Disclaimer: I do not own bleach nor do I own any of its characters

Here is the sequel to "A present for the sadist" Enjoy!!!!

It makes me sad that none of my readers got the real culprit. Then again, I gave no clues whatsoever on who is the culprit because like I always say:

'Obscurity is a criminal's greatest ally'

This chapter would reveal the real culprit

The Culprit!

Byakuya stroked his visitor's silver hair as the boy slept. Its 12:00 in the evening and for some reason, he couldn't sleep. He is wearing nothing but a white yukata and his kenseikan are nowhere in sight. The nobleman looked in pity at the boy's pale face and foaming mouth. It's as if for every passing moment, this young captain's life is slipping away from their grasp.

The boy groaned a little in his sleep, the foam dripping out of his mouth and falling on the white pillow.

The Kuchiki simply continued looking at the boy and stroking his hair.

The young captain continued to groan and this time, Byakuya got worried. More groans escaped the young boy's mouth.

Byakuya's eyebrows furrowed as he struggled to know why the boy is groaning so much. It was then that he realized the boy isn't groaning, his mumbling something. Immediately, the nobleman strained his ears to hear clearly what the boy is trying to say.

"I-Is-I…ne…" was all he heard. His eyes narrowed and brows furrowed even more. What could that be?

As usual, the nobleman made his way to the meeting room. And as usual, people around him either stepped aside or bowed. But unlike any usual day, his mind is filled with something very disturbing—Hitsugaya mumbled something in his sleep. Is it a clue to who his killer is? Or is it just some conversation in his dream that he happened to say? Whatever the case, it didn't help him sleep.

"You're late, Kuchiki taichou" The general spoke looking at the Kuchiki. Needless to say, all captains were surprised. Kuchiki Byakuya is never late in any meetings.

"Sumimasen, Yamamoto sou taichou" he replied in his usual stoic tone.

"It's alright, I understand that you're up all night taking care of Hitsugaya taichou and so far, you havce done an excellent job, Kuchiki taichou"

"I am merely doing my job as a captain, sou taichou"

"Can we proceed?" Kurotsochi interrupted "I didn't come here just to hear compliments for Kuchiki taichou"

The other captains looked at the scientist then the general spoke "very well, we're all here to report about Hitsugaya taichou's current condition and the culprit"

"Tch, they said that the reiatsu is too small to be a captain's right? Then what does this have to do with me?" Zaraki crossed his arms across his chest. The general ignored him and signaled Unohana to report.

"Well, we've ruled out many suspects such as: Matsumoto fukutaichou, Yumichika, Ikkaku, all captains…"

Byakuya didn't pay much heed to what Unohana was saying. His mind is focused on what the boy 'said' last night.

"…Kira fukutaichou and Hinamori fukutaichou" Unohana finished.

"Wait, you said no one on your squad, does that mean that all of your members are suspects?" Soi Fong inquired.

Unohana bowed her head "Sadly yes. I won't deny the fact that most of my division members have access to poisonous products"

"Wait, you didn't mention anyone from my division as well" Kurotsochi exclaimed

"Kurotsochi taichou, you're division have more access to poisonous chemicals than my division members. It's only fair"

"So the culprit is a seated officer of the fourth or 12th division?" Ukitake inquired.

"Not really. If you listened closely, you will see that there are still a number of suspects in the 11th and 2nd division. This is because 11th division members tend to have a high degree of reiatsu while 2nd division members have stealth training. The fact that we have yet to catch the culprit despite the security means that many of them is a potential suspect"

"I see…" that was the general, still deep in thought. It was then that the old man noticed Byakuya's distant stare "…Is something the matter, Kuchiki taichou?"

Byakuya immediately snapped out of his trance. "None, sou taichou" he sternly replied.

"Yeah, you've been quieter than usual lately" Kyouraku voiced out.

"Hmm, well, my mind has been preoccupied with what Hitsugaya taichou mumbled last night" the nobleman confessed.

"Mumbled? What did he say?" Unohana is now genuinely curious.

"He said 'I-Is-I..ne'"

The room fell silent, all in deep thought on the meaning of that 'phrase'

"Tch, probably something random that he voiced out while talking to someone in his dreams" Zaraki growled "Can we go now?"

The general snapped out of it as well "yes you may, Dismiss" with that, the captains left the meeting hall.

"Hitsugaya taichou, time for your medicine" Unohana walked in the boy's room with a smile followed by Isane, Hanatarou, Ukitake, Byakuya, Kurotsochi, Komamura and three more fourth division members.

"First, I need to extract my chemical" Kurotsochi said drawing blood from the boy's arm. Satisfied with the sample, he left, Komamura not far behind (He's guarding Kurotsochi remember?)

"Alright, now for the medicine, Isane" Unohana turned to her trusty vice captain.

"Hai, Unohana taichou" with that, the white haired girl approached Hitsugaya.

The boy groaned and his head turned to Byakuya, Ukitake and Unohana. He groaned even more.

"Don't worry Hitsugaya taichou, this won't hurt" Isane smiled sweetly as she took Hitsugaya's forearm.

More groans escaped his lips and he's now thrashing violently, throwing Isane to the floor.

"Hitsugaya taichou, behave yourself!" Unohana scolded but the boy continued to thrash, as if trying to get up.

'What is he trying to do?' Byakuya's brows furrowed as he tried to comprehend what's going on. He watched as Ukitake and other fourth division members pinned Hitsugaya down. Then, the boy looked at him with pleading eyes. 'What do you want me to do, Hitsugaya taichou? What are you trying to say?'

"Hitsugaya taichou please calm down, this won't hurt, I promise" Isane struggled to get the boy captain to stay still.

'Well that was a stupid statement, the boy isn't afraid to be sliced in half so what makes you think he'll be afraid of a small needle' Byakuya thought. 'He's scared of something else, but what?'

Then, his eyes widened in realization 'I-Is-I…ne…of course!'

To be continued

Well, I believe I've been quite obvious on this one. Please review.