A Time Not So Remembered

Chapter 39

Begrudging Alliances

(A/N So… I'm writing this chapter just a few days before my wedding. Yay me! Sorry for the long wait. I'm just slammed with a whole bunch of stuff.)

SOUND/sounds

Thoughts

(Last Time)

"Don't dawdle, Toshiro," Sesshoumaru called to him.

Toshiro snapped out of his daze and followed everyone into the bushes and back into the over grown field. Now what? Here is where everyone would split up. He needed to make a choice. He could stay with Sesshoumaru a little longer and continue living this new life or he could do the morally right thing and go with Orihime and Byakuya despite being a burden.

Sesshoumaru noticed that Toshiro seemed to be struggling with a decision. He had a pretty good idea what it was. He was torn between leaving and staying. He watch as Toshiro suddenly dashed off and picked up Hyorinmaru out of the tall grass. That would not be a good thing to forget. Toshiro quickly returned as Orihime and Byakuya started to leave and head back to the horses they left at the trail tied up. If the boy wanted to make his choice he had better make it.

(Present)

Time was ticking for the young shinigami. What was his choice going to be? He wished desperately to stay with Sesshoumaru-sama, Rin, and Jaken but he knew the right thing was to go with Orihime and Byakuya. He gripped Hyorinmaru tightly as he battled with his thoughts. He knew his blade's spirit was wanting him to go with Byakuya but… Was he ready to go back? What was going to happen if Orihime couldn't restore his memory? He doubted he'd keep his captain's titled as he wouldn't know what to do with it.

"Hitsugaya…" Orihime whispered, looking over her shoulder with pity at the young shinigami.

Toshiro briefly looked at her and then he looked Rin. He was torn between the both of them. Why did this have to be so hard? Orihime then raced after Akiyama-sama and grabbed his hand. Byakuya looked at her oddly as he was almost knocked off his feet as he was jerked roughly in the opposite direction he was headed.

"Inoue, what you are you doing?" Byakuya asked, pulling his hand out of hers. "We need to leave now before we lose them."

"But that's the thing! Just listen to me all of you! Please! I know this will most likely sound pretty dumb but… We both seem to want to go after this Naraku person, am I right?" Orihime stated, looking at those around her. "Our reasons maybe different but the goal is the same, right? I mean we both want to get his guy so…"

"Are you speaking of an alliance, woman?" Sesshoumaru asked his graze narrowing on her.

"Well, yes, of course," Orihime said, rubbing the back of her head, sheepishly. "I know it sounds a little farfetched but… I was just thinking that maybe if we stayed together everything will turn out better and we could help fill in some gaps for Hitsugaya-taichou."

Sesshoumaru and Byakuya stared at each other for a moment before turning their backs on each other. That would be a no. Orihime slumped her shoulders and let out a long sigh. So much for that great idea. In her head it sounded good but she figured they would see it as stupid. Oh, well. She did try.

"Why not?" Toshiro spoke up, looking down at the grassy earth. "Why can't we do that?"

"Because…" Byakuya grumbled, looking at the young boy.

"Because what? That's the most annoying adult answer ever! Listen to me! Inoue might have the right idea! I'm being pulled left and right between two parties and I have no idea which one I should go with," Toshiro snapped at them. "I think I should have a say in this somewhere! I'm not a ball to be tossed around and played keep away with! If anything I should make this choice! My heart is saying to stay here but my head is telling me to go. If Inoue and Akiyama-sama stay I might be able to make the choice on my own!"

"You are required to come back with us," Byakuya snapped, crossing his arms. "There is no choice in the matter."

"Then at least let me get to know you again! I don't know either of you," Toshiro blurted out. "You talk about how you know me but I have no idea who you people even are! It's temporary, anyway. I don't think Inoue's plan is that bad. Just while we're traveling together we just sort of stay out of each other's space to prevent conflicts or something like that."

Sesshoumaru and Byakuya turned to look at each other again. An alliance? Were these two serious? That idea just sounded so ridiculous.

"Well? Yes or no? Akiyama-sama does have that tracking ability with the ribbons and if we want to find Naraku he may be our only chance," Toshiro added, looking at Sesshoumaru, before turning to look Byakuya. "And Sesshoumaru-sama does have firsthand battle experience with Naraku and those women."

Both of the steely men looked at Toshiro and then back at each other. Those were a couple of good reason but were they good enough to make it work? So what was it going to be? They didn't have much time to waste. They needed to catch up with Kagura and Kanna fast. The decision had to be made and it had to be made now.

This really was a race against time. Ichigo was on the verge of breaking the mirror. Thankfully Naraku's castle was now in sight. Kagura had used the fastest winds she could muster to get them there. She quickly landed her feather in the courtyard of the castle. She got off and drug Ichigo off on to the dry ground. Kanna was trying to contain the young man's soul but the mirror was only a crack or two away from shattering.

Kagura quickly recalled her giant feather and slipped it back into her onyx hair. She then picked Ichigo up and dragged him into the castle. With her demon strength the boy wasn't heavy, he was just of taller stature, which made him quite a bit cumbersome to handle. She needed to get him to Naraku before he wakes. Kanna followed right behind her down the dark, empty corridors.

Finally! Kanna opened the door for Kagura and the three entered the large room and not a moment too soon. With a loud crack the mirror shattered to the floor. The soul that been fighting to get out finally erupted from the damaged mirror and quickly returned to its proper body. Ichigo let out hard gasp as his brown eyes snapped open. What the hell just happened? He lifted his head to see that the wind woman was tucked under his shoulder, holding him up.

"What the hell?" Ichigo snapped only to be thrown a few feet to the floor. "OW! What? Where am I? What's going on?"

"Silence," Kagura hissed at him.

"Make me, woman!" Ichigo retorted as Kagura unfolded her fan.

"Don't test me," Kagura barked at him.

"That will be enough, Kagura," a man's voice sounded from behind Ichigo. "I'd like to have him in one piece."

Ichigo paused and spun around to face the voice's owner. Ichigo had a feeling as to who this person might be. Kagome talked about him a lot and in detail. He had long dark wavy hair and cold red eyes. There was also what looked like a large chunk of the Shikon Jewel tucked away in his robes. This had to be him without a doubt. Ichigo felt his inner hollow snarl at the man and he almost mirrored his hollow's actions. Ichigo narrowed his eyes at the demon and slowly started to reach for Zangetsu only to realize the lack of weight on his left hip just before grabbing a nonexistent hilt.

"I take it you're Naraku?" Ichigo asked as the demon smiled coolly at the orange haired teen.

"I am, empty one," Naraku answered with a cool voice. "You have been informed well."

"Okay… So why am I here?" Ichigo asked the most obvious question.

"A lot of reasons," Naraku smirked. "But mostly because I have use of you and your abilities."

Ichigo's eyes widened. Oh, this couldn't be good. He needed to get out of here. Just being a hostage was bad enough but he wasn't going to be a tool as well. He didn't know any kido and his zanpakuto was elsewhere at the moment. He did a quickly glance back Kagura to see the sword strapped to her waist. There really wasn't much choice. He had to use his hollow abilities if he wanted to get out of this but he had to do this just right. First he might needed some more information.

"My abilities, huh? Sorry, but I don't work for creeps like you," Ichigo snorted, crossing his arms. "And besides, what abilities are you talking about anyway?"

"Playing dumb, are we? I've already addressed you as what you are. An empty one," Naraku replied as Ichigo's cockiness faded. "Your power is truly formidable from what I've been told. I intended to use your power for my cause."

"Bite me," Ichigo snapped as Naraku looked a little awestruck at the comment.

"Is that meant to be some form of an insult?" Naraku questioned as a thin eyebrow perked up.

"Yeah… Sheesh, that fell flat," Ichigo grumbled, rubbing the back of his head, sheepishly. Man, if that wasn't awkward…

"I see… As I was saying; I intend to use your power. You will aid me in collecting the jewels shards from Inuyasha and the others," Naraku said, his expression now looking impassive.

"Like hell I will! There's no way I'd willing work with you," Ichigo bit out, glaring at the demon before him.

"I never said you would willing assist me to begin with," Naraku said, getting to his bare feet. "Free will is not something I like in my subordinates. Kohaku."

Ichigo didn't have time to respond when he felt a heavy metal chain wrap around his arms and torso. He turned his head to see a young boy somewhere in his preteens holding the other end of the chain. Ichigo scrambled to his feet but was quickly pulled back down to the matted floor. This wasn't good. He craned his neck to look back up at the boy only to see the glow a jewel shard in the boy's neck. This had to be Sango's little brother.

"You're Sango's brother, aren't you?" Ichigo ask but the boy just stared at him emotionless.

"Kohaku here is a prime example of what I have planned for you, empty one," Nakraku said, closing the small gape between them. "He lives only because of the jewel shard in his body and he lives solely to serve me. You will soon do the same."

"That's not going to happen! Bastard," Ichigo growled, getting back to feet and went to rush Hohaku to keep him for pulling the chain again.

A split second later Ichigo was wrapped from his shoulders to his ankles with a mass wriggling tentacles. Kohaku let go of the chain as Ichigo was lifted up off the floor and pulled back over towards Naraku in one swift movement. Ichigo was turned to face the demon. The young shinigami struggled to get free. Ichigo paused as he watched Naraku reach into his kimono and pulled out a small shard of the jewel. Maybe he could bluff him.

"Hahahaha! If you think one little jewel shard is going to make me follow your orders, you're wrong," Ichigo sneered as Naraku stared at him drily. "I'm stronger than I look!"

"Hmm, perhaps you are right. You do seem rather spirited and I can't have that," Naraku mused, pulling out as second shard. "Two shards might keep you a bit more under my control."

"Crap… I seriously need to lean to shut up at times," Ichigo grumbled, starting to struggle a little harder.

"However, I can't keep calling you empty one. You must have a name," Naraku said, rolling the jewel shards around in his right hand.

"Go to hell," Ichigo snapped as the tentacles squeezed him tightly. "GAAAAH!"

"Now I know that's an insult," Naraku smirked, slowly loosening his hold so the boy could breath. "Now again what is your name?"

"Damn you!" Ichigo gasped only to get the vice grip again around his rib cage. "UUUUGH! ICH—UCK! ICHIGOOO!"

"Ichigo? Hmm?" Naraku mused, lightening his grip as Ichigo took in a few deep breaths. "Rather fitting given your hair."

"L-leave my hair o-out of this," Ichigo chocked out as Naraku snorted and pulled the boy in a little closer and turned him around. "D-don't do this! I'm begging you! You h-have no idea what I can d-do! You can't control me! STOP IIIIT!"

Naraku said nothing as he pulled down the collar of Ichigo's haori. Ichigo struggled has best he could but it was for not. Instead of trying to get information he should have just bolted when he had the chance. That was a huge mistake. The two shards pierced the skin at the back of neck and were buried deep. Ichigo immediately stopped struggled and his eyes went glassy. Naraku quickly released him back to floor. This was it. The moment of truth.

Kagura and Kanna instinctively stepped back. Kohaku watched them back away and decided to do the same as Ichigo writhed and contorted on floor. He let out all manner of screams and wails as his body started to change. The first thing to change were his eyes; going from chocolate brown to a bright gold swimming in black. Soon his skin started to change color to that of white marked with black. His face started to grow a thick white toothy mask of white, topped with sharp angular horns. Talons formed on his fingers and toes and his bright orange hair started to grow into a long thick mane.

The process only took a few short minutes and the power coming off him was enormous. It was suffocating to be around him. Kohaku had to leave room, while Kanna and Kagura were contemplating doing the same thing. Naraku was even taken aback by the sheer power Ichigo possessed. He too, had to stand back and away from this creature morphing before him. Was this his true form? Never had Naraku seen an empty one like him before. This was going to be interesting.

When everything cleared and settled Ichigo's power started to level off as he slowly opened his eyes to stare up at the ceiling. He blinked once before he turned his head to look to his left. A growl was building in his throat as he looked at Naraku. He scratched at the mats on the floor tearing into them like they were made out of soft mud.

"Well… You're more than what I expected you to be, Ichigo," Naraku leered, taking a weary step forward. "Yes, I think you'll do nicely in getting rid of Inuyasha, Kagome, and the others for me."

Ichigo quickly got to his feet and glared at Naraku. He was no one's puppet. He quickly charged at Naraku and torn into the half demon like he was tissue paper. Naraku was not at please at this as he was nearly cut in half. He stumbled back and started to piece himself back together. Ichigo was lightning fast and his strength was nothing but raw power. This empty one could either be Naraku's greatest weapon or his greatest mistake. He had to be extremely careful.

"Dance of Blades," Kagura shouted out but was nearly hit with a large red bala. She grabbed Kanna as she dodged the blast. "WAAH! Damn it! What was that?"

A large smoldering hole stretched on through the many walls of the castle clear to the outside. If that blast had hit them it would have been costly or their death. Kohaku managed to miss getting hit. He stuck his head out from a wall looking a little shaken. Kagura and Kanna now stood in the farthest corner of the room.

Naraku's insane to try and control this thing, Kagura thought, looking wide eyed a monster before them. There's one way he can keep control over him!

"I see. You really are wild, aren't you?" Naraku said, pulling out the large chunk of the Shikon no Tama from his tattered clothes. "No matter, you will learn to obey me, empty one."

Using the larger chunk of the jewel Naraku was able to bring Ichigo down to his knees writhing in pain. This, however, was only succeeding in making the vasto lorde angrier. He let out a loud howl and got back up to his feet and went for Naraku again. Only to end up in even more pain than before as an alien voice was raging his head.

"Submit to me! Submit, Ichigo! Give in to my commands," Naraku ordered a loud along with the mental voice in Ichigo's mind. "Submit! I am your master! I am your lord and you will do as I say! Submit to me, Ichigo. Now, kneel! Kneel, I command you."

Begrudgingly, with a low growl, the vasto lorde did as instructed by Naraku. His gaze was hard and sharp and bored into the man before him. Naraku knew that this entity was a time bomb. He had to be careful or this thing could easily turn on him. He was going to be hard to control but he'd work with this creature and condition him to understand and follow him as master.

"Good. I am your master and will do as I say," Naraku stated, walking up to Ichigo. "I think you'll do nicely once you learn to respect me."

Ichigo lunged at Naraku digging his horns into Naraku's shoulders. Yes, indeed, this was going to be a long process and one he had better start working on. A moment later Ichigo was once again writhing in pain for his actions. Naraku stepped back and glared down at Ichigo.

"You will submit your will and power to me," Naraku chanted again as Ichigo growled.

"Bite me," Ichigo hissed with venom through his mask.

Naraku once again looked a bit surprised at the odd words, before letting out a small chuckle. The boy was stubborn but so was he. As long as he held the Shikon Jewel he would retain his power over this empty one and he was going to break him. Naraku let out a long breath and glared down at Ichigo.

"So you can talk, can you?" Naraku mused, making sure to keep his distance this time.

"Bastard—GGAAAAAHHH!" Ichigo screamed as he was hit again was searing pain. "Kill! Tear to shreds!"

"Enough! You are going to be hard to work with but you will learn to obey me in time," Naraku retorted, a deep frown on his face. "I will be more than happy to educate you, Ichigo."

A moment later Ichigo's whole body felt like it was on fire. He screamed and howled as he rolled around the floor in anguish. In his head Naraku started to tell him to submit once more. Naraku would continue this assault for however long it took to get this empty one to obey him without question.

Kagura and Kanna watched on as Ichigo squirmed and wailed in pain on the floor. Eventually Kagura turned away and walked out of the room where the door used to be. She couldn't watch it anymore. This is what Naraku was good at. If he didn't literally hold her heart in his hands she would have fought him and fled this place long ago. He was disgusting to watch. That empty one was going to break sooner or later.

An awkward silence took hold of a small camp consisting of two separate groups. The tension was so thick it was suffocating. The tension was mostly coming from the group leaders; Sesshoumaru and Byakuya. They had agreed to work together more or less for Toshiro's sake. They carried on westward until the trail ran cold. Byakuya had tried to pick up Ichigo's spirit ribbon but with no success. If they were behind a barrier it wasn't going to be possible to pick them up. This of course did not help the teetering alliance.

Orihime quietly brushed Rin's hair, while Toshiro drew random pictures in the dirt. Jaken was sleeping against Ah-un. Byakuya worked on getting dinner finished and Sesshoumaru lurked somewhere out in the shadows of the woods. Not a single word had been spoken for a good 10 minutes or so. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. No one was really communicating at all.

"NO, THE STAR IS A SQUARE EGG!"

Everyone jumped and turned to look at Jaken who had apparently just woken up from a nightmare. The imp's face turned a bright red, noticing the weird looks he was getting from the others. He wasn't even sure what he was dreaming about but it must have been weird to blurt that out. He let out a sheepish chuckle, stood, and walked off into the darkness of the woods.

"I don't want to know," Byakuya said under his breath.

"He does that every so often," Rin said as Orihime started to braid her hair. "Usually resulting with a rock to his head not long after."

"OWWW! SESSHOUMARU-SAMA, WHY?"

"Wow, right on cue," Orihime mused, after hearing the imp scream out in pain. "So… Uh… Hitsugaya, you wanna talk about something?"

"Not really, no," Toshiro mumbled, working on digging out a small piece of quartz with a small stick.

"Oh, c'mon. There has to be something you want to ask one of us," Orihime smiled, tying off the end of Rin's braid. "All done, Rin-chan."

"Thank you," she said, standing up.

"Not in the mood," Toshiro answered, finally dislodging the small milky quartz.

"Why not?" Rin asked, looking over at Toshiro. "I thought that's why you wanted them to come with us."

"I don't know… I'm just not in the mood to talk," Toshiro said, looking at the rock in his hand. "I get that way, you know that."

"You're thinking," Byakuya stated, pulling the fish off the fire. "That's why you don't want to talk."

"Ooh, nailed it," Toshiro bit out, sarcastically.

"Are you scared of what you might find out?" Byakuya questioned, facing the young captain. "You've been exceeding quiet, even for you."

"Stop doing that," Toshiro snapped, slamming the rock back to the ground. "I don't like it."

"What, reading you? I mean no ill will by it," Byakuya sighed, putting the fish in several small bowls of rice. "I've known and worked with you for many years. There may be aspects of you that have changed but some things about you are still fundamentally the same. You're just scared that I know so much about you that you're just now relearning or figuring out."

"Okay, so what about me has changed?" Toshiro asked as Byakuya started handed out the bowls to Rin and Orihime.

"Well, your confidence level is about half of what it used to be, you're more emotional than normal, and you're finally acting more like a child," Byakuya said, handing out a bowl to Toshiro. "Even when I first met you right out of the academe you had an adult air about you."

"You're saying that I don't now?" Toshiro inquired, taking the bowl.

"Not nearly as much. Dare I say it? You're acting more your age," Byakuya stated dryly as Toshiro's eye twitched in aggregation. "You're temper, however, hasn't wavered at all, I see. Still a hair pin trigger to certain things."

"Thanks," Toshiro snorted, taking a set of chop sticks as well from the older captain.

"Let's see… What else?" Orihime mused, bringing a helping of rice to her mouth. "Oh, yeah! You still have your fighting spirit. You weren't going to give up against those wolves from earlier."

"You're skills are lacking greatly," Byakuya added. "Kido was one of your specialties. Is Hado number 4 all you remember?"

"Something like that…" Toshiro grumbled, sticking a piece of fish in his mouth. That's all Hyorinmaru would teach me.

"I think you have a little more patience now, too. Just a little," Orihime said with a smile. "If you were the old you, you would be chewing us out right now."

"Oh, trust me, I'm biting my tongue," Toshiro replied with a snarky grin. "I'm biting it rather hard."

"I've heard him argue with Sesshoumaru-sama several times, doesn't last long though," Rin sighed. "Because he knows better than to keep doing it."

Toshiro gave her a sideways glance as she just grinned, popping some rice into her mouth. Toshiro turned back to his own bowl and started to pick away at the fish. Orihime cleared her throat a little.

"Well, you're still very protective. You put yourself between Rin and the wolves from what I saw," Orihime chimed in, setting her bowl down in her lap. "You weren't going to back down even after you got so badly hurt."

"Yeah…" Toshiro grumbled and looked down the little red charm on his wrist. Why didn't it work when I was attacked by Kanna and the wolves? Did it know I would be okay in the end? I hope it's not broken. I should have one more protection spell left in it. She did say it only worked when the situation was truly dire so…

"Sure are a lot of frogs and crickets out," Orihime said, looking up at the nearly dark sky. "Wow, are they noisy tonight."

"I kinda like it," Rin said, almost at the bottom of her bowl. "I don't like it when the air is too quiet."

"Yeah, I guess so… Gets sort of creepy otherwise," Orihime hummed. "Ah, I know! That gives me an idea! Let's tell ghost stories!"

"cough! What, seriously?" Toshiro chocked on his rice a bit.

"Oh, c'mon! It'll be fun," Orihime smiled, picking up her bowl again. "Why don't you start, Akiyama-sama."

"No," Byakuya answered quickly.

"Aw, why not? I'm sure even Shinigami have their own ghost stories," Orihime said, putting more food her mouth. "Like legends and folklore. Stuff like that."

"I'm not one to weave a tale," Byakuya stated, bluntly. "It was your idea. You start it."

"Oh… Okay, let me think for a minute," Orihime mused, setting her bowl back down. "What would be a good story? A-ha! I've got it! Let's see… It all started one dark and stormy night…"

The story continued for a long while. Sesshoumaru only half listened to their conversation as he rested high up in a tall tree. The sky was completely black now and the stars were twinkling through the leaves. Why did he even agree to this? This was ridiculous. He flexed his fingers slightly and let out a deep agitated sigh. He would be moving a lot faster if that woman and the adult Shinigami didn't need to stop. For the children's sake the tawny hair woman had protested. Yeah, right…

As he sat there a little realization hit him that Toshiro may actually leave. He hated to admit it but he had gotten slightly attached to the young shinigami. In some ways Toshiro reminded him of when he was younger. Those were better days to be sure. What was going to happen to Toshiro if he did leave? Would that woman be able to heal his mind? How would Rin take it? She was extremely close to him after all. They were inseparable almost from the beginning. What was going to happen to her if he left? She'd cry…

Sesshoumaru snorted. A typical human emotion. Crying… Ridiculous. There was really no telling what was going to happen. Would the boy even go back? He doesn't seem to want to. Sesshoumaru doubted even if they ran the shinigami would keep tracking them down. It would just be easier to hand the boy over than prolong the inevitable. Yet, did Sesshoumaru really want to? It would be easier than hiding the boy constantly. Damn… If was thinking of hiding the young shinigami, he was more attached than he first realized. This had to be a mistake. He wasn't even supposed to keep the boy in the first place. Originally he was to be left at the nearest human village but that clearly didn't happen.

Sesshoumaru reached up and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He did everything he didn't want to with the boy. He didn't want to take him and he took him. He didn't want to get attached but he got attached. Hell, he was even teaching the boy how to fight again. What was it about Toshiro that got to him? Rin was a special case on her own but Toshiro…? What made the boy so special? He's very talented, brain injury or not. Toshiro really was gifted. His abilities, perhaps? No, it wasn't that. There really was something about Toshiro that Sesshoumaru couldn't put his clawed finger on. Why had he gotten so attached? Rin was because she tried to take care of him and never once acted scared around him. It had stood out that a human child would act the way she did towards him. But what did Toshiro do? Their first meeting was odd and was nothing like what happened with him and Rin.

Sesshoumaru puzzled over that. He found the boy interesting after learning he wasn't an average human but that wasn't it. The boy's strange appearance was also interesting but again that wasn't it. He didn't know what it was but he felt like there was an odd connection between them. This small time-traveler had something that the demon lord was oddly drawn to. He then pondered on their relationship with each other.

Rin was a close companion; his ward. He'd do anything to protect her and take care of her. He showed her how to better take care of herself out in the world. Their relationship was similar to that of an uncle and niece relationship. They were very close but there was a slight gap between them. Now looking at Toshiro, they were also close to each other. They would have each other's back if need be. They argued with each other, which was something Rin hardly ever did. Toshiro would challenge his authority at times and freely. A few times Toshiro even got his way. Today was a prime example of that.

Sesshoumaru wasn't one to teach anyone about fighting but he was teaching Toshiro. The demon lord saw aspects of himself in Toshiro's personality and mannerisms. It couldn't be. This was more than a close friendship. His attachment to the boy was closer to that of a… Sesshoumaru snorted. He was thinking too deep into this. But still… That thought lingered in the back of his mind. If Rin was like a close niece than Toshiro would be more like a… Son…

No… That was stupid. He was attached to boy but to consider that a possibility? Well, then again he was just considering hiding the boy so… He didn't need this. Handing the boy back over might be right thing but when it really came down to it, could he? Could Sesshoumaru really just hand over the boy? He didn't the first time when Toshiro had ran away. He fought to get the boy back and Toshiro fought to stay. But things had also changed. They now knew who and what Toshiro was. It made sense for the boy to leave and go back where he truly belonged. Toshiro was starting a new life here, however, far away from his previous life of fighting and commanding an army. Given how he talked about his flashbacks Toshiro had some pretty nasty things happen to him. From what Sesshoumaru had heard intermittently Toshiro had practically grown up mentally and had too. Here in this time, in this life, he was once again a child.

Sesshoumaru listened as the group let out a slight laugh and talked about more things. Jaken had gone back to sleep. The demon lord could hear the imp's low snoring. He really didn't want to admit how close he had gotten to the boy. He'd most certainly would not admit it out loud to anyone either. His pride would not allow such foolishness. A moment later Sesshoumaru watched as Byakuya walked underneath his tree. The man look rather annoyed about something.

"Is something troubling you, Captain?" Sesshoumaru asked as Byakuya looked up into the dark tree canopy.

"Please refrain from calling me captain," Byakuya answered, coolly. "I'm no body here."

"Of course," Sesshoumaru said, swinging his legs over the branch to sit up and to get a better look at the shinigami lord. "But to what whereabouts are you headed off?"

"To make my report," Byakuya replied, turning his hell and started to walk off.

"How? You've stated that you are stuck here in the past," Sesshoumaru said, raising a thin silver eyebrow. "How is that you will be able to commune with your future world?"

"That is of no concern of yours, daiyoukai," Byakuya respond, vanishing into the bushes. "Don't follow me either."

Of course that was an invite as far as Sesshoumaru was concerned. Silently jumping from tree to tree Sesshoumaru followed the Shinigami captain. Finally the man stopped in front of a large rock formation and Sesshoumaru kept his distance up in the dark treetops. He watched as Byakuya pulled out a small item before smashing it against the rock. An odd vapor arouse forming a face.

"Akon, get me your taichou," Byakuya ordered.

"Yes, right away, Kuchiki-taichou" the man nodded.

Sesshoumaru noticed he was addressed differently from what he was originally told. So his real name was Kuchiki Byakuya not Akiyama Byakuya. Interesting. Why did he change his name? Was it for protection? Most likely. A moment later another man appeared. Sesshoumaru took an immediate disliking to the man in the strange mist.

"Well, well, well look at who finally decided to report in," Kurotsuchi sneered. "I was being to wonder if we had to send a search party for you too."

"Don't start with me, Kurotsuchi-taichou," Byakuya snapped. "I'm here to make my report. This thing is limited as you well know. I have run into a few snags. Yesterday we had managed to find and secure Kurosaki and today we managed to locate Hitsugaya-taichou."

"Then why haven't you returned?" Kurotsuchi snapped. "Stop lollygagging! You all should be back here in the Seireitei, not making a report! Return at once!"

"Let's me finish! Upon finding the young captain we were attacked by two demons. Both Hitsugaya and Kurosaki were their targets. We managed to save Hitsugaya but Kurosaki was taken from—" Byakuya was cut short.

"You incompetent fool! How could you let that happen?" Kurotsuchi snapped, his painted face looking angrier by the moment. "You can't keep changing history! Just take Hitsugaya and return right now!"

"Not without Kurosaki. He was kidnapped by the demon Naraku," Byakuya snapped at the misty image. "We fear he might be used as a weapon. We have to get him back or history really will be altered."

"You idiot! You simpleton! How could you let this happen?" Kurotsuchi shouted. "If nothing else send the brat and that woman through the gate. You have a spare key after all. Once you've collected Kurosaki return immediately!"

"This is not a simple solo mission. I'm going to need their help. We fear that Kurosaki might have a jewel shard placed within him," Byakuya retorted. "That's not a scenario I want to go into alone. They are to stay here with me until the end."

"I'll have you written up for this insubordination! I'm technically in charge of the mission, need I remind you, Kuchiki-taichou," Kurotsuchi hissed, pointing at the other captain. "You will be buried so deep that the Kuchiki name will mean nothing!"

"It's bad enough to insult me but do not insult the noble house of Kuchiki. Might I remind you that you are nothing more than pardoned criminal that should have remained behind lock and key in the Maggot's Nest," Byakuya rubbed in. "Don't even start with me. We shall remain until Kurosaki has been rescued. You may be in charge officially but what happens here in the field is under my control."

"You are so going to get it when you get back, Kuchiki," Kurotsuchi grumbled as the vapor faded away into the air.

Byakuya balled up his fist and hit the rock that once held the wispy face of Kurotsuchi. That idiot. He never really got to give his full report. Just a few of the key points. As it was, he wasn't going to tell that madman that he was working with another group to help find Kurosaki. He also didn't feel safe sending Toshiro through without his memories. Toshiro won't allow Orihime to try and fix his mind and Orihime isn't the type to force others into things. Byakuya brushed some black locks back behind his ear and turned to head back towards the camp.

Byakuya was usually more even tempered but right now he was little on edge. He was so close to succeeding and then good old Murphy's Law kicked in. Anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Not to mention getting that tongue lashing from his fellow captain. That really set him off. He wasn't too happy about this begrudging alliance either. He only agreed in hopes that Toshiro would agree to come with them peacefully if he got to know them. He wasn't about to send the young captain through without his memories. There was no telling what the mad scientist had planned for him if he arrived with amnesia.

Byakuya then stopped as he crossed under a tree. Like telling the demon lord to stay away would have really worked. The shinigami set his jaw and looked up into the dark branches with a glare. There was no point in hiding now. Sesshoumaru took a step forward and jumped down landing softly on his feet.

"So your name is really Kuchiki?" Sesshoumaru inquired as Byakuya's eyes narrowed more. "A captain and nobleman. That explains a few things. Do to your family's name you don't want it getting around."

"Exactly, which is why I prefer being called Akiyama," Byakuya stated. "You heard everything no doubt."

"I will not deny it," Sesshoumaru answered. "Interesting form of communication."

"It works," Byakuya almost shrugged. "However, I don't much like people spying on me when I need to give a report."

"There was nothing much you said that I didn't already know about to some degree," Sesshoumaru pointed out. "I noticed you didn't mention our truce. Did you just not have time or did you opt to hide that fact?"

"A bit of both. It's best to keep some secrets from him," Byakuya answered, picking up his feet again and headed towards camp. "With Hitsugaya as he is there is no telling what will happen upon return. I'm sparing him from some unknown tortures."

"If he did have his memories back would you have sent him on with the woman?" Sesshoumaru asked, walking beside the shinigami lord.

"No and I'm sure he wouldn't return until this mission was completed," Byakuya said, continuing on. "Inoue would never leave Kurosaki behind either. I'm not overly fond of the boy but he has his good points. My sister likes him too so I really don't have an option. Oddly enough we all owe Kurosaki a good bit of gratitude for what he's done. It's only fitting we return a bit of it."

Sesshoumaru and Byakuya said nothing more as they headed back towards the camp. The sounds of Orihime and the children playing some sort of game echoed off in the distance. This was the calm before the storm. Neither men knew how long their truce would last but hopefully it would last long enough for them to reach Naraku's stronghold.

(A/N Whoo… Finally, I'm done with this chapter! Please tell me what you all think! I love feedback! I wasn't sure about how this was going to turn out about half way through. Thanks for reading.)

Millie M. Banshee