an instant, Renji stomped into the room, staring at his wife like she was insane. "It's not my fault someone decided to run off and try to do this all on her own." He countered, ducking the wooden pitcher hurled at his head. "Not so tough now, are you, crybaby?"

"Crybaby? You try squeezing something this large out of your-"

Sighing, the 6th division captain slid the door closed behind him with a snap, shutting off the escalating illogical argument as what sounded like glassware pelted the wall. He would excuse Rukia's coarse language this time; his sister was evidently not herself at the moment.

And who could blame her.

Staring at his hand resting the door's handle, his eyes moved over the half moons cut into his skin where Rukia hadhis moment of silence.

Byakuya glanced over his shoulder to see Ichigo skid to a stop, craning his neck to see around him and looking for some sign of his absent wife. "Lower your voice in my home, Ichigo Kurosaki." He said with more heat than was necessary, not liking that this man especially saw him in a moment of weakness.

Hearing the irritation in Byakuya's tone, Ichigo's expression hardened as he pulled his attention from the door. He straightened to his full height and replied, his voice purposely growing louder with each word. "Not until you tell me where my wife is."

"Now see here, while you're a guest-" The sudden burst of reiatsu coming from the back garden froze Byakuya in place. If the ill-mannered substitute shinigami wasn't standing