The following morning, Shuhei woke to find Tsukimori still at his side and he smiled, recalling the events of the night before. He brushed aside her hair, stroking her cheek as he watched her sleep. After a while, she stirred and looked at him sleepily.

"Hey, you."

Shuhei smiled. "Hey, yourself. How'd you sleep?"

Tsukimori scooted closer to him and smiled. "Better than I have in a long time. What about you?"

Shuhei pulled her into his arms and smiled, kissing her hair. "Better than I can ever remember."

Tsukimori's smile grew and she nestled into his arms. "Good." She thought a moment and sighed. "We have to get up don't we?"

Shuhei nodded. "Actually, we have the day off today. So we could stay in bed as long as you'd like."

Tsukimori smiled at that, but sat up when a knock came at Shuhei's door.

Shuhei got up, adjusting his yukata as he made to answer the door.

"Forgive the intrusion, Lieutenant, but I can't seem to find Tsuki."

Tsukimori heard Toshiyuki at the door and stood, adjusting her nightgown before joining Shuhei at the door. "Is everything alright, Toshiyuki?"

Toshiyuki nodded, relieved to have finally found her. "I've been looking for you everywhere. I have news of Lieutenant Abarai's mission."

"Is Renji OK? Did they find Rukia? Is she OK?"

"Yes, but there's been an unfortunate development."

"What is it?"

"It would seem that the rumors about Lady Rukia Kuchiki of Squad 13 giving her Soul Reaper powers to a Human were true. She is being held in the Squad 6 barracks."

Tsukimori's eyes widened. Rukia had become a good friend to her over the years, just as much as Renji had, and she knew how much she meant to Renji.

Shuhei looked down at Tsukimori, seeing her whole demeanor change. "Tsuki?"

Tsukimori tried to keep her emotions in check. "Thank you for bringing me the news, Toshiyuki." She looked up and kissed Shuhei on the cheek. "I should return to my room."

Shuhei and Toshiyuki watched as she hurried off and Shuhei knew that she was going to go see Rukia. Dismissing Toshiyuki, he got washed up and changed before hurrying to Tsukimori's room, glad that she hadn't left yet.

"What are you doing, Shu?" She asked when she had finished getting washed up and changed, closing her door behind her and finding Shuhei waiting for her.

"Let me come with you."

Tsukimori sighed and nodded. "I just need answers, Shu..."

"I know, Tsuki." He offered her his hand and a reassuring smile along with it. "I'll be right there with you, OK?"

Tsukimori took his hand and nodded, returning his smile as he interlocked his fingers with her. "Let's go."

"Lieutenant Abarai, Lieutenant Hisaig and 3rd Seat Gushiken of Squad 9 are here to see you."

Renji looked up as the unseated officer let Shuhei and Tsukimori into the office. "I'm sorry, Tsuki..."

Tsukimori let go of Shuhei's hand and ran over to Renji, throwing her arms around his waist. "It's not your fault, Renji..."

Shuhei stood by the door and watched as Renji wrapped his arms around her, accepting her hug. 'He looks rough...'

Renji shut his eyes and leaned into Tsukimori's hug. "I had to bring her in... I didn't have a choice... that stupid idiot..!"

"What happened, Renji?" Tsukimori looked up at him, reaching up to touch his cheek when she saw how distraught he looked.

"Rukia gave her powers to some Human named Ichigo Kurosaki from Karakura Town. Whatever reasons she had for doing it, she still committed a serious crime." He looked down at Tsukimori, seeing how worried she was. "I didn't have a choice, Tsuki..."

Tsukimori hugged him again. "I know, Renji..." She stepped back and looked up at him. "Can I see her?"

Renji nodded. "Ya, I'll take you to her."

Tsukimori and Shuhei followed Renji to where Rukia was being held. Shuhei and Renji stood by the door and watched as Tsukimori approached the cell.

"Rukia?"

Rukia glanced over her shoulder, her face falling when she saw it was Tsukimori. "Tsuki, you shouldn't be here..."

"Why did you do it, Rukia?"

"To save his life..."

"Who, this Ichigo Kurosaki?"

"I did the only thing I could to save his life. I never intended to give him all of my power, just enough to survive the Hollow and save his family."

"Is that why you never came back?"

Rukia nodded.

"We were all really worried about you, you know." Tsukimori sighed. "Was this Human really worth all of this? Worth whatever punishment awaits you?"

"If you only knew him, you would understand."

Sensing there was nothing more to be said by her, Tsukimori turned away and rejoined Renji and Shuhei. Before leaving her friend, she turned back and said, "Whatever happens, Rukia, it will never change how we as your friends feel about you."

Leaving things at that, Tsukimori and the others left Rukia to mull over her thoughts alone in her cell.

At the gates of the Squad 6 barracks, Tsukimori and Shuhei stood with Renji.

"Do you know what's going to happen to her?"

Renji shook his head. "It won't be good, whatever Central 46 decides." He looked at them and sighed. "This whole thing is just one big mess..."

Tsukimori hugged him and stepped back. "Just hang in there, Renji, OK?"

Renji nodded and sent them on their way, wondering what the days to come would bring.