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

Chapter 26.

"TAKESHI!"

Takeshi looked up from her large pile of paper work to hear someone storming down the hallway. There were a number of protesting voices but none could drown out the obnoxiously loud female screech. The door banged open to reveal a rather harassed Yoruichi. Takeshi smiled and said, "Oh hello, Yorui-chan! What seems to be the matter?"

"That woman!" Yoruichi hissed, "That airheaded blue eyed woman!"

Takeshi sighed irritated and said, "I sincerely hope you are not talking about Kumiko."

"Well I am!"

"Why you hate her is totally beyond me," Takeshi exhaled looking over the paper she was now currently working on. Yoruichi glared as if Takeshi had grown a second head and hissed, "I don't need the competition!"

"Competition? Yoruichi, they're family!"

"So they claim, but I've never once seen her doting father or loving mother once!"

Takeshi narrowed her eyes and said, "Excuse me young lady, think of what you're saying before you do! Don't start acting all high and mighty like you know everything! Now go home and play or something…"

Yoruichi ran from the room, muttering darkly. Takeshi sighed and looked over her paper work once again. Really, that child needed to calm down. But knowing Yoruichi, she would be awfully stubborn until something goes bad. Takeshi placed the form on the desk and groaned, "Geez, couldn't she just leave me be for one day. I swear, I would probably actually finish this stuff if it wasn't for her."

S.C.

"Kumiko Onee-chan," Lira started, "Why are you running the division if your only a fourth seat?"

Kumiko and Lira were sitting in the hospital room. It was lunch time and Kumiko had her mouth full of food. Swallowing, Kumiko said, "Our captain and lieutenant are away on a mission. Ichimaru-san and I are in charge till they get back."

"Oh," the child said before filling her mouth with food. As she munched, Kumiko finally asked, "Can I ask you something?"

"Mhm," Lira said her mouth filled with food.

"Do you remember anything prior to being a hollow?" Kumiko asked quietly.

"Nuthin much," Lira said casually, "I was really young. I remember some things but there fuzzy…"

"I see," Kumiko said and Lira went on, "I don't remember much about being a hollow, just…a woman sitting in the dark…."

Lira shuttered and Kumiko didn't press her for an answer. Instead Kumiko said, "Do you know how much longer you need to stay here?"

"Not long," Lira said, "Just so they can finish tests."

Kumiko nodded and they continued chatting over lunch a while longer. After Kumiko finished, she said goodbye and left the room. Walking through the Fourth Division, Kumiko thought about what would happen when Aizen would return. Was this really the mission that she thought it was? If so, what would his reaction be when he came back? Kumiko shook her head, trying to banish these ever so persistent thoughts. Her mind wandered back to the conversation with the head captain, Ukitake, and Ginrei.

"So you've now seen what you are dealing with," Yamamoto said from his desk, "And fought them off quite successfully. We haven't been able to beat many of them without many casualties."

"Yeah," Kumiko said frowning, "I've dealt with crazy stuff before, but I have to say it baffles me as to what exactly they are."

"We are working on that," Ukitake said, "Unohana is examining Lira. We've had people before but most of them perished before anything could be discovered."

"I see," Kumiko said grimacing. Ginrei noticed this reaction but chose not to say anything. Yamamoto continued.

"After you analyses of fighting them and reading past information, what is your conclusion?"'

"Something is controlling them," Kumiko stated, "While there is no relation with these people, the motives behind it are the same. Phantom liked toying with women before finally consuming them. Lira kept tokens of dead shinigami in the ice, like something on display in a window. So clearly whoever the leader is, she or he clearly has no interest in just killing us all."

"We have considered the possibility of a leader," Yamamoto said, "However in all my years of fighting not once have hollows shown to follow so obediently under any leader."

Kumiko almost snorted; Winter War, Aizen in Hueco Mundo, and the Arrancars. If they had a leader frightening or conniving enough they would be crazy obedient. But that was something she had to not tell, it would reveal too much. Instead, she pushed back her hair waiting for Yamamoto to continue. He did so, his voice not cold, "Regardless, your services have been most helpful. I hope that this mystery will take light soon."

Kumiko walked through the street in deep thought. What kind of leader would be so powerful to utterly control hollows like that? Why were these hollows not the same as others? It was all quite confusing. Lira, who didn't remember much, even seemed terrified by someone. Frustration growing in her gut, she wished something would give her a hint. Hopefully Unohana's analyses would reveal something; waiting always set Ichigo and her on edge.

Kumiko stopped dead in her tracks, staring out off the walkway she had gone up on. The scene extended to the large walls of Seireitei. It was rather peaceful, despite the bustling in the streets. It had been so long since she had seen Ichigo, she hadn't thought about him in a long time either. The last she saw of them was when she left without a word. Guilt swarm her gut and she sighed. It couldn't be helped; so much was happening that it couldn't be ignored. How long had it been though since she and Yachiru ran about the divisions playing pranks? When was it that she last broke up a fight between Yumichika and Matsumoto. It felt almost a different lifetime. She rested her arms on the railing staring out. Standing in silence, Kumiko became so lost in thought that she didn't feel someone come up behind her and poke her.

"Wakey, wakey dear."

"Takeshi," Kumiko said, looking up at her friend. Takeshi smiled down and said, "Figured I would come check how you were doing. Yoruichi came complaining this morning."

"Again?" Kumiko sighed, irritated now, "I swear, I have no patience in dealing with her right now. So whatever she's complaining about she can stuff it up her-."

"Hey, I pretty much told her the same thing," Takeshi said patting Kumiko's head, "Take it easy tiger, it's just me."

"I know, I know," Kumiko said, "I just feel off today…"

"Homesick?" Takeshi asked softly.

"Kinda," Kumiko said, "More so like I'm betraying everyone… I mean here I am in a time of relative peace almost forgetting everyone! It's like I'm moving on while everyone else is still stuck!"

"Relative peace?" Takeshi said baffled, "What the heck was your life like Kumiko?"

That question made Kumiko's eyes sting. She whipped her head around in hopes Takeshi wouldn't see her reaction. She tightened her grip on her sleeves, recalling the situation Kumiko had long left. And it wasn't just Aizen she was thinking about either. Takeshi saw her reaction however, and gasped silently. The stabbing pain she saw, it wasn't like Kumiko to have a reaction like that. She always thought it was weird Kumiko seemed so unacquainted with the noble's way of living. She had never really asked at why that was. Takeshi put her hand on Kumiko's shoulder saying, "Hey-."

"I'm fine," Kumiko said suddenly. Her voice had no negative sounds, but Takeshi had a feeling it was forced. Kumiko straightened and said, "I have to get back to Gin, he's probably overwhelmed with the office work."

"Alright," Takeshi said, frowning. Kumiko nodded, smiling softly. When Takeshi didn't smile back, she said teasingly, "Relax, I'm fine! Much better than you were when you and Sousuke glued yourselves together!"

Takeshi gapped and then said, "How- HIRO!"

Takeshi disappeared and Kumiko rolled her eyes grinning for a moment. She then headed off again, without anyone stopping her again. Kumiko's smile disappeared as she got closer to the fifth division however. She had slowed down and was still lost in thought. However she was pulled out of thought when she approached a large group making a lot of noise. Kumiko looked confused for a moment and then shrugged it off. She hurried into the offices and saw Gin sitting at the table drinking tea. He looked up and said happily, "Oh good your back! There hasn't been much more paper work to do so I made tea. Want some?"

"Sure," Kumiko said smiling. She sat down and poured herself some. She and Gin then set off to finish the remainder of the paper work. Kumiko then asked, "Do you know what the commotion is outside? Or is it just those idiots sparing again?"

"No," Gin said slowly, "Apparently, the captain and the vice-captain are back."

Kumiko almost spat out her tea, but swallowed quickly. She coughed a little and then said, "They're back?"

"Yeah, but I wouldn't go out to see them yet. Everyone's flocking them," Gin made a face and then resumed his smile saying, "At least we won't have to keep doing their paper work anymore."

Kumiko laughed lightly and Gin asked, "How well do you know the vice captain and captain?"

Kumiko smiled weakly and said, "I know them.. I guess well haha-."

Gin looked as if he was going to ask her to elaborate. But then the doors burst open and his question was soon answered. Shinji burst in and said, "Kumiko-chan! Are you in here!"

He froze and then stared at her. He then said grinning, slinging his arm around her shoulders, "About time you cut that mop of hair off!"

"Mop of hair?" Gin asked confused. Shinji looked at him and said, "Huh? Who's the kid?"

"This is our new third seat, Ichimaru Gin. Gin, this would be Hirako Shinji, our captain."

"Oh," Shinji made a face and whispered to Kumiko, "Gone only a few months and your replacing people?"

"I didn't, our third seat was killed," Kumiko said exasperated, "Gin has been more than qualified, Hirako-Taichou-!"

"And in reference to your question, Ichimaru-san, Kumiko-san hair used to be very long."

Kumiko's head turned and saw Aizen standing in the door way. He was smiling and he walked in saying, "Taichou, please behave yourself. It's very immature to fling yourself on someone."

"Aww don't be so stiff, Sousuke. You've missed Kumiko-chan more than me!" Shinji whined, but let go of Kumiko. Gin looked at her and said, "Long hair doesn't suit you."

"Eh," Shinji said, waving his hand in front of Gin's face, "How can you tell with your eyes shut?"

"Taichou," Aizen said exasperated. Kumiko gathered her papers together and said, "I'll leave you two to get acquainted. I need to deliver papers."

Kumiko left quickly before Aizen could say anything. However she hadn't been gone long before they heard a female voice cry out, "Oh I'm so sorry Kumiko-chan!"

Aizen and Hirako looked out into the hallway to see Rei bent over trying to help pick up fallen papers. Kumiko said, "No, it's fine Rei-chan. I have it."

"Are you sure," Rei asked concerned but Kumiko waved her off . Kumiko dashed off and Rei sighed. She turned and saw Aizen. Rei flung herself around his neck and said, "Sousuke-kun, your home! I'm so glad you're safe!"

"Rei-chan," Sousuke said gently, "Not that I protest to your concern, but what are you doing here?"

"I came to see Kumiko-chan," Rei said, releasing him, "Usually I come to see if she's available for lunch, but lately she's been so busy."

"And how did you meet her, may I ask?"

"Oh at Byakuya-sama's party. Mother and I met her there," Rei said thoughtful and then scolded, "You should have introduced us sooner, Sousuke, Mother absolutely adores her."

"I'm sure she does," Sousuke said kindly and Shinji interjected, "Hey Rei-chan! How are you and that Husband of yours?"

"Oh we are wonderful thank you for asking," Rei said and the two became lost in their talk.

"Quite the talkative fellow isn't he?"

"Yes, he is," Aizen said turning to Gin. Gin was putting paper work on the shelves and said, "Kumiko's been really busy, yah know? Especially ever since the Lira fight, she's been working late into the nights."

"Really," Aizen said, frowning slightly, "May I inquire what has occurred since our departure?"

S.C.

"Ginrei-sama."

Ginrei did not look up from his tea as Kimiko stood at the door way. Ginrei did hear her for he spoke a moment later, "What is it, Kimiko?"

"I came with a concern," Kimiko said coming in and sitting by him, "about Kumiko-chan."

"What is it?"

"Lately she's been have restless sleep," Kimiko said softly, "Mai's seen it, she's been tossing and turning, whimpering at times. Last night she awoke a bit and begged not to hurt her. When Mai asked who she was talking about, all she could make out was a name…"

"What was the name?" Ginrei asked sharply.

"Kurotsuchi Mayuri," Kimiko said softly. Ginrei was silent and Kimiko pushed on her voice firmer, "I know she's not from here Ginrei-sama, I'm not that much of a fool-."

"I did not think you were a fool," Ginrei interrupted, "I just felt it best not to say anything."

"Ginrei-sama," Kimiko said, "She is that-."

"I know," Ginrei said shortly, "But she doesn't. So not another word about it."

"But-!"

"Enough!" Ginrei said loudly, silencing Kimiko, "That is my last word on the matter."

Kimiko bowed her head slightly and went to leave. She stopped at the door way and asked, "What about Kumiko-chan's fuss at night? It's not healthy for her to be having such horrid sleep."

"Comfort her as you wish."

Kimiko left then, leaving Ginrei to his thoughts.

Elsewhere, Kumiko sat talking with Kon.

"So he's back," Kon said, "and you haven't talk to him yet?"

"No," Kumiko said looking at the wall, "I haven't."

Kon watched Kumiko's face. She was paler than usual and she looked tired. Kon knew why this was and he walked over to her putting his paw on her hand. He then said, "Kumiko… you can talk about them with me you know…your dreams…"

"They are no different than when I was little," Kumiko said, harshly. Kon knew she didn't mean it to sound mean. He knew it was because of these nightly torments. He hugged her arm tightly and she looked down at him. She smiled weakly and closed her eyes. The two stayed like that for a while. Both jumped when there was a knock at her door. Kon ran and hid as Kumiko said, "Come-Come in!"

The door opened to reveal Kimiko. She came in and shut the door. Kumiko stared at the woman as Kimiko approached her. She sat on the bed and asked, "How are you feeling? Mei said you haven't visited lately."

"I've been busy," Kumiko said quietly, "It's been very busy at the Division."

"I know, the captain and vice captain came back today."

Kumiko looked away and asked, "Did Soujun-sama tell you?"

"No, I… saw it."

Kumiko didn't look back but asked, "You were there?"

"No," Kimiko said, "No, I saw it. In my dreams."

Kumiko looked back now, fully confused. Before Kumiko could ask, Kimiko elaborated.

"My family has a special ability that is passed down," Kimiko said, softly, "It's called Dreamer. We have the ability to see things into the future or sometimes memories of people's pasts."

Kimiko stared into Kumiko's eyes firmly, "Into our own memories."

Kimiko took Kumiko's hand and asked, "Have you ever had dreams that seem so real that you doubt that they are actually dreams? Dreams that recall an event so exact, you're reliving it? Well, that's probably something you inherited from me."

"Yes I know you're from the future," Kimiko said, "And unlike most people meet I can't see your past. This tells me that you are a possible future heir of the Kuchiki Clan."

Kumiko didn't say anything.

"I can't see your past or future because it's not allowed," Kimiko said, "It's not possible for two Dreamers to use their abilities on one another. However I'm no fool when I see when someone is dreaming and when someone is seeing. Which brings me to my next question, what is it that's been plaguing your dreams?"

Kumiko didn't say anything but looked at Kimiko with an impassive face. Kimiko sighed and said, "Is it proof you need? If so… Kon would you please come out here?"

Kumiko froze. A moment later Kon came out and said, "Hey! I thought you said you couldn't see Kumiko's life!"

"Kon-!"

"No it's alright," Kimiko said kindly, "I didn't see hers, I saw yours. And don't worry, I will not tell anyone about you."

Kon was silent as he watched Kumiko speak.

"I can't tell you what exactly," Kumiko said softly, "But I will tell you it's horrible…"

Kumiko gripped Kimiko's hand and said, "I believe what you say, it's explains a bit about something when I was being brought up with my brother… everyone told me I would grow up to be a very special person. My mother… said it was a special gift…and so she named me in dedication to someone who had it last…"

Kimiko was surprised that Kumiko would state so much to her. But she smiled softly and said, "
Now, now. No need to say anymore. Mai will be bringing you a drink that should help you get some sleep."

Kimiko brushed hair out of Kumiko's face and kissed her forehead. She then said softly, "Goodnight."

Kumiko was left alone after Mai brought her drink. Kon watched Kumiko hesitantly let herself fall asleep. He then curled up in the pillows, hoping that she wouldn't have another nightmare. Kon's wishes did and didn't come true, for her dreams did not start of pleasant. Cold dark rooms with cruel maniac laughter began to fill her mind. But as quickly as it started, it changed into something very nostalgic. She dreamed of a woman sitting by a pond under a tree smiling weakly.

"Come here, Kumiko!"

"Okaa-san…"

Kumiko felt herself walk towards her and sit down by her. Hisana hugged her gently and said, "I love you, my little one, as well as your brother. I only wish I could be there to embrace you both like this. I am always watching. You are my special little girl."

Kumiko looked up into the woman's violet eyes and Hisana smiled knowingly, "Yes, you are very special. You have a very special gift, a gift no one has had in a long while. That is why I named you Kumiko, in dedication of the person who had it last…"

Kumiko closed her eyes breathing in the sweet smells that came off her. She then heard as she laid there, "Take care of you and your brother, Kumiko."

S.C.

"Kumiko."

Kumiko looked up and saw Aizen walking down towards them. Mei, Rei, and her were sitting have tea. Kumiko was dressed in a simple orange kimono and looked more relaxed than she had. Mei smiled and said, "Sousuke! You're back early."

"Hai," Sousuke said smiling softly. He approached and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek, "I merely came to see how my mother was doing. Much to my surprise I saw you with Kumiko-san."

"Kumiko has been a wonderful frequent visitor," Mei said fondly, "She's kept us company while you were away."

"I see," Sousuke said studying Kumiko, "Might I borrow her for a few moments?"

"Ask her not me," Mei said chuckling. Kumiko looked up at him and said, "Sure."

"We'll be right back," Aizen said as Kumiko stood up. They walked away into the garden. It wasn't as elaborate as the Kuchiki garden but it was very wondrous sight. Kumiko was looking up at the bellflowers smiling, almost shyly, when Aizen said, "I know about you being from the future."

"I figured," Kumiko said with a sigh. Aizen looked down at her and she looked up at him. He then said with a smile, "Well I see why you were so vague about your past, but what happened after I left-?"

Kumiko raised her hand to his lips silencing him. She smiled gently and said, "In time I will be able to reveal more and more. But I can't tell you everything…"

She pulled away and Aizen nodded. She then grinned and said wandering ahead swaying slightly, "Beside I would be much more concerned about people finding out about the time you and Takeshi fell on top of eachother into the lake."

Aizen froze and Kumiko looked back with a smile.

"Hiro?"

"Yes," Kumiko said smiling wickedly now, "And he said that you two landed in a very awkward position…"

"Kumiko," Aizen started warningly, but his eyes filled with amusement.

"Yes?" Kumiko teased.

"You wouldn't dare."

"Oh but you should know me better by nooww!" Kumiko had to take of running for he went chasing after her. Fortunately her size allowed her to go faster which allowed her to stay out of reach. Unfortunately, he knew the garden better than her so he ended up cornering her at a dead end. He hovered above, hands above on either side of her. She grinned up at him and said, "Yes?"

"You will NOT," Aizen said, "Tell ANYONE about that or anything else my brother has told you. Understood?"

"Yes sir!" Kumiko saluted him. Kumiko burst out giggling and Aizen chuckled. They were like that for a time, trying to calm down. After they regain control of their laughter, Aizen indicated back towards the house smiling. As they began to walk back, Kumiko felt him brush up against and she finally admitted it. She fell for Aizen Sousuke.

Tairei9: DONE! Yes that's right, Kumiko's mother dream was the same one I started to reveal in Mysterious shinigami (chapter 23 if your wondering) There was a plan behind it! lolz

Kon: Finally got some screen time! 'flying around room in cape.'

Tairei9: … where did you get that cape from…. : / Review people!