A/N: 15 reviews... 146:D
Numb
Chapter 10: Three Months and One week
Rukia made her way down the streets of the modern world, Kira Izuri by her side. Looking out of the corner of her eye, she saw that Kira was watching her carefully. Rukia found it strange, for Kira never let her out of his sight during the day. She somehow felt that Kira Izuri was not the friend she knew in Rukongai; he had changed a lot. She felt extremely uneasy beside him. She knew he was trying to make an effort to get to know her better after being apart for so many years, however, she could sense that Kira Izuri was at the same time also distancing himself from her.
Shaking her head lightly, she scolded herself for not trusting her childhood friend. Picking up a hairpin from a stall that was located at the side of the street, she reminded herself yet again, just a few more hours, just a few more hours and I will see Ni-sama…
-ßЯ-
Senbonzakura closed her eyes as she concentrated on finding Shirayuki's location. She had been looking for it for more than a week without stopping, in hopes to be able to give her dearest wielder a good piece for news. She knew she was tiring out, she would not be able to keep it up much longer, but she needed to make sure, she wanted for him to be happy, to know that she was safe. Wiping a trickle of blood from her mouth on her sleeve, she looked at it in disgust. She really needed some rest.
Just as Senbonzakura laid down and closed her eyes, Byakuya entered her world. Feeling slightly irritated, she sat up and glared at her master. "Yes?"
"She is due to return at midnight." Byakuya said, "We have yet to find her."
Senbonzakura narrowed her eyes menacingly, "I know perfectly well that I have yet to find her. So what are you planning this time?"
Byakuya dipped his chin down into his silk scarf before turning to exit. "If she is not back at midnight, I will have no choice."
-ßЯ-
Kira Izuri climbed into the dark room through the window, observing that the room was illuminated only by the soft light of a traditional night lamp. He observed the sleeping form of Kuchiki Rukia and glanced at the clock by her futon. Noting that she had set the alarm to ring at 11.50 pm, he walked over and switched the alarm off. Perfect.
Kira Izuri knew perfectly well the details of his mission. He had been briefed so many times that he was sure even if a memory modifier was used on him; he would remember every single detail.
He knew it was wrong to betray Rukia yet again, but he needed to prove himself. He grew up in the worst slum of Rukongai; when he passed the Shinigami Academy entrance exam, he was faced with challenges every where. He wanted to show, he wanted to be the best, even if it meant going against the values he once had. He never wanted to be the plain Kira Izuri again, not that he would ever be. Ichimaru-taichou had promised him a reward if everything was to go as planned. Captaincy, not of any weak squad, but the captaincy of the sixth squad, Kuchiki Byakuya's second squad…
The last two tasks of his mission were crucial. Ensure that Kuchiki Rukia would not arrive back in time. Kira Izuri knew that unless under different circumstances, the gate would only open at midnight, when the Shinigami is due to return. Since there was only the both of them in Karakura town, the gate would only open when Ichimaru-Taichou arrives.
Now he had just one last step. Drawing out something from his robes, he used it on Rukia. Smirking slightly, he whispered, "It seems that the date when you are due back in Soul Society, you have forgotten. Do not worry, once you see him, you will remember…"
-ßЯ-
Rukia rubbed her eyes as she considered her calendar. She had crossed out every single day leading to yesterday with was circled with a bright red marker, and a chappy sticker stuck on top. Cocking her head to one side, she frowned slightly, as she tried to figure out what she was counting down to.
Shrugging nonchalantly, she decided to worry about that later. For now, she will head into the sunshine; enjoy yet another day of fun.
-ßЯ-
"She did not return." Kuchiki Byakuya said softly.
Senbonzakura looked over to her master, who was now deep in thought. "What are you going to do, Byakuya? No matter how hard we try, we are unable to locate her."
Byakuya closed his eyes as he considered the problem. "We shall wait for a week."
Senbonzakura was silent.
-ßЯ-
Rukia sensed something amiss as she took a casual stroll down the road, Kira Izuri still by the side. She somehow remembered she had to go somewhere yesterday, but no matter how hard she tried, she could not think of it. She wrinkled her brow thoughtfully as she tried to recall.
How could she forget so many things in one night? There was no way, unless… unless, someone used a memory modifier?
Rukia began to run. Kira did not follow her.
-ßЯ-
The doors of the Urahara Shoten shook with the force at which a certain female Shinigami was knocking at.
Urahara commanded his shop workers. "Never allow the doors to be opened understand?"
Jinta, Ururu and Tessai nodded, sensing something amiss.
Beckoning to Yoruichi, Urahara exited the room.
Yoruichi, still in her cat form, glared up at Urahara as he placed a bowl of milk in front of her. "Why?"
Urahara sighed, "We are not going complicate things any further. They are bad enough now. We already did something wrong and unfair to her. Our stepping in will only lead Kuchiki Byakuya to a wrong conclusion."
There was the sound of running feet on the floor. Jinta pushed the door open violently, causing the whole shop to shake. "She is crying. Are you sure?"
Urahara replied. "Leave her alone."
Yoruichi scratched Urahara furiously. Urahara, for once, did nothing to stop her.
-ßЯ-
"We are going tonight." Byakuya said.
"I understand." Senbonzakura whispered. "It has been one week since she was due. It is time too, to see what is wrong."
Byakuya left his inner world. Nodding at his lieutenant as his lieutenant greeted him, he said, "We will be leaving now, Abarai."
Renji replied. "Yes, Kuchiki-Taichou."
As Byakuya stepped out into Karakura town, he frowned. Rukia's spiritual pressure was not to be found. "Find her through the devices and analyze her body's condition." He commanded Renji.
Nodding his head, Renji flash stepped through the town, Byakuya walking behind at a casual pace. It took them less than ten minutes to locate her.
Byakuya saw his imotou for the first time in more than three months. She was in her gigai form, dressed in the plainest dress and seemed to be running towards a destination.
Following her, he realized that she was going to the Urahara shoten. Briefly noting the irony, he tilted his head over his shoulder and commanded Renji. "Stop her."
Renji frowned slightly as he jumped off the roof and landed a few meters away from Rukia, totally blocking her way. He grinned at her, "It has been a few years since I last saw you, Kuchiki-hime."
Rukia frowned, "What are you here for?"
Renji smirked. "Don't pretend, Rukia, you know perfectly well what I am talking about. Am I right, Kuchiki-Taichou?"
Rukia turned her head slowly around, eyes widening, "Byakuya-ni-sama…"
Ni-sama looked as well groomed as ever. His features, especially his aristocratic nose as well defined as before, if not, even better in the moonlight. The way the shadows fell across half of his face, the way his hair swept over his broad shoulders…
Suddenly, Rukia felt her head spinning as she suddenly remembered. She was a week late.
-ßЯ-
Byakuya noted that her eyes were still as beautiful, filled with emotion as the first day they met. Those mysterious violet eyes; that made him feel, gave him emotions he never had or wanted. He listened intently to her voice as she spoke his name. It had been three months and a week without her.
Betraying no emotion, just as a Kuchiki ought to, he looked over to Renji, "Bring her back."
Narrowing his eyes as Renji roughly grabbed Rukia's arm, he opened the spiritual gate.
Just as Rukia walked towards the gate, a figure appeared in front of the gate. It was Kira Izuri.
Renji snarled. "Kira. Get your ass out of the way."
Kira's voice rivaled Renji. "I believe that is no way to speak to your senior." Drawing his sword, he pointed it at Renji. "Don't even think of bringing her back."
Renji let off a feral growl and charged at Kira. It happened all too fast for Rukia to catch. Two swords clashed and grinded against each other, disrupting the silence of the night. The spiritual energy that was given off was intimidating. Unable to stand the pressure, Rukia took an involuntary step back. Suddenly, she felt a warm, soothing, peaceful, spiritual pressure taking over. Rukia knew that presence well. It was Ni-sama. It had been long since she felt his spiritual pressure. It felt just as before. It was highly alluring, seductive even. It had been three months and one week. Looking up at him thankfully, Rukia saw that his attention was fixed on the fight taking place.
Reverting her attention back to the battle, Rukia winced as Kira was slashed harshly from the back. Rukia did not know what to do, caught in between two of her childhood friends. She did the best thing she could think of. Leaving the protective spiritual pressure, she ran in front of Kira to block Renji's blade with her bare arms. Violet eyes betrayed the sign of pain as they glared at red eyes as the owner spoke, "Stop it, you two!"
Renji snarled, pushing Rukia away, causing her to roll until she slammed into a wall. Kira stood up from his kneeling position. Eyes glowing he said, "I will show you, Renji, that I am stronger. Raise your head, Wabisuke!"
The sword extended before ending in a hook. Releasing much of his spiritual pressure, Kira caused Renji to fall on his knees before charging. Renji stared in shock, unable to move an inch. Bracing himself for the impact, Renji closed his eyes.
The hit never came.
Kira was not holding a sword at all. Looking over to his Taichou, realized something. Kuchiki Byakuya was insanely strong. Wabisuke was now residing near Kuchiki Byakuya's foot, and it looked oddly bent.
Closing his eyes, Kuchiki Byakuya delicately pointed a finger at Kira, "Hadou no yon, Byakurai."
Kira could only scream as the ray of energy directed at him pierced through his chest. As Kira fell to the ground, Byakuya heard Rukia scream.
Gripping on her skirt, Rukia said in an oddly deflated voice, "Ni-sama, I am ready to go."
Gesturing to his injured lieutenant, Byakuya spoke, "We will be leaving now Abarai."
"But his body…"
"Leave it."
The light from the portal illuminated Rukia's face. Her mouth was set in a firm line as she stepped into the portal without a single glance backwards.
Renji left next. Kuchiki Byakuya briefly fixed a stare at the body of Kira Izuri before the gate closed. What he saw confirmed his suspicions. Kira Izuri's body had disappeared. Closing his eyes, he thought, Aizen Sosuke.
-ßЯ-
Ichimaru Gin and Aizen Sosuke stepped out from where they were observing the fight from.
Applauding, Ichimaru spoke. "That was interesting. Rukia-chan is so unobservant, so is Renji. Our King noticed it at first sight. You have improved greatly though, Aizen-sama."
Aizen smirked. "It was no small feat, Gin, I had to maintain it for a week."
Gin smiled. "This was why I said Rukia-chan was unobservant, she did not realize that after her memories were changed, that Kira Izuri was an illusion."
-ßЯ-
Byakuya, as much as he hated to admit it, was worried. Entering his inner world, he woke up a disgruntled Senbonzakura. Senbonzakura glared at him before speaking, "What is it now?"
Byakuya spoke, "The elders are planning for a life imprisonment."
Senbonzakura snarled, showing her pointed teeth, "Those perfect Kuchiki elders." Narrowing her eyes, she continued, "However, I do see the reason. There is no reason for them to bestow kindness to someone from the street, is there? If only they really knew who she was…"
Then, after a few moments of consideration, Senbonzakura spoke, "There is a person who can help you though…"
Kuchiki Byakuya raised an eyebrow ever so slightly.
"Kurosaki Ichigo."
A/N:
I feel depressed.... Don't feel like writing, and wanted to discontinue it. But, I shall try, considering I'mtheBrideofBYAKUYA is going to kill me if u do that?
Ichigo's role... You will see.
Hnn, review!
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