Exited to test this story out. Had this idea for a while, and finally going to pull the trigger and put it out there.
I do not own bleach, this is a non-profit fan-fiction.
Plot: A battle for the control of Los Angeles begins, as multiple crime families vie for control of California's biggest prize. Alliances will be formed, lives will be lost, and a mysterious figure stalks the night.
Sebastian Vanetti stands before the massive bay window within his bedroom, watching contently as the Amber sun sets over the vast Pacific. Aspirations of wealth and women flash through his mind as he gazes upon his potential empire. Looking over his shoulder, he drinks in the sight of his first conquest. A beautiful blond haired woman lies nude in his bed, exhausted from satisfying her lovers seemingly unquenchable libido. Feeling eyes upon her, she stirs and turns find his eyes upon her.
"Are you just gonna sit there and stare? Or are you gonna join me?" She pulls back the covers, revealing her impeccable physic, a sight the Italian can't resist.
Sebastian begins to walk toward the bed, pulling his shirt over his head as he does. The woman watches hungrily as the Sebastian's chiseled body is revealed to her once again. Just as he crawls within her grasp, a dull thud disturbs their lust. Sebastian immediately tenses, his eyes darting toward the bedroom door.
"Did you hear that?" He asks his lover as panic rushes through him.
"It's a windy night babe, the house is bound to make some noises, come on come into bed."
Sweat pours down Sebastians brow as he keeps his eyes locked on the door. He begins to slowly back pedal toward his nightstand, blindly feeling for the top drawer where he keeps his pistol.
"Babe, stop! I promise, there's nothing to be afraid of…"
Just as she finishes her sentence, the door to the bedroom bursts open. Three muffled cracks, a spray of a mysterious liquid, and a loud thud all sound in the span of a few moments. The woman sits dumbstruck as she stares in horror at the masked figure standing in her doorway. Her hands tremble as she slowly brings her fingers to her face as a mysterious liquid drips down it. Touching the thick, sticky substance with her fingers, she brings them before her eyes to see a deep red substance. Her eyes dart to the floor, where she finds Sebastian sprawled out. Two rounds are logged in his chest, the other placed perfectly between his eyes. Before she can scream in horror a gloved hand covers her mouth. She stares into the blank mask in horror, taking in every terrible detail. A skull, the twisted, demented skull of a demon floats inches from her face. Red markings cover the entire right side, and the teeth are pulled into a sickening grin. A deep, raspy voice echoes through the room as her lover's assassin begins to speak.
"Don't make a sound. You are not my target. If you don't want to die, leave. If I hear so much as a peep out of you, ill blow your god damn head off. Do I make myself clear?"
A sickening chill rushes up the length of her spine as she sits speechless before this man. The man's grip on her mouth tightens, bringing her back into reality. She nods her head to show her understanding, then immediately rushes from the room. She makes no noise, she simply runs. She runs from the house stark naked, not caring who sees. This leaves the assassin alone with Sebastian's corpse. Reaching into his hoodie pocket, the assassin pulls free a card with a silver skull printed on it.
He slips the card into Sebastian's open mouth as he mumbles, "thank you for visiting, I hope you enjoyed your stay here in Los Angeles."
Sirens sing in the distance as the police race to the mansion. When they arrive, all they find is the dead Sebastian, and a calling card.
As the police sweep the home, one of the privates notice the chief staring angrily at the blood-soaked card. The silver skull shines through the crimson stains.
"Was it him sir?" the officer asks, a mixture of wonder and worry in his mind.
"Yea, it was him…it was the Shinigami." The chief crushes the card within his palm, and tosses it back at Sebastian's motionless corpse. He pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration as he asks hopelessly, "is there any chance that this bastard left behind anything that could give us a lead. Hair, spit, sweat, clothing, anything?"
The private averts his eyes, his glum expression telling the chief all he needs to know.
"Alright then, pack it up Toshi, there's nothing left for us to do here. We will let the department deal with the bodies."
"Yes sir Urahara...And for the millionth time its Toshiro." Urahara simply shrugs at the tone in his fellow officers voice as he exits the room, his partner close in tow.
-The next day-
An exhausted girl slams her hand down on her alarm for the third time, attempting to prolong the inevitable fate of having to rise and meet the day. She lies in peaceful quiet for a few moments, until a hard knocking shakes her door.
A sweet voice rings through the closed door with way too much energy for six in the morning. "Rukia darling, it's time to get up! You need to get ready for your morning class!"
Rukia flips on her bed, covering her face with the pillow as she wracks her brain. 'How can that woman possibly have so much freakin energy this early?!'
"Rukia! Can you hear me?" the voice rings as another set of knocks connects with the door.
Trying her best to hide her frustration she calls back, "I hear you Momo! Don't worry, I'm getting up now!"
"Splendid! Breakfast will be ready when you come down! I'm making your favorite, blueberry pancakes!"
A smile spreads across Rukia's face from the news. 'Momo you beautiful creature you!' She hoists her small frame from her bed and rushes to the bathroom. Sticking to her strict morning routine, she brushes her teeth, hair, applies her makeup, then slips on her sundress. With that, she is ready to meet the day. Although she still feels exhausted, the promise of pancakes drives her onward. Besides, there will certainly be coffee awaiting her as well. She flies down the stairs before slipping into the kitchen. The marble floor is cool against her feet as she prances through the massive kitchen toward the table. There sitting upon the dark oak kitchen table sits her breakfast, glistening like a delicious syrupy beacon of hope for her dreary day. She rushes to take her seat, grasping her fork as she prepares to dig in. As she prepares to stuff half of a pancake into her mouth, she hears a disappointed tsk behind her. She tenses as she hears the monotone criticism of her brother.
"I'm gone for a few days, and you revert to a primal state. Do you really have to eat like a barbarian Rukia?"
She squeaks in surprise, immediately straitening her posture in an attempt to salvage some sort of refinement.
Using her practiced business tone, she addresses her intimidating brother. "Good morning Nii-Sama. I apologize for my behavior, I truly thought I was alone."
"Whether you are alone, or in a crowd, you must do everything with dignity and grace. That is the mark of a true Kuchiki, Rukia."
She rolls her eyes at her brother's response, mocking his words under her breath for a moment before again apologizing.
Byakuya sits his breakfast across from his sister before taking his seat. Rukia examines his plate, much to her distaste. Eggs, thinly sliced homefries, and a fruit bowl, a breakfast as plain and boring as her brother.
Byakuya does the same to her plate, and shows the same disgust. "How can you possibly eat something so sugary so early?"
"Because it tastes like happiness and sunshine and everything right in the world. How can you eat the same thing every single day?"
Byakuya scoffs as he states, "This breakfast is nutritious, and provides me with the necessary energy to get through my day."
Rukia rolls her eyes as she begins to cut her pancakes into smaller "lady like" bites. She eats as quickly as she can under her brother's watchful eye. Byakuya reads the morning paper, glancing up at Rukia periodically as he does. He can't help but slightly smirk as he watches Rukia struggle against her urge to devour the entire plate. His eyes return to the paper, and fall upon a bold headline that forces the smirk from his face. Rukia, feeling the shift in mood, looks up to her brother. She is taken back by the sternness in his expression which causes a hint of worry to stir within her.
"Byakuya, is everything okay?" Rukia asks, genuine concern lacing her words.
He sets the paper down before taking a rather large gulp of coffee from his mug. He flinches as the hot liquid pours down his throat, burning his tongue slightly as it passes. Softly setting the mug onto the table, Byakuya looks up at Rukia with a serious expression plastered on his face.
"Rukia, I have never hidden the dealings of the family from you. You know the risks of being a member of this family, yet you have always chosen to live your life as a normal person. I have supported you on this journey so far, and provided protection for you as much as possible along the way."
Rukia feels extremely uneasy as Byakuya speaks, and prepares for the worst.
"I am not going to stop you from living your life Rukia. You've built this for yourself, and that fills me with great pride. However, I must warn you, being a member of the family is more dangerous now than it has even been. Especially if you are from the direct blood-line. Our connection to the homeland puts the highest prices on our heads." Byakuya slides the paper toward Rukia as he finishes his point, "A price that is very enticing to men like him."
Rukia's heart sinks as she reads the headline, 'Shinigami reaps again.' Suddenly, her appetite is gone and she struggles to swallow the lump that has formed in her throat. Her voice is shaky, but she states with conviction, "This man will not change how I live my life Nii-sama. I appreciate your concern, and I hear you, but I am so close to my degree I can taste it! I have friends outside of the family that help keep me sane. I promise I will be careful Nii-Sama, and I know you will protect me." She rises from her seat, and swiftly moves to her brother's side. She wraps her arms around his neck in a sweet embrace, and kisses his cheek. Byakuya cannot help but smile as he wraps his free hand around his younger sister, before sending her on her way. He watches as Rukia dashes out of the door, screaming to Momo to throw her backpack. As soon as the door closes behind her, Byakuya slips his hand into his suit, pulling his cellphone from his jacket pocket. Momo enters the room just as Byakua makes the call.
"Is that who I think it is?" Momo asks, in a much more serious manner than usual.
Byakuya nods as he takes another sip of his coffee. "I will protect her Momo, by any means necessary."