Another chapter, another day! Been crazy and sick and... its been fun but I finally got it going. Next chap is in the works and hopefully wont take 3 weeks. Soundtrack is Amber Run- I found and Placebo- Running up that Hill (again, this song covers the whole mood of the chapter but is especially poignant come the second half.)

Chapter 42

Renji couldn't help but throw the door open in frustration as he entered Byakuya's office, this was bullshit. He had respect for Seireitei, their touted morals and beliefs, their purpose but this-?

"What the hell is going on?" Renji immediately asked loudly upon entering Byakuya's office, only to be met with the disdainful arch of one perfect brow.

With a deep sigh, Renji slowed his pace to walk to the chair across from his captain at the desk. With another sigh he ran on large hand over his face before looking back at Byakuya. "What has happened, Captain Kuchiki?" he asked more calmly, "I thought you said that this was all smoothed over?"

"That I did," Byakuya acknowledged with an imperceptible nod.

Renji raised his eyebrows in expectation as he waited for Byakuya to continue. Slowly, Byakuya leaned forward, steepling his fingers and pursing his lips. "Apparently," he began, "a captain raised concerns to Head Captain Yamamoto about the enforcement and leniency in response to the… outburst last meeting."

"That was probably the only bit of information I was able glean from the summons," Renji growled lowly, "I am asking you why."

"I did put out some feelers with my contacts," Byakuya admitted leaning back in his chair, "but it's not much."

"Anything is better than what we have now," Renji argued, "Are you on my side or not?"

Byakuya sighed deeply before continuing. "All I know is that an unnamed captain-"

Renji rolled his eyes. "Meaning Soi-Fon."

"An UNNAMED captain," Byakuya repeated, "said that not only were the punishments so light that they were a bad example to the denizens of Soul Society, but that they have inside knowledge of attempts to skirt the meager rules by both Mara and those watching over her."

Renji couldn't help but roll his eyes again. If he tried hard enough could he see his brain? "Do we at least know the charges?" he asked with a groan.

"They believe that yours are for unauthorized use of kido during peace time or using kido in the captain's hall and probably disturbing the peace," Byakuya began, giving Renji a moment to think.

"I could see the second charge, and maybe the third," Renji mumbled mulling it over, "But the fact that it was defensive hado and not bakoudo may be able to help those causes."

"Before I continue, since when are you able to cast Danku?" Byakuya asked curiously. Renji's reputation in kido had followed him, even once he had become a successful lieutenant.

"I had half a decade of nothing but drinking and training," Renji said dryly, "I can't control it long, but it did the job. Continue."

Pursing his lips at Renji's commanding tone, Byakuya continued nonetheless. "Captain Hisagi is most likely being tried for negligence in either properly controlling or training those under his command."

"That's a slap on the wrist," Renji said with a wave of his hand, "Mara?"

Byakuya sighed deeply, attempting to exude calm as he braced himself for the coming storm that his news would bring. "The… Mara's… may be more complicated," he said stoically.

Renji watched as Byakuya's mask slid into place and all he could think of was Mara pointing out that the sudden masking of emotions was a tell in itself. This wasn't going to be good. "And?"

"Speculatively, Mara's charges are more numerous than both of yours," Byakuya said slowly, wary of the red-heads anger, "They could include, but may not be limited to, aiding in the use of unauthorized kido, disturbing the peace, improper conduct to those of higher rank, tampering with Seireitei property in an attempt to avoid standing punishment, evading supervision… and I don't know if there is more than that."

Contrary to the storm Byakuya had expected, Renji went stock still, color draining from his face. "That's- that's enough to lock her away," he stuttered, stricken.

"Possibly yes," Byakuya ground out. Damn. He was trying to rebuild his lieutenant, not see him be turned into rubble again because the chit couldn't keep her mouth shut. What had he gotten himself into with this mission? "There are a few captains who we know will stand on your side," Byakuya reminded him, "Plus they can't go without a captain and a lieutenant forever, we just have to work with the rules."

"The gray area is your specialty, not mine," Renji reminded him, "and you aren't the one on the stand."

"Then we have a lot of work to do," Byakuya said tiredly as he walked over to a cabinet. Taking out a large book, he tossed it unceremoniously on his desk in front of Renji with a loud smack before taking one out for himself.

Histories of Penal Precedents and Superprecedent Revisions: Volume 1

"Fuck me," Renji groaned, reading the title before flopping open the cover and coughing at the plume of rising dust, "Seriously?"

"Did you forget how to study, Lieutenant Abarai?" Byakuya asked blandly, eyes quickly skimming the pages in front of him.

"How about I say fuck the rules and just steal her away?" Renji growled as he began perusing the contents.

"I would be careful saying things that could be easily misinterpreted in that tone," Byakuya warned, eyes narrowing as he wondered how far his lieutenant intended to take his rage

"I have no intention of waging a war on Seireitei, but you have to know, Captain," Renji said coolly, the seriousness etching his face in stone, "No matter what it comes down to, I will protect her."

.

.

"No matter what happens," Hisagi said grimly, "We have to protect her."

"I get that, Cap," Grimmjow drawled, frustration edging his tone as it floated down the hall from the basement cell to where Mara leaned against the wall listening.

From the silent run home to unceremoniously leaving Grimmjow and her outside the training rooms without a word before stalking off, Hisagi exuded stress in waves. What would anyone expect? The pressure he was under had to be immense. He had to run the division. He had to be pseudo-jailer. He had to be babysitter. He had to be fiancé. He had to be diplomat. He had to be… overwhelmed.

Normally he operated with such a calm level-headedness that it was easy to forget how much he handled. Mara leaned her head back against the wall with a thunk. She wasn't eavesdropping, per say. She had had every intention of joining them, but she couldn't because she felt guilty. She and her big mouth had been the catalyst for dropping the weight of the worlds on Hisagi's shoulders again. She was why he seemed to be finally hitting his breaking point.

"But they aren't just going after her!" Grimmjow continued venomously, "What about you?"

"What about me?" Hisagi hissed, the creak of the futon echoing in the stillness as he sat heavily on it.

"They are going after you, too," Grimmjow spelled out to him slowly, "Am I just supposed to stand there and let it happen?"

"No," Hisagi snapped back, "You are supposed to shed those cuffs like a bad fucking habit and get her the hell out of there if I say so."

"I will not leave you to take the brunt of that decision," Grimmjow sighed, "or did you forget that I always pay my debts."

Hisagi let out a deep sigh that Mara echoed silently as she listened. "Are you loyal to me, Grimmjow?" Hisagi asked roughly.

"Isn't that what I just said?" Grimmjow bit back.

"Answer the question," Hisagi said with another low sigh, "Are you loyal to me?"

Silence answered him as Grimmjow seemed to pause and regard him. "Yeah, I am," Grimmjow stated seriously, "And you are the only shinigami I am loyal to. You know that."

"Then if shit goes sideways, you are to leave with her. Hide in that damn mine of yours, so deep they can't track you, for as long as needed and find a way out," Hisagi ordered him, "As long as you save her, your debt is considered paid."

"I am 198% sure that she will not be happy with that plan," Grimmjow said with a mirthless chuckle.

Mara could hear the creak of the futon and hollow thud of the old guitar hitting Hisagi's lap as he failed to respond. Slowly the sound of off-pitch notes coming into focus filled the hall while he tuned the guitar. "She'll just have to forgive me later," he mumbled.

Grimmjow paced, his footsteps swallowed by the sound of chorded scales, as he ran his hand down his face. "There's always a solution, Cap," he muttered, "We just have to find a way…"

"Now you sound like her, too," Hisagi grumbled, strumming louder.

"Apparently, one of us fucking has to!" Grimmjow raised his voice of the music, "We have to figure something out besides me and her being fugitives and you being a goddamn sacrificial lamb!"

"What do you think I am doing!?" Hisagi raged back, melody cut short, "All I do is think and plan and I don't know what to do! Please, if you have something amazing to add, I'm all ears but for right now I just- I just need to stop for a minute."

With a snort, Grimmjow walked out of the cell running his hand through his messy hair in frustration. Rough notes followed his as he stalked down the hall, pausing where he saw Mara crouched against the wall.

"How much did you hear?" he asked lowly.

"Enough," Mara said, worry etching her features, "Is he really-?"

"Yup," Grimmjow answered her unfinished question.

He watched as Mara stared at the open cell door, brow furrowed and lips pursed. She seemed hesitant, fearful to approach. "It's my fault," she whispered almost to herself.

"It's no one's fault," Grimmjow rebutted, reaching out to pull her up and face her toward the door. "You however may have a chance of making it better," he said, pushing her toward the door, "Don't be a coward, Yume."

"What if I can't?" she rasped.

"Can't be any worse than me," Grimmjow quipped before continuing on his way.

Taking a deep breath to fortify herself, Mara turned into the cell to be greeted by the familiar sight of Hisagi curled over the old guitar. His haori was haphazardly thrown behind him. His brow was furrowed in concentration. It seemed too normal a pose for the stress he was under. Unlike normal, he didn't look up in greeting. He didn't even seem to register that someone was there.

Silently, Mara walked in to settle herself on the other end of the futon. Curling her legs up underneath her, Mara simply watched him in silence. The play of his taut muscles and how quickly his long fingers moved over the strings was captivating, but it was his eyes that held her attention. He was scarily focused on nothing. It was like his body was moving while his mind whirled somewhere else.

"Did you have something to say, Koi?" he asked, fingers gentling on the strings even as his voice was still rough.

"He's right, you know," Mara answered gently, "I don't like your plan."

"Do you not remember that it's rude to eavesdrop?" Hisagi ground out, turning back to his playing.

"I wasn't eavesdropping," Mara explained, "I did nothing to conceal my spiritual pressure. You knew I was there."

"Semantics," he answered shortly, before going back to playing softly, leaving her to look on in silence.

"There still has to be another way, Shuu," she whispered, "Something that we can plan for or…"

"There's nothing!" Hisagi finally answered, cutting her off with his raised voice and vicious strumming before smacking his hand against the strings to plunge them into an oppressive silence.

"They didn't even send a notice here," he continued in a pained voice, "I don't even know what charges we are being brought up on. Abarai's summons didn't have details since they are trying him too. There is no planning when there is no idea what is happening."

"So you want me to run," Mara finished for him.

"If that's what it comes to," Hisagi ground out, trying to find his fingering on the strings again, "yes. I want you to run."

Mara watched on again in silence- waiting. She didn't know what for until Hisagi's pained voice permeated the notes, barely reaching her in it's lowness. "I don't know what else to do, Koibito," he practically whispered, "People I thought were my friends are my enemies. None of them know, none of them want to know… none of them care."

Hisagi's stomach emitted a sharp pang at the thought and feelings of betrayal that assaulted him, causing him to trip over the notes of the song. Setting the guitar aside with a huff, he buried his face in his hands, resting his elbows on his knees. Music was where he had always been able to retreat to. The burdens of the day could be washed away by creating perfection. But not today. Today, nothing was going right.

Ever keen, Mara watched as Hisagi stayed locked inside his own head. She knew that Hisagi retreated to his music when he was at the brink, when he had things to think through and workout. Never had she seen him abandon it to wallow. It gave him…

Slowly, Mara eased toward him. "Everything is out of control," she stated softly.

Hisagi nodded in silent assent. Raising his head to sit on his fists, he cast an accusing look at the guitar beside him. Even the music was out of his control.

"You don't do well when things are out of control," Mara continued.

"No," Hisagi said lowly. She was right, wasn't she? After he had let Tosen's festering betrayal escape him, something had snapped. He had been thrown for such a loop that he didn't know how to handle them now. That's why he retreated with his guitar, wasn't it? It made the world make sense again. Not just the music, but the fact that he was making it. That he could change it and mold it.

"So, take control, Otto," Mara said simply, "let it even you out."

Finally looking over at her, Hisagi let out a small snort. "Even the guitar won't listen to me," he said sarcastically, "so how do you propose I do that?"

Heat rose in Mara's cheeks as she met his gaze, but nothing would hold her back now. He needed this and she could at least give it. "Last I checked, there were two of us in this room," she stated firmly.

"Right," Hisagi drawled, unable to help his low chuckle, "The control freak and the girl who is notorious for believing that rules are really just suggestions."

Mara didn't move a muscle as Hisagi looked at her incredulously. He wasn't wrong. She always rebelled. In her mind, stop was just another word for try harder. Not tonight though, she thought, meeting his gaze in a challenge. Tonight, she would give him what he needed.

"How would that work, Koi?" he asked, "I say jump and you just jump? That's not-"

Cutting him off with action, Mara immediately rose to her feet and gave a little hop in front of him. Raising an eyebrow at him, Mara waited for him to continue.

"Turn in a circle," he said incredulously, testing her resolve with a silly request.

With a small smile, Mara spun herself in a circle in front of him. "I can listen," she assured him softly.

Standing slowly, Hisagi stood over her, heat and curiosity a mix on his features. Gently, he raised his hand to drag calloused fingers down the soft column of her neck. He could feel her pulse pick up and the small chill his touch left rush through her but she didn't move.

Narrowing his eyes, he decided to test her boundaries. "You can always say stop," he whispered in her ear before standing back up, "Bakoudo-"

"You don't need that," Mara said surely, moving to place her arms behind her back, lacing her fingers to remind herself to keep them there. "You are in control, Shuu. I trust you, and I'll listen."

Hisagi's face was a mask of shock as he took her in, standing there perfectly still as she waited on him, held by nothing but respect for him. It was a rush to see her giving into him, trusting him. Without preamble, Hisagi stepped back to her, tilting her head up and capturing her lips in one swift movement. Even as a soft moan built in her throat, she didn't move from how the kido would have held her.

"You are playing a dangerous game with me right now, Mara," He groaned out as he broke the kiss.

"It feels more like dancing in the rain," Mara said softly before he reclaimed her lips.

Tracing his hands up her sides before pulling her to him, Hisagi could feel something inside of him give way. With all the force of a dam breaking, Hisagi's emotions seemed to spill out of him. The frustration at their situation. The fear that he would lose her. Even the fear that she would leave after feeling rietsu spike when she was with Abarai. All of it came crashing through in his tight hold and punishing kiss.

His teeth gnashed against hers, tongue plundering her depths, as he backed her up to the wall. True to her word, Mara didn't release her hands from each other, even as she hit the wall. His hips ground into her in contrast to his hands gently cradling her jaw.

She was intoxicating. She was headstrong. She was listening to him. The mix was heady and overwhelming; it made the rush even more addictive. "Don't move," he commanded softly into her ear as he drifted his hands over her breasts then down to the ties on her shirt, pulling lightly so that it fell open to her sides.

True to her word, Mara didn't move an inch, didn't flinch even as he brought his hands back up to tweak her nipples and to bite her neck before withdrawing to gently suckle and smooth the sensitive skin he had aroused. Mara gasped at the play of sensations as he traced his fingers over her scars and the tattoos exposed on her ribs by the short undershirt.

"Are you ok?" he asked her gently, pulling away to look into her eyes.

"Yes," she answered breathily, "I always am with you."

The trust in her eyes and her utter willingness moved something else in Hisagi. She loved him. She was giving him the only thing she could and sure enough it seemed to be evening him out. "Touch me back," he whispered against her lips before kissing her sweetly and deeply again, savoring the taste of her, the feel of her. He groaned in pleasure at the feel of her fingers raking through his hair. He reveled in the feel of her cupping his jaw and pulling him closer like she cherished him as much as he did her.

"I don't want it to be like this, Koi. I don't want a jail cell and I don't want fear to drive desperation," he murmured, still unable to completely withdraw from her, "You're too precious to me for that."

"That is up to you, too, Shuu," she assured him before pulling him back by his lapel to kiss her again. Running her hands up his taught chest, she couldn't help the whimper that escaped her at the pressure of him against her. His hands, his hips, his insistent mouth- she found herself happily drowning in him again.

"Say it," he demanded between kisses.

"I love you, Otto," she murmured back, proving that she again could sense what he needed, "I love you."

Finally pulling away with a shuddering breath, Hisagi raised a hand to swipe the stray strands of vibrant hair from Mara's face. Taking in her flushed face and swollen lips, he couldn't help the small, satisfied grin that spread across his face.

"I love you, too, Koibito," he said softly, before his face sobered, "And I know you don't like my plan, but it's all I've got right now. I need to know you'll be safe. You're my everything."

"Shuu…" Mara began but he cut her off quickly.

"I need you to listen like you did tonight. Please," he pleaded with a heartbreaking earnesty, "If I tell you to run, I need you to run. I need you to promise me."

Mara's lips thinned in displeasure, but she didn't deny his request. How could she when he explained it like that? When he looked at her like that? "Do you promise that you'll do everything in your power to keep it from coming to that?"

"Yes," he answered seriously, eyes hard and unyielding.

"Then I'll listen," she said softly, cupping his cheek, "I promise that I'll run."

.

.

"You?" Grimmjow asked in an incredulous whisper as Hisagi stepped away to speak to Ukitake, "You promised to listen to him?"

"Yeees," Mara answered back slowly, eyes scanning the room as new arrivals poured in. They had arrived early for the hearing at her request to sense the mood of the room. So far so good, she thought to herself, but at this point the crowd was thin on her known opposers. Even the ever-critical Hitsuguya seemed quite mellow and almost confused by the turn of events that had drawn them here, and his lieutenant seemed almost chipper. A small smile played the edges of her cupid's bow lips on her enviously beautiful face. Strange that a hearing would make her seem so happy, Mara mused to herself before Grimmjow's snort cut her thoughts off.

"You are really going to run and leave him behind?" Grimmjow growled lowly. He didn't want to admit that it upset him. He shouldn't care. Hisagi was a shinigami! One of THEM! As per usual, Grimmjow failed at hiding his feelings and Mara gave him a narrow-eyed glare.

"Really?" she asked sarcastically, earning her a pointed look back. "No," she said with a sigh, "I promised to run. I am relying on you to drag him out with us."

"And if I can't?" Grimmjow challenged.

Turning to face him head on, Mara met his glare. "You run away without him and I'll kill you in your sleep," she stated with a completely straight face causing Grimmjow to hide his smile behind his hand.

"That's my girl," he mumbled, shoving his hand back in his pocket and resuming his stoic sentinel duty.

Hisagi shook his head and shrugged his shoulders as he strode back up. Still no information. It seemed like everyone was out of the loop with this. Everyone looked as confused and annoyed as they felt. Everyone except…

With a bang, the entry door flew open, allowing the opposition in. The room seemed to darken as the oppressive combativeness hung in the air. Mara forced herself to watch stoically as she was met by glares from Komamura and Soi-fon, derision from Mayuri and Byakuya, and a disconcerting curiosity from Kenpachi. Bringing up the end of the precession was Renji who threw her an enigmatic smile.

Oh god. It looked like he had something planned of his own. With no more information than they themselves had, however, she couldn't fathom what he could have up his sleeve. No doubt something reckless. Mara sighed as she turned to face the front of the room where the head captain had appeared, banging his cane for attention.

"Captain Hisagi Shuuhei, Lieutenant Abarai Renji, and Oliviera Mara!" He called out in order, "You are here today in answer for your crimes and to receive just and immediate discipline in kind."

Just? Right. You didn't even leave possible innocence as an option, Mara thought, barely reigning in a snort at his obvious wording. This is going to be nothing but an elaborate sham.

Her thoughts were confirmed as Head Captain turned his penetrating stare on each of them in turn. "Before we begin," he rasped, "would you like to say anything in defense of yourself?"

Mara's mouth fell open in shock. Defend themselves? They didn't even know what they were supposed to defend from! A bubbling anger simmered in her but Hisagi beat her to the punch.

"We weren't notified of charges," he said in a deceivingly calm voice, "One cannot be expected to defend when one doesn't know the offense."

"Ha!" Soi Fon guffawed form the side, "You mean you can't-"

She was cut off by another bang of the stick and a glare of the head captain who quickly regained order. "It does you no good to paint this meeting in a bad light, Captain Hisagi, when it was your own charge that made a mockery of it last time," Yamamoto scolded, "The basis of charges was in the summons."

"Which we did not even receive," Hisagi retorted coolly, earning concerned looks from the allies.

"The summonses were sent to all," Yamamoto growled assuredly, "Perhaps you are not training your entire squad properly, as well, if they were unable to get you a simple message."

Though Hisagi's gray eyes blazed into liquid metal, he pursed his lips to remain silent as Yamamoto began reading out the charges. Mara ran her fingers gently over the inside of his palm, trying to sooth him. Renji's seemed straightforward and Hisagi only had one charge. Mara was hopeful. Although she didn't understand fully how punishments were meted out here, it seemed promising.

Until he began to read hers. The list just kept going, for everything from being disrespectful to "evading disciplinary protocols" which they made out to be tantamount to treason. Mara stood still, trying not to shake, as her count reached seven total charges. Now she really wished she had read some law books when Hisagi had been teaching her. Maybe then she would know what was to come. The numbers definitely weren't in her favor.

She could feel the worry like an electric jolt as Hisagi gripped her hand back hard even as his face gave away nothing. Renji mirrored the same stone look and Mara schooled her features to match. No weakness here. She had to be hard.

"The sentencing is as follows," Yamamoto began, and Mara couldn't help but gasp.

"Don't we-" she started before Hisagi squeezed her hand, reminding her to be quiet. She did not need to worry about making her point, however, as Renji continued for her.

"What is this that we do not even get to defend ourselves?" Renji asked venomously, causing the old man to raise his eyes to him at his tone.

"Abarai Renji, you will respect these proceedings," he commanded, "There were witnesses to all events and they stand around you. There is no defense that is not false."

Renji pursed his lips, unable to argue, only for Hisagi to cut in. "In these chambers, there is no arguing with the fact that these actions occurred," Hisagi began calmly, "But there is more to their nature. Also, charges have been levied against Mara for things that did not occur in these chambers to be obviously witnessed. They are speculation at best. We are to have the right to speak about them."

"You have the rights that I and your fellow captains determine," Yamamoto informed Hisagi imperiously. "As I said there were witnesses to ALL events."

"Someone saw Mara messing with her cuff and trying to get it off?" Hisagi pressed.

"There was distinct interference with her monitoring equipment just two days ago," Mayuri's nasal voice rang out as he stepped forward, "Nemu has the documentation that it was not transmitting properly."

Mara stiffened imperceptibly. The cave. Hisagi squeezed her hand in reassurance, about to launch back in when Renji spoke up.

"So…" He said slowly, "a report is your witness?"

"The report is proof," Mayuri said smugly.

"No," Hisagi added, "the report is a report saying that it wasn't working. That could have just as easily been a problem with your equipment."

Mara could see heat enter Mayuri's golden eyes. This may just work to at least negate one of her charges. Possibly the most serious.

"My equipment doesn't have problems," Mayuri screeched, levelling a bony white finger at Mara, "She had to have done something to interfere with it!"

Running his large hand over his face, Renji hid his grin at the mad scientist's rage. "Mara, yesterday you didn't remember how to tie the shoes you are wearing," he said seriously even as the smile played in his eyes, "Would you happen to remember how to use a screwdriver?"

Mara looked up at Renji in very real confusion. "A what?"

"Exactly," Hisagi said before looking back at Yamamoto, ignoring the fuming captain of the 12th completely, "Head Captain, she has no knowledge of even how to use the tools needed to interfere with this cuff so how can you hold her accountable for it messing up when it could have just as well been a mechanical issue."

Yamamoto made no answer, instead turning his gaze to Soi Fon who stepped forward. "We have an eyewitness to her going into a mine- a known location to block both spiritual power and transmissions," she said with a self-satisfied smile.

"Head Captain," Renji said in a conciliatory tone, "Mara knows about as much about Soul Society locations as she does about screwdrivers."

"She was escorted by Captain Hisagi's other problematic ward, the espada," Soi Fon sneered, "and he is, I'm sure, well aware of the hiding spots in this realm."

"The fact that they were together was confirmed due to transmission errors from his cuffs at the same time," Mayuri added, stepping in, "I equipped them with both suppression and monitoring. It is NOT my equipment."

Hisagi narrowed his eyes at Soi Fon. "You had a spy on my divisions territory?" he hissed.

"The nature of the witness is not what is on trial today," Yamamoto said with another heavy thump of his cane, "As you can see, we have proof of all charges and no argument raised shall be able to stand in the face of it."

Mara's hope faded as the head captain snapped open a new scroll, commentary clearly over with no adjustments made. This wasn't a trial, this was theater used to deliver punishment. Mara could feel her anger rise as Yamamoto cleared his throat and began the sentencing.

"Captain Hisagi Shuuhei, you are sentenced to the Central Great Underground Prison, First Level, for the period of 1 month. You will relinquish your haori and zanpakuto immediately following this sentencing."

"What about my division?" Hisagi cut in.

"Lieutenant Abarai Renji," Yamamoto continued, ignoring him, "You are sentenced to the Central Great Underground Prison, First Level, for the period of 2 months. You will relinquish your badge and zanpakuto immediately following this sentencing."

"Head Captain," Byakuya began, "What am I-"

Cutting him off with a look, Yamamoto continued, "Oliviera Mara, you are sentenced to Central Great Underground Prison, Second Level, for the period of 7 months. You will go quietly immediately following this sentencing."

"No…", Grimmjow whispered behind her, as Hisagi's hand shook in hers and Renji inhaled sharply. Oh shit.

"Rank will be returned upon completion of the sentence," Yamamoto continued, "I trust you have someone that can fill in as lieutenant, Captain Kuchiki?"

"Yes, Byakuya began again, "although-"

"Good," Yamamoto growled with a nod, "Captain Hisagi, your Lieutenant will run your squad in your stead. During your incarceration, the espada, Grimmjow Jaegerjaques, will be remanded into the custody of Kurotsuchi Mayuri."

Many in the hall erupted into talking and arguing, but it was as if she was hearing it from underwater. Through a haze she saw Grimmjow press against the wall, eyes wide and skin pale. Hisagi seemed frozen, his grip on her hand tight and unmoving. Renji's eyes closed to the chaos as he seemed to try to be taking calming breaths.

With a bang of the cane, the room settled into silence again. "Does anyone have anything left to say about the proceedings?" Yamamoto asked the gathered crowd.

Silence.

This was going to happen. She was going to be sent away, to something terrible. Grimmjow was going to go to a monster to be picked apart again. Hisagi was going to lose control of his squad to…

"I do," a deep voice rumbled beside her. Renji.

"What could you possibly add now, Abarai?" Komamura growled impatiently.

Stepping forward, Renji panned his eyes accusingly around the room until they landed on the kindest of faces. "Ukitake, you know the law and the histories," he said lowly, "Is the rule of Third-Party Culpability Commutation still allowed?"

Mara watched as previously disinterested captains sat to attention. She saw stoic Byakuya hang his head. Even Hisagi, who had seemed too stunned to even give the order to run, focused his gaze warily on the unpredictable red-head. Whatever this was, it was big.

"A-Abarai," Ukitake stuttered, "we don't do that practice anymore. No one has done it in hundreds of years! It's-"

"Is it still legally binding?" Renji growled harshly, dropping his gaze from Ukitake's subtle flinch and sad gaze.

"Yes," Ukitake murmured, "Yes, it is."

"You think we are just going to let you…"

"It's barbaric, we can't…"

"But it is on the books…"

In the background the captains raged, but a silent look of communication was sent between two old friends. Hisagi and Renji met each other's eyes with determination and an imperceptible nod. It was just a split second that contained years of understanding one another and neither believed it had ever been more important than right then.

In tandem, both Hisagi and Renji raised their voices over the crowd. "I accept third party culpability for Oliviera Mara," they said in synchrony, "We understand and accept that this will commute both our punishment and hers into being served physically and publicly and will accept that shame."

Mara looked frantically between the two men trying to figure out what was going on when Hisagi stepped forward, ignoring her plea for his attention as she yanked on his hand. "What are you-?"

"I, Captain Hisagi Shuuhei, take responsibility for the actions of my ward and am guilty of ordering and preventing may of her charges," he said sternly, "It was under my direct order that she disturbed the peace on count number one when I told her to say what she needed and not hold back. It was on my direct order that she broke conduct rules regarding those of rank."

That wasn't… "That's not-," Mara started tugging on Hisagi's hand again, only for him to stand straighter, extricate himself from her grasp, and continue speaking over her.

"I was aware of her destination on the day that she and the espada visited the mine and that it could disrupt her monitoring. I chose to ignore that," Hisagi continued, "And I deliberately assigned a Lieutenant whom I knew the espada could outrun to get her away from view."

"Shuuhei!" Mara exclaimed, trying to tug him back, "What is going on? That's-"

Stopped in her tracks again, Hisagi stepped back to the sound of startled gasps around the room. Renji stepped forward blocking her from view. She cast a pleading glance back at Grimmjow, who's wide eyes and worried look practically screamed confusion back at her.

"I, Lieutenant Abarai Renji, take responsibility for the actions of Oliviera Mara at the last captains meeting by influencing her against her knowledge in instructing her in practices that she did not know," Renji called out over the din, "Regarding the second count of disturbing the peace, I-"

"Renji!" Mara practically screeched, "Shuu! What is-"

"MARA!" Renji barked, snapping her and the room to attention. He turned only his head to face her, not yielding his protective stance. "[I have never and will never get in the habit of ordering you around, Love]," he said more gently in English, earning wide eyed stares from the eerily silent room, "[but please, for the love of god, I really need you to not talk right now.]"

"[Why?]" Mara whispered.

"[I didn't answer your question last night]," Renji said with a frown, "[The answer was fear. Fear is why I stayed away. I don't have that fear now.]" Pausing briefly, Renji looked around the room, realizing that his time to explain was short. "[We are taking your sentence. It will be horrible, but you can't interfere. I won't let them take you, Ippin]," he finished in a desperate rush.

Before Renji could turn back, and under the awed stares of the gathered assembly, Mara's eyes glowed liquid amber. Her hair floated up in swirls of rietsu that sent papers scattering and lamps rocking. The play of the shadows in the room lent her a dark, ethereal quality as she focused on something no one could see.

"You dumb bitch," a small, female shinigamo yelled at her, raising a snow white sword, "He's not going to let you do that. He is fighting for you! Don't bring dishonor by being weak. Run away and seal you rietsu-"

The woman's words were cut of as she dodged a blow from an opponent that came in in a blur. Turning quickly, she spun to land a solid blow on the creature sending it staggering. Meanwhile, Renji was futilely swiping at his attacker while holding her under his arm in an iron grip. Though he was blocking and hitting in kind, he was causing no real damage without being able to put his body behind his hits.

"I won't let them take you, Ippin," he said lowly, a desperate edge to his voice.

"Okay."

"[Okay]," Mara said in a bare whisper, voice raw from the emotion of the memory. The terror had been palpable. The fear had weighed heavy. To everyone's amazement, the volatile girl stepped back and bowed her head in silence as the hall erupted into chaos.

Vaguely, Mara heard Hisagi explaining that it was a memory. She could hear the deep rumble of Renji's voice rolling over the din of confusion and complaints as he took responsibility for her actions. She, however, was trapped in her head as she tried to figure out what the memory had meant and what Renji had meant now.

He warned that it would be horrible. How horrible? They were taking her time but for a sentence to be commuted to physical…? What had she done? What were they doing? She could hear Mayuri screeching about losing his experiments. She could hear Ukitake's beleaguered pleas for lenience and Kenpachi's sigh of boredom, but they didn't register to her. All she could wonder was what kind of hell these people would rein down Hisagi and Renji. She was so engrossed in her thoughts and worries of what was to come, Mara physically jumped at the pounding of the cane. Her dark, flat eyes fell back to the head captain.

"Per our laws, her crimes assumed and alleviated, Oliviera Mara will suffer no further punishment," Yamamoto said tiredly, "The offenders, Captain Hisagi Shuuhei and Lieutenant Abarai Renji, have extended and commuted their sentences and shall serve their sentences immediately in the amount of 15 lashes per month of sentencing which shall amount to 75 lashes each."

Mara felt her knees get weak. Lashes. They were going to fucking whip them?! Swaying on her feet with both shock and anger. She wanted to scream and wail and throw shit at their goddamn heads… but she willed her mouth shut. She would be damned if she added more on their count. No matter her will-power, silent tears escaped her.

"I volunteer to issue punishment," a low voice came from the side.

Byakuya.

Mara swung her head to shoot a glare at the man whose face gave away nothing. Backstabbing fucker.

"Correct me if I am wrong," Soi Fon said with a feigned innocence, "But doesn't the job of delivering lashes fall to the reigning Kenpachi?"

"You are correct," Yamamoto's gravelly voice rang out, "Captain Zaraki-"

"I don't wanna do that shit," Zaraki sneered, "Where's the fun in beating a man who's tied up and waiting for it? Let the little rich boy do it."

Mara could have cheered. At least it wasn't Zaraki-

"It is the law!" Yamamoto spat back, "You will."

"Fine," Zaraki said with a nod, "then let's get on with it. This is boring."

Damn.

"As per the law, also," Yamamoto continued, "Their wounds shall not be treated by the 4th division nor healed with kido for a period not to exceed 2 weeks." With a bang of his cane, Yamamoto ended the meeting, exiting the room for others to follow.

From seemingly out of the ether, guards appeared around the trio, grasping Hisagi and Renji by the arms to escort them out, only to be stopped by twin molten glares. Cupping her cheek gently, Hisagi bent to give Mara a chaste kiss. Renji moved toward her before pausing as he stopped himself. Without thinking, Mara moved into his arms, wrapping him in a close hug that he quickly returned.

When he straightened, he and Hisagi exchanged another understanding look and Mara was pushed backwards into Grimmjow.

"Don't interfere," Hisagi told her, command laced through his tone as he shrugged off his Haori and handed it to her. He flicked his hard look to Grimmjow, "Hold her back if you have to."

Like I could fucking move if I wanted to, Mara thought despairingly. The warmth of Grimmjow's arm coming over her shoulder and the scent of rain from Hisagi's haori in her arms did nothing to calm her nerves. Lashes. Seventy-five goddamn lashes for taking responsibility for an avoidable situation.

Hisagi and Renji were led, surrounded by guards, out of the room but Mara could barely summon the gumption to keep standing, forget following them.

"Don't let them see you falter," Grimmjow whispered in her ear as he pulled her along, "They're watching."

Mara looked around at the glares and sorrowful glances spearheading their way to her. The pitying was annoying, but the glares were dangerous. She had let her guard down for this to happen. Too brash. Too sheltered. Too fucking weak. If nothing else, she had to be strong for them. She had to be better.

Squaring her shoulders, Mara swiped her tears away angrily and began to walk beside Grimmjow. They wouldn't break her. Now she just had to make sure they didn't break two of her men.