Chapter 6

The night of the Ball, Gin waited with the other Captains for their dates to arrive. It seemed that all the other dates had shown up, except for Gin and Tôshirô's. They waited and waited, and after five minutes, they showed. Rangiku wore a Purple Victorian dress with white ribbon and black lace. Her red hair was pulled back in a bun. Yuki appeared next to her. Gin was stunned by how she looked. She wore a white Victorian dress, with silver ribbon and black lace.

"So shall we go," Tôshirô asked.

"Sure," Rangiku replied.

Each of them went to their Captains and began to walk toward the ball room. However, Yuki stopped just before they reached it. Gin, with his arm still around hers, stopped as well.

"What's wrong," Gin asked, looking into the bright blue eyes of the frightened Yuki.

"Nothing, it's just I'm no good at parties," Yuki explained, her eyes diverted to the floor and her head held low.

"Listen to me."

Gin put his fingertips under Yuki's chin and raised her head so she could look at him. She looked into his swirling blue eyes.

"You'll be fine," Gin reassured her, "You look lovely and everyone in there is your friend."

"It's not that," Yuki stated as she pulled her face away from his.

"What is it? I can sense you are troubled."

"You are right. It is nothing. Let's go in."

The two entered the bright and colorful ball room arm in arm. They soon found other captains and conversed with them. Soon after, though, a man wearing a mask approached the group. He bowed to Yuki.

"Would give me the honor of this dance," The man asked.

"Of course," Yuki replied as she extended her arm.

The man gracefully swept her into the crowd of swirling people. The music was that for a waltz, and that is exactly what they did. The two of them waltzed as people watched the spectacle unfold. Yuki looked at the man, who was her height and had black hair. Something about him seemed vaguely familiar, like she had seen him once before in a dream or on the street. The two of them eventually waltzed out onto a terrace. The warm summer breeze heated Yuki's skin. She heard the doors to the terrace close. She turned to see the man.

"May I ask who you are," Yuki asked, as she gave the man a quizzical look.

"I merely a man on a mission," The man replied as he removed his silver mask.

Underneath the mask, Yuki could see the man had permanent tear trails coming from both eyes. Her eyes widened and she circled back toward the door as he circled toward her.

"You are Ulquiorra Schiffer," Yuki stated as she eyed the door.

"You are correct," Ulquiorra replied, his depressed expression holding its luster.

Yuki made a dash for the glass doors of the terrace. She pulled at them, but found them to be locked. She tried smashing them, but they wouldn't break.

"Help, Someone Please," Yuki shouted, hoping someone, especially Gin, would hear her.

"That won't work," Ulquiorra stated.

"And why not," Yuki asked, as she turned to face the Espada.

"I reinforced the doors with several kidôs, which cancel sound, and even our images out here."

"What do you want?"

"What my colleague couldn't get. You."

"Well, if he couldn't get me, what makes you think you can?"

"I am more powerful than him, so that."

"Well, he couldn't catch me."

Yuki shunpo-ed away from Ulquiorra and onto the roof of the main complex. The building stood about four stories high. Yuki relaxed, that is, until she saw Ulquiorra standing in front of her.

"A valiant effort, but all in vain," Ulquiorra stated.

"Why can't you guys just leave me alone," Yuki asked.

"It is our mission to capture you."

"I know, and I'm warning you. I'm not going without a fight. Rise from the Ashes, Furuifiinikkusu (Ancient Phoenix)"

Yuki drew her Zanpaku-to, its golden blade gleaming in the light of the full moon. The fiery aura surrounded her and this time stayed around her feet. Ulquiorra seemed unfazed by the blade. He merely kept his position.

"You should not have drawn your sword," Ulquiorra stated.

"And why is that," Yuki asked, her sword still pointed at Ulquiorra.

"Because now I am forced to draw mine, but then again maybe I'm threatening the wrong person."

"What are you talking about?"

"Maybe, I should go after that Captain instead. What was his name? Oh, right, Captain Ichimaru. Or maybe even that Quincy boy, Uryû Ishida"

"Leave them out of this!"

As Yuki's anger grew, so did the aura, and her spiritual pressure. The aura rose into the air and completely surrounded her. The Phoenix itself appeared and levitated Yuki in mid-air. Her eyes glowed with a burning rage.

"Bankai," Yuki shouted.

The Phoenix fully appeared before Ulquiorra's eyes. Yuki disappeared within the chest of the burning bird. After a few seconds, the wings of the fiery bird flew open and revealed a transformed Yuki. Her costume was white with a golden sash around her waist and the golden symbol of the Phoenix across her chest. The Phoenix let out a high pitched screech.

Back in the ball room, Gin was talking to Jûshirô and Tôshirô.

"I haven't seen Yuki in a while," Tôshirô stated, "ever since she went off with that man."

"I'm sure she is fine," Jûshirô reassured, "Right Gin?"

"Please tell me you sense that," Gin asked.

"That spiritual pressure is something I've never felt before," Tôshirô stated, "It is so overwhelming."

"It's Yuki's," Jûshirô replied, "Quickly we must find her."

The three men ran out onto the terrace, where they had last seen Yuki exit. Suddenly, there was a bright flash of light followed by an immense wave of heat. They turned and saw that it was coming from the roof. They stood in awe as they saw Yuki in her Bankai state. Another flash of green light met the fiery wings of the Phoenix. Another larger blast followed it. Yuki tried to block it, but was caught by surprise. Gin saw her begin to fall from her twenty foot high place in the sky.

"YUKI," Gin exclaimed as he shunpo-ed up to the roof.

He performed another Shunpo, this time up to where Yuki was. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close to him. He then shunpo-ed back to the roof. He laid Yuki on the metallic roof. Gin turned and faced Ulquiorra.

"I guess I underestimated her," Ulquiorra stated, "Oh well, my mission was a failure."

Gin drew his Zanpaku-to and aimed it at Ulquiorra.

"Pierce him, Shinsô," Gin shouted.

His Zanpaku-tô grew in length, extending with deadly speed toward Ulquiorra. Just before the blade reached him, however, he disappeared. Gin recalled his sword and went back over to Yuki. Before his very eyes, Yuki's Bankai outfit was engulfed by a fiery blaze ignited at her feet. As it continued up her body, her costume changed back into her ball gown. He picked her up and shunpo-ed back to the ground near Jûshirô and Tôshirô.

"She's burning up," Gin stated, as he held Yuki in his arms.

"Give her to me," Tôshirô began to explain, "If unleash my spiritual pressure it will cool her down as I take her to Unohana."

Gin carefully handed Yuki to Tôshirô. Tôshirô shunpo-ed away and began to fly. As he flew, he let out a little more of his spiritual pressure, hoping it would cool Yuki off. Surprisingly, Tôshirô could easily carry Yuki, for him being so small and young.

"Just hang in there Yuki, we're almost there," Tôshirô whispered to the unconscious Yuki.

Back in the land of the living, Uryû sat in Yuki's apartment. She had asked him to watch it for her and he was doing just that. He sat there reading Yuki's third book for the third time. He missed her, and how she would tease him for reading her books with such a passion. Now that Yuki was in her first week of being in the Soul Society, he missed her more than ever. Uryû had always had a strong connection to Yuki, even before he found out she was a Soul Reaper.

"When are you coming back Yuki," Uryû asked himself silently.

Just then, Ichigo burst through the door and ran over to Uryû. He rose from the couch as Ichigo hunched over to catch his breath.

"What's wrong Ichigo," Uryû asked a hint of annoyance in his voice.

"Yuki . . . hurt," Ichigo breathlessly stated, "Assassin."

"WHAT?"

"Let me start over. Yuki was badly hurt by an assassin. Rukia got a call from Renji and told her the whole story."

"WE have to go there."

"I agree, Rukia, Chad, Orihime, and I made arrangements with Kisuke to go there. Would you like to come too?"

"What kind of a question is that? OF COURSE, YOU IDIOT! When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow at noon."

"I'll be there. You can count on it."

Back in the Soul Society, Gin sat by Yuki's bed as she lay there. He held her hand in his. His light blue eyes stared at her, hoping she would wake up any moment. Unohana had treated her fever and left her here to rest and recuperate. He looked to the wooden floor of the room.

"I shouldn't have left you," Gin apologized to Yuki, "I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. I let it happen again. What kind of a Captain am I?"

Gin felt Yuki's hand tighten around his own. He shot his head up and met the eyes of Yuki. She smiled a kind smile.

"You are the kind of Captain who waits by his Assistant Captain's bedside when she's hurt," Yuki stated in a low voice.

"Thanks, but I still don't feel better," Gin replied.

"Gin, remember that thing I was going to tell you before the ball?"

"Yes."

"Well, the reason I don't like parties is because I don't like the crowd."

"Really?"

"It all started last year. My mother had died when I was little, so I lived with my father. He was a very recognized Police Chief. I helped him on so many cases. HE did all he could to help me in life. Well, one day my father had to go to court and testify against a crime family boss, who he had captured a few weeks before. Leading up to the trial, my father had received many threatening letters and notes. He tried to hide them, but I found them anyway. I begged him not to do it. He just smiled and said 'I have to do this. It will put this man away so he can't hurt anyone anymore.' The day of the trial came, and father went to testify. That day was an early release at school, so I decided to go by the court house and catch my father coming out. I had told him I would, so I headed for the court house. When I got there, there was a huge crowd gathered outside. I could see my father on the steps and I waved at him. That's when it happened."

Yuki stopped, tears welling up in her eyes. She looked down at her sheets. Gin leaned in closer to her.

"Yuki what happened," Gin asked.

"My father," Yuki tried to continue, "A man from the crowd pulled out a gun. I could see him aiming it at my father, but I couldn't get there in time. There were too many people. I pushed my way through, but I was too late. The man had shot my father. He ran away as I ran to my father. Minutes later, an ambulance pulled up and drove my father to the hospital. I stayed by his side as they rolled him away on the stretcher. I remember crying, 'Please don't leave me father. You're all I have left. Please, don't die.' He just smiled and said he'd be okay. I went home that night, packed a bag, and went to the hospital where my father was. When I got there, I learned that my friend's father was treating him. I was so certain he was going to be okay, but when I got to his room Dr. Ishida was standing in front of the door. He just put his hand on my shoulder. I looked into his eyes and I could tell what had happened. His son was standing next to him. I just backed away, trying to fight the tears that were coming. I fell to the floor, crying so hard. His son, Uryû, came over to me and I just grabbed onto him. I cried in his arms for so long. I had lost my father. The only people I had left were my friends."

"Yuki I can't say I know what you're going through, but if you need me in any way."

Yuki wrapped her arms around Gin's waist and buried her face in his chest. He could feel her warm tears running down her face.

"Don't leave me Gin," Yuki cried, "Please promise me you'll never leave me alone."

"I vow I will never leave you Yuki," Gin replied as he wrapped his arms around her, "I swear it on my life."

A few hours later, after Yuki had fallen asleep, Gin left the room and proceeded to walk the halls. He came upon Byakuya's room. He knocked on the door and to his surprise Byakuya actually answered the door.

"What do you want Gin," Byakuya asked.

"Well, I wanted a list of all active Soul Reapers," Gin replied.

"What for?"

"Well, I'm trying to find two people. You don't by any chance know off the top of your head if you have any Soul Reapers in your squad with the last name Okayama do you?"

"Okayama? I think I do. It was such a special case that I remembered the names of the two Soul Reapers. A husband and wife both joined my squad. I believe their names were Igianaka Okayama and Isabella Okayama."

"Thank you Byakuya, that's all I need to know."

The next morning, Yuki was up and walking around. Her injury was almost healed thanks to Unohana. Gin walked in and immediately ran over to Yuki.

"Yuki you shouldn't be out of bed," Gin stated.

"Gin, I'm fine," Yuki replied, "I'm almost healed. What are you doing here?"

"I um actually brought some people here to see you."

"Really who?"

Gin gestured toward the door. Yuki stood in shock at the two Soul reapers who had entered her room. She walked over to them.

"Mother," Yuki asked, "Father?"

"Yuki," Isabella cried as she hugged her daughter.

"We have missed you," Igianaka stated as he hugged her as well.

"It really is you," Yuki cried, "but how?"

"We became Soul Reapers to protect you," Isabella replied.

"How did you guys find me," Yuki asked.

"Captain Ichimaru told us you were hurt, so we came," Igianaka replied.

"Gin," Yuki stated, as she turned to Gin, "You did this?"

"Sure did," Gin smiled, "Now I hate to break up your reunion, but Yuki and I have patrol duty now."

"We can talk later," Isabella stated, "Bye Yuki."

Isabella and Igianaka left the room.

At Kisuke Urahara's shop in the land of the living, Ichigo, Uryû, and the others all gathered in the lower part to head for the Soul Society. The group had gathered, but Kisuke was nowhere in sight. Finally after twenty minutes, Kisuke appeared along with a cat walking next to him.

"Are you all ready to go," Kisuke asked.

"We've been ready for twenty minutes," Uryû replied, trying to control his temper.

"Oh well that's great," The cat stated.

"Did that cat just talk," Ichigo asked.

"Yes, my name is Yoruichi," Yoruichi replied, "and I shall be going to the Soul Society with your group. If that's okay with you?"

"Fine by me," Ichigo said, "We're just going to protect our friend."

"So I heard," Yoruichi replied, "Well then let us enter the portal and begin our journey to aid your friend."

Having said that, Kisuke opened the portal and all six of them entered the portal. Each of them hoped to reach Yuki before another assassin got the chance to hurt her.

Back in the Soul Society, Gin and Yuki were just beginning their patrol. Yuki was still in shock that Gin had found her parents for her. She kept up with him, even with her wound not entirely healed. The two of them stopped when they heard a disturbance toward the western gate to the Seireitei.

"What was that," Yuki asked.

"Stay here," Gin shouted as he began to run, "I'll go check it out."

"Not without me you won't," Yuki shouted in reply, but Gin was already out of the sound of her voice.

Yuki followed him the best he could. She stopped a second to catch her breath. Performing twelve simultaneous shunpos was exhausting. She heard a loud crash and performed one last Shunpo. When she arrived she saw all of her friends, and a cat, at the western gate. Apparently, Ichigo had picked a fight with Gin.

"Ah, you never change Ichigo," Yuki thought to herself, "I am curious to see how this plays out."

She leaned against the wall, which partly hid her from sight and watched as Ichigo and Gin talked.

"You must be Ichigo Kurosaki," Gin stated.

"You know about me," Ichigo asked, "but how could you?"

"Just as I thought, how very predictable."

Gin began to walk far away from Ichigo and the others. He stopped when he heard Ichigo calling after him.

"What, HEY where are you going," Ichigo asked, "hey wait!"

"All the more reason why i can't let you pass," Gin replied as he drew his Zanpaku-to.

"So then why are you standing so far back, unless you're planning on throwing that dagger?"

"It's not a dagger," Gin replied, a bit agitated, "in fact this is my Zanpaku-to."

Yuki's eyes widened, for she know the power of Gin's Shinsô. As Gin did a series of movements to activate his Zanpaku-to, she ran out from behind the corner.

"Impale him," Gin stated, "Shinsô!"

His sword extended with remarkable speed toward Ichigo and the others. Yuki ran out next to Gin.

"Phoenix," Yuki shouted, "Three Point Ember Shield, I REJECT!"

With the utterance of those words, the Phoenix appeared and surrounded her friends. Once Gin's sword touched the shield it stopped and began to retract back to its usual size. Gin looked upon Yuki, who looked down at the ground. She then ran over to her friends, once the shield she had created burned up. Gin still looked upon Yuki with a confused look.

"Assistant Captain Okayama," Gin questioned, "What was that?"

Yuki turned back and faced Gin, with her eyes directed toward the ground. He only called her that when he was either angry with her or trying to get her attention.

"Well, Captain Ichimaru," Yuki began to explain, "These are my friends from the land of the living. I invited them here to help me investigate the attackers who attacked me."

"Ah well, I see only two humans," Gin commented, "Two Soul Reapers, and do I detect a Quincy?"

"That would be me," Uryû stated as he stepped forward, "The name is Uryû Ishida and I am the last Quincy."

"Ah, so this is an odd bunch," Gin replied, "Well any friends of Yuki are my friends as well. Sorry about the confusion, I mistook you for Ryoka."

"Come on guys," Yuki stated, "Lets go back to my room and plan out our investigation."

As the group of them walked back Uryû and Gin lagged behind the others and finally were left behind. Uryû kept with his determined face and Gin kept on grinning his usual grin. AS the two of them tried to find the others, Gin decided to have a talk with Uryû about Yuki.

"So how long have you known Yuki," Gin asked.

"Lets see," Uryû began to reply, "I have known her since, well since junior high. We didn't really talk before then and even then we weren't as close as we are now."

"And close would that be?"

"We're good friends."

"What brought on the change in Yuki?"

"I think it's because I was there when her father died."

"So you are that doctor's son. I thought so."

"How did you know my father was a doctor?"

Uryû stopped walking and so did Gin. He turned around to face the confused Quincy.

"Why Yuki told me of course," Gin replied, "yet I sense you are not telling me the real relationship between you and Yuki."

"Listen here I don't know what your deal is with Yuki and me," Uryû stated, "but if you ever hurt her or even think about it, I won't hesitate to kill you."

"The same threat applies to you Quincy," Gin replied.

Just then, Yuki came running around the corner. She stared at the two men.

"Will you two hurry it up," Yuki shouted.

"Coming Yuki," Uryû stated.