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Group 3-Byakuya, Renji, Rukia, Yume,?

Group 3

Rukia's memories

The three shinigamis landed safely on the sand. Yume was being carried by Renji on his back.

"Geez, Yume! Stop wriggling!" He yelled to her.

She stopped and folded her arms. "I'm sorry! You're back is just too uncomfortable! Not like…Ichigo's…" Her voice saddened. "Do you think we can save Ichi?"

Rukia turned to Yume and smiled. "Don't worry! We'll save him! We've been in tighter spots than this."

But Renji knew better. That was the smile Rukia had when she left for the soul society. That was the smile she had when she was almost executed. That was the smile…When she was waiting for Ichigo.

"Come on." Byakuya said to the three. They nodded and jumped down the sand.

All of a sudden, Rukia felt a familiar spirit energy. And it wasn't Ichigo's. Renji felt it, too.

As they were falling, Renji turned and drew his zanpakuto. "ROAR! Zabimaru!" He yelled and threw the elongated sword above them. Whatever was following them, was too far away. "Damn!" He grunted, before turning to land on the forest floor.

Byakuya turned to the two, who had their eyes on where they had came from. "What's the matter?" He asked them.

"Spirit energy…But who's?" Rukia spoke. She saw a shadow, fall down. "Here they come! Huh…?" Rukia watched, as the figure came hurdling towards her. "WHAT THE HELL!" she yelled, before the body fell onto her.

"Itsygo!" The voice yelled.

"Wait! I know that voice…" Rukia muttered.

"Itsygo!" The small girl cried, holding onto Rukia's Shihakusho.

Renji pointed an accusing finger at the girl. "I-It's you!" He yelled.

Byakuya stepped forward. "You know this girl?" He asked quizzically.

The two shinigamis nodded and looked at the girl.

Her short green hair was covered by a cartoonish skull with a crack at the front. Her round face had a scar running down from her forehead and odd red line under her eyes. Her large, hazel eyes were misty. "I-Itsygo?" She sniffed.

Rukia's eyes saddened. "I'm sorry Nel. He isn't with us. He's been captured."

Nel shook her head. "No! Itsygo not captured! Itsygo stwong! Reawy, reawy stwong!" She cried onto Rukia's lap.

Renji knelt down and placed a hand on Nel's skull-like mask. "Don't worry. Ichigo is strong and will survive long enough for us to save him." He smiled slightly. "We won't let anything happen to him!"

"…Nel?"

Renji turned, to see Yume smiling. "You know each other?" He asked her, as she jumped down.

She nodded. "Hm. Me and Nel played with each other when I was still here!"

"Yeah! Just like sisters!" Nel smiled her toothy jumped off Rukia and climbed onto Byakuya's back. "I'm coming wiv you!" She smiled, as Byakuya felt very awkward.

"Haha! Look captain! You have a friend!" Renji laughed as Nel hugged Byakuya's scarf. Yume jumped onto Renji's shoulder and smirked. "Hey, Rukia! How come you don't have to carry one?" He pouted.

Rukia's smile turned to a depressed frown and she looked out into the forest.

"She already has a heavy burden to carry, Renji." Byakuya spoke up for his adopted sister. "Having lost Kurosaki at this time, she feels a heavy burden on her anyway."

Renji looked at his sad friend. "I guess you're right…She didn't even answer the question…I wonder how Ichigo feels…"

"A qwestion? What da qwestion?" Nel peeked out from Byakuya's scarf that was wrapped round her head.

"Ichigo asked Rukia to marry him!" Yume smiled happily at the small Arrancar. "She was about to answer, when night horse took him away…Rukia won't say her answer until Ichigo hears it first." Yume placed her chin on Renji's shoulder and sighed. "I hope she says yes…"

Nel's eyes saddened. "But…Itsygo…Wukia…I fought Itsygo wuved dat Owihime…I mean, he sawved hew…Didn't he?"

"Those two are just friends. They have a close bond, but…Rukia means everything to Kurosaki." Byakuya watched as Rukia became distant to them. Taking their conversation to heart. "Come on. We have to save him." He walked passed Rukia and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder for a split second. Long enough for her to feel it, but quick enough for none of the others to notice.

Rukia watched Byakuya walk in front of her and she followed.

What was I to say…? Marriage is a life-long commitment…To be truthful…I wasn't quite sure what to say. But now I think about it…We both have completely different lives. I'm not sure if to give up mine…As a noble. As a shinigami…I just don't know…The more I think about it, the more I am indecisive.

You have saved my life several times. The same is vice-versa. We have only known each other for three years and have spend time together for a shorter period of time…Me being a shinigami…You being a Vizard-human, shinigami and hollow…What will happen if you lose control? It's not like I haven't noticed, Ichigo…I've noticed you are losing control with yourself. You're more hesitant. You act differently with me and Yume. At the party, you were more serious than anything. Was that to control your inner hollow? Are you worried about me? What's wrong, Ichigo…I want an answer…Please…

"Menos!" Nel yelled and pointed in the direction of a loud screech.

Byakuya drew out his zanpakuto, followed by Renji. Nel and Yume jumped off and stayed behind the two. Rukia drew out her zanpakuto, but was stopped by Renji.

"Rukia. Let us handle these. You have too much on your mind to concentrate. Leave them to us, Rukia." He ordered.

Rukia obeyed and stood between Yume and Nel. Yume ran forward in front of the two male shinigamis and held out her hand.

"watashi no kubomi ga hyōji sa!" She yelled and a light came from her palm. She summoned several hollows to her aid from deeper within the forest. "Don't worry! I have hollows here at my command, so we don't have to worry about these menos!" She smiled at the shinigamis and small Arrancar.

"Come on!" Rukia yelled to the others. Byakuya and Renji sheathed their swords and made a run for it. Yume and Nel hitched a ride on their shoulders. Yume looked back to check they were being protected by hollows. She smirked and faced forward, holding tight to Renji as they flash-stepped through the forest.