I do not own bleach, never did, never will. I give full credit to the creator, like always. I thank you readers and reviewers for reading this far.

Chapter eleven.

Kumiko waited for Yoruichi to come back. She was told to wait for her to come back and Kumiko didn't mind. At first. But she was really bored now. She looked around and saw a bird twitter by. Kumiko groaned and stood up. She decided to go check on Ichigo since Yoruichi had not finished yet. She flash stepped away going back to where Ichigo was fighting Byakuya. She stopped to admire the strange looking cloud in the sky. It looked very similar to her pendant. She watched it float by and then continued to go one her way. She flashed stepped and then saw something in the direction of the house. A glowing figure stood not too far. Kumiko flashed stepped closer only to find the figure to have moved further away.

"It might be a trap," whispered Kumiko watching the glowing figure. It was definetly a petite woman. She couldn't see her face or the color of the long flowing kimono. But she seemed to be waiting for her.

"Just follow her."

"Ahh!!" Kumiko said, surprised, "naiyami !! Don't do that to me!!"

"Follow her." Kumiko followed the woman around, dazed. Suddenly after quite some time, the lady stopped. Kumiko slowly walked up to her. But before she could do anything, the lady disappeared.

"What was that?"

Kumiko jumped up making a shocked gasp. She turned around and saw Kuchiki Byakuya standing right behind her.

"I don't know," Kumiko said innocently. She really had no idea what it was or why it disappeared. Byakuya frowned and looked down at the child, who was staring where the figure was in wonder, holding her finger up to her lip. She truly didn't seem to know what it was. On the contrary, this couldn't have been a better circumstance.

"AAAHH!" Kumiko squeaked as he scooped her up, holding her tight. He winced at her squeak and said, "Quiet. There is no reason to squeal like that."

"Yes there is, you just picked me up." Kumiko realized that sounded so stupid but at the moment didn't care all that much.

"That is not a reasonable reason," Byakuya said, beginning to walk away.

"I don't like being picked up. Especially when the people picking me up I honestly don't know very well," Kumiko said, stiffly, "Where are you going?"

"To bring you to someone," Byakuya said softly. The child obviously didn't like being picked up with out her knowing. He loosened his grip which resulted in the child relaxing a little bit.

"Kuchiki Taichou-san?"

"What?" Byakuya asked.

"What happened to Ichigo?" She did not use Ichigo's nickname because she tried to use his really name when talking to other people.

"He won," Byakuya said shortly.

"Oh," Kumiko said, staring up at the sky.

"Kuchiki Taichou-san?"

"Yes?"

"Who are you bringing me to and why?"

"I am bringing you to Yamamoto Taichou. He wishes to speak with you," Byakuya said, in his usual monotone voice.

"What happened to the thingy you wore in you hair?"

"It is called a kenseikan. That was a hair ornament worn by nobles. It is not a … thingy as you put it."

She suddenly began to giggle.

"What is so funny?"

"You said thingy."

"I still don't see what so funny about it. You said it too."

"Yes, but its funny when you say it. It's like… I don't know but it sounded funny." He shook his head at the child's carefree nature. She wasn't trying to be rude. For some reason, she just found it funny. He himself found it strange that he would say something along those lines. He would have chuckled but Kuchiki Byakuya does-not-chuckle.

"Your hair is all messy now," Kumiko said, cocking her head.

"That is generally what happens when you fight," Byakuya said, "Now I have a question. How do you know Yoruichi?"

"Oh, that. She helped Kisuke-san raise me for as time. Then she ran off with him on me."

"She certainly has a habit of doing that," Byakuya said, noticing the ever so slight coldness in her tone.

"Wait, you still didn't answer me my question. What happened to it?!"

"Oh, it was broken during the fight."

"Ah."

There was a silence then like someone was speak to them in there heads, "This is urgent news from Isane Vice-Captain of fourth squad. This news must be listened to closely."

"Ahhh!! There are people inside my head!!!" Kumiko said, holding her head wide eyed.

"Calm down and listen," Byakuya said, slightly sympathetic towards the girl, who probably had never experienced this before. They listened to Isane, their eyes widening as they heard what she was saying.

"Rukia-nee-chan is in trouble!!" Kumiko said, wide eyed. Byakuya put her down abruptly and disappeared saying, "Don't move."

Kumiko couldn't believe what she heard but sat down grudgingly. She looked around and sighed. Once again, she was told to stay put and she hated that. She wasn't sure why she would listen, but she was for the time being anyway. She looked around and saw something floating away. She was immediately intrigued and followed it. She followed it and continued to follow it until she was by the cliff. She looked down and noticed that it was a piece of paper with writing on it. Kumiko picked it up and read, "Look up."

She flashed stepped away, quickly dodging a blade from hitting her in the stomach. She appeared behind the person responsible and went to hit him with her blade. He dodged it and went to strike her again. She flash stepped back to her original spot and spun so she was facing him but looking down.

She looked up and held her kantana. She suddenly spun around and sliced out only to have herself pinned to the wall. Her hand loosened on the hilt and she felt it leave her hand.

"You are done child," a male voice said, "You no longer have your zanpakutou."

Kumiko simply smirked and said.

"Who said that's my zanpakutou."

That is it. Review please!!