Author's Note: I would like to thank everyone who stuck through with this story so far. ;) Theme for this chapter: 'The Beautiful People' by Marilyn Manson


Kisuke walked proudly by my side as we navigated the complicated max of hallways in the First Division. We hadn't run into any Captains yet - thankfully, because Kisuke had admitted that no one else knew he was here - and I had the feeling that he would jet as soon as we saw the door to the Head Captain's office.

Turning another corner, I now saw the door - there were two guards posted outside per usual. Kisuke layed his hand on my shoulder and I paused to look back at him. "This is where we part, love. I cannot let the Head Captain know that I'm here - if he doesn't all ready." Tacking on the last part quickly, I gazed at him with a stare that showed my mind racing.

"No, you're coming with me." I told him sternly, grabbing the hand on my shoulder firmly before tugging him along behind me.

"W-What?! Sydney!" He whispered at me in a panicky tone. Suddenly freezing, his face slammed into my back between my shoulder blades before I halfturned around to pin him with my brave eyes.

"No, Kisuke. You're coming with me, whether or not you like it." I told him sternly as he looked at me with wide eyes, reminding me of my faint memories of when he was young in the anime. I felt the pressure of his hat on my head - I relished in the power this gave me, knowing he could not hide under it in this state.

He looked startled; he was clearly not expecting a girl who had just cried her eyes out and bit her own arm to shreds to pin him with such a courageous gaze. Turning on a dime, I quickly strode toward the Head Captain's office with him in tow. The guards looked at us in the corner of their eyes, but did not blink twice at the strangeness of our duo.

Slamming my fist on the door loudly a few time, I waited for the telltale 'Enter.' and the doors to open by themselves before I proudly walked in. Immediately the Head Captain pinned Kisuke with a glare - I dully realized that he had been doing the paperwork on his desk, and knew that he would be in a slightly grouchy mood due to it.

"What're you doing here, Urahara Kisuke?" The old man practically growled out as I stopped walking and let go of Kisuke's hand when we stood in front of the Head Captain's desk.

"I, um-" Slightly pausing, I saw how he pailed and rubbed the back of his head in a nervous gesture.

"I brought him here." I supplied for him, my voice reflecting how brave I felt. I had to do this - I felt as though this was my only shot at it.

The Head Captain now glared at me unmovingly. I held my ground - my mother had had the same glare, and even though I was able to stand up to it, that did not mean I was not afraid. I'm not afraid! I boasted mentally, knowing that if I continued to repeat it than the words would become the truth.

"Why would you bring a criminal here, Substitute Soul Reaper Sydney Kurosaki? Practically hissing out our titles, I rose an eyebrow - I had dished out fights at school with people who had done this before. But is it wise to try and fight the Head Captain? A small voice in the back of my head asked. No. Fuck it! I thought defiantly, hearing the tinkle of laughter my Zapakuto gave off and the distorted gravel-like whooping of my hollow inside of me as responses.

"Because he's going to help." I told him honestly, looking at Kisuke. "That's why you came here, right?" I asked. He looked at me, surprised. "Although that may have not been the most important reason, it is still a reason." His eyes softened at this - I spoke the truth. I looked at the Head Captain, who remained silent.

"I promise to aid the Soul Society!" Kisuke suddenly dropped to his knee, surprising both me and the Head Captain. The old man remained silent, and I pierced him with a glare.

"I cannot accept it!" He disagreed, and I openly hissed.

"Head Captain!" I sternly said, trying to get my point across. My window of opportunity was closing swiftly, but I would not let it shut.

"Silence!" He barked at me, and I flinched backwards before baring my teeth. "I refuse to have a traitor in our mist! He will bring a disturbance and disconjunction into the Squads! I refuse to allow it!" His decision sounded final; I refused to give up nonetheless. I came here for one reason - screw him wanting to talk to me, I wanted to give him a piece of my mind.

"Listen to me!" I hissed at him like an animal, stalking forward like a predator. I had the distinct feeling that a little bit of Mayuri's drug was still in my system, but I shoved out that thought as soon as it came - it brought back to many painful memories. The Head Captain's eyes narrowed as I stopped in front of his desk. "Look at what he's offering you!" I told him earnestly, throwing my hand out in a gesture to not only Kisuke, but the sheer number of possibilities he could bring about by helping us.

"If Kisuke helps us, then this could all be over much quicker than it would be without him!" I growled at him, glad that the Head Captain stayed silent. I fell silent as well, wanting to have the military leader of Soul Society to have at least a little piece of mind while he thought over his decision.

"I cannot allow it." He decided once again. My mouth flew open to disagree, but a sharp look pinned me - apparently he was better at glaring than even my mother was. "Central 46 has already ruled, child." He told me, his eyes going back to Kisuke. "I cannot undo one of their rulings." He explained gravely, and I slammed my fists onto his desk in frustration. He did not flinch and neither did I hear Kisuke jumping, but I could almost see that sad look he was wearing.

"Tell them this, then - or I can even march my ass over there and scream it in their faces." I told him lowly, making the old mans' eyes narrow at me. "Tell them that if they do not take back the ruling that Kisuke Urahara is a criminal, then they have lost not only the support of all the Substitute Soul Reapers, but their friends as well - and their consultant for future events such as when the war is going to happen." My eyes flashed dangerously as I let a bit of my power out - the dark power of my hollow swirled around me, making its presence known in the competition to be recognized as strongest.

The Head Captain stared at me as the room fell insanely silent. I continued to glare at him as if I was going to attack him any second. I suddenly cracked - the room had been silent for far too long. "You can give me this back when you get Central 46's head out of their own ass." I hissed at him, slamming down my Combat Pass as proof that I would follow through with my threats. I had always thought that Central 46 was disgusting, even when the new members took the place of the old ones. Now that I had a chance to change them, I'll not only take it but squeeze every prescious drop of blood from it. Storming out of the room, I faintly realized that Kisuke had followed me out as I stomped down the hallway.

"Sydney!" He called after me, catching my shoulder as I started to round another corner. I froze at his touch, realizing he had followed me. I stared down the empty corridor for a second, unsure if I would like what I saw in his eyes - would he be angry? Sad? Or a terrible mix? Eventually I couldn't help myself - I looked directly into his gray eyes, and became stunned at the depth they were showing.

It was a torrent of emotion - happiness tinged the circular sides, awe and respect swirling around the middle and a deep sadness yet happiness twirled devastatingly in the depths.

In short, I was completely stunned by all the emotions that he was able to convey in his eyes. Staring at him openly, I registered that his expression was one of shock, yet love. "My love, why did you do that?" He asked, voice tinged with sadness. I blinked, this sentence shooting my conscience back into reality.

"Because I'm sick of it." My voice was tired - adrenaline was the reason I was even here in the first place, and after that got used up I had practically nothing. "You're always treated like shit by the Soul Reapers!" I told him, my eyes blurring as my heart ached. He was wearing this expression - something almost like a kicked puppy that has accepted its fate of never being love. "Oh Kisuke..." I told him, wrapping my arms around his neck as I tried to console him. "I only want the best for you!" His eyes showed a happines that shone against the sadness - for a second the gray depths flickered between reality and the other world before they rested on my face. "I love you, Kisuke!" I whispered, my voice achingly strong and true. "And I want you to be happy." His eyes widened in realization at this statement before they softened.

His expression turned to one that was fully in love, fully compassionate about someone or something else as he bent to my short stature. "I love you too, love." I unconsciously shivered at this, liking the new nickname he had given me. I leaned forward, expecting a kiss. His lips suddenly pressed to my forehead and my eyes closed in bliss - no matter where it was, a kiss was a kiss. "Don't you ever forget it."


Per usual as of late, a question to my readers! Did you expect her to do that? xD