Noble Love - Bleach (Kuchiki Byakuya x Oc x A bit of Various)

七

A day had passed since her last encounter with Izuru, and with her being separated from the group the most, she missed out a lot of happenings. Just few hours ago, Ichigo had encountered an enemy while on his way to the Shrine of Penitence, where Rukia was being locked up. It didn't take long for Asa to realise that Ichigo had fought Zaraki, just by sensing the latter's reiatsu that lingered throughout Seireitei.

However, as she was about to be nearer to the tower after escaping a huge group of Shinigami, she felt a very strong reiatsu in the air, one that she knew belonged to a Captain. She knew that a Captain wouldn't recklessly reveal their reiatsu unless they encounter an enemy, and that assumption alarmed her. What if that Captain had encountered Ichigo and his friends? She didn't waste anymore time, and used Flash Step to reach the Shrine of Penitence as fast as she could.

'Ichigo should have taken some damage after fighting Zaraki.' she thought with worry clearly written all over her face. 'And with the fact that he hasn't mastered his Bankai, there's a high risk that he would get himself killed!' While still moving towards the tower, she looked up with much hope as she thought, 'Yoruichi, please do something before anything happens to him!'

Meanwhile, back on the bridge that was connected the tower where Rukia was being locked up, Ganju was defeated by Kuchiki Byakuya, Rukia's brother, when the Captain of the 6th Division unleashed his Shikai. Before he could attack Hanatarou, a Shinigami that joined Ichigo and Ganju in the rescue mission, the Captain of the 13th Division stepped in at the right time before Hanatarou or Rukia could get hurt. Soon, Ichigo joined the scene. After exchanging a brief conversation with the Kuchiki siblings, the Captain began to attack, to which was deflected by Ichigo despite the former using Flash Step, surprising the witnesses. Ichigo pushed Byakuya away with his Zanpakutou, causing the latter to skid back until he was few feet away from him before Ichigo charged to attack him, but failed when the Captain used Flash Step again. Like before, Ichigo read his movements, and this allowed him to predict when he would strike before using his Zanpakutou to strike him, only having it blocked by Byakuya's own weapon.

"Amazing!" gasped Hanatarou, a short young man with blue eyes and chin-length hair that had bangs framing the sides of his face. Besides wearing the standard Shihakushou, he had a medical kit strapped over his shoulder, giving away which Division he was working under. "Too amazing! Ichigo-san is fighting on an even level with Kuchiki-taichou."

'It's true that Ichigo's growth makes one doubt their eyes.' thought Rukia, who was equally surprised at how much the said boy had progress. 'Even just being able to see Nii-sama's Flash Step is incredible.' Her surprise soon changed into one of worry and panic. 'But that's only the tip of Nii-sama's power! Flash Step is nothing to him! If I don't stop them before Nii-sama becomes serious, he will...!'

"I see." said Byakuya once the said boy landed across him unscratched. "It is apparent you have improved more than I thought. No choice then. Before you become intoxicated by your own power, I shall show you..." Rukia gasped with horror when he held his Zanpakutou in the same position right before Ganju was taken down. "...a decisive power gap that you could not overcome in a millennium of struggle."

When he turned the blade, Rukia began to panic. "It's no use, Ichigo! " she yelled. "Run!"

"Scatter-" Just before Byakuya released his Zanpakutou's Shikai, a woman stopped him by wrapping the blade with cloth and landed between him and Ichigo, surprising everyone by her presence.

"That's..." trailed off Ukitake.

"You!" hissed Byakuya.

"Long time no see, Little Byakuya." she greeted.