Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
CHAPTER ONE:
It felt like eternity had finally stood still as the nameless woman stared into the night sky. It had been hundreds of years since she had felt this way. Hundreds of years since time had stood still for her as she killed, numb and merciless.
"Kageno-Akuma," a voice said. "They are waiting for you."
She turned away from her contemplations. Her eyes were filled with determination and sorrow as she let out a small, inaudible sigh that no one there caught. "Very well. I shall be there momentarily."
The door shut with a small thud. The nameless woman closed her eyes and took a deep breath. After so long, she had finally returned...
...
Kuchiki and Ashira were both ready to leave, the sun not even risen and the sky still dark. All the other captains had said their farewells the previous day. All that was left was taking the first step.
However, Kuchiki was suddenly unsure of himself. He had been so certain that this was the path her should follow, the path to her, but he had been filled with doubt ever since Emiko had spoken those words and he had read that letter. It had seemed liked Kagami Masako had actually been worried about everyone in the Seireitei.
As they stepped out of the walls of the Seireitei, a single figure suddenly leaped through the air and landed lightly beside them. Pulling of her Hunter's mask, she smiled at the two.
"What are you still doing here, Emiko," Ashira asked quietly.
Emiko rolled her eyes. "I ain't your shinigami pet, you got that?" she scoffed, sounding like a stereotypical member of the Mafia with the way she slouched over and slightly slurred her words.
Ashira rolled his eyes. Kuchiki had to make sure he didn't do the same.
"I came for the rock," Emiko said, gesturing to the noble, sounding like herself once again. "Kageno-Akuma knew you'd be going after her, so before she left, she said that if the time came, I should lend you a man to help guide you around."
"And keep track of us," Kuchiki said silently.
Emiko paused, then nodded. "Probably. But her mind works in the strangest ways. She could ask you for a sandwich and end up destroying half the free world for it with nothing more than a small smile and shrug of her shoulders. She's scary that way."
Kuchiki had to agree. He remembered when he had tried to get information out of or about her. It had been virtually impossible.
"Anyways..." Emiko whistled, and another Hunter dropped soundlessly out of nowhere. "Ryuu volunteered to guide you guys along!"
They turned to look at him and realized that his mask had no symbol on the forehead. He removed the mask, his eyes staring calmly at them. He tossed it in the air, and it vanished instantly.
"We should move soon," he murmured quietly. "Dawn in never friendly."
Not wishing to question that statement, the two shinigami fell in line behind the Hunter, all of them running through the streets of the Rukongai as they headed for Kagami.
Emiko watched them for a short time before she leaped back into the tree she had kept watch from the previous night, shaking her head in disbelief. What did her former Sensei see in that piece of rock? In her opinion, all he was good for was poking when you were bored.
...
Masanori turned in amazement. "What?" he asked sharply, his voice colored with disbelief. "She's returned?"
The messenger nodded. "Word says that Kageno-Akuma has returned."
Masanori waved his hand, and the messenger immediately left, sighing in relief. Masanori gritted his teeth in anger. That bitch... She was the worst opponent to face in a game of life and death. But this time...this time...
He slammed his hand into the nearby wall, completely destroying it despite he had tried to keep his strength restrained. "Fix it," he snarled angrily to the shocked assassins of the next room as he stormed off.
What he needed was a good kill...
...
Kageno-Akuma has returned. Shicho walks here again. The Shadow Demon is Butterfly of Death has returned...
The whispers spread like wildfire, sending Hunters and assassins alike into panic. All of them knew the legends of the heartless killer that had sent people committing suicide just by hearing her name. Her reputation was fearsome, indeed.
It was as if a goddess had stepped down from the heavens, both fearsome and kind at the same time. For she was kind, but she expected nothing less. And if you fell out of her favor, she would easily make sure you were doomed with nothing more than a flick of her finger.
Several that heard that immediately began their search for her. They were known as the Hogo Sha, the Guardians of the Butterfly of Death. Now that she had returned, they immediately dropped everything to return to her side, all of them devoted to the core. They would rather die in the most horrible of ways then have her hurt in any way.
Others that panicked at the sound of her name were the Council of Seven, the ruling force of the Hunters, similar to how Tsukihanano Kenshi ruled over the assassins. And the last time Kageno-Akuma had been among them, she had completely over turned the entire society of Hunters when she had slaughtered the entire Council, replacing them. Now, all the current Council members were panicking over her return.
Assassins all over panicked as well. Shicho, the Butterfly of Death, was one of the remaining Jewels. As such, all of them owed her loyalty, as they owed loyalty to Masanori. However, they were torn between the two. Which should they follow? The ruthless Masanori, who planned to destroy her, or the cold Shicho, who planned to completely eradicate him. The battle that would soon commence...all of them knew how devastating it would be.
One member of the Hunters immediately began searching for the feared Kageno-Akuma. It had been centuries since they had last seen each other, but now...