(A/N) hi guys super sorry for the long wait and as always thanks for the reviews and favourites, really appreciate it. Life happens is all I can say for my delay of this chapter. Anyways I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays and on with the show. :)

Chapter 9 : Death at a Funeral

'Death ends a life, not a relationship'

Death is never easy.

For it does not empathize nor does it sympathize. It does not discriminate yet it discards us all of that precious light within, like it is naught but rogue embers from a dying blaze. Perhaps that is what our end truly is, remnants of lost embers of a dissipating flame.

Despite what it may be, it is definite.

It is as sure as the darkness of the night sky as it is as sure of the blinding rays of shine reaching towards dawn.

The strong foolishly prepare for it and yet still they cower in its' presence. Whilst the weak think that they can run from it, only to eventually encounter it.

Perhaps it's the dreadful part of letting go that is painful. For no one is ever truly ready to say goodbye.

Too much remains behind, too much undone, too much unsaid. Selfish and unprepared to part with that love that bursts within our beings, that warmth that makes us whole. We may be willing to say good bye but never to let go. For parting is such sweet sorrow.

Not long ago Yoruichi had stood in a similar setting having buried Miyako Inoue. And nothing had changed from that scene. Here she stood, defeated once again, preparing to bury Miyako's niece and her student, Orihime Inoue.

The only difference was this time she couldn't cease the eruption of turmoil from deep within herself.

Orihime Inoue had suffered no physical scars, wounds or any ailments that would have resulted in her death. That once vibrant young woman. Now lay there cold and lifeless. Her features shrouded by the shadow of the coffin that so much resembled Miyako's own.

They had overcome so many obstacles to get this far. Sacrifice was always the result of war. But this loss was not one of war. Orihime Inoue had come a long way only to eventually be swallowed by death. Her death, just like the woman herself, was an enigma.

The death of Orihime Inoue came as startling shock, especially to those who had witnessed it before their very eyes. Realization had not completely registered amongst some of her friends. 'Death' was not a word they were ready to associate with their friend.

Yoruichi thought that it was best to keep Orihime's death under a tight wrap, just within the confines of her few close friends. Too much didn't add up as yet and too many people involved would further complicate the matter.

Kuchiki Byakuya, surprisingly was not in attendance of their impending farewell nor was Kurosaki Ichigo. Both men barely said a word to acknowledge their current situation. However, more pressing matters filled Yoruichi's thoughts.

What worried and gnawed at her the most was the matter of Orihime's soul. It had yet to depart from her body. There was no denying that her student was indeed no longer amongst the living but strangely her soul was still present within her body.

Human souls depart from their physical being upon death. The fact that Orihime's soul was still attached to her physical form was as puzzling as her death. The fact that no Shinigami turned up to perform Orihime's konso pricked at the edge of her thoughts as well.

"She is still so very lovely...such a shame..." Yumichka mumbled, his elegant face drawn in a sorrowful frown.

"Hnnn" Ikkaku responded choosing to remain quite.

FUCK!

Renji swore in his mind over and over again. He didn't think he would be burying his friend. He didn't think they would lose one of their own.

Just what the hell was going on here? No, this wasn't right. This couldn't be happening! How could she be dead?! This was Inoue Orihime and she could fix anything so why couldn't she fix herself? Why? Renji struggled to wrap his mind around it. It just wasn't possible! No matter how illogical it sounded, he refused to believe it. Despite the harsh reality of his friend's corpse before his eyes. It just couldn't be, could it?

"This is so... messed up..." Karin hiccuped during a half sob. She observed the dreadful scene before her miserably. She couldn't muster any words having cried her throat raw and her eyes red. It was like losing her mother all over again.

The sharp painful memories from her recent stay in Heuco Mundo surfaced. She wrapped her arms around her sister tighter willing her emotions to stay in check. It wasn't normal by a long shot. People just didn't drop dead, especially a healthy person like Orihime-chan.

Yuzu's crying echoed the loudest amongst the grieving friends. Her sister's tight embrace did little to comfort her aching heart. She shook like a frail leaf battling against ghastly winds. Her mind in a state of prolonged shock. It was so unbelievable and...unfair! How could Orihime-chan be dead? Why Orhime-chan? It wasn't fair! Orihime-chan who was always taking care of others before herself, why her?

A harsh laugh pierced through the heavy atmosphere cutting across all the sobbing. There was a brief silence before the bitter laughter erupted again. The grieving friends stood in disbelief as their gaze landed on Tatsuki's hysterical form.

"Okay..jokes over now." Tatsuki pushed away from Sado as she wiped her face.

"Tatsuki.." Sado called out softly, unsure how to react.

"This isn't funny anymore!" She snapped making it towards the coffin.

Ishida knew exactly how Tatsuki felt. No amount of words or reassurance were going to bring their friend back. He felt trapped in an illusion of some sort. He would break free any moment now and the nightmare would be over. It was simple as that. But that bitter laughter sent chills down his skin. The emotion in it was far too much to be an illusion. And it finally sunk in.

This was their reality.

They couldn't pretend or deny what had occurred. They would have to face it better sooner than later.

He pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose in a habitual manner and sighed. He stepped towards Tatsuki. His intent clear in his movement.

"There was never any humor to begin with, so snap out of it!"

His voice was low but sharp.

Ishida struggled to keep the hiss out of his tone. He was fast losing the tight reign he kept on his emotions.

"Inoue-san is gone and nothing anyone says or does will bring her back." Ishida grabbed Tatsuki by her shoulders and spun her around so that she was facing him. He shook her back and forth in effort to let his words sink.

His words were a set of sharp dagger's piercing through everyone's shock. Their wishful thinking shattered. They would have to accept that this was how it was.

For once Keigo couldn't sum up a joke to lighten the mood nor could Mizuro find the will to pick up his cellphone and text.

"Inoue-san is truly gone.." Keigo whispered horrified as he stared into the distance. His words played over in his mind unable to process the fact.

Mizuro didn't dare respond. It was still too much for him...

"Are you insane? Orihime is right there! It's just one of her silly games!" Tatsuki shook her head furiously. They were all lying to her. She wouldn't believe them.

"Inoue-san is gone and that is the truth. Stop weaving a lie. That's not what Inoue-san would have wanted you to do. You know that." Ishida's voice softened as he tried to reason with his broken friend.

"Why Ishida? Why? What did she ever do to hurt anyone? Why couldn't they just….leave her…..alone..?" Tatsuki broke out into a set of new tears.

It wasn't something anyone could answer. Chad didn't have the words to explain it. Ishida had voiced the reality of the situation. A reality everyone was not strong enough to believe themselves.

Tatsuki had never felt so dead and empty inside. She had never cried before the way she cried now. She couldn't understand why someone couldn't give her a straight answer. Why did they insist that Orihime was dead? If she was dead then how did she die? She was in perfect health! Why wouldn't they let her go to her friend and wake her up? Why wouldn't they let her see Orihime's sunshine smile and friendly eyes? Nothing was wrong with her! Why was she just laying there... not moving...not breathing... not anything...

Byakuya didn't care to look back that night. He shut down every sense and emotion. His instinct guiding him back to the compound.

He would not think of what had passed. He refused to believe that she was no longer there. He erased it from his mind.

Any moment now she would walk into his room smiling. That smile that he craved to trace with his very own lips so many times. How foolish had he been to resist what she made him feel. He would be sure to rectify that as soon as she came to him. Yearning and craving to see her, to touch her, to feel her fit perfectly in his embrace. He would never let her out of his sight again. He wasn't ready to say goodbye, not now, not a hundred years from now, never. So he waited for her..

As his wait grew, his patience wore thin. His mind twisted to darker thoughts.

He refuse to think of her as gone but the thought kept piercing at his mind. It was the only reason why she didn't return to him. It angered him that death had dared to steal her away. He wouldn't let that happen. No. She was his damn it! She had always been his, since the beginning. He would get her back regardless.

Byakuya pushed off the chair grabbing his zanpakuto and steeling his resolve. His anger intensified and the sensible calm demeanor that was a second skin to him shattered. A thrilling rush of sinister desire filled his heart, fogging his thoughts.

Blood would be split this day.

Deeper and deeper that horrid desire propelled into his being until he saw nothing but destruction. A thin sharp smile tore across the captain's grim features. He gripped onto that dark desire, relishing in the feel of it. He would spill blood until she stood before him once more. He would reign blood upon the city until he saw her and nothing more.

Ichigo was still sitting on the ground of the living room. His gazed fixed on the spot where his friend had fallen not more than a few hours ago.

He was lost.

There was nothing that seemed right anymore. He couldn't save her just like he couldn't save his mother. That agony of losing his mother tore at his heart everyday shredding new wounds into his soul. His heart will always lay heavy with the loss of her. He would never stop blaming himself.

When was he going to grow up and learn from his mistakes?

He was supposed to protect her. He was supposed to protect them all! But in the end he failed his mother. He failed Karin and finally now he had failed Inoue.

It was like nothing had changed. Five years later and he had regressed back to his old self. He hadn't moved a step forward, no, instead he was running backwards!

How much more would he have to lose to get his head in the game?! Why couldn't he be there when they needed him? He watched his baby sister die in the hollow forest and he couldn't save her. Had it been real... he would be grieving the loss of two instead of one. He wasn't sure that he would be able to bare that.

His life had quickly gone to the pit.

First his mother was taken from him. Then that bastard Aizen had dared to hurt his friends. That stupid hollow had toyed with his greatest fears and now this.

He wouldn't put a name to this situation. He couldn't dare do that much. Calling it what it was would mean to accept that is was true. What he really needed was answers. If he had answers he could fix this.

Ichigo paused, his memory reverting back to the hollow forest. He forced himself to remember had happened.

What did that miserable scum say? Something about...a master... and...what the hell was it...a purpose...?!

He shook his head unable to remember the words anymore. He should have paid more attention to that scum bag but he was so angry he couldn't care to listen to what was being said to him. In fact he couldn't see past wanting to tear that bastard to shreds.

Remembering all that will do no good now.

Ichigo's sorrow turned into anger as he remembered one individual in particular who also swore to protect Inoue. And who also had failed her. It was *his* fault!

Inoue was gone and it was all because of him. That cold egotistical bastard. He swore he would protect her!

If only he had stopped her from leaving with that 'stick up his ass' noble...

From there on everything just went south.

Inoue always saw the good in people even when there was none. Ichigo was right and if only Inoue realized that his words were true... If only if she had stayed back instead of going with *him*. Kuchiki Byakuya wouldn't stick his neck out for anyone. The 'stiff' didn't have a heart.

Ichigo couldn't save her but he sure as hell will avenge her. Aizen had paid his price for destroying everything Ichigo stood for and now Kuchiki Byakuya would do the same. He was done losing the people he loved. Done acting rationally. The Captain's crimes would not go unpunished.

Ichigo ejected from his gigai and pulled his zanpakuto off his back. He was going to end to this. It was time the Kuchiki Captain met his executioner.

Urahara, as always, was a silent observer. However, his silence was not a result of his ignorance nor the lack of knowledge, in fact, it was the complete opposite. Urahara's silence was a result of him knowing beyond others' understanding.

Though today his silence stemmed from having no answers at all. His throat ceased up unable to speak words that his mind had yet to form. Too long had he spent time with the humans that he was beginning to feel. He had lost so much due to Aizen and he swore never to get involved again. No matter how much he tried to distance himself from it, this time he failed. As did his companion beside him.

Yoruichi blanked out, the world around her seemed all to familiar. To think they had survived the war with Aizen to only end up a mere five years later burying the very girl who willingly gave herself up to save them all. They had won that battle but not without consequences yet this battle, if there was one at all, hadn't even begun and already she was burying its first victim.

Yoruichi had been foolish. Those five years were a mystery filled mayhem. Since then Orihime had become stronger, so much more than in the war with Aizen. Everything was holding up but then Inoue Miyako's death had brought the shocking reality to light, thus the curtains had dropped before their final act and the results lay bare before them.

Yoruichi was giving herself a headache just thinking about all of the obstacles ahead. Truly what was she going to do? She turned away as Orihime's coffin was being lowered into the ground. She had accepted that she would have to live without the vibrant young woman's presence but that didn't mean she had to watch as the soil consumed her body.

She turned towards Urahara intent on discussing their next step when a heavy reiatsu thundered over them all.

Renji immediately recognized the raging reiatsu. There was, however, a subtle change in the reiatsu. Too long had he spent in the company of that reiatsu for him not to notice the taint that others might have missed. Something foreign had merged with it, but there was no mistaking to whom the reiatsu belonged to.

He knew that this was bound to happen. It was only a matter of time. His Taicho rarely got involved with others. That had changed as of recent, he seemed drawn towards Orihime. This would not end well.

Byakuya raced towards the burial site. He had made it just a little more than half way when he was stopped dead in his tracks.

The sight before him made his blood boil.

The last person he wanted to see had decide to materialize in his path. Oh the audacity...

It was good that this particular individual decided to piss him off. He would relish in spilling his filthy blood and make it rain upon Karakura. He had enough of rules, regulations and traditions. He would do as he pleased.

And what pleased him the most was tearing this individual limb from limb.

"BANKAI!"

There were no restraints as both shinigami flared their reiatsu. Each intent on drawing blood of the other.

"I should have stopped you from taking Inoue away!" I should have never left her with you!" Ichigo spat out.

"You seem to believe that she was safer with you than with me. How illogical!" Byakuya threw back swinging his zanpakuto dangerously close to Ichigo's head.

"I kept her safe down here! She was never in any danger for the last five years. Then you showed up and everything went to fucking hell!" Ichigo stated deflecting an attack and landing his own.

"Safe? You claim to have kept her safe but all you did was injure yourself and burden her day after day. You can't protect anyone. Your sibling is proof of that! After all she did vanish from right under your nose without your knowledge." His words struck a nerve.

Ichigo pulled back seething with anger and rage. He didn't need some pompous captain telling him he wasn't good enough. He knew deep down that he needed to get stronger.

"How about we notch up the stakes Kingy?" His hollow's voice gleefully echoed.

"Fuck yeah!" Ichigo gave in.

Byakuya wasn't the least bit phased as he watched the hollow mask form. Old tricks were common place with this Shinigami but now Byakuya would show him the true power of a noble, a Kuchiki was never to be taken lightly.

Yoruichi was already heading towards the fight with Ishida, Ikkaku, Yumichka, Renji and Tessai in tow.

Things were spiraling out of control fast. Ichigo and Byakuya in a brawl was like cold and warm air spiraling around in a tornado. The results would be catastrophic, destroying everything in their path.

Tatsuki sat on the ground watching them fill the grave with soil. Shovel after shovel, the dirt seemed to put a greater distance between Orihime and herself. The distance was growing rapidly and there was nothing she could do. She was helpless.

Karin had no emotions left to spare. Nothing floated or moved anywhere within herself. She willingly let herself feel numb because right now she had to pull her family out of the darkness. Yuzu wasn't the cause for concern.

"Ichi-nii.." Yuzu turned a worried tense look towards her sister. Her eyes swollen red and brimming with a fresh set of tears.

Yuzu's voice trailed off as she saw the hard look plastered across Karin's face. Everyone was shouldering some sort of burden and Karin was the same. She had changed a lot since she her return.

"Yuzu stay with Tatsuki-chan."

Karin let go of her sister. Her attention drawn towards the flaring reiatsu in the distance. She recognized both.

Urahara kept a careful eye on those around him. Many struggled to accept their current situation. Not everyone could be spared. That was the price of peace. Only this didn't feel like peace. Lost was the calm before the storm.

A rueful smile tugged across Urahara's features.

In fact there was no calm at all, not since that hollow claimed the first victim of the Inoue family. This was but a taste of what was to come.

And the climax would scar them all.

A deep uneasiness rooted within him. This was nothing like the incident with the former Captains becoming Vaizard. Nor was this like the war with that psychopath Aizen, no this... this was far more worse.

Yoruichi arrived at the scene to find Ichigo and Byakuya going at it full throttle. The damage done by their idiocy were already significant.

"Never seen Kuchiki Taicho so angry." Yumichka commented looking concerned.

"Ichigo can be convincing." Renji added dryly.

Ishida remained silent forming his bow. His concentration focused on separating the two hot heads. Already they had lost Inoue-san, they couldn't handle anymore casualties. Both Kurosaki and Kuchiki Byakuya were already sporting minor injuries.

Their intent of blood evident in their ferocity.

"Ishida see if you can get a shot at Ichigo's mask, Tessai will provide back up. Ikkaku and Yumichka you two will keep them apart once Renji and I draw their fire away from each other." Yoruichi instructed.

Ishida disappeared finding a vantage point to set up as he searched for an opening. His trained eye had no trouble keeping up with their speed. His hand steady and his aim searching for its mark.

"Karin are you sure about this?" A sweet voice, only familiar to Karin, asked in a worried tone.

"I don't see why not. They'll find out soon enough. Half of them probably already know." Karin shrugged from her crouched position.

"When will you talk to HIM?" The voice questioned sadly. Longing etched in its whisper.

Karin paused in her actions thinking over her decision.

"There will be time for that later on. For now I need to save Ichi-nii." Karin responded not wanting to dwell on her own personal problems. Her family was in danger and she couldn't lose her brother like she had lost her mother.

"Before he burns down the world mmm?" The voice pulled Karin back from her thoughts. Her gaze flicked back to her brother and the 6th division Captain.

Yeah precisely that, Karin thought internally in response to the voice. Shutting down her emotions she braced herself.

Byakuya's breathing was labored. He fended off the pests that dared to intervene and focused on Ichigo. Why couldn't they just let him do his duty?!

No matter, he would deal with the likes of them after slitting this Infection's throat because that was what Kurosaki Ichigo was, nothing but a diseased scab that the world needed curing of.

Yoruichi materialized near Byakuya distracting him for a moment. That moment gave Renji the opportunity he needed to distract Ichigo as he materialized in front of him.

"Byakuya-bo you need to pull yourself together and stop this fight." Yoruichi ordered him.

This was a side Renji was rarely audience to. Come to think of it he had never seen his proud Taicho behave so out of character. Never had he seen so much hatred and anger within his Taicho. He wasn't even sure the man before him was 'his' Taicho save for the hint of his familiar reiatsu.

"Stop? Why would I stop?" He asked indifferent as if they asked of him the most ridiculous thing.

"This isn't like you. Getting emotionally involved and losing your wits." Yoruichi threw back making him halt for a second.

Ikkaku and Yumichka seized the moment to tackle a wounded Ichigo away from Byakuya.

"Emotionally involved?" Byakuya sounded the words out.

That was undeniably laughable... but true. If she were here then he wouldn't need to get involved. He would have been himself. Obviously this wasn't him and that was because she wasn't with him. Without her he had no control. He lost all his rationality. He was incomplete without her. Lost and unsure. He became "emotionally involved" as Yoruichi had pointed out. He needed her, it was just that simple. Then why couldn't they understand?

Ishida found his window of opportunity and seized it. He aimed his bow targeting Ichigo's mask as Tessai begun chanting a binding Kido not far from him.

"You who is crowned with the name of Man, wearing a Mask of blood and flesh, flying on ten thousand fluttering wings, with Thunder's carriage and an empty Spinning Wheel, break the Light into six pieces, carve a twin Lotus on a wall of Pale Blue Flames, and await the Blazing Fires to reach the Distant Heavens!" Tessai chanted in a strong commanding voice.

Ishida gathered his reiatsu and aimed waiting for the signal from Tessai to let his arrow fly and pierce it's target.

"Bakudou 61: Rikujōkōrō!" Tessai finished.

Six thin, but wide, beams of light formed slamming into Ichigo's midsection, holding him in place.

"Dai Suta - Kano Hoshi" Karin exhaled in a commanding voice. She fired letting herself be firm in her decision. The yellow blue arrow formed and flew towards its target.

Ishida felt it even before he saw it. The arrow sailed past him almost undetected as it found its target in the middle of Ichigo's forehead. The mask shattered and the shinigami fell to his knees.

Ishida, however, spun around to stare at the person who had shot that arrow. There was no mistaking who that reiatsu belonged to and now he was certain.

Another Kurosaki with a heavy secret...

"What's the point in fighting now? Why even bother when they couldn't keep her safe?" Tatsuki mumbled staring off into space.

"Perhaps everyone should head home to rest." Urahara added herding the others off. His thoughts were distracted. His mind calculating as his uneasiness intensified.

Keigo and Mizuro paid their respects and tracked off. Sado handled a limp Tatsuki as he maneuvered her home. Leaving Urahara and the youngest Kurosaki behind.

Yuzu stared at the headstone that read. Inoue Orihime. The rest of the words were a blur to her. She couldn't seem to focus on them.

"You know Urahara-san everyone thinks that if they don't voice the problem I won't notice that something's wrong. Ichi-nii used to do that. Now Karin-chan is doing it. Even Orihime-chan learnt it. In the end we can't save everyone, can we?" She turned to look at him.

"I'm afraid so. Fate has set down a list of heavy rules. Ones we rarely can change." He explained, his voice quite.

"But we CAN change them..." She trailed off.

"Yuzu-chan.." Karin appeared walking over to her sister.

"Take care." Urahara tipped his hat feeling at odds around the youngest Kurosaki. The girl was clearly not as out of the loop as everyone thought she was.

"Ichi-nii is fine. We should go home now." Karin tugged her sister away. Lying to Yuzu would serve no purpose right now. What good would come out of telling her that things would be okay? When things were never going to be okay.

The aching desire to draw blood slithered it's way out of Byakuya. Leaving the Captain feeling tainted with disgust. He saw no acceptable reason for his actions of recent. His mind fogged with confusion. He reigned in his zanpakuto when he realized nothing would come of this foolish fight. He needed Orihime right now. Nothing else mattered. Ignoring everyone else he departed heading towards his estate.

Yoruichi turned her attention to Ichigo watching as Renji made after his Taicho. Just what was happening around here?

"Yumichka, Ikkaku can you get Ichigo home?" She called out.

"Sure." Ikkaku nodded picking up an unconscious Ichigo and tossing him over his shoulder.

Yoruichi nodded her thanks. A visit to Soul Society was long overdue. Times like this called for expert help and a few old friends was what she had in mind. It was high time she pushed for answers and got some.

Nothing made sense anymore.

Ichigo awoke to find himself staring at the familiar ceiling of his bedroom. He was at home and yet his mind was so many million miles away. The world moved on without him as he lay there with no intention of ever moving himself. Nothing he ever did came to any success. He just wasn't cut out anymore to save anyone. How disappointed his mother must be in him right now? How disappointed Inoue must be in him right now? Ichigo sighed as he ran his hand over his face. He just needed to find some way...

"There isn't ever a simple answer to anything." His father's voice cut through the silence.

"I couldn't save her and that's something I'll never forget." Ichigo simply stated.

"No, I don't expect you to do so. Blaming yourself won't bring her back." Isshin paused searching for the right words to convey his emotions and afford comfort to his son.

"For a very long time I blamed myself for losing your mother, for not being able to protect her. For not being there when my dear Misaki needed me the most." Isshin sighed and continued.

"It tore me apart to live without your mother but I realized that in my grief I missed out on the moments I could have spent with my children." He finished.

"Why didn't you ever blame me?" Ichigo asked, his voice small sounding almost like a child. He was afraid of what his father might say.

"Blame you? You were never the cause Ichigo. Fate has a way of making things happen even if we don't want it to occur." Isshin explained wanting to lighten the burden off his son.

Fate.

Ichigo wanted to burn the word away from his world. So much for the fucking world order. Some friend he turned out to be. Even now when he closed his eyes he could picture her face. That smile of hers that made everything seem fine and okay.

Isshin exited the room leaving his son to rest. He paused outside the door thinking about what he had said to his son. He made his way downstairs passing his daughters.

"Tou-san.." Yuzu halted him. The question clear in her voice.

"Ichigo is fine Yuzu-chan. He just needs some time." He patted her head moving along.

'All the time in the world wouldn't help fix him nor would he be able to look past this.' Karin thought pretending to continue her school work.

Five agonizing wretched days had passed since Inoue Orihime had died...

Time stretched over tortuously as the days wore by. It didn't make the grief any easier. It just intensified the pain.

Every minute became a ticking time bomb.

Every hour tightened the noose around their necks.

Every passing day solidified the truth deeper into their hearts.

Everyone walked on egg shells avoiding each other. It was pure hell. Their homes became their personal torture chambers and their workplaces became their prisons.

...And then everything changed on the sixth day.

Tatsuki was trapped in a recurring daze as she attempted to push herself back into her work. Her body functioned just fine but her mind seemed to be broken. Every attempt at getting a coherent thought out ended in a scramble of some kind. Her mind was adamant on drifting off to the timeless limbo between memory and reality. Her body, a vessel with a fragmented soul.

Sado tired his best to respect her mourning but it was difficult to offer his support when she seemed like she was dead as well. They had just buried their friend and it seemed as if life had thinned out. Like the sun was no longer shining.

Ishida did what he did best. He pretended everything was okay. He ignored his emotions concentrating solely on his work. She wasn't here anymore. It was clear every time he passed her work station hoping to see her there. Waiting when she would lift her head, see him and smile like nothing could affect her. She was honestly too good for her own good. He shut down those memories before they over took him and he would spiral out of control. No good would come of it. So he focused on saving his patients knowing no amount of lives saved would ever bring her back.

Karin and Yuzu diverted their attention occupying themselves with school. It was easier when they didn't have to face their brother. He looked drained of life as it was. Karin's consistent brewing anger was often taken out on the less fortunate guy that decided to hit on either her or her sister. For no matter how hard she tried her anger was at the fore front never simmering down.

"Looks like it may rain." Yuzu commented during lunch.

"I hope it does." Karin mumbled staring out at the dark grey clouds shrouding the sky.

Soul Society - 4th Division

"I assure you Yoruichi-san, Orihime-san was in no danger of losing her life. I have the results of all the tests. " Unohana stated.

"It honestly makes no sense Unohana Taicho. One minute she was fine and the next I really don't know." Yoruichi shrugged unable to piece together the fragmented jigsaw puzzle of her students sudden death.

"Has the Konso been performed as yet?" Unohana inquired.

"No, I imagine they must be debating a million things right now. And truth be told, I'm not sure I want anyone up here finding out that she is gone, not yet. There's too many loose ends here." Yoruichi explained worriedly.

"Well if you do decide on a konso, which I must add is unavoidable, rest assured I can be of help in keeping Orihime-san safe." Unohana smiled warmly.

"Thank you Unohana Taicho. I best be getting back. I really hoped the archives would have some information for me but..." Yoruichi sighed.

"Sometimes all we need to do is take a breath, step back and survey our work. The answers are usually right there." Unohana encouraged her.

"Haste does make waste." Yoruichi stood giving Unohana a grateful smile.

"Indeed." Unohana smiled warmly as Yoruichi vanished.

'Human life is so very fragile' Unohana thought to herself.

Renji was working himself to the ground as he was consistently moving back and forth between Karakura and Soul Society. His Taicho was now a recluse quarantining himself in his estate in the living world. Leaving all division duties to Renji. No one in Soul Society aside from Unohana Taicho had been informed about Orihime-chan as yet. This posed an obstacle to Renji as he had no idea how to face Rukia. He made up some lie and fed it to her keeping her off his back for now. He just didn't know how to tell her that Orihime-chan was no more or the fact that her konso was still not done. Rukia would want answers, answers that Renji didn't have. Answers that he was seeking himself.

Despite the confusion Renji knew that this could not go on. It didn't feel right to lie about something so important. Soon enough someone was bound to see through his lies and then everything would blow up in his face. One less worry was having Ikkaku and Yumichka to keep their mouth's shut but that was just one more ticking time bomb. He had too much to think about as he opened the gates to Soul Society.

The clock ticked away. Had been ticking for hours on end, it worked just fine. Performing it's noble duty of enslaving every being to its master, Time. All it took were three snail paced hands to dictate the order of life.

However, for one individual in particular time had lost its essence.

He remained unfazed as the ticking seconds turned to minutes and the minutes turned to hours and the hours turned to days.

To him, time had frozen.

Captured in a single moment of anticipation and hope. He remained in his spot, unmoving. Gaze transfixed on the door. Any minute now she would burst through that very same door, disregarding any rule he expected others to follow in his estate. She would come straight to him. She always did. She was his charge and he was drawn to her like a dragon to his hoard. So he refused to acknowledge anything and waited for her to return to him. Rational or not he was indifferent to the situation.

Her soul will emerge from her body. Its quest, to seek him out. He would perform her konso with a sure but gentle hand. Then she would be his to keep, forever. His Hime.

Karin slammed her shoe locker shut.

The day had passed by in a blur. She couldn't keep her focus in any of her classes. Her mind working in continuous circles. She couldn't take it any longer. They all stuffed themselves into this loop. It was time she ended it. They all were wasting away. Stuck on the same thought. It was ridiculous. No good would come from it. In fact things would just get more complicated. She would not allow her brother to lay blame to himself. Not again. Not after what they had already been through.

"Yuzu-chan you go on ahead. I have something to do." Karin called out to her sister.

The weather seemed to match the mood of those still in grieving. They were in for a storm alright. It began raining just as Yuzu reached home. For once she was grateful to be out of the rain. It just dampened her mood. A quick survey of the house indicated her brother was at home just as she had suspected.

She found him seated on the couch. His face in a deep frown. Dark circles formed underneath his eyes. A stubble over shadowing his jaw. He looked as if he aged a few years in the last five days. She hated seeing him so troubled.

"Yuzu where's Karin?" Ichigo inquired as he got up off his place on the couch and made his way towards her. His eyes worried and fearful.

"I'm not sure Ichi-nii. Karin-chan said she had something to do. What's wrong? Did something happen? " Yuzu asked worried.

"Nothing. Stay here. I'll be back." He took off racing past Yuzu, then suddenly jerked back with his hand on the door knob. He turned half way to face her.

"Promise me you'll stay here, no matter what?" His eyes searching her face for the answer in anticipation.

"I promise." Yuzu whispered, her heart clenched at how worried her brother looked.

As soon as the words registered to Ichigo he was out the door.

The only thing to accompany Yuzu while she stood there in silence was the echo of the rain as it pounded on the roof and tapped at the windows.

A single tear escaped the corner of her eye and slid down her face. They had just gotten Karin-chan back just to lose Orihime-chan. She was afraid that Ichi-nii was slipping away as well. Yuzu decided that she didn't hate the rain after all.

It suited her mood just fine.

Yuzu's cellphone vibrated in her bag startling her out of her thoughts. She wiped at her tears as she dug it out. She flipped it open and read the text.

I'm fine. Needed to sort things out with Ichi-nii. Will be home soon.

Once again Yuzu felt out of the loop.

Karin-chan and Ichi-nii never discussed the important matters with her. It made her feel inferior to some level. Perhaps they never meant to make her feel that way but she did feel inferior anyway.

Yuzu didn't have all the details, none of them felt it necessary or worth the time to explain it to her. No, instead she was left as the invisible spectator, a silent observer. At least Karin-chan was going to straighten up things with Ichi-nii. The text may have been brief but she knew the reason behind it. She only wished she had the strength to do what Karin-chan was about to do.

She felt like the odd one out. Ichi-nii was strong and so was their father. He might have kept them in the dark about his powers but she knew that he was just like Ichi-nii. She wanted to make a difference but as always there stood that distance separating her from her family. She was completely human and possessed not a shred of power. Whilst she could accomplish many things none of them would help in the battle to come. So while the others were out there playing their roles she was left here to play her meager part.

Yuzu sighed feeling her heart heavy once more.

She headed towards the kitchen discarding her bag on the counter along with her phone.

It was best she kept her thoughts to herself. She didn't want to burden everyone with her feelings. They all had enough to worry about as it was. The one strong point that cheered her up was cooking and right now she would concentrate on doing what she was best known for.

Cooking up a storm.

When they return home they would find her there. Just as they had left her. And she would smile at them as if she was oblivious to the changes around her. And they would lie to her that everything was okay. And while they battled with their demons she would wait for the next blow to land because the next blow was always more painful.

Fear spiked through Ichigo like a new found energy. His mind was irrational. He couldn't keep it together. His sanity was slipping away piece by piece. Reality was tearing apart his mind. If he didn't make it to Karin in time...

Ichigo ran through the rain like a mad man.

His clothes were soaked and the chill seeped into his bones. The rain pelted down harshly upon his body but none of that mattered. His mind rushed back to the text that got him out here in the first place.

He had heard Yuzu enter the house the same time he had finished reading the text. He had hoped for a second that the text was a mistake and that Karin would enter the house just after Yuzu. He looked up searching for that familiar mass of long black hair but Yuzu stood there alone...

He was torn between needing to protect Yuzu and rushing to Karin's aid. He was almost out the door when that hesitation stopped him once more. And when Yuzu had whispered her promise to him he saw that she was stronger than he gave her credit for.

Ichigo ran as fast as the rain would allow him.

He would save his sister even at the cost of his own life. He had a chance to redeem himself. He had failed her once. He wouldn't do it again. Karin was in danger and he would find her.

For a moment he was blinded of everything around him. That horrid image from the Hollow forest flashed before him.

Karin lay there unmoving...dead.

It took every ounce of his will to convince himself that it wasn't real. He was going to find her, he had to. The heavy rain and his mind in turmoil wasn't making it any easier to search her out. Caution was a luxury Ichigo couldn't afford any longer. He didn't care if he painted a bull's eye on his back for every hollow within a 5 mile radius. He stretched out his senses sending out a beaconing wave of reiatsu to locate his sister.

A sudden blast of reiatsu knocked Ichigo hard off his feet and into the air.

He landed with a tumble on the wet ground. The reiatsu was strong enough to make him lose his footing but it wasn't harsh enough to injure him. He was quick to recover. Picking himself up off the ground from the puddle of mud he had landed in. He stared in the direction of the attack finding the source of the rogue reiatsu.

"Five days..." The voice carrying over to him.

The rain began to recede but the tension in the air stayed. The figure was every bit soaked as he was as they stood in the open staring at each other.

"Karin?" He questioned confused.

"Five miserable days have passed and what have you done?" She forced the words out angrily.

"What are you..." He begun but she cut him off.

"Don't play stupid Ichi-nii! You know exactly what I'm talking about. I can't watch you go down that road again. I won't!" She stood firm. Refusing to let him drown himself in depression.

"Karin you don't know what your saying." Ichigo tried to reason with her.

"Come on its raining. We're both soaked. We should go home or you'll get sick." He walked over to her and reached out to grasp her shoulder.

Karin stepped away out of his reach.

She would accomplish what she came here to do. Right now her anger was here driving force. She latched onto it and held firm.

"Stop! Just stop! Does it not matter one bit that we're family?" She threw at him.

"Karin we're going home now!" He added, his voice firm.

He grabbed her wrist pulling her along. Didn't she understand that she was not safe out here?

"What's your big prize for shutting out everyone and blaming yourself? Face it there are some people we can't save." She jerked and he stopped, letting go of her wrist.

Karin had had enough of all this melodrama. She needed to strike her point. A niggling sensation pricked at the back of her neck gnawing into her being. It shut out all her compassion and at that movement she wanted to make her brother hurt. He was being foolish and she would pound some sense into him even if it meant fighting him.

"When mom died you shut off. You kicked us all out but nothing changed. Did it?" She spun him around and knew she had pushed him to far but he had to face it.

She would make him face it whether he liked it or not.

Rage poured off Ichigo. He was so fucking done with people telling him what to do. Listening to others like Kuchiki Byakuya is what got him into this fucking mess in the first place. And now he tried to grieve his friend they all seemed to have a problem with it. It was always him. He was always the fuck up. Well fuck that shit!

He felt a surge of adrenaline shoot through him like it did five nights ago when he fought Kuchiki Byakuya. Here that bloodthirsty power was again, offering itself to him.

He embraced the power and let it consume him.

Ichigo was swallowed by his hollow as he let the demon in him take full reign. He watched the scene unfold. His mask formed as he readied himself to fight his sister.

It didn't matter anymore that every fiber of his being screamed out against the power. Screamed out to protect his sister. No, she stood in his way.

They all stood in his way.

"Oh no you don't!" Karin punched him with her reiatsu infused fist directly on his mask.

The mask cracked a bit. A portion of it crumbling away as he slide a few feet backwards.

She could feel the dark aura vibe off him. Whatever it was it wrapped itself around her brother just like it did the night he fought Kuchiki Byakuya.

There was no mistaking it now.

That night that very same dark aura was dense in the air surrounding her brother and the 6th Captain. Karin suspected that it was the root of their anger.

The aura called out to her and she latched onto it.

If it was going to use her brother against her then she would use it against him. She would fight fire with fire.

"Fair enough. If that's how you want to play then by all means so be it Ichi-nii." Karin relaxed, going from zero to full speed as her reiatsu thundered towards her brother.

Ichigo was forced further back as he stared wide eyed at his sister through his mask. When had she..?

Karin released her power. Forming her bow. She lifted her arm and aimed with grace. she released her first attack towards him.

Ichigo's reflexes kicked in and he expectedly blocked her attack. He stared back at Karin still stunned at the intensity of her power.

"Losing Orihime-chan hurt us all. You aren't the only one who feels responsible or guilty. None of us could have saved her and that weighs on us all. If you consider us family at all you wouldn't shoulder this pain alone. You don't have to." Karin pleaded trying to make him see reason.

"Nothing has changed Karin. What would you have me do?! I failed her. I said I would protect her. I promised her that she would be safe!" He yelled out.

"You can't change what has already happened. All you can do now is make sure it never happens again." She answered.

Ichigo let out a shrill bitter laugh. His voice hoarse and scratchy like the rustle of dead leaves.

"Never happen again? She's already dead. That definitely won't be happening again." Ichigo spat out bitterly.

His words were venomous. Almost as if someone else were speaking them. Those words uttered jolted something within him.

This wasn't him.

Just like it wasn't him that night he fought Byakuya. He was seriously messed up.

Karin pushed out all her anger and frustration. She couldn't let him go pass the point of saving. She had little choice but to rid herself of these emotions right now.

Ichigo deflected three more attacks aimed at him from Karin. What was he doing fighting his sister?! He was meant to protect her not be the cause for her injury.

He had been so lost in these passed years. So self absorbed that he failed to realize that his little sister had grown up all on her own. She was becoming like him. Trying to protect him from everything like he had done so, for Yuzu and her. She was shutting down herself to focus on him. He couldn't allow her to become like him. He wasn't the best of role models.

He grunted as he deflected a stronger attack.

It was time they had stopped this ridiculous fight. He could see her anger and she would hurt herself.

The cold chill seemed to leave his body as he got his head straight.

"Karin stop!" Ichigo called out.

He realized that Karin was right. Shouldering all the blame wouldn't solve anything. His family had always been there for him and it wasn't fair that he made them worry so much about him.

Karin aimed another round of arrows at Ichigo. It was too late for words because she could no longer hear him. The only thing flowing through her mind was her intense need to filter out all her anger. Blow after blow seemed to push her to a clearer mind.

Ichigo raced through the park as he strategically dodged the attacks aimed at him.

He hadn't missed the fact that she was significantly stronger now than she was before she went missing. Her attacks were precise and her reiatsu was subtly different. If it wasn't for his expert footwork she might actually do him some serious damage.

After a solid hour Karin's anger began to fade.

She almost wished she had latched onto it for a bit longer. The next emotion that rushed through her was her least favorite. The pain that assaulted her was fresh and unbearable.

Guilty she was for she had lied and hid the truth from them all. She was being hypocritical right now. Pushing her brother to open up when she herself couldn't face what really happened in Heuco Mundo.

"I can't do this anymore." She stopped her attacks. Her bow disappearing.

"Karin what's wrong?" Ichigo asked as he approaches his sister. He knew all to well that look on her face. It was one he often wore on his own.

"I'm sorry I lied Ichi-nii...I-I never meant for any of this to happen. I wasn't trapped between some gates for the last month. I..."

Karin was cut off as a screeching hollow sound filled the air.

Ichigo and Karin both turned in the direction of the sound. Their previous conversation forgotten as they focused on the new problem.

Renji was barely out of the gate, bolting away from Rukia and her never ending questions, when he heard the shrill scream.

It sounded like trouble.

Trouble he had no business seeking out. Yet he still found himself moving in the direction from which the sound had emitted.

Someone was in danger or worse.

If trouble it was then he'd gladly embrace it. If it meant saving a life. And the distraction was one he would welcome.

Renji let his instincts guide him and raced towards the noise.

Silence...

It was like none other she had felt or experienced before.

A silence so silent.

It was painful and deafening. Drilling its way into her brain.

And yet so familiar.

She had been trapped in a coffin once before. Everyone thought it to be a nightmare of hers yet she was certain that it had been true.

Her soul confined within her body.

Only now that she did realize that it was in fact not a dream at all. No, it was a warning of what was to transpire. She hadn't realize the significance of it until now...

Until it didn't matter anymore.

This was not how she would have imagined death to be like.

Perhaps this was only a journey to her real destination.

She clearly wasn't clued in.

She had given up a while back trying to figure out why she was afloat in the thick liquid of dense darkness. She was neither moving, nor going anywhere, just being. Uneasiness and anxiety settled within her as she waited...

And waited...

And waited...

And waited...

'What she was waiting for?', was a question she would have liked answered herself.

Loneliness ate at her from within. It was a feeling she was quite accustomed to by now. After all she was always alone ever since Sora Onii-chan had died. Yet the feeling had become foreign to her since the first time she found herself in Kuchiki Byakuya's embrace. He had banished the loneliness that she had befriended.

Here it presented itself to her again. An old friend, one she wasn't sure she could muster to acquaint herself with again.

Here, where ever this was, she was devoid of human contact.

Devoid of *human* contact.

She wasn't sure that she was entirely alone though.

In the darkness one was never alone. For the darkness hid within its own monsters. Ones that liked to taunt her with their shadows. They made her blood churn and her skin crawl. Always within proximity but always out of reach. Soon they would tire of their game of hide and seek. And when they did... her need for human contact would be the least of her worries.

Yet one presence she seemed to not be able to rid her mind of. It haunted her just as the shadows did within this darkness.

Kuchiki Byakuya.

Every fiber of his being was imprinted within her mind.

It felt so right.

So natural for him to be occupying her thoughts, even in the afterlife. These thoughts reminded her of how much she missed him. Byakuya. She felt as if a part of herself had been torn out.

A hole within her soul.

One that was half full whenever he was around. The other half always empty, devoid of life. Perhaps she was never destined to fill up that void inside her but at least he made her feel alive.

Right at this moment she wanted nothing more than to see him. To embrace him. To explain everything to him, even though she had no answers. She didn't even get to say goodbye.

"because you weren't ready to let go" Her subconscious whispered to her.

She had once given up her life and everything she loved to save her friends. She was willing to embrace death to keep them safe. She knew not where she had found that courage. But at that moment, five years ago, she had sacrificed herself for them all.

She couldn't find that courage here at this moment. She was afraid, a new fear had rooted within her. It toyed with her shoving her over the edge and she was drowning in that fear.

She wasn't ready to die.

No, she wasn't.

Because if she did, then HE would reign over them: her and her soul. Just like how he had done before. Just like how he had soiled them, tainted them and poisoned them.

And then THEY were forced to tear a hole in her being. And they had destroyed a part of her. Two had become one. Then they had left her blank.

They had ruined her.

They had broken her.

And they had left her broken.

They had stolen from her.

They had taken away from her...

her light...

her heart...

her mind...

HE would destroy her and HE would make her watch again.

Her immense fear and the deafening silence was too much for her to bear. She couldn't make sense of her stray train of thoughts. She couldn't remember... All she knew was that she had to get away. She had to run! She needed to get out!

HE was going to find her!

HE was going to find her!

A sudden ripple in the darkness alerted her. Something was moving in close. It was circling her like a predator does with its prey.

She was the prey.

It was moving in closer.

And closer...

And closer...

A bone chilling fear paralyzed her. The darkness had a mind of its own. It enveloped her limbs as she began sinking into it. It traveled up from her feet, covering her legs. Moving further and further up towards her chest.

And then it had reached her heart.

The darkness covering her body began to seeped into her soul. The coldness sunk into her bones. Possessing her form within.

She panicked, unable to move. Her heart froze as the coldness found its way in and she heard a distinct whisper. A voice so clear and cold. A voice she was never meant to hear again.

"Tadaima"

Its whisper full of sinister promise of tormented agony.

She screamed in petrified terror. Letting out every last breath she could muster. The coldness took delight in her screams.

Her fear, it fed on.

Her agony, it basked in.

Her ruin, it had played a hand in.

Her damnation, it would be.

It would devour her just as it had done once before.

The darkness shot upwards engulfing her face and head as it slithered down her throat. Turning her into a numb state. A mere observer to his actions, she was. Again.

Soul Society

Toshiro exited the first division with disdain. He wasn't happy with the prospects of his mission. In fact the mission itself had surprised him. He wasn't sure why the SoTaicho chose him to retrieve Kuchiki Byakuya from the human world. He would have thought the task much more suited to the 6th's lieutenant. Abarai Renji was moving frequently between both worlds of late, surely he could relay the orders to Kuchiki Byakuya.

Those thoughts aside, it was rather odd in many senses. He was granted permission to use brute force with the 6th, if necessary. He wasn't sure why that would even be necessary for Kuchiki Byakuya.

Toshiro always held the 6th Taicho in high regard. That much the 6th had earned. If there was one thing that Toshiro new, it was that Kuchiki Byakuya prioritized his duties as 6th and nothing could make him resist a direct order from the SoTaicho. To the 6th anyone or anything that disturbed the peace of Soul Society was deemed a threat and taken care of immediately.

Then again Kuchiki Byakuya was currently involved with a rather peculiar human. Inoue Orihime. She was a magnet for trouble. Both a savior and a destructor. She was connected in some way to all the odds that stemmed in Soul Society.

It occurred to him that she would perhaps be safer in Soul Society than in the Living World. Kept within the sight of the Gotei 13, would keep her out of reach of anyone who would want to utilize her powers.

He still found it difficult to wrap his head around her powers. How could a human possess such a powerful gift? They had no idea what she was capable of.

What if she wasn't human?. The question was a recurring thought in his mind

No one had thought to question that. But it was one that played in Toshiro's mind for quite some time now.

All they did was deem her dangerous and that was that. Inoue Orihime's secrets were slowly unraveling. Toshiro had a rather odd feeling regarding Inoue. Too many peculiarities surrounded her. She had been a well played pawn in Aizen's game. Who's pawn would she play this time? The more important question was whether they were ready to fend off an attacker akin to Aizen or possibly something much worse? Inoue Orihime's shell was cracking and Toshiro wasn't sure they would like was about to hatch within. Things certainly did seem much more than what they appeared to be with her.

The powers she possessed was an enigma. With zero record in Soul Society's archives to say what she may be. No one to answer why she held such a powerful gift. His own curious mind swirled with questions but right now his priority was not Inoue Orihime. It was his fukuTaicho.

He really didn't have time to play her games right now. With orders from the SoTaicho he found her reiatsu quickly and shunpo'd over.

"Matsumoto we have work to do." He called her to attention. When would she stop hanging out with those 11th division mishaps and the rest of these leeches? He silently questioned.

"Ah Taicho we were about to go drinking. Wanna come?" She shouted out.

"No, you and I have an important task to see to so come along." He narrowed his gaze on her before turning to leave.

"In a minute. Why so stiff Taicho? Its just one drink." She whined with a pout.

Toshiro didn't have time for this right now and his patience was worn out.

Matsumoto was going to pull her Taicho into drinking one way or another. Except when he spun to face her she didn't know what he was about to do.

In one swift movement Toshiro bent low gripping her waist and tossing his fukuTaicho over his shoulder. Thanks to his new height he often towered over his fukuTaicho. He placed his left hand over the back of her legs keeping her in place.

"Asegawa, Madarame and the rest of you should have more than enough work to do rather than waste time drinking." His voice was piercing and sharp as he narrowed his gaze over the group.

"Taicho…" Matsumoto begun but stopped as he jerked her on his shoulder.

"One more word out of you Matsumoto and the punishment that will follow will make you rethink your decision of constantly neglecting your duties." He warned her.

He turned his stony gaze back on to the group and they all begun moving away from each other, then he was off.

Yumichka and Ikkaku were left behind.

"I dare say Hitsugaya Taicho is taking full advantage of his new height." Yumi smirked.

"Hnn" Ikkaku surveyed the area for someone to spar with.

"That gives me an idea." Yumichka smiled widely.

"Like what?" Ikkaku asked half interested turning to walk away.

Yumichka followed ready to explain. "A lovely rumor..."

"Another one? Why bother?" Ikkaku asked tuning out the moment he asked the question.

"Well it does have added benefits for you in the form of many wild fights. Just think of all the trouble that can arise from this rumor." Yumichka went on.

"Fights? Like Iba-san?" He asked suddenly alert.

"I'm guessing a lot more wilder once we're done." Yumichka pondered on luring Ikkaku into his juicy scheme.

"Let's just say that a certain Hitsugaya Taicho has finally taken a keen interest in his irresistible fukuTaicho, so much so that he can't keep his hands of her. That he steals her away from her friends, hoisting her over his shoulder and rushing away. Imagine the broken hearts that will appear ready for a fight over such a nifty piece of information and more..." Yumichka gleefully answered. Eyes alight with mischief. Time to ruffle Rangiku's feathers.

Ikkaku shrugged feeling a fight looming on the horizon. A fight was always easier then having to remember the Death of a beautiful woman. Losing comrades was never easy.

Matsumoto remained silent as her Taicho set her on her feet. She was bewildered, lost in thought as the Senkaimon opened up for the living world.

Toshiro let out an unnatural sneeze. He felt a slight tingle at the back of his neck. Someone was definitely plotting against him. He didn't have time to exploit that thought. Just as quickly it had occurred to him as quick he was to dismissed it.

"The SoTaicho has ordered us to retrieve Kuchiki Taicho and return. No questions." He instructed.

Matsumoto huffed straightening her hair before she spoke.

"Taicho you need to get laid." She smirked as he turned a narrow eyed embarrassed stare at her.

"Matsumoto!" He screamed after her.

Matsumoto was through the gate with her Taicho hot on her heels.

All signs of playfulness where extinguished as the hollow shriek rang loud and powerful. Matsumoto and her Taicho picked up their pace as they race towards the noise.

Ichigo and Karin arrived at the spot where the sound had emitted from. They weren't the first ones to arrive though. Ishida, Renji and Sado were already there. But nothing could have prepared them for the sight before them.

The rain had eased to a slight drizzle.

On the wet soil of her grave, it stood. Its face turned towards the sky, eyes closed. Soft rain drops drizzled down its visage. The thin white material wrapped around the figure, now soaked and stained with dirt.

Time had ceased for all those who were present. Their forms stuck in an unwavering form of shock and disbelief.

Yoruichi arrived with Urahara and seconds behind them were Matsumoto and Toshiro. They all had halted taking in the scene before them.

Byakuya stared ahead. He was the last to arrive. His face devoid of any emotion.

Standing as it was, one hand coiled around the chain hanging from its chest. The pale hand grabbed hard and yanked on the chain, ripping it out of the hollowed chest, severing the bond between body and soul.

Immediately the hollow hole began to form. Chest heaving as it dramatically inhaled. Exhaled. A wide smiled cracked across the porcelain face. Glassy crimson eyes zeroed in on the group.

"...Ori..hime...?" Yoruichi spoke her name in disbelief. Surely this was not Orihime Inoue before her very eyes.

"Ah...That feels much better now..."

The foreign voice emitted from Orihime. It was gruff and scratchy as if it had been out of use. The voice was piercing like a metal sheeting being dragged over gravel.

She stood her full height clad in a white kimono. Her hair a waterfall of fire behind her. The once grey pools, now fiery ruby orbs, stared at Yoruichi then at Urahara and passed over the group in turn.

"s-s-so…very…many…s-secrets.." The voice mocked malevolently. Eager eyes devouring their priceless expressions.

The smile that had once made Byakuya's heart beat faster was absent. A wide grin spread across her face. It didn't suit her. This 'thing' wasn't his Orihime.

Byakuya watched as pale hands snaked behind her back. Slowly she drew them out. Two swords emerged from behind her. One in each hand, simple pitch black katanas.

Byakuya drew his own zanpakuto. "This was not her", he had to remind himself. He would not allow her memory to be tainted with the likes of such filth. If it was blood this creature wanted then blood it would certainly have. Blood would flow this day. He swore.

"You…..You're him….", the voice screeched accusingly.

"How s-s-satisfyingly annoying!" Its voice rose with anger and disgust. Eyes narrowing, full of loathing and hatred, with every intent to kill.

She lunged forward attacking Byakuya with the twin swords. Byakuya deflected the attack with his own.

"What will you do?" It sneered.

"Of course I know", the voice spat out disgusted "keep her by your side so that I may rip out your thieving heart" She laughed outrageously. Her attacks becoming more ferocious and deadly.

"You are wrong." Byakuya spat out. "I am taking back what is MINE. What. Has. Always. Been. MINE." He punctuated each word with a slash of his zanpakuto.

Her smile turned into a vile thin line. She detested his words.

"I hated you then and I hate you now. You were the largest thorn in my side." She hissed at him in rage. Orihime's face contorted with distaste.

Byakuya's blast of reiatsu pushed Orihime's vessel and its inhabitants back a few feet. The creature within her toyed with him. Sprouting words that made little sense to him. Yet still, it made his blood sing with rage. If it was the creature's intention to get beneath his skin, it certainly had. It was very much his intention to repay the creature with the consequences of it's intentions.

Orihime opened her eyes and realized she was back in the darkness. She floated in the silence knowing full well she was going nowhere and no one could reach her. Her situation was hopeless. So very hopeless.

Death was not supposed to be like this.

She felt a flutter overhead and she looked up. A small bird illuminated in the soft glow of golden light flew about in a circle, circling her. She reached a hand upwards and the bird lowered onto her finger. It was so very small and delicate. The tiniest flutter vibrated from the bird. The golden energy rushed from the bird and struck through her arm like lightning. The rush of golden liquid lightning spread trough her frozen being. Where the coldness had mercilessly forced its way in was now flooded with a warm pleasant glow. The warmth began taking hold of her driving the liquid darkness out of her being. The feel of the warmth was so familiar. So nostalgic. For a split second that ever present hole within her began to fill up. It began to flood with that warmth. Only for that fraction of a second and then the hole was hollowed again.

On the outside the group watched unable to do anything to help their friend much less comprehend the situation. No one intervened amidst the battle between the 6th and the creature/Orihime.

Byakuya gave her no time to monologue as he sprung forward engaging her in battle. She was skilled in using a blade. Her attacks were filled with a blood lust. Her sword craved battle searching for its next victim. She suddenly pulled back from him. Anger lighting her face.

"Don't interfere" she hissed trough clench teeth, directed more at herself than at anyone else. With sword in hand she pressed against her temple squeezing her left eye shut as if in pain.

"Never!" Another voice resonated through her body. It was soft yet deep. Warm like the sun. That one word uttered held a depth of emotion they would soon come to understand.

"No, no, no, no!" She screamed swinging her sword carelessly.

Byakuya saw an opening and used it to his advantage. He attacked her with determination but every attack of his was blocked with ease. He spared her none of his ruthlessness. He wanted this vile creature out of his Princess. He was blind to everything else. They danced with their swords to the melody of death.

It was in such a moment that fate had played a hand in. Her movements became hesitant and slowed. A pleasant shy smile lit her face banishing those recent sinister emotions that had crossed her features naught but seconds ago. The crimson hue faded from her eyes and in its place a gentler presence took form. Both zanpakuto and Master were witness to the presence of those wonderful mismatched eyes, a blazing gold and soft blue. They shone brightest as warmth spread like wild fire. Her swords vanished along with the hue of those mismatched eyes. The warm presence retreated back within her. Liquid pools of silver grey stared back at him as her eyes returned to normal.

Orihime stumbled backwards. Her breathing was labored as she fought to control it. Her lungs burned. She felt as if she had run for miles on end. Air began to fill her lungs and her breathing became even. The cold numbness had rapidly faded from her body.

She looked down wide eyed and watched as the hollow hole slowly began getting smaller and smaller until it was gone.

A hollow hole! Her mind screamed.

"Will someone…please…. Tell me... what's going on?!" She asked in panic and confusion. Her voice high pitched.

"I-Inoue-san?!...Inoue-san don't you remember?" Ishida asked in disbelief, seeming to find his voice.

Orihime shook her head. What had she done now? Oh Kami. Why were they looking at her like she was the monster? She took a step back unsure what to say or do.

"Inoue..? Are you…..?" Ichigo had no idea what to ask her. He wasn't sure if it was really her or how it was even possible. At first he was relieved that her soul had remained. But what he had saw left him in doubt. He was blank.

"Are you Inoue Orihime?" Byakuya asked. His voice like nails scrapping against her skin.

"What? Of course I am." Orihime answered looking even more confused and scared. Why would he ask her that?

"Orihime is dead?" Matsumoto whispered sharing a disbelieving look with her Taicho

"She was... Is...I'm not sure anymore..." Renji mumbled shocked and thinking too far ahead. Perhaps it was the stress from the last couple of days that had him thinking. If Orihime-chan ever got angry with his Taicho after marriage then he would definitely be seeing a lot of fighting like this. Exactly how tired was he to be thinking all this at such a time?

"Her konso should be performed immediately then." Toshiro pointed but Byakuya was already in motion flipping over his zanpakuto in his hand.

Orihime took a step back forcing him to grab her arm and keep her in place.

"Wait!" Ichigo called out.

"Byakuya-bo hang on.." Yoruichi shouted to get his attention.

"For what?" Byakuya asked, his voice was flat and cold. Raising his zanpakuto he rested the back of its handle on her forehead.

For several seconds they stood like that. Nothing happened.

"Its not working." Karin finally found her voice.

"Not possible!" Matsumoto and Renji both pointed out.

"Listen we can't just send Orihime up there unprepared. After what just happened it could do more damage than good." Yoruichi tried to reason with him.

"Yoruichi-san is correct. We have never seen a hollow hole disappear like that before especially on a plus soul." Urahara added ever the voice of reason. 'Nor have they seen a soul refuse to depart from its vessel. Much less one that has within it two beings separate from it's own.' He thought silently to himself

"Is it possible that Orihime could be like Ichigo?" Toshiro questioned curiously.

"That would explain a lot." Ishida chimed in.

"Yeah Orihime-chan did have a hollow hole as well. Same like Ichigo." Renji observed.

"And Inoue does have powers that are similar to Hachi of the Visored." Chad nodded.

"Clearly it does not explain enough." Matsumoto added.

"What happened to me?" She asked again taking a step back from Byakuya. She didn't want to be close to him right now but his hold on her prevented her from going anywhere.

"Inoue-san we are unsure but you had severed the chains from your soul rendering you a hollow, however, by some miracle your hollow hole has disappeared leaving you as a plus soul." Urahara explained some of it.

"We can't exactly say Orihime-chan was rendered a hollow now. Apart from the hollow hole there was no formation of a mask and so on" Karin pointed out just as baffled as everyone else

"So where does that leave me now?" She asked Urahara so lost.

"Normally a konso would be in order but that doesn't seem to be an option." Toshiro replied.

"I think it would be safer if Inoue-san was in Soul Society rather than on Earth." Urahara voiced a suggestive thought.

"But we still haven't accomplished what we originally came for Urahara-san. I can't go back empty handed." Orihime reminded him. More so because she wasn't ready to take that step to accept the obvious truth as yet.

"As per the SoTaicho's orders Inoue Orihime shall be confined to the Kuchiki estate and will therefore not be given a soul burial. For now Urahara Kisuke have her gigai sent over to my estate. Any further dealings and decisions regarding Orihime will be made by myself."

Byakuya closed the matter as he saw fit. He was done dealing with everyone, now to deal with Orihime. He grabbed her arm and was off on route to the mansion.

"What do we do now?" Rangiku asked stunned.

"We're here for Kuchiki Taicho and Orihime. So I suggest you", Toshiro directed at Ichigo, "let us do so and remain in Karakura town without interfering "

"Don't count on it." Ichigo challenged.

"Ichigo there is no point in arguing. Hitsugaya Taicho has orders." Renji reasoned with him.

"Whatever we witnessed right now can't be explained. Keeping her here will do more harm than good." Toshiro ignored Ichigo's protest.

"I agree. Orihime will be in good hands." Yoruichi added.

"I doubt that very much. After all how trustable can they be when they were very quick to label Inoue-san a traitor for leaving to protect us from Aizen." Ishida pointed out.

"We have our orders." Toshiro dismissed the group. Leaving immediately with Matsumoto and Renji.

Karin sneezed loudly alerting her brother to her presence.

"Perhaps you should take Karin-san home for now. Inoue-san is safe enough." Urahara pointed out.

Ichigo hesitated for a moment. He wanted to go after Orihime and Byakuya. He was at a loss for what had transpired just moments ago but he knew pressing for answers that no one had would just make the situation worse. He wasn't done with Kuchiki Byakuya. Not by a long shot. One look at his sister and his mind was made up. She was drenched to the bone from head to toe from being in the rain. He would take care of his sister first before he went on all Bankai and zanpakuto swinging into the Kuchiki estate.

Yoruichi knew that look on Ichigo's face all too well. He wouldn't just let the situation be, not after all that transpired here today. Not after how he and Byakuya almost killed each other at every opportunity that presented itself. He was bound to do something rash. He wouldn't be Kurosaki Ichigo if he didn't.

"Ichigo, Chad, Ishida ya three will meet us back at Kisuke's place once yar affairs are handled. We need to talk." She informed them mentally preparing for the verbal fight ahead.

They nodded collectively and took off in separate directions. Yoruichi took her own leave with Urahara.

Ichigo and Karin walked in silence until he moved in front of her and crouched down. Karin said nothing as he hoisted her up into a piggy back ride.

"You mentioned something about your disappearance." He begun trying to reign in on his thoughts.

"No, not really." She responded softly having lost the nerve to tell him the truth.

"I guess you do take after me." He mumbled meaning it in more ways than one. He wouldn't press her for answers if she wasn't ready. But he kept the thought at the back of his mind.

Silence followed until Karin spoke again.

"We're family so you don't have to shoulder all the pain alone." She whispered.

Ichigo stopped walking realization sinking in. His family had always been there for him no matter what. He was never alone. He smiled and continued walking.

"Neither do you." Ichigo tossed back alerting Karin that he knew she was hiding something.

Kuchiki Compound

Byakuya parted from her inside his personal study. He resheathed his zanpakuto setting his questions in line. So many emotions flowed through him but his face a controlled mask of concentration. He finally had her within his grasp yet he wasn't sure of how to proceed from here.

"Why did you keep your death from me?" He turned to her. It seemed the most practical question to ask since he didn't want to let loose any emotion he felt at that moment.

"Keep my death from you?" She repeated baffled. That's the first thing out of his mouth after she just died and came back? She had thought perhaps he would be more empathetic towards her.

"When did you know?" He asked again.

"Uh...When my powers came back I guess." She answered looking confused at him.

"There was sufficient time to notify me of this. Why did you not see fit to do so?" He asked pressing on.

"Notify you?" Her voice full of astonishment. "Byakuya I could barely believe it myself. How was I supposed to tell you I was going to die? Besides its not like anything could be done about it." She answered dismissing the situation. What had happened, had happened. There was nothing they could do to change that now.

"So you thought it best to keep the truth from me?" He snapped.

"Is that why you're angry? Oh Kami are you serious right now?" Orihime looked astonished at him waiting for a response.

"I just died Byakuya! Its not like this stuff happens to me on regular basis that I can just relate to it. I didn't know what to do or where to start. I even told myself it was a lie. I didn't tell you because I was too busy being scared and worried. I wasn't ready to die." Orihime's voice rose as she spoke to him.

"I am quite aware of your death after all I witnessed you die right before my eyes and you seemed quite content with leaving me. Why is that so?" Byakuya felt his own anger rise rapidly. His anger cut off his rationality.

"I will not deny that I was content but I was also conflicted. Dying would have saved my friends but also caused more problems. There was no right decision to make." She explained annoyed.

"The only decision you had was to stay alive. Leaving me is never an option for you. Ever." He snapped back as if stating the obvious.

The dam broke right there and she couldn't hold herself back anymore.

"I am NOT a possession, a subordinate of yours or YOUR WIFE Kuchiki Byakuya that you can simply order me around and tell me what I can or can not do." She screamed highly annoyed with him.

Byakuya grabbed her arm roughly lining his words with enough ice to freeze over Seireitei.

"You are my possession and therefore a part of my division making you my subordinate. Making you my wife is only a matter of time. Denying the truth will change nothing so do not force my hand on this matter." He was dead set on the matter. Nothing would defy him in the matter. Not even her

Rangiku had her ear plastered to the door unable to move as she heard the heated conversation on the other side.

"Matsumoto what are you doing?" Toshiro asked annoyed.

"Kuchiki Taicho and Orihime-chan are fighting." She answered wide eyed.

"What are you talking about?" He sighed.

Rangiku grabbed his head and plastered it against the door. She watched a disbelieving look cross his face.

Toshiro pulled away, straightening up he cleared his throat.

"Eavesdropping is not an amenable quality Matsumoto." He grabbed her wrist pulling her away from the door.

"But its just getting to the good part Taicho. Orihime-chan is giving as good as she gets." She whined.

"Matsumoto we have work to do." He began pulling her away.

"Ah Taicho but we always have work to do." She pouted.

Toshiro gave her a leveled eye look.

"Fine but just so you know if you are going to propose to me you better be romantic and I want a ring. No exceptions." She stated watching his face turn red.

"Enough of this. We have work to do." He strode away quickly making Rangiku laugh.

Her Taicho may have gotten taller and handsome over the years but he still couldn't stomach her teasing.

"Force your hand? I am so tired of you constantly meddling in my affairs. Do us all a favor and butt out." She shoved him away hard.

Orihime gripped the desk stumbling a bit, feeling like a heavy weight was lifted off her body. Despite being a plus soul why did she feel so tired and drained but confusion was by far standing tall in full force. This was fast becoming a pattern with her. She was done pretending everything would work out. Because pretending was just not cutting it anymore.

"I'm leaving for Urahara's place. We need some distance between us to sort out whatever is going on here." Her voice was resolved. Nothing he said would change her mind.

"You can not make such decisions by yourself. The SoTaicho entrusted you to me, not to yourself."

"Then what would you have me do Byakuya. I'm tired of these riddles and questions. I'm scared every second I am awake. I have gaps in my memory I can't understand, besides you can't give me what I want." She explained.

"And what do you want Inoue Orihime?" He asked in his usual cool monotone.

"I want answers and you can't give me that. I can't give me that. I need know why I suddenly slip out of myself and when I get back I can't remember anything. Half the time it feels like I am asleep. I need to know what's going on with my body, why did I have a hollow hole and now its gone?!" She added breathing heavily.

"Its quite evident why you are alone now. You're the cause of your own problems. You push people away." He observed. His voice filled with venom.

Orihime stood stunned as his words sunk in. She drew in a sharp breath.

"Well I guess we both have that in common then. You can't maintain any relationship and I can't hold on to the relationships I maintained." She responded coolly.

"We are nothing alike." He snapped.

"Maybe, maybe not but we definitely aren't good for each other. Now that is most evident." She turned to leave but he was already in front of her blocking her path.

Byakuya was over come with anger and irritation. Her walls were up too high. She wasn't budging a bit no matter what he said. Why did she have to be so frustrating right now? All she wanted to do was walk away from him. Why did she not understand she was his light in this dark hellish hole. The only thing left untainted and pure.

"Do you not realize what is at stake here?" He questioned staring at her.

"My sanity is at sake Byakuya and I have already lost a part of it. I suggest we remain apart until we have found the scroll and obtained some answers." She cut him off.

"So that is your decision. How utterly disappointing and irrelevant." He commented.

"Ah yes the great Kuchiki Byakuya can't be bothered with trivial things. My bad." She snapped back at him.

"Why must you defy me on every turn?" He questioned frostily.

"I don't recall ever allowing you to order me around like some misguided naïve child." She reminded him.

"Misguided is what you are. You defied my orders on every turn. How hard is it to comprehend that this is for your own safety?" He questioned.

"My safety? What safety are you talking about? When have I ever been safe? Every time something went wrong I was with YOU. Hell the first time we met I ended up with a broken nose." She panted her anger in full force.

"Oh and misguided? Yes, of course I am misguided. I AM HUMAN or at least I was. No one handed me a damn handbook stating the do's and don'ts of life. We are meant to be lost. Not every one can be perfectly prim and proper like you." She went on driving every point home.

Byakuya felt a vein burst as she ridiculed him for his years of hard work.

"Your naivete knows no bounds. Watch your tongue. You know nothing of what I am or what I have been burdened with." His tone grew sharp and piercing causing his reiatsu to rise a bit.

"Ah yes everything is a burden to you including having being saddled with me…"

"You continue to foolishly believe that everything is about you. When will you cease with that attitude of yours thinking everything will go your way?" He cut her off abruptly.

"My way? If things truly went my way Kuchiki Byakuya then you and I would not be having this conversation right now. Aizen would have been six feet under the day he took me. Aunt Miyako would never have suffered such a death and we would have NEVER EVER MET." She leveled her tone lacing it with acid.

Something dark was forming inside her. Something that was always there. Something that whispered countless times out to her. Something that gave her enough backbone to face him off and give him a piece of her mind.

"What stops you from setting the course of those events as it should be or is it that you always need someone to save you." He smirked.

That struck a nerve in her but she said nothing of it.

"Just know, Inoue Orihime, no matter where you go you can't hide from me." He warned her.

Orihime was furious. Where the hell did he get off treating her like some criminal? She wasn't going to run and hide from anyone, especially not him.

"Get off your high horse and understand that I do what I want. If I run no one will find me, not even you." She brushed past him.

"I don't recall granting you permission to leave." He swung her around.

"That's because I don't need it." She shoved him away.

Senbonzakura awoke from a deep sleep and felt the unwanted presence within his master. With all his might he sent a shock wave of reiatsu.

Byakuya was surprised as his own reiatsu blasted from within and rolled forward hitting Orihime. Pushing her back a few feet.

Orihime was shocked as she looked wide eyed at him. Without another word she opened the door and slammed it hard behind her.

Renji had no idea what to make of what had transpired. Never before had he heard Orihime-chan raise her voice or show any sign of anger. This was a side of her he didn't even know existed.

Her next stop was Urahara's shop. Spending another moment near Kuchiki Byakuya may result in her punching him. Years of suppressed emotion was finally being let out. Orihime was lucky when she entered the foyer. She found Urahara with her gigai.

"Urahara, nice timing. Thanks for bring my gigai." She took the gigai from him and slipped into it.

He was stuck for words. Tipping his hat he looked at her oddly.

"We need to talk but not here." She added.

This earned a raised eyebrow from him. He was surprised by her tone and choice of words. Urahara had never heard her speak in such a manner before, was she having another one of her episodes? Yoruichi did say Orihime was prone to drastic behavior changes for some time now and with everything that has happened he wasn't sure how to deal with her.

"Come on. This place is annoying." She mumbled irritable.

Urahara was taken a back yet again by her words but followed her regardless. His curiosity getting the better of him.

Byakuya had yet another load of questions as the fog lifted from his mind. With much effort he sat down feeling the strain of the last few days rear up. What was he going to do?

He pushed himself onto familiar ground. Tuning down his emotions and slipping into his inner world. What met him was utter destruction and chaos. His inner world was fractured, cracking as if it were a puzzle being taken apart. Pieces floated all about as the darkness seeped in.

"Center your heart and find peace least you destroy me along with yourself." Senbonzakura warned him.

Byakuya was equally surprised to find his zanpakuto standing to his left with a crumbling mask.

"Whatever had taken a hold of Inoue Orihime seems to have affected us." Byakuya stated drawing on his knowledge of hollows.

"We were caught off guard once. It shall not happen again." Sen replied seeing the resolve in his master's eye.

Toshiro knocked on Byakuya's study door and was permitted entry. He really had to rethink if the shinigami he saw fighting outside was the same shinigami that sat in total control behind his desk. That irrational part was gone and the cold stern Kuchiki Byakuya was back in control. How utterly puzzling.

"Hitsugaya Taicho." Byakuya acknowledged him.

"The Sotaicho had ordered your return as well as that of Inoue Orihime's." Toshiro got straight to the point.

Byakuya disliked the order immediately. The Sotaicho was being short sighted right now.

"Is there a time allocation for our return? " Byakuya asked.

"No." Toshiro responded.

"Very well. We have yet to collect a vital object as per the Sotaicho's previous orders, only then can we return to Soul Society." Byakuya informed him.

"I see and where is this object may I ask?" Toshiro went on.

"Currently Urahara Kisuke would have its location." Byakuya answered.

"Then let us not delay." Toshiro turned about exiting the room with Byakuya following.

Orihime's feet took her in an unexpected direction. She found herself staring at the head stone. It was unsettling having to look at ones own grave stone like this. She really was dead. The distance between her and her friends was now a deep large chasm. She replayed the fight she had with Byakuya in her mind. Where did she gather such strength to face him off? That was so unlike her. She didn't go around fighting with everyone. She never raised her voice ever. She just didn't know any more.

A movement behind her had her turning around in surprise.

"Urahara-san? How long have you been standing there?" She asked embarrassed at not picking up on his reiatsu sooner.

Urahara raised an eyebrow clearly confused at her words. She didn't seem aware that she herself had led him to her grave. Her personality was certainly different from when she had approached him at the compound. It was almost as if the person he met at the compound was not her at all.

"Not long." He replied curious.

"What will become of me now since my konso seems impossible." She asked hoping he had some answers for her.

"That I am unsure of but how about concentrating on what you can do for now." He offered.

"The scroll." She mumbled.

"Yes, I have found its location as per the coordinates I received from you." He informed her.

"Thank you for all your help Urahara-san." She smiled.

"No thanks necessary but we should sort out the main problem first." He smiled back.

She looked lost at him until he cleared the air.

"Your friends Orihime-san." He knew it hurt as he watched her give him a pained look.

"I guess so.." She turned towards the direction of his shop.

Urahara moved forward and she fell into step. They were approaching the shrine and Orihime stopped.

"Urahara-san I need a few moments. There's something I need to do." She stated.

Urahara nodded as she walked up the stairs passing the tori arch. The shrine was quite and deserted. She walked up to the shrine and without haste pulled the thick rope creating a faint sound as the bells on it rang. She folded her hands clapping thrice before she begun her prayer.

The first clap signaled her presence.

He turned his head and searched for her.

The second clap spoke of her intent.

He sat patiently ready to listen.

The third clap brought forth her prayer to the heavens.

He smiled fondly focusing on her words. The time had finally come and he would listen, with every bit of focus.

"Kami-sama, its been a while since we spoke. Things have become difficult but I guess you already know that. You gave me these powers and everyone says its a wonderful gift but I turned it into a curse. Please help me break this curse. I'm so very tired of being helpless and alone. Please Kami-sama."

She opened her eyes hoping that Kami had heard her prayer. Hoping that he would show her a way. Her soul pulsed with a radiant warmth that filled her from within, almost like an encouragement that things would be fine. She finished off turning away with high hopes that Kami perhaps did hear her.

He smiled fondly leaning back on his pristine white throne. Just when he had thought that he had figured her out she threw a curve ball at him. Even after all these years she was still the very same. Even after all he had taken from her. The darkness would have much to learn for it could not taint her no matter how hard it tried. She was strong enough to fight this battle and he would grant her a favor when the time came.

Urahara resumed his walk with her in silence until they reached his shop.

The room was tense and uneasy. They sat as if this were a war treaty. Ichigo, Chad and Ishida on one side with Byakuya, Renji, Toshiro and Matsumoto on the other. Yoruichi sat at the head of the table.

Ichigo set aside his emotions for now as he sat across from Byakuya. Toshiro sat quietly taking in the rest of the room. Yoruichi was glad when Kisuke finally showed up with Orihime.

Orihime silently took the empty spot near Yoruichi and prepared for the on slaughter of questions to begin.

"Inoue how are you?" Chad spoke up first startling them all.

"I'm fine. How's Tatsuki-chan doing?" She asked keeping her voice from cracking.

"Hysterical most of the time...but she's become silent of late." Ishida answered quickly.

"I'm sorry. This isn't the way I wanted to say goodbye." She willed them to understand her.

"What happened Inoue?" Ichigo questioned trying to find his footing in all of this.

"I think my body just gave up Kurosaki-kun. Losing Aunt Miyako may have been too much for me." She answered looking extremely worn out. It wasn't a lie but it wasn't the entire truth as well. She couldn't give them answers she herself sought out.

Ichigo wished he had more time with his friend. If he ever found those responsible for pushing her into that corner he would wipe them out of existence.

"Since everyone is here we may as well figure out where that scroll is." She changed the topic rather abruptly.

"Well that seems to be my cue." Urahara added diverting the topic to safe ground.

Tessai rolled a large screen into the room. Switching it on he placed the location on screen for everyone to see.

"The coordinates I received from Kuchiki Taicho and Orihime-san are surprisingly close by as I mentioned before." Urahara begun as a green grid appeared on the screen and a map was shown.

"Now the red blinking dot reveals the location to be Okinawa Island. Further zooming in will narrow down the location to one of the cities, Ginowan, and the final zoom reveals a shrine. The Futenma-gu shrine." He added.

"A shrine. Why there? " Ishida asked curious.

Orihime was as curios as everyone. Why exactly a shrine, granted shrines were sacred grounds. Could that be a possibility? She didn't know.

"And not to mention it is actually a bit far out. Not nearly as close as you said Urahara-san." Chad observed

"Exactly how far out is it?" Toshiro wanted to know.

"Well according to my research about 2 hours and 20 minutes. That is if we are flying to the island." Urahara answered.

"Flying?" Toshiro looked skeptically at Urahara.

"Urahara-san you don't mean to fly in one of those huge white things?" Renji cringed

"Oi Renji, ya scared of heights." Ichigo taunted.

"Why is there a need to fly? " Matsumoto finally asked.

"Okinawa is an island." Ichigo answered. When Matsumoto just stared at him blankly he sighed and continued, "Meaning a piece of land surrounded by water. We can't exactly shunpo over." Ichigo explained.

"That would save a lot of time, however, Urahara-san we will need documentation for our travels." Ishida finally pitched in.

"Ah yes that will take some time to arrange." Urahara pondered.

"What about a ferry? That would require less credentials to board?" Ishida added.

"Cats do not like water." Yoruichi stated cutting off that route.

Byakuya remained silent as the conversation brewed on. He couldn't help but let his sight venture over to her. She blatantly ignored him. He didn't blame her though. Not after the things he said to her during their heated argument. He had said so much then and now he couldn't conjure any words to relay to her.

Perhaps he could set things right once they had found the scroll. Things would be clear then.

"Since we'll be flying I suggest we move on and decide who will be going and who will remain behind." Yoruichi folded her arms moving on.

"Since there is a pressing need to get to the scroll I will remain behind as someone needs to protect Karakura town." Ishida begun.

"I'll stay as well." Chad added.

"Thanks Ishida, Chad. Inoue you can count me in." Ichigo folded his arms not budging daring anyone to tell him otherwise. He wouldn't leave his friend to such an important task alone. He would give Inoue all the support he could and this time he'd be there to protect her.

"Us too, neh Taicho?" Rangiku smiled widely. Toshiro nodded knowing full well he gave Kuchiki Taicho his word for this mission.

"Then it is settled. Kisuke and I will be the last edition." Yoruichi stated.

"Is it necessary for so many to pursue the scroll? " Toshiro asked eyeing Ichigo.

"We aren't sure what we may expect out there Toshiro-kun. Better to be safe than sorry. " Orihime offered.

Byakuya glanced at her as she voiced his thoughts. It was hard forgetting about their fight when so much had been said.

"Urahara how long will these preparations take?" Byakuya asked.

"We may be ready latest by tomorrow morning depending on available flights and so on. " Urahara answered.

"You may collaborate with my assistant at the estate. He will provide you with all the necessary resources and so forth." Byakuya added.

Urahara nodded his understanding.

Orihime fixated on keeping her expression normal as he spoke. It was so hard imagining that this man was the same person who had kissed her several times before. That Kuchiki Byakuya was gone and the cold stern Taicho she first met years ago was back. Like flipping a switch off and he was back to being emotionless. Wearing that mask of calm facade. And she absolutely hated it.

"Now then our schedule will be as follows. Since we will need to drive to Tokyo to board our plane. This will set us back a bit and we may have to catch a late flight." Urahara informed them.

"Exactly how long is this drive to Tokyo? " Toshiro questioned.

"It took us a couple of hours the last time ya know." Yoruichi shrugged.

"In short, we drive to Tokyo then board a flight for Okinawa. Land in the capital, Naja, and then drive to Ginowan. Everybody will need to be at the Kuchiki compound at 6 am if we are to keep on schedule." Urahara moved on.

"Talk about early." Ichigo mumbled.

"Seems like a rather long trip." Rangiku mumbled pouting.

"One last thing, Orihime-san and Kurosaki-san since you both are the only ones with drivers licenses and actually know how to operate a car. Will both of you be willing to make the drive to Tokyo? " Urahara asked.

"Of course." Orihime agreed instantly.

"Yeah." Ichigo responded as well.

"Perfect, so ya can all go pack up en take it easy until tomorrow." Yoruichi ordered.

Everyone broke off into small groups. Byakuya exited the shop and Renji left for the estate in haste on Byakuya's order. Orihime made her way over to Chad and Ichigo. A trip to see her friend Tatsuki was in order and Toshiro was glad Matsumoto tagged along as he pulled Urahara over to one side.

"Urahara since we will require gigai's, how long will it take for you to have mine adjusted?" Toshiro asked low so no one would hear him.

"Ah that won't be a problem. I can have a taller one ready by the morning." Urahara hid his smile as he spoke.

Toshiro nodded his thanks knowing full well Matsumoto would have laughed her head off had she heard him.

Orihime decided to meet Tatsuki with Ichigo and Sado accompanying her as Ishida headed off.

Exiting the sweet shop she came face to face with Byakuya. Was he waiting there for her? What would he say now? She tensed up just standing there staring at him as his eyes bore into her.

This wasn't the time or place for talk. He needed a stable plan if he were to ever apologize and set things right. And still he found it extremely hard to look away from those wonderful grey eyes. He looked at her as if seeing her for the very first time. Such a magnificent creature she was.

"Inoue, you ready? "

Orihime jerked away turning to Ichigo. She nodded and turned back to find Byakuya gone. Somehow that just made her heart drop. Would they ever speak to each other again? Would they ever share an embrace again? She worried breaking into a walk with her two friends. Her heart was breaking and the pain within was intolerable. That void was rapidly becoming empty again and she knew no way of patching it up. She had died and returned but she would gladly return to her grave than have her heart feel this way, than have him turn away from her.

2 hours later...

Orihime was tired and drained out. Her visit to Tatsuki had really set things in perspective. Her friends were all torn up about her death. It was quite evident as she looked at them, especially Kurosaki-kun. He was extremely fidgety and tense. Even now when he walked her back to the Kuchiki compound. He had offered to use shunpo but Orihime declined not ready to go back there so soon. She knew he always carried the burden of everything on his own. Just like her he would keep his wounds to himself and she was grateful that she was fortunate to have a friend such as himself.

"Gomene Kurosaki-kun." She finally broke the silence.

"For what Inoue?" He asked glancing at her sideways.

"You went through a lot because of me in the past and here I am doing it again." She felt guilty. Byakuya was right. She always needed someone to save her.

"Inoue, we're friends. Its' what you would have done for me as well if it were you." He replied.

"You know it's a good thing you're a Shinigami." She gave a low laugh.

"Why? " He asked curious.

"Because we can still be friends even after I'm dead." She smiled lightly at him.

He stopped walking and Orihime paused ahead of him turning to regard him.

"We'll always be friends Inoue, no matter what." He promised.

"I know and I'm glad. Thank you Kurosaki-kun." She gave him a timid smile.

They walked on in silence until Orihime decided to speak up again.

"It wasn't your fault that I died. So you need to stop looking so haunted every time you realize that I'm just a soul now." She kept her voice in check.

"Karin said something similar. Said I couldn't save everyone." He added gruffly.

"Karin-chan's all grown up I see. Women's intuition is powerful." Orihime went on.

"How about that ride?" He asked offering his arm to her. She nodded linking arms with him and in a blink they were inside the compound.

Orihime dropped her arm ready to say good night

"I don't think I could ever forgive myself for not saving you." He stated.

Orihime was stunned as he turned away but she already saw the pain in his eyes. It would eat him up alive.

She moved forward resting her head on his broad back. Hoping that he would accept the comfort she tried to relay.

"Sometimes there are certain things that are beyond our reach. We can't control everything. I would do anything to have kept Sora onii-chan and Aunt Miyako from leaving me but I couldn't, the same way you were never meant to stop me from dying." She explained.

"Do you believe in fate Inoue?" He asked.

"Yes. Does that make me a fool?" She asked unsure.

"No, just makes you different because if I could I would have burnt your fate to the ground so you would be alive right now." He stated.

"Arigathou Kurosaki-kun but its time you let go." She urged him.

"Its not so easy Inoue." He sighed.

"I know but give it time. Besides you have a long list of people to keep safe." She stepped back turning towards the mansion.

"Sora would be proud of you." He smiled.

Orihime stiffened before the tears fell and she tried to smile.

"You think so? " She asked hopefully.

"I know." He ruffled her hair from behind her.

"See you tomorrow Inoue." He waved bit she didn't turn or return his wave.

"Good night Kurosaki-kun." She whispered hurrying inside the Estate.

He may not have been able to save her but he would be with her every step of the way. What was important was that she was still here and if it meant finding out the secrets of the scroll to help her then he wouldn't hesitate. He knew it was what she would do for him in return.

Byakuya wouldn't have admitted it before but he was jealous right now. Jealous of the relationship she had with Kurosaki Ichigo. Jealous because he was no longer able to talk to her. How was it possible to miss her so much like this? He felt empty inside as if withering away. He had to devise a strategy quickly. He needed to tell her he was not of his own mind when those horrid words were spoken between them. For now he moved away from the window as she entered the mansion. Soon she would be up those stairs and right behind that door. Never before had he awaited for anything as he did now.

"Abarai-san.." Orihime called out on seeing Renji.

"Did you just get in Orihime-chan? " He asked as he made his way over to her.

"Yes. Would you mind showing me to my room. This place is still too large for me." She asked. Actually she didn't want to run into Byakuya if she ended up lost.

Even as Renji directed her to her room she felt his reiatsu ever so close by. Her heart gave up as she found he was housed in the room next door to hers. An adjoining door was all that separated them.

Directing her thoughts away from him she showered and snuggled into bed feeling extremely exhausted. Sleep welcomed her briefly before she was suddenly very wide awake. She tossed and turned unable to find any sleep. She contemplated ejecting out of her gigai for a moment but that may invite unwanted attention for her as a plus soul. Finalling giving up she got out of bed and moved to her window.

The view was pretty impressive as the moonlight shone on the back maze gardens. Everything was silent as she pushed open the large windows. A slight breeze rustled stray leaves and caressed the trees. She leaned on the window sill her hand cupping her right cheek as she enjoyed the peace.

Standing outside in the cool breeze added a tinge of peace to his frazzled mind. But rest was inevitable. His body needed to relax. He hadn't slept in days, not since her body had hit the hard wood of the Kurosaki house and her eyes remained frozen shut in death. Now that she was safe within his sight he found the stress of the strain catching up to him. He turned to retreat into the mansion and stopped. Looking up he was frozen in place.

The breeze swirled about catching strands of her fiery mane and they came alive. They danced creating an aura around her and he dare not look away least she disappear from his sight. She wasn't born for this world or of it. No, she was of something much more. She was ethereally enchanting.

Senbonzakura could always feel it as did his Master even if he never mentioned anything. There was something about Inoue Orihime that had both him and his Master in a constant puzzled curiosity.

Kuchiki Byakuya was right to be troubled over their fight because Senbonzakura was not letting such a woman go. No, Inoue Orihime was destined to be by Byakuya's side and Senbonzakura would see it happen. He would not give up on a chance to catch glimpse of those enchanting mismatched eyes again.

After a very long time Orihime yawned feeling sleep tug at her and she shut the windows retiring to her warm bed.

The morning brought a hype of activity with it. The compound was fairly active as the staff hustled around. Everyone seemed to be busy doing something and it was getting to Orihime. All the noise and movement was getting under her skin so she showered and dressed in a black jeans and white vest throwing a soft blue cotton shirt over. She didn't have the heart to dress despite the fact that she had enough clothes for everyday of the year. The Kuchiki's spared no expense. Her gigai still felt a bit constricting

but she tried to ignore it

Making quick work she moved to the maze gardens outside tracking to the center. Once again she sat cross legged on the ground and begun to meditate. Everything went quite and still, so much so that she could hear and feel each heartbeat of hers. So she counted the beats following a rhythm.

Urahara arrived with Yoruichi and Ichigo bright and early. He wasted no time in getting the finer details in order as he made sure their flight times and documents were in order and so on.

Orihime broke out of her meditation as she felt the cluster of reiatsu's. Feeling much more centered she left the sanctuary of the maze and headed back into the house. She neatly folded her sleeves up to her elbows as she entered the conference room.

Everyone was dressed and ready. Byakuya was last to enter and Orihime did take notice of his dark blue jeans and thin sweater that showed off the lines of his physic. To add that bit of noble air his scarf was draped around his neck. All in all he was an impressive ten Orihime thought as she refocused on Urahara.

"Here are your passports. Do not lose them." Urahara instructed as he passed around their respective documentation.

"What about plane tickets?" Orihime asked.

"Oh that won't be necessary. We're covered." Urahara answered.

"Urahara-san?!" His name was a collective sound coming from Ichigo, Renji, Rangiku. Making Orihime wonder what was wrong.

"Ah yes, I guess everyone would have questions as to why I had their surnames changed a bit." Urahara held up his hand stalling them.

Byakuya and Toshiro didn't know what the fuss was about since their surnames were intact.

"The answer is simple. Okinawa isn't an easy island to get onto. While tourists are allowed on the island they are restricted to certain parts." Urahara explained.

"Why? What's the big deal? " Renji asked.

"From my extensive research Okinawa has a few unofficial diamond mines on the island. Having the island open to tourists pose's a threat to exposing the expensive resource. Therefore only one family is granted full access to the island." Urahara answered.

"Which family would that be now? " Rangiku asked.

"There is a textile company that is ran by the Urahara corporation and its just our luck that I shoulder the same surname." He smiled.

"Ah huh" Ichigo glanced at his passport again.

Yoruichi couldn't help but grin as she observed them all. This would truly be a trip worth it.

"That's understandable but why am I an Urahara? " Ichigo asked annoyed.

"Me too? " Renji added with a bit more volume than Ichigo.

"Ichigo were ya not listening?" Yoruichi asked with a smile.

"So if you two are Urahara's how did I end up a Hitsugaya? " Matsumoto asked confused.

"You what? " Toshiro asked shocked.

"Wait! Inoue, what did you get? " Ichigo asked turning to her.

"Kuchiki.." She replied trying not to smile a bit.

"Urahara explain what is going on?" Toshiro demanded.

Byakuya stared at Orihime wondering how she felt to have his surname.

"Kurosaki-kun and Abarai-san are brothers making them the sons of Urahara-san hence the surname change. Since Rangiku-san had her surname changed also it means she's now your wife or sister Toshiro-kun." She sighed explaining it deliberately not mentioning herself.

"Wife. Same applies to you Orihime-san." Urahara hid his smirk.

"What?" Toshiro looked shocked at his fukuTaicho.

"Is this even necessary?" Ichigo questioned.

"This is just temporary and not real. Its just so that we may enter Okinawa." Urahara assured them.

"So to sum it up. Ichigo, Renji, Rangiku and Orihime are all siblings making Kisuke and I ya parents." Yoruichi smirked.

"Another important factor is dressing to look the part. So outfits have been allocated to everyone for this trip." Urahara took over.

Rangiku beamed like a little kid making Toshiro sigh and shake his head in disapproval.

"Now over to the real bits. It is essential that everyone act out as if they hail from a rather rich and influential family. We only need to suggest a link to the real Urahara family to grant us full access to the island." Urahara set down several cellphones as he spoke.

"Everyone is to keep their cellphones switched on and on their person always should we end up separated." Yoruichi added handing them each a device.

"Don't worry Taicho I'll teach you how to use it." Rangiku offered sweetly earning a questioning look from her Taicho.

"Isn't it nice to have to young beautiful daughters who are married." Urahara asked like a proud father getting into his role.

"Does this mean I have to call you Oka-san Yoruichi-san." Rangiku asked with a playful smirk.

"Let's just wait until we reach the airport before we get to the name calling." Yoruichi stated.

"Why do I have to be brothers with Ichigo? " Renji asked folding his arms.

"Its just temporary Abarai-san." Orihime reminded him.

"Now on to travel arrangements. We will be using two separate cars as such car A will host driver Orihime-san, Kuchiki Taicho, Yoruichi-san and Abarai-san. Car B will house the rest of us with Kurosaki-kun as the driver." Urahara informed them.

Orihime bite her lip feeling nervous about being in the same space as him. What will she do? Concentrate on driving that's what she responded firmly.

"We have a schedule to keep so let's not waste anymore time." Byakuya finally spoke glancing at the human contraption on his wrist called a watch.

"Kuchiki Taicho is correct, however, bear in mind that this discussion is not to be spoken of and everyone needs to assume their roles. If we are suspected even a little then that could pose problems for us." Urahara relied in a serious tone.

"Of course though how are we to assume who is the eldest between us." Renji asked.

"That's simple I am the eldest, then RenjI, then you Ichigo and lastly Orihime-chan." Rangiku solved it in one go taking charge.

"Hear that Ichigo? You have to call me Nii-sama." Renji smirked looking down on Ichigo.

"Don't count on it!" Ichigo snapped.

"We need to change so we can be on our way." Orihime spoke up hiding her smile as she felt her mind drift from her worries.

Everyone departed to their own rooms to change. Rangiku dragged Orihime along with her to her room where Yoruichi was awaiting with three boxes.

The boxes were black suede with gold writing on it. Yoruichi already had her box open and going through her stuff.

"Come on." Rangiku urged excitedly.

Orihime was skeptical as Rangiku handed her the box that read 'Lavender Back less Cocktail Dress'

"A mouth full." Orihime mumbled eyeing the box wearily.

Wasting no more time the women got down to dressing up. Rangiku was efficient as she fussed over hair and make-up. Both Orihime and Yoruichi were glad.

Orihime was uncomfortable wearing the short dress. On the other hand Rangiku seemed fine with her dress so did Yoruichi which made Orihime question who was behind choosing the outfits.

The women added the final touches and made their way over to the parking garage.

Orihime didn't realize just how resourceful Byakuya was until now. He had cars to boast about. Luxury smart cars. Talk about speed and sleek. Orihime spotted a sleek red number and was drawn to it. The sign in front of it read 'Aston Martin Rapide'.

"So that's the one. Nice choice." Yoruichi whistled low plucking the right key of the wall and handing it to Orihime.

"So where's my ride?" Rangiku asked survey the garage.

"Matsumoto over here." Toshiro called out from the other side.

Rangiku made her over to the black car and got in next to her very handsome Taicho. Who was sporting a black jean, light blue shirt with a very stylish royal blue suit jacket.

"Nicely done Taicho." She smirked teasing him.

"What are you wearing? Did you perhaps run out of material?" He questioned finalling looking over her.

"No Taicho. This little number is actually a light pink sheer mesh two piece dress as the box said. Isn't it lovely?" She beamed.

"You're practically showing off everything except for the important parts." He pointed out looking uncomfortable as he eyed her exposed skin.

"Relax Taicho, its a dress. That's what its meant to do." She waved off his observation.

"Do what exactly?" He asked. A bit skeptical.

"Entice..." She smirked seductively. He knew where this would go so he dropped it and turned to face the window. His face turning red. Rangiku did what she did best in situations like this, she laughed.

Orihime popped the boot as Renji brought their luggage.

"Looking good Orihime-chan." He complimented.

"Thanks Abarai-kun. Not so bad yourself." She gave him a small smile. Actually he looked refined with his black pants and black leather jacket showing off his white T-shirt. His headband was gone leaving his hair in a pony tail. With his tattoos showing he looked like a sophisticated kind of bad boy.

Byakuya made his way to the car pocketing the cellphone. He had yet to see Orihime so to be less obvious he took the front passenger seat.

Orihime left the car boot open as Renji headed back for one last bag. She jumped into the drivers seat and froze. Through her peripheral vision she could see him right next to her. HOLY KAMI! She panicked.

Just breath and carried on like normal. She focused on starting the GPS up and putting in the locations.

Byakuya found himself shaken as he looked at her. That dress was like a gift wrap around her body. The lavender material draped around her figure like a glove ghosting over her breasts in a heart shape, closing in at her waist to move out in a short flare just above her knees. Those slender smooth legs were open for viewing leaving her feet enclosed in high white heels. His throat tightened as he looked at her beautiful face and those pink lips. Her fiery mane pulled back in intricate braids added a sense of innocence to her. He ached physically and internally for her. He had to close his eyes and control himself.

Orihime calmed down a bit as she finished finding a route to the airport. She quickly glanced at Byakuya to find his eyes closed so she studied him in his human clothes. He screamed powerful CEO with that style. Black pants with a white shirt folded at the sleeves and a gray suit vest on top sporting a hanging chain at one pocket. Finishing off with a black and white striped tie! How was she going to survive with him looking like that. Holy Kami it just reminded her of all the times he kissed her and held her. She seriously never thought he could look so dominatingly sexy in human clothes!

She reluctantly tried to move her thoughts back in place and started the car. The seat belt icon blinked red and Orihime reached over across him careful not to disturb him as she grabbed the seat belt.

Byakuya inhaled deeply keeping still as she drew so close to him. Lilies. Fresh and wonderful drifted to him. He opened his eyes to find her leaning across him and he let out a breath watching her stop as his breath washed over her neck.

Orihime felt her skin come alive and burn. She clenched her jaw and pulled the belt over him clinking it into place. She then buckled herself up. Relief shooting through her as Yoruichi jumped into the back seat and Renji followed soon after.

Orihime pulled out of the garage and Ichigo pulled up next to her in a black sleek car. He rolled down his window smirking.

"Porsche Panamera Turbo 8 speed." He smirked widely tapping the steering wheel of his car.

"Shortest route to Tokyo is through the old freeway." Orihime informed him with a hint off mischief in her eyes.

"30 mins out. See you at the start line." He smirked looking from his GPS to her.

Orihime nodded and pulled onto the road. She kept her speed on medium but was itching to go full speed.

Byakuya was certainly amazed at how she controlled the car but he expected it from her. She gave all her attention to anything she did. An idea struck him. When this trip was over he would break out his sports cars and have her go up against him. After all learning to drive was a past time that came fast, however, he had no one to share his interests with as Shinigami had no need for cars and these were such magnificent machines.

30 minutes into the ride Orihime pulled out onto the freeway and Ichigo was right behind her. The freeway was deserted at this hour of the morning. They slowed down until they were right next to each other.

"Ready Inoue?" Ichigo asked excitedly.

"Wait! What are you doing?" Toshiro asked worriedly.

"A race. Now just watch." Ichigo replied with a smirk.

"So what's your reward Orihime?" Yoruichi asked on this side.

"I don't know. I'll think of something." Orihime shrugged.

Rangiku pushed open the sun roof sticking her body through.

"Right on 3. Get ready!" She smiled thrilled.

"1, 2, 3, Go!" She yelled.

Orihime pushed her car into gear leaving tire tracks in her wake.

Toshiro had a split second to pull Rangiku back down. Choosing heistly to grab her hips and draw her down. Rangiku laughed as she was pulled against her Taicho.

It was amazing watching her speed away ahead of Ichigo. He watched her as she pulled out all her cards.

She hooted thrice to indicate the finish line up ahead.

"Come on Ichigo. I don't wanna be on the losing team." Rangiku urged him on.

Ichigo hit full speed passing by Orihime.

Orihime wasn't backing down. She floored the accelerator giving it all the car had. The car jerked into speed and she caught up to Ichigo passing him by half a car space.

She beamed last like the sun. Her face breaking into a winning smile. She turned to him unable to contain herself.

"We won! We won!" She kept repeating.

Ichigo knew it was well worth him losing when he saw her smile at him from the other car. She was right. Maybe in time he would be okay but it was never going to be easy not seeing her smile.

Orihime smiled without thinking. Eager for him to respond to her but he stared at her in science and she felt awkward. Her smile dimmed as she realized they weren't on speaking terms. She turned back to the road focusing on her driving and feeling silly about her victory. Things weren't going to get fixed between them. She suddenly didn't feel like a winner.

"Nice driving Orihime-chan." Renji cheered from the back seat with a fist in the air.

"Thanks." She smiled half heartedly.

Byakuya was stuck for words as her smile was burned into his mind's eye. There were no words and she definitely misunderstood his reaction to her victory. Another fault to add to the list. One he was determine to fix.

The first half of the trip was met with uncomfortable silence. Finally filled with the noise from music as Orihime sat rigid in her seat focusing so hard on getting quickly to the airport. It was agonizing and tiring as they drove on for hours.

The traffic got worse towards the airport. Orihime sighed as she observed the traffic. It was going to be a while before they got into the actual airport.

Byakuya felt his device ring out and with annoyance he pulled it out from his pocket. Hitting the green icon he waited for the voice on the other end to speak up.

"Kuchiki Taicho, this is Urahara please put Orihime-san on the phone."

Byakuya obliged passing over the cellphone.

"Hello?" Orihime spoke distracted by the traffic.

"Orihime-san take exit 1 to the left. We are listed as expected VIP." Urahara stated.

"Thank Kami for that." Orihime exhaled. Ending the call she dropped his cellphone in her lap as she maneuvered the car out of the traffic into the VIP road.

The road was quite and free as they reached a boom gate. Ichigo's car was ahead of them. A guard stepped forward and spoke to them before he lifted the gate and allowed them entry.

"What a ride but time ta put on ya game faces." Yoruichi sighed.

Orihime switched off the car and grabbed her purse. Her door was opened for her surprisingly by Byakuya. He held out his hand waiting for her to take it. Orihime mistook his action and placed his phone in his hand.

Byakuya pocketed the device keeping his hand outstretched. He waited until he watched her face turn pink with realization.

Orihime was glad he offered his assistance because the moment she stood her legs felt like jelly. Pin pricks stung her legs as her blood flow returned to normal.

Byakuya held her not really caring about anything else. He was seconds away from kissing her when she pulled away from him.

"This way kids." Urahara moved into his fatherly role as Yoruichi attached herself to his side like a devoted mother.

Ichigo and Renji followed with Toshiro who seemed to dislike the idea of holding Rangiku's hand but did so anyways. Byakuya slipped his hand to her lower back and cupped her hip.

Orihime let him be as they begun walking into the airport. People stared like they were movie stars but the group didn't care as they moved to the private hanger.

"Private planes are the way to go." Yoruichi commented keeping her speech pristine as she smiled at Urahara.

"Tou-san pulling out all the stops." Ichigo whistled smirking.

'So that was why Urahara-san had said they didn't need tickets.' Orihime pondered staring at the private plane.

"Thank Kami for that." Rangiku commented.

They bordered and settled in as their luggage was loaded onto the jet. The seating arrangements were fixed according to couples and Orihime refrained from laughing at Renji and Ichigo who were seated next to each other. They were actually bickering over who got the window seat.

The seats were plush and soft. Orihime melted like hot butter on toast in her seat. Her feet ached from wearing the heels but she ignored it for a nap. Dozing off instantly.

The plane was airborne 30 minutes later much to everyone's relief.

Renji kept throwing up and Ichigo was stuck trying to make sure his so called brother kept all that nasty stuff off him.

Rangiku was awe struck by the sight and kept her Taicho updated every minute on the changing scene outside the plane. Toshiro in turn tried ignoring her constant rumblings.

Urahara had fallen into a nap while his lovely wife paged through a thick magazine marveling at how absurd some humans were.

Byakuya studied her face. As lovely as a dew drop. How was he to capture this butterfly without breaking her wings? To cage her would mean losing her and he wasn't prepared for that. Never again! He gripped the armrest of his seat with force as his mind brushed against her death.

The private plane suddenly dipped and shook. Orihime was rudely awoken from her nap as her heart leaped in her chest and she reacted on instinct. Her hand slammed down on the armrest. Except said armrest was already housing Byakuya's hand as it was his armrest her hand shot over to.

Byakuya said nothing as he turned over his hand and laced his fingers through hers. She held on for dear life as the plane shook. It felt like the plane was going to crash and Orihime's fear crawled out. Was she going to die again? Was that possible?!

Byakuya glanced over to her and took in her pale face along with the tremble that passed through her. He was almost compelled to reach over and take her in his arms but didn't.

She turned a frantic scared look at him and everything else seeped away.

The fear and worry drained away as she stared at him. He gave her a single nod and it was enough to know that things would be okay. She trusted him. There was never any doubt about that.

She forced herself to be calm. He was her pillar of support.

The plane steadied and became calm once more. Flying smoothly.

"Lets...Never...do that again!" Renji spoke.

"Agreed.." Toshiro let out a breath.

Orihime looked down at their joined hands and a strange sort of warmth passed over her soul. She should let go but she was unable to do so. She looked away out the window still holding his hand tightly.

The air hostess emerged moving to them checking for any injuries.

"Ladies and Gentlemen we apologize for the turbulence. We are back on route and due to arrive in Okinawa soon." The pilot's voice sailed through the cabin.

Byakuya kept to himself as he was far too aware of the lovely creature besides him. He didn't release his hold on her hand, for now that was their only connection.

A half hour later the pilot's voice ventured through the cabin informing them that they were approaching the island.

"Look Taicho!" Rangiku pointed out the window mesmerized.

The plane landed 20 minutes later on the island. The air hostess unlocked the door, opening it. The wonderful smell of salt and fire drifted into the cabin.

"Enjoy your stay." The hostesses smiled.

Yoruichi and Urahara were out first descending the stairs. Renji was next as Ichigo half supported him. He looked drained and pale. Byakuya and Orihime were last as he pulled her behind him to the exit.

She stepped out of the plane next to him as they stood at the top is the stairs. They took in the view of the airfield.

It was refreshing as the cool breeze blew away all her thoughts making her smile. Her smiled faltered as she wondered how to get down those stairs without breaking her neck.

Byakuya made the decision for her as he scooped her up off her feet. He made quick work of the stairs setting her on her feet again. He kept silent as he entwined their hands again.

Urahara stopped in his tracks as did his make shaft family behind him.

"Is that...?" Ichigo begun squinting.

"Are those..." He went on.

"Yes.." Urahara confirmed his suspicions.