Chapter 2: Balances

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(Thanks going out to Willow (So glad you are enjoying the story!), PrivateCaller (I will keep the chapters moving. My muse is hooked also.), Winterheart2000 (I'm glad you like it. :) Thanks for chiming in.), Picklez80 (Okay, more is delivered, and there's more where that came from too!), Periwinkle (My muse is always working on new angles or how to put the characters in new predicaments. Wouldn't want their swords to have time to get dull. lol), Lovebot1573 (Thanks, I will!), Aizenfan6969 (Ichigo does tend to act without thinking, but he will find that doesn't go over so well here...), Nyma (I don't plan to let it lag. I feel very motivated by the fresh storyline and all of the back and forth chat it's bringing.), Adalie Delacroix (Damn, you're right about the paranoia thing! I get that creepy feeling inside a lot while writing this. But it's an addicting story. Can't seem to stop myself.), Kenni-bun bun (Our boys will pick up some more clues in this chapter, as will some other important folks who have an interets in them.), Hisuiryuu (I hope so! I will do my best.), Bubblymoon (More story and answers will be along. This story is like my favorite popcorn right now. Can't put it down!), and Gemnika (You are one bright kitty! *winks* The boys will be chewing on little tidbits they discover too. I think it won't be long before they have an inkling of the trouble they're in. But...what will they be able to do about it is the looming question.) Enjoy the chapter! Love, Spunky)

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Soft, echoing sounds began to break through the dull haze around Ginger's resting body. He vaguely recognized the voice as that of the man called Sakura, but the sounds he made weren't words, just soft issuances of pain. Ginger tried to move, but felt paralyzed. He deepened his breathing and tried again, testing his fingers and toes, arms and legs, then attempted to turn his head. But the only thing he could do in the end was to coax his heavy lidded eyes the slightest bit open. Doing so revealed a blurred image of a guard, his clothing opened and his naked front pressed up against that of a paler, more slender man, whose white yukata was opened and whose face wore a pained expression.

Sakura?

What is that guy doing to Sakura?

What the hell is going on?

He wondered if it might be drugs coming in through the IV he had spotted in his arm, but as the life came back into his body, the sounds of the panting, grunting guard that mingled with Sakura's muted sounds of distress only continued. After several more minutes of straining against Sakura's trapped form, the guard stiffened and his cruel mouth bit down on the pale man's shoulder, near the throat. Sakura's body quivered for a moment, then relaxed as the guard went still, catching his breath, then withdrew, giving Ginger a momentary glimpse at Sakura's naked, bruised and seed splashed front. The guard gave a contented sigh and nodded at the waiting prisoner.

"You have an hour, until I finish my watch," the guard said quietly.

Sakura said nothing aloud, but bowed calmly in response. He waited with his back against the wall and spent seed dribbling down his quivering thigh as the guard walked out, then he closed his yukata with shaky hands and walked slowly to the hospital bed where Ginger laid. He colored as he noticed that the ginger-haired man's eyes were open, but the slight shaking of his slim body ceased and his lovely face took on a more stoic expression.

"D-does that happen a lot around here?" Ginger asked, "The guards just...?"

"It was an exchange," Sakura answered, sitting down in a chair beside the bed Ginger laid in and washing his face with a cool, wet cloth, "There are checks and balances, exchanges that allow us little bits of freedom to do or to gain things we want or need."

"You let that guy have sex with you so that you could stay with me?" asked Ginger, "Why? You barely know me. You didn't have to do that."

"It wasn't just for you," Sakura said, matter-of-factly, "While you were unconscious and the healer was treating you, I was able to get a glimpse of your chart. And in doing so, I learned that it wasn't chance that you are here."

"What do you mean?" Ginger asked, frowning as he tried to sit up, but was stopped by the restraints on his wrists, waist and ankles, "Hey, can you let me up?"

"Sorry," Sakura apologized, "I was not given a key to the bindings. I was only given permission to sit and comfort you while you recovered. You have a concussion from the beating the guard gave you for speaking to him."

"Right," Ginger remembered, "although that was a dirty trick, him provoking me like that."

"He was testing you," Sakura explained, "He wanted to see how much trouble you are going to be, and I think you understand what answer you gave him."

"You probably think I was kinda stupid, right?" Ginger said ruefully.

"Protective instincts aren't stupid, Ginger," Sakura said quietly, "They mean that you have not lost your humanity. While I am sorry that you were hurt acting on my behalf and I hope that you will be wiser in the future, I am...heartened by your kindness."

Ginger felt a slow smile spread across his sore face.

"Well, it was wrong of that guy to say what he did."

He was surprised by the beauty of the little smile Sakura gave him.

"You don't think I'm paranoid and suicidal?" Sakura asked in an amused tone.

"I think you're really smart and pretty no nonsense in pursuing answers," Ginger assured him, "You said that you learned something from glimpsing my chart?"

"I did," Sakura confirmed, determination lighting his dark eyes, "You remember when I told you the few words that Brains said that sounded familiar?"

"Uh-huh. What about that?"

"One of the words he said was Kurosaki. I didn't know what that meant before, but I do now."

"Okay, what is it?"

"When I glimpsed your chart, I saw your real name...and that name is Kurosaki Ichigo."

He gazed at Ginger expectantly.

"Does that name mean anything to you?" he asked hopefully.

Ginger bit his lip gently, thinking hard, but only feeling a dull pounding in his head.

"S-sorry," he apologized, "It does sound familiar, but I don't feel a connection with any memories or anything. That may be my name, but if it is, I don't remember being that person. I still don't remember anything before showing up here."

"That may be, but it is a piece of the puzzle, and it confirms that the first letters in our prison identification codes are our true initials. Mine are KB, Shadow's are KT, Brains' are UK, Kit's are JG, Tats' are AR and Buzzard's are BB. It isn't a lot, but it is significant."

"I still don't know if it was worth letting that asshole put his hands on you."

"Ichigo..."

Ginger froze for a moment as an image flashed in his mind of Sakura standing, turned away from him and dressed in a bloodied, black and white uniform, and broken decorations of some sort in his hair.

"Your strong will and untamed spirit have shattered my blade," Sakura said stoically, "I will pursue Rukia no more."

"What is it?" Sakura asked, glancing over his shoulder as footsteps sounded outside the infirmary door, "Did you remember something?"

"I don't know," Ginger answered, frowning and furrowing his brow, "I think it was you. You were wearing a black and white uniform and these broken, white decorations in your hair. You said something to me about breaking your sword. I don't know if it's real or not."

"It might be," Sakura answered, "Now, think about my initials, KB. Connect them in your mind with my face as it was in that bit of memory. Keep that working in your mind and see if you can remember any more."

"I will," Ginger promised.

Sakura nodded.

"Good. Now, I should change the bandages on your injuries. The healer who treated you said that they would need changing before morning."

Ginger flinched slightly as Sakura's cold, still shaky hands touched him.

"Sorry," the paler man apologized.

"It's not that cold in here. Why are your hands cold?"

"It's probably stress...anxiety," Sakura posited, rubbing his hands together before continuing.

Ginger watched silently as Sakura removed the dressings on his face and arm, then cleaned the wounds carefully and set new bandages in place.

"Thanks," he said gratefully.

"You asked for the beating by speaking to the guards," Sakura chided him, "but...I do appreciate you standing up for me. I feel a warmth when I look at you. It is a feeling that seems at odds with what you've remembered. I wonder if we really knew each other before."

"You said a name," Ginger remembered suddenly, "You said something about someone named Rukia. Do you remember a Rukia?"

Sakura closed his dark eyes for several moments, considering.

"I don't remember that person, but it gives me something to focus on. I will think about that while you try to remember more of what you saw."

"Deal," Ginger said, smiling.

"My hour is almost up," Sakura said, standing and laying his warmer hand over Ginger's for a moment, "I have to clean up before going back. We are routinely checked for signs of disobedience."

"That's right," Ginger agreed, "We're not allowed to have sex."

"That is correct. But the guards always leave us the means to cover our actions when we make an agreement with them. It is best if we don't take advantage by being careless."

Sakura started to turn away.

"Hey..."

"What is it?" Sakura asked, still facing away from him.

Ginger paused, considering.

"We're already kinda breaking the rules, right?"

Sakura looked over his shoulder and arched a fine eyebrow.

"Yes, well, technically I am, you're not," he answered, "Why do you ask?"

Ginger smiled.

"Wanna break them a little more?" he asked.

Sakura turned all of the way around.

"How do you mean?" he asked, showing no sign of levity.

"You know," Ginger said, smirking, "You're going to clean up anyway. Do you want to have sex with me?"

Sakura gave him an amused look and walked to his bedside, where he stood quietly for a moment before bending and laying a soft, affectionate kiss on Ginger's surprised lips.

"You are new here, so maybe you don't understand, but sexual exchanges between inmates are somewhat sacred since they are stolen and dangerous moments. We should only join our bodies if it is that we are making love...Ichigo."

Ginger was sure he should have been offended at being brushed off, but he couldn't stop the blush or the helpless smile that overtook his handsome face.

"Okay, but you know, next time I might not be tied down like this. We could be missing a pretty good opportunity."

"I will do my best to shoulder the weight of my disappointment," Sakura said dryly, walking to the sink.

Ginger watched as the raven-haired man slowly removed his yukata and took his time washing away the spatters of semen and light stains of dried blood on his bruised thighs.

"Are you teasing me, Sakura?" Ginger asked, scowling.

"Am I?" Sakura asked sedately.

"That's not very nice."

"Neither is asking someone you've just met for meaningless sex," Sakura said archly.

"Hey, first of all, you don't know that we've only just met...and who said it would be meaningless?" Ginger complained.

The two froze as the door opened and the guard poked his head into the room.

"Come on," he urged Sakura, "it's time to go."

Sakura closed and tied his yukata, then bowed his head and followed the guard obediently out of the room. Ginger laid more calmly in his bonds, thinking deeply about all that had happened.

"Ichigo," he whispered, feeling a little twinge as he heard Sakura's deep voice saying the name in his mind, "Kurosaki Ichigo."

He frowned as he strained to remember more, but could picture nothing more than what he had already seen.

"Damn," he whispered determinedly, "I have got to remember!"

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"Soutaichou."

Shunsui looked up from the report he had been poring over, giving Nanao a weary smile as she entered his first division office, followed by Shihoin Yoruichi, Kuchiki Rukia and a slender person of undetectable gender, cloaked and hooded in black.

"I'm glad to see you got back safely," he said in a relieved tone, looking with interest at the cloaked and hooded person, "Were you able to learn anything?"

"There were definitely signs that Ichigo was at Urahara's shop and that he was attacked and dragged away," Yoruichi reported, "Whoever it was, was smart enough to knock him out from behind to avoid a prolonged fight that would have raised his reiatsu and alerted us. Rukia and I searched the shop thoroughly, but we couldn't figure out where the attacker or attackers went with Ichigo or where Kisuke or any of the others might have been taken."

Shunsui loosed a solemn sigh, looking unhappily down at the files that were opened and spread out on the desk in front of him.

"Ten abductions of Gotei officers, former officers or allies in the quincy war, in the last six months. This isn't good. I hope whoever you have under that hood can be of some real help or we're not going to have enough officers left to guard the Seireitei."

"I wouldn't have dared to bring him here if I didn't think he could," Yoruichi answered, turning her head to give the cloaked person a nod.

Shunsui and Nanao made sounds of surprise, gazing intently at the person as he pulled back the hood and revealed himself.

"Ishida Uryu," Shunsui mused, "I wasn't sure if you were still alive. It's good to see you are, and that you don't appear to be holding a grudge. Central 46 did, after all, order your capture and trial after the war."

Uryu looked back at him through determined eyes, his lips frowning.

"Well, thanks to you allowing me to escape, I am alive and well. My father and I have been in hiding, but we haven't just been hiding."

"I figured," Shunsui said approvingly, "So, can you tell me what has happened to our missing taichous and allies? I suspect that it is the surviving quincies who have done this?"

"Yes," Uryu confirmed, "they have. My father and I believe that the missing persons have been taken into the shadows and imprisoned somewhere inside."

Shunsui's eyes reflected surprise and deep interest as he leaned forward, placing his palms on his desk.

"You have been inside the shadows?"

"Not yet," Uryu explained, "It is too dangerous right now. The remaining quincies know that we could be dangerous to them. They have tried on several occasions to capture us, but we were able to escape. We have to be cautious not to expose ourselves, so that makes surveillance difficult, although not impossible. My father and I are going to continue working on plans to get a small group inside. It will take time to plan, but we should be ready soon."

"Do you need any support from us? Weapons? Supplies? People?" asked Shunsui.

"We are well outfitted and with the exception of Rukia, it's better not to involve too many people from the Gotei. The quincies were defeated, but they still have all of the intelligence that Ywach gathered, as well as several upper officers who survived the battles. They know they are outnumbered, but they have the advantage of being able to observe and move with stealth. You need to remind all of your officers who haven't been kidnapped to travel in groups, not even just pairs anymore. It's too dangerous. Whatever they are planning is big."

"Warning taken," Shunsui assured him, "All right. I will provide your way back so that you don't have to show yourselves again outside. Please continue with your surveillance and Nanao will give you another supply of coded hell butterflies to use to contact me. Just one more thing. Were you able to acquire Inoue Orihime or does the enemy have her?"

Uryu smiled.

"She's safe. She's with us. We got to her ahead of the quincy abductors. Unfortunately, we didn't get a good look at them. We'll try setting up a few more traps for them and see what we can gather."

"I will attempt to do the same here," Shunsui promised, "although you are better at anticipating them than we are, I am afraid, so I don't know if we'll be much help."

"Any help you can give us would be appreciated," Uryu answered, "But we should go."

Shunsui nodded.

"Nanao."

His fukutaichou nodded and opened a private senkaimon.

"Be careful," he warned the three, "and good luck."

Yoruichi smiled.

"We'll find them, don't worry."

"Please do," Shunsui answered, his eyes clouding as they strayed down to look at Ukitake Juushirou's smiling picture inside his opened file, "These missing people have family and friends who are waiting anxiously for them to come back."

"We'll find them, Soutaichou," Yoruichi promised, "We'll bring them home."

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Ginger heard quick steps in the hallway, raised voices and the squeak of metal wheels. The door to the infirmary burst open suddenly and orderlies wheeled a bed into the room. Ginger stared in dismay as he spotted the large patches of blood on the sheet that partially covered the injured man. His heart sank as he recognized Sakura's pale face. It took everything in him not to shout out to the other inmate.

But bringing attention to myself now might either get me in more trouble or get me taken out of here. I need to know what happened.

He laid quietly in his bonds, his eyes glued to Sakura's white face and his fitfully rising and falling chest. A chill went through him as his eye found the guard that had been intimate with the injured inmate. The man glowered back at him with pure hatred in his eyes as though daring him to speak.

What the hell?

"I was walking past his room as I was preparing to go off duty," the guard told his superior, "I saw blood on the sheet and went into the room. He was fine. He'd just managed to scratch himself to lure me. But when I got close to him, he grabbed my pocketknife and did his wrists before I could stop him."

Ginger stared in horror as the healers drew back the sheet and each began to work at stopping the flow of blood from one slashed wrist.

This doesn't make sense. Sakura isn't crazy. He's not suicidal. He can't be. He was making way too much sense before. There's no way it happened like that. I wonder if he made the guard angry somehow.

"He's lost a lot of blood," one of the healer's said worriedly.

"Adjust his limiter so his body can help restore him," said another healer.

The second healer set an opened file down on a wheeled table behind him and turned back to attend to the silver bands on Sakura's wrists, while two other healers finished cleaning the wounds and stitched them closed. Ginger squinted at the open and slightly tilted file.

Kuchiki Byakuya, shinigami noble, adjusted age 22, captured in Karakura Town on...

The healer took a step back, bumping the table and making the file fall flat. Ginger turned his attention back to watching the healers work, also observing the guard from earlier out of the corner of one brown eye. The man watched as the healers finished the sutures, then carefully bandaged Sakura's wrists and set his restraints so that they wouldn't touch the bandaged wounds. They left, one of them carrying the file that Ginger had tried to read. The guard lingered behind until he was alone with the two inmates. He walked slowly to Ginger and surprised him by releasing the restraints an removing his IV.

"Get up."

Ginger complied without saying a word, well aware of what could happen if he made any mistakes. He leaned against the guard and staggered to Sakura's side, where he sat down in the chair the guard indicated.

"This is your mess. Take care of it," the guard said tersely, "and...be careful that you don't break any rules."

He turned without another word and walked out of the infirmary.

Ginger stared at the nearest of Sakura's bandaged wrists, mingled fear and dismay leaving him with a sick feeling inside.

This was a warning, wasn't it?

He hurt Sakura...because of me!