AN: I'm so sorry for the delayed update, I've been trying to write the next two chapters before updating this and failed miserably. So expect some delay for the next two chapters too but I will be trying to post those as soon as possible.

Warnings:

1.) Differences from Manga/ Plot Development- See bottom AN.

2.) Blood/Fighting/Violence

3.) Mild Fluff- Finally!


Chapter 54: Wolf in a Sheep's Clothing


(Soul Palace, 3rd Person POV)

Renji sighed as he leaned back against the side of the hot springs as he lounged around with Ichigo on his one side and Rukia and Kirinji on the other side of him. With all of their training complete they could rest up now before going back to the soul society in a little while. Glancing over at the Royal Guard Captain the red haired Lieutenant looked over at him. "So this stuff's supposed to heal us right?" The red haired Lieutenant asked the former Captain as he ran his hands through the water.

The dark haired man took the tooth pick out of his mouth as he glanced over at the Lieutenant, a towel hanging from his odd hair that stuck out well past his face. "Yeah, give it a little more time and you'll all be healed up."

Rukia glanced over at the Captain. "So we're basically done here aren't we? We're going back to the soul society soon?" She asked, shifting the towel higher to cover more of her body.

Kirinji stood to his feet as he stepped out of the hot springs, his towel staying on his hips without him holding it somehow as he stepped out of the water. "Looks like it, don't rush the hot springs though ya don't want to go back home with injuries from yer trainin'." He said as he walked off with a sigh.

Renji glanced over to the orange haired substitute soul reaper. "You're being pretty quiet, you alright Ichigo?" The red haired Lieutenant asked, leaning back against the stone wall.

The orange haired man glanced over at him and raised an eyebrow at what he said as if Renji had brought him out of a deep thought. "Yeah I'm alright. I guess I'm just anxious to get back to the soul society." Ichigo said, giving the hot springs a bit of an annoyed look as he wished that the springs would heal them quicker so they could leave sooner.

"I'm sure everyone is fine back home. Relax for once strawberry." Rukia told him as she leaned back against the wall and smiled as she felt the warm water healing her wounds from her training earlier with Ichibei after she regained consciousness.

Ichigo rolled his eyes at the nickname. "Whatever Rukia, I don't know how you guys are so relaxed when the Vandenreich could be invading the soul society." The orange haired man said with a scowl and a scoff.

Rukia and Renji looked over at each other and exchanged a knowing look as they smirked at each other. However Ichigo crossed his arms behind his head as he leaned his head back and allowed the hot springs to heal his wounds.


(4th Division, 3rd Person POV)

Mizuki sighed in a bored way, staring up at the ceiling without care and without anything to do. Without Ichigo around and with everything so busy in the soul society everyone was too busy with war. There wasn't much for her to do but rest and try to heal which she had done, but still she found like she had nothing to do but sit and wait until either Ichigo got back or until Unohana released her. But her hopes for leaving soon were pretty slim, although Unohana had healed the majority of her wounds yesterday but Unohana was making her rest to make sure that Mizuki would recover well.

There was a knock at the hospital door and the blonde girl looked up at the door, thinking that it was just a nurse as she brushed it off without thought. However as the door opened and her green eyes looked up she was mildly shocked as she saw two people walk in. "Lieutenant Yasuko!" A familiar voice called out and I was surprised to see my third seat Kiyone run up to my bedside as she smiled down at me. "You look well, I'm glad that you're recovering so well!" Kiyone said in an energetic voice.

Isane sighed as she walked in after the third seat. "Kiyone, take it easy Mizuki's still recovering." The light haired older girl said with a frown as she looked over to Mizuki. "Sorry, my sister showed up and she wanted to see you, do you feel up to a visitor now?" Isane asked as Mizuki sat up.

The blonde girl nodded and smiled at Isane without a look of pain as she moved, now stronger and in less pain than before. "Yeah Isane, it's fine thanks." Mizuki told her and Isane nodded.

"Alright," Looking over to her sister Isane sighed as she turned to the door. "Don't stay for too long Kiyone, Mizuki needs her rest and you have to go back to work soon probably."

Kiyone smiled over brightly to her sister as she sat down at the seat next to Mizuki's bedside, smiling over widely at her older sister. "Thanks again for letting me come over Isane! I won't, don't worry I'll be so good you won't even realize I was here in the first place!" Kiyone said as she smiled widely to her sister before looking to her Lieutenant. "It's good to see you again, Lieutenant Yasuko! I..." Isane turned towards the door as she went to go back to work, hearing Kiyone's voice trail off into rambling as she spoke to Mizuki.

Turning to look to her sister and the recovering Lieutenant Isane sighed as she opened the door and left with a tired sigh as she walked out of the room.


(Heuco Mondo, 3rd Person POV)

Yhwash stood tall as he glanced out of one of the windows into the sandy landscape of Heuco Mondo and his own Empire, looking pleased with himself. He had heard many reports during the day of how weak the soul society had become but before he could think about them much the door to the room he was in opened. "Forgive me your Majesty for barging in but it was urgent news that I was told you would want to hear at once!" The Quincy managed to tell his leader as he panted to catch his breath, looking as though they had ran a mile. The dark haired leader never turned to face the subordinate but he nervously went on. "We just received news about one of the special war powers, it seems like Mizuki Yasuko may have somehow survived your last invasion-."

The only sound that echoed off the walls was a screech of pain from the subordinate as one of his arms fell to the ground and he bled profusely, getting to his knees in agony. Looking up at Yhwach the subordinate was surprised to not even see him put away his sword, still facing the window the leader scoffed at him. "You have the audacity to waltz in here and tell me news that I've already received, consider yourself lucky that you're allowed to walk out of here alive." The dark haired man said coldly and the subordinate nodded and quickly ran out of the room before the leader had the chance to change his mind.

The older dark haired man chuckled to himself as he leaned against the wall next to him. "Telling me information when I've already sent someone to take care of it, how useless." He said to himself with a laugh at the subordinate's expense.


(13th Division, 3rd Person POV)

Orihime sighed as she glanced up at the the cloudy sky overhead. "It looks so pretty." The orange haired woman commented as she leaned back on her hands as she sat next to the pond of Koi fish. She was looking up to the clouds above that started to turn to shades of orange and purple as the sun began to set, finding it relaxing to see everything in the soul society so peaceful for once.

Chad grunted in response, sitting next to the pond himself with Uryu next to him. The young dark haired Quincy looked up at the sky and the calmness in his eyes didn't shift as he noticed how peaceful the soul society seemed at the moment. The three of them had met up some time ago once they all found themselves bored with training and Orihime was tired from healing the injured.

Uryu was aware that Ukitake was busy with keeping the Division in line and running smoothly, having a tough time without Mizuki helping. Although he had seen a lot of the co-third seats and the sixth seat Hidetomo picking up a lot of the slack. However the young man glanced over to Orihime as she appreciated the fish with a smile. "You must be exhausted Orihime, you've been with the medics all day healing all of the injured." The teen told her.

Her grey eyes blinked with curiosity as she looked over at him before a blush of humility ghosted over her cheeks and she scratched the back of her head. "Oh, well not really. I've actually been able to heal more people for a longer time since this all started, it's actually helped my powers a lot!" The strawberry blonde haired woman said with a giggle.

Uryu opened his mouth to comment when they suddenly heard their names being called and loud footsteps. Glancing up, Uryu, Chad and Orihime looked up confused at the sound and saw Sentaro running up to them quickly. Panting the co-third seat came to a quick stop in front of them. "Sorry...to bother you guys. But have you seen...Kiyone?" He asked betweeen pants for breath.

Uryu and Chad immediately shook their heads. "No. Why what's going on?" Chad asked out of curiosity as to why Sentaro seemed so worried.

The dark haired man frowned. "Me and the Captain haven't seen her in a while, no one seems to know where she is." Sentaro said, not trying to hide his anxiety over his missing co-third seat.

Orihime thought for a moment before she suddenly recalled earlier. "Oh wait, I saw her when I was leaving the infermery. I saw her comming out of one of the rooms when I was on my way to meet up with Uryu and Chad here." The young woman explained to Sentaro and noticed him look off to the side in thought.

The dark haired third seat looked back to Orihime seriously. "What did she say?"

She hesitated and shrugged. "Nothing really, she said she was in a rush to help Captain Ukitake."

Sentaro made a face at that made Uryu raise an eyebrow. "What?" He asked.

He frowned, glancing over to the teen. "Kiyone should've finished up with what she was doing before she talked to Orihime, I don't know what she was talking about with helping the Captain. Besides, neither me or the Captain have seen her for at least an hour or two." Uryu gave a concerned look but Sentaro thought for a moment before looking to Orihime. "Where did you see her exactly?" Sentaro asked in a rare moment of seriousness.

Orihime thought hard for a few moments and sighed. "Well I don't know the Division that well but I think I could show you." She said as she stood to her feet and Uryu and Chad followed her lead and stood as well. "It was this way." She said as they crossed the courtyard full of soul reapers rushing around to a hallway. They turned off into another smaller hallway and Orihime stopped as she got about half way down and turned to everyone else. "Kiyone was comming out of this door when I ran into her."

Sentaro nodded and walked to the door, Uryu giving him a confused look. "I don't understand what you think you're going to find." The younger man said as the three of them followed the third seat inside the spare room filled with files and papers.

The third seat gave Uryu a serious look as he glanced around the room. "It's not like Kiyone to just go and disappear, something has to be wrong." He said, noticing a closet in the room and he immediately walked over to it purposefully and opened it.

A short figure dropped to the ground as the door opened and the four of them jumped before they saw who it was. "Kiyone!" Sentaro yelled out worriedly, kneeling down next to the unconscious girl and turning her over.

Orihime gasped as the head wound on the younger girl before kneeling down next to Sentaro and she glanced at the wound seriously. "I can heal her quickly, she should be fine." The strawberry blonde woman said seriously and Sentaro's eyes narrowed.

Jumping to his feet the third seat ran to the doorway. "I'm going to go tell the Captain!" He yelled to them as he ran down the hallway, his loud and quick footsteps echoing behind him.


(4th Division, 3rd Person POV)

Mizuki glanced up at Kiyone who sat at the chair at her bedside, smiling as per usual as she chattered on about how the Captain missed her and how the Division needed her but the blonde haired girl was only half listening to her. The Lieutenant would nod along every now and then but her thoughts were deterred as she could have sworn she felt a Quincy's spiritual pressure. Her green eyes were focused on the co-third seat's face as she silently felt around for it and as she focused more she could feel it faintly. As she tried to pinpoint where it was she suddenly felt where the source of the reitsu was coming from and she froze as she realized it was closer than she had ever expected at first.

"Lieutenant Yasuko?" Kiyone asked with a confused look on her face suddenly and Mizuki raised an eyebrow at her.

"What is it?" The blonde haired girl asked curiously once she saw the look and the light haired girl sitting next to her bedside laughed nervously as usual.

As she scratched the back of her neck she smiled to her still injured Lieutenant. "Well you were staring at me with a weird look in your eyes." Kiyone explained and Mizuki nodded.

"Yeah, I'm listening to what you're saying." Mizuki said and it only made her subordinate laugh even more nervously, an innocent smile on her face.

"You seem tense Mizuki, are you alright Lieutenant?" The light haired girl asked in a polite way and the blonde haired Lieutenant slowly nodded, glancing down to her hands in her lap.

Kiyone looked at her a little confused as the Lieutenant looked away from her but before she could say anything Mizuki interrupted her. "Do I have a reason to be tense? Kiyone?" She asked, her tone dripping with disbelief as she glanced over to the girl at her bedside. The girl slowly lost all of her usual happy charm and the smile fell from her face as she stared at her Lieutenant seriously. Mizuki watched as the younger girl's silver eyes narrowed at her slowly and she didn't move a single muscle as she noticed the other girl's hands clench into fists.

The Lieutenant quickly jumped off the other side of the bed as the co-third seat threw her fist into the bed hard. The shorter girl the bed sheets and yank hard to make it snag on Mizuki's foot and make her tumble to the floor hard. Pushing herself back a few feet the blonde haired girl glanced up and glared as she saw Kiyone smirk as her entire body shifted to a Stern Ritter, trying to force herself to her feet. "Why do you insist on fighting? You're without a sword and injured girl, you should be begging me to kill you and end your suffering."

Mizuki glared at what he said, forcing herself to her unsteady feet as she mentally cursed since her body was still somewhat weak and recovering. "Me give up?" The blonde girl asked and scoffed at the mere thought as she narrowed her eyes at the Stern Ritter. "Not a chance." The Lieutenant told him and in a moment the Quincy jumped over the bed and ran towards her, raising his sword at her to try to cut her.

Using a flash step she appeared at his side and a moment later his sword fell from his hands to the ground, kicking him back to the other side of the room. Raising her hands in front of her the blonde Lieutenant glared at him and a red ball of reitsu developed in her hands. "Hado number 31 Shakkaku!" Using another sparing flash step she grasped the Stern Ritter's sword and ignored how her body seemed stiff and how it held her back a little as she tried to make it to the door.

However before the blonde haired Lieutenant could grasp onto the door the Stern Ritter appeared next to her. Mizuki clenched her jaw in annoyance when she saw him swinging the sword at her, ducking quickly she managed to kick him in the stomach. Before she could step back he hit her, catching her off guard from his fast hirenkyaku and he tried to grab her. When he reached out to her the blonde haired girl jumped back and tried to get away from him when he lunged at her and she tripped in the scuffle.

Immediately as her head hit the ground Mizuki pushed herself back a few feet and kicked him under his jaw to knock him to the ground as he tried to grab her again. "You bitch!" He yelled out in annoyance and he grasped onto her small ankle and roughly pulled her towards him so that he was basically on top of her. As Mizuki pulled back her arm to punch him her entire body froze as he slapped her across the face hard enough to throw her head against the ground and slam it to the side. Holding back a wince her knee shot up without thinking and dug into his stomach hard to push him off of her. Quickly her fist shot out and pushed him back into the opposite wall, giving her a moment to breathe.

The blonde Lieutenant cursed when she saw the Stern Ritter get to their feet and walk towards her with a glare and she jumped to her feet as he drew back his reishi bow as he aimed towards her. "Mizuki! What's going on?!" Mizuki heard Isane's voice from the hallway as she threw open the door just as the Quincy released his arrow. With a quick flash step Mizuki dodged the arrow as it hit the wall behind her and she noticed Isane swing her sword towards the Stern Ritter.

Holding her hands out Mizuki used the same kido as before to knock the Vandenreich officer off his feet and Isane cut into his shoulder just barely since he used his blut. Isane ran over to the blonde Lieutenant as the Stern Ritter slowly got to his feet, the Lieutenant was surprised not to see any injuries on Mizuki considering the commotion she had heard. "Mizuki are you alright?" Isane asked in a concerned voice, placing her hand on the Lieutenant's shoulder as the blonde girl never glanced away from the Quincy. The blonde woman watched the Stern Ritter carefully as she nodded in response, noticing him get to his feet.

"That's it!" The Quincy yelled out in annoyance and Isane and Mizuki both tensed as they noticed the Stern Ritter switched off his defensive blut for his offensive one. Noticing now he was about to use a Hirenkyaku both of the Lieutenant's tensed waiting for the attack.

However through the door that was still open with a flash step a figure ran in and cut the legs of the Stern Ritter with expert precision to make him fall to the ground. Looking over in shock both of the Lieutenant's relaxed when they noticed the dark haired Captain with her sword drawn. Letting out a breath of relief Mizuki relaxed when she saw Captain Unohana knock the Quincy out with one hit without even a cut and he fell unconscious to the floor. There was a moment of silence before Isane followed her Captain's lead and placed her sword back in her sheath at her side. "Sorry Captain, it took me a little while to figure out the Stern Ritter disguised themselves as Kiyone." Mizuki apologized and Isane gave a worried look at what she said and opened her mouth to say something when Unohana cut her off by speaking first.

The dark haired Captain shook her head at what Mizuki said as she stepped over the unconscious Stern Ritter to step towards the two Lieutenant's. "It's fine, it doesn't look like there's much damage surprisingly. Are you alright Mizuki?" Unohana asked in a soft spoken and concerned voice and the blonde girl nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine thanks." The blonde haired Lieutenant said and wanted to ask about Kiyone when the dark haired Captain looked to her Lieutenant seriously.

"I've just received a hell butterfly from Ukitake, he tells me that Kiyone is alright, why don't you go check on her?" The soft spoken Captain suggested to her Lieutenant and Isane's face went serious before she nodded and left with a quick thank you before she ran towards the door quick as she worried about her sister.

"Thank you Captain." The silver haired tall woman said with relief in her voice. As Isane ran towards the door Unohana turned to face Mizuki, none of them noticing how the unconscious Stern Ritter reached out and cut Isane's shoulder to make her fall to the ground and the Lieutenant cried out in surprise. Throwing Isane to the other side of the room Unohana narrowed her eyes at the Stern Ritter as she gripped her zanpakuto once more and stood between him and Mizuki. The blonde Lieutenant gave Unohana a confused look when the Captain stood with her back to her and before Mizuki could try to use a kido the dark haired Captain spoke to her seriously. "Mizuki, get out of here."

Mizuki's green eyes widened as she noticed the stern tone in Unohana's voice, out of the corner of her eye noticing how Isane got to her feet. Narrowing her eyes at the Captain in front of her the blonde woman raised her hands in front of her. "I'm not leaving you with this guy Captain, this is my fault-!" Mizuki tried to tell Unohana when the older woman cut her off seriously.

"Go!" Unohana said in a serious and loud voice as she narrowed her dark eyes at the Stern Ritter. Mizuki was taken aback when the Captain yelled, her entire body freezing at the unfamiliar sound. "I won't compromise your recovery so recklessly, you might almost be fully healed but one fight with him may ruin all of that. Now go Lieutenant Yasuko, it's an order." The Captian told her in a serious and authoritative voice for once and Mizuki hesitated for a moment before she cursed. Running towards the door the blonde Lieutenant noticed a Quincy arrow shooting towards her as Unohana rushed to try to cut the Stern Ritter. Dodging the arrow Mizuki managed to run out the door and down the hallway, cursing under her breathe.

Unohana narrowed her eyes at the Stern Ritter in front of her, her blade swingng forward to cut open their shoulder deeply. Isane's eyes widened as she saw her Captain's fight before her eyes, watching as Unohana's sword swung towards the Quincy's heart for the kill, the Lieutenant's eyes widening in fear at the sight. Unohana's eyes narrowed as the Stern Ritter used a hirenkyaku to dodge the fatal blow of her sword and in an instant they disappeared.

Isane clutched her zanpakuto as she looked around the room quickly looking for the Stern Ritter, her eyes widening when she saw that he had without so much as a trace. "W-Where did he go?" The silver haired Lieutenant asked as she frantically looked around before looking to her Captain, her free hand grasping her injured shoulder carefully.

The dark haired older woman narrowed her eyes at the opened window in the hospital room before she quickly sheathed her sword and made her way out of the room. "Darn it, this was their plan all along!" Unohana said in a soft voice as Isane's eyes filled with confusion and she opened her mouth to ask what she meant when she saw her Captain walking out of the room. With a quick sprint and a wince of pain the silver haired Lieutenant managed to catch up to her Captain quickly and closed her mouth to follow after Unohana.


(Mizuki's POV)

My bare feet quickly padded against the ground as I quickly ran down the hall, mumbling a curse as I didn't see any nurses or officers walking around. In my mind I rushed to try to think of something to do and as I glanced up I didn't see anyone in the hallway and noticed a door outside in the distance. Not able to think of any better idea I decided maybe it was better than going to try an officer that wouldn't be any help anyway. Making my way outside the night summer air was almost a comfort and I tried to hold back pausing as I got outside. It was hard not to get distracted, after spending the past few days in the hospital to be outside was almost enough to pause and take a breathe.

However I never stopped running, to where I wasn't really sure however as I felt a shift in reitsu as I got to a corner I pressed my back against a nearby wall and froze. Listening closely I controlled my breathing to stop myself from panting out and tried to keep myself undetected. After a moment of silence I slowly glanced around the corner and relaxed as I saw that there was no one around and I held back a sigh out of the grateful feeling I got.

...Four-eyes watch it.

I heard a faint voice echo through my mind that I immediately recognized it as my zanpakuto spirit and I couldn't waste time to question it. Jumping out of the way I dodged an arrow that shot at me and I glanced up and mentally cursed as I saw the Stern Ritter and I narrowed my eyes at him. Silently I noticed how he took a step forward towards me and I held my ground and let him step towards me, my body going tense.

In a quick blink of an eye the Stern Ritter had his sword crash into the ground that I stood in a moment as I dodged the swing of his sword and the impact with a flash step. Glaring over at the man in the white trench coat I clenched my jaw in anger, my hands tightening into fists tightly at my side. "What the hell do you want from me? I don't get why Yhwach would be stupid enough to waste his time on me, what does he want with me if he has my zanpakuto?" I yelled out as I jumped back to avoid another swing of his sword and spun on my heel for his blade to just miss me by a few centimeters at most.

As I stood next to the Stern Ritter I leaned back so I was staring up at the cloudy dark sky overhead and I saw the blade of his sword swing past me as I placed my hands on the ground behind me. My legs shot up as I shifted my weight to my hands, my foot hitting the Quincy below his chin and made him stumble back a few feet as I regained my footing. Taking a step or two back I tried to gain more distance between us and I heard the bald man chuckle as he got to his feet. Wiping the blood from the side of his mouth he smirked up at me and I narrrowed my green eyes at him from behind my glasses. "You really understand nothing, none of you soul reapers do. At least you're smart enough to know that you are basically useless to my leader with the exception of your sword." I watched him get to his feet from the ground and I listened to him carefully as he continued on with a smirk. "My leader has informed me that if you were to come with me willingly then he will give you your zanpakuto. The Majesty has decided that there is some use for you, to give him your bankai."

My eyes narrowed at the Quincy standing before me. "Screw you." I told him with a glare at the thought of betraying my friends after all they did for me, a moment later I used a quick flash step to avoid getting hit by his reishi sword. Raising my hand towards him a ball of reitsu fired at him and as the kido left my hand I immediately started to run again with a flash step or two. Panting lightly as I sprinted as fast as I could the only thing I could think about was Ichigo and I remembered the promised made to him. Hearing the Stern Ritter behind me I lunged forward to the ground to dodge another attack from him.

Spinning around so my back against the ground my hand reached out as I let my reitsu flare to grasp his spirit weapon to stop him from cutting me. My eyes narrowed at him as I pushed him back and got to my feet as I thought to myself that I had to keep my promise to Ichigo to stay safe so I could see him again. The Stern Ritter smirked at the fact I was still fighting as he ran towards me. "I hope your not foolish enough to think you'll live through this war!" As I fired off another ball of kido at the Stern Ritter my eyes widened when the Quincy disappeared from my sight. Turning on my heel I saw the Quincy using a hirenkyaku to appear behind me suddenly, on impulse my hands rose towards him to try to fire another kido off but my jaw clenched in anger as I realized I wouldn't be able to hit him before he cut me. "Once my leader gets your bankai your use to my leader, and your life will be over!" Memories of when I promised that I would be safe to Ichigo flashed through my mind and I knew that if I fought and got hurt I would compromise my recovery and possibly even help Yhwach win momentarily I frowned, I'm sorry Ichigo.

However I heard a sound of pain from the Quincy and my eyes looked up in confusion as I saw a binding kido wrap around the Stern Ritter before he was thrown back in the opposite direction. My eyes blinked, trying to comprehend what was happening as a figure flash stepped in front of me and I jumped almost. However as I looked to the figure before me I saw a sly cat like smirk appear on the figure's face as they turned to glance at me over their shoulder. "Need some help Mizuki?" A smug voice asked as I saw Yoroichi stand to her feet in front of me.

"Yoroichi..." I trailed off as I looked behind her and saw Urahara flash step behind the Stern Ritter and drew his sword with a smirk as the binding kido wore off. The Quincy managed to break out of the kido before the sword swung down and he flash stepped out of the way as Urahara's sword lodged into the ground he once stood and caused a large crash. The Stern Ritter used a hirenkyaku to rush towards Urahara who stood there without a change in his happy expression.

As the Quincy got within arms reach Yoroichi appeared above the Stern Ritter as her leg powerfully swung down at the Stern Ritter. As her kick made a large cloud of smoke appear as the Quincy was thrown into the ground violently as she jumped back. The Stern Ritter was attempting to get up to his feet and I saw Urahara swing his sword forward for a red kido like reitsu jump off of his blade and cut through the Quincy when he tried to attack the former Captain.

Through the thick dust cloud I saw Urahara lift his head and smile at me, raising his hand in a wave. "Got yourself in trouble again huh, Mizuki? Seems like that's the thing you do best, everytime I see you you seem to get yourself in some heap of trouble." The blonde man said with a smile as the dust began to settle, his grip on his sword tightening as the smoke thinned.

I pushed away my mild annoyance at Urahara's statement as I glanced to the smoke where the Stern Ritter was moments ago. As the figure of the Stern Ritter was shown through the dust and immediately I saw Urahara flash step up to the Quincy, pulling back his sword. Using a blut to stop the attack from the blonde haired man and threw his Spirit weapon at Urahara who dodged it. With a hirenkyaku the Stern Ritter jumped back and managed to dodge another kick and punch from Yoroichi. However I saw his hand wrap around her wrist and noticed her yellow cat like eyes widen as he swung his blade down at her. With a flash step Yoroichi managed to dodge the swing of his sword but as she glanced over her shoulder she felt his sword cut into her back. With a grimace and a glare she punched the Stern Ritter to make him disappear and dodge the attack but as the purple haired woman turned around her eyes widened once more as her eyes landed on me. "Mizuki!" Yoroichi yelled out anxiously.

My green eyes took in how the Stern Ritter used a few hirenkyaku's to flash step up towards me, and I saw him pull his arm that held his sword back. A smirk tugged at the Quincy's lips as I saw him approach me and didn't move at all as I heard Yoroichi call out to me. Calmly I watched as the bald man appear in front of me as his sword swung down at me, a smirk of victory appearing on his face. My green eyes narrowed at him as my mind thought back to the promise I had made to Ichigo and I thought about my boyfriend that I dearly missed. I wouldn't let this Stern Ritter take me away to Yhwach, I wouldn't put the soul society in any worse of a situation than it was in, I wouldn't worry Ichigo anymore about me and I wouldn't miss seeing my boyfriend's face when he got back from the Soul Palace.

Raising my hands in front of me as the Quincy switched to his offensive blut I took advantage of the situation as I fired off another kido at point blank range at him. The Stern Ritter was thrown across the area into a building nearby with a loud crash and as I lowered my hands to my side once more. Yoroichi and Urahara flash stepped over to the Quincy and with a powerful kick from Yoroichi to keep the Stern Ritter down she drew her zanpakuto. Her and Urahara's swords hit the Stern Ritter as he was still unable to switch to his defensive blut, Mizuki raised her arm to protect her eyes from the bright light that Urahara's kido.

The Stern Ritter fell to the ground unconscious and Urahara sheathed his sword as Yoroichi did the same and I let out a deep breath as she walked towards them. The purple haired woman looked over at me and smirked. "Are you alright Mizuki?" She asked curiously.

I nodded as they walked over to me and I met the two of them halfway. "I'm fine, don't worry about me." I told them.

Suddenly one of the doors leading out of the Division slammed open and Unohana ran out, panting for breathe. She immediately relaxed as she saw that the fight was over and that the Stern Ritter was on the ground unconscious. Looking up to Yoroichi, Urahara and Mizuki the Captain sighed as she walked up to them to figure out what had happened and to make sure they were all alright.


(Soul Society later that night, 3rd Person POV)

The halls of the Fourth Division were mostly empty since it was so late at night, the only other person other than nurses walking around was an orange haired substitute soul reaper. Ichigo sighed as he walked down the quiet hallways, tired from his trip back from the Royal Guard since he had just arrived back in the soul society a few minutes ago. The orange haired man was happy to be back and was anxious to go see his girlfriend since he hadn't seen her in a while, as he got to the door he opened it.

Looking inside the hospital room as he closed the door behind him he saw a familiar blonde haired girl sit up in her hospital bed and smiled over at him. "Hey Ichigo, you're back finally huh?" Mizuki asked and he smiled over at her as he walked over to her and sat down on the bed next to her and pulled her into his arms.

"Hey, yeah finally." Ichigo replied as he felt her hug him back before they pulled back and he smirked at her, placing his hand against her cheek. "Miss me?" He asked.

Mizuki giggled at the question, unable to hold back her smile. "Only every second." She said jokingly as she pressed her lips against his in a chaste way before they both pulled away. The blonde Lieutenant abruptly remembered how the Stern Ritter had snuck into her room before and she took a moment to try to figure out how to tell him. "Listen Ichigo, I-."

When his fingers brushed over her cheek he raised an eyebrow but didn't take his hand away from her cheek when he noticed that the skin was a little swollen. Looking up at her worriedly he gave her a serious look. "What happened?" Ichigo asked seriously, narrowing his eyes at the small red stain on her cheek as he knew something had to have happened.

Mizuki frowned as she sighed. "I was trying to get to that, it's not a big deal Ichigo. A Stern Ritter came in disguised as Kiyone, Isane and Unohana came really quick and stopped them." The blonde haired Lieutenant told him to try to comfort him but she noticed how Ichigo frowned at what she said, brushing his fingers over her cheek gently.

"I'm sorry, I knew that I shouldn't have left you here." Ichigo said regretfully and she shook her head, placing her hand against his shoulder.

"No, it's alright that wouldn't have been necessary at all. Seriously it's alright, Isane and Unohana were here before anything could even happen." Mizuki told him to try to comfort him and he frowned at what she said, pushing her hair out of her face.

"Still." He said as his brown eyes glanced her up and down, his eyes lighting up with some hope as he noticed how she was sitting up and everything without any trouble. He remembered how she had trouble moving without being in pain before he left. With an uncontrolable smile he brushed his fingertips against her cheek noticing how her skin wasn't cold or pale anymore. "You look a lot better, Unohana did a great job healing you it looks like. Do you feel better?" He asked when he noticed how she wasn't as pale as she had been before and how she seemed stronger now.

Mizuki smiled at him, happy to change the subject as she nodded. "Thanks, she did a good job. I feel a lot better, Unohana told me that in a few days I'll be able to get out too." The blonde haired girl told him.

Ichigo smiled at that, pushing her hair out of her face to see her eyes better he saw her green eyes soften. He opened his mouth to ask her what was wrong when the Lieutenant wrapped her arms around him again, leaning her forehead against his shoulder. "Mizuki?" The orange haired man asked, placing his hand against her back to pull her close to him although he was happy with the familiar feeling of her in his arms again.

The blonde Lieutenant hugged him tighter, knowing how he was worried about everything as they sat there in each other's arms for a moment. "Ichigo, I don't like seeing you worry so much, I'm sorry that I'm usually the cause of it. This is going to be over soon and everything will go back to normal, it's going to be alright." He heard her tell him in a comforting way and he paused, wondering how she always seemed to know when he needed her to reassure him.

Wrapping his arms around her carefully he pulled her closer to him and closed the gaps between their bodies. "Thank you." He said as he pressed a few short chaste kisses against her lips, not moving to pull away as they stayed like that for a few minutes. Ichigo held her tight against him as he thought for a moment. "Mizuki, tomorrow is-." He began quietly as he realized what day it was.

Her fingers grasped onto his shirt tighter and nodded. "I know." Mizuki told him. "Tomorrow it'll be nine days." The blonde Lieutenant said with a frown as she realized it.

Ichigo frowned at the realization before he pulled back a little and placed his finger under her chin to lift her chin to look him in the eye with a serious look. "Mizuki, tomorrow I want you to stay here with Unohana and Isane. I don't want you to try to come and help me. " The orange haired man told her.

"But-."Mizuki to argue with him as he gave her a stern look but his eyes softened at her and she cut herself off.

"You're still recovering even if you've made it far, I don't want to risk losing you again." Ichigo told her calmly and she smiled up at him.

"I'm not going anywhere." Mizuki told him in a strong confident voice as she smiled up at him and Ichigo managed to smile back softly.


(Heuco Mondo, 3rd Person POV)

"Your Majesty." A Stern Ritter said as he walked up to his leader who was looking out the window to the vast sandy landscape. "I have some important information to report." The Quincy said as Yhwach stood with his back to the officer never showing any reaction.

"Go on." Yhwach said in a calm tone, still facing the window he was standing in front of.

Clearing his throat the Stern Ritter went on quickly. "Royd did not return from his mission to bring back Mizuki Yasuko. Also, we have started to detect Ichigo Kurosaki's reitsu in the soul society again."

The sound of a chuckle made the Quincy look wide eyed at his leader as he turned around for once, smiling which sent shivers of fear down the officer's spine. "It's no matter, the timing actually couldn't have been any better." Yhwach said and the officer listened, partially understanding his leader's words. The dark haired man looked out to the sand outside and smirked, crossing his arms over his chest. "There is always tomorrow."


AN: Yay Ichigo and Mizuki are together again! But the world's supposed to end the next day!

So differences from plot are basically a mixed up order of the events happening in the Soul King Palace and obviously Kiyone and Mizuki's parts. Not much was actually with the plot in this chapter...so that's about it.

Chapter 55 Preview:

"Yes Okikiba?" Yamamoto asked without turning to his loyal third seat.

The dark haired man's expression lost all urgency for a moment as he frowned, glancing away from his Captain as he knew that he had to be upset on some degree. "I assume you've already figured the majority of it out Captain." Genshiro said.

"Tell me anyway." Yamamoto told him.