Authors Note: I'm sorry about the delay with this chapter, I was out of town for a bit longer than I thought I would be, and had to do a few tests when I did get back. I tried to upload this a few days ago, but I've had some internet issues.

Also, if anyone notices any mistakes with grammar or anything (even in former chapters) I apologize, I'm writing and editing it all myself, and I sometimes miss things.

But, updates will begin weekly again starting now. Hope you all enjoy chapter 7 and beyond! :)

Chapter 7:

Running back, I felt myself becoming stronger. Whatever was in my system almost completely gone now. I'm actually able to sense Hueco Mundos spiritual pressure, along with the individual hollows around. I can sense at least 7 unbelievably powerful ones and numerous other lower-level hollows, all around each of the areas I need to get to. One of the powerful hollows I distinctly recognize as the person I woke up to not long ago. Why isn't he closer? Did he not chase after me after all? How the hell will I get passed all these unnoticed?!

"Yuuko, don't be overwhelmed. Just calm down and trust yourself. Don't abandon your instincts for fear." My Zanpakutōs voice sounded strained, and I could tell just communicating with me was difficult for him. I've never heard of one that can even lend their powers to a shinigami without being wielded by them first.

I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. I've succeeded on missions like this before, I can do it again. I have to...

Trusting my instincts was better said than done though, being in Hueco Mundo made me feel edgy and paranoid to begin with, that mixed in with already being defeated and the dream I had not long ago, I couldn't help looking over my shoulder every few seconds while running back; which wasn't helping my progress at all.

It took me well over double the amount of time it took me to run away to come back.

Although I knew I was in the same area I'd just came from, it still looked completely new to me. When I ran away, I wasn't exactly sight-seeing, I didn't even pay attention to what was around me.

In a small clearing of the trees that filled the forest of Menos, there was a hole in the ground. I masked my presence as much as I could as I walked toward it, and saw stairs leading down. I guess when running for my life, I really didn't pay attention to anything about where I was running from. How stupid of me... how can I even call myself a seated officer?

"Yuuko, once you get down the stairs there will be a hallway to your right, take it."

I nodded and started down the stairs. They went almost directly down at first, then evened out, the rocks around me turning into more defined stone as I went down. If I had to guess, it wasn't until I was at least thirty feet below the Forest of Menos that the stairs actually ended.

Clearing my mind, I focused on the reiatsus around me. The strong hollows all seemed to be spread out, none of them near me. Although, if I take the first hallway on the right, I'll be going in the general direction that two of them are in, as well as several other low-level hollows that shouldn't be hard to dispose of.

Might as well begin the hard part. I turned the corner and started down the hall, making sure to keep my reiatsu hidden and staying close to the shadows the walls form in the dim light.

The hallway had many doors on either side. I took a chance and opened one of them and found an office. Inside another I found an almost completely empty room with the exception of a chair sitting in a corner. The others I looked in were all the same: dimly lighted rooms that didn't look like they've been in use for some time.

After looking in over a dozen rooms, I abandoned them completely in favor of quickening my progress to my Zanpakutō, who I could sense was just a few more minutes down the hall.

I definitely was on edge, I could tell the two powerful hollows were near-by, and if I lost my concentration and let just a little of my reiatsu loose, I'd be caught instantly. If I were wielding my zanpakutō, I wouldn't have to worry about it, but his power to hide my reiatsu while outside of Seireitei is not as powerful when I'm farther away from him; I could sense that as soon as he spoke to me.

At the moment, he was just assisting me with hiding it. I actually have to work hard to keep it hidden as well; it's a good thing I paid so much attention during my training, otherwise I wouldn't have known how. I really shouldn't be thinking about how he was actually helpful though, not now...

I heard my Zanpakutō take a deep breath before he even spoke. "Yuuko, just stay focused. Jackasses aren't allowed to cross your mind at the moment, not ones that make you feel like that." He paused, but not long enough to let me reply. "You'll be coming across another hallway soon, it'll be on your left. Take it, I'll be in the 5thdoor down. Just... relax, the only hollow on the way is inside a room, if you're quiet he won't even think about checking the halls."

Rather than freaking out that I'd be so close to one of the powerful hollows, I decided to speak about something I found amusing in what he said, this time replying in my mind rather than out loud. "I didn't think you shared my views of him."

I could practically hear the smirk in his voice. "I don't, actually. Although I don't have very fond thoughts of him either. In all honesty, I think it would be good for you to speak with him. But, until that happens, I'll have to deal with you associating with the other Kuchiki."

After swallowing down my shock, I replied. "I never plan on speaking with him again, and I don't like all Kuchiki's, that's including Byakuya." I was actually surprised with myself though, especially after finishing that sentence, I realized... it was a complete lie. I don't dislike the 6th division Captain at all, and I did what I told myself I wouldn't do, and without even noticing it as well: I called him by his name... I'm sure my zanpakutō could tell what I said wasn't true as well.

"Yuuko, it's fine if you lie to others at times. But just try not to lie to yourself so much. When we first became partners, you were so happy... Then that happened... I was with you the entire time, through the pain and sadness that you pushed so far down that it turned into hatred. If you'd just open yourself to everything around you, you might find that you can reach that happiness again, and that I'd cooperate with you a bit more."

Once he finished speaking, I could tell he cut off our communication. I stopped walking and leaned my shoulder against the wall, wanting so badly to punch or bang my head against it. It definitely was a strong urge to fight, but after taking a deep breath, I pushed myself off the wall and continued.

The next hallway on the left came shortly. I turned into it and stayed as close to the wall as possible, making absolutely no noise as I walked past the first two doors.

Right before the third door, I heard a voice. I quickly pushed my back against the wall, as flat as I could force myself to be. It wasn't until almost a minute passed in silence that I relaxed slightly. The voice came from the third room, and I was afraid to walk pass it. What if he hears me? Damn it! None of my other missions have put me on edge like this one... is it because it's my first rescue mission? Fuck! Calm down, just calm down, Yuuko. I can do this.

I held in a deep breath, and as quickly and silently as I could I ran past the third door, not stopping until the fourth door, where I slid into the gap in stone where the door was.

I listened, willing my heartbeat to slow down. As far as I could hear, the hollow in the third room was stilling shuffling around as he was before I passed it.

Letting out my breath silently, I slipped out of my cover and continued down the hall. It's the next door. I couldn't sense any hollows within the next few doors, but down the hall I knew there was another strong one; thankfully it didn't seem to be coming down the hall towards me.

Finally making it to the fifth door, I reached for the handle and turned, trying to open it as quietly as possible. Once I opened it enough that I could fit myself through it, I quickly moved in.

It was a bit dimmer than the other rooms, but my eyes had already adjusted to the lighting the underground-hideout had. I saw my Zanpakutō laid on top of a desk in the room.

I rushed toward it and grabbed him quickly, grateful to have the comfort of his weight against me. He didn't say any words, but I sensed his approval and contentment at being near me again as well.

Although I wanted so much to just use the device Urahara gave me and get some help from Gotei 13, I couldn't just abandon the other two humans here who could be in danger.

Breathing deeply, I tried to sense where they were located...

The substitute shinigami, Kurosaki Ichigo, seemed to be the one closer. The other human, Sado, appeared to be in the complete opposite direction, toward where two of the other strong hollows resided. Kurosaki also had one of the arrancars near him, one that I recognized as the one who called me a pet.

I walked out the room after putting my zanpakutō through the sash around my waist. I wasn't sure if he was listening at all, but I had to say it whether he was or not. "I'm sorry... I know I haven't been the best partner to you, but-"

Cut off before I could continue, he spoke, "Save it for later, Yuuko. I already know. If you really wanna be all sensitive and girly and feely-feely right now, be my guest. However, I think we should focus on the important things at the moment, and that isn't one of them."

I sighed as softly as I possibly could. At least this isn't the silent treatment he's been giving me for over sixty years... "Fine, later then."

I turned down the hallway, away from the third door I walked by before, and turned down a different hallway that was before the other arrancar down the hall as well.

"Just don't forget Yuuko, you aren't alone.."

I assumed he meant that now that he was by my side, I wasn't alone. However... I feel he meant something completely different as well. But, I had to stay concentrated, so I pushed it to the back of my mind and continued down the barely lit hall toward the Substitute Shinigami.

-End of Chapter 7-

Authors note: Again, so sorry for the extreme delay with this chapter. I hope you all enjoyed this though. Some of you may be wondering whats going on with our other main character, but be patient for just a little while longer. He'll make an appearance before you know it. :)

Please review to let me know what you think, it really makes my day to hear comments from anyone reading this.

Thanks, and look forward to Chapter 8 in ONE WEEK!