Renji and Miyako had made their way back to the main court of Seireitei and now stood inside Captain Kuchiki's office. They had previously sent a Hell Butterfly to notify him of their arrival, and when they arrived into the 6th court barracks, most of the lanterns were still burning. It was late at night, and no doubt he was either sleeping or on duty. When they came upon his office, Miyako had insisted that she turn back. Her account of the incident would not matter, she was sure of it, and it was pointless for Renji to bring her. They were both standing there silently, facing his unoccupied desk, waiting for him to enter.

"I don't need to be here," Miyako whispered harshly to Renji. They both stared straight ahead.

"I need you as a second witness," he whispered back.

"Bullshit, Renji," she hissed. "I'm a fourth seat. You're a lieutenant. You're telling me that he won't believe your word alone?"

Renji grinned. "Maybe I just want to watch you squirm a little."

Miyako clenched her jaw and remained silent.

Renji glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

"Are you nervous?"

Miyako pursed her lips and did everything in her power not to kick Renji through the wall.

"Shut up."

The door slid open and Renji and Miyako stood straighter, staring frigidly ahead. Footsteps drew closer as Miyako's throat suddenly went dry and she felt an intense pressure building upon her chest. She suddenly felt dizzy and had to muster her strength to remain standing. The spirit force almost pushed her to her knees, and she felt as if the wind was knocked out of her. Captain Kuchiki took his spot behind the desk and examined the two of them.

Each Captain had an incredible spirit force of his or her own, and Captain Kuchiki was no exception. Even though Captain Zaraki's spirit force was so immense he had to contain most of it behind an eye patch, the 11th squad members grew used to their own Captain's spirit force. Miyako thought that Captain Zaraki was the most powerful Captain by far, and assumed that if she grew used to his spirit force, she could handle any other Captain's. However, each Captain had learned to successfully control their massive spirit power and keep it at low levels, enough to prevent the subordinates from passing out, but it was obvious that Captain Kuchiki's spirit force was still incredibly strong, no matter how much he masked it. Miyako realized why she could remember how many times Captain Kuchiki had walked near her. Whenever he walked by, it felt as if she was dying. His spirit force was so huge that she had to struggle to keep consciousness.

Miyako took a quick glance at Renji. He seemed perfectly normal. She wondered how powerful Renji had actually become if he could casually stand next to the Captain like that.

Captain Kuchiki looked at Renji with a blank look on his face. "What is your report?"

"Captain, we've discovered bodies from Rukongai in the northern sprawl, near Kusajishi," Renji replied.

"How many?"

"At least eight, sir."

"The Bount are using the Rukongai citizens in order to infiltrate Seireitei," Captain Kuchiki said flatly. "They have no further use for them. Is this all?"

"Sir…the wounds sir…some were made by a soul slayer."

The Captain furrowed his brow slightly. "A zanpakuto?"

Both Renji and Miyako nodded.

"Bount working with a Death God," Captain Kuchiki stated. "So, there is a traitor amongst us."

Miyako swallowed. Captain Kuchiki glanced at her.

"You're from the eleventh squad."

Miyako nodded and stared at the wall, averting his gaze. "Yes, sir."

"What's your purpose here?"

"Captain, she was the one patrolling the area and found the bodies first," Renji answered for her.

"What led you to the northern sprawl?" the Captain asked Miyako in a flat tone. It was more demanding than out of curiosity.

"N…nothing important, sir," Miyako answered, flustered. "A weak reiatsu, nothing more. It wasn't consistent enough to track it properly."

"Yet you seemed to have tracked it to the bodies," the Captain stated.

"Yes, sir."

Captain Kuchiki stared at Miyako for a moment.

"I see."

Miyako and Renji remained silent as Captain Kuchiki stared them both down. The silence was uncomfortable and Miyako was still weakened by his spirit force. Finally, Captain Kuchiki spoke again.

"Captain Zaraki was not in Seireitei today. Have you no information as to where he is?"

"Sir, he was in the northern sprawl last night, following the same spirit force," Renji answered.

"If Captain Zaraki was out there last night, why would you waste my time reporting this inconsequential information?"

"Captain, we thought it would be helpful to locate the Bount –"

"I have no interest in the Bount," Captain Kuchiki interrupted Renji coldly, "nor do I have interest in this renegade Death God that has joined them. They will all be dealt with accordingly when the time comes, and it appears that Captain Zaraki will be the first to handle it."

"Yes, sir," Renji replied monotonously.

"Do not bother me with this again," Captain Kuchiki turned towards the sliding door and paused.

"Dismissed."

With that, he walked out of the room, and Miyako collapsed to one knee. Renji rubbed the back of his neck.

"Damn, you'd think Rukia's return would soften him up a bit," he grumbled. "Cold as ice, as always."

He bent over to help Miyako up, but she stood up and yanked her arm away from him.

"Satisfied now??" Miyako snapped. "I told you that he wouldn't care!"

Renji held up his hands. "All right, all right. So I wanted to tease you a bit, but I forgot about his reiatsu affecting you, ok? I'm so used to it that I forget about the others."

Miyako crossed her arms. "I noticed."

"You actually held up pretty good," Renji told her with a smirk. "When Ichigo first crossed paths with the Captain, he was brought to his knees in an instant."

"Great," Miyako replied sarcastically. "I'm being compared to a human."

They walked out of the office and made their way through the 6th squad barracks. Their footsteps made light clopping sounds upon the wooden boardwalks as Miyako examined the area. It was prettier than she had expected. Because the 6th squad barracks was located very close to the Kuchiki house, the surrounding areas were filled with landscaping. Cherry blossom trees lined a tiny creek, and there was even grass surrounding the yards of the buildings. The 11th squad barracks were more towards the center of Seireitei, so most of it was concrete walls and floors on the outside, prompting Miyako to sit on the roof if she wanted a good view. All the 6th squad residents had to do was step outside.

"Human or no," Renji reminded her, "the whole of Soul Society is in a great deal of debt towards Ichigo Kurosaki. He's saved so many innocent lives I've lost count."

Miyako remained silent. Even though Renji was right, she felt as if Seireitei had started to rely too heavily on this Ichigo. If he was a Death God, then his place was in Soul Society, not in the human world. If he was a human, then his place was in the human world, not Soul Society. Instead, Ichigo had traversed into both, altering the balance and breaking the rules. Miyako wasn't sure if this habit was exactly safe for either world. Even worse, if they had to rely on a spirit force spawned from a human, Soul Society was in trouble. What good were the Death Gods if Ichigo was stronger than all of them combined?

"Not that I'm defending the prick," Renji added quickly. "Once I find him again, I'll beat his bony, orange-haired ass into the ground."

Miyako started to smile, but not at Renji's words.

"Speaking of Ichigo…" she grinned.

Renji followed her gaze. Straight ahead of them was Rukia. She was taking a stroll and was headed in their direction.

Rukia Kuchiki was a very small woman up close. She only came up to about 4'7" in height, whereas Renji stood at a towering 6'2" and Miyako stood in the middle at 5'7". Rukia also had large, blue doe eyes and she was admiring the peaceful night, looking out towards the stream and cherry blossoms floating in it. She hadn't yet noticed them.

"Whatever you're thinking, keep it to your friggin' self," Renji growled in a low tone.

"What are you talking about?" Miyako asked him airily.

"I swear, if you say something idiotic about me in front of Rukia, I'll chop your tits off," Renji threatened through clenched teeth.

"Rukia Kuchiki?" Miyako employed a silky tone and stepped up to her. Surprised, Rukia stopped and looked at Miyako.

"Yes?"

"Oh, it's such a pleasure to finally meet you! Lieutenant Abarai's told me so much about you!"

Renji's body grew stiff.

Rukia seemed taken aback. "Um…I'm sorry. What's your name?"

"This is Miyako Ichinose, from 11th squad," Renji crossed his arms. "And she was just leaving. Weren't you?"

"Leaving? Of course not!" Miyako grinned a sickening, fake smile from ear to ear. "I want to catch up with Rukia! Tell me all about the human world! Tell me about this Ichigo Kurosaki!"

Renji made a fist at her.

Rukia looked confused. "My apologies…I…did you say 'Ichinose?'"

Miyako's smile faded. "Yes. Miyako Ichinose. Why do you ask?"

"Rukia, what are you doing out of bed this late at night?" Renji interrupted, concerned. "You're still not completely healed."

Miyako gave Renji an evil look and smiled, as if she were about to devour him. He narrowed his eyes at her and his jaw protruded a bit. Miyako turned back to Rukia.

"Oh, Lieutenant Abarai is awfully concerned about your health, Rukia," she cooed. "This cold night air certainly isn't good for your condition."

"I noticed that my brother was awake," Rukia finally tore her confused gaze from Miyako and looked at Renji. "What happened?"

Renji shrugged. "Bount activity," he grumbled. "Captain Kuchiki didn't give two shits, though."

Rukia stared out towards the trees. "Ichigo is out there, somewhere, hunting them down. He'll take care of it, I'm sure."

Miyako shot a glance at Renji and her smile grew wider. She was so elated by this information that she was sure she would burst with hysterical laughter. This wasn't helping Renji's reputation in the slightest.

Renji looked as if he was going to pop a small blood vessel in his head. He stared at Miyako hard, and his jawbones protruded from his cheeks. Miyako thought she could hear him growling.

"Rukia, you must tell me about Ichigo sometime," Miyako smiled. "I feel so isolated from current events these days, what with the responsibility of 11th squad and all. I'm sad that you have to stay here, ailing. Does Lieutenant Abarai keep you company?"

Rukia smiled. "Too much, sometimes. I can't sleep with him around; he's got such a big mouth."

Renji crossed his arms and rolled his eyes.

Miyako grinned. "Yes, he does, but he just cares about your health!"

"Anyway, I know you both enjoy talking about me right in front of my face," Renji snapped, "but it's late." He pointed at Rukia. "You, go to bed!" He turned around and pointed at Miyako. "You, go back to your own barracks, before Captain Kuchiki comes back and sees us all standing out here. I don't want to piss him off twice in one night."

"Yes, Lieutenant Abarai," Miyako replied sweetly.

Rukia crossed her arms. "As if I'd follow an order from you. I'm going to look for my brother."

Renji shrugged. "Suit yourself," he sighed, "but don't blame me when you get your ass chewed out."

Rukia stuck her tongue out at him and walked past them, heading towards the center of the 6th division barracks. Renji and Miyako started to walk the other way when Rukia turned around and called out to them.

"Oh, and it was very nice meeting you, Miyako," she said.

"I hope we will meet again in the near future," Miyako smiled and did a low bow. "I'd like to discuss Ichigo Kurosaki some more." She jabbed Renji in the ribs with her elbow and he raised his arm, as if to backhand her.

"Of course," Rukia nodded. She glanced at Renji. "Hey, Renji?"

"Yeah?"

"If you find Ichigo, could you tell him to come to the Kuchiki house? I need to speak with him."

Miyako laughed inwardly. She was going to tear Renji apart with this.

"Whaddya need to talk to him for?" Renji crossed his arms.

Rukia glanced at Miyako and looked fidgety. She looked back at Renji and answered, "Just find him, would you?"

Renji waved a hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah. I'll send him over here if I see him."

They parted ways, and as soon as they turned a corner and Rukia was out of sight, Renji grabbed Miyako by the back of her shinigami robe and tossed her over the tall, concrete wall that enclosed the 6th squad court. She twisted in the air and laughed, but Renji had already met her mid-air and kicked her back down.

Miyako landed on her feet and coughed from the force of his foot meeting with her stomach. Her cough turned into a laugh, however, and she straightened up as Renji landed in front of her.

"What the hell?!?" Renji made a fist and shook it in front of her face. "You oughta be grateful to me for letting you live!!! I know you can smart-mouth your way to the top in 11th squad, but in 6th squad that shit just doesn't fly!!!"

"Then it's a miracle you got promoted to 6th with your mouth," Miyako retorted.

"Rukia's badly wounded! You and that girly, oooooh-look-at-me-I-care-about-everything attitude…you shouldn't have patronized her like that."

Miyako brushed herself off. "Oh, come on, Renji. Consider it payback."

Renji put his hands on his hips. "And what was with all that 'Lieutenant Abarai' crap? Now it's 'Renji' again?"

"Which one do you prefer?"

Renji narrowed his eyes. "Well, I know if you'd call me 'Lieutenant,' you'd just be mocking me."

"You got that right."

Renji twitched. "Get back to your barracks," he said through clenched teeth, "before I slice your head clean off your body."

Miyako grinned and gripped the hilt of her soul slayer. "Yeah?"

Renji pulled his soul slayer out. "Yeah."

They circled around each other, waiting to see who would strike first, when a voice interrupted their fight.

"What the hell are you two doing?"

Renji and Miyako glanced over to find Captain Hitsugaya standing there with his arms crossed. He furrowed his brow at them and didn't look like he was in a good mood. Lieutenant Matsumoto was standing beside him.

Miyako sheathed her soul slayer. "Captain," she immediately stood at attention and gave him a slight bow.

"Hi, Renji!" Lieutenant Matsumoto greeted them cheerfully. "Hello, Miyako!"

Captain Hitsugaya glanced at Lieutenant Matsumoto and rolled his eyes.

"There's Bount roaming around Soul Society and you guys were busy with a sparring match?" he snapped at them.

Miyako and Renji remained silent.

"I don't know why you're here, and I really don't care," he continued, "but I want you to get back to your squad immediately and do what the hell it is you do best, including protecting Seireitei."

"Yes, Captain," Renji and Miyako replied in unison.

Renji stole a glance at Miyako. "I won't forget about this," he hissed.

"It's a date, bitch," she whispered back with a tiny smile.

They both parted ways and sprinted off towards their barracks. Captain Hitsugaya shook his head, put his hand to his forehead, and sighed, "Fucking 11th squad."