The One behind the Mask

What would you do if one day you were ordered to kill the one person you swore to protect? I suck at summaries but this totally sums it... I think... Ichiruki :D

Disclaimer: I still don't own bleach :P (but I'm working on it hahaha just kidding :D)

Chapter 1: Ace of Hearts

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

It was another explosion.

Two doors swung open. A huge man came marching in and a big pair of hands slams hard on the wooden desk.

"Another one! Warehouse no. 2AC3! This is getting out of hand! We have to do something!" He growled towards the man sitting behind the desk.

"Calm down Omaeda." The other person replied simply sipping from his cup of tea.

"But sir this is the second time this week, if this keeps up—" The sound of the teacup being put down on the table made him stop talking. The other man leaned his back on his chair and placed his elbow on one of the arm rests. He turns his chair to face the window and gazed at the full moon looking so beautiful in the clear night sky.

"Two minor warehouse explosions are not enough to cause us the slightest bit of casualty. Whoever this troublemaker is, he has no idea who he's dealing with. So I suggest you stop ruining my teatime with your unnecessary behavior and enjoy this fine evening." He said removing his glasses and running his hands through his brown hair. Omaeda growled inwardly.

"Yes, sir Aizen." He bowed with a deep scowl before leaving the man inside the room. He was clearly mad and frustrated about how lightly his boss was taking all this. Outside he was met by a smaller man waiting for his orders.

"Send our best men to investigate." Omaeda commanded in an authoritative tone and the other bowed in understanding before running off to fulfill his task.

People gathered around the now burnt down warehouse in order to investigate what happened. Two young men began to approach one of the police officers who seemed to be busy observing his men if they were doing their jobs properly.

"So, how's everything looking officer?" The one with orange hair asked casually nodding towards the destroyed warehouse.

"It was a really powerful bomb. Everything was disintegrated in the explosion." The police officer replied based on the reports he got from his men.

"Everything?" The two men repeated in chorus.

"Everything." The officer confirmed.

"Wow, this guy is good." He murmured putting his hands behind his spiky orange head. His eyes scanned the area when his companion spoke.

"Very good." He corrected. "I heard no trail was left, it was as if the warehouse just exploded on its own. Am I right officer?" He asked the officer who nodded in agreement to what he said. He adjusted his glasses with his middle finger then let out his next question.

"How about deaths? Injuries?"

"Well just like before, no one was found dead. The five security guards of the warehouse were found tied around the trees unconscious with a few minor injuries." The officer explained.

"Looks like our little friend wasn't in a hurry again since he had the time to tie them up. Am I right Ishida?" The orange head commented with a smirk. Ishida rolled his eyes but the guy did have a point.

"We'll begin questioning them once they wake up. Excuse me." The police officer added before walking off.

"Good plan." Ishida murmured sarcastically as if the said questioning wasn't much of a plan at all. He looked serious now. The pieces weren't adding up. Why the warehouse? Who did it? What's the motive? Why tie up the—

"Oi, what's with that face of yours? You look pathetic." Ishida's companion commented and he felt a vein twitch in annoyance.

"Shut up, Ichigo." He countered.

"Oh I'm sorry was that your thinking face?" Ichigo scoffed. Ishida fought the urge to punch the other person.

"Well, it's amazing isn't it?" Ichigo's tone of fascination caught Ishida's attention. "Two warehouses in a week. Guards beat down into pulps. Damn dude's really good, I'd give him that." He added.

"Ah." Ishida unconsciously replied going back to his deep thoughts.

"So you guys think he works alone?" Someone from behind them spoke. They turned around and saw a small woman with light blue eyes and glasses. Her black hair is pinned up neatly, and her bang is kept on the right side to show her face.

"Well, that's what the guard who was attacked before said. A small man wearing a monster mask." Ishida explained aware of how ridiculous that sounded.

"Monster? Really?" The woman asked a little doubtful. "Are you sure he wasn't just drunk? I mean he was drinking with his buddies—"

"I don't think he's drunk, Nanao. I think he was actually telling the truth." Ichigo said cutting her off. Nanao's eyebrows shot up in surprise at that statement.

"Wow, I can't believe, you, Kurosaki Ichigo, actually bought something like that. Come on, not a single person can do so much damage—"

"I can." He said cutting off her statement again. "And you can. Ishida can. We all can. If we know the whole place like the back of our hands, we can single handedly beat up the weak security system and get away with it. But my point is, what's amazing is that this guy, whoever he is; dared to do something like that. I mean, a single mistake would lead him dead right now." Ichigo cleared out crossing his arms over his chest.

"Well, what else is new?" Ishida said with a shrug.

"Actually, nothing is new." Nanao said. "Look at what we found on one of the guards' breast pocket." She held out the item for both of them to see.

"Again?" They asked in chorus with wide eyes.

"Again." She replied in a stern tone. "So question now is, do you think it's the same person?" She posed.

"I think so. We won't find out until the unconscious guards wake up." Ishida said handing the item to Ichigo.

"Well, whoever he is," Ichigo began observing it carefully. "He's definitely got my attention." He ended with a cocky smirk. He brought out something from his pocket. It was the one they found two nights before also in one of the guards' pockets. He held out both items trying to compare them. They were definitely the same. The two cards...

Ace of hearts.

There was a soft knock on her door. She remained still on her bed as she waited for whoever it was to enter. She opened her eyes when she heard a tray being put down on the side table. It was her maid who had entered although she knew it would be her with her hair tied to a bun and her brown eyes filled with innocence. She just watched the young woman begin her preparations.

Every night at this exact time this woman does this. It was her job but she doesn't know that all of this... her efforts... are all... unnecessary... The girl lying on the bed thought.

"Oops. Sorry, did that wake you Miss Rukia?" The maid said when she noticed that the other person was looking at her. Rukia smiled.

"It's alright Momo. Besides, you were about to wake me up right?" Momo lightly giggled at that comment. She then sat beside Rukia on the bed.

"So... how are you feeling?" She asked her voice changing into that of concern.

"I'm feeling a little better now, thank you." Rukia replied sweetly cuddling under her warm sheets.

"Well, it's time to take your medicine."

"Mmm. You can just leave them here. I'll take them later. Thank you."

"B-but—"

"I won't forget Momo. Do I ever?" She assured her.

"Alright then." Momo sighed in defeat then she stood up. "I trust you." She added before walking out of the room. When the said maid was out of sight, Rukia stared at the door for a few moments before she sat up and let out a really big sigh. She reached for the glass of water and pill on the side table. She gulped down half of the water before returning the glass to its place on the table. As for the pill, well she stared at the pill on her hand for a moment then she shook her head.

No... she scolded herself.

She reached her hand under her bed and pulled out a small box with a small lock. She used the key necklace she was wearing to unlock it. When the box was opened she couldn't help but feel bad when her eyes caught sight of what's inside.

Pills.

So many of them.

All looking exactly the same as the one she was holding right now.

She sighed again. This time a sigh filled with guilt as she placed the one she was holding with the others inside the metal box.

She stared at the medicines and each one was looking back at her representing a lie night after night after night. It hurts to see them and she wondered when it would end. So many thoughts were running through her mind when all of a sudden there was a rustling sound coming from the window. She immediately closed the box and stared at the place where she thought the sound came from. Soon she saw someone climbing in from the window. When she figured out who it was, she just rolled her eyes and felt her body relax.

"It's just you." She said trying to sound annoyed. The man smirked at that comment. He tried to fix himself up then he ran his hand through his spiky black hair before making his way towards the bed.

"So I see my princess is still awake." He teased and she immediately looked away to hide a blush.

"Hmph. Shut up." She retorted then she felt him sit beside her on the bed. She could feel her heart beating faster, her grip on the metal box tightened. He noticed what she was holding and he raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"If you don't want to lie anymore, you can just tell her the truth you know? Or I could do it for you?" He told her.

"Whatever. It's none of your business." She retorted coldly putting the box back under her bed. When she sat back straight on the bed, he was already lying down on the other side with his hands behind his head. She didn't mind, actually she preferred it that way. It made her feel safe.

"So... what happened?" She began in a very low tone but he heard her. He let out a sigh and she tensed at hearing that. She knew he was going to say bad news whenever he did that.

"I was right..." He said not moving from his position on the bed. She looked at him.

"Someone... tried to kill him again." He continued.

She tried to keep a straight face this time when she spoke, "I see so you really are going now huh?"

"I don't have a choice. We can't really trust anyone now." He replied sitting up.

"I know." She agreed looking down. She knew he was right but...

"Hey, don't worry. I'm sure they'll find a good replacement for me." He tried to comfort her by placing an arm around her shoulders but she immediately shrug him off.

"No, I don't want any if it's not you." She said firmly crossing her arms over her chest. He paused for a moment. He understood how she felt. Even he himself didn't want to go but it's like what he said, there was no choice especially now that things are all messed up.

"That's sweet of you but... I don't think your uncle will agree to that." He said standing up. She quickly turned around when she felt him leaving her.

"Wait Kaien!" She yelped. He looked back and suddenly she wrapped her arms around him in a tight embrace. He was tall yes, but she was standing on the bed so her arms were around his neck. He was surprised for a moment but then his eyes softened and he hugged her back.

"Take care of him okay?" She whispered on his ear.

"Ah." They pulled back from their embrace and looked intently at each other. He gently caressed her cheeks with his hands. She knew that she was blushing but she can't afford to be embarrassed now. She really wants him to stay, she'd beg him if she could but that would be too selfish of her. They both have a job to do and his was to go. That was the plan.

"Hey..." He began in his warm and charming tone. "Take care of yourself okay?"

She managed to let out a proud smile, "Who do you think you're talking to?"

"And that's what I love about you." He said kissing her forehead then he looked at her with a serious expression.

"But I'm serious Rukia, if something bad happens to you and I'm not there... I'll never forgive myself." He said with gritted teeth. "I mean what you're doing—"

"I know what I'm doing." She assured him. "And I'll be fine. Besides, I had the best teacher." She added and this time she summed up all her courage and kissed his cheek. He smiled back.

"Then I'll see you later my little princess." He said putting a piece of her raven hair behind her ear and she nodded. She lied back down on the bed and watched the other person leave the room the same way he got in. When Kaien was safely on the ground he placed his hand inside his pocket and was surprised to find something inside it now. He pulled it out and smiled when he saw what it was.

A card...

Ace of hearts.

A/N: Sooo what you guys think? I just needed to get this one out. This was for a friend. Sooo um... tell me what you think hehe :D Okay I know I told myself that I don't have the right to upload a new story unless I finish MLIABWI buuut what the heck. I really want to write this for my friend so I need you people to check it if it's worth reading before I could show it to my good buddy :) Soo you know what to do haha XD Read and review, thanks :P and for the errors, really sorry :| that's all ILY guys and God bless :P Okay, back to my other story hahaha XD

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