Derivation
AN/ Welcome to part two. I wouldn't recommend starting here; if you're new to the series, please take the time to read Apperception.
For my return readers, glad to have you back! As you know, there is some discrepancy between the manga and my universe. Besides the obvious, Juushiro and Orihime being a couple - I'll be bringing a few of the manga's story lines here.
That's all I'm willing to reveal now…so read on, MacDuff!
"Do you remember what I told you when this battle began? 'What you want to protect is not what I want to protect.'" - Tensa Zangetsu
*Aizen*
Failure. It was a word I did not particularly enjoy hearing. Even when not applied directly to me. That my subordinates would fail was nearly a given, but one had to trust one's minions to some degree did they not? I shook my head ridding my brain of the thoughts that burned like acid.
I could build myself back in no time, even from these poor circumstances. When the fake Karakura had been dispelled, and the real one had come back, I'd deemed it at least safe enough to find a better place to hide, and to find the one person I could trust to help me. Inoue Orihime. My plans still included her, and her marvelous abilities.
I learned as much as I could about the living world, and living in it. I imagine those failed experiments, the lieutenants and captains I'd wisely rid the Gotei of all those decades ago, must have felt the same way. Except they had gigai made by that irritating genius, Urahara Kisuke. I had one made by Grantz, an egotistical maniac who didn't know as much about the human body as he thought he did. It worked, and I could modify it with the hogoyku when I needed to.
At that time it was best to lie low, and I existed for the last week by shielding my reiatsu, and shutting the hogoyku down enough to mask its various signatures as well. I began to explore this world. A plane of existence that I had not cared enough about in the past could prove my undoing if I could not master its ways. It didn't take me long to see that manipulating the people of the Living World was as easy as it had been in the Soul Society. All it took was a look here, a brush of the hand or shoulder there, and these people opened to me like flowers welcome sunshine.
It was only a matter of days before I was able to ascertain that I didn't need to make myself known to find Orihime. I has laughed when I realized I wouldn't even need Kyōka Suigetsu to find out things like where she lived, went to school, almost everything about her. I could regain my strength without some shinigami trying to prove himself, and getting me found by someone who could capture me in this state.
To that end, I began to think back on all that I knew about the girl. She had been on her own since her brother had died. She had no other immediate family. I searched the internet for places to get help as either a minor or having a displaced family That was what gave me the notion to go to the Social Services, and get that information from someone.
It didn't even take as long as I thought it should have. Human governmental officials were understaffed, underpaid, and underappreciated. When I saw the lovely young woman typing away on her keyboard while handling a phone call, her phone still glowing with the other lines that needed attention, I knew I had my girl. I smiled at her, Momo had always said that my kind smile was very soothing. When I became the ruler of Hueco Mundo, I watched that smile transform into what it was now. Still lovely, but with an edge of danger that spoke of darker pleasures just waiting to be had.
"Please hold, sir," the woman behind the desk and noisy phone smiled back at me, "let me pull up the information." She paused, and I allowed my eyes to roam her features, "that's right, sir. Just a few moments." She stabbed a button on the phone, and cradled her head on her laced fingers, "And how may I be of service to you…?"
"Inoue, it's Sousuke Inoue."
"Inoue-san," she flashed another smile, and internally I grimaced. This woman was going to bring my breakfast back up. "How can I help you today?"
"I returned from America, and I heard that my niece was living on her own," I forced my face into a sorrowful mask, "I'd like to help her out, you know, she was just an infant when I left. Since she's still a minor, and she has no close family…"
"I'm really…" she tried to interrupt but I reached over, and touched her knuckle, "I mean, can you prove your relationship?"
"Of course," I offered smoothly, and pulled out several forms of identification. Excellent forgeries the man had said. He better have been telling the truth. I hate to think I should have shown less mercy when I'd killed the criminal. "And the child is Inoue Orihime, isn't that a pretty name?"
The woman unlaced her fingers before typing the name into her computer. "It says you're not married?"
I almost could not stop myself from rolling my eyes, "Just haven't found the right woman," My countenance warmed a bit more, "yet."
She giggled, "Oh, Inoue-san, I can allow you to read her file, but I can't give you any hard copies. Actually, I shouldn't do even that much, but I can see that you're a very…" she drew her finger over her bottom lip, "very loving uncle."
"Oh," I gave her my smile again, "I am concerned for her well being, and since I'm going to be in Japan for a few years…" I touched her again and she flushed darkly, "I think I can help her out a little."
The woman turned her screen toward me, "Let me finish this call, if you're not busy, I can take my lunch break?"
"I'm not busy," I dropped the smile and her blush darkened more. I scanned the computer while she spoke to the man on the phone. She hung up, and I swung the monitor around, "Care to meet me outside?" I stood, and offered her my hand, which she gripped in what I hoped she thought was a womanly way. She nodded and looked away to get ready to go. I walked out the door, away from the lobby and was halfway across town before she could even locate her purse.
I smiled once I reached the place where I had been living. The person I had appropriated the apartment from had a sudden urge to go one a very long trip. Sauntering over to the computer, I typed in Inoue's particulars, filling in addresses and names gleaned from my little trip. Tapping my finger on the screen next to a name, I smiled once again.
I remembered talking to Unohana once upon a different life; She'd been telling me that her patients always felt the need to tell her of the minutiae of their daily lives. Sometimes it was a good thing, she needed to know if they'd ingested or done something that had a medical bearing. Most of the time, it was just a way to fill the silence of a routine medical exam. We will need to go there, set up some illusions and weave some kido, Kyōka Suigetsu. The zanpakuto spirit caressed my mind, and I sat back to enjoy the bliss speaking to her brings. That vessel is broken, I have found a new person; she's been cracked, but I believe she can be turned fully. Kyōka shifted uncomfortably, I know you don't approve, but it's what we have to do if we wish to rule in the heavens instead of serving.
I tented my fingers and sat forward, Doctor Aizen had such a nice ring to it.
I need to know that you will always be
The same old someone that I knew
What will it take till you believe in me
The way that I believe in you - Just the Way You Are - Billy Joel
*Orihime*
The wind rushed in my ears as Shinji strained to catch up with a shunpo fueled by one of the oldest captains in the Gotei 13. Not just the fact that it was Juushiro that he was trying to catch, but telling by the pain in my head, it was an angry Juushiro. I would have sighed if it weren't for the fact I could barely breathe. Instead I just clung to Shinji, and hoped for the best.
"Get back here! You idiot, anyone with spiritual awareness is going to freak out! Stop for fuck's sake!" Shinji pushed the reiokyu under his feet to a higher pitch, and I clutched at his shoulders, trying to compensate for the burst of speed.
Juushiro turned, and dropped to the ground in the park where I'd met Ulquiorra and Yami for the first time. Shinji gulped a few breaths, and slowed to a stop a few feet from the fuming captain. I dropped from his back, and Juushiro pulled Sōgyo no Kotowari from his side.
"Don't come any closer," he warned, and Shinji touched his own Sakanade, making it shrink and regain it's katana appearance. "Why would you come?" His voice was choked, and I just looked at him. His hair was wild from the run. His cheeks pink with either anger or exertion. Personally, I was hoping for embarrassment.
"Listen to me, Juu," I started.
He shook his head, "Don't call me that, I know what I both saw and heard. When did it even happen?"
"I didn't touch her, Ukitake!" Shinji ground his blade and turned an angry face on me before facing the other man.
"Then how's she going to carry your child, Hirako?" Juushiro moved forward in a flash.
Shinji sucked in a breath, "You have it wrong." Juushiro grabbed his shirt pulling Shinji's body close and staring in his face, "I swear it!"
"Release your reiatsu," Juushiro breathed, "Get the fuck out of that gigai, and release."
"I can't! Not like this, you think I want to fight you, but I don't! Besides, I don't wear clothes inside, I'll be nude, and really…" Juushiro shook him, and Shinji wisely closed his mouth.
"Why'd you bring her, did you think she'd keep me from hurting you?"
"Stop it! No, I won't allow you to do this! Ukitake, get your hands off of him, Shinji, back off." I was breathing wildly, and my heart was beating hard in my chest. Whether the men felt it or not, I could feel other reiatsu signatures approaching. Yoruichi and Kisuke made two, then Ichigo's muted presence followed closely by Uryuu brought the party to an uncomfortable level. "There's some people coming and we need to go. Release him, please, Juushiro! Please."
Juushiro's hand spasmed in the ball of material that he'd reduced Shinji's shirt to. Shinji pulled back slowly, as his captor let go. Shinji vainly tried to smooth his crumpled clothes, and I touched Juushiro's arm. He flinched, and tears welled in my eyes once again.
"What will it take for you to behave like an adult?" I grasped his haori, "I will gladly release my reiatsu here for the whole world to see. I thought you said you were going to trust me! You couldn't do that for more than a day?" I hissed at him, "Let's go before Ichigo gets here. I'm afraid he won't be as nice as Shinji."
Juushiro jerked his head, "I feel him. And Shihoin with Urahara and the Quincy even."
My phone rang, and before the offensive words could start, I pulled it from my pocket, "I'm okay, Ichigo."
"You don't sound in trouble, who's causing the reiatsu storm?"
"Just go find Uryuu, and tell him I'm okay. I'll talk to Urahara, and explain to you tomorrow, all right? I swear, I'll be fine." He grunted, but hung up with a terse 'tomorrow'.
I groaned too, "Please," and Juushiro closed his eyes, and I felt his spiritual pressure dwindle to near null. "Thank you," I glanced at Shinji, "Could you wait for Urahara-san, please? I think we need to talk. Alone"
"Are you sure?" He glanced up at a now thoroughly miserable looking Juushiro, and I nodded my head. "Ok," he took a couple of tentative steps toward me, and lay a hand on my shoulder, "It was supposed to be a happy thing, right?"
"Yeah," I touched his hand and felt Juushiro deflate a little more, "I'll give you a call soon, he's not staying." The other man jerked like I'd slapped him. I looked at him, now stridently staring in the opposite direction, "But we have to talk, so…"
Yoruichi's presence was the closest. Shinji waved, and then in a short burst of shunpo, met the woman at the edge of the park. I watched him gesture at us, and then back the way she'd come. Her rich laugh floated out over the night, and I blushed in humiliation. After squaring my shoulders, I marched around to stand in Juushiro's line of sight.
I hiccoughed, and frowned when he looked down, "I'm not sure what you're looking at, but if you could walk me home, please?"
"I heard him." He took a few steps away, and looked back to make sure I was following. I was.
"You heard Shinji be happy for me? That I'm pregnant, with all the odds against me?"
He pulled a lock of his snowy hair, "I walked in on something I shouldn't have. If you're okay with Shinji, he's a good guy, and I know he'll try and take care of you."
He was making me want to kick his shins. If there's one thing about loving someone you're too nervous to confess to, it's that you don't have to put up with their nonsense. For better or for worse, how ironic that I had been thinking about marriage just a little over a day ago, I still loved this giant idiot.
"You need to be quiet now, Ukitake."
He snorted, "Ukitake is it?"
"You said I couldn't say the other," I almost choked on those words. He'd only been my Juu for a little over a week, and I felt like him taking that endearment from me hurt worse than anything else he'd done this evening.
"I really screwed up, huh?" He stopped. We weren't nearly far enough away for the heart to heart I wanted, but… "I wish I could just share some sake with you, and everything would be better."
"That's," I paused, cowardly? Yeah, it was cowardly, hasn't he ever had a serious relationship? I knew I hadn't, yet, I was the mature one here. "That's surprising. Even Shunsui doesn't seem that shallow."
"We've been friends for a long time." He resumed walking, "We had our fights so long ago, that I can't," He looked at me, "I can't understand why I'm telling you about Shun right now."
I shrugged, "You brought it up."
"I suppose I did, I've always been one for deflecting."
I shook my head, "I guess that explains your zanpakuto." I looked up with a smile, and found that he was looking curiously at me, "What?"
"I seriously screwed up, didn't I? Jumped to conclusions without thinking." He stopped dead, a smile spreading on his generous mouth, "It's our baby, isn't it?"
"If it was Shinji's there'd be no way to tell that I was pregnant already. It's on the outside chance that I even found out this early. You could have just thought about it for a second, you know?"
"There's no such thing as a test outside going to a midwife, and whatever they do to check in the Soul Society." He resumed walking, "Only people with reiatsu have children there, and that means clans, nobles and royals. The odd woman and man finding themselves pregnant in the Rukongai, but that's extremely rare. Almost as rare as a Soul Reaper and a human. I have brothers and sisters, but I left for the academy as soon as it was determined I could go, so I don't remember my mother's pregnancies with my youngest siblings." He shrugged, "I've never had a wife or gotten a girl pregnant before. This is new to me. Shinigami…" He reached for my hand, and I took it, "we're a curious lot. We don't age like you do, and change comes slowly to us. You've seen with your own eyes how we resist it. It's almost like that's the thing most Reapers have in common. You swept in, in all your human brashness, and you changed my world!" He squeezed my hand tightly, "I thought I was doing what I needed to keep up, but now, I can see that's where the jealousy comes from. Hirako should give me lessons in accepting change."
"I can help you."
"I know," he looked up to the sky, his voice shaking, "Please help me, Orihime."
"I can't imagine what it's like, living in a place that changes so little that even the smallest changes are hard to accept." I put our joined hands on my heart, "I want us to have a happily ever after. I want you to be not just the father of this child," my hand slipped lower, and his eyes were glued to it's progress, "but I want you to be there for him or her. I know that the changes taking place within me are far outside your normal day-to-day," I stopped walking, "But tell me now, ok? I can't take this for much longer, I do know that."
He did something then that I never thought I'd see outside those romantic movies I like so much. His cool fingers inched the material of my shirt up, making my skin prickle in the evening air. Juushiro dropped to his knees, and pressed his face against my stomach. His hands clutched my waist, "Inoue Orihime, I am so very sorry for what happened here tonight. I will apologize and mean it when I see Hirako-san before I leave. Please accept me back into your heart, please take my apology. I am so, so very sorry." I felt his warm breath tickling my stomach, and the wet trail of what had to be tears.
I placed my hands on his head, and felt my shun shun rika flare in response. If they believed, I could believe. I nodded, "My love, it was never me pushing you out of my heart." we stayed like that for a little while, him, silently weeping on my flesh while I stroked his hair. "Come on, let's go home, okay?"
"Please," He stood, wrapping his arms around me. He looked up at me seemingly surprised, "You're shivering."
I smiled, "It's night after all, and I didn't stop to grab a coat."
He nodded, and swept me up into his arms. He moved into an easy flash step, depositing us at the apartment just moments later. He really was something else; well, when he wasn't giving me a migraine headache.
He set me down and I raced to the kitchen, my stew now scorching in the pot, "Oh, man! That was dinner! You ruined dinner, Juu."
"Sorry, what was it," he looked over my shoulder at the pot, "stew?"
I pulled my phone from my pocket and called Shinji, "Hi, Shin. If I call in an order from that ramen place, can you get it?" I pulled the pot off the stove, while Juushiro busied himself looking at the contents of my refrigerator. I listened to his answer, "You don't have any money on you? Where's your wallet?" It must be a man thing. I used to have this conversation with my brother, too. Rolling my eyes at Juu's back for the sake of all women everywhere, "Ask Yoruichi for some money. I'll pay her back later." Settling the pot in the sink, I looked dolefully at the contents before just turning on the disposal, and dumping it right then. "Let me check, hold on," I turned to Juushiro as he closed the fridge with a sheepish smile, "Do you want something to eat?"
"No, I just want to apologize, and then go back to the Soul Society and die."
"What are you smiling about?"
"You've got ready made soba noodles. Madarame-san said that your world had such things, but I didn't really believe it."
I shook my head, "Seriously, it's no trouble, and you might as well apologize with something in your belly. I'll order for you, okay?" He nodded, and I lifted the phone back to my mouth, "Shin, get two orders of spicy takoyaki with gyoza for us, okay?" He answered in the affirmative, and told me that Yoruichi hadn't wanted me to pay her back. I bid him good-bye, and turned to face Juushiro.
He looked good enough to eat, but I wasn't willing to let him get under my skin like that just yet. He quirked a quizzical brow at me, "Just like that," he said, "you forgive me so easily?"
"It's in my nature, I suppose," a blush lighting my cheeks. "I guess I've never wanted to rock the boat, and this is too important to let go because of something stupid."
AN/ *whoo* Ok, first off - Takoyaki are essentially little balls that're crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside with a small piece of octopus in the middle. Takoyaki is topped with Japanese mayo and a special sauce. Gyoza is one of my favorite all time foods. It's potstickers, except crunchy. A hearty welcome back to my ever-lovin' beta, Sovereign! Readers, you guys rock! I probably won't update as often as I did Apperception, but I'll try and keep it to under a month per update. Reviewers rock it harder!
