"Your fate is sealed then." He moved slightly, and I dimly heard Rukia cry out, "No! Nii-sama!"

I could only watch as Byakuya suddenly appeared beside Ichigo. I started to get up, but it seemed that the damage had already been inflicted.

Ichigo suddenly coughed, and he spat out blood. As if he couldn't move anymore, he collapsed. I bit back a cry of alarm as Byakuya stood over him.

Rukia cried out again, "Nii-sama!"

Byakuya raised his blade, his face still expressionless as before.

I jumped forward drawing my blade, face set like stone. I said coldly, through gritted teeth:

"Get. Away. From. My. Brother."

Ichigo was the first to react. He twisted around, despite the pain, from his position on the ground to stare at me. I almost laughed out loud at his expression. His eyes were as large as the moon (maybe that was over exaggerating a tiny bit) and his jaw was like a gaping fish out of water. His shock had probably held him there for about five seconds, then he fell back down.

Now, for the other guy's reaction.

Byakuya flinched visibly. I would have laughed at that, but since he was trying to kill Ichigo, I was dead serious.

Byakuya recovered his composure, and he turned calmly to me. "Kurosaki Arika."

I nodded, "Kuchiki Byakuya." This type of greeting seemed traditional for us.

I kind of suspected he would say, "So, we meet again." But, instead, replied with, "Your brother? He may be your brother, but you will have to stay out of this, Kurosaki."

I said steadily, "I will not stay out of this. He is my broher and you are hurting him, Kuchiki!"

"You are supposed to join the Gotei 13 when you die, or have you forgotten that?"

"I have if my brother's life is in danger!"

"Hn, your joining is of little importance to me."

"Then why are you implying it in this conversation?"

I forgot about Ichigo and the others, and it felt like me and Byakuya would have to fight again, but Rukia reminded me of hers and the other two's existence by asking, "Wh...What are you doing here, Kurosaki?"

I sniffed, "Ichigo's reiatsu is all over the place. You could have taught him at least how to control it."

Rukia was too shocked to say anything, but quickly regained her composure and said stiffly, "Its too big. And, how could I? Since he took all my powers."

I snorted, "What about learning his zanpakutou's name?"

She answered back, "He took my shinigami powers, so I didn't believe that that was his own."

I rolled my eyes, then went back to Byakuya, "Anyways, where were we? Oh yeah, touch or hurt my brother again and I will KILL you!"

Byakuya just looked unconcerned as I threatened him. I scowled when I realized this and lifted my weapon. He eyed me critically then hefted his own zanpakutou up as well.

Rukia seemed to have finally registered the fact that Ichigo was down and that I, his sister, was there to protect him, but I think she mainly focused on the issue that Ichigo was hurt. She yelled, started to run over to him, "Ichigo!" The pineapple suddenly got in her way, "Rukia! Look! He's dead! "

I raised an eyebrow, Ichigo is not dead. I can feel his body of reiatsu, its not gone out yet, so that means he's still alive. I didn't even try telling him that.

Pineapple-kun continued, "If you go over to him, there's another 20 years of jail added to your sentence!"

Rukia shouted, "So what?! I...I was the one who dragged him into this! It's my fault he died."

There was the word again. I snorted quietly. Luckily, Rukia nor Pineapple-kun heard me, only Byakuya did, and he was watching me intently.

I looked over at Ichigo, But...If he doesn't get help soon...he's toast. I frowned. Rukia's next row of yelling interrupted my thoughts and caught my attention,"Since it's my fault he died," - I couldn't help a giggle - "Is it so wrong to go to him?!"

Pineapple-kun looked shocked.

Byakuya stepped forward, "In other words...even if your punishment worsens, you will still want to be by the side of...this boy."

Rukia whispered, "Nii-sama."

He continued on, "I see now, Rukia. This boy resembles him alot."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Ichigo move slightly, and I cheered mentally, making Kaze no Chaos groan. Ichigo grabbed the end of Byakuya's robe (thing), and he gasped out, "What do you mean "already dead"...? And resembling somebody...Don't talk about me without my say in it!"

I thought, 'Nice words for a strawberry.'

'Give him some credit!'

'If he survives, then I will.'

'How can you be so cold-hearted about your brother hurt?!'

I managed a faint, smile, and, without me meaning it, let some of my anguish show. I winced.

'Sorry...'

'Thats alright.'

Byakuya said dangerously, "Let go, Rookie." I glared at him for that.

I looked back at Rukia. She looked happy, "Ichi...!"

Ichigo was smirking, but pain underlined his expression, "Can't hear you...look at me if you wanna say something."

Byakuya looked down at him. I had a glimpse of his face and I couldn't recall anything scarier. "Really? You won't have that arm for long."

Rukia's eyes widened. The next thing I saw was Rukia kicking off Ichigo's hand of Byakuya's robe.

The Taichou smirked slightly and I really wanted to whip his ass up right now.

Ichigo looked up at her, "What the hell, Ruki..."

She said harshly, "You're a human! How dare you grab my brother robe like that!" I was looking at Ichigo the whole time, now I glanced at Rukia. I nodded slightly, thinking, 'She's a good actor...'

She shouted, "Know your place, Rookie!"

I covered my head in my hands. I said to my zanpakutou mentally, 'Ah, this is too heartbreaking to watch.' I smiled slightly.

'Then don't watch it.'

'Eh, that's too boring, but...That's just mean, to think that Rukia would do that.'

'She just wants to save Ichigo'

'I know that, and I respect her for that. I really don't know how people pretend to betray their friends.'

'Indeed...'

"What...?" Ichigo whispered.

Rukia said, turning, "Lets go, Nii-sama. After seeing such crude behaviour, I have finally come to my senses. Please take me to Soul Society! I humbly accept my sins and my punishment."

"Hey! W...Wait! What are you talking about? Rukia..."

I looked up when Pineapple-kun moved. He put a foot on Ichigo's back. I hissed, angry, then, in a blink of a second, I was right there, holding my zanpakutou on his throat. He looked up and glared at me. I said, "Get off him, or die."

Byakuya made a move, he stepped forward swiftly, and, before I could do anything, his sword slid easily into my chest, right next to my heart. I gasped, doubling over. Byakuya drew his blade out and I struggled to look at him and stay up. I breathed out, "You bastard." I looked down at my chest and saw dazedly that there was already blood gathering there. I looked blearily back up at him.

He said emotionlessly, "When you die, you would be a traitor to the Gotei 13, it is fitting to end your life now."

I managed a glare. "But I am not part of the Gotei 13 yet."

He said, "I will remember that you are a traitor or the Gotei 13 when you die."

"And I'll remember that you are a traitor of my heart after I die."

He looked surprised. I made a witty smile. Pineapple-kun looked between me and Byakuya and Rukia turned.

'Kaze no Chaos...'

'I'm already onto it.'

My zanpakutou faded out in a black and red mist. Byakuya looked as though he wanted to hold me, but he refrained from it.

I fell to the ground, eyes already closed. My breathing stopped.

And so did my heart.

Ichigo POV

First, find out that my sister is also a shinigami, and now...

She dying..., whispered a little voice in the back of my head.

I yelled out hoarsly, "Arika!"

She fell, right next to me. I knew she wouldn't get up again. Tears sprang into my eyes.

I saw Byakuya frown, as if something was wrong. He motioned to the red headed guy, "Renji! Is she dead yet."

My eyes narrowed in alarm as the guy knelt down to check her pulse. I whispered, "Get away from her." He glanced at me, but otherwise ignored me.

The guy got up and said, sounding surprised, "She's dead."

My eyes widened. No...Arika is stronger than that...she wouldn't die...

"This one next?" Renji said, smirking.

Byakuya moved, but Rukia's voice said, "Let him be with his dead sister for a while. He will die on his own...eventually."

I shouted, "Rukia! Hey...Don't move!"

Rukia said, her back turned towards me, "Don't...even try moving one step...from there! If...you try to follow me..." She looked at me, "I'll never forgive you!"

I knew my face showed my hurt. I just couldn't believe that Rukia would do that...

She continued, and I noticed tears in her eyes, "Your going to die anyway...Conserve your energy and try to live on a moment longer."

Byakuya slowly put his sword away, "Very well then. I will let him be with his sister as he dies." He said to me, "Those two attacks were vital...his chest and collarbone were thoroughly injured. He should die within a half hour." Byakuya turned, "Even by chance if he does happen to live. Not even a speck...of the shinigami powers will be left...Renji!"

The other guy said, "Yes, sir!" He put his word forward in the air and commanded, "Open!" he turned his sword in the air as if he was turning a key in a lock.

A door appeared (A/N: You guys know what it looks like! I dunno how to describe it! Sorry for interrupting the mood).

I looked up slightly, as they all passed through. I can't move...I can't even say anything...Why?! I came to protect you but I was the one who needed helping in the end...

I screamed, then blacked out.

Byakuya POV

I regret to kill that girl, Arika. She reminded me so much of Hisana.

Hisana....

I clenched my fists, my face slightly crumpling. Then I relaxed into my normal stoic personality. Rukia and Renji should not see this side of me. I was the one leading them both to the soutaichou's office, so they couldn't see my face. Good.

But something wasn't right about that girl dying. Wasn't shinigami, who were in their soul form, disperse into soul particals and disappear? Like Hisana did.

But no, the girl did not. I stiffened.

That means Arika is still alive.