Part 23

The captain held out his free arm, and dropped Senbonzakura, blade down on the floor. The steel of the katana sank into the ground, with ripples of reiatsu and the 4 shinigami were plunged into darkness as bright blades erupted from the ground all around them, towering high above them. "Chire, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi."

The blades separated into thousands of tiny shards which surrounded them in a whirlwind of metal. They scattered in all directions before converging into one giant cloud which was aimed directly at the two imposters. Anticipating the move, Mayuri grabbed Nemu and flung her into the path of the blades, using the momentum, coupled with his shunpo to move out of the way. The woman didn't even make a sound as the blades seemed to swallow her whole.

"Throwing away your lieutenants life to save your own? How dishonourable."

"Says the man who gave up his wife for his own sexual gratification. And with a street rat no doubt." Mayuri sneered and shunpo'd out of the way of Byakuya's latest attack.

"Hisana died a long time ago. Nothing can bring her back." Byakuya sent another wave of blades after Mayuri who merely moved out of the way again. He had always been masterful at shunpo and Deha knew that unless she or Byakuya did something, they could be at a stalemate for hours.

Despite Byakuya's earlier warning to stay exactly where she was, the young girl wriggled around in his grasp so that her zanpakuto was no long wedged between them. As long as she stayed close to him she wouldn't be in any danger so he couldn't exactly reprimand her for merely turning around.

"Dakishimeru Kurobara." She whispered it, knowing the spirit within the blade would hear her regardless and watched as the steel lengthened and drooped, transforming into a steel whip embellished with thousands of tiny thorns. As Mayuri shunpo'd from place to place, each time avoiding Senbonzakura's attack, Deha calculated her next move and the next time Mayuri paused, she used the split second to crack her whip, much to both captain's surprise, and annoyance, and the zanpakuto coiled itself around Mayuri's arm, keeping him in place. The captain sneered and pulled at the coil, which only led to the thorns embedding themselves deeper into his arm.

"Byakuya, now!" Deha held on tight to stop Mayuri from pulling back, as another wave of petal like blades headed towards him, but Mayuri was too fast. Realising that the one person Byakuya was trying to save was on the other end of the whip, he grasped it with his other hand and yanked as hard as he could. Deha stumbled forward, closing the gap between her and the insane imposter, and right into the path of the oncoming shards.

"DEHA!" She was knocked to the ground by a powerful impact and lost her grip on Kurobara, but it had been enough. She raised her head in time to see Mayuri being engulfed by a ball of tiny glittering blades which then dissipated, leaving the man lying, broken, on the ground.

She felt the weight that was pinning her down let up, and she rolled onto her back. Byakuya was standing over her, his face a mixture of anger and relief.

"Why do you find it so hard to obey even the simplest of orders?" he sighed offering her a hand getting off the ground.

"It's all part of my charm?"

She took his hand gratefully and he helped her up, pulling her into his arms, and crushing her against his chest.

Part 22

"Byakuya-sama? What are you doing?" Hisana got to her feet and approached them. She reached out and grabbed hold of Deha's shihakusho, trying to pull her out of Byakuya's grasp.

"Leaving," was the only answer she got before Deha managed to unsheathe Kurobara and, with a very shaky, but precise slash of her zanpakuto, hacked the woman’s arms off. She fell backwards and her detached hands lost their grip, hitting the floor and rolling away, their mechanical innards on display for all to see. Deha felt sure Byakuya would be horrified by what she had just done but when she turned to face him, he was completely apathetic.

"That was my finest piece of work," Azdeha heard the oddball captain unsheathe his zanpakuto and groaned. She was barely able to keep her balance and if Mayuri was about to fight then Byakuya would need his hands free. She pushed away from him, and stumbled back to the table, steadying herself. Byakuya whirled round to catch her again, but she shook her head.

"You just concentrate on him. I can take care of myself."

Byakuya nodded and pulled Senbonzakura free of his hilt. They both knew that Mayuri's Zanpakuto, Ashisogi Jizo, was a formidable blade. Its shikai had the ability to spew poison and was feared throughout Seireitei.

"Are you sure this is a good idea Kuchiki-sama? After all, you've been fighting for days now." Mayuri grinned.

"I have no doubt that this will be my easiest battle yet."

"Even with a distraction?" Mayuri nodded once, and Nemu reappeared, her own zanpakuto ready.

Byakuya looked unfazed. "I will beat you both if I have to."

"Oh it's not you Nemu is going to be fighting."

Azdeha turned just in time to shield herself from Nemu's attack with Kurobara. She cursed audibly and stumbled backwards. Mayuri's drug still hadn't worn off completely and she knew Nemu was near impossible to take down given that Mayuri had created her to be practically invincible.

"Deha?" Byakuya called back to her, without taking his eyes off Mayuri.

"I'm fine!" she lied. She knew that this was going to be a struggle but if Byakuya could concentrate on his own fight and take down Mayuri, as long as she managed to hold Nemu at bay, they might just be able to get out of this place in one piece.

Fortunately for her, Byakuya was in no mood to play around. While she darted from spot to spot, avoiding Nemu's attacks and blocking the ones that got through, Byakuya was attacking Mayuri with a fury she had never witnessed before. After days of being stuck in this place, she wasn't surprised. She was frustrated herself and she had only been here a few hours. She couldn't imagine what effect being here for as long as he and Renji had would have on a person. Clearly loss of patience was one of them.

Azdeha smirked, noting that Byakuya had clearly resurrected some of the suppressed childlike impatience Ukitake Taichou would so often remind him of. She wanted to tease him, but now was clearly not the time, especially as Nemu was swiping her blade at knee level, trying to take her legs out from under her. Deha jumped back and landed awkwardly, the drug still coursing through her veins. She grunted as she hit the floor, skidding along it on her back, and Nemu took the opportunity to launch herself at the weaker girl, blade pointed directly at her chest.

Azdeha winced, preparing herself for contact that never came. Instead she found herself upright, locked in a steely, one armed embrace. She looked up and found Byakuya staring ahead, eyes flickering between Mayuri and Nemu, both of whom were annoyed at his sudden intervention. "Don't move an inch." he whispered, barely moving his lips. Deha nodded and braced herself. She knew what was about to happen but had never been this close to Senbonzakura's blades.

Part 21

Byakuya took a step back and stared at the life form that resembled his wife.

"I've missed you my dear, I've been waiting all this time for you to get home." Hisana reached out and touched his hand, but Byakuya pulled away.

"Hisana tell Byakuya-sama how much you want to be with him." Mayuri sneered.

"Yes. I want us to be together again. Like back then. You, me and Rukia. Together. And when I'm alive again, we can have our own family. An heir to the clan. Think how wonderful it would be." Hisana was smiling sweetly but from where Deha was lying, tied down, she could see that her eyes were dead. Like a dolls. Byakuya closed his eyes momentarily, no doubt imagining the scenario. "All you have to do is let me have the girl."

The noble’s eyes flew open and frowned. Turning his head slightly, he looked back at his 5th seat lying helpless on the metal slab before turning back to Hisana and taking both her hands in his. "I wish to see what she has to say about this."

Mayuri snorted, "She'll tell you not to do it of course. I don't see what difference it makes."

"Undo whatever you've done to her Mayuri. I want to ask her." Byakuya dropped Hisana's hands and placed his on the hilt of Senbonzakura. "Or do I have to use force."

Mayuri growled and walked over to the younger girl. She saw him bend over her before feeling a stabbing pain in her arm. Within seconds she could move her arms and legs and she groaned in protest when she realised how stiff she was.

Byakuya came and stood over her, "Deha? Can you hear me?"

Azdeha frowned, and tried to talk but her throat was dry. She coughed and croaked out, "Course I can. Not deaf." She almost jumped for joy when she saw a tiny curve form on the edge of Byakuya's lips. If she could have, that is.

"Then you know what's going on?"

She nodded and smiled weakly.

"If I asked you to give up your life for hers, because I need her back, would you?"

He was actually asking her to do this. To give up her life for Hisana. In his defence he did think she was fake as well, but still. She looked at him and saw the emotion he had been devoid of earlier, flickering in the depths of his blue grey eyes. He really wanted this. She could tell. And she wanted him to be happy. Sighing, she reached up and stroked his face. "If it's what you want, then yes."

"That's what I thought you'd say." Byakuya reached over and kissed her forehead. Deha closed her eyes and felt her stomach clench as his lips touched her skin for the last time.

"So, shall I get started?" Mayuri was walking towards a table that Deha was sure had not been there earlier. It had various devices and tubes on it, the uses for which she could only imagine.

"That won't be necessary."

"Excuse me?" Mayuri sounded as shocked as Deha felt. He was turning the chance down?

"I said, that won't be necessary." The taller captain turned back to his subordinate and grabbed her hands, pulling her up into a seated position, before placing his arm around her waist and hoisting her to her feet. "Can you stand?"

Wobbly, but sure she could walk, Deha nodded, still speechless with awe. He knew she was real.

Part 20

She woke up what seemed like ages later, to find herself strapped to a table. Hisana occupied a table next to her, but seemed to have been shut off for the time being. They were no longer in the room with the silk screens. Somehow they had been transferred to a room of sterile white tiles. She could smell the disinfectant in the air as it stung her nostrils, and the brightness of the strip lighting above hurt her eyes. She couldn't see anyone else in the room, but she could hear Mayuri talking. His voice got louder before she heard a door open and he came into view to the left of her. There was someone else with him.

"As you can see, we're all set to do the operation. All you need to do is choose."

"Mayuri, I always knew you were twisted but resurrecting my dead wife? Using Abarai's reiatsu? I won't have any of it."

Byakuya. She could hear his voice and tried to call out to him, but her voice refused to work. She couldn't know for sure he was real but it didn't matter. If he realised she was awake....

She dropped her shoulders...if he realised she was awake what? This was a fake Byakuya. He'd probably be thrilled to have Hisana back. Enough to give her up.

"Why don't you just call her Deha, like you do in private?" Mayuri teased and she heard a bang, like someone had hit something. "Temper Byakuya. Don't think we don't all know what you and that little firecracker get up to in the privacy of your headquarters. Now...are you going to choose or do I have to kill them both."

"Do as you will. I know this is just another made up situation to make me confront my fears. It doesn't matter who I choose...As soon as you kill one of them, I'll be on to the next nightmare."

Deha heard the black haired man sigh, as he moved into her line of vision. Azdeha felt her body stiffen with shock. He was filthy, covered in blood and dirt. His uniform was torn in places and his hair was pulled back off his face. There was no sign of his kenseiken.

He walked over to her and looked down at her, pushing a strand of hair out of her face. His own face was streaked with dirt and looked down at her with grim determination. He looked exhausted, as though he had been fighting for days.

This was real. He was real....and he thought she was an illusion

Azdeha stared up at her captain, trying in vain to move her mouth and communicate with him, but whatever Mayuri had given her had paralysed her. She was screaming at Byakuya in her head, but not a single sound left her lips. It was agonising to know he was so close, but she could do nothing about it.

He studied her for a moment, his eyes devoid of any emotion, then walked away, heading for the table where the fake Hisana lay. Deha could do nothing more than watch him as he stroked the woman's cheek, and clasped her lifeless hand in his. It was heartbreaking to watch, but on some level, the red head understood. This woman was his first love. He had adored her and he was being given a chance to have her back. She knew that if it was her in that position, she'd be seriously considering taking Mayuri up on his offer.

Byakuya spoke softly, his eyes never leaving Hisana. "You say that you can use Deha's reiatsu to bring Hisana back? Alive. Not just a robotic life form like Nemu?"

He was seriously considering it. Shock coursed through Deha's body and every curse word she knew was directed silently at Mayuri for putting Byakuya in this position. He had to know it was all fake, and in his mind it didn't matter who he chose, as soon as he did he'd be out of here, but the prospect of having Hisana alive just for those few moments was probably too much temptation.

"As alive as you and me. It's your chance to have everything you ever wanted back." She could hear the glee in Mayuri's voice. "All you have to do is say the word. Maybe this will help you decide."

Azdeha heard movement nearby and then a click. Hisana's eyes flew open and she sat up on the table, smiling at her husband. "Byakuya-sama, welcome home."

Part 19

The young woman cocked her head to one side, "Do I know you?"

Azdeha shook her head, still giddy, and noticed that she had been wrong at first. Hisana only looked like Rukia at first glance, but on closer inspection, she was much prettier. Her skin was soft and unblemished, and so pale that the long black lashes that lay against it stood out even more. She had an elegance about her that Deha knew she would never have and it was obvious why Byakuya had loved her so dearly. The young girl's heart wrenched at the thought. If Hisana was here then...

She looked around expecting to see another fake Byakuya emerge from somewhere, perhaps the garden, and walk away with Hisana, without even acknowledging her presence.

"Then how do you know me?" Hisana's question snapped the other girl out of her thoughts and she blinked quickly.

"Oh, I'm in squad 6. I know your...husband." The word caught in her throat like old mochi and she swallowed hard. Hisana took on a look of pride and such love that it almost made the younger girl want to gag.

"Oh, you know Byakuya-sama. How lovely. Are you here in business? I'm afraid my husband is out at the moment." Hisana walked over to a table which held a tray on it. "Would you like some tea while you wait?"

"Oh..um..no thank you. I should probably go. I'm sure I can find him later." Azdeha began to edge towards the door she had entered from but when she reached it, she was shocked to find it led to yet another room. She mentally cursed. Trapped. With her lovers ex wife. Someone out there had a hell of a sense of humour.

Movement in the corner of her eye made her turn and she saw Mayuri standing in the entrance way, with the garden behind him. "Ah Abarai-chan," he smiled which was one of the creepiest things Azdeha had ever seen. "I see you finally joined us."

Azdeha shrugged, "I hadn't intended to, but you know me. Couldn't resist a challenge."

"Indeed." Mayuri strolled into the room and walked up to Hisana, stroking her face. "Beautiful isn't she? I made her myself. A present for Byakuya sama."

So she wasn't real, just an engineered life form, like Nemu. Azdeha felt relief wash through her.

Mayuri turned to her, "Of course, she's not real yet, I need one final ingredient for that, and that's what I invited you here for." The look on the captain's face was beginning to freak her out but the girl remained steady.

"Oh and how exactly do I come into this messed up plan of yours?" Deha leaned back against the wall, feigning boredom.

"I need something from you. It's a very simple operation, but unfortunately, you won't live through it."

"What makes you think I'm going to give whatever it is you need up?"

Mayuri laughed and snapped his fingers. Nemu shunpo'd into the room and grabbed the surprised girl around the waist, pinning her arms, as Mayuri blew some blue dust in her face.

Part 18

Deha wandered down the stone corridor, highly aware that the temperature had dropped as a result of all the rock. She wished she'd taken her kosode back because right now the single layer of cotton she had on wasn't doing much in the way of keeping her warm. She wondered idly how long this corridor had been going on for. Surely she must be halfway back to Seireitei by now. She giggled despite herself, glad to see that her sense of humour was still intact after her earlier trauma. "Ha!" she said triumphantly to the air, "Can't beat me that easily asshole."

She didn't know who or what she was talking to but it made her feel a little bit better to hear the sound of her own voice. She began to sing quietly to herself, the music easing her tension as she manoeuvred the maze of rock.

She hadn't gone much further when she cut her song short, and paused, peering into the dimness beyond. There looked like some kind of alcove up ahead but it could just be a natural feature of the rock. Just in case, Deha unsheathed Kurobara.

The zanpakuto was still buzzing from the earlier kill. It had never been used to kill anything but hollow in the past and the reiatsu that was rolling off it was stronger than the redhead had ever felt before. She glanced down at it in wonder, then shrugging it off, continued cautiously up the path. After her last experience she wasn't about to take any chances and she readied herself for her next test.

Approaching the alcove, she saw that it wasn't merely an alcove, but another pathway this one brighter than the one she was currently on. She knew it was probably a trap, that she should carry on her way instead of falling prey to whatever was in store for her up ahead, but she was determined to beat this. She would take on whatever this person or thing threw at her and she was not about to back down. It was that Abarai stubbornness that had gotten her and Renji into trouble on many occasions in the past, and it would get them in many more once they were out of this place. She was sure that her brother and Byakuya were down here as well now. That's why they had been unable to feel their reiatsu. They were trapped somewhere in this never-ending maze and she was going to find them, and the rest of the search party and together they were going to find the sadist who was in control of all this and kick his pathetic butt.

She nodded her head once in determination and stepped forward into the new corridor. As she did so, she noticed a door in the side of the rock wall. It was intricately carved with flowers and looked expensive. The wood was dark and smooth, and warm to the touch as she placed her hand against it and pushed. It swung open soundlessly, revealing tatami mats and beautifully painted silk screens. She could hear the sound of birds and water rushing and as she stepped into the room, she realised why.

She was above ground again. The room she had entered led out into a garden full of flowering plants and trees, surrounding a pond. She took a deep breath, savouring the cool, fresh air and relaxed a little.

"Can I help you?" a soft voice spoke from behind her, and Deha whirled round, her zanpakuto at the ready, to face a petite woman who observed her curiously. Azdeha gasped. She was wearing the most beautiful kimono the girl had ever seen, with flowers embroidered on it in the finest silk, but that wasn't what had caused the girl to gasp.

She was staring at the woman's face. A face as familiar to her as her own. Rukia's face. Only, it wasn't Rukia. This woman was much older, and taller than Rukia. "You seem lost? Are you?"

Deha stammered, still unable to believe what she was seeing. "Hi...Hisana?"

Part 17

Azdeha blinked back the tears that were beginning to stream steadily from her eyes. Her cheeks felt itchy with the dampness each trail left behind, but she had to be strong and not let this get to her. The minute she did, she would let her guard down and she would be dead. But it was hard to concentrate. Byakuya had a point. He had never actually indicated that she was anything more than a plaything to him. He had certainly never mentioned the word 'love' around her, and she wasn't altogether sure that if her life was in danger, he'd try and save her.

She adjusted her position, shifting her weight to her stronger foot. It gave her the advantage that she could choose to fall into either and attack or defence stance. Whichever she was going to need first. It had been something Byakuya had taught her a while back when he had taken to training her privately; along with being able to predict an opponent’s movements from their stance, and how to use flash step. The latter part she was still trying to get the hang of but she was good at predicting her opponents.

Except Byakuya. He knew full well that she had that ability and he kept his stance neutral, as if goading her into making the first move. She could tell he was weighing her up and working out what she was going to do and shifting from foot to foot wasn't helping her, but she wasn't quick enough to get into position from a neutral stance if the need arose. She needed to do something though. Something he wouldn't be expecting. She stared at his stony face for a moment, the gas light flickering off it, causing shadows to dance across his well sculpted cheek bones, when suddenly it hit her.

It was probably the most ridiculous idea she had ever had, and no doubt it would get her killed, but if there was a chance it would throw him off guard enough to get one single hit in, then it was a chance she was going to have to take. She lowered Kurobara.

"Are you giving up so fast? I thought more of you, Deha." He sneered, "Then again you always were weak when it came to your emotions. Emotions have no place in the Gotei 13."

"You don't really believe that." she took a step forward, hoping that her opponent didn't find it threatening. He didn't. He just looked at her. "If you did you would have let Rukia die back then."

"I was honouring a promise."

Another step forward. "To someone you love."

"Loved. You cannot love someone who is no longer alive."

"Is that why you keep a shrine to her?" another step, she was only a few meters away now, and still Byakuya didn't seem concerned with her movements.

He blinked, slowly, "I do it out of honour."

"Is honour all you care about Byakuya? What about my honour?" she was getting closer.

"Your honour is insignificant. You're a peasant. A commoner from the Rukon, willing to give yourself away to the highest bidder. I merely took advantage. I saw the way you looked at me. It was easy to seduce you, and you drank it up. Believed that I saw anything more in you than just the whore you are."

Azdeha was shocked, but she couldn't let it show. She bit down on her tongue and inched closer. She could just about touch him. He looked down at her, confusion now evident in his eyes, but her zanpakuto was still lowered and he clearly saw her as no threat. "If that's how you feel, then why not use me one last time? If you're going to kill me you might as well get some pleasure out of it first."

"Is that what you're trying to do here? Get me to admit I care?" the corners of his lips turned up in a half smile. "Your efforts are wasted. I could take you right now, and stab you as soon as I'm done, then walk away without so much as a backwards glance."

Azdeha nodded. "I don't doubt it. What I do doubt is your ability to make me feel pleasure." she reached up, standing on tiptoes and planted her lips firmly against his. He responded, kissing her deeper, one hand grasping her hair and forcing her head back as he crushed his body into hers. This was it, she had momentarily distracted him by catering to his sense of pride. In a flash she raised Kurobara and thrust the sharpened blade through her captain’s ribcage. He reeled back, staring at her in shock as his hand flew to the hilt of his zanpakuto. Too late however. Azdeha had already disarmed him when she stabbed him. He looked down at the zanpakuto protruding from his chest and frowned.

"You tricked me." it was a statement. "But....you love me."

"When have I ever told you that I love you? Or that I even care about you?" She echoed his own words back at him, each syllable feeling like poison on her tongue. The man fell to the side staring up at her in horror for a split second before he gurgled once, blood bubbling from his lips, and went limp.

Kneeling next to him, Deha yanked the sword out from his chest. It required a little bit of effort since she had wedged it through his ribcage, but she didn't feel the slightest bit of remorse at her actions.

After all, he wasn't real.

She had figured that out quick enough once she'd remembered that Byakuya had taught her essential fighting skills. He realised that he might not always be able to come to her rescue, so he had given her the ability to fend for herself, so that he wouldn't have to. He had made her a stronger warrior. If he hadn't cared about preserving her life, he wouldn't have bothered. After all, he didn't give anyone else private tuition. Not even his own sister.

She stood up and wiped the blade on her hakama, clearing it of blood before re-sheathing it. "Well Kurobara, looks like I know where your bitch side came from." The blade vibrated in response and Deha grinned. It was time to get out of this place wherever it was.

She stepped over Byakuya's corpse and went to the far wall. There was no join in the wall here, which meant the only exit was the way she came in. But that couldn't be right. She had come from one end of the corridor, where there was nothing…to the other which ended with the door. Unless she had missed a turn off somewhere, which she doubted.

Deha groaned and walked back to the other room where she had left Renji. His body still lay limp on the floor. She glanced at it once, then strolled past it, not bothering to mourn him. He wasn't real either. None of this was. That's why there was a room so far underground, one that was lit with gas lamps even though there was no gas supply down here. That had been the biggest give away. It had been annoying her since she'd seen them but it was only when she had combined her thoughts about Byakuya and the gas lamps that she fully understood what was going on.

Something, somewhere was making her live her worst nightmares and whatever it was, was going to pay dearly for making her feel the way she had in those rooms. She reached the doorway and stepped out into the corridor. Only this was a different corridor. The blood was gone and there was another path in front of her. This one lined with grey stone. The path she had used before was gone.

She looked up at the ceiling, "You are in a whole pile of shit, whoever the hell you are!" she called into the darkness beyond, and with a renewed sense of purpose, she began to stalk down the pathway.

Part 16

She didn't know how long she sat with her brother’s body in her arms. It could have been minutes or hours; the concept of time was long forgotten, but she was beginning to get cold, and her muscles had cramped up a while back. She knew she would have to get up and go through the door, leaving her brother behind. She could have easily stayed with him, hoping that help would soon come, but according to Renji, Byakuya was beyond the door in the wall, and he could still be alive. She might not have been able to save her brother, but there was still hope for their captain.

Reluctantly, Deha lay Renji's lifeless body on the floor and kissed his forehead. "I'll be back, nii-sama." Standing up, she removed her kosode and covered his face with it, before laying Zabimaru by his side. The zanpakuto which had always been buzzing with energy had felt lifeless in her hand. She stepped back and bowed to him, out of respect, before retrieving Kurobara. Her own zanpakuto, in contrast with Zabimaru, felt alive. More alive than she had ever felt it.

She looked down at her brother one last time, then with the steely resilience that proved she was an Abarai, headed towards the doorway she had spotted earlier. She still had no idea what was going on but hopefully she would find out soon enough. Taking a deep breath she lay one had against the smooth wood of the door, and pushed it open cautiously. When no one attacked her, she stepped into the room, eyes adjusting to the brighter light in here. More gas lanterns. Something about them bothered her but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"Deha?"

Her head shot up and she turned in surprise and delight to face the owner of the familiar voice.

Byakuya stood a few meters away with Senbonzakura unsheathed. He was covered in blood and he had a cut on his face. His haori was tattered and his kosode was torn. Relief rushed through the red head as she lowered her own zanpakuto and ran towards him. "You're alive. I thought maybe something had happened to you as well. Renji..." she took a moment to collect herself. "Renji...he's dead." She couldn't help bursting into tears again at the thought of her brother lying motionless and cold on the other side of the wall.

Byakuya nodded slowly, his movements slow and controlled as usual. "I know. I thought that might be the case."

"Did you manage to get him? The man that did it?" she gestured towards his blood soaked shihakusho and Byakuya looked down at his clothing. "It looks like he hurt you badly as well." She walked towards him, intent on looking at his injuries. He was nowhere near as badly hurt as Renji had been given that he was still on his feet, so there was a possibility that she could use her Kidou to heal him.

It was only when she got closer that she noticed something was amiss. Deha frowned and looked at her captain, thoughts faltering for a moment. He was injured, that she could see, but his injuries were minimal. Certainly not enough to produce the amount of blood he was covered in. She moved towards him and put her hand on his chest. He didn't flinch; merely stared down at her curiously as she tugged his kosode open, revealing smooth, unblemished skin below.

"You're not injured."

Byakuya snorted, "As if that man could touch me."

"But all the blood?"

"It's not mine."

Azdeha nodded warily. There was no doubt that her captain was strong, but after the mess she had seen of Renji, there was no way whoever the assailant was had only managed to land one cut on Byakuya. "Who is he?"

She stepped back and looked around the room for a body. There was none. "Wh...where is he?" she stammered, confusion clearly etched across her face. "There's no body Byakuya. Where is it?"

Byakuya looked at her steadily, unblinking. "Byakuya? Where's the body?"

Again he didn't answer. Her eyes went wide and she stepped back away from him, shaking her head. "There is no body is there?" The young girl gasped as realisation dawned on her.

This was beyond a nightmare. This was Hell, pure and simple.

"Only your brothers." Byakuya stepped towards her, his face an emotionless mask. "It was a pity, but he had the impression that one day he would surpass me. It looks like he was wrong."

"He was your lieutenant...and MY brother. How could you?" Deha had raised Kurobara in front of her, but she was shaking, and she knew the more experienced and intuitive warrior could tell she was terrified.

"You say that like it matters to me. Like you matter to me."

Azdeha glared at him, "That's not true. You're lying."

"Am I?" Byakuya took another step forward. He had yet to raise Senbonzakura, but Deha knew he didn't have to. If he chose to take her out, he could do so in the blink of an eye. "When have I ever told you that I love you? Or that I even care about you?"

Part 15

Opening her eyes slowly, she looked around the room, trying her hardest to ignore the corpse as she assessed the room. It was bare aside from a few boxes. The walls were lined with wood, no doubt fixed into the earth, and the ceiling was made of low beams. The light that had brought her here came from what appeared to be gas lanterns.

She frowned. Gas lanterns? Down here? That seemed dangerous in an enclosed space. It also seemed impossible. After all, where was the gas coming from? She hadn't seen any evidence of pipes. In fact, she hadn't seen gas lanterns anywhere else in the village at all. The houses she had checked had no light sources at all save the hearths. It was almost as if no one had lived there.

She turned around and looked at the wall opposite her. There appeared to be a joint in the wall that indicated another door. She was pretty sure that whoever had attacked her brother had disappeared through there. Whether he was injured or not, she had no idea but the fact remained that he hadn't tried to attack her yet, so the odds were quite high that Renji had got a few hits in before being taken out.

Renji....

She swallowed hard. Whoever had managed to take down her brother...to kill him...must have been pretty damn powerful. She bit back another sob and took a deep breath. She couldn't put it off any longer. She had to know; before she went after his killer, knowing she didn't have a chance in hell of beating him.

She faced the wall which her brother was propped up against and stared at a spot above him. Her peripheral vision confirmed what she refused to look at face on. The red hair, black hair tie, tattoos; it was definitely him.

Her breathing quickened and she couldn't help herself. She walked slowly towards him, trembling with each step, and dropped to her knees next to him. His shihakusho was slick with blood and torn off his body in most places. She could see his chest and the slash marks that marred it. There were so many of them. His body was a network of open wounds, each of them gaping open, blood dripping steadily. His arms and face were also carved up, revealing the white of bone in some places. Whoever had attacked him hadn’t held back.

Gently, she pulled his lifeless form towards her, cradling his head in her arms and buried her face in his hair. She could smell his scent, mingled with sweat and blood and she began to cry as his blood soaked into her uniform.

It wasn't fair. She had only just found him again after years. They had barely had 18 months together and she had lost him all over again. This time she would never get him back. She held him tighter, as if she was trying to squeeze life back into him. She knew it was in vain but she had no idea what else to do. She was all alone down here without backup, and she knew that even if the murderer returned, she didn't stand a chance against him. She would probably die here with Renji, and no one would ever know about it. Chusei and Byakuya would no doubt spend ages searching for them, but to no avail. If they ever found Byakuya again. She sobbed again, not caring if anyone heard her now. Her brother was dead, her lover was still missing and she was lost deep underground with a murderous psycho on the loose.

She reached out blindly and grasped Renji's hand. She could feel the warmth radiating from it and lamented over how she would never again feel those hands pulling her hair, or nudging her or grabbing her from beyond some hidden doorway causing her to squeal while he laughed maniacally.

Her head shot up.

"Warm," she whispered. "Your hands are warm...Renji...RENJI!"

She felt him stir gently and her heart began to race. He was still alive. Barely...but alive.

Pushing him away from her, she propped him up against the wall, her eyes wide as she witnessed his eyelashes flutter against his skin. He was still a ghastly grey colour from blood loss but at least he was moving.

"Renji..can you hear me? Wake up hunny. It's me, Deha."

His lips parted and he mouthed something, but no sound came out.

"I can't hear you Renji. You have to speak up. Open your eyes and look at me." She inched closer. "Please Renji. I know you can do it. You've been in worse states than this and gotten over it. Just look at me."

His eyelids fluttered again but stayed closed. Deha bit down on her bottom lip, worried. He wasn't dead, but she could tell that it wouldn't be long. She only knew basic healing kidou but she doubted it would have any effect with injuries this severe. As much as she hated to admit it, this time with her brother would be short-lived. As she fought back the tears, Renji tightened his grip on her hand and she moved closer.

"What is it?"

"Akua."

"Akua? What's that?" She moved closer so that her face was only inches from his. "Say it again."

"Bakua." he whispered, his voice barely audible above the sound of blood rushing to his sisters ears.

"Byakuya?" She frowned. "You want Byakuya? I don't know where he is Renji. I'm sorry. It's just us...and whoever did this to you, but I don't know where he is either. Byakuya's missing and I don't know what to do. I don't even know where the others are."

"No...Byakuya." Renji lifted a frail finger and pointed vaguely in the direction of the wall with the door. Deha turned to stare at it. Renji was indicating that Byakuya was in there. With the person who did this to her brother? Maybe he had managed to kill him, but had gotten injured in the process. If that was the case, he'd have to wait. As much as she loved him, her brother needed her right now and she was not about to leave him on his own.

She felt his grip tighten on her hand again for a moment before loosening off. He was fading. The tears began to roll down her cheeks as she reached for him. She pulled him onto her lap and cradled him once more, making soothing sounds as she brushed her hands through his hair, comforting him in his last moments. It was only a matter of minutes before she felt his muscles go slack and his final breath left his body, but she held on, continuing to soothe him not because it would help him. He was beyond that now, but because it would soothe her.

Part 14

She was still trying to work out how many people might have been down here judging by the gouges on the wall and the spatter patterns when she spotted a pool of blood a few meters down the corridor. The spatter on the walls seemed to stop there, but beyond that, was a trail of blood, as if someone, or something, had been dragged.

"Fuck." That cleared that up. The someone was either mortally wounded or dead if he had to be dragged away from where he evidently fell. She looked closer at the trail, to see if there was anything that would indicate the size of the victim, and spotted a set of bloody footprints.

She couldn't quite make out the pattern, but now that the light was stronger, she could definitely tell that the blood was fresh. Not more than an hour or so old. She looked up towards the light, startled. Whoever these people were, they might still be down here. She regretted all the noise she had made earlier, but it was too late to worry about it now. She gripped Kurobara tighter in her hand, feeling the excited vibrations of the spirit within, and narrowed her eyes at the brightness.

She could make out a crude doorway hewn into the rock and earth, supported on 3 sides by heavy wooden beams. Beyond that, there appeared to be a room. The trail of blood and footprints led inside.

She inched forward silently, keeping her breathing in check until she was within reach of the doorway. She turned and placed her back against the wall, zanpakuto held at the ready, in front of her. Hoping she had the element of surprise, she spun round, placing herself firmly in the doorway, ready to attack anyone that might ambush her, but no attack came.

Instead, she was treated to the most horrifying vision she could imagine. Her heart leapt into her throat and she gasped, unable to believe what she was seeing. She dropped to her knees, Kurobara falling to her side, and began sobbing.

This was a nightmare. No. It was worse than a nightmare.

Deha knelt on the floor, her head in her hands sobbing uncontrollably. Her whole body shook as she bowed her head, her red hair mingling with the red of the blood on the floor. She could feel it steeping into her hakama but she couldn't move. She couldn't even look up to confirm if what she had seen was real. And she didn't want to either. The longer she sat on the floor, not looking, the longer she could pretend it wasn't real. But she knew she had to. What if it was a mistake? What if she hadn't seen the broken and bloodied body of her brother lying propped up against the far wall, like some twisted, obscene doll.

Sucking in a deep breath and blinking back her tears, Deha raised her head, eyes closed. She reached out and felt along the floor for Kurobara, twitching as her fingertips traced through something wet and sticky. The blood at least, was real. She found the hilt and gripped it in her hand before using the zanpakuto to steady herself as she got back on her feet.

She still didn't dare to look across to where she had seen the body but she knew she couldn't leave this place until she had confirmed it. She also knew she had to check the room for signs of the assailant and make sure he wasn't still there. After all, she was a shinigami. She had a job to do and she was damn well going to do it if it meant she could pretend that everything was still ok for the few moments it would take her to scope the place out.

Part 13

She had been walking in pitch black for some time, in what seemed like a straight line when the sound of her footsteps changed. It sounded like she was walking on wood. She bent down and brushed the floor with her fingers. Floorboards...so this wasn't just a dark tunnel leading nowhere. She squinted ahead and noticed a small flicker of light. The end of the tunnel perhaps? Filled with suspense she picked up her pace and headed towards it.

In actual fact she had probably only been walking for about ten minutes but the dark, coupled with the fact that she was all alone and lost in an enclosed space, made it feel like forever. The floor beneath her feet was still wood judging by the soft noises her waraji made against the slats. Ahead of her the light was beginning to grow larger and she was beginning to make out shapes in the murky grey ahead of her. She could see she was in an average sized tunnel carved into the earth. The ceiling was high enough above her that if she reached out she couldn't touch it, and the walls on either side of her gave her enough room to manoeuvre with her zanpakuto. Even fight if she had to.

Right now however, that didn't seem to be an issue. She was completely alone down here as far as she could tell. The others who had been with her on the mission were nowhere to be found. She didn't even know if they'd followed her down here. She had no idea how she had managed to lose the stairway or the hatch. The only plausible explanation was that there had been two tunnels and when she had leapt forward out of Hisagi's grasp, she had somehow bypassed the steps and ended up leaping into another opening.

It still seemed ridiculous to her but it was the only logical explanation. After all, Chusei would never leave her stranded on her own like this. Not when the whole point of the mission was to find the shinigami who were already missing.

Azdeha shook her head, reminding herself that she needed to concentrate, and picked up her pace, her attention focused on the light ahead.

It was getting larger and her surroundings were getting lighter. If the situation hadn't been so unusual she might have been overjoyed, but instead she just worried about what she would find when she reached the source of the light.

She took a few steps forward, gazing into the light, trying to work out where it might be coming from. A light, a doorway, the exit? She was so engrossed in her train of thought that she almost didn't regain her balance in time when her foot slipped from underneath her, sending her skidding across the floor.

"What the hell?" The girl frowned and squinted down at the ground. There was some kind of dark liquid now smeared across it. The light still wasn't good enough to make it out from where she was standing. Instead she ran a finger along the bottom of her waraji and lifted it to her face, scrutinising it. It was slightly sticky and a dark rusty brown. "Blood?" She thought, and sniffed the fluid. A metallic smell hit her nose, confirming her suspicion.

She wiped it off on her hakama and studied the hallway in front of her. In the little bit of light that had reached this far into the hallway she could now make out what she hadn't noticed up until this point. The walls and floor ahead were blood spattered. Someone had been here, and they had been injured, and judging by the amount of blood, they weren't in good shape. Although the blood wasn't fresh, judging by the colour, it was still wet which meant that whoever this person was, she might still have time to find them. "Just don't let it be Renji or Byakuya." She muttered under her breath as she broke into a run.

As she ran down the corridor, the light grew bigger and brighter, illuminating her way even further. She could now make out the colour of the blood, and there was a lot of it. Coupled with deep gouges in the wall and ceiling, she knew for certain that whoever had been injured had put up a fight. And it had been a vicious one. She had no idea how many people had been here, or if all the blood came from just one of them, but if that was the case, whoever it belonged to probably didn't last much longer after the fight.