A/N: I'm back! Thank you all for your support, I really appreciate it. Whenever I see a review, or that someone placed this story in their Story alert, I can't stop smiling! Don't get me started on favorites...Really, thank you.
I named this chapter after a poem by E. A. Poe, because that title suits it really well(too bad I can't write like Edgar). You'll see. And I hope you'll like it! Thanks for reading, I'll be back soon again!

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach!

Together Alone

A Dream Within A Dream

He overslept. He actually overslept. Hitsugaya Toshiro overslept.

"Fuck! FUCK!" He almost knocked down the lamp on his night stand trying to get up as quickly as he could. But he got ready in 2 minutes and ran to his office. Luckily, the office was just down the hallway and he just prayed Matsumoto wasn't there; she would never let this go. And of course…she wasn't. Why would she be? It's not like she actually works here? But he felt relief.

He worked till 2am last night. All those papers were due to in three days and he and Rukia tried to do as much as they could. It's no wonder he overslept, he didn't get that much sleep after all. He was in his room around 2:30, but the sleep just wasn't coming even though he was really tired. It was around 4am when he actually fell asleep, but it wasn't much of a sleep anyway. Everything hurt, like he was sleeping on a rock. He was also in a very, very bad mood. Not too much sleep and absent lieutenant will do that to you sometimes. Work will be very hard today. It was already near 8 and he just got into his office. Quickly he searched for his schedule for today and when he saw the first entry he almost slapped himself. He was supposed to meet Kuchiki Rukia an hour ago for recruit's evaluation. Great, just fucking great! At least Matsumoto wasn't screaming in his ear… that would be deadly.

When he got there he could see her standing on the training ground. And she looked…angry? All recruits were in line and impatiens was written on their faces. Toshiro tried to be calm as possible and he was walking very fast, but the truth to be told…he was a little nervous. Rukia was obviously angry at him and he never saw her like that. Well, at least he was never the target of her anger. When she saw him she tried to calm down, but Toshiro could see that that wasn't working very well for her.

"Good morning Captain!" Yes, it wasn't working at all.

"Good morning Kuchiki. I am sorry, I was delayed." Yeah, in his bed. She just kept staring at him, frown on her face. He could see that she didn't get much sleep too. The black circles gave her away. And then she just motioned with her hand towards those recruits and went few steps back. Toshiro sighed and turned around to face them.

An hour and a half later he was already done. Rukia made his job easier by already doing all the evaluation, so he just had to approve. When he turned around to face her, she was leaning against the tree, rubbing her temples.

"Kuchiki?"

"Yes sir?" She said lazily, and didn't even stand up. Toshiro could see that she really did lose her patience waiting for him.

"I'm done."

"Good. Then I guess I should head back." She then stood up and started to walk past him. He dropped his gaze on the ground. He didn't like this, he felt guilty. She was too working very late last night and still managed to come here on time. Just now he saw how much respect that woman had for her superiors. If it was Matsumoto she would yell like crazy…well actually, she wouldn't even wait for him that long.

"Wait!" He tried to say that as casually as he could, but it came out as an order. Rukia turned around.

"Do you still need my assistance with something sir?" She was pissed. If this was anyone else she would smack him down, she wanted to so bad. Just to kick him in that smug face. Rukia wished Ichigo was here, so she can take it out on him…he never mind anyway. But… He's a Captain! He's a Captain! He's a Captain! She kept repeating that in her head, just like a chant.

"There are still papers left. I need to know when to expect you in my office?" It was the truth, they still had a lot of work to do.

"I can be there around three, sir."

"Very well…see you then." Rukia just nodded and continued to walk away.

Why did it bother him to see her like that? He shook his head, to get rid of every thought that crossed his mind and decided to get back to work.

Every movement of her body made him sweat and the air in his office was too thick to breathe. He couldn't concentrate, couldn't stop staring at her. Her hand moved towards her neck, and she started to rub it, trying to take away the pain of sitting in the same position for an hour. Why am I having these thoughts? He shook his head, but it didn't help. Her skin was flawless. It looked so soft, he was tempted to touch her, to slide his hand from her cheeks towards her neck and… She then lifted her head, obviously aware of his stare. He wasn't even ashamed, he kept his stare focused.

"Sir, is there something wrong?" That voice. It made him shiver. He stood up and moved towards her desk, still looking at her. When he got there he stretched his hand towards her and she took it. When their hands touched he shivered again, it almost felt as he was electrified. She was so soft, so warm. He helped her stand up and then he moved her closer to him, their bodies touched. He started to glide his fingers on her face, trying to memorize every line, every touch. She was beautiful. Violet eyes kept looking at him and she trembled underneath his touch, he liked that. He slid his hand to her neck, his other hand on her back, and moved her even closer. Then he lowered his head… he wanted so bad to kiss her, those pink lips tempted him. When he saw her closing her eyes, he moved even closer and when their lips touched he couldn't stop himself anymore. She let him deepened the kiss, and he lost control. The lust was too strong and the taste of her made him hard. So he moved her and placed her on the desk, her legs wrapped around his waist. She was clenching his hair, and other hand on the desk, trying not to fall down. He moved his hand on her thigh, under her kimono. When he started to kiss her neck he heard her moan and it made him even harder.

"What the hell are you doing to me Rukia?" He whispered in her ear. The smell of her hair, her skin, was intoxicating. "I want you so fucking bad!"

"Oi Captain! Wake up damn it!"

"What the… hell?" When he lifted his head he saw Matsumoto standing in front of his desk. He felt a severe pain in his neck and then realized he fell asleep with his head on the desk.

"I never thought I would find you sleeping in work hours! I see Rukia kept you up late last night, hm Captain?" Matsumoto said grinning. But the only thing he heard was…

Rukia! It was a dream? I dreamed that?

"What time is it?" He said, confused, trying not to let all those images play again in his head.

"I don't know…around 2 I think." He just stood up and walked to the door.

"I will be back in an hour. And Matsumoto…"

"Yeah Captain?"

"GET TO WORK!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah…"

He was almost running true hallway to get to his room. He really needed a cold shower. What the hell was that about? That dream…and her…and that kiss. Why did I dream that? What is wrong with me? He could feel it all again. The way her skin felt, the way her hair smelled and the way she tasted. Images kept replaying itself. He remembered everything… how she trembled under his touch, how she moaned when he kissed her neck. Everything. And those eyes, the way she looked at him, with lust, full of fire. Damn it Toshiro, what the hell is happening to you?
And there she was, coming. He froze on the spot. He almost made it to his room…almost. But there she is. And the only thing he thought about was that dream. He watched her coming his way, saw the way she danced when she walked, the way her hair moved and he could see those violet eyes and those…lips. Toshiro couldn't move a muscle, he just stood there, looking at her. He started to wonder would it really be like in his dream, would she smell like that, taste like that, moan like that? Right now he wanted so bad to find that out. He wanted to pin her to the wall and taste her again.

"Sir, is there something wrong?" There they are. He almost moaned himself, the heat rushed true his whole body. Those same words, those same lips tempting him to taste them. She was so close.

"CAPTAIN, I'M GOING TO PRACTISE!" The voice behind him helped him snap out of it. He turned his head to find Matsumoto waving him. He just nodded. And then turned around to look at that girl again, his face serious, trying so hard not to lose it.

"Kuchiki…y-you're early." He kept looking at her. How can she do this to me? He was so close to her, so close. Those violet eyes locked with teal ones. Never had he ever felt this strong need, the need to come even closer. He was just a step away.

"No Captain, it's…it's 3 already." Rukia was confused. Teal kept staring at her. Those eyes, those same eyes that helped her take away the pain, they were too dark now. She wasn't really sure what was happening, but the way he looked at her, it made her tremble.

"What?"

"I said it's 3…"

Damn that Matsumoto! This is bad; he knew that this is bad. That dream was still fresh in his mind, and she was here… She was right here in front of him. "Let's go then."

"Captain, I can come back later if you want?"

"No!" What the hell Toshiro? Why did I say no? Just fucking great! "Let's go!" He turned around and started walking back to his office. Rukia followed.

When they entered the office, Toshiro tried so hard not to look at her, not to even be near her. He sat down at his desk and buried his head in the paperwork. He couldn't understand why he all of a sudden had that dream. And the fact that she was here right after that made the situation even worse.

"Kuchiki, do you want some tea?" He needed to get out of that room, it was the same air as the one in his dream. He didn't even look at her, he just kept scribbling something.

"No need sir." Rukia could feel the tension, but she didn't know what it was. He was acting strange, she could tell. And she couldn't get that look out of her head. The way he looked at her made her weak in her knees.

"I'll go make some tea." He stood up and hurried to the kitchen. When he got there he opened the faucet and started to wash his face with cold water. What the hell is she doing to me? I cannot stop thinking about that dream. About her. Nothing was helping him. The need was too strong, and he wanted so bad to be close to her. I have got to stop this. She will know something is going on…I can't go in there and-"

"Sir, are you feeling okay?" Toshiro eyes widened. She was right behind him. He was standing above the kitchen sink and she was right behind him. Damn it! I can't turn around. If I turn around I'll lose it. Damn it! Damn it Toshiro!

"I'm okay Kuchiki…go back to work!" It took all of his strength to say that.

"Okay!" She left. She left and still he could feel her, feel her reiatsu. But she left, and he had to calm down. I'm going crazy! I cannot let her see me like this. He took a deep breath and washed his face again and the back of his neck.

When he got back from the kitchen with the tea he saw her on the floor near the pile of paperwork they had to do. She was going true that papers, apparently trying to find something she needed. She didn't even look at him.

"Sir, do you know where are the papers from B section? I cannot seem to find them." Still sitting on the floor. He walked to his table and left the plate with tea on it.

"Yeah, they're here on my desk." He took the small pile and she stood up. Gods, she is beautiful. Damn it, stop this Toshiro, just fucking stop! Dusting of her kimono she walked to his desk.

There it is again, that look. Why am I feeling like this because of a simple look? She was now in front of him, and when she looked at those eyes she sighed and literally froze. His eyes lured her in, and the tension was unbearable.

Toshiro heard that. It made him want her even more. The mere fact that she was aware of that attraction between them was heaven to him. She was so close. No, no… NO! Snap out of it! Luckily, Rukia broke the gaze and looked at the ground and that brought him back!

"Here…" She took them and went back to her desk.

It was three hours later that he actually allowed himself to lift his head. He looked at her and saw she was writing something.

"Kuchiki?" He wanted to see violet again.

"Yes Captain?" And there they are.

"I think we should take a break."

"Okay!" He then stood up and started to walk to the door and she followed.

"The walk?" He asked looking at her.

"Sure."

But the silence didn't change. It was still that comfortable silence Toshiro loved. He liked that he can relax with her and not even try. Made him forget about the work and every other problem he had to deal with. It was that simple. He worked very hard to avoid thinking about that dream. It was crazy. Yes, he was with her for the last few days, but still…out of a sudden to dream something like that? He couldn't understand it.

"Sir?" But the silence didn't last long.

"Yes Kuchiki?" They were walking near the forest again and the sun was still up...barely. Toshiro could see the girl with the corner of his eye.

"I wanted to apologize." She was looking at the ground, ashamed. And he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"For what?" He was now looking at her.

"For this morning." He froze on the spot, and she stopped too.

"Wait, what?"

"Sir, the way I was acting this morning…I was-"

"Wait, wait, wait! I was an hour late and YOU want to apologize?" He just couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"No sir. You have a right to do that, but me… I was acting very childish. The anger got the best of me. I apologize." She was still looking at the ground, blushing from embarrassment.

"I don't want to hear apologizes Kuchiki. You did nothing wrong. I am the one that needs to-"

"No sir, it was-" She looked up to meet his eyes.

"Do not say that! I don't want to hear about this ever again, are we clear?" His eyes softened. The way he said the last part it didn't even sound as an order.

"Yes sir." A small smile was visible on her face. And Toshiro almost smiled back. This girl is unbelievable. How can she do this to me? What is this? She just…

"Kuchiki?"

"Yes?"

"It's your turn now?" He said walking away from her to that huge tree and sitting again in the same way.

"My turn?" Rukia followed and sat across him.

"Yes…the personal question?" He was again looking at her, smirking. She was nervous.

"Oh…okay!" Rukia began to play with the edges of her kimono. "But sir…are you sure? What if I ask you something inappropriate? I don't want to-"

"So you already know the question?" Rukia looked up at him in wonder. His smirk winded.

"Umm… yes, but-"

"Ask!" She was really struggling and Toshiro already knew what she will ask him.

"Okay…" She took a deep breath and was silent for few seconds, trying to gather her strength and courage to ask him what she wanted to know. "W-what made you so…so sad sir?" Her eyes were full of worry he could see that, and his expression softened. This girl really cared.

His answer was simple and his voice didn't give anything away. It was as he was stating something that didn't affect him at all.

"Momo Hinamori." He never changed that soft expression, not after he saw more worry in girl's eyes. She really cares. And she didn't move a muscle; she just kept looking at him with those eyes. When he saw that look deepened he continued. "I grew up with her…and with my grandmother. We were friends for as long as I can remember. And after that thing with…" It took him a few seconds to say the name. "…with Aizen, she changed. And she pushed me away. Maybe I…maybe we wanted something different." He was still looking at her, but Rukia saw how sadness filled his eyes. She understood everything now. They were like that for almost a minute, looking at each other, until Rukia broke the silence once again…

"Your turn sir." She said with a soft smile. She wasn't afraid of the questions anymore. Toshiro nodded.

"I guess it is…" Was now the time? He knew already what he wanted to ask her, but he wasn't sure was that the right thing to do. He didn't move, but he was feeling nervous for some reason. Finally he decided to ask. "Do you think…" This was a very hard thing to ask, even for him. It was something he wasn't sure about. He kept thinking about it, putting all puzzles together. Something didn't fit there, but he wasn't sure. It was really bugging him. He was really careful with this girl, because she wasn't easy to read. Well, she was, but only when she allowed you to. He didn't like that. "Do you think you love him?" Rukia stopped moving for few moments. That question was unexpected. How did he...

"I… don't know." That hurt him, for some reason. It was strange, the way that affected him. She was looking at the ground, but before her eyes left his he could see the sadness again. That is why she asked me that first question. That is why she even read that book. He didn't have the words left. He couldn't even speak if he had one. That sad look on her face tore him from inside. Maybe the time is come to question himself. Maybe he ignored it for too long. She didn't move and he never stopped looking at her, leaning against that old tree. How could…how could he hurt her like this? How could he not see…the way she looked at him? This girl, this petite shinigami…she was something Toshiro never met in his life. How could he be so fucking stupid? That damn substitute…

There it is again. Why does this keep happening to her? Why did she come here again?

White. That woman. And now…the storm.

"Rukia…"

"Sode no Shirayuki?" She could barely see her from the storm. It was cold now and wind brought snow with him. "How can I help you? Did I do this to you? How?"

"Rukia, my child… Your heart, your soul…" She placed her hand on her chest as she said the last part. The woman moved as graceful as ever, but that look was still on her face. Rukia almost thought that Sode no Shirayuki will cry. "That is why this storm came."

And that was it, she was back in her bed again. This time the feeling was even worse. It made her want to cry, but she fought it. My heart? My soul? I made that storm? I made Sode no Shirayuki sad? It's my fault! It hurt so much. She never wanted this for that woman. She was with her from the beginning, the only one that believed in her when no one did. And she brought her this much pain… that woman never deserved this. When she was about to be executed that woman was her only company…she kept whispering to her, saying that Rukia was stronger than that, that she can pass even this. Sode no Shirayuki was her only real friend, her only companion and she…she made her sad. She made herself sad.

Rukia looked at the clock and saw it was almost 5am. She got up, put on her kimono and left her room. She will become stronger, for herself. If she is safe, Sode no Shirayuki is safe.

When she got to the training ground she saw a familiar face. He stopped his training to look at her. His expression was welcoming her and she felt relieved. Those eyes made everything fade away.

"Kuchiki…again with the trainings?" They weren't ignoring each other anymore. She smiled, walking towards him.

"Yes Captain, I have to." He nodded.

"Then let me see what you've got."

"What?" Ruikas eyes winded.

"Tsk! Don't make me repeat myself…you always do that." He smirked and took a fighting stance. She did the same with a smile on her face.

Two hours later she was tired as hell. He didn't even get to shikai and she already tried everything to at least scratch him, but nothing.

"Not bad Kuchiki."

"Not bad? I couldn't even come near you and for most of the time you haven't even moved." She was angry. No, she was pissed. She was mad at herself. How the hell did he dodge everything?

Toshiro smirked. There it is again, that other Kuchiki. Maybe…just maybe…if I push a bit more…

"Well…next time try!" 3, 2, 1…

"WHAT? I DID! I can't even stand on my feet anymore and you tell me to TRY NEXT TIME! WHAT?" He did it, he actually did it. She was pissed. He wanted to laugh, but he knew that would make this situation even worse. This was enough… for now. His smirk winded. Rukia felt exhausted, so she just sat on ground breathing heavily. He sat across her, still smirking and studying her changing expressions. When she fought fatigue away she realized that she actually just yelled at a Captain.

"Sir?" Blush came to her checks.

"Yes Kuchiki?" This was so much fun for him.

"I am sorry…I was out of a line." But before he could answer…

"Oh Shiro-chan, Rukia! I've been searching for you." The vein on his forehead was back. He just hated that name. Rukia was already on her feet bowing her head down.

"Captain Ukitake, you're back!" A smile spread on her face. Toshiro stood up and just nodded.

"Yes, I just came home. What are you doing here so early?" Ukitake had a small grin on his face and watched the two carefully.

"We were training." Toshiro said, dusting of his haori. He was serious again, with that frown on his face.

"Oh, I see…" Ukitake just kept his grin on and turned around to Rukia. "Rukia, did you help Shiro-chan with the evaluation?"

"Yes Captain, but we still didn't finish the paperwork." Rukia said, looking at the ground.

"Oh Rukia, please don't be so formal. You will finish it, I am sure." The man was kind as always. His voice would always calm her down. "But that is not why I came here… There is a mission-" But before he could finish the sentence hell butterfly came. It was heading towards Toshiro and landed on his hand. Toshiro was carefully watching the little thing and after almost a minute nodded and butterfly flew away.

"I see." Toshiro first looked at Rukia and then at Captain Ukitake. "Then we will see each other in the meeting." Nodded and walked away. Rukia was confused. Apparently only she didn't know about that supposed mission and quickly she turned around from watching the back of Hitsugaya Toshiro, to face her Captain. Before she could even ask anything he started talking.

"Yes, that is why I came to find you. There is a mission and you too been called." Rukia was worried. Why would she be called on a mission together with a Captain? Missions with captains were very serious and dangerous. Captains of Gotei 13 rarely left Seretei, and when they did it was because of something very serious. Sure, she was honored, but still…curious. But Ukitake smiled gently after he saw the look on her face. "Don't worry Rukia, it is only the cleaning mission. You'll do just great!" Cleaning missions were constant, especially after that war, but even though they were frequent, nobody took them lightly. You had to be a seated officer or higher to be called…and it had one Captain that always came with them. That Captain was the white-haired prodigy Hitsugaya Toshiro. Captain-Commander Yamamoto gave him this responsibility because of his many visits of human world. Basically, cleaning mission consisted of cleaning a certain area that has been highly populated by Hollows. But this "area" was Karakura town for the last two years. This was their third cleaning mission in the last year there. It's been told that in every 100 years there is a certain place in human world that has more energy and higher reiatsu flow that the rest. It was Karakura town, no doubt about it. It was Rukia's first time to be called on this kind of missions as a lieutenant.

"Thank you Captain." She said with a small smile. Still, she wondered… was it too soon for her to go to this kind of mission, but then she remembered her dream. No, I can do this. We can do this. I will show Sode no Shirayuki that I am much stronger than this. I will stop her sorrow, I will…stop the storm! If she only knew…

It was 2pm and Toshiro just got back to his office. The Cleaning squad will have a meeting there in an hour. The list was not a long one, but it sure was interesting. He would have a handful job with them. Just keeping them in order would be a job on its own. Each time the names would change, except for Matsumoto who was obligated to go as his lieutenant, so every time he had to organize it all over again. Only one thing bothered him and that was the last name on that list, but he decided not let it get to his nerves much, he will handle it somehow. He sat on his chair and decided to assemble some kind of a schedule for them, if he doesn't do that this whole mission will be a mess. He wasn't new at this, on the contrary, he knew his job very well, but still… it wasn't an easy job in a first place. Just staying for two weeks in human world is very hard thing to do for him; he still hasn't enjoyed it at all. Eating their weird food and forcing himself to stupid small talks with humans was really getting on his nerves. Especially the clothes… he really hated that. His kimono and haori were very comfortable and he hated the fact that he wasn't allowed to wear it, well at least not when in Gigai.

Their destination was Karakura town, like always. That hasn't changed for a while, and he knew it wouldn't…at least not for a few more years. Hollows sure liked that town and their constant population of it hasn't changed at all since the war. First he thought there would be less of them, since Aizen was defeated, but that wasn't the case. They were still attracted by the town's mass reiatsu flow and the shinigami that were on duty there were not skilled to take that many of them. Especially not when Menos decided to join the party. So, Toshiro was often called to clean the area. It didn't do much, because they would come again, but it was the only thing they were able to do.

"Oi Captain, are we going again?" Matsumoto asked coming in the office. She was slightly bruised and had cuts on her uniform.

"What the hell happened to you?" Toshiro looked up with confusion.

"Oh this? Nothing, the training got a little out of control. But I got them good Captain!" She was grinning, her hands placed on her hips. "So, are we going or what?"

"Yes. We've been called again. The meeting will start soon, so go and change." He said continuing to write something on the papers in front of him, already bored with her story.

"Who's coming this time?" She completely ignored his order. Matsumoto, unlike her Captain, enjoyed this kind of missions. In fact, she loved all kinds of missions. The paperwork was boring, she didn't sign up for that. And it gave her an excuse to leave Seretei, and have fun in human world. She loved the fact that different people came with them every time, it was exciting to her.

"The list is on your table." Toshiro said, motioning with his hand towards her table and getting back to work. He was used to her constant ignoring and most of the time he didn't even care, as long as she did her paperwork. Even though he would never admit it, he deeply respected Matsumoto. Her spirit was admirable and so was her battle experience. And after everything she had gone through, he admired her strength. He knew she was suffering, Gin was after all her friend, but she never gave anyone the reason to worry about her, and that was something he respected deeply. That was something he failed to do for the last couple of days. He cursed himself in his mind for not showing more strength, he was really acting like a weak child, which he no longer wished to be, or ever was in fact. Toshiro remembered Rukia's words from few days ago and once again reminded himself that she was indeed perceptive. Believe me when I say it…you can walk like this for a long time, but…but when you explode…Whatever it is, let it go. Forgive and let go. He did in fact explode. This was not his usual behavior. He felt weak… he was weak. Ever since the war he could see his resolve being shattered in small irreparable pieces, day after day. Maybe he pushed himself too hard; maybe he ignored many things when he should not have. Everything seemed complicated; nothing was as it were once.

"Oh Captain, this is going to be fun!" Matsumoto exclaimed, holding the piece of paper in her hands, obviously excited.

"Matsumoto…" He was holding the bridge of his nose now, annoyed at her behavior. "This is a mission, not some mindless game with sake. It's not supposed to be fun."

"Tsk, Captain… you're too stiff for your own good. You should relax a little, have fun!" It was always like this. She really wanted for him to relax a bit, take time to enjoy things while he still can. Nothing seemed so important to dwell on to her. "There…" Flashing that list before his eyes and pointing a finger on it. "She will be going too." Evil grin appeared on her face. She loved to tease him.

When Toshiro saw the name she was pointing on he became more annoyed, almost angry. This made him uncomfortable.

"Matsumoto…" A sigh! "I thought I told you to go and change, the meeting will start very soon!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah…" She left the piece of paper on his desk and started walking to exit, waving her hand in a mocking way. He was really impossible sometimes.

When she left Toshiro took the paper and started reading the names again. The list was indeed interesting, maybe too much interesting. He wondered if someone was playing with him, wanting to make his life more complicated than it already was, because this is going to be very… stressful. He shifted his concentration back to the schedule on his table, he really needed to finish it before the meeting.

"Hey guys!"

"Hey Matsumoto, are you coming with us?" The bald man asked, turning around to face her.

"Of course Ikkaku, wouldn't miss it no matter what! It's going to be fun!" She said trying to catch them, so they can all walk together to the meeting.

"But not very beautiful. I heard there are many Menos again." Blue-haired man said, stopping to wait for her, cleaning some imaginary dust of his kimono,

"I believe this time we will have more at our hand than just Gilians. We should really hurry."

"Oh Hisagi, you worry too much! It will be alright." Matsumoto said placing a hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah, we'll slice them on the spot!" Ikkaku said, almost shouting. He was seriously excited for this mission. After the war it all became boring, not much to do and not many bad guys to fight, at least not the ones worth mentioning. This will satisfy him for a bit.

"Is that lieutenant Kuchiki?" Hisagi asked looking at the petite shinigami that was coming their way.

"Yeah, she's been called to!" Matsumoto said and then turned around and started waiving at her. "RUKIA! COME ON, HURRY! DON'T WANNA BE LATE!"

"Damn it Matsumoto, I almost lost my hearing!" Ikkaku said placing a hand on his ear. "Leave the girl alone, we have 15 more minutes."

"Hello lieutenant Kuchiki!"

"Please Hisagi, call me Rukia. I told you already that you don't need to be formal around me." Rukia said with a smile looking at the black-haired lieutenant that was standing in front of her. A small smile was visible on Hisagis face and he just nodded.

"Let's go people, Captain Hitsugaya will nag if we get there late!" Matsumoto said starting to walk to his office. Everyone nodded and followed. They all knew Captain Hitsugaya could be a pain in the ass if they get there even a minute late. Especially when there's a mission involved…then, he would become even worse. So they hurried to his office, everyone in a deep thought, probably wondering what is waiting for them in human world.

"I see everyone is here." They all sat on the couch, looking at Toshiro. "Good. We need to hurry, there's not much time left. First-"

"But Captain…"

"What is it now Matsumoto?"

"Aside from you, there's only five of us here, shouldn't we-"

"The last person on the list will be joining us later, if that is what you wanted to ask." Matsumoto nodded. Toshiro was now in a worse mood when he remembered who that last person was. The others just kept looking at the two in confusion. "Don't interrupt me anymore…that goes for the rest of you too." Yes, he was getting angrier by seconds. Rukia was silent, looking at him, still confused.
"First thing, we will find accommodation when we get there, because I haven't had enough time to organize and think about that. Second, you must all be wondering why we have two lieutenants on the team now, instead of only Matsumoto like always." Everyone just nodded again, except Yumichika. He was busy checking the condition of his nails. "Lieutenant Hisagi and lieutenant Kuchiki have been called because this mission is very serious and more dangerous than the last ones. Apparently, we have to deal not only with mere hollows, but with Menos too, and we still don't know their level. Lieutenant Kuchiki…"
He stopped for a second to look at her, he hasn't done that since she entered the room, and then continued. "…has been called especially since her battle experience with Menos is on higher level than the rest of you. She has information that we don't, so she'll be of great value… And lieutenant Hisagi…well, I don't even need to explain that."
The rest of them just nodded again, what else can they do? "We will leave tomorrow, so wait for me near Senkaimon at 9am! Questions? No? Then you are free to go." They all stood up and walked out of his office, except for Matsumoto who remained on the couch, smiling. Toshiro ignored her and continued to work on the team schedule.