Chapter 4: Rebirth and Not So Empty Threats

Rukia took a deep breath as her head tilted back and the black slime entered her mouth. Her eyes widened and her gag reflex activated as the substance touched her tongue. It was terribly bitter and sour beyond all belief. It was worse than the hard liquor Ichigo had shared with her after a stressful day. Her head lurched forward and she spat out what little of the drink had made it into her mouth, her breathing heavy.

After putting the bottle back onto the table, Rukia steadied herself and picked up the note Ichigo left and reread it. She wanted to be with him so badly, the few hours he had been away were only filled with stress and anxiety. Now that Rukia had the chance to slow down and think she felt strangely empty, like a part of herself was gone. She let herself sink into one of the chairs and buried her face in her hands. So this is love, being one with another… being incomplete when they're gone…

Rukia sat like that for quite a while, her thoughts drifting. Ichigo. Byakuya. Hisana. Me. The rest of the Gods. The Demons. Her hands slipped into her hair and began to tug at it in frustration. I know almost nothing, all I know is there's so many problems, but why do I feel like I have to fix it. I've chosen Ichigo over Heaven, being a Goddess, over Byakuya and Hisana. Over everything, is this the price to be paid? To be with him is all I want, but Nii-sama won't have that. He'll hurt Ichigo until Ichigo snaps and fights back. And when that happens… Can I even stop it? Ichigo can be pushed to the brink of death and still come back stronger each time, but Byakuya will push him farther than that. If he would just listen… If he didn't hate what Ichigo is, what I am to become… What I've chosen.

Her head rose and her hands came out of her hair as she looked at the vial with new resolve. This is what she had chosen, she loved Ichigo and couldn't turn back now. She could never turn her back to him, and because of her words he was at the mercy of her brother. Ichigo was waiting for her to save him. He saved her once, now it was time for her to return the favor. Rukia stood and took the vial in her thin hand. She downed the concoction in one go, her nose crinkled and she nearly vomited from the taste and feel of it in her mouth and throat. The glass shattered as she slammed the vial back onto the table and the shards sliced into her hand but she felt nothing.

Her body quickly went numb after the toxic mix settled in her stomach. Rukia leaned into the table for support as her legs failed her. The world swirled, the three l blips of light from the candles started to flow into glowing lines and the red and deep brown from the furniture stained her vision. Her world tilted as she fell and hit the cold marble floor. The hand that had been cut but the glass was only a few inches from her face, but all she could make out was the blood seeping from her skin, consuming the white of the marble before everything became a frozen black.

(^^)(^^)

Byakuya woke from his dreamless sleep. His steel eyes flying open and his hands gripping the bed sheets with white knuckles. Something changed, something important. His gut ached, but not from hunger, from dread. The god's body rose into a stiff sitting position and he looked out his screen door. The moon was low in the sky and very full, glowing almost half as bright as the sun. He had never seen it so bright, not since Hisana died. Since her death he had stopped going on midnight walks during the full moon, it was too painful. A full moon led him to her, and a full moon took her away.

They had met during a small war with hell. He had saved her from a demon without knowing it. The first time he laid eyes on her was when the demon dissipated, as the black ash floated away, she was revealed from behind the monster. She was frozen in fear and admiration, standing perfectly still in a dirty beige kimono. He took her into his arms, later his home in heaven and quickly after, into his heart. She had cried, telling him of how she abandoned her sister in the mortal world under a new moon, only a few weeks before she met him. He promised her that Rukia would be found. A few years later, another battle ensued and a demon broke through the gates of heaven, eating the beings closest to it. It seemed fate would not let Hisana slip from her destiny as a meal for evil. The moon glowed eerily that night, just as it did now.

The god quickly got up and dressed himself, opting for a black formal kimono instead of white robes. It was the anniversary of his beloved's death anyway, others would not question him. He slid his door open softly and with all the grace he usually possessed, even though no one was watching. The quiet taps his feet made were the only noises that could be heard as he made his way out of the Kuchiki estate. Once Byakuya reached the streets he made his way north, to the Government Sector. The tall white buildings towered over most of the homes and businesses in the district he was currently passing through.

"Ah, Kuchiki. What are you doing out on this fabulous night? The moon looks beautiful, doesn't she?"

Byakuya raised his head to left to find a very relaxed god reclining on the roof of a tailor's shop. Shunsui Kyoraku had been admiring the pregnant moon when the younger god crossed his vision. the Kuchiki's face was colder than usual, if that were possible. On top of that, he was wearing the color of mourning. Nothing good can come of this, he stopped walking on nights like this a decade ago and black doesn't suit him… Shunsui thought to himself.

"Out for a walk."

Byakuya answered curtly. He was not in the mood to deal with this lazy, sloth like god. An unmotivated man like him could never understand the urgency of the situation that the Kuchiki was dealing with. The kidnapping of his little sister, the turmoil he was personally in, the possibility of another war with hell. Heaven had only just recovered from the last few battles from renegade demons that decided to try their hand in 'Divine Combat', as they put it. Byakuya continued on his way toward the latest prisoner of a soon to be war. Using his long legs to lengthen his stride, Byakuya left Shunsui behind.

Just as the Kuchiki thought he was clear of the other god, Kyoraku piped up.

"You're going to see the Demon King, aren't you?"

The curly haired god was no longer reclining against the roof, he was now sitting up, prepared to stand. Byakuya's response was not verbal, he merely stood still; frozen, like a young teen caught in the act of sneaking out. With his posture stiffer than ever, the Kuchiki turned to face Shunsui.

"I know you're very angry about this whole thing, Kuchiki, but you should leave the questioning to Soi Fon. You'll overwork yourself if you don't set your priorities straight."

Kyoraku commented. Byakuya turned completely, to face the older god. His fists clenched and brows furrowed. Angry? Priorities? Who do you think you are, Shunsui Kyoraku? You laze around all day whilst I look for my sister, who is suffering in hell at the moment. I have failed Hisana and Rukia. Do not speak to me as if you can comprehend my situation. That Demon Bastard is the one who is responsible for all this and he shall pay with his life.

A deep chuckling came from the roof. Shunsui couldn't believe that the infamous man of ice had finally cracked.

"Tell me how you really feel, Kuchiki."

Byakuya's eyes widened. He had said that, out loud? The Kuchiki knew his emotions were a little out of check lately, but this… this was beyond acceptable. He turned back toward the Government Sector and continued on his 'walk'. Shunsui ceased his laughter and stood, easily leaping off the roof and catching up to Byakuya.

"Perhaps I should come with you, maybe some socialization will be good for you. I know a great bar we can stop by-"

"No, thank you."

The younger god barked and cut off his elder. He had no interest in bars or dives or anywhere else this lunatic wanted to bring him. Byakuya pressed onward, but Kyoraku was persistent, acting like a child begging to a mother; telling him of whore houses and pubs with international cuisine. This pestering, bordering harassment, went on until the two reached the prison where suspects were held until a set court date. Feeling a vein in his forehead throb, Byakuya reacted, much to Shunsui's displeasure.

"Listen. I am here to help my sister. You are trying to deter me from doing so. You are crossing my path, turn back while I let you. I respect you, but even I have my limits, and you are reaching them. Had Yamamoto-sama let me, I would have burned that palace down, shredded every monument, even rip the residence apart to show my power, to make them give Rukia back. I shall not hesitate to do the same to you. Now, leave."

Byakuya Kuchiki felt his anger bubble as the words slid from his tongue. He had not felt rage like this since he came face to face with his late wife's murderer. Byakuya could clearly remember the way the demon's black blood stained the ground and how it's dying cries sounded so much like Hisana's screams. He quickly moved past the guards, who had heard his tirade and let him in without question.

Shunsui stood still, his eyes wide and filled with shock. He knew he was being annoying, but interrogation is Soi Fon's job, something Byakuya shouldn't get involved in because of his bias. Letting himself sigh, he took his leave. The old god smirked, maybe I should visit my Nanao-chan…

(^^)(^^)

Rukia's violet eyes snapped open with ergency. Her body… it wasn't right… too light and too heavy at the same time. She could hear her heart beating in her ears, but it didn't feel like a headache. Either her heart was beating louder or her hearing had improved… Everything feels so out of order… Her eyes slowly came into focus. The candles from earlier were still burning bright, the table and a chair were there too… Wait, weren't there two… Rukia blinked a few times and took in everything, gasping when her eyes reached the floor.

Her body… was dead… lying in her own blood…

Rukia was sitting in one chair, the other remained empty and her mortal body was lying at her feet. Her breathing and heart rate increased, looking at her old body was just… disgusting. She drew her feet toward her, looking at her 'new' body for the first time. Her skin as pale and blue as her corpse, she was thin and emaciated-like. The bones in her hands and feet stood proud, barely covered by her near translucent skin. Her hips and ribs protruded as well, making her look like she hadn't eaten in months. Suddenly realizing that she was naked as a newborn baby, Rukia looked for something to cover her fragile looking body. The only thing around was the clothes she had worn while she was mortal, she shirt and top still being worn by the corpse.

Carefully, she stood, her weak legs hardly able to support her. Rukia reached toward the body, seeing her reflection in her blood. Her eyes had sunk into her skull and her once undefined cheek bones were sticking out far too much. Her hair had gotten shorter too, no longer reaching her shoulders, only coming to her ears. I really do look like death…This must be why Ichigo was so reluctant to make me one of his kind.

Before her hand could reach her body a giggling rang through Rukia's ears. It wasn't a heart warming sound, more like the sound of a madman before he makes a kill. Rukia looked forward, in the direction of the empty chair. A hand that looked much like her own was gripping the left side of the chair from behind.

"Who's there?"

Her voice was raspy and it crackled with every vowel she pronounced. Rukia gasped as the giggling rang out again. A head popped out from behind the chair and Rukia felt herself jump backwards a few inches; she was looking at herself, or someone who looked very much like her. The same face, the shorter hair and blue tinted translucent skin. But the eyes… The eyes were like Ichigo's other half's: black with yellow pupils. This almost mirror image of herself was smiling a most sinister smile and her disturbing eyes screamed for bloodshed. Rukia felt her stomach drop and survival instincts kick in. Her whole body told her to run and hope this being wouldn't find her. Then it spoke.

"It's just you and me"

It said, the words running like ink on animal skins. Rukia heard her heart beat even faster in her chest, the clenching of her muscles hurt from what some call atrophy; others could argue that the muscles of her new body had never been used, so the muscles should be weak. Either way, Rukia felt she wouldn't escape, like those words sealed her fate. She wouldn't save Ichigo, stop her brother, tell Renji she couldn't love him back, or stop this feud between heaven and hell. Panic flooded her system and she could feel herself choking. I need to get out of here. The thought was running on repeat in her head as her breathing picked up even more, borderlining hyperventilation.

"Scared, huh? You're smart to be, if you were anyone else I'd rip your throat out and eat what little muscle is on those twig bones. Lucky for you, I can't. If I kill you, I kill me too. That's not good. No, not good." Another creepy giggle erupted from this creature, "You're me, and I'm you. I'll be better than he was, I don't feel like fighting now. How 'bout we make a deal?"

It's head cocked a few degrees too much to the left as the question was asked. Rukia was still scared shitless, but she could still understand what her reflection was saying. Her breathing grew deeper, while still panicked and quick, the breaths themselves pulled in more air and helped calm her, but not enough to really matter.

"What do you mean 'better than he was'. What deal?"

She asked nervously, Rukia was proud she hadn't let herself stutter. Its smile widened as it came out from behind the chair, a body exactly like Rukia's was revealed. The naked, emaciated figure sat in the chair it was just hiding behind, crossing its legs and sitting in a very business like position. Seeing this, Rukia let herself fall back into her chair, her body language showing her fear, legs pulled up in front and arms ready to push herself up and out of the chair.

"Well… I'm you, your other half, so I have your memories, your feelings, everything. When Ichigo first became like we are now, he had to fight to get control over himself, his other half. Our spirit energy is weak, that's why we're so thin. Neither of us are in condition to fight, so here's the deal; I'll share my power with you, as long as you let me rip someone into little pieces every now and then."

Rukia's eyes went wide in terror, let my other half rip someone up? Her fingers dug into the wood of the arm rests on the chair. Then her counterpart continued.

"That's all I want. Just to see my victim's blood run down my skin and all over the floor, to taste the smooth, raw muscle along my tongue. Marrow from bones settling in my tummy… That sounds like a glorious day. One that I shall have soon, I hope."

She said with a nasty chuckle. The demon's hands coming up to her pale cheeks as they lightly flushed. Her eyes were looking past Rukia, in another world. Rukia was glad the creature wasn't focusing on her, how frightened she was. Power in exchange for the freedom to slaughter, that was the deal.

"You do want to help Ichigo, don't you?"

Rukia took a long breath, she could deal with this insanity later. Ichigo needs help, now.

"Deal."

OMG that took too damn long, I SO SORRY OR THE WAIT. a big chunk of this i owe to my lil sis brooke for inspiring the insane half of rukia. i tried to make it a little longer because of the wait, if you no like then psycho rukia will come after you :0