Rukia

The moon and stars were bright in the sky when Renji and I returned from another endless search that was useless. No one knew who Ichigo was and the picture didn't help. It'd already been at least a week and we were left with no results. I felt very hopeless. I took in a shuddery deep breath. The fact that Ichigo was gone made my heart pang loudly. The pain of unsaid feelings surrounded my heart, forcing a tight band around it and making the thumps loud and clear. They felt forced, and it felt like a large pressure had been put on my chest. It hurt, knowing that he was out there and he wasn't even trying to catch our attention. By now, the Ichigo I know would've gotten here, and if were lost would've committed arson to express and vent out his rage for failing.

It made me chuckle a little bit, thinking of Ichigo stomping his foot on some tables within a house then burning it down, wearing a foolish expression of anger on his face. I bet he'd cause so much trouble that someone from the division would be called out to see what all the commotion was.

We walked through the streets, people in black garments rushing throughout the Seireitei to help with restoration.

"Rukia, I know you're frustrated that Ichigo hasn't come back. Believe me, I'm pissed too. I swear when I see him next I'll make sure he feels the wrath of Zabimaru. Let's go get some sake and drink to our hearts content, you sure deserve it." I look up at him, trying to see what his real intentions are. He looks concerned and his intentions seemed pure so I agreed. We headed to the nearest bar, which was very crowded. I guess all the other bars had been destroyed in the fight…

It was a very dark interior, blues and black in all the furniture and walls. The floor was black but it looked like the owner had drawn things in neon paint, which glowed in the black light. Many people were dancing in the middle, music pulsing through the walls.

"I can see why this is so crowded Renji, I've never heard of a club being in the Seireitei…"

"Huh, it must be new, I mean the 9th Division hasn't said anything about it or mentioned it in the magazines. Oh well, who cares if it's a bar or a club, we can still drink." He walked up to the bar, sitting in an empty seat, right next to some rookies. I sat next to him, sliding onto the bar stool which was really tall. I too sat next to some rooks. I look around the room and notice that there aren't any officers of rank in this club. I guess it's only for the rooks, so it must be really strange that not one, but two lieutenants came here…

"Hey kid, whadd'ya want?" I look back to see a well-built man towering over me. He's not anyone significantly known and a rage begins to build within me.

"Who are you calling kid? I'm way older than you think I am." I glare straight into his eye, his green eyes filled with rage. He obviously doesn't like being challenged and has a short temper.

"If you want to cause trouble pip squeak, I suggest you leave, we don't want your kind here." He growls at me, cocking his head to the side and pointing towards the door.

"Look man, she's fine, just get her a beer and I'll have a round of shots." It's so Renji like to drop things like that. The bartender goes away to get our drink and deal with other patrons.

"What the hell Renji, I could totally deal with him!" I whisper harshly in his direction, him now the subject of my glare.

"Look Rukia, honestly I don't feel like drawing too much attention to myself. I'm here to have a drink and relax, and you should too." His eyes are soft when he says that, concern yet again on his face. I frown, not enjoying the fact that Renji is so worried about me. I soften my face and sigh.

"Renji, please don't worry about me, it's just the stress is eating at me. You'd think they'd have found him by now, he'd still come even if he had nothing, right?" Renji looks down and contemplates deeply, furrowing his tattooed brows.

"Knowing Ichigo, if he had nothing his pride would get in the way and he'd be ruined. He'd be too embarrassed to show his face to you or me because he holds no more power. I mean you saw how pathetic he was in the past when he lost his shinigami powers. I wouldn't doubt the possibility he's just embarrassed to be like that again." Even though the club is noisy, a silence runs between us, the weight of his words resting and adding onto my heavy heart. The bartender comes back and hands us our drinks. I sip my beer slowly, not really in the mood to drink anymore. I swivel the stool around so I can look out on the dance floor. I guess the person running this place kept up with the latest trend in the world of the living; everything was so modern. The music wasn't in Japanese, and sounded very electronic. It was strange I must admit, something I wasn't used to hearing.

I sigh, turning back towards the counter resting my head on it so I can absorb and feel the beat that runs throughout the room and furniture. I close my eyes and rely on my ears. Though I try hard, the conversation rooks right next to me are having is distracting.

"Man, you're such an idiot. The longer you wait the harder it's going to get." The rook on the right of me says, laughing at the end. I hear a large gulp come from the guy next to him. "Look, I didn't know, I thought I couldn't be, but when I saw the notice I was embarrassed, I mean I was the one who put him there." My eyes snap open; this guy had to be talking about Ichigo.

"You know it's not too late, just tell them it's you, I'm sure they won't punish you. It's like a lottery and that kid just came at the wrong time. Look, I'm here to have a good time so while you mope about, I'm going to go dance with that hot chick, right over there." The stool squeaks as he gets off it, swiveling in circles. I turn towards the moping guy, watching him as he downs his sorrows with sake. I need to confirm if they were in fact talking about Ichigo, so I hop over.

"Were you guys talking about the notice that was put up a week ago? The one about that kid, uh, what was his name?"

"You mean Ichigo Kurosaki? Yeah we were talking about that." His eyes were sad as he stared down into his glass. If I'm to get the information I need, I have to play clueless. I widen my eyes, pretending to be in shock.

"It's crazy right? I've only heard a little bit about him, but I heard he was somewhere in Rukon Districts. Do you know what happened? Where he was sent?"

"Why would you care? It doesn't have anything to do with you. So what if I knew something? It's not like you'd need to know." He looked a little angry, pissed that I was butting into his business.

"Are you going to tell them?" I say, whispering loud enough so only we can hear. He nods his head no. I take a sharp inhale, displeased with his reply. I try to control my anger, but it gets the better of me. Next thing I know, he's up against the wall and my face in his. My grip on his kimono increases as my anger wells.

Though he's taller than me, he cowers down and reaches my height. No one can see us, we're off in a hallway, and if they do no one will care.

"I know you know something, what district?" I say with a cool voice, hoping intimidation will work. He yelps, frightened by my sudden attack.

"I-i-i-it won't work, y-y-you'll never find him."

"Where is he?" A little bit of anger edges into my voice. I press him against the wall harder, making him wince in pain. Though he's taller, I'm stronger. He takes a deep breath trying to stop his tremors.

"You have to understand, I didn't have a choice." I don't care, I'm angry and I want answers.

"Where?" I demand, no anger is withheld anymore. I stare him straight in the eyes, my stare never wavering.

"District 80, East or South, I can't remember. You know it's impossible to find him..." I loosen my grip, letting him scuttle away back to the bar. I stride back to Renji, saying my goodbyes and leaving the club. I can't stay there a drink with finding Ichigo on my mind. Now at least I have a start, but it was too vague it'll still take time. As I head back to my room my thoughts are overcome with what the rookie said. East or South hmmm. I don't know if I should relay this information to Captain Commander, turn him in or just go searching myself. I better just search myself, it's not like it'll affect anything if other people know about it. As I slide the wooden door that leads to my bedroom, a wave of exhaustion overcomes me. I strip my clothes off, the cold are on my bare skin. I quickly dress into something light and lay in the futon, curling up to keep the warmth. As I lay my eyelids become heavier and I finally close them, my thoughts absorbed in planning my next actions. On the verge of sleep I finally come to a decision: Tomorrow I'll search the largest and most crowded district; District Number: 80, Direction: South.

DRAMA! Hope you all enjoyed. I didn't know we'd get to this point so fast. Oh well! No point in dragging it too long. I'm sorry that this is a constant thing, but my writers spark has been lit again.

Love you all!

Slipsilvermoon