Disclaimer: Jeez this chapter is gonna be DEEP. I admit, I got some ideas from the Diamond Dust manga chapter and Ichigo's words in episode 109 but I changed 'em a little. No, I do not own Bleach, it governs over me (Which I don't really mind). Man I want to watch Diamond dust sooo much…Well, and the third movie coming out…

I also just noticed how these two chapters, ten and eleven, are kind of similar...Well, if I said any more on how that would ruin the whole thing so you can read on.

Reviews chapter ten:

Allie (It was a good review, don't worry! )

arisa0 (Yay arigato!)

SaiyukiSucker (XD I'll try not to get writers block)

hyourin-kusabana (4Ever loyal reviewer other than my sis lol)

I just decided to put ppls users who review since I felt bad about never responding (Sry, I know it's hard to believe but I just figured out how to reply recently since I don't play around with FF that much. Ack how embarrasing XD So I'll just reply on the chapters)


"Yamamoto-Taicho," started Hitsugaya on his knees in the captain's meeting room. Both were alone and the first division's captain had his back turned on the tenth.

"Hitsugaya Toshiro."

"I would like to ask you an important matter on a division member that has gone missing--Miyamoto Yumiko."

"Ah, yes. Now I remember," he started, finally facing Hitsugaya with old eyes. But something in them made it seem like he was hiding something," She was sent to the human world alone."

"Yes but...I would like to know who addressed the mission solely to her." he answered, trying to stay as calm as possible. For some odd reason, he just wanted to shout the question out bluntly--far from what he was expected to do. Especially in front of the First Division Captain of the Gotei 13 Protection Squads of the Seireitei.

The old man sighed and looked at him seriously," It was I who sent her."

"Then please allow me to go to the human world and assist in backing up Miyamoto."

"No."

Teal eyes widened and a rise in reiatsu occurred (As well as a drop in room temperature). Quickly seeing what was happening; Hitsugaya calmed down his zanpakto and looked away. Shame and a shred of sadness (-cough cough- and reluctance -cough cough-) still flickered its tiny flame in those orbs of his. Highly Interested, Yamamoto popped a question that caused the young captain to tense and stare up in shock.

"Hitsugaya Toshiro...What is she to you?"


"Urahara, what the hell are you doing!?" yelled Rukia, trying to get to Yumi who was conveniently brought to his shop to tend to her fatal wounds. Yumi wasn't as lucky as Ichigo, who only escaped with that little Reiatsu accident," We need to start kido on her fast--"

"I'm afraid that would only kill her faster, Kuchiki-san," interrupted Urahara and she shut up immediately in bewilderment.

"Kill her faster--what happened to her?" demanded Ichigo, getting worried about the girl who saved him (Ishida left right after he got off the ground without a word).

"You see, her fight before she saved Kurosaki-san was more dangerous than she thought. Her opponent's blade was poisoned."

Rukia gave it thought for a moment," But we can cure that easily--"

"The deadly part about this poison is that it is specially Kido based. Anything that has to do with reiatsu with only mutate the poison and make it worse than it already is," he answered gravely," The best thing we can do is treat her physical injuries, drain some poison, and hope that her immune system will fight them off."

Sighing, he then took a hold of her worn shihaksho and undid some of it to make it loose. Rukia was about to shove him off but then saw him take another syringe with a mysterious dark red and black liquid and poke it in her neck near her collarbone gently.

Rukia tilted her head slightly in disinclined curiosity," What was that for?"

"If we don't stop the bleeding, she'll die within the span of an hour max," he explained, putting the needle into a separate bag to throw," And this is the most effective way without using dangerous kido."

Not even a minute after Yumi was injected with the substance, her body jerked and thrashed around on the futon wildly, clutching onto the sheets tightly so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her forehead began to sweat and she let out small painful cries. The wrappings around her chest let out an almost invisible red and black mist as the wounds began to close. The same happened to her other injuries but the pain just kept on getting worse.

Rukia and Ichigo panicked. She sent a death glare to the shop keeper who, surprisingly, looked at the battering Shinigami regretfully," The problem is that it is also the most painful choice we have. Hold her down, Kurosaki-san..." After that, he stood and left the room, but not before muttering one thing," Gomen, Yumiko-chan."

Ichigo bent over her and pinned her down on the futon by her shoulders, trying to calm her down with a soft tone," Yumi,"

Her hands shot up and almost clawed at his back with her nails. Ichigo winced, knowing those would leave marks, but didn't move. He wouldn't let her go through this alone.

"Toshiro..." she whispered painfully as Ichigo blinked in puzzlement. Yumi whimpered again and thrashed beneath the substitute Shinigami.

Rukia, who was left confused, then held a stare of sadness at Yumi.

"Don't die on us now."


"What is she to me..." murmured Hitsugaya in thought as he walked around the cherry blossom trees. It's not like it was a really hard question when he heard it. He was even about to wave it off as if it was nothing...but. The time she tried to say goodbye to him came to mind as well. Hitsugaya shook his head," Great. Now I'm going soft."

A cherry blossom petal landed right in front of him as he remembered that It was right near where he last saw Yumi. The way she talked and laughed...

Snapping to his senses he stopped only to have his face smothered in a certain Fukutaicho's bountiful chest. "M-Matsumoto!"

"Hitsugaya-Taicho!?" exclaimed a surprised Matsumoto who then released her captain from her breasts' clutches," I wonder why you're so red!"

"I am not red!" he yelled, covering the lower half of his face with his hand. He really was red though, he hated to admit that," D-Did you finish the paperwork on your desk?"

"Ano..." she began to fumble over words but noticed something strange. 'Taicho was stuttering? He must of really been in thought...Wait a second', thought Matsumoto as she smiled," Were you thinking of Yumi-Chan?"

"No," he answered quickly and turned to leave," Just finish the damn paperwork!"

She rolled her eyes and grinned," I never knew you would be so difficult at such a time."


"'Go back', huh..." whispered Rukia wistfully. She looked out the window from the top floor of school while everyone else was at gym, including Ichigo. Remembering Yumi back at the store, her frown deepened. "It's soon, isn't it?"

After school

"Ichigo!" called out Rukia before Ichigo left for home. It was after school so everyone was leaving anyway.

"Huh? Hey, Rukia. What's wrong?" asked Ichigo, stopping in his tracks and facing her," Is it a hollow?"

She took in a sharp breath before looking down and grasping her arm almost for comfort," No, but..."

"No? What is it?"

"It's...nothing. Never mind." she answered unenthusiastically. It was silent before Ichigo's calm voice broke the silence.

"You're...acting kinda weird today. Did something happen?"

"Well..."


On this lonely plain

I stand alone

Waiting,

Waiting for something

The problem is

I don't know what it is

It's cold. Really cold. My body hurts...and I can't move.

I can't hear anything.

Is that supposed to be?

This is really strange...

Oh, now I remember

A voice

Calling my name in the darkness

Your voice is why I linger here for

The reason I remain alone

Here in that same darkness

Is this where I think it is?

Am I...

No,

It feels different

Yes, I remember

It's...

The place I wait

Standing alone in the shadows

This empty plain I call

My Heart


Yumi's eyes fluttered open slowly to meet with a familiar ceiling. It just...wasn't expected. She tried to sit up but her chest and arm began to ache," Ow...Wait, I'm alive?"

"Yes, Miyamoto-san. You're alive and well." spoke the voice of the shop-keeper who had appeared out of nowhere (Again)," How was your sleep?"

"It was--! It was..." She was about to yell at him, but when she tried to remember, it hurt. A lot. Yumi remained silent and Urahara smiled a little.

"I'm surprised that you made such a quick recovery! Of course, all the poison isn't gone from your system but you should be alright." he explained, yawning a bit.

"Wait, what about Ichigo?" she asked worriedly.

Urahara fanned himself," He's quite alright...as of now at least. I think it's time that he met someone."

Yumi tilted her head slightly and frowned," Meet someone? Who?"

"Let's just say it's someone close to Kuchiki-san...and if no one hurries, then she won't be in the human world for very longer I'm afraid."

Her eyes widened as she shot out of bed and grabbed her sword before racing past him.

"My my, I hope she doesn't push herself too hard. Something bad just might happen, ne," he started without turning around to the black cat behind him," Yoruichi-san?"


Running through Karakura, Yumi didn't go far before feeling a recognizable reiatsu nearby. Praying to Kami that she was wrong, she ran towards the source and caught up to familiar bright hair. Even with the lights being so dim at this hour, he was still visible. Not wanting to get caught, Yumi sprinted and then jumped quietly to a branch in a nearby tree. She was careful not to make a sound and made her reiatsu so low it resembled a speck of dust.

"Rukia, don't be an idiot, wearing that human expression on your face!" yelled the voice, slashing his sword down. Yumi bit her lip and dug her nails into her arm to keep herself from jumping in right then. The Shinigami managed to scratch her cheek, making blood flow from the cut.

Before he made another move, a blue arrow stopped him as he turned to see a certain classmate of Rukia and Ichigo's.

"I don't think you should be treating a lady like that."

"You...Can see us? Who are you?" he demanded, turning to face the blue haired man.

"A classmate. That's all. But to make matters better, I guess I'll tell you."

The bright haired man grinned, gripping his sword tightly," Really? What's the occasion?"

"Ishida Uryuu. Remember it well," he said and clicked his glasses up," Because it is the name of the man who will defeat you."

A few mere moments was all he needed for Ishida to go down with blood on the ground. Heck, if Yumi wasn't friends with him, she would have laughed at how fast he was taken down. But once she saw him making his move towards Rukia again, her gaze hardened.


"Man, where is she? It's already midnight..." groaned Ichigo, just finishing up in the bathroom. Right when he had a hand on the door, he heard a muffled cry. Blinking for a second, he bent down only to see Kon duck taped to the back of the toilet seat.

"Oi, Kon. What the hell are you doing back there?"

Kon thrashed about from the tape as if trying to say something. Unfortunately (Or fortunately), the tape was also on his mouth. Taking his hand, Ichigo pulled him off and placed him in his room. Ripping of the tape on his mouth, Ichigo waited.

"Yeoooooooooooooooooooooooouch!" screamed Kon but Ichigo covered his mouth quickly but threw him on the door while covering his nose. Kon tried jumping on Ichigo but he stopped when air freshener sprayed on him.

"Damn Kon, you stink!"

"N-Nee-san!" he whined as Ichigo sighed.

"Alright, Kon. Explain. Where is Rukia?"


'Clang!'

To the Shinigami's surprise, a younger one crossed swords beneath him. The gleam of her blade shone with the moonlight against the cold metal.

"Y-You...?" he stuttered, his sword almost loosening out of his grip.

"It's been a while," she muttered quietly, slowly lifting her head to meet his eyes," Abarai Renji!"

"Yumi? You know Renji?" asked Rukia, obviously confused about the whole conversation now opening up.

Yumi held her stance with her sword being supported by the back of her palm. The weight was incredible and the soreness of her body wasn't helping. Taking a glance at Ishida, her eyes narrowed," Renji. Why are you here?"

"To bring Kuchiki Rukia back to Soul Society for breaking laws." he explained, pressing down on his blade again.

She winced but pushed back up," And what felony did she commit?"

"Giving her powers to a human," Seeing Yumi's surprised look he frowned slightly," I take it you know this human then?" Yumi remained silent but Renji knew her better. He shook his head and closed his eyes," Miyamoto Yumiko. You will be sentenced with aiding of this Shinigami and raising your blade against the Taicho and Fukutaicho of the sixth division. If this continues..." he stopped and slashed down with all his might," You'll die!"

Yumi jumped away just in time to escape the attack but not in time enough to avoid getting a scratch on the cheek. She looked at Kuchiki Byakuya who merely had his eyes closed. Yumi clentched her sword tightly and stood in front of Rukia.

"Yumi, just run! I'll say that I tricked you into keeping me away from them. You can't fight him!" She yelled, tugging a bit on her sleeve.

"Rukia, don't you think it's too late for that? Both Renji and Kuchiki Byakuya have just seen my offence! But even so," she whispered quietly as Rukia stopped. Yumi turned to meet her with a smile," I'm not just going to hand you over. We're friends, even though we just met a couple days ago...Right?"

At the end, her voice was almost hopeful as Rukia responded with a small smile of her own and a nod, as frightened as she was right now. Facing Renji again, Yumi sent him a reckless smirk.

"So, don't you think for a second that I'm still the same Yumi from a few days ago, Renji," she said, her sword heating up," Because I might not be able to control myself!" Her figure suddenly disappeared, causing Renji to momentarily lower his guard. Taking her sword, Yumi then slashed at him from behind. Unfortunately, he read this and blocked it. Seeing this, Yumi released a large and concentrated amount of reiatsu straight across his back. The cloth of his uniform ripped and some blood soaked through. Renji was surprised at this. Just her reiatsu was able to cut him! Was...Damn. She wasn't kidding. This definitely isn't the same little Yumi from a couple of days ago.

"Don't get so full of yourself!" he yelled, slashing upwards and cutting through flesh. Blood spurt through her left shoulder, stopping her movements. Her arm began to feel both numb and pounding with pain.

The cloth of her Shihaksho was getting stained even more and her other wounds, mainly the one on her abdomen, began to open up. She dropped to her knees, holding her shoulder and trying to stop the bleeding," Crap."

Renji slung his sword over his shoulder and scoffed," If you just listened to me, then this wouldn't have happened."

"Damn it." her vision began to get dark and blurry. 'Shoot...Not again', she thought and fell on all fours now, blood dripping to the concrete. Yumi tried gripping on her sword but Renji had stepped on the blade as she winced when trying to lift it.

"Stop, now." he ordered almost softly.

"Yumi...!" started Rukia, unable to cry out louder.

"Renji, get off...my sword." she demanded weakly, trying to tug back, but his foot was in place.

He glared," Not until you stop! Yumi, you're killing yourself! What will Hi--"

"Don't say his name!" she shouted loudly enough to startle him. Her shoulders, despite the immense pain shooting throughout her body, shook slightly and she looked down to the hard concrete," Don't..."

Yumi's eyes felt heavy, as did her body as she fought to stay awake. Hearing an almost inaudible sigh, another pair of footsteps was heard.

"Miyamoto Yumiko. As of today, you are under arrest of the Soul Society. And so, your blade shall be silenced." stated the voice of none other than Kuchiki-Taicho. Renji then took his foot and kicked it out of Yumi's hands.

This is bad. Everything hurts and she was losing herself to the darkness in her vision. Her hand reached out to her lonely sword that was still out of reach. It was almost as if the blade was crying to its wielder frantically, needing the comfort and warm familiar hold of the girl. In a matter of moments, the blade shattered under Renji's and Yumi's eyes blanked out for a whole minute. Devoid of all emotion and it was as if she had...died. But a dim light returned and her arms gave out from beneath her, causing her to lay on the cold ground.

Byakuya turned around," Abarai, we're taking her back."

"Hai..." he answered quietly. Just as he was about to kneel down to take the young Shinigami, a large amount of spiritual energy was blasted in the street. At the same time the familiar sound of footsteps began to wake Yumi. Turning her head slightly, she saw that orange head of hair that she was just waiting to see.

'You're late, Baka.' she wanted to speak but her voice did not work.

"You, did you do that?" asked Ichigo, anger hinting in his calm voice.

"And if I did?" replied Renji, getting back up.

"Well then," started Ichigo, drawing his sword from his back," Kurosaki Ichigo. I'm the one who will bring you down."


If fate is a wheel,

Then we are the sand that is crushed between the cogs.

We cannot do anything. And yet we try anyway.

It is a power that corrupts a person's mind, Both Body and Soul.

The blade our hearts create--

We reach out to grasp its hilt so desperately with our hands.

Even when we cannot protect the ones close to us

The things we cherish most

And the ones we love

If this is the pure and honest truth, then I wonder

The ability to crush one's fate must look like a blade shattering before one's eyes.

We are helpless,

Mindlessly trying to recollect those pieces and bring them together again.

It is those who have been corrupted by this power that destroy themselves.

Those who fight to protect.

Who fight for their important person

People that fight against fate

Those Souls are what make up the wheel


"Ichigo!" cried out a voice. Yumi groaned and her violet eyes opened slightly. She managed to see Rukia get slammed into a pole," Renji, let me go! Ichigo is--"

"Rukia, what the hell has gotten into you!?" he growled and pointed somewhere," He's dead! If you even touch him, your sentence will have another twenty years put on it!"

"So what!?" she argued, her eyes shone suspiciously," I...I was the one who cause him to go through with this!!"

It was silent between the two as Yumi turned to see Ichigo lying down on the ground. His body had two deep gashes on his shoulders as far as she could see. She turned again, lifting herself off the ground and dragged herself back to her now useless and broken blade.

"Tell me, Renji! Is it so bad to go to him? Tell me!"

"So you are saying," started Byakuya," That even if your crime increases, you still want to be at the side of this...boy?" He took a step towards Ichigo and looked down," I see...He does closely resemble him."

A hand then shot forward and gripped on his hakama pants," What are...you saying about me being dead? Resembling somebody...? Don't be moving the conversation ahead without me!"

"Ichi...go." murmured Yumi weakly. He sent her a worried glance. 'Damn. I knew she shouldn't of come with her injuries', he thought and then looked back at Byakuya.

"Let go."

"Sorry, I can't hear you," replied Ichigo," Look at my face if you're gonna say something."

"That guy..." stuttered Renji quietly, surprised that he managed to stay alive this long and still talk back; especially to his captain!

Byakuya's gaze changes and he turns towards Ichigo," Oh?" Yumi recognized that look and tried getting up as fast as possible," It looks to me that you don't want that arm of yours anymore, boy."

Before Yumi or Ichigo could blink, Rukia had run up to him and kicked his hand away from her brother's hakama. Ichigo's eyes looked almost betrayed and hurt as he spoke," Rukia...What the hell--"

"Filthy human!" she yelled, silencing him and Yumi," How dare you grab my brother's Shihakushō like that! Know your place, boy!" Turning around, she then lowered her voice, resembling her brother's stoic tone," Let us go to the Soul Society, Nii-sama. This boy's action opened up my eyes. I will atone for my crimes."

"Rukia, don't--!" protested Yumi but her injuries stopped her from continuing. She walked forward towards Renji and passed Yumi without a second glance.

Ichigo began to snap," Oi, matte! What are you talking about, Ruki--" Renji kicked his back and pushed him back down on the pavement, gaining a pained grunt of Ichigo.

"Renji, stop!" cried out Yumi, eyes shining in a way that made Ichigo's and Renji's hearts sink," If you're going to hurt someone, hurt me instead--"

"Fool," Byakuya suddenly appeared right next to where Yumi laid. To everyone's surprise, the Kuchiki knelt down and held her chin up to meet his eyes ans he whispered," To hurt yourself for others may scar you, but it inflicts scars the people close to you even more."

His words sunk deep. He let go on her chin and then picked her up bridal style. Turning to Renji, he added," We're taking her with us. She will be imprisoned within the Soul Society along with Kuchiki Rukia."

"Iie, let me go...!" she hissed weakly, but she was too tired to thrash about.

"Yumi!" shouted Ichigo but Renji pushed him back down.

"Shut up and stop making things worse for them, dobe (AN: Dumbass)!"

"There is no point in dealing the final blow. He will die eventually and she will as well before we get to Seireitei for her treatment. As such, Miyamoto Yumiko will not require punishment." answered Rukia, closing her eyes and ignoring Ichigo's pleading eyes.

"Is this...Is this some kind of joke, Rukia!?" he yelled once more, beginning to strain his voice," Look at me, damn it!"

Sensing that he was trying to get up, Rukia roared," Don't move!" He stopped," Don't you dare move one step from there...!" Yumi was about to say something but the pain was too much and her vision was getting hazy. "If you try to follow me...I..." she turned to look at Ichigo, her eyes filled with tears," I will never forgive you...!" Rukia turned back around and continued," You're going to die. So just lie there and try to live a little longer."

'Pit. Pat. Pit.'

Rain began to fall upon the Shinigami. A sound that silenced any spoken word. The rain mixed with the growing red puddles on the ground making a river of crimson flow down.

"Very well. I shall leave the human to die with his last breath. With my two attacks, I have completely shattered the soul's two fatal areas, the Chain link and the soul sleep," answered Byakuya, taking a hand off the hilt of his sword and beginning to walk away, "And as for Miyamoto..." He studied her features. Ragged and slow breathing was accompanied by deep wounds causing blood to flow on his Shihakushō. Yumi stared at him for a fleeting moment, her eyes relaying what she was meaning to say to the captain without words. Once again, Byakuya shocked everyone else by kneeling down once more and letting Yumi down to lean against the railing on the sidewalk.

"Kuchiki...Taicho?" stuttered Renji, again dumbfounded.

Before he stood up once more, Yumi grasped the sleeve of his shihaksho weakly. He didn't say anything but made sure she had her small fingers around what was left of her sword. Leaning over, he whispered something in her ear and then left to his Fukutaicho's side," Renji."

"H-Hai!" he answered, walking a few steps away. Taking his released sword, Renji concentrated and then plunged it into an invisible portal," Unlock!" A door suddenly appeared out of thin air. The shinigami walked through first. Once it was Rukia's turn, she stepped through slowly.

"Ruki...a." Yumi tried speaking but more blood began to seep through. Another wound opened up from the movement of Byakuya putting her down," Don't...!"

Hell butterflies flew about wildly around her head before returning to their owners.

As the doors began to close, she gave one final glance behind her before it shut completely. The rain crashed down heavier against the three bodies currently on the ground.

Yumi grit her teeth and began to move," Rukia..."

"Damn it...Damn it!" he began to shout with his still weak voice," I got...protected again...!" His fist collides with the wet ground. The broken blade of his zanpakto lay in front of him.

"Ichigo!" she called out worriedly, using the last reserves of her strength, Yumi ignored that pain raging throughout her body and began to crawl towards him. Before she could take a full foot forward, however, her body gave out from underneath her and she fell on her chest. The injury on her abdomen caused her to whimper in the rain and her sword clattered once again out of reach.

"Yumi?" asked Ichigo, turning his head to where her body lay. The red puddle beneath her widened and she did not even move a finger. "O-Oi, Yumi!"

The only answer he got was the soft cruel hiss of the falling rain.


Omake Theatre

Yumi: You are so evil

Mana: Yeah, I know.

Ichigo: So, what's Toshiro gonna say about that? So far you've been giving her a beating

Mana: I guess so...

Yumi: ...She's thinking...

Ichigo: That can't be good

Mana: HEY! Oh, by the way... Where's Archer?

Everyone: -cricket cricket-

Anyways...yeah. This chapter was supposed to have come out sooner and come out better... Unfortunately it didn't. My computer with microsoft didn't work and my notepad version isn't updated. So I'm pretty much typing this blind. -sigh- Reviews are loved. Seriously, they're loved and they help me get these chapters out (Plus it motivates me to learn how to operate a mac. Yeah I have to learn how to use a mac now...It's so confusing!

Let's see, since people HAVE been reviewing, I'll give a small hint to what comes next. Listen to Mi Bolero del Fuego on youtube. Dj4's version. And, a quote that might have something to do with the next. Well, that or it's totally irrelevant. It's up to you! lol:

"When all else fails, break some stuff to vent. When that fails, then smack your lawyer."