Chapter 14:

Hitsugaya awoke early in the morning, well before sunrise, and looked out his window. It was the only night he hadn't left to wander the woods. He hadn't felt the need to. However, something was stirring him awake and felt a strong desire to leave his room but not to enter the woods.

Still dark, Hitsugaya wandered the streets as a wolf without disturbance. He wasn't sure what called him from his room but learned by now to heed his instincts, Soul Reaper and otherwise.

The silent streets made his paw-patted trots more audible and worried someone would hear him coming. His time hunting down small animals taught him how to sneak in a variety of terrain, building his confidence. Picking up a recent scent, Hitsugaya followed the trail to another location, suspicious of who would be up this early in the morning and roaming about.

He heard something with his keen ears and crept closer. He smelled soil. Fresh soil. Someone was digging. He also smelled the pungent aroma of garlic.

As he neared a corner, he peered slowly around the walled garden and watched quietly as a Soul Reaper dug up every garlic plant from the soil. With their back to Hitsugaya, he could not see who it was ripping the stalks out of the ground, but they had a familiar scent.

They tossed the mature plants onto the stone walkway along with the immature bulbs, stomping on them once they finished unearthing the row. They wiped the soil and sweat from their hairless head and started on another row which contained only seedlings.

Ikkaku was ridding the Seireitei of the plant that could harm Byakuya, either on orders or his master's behalf. Hitsugaya frowned, wondering what to do now. He had spread garlic throughout the Seireitei in hopes of weakening Byakuya but now there would be no more cloves to stash away just in case. He was glad he acted when he did but worried his actions led to this.

Heaving the flattened bulbs into a sack, Ikkaku started to make for the exit. He stopped, seeing a glint near the wall. A pair of eyes, watching him. Animal eyes.

Thinking animal blood would be a good substitute for his master, Ikkaku drew his weapon and went after the creature.

Sensing danger, Hitsugaya ran.

When he looked back, Ikkaku was still chasing him. Hitsugaya faced forward and decided to use what he learned in the woods to escape Ikkaku. Swiftly, he moved around every obstacle in his path from benches to discarded boards of wood. He heard Ikkaku tumble when he moved under a board and immediately over a broom leaning against a wall. He was able to outrun a Soul Reaper on foot in this form.

He kept moving to make sure Ikkaku never got a good look at him. Realizing that Ikkaku wasn't going to give up the chase, Hitsugaya took advantage of his condition and dove behind a building and around a corner, changing back into a Soul Reaper and stepping out calmly just as Ikkaku was closing in.

"Oh! Captain, I… Uh…" Ikkaku lowered his weapon, nearly striking him as he rounded the corner in pursuit of the animal. "Wh- what are you doing here?"

Hitsugaya wore his usual expression as he pointed to the building on the next street. "Our Squad's dojo is stationed over there. I couldn't get back to sleep so I decided to do some training before heading to my office. What are you doing here, pointing that weapon at a Captain?"

"I… Uh…" Ikkaku hid it behind his back. "I was chasing something."

"What?" Hitsugaya asked, annoyed, hoping to throw Ikkaku off his scent.

He shrugged. "Not sure. I didn't get a good look at it but I think it was a dog or something."

"So you go after it with a Zanpakuto?" Hitsugaya rolled his eyes. "You're lucky Komamura didn't catch you doing that. For all you know, it could have been one of his friends. He keeps dogs around, you know."

"Oh. Right. I thought…"

"Forget it," said Hitsugaya. "You didn't hurt it and it probably went back home." He hoped this would be enough to convince Ikkaku that the animal he saw wasn't anything noteworthy. After all, Komamura did go to dog cafes and would sometimes care for hungry or injured dogs in his office as long as they didn't interfere with his work. Whether he kept them in his office on a regular basis was undetermined but accuracy was less important to Hitsugaya at the moment than the possibility.

"Sure," said Ikkaku, putting his weapon away. "No problem."

Hitsugaya looked at the sack Ikkaku carried over his shoulder. "What's that?"

"Oh. This? Just some… broken training swords. Got a little too rough at my own dojo."

"You're pretty far from your dojo to be carrying those."

"I made a couple stops along the way."

"If you're busy, I can dispose of them for you," offered Hitsugaya, hoping to secure a few cloves to hide near a few offices.

"No, no, it's fine," said Ikkaku, pulling away. "It's my responsibility. I'll handle it."

It would be too risky to insist any further, so Hitsugaya gave a nonchalant shrug and moved on, pretending to be disinterested. "Alright. Have a good morning, then."

"Yes. You, too."

The sun was beginning to rise and Hitsugaya decided to head to his office to get an early start on today's work so he could have more free time to observe the Byakuya situation.

Hisagi stood in the office of his Captain with an indifferent expression as Kensei went on a tirade while holding up different papers. At one time, he would have felt ashamed for missing deadlines or upsetting someone he respected so much but all he could think about was how much he wanted to be with Byakuya. He stood there and listened to Kensei's scolding, hoping it would get him out of here faster and back to the man he truly wished to please.

He rubbed his neck, daydreaming of the feeling of having Byakuya so close to him.

"I'm swamped with work and I don't know where the hell you've been but you can't leave me to do it all. These were due yesterday and I'm going to have my ass chewed out for not turning them in because of you. Your responsibility. I expect you to help with these ones that arrived today and I want none of your excuses. I will not go through that again. Am I making myself clear?"

"Yes, Captain," answered Hisagi but he wasn't listening.

"Then get started." Kensei threw a folder in Hisagi's face, successfully snapping him out of his daydream.

Hisagi started to pick up the papers around his feet then slowly rose, eyeing his Captain deviously. "Say, Captain… I have a request."

"You're in no position to ask me for anything other than a pen to start writing with."

"It's not a personal request," he said in a slightly sly tone of voice. "Captain Kuchiki would like to see you in his office today. I'd be happy to escort you there."

"I'm not obligated to see him. Outside of Captain's meetings, I don't have to talk to him."

"Perhaps… But it might be important. You should come to his office and see what he wants."

"If it's important, he can come to me. Don't forget all the work I have to do today because of your negligence." Kensei sat down at his desk and got started. "I might be more inclined if that were the case. Maybe next time, don't disappear and leave all the work for someone else to do."

Hisagi frowned and nodded slowly. "Yes. Of course… Captain."

If he could not lure his Captain to Byakuya's office, then he would have to pick another target.

Yesterday, Byakuya thought of another way to get blood which involved luring unsuspecting Soul Reapers to his office where he could feed off them privately. It wasn't uncommon for Captains to meet with people in their office so this method seemed perfect.

His own Squad members would be easiest to summon to his office but Hisagi didn't have much confidence in them having the best quality blood to sustain him. Stronger Soul Reapers might make a more fitting meal for his master and he strived to provide Byakuya with only the best. Also, if his Captain were to be fed upon by Byakuya, then he wouldn't be demanding so much work from Hisagi as they would both be serving the same master.

If Kensei refused to meet with Byakuya, then Hisagi had little choice but to slip away again and look for someone else to satisfy Byakuya's hunger. He didn't care if Kensei was upset with him. It was Byakuya's disappointment he could not stand.

Sensing trouble, Hitsugaya decided to bother Akon one more time to inform him of what was going on. He found Akon splayed out over a number of open books with a grimace on his face. Hitsugaya didn't bother asking him about a cure, telling him instead about what he had witnessed.

"I'm guessing Byakuya either knows he can't stand garlic or discovered it and that's why those guys are getting rid of it. I can only assume Ikkaku isn't the only one collecting garlic to get it away from Byakuya. But garlic won't kill him, will it? Only hurt him or have an aversion to it?"

Bags under his eyes, Akon slammed a book shut on the desk and sat back, rubbing his eyes. "It could, it might not, I don't know anymore."

Hitsugaya didn't have to be a wolf to sense the stress coming from Akon. He asked gently what was wrong.

"I've been through all these books and I feel like less of an expert than when we started." He started holding up different books. "This one says one thing but this one says another. This one says it's the bite that does it and this one says it's not. This one says vampires can make slaves out of people by biting them and this one says biting them makes them vampires themselves. I haven't a clue anymore!"

With so many references, it was only a matter of time before Akon came across contradictory information. Rather than bring it up, Hitsugaya assumed the only reason Akon was still searching through anything he could get his hands on was to find consistencies.

"I can't tell you with confidence why those three are so loyal to him or how. Each book says something different. But it doesn't matter. The fact is they are and we need to do something about it."

"There's something else," said Hitsugaya. "I think his blood supply is running low. The sickbay bumped up their security after too many transfusion bags went missing. I caught Byakuya in the hall the other day getting ready to bite Kira."

"Either he needs more servants or, you're right, he is looking for more blood to drink."

"Kira didn't look hurt but he must have fainted. He was semiconscious when I found him. Byakuya had taken off before he could bite him."

Akon nodded, standing up from his chair. "That makes sense and one of the few things consistent in these books. According to most of what I've read, vampires are able to entrance people with their eyes. How they use this is different depending on the book. Some say it's to wipe a person's memory so they can feed without being caught and some say that's how a vampire gains their servant. They're really just townspeople who've been hypnotized. I doubt that's what happened to those guys, but he might have been using his hypnotic eyes to keep Kira from running by putting him in a trance."

"Yeah, I've heard vampires can do that." Hitsugaya made a note to never look Byakuya in the eye just in case.

He wondered why Byakuya wasn't using that technique more, then surmised that either Byakuya wasn't sure how to do it, hadn't perfected it or simply preferred other means.

Being told that vampire bites might be able to turn people into vampires left Hitsugaya wondering something. He knew that a vampire could choose whether or not to turn a person into a vampire, seeing as how those three Soul Reapers hadn't changed, but he was curious about something else.

"Is that why you asked me to keep an eye on Byakuya?" Hitsugaya asked Akon. "Since I'm a werewolf, his bite won't affect me. I'm the best choice, isn't that right?"

Akon was intelligent and capable and knew a lot about the subject, yet he sent Hitsugaya to track down the vampire and report to him about what he found.

"With your sense of smell and other heightened senses, I figured you'd be best suited for the job," he answered.

"But it's also because I'm immune. Is that right?"

Akon took his time to respond, saying after a long pause, "You're immune from becoming a vampire if he bites you. But we don't know if his bite could affect you in other ways. After all, if those guys became his slaves after being bitten and not through any vampire eye trick, then there's still a risk of you becoming loyal to him if bitten. You're only protected from becoming a vampire yourself."

He suspected as much.

"Do any of those books mention anything about combating a vampire?" Hitsugaya changed the subject, worried about his friends. "If I can't use garlic, is there any other way I can prevent him from attacking people? Like a crucifix?"

"That's nonsense and Hollywood." Akon picked up a book from the table and flung it to the other side of the room to illustrate a point. "There's no proof of that doing anything to a vampire. Garlic is your best bet."

"But if Ikkaku got rid of it all, including the seedlings…"

"Sunlight also works."

"I'm talking about at night, when the sun goes down."

Akon glanced over at the books and sighed. "Some say you have to invite a vampire inside otherwise they can't come in, but I doubt that's true, considering how many tales depict vampires entering the home of a sleeping woman to feed. Even if that were true, he's a Captain. He can go where he wants. Who's going to refuse to invite him inside when asked?"

Hitsugaya envisioned Byakuya arriving on Momo's doorstep and asking to come inside and her allowing him entry. Inside, he could easily bite her and then…

His ears popped up and Akon pointed to them. "Your ears are out, Captain."

He tried to calm himself down but he was just so worried. It would have been so much easier if they could simply tell people what was going on and have Byakuya detained until they could fix things. If it weren't for the danger, he probably would have by now. That and the fact he doubted anyone would believe them.

"Captain, there's something else," said Akon. "It's probably not an issue, but I thought you'd like to know there will be a full moon this week."

Turning around, he gave Akon a puzzled look. "Meaning..?"

"I'm not sure. That's the thing. According to what I've researched, you can change into a wolf any time, but some research suggests that during a full moon you have no choice."

"Then I'll just stay in my room or spend the night in the woods."

He nodded. "Yes. I'm sure those tales of werewolves losing their humanity at night is just Hollywood junk as well."

Hitsugaya's ears popped out again.

"Captain, your…"

"I know!"

The blood he took from his Lieutenant and Hisagi wasn't enough to satisfy him this morning. Byakuya was still hungry. When Ikkaku came to report that he had disposed of all the garlic in the garden, Byakuya took a bite from him, too, and still was not satisfied.

If he took more, they would be unable to move. He couldn't risk it. This left the plan he discussed with them earlier. He would have to start feeding off his own Squad members.

Byakuya was beside himself on why his appetite had increased of late. Perhaps he was using too much energy or was still recovering from the garlic tainted blood.

"I'll bring some of the Squad members to the office as soon as possible," said Renji with a bow.

"The lower Squad members aren't suitable for his pallet," complained Hisagi. "He deserves higher quality."

"Like the blood you gave him the other day?" Renji countered, crossing his arms.

Hisagi clenched his fists. "I did not mean for that to happen and I'm truly sorry about that."

"And you have already been forgiven," said Byakuya from his desk. "No sense dwelling on the past. Stop your fretting, and Renji, stop bringing it up."

"Yes, sir," they said in unison.

Byakuya rubbed his forehead, already tired. He hoped he could sleep while still being a bit peckish. He gave the trio his instructions then relocated to the couch to sleep.

Renji worked on filing while Hisagi ran from the different Divisions to deliver the signed forms and Ikkaku went to get lunch.

On his way back, Ikkaku noticed some members of Squad 4 milling about and decided to move closer to find out what they were doing. It sounded like they were discussing Ukitake and the missing blood from the sickbay. They sounded concerned.

Ikkaku followed them but the information he gathered wasn't very important. They were just wondering aloud if there would be enough blood to help people needing transfusions. They also seemed to be wondering if someone was stealing the blood to help Ukitake who had started feeling well enough to come back to work around the time the blood started disappearing. They quickly brushed off this idea as Ukitake had gotten well after some rest before, making this no different.

"I still don't see why there isn't more of an investigation going on. That blood is important."

"The Captain doesn't think it's worth panicking over."

"But she checked the number of the transfusion bags used and the ones missing and they don't add up. There's more blood missing than has been used. And what about the lock? That was very suspicious."

"Don't worry. We bumped up security and Captain checks inventory every night now to be sure."

"Is that enough?"

"Don't forget the girl who's following up on some leads."

Ikkaku stood where he was, leaning closer to hear what they were saying. This seemed important.

"Yes, she was worried, same as us, and went to check on everyone who entered the sickbay recently. Must be time-consuming, that."

"She only had a couple more places to go. And don't worry. She's going at her own pace since she's not acting on orders. I think she wants to crack the case and be a hero."

"Where was it she still had to go?"

"Squad 6. Captain Kuchiki was stricken with something earlier this week and needed a transfusion."

"Oh, she can skip him. You know how he is. He would never."

"She might have already finished. Haven't seen her, though. I doubt the Captain has done anything. I'm not sure what she's thinking of finding."

"She could be checking on his condition, just in case he needs another transfusion."

"Could be. Yes, that makes more sense. Checking up on all the ill. She probably doesn't suspect any of them but wants to see how they're doing. Or ask if they've seen anything suspicious."

Ikkaku pressed his back into the side of the building he was hiding behind, mind racing.

If someone was going to Byakuya's office right this minute, regardless if they suspected him of anything or not, they were going to find the emergency transfusion bags hidden in the room. He had one in his desk right now.

He hurried back to Byakuya's office, hoping to intercept the girl before she reached the room. Renji might still be there and could stop her, but he left the office to tend to his other duties as well so there was no guarantee. Byakuya was sleeping and vulnerable. He had to protect him.

When he arrived, the office was quiet and empty except for Byakuya sleeping on the couch. Renji must have been doing his other work. Ikkaku was about to stay when he got a bad feeling and went down the hall as quickly as he could.

His gut was correct. He saw a girl leaving the building and knew she was a member of the 4th Division. He hurried to catch her. She was moving quickly, a woman on a mission. She looked frazzled.

"Hey," Ikkaku called as he got closer and trotted beside her. She never stopped moving for a second. "What are you doing all the way out here?"

"Nothing."

"Oh, really?"

She kept walking.

Ikkaku kept trying to engage her, bombarding her with questions until she finally erupted. She stopped when they were close to the 4th Division and turned to Ikkaku.

"Transfusion bags have been missing from the sickbay and I just found one of the missing bags in Captain Kuchiki's office."

"Oh." Ikkaku's tone did not match hers of shock and discovery. He could tell she was disappointed and shocked to find that a well-respect Captain was guilty of such an illogical crime. "Are you sure you've got this right? It might not be how it looks."

"What could he be doing with a transfusion bag in his office?" she asked pointedly. "It's inconceivable for it to be anything else."

Ikkaku was worried for his master. "What are you going to do?"

"I'm telling the Captain, first off."

"Did you even bother to ask for Kuchiki's side of the story?"

"I don't need to. I saw it in his office and he has no business with it."

"It's unfair to persecute the guy without hearing their side of things," he reasoned.

"I left the bag where I found it so the Captain will find the evidence and catch him red-handed."

"How do you know it wasn't planted there by somebody else? You know, framing the Captain?"

"I don't care if they are," she told Ikkaku. "What it looks like is all that matters. The higher-ups can sort it out for themselves. I got them a lead. If they do an investigation and it turns out to be nothing, that's fine. It'll lead them to whoever's responsible or allow them to confront Captain Kuchiki."

An investigation didn't sound good for Byakuya. He didn't want any attention brought to him. If Ikkaku told everyone he had done it, they would still question Byakuya for why it was in his desk and possibly assume they were in on it together. Ikkaku couldn't allow this.

"I strongly suggest you reconsider."

The girl started moving again, in a hurry to tell everyone what she had discovered. "I have to tell them."

Ikkaku rushed to catch up to her. He grabbed her shoulder and turned her around. "Kuchiki doesn't need this type of attention. If it was planted and you accuse him of a crime he didn't commit, his reputation will be ruined. Let's not go rushing in without thinking of the repercussions."

"I don't care," said the girl. "That blood is supposed to save lives. It has no business being anywhere but the sickbay. I'll make a scene if I want. As long as people are made aware of where it was found."

"Don't ruin a man's life over something that might not be what you think. Let's talk about this."

The girl twisted away defiantly. "I don't care if he was framed or not. That blood is more important than someone's reputation in my books."

"Kuchiki's a great man. He doesn't deserve this treatment."

"He's not my Captain. And I have a job to do."

Ikkaku grabbed her wrist. "Don't tell them," he demanded hastily. He had to protect Byakuya no matter what.

"Let me go!" The girl broke free and started running, not out of fear but determination to do what she set out to do.

Heart racing, Ikkaku frantically wondered what he should do. The only thing that kept coming to him was his duty: protect Byakuya. To do that, he had to stop the girl.

Panicked, Ikkaku grabbed his weapon and sliced the girl's back as she ran from him. She shrieked and fell forward.

Shaking, Ikkaku stood where he was, staring at the motionless body. He stopped her. However, now he had another problem to contend with.

Or perhaps a solution to a different problem ailing his master. Ikkaku sheathed his weapon and approached the body, dragging it to a secluded place nearby.

Byakuya drank deeply from a tall glass of blood, courtesy of Ikkaku. He had brought back a lot in various containers and Byakuya was finally starting to feel full.

"Ikkaku, how did you come by this blood?" Byakuya asked, swirling the blood as if it were a sample of fine wine.

Ikkaku swallowed. "About that…"

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