A week had passed by in a very uneventful type of way. A few conversations had passed between her and Kazuma and he explained issues that had arisen and been fixed. She praised him for his prowess and he remained a foundation for her improvement. He was always supportive and there. She did not know what she would do if he was not in her life.

As per the other events of her life, she had taken to avoiding Byakuya like a plague. She didn't want to face him when she knew very well that she was in the wrong. She also knew that an apology was in order towards Genrei. He would be most angry with her and her actions. She knew better.

Then there was Ranzo. He had fallen off of the globe for all she knew other than the odd stories that would pass her here and there about him. The investigation into the hollow attack was ongoing and she had been called in many times for questions, but nothing seemed to be happening in any way. She assumed Ranzo was being questioned as well and that he had not let slip about what he was.

In the pit of her gut she felt the constant need to confess, but knew very well that it would result in her removal from Seireitei and more than likely life confinement under Kurotsuchi Mayuri or death, which between the two they are almost the same. At least in death she would feel no pain.

I can't win. Everywhere I look is someone looking to condemn me.

"Ah! Isuin-san!" She turned around and forced a neutral look on her face. "How have you been?" Isuin looked at the girl with the smallest hint of recognition.

"I have been well. And you?" I have no idea whom this is… just go with it. She clearly knows you.

"Fantastic! I have been busy trying to find my place as a Shinigami. Since school I have made great progress. Not as much as you though… First in Kyoraku taicho's division and then in Zaraki's… How is it being under Zaraki? I hear he is a mean task master… Even is subordinates looked mean…" Isuin nearly smacked herself. She recalled going to the academy with this woman and had even done a few project alongside her.

"Ah… Zaraki is a difficult captain, but they all are. They all have duties and responsibilities… it is a very big deal to be a captain." Yeah, right. Zaraki is a war mongering cretin and has nothing better to do then to chase his lesser members of his division around in some kind of sick game and…. Gah!

"I see. You must be very busy then, being in a squad and such…" The woman rambled on and Isuin couldn't help but realize that she never had any duties since being in Zaraki's division aside from running for her life. "So? What do you think? Isuin-san…?" Isuin snapped out of her thoughts sharply.

"Ah yes. Of course I would…" What have I just agreed to…? I have to start paying attention. All of this stress… this is not how a noble acts.

"Oh, thank you so much… I didn't actually think you would agree to a double date. I'm so glad though. You look like you need some time to relax… and you never know. This might turn out in you favor… Anyways. I'll see you at quarter to seven." Isuin watched the girl leave and she stood confused. I'm doing what at seven tonight? Marvelous. You've just signed up for something stupid like night watch or the likes… Dammit.

The hours ticked by and she ignored the raging feeling in her gut that said to find the woman and tell her she had to bail. Instead she opened a box with a kimono she had brought from her own estate for reasons beyond her. With failing attempts she put on the kimono and then required Nao's assistance in finishing. It was amazing how apt Nao was for a man and she hugged him before she left her rooms. Nao was so natural to be around, had Isuin had any thoughts about the opposite sex, she was sure Nao would be someone she would have ventured for. But as it was, Isuin had placed her heart as last on the list of things she required.

Isuin swallowed her pride and decided this was a good venture. To act as a normal person and enjoy the company of another with good food and entertainment. She had been good friends with the woman during the academy and was surprised she had not tried to keep in contact. She had no female companions now that she thought about it so what could be the err in one night having a good time.

Despite showing early for the double date Isuin found her sitting next to the woman one more as she rambled about this and that. She had to force herself to follow the conversation that almost pained her to no end to listen to. She had forgotten how much the woman could talk... It was then that a pair of men turned the corner and the woman at her side jumped to her feet.

"That's them, Isuin-san. You look very pretty, you should have no problems with the date tonight."

Ah…Ah…. No…. impossible. Fate has to be playing some kind of sick joke. Someone has to be hiding in the shadows waiting to shout 'surprise'! at me…. There is no one here, but us. This is no prank….. this is happening.

"Ei…." Isuin nearly sprinted across the couple that had been introducing her to the other unsuspecting victim of fate. She spun the man around in a circle with her arm lock in his and gave him the following information in one passing glance.

Make a scene and I will kill you. Ruin this moment for those two and I will kill you. Speak about anything not necessary at this very moment and I will kill you. Your life depends on this night going well for those two.

Ranzo looked down at her and grinned and evil grin as he pulled his arm into his side, crushing Isuin's arm.

"I'm so glad to be here. Let's have a good night, shall we?" Isuin tried to remove her arm from Ranzo before he killed it and was forced to pinch him with her free hand when the other couple turned and lead the way towards the restaurant they would be eating at.

"You will pay for this..." Isuin whispered and rubbed her arm while Ranzo stuck his foot out and tripped her. She was unable to correct herself and fell into the dirt.

"Oh… Isuin-san." The couple turned around and a hand lifted her onto her feet. Ranzo was all sweet and gentleman like. It was a lie. A big lie. A sickening, false, rancid lie.

"It's alright… I've got you, Isuin-san…" Ranzo picked her up and smiled a smile that to everyone else said 'you poor thing', to her said 'This will be a night you will remember for life'. "You are such a clumsy girl, aren't you?" Isuin grinded her teeth together and smiled for the couple.

"It was an honest mistake… You couldn't have known that you had stepped on my kimono. We are a clumsy group, aren't we?" Her smile passed on much the same as his. 'silly boy. I was trying to help you save face' turned into 'I will string your entrails as holiday decorations, princess'.

The couple was completely oblivious to the war that was raging between Ranzo and Isuin and they both knew that the night was going to be a very long one indeed.