Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach and never will.

Warnings: Angst, some violence and language

Note: An edit was performed on chapter three awhile back. If you have yet to read the added material, you probably should.

-DIVIDER-

Shiba Kaien's POV...

"Kaien-sama…. I'm- I'm so sorry," the woman, an unseated shinigami in my squad, breaks out into tears. Although separated from my wife due to rank, they have become close friends. Everyone is a friend of my wife, or is a friend of mine, I have quickly learned this morning.

"So am I," I murmur, giving her a chaste hug before letting her go and continuing on.

"Kaien-fukutaicho…. My deepest condolences." The elder Kuchiki. He knows what it's like- I still remember Hisana's tragic death. I give him my thanks and move on.

"Kaien-san… I heard what happened, and I just wanted to let you know that I'm always here if you need to talk." Nanao. A young shinigami and even younger fukutaicho, barely a hundred and some years old, but ever since she became lieutenant of the eighth division we have fast become friends. She has a good head on her shoulders, a kind heart, and what she lacks in reiatsu she far makes up for in intelligence. I give her a warm smile and promise to keep that in mind. She bows and we are both on our way again.

"Kaien-dono…" One of Kuchiki's friends… Hinamori Momo, isn't it? A newly seated officer from the Fifth Division? I ask her this and she confirms it. She gives me cookies of all things, nervously explaining how she eats when she's sad or stressed. I find that hard to believe considering her size and how every time I have seen her she seems nervous or stressed (except when around her captain), but keep my thoughts to myself and accept the gift with warm gratitude. In all honesty, it's the most anyone has done for me so far minus my captain and Rukia. They both have been working tirelessly, the former to arrange a continuous stream of search parties while taking on as much of my duties and his own as his poor health allows, while Rukia makes it her duty to be with me on every single search party I manage to get myself into. A difficult task in it's own, with Unohana-taicho breathing down my neck.

I guess it's understandable however, it has only been ten hours and I'm barely healed after all, but… Every moment I'm stuck in the Fourth is another minute Miyako could be somewhere out there in that hollow infested forest. What was once her favorite training spot- now a place of infestation? It infuriates me and it's slow going to clean it out. Far too slow.

"Shiba-fukutaicho! I'm sorry to hear of your loss." Do I even know this guy? I give a silent sigh and return his bow nonetheless, along with all of the other bows the shinigami who have overheard have now stopped to give. News spreads fast… It's only a matter of time before my family hears of it and pandemonium breaks loose. Well, at least more so than it already has... Shibas pride themselves on putting family and friends before all else, and to hear that one of their own has gone missing… Many of them, my siblings included, will demand to join the search parties- no matter how underqualified they may be to face hollows.

These are my thoughts as I almost mindlessly return bows and give thanks to the countless condolences and "I'm sorry"s offered.

"I am so sorry, Kaien-sama."

"Kaien-san, I can't even begin to imagine what you are going through. I offer you my most sincere condolences." Why is almost everyone treating Miyako like she's already dead?! I shut out the tiny voice of reason in the back of my head that gives me a logical answer. Because she probably already is.

"Shiba-dono." A bow.

"I pray we find her soon, Shiba-fukutaicho." I pray too. I pray to see her gorgeous eyes, laughing dimples, long flowing hair and radiant smile. I pray. I feel as if I haven't stopped praying since yesterday.

"We'll never stop looking, fukutaicho, not until we find her."

"If you ever want to talk,"

"I'm sorry, fukutaicho, still nothing."

"My condolences."

"-can't imagine what your going-"

"-keep search-"

"-and if you ever need anything-"

"My most sincere-"

"Congratulations! Shiba-fukutaicho." I whirl around on the pleasantly cheerful voice.

"What. Did you say?" I manage to get out. My reiatsu is, like always, strictly restrained but my expression must be terrifying because the girl instantly starts and steps away like she just burned a hand. I run a critical eye over her. She's… who is she? Fourth Squad, Seventh Seat Isane… something. She has struck up a distant friendship with my wife the last few weeks. So what the hell does she think she's saying? I don't think I can bare anymore pitying words, but congratulations is just revolting. My face darkens, but the newly revived Nejibana stays my hand. Listen… Look at her, Kaien, she means no harm.

I take in a calming breath and as I do realize my mistake. There was and is no malice in the girl's voice or countenance. I inwardly berate myself for automatically thinking so poorly of a Fourth Division member, and friend of my wife. "Well? What are you talking about?"

"I- you d-don't know. I thought, by now- I'm very sorry to have bothered you, Shiba-fukutaicho," she bows and backs away, quick to make her escape.

But not quick enough. I lay a firm hand on her shoulder and whirl her around. "What don't I know? Tell me."

"But, sir-"

"Tell me." She winces, and I feel a pang of guilt, not at all used to having people afraid of me. I soften my expression and say, "Please, Isane-san. Is it… about my wife?" She nods mutely, looking very uncomfortable. "Do you know where she is?" I tighten my hold on her shoulder slightly. Isane momentarily overcomes her fear and nervousness to blink at me in confusion.

"Isn't she… at home?"

"No…" I say slowly. She looks genuinely alarmed, and looking at her I realize she must have yet to hear her work gossip.

"Oh," she replies faintly.

I put two and two together. "She came to see you last night? About what?"

"About what…" she echoes. Then her eyes seem to clear as she swallows thickly and says, "About her baby. She's going to have a baby."

-DIVIDER-

Kurotsuchi Mayuri's POV...

"Oooh- how interesting! How interesting indeed!" I, the Seireitei's scientific genius and newest taicho, positively coos over the results flashing on his modified portable reiatsu scanning device, and why wouldn't I? Ever since that insufferable man Kisuke was framed and forced to flee like a rat to that World of the Living, I have been utterly bored out of my mind. Even- oh, forbid the thought!- to the point of wishing that he could somehow return. Of course, I hate the man, but at least he always managed to keep me occupied. He had contacts, and morals just skewed enough to allow me some fun. After he left, I was thrilled, both with the way it happened and the realization that not only was I free from him, I now run the Burrow of Research and Development! But once the experiments that was already in my hands… expired… I was left with the reality of it all. I have no contacts to bring in materials and specimens, but still must to keep up appearances, and that means dealing with incompetent idiots like the one currently scraping and whining at my side.

"Kurotsuchi-taicho? Find something, sir?"

"What, you? Are you still alive?" I inquire airly, glancing at the sniveling fool out of the corner of one eye.

"Um… Yes, sir?" The worthless shinigami forced into the position of my lieutenant doesn't seem quite sure of how to take this, or, at least, he's trying to convince himself of that. My plans to make a perfect subordinate are well under way- the only mildly interesting thing that has kept me sane through these last two decades of utter boredom- so I must really come to the tiring task of disposing this… thing.

"Ugh, fine. Make yourself useful then and bring these results to the soutaicho and whoever he has decided to share it with. Tell them I will translate the findings into the most dumbed down report I can manage within the hour if their puny minds cannot comprehend the implications of these results." I really could care less if I'm quoted word by word to the soutaicho himself or otherwise. It is well known that without me the Burrow of Research and Development would have fallen the moment Kisuke left, and with it, the Seireitei that have come so much to rely on it. There is no one more qualified than me now for this position, and no one could ever manage to substitute my genius. That fact alone will give me the leeway to do as I desire.

"Y-yes, sir, Kurotsuchi-taicho!" He scampers off with the appropriate results, somehow managing to embarrass himself further with his antics. Somehow.

Meanwhile I mull over my findings, coming up with hypothesis after hypothesis to the meaning behind it all. Reports of it's capabilities is fascinating. Able to enter and take control of a shinigami? Why, it's reminiscent to the hollow/shinigami merging research Kisuke was so fascinated with, but the blasted man never allowed me to help beyond that of a meager assistant with those projects and he managed to destroy all of his notes and studies before leaving, bringing with him his most closely guarded creation. Still, I don't mind starting from scratch too much, even if it is not preferred, and this hollow is the perfect starting point! …. If only they managed to bring the specimen to me alive. Instead, I am left with it's molten skin and quickly fading reiatsu imprint that leaves me with more questions than answers, and no matter how delightful the questions are, I prefer answers… Like the answer to why the hollow's reiatsu is returning to Hueco Mundo instead of returning to the cycle of souls.

Reluctantly resigning myself to reality as it is with my limited information, I go to take a sample and study the shedded skin of the hollow. I lose track of time as I work, ignoring my incompetent division members and multiple shinigami guards anxiously surrounding the clearing. At one point however, I am bothered by a Division One member.

"I apologize for the disturbance, Twelfth Division Kurotsuchi-taicho, but I come here on orders from the captain commander regarding two things."

I turn on him, eyeing him impatiently. "Well, what is it?" I snap.

"First, the soutaicho demands an update of your findings at once," he is quick to answer.

One of my eyes twitch as I suspect what the second reason is. "And the second reason?"

"The soutaicho desires an explanation as to why your fukutaicho just resigned and left the Seireitei without any given explanation."

"..."

"..."

I sigh and pinch the bridge of my nose. Now I do not have to worry about disposing of him, true, but he really couldn't have picked a more inconvenient time! At the least he could have delivered the results to the soutaicho before running off in terror! Blast it all. "How should I know?" I whirl around to my twelfth seat. "You, girl."

"Y-yes?!" she snaps to attention.

"Take these results to the captain commander and tell them I will have a report soon enough." She nods quickly. "And don't get distracted!" I add heatedly. "Or you'll find yourself on the other side of the scalpel." I ignore the alarmed look on the first division member. It's ridiculous really; he looks more shocked than the girl herself.

"Of course sir, yes sir!"

It only takes a matter of seconds for the universe to counter attack. I hear the girl scream and resist the urge to groan. "What is it now?" I ask tiredly, turning about once more to see the girl nearly fainting from shock and a filthy shinigami carrying what seems to be a dead body wrapped in his kosode. All but the body's head, one dangling arm and bare feet, are left uncovered by it, though the body's face is covered by her long, black hair.

"You! How did you get in here!" shrieks one of my shinigami 'guards'. They have long since created a ring of soldiers so that myself and my associates may work in peace, but somehow the buffons allowed this one to stroll right inside without proper clearance.

The shinigami, an orange haired, brown eyed, mud caked male ignores as the majority of the surrounding shinigami, minus myself and a few of the other scientists, draw their zanpakuto. He insteads steps forward and orders bluntly (the nerve!) to me, "Help her." I glance between him and the apparently not so dead body, as a small river of blood trickles down her dangling arm and drops to the ground below.

"Fool. Do I look like a medic to you?" I question in disdain, wrinkling my nose at the pairs' appearance. So insanitary! "Now go, before you foul the air here with your smell and corrupt the reiatsu remnants here with your own." Doesn't the boy understand the meaning of the word restraint? Just what was that silly shinigami academy teaching them anyways?

"Don't move," One of the shinigami threaten, point of his blade at the back of the disturbance's neck. The squad one member's zanpakuto is also drawn and at the ready nearby. Again, the nuisance ignores the warnings and has the nerve to shunpo (frustratingly before his neck can be sliced) right next to me and grips my arm tightly.

"Don't bullshit me," he says tightly. "I know you know more than enough to help her!"

I open my mouth to snap at his insolence when I notice something peculiar. The fast movement has prompted the woman's hair to fall away from her face, revealing… "Ah. Maybe I can. You are in luck." I raise my voice. "Everyone, stand down."

-DIVIDER-

Kurosaki Ichigo's POV, a few minutes before...

I find her at the mercy of a hollow, a woman- dangling by her feet above it's disgusting maw. Her clothing is shredded, mere parts of her uniform protecting her dignity. She's spent, zanpakuto no where in sight and obviously unable to perform a single kido, even though I can hear her murmuring an incantation as her eyelids droop. She's not giving up. Not screaming. Not pleading. Not crying. And not giving up.

"No! Ichigo!" I ignore her, reaching out a hand to save the little girl in front of me, but then she's gone and something is above me. "Ichigo!" But then kachan is also above me, orange hair whipping in wind the storm above us brings. She snatches me up and jumps back just as something powerful slams down where we just were. The impact sends us flying. When I open my eyes again, my vision is blurry but I can just make out kachan being held upside down by her ankles. Blood is dripping from her mouth, but she doesn't scream. Doesn't cry. Doesn't plead. Doesn't give up. She lights up a bright blue. Grand Fisher roars.

"Leave her alone!" I scream. Zangetsu is in my hand, glowing a bright blue as I use him to cleave messely through the creature's arm, catching the woman as I go. I round back one more time to slice it's mask and it dissipates with a roar. I catch my breath, looking down at the woman I saved in my arms.

A cold hand reaches up to touch my cheek. "Kaien?... No, it's you… At least, you're safe… I'm glad." Her eyes fall close, unable to stay awake any longer.

"Hey, stay awake! You hear me?! You need to stay awake!" No response. I allow myself to float down to the forest floor. Laying her down, I quickly wrap her body in my black kosode to keep her warm. I don't understand. Sure, she's injured, but the cuts are shallow and I see no signs of infection. What's going on? Is it just exhaustion? Somehow, I doubt it. I need to get her help! Unohana-taicho…? I know how to get to the Fourth from here now. After relearning that reiatsu sensing technique Ishida taught me and finding out that kido from last night has worn off, I figured out this forest really is right next to the Thirteenth Division at the edge of the Seireitei… But, isn't the fourth on the other side of the Seireitei? Would she make the journey? I… I think her spiritual pressure is fading.

As it turns out though, I find another solution. It's the twelfth captain, Kurotsuchi? It doesn't matter. I shunpo to the middle of the group before anyone can question me, and somehow manage to gain his assistance without outright threatening him. I stand close by, wary in case he decides to change his mind, but it looks like he's doing healing kido as I've seen Rukia perform often enough. I realize something then. Almost everyone who is supposed to be keeping watch is constantly throwing looks at the captain, woman and myself. "What are all of you looking at?" I snap coldly, glaring at the lot. "Do you want a hollow to sneak up and gut us all or what?"

"You can't-" It's the shinigami from earlier that almost stabbed me through the back of my neck. I turn the full force of my glare to him. He shrinks away, before pulling himself back together going back to his original duty with the rest and without another word.

"U-um, sir," One of the scientists pips up and I turn to face him.

"Yeah?"

"I mean no disrespect, b-but could you please lower your reiatsu? You are disturbing our readings and probably attracting hollows…" His voice gets smaller and smaller as he rambles.

I stare at him for a moment, reminded of Hanataro, then give a curt nod. "Sure, I'll see what I can do."

He blinks at me, then bows. "Thank you very much."

"Don't mention it…" I mumble, already trying to focus on reining in my spiritual pressure. Should I use the visual imagery that Ganju taught me? But no, that's supposed to help me tap into my power, not tone it down. Instead I decide to do what I usually do when trying to sense spirit ribbons. The feeling is akin to holding ones breath, and I can't do it for long, but for now it seems to help. Somewhat.

-DIVIDER-

Unohana Retsu's POV...

"He completely ruined my samples!" Kurotsuchi-taicho rages in front of me. I've seen him worked into a frenzy before, but I must admit he seems slightly more animated in this particular hissy fit. His findings must have truly been something curious. "The utter buffoon left his dirty reiatsu signature all over the clearing- I can't find one bit of it that's not reeking with his stench!"

"I am sure he meant no harm, Kurotsuchi-taicho," I remark pleasantly, accepting the pen my fukutaicho is offering me and promptly begin signaturing the needed paperwork for my newest patient. "The boy was probably in a panic to save the Third Seat and had a momentary lapse of control."

"No." Kurotsuchi whirls on my, one finger in the air- the one with the ridiculously long nail. He points it at me, the nail inches from my face. I merely raise an eyebrow at him and continue to smile softly, shooing my nervous lieutenant away after returning the pen to him.

"No?" I inquire lightly.

Kurotsuchi nods sagely. "This was no momentary lapse. This lapse, if it can be called that, seemed indefinite. In fact, I believe he was making some type of attempt to hold back, no matter how measly and pathetic it was. Just what are they teaching those brats at the Academy?! This boy, although the worst by far I've come across, is only the tip of the iceberg. I can not stand for it any longer. How do they expect me to tolerate new recruits if they are of such poor quality? I must insist at the next taichos' meeting that the Academy's teachers and programs be reevaluated and corrected immediately."

"And you wish for me to second the motion…" I conclude thoughtfully.

He gives me a mildly appreciative glance. "Your reason of deduction is… refreshing, Unohana-taicho. Yes, that is what I desire. I am even willing to go to that brute in the eleventh division for assistance, he has been making more of a ruckus than even me, though naturally I would prefer a more intellectually appealing ally."

I mull over his proposal. It is true, the shinigami of today's generation are significantly weaker and of less character than of my generation and those immediately following. It is also true that the methods used in the old regime were… unnecessarily harsh, but it had built character and strength. Those students, when first becoming full-fledged shinigami, did not freeze up at first signs of an actual hollow. They never thought of surrendering. Surrendering to hollows? As of recent, many have tried. Any survived? Not a one, but they don't seem to understand this, especially the nobles. The academy students are soft. Pampered. And it is having them killed left and right, leaving my division to clean up the blood stains after them.

"And naturally, I will support you in this endeavor. It is for the children's benefit after all." My eyes narrow ever so slightly, smile becoming a bit strained.

His face contorts into something resembling a twisted smile. "Naturally, for the children." He walks toward the door, but not before mentioning, "I do urge you to reconsider your other decision, by the way."

"It is not my decision to make. You will have to talk to her husband."

His face twists into a derisive snort and is about to speak when the door is thrown open, throwing him off balance and in an undignified heap against the wall. A volatile looking Shiba Kaien-fukutaicho comes bursting through, mind no doubt set on one thing, even while Kurotsuchi is quietly cursing with words that I never thought the self-proclaimed sophisticated scientist would use. "Where's my wife?" The Shiba snaps, out of breath.

I give him a cool smile. "Right this way."

-DIVIDER-

Kurosaki Ichigo's POV...

"When confronted with the illogical, the rational mind will grope for the logical." I heard someone say once. I have never been exactly known for my rationality, but I'd like to believe I have a good head on my shoulders. Being born with the ability to see spirits just allowed me to be more open minded about everything in general, which is why I accepted the existence of shinigami, quincies and hollows so quickly.

Which is why I now accept the fact that people I know and should know me, no longer remember me. It didn't take that long to figure out really, and has nothing to do with 'rationality', but a whole lot to do with common sense. Rukia would never brush me off like that without an extremely good (in her mind) reason, and as far as I could see, there is none. Add that to the complete lack of recognition from all of the shinigami I've come across since waking up in the Soul Society, and I come to that conclusion. No one remembers me.

I guess I should be panicking, or at least deeply concerned, but I'm not, at least not yet. Maybe because the fact hasn't hit home yet. Maybe because I'm in shock. Maybe because… Well, it seems I'm not as open minded as I first thought. This is when my mind starts gasping for its version of logical. Is this all an illusion created by Aizen? I don't think I saw his shikai, and this illusion, if it is one, seems to only worsen my opinion of the man. Why would he want that? If this is one of his illusions, why aren't I dead already?

And… that's it. No matter how unlikely, that's the only option I can think of. I'm not stupid enough to believe this is all just some type of crazily vivid, but natural dream. For one, I'm not creative enough. For another, while waiting for the captain of the twelfth to heal the woman I found, I heard the other scientists mumbling a jargoon of scientific mumbo jumbo that I know I've never heard the like of ever before. Then again, I'm seeing a lot of things that I know backfire in my face lately.

Ugh. Enough of that for now. After figuring out that no one knows me and making sure that the shinigami woman winds up in the capable hands of the Fourth Division captain, I left. It may seem a kind of stupid thing to do, being as grimy, relatively tired and confused as I was, but try to look at it from my point of view. If no one knows me, what will happen when they ask for my identity? Nothing good. The Gotei 13 isn't exactly the forgiving sort, or welcoming to outsiders. Look at what they did to the quincies, vizards, Toshiro and Rukia! Makes me wonder why I always feel so protective of them, almost as much as I do Karakura.

I've decided it's because of the individuals inside. I don't give a crap about the organization as a whole. Heh, I can just hear Byakuya's stuck up, monotone voice drone on about me seeing some type of 'higher wisdom' in needing the Gotei 13 to 'balance the cycle of life and death'. I call bullshit, imaginary Byakuya. Jii-san is what, 2,000 years old? He's the one that started the Gotei 13, and life and death has been around for a hell of a lot longer than that. The cycle continued on without the existence of the Gotei 13 (shocker! right?) so excuse me if I don't find the need to protect a genocidal organization.

Like I said, it's the people inside that I protect. There's a difference. A big one.

Right, back to what happened. For a while I kept myself busy with thinning out the newly arrived hollow population in the forest, but that soon turned out to be impossible. Shinigami flooded the place, and it got harder and harder to avoid them. So, I left and found myself in the higher districts. People there gave me disgusted looks at my appearance, but refrained from saying too much. I think it's because they realize I'm a shinigami and shinigami are higher up the totem poll here then well-off citizens. With that in mind, I also realized that the nobles were above the majority of the shinigami in this society, and many of them visited these higher districts. I should probably not to be seen by them either, at least, not until I had some type of idea of what I want to do. I shunpoed further away from the Seireitei.

I'd soon come to a point that I didn't know what to expect. I'd never been that far away from the Seireitei, and the time I was when on my mission to save Rukia with the others, the streets were strangely desolate. I nearly find it hard to believe my own memory, because it's pretty obvious to me now that the Soul Society has a serious problem with overpopulation. I don't know what district I'm in now, but there's people everywhere, all of whom are extremely jumpy and some of whom are as nearly dirty as I was. I had really hoped this is not the Rukongai where newly deceased souls wind up. I get this queasy feeling in my gut even thinking about it. How many children I performed konso on and sent them here, alone? Just when I arrived here I saw two men standing over the dead body of what I assumed to be a newly arrived plus soul, as he was still in his modern clothing, a traditional westerner's suit. Not to far away I found another body, this one in the dreary, plain attire the people around here seem to where. Closer inspection revealed a pouch of money on his person. Pretty sure I walked right into a robbery, and the scum from earlier ran as soon as they saw me, probably because of my recognizable (no matter how dirty) shinigami clothing and zanpakuto at my side.

I'm not proud of what I did next, but I took the money. I may be powerful, but that doesn't mean I'm immune to starvation. I'd planned on finding some type of blanket or something to cover the bodies, but they turned to reishi before I could. They left nothing behind, not even their clothing. It makes me feel hollow inside- empty, I mean, knowing that when someone dies here nothing of them remains, like they never existed. I guess it's the same thing in the World of the Living, eventually your body will decay and everything, but…

Suffice to say, I decided to avoid the city (if the assemblage of shambles deemed buildings can be called that) for at least awhile. Lady Luck finally found it in her heart to give me a break, because soon after I found a freshwater creek. Turned out to be an ambush, some lowly gang ready to prey on thirsty pedestrians, but after nearly cutting off some guy's arm they skedaddled pretty quick. I drank as much as I wanted and bathed as swiftly as I could, wanting to be out of there before they came back with friends or someone happened to pass by. Wish I could take longer baths, the water was the perfect temperature, but I'd rather not risk another ambush without my clothes. I would've preferred a shower, but the moving water worked more than well enough and I looked a whole lot better afterwards, clean, even if I still don't exactly smell clean. No soap and all.

In fact, no one seems to have soap. The air in the market place reeks, especially with so many bodies pressed together as they tried to go about their shopping. I kept my money in a tight grip, walking around and pretending to browse. That turned out not to be the best idea. Shopkeepers gave me the evil eye. Who I think were hired guard shifted toward me, eyeing me carefully. I realized then that everyone at the market seemed to know already what they wanted to get, or at least a vague idea, before they got there and seemed to be trying to buy their things and leave as soon as possible. And me? Well, I didn't and still don't really get how the money system here works.

Even trying to closely watch the exchanges doesn't do me much good. People there are instinctively very protective of what little money they have and only take out enough money to pay for what they need. Closed hands dart to the stall keeper, only to quickly retract and the person to leave swiftly with their products once the transaction is done.

Near the end of my first complete day back in the Soul Society though, hunger completely took hold, forcing me to try and buy something with my limited knowledge. It went something like this:

"Ah, Shinigami-sama, welcome back," a cheerful stallkeeper in a large straw hat voiced, waving at me.

This was the first time anyone at the market had ever tried to talk to me, the rest dissuaded probably by intimidation or just general lack of giving a damn. Therefore I was kinda taken aback, but I played it cool and returned the wave. "Thanks, but drop the sama."

He continued to give me this awkward, beaming smile. "Shinigami-san, then." He didn't ask for a name, and doesn't offer one either. After a moment's hesitation he speaks up again. "Are you perhaps searching for some form of nourishment?"

Keeping my default expression in place, I responded offhandedly. "Yeah, actually. You know of anything?"

Turns out food is not something common by any means in the Rukongai (his words, so my guess was right, this is the place where new plus souls show up). I'm pretty sure he took more than needed for a basket of nearly rotting vegetables, but at least I have a source of food now (if I continue to bring money) and I still have my creek. The gang that had it before has steered clear of it and me for awhile now, and I like it here. It's a place I can use it to sort through my thoughts when I'm not exploring, trying to contact Zangetsu, fighting stray hollows or in the market place.

"Shinigami-san! Shinigami-san!"

I'm rudely knocked out of mytrip down memory road by the call. I bite back a curse when the sudden call prompts me to give a jolt and I smack my head harshly against the stone I'm leaning against. "What is it?" I ask, annoyed as I gingerly rub the back of my head. It didn't really hurt, I've been through so much worse, but still...

A seemingly young lady stands before me, looking about twenty with long brown hair done up in a bun and tanned skin, a testimony to how much time she spends out in the sun working, probably. She is out of breath, bright honey brown eyes wide with fear and desperation. Alarm shots through and I'm quick to my feet. "Is someone chas-"

She lowers herself to her knees and bows, right in front of me. "Shinigami-san- I am Nakashima Hatsu, niece of Nakashima Yasuo, the merchant who provided you with food. I have heard rumors of your strength and bravery and beseech you now to help my uncle. Please, sir."

I shut my gaping mouth with a click, struggling to recover from my shock. I prod her arm with my toe. "Hey, get up." I urge quietly, face set into a scowl. She looks up at me, startled, but does what I ask her to.

"Where is he, what's going on?"

Her eyes widen further, but she is swift to respond. "Down the road the way I came, but our shipment was robbed. They would have killed us too if my uncle hadn't given them a tall tale of having merchant relatives a town over, willing to pay ransom. I was allowed to leave to go fetch the ransom."

I look down the road, mind whirling. The creek that I have prefered spending my time at was about a ten minute walk from the city, or a few seconds shunpo. "Do you think they're still on the road?"

"No, not by the time-"

"I mean right now. Do you think they are still on the road now?" The road is less of a road and more of a dirt path, but my question stands.

She seems taken aback. "Well, yes-" She let's out a surprised squeak when I unceremoniously pick her up and shunpo down the road.

-DIVIDER-

Shiba Kaien's POV...

I blink my eyes open, a terrible crick in my neck, body stiff and drained. I narrow my eyes in confusion. Sure, I am used to waking up with these aches and pains, sleeping on the cold, hard ground with only a thin blanket beneath you on missions will do that, but as far as I remember I-

My vision clears, and memory seeps back to me as I gaze at her. "Miyako," I kiss her hand. "I was so close to losing you…" I hold her hand a bit tighter. I am in a room in the Fourth Division. My soul mate lays on a bed, a reiatsu transfer strapped to her wrist and the end of it strapped to mine. I hope I'm enough. They were able to stabilize her and heal the majority of her physical, internal injuries. Unohana-taicho saw to that. But she also told me…

"Shiba-fukutaicho." She eyed me carefully, and although her face gave away nothing, I could tell she was wary of me, like I was something fragile in her hands, something capable of breaking with jagged, sharp edges at any moment.

"Please, go on," I said quietly. "Unohana-taicho, tell me what needs to be said. I can't say I'm ready for it, but I promise to keep level headed while in your division."

She gave a nod of appreciation and understanding, and goes on without sugar coating, but not without heart. "Your wife was gravely injured. She had several internal injuries, many of which were fatal if left untreated for any amount of time. It is evident to me that she used healing kido on herself to stay alive. However, as you know, healing kido is very taxing on one's reiatsu reserves when used on oneself… I have been able to heal the majority of her wounds and stabilize here, but if she is to survive she needs a constant, steady supply of reiatsu."

"If?" I asked, voice strained, but true to my word I reined my feelings in.

Unohana-taicho dipped her head in confirmation, expression solemn. "You wife is in a precarious situation. She was nearly completely drained of all reiatsu, maintaining the barest amount when found to survive. Her body can not survive anywhere near this extremely low level for long. At the same time, it is weak, and cannot accept large amounts of reiatsu, especially foreign reiatsu, without becoming deathly ill," She paused, giving me time to absorb this information.

After a short, shaky silence I took a deep breath and inquired, "So what needs to be done?"

"Usually I would ask close family members, (siblings, parents,) to take turns with prolonged, low level reiatsu transfers. As Shiba Miyako has no known biological family, the next best, and only, option is her husband."

I let out my breath. 'At least there's an option,' I thought, trying to cheer myself up. "Then please, hook me up."

"Of course." She brought out the machine, connected Miyako and I, and then chanted an incantation, hand toward the machine. A moment later the machine sputtered to life and I felt the sickening sensation of my life force slowly being drawn out of me. Having had reiatsu transfers done to myself several times before, both as recipient and donor, I knew what to expect. Letting the initial dizzy spell wash over me, I silently reminded myself to breath. Soon I could see clearly again. Unohana Retsu set a comforting, or maybe warning hand on my shoulder.

"I must remind you to be sure to take short breaks, at least three times a day for a period of two hours each." I frowned, but gave my agreement just the same.

It's been a few hours and Miyako, although stable, has yet to wake up. Although it's against regulations for an officer of my ranking to be absent from his division during a time of crisis, Ukitake-taicho and Unohana-taicho know better than try to pull me away. The most important thing to a Shiba clan member is family. Not even duty may trump it.

THUMP!

I raise an eyebrow toward the door, a smile making it's way to my lips. "Oh~? What's this?" I hear someone outside this room ask.

"I-I- I have a reason! Wait, who are you?"

"Nee-san," comes a familiar whiny voice. "You're stepping on my finger!"

"Not so loud," a feminine voice snaps lowly. "Geez, one smashed finger has you bawling. Still the baby of the family, Ganju, even after all these centuries."

"I'm not even crying, much less bawling!" Ganju protests loudly. "Ouch-"

"Didn't I just tell you to be quiet?" The older scolds.

"Sorry, Nee-san," Ganju says in what he must believe to be a whisper. I chuckle softly and shake my head.

"Look, if you two are civilians I'm going to have to escort you home. I'm sorry if you have someone in the Fourth, but they are being well taken care of here and martial law is not something you can just brush off. I'm willing to give you two a warning, but I will have to escort you both home."

The voice I know belongs to Kuukaku chuckles goodnaturedly and speaks up. "That's cute, honey, but it's gonna take more than a little girl with an attitude and questionable motives to stop a Shiba from going to their family."

Rukia's professional attitude it quickly lost in her temper. "Attitude?! I was being polite! And what do you mean questionable-..." An embarrassed pause. "That was his fault, he fell on me, and I have a reason for being here…" she mumbles stubbornly, if a bit dejectedly. "Hold on a moment, did you say Shiba?" At this point I decide to rescue her from further embarrassment via Kuukaku and speak up.

"Rukia, they can come in, and so can you." Another pause, this one in surprise.

"Nii-san!" cheers Ganju, kicking open the door and barrelling toward me.

My eyes widen. "W-wow, hold on a second little bro- Ughff-!" I nearly fall out of the chair, somehow managing to regain balance after a precarious moment of tipping and nearly ripping my wrist away from the reiatsu transfer.

I give Kuukaku a mock evil eye when she chuckles at the doorway, hands on her hips. "How long are you going to let Ganju treat you like that, Nii-san? He's bigger than you now," she notes with a smirk, ignoring Ganju's indignant squawk. His size has been a touchy subject for him for the last couple of centuries.

"What are you talking about, Kuukaku? I'd never stop my little bro from giving me a proper hello. Just be a bit careful next time, huh, Ganju?"

"Absolutely, Nii-san!" He turns his head slightly to peak over his older brother's shoulder. "Miyako-chan…" Ganju mumbles softly, pulling away from the embrace.

Kuukaku's countenance also softens significantly, and she strides forward to stand at the foot of her sister-in-law's hospital bed. "How's she doing?" she asks after a moment, laying a hand on Miyako's lower leg.

"She's doi- Hey, Kuchiki!" She jumps, startled and caught in the act of trying to get away, the little sneak! "Just how long where you outside this room anyways?" I'd been so tired, with the constant reiatsu transfer, I didn't even realize she was out there...

"Er, Shiba-fukutaicho…"

"Well?" I prod with an amused grin.

She sighs, looking sheepish as she answers, "Since I got back from my patrol."

Kuukaku smirks at the girl. "We found her all tuckered out, sleepin' just outside. Well, more like Ganju found her." She gives Ganju a knowing look, who reddens a bit and turns his head, giving a conspicuous cough.

I chuckle and motion for Rukia to come inside. "You would be a lot more comfortable on a chair, you know."

"But Kaien-dono- Only family can be in a patient's room after visitor hours."

"Perfect. Then come on in." She gapes at me.

"Rukia, right? Well, don't just stand there, gaping like a fish out of water. If Nii-san says you're family than ya are." Kuukaku rolls her eyes when Rukia continues to stand there, unsure, and my sister drags the child in by her hair.

"Ow, ow, ow," she cries out quietly, struggling to untangle the woman's fingers from her hair. Kuukaku pushes her down into a chair and let's go. Kuchiki does this cute little pout as she rubs her head, cheeks puffed and all.

"Eh, a new niece, huh?" Ganju asks, leaning forward with arms crossed and eyeing Rukia critically.

"N-niece?" she asks, glancing between the three of them with an almost panicked look. Poor girl, she still isn't used to this type of affection, or any affection really. My lip twitches downward at the thought of her brother. I know he must care for her, but would it kill him to treat her like a proper big brother should every once and awhile? When Rukia talks of her 'Nii-sama', it's more with overwhelming awe and respect than genuine sisterly love.

I reach out a hand and set it on her head. "Don't think about it too hard, you might burst a brain cell or two," I tease, ruffling her raven locks.

She chuckles quietly, hand quickly reaching up to rub at something just below her eye before we can take a good look at it. She ducks her head underneath my hand and says, "I am humbled to be an honorary member of the Shiba clan."

"Honorary?" Kuukaku mumbles, squatting down next to her new niece. "Look, Rukia-chan- Mind if I call you Rukia-chan?"

"Not at all," Rukia responds, voice barely above a whisper. Her posture is straight as a board with hands neatly folded in her lap, but with a nearly indistinguishable smile at her lips.

"There's no 'honorary' to it. Anyone who is willing to sleep on the cold floor for Miyako is family. Just family. Get it?"

"Yes, ma'am!... Oba-sama."

Kuukaku smiles and sets her hands on her hips, giving a curt nod. "Well, that's a start."

Ganju gives Rukia a hearty pat on the back. "I've decided I like you, Rukia-chan!"

"Thank you-"

"You can call me Ji-chan!"

"Um-"

"Miyako will be thrilled," I input with a fond chuckle.

My sister makes an affirmative sound. "And Miyako could do with a good shopping companion. You're a prodigy, great at a lot of things, Nii-san, but shopping isn't one of them, and I can't be there to help her all the time. Rukia-chan, on the other hand," Kuukaku nods to the girl with a smile.

"It's not that I'm bad at shopping," I respond diplomatically. "It is just that everything Miyako chooses looks wonderful on her."

"Are you taking notes, Ganju? This is how a real man should talk about his lady."

"Yes, Nee-san!" Ganju replies obediently, frantically look around for something to write on. Salvation comes in the form of a drawing pad and marker Rukia somehow manages to produce. Ganju grins at her, giving her a tight hug before taking the offered supplies and scribbling down his 'notes' on the top page.

"So then," everyone looks toward Rukia whose face although downcast, is certainly staring at Miyako's still form. "Miyako-dono will be alright?"

All is silent for a moment, as Kuukaku and Ganju turn toward me for an answer, concern written over their face. Unohana-taicho…. she'd also said… she also told me that, that the... "Of course she will be," I say quietly, leaning forward and giving Rukia a small kiss on her forehead, gently tilting her head downward some so I can do so. "After all, we have a daughter now, just like she wanted. She wouldn't miss this for the world."

"I'm so glad…!" she whispers in quiet relief.

The Shibas give her warm smiles. "Welcome to the Shiba Clan, Rukia," I say.

-DIVIDER-

:Japanese Words List:

Kosode - A basic Japanese robe for both men and women

Shunpo - Flash Step

Shinigami - Death god / Soul Reaper

Soutaicho - Captain Commander

Taicho - Captain

Fukutaicho - Vice Captain / Lieutenant

Obasama - Respectful term for aunt.

Jichan - Very familiar term for uncle.

Shihakushō - Garment of Dead Souls (it's the average shinigami uniform)

Reiryoku - Spirit Energy located in someone's body.

Reiatsu - Someone's Spirit energy manifested, usually as a type of aura.

Reishi - 'Spirit particles'. (Basically the equivalent of matter for the spiritual realm, making up everything from trees, to building to people.)

kun - suffix of endearment, usually for boys

chan - suffix of endearment, usually for girls

san - polite suffix meaning Mr/Ms/Mrs

sama - suffix showing great respect

dono - Basically the same as sama, but are especially used for nobles. Roughly translated it means 'lord' if I remember correctly.

So some nice fluff at the end, with Rukia more or less becoming a surrogate daughter. We also got a nice summary of what Ichigo goes through for about the next 24 hours, instead of dragging out this chapter needlessly. As for the new OCs, I'll once again remind you that while there will be quite a few of them in this story, they will never be a main character. Or, at least, not for long.

Apologies by the way, about the wait, but since I decided to make my chapters twice as long now, I had to go back and combine a whole bunch of them. And then, since I like to be a certain number of chapters ahead of what I have updated, I had a lot of catching up to do. Still do, actually, but I decided you guys have waited long enough. So, I hope you enjoyed it! There sure are a lot of you out there now, something I'm supremely grateful for, even if it is a bit nerve-racking. So I'll politely say and ask that while I immensely appreciate constructive criticism and reviews, could you please continue to present them in a kind and friendly fashion? Thanks, and thank you for reading! Until next time. Ja ne~ (Cya~)