Tear Gas!!

How sad it is that I'm so used to the thing. Today some sickos threw a tear gas bomb inside my college building. I'm not happy about it, but it was fortunate they did that, since my programming project was incomplete, so now I should have some time to finish? NOT. Busy busy weekend.

But what comes before the weekend? Friday! And with friday, another installment for you to enjoy. I'll stop my rambling before I wind up spoiling things for all of you. Author notes at the end. Though no one reads them I think :/... Perhaps this time you should?

Chapter 13 kiddies. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: All Bleach characters are Kubo-san's property. If they were mine some wicked things would happen.... I'd personally would like to see Gin a hot dog suit. Perhaps selling hot dogs at a baseball game. Then I'd be singing "take me out to the ball game..." But I own nothing, so...

---------------X-------------

I closed the door behind me after walking out of Rukia's room. I was overwhelmed by everything that had happened today, which prompted me to consider how much I wished today was just as uninteresting as the days that came before.

I sat on a bench that stood just a few feet away from Rukia's room, my brain working through the overload of information I'd received, as I tried to calm my nerves.

Apparently it wasn't enough that Rukia fell injured today, but now Matsumoto Rangiku had to be involved as well, and very closely related to everything that happened.

I still felt the urge to locate her and find out if she was well, although I didn't understand why. I considered looking for Kotetsu Isane, as I was sure she would have information on the Tenth Fukutaicho and her condition. However, I chose against it, since they are close friends and I didn't wish for the blond to be informed of my worries.

I stood, deciding it was best I resolve the matter of my urgency before it worsened.

"Kuchiki-taicho." An officer said, saluting me.

I glanced coldly at him before asking, "Officer, where can I be informed on the status of a patient?"

The man looked at me confusedly, pondering the reasons why I would need the information. He remained in his position, staring at me, which urged me to ask again.

"Do you have an answer, Officer?"

"Ehm, perhaps you should ask the third officer?" he answered, hesitant, "You can find him at his desk down the hall."

I started walking in the direction the man pointed, disregarding any pleasantries he may have expected from me.

I made my way down the hall and found myself in front of the third officer's desk. It was located right where the man had said, but no one was there, which led me to believe finding the woman would become an arduous task.

"Kuchiki-taicho." I heard coming from behind, a female voice calling.

I had heard that voice before, and after searching for possible owners in my brain, I couldn't help but feel disappointed, since she was not who I had hoped for.

I turned on my heel to face the woman. "Ise-fukutaicho."

"How is your sister doing, Kuchiki-taicho?" She asked.

I wondered why the Fukutaicho would ask such question, since I had no knowledge of her having a relationship with Rukia. However, there is much in my sister's life that is unknown to me.

"Rukia is doing well. If you wish to see her, you may visit her room."

I decided it was best my search continued somewhere else, since looking for Matsumoto Rangiku in the Fourth Division turned no favorable results. Still, the only place in which I could continue my search was the Tenth Division, considering I don't know where her place of residence is.

"Fukutaicho." I said, nodding, as I turned to exit the building, walking away from the woman.

"Kuchiki-taicho, you seem to be in a hurry. May I ask what is so urgent?" She replied, following my steps.

"I have business to attend to, business that is not of your interest."

"The meeting has ended, Kuchiki-taicho. You won't find any of the Taichos in the First Division, and if you are in a hurry to read the report, you should know Hitsugaya-taicho won't send it until tomorrow morning in order to make it as detailed as possible, Sotaicho's orders."

"Thank you for the information, Ise-fukutaicho, but as you said, I am indeed in a hurry," I replied, "now, if you will excuse me."

I began to walk away from my previous position, thinking of the best way to appease my anxiety. However, I didn't fail to notice the woman continued to trail behind me. I chose to disregard this.

"I must apologize in advance for my intrusion in your affairs, Taicho, but I believe I know what the reason for your urgency is."

"You can keep your theories to yourself, Fukutaicho. I don't need to hear them."

"I understand, Taicho. But if I may venture a guess, I'd say you're in a rush to find Rangiku."

My pace slowed. This time I could not find a way to undermine her comment, as it was such a truthful assumption. I knew that my response would not be convincing, but perhaps it could be.

"Why would I be, Fukutaicho? We are not affiliated in any way. Also, she is in the human world. Looking for her in Seireitei would be fruitless."

"I don't believe you haven't heard already, Taicho. If you had not, you'd still be in your sister's room."

"I don't appreciate your suggestion, Fukutaicho. I must urge you to stop."

"Well, just in case my assumption is wrong, I'll inform you. Rangiku arrived this afternoon along with your sister. She is mildly hurt, but nothing to worry about."

Right at that moment I was grateful to Ise Nanao for her intrusion in my private affairs. What she had said provided me with serenity, as I knew her friend was not endangered. Any other day I would have reacted differently, advising her to stop addressing herself to me. However, she seemed to know I would find the information comforting.

"I know is not my business, Kuchiki-taicho, and for that I'm sorry. However, I know the two of you are somewhat related to each other," She paused before resuming, "and I also know about your fight."

My pace came into an abrupt stop after hearing her words. If my previous denial had not shown her the truth of her observations, this should do the deed. Based on this, I had to make sure she would keep the information to herself.

"Must I assume you will keep the matter private, or should I warn you to do so, Fuktaicho?"

"I have no interest in publicizing the matter, Kuchiki-taicho. I only wish to be of service to you. Perhaps you would walk with me, Taicho?"

"You're her friend, Fukutaicho. You must be on her side. How could you be of service to me?"

"Being on Rangiku's side doesn't mean being against you, Kuchiki-taicho."

"I'm afraid I don't understand what you imply." I said, as I walked by her side like she asked.

"I take it you're sorry for what happened that day, are you?"

I could not understand what had prompted this conversation or my interest in following it. However, it seemed as if I had found an opportunity to air my concerns and find proper reasoning regarding the matter of our impasse.

"What makes you believe I wouldn't be, Fukutaicho?"

"I never believed otherwise. However, I do believe your view on the matter is somewhat skewed." The woman replied.

"How so?"

"You are not the only one at fault for what happened that day."

"That is irrelevant. I can't justify my actions based on that premise."

"I agree, Kuchiki-taicho, but her reaction was just as harsh as yours. Why can you justify hers when she clearly provoked you?"

"It seems I don't have an answer for that question, Fukutaicho."

"Kuchiki-taicho, Rangiku is a stubborn woman. She is accustomed to getting her way all the time. Considering this, I presume you understand she is not upset over you injuring her." The woman said as we turned a corner on the streets of Seireitei.

"I'm not so blind as to believe she would only find the injury offensive, Fukutaicho. I know there is something else that weighs more heavily on her than the wound, but I have no way to figure out what that is."

"It is really not that complicated, Kuchiki-taicho. I'm sure that if you give it some thought you can sort it out. And I promise you, unless you are usually oblivious to signs, it shouldn't take you that much time. I could even say you've stumbled across the answer before, only that you failed to recognize it as the solution to your predicament."

I continued walking alongside Ise Nanao through Seireitei, in a direction that was unknown to me. The black-haired Fukutaicho abandoned speaking in favor of allowing me some time to think.

I considered everything she said. How all was closely related not only to what happened the day of the fight, but the days before that.

I remembered the lunch we shared, and how the blond-haired shinigami had imposed her will onto my sister and me. She had done it without leaving any evidence of her concoctions, but knowing I could, and most surely would, solve the puzzle.

She planned everything. She showed care. And perhaps, that's what she expected from me.

Having understood the root of the problem, I could only wonder why the Eighth Fukutaicho would be interested in helping me.

"Why are you telling me this now?"

"Well, I was hoping the two of you would work things out on your own, but then Rangiku had to leave for the human world, and now your sister and her are both injured. I think you will agree with me in regarding this as an excellent opportunity for the both of you to settle your issues, instead of waiting for a more peaceful occasion."

"What do you suggest I do, Fukutaicho?"

I could not believe I had asked such a question. It was never in my nature to be unaware of what happened in my life, especially in its most private aspects. However, I couldn't decide on what to do. Even when my anxiety over her health had been appeased, I still felt the need to see Matsumoto Rangiku.

I found difficult to accept the fact that I was exchanging points of view with who appears to be Matsumoto Rangiku's best friend. But, as the woman had said before, being on her friend's side doesn't mean we are on opposite sides. And this was the most important point she could make throughout the conversation, as it almost seemed to be a message from the blond herself.

"Perhaps you should talk to her."

"How could I, Fukutaicho? She will surely overreact."

"I don't believe she will, Taicho."

"How so?"

"Did you even remember her provoking you before I mentioned it today?"

I tried to answer the question, but silence came over me, which could only be read as me conceding to the fact.

"I thought so," she replied, "Well, just like you don't consider that important, I'm sure she is not offended anymore. As for that day, I believe she just needed to lash out at you for a bit. And if I know her like I do, she most likely regrets half of what she said."

Suddenly, she stopped walking, compelling me to stop as well. Throughout our conversation I paid no attention to the course we had taken. I found it was best I had not, since I might have excused myself to avoid facing Matsumoto Rangiku.

The black-haired Fukutaicho had taken me to the blonde's residence, which was located inside the tenth division. I was surprised by Ise Nanao's assumption that, regardless of what I could say during the conversation, she would be able to find a way to convince me to talk to her friend.

By the time I noticed this, the Fukutaicho had turned her back on me, walking away from my position in front of the blonde's house.

---------------X-------------

He's at the door! He's at the door! Byakuya's at the door! *Fangirl screams* haha...

I don't have much to say because anything I mention could spoil things for you. Perhaps all I have to say is that Byakuya's a little conflicted. He's gone on about how he needs to see her, but now that he's there, in front of her door, it's a different story. Can't wait for you to read chapter 14, it's going to be awesome!

I've two special shout-outs to make: first, to rkfollower. I would've loved to see the expression in your face after reading the chapter. See? I told you it was easy to see it if you thought symmetry :). Secondly, to my secret weapon. This story wouldn't be the same without you. I hope you're not that much of a secret weapon that even you don't know who you are. Thanks so much for your help ^.^

Also, a quick shout-out to all of you who've left reviews and those who are keeping up with the updates. Thank you so very much. It's always nice to hear your opinions. I hope you continue to like the story.

Ok, the story is nearing 50 comments and I'm thinking of giving away some prizes, in the shapes of fics of course. So, the third and fourth reviewers get a drabble, on which ever Bleach character/pairing you choose. I don't mind writing slash, but I draw my line there. No pedophilia or incest please! From there on, I'm cool. If we reach 50 comments this week, then the lucky number 50 will also get a drabble. I'll contact the winners through PM, and the drabbles will be posted the same day as the update (friday). I'm not sure if I'll keep this up until the end of the story. I'd like to, but let's see how the experiment works this week. Also, I want to try and write other characters, and drabbles are a nice way to experiment, so it's a win-win situation :)

Knowing this, leave your comments people. I love reading what you have to say!.... Have a great week! I most likely won't, but I hope you do.