Author's Note: So we finally made it to the 50th chapter! I will have a thanking session at the end for all the ideas I got to help me lengthen this chapter - they all helped so much! :D


I dropped to my knees and the scythe sailed over my head. Miru's eyes narrowed at this and I sprang up, my palm outstretched in an attempt to grab her face. Seeing that the back of the scythe was sailing towards me again, I dropped back down before lunging at her legs. She jumped backwards and I rolled to the side to avoid getting a blade lodged in my shoulder. I advanced towards her, taking large steps as I dodged around her scythe. That's right - I don't own her. I distantly thought as I twirled away from her so that she wouldn't slice my gut open.

She growled and jumped at me, scythe raised in the air. She brought it down like I had on so many hollows before – it nicked me shoulder as I stepped out of the way. Dammit! I hissed mentally. I can't be reminiscing like that!

"You say that you own me, yet you cannot control me!" Miru screeched, bringing the scythe up to her side before swinging it at me. I narrowly jumped out of the way, causing the blade to tear a clean gash in my Shihakusho. I hissed at this.

I continued to back track; the scythe continued to hack away at my middle, trying to slice open my stomach. "Miru!" I hoarsely whispered, my thoughts becoming jumbled. When did I start thinking of her as mine…? I wondered, my mind distant as I jumped to the side to fully avoid another slash of her scythe.

When did murder become okay…? I wondered, backing into a tree before throwing myself to the side to avoid her scythe. Miru's eyes bored into mine with a strong hatred, and I felt an ache from deep within my heart.

Images flashed across my eyes; blood, red hair… Paling, I tripped over my own two feet and fell on my butt. Looking up at my Zanpakuto and her rage filled gaze, I watched her scythe rising above her head in preparation to strike me down. Oh my friend, how did it come to this…? I thought sadly as the light of the falling sun made her eyes glitter.

Choking on my own spit, I simply sat as the blade started to arch closer to my head; I was prepared to die.

"Sydney!" I heard a voice scream, startling me. My eyes widened as the blade suddenly stopped cascading towards me; now someone dressed in black was standing over me, looking back at me desperately while screaming my name. Looking up at her violet eyes, shock became etched into my features as I registered Rukia struggling to hold back my Zanpakuto.

"R-Rukia…" I said her name softly, feeling a hundred feet underwater.

"Get up!" Someone else suddenly screamed from behind me. Before I knew what was happening, I was being pulled up by the scruff of my Shihakusho and being placed on my feet. I looked back as the same hand clapped down on my shoulder strongly. Renji was standing there, looking at me with frustration filled eyes. "Don't just sit around, you'll die!" He yelled at me brusquely as I suddenly snapped into reality.

"Renji…!" I stated his name, realizing that he really was here.

Openly staring at him, I was startled when two forms appeared behind him. "Hey, we're here too!" The small boy proclaimed loudly, flailing his arms. I was surprised when I recognized the duo. "Zabimaru?" I guess, blinking myself out of my trance.

"You got that right!" The woman proclaimed happily, smiling largely. "You ready to go, Renji?" She asked as I suddenly gasped.

"No Renji! Rukia!" I suddenly yelled, looking at my smaller female friend. Miru flicked Rukia's sword to the side, but jumped away to watch the new arrivals suspiciously. Rukia didn't look back at me as she corrected her fighting stance, and I took a step forward only to be stopped by Renji.

"We know that this is your fight." Renji told me, and I looked back at him with surprise. "We're on our way to the enemy's headquarters right now – we heard from Captain Kurotsuchi that Urahara had hacked into his system and that you two were going to show up here, so we decided to come help." He explained, and I looked between him and Rukia with awe.

Rukia looked back at me, smiling at my reaction. "That's what friends are for, right?" She asked, and my chest swelled with happiness. They don't blame me. I realized. For what I did… They don't blame me!

"Yeah," I agreed as I suddenly became more confident. I fixed my posture, standing with some of the royal-like grace I used to have. I wouldn't immediately be one hundred percent again, but I will still try my hardest. "That's what friends are for." I agreed, eyes glowing with my new found confidence.

"Here." Renji suddenly stated, and I looked at him with surprise. Looking down at what he was offering me, my eyes widened once more. In his hands, he held my sword – it seems that he had brought it on the vague hope that he would see me.

"Thank you, Renji." I told him quietly, taking it from him before I gave him a look that conveyed my thanks.

He nodded. "We uh… We heard what happened." He suddenly stated, and I stepped so that both he and Rukia were in my vision. "And even though we don't support what you or what your friends did, we'll still support you – you were right before when we tried to execute Rukia," He shivered and I knew that this brought back bad memories for him. "So you're probably right now." He finished lamely and I chuckled. Immediately blushing in embarrassment, he froze before yelling at me. "Oh, you think that's funny, don't you?!" He yelled as I swiped at my eyes, nodding.

"Yeah, I just… I've been having a rough time lately." I admitted, looking at the back of Rukia's head. She was listening – there's no reason why she shouldn't be. "I want to thank you two for helping me find my confidence again." I told them honestly. Rukia looked back at me and smiled while Renji smirked.

"Glad to be of service." The redhead told me as his Zanpakuto spirits manifested into their sword. My friend easily gripped it, and I saw the new level of partnership he had with his sword. "By the way, we ran into your friends back there – they wanted to come help you but we told them to go on ahead." He told me.

I nodded. "Kisuke is up ahead too." I told the duo. Putting my sword in my white belt, I unsheathed it. I was glad that it still felt natural – I was worried that after not fighting with it for a time like this I would begin to feel alienated by the motions. "He's probably already storming the place – we're not that far away." I told them, and the duo nodded.

"I'll leave her to you." Rukia told me, relieving the fighting stance she had. "Good luck." She told me seriously as our eyes connected before Flash Stepping away.

My gaze immediately went to Miru Koto Garasu. Her eyes were narrowed, the hatred in them not fading even as the sunset dwindled beyond the tree line. "They left." She stated, her words ringing true. I stayed silent, taking up a battle stance. I felt more confident with a blade in my hands – I was above average with hand-to-hand combat for a normal Soul Reaper, but that didn't mean I could do against someone like Miru who had a blade.

"You're sure that you want that?" She asked me, making me mentally pause. I was silent – What does she mean? What is she talking about? "You might die." She warned me in the same even tone, not even raising or lowering her voice. I stared – Is she worried about me…?

"You could run now – no one would know." She told me, making me frown. What is she playing at…? "I think you should run…" She whispered, and I felt the hairs on the back of my neck rise. The sunset had faded – now large and dark mysterious shadows were cast around the forces. Her face was cloaked in shadow; I was only able to see the gleam of her red eyes. Glancing behind me nervously, I swallowed as I felt my paranoia levels sky rocket.

"Hide me, Himitsu Taishoku-ka…" She murmured under her breath – I almost didn't catch it. The shadows seemed to wrap around her being; she faded into them and I was left staring at where the brilliant light of her crimson eyes faded into darkness. Stepping out from the shadow of a tree, I became aware that this quickly darkening environment was the best possible situation for her to use Bankai.

Hearing a twig suddenly snap behind me, I whirled around only to come face to face with nothing. I was unable to see anything past the blackness of the night. It was like the stars went out. Blinking, my eyes narrowed as I attempted to pick out shapes in the absence of moonlight – Where is the moon? Breathing deeply, I caught the scent of nothing – not even the trees that surrounded me. What's going on? I wondered suspiciously, turning my head to look at my side.

I could see the faint outline of trees there, and the silvery glow of almost non-existent moonlight. My eyes turned back to where I could only see blackness. Narrowing, I inhaled deeply again only to pick up no scent – no scent whatsoever.

An owl hooted somewhere in the distance – I immediately flinched, flying into a fighting stance. Laughter echoed around me, and I couldn't contain the shiver the hunger in the voice caused. "What's wrong…?" She teased me as I spun this way and that in an attempt to locate my Zanpakuto. "Can't find me?" She teased, making tense and snarl into the darkness.

Going in a complete circle as my eyes flitted between scanning the tree leaves and the ground, I once again came face to face with the blackness. The grip on my sword tightened – I stared into it long and hard, feeling that it wasn't what I thought it was.

Two large red eyes opened inches from my face.

Shrieking, I jumped backwards as I swung at Miru with my soul-less sword. She laughed, dancing towards me as she revealed the golden blade from within her cloak. Hissing as she jabbed it at me, I deflected the blow with my own sword. Bringing her short sword to her side, she repeatedly smacked the blade I was holding. Realizing what she was doing, I jumped away before bringing the sword up to my eyes for inspection.

She had cracked it, remembering that the density of swords usually increased when they were in Bankai. I glared at her, and she cackled maniacally before whipping around to stare behind her for several seconds. I watched with interest, not having sensed anything in that direction – she turned to look at me once more and I quickly realized it was her heightened paranoia levels getting the better of her.

Smirking, I knew I could somehow use this to get the upper hand if I played my cards right. "You seem to have found my other friend." I told her, putting off a relaxed air.

"Friend?" She hissed, glancing behind herself once again. I snickered on the inside, knowing I acted the same way in Bankai.

"He promised not to get involve… You know, the one I told to go ahead earlier?" I asked her innocently.

Immediately her red eyes narrowed. "Kisuke? Kisuke would listen to you – I see the complete devotion and obsession he has for you." She told me.

This surprised me. "Obsession?" I questioned, not knowing that I could miss something like that.

This time it was Miru's time to cackle. "You really are blind, child. He can never take his eyes off of you – he's always looking over your shoulder, making sure you're safe~" She practically sang, and my blood boiled. I never noticed… The thoughts sounding foul in my head. I had purposefully looked over these things – Kisuke was simply too wonderful to have them, in my opinion. "It's quite annoying, really." She explained, and I raised an eyebrow.

She continued. "That sword of his, Benihime… I don't like her very much. She's cruel; she's very pompous." I couldn't help but become amused at this – based off of Kisuke's description of her I thought the very same things.

"I agree." I told her, stalking forward. Immediately she put her blade up, glancing nervously behind her shoulder. I snickered at how ridiculous she looked as someone looking that cool doing those kinds of things is always amusing and charged. She gasped at my open courageousness as I flew at her.

There's one thing that Miru will never have that I have – and that's speed.

Quick as lightning (or a much slower equivalent) I flew at her, snarling. She brought up her short sword and hit my blade, causing it to go to my right. My left hand let go and flew to her wide eyes, intent on gouging them out – something I always aimed to do in a fight. She bent her knees and my hand sailed over her hood, brushing it lightly before I karate chopped the top of her head.

It hit her and we seemed to freeze for a second before she rolled away, once more slashing at my stomach with her blade. I jumped backwards with the balls of my feet – but not far enough. Her short sword cleanly, yet lightly through a small patch of my skin. My Shihakusho was cut directly under my breasts, making me pale as I thought of it slicing through my chest wrappings as well. Luckily they were safe – however, the top now flowing freely and immodestly around my shoulders was now in the way. I jumped away and met Miru's harsh glare with a strong an unmoving one as I practically ripped the useless material off of my shoulders.

She stared at me as I shivered against the cool night air, the moonlight slowly becoming stronger as it glittered off our eyes. I charged once more, ignoring the air that suddenly turned freezing as a wind gusted around us. My sword was pointed to her head – I was diving for the kill. She simply tilted her head to the side, allowing my blade to fly past as she raised her short sword from beneath me – she was going to spear me in the stomach.

Gritting my teeth, I used my free hand to form bad Kido symbols. "Shakaho!" I yelled, unsure if I did any of it right – the name might've been wrong as well. Either way, it had the desired effect.

My hand exploded with the power that had built up in it, blowing both of us back and me out of lethal danger's way. Landing on a bush, I jumped up only to squint into the quickly fading cloud I had created. It cleared, and once again Miru was gone. I stared at where she was before walking over and bending down to touch the grass.

There was no trace of her reiatsu there, only foot prints. Well that's not going to help me, is it? I thought, watching them disappear as the grass corrected itself. Turning in circles, I was left to stare at anything and everything that she might be hiding near or behind. After a few minutes, I was starting to grow impatient and paranoid – I never enjoyed fighting in the dark courtesy of my imagination and a terrifying sparring experience with Kisuke.

FLASHBACK

I spun in circles, attempting to silence my quick breaths; I was in Kisuke's basement and the ceiling seemed to be turned off, leaving the entire enclosure in darkness.

But I wasn't alone – Kisuke was here too.

Hunting me, practically.

Hearing something it may have been my imagination behind me, I whirled around and took a step forward only to slam into the wall. Grunting as I rubbed my nose, I quickly turned around and listened intently. I was positive Kisuke had heard that grunt – and if he hadn't heard that absolutely beautiful noise, then he had probably heard the hollow 'thunk' of me trying to merge with his wall.

My eye started to twitch as I stared into the darkness, my body growing rigid as I held a somewhat battle stance. I couldn't center myself in the darkness – I needed to see myself to fight. I know I might encounter these conditions in the Sereitei! I grumbled mentally, not hearing the almost non-existent footstep of someone slowly approaching me. But the likelihood of that happening is so low!

Feeling something cold, sharp and ruthless pressed warningly into my neck, I gasped as I tried to take a step back – only to step right into the wall. "You weren't paying attention." Kisuke whispered in my ear with a low voice. I pressed myself further into the wall, attempting to avoid the blade that only moved with me. Shivering, I bit my bottom lip as he asked the question I knew he would. "Now how do you get out of this position?" He patiently asked as I stayed silent, chewing over my answer.

His foot was between my feet, and he was leaning close – there was no real physical connection between us yet I could feel the undeniably spark as my cheeks blushed in the absence of light. I was suddenly shot into the past, a memory coming to the surface that I hadn't even made myself.

The metal was pressing against my throat as my breath caught. This was probably the hundredth time Kisuke had caught me from behind. I had begged him to teach me how to fight, and after waiting an eternity for the Head Captain to okay it, we were finally here in the Squad 12 courtyard. He had a real blade – I had my fists.

As you may have guessed, I was losing.

I stuck my tongue out at him, and he raised an amused eyebrow with that same happy expression he always seemed to wear around me. "It should seem that you caught me again." I commented, smirking slyly. I was doing my best not to be a sore loser just because I was frustrated, and being sly seemed to help alleviate my growing tension.

"It should seem so." Kisuke told me as he smirked, playing along. "You need to pick up your feet." He told me, leaning in closer so that he pressed against my back. My breath caught lightly but I quickly covered it up – I refused to let this affect me. "You also need to pay attention." He whispered huskily.

I shivered, knowing that he had caught me staring at him. "I-I don't know what you mean." I protested quietly, thankful that the courtyard was empty despite it being midday. Wrapping an arm securely around my waist, I leaned into him subconsciously as a wind blew, shifting the white feathers on my wings.

Sighing as he applied butterfly kisses to the crook of my neck, I allowed my eyes to slide shut.

Blinking to reality, I cursed myself. How long did I space out have a flashback or something?! I yelled mentally, having lost track of time. Swallowing my pride and hoping I didn't make any noises while I was going through the flashback, I spoke the truth. "I don't know." I admitted, wincing at how much I both felt and sounded like a child being punished.

"Then you are dead." He whispered once more in my ear before disappearing from both my senses and my hearing. "You have five minutes to hide yourself." His disembodied voice informed me. I took out in a random direction at a dead run – I didn't care that my sandals patted loudly against the ground.

Until the stopped making any 'pits' or 'pats' that is. The ground seemed to disappear under my feet as I felt my heart drop into my feet before the air started to whistle past me. Letting out a short shriek as I started to fall, I managed to clamp the tip of my tongue in between my teeth until I managed to hit the bottom – when I bit it hard.

Crying out and writhing on the ground from the shockingly painful injury, I calmed down to whimpers when I realized I didn't know if my five minutes were up or not.

In the Urahara Shoten, the living room behind the store area – General POV…

"Did she just really fall down the hole?" Seeker questioned in disbelief as his hand slammed into the shockingly large bowl of popcorn in his lap. Shoving it in his face, he easily picked up the blue bowl single handedly as he held away from the now frowning Damien. "Nope, you were mean." He explained, only putting it back when Damien's hand had been put down.

"She's stupid!" Jinta scoffed as he stood in the back of the room with Tessai. Seeker has position himself directly in front of the television as close as possible, making it somewhat difficult to watch was happening. Luckily his and Sloth's constant narrative of every little thing made it easy to build a mental image.

"Jinta!" Tessai warned him as Brianna waved him off from where she was lying on her stomach in between Seeker and Sloth – the small round table had been put up for now.

"It's fine. That's just Sydney for you." She explained, not even glancing back.

"Sydney gets rather…'special' in dark places." Sloth told them, eyes fixed on the television. Now whimpers could be heard within the pitch black void.

"I'm glad that Urahara set up this night vision camera down there." Damien commented offhandedly as he once again tried to steal the popcorn Seeker was supposed to be sharing.

"It is nice watching our friend fail, isn't it?" Seeker answered back gleefully as he full on smacked Damien's hand.

Down in the Basement-Sydney's POV

Pushing myself onto my feet, I listened sharply – here I had a surprising advantage. I would probably hear Kisuke when he landed, and I might also hear his clothing when he jumped down to get me…

'Might' being the key word.

But then I did hear something – something small. A small flutter of fabric on the other side of the hole. Leaning forward, I gripped my unreleased sword until my knuckles turned white. I was nervous and worried – Kisuke might not be so nice when he catches me for the fiftieth freaking time.

Then, I heard the tiny almost inaudible 'clack' of his shoes. I've got him! I realized, extending my senses towards where I thought he was. I was disappointed when I found nothing. He's just hiding himself is all. I assured myself, knowing it was likely. Bringing my sword up, I attempted to extinguish my presence all the way like he had. I became frustrated when I couldn't. Letting out an agitated sigh from the whole situation, I was quickly brought back into reality when I realized the unfairness of the situation.

Defeat him in the darkness without making a single noise…? Fuck that! Openly hissing as I heard the almost silent noise of his feet pausing, I growled my Shikai release under my breath as I lunged to where he was. He dodged to the side – I could hear the ruffle of his fabric. Releasing more energy, I growled as I forced myself to go into Bankai. Usually I had to wait if I wanted to, but I was too frustrated to be even asked that question.

Present…Sydney's POV

Noises. I remembered the memory strongly. I found him because he made a noise. It should be the same with my Zanpakuto. Growling under my breath as I felt more hopeful, I closed my eyes so that I could hear everything around me.

The owl hooted once again. The crickets chirped. There was a babbling brook some ways away… A rabbit…

There! My hollow screeched mentally as we heard two light foot falls behind me. Twirling around, I smashed my sword into my Zanpakuto's. I charged at her, not willing to lose her in the darkness again. Sparks flew, lighting up the battle field before she was slammed into a tree. I attacked her as fast as I could, seeing that she was starting to panic.

My blade slammed into the bark next to her head and she let out a small screech, much like the one I had when I had fallen down that blasted hole. We froze, our heavy breaths intermingling in the night air as I leaned closer to her.

"Himitsu Taishoku-ka…" I whispered her name quietly, remembering that it changed when she went Bankai. "I know I don't own you." I told her, honesty shining in my eyes as the moonlight rained down upon us strongly. Bringing up my free hand, I reached into her hood and brushed it past her ice cold cheek. "I don't know where I even got that idea, but…" Closing my eyes, I leaned my forehead against hers in a loving manner. "I love you, Himitsu… You're closest to my heart. You're irreplaceable. Can we be…partners again…?" I finished weakly, unsure of what to say. Opening my eyes, I saw that her crimson ones were looking at me with pure shock.

Sorrow suddenly filled them as an invisible tear streaked past my hand. Sniffling, she managed to get out one broken word. "Y-Yes…" I smiled at her thankfully, resting my forehead against hers once more before her being disappeared. My sword glowed as I weakly looked at it, feeling the reassuring presence of my Zanpakuto once more. I smiled weakly before stumbling forward and resting my head against the tree.

"Oh darling…" I sighed, pulling my blade from the tree and absentmindedly sheathing it on my back without moving. I missed you, Miru… Her presence remained silent within me, but I felt her happiness at being back as well. I'm so glad you're back…

Hueco Mundo

The cold wind blew, silver sand flying into the girl's eyes as she sat on the ground. Her short red hair swirled around her, going unnoticed as she rubbed her eyes. Squinted into the distance, she noticed a palace that was quite a ways away. She looked up, staring at the moon that hadn't budged an inch in the sky since she had gotten here a few hours ago.

Where 'here' was, she had no clue.

No. She suddenly thought firmly, her voice full of maturity. I remember something. Someone…saying something… Frowning at the ground as the breeze picked up before fading away, she attempted to remember. Hueco Mundo. She recalled. Sydney said that there was a place like this – it was called Hueco Mundo.

But who or what is 'Sydney'? The girl frowned deeper, unable to comprehend who this person wrapped in shadows might be.

Rain, falling around her as she held a feminine form in her arms. She was crying – she was overjoyed.

She heard something behind her, and looked back with wide eyes. Panic flared up in her eyes – had she been caught? She looked up. A girl was standing there. She had brown hair that was cut off at her shoulders with what could've been a blade. A sword maybe?

There was something off about her.

Something very wrong. That look in her eyes… What is it?

She raised her hand to the red head's head, pointing it with authority as blackness started to seep into her eyes.

"Cero." She whispered.

Death.

Blinking, the girl grew woozy as memories rushed at her – no more followed after this, but she was not worried. In fact, she was unsure if she wanted to remember anything else. "So that's Sydney." She whispered, eyeing the palace in the distance. Feeling as if something was looking at her, staring at her from under the sand, she shivered and picked herself up. Knowing somehow that she wouldn't be able to approach the building, she turned heel and started to head in the opposite direction.

"Then… Who am I?"


Author's Note: So… I have two people to thank! First, Antex-The Legendary Zoroark, Fallen heavens and anyone else that told me what the readers want! :D Thank you for your help and support! I'd also like to thank some people who have reviewed in the past who have pushed me with motivation towards this point:

First of all, NobodyEpic – someone who has been my friend for who knows how long now. They met me when I was working on my previous fic I believe (which I dropped, sadly) and we've been chatting ever sense. Without that first review I might not have had the courage to go this far, nor I may have had the wonderful that I have today.

Second, my precious Antex-The Legendary Zoroark who I am constantly consulting on what to do with this story. xD They help me with a ton of things, and I'm so happy that they let me! Without them I'm sure that you wouldn't have gotten that little teaser at the end. ;)

Thirdly, everyone who has reviewed. This includes minixx, Phoenix D. Alice, all the guests, AnimeVamp1997, Ereneviana, GreedTheSelfless, FreeTraderBeowulf, fanficssuck, The Mad Milliner, LadyShihoin, aspiringactor, Fallen heavens, DarkTill-Ichigo and fanfictionlovewriter809! Thank you all for reviewing and letting me know that you liked the story – nothing like even a one worded review pushes authors forward. Without you all, this story wouldn't have gotten past the Soul Society ark – it was only by reading all the reviews I've ever gotten that pushed me not to end it there (where it wasn't even supposed to end!).

Fourthly, everyone who fav'd/followed this story. I've reached 21 favs (woot woot!) and 15 follows. :D this also helps me come out with chapters faster I love knowing that people enjoy my work.

So thank you all – without you this story really wouldn't have survived. So please, drop at least a one worded review for this chapter. It would mean the world for me, someone who is an aspiring author. I know there are good people out there who review – and that you could be one of them.