Back in Las Noches, the new capital city of Mexico which is the mafia's stronghold, a white building stood on a high hill where the current mafia boss resided with his underlings. Two men were confronting each other.
"Why on earth didn't he send us to pick up that brat for him?!" One of the figures argued angrily while lighting a cigarette.
"You know how He is. He doesn't share his opinions with us. He must have something in mind but. You should try to relax and not take it so personal."
"Damn you self-centred fk! And damn that guy! Always keeping your bloody cool and looking all high and mighty!" The angry man punched the wall, crushing his cigarette angrily as he stomped away from the calm Ulquiorra.
As the first figure disappeared, Ichimaru Gin emerged from the shadows, "What is Grimmjow so wounded up for?"
"hmph," the calm Ulquiorra walked away silently, as if he felt revolted by being in the presence of the other man.
Grimmjow left the base angrily; he pulled his coat tighter against the chilly wind and mounted his bike silently. He was still brooding angrily at the fact that The Boss had issued a bounty on that Kuchiki brat rather then sending one of his hitman, known as The Espada. But Grimmjow wasn't going to allow his pride to be stomped on by some cheap bounty hunter. Rather, he'd kill anyone and get the kid back on his own initiative. He'd show that smug Ichimaru and the righteous Tousen that even if he wasn't an obedient dog like them, he'd still be able to get a job done effectively. Grimmjow started his bike and left Las Noches, even though it was late during the night, people in this city were still awake, clubs were still open, gamblers were trying to make a fortune, drug addicts were trying to get a fix and gangs were shooting out on each other with no regards to any innocent people being involved.
As Rukia's eyes met with Ichigo's, she felt sadness filling her heart. She felt cornered and disappointed in herself at getting caught. Then she noticed Ichigo's eyes trailing after the photo as it fell slowly to the floor. She grabbed the opportunity as he lost focus to knee him savagely in his groin. As he doubled over in pain and shock she grabbed his head and slammed it violently against her knee. She then sprinted off as Ichigo fell dazedly to the floor. His vision blurred and he felt the room spinning around him as he closed his eyes and tried to slow his breathing.
Rukia sprinted out of the building but was immediately stopped in her tracks. A sandstorm had picked up; the abandoned building was in the midst of a powerful torrent of sand and wind. Rukia went back inside the building, gasping for breath and looking in alarm around the building for any sign of escape. She was blocked in a building with an armed man who seemed to be chasing after her. She walked around the lobby slowly, deep in thought as she formed her resolve to fight the bounty hunter. She hid herself behind what used to be the reception desk, and clutched her sword strongly. She cursed her luck at the choice of weapon. But since she looked really young, nobody would sell her any firearm. Also, when she was arrested she had to give up her own fire-arm, so all she could procure for herself was a sword. Rukia closed her eyes as she waited and flashbacks of her graduation day flooded her mind.
After being adopted by the Kuchiki family, Rukia was enrolled in the academy to train as an officer. Their hope was that she would eventually attain the title of Sheriff, as her brother had before her. Rukia had trained really hard; she wanted to rise up to their expectations. After she completed her studies, she had graduated and was assigned under the direction of Sheriff Ukitake and Vice-sheriff Kaien Shiba. Every officer was given a badge for recognition, a uniform, and a sword. The sword was only used for the board-meetings where nobody was allowed to carry a gun. Her sword had a beautiful white sheath made of mother pearl. On it she had a soaring black dragon which was made of black pearl too. It was a very expensive gift that her brother had given her for her graduation and it was extremely precious to her.
Rukia looked down at her sword; it was the only evidence she had of her previous life now. A shadow of what once had been a happy and successful existence. She was grateful that she had managed to steal her sword back before fleeing the city of Ensenada. Her escape had happened on the night before being sent to Seireitei for her execution. Rukia felt warm tears rolling down her cheeks as she saw her brother's cold expression and disappointment when he heard about her crime for the first time. She had fallen silent and accepted the harsh punishment. However when she saw the traitor who was an inside-man for the mafia, talking with Sheriff Ukitake about her case, she knew that she couldn't give up. That she had to fight somehow and try to clear her name and give light to everything that had happened on that night. Rukia now shook her head to clear it of these heavy thoughts. She couldn't get caught now. Not when she was a step closer to the truth. She had to justify his death at least…
She stiffened up as she heard footsteps approaching. It was the bounty hunter from before; he was rubbing his head as he walked towards the door. He pulled it open, but to his surprise, the world outside was engulfed in sand. He un-holstered his gun swiftly as he turned around and started to look for Rukia. He disappeared from the lobby as he searched the building. Ichigo was starting to get annoyed. After travelling all the way to this god forsaken town, he gets beat up by a midget and imprisoned in this old building with that pest, AND now he has to look all over for her. After walking a few steps away from the lobby, Ichigo decided to stay put and wait for her to come to him instead of vice-versa. So he re-entered the lobby, looked over at the reception desk and jumped behind it to hide himself. And to his surprise, the midget was right there- hiding behind the desk with an unsheathed sword ready for him as she impaled him in his abdomen with it. She looked horrified as his body slid down the blade and as he collapsed onto her.
Ichigo dropped his gun as he swore beneath his breath; "Damn it brat! I've just recovered!" With that Ichigo lost consciousness for the second time on that day because of Rukia.