Disclaimer- I don't own BLEACH, just Ai, Manami, Shizuko and a few others.

Special Thanks!!! ToIllegitimi- I know you didn't want this but you deserve this! She is my muse!

6. Destruction

Ai walked toward the 5th division almost an hour early. She had gone by the bar the night before-after running it by her keeper of course. She hadn't seen Shuhei, but perhaps that was a good thing as she probably blamed him the most for the predicament she was in. if he hadn't volunteered her to help Renji none of this would have happened. She would have been able to be there for her sister. Before she got the chance to knock on Shizuko's door, the captain slid it open with and gave her a look of suspicion.

"Did you sneak out of Captain Kuchiki's?" Shizuko grinned.

"I told him I was leaving," Ai gave a shrug and returned the smile. She had told him she was leaving as she had rapped as loud as she could on the connect door until she heard him shuffle out of bed. It still made her want to laugh, "You feeling any better?"

"Yes, thanks for asking!" she stepped outside with Ai and held up a packet of papers, "I need to drop this by my aunts if you'd like to join me."

"Sure," she went into step beside Shizuko. It was odd how well Shizuko just moved into the position of captain. She was a great girl, but Ai never imagined they'd find someone she would like so quickly. She couldn't wait until they faced Aizen.

On the way back from the 2nd division still neither one had spoken, but it wasn't awkward by any means just peaceful. Almost like they had been friends for a long while. It also could have been that they were both a bit tired, but either way, they were both comfortable. The Seireitei was quiet that morning, peaceful…at least until the laughter rang out…Manami's laughter…

She looked to Shizuko whose head had snapped up.

"I heard it too," she murmured, "Who could she be up with this early?"

"Let's go see," Ai took Shizuko by the hand and led her in the direction of the home the twin's shared. What they came upon would be burned into Ai's mind for the rest of her existence. Manami and Mayuri Kurotsuchi walked hand in hand. They stopped just outside the entrance to the house. What had that sick man done to her? Ai knew Manami was desperate for love deep down, but to be that desperate as to let that creep blind her? When he leaned down for a kiss, Ai's blood began to boil. However heat was only added to the fire when she watched Manami's tongue enter his mouth. Did they know they were in public?

She took a step to intervene but the hand that clamped on her arm stopped her. She looked to her Captain, "I can't let him hurt her," she hissed, "He's despicable, to play on her emotions to get to her visions."

"Now Ai," Shizuko said calmly, "We don't know that that is the case…maybe-"

"What? He has the capacity to love?" Ai spit, "This is the man that turns his subordinates into bombs and injects his own daughter with poison. He barely knows her!"

Shizuko didn't speak but didn't let her arm go either. She seemed to be thinking, "Why don't we go by the 12th division after training?" she quirked an eyebrow, "I'll send Manami off to do something and we can see what he has to say for himself."

"Deal," Ai nodded. She would not put up with any bullshit when it came to Manami. And she was going to show that twisted captain what happened when you messed with her family…

Training couldn't have gone by any slower for Ai. She couldn't even really remember what they had been doing…maybe it involved problem solving, but it didn't really matter anymore. Ai had been so fixated on watching on Manami she couldn't have concentrated. She had been so happy; Ai didn't think she had ever seen her smile so much. Now she stood off to the tapping her foot.

Momo happened to notice and touched her sleeve, "Is everything ok?"

"No," Ai sighed simply, "But if the captain would hurry up it will be…"

"Oh…" Momo murmured, "Well, since we're done here I'm going to go take these to Toshiro."

"Wait!" Shizuko called, "I want you to take Manami with you."

"What?" both girls chimed in unison.

"I really need to get to the 12th-"

"Manami," Ai cut her sister off shortly, "It's just an errand. Not to mention she's your captain, not Mayuri Kurotsuchi."

"I know that…" Manami said looking to the ground. She turned her body towards Shizuko, "Yes captain, please forgive me for arguing…"

"Manami-" Shizuko went to take her hand but the quiet woman didn't notice. Manami had already taken Momo by the hand leaving Ai and Shizuko alone. The captain turned to Ai, "Well are you ready? I think we had better hurry as she seems eager to get to see him."

"I was just thinking the same thing…" Ai nodded.

The two women moved swiftly through the Seireitei neither caring who noticed their hot pursuit. By the time they made it to the 12th division Ai had worked up a radiating mad. She was really going to hand it to him. Ai led the way through the front door and took a sort of scrawny looking man by the front of his uniform.

"Take us to your Captain," Ai growled.

The younger soul reaper's face twisted in horrified shock.

"Ai," Shizuko said softly and put her hand to her 3rd seat's arm, before gently removing the young man from her grasp, "please, it is very important that we speak with your Captain."

"Y-yes sir," he nodded and immediately he took off down the hall to the left, "He's in the middle of a new s-s-study so he might not be that friendly right now…"

"We'll go in so you don't take any heat," Shizuko smiled.

How could she be so calm? This man had violated her sister! He was using her! Ai was sick and tired of men taking advantage of their family. It was surreal how much trouble the two got into with the opposite gender. It needed to stop. It would stop.

"He right inside this-"

"Thanks," Ai spit before he could finish and threw open the door. "Kurotsuchi!"

The reason for her frustration whipped around to face her, a sneer already fixed on his face, "I do believe its Captain Kurotsuchi to you. And I have no business with you. Incase you didn't notice I'm in the-"

"Stay the hell away from my sister." She growled having no idea what he had just spoken to her.

He put down the tool in his hand and crossed his arms over his chest, "I do not answer to you and neither does she what she and I do is real-"

"No." she interrupted yet again. "You have no-"

"Ai," Shizuko cut in as she had found herself doing a lot that day, "Let him talk." She looked to Captain Kurotsuchi, "What was that all about this morning? Why were you and Manami out so early?"

"It is none of your concern." His voice was chilly.

"None of my concern?" Ai gave an exasperated laugh. He was had some nerve…"She is my twin. She has been through hell and does not need you to play with her heart. You've already messed her up physically; she doesn't need anymore mental trauma. So you sick bastard, keep the hell out of her life."

"No, Ai." An ice cold voice cut in from behind her. Ai's heart fell, she was too late. He had already weaseled his way into her head. With a heavy heart she faced her twin. Manami's face was set in a frosty glare, but her eyes mirrored hurt and betrayal, "you keep the hell out of mine and Mayuri's relationship. I have always tried my damnedest to stay out of your life and you and I both know how hard that is for me. But I try, because it's what I always believed was the right thing. However, here you are forcing your way into my life. That will not work."

"'Nami!" Ai shook her head, "He's just using you for your visions. Don't you see that?"

"He and I have already discussed these things," Manami lifted her head in defiance.

"After all men have done to you, you decide to get involved with a sadist?" Ai was desperate to keep Manami safe, why wouldn't she listen?

"Don't start with me," Manami was beginning to shake, "first of all, you do not know him at all. Secondly, I could say a thing or two about what our experiences with men have done to you and Mayuri knows about my past. He knows everything…"

Ai's anger hit its peak and she boiled completely over, "Are you insane?!" she screamed, "Give him something to use against you! Manami you're only going to get hurt again! And let me ask you this: what were you doing with him this morning?"

A tear slid down Manami's cheek and Ai saw the embarrassment register on her sister's face. She was too pissed to notice the swell of pride when Manami stood her ground for her last statement, "he was walking me home," She managed through gritted teeth, "because I warmed his bed last night." Manami looked to Kurotsuchi, "I'm so sorry…" and with that she ran out of the room.

Pure shock filled Ai when she watched the most frightening Captain (to her) take a few staggered steps in the direction her retreating sister. However when he reversed his stance to face her she was stunned by the look of un-adultered rage he gave her. Good. She was very proud to have ruined his plan. She took that train of thought because there was nothing within her that could reason he would actually care for anyone.

"Thanks you son of a bitch!" she roared as her hand picked up an empty beaker on the table to her right, "you just ruined my relationship with my sister!" she hurled the glass object at him before taking off to the only place she had to go. The 6th division.

By the time she reached Byakuya's office she was out of breath. She had not looked back nor stopped her sprint since she threw the beaker. She'd have to answer for that one, but she hoped it cut him…deep…right across that creepy face. She didn't even knock but simply threw open the door and waltzed right inside-stopping her run of course. Closing her eyes she paused just inside the door and listened.

"There is no reason for four of you to go the Rukongai on a simple routine evaluation," Byakuya's smooth voice carried to her.

"But Captain I really-"

"This is not up for discussion. You and one other member will run the route. With the pending war, I can not afford to let all four of you go any longer."

Ai's heart rate began to speed back up as she advanced toward the voices. If he was speaking with the man she thought he was she would know that it was a sign. A sign, that she would forever be trapped by her past. But no…she could face that man now. She was higher up than he was. He couldn't touch her…

She walked through the door way and right in on the meeting. Byakuya, Renji, and three men sat around a table. All eyes turned to her, but hers were set on one man and one man alone.

He hadn't changed…his eyes were still an unforgiving onyx. His platinum hair pulled into a slender ponytail. She cringed when he smiled at her and had her scar burning all over again. For such an evil man, he wasn't bad looking, which made her stomach churn.

"Ai," he greeted throwing up a hand, "You look like you've seen a ghost? Are you alright?"

She let out a scream that was deafening before high tailing it right back out of the place she had just entered.

Byakuya was stunned. When she had first entered his body had gone cold as she looked like she'd been ready to pass out. Then she gave the helpless howl and he had no idea what to do. But the second Renji shifted beside him to go after her, the older man placed his hand on his shoulder to stop him, "Renji, finish this meeting. You know what I want to get done."

With those last couple orders he was up and after her as fast as his flash step could take him.

Ai couldn't think. Her breath was trapped in her throat. She just wanted away. Away from everything. Images raced through her mind. Images of blood, rape, and abuse. Her body ached. Her head pounded. Her heart burned in agony. What was she expected to do? What choices did she have? She was intelligent enough to understand that no matter how far she ran, her ghosts would always be there. When she tripped and fell right on her face she made no attempt to pick herself up. She was too weak. She wasn't like her twin who could hold in most anything until she was alone. Manami would have picked herself up, but Ai simply couldn't…

Byakuya found her that way. Wailing face first in the middle of the dirt path. The sounds she was making were that of a maltreated animal. His usual calm was shattered and he ran to her. Never had he felt so panicked-save the time Rukia had nearly been executed, but he had no choice in that…However that was not the issue here and he would not stand for what he was witnessing.

He laid a hand on her back and all hell broke lose. She began to thrash, cursing.

"Get the hell away from me!" Ai shrieked throwing her arms behind her to hit the ghost in her mind, "You will not touch me! Never again! I'll kill you, you bastard!"Satisfaction gave her a bit of courage when she felt her nail make contact with skin.

"Ai," Byakuya didn't think about the blood running from the wound she given his cheek, but concentrated on Ai and Ai alone. Was this really the same girl that loved to put him in his place? She was fragile…"You're alright, I've got you. I won't hurt you. I-"

When she turned and made eye contact with him the horror melded with recognition and just as quickly washed over with shame. Her tears became fresh again once more before she gave one last push against him and took off again. He stood to go after her but was stopped.

"Captain!" Renji shouted as he ran up, glad Byakuya stopped instead of continuing after the scared girl, "Let her go…she'll come back when she's ready…" it was odd to see the look of loss on his Captain's face, but it had him understanding that what was forming between Ai Takahashi and Byakuya Kuchiki was something he thought would do them both a lot of good…

"She needs to be calmed," Byakuya said.

"Captain…" Renji sighed, "Walk with me…"

One more thing Ai had to add to the list of how terribly bad her day was going. The man that she'd wanted to be nothing more than a bitch to had just tried to comfort her. What hurt the most was that it would have been so nice to turn into him and allow his to console her. But she wouldn't. She couldn't. That require something intimate, because she understood that the two of them would never be friends not had she turned into him. Why couldn't it have been Renji to come after her? She wouldn't feel the need to explain to him, wouldn't feel obligated to…

Turning a corner had her stopping dead. The scene upon which she looked had her instinctively drawing her sword. Mayuri Kurotsuchi had his weapon drawn against Ōmaeda, the lieutenant of the second division. And her sister was slumped against the wall cradling her left arm.

"I warned you, you pig," Mayuri Kurotsuchi hissed, "Now you've hurt her and I'm afraid I shall just have to kill you."

"No!" Manami shouted, "Mayuri please!"

Ai was shaking with anger, what the hell? Manami was hurt…and there were two men that she never really liked fighting. With a warrior's cry Ai launched herself at the two men. But soon Ai found herself pitted against two men that were above her rank.

"Stop this," Manami cried. "Please! I'll be fine! Somebody is going to get hurt!" a low swing from Ai had Ōmaeda taking a step back, "Ai, please! We can work this out!" Mayuri came close to slicing Ai's arm, "Mayuri! That's my sister! Please!"

Ai was a little confused as to why Mayuri wasn't playing dirty, but noticed the glances he kept directing at Manami. No, there was no way in hell that man could care for anyone.

"Stop this!" a commanding voice sounded. The blows stopped but all swords were still drawn. Shizuko stepped to stand by Manami, "Ai, lower your weapon."

"Not until they do," she argued on a shaky voice, "somebody hurt my sister…so they have to pay."

"No it was-"

"Then he's the one you're after," Mayuri inclined his head towards Ōmaeda, "But I'm afraid you'll have to get in line."

"Like hell I will," Ai scoffed and swung out at Ōmaeda all over again, but before she could call out to her zanpakuto, a large hand came to rest on her shoulder.

"I believe your captain gave you orders," Kenpachi Zaraki said in a low voice. When she jerked her shoulder back he went to take a move to get her sword.

"That won't necessary," Byakuya spoke as he placed his hand over Zaraki's.

"Get the fuck away from me!" Ai shouted and began to swing again. She was at a loss and ready to cut anything. "I am fucking tired of men! My body belongs to me and nobody else!" she was much to upset to notice when Ukitake arrived. She could here the raised voices, the pleas from her sister but was stuck in her own head. Renji was close by as his voice was level and addressing her.

"Come on Ai," he persisted, "You're okay. It's all gonna be ok…"

But it wasn't Ai had no idea how long she'd been swinging, but knew it was time to stop. Maybe if she did someone else's blade would strike her and end all of the suffering she was living with at that moment. Manami had run off and her captain's voice had stopped. Zaraki's overbearing presence was no longer noticeable, so she just let herself fall to the ground again. Her sword hit the dirt some where near her but she didn't care…she was done.

When the tattooed arms came around her she held on and cried; cried like a child that was long overdue to bed. She made not attempts to keep him from carrying her away from the fight or at least what had been a fight…

"I'll bring her to your home later Captain." Renji said softly.

Byakuya was stunned. He had no idea what had gone on. Ai was in Renji's arms. She had clung to his lieutenant, but hadn't wanted him to touch her…what was he to do? She needed help. But he knew she didn't want his help…and could he blame her? Renji had come from a place much more like the one she had. Why would she want the help of a pampered nobleman?

"Lieutenant Ōmaeda," Ukitake spoke gaining Byakuya's attention, "I suggest you get back to your division as fast as you can before you get yourself killed. Captain Kuchiki, I believe it be best that you head home as well, I shall escort Captain Kurotsuchi home as we have something to discuss. I believe what has gone on here today will be brought up again soon as a whole with all involved, but as things stand everyone needs a break."

There was nothing to answer with. Ōmaeda limped away, Ai had hit him once in the leg and he'd have to go bandage that. Byakuya knew he had no other option, but to go wait until Renji brought her to him. But as he reached the corner Kurotsuchi called to him.

"I will be by to see you tomorrow there are things we must address," the head of the 12th division stated before allowing himself to be led away by Ukitake.

Renji sat under the burning street lamp with Ai sleeping in his arms. She hadn't said a word to him, but only cried. That was fine with him, as he knew she needed it. She was at the end of her rope and it worried him. If she wasn't going to the Captain's home he would have taken he to his as she didn't need to be alone. The talk he and his Captain had had gone well, he never knew that his stoic captain was shaky with women. The ladies loved him, but he had only ever loved one… Renji examined the face of the girl in his arms, had she ever actually love any man? He didn't know and wasn't much his business, but he did know that the young harlot and the distinguished blueblood were in for a lot more than either had bargained for. Sighing he stood up to carry her to the Kuchiki house…

OK! There you go! That was a trying chapter for me! Very long as well! So there's a treat for you guys! It was nearly double the usual size!!!

Please check out Scientific Love! Its Manami's story with Kurotsuchi!

OR

Take a look-see and Tainted Innocence! The romance between Shizuko and Kenpachi!

BTW: Reviews really help keep me motivated…

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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For your reviews!

-Fallon-