Description: Zakuro confronts Byakuya about what happened and is convinced to not hold any animosity toward Ichigo. She talks with Komamura about what new plans will be carried out. Byakuya is visited by Yoruichi again.

Rating: T+

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The office was quiet. Byakuya was writing a report to the head captain and had been thinking about what Rukia and Renji were going through. A knock at the door broke his concentration,

"Who is it?"

"Fujiwara Zakuro."

"come in."

Byakuya continued writing, "What can I do for you Fujiwara-san?"

Zakuro took a deep breath, "How can you be so calm while your sister and lieutenant are out there fighting in the realm of hell itself?"

Her question was abrupt and caught Byakuya off guard. He stopped writing to look up at the perturbed girl,

"Sometimes it is necessary to allow ones family to make their own decisions. I do not interfere with everything Rukia does. She can do as she pleases as long as she does not disgrace my family name."

The wolf girl thought about what he said, "You don't think what they are doing is betrayal? Abandoning their posts?"

"If there was an emergency in Soul Society then perhaps I would be inclined to agree with you, but since there are no pressing matters, I'll leave them to save their friend. It is their right."

Ichigo woke up a few hours later, she glanced around the room. It was empty. No one had been there as far as she could tell. The cat girl climbed out of the bed and over to the door, she opened it and peeked her head out. The hall was empty. Ichigo walked out, she wasn't sure whether to go looking for Gin or to stay and wait. It had been hours, she had no idea if it was day or night anymore. She was afraid to run into Nnoitra again, but she didn't want to just wait around in case someone came in there looking for her other than Gin.

Someone was down the hall, Ichigo could hear them walking. Her heart began to beat a bit faster, she stayed near his door in case she needed to run inside. Around the corner came an enormous man. Ichigo's jaw dropped when she saw him, he stood at least 8 feet tall over her. Nnoitra was tall and thin, but this guy was just enormous!

"Uh- What the hell are you doing here?"

Ichigo just gawked at him like he had two heads. Yammy groaned,

"I'm talking to you pinky."

"She's with me Yammy, sorry 'bout that, no reason to worry though. She's a good girl she is."

Ichigo turned to face the familiar voice, Gin walked up beside her and put his arm around her. Yammy gave him a questionable look,

"Thought she was with those guys who broke in here?"

Gin walked forward, releasing Ichigo, "I already tol' Aizen-Taicho 'bout her and that she's mah baby and not to be harassed while she's here. Don' ya worry 'bout it Yammy."

Yammy nodded his head slowly, "All right Sir, huh… Guess I'll see you guys."

The enormous espada just walked around them, giving Ichigo a wide berth. She looked at Gin when he turned around with his giant smile on his face.

"What is going on…?" She said quietly. Gin reached out and put his hand on her head, slightly ruffling her hair,

"We gotta' get ya a uniform Kitty. Let's go see my dear frien' Harribel."

Ichigo just followed after Gin, she was so confused, she didn't know anyone. Was she still considered an intruder? Aizen didn't seem bothered by her presence. She wondered about the others. The red head grabbed Gin's sleeve,

"Ichimaru-Taicho… What is going on? What about my comrades?"

Gin's smile fell slightly, "'fraid they're on their own Ichigo-chan. They are still intruders, I can't be savin' ya all. Aizen is fine with me keepin' ya with me, but cha better tread carefully 'round here. Ye should stay with me at almos' all times."

The words felt heavy on her heart, she didn't want to be the only one safe. And what would everyone think now that she was with Gin again? She felt everyone would think she was a traitor. But if she stayed with him, she may have a shot at Aizen later on.. Gin interrupted her thoughts,

"Jus' wait dear, I'll explain everythin' later"

Ichigo just complied and walked after him. After about ten minutes they reached a large set of doors. Gin knocked and awaited a response, the door opened. Apache, one of Harribel's fraction let them in and led them over to the large patio through large glass doors. Ichigo said nothing, she felt uncomfortable with Apache eyeing her.

Harribel stood on the large deck, it was far above the ground, Ichigo looked around wide eyed at the enormous desert before her. She could see dust clouds in the distance, someone was fighting. She recognized the spiritual Pressure, it was Chad, he was fighting Nnoitra. The cat girl felt helpless, she wanted to help her friend, but knew she would be killed.

"Ah Harribel-sama, I had a small favor to ask ya." Gin said playfully, smiling wide at the tan woman. Ichigo looked over at Harribel, this woman intimidated her as well. She had intense eyes and a full figure, she felt uncomfortable being with Gin in front of her.

"What is it Ichimaru-sama?"

Ichigo wasn't a 100% sure, but it seemed like all of these espada obeyed him like they did Aizen. It really confused her.

"I was wonderin' if you maybe had a uniform for Ichigo-chan, she's without one and this white robe ain't workin' for her."

Harribel looked over at Ichigo, her mouth was covered so Ichigo couldn't tell her expressions well. Harribel eyed her once,

"Yes. I have something. "

The third espada walked passed the two and into a room, Gin turned to Ichigo, "She'll get somethin' for ya."

Ichigo heard the woman call for her, Ichigo cautiously walked after where she thought the woman went. She walked into the bedroom of Harribel and paused when she came out carrying a white uniform. Harribel handed it to her,

"This should fit you. If it doesn't bring it back and I'll get you a new one."

Ichigo nodded her head and smiled weakly at the espada, "Th-Thank you Harribel-sama."

"Change in here. I'll leave you to it."

Harribel exited the room, and Ichigo hesitantly changed into the uniform. It was a heart cut top and it was a dress, the dress ended right above her knees, and it had slits cut up the sides to her hips, there was a small pair of shorts with it. She also got a pair of shin length foots and some wrist length gloves. Ichigo felt embarrassed about making them wait for her to just change clothes. She walked out into the main room and had everyone looking at her. Harribel just gave her a quick glance and nodded at her,

"Good. It fits."

Gin's smile got wider, Apache rolled her eyes.

"I guess it does. But it doesn't mean she's good enough to be one of us or even wear our uniform."

Apache's words were like fire, Ichigo felt challenged by her. She didn't know what made her mad with this girl, but Ichigo gave her a dirty look.

"Thank you Harribel-sama! I appreciate it!"

Byakuya walked through his courtyard, it was the golden hour as the sun was setting in the Sereitei. He approached his koi pond, the koi were swimming about slowly below the glassy surface of the water. He narrowed his eyes, she was here.

The tan woman jumped down gracefully from the nearby rooftop, landing quietly beside him.

"Hey little Byakuya, you're looking a bit lonely."

Yoruichi always had a way of getting Byakuya's blood to boil. Either in rage or excitement. She was an unpredictable woman, similar to a breeze. She always changed her direction, and left you wondering what was next.

"What brings you here Yoruichi?"

Yoruichi walked over beside the black haired man, "Came to check on you. I just helped Urahara see the rescue group off from the shop. I understand Rukia decided to go on the mission as well. Made me wonder what brought on your change of heart?"

Byakuya stared down at the water, his expression numb. The nobleman responded coldly, "Rukia is old enough to make her own decisions. I'll not stand in her way as long as she does not bring my family name down."

"That hardly sounds like you little Byakuya."

He looked over at her, her gold eyes playing the sunlight perfectly at this hour. He took a deep breath,

"I answered your question."

Yoruichi was standing beside him, she smiled up at him. He hated that smile. It always tempted him. This woman was nothing but a ridiculous temptation in his life. She had been there in his life for as long as he could remember. She was always toying with him and teasing him, he had always sort of had a soft spot for her. Byakuya knew better though. He knew he could never be with her openly, she had abandoned her family and nobility, his family would banish him.

"You're staring Byakuya."

He blinked, his deep blue eyes still fixed on her grin. He looked away slowly,

"My apologies."

He turned and started to walk back toward his division barracks. Yoruichi used shunpo and appeared in front of him, she was far closer than she should be. Byakuya froze, staring down at the woman in front of him. Her smile was gone, it was a small almost unnoticeable smirk.

"Is that any way to treat your old teacher?"

Byakuya swallowed hard, this woman was nothing but trouble. If anyone saw this, he could not allow word to get back to his family.

"You're in my way."

Yoruichi leaned close to his face, if I bother you this much then maybe I should be here. Her scent teased him, it was like a flower fresh with rain drops on the petals. He didn't dare move. Any move he made would be used against him by her.

"Your heart is racing. I can hear it. Wonder why little Byakuya."

Yoruichi leaned up and kissed him gently on the lips, he didn't move a muscle. Her eyes toyed with his, she stared into his eyes playfully. Yoruichi had always liked Byakuya, but their relationship was a strange one. They could not be together openly, but she had spent an evening with him alone years before he was with Hisana. It had been a long time since then, she was still attracted to him, and for the both of them business always came first, then their so called 'friendship'.

The sixth division captain wasn't sure what he wanted.

"You could chase me and if you catch me I'll give you what you want."

Her words sent a small shock up his spine. He hadn't been with a woman intimately since Hisana died years ago. He did not love Yoruichi, nor could he ever. However, this woman was dear to him. He did care for her even though he didn't show it.

His hands reached out and grabbed her wrists, her golden eyes grew wide with surprise. He leaned down and kissed her firmly, but not in an overbearing way. Yoruichi was pleasantly surprised and deepened the kiss, putting her arms around his neck and shoulders. Byakuya paused, he nodded at her, she chuckled,

"The old training area?"

Komamura stood on the rooftop of his division watching the sun down over the trees. Zakuro sat beside the wolf man,

"Sajin, I'm glad you're healthy again. I was really worried about you."

He smiled down at her, "I appreciate everything you've done for me. From the bottom of my heart I appreciate it."

The violet haired girl nodded and smiled, she was so comfortable with Komamura. Nothing else mattered when she was with him, she trusted him most. One thing about him piqued her curiosity, she wasn't sure whether to ask or not.

"I was curious… Do you remember your life?"

He chuckled, "No I'm afraid I don't. Almost all of us are not as fortunate as you and Ichigo."

Zakuro sighed and looked back at the golden sun. Komamura could see she reacted to Ichigo's name. He knew what she was thinking, he spoke to her gently,

"Ichigo is your friend Zakuro. She would never betray you. She's just there to get answers, and to help the others save their friend. She would never betray you, don't lose faith in your friend."

She was quiet for a few moments, "It's incredible you think that when your dear friend just left."

Komamura frowned and looked down, "I see. I am upset with Tosen, but it doesn't mean he's a bad person, he didn't do it to betray me personally. It's what he feels is right, and one day I will cross swords with him, and I'll have to defeat him for his betrayal. But until then, I'll be content."

"You're a good person Komamura. If only there were more people like you."

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MewMid: Komamura and Zakuro are coming… As well as Gin and Ichigo… Yoruichi got Byakuya! Yes! :D R and R loves!