"And you still refuse to tell us what you did?" The Head Captain asked. The captains that had been able to had come to the meeting along with their lieutenants. Yamamoto folded his hands and watched his former captains, Gin and Kaname. The order had been capture them alive if possible. For the past month or so they'd been kept in a very secure prison constructed just for them. Yamamoto had waited until everything had calmed down to question them or what he thought would be a calm time. Two weeks ago three reapers and a former captain's child had disappeared. Knowing they had something to do with it, it had taken all of Kenpachi Zaraki's strength to keep Byakuya from killing them himself.

"I have no idea of what you're talking about" Gin grinned.

"I say we let Byakuya slaughter them. It wont solve anything but I know it'll make most of us feel better" Zaraki said. A few mumbled in agreement.

"Why are we even keeping them alive? They should be dead. Just like many of the good men in my squad that they killed" His voice shook with anger.

"Enough Captain Zaraki, I understand your pain but I need to know exactly what Aizen planned before his death. Take these two away" He ordered "I will question them myself later" With that the meetings was dismissed. Quietly they filed out. Renji had yet to choose a lieutenant so he prepared to walk alone to the sixth division when Kenpachi was suddenly in step beside him.

"Renji"

"Captain Zaraki"

"How's Kuchiki dealing with all this?"

"I thought we were becoming better friends. Before…all this he was opening up more. He even smiled a few times but now he's even colder than before"

"Everyone has different ways of dealing with grief" Yachiru said from her captain's shoulder. The normally bubbly girl had her moments now when she'd become more serious. Renji had heard the war was her first time actually seeing her own teammates killed. She had seen people injured but never murdered the way they were.

"I know but it sorta hurts. Its like he's trying to…no, he is shutting me out completely. He wont talk about it when I go to visit him at his house"

"So he acts like it never happened?" Kenpachi raised an eyebrow

"No, he just doesn't want to talk about it with me anyway. His grandfather told me to stop worrying about him so much, he said I needed sleep"

"You do. You look tired"

"I wish I knew where they went. This whole thing makes no sense. Gin and Kaname must know they'll die eventually for what they've done. Whats the point in keeping everything a secret still?"

"You know how we all thought the Espada were dead?"

"Yeah"

"I think we should go check over those bodies again"
"Why? You think Aizen managed one last trick before dying?"

"Yes". Renji nodded

"Don't you find it weird Renji-kun that none of them survived as strong as they were?" Yachiru asked "Faking their deaths would let them go on to do other things"

"You have a point" The red head mumbled

"Well we're off. I have things to take care of. See ya" Kenpachi slapped him on the back before leaving. Renji continued walking, deciding last minute to go see his old captain. He made it to the Kuchiki estate in record time. Assuming he'd be in the garden, Renji headed in that direction. The servants barely spared him a second glance having already become accustomed to the red head. He made it to the garden and saw in the distant a dark haired man sitting on the ground. He raced over only to figure out it wasn't Byakuya. He came to a stop, starting to turn back around when the man said

"Renji, what are you up to?". His eyes widened

"Ace?"

"Yes?" He answered. Renji walked around to face him. Acuzio Kuchiki was Byakuya's older brother. He had the same dark hair but his was cut short and spiky. His skin was more tan from being out in the sun. Ace wore a white tee shirt and sweat pants .A smile tugged on his lips. He was also on the opposite end of the personality spectrum than his brother. "You look surprised"

"You're supposed to be in the infirmary"

"Well I left"

"You just walked out? You were in a coma!" Ace had fought alongside his brother during the war and had suffered serious injuries. In fact Captain Unohana hadn't expected him to live though she had kept that from Byakuya.

"It wasn't hard, they were all focused on other things. So whats going on?". Renji sighed and sat down on the grass.

"Rukia, Ichigo, Octavian and Yoruichi disappeared"

"I knew that. I could hear Byakuya when he visited me though I couldn't respond. He's been under a lot of emotional strain hasn't he?". The younger man nodded

"He wont talk to me about it. He's gone back to being distant"

"It hurts"

"Yeah it does" He pulled a leg up and rested his chin on it "I want to help but its hard when he shuts me out"

"He's never been one to deal with his grief like normal people. I know he appreciates you being there"

"He told you that too?"

"Actually yes" There was a bit of silence between them before Ace spoke again "You know what sucks? Knowing he's going through this and not being there for him. Ever since our parents died I've always tried to take care of him. It doesn't always work out how I expect but I still try"

"I heard that story about how when he was younger he took a beating for Harmony" Renji said referring to Ace's wife "And that you nearly killed the guys who did it"

"He tell you that?"

"Yeah. After a couple of drinks" He smirked.

"We have something in common Renji, we both care about Byakuya. So we have to find my nephew and the others"

"How do we do that?"

"I have an idea". Renji raised an eyebrow but before he could elaborate they heard the head of the Kuchiki family say

"Renji I was told you were looking for me".

"He was until I stopped him little brother" Ace stood up to face him. He noticed the dark circles under Byakuya's eyes. He also looked like he'd lost weight. Ace frowned

"Ace?"

"Whats with you and Renji today? Yes its me" He rolled his eyes. In an instant Byakuya was hugging him and it was like they were little kids again. Ace hugged him back and whispered "I'll bring them back, I promise".


A month had passed since they had arrived. Things weren't getting worse but they weren't getting much better either. Yoruichi, Rukia and Ichigo felt completely human. It wasn't a great feeling especially since the longer they stayed the more they sensed something evil about the country they were in. Currently Yoruichi was watching Stark teach Octavian a card game. He had been with them for a couple of weeks. They had managed to keep him a secret but it seemed he wasn't any closer to remembering who he was and it was driving Ichigo crazy. He felt they weren't doing enough and hated that they were still in Amestris. Yoruichi understood his frustration, she was feeling it too but at the moment they couldn't do anything. She watched as O groaned from losing again. Against her better judgment she decided to sneak out the window. There were some things she'd like to try and figure out.

"He has a crush on you!" Al stated happily. He, Rukia, Ichigo and Ed sat at a table in the cafeteria. The brothers had been preoccupied lately so the others hadn't seen much of them. They kept hearing about this crazy guy running around killing alchemists.

"No he doesn't" Rukia answered.

"I have to agree with Al, I've never seen him act like this before" Ed added before pushing away his empty tray.

"And he's flirting with you!" Al said.

"Rukia wouldn't know what flirting is if it came up and said 'Here I am"!" Ichigo ducked the fist thrown his way. They were discussing Roy Mustang's behavior toward her. Everyone was sure he liked her, Rukia however didnt feel the same or at least she said. He hadn't asked her anymore about that day in the park to which she was grateful but he had taken to checking up on her. She had a light bruise from where the cero had grazed her arm.

"You should go on one date with him" Ed grinned "At least one"

"Over my dead body!"

"Well technically…"Ichigo never finished his words. King Bradley had caught his attention. The man had just come in with his bodyguards. Yoruichi had told Ichigo and Rukia earlier about this plan she had. Bradley usually ate lunch with his fellow soldiers in the cafeteria. When he was nearly finished she wanted Ichigo to cause a huge distraction loud enough to alert her. It was too dangerous to have either of them actually with her as a lookout. Since his office was on the first floor she thought this would be a better idea. Unfortunately she hadn't given any ideas on how to go about distracting him. When Roy entered, it was like a light bulb went off. Rukia wouldn't like the plan however.


Yoruichi had been searching the office for around ten minutes. It hadn't been too difficult to enter. She had climbed through a window after making sure no one was around. She sifted through his desk making sure to put things back the way she found them.

"Something isn't right" She mumbled as she continued. She looked through book cases and shelves but still came up with nothing until finally she saw a drawer in the desk that she had missed. Opening it she saw an opened letter. Picking it up she scanned it. What surprised her was the signature at the bottom

" Aizen wrote this! What's going on? Why would this man have a handwritten letter from that traitor?"


Seeing Bradley's meal about done Rukia jumped atop the table.

"What are you doing?! Get Down" Ed tried to grab her arm but she snatched it away. All eyes in the room were on her. Taking a deep breath she shouted

"Roy Mustang, I have decided to accept going on a date with you!" Stunned silence then the room burst into claps and whistles. Ed's jaw dropped open.

"Wow" Al simply stated. "I knew it"

"Thank you Rukia" Roy was surprised but happy none the less. He had finally broken her down. He received a couple of high fives from others around him. Ichigo scanned for the president but he was gone.

"Shit!" He mumbled.


Yoruichi had gone back into looking through the drawer. She was so intent on her search that she didn't hear Rukia's statement though it seemed everyone else had nor did she notice when a couple of minutes later that the door opened.

"Did you find what you're looking for Miss Yoruichi?" King Bradley asked standing in the doorway, hands clasped behind his back. She'd been caught. She narrowed her eyes, not bothering to try and hide what she found.

"How do you know Sosuke Aizen?"

"Thats none of your concern"

"Yes it is". There was a tense silence as Bradley eyed her. Finally he said

"You would do well to keep what you've found to yourself especially if you wish for your son to live"

"How dare you!" She growled

"There's a reason why I wanted him under me. If any of your friends find out about this I will kill him". Yoruichi knew he wasnt lying and she felt helpless for it, she couldnt defend her own child. "Now sit down and lets discuss a few things" He said shutting the door behind him.


It was later that night when they were all gathered in Ichigo and Octavian's room that they finally noticed Yoruichi still wasnt back. Rukia had fallen asleep on the floor. Stark was lying on Octavian's bed while the younger boy sat on Ichigo's. Ichigo himself was staring out the window. The two were anxious.

"Where could she be?" Ichigo ran a hand through his hair. No one had herd from her. He and O hd gone searching for her earlier but didnt find her. He knew deep down the only other option was that she'd been caught but didnt want to worry Octvian.

"Well Im going to sleep" He said getting under the blankets.

"Not in my bed!"

"Kick rocks Ichigo" He mumbled

"What does that mean?"

"I cant hear you anymore since Im sleep". Ichigo rolled his eyes. He'd kick him out of his bed later.

"You two are pretty close huh?" Stark asked after they heard Octavian's soft breathing. Ichigo shurgged

"Not at first. When you go through something with someone it either brings you closer or pushes you apart. At least thats what my Dad says"

"He helped in the war you guys told me about?"

"Yeah, he wasnt supposed to though. I wish we could get home. I know everyone's worried"

"Ichigo"

"What?"

"I think I've gotten my memory back". The blond turned his head to look at the older man who was still staring at the ceiling. Before he could question him further the door opened and Yoruichi walked in. She scanned the room for Octavian then without another word, she layed down next to him.

"Yoruichi?" Ichigo had never seen her like that before and wasnt sure what to do.

"Not now, we'll talk in the morning". He looked again at Stark who had watched the scene with interrest. He gave a sad smile and mouthed 'morning' also. Ichigo sighed. He wanted to know what was going on now. He took his place back at the window knowing he wouldnt be getting any sleep.