LC333:

Hello, everyone! Sorry for the wait.

I was busy writing the sort-of-sequel to Unspoken Rule. Please read it if you get a chance.

Thank you to: Falabella3, Rukia Heart, Queen of Tartarus, whatnameisthis, famartin, monster in pocket, mistdreams, lorenlight, Kireina-Ame, Neliayui, and .

Here's Chapter Six!

Chapter Six

There he was, standing in the middle of the street, with his sea green eyes staring right at me.

"K- Kaien-dono!"

He gave me one of his warm smiles, hearing me through all the noise.

I can't believe he's here. After such a long time, he was here.

"Rukia," Ichigo squeezed my right shoulder.

My eyes lingered on Kaien before I answered Ichigo, "Yes, Orange?"

I was taken aback by the lack of irritation, a look of concern on Ichigo's face making me feel bad for trying to pick on him.

"Don't just stand there," he chided, pulling my arm in the direction of the car. "I thought you would want to go to the shop already."

"Of course I do," I commented, looking back in Kaien's direction. "But K-"

"What?" he paused his movement. Ichigo shook me slightly when I didn't answer.

Gone; Kaien-dono was gone. I kept on staring at the spot he was in, now filled with air as people walked by.

"Where did he go?"

"Where did who go?" Ichigo asked, looking where I was.

Kaien-dono disappeared. He was right there just a few seconds ago.

"He's gone," I spoke crest-fallen.

"Who's gone?" Ichigo asked.

I stared at the spot he was for just a moment longer. I wasn't imagining things. Kaien was here. Why did he leave so suddenly? Was he not happy to see me like I was to see him?

"Rukia, for the last time, who are you talking about?" Ichigo asked, shaking me.

Reacting, I shook my head, "N- No one. It's nothing. Nothing you need to concern yourself with."

The last thing I needed was for Ichigo to see Kaien. Nii-sama did not like Kaien one bit. Nii-sama would have me supervised at all times; knowing Kaien would find a way to see me. In my brother's eyes, it was his entire fault. It was Kaien's fault that I was in the accident and Nee-sama...

No. This wasn't the time to think about this.

But I had to see him. There were so many things we had to discuss. I still needed Kaien's point of view.

"Are you going to get into the car or not?"

Ichigo's grouchy voice snapped me out of my daze as I noticed that I was now standing in front of the passenger side with the window rolled down, the car humming. Ichigo's eyebrows were pressed together as he saw me step into the car.

Buckling my seat belt, he pulled the car away from the curb.

His eyes were on the road, dashing at me every other second.

"Do you mind," I spoke gravely, "if we skip the rest of the sight-seeing for now?"

The car jumped into a stop.

I expected him to look at me with angry eyes, but instead he had a passive look on his face with a look of concern in his eyes

"I thought it was against Kuchiki etiquette to refuse the request of a guest," he smirked.

I felt my eye twitch as I tried to reign in my anger, "Shut it and drive, Kurosaki."

Kurosaki scoffed, "Like you're in any place to tell me what to do, Shorty."

I gave him a semi-playful punch on the shoulder. "You take that back!"

"If I said otherwise I'd be lying!" he retorted back as he accelerated the car.

"Shut it, Bakamono!" I yelled back.

"Bakamono?" he yelled back, car screeching to a stop. "Who are you calling a Bakamono?"

I leaned closer to him, his hands tight on the wheel. "If the orange hair fits, wear it."

"At least that's better than being short! Blueberry!"

"Orange!" I screeched back.

Ichigo stripped his seatbelt off, getting right in my face. "Blueberry."

"Bakamono," I hissed back, trying not to inhale his sweet scent.

"Shorty."

"ORANGE."

He folded his arms, "SHORTY."

His breath hit my face as he was the only thing close to cover anything else in my eye sight. I could smell him again, his heart racing. Crap. Now was not the time to be thirsty.

Honk!

Ichigo and I jerked back into our seats, the light now green.

He stepped on the gas as he clipped his belt back on.

!#*!#*!#*!#*!#*

"You're back!" Renji exclaimed as the car pulled into the mansion grounds. "How was it? Did you enjoy Karakura?"

I nodded as I stepped out with a smile on my face and Ichigo shut the door forcefully. I didn't really have enough energy to muster up the enthusiasm Renji had, "It was fun."

"Did he take you to meet his little sister?" Renji continued to ask. "If he didn't then you didn't go to the pastry place."

"'Course I took her!" Ichigo exclaimed. "I told you I would, didn't I?"

Renji cringed slightly. "What has you on edge?"

Ichigo's scowled deepened, "Nothing."

Renji looked at me. I kept my eyes firmly planted in the space between the two. Ichigo moved his eyes in my direction.

I knew the reason why Ichigo was

Their gazes were too heavy for me to want to be around.

I turned, leaving the two of them there and went inside my house.

"Rukia-sama, Kuchiki-sama requests your presence at once."

I nodded, hearing Renji and Ichigo beginning to argue with one another as they began to enter, "In his office?"

Seeing their nod followed by an inclined head, they motioned me into my brothers' office.

I walked into the hall - where Ichigo and Renji's were starting to gradually increase - and knocked on my brother's door.

I heard the slight shuffle of paper and a sigh coming from Byakuya. He sounded bothered. And I knew it wasn't from the work around him; it was from him having to deal with me. That's why he always wanted me to meet him where he conducted his business; I was nothing more than a burden and a chore to him.

I should have been the one to die, not Nee-sama.

"Enter," Byakuya's voice finally rang.

"You called for me, Brother?" I asked, pushing the door open slightly.

"Have a seat," he called.

I made sure the door closed quietly before I sat down and looked at him. He was looking down at some papers on his desk.

Nii-sama kept his eyes glued away from me. When he finally did look up, he didn't actually look at me. As usually, he looked right at the space above my head.

Byakuya never could look me in the eyes.

While I was always glad he adopted me after Nee-chan's death, it would have been better for the both of us if he just let me go.

"Tomorrow, I want you to be up and ready by ten in the morning," he spoke to the air above my head.

"Yes, Nii-sama," I spoke softly.

"Kurosaki Ichigo will be waiting for you promptly," my brother continued.

I remained passive though I was taken back.

Ichigo and I, alone in the forest.

Together.

"The two of you will be meeting at the same time daily until I determine you are properly taught," Byakuya finished.

"Taught what, Nii-sama?"

His gazed was fixated on the space above my head. "Self-defense."

Nii-sama wanted me to begin self-defense training.

"Be ready tomorrow." Nii-sama resumed looking over his papers on his desk, "Dismissed."

Hastily rising, I bowed and half-ran out the door.

Tomorrow, I was to begin self-defense training with Ichigo. I knew how to defend myself better than any other woman in the world. It almost made me want to laugh. For a moment, I thought he was going to say I was to begin vampire training.

Padding through the house, I heard Ichigo and Renji continuing to have their 'discussion', but decided to avoid them all together.

There were more pressing issues at hand than dealing with those two.

Kaien was in Karakura. He saw me in the street with Ichigo. Kurosaki's hunting skills couldn't be at such an impressive level if he didn't notice Kaien.

Then again, Kaien was the king of evasiveness.

My steps were quick on the stairs as I went into my room. The door was half opened when an intruding scent invaded my senses - and my room.

Who was in here?

I shut the door with a little too much force, the wall shaking.

The scent wasn't human.

"Kaien," I pieced together.

He was in my room.

My bed was where his scent was the most concentrated. Walking over I saw a dark magenta sticky note on top of my pillow.

Kaien.

Sitting on my bed, I pulled the note up.

Rukia,

There's a coffee shop similar to the one where we met. The address is on another piece of paper inside your pillow.

We have a lot to catch up on.

See you at eleven

- Kaien

Reaching into my pillow I pulled another sticky note with the address.

I had to see him. Questions needed answers and he was the one who had them.

!#*!#*!#*!#*!#*

Another night of sneaking out hadn't been so easy this time. There was an extra two vampire hunters I had to worry about - I had to play it like a human. I couldn't run as fast as I usually could or escape by jumping out the window and landing soft as a feather. I had to climb out by tying my bed sheets together and pretending to be out of breath as I ran.

I sat at one of the tables in a far corner of the coffee shop.

According to the clock there were fifteen minutes left to eleven.

Venting my anxiety, I shook my drink as the ice crashed back and forth. When was he going to arrive?

My foot tapped the floor in quick, even paces.

I was so happy to see him again. Kaien was such a huge part of my life. He symbolized the beginning and ending of a significant part of my life. He contributed to the uncertainty of my future.

"Where are you?" I mumbled.

Kaien-dono was always late. I would always tell him that he should be first to arrive since he was the one who would arrange our meetings.

I gave my reflection on the table a sad smile.

I missed those days. Those days when Nee-chan was alive and Kaien-dono would come around the old Kuchiki mansion. He was the only male company Nii-sama would let me have since Kaien, too, was a noble.

"Miss."

I jolted slightly in the chair as I looked at the barista. She had another of my preferred caffeine choice in hand.

"This was ordered for you," the barista continued.

"But I didn't order another drink," I shook my head.

She smiled. "The gentleman at the table sent this to you."

She pointed to the table at the far corner. His green eyes lit up with a smile.

Kaien rose out of his chair and walked. The barista was barely there to me as I saw him trot over.

He gave me another one of his smiles as he sat down.

"Kaien-dono," I murmured.

"Kuchiki." he said.

"H-How have you been?" I asked.

The smile fell slightly. "It's been better."

"It has," I agreed with a sad smile.

"Kuchiki," Kaien leaned forward in his chair, "why are you here in Karakura?"

"I could ask you the same thing, Kaien-dono."

"I asked you first," he teased.

"Nii-sama wanted to move," I took another sip of my coffee, "again."

"Again?" Kaien's eyebrows burrowed together, "Is Byakuya being paranoid the reason why?"

"Nii-sama is not paranoid," I defended. "He just likes to change locations."

Kaien raised an eyebrow. "Since when? The Byakuya I know doesn't like anything spontaneous that disrupts his schedule - his precise, punctual, perfect schedule."

I thought back to the trunk full of vampire hunting equipment. "His priorities have changed."

"Preserving the honor of the Kuchiki clan isn't his top priority?" Kaien looked shocked.

I looked at him with a stern expression. "Of course it is! He just executes it in a different manner," I paused making sure I had his attention, "Nii-sama hunts vampires."

All facial expression vanished from his face. His eyes were blank as he processed my words.

"Byakuya hunts vampires?"

"Hai," I confirmed, sad as the realization finally began to sink in.

Despite his cold, icy personality, Byakuya was my brother- my family. Though I was disposable to him, Nii-sama wasn't to me. He and Nee-chan were all I had.

I already lost Nee-sama.

Now I'd lose Nii-sama.

"Rukia."

Looking back up at Kaien, I forced a smile. "Yes."

Frowning he spoke, "Does he know or suspect you're one as well?"

I shook my head. "It's easier for me to blend in, remember?"

"Right," he acknowledged. "I forgot."

There was a moment of silence as I looked away from him. "But it doesn't mean that he won't find out."

Kaien appeared confused at my question. "Why do you say that?"

"He's my brother, Kaien-dono," I sighed. "Do you really think he would hesitate to take me out if he knew? The Kuchiki pride is first, everything else is an incomparable second."

He mulled over my words, not wanting to admit that I was right.

"I'll have to leave soon," I told him. "It won't be safe for me to stay another ten years."

Kaien looked at me with thoughtful eyes. "You resigned yourself to leaving the Kuchiki family?"

I nodded. "It can't be that difficult. It shouldn't be."

"Kuchiki," Kaien reached over and placed his hand on my arm in comfort.

Masking my emotion, I tried to smile. I wasn't one for letting people in. The less emotions I felt, the less of a chance there was of getting hurt.

"Was it this hard when you left your siblings?" I whispered softly.

Kaien's expression became thoughtful as he contemplated my question.

Of course it would be difficult if he left his family. "Never mind."

They were warm, open, caring and loving - the true essence of a family.

"You don't have to answer that."

Everything I wanted he had to leave behind.

"I know what the obvious answer is."

It would be better that I didn't have any personal attachments.

"I'm sorry, Kaien-dono."

There would be less pain for me. Kaien had a family and he had to give it up.

"That was a very insensitive question for me to ask."

Looks like I was a lucky one after all.

He scoffed and smiled brightly. "Forget it, Kuchiki. That's in the past."

We sat in comfortable silence after that. Just like old times; old, good times.

"Excuse me," the barista from before stood next to us, "but we're closing in ten minutes."

"Already?" I asked, looking for my phone to check the time. One A.M.

"Of course!" Kaien exclaimed, springing out of his chair. "Let's go, Rukia!"

I got out of my chair and followed Kaien out the door. Outside, he stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and looked up at the moon.

"Kaien-dono." I spoke hesitantly, not wanting to break him out of his concentration.

He glanced at me. "You have to go?"

I nodded meekly. "Nii-sama doesn't know I'm out here."

"I thought so," Kaien commented. "If he did you'd have an escort."

"I'm sorry, Kaien-dono." I bowed. "I must go."

He ruffled my hair as I stood up straight. "It's fine, Kuchiki. I'll find you later."

I nodded. "Hai. Kaien-dono?"

"Yes, Kuchiki?"

I closed my hand into a fist, trying to hide my nerves. "Can I talk to you later? …About that day?"

Kaien looked right into my eyes, knowing what day I was talking about. He nodded.

"Yeah, we can talk about it."

"Thank you. Good-night, Kaien-dono."

He waved to me as I turned to walk away, "Good-night, Kuchiki."

It felt a little bittersweet to leave him. But I didn't want to risk Nii-sama finding out. Kaien was number one on his hit list.

I turned a corner and I instantly smelled warm blood. And not a little bit, paper cut way. It smelled more like a blood shower.

I picked up the pace and ran towards the end of the street.

Laying at the end of the street was a male body covered in a pool of blood.

"That was brutal, Renji."

Renji?

I took a few quick steps back and hid behind some tin trash cans.

Renji walked next to the body, his weapon concealed by the front of his body. A smaller figure stood next to him.

Senna was tying up her hair with a red ribbon as she examined the body.

"Yeah, well, we had to take care of this vampire and we did," Renji commented.

She crouched down and tsked. "You're never this brutal when Ichigo's around."

"You know Ichigo. He's more merciful than the rest of us." Renji reminded her.

"True." Senna agreed. "He would never had let us finish this vampire off by cutting it piece by piece. He would want us to be swift and put it out of its misery in an instant."

Renji scratched the back of his head. "Whatever. It's getting late. I'll take you home."

"'Kay!" Senna jumped up and hummed as she began to walk away with Renji trailing behind her.

Once they were out of my eye range, I gave a quick glance at the body that was almost in pieces. He had a pair of sunglasses on with his torso exposed. The vital vein in his neck was cut, his head detached from his body.

I closed my eyes in remorse from the sight in front of me.

If I didn't get home soon, I'd be next.

Running made it easy for me to get home in a few minutes. Going in a car would have taken longer than the time it took me.

I ran up to my window only to find the wind had closed it tight.

I growled at it and jumped back onto the plush grass and up to the front door. Everyone should still be asleep at this time of night. I grabbed the key in my pocket and slid it into the lock, opening the door softly. I got in and locked the door back.

I turned and walked up the stairs.

Phew. Safe and sou-

"It's not safe for you to be out this late."

My eyes shifted to the stop of the stairs where his voice came from-

He had his arms folded with a scowl of anger on his face with the aura around him screaming of danger, the fury in his eyes confirming it.

-Where Ichigo stood.