Happy New Year, everyone! I'd originally wanted to publish this before Christmas, but life doesn't always work out the way that we want. I want to thank everyone who has left me reviews since I last published; they were the bright spots in my week, sometimes the only bright spot in my week. I think of this fanfic often, even though I don't publish because it is hard to find time when life overwhelms you. This year has probably been the worst in my life, but as I look back at how this fic has evolved, I can see my own growth through all of it. This story means so much to me because it had been nearly a decade since I had written anything for fun when I started it in 2011. I had forgotten how much I loved writing. Thanks so much, everyone, for allowing me to share a piece of myself with you. And thank you, Tite Kubo, for your wonderful characters. Also, if you would be interested in being a beta for this story, please send me an IM. :D


Tatsuki sat alone, admiring the waters at the riverbank she and Orihime used to frequent. She lamented the barrier between them. Several months had passed, and Orihime still had not revealed anything about the disappearance. Tatsuki never thought she'd have to resort to regaining Orihime's trust. Worst of all, that loathsome shopkeeper and his crew seemed to know about everything that had transpired—or at least, knew far more than Tatsuki. She scowled, hardly noticing the dirt in her fingernails as her fist dug into the ground.

"I did so much for her while she was gone. I looked and looked for her, I kept her memory alive, and I've been here for her since she's been back. Why can't she tell me what happened?"

After several moments lost in her own thoughts, Tatsuki realized that she'd overlooked the amount of time she'd spent along the riverbank. It was odd; she could have sworn that just a few minutes ago, the sun was brighter, but it was swiftly getting dark—much darker than it should have been. Had she really spent that much time at the riverbank?

A twig snapped behind her.

Tatsuki pretended not to notice. Her instincts kicked in, and she loosened her fist to flatten her hand against the grass in case she needed a quick getaway. She waited thirty whole seconds, but no more sounds came. Still, she could sense a dark presence nearby. She readied her hand to push herself off the ground and run away when a blurred shadow appeared before her.

Fear could not describe what coursed through her veins. She felt her blood turning to ice, though she was not cold. The shadow in front of her materialized into a more discernible shape, and she realized, to her great terror, night had quickly fallen in the minutes after the twig snapped.

Tatsuki tried with all her might to push herself off the ground, but she could not move, and she could not distinguish whether she was frozen from fear or whether it was the dark shadow who was seizing her muscles. She tried screaming—something she normally would never resort to— but no sound came out of her mouth.

Tatsuki also began to notice that she was getting sleepy, as though her life energy was being vacuumed out of her. Somehow she knew this vacuum originated from the shadow.

She felt herself fading away, and she was nearly gone before she saw a most gruesome, terrifying face.

She could only make out black and white with light, horrifying eyes.

That was when she woke up.

Sweat—she was drenched in it. She lay in her bed, frozen for a good fifteen minutes before she even had the sense to try to move.

It was the same nightmare she'd had for the past four nights, but this was the first time she'd dreamed she was at the riverbank. Usually she dreamed she was in her room so that she couldn't distinguish nightmare from reality upon waking.

Half an hour passed before Tatsuki could breathe normally again.

.oOo.

Another slow day in Seireitei. The Captain Commander sat at his usual post stroking his long, well-kempt beard and ruminating on what, exactly, he was going to be eating for dinner that night. It had been a long time since he'd had ramen. Perhaps he'd even treat Ukitake and Shunsui like the old times. It had been even longer since they'd all sat down together for a decent meal, and he had yet to make peace with Ukitake after all that had transpired since Aizen's betrayal.

Peace.

The only reason Urahara Kisuke was even allowed to continue his business in the human realm. Hand still at his beard, Yamamoto narrowed his eyes and reflected on the unusual circumstances of the past several months. Ever since his departure from Soul Society, Urahara had been the proverbial thorn in the Captain Commander's side, but it couldn't be denied that Kisuke had placed himself in quite a useful niche in the land of the living. Despite the fact that Yamamoto would send his subordinates to occasionally confiscate the black market goods—some of which were conveniently appropriated—Kisuke met a practical need. Indeed, there were few in the realms like him; he was the only one of his kind in East Asia, the Americas had a couple, there was one in Russia, and one in Spain that served the European soul market. Having one in Japan was handy due to its dimensional proximity to Seireitei; it made crossing the realms a bit easier. Kisuke kept to himself for the most part, the big exception being the recent Winter War and the complicated business with the Inoue girl.

The Commander supposed he should have seen it coming. Ukitake had certainly been displeased about it all, and despite how much face the Captain Commander was obligated to save for the sake of Soul Society, if he was honest with himself, he'd had his doubts about Orihime's treatment. But rules were rules. The contract proved to be a convenient resolution to the ordeal, despite its antiquity. The official reports stated that it was a Contract of Payment for Human Souls. Technically, it was. In reality, it was an ancient, more grim version than the one reserved for dead souls. Ruthless, yet merciful—the perfect balance for punishment. Indeed, contracts like that hadn't even been used since he was a lieutenant. Too messy. He'd actually forgotten that enforcement on humans was possible, but leave it to the other thorn in his side to exhume it all.

A knock on his door. Speak of the devil.

"Enter."

Mayuri Kurotsuchi strode in, handing the Commander a stack of papers. "My monthly report."

A grunt from Yamamoto.

"In it are the relevant findings of my experiments from Hueco Mundo, research applications, and next steps." When no response came from the Commander, Mayuri continued, "This week I began enforcement on the Inoue girl. As per the contract, the offender is allowed one opportunity to cooperate. As you know, this was the purpose of Matsumoto Rangiku's mission, and just as I suspected, she failed her assignment." He paused. "I moved forward as we agreed."

"What method of enforcement did you choose?"

"Judging by her past behavior, the proxy method is likely to get me the quickest results."

"Quickest but messiest. And what if she finds a way around it through her special abilities?"

"Her history in these situations indicates she is very likely to cooperate."

The Captain Commander eyed his subordinate for several seconds. He was beginning to remember why those bothersome contracts were abandoned. "If you fail in getting your specimens, I don't want to hear another word about the Inoue girl. When she eventually dies, whenever that may be, she will be an asset to Seireitei. I don't want any unfinished business tying her to the human realm."

"I won't fail."

Yamamoto blinked.

"Dismissed."

.oOo.

Orihime lay on her bed, biting her lip and wondering what would happen to Matsumoto. She was admittedly hurt after learning the truth behind the shinigami's visit, but she couldn't remain angry for long after realizing that Matsumoto had taken a great risk in revealing that sort of confidential information. By purposely failing in her mission, Matsumoto could possibly lose her rank.

Orihime had spent the week unable to sleep. It was so bad, she contemplated skipping school that day to catch up on sleep. But then the others in the shop would ask questions, and she wasn't sure how she was going to explain everything. She still hadn't mentioned the contract to Yoruichi or Kisuke. Uncertain of the consequences if she breathed a word, she'd gone back and forth with herself about it since her return.

In great need of a friend, Orihime whipped out her cell phone and whizzed her thumbs over the keys.

Tatsuki-chan! How are you?! I haven't heard from you in a while. What are you doing after school today? Do you want to meet me at my bakery? Treats are on me! I get a discount! She punched in a few emojis and set her phone down. Minutes passed before she heard the phone vibrate. She snatched up the phone and read the text.

Nothing here maye later I'm hungry!

Orihime stared at her phone.

"What?!"

She tried again. What do you mean? Can you meet me, or do you have cram school?

Orihime changed into her school uniform and waited, but Tatsuki did not reply.

.oOo.

Orihime could not concentrate throughout her grueling day at school. "Strained" was an understatement of what her relationship with Tatsuki had turned into. Though her friend had always been respectful about not pressuring Orihime to talk about the capture, the inability to speak plainly to one another had created a barrier between them. It was a friendship she never thought she'd have to rebuild, but until she felt safe, the truth was not an option. It pained her deeply to admit to herself that if she wasn't careful, she might keep the friend but lose the friendship, and reconstructing intimacy was a burden she did not want to bear.

Orihime read Tatsuki's text over and over again, and the best theory she could come up with was that Tatsuki wanted to go, but couldn't. But why such incomprehensible language? Orihime tried texting a few more times, to no avail. When school was over, she decided to pay her friend a visit to make sure everything was alright. When she arrived at Tatsuki's door, she knocked and waited, but no one came to answer. Just as she was starting to get worried, her phone buzzed.

There would have been a time not too long ago that Orihime would have been thrilled to get a text from Ichigo Kurosaki, but when she saw his name pop up, she hesitated.

Hey I was at my dad's work today and saw Tatsuki's parents. They said shes in there for treatment but wouldn't say what. And she's not talking to me but I thought you might want to know about it.

Orihime raced to the Kurosaki Clinic, thanking heaven that it was close by. When she arrived, she saw Tatsuki's parents sitting in the waiting room. After greeting them, she told them about what Ichigo had said.

"What's wrong with Tatsuki?"

"We don't know. She's been acting very strange this past week, and she won't tell us what's wrong."

Orihime's heart went out to Tatsuki's parents. They look like they haven't slept all night! If I can have a chance to be alone with Tatsuki, maybe I can heal whatever's wrong with her.

"Can I see her?"

"They're not allowing visitors right now other than family. We'll let you know what Dr. Kurosaki says." Tatsuki's mother gave Orihime's hand a squeeze. "Thank you for visiting. I know it would mean a lot to her that you're here."

Orihime stayed with Tatsuki's parents for a while but eventually left to finish her mountains of homework. She bid her adieus to Tatsuki's parents and headed home, happy to find that dinner was ready when she arrived. The food was delicious as usual, but she must have been quieter than normal because at some point during the meal, Yoruichi inquired after her silence.

"Tatsuki is sick. She's at the Kurosaki Clinic. I went to see her after school, but they weren't allowing visitors."

"I'm sorry to hear that. Is that the friend who hates us?" Urahara asked.

Orihime blushed. "I don't think she hates you."

"Oh, she definitely hates us! She called me a screwball and a psycho while you were still in Hueco Mundo. Marched right into the shop and shouted at me, saying that I had something to do with your kidnapping. And after that, she uh...well, let's just say it wasn't a very pleasant experience."

Orihime was shocked to discover this news. No wonder Tatsuki never came around the shop to see her. She glanced at Yoruichi, who was slowly swirling her sake around in a dainty ochoko cup, one of the few elegant relics of Soul Society nobility she managed to smuggle into the human realm. "Good thing I wasn't there. But knowing you, you probably deserved it."

"He is kind of a screwball," Jinta piped up. "He's always screwing up orders."

"Some of that merchandise is really hard to come by!"

"That's not what you said to me when it took me a month to get that order of fake muscle stuff for the gigais!"

They went on bickering. Jinta was always picking fights with someone, it seemed. When Orihime had first arrived, she was scandalized at how disrespectful Jinta could be, but no one really seemed to mind. Orihime often wondered what the story was behind Jinta and Ururu. Who were they? Who were their parents? The five of them were a rather interesting group—a family, really. Each contributed in their own way, and they all loved each other despite the endless quarreling and shenanigans. Orihime also realized that she was still trying to find her place in the shop. For now it was bringing leftover baked goods, healing injuries, and doing chores, but she never felt it was enough. She glanced again at Yoruichi and noticed that she was starting to get drunk off the sake—evidenced by her not-so-subtle belches and what Orihime swore was a lustful look aimed at Kisuke when he looked the other way. Tessai stepped out to light a pipe, and Ururu retired early, likely to avoid getting caught in Jinta's wrath. He had a horrible tendency of pulling her hair.

Orihime excused herself to go finish her homework and headed to bed.

.oOo.

It had been a long while since Orihime had visited the riverbank—since before Hueco Mundo. She'd forgotten how peaceful it was. The river could be so still this time of year, and though it was a little too chilly, she could bear it for a bit to admire the view. It did look a little different than normal, though. Developers must have moved rather quickly if they could grow the area by this much within a year's time. Come to think of it, the way the sun hit the waters looked a little off, too.

She stood up from the tuft of grass she'd been sitting on and looked down.

"The grass has never been this dry this time of year."

She shook off some of the withered blades from her skirt and looked up again.

"What?"

There was a man standing in a boat down the river. He hadn't been there just a few seconds ago. Or maybe she just didn't notice. He was far away, so she couldn't make out his face, but he seemed to be wearing robes familiar to ones she'd seen in Soul Society.

Orihime stared at the mysterious man, trying to make out what she could, and instinctively moved her hands towards her temples, where her hairpins would have been.

They were gone.

Frantic, she ran her hands through her hair, searched her pockets, her purse, her shirt—to no avail.

Again, she looked at the river.

The man, beyond all reason, had moved to the shore line and was standing several yards away from her.

Instantly, she recognized him.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi.

.oOo.

Just where I want her. Not that he doubted his success. His biggest problem had only been to coax her into agreeing to use her powers without Kisuke Urahara and Yoruichi Shihoin interfering. He had taken several calculated risks to get to this point, but his greatest achievement was digging up those old contracts that were written in a language hardly anyone in Soul Society could understand. The Captain Commander and his lieutenant, likely Kisuke Urahara, and himself were probably the few who could read the old tongues. In the recent past, only dead souls were bound to payment contracts, but Mayuri found the more useful, moth-eaten gems digging through unrelated, ancient documents to make preparations for his specimens from Hueco Mundo. Hollows typically never entered Soul Society, so he needed to do significant historical research to prevent any mishaps. In doing his research, he had discovered, to his immense delight, that Soul Society had rather brutal ways of dealing with spiritually-sensitive humans in more ancient times. Humans would sometimes be killed outright, then quickly ushered into Soul Society. Seireitei would take advantage of their memory loss since spiritually sensitive humans were always more useful as dead souls. But these methods usually left behind messy results, and over time they were deemed too complicated or brutal and were abandoned.

Until now. Orihime Inoue was an extraordinary case, which called for extraordinary accommodations. Her god-like powers could be harnessed for unique applications after her passing, hence the Captain Commander's warning. Presently, Mayuri could live with calling a favor from the girl to assist with his research, which the contract conveniently allowed for. Visiting her through dreams was a satisfactory work-around to manipulate results while avoiding Yoruichi and Kisuke. Shinigami captains were generally forbidden from interfering with living souls, but they were not playing by the normal rules.

"What are you doing here?"

"It's quite interesting; I can't control what the mind does, but both you and your friend ended up at this same riverbank today."

"My friend?" The girl looked off to the side, as though trying to piece together the implication of what he was saying. "Tatsuki! You're the reason she's in the hospital!"

"Correct."

"How dare you?!"

"I've been visiting her every day this week. Unable to sleep, she has been drifting towards insanity."

"You can't do that!"

"But you've already agreed to it."

More confusion in the girl's eyes. Then, a touch of sadness.

"Yes." He pulled out the roll of paper with her signature visibly displayed, then carefully placed it back in his robes.

"What do you want from me?"

"Resurrect my specimens."

The girl's hands balled into fists.

"You could have easily chosen to cooperate earlier and saved yourself and your friend. If you refuse, I will have to resort to more extreme methods of enforcement."

"Like what?"

He gave her a toothy smile. "What an intriguing question. I have not decided yet. There are many options. This method," he said, gesturing at his surroundings, "is the most efficient for everyone involved."

"I'll just heal Tatsuki when she wakes up! And I'll visit her every day."

"You should think carefully before you agree to heightened enforcement."

The girl, whose fists were now shaking, seemed to be calculating a response. In her eyes appeared to be a mix of resolve and hopelessness. It was also possible she would call his bluff about more enforcement. If that was the case, he'd have to retreat without his specimens. It was a good thing he came prepared.

"Nemu."

Out of nowhere, his Vice Captain appeared. In her hands was Orihime's exit interview. After handing him the document, she vanished.

"This is your exit interview. It is obvious from Nemu's notes that you developed amicable relationships with the Espada, some even deeper than that."

A shade of rose steadily spread across the girl's cheeks.

He held up the document. "The Captain Commander has yet to see the full details."

"Are you saying I'll be punished even more than I already have been...just for surviving in Hueco Mundo?"

He narrowed his eyes. "'Survival' is an interesting way to characterize treason."

"I don't care who knows, and I don't care what happens to me."

Fascinating. It seems she's grown a bit of a tough skin...not unlike the hierro of a hollow. No matter. There is still one other issue.

"Well, if you cannot be persuaded." He turned his back and pretended to leave. Then, as if remembering an unimportant detail, he turned once more. "Oh, there is also the matter of your release. If you choose to deliver my specimens, Seireitei will have everything it needs, and you will no longer be bound to the contract. Once released, you are free to relay the details of your capture to whomever you wish."

Her eyes widened.

He smiled as he turned away; he sensed that her mind was buzzing, calculating risk. Slowly, the atmosphere dimmed around them. She was awakening from slumber.

Just as he was about to set foot in the lake once again to signal his exit, a wave of victory swept over him.

"Wait! I'll...do it."