I think they lost something they miss

I wanna find that book

Dust it off and read it again

There was hope in the end

-Have we lost, Flyleaf

ShiKai CH.28: And time passes

"I told you...never to call me by that name again."

The woman was quiet. Then, "forgive me...I forget constantly that those days are long past."

An uncomfortable silence descended, the face of the one whom had been the cause of so much suffering in their thoughts.

"Have...have you found him?" the woman was tentative, knowing her own inquiry to be a source of fresh pain.

Kagami looked down, "no...I'm afraid we haven't." His gaze rose, "do you...have any idea perhaps of who-?"

"No"

He thought she was lying, "Mara--"

"You know I can't tell you..." a sigh, "...it lies buried deep in your subconscious mind. Something--something you've forgotten or possibly choose not to remember. That single thing will lead you to the absolution you've been seeking. But be warned..."

They waited.

"In this lifetime it was decreed he would have a bond, an attachment of some sort to you, Keiki. Not of the blood..." her voice trailed off and it began to seem as if the signal was fading. "But of the--"

It cut out.

"Mara!" Kagami flew to the keyboard.

Kei sunk to her knees. Of the--what? If it wasn't blood--

"-did we get through?"

The screen flickered from the blank blue to that of the familiar background of the Inoue girl's apartment.

"Hitsugaya-Taichou?!"

Kei was startled out of her reverie by Kagami's exclamation.

The Shinigami glowered then shoved back at the pressing bodies behind him, "get back, I said!" Huffing with an under breath grumble about busybodies, the white-haired Taichou turned back to them. "I see that Yamamoto Keiko is there."

Kagami didn't look even remotely glad, "did you call just to check up on her?"

"Not me," Hitsugaya jerked his thumb back, "I blame most of it on Kurosaki."

Her head slowly rose to encounter the watchful brown-eyed gaze of the Shinigami sub.

...then of the heart?

~Karakura Town~

Kei-san was alright. Everyone was alright.

Orihime wished she could say she was glad...

'I thought we were friends.'

Her heart lurched painfully in her chest, absently her hands rose and laid, clasped over bosom. Rukia touched her arm, leaning forward, a concerned look on her face. Orihime shook her head, her sad eyes resting on Kurosaki-kun's back.

He was talking to Kei-san. Asking her if she was really alright.

Orihime could see the annoyance growing in the Soul reaper's expression. In the way she tilted her chin, the narrowing of her eyes, the set of her mouth.

Her answers were curt, to the point.

Almost sharp. Rukia could see restlessness as well; something was bothering Kei-san, but she wouldn't say what.

"Kei-san..." Orihime dropped her arms to her sides, hands fisting against her sweat-pant covered thighs. "Is something bothering you?"

For a moment she looked truly angry. Her teeth were clenched behind the grimace of a smile. But her eyes-

"I assure you, I am quite well, only that I'm severely disappointed I've missed the reunion with a friend I hadn't seen in many years. Your call to the server cut our connection. I'm afraid that may have been the only chance I had to speak with her."

Kurosaki-kun looked disgruntled at the implication. Toshiro was stiff in apologizing, though he had sensitivity enough to not demand the identity of the friend.

Orihime wondered if it was the one she loved but didn't want to say.

~Tsukikage Castle~

"We have a meeting to call." Her face was turned up to the blank screen, "also, have Ren Mimasaka attend."

Kagami exchanged looks with Kazeatari, the latter shrugging faintly.

"Alright--"

"One more thing, compile every known scrap we have in the database using the term Visored. Keith of Third, I think should come as well." As she spoke, she had begun walking to the door.

"What're you thinking now?" Kagami complained, tired of following her lead in the dark. His hand trailed through his hair, the strands ashen in the dimness. Kazeatari folded her fan beneath her chin, looking pensively after the girl's back.

"My original objectives have changed." She half-turned, a sliver of profile visible. Her eyes were cold, "To assure total victory one has to think through any proposed course and adapt as the situation either worsens or progresses down a different path. I've had a long time to concoct our strategy, but I need your help to bring it to fruition."

His brow rose crookedly over one eye, "you sound as if you're asking me to lead the charge."

"...That isn't a bad idea." she murmured thoughtfully to herself.

"What do you mean!?"

"Soryu at the forefront...hmm...that might work, only--" she paused, "--gather a quick list of the water types within our ranks. Did you..." the confidence faded from her voice, "did you...speak with Mara, before-?"

He observed the change in her demeanor. From swift-thinking and assertive, she had gone to low, her spirits downcast. "Yes." he answered shortly, "I did...she-Mara said they're awakening from stasis. The four remaining Generals and their troops are mobilizing, soon she believes, Aizen's thoughts will turn toward them and the key must be found. He lacks the power on his own terms to defeat..." he finished quietly, the effort great, "Reio-dono. But with the combined forces of the First born and us, he'll be able to crush the world and ascend to the Heavens as God."

He smiled faintly then, "I see your face, you're wondering if Sosuke even has heard of them."

Kei looked doubtful.

"In the Dai--, of the Central Forty-Six, the Myth of Creation was kept. A written, highly falsified version to be sure, but existing documentation of Cayo Hueso. It's safe to assume he or another has read its contents. You know of whom I mean."

"Gin Ichimaru."

Her eyes lowered, surety in her tone. "We would never win against them."

~*~

Without you.

"Ren, I want you to go to the living world to train this boy." The screen changed and a grainy image of Ichigo Kurosaki flashed on. The magenta-haired woman turned from the Captain of Fourth's face to the computer Takara held. Thin lips pursed, hand pushed back trimmed bangs from her temples, exposing for a moment the puckered skin of an old scar lacing through her slender arched brow.

There is nothing.

"He is a Vizard?" The fifth seat queried carefully.

"After a fashion, yes."

You sustain us all whether or not any of us truly realize it.

Kanzaki looked between them, "am I missing something here?! Or are you ordering one of my officers--"

"Not ordering." She said, contempt in her voice, "asking."

We're your pawns in this game. Loyalty is the price you ask, in exchange for...

"Just what do you hope to gain by having Ren show the kid how to control his Hollow?" Kagami finally asked. Kei regarded him with steady look, "two things. First, it's bound to become known that we have a Vizard among us, then some may wonder-like his friends," her lip curled slightly, "why we didn't offer to help him with It."

"Oh...well, I guess that makes sense."

"And secondly, I've a curiosity, selfish though it seems, to see the extent of his power."

"Kind of like he fascinates you even though he might become too powerful for even you to handle?"

"Yes. True that scenario has come to mind. And if it did turn out that way, then that means I will have created a monster."

Unless...

"Just bloody brilliant! Created a monster!" Kanzaki threw his hands in the air, going into the usual overly-dramatic rampage. Kazeatari rolled her eyes at the outburst, with effort turning her back to the man, "but you're counting on being that monster's Achilles' heel. Aren't you...Keiko?" The wind wielder finished softly.

Kei looked pleasantly surprised, "how did you know?" A short laugh, then sobering, "it is sort of strange, when I was with him... I wanted him to feel that way for me even though I knew it wasn't supposed to be born of any attachment forming on my side."

"You're not falling in love with him, are you?" Kazeatari asked suspiciously.

"Of course not!" She sounded scandalized, "haven't I told you already that I love someone else!"

"Only about from the moment you first had cognizance in this lifetime. I thought you were just trying to make me jealous, that someone was able to love you." muttered the other.

"And what motivation would I have for that?" Kei reddened.

"Dunno. Maybe because you're a little ?" Kazeatari suggested with a slightly bored yawn.

"I'll overlook that for now," said the fire wielder, glaring daggers.

"For now? Oh, so you plan on retribution?"

"Maybe."

Kagami, correctly interpreting the closing distance between the two elementals, intervened, "is this not a meeting?" They each backed off, a sneer on Kei's lips and a hmph on Kazeatari's side. In the former's mind it was clear whom had won this round.

Takara breathed a sigh, the air having grown quite dense from the opposing elements clashing. Wind inflamed Fire so much so that they fought constantly, but in the end...Takara's crystal blue eyes alighted on the ornate Chinese fan rapidly flicking back and forth across the woman's olive-skin.

Together.

Hollows pressed on all sides. They were back to back, Kei was lashing a thin whip of flame, searing the flesh of the creatures, enraging them.

"What now?" out of the corner of her mouth.

"Don't know...got any suggestions?"

"Yeah...one." she was smiling down at the sword in her hand.

Dark eyes flickered from her face to the blade. "Oh, no..."

"Yes." Kei sunk to her knees, slashing the air crossways, "Kaho-Enbu!"

Kazeatari heaved her shoulders, performing a fast drop-dance with her fan, "Kamikaze-ReppuGeki!"

Wind shuddered from the unfolding leaves of the fan, whipping Kei's hair around her face before swelling the red ball of fire into a consuming wall.

...

That's why...

"Kei," Takara came up to her shyly, "I believe in you."

The fire wielder blinked then small smile formed on her lips, "belief, huh? Ichigo said something similar earlier, though I'm not sure what he meant. If he believed in the validity of my heart...or he had the belief I would go back. I don't know which. It's a ridiculous notion, however, thank you."

I'm not afraid.

Takara smiled a watery smile, "this place," her eyes wandered up along the four walls, the large deep-set window looking out over the entirety of the City, "you, everyone. This is my something. My place to belong--"

"Then," Kei passed by her, turning once to glance back, "you must fight to keep it that way."

~*~

The enemy of my enemy...

"We're all here, as you requested." Water and Wind flanked her on either side. Ulquiorra appraised them, eyes sliding from the faintly smiling face of the girl to the slight grin and wink of the man, the tear-drop shaped guard in his sash the channel of his power. The Sazanami blade. He heard Ichimaru speak of it in slight awe. The man's capabilities must be great...

The olivine-complexioned female to the left, bore a sealed fan of fanciful design. The edges dripped gold lattice-work onto the heavy cream-colored paper. His glance flickered to the small Kodachi she carried, the scabbard was greatly curved as Kodachi blades were more so than normal Katanas, the Japanese character for ιΆ¨ was embossed on the dull pewter guard. His gaze returned to the fan, lingering on it. Kazekiri. The wind cutter. Through his Pesquisa, he sensed the twisting coils of captured wind. The fan was the shikai release? The woman noticed him observing her, a slight smirk curved her narrow mouth.

She addressed him directly, "I was wondering about something, what do you remember of your former life? Nothing-? Or is there a deeper--"

"Kazeatari," the girl warned, there was something in the look they exchanged that he didn't understand.

"What? I was only asking a simple question, Keiko." An unpleasant smile crept onto the woman's countenance, "Can't I at least satisfy my own curiosity?" Then abruptly, she began to hum, softly, quietly under her breath.

The Soul reaper's expression tautened, an emotion he didn't recognize passed like a shadow over her face, darkening her eyes.

The tune was rough at best. His heightened senses picked up on it escaping her lips, shattering the stillness of the frozen wasteland.

...faraway, long ago...

"Kazeatari!" snapped the man, the color of his hair ashen in the decaying light. The woman stopped a little surprised then shrugged, her eyes dancing in malicious mirth.

"I want to get this over with. Let's go." The Soul reaper said shortly, a certain tightness to the set of her mouth.

He drew his hand across the air, the slats of the world sliding apart like puzzle pieces at his fingertips. It was much easier to form a path out of the plentiful reishii in that world than in the living. Soon, they were stepping through first Wind, her head held haughtily high as if declaring to the empty world, she would bow to no man.

Water, sighing. His eyes revealing a weariness that went far beyond physical condition.

The body of a young man containing the spirit of an ancient.

Fire came last, her steps slow, her face turned toward the ground. "Kei." Her name slipped from his lips and he didn't know why.

She glanced, then looked ahead, to the colorless world they were entering.

...Is my friend.

~Karakura Town~

"...then let's find it." Rukia slipped her hand into Orihime's, "together."

The human girl smiled weakly through her tears up at her friend, "okay."

Kei-san's power didn't let her be a burden to Kurosaki-kun...then that meant that she needed to become stronger as well to keep on standing by his side.

~Tsukikage castle~

"Set a date...?" Takara pretended to think about it; Matsumoto Rangiku waited on the other side of the screen, "well, the issue wasn't discussed so much in depth but I think...a month."

One month. Kei's voice floated through her mind.

The honey-blond Fukutaichou, nodded, "I'll inform Hitsugaya-Taichou. The Soutaichou also requests a data compilation on all the members of the Five Divisions." She looked a little apologetic, "for the official records."

Takara smiled in understanding, "yes, I'm sure I can have everything ready for the meeting. Will a high-speed 2.0 USB flash stick be acceptable?"

Matsumoto's reply was hesitant, "that's...fine." Her hesitance indicated it was highly unlikely that the Research and Development Division possessed such a port in their system buses. In the short time frame between the gathering of the Gotei 13 and the Four Captains in mutual respect and truce...they would reconfigure their systems to include one rather than admit the former rebels, had them up on the integration of human technology in their realm of death.

Everything...

"I look forward to working with you," Takara said, closing the transmission.

Was turning out perfectly.

Matsumoto smiled, "and I as well, Shimizu-Fukutaichou."

~Las Noches~

"Inoue? Why her?" Confusion.

"She has an ability I am most interested in, Keiko-san."

Kei's look was narrow, "rejection?" She gave a short bark of laughter then downed the cooled tea in one swallow. Her glance searching for that of the Arrancar sitting across from her. The Primera. She smiled, "what do you think of her...Stark?"

He blinked sluggishly, faint surprise at being addressed quirking the corners of his mouth. "She's human. Frail." He didn't think this Inoue-girl would last a second in his presence without having her soul be consumed. Ulquiorra was full of it, if he thought she was worth something. Now these...an indolent gaze of speculative gray eyes went to the face of the yellowish-brown haired Soul reaper whom had spoken to him. Yamamoto Keiko. Immense power had separated her from others--like him. But she...

Kei caught his eye and faintly smiled again. Abruptly he felt a peculiar lurch in the center of his chest beneath his pectoral muscles. But her reply was to Aizen, "I think I may have a solution." She broke eye contact, swiveling slightly to meet the Lord of Hueco Mundo's stare. "Please, just listen, I..."

~*~

"Hey."

She had noticed him looking.

The blond-haired man whom had accompanied her, called after her from the main hall; her following him having taken her some distance away but still within sight. "Keiko, let's--"

But even this was interrupted by the grinning face of Ichimaru, "Nanatsu-kun! I declare we have so much to catch up on! Come, come! This way!"

Stark watched the man be forcibly carted off down an opposite doorway that connected to another corridor. The narrow-featured woman with the fan, looked after their exit with some disdain then glanced to the scowling Sexta. "Spar with me-?" The woman half-heartedly offered.

Grimmjow leered at her, his maddened grin wide, "think you can handle it, pussy?"

"Who're you calling a pussy, hmm, kitty?"

His grin faded, rage burning in his eyes, "you're on, bitch!"

She sent him flying with a mere flick of her fan, "call me that one more time, baby and I'll rip one of your arms off."

"Violence isn't permitted within these quarters, Namaiki," the cool baritone of Kaname Tosen interrupted. His passage hindered by the large form of the Sexta.

"Always the same," the Soul reaper before him, shook her head sadly. Stark had a feeling she meant the other woman and not the Shinigami. He felt a twinge of envy for the closeness they shared. Friends. Companions. Someone to end one's loneliness.

Someone tugged on his sleeve, hand sliding over the back of his gloved one.

"Let's be friends, hmm?"

~To be continued~

AN: thanks for reading.

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Reviews appreciated :)