Sorry it has taken me so long to get this posted. I've had it written for a while now, but due to some family issues that I won't bore you with, I haven't had a chance to type it up. Anyways, thanks for waiting so long, and I hope you enjoy this chapter.

This is the last really dark chapter for this story, and then we get to the climax so hopefully this doesn't make you want to run away. Although, if you got through the last chapter, you should be able to get through this one.

Warnings: implied rape and character abuse

Please and Thank You

Chapter 5: Time to Awaken

She could feel him, the pain coursing through her body. She'd given up on pleading with him, but that didn't mean she could stop a tear from sliding down her cheek.

As she slipped into unconsciousness she saw him smirk as he bent to kiss her, catching a flash of orange from the corner of her eye.

/

Ukitake found herself standing on the same dock she had been on earlier that day when she had been talking to Kyouraku. The waves crashing against the wood were beginning to reach dangerously high, and off toward the horizon there were flashes of horribly magnificent lightening. There was no denying that a storm was coming.

All of the sudden she was pitched forward by something grabbing onto her legs from behind. Before she could fall, something else grabbed onto her front. Looking down she saw a young, white haired boy wearing blue Shinto priest robes hugging onto her legs. She turned her head to peer over her shoulder to see an identical boy smiling up at her.

"You'd been gone for so long."

"We were worried."

"We're also mad at you."

"How could you forget us?"

Ukitake blinked in surprise at the two boys' sudden mood change. She shook her head slightly before kneeling down so she was on eye level with them. "I'm sorry, but I still don't remember. And besides, you two shouldn't be out in this weather. Your parents must be very worried about you."

The two boys shared a look, Ukitake catching the sorrow and worry in their eyes before they turned back to her.

When their eyes met her own again, Ukitake gasped as a chill went down her spine and something in her mind clicked into place. "Sōgyo no Kotowari."

Their eyes widened as she whispered their name, both leaning closer to her at the same time. "You remember us?" Their voices were excited but weary.

"I-I don't know," the white haired woman whispered, placing a hand against her temple, trying to ward off the headache she felt coming on. "None of what I'm seeing makes any sense."

"It will if you focus."

"You have to remember what happened before the bad man took you away."

"Bad…man…" And then they overwhelmed her, memories of a battle she could not remember the reason for fighting.

"…go home and play with a ball."

"I meant to kill you with my first strike…"

"…pain in the ass Resurrección…"

"…it would be best to not reveal your Bankai…"

"I'm surprised you figured it out after only three attacks…"

There was a horrible pain in her chest and then she was falling. Somewhere, it seemed so far away, someone was screaming her name. All she could think was that the buildings were coming closer much too fast for her.

She awoke to a familiar smiling face. "I'm glad you're awake, Captain Ukitake. We didn't know if you would make it."

"Isane?"

"You should rest, Captain. You've lost a lot of blood. The fight is over, Ichigo defeated Aizen." Ukitake nodded before closing her eyes. "Oh, Captain, one thing before you go back to sleep," Isane said, causing the white haired woman to slowly open her eyes again. "Um, well, because of where your wound was the bandages were ripped. Most everyone knows you're a woman now."

Ukitake sighed as she closed her eyes again, turning her head to the side. "Well, it had to come out sooner or later," she muttered before slipping back into unconsciousness.

"What do we have here?" Ukitake forced her eyes open at the familiar voice.

"You can't be here," she whispered, struggling weakly as he picked her up.

"Oh? You shouldn't believe everything you hear. After all, Urahara isn't the only one with the ability to create a decoy."

"No," Ukitake tried to shout, but she was cut off as she began to cough, struggling to pull air into her suffering lungs.

"I see you're enjoying my koi pond."

His head snapped up at her voice, blushing at the soft smile she graced him with. "Sorry, I was just trying to find some place quiet to think."

"I don't mind at all. You may stay as long as you want, although you should try to get some rest before you leave tomorrow."

"I don't know if that's going to be possible," he sighed, running a hand through his hair.

Ukitake took a few steps forward to stand beside the young man. "Are you worried?"

After a moment he admitted, "Yeah, I guess so."

"Do you regret it, Ichigo, getting involved in all this? If you had remained ignorant of the Soul Society your life would be so much easier."

"There's only one thing I'll regret."

"Hmm."

"You're not going to ask what it is?"

"If you want me to know, you'll tell me."

"…Ukitake…"

Ichigo suddenly leaned forward, capturing Ukitake's lips with his own. He smirked as he pulled back, leaving Ukitake frozen in shock. "And now I have no regrets."

/

Starrk had never felt so many emotions at one time as when he looked down at the unconscious woman. He had seen Aizen leave disguised as Ichigo and knew his use for Ukitake had been outlived. As soon as he was sure the former captain was gone Starrk had gone into the house, hoping the woman was still alive. She had once been his enemy, but over the past five years she had taken care of him and Lilynette. He was determined to repay her kindness in any way he could.

But when he walked into the bedroom he wondered if it wouldn't have been kinder to kill her. Aizen had left her unconscious, bound, and naked in the bed. It was obvious just from looking at her what had happened.

Starrk untied the ropes that bound her wrist to the headboard before taking off his own coat and wrapping it around her. He picked her up and held her to his chest bridal style. She moaned softly as he moved her, but Starrk just held onto her tighter. "You'll be safe, I promise."

He stepped into the living room where Lilynette waited for him. "Where are we going to take her?"

"To the one person who can protect her."

/

Ichigo kicked a rock into the river before picking up his cell phone which had just started to ring. He sighed when he saw the number.

"What, old man?" Ichigo asked his father. He wasn't really in the mood for any of his family's craziness at the moment.

It was testament to just how serious the situation was that Isshin chose to ignore Ichigo's comment. "Ichigo, you need to come home…now."

"Why?" the orange haired boy asked, being put on edge by the worry in his father's voice.

"Aizen is here."

"Shit."

"Yeah, that's what I said."

"I'm on my way," he said, hanging up the phone as he ran toward his house. 'What does that bastard want now?'

/

Urahara and Kyouraku shared a look at the feel of the familiar reiatsu. Both stood up silently and headed for the entrance of the shop, meeting Hitsugaya and Byakuya along the way. Standing outside were the two former Arrancar they expected to see, but all four men paused when they saw the white haired woman cradled in Starrk's arms.

Kyouraku didn't pause to question the other brunette. He strode forward, Starrk relinquishing his grip on Ukitake without a fight. The white haired woman groaned, her eyes flickering open for a moment. "Shunsui."

He smiled softly down at her. "I'm here, Jushiro. I'll take care of you now."

She tried to smile back at him but slipped from consciousness once again.

Kyouraku looked up, meeting Starrk's eyes. "Thank you," he said, the other man responding with a nod. Looking back down at the woman in his arms Kyouraku made his way back into Urahara's shop.

"Well," Urahara said after a moment, "I believe there are some things we need to discuss, Mr. Arrancar." He stepped to the side, motioning for Starrk and Lilynette to enter.

/

A small note on the flashbacks, I did the quotes from memory, so if I got one horribly wrong let me know and I'll edit it immediately.

Anyways, let me know what you think. Next chapter, Ichigo confronts Aizen. Remember, reviews make me update faster.