Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

Note: I'm incredibly sorry for the long wait, but my PC caught a virus and it took until today to fix it.
To make up for it I'm posting the next chapter right along and I promise this here is the last chapter this short.
Anyhow, I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 13:

"Are you really sure about it, Renji?", asked Rukia.

"Yeah", he said and an exhausted tone clung to his voice. "She's the only one gone missing. And the guards say they saw her enter in the evening, but not come out again."

"You're right", said Rukia. "I guess, I just don't want it to be true. And it would not be like her to sneak from the house right now, only one week before the wedding."

She saw Renji's shoulders stiffen and inwardly cursed herself for being so insensitive.

They stopped in front of the 1st division's double doors.

"You'll tell me what they say?", asked Rukia.

Renji looked down into her small, worried face. "Sure", he said.

He was one of the last to enter and strained silence greeted him. His taichou was standing next to Kurotsuchi Mayuri, engaged in a discussion in hushed voices.

Finally, Yamamoto-soutaichou stood up. "Silence!", he commanded unneccessarily.

"We have gathered today to discuss the case of a missing member of the Kuchiki family. Kuchiki Byakuya, if you would please step forth."

Byakuya walked calmly up to the front and turned to face the assembled captains.

"Last night, I found freshly spilled blood on the floor of my quarters. The 12th squad has already analyzed it and verified that it belongs to Kuchiki Shihana, my cousin. She has indeed been missing since that same night. We must assume that she was abducted. Kurotsuchi-taichou, could you venture a guess by whom?"

"Unmistakebly, the blood was spilled by a Zanpakutou", stated Kurotsuchi. Then he grinned. "We have found out to whom this sword belongs: it is Shinso, Ichimaru Gin's blade."

His words were followed by heavy silence.

Then Byakuya's cool and even voice continued. "I request a squad to be dispatched to Hueco Mundo to retrieve her."

"Denied", answered the soutaichou.

Byakuya's eyes widened in surprise.

"We cannot allow to weaken Soul Society's defence during these critical times. It might be just what Aizen Sousuke wants."

Renji opened his mouth to speak, but Shunsui, who was standing beside him, quickly silenced him and pointed towards Byakuya.

The head of Kuchiki house had thrown himself up to his full height. With his gleaming white scarf and the kenseikan shimmering in his hair, he looked very imposing. Yet, Yamamoto seemed not impressed in the least. He fixed the younger man with a slightly irritated gaze.

"I suggest you reconsider", said Byakuya. "Kuchiki Shihana was working in the 6th squad office. She has knowledge that would proof fatal if it was spilled. We cannot allow her to remain in the enemy's hands."

"You might have a point there, Kuchiki-taichou. But such a descision cannot be hastily made. I postpone this meeting until tommorow. You can already choose a squad in case I allow them to act. You are dismissed for now."

The next chapter takes us back to Hueco Mundo and is the real reason this is rated M. I hope you like it.