I've had a comment questioning the loyalty of Hisana. Yes, Sky1011, it will be true love but it just looks suspicious at the minute. Sorry for making you think that. Please trust me; I know where this is going.

Byakuya followed her through the doorway and into a dark, dingy corridor lit only by odd green flames that lined the corridor's floor. She was waiting for him a few paces ahead. Swathed behind the bandages, her expression was unreadable, but her eyes were empty. She walked back and shut the cell door with a soft bang. He could see the door was made of thick, dark wood, without any means of escape; no window and no keyhole to pick. Byakuya almost felt sorry for Sokka.

"I wouldn't;" the Betrayer murmured gravely as she walked back towards him, "He's not chancing his life in an arena."

"It's not my choice to go into it," he replied stiffly, walking behind her, "Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what you are forcing me to do."

Then what she said hit him. How did she know what he was thinking?! He looked at her retreating figure, unsure of whether or not to follow. Deciding she would only force him if he refused, he followed.

She didn't respond to what he had said, choosing only to lead him onwards through the maze of corridors, past hundreds of doors. He could hear nothing other than their footsteps on the stone floor.

"What did Sokka tell you of the arena?" she asked softly, gently, almost like she was concerned for him. Byakuya raised an eyebrow, confused. Didn't the Shinihana hate Shinigami?

"Not much;" he responded brusquely, "Only that no-one beats the Shinihana, that I will be allowed my zanpak-uto, to tread carefully whilst in there, to not use my Shikai until I am going to die and never to underestimate my opponents. "

The Betrayer shook her head.

"No wonder the other group didn't last long!" she groaned, sounding genuinely upset, "That Sokka has been telling you to be cautious!"

"It sounds like a good idea to me," Byakuya replied evenly, "That way you can always surprise your enemies."

The Betrayer looked at him over her shoulder, her eyes unreadable. Byakuya held her gaze, unflinching under her scrutiny. It made him feel uncomfortable and edgy. Normally, people didn't dare look him in the eye, but now he felt the urge to lower his gaze. It took him a minute to realise they had stopped walking. The Betrayer looked around the corridor furtively, like she was under surveillance. Then, she put her palm to the floor and took a deep breath. Hazy purple energy smoked out from under her hand, enveloping them. She exhaled and the mist solidified, forming a purple sphere. Byakuya's hand went straight to Senbonzakura's hilt.

"What are you doing?" he demanded, alert and wary.

The Betrayer stared at him morosely.

"Good," she appraised, noticing his grip on his zanpak-uto, "You don't trust me or anything here. That will be invaluable in this situation."
She had scarcely finished speaking before she had disappeared. She appeared directly in front of him and he felt Senbonzakura's hilt disappear from his grip. He looked down at his waist, only to see an empty scabbard.

"Looking for this?" she sang, twirling the blade in the air, on the other end of the corridor. Byakuya whirled around. Her tone was light and playful, but her eyes were more sober and serious than any he had ever seen them. He waited, ever on guard, fists curled. She appraised his stance and shook her head.

"Hopeless!" she muttered, placing Senbonzakura delicately on the ground. She walked away and the purple bubble faded. Byakuya looked at her in surprise.

"Take your weapon." she said softly, her back to him. Byakuya didn't move, sure she was trying to deceive him.

Her fist clenched and her shoulders started to shake. Her head whipped around, eyes narrowed, burning with some emotion he couldn't discern.

"TAKE YOUR WEAPON!"

Byakuya flinched. Her words echoed around the empty corridor and stung like she had slapped him. He watched her in shock. How dare she order him around? Who did she think she was?

She stopped walking. Maybe it was written all over his face or maybe she could actually read his mind, whichever it was, she turned to face him, eyes still burning with the same emotion. For such a petit woman, she was intimidating. But Byakuya wasn't going to be ordered around by her. They glared at each other; neither one backing down, neither one repentant. Then, the Betrayer lowered her eyes to the ground.

"Fine, have it your way," she said bitterly, "Die in the arena. What do I care? You're just the same as everyone else!"

Her arms wrapped around herself and she turned away from him. Byakuya's indignant fury melted away. She seemed to be the very picture of pity. Was he the only person she had ever tried to help? It didn't sound like it. Suddenly, he felt the urge to comfort her. She hung her head.

"Take your weapon, Shinigami-sama," she whispered brokenly, "Fight in the arena and be resigned to the fact your life is going to change forever."

He could think of nothing to say. Slowly, he turned and walked over to where Senbonzakura was lying. He knelt and picked up the sword and slid it into the scabbard. He stood and turned walked back to her. She was watching him again, this time with regret.

"Let's go," Byakuya said, injecting authority into his voice. She looked like she wanted to say more, but she decided against it. She just nodded and they resumed walking.

They walked for another few minutes before the corridors started to see life. The odd black-clad figure would walk past and glare at the Betrayer or eye him with curiosity. Byakuya wanted to question her about the glares, but knew that it was not the right time. Even though there seemed to be very little life, he could sense the undercurrent of activity. There were snatches of hushed conversations and the odd clang of metal. The Betrayer didn't speak to him, walking mechanically forward.

'How many times has she had to do this?' Byakuya wondered, morosely. He had a feeling he didn't want to know.

Eventually, the sounds grew louder, more and more people passed them as they reached the nucleus of the Shinihana headquarters. People of all description stopped what they were doing and stared. Hush spread over the crowd and everyone glared, but not at Byakuya. Everyone was glowering at the Betrayer. They stared in disbelief and anger.

One person walked forwards. He had sandy, cropped hair and watery eyes. He was tall, very tall and well muscled. His arms bulged beneath his simple black sleeves. He sauntered over to the Betrayer and smirked. He grabbed a lock of her black hair and flicked it. Then, he snorted with laughter and walked back to his comrades.

"Ha! So this is what they have to transport the Shinigami! HA! They must be highly sceptical of this guy," he laughed, jerking his thumb at Byakuya, "If they let this lead him."

Everyone laughed and jeered with him. Byakuya's eyes narrowed. What was going on? He didn't know or trust the Betrayer by any stretch of the imagination, but he couldn't view this bullying in good conscience. The Betrayer shook her head minutely.

"Well, Jakon," she said invitingly, "If you think you can do a better job than me, go ahead."

The man-Jakon- turned on his heel and sauntered back, knocking into her and extending a hand towards Byakuya's wrist.

She looked at him over her shoulder.

"But don't expect me to explain to Shini-sama why I'm not doing the job I was ordered to do."

The hand froze.

"What did you say?" Jakon snarled, whirling around.

"Why should I repeat myself for you?"

"'Cause you're useless scum playing at being a merciless killer. You don't have the guts to harm anyone you lower-class sewer rat!"

"Oh really?" she asked quietly. There was a sleek, dangerous quality to her voice that Byakuya had never heard before. "Would you stake your life on that?"

Jakon snorted again. "Oh look! She's learned to speak! Go on, Betrayer-san, say it again! Make it sound as scary as you just did!"

Byakuya took an involuntary step away from the man. The Betrayer turned around to face Jakon.

'Watch closely,'

Byakuya stiffened in surprise. He looked around. No-one seemed to have heard anything.

'Watch closely, Shinigami-sama. You need all the help you can get.'

Jakon sank into a stance, legs apart, fists raised. The Betrayer stood, relaxed and unperturbed. Then, he darted forward, fast and with killer intent. His fist raised and smacked into the Betrayer. Or where she had just been standing. He looked round; saw her standing right where he had been just moments ago.

'Use your Shun-po to your advantage. Dodge the first hit.'

Jakon snarled and charged again, arms outstretched, attempting to snag her as she darted out of the way. It didn't work. Instead, the Betrayer jumped, landing delicately on his shoulder. She kicked him in the head and jumped down.

'Annoy them in any way. This will make them more predictable.'

Jakon turned again, eyes narrowed in hatred. He reached into his obi and produced a long, sharp knife. The Betrayer observed him coldly. He walked forward and lunged, using his height as an advantage. She tried to dodge, but he grabbed her and pulled her forward into his chest. He wrapped a hand around her throat and lifted her into the air. He leered at her unpleasantly.

"Where's all that bravado gone, little sewer rat? Thought you were gonna kill me?"

'If you ever get into a situation where you are in your opponent's power, let him get cocky. Then strike when he's not expecting it.'

So saying, she put one hand over Jakon's and pressed on his wrist. He hissed in pain and released her. She landed daintily on the floor. He clutched his wrist and cursed. He looked at her. She was still completely calm. Then he felt a slamming force in his gut. Jakon sailed through the air and hit a wall with a satisfying crunch.

'Then finish him off. Don't get cocky yourself, it doesn't become you. The one who wins the fight is the one who can predict his enemy's moves and is skilled enough to see through them.'

She walked over to him and extended her hand to help him up. He took it...then swung his knife towards her wrist. She sighed in disappointment.

Jakon blinked in surprise. His now empty hand was in the Betrayer's grip...his knife being held to his throat.

"H-How?" he stammered; his eyes wide and staring, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

But Byakuya had seen.

He had seen her move her hand, seize his wrist, confiscate his knife and hold it to his throat. He had seen it all.

"Dead." the Betrayer announced, removing the knife and throwing it into the floor. She released Jakon's wrist and walked over to Byakuya. Jakon's cronies ran to him, shouting and hurling insults at the Betrayer.

"Did you see enough?" she asked Byakuya quietly.

"Yes."

"That is how you should fight. Sokka is right, save your Shikai. But never underestimate your opponents, especially not here. Do not let your pride get you killed. This isn't the first time I have said this to you. Let's go, Shinigami-sama."

She walked off down the corridor, through the crowd, leading him towards another corridor, ignoring the stares following her everywhere.

...

Byakuya was confused. Here he was, walking down a corridor to what was supposedly his death, with a woman who was confusing him more and more every second. She had just gotten into a fight... to teach him? What was going on?

"Why are you confused, Shinigami-sama?" she asked quietly, looking over her shoulder at him.

"Normally people don't help their enemies. What are you doing, Betrayer-san?" he asked, honestly and suspiciously, making it obvious that he didn't trust her at all. "Why are you helping me?"

"I would have thought it was obvious, Shinigami-sama. I want you to live."