A/N: Uh... Yeah. So this is my first attempt at a 'serious' Bleach story so I'll admit I'm nervous. But Boris just wouldn't relent... Evil plot bunny.
And for the record... This idea was conceived just after the release of Bleach 495 so I'm not taking anything beyond that into consideration. So this is officially being classed as an AU Fic.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Bleach characters, they belong to Kubo. Any you don't recognize are probably mine.
Warnings: Future AU-verse, violence, swearing and plot twists galore.
These Old Souls
Prologue: In Times of Peace
Two men walked side by side down the pristine white streets chatting amicably and seemingly care free. Both were easily recognizable the lurid pink kimono and pure white hair a well known and never unwelcome sight within in the walls of the Seireitei, however infrequent it may have been in recent times.
Kyōraku Shunsui turned to his oldest friend and tilted his straw hat down over his eyes, a subconscious sign of his discomfort.
"So what do the stiff necks want with you this time?" He asked, merely out of formality.
Ukitake Jūshirō chuckled lightly and waved his hand in a blasé gesture.
"The same thing they always want my friend, their own way."
Shunsui rolled his eyes at the cryptically vague statement and adjusted his kimono.
"Is it to do with the academy again Juu?"
The other Captain stopped dead in his tracks and let out a deep sigh, suddenly looking every one and more of his two thousand odd years.
"Indeed it is Shun." He said solemnly.
"Those idiots never give up do they?"
Jūshirō shook his head in exasperation.
"No they don't and if they think their persistent harassment is going to make me change my mind on the matter then they are sorely mistaken."
The dark-haired Captain chuckled to himself and Ukitake turned sharp hazel eyes on his friend.
"What's so funny?"
"Just Central 46's lack of foresight, they really didn't know what they were letting themselves in for when they gave you Yama-Jii's job."
There was a momentary flash of sadness as Ukitake remembered his mentor and predecessor. Then a blush bloomed across pale skin as the white-haired man laughed softly.
"They were expecting a pushover due to my weak constitution..."
"How very wrong they were." The words were accompanied by a smile.
"Indeed, my body may be weak but my will is strong. Something they still haven't gotten through their thick skulls even after ten years."
This caused Shunsui to laugh loudly and he clapped a large hand on his friends' thin shoulder, causing the slightly smaller man to judder from the impact.
"I hope they never do, it's far too entertaining watching you best them in a battle of wills Juu."
Jūshirō just rolled his eyes and brushed the hand off his shoulder in mock affront before continuing onwards toward the Central assembly hall, a smile twitching across his lips. Behind him the dark-haired man tucked his hands into the sleeves of his haori still smirking and moved quickly to catch up.
After all he had a show to see.
The main assembly of Central 46 was, to the unacquainted, quite intimidating. However for Jūshirō and Shunsui the place held no fear, none whatsoever. The two of them had been there many, many times both in official and personal capacities causing them to become immune to the sheer awe inducing splendor the office inspired.
With an air of self-assurance and a confidence born of vast experience Ukitake strode into the hall and waited as the representatives began to file in and take their seats. He shot a quick look over his shoulder and spotted Kyōraku lingering in the entryway wearing a look amusement on his stubbled face. The white-haired man flashed his friend a quick grin before turning back to the assembly at full attention.
"Captain-Commander Ukitake you are aware why you have been brought before us today, once again?" The lazy exasperated drawl echoed through the chamber.
Jūshirō didn't let a flicker of emotion cross his face as he answered politely.
"I am."
"Then you have finally come to answer for you decidedly unprofessional reluctance toward our proposal?"
Ukitake saw the barb for what it was and steadfastly ignored it; such petty words from them had long ceased to bother him. Instead he flashed the congregation a charming smile.
"There has been no reluctance on my part esteemed members, I have already told you that I abhor that monstrosity you call a proposal and there is no way that I am letting it within 500 miles of the academy. It would be a betrayal of everything Yamamoto-Sensei stood for."
Even though he was smiling the white-haired man's voice was tinged with a coolness that would have set even the most battle-hardened of opponents on edge. From his perch at the entryway Shunsui smiled to himself watching his friend systematically pick apart every argument that was thrown at him with practiced skill and ease.
Once again they had underestimated Jūshirō. He had come fully prepared for their complaints and deftly dealt with them leaving the council members seething with their own frustration and inadequacy.
Finally the tension snapped as one of the more prominent members lost their cool and launched a verbal attack.
"Ukitake you are a damned fool can you not see the benefits this stream-lining will provide! Why waste your time training trash?"
Hazel eyes narrowed dangerously and reiatsu that felt like a sea breeze enveloped the entire room.
"And what will this 'stream-lining' achieve?" The voice was barely above a whisper but it demanded attention "Nothing except segregating the Seireitei once again! After so much strife and hardship that is simply not acceptable. We have survived wars, enemies determined to tear us down and after all that you want to drive a wedge between our people?"
There was uproar in the chamber. Left and right the members of Central 46 were making their displeasure known, the noise all too soon becoming a deafening hubbub of bad feeling and in the centre of it stood Jūshirō, weathering the malice like a cliff weathers the storm.
Eventually the main speaker managed to restore order and directly spoke to Ukitake, the anger in his voice unmistakable.
"You forget your place Captain-Commander."
The white-haired man turned his gaze upwards eyes hard like granite.
"Again you are mistaken, I know my place... Between the people of the Seireitei and Rukongai districts and bigots like you."
There was a splutter of outrage from the main speaker as he stared down from his perch among the coliseum like seats. Even though Jūshirō couldn't see the man's face he could feel the bristling anger matching his own.
"This council instigates the will of the Soul King are you so arrogant and full of self-importance that you would go against your ruler?"
Head held high the Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 addressed the council.
"I do not for one second believe anyone in this room truly embodies the will of the Soul King and any ruler who would so haphazardly discard the well being of their subjects in favor of elitist nonsense is a ruler I do not wish to serve."
Again the room erupted into chaos and Shunsui stepped from his hiding place to stand next to his friend. He gave a stern gaze at the gathered members, who continued to hiss venomously at Ukitake and placed a hand on his shoulder, giving him a nod.
"Silence!"
The whole room fell quiet as the usually laid back man took a stand, his usual lazy grin slipping back onto his face though his eyes remained steely.
"Yare, yare… You people were making such a racket it was spoiling my good mood."
Forty six pairs of eyes fixed on the flamboyant Captain, a mixture of shock and horror at his audacity crossing each of their hidden faces.
"Do you have a point you wish to raise Captain Kyōraku?"
A dark brow rose as Shunsui tilted his hat back and flashed them a vicious smile.
"Not a point as such, more of a statement..."
"A statement?" The speaker sounded confused.
"Yes... A statement and I'm fairly sure I represent the majority of my colleagues when I say we stand by the Captain-Commander on this issue. So unless you want an angry mob of Captain's hammering on your doorstep I suggest you back down over the issue at hand."
In the silence that followed you could have heard a pin drop.
Jūshirō gawked at his friend's unusual bluntness and was still in shock as the dark-haired Shinigami ushered him out of the assembly hall that had once again erupted into a chaotic mess. Ukitake could still hear the numerous and vehement threats being thrown at their retreating backs but found he truly couldn't care less. He was a capable fighter and quite able to take care of himself, despite what Central 46 or the public may think. Once outside he let out a deep shuddering breath he hadn't realized he was holding and turned grateful eyes up to his best friend.
"Thank you."
Shunsui smiled sheepishly and scratched the back of his head.
"It's no problem Juu; I didn't like what they were saying to you."
The white-haired commander smiled in return, flicking a few stray strands of hair from his face.
"Although I appreciate you stepping in Shun, did you have to be so blunt?"
Kyōraku shrugged, pushing off from the wall he was leaning against seemingly in a hurry to get away. The other man followed at a casual pace and when they were far enough away the conversation continued.
"They weren't going to listen to reason Juu; it seemed like the only viable option. Plus you looked as if you were going to go Bankai on them and well it would be a pain to find another drinking buddy this late on in life. "
Jūshirō snorted then sighed knowing that his friend was right, he hoped he'd have been able to bring the pig-headed council members around but they were so stuck in their own little world they failed to see the bigger picture.
It was sad really.
"But you didn't have to lie to then Shun."
The Eighth division captain smiled and ruffled the white locks playfully.
"Who said I was lying? I'm pretty sure all the other Captain's would agree with you on this... Considering most of them are Rukongai born themselves. That and you have their respect and loyalty Juu... As much as Yama-Jii ever did."
Scowling Ukitake swatted away the hand mussing up his hair, a faint blush crossing his cheeks at the easily given compliment.
"Thank you Shunsui."
"It's not a problem Jūshirō."
The two men walked in silence toward the Eighth's barracks both seemingly lost in their thoughts, the playful banter from earlier forgotten as they contemplated the meeting. There was a lot to think about, worryingly so.
"Do you think we're playing with fire here Shun?" Jūshirō asked honestly.
Kyōraku took a slow, deep breath.
"We're always playing with fire where Central is concerned. I guess were just lucky that we haven't been burned yet."
There was a momentary flicker of something in Ukitake's hazel eyes that the dark-haired captain couldn't quite discern.
"Juu?"
"It's nothing... But I just can't help this feeling that my luck will soon run out."
Again there was that flicker in the white-haired man's eyes and this time he'd caught it clearly, the flicker of troubling knowledge. Shunsui frowned, he knew Jūshirō wouldn't tell him what was wrong until he was ready and he'd just have to wait for the man to open up.
"Don't be ridiculous Juu, you're going to outlast me remember. Don't think like that."
Ukitake smiled but it appeared false and strained.
"I hope you're right Shun... I truly hope you're right."
A month later found the two old friends perched on top of the Ugendō sharing a bottle of warm sake and enjoying the peaceful night. Things had been hectic and it had been a while since they had been able to talk outside professional means never mind enjoy a quiet drink.
There was a snort of laughter as Shunsui finished the telling of a rather funny story and the two men drained their cups before lying back on the roof to watch the stars.
"Thank you for dragging me away from that hell known as paperwork; I didn't realize how much I needed this."
Hat tilted across most of his face Kyōraku smiled the smile of the slightly inebriated.
"No problem, it's like that human saying... All work and no play make Juu-chan a dull boy."
There was a chuckle followed by a short, soft cough.
"I believe it is make Jack a dull boy."
"Jack, Juu... What's the difference really? It's still true."
The pair lapsed into comfortable silence just content laying there watching the world pass by and drinking warm Sake. How long they stayed there was uncertain but when Jūshirō finally sat up they were shrouded in darkness.
"Juu?"
The troubled look was back in Ukitake's eyes.
"Central 46 are up to something."
Shunsui sat up and studied his friend's contemplative form, noting the faint quiver of tension despite the alcohol. The white-haired man bowed his head and closed his eyes, pulling his knees up to his chest.
"I'm not sure what exactly but there is something going on, I'm standing in their way and they are not very happy about it."
Grey eyes burned with anger, so this was what had been bothering the other man. He was worried that those bastards were trying to remove him from office.
"Even if you were in their way Juu it would take something spectacular to get you out of their way without causing some kind of fuss. It's not as if they'd be able to best you in battle."
There was a faint smile as Jūshirō turned his head to face his friend, the long white locks tumbling over his knees.
"Thanks Shun, I needed to hear that."
The serenity was short lived as from nowhere the alarm sounded.
Both men were instantly aware and alert as a mass of spiritual pressure crashed over the Seireitei. The two Captain's stood feeling their jaws drop and eyes go round as they saw the chaos unfolding across the soul-society.
Garganta, at least twenty of them were opening across various points within the Seireitei, each stuffed to the brim with various hollows and Menos.
"Holy Shit..."
Without another word both men flash-stepped away to their divisions with only a single intention in mind.
The will to fight, to protect what was precious to them.
They were winning the battle, just barely Shunsui mused but they were winning. They had sustained heavy losses due to the sheer overwhelming numbers of the hollows but they were finally starting to beat them back.
He dodged effortlessly as an Adjuchas level Menos took a swipe at him, curved claws extended and dripping with poison. With practiced ease he dragged the dual blades Katen Kyōkotsu up in a graceful arc and swiftly decapitated the hollow with a single blow. Behind him he sensed Nanao finishing off her own opponent securing the area for the Shinigami.
"Ah Nanao-chan... I see you've finally finished."
The young woman frowned at her Captain's playful tone and adjusted her glasses after resheathing her Zanpaktou.
"All the hollows have been eradicated Captain, what are your orders."
Kyōraku tilted his head and smiled lazily at the serious tone.
"We'll regroup for now and set up a perimeter before moving to assist the other squads."
The dark-haired woman nodded and instantly began conveying the orders to the rest of the squad. Shunsui took the momentary solitude and allowed the playful facade to drop. He didn't like this one bit; it was hard enough to open one Garganta within the Seireitei never mind multiples.
There was definitely something wrong with this whole situation.
His musings were cut short as another wave of reiatsu assaulted their senses and they turned their gazes to the sky. A relatively small opening had appeared over Sōkyoku hill but despite its small size the spirit pressure was more powerful than any of those that had come before it. Shunsui turned to his forces to see them frozen under the crashing pressure.
Vasto Lorde.
The figures emerging from the Garganta were Vasto Lorde.
"Nanao-chan stay here with the squad..."
"But Sir..."
Kyōraku rounded on his lieutenant, eyes full of steely determination.
"No buts! That is an order Ise. I do not want you engaging with those hollows unless absolutely necessary."
Nanao took a step back at the harsh tone, eyes wide before nodding dumbly. Shunsui cracked a reassuring smile and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Wait right here for me my sweet Nanao-chan I'll be back before you know it."
And then he was gone, leaving a stunned lieutenant in his wake.
The eighth Captain flash-stepped as fast as he could across the Seireitei but even with his skills he was still a considerable distance away and knew he wouldn't be the first to intercept the powerful hollows.
There was a flare of reiatsu that almost knocked Shunsui backwards out of his flash-step and he felt his heart catch in his throat as he recognized it.
Jūshirō...
The swell of reiatsu continued to grow and the dark-haired man could feel Katen Kyōkotsu cry out in pain, which meant only one thing.
Bankai.
Jūshirō was using his Bankai.
Fear quivered inside Shunsui's breast, there was a reason that Jūshirō never used his Bankai. The sheer release of power was enough to destroy his weakened body, the fact he was doing so now meant that the situation was very desperate indeed.
He pushed onwards praying to every deity that he wouldn't be too late.
The dark-haired man was just approaching the outskirts of the inner-Seireitei when he felt it. Jūshirō's reiatsu suddenly withdrew on itself and the exploded with a massive blast, demolishing the Sōkyoku hill and the surrounding woodland in a sphere of white lightning. Then all trace was gone, evaporated into thin air along with the other powerful presences.
Shunsui stopped dead as pain and denial assaulted his heart.
It wasn't possible...
He couldn't be...
Blood pounded in his ears as time seemed to slow to a halt and the world began to spin.
"Captain Kyōraku!"
The frightened, hysterical voice of Kuchiki Rukia pierced his conscious and wide violet eyes were filled with tears. Shunsui snapped out of his daze and caught the young woman as she fell forward.
"C-captain U-Ukitake... He... He's..."
The dark-haired man bowed his head; he didn't need to hear the words spoken.
"I know."
The young woman clung to him fiercely trying to control her emotions. But their moment of grief was short lived a small cluster of Vasto Lorde began to surround them. Rukia stared at him the fear obvious in her eyes and he stared back face solemn and drawn. He lent over her, mouth brushing against her ear and whispered one word.
"Run."
The lieutenant didn't need to be told twice and she flash-stepped away faster than she had believed possible.
Feeling the woman's reiatsu fade Kyōraku turned to face his opponents and slowly withdrew Katen Kyōkotsu. Grief simmered through his veins raw and unyielding, grey eyes darkened with the lust for revenge.
"You picked the wrong day to confront me hollows."
Scathing laughter echoed around the devastated clearing but Shunsui paid it no heed. He raised his blades in front of him and crossed them, dark energy swirling around him.
"Bankai."
The next morning found the Seireitei in ruins but still standing. Search parties were sent out to find the trapped and help the injured. It was one such search party that approached Ise Nanao, lieutenant of the eighth division with a small package in his hands.
Confused Nanao took the package and opened it, slumping to her knees in tears as the contents were revealed.
In her hands was a bloodied haori with the eighth division's insignia and a familiar straw hat.
Cleaved in two.
~End Prologue~
A/N: Ooops...Well I didn't say this was going to be a nice story... Reviews shall be rewarded with virtual cookies.
*Flees from peoples wrath*