"Well I was walking from kendo practice at night. There was a strange howling and luckily I had Masamune with me. It got so cold around me that I started shaking like crazy until the sound stopped and I saw a cat just walking by. It noticed me and ever since then I've called the cat Yoru-chan and thought it was a stray since it visited me whenever it wanted. I never knew she had an owner," Ryo rubbed the back of her head sheepishly, "So how did you find Yoruichi?"

"Oh, I was on the porch when I heard rustling in the bushes. That's when I first saw Yoruichi and I became her friend," Ichigo simply explained. The female cat walked over and Ryo looked at the empty contents of the bowl and container. She smiled and scratched the cat's head, this cat seemed smarter than most cats she'd seen not to mention friendly as well.

"Hope you haven't been cheating Ichigo out of his milk Yoru-chan," she joked. The cat looked at her as if assuring her she would never do that.

"Hey! I bet Yoruichi could help us find Byakuya!" Ichigo hopped to his feet.

"What if she's never seen Byakuya Ichigo?" she reminded him.

"Huh? Oh she knows him too! She talks to me all the time about him," he chirped.

"Uh…talks?" talk about an overactive imagination.

"Hey Yoruichi where are you going?" Ichigo chased after the cat.

"Wait up!" Ryo called then turned to her brother's grave, giving him one last smile, "Goodbye brother, may we meet again in the next life."

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"So this Byakuya person, what exactly does he looked like," Ryo finally asked once they reached the busy streets of Karakura town.

"Well he's tall, has black hair and gray eyes. Um…pale skin and he's really kind," Ichigo described.

"Wait a minute," Ryo thought back to the man she ran into, "It couldn't be him right? He said he looked kind…must be another person."

Just as they passed a pastry shop from across the street Ichigo started smiling and both Ryo and Yoruichi stopped. "I wish we could find some sweets for him. I want to let him know I'm sorry for wandering off again. I do that a lot," the small boy giggled nervously.

"Then why not?" Ryo was willing to buy a little candy.

"Well he doesn't like sweets," Ichigo told her.

"Not a sweet lover eh…" Ryo muttered, she remembered visiting a cousin who didn't like sweets. There was this one treat that was considered a sweet but not too sweet at all. Suddenly it clicked and she smiled towards the young boy.

"I got it! Wait here you two," she told them as she started running across the street just as the light turned green.

"Hey Yoruichi, how come you never talked in front of her?" Ichigo asked the cat.

The cat looked at him, swishing her tail, "Simple, she's just a regular human that's a little more aware of the real world around her, a world filled with spirits. It's a common law that's practice that we do not interfere with the natural lives of humans."

"So…telling her the truth of coming from the Soul Society is bad?" the small boy asked, "I'm sorry."

"It's all right, I think she just passed it off as your imagination. Just play along that you also have a life here in Karakura," Yoruichi advised.

"Okay Yoruichi," Ichigo smiled.

It was then that the said man they were looking for passed by. His gray eyes widened when he saw that small streak of orange hair and he started walking towards him. Inside his chest his heart was racing in relief and was about to call out his name when he froze upon seeing a black cat next to him. Immediately he paused, speechless. Ichigo had just wondered off with Shihoin… Hiding his spirit pressure, he went unnoticed, even by the cat woman and started walking away.

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"Kiku!" the girl from the counter looked up and smiled as she saw a familiar face entering the shop.

"Oh, Ryo what can I do for you?" she asked as the teen came towards the counter.

"Give me two boxes of macarons por favor," she winked a brown eye when she spoke "please" in Spanish. Might as well give her friend a little help in those Spanish classes they were taking…

Kiku giggled, "Of course. Two boxes of fresh macarons coming up!"

Ryo blinked and held up a hand near her mouth, she exhaled deeply and her eyes widened even more when she saw frosty breath. A shiver ran up her spine as she tugged at her jacket a little. That's strange; she didn't see any spirits around when she came in. Shrugging it off she focused on waiting for the macarons she ordered while taking out her wallet and counting her money.

Meanwhile from a booth at the corner of the shop Toshiro sighed as he watched the rest finishing the last of the cake. He'd already eaten some and had his share. Not to long ago did he get a text from Rukia Kuchiki that Ichigo had gone missing again. He urged for the others to hurry and they tried but they really didn't want to waste the cake. All of a sudden he blinked and looked as someone walk in. It was a regular looking teen with dark hair with bangs that swept the forehead and had honey brown eyes. What had really caught his interest was the sword that was strapped on the teen's back. The others must have noticed since he heard a sudden stop in everything.

"Not everyday you someone of this age carrying a sword," he narrowed his eyes on said item.

"Not just an ordinary sword, a zanpakuto," Sode no Shirayuki informed.

He looked at his zanpakuto in disbelief, as if trying to confirm this. Hyorinmaru nodded and spoke, "It's currently asleep though. What's a zanpakuto doing with a human, not to mention visible to others?"

"A zanpakuto…" Toshiro muttered as he continued looking at the sword.

The girl from the counter came back with two boxes and the dark haired teen quickly gave her the money and swept the boxes up.

"Hey Ryo what about your change!" she called after the teen.

"Keep it!" Ryo yelled over her shoulder and ran to the door in a hurry.

"Hey wait!" Toshiro quickly got out of the booth but as soon as he was near the counter Ryo was out of the door.

"That girl," the cashier giggled.

"Excuse me," the other teen blinked at him, "Do you happen to know her?"

"Oh, Ryo? Yep she's one of my friends. It's a shame though, she's moving away, it'll be her last year in Japan," she sadly sighed.

"Do you know where I could find her?" he asked hastily.

"Oh, she works at an antique shop downtown, it's the only one there," she informed him.

"Thank you," he nodded his head and looked back at the booth, "Hurry you guys, take the cake with you if you have to!"

"All ready finished," Zabimaru said. The three zanpakuto stood up and followed quickly behind Toshiro.

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"Got them," Ryo panted once she reached the other side of the street, "hope I didn't take too long."

"It's okay, we don't mind waiting," Ichigo chirped.

"Quite the gentlemen," Ryo chuckled as they started walking around town to look for a dark haired man.

"So what did you get?" Ichigo asked.

"Well since your friend," Ryo could only assume the man was for now, "doesn't like sweets I got some macarons you could give him. I have all sort of flavors, even green tea."

"They sound really good!" the small boy's brown eyes started shining brightly.

"In fact macarons are good! Would you like to try one?" Ryo offered as she picked one out of the box for him to try.

He took a small bite out of the macaron and his eyes shone like never before, "Wow! They're so good! They're not even sweet, these are perfect!"

"I got a small box for Byakuya for your apology gift," she winked at him.

"Wow, you're a really nice friend Ryo, I don't know what to say, thank you!" Ichigo flashed a great big smile. She couldn't help but smile back, this boy; she could sense something about him. It was like he could make connections simply by talking and smiling, it was truly amazing. They walked down the street, Yoruichi decided to ride on Ryo's shoulder the rest of the way. Ryo recognized this part of town as it was quite know for their pastry shops and led them through, even recommending some to the boy if he ever got the chance to try every shop. Soon enough something caught her eye and she nearly dropped her messenger bag.

What the heck was a samurai doing in Karakura Town!

"Zangetsu! Senbonzakura!" Ichigo ran up towards a teenage boy and the samurai. Ryo stood there and blinked. Was she imagining things or could Ichigo see the samurai as well?

The teen turned, he was quite handsome for a teenager. The teen had tousled brown hair, pale blue eyes along with a nice figure for a guy his age and smooth, clear skin that would be the envy of most males and females. He was wearing a white shirt with a sleeveless black hoodie over, a pair of dark jeans, and converse black and white sneakers. It looked like he was also browsing the pastry shops seeing as how he had a white box in his hand.

"Ichigo?" the teen turned towards the boy.

"Hi Zangetsu, you have a box too!" Ichigo pointed out.

"Yeah, it's a cake for someone I know, is Kuchiki with you?" he lifted an eyebrow.

"About that," Ichigo laughed nervously.

Ryo watched as the teen growled towards the samurai, "I thought you said I shouldn't worry about him."

"Well they say that too much stress is bad for one's health," she gawked. So this Zangetsu person could also see the samurai? Looking between the teen and the samurai there was a connection she felt between them, as if they were extremely close to each other in bond. Taking a brave step forward she walked up nervously.

"Ichigo do you happen to know um…this person?" Ryo asked, not wanting to attract attention by point out the samurai and looking stupid.

Both zanpakuto looked over to see a dark haired teen with brown eyes. Sitting on her shoulder was Yoruichi and Zangetsu felt relieved that at least someone he knew was with the boy but he didn't know the other. What he importantly noticed about the teen was there was a katana strapped on the back and not just any Kanata, a sleeping zanpakuto.

"Zangetsu, Senbonzakura this is Ryo! She's really nice and she's helping us find Byakuya," Ichigo introduced.

"Thank you for taking care of him," Zangetsu sighed, "He gets lost often."

"No problem," Ryo laughed nervously, "So…are you trying to help that samurai or is he just with you?" Both the samurai and the teen looked at her wide eyes and she inwardly regretted pointing the samurai spirit out.

"Wow! You really can see him!" the small boy chirped.

"Not exactly blind though," she muttered. The teen noticed how the other looked at the cat on her shoulder as if silently communicating with it. In a few moments Zangetsu relaxed and looked towards her again.

"Uh, the samurai," he was elbowed by said person. "Senbonzakura," Zangetsu corrected himself, "Is with me, it's hard to explain."

"I know how that feels, I've been haunted one or twice, I always had my father cleanse them for me," Ryo informed then asked, "So how do you know Ichigo?"

"Oh, he's a friend, a close friend actually," the teen explained.

"Practically a mother hen," this time he was elbowed but seemingly harder, he corrected himself with somewhat strain "Brother I mean…"

"Sorry about that," Zangetsu muttered silently to the samurai. His tone seemed like he didn't care but his eyes genuinely shone concern.

"Well I did deserve that," Ryo blinked, was that love in the masked samurai's eyes?

They must have been really close… It then clicked and she decided to do her favorite thing, tease lovebirds.

"Are you two perhaps dating?" she asked rather nonchalantly.

Zangetsu's face immediately flared red and she could tell that the samurai as well judging in the shock in his eyes. They immediately started to stutter, the teen even more flustered than the spirit. Looks like Ichigo's brotherly figure had a hard time dealing with perhaps confessions or love, she'd talk to him on the side later.

"Zangetsu why didn't you tell me you were in love with Senbonzakura?" Ichigo pouted towards the teen.

"W-Well I-," she decided to spare him.

"Hey Ichigo, shouldn't we be on the look out for Byakuya?" Ryo reminded the small boy.

"Master must be pretty worried," Senbonzakura whistled. She raised an eyebrow and once again both males before her tensed.

"Let me guess this Byakuya is a descendant from a shogun he use to work for," she pointed towards Senbonzakura, "So he serves as a guardian spirit protecting him from the evil spirits around him but somehow you," she pointed towards Zangetsu, "started falling for the deceased spirit who truly, genuinely loves you for who you are. It was then he decided he would protect you from anything at anytime even at the cost of his existence for your happiness and safety and winded up in a romance where it's nearly impossible due to the fact your human and he's a spirit."

They were both dumbfounded; she was pretty smart at making up stories, "Uh…sure."

She narrowed her eyes a bit, sensing that this really wasn't the truth but didn't push it. Ryo did manage to get the love part right and hopefully the teen got the hint. If she were lucky she would witness a kiss between two males like in the BL books! They started walking, Zangetsu asking a few questions about her and her Masamune. Unlike them the teen answered truthfully like her father always taught her then walked ahead with Ichigo a few inches in front of her and Yoruichi still on her shoulder.

"Senbonzakura, how could it be possible for a zanpakuto to appear in the human world and be visible to regular humans?" he quietly asked the samurai.

"There are accounts of a zanpakuto falling to earth and searching for its master. Unlike a rogue zanpakuto this zanpakuto was just waiting to be awakened and would remain asleep until it crossed paths with their destined partner. I believed it to be a myth but it seems the accounts are true," Senbonzakura informed the teen.

"She must have high spirit energy then, I can tell the bond between her and that sword is strong," Zangetsu muttered.

"Indeed," he looked at Zangetsu, "It was quite an interesting story she made up, wasn't it?"

Zangetsu flushed and nodded, "Quite…"

The zanpakuto smiled beneath his mask and reached inside the teen's pocket as to not hold it in midair where it would be weird or awkward for the other. This time, with a gentle squeeze from both, Zangetsu didn't let go.

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"Rukia, Renji, you two haven't happened to see a girl with a zanpakuto would you?' Hitsugaya asked after bumping into the pair.

"You've seen her too?" Rukia's eyes widened.

Toshiro nodded, "At the pastry shop not far from here."

"Renji found that girl in an antique shop and told me about her, looks like she's back from the cemetery," Rukia informed.

"We'd better find her, I want to ask her a few questions about that zanpakuto and it seems like she's moving away. Our only chance of contact would be today," the captain informed them.

"We should probably stick together, no use splitting up, and regrouping after someone's found her," Renji suggested.

"Right, lets go," Hitsugaya urged.

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"He should be around here somewhere, he's close," Senbonzakura informed the small group. They were in a deep and empty part of the park.

"That connection you have with that shogun descendant really comes in handy," Ryo winked, playing along in their game.

"Right…" Senbonzakura still thought she bought the lie.

She looked again and blinked, she stopped and suddenly the world went black. Taking a deep exhale her breath was a deep mist mixed with ice shards making her shudder. Something terrible and powerful felt close. Her vision was restored and before her she saw the exact man she bumped into earlier and had the same description Ichigo gave.

"Byakuya!" Ichigo smiled and started running towards him.

Ryo's eyes widened and quickly tossed her boxes on top of Zangetsu's. Yoruichi had leapt off her shoulder and observed as she ran just between her and the boy, the man just a few meters away from them both. Immediately her hand gripped her sword and took a defensive stance.

"Ryo! What are you doing?" Ichigo asked in panic. He tried getting around but Ryo stepped in the way again.

"Don't get any closer to him Ichigo!" she warned and clenched her teeth.

"Ryo, please!" Zangetsu quickly set down the boxes and walked forward but was held back. "Senbonzakura what are you doing?" he questioned the samurai, his eyes widened when he looked at his blue eyes.

"That's not Byakuya," Senbonzakura informed him coldly, eyes narrowed towards the dark haired man, "The real Byakuya is still a couple of meters away."

"Who are you? What do you want with this boy?" Ryo challenged as she drew out Masamune.

"Quite clever of you to decipher my disguise," chills ran down the samurai's back, the imposter had even copied the exact same voice, "I wonder…out of all of you which is the strongest. Even with my skill it is hard to tell."

"Don't you harm a hair on this boy," she growled.

"Then please, step forward and accept my challenge," he waved a pale hand. The teenage girl did as she was told and completely unsheathed her sword as she walked over. They both distanced themselves and they all watched with suspense and horror. Zangetsu quickly went over to Ichigo and protectively picked him up in his arms. He instructed the boy to bury his head within his shoulder so he wouldn't witness anything else.

"Shihoin, should we devise a plan?" Senbonzakura asked the cat.

She merely swished her tail, "No, just observe."

The man transformed in a complete demon right before her eyes. Ryo was shocked but chided herself in quickly recovering from it. Somehow this beast ha the same aura as the one who invaded their home and that day her brother was murdered. The bone white mask was horrifying and it had four legs with razor sharp talons, it also had a tail and the sound of its cry was deafening. Within a second it launched itself straight towards her.

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Just a few meters away Byakuya felt the spirit energy before it could ever reach his phone. He started running towards it, pulling out his phone as he did so. The spirit levels were rather high, a level higher than a menos. Sensing what was ahead he felt several spirit pressures rising, including his zanpakuto but what had compelled him to run was sensing Ichigo's spirit pressure. Regret started piling for not walking up to the boy when he had the chance to yet he had to push this aside.

Reaching the empty part of the park he pulled out the soul candy and was finally free from the gigai. Kenseikan in his hair, windflower scarf back on his shoulders and his haori flowing behind him. Instead of running he used his flash step and quickly reached the location of the hollow. His eyes widen upon seeing a human with a materialized zanpakuto out in the open in the human world and an imposter that looked like him. Looking between them he could see the group straight ahead and caught the eyes of Yoruichi Shihoin. A silent message was sent across and he readied his hand over his blade.

The imposter before him transformed into its true state, the girl readying herself in a stance. He observed as the hollow lunged forward and she calmly held the sword out in front of her.

"Cleanse! Masamune!" she commanded. The air suddenly went cold and there was a blast of cold air with small ice shards. It impacted the hollow and sent it flying back only a few feet with a wound on its shoulder. Looking back at the teen she looked exhausted and started falling forward. Taking this as his queue he pulled out his blade.

"Scatter, Senbonzakura," he sent a barge of glowing sakura petals towards the monstrous hollow. Luckily, it still had not recovered from its shock and his attack directly hit its target. Yet he wasn't assured for long when he heard another cry of a hollow. Looking towards his left he saw a hollow quite similar to a plant with several vines for arms. One of those arms had a hold of the unconscious girl. Waving his hand he sent another barge but was mildly surprised when the blades barely did any damage. Plant like hollows would only succumb easily to element type zanpakuto, if one wanted to wipe them out with a standard weapon then one needed to put enough force to kill them to the roots so they didn't have a chance of regeneration. He was about to do so when he heard another voice.

"Sit upon the frosted heavens, Hyorinmaru!" Captain Hitsugaya came forward from behind the creature with a surprise attack. It stabbed right through the hollow and started encasing it in ice. Once it was fully encased to the roots the hollows started dissolving along with much of the ice. The white haired soul reaper quickly ran up and caught the girl in his arms with ease then set her down on the ground.

They all walked up, Byakuya looking over to see Ichigo in Zangetsu's arms, slightly limp. Immediately he looked away in shame and looked towards the other captain.

"I sensed another unfamiliar spirit pressure, did it belong to her?" Toshiro asked.

Yoruichi walked up, "It did indeed, somehow she was able to summon the power of the sleeping zanpakuto yet it still isn't fully awakened."

"What should we do then?" Renji asked.

"If she gets reported there's no telling what would happen, she might even be executed," Rukia spoke with worry.

"This shall go unreported," they all looked at the white haired captain, "I sensed that the attack was much similar to an ice element zanpakuto, it can easily pass for my zanpakuto if I frost the spirit energy over. Well also need to perform a soul seal Bakudo."

"On the girl?" Byakuya questioned.

"On the zanpakuto, it's too dangerous to perform it on a human," he explained.

"Wait, what's a soul seal?" Rukia asked her brother.

"The soul seal is a Bakudo spell that nearly ranges in the forbidden Kido class, it seals any trace of spiritual pressure and any memory relating to such object. It's highly dangerous but it quickly wears out the spirit energy of the one performing it, so quick that it sends you on the brink of unstable," Byakuya explained.

"Is this all right with you?" Hitsugaya questioned.

"Do as you wish, I shall give you my word of not reporting the incident relating to this girl. I will report the incident of the hollow," the Kuchiki noble told him.

"All right then, everyone clear out, I need as much concentration as possible," he ordered. They did as he asked and the white haired captain looked at the sleeping girl. Hyorinmaru materialized beside him, looking at her as well.

"You think it is worth the risk," Hyorinmaru stated more than questioned.

"She sacrificed herself by falling into a trap. The first hollow was meant for a diversion and the second was meant for the killing since they would have no time to recover from their first attack. It was quite clever, and luckily we were in town today," Toshiro raised his blade, "It's the least I can do for her after she jumped in like that and if we were to report the zanpakuto then her effort would have been for nothing."

"That's quite kind of you master," Hyorinmaru observed as Toshiro pointed the blade towards the sleeping zanpakuto.

"I should at least do her one act of kindness, besides, I never really liked some of the laws anyway," he started drawing the kanji for power in midair. Next came spirit, memory, finally restraint. The sword started to glow a light blue and he poured all of his focus, there was a quick flash only visible to his eyes and the world felt like it was coming down on his shoulders. The white haired captain started to fall forward but was grabbed by the arm and pulled back.

"Are you all right master?" the ice dragon zanpakuto was thankful it did nothing more than wore his master out.

"Fine…please go get my gigai for me," he sighed as he rubbed his head. The zanpakuto quickly left and left Toshiro, after he was gone the captain fell to his knees and sat down, breathing heavily. There was a groan and he lifted his turquoise eyes to see the teen slightly moving. "It's all right, you're going to be fine," he wasn't sure who he was talking to at the moment, "The Soul Society doesn't know…"

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She woke up feeling exhausted and looked up to see the blue sky above her. Looking around she saw a bunch of people looking at her when her eyes settled on the dark haired man she guessed he must have been the real one, there was no feeling of threat.

"You must be Byakuya," Ryo groaned as she tried getting up to her feet.

"You might want to take it easy there," she looked over to see a strawberry blonde woman, "What's the last thing you remember?"

"The last thing I remember?" she repeated as she ruffled her hair, "Last thing I remembered was going up against some sort of demon and Masamune protecting me with some sort of crazy wind spell." Ryo's eyes widened as she looked around, "Where's Masamune-," she was interrupted.

"Is this your sword?" she looked over and her eyes widened even further. A flash came and remembered someone dressed in black robes with white hair. Looking in his arms was her sword.

"Yes," she nodded.

"Wait a minute, you're saying that you remembered the whole thing?" the woman gasped.

"Course I remember, did I hit my head or something?" Ryo scoffed.

"Looks like it didn't work," she muttered.

"I told you she had her own individual powers," looking back at the bench she saw the small boy seemingly sleeping and the cat right next to him.

"Great," Ryo sighed, "A talking cat, only adds more to this weird day."

"Not surprised?" Yoruichi asked.

"Not really," the teen yawned, "Ichigo did say you could talk after all."

"You seem to be handling this pretty well," looking over she saw a familiar red head and smiled.

"Hey Renji, give your special girl that special something," she winked her brown eye. Renji immediately went red and the group started looking at him.

"W-What are you talking about!" he yelled.

"Guess not," she nonchalantly said as she dug her hands in her pockets.

"Could we ask you a few questions?" a girl with black hair and blue eyes asked.

"Is this going to take a while?" she lifted and eyebrow.

"Depends on how much you know and what you're willing to confirm," the white haired teen informed her.

"Well, I want answers first," she demanded as she sat back down.

They'd tried giving her stories but every time they gave her a false one she rejected it. It was like the girl had a sixth sense! Eventually they all just gave up and told her the real truth. When she asked for Ichigo's full name her eyes slightly widened and demanded why the boy who was suppose to be a teenage right now was still a young boy. Once again they explained and once she fully understood she started giving them answers. How she could see ghosts along with her father who taught her to defend herself with Masamune. She also mentioned the shadows that invaded her house when she was small and the shadow her brother fought against but died saving her. They explained to her it might have been a hollow she was seeing and Ryo informed them that she might have never seen a hollow so clearly until today.

"You took that information awfully well," Yoruichi swished her tail from beside her.

"Thanks, I'm quite known for that but it's tired me out," she leaned back and looked at the cat, "I thought you were a female."

"I am but I have a masculine voice whenever I speak as a cat," she explained.

"I thought this world was weird before but now it's just even weirder," Ryo muttered.

"You know we just gave you very important information and we're breaking the law by doing this," Rangiku informed her.

"Don't worry, secret is safe with me, you won't have to worry about me for too long anyways," she tossed her head back, trying to relax.

"You're not thinking about that are you?" Rukia asked in a panic.

"I'm curious," she lifted her head back up and lifted an eyebrow, "What am I thinking?"

"Uh…crossing over into the next life?" Renji answered.

"Nope, wrong. I'm leaving Japan when the summer is over to go live with my mother so I doubt you'll ever see my face again until I cross over," Ryo informed them. They started talking as a group and smiled but felt slightly out of place. She looked over and smiled when she saw the small boy moving. "Looks like little Ichigo here is waking up," she announced.

"What happened?" Ichigo asked in his sweet groggy voice.

"Hey sleepy head," Ryo grinned as she ruffled the orange hair, "Have a nice nap?"

"Huh? I feel asleep?" the boy blinked and was fully awake.

"Course you did! Don't you remember you started getting tired so Zangetsu offered to carry you. Honestly Ichigo your growing up so don't give your "brother" any back problems!" she nagged and lightly slapped his back.

They all stared at her with wide eyes; surprised she lied so smoothly and was able to come up with a believable lie on the spot, looks like they had nothing to worry about after all.

"I'm sorry," he sheepishly rubbed the back of his head.

"No worries either, here's your little apology present Ichigo," she held out the box of macarons for him.

"I thought these were for Byakuya," Ichigo became confused.

"He's standing right over there," Ryo pointed out for the boy.

He looked over and smiled when he saw the said man with a phone in his hand, pressing the keys on his phone. Without a second thought the boy jumped off the bench and quickly ran up towards the man, tackling his leg. Byakuya looked genuinely surprised but when he looked towards the boy he looked away and back to his phone. Ryo blinked, there was a connection between them, she somehow known that, but it was hard to read the other man.

"My work here is done," Ryo stood up.

"Going somewhere?" Yoruichi asked.

"Home," the teen answered simply as she started leaving.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" she looked back and her eyes widened when she saw her sword still in the other's hand.

"Sorry about that Hitsugaya," she smiled sheepishly.

"Are you sure you'll make it home safely?" Rangiku noticed the teen's blunder.

"Ah, I'll be fine," she flapped a hand, "I just said that it was a lot to take in."

"Ryo! Are you really leaving?" Ichigo came over hearing his new friend.

"I have to go home sometime," she chuckled, "It is getting late."

"Well I ever get to see you again?" the small boy asked.

"The next time I might see you will be the day you might see me with my brother," she told him Toshiro's eyes widened at what she suggested. Despite it being true, it was still saddening, "You'll just have to hope it's sooner if you want to ever see me again so badly."

"Promise we'll see each other someday?" he held out his small hand, "Promise?"

Ryo's eyes widened but soften along with a smile, "I hope someday our paths will cross again, but a promise like that is too strong for me."

"Oh…" Ichigo's eyes started to turn sad.

Ryo ruffled his hair, "Better to have some kind of word than nothing at all right?"

"You're right," Ichigo returned a soft smile.

"Would you mind if I walked you home. I still have a few questions," Toshiro offered.

"Do I get to carry my sword home?" she pointed the to sword he slung over his shoulder.

"In the condition you're in, no," he smugly replied as he moved the sash in his hand a little to adjust the sword.

"Fine then," Ryo sighed then turned towards Ichigo, "Goodbye."

"See you someday Ryo!" Ichigo waved them off.

They started walking and a man had joined them. Ryo looked over and asked, "Is that-."

"My zanpakuto, yes," Hitsugaya finished for her.

"What's his name?" she inquired.

"Hyorinmaru, and I thought I was suppose to be asking the questions," Toshiro reminded her.

"Right, sorry for being so curious when I learned everything around me really isn't normal," the teen apologized sarcastically but smirked at him.

"Most people would fall into shock or refuse to believe the truth," the white haired captain countered.

"Well it just explains what I already suspected, that's all. Plus I've been longing for a life of excitement like those in books or manga. My brother always said that I lived in my own fantasy world," she stretched her arms out and grinned.

"The world you wish for isn't as easy going as you think, you still need to eat plus you'll age but not as fast as humans. Not only that we have a job as soul reapers to protect the balance of the world of the living and the Soul Society while protecting souls," he clarified.

"Seems pretty ironic since you've mentioned before I might get killed if you ever reported Masamune," she reminded him.

"We're not, so you don't have to worry about that," Toshiro assured her.

"Thank you, you saved my life twice today," Ryo smiled and thanked him properly.

"It's my job to protect anyone from hollows," he explained, being modest.

"So what did you want to ask me anyway?" she reminded him.

He blinked, he was so wrapped up in the conversation he nearly forgotten, "Oh, right, I have a few questions relating to your sword."

"Go ahead then," the teen fully encouraged.

"How can you still remember your sword, and how the sword still not cut you despite the seal I put on it," he questioned.

"Master, perhaps you did not correctly perform the seal. After all even I would have forgotten about it, the only one who should be able to remember is you," the ice dragon zanpakuto informed, "It might also be the reason you suffered minimal damage."

"True…at least I did one thing right, concealing the spirit energy," Toshiro noted.

"Wait, you did something to my sword!" Ryo screeched.

"Do you want to be reported by someone else?" Toshiro reminded her.

"I'm moving anyway!" she reminded.

"Well what if there was a chance someone came along and reported it while you were staying here or the chance of you not moving away? Do you really want to be killed?" he challenged.

Her eyes went wide then looked away sadly, "I wish there was that chance…the one where I would stay."

"Forgive me, that was rude," he apologized.

"No, no…I should be more grateful. You're protecting me after all, besides the only thing you really did was hide the spirit energy right?" she asked.

"Of course," he nodded in confirmation.

"Then that's fine," she sighed, "Almost home."

"Is that were you live?" he asked, pointing to the simple white house.

"My dad is a modest man so we both live in a modest home," she shrugged.

"I've never really been around this part of Karakura Town, wonder if it's near a landmark," Toshiro muttered.

"Sorry! I must have distracted you! I really just should off walked home alone," Ryo regretted.

"You do realize your doubting my abilities as a captain. I'm required to have the ability to sense spiritual pressures from long distances. I should be find searching my way back," he gave Ryo her sword back then crossed his arms.

"Sorry, didn't realize," she laughed a little, "Toshiro…can I ask you a favor?"

"What is it?" he might as well listen to her request; it was her last summer in Japan after all.

"If you see my brother, a young man with black hair that brushes his shoulders, black eyes, pale skin, and an inch or two taller than me…could you tell him that his sister is alive and healthy?" Ryo asked a little shyly.

"I'll see what I can do, if I cross paths with him that is," inwardly he knew the chances of meeting him were slim yet he had to try to ease the girl's conscious.

She genuinely bought it, eyes shining with happiness and all of a sudden she rushed forward and the air was gone from his lung as he was crushed in a tight hug. Once again he felt short for only reaching somewhere around the girl's shoulder yet reminded himself that height wasn't the most important thing in the world, it was air.

"Thank you Toshiro! I'll never forget you!" he blinked and she let go with the biggest smile on her face. The white hair captain watched her as she practically skipped like a gazelle into her house.

"Master, I never knew you were smooth with women," Hyorinmaru's tone was normal but there was teasing behind it.

"Shut up!"

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They were now walking back Urahara's shop and a handful of minutes Toshiro had sent them a text that he was now on his way towards the shop as well. Everyone exchanged their stories along the way and how they would miss the world of the living. Byakuya and Ichigo were walking a little bit away from the group. The older man carefully watching the boy this time and matching his pace as to not lose him to another crowd again.

Earlier he didn't know what he was thinking. He had seen Ichigo and was relieved after finding him before anyone else did. It was something that Renji had said earlier about Shihoin that made him worried. There was something that he had to prove, that he was worthy of keeping his temporary custody and found himself racing against the werecat in his own imagination as to finally settle the matter that was weighing down on his shoulders. That Yoruichi was in fact better than him and the thought of losing the small boy to her was completely out of the question.

When he saw the cat with he felt like he lost everything. Even the confidence to keep the promise he made to himself to protect the boy was drained away. Ichigo kept getting swept away every time Byakuya was with him. It was hard to admit but it even damaged some of his pride. There was no thinking when he suppressed his spirit pressure and turned away. It was only a few minutes afterward that a hollow was detected on his phone that was given to him and he hesitated. Byakuya Kuchiki barely hesitated; this was one of those rare moments. He could sense Shihoin was with Ichigo; she could probably protect him better than he could but one pulse of the strong spiritual energy and he sent himself running. There were no thoughts involved in that moment as well, all but one, the need to know if he was okay.

Afterwards as he saw the unconscious boy he didn't know what to think. He watched as Ichigo was set down on the bench, Byakuya couldn't read Zangetsu's head; the teen probably hated him for not taking proper care of him. Then he remembered the threat of the zanpakuto taking Ichigo away how he was reminded that he was protecting the boy's very life. What was he thinking taking on that responsibility? It then hit him; all he was thinking was just protecting this boy, all he was thinking about was this one venerable person. Was this the same weight that Ichigo Kurosaki carried every time he was protecting someone, the feeling of guilt when something happened and the anxiety one felt when they didn't know if they were all right or not?

"Byakuya, you still never said anything about the macarons!" his train of thought snapped as the open box revealed a few small little treats the boy had called a macaron. He remembered eating these before but it was a long time ago, he barely remembered the taste. "I'm really sorry about getting lost Byakuya, I tried looking for you everywhere!" the boy told him.

He took about three of the remaining macarons, which left the boy with two. Eating the simple treat he tasted coconut, almonds, and even green tea. They stopped for a little bit, gray eyes carefully observing as the small boy ran towards the trashcan and disposing the box properly before running back. Now they were several feet behind the group, Senbonzakura and Zangetsu were the two that where closest.

"I'll miss this place," Ichigo sighed he didn't know how much those words affected the noble. How much they stabbed at him and forced him to realize if he wanted to make this boy truly happy, for him to truly be safe, he might just have to let him go.

"Byakuya?" Ichigo turned as he noticed the man had stopped walking behind him. The man had been acting quite strange this evening, even more secluded than usual. He had tried his best to snap him out of him and just when he thought Byakuya was back to normal he was acting strange again. Looking towards Byakuya he couldn't read the man's expression, then again he really couldn't tell what the man was truly thinking but he tried anyway.

"You don't have to leave," the man spoke normally.

"Huh?" was all he could manage as a response.

"Kurosaki, if you wish to stay here you may do so. I want to be assured of your happiness, and your security. Yoruichi Shihoin has demonstrated more potential of maintaining this than I would ever have. The custody could be renounced and you could stay here in Karakura Town," he finally told him.

Having been in earshot Zangetsu quickly turned, thankful that he didn't have the cake right now or he would have dropped it, and looked at his master and Byakuya Kuchiki just standing there. What had he just said? How dare he leave Ichigo with such a decision! Was he trying to prove something? Rage immediately flared inside him as he stepped forward but was shocked when he was held back. The teen was swept back and was being crushed by the very arms that he held dear.

"Don't go…" Senbonzakura's voice was hardly audible yet he could sense the fear and shaking of it all. "That story earlier, that story the girl made up, some of it is true. I will protect you no matter what, I love you with everything I have Zangetsu, love you for who you are, and I promise you everything…just don't leave," the samurai's voice cracked.

Immediately the teen started blushing and responded, "You know some of it wasn't exactly what she said-."

"Please Zangetsu, I just can't be without you," his arms tightened around his waist, making him gasp, turning his cheeks into a deep shade of crimson. It finally fell into place, and Zangetsu finally found the answer to an earlier question. However, despite this it really wasn't his choice right now yet he was somewhat grateful to the Kuchiki that he had brought this up because without it he would have never have found his answer. Now all he could hope was that Ichigo's childish innocence wouldn't get in the way with making the right choice. Zangetsu led the samurai away, as to let the Kuchiki and Ichigo gain some privacy; they would know the answer when they reached the shop.

"What are you talking about Byakuya?" the Kuchiki looked from the ground towards the boy, trying to keep his expression calm. "I'm already happy with you," the boy stated and smiled.

"Wouldn't you prefer to be here instead of the Soul Society and live with Shihoin instead of waiting for her to come back the next day?" he relayed the information. Byakuya wasn't sure what he was doing it was like he needed to hear a clear answer before he let the fear of letting this radiant small boy go.

"I would be even sadder if I didn't get to see you everyday," Ichigo gave him slightly crooked smile. It was as if the thought of it made him look like he would cry. With those words the boy started walking away, a little spring in his step to catch up to the others. He thought the boy was finished talking when the next words would make him lose his thought process completely.

"After all I like Byakuya more than anyone else!" the boy chirped.

It made him stop for a second before he could fully move again. How much has the boy affected him so far? First it was breaking through the barriers, started to feel again, and even blushing. Was he really supposed to feel this way under these circumstances? Looking towards the boy he was just happily running around. The older man had a habit for preparing for anything but this time he wasn't prepared at all. Would it be best to just let things happen the way they were? What would happen if he opened just his heart by just a little? Looking at the sky he allowed himself to breathe, maybe someday… he would try it.

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"Here's your cake Benihime," Zangetsu handed over the white box. He finally remembered after chatting with her a while alone.

The woman gently took it out of his hands and smiled seeing the cake was still perfectly fine. "Thank you Zangetsu, do you have your answer yet?" she questioned.

"Actually I do," she raised an eyebrow.

"Please, enlighten me," she set the cake down on the table.

"Byakuya Kuchiki gave Ichigo the choice of either staying here or coming back," he informed her.

"Seeing as you're out of your gigai, you're leaving correct?" Benihime hit it right on the mark.

"Yes my lady," he still used extreme politeness, "We overheard them speaking, it was then that he offered me anything he could offer as long as I would stay by his side. All he did was hold me and somehow I knew those words were the truth."

"Another lesson accomplished then," Benihime took the take out of the box and cut a slice from it.

"You really should stop toying with someone's emotions," Zangetsu sighed, already knowing the answer.

"I don't think so, it's too entertaining. You'll never learn what you might have if you don't mess around a bit," Benihime started eating.

"Fine, I'll be leaving then," the teen turned as reached his hand to slide the door open.

"How long has you spirit energy been unstable?" his hand paused.

It was a few moments before he could answer, "Since the day Ichigo has turned into a child I woke up in my bankai state. The moment I woke up I tried summoning bankai but I wasn't able to. Since it's unnatural I'm guessing it's what's making me so unstable."

"You know materializing yourself instead of staying in your inner world is dangerous," she informed him.

"I know but if I stay there all day the others will get worried, plus my world isn't exactly stable either," he added.

"Then you're just going to have to wait for a cure," she reached over and took a sip of tea.

"I don't know how long it will take though," he silently muttered. Reflexively he reached his arms out and caught something in his hand, looking at it, it was a candy dispenser.

"Those are spirit supplements, they'll tide you over until a cure can be found, don't take more than once a day, it could be dangerous," she warned.

"You're being unusually nice," he raised an eyebrow at the woman's change in behavior.

"Technically you are my student, I wouldn't want to be embarrassed to hear that I've failed to teach you anything when the Zanpakuto Battle Competition arrives," the crimson princess explained.

"Battle Competition," Zangetsu softly murmured as he turned to face her. "I've only heard of it mentioned once, what is the Zanpakuto Battle Competition?"

She scoffed, "Figures when a zanpakuto isn't born in the Soul Society." She put down her fork and looked at him, "It's basically a competition where zanpakuto have a chance to show their skills. Only the most powerful enter the competition and whoever wins is named the second most powerful zanpakuto in all Soul Society," she explained smoothly.

"Second?" he echoed.

"No on goes against Ryūjin Jakka you'd have to be the biggest fool who's ever lived," she took a heavy drink from the teacup then set it down, "By the way, if you're entering you'd better think of something to make up for your bankai, you don't want your little secret to get out don't you?"

"I've already told my friends," he informed.

"Great," she muttered, "You better hope word doesn't go out to the other zanpakuto or you'll be treated like garbage, there are only a few zanpakuto who are fools enough to enter with just their shikai."

"My friend Sode no Shirayuki is not a fool," he defended his friend's pride.

"How would you know she entered?" she lifted an eyebrow.

"She had to get the title somewhere," Zangetsu shrugged.

"Right, most beautiful zanpakuto in all Soul Society," she scoffed, "You better not mess things up or me giving you those pills would be for nothing."

"You're using me aren't you?" he said as he looked at the dispenser in his hand.

"About time those zanpakuto remember me, still have a name to live up to. Well…now they'd think I was soft but at least I would be credited for training a zanpakuto," Benihime muttered as she started eating her cake again.

"What was that name?" he thought he saw a flash in her eyes.

"Crimson Death."

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A/N: I tried, and several times I've failed to come up with a working system to acknowledge my reviews, finally found one but it's not until later. =)

Chapter 11 Anon Review: To Guest: I had quite a lot of fun with that one! I'm glad and grateful that you enjoyed it!

Chapter 11 Signed Review: Scyler

Chapter 12 Signed Reviews: arisa0, xXxOtAkU-444xXx, Kichou, The weasel is MINE XP, EipenKora, Skyler Stackhouse, Lil Mexican, chibitomodachi, vheer, Anime Hottie Lovah, Love Psycho, The Fan of Almost Everything, XxItsmeNInaxX, , shebajay, Sorrow The Brave, Musa Silver-Hawk, Yuki-n-Shuichi4evrfan33, skyglazingMaro, the dark euphie, Myumigirlisdeviant, Ren-sama23, Kiss of Immortality, Hesymi, Dashusi4ka, korienna, yang003, KellieAM: Also reviewed chapter 7.

Chapter 12 Anon Reviews: (Please note that some of the following reviews are outdated due to the fact I'm worn out to the bone right now)

To anonymous: Well to tell you the truth I'm just going to go with the flow. I'll tell you guys if I'm going to post a lemon on my new account when the chapter comes up but I am going to use the rating to the fullest and go for suggestive here and descriptive there so you'll know. Thank you for you loyalty and I'm so glad for your advice.

To Kuugen: Ah, don't worry too much about being bias; a lot of people are bias, even me. It's part of being human after all. Plus don't worry too much about the whole "I would read the end first" thing I do that as well. As for the end, this is all I can give you: couples will end up together, and there will be a happy ending. I just hope I can write a good enough ending. Thanks for the cake! It's so awesome! Glad to hear your excitement and encouragement, it means a lot to this writer's heart!

To neko neko: Ah, a fan of the cartoon? It's been a while since I've watched it honestly. I got tired of it when my favorite couple got spilt up but I still respect it. Anyway Fanfiction doesn't really allow stories with drugs in them so that may be a reason why…even if it might be consensual in the end. Sorry on the updates, it take a while now a days. Well I can't wait to hear from you! (Chuckles)

To byaichilove: It has been a while and I'm doing well now! Sorry I can't answer the question though, I'm not even sure myself. By the time I'm finished with Byakuya there'll be no sign of those darn walls! Then we can all thank a certain strawberry! As for Zangetsu and Senbonzakura they really are starting to make very sweet progress. Glad to hear from you again!

To ATPT557: Aw…I didn't mean for it to happen but sometimes a writer must be harsh with their characters. No matter how cruel! (Sniffs)

Shade: You really need to learn how to toughen up…

ShadowWolf: (hits him in the back of the head with a folded paper fan) Shut up! Well sometimes I just love messing with Byakuya and it really is necessary, a writer must show no mercy when writing a story, they had to do whatever it take to accomplish their small goals. Sorry about the chapter if you didn't enjoy it as much as the others. Hope this one was worth the wait!

To Yashura: I know but in reality it wasn't a new rule at all and they've banned that kind of stuff since 2002. I really didn't know about it until it was announced, I should have checked the rating system a little more carefully. Thanks for the encouragement though, really helps! I'll try my best to keep up the cute Ichi moments!

To Anonim: Well I hope the chapter was long enough for you. I always try my best with updates and this will be the last time for a three-week wait, I can assure you. Always glad to see a reader's enthusiasm!

To AnonCanon: Thanks but I now have a brand new account up and ready. Sorry…I appreciate it though, thanks a bunch!

To Guest: Thank you so much! (Bows) I appreciate it you're lovely compliments on my portrayal of little Ichi. As for Zangetsu let's hope his stubbornness doesn't get in the way of his budding love much like Byakuya. I hope you have enjoyed this chapter.

To Guest (2): Umm sorry I didn't receive the website address. Although I appreciate it, by any chance where you trying to mention Your Fanfiction since they also have a warning bar? If so I already have a new profile on there with the same penname. Thank you for your taking you time to give me advice though, I appreciate it!

This is ShadowWolf XIII logging off!