Stars dotted the landscape over the night sky of Hueco Mundo. Then again, it was always night in the world of the Hollows. The endless desert stretching in all directions from Las Noches. Kisaki walked along the side of the massive fortress and found Tamotsu sitting on the edge with his feet hanging over the side.

The two had met months ago when Kisaki had gone into the dimension of the Soul Society in a fool hearted attempt to destroy herself. She had wanted to be slain by a Shinigami, unable to live with herself and the unknown void in her heart that had manifested itself into a hole in her chest as it did with all Hollows. She had expected to be destroyed, but Tamotsu had wanted instead to help her. Only one question was on her mind.

"Why?" Kisaki asked as she approached Tamotsu. "Why did you want to help me? To spare me?"

Tamotsu did not move his head as he responded. "I told you before," he said. "You recognize that something is missing within your heart. And I wish to understand what that is. It is difficult to find a coherent Hollow, much less one that recognizes the emptiness."

"The Hollows and Shinigami have been at war since the beginning of time. What difference would it make if you understand why this happens to us? Why we become Hollows in the first place. Even so, it will only be one person that understands. One person in the midst of millions, or even billions of souls. What difference could that possibly make?"

Tamotsu bowed his head and looked at the massive drop off he was sitting on. "Sometimes you would be surprised the influence one person could have. I mean, look at what I've done. Right now the Soul Society is on high alert because of one person. Me. And everything has to be prepared in two days. That's a lot of strain for one person, but its something that was started by one person."

Kisaki sat down next to Tamotsu, who finally looked at her directly. "But why spare me? What purpose could I possibly serve? Why don't you just kill me? Right here, right now. I won't fight you. I won't resist. I won't blink."

Tamotsu brought his hand up and touched Kisaki's cheek. "Such beautiful eyes but you fail to see what's right in front of you."

"I'm a Hollow and you're a Shinigami. We're supposed to be enemies. Eternal fighting between us."

"We may have different types of reiatsu and have taken different paths. But we are both still souls. You are lost and do not know where to go." Tamotsu brought his hand down and met Kisaki's. "And I can help you. All you have to do is trust me."

Kisaki looked into Tamotsu's eyes, seeing the sincerity in them. She could feel as a tear formed and rolled down her face, her mask suddenly cracking along the length of her left eye. Suddenly afraid, she stood and began walking away. "I can't stay here."

"Kisaki, wait." Tamotsu stood and took a step forward. "I know you don't understand, but please. Together we can figure this out. Trust me."

"Can you promise me? Promise that once this plan of yours is over, you will help me find what I've lost."

Tamotsu nodded. "I give you my word."

Kisaki turned slowly, a piece of her mask breaking over her left eye. She approached Tamotsu, who had his hand extended toward her. Taking his hand, she pulled him close and held him against her with Tamotsu slowly placing his arms around her in the embrace.

"Disgusting," Apacci said as she looked down from a higher ledge outside one of the many doors of Las Noches. "How could they do that?"

"Kisaki has always been a bit different," Sung Sun responded as the group of Fracciones looked at Tamotsu and Kisaki. "It shouldn't be up to us to judge her choices."

"But there's plenty of Hollows in Hueco Mundo and she has to be with a Shinigami? Please..."

"Knock it off," Harribel said. "We should be preparing for the attack. Her mind has to be clear, so let her clear it."

"But Lady Harribel-"

"Leave them be."

Apacci grunted and walked with the other Fracciones into the doorway. Harribel held back for a moment, taking one last look at Kisaki and Tamotsu.

32 years ago

The Hollow screeched as Tamotsu more fell out of the way rather than dodged. It was meant to be a routine perimeter check for the Tenth Division when the group came under attack. Tamotsu had already proven himself to be capable in battle when he needed to be, despite his lack of skill with the zanpakuto.

"Tamotsu, get down!"

Tamotsu immediately ducked as a blade swung over his head and cut down a Hollow that had nearly gotten him. Looking up he could see Fumio Tanaka, a recent graduate recruited into the Tenth Division.

"Thanks, Fumio."

"Fight now. Talk later."

Fumio struck at more Hollows, showing off his proficiency with a blade. It seemed more a choreographed routine rather than a collection of attacks and blocks. Tamotsu had seen Fumio in the Academy and often asked for advise on how to better himself, but he always came up short.

Another Hollow attacked and Tamotsu unleashed a Kido spell, more out of instinct rather than conscious thought, that struck the Hollow and destroyed it. Chancing a look behind him Tamotsu could see Rangiku fighting off several Hollows at once. Her having the highest reiatsu in the group it was no wonder more would be drawn to her.

"Tamotsu, stay focused!" Fumio slashed at another Hollow as Tamotsu ducked away once again. "I can't protect you all the time you know!"

"Sorry."

"Apologize later," Fumio said as he pointed to another Hollow rushed at Tamotsu.

Tamotsu drew the blade and swung wildly, somehow managing to cause enough cuts on the Hollow to destroy it. I... I can't do this alone, he thought. Someone, please... help me...

I can help you.

"Who's there?" Tamotsu asked, spinning around.

They cannot hear me. Only you can. I told you once before that I would protect you.

"You... My zanpakuto?"

Yes. Clear your mind. Hear my voice. Speak my name. Together, we shall burn your enemies.

Tamotsu let loose a Kido spell that sent a shock wave out in all directions, clearing out all the Hollows that were closing on him. He closed his eyes and brought his zanpakuto in front of him.

"Tamotsu!" Fumio cried. "What the hell are you doing?"

Tamotsu's eyes narrowed, then opened. "Burn... Hinohebi!" His zanpakuto suddenly changed form in a flash of red light, taking the shape of a whip with a blade at the end of it. He lashed out and the whip, as if having a mind of its own, lashed out and struck a killing blow to the Hollow. Surprised, he looked at the whip.

Trust in me, my master. I shall do what you cannot.

Tamotsu nodded and jumped back as a large talon made its way to where he was standing. He lashed out with the whip once again and it struck the Hollow in a vital spot. Feeling more confident with his newfound partner, Tamotsu thrust out and struck another Hollow, then another. "Alright, Hinohebi. You said we would burn my enemies. Now burn!"

The whip suddenly burst into flames and Tamotsu swung it sideways as a group of Hollows approached. The whip created an arc and sent a crescent of flames outward which struck the Hollows and continued onward before dissipating. Another Holllow jumped high and Tamotsu brought the whip around and cracked it, causing a flaming shock wave to roll outward.

The flames stopped and Tamotsu looked around. The others in his group were staring at him, breathing hard with his newfound Shikai. He looked at the whip once again and, without knowing how to change it back to its sealed form, decided to throw it around his shoulder. It wrapped itself around his body once and the blade rested behind him.

"Now that was impressive," Fumio said, slowly applauding. "Not even a week out and you get your Shikai."

"Come on," Rangiku said. "We need to report this to the Captain."

The group nodded and at once they all disappeared using Shunpo. "Hey, wait!" Tamotsu cried. "I can't... Uh... Hey, zanpakuto- I mean- Hinohebi. You wouldn't happen to be able to assist here, would you?"

No, a soft female voice responded, sounding somewhat amused.

"But didn't you just say- oh, nevermind..." With a grunt of dissatisfaction, Tamotsu began running back to Seireitei.

"I was wondering where you were," Rangiku said from a resting position in a tree. "We all got back and realized you weren't with us."

Tamotsu stopped running and rested on his knees to catch his breath. "Come on, Rangiku," he said. "You know I can't use Shunpo."

"You can't? Oh, yeah... Guess I forgot about that." Jumping down from the tree, Rangiku turned around and got to one knee. "Climb on."

Tamotsu's jaw dropped and his eyes were dumbfounded. "You're kidding, right?"

"Unless you want to run all the way back to Seireitei on your own. You'll be safer with me too."

Tamotsu sighed as he held on to Rangiku's shoulders. "Great. Now I'm getting a piggyback ride from my Lieutenant."

"It could be worse."

"How?"

"You could be getting a piggyback ride from Captain Shiba." Rangiku turned and smiled. Tamotsu closed his eyes as he pictured the image.

"Oh, please no. He'd probably enjoy it more than you are."

"Hang on tight." Jumping up to the air, Rangiku performed several Shunpo jumps back to Seireitei and frequently checked to make sure Tamotsu was still with her.

Present Day

Rangiku looked in the mirror, touching the large scar that now bore itself on her chest. She couldn't remember Tamotsu striking her, but everyone said that it was caused my him. Her own brother, known only to her as Kiyoshi Matsumoto, had once been so helpless in the Soul Society. During the five years he spent there after graduating she had kept an eye on him.

"Matsumoto," Hitsugaya said from the doorway.

"What happened to him, Captain?" Rangiku asked.

"I don't know. But as far as we know the same could happen to all the Reincarnates."

"But Kiyoshi... Why him?"

"I don't know. Perhaps with all this new power it has driven him mad."

"Don't say that!" Rangiku snapped, turning around to face Hitsugaya. "There has to be a reason. And I have to find out why."

"Matsumoto- Where are you going?"

Rangiku stormed out of the room. "Don't try to stop me. You said he fled into Hueco Mundo? So that's where I'm going."

"You can't go there! That's crazy!"

"I don't care. There's only one person who knows the truth and he has never lied to me. I'm going to Hueco Mundo to ask Kiyoshi directly."

A boom sounded as Kisaki exited from Sonido. She landed next to Tamotsu, still outside of Las Noches. His eyes were closed as if in meditation. Reluctantly, she approached.

"Tamotsu," she said. "Sorry to disturb you, but there's been a development. It seems that Rangiku Matsumoto has entered Hueco Mundo."

"Yes, I know," Tamotsu responded, eyes still closed. "I could feel her presence as soon as she came here."

"You could sense her presence from that distance?"

"We share a close relation. And..." Tamotsu paused as if reaching out further.

"And what?"

Another brief pause and Tamotsu answered. "Is she alone?"

"Yes."

"I see... Come. We must prepare for the arrival of our guests."

She had been running for a long time, yet to Rangiku it seemed that the vast building of Las Noches never got any closer. She wondered just how large this building was, and why her brother would choose to come here. She knew that soon she would get the answers.

After a few more minutes, a lone figure appeared in the desert sands. When she got close, she could see that it was Tier Harribel.

"Greetings, Rangiku Matsumoto," Harribel said. "Welcome to Las Noches."

"Tier Harribel," Rangiku answered. "Its been a long time."

"No hard feelings about what happened between your Captain and myself I hope? Or your scuffle with my Fracciones?"

"That is in the past. I came here because-"

"I know why you are here," Harribel interrupted. "He's been expecting you."

The interior of Las Noches seemed to go on forever. Several Hollows lined the paths, not daring to venture beyond the shadows of the pillars which seemed like they belonged to an Emperor's domain. A long red carpet was positioned neatly in the center and led to a type of throne. On top sat her brother, clothed in a purple sash with his whip laid neatly on a table at the side rather than its usual place wrapped around his shoulder. Apacci, Mila Rose and Sung Sun stood surrounding the throne. With her approach, Tamotsu stood.

"Dear sister," Tamotsu said as he spread his arms in welcome and stood. "So good of you to come."

"I came here to hear from your own voice what you plan," Rangiku responded. "What are you doing? Why are you doing this? Did you strike me down? Was it really you?"

Tamotsu clasped his hands behind his back as he casually strode down the stairs. "I did what I had to do when the situation called for it. Apacci, could you please grace us with a drink?"

"Of course," Apacci said, bowing as she stepped backwards into the shadows.

"Why?" Rangiku asked. "Why are you joining with the Hollows?"

"We have a mutual enemy within the Soul Society," Tamotsu replied. "And we are joining forces to take down that enemy."

"You're going to kill Yamamoto? But why? He's your Commander!"

Tamotsu threw his head back and laughed. "You really believe that? This man you believe to be your Commanding Officer... He's nothing but a traitor and a liar."

Apacci approached holding a platter with two ornate goblets filled with a red liquid and offered them to Tamotsu and Rangiku. "Thank you, Apacci. Won't you join us with a drink?"

"Kiyoshi... Why? Why are you doing this? What's he done to you? Isn't there another way?"

"The Soul Society is being led under a corrupt man. And I'm going to set things right. To take down this leader and replace him with one the Soul Society deserves."

"You mean- You want to rule the Soul Society?"

Tamotsu spread his arms. "I am the only one who can free it of this tyranny. Only through me can true peace be obtained. I will do what I must, and I would much prefer to have you by my side. Join me, Rangiku. And together we can bring peace to Soul Society."

Rangiku's eyes grew wide and she stepped back. "I- I don't believe it. The Captain was right... You've gone mad!"

Tamotsu smiled, a ripple of blue energy running across his eyes. "No, dear sister. I've only learned to see things as they truly are." Extending his hand in expectance, he waited for Rangiku's response.

She took two steps further back, then ran as fast as she could down the long hallway. Back into the sands of Hueco Mundo.

"You cannot run from this, Rangiku!" Tamotsu cried. "The day will come soon. Do you hear me? Justice will be served!"

Rangiku exploded from the doorway and stumbled onto the cold white sands. She picked herself up and continued to run, tears rolling down her face.

You cannot trust them, sister. The voice was Tamotsu's, but it was not being heard physically. He was using a Kido spell to speak directly into her mind. I am the only one you can trust. Do not believe what your eyes see. Do not listen to what your ears hear. The day fast approaches which side you will stand with. Do you understand? When that day comes, you must choose.

She ran blindly now, tripping over sand and rolling down a dune. She tried picking herself up, but her arms would not support her. She could not stand, and she could not stop the bitter tears. She couldn't speak and she couldn't think. Instead she did the only thing she could do... and screamed.