DISCLAIMER: Tite Kubo owns Bleach and all of its characters.

NOTE TO READERS: Sorry for not updating since, oh, let’s see, forever. I’m currently brain dead and don’t have the slightest idea what to write. Suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

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“Hitsugaya-san obviously isn’t anywhere near here, or else we’d easily be able to sense his reiatsu. We’ve been designated to scout the north Hueco Mundo area. Now come on, let’s move.”

Ukitake paused and drew out his zanpakutou, creating a portal for them. “Quick, go on.”

Matsumoto and Rukia obediently followed him into the portal, using shunpo until they reached the other end.

“Okay, now I suggest we split up.” Ukitake paused to survey the landscape. “Matsumoto, you take this side. Kuchiki, go on ahead that way. If either of you get into trouble of any sort or find anything of significance, give me a beep.” Ukitake held up two small, black devices that looked similar to cell phones and handed them to Matsumoto and Rukia. “And remember…if you find any hint of Hitsugaya-san’s whereabouts, go there immediately. We are here to bring him back, not create a disturbance. Try not to bring too much attention to yourselves.” He looked directly at Matsumoto as he said this.

Matsumoto frowned. “Of course not, Ukitake-san. What makes you think I would EVER do something like that?”

Ukitake gave an uncharacteristic roll of his eyes before continuing. “Well, I wish each of you the best of luck. Don’t take any chances.” And with that he was gone in a flash.

Rukia looked around nervously. “I…I hope we can find Hitsugaya-san.”

Matsumoto laughed confidently. “Ah, don’t worry, Rukia. Wherever he is, I’m sure taichou can take care of himself.”

“Well, okay.” Rukia began walking. She felt tired and rusty. Definitely not in the mood for fighting any Hollows.

“Wait! Kuchiki!” Rukia turned around. Matsumoto was running up to her. “Let’s look for him together, eh, Rukia?”

“But…Ukitake-taichou told us to split up.”

“Oh, who really cares? Not like it’s going to make a really big difference.” Matsumoto began walking beside her. “Lighten up.”

Rukia hesitated. “Well, I guess so.”

Matsumoto winked. “And I know so.”

They walked in silence for a few more minutes, then Matsumoto spoke up. “Seriously…what’s going on between you and Kurosaki?” It seemed as if she’d been dying to ask this.

A tinge of red appeared on Rukia’s face. “Nothing, Matsumoto-san. I’m serious. Ichigo is just…a friend.”

Matsumoto sighed. “That’s all you ever say. Come on, Rukia. Admit it. There’s something else, isn’t there?”

When Rukia didn’t reply but instead kept going ahead, facing forward, she wiggled her finger in her face. “You know it’s true…”

Rukia whirled around. “Even if there was something between us, what’s it to you?” she yelled.

Matsumoto was taken aback. “Geez, I was just asking…”

“Yeah, well don’t!”

Matsumoto shut up and didn’t mention Ichigo, or anything else for that matter, until they sensed a rather strange presence. It didn’t seem like anything they’d encountered before…

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It had been five days since Ichigo had asked Urahara to open a portal for him. That meant that in just two days he could go and bring Rukia back…that is, assuming she was still alive.

Stop thinking like that. The more you think about it, the more you’re going to believe it.

Ichigo shoved the thought out of his head and went to work on his math homework. The words swam tantalizingly in front of his face…nah, he couldn’t concentrate. He had too much on his mind.

Must use…Law of Sines…

Ichigo sighed and snapped the textbook shut. Kon crawled out from under his bed. “Ichigo, when’s onee-san coming back?”

“I don’t know, okay?” Ichigo snapped. “She’ll come back when she feels like it.”

He hadn’t told Kon that he was going to bring her back yet, and he didn’t really feel like ever telling him. He’d just get in the way.

“Listen…I’m going to be gone for a while. I’m not sure how long, but while I’m gone you’d better lie low and not get into any trouble. If I get back and find out you’ve been chasing girls again, or – or –”

“Asking Orihime out?”

“Yeah, or that, then I am going to rip you up and then burn your remains. Got it?”

Kon gulped. “Got it.”

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I know this chapter was really short…sorry about that. But seriously, I am having a major brain freeze and thus have no idea what to write. Please review and tell me if you think I should still continue this story. – Kuchiki-chan