Renji was sitting on his bed after the mysterious person who had appeared before him had left. This person's visit so late at night was a surprise for Renji. As a new morning dawned, Renji was still contemplating about the man's message. Finally, Renji stood up and cursed under his breath as he packed some things.

"Sheriff Kuchiki is going to serve my balls on a golden platter after this!" the red head muttered quietly as he left his room and the still sleeping city on his motorbike.

As he drove quietly through the city of Seireitei, Renji couldn't help himself from reminiscing. He recalled when Rukia and he were still young, living with Padre Yasutora. Their friends had still been alive and Renji had gotten angry when the other two had started quarrelling on who would marry Rukia when they were older. Renji smiled at himself as he recalled admonishing them for having such childish and love struck thoughts. When in actual fact Renji was the one who had been thinking that he would protect and be there for her for all eternity.

Renji sped on his motorbike as the bitter tears stung his eyes. His vision blurred slightly and he cursed the tears away angrily. He felt a lesser man for being unable to protect his dearest friend. And now he was breaking the rules again in an attempt to put things right again- to clear her name and bring her home.

……………………………………………………………………………………………..…………

Seireitei was very busy during this time of the year, following the general meeting of the Sheriffs. All of the senior officers were still in the city, trying to take care of a myriad of things before returning to their respective locations. As Sheriff Hitsugaya was bustling around, from one meeting to the next, his Vice-Sheriff was absent. She had left for Karakura town to continue her part-time job at Urahara's saloon. She kept this job secret and would have come up with the excuse that she needed it as an inspiration for her erotic books if her Sheriff would ever get to know this. She smiled mischievously at her reflection in the mirror as she arranged herself for her favourite client. She could imagine Hitsugaya Toushiro turning red as he reprimanded her for partaking in such illicit activities. Matsumoto opened the door after her client had knocked twice and to her surprise it was the owner of the saloon, Urahara Kisuke, who was on the other side of the door. He closed the door behind him and passed her a small pen drive.

"I need you to go back to Seireitei and give this to my contact. It is highly confidential; so make sure that you don't lose it."

Matsumoto sighed as she slipped the pen drive into her bra. "I know, I know. You don't have to repeat this every time Kisuke."

Urahara nodded as he left the room, satisfied that the valuable data would arrive safely to his contact.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

Rukia woke up feeling very dazed and distant. She felt disconnected from her own body, which seemed to be moving on its own accord. Her mind seemed to be in the backseat and she was part of the audience, watching the act that her body was performing. She couldn't remember what had happened prior to her opening her eyes in the sterile room. She didn't even know her name or what her appearance was like.

She looked up expectantly as she heard a knock on the door, which opened slowly as a soft voice called out to her: "Shirayuki are you awake?"

It was a petite girl with dark hair. She smiled at the befuddled Rukia and entered the room, closing the door behind her.

"Hello, I'm Momo Hinamori. Do you remember me?" Momo paused as she waited for a reply; however Rukia just kept staring at her. "I'm here to help and support you. So if you need anything just ask. Ok?"

Rukia could only nod as the words wouldn't form and she couldn't verbalise anything. Momo frowned as she sat beside Rukia on the bed. She took her hand gently and pushed a strand of hair away from Rukia's face.

"Your name is Shirayuki. You just suffered a terrible accident and you were badly hurt. But you're safe now. Master Aizen has taken you into our family and we protect each other. That's why you'll need to start training soon- because it is our duty to serve Master Aizen as thanks to his protection." Momo got up slowly as she tried to hide her worried expression. She thought that Shirayuki looked too lifeless; her eyes were dull like a dolls and she was as unresponsive.

"You should rest a bit more. I'll come again in an hour and then we'll have lunch." Momo closed the door quietly behind her and left to look for Szayel Aporro.

He was in his office, speaking with Aizen who beckoned Momo to enter and update them on Shirayuki.

"Something feels off," Momo explained worriedly. "She's not talking; she's very passive and un-reactive. Are you sure that she will be fine?"

"Don't worry my dear" Aizen replied sweetly as he patted the girl's hand. "Shirayuki has just experienced a severe trauma, so her recovery will be slow. Rest assured that she will be fine. Just treat her in the same way that you treat Kira. After all, she has a special talent just like you."

Aizen kissed the girl's cheek and then ushered her out of the office tenderly. He then closed the door firmly and looked at the grinning scientist.

"You are one smooth talker master Aizen."

Aizen sighed as he sat down again opposite the scientist.

"We have to fully suppress Rukia's consciousness- especially since she's been away from our influence for such a long time. The new inhibitor that I've planted in her brain will take care of this though. Her aggression and skills will be uninhibited, which will make her potentially dangerous. However, since she won't be acting on her awareness she'll have to obey us like a faithful dog. She'll be easy to manipulate… as easy as your dear pet Momo." Szayel chuckled uncaringly.

"I don't manipulate Momo; she follows me out of admiration. As long as I don't break her illusion of trust she'll do as I bid. Sadly, admiration is the state farthest from understanding." Aizen stated as he got up slowly and issued the last order.

"Make sure that the arrancar and the other subjects are ready. When we receive news of the date, we shall attack with all our might and we will wipe the cursed Organisation from the wipe face of the earth!"

……………………………………………………………………………………………….