I dont own KHR or Bleach

A/N: here's the first of the DOUBLE update


28. Memories of the Rain

Rukia yawned and stretched sleepily. She had just woken up from her afternoon nap in the shade of the Sakura tree in the Kuchiki manor. She slowly stood, stretched again and groggily walked into the manor.

She walked upstairs and peeked down the long narrow hall she had reached. No one was there.

"Eh? Where… Oh." Rukia remembered. She sighed.

Orihime and Grimmjow had left with Captain Zaraki and his squad to kill nearby hollows. The rest of the captains and their squads were scattered throughout the world, keeping track of the hollow activity. Even her boss was out of the country for a negotiation. The only people left in the manor were Rukia, Kaien, and captain Ukitake.

"Gah," Rukia sighed. With nothing else to do, she went to her captain's office to see whether there was anything he needed.

"What are you doing here all by yourself, Rukia?" a female voice asked behind her. Rukia turned around to see a familiar woman with brown and blue eyes behind her.

"Miss Mayu," Rukia greeted. Because this person was Kaien's fiancée, Rukia knew her well. Rukia's eyes were caught by a silver brand on Mayu's left hand.

"Now, there's no need to be so formal, Rukia. Just Mayu will do."

"Yes, mi- er Mayu. Where are you going?" Rukia asked.

"I need to take care of a nearby hollow," Mayu answered, taking out her katana. "It won't take long."

"Can I go with you?" Rukia pleaded. Boredom, boredom!

"Don't worry about me, I'll be back later this afternoon," Mayu said, smiling, misunderstanding Rukia. "Oh, I think Captain Ukitake wants to speak with you. Later, then!" Mayu gave Rukia another smile and walked down the stairs.

Rukia felt disappointed. She sighed and grumbled a bit, thinking, 'I'd better go see what Captain Ukitake wants…'

x-x

A little later, Rukia found herself looking at an oak door. She sighed again and rapped her knuckles on the door.

"Come in!" said a cheerful voice.

Rukia opened the door and stepped into the room, closing the door behind her.

"Well, come and sit down," the man in front of her offered. He had a crisp black suit with his haori on top.

He looked up from his paperwork and smiled; a kind expression that could come only from her captain. Captian Ukitake was one of the best fighters in the Kuchiki family, but most of the time, due to his illness, he had to stay behind on most of the missions.

"Is there something wrong, Captain Ukitake?"

"No, I'm just worried about you," he answered. Rukia looked at him. "Is everything alright?

"What do you mean?"

"Well, I've noticed that you seem upset about something. Do you want to talk about it?"

"But there's noth—" Rukia was cut off by the slam of the oaken door.

Kaien had entered the office. He was shaking and had an expression of anguish on his face.

"Captain…captain…"

"Kaien what's wrong?" Ukitake quickly stood up from his chair.

"It's Mayu…" Kaien said through shuddering breaths. He pointed wildly out the door to the hallway. "Mayu…"

Rukia ran out the room, heading down the hallway, with Kaien and Ukitake following behind her. Seeing nothing in the hallway, she ran down the stairs and opened the front doors.

The sight in front of her made her feel as if her stomach had turned inside out.

Mayu lay before her, dead, with a bullet in her chest. The puddle of blood surrounding her was slowly widening with every minute.

Ukitake took hold of Rukia's shoulders and turned her around, away from the sight.

"Rukia, are you okay?" Ukitake asked. Rukia's face was pale and her eyes wide.

She opened her mouth to answer when she noticed a masked man over Ukitake's shoulder. He was holding a gun in his hands and was running, running away from Kaien, who had seen the man and was now chasing after him. Ukitake turned and looked behind him, also seeing the two men. Rukia summoned her katana in its normal form

Ukitake, seeing it, asked, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Rukia nodded.

Ukitake sighed and let go of her shoulders, hoping she'd be safe. Rukia ran after Kaien and Mayu's murderer, with Ukitake following close behind.

x-x

"Where are they?" Rukia and Ukitake had been searching for hours. Dark clouds roamed the sky, threatening to rain.

"Calm down, Rukia," Ukitake said. He closed his eyes and immediately sensed Kaien and the other man not too far from where they were.

"I've found them! Come, Rukia!"

They started to run, looking for either the perpetrator or Rukia's master. As the path in the forest got wider and wider, so did her steps. Soon, she was in an open part of the forest.

"We're in the Kuchiki training grounds?"

Rukia looked around. She finally noticed her master's aura. She walked slowly until she saw Kaien and a hollow fighting.

She noticed the hollow had on a mask unlike any Rukia had ever seen before. The area around the eye sockets were orange and the mask also had elephant-like tusks. The hollow's back was full of tentacles. Rukia noticed a body tangled in the tentacles and recognized it as Mayu's killer.

Rukia stepped forward, about to help Kaien, when an arm was thrown out in front of her, preventing her from going any further.

"Captain Ukitake?"

"You must let Kaien fight this hollow on his own."

"But why?"

"Because there are two reasons a person fights: one is to protect his life, and the other is to protect his pride. In this case it is the latter."

Rukia reluctantly just watched as Kaien battled the hollow. He tore off one of the hollow's tentacles with his bare hands. Suddenly, Rukia sensed something was wrong. The hollow was laughing.

"What's so funny?" Kaien growled. He jumped off the hollow, landing a few feet away from it.

"It's just that I'm going to hurt you where it hurts the most." The hollow quickly turned around and dissolved into gas, which heading straight towards Rukia.

"Look out, Rukia!" Ukitake shouted.

Rukia was frozen with fear. She closed her eyes, unable to do anything else. She expected to feel pain but the pain never came. Rukia opened her eyes and saw the figure that protected her.

"Master… Kaien?" Rukia hesitantly croaked out.

She felt chills going down her spine and backed away. Her master turned his face up to her and she gasped. His eyes were gone and his skin had turned green.

"Sorry, but your master's not home right now," it cackled. The hollow pulled out Kaien's sword and lunged towards her. Suddenly she was pulled back and a figure blocked the attack. She looked up to see her captain fighting off Kaien's possessed body.

"Run, Rukia!" he ordered.

Rukia was unable to move yet again, fear claiming her body. She wasn't able to believe what was happening.

"Hurry!" Ukitake shouted.

Rukia's legs seemed to have understood, because the next moment, she was running from the fight.

Ukitake turned his attention back to Kaien and suddenly felt a great pain in his chest.

"Not now," he cursed his illness.

He took advantage of the moment and swung the dull part of his sword towards Kaien, sending him flying. Ukitake got a glance at Kaien, before his illness got the better of him.

'Please run, Rukia.'

x-x

Rukia could sense the hollow behind her. The chills going up her spine wouldn't go away. She felt scared and for the first time in a long time, she felt utter terror in her heart. The man she had respected with all her heart had turned into a monster. She glanced over her shoulder, only to find that no one was there.

"I hope you're ready to die, little girl," she heard the hollow cackle.

She looked up and saw it high on a tree branch. With her hands still shaking, Rukia took out her katana and took her fighting stance. The hollow jumped straight at her. She closed her eyes, waiting for the feeling of his sword piercing her flesh, but instead she felt something heavy, and something wet and warm.

She opened her eyes and gasped.

"Master…" was all she could say. She felt the warm blood dripping onto her hands, sliding down her arms. She could feel the tiny drops of rain landing on her cheeks. She felt his chest against her shoulder and his chin against the back of it.

Kaien slowly raised his arm, bringing his hand behind her head.

"I'm… sorry," he coughed out. With each word, blood dripped out of his mouth.

Kaien's weight was too much for Rukia and she fell on her knees. She could still feel the blood running down her hands and arms.

Although Rukia couldn't see it, Kaien smiled.

"It's been hard… for you… I… I'm sorry… T-thank you, Rukia… I can leave… my heart… here…" Kaien closed his eyes and let his head drop on Rukia's shoulder.

"Master Kaien?" she called out, but there was no response.

"MASTER KAIEN!"

x-x

Rukia woke up with a gasp and quickly sat up. She slowly calmed down and turned to see Orihime in her spirit form, worried.

"Did you have that dream again?" Orihime asked, but Rukia didn't give an answer.

She slowly stood up from her bed and went to the bathroom to wash her face. She opened the faucet and splashed her face with cold water. Rukia always felt calmer when she felt cold water, since it usually brought her back to reality.

'Why did I have that dream, well more like a memory, but still why?' Rukia didn't know what to do. She was afraid to go back to sleep. She went to the kitchen to get a glass of water. After she drank the glass of water she headed off to her room. On the way she stopped at Grimmjow's room. Not sure what came over her, she knocked on the door. She heard a crash in the room and a minute later Grimmjow slowly opened the door.

"What is it brat this better be important." He rubbed his eyes, trying to glare at her for waking him up.

"I can't sleep."

"So? It's not my problem."

"Can…can I sleep with you for the night?" Grimmjow looked at her with disbelief, but then he noticed a deep sadness within her. With a heavy sigh, he opened the door wider.

"I can't believe you're acting like a five year old." He made a gesture, signaling Rukia to come in. "But this is only for tonight."

With a small smile, Rukia entered the room and lay down on Grimmjow's bed. Grimmjow lay down next to her.

He pulled up the covers so they would cover them both. Soon, he heard soft breathing from the girl next to him.

'Those memories haven't left you alone, have they?' Grimmjow had heard vaguely from Captain Ukitake about the incident. Rukia hadn't talked for six months and it was thanks to Orihime that she spoke again, but the dreams still haunted her.

"Good night, shrimp," he muttered. As he was drifting off, stuck between being half awake and fully asleep, he felt a hand slip into his own. He ignored it and fell asleep.

x-x

Next morning, Rukia woke up struggling to get herself up. She decided to eat outside for breakfast.

"Might as well, I don't feel like making something."

Rukia grabbed her purse and locked the door on the way out.

x-x

After breakfast, Rukia decided to look around the shopping district. She wandered around, watching out for cops who might catch her skipping school, and looking out for Grimmjow, who would yell at her for skipping training. She didn't have the will to train today. She just wanted to get that dream out of her mind before the battle.

She looked around some stores and found a gift for Kyoko. It was a black teddy bear with a ribbon tied in a bow around its neck.

She decided quickly to get back to the apartment before Grimmjow arrived before her.

As she walked past a jewelry store, something in the store caught her eye. She turned and looked through the window, searching for the object. It was a sterling silver katana pendant hanging in the display case. Rukia gazed at with fascination. She entered the shop, and looked around for the clerk. Inside, there were rings, bracelets, and pendants everywhere, but she didn't care about any of those.

"Can I help you, Miss?" The store clerk appeared before her.

"Yes, please. I'd like to buy that sword pendant that's hanging in the display case over there." She pointed at the display case by the window.

"Right away Miss. Do you wish a silver chain with the pendant?"

"No thank you, but if you have jewelry string, then I'll buy that instead." She saw the man put the pendant in a small box. "How much do I owe you?"

"Well, normally it would cost you 24,606 yen," Rukia was a little surprised at the price. She knew that sterling silver was a little expensive. She didn't care about the price since she still had enough money. "But hey," the clerk interrupted her thoughts. "Since I'm a nice guy and since I own this store and made that pendant, I suppose I can give you a discount." Rukia let a smile appear on her face. "It will be 14,763.92 Yen."

Rukia took out the money. She knew that if she didn't buy that pendant now, then she'd probably never see it again. "Thank you." She lightly bowed.

"No problem, but will you at least tell me who that pendant is for?"

"How did you know that it was for someone else?"

"I've been a jeweler and a silversmith for years and I've seen many people come in to this store. It is something that I've learned to see. That's all."

"Well, it is for someone very special to me." She looked at her watch. "Oh no, I have to go before my friend kills me."

"Well, take care! And I hope to see you again."

"Yes, thank you!" Rukia waved before leaving the shop. The store clerk slowly shook his head.

"Kids these days."

x-x

After talking to Grimmjow about training, Rukia decided to visit Yamamoto. She walked over to the sushi shop. Tsuyoshi turned around and saw her come in.

"Welcome Miss Kuchiki, what can I do for you?"

"Excuse me, but where is Yamamoto-kun?"

"He should be at the dojo."

"Dojo?"

"Out back," he said and pointed to the back door.

Rukia nodded and bowed to him and made her way towards the back and opened the door. She saw the old styled building. She jogged over to the dojo and took off her shoes and entered. She saw Yamamoto lying on the floor.

'I wonder if he's nervous.'

"Ready for tonight?" Rukia spoke up, making Yamamoto quickly sit up.

"Rukia! I didn't hear you come in."

"It may have something to do with the fact that you were deep in thought." She sat next to him, "So what are you thinking about?"

"I was thinking about what Dino-san said."

"About Squalo?"

He nodded.

Rukia didn't want to see this battle at all. It wasn't that she didn't believe in Yamamoto, but it's just that she had a pain in her chest every time she thought that he would get hurt.

"Cheer up I know you'll think of something, Yamamoto-kun."

"Rukia?"

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Why don't you call me by my first name?"

That question took Rukia by surprise. She didn't know why either.

"Um… I… well, er…I… I don't know…" she stuttered.

"Can you call me by my first name?"

"Okay Yama-I mean…" she tried to say his given name, but it would come out as if it had gotten stuck in the middle of her throat. She heard footsteps coming from the hall and a few seconds later, Tsuna appeared with Reborn.

"I was coming back after training and the dojo was on the way, so I thought I'd drop by…" Tsuna looked at Rukia and Yamamoto. "Hiii… sorry, I interrupted you guys, didn't I? Ahh, noo…"

"Ciaossu," Reborn greeted, smacking Tsuna on the head to shut him up.

"Yo," Yamamoto greeted.

"Hello Tsuna-san, Reborn-san." Rukia stood up.

"How is it? Have you found a way to transcend style?" Reborn asked.

'Without any warning, the heart of the matter!' Tsuna thought.

'That's Reborn-san alright.' Rukia mentally sighed, looking at Yamamoto for an answer.

"So that's it." He grinned at Rukia and Tsuna, "Who knows, you won't know if you don't give it a try."

Rukia nodded in agreement. 'I have to believe in him.' They heard more footsteps and Rukia and the others turned around to see who it was. It was Tsuyoshi.

"Well, if it isn't Tsuna-kun."

"Hello," Tsuna bowed.

"What is it, old man?" Yamamoto noticed that he had something in his hand

"It's today isn't? "A smile appeared on Tsuyoshi's face, "That sword fight."

"H-how did you know?" Tsuna asked.

"Well, I didn't," he confessed, "Actually, I heard about it from Tsuna-kun's father."

"From dad!?" Tsuna said. 'Now that you mention it, what did he tell Yamamoto's father?' he asked himself.

"Seems like the opponent's a terribly strong swordsman, eh?" Tsuyoshi asked. Yamamoto nodded in agreement. "Then, take this Takeshi." He held in front of him the thing he was carrying. It was wrapped up in a cloth.

"What's that, Yamamoto-san?" Rukia asked. Tsuyoshi took off the cloth, revealing a bamboo sword.

"Isn't this a bamboo sword?" Yamamoto asked. Tsuyoshi let Yamamoto carry the sword, "Although it's an awfully heavy one."

"Of course, it's forged from steel after all." Tsuyoshi took the sword back. He took out a cucumber from out of nowhere and smiled. "This has been passed down through 8 generations of the successors to the Shigure Souen style."

"The Shigure… Souen?" Rukia asked, confused. Tsuyoshi nodded

"That is the name of the style that Yamamoto learned from me. This katana is called Shigure Kintoki." Rukia nodded in understanding then he continued, "Used in an ordinary manner, it's just what it looks like: A bamboo sword." He demonstrated by trying to slice off part of the cucumber. A hunk of it broke off.

"See, it can't even cut this simple cucumber. However," he threw the cucumber into the air, "if you draw it using the Shigure Souen style…" he made one swift swing and the cucumber was cut into pieces. Rukia couldn't follow the movement. She was amazed at the technique. The pieces of cucumber landed in Tsuna's hands. "The body of the bamboo will give away to expose the blade." He swung at a different direction, the sword turned back into its bamboo form. "If you use a style outside of the Shigure Souen, it will turn back into its normal form. It's a katana specialized to the Shigure Souen style."

"It's just like the bamboo sword version of Yamamoto's bat." Reborn added.

"But you can't use that katana today." Tsuna interrupted.

"Why do you say that?" Tsuyoshi's eyes narrowed

"Today's opponent is a really strong guy who's defeated a lot of sword schools." Yamamoto explained, "Transcending style is the only way to beat him."

'Something tells me that he shouldn't have said that.' Rukia thought.

"What are you saying? Idiots shouldn't talk about what they don't understand!" Tsuyoshi growled.

'And I hate it when I am right.'

"Listen up! The 8 forms of the Shigure Souen style were continuously refined and accumulated in real combat by its successors! It's a flawless style without a wasted movement!!" He glared at Tsuna and Yamamoto. Tsuna shrieked and backed away. Rukia could see the flames in his eyes and shivered. "There is no way to transcend it!" he raised his voice to emphasize his point.

"Alright, old man, I know you have a high opinion of the Shigure Souen style but--"

"That's not what I'm talking about! Are you listening?!" Tsuyoshi interrupted. "The Shigure Souen style is completely flawless, strongest, and invincible!" he stormed off

Rukia let out a heavy sigh and shook her head. "This is why you two need to learn when to keep quiet."

x-x

Rukia, Yamamoto, and Tsuna were waiting for the others to show up. Tsuna had a worried expression on his face.

"Yamamoto, what are you planning to do?" Tsuna asked.

"Well, Yamamoto-san said that there is no way to transcend style." Rukia reminded him.

Reborn shrugged. "Who knows?

"Looks like no one's here yet." Yamamoto looked around, ignoring Tsuna's question.

'Just who's right? The opponent is really strong.' Tsuna thought.

Rukia watched him having his mental breakdown. It was only then that Rukia started to worry again.

"Have faith in Yamamoto-kun. I'm sure that he'll win." Orihime reassured her. Rukia nodded and she cleared her negative thoughts and tried to keep positive ones. Suddenly Rukia felt that aura that she despised. She looked up and saw Squalo in front of them sitting on the school's entrance roof.

"So, you didn't run away, katana brat." Squalo smirked, "I'll make fish kebab out of you!"

"It's him," Rukia spat.

"Superbi Squalo!" Basil said.

Tsuna looked at Yamamoto. He swung the bamboo sword outward to reveal the blade.

"I won't let you Squalo." He looked down at his sword, "I'm going to take you down with this katana."

"A shape-changing katana, eh?"

"So in other words…" Rukia looked at Yamamoto.

"You're not going to transcend style?" Tsuna asked, "But the Shigure Souen…"

"If my old man says it's invincible, then why wouldn't it be?" Yamamoto grinned.

"Invincible?" Squalo repeated, he grinned madly like a shark, "Idiots who call themselves invincible… I've already buried countless hundreds of them!"

Tsuna started to panic. "No way, Yamamoto, it was the wrong choice after all!" he wailed. Yamamoto just smiled.

"Is it really the wrong one? It feels like standing in the batter's box with the last chance to score and you're so worked up, you're getting chills."

"Yamamoto-dono, what is he saying at a time like this?" Basil groaned.

Rukia suddenly felt relieved, the feeling in her heart vanished.

"That's right… I completely forgot." She managed to say, "This is Yamamoto."

'If it's Yamamoto, then he'll be able to find a way.' Tsuna and Rukia thought. Rukia felt a familiar aura coming their way. Rukia looked up and saw the Cervello twins next to Squalo.

"Thank you for gathering…"

"…this evening's battlefield will be the schools building B…."

"…please start making your way towards building B." the Cervello finished.

"It's in the school building again… what kind of field is it this time?" Tsuna wondered.

"VOOII, where is that?" Squalo growled.

"This way please," the Cervello started running towards the building and Squalo followed. There was a short silence until Ryohei and Grimmjow showed up.

"Sorry for being late," Ryohei apologized.

Grimmjow made a small grunt.

"Grimmjow-sensei, what's that on your back?" Tsuna asked pointing to the bundle of bandages on his back.

"We had to bring this thing with us." Grimmjow put the bandaged thing down.

It started wiggling and squirming… A mummy?!

"Pharaoh!" Tsuna shrieked and hid behind Yamamoto. Grimmjow put his palm on his forehead, muttering something under his breath.

"Nu ith me!" The mummy pulled some of the bandages off its head, revealing Gokudera's face, "Romairo said something like, 'this is a man's treatment.'" He freed his other hand that was wrapped in the bandages. "Then he clumsily wrapped me up in bandages like this."

"Are your wounds alright?" Tsuna asked worriedly.

"Apparently he's supposed to rest, but he wanted to come no matter what, so I asked Grimmjow-sensei to give me a hand." Ryohei pointed out.

"I never asked that bastard to!" his eyes narrowed. "He was the one who dragged me here."

"Shut your trap and be grateful that I helped you."

"Shut up blueberry! Anyways, I wasn't going to go down without knowing how the match went."

"You're such a worrywart." Yamamoto smiled.

"You're the one who is too carefree. Anyway, let's go." Gokudera started to walk towards the arena, but he tripped on the bandages.

"Gokudera-kun!"

"Are you alright Gokudera-dono?"

"He's an idiot after all." Reborn said, jumping onto Grimmjow's shoulders.

"Yeah, but as long he knows it's okay." Grimmjow said. "Let's go brats."

He pulled Gokudera up and dragged him to the arena.

x-x

A few minutes later they arrived at their destination, building B. Grimmjow's smirk disappeared and turned into a scowl. Rukia felt worried once more. 'Why are these feelings coming and going as they please?' she asked herself. She looked around the area. All the windows and doors were sealed tight.

"Looks like we can get in through here," Reborn pointed at a door a few feet away from them. Rukia heard the sound of falling water coming from the inside.

"What's that sound?' Yamamoto asked as he opened the door. The inside of the building had changed completely. There was a large amount of water filling it up partially. Rukia looked up and saw holes in the ceiling with water coming down through those holes like a waterfall.

"What is this!?" Tsuna asked.

"It doesn't look like the original school building anymore." Rukia said.

"This is the battlefield for the battle of rain: Aquarion," one of the Cervello answered Tsuna's question.

"Its special features consist of the three-dimensional structure."

"And the large amount of water cascading through an enclosed space."

"The water flowing from the tank on the top floor will fall as the battle continues and the level of water will also rise."

"Just like a sinking ship…"

"Little by little finding footing will become harder as well." Basil added.

"Furthermore, the collecting water has been especially modified to match the consistency of sea water. When the water reaches a certain level, a ferocious beast will be released into the arena," the Cervello added.

"A ferocious beast?!"

"Isn't that interesting?" a voice interrupted Tsuna's wailing. Everybody looked up.

"It's them," Rukia spat, looking straight at Xanxus.

"Ushishishi~!" Bel held up the completed storm ring. "The prince woke up in the morning with the ring in his hand."

"Shit, that bastard!" Gokudera snarled.

"Xanxus," Tsuna looked at Xanxus, his fear well hidden from everyone. The only people who noticed were Reborn and Grimmjow.

"Pathetic dogs should just disappear." Xanxus said it like if he was talking about the weather. He looked at Squalo. "You worms can get rid of this trash for me."

"Wha!" Squalo was about to protest, but Xanxus was already walking away from the others.

"Xanxus was serious," Reborn said.

"Don't scare them before the match starts, Reborn." Dino had arrived.

"Dino-san."

"Yamamoto, I hope you don't mind me watching your match."

"Nope!" Yamamoto said cheerfully.

"That Kyouya suddenly decided to listen to my explanation of the scramble battle for the rings yesterday." Dino said. Hibari's sudden, and scary, arrival just after Gokudera's match was extremely shocking. After all, he had defeated all of Levi's men, nearly killed Yamamoto, and only calmed down after Reborn had bribed him with more and better fights.

"He didn't know until yesterday?"

"Maybe he wanted to know because we've been turning the school into ruins." Rukia guessed.

"He'll probably come and watch." Rukia closed her eyes and sensed Hibari close by. There was also another familiar aura close by. She didn't know why it felt familiar, but decided to ignore it for now.

"Now that we're at 1 win and 3 losses, we are out of options. In more ways than one, this battle is worth watching."

"All right! Since that's how it is, let's have Hibari join the huddle! Where is he?" Ryohei looked around.

"Uh… No, no, no, no, I don't think so." Rukia quickly shook her head.

"That's impossible." Gokudera stated.

"Haha, yeah," Yamamoto agreed.

"We'd definitely be killed." Tsuna added.

'I think so too.' Dino thought.

"NO! I won't allow any exceptions." Ryohei protested

"All right, all right, I don't mean that we should replace him, but wouldn't it be all right if we just included Basil-kun?" Tsuna suggested.

"Eh? Me? Is that okay?" Basil asked, half reluctant and half honored.

"I'm fine with it if the tenth says so," Gokudera shrugged.

"We're all in this together, aren't we?" Yamamoto added. Tsuna took out Lambo's tail from his pocket.

"Of course! Lambo, too."

Everyone got together and formed a big circle.

"Yamamoto, fight!" All - well most since Gokudera stayed silent - cheered.

"Will the guardians of rain gather at the center? In addition, due to the submersion, the audience area will be outside," the Cervello said, escorting Tsuna and the others out of the building. "The match will be projected onto a giant screen set in the wall," she added.

"Well, go get them Yamamoto!" Ryohei gave him thumbs up.

"Don't you dare lose," Gokudera scowled.

"Lose and you get detention for life," Grimmjow added.

"Do your best," Tsuna cheered.

All left the room except for Rukia. She had a sad expression on her face.

"What's wrong, Rukia?" Yamamoto asked.

"It's… nothing. Don't worry about it." She wrapped her arms around him. "Please be careful and try not to be too reckless." There was a small silence until he spoke up.

"Yeah," he ruffled her hair. "I promised didn't I? See you later." He started to walk to the center of the arena.

'Yamamoto-kun, please be careful.' she thought as she left the building. She sprinted to where Tsuna and the others were. She looked up at the screen showing Yamamoto and Squalo in the center of the arena.

"Now, for the ring of rain. Superbi Squalo vs. Yamamoto Takeshi, battle start!"

x-x

The match began. Squalo immediately charged at Yamamoto, but he was able to dodge it. The hidden explosives that Squalo threw were dodged as well, and Squalo ran at Yamamoto before he vanished from view. Yamamoto managed to parry in time, but Squalo threw more explosives at him point-blank. Fortunately, Yamamoto used the seventh form of his Shigure Souen style, Splashing Rain. Thus, he was able to defend himself from the second round of explosives. Squalo didn't seem too impressed, and ran at him again to assault him with explosives. Yamamoto realized he was cornered, but used his sword to splash up the water around him in streams like a shield.

x-x

Outside, Tsuna and the others were watching the battle taking place inside the building. All of them were amazed at the style Yamamoto learned.

"He dodged long hair's blast!" Tsuna said, amazed at the movement.

"That's Yamamoto's Shigure Souen style," Dino said, "It's rough around the edges, but to come this far in such short amount of time is amazing."

"I'm impressed on the progress that idiot is making; learning the styles and actually using them in combat are two different things," Grimmjow snorted.

"Why?" Rukia asked

"For a person to be thrown into battle and be able to fight fearlessly means they are either a complete idiot or a natural assassin."

x-x

Back to the match, Squalo sliced around trying to get Yamamoto, but Yamamoto was completely engulfed in the protective water. Still, this didn't deter Squalo, who taunted Yamamoto for not attacking. Yamamoto seemed to be getting serious at this point. He raised his sword as if to attack and ran at Squalo to strike and faked him out by dropping the sword out of his hand, only to switch it to his other hand. He sliced at Squalo who fell down into the still shallow water. Squalo laughed at Yamamoto and got up again. In reality, he had jumped back from Yamamoto's swing, and was not actually hit.

Squalo got insulted that Yamamoto didn't strike with the intent to kill him, and charged Yamamoto, copying Yamamoto's attempt to blind him with water. He appeared behind him in a flash and cut the flow of water, revealing Yamamoto and cutting his left shoulder deeply. He then said that he was able to see through his attacks, that he once crushed the very same sword style. Things didn't look good for Yamamoto.

x-x

"Yamamoto!" Tsuna shouted as he watched his friend stumble and clutch his wound. Grimmjow glanced at Rukia. She was clenching the sleeve of her shirt as she watched the battle. 'This must be even harder on her than anyone else,' he thought.

x-x

The tides seemed to have turned against Yamamoto and Squalo gloated with confidence. Though he had had the upper hand before, Yamamoto soon fell vulnerable under a renewed assault. Yamamoto still fully intended to fight with the sword style, despite Squalo claiming to have defeated it before. Squalo didn't relent and struck again and again, and even parried Yamamoto's sword-switching technique. Yamamoto stopped, not able to move due to Squalo's attack. Squalo took the opportunity to hit him again, and threw him backwards. He charged at him even while he was down. Yamamoto ran, heading for higher ground. However, Squalo sliced the concrete platform Yamamoto was on, making Yamamoto fall back down painfully. Yamamoto rose once more, ready to fight back. He ran while he avoided Squalo's attacks. He reached Squalo and revealed the 8th form of Shigure Souen, Pelting Rain (while Squalo was expecting Autumn Rain).

Surprised by the attack, Squalo taunted Yamamoto. Yamamoto took another stance, one from his own development. He stood as though he were about to hit a baseball with a bat, and even though his katana had reverted back to a shinai (bamboo sword), he struck. Within an instant, the shinai transformed back into the katana, and Yamamoto struck from behind. Squalo's prosthetic arm rotated to compensate for the area he would have been unable to reach. What he actually hit was a shadow created by a pillar of water that Yamamoto had created. From behind another pillar, Yamamoto emerged and struck Squalo down, revealing the 9th form: Duplicate Rain. He stylishly caught the falling Ring of Rain and stood victorious.

x-x

"Alright! Yamamoto won!" Tsuna cried with joy.

Rukia felt her shoulders loosen a bit as the battle came to an end. It took Rukia by surprise to see Yamamoto trying to help Squalo, even though he was injured himself.

"What is that brat doing?" Grimmjow asked.

"Whatever he's trying to do we should help," Rukia replied.

Grimmjow nodded and ran to the door, but the Cervello interfered.

"I'm afraid that we cannot let you inside. The water level has risen and the ferocious beast has been released," the Cervello informed. Grimmjow let out a small growl and looked up to the screen. He saw Squalo kick Yamamoto onto another platform. The shark attacked Squalo and swallowed him. Rukia looked away from the screen. The others looked shocked.

'They're just middle school kids,' Grimmjow thought grimly. 'They are still too young for this.'

"Now for tomorrow, the battle will be…"

"The battle of moon." The Cervello disappeared soon after, leaving Tsuna and the gang by themselves.

x-x

A few minutes after Yamamoto managed to get out of the building, with disappointment in his eyes. Rukia looked at Yamamoto, she felt her legs weaken, and she fell to her knees. She looked up, and Yamamoto was in front of her.

"Are you okay?" Yamamoto asked.

"It's just my legs gave in from relief. I was worried when you got hurt. I guess seeing you in mostly one piece makes me feel better… I think?" Rukia said. Yamamoto just laughed, "What's so funny?"

"Nothing, don't worry about it. So, are you ready for your match tomorrow?"

"Rukia-san, you know that you don't have to do this if you don't want to," Tsuna said gently.

"I know, but I want to do this. Don't worry I'll be fine." Rukia gave them a smile, but in her mind she was worried. She feared to find out the truth about the masked man.

"Don't worry Rukia everything will turn out for the better!" Orihime cheered. But, Rukia couldn't help it. For the first time she felt scared, but that wasn't going to stop her.

x-x

The next day, Rukia lay in her bed, looking at the ceiling. Orihime sat next to her, worried.

"Rukia, it's almost time to go."

"Orihime, I have made my decision."

"What is it?"

"I want to fight on my own without you helping me."

"But Rukia I-" Orihime was interrupted by Rukia shaking her head.

"I am sorry Orihime, but if my opponent is him then I want to face this on my own. I'm sorry." she looked at the hairpin that was always around her neck. Orihime knew what Rukia was about to do.

"No, wait, Rukia…" Rukia took off the hairpin. Orihime's voice got softer and softer until she couldn't hear it anymore.

There was nothing else to do, so she got up and left her room. She went through the kitchen and to the door. She stopped by the kitchen table and placed the hairpin gently on it, whispering, "I'm sorry, Orihime…"

Without another word, she left the apartment to go to Nanimori, where the truth would be revealed, whether she wanted it to or not.


End of chapter 29 - edited by: hokkyokusei

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