Hello Everybody. Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter. Everythings starting to come together now and things will be made crystal clear over the next few chapters... Hopefully. Happy Reading ^_^

Someone To Watch Over You Chapter 25

With the Head-Captains threat hanging over their heads, the only thing they'd been able to do was wait. They were all aware that something terrible had transpired outside the walls of the First Division. They'd all felt it. It'd been impossible not to feel it. The whole of the Seireitei had probably felt it. Yet it appeared the Head-Captain had decided to turn a blind eye to the situation and had been ploughing on with the meeting regardless.

It'd been ten minutes since both Shunsui and Nanao's spiritual pressures had vanished and nobody liked what that may indicate.

"And that concludes this meeting," The Head-Captain rounded up.

Ukitake snapped to attention on hearing those words. He knew once the Head-Captain dismissed them all, that he would have to make a quick departure to avoid being called back by Yamamoto. Which in this instance, was a real possibility.

Ukitake stared straight ahead resolutely avoiding the Head-Captains eyes as the old man swept his gaze over the assembled Captains. He felt Yamamoto's eyes burning a hole in the side of his head, yet Ukitake still refused to look at him. It was vital that he got to Shunsui and Nanao as soon as possible. Who knows who the Head-Captain would call upon to place the squad Eight leaders under arrest. It certainly wouldn't be himself, he was involved and the Head-Captain knew that. The same could be said for Unohana too. To Ukitake the logical choices would be either Soifon and her Stealth Force or possibly Kuchiki or Komamura. Either way Ukitake knew they had to act fast and get both Shunsui and Nanao to the Fourth to help delay their eventual arrest.

The Head-Captains gaze finally shifted from Ukitake and flicked back across the room, travelling down the opposite line of Captains. Out the corner of his eye, he saw the Head-Captain pause when he reached Unohana, who was also avoiding his gaze. Yamamoto let out a low growl and continued down the line of Captains. When he reached the empty spot where Shunsui and Nanao had been standing, he paused and stared at the spot for an agonizingly long time.

Ukitake chanced a look just as the Head-Captains gaze flickered back to him. It was only a brief look, but Ukitake wanted to dissolve right then and there. Yamamoto broke eye contact and levelled his heavy gaze on Toushiro.

"Captain Hitsugaya," The Head-Captains voice shattered the tense silence.

"Sir."

"Stay. Everyone else is dismissed."

As soon as those words left the Head-Captains mouth, Ukitake headed for the door with accelerated steps. As soon as he stepped out into the corridor and left the meeting hall, he ran.

"Captain Ukitake!" Rangiku yelled at the top of her voice as she sprinted full speed down the hallway, trying to catch up with him, "Captain Ukitake!"

She saw him skid to a halt and glance back over his shoulder, "Rangiku," he then turned on his heel allowing to her to catch up with him, "Toushiro's right. You really shouldn't get involved."

"But I'm already involved." As soon as she'd closed the distance between them she reached for him and latched onto his arm, "Please, you need my help too."

"Very well, come on," he hurried forward and broke into another run, "We need to act fast."

Rangiku easily kept her pace up with him, "Their pressures..." she began.

"I know," Ukitake replied without glancing back, instead he just kept running, "I cant feel them either."

"What do you suppose the Head-Captain wants with Toshi?"

Ukitake didn't answer her question right away and Rangiku could sense his hesitation, "Captain Ukitake?"

"It seems the Head-Captain has issued a warrant of arrest for Shunsui and Nanao. I believe he's given the orders to Toushiro to see that its carried out."

"You cant be serious!" Rangiku nearly tripped over in shock, "But.. What.. Surely.."

Ukitake reached for her hand and pulled her along without breaking his sprint, "Like I said. We need to act fast and hope like hell we can get both Shunsui and Nanao to the Fourth as soon as possible."

"Why?"

"Because if they are both admitted to the Fourth as patients, then on medical grounds they cant be arrested until they are considered fit and well enough to be discharged."

"Oh I think I see now."

"If we can get them to the Fourth then at least we can bide ourselves some time whilst we figure out what the exact problem with Nanao is," they hurtled around the final corner and they both saw the Firsts main entrance looming up ahead.

They charged through the massive white doors and skidded to a stop once they caught sight of Shunsui's discarded pink haori. Rangiku hurried over to it and plucked it up off the ground. She clutched the pink haori to her chest and started rotating on the spot, sweeping her eyes over the wide courtyard.

When her eyes fell on Shunsui's unconscious form several metres away, the silken fabric slipped from her fingers and fluttered to the ground.

"SHUNSUI!" She cried out in alarm before running over to him. Ukitake got to him first with a well executed shunpo.

"Shunsui can you hear me?" Ukitake had knelt down next to him and was patting his cheek trying to rouse him, "Shunsui!"

Rangiku's eyes travelled over Shunsui's prone form. When she swept her gaze over his chest area she felt her stomach churn slightly at the sight. Shunsui's Shinigami robes that usually covered the front of his torso had been singed away, exposing his well muscled chest and stomach. Running from his waist and up to his solar plexus was a large angry looking scorch mark. The worst of the damage however was in the direct centre of his chest, where the skin was blackened and charred and congealed with blood. Thin wisps of steam were rising up in swirls from the charred bits of skin. His chest was rising and falling erratically as he struggled to breathe properly. No doubt a combination of the pain and shock.

"Shun-kun!" Rangiku dropped down to her knees on Shunsui's other side and reached for his hand.

Shunsui drew in a sharp breath which he quickly released in a painful gasp. Seeing this Ukitake patted Shunsui's face a bit more forcibly, "Come on Shunsui, wake up damn it."

After a few more laboured breaths, Shunsui started to stir. His eyes finally peeked open but he just couldn't seem to catch his breath. His grey eyes focused on Ukitake then darted to Rangiku, "Juu.. Ran.." he managed to gasp out.

He slid his eyes closed again and Ukitake slapped his face sharply, "Don't go back to sleep Shunsui. Stay with us okay."

Rangiku heard several voices and she glanced up to see everyone else beginning to file out of the First division. They received several stunned glances but she tuned them out. She heard two swishes of shunpo and then a gentle hand rested against her shoulder. Rangiku glanced up to see Unohana hovering over her with Isane just to one side. She moved away from Shunsui's side and Unohana took her place. Isane knelt down next to her Captain ready to offer her assistance.

Unohana flicked her wrist and her hand began to glow a soft blue which Rangiku recognized as a diagnostic kido. Unohana's hand hovered over Shunsui's chest and she slowly moved her hand around the injury, "You're having trouble breathing Shunsui," she stated quietly, "I'm not surprised. Your diaphragm has been badly damaged."

"His diaphragm?" Rangiku questioned.

"Its the large muscle between your lungs and your stomach which helps you to breathe Rangiku," Isane supplied helpfully.

The soft blue kido lighting up Unohana's hand flickered slightly then changed colour to the customary green of a healing kido. As she got to work on easing Shunsui's discomfort she instructed Isane to send for a relief team to transport Shunsui to the Fourth. Whilst she were repairing the worst of the damage she gently ask, "Shunsui can you tell me what happened?"

"She ran away... I tried... To stop her," Shunsui seemed to be breathing a little easier but his voice was very hoarse, "She knows."

"Knows what Shunsui?" Ukitake asked frowning.

"Everything," he wheezed slightly, "It came" he paused while he caught his breath again, "Back to her."

Rangiku who'd been standing back a bit stepped around the small group and knelt down near Shunsui's head, "That's why she seemed so agitated in the meeting."

Shunsui made a small grunt of confirmation, "She's upset. Please you must go after her."

Of course she would be, Rangiku thought. Nanao hadn't any memory of that unfortunate morning. For it to suddenly come rushing back to her like that. Hell she had every right to be freaked out by it.

Unohana made a small noise of disbelief. Ukitake glanced at her before asking, "What is it Retsu?"

"Shunsui your spiritual pressure," Unohana paused while she searched for the right words, "Its very low. In fact its barely registering."

Shunsui awkwardly lifted his arm and grabbed the front of Ukitake's robes and pulled him closer, "Juu you have to go after her."

"Easy there Shunsui," Ukitake tried to prise Shunsui's hand free, "We will go after her. Just let us take care of you first okay."

"NO!" Shunsui was beginning to grow agitated himself, "Go after her now."

"Calm down Shunsui," Unohana warned, "Nanao's very ill and its obvious her spiritual pressure is dangerously unstable," Unohana flicked her wrist and the healing kido faded, "I think in this situation it would be for the best if I went after her instead."

"Do you know where she ran off to Shunsui?" Rangiku asked.

Shunsui tilted his head away from them all. They could all see the hurt and pain in his eyes. He slid his eyes shut and mumbled, "I saw a senkaimon open."

"She went into to the precipice world!" Ukitake's eyes went wide, "With unstable reiatsu!"

Unohana rose to her feet just as a small medical team arrived in the courtyard. The team bustled over to her and she relayed the instructions to transport Shunsui to the Fourth.

"Shunsui," Unohana knelt back down beside him. Shunsui opened his eyes and stared back at her, "I'm going to leave you in Isane's capable hands. I've just patched you up for now to ease your discomfort. Isane will continue on with your treatment at the Fourth."

Shunsui had an uneasy look in his face.

"Don't worry I will find Nanao for you," She placed her palm over Shunsui's eyes and sent a little of her energy into him. The Inemuri took immediate affect and Shunsui was soon unconscious. The medical team bustled around Shunsui and transferred him onto a stretcher. After a few final words Isane and the medical team departed.

"What do we do now?" Rangiku asked glancing between Ukitake and Unohana.

They all felt a slight chill in the air and Rangiku knew why without needing to look. She glanced over her shoulder anyway just as Toushiro stepped out into the courtyard. He spotted them and within seconds he was by her side with a deep scowl on his face.

"What's the situation?" He asked still in Captain mode.

"I've just had a medical team escort Shunsui to the Fourth, Toushiro," Unohana replied calmly.

"I see," the scowl on his face had eased slightly, "Is he..?"

"In a bad way. But he will pull through," Unohana assured confidently, "I've placed him in Isane's care."

Toushiro gave a little nod, "And what about Nanao?" His gaze flickered to Rangiku.

"Shun-kun mentioned that he saw Nanao pass through a senkaimon before he lost consciousness," Rangiku didn't know why, but she couldn't quite meet Toushiro's eye.

"Then retrieving Nanao from the World of the Living should be our main priority," Toushiro commented.

"Toushiro," Ukitake had an uneasy look on his face, "Did the Head-Captain-"

"Yes," Toushiro folded his arms across his chest, "He's ordered me to take them both into custody."

Rangiku felt a lead brick settle in her stomach, "Toshi you cant!"

"Rangiku," Toushiro interrupted, "Don't argue with me. We don't have the time."

"But she's ill Toshi!" Rangiku shot back hotly. Her reiatsu rose slightly, along with her temper, "How could you even accept those orders!"

Toushiro's reiatsu rose too and the large courtyard suddenly felt quite chilly, "Its not like I could refuse them Rangiku."

"So you're going to toss Nanao in a cell then?" Rangiku's hands shook and her eyes were beginning to shine.

"Enough Rangiku!" Toushiro yelled, "I have no intentions of tossing her in a cell," Toushiro looked away from her and glanced over to Unohana and Ukitake, "If only you'd see that we're actually in quite a fortunate position."

"Fortunate how!" Rangiku couldn't quite keep the anger out of her voice and Toushiro chose to ignore her.

Ukitake answered the question instead, "Its fortunate for us that the Head-Captain picked out Toushiro. He knows the full situation, unlike someone else. For example if he'd chosen Soifon, we all know she would follow the Head-Captains orders unwaveringly. Which would be bad for both Shunsui and Nanao."

Toushiro sighed, "I cant arrest Shunsui whilst he's in the Fourth receiving medical treatment. Why do you think I took my time leaving the meeting Rangiku?"

Rangiku knew now, but she remained quiet.

"I took my time so you three would have the chance to get them both to the Fourth," Toushiro continued, "So, are you going to stop arguing with me now?"

A small pained smile crept onto Rangiku's face, "I just want to help Nanao."

Unohana stepped away from them and used her sword to open up a senkaimon, "I take it Toushiro that you'll be accompanying me?"

"Yes, it would look suspicious if I didn't," Toushiro replied as he stepped over to Unohana.

"Juushiro are you-" Unohana began.

"I'm going to stay here Retsu," Ukitake finished quietly, "You know what Shunsui's like. One of us should stay close to him," with that said Ukitake flashed away.

Toushiro glanced at Rangiku, "Well are you coming Rangiku? I thought you wanted to help Nanao?"

"I do."

As Rangiku stepped over to them, an unusual and unexpected burst of spiritual pressure filled the air. It was quite raw and immature. It took them all a few seconds to recognize the amplified presense but when the penny dropped Rangiku gasped, "That's Kotaro!"

"His power, its emerged already," Toushiro's eyes widened in disbelief, "But its so soon."

"Its possible the clash of spiritual pressure that took place between Shunsui and Nanao, was enough to disrupt his power and cause it to burst out," Unohana commented from a clinical point of view.

They could tell from the feel of Kotaro's pressure that he had zero control over it. The flare of pressure kept pulsating and sending out a cool strong breeze. Rangiku could could feel every inch of her skin tingling, "Toshi-"

"I know he needs help," Toushiro stepped away from the gate, "Rangiku, go with Unohana and find Nanao."

"But-"

"Its fine," Toushiro cut her off, "I'll see to Kotaro. Just make sure you get Nanao to the Fourth."

Rangiku still had a conflicted look on her face but she gave him a little nod, "Okay."

"We need to get moving Rangiku," Unohana prodded gently, "If we delay any longer I fear we'll have a tougher time finding Nanao."

Rangiku glanced between Unohana and Toushiro. Her motherly instincts were screaming at her, telling her Kotaro needed her. But her logical side was saying he'll be fine with Toushiro and that Nanao really needed her more.

"Rangiku," Toushiro warned.

Rangiku shoved her instincts down and latched onto logic, "Okay lets go Captain Unohana," before she could second guess herself or change her mind, she quickly stepped through the senkaimon.

Unohana quickly followed Rangiku, leaving Toushiro alone in the courtyard. As soon as the senkaimon had closed and vanished, Toushiro turned on his heel and hurried over to the Tenth.

When Rangiku arrived in the World of the living, the first thing she noticed was how much colder it felt here compared to the Soul Society. The second thing she noticed was the rain. Dark storm clouds loomed high above her, making everywhere else look grey and dull. While thick raindrops pelted the many pathways of the large park she'd landed in.

Unohana appeared beside her and after giving the sky a glancing sweep she sighed, "It always seems to rain whenever I come to the World of the Living."

A huge gust of wind kicked up and Rangiku shivered, "Lets hope Nanao isn't too far away."

"I cant see her being too far away Rangiku," Unohana began walking away from the senkaimon, dodging puddles as she went.

Rangiku hurried after her, hopping over the smaller puddles and giving the larger ones a wide berth, "How do you know that Captain Unohana?"

"Based on what you and Juushiro told me yesterday," Unohana paused and waited for Rangiku to catch up, "It seems Nanao's been running on empty for at least two weeks. If she did have some small reserve of spiritual pressure that's been keeping her going, then we can be sure that its now been depleted. Whatever happened between her and Shunsui would've taken its toll on her."

"It doesn't make sense," Rangiku sighed sadly, "Why would she run away like that?"

"Shunsui told us that Nanao remembers everything," Unohana answered in a soft tone, "I can only assume that the returning memories were overwhelming to her. I expect when everything dropped into place for her, she realised what she's done and simply panicked."

"But still," Rangiku swept her gaze around the sodden park, "Why come here of all places. Why run to the World of the Living?"

"People do strange things when they're in a blind panic," Unohana came to an abrupt stop and spun on her heel, "Did you feel that Rangiku?"

Rangiku had felt it. It'd only been brief, but she had felt a very weak and faint pulse of energy, "Yes, but it doesn't feel like Nanao's energy."

"No it doesn't," Unohana agreed, "But it does feel similar to that other pressure that we felt when Nanao and Shunsui were clashing."

"Its similar but it lacks the weight and the darkness," Rangiku frowned, "This feels much lighter and," she couldn't quite be sure, "Timid?"

Unohana was so deep in thought that a small crease had formed between her eyes, "Interesting."

Rangiku was about to ask her what she meant when a foul pressure filled the air. Judging by the amount of pressure, she doubted it was just the one Hollow.

They felt another weak pulse of energy and this time Rangiku could get a fix on its direction. She spun on her heel and looking across a very large playing field, she saw a small wooded area. "It came from over their," she pointed the small grove of trees out to Unohana.

They heard an ear piercing screech and a handful of Hollows appeared halfway across the playing field. Sensing the strange pulse of energy, the Hollows immediately headed for the trees.

Rangiku's hand flew straight to Haineko's handle. She pulled her sword from its sheathe and broke into a run, half running, half shunpoing across the playing field. As Rangiku crossed the field she did a quick head count of the Hollows and determined there were nine altogether. They were fairly low levelled, but she still needed to dispatch them quickly.

"Rangiku," She glanced over her shoulder and saw Unohana keeping pace with her, "It seems we have an ally."

Rangiku turned back to the trees and sure enough she saw a flash of orange and spotted another Shinigami dancing and shunpoing around the group of Hollows.

By the time Rangiku had reached the edge of the field, the group of Hollows had already been decimated. She pushed her way through the small clump of bushes and navigated her way through the trees.

She soon burst through into a small clearing and she skidded to a stop when she saw Ichigo Kurosaki crouched next to an unconscious Nanao. The orange haired teen glanced up at her and his eyes went wide. He shot to his feet and held his hands out in surrender, "Rangiku-san."

"Ichigo!" Rangiku exclaimed. It had been quite a long time since she'd last seen him. She realised she was still brandishing Haineko so she quickly sheathed her sword. Once her sword was safely away Ichigo lowered his hands again.

Unohana appeared in the clearing and her eyes quickly darted from Rangiku, to Ichigo, then dropped down to Nanao.

"Unohana-san," Ichigo seemed quite surprised to see the pair of them.

"Its been a long time Ichigo," Unohana acknowledge before she dropped down to her knees to examine Nanao.

Rangiku joined her and swept Nanao's loose strands of hair away from her face, "She's lost her glasses," she frowned then added, "And she has a nasty bump on her head."

"What happened to her?" Ichigo asked with curiosity, "She looks pretty beat up to me."

"She's not well," Rangiku replied. Her gaze travelled over Nanao, in addition to her withered appearance she now had a bump on the head and both of her hands and wrists were badly burnt. Rangiku had no doubt it had something to do with Shunsui's chest.

"Don't worry Nanao, I'm here," Rangiku rested her palms against Nanao's cheeks. She could tell from the tear stains on her cheeks and the red puffiness of her eyes that Nanao had been crying a lot, "Captain Unohana."

"Hmm?" Unohana looked at Rangiku with a slight frown on her face. So far the motherly Captain had been absorbed in examining Nanao with her blue diagnostic kido, "Very strange."

"What is it?" Rangiku felt beyond worried, "Do you know what's wrong with her?"

"Yes, I have an idea now," Unohana stood back up and pulled her sword out to open up another senkaimon, "The sooner we get her back to the Fourth the better."

"Unohana-san, Rangiku-san," Ichigo had been standing back listening to their exchange, "Do you need any help?"

Unohana exchanged a look with Rangiku.

Ichigo then bent down and scooped Nanao up easily into his arms, "I can carry her back for you."

"Very well Ichigo," Before Unohana stepped into the senkaimon she asked, "Do you think you can run without jostling her too much?"

Ichigo hefted Nanao in his arms, "She as light as a feather. Shouldn't be a problem."

"Okay lets run," Rangiku was already stepping over to the senkaimon, "I cant imagine this rain is doing her any good either."

Rangiku entered the senkaimon first, closely followed by Ichigo with Unohana bringing up the rear. They sprinted back through the precipice without talking and several times Rangiku wondered why the return trip back through the Dangai always seemed to take longer.

Soon the exit materialized before her and she felt a sense of relief when her foot connected with dry ground rather then splashing into a puddle.

As soon as Unohana had cleared the gateway she lifted her sword and called on her shikai, Minazuki.

Unohana's sword began to morph into a green gas like substance before it began to take on a more solid appearance. Once it'd fully materialized, a giant, green, one-eyed manta ray stood before them.

Ichigo stared at it in disbelief, "Whoa, what is that thing? Its freaking huge."

Minazuki turned its eye on Ichigo and made some gurgling noise, before its tongue reached out and tried to wrapped itself around Ichigo's waist.

"Minazuki, that wont be necessary," Unohana reached up and patted her Zanpakuto affectionately, "I'm sure Ichigo doesn't want to travel inside your stomach."

Rangiku and Unohana stepped over to Ichigo and took Nanao from his arms. Between them they gently carried her and placed her on Minazuki's back. When they were both sitting comfortably on its back they glanced back at Ichigo to find that he'd vanished.

"Ichigo?" Rangiku glanced all around her, "Where did he go?"

Minazuki made another gurgling sound, which was punctuated by several screams and yells which seemed to be coming from inside its mouth. Unohana leant forward and placed her palm flat against Minazuki's head and sighed, "Very well Minazuki, but you have to release him when we reach the Fourth."

Minazuki made another gurgling sound before it kicked off from the ground and soared up into the air.