A/N: laughingspider, I'll definitely think about it! I hadn't had any plans for Ichigo to travel to the human world, but I can see why that might be fun, so I might add them in later on. ^^

BosRonald, my bad. I seemed to remember that from somewhere, but after doing research, realized that I was remembering it from the movie (Memories of Nobody) which isn't technically canon. Sooo…yeah. As a compromise, since that concept's filtered its way into other parts of the story, including Phases, (easily fixed, since the whole 'getting lost in Rukongai' thing is still a bad enough deterrent to stop Isshin and Ichigo from letting Yuzu/Karin enter SS via konsou)can we say that some memories occasionally get scrambled during the crossover until I have time to do a full-scale edit?

Incidentally, to stave off some confusion, I will point out that the 'Yuichi' that I created for this story (the OC on Kiyomizu's side) is NOT the same Yuichi as the kid in Bleach who was trapped in a parakeet. It's an unfortunate accident. Bleach has so many characters that I knew I was playing a dangerous game using common Japanese names…*sigh*.

ByaYuzu begins this chapter. Enjoy! Also, fighting! Best part about writing Bleach fights? I get to ignore gravity.

Also, finally, Karin gets to show off a bit. I'll explain the ability she just used in the next chapter, but for now, enjoy Ongetsu, everyone~

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. At all.

Chapter 18: A time for truth

The southeastern section of Inuzuri was in chaos, civilians packing the streets as they fought to get away from the chaos just ahead. Yuzu spared the mess beneath them a quick glance as she appeared in the air, quickly disappearing again as she fought to keep up with Byakuya. The captain continued towards the site of the explosion with single-minded determination, taking rapid flash steps. Her heart hammered in her chest just from the effort of keeping up.

They appeared in the air above the disturbance site, and in that single pause, Yuzu managed to take in the battle beneath them. On the ground, Shiyougi and Koyanagi appeared engaged by what looked like a group of Hollows, swords drawn. In the distance, a pillar of earth erupted rooftop of what was once a house, the tiles around the pillar broken and charred. She had no doubt that that was the site of the explosion.

"Taicho!" shouted a voice from below them. Yuzu turned toward the sound, seeing Yamagishi leaping towards them, one hand on his zanpakuto. He was bleeding from a gash across his chest, but it didn't seem to bother him as he gestured frantically at the pillar. "Taicho, Okada's trapped in there!"

Byakuya glanced once at the pillar, before looking away. "Kurosaki," he said sharply.

"Hai!" The two of them vanished, parting ways in the air as Yuzu rushed towards the earthen structure. Byakuya continued northward, disappearing from sight.

She hit the top of the pillar at a run, skidding to a stop across its surface. It was solid stone beneath her, unyielding. She stared. The pillar looked like it had risen up straight from the earth, tearing through the house and everything else in its wake. If Okada was trapped inside it—

—No, she told herself, reaching for her sword. She couldn't think about that now. She just had to focus on getting Okada out.

She drew Jungetsu, slashing at the ground. The zanpakuto bounced off the stone, barely cutting a line into it. Yuzu took a deep breath, holding her sword out in front of her. It had been worth a try. She moved the sword so that she was holding it diagonally, prepared to call for the release.

"Reflect—."

A sound rang through the air, a sharp crack like a gunshot. Yuzu's eyes widened, and she jumped back, the bullet striking the ground at her feet. Violet smoke erupted from the area, filling her vision. She coughed as she landed, her left arm thrown up over her nose and mouth as she spun, whirling towards the shooter. Two more shots fired, rushing towards her. Yuzu quickly threw herself to the side, barely dodging the first bullet. It formed into a blade of light, stabbing the air in the space where she had just been.

She spun out of the way of the second, leaping up and landing back down onto the top of the pillar. The force of her landing cleared the air in a circle around her, the smoke billowing outward from her landing spot. She held Jungetsu's unreleased form in one hand, scanning the smoke-filled space in front of her.

The barrel of a rifle slammed into her back, a hand grabbing her shoulder to keep her there. She froze, her eyes wide as she tried to look over her shoulder towards it. Jin, the shooter from before stood behind her, his gun in hand.

A shot rang through the air. It tore through Yuzu's chest, and the image of her vanished, shattering into shards of light. Jin whirled, catching sight of something out of the corner of his eye.

"Getsuga Tenshou!"

Two crescent-shaped blades of blue light tore through the air towards Jin, ripping through the smoke and fog in their wake. His eyes widened, and he threw up his arm to defend himself shooting into the air. The bullet exploded into a web of light, the two Getsugas crashing into it and driving away the rest of the smoke, dust flying up in the blasts' wake. Yuzu landed on the ground in front of Jin, Jungetsu's fans in her hands. Her heart pounded with the speed with which she had had to make the switch, the blades at the end of the fans regenerating after the attack.

"Cero."

Yuzu's eyes widened, and she jumped into the air, barely dodging the blast of red light. It tore through the air, slamming down onto the pillar beneath her and forming cracks in the earth. She whirled, raising her left-hand fan, and barely managed to block the blow as Catalina appeared in the air in front of her, her zanpakuto clenched in both hands. She was grinning, the gesture exposing her teeth.

"What?" she asked Yuzu, looking up at her from over Jungetsu's fan. "No tricks for me?"

Yuzu's eyes narrowed, and she shifted her grip on her right-hand fan, snapping it closed and reversing her hold. The reiatsu blades extended slightly as she slashed forward, aiming at Catalina's midsection. The Arrancar jumped back, the two of them disappearing in the air as they sprang away from each other. Yuzu slid backwards in the air as she reappeared, and then didn't waste any time, flash-stepping towards Catalina. She raised the fan in her left hand, aiming a slash at Catalina's neck. The Arrancar blocked it, catching the fan with the hilt of her zanpakuto and knocking it aside. The zanpakuto's blade caught the second fan just as Yuzu moved to strike with it, the two of them beginning to fall through the air.

Catalina grinned at her from over their weapons. "You just can't fight straightforwardly, can you?" she asked. "What are you going to do when you run out of tricks?"

Yuzu's response was to tighten her grip on Jungetsu's fans as they plummeted, channeling her reiatsu into the tines.

"Haneame," she said.

Compressed reiatsu shot through the hollow tines, a rain of blue needles moving towards Catalina at point-blank range. Catalina let out a grunt of pain as the needles struck her, shoving her backwards into the air. She threw up an arm over her face to protect herself, the needles cutting thin lines into the skin of her upper arms and into her cheek. Yuzu jumped backwards, rising higher in the air as Catalina crashed into the rooftop of the nearest building, tiles and wood splintering in her wake.

A blast of red shot out from the dust, shooting towards Yuzu, and she quickly flash stepped out of the way, her eyes wide. The Cero crashed into the stone pillar behind her, rending a crack in the earth, but not cutting all the way through. She turned, just in time to see Catalina appear in the air in front of her, grinning. She was bleeding from a handful of small cuts, but those didn't seem to bother her, and she spun in the air, stabbing her zanpakuto straight at Yuzu's chest.

Yuzu took in a breath, activating Shinkyo. The world rippled, and she fell away, flash stepping above and behind Catalina and leaving an image of herself behind. Catalina would have no idea that she was attacking an illusion, not until the attack actually connected. For a few precious seconds, she was free to move. For a few heartbeats, she could attack.

It was Jungetsu's ultimate shikai ability, her true power, and the one she used the least. But when she did use it, it had never failed her. It was—

Catalina's zanpakuto stopped inches from the false Yuzu's neck.

Yuzu's eyes widened as the Arrancar suddenly looked over her shoulder, smirking in her direction. She spun, slashing upwards into the air, the zanpakuto cutting upwards in a wide arc. Yuzu raised her fans quickly to protect herself, but she had been in the middle of attacking—she had been completely open. Catalina's sword skittered beneath Jungetsu's fans, and she felt it pierce skin. The Arrancar followed it up by grabbing onto Yuzu's wrist and pivoting neatly in the air, slamming her into the stone pillar. The impact knocked the wind out of her, and Yuzu let out a gasp of pain as the Shinkyo's effects faded away, the copy of herself shattering.

She stared at Catalina, for a moment uncomprehending.

"H—How—?"

Catalina smirked, looking down at her from where she stood in the air. She gave her sword a quick flick, blood splattering off the end of it. "First rule of fighting illusionists," she said. "Never trust an opening. It makes you really predictable, when you think about it like that. Now, let's see. Where were we?" She raised her sword, pointing it at Yuzu. Her smirk widened. "Oh, right. You were dying."

Yuzu rolled out of the way quickly as the Cero tore through the air, pushing herself out of the crater Catalina had thrown her into. Her chest burned with the effort—she didn't dare look down to see how badly she had been cut—but she could still move. She leapt up into the air, trying to gain the high ground, but Catalina intercepted her, appearing in the air beside her before she could blink.

Yuzu raised her fans, blocking Catalina's blow, but the force behind it sent her flying, crashing down on top of the stone pillar. Before she could get up, Catalina whirled in the air, pointing her sword at her and touching two fingers to the blade.

"This is the end," she said, her sword glowing. "Flutter, Mariposa."

Scarlet light engulfed Catalina, hiding her form. Yuzu pushed herself up with her arms, trying to get up off the ground. A gust of wind shot downward from the orb of light, slamming her back into the pillar. She grit her teeth, sucking in a breath as the wind was knocked out of her again.

The light cleared, revealing Catalina's released form. White plates had grown over her arms, torso, and legs, making her look like she was wearing armor. Over her hands, they became gauntlets, tapering off into claws at the end of each finger. Her mask fragment, once just a small piece that could have been mistaken for a hair accessory, had grown as well, forming a circlet around her head. But by far the largest difference between this version of Catalina and the previous one were the translucent, shimmering wings that had formed on her back.

Butterfly wings.

A column of air hovered in front of her, pinning Yuzu to the surface of the pillar. She couldn't move. She could barely raise her head. It was all she could do to look straight upward, at the Arrancar hovering above her.

"Second rule of fighting illusionists," said Catalina, sounding smug. "Trap them. If they can't move, it doesn't matter what else they can do. What's the matter, Yuzu-chan? Can't run away?" She smiled. "Jin."

A dark shape moved in the corner of Yuzu's vision. Yuzu's eyes widened, and she turned her head to the side as far as she was able. Jin knelt beside her, just at the edge of the circle of wind. He stared at her, his expression impassive, and slowly raised his gun, leveling the barrel so that it was aimed just between her eyes. She struggled to move, but the wind held her down tight—she couldn't even lift her fans.

Jin's hand moved, his finger inching towards the trigger, and Yuzu's whole world shrank into the barrel of that gun.

"Arise, Tenryuga!"

Jin jumped out of the way as a sword crashed down overhead, slamming into the pillar right where he had been standing. His shot went wild, flying through a point just over Yuzu's head. He turned towards Shiyougi, who had attacked him, but the third seat was already gone, flash stepping into the air towards Catalina. She raised her arm, blocking his strike with her hand, but in doing so had to release her grip on the winds. Yuzu scrambled to her feet as the pressure on her eased, quickly snatching up her fans.

In the air above her, Shiyougi and Catalina hovered, Shiyougi's sword caught between Catalina's claws. Shiyougi's blade had transformed into a huge nodachi with a red and gold hilt. A red tassel hung from the end of the hilt, catching the wind.

Catalina snarled in anger, flapping her wings slightly and flying backwards in the air. She slid her hand out from under Shiyougi's and sword and slashed with her claws, the blow strong enough to send him flying back.

"Shiyougi!" Yuzu shouted, raising her fans.

Shiyougi stabbed his sword into the pillar as he flew back, using it to stop himself. He jerked to a stop, landing on his feet. "I'm fine!" he told her. "Go!"

Yuzu nodded, launching herself into the air. She unfurled her right-hand fan and spun around, the reiatsu blades at the end of the fan's tines becoming a thin Getsuga Tenshou. Catalina raised both her arms to block it, but as she did, Yuzu snapped her second fan closed, tossing it underhand at the Arrancar. It shot through the air, the sash between the fans elongating as it flew, and slipped beneath Catalina's guard. The Arrancar snarled in anger, banking to the side, but the fan grazed her torso as it flew past, slicing through the armor.

Yuzu tugged on the sash as Catalina advanced towards her, the fan snapping smoothly back into her hand. She flash stepped backwards as the Arrancar neared, Catalina's claws aimed for her face. She wasn't quite quick enough. The tip of one claw caught her in the cheek, cutting a thin line across the side of her face. Yuzu ignored it, charging forward while Catalina was open and lashing out with her fans. Catalina blocked them, raising her gauntlets to her face. The Arrancar gave her a vicious grin.

"What? Nothing to save yourself from that one?" she asked, her eyes moving towards the cut on Yuzu's cheek.

"This is nothing," said Yuzu, her eyes narrowed as she and Catalina pushed against each other. It was a small, shallow cut, barely worth mentioning.

Catalina grinned anyway. "Hm," she said. "I wonder if you'll be thinking that later."

The two of them sprang apart and came together again, clashing in the air. Their blades moved, their attacks carrying them further and further away from the battle.

Mari and Karin had barely reached the front door of the house when alarms began to ring, an angry beeping sound coming from the front pocket of Mari's jacket. Mari reached for it, eyes wide, but Karin didn't need to wait for confirmation. As soon as the beeping began, she felt it, a wave of reiatsu pulsing through the air. She turned, her eyes wide, just in time to see Kusanagi's gate thrown open, the two halves of the wooden gate springing apart and crashing into the walls as though they had been pushed apart by a hurricane.

Her eyes narrowed, and she charged forward, freeing Ongetsu from its sheath. Behind her, Yumichika moved as well, a released Fuji Kujaku in his hand. They both rushed forward, towards the figures at the gate—

—and crashed into a barrier, rising up in front of them and blocking their advance. Karin bounced against the barrier's surface, letting out a curse. Beside her, Yumichika, who had been moving faster, crashed against it as well, with enough force to send him flying back into the wall that had sprung up behind them. He slid down across the sloping wall, coming to a stop near the center.

He stood up, looking around. "This is…" he began.

Karin nodded, rubbing at her shoulder. "Tozansho," she said. Bakudo # 73, Tozansho. A spell that encased the target in an inverted pyramid. It wasn't the sort of spell she would ever attempt herself—her own kido abilities hadn't matured much past pulling off a Sokatsui if she had to, but she knew how it worked.

Her eyes narrowed, and she peered through the barrier, glaring at the figures who stood on the other side. Outside of the pyramid that she and Yumichika were trapped in, the members of Kusanagi stood, preparing for a fight. Karin heard the door to the house open as Yasui came running out, coming to stand next to Mari.

Hamano Tomoe, third in command of the New Dawn, smiled, a smirk on her face and one hand resting on the skirt of her school uniform. She raised her hands, gesturing expansively at them. On her right side stood the Arrancar from before—Sieg. On her left stood a man that Karin didn't know. Another member of the New Dawn, she guessed.

"Hello, shinigami," she said, eyeing Karin and Yumichika. "Do you like the barrier? It's a present from Hanako-sama. Top-rated kido and virtually impenetrable. We can't have you interfering with our business here, after all."

"Your business here?" asked Karin, her eyes narrowed. Her hand tightened around Ongetsu's hilt.

Hamano's smile widened. "A little pest control." Karin scowled, watching as Hamano raised her hand, gesturing at Kusanagi. "Siegel-sama."

Sieg nodded, beginning to draw his sword. Behind her, Kusanagi's members waited, expressions grim. Against a powered human like Hamano, they might have won. Against an Arrancar, they had no hope.

Her scowl deepened, and she raised her sword, pointing it at Hamano through the barrier.

"Reveal yourself," she said. "Ongetsu."

Shadows wreathed the blade, Ongetsu's sealed form shifting into that of its shikai. She caught hold of the shaft of the scythe with her other hand, holding it down in front of her, the shaft in both hands so that the edge pointed down. Hamano frowned, looking back at her.

"Didn't I tell you?" she asked. "That barrier is impenetrable. Don't waste your energy. We'll have plenty of time for you later."

Karin ignored her. "Oi, Yumichika," she said, glancing back at the shinigami behind her. "Stand back."

"Oho?" Yumichika smirked, jumping back so that he was standing on the sloped wall behind him, as far away from Karin as he could manage. "Getting serious, Karin-chan?"

Karin said nothing, channeling her energy into Ongetsu's blade. The scythe began to glow, the entire surface of it shining with an aura that seemed to suck in all light. Reiatsu spread outwards from her, spiritual pressure slamming into the ground at her feet. She raised the scythe.

"I told you," said Hamano. "It's useless. Don't bother—."

Karin let out a loud shout, swinging the scythe down as hard as it could.

Ongetsu's tip struck the barrier, and it shattered with a noise like thunder, the blast exploding outwards. It slammed into Hamano, cutting her off mid-sentence and throwing her back. Karin swept Ongetsu's scythe in front of her, the last remnants of the barrier fading. She held it in her right hand, glaring at Hamano as the girl tried to pick herself up off the ground.

"That's impossible," she said, eyes wide. "Hanako-sama's barrier…" She stared at Karin, as if seeing her for the first time. "Who are you?"

"Kurosaki Karin," said Karin, gripping onto her scythe with both hands. "Fourth seat of the Eleventh Division. You might have heard of Ichigo, my brother." She scowled, spiritual pressure rippling outwards from her. Hamano's eyes widened, her hand flying to her throat from the force of it. "But by the end of the day, I'll make you wish you'd faced him instead of me."

The streets of Inuzuri were empty, most of the village's civilians having run at the first sign of trouble. Byakuya moved easily across the rooftops of the deserted city, the sounds of battle echoing behind him. He ignored them, focusing on the presence ahead of him. It was faint, the reiatsu signature barely detectable, but what little of it he could feel was troubling.

His mind went back to the meeting he had had with Kurosaki Ichigo, just that morning.

Byakuya looked up as the door to his office opened, admitting the other captain. Kurosaki Ichigo looked preoccupied, a deep frown on his face as he shut the office door behind him. He didn't greet Byakuya, but Byakuya had learned long ago not to expect anything resembling proper manners from him. Ichigo paused as the door closed, his eyes moving over Kurosaki Yuzu's empty desk.

"Yuzu?" he asked.

"Errands," Byakuya replied, putting down his pen. He hadn't missed the look his vice-captain had given him as he sent her from the office. Somehow or another, she knew about the meeting. A glance at Ichigo told him that her brother hadn't come to the same conclusion. Byakuya frowned, but said nothing more on the subject, setting the papers he was working on aside and looking up at Ichigo. "You wanted to speak to me, of the matter we previously discussed."

"Yeah," said Ichigo. He took a breath, then ran his hand through his hair, a frustrated scowl on his face. "Dammit, Byakuya, are you sure—?"

"As I said before," said Byakuya, interrupting him. "I know what I felt. Do not ask me again."

"Fine," said Ichigo, lowering his hands. He looked unhappy with it, and Byakuya found that he couldn't blame him. As much as possible, he didn't want to believe in what he had felt in Tokyo either, but there was a difference between what he wanted to be true and what was. Ichigo clenched his hand into a fist. "I went to check on…" He paused, his eyes moving towards the door. Byakuya followed his gaze, understanding the need for caution. He didn't truly believe that any member of his Division would listen in on this sort of conversation, but then again, he hadn't believed that three captains would abandon their posts to wage war on Soul Society, and they had.

"…our friend," Ichigo finished, saying the word like it left a bad taste in his mouth. "Yesterday."

"You saw him personally?" asked Byakuya, frowning.

"Hell, no," said Ichigo. "I'm not insane. I got as far as the outside of his cell. But he hasn't moved. He's still there."

Byakuya's frown deepened. "I know what I—."

"—I know," said Ichigo, cutting him off. "You know what you felt. I get it. I believe you. I just—damn it!" He swung his fist around, slamming it into the side of the office wall. Books rattled in their shelves, threatening to fall over. Byakuya fixed Ichigo with a cool glare, but said nothing. "This was supposed to be over," said Ichigo once he had collected himself. His eyes landed on Yuzu's desk, and Byakuya thought he could tell what he was thinking. He lowered his hand to his side.

"I understand the sentiment," he said. "But if there is even the remotest possibility that it is not…"

"I know," said Ichigo. "We have to be ready for it. I get that. But damn it, I wish Yuzu and Karin didn't have to get involved."

Byakuya said nothing, turning his attention back to his desk. He waited for Ichigo to speak, deciding that silence was preferable to his brother-in-law taking out his anger on the architecture of his office. After a few moments, Ichigo sighed, considering the desk in front of him with the air of someone coming to terms with a difficult truth. Byakuya looked up.

"Take care of her," said Ichigo, his eyes fixed on Yuzu's desk. "She won't let me do it—neither of them will. But they're family. I…" He trailed off, shaking his head. Byakuya frowned, studying him.

"You want me to keep her from the frontlines," said Byakuya.

"You're her captain," said Ichigo, looking back at him. "You could do that, if you wanted to."

"I could," said Byakuya, looking back at his desk. He picked up the papers he had set aside, a signal that the meeting was now over. "But I will not."

"That's what I thought you'd say," said Ichigo, turning towards the door. "Still…it was worth a shot."

Byakuya listened to the other captain's footsteps fading away, and considered saying nothing. He picked up his pen, then exhaled, setting it back down again.

"She is stronger than you give her credit for," he said, causing Ichigo to look back over his shoulder at him from the door. "As you explained to me so succinctly with Rukia, there is a difference between protecting and smothering. I would not hold back a vice-captain of the Gotei 13 to put you at ease, and she would not thank you if I did."

Ichigo paused for a moment to take in his words, then let out a long sigh, running his hand over his face. "I hate it when you're right," he said.

"It's been known to happen on occasion," said Byakuya, looking back at his papers.

Ichigo blinked. "Hmm?"

"A joke."

Ichigo made a face. "Don't do that," he said. "It's creepy when you do it."

He decided that that did not merit a response.

Byakuya flash stepped into one of the deserted streets, looking around. His quarry had come to a halt, stopping somewhere just ahead of him. That elusive reiatsu signature he had been chasing filtered through the air, more potent now than it had been in Tokyo. Earlier, during his meeting with Kurosaki Ichigo, he had been uncertain. Now, though…

He saw something moving out of the corner of his eye and turned, his hand on his sword.

"I had a feeling you'd be the one to come after us," said a feminine voice.

Byakuya looked up, turning his attention to the rooftop above him. Kiyomizu Hanako sat at the edge of the roof, her legs dangling over the side. She smiled at him, her hands neatly folded on her lap.

"Catalina thought it would be Kurosaki Ichigo," she said, "And Yuichi bet on Hitsugaya. But you and I both know, don't we, Kuchiki Byakuya, that you can't leave anything alone. Not when it interferes with your precious definition of duty."

Byakuya said nothing, recognizing the taunting for what it was. Kiyomizu smiled, pushing off from the rooftop with her hands and landing neatly on the street. It was too far a fall for an ordinary human to manage easily, lending credence to what Hitsugaya Toshiro had reported from his meeting with the informant—that this woman wasn't human. That she had never been.

"Are you afraid of me, Kuchiki-taicho?" she asked, walking closer to him.

"Don't be stupid," said Byakuya, his eyes narrowing. He reached for Senbonzakura. "I am not afraid."

"Hmm?" Kiyomizu sounded amused, one hand raised to her face. "Your mouth says one thing, but your body says another. If you aren't afraid of me, you are afraid of what I can do. You shinigami have such a limited view of reality. Shall I…shatter it for you?"

"Who are you?" asked Byakuya, beginning to draw his sword. Her smile only widened.

"Why, Byakuya," she said. "If you have to ask, you already know."

A crashing sound not too far from him drew his attention, two very familiar reiatsus warring in the air. He glanced at it, catching sight of his vice-captain in the air above his head, fighting what appeared to be a released Catalina Falza, then looked back at Kiyomizu, his sword drawn.

The street in front of him was empty. She was gone, along with any trace that she had ever been there.

He frowned, his eyes narrowing, but quickly turned his attention to Yuzu as the clash of blades rang through the air. His vice-captain was holding her own, but she was struggling, her opponent clearly overpowering her. Byakuya watched as she slashed, the force of the blow strong enough to break through Yuzu's defense and fling her backwards. Making his decision, Byakuya raised his sword, flash stepping into the air.

"Scatter," he said. "Senbonzakura."

The sword flew apart into its signature petals, the slender blades shooting towards Catalina. She scowled, flash stepping away as they came crashing into the air, where she had been standing.

He caught his vice-captain as she fell, landing neatly on the ground and setting her on her feet. Catalina did not reappear. Byakuya turned his attention to the sky, waiting, but when it was clear that no attack was forthcoming, he lowered his hand to his side, letting Senbonzakura's blade reform as he studied Yuzu.

She was bleeding from a small cut around her abdomen and another on her cheek and looked exhausted and bruised, but other than that, relatively unhurt. He watched as she took a step back, her zanpakuto slowly returning to its unreleased state.

"Kurosaki?" he asked.

"I'm fine, taicho," she said, sheathing her sword. "It's nothing." Her eyes moved towards the sky. "Is she gone?"

"It would appear so," said Byakuya. He considered telling Yuzu about Kiyomizu now, about the things that he and Ichigo had discussed. It would be…prudent at this point. But now, in the open streets of Inuzuri after a battle, was probably not the time. She took another step away, glancing in the direction she had just come from. "Okada-san is still trapped inside the pillar," she said. "And Shiyougi-san is fighting the shooter—Jin. He's here. There are also Hollows. Taicho, we need to…"

She blinked, raising a hand to her head. Byakuya frowned, stepping towards her.

"…Kurosaki?"

Yuzu shook her head as if to clear it, and Byakuya realized that her face was pale, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

"Taicho…" she said, trying again. Her speech sounded slurred. "We need to…"

She swayed, suddenly losing her footing. Without thinking, Byakuya reached out, catching her with one arm. She fell back, her head landing on his chest. Her eyes were half-closed, her breathing coming in heavy pants. She was suddenly burning up, he realized, the heat coming off of her in waves.

His eyes widened a fraction, falling on the wound on her cheek. "Kurosaki," he said, more urgently.

"Sorry…" she mumbled, under her breath. "I just feel…a little woozy…just need…I just need…"

"Poison," he said, his eyes widening further as he realized what it had to be. "Kurosaki, stay awake. Kurosaki—."

"…I am, taicho…" Yuzu mumbled. "I…am…"

That was the last thing she said before she went limp against him, falling into unconsciousness.

TO BE CONTINUED

A/N: Mariposa is Catalina's zanpakuto. Its name is Spanish for "butterfly". Its release command is "flutter". It's probably the least intimidating deadly weapon I have created in my life…at least appearance-wise. Like the canon Espadas, Catalina and her partner Siegel represent aspects of death. Catalina represents vain ambition, and Siegel represents lost dreams. You should be starting to get an idea of what's going on by now, but this arc will make it clear.

Tenryuga (天龍牙 lit. heavenly dragon fang) is Shiyougi Hideki's zanpakuto. Its appearance is based off a changdao, a Chinese anti-cavalry sword. Its release command is "arise".

Omake: The First Days of Spring 04

"Kita michi to yukisaki furikaereba itsudemo okubyou na me wo shite ita boku

Mukiaitai demo sunao ni narenai

Massugu ni aite wo aisenai hibi wo…"

When I turn back at the road I came from and the way ahead, I always had the eyes of a coward

I want to face you, but I can't be honest

As for the days I repeated not being able to straightforwardly love the other…

Yuzu stared at Byakuya as the song went on, her heart thudding in her chest. She felt herself frozen in place, her breath catching. Beside her, Kohaku reached out, holding onto her shoulder with concern.

"Yuzu-chan!" she was saying. "Yuzu-chan!"

She turned towards Kohaku, about to say something, but instead her knees buckled, and she felt herself falling over. The next thing she knew, she was lying on the ground, Kohaku standing over her as the song went on.

"She's down!" Kohaku was saying. "Yuzu is down!"

The rest of the night dissolved into chaos.

The Next Morning

Kurosaki Yuzu, vice-captain of the Sixth Division, sat in the dining hall, sipping at a glass of water and rubbing at her head, the memory of last night coming back to her. She didn't remember much of what had happened after the captain's song, only that she'd apparently passed out, which was odd considering she hadn't really been drinking. And then at some point that night, she'd woken up to find that Shiyougi needed her to help escort the captain home.

Considering the condition her nerves had been in, escorting a drunk Byakuya back to his house had not done anything to help them, and now she had a splitting headache. It wasn't even fair. She shook her head, trying to ignore the pounding, as she took another sip of water and took hold of the aspirin pills that she had placed on the table in front of her.

If she knew that this was going to happen, she would have drunk more after all.

The door to the dining hall opened, admitting the captain of the Sixth Division. Byakuya frowned at her, closing the door behind him. For someone who had been as drunk as he was, he looked just fine. Yuzu sighed, fixing her eyes on the table.

"Headache, Kurosaki?" asked Byakuya, his eyes moving over the pills resting on the table.

"Hai, taicho," she said, rubbing at her temples.

"I see." Byakuya turned away from her, walking towards the kitchen. "You should learn to pace yourself better. Drunkenness is unseemly in an officer of the Sixth Division."

Yuzu tensed as he walked past, her hand clenching into a fist. She glared at the back of his head, feeling a sudden, inexplicable surge of anger. Byakuya ignored her, walking calmly past.

"Kurosaki?" he asked, at her silence, not looking back over his shoulder.

"Hai, taicho," she said through clenched teeth, forcing herself to look away.