The Reason

I promised myself I would not do this again, however a review has me doing so.

Please read the chapters fully and you will understand exactly what is written. If I have stated something that makes no sense, go back and re read the chapters. It is mentioned in there someplace. Also, I have a habit of hiding clues in previous chapters to what will happen in the future. I love making my readers search, it keeps their minds occupied. And besides, I am tired of Rukia being the goody goody that she is portrayed as. So sorry to those who like her but she is the villain in this story and yes, she will be making more appearances.


Thank you everyone for your reviews and to answer Scramasax I removed my Jinta and Ururu fic because it wasn't getting any hits or reviews.

Chapter 4


Ichigo was sitting on a bench, waiting for the two guards to come and take him back to the real world. He looked up to see shinigami walking around, pretty much ignoring him, which was fine. He felt someone sit down beside him and he turned to see Juushirou Ukitake sitting there.


"How are you feeling, Ichigo?", the white haired man asked.

"Right now my mind is jumbled. I am feeling so many different emotions right now, I am not sure which one to focus on. She was part of your squad, why did she do it? I mean you know her right?"

Juushirou leaned back to rest against the wall of the building. "I do. Let me gather my thoughts, Ichigo. I will then try to explain."


After a brief time of silence, the white haired captain sighed. "Rukia was always different from the rest. Once Byakuya adopted her into his family, she was placed into a division. Rukia didn't have to test to do so.

She was fine until the first time she met you. After all the battles and the returning times back to the real world, she thought you belonged to her.

Even here it was the same. If Rukia wanted something, she got it. Being part of the Kuchiki family, it's sort of a known fact, you upset Rukia and Byakuya steps in.


We, the captains, along with the Central Forty Six, met in a meeting about you. Your powers had been awoken ahead of time, and with all the battles you were in, we as a whole felt it was better to let your life calm down and attempt to allow you to have a normal life.

Most of the small hollows could be taken care of without you being aware. Rukia was ordered not only by the written orders but also by Byakuya to stay away from you.

We were happy whenever you started to date Orihime. We thought your life was getting back to normal and when the orders came in for the dispatch, Rukia volunteered.

If we had known what would happen, we would have never allowed her to come. She knew about you and Orihime.

Rukia then saw that she wouldn't be the constant in your life. Rukia is used to being the center of attention. It is sad that she had to resort to such petty actions to secure her place in your life. But in the end, even that didn't work.

Byakuya knew she was rebelling against him. She had done it once before as you know. In Rukia's mind, she thought Byakuya would get her out of trouble as he had before but this time, she had went too far.

We are surprised that Orihime committed suicide, but she was driven to that by what she heard. Rukia knew about your date that night and knew she would hear the words.

That is the reason we brought her here. At least here, Orihime will have the option to lead a life much different from the one she had in the real world. And truthfully, Rukia got off easily on this one.

Make no mistake Ichigo, Rukia never loved you. She saw you and your family as a way to get out from under Byakuya's watchful eye. You paid her attention and when that was focused on someone else, Rukia knew she was loosing her place.

Do not blame yourself. You were unaware of your actions. After a month, you will receive your powers back and you can continue to do as you do best.

You are not being punished. This will give you time to get back to normal, well as normal as you can get with being a shinigami. Do you understand?"


Ichigo chuckled. "Yes sir. Thanks for explaining it better. Can I ask though, how Orihime is doing?"


Juushirou nodded. "From what Captain Unohana says, she is adjusting well. She should change back into human form before too long. I am also guessing that she will be placed in the academy this year to start her training. Just think, in four years you will be seeing her as a shinigami. Let me give you a small bit of advice. If you want to keep tabs on her, without doing so yourself, write to Vice Captain Abarai, from statements, it seems he refuses to leave the door of her room, except to work."

Ichigo laughed gently. "I'll remember that sir. Well I guess it is time for me to go. Can you tell both Renji and Orihime I am sorry?"

Juushirou nodded. "I will but I think they are already aware. Take care, Ichigo. We will see you in a month. Don't think of this as punishment, think of this as a time to learn yourself again."


The white haired captain stood until the gate closed and then he walked back towards the forth division to check on Orihime.

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Captain Unohana ran down the halls to the room where Orihime was. Renji was running around in a complete panic.

"Vice Captain? What is it?"

"SHE'S GONE! ORIHIME IS MISSING!", he yelled and continued to tear the room apart.


Retsu rolled her eyes and cast a binding spell on him, making Renji kneel to the ground. "You will calm down at once, Vice Captain. I will not remove the spell until you do. Maybe she went out for fresh air or perhaps she went for a walk."

"A wa..lk.?", he stuttered. "She doesn't even have legs to walk with. She was fine before we went to the hearing, and now she is gone. Someone took her and hurt her, I know it."

Retsu shook her head. "Renji. Stop. Think rationally. Who would harm her? No one is permitted in this room, except myself, Isane and you. Now, if I remove the spell, will you please calm down?"

Renji nodded and flexed his arms as the spell was released. "But she.."


Retsu shook her head. "You, go work or do something with Orihime's rooms. Leave this area and do not return till later. I mean it Vice Captain."


Renji stood and bowed his head. "Forgive me Captain Unohana. I was out of line."

"You are forgiven. Now go."

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Two voices stopped the two from leaving the room.

"I am not sure what happened. I was not there. I was in the room with you. Do you feel better after your bath?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry about the uniform but we don't have human clothes here."

"It's fine. I have to get used to wearing them. How else am I supposed to fit in?"

"Well, I'm glad that your alright now."


Two forms walked into the room and Renji fell over in a dead faint. "Renji?"


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Byakuya walked into the room and started to chuckle. "Too much for him, wasn't it?"


Retsu nodded. "Yes. He didn't even say hello, how are you or nothing before he passed out. It was instant."


He turned and nodded to the second female. "Welcome back, Orihime. Though I must admit, you are a week ahead of schedule."


Orihime shrugged. "I was tired of being a butterfly. I wanted to walk again. So, did he really sit outside my door every night?"

Retsu nodded. "He did. Seems Renji didn't want to leave and I saw no harm in letting him stay. Though I can say, it is a first to have a man pass out in my division, just from seeing someone. Now, how about we go to the main room so I can check your vitals. Renji will wake soon."


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Ten minutes later, Renji raised his head off the floor. "A shock, Renji?"


Renji raised his eyes to see Byakuya looking down at him smiling. "Ori..hime?"


Byakuya nodded. "Retsu is checking her out now as we speak. Get up off the floor. I know it was a shock but you passed out. Are her rooms ready?"


Renji jumped up and blushed. "Well, not yet. I didn't know what she would like and I thought that maybe she should pick out her stuff."

"Very well. I will tell Retsu to allow someone to accompany her to get it. Make sure the windows are opened to allow it to air out. Maybe Captain Hitsuguya will allow Vice Captain Matsumoto to help her. I will go check after I speak with Retsu. It is too late in the day to work so finish her rooms and take the rest of the afternoon off."

"Yes sir."

"And Renji?"

"Yes, sir."

"Don't get drunk tonight. I would hate to punish you for being late to work, due to a hangover."

"Yes sir."

The two parted ways in the hall. Renji going towards the sixth division and Byakuya going to the main assessment room.

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Once Orihime was cleared and declared healthy, Byakuya took her arm and the two walked out the door. "I have sent a letter to Captain Hitsuguya, requesting that his vice captain be allowed to help you pick out things for your home. You already have an account set up with the stores. Just purchase what you wish and it will be delivered to your rooms."

"My rooms?", she whispered.


Byakuya nodded. "Until the academy starts in two months. You will be living in the barracks. Your room is beside Renji's own quarters, those have been empty for a while. You may sleep in as long as you like for right now, you are not a shinigami. You do not have the jobs that come with it. I do ask that you keep it down after ten p. m. at night. I am also sure that Vice Captain Matsumoto will take you out tonight. I expect you will respect these requests?"
"Oh, yes sir. No noise after ten. Be respectful to everyone. Are there books I can study before the academy?"

Byakuya nodded. "I will deliver them to your quarters later today while you are out. I will turn you over to Vice Captain Matsumoto now. I will see you later on."

"Thank you, Captain."

Byakuya patted her hand and flash stepped off.

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Rangiku took Orihime into a soft hug. "I am so glad you are alright. When my captain told me what happened, I was heartbroken. But enough of that. Let's go shopping and then we can go to dinner later and maybe drinking."


Orihime nodded. "Dinner is fine but I don't want to drink yet. I want to make sure my rooms are straight and clean."

"Awe. Your a spoil sport. Alright, but soon you must drink with us."

"Soon.", Orihime said with a smile and continued to walk next to the female shinigami with a smile on her face.