Hey everyone! Sorry about the delay, as I was writing the HisaMatsu story as well as another story, which is only available on my Facebook page. I was also busy making an IchiRuki AMV, which is finished and uploaded on Youtube now. On top of that, I've been job searching as well, which is really tough at the moment .

Anyway, I do have to warn you guys that Rukia might be a bit out of character in this one, but who can blame her really?

Hope you guys enjoy =)

Chapter 5: Breaking the News

In a remote area of Hueco Mundo, a familiar female espada ran over to a cave where her love and fraccion were waiting for her, eyes full of fear and shock from what she had witnessed.

Neliel Tu Odershvank, her fraccion Pesche and Dondochakka, and Grimmjow Jeagerjacques had been taking turns spying on Las Noches for a while now, wondering what sinister plan Aizen was thinking of next. Until today, they did not witness anything out of the ordinary, but when Neliel saw the horrible site of Ichigo Kurosaki being carried inside the looming fortress, she knew there was trouble.

She arrived at the cave just in time to see her mate finish off the last remaining hollow that attacked their home.

Several times a day, hollows would attack their little cave, hoping to catch their next meal. However, they were no match for Grimmjow, who would finish them off instantly. They were mainly small fry – weak, unintelligent hollows who were hoping to eat an espada in order to gain their powers. Only rarely would Grimmjow fight off a Gillian-type or Adjucha-type Menos. The former espada deemed it some sort of training to defend his home as he hoped to one day overthrow Aizen once and for all and take over the throne as King of Los Noches.

As usual, Dondochakka and Pesche would watch their comrade defeat the intruding hollows with interest, instead of cowering in fear like they always did.

When Neliel arrived at the cave, her fraccion rushed over to greet her before noticing her shock in her panting and in her eyes.

"What's wrong, Neliel-sama?" Pesche asked, resting a hand on his mistress's shoulder to calm her down.

"Is Aizen concoctin' something terrible, don'tcha know?" Dondochakka piped in from behind Pesche.

Grimmjow, who had also noticed Neliel's arrival, rushed over to join the group. "What happened?" He wanted to know, hoping that he would finally get some answers to what Aizen is up to.

It took a while for Neliel to catch her breath and she looked at her boyfriend square in the eye. "Aizen has captured Ichigo Kurosaki."

Grimmjow raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"It's true. I saw Gin Ichimaru, Yammy, Stark and his fraccion Lilinette. Ichimaru was carrying Ichigo over his shoulders, and...Ichigo was unconscious..." Neliel tightened her hands into fists as she looked down, gritting her teeth in anger and sorrow.

"And you're sure?"

"Yes," Neliel said quickly as she locked her eyes with Grimmjow's yet again. "Aizen is planning something that has to do with Ichigo...once again."

"I wonder what that could be," Pesche pondered. Dondochakka stared into space in thought as well.

"Well, whatever it is, we have to stop him," Grimmjow said. "Surely, his friends know what's going on. Even though I don't like helping his friends that much, we're still on their side. They'll be arriving very soon, and when they do, we'll be ready to assist them in any way."

Neliel nodded in agreement. She was glad that Grimmjow had switched sides shortly before the second war happened. After all, he was rebelling against Aizen from the very beginning and had proved that he was an asset to anyone who was Aizen's enemy, even the shinigami. Now they will once again help their shinigami friends, and she was looking forward to every moment of it.

Meanwhile, in Soul Society, Rukia stared at her subordinates for a moment, gathering her words together for what she was about to say. She had done something like this a million times before, so why was she having a hard time doing this? The answer was simple: her husband; one of the few people who mattered most to her, who completed her in every way; was probably locked away in some cell in Hueco Mundo right now, and she knew that her subordinates – especially Ryuichi – would not take too kindly to this.

However, Tatsuki, Renji, and Hinamori were beside her for emotional support, ready to comfort her just in case.

When Hinamori learned of the horrible news, she flung her arms around Rukia's neck, sobbing her apologies and trying to be as comforting as she could. Rukia just smiled sadly and assured her friend and third seat that she will be all right and they will get Ichigo back soon.

However, Renji was the only one who saw past his friend's facade. He knew that she was breaking inside and beating herself up for what happened. If only he would tell her that it was not her fault. It was bad enough to see her like this.

So here she stood in front of about a hundred members of their division, gathering up her words carefully. Ryuichi watched his mother, waiting for news about his father.

When she finally spoke, a gloomier atmosphere emerged in the area. "Our captain, Kurosaki Ichigo, had been captured by the enemy."

Gasps and chatter erupted between her subordinates – with their eyes full of shock and despair for their leader.

Ryuichi was struck the hardest. It can't be! His eyes widened as his body froze in his spot and his hands clenched into fists. It can't be true! He refused to believe it.

That was until Rukia continued to speak. "Before any of you ask, it did happen. He was fighting Gin Ichimaru, who used something to knock him out. I...tried to get him back, but Ichimaru attacked my weakness by warning me that any attack I try to do will bring more harm." She bowed her head in defeat and shame. "Then he carried him off to Hueco Mundo." She looked back up into the silent crowd, landing her eyes on her shocked son as she saw the anger arise in his eyes. "But I, including other people, will do what we can to get him back. I promise. We will fight to get him back. No one knows what Aizen has planned, but I will do anything I can to make sure that Ichigo is back here where he belongs." She averted her eyes to the rest of the group. "This is my promise, and I advise all of you to have faith that your captain will be home where he belongs. You may be dismissed."

She turned abruptly when she felt more tears drip down her face, not wanting anyone to see the sorrow that tried to break through her tough exterior.

Ryuichi growled silently as he absorbed everything his mother had said. He hated to see his mother like this, and he knew that it was not her fault. With this reason, he will do whatever he can to get stronger so that he can help get his father back.

Renji stepped over to him and put a hand on his shoulder. "I know what you're probably thinking," he trailed off. Ryuichi said nothing, so Renji continued. "Before we left for our mission, I promised your father that I will train you...should anything happen to him." Then he smiled. "I'm a good teacher...honest. I'll help you earn the shikai level of your zampakutou."

Ryuichi averted his eyes to his godfather's. "Really?"

Renji nodded. "I'll do what I can. I know how much you want to help your father right now – and your mother as well – so I will do anything I can in my power to help you attain the strength you need in order to do so."

Determination showed in the younger man's eyes. "When will you train me? And where?"

"First thing tomorrow morning," Renji replied, "at my barracks."

Ryuichi nodded and smirked. "Thanks Renji."

Renji matched the boy's smirk. "Yea, no problem."

Meanwhile, Ruby watched them from several kilometres away. She knew that Ryuichi would not forgive her for what she and her brother had done before, and she could not help but feel so sorry for him. After all, she knew what it was like to lose a parent – even though hers was a different story.

Jade glared at her. "Why do you feel so remorse for such a lower class fool?"

Ruby shot her brother a look to kill. "Isn't it fucking obvious, Jade? His father had been captured by the enemy!"

Jade sneered. "Heh...serves him right."

That was when Ruby snapped. Tightening her hands into fists, she sent a full-force punch flying towards her brother's jaw, knocking him back a couple feet away. Several subordinates looked their way to see what the commotion was all about.

"You bitch!" Jade cursed as he rubbed his jaw. "What the fuck was that for?"

"Guess!" Ruby replied, seething in anger and ready to land another punch. "You never had any remorse for anything! It pisses me off!"

Jade held onto the hilt of his katana. "Yea well, your 'conscience' sickens me." He drew his sword, much to his sister's and the nearby subordinates' shock. "Let's test it right now, shall we?"

Ruby growled. Even though she had a strong conscience, she would never let anyone – not even her brother – push her around and insult everything she cared about. She had seen that too much, and she knew that it was time to sort things out once and for all.

She quickly drew her katana and charged her brother, slashing the blade forward. Jade blocked and countered with another forward slash. Ruby blocked and countered with another slash.

After a few attempted blows back and forth, they cross swords and stalled one another. While Ruby growled in fury, Jade, having no emotions whatsoever, kept a calm, emotionless stare.

He sent a piercing side kick to her stomach, knocking her to the ground with a grunt. "You've gotten better, dear sister," he said as he held his blade in front of him, "but it's time I turn things up and show you what I'm truly capable of."

Ruby widened her eyes. What the fuck is he going to do? She knew that releasing one's zampakutou in Sereitei was forbidden unless it was a dire emergency, and this was no emergency. She slowly stood up from the ground and watched her brother release his zampakutou in front of her eyes.

He held his katana with both hands – one hand on the hilt and the other on the blade. "Resonate, Denkimaru."

A large amount of reiatsu swirled around the blade, causing Ruby to jump back a couple feet.

It was not long until she saw the released form of her brother's zampakutou. It was a large black and gold guitar with a crescent moon blade at the base of the body fastened to a chain. "So...That's...Denkimaru..." She said incredulously.

Nearby, their fellow division members talked among themselves while staring at the sight in a daze.

Rukia, who was standing with Hinamori at that time, turned around slowly just in time to witness Jade's shikai. "Oh give me a break..." She hissed as her eyes narrowed. "Someone's going to be in trouble."

"Scared yet...Ruby?" Jade replied with a slight tone of satisfaction in his voice, signaling that he was going to go all out.

He then played a few notes with which the crescent moon blade came to life and charged at Ruby, who dodged it right away but just barely.

She held her katana in front of her and shouted, "Spread your blazing wings, Hiryuu!" Black fire spread outward throughout the blade, engulfing and dissolving it within the eerie flames.

A look of shock showed through Rukia's face. She had to do something to stop them so that they will not disrupt any peace. Also, she was not in the mood either.

A confident smirk spread across her face. "Now," she said with her voice dark, "you die...Jade. Hien Messhoujin!" A crimson blast of fiery energy exploded outward towards Jade, who quickly played several notes on the guitar, causing a blast of sonic energy to rip through the crimson aura. This caused it to dissipate immediately.

"ENOUGH YOU TWO!" A familiar, shrill voice sounded from nearby, causing both siblings to stop their fighting immediately and turn their heads towards to the source of the voice.

There, standing with Renji and Hinamori, was Rukia. She was seething with anger – her fists and teeth clenched tightly. There was a furious rage in her eyes that no one, not even Renji, had seen before.

Jade and Ruby stood up immediately with abrupt attention but they had both been caught.

Renji watched them incredulously. "Could these kids be capable of that so soon? I mean what we just saw."

Without looking at him, Rukia replied, "...Well, Renji...the proof is there...but they are still in huge shit."

The tone in her voice made Renji gulp. She can be quite scary when she's pissed off.

A glare intensified in Rukia's eyes as she spoke accusingly. "Ruby! Jade! Even though you two have excelled in your shikai, it is still a crime to release them without direct permission or any kind of emergency." She turned towards a couple of the subordinates who had watched the brief fight. "You two, come over here and lock these two up."

Jade raised an eyebrow and Ruby gasped. "What?"

"You heard me," Rukia replied impatiently. "You have deliberately served in violation of your orders! So, therefore, you must be punished."

Ruby sheathed her zampakutou and walked towards them, whereas Jade kept his zampakutou out. "Catch me if you can," he said as he flash-stepped away.

Ruby widened her eyes in a panic. She turned towards her superior. "Permission to give chase?"

Rukia shook her head and turned towards Renji. "He's yours."

"Damn kid..." Renji grumbled. "Fine, I'll give chase."

Ruby frowned and closed her eyes in defeat and shame. "We're both sorry, Kurosaki-Fukutaichou."

The subordinates confiscated her katana and held her arms behind her back. Rukia gave a cold stare. "You'll be locked up for the night. I'll send for you when I'm ready. Take her away."

The subordinates did as they were told and Rukia averted her eyes towards the sky with a sigh. "Ichigo..."

While Ruby was being carried off, she looked towards Ryuichi who was watching her. I promise that I'm going to make it up to you, she thought to herself. No one deserves to feel this way, and no one deserves what Jade and I had done to you. Good luck, Ryuichi.

Renji darted through streets and jumped over buildings, attempting to keep up with the swift fugitive known as Jade Carlisle. "Damn! This kid's fast!" He exclaimed to himself with a growl as he made every curve possible to match his target's movements. "His speeds rival even that of Tai..." He stopped himself there, remembering that Byakuya was no longer his captain. "Byakuya, and he's just about as fast as Ichigo in his bankai form."

They raced towards the gate that would separate Rukongai from Sereitei. Renji narrowed his eyes as he smirked. "Trapped! You're mine, kid!"

Jade stopped when he got to the gate, realizing that there was no way out. After all, the seki-seki mineral making up the solid walls absorbs any kind of reiatsu that tries to passes through. Over top and down below, there was a force field that emanated from the seki-seki material. The only way to escape this now, Jade realized, is to stand his ground.

He turned around to face his assailant, who stopped in front of him.

"Come with me, Jade," Renji persuaded. "Don't make this any harder for yourself."

"You can't tell me what to do," Jade calmly contradicted.

Renji made a noise in the back of his throat. "In case you haven't noticed," he pointed to his haori, "I am a captain. I have every right to tell you what to do. Now come along. Don't make me drag you back by force." He drew his zampakutou threateningly.

Jade's eyes narrowed. "Very well," he said, "let's see if you can stand up to me."

He played several riffs on his guitar-like weapon, mobilizing the blade at high speeds towards its target.

"Howl, Zabimaru!" Renji shouted as he whipped his zampakutou forward, stretching the blades outward.

Jade played more riffs, causing the blade to change its course, but Renji knew what his opponent was thinking. He smashed his zampakutou against the chain that held the crescent blade in place with the guitar, entangling it around the multiple blades. Then he yanked his sword back with as much force, causing Jade to lose his balance slightly.

"Give up," Renji demanded.

Jade growled.

"You know that this is only for a night," Renji continued to persuade. "Just one night, and Rukia will let you go just like that. Although, she might have to ask you guys to come with us to Hueco Mundo. Don't make this hard on her. If you've lost a loved one, you will understand."

The last sentence hit Jade hard. If there was any last trace of emotion left in him, it would be the horrible night - that horrible night in East Rukongai, District 73 when they had lost their mother.

It was dark and there was a raging storm out tonight. Hanna Carlisle watched her two children sleep with a warm smile. She had forgotten every trouble she had ever had. After all, it was about these two and keeping them safe was her main goal.

This moment of peace did not last too long, unfortunately, as there was a bang on the door. Hanna stood up and walked towards the door, wondering who it could be. She knew that District 73 was a terrible place, full of ruthless gangs and thieves, and that was the reason why she approached the door with caution.

The banging continued but more loudly than ever. Knowing that it would wake her children, she unlocked her door and opened it. Standing at her doorway were two men – each with a rough exterior and stingy glares. Hanna knew she had to be strong, especially for her children, if she wanted to protect them and what little they had.

"Yes?" She said quietly, not taking her eyes off the men.

Without saying a word, the men nodded towards one another and yanked the woman out of the house, throwing her towards the ground. Her screams woke her children, but they kept quiet when they saw the men as they were about to do something terrible.

"Yer a beauty," one of the men said with a wide, maniac smile.

"Too bad it pisses us off," the other man added.

Then they brutally started to kick and punch her on the spot. Ruby and Jade crept towards the door to see the horrible commotion, keeping hidden as much as possible. Ruby started to cry as Jade clenched his fists.

One of the men sent an extremely powerful and violent kick towards Hanna's head, and her body fell limp and lifeless on the muddy ground. Then they turned towards the house. Jade and Ruby ducked out of sight before they could be seen, trembling and wondering what could happen next.

The man that finished Hanna off lit a cigarette and threw the match into the house, where it caught fire on impact, and then both men fled the scene, leaving the house in flames.

It was a miracle that Jade and his sister survived that horrible incident, but the memories of their mother being beaten to death continued to linger on. Even though what his lieutenant was going through was not the same, it was still somewhat similar in a way – how her own husband was dragged away from her and there was nothing she could do.

Jade reverted his shikai back to its zampakutou state and sheathed it immediately. His hands clinched into tight fists as he spoke. "All right, I'll cooperate."

Renji sheathed his now normal zampakutou and walked over towards Jade. "Let's go then."

Jade nodded and the two flash-stepped back towards the Fifth Division Headquarters, where the younger man would join his sister in her cell for the night.

Next time on Inherited Nightmares...

Aizen's lips curled upwards towards an insane smile as he saw Ichigo before him, held tightly by two espada. He was waiting for this moment – a moment where he could finally use the captain for his own good.

"Welcome Kurosaki...or should I say, Kurosaki-Taichou."

And that's chapter 5! Rukia's cold persona has started to surface, but she's going to be colder as the story progresses further on. It might be hard to write, but I'll do my best with that, hehe.

As for the video versions, the person who is drawing Jade and Ruby is just over halfway finished. She has finished drawing all the pictures of Jade and has moved on to Ruby, so it will be a while yet before the video versions come up. Hopefully I can get started on those around the Christmas time.

In the meantime, I'm going to continue on with the story version. So keep reviewing! :D

Take care!