I do not own Bleach or Skip Beat

After the wait for the last chapter, I am pleased to update so quickly! Life is crazy, so I make no promises for future updates, but I'm excited for where this chapter is taking the story :D Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 15 - Decisions

Yamamoto frowned when Sui-Feng and Byakuya walked in. Slamming his staff on the floor, he arched an eyebrow and asked, "Well? Where are they? What did Lory want?"

Byakuya took his place amongst the other captains while Sui-Feng bowed deeply and hissed in a low voice, "He called for another forbidden act. The girl he wished us to bring here is a soul-reaper, but she is also human."

A gasp went around the room. The captains began to whisper to each other. "Another one?" "Will Lory be executed as well?" "There are two illegal substitute soul reapers?"

Yamamoto slammed his staff on the floor once again and a hush settled among the captains. "This is very disturbing news, Sui-Feng. Are you sure she was illegal?"

"Yes, head captain."

"If I may, Captain," Gin said with a sly smile, stepping forward. "Lory is known for his insubordination. His . . . erm . . . company, is it? LME has attracted many humans with high latent spirit energy. Who knows how many Lory has turned?"

A murmur ran around the room again at this suggestion.

"No," Toshiro said, scowling. "I check on Lory's 'company' frequently, and I've never come across an employee that was a soul reaper. If he turned one, he must have had a good reason."

"Why didn't you bring the girl back?" Aizen asked suddenly. "We could have all questioned her personally."

Sui-Feng scowled at all of the captains. "She is an abomination to be disposed of."

"Did you dispose of her?" Yamamoto asked.

Sui-Feng paled, but was saved by Byakuya. "The girl has exceptional skill with a blade and managed to avoid Sui-Feng's attacks. I witnessed this myself. The girl has an impressive amount of spirit energy – enough to be considered as lieutenant if she had gone through the soul academy – and has already unlocked her shikai. The girl also refused to return here with us."

"Do you know her, Captain Kuchiki?" Sui-Feng suddenly demanded.

Byakuya leveled a cold glare at her and she cringed back, startled. "I do not know why she seemed to know who I was. I have never met her before now. However, she knew of the boy, Kurosaki Ichigo."

Another whisper ran through the room. "If she was involved with Rukia, then we could question her," Shunsui said softly.

"No," Yamamoto said, gathering their attention once again. "I questioned Ms. Kuchiki personally. She never mentioned this girl."

They all frowned in puzzlement.

Yamamoto continued. "For now, we are concerned with the betrayal of Kuchiki Rukia. However, Sui-Feng will be in charge of keeping an eye on Lory's actions and report back immediately if any more about this girl is found out. We have other matters to attend to. Dismissed!" With a final clunk of his staff, the captains dispersed, mingling in small groups as they whispered together about this new development.

. . .

"Lory, slow down!" Kisuke said with a frown. His old friend had called in a panic and now seemed to be hyperventilating on the other side of the line. "I'm sure you're overreacting!"

"Did you listen to anything I said?!" Lory cried, overdramatic as always. "Captains, Kisuke, captains came to take them to face the old man!"

"Yes, I heard you. You're still overreacting. From what I saw and from what Shinji reported, Kyokou can handle herself."

Silence . . . and then, "That may be true, but Sui-Feng was the one who came to retrieve her. Kisuke, I've never been prouder of one of my actors, but Kyokou should never have had to hold off a captain in a duel. I'm scared, Kisuke. Soul society has never been open-minded about these kinds of things. I was hoping that over time they would change, but . . . what do I do?"

Kisuke tapped at his keyboard, pulling up Kyokou's stats, as well as Ren's, and scanned the information Shinji's report had added to it. "Lory, I don't think you have to worry. The boy is unstable still, but if they were to come after Kyokou, he would be able to fend them off. From what I've observed, his spirit pressure goes crazy, above that of a captain's, whenever Kyokou appears to be in danger." Kisuke chuckled suddenly. "I made the mistake of underestimating him when I took Kyokou. As long as they are together, you have nothing to worry about."

Lory still didn't sound convinced. "I know I was rash and said that I would take over their training . . . but I think you are better prepared to train Ren."

A broad smile lit up Kisuke's face. "I would be happy to have a hand in his training, Lory."

A pitiful tone filled Lory's voice. "I will send them to you the day after tomorrow. Kyokou isn't going to like going back to your shop."

Kisuke laughed. "I will be extra cautious around Kyokou. It will be a pleasure to train them."

. . .

Kyokou sat like a statue, her world shattering around her once again. She had spent the last two days blissfully lost in the world of the Heel siblings, but reality was like a cold bucket of water dousing out the small flame of happiness she'd been enjoying. Beside her, Ren's fists had clenched against his knees.

"Say it one more time," Ren demanded, glaring at the President. Kyokou didn't need a repetition though; she'd heard the President quite clearly.

"Why are we going back to that vile man?" she whispered.

The President's expression was that of a small child caught in the middle of a rebellious act. "I thought I would be able to get you're training under control . . . however, after the other day's incident, I realized that Kisuke is better equipped to train you properly. I fear that the Soul Society will come after you, Kyokou, and Kisuke will be able to prepare you both for such an incident happening."

Kyokou bowed her head and clutched the fabric of her skirt, thinking. She could feel the tremors of Ren's shaking; he didn't like the idea of the crazed shopkeeper holding them hostage again any more than she did. "What does Kisuke want us to do?"

"He'll train you to fight, I imagine."

"Why can't you train us?" Ren demanded.

"Ren," Kyokou whispered, reaching for his hand, "it'll be okay. I don't like it, but he's right. If we train here, we'll draw attention from the others. LME is not the place for fighting."

Ren squeezed her hand and sucked in a deep breath, glowering at the President. "We'll go."

. . .

Ichigo stared at hat-and-clogs in surprise when the odd shopkeeper suddenly announced a break. He sat back on the sand with a huff, laying his sword aside, and stretched. His opponent disappeared up into the shop, allowing Ichigo to relax for the first time in the past three days.

"They came back," Ururu informed the red-headed Jinta as she stared up the later with distant eyes. "I thought they didn't like it here."

Jinta shrugged and swung his massive bat in a circle. "Who cares why they came back? If they're here, that means it will get a little more exciting."

Before long, hat-and-clogs descended the ladder once more followed closely by the girl, Setsu, and her brother. Ichigo frowned; they looked different than the last time he had seen them.

". . . and you'll be training with Ichigo here," Kisuke was saying proudly as he led the newcomers over to where Ichigo was sitting. He was waving his fan merrily, acting as if he hadn't been engaged in fierce battle with Ichigo just moments before.

The girl crossed her arms and scowled at the shopkeeper. "You never agreed to our contract. Promise that we are free to leave the shop if we so desire."

The tall young man behind her glared down at the shopkeeper, sending chills down Ichigo's spine.

"Yes, yes," Kisuke said, flapping his hand. "You're not prisoners, after all. Lory just wants you to be prepared in case the Soul Society comes looking for you. You have nothing to fear!"

Neither looked appeased by this. In fact, the girl looked a little queasy. Ichigo stood up and brushed sand off of his robes. "You interrupted my training for this? The clock's ticking!"

The three turned to look at Ichigo. However, as the girl turned, Kisuke raised his cane and knocked the girl from her body forcefully as he had done to Ichigo many times. She cried out in surprise and the young man beside her tensed, a scowl flashing across his flawless face.

"She's your new training partner!" Kisuke announced with bravado. "Kyokou, meet Ichigo Kurosaki. Ichigo, meet Kyokou Mogami."

Ichigo felt uneasy about this new turn of events and looked to Kyokou's companion. "He doesn't look to happy about that."

A sudden gentlemanly smile crossed the young man's face as he looked at Ichigo, but more surprising was the way Kyokou cringed away from her companion. Ichigo stared at him confused.

"Ah," Kisuke said, glancing at the young man as well. "Ren has agreed to let Kyokou train with you while he trains with me."

Ichigo glanced at the still smiling young man and felt another chill run down his spine. "Umm . . . if you say so." He glanced at Kyokou. "Are you okay with this?"

Kyokou glanced up at Ren, cringing once again when she saw his smile, and nodded. "I'm prepared."

Ichigo watched as she drew two short swords and walked a short distance away. He looked to Kisuke and gave the quirky man a questioning look, but the man just smiled behind his fan while Ren watched Kyokou intently. Shrugging, Ichigo turned and walked towards his new partner. She took a defensive stance and watched him warily.

Ichigo looked to Kisuke for guidance one more time before taking a steadying breath and leaping towards his new opponent. To his surprise, Kyokou parried with an unexpected strength. Ichigo took a step back and examined her for a moment before feinting to the left. Kyokou was not fooled by his feint; she easily side stepped and spun, bringing the tip of one blade just an inch from Ichigo's eye. The force of his block caused him to slide back a couple feet whereas Kyokou merely straightened and held her short swords loosely at her sides.

"Don't go easy on her, Ichigo!" Kisuke called merrily, waving his fan.

"Wha?" Ichigo said, turning back to Kyokou but found that she was no longer there. He had glanced away for just a second!

"Keep your guard up," a soft voice said from behind him.

Ichigo whirled and brought his sword up just in time to block her. He grunted, once again surprised by the power behind her blade. In a whirl she was gone again. Ichigo took a defensive stance, circling slowly now. Kyokou held her short swords loosely at her sides, eyes never leaving Ichigo's. Think, Ichigo urged himself. He moved to feint, watching as she twirled and brought her swords low towards his leg. He jumped and narrowly avoided her second blade that came flying towards his midsection. After that, he spent the next ten minutes dodging her flying blades.

"Ichigo!" Kisuke called. "Are you training or practicing for the ballet?"

Ichigo grunted, finally bringing up his blade to block, but the force of her attacks sent him flying back another ten feet. Without a pause, Kyokou charged, eyes glinting. Ichigo dodged and brought his sword up for an attack. Next thing he knew, his sword stood quivering in the sand a few feet away and Kyokou had both blades crossed at his throat.

. . .

Kisuke applauded as Ren smiled approvingly at Kyokou who turned and walked back towards them. He took note of her blank expression and the way her spirit pressure had spiked the moment she drew her swords.

Ichigo retrieved his sword with a flushed face, rubbing the back of his head. Jinta had burst out laughing the moment Ichigo had lost, and the louder he laughed, the redder Ichigo's ears became.

"Well done, Kyokou!" Kisuke congratulated her, but she ignored him and sat on the ground, swords laying bare across her crossed legs. "So what did you learn, Ichigo?"

Ichigo scowled at him and rolled his shoulders to loosen them. "Again," he said.

Kyokou didn't move. Kisuke watched amused as Ichigo came over with a determined look on his face, and Ren squatted beside Kyokou.

"Hey!" Ichigo growled. "I want another go."

Ren glanced up at him and shook his head with a smirk on his face.

"What?" Kisuke mumbled, crouching to see what Ren was seeing. When he saw her face, he understood. "We're not disturbing her right now."

"What?!" Ichigo yelped.

"I'll continue practicing with you. When she's ready, you'll know."

Ichigo stared at him incredulously. "Why? What happened to her?"

Ren glowered at him. "If you ask the same stupid questions I'll take her place and you can fight me instead."

Kisuke watched as Ichigo's face paled. Did the spunky orange haired boy have a history with the young man? He filed the information away for later and just beckoned to Ichigo. Ichigo followed reluctantly, unaware of the tears streaming silently down Kyokou's face as she meditated, lost in her inner world.