… A Good Deed…

/Warning/: This chapter contains, cussing, sadness, fluff! And who knows what! I appreciate all the reviews.

"Talking"

"Thinking"

… Flashbacks or dreams…

"Zanpakuto or Hollows talking"

Chapter 4

Byakuya narrow his eyes in annoyance when he felt someone following him for the tenth time that day, he had to give it to whoever was following him; they were annoying. Ever since he returned back from the living world, not a day past since he wasn't being followed by one of his fellow Shinigami, and as much it annoyed him, it irritate him how fast they branded him as a traitor just because he had a past connection to Espada Cero; it was why he kept it a secret, him meeting that Espada and forming a friendship with him. The day he met the Espada he was young, too young to be of a sound mind to judge the Hollow and brand him as a monster, especially not when they Espada saved him from death, but as he grows older, he was taught that all Hollows were monsters, that they should be killed on sight, that they do nothing but destroy and kill innocent lives; but Byakuya, he kept the story of the Hollow who saved him in the back of his mind, forever since that day, he continued to live with curiosity and shame for saving that Espada and allowing him to run, when Byakuya's duty was to report him so that he will be killed, but now Byakuya realized, if he had done what was asked from him, their world and the living world would have been in Aizen's hands, and the man would have destroyed it, now Byakuya realized, maybe, just maybe, Soul Society was wrong about something and that nor all Hollows are bad.

Byakuya's scowl deepens as he continued to walk toward the Kuchiki estate, he was this close to committing murder if the Sou-Taichou didn't stop sending Shinigami to spy on him; it was like everyone had lost their trust and faith in him, somehow that thought hurt more than he wanted to admit, for it only strengthened the doubts Espada Cero planted not a few weeks ago; now Byakuya is an ally because of his heritage and his position, tomorrow he will probably be considered an enemy, Byakuya never questioned Soul Society as he did now.

Reaching the estate, Byakuya let out a tired sigh when he felt the present following him retreat, which meant that there was someone inside his own home has eyes on him, probably his grandfather, for when he heard about Byakuya and Espada Cero not only his face had to darken with rage, but he was looking at Byakuya like he was something different he only now was able to see, he didn't even gaze at him as if he was someone, no, he was gazing at him like he was something.

Byakuya, he can admit that he was at his wit ends, for day after day not only his own allies made him feel like he was an enemy in his own house, but they start giving him doubtful looks, as if any minute now he will turn his back on them and become a traitor that will seek blood and death, just like Aizen; dear lord, how did that thought hurt him? Hurt his pride too, but hurt his heart more, his heart that Byakuya thought he chained and protect with high walls that no one will be able to penetrate, guess he was wrong, for his heart was hurting now.

Reaching his room, Byakuya sat in the middle of it, his mind going into overdrive as he starts thinking about what will take a place from now on, he was sure that he was already labeled as a potential threat and a traitor in Soul Society circle of Captains, he was sure that his grandfather had lost his trust in him, and he was sure that they were already trying to find his replacement, as a Captain and as the head of the Kuchiki clan, for even if his status as a Captain couldn't protect him, his status as the head of the strongest clan would; it will be the matter of convincing his grandfather to strip him from his status before he is thrust to the hungry wolves, where he will be punished for the crimes he didn't commit.

"If you ever wanted to see me or needed my help…"

"You know where to find me…"

"I expect a visit from you very soon…"

These sentences had been running in his mind nonstop, and day after day they looked more welcoming and inviting than the coldness and harshness he was met with by his fellow warriors. Byakuya gazed at his Zanpakuto, running a gentle hand on the blade, taking in the comfort that his only friend and companion offered him from the start of time. He could go, nothing is stopping him, even if he was branded as a traitorو what the worse they could do? Other than imprisoning him until his trial that is, it seemed that the Captains had already made their minds, and now Byakuya is nothing but a sitting duck waiting for the wolves to come and attack…

He knows that the Kurosaki are going to Hueco Mundo today, for they have been waiting for Karin and her father to recover, he knows that if he rushed now, he will arrive at Urahara's shop in time, he knows that if he used his family's Senkaimon for his travel it will be much faster, and undetected until he arrived in Hueco Mundo, then, and only then, can Byakuya gain all the answers he wanted and needed.

Making his mind, Byakuya stood up with a grim face, going to where his futon was lying, after a lot of thoughts, Byakuya let out a sigh as he took off his Captain Haori, folding it and putting it on the futon, it was shortly followed by his Kenseikan. Being stripped of what Byakuya had considered his armor for a very long time made him feel vulnerable, weak, and helpless, feelings he hated since he was a child and was saved by the Hollow that was supposed to kill him.

Byakuya gazed at his Haori and Kenseikan with a thoughtful look before shaking his head, he knew that whoever will find them will report this to his grandfather, who then will give his report to the Sou-Taichou and by then he will be labeled as a traitor, but Byakuya can deal with all that later, he knows he can, for he was not weak, he was not scared, not even by the thought of the execution that will be his reward for serving Soul Society; he never regretted helping his home to flourish, but it pained him how small-minded the people in it were.

Byakuya opened the last drawer on the nightstand near him, taking out a red ribbon, which made a small smile twitch on the Captain's face as distend memories start to dance gently in his vision, reminding him of simple time and warm embraces that was his world. Byakuya gathered his hair in a ponytail, before taking the ribbon from his mouth and tying it, making sure that the ribbon won't come loose at any sudden movement.

Byakuya walked to the garden sliding door that was attached to his room, he opened it, and as fast as he can he Shunpo to an abandoned part of the garden that no one but him ever went to, he gave a grateful smile when a Hell Butterfly came and sat on his shoulder, intending to guide him to safety taking a deep breath before taking his Zanpakuto thrusting it in midair before turning it around like a key. It was a few seconds later before the Senkaimon appeared and opened, which caused Byakuya to give his home one last glance before he starts running inside the Senkaimon, planning on going to the living world and hoping that he made it in time.

The sound of the Senkaimon closing echoed in his soul…

Reaching Urahara's shop, Byakuya wished dearly that he was still in his room, and that he never made this stupid decision to come, because as soon as he entered the shop, he was attacked by a very naked Yoruichi who held him tightly and start squealing something that Byakuya wouldn't for the life of him try to understand, for the woman was crazy and everything that leaves her mouth was crazier than her.

After ages, Byakuya was finally able to throw that woman far away from him, sending her an annoyed glare, which unfortunately for him, only caused the shapeshifter to laugh happily and skip toward her folded clothes that no doubt were put there by Urahara, the man probably begged her to wear clothes for the guests that were going to come, and no doubt the woman ignored him when she knew that Byakuya was possibly coming.

"It has been so long since the last time I saw you! Aren't you going to give your mentor and best friend a hug?" Yoruichi whined as she rushed after Byakuya who was following Isshin's Reiatsu, Byakuya could only roll his eyes at the whine and huffs he got from the woman who was following him, but secretly he was so grateful that at least someone didn't change the way they treat him just for knowing Espada Cero, if anything, Byakuya's heart warmed up when the woman acted as she normally did when she meet him and didn't point to his missing Haori and Kenseikan.

"Oh, Kuchiki-San, you made it!" Urahara's happy voice rang in the room, causing Byakuya to give a nod of acknowledgment to the man, taking in everything discretely, his eyes took in Isshin's family, his wife, who looked so much like Ichigo, to his two daughters, Karin who was narrowing her eyes at him, and a girl who looked opposite to her, giving Byakuya a soft smile; Byakuya walked to the Kotatsu table and took a seat in the vacant place, thankfully away from Yoruichi who was pouting the whole time because he was ignoring her.

"What are you doing here?" Karin asked in an annoyed voice, which made her mother clear her throat and sending her a warning look, which made the girl frown but sends a glare to Byakuya ordering him to speak at once, which Byakuya may have rolled his eyes at. "And where are your funny hair clips and coat, did you forget them at the dry cleaner?" Mocked Karin, which caused him to contain an eye roll and accept the teacup from Urahara with a thankful nod.

Byakuya turned his gaze to Karin who was getting her ear pulled by her mother for being disrespectful; Byakuya let it continue for a few more minutes, enjoying the girl's suffering before answering her. "To answer your first question, Kurosaki-San, I have some questions that I need your brother to answer them for me, I think it's only fair since he owned me some real answers and not the cut-off words he seemed to prefer." That got him a glare from the girl as she huffed and crossed her arms, seemingly not believing him, which was fine by Byakuya as he didn't want everyone to pray in on his past. "Secondly for why I'm not wearing my Haori and Kenseikan, is because I came here by my own will and not as a mission by the Sou-Taichou or anyone else; also I do not think that such attire will be welcomed in Hueco Mundo, since Espada Cero made sure to informed all the Captains that they were unwelcomed." Byakuya stated, taking a sip from his cup, ignoring the scowl send his way by the substitute Shinigami.

"His name is Ichigo, not Espada Cero! You better get that right if you want to come with us." Karin snapped, ignoring the annoyed look sent her way by her mother, no doubt that the poor mother had spent half of her life trying to teach the girl some good manner, only for her daughter to defy her in any way she can, in a way it was amusing to Byakuya, to see how much the girl will push her mother before her Mom put her in a time out, but in another way, Karin no matter what happened between the two of them, even if they became allies, she was still sore with him, probably for what happened with Rukia; now, he thinks he can understand her a little, for her, a big brother always save and protect his young siblings, that was the case for Karin, for her brother gave his life to protect her, but for Byakuya who was raised to follow the rules since he was young and didn't have anyone to prove him otherwise, was finding it a little hard to follow Karin's line of thoughts.

"I'm afraid I can't do that Kurosaki-San." Byakuya stated, which made the girl growl at him and nearly jump across the table if it wasn't for her father stopping her and sending her a harsh look before he turned his head to Byakuya ordering him to explain. "I'm sure that you know, when a soul became a Hollow they lose all of their humanity and what links them to it, like their name." Byakuya explained which made Karin huff and look away from him, nodding her head after a while of silence. "I met your brother at that stage; he didn't have any name to give, I can't call him with a name he didn't give, it will be impolite… though it will be just like him to call me by many nicknames only to annoy me, he was annoying when we met, and seemed to get worse as he grows older." Byakuya huffed to himself, taking a sip from his tea, ignoring how wide Yoruichi's eyes became, and how everyone was looking at him with curiosity.

It was half an hour later that everyone was standing in front of the Senkaimon that will send them to Hueco Mundo, Byakuya was gazing at the gate ignoring Urahara's explanation and warning, he thinks he has an idea of what's going around on the other side of the gate, and he hoped that Espada Cero will answer him straight away for once in his life without him going around the topic like how he used to do when Byakuya was naïve and younger when Byakuya finally took a step inside the gate, he starts running…

He hopes Ichigo will keep his word…

Reaching Hueco Mundo, Byakuya had to let out a sigh, he was relieved that they had finally arrived, for he had felt that they were running for infinity now, no matter how much they thought they have reached Hueco Mundo, the road goes on and on until they finally did. For a moment, Byakuya looked around the place, taking in the white sand that goes on and on no matter where you look, he gazed at the dark sky dominated by the moon, and for a split of second, he felt sadness; he has never set a foot inside of Hueco Mundo since he was the head of the Kuchiki clan, going to Hueco Mundo it meant that you have to go through months of training before you do, and even then no one knows if you will come back, but being in here… Byakuya never knew how alone Espada Cero felt until he was standing on the white sand, he wondered how Ichigo never lost his mind completely here, and it may explain the glee of insanity he saw hidden in the Espada's eyes.

"What are we going to do now?" Karin's sister Yuzu asked as she gazed around the place with sad eyes, she was probably feeling the same thing as Byakuya felt but more intensely considering that Ichigo was her brother. "We can't just pick a direction and start walking, we might get lost." She stated as she looked around the place hoping for the answer to come to her.

"We wait." Byakuya finally answered, which gained him a glare from Karin and thoughtful looks from Masaki and Isshin. "Don't you remember Isshin? Espada Cero stated that if any Shinigami entered his domain he will know, he is bound to feel our Reiatsu and come for us, so we will wait for him, it's better than walking aimlessly and getting mauled by an Arrancar." Byakuya stated, finding a white rock and taking a seat, from the corner of his eye he saw how the Kurosaki gazed at one another before nodding, shuffling to find a rock and taking a seat.

It was maybe half an hour before they saw something head their way, and Byakuya tensed when he saw that it was a huge creature that resembled a centipede, he saw how Karin tense and drew her Zanpakuto ready to attack the Hollow, and Byakuya would have let her finish it if it wasn't for the flash of green on the creature back, which made Byakuya stand and block Karin's way, ignoring her squeak.

The Hollow stopped in front of them before turning until its side was facing them, and Byakuya let out a sigh when he was greeted by the woman with the green hair. "Hello, Ichigo's family!" The woman said with a cheerful tone before jumping from the centipede back, gazing at them with a huge grin that widens even more if that was possible when her eyes fell on Byakuya. "Wow, you all came! I am sure Ichigo is going to be so happy… or well act like he is? I am not sure he may act like a dick but don't take it personally, he is emotionally constipated since the start of time, but whatever. Oh! By the way, my name is Nelliel Tu Odelschwanck, but you may call me Nel Tu, everyone does!" Byakuya's eyes twitched at the woman's bubbly personality, wondering how a headache in the head like that woman was the fearsome Espada that held number three on her person.

"A Pleasure to meet you, Miss Nel Tu…" Masaki answered when no one seemed to regain themselves from the shock they experience just by being near the woman who made Byakuya's migraine become even worse than it was hours ago; if Nel's radiating smile didn't have enough shine to them already, it became even worse after Masaki answered her as the smile nearly split her face into two, and won't that be a sight?

"Oh, you are so sweet! Anyway, hop on everyone; it is a long journey before we reach Las Noches, Ichigo is already grumpy about me always being late, I don't want to have an earful about me endangering anyone by taking the long way home… it was just one time…" Nel grumbled before she pointed to the centipede that was still in its place, looking at them like it wanted to eat them which was not reassuring at all.

"Can't we follow you using Shunpo?" Isshin asked with a nervous laugh as he gazed at the huge anthropoid, probably thinking the same as everyone standing with him, fearing that he will become an arthropods food, Byakuya on the other hand just walked to the anthropoid, giving it a harsh and cold stare, hoping that his threat of slicing that anthropoid into ribbons is telepathized to the centipede and that it will take the message of keeping its legs and jaws to itself, when Byakuya was sure that thing seemed to understand the massage he jumped on its back and sat crossed legs ignoring the terrified look Isshin sent his way.

"So sorry, but can't do, prolonged exposure to Hueco Mundo may weaken you and suck your Reiatsu, only those who live in this realm are immune to it, I fear that your Reiatsu may fail you not to forget about the Quicksand you may sink in, the safest way to travel is by this baby, don't worry, it is tamed, don't eat Shinigami and all that jazz." Nel explained, a dark glee taking over her face before jumping on the centipede waiting for the Kurosaki to board in the arthropod.

It was a few minutes later that the Kurosaki finally gained the courage to hope on the centipede, and when they did Nel gave a cheerful shut and ordered the centipede to run, which caused everyone to squeak and hold into the bucking centipede least they were thrown overboard and stepped on, even Byakuya, had to hold into his curses as he grips the centipede back, hoping his hands won't slip, ignoring how the woman with the green hair was laughing and hooting for their ride to go faster and faster…

He was so going to kill Ichigo after this…

So what do you think?

Next chapter we will be having Byakuya meeting with Ichigo!

Plus Ichigo will meet his family!

And yeah, I know, short chapter, but what can I do, I never have time anymore T^T

Read and Review

And tell me what you think…

Nazaki-Sama