Kura Zaraki and the Stone of Blood
Prologue
Rain pounded the ground mercilessly as it fell from the dark grey January sky to the sodden earth below as two figures tore through the street. One was a tall man with long flowing white hair and hazel eyes, but he wore a black Shihaksho and a white Haori with the number 'thirteen' on the back in a bold black.
He was carrying a small bundle in his arms cradled carefully and gently. The other figure was a small black cat that was barely visible due to the darkness of the pavement and lack of the street lights.
They made no noise as they moved through the pouring rain, not speaking, as what they were about to do weighed heavily upon them and conversation seemed pointless and too much effort.
Both were trapped in their own thoughts. They only stopped running when they came to a tall dank building with a sign that said 'District Orphanage' in faded lettering and peeling paint. The man looked at the cat before saying "It's such a shame we have to do this".
The cat turned its gold eyes up to gaze at him for a while, studying his face, before it spoke, "It's not like we have another choice."
The man lowered his eyes to the bundles he was carrying in his arms looking sadly at the innocent face of the sleeping baby. He then glanced back at the cat "But it's my fault if I hadn't failed..."
The cat held up a paw to silence him, "You did all you could Ukitake...you must not blame the incident upon yourself." Its tone was reprimanding, as if it had heard this all before but shared the man's guilt which took away the edge to its voice.
Ukitake nodded as he set the small child on the door step of the orphanage the cat rubbed its rain soaked furry head against the child's cheek as if acknowledging the gravity of the situation and to give itself and the child some comfort.
Ukitake said, "You're right Yoruichi one day we will bring her back to where she truly belongs."
The cat looked up at him again "I know, I still can't believe that she's all alone now."
It leapt up on to the man's shoulder who stroked the cat's head gently paying close attention to the place behind its ears and Ukitake sighed, "I suppose you're right old friend..." he said quietly and rang the doorbell, the sound echoing through the orphanage as the pair ran off into the night with a backward glance at the lone bundle, the rain and darkness swallowing them whole back to where they came from.