Sorry for the long delay

xoxo

"Good morning, Ichigo!" Tsukiko sang as she stood in front of Ichigo. "Uh, what are you doing here Tsukiko?" Tsukiko put her finger on her lips to silence Ichigo. "I'm playing the role as Katsumi while she's away." Ichigo scratched his head. "Tsukiko, I don't think that'll work." Ichigo chuckled. "What? Why not? We are twins!" She huffed. "Yes where that is true, she's not blind." She grinned. "Okay, I lied. I'm not here to take her place. I mean… me going to school. Heh, Princesses don't do school. I just came to see how you were holding up. Also, I came with a message from Kisuke and-" Ichigo tensed, "What? Is something wrong? Did they set an execution date?" He rambled. "Shhhh! I'm talking! Poor manners I swear. ANYWAY, Kisuke says come to his shop after school if you want to save Rukia and my sister… Ok! Bye!" Before Ichigo could reply Tsukiko jumped on the window seal and vanished. "Ichigo, are you ok?" Orihime asked at the dumbfounded Ichigo. "Yea, why wouldn't I be?" He responded. "Well it's just… You were talking to yourself and… Oh what am I saying…? Never mind" Orihime blushed as she ran to her seat. Ichigo stared at the vacant spot where Tsukiko stood just moments before, "I was talking to myself?"

"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you all!" Katsumi shouted as she kicked the prison bars. "Oh, shut up already. You've been at this all day." Renji growled. "Oh hell, no! I rather deal with anyone else BUT you! Can't I write like a list of people who I want to see and who I don't want to see? Seems fair if you are going to lock me up in here FOR NO DAMN REASON!" Katsumi yelled. "No reason? You are arrested for-"

"For betraying the Society and experimenting with other soul reapers to create hollows. Yes, I've heard this all before! As in saying this I can also say, for the hundredth time, I DIDN'T DO IT! That damn Aizen did it." Katsumi interjected. "I will not stand here and let you accuse Aizen." Renji glared. "Then take a seat because I'm not finished. Now, why on earth would I do such a horrible thing to my cousin, Hiyori, by changing her into a hollow?" Katsumi asked. Renji looked at her at a loss, "Because… Because you never really cared about her." He threw out. "That's bullshit and everyone knew it! I loved my cousin. Hell I'd sneak out of the palace to see her and a few of the captains." Katsumi chuckle at the memories.

"Captain Shunsui and Captain Jūshirō? Yea, I heard you were like their niece." Renji nodded. "But what about those other captains and lieutenants? You didn't know them!" Katsumi blushed. "Well… I didn't know them. You are totally right about that, but I knew the previous 5th Captain." Renji stared at Katsumi trying to figure out whether or not she was being honest. "Don't believe me. I don't care, but here is something you should believe. Do you think the person who experiments on other soul reapers would dare try to experiment on themselves knowing the process wouldn't work?" Renji shook his head. "That's a ridiculous question. Of course not." Katsumi stepped back from the bars, "Then why…" She began before placing the palm of her hand in front of her face and her hollow mask formed. "Would I do this to myself?" She asked in a scratchy disoriented voice. Renji stepped back and placed his hand on his zanpakutō, "Don't worry." She removed her mask. "I'm not going to attack you, but to be honest back in the world of the living I totally held back on killing you." Renji dropped his hand to his side. "Why? How did you become… That?" He asked. "Will you listen to my story?" She asked with a small smile. He nodded before sitting on the ground. She did the same, "It all started 100 years ago… Hell maybe longer…" She began.

"Good morning princess!" A girl greeted. "Mayu, is that you?" Tsukiko smiled. "Of course, who else would I be? It's little me back from Pari." She winked. "I heard about Katsumi. Is there anything I should do? Go to the west and call for reinforcements perhaps?" Mayu asked. "No, I have reinforcements they are training though. I'm so glad you are here. I've missed you!"

"And I you!" Mayu grinned before pulling Tsukiko into a hug. "It's so good to see you again. Come walk with me. Tell me about your travel!" Mayu linked arms with Tsukiko, "Oh there is so much to tell! So much."

Kei entered the house just as the two girls walked to the front door, "Oh Princess. Where are you off to?" Kei asked as he stared down Mayu. "For a walk. We were going to play catch up." Mayu smirked at Kei as she flipped her hair off her shoulder. "But Princess. Today you were supposed to start on Ichigo's training."

"He's still in that hole at Urahara's shop trying to regain his reaper abilities. I still have time." Tsukiko smiled. "No, he just got out." Kei responded. "Oh… OH why didn't Kisuke tell me! I'm sorry Mayu. I'll have to postpone our outing. Is that ok?" Mayu glared at Kei before turning her attention to Tsukiko, "Ok? Of course girl! I'll still be here by the time you get back!" Tsukiko smiled at Mayu before darting off to Urahara's. Mayu turned to face Kei and her head bobbed to the side, "You think you can keep her away from me? She's my friend." Kei straightened up his stance. "Friend or not. She has responsibilities." Mayu lifted her head and scolded, "Fine. Then I shall leave." She huffed then left the house. She walked about two blocks away before summoning up a Hell Butterfly and relaying a message then sent it off.

It was night fall in the Soul Society as Katsumi waited for Renji to respond to her story. She was afraid. Truly afraid. Afraid she'd be looked at as insane. She looked into Renji's eyes and saw confusion. "A lot to take in?" She asked quietly. Renji nodded, "It's all just too… too real. That story… Your story. It just makes more sense hearing your side." Katsumi sighed in relief. "You believe me?" Her voice held a certain type of hope as she spoke. "I… Yea, I believe you." He replied in determination. "Oh… Oh thank goodness. Wait, what are you doing?" She asked as Renji stood up and messed with the locked door. "Letting you out." He replied. She stood fast and touched his hand, "Don't! Not yet… Don't worry about me. I'm not really stuck in here. This cell was made to keep Soul Reapers in not an Elemental. I can blow the top off this place whenever I want." Katsumi assured. "Then why are you still here?" Renji asked. "I have… I have to make sure Rukia gets out of here alive too. Even if that means I have to wait until her execution day. So please, just look after Rukia for me. Tell me when they move her and tell me when her execution day is. I will save her. Or die trying." Renji stared at Katsumi's eyes and saw a sense of determination. "Yea. I'll do that." Renji agreed before turning to leave.