Wow it's been forever eh? Anyways, I want to emphasize once again that I DO intend to finish this story! I will definitely be posting more frequently now, I know I say that every time, but I actually have a way to work on my story when I'm commuting to school (which is how I wrote this chapter) so I'm not just being super optimistic this time!

I want to thank everyone who is still reading this story, despite my lack of posting, and everyone who discovered this story and has commented since my last chapter. Each comment I get motivates me to work on the next chapter. =)

I don't own BLEACH. Tite Kubo does!


Footsteps echoed down the high roofed, long, narrow, and empty corridor. The walls all white and bare. Gin, smirk in place, strolled at an easy pace towards the throne room where Aizen undoubtedly was.

As he reached the entrance, Gin slipped into the room, careful not to alert Aizen, whose undivided attention was on the hougyoku that was glowing and spinning in his hand. Gin observed from a distance and saw Aizen's lip curve into a slight smile as the hougyoku accelerated.

A few moments later however, the hougyoku started to slow its spin. Aizen's lips tightened and his eyes narrowed slightly.

"Still ain't working, eh boss?"

Aizen looked up at Gin, not surprised at his presence.

"It seems there is a complication." Aizen said rather indifferently, "I knew that the potential for this existed before we left Soul Society. It won't be hard to fix."

Gin nodded, thinking for a moment.

"Ya know it's gonn' be pretty hard to capture her now that she's been hurt and's healin'. We're gonn' hafta infiltrate Soul Society!" Gin grinned. "Too bad w'all didn't know 'bout this when she was here. Sure

woulda made things a lil easier, dontcha think?"

"It's of little importance Gin. We'll wait till she goes to the world of the living, which she without a doubt will. Going into soul society isn't feasible yet. You and I both know 'that' will have to wait." Aizen moved to conceal the hougyoku, "This minor setback will certainly make things more interesting." Aizen mused as he placed the hougyoku into its proper place. "As for the Espada, we will continue as planned."

"Understood, boss." Gin grinned at him, then bowed out of the room.

Aizen secured the hougyoku and started walking out of the room. I'll need to tell our new technological department Espada to keep close tabs on her reiatsu. We shall see each other again soon, Rukia Kuchiki.


The sun was high and Kaien sat in the shade under a tree next to a stream. He slowly sipped his tea, closing his eyes and listening to the sound of the running water. Suddenly he heard something, jolting him from his thoughtless peace. He opened his eyes, startled and ready to become annoyed.

He just saw her black hair swish behind a nearby tree. He smiled, already knowing who it was. "Why so playful?" he shouted, not hiding his amusement.

A suppressed giggle was his reply. Sighing, Kaien stood up and made his way to the tree. Funny, I can't feel her presence...

Kaien whipped behind the tree, hoping to catch her by surprise. Instead, he was surprised to find nothing there.

"Ehhh?" Kaien scratched his head and looked around at the rest of the area.

A splashing sound quickly caught his attention. He turned his attention to the small stream by that tree he had been sitting under. There she was, suppressing her giggles, sitting on her butt in the shallow running water. She looked like an angel.

"MIYAKO! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" Kaien didn't know whether to laugh or be concerned. He settled for both – laughing while he walked over, extending his hand to her so that he could pull her up and onto the grass. "Are you crazy?" he asked, not letting go of her hand.

Miyako looked at him still suppressing her silly grin. "Well I was trying to hide from you!" she shivered violently. "It's so cold now though!"

"Stupid!" Kaien laughed and drew her close, holding her in attempt to keep her warm. It didn't occur to either of them to head home.

A few content moments passed before Kaien could no longer hold the thought that kept creeping into his head.

"I've missed you, so much. What happened to us Miyako?" he asked, holding her tightly.

"It's know, Kaien." Miyako wrapped her arm around his torso, taking his hand and squeezing it. Kaien was confused by her answer.

He looked down at her beautiful, gentle face, trying to read her. Then she looked up at him with a burning gaze. Kaien tilted his head down, knowing exactly what she wanted.

As soon as their lips touched, everything changed.

The high sun was replaced by an eerie moon, encompassed in a circle of red. Kaien's grip on Miyako suddenly tightened painfully and she screamed, begging him to release her. But he couldn't control himself, his lips never leaving Miyako's body. He was consuming her. Killing her.

"KAIEN! KAIEN! PLEASE!" Her screams became quieter, her struggling became weaker, then her body became limp. Still he did not stop.


Kaien jerked awake in his chair, heart pounding. In his sleep he had leaned his head onto Rukia's bedside.

He registered his environment around him. He saw Rukia, looking at him with wide, almost scared (he noted with a twang of guilt), eyes.

He realized that he was holding her hand. I must have grabbed it while I was dreaming. He dropped it as though it burned. She flinched.

"Uh, geez Kuchiki, I must have drifted off! Sorry! Did I wake you?" Kaien grinned at her and scratched the back of his head, trying to mask his true feelings.

Rukia studied him a moment before responding. "Kaien-dono-" she began.

She had been torn from her peaceful slumber when a hand on hers, which had previously gone unnoticed, started to squeeze. Bone-crushingly hard. She had tried to wake him without alerting anyone.

It was probably a good, long minute before he woke up on his own - looking horrified and very disoriented. Rukia was extremely shaken, although she was trying her best not to let Kaien-dono notice.

That was bad. Very bad. Could this have something to do with the 9th Espada? Should I ask? He clearly doesn't want me to know, in which case I'm not going to push him. Who am I to do so anyways? The girl who killed him? I've put him through, I can't even imagine... But this is bad. He could have really

hurt me, or even someone else... No, I will believe in Kaien-dono's strength. He can overcome whatever it is. And if not, I can be there to lend him strength.

Rukia was lost in her thoughts for moment, but shook her head and finished her sentence. "is eveything okay?" She held a firm gaze with him.

"Yah Kuchiki, everything's fine! How many times have I told you not to worry so mu-"

Kaien spotted Rukia's red and bruising hand. "Oh my god Rukia! Did I do that to you? I'm so sorry! I don't know wha.. I didn't..." Kaien was at a loss for words. "Is it okay? Here let me..." Kaien made to grab Rukia's hand but she flinched and moved it back instinctively. Kaien tried not to show his hurt from her actions. He fell silent, looking down to the ground.

It's okay. He's just concerned. He's himself right now. Kaien-dono. Rukia silently assured herself as she studied Kaien's face.

"I..." "Look..." They started at the same time, then both paused in an awkward silence. "Go ahead Kuchiki."

"Look Kaien-dono." She showed him her left hand, the one he had crushed, and wiggled her fingers around gingerly. "Nothing's broken. You've given me worse injuries during training. This is like nothing to me." Rukia spoke very seriously, trying to keep Kaien from blaming himself for something he obviously couldn't have helped.

Kaien looked at Rukia and shot her a glance that was both grateful and regretful. "I'm glad I didn't hurt you Kuchiki..." more. He added in his head. "This has never happened before, I don't know what

came over..." feeling like a broken record player, Kaien didn't bother finishing his sentence, fixing his gaze once again on the ground.

Rukia looked timidly at him, her eyes soft. "If you ever need to talk Kaien-dono, I will always be here to listen. Just know that."

Kaien looked back into Rukia's large violet eyes. He didn't remember them being so dark; nor did he remember her being so wise. It has been over half a century now, Kuchiki's bound to have grown up a little.

Feeling nostalgic, Kaien reached out and, to her annoyance, ruffled Rukia's hair. "Tchh, I know."

Although his actions were goofy, his smile was sincere and deep. Rukia smiled back at him. It'll be best if you told me soon Kaien-dono. It's not good to be carrying baggage like that all on your own. I can help if you let me share the load. Ichigo taught me that.

"Hey, Rukia." As if on cue, Ichigo walked into the room. He was wearing his characteristic scowl, but Rukia could tell he wasn't happy about something.

"Ah, Ichigo." Rukia replied with a lopsided smile.

Kaien saw her slip her bruised hand under her covers as she sat a bit more on her bed. I'd forgotten how good she was at hiding her emotions He thought sadly. His eyes shifted to Kurosaki now, who was sending a fierce glare in his direction.

Kaien stood up and cleared his throat. "So, I think it's about time we've been formally introduced. Kaien Shiba, lieutenant of the 13th division." Setting a professional tone, Kaien stuck out his hand.

Kaien had guessed from his previous interactions with this boy that he would not be a willing friend. Looking at the hatred burning in this boy's eyes now, Kaien felt like that was an understatement. For a... 16 year old human?.. This kid sure has a lot of power and anger in his eyes. What's his problem?

Kaien caught a glimpse of Rukia out of the corner of his eye, then a tiny voice spoke up in his head Well it's not like I'm a problem-free guy is it? Suddenly, a horrible feeling washed over Kaien, clenching his gut. What he needed right now was to be alone to think about everything that had just happened.

Rukia was sending a glare of her own to Ichigo. Why does he look so pissed? And why is he directing his anger at Kaien-dono? Ugh you idiot! Stop being so rude! She willed him to get her silent message.

Ichigo felt Rukia's anger, but ignored her. Instead he continued staring hard at this lieutenant guy.

He had hurried over to Rukia's room after training with Renji, and he had almost interrupted quite the picture-perfect scene. Rukia rested peacefully in her bed while Kaien, head at her side, slept in the chair. Hands intertwined. Ichigo zipped around and rushed out of the

room. Before he could leave though, he heard Kaien talk in his sleep. "I've missed you... So much..." Ichigo glanced back to see him squeeze Rukia's hand while she lay undisturbed.

Ichigo walked around Soul Society. First he was fuming, then Ichigo fell into a state of deep contemplation. Renji said he had a wife. But then, what I saw just now... it doesn't make any sense! Maybe there are parts to this story that Renji just didn't know about. Maybe Rukia and this Kaien had some sort of affair and... Ichigo stopped his thoughts.

That's not something that Rukia would do though. She's so much stronger and better than that. Still she almost becomes another person when he comes around. Ichigo's frown deepened.

Something is off with this situation... I just can't figure out what it is. I shouldn't be making absurd conclusions though. I wish Rukia would just be open with me. Ichigo looked at his surroundings grimly, registering that he had wandered quite far. By the time I get back, that guy should be gone.

Tsh, wishful thinking is what that was. Ichigo thought bitteryly.

Ichigo was almost impressed with the way the guy was handling himself. Very professional, like a lieutenant should be, I guess. Ichigo saw Kaien's eyes shift over to Rukia for a moment, then they glazed over as though he were in deep thought.

Ichigo firmly grasped Kaien's extended hand "Ichigo Kurosaki, substitute shinigami." Kaien snapped back to reality, returning Ichigo's firm shake with one of his own.

"It's a pleasure. Now if you excuse me, I believe I have some work to get back to." Kaien broke eye contact and started moving towards the door, eager for solitude.

Rukia glanced up worriedly at Kaien upon hearing this statement. Ichigo took note of this.

"I'll catch you later Kuchiki." Kaien cast a reassuring smile her way, then nodded at Ichigo. "Nice to meet you, Kurosaki."

Ichigo nodded back and then Kaien was gone. He then turned his attention to Rukia. She had already returned to glaring at him.

"Ichigo! Where do you come off being such an ass to Kaien-dono?" she demanded.

Ichigo merely frowned and shrugged. "I don't trust the guy Rukia – plain and simple. He's given me no reason to trust him." Ichigo's tone then changed from seemingly indifferent to angry. "In fact, he was a part of the hollow that almost killed you! How do you know the hollow isn't still controlling him?"

Rukia inwardly flinched. I have my own doubts... She thought has she gingerly flexed her bruised hand under her blanket. But he IS Kaien-dono, and if the hollow is still there right now, he needs help, not to be shunned! If word gets to Captain Yamamoto about this, Kaien-dono will probably be killed!

Rukia put on an angry face "Now listen here Ichigo. This man IS Kaien-dono. He is the lieutenant of my division and he deserves your respect. He has already gained the respect of all the other Captains! They wouldn't have reinstated his position otherwise."

Rukia's face turned soft. "Kaien-dono had also proven to me that he is who he says. Do you not trust my judgment Ichigo?" She looked at him questioningly.

Ichigo stared at Rukia, looking directly into her pleading violet eyes.

After a moment, he sighed and scratched the back of his head, looking away. "Geez Rukia, you know I trust you. But your judgment in this situation, regarding this man… it's not straight." Ichigo glanced up in time to see Rukia glance away, genuinely upset. Ichigo put his fingers on her chin and turned her head towards him so that he could look her in the eyes.

"If he is who he says, and it turns out he CAN be trusted, then eventually I'll come around to it." Rukia's eyes widened. "Just give me time to digest this crazy situation." Ichigo looked pleadingly into Rukia's now softened irises. She moved her hand to touch Ichigo's hand on her chin.

Just as Rukia's hand touched Ichigo's, she realized her mistake and quickly tried to whip her hand back under the blanket, but it was too late. Ichigo's eyebrows furrowed and he squinted at her severely bruised hand, firmly but carefully holding the wrist in front of him. Rukia bit her lip and looked off to the side guiltily. Ichigo looked from her hand, to her face, realizing that she wasn't going to say anything.

Why was she trying to hide this from me? Where did it even come from? Her hand was perfectly fine the last time I saw her.

Ichigo took a breath to clear his thoughts asking, as calmly as possible "Rukia, what the hell is this?"


A/N Hope you liked it!