Chapter 14

Buffy left the Kuchiki manor alone, Ginrei only leading her to the gates. She had a general idea of how to get back to the school, and from the school to her dormitory, having paid attention to her surroundings when Byakuya had taken her to the manor. It might take a couple of wrong turns, but she'd find her way home eventually.

"Buffy!"

Had it been almost any other male voice, she might have told them off. She didn't want to deal with any more testosterone poisoning that day; indeed, she'd had more than enough to last her a while. She turned to see Yumichika leaning against the wall surrounding the Kuchiki estate, his arms crossed and a soft smile on his face.

"Come to escort me home?" Buffy asked as Yumichika pushed off the wall and offered his arm to her.

"Something like that," Yumichika replied as Buffy took his arm. He smiled down at her before continuing. "How was your day?"

"Besides the fact that Ikkaku's suffering from testosterone poisoning and I get to deal with him?" Buffy asked, arching an eyebrow. "Pretty good, I'd say."

"So, is Kuchiki teaching you how to fight?" Yumichika asked, amused.

"Hardly," Buffy replied with a snort. "More like the other way around, there."

"Well, that's good," Yumichika said as they continued to walk. The sun was beginning to set, casting the sky with a pretty orange glow. "I'm glad to see that you're making more friends."

"Ikkaku's not," Buffy said with a scowl, although she was pleased that Yumichika approved of her friend-making endeavours. "I swear, the only person he hasn't freaked out about is Rangiku!"

"Well, he's quite resistant to change, you know," Yumichika replied thoughtfully. "And he's quite protective of what he considers his."

Buffy blinked, dumbfounded for a few moments. How the hell did that happen? Ikkaku could barely tolerate her on the best of days; at least, that was how he made it seem. He had made it abundantly clear numerous times, and she doubted anyone was that good of an actor. She had to admit there were a few times where he was less of an ass, but Buffy liked to think that those moments were temporary weakness on Ikkaku's part. Or insanity.

"Crazy person says what?" she asked quickly.

"What?" Yumichika said, before he got the joke. He narrowed his eyes at her, before smiling again. "Very funny, Buffy. Although, now that I think of it, I can't think of anyone better for my little sister."

"Wait a sec, who are you calling little?" Buffy asked, mirroring his previous narrow-eyed expression. Except this time, there was no smile.

"Younger sister, then?" Yumichika suggested.

"How come you get to be the older sibling?" Buffy asked, arching an eyebrow. "I'm the one with the older sibling experience, here."

"What's your experience?" Yumichika asked, curious. Maybe he'd get some of the information that Ikkaku was currently in possession of. The bald man had been staunchly tight-lipped about what he and Buffy had discussed that night. While he admired Ikkaku's loyalty to Buffy, it bothered him a little that he knew next to nothing about the girl he had adopted as his sister, and Ikkaku knew nearly everything.

"Because I have a little sister," Buffy replied, her voice soft. "Well, kind of. It's complicated. Her name was Dawn."

"Tell me about her?" Yumichika prompted. He could hear the hurt in Buffy's voice, and he hoped he wouldn't regret asking her about her past life, before she had come to Soul Society.

He wasn't disappointed, because Buffy began telling the story about her sister, Dawn. She told him how Dawn wasn't technically her sister at all, how she had really been a mystical key shoved into a human body made by the blood of the Slayer and inserted into her life as her sister. She told him how their memories had been altered so it seemed like Dawn had been there the entire time. She told him about Glory and Ben and how they wanted to use Dawn's blood to open a portal to the hellgoddess's home dimension. She told him about her end, how she had jumped to close the portal, and how she had ended up, almost literally, falling into Yumichika and Ikkaku's laps.

"Those monks did a hell of a job," Buffy said, her voice choking a bit. "They wanted the Slayer to protect the Key with her life, and I did. And now I'm here."

"I still want to be the older sibling," Yumichika said at the end of Buffy's story. She looked at him, perplexed, unshed tears in her eyes, so he explained himself. "You've had way too much to worry about, way too many people to protect. You deserve to have someone worry about you and protect you now. And I want to be the one to do it."

"It's going to take a lot of getting used to," Buffy said "I'm used to being the one in charge, the responsible one. I can't promise I won't jump in front of you if someone decides they're going to attack you or anything like that."

"And I wouldn't want you to change," Yumichika said, squeezing her closer to him. "Although you have to understand that I can look after myself. Been doing since way before you were here, and I've been looking after Ikkaku for almost as long. So, do you like your new room mate?"

"She's all right," Buffy replied, thankful for the change in topic. "She was in my group for the entrance exam. Made fun of my height. Thinks I'm nuts because I'm friends with Ikkaku after I told her how we met, but other than that I think we'll get along okay. How are the other guys in your dorm? No problems, I hope."

"Well, Ikkaku doesn't like the Iba guy, but I think that has more to do with the fact that Iba's getting close to you than anything else," Yumichika replied. Buffy rolled her eyes; typical Ikkaku. Yumichika glanced around nervously for a few moments before he continued. "That Ichimaru kid creeps me out, though. What's up with that smile?"

"I know!" Buffy exclaimed, before she stopped walking. She held a finger to her lips, listening carefully.

"What is it?" Yumichika asked before Buffy shushed him. She was silent for a few more moments, her head cocked to the side as if listening for something before she shook her head and brought herself back to the present.

"Sorry, I thought I heard something, but I think it's gone now," Buffy replied, shaking her head again. "So, Gin. Creepy, huh? Glad I'm only living with his best friend."

"What's up with his eyes, though? I've never seen him open them," Yumichika asked.

"I have no idea," Buffy replied "If I think about it, I'll ask Rangiku about it. Can't make any promises I'll get the information from her, though."

"I've always found that getting people drunk is a great way to get information out of people," Yumichika said. "It's led to some rather illuminating conversations with Ikkaku while he was inebriated."

"Anything recent?" Buffy asked, curious.

"Oddly enough, no," Yumichika replied thoughtfully. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say he was on to me. and since when do you care? I thought you didn't like Ikkaku."

"I never said I didn't like him," Buffy said quickly. Yumichika arched an eyebrow at her. "He just annoys the ever-loving crap out of me and makes me want to hit him most of the time."

"I think someone has a crush," Yumichika said in a sing-song voice.

"Do not," Buffy retorted with a scowl.

"Oh, such a mature response," Yumichika said, as he tried to extract himself from Buffy's grip. She held firm, using some of her Slayer strength to keep him there.

"You tell anyone your theory, and I will beat you to a bloody pulp," Buffy said, her eyes narrowed. "You know I can do it, too."

"So, you admit it," Yumichika stated, trying to keep the terror out of his voice. He was pretty certain that she wouldn't go as far as to beat him to a bloody pulp, but that didn't mean she couldn't.

"I'm admitting nothing," Buffy replied with a snort. "I'm just saying that if you spread something like that around, you're not going to like what's going to happen to you."

"Understood," Yumichika said, gulping slightly as they began crossing the courtyard, heading towards the student dorms.

"Hypothetically speaking, what would you do if I did, say, have feelings for Ikkaku?" Buffy asked, after a few moments of comfortable silence.

"I'd stand back and watch the fireworks, and hope neither of you get burned," Yumichika replied. Buffy just looked at him, curious, as they stopped at her residence hall. He stooped slightly and wrapped Buffy in a tight hug. "Good night, little sister. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Who are you calling little?" Buffy asked, arching an eyebrow as Yumichika pulled away.

"Good night, Buffy," he said again, amused as he turned and walked away. Buffy sighed and turned, entering the building and heading up the stairs until she got to her own room. Rangiku was already there, lounging on her bed with a book in her hands.

"Where have you been?" she asked, curious as she marked her place and sat up. She waggled her eyebrows suggestively. "Hanging out with that hot guy from the party?"

"Hardly," Buffy replied with a snort. She flopped down face first onto her bed, turning her head so that she was looking at her room mate. "Training session with one of my classmates. He wanted some help, I said I'd do it. Then my brother walked me home, even though it kind of creeps me out that he was following me."

"He's just doing it because he cares," Rangiku said. "Gin does that to me all the time. Annoying as hell sometimes, but it's better to know that someone cares about you than be alone in the world."

"I guess so," Buffy said. "So, how were your classes?"

"Good so far, I think," Rangiku said with a shrug. "Pretty much was just an introduction to the classes, what we would be learning, all that stuff."

"Sounds a lot like my day," Buffy said. "Although we did do a little sparring during the combat class. After I handed my partner's ass to him, he asked for some extra tutoring. Warms a girl's heart when the younger generation asks me for help."

"How old was he?" Rangiku asked, curious.

"I don't know, young," Buffy replied with a shrug. "Gin's age, I would guess."

"Huh," Rangiku said.

"Huh what?" Buffy asked, arching an eyebrow.

"Huh, nothing," Rangiku replied. "Just a non-committal noise."

"Okay then," Buffy said. She grabbed one of the books on her bedside table, for one of her classes the next day. Rangiku turned back to her book, taking notes as she did so as Buffy began to read, slipping into a bit of a zone in her reading until her eyes began to droop, signifying it was time for bed.

***

The next few weeks passed in a bit of a blur. Classes were attended, tutoring sessions were set up and carried out and Buffy was getting closer and closer to both Iba and Rangiku, much to Ikkaku's endless annoyance and Buffy's amusement. Yumichika refused to get in between them, saying that he didn't want to be caught in the crossfire if all out war was to be declared. Most people would say he was a very, very smart man.

Everything seemed really and truly normal as Buffy settled into a routine, except for one thing she couldn't quite shake.

Buffy couldn't help but feel that she was being followed.

Going to and from classes, to and from the Kuchiki manor and to and from her dormitory, she couldn't help but feel someone was watching her, following her. It was odd, and creepy, and it made her feel a little violated. She was almost always with at least one person when going to and from anywhere; along with Iba, Rangiku, Byakuya, Yumichika and Ikkaku Buffy had started talking to some of the other people in her classes, and could be found in the company of any one or more of them when not in classes. When she was with her friends, it wasn't difficult for her to ignore the feeling of being watched, but in the few times she was alone, it was nearly unbearable.

One day, the feeling was particularly bad, and the first time she had truly been able to escape the feeling was when she set foot on the Kuchiki manor grounds for her and Byakuya's training session. Even though she relaxed noticeably once she was within the walls of the manor, Byakuya could tell something was wrong almost immediately.

"Are you all right?" he asked, concerned. They'd gotten relatively close during the last couple of weeks, training together and all, and even though Byakuya kept his distance while they were in class most of the time – something about a reputation to keep up – he had gotten far better at reading her than most of the people she was close to.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Buffy replied quickly, relishing the sense of relief that washed over her. "So, what do you want to work on today?"

"I want to make sure you can keep your mind completely on whatever we decide to do today," Byakuya said. "I don't want you to have to explain away any bruises or anything tomorrow."

"Oh please, everyone I know knows we're working together," Buffy said with a scoff, causing Byakuya to scowl. "Besides, I heal way faster than most people and any bruises you inflict will probably be gone by morning anyway."

"Well, then, how about we work on your kido?" Byakuya said. Buffy blinked at him. "It is part of our agreement, after all, and I do remember what happened in class last week."

"Don't remind me," Buffy said with a grimace. Blowing herself up had not been fun, and not an experience she was willing to repeat. "I don't think I have the concentration to keep from blowing myself up today."

"So, there is something on your mind," Byakuya stated, arching an eyebrow at her.

"I never said that," Buffy replied quickly.

"But you just said you didn't have the concentration to keep from blowing yourself up," Byakuya said. "If you are unable to concentrate on the task at hand, it implies that you have other things on your mind. Now, tell me what it is."

"You're gonna have to beat it out of me," Buffy retorted, grinning a little when the young boy scowled. "And since we both know you can't beat me, you're never gonna get it out of me."

She had almost no time to dodge the attack with the wooden sword Byakuya had had at his waist. As she rolled, she grabbed a wooden sword from the pile and brandished it as she kneeled, blocking another blow that came down hard.

"I told you, you're not going to get it out of me," Buffy said before another onslaught of attacks came her way.

Byakuya fought hard, his skills having improved a fair amount in the last couple of weeks, having both trained with Buffy and on his own. However, he was still no match for Buffy, who had her Slayer skills, training and strength on her side. Before very long, Buffy had him restrained, wooden blade on his throat.

"Do you concede?" she asked, amused at the glare she was receiving.

"I concede," Byakuya said between gritted teeth. She let him go, knowing that conceding defeat was difficult for him. He flexed and rolled the shoulder of the arm Buffy had held behind his back, making sure she hadn't done any permanent damage. "I still don't understand you."

"What's to understand?" Buffy asked as she picked up the wooden swords, putting them back in their proper places.

"How you are the way you are," Byakuya replied, curious. "You're unlike any woman I've ever met before."

"Well, I'm one of a kind," Buffy replied with a grin. He has no idea how true that statement is, she thought. Byakuya didn't know her status as a former Slayer, and she hoped he wouldn't for a while. It was something that didn't really need to be spoken about, after all. "So, was there anything you really wanted to work on? Because I think I might pack it in early. Lots of studying, you know."

"No, no, I don't think there's anything else," Byakuya said. "Do you need me to escort you home?"

"No, I think I know the way by now," Buffy replied. "I'll see you in class tomorrow, okay?"

"Okay, see you then," Byakuya returned, a small smile crossing his face. She beamed back before skipping out of the garden. One of the servants was waiting for her at the entrance back into the house, and she would lead Buffy through the house and out the gate.

Alone for the first time in several days, the sense of being watched returned in full force as soon as she left the safety of the Kuchiki manor.

"Okay, seriously, I know you've been following me," Buffy said aloud, hoping that her stalker would finally come out and show him or herself so that she could kick their ass. "Come out where I can see you and maybe I'll make your death quick and painless."

"I doubt that, Ayasegawa."

Buffy whirled around and saw the creepy guy from the party, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, standing behind her, his sword in his hand.

"You see, it would be difficult for you to kill me, because I am in possession of a weapon and you are not," he continued, advancing on her. "You have two options. One, you may come with me willingly and I will inflict as little pain on you as possible. Or, you can resist and I will take you by force. Either way, you will be coming with me."

"I've won with worse odds," Buffy retorted. "And there's no way in hell I'm going with you. Bring it on."

"As you wish, my lady," Kurotsuchi said with a nasty smile. "Rip, Ashisogi Jizo."

The sword transformed from a normal katana into a weapon that looked like no other weapon she'd seen before. The guard was shaped like an ugly baby's head with three blades coming out from its head. The middle blade was the longest.

"What the hell is that?" Buffy asked, staring at the weapon.

"It's my Zanpakuto, Ashisogi Jizo," Kurotsuchi replied. "It has special powers. Would you like to see them?"

"I'm going to have you down for the count before you can show me," Buffy taunted, launching herself at him, using her newly-learned flash steps to get closer, faster. Part of her brain was telling her to run away as fast as she possibly could, but the Slayer in her wasn't going to let her back down from a challenge, even though the odds were stacked against her.

Kurotsuchi had seemingly anticipated the attack, because as she reappeared in front of him, ready to tackle him to the ground, he held up his Zanpakuto and nicked her on the arm. It fell to her side, dead.

"What the hell?!" Buffy shouted, staring at the arm that now hung limply at her side.

"Ah yes, I neglected to tell you," Kurotsuchi said, the nasty smile on his face again. "Ashisogi Jizo has an interesting special ability. It paralyzes anything it touches. You will not last long, now."

Buffy tried to dodge the blows that came her way, using flash steps, running away as she did, but before long the use of flash steps was fatiguing her, and when Kurotsuchi had cut her leg with his Zanpakuto, she knew that fighting any more was pointless.

"Now then, I hope I didn't do any permanent damage to you," Kurotsuchi said as he picked Buffy up and slung her over his shoulder. "Now, if you scream I'm going to have to sedate you until we get to my lab."

Buffy, not heeding his request, opened her mouth and screamed like a banshee. Kurotsuchi procured a syringe from his robes and stabbed it into Buffy's behind, the only place that was within easy reach. The fast-acting sedative coursed through her body so quickly that she'd only gotten an additional five seconds of screaming in before she hung limp over Kurotsuchi's shoulder, allowing him to carry her dead weight in peace.

Chuckling to himself in satisfaction, he began carrying her, confident that no one would see him.

***

About an hour later, Yumichika approached the Kuchiki manor. As he drew nearer, he could feel that something was off, something wasn't quite right. Normally he waited for Buffy outside, but this time he was compelled to knock on the door to see if she was still in the manor. Drawing up on his reserves of courage, he knocked respectfully on the door before stepping back and waiting for someone to answer it.

"Yes?"

Standing in the doorway was an elderly man, an indifferent expression on his face. He was clothed in the standard Shinigami uniform, and draped around his neck was a very expensive-looking scarf.

"Um, hello," Yumichika greeted, feeling suddenly awkward. "I was wondering if my sister was still here. Buffy Ayasegawa, she's over here a few times a week to train with Byakuya-sama."

"She left an hour ago," the man replied. "I believe she was returning home after her training with my grandson."

"Okay. Um, thank you," Yumichika said, bowing slightly before turning to leave. He was beginning to feel a little concerned, although he was pretty sure she had just gone directly to her dormitory when she had left the Kuchiki manor. As quickly as he could, he headed back to the residence halls, hoping against hope that she had gone straight home.

He first went to Buffy's dormitory, running up the stairs until he reached Buffy's room. He'd only been in there a couple of times, but it was easy enough to remember where it was. He knocked on the door and waited, hoping that Buffy answered the door.

"Hi Yumichika," Rangiku greeted, poking her head out the door. "If you're looking for Buffy, she's not here."

"Oh," Yumichika said, crestfallen. "Have you seen her today?"

"Not since she left for Kuchiki's a couple of hours ago," Rangiku said thoughtfully. "Why, what's wrong?"

"She left the Kuchiki manor about an hour ago and no one's seen her since," Yumichika replied. Rangiku's eyes widened.

"Have you looked everywhere?" she asked.

"Well, not yet," Yumichika replied. "I haven't checked my place, or the library yet."

"Well then, let's go," Rangiku said, grabbing his hand and dragging him down the hall and out of the building.

They asked everyone they came across between the residence halls and the library and the library to the kido training grounds and from the kido grounds back to the residence halls. Either people had seen her earlier in the day, but hadn't for a few hours, or hadn't seen her at all. This was beginning to worry Yumichika.

"Maybe she's hanging out with Iba at your dorm," Rangiku suggested as they reached the residence halls again. "They have been getting pretty close lately."

"And I hope I never know just how close," Yumichika replied with a small shudder. They may not really be related, but he had come to think of Buffy as his real sister over the time he had known her, and the thought of her doing anything remotely not innocent with anyone made him feel a little nauseated. "But it can't hurt."

"Lead the way, then," Rangiku said, and Yumichika did. Up the stairs they went until they reached Yumichika's room, which he shared with his three room mates. He barged in, not caring about the mess that was more than likely to greet them. Rangiku followed, a little more calmly, causing the two men already in the room to scramble up and try to make themselves look a little more presentable.

"Oh please," Rangiku said with a scoff, rolling her eyes.

"Jeez Yumichika, could you give us a little warning if you're going to bring a girl over?" Ikkaku grumbled. Iba was most likely glaring at him, although he couldn't tell because his eyes were hidden behind a pair of sunglasses.

"We don't have time for that," Yumichika said as he scanned the room. As he expected, his sister wasn't there. "Buffy's missing."

***

Chapter fourteen done. I hope you enjoy it ^_^. Feedback is always appreciated, flames will be used to toast marshmallows.