Here's the next chapter. Thanks for being patient! Just to warn you ahead, there is a lemon in the chapter. You have been warned. This is really the beginning of a few turning point chapters, so I hope you enjoy it :D

Thank you to gmsephiroth for the beta!

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach

Hiyori Sarugaki was generally a patient person.

That is, when everyone else was not being dumb and irrational.

She wandered about the club, cleaning the table tops once more as the main floor and the cafe on the upper level opened. The morning crowd that came in for breakfast were already waiting outside. There were a few regulars, they were non-Shinigami Karakura citizens, that only helped to solidify her opinion that the human race functioned only after having a cup of coffee. If something happened to the world's coffee supply, Hiyori was convinced that at this point, that would be more dangerous and harmful then any Arancar invasion.

"Kare!" she leaned back through the split door of the employee entrance to the kitchen. It was a door that could be half closed while the upper half was open, "I need coffee!"

"Coming up, Sarugaki-kun!" he called, returning to his duties in the kitchen. Kare was a nice, middle-aged man whose wife often sent her and Shinji cookies and other pastries. She was a chef down at the local bakery, and liked giving the extras to her and Shinji at the end of the day to make sure nothing was wasted. Shinji was now addicted to Karakura's scones, and refused to eat any from the regular store.

It was quiet without Shinji.

Strangely enough, as thrilled as she was by not being the one that had to go to the Soul Society, it was rare that she and Shinji were not together for more then a few hours. They shared an apartment, worked at the same place, grew up in the same neighborhood, and had both been drafted into the Shinigami academy at one point.

That had been an unpleasant memory that she really preferred not to remember. Shinigami were stuck-up bastards, and her few months at the academy back in the middle of junior high only proved this point more so. Hiyori was grateful for not having to go, but she would have been lying if she said she was totally happy with Shinji going instead.

Serving coffee to the new customers, she walked through the cafe towards the back closet. Opening it, she replaced the cleaning rags that she had been using. The closet was also where she and Shinji kept their things while they worked. Her jacket, as well as her zanpakuto were in there. Reaching forward she gently touched the end of the sword. It was restless like she was restless.

"I know, I know. I'm an idiot." she said out loud before shutting the door. As she turned back towards the main floor, she stopped.

What...

There was an huge reiatsu pressure not too far away, and it was moving fast in her direction. The air was suddenly so heavy that it was impossible not to notice. Someone in the cafe set down their cup and stared at the person they were with saying, "...does something feel off to you?..."

Something did feel off.

"Saguraki-kun!" Kare called, "The coffee is ready-"

"One sec, Kare, I need to go outside to check something." she said, rushing towards the door. There was no way it could be them, it was too early. It was always a possibility that they had specifically waited for this moment. The moment when Kurosaki and Shinji left the city giving them a slight advantage.

She yanked the back doors open and began to scan the sky.

No cracks.

"Shit." she cursed, running around the edge of the building. It was then that she saw it. The huge crack in the sky and that supported the feelings from her senses.

The Arancar had arrived.

Shinji yawned as he stepped out of the porthole, staring at the pale sky of the Seireitei. He then sneezed, "This place gives me allergies."

"Don't give me that look, I'm not that big of a fan of it either." Ichigo replied, heading in the direction of the main complex, "We were supposed to be greeted here."

"I hope they didn't send anyone dumb. I've had more then enough stuck-up Shinigami to deal with in my lifetime, thank you."

"Why are you so critical on Shinigami?"

Hirako stopped, "What do you mean?"

"You sound like Ishida, except I know his excuse. I would hate Shinigami too if they murdered all my people. But you and Sarugaki I don't get."

"It's a long story and one that is meant to be told with a bottle of sake." Hirako replied, and that was the end of the conversation. Ichigo opened his mouth to question him further, and then decided not to.

"I can have that bottle of sake arranged if you wish."

Ichigo smiled, and they both turned around to see the familiar face of Ukitake Jyuushiro heading towards them.

"Ukitake-san." Ichigo headed towards him.

"It has been a while, Kurosaki-san." Ukitake shook his hand, "How is the education business going?"

"Well enough."

"You'd better watch it, Kurosaki, or the Academy professors might start hitting you up for jobs."

"No thanks." he said, "This is Hirako Shinji. Hirako, this is-"

"Ukitake-taicho." Hirako finished Ichigo's sentence, "I've only met you once."

Ukitake seemed to regard the Vizard with a certain uneasiness for a moment, and then shook Shinji's hand as well.

"How is your companion, Hirako-san?"

Shinji stared at him, and then frowned, "Well enough." he said, "Well, gentlemen, I have many pressing matters. Let's go get this over with."

Walking past the white-haired captain, Hirako headed towards the Soul Society. Ichigo sighed, that was better then what he thought would happen. Seeing the strange look on Ukitake's face did not give him much confidence either.

"Ichigo."

He turned his attention to Ukitake, "Hm?"

"There has been a development, it is a good thing that you were coming today."

"What's wrong?" Ichigo frowned.

"Hueco Mundo has invaded the Rukongai, and two days ago we sent forces out to counter it. However..." he sighed, "...we have not heard any word from the commanding officers. Rukia, Abarai-kun, Matsumoto-kun, and Hitsugaya-taicho are all missing."

"Damn it." Ichigo swore as he began heading towards the building as well. Shinji was getting somewhat ahead, and he did not want to take his eyes off the Vizard for a second. There was not telling what would happen if he turned Hirako loose in the Seireitei, "After the meeting, I'll go track them."

"Alone? I do not believe that is wise."

"It's all we can do for now. With my Bankai form I can work faster by myself and cover more ground without having to worry about leaving anyone behind."

"There's no telling what has happened to them now, Ichigo." he said, "The information also said that Ichimaru would be there."

Ichigo sighed, he had only been awake four hours that day and it was already looked like it would be one of those days.

They were still be tracked by the Arancar.

Renji stood at the head of the trail of people. He closed his eyes a moment, and his senses swept through the area. There was a big group of upper-level Arancar chasing after them. If they did not find somewhere to hide soon they would be in trouble.

"Vice-Captain!" the scout landed next to him, "There are underground caves in the ravine up ahead."

"Good." Renji sighed, maybe they would be able to hide in the ravine for a while, the Arancar would stop tracking them. He would be able to cover the reiatsu trail for a little while, even though it would seriously tap his own energy.

"Renji." Rukia was heading towards him, "We've been walking for almost twelve hours straight. It may be the best option we have now."

He nodded, and turned back to the other Shinigami to give them orders. Ever since the little incident back by the village, Rukia had only spoken to him when it was needed, which basically meant that she was ignoring him most of the time. The only excuses that he could think up where she either hated him, she was upset about it because of her upcoming marriage, or that she was actually really embarrassed about it. He hoped it was the last one, that was something he could work with.

She was confusing the hell out of him.

After being together with her for so long, he had just gotten used to having her around him. The thought of having her belong to someone else turned his stomach. About half-way through the trip, he had promised himself that if they got back alive he would march straight into Kuchiki-taicho's office and demand that the engagement be canceled.

That is, if they got back alive. The odds were decreasing as they got further into the woods.

"Renji?" Rukia called him, "I'm going to head off and begin putting up wards in the area."

"Good." he said, "I need some time to myself. It's hard to block reiatsu signatures if I'm being distracted."

She frowned, "Blocking reiatsu? That's going to take most of your-"

"They are too close. I have to do it." he said, "Take care of things here. I'll be back shortly."

With that, he bounded off into the forest. The moment he left, she let out a sigh and headed off to help the people back to the caves. They were deep caves, buried deep into the rock face. With appropriate spells, they would be able to hide the entrance of the cave so anyone inside would see out but no one could see in. It was a trick they learned in the Academy by combining some various Kidou spells.

Renji was beating himself up on the whole trip. Beginning the highest-ranking officer, he had barely slept or ate the entire time. Rukia was beginning to worry about him. Even if they were beings of spirit energy, they were still mortals.

It took a few hours to situate the people and to set up the wards. Renji returned soon after, exhausted and out of breath. Giving a few orders to the scouts, he retreated to the back of the cave to get some sleep. Walking into the cave, her eyes scanned the area. People were sleeping, cooking meals, there were young children playing, people talking quietly...but even with the relaxed atmosphere, there was still a slight degree of stress in the air. Frowning to herself, she walked through the crowd looking for Renji.

There was no way she was going to let him be alone to wallow in his own self-pity. After all, his self confidence was something that she loved about him.

Renji had laid out a few blankets in one far corner of the cave. He had his arms folded under his head, and he stared intently at the ceiling, lost in his thoughts. Although, as far gone as he was in his daydreaming, he was not gone enough to miss her presence. Ever since he was younger, he always had this habit of liking to sleep towards walls or corners. Sleeping in the middle of the room left him too vulnerable to would-be attackers.

"Rukia."

Rukia stared at him a moment, and then slipped her sword off her waist. Sitting Shirayuki against the cave wall next to Zabimaru, she then took off her cloak and folded it neatly on the floor. Renji watched her with curious eyes, wondering what it was she was doing.

She sat neatly next to his make-shift bedside, staring down at him. They could hear the quiet rumble of the people further down the cave, and the rumble of the storm overhead.

"Is everyone alright?" he asked.

She nodded, "Everyone is fine. I just got off my watch shift."

Renji nodded back to her, closing his eyes. God, he was tired. Wandering through Rukoungai for three days straight, fighting Hollows and Arrancar were starting to take a toll on him. All he wanted to do was curl up and sleep for a week. Sure, as Kuchiki Byakuya's vice-captain, Byakuya often worked him into the ground with paperwork and other things...but this was a different sort of tired. It was the tired that seemed to seep into the center of his being.

His soul was tired.

"You look exhausted." Rukia spoke.

"So do you."

There was a pause between them. It was too hard for him, to lay there while she stared at him. If she was not going to do anything, she should just go away. He really was not in the mood, nor did he have the energy, to deal with her.

"Look, if you don't have anything else to say Rukia-"

Leaning over, she pressed her lips to his. His heart skipped a beat in his chest as his eyes slid closed again. Her smooth hands gently touched the sides of his face. Slowly pulling her face from his, he watched her face to see what she was going to do next. There were tears in the corners of her eyes,

"Renji...I'm sorry."

"Stop apologizing." he framed his hands over her face and pressed his lips to hers. Pulling her down beside him, he grabbed the edge of the blanket and pulled it over both of them. Under the blanket, he rolled on top of her, looking down at her surprised face.

"Renji-"

"Shh." he whispered, pulling the sash off her waist. Her kimono fell open, and he pressed his lips to the inside of her neck. Her arms wrapped around him, clinging to him as if she was going to fall off a cliff if she let go, "If anyone hears we'll get in trouble."

He trailed his mouth down to her collarbone, slowly pulling her kimono over her shouders, "Then I guess no one will hear." he said as a smirk spread across his face.

She felt him brush his lips over her ears, "If Kurosaki were to die, would there ever be a chance that you could love me instead?"

She gasped, sitting up as if she had been electrocuted. Looking around her room, she quickly dressed into her uniform. Tak rushed down the hallway,

"Mistress!" the young girl approached her, "I was just about to come get you! Wounded are just beginning to be sent back from the assault force at Rukongai. There is a slight jam at the spirit gate, however, and the medics are having difficulty bringing back some of the more severe cases."

Orihime was already making her way down the hallway to the large hall that contained the spirit gate. It was built from stone and metal, not much different from the one that she first used at Urahara's shop to get to the Soul Society, except this one was much more powerful and much bigger.

"How many are supposed to come through?"

"About fifty." Tak sighed, "And Gin-sama was also lost. It's possible that he was killed."

Orihime frowned, "What about the strike force to Karakura?"

"They left not an hour ago, Orihime-sama."

This was her chance, probably the only chance she would ever get. The opportunity was waving itself in front of her face like waving a plate of food in front of a starving man. What was she supposed to do now? If she left, Aizen would surely take no heed in killing everyone that she knew.

She was trapped.

"Mistress?"

"Tak-" she said, "-begin organizing the infirmary to take on the injured. Also prep for the possibility of wounded from the Karakura strike force."

"Right away, Mistress." she said turning to leave, she then stopped, and noticed that Orihime had not moved from her spot. The brown-haired woman simply stared at the open gate to the Seireitei. Tak opened her mouth, and then shut it, she said, "Are you coming, Orihime-sama?"

"Give me a moment, Tak."

"Of course." Tak gave her an uneasy look, and then disappeared.

Orihime stared at it.

She could go. No one would stop her.

Then everyone would die.

The white walls of the gate room seemed to close in on her. She was tired, tired of being ripped to shreds in the hell of Hueco Mundo. All the bad memories, all the wounded bodies and hearts, all the lost dreams...what were they all for?

If Kurosaki died, would you be able to love me instead?

Gritting her teeth, she ran out of the room in the direction of the brig.

She knew what she had to do, and she had to do it. It was a matter of pride, and that was something that her family and friends would be able to understand.

"That's the idea, stupid. Keep running." Tsubaki's voice echoed in her ears. He sound critical as always, but she could tell he was smiling, "Don't stop."

Aizen was going to learn what happened when you messed with someone who had the power of the gods.

He pressed his face into his shoulder as he moved. Turning her head to the side, she could see the line of sweat over the muscles on his arms. Her eyes sunk closed again as he dug the fingers on his other hand into her hair, pulling her head back. He sucked on the side of her jaw, dragging his lips over hers. Her short, but strong legs wrapped around his waist, letting him in as deep as he could. Moving an arm to circle around her waist he found himself pulling his head up slightly to look at her.

"...Renji." she breathed into his lips.

"Look at me, Rukia."

Her eyes slowly opened, and he smiled, resting his forehead on hers. Kissing her gently, she moved slightly so he rested more comfortably on top of her. Some of his hair was sticking to his forehead, and she smoothed her hands over his face to clear the hair from his eyes.

"If my brother ever finds out about this..." she whispered, kissing the side of his face, trailing down towards his jawline, "...he'd be livid..."

Renji chuckled tiredly to himself, "Then I guess we won't tell him, hm? He's smart, he'll find out on his own." a satisfied smile spread across his face as he heard her breath catch in her throat as he moved once more, a hand running down her side and tucking under her leg to pull it higher on his waist. Her eyes drifted closed, how could he carry on a conversation while doing...what he was doing?

She stared at him, and a smile slowly crept across her face. Even though it was pitch dark around them, so much so that he could barely see the hand in front of his face, he knew she was smiling at him.

Resting his face into her shoulder, she could feel him slowly beginning to relax. Wrapping her arms around his head, she pulled him down to rest on top of her.

"Sleep, Renji."

"But-"

Renji had spent the last three days protecting her and a couple dozen other people. Fighting Hollows and other manner of creatures, as well as speanding his energy to erase every trace of reiatsu to protect everyone, he was probably more exhausted then everyone else was. She smiled, laying her cheek on top of his head.

"Rest, you're exhausted." she said, "Don't worry, I won't go anywhere."

He could feel his eyes sinking close, "...promise?"

She nodded her head, "Promise."

He could smell the cool air of the morning dawn.

Lifting his head slowly, there was a little light coming out of the top of the blanket over them. Laying on Rukia's chest, cradled comfortably in her legs, he rested his head on her shoulder. The others were still asleep, so he didn't need to get up yet. Her fingers were threaded into his red hair, which sprawled around his shoulders. He felt her move under him, and she pressed a kiss to the top of his head.

"You still asleep?" she whispered.

"Yeah." he murmured back.

"We should probably get up soon." she said, "Before someone catches us."

"Mmm." he wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her neck, "I don't wanna."

God, he loved her. In any other circumstances, he would steal her away for a week and they could do whatever they wanted. Feeling her arms wrapped around him, he heaved a sigh.

"When this is all over, we're getting away from this place for a couple of weeks. No one around but us and the trees." he said, his gently kissed her lips, "Don't count on getting any sleep though."

She chuckled softly, "Work first, Abarai."

"Aw...killjoy." he smirked. His face was still pressed into her neck, and as he looked up at her, she gently kissed him. Watching him for a moment, she slid out of the blankets. He lay still, watching her silhouette outside of the covers. Slowly pulling the edge back, she was brushing her hair out of the collar of her kimono.

"Rukia-" he suddenly stared at her, a serious look in his eyes, "Do you love me?"

"I'm going to go check the others and get brief on what the patrol has picked up in the last five hours."

"Rukia."

She turned around to look at him, but she didn't say anything. Smiling as she picked up Shirayuki and replaced it at her side.

"Get some sleep, Renji."

He watched her walk off down the cave to check on the patrol unit and the civilians. Letting out a sigh, he leaned back on his arms.

What the hell did she want from him anyway?

Hitsugaya groaned as he felt someone yank him off the floor. After returning from his last 'session' he still had not been healed, and all he wanted to do at the moment was sleep and not think about how pathetic he was.

"Damn it, I just want to sleep. Get the hell out of my cell-"

"Toushirou-san, it's me."

He stared into a set of desperate, alarmed eyes. It was the most emotion he had ever seen in Orihime Inoue's eyes since arriving at Las Noches. Whatever had happened to her over the years, it had turned her into some sort of lifeless doll. It was like she had completely shut off her emotions in order to work for Aizen.

"...What are you doing?" he murmured, trying to clear his head. He could barely breathe, and he was pretty sure that one of his cracked ribs had punctured a lung. There was the taste of blood on the tip of his tongue, and he rubbed a sleeve over his lips. There was a slight tint of red on it.

She grabbed his arm and pulled him to his feet, "We don't have much time until the guards return. We need to hurry."

"Hurry?" he frowned, "Inoue-"

"We're getting out of here." she replied, "We're escaping."

I apologize for the late update. I could have put it in a couple days ago, but I've been having really bad week. Thanks for waiting, and I hope you liked it!

Send a review and tell me what you think!

Arigato

Lilith