A/N: My hiatus ran a little longer than I would've liked. Sorry about that. And I'm sorry that this chapter is so short (then again, almost all my chapters are pretty short, so is that redundancy?), but next chapter will bring us back to Ichihime interactions!

So my free time has been cut even more. It's now limited to the weekend, so I'll try to write when I can (I have time right now, so I"ll be writing!) and update hopefully on Mondays. This is my goal! Anyways, keep reading, enjoying, and reviewing!

He observes me closely, vigilantly, as if he's waiting for me to respond to his question. As if he's waiting for me to explode. It's like he's watching for signs an eruption.

And it's coming. I can feel it. I can feel the fury simmer in my stomach, and it grows into a blazing fire that spreads throughout me as the implication of his words become clearer, that he wants to keep Inoue here. And I can feel a slight tingle which is fanned into a bubbling burn, indicating that my anger is getting the best of me, and a visceral urge to fight has my muscles clenching in anticipation, and I'm fucking screwed if I don't get control of myself because if I attack the Captain-Commander, I'll have the wrath of Soul Society against me. If that were to happen, I wouldn't be able to leave, and Inoue…what would happen to her?

Urahara-san's words push into the forefront of my mind, overshadowing Kyoraku-san's for a second, but it's enough to give my anger pause. Enough for me to grasp what's happening.

This is some kind of test. Some part of the deal those two made about whether or not I can stay in the World of the Living. That would explain why Urahara-san looked unhappy when he sent me here. This must've been something he didn't want to happen because he was unsure if I could control myself.

But why would he send Inoue with me?

I have to hold my breath as a new wave of rage rises in me. I have to close my eyes to push it down before my spiritual pressure seals my fate, but the struggle is palpable. Very.

There's a reason why she was brought, why Urahara-san warning revolved around her and not me. It's why Grimmjow taunted me with lies of hurting her. It's why Kyroaku-san is threatening to keep her here, why he probably requested that she'd come with me in the first place.

Grimmjow was right. I'm easily manipulated. Especially when it comes to her. And Kyoraku-san is manipulating me right now. He'll say anything to make me lose my cool to test my limits, and he knows exactly what to say. Because he knows. He knows Inoue is my trigger.

"She would," I finally answer. I try to keep my composure as I give him an honest response. Maybe it will stop him from trying to rile me up even further.

He smiles as he nods.

"It's very tempting to ask her to stay here," he admits. "Make her the Captain of the 4th division," he continues. "Inoue Taichou has a nice ring, doesn't it?"

My eyes narrow in concertation. I must concentrate to smother whatever excess reiatsu that is lurking to escape and doom me. I also concentrate on his statements. Are they just trying to infuriate me? Or are they hinting at something else? Is that part of the reason why Inoue had to come with me? Is Kyoraku planning to keep her here if I'm deemed unsafe to return home? Will he use her as some kind of leverage to make me stay?

With the way he scrutinizes me, I know the answer. Yes, he would. It's like what Urahara-san had said: if it means keeping peace, they would do anything.

"Please don't ask," I get out with clenched teeth. I'm beyond livid that he would stoop so low as to use Inoue as some kind of bargaining tool, as collateral, but I think what gets to me the most at this second is that if he were to ask her, she would say yes. She wouldn't even hesitate. If she thought that she was needed here, she would stay. No coercion would be necessary. She would voluntarily stay.

He gains this sheepish look, and he fidgets with his eyepatch.

"I won't." He laughs. "Such a bright young girl has a life to live. I won't take that away from her."

"Thanks."

He nods.

"Well, it's been a month, and I'm sure you're eager to take up your Shinigami duties again."

I don't know if I should agree or not, so I remain silent and still.

"Do you mind if I see if the Gentei Rein has held in place?"

I shrug and turn around. The seal was placed just below the nape of my neck.

I feel him approach me, and he moves over the collar of my Shinigami robes.

"Hmm…it's a little withered, so you'll need to go to the 12th to reinforce it."

I breathe a little in relief. It seems his suspicion has let up.

"No problem. Inoue is over there anyways. She and I should be getting home."

I hear him agree, and I make my way to leave.

"I wouldn't have harmed her, if that means anything."

I pause. He knows that I figured him out. And on some level, he probably knows that I had restricted my reiatsu as best as I could, knows that I'm not completely stable. And he knows that I know if I had failed in heeding to Urahara-san's warning, he would have been forced to make me stay. And he knows that I know he would've used her as bait to do it.

I scowl, but I don't respond. Why should I? He knows the answer.

Of course, it means something that he wouldn't have harmed her if the worst scenario played out. But it also means something that he would even use her to get to me. It's not even the first time that someone has done this to me. No. I'm very aware of how many times an opponent has used Inoue to make me lose control, to get under my skin, or to wound me. I remember clearly each and every single time.

But Kyoraku-san is not an opponent. He's an ally, a friend, so I'm hurt that he would even entertain the idea of betraying not only my trust but Inoue's, too. Really, it was a low blow for him to take, and I'll forgive him eventually, but at this moment, his actions are unforgivable. I hope he knows that.

With the heavy sigh he releases as I leave, I know he does.