A/N: Karin's chronology is weird right now—time is a little stretched for her. So count the days going by by everyone else's scenes, not hers. ^^ (I was listening to the Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles OST while writing that scene, particularly I Talk To The Rain).

Trials update coming next. I'm gonna need a light-hearted break from the heaviness in this part of the story. New update schedule is at least 1 update a week, with Trials updates every now and then.

Theme song-wise, there's a pair of Stereopony songs that kind of fit what's going on with Karin and Yuzu in this part of the story. Karin's is "I Do It", and Yuzu's is Bleach's own "Hitohira no Hanabira". Jpopsuki has subbed versions of both of these, for those interested (Google is your friend, FF makes linking weird!). Bonus, in the Hitohira no Hanabira PV, the girl covers her right eye so she can see the guy with her left—fun little coincidence considering how Yuzu saw through K.S.'s illusions. XD

Orihime-San, I'd love to write Hyorinmaru and Ongetsu meeting, but Karin's not in Seireitei right now, so it wouldn't happen here. I'll do it eventually, though! Promise.

Glad you all liked the omake!

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

Chapter 28: To the beginning again

"I was perhaps thinking we could conduct the affair in the summer," said Azami, from her seat at the small table that had been brought in for her. "Since I am aware that spring is a difficult time for you."

Byakuya gave a noncommittal grunt in response, glancing back at the form he was studying. The words seemed to swim on the page, so that he read each line a few times to understand what it was saying. Something about a funds request from one of his seated officers. He gave the form his stamp of approval, setting it aside. Azami frowned at him, setting down the sheets of paper that she was looking through.

"You could at least try to be a little more enthusiastic," she said. "We're planning your wedding too."

"I have no objections to summer," he said, reaching for another form.

"Oh, forget it," said Azami, sitting up in her seat. "You're impossible. How about this? I'll plan it. Just do me a favor and have the decency to show up."

Byakuya didn't respond, looking through the next form. He barely read it. He didn't understand Azami's need to conduct these preparations here, in his office. Or rather, he did, and that understanding bothered him. He had made his decision to see this marriage through. He didn't need a minder.

A soft sigh from across the room drew his attention, and he watched as Kurosaki Yuzu set aside a sheet of paper, rubbing at her eyes. She was pale, like she hadn't had much sleep, and had barely said two words to him after greeting him this morning. He turned his eyes back towards his own work, trying to pretend that he hadn't looked at all. Byakuya tried to put the thought of his vice-captain out of his mind, focusing his attention on his own work. Unfortunately, the report he was reading was one of her own. He recognized the neat, even hand, the slight flourishes at the end of each stroke that gave the words a delicate femininity.

He gave it his stamp of approval and set it aside, not even reading the content.

"Is it necessary to do this here, Azami?" he asked, glancing at the woman that had appropriated a vacant corner of the office. Yuzu didn't even look up, her eyes fixed on the paperwork.

"It is," said Azami. "Considering it's the only place where I can guarantee that I will have your attention. Isn't that right, Kurosaki-san?"

She said the words with a smile, looking back over her shoulder at the vice-captain. Byakuya glanced at her as well. Yuzu stiffened, as if she had been struck, her grip tightening on the papers in her hand for half an instant before she raised her head, a smile on her face. "Ah—mm," she said, before looking back down at her work.

"Is he always like this, Kurosaki-san?" asked Azami, glancing at Byakuya.

Yuzu glanced at him as well, or at least, she appeared to. Her eyes never met his, her gaze instead falling somewhere on his desk. The smile remained on her face. "It isn't my place to comment on taicho's behavior, Azami-dono," she said.

"Well, I guess it wouldn't be," said Azami, waving a hand dismissively. "What do you think of the summer?"

"Summer would be…a wonderful time for a wedding." Yuzu hesitated, then set down her pen, getting to her feet. "Excuse me, taicho," she said, her tone carefully polite. "I'm stepping outside for a bit. Would you like some tea?"

"No. Thank you."

He didn't trust himself to say more than those words in response, but he could tell from the way Yuzu's eyes dropped to the ground that she did not appreciate them. She turned away from him, moving towards the door.

"I'd like some tea, if you don't mind, Kurosaki-san," said Azami.

"Hai, Azami-dono," said Yuzu, her voice very soft in the quiet of this office. "It will be just a minute."

She stepped out of the office, closing the door behind her.

Azami's eyes narrowed at her response, her frown deepening as she watched the door.

The rain continued to pour against the window, accompanied by the occasional crack of lightning. The five-year-old girl sitting in the hallway didn't look up, her arms still wrapped around the rabbit. Occasionally, a hiccupping sob escaped her, tears continuing to roll down her cheeks. Karin stared down at the scene as if she was hovering somewhere above it, her body floating in place as she looked down at the child. This was more than a dream. It was...

...a memory, Ongetsu finished for her, the spirit's voice seeming to come from everywhere and nowhere at once. Karin looked around, but she couldn't see him. It was as if all her attention had been captured by the crying girl.

Where am I…? she asked.

You know where you are, Karin.

No.

Yes. You do. The world narrowed, as if she was being pulled closer to the girl. The next thing she knew, she was standing in the hallway in front of her, looking down at the crying child.

At herself.

That day…Karin thought, as the girl let out another sob, tremors shaking her small frame. I spent so long, trying to forget that day…

But you couldn't forget it, said Ongetsu, his voice sounding like it was coming right next to her. He sounded sad, and she got the impression that he was watching the child too. How could you? That was the day you created me.

Yeah…thought Karin, staring down at the child. The day that Mom died…

"Karin-chan?"

Karin looked up at the sound of the voice, turning towards the hallway. The child, however, didn't. She squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face into the tear-soaked rabbit, trying to pretend she didn't hear.

"Karin-chan, are you still out here?"

Kurosaki Isshin's voice was soft, as if he had been crying. Karin watched as Isshin walked over to the girl, trying to remember if she had ever seen her father cry before or since. She felt a tightness in her throat as Isshin walked right through where she was standing, kneeling in front of the girl. The girl didn't even look up, clutching her stuffed animal tighter.

"Karin-chan, you have to go inside," said Isshin softly. "You have to go to sleep, okay?"

"No!" said the child, her small fingers digging into the rabbit. She squeezed her eyes shut, as if she didn't want to see him. "I'm waiting for Mama!"

"Karin-chan…" said Isshin, placing a hand on her knee. His voice cracked as he spoke, keeping it to a whisper. "Mama…Mama isn't coming back."

"You're lying!" said the child, screaming the words. "I want Mama!"

"Karin-chan…" Isshin began.

"NO!"

The girl shook her head as Isshin tried to reach for her, pulling out of his hold and taking off down the hallway at a run. Isshin stared after her, his hand hanging in the air as her footsteps pounded down the hallway, rushing down the stairs into the living room. The view shifted, following the girl, but not before Karin caught sight of Isshin collapsing back, covering his face with his hands and letting out a shaky breath.

In the next instant, she was standing in the living room, watching as the younger version of herself seized one of the couch cushions, letting out a loud shout as she threw it against the wall. It bounced against the wall, knocking a picture frame off, but it wasn't enough. Karin stood in the center of the living room, watching as the girl picked up another cushion, throwing it at a shelf with a shriek of rage. The cushion struck a vase, toppling it. It crashed to the floor, shattering as tears streamed freely down the girl's face.

Karin remembered the temper tantrum as if it had been a century ago, the memories so long suppressed coming back to her. She felt her hands curl into fists as she watched, moisture stinging her eyes as the girl collapsed, sobbing onto the couch.

She'd just wanted her mother back.

She'd just wanted her mother…

Karin watched as the girl suddenly sat up, staring at the rabbit she was holding. Then, as if making a decision, she leaned over the back of the couch, opening the window. Rain and wind poured into the house, blowing the curtains back and washing over the child as a jagged streak of lightning split the sky. The girl glanced once down at the rabbit, holding it by the neck. Then, with another shout of rage, she pulled her hand back, throwing the stuffed animal out into the streets. It struck the pavement, bouncing, and was quickly soaked through by the rain…

By the rain…

The child collapsed onto her knees on the couch, her face buried in her hands as she started sobbing again, but Karin's view was already shifting, moving her outside the house so that she was standing on the street, standing in front of the discarded black rabbit.

Ongetsu appeared in the shadows on the other side of the rabbit, the rain seeming to go straight through him. He stared down at the toy, and Karin realized that it was the same one he was holding, his version of it tucked into the crook of his arm. You tried to destroy your weakness that day…he said. You wanted to be strong…so that you'd never feel hurt again.

…But I couldn't, Karin finished for him, understanding now.

No, said Ongetsu. You couldn't.

He bent down, his hair falling in front of his face as he reached one hand out towards the rabbit. You couldn't destroy your weakness fully. Instead you buried it, buried it deep down inside your soul. Everything about yourself that you hated. Everything you were ever afraid of. Weakness, sadness, guilt, regret.

You buried all those things inside of me.

The smile faded from Yuzu's face as soon as the door closed behind her, and she exhaled, resisting the urge to slump against it. It was bad enough that this had happened, but with Karin missing, Masa still in the Fourth and Kohaku not even awake, it was almost too much to bear. It didn't make help that Byakuya was being so…cold. Over the past couple of days, it had been as though they were strangers again.

No. That wasn't accurate. Even when they had been strangers, even on that first day, when she and Karin had been brought to Soul Society, and had stayed in the Kuchiki Manor for the months leading up to the entrance exam…even then, he hadn't been this cold towards her.

She wanted to squeeze her eyes shut and go back to those days, those simple days when she worried only about getting into the Academy, and then passing her classes. Those days when Byakuya had taught her hakuda, and they'd spent afternoons training in the Kuchiki courtyard, going over stances and discussing philosophies.

Those simple, sunlit halcyon days, before her feelings had become this tangled mess she couldn't make sense of, before she spent her time going through the motions of life while avoiding his eye.

If she could use Shinkyo on herself, would it show her those days?

She swallowed past the lump in her throat, walking towards the kitchen and preparing to make tea. She had just gotten a kettle on the stove and had gotten the teapot and a tray out when the door to the kitchen opened, causing her to look up sharply. Nishimori Azami stood by the door, her green eyes narrowed and a frown on her face.

"What do you think you're playing at, Kurosaki-san?" she asked, stepping into the kitchen.

Yuzu nearly dropped the tray. "A-Azami-dono?" she asked, pulling away from the countertop to stare at the woman with wide eyes.

"I don't know what you think you're trying to accomplish," said Azami. "But I will not be humiliated again."

"I—I'm sorry, Azami-dono," said Yuzu, "But I really don't know what you're talking about. The tea is almost—."

"I don't care about the tea!" Azami grabbed hold of the tray in Yuzu's hands, cutting off her retreat. Yuzu stared up at the woman, meeting Azami's eyes. "I'm talking about Byakuya," she said. "I am not going to lose him again. Do you understand me?"

"A—Again?" asked Yuzu. "What do you—?" Realization dawned on her, her eyes widening as she stared at Azami. "You—you were Hisana-san's—."

"Don't say that name!" Azami's grip tightened on the tray, nearly pulling it out of Yuzu's hands. "I don't ever want to hear that name again. Do you understand me? I just want you to know that I will not tolerate you trying to take Byakuya from me."

"I—." Yuzu's grip on the tray faltered. She took a breath, realizing that she hadn't been breathing. "I—assure you, Azami-dono. I have no intention of trying to take Kuchiki-taicho from you."

Azami gave her a suspicious frown, her grip relaxing on the tray. "If that's true, Kurosaki-san, then you and I can be friends," she said. "But if it's not—." She leaned in closer. "—I can make your life a living hell. Just remember that."

Azami's fingers tightened on the tray briefly, before she released them, pushing Yuzu back slightly and walking away. Yuzu watched her go, holding the tray close to her chest. Her fingers shook.

She took a deep breath, then turned towards the counter, starting to fix the tea.

"I'm glad Ankoujin-kun is doing better," said Hinamori, walking down the street alongside her captain. She had her hands clasped in front of herself, a small smile on her face. "When you and Kuchiki-fukutaicho brought him back, I was a little worried."

"Ah, well, Masa's tough," said Ichigo. "And he's not the type to just sit around if he feels like there's things to do."

"I see the family resemblance," said Hinamori, still smiling.

"What's that supposed to mean?" asked Ichigo, frowning at her.

"Nothing, taicho." She turned her head to the side, hiding a giggle.

It was the end of the day, sunset casting long shadows on the streets of Seireitei. The two of them were walking back from the Fourth, having stopped in to visit Masa after the third seat declared that he was feeling well enough to leave. Ichigo's shoulder still stung from where he had taken a hit from Kenpachi, and he was pretty sure that the stitches in his haori from where it had been slashed open were obvious. He'd have to get a new one.

Thinking of his fight with Kenpachi made him think of Karin still being missing, so Ichigo put the thought out of his mind for now, following Hinamori as she rounded a corner.

She came to a sudden stop. "Huh? That's…"

Ichigo frowned. "What is it, Hinamori?" he asked, looking at the street. Ukitake and Kyoraku were walking together, moving down the road from the First. Both captains were smiling, talking with each other about something. Ichigo glanced back at the road behind them, his frown deepening.

A meeting with the soutaicho? This late in the day?

Ukitake spotted them, coming to a stop and causing Kyoraku to look up as well. "Ah, Ichigo. Hinamori. What are you two doing out here?"

"We just came back from the Fourth," said Hinamori, smiling in greeting. "We were visiting Third Seat Ankoujin."

"What about you guys?" asked Ichigo. "Coming back from a meeting?"

"Ah, you could say that," said Kyoraku, following Ukitake and walking up to them. The two men exchanged a glance.

"Actually," said Ukitake, "Kyoraku and I were just heading to dinner. Why don't you come with us? My treat."

Ichigo and Hinamori blinked, exchanging glances with each other.

"Another dimension?" Ichigo repeated.

The four of them were seated in a private room in one of the restaurants that catered to the Gotei 13, one that Ukitake and Kyoraku apparently frequented. Their meal was spread out in front of them, each of them having already eaten a little bit. There was a jug of sake at the table as well, and all four of them had full cups, but as usual, Kyoraku was the only one who had really started drinking. Ichigo noticed that over the course of the meal, the jug had moved closer and closer to his side of the table, and now stood between him and Ukitake.

"That's correct," said Ukitake, setting down his chopsticks for the moment. "There's no sign of Kyoka Suigetsu in Soul Society or the living world. There's no apparent sign of her in Hueco Mundo either, unless the Espada have heard something."

Ichigo shook his head, setting down his cup after taking a small sip. "Nothing," he said.

"Any possibility that they could be hiding something?" asked Kyoraku, peering out at Ichigo from under his hat. Ichigo shook his head.

"If it was just Grimmjow and Harribel, maybe," he said. "But Nel…"

It wasn't just that they were friends. Nel had spent years restoring some sort of order to Las Noches, and wouldn't just sit back and let anything connected to Aizen ruin everything she had worked for. He was sure of that.

It was a feeling he understood.

"If that's the case," said Ukitake, "Then we know, with some amount of confidence, that she isn't hiding in one of the three known dimensions, which means she must be somewhere else."

Hinamori blinked. "Like where?" she asked.

"Where else do zanpakuto spirits go, when no one else can find them?" asked Kyoraku, taking a long sip. Ichigo's eyes widened.

"Oi," he said. "You think she's hiding in the inner world?"

"It's a possibility," said Ukitake, a troubled look on his face.

"But Aizen got rid of Kyoka Suigetsu," said Ichigo. "What does that even do to the inner world?"

"The short answer is, we don't know," said Ukitake. "There's never been a case where a shinigami managed to cast off their zanpakuto as completely as Aizen did to Kyoka Suigetsu. We don't even know how she survived, how she gained physical form in the first place, or whether her inner world is still connected to Aizen or not. We don't even know if her inner world still exists. But it's the best guess we have right now."

"If she's in the inner world, how can we even find her?" asked Hinamori, looking up. "You can't just enter someone else's inner world…"

"That's the problem, Hinamori-san," said Ukitake, turning towards her. "We can't."

"So all we can do is wait for her to come out?" asked Ichigo, clenching his hand into a fist. "Tch."

"It's not an ideal situation," said Ukitake, frowning. "But…that's the situation as it stands right now."

"What about Urahara-san?" asked Ichigo, looking up. "If anyone can figure out how to break into an inner world, he probably can."

"We've already sent messages to Urahara Kisuke," said Ukitake. "He says he's working on it. Which means we still have to wait for his research to be complete."

"Which gives Kyoka Suigetsu time to prepare," said Ichigo, running his hand through his hair in frustration. "If she's anything like Aizen, that's the last thing we wanna give her. Why are you telling us this, Ukitake, Kyoraku?"

The two senior captains exchanged a glance. "Two reasons, actually," said Kyoraku, taking another sip.

Ukitake nodded. "You still haven't seen Kyoka Suigetsu's shikai," he said. "So you're still one of our best bets. What about Yuzu-san?"

Ichigo shook his head. "She's seen it, as far as I could tell. Except…" There had been a moment, in the fight, between Kyoka Suigetsu rushing towards Byakuya and Yuzu being stabbed. He could have sworn even with flash step, she had been standing too far away and had been too injured to get there that quickly. It was almost as if she had started to move in the instant before Kyoka Suigetsu dropped the illusion. But that would be impossible, wouldn't it? He shook his head. "…no. Nothing."

"It's a shame, but it couldn't be helped," said Ukitake. "What about Karin-san?"

"Karin hasn't seen it, or she shouldn't have," said Ichigo, shrugging.

"Karin-chan's missing right now, isn't she?" asked Kyoraku, looking over at Ichigo.

"Yeah," said Ichigo, scowling. "Bankai training." He still hated the idea of Karin being out there alone.

"That could be useful, if she succeeds," said Ukitake. "Karin-san's zanpakuto is a nullification-type, isn't it?"

"It is?" Kyoraku blinked, looking over at Ukitake. "I haven't heard that before."

"Yeah, it is," said Ichigo. "But I don't know how it's gonna work against Kyoka Suigetsu's illusions."

"Well, it's something to keep in mind, at least," said Ukitake, nodding. "Now, for the second thing—it could be that what happened with Kyoka Suigetsu was completely accidental, and she's acting on her own, or it could be that Aizen planned for this somehow. Is there anything in his old notes that might suggest this?"

Ichigo exchanged a glance with Hinamori.

"Library?" the vice-captain suggested.

"Yeah, if anywhere," said Ichigo, nodding. He looked back at Ukitake and Kyoraku. "We'll keep our eyes open, but I wouldn't count on it. As far as we can tell, that bastard kept all his plans in his head. Most of the notes he left behind are just regular Division stuff."

"Just keep your eyes open, is all we're asking," said Ukitake. He picked up his chopsticks, starting to eat again. "Now, onto happier matters. How are things going between you and Rukia?"

Masa tugged his shihakusho back into place, slipping Setsuyoku into his belt. As he got ready, he took inventory of his movements. He was still a little stiff, but whether from the fight or from spending the last few days in bed, he couldn't quite tell. Either way, he meant what he said to Ichigo and Hinamori, when they'd visited earlier. He was ready to return to the Fifth. The way things were going, he couldn't afford to stay in bed.

He only wished that Kohaku might have woken up before he had to leave.

Masa frowned, turning towards the girl. She lay on her back, her eyes closed, as if she was sleeping. A collection of gifts was assembled on the table beside her bed—a get-well card from Yuzu, flowers, some chocolate. He didn't understand why she still wasn't awake. As far as the healers from the Fourth could tell, her body had already repaired itself.

It was as if she just didn't want to wake up.

He took a step forward, finding himself drawn to her bedside. Masa stared down at the girl, a frown on his face. Iwase Kohaku might have started as Yuzu's friend, but over the past sixteen years, she had become his friend too. Despite their respective duties keeping them apart, all four of them had, in their own ways, become important to one other. He found that it hurt, seeing her like this.

"Iwase," he said, staring down at her. He paused, shaking his head. "No. Kohaku. Get well soon. We're all waiting…"

He took a deep breath. He could have said more, could have told her about Karin going missing to train for bankai, or about Kuchiki Byakuya's engagement and the multitude of ways it had to be affecting Yuzu, or about any number of things. But he found that when he tried, he couldn't find the words. After a while, Masa gave up, turning to leave the room.

He had almost turned away fully when Kohaku's hand moved, causing him to stop. Masa's eyes widened, and he turned back to face her.

"…Kohaku?" he asked.

Blue eyes opened at the sound of her name, blinking twice before turning to fix on him.

TO BE CONTINUED

Omake

Jungetsu blinked, staring down at the kneeling samurai with wide eyes, one of her sleeves raised to cover her mouth. For a moment, she seemed too stunned to answer. Then, she straightened up, her eyes fixing on Senbonzakura.

"First," she said, her voice soft and clear in contrast to how pained it had been during the Kyoka Suigetsu battle. "You must find me the robe of the fire-rat."

"The robe of the fire-rat," repeated Senbonzakura. "Very well. I will do this thing." He got to his feet, turning and looking into the crowd.

"Zabimaru!" he shouted. "Is Zabimaru here?!"

"I'm a baboon, you idiot!" shouted Saru from where she was standing.

"Never mind that," said Senbonzakura. "I require your assistance." He drew his sword, causing Saru to take a step back, her eyes wide.

"I'm not even on fire!" she said.

"Scatter."

Saru let out a yelp, running off and dragging Hebi with her as a flurry of pink petals erupted into the air.

Jungetsu took advantage of the confusion to escape, slipping back into the crowd.