Tairei9: I do not own Bleach or anything in its contents. I give full credit to the creators.

Kon: Hey! I have a bone to pick with you!

Tairei9: Huh? What oh come on! Give me a break!

Ichigo: Hey! When are we coming back?

Renji: Yeah!

Byakuya: Silence, your all being too noisy.

Ichigo: The only reason you're not complaining is because you still have scenes in the recent chapters!

Tairei9: Enough! Or this beginning will be longer than the actual chapter itself. On with chapter 25!

Chapter 25

The dark eerie floors of Hueco Mundo shifted as the wind blew the sand about. The pillars stood tall and the shadows on shadows flickered about. The lonely moon was nowhere to be seen in the dark sky above. In the ruins standing in the middle of the desert was a group of shadowed over five hollows with one arrancar in the middle. She was sitting in a very throne like chair with her legs crossed. She wasn't unattractive, but had quite a terrifying aura surrounding her very presence. This aura seemed to command the respect of the hollows around because they were all bowing their heads before her. Her blue eyes pierced them like ice as she said in her smooth voice, "So she defeated Phantom?"

"Well not exactly," one hollow said his voice very deep. His eyes were gold and he was the shape of a centaur, "The other interfered, killing the remainder of Phantom."

"But she sensed him immediately," the arrancar woman said softly, "And was able to kill the senses."

"Yes, she did," the centaur said. The woman seemed impressed and said, "Interesting, no woman's ever been able to do that before. In fact…I don't anyone has been able to that before."

"Why the sudden interest in this on girl. She's just one shinigami!" This hollow held a woman's voice and she was in the shape of something with a long tail that supported the upper body. The lion shaped hollow next to her looked back nervously and said, "Not here in her presence, you dolt!"

"Enough!" The arrancar woman's voice commanded the respect but was still alluring and intoxicating. She smiled with her full lips and said in a sing song tone, "Lira, it's time for you to play. Test her for me?"

The other, who had been silence this whole time, said, "Certainly my lady."

S.C.

"A new third seat?" Kumiko said looking up at the informant in front of her. She was sitting at the desk with a calligraphy brush in hand. It had been quite some time since Aizen and Shinji left. She had been helping tremendously run the division while they were gone. The informant nodded and said, "Yes, with the other one dead, they hurried to find a replacement."

"..I'm surprised they could find someone that fast…" Kumiko muttered as the informant put the folded piece of paper on her desk. Goodness knows in the future they still hadn't replaced the three captains that had deflected. She took it and opened it reading it. She mouthed the name softly and asked the informant, "When is he arriving?"

"Within the hour," the informant said, "Sotaichou also wishes me to tell you that you and the new third seat will be in charge of the division until Hirako-taichou returns."

"I understand," Kumiko said tucking her hair behind her ear. The informant bowed and left the room. Kumiko sighed and looked out the window. The snow was coming down heavy. She pulled her haori closed and shivered. There was something wrong with this weather. She knew it was winter, but it was never this bad. Getting preoccupied in her thoughts, Kumiko didn't hear someone come in.

"Excuse me…?"

Kumiko turned back towards the office and did almost a double take.

"My name is Ichimaru Gin," a silvery haired almost boy said, smiling. Kumiko almost gapped but held her façade. She stood up and bowed saying, "Welcome to squad, Ichimaru-san."

Ichimaru took in her appearance. She was taller than him even if she wasn't as tall as other people. She wore a regular shinigami black kimono underneath the red haori. He could tell that she had a womanly figure with the way she had the sash winded around her hips/waist. What got him staring were the strong blue eyes she had. He nodded and said, "You must be Kuchiki-san. Everyone's told me about you?"

"I am," Kumiko said, "I would take more time for pleasantries but we have some business to attend to. Our captain and vice-captain have been away for some time so we've been left to take care of the division."

"So I was told," Gin said as he followed her down the hallway. He kept some distance from her as they walked. As they walked down the hallway, they passed a group of Shinigami talking leisurely. Gin smile disappeared and opened his blue eyes to glare. He seemed to be deeply recollecting something. However he was snapped back to reality when Kumiko snapped, "Oi! What are you lollygagging for? We've had three hollow attacks, one killing off our third seat. Get back to work!"

Gin watch the group tense up and bow. One man looked up at her with a sly look (one that implied something that Gin didn't like), "Yes Kuchiki-sama! Our apologies, we were merely discussing possibly training with you this afternoon!"

"Well obviously that's not happening. Get back to work!" Kumiko snapped and they left. Gin looked at her, slightly impressed as his smile came back to his face. Kumiko jerked her head saying, "Come on, Shihoin-Taichou is waiting for us."

"Hai," Gin said walking now alongside with her, "By the way, who were those men before?"

"Oh there people from our squad," Kumiko said, "Unfortunately, they're not very good examples of them."

"I see," Gin said softly. Kumiko slide open a door and said, "Shihoin-Taichou."

"Kumiko," Takeshi said nodding. When she saw Gin and said with a curious look, "Eh? Who's the kid?"

"He would be our new third seat," Kumiko said frowning.

"My name is Ichimaru Gin," Gin said, his smile still intact. Despite this Gin was rather irritated with this woman captain. He honestly expected more respect from a captain. Kumiko then walked over to the map and said, "So have we got a pinned point on where he attacks?"

"Not one directly," Takeshi sighed, "It's definitely within this forest region. However when we send troops in…"

"None come out alive or conscious," Kumiko said frowning. Kumiko sighed and said, "So what's the course of action?"

"Right now, we have people patrolling the outer edges of the forest," Takeshi said, "I was actually gonna ask you two if you would take a look down there. My men haven't been able to find anything."

"What do you think Ichimaru Gin," Takeshi said looking down at the boy who looked in deep thought. Gin finally said after some time, "We probably should look around, it shouldn't hurt."

"How can you even see the map-?" Takeshi said waving her hand in front of his face and Kumiko said coolly, "Not now Takeshi."

"Aww, Kumiko! Why are you so grouchy today?" Takeshi said pouting as Kumiko said, "Work is work, and we've already lost people to these attacks."

"Kuchiki-san!"

Kumiko looked back and saw one of the division members standing there. Kumiko turned around fully and said, "What is it?"

"You have someone who wishes to speak with you," he said and Kumiko sighed slightly. She looked at Gin and said, "Meet me out front. This shouldn't take long."

"Hai," Gin said watching Kumiko leave the room. His smile was gone briefly as he watched with curiosity. Takeshi waved her hand in front of him saying, "Really kid, how do you walk around with your eyes closed?"

"Mei-sama, Rei-san," Kumiko said walking in. Rei was standing by her mother, who was sitting in a chair. Mei looked up and said solemnly, "I know you must be terribly busy. It's just that we heard there was a loss in the fifth division…"

"It wasn't Sousuke, Mei-sama," Kumiko said in her firm tone, "It was our third seat."

"Oh…," Mei said, she and her daughter looking slightly relieved. Rei didn't question how Kumiko knew, since neither told them of Aizen's relation. She figured Takeshi must have said something. But there was something else Rei wanted to ask Kumiko.

"Do you know how he is doing?" Rei asked hopefully and Kumiko shook her head.

"I don't know any details, I just know that he's alright," Kumiko said her voice softened a bit, "Now please, I would get back home before the storm get worse. I still have work to complete."

"Please, will you stop by later?" Rei asked hopefully and Kumiko said as she left, "I will see if I can."

Kumiko hurried down the hall, leaving the two Aizens to themselves. Rei looked down at her mother and said, "I wondered why he never introduced us to her before. He certainly talks about her enough."

"Oh, Rei, don't you know your brother in law at all?" Mei said almost playfully, "When he really fancies someone he takes his time. The last thing he wants to do is scare her away with rushing in. Besides he isn't ready, not yet..."

S.C.

"It is absolutely frigid," Kumiko almost hissed rubbing her arms, "This doesn't feel right. Then again I was never particularly fond of freezing my-."

Gin watched her in almost amusement as they walked along the forest line. While he found her rant on how she hated the cold humorous, he couldn't help agree. There was something very off about the weather. It was near the end of winter, or at least it should have been by now so why was the weather still this horrendous. Kumiko walked along, quietly staring around the forest. She suddenly stopped short and threw out her arm. Gin stopped and asked, "What's wrong Kuchiki-san?"

"There's suppose to be patrolling officers here," Kumiko said. Gin could barely hear her over the wind. "We should have run into someone by now."

Gin pulled out his sword and so did she. Both were very wary in looking about. Their nerves were set on edge as they tried to sense anyone's presence. At first, neither could sense anything. Gin blinked and he heard Kumiko shout, "ABOVE US!"

Gin immediately swung about jumping far back as to dodge the attack that came crashing down into the snow. Kumiko jumped up on a tree branch in order to get a look at the attacker better. Gin soon joined her in staring at the beast. The wolf hollow stared at her with orange red eyes. It was stood over seven feet tall down on all fours. The fur was grey and coarse. The hollow's mask reached down to the canine's neck; white armor protected its sides and legs. Gin said, "It's rather good at hiding its reaitsu, right Kuchiki?"

Kumiko didn't answer. In fact she was staring at the hollow with a dark challenging look. It was like watching two alpha dogs stare each other down. It was almost like they were communicating. Whatever they were saying however wasn't good. Gin looked actually nervous and said, "Kuchiki?"

"Gin," Kumiko said, her voice almost ragged, "Attack now!"

Gin flew at it, Kumiko diving down bellow. Gin was smacked away by the hollows tail but Kumiko managed to slice a nasty cut deep into its legs. The wolf howled, vibrating the ground. It then attacked both of them viciously. Despite its size it was fast, very fast. Between the weather and the wolf attacking, both shinigami were pushed back to a rather large clearing. Kumiko stepped back and heard a distinct crack. Kumiko looked down and said, "We must be on ice, be careful!"

"I could say that to you," Gin said eyeing the nasty looking wound on her arm. Kumiko shook her head and said, "I'm fine… Here it comes!"

The wolf pounced on the snow covered ice and roared loud. Icy cold wind blew the snow blinding both of their vision. Snow ripped away from beneath her feet and almost sent her sailing to the ground. However she caught herself and shouted, "Are you alright!"

"Kuchiki look at the ice!"

Kumiko looked down, but couldn't see anything at first. However, the wind died down leaving the ice exposed. She paled as she saw what was trapped in it. Or who was trapped in it. There was shinigami frozen staring up at her. A tremor went through her body as she flash back to a memory. A memory that hadn't haunted her dreams in many years. Tearing her eyes away from the ice, she looked to see the wolf standing there.

"Well, well, looks like I caught myself some dinner," the hollows voice was definitely young and feminine. She approached slowly but Kumiko stood her ground. Gin walked slowly towards Kumiko, his zanpakutou still out stretched. The wolf laughed and said, "Your quite the dominate one aren't you, woman?"

Kumiko said loudly, "If you want to think that, go ahead."

"Aww don't be that way," the wolf said in a false soothing voice, "I was enjoying our little fight for dominance. It's been a while since someone's challenged me like you have. This is why I actually brought you to my lake alive, instead of freezing you to death."

"I'm touched," Kumiko said coldly. Kumiko moved her hand behind her back and grabbed Gin's sleeve. She pinned it against her back and he felt confused for a minute. Then it clicked. The wolf laughed and said, "What is he, you're young? Well, don't worry; I won't hurt him as much as I'll hurt you!"

The wolf lunged, making Kumiko and Gin split up. Kumiko slide back but stopped short when the ice behind her broke. The wolf laughed and said, "I wouldn't fall in unless you want to be like you friends underneath!"

The wolf spat large sharp ice shards at her and Kumiko slashed them back with her zanpakutou. The wolf hollow laughed, clearly liking the fact she was 'playing' with Kumiko. Kumiko then flash stepped sideways as if to escape. The wolf snarled saying gleefully, "you won't escape me!"

"Bakudo # 62: Hyapporankan!"

The hollow roared as she felt herself being pinned to the ice by many rods shooting through her. Kumiko pivoted, dashing back at the hollows head. She slash deep into the mask, before standing up. The hollow looked at her and said, "Well well…she'll find interest in you…"
The hollow began to disappear and the reform. A child then dropped, with Kumiko catching her. Gin jumped down and said approvingly, "Interesting way in communication."

"Had to tell you to pin her somehow," Kumiko said. The weather lessened gradually to the point of the sun coming out through the clouds. Kumiko smiled softly before getting serious and shouted, "Back to the shore!"

They flashbacked to the shore as the ice rapid crack and fell into the lake. Kumiko stared out sadly at the lake where the dead bodies of many were. After mourning for them, she forced her attention back to the girl. She looked very young, even younger than gin. Her hair was brown and came down almost to her waist. Her bangs covered her closed eyes and her skin was tan. Gin looked at her saying, "Her reaitsu is strong…very strong."

"Yes," Kumiko said as people began to appear.

"Kumiko!"

"Takeshi," Kumiko said, "Gin will fill you in, if that is alright with you. I need to take this girl to fourth division."

"Go on ahead," Gin said nodding respectfully. Kumiko disappeared leaving the shinigami. As she flash stepped away, the girl stirred. Kumiko looked down briefly to see the girls eyes open. They were light brown, but what Kumiko saw was the firm calculating stare. Kumiko then asked, "What is your name?"

"…Lira…what's yours…?"

"…Kumiko," Kumiko said. Lira stared at her and then asked, "You…saved me?"

"Depends on what you mean," Kumiko said softly. Lira made a face as if trying to remember. She then said, "They turned me into a hollow… But you change me back…"

Kumiko was intrigued that the girl knew what a hollow was but left that alone temporarily.

"Yes, will the help of another," Kumiko said, "You should rest now."

Lira frowned; clearly she didn't like being told what to do. But exhaustion claimed the little girl and she closed her eyes.

Kumiko handed her off to the fourth division members but hardly left the girl's side. She didn't know why she stayed but she did. Unohana Taichou glanced at her, sensing something was…different about Kumiko. When Lira was fast asleep, Kumiko was called away by Ukitake for a briefing. Giving the girl one last glance, she left the room. Kumiko would soon come to find out that Lira had something that no one else but Kumiko could relate to.

S.C.

"How is your arm?" Mei asked pouring a cup of tea. It was several weeks after the incident before Kumiko could go visit Mei and Rei. There had been so much to do between checking up on Lyra, paperwork, and division work. Kumiko looked down at her arm and said, "It's alright, a bit stiff. But nothing time won't fix."

"Will there be a scar?" Rei asked staring in concern. Kumiko merely shrugged saying, "Probably a small one, it wasn't anything too serious."

Kumiko sipped her tea before asking, "So…I have a curious question."

"Ask away," Rei said, obviously still thinking about Kumiko's injury. Kumiko didn't pursue the concern and asked, "Sousuke said some time ago that you couldn't have a daughter-."

"That is correct," Mei said kindly, even though Kumiko could see some sadness in the woman's eyes, "I was blessed with two wonderful boys. However I became barren after my second son was born. Rei is my youngest son Hiro's wife."

"I see," Kumiko said, "I heard you knew Takeshi when she was younger. Was she as…well…"

"Hyper, go lucky as she is now?" Mei said smiling fondly, "More so. She could never sit still. I knew her since she was a baby. Her mother died when she was only an infant. So I took her in, I had hoped that she would marry Sousuke and be a part of the family…but she was too strong willed and independent. Sousuke and her…they just weren't meant to be."

"So, what about your family?" Mei asked briskly, "What is your mother like."

Kumiko tensed up slightly and said, "She died before she could even get to see me."

Rei and Mei both tensed up obviously upset over asking this question. Mei said quietly, "I'm very sorry… what about your father?"

Kumiko looked away saying, "He and I don't get to see each other very often as of late…"

Mei stared at the young woman across from her, the emptiness in Kumiko's eyes unmistakable. It was quite clear she missed her father. Mei was very glad when Rei said, "So how is your stay with the Kuchiki family?"

"Very pleasant," Kumiko said, a small smile appearing on her lips, "I must say they have been very gracious to me."

"I know Kimiko-sama is very fond of you," Mei said before sipping her tea, "She quite respects you. Especially in keeping your fathers request."

"Oh?" Kumiko said and Mei said, "Oh yes, you see, Kimiko-sama came from a family that sent her off to marry as soon as she could. While Soujun loved Kimiko and vice versa, her family was very…abrupt about sending her off. The relationship between Kimiko and her father was like cattle and owner. So needless to say, when she heard of you intent fathers wish, she was…"

"..I understand," Kumiko said softly. They sat in silence for a while and there was loud footsteps coming down the hall. The door slide open to reveal a man that looked like a slightly younger Sousuke Aizen. However, he didn't have glasses and his eyes were green. He wore no shinigami uniform but instead was clad in navy blue. He had a grin on his face as he said, "So this is where you were keeping my beautiful wife, Okaa-sama."

"Hiro," Mei said smiling weakly as he leaned down to kiss his wife. He looked up to see Kumiko sitting there and he asked, "Now who could this lovely lady be?"

"Kuchiki Kumiko," Mei said, "She's our guest."

"So this is the lovely lady my brother never shuts up about," Hiro said extending his hand, taking Kumiko's and kissing it. He then said playfully, "Now I can see why."

"Hiro," Rei said patting his shoulder, "Stop teasing, it isn't nice."

"But I'm being truthful," Hiro protested, a pout coming on his face. Kumiko bit her lip, trying not to smile. Hiro sat down next to his wife and said, "So I've heard that you are friends with Takeshi."

"Yes," Kumiko said, very much amused.

"Do you know that she and my brother used to be engaged?" Hiro questioned, holding his wife's hand. Kumiko nodded and said, "Yes, Sousuke did tell me about it."

"Did you tell you all the pranks they used to do to each other while engaged?" Hiro asked slyly as Rei and Mei muffled their laughter. Kumiko grinned coyly and said, "No, no he didn't."

"Well," Hiro said, grinning even more, "That's answers going to change soon."

Tairei9: Hahahaha, my friend is gonna kill me for leaving another small cliffhanger. But anyway, I thought it was a good place to leave off. Review please!