Chapter 27: Apprehension 1/2

AN: Hey everyone, so FYI, there will be a pretty hot and heavy scene in this chapter towards the end. Just letting you know ahead of time. You don't have to read it if it's not your thing. Again, that scene will be indicated by the "XXX" symbol.

Also, I know that I said romance is not going to be the main focus of the story, but for the CURRENT arc in the story there are a lot of moments with Kishin and Rukia's interactions. The main reason for this is because in Canon, the main driver of the plot was centered around Rukia. Rescuing her was the driving force for why Ichigo, Urahara, and their entourage planned the events to storm Soul Society.

While things slightly differ this time around, it remains that Rukia is a driving force for Kishin and his actions in the current story. That's why there is a heavy feeling of romance right now. After the arc is over the heavy focus on Kishin's romance with Rukia will lighten up since the future issue and problems aren't using Rukia as collateral.

Anyways, as always, thanks for your continued support!

Vocabulary Terms:

*Baka (Bakamono) = Fool/Idiot

*Onii-sama = Big Brother

*Obasan = Aunt

*Chappy = Most popular soul candy with a cutesy personality and depicted as a bunny.

Reading the story:

-Scene change: "888"

-Rated M Scene: "XXX"

-Hello, how are you? (Someone in their own thoughts)

-Hello how are you? (Zanpakuto Spirit speaking in a Shinigami's mind)

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Bleach.

Chapter 27

2 Months Later

It was currently a cloudless night in Soul Society. The moon's rays casted a gentle illumination across the Seireitei giving it a peaceful look, however there was a tense feeling in the air surrounding a particular 13th division Lieutenant. It was precisely Kishin as he was currently on the phone with Akon. His eyes narrowed as he listened to what Akon had to say on the other end of the line.

"Kishin? Kishin, you there? Hello?" Akon inquired as he hadn't heard a response for a good minute.

Kishin frowned as he tried to gather his thoughts into words and said, "Let me get this straight. You mean to tell me that Captain Kuchiki and Lieutenant Abarai left for Karakura Town this morning because Central 46 assigned them the task of arresting Hinamori Momo and Kuchiki Rukia?"

Akon felt his mouth dry up in nervousness at Kishin's displeased attitude and nodded. "Uhh...ahem. Yes. That is the case."

Kishin clenched his hand into a fist.

Aizen! That bastard! He did this on purpose.

Although he mentally cursed Aizen he had already expected this play of events to happen.

"Akon-senpai, have you prepared a Hell Butterfly?"

Once more Akon nervously nodded. "I-I have. Did you receive the message sent from Central 46?"

Kishin narrowed his eyes and stared at the black colored butterfly floating around his desk. It was a message sent from Central 46 not even 5 minutes ago with instructions that he was being assigned as backup to assist in the capture of Kuchiki Rukia and Hinamori Momo. He checked the authenticity of it and determined that it was undoubtedly a butterfly sent from Central 46, however Kishin knew that it was Aizen who sent it. He already speculated that Aizen had killed Central 46 a few months ago and was pulling the strings on things, however he wasn't quite sure what the situation was with the guards stationed outside the compound as they were real living bodies. Aizen didn't kill them so he wasn't sure what he did to them. Regardless, he was pissed off because Aizen had sent Renji and Byakuya ahead of him to retrieve Rukia. Furthermore he wasn't even informed of the situation until just now as everything happened during the Captain's meeting early in the morning. Jushiro couldn't attend due to his poor health and that was why the 13th division was left in the dark.

Akon coughed to get Kishin's attention back. "Ahem. The Hell Butterfly I sent should be waiting at your personal Senkaimon. It'll lead you directly into Karakura Town. I'm not sure what changed, but the R&D department couldn't find any traces of Hinamori or Kuchiki-san until yesterday. Sorry Kishin...I meant to inform you the second we found Kuchiki-san, but…"

Kishin just clicked his tongue and walked over to his personal Senkaimon that was set up in his office. "It's fine. I'll go now. I'm hanging up."

"Eh? Alright. Are you su-"

Click.

Kishin ended the call cutting Akon off and activated the Senkaimon. He quickly sent a Hell Butterfly to Jushiro with a message before jumping through. In no time at all he stood in the familiar night sky of Karakura Town. The first thing he did was check his denreishinki that was still tracking Rukia's position. She had never taken off the necklace he gave her which helped him monitor her status the entire time.

"Tch. Aizen purposely sent Byakuya and Renji ahead to toy with me."

He looked northward and began dashing in that direction towards Rukia's location. "Wait for me senpai. I'll be there soon."

888

Just as the moon glowed in Seireitei, there was a full moon out in the World of the Living as well. It cast its silver light upon the town's landscape giving the place a more magical glow, however there was a heavy and tense atmosphere that permeated in the air. It was especially so on the curb of a sidewalk underneath a single street lamp post. There stood Rukia, her hand hesitantly resting on the hilt of her Zanpakuto as standing in front of her was Renji and Byakuya. Laying on the ground unconscious was Hinamori as she had been incapacitated earlier from a surprise attack by Renji and just several yards away laid another injured and unconscious person.

Rukia felt her heart pounding in her chest from anxiety and nervousness as she asked, "Why are you doing this? Renji."

Renji frowned and held his Zanpakuto by his side, already drawn. "Rukia, why didn't you come back?! You went missing in the World of the Living for two damn months! Hinamori going missing is one thing, but YOU?! What were you thinking?"

Rukia gritted her teeth. "Hinamori is still recovering. I can't leave her here by herself completely defenseless!"

"You?! She's a criminal! You should know that by the laws of Soul Society! She gave her powers to some Human brat! You should have arrested and reported them the moment you found out."

Rukia shook her head. "She had no choice! Something happened and she was injured in a fight against a Hollow while we were momentarily separated. Had she not transferred her powers, she and that Human would have died!"

"How naive! Dying is a risk we all take when facing Hollows. She should have been prepared for that eventuality."

"H-How could you say that?! Hinamori was your classmate!"

Renji was feeling more and more frustrated the more they conversed. In truth he did pity Hinamori's situation, but it was Rukia's safety that he cared more about. The problem was that she was making things difficult. "Rukia, don't resist. I heard that your sentence isn't too bad. Central 46 has decided that you'll be put under house arrest for 6 months to reflect on your actions. Be glad that you're part of the Great Noble Clans."

Rukia clenched her hand into a fist. "And what about Hinamori? What will happen to her?"

Renji tightened his grip on his Zanpakuto as he begrudgingly sounded out, "She'll be executed for treason."

Rukia's eyes immediately widened in shock. "What?! She wasn't even given a trial yet!"

"Central 46 has already determined that no trial is necessary. She'll be imprisoned back in Soul Society and an execution date will then be set."

"You can't tell me you're okay with this?"

"Rukia! Don't make this difficult. Hinamori's fate has been sealed, but your punishment is still light. Only 6 months of confinement! If you resist then you could be walking on death row as well. Just surrender. Please!"

A complicated look flashed by in Rukia's eyes. She could just imagine how hurt and destroyed Kishin's face would look like in her head. She knew...she knew that he'd do something rash and outrageous if he found out that she was sentenced to be executed like Hinamori, but she couldn't just leave her. It didn't feel right to her. She was responsible for Hinamori's trip to Karakura Town and she failed to act as a proper escort and supervisor. On top of that the image of an orange haired person appeared in her thoughts.

Ichigo…

She stared Renji in the eyes with a hesitant look and asked, "What will happen to the Human?"

This time it wasn't Renji who answered, but Byakuya as he said with an emotionless tone of voice, "He will have the spiritual power that he received stripped from him. If he resists then he will be killed."

Rukia's heart skipped a beat already knowing the outcome. There was no way Ichigo would willingly let this happen with his personality. He'd fight til the very end and that'd mean his death. She was now stuck between a rock and a hard place. She could return willingly with Renji and Byakuya. Her sentence would only be 6 months of house arrest, but Hinamori would face death row. On the other hand if she fought back, she'd most likely face death row as well alongside Hinamori. As for Ichigo? No matter her decision she knew he'd resist either way and end up dead. She had to find a way to either convince Renji and Byakuya to let Ichigo live or to have Ichigo comply with having his power stripped from him and leaving Hinamori and her alone.

In the end she held her ground and made up her mind.

I'm sorry...Kishin.

She tightened her hand around the hilt of her Zanpakuto in resolution and said with a firm voice throwing in her last hope and chance at negotiations, "If I return with you willingly then will you at least spare the Human?"

Byakuya immediately declined. "No. Whether you come with us willingly or not will not change the fate of the Human. As I said. Should he willingly let us strip him of his powers then he will be spared from death, if not? Then he shall be killed."

Rukia shook her head. "Please, Onii-sama...Please spare the Human."

Renji frowned at how adamant and stubborn Rukia was being so he pointed his blade at her. His feelings and thoughts were in complete turmoil as he couldn't understand what Rukia was doing. "Rukia! Stop with this nonsense! You are a Shinigami. He is a Human. His fate is NOT your responsibility. It was Hinamori who committed the deed. Stop trying to defend them and come back."

"I can't." She resolutely declined.

That was the last straw. Byakuya simply closed his eyes and spoke Renji's name. Renji felt his heart pound loudly in his chest with pain as he knew exactly what Byakuya wanted him to do. He was to take Rukia by force since she wasn't willing and so he steeled his resolve and tightened his grip on his Zanpakuto.

Rukia...forgive me. Since you won't come willingly then I'll take you back by force. It's the only way to save you from being sentenced to death.

Rukia noted the air change around Renji and immediately drew her sword just as Renji dashed forward and slashed with his katana.

Cling!

Sparks flew from the contact point of where their swords were interlocked. Both gritted their teeth as they tried to gain the advantage in their initial clash. Rukia began to feel the pressure as Renji was physically stronger than her by a large margin. She knew that this couldn't go on or she'd lose so she expertly tilted her sword to the side and let his blade slide against hers out of the way. Her parry caught Renji off guard as he hadn't expected Rukia's sword skills to improve to the point where she could perform a smooth counter like she just did. His moment of shock gave Rukia an opening and she took it. The muscle memory of her everyday training with Kishin kicked in and her body started moving on its own. She took one step forward and slashed at Renji's chest.

Fwip!

The sound of her blade cutting through the air before tearing into something echoed in the surrounding space followed by the sound of Renji's shocked and injured voice.

"Guh!"

He had managed to lean off to the side just enough to avoid any serious injuries to his body. He was only lightly grazed along his left rib cage. A tear appeared in his shihakusho as a little blood seeped out from his wound. Rukia was about to press on her attack, not with the intent to kill, but with the aim to knock Renji unconscious, however Renji was able to swipe his sword at her causing her to stop in her tracks, keeping her at bay.

Huff. Huff. Huff.

He took a quick second to catch his breath and carefully considered Rukia's current sword stance. "You've...improved."

Rukia was just as surprised as Renji was. She kept her Zanpakuto held out in front of her, but internally she was shocked that she had managed to injure Renji at all. He was incredibly gifted in Zanjutsu so she hadn't expected to yield such a result in their first exchange, but she knew why she improved so much and a small smile found its way to her lips.

Renji noted her somewhat slight change in attitude and narrowed his eyes disapprovingly. "Rukia, you've gotten a lot better at wielding a sword, I'll give you that, however you still aren't good enough to fight me one on one. You just caught me by surprise. Stop resisting and come with us."

Rukia furrowed her brow and simply remained silent. Renji frowned and felt incredibly frustrated so he did the only thing he could. Fight. He brandished his sword in hand and slashed at her leg only to have it blocked, however he simply retracted his blade to his side and thrusted out with a forward jab straight at her chest. Rukia quickly responded by taking a swift step back to create some distance before pivot spinning to her left and striking out at Renji's arm.

Cling!

The sound of her sword being blocked by Renji's sword rang between them.

"Why are you so stubborn? Just come back!" Renji shouted.

Rukia gritted her teeth. "I can't just leave them! It's not their fault."

"It's too late for them! Not for you!"

"I won't abandon them!"

Ting! Klang!

They clashed blades several more times before Rukia began to feel even more pressure. Her breathing started to become labored and the feeling in her arms were becoming heavier.

Damn...Renji is definitely gifted in swordplay. My skills have improved a lot, but I'm still not a match against Renji.

She then took a cautious glance at Byakuya's unmoved form in the nearby distance.

Onii-sama...I have to think of a way to convince big brother or else all of this is for naught. If Onii-sama personally makes a move then there'll be nothing that anyone can do.

Cling! Clang!

Whoosh!

Rukia dashed back with her Shunpo taking in a deep breath as beads of sweat began to fall down the side of her forehead showing her body's progressing exhaustion. Renji smirked and stood several meters away from her. "You can't keep this up forever. I don't want to hurt you. Just come with us. This is the last time I'm asking nicely. Please...Rukia."

Rukia simply shook her head. "I'm sorry."

Ting!

Rukia widened her eyes in shock at how fast Renji appeared before her and struck down with his sword. She barely had time to react and defend herself as their blades interlocked once more. She was slowly losing ground as Renji's physical strength and body mass gave him a clear advantage in their current position. She was forced to place one of her hands on the blade of her katana to help block Renji's fierce attack. Her legs began to give out and she was forced down onto one knee. That was when she felt a powerful blow to her stomach where Renji had kicked her. She flew through the air like a soccer ball and slammed right into the street lamp causing her to feel a numbing pain spreading through her body.

"Kuh!" She groaned out from the impact.

Renji felt a pain in his heart, but he couldn't stop now. He had hoped that Rukia would fall unconscious from that attack just now, but she was more resilient than he thought. He didn't want to hurt her, but she was being too stubborn and he didn't want Byakuya to get involved or else things might really get ugly.

"You left me no choice but to hurt you like this Rukia. You might hate me for this, but I don't want you to die."

Just as Renji came within 5 meters of Rukia he paused and furrowed his brow dashing back just in time to avoid being hit by a giant sword.

Bam!

The ground where the giant blade made contact with was immediately cracked and split apart and holding that blade was an orange haired Human male dressed in a standard black shihakusho who appeared to be somewhere in his mid-teens.

"I-Ichigo?!" Rukia struggled to breathe out as she gripped the street lamp to support her body.

"Why are you here?! Go away!" She shouted out.

Ichigo had an annoyed look on his face as he simply dismissed her orders. He looked over at her and simply said, "No."

Rukia just stared at him in disbelief. "You idiot! Didn't you read the letter I left on your desk? You're not part of Soul Society so there's no need for you to get involved in our affairs! Go back!"

Once again Ichigo defied her orders. "Oi, shut up. Quite your nagging. I'm here because I want to. You and Momo just up and left without saying anything. Don't you think that's a bit rude? Besides, look at the state you're in. I'm not going to leave you and Momo behind to face your troubles on your own. I owe you both a lot so just stand there and watch. I'll take care of it for you both."

Rukia felt conflicted at his answer. She didn't know how to respond and so she could only remain silent.

Renji on the other hand felt a bit of rage in his heart as he stared at Ichigo. "So you're the Human brat who stole Hinamori's powers. You're the reason she went missing in the World of the Living. You're the reason Rukia won't return with us."

Ichigo frowned at Renji's hostile tone of voice. "So? Who the hell are you supposed to be?"

Renji just smirked. "Brat. I'm Lieutenant Abarai. Abarai Renji of the Gotei 13's 6th division. And I'm the one who's gonna get rid of you and put an end to all of this messed up situation."

Ichigo noted the two unconscious people on the ground and furrowed his brow.

Hinamori? She's unconscious. Was it this guy Renji's doing? And...Ishida? What's he doing here?

He then refocused all of his attention on Renji as a confident look shone in his eyes. "Sorry to disappoint you but that's not gonna happen. Why don't you and your companion just go back from wherever it is that you guys came from."

"Like hell!" Renji shouted as he dashed forwards and slashed with his Zanpakuto. Ichigo widened his eyes in shock at how quick Renji's attack was.

Swish!

He couldn't block in time as his left shoulder was cut and started bleeding. Renji just laughed. "Ha! Hahaha! You stole Hinamori's power and this is the best you can manage? Guess that big sword of yours is nothing but flashy. I'll end this with the next strike!"

Zing!

Bam!

The sound of Renji's sword cutting through air hissed in the wind as he slashed down at Ichigo's head, however Ichigo managed to block it in time, albeit barely. The force of the attack sent Ichigo skidding back along the ground several meters before he could stabilize his body. He took a moment to recompose himself and stared tauntingly at Renji. "I thought you were going to end it with your next strike? Guess what? I'm still standing."

Renji scoffed in annoyance. "Heh. Brat, don't get cocky with me. You think your words hold any weight with your lousy performance just now? You don't know anything do you?"

Ichigo just smirked unconcernedly and held his sword with both hands. "The only thing I know is that you aren't taking Momo or Rukia away."

Renji had a look of irritation in his eyes. "In the end you're nothing but a brat. You don't even know the name of your Zanpakuto do you?"

Ichigo frowned in confusion. "Name? What, do you all name your Zanpakuto's or something? That's a bit pretentious isn't it?"

Renji just smirked condescendingly and placed his hand over the flat of his blade. "I thought so. You don't even know the name of your Zanpakuto and you dare stand before me talking nonsense." He then chanted, "Howl, Zabimaru!"

Shing!

In mere moments the katana in Renji's hands transformed into a large blade segmented into six different sections with the top half of the blade colored in black and the bottom edge of the blade colored white. The beginning and the end of each segmented blade had two sharp and pointed protrusions extending from the edge. The guard was bronze in color with the handle a dark red.

Ichigo widened his eyes in shock at the major transformation that Renji's sword just underwent.

Rukia also widened her eyes in shock.

He actually decided to release his Shikai here of all places?! He's serious about killing Ichigo!

It was then that Renji smirked in contempt at Ichigo and swung down with his sword. His Zanpakuto immediately stretched out in a whip-like manner and flung down ferociously. Ichigo tried to defend, but he couldn't as the moment his blade made contact with Renji's, the overwhelming force of Renji's strike weighed down on Ichigo's arms and caused him to lose ground for a moment. That moment was all it took for Renji's uniquely designed blade to sink its protruding fangs into Ichigo's other shoulder wounding him and drawing blood. It created an even deeper wound as it retracted back to Renji's side like a stretchable rubber band.

Renji just grinned at Ichigo's kneeling form on the ground. "Heh! It's 2000 years too early for you to take me on brat."

He then swung his blade out once more in a whip-like motion as it stretched out to strike Ichigo in the chest, however it was precisely at that moment when Rukia jumped back into the fray using her sword to knock Renji's blade to the side.

CLANG!

She huffed and stood firmly in place as she said, "Ichigo, run! Get out of here!"

Ichigo however, was still too shocked and dazed trying to contemplate what happened that he couldn't respond or move. Renji on the other hand was incredibly displeased.

"Rukia! What do you think you're doing defending a Human brat? You are a Shinigami. NOT Human. Your life is currently in a precarious situation because of Hinamori and this brat. Move out of the way."

Rukia just gritted her teeth.

I...have no choice.

The image and memories of the times she spent with Kishin flashed by in her head. She recalled his warm and smiling face whenever he saw her. She recalled the warmth of his touch and the safety and comfort of his arms. The wet and impassioned feeling of his lips. The gentleness and care in the way he handled her. She recalled being happy. Free. The times she spent with Kishin were some of the happiest memories of her entire life. She lightly caressed the necklace around her neck. The weight and heaviness behind it reminded her of him and a smile found its way to her lips. She recalled how he had told her that when things got rough, that all she needed to do was think of him to feel better. And he was right. She felt better just thinking about him. It was because of him that she was able to steel her own resolve at this very moment.

With that final thought she held out her Zanpakuto in front of her and began to slowly turn it in a counter-clockwise motion as she said, "Dance, Sode No Shirayuki." In no time at all her Zanpakuto transformed into its Shikai release state as the blade, hilt, and guard turned completely snow white in color. The guard also transformed into a hollow snowflake-like pattern with a long white ribbon extending from the end of the pommel. A cold breeze circulated around her as the moonlight only accentuated the exquisiteness of her Zanpakuto's beauty.

Renji furrowed his brow in seriousness and frustration as he glowered at her. "Are you serious...Rukia. You're really going to resist until the very end?" His words had a hint of an angry and confused undertone in it. Rukia simply held her sword in front of her having already made up her mind.

"Please. Just let Ichigo go."

Renji didn't answer as he didn't even know what to say at this point. He was so angry and frustrated and confused at Rukia's actions. He couldn't understand her.

Byakuya also slightly frowned at Rukia's stubbornness and commented, "You refuse to return no matter what. Your actions are unbecoming. You are choosing to defy the laws and orders of Soul Society. It seems you have been spending too much time with Lieutenant Chigetsu. His unbridled and careless nature has poorly influenced you. If I recall he too had once overstayed his time in the Living World. Now you are doing the same. Rukia."

Rukia bit the bottom of her lip feeling wronged. No, rather she felt that Kishin was being wrongly accused because of her actions. "Onii-sama, this has nothing to do with Kishin."

Renji immediately disagreed. "No! Captain Kuchiki has a point. That guy is too wild and unpredictable. He's a bad influence on you Rukia. He must have filled your thoughts with radical ideas. That's why you're being like this isn't it!"

Now Rukia felt angry. She hated that Kishin was being criticized and harshly judged for actions and choices that SHE was making. "You're wrong! Kishin has been nothing but supportive of me."

Renji couldn't take much more of this. Since she chose the hard way then he would knock her unconscious and take her back by force. Just as he took a step forward he paused and widened his eyes in shock. Rukia reacted the same as she felt a powerful swirl of reiatsu being emitted from behind her. When she turned to look at the source she became even more shocked. It was coming from Ichigo. His reiatsu had all of a sudden risen exponentially and was currently greater than both hers and Renji's. Before she could make a move he stood back up and grinned. "Rukia. I told you didn't I? That I'd handle this."

He didn't give her a chance to respond as he dashed in front of her and straight at Renji. Renji tried to react, however the pressure that Ichigo was emitting from his body had overwhelmed him and caused his movements to drastically slow down. He was unable to completely defend against Ichigo's upwards vertical strike and was forced back stumbling and reeling in shock before he was able to catch himself on a metal rail nearby to stabilize himself. The special goggles that he wore to help him find Rukia and the others on his forehead were instantly split in two. A large gash was left on his forehead causing blood to flow down his face.

Ichigo just smirked with confidence at Renji's bewildered expression and commented, "Heh! I don't know what's going on exactly but I feel great! Hahaha!" He then dashed at Renji once more as they exchanged several more blows before Renji was forced down onto his knees. A triumphant look shone in Ichigo's eyes as he stared at Renji's beaten and sorry form.

"What's wrong? You've gotten a lot slower! I told you that you ain't taking Rukia or Momo. It's time to end this!" He dashed in the air and slashed down with his sword. His reiatsu created a dense and heavy atmosphere that weighed down on Renji preventing him from acting in time.

Swish!

The sound of Ichigo's blade slicing through the air could be heard, however the ending result wasn't what was expected. Ichigo, Renji, and Rukia stared with widened eyes at the broken blade in Ichigo's hand. His once giant Zanpakuto was reduced to nothing but a handle and two inches of the blade if even that. The large majority of his sword was missing. Ichigo looked around confused at what had happened when he noticed Byakuya standing in the distance holding the missing part of his Zanpakuto. He couldn't help but feel his heart palpitate a bit in fear and extreme disbelief.

N-No way! You're kidding right? He was standing so far away!

It was then that everyone lost sight of Byakuya. In the next instant he was already standing behind Ichigo.

Psh! Psh!

The sound of blood gushing out from a wound pierced the deafening silence in the air as Ichigo began to fall to the ground incapacitated. Byakuya just stared emotionlessly at Ichigo's falling form and commented, "You're slow. Even when falling."

Thud.

The sound of Ichigo's body hitting the floor filled everyone's ears soon after. Blood pooled out from his sides and onto the ground beneath him. Rukia immediately panicked.

"Ichigo!" She shouted and ran towards him fearing for his life, however Renji came back to his senses and dashed out to stop her.

"Don't Rukia! He's dead!" He shouted as he ran to intercept her.

Just before he and Rukia could cross paths the sound of metal hitting metal rang in the air with a loud shrieking cry.

KLANG!

FWOOSH!

What followed after was the fierce eruption of two clashing reiatsus pushing against one another generating a vicious pressure and wind that caused Renji to lose his balance and roll through the air uncontrollably crashing into the metal rails nearby.

"UGH!" He groaned out in pain.

Rukia on the other hand was completely unharmed as she was currently held against the chest of someone's strong warm arms.

TING!

The two blades that were interlocked a moment ago disengaged from one another as the two people involved in that earlier scuffle stood opposite of each other. These two were precisely Byakuya and Kishin. Before Renji and Rukia crossed paths it was Kishin who intervened and struck out to kill Renji, however Byakuya reacted in time to counter the attack leading up to the current situation.

"K-Kishin?" Rukia exclaimed in shock.

Renji and Byakuya were also shocked at his timely arrival, although Byakuya didn't show it on his face.

"What are you doing here? Lieutenant Chigetsu." Byakuya cautiously asked.

Kishin just frowned. His killing intent was real and he would have killed Renji with his attack earlier had Byakuya not intervened.

Byakuya frowned at Kishin's silence and narrowed his eyes in focus.

His reiatsu is stronger than my own...how is that possible? Could it be that he does not have a Gentei Rein placed on his body right now? No...even if he didn't he undoubtedly still possesses Captain level reiatsu.

Byakuya tightened his grip on the handle of his Zanpakuto as he commented, "You intended to kill Renji just now with your attack didn't you? Your aura right now tells me that you still intend to do so."

Kishin didn't hide it and simply nodded. "That's right. He was about to attack Rukia earlier so I'll have him pay with his life."

Renji wanted to respond, however he found that he couldn't. His skin was crawling in fear as he felt all of the bloody, ominous, murderous intent from Kishin's body focus in on him. Kishin's reiatsu was overwhelmingly more powerful than his, in fact it was even more terrifying and denser in pressure than Byakuya's. Renji had to focus his mental willpower just on breathing.

Just as Kishin took one step forward he felt someone tug on his arm.

"Rukia?" He questioned as he turned his attention to her. He noted the mixed expression of pain and happiness in her eyes.

"Don't...please." She softly whispered knowing that she was asking a lot of him.

Kishin frowned and clenched his hand into a fist. "I'm going to kill Renji. Don't stop me senpai."

Before he could take another step he felt his arm being tugged on again.

"Rukia. Let go." He growled out.

Rukia just shook her head. "No."

"Rukia."

"No."

"Rukia!"

"NO!" She shouted aloud whilst clinging onto his arm.

Kishin gritted his teeth stuck between a rock and a hard place. "Senpai. He was going to attack you. I'm just going to get rid of him real quick okay? It'll be over before you know it." He tried to reason with her.

Rukia just kept shaking her head burying her face into the side of his chest. She wrapped her arms around him and held him close. "Everything is...everything is…"

Kishin's expression faltered a bit at Rukia struggling to put her feelings into words. In the end he let out a sigh and reigned in his murderous intent. Instead he wrapped his arms around Rukia's small frame and held her close to give her some comfort.

She's...probably incredibly conflicted right now. She was forced into an impossible situation having to choose to stand by her moral code or to go against her friend and brother.

He noted her trembling in his arms from fear that if she loosened her hold on him just a little, that he'd kill Renji and be forced into a death match against her brother. Once more he let out a defeated sigh. "Fine. You win. Rukia."

Her ears perked up at his words so she slowly lifted her head to stare him in the eyes. He just smirked at her cuteness and shook his head.

I can't win against her.

In the end he lowered his Zanpakuto and took in the chaotic situation. Ichigo laid flat on the ground slowly bleeding out to death, Renji leaned against the metal rails on the street struggling to support his injured body, and Ishida and Hinamori laid unconscious in the nearby distance. His attention was returned to Byakuya when he heard the Captain say with a serious tone of voice, "It appears you no longer intend to kill Renji."

Byakuya noted how Rukia's simple words managed to quell Kishin's blatant rage and also didn't miss the fact at how openly intimate they were being right now. "Why are you here? Lieutenant Chigetsu." He repeated once more.

Kishin tightened his grip around Rukia and answered nonchalantly, "I was sent by Central 46 as backup. If you don't believe me then you can check your denreishinki on the mission directives. I'm sure you've received a status update on the situation by now."

Byakuya simply gave Renji a look to which Renji nodded in understanding. In less than a second's notice Renji pulled out his denreishinki and stared at the screen for several long moments before a complicated look flashed in his eyes. "He...He's telling the truth Captain Kuchiki."

Byakuya merely closed his eyes deep in thought before he stared back at Kishin. "Your mission was to provide backup, however you would have killed Renji had I not intervened. Explain yourself. Had you simply stayed back and watched then everything would have been taken care of."

Kishin just shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not always the greatest at following the rules, wouldn't you agree? Captain Kuchiki."

Byakuya narrowed his eyes in disapproval, but otherwise didn't pursue the matter. Instead he redirected the conversation. "Since Rukia and Hinamori have been captured then let us return."

It was then that Ichigo managed to struggle back from unconsciousness and strugglingly lifted his head up to argue. "Don't...huff...don't think that I'm done yet...huff. You guys aren't taking them anywhere."

Kishin turned and stared at Ichigo with indifference.

The kid sure has grown up, but he's still a kid after all. His body has no strength left and from the looks of it, Byakuya cut his Saketsu and Hakusui. His reiryoku is leaving him. He'll die at this rate.

The look in Byakuya's eyes showed nothing but disdain and pity for Ichigo's current disposition as he said indifferently, "To remain conscious after taking my Senka attack. You are quite resilient for a Human. Had you simply kept to yourself then you may have had a chance to live, however since you insist on dying today then I shall send you on your way."

Kishin felt Rukia tense up in his arms knowing that she was going to try and stop Byakuya, so instead of letting her strain herself more than she already had he decided to act instead.

"Ahem." He cleared his throat catching everyone's attention. "Captain Kuchiki. Just let the kid be. He can't fight back now anyways. There's no need for someone of your caliber to stoop to the level of a Human."

…

A momentary pause of deathly still silence loomed in the air. There was a palpable tension in the surrounding area for a good long minute before Byakuya shut his eyes and sheathed his sword.

Ichigo frowned and retorted, "Looking down on me huh?" He then struggled to move as he groaned in pain and said, "I...huff...I don't care what you think of me, but I won't let you guys take Rukia and Momo away. If you want to then you'll have to do it over my dead bo-"

"Shut up!" The sound of Rukia's loud voice echoed in the area drowning out Ichigo's words. Her eyes watered as she stared at Ichigo slowly dying on the ground. She clenched her hand into a fist in frustration. The image of Kaien's dead body flashed in her mind before being replaced by the image of Ichigo's now dying body. The two images began to flash by interchangeably causing a tear to fall from the corner of her eye.

This idiot! He's in no condition to act tough. He might really die if he keeps running his mouth off. Why can't he understand that he should just stay put.

She quickly wiped away the tear from her cheek and fought back the flood that threatened to fall. "Just be quiet...Ichigo. Stay there. Don't move. Live. Even if it's just for a little longer...live."

Kishin stared at Rukia's little back as she had broken away from his embrace just now. He stared at her before looking over to Ichigo. A lightbulb clicked in his head in understanding. In fact, it wasn't just him. Byakuya also seemed to understand where Rukia's frustration was coming from and commented, "I see that you deeply care for the boy. He does indeed resemble him."

Ichigo frowned having no idea what Byakuya was talking about. The only thing he knew at this moment was that if he didn't do something then Rukia and Momo were going to be taken away, but before he could run his mouth off again he was beaten to the punch by Kishin. "Alright. The entire situation seems to have gotten a bit too dramatic. Captain Kuchiki, Lieutenant Abarai, why don't you both take Hinamori and head back first."

Rukia felt conflicted at Kishin's proposal, but her worries were immediately dispelled from the feeling of Kishin's comforting hand on her shoulders and the look in his eyes that said 'trust me' in them.

Renji also felt conflicted as a turmoil of emotions was raging inside of him. He was angry, he was frustrated, he was confused, he was...there were no words he could use to describe how he felt. Perhaps if he tried then it would be a sense of loss. He tried so hard to convince Rukia to return, but she stubbornly rejected him time and time again, yet here was Kishin saying nothing but a few sentences and she merely accepted the outcome? Worst of all was the blatant intimacy that they were showing in front of him and Byakuya. He hated it and wanted to refute Kishin's suggestion, however Byakuya never gave him a chance as the Captain said in his emotionless tone of voice, "Renji. Grab Hinamori and open the Senkaimon."

Renji gritted his teeth and held back his anger. "Yes, Captain."