Momo was lying on her bed as Kaichou sat nearby.
"Tell me what happened when you first realized Aizen's betrayal?" Kaichou asked softly as Momo put her hand to her stomach and grimaced in pain with a tear running down her face.
"At first I didn't think it could be happening…but then I felt the pain of his Zanpakuto run through my stomach. For the first time in my life, his presence felt like acid eating away at my soul…like I was suffocating to death. I thought I was going to die a slow and horrible death." Momo said as she remembered back when she saw Aizen, alive after having believed he was dead for so long, and then feeling the pain of his Zanpakuto running her through.
"What did you feel at that moment?" Kaichou asked.
"Confusion…heartbreak…anger…rage…frustration." Momo rattled off slowly as her eyes narrowed slowly. Kaichou could sense Momo's spiritual pressure building and she knew she might explode in a fit of rage. Kaichou fortunately had the sense to bring her Zanpakuto in with her but concealed as a bracelet again.
"What would you do if you saw him again Momo?" Kaichou asked as Momo started to glow with spiritual energy.
"I would…I would! I would KILL HIM!!!" Momo screamed in anger as she unleashed Kido number 31, Shakkaho, at the wall without even using the incantation. Isane and Unohana quickly entered.
"STAY BACK!!!" Kaichou ordered the two who slowly complied. Momo started flinging Kido spells of seemingly random numbers at the walls and even at Kaichou, albeit accidently. Kaichou however managed to deflect the Kido attacks with Hensen Tatsujin in its sealed state. Momo continued to fling the Kido spells around while screaming and cursing Aizen's name in total anger.
"That's it Momo! Let it out! Let it all out!!!" Kaichou shouted as Momo got even more violent with the Kido. Suddenly…
"MOMO!" Kaichou shouted as Momo turned with a fist full of Shakkaho and aimed it right at Kaichou's face. Momo froze as she realized what she was doing and the glowing red orb in her hand slowly faded away as tears streamed down her face.
"Captain Wrangler." She said breathlessly and remorsefully as she collapsed to her knees. Kaichou knelt down and held her close as Momo cried into the Captain's chest.
"Let it out Momo…let it go." Kaichou whispered softly as she comforted the weeping woman. Unknown to either of them, an alert had accidently been sent out about the sudden surge of spiritual pressure coming from the med center…it was only good fortune that Toshiro Hitsugaya and Rangiku Matsumoto of squad ten arrived first.
"Captain Unohana what's the situation here?!" Toshiro asked as Unohana motioned to wait.
"It was a false alarm Captain Hitsugaya. Captain Wrangler has been trying to heal Lieutenant Hinamori's damaged mind. Apparently the lieutenant lost control and started using Hado spells seemingly at random. Captain Wrangler is alright as is the Lieutenant." Captain Unohana said as Toshiro froze in place at what he saw happening behind the fourth squad Captain.
"More than that Retsu…my work here is done." Kaichou said as she emerged from the room with Momo close behind her.
"Momo!" Toshiro exclaimed as Momo beamed with joy.
"Little Shiro!" Momo exclaimed as she ran to him and hugged him like a teddy bear.
"I'm so sorry I attacked you." She whispered as Toshiro chuckled with a teary smile.
"You were being misled…you believed what you saw. I cannot blame you for that nor can I hate you for it either. I am just happy to have you back Momo." Toshiro said mid hug.
"Momo…I'm pleased to say that you're clear to return to active duty if you so desire. If you do, you will be permitted to return as the Lieutenant of squad five…and at a moment like this, they need you more than ever." Kaichou said as Momo and Toshiro broke their embrace and she turned towards the Wrangler.
"I…I will join you Captain Wrangler…and thank you for helping me." Momo said with a bow as Kaichou smiled and reached into her pocket.
"Then this belongs to you…Lieutenant." Kaichou said as she pulled out the fifth squad lieutenant's armband and handed it to the young woman who proudly placed it back on her left arm. Then Unohana revealed a sheathed Zanpakuto.
"I believe this also belongs to you Lieutenant." Unohana said as Momo took her Zanpakuto, Tobiume, in hand and slowly drew it from its sheath. Gazing at the blade like it was an old friend returned to her. She then sheathed it and tied the sheath to her side.
"Lieutenant Momo Hinamori, fifth squad reporting as ordered Captain Wrangler." Momo said proudly and at attention as Kaichou smiled.
"Welcome back Lieutenant…now we have no time to lose, the fifth squad is still-…" Kaichou said but froze as she, Toshiro, and Unohana sensed something.
"What?! Whose spiritual pressure is that?!" Toshiro asked in confusion.
"I'm not sure, but I plan to find out." Kaichou said as she and Toshiro raced out of the med center with their respective Lieutenants close behind.
Meanwhile at the Kuchiki Manor…
Ichigo and Rukia were shown to a room by one of Byakuya's staff where Byakuya himself sat sipping tea.
"We came as soon as we could brother." Rukia said as Byakuya looked up at the two then looked squarely at Rukia.
"Captain Ukitake is bound to have some use for you. I believe it would be wise if you were to report to him immediately Rukia." Byakuya said as Rukia paused for a moment then sighed and bowed.
"Yes brother. I'll see you later Ichigo." Rukia said semi-despairingly as she ran off to try and find Captain Ukitake.
"Ichigo Kurosaki…please sit down." Byakuya said as he looked straight ahead. Ichigo nodded and complied, sitting down directly across from Byakuya.
"What is this about Byakuya? I was kinda hoping on watching my sisters' training today." Ichigo said as Byakuya looked straight at him.
"This is important enough to warrant dragging you away from them, if it was anything else, I wouldn't even bother." Byakuya said as Ichigo scratched the back of his head.
"Thanks…I guess." Ichigo replied, "So what did you call me here for anyway?"
Byakuya remained silent for a moment before saying…
"I want to know what your relationship with Rukia is. Is it like Captain and Lieutenant? Brother and Sister? Or is it a more complex relationship than what I can understand?" Byakuya asked as Ichigo sweat dropped.
"Huh?" He asked. He could have sworn he hadn't heard right.
"I asked you what your relationship is with Rukia." Byakuya replied as Ichigo blinked. He had heard right.
"I-I…I don't think I know how to answer that." Ichigo said as Byakuya looked him straight in the eyes.
"Do you say that because you are…sleeping together?" Byakuya asked as Ichigo's jaw dropped in disbelief.
"WHAT?!?! Are you freaking kidding me!? I would never do that!!!" Ichigo replied as he jumped up excitedly. Byakuya took a deep breath.
"I meant no offence by my question. I doubted that was the case but I had to be sure." Byakuya said as Ichigo calmed himself and sat back down.
"What kind of brother asks someone if that person is fooling around with his sister?!" Ichigo asked.
"Sister-in-law…Rukia's sister was my wife." Byakuya corrected.
"I know that! Rukia told me herself." Ichigo replied.
"I see. To answer your question, I ask because I want to know what kind of a man you truly are." Byakuya said as Ichigo sighed with a blank look on his face.
"You've totally lost me Byakuya. Where is this conversation going?" Ichigo asked as Byakuya gave a silent sigh.
"I've had reservations about telling you this Ichigo Kurosaki, but ever since you rescued Rukia from execution…she's talked about you nonstop. Even when she was locked in the regular prison cells, I heard from Hanataro Yamada that she spoke about you constantly. There is not a doubt in my mind that she cares a great deal for you, and the fact you risked your life, time and time again without any real plan what so ever, to rescue her from execution says a lot about you." Byakuya explained as Ichigo listened intently.
"After Aizen's betrayal and after I was released from the med center, she stayed with me out of concern for my injuries. Those nights she spent sitting next to me was the first time either of us ever actually bonded as a family. But…" Byakuya said as he looked straight at Ichigo.
"…When I asked her to explain to me what her time in the world of the living was like…you were constantly mentioned nay featured in her explanations. I don't think Rukia ever told you but she was a stillborn in the world of the living…she's spent her entire life here in the Soul Society, and never once knew what it was like in the world of the living. She said she had no real desire to go to the world of the living before she left but she followed her orders anyway. When she came back…I could tell…she had changed." Byakuya explained as Ichigo looked lost in thought.
"Rukia was…stillborn?" Ichigo asked as Byakuya nodded.
"Yes. When she was recovering here after her encounter with that female Bount, I was the one who stayed with her and sat at her side. We again bonded and she shared with me even more about you. It doesn't take a Captain to see what has happened. She will undoubtedly deny it but in her heart screams the truth. She is in love with you Ichigo Kurosaki." Byakuya said as Ichigo was visibly shaken by the revelation.
"And judging by that miniscule spike in your spiritual pressure, I'd say the same can be said about you regarding her." Byakuya added as Ichigo was visibly quaking.
"You're afraid…afraid of your true feelings? Then you are not alone Ichigo, she is as well…Which perhaps is why you two get along so well." Byakuya said.
"Why are you telling me this?" Ichigo asked finally.
"Because she's changed again." Byakuya replied as Ichigo arched a confused eyebrow.
"What do you mean?" Ichigo asked.
"I mean, when she came back two days ago with you and your family, she didn't seem herself. I asked her about it and for the first time since she we first bonded during my recovery from Aizen's betrayal, she didn't mention you once except in passing. I couldn't figure it out but I knew something had happened between you two that had broken her heart or at least injured it in some way. Then the following afternoon, I received an anonymous letter detailing a conversation you two had the evening before the issues with the LeBlancs began. That letter finally sank the remaining pieces in place for me." Byakuya said as he raised a small folded piece of paper in his hand.
"You had both outwardly agreed that you were just friends and partners…I sit here now and tell you that I do not believe it what so ever. You are both just afraid of your feelings. There's no shame in admitting it…just do it." Byakuya said as Ichigo looked at him confused.
"Why are you telling me this? You're her brother, wouldn't you be more concerned with telling me to shove off." Ichigo asked as Byakuya looked him straight in the eye.
"Because I love Rukia just as much as you do…only as my sister and my sister-in-law. I care for her wellbeing and her feelings. Despite what you may think, allowing her execution to proceed was the hardest thing for me to ever do. Many times I wanted to just break her out of her cell and take her to a safe place where the Soul Society could never find us. I fought you because I didn't know your intentions then and I perceived you as a threat to her safety. You might have noticed by now that I never show my emotions…but that wasn't always the case." Byakuya said as Ichigo arched an eyebrow.
"Huh?" Ichigo asked, confused.
"When I was young, I was very much like you. Quick to anger…and rather hotheaded." Byakuya explained as Ichigo gave him an annoyed glare.
"Thanks a lot." He replied.
"I was insulting myself just as much as you." Byakuya said as Ichigo's eye twitched. (A/N: Byakuya unintentionally insinuated that being like Ichigo once was insulting to him, thus Ichigo's annoyance)
"Perhaps I should rephrase." Byakuya said with a sweat drop.
"Just go on." Ichigo groaned as Byakuya gave a nod in agreement.
"As I was saying, my personality wasn't always like this. It became this way when Rukia's sister died. I had to become this way to keep my own sadness and grief from surfacing and interfering with my duties. Rukia didn't know this at the time and thought I was just being an aristocratic snob. I doubt she's even made the connection since then." Byakuya explained.
"So what is it you want me to do?" Ichigo asked.
"I want you to do what your heart feels is right. But remember this Ichigo…Rukia is my pride and if you injure her even emotionally, you are hurting my pride and those who hurt my pride usually die. If you doubt my words, simply ask the former seventh Espada, Zommari Leroux and let his corpse tell you what happens to those who try to harm Rukia." Byakuya said as Ichigo swallowed nervously.
"I think I get your point." Ichigo said as Byakuya nodded.
"Good. Now then you should probably be getting back to your-…" Byakuya said but his sentence dropped off. He turned and looked past Ichigo with a concerned look on his face.
"What is it Byakuya?" Ichigo asked worriedly.
"It seems we've found the Ryoka." Byakuya replied as Ichigo reached for his Zangetsu.
"Well then what are we waiting for?" Ichigo asked as Byakuya placed a hand on his shoulder.
"I sense something else Ichigo Kurosaki." Byakuya said calmly as he drew Senbonzakura.
"What is it?" Ichigo asked as Byakuya turned and glared at him with an intense stare before replying...
"My pride."
Earlier out in Rukongai…
Rukia had heard that the thirteenth squad was out patrolling Rukongai and hurried to see what support she could provide. As she arrived she found the two third seats, Kiyone Kotetsu and Sentaro Kotsubaki directing the patrols.
"Rukia Kuchiki reporting for duty!" Rukia said to the two third seats.
"Ah ha Rukia Kuchiki! Captain Ukitake is ill today and can't help with the search, but we are glad that you are here to assist." Kiyone said excitedly.
"Yes but we are currently short an extra member and we have no one to search with you." Sentaro added.
"It's okay, I can search on my own. I can take care of myself." Rukia said as the two third seats looked at each other and shrugged.
"Okay then you can go search that way." The two said in unison, pointing towards each other.
"Huh? Hey I said this way! No that way! Will you stop copying me?!?!" the two argued in unison as Rukia stood waiting for a final answer. Finally she made an executive decision.
"I'll just go this way." Rukia said as she headed off in the direction that Kiyone had pointed, much to the latter's delight.
"Very well then Miss Kuchiki, good luck and be sure to call for back up if you spot a Ryoka!" Kiyone replied as she waved goodbye.
Rukia was alone as she ran through the seemingly deserted streets. She knew that everyone was in hiding because of the Ryoka alert…everyone that is except for a plainly dressed commoner walking casually down the street with his hands in his pockets.
"Hey! You there!" Rukia exclaimed as she approached the man, who paused with a surprised look.
"May I help you miss?" the man asked curiously.
"Have you seen any Ryoka around here lately?" Rukia asked as the man scratched his head.
"Ry-o-ka?" he asked curiously.
"As in intruders? Invaders? Oh come on you know what I'm…wait…only one who hasn't been to the Soul Society before, wouldn't know what a Ryoka is. And you've never been here before have you?" Rukia asked as the man lowered his head and sighed.
"It would seem my years of training have been for naught." The man said as his Spiritual pressure began to climb.
Rukia quickly leapt back and drew her Zanpakuto, Sode no Shirayuki, and raised it ready for battle.
"What are you Ryoka? Are you a LeBlanc?!" Rukia asked as the man smirked and started glowing with light blue spirit energy.
"Very good Soul Reaper. You are correct, I am a LeBlanc…only unlike the others, I am one of the Sept Gardeur who are the guardians of the three Guerre Maitrise De La Chateau. You are beneath my notice." The LeBlanc said as his disguise melted away, revealing his white bone armored appearance. He had a glowing blue hole in his right shoulder. His mask looked similar to Komamura's old helmet only with a sharp horn at the tip and a pair of glowing blue eyes piercing through the hollow darkness within.
A chilling sound was heard that sounded like cracking and breaking bones and the LeBlanc drew a pair of sharpened bone like swords from inside its legs.
"If you refuse to move Soul Reaper, I will have no choice but to go through you." The LeBlanc said as Rukia held her ground.
"I'm not moving…but you certainly are!" Rukia said as she raised her hand.
"Hado 31! Shakkaho!" she shouted as a glowing red ball of energy shot forward and struck the LeBlanc head on, resulting in a massive explosion.
Rukia stood grasping her sword, ready to strike or defend at a moment's notice, as she waited patiently to see what was left of her opponent. Much to her surprise, she saw nothing but a crater where her Kido attack had struck.
She approached the empty crater but soon heard a sinister chuckle.
"Oh-ho-ho nice! Hado 31 eh? It's not like I trained for such a maneuver…oh wait…I did." The LeBlanc's voice rang from out of nowhere.
"Where are you?! Show yourself you coward!!!" Rukia shouted.
"If you insist." The LeBlanc said as he suddenly appeared in a blue burst of light, mere inches in front of her.
"BOO!!!" the LeBlanc shouted, causing Rukia to leap back a few feet. The LeBlanc started laughing with amusement.
"How precious! My Bleu Sauter took you completely by surprise!" the LeBlanc cackled as Rukia realized that she wasn't just dealing with any ordinary LeBlanc…
…She was dealing with something much worse.
End Chapter 20.
Will Rukia survive against Roodnmad? Will Ichigo and Rukia confess their feelings for each other? Find out in the chapters to come…
LeBlanc Research Time
Gin Ichimaru appears holding the pointer.
"Hello again, today we're going to be focusing on some of the LeBlanc's techniques." Gin said as the screen switched to an image of the four smaller Punissons LeBlancs from earlier excreting the strange liquid substance that became their skin.
"This ability is called Espion (Spy), and it allows the LeBlancs to create an outer shell that acts like skin. Their appearance is usually limited to what they looked like before their death at the hands of a Quincy. However there are some LeBlancs who can disguise themselves as other things as well." Gin explained as the screen switched to an image of Ihsoy using the Blue Sauter.
"This ability is called Blue Sauter (Blue Leap). By using their spirit energy to allow them to jump ultra fast from one position to another, the LeBlancs can effectively counter a Soul Reaper's flash step and even an Arrancar's Sonido. The blue hued copy of themselves left behind is a result of their using their spirit energy to make the jump." Gin explained as Zommari Leroux entered via several Sonido moves.
"My Sonido is still the fastest!" he said proudly with his hands pressed together in their typical praying fashion.
"But uh…aren't you dead?" Gin asked as Zommari froze in fear and was suddenly blanketed in a rain of pink cherry blossoms. Byakuya enters from the left with his sword hilt in his hand. He pauses at the pile of fallen cherry blossoms which quickly reform into his Zanpakuto. There is nothing left where Zommari was standing.
"Once again you were being arrogant…see what it cost you?" Byakuya asked no one in particular before walking out to the left of the screen, leaving a very confused Gin behind.
"Now how did he get in here?" he asked as he scratched his head.
End.
