CHAPTER THIRTEEN

JUSHIRO
Several hours had passed. Shuhei was stable and healing rapidly. In a day or two, he'd be fully recovered.

Jushiro shook his head as Sakura finished telling him everything she knew about the New Power. "I can't believe it," he said softly. "Yutaka is a traitor... My own nephew is working with our enemy."

"I'm sorry, Jushiro," Sakura replied.

"No, I'm sorry. My nephew is the one who did this to you."

"He only kidnapped us. Syouma Kuchiki was the one who did everything else. I have to help Byakuya, Jushiro. I can't leave him there, and I refuse to leave Sota, either."

Jushiro nodded thoughtfully. "We must inform Izuru that his brother lives," he said.

"I'll talk to him. Then I'm going back."

"Sakura... I know I cannot stop you, but I'm going to ask that you consider waiting until we can send you in with proper backup. This enemy is too dangerous to face alone. It is a miracle we got you back safely."

"I can handle them, Jushiro."

"They branded you."

"I let them. It was the only way to get them to trust me, and it doesn't work on me."

"At least wait a couple of days. Byakuya can handle himself."

"Yes, but Sota's just a kid, Jushiro. I can't leave him there knowing what they're doing to him."

"I understand, and I am as horrified by his plight as you are, but please consider my request anyway. I have to ensure the safety of all of my people, including you."

She might have argued, but Toshiro came into the room then. He ran to Sakura, pulling her into his arms. That was something he'd never do for anyone else.

"I just got back... Are you alright? Did they hurt you?" He demanded.

"I'm okay," Sakura reassured him, but she continued clinging to him. The two of them had a powerful connection. Sakura and Toshiro couldn't be away from each other for too long or they both grew ill. It had started after Toshiro saved her life using his powers, and the connection had never fully broken.

"The brand..." Toshiro said as his eyes fell on it.

"Doesn't work, and was necessary."

"Sakura, was Byakuya compliant?"

"Only to protect me. Yutaka was going to try to kill or torture me. The only way Byakuya could guarantee my safety was to go along with what they wanted. He tried to fight the programming. I was able to pull him back more than once, but when his uncle gave the order to kill Shuhei, he couldn't resist it, and I had to blow my cover. We need Trerry to break the programming for him."

"His uncle?" Toshiro repeated.

"Syouma Kuchiki, an extremely dangerous man who created the New Power to punish Nobles after his father banished him."

"I've never heard of Syouma Kuchiki."

"I remember him," Jushiro said. "I had forgotten all about him and his younger sister, but hearing Sakura mention him brought my memories back. He was actually a very nice boy once. He was very gentle for a Kuchiki."

"Well, that gentle kid is a homicidal maniac now," Sakura replied. "I need to get Byakuya out of there."

"You're not going back there, Sakura," Toshiro said firmly. "Not yet, and not alone."

"Toshiro-"

"Thorn reached out. When he and Kizzie got to him, Kyoya had already been attacked."

Sakura stared at him. "Is he alright?" She managed to ask.

"His company's main office was blown up. He was severely injured, but Kizzie was able to stabilize him, and they took him to Kyoko's people. They're hiding him out there until they find a better way to protect him."

"What about the others?"

"The last Thorn heard, they're okay. Kyoya called them to check in. They were panicking because they thought he was dead."

"Jushiro... I know it's better I stay away from them, but..." Sakura began.

"This is an emergency, Sakura," Jushiro reassured her. "Go to your friends. This time, it is our world which threatens them, so it is our duty to protect them."

"Call me if anything happens... And please keep an eye on Shuhei. Don't let him go back to work until he's had more time to recover."

"I'll tend to him myself to ensure he recovers well," Jushiro promised.

"Please send for Izuru. I'll tell him about Sota before I go."

Jushiro nodded and excused himself to do just that. He was relieved Sakura was planning to go to Kyoya because it meant she wasn't going back to the New Power yet. He just hoped it wouldn't be too hard on her seeing her old friends.

IZURU
He was surprised when Jushiro sent for him, but when the Head Captain summoned someone, they went to him immediately.

"You called for me, Head Captain?" Izuru greeted him respectfully.

"Yes. Sakura and I have something important to discuss with you, Izuru," Jushiro replied.

Izuru had been sitting at Shuhei's bedside, so he was already aware that Sakura was back. "Of course," he said as he followed Jushiro into his office. "Sakura, I'm so relieved to see you safe and sound," he said as he spotted her. "And Captain Hitsugaya, Sir," he added, bowing respectfully to Toshiro.

"Izuru, as you know, I was abducted by the New Power," Sakura began.

"Yes. Do you need healing? I helped Shuhei a bit, but I can certainly spare some energy for you as well."

"Thanks, but I'm okay. That's not why we called you here."

"Alright... So why am I here?" He asked in confusion.

"Izuru, one of the members of the New Power is Aoi," Toshiro explained. "I captured him briefly when he and some others attacked Ichigo's younger sister, but he managed to escape before I could bring him here."

Izuru's naturally pale skin paled even more than usual at those words. "This has something to do with my uncle?" He asked, keeping his expression unreadable as he panicked internally. As a very young child, Izuru had been one of Aoi's favorite targets. He never spoke of it.

"Aoi did something a long time ago that you need to know about," Sakura said. "Izuru... What happened to Sota?"

Izuru's eyes widened in shock. "How do you know about my brother?" He asked. "He was stillborn. Most people don't even remember he existed." He tried not to get upset by the painful memory, but it was hard. He had felt a connection to his baby brother from the time his mother announced she was pregnant, but he'd never be able to so much as hold him.

"I know about him because I met him, Izuru," Sakura said gently.

"That's not possible."

"Aoi abducted him as an infant and used magic to convince your family he was stillborn. He took him to the New Power."

He stared at her. "Sota is alive?" He repeated in disbelief.

"Their resident evil genius, Chiyoko Fon, experimented on him. Sota is immortal, Izuru. He can be killed, but he resurrects very soon after. He's eternally twelve years old."

"Do they hurt him?" He asked in horror.

"They use him to test the loyalty of their recruits... They make the newbies kill him."

"Oh God..." He shook his head.

"I'm going to get him out of there, Izuru. I promised him I would and I meant it."

"They're torturing him... And he is in a place where my uncle can find him..." Izuru was starting to panic.

Jushiro gently placed his hand on his shoulder. Izuru jumped at his touch. Jushiro looked at him sympathetically.

"My apologies, Izuru," he said. "I meant only to comfort you."

"I know," Izuru replied quickly. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm just on edge."

Sakura moved closer to him. She was careful not to touch him, but she seemed to radiate with soothing energy, and Izuru found himself calming down.

"We're going to get Sota out of there, Izuru. You have my word," Sakura promised. "We just need a plan first."

He nodded, not sure what to say. He'd never been so overwhelmed before. His uncle was working with the New Power, the same uncle he'd tried so hard to forget. The man still haunted his nightmares, and now that Izuru knew Aoi had been with Sota all along, he felt like he'd failed his little brother.

I wasn't there to protect you, he thought as his chest tightened with grief. I swear to you, little brother, I will get you back, and no one will ever hurt you again.

YUZU
She was cooking for Mr. Nameless again. He was kind of scary, but he seemed to like her, at least a little bit. She was pretty sure he was just very lonely and needed a friend to talk to.

As she served him a delicious breakfast, he stared at her. "Do you like your breakfast, Mr. Nameless?" She asked.

He considered her words for a minute before nodding. "Yes, Yuzu," he replied.

"I'm so glad!" She cried in delight.

"No one has ever cooked for me before," he admitted.

"You need a family, Mr. Nameless. If you fall in love, your wife can take care of you like this."

"I might like that," he said thoughtfully. "You will make a fine wife one day, Yuzu, for your heart is pure enough to care for even the likes of me. If you were older, I think I would keep you, but I cannot mate with one quite so young."

"Mate?" She repeated.

"Reproduce with," he explained.

"Oh! You mean having babies! Well, I'm sure you'll make a great father one day, Mr. Nameless. You just need to find the right woman." She kissed his cheek.

He stared at her again. "What was that?" He asked.

"Affection, of course! A kiss for my new friend, Mr. Nameless!"

He paused. "It was a pleasant sensation," he admitted. He studied her, then shook his head. "You are so pure even I cannot bear to harm you. Go home, Yuzu."

She wanted to. She missed Karin, Ichigo, and their father. She was worried about Ururu and Jinta... But he seemed so lost.

"But... You're lonely," she said.

"I will resolve that. I will rescue a friend who is in distress, and then I will take a wife," he replied.

"Really? Yay! I'm happy for you," she said, clapping her hands together in excitement.

"Return to your family, Yuzu. Never lose your light or purity." He waved his hands.

Suddenly, Yuzu found herself in her house. "Yuzu!" Karin shouted. She flung her arms around her.

"Are you okay?" Ichigo demanded, hugging them both. "How did you escape?"

"Mr. Nameless let me go," Yuzu replied. "He didn't hurt me. He just needed a friend."

"A friend?" Ichigo repeated furiously as he released the twins. "Yuzu, the guy's a-"

"Ichigo," Karin said. He looked at her. "Yuzu's okay. He didn't hurt her. The rest doesn't matter right now."

He sighed. "I'm glad you're safe, Yuzu," he said gently.

Yuzu paused. "Are Jinta and Ururu okay?" She asked softly.

"Yeah," Ichigo reassured her. "Jinta's fine now, and Ururu is getting there. They're both worried about you, though."

"Come on, Yuzu," Karin said. "Let's go check on them."

Yuzu smiled. Her twin always knew exactly what she needed. "Okay," she agreed. She hugged Ichigo one more time. "Don't worry so much, Ichigo," she said. "I'm really okay."

He smiled at her sadly. "It's my job," he replied. "I'll take you guys to Kisuke's place. I need to to see Chad anyway." He opened the door and motioned for them to follow him. Yuzu was relieved he was willing to let her out of his sight. Ichigo could be kind of overprotective sometimes. She understood his concern, but all she wanted in that moment was to make sure her friends really were okay.

THE NAMELESS ONE
He arrived at the base and followed Syouma's energy until he found him. Both he and his nephew were buried under debris. The Nameless One began moving it by waving his hands through the air. Syouma was gravely injured. He'd lost a lot of blood. Knowing the state of mind seeing his own blood often sent him into, the Nameless One decided to heal him before he regained consciousness.

Byakuya was also injured, but his wounds were not as severe. The Nameless One healed Syouma first. As the older Kuchiki slowly opened his eyes, the Nameless One tended to Byakuya.

"You came," Syouma said in surprise.

"Of course," the Nameless One replied. "You were in distress."

Byakuya sat up and the Nameless One saw the blank expression in his eyes. "I see your nephew is fully under our control once more," he said.

"Yes," Syouma replied. "Sakura betrayed us to save her Lieutenant, but not before I gained control of Byakuya. He nearly killed him."

"You made a mistake in taking Sakura. She is not like the other Soul Reapers. You cannot control her."

"I thought the brand worked. She killed Sota Kira."

"She probably sensed he would return. Her connection to death is stronger than even mine. She is a Shaman. It gives her unique gifts we cannot understand."

"I will destroy her."

"No, Syouma, you will not. You are not powerful enough. It will have to be me."

Syouma nodded. "That would be fitting. After all, she is the only one to ever befriend the part of you that is actively the Soul King."

"Yes, speaking of such things... Syouma, I have a vital task for you."

"What is it?"

"I seek a wife."

Syouma raised an eyebrow at that. "A wife?" He repeated.

"I have come to desire someone to be at my side, tending to my needs, and ultimately giving me offspring. She must be incredibly strong, with unique powers."

Syouma hesitated. "I see," he mumbled.

"You are acting uncomfortable. Have you already thought of a perfect candidate?"

"There is someone... If you marry her, the bond of power shared between you and I will be even stronger." He shook his head. "I had hoped to wait a bit longer, but perhaps now is the time."

"Bind her to me as soon as possible. When the time is right, I will marry her. The dark of the moon would be a good time."

"Will you harm her?"

"Only if she forces me to."

Syouma nodded. "I will do as you have asked... In fact, I shall do it today. I have noticed her recent rebellion. It is time I reveal her role in things. She does not yet understand."

"Very well. I will be in touch soon." With that, the Nameless One left, satisfied that he would soon have a wife.

KYOYA
He was having some issues adjusting. Kyoya was used to working hard, and ever since Sakura's death, he'd pretty much done it around the clock. It was difficult to suddenly live in hiding with a group of strangers and the brother of his deceased girlfriend.

His companions were nice enough. Kyoko was full of honor and was a stoic warrior, although he had a playful side, too. It seemed to come out around Kizzie. His "family" consisted of B'Dello, M'lisha, and Miyoshi, none of whom were related to him by blood. B'Dello was a warrior just like Kyoko. He was fiercely loyal to him. M'lisha was a sorceress just like Kizzie. Her brother, Miyoshi, was clever and had an exceptionally logical, tactical mind. Kyoya liked him for that reason. He was probably the easiest one for him to talk to.

Thorn and Kizzie had stayed with him at Kyoko's home. This turned out to be a good thing, as something very unexpected happened.

Kyoya was having a nightmare. He was dreaming of his father, a man who'd been very abusive for most of Kyoya's life. The abuse had only ended when Sakura realized what was happening and pushed Kyoya to press charges. His father was now sitting in jail. Kyoya's older brothers no longer spoke to him, but his older sister still checked in on him and tried to make sure he was alright. Kyoya ran his part of the family business and also took care of Sakura's family business. After her death, there was no one left to run it, so Sakura had asked Uryu to pose as her family and use her will to legally hand the business over to Kyoya.

In his nightmare, his father was beating him and calling him useless. He could feel his father's fists as they slammed against every inch of his body. He heard thunder, saw flashes of lightning, and could feel rain pouring down on him. This seemed odd because even in the dream, Kyoya was indoors.

"Kyoya..." A voice called through the storm.

Kizzie, he registered.

"Kyoya, luv, wake up... It's alright," Kizzie insisted soothingly.

"I could go in after him," Thorn offered.

"He's nearly awake. Just reach through and pull him back," Kizzie replied.

Moments later, Kyoya sensed Thorn grabbing onto him. He opened his eyes, sitting up with a gasp. He was startled to realize it was storming inside of his room.

"What's going on?" He asked.

"Easy, luv," Kizzie said soothingly. "Calm your breathing and your heart rate and the storm will end."

"What are you talking about?"

"This is your magic, Kyoya," Thorn replied. "Your emotions caused the storm."

"I don't have magic," he protested.

"I used to think the same thing, Kyoya... I'm guessing the physical trauma of the explosion triggered latent powers. Sakura told me that when she was in the hospital, every time you were near her, she got stronger. I think you were healing her without realizing it. A lot of healers have an affinity for water, and the strongest hydrokinetics also have storm powers. That's what we're seeing here."

Kyoya wanted to deny it, but the evidence was staring him in the face. "What the hell am I supposed to do now?" He asked. "I don't live in a world of magic."

"You might be surprised, luv," Kizzie replied. "We can teach you how to use your powers. My only concern is that if you have powers, it's likely your friends do as well. Considering the New Power may target them, I think we need to wake up any latent gifts they may be hiding before he can attack."

"Bring them here, Kizzie," Kyoko said from the doorway. "We have a training area on the property. It will be safe for them to test out their abilities."

"Right then. Kyoya, call your friends," Kizzie said. "Arrange a time and place and I will retrieve them by portal and bring them here."

Kyoya was overwhelmed, but he refused to risk the safety of his friends. "Very well," he agreed. "I'll call Tamaki and work out the details."

"Wait," Miyoshi said as he entered the room. He wasn't wearing a shirt, but that was probably better given the fact that it was still storming in the room. He sat on the bed before unexpectedly pulling Kyoya into his arms. "Focus on my heartbeat," he said.

Kyoya could feel Miyoshi's pulse as their bodies were pressed together. It seemed odd Miyoshi had pulled him into his arms until Kyoya realized his own heart rate was calming down. The storm slowed, and eventually, it faded away.

"That's better," Miyoshi said with a grin. M'lisha waved her hands and the room rapidly began to dry. Even Kyoya's hair and glasses dried off.

"I'm sorry about the storm," Kyoya said. "I wasn't aware that I could do that."

"It's alright," Kyoko replied. "No harm done."

Kyoya braced himself for the challenges ahead. Like everything else, he'd face them with his head held high, but that didn't mean that it would be easy.

SEINA
She knew she was in trouble when the Stranger pulled open her bedroom door in a rage. He glared at her.

"What have you been getting up to, Seina?" He demanded.

"I've been getting closer to Chad, like you wanted," she replied. It wasn't exactly a lie; she just left out the fact that her father had given her a crash course on using her labyrinth powers.

"You vanished overnight!"

"I was with Chad... It wasn't inappropriate or anything. We just lost track of time."

"Stop lying to me!" He slapped her across the face. Seina stared at him in shock.

"Perhaps slapping the girl is not the best way to gain her cooperation," a man said from behind the Stranger.

"This does not concern you, Byakuya," the Stranger snapped. "I would have handled her sooner, but your failure to control your ex left us both indisposed for several hours."

"You were the one she escaped from," Byakuya pointed out. "My focus was on her Lieutenant."

This guy's either really brave or really stupid, Seina thought. She paused as she studied his features. They were kind of familiar.

He looks a little bit like my mom, she thought. It made her miss her mother desperately. It also made her trust him.

"You're coming to our base, Seina," the Stranger said firmly.

"I thought you didn't want me to ever go there," Seina replied in confusion. "You just bring people here if you want me to meet them."

"This is not a social call! It is time you learn your place, Seina!"

She shrank nervously at his tone. Seina was scared enough that she was surprised a labyrinth didn't spring up around her as a reflex.

"Come," Byakuya said. "It will be easier for you if you cooperate."

"Are you going to kill me?" Seina managed to ask.

"Of course not. Your skills are of too much use to us for us to waste them."

"Then what is this?"

"This is your initiation, Seina," the Stranger replied. "You will prove your loyalty and learn what the New Power truly stands for."

She was terrified, but she knew refusing was not an option. Instead, she nodded and said, "Let's go."

The trip was silent, which only served to make Seina more anxious. They arrived at a building that was impressively large. It looked like a corporate building, but she suspected something very sinister hid behind its closed doors.

As they entered the building, the Stranger dragged Seina roughly through it until they reached a room. He locked the door once they were inside.

Seina was nervous now. She sensed a powerful evil lingering just out of sight. As it moved closer, Seina desperately wanted to hide in a labyrinth, but she knew she couldn't expose that power to the Stranger. There was no telling what he'd do if she did.

When he pulled out the brand, Seina flinched. She'd seen the mark on lesser members of the New Power. As it ignited, she tried to step backward, but she bumped right into Byakuya. He restrained her by her shoulders as the Stranger yanked her hair aside and pressed the brand against the base of her neck.

Seina let out a scream of pain. She felt tears streaming down her cheeks as the pain overwhelmed her. Although her legs gave out, Byakuya was still holding her up by her arms.

"Please don't..." Seina whimpered as the Stranger pulled out a dagger.

The Stranger ignored her as he began carving a symbol into her left arm with the dagger. It hurt, but Seina was beyond processing pain at that point. She was also so scared that she suddenly found strength in that fear and turned it into anger.

"Why are you doing this?" She demanded. "I've been loyal! You said you would protect me."

"I have protected you, Seina," the Stranger replied. "You are not a helpless child anymore. I made you strong."

"I was strong before I ever met you! And I just remembered how strong I am!" As the strength came back in her legs, she balanced on one and kicked Byakuya with the other. The shock of this made him release her. She grabbed Byakuya's sword from him and pressed it to the Stranger's throat.

"Do it," he said. "Go on, Seina. Show me what you are capable of!"

She hesitated as Byakuya studied her. He was visibly impressed that she'd stolen his sword, but he also looked furious. His cold, calculating eyes seemed to be daring her to kill the Stranger, too.

I'm not a killer, she thought, but what if it's the only way I can get out of this alive?

She drew a small amount of blood from the Stranger's neck. His lips curled into a crooked smile as he touched his fingers to his neck and they came away bloody.

"You spilled Noble blood, Seina! Very good!" He cried with a laugh. He proceeded to slam her against the wall. Her head started bleeding as he shouted, "And now, so have I!"

"What do you mean? I'm not even a Soul Reaper, let alone a Noble!" Seina protested.

"Of course you are! You are a Kuchiki, Seina, just like I used to be!" He laughed again as he slammed her head against the wall a second time. "They took my name, but I'll show them all!"

That was when Byakuya moved in. He pulled the Stranger off of her. "Enough," he said. "She is still a child, Uncle. If you continue, you will kill her before she can fulfill her purpose."

The Stranger was clearly caught in a fit of manic psychosis. He ignored Byakuya and tried to grab Seina again.

Seina looked into his eyes, uncloaking hers in desperation. The golden spirals quickly hypnotized the Stranger and sent him into a peaceful state of catatonia.

"How did you do that?" Byakuya asked.

"Let me leave and I'll tell you," Seina replied.

"You are in no condition to leave. I am certain you are concussed."

"I'll take my chances."

"My Uncle says you are a Kuchiki. I am the head of the Kuchiki Clan. It is my duty to keep you safe." He said this tonelessly, like it was just that simple. For Seina, it was anything but. Was this what her mother had run from?

She considered his words. "Byakuya... This isn't a safe place for me," she said. "If you want to protect me, you can't do it here."

He paused like her words confused him. Finally, he looked into her eyes, and he seemed to snap out of it.

"Seina, you must leave," he said firmly. "I do not know how long I have before I lose my senses again... Syouma will not let me release you."

"Syouma?"

"Your guardian... My uncle."

"So that's his name," she mumbled.

"Syouma is planning to bind you in marriage to the Nameless One. I cannot in good conscience allow this to happen."

"Marriage? I'm fifteen!"

"Get out of here. Find Ichigo Kurosaki. He will get you to people who can heal your wounds."

"You aren't here of your own free will, are you?" Seina realized.

"No, I am not," he replied.

"So come with me. We can escape together. I can keep you sane, Byakuya. My father can cure or cause madness with the spirals in his eyes. I have the same power. I haven't mastered it, but it seems to happen on its own."

"I cannot leave. I am dangerous-"

"Byakuya, please. Trust me. I can keep you thinking straight until someone can break the New Power's hold on you."

He hesitated. "Your injuries are severe. Left to your own devices, you may not make it out of here." He sighed. "I will help you escape, Seina, but if I slip back under their control, you must promise me you will stop me."

"I promise. Now, let's go." She hesitated. They needed to escape as quickly as possible. "Hang on," she said. She was in pain and concussed, but she managed to wrap a labyrinth around the two of them. "Let's see how much I learned," she mumbled.

"Extraordinary," Byakuya said. "You possess the same gifts as Laby."

"You know my dad?" Seina asked in surprise.

"We have never met, but Sakura told me all about his powers. I know he has a son. I was unaware he had a daughter."

"He only just found out himself." Seina focused on the only person she still trusted unconditionally. "Yasutora," she said softly. "Take us to Yasutora."

The labyrinth began moving rapidly. Seina lost her balance, but Byakuya caught her before she could fall. When the labyrinth stopped moving, it opened up.

Seina took a moment to take in their surroundings. They were inside of a bedroom. Chad sat with Ichigo. They both looked at them in confusion for a moment before Chad said, "Hey."

"Yasutora!" Seina cried in relief. She flung herself into his arms. He hugged her tightly for a moment.

"Byakuya? Toshiro told me that Sakura said you were still trapped," Ichigo said. "And under their control."

"Seina temporarily restored my senses," Byakuya replied. "Is Sakura alright? Is..." He hesitated, obviously haunted by something. "Is Lieutenant Hisagi?"

"Sakura's fine. Shuhei's in bad shape but should recover fully."

"You're bleeding," Chad said as he released Seina. He glared at Byakuya.

"Byakuya helped me escape," she clarified. "My foster father is actually the leader of an evil uprising and I'm supposed to betray you guys, but I really like you and can't do that, and he freaked out about me vanishing on him and dragged me to their base and branded me and cut me and-"

"Shhhh, Seina-Rainbow-Head," Chad said soothingly as he wrapped his arms around her protectively again.

"I'll call Orihime. She can fix the worst of your injuries," Ichigo offered.

"She belongs to the New Power," Byakuya protested. "She cannot help."

"The brand doesn't fully work on her. She just rejects it and does whatever she wants to."

"You shouldn't tell me these things. They still have control over my mind."

"I've got a direct link to Trerry. He'll break their hold, and if that doesn't work, he'll make you forget what I said." He paused. "So your dad runs the New Power?" He asked Seina.

"My foster dad," she corrected him. "And that's unofficial. He's really just a stranger who took me in off the street after my mom died and said he'd protect me... And he did, for the most part... Until today." She sighed. "I should call my real dad. I just met him this week." She pulled out the stone.

"Wait... Isn't that one of the Rebellion's communication stones?" Ichigo asked in surprise.

"Yeah," Chad replied. "Laby's her dad."

"And you didn't tell me?"

"I did. Just now."

"What the hell, Chad?" Ichigo shook his head.

Chad shrugged. "It wasn't my secret to tell."

Ichigo sighed. "Well, that explains her powers," he mumbled. He walked away, presumably to call Orihime and Trerry. Chad sat Seina down on his bed and began tending to her injuries. Silently, Byakuya started to help him.

Seina didn't know what would happen next, but for the moment, she was safe.