When Faith Met Science
Bleach Fanfiction
Mayuri Kurotsuchi/OC
Chapter 1
The Mystics Dream

So it's there my homage's due
Clutched by the still of the night
Even the distance feels so near
All for the love of you.

The Mystics Dream-Loreena Mckennitt

The Village had once been prosperous surrounded by their wall of mist. The laughter of children had once echoed amicably through the air. That was a time that had now passed. Now the buildings of a once great people were falling into ruin as more and more of them died with each passing year.

A top a nearby house, whose roof had caved in long ago, sat a young woman with long red brown hair. She brushed the bangs out of her eyes as she bit into the skin of a juicy red fruit. Gold eyes gazed off into the distance, taking in the sights of the grey town that had fallen so far. She craned her head to the sound of scuffling behind her and smiled as a familiar head of black hair climbed onto the beam next to her.

He had serene green eyes and an always brooding expression on his face. The woman smiled at him and handed him something to eat. He nodded his thanks and the two settled into silence. After they had finished their meager breakfast her friend sighed and brushed back his hair. Encrusted into his forehead was an orange six pointed start, sparkling brightly. She had one as well, a sapphire crescent moon.

"What are we going to do today, Yasaturo?"

The man named Yasaturo scoffed and leaned on his knees, "The same thing we do every day, Kiyomi. We die a little more very day."

Kiyomi looked away, "Our Goddess will show us the way—"she began softly, staring at her hands in her lap. Yasaturo glared at her,

"What if there is no Goddess?" he questioned angrily, "What kind of deity stands by and watches her people fade?!"

The young woman dressed in rags touched his shoulder gently, "We must have faith, Yasa,"

The black haired man snorted in derision and shied away from her touch. He too gazed off into the distance, eyes watching the mist with a hungry look. Kiyomi shifted uncomfortably. Yasaturo was obsessed with the mist; he was sure that their destiny lay beyond it. But everyone knew that going out beyond the wall was forbidden, lest they be devoured by what waited within.

Kiyomi knew that her people's history was a long one. Several eons before the world had fallen into corruption worshipping another god. Instead of destroying her creation, the Goddess had taken what few devotees she had left and led them to Paradise. Before she had parted to let them live in their new world she had given them one last gift, the stones set into their foreheads. So they knew that they were her children.

Kiyomi knew her friend often questioned the teachings of their creator, earning himself quite a reputation; something that would have landed him in the Pits long ago, had she not always protected him. With a sigh the young woman pushed herself off the beam and landed on the ground below nimbly. A loud thump followed after, and as she walked out into the abandoned streets Yasaturo lumbered by her side.

They walked to the outskirts of the large village, towards the fields that had once been prosperous farms. Now they lay desolate and dry, dust flying away in the breeze.

"If she is such a powerful Goddess," muttered Yasaturo hatefully, "Why does she not intervene and save us?"

"We cannot rely on the power of Her Grace. What are we to learn if we take the easy road to fulfillment?"

"But to let us die, Kiyomi!?" demanded the man, stomping his foot into the dirt, "This is cruel!"

The woman sighed through her nose; it was difficult for him to understand as he saw only the present. Kiyomi looked to the future and she saw with careful planning her people could be saved. The pair moved on farther out of the village, taking in the lonely expanse of houses that had once held life. Now the air was stilled, an eerie quiet stretching out.

Kiyomi felt the cold settle in her bones, and she knew what was coming as she passed the corner of the last house. The Pit was vast, miles wide as a rickety set of black stairs spiraled down into the earth. Kiyomi shivered and rubbed her arms as they duo came closer. They stood on the edge and looked down.

The dark was impenetrable as she noted large black chains dangling from the walls, as if it had been holding something within. This place always made her feel uncomfortable, and she turned to walk away. The sooner she left the better. It took a moment, but soon Yasaturo was following after her, but instead of her leading the way he took control and steered them towards the high wall of Mist. As they came to a stop before the ever moving wall, she knew they shouldn't be here.

It was forbidden to even come near this place. If they were caught they'd be beaten and tied to a post to be made an example of. Those who broke the law enough were given their wish and banished from the village.

"We should not be here."

"Shut up, Kiyomi…" Yasaturo muttered as he reached a hand out to touch the ever moving wall. Before he could brush his fingers against it a loud voice echoed form the distance,

"You two, get away from there!" The duo turned in panic towards a young guard running towards them. In his hands he held a halberd pointed threateningly at them. Kiyomi bowed her head in shame as Yasaturo stood to his full height, a towering man well over six feet.

"I would expect a priestess's daughter to recognize that this place is forbidden." Spat the man as he grabbed Kiyomi roughly by the arm. She gasped out in pain as he jerked her forward, "But what would a bastard child know?"

Before the words could sting her friend reached out and clutched the guard by the throat. He sputtered helplessly as Yasaturo lifted him high into the air,

"Take that back!" he growled through clenched teeth, his hand squeezing around the man's neck.

"Yasaturo!" Kiyomi jumped forward and grasped his thick arms. Her cries echoed out, earning the attention of nearby guardsman. As she struggled with her best friend they closed in from all sides.

A loud crack flew through the air and the body of the guard fell to the ground uselessly. Kiyomi covered her mouth to stop her scream. The poor boy lay dead on the ground, his neck broken from Yasaturo's sheer strength. All of a sudden she too was on the floor, her hands bound to keep her from struggling. Next to her, panting heavily was Yasaturo fighting his captors.

As they led the pair back into the main square, Kiyomi shook from head to toe. They were to head to the temple of the Goddess to be tried for murder.

It was humiliating to be marched through the Main Square as if she was some common criminal. People watched with glaring eyes as the procession made its way through large oak doors and into the dark depths of the temple. The entrance closed with a thundering boom leaving the rooms lit by flickering candles.

Acolytes and Shrine Maidens whispered behind their hands as they passed by, eyeing Kiyomi with distaste. The young girl bowed her head once again in shame, knowing she had dishonored her mother. They walked for a long while, passing ancient doors until they came upon one large set. It creaked open to reveal a dark circular room. The pedestals around them were raised, the darkness hiding the faces of the Grand Elders.

"Yasaturo," sighed one voice from her right, "you and Kiyomi are accused of trespassing upon Sacred Grounds and of the murder of Nobuo. How do you plead; keep in mind your answers determine your fate."

Kiyomi shook violently; she had only been an innocent bystander. While she would be punished for insubordination, Yasaturo's crimes were far worse. As her friend opened his mouth to testify she stepped in front of him and stared up at the Elders,

"I am the guilty one!" she said defiantly, a mummer swept through the group. Kiyomi heard one of the Elders lean over their podium,

"Are you sure, Kiyomi, your answer determines your fate?"

The woman nodded, "Yes, Grand Elder, I was the one who convinced Yasaturo to follow me upon Sacred Ground and to kill Nobuo."

While her friend had committed the murder, his punishment would be time spent in the Pit. A kinder fate than the one the Elders had decided for her,

"Very well, Kiyomi you are hereby judged guilty. Your punishment is banishment into the Mists."

The young girl dipped her head and followed the guards wordlessly through the door. From behind her she could hear the outraged cries of her friend ringing in her ear, "I didn't need you to save me!"

The men had tied her to a post near the Gate of Exile, before they could cast her out the village would need to perform the Rite of Banishment. A small crowd had gathered as men worked on a small bonfire nearby. Kiyomi shook from head to toe, steeling her courage as the Rite finally began.

A murmur of prayers swept among the people, some looked upon her with sadness while others were emotionless. A pair of boots entered Kiyomi's vision and she looked up into the kind gray eyes of the village blacksmith. Two other men surrounded the burly man, his sons, and all three looked down at her. For a long moment it was silent before the girl gave the elder one final nod.

She closed her eyes as the blacksmith's sons grasped her head and her neck, holding it firm. The Smith clasped her jaw and put the tongs to the Sapphire in her forehead. With a deep breath he pulled. Kiyomi screamed as she felt the jewel snap loose, with a heavy rain of blood pouring down her face afterwards. She panted in agony, trying to push away the pain so she could stay conscious.

Kiyomi didn't fight as they untied her and set her on her back. She gazed up at grey skies until a large black crucible swept into her vision. One again she tensed as it tipped over and poured molten black ore into the open wound of her forehead. Again she cried out in pain, tears streaming down her face.

When they were done they took a brand from the fire, red from the heat. The boys held her steady as their father pushed it onto her face. She tried to thrash but was firmly pinned to the ground. When the blacksmith finally pulled it away, a large ivy burn mark had formed over her right eye.

The two sons helped Kiyomi to her feet, guiding her steadily to the Gate,

"May the Goddess have mercy on you, Kiyomi." Whispered one as they pushed her through. She trembled slightly, but dared not look back. She had accepted her fate so she pushed forward into the unknown.

Wearily, she walked, mist swirling all around her. Shapes formed seamlessly in the distance but disappeared as she got closer and closer, as if they had never existed at all. After what seemed like hours the pain finally took its toll on her body, and Kiyomi fell onto the ground.

As she faded into blessed darkness she vaguely remembered watching someone approach from the mist. But she was gone before she could see who it was.

A/N: So I took one long look at this story and realized that I hated the very sigh of it. So I took it down and rewrote the chapters. Updates will be posted when I can finish chapters and when I have the motivation. I've updated many concepts to match it's sequel, so don't read "Dancing Flower" and PM saying none of it makes sense.

I'm working on it.

Please leave CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM, and enjoy.

PathlessSpore