The Lost Shinigami

by makoto x chelia

Takumi Urahara, believing himself to be a human who could see spirits yet with no real powers within the crazy world of Shinigami's, and Hollows, went through life trying his best with what little he had to work with, but that changed when he met a certain Shinigami, the same for Karin and Yuzu Kurosaki, and their adventure began, digging into his past, to fight for the future.

15. Goodbye

Hello, and welcome to the next chapter!

Oblivious IJ; She surely does yeah~ She's quite cute huh~? Yup in time she'll become a serious contender. Like the Hollow, as that's the Shinigami powers and Hollow mixed together.

Clarent excalibur; Yup, we're going for the Rescue Rukia arc, with some twists coming up. Yeah, it's gonna be quite the arc. Hehe, it seems Nemu's personality is, shining through now after her experiences within the human world. Toshiro and Rangiku's back and forth's are gonna be quite funny~ She indeed is right, Kenpachi's a beast before knowing his Zanpakuto's name, when he learns it, he becomes very scary. Yeah, that sounds pretty cool to me!

BatCornMan; I'll think about Bambietta, she could be cool~

Andrew123456; I can't reveal that yet, it's apart of his backstory. I did hear about him. Rest in peace Michael Lindsay.

Skull Flame; You'd be surprised. She does yeah the storms in this chapter. Indeed it is. Yeah, she'll tell some Hollows about it, at least the friendly ones~ That's Nemu, she's become quite the investigator. They did yeah, we'll see them again in the future. Takumi's got new toys to play with~ Nemu's got competition it seems~

ShadowUzumaki55; He surely does yeah, he's gonna have to try his best. Kisuke's gonna try his best to keep him safe. Takumi and Tier have an interesting relationship between them yeah~ The Quincy girls now see Takumi as an ally, and vice versa. Yeah, they will kiss, I've got a good time for them to do so. Yeah, never do that or she'll come after them~ It does since she's been quite stoic with everyone before this happened.

Silver crow; Thanks! He brought it up with Kukkapuro, he just didn't get a reply hehe~ Glad that you liked their interactions. I guess that he could yeah~ The Quincy girls are now back to being best friends, and having laughs with one another. There is some emotional stuff coming up with Kisuke and Takumi, some being in this chapter. Maybe he does, maybe he's subconsciously remembering them and passing it off as hypothesis or something. Giselle's just left that alone for now~ Nemu's developing quite well, and had, some fun interactions with some other characters. Yeah, she probably did, Nemu's practical like that. Yeah she might be~ We almost did, but I've got another moment in mind for their first kiss, it isn't long away either. Maybe it was, we'll have to wait and see~ They'll be back, and yeah, he'll be using BG5 alright. Yeah, I can't explain it yet, but there is going to be some revelations in these coming chapters. Yeah, they're good ideas. I think that Dimension Lost could be a really cool Sacred Gear, but it's mainly used for its Balance Breaker to create dimensions, it could have some other cool features. Yeah, they could be. They have yeah, it seems interesting. Yup, they're dead already according to what I've read anyway. They will have a special power, I don't know what it is, but they will, it just makes sense that it seems like the author is focusing on them specifically. Yeah, he could have had relationships like that with those Captains. I have thought about writing a Zenith Tempest oc for some time, just don't know what story that would be. Sure, that could be quite cool~ It could happen after this coming arc yeah~ Yeah, I checked it out, seems pretty cool~ They would be cool followers~ Nope, he wouldn't know Zaraki. We'll see their interactions in the future. I always just thought it was acidic blood or something like that. What makes you think Aizen's gonna be alive by then? Sure, he could do something like that.

A fan; It's better than most of the live action based on manga/anime movies I've seen. I quite enjoyed it, the performances from the actors were quite good, as was the CGI in the movie, I don't have any major problems with the movie, it was good.

SomeDudeThatReads; Karin will have it.

Well, with those lovely reviews out of the way, it's time to start the chapter!

---

Goodbye

Walking into his bedroom after seeing off the Quincy girls, Takumi hummed, stretching his arm up into the air, casually going over to his chemistry area, and spun some liquid within the tubes, and smiled at the sight.

"It seems to be almost done."

He grinned, admiring what he was making.

He always was happy when he could see his own creations working out.

His eyes went around the room, unable to see Rukia or Kon.

"Rukia-chan, are you here? Kon, come out if you're hiding."

Rukia didn't reply.

Neither did Kon.

Though he did hear a faint sound that seemed to be fleeting.

Takumi found that rather strange.

His eyebrows twisted upwards, slowly walking to the closet.

"Hey Rukia-chan, want to go to the park or something? We can meet up with Orihime-chan, and the others."

He thought that normalcy would be for the best with Rukia right now.

She had seemed stressed recently, and he could understand why that is.

He knocked on her closet door, but received no answering, apart from a mumbling sound.

"Rukia-chan, are you alright?"

Once again, no reply.

Besides a simple mumbling sound.

Takumi felt worry now, since Rukia would at least say "I'm fine." or something akin to that.

"Rukia-chan, I'm gonna open the door, so you aren't naked or anything, right?" No response besides a mumble. "A-Alright then, here I come!" Takumi thrusted the door open, and saw a tied up, and crying Kon. "Geez, what did she do to you?"

He ripped off the tape that was gagging his mouth, and tossed it away.

"It's terrible! Rukia-chan is gone! She's left us! More importantly, me!"

Takumi went into alert mode, though rolled his eyes when hearing what Kon said about Rukia leaving him.

"G-Gone! What do you mean by that?!"

"Don't you get it!? She's left us!"

Takumi exhaled slowly, putting a hand to his mouth.

"What is she doing..." Takumi overlooked the closet, and saw a piece of paper. "A note?"

He wondered what that was about, so he picked up the paper, and overlooked it.

He saw in fact that it was a note, from Rukia.

[To Takumi. I was going to do this crazy decoding puzzle to try and fake you out, but I'm sure you'd probably just laugh about it anyway and finish it within a minute or so, it involved Chappy by the way, someone I'm sure you love.] Takumi released a chortle, a hollow one at that. [So, I'm going to save that for now, and just tell you this. Takumi, for everything you have done for me. For being there for me, for helping me navigate the human world, I could never repay your kindness. Forget about me, and if you can, keep yourself hidden for a few days. Though, I doubt you'd listen to me anyway because you're going to try and save me, that's the kind of guy you are after all, but if you are reading this, just know that whatever happens next, it isn't your fault. I had so much fun within the human world, with you, and you have saved me, in so many ways, so this time, it is my turn to save you. So thank you Takumi, and goodbye.]

Takumi was left dumbfounded by what he had just read.

She really had gone.

To protect him…

He didn't get why people wanted to do that.

Rukia, Yoruichi, Kisuke.

Them, and more kept secrets from him.

The only one who was going to tell him the truth was Nemu, but Kisuke had stopped her.

It seemed completely maddening.

"You see?! I tried to stop her, but she wouldn't listen to me! And tied me up in here! You have to go and get her before she does something she'll regret!"

Takumi understood what he was saying, but he was lost in his own world for a few moments.

He knew that she ran off, she suspected that the Shinigami were going to be there.

Shaking his head, Takumi ejected out of his body, and grabbed a few things that he would need to use against enemies that could show up.

"Kon, stay here."

"Come back soon."

Takumi nodded, rushing out of the door.

---

With the setting sun, the sky being bathed in orange, Takumi went to sense for Rukia's Reiatsu, when Kisuke stepped forward, his hand resting on his Zanpakuto.

"Dad, what are you doing?"

"I'm sorry Takumi, but I can't let you go."

Takumi tried to move left, but Kisuke flashed before him, resting a hand on his shoulder.

"Dad, why are you getting in the way? I need to go and find Rukia-chan."

"It's too late for that."

Takumi furrowed his eyebrows...then came to the realization of what Kisuke was saying.

"S-So they're already here! If they are then I'll-"

"I can't let you Takumi." Kisuke withdrew his Zanpakuto unwillingly. "Even if I have to fight you, I can't let you go to her. She understands that this is the right decision, for both you and her. Kuchiki-san knows that this is for the best, so you have to come with me before they find you."

"Why are they after me Dad?"

Kisuke lowered his eyes.

"I can't answer-"

"Tell me why!"

Kisuke was surprised that Takumi had yelled at him.

It was rare for Takumi to get that emotional.

"It's complicated, and would take sometime to explain. All I can say though is, it isn't your fault."

"What isn't my fault?"

"What happened that night, it wasn't your fault. It was my fault. What happened to you."

Takumi now was becoming worried.

His Father's face was showcasing worry and unsureness.

"What happened to me? Is it why I don't remember Mom? Has it got to do with that light in my chest? What was that?"

"More than that...Takumi, you were never a normal human, you weren't just a human to see ghosts either. No, you are so much more than that, so I can't let you go now."

"What am I then Dad? Am I...was I a Shinigami before Rukia-chan gave me her powers? You always said that I didn't have the potential to become a Shinigami like you and if I tried then I'd be killed by trying, that's why I never bothered trying to unlock those powers...so that was a lie?"

"I tried to keep it from you, I tried so hard to protect you, and let you have a normal life. But even I couldn't contain your powers, which allows you to see ghosts, and Hollows. I tried to make sure you had a normal life, a life that you hadn't had before. But I couldn't in the end. I even tried to stop your meeting with Kuchiki-san, I didn't want you to become hurt, I didn't want you involved in this life as a Shinigami. All it does is cause you pain, all I have done is cause you pain."

"That's not true...I've enjoyed all the time we've had Dad...but, I was a Shinigami…? Was I good...or, was I bad…? Is that why they're after me...am I a criminal?"

"No, you're not a criminal, even if they say you are. As a Shinigami, you were great...greater than I had expected, and became so strong so young. You became...but that doesn't matter Takumi. They'll take you away to the Soul Society, a place I can't go, I can't save you, I can't protect you if you go to the Soul Society, if they take you from me. I nearly lost you once, I wont lose you again."

"...What am I to you?"

Kisuke smiled softly.

"You're my son, and I love you."

"I love you to." Takumi gripped his Zanpakuto, and withdrew it, Kisuke flashed to stop him, but he unleashed a swing, forcing Kisuke backwards. "That's why I have to go and protect Rukia-chan. You telling me that doesn't change who I am. Even if they see me as a criminal, I have to protect her, no matter what."

Kisuke exhaled slowly, raising his sword to the sky.

"Then I'll have to stop you the old fashioned way." His Zanpakuto began to glow as he recited the chant. "Awaken Benihime."

Takumi was surprised that he actually released his sword.

Seeing it change shape, it looked quite beautiful.

"So your Crimson Princess has woke up. It's time for my Golden Princess to come alive." Takumi took out his own blade, and lightly laid a kiss on it. "Ravage Kinhime." A lightning bolt shot down, and changed the blade into its Shikai state. "I love you Dad, but if you get in my way, then I'll have to fight you."

"Then I'll have to fight you Takumi. I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to defeat you to protect you. I can't let you go to her. I don't want Kuchiki-san to be punished just as much as you do, but you're my priority. Trust me when I say that I'm only thinking of your safety."

Kisuke and Takumi stood face to face, ready to strike down at a moments notice.

---

Rukia thought it was better this way.

Taking off while Takumi was distracted with the Quincy girls.

In the end, she thought that this would be the best way to go about it. She didn't want to have Takumi involved in the Soul Society. She knew what that meant, so she'd throw off the Soul Society as much as she could.

She recalled various moments across the time she had spent in the human world, with Takumi and the others.

[Give me your power, and I promise to slay that damn thing.]

Rukia recalled Takumi saying that to her.

At first, she thought it was insane…

But now she had time to reflect on it, and seeing what he had done that night for her…

It was the first time in a long time that she felt like she had met someone who just saw her as a girl, not a member of the Kuchiki family, or someone from the slums of the Soul Society.

[Don't worry Rukia-chan, we can be friends. You can talk to me about anything you want. That's what friends do, right?]

Rukia laughed at that memory, when they were going to Orihime's to send Sora to the Soul Society.

She recalled more and more…

Then she remembered the time when she had a fight with the Hollow that looked like the one that had killed Kaien. She remembered how she had nearly died, and then Takumi came in, with his shining sword Kinhime, and she knew from that moment, that everything was going to be alright.

[You're silly, you can always come to me with any problem you have. You are one of those types of people that want to protect others. Did it never occur to you that you're one of the people that needs to be protected too? We're a team Rukia-chan, if one of us is sad, we're all sad, we fight these things together. I don't know how normal Shinigami's do it, but we're here for you, you don't have to face this alone.]

"Alone..."

Rukia murmured.

She truly wished that she didn't have to do it alone.

But in this instance, she had to do this to keep him safe.

Even then, it truly did feel as if knives had stabbed into her with the pain that she felt.

[You're not alone anymore Rukia-chan, you don't have to take on the world alone. I'll always be here for you Rukia-chan. You can rely on me, you don't have to worry about me disappearing, okay? Don't do reckless things like this, we can deal with any problem together. Come to me, and I'll come to you if we need help. That's what it means to have friends, you know? So, how about it? Deal?]

Rukia's eyes began to water.

She didn't want to remember these things.

She just wanted to leave it in the past.

Remembering hurt more than she thought possible.

She hated these feelings that were creeping up on her.

She hated the ideas of being like this...

But in the end, she couldn't help it.

[But Kuchiki-chan, you can lie to Taku-chan and say you don't feel anything, but I can tell that you do really feel something for Taku-chan, don't you?]

Recalling what Orihime had said, she couldn't hold back anymore, and mutter "Yes...I do." and for her to admit it, truly meant that she was going through a lot in her life.

But she shook her head, focusing on escaping the area.

"When I first heard his name, I thought that I was going crazy." Rukia thought to herself, running across a bridge out of town. "Seeing his face, I didn't recognize him at first, he had grown...I could hardly believe it was him, but when I interacted with him, and seeing Kinhime, I definitely knew it was him. The stories about him, and what he had supposedly done was a lie. And now, I'm running away to protect the man that...hah, Takumi, you truly are a weird person. I keep being surprised by what you truly are, and what you've done for me...thank you Takumi. Do not worry about me, if I do my job right, I can protect you like you have done for me...it was ironic in the end, that I ended up teaching you how to be a Shinigami, when you were the one that I respected the most..."

Rukia continued running through the streets, having made it over the bridge.

Moving swiftly through the ground, she knew that this was for the best.

It hurt her to do this.

But this was her doing her best.

This was her doing what she thought was necessary...

"Rukia!"

Rukia froze when she heard that voice.

She knew that voice all too well.

She thought that she had time.

She thought that she would have the energy to actually make it out of the situation, and put as much distance between them as possible.

Rukia turned her neck, and came face to face with a man with red hair.

Wearing the standard Shinigami robes, his eyes looked wicked, as did the tattoos on his body.

"Living in this world for too long has left you open to attacks Rukia."

Rukia pulled backwards.

"Renji...so they sent you here?"

"What do you mean "So they sent you here?" when it would be obvious they'd send me. Now Rukia, tell me, where is he?"

Rukia bit her lower lip, her hand shakily going to the Zanpakuto on her hip.

"I don't know what you mean. Who are you talking about?"

Renji's eyes flared, jumping down before her and swung his sword down. Reacting with quick speed, Rukia parried his blade, and sent him away from her, skidding across the ground, and leapt backwards…

Only to feel a chill down her spine.

Her breathing became shallow, while a hand placed itself on her shoulder.

She froze in time.

She couldn't move.

The pressure behind her, she knew it all too well…

She saw a flash of pink come from behind her, and she knew who this was.

"C-Captain Kyoraku..."

Shunsui adopted a large smile on his face, as he revealed himself, a young woman wearing glasses, and finally, her elder brother, Byakuya who seemed to be unamused with something. It was unusual for him to have that kind of expression on his face.

"So tell me Kuchiki-san, where is Takumi Urahara-kun?"

At that moment, Rukia didn't know what she was supposed to do, it felt like her body was being pushed down by the immense power within the area, coming from her elder brother, and from Shunsui himself.

However, there was a stark contrast between them.

Byakuya's expression was that of a cold man, and Shunsui's...she couldn't read.

He was smiling, but his eyes told a different story all together.

---

Kisuke and Takumi continued their stare off, neither even moved a muscle.

Knowing that they both wanted the other to go first, for them to enact some plan that they no doubt were coming up with, they both remained stationary.

Until Takumi blinked a single time, when Kisuke used that chance to flash beside him, and swing his Zanpakuto down, which held a net made of the energy from his Shikai attempting to wrap around Takumi's body, and it succeeded, binding him to the ground.

"That was to-"

"Easy!"

Takumi touched Kisuke's back, and came slashing from up above, so Kisuke turned and parried the attack, but Takumi pulled his hand backwards, seeing that a yellow rope was wrapping around Kisuke's upper body.

"Hainawa is it? Not quite Takumi."

Kisuke released a Shakkaho right in front of him, firing it from his blade, right for Takumi, who spun around, allowing the electricity to swim around his form, becoming what seemed to be a wall, but Kisuke noticed that the electricity was crawling across the rope that was around Kisuke's body, so he cut the line…

But then he was surprised when he saw something else happening.

"Fubishi! So you hid a Kido within the Hainawa rope! Damn, you've become quite good at Kido! But still not enough for me Takumi~!"

The spell erupted into a blast of fire that surrounded Kisuke, along with an electrical charge, destroying a good chunk of the ground. Takumi noticed that the area was coated in a barrier, he presumed Kisuke put it up just in case he tried to run away.

He then felt a hand touch his back, turning to see Kisuke, then looked at the area Kisuke was in before, seeing that it was a deflated rubbery version of Kisuke.

"Gigai, nice."

Takumi had to praise that.

Kisuke truly was a master of using tricks like that, it always made him smile when seeing his Father's abilities at play, even in situations like this.

"Indeed, now Rikujokoro." Six slabs of light surround Takumi, and pin him at his waist as Kisuke raised his hand. "Sajo Sabaku!" An energy chain came around Takumi, and further bound him, so he couldn't move. "You're finished Takumi. I'm sorry but that's how it had to go."

Kisuke expressed without joy in his voice.

He hated that he would have to do this.

"Oh is that right Dad?" Kisuke's eyes widened, turning to see Takumi pulling at his cheeks, sticking out his tongue and acted goofy, like Kisuke would if he had caught an enemy by surprise. "Like Father like son, right Dad?" Takumi pulled his Zanpakuto, which had Hainawa attached, and saw that it was on the Gigai of Takumi. "You're not the only one who can use Gigai's. Difference is though, mine explode."

Kisuke laughed nervously.

"D-Did you just say explode?"

Kisuke spoke with slight worry, seeing what Takumi was doing and what he had said.

"Yes, that's right, they explode. Might wanna put up a shield to defend against them."

"Oh shi-"

Kisuke's words were drowned out as the Takumi that was bound, exploded into a furious flash of energy, so Kisuke had to use his Zanpakuto's shielding ability to take the wave of energy, but he noticed that the shield was blocked from the intense power that he had released, but then he saw Takumi appearing behind him, and gathering electricity within his sword.

"Lightning strike!"

From his sword, a heavy duty bolt of lightning was released, and shot right down for Kisuke, who thrust his sword upwards, and released his own red energy attack, which clashed together, creating a decent sized explosion within the area they were in, which began burning the shop from the heat of their attacks.

Kisuke and Takumi cut through the smoke, to see the other lunging at them, so they raised their blades, and clashed together. Sparks went off between their blades, dousing the area in their sparks, and Kisuke raised his hand.

"Hado 31: Shakkaho!"

Unleashing a Shakkaho right for Takumi at close range, Takumi ducked under the blast, it going over head. However, Kisuke waved his sword, shooting off what seemed to be some energy, which hit the Kido spell, and caused it to explode, thrusting Takumi forward, and Kisuke grabbed Takumi's body and sword, throwing him over his shoulder, and threw him down to the ground while tossing his Zanpakuto away so Takumi couldn't use it, where the net that Kisuke had made before, at the beginning of the fight, reactivated, and wrapped around Takumi's body, capturing him in the net of red energy.

Takumi let out a small groan as Kisuke stabbed into the net from a distance, and ran a binding spell across the net itself, attempting to bind Takumi to the ground so he couldn't continue forward…

But Kisuke watched as electricity ripped through the net of his Shikai's ability, and destroyed the net all together, and saw that Takumi's hand was glowing...and then saw that a box was at the end of the net which contained Takumi's Zanpakuto, behind Kisuke, and had pierced the ground, destroying the net, allowing Takumi to get close, and aim his hand forward.

"Sokatsui!"

Without even chanting, Kisuke was impressed with that, shot forward a pale blast of energy, so Kisuke jumped away, swinging out his blade, and unleashed several blasts of crimson energy. Takumi cupped his hands together, and summoned a barrier, which surrounded his body, and blocked the shots, but also ripped through the barriers.

Kisuke couldn't help but be very impressed with what he was witnessing.

To see his even surprise him, who could take on very high levelled opponents, he knew that he had been underestimating his son.

"So, you used Hako Okuri, to teleport your Zanpakuto, and remotely used your Zanpakuto to destroy the net before my binding spell reached you...hahaha, you are my son after all. I am genuinely impressed Takumi, most normal Shinigami would have fallen to my attacks by now, most Lieutenants would have fallen to that kind of combination. But not you my boy, which is wonderful, and also kind of terrifying."

"I don't know if I like being called wonderful and terrifying in the same sentence."

"It's a compliment."

Kisuke responded with kindness.

Takumi dashed for his sword, Kisuke knowing that he got it then it would be dangerous, so he flashed before him, and swung his sword out to disable Takumi's movements...but surprising him, Takumi flipped like Yoruichi would when she was fighting, and flicked his foot forward.

"Small blades hiding in your Shinigami robes, definitely a Yoruichi movement."

Kisuke raised his sword to block the swords, batting them away, only to see Takumi before him, his leg high up into the air, his other foot pressing Kisuke's hands downwards, using his toes to flick the blade out of Kisuke's hand, and kicked it away, so he couldn't use his blade to defend against his kick.

Kisuke's eyes widened ever so slightly, seeing that Takumi was pressing him further than he had expected, he didn't think Takumi would be able to move this good, but there was something that Takumi didn't know.

"You know Takumi, when I was a Shinigami, I should say in the Gotei 13, I used to work under Yoruichi-san, and I happened to be a master of hand to hand combat, so I guess you could say is that I can switch between sword play and hand to hand within a moments notice."

Kisuke twisted his hand, grabbing Takumi's foot, and went to bring it down, when Takumi sent his other foot for Kisuke's face. Kisuke went to lift his other hand to block, when he felt a chain wrapping around his wrist, pulling his hand downwards, so Kisuke twisted his body and brought up his own foot, blocking Takumi's intense kick, while pinning down Takumi's other foot to the ground, Takumi's face curling upwards.

"Amazing Dad, lets do this!"

Takumi flipped, and kicked at Kisuke, who pulled backwards, only for Takumi to sent a flurry of kicks and punches for Kisuke, who parried them all. But he had to admit, because of Yoruichi had been training him, his skills in hand to hand combat was rather great, and above average, but he knew he was still more skilled in hand to hand.

Kisuke whipped his hand around at one point, grappling Takumi's arms, and put them into a lock, throwing Takumi above his head, and behind him, and sent off a powerful kick towards his back in an attempt to stop him…

Only for Takumi's foot to connect with Kisuke's own, the impact alone created a shock wave which ripped through the shop, shattering various glass objects, and Kisuke received a small cut on his cheek which had a weird liquid going into his cheek though Kisuke didn't notice as Takumi received a deep gash on his body due to the heavy impact of the attack.

"Ooh damn it Takumi!"

"Hey you kicked at me! Not the other way around! What do I do? Let you kick me?!"

"No! But...ugh, I don't know, don't kick your Father, I forbid it."

"That could go for you too old man!" Takumi pushed from Kisuke's foot, so Takumi raised his hand as did Kisuke. "Have this!"

""Hado 32: Okasen!""

Like Father like son, they thought of the same Kido spell, and shot off a wide arc of yellow energy, which clashed with one another, creating a sizeable explosion, pushing the pair backwards, while having the same idea, grabbing their Zanpakuto's, and swung them outwards, unleashing their electricity, and red energy at the same time, however Kisuke's energy managed to break through Takumi's own, forcing Takumi to stab the ground and announce "Lightning Shield!" blocking off the energy attack all together.

Takumi released a pant, as Kisuke also felt his heart racing from the attacks that Takumi was giving him.

He was requiring to think harder than normal in a battle, but that was just a testament to Takumi's skills and adaptability.

"You weren't kidding. I knew I wouldn't be able to take you in hand to hand. After all, you've got experience over me, old man."

"Hey I'm still young thank you."

Kisuke huffed out, while Takumi chuckled.

"Yeah, maybe so, but you're underestimating me. If you had come with the intent to kill, I'd be finished by now."

Kisuke's face gained a grin.

"Perhaps you're right, but you're not someone I want to kill, but don't sell yourself short, you genuinely have surprised me in this fight. But as I said before, right now, you're not enough for me." Kisuke twirled his finger, and pulled Takumi's wrist with a chain, not unlike the one Takumi used on him, and yanked him forward. "Now it's time to be finished."

Takumi got close thanks to Kisuke, who touched Takumi's chest, and pulled away as Takumi swung out his blade, announcing "Electric Field!" which created a sizeable dome of electricity around his body, and Kisuke felt the electricity surround his form, and dug into his skin, shocking him and singed his skin, while getting out of the filed.

Kisuke landed on the ground, releasing a small breath out of his mouth.

"I'm sorry Takumi, I truly am."

"Hmmm?"

"I'm sorry for this."

Kisuke snapped his fingers, suddenly Takumi saw that several balls of black energy were surrounding him, binding him in place, as well as a final one which surrounded his chest area.

"D-Damn..."

"Yes, this is Kuyo Shibari. It's in the 70's of Kido spells, so isn't easy to pull off, or break out of either." Kisuke raised his sword, and pointed it at Takumi. "I'm truly sorry Takumi. You were a good match, many couldn't contend with me like that. And while you've got a long way to go, your ability to match higher level opponents with tricks, and skills, is amazing. Please know that I'm doing this to keep you safe, I'm trying to protect you Takumi. That's all I want to do in the end. Can't you see? I know it might be difficult, it might seem like I don't care about Kuchiki-san, but it's the opposite. I do care what happens to her, but as my son, I have to protect you no matter what. Even if I have to stop you like this."

Takumi could see that.

He understood what his Father was trying to say.

"Yes, I understand Dad, but you're asking me to abandon a friend. You taught me that abandoning people is the worse thing you could do. Leaving people to die, knowing that even if you die, you could help."

Kisuke recalled when he had said that to Takumi.

He understood his sons conflicting nature at this situation.

But he also had to protect his son no matter what.

"Yes, I can see your point of view Takumi. Leaving people to die is one of the worst things someone can do, especially if they know they could help. But, allowing your child to go off to their death is also one of the worst things a parent could go through. Besides, Yoruichi-san wouldn't forgive me, neither would Hiyori-san if I let you go off now, and most of all, I wouldn't forgive myself if you went off now, and died."

Takumi lowered his eyes, and held his Zanpakuto between his fingers, giving off a spark.

"So, that's it Kinhime?"

"Hmmmm?"

Kisuke cocked his head to the side.

Takumi shot his eyes for Kisuke's own, and twirled his fingers across Kinhime.

"What did you do?"

Kisuke didn't seem to feel anything different, or see anything that had changed.

However, when he tried to move his right foot…

It didn't respond.

Instead, his right shoulder responded, causing him to gasp.

"Takumi...you..."

"I'm sorry Dad, I truly am." Takumi unleashed his Zanpakuto's energy, and destroyed the Kido spell around him, though it took a bit out of him to do that. "Heeeeh, I knew I'd not be able to beat you in a physical fight, or even a Kido fight, but I had to do something to get past you, so I messed with your nervous system."

"M-My nervous system...when…?"

Kisuke hadn't recalled when he had done that, and fell down to his knees, unable to stand up due to what Takumi had done, his body wasn't responding to him in the way that it usually would do, and he was slowly figuring out which movement controlled which limb but even if he tried to fight, it would be very difficult until he could get rid of it.

Takumi however waved a hand through his hair, as he bound Kisuke with some Kido. Kisuke tried to move, but his feet didn't respond. Different parts of his body instead moved when he ordered his feet to move.

"I messed with the electrical signals your brain releases. It's a bacteria I invented that is able to coincide with my Zanpakuto, attaching to your nervous system, allowing me to run my electricity through it and scramble the signals. It doesn't last indefinitely, so don't worry about your signals being scrambled forever, and it causes no permanent damage. A random body part will move when your brain wants you to move a certain part. Say your right hand, any other part of your body could move, like your left foot, or your right knee, it's up to you to work out which is which, you're smart Dad so you can figure it out."

Takumi explained while praising Kisuke's mental abilities.

He thought his Father was more intelligent than him, but Takumi wasn't a slouch either, which Kisuke was seeing more and more.

"But, when?"

"When you ask. When you were within my electrical field of course. If you're asking when my bacteria entered your system, it was when you and I kicked one another. That cut on your cheek, it allowed me to spray in the bacteria without you noticing due to how focused you were on my body."

Kisuke understood now, he also knew why Takumi chose that moment.

"I see...I guess you were right after all, I did underestimate you Takumi. I didn't think you'd be able to come up with something like this. And for why you chose that moment, it was because you confirmed that it was actually me, and not a Gigai, didn't you?"

"As I said, you're too strong for the current me, your faster, stronger, and have everything above me, so I had to bring you down somehow in case you tried to stop me. I'm just lucky that you had taken it easy on me. If you had come at me with the intent to kill, then I'd have been stopped before I could do this. I had to make sure that it was the real you after all as you said, before I did anything, knowing how notorious you are for using Gigai's to replace yourself."

Takumi placed a barrier around Kisuke, Kisuke tried to move, but found that his legs still weren't responding.

Takumi then turned around and began moving away.

"W-Wait, Takumi! Don't go!"

"I have to try and save Rukia-chan, even if I can't succeed, knowing that I've tried is the best thing I can do right now Dad. I learned it from you, how to be courageous, how to use what knowledge and abilities I have to overcome adversity, how to be strong. Thanks for everything Dad. Don't worry about what you said, you were the best Father I could ask for."

Takumi launched himself forward, and broke through the barrier after several lightning strikes. Kisuke was left shouting "Takumi! Don't go!" but Takumi didn't pay any heed, and disappeared out of sight.

Kisuke looked around at the binds he was in, along with the barrier, then he looked back at his shop.

"T-Tessai-san? Jinta...Ururu...Yoruichi-san….I'll even take Zombie Chizuru right now...anyone here? Please say yes...hello?"

No replies came.

He was completely alone.

---

Back with Rukia, she was asked again "Kuchiki-san, where is he?" which made her blood run cold.

Her eyes felt like they were freezing over.

Her eyes flickered while Nanao, the young woman in glasses, stepped forward.

"Kuchiki-san, we have information and reports that Takumi Urahara-kun is within this town. If you tell us where he is, your own situation might become better than it is right now. So, reveal where Takumi-kun is."

Rukia breathed out of her nose, while trying to speak.

The pressure of two Captain's was hard to deal with, along with Renji and Nanao's own pressures that felt like she was dying.

"...I don't know what you're talking about."

"Rukia!" Renji snapped, pulling closer. "Just tell them where Takumi Urahara is! Why are you pretending to lie about it!?"

"I said I don't know what you're talking about Renji! Is he in this town?!"

Renji could hear the passion within her voice.

Byakuya was mildly surprised that Rukia was expressing so much, protecting Takumi.

"You're willing to protect a criminal of the Soul Society?" Byakuya spoke up, Rukia couldn't remember the last time that he had spoken to her. "May I ask, what is that supposed to accomplish for yourself?"

"Byakuya...that's..."

Rukia couldn't answer.

She couldn't do that to Takumi.

"Rukia, why do you have that stupid human expression on your face? Have you stayed in this world for too long?"

Rukia's eyes widened when Renji had said that.

Caught between them all, she wasn't supposed to know what to say.

Shunsui chuckled lightly, breaking the tension.

"Well now, everyone's acting a little crazy. Lets just calm down, and think rationally~ Hey Kuchiki-san, how about a drink?"

Rukia gave him a strange look.

"No thank you. If you're going to take me, then take me already."

"You're in a hurry little lady. Can I ask why that is?"

Rukia breathed out hard.

"I just want to leave immediately. As Renji said, I've been in the human world for too long."

"But, how about we have a drink first?"

"Captain, is now the time to act like this?"

Nanao stepped forward and asked this simple question.

Shunsui chuckled to himself.

"Of course. If Kuchiki-san is going to be difficult, then I suppose we could all get to know one another, and have drinks. So Kuchiki-san, what have you been doing in the human world?" Shunsui smiled brightly poking Rukia's cheek who looked annoyed. "Tell me, did anything significant happen when you came here? Did you become a real-"

THWACK!

"That's not very elegant to ask Captain." Nanao retracted her hand from Shunsui's throbbing head as he held tears within his eyes. "Either way, this is getting us nowhere. It is clear that Kuchiki-san isn't going to reveal anything about-"

"That's why we have to force it out of her!"

Renji charged in with a sword swing, Rukia reacted with speeds that Renji was shocked by, parrying his attack, and pulled closer, placing a hand to his chest, and yelled "Hado 1: Sho!" and unleashed a blast in his chest, forcing him backwards a few inches, allowing Rukia to hold her blade to Renji's neck in a surprising turn, even Byakuya held mild surprise within his eyes, but his stoic face remained the same.

"Don't Renji, don't."

Renji felt a bead of sweat rolling down his cheek.

He couldn't recall Rukia being able to do anything like that, and attack in a weird way with Kido.

"S-Since when could you do that?"

Renji couldn't hide his astonishment.

Rukia cracked her neck.

"I've been here for a while, and learned more than you might think."

Shunsui watched with bemusement, while thinking "It was a similar move to Takumi, so Kuchiki-san has been watching him after all, he always mixed in Kido with swordplay, clever little lady." while Nanao raised her hand.

"Kuchiki-san, if you continue your actions, your punishment may be more severe."

Rukia knew that to be true.

But she simply couldn't allow Takumi to be caught either, so she had to do something, and that was her Zanpakuto, clutching it together, cold air began to surround the group of Shinigami.

"Dance! Sode no Shi-"

"Rukia." Byakuya spoke up, seeing the desperation on Rukia's face. "Releasing Zanpakuto here? Are you trying to get executed?"

"If I don't do this, then you wont take me seriously. I don't know what you've heard but..."

"There were a mass of Gillian's here." Nanao reported. "Lieutenant Kurotsuchi reported as such, saying that you had dealt with a good number of Gillian's. Can you deny or confirm these reports?"

"It is true that Gillian's attacked here, and I was able to handle the situation."

Rukia retorted, but Renji yelled.

"You're lying Rukia! You didn't handle them on your own! Why aren't you telling us where Takumi Urahara is? Is it because he used to-"

"Renji." Rukia spoke up. "Takumi Urahara, went away from the Soul Society a long time ago, I haven't seen him since. I don't know why you believe this. Did Lieutenant Kurotsuchi tell you that Takumi Urahara was around here?"

Renji pursed his lips, and went to speak, when Nanao did instead.

"She merely mentioned that a flash of light rang out through the Hollows, destroying them and that's all she saw. She explained that she wasn't sure what it was that she had saw, only that it was dazzling."

Rukia's expressions didn't change, but she was glad that Nemu had said that, it meant that she was truly an ally.

"I see, then that flash of light was-"

"Rukia, you are only making your own situation worse. Explain why you are trying to defend this individual. Have you not heard what happened back in the Soul Society regarding the person named Takumi Urahara?"

Rukia wasn't sure how she was supposed to respond to Byakuya.

But all she could do was speak some truth.

"Of course I have. But the individual you are describing is not the same-"

"Working with a criminal, is a punishable crime." Byakuya explained. "Now tell us Rukia, where is he? Save yourself the strife..." Rukia's eyes darted left and right, Byakuya came to a realization. "...you have developed feelings for him, haven't you?"

Rukia was stunned Byakuya had picked that up.

How he did, she had no idea.

All she knew was that if Byakuya knew that secret, would he try and kill Takumi even more?

Would he care?

Would it enrage him?

She never could tell with the expressionless face that was Byakuya's.

Renji growled, and thrusted his sword at Rukia, who parried it away from her, only for Renji to whip it back around, so Rukia jumped backwards only to see her elder brother behind her body, raising his sword slowly.

"If you are going to have trouble with Rukia, Renji, then I shall step in."

"Captain Kuchiki, I was merely surprised by her increased abilities, but I can handle it from-"

"Here!"

BANG!

Renji received a big smash to the back of his head, the impact made his eyes pop out, falling face first to the ground, everyone's eyes widening, only for Rukia to feel her body going up into the air, and into a familiar embrace.

"I didn't even sense his approach...he hid himself well."

Byakuya caught sight of who it was who was carrying Rukia away in his arms.

"I'm here to save you Ruka-chan!"

Rukia blinked at the name as they began running. Byakuya, Shunsui and Nanao went to give chase, when they felt binds around their bodies, Hainawa binds that had electricity running through their binds, giving them electrical shocks.

"W-Who the hell is Ruka!?"

"Did I say Ruka? I meant Rukia-chan! I missed out the I in Rukia by mistake! Hey, if you ever have kids, name one of them Ruka as a special favour to me!"

"I'm not naming one of my children Ruka! Anyway, how do you miss out a letter in someone's name?!"

"Sorry, been one of those days, especially when someone runs off without even saying goodbye!"

"I'm protecting you!"

"Did I ask for your protection?!"

"No, I was taking a note out of your books, and just doing whatever I wanted!"

"Well I guess I'm doing the same then!"

"Uggggh! You truly do annoy me Takumi!"

"And you annoy me too!"

Takumi and Rukia argued while he carried her away.

But then they adopted smiles.

"I'm glad you're alright Rukia-chan."

"You shouldn't of come, they'll-"

"Take me away, or kill me, I know."

Rukia was surprised that he knew that, and could only guess that he either worked it out, or someone had told him some truths, probably Kisuke, or Yoruichi, that's what she thought anyway.

"Then you know..."

"I'm from the Soul Society, aren't I?"

Rukia slowly nodded.

"Yes, you're from the Soul Society originally, I'm sorry I didn't say anything..."

Shunsui was the first to get through the Kido spell, and dashed for Takumi, who saw him coming, so he stabbed the ground, and sent off a burst wave of electricity from the ground, so Shunsui leapt upwards, and avoided the wave all together, appearing behind Takumi, swinging a blade down, which Takumi parried with his own, pushing the young man backwards.

"Hey, nice swordsmanship Takumi."

"Thanks whoever you are~"

Takumi grinned, but Shunsui's face took a noticeable dip.

"You don't know who I am?"

"You're...I'm going to guess Captain by how you and the other one is dressed. Nice kimono by the way, very flattering."

Shunsui chuckles lightly.

"Haha, still like that then. I'm glad~"

"Enough chatter!" Renji snapped, bringing up his head and faced Takumi. "That really hurt Takumi Urahara!"

"Well, I did hit you so I wasn't trying to play a game."

Renji's eyebrows knitted together, while Byakuya slit his eyes at Takumi, Nanao composed herself, and pulled closer.

"Takumi-kun, it's time to come back to the Soul Society."

Takumi was surprised how she just casually used his name even though he was sure he hadn't met her.

"Eh, sorry but I'm not going back...erm...whoever you are~"

"Is this one your jokes that I just don't get?" Nanao brought up, but Takumi looked confused. "It's me, Nanao Ise." Takumi just stared at her as if she had two heads. "You should know me, I know it's been many years, but you haven't forgotten me, have you?"

"Holy crap, so we really know each other then? Tell me more Nanao-chan~"

Nanao seemed to be rather confused, as did Byakuya.

"Are you making this up?"

"No, I genuinely don't know who you are."

"Even then, haven't you been curious...anything? Your spiritual energy?"

"My spiritual energy? What about it?"

Nanao furrowed her eyebrows, as she glanced at her Captain.

"Captain, could this really be the case? Did he really forget us all?"

"It seems that he doesn't remember after all. You can't pretend to have the astonishment in your eyes as well as Takumi-kun here is unless it is real astonishment. He doesn't remember who we are, we might as well be speaking to a stranger."

"But, it undoubtedly is him though, isn't it? The spiritual pressure is the same. Even after all these years, I can tell when it is his power."

"Even then Nanao-chan, the boy before us might look similar, and have a similar personality, but he didn't experience those things within the Soul Society."

Nanao surprisingly gave a sad look towards Takumi who knitted his brows together.

"Please don't be sad."

"Ah...Takumi-kun, that's..."

Nanao didn't know what to say as a response to that.

"I don't really get it, but you probably were expecting to meet me with memories, right? So we could...talk about stuff...were you my girlfriend or something? I don't think sister...I guess friends would be also applicable here as well, but it seems that you have intense emotions, so…"

Nanao's cheeks began burning red while Shunsui burst out laughing.

"She wishes she was your girlfriend Takumi-kun~"

"W-What do you mean by that Captain?!" Nanao shrieked. "I never wished that at all! I merely respected his skills as a young member of the Gotei 13! That was all!"

"Yeah, whatever you say Nanao-chan."

Nanao's eyes darkened, so Shunsui backed away slowly from the scary young woman.

Renji pulled forward, gazing upon Takumi who remained smiling.

"He's really lost his memory? Then taking him in would be...if he doesn't remember what he did, then can he be punished for it…?"

"It's still our duty, whether he remembers or doesn't." Byakuya spoke up, his eyes going for Rukia's own. "I understand why you decided to stay around now. With him."

"Byakuya..."

"I also heard about him, being the inspiration that you had when beginning to become a Shinigami."

Takumi, bewildered, glanced down at Rukia.

"I was your inspiration to become a Shinigami?"

"...It's a little more complicated than that, but you were a driving force on why I decided to become a Shinigami. If we survive this, I'll tell you all about it."

Takumi nodded with a "Sounds reasonable." seemingly not caring that he was receiving life changing information. Takumi dealt with it differently than most people did. It allowed him to look at all possible angles, and the chance to explore the unknown was something Takumi enjoyed immensely, even this, which would be life altering news, was a new adventure for him, to discover more about himself.

But then Takumi blinked.

"Hey, isn't it odd that I was the reason you became a Shinigami, but you ended up teaching me how to be a Shinigami?"

"Yeah, it's weird how the world works like that, isn't it?"

Takumi chuckled with a goofy smile on his face.

Byakuya's eyes went to Renji who furrowed his eyebrows.

"In any case, Renji. Take him down, and we'll take him back to the Soul Society for his punishment, probable executions."

Rukia flew into a panic with those words.

"No brother! Please don't do this! If he doesn't even remember, how can he be punished for those crimes?! The Takumi I have grown to know wouldn't do anything like the stories I had heard! He's a kind and gentle person! He would never-"

"Hold your tongue." Rukia backed away slowly. "Saying anymore only implicates yourself as an accessory to this man here." Byakuya looked at Renji who slightly hesitated. "Renji, did you not here what I had said?"

"O-Of course Captain!" Renji held his sword up. "Roar! Zabimaru!"

Renji's blade turned into a sword with several sections that could extend akin to a whip, and whipped it around, above his head, though Takumi glanced at Shunsui who seemed to be unsure of what to say.

"Zabimaru, meet my Princess. She's called Kinhime, and she doesn't like me being threatened."

Takumi disappeared in a flash, catching the likes of Renji off guard, and a few seconds later, Takumi appeared on the other side of Renji, with a deep slice across Renji's shoulder, blood gushing out of his shoulder.

"S-Shit!"

Renji cursed, while Nanao narrowed her eyes.

"It seems that he's still incredibly fast, Lieutenant Abarai isn't weak by any means... But he didn't even recognize me... what could have happened between the last time we spoke, and now for him to not remember myself? Even then, Abarai-san wont be able to match Takumi-kun in speed, especially with the limiter on him. We might have to call for a limiter release...no, we definitely will have to do that if this escalates any further." Her eyes went towards Shunsui who surprisingly had a serious face on. "What are you thinking about Captain? It was cruel for Central 46 to send you of all people to collect Takumi-kun. Considering your past together. Captain, what are you going to do? Can you really take in Takumi-kun? Even if it means his death?"

Nanao wished that she could read minds, as Shunsui's face was unreadable at that moment.

Renji gripped his shoulder, and turned to see Takumi pointing his Zanpakuto at him.

"That was a warning. Next shot wont be so nice."

"I see, so you're as scary as ever. Shouldn't of expected anything different. But I've been training for so long! To match the likes of my Captain and you Takumi Urahara! Or should I say-"

"I wish to not fight you, but if you want to fight me, then I'll have to retaliate with strong force. I will keep Rukia-chan safe, no matter what."

Takumi said with a calm expression on his face.

Renji didn't look pleased and thrusted his sword out, which grew longer and longer like a whip. It shot fast, Rukia called out "Takumi, watch out! Renji's powerful!" while Takumi disappeared in a burst of speed, Byakuya could keep track of him, but Renji couldn't keep track of him at all.

"Where did he go?"

Renji mused to himself, reeling his sword back in, and rather than try and find him, he spun his sword around his body, almost becoming like a vortex of rotating blades.

Rukia watched with some worry within her, not sure what was going to happen next.

But then from up above, a bolt of lightning came shooting downwards, so Renji grit his teeth.

"Yeah right! A simple bolt of lightning wont do me!" Renji raised his hand, and summoned his spiritual energy into a red sphere. "Shakkaho!"

Unleashing a point blank Shakkaho, he sent it up to connect with the lightning, and caused it to explode…

But then he felt cold steel upon his body.

His eyes dared downwards, seeing Takumi's face nearing his own.

"Sh-Shit..."

Renji tried to move an inch, but Takumi's blade was pressed against his chest.

"Do you have a seal on right now?"

"Y-Yeah, that's right..."

"So, you're only about twenty percent of your power, right?"

"So?"

Takumi released a chuckle.

"Then you're not at your best right now. I wonder how the fight would go if you were at your best? I sense strong spiritual energy within you, but if it is being sealed like this, then this fight is only going to go one way."

Takumi went to release an attack, as Renji whipped his sword closer to Takumi's body.

Without looking, Takumi raised his blade, and blocked the shot causing the blades to twist around as Takumi sent a pulse of electricity through the blade, travelling up the blade, and reached Renji's hand, electrocuting his hand to the point that it became numb from the overloading electricity that Takumi was sending through.

Releasing his sword, Renji placed his hand forward for Takumi's face, and went to unleash a Shakkaho, when Takumi disappeared, reappearing on Renji's outstretched arm, his blade at Renji's neck, while Byakuya's eyebrows furrowed.

"Definitely, that move of appearing on the opponents arm with a sword to the neck, that is something Yoruichi has been known to do, so even though he's lost his memories, she's still teaching him. But, it seems that something is amiss here."

While Byakuya thought about it, Renji thrusted his arm upwards with an annoyed grunt, while cupping his hands together.

"Shakkaho!"

Unleashing the red energy, he sent it for Takumi, who whirled his blade around, and shot off a needle of electricity, which pierced inside of the Kido attack, and Takumi announced "Expand!" which allowed the electricity within the sphere, breaking through the entirety of the Kido spell, as Takumi dashed downwards, and sliced before Renji's body, leaving a trial of lightning as his blade cut through Renji's body, blood gushing out of him, Takumi's eyes lowering.

"I am sorry, but I also have to protect Rukia-chan. I can also see it within your eyes, you want to protect her also, but can't."

Renji's eyes went towards Takumi's own who closed his eyes briefly.

Renji then dropped to the ground, Rukia blinked in surprise.

"He's improved, even if Renji's been held back by the limiter, he still managed to beat him. But there's my elder brother, Takumi can't take Byakuya..." Rukia's eyes went to Takumi, who looked on calmly, placing what seemed to be some salve onto Renji's wounds, healing him. "Takumi, you're going to be killed if you stay here…I wanted to avoid this, I truly did...but you're so stubborn anyway, so no matter what I say, you're going to stay, aren't you?"

"Yes of course Rukia-chan, I said to you that I wouldn't abandon you."

"Fool."

"Takes one to know one."

Rukia released a small laugh, while Takumi gave her a peace sign.

Shunsui held back a smile on his face, while Nanao held a hand to her mouth.

But then that changed when Byakuya's movement came close to Takumi's body at a very high speed despite being limited.

However, despite Byakuya being incredibly fast, Takumi was used to seeing Yoruichi's movements, that he turned around and grabbed Byakuya's hand as the blade was going to slice into his body, Byakuya's face became slightly narrow with the annoyance that he felt.

"Having a seal was a mistake. Perhaps it is time to be released. What do you say Takumi Urahara?"

"What I say is, if you're her brother, why aren't you protecting Rukia-chan like me?"

At that moment, Byakuya was caught in surprise.

Though he didn't outwardly show it, Byakuya didn't expect Takumi to say something like that.

Takumi saw Byakuya raise his finger to Takumi's chest, and stared into his eyes.

"That is not your concern. What is that it is my duty to bring in both Rukia Kuchiki, and Takumi Urahara. If she is my sister, does not factor into my mission."

"Then that's pretty sad to hear."

Byakuya's eyebrows furrowed while Takumi clutched his sword tightly, wondering what powers Byakuya was going to show. He could sense that while Byakuya was suppressed in his power, he still was no laughing matter, and compared to Renji, Byakuya was superior in power.

---

Back with Kisuke, he was continuing to try and escape, while his body began responding to him again, but it was rather stiff.

Even he had to admit that Takumi's technique was difficult to fight through, and wondered if he had what it takes to take down a certain someone with using what he had used.

But he also understood that because he managed to take out Kisuke, the people from the Soul Society wont be as kind as he was. Even then, he knew that Takumi could handle himself, but for how long, he didn't know.

He attempted to stand up, but he ended up falling flat on his face, and he groaned out.

He thought that he would manage to get some movement back, and he was indeed getting that.

But it wasn't enough.

He knew he wouldn't be able to do serious battle in the situation that he was in at that moment.

It was too difficult.

"Ooh come on..."

Kisuke let out a frustrated sigh, only to see Yoruichi move closer in cat form.

Kisuke's eyes went for Yoruichi, and tears began to leak out of his eyes, catching Yoruichi off guard.

"Geez Kisuke, what happened?"

Kisuke's eyes continued shedding tears.

"H-He's gone Yoruichi-san and he's made it so I can't move correctly...y-you have to go after him..."

"He managed to get the better of you? How did he do that?"

Yoruichi was bewildered.

She knew Takumi was a talented young man.

But to see that he managed to even one up Kisuke, that was a surprise.

"Things happened...suffice to say, I had planned for most things, but he managed to surprise me, I had planned for his Zanpakuto, Kido spells, them together, and even his various equipment he might have...but, he always was good with medical type science, so using his knowledge on the human body and Zanpakuto together...and in the end, I did underestimate him because he isn't as strong or skilled as I am as he currently is, but he's very clever of using his mind to make up differences in battle, so I lost him. But that doesn't matter, you have to help him Yoruichi-san, don't let him get captured."

Yoruichi let out a breath, nodding her head, and turned around.

"I'll save him Kisuke. But, what are you going to do next?"

"I always have plans of course. Just bring him back here, then we'll go from there."

"Understood. But, aren't you worried, he'll want to go after Rukia Kuchiki."

"Yes, I know."

"Then I hope you're prepared for that."

Those were her final words, before she disappeared.

Kisuke released a breath, hoping that she'd make it in time.

---

Back with Byakuya and Takumi, the former just stared at Takumi who didn't back down in the slightest. Rukia watched with apprehension in her eyes, and her body twitched with worry for Takumi and what could happen to him.

"Byakuya...please don't do this. Takumi isn't a monster, he's a good person. He saved my life. I'll go with you, if you spare him."

"That's very noble Rukia, but this isn't a matter up for discussion. You both shall be coming back-"

"Excuse me, but I'm here also!" Takumi interrupted. "Don't I have a say on what happens to me?"

Takumi demanded from Byakuya who cocked his eyebrows up.

"Not really."

"Hmph, then you don't have a say in what I do then. Because while it sounds fascinating and all, I like my life in the human world, and I'm not about to give it up for crimes I don't even remember committing! If someone tells me what these crimes are, then can't I make an informed decision on what's actually going to happen to me!?"

"He does have a point."

Shunsui spoke up, with a playful smile on his face.

Byakuya shoots him a dry look.

"Do not agree with the criminal."

"I can't share my thoughts."

Shunsui huffs while Byakuya withdraws his blade.

"Now, Takumi Urahara, it's time to see my sword." Takumi raised an eyebrow. "Scatter." The sword began to glow while Takumi took out a wire from his pocket. "Senbonzaku-" Byakuya noticed that the wire had been wrapped around the blade, pulling it tightly, and stopped the sword from releasing. "...you boy, are quite the tricky individual."

Takumi smirked.

"You have no idea." Takumi held up his sword, and announced. "Lightning Stream!"

The attack let out a wide stream of electricity from the blade, Byakuya pulled backwards as fast as he could, Rukia being surprised that Takumi could actually do something like that, being able to catch the blade so it couldn't release.

As the lightning travelled across the ground, Shunsui flashed Nanao, Renji and Rukia away from the battle, Takumi's eyes glanced back to see Rukia and saw that she was relatively calm, so he knew she wasn't in immediate danger.

Byakuya got a good distance away, and went to ready his sword, when Takumi appeared before him, faster than Byakuya could move, Takumi swung his blade downwards, and cut into his skin, while Byakuya sliced upwards, so Takumi bent his sword around, blocking the shot from Byakuya's blade, Byakuya's eyes meeting Takumi's who let out a electrical attack at close range, forcing Byakuya's body to move backwards, and then flash behind Takumi's form.

"You are fast."

Byakuya complimented, surprising Rukia.

Takumi spun around, and announced "Hainawa!" releasing a rope for Byakuya who sliced through it with incredible speed, only for Byakuya to see that electricity was creeping up the blade, having been transmitted from Takumi's sword to the rope of Hainawa, and now to Byakuya's blade.

"Tricky."

Byakuya placed his hand outwards, and announced "Sokatsui." while dropping his blade briefly, so the electricity didn't travel up his hand to shock and numb his hand like he had down to Renji once more.

Takumi matched the blast with his own Sokatsui, creating a sizeable explosion between them.

Cutting through the smoke, Takumi unleashed several bolts of lightning for Byakuya's body, who raised his hand, and announced "Bakudo 39: Enkosen!" creating a round shield to block Takumi's first strike, and the second one he dodged out of the way, only to stab behind him, anticipating that Takumi would be there, and he was right, Takumi parried Byakuya's blade with his own, snapping his fingers, which released a bolt of electricity from up above.

"Time release Kido mixed with his Zanpakuto. So he's even capable of that." Byakuya released a small breath, and pointed his finger upwards. "Hado 4: Byakurai."

Unleashing a lightning Kido, Takumi was surprised when the lightning managed to clash with his own, a testament to the level of skill that Byakuya was a mastery of, but even then he didn't give up, and came swinging for Byakuya's body.

"That isn't enough for me."

What Rukia saw next, almost destroyed her.

She saw that within a flash, Byakuya's blade penetrated Takumi's body, running right through his chest.

"N-No! Takumi! N-Noooooooo!" Rukia tried to run forward, but Shunsui stopped her movements. "C-Captain! He just stabbed Takumi! I-I thought that you were supposed to take him in without him dying! So why did he..." Rukia heard a popping sound, so she turned back to see that Takumi's body deflated like a balloon. "W-What?"

Shunsui snickered "Yeah, that's Takumi for you." confusing Rukia.

But it became clear when he appeared behind Byakuya's form, and unleashed his slash towards Byakuya's flesh.

"No!"

Byakuya attempted to block, but due to the limiter on him, his movements weren't as fast, so he received Takumi's direct slash right for his body, cutting deeply into his flesh, and he unleashed his electricity, which charred the skin around the wound, sending it through Byakuya's system, who let out a panting sound, as his blood scattered across the ground.

Byakuya pulled backwards, clutching his wound while his body twitched from being exposed to lightning, narrowing his eyes at Takumi.

"I knew you'd be highly dangerous."

"Yes, because I'm willing to protect Rukia-chan."

Takumi replied, swinging out his sword.

Byakuya also understood that, but he wasn't pleased.

He looked down at his chest, and saw the mark on his skin disappear.

"That's why I had the limiter removed."

"Wait, he did?" Nanao wondered. "When did he do that?"

"It was when he first mentioned it to Takumi there."

Shunsui replied, while Rukia bit her lower lip.

"No, if he is then..."

Suddenly, Byakuya unleashed his spiritual pressure, which almost floored Rukia. Nanao also began feeling a little dizzy from the intense pressure that Byakuya was releasing. Renji, who was near unconscious before, had been knocked out by Byakuya's pressure mixed in with the wounds he received by Takumi.

Takumi on the other hand managed to stay on his feet, but had to admit that he was impressed by the power that Byakuya was releasing.

"So, you've gotten stronger."

Byakuya disappeared, and for Takumi, it was like night and day.

The speed before was grand, but this was insane.

He barely saw Byakuya coming until his blade was to touch his body.

"Electric Field!"

Before Byakuya's blade could touch him, Takumi unleashed his lightning around him, forcing Byakuya backwards, but Takumi felt a deep gash within his arm, unleashing blood onto the ground from how deep the cut was.

"I've also gotten faster. It seems that the current you cannot handle a Captain. Perhaps your story of being unable to recall the past is correct. Did Kisuke Urahara contain your Reiatsu? For it to be like this, that is what makes sense. Even then, I have learned to not underestimate you. Even weakened, you are a dangerous opponent, exactly like your Father."

Takumi glanced at his bleeding wound, but didn't even bother to try and stop it.

He instead pointed his blade at Byakuya.

"I-I wont give up just because you've become faster and stronger. I will protect Rukia-chan."

"May I ask, why are you protecting her?"

"Why would that matter to you?"

Takumi's question was met with Byakuya's raised eyebrow.

"Because I am interested in knowing the current Takumi Urahara. I want to know if you are similar to how you were in the past, or are you different?"

Takumi shrugged his shoulders, genuinely not knowing if he was or wasn't.

"I don't know what I was like if we had known one another in the past, but I can tell you right now that the reason why I'm protecting her is because I care about her! She's my friend! Getting imprisoned for wanting to live, and to protect other people doesn't make sense to me! I don't know what your qualm is with me, but Rukia-chan has not done anything wrong! And I will protect her from the Soul Society! Even if it is you!"

Byakuya closed his eyes briefly at the answer.

As if he was mulling over something within his mind.

But then his eyes opened with clarity.

"If that's the case, then watch this Takumi Urahara. I'll show you my Shikai this time without fail." Byakuya raised his blade. "Scatter, Senbon-" Takumi attempted to wrap it in wire once more, but Byakuya grabbed the wire before it could touch the blade, indicating how fast Byakuya had become. "-zakura."

The blade released a glow, before it disassembled off the blade, scattering into many different fragments, but kept the handle of the blade within Byakuya's hand. Watching it catch the moonlight that was raining down on them, the scattered pieces of the sword began glowing a beautiful pink colour, and casually fell down like cherry blossoms.

"It's quite a beautiful looking sword."

"It will be the last thing you see."

"We'll see about that. Those blades are still made of metal, so lets see if I can use my blade to push the metal away, like a reverse magnet. Heh, that will be interesting, time to put theory into practice Byakuya-kun~"

Byakuya gestured with his hand, and the scattering blades surrounded Takumi's form, spinning and came at him like a barrage of bees.

Quickly thinking, Takumi pierced the ground, and created a dome of electricity to pulse outwards to push the blades away as Takumi had said like a reverse magnet, only for Byakuya to swing it in different directions to avoid the first pulse from Takumi's blade, some blades coming from the left and up positions as the pulse rang out once more, pushing a majority of the blades away.

However, a few managed to get through, a few cut into his flesh which released some blood, so Takumi grabbed them with his hand, despite them cutting into his skin while using the technique to push more blades away before they could do more damage, and ran his electricity through the blades, before throwing them towards Byakuya.

"What are you trying to accomplish? I control these blades, so they wont get near me."

Byakuya waved his hand to direct the blades away, but Takumi twisted his sword, and released the lightning from the blades he had grabbed, each releasing a pulse, which pushed away the blades that were right by Byakuya's body, allowing Takumi to dash at high speeds, bewildering Rukia who couldn't be more surprised.

"He's actually facing down big brother, and hasn't died within a single attack...Takumi, you are doing something like this just for me. I don't deserve your kindness. Please just run before Byakuya actually kills you...please."

Rukia pleaded within her head, as Takumi appeared before Byakuya's form. His blade raised up into the air, charging electricity, when Byakuya waved his hand behind him, revealing some of the blades he had kept there, in order for them to become a shield, blocking the electrical attack from Takumi's blade, however Takumi elegantly waved his blade, which connected his electricity to the lightning he had released before, and moved his blade around, changing the direction of the lightning to swim around the shield that Byakuya had made.

However, Byakuya had disappeared by the time it got around the shield, so the electricity dug into the ground, Byakuya appeared above Takumi, swinging his sword downwards, releasing countless blades against Takumi's unsuspecting form.

"Takumi! Behind you!"

Takumi grit his teeth, quickly twisting backwards, and raised his sword, but the sea of small razor-blades came forward, digging into Takumi's skin, making him wince out, but Takumi unleashed the pulse from his blade once more, pushing the majority of them away from his body, while swinging out for Byakuya's body, who flashed backwards in the air, at the same time unleashing a Sokatsui for his body.

Takumi let out a breath, disappearing himself, attempting to get behind Byakuya, only for the elegant Captain to turn around, and used his blades to create a sphere around Takumi's form, with the blades slicing at his hands, in an attempt to cut so deep that he wouldn't be able to hold onto his sword anymore.

Feeling the tiny razor-blades cutting his flesh along with the tendons in his hands, the grip on his blade weakened more and more.

"Damn it, he's trying to cut me off from my hands...clever."

Takumi exhaled deeply, allowing the electricity to run around his form. Catching up the air, the electricity mixed with the air, and set off a chain reaction, which resulted in an explosion in the air by forcing the electricity to smash together several times to increase heat, blasting the blades away from his body, and also caught Byakuya up in the blast wave.

"W-What is he doing? He just hurt himself from that attack!"

Nanao didn't quite understand it.

But Shunsui did.

"He did yes, but he also gave himself an advantage."

Nanao didn't quite understand.

But she saw that the blast had knocked back Byakuya as Takumi came rushing forward.

His hands looked wrecked, he couldn't even hold his sword properly due to the speed and skill of Byakuya's blades cutting his tendons in his hands. But still, by sheer willpower, Takumi flashed before Byakuya, twirling in the air, and brought his leg downwards in a heavy kick, Byakuya's eyes widening slightly, and thrust his blades in that direction, but Takumi disappeared from view.

He reappeared towards the left of Byakuya, so Byakuya accordingly swung his blades in that direction, but once more, Takumi disappeared once more, reappearing towards the right, his foot heading swiftly for Byakuya's neck, so Byakuya brought up the blades just in time, creating a shield to block the foot of Takumi's blade, cutting his foot, but Takumi flashed away once more, and did so several times, getting closer, and closer to Byakuya.

"My movements have been impaired somehow. Has Takumi Urahara done something to me? I should be faster than this...what has he done?"

Byakuya knew something was off.

But he wasn't sure what it was.

However, as he thought about it, Takumi appeared above Byakuya, flicking his leg downwards, releasing several blades from his leg.

"Hidden blades within the legs, Yoruichi truly has taught him."

Byakuya mused, and raised his blades, becoming a shield.

But while doing that, Takumi appeared before Byakuya, thrusting his body forward, with his arms flapping behind him, Byakuya growled, bringing the blades back down, but what surprised him next was the blades were being repulsed by Takumi's body somehow.

"How, you don't have your Zanpakuto..."

Byakuya glanced around…

But he couldn't see Takumi's Zanpakuto.

Shunsui however grinned, and chuckled.

"He used Kyokko to bend the light around his mouth to hide his Zanpakuto from view. Doing it with the last little bit of movement he has in his right thumb."

True to Shunsui's words, Takumi indeed did have slight movement within his right thumb, allowing him to cast the Kido.

"H-He's using his mouth to hold his Zanpakuto? But to even move his thumb while his tendons have been damaged that severely, he must be in incredible pain."

Nanao was astonished, Shunsui however continued to chuckled.

"He's very unconventional after all. And yes, he is in excruciating pain right now." His eyes went to Rukia who looked on with worry. "He must really care about you to go through all this pain, on the slim chance that he might pull off a victory."

"Captain Kyoraku..."

Shunsui turns his head back to Nanao, while Rukia watches while hoping Takumi doesn't die.

"Kuchiki-san up there does indeed have experience and power over Takumi. However, he underestimated Takumi, he's a very capable young man, with many ideas in that head of his. It seems that Kuchiki-san forgot that Takumi can come up with ideas on spot, even with the odds against him."

"Do you believe he's going to win?"

Nanao questioned her Captain who furrowed his eyebrows.

"We'll have to wait and see. Either way, it's commendable he's lasted this long against Byakuya Kuchiki at all, so no one can say he isn't trying his hardest."

As he said it, Kinhime was seen by Byakuya, as Takumi pierced his shoulder with the blade, causing Byakuya to wince, while bringing down the blades over Takumi's form, washing over him, cutting deeply into several different places.

Rukia felt immense worry, but also seeing Takumi give Byakuya some trouble was impressive.

She believed that Byakuya was ultimately stronger than Takumi currently, but to see that Takumi was able to land blows on Byakuya, she could only attest that to Takumi masterfully manipulating the situation to his own benefits, even sacrificing parts of himself to land concise blows on Byakuya's body.

The blades continued to wash over Takumi, so he pulled backwards, landing on the ground while Byakuya looked over his wound in his shoulder.

Surprised that Takumi could even do that, Takumi chuckled lightly.

"Been moving slower than normal huh?"

"You did something to me."

Byakuya growled out, while Takumi kept grip of his sword in his mouth.

"On my first strike, before you released your powers against me, I ran electricity through your system, damaging your muscles to a point that it would slow you down enough for me to counteract your movements, but even then you still are outpacing me which is commendable, it shows the qualities of how strong you are in a fight, fighting through the stiffness of your muscles to keep up and outmatch me. I know you're stronger than me, but I don't give up so easily."

Byakuya cracked his neck side to side, seeing the wounds on his body.

"I should have released the limiter at the beginning of this fight, before you had a chance to land a blow on me. This match would have ended with your defeat by now."

"Good thing that you were sealed a bit then huh."

Byakuya raised his sword up into the air, the blades floating around him, forming what seemed to be a shape of an arrow.

"You might have been able to keep up with me, but I wont allow you to beat me Takumi Urahara. You will be coming back to the Soul Society one way or another."

Takumi grit his teeth, and felt his body sore from the attacks from Byakuya.

But he stood his ground, despite blood leaking out of his system.

His eyes went towards Byakuya.

"No, I wont."

"Stubborn."

"Perhaps...but, I'm doing what I believe to be right...stand there, and tell me that this is right...tell me that Rukia-chan did something that she should be punished for." Byakuya held a moments hesitation, which Takumi caught. "Hesitating are you?"

"No, I am merely thinking of an answer that would be most appropriate."

"That's hesitation. It's a yes or no question. Do you think that it is right for Rukia-chan to be punished for this? Disregarding me, do you honestly believe she should be punished for anything? What she did that day, was to save humans, and myself, she's a very brave woman, who knew she'd be in trouble, but she did it anyway."

Rukia's bottom lip quivered, remembering that Shinigami weren't supposed to show strong emotions like she was, but she couldn't help it.

Byakuya chose not to answer.

Instead, he merely directed his hand downwards towards Takumi's body, sending off the arrow at high speeds.

Takumi went to dodge it, while Rukia screamed.

"TAKUMI! NO!"

Desperately, she didn't want Takumi to die...

---

But suddenly, Byakuya received a very hard blow to the back of his neck, his eyes widening, and he fell forward, unconscious from the blow.

Takumi watched as the blades scattered in the winds, returning to Byakuya's blade, making a single sword again, while all of the people present were bewildered by what, or rather, who had just done that.

"C-Captain?!"

Nanao yelled out with immense confusion.

It appeared that Shunsui had knocked out Byakuya in a surprising turn of events, Rukia's eyes widening while Takumi wondered what was going on.

"Oops~ Didn't make it in time~"

Acting nonchalantly, Shunsui watched Nanao pushed up her glasses for her relaxed Captain in bewilderment.

"O-Oops?! That's all you can say?! W-What are you doing Captain Kyoraku?! Attacking a member of the Gotei 13 like that! Yo-You could...y-you could be punished for this! T-This is...s-simply...I-I don't know what to say about this at all!"

Shunsui shrugged his shoulders while Takumi gave a bemused look.

"It wasn't me that did it."

"W-What, but I saw...w-what's happening right now…?"

Nanao was confused, while Shunsui laughed loudly, and looked towards the lrft.

"See, it wasn't me who did it."

"Unexpectedly, this Captain with the kimono is quite a cool guy."

Takumi mused to himself, just as Yoruichi flashed in.

"It was her, I merely tried to intercept it, I guess I didn't make it in time~"

"I-I see...s-so, it was her after all...then I don't have to say anything else..."

Yoruichi eyeing up what was happening, turned to Shunsui.

"So, you came Kyoraku."

"That's right. You're lucky, it could have been someone not so friendly-"

"Wait, wait, wait!" Takumi called out. "What's going on? W-Why do you sound so calm when a comrade has been incapacitated? And why are you making it sound like we're allies? N-Not that I don't appreciate it, but I'm just curious about what's happening..."

"Hahaha! Well, lets just say that I couldn't stand to see anything happen to you!" Shunsui laughed, but his face turned serious as he looked to Yoruichi. "But, I can't do this again, you understand don't you?"

"Of course, I have to take him away immediately." Yoruichi flashed beside Takumi, grabbing his body and hauled him over her shoulder. "We're going Takumi."

"Great, then lets take Rukia-chan and go!"

"It's impossible."

Takumi was immensely surprised by what Yoruichi had said.

"W-What do you mean by that?!"

"She means, Kuchiki-san here has to come with me." Shunsui gestured to Rukia. "Takumi, you see, it has to be this way. Because reinforcements will be here soon, with the release of the limiter, I can guarantee more will be arriving, and Yoruichi-san there can't get both you, and Kuchiki-san here out of town."

"B-But, I can't just leave her to the Soul Society! They will execute her or something!"

"Yes, that might happen. But unlike you, Rukia Kuchiki-san will have a chance to survive, you don't Takumi-kun." Nanao stepped forward and said those words. "Also, Kisuke Urahara is a very resourceful man, he hid you once, he can do it again, I am sorry for this difficult time."

"But..."

Takumi tried to refuse it, but Rukia stepped forward, and moved closer to Takumi.

"Takumi, it's alright. You've done more than enough for me now. Why do you think I left the Urahara shop? I knew that they'd be able to track me down, but not you. I wanted to get away from this city, so I could keep you safe. For once, stop being stubborn, and listen to me. Let me handle this from here."

"Can't you see Rukia-chan?! They're going to take you away-"

"Well I don't want you to die either Takumi!" Rukia snapped at him, surprising him. "Can't you see, I'm trying to protect you! You protected me once, so let me do it now! There was an incident in the Soul Society, and it was said you did something truly evil, but having witnessed what you did for me during this world, no matter what happened to your memories, you are not the person who could have committed those crimes! Besides, I knew that before I met you in this world, because we have met before I came to Karakura town, many years ago!"

"W-We have…?"

"Yes, that's right. It would take too long to explain, but suffice to say, you are the reason I became a Shinigami, the kindest Shinigami I had met, was you, and I wanted to be just like you, the kindest Shinigami who'd even help out people in the Rukongai without thinking."

Takumi wore surprise on his face from Rukia saying that, and then he felt her lightly kiss his cheek, in a surprising turn.

Her cheeks burned red, not believing that she had done that.

But she didn't regret it for even a second.

If this was the final encounter they were going to have, then she wanted to do that just once.

She thought about kissing him on the lips, but she felt embarrassed to do so in the end.

So this was enough for her.

Byakuya had somewhat regained consciousness, but no one had focused in on him, instead he watched silently the interactions between Rukia and Takumi.

"Rukia-chan..."

"It was...stupid of me. I promised I wouldn't become apart of your world...this world...but in the end, I ended up loving being here. Going to class everyday, speaking to everyone, like Inoue, the Kurosaki twins, even that Giselle who frightens me. Even the Hollows didn't bother me, because I got to see many adventures with you and the others, we had fun just simply talking, laughing about nonsensical things. But most of all, I got to know more about you, Takumi. You're weird...but, you're very genuine, and kind, and always there for people that need it, getting angry when someone's been abused, mishandled, people that need saving, you're there for them, you see the good inside of those who have even hid it away from themselves, like Bambietta. You saw through her crap, and saw a good person underneath there when even I thought there wasn't. Besides, you also helped me when I needed you, you came for me without regarding your own safety. That's what I admire about you...that's what I love about you."

Hearing those words…

Hearing that single word 'love' Takumi was shocked she used it in the context when regarding him.

"Rukia-chan...I..."

Rukia smiled softly.

"Do one thing for me...be happy. Just be happy, and think of me once in a while. If you do that...then I can do this."

Takumi just blinked.

Hearing what he did.

Rukia had said it…

She loved him.

And he...loved her.

"Rukia-chan, I..."

Rukia placed a finger up, as if she was scolding him, but she held tears within her eyes, something she had promised not to do.

"Don't say anymore...because if you do, I wont want to leave...I wouldn't be able to...so just say goodbye..."

"But I..."

"Please, I want to hear you say it."

Takumi swallowed the emotions he felt, and gave her what she wanted.

"Goodbye..."

Then Yoruichi delivered a blow to the back of his neck, knocking him unconscious, knowing that he was about to try and stay.

Yoruichi caught the sight of Byakuya who's eyes were transfixed on her gaze, so she had to play it up as if she was making aggressive movements.

"Hado 33: Sokatsui!"

She placed out her hand, and shot off a Kido spell at Shunsui, who took out his blades, and sliced through it, lunging forward, but saw that Yoruichi was taking off, he glanced downwards at the barely conscious Byakuya, and pressed a finger to Nanao.

"Keep Kuchiki-san here, I'm going after them."

"Y...Yes Captain."

Nanao watched with a heavy heart as her Captain sped off after Takumi, and Yoruichi, while she walked over, and grasped Rukia's arm so she couldn't move forward.

Rukia didn't make any facial expressions as she saw a few minutes later, that reinforcements had come, and were tending to Byakuya and Renji personally. Nanao glanced at Rukia, who was keeping herself silent.

"I didn't realize you had fallen in love with him."

"I didn't realize myself until recently."

"I see...then, take comfort in the fact that you left on the best possible terms. This way, he'll survive, and you will have a chance. Your and my Captain's will defend you the best that they can, I can guarantee it."

"Thank you, Lieutenant Ise."

Nanao merely nods, and waits for Shunsui to come back, while she thought "If I know Takumi-kun, he wont stop until he's saved her." and wondered what that was going to be like, and wondered what she was going to do if the time came.

Shunsui returns a few minutes later, looking roughed up, no doubt to lie about what happened. Nanao knew that she'd also have to lie, and she didn't see Rukia having a problem with lying, if it meant keeping Takumi safe.

"Heeeeh, crafty people, they managed to get away. That damn Takumi, and his tricks, he's a clever one alright."

Shunsui explained the situation to the back up squad that arrived, while Rukia glanced in the direction of the Urahara Shop.

"Goodbye Takumi, thank you for everything."

---

End chapter!

So, that was quite the chapter huh! For those who guessed, it was confirmed in this chapter that Takumi was apart of the Gotei 13 at some point! But, what Squad he was in, or Squads perhaps, his relationships to some of the older Gotei 13 members, his rank while within the Gotei 13, among other things shall be discussed at a later date!

Anyway, at the beginning, Rukia tried protecting Takumi the best she could, even knowing it could cause her more problems. Takumi vs Kisuke happened! Though Kisuke didn't truly try and kill Takumi and didn't have the heart to hurt him as much as he could have but still tried to detain him, Takumi kept up with Kisuke's level of planning for the most part, and managed to outsmart Kisuke in that instant to stop him from stopping him going after Rukia, Kisuke even admitting that he had underestimated Takumi, and Takumi admitting that Kisuke right now was above him in terms of combat, showing a mutual respect between them after the battle.

Speaking of, Takumi managed to take down a sealed Renji with nearly no issues after his fights with Bambietta which strengthened him quite a bit, a released Renji would be bit of a different story, and then managed to somewhat handle Byakuya, even after he released the limiter, using his skills and tricks to bring Byakuya's down to a manageable level for the current Takumi and managed to catch him off guard, but Byakuya proved to be too much in the end, and if not for Yoruichi, he would have been finished. Then finally, Takumi and Rukia had a heart felt goodbye, Rukia even admitting that she loves him, and while not saying it, Takumi felt the same.

Well, Rukia's gone back to the Soul Society to save Takumi, from whatever 'crime' that he did, we'll discover more about what that entails, along with what Rukia said about them having met before, and the relationship between Takumi and Shunsui, along with Nanao, Byakuya and others in future chapters.

Until next time, thanks for reading!

Takumi; Orihime, Rukia, Yuzu, Karin, Nemu, Giselle, Liltotto, Soi Fon, Yoruichi, Hiyori, Nelliel, Tier, Rangiku, Toshiro (fem).