AN: Phew! This chapter was hard to write! XD I struggled with how the characters would react, and how much information I should share. *grins evilly* I am super excited though! Please let me know what you think of it! :3 Also, I am so sorry, there is still quite a bit of Ichiruki in this chapter. It won't be that way for very long, because this IS a ByaRuki fiction :D XP Oh! I nearly forgot, there's lots of different characters POV in this chapter. I put the line breaks to make it easier to figure out. :) Hope you enjoy! And thanks for reading!

Ch.4

A hand reached out and backhanded Renji, and the man grimaced.

"She was supposed to be in that alley when we arrived, you idiot! You useless trash!"

Renji's eyes widened, "You didn't tell me that! You promised that you'd leave her out of this!" The other man gave a feral smile.

"And you believed me? That just proves what an idiot you really are. You should know by now not to trust anyone. Now, after failing to do what we asked, you are useless to us." Renji started sweating at this last comment.

"Wait! What do I do to keep you away from her? I'll.. do anything. I didn't want to do this in the first place! Just, give me a way to make it up to you, and I won't fail. And then," Renji paused. "Besides, I have new information." The man raised an eyebrow.

"Spit it out."

Renji took a deep breath, "Kuchiki Byakuya is the one who saved her and foiled whatever you're conspiring." The man sucked in a breath, and Renji continued harshly, "What do you need from Rukia?"

The man kept his silence. "If you don't keep away from Rukia, I will kill you," Renji said confidently. "I've already done more damage that could ever be forgiven. She has already been through hell because of me. I pretended to be drunk to rape her according to your stupid wishes," His voice broke. He lifted his eyes defiantly, "If you refuse, then I will do everything to stop you." The man gave a sympathetic smile.

"Well. I'm sorry to say that that isn't possible. She'll go through worse, most likely by your hands. Gomen, Renji." Before Renji knew what had happened, another man came up behind him and knocked him out. The man looked up at his leader.

"How will we explain this to captain? And what are we supposed to do with him?" The silver-haired leader grinned so large that his eyes squinted shut, and spoke softly, with conviction, "Maybe we can use him as leverage. Captain has specifically stated that he MUST have this 'Rukia'."

Ichigo and Rukia walked home, hands intertwined. Rukia couldn't fathom how his father was going to take this news. He already called her his 'third daughter'. Ichigo's thoughts were along the same line, and he snuck a glance over at the petite girl. For the first time, he noticed her gracefulness and fragility. She seemed to be deep in thought, and he gently squeezed her hand.

"What are you thinking about?" he said, relaxing his natural scowl.

She blushed and smiled, "How your father is going to take this. I can't picture how; there are just too many ways he could. And…" she frowned before continuing, "If he hears what happened, will he not let me stay with you anymore? I'm afraid.." Ichigo halted and touched her shoulders, turning her to face him.

"Whatever happens, you're not alone anymore. I know that your nee-san isn't here anymore, but you will never be alone." He forced a smile. Rukia could tell it was awkward for him, and chuckled. Her face quickly lost its smile and she set her shoulders back determinedly.

Ichigo didn't know what to say to her. She said that she didn't want him to apologize to her, because it 'wasn't his fault'. However, he could feel the guilt eating away at him. He was supposed to protect those who were close to him. He didn't even realize that Rukia had gone missing at night. He assumed that she had gone out in the morning. When she didn't come back that night and didn't answer his calls is when he began to panic. How was he supposed to not feel guilty for being unable to help? Ichigo hated feeling helpless. He gripped her hand tighter as they entered his… no, their home.

Byakuya felt restless at work, which was an unusual occurrence in itself. Usually, Byakuya was content to sit and do paperwork all day long, as well as treat patients. However, he was worried about Rukia. He took a long drink of his herbal tea, hoping that it would relax him. His work was moderately stressful, but it hardly seemed important at the moment. His mind wandered to Rukia, and he wondered how she was. He wondered if she and Ichigo had made up, and if so, what they would be doing at this moment… No. That wasn't any of his concern. He focused on the paperwork and then was interrupted by his secretary.

"Byakuya-san?" Nanao Ise was a reserved individual. Usually she worked for one of Byakuya's partners, Shunsui Kyoraku. However, she had been temporarily transferred because of Byakuya's inability to retain secretaries for very long. They always seemed exhausted by his work ethics and his unwillingness to compromise. "Byakuya-san?" Nanao repeated, surprised to see a dazed look on Byakuya's face. "Byakuya-san, are you feeling alright?" This shook Byakuya out of his thinking, and he shook his head.

"What can I do for you, Nanao-san?" Nanao held out a file folder.

"Please look at this unusual patient. He was found in a dumpster, barely clinging to life. We have included several pictures of him found on the Internet, and he is on his way via ambulance. He was beaten within an inch of his life. I am afraid we may be in need of your surgical skills once again. He appears to have severe internal bleeding." Byakuya rubbed his temple.

"I don't know if I can," he replied, his voice just above a whisper. "After.. she died, I promised that I wouldn't take such a risk on anyone else."

Nanao nodded understandingly, "Please, at least take a look at the photos and description. I fear that you may be the only one who can save him. Unohana isn't here today, and we can't reach her. Please consider it." She bowed deeply before leaving.

Byakuya desperately wanted to throw the whole file away, but something told him that he should at least take a look at the information. He opened the page to see the face of a man whom he recognized very well. "That damned ginger!" He stood up. "Damn it all! I'll save him, but only so I can get some answers." He quickly read over the information and stalked out of the room. Those in adjoining chambers flinched when they heard the door slam behind him.

"OHHHHH! MASAKI! Our third son and our third daughter are going to date! What are we to do?!" Ichigo rolled his eyes, and Rukia visibly flinched at Kurosaki Isshin's loud and dramatic response. Isshin was sobbing at Masaki's memorial picture, constantly reminding the family that she was there in spirit.

"Oi! Old goat chin! Are you going to give your permission, or blessing, or whatever the heck it is?" Ichigo said, stuffing his hands deep in his pockets uncomfortably.

Isshin quieted down and studied them intently. "Ichigo, are you committed to protecting Rukia with your life?" Ichigo nodded solemnly. Isshin broke into a huge grin. "Very well. Be prepared though; if you hurt her, she is my daughter, and I will castrate you." Isshin said with an evil grin on his face. Ichigo shuddered.

"I understand perfectly, you creep. Let's go, Rukia." He took a hold of her hand and led her up to his room. Rukia blushed and followed him.

Byakuya removed his bloodstained latex gloves and washed his hands before removing the required facemask. Nanao came up beside him, "Byakuya-san. You did very well for the first time being back in the surgical world for 6 years." Byakuya nodded silently, and made his way back to his office. Upon reaching it, he shut his door and locked it, collapsing and leaning on it.

"Why?" he muttered hoarsely. "Why was I able to save the man who had similar injuries to HER, but I couldn't save her? The man who raped someone dear to me was able to be saved, but the mother of three children couldn't?" He covered his face and noticed that his hands were trembling from the shock finally registering with his body. He let his body relax, and he stood up, working out the kinks and knots in his form.

He let out a deep breath and whispered, "I will find out why he did this to you Rukia, and I will make sure he receives his due punishment. He won't get away with it, I swear."

Renji awoke in an unusual place, surrounded by white walls, and the scent of bleach smothering his senses. He felt groggy, and he registered that there was an IV administering some sort of medicine into him. He reached over and began to yank it out, when a voice spoke and jolted him, "I wouldn't recommend doing that, Abarai Renji." Renji turned, wide-eyed to the man who spoke to him, and his surprise grew exponentially. There, leaning against the doorway, stood a man, with his arms crossed and a no-nonsense look on his face.

Renji gulped and stuttered, "A-Ano. What can I-I do for you?" The man took a step towards him, and then another, until he towered over Renji.

"Actually, you can do a whole heck of a lot for me." Renji knit his brows in confusion.

"And who might you be?" He asked, with an unveiled threat in his voice.

"I am the person who performed surgery on you so that you would be alive right now. And I am someone who you will soon hate. My name is Kuchiki Byakuya."

To say that Renji was surprised would be the understatement of the year. The man who saved Rukia was the man who saved him, and the man whom he put in danger.

"Yeah. And what do you want?" Renji said, trying not to show his shock.

He leaned in, and placed his hand on Renji's shoulder, gripping it so it would bruise. Renji gritted his teeth. "I want to know exactly why you raped Kuchiki Rukia, and how the hell you can make up for it." Byakuya sneered aggressively, and for one of the first times Renji could remember, he was scared.

Rukia and Ichigo sat down to tell Isshin the whole story. Rukia let Ichigo do the talking, since she was still very uncomfortable speaking up. As he was in the middle of describing what happened, they heard a knock at the door. Rukia stood up to answer it, and before she could make it over there, someone continued banging on it. She quickly threw the door open, to see a frantic-looking Byakuya. As soon as he rest his eyes on her, he let out a relieved sigh. He then looked behind him, and stepped in without asking. Rukia finally spoke as he removed his black dress shoes.

"What in the world are you doing, Byakuya?"

"Rukia, you are in danger at this moment. They know where you live. Where's Isshin?" She was confused at his familiarity with Ichigo's father, but did not question it, and led him into the kitchen. Isshin stood when he saw Byakuya, as did Ichigo.

"What in the world are you doing here?" Ichigo asked. Byakuya paid him no heed.

"They're after her." He said, looking directly at Isshin. Isshin paled considerably.

"There's no possible way.. after all these years.." Ichigo looked at his father, then to Rukia.

"Do you know what they're talking about, Rukia?" She looked at him and shook her head. Byakuya turned his focus back to Rukia.

"I performed surgery on Renji today." Rukia's eyes widened more than what was considered humanly possible, and Byakuya continued, "He informed me that he was threatened to do many things he 'regrets considerably', his own words. He also told me that for some reason or another, the head leader of their drug mafia is after Rukia. They have two leaders; the one dealing with Renji was Gin Ichimaru." Ichigo's countenance darkened after hearing this name. "The second is a former professor at Karakura University; his name is Sousuke Aizen." You could hear a pin drop at this moment in time as four minds pieced all of this together. Then, as one by one, they started to click, Rukia and Ichigo began sputtering nonsense. Byakuya held up a hand for them to wait.

"What do you suggest we do, then, Byakuya-san?" Isshin asked.

He looked down, "I don't know if you would trust me enough to listen to my ideas, that aren't foolproof."

Isshin scoffed, "Baka. It isn't your fault that Masaki is dead." Byakuya looked up, surprised at Isshin's sincerity. "It's the bastard who beat her as badly as they did. It doesn't matter that you couldn't save her. It took me a long time to forgive you for that, but you tried, didn't you?" Byakuya was speechless, and took a few deep breaths to steady himself before continuing with his idea.

"As far as I know, they could be outside right now. I have a cabin a ways away from here that only I and a few servants know the exact location of. However, I do not think that your family will be in danger. It would be safest if I only took Rukia with me." Byakuya said, unsure of what they would say.

"WHAT?!" Ichigo yelled. "Oh, no. There is no—" Isshin put a hand on Ichigo's shoulder.
"Sometimes we have to do what's best for everyone. If we keep Rukia here, she will only be in more danger." Isshin turned to Rukia. "Would you be willing to temporarily go with Byakuya, until we figure out the best course of action?" Rukia nodded, her throat tight at the thought that someone was after her.

Rukia rushed upstairs and packed her bags, and came back down within 15 minutes. She gave Ichigo and Isshin a hug goodbye, and told them to tell Ichigo's sisters goodbye for her. Byakuya rushed her out to his car and sped off. Ichigo was left watching, as they got smaller until they disappeared from his line of sight.

AN: Whew! Now I'm off to bed, after a hard day's work on that! I've been stuck in bed due to back spasms, so writing this was much easier since I had more time on my hands :3 Thanks again for reading!