忘れないで。

Getting only a few hours sleep, Yukiko saw dawn approaching and noted that it was her turn to do the patrols. Seeing that she slept in her shihakusho, she went to her tansu and pulled on of the drawer's open that is filled with her uniform. She changed into the clean shihakusho and threw her dirty ones aside; she'll deal with the dirty laundry later after the whole ryoka thing is dealt with.

Tugging her pendant off, she looked at the small katana on her hand. She discussed her resolve with Kazemouko last night; everything should be fine now. She'll summon shikai only when no other option is available. She opened a small cabinet in her tansu to reveal a lockable drawer. She put the pendant into the lock and turned it, it easily opened. Pulling on the small drawer she took out the red sash she stored there.

Holding the fabric close to her chest, she summoned the true form of her sword. She put her sword down and tied the red sash, forming a butterfly bow on her back. She picked up Kazemouko and slipped the zanpakuto between her obi and hakama. She smiled as she looked in the mirror at her appearance; she liked the red obi she received from Toshiro as a present, she ought to use it more often now.

Opening the doors of her room she looked up as she saw a bright ball of light break through the seki-seki. Upon impact Yukiko noted how the unstable ball would break. The ball then split into four parts. She needs to find the strongest of the ryoka.

…

Yukiko used shunpo to quickly reach the garden. Calmly sitting down facing the sakura tree, Yukiko placed her palm on the tree bark. Closing her eyes, Yukiko summoned her reiatsu into her palm. Muttering a spell, she felt the sakura tree beginning to emit traces of reiatsu. The reiatsu were just bare traces of every soul in Seireitei. Like roots extending throughout Seireitei, Yukiko can locate every person, specifically the ryoka. A sudden burst of unknown reiatsu caused Yukiko to let out a startled gasp.

It's strong, this ryoka has potential. Yukiko then felt familiar traces of Ikkaku and Yumichika's reiatsu closing in on the ryoka. Stopping the connection between her and the sakura tree, Yukiko got up to her feet and used shunpo to reach the location of the two ryoka about to fight the two goons.

…

Slightly out of breath once she landed on the roof of the intended location, Yukiko sighed with relief when she saw that there was no fighting yet—just Ikkaku's ridiculous 'Tsuki Tsuki Dance'. Jumping down from the roof she walked towards Yumichika and Ikkaku, she judged the reaction of the ryoka from her peripheral vision—the one with orange hair was unnerved whilst the other was nervous.

"Oh, Yukiko, yer here. Too bad, but they're our kill, don't touch them."

Yukiko snorted, "like I'd be interested in fighting. I'm just here to observe."

A smirked appeared on Ikkaku's lips and Yukiko knew that he was going to have fun. He turned to look at the ryoka and Yukiko did the same. They were whispering, well, arguing.

"What the hell are you arguing about? Well, take your time then," Ikkaku said with a smirk.

"But if they take too long," Yumichika started.

"Some one might swoop in and take the kill, right?" Yukiko smiled as she looked at Ikkaku.

"You're right. In that case a time limit will do! Until I finish the next done you gotta finish argui-."

"I don't care about you! I'm leaving!" and with that interruption the black haired ryoka ran off leaving the orange haired one behind looking slightly annoyed.

Ikkaku swore and said, Yumichika and Yukiko. With that, Yukiko took it as a sign to get out of the way whilst she watched Yumichika run off after the other ryoka. Yukiko noted that he wore the Shiba clan emblem on his pants.

A slight cold glare came from her as she thought of the fallen clan. She would not normally think that way, but the side effect of being raised as the daughter of the law was seeping into her personality. She did not like that at all.

She shook her head and jumped onto the rooftop. She'll gauge the orange head's strength, and if she decides him worthy to go save Kuchiki Rukia, then she'll accompany him on that journey. She stood with one hand on the hilt of her zanpakuto.

"Oi, why didn't you run away? That guy did because he noticed we were strong."

"If you're strong, then it didn't matter whether I ran or not, cause you'll catch me in the end. However, if you're weak, then I'll just defeat you and move forward promptly."

Both Yukiko and Ikkaku smirked at the ryoka's answer. I guess this guy isn't all that stupid. With Ikkaku saying her thoughts, he immediately jumped and attacked the ryoka. Yukiko watched and noted down that the ryoka was agile, but it was obvious what he was thinking through that face as he showed surprise when Ikkaku attacked with his sheath.

Using Ikkaku's zanpakuto as leverage, the ryoka jumped away from him and Ikkaku went in for the strike. Yukiko smiled when she saw that the ryoka noticed that and swung his sword for a counterattack. The result was; both men bleeding with Ikkaku curious on his opponent's name.

She had to hold her laughter when she heard the orange headed ryoka answered, Kurosaki Ichigo. She kept her hand over her mouth to muffle out her giggles. Such a girly name. She held her laughter even more when she heard Ikkaku say, "it's a nice name," with Ichigo replying, "that the first time anyone ever said that to me." She couldn't help but remember all those BL manga she read in the real world and how it most of then started due to something along the lines of what those two men just talked about.

Rubbing the tears away from her eyes, Yukiko focused once more as she saw Ikkaku pointing his sword at Kurosaki and introducing himself to Kurosaki. Yukiko's eyes turned cold and calculating. This is where the real fight begins.

Yukiko sighed as she saw the devastation around her. Kurosaki Ichigo obliterated a section of the wall with that giant zanpakuto of his. He also broke Hozoukimaru in shikai and made Ikkaku lost.

All in all, she suspected that Kurosaki Ichigo has talent, albeit a very unpolished one. She scratched her head as she also knew that Ichigo should fix his facial expressions when in battle. After all, he can't keep relying on brutal strength and keen instincts in every fight. How was he supposed to fight captains? Then again, if he bumped into Ken-chan he doesn't really need any strategy. Just slash and cut.

She jumped off the roof she was on and walked towards Ichigo, his hands ready on the hilt of his zanpakuto and his eyes filled with determination. Yukiko gave him a soft smile, "we should fix up Ikkaku. I'm sure you don't want him dying from blood loss."

…

Ichigo was startled. After all, wasn't there an order for the head of the intruders? Yet this shinigami just told him to use Ikkaku's zanpakuto to stop both their bleeding. After he patched up the bald head he turned to the young girl and asked whether or not they were going to fight. She shook his head and told him that she as only a fourth seat and would lose against someone who just beaten a third seat. Relaxing a bit, though he was prepared to use his zanpakuto, he asked for her name.

…

"Kyuumu Yukiko. Fourth seat of the eleventh squad. Nice to meet you," she turned to look at Ikkaku, "ah, you're awake Baldy."

"Whaddya you say bitch? Wait, I'm alive?"

"Yeah, we used up that odd medicine you keep inside the hilt of your zanpakuto," Ichigo said as he walked towards Ikkaku.

"What the? You're still here? More importantly, I got saved by the enemy! Dammit if I could move, I'd kill you on the spot. It's a shame to my name you hear? Also, give me Houzukimaru back arsehole!"

Yukiko sighed and shook her head in defeat. Men and their pride. Nothing could be said except that the eleventh squad has the biggest pride and ego of all the other squad.

"You ungrateful bastard. Whatever, the only reason I saved you is cause this brat won't tell me anything no matter what I asked."

Yukiko's eyebrow twitched at the mention of her being a brat.

"Ho, so waddya wanna know? My birthday?"

"Where is Kuchiki Rukia?"

Yukiko gave a sideway glance to Ichigo. He had asked her that question when she put the ointment on Ikkaku. She didn't answer of course, partly because she needed a bond to form between Ichigo and Ikkaku. That way, at least once someone uncovers the whole truth behind the oddity of Central 46's actions the ryoka have back up. After all, despite the rough and brutish actions of the men in the eleventh squad, their bonds are quite strong once they fought.

"So you're going to rescue her? How many people did you bring for the job?"

"Five people and a cat."

Yukiko deadpanned at his answer whilst Ikkaku just laughed resulting in him opening his wound. Calming down, he made eye contact with Yukiko—who just smiled—and turned to look at Ichigo. Ikkaku gave him the directions.

As Ichigo began to head out, Ikkaku stopped him and asked who is the strongest out of all the ryoka. Yukiko smiled when he answered that he it was him. So he's aware of his strength.

"If what you say it's true, then our captain will definitely seek you out. He has no interest in the weak."

"Is he strong?"

"You'll know how strong he is, if you survive the meeting."

Yukiko saw Ichigo's widened when Ikkaku implied that he might die if he ever meets Kenpachi. Despite that however, he still asked for a name. Yukiko smiled yet again at his determination.

Yukiko watched as Ichigo left. He was definitely strong and he could feel that the other ryoka are in battle as well. She shouldn't be surprised, this place is a warzone after all. Yukiko turned and walked towards Ikkaku.

"Baldy, I need a favour," she smiled as she hovered over Ikkaku's laying form.

Ikkaku gave her an annoyed smirk, "try be more respectful, I just might help you out."

Her eyebrow twitched, Yukiko kneeled down and tugged on Ikkaku's ear, "Madarame Ikkaku-dono, please do a favour for this lowly Yukiko," she finished with a final twist on Ikkaku's ears.

"Alright I'll help you," Ikkaku said as tears streamed down his face with an ear bright red as a tomato.

"Don't tell anyone about how the people going to rescue Kuchiki Rukia just went from being 5 and a cat to six and a cat."

Yukiko received a slight glare from Ikkaku, "you know I'll tell the captain."

"It's fine if you tell him, just don't tell anyone else, especially Toshiro."

"If you're this serious about going rogue, then I won't tell anyone. Good luck and get lost."

Yukiko smiled at her senpai's odd way of showing care. She stood up and ran off towards the direction of Ichigo's reiatsu.

...

Yukiko could only sigh at the predicament she found herself in. There she was stood atop one of the idiots from the eleventh squad member watching Ichigo and the Shiba ryoka capture a fourth division member of all things. She face palmed and jumped towards the forefront of the circus.

"Ah, it's you."

Yukiko was about to reply when she heard a ruckus behind her. Ichigo taking that as a good distraction left along with the ryoka. Yukiko cursed and ran after them. Don't go around making me waste my energy.

Ikkaku glanced at the hole the twelfth squad captain just made. Kurotsuchi-taichou's done nothing but try to get information out of him. Seeing him telling off one of the nurses and threatening to take her daughter apart, Ikkaku sighed.

"It's not like I don't want to talk. I really don't know anything. Not the ryoka's destination nor goal, nothing."

"So what? You just lost the fight?"

"Correct, I don't even remember what the they sound like nor look like. So I don't really have any information to tell."

Ikkaku noticed how Kurotsuchi appeared even more angered at what he told him. Waiting for the attack that came, he showed no surprise when his captain came and stopped the mad masked-man.

"Since when do you have authority over other division member's Kurotsuchi?"

Forcing the hand Zaraki held out of his grasp. Kurotsuchi took his leave. Ikkaku then turned to look at his captain. He also saw the young pink bubble gum fukutaichou appear out of the taichou's back.

"Are you okay? I was so worried Baldy!" Kusajishi-fukutaichou said cheerfully.

Ikkaku's eyebrow twitched, " I told you to stop calling me that shorty, even the brat caught on to that."

"I heard you lost a fight," Zaraki said as he looked at Ikkaku.

"I'm very sorry. I know it's unacceptable, but I came back anyways."

"Is he strong?"

"Very. He has orange hair and a zanpakuto as tall as him. He's heading to for the Shishinshirou of the Seinzaikyuu. Also, Yukiko went to join him."

"He wants to rescue the criminal. I'll deal with the brat later. And then?"

"I told him to look out for you. If he remembers what I said, then it will be a great battle. He is strong, and he will get stronger. By the time you meet him he may be extremely strong."

Zaraki smiled in twisted excitement, "is that so. What's his name?"

"My name is Yamada Hanatarou."

"That's hard to prounounce," both Ichigo and Ganju said.

"But everyone tells me it's an easy name to remember."

"I'd understand if it's Tarou or Hanako, but Hanatarou…" Ichigo started.

"Then just set a nickname."

Both Ichigo and Ganju stood up and stood in a defensive stance prepared to fight as they heard the feminine voice. Ichigo tightened his grip on his zanpakuto as a petite figure stepped out of the shadows.

...

"You're really tiresome to catch up to, Kurosaki Ichigo."

"Ah! You're the brat!"

Yukiko's eyebrow twitched. She gave him an evil smile, "the name's Kyuumu Yukiko. More importantly Kurosaki Ichigo," she didn't give the Shiba ryoka anytime to react as she used shunpo to deliver a kick at him knocking him against the wall. Yukiko then quickly drew out her sword and aimed a cut at Ichigo's neck. He blocked it with his sword and used his strength to push Yukiko away.

Yukiko somersaulted and landed gracefully with a smile on her lips. She looked at Ichigo's determined eyes. She let out a snort and put her katana back into its sheath. She clapped her hands, "alright you pass. But your friend needs a bit more training, he's a bit too slow for what's up ahead." Yukiko saw the Shiba ryoka stood up from the rubble and glared at her.

Ichigo gave Yukiko a slight glare, "what are you doing here? Last time I saw you, you weren't planning on attacking me."

"Well, I just needed to double check something. That and I'm annoyed cause you made me chase after you when I was about to offer my help to rescue the criminal. Oh, Hanatarou, your nickname will be Hana-chan."

Yukiko knew that Ichigo definitely doesn't trust him after the attack she caused. However, it was necessary that she re-gauge Ichigo's strength. She had to make sure that Ichigo didn't win by fluke. She used the strength on par of a fukutaichou, the fact that Ichigo could block her moves mean that he was good and will get stronger.

"Ano, Shiba ryoka-san what's your name?"

The Shiba ryoka looked surprised that he'd known his origin. Yukiko only sighed, it's obvious when you go around walking in pants with a Shiba emblem on it.

"Shiba Ganju. And yer Kyuumu Yukiko right?"

"Yup. Heh, so you're from the Shiba clan. That's pretty interesting," Yukiko smiled. She heard Kazemouko whisper from the back of her mind about something how one of the main family member of the Shiba clan was killed and it went downhill from there for the former noble house.

"What's so special about the Shiba clan?"

Yukiko smiled and looked at a confused Ichigo. It's best not to talk about it, Kazemouko whispered in the back of her mind. Yukiko shook her head and told Ichigo that she heard of the Shiba clan being one of the best when it comes to fireworks.

Ichigo turned and looked at Yukiko seriously. "So you're here to help. Why?"

"I owe Kuchiki Rukia my life. She saved while I was living in the slums and was about to die."

"Kuchiki Rukia? Then your target is the Seinzakyuu. I know a shortcut," Hanatarou said as he looked at the men and Yukiko seriously.

...

Yukiko walked behind Hanatarou as with the two men behind them just for caution. "I didn't know that there was an underground sewer."

"What the hell? You lived here for some time and became a fourth seat only to not know about the tunnel system?" Ichigo asked.

"Well, I had other things to do."

Hanatarou laughed, "Kyumuu-san, you're quite infamous Seireitei. I'm surprised you don't know the underground tunnel that well considering your hobbies."

"I never did need a sewer as an escape route. I am real good when it comes to Kido after all."

"Wait. I'm confused. Yukiko, you're famous? And won't people come chasing after us?" Ganju asked.

"Well, only the fourth squad know how to navigate around the sewer," Hanatarou answered.

"Well, I guess that makes sense since it'll be easy for you to supply medicine and help when needed." Ganju replied.

"No, not really, we're the fourth squad and since we're really weak, we end up doing chores."

"Somehow that really pitiful. What about you, why are you infamous around here?" Ganju asked Yukiko.

Yukiko smiled, "Oh I just run about here and there and somehow end up quite infamous."

"That's because you destroyed a whole section of the eleventh squad when you were drunk Kyuumu-san."

Yukiko saw the deadpanned look on Ichigo and Ganju with sweat running down their forehead. Well, to say that she destroyed a whole section of the eleventh squad was true. However it was completely due to the lack of defences in the Research and Development section that she even managed to mistake the reiatsu cannon for a gumball machine and Ken-chan's lack of sense of direction that led to her infamous demotion.

"Yo, Hanatarou, about Rukia, how was she?"

Yukiko looked at Ichigo in surprise. She saw Hanatarou motioning for them to sit down. Yukiko knew that whatever the timid 4th squad member will say would affect Ichigo's resolve. She sat down in the prefect sitting position—the seiza. Folding her hand neatly on her lap Yukiko watched as Hanatarou began his story.

…

To be continued…

Author's note: What an abrupt end. But meh. I'm incorrigible I know. My only concern is the fact that we are finally following the story line of bleach, it's hard to change everything said into writing, something I need to work on. I hope you like it so far, because God knows I don't.

Tansu is a dresser simply put.

PM me if I missed something. Thank you for reading.