If this chapter is confusing to anyone, please let me know. The rest of Shirosaki's capture will be explained in chapter 8.

I would also greatly appreciate some critical analysis of how I am potraying these characters, especially in this chapter, I'm trying to stay true to their personalities as much as possible and would love to hear your thoughts about it.

She stood feet away from him. Her eyes tracing every detail of his silohette against the moonlight, the same eerie exposure filled the room. For a moment she thought she was in back in Heuco Mundo, the same moonlight spilling into the room. She felt as though this was all a dream and that she hadn't really left at all. Perhaps she was merely peering into the future, given a chance to change everything.

Her mind focused. She knew this was real, no stopping what had happened.

Tradegy.

"Ichigo, if you can hear me" she looked at the phantom; he did not look like Ichigo at all. He wasn't. She had to keep telling herself. She didn't care that they all accused him, said that it was his dark side.

No.

She didn't care that there was an undercurrent of evil in everyone. This was not Ichigo.

"Come back soon" she finished turning around to exit his prison. While she walked to the fourth compound she thought the events that led to Shirosaki's capture.

"Hey q-tip. I think I've changed my mind about my zanpaktou" he said from the roof above Hitsugaya. The tenth squad taicho didn't stop, his annoyance curled off him in frigid waves alerting Shirosaki that he had definitely heard him. The phantom jumped down from his position, landing a few feet in front of the taicho.

"I want it back" Shirosaki provoked.

"I don't have time for you" Hitsugaya yawned taking a step to the right to walk past him. Shirosaki mirrored the taicho's step, continuing to block his way. The familiar vein in Hitsugaya's forehead appeared.

"Move" Hitsugaya growled.

"No" Shirosaki stepped closer. He could feel the dragon stir around them. Hitsugaya grabbed the hilt of his sword, not taking a defensive stance just yet. He eyed the phantom.

"I won't say it again" the child prodigy warned.

"Or what?" Shirosaki smiled wickedly.

Within a split moment their reiatsu's crashed against eachother alerting all of the Seiretei of their battle. The captain was still recovering from the war; he was tired so he immediately called for the aid of Hyorinmaru. The dragon snaked down his arm covering the hand over his hilt, but his wings had yet to show. Shirosaki used only his bear fists, the two of them connected several times before they took to the air. Once Hitsugaya reached a safe distance he pivoted to swipe down at his following adversary. Shirosaki dodged, his shoulder bashed into the captain. Before Hitsugaya could regain his bearing 

Shirosaki flash stepped an uppercut to the taicho's chin sending him reeling yards back. Shirosaki powered up, his fists glowed black energy; he charged the falling captain.

Luckily Shunsui, Kenpachi and Ikkaku were not far away, between a shunpo they all pinned Shirosaki to the ground before he could injure the tenth taicho again. It took all three of them to hold him down, but they were victorious as soon as her eyes met his.

The look of disappointment; Inoue stared at him, Rangiku by her side.

"I guess we know what to do know, our orders were specific should this happen" Kenpachi laughed holding on tightly to the phantom. "Although I was thinking of testing this kid out, might prove to be a good fight, just like-"

"Is that really a good idea?" Ikkaku sighed for once thinking with his head and not his fists. He was in no mood to be fighting or watching Kenpachi make a spectacle in front of him, he was still in a bad mood from getting his ass kicked the other day. Ikkaku's pride would take much longer to heal than his wounds.

"Probably not, but to me it does. Oh well, another day kid" he said looking at Shirosaki, the two exchanged a devious grin.

"Alright we're off" Kenpachi finished yanking on his prisoner, pulling Ikkaku along too.

Kenpachi and Ikkaku escorted Shirosaki to the detention compound; he would be kept there until the Gotei 13 discussed his actions and the mystery surrounding his appearance. He watched Inoue as they pushed him past her. His eyes never left her until she was out of view.

"What was that all about?" Rangiku wondered aloud standing beside her panting captain.

"He wanted his zanpaktou" he said looking at Inoue. For a moment they looked at eachother understanding the seriousness of the situation. She never thought it would come to this, but then again she barely knew anything about Shirosaki, and what she did know she was sure that the Gotei were already aware, perhaps knew more about Shirosaki than they let on.

"I guess I won't be able to see him?" she looked at the ground.

"Probably not till after tomorrow's meeting" Shunsui spoke up. She almost forgot he was standing with them in sugary splendour. His pink haori was tattered; it appeared as though he had not changed it from two days ago. Inoue thought about Ukitake, his health already poor, he probably pushed himself too far for the sake of the Seireitei and all of a Soul Society. Her thoughts gave her an idea, since she no longer was needed to watch Shirosaki perhaps she could take advantage of this dire situation.

"Kyoraku-san, is Jushiro-san well enough to have visitors?" Inoue quietly asked.

For a moment his face darkened when his beloved friend's name was spoken, but after considering the source, his face brightened when he remembered Inoue's powers. "Yes he is well enough" Shunsui replied sadly.

"May I see him?" she asked hopeful.

"Of course, I'm sure he would love the company." Shunsui smiled gesturing for the girl to follow. She waved good-bye to Rangiku and Hitsugaya.

This is not where the story of his capture ends. In fact he was caught twice, the rest of the spiralling events happened something like this.

"Oh no please Orihime-san. I am grateful for your enthusiasm, but this old body of mine is fine" Ukitake said refusing her offer to work her magic. Truthfully he wasn't sure how much more his body could take, he just wanted the peaceful serenity of his room, to heal naturally. He was tired.

Sensing his fatigue Inoue stood up and bowed. "Okay" she smiled at the 13 squad taicho. "I will let you rest" she said giving Shunsui one last look before heading out his room. She would return again once he was feeling better, even if would only be to visit.

Now that she was without Shirosaki, Inoue would be able to visit the fourth compound. Renji she suddenly thought remembering that he was severly injured. Why hadn't she thought about him sooner? Her steps picked up in speed and before she knew it she was standing at the entrance of the fourth compound. She quickly asked a passing shinigami if he knew where Abarai Renji was, the man nodded his head recognizing that she was a ryoka with healing abilities. He lead her into the inner sanctum where she had been before, only this time many of the beds were vacant. The room had now been arranged so that each shinigami would be given privacy behind curtains. The man pointed her to the bed where Renji lay, Inoue bowed and quietly advanced towards the red head. She moved passed the partition and gasped.

A thick tube slithered from his mouth to his chest and off to the corner where a machine rhythmically pumped oxygen into his damaged lungs. He was dreadfully pale, sweating and a foul smelling cloud of sickness stained the air. She recognized it as the same sickness as Ichigo's, he was poisoned with the same fate.

"Renji" she whispered moving to touch his hand. She wasn't sure if she wanted to use her Rika. Last time she did, it only made things worse. She trembled at her memory.

"Soten Kisshun, I reject" she recited, even though it was no longer necessary, she wanted to reinforce her might with words. She watched as the glowing healing barrier surrounded her wounded friend. He was looking at her, a pained smile tugging his lips; he wanted her to know it would be alright.

Suddenly he convulsed under her shield, a groan escaped his chest. Something was wrong, her powers weren't working, Inoue soon realized that it was causing him pain. She instantly willed Shuno and Ayame to stop, they looked at her offering apologizes while being confused themselves. Inwardly she told them it was okay.

"Kurosaki-kun? Gomen na-" she was caught off guard by his brilliant smile.

"It's okay Inoue" he said grasping her hand.

It was not okay, she could not heal Ichigo, she only caused him pain when she tried and now it would be the same with Renji. She would not dare to heal him, his condition was critical as it was. Once again she was helpless; there was nothing she could do to help her friends. Had she come so far from that pathetic girl who needed to be saved? Was she as strong as she thought she was? She hiccupped fighting her feelings, there was no use feeling sorry for herself; it wouldn't change anything. Even if she wasn't stong, she would act it, if only to help those who were losing hope.

It's okay Inoue

His voice echoed in her ear, only she couldn't tell if it was his or.

At that moment Renji's hand twitched under hers. His rough hands hugged her fingers, but the moment was gone as fast as it came. "Renji-kun?" she brightened up. She repeated his name again after some moments, watching his motionless body, not daring to blink in case she missed some movement.

"That happens" her voice came from behind the curtain. "He might be receptive to you" she stood in the entrance, or what entrance there was.

"or it might just be coincidence" Inoue finished the woman's thought. She looked at Renji's hand and thought about Rukia. Had the petite shinigami come to visit him? Was she even well enough to venture to his bedside?

"Unohana-san, is there anything I can do?" she asked putting an end to her troubling line of thought.

Unohana stood there for awhile not saying anything, the same serene look on her face. "I am aware that your abilities were unsuccessful with Ichigo before and that you may be cautious about Renji's wounds. I only suggest you be here at his side as with Ichigo. It was your gentle determination that carried Ichigo as long it had" her voice deadpan as ever.

Inoue got the feeling that the fourth taicho considered Ichigo dead. It was her last sentence that gave it away, but Inoue was uncertain so she didn't defend her hope. Ichigo was still alive and he had promised her he would come back.

He would come back.

"Will he die?"

"If the antidote is not found, although he has progressed much farther in the illness than Ichigo. It could happen anytime" she spoke bare truth.

Anytime, right now, in an hour, tomorrow? she thought. Suddenly she remembered something critical. The hougyoku. It was used to make Shirosaki a slave to his masters will, even if it was only temporary, broken by Shirosaki's defiance. The fact was that Aizen had said he used the hougyoku to hollow out Ichigo.

"The hougyoku" she stumbled for the words. "The hougyoku was used to hollow out Ichigo" she took Aizen's phrase. "I don't know how, but thats what Aizen told me, maybe if we can get the Hougyoku we can find some way to heal Renji-kun"

Again there was silence as Unohana examined what Inoue told her. Inoue almost couldn't bear it, here Renji was laying, barely holding on for life and this woman was taking her time thinking about the very thing that could bring him back. She could feel the heat in her cheeks rise, impassioned by the whole mess. She scolded herself silently remembering something Tatsuki told her once.

A fool speaks too soon, but a wise man holds his tongue until all is considered.

She sighed quielty turning her eyes back on Renji, a thin film of sweat hovered over his body. It was not like sleeping peacefully at all. She squeezed his hand hoping her mental promise would reach him. She was not an overly superstitious person, but she decided to keep the promise to herself, a safe gaurd against jinx.

She could not be like Ichigo, declarations of bravery shouted so that everyone could hear. It was his way knowing that he had sealed the deal, that he would be victorious but silence was the way of Inoue. She would never stop admiring that about him, but she could not be like him in that regard. Everyone had to find their own path right? She thought to herself.

"As I suspected" Unohana interrupted. "Although I'm sure Aizen used a toxin. A new toxin that we have no record of, but I do suspect a certain Kitoushi is involved. I've seen similar strains of this sickness elsewhere and they were induced by this woman" Unohana explained. "A team of shinigami were dispatched to find her just yesterday when I came to this realization during my research of Ichigo's blood. The same toxin is now present in Renji's blood"

Inoue's face did not brighten. Her hope was fading, but she trusted it enough to keep going. She nodded her head understanding. "Then I will stay here with Renji-kun" she informed the healer. The woman bowed and left to tend to her duties eslewhere.

Without releasing his hand, Inoue sat down and told him stories he would have liked to hear. Stories about a fiery young man who triumphed over evil.



The night had passed and morning graced the inner sanctum. Renji was still in the world of living, but Inoue couldn't shake the ominous feeling that something dark was coming their way. Her throat was sore from telling him stories all night, her eyes heavy under exhaustion, she had not slept since the day before. She was terribly thirsty, but she didn't want to leave his side until that team came back with news, whatever it may be.

"Inoue!" she was startled even though she was alert. "My, have you been here all night?" Hantarou appeared from behind the white partition. Inoue smiled.

"Yea" her simple reply.

"Why don't you take a break, I can stay here while you're gone" the young shinigami offered.

"No I'm fine" she assured him.

"Can I at least get you something?"

Bless his sweet little soul. "I am a bit thirsty" she blushed, she didn't want to keep him from his duties, but since he offered she figured it would be okay.

"Of course Orihime-san" he smiled and disappeared. He came back a few minutes later with a large glass of water, a tray with some fruits and veggies plus a report in tow detailing the status of other recovering shinigami, specifically her friends. "Unohana-taicho wanted me to give these to you so you can catch up" he gleamed.

"Oh, thank you so much" she grinned taking the glass and setting the tray beside her. Hanatorou handed her the report and Inoue bowed her head.

"I should be on my way, I'll be back later to check up on you two" he said turning to walk away.

"Okay see you later" Inoue called after him. She was lucky to have such nice people to help her. She eagerly drank half the cup of water and chowed down on some grapes, they would have tasted better with mustard she mused reading the report. She gulped another half of what was left in her cup and looked up at Renji.

Shattering glass.

The sound filled the quiet room. Inoue had dropped her cup in shock. His chest wasn't moving, already the staff had been alerted of his condition. His heart had stopped beating. Alarms sounded off in the inner sanctum a few short seconds later and three shinigami pulled back the curtains, quickly aiding the dieing fukutaicho. Inoue was still sitting the chair beside him, the chilling feeling of not being able to move imprisoned her. So many times she had felt this bewildering stillness, her bones creaked, muscles tense, her heart pounding madly in her chest. Adrenaline urged her on, but fear held her close.

Move Orihime, move! He needs you, you can help him. Believe it! Her thoughts were louder than the alarms blaring overhead.

"Soten Kisshin I reject" she stood up. The glowing barrier pushed the shinigami back. She extended her hands towards the barrier, concentrating furiously to bring him back. She prayed for the stong heart beat to drum once again, but like before the wounds would not heal. She pushed herself harder, her entire being reaching out to her friend.

No it was true, she did not know him that well, but a friend was still a friend, no matter how deep the bond was between two souls, a friend was still a friend.

Thump...thump... thump-thump, thump-thump...

There! She could feel the struggling pulse of his heart in her own veins. She didn't let this stop her intense concentration, she pressed on, calling out to him with her spirit, cheering him on. Keep fighting Renji-kun, don't give up she almost whispered, but her words fell flat when she saw him convulse.

"Ahhhhhh!" he howled inhumanely. He cried unfathomable pain, his eyes shot open, but focused on no one. He twisted under his thin sheet and fell off the bed; Inoue barely caught him, immediately willing her Shun Shun Rikka to stop.

They were on the ground together, the shinigami surrounding them didn't know what to do, they watched as Inoue rocked Renji in her arms. The laboured pattern inside his bear-chest slowed. He was in a daze, the pain making it impossible for him to focus until his eyes wandered to his most cherished friend.

Rukia had stumbled into the inner sanctum only moments ago, unable to believe her senses; she had to see him for herself. She moved to his side and held tightly to his hands, she smiled at him brushing an untamed lock of hair away from his face. Renji smiled back and opened his mouth.

No words.

And then nothing.

He lay lifeless in Inoue's arms. His once powerful hands lay limp, carefully cradled in Rukia's. After an age of heartbreaking thoughts Rukia lightly shook his hands.

"Renji" she sobbed. "Stop playing around, you ass" she smiled not willing to accept his death. "You're not fooling anyone"

Inoue hiccupped tears rolling down her cheeks. Her movement provoked Rukia's misery.

"See, you're not fooling me"

Inoue wanted to believe that this was all a silly joke, for a moment she almost did, but reality has a way of parading the cold truth. Renji was dead, and he would have died peacefully if Inoue hadn't tried to heal him. She still felt the vibrations of pain in her soul when they connected. He had died in unimaginable pain and it was all her fault.

"Rukia, I'm so sorry" she managed to say before the swell of feelings took over.