I noticed that there's less than ten chapters left in this arc and I'm kinda shook. I hope that you all enjoy this one, and I hope that all of you that followed this fic but just kinda forgot to favorite it, too actually do so because I PROMISE it helps.

(It helps me. I like seeing numbers go up because psychology.)


Part I

Paku sat alone on a couch. The couch was an ugly yellow, the material worn yet somehow still scratchy. It was an awful couch. When she'd told Keigo as much he laughed.

"Blame my mom for that," he chuckled. "She's nice enough, but she's got the worst taste."

Uncomfortable, Paku shifted, wincing when the material brushed against her toes through her leg brace. She wished she had someone to complain about it to, again.

But here she was alone for nearly the last hour.

Oh, she'd considered going out. When the attacks started she'd nearly rushed out right then and there, almost blind with panic, but in the end she held herself back. She wouldn't be much use to anyone as she was, now.

So, she had sat back down on this itchy, ugly couch and waited…

…and waited…

…and goddammit Keigo could you hurry it up already?!

"I'm home!"

Paku sat up straight, shoulders finally relaxing. She wondered if the relief she felt then was visible. Keigo always said she was easy to read. With a swing of legs she brought herself onto her feet.

"Welcome back," she said tiredly, and she clambered up to the apartment's entrance with uneven steps.

Mentally she was preparing herself to drag him in by the collar, to hug him tight, and giggle as he started stuttering and blushing in a way she found downright adorable.

She was stopped when she saw him walk in with a defeated expression, half smashed snacks cradled in his arms and two disguised Shinigami limping in behind him. One of them seemed pretty messed up, his companion practically carrying him through the door.

Goddammit Keigo.

"Who are these two?" she asked, practically glowering at them.

"…Guests?" Keigo tried.

"You don't seem very sure."

"Excuse me?" the annoyance that was still standing asked. "Would you happen to have anything I could bind his wounds with?"

"I'm fine," the annoyance that was on death's door said. His companion sent him a stern look, one that had him averting his eyes.

"We have a first aid kit in the bathroom," her boyfriend offered. "I think there are some old towels you can use in one of the drawers, but please don't get blood on anything. My parents will kill me."

"Noted."

He gave them directions, second door down the right, dropped all the snacks on the kitchen counter, and leaning against it heavily let out a long suffering sigh. Paku didn't so much as make a sound until she heard the bathroom door open and then close.

"Shinigami," she started with, "really?"

"It's not like I had a choice in his!"

She looked at him for a moment and then let out a silent huff. "Figures," she said. She always had the shittiest luck, didn't she?

"It's not all bad!" he said quickly, waving his hands. "I can stick them in my sister's room where they won't bother us, and, uh, we can watch that movie, just like we planned!"

She pouted, staring at him for a bit longer, not saying anything back. In one rough motion she grabbed him by his middle and dragged him close, so close she could hear his heart pounding right against her ear.

For a moment his arms froze, hovering over. Then, they settled, warm and comfortable around her.

Part II

Rangiku felt bad.

No, it wasn't her head injury. Tessai had taken care of that nearly an hour ago. Rather, her feelings were centered around the young human in front of her.

The girl looked downright pathetic, head down and silent as a corpse as she lead Rangiku to her home. The poor thing had been devastated when Tessai told everyone that Orihime needed to be brought back to the Fourth for treatment. Her hearing that Shiba would be down for the next few days hadn't really helped either.

For the first leg of their trip Rangiku had taken it upon herself to cheer up this little sad sack. She'd pestered her about her brother (and gotten some truncated grumbles about his job). She'd asked about what human school would be like (and was told in about a sentence the subjects they took). She'd even tried a bit of flirting.

"You're wayyy too cute to be frowning like that," she'd said, literally draping herself over the girl.

That didn't even get a response.

(Okay, that might not have been her best work, but she was at the end of her rope, here!)

She (guiltily) felt intense relief when they finally reached Rukia's house. The Substitute unlocked the door, invited Rangiku in, and finally said something after about five blocks of silence.

"I'm home."

The house was nice, Ragiku thought. Whoever this brother was, he seemed to have some decent money.

Spotting movement out of the corner of her eye she glanced up and saw him.

You've got to be kidding me.

The man saw Rukia and let out a near imperceptible sigh of relief. He barely even seemed to notice Rangiku simply sending her a glance as he came around the kitchen counter.

"This is my… classmate, Matsumoto," Rukia rushed out, "and… Matsumoto, this is my brother, Byakuya."

You've GOT to be kidding me.

"You don't say," Rangiku said out loud, oh gods– "I mean… it's nice to meet you! I'm sorry she's back so late. That'd be my fault."

That was the cover story they'd practice, anyway. It all seemed a bit useless, now. He coughed awkwardly into his hand.

"That's alright," he said simply.

"We have an extra room upstairs," Rukia said easily and holy fuck she had no idea, "but it probably needs to be cleaned out, first. You can stay in my room tonight. Come on, I'll show you where the bath is."

Rangiku followed Rukia up the stairs feeling her brother's eyes on her back.

A little over an hour later had Ragiku lying awake in a futon, Rukia quietly sleeping a mere meter away. The girl was a decent enough host, despite everything. She'd even offered Rangiku a pair of pajamas to borrow. Of course, Rukia's pajamas were too small for her, so Rangiku had to use an old pair of her brother's.

As if this situation couldn't get any more awkward.

At one point, Ragiku had had enough. Trying to stay as quiet as possible she got out of bed and left the room, heading downstairs. Maybe a glass of water would help clear her mind? Maybe a bit of half-panicked pacing would tire her out? Maybe she should just leave all together? That last one didn't sound too bad, actually.

When she reached the bottom of the steps she saw none other than Byakuya sitting at the dining room table, a bottle of sake in front of him. He cracked it open, poured two cups, and gestured to the chair across from him.

"I… assume you have some questions," he said.

She looked at him feeling something between "what the fuck" and simply "fuck it."

She sat down, grabbed the cup in front of her and downed it all in one go like it was a cheap shop. It was actually pretty good stuff.

"You could say that," she finally answered. "All I'm really wondering, though, is what an ex-Captain is doing in suburban Tokyo."

"I hear that's not so uncommon nowadays." He refilled her glass.

"No, I guess It's not." This round, she decided to take her time with it, swirling the liquid around the cup and taking in the aromatic scent. She took an appreciative sip. "Everyone thinks you're dead, you know."

"That's surprising," he said, finally taking his own swig. "I assumed young Shiba would have said something by now."

"He didn't. He probably should have, though. Everyone got real quiet when Captain Urahara said Aizen killed the old Lieutenant Shiba… instead of… well, you."

"Funny that."

The atmosphere turned uncomfortable, the Shinigami going silent. The two took gratuitously long sips.

"…You don't want them to know, do you?" Rangiku asked quietly. "You don't want to come back."

Byakuya shrugged. "Not particularly. The idea of going back to the people that tried to have me killed for a crime I did not commit does not appeal to me."

Rangiku looked down at her cup suddenly finding it very interesting. There were rumors about the Second being asked in secret to "take care of things" after Central Forty-Six decided against execution. It seemed those rumors were true, partially anyway.

"…But perhaps… one day."

Rangiku nearly choked on her drink.

"Wait, so you would come back?!"

"I have important things to take care of, now," he answered. He sent a meaningful glance up the staircase. "Besides, my power is not what it used to be, but yes… one day."

He took one final sip, finishing the glass and placing it away from him on the table. She did the same.

"That's… good to know," she said tiredly. With that she stood up, grabbing the bottle of sake by its neck and tucking it under her arm.

Byakuya raised an eyebrow in response, but said nothing.

"Payment," she explained, "for keeping this little talk to myself." She started towards the stairs but stopped at the last minute. "I've gotta say, I'm a little relieved, though. I won't have to keep up some cover story, now, besides, maybe, for Rukia's sake."

Byakuya went silent, again, eyes downcast. Rangiku's smirk strained.

"It's only a matter of time," she pointed out. "One look at your Reiryoku, and it's kinda obvious."

Byakuya let out a long sigh. "When that happens, I will deal with it. For now goodnight Lieutenant Matsumoto."

She grinned cheekily at him. "Goodnight Cap'n."

Rangiku headed up, then, patting her newly acquired bottle of booze. Maybe now she'd be able to get some sleep?

Yeah… Probably not.

Byakuya. Good ol' prim and proper Captain Byakuya. Mr. Rising Star Future Clan-Head turned fugitive whose deeds and ultimate death lead to the collapse of the Kuchiki. Here he was, some family man in the World of the Living. It was goddamn surreal. It was the type of thing she'd hear Kira rant about after drowning his Gin related sorrows in sake and beer. It was the type of thing that she'd mock him for the next day.

Byakuya didn't have to worry about her telling, because she was pretty sure no one would believe her if she tried.

Part III

Rukia spent an entire day at school enduring even more stares. She didn't remember this happening so often back when she was just doing regular old Hollow hunting. Then again, those fights weren't quite this rough.

No, she thought. She clearly remembered the burns on her legs hidden by rolled up stockings and the bruises on her back concealed by her uniform shirt. There was just something much more conspicuous about a giant bruise on her chin matching the mostly faded one on her forehead.

(She had at least two teachers ready to call her in for a "special meeting," she was sure.)

Pushing open the warehouse door, she tried to not think on it so hard. Thinking about it made her think about yesterday's fight, and then Jaegerjaquez, and then–

"Tch, you look like shit," Sarugaki scoffed.

"Thanks," Rukia said tersely, pushing past her. She really wasn't in the mood for this. Hopefully Sarugaki would get the hint and just leave.

The Visored didn't leave, of course. Instead she kept pace beside her.

"I heard you had a rough fight," she said nonchalantly.

Rukia didn't answer instead going just a little faster. Sarugaki must have taken this as an outright challenge because suddenly she had disappeared in a blur only to reappear in front of Rukia, sword out.

"Cut the moping and suit up," Sarugaki said. "We're gonna have a little fight."

This caught Rukia off guard. She didn't think Sarugaki wanted anything to do with her training. Still, she found herself digging into her bag to retrieve her Soul Candy. The girl across from her didn't wait, simply walking to the back and leaving to the fighting grounds. Rukia rushed ahead to follow.

The hideout was strangely empty, she noticed. There was Aikawa who was napping on the couch, but everyone else was gone, all other presences missing from the area. Usually she could at least count on Mashiro or Muguruma to be out back, but–

"Mask and Shikai, too," Sarugaki said suddenly. In one smooth motion the Visored pulled her own over her face.

Rukia stepped to the other side of the makeshift ring. She brought out a hand in front of her. For a moment she just stared, almost wondering at her own hesitation. With a frown she pulled it on. (Across from her, Sarugaki's eyes narrowed into slits.)

The two summoned their Shikai without a word. Sarugaki's giant serrated meat clearer didn't really surprise Rukia. She'd almost expected it, considering the girl's temperament.

Sarugaki attacked first slicing down using the full weight of her Shikai, kicking up dust when Rukia dodged right and it impacted with the ground. The Visored's recovery time was quick, though, the girl throwing up more dirt as she slashed up and outwards with considerable speed. Without her Hohō practice Rukia might not have been able to dodge that one.

Silently thanking Mashiro she jumped back and out of range tossing a Next Dance Sarugaki's way and watching as the girl dodged up landing on air and dashing forward to meet Rukia head on. They collided heavily, Rukia stumbling and then wincing as she noticed the cracks in her mask already beginning to form.

The Substitute broke away quickly, slicing at Sarugaki's side and stumbling once more when the girl blurred away reappearing right in front of Rukia, pommel of her sword coming down before Rukia even had time to react.

CRACK!

In the next moment Rukia was on her back, the broken remains of her mask around her head like some gross parody of a halo. One glance down and she saw Sarugaki's blade at her throat. One glance up and she saw that Sarugaki was not very happy.

"That was pathetic!" In anger the Visored tore off her mask. Below her Rukia closed her eyes, utterly mortified.

Still… "I'm trying, it's just–"

"That didn't look like trying! Where the fuck is the girl that almost killed the Captain Commander, huh?!"

Rukia shoved the sword aside, bolting up. "I don't know!" she yelled.

"Then fucking find her! You have a mask! You have a Bankai! Use them! Wipe the floor with me, or at least get your head out of your ass!"

"SHUT UP!"

Rukia stood, panting with the effort. Sarugaki stared at her, challengingly.

"You think I don't know that!" Rukia continued. "I got all the stupid power-ups, made the shitty deal, and I still lost!"

"Yeah," Sarugaki scoffed, "and how does that make you feel?!"

"It pisses me off!"

Then, Sarugaki did the oddest thing. She smirked at Rukia. "Use that. It's just like you said. You made the deal. March right up to that Hollow and Zanpakuto of yours and demand better. Work your ass off if you have to. Just stop moping."

With that Sarugaki turned away. She deactivated her Shikai, sheathed her sword behind her and began walking away. In the meantime Rukia was almost shocked. Had Sarugaki just… given Rukia a pep talk?

"Hey!" she called suddenly. The girl grunted in response, turning. Rukia took a deep breath. She couldn't believe she was doing this. "You… seem to have a pretty good handle on your Hollow. How did you do it?" Because her's still seemed to want to kill her.

"I talked," she said with a raised eyebrow, "what else?"

It wasn't the answer Rukia was expecting, that was sure. Then again, Rose had said something about that, hadn't he?

"Oh, I tried to fight it," Sarugaki continued, "dozens of times, actually, but sooner or later I ended up being the last one without any control, and it pissed me off, so I decided, hey, it's worth a shot."

Sarugaki turned back walking towards the door, but her hand lingered on the knob.

"She's… not so bad, really," she said without turning. "She's still a bitch, but she's not awful. I just thought you'd want to know that."

She left, then, leaving Rukia alone in the back lot with plenty to consider. Demand more, huh?

Rukia sat down, right then and there, legs crossed, Zanpakuto placed on her lap. She closed her eyes.

She opened them to the frozen lake.

"I was wondering when you'd be back," Sode said with a wry smile. With her own heavy frown Rukia stood up, facing the Spirit.

"I probably don't have to tell you how things have been, do I?"

"No, you don't."

Rukia glanced down at Sode's reflection. It was clouded over, no Hollow in sight. Sode followed her line of sight, brow furrowing.

"She's been quiet," the Spirit said. "I think she's sulking."

That would make two of them.

"I think I made a mistake," Rukia finally said. "I should have found a way to work with the Hollow, not do this."

Her Zanpakuto Spirit hummed. "Perhaps, but I can't say I would have done different. She went too far, and if she doesn't realize that, it's her problem."

Suddenly, Rukia felt a prick behind her eyes, saw a bit of black leak into Sode's sclera. Great, the Hollow was still listening.

"Oh, quiet, you," Sode hissed. "It's the truth." The black faded from her eyes, then, and looking at Rukia with a certain weariness she said, "I assume you didn't come here for a therapy session, though."

"I didn't," Rukia agreed. "I came here because I wanted to get better. My Bankai, my Mask, heck even my Shikai could use some work."

"I should be able to help with that," Sode said, pleased. "That and your confidence. I haven't seen you this shaken since before Kenpachi."

"Hey, it's been a tough month," Rukia said with a half smile.

"That might be putting it lightly."

The two looked at each other then, bursting into laughter.

Rukia couldn't quite explain it, but she felt lighter, somehow. She summoned her sword.

"No time like the present," she said.

"How did that crass Visored girl put it?" Sode asked, pale finger to her chin. "I'll be 'working your ass off?'"

"Tch, you'd better."

Part IV

By the time Rukia walked out of the hideout, she looked bone tired, or at least that's what Renji thought.

She'd slipped him the address a few days ago, but really he hadn't thought to use it, not until now, at least. He had something to tell her now, something that he didn't have the courage to tell her during school.

He had tried after, but she'd walked out so quickly that he hadn't had the chance.

So, here he was, having waited like an hour just to tell her his shitty news. God, he hoped this went well.

"Renji?" she asked, surprised. A hint of a smile was on her face. She was in a good mood. This might not be a disaster.

"Hey," he answered back, standing up from his awkward seat on the curb. "I thought we could hang out a bit, like old times, no Hollows."

"Don't even say it," she said with a grimace. "You'll summon one by accident." He sent her a grin.

They wandered a bit, then, taking the longest possible way to their homes, the one that involved them stopping at about three book stores, five food stands, and a fountain. During this walk they talked about nothing in particular: test scores, family stuff, those kinds of things.

Around the third bookstore, while Rukia was considering buying the second volume of Cardcaptor Sakura (and huh, he didn't even know she owned the first volume) he decided to slide in his news, not being nearly as smooth as he would have liked.

"I talked to Ichigo, today," Renji rushed out.

Rukia froze for a moment. "Oh," she said. She closed the book, putting it back on the shelf.

"Yeah," he said, inwardly panicking, "I guess he's going back to the Soul Society tomorrow. They're worried about another invasion and all, so he'll be tied up for a while trying to sort things out with them."

"That's… alright, I guess," she said hesitantly. "I mean, it kind of sucks that he didn't get to visit for very long, but if he has things to do…"

"He… offered to take me with him."

Rukia's eyes widened. "Really?"

Renji nodded solemnly. "I had told him about yesterday, how much I hated it all. I'd be dead if Orihime hadn't come along. Heck, I wasn't even able to do much to help her. Somehow… Well, I've been feeling a little left behind, you know. I told him I wanted to get better, so he offered to help me train."

He tried to be nonchalant about it all, but could tell he failed. He was just too worried. What if Rukia thought he was abandoning her, especially now when it seemed like she needed someone?

He knew whatever was going on with her Hollow had shaken her, and that suddenly getting her ass handed to her so many times in a row hadn't really helped, but damn, he wasn't good at dealing with that kind of stuff. Without their usual hangout times he couldn't even make a decent effort at distracting her from it.

So, basically, he felt useless in more ways than one and desperately needed some way to not.

"What's that look for?" she asked with a sideways glance.

"Wh-what look?"

She stared at him for a moment, then clicked her tongue, annoyed. "You thought I was going to burst into tears, didn't you?" she accused. He shrunk back. "Well, I'm not. It's fine. I understand. You want to take some time off and train. What do you think I've been doing this whole time, dummy?"

"Hey!" he yelped. "I was concerned! I was trying to be supportive, like a good friend!"

"Excuse me… kids?" the store manager said quietly from the front. "Please keep it down, or I'll have to ask you to leave."

"Sorry," Rukia said quickly, elbowing Renji in the side with a quick glare. "It won't happen again."

Renji frowned. No, he wasn't pouting.

"I know you're trying to be a good friend," Rukia said, quieter. "You always have been. So, do this for yourself, okay? Go test out those new tattoos or something. Get back into the fight."

Shoving his hands quickly into his pockets, Renji suppressed a smile. "…Thanks."

"And when you come back, how about you show me them, finally."

"Me?" he scoffed. "How about you show me that Hollow mask of yours. It's literally the most badass thing ever and you've been holding out on me."

"Then it's a deal," she decided, sticking out her hand. "You do your training, come back, we impress and dazzle each other with whatever we've learned."

"Deal," he said resolutely, shaking it.

With that, Rukia glanced back at the book, picked it up again, and bought it at the cash register. They walked out, the store manager looking incredibly grateful.

"Since when do you read manga?" Renji asked with a smirk.

Unexpectedly she let out an exasperated sigh. "It's a Visored thing."

That made absolutely no sense to him, but okay.

"How are you going to explain this to your mom, anyway?" Rukia asked. "Going away for the summer is one thing. You're literally leaving two weeks into school."

"Well… You know…" He scratched the back of his neck, trying to think fast. "I'll just make something up."

"Renji," Rukia said seriously. "You're a horrible liar. How the heck are you going to convince your mom…" She paused, looked up at him. Her eyes narrowed, and then they became as wide as saucers. "She knows!"

"She got suspicious!" Renji spilled. "I had to tell her!"

"I…!" Rukia lowered her gaze, pouting at the ground. "I'm actually kind of jealous. Brother called me like ten times last night because he thought I was out partying with Matsumoto or something."

"Rough," he said, and it wasn't just about the calls. He felt kinda lucky that he didn't end up with a Shinigami house guest. Even Keigo somehow ended up with two.

"I know," she groaned. Then, she looked up to the crosswalk, a sigh escaping. "…I guess this is goodbye, huh?"

"See you later," he corrected. She rolled her eyes.

"See you later," she repeated, and she walked away.

He only lingered for a moment before he was turning the other way, feeling determination rise in his chest. He'd get back to the fight, alright. The Arrancar wouldn't know what hit them.

Part V

Last Night

"Welcome home, Grimmjow."

Grimmjow glared up at Aizen, the Shinigami sitting pretty on his little throne. He, in the meantime, was bleeding, his hand was frozen solid, and he was more than ready to get whatever the hell "Lord Aizen" had planned fucking over with.

"Is there anything you have to say for yourself?" Tōsen asked, the overly serious bastard.

"Nope."

The immediate scowl he got from the blind Shinigami almost had him cracking a smile. "You bastard," the man growled, his Zanpakuto already out.

"Kaname," Aizen said steadily, hand raised, "it's alright. I'm not upset."

Whatever smile hint of a smile Grimmjow had dropped.

"Lord Aizen, I–!" Tōsen was cut off by a single look.

"I believe Grimmjow's actions were indicative of his desire to serve," Aizen said, gazing down carefully at the Arrancar. "Isn't that so, Grimmjow?"

Grimmjow responded with a glare. He was cornered, and he knew it. He had one good hand, no Fracción, and was surrounded by a room chock full of people that would eat him alive if it meant getting on Aizen's good side.

So, teeth grit and physical force exerted to not draw his own sword, he said, "That's right, Lord Aizen."

Tōsen grabbed him by the collar jerking him by his bad side and giving him the hardest glare he could.

"…What the hell are you doing?" Grimmjow growled out.

"Lord Aizen! Allow me to execute this Arrancar!"

"…Kaname," Aizen sighed.

Grimmjow let out a laugh. "You got a grudge against me or something, Tōsen. You heard Aizen. I did it out of loyalty."

"And you sow discord as a result," he snapped back. "I do not believe Lord Aizen should have to tolerate one such as you."

"Your point?" Grimmjow asked dangerously.

Tōsen's grip on his Zanpakuto tightened. "You are correct Grimmjow. I do not like you. You are a man without a cause, and justice with no cause begets nothing but slaughter."

What the hell was he going on about, now?

"However, slaughter with cause… is justice."

He moved then, sword swinging, and before Grimmjow even had time to react his bad arm had fallen to the floor severed below the shoulder.

He screamed.

"YOU BASTARD!" Grimmjow roared. Tōsen burned his arm to nothing with a Kidō spell for good measure. "I'll fucking kill you!"

Blinded by pain and rage he didn't care who the fuck was here. He was killing this guy and no one could stop hi–

"Stop, Grimmjow," Aizen said.

Exactly one person… could stop him. Grimmjow stayed his hand, clamping it down onto his stump.

"If you were to attack Tōsen, I'm afraid I would no longer be able to pardon you," Aizen explained.

Grimmjow growled at him but did nothing else. That cold look Aizen was giving him… He wasn't bluffing. So, Grimmjow grit his teeth once more, stifled any sounds of pain and turned away, just knowing that this would not be the end of it.

He hated Shinigami.


There's a lot of fun things in this one. For those of you that wanted more Arrancar stuff, we got that. For those of you that were looking forward to the Byakuya drama bomb we're starting to get that. I knew from pretty much the beginning that I wanted to really get into his history, a history that I kind of allude to in this chapter, and for me to do that well, it needed to be a slow burn. Interludes will be utilized for this, definitely, but for now I had a lot of fun using Matsumoto for this little bit. She's a character that's a ton of fun, that sadly won't get a ton of screen time in this fic (despite my own attempts.)

Have any particular theories? Have your thoughts on what might happen changed? Feel free to tell me in the comments. They give me life!