I Never Knew: Chapter 4: The Void

Kenpachi and Renji recovered quickly after several hours of treatment and rest; and both were healed enough to return to their respective divisions. However, Yoruichi was semi-consciously aware and still in critical condition. He had even frozen in his step when she called out his name, but thankfully for Byakuya, Yoruichi had slipped back into unconsciousness. Byakuya was distraught after hearing the news about Rukia from Shinji, as well as being concerned about Yoruichi. But he felt Yoruichi would be in good hands with Isane and decided that he needed to focus his current attention on Rukia. Things were just going from bad to worse and it couldn't have happened at a more inopportune time. This definitely wasn't a good time for anyone to be around him. Byakuya ordered his squad to search for any clues regarding Rukia and to report back to him immediately. Byakuya never let things get to him much, but the most important person in his life was now missing, not to mention the other person who he never would have thought would mean that much to him was seriously injured. Even so, he still paid homage to Hisana every day and as he stood there with the burning of scented candles a familiar spiritual pressure presented itself at Byakuya's manor.

"Aren't you supposed to be resting?" Byakuya said, with his back still facing Hisana's picture.

"Well, I thought I would come and see if I could offer you any assistance in finding your sister." The visitor said as they entered the manor and stood behind Byakuya.

"Oh, and what assistance could you possibly provide?"

"I was only trying to offer my assistance to such a noble being; perhaps you being all noble and everything; you might not need any assistance from a commoner." Kenpachi said as he quickly turned around and walked towards the door.

Being in a bad mood must be associated with Kenpachi, Byakuya thought; because every time he is in one, Kenpachi always shows up and pushes his buttons even further. Perhaps he is trying to be sincere in his gesture, Byakuya said to himself; and right now he could use the assistance, even if that meant the assistance from Kenpachi. "Thank you for your offer; I will keep that in mind." Byakuya replied as Kenpachi exited the manor. Byakuya had no sooner turned around from talking to Kenpachi when he felt another spiritual pressure; however, this presence was strong and powerful and he quickly recognized the owner of this spiritual pressure. No-this can't be, I haven't felt this type of presence since my fight with him on S. Hill, Byakuya said to himself as he started to head towards squad 4's barracks but was interrupted by one of his squad members.

Meanwhile…

It was cold, dark, dreary, and wet and the stench of mildew filled his nostrils with the nauseous smell. The plopping sounds of water dripping ranged through his ears. It wasn't a place that he would have preferred to have been, but it was the best place for him at the moment. The moment he heard the news about Rukia, he knew he would not be able to escape it and somehow he didn't want to escape. As a matter of fact, he wanted to embrace the madness-he didn't care. . It wasn't like Ichigo would transform into his hollow form because of anger, but he would if his soul was in despair. He looked around the dark cave and wondered how he managed to get to such a place, everything was kind of sketchy-but he did remember that sickening feeling.

The pain was unbearable; it felt as though knives were stabbing his heart and soul with emptiness. It felt like his soul was leaving his body as he cried out in anguish; he couldn't hold it. No, that wasn't it, he didn't want to hold it back; he wanted to wallow in the madness-this state of despair. His eyes were different now as they were narrow and darker. He wailed and the wail could be felt and heard by all-it was a wail that touched one's very soul. He fired a Cero; he didn't care where it landed he just wanted the pain to go away- he wanted it all to go away.

Ichigo's head was throbbing and he was shivering from the coldness of the cave. He walked over to the entrance but couldn't get out. He noticed a barrier was place at the entrance much like the one Yoruichi had placed in the cave when he was recovering from his battle with Kenpachi. What now? Ichigo asked himself, I need to get out of here. After realizing he had said it out loud, he heard a familiar voice.

"Ichigo calm down, I had to put a Kido spell to ensure that you wouldn't escape from here." Shinji said.

"How did I get here?"

"Well considering you were in your hollow resurrection form, I shunpoed you here where you would be away from everyone. Captain Soi Fon's Stealth squad was ordered to take you down but I tried to explain to her to let me handle it; of course she didn't listen. You fired a Cero and I parried the shot before anyone could get hurt."

"Oh, I see. I am glad no one was hurt. Thank you."

"Why don't we get out of here and get you into some warm clothes, you can come with me to the 5th squad."

"Sure."

Byakuya focused his attention on the squad member before him who had come to report that his team had found no evidence of Rukia, but that the other teams were still searching for clues. Byakuya quickly dismissed him and wondered why he even bothered to give such a useless report. In the morning Byakuya planned to handle things himself but quickly dismissed that thought as he asked himself would he be able do this alone. He was accustomed to handling his own affairs and this was his clan's business and not anyone else's. But Rukia was adored by many and she also was in another division; and then there was the burning issue of her involvement with that human boy. Since Hisana died, Byakuya had secluded himself to his manor and was married to his work. He didn't ask others for help when it pertained to the Kuchiki clan family members. He didn't socialize much with the other captains besides captain meetings; and occasionally he would attend the Lt's meeting. Maybe he had lost track of things that matter the most to him, maybe if he had paid more attention to Rukia needs, she wouldn't have gotten involved with that boy. And maybe, just maybe if he had opened his eyes many years ago, he might have known his true feelings for Yoruichi. Byakuya sighed as this was too much to think about right now and best that he put such foolishness aside-at least for tonight anyways.

The mornings in the Seireitei were tranquil and quiet with the sun rising over the horizon. If one had just entered the Seireitei they wouldn't have known that a few hours ago chaos was in the midst. By midmorning everything was running according to schedule and the new focus on finding Rukia Kuchiki. Renji had even reported for duty and was put in charge of the other teams to search for Rukia.

The CC decided to go to squad 4 to visit Ukitake and to make sure he was doing okay. Lt. Lemura walked in Captain Ukitake's room and reported to the CC that Captain Ukitake would most likely return to the 13th Division later on but still need several days of more rest. The CC assured that he would see that Captain Ukitake get the rest that he needed. As the CC was about to leave, the sounds of someone screaming suddenly got everyone's attention. A nurse came running to where Lt. Lemura and the CC was standing and frantically spoke to Lt. Lemura.

"Sir, please come, it's Yoruichi!" she said frantically as she turned around and ran back down the hallway.

"Tch, what is it now? I don't have time to deal with her; she's not supposed to be here anyway." Lt. Lemura mused.

"Excuse me, she is a patient here and she is where she supposed to be at, you do well to remember that Lt. Lemura." The CC said peering at Lt. Lemura.

Lt. Lemura arrived in the room and saw Yoruichi thrashing about in the bed, screaming for help. Lt. Lemura summoned one of the nurses to find Isane quickly, but the nurse told her that Isane was out of the barracks attending to a sick squad member at squad 3 barracks.

"Help me! Help me! Get away from me! Someone help!" screamed Yoruichi.

"It's okay Yoruichi; you are safe in squad 4's barracks." The CC said trying to calm her down. "Can't you all give her a sedative?"

"She just had one about 10 minutes ago and it's too early for another one," the nurse responded.

Yoruichi wildly looked at the bearded CC and scooped backed in the bed with her knees pulled up to her chest as she held them with both hands, rocking back and forth. When anyone tried to approach her she would let out a big murderous scream. No one knew what might have caused this to happen since most of the time she would be conscious and while other times she would be as if she was sleeping. Isane had been away for the last 24 hours and she was mostly Yoruichi's caretaker. The nurse looked over Yoruichi's chart and noticed that while she might have had a sedative, she had nothing for pain since the last time Isane had administered the pain medication. Going a long length of time without pain medication might cause a person to act in such a behavior. The nurse reported this to Lt. Lemura and the CC along with the names of the personnel who was on duty. Everyone had been given their assigned medications except for one person.

"What is the meaning of this Lt. Lemura?" Shunsui asked, rubbing his chin.

"I don't know how that could have happened sir." Lt. Lemura said. He knew exactly how it happened, as he refused to provide any type of treatment to Yoruichi; whether it was medication or another form of treatment. She would know what it feels like when wanting someone to help you regardless of the situation.

"It sounds like you let your personal feelings get in the way Lt. Lemura…"

As the CC was still talking to Lt. Lemura, Byakuya walked in. Damn, this is all I need this morning, a fight between Lt. Lemura and Byakuya. Perhaps I should let them at one another, Shunsui chuckled to himself.

"Good morning Captain Kuchiki" Shunsui said as he suddenly turned away from Lt. Lemura. Byakuya bowed his head and kept moving. Shunsui tried to catch Byakuya before he entered Yoruichi's room but by that time it was too late.

Yoruichi still was in the same position rocking back and forth, she noticed a familiar presence and looked up and saw Byakuya.

Reaching out her hands to Byakuya, she silently whispered to him, "Please help me." Byakuya gently touched her hands that seemed frozen and stiff, "I will help you, just hold on a minute." He reassured her that he would be right back and walked over to where Lt. Lemura and the CC were standing. "Is there something that you wanted to tell me before I entered this room, Captain Kyoraku?" Byakuya asked with his eyes tightly shut.

"Whatever gave you the idea that I wanted to speak to you?" Shunsui sighed ad he was trying hard to divert answering the question that he knew he would have to.

"Perhaps it isn't you I should be speaking to." Byakuya turned his attention away from Shunsui to Lt. Lemura with his left hand resting on his hilt. "I see now what is going on, so you thought that you would make Yoruichi suffer because it was me who she was training and decided to remain as my Senpai rather than to train a weakling as yourself. How dare you put your personal feelings in dealing with her!" Byakuya knew that he couldn't draw his zanpaktou in squad 4's barracks, but this didn't mean he would forget it either. He took Yoruichi to his manor and placed her in the guest room.

"You are safe now; my staff will take care of you from now on"

Yoruichi reached out and hugged Byakuya in which he didn't know what to do in that moment, but he felt her body shivering next to his and at that moment he released his emotionally-driven fears and returned the hug. "You should get some rest now, I will be back later to check on you" he promised her as he exited the room and wondered what just happened. However, he wouldn't have time to dwell on trying to find an answer when Renji appeared back from his mission.

"Captain Kuchiki" Renji yelled as he walked around the trying to find his captain.

"Quiet Renji, what is it? Have you found out any information regarding Rukia?"

"Yes, Captain, but you're not going to like it." Renji said as he showed Byakuya Rukia's torn and tattered blood stain uniform.

Byakuya stood there which seemed like an eternity just staring at the bloodied uniform as if it was going to speak words to him. "Where did you find this, Renji?"

"Outside the West Rukongai District, I also questioned everyone there but no one seemed to know anything Captain" Renji feared what the captain was now thinking as he took a step back waiting for orders. "What do you want me to do?"

"Let's go Renji, get some fresh men and meet me outside of the barracks."