Description: Zakuro enjoys the captain and lieutenant's festivities and gets lost in her thoughts about what to do about Ichigo. Ichigo is in the palace when Ulquiorra and Kurosaki, she goes in after Ulquiorra blows Ichigo out the wall. Gin stops Ichigo, she freaks out and runs out of the palace.

Rating: T

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The girls were all rushing about in the 10th squad barracks, things were hectic while they were getting ready. Somehow the tenth division had turned into the area for the female lieutenants to get ready. Zakuro curled her hair and wore a dark blue and violet kimono, it was very flattering on her, all the girls cooed at how pretty she looked.

When they arrived at the party, Kyouraku kissed all the women on the hand or cheek, then he took Nanao's hand,

"I'm the luckiest captain here Nanao-chan!"

Matsumoto began doting on Hitsugaya telling him he should have worn a suit from the world of the living. Zakuro made her way passed all the drama and over to the table where Komamura sat with Shuuhei. The black haired lieutenant smiled at her,

"Nice to see you Fujiwara-san."

She nodded, a tiny smile on her face, "Likewise."

Komamura smiled down at her warmly, she looked up at him, tilting her head and giving him a confused glance. He nodded slowly, still smiling,

"You look wonderful, I'm glad you came."

Ukitake started some music, and some individuals started dancing. Kyouraku kept pulling Nanao to an open area and dancing with her,

"I have the prettiest lady at the party don't I?"

"Stop trying to flirt with me you dolt!"

Kyouraku would just laugh at her and keep dancing with her, Nanao blushed and looked passed him over at Matsumoto. The curvy lieutenant just winked at her and made a kissy face at her, making Nanao's face turn even more red. Izuru sat down beside Shuuhei and acknowledged Komamura and Zakuro. Ukitake sat near the head captain and the first division lieutenant, just chatting with them. Soi fon was sitting at a table with her lieutenant looking flustered, she was near Hitsugaya and Matsumoto. Omaeda was dressed with far more gold than usual, looking like a damn fool according to Soi Fon.

The wolf headed captain looked over at Zakuro, her eyes were drifting up towards the stars. Before he could say anything she rose to her feet and walked off. She went down a small path that led to an area blocked by bushes next to a small koi pond. Small paper lanterns lit the area barely, she stared down at the water and the fish.

Komamura sat for a few minutes, allowing her to have her time alone. It was a stressful time, it wasn't easy to ignore what was going on in Hueco Mundo and our deployed captains.

The wolf girl's thoughts wandered to what Ichigo was doing. She wasn't sure about anything anymore. It wasn't like Ichigo to abandon her team, but she never wanted to be a mew, so maybe she left because she didn't want to fight. Zakuro ran her hand through her hair, she just wasn't sure anymore. Ichigo was the only one from her old life she had left, and she took off. Zakuro bit her lip, not sure of what to do or think anymore.

"Party not to your liking?"

Zakuro turned and smiled at the tall man beside her. Komamura had a small smile on his face, he reached out his hand to her. She stared at it for a moment then looked up at him. He nodded slightly, she took his hand and stood up beside him. She was surprised when he put his hand on her upper back and nudged her to follow him back to the party. She hesitantly followed him, she again was surprised by him grabbing both of her hands. Zakuro knew what he was asking, she began dancing with the wolf headed captain.

Ukitake cooed in the middle of his conversation with Yamamoto at the sight of them dancing. Yamamoto just grunted and continued talking. Iba chuckled as he sat down beside Shuuhei and Izuru, Ikkaku and Yumichika followed shortly behind him.

"They look cute I think."

Yumichika commented, his hand propping up his face. Iba shrugged,

"I know he has a soft spot for the girl, I mean, she's part wolf too. I don't know man."

Ikkaku scoffed and took a big swig of sake, "I don't care. I don't understand it."

"You don't choose who you like, Ikkaku."

Yumichika finished, a sly smile on his face as he watched them dance. The divisions were beginning to set off fireworks, half the party jumped up to the barracks rooftop to get a better look at the display. Matsumoto was still taking drinks when the fireworks began, she continued on the roof. Hitsugaya was completely missing from the festival.

The white haired captain stood beside her bed, staring down at his childhood friend. He felt his heart ache, it was his fault she was here. Hinamori was silent in her sleep, the sound of the heart rate monitor disrupting the silence. Hitsugaya pulled up a chair and sat down beside her.

"I want you to get better Momo."

The building rumbled and creaked, Ichigo yelped, it startled her into walking at a faster pace. She had no idea who was fighting, but it was destroying part of the palace. She was at the outer edge, near a tower. The red head couldn't stand sitting around so she would go on long walks, and if she was gone too long, or lost, Gin would always find her.

Ichigo entered a hall, at the end of the tunnel she saw a flash come from an open archway. But it wasn't actually an archway, it was a huge hole blown in the wall. Her body suddenly surged with nervous energy, it was as though she had been charged up completely. She suddenly felt in a panic, what if it was her friends? It had to be!

The cat girl sprinted down the hall, she transformed on her way, ready to fight to protect them. She didn't think twice about charging into the room that was rumbling with broken rubble. Ichigo covered her mouth to stifle a scream as a large green cero was fired in the room. Blowing the the individual into oblivion and through the wall of Las Noches. Ichigo stared in horror at the fourth espada. He turned slowly and looked at her, his expression stoic and unnerving.

"Ah- Ulquiorra-sama…"

It was all she could say, he turned on his heel and used Sonido to catch up with Kurosaki outside. Ichigo ran to the gaping hole in the palace wall and watches as the fourth espada kicked him off into a nearby tower. She shook her head, her hands clasped over her mouth. She had to tell someone, someone had to stop him.

It didn't occur to Ichigo that everyone here was only here to kill her friends. She ran down the halls, screaming for someone to help her. Ichigo rounded a corner and right up to the blue haired espada.

"Grimmjow-sama!"

Number six turned lazily and glanced at her, "What do you want?"

"Help Kurosaki! Please! Ulquiorra-sama is going to kill him!"

Grimmjow stared at her for a moment and thought to himself, he had wanted to fight Ichigo, not let Ulquiorra kill him. He nodded and smiled a wide toothy grin,

"All right. I'll do it."

Zakuro leaned against his broad shoulder, she knew that he understood her. Komamura felt the same way that she did. Shuuhei and Izuru also understood, they all had lost someone they were close to. The violet haired girl bit her lip, she just wanted to fight them and get to Ichigo. She wanted to hear for herself what her excuse was for leaving. The fight wouldn't be pleasant. Zakuro wanted to face Ichigo herself, and ask her what she even thought she was doing. The more she thought about it, the more she got angry about it.

Komamura nudged her, she looked up at his golden eyes. He shook his head,

"No use pondering on something that wont happen quite yet, just try to enjoy yourself."

The girl nodded and smiled up at him, he always knew what she was thinking. Her smile stayed on her face as she observed the bright explosions in the sky. Shuuhei looked over beside him at the blond hair lieutenant. Izuru looked sad still, Shuuhei reached out and tapped his shoulder, he gave him a concerned look. Izuru hesitantly looked back up at his friend. The lieutenants stared at each other for a few moments, Shuuhei knew what he was feeling.

The third division lieutenant took a shaky breath. He was close to his captain, he loved him like a father and a mentor. Izuru had never been attracted to Gin in a sexual way, he had always just admired his skill and how much his captain cared about him. Gin always was there for him and didn't let him down, until now. Shuuhei made a motion to follow him, Izuru reluctantly did so. The two disappeared as the firework show came to an end.

Ichigo had followed after Grimmjow and kept quiet as they grabbed Orihime. The orange haired girl recognized Ichigo, but the two weren't good friends. Mew Ichigo knew that this was the girl that Kurosaki and her friends came here to save, she wasn't sure what to say or do, she had failed. Orihime just would shyly smile at her when they made eye contact. Grimmjow scared both of them when he roughly grabbed them under his arms and used sonido to Kurosaki's location.

The red head immediately covered her mouth, shaking her head. Orihime began to cry and she ran over to Kurosaki's side. His chest was open and had bled profusely, Grimmjow grunted.

"Heal him woman."

Orihime refused at first, Ichigo stood aside and watched the two bicker and yell at one another. Orihime finally gave in and started healing him because she cared so much for him. Ichigo watched in awe as Orihime healed Kurosaki. She had never seen powers like Orihime's before. It was truly amazing.

The cat girl felt afraid again. The rush of fear crawled through her, her job was done. She had saved Kurosaki and now wanted to be as far from Grimmjow and Kurosaki as possible. Ichigo was well aware that Kurosaki and Grimmjow were going to fight, she couldn't stop it no matter what. She had to get away from there. She turned and ran, she had no idea where, but she ran as fast as her legs would carry her. Grimmjow paid her no mind, but Orihime watched her go. Ichigo ran down the stairs and leaped out into the dunes of the Hueco Mundo Desert. She ran across the sand, the people here were going to kill her. Gin wasn't going to protect her, all of these arrancar were far stronger than she could fathom, and she would be next. They would kill her when they were done with her friends or worse. Ichigo had never felt so cowardly in her life.

She felt in her heart that she would die here, all of her friends would die here as well. She couldn't believe she didn't think Gin could protect her, but after seeing that brutality she just wasn't sure anymore. The espada had no second thoughts about ending a life. Ichigo tripped and fell down a tall sand dune, she rolled all the way to the bottom. She immediately got to her feet and shook the sand off and continued running. The desert seemed endless, but she just kept running. The mew just wanted to be safe, and no where seemed safe.

The red head let out a shrill scream when she was grabbed and stopped. She fought her captor, flailing and screaming.

"Ichigo-chan! Calm down! It's jus' me!"

Ichigo recognized his voice and continued fighting him until he let her fall to the ground on her knees. Gin knelt next to her, trying to look in her face. Her eyes were wide with fear, her heart pounding in her chest, she gasped for breath. Gin frowned,

"Ichigo-chan, what's yer deal?"

Her brown eyes shot to meet his, "What the hell! You butter me up just to make me think you or the espada aren't going to kill me! I know better! Why don't you just do it now! Or let him do it! I don't want to be here, I'm going to die in this place, they're killing all my friends! And they'll kill me too! You can't stop them!"

Gin looked hurt, he reached out to her, "I would ne'er do such a thing. Ichigo, I'm keepin ya here to keep ya alive. Yer safe with me."

The girl shook her head, "I'm so scared I'm going to be gone forever. I know ill just be reiatsu if I die."

The former captain stood up, swooping up the girl with him, "Time to lay down Ichigo-chan, yer jus' too shaken up."

They appeared in the palace again, Gin took her to his room. He gently set her on the bed, Ichigo clenched her teeth and sat on the edge of the bed. He stood in front of her looking down at her, his smile back on his face.

"Ichigo-chan?"

She winced when he said her name, she wasn't sure what to do, "Ichimaru-Taicho, If I stay here, I'll be hurt or worse. I am scared."

"Ya will die if ya leave this palace without me I'm 'fraid."

The red head shook her head, staring at him, "I don't know what to do anymore! Why am I here?"

Gin leaned down and cupped her face, "Jus' trust me Ichigo-chan. Ya trust me, and ye will make it out alive."

Two days Later…

Grimmjow had been defeated by Kurosaki, and currently, the final fight between Ichigo and Ulquiorra was commencing on the top of Las Noches Palace. Gin had told Ichigo she would be going to the world of the living soon. Aizen would be preparing to destroy the Karakura town. Ichigo didn't want to go, but she knew she had no say in what happened.

The cat girl was sitting in Gins room by herself. It would be her last night in this room. The silver haired man entered the room quietly, she was sitting at the small table, staring at a glass of water. He shed the outer coat of his uniform and walked up behind her. Ichigo felt cold and tired. This palace was a drain on energy and was depressing.

"Ya know we are leavin' tomorra' right?"

He said in a low tone, as if scared to frighten her. Ichigo nodded,

"I'm… I don't… Know anymore…"

"Ya what?"

He asked, his smile dropping a bit, he put his hands on her shoulders.

"I feel numb…I don't know what to expect."

Gin leaned down beside her face, his smile wide again, he pressed his cheek to hers.

"Don' spect anything', jus' wait till ya see what happens, then worry. As for being numb, ya know I could fix it."

His hands were cold on her skin, she flinched when he ran his hands over her shoulders. His long fingers traced her collarbone, she startled him when she shot to her feet, knocking the chair down and swatting away his hands. Gin was in surprise, staring at the now flustered girl, she seethed,

"You… Just don't understand."

Gin felt slightly irritated with her actions, she didn't realize he was going out on such a far limb for her. The silver haired man darted over to her, grabbing her wrists and slamming the two of them into the wall behind them. Ichigo yelped as he yanked her arms above her head.

"No Ichigo-chan. It seems to me ya don't quite get it."

Ichigo's eyes were welling with tears, she had her chin to her chest. Gin leaned in close to her face,

"Understan' this, my neck is as far out as it can get for ye. Ya don' get what I'm doin' for ya. I'm tryin to be here for ya when I can, but I have to protect both of our lives ya see, it ain't easy. I jus need ya to be patient, and know this, I'll protect ya at any cost. So please… stop takin it out on me."

Gin's smile was a small frown now, he released her and walked across the room. His lanky figure sat down on the side of the bed, he sat looking at his hands. Ichigo felt her heart ache, she felt stupid. He was doing a lot for her, she was just oblivious to it and being selfish, worrying about her own life when everyone's was threatened. The red head felt suddenly empowered, like he had given her the key to being stronger. The girl rushed over and clambered onto the bed behind Gin. He picked his head up slightly, curious about what she was doing.

The mew wrapped her arms around his waist, putting her legs on either side of him so she could scoot close to him. Gin smiled to himself, she just kept coming back, this girl truly needed him. He liked how dependent on him she was, he liked that. Gin liked this girl and cared about her,but he felt like she was lost in the world and only had him to follow. Although he had been frustrated with her because he was putting his neck out, he liked that she came back to him. Ichigo was perfect for him, no matter what he did, she'd come back. He wouldn't go out of his way to push her away or hurt her, but she was always here for him.

He turned his head so her cheek was against his, she smiled weakly.

"I'm sorry Ichimaru-Taicho. I don't mean to put anything on you, I'm just scared here."

The girl nuzzled his face, it caused his smile to widen. Gin sighed,

"Ya always get my soft spot Ichigo-chan."

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MewMid: Things will turn ugly soon, and wont be so fluffy and cute anymore. People are about to start dying and hurting, but be ready for some angst!