I slowly open my eyes to find myself in a white room, in a white bed. Pain pulses through my body as I sit up. I am in a hospital bed, with tubes and cords leading from my body. I analyse the room, there are a few other beds which are occupied. They may also be Zanpakuto, or perhaps soul reapers. In a sudden flashback of my stabbing I rush to check the wound on my stomach. Nothing serious, only a scar remains. This means I must have been in here for a long time. Another scar is nothing out of the ordinary. My body is covered in scars already, none of which I have been able to explain. One thin line covers over my right eye, from my forehead to the level of my nose. Another is on my left cheek, a lot thicker than the other. The others are scattered over my body, they never completely heal so they are very noticeable.
A young nurse, who appears about 20, enters the room carrying a clipboard, writing reports on her assigned patients. She looks up from her work to find me awake, sitting up in bed. She is startled, dropping her clipboard and running from the room. I could hear her cries in the hallway- "Captain" She called. I began pulling the tubes leading from my arms in attempt to escape. If they find me awake they may sedate me again. I struggled with the wires, but I was determined to get them out.
My escape attempt was interrupted by another woman entering the room. She was older; she wore a doctor's coat and had a long braid down the front of her. Two others also entered. One had short light hair with a single long braid down the side. The other was the nurse from before. The two stayed in the doorway, seeming cautious of me, while the other woman approached ahead of them confidently.
Her voice was calming and sweet but somehow scary. "My name is Retsu Unohana, I am the Captain of squad four" she introduced. Of course she would be a captain. There were 13 captains of the court guard squads. All of which are the most powerful of the soul reapers. "You have been here for four days" She continues "After being revived by the department of research and development; you were brought here to recover. May I ask your name?"
"M-My name is Kodokuno" I answer
"Thank you Kodokuno, May I ask the name of your master? We may be able to locate them"
I look down to my fingers "I don't know his name"
The light haired girl reports to Unohana "Captain Hitsugaya's Zanpakuto completely lost his memory when he became separated from his master"
"Thank you lieutenant" she then turns back to me "were you part of the rebellion?" she asks
"There was a rebellion?" I question "I only remember the voice.. He told me to come, then as soon as I manifested I was attacked."
"Of course, thank you Kodokuno" she speaks to the lieutenant "I find this girl no danger to the soul reapers, after she is recovered fully, she is to be discharged"
"But-"objects the lieutenant.
"Thank you lieutenant" smiles Unohana as she exits the room, immediately ending the conversation.
I am completely confused as to what is happening around me. I should be dead right now. I remember clearly the smiling girl killing me. Can the soul society really bring back the dead? I lay for another day in the hospital bed, trying to understand what is happening.
The day of my discharge involves a complex explanation of what occurred in the rebellion. In summary a Zanpakuto spirit called Muramasa had the power to manifest other Zanpakuto and influence their emotions. He used this ability to hypnotise almost all the Zanpakuto spirit to turn on their masters. This rebellion ended through the death of Muramasa, and the department of research and development being able to revive all the dead Zanpakuto who did not return to their masters. At that time is when I notice the hatred is gone. Does this mean it is now safe to meet my master?
"It was discussed in the lieutenants meeting today that, as you have no known master, you will stay with squad ten lieutenants" Says the girl with the light coloured hair as we walk through the busy halls of the hospital. We walk outside the barracks to find a woman waiting for us. She had long curly strawberry blonde hair.
"Hi" she smiles pleasantly; "My name is Rangiku" she waves.
"My name is Kodokuno" I mumble at my feet.
She pulls the light haired girl to the side loudly whispering- "well isn't she morbid? You could at least of chosen someone more enthusiastic" The girl shrugs as they both look back at me.
Together Rangiku and I walk through the seireitei as Rangiku clamours on about the soul society, but her babbling becomes one long drone as I focus on my surroundings. My attention is directed to the eyes I can feel drilling into the back of my head. It is quite simple, really. Zanpakuto are not meant to be seen or heard by anyone other than their master, there is a special bond between the two, as Zanpakuto are born from their soul. It is a rare sight to catch glimpse of another's Zanpakuto, so I guess staring would be natural.
The door of the house is flung open as Rangiku calls "TADA! Home sweet home" It is a rather unkempt and messy home with empty bottles lying on the floor and clothes strung up over the chairs. Although given how repulsive it may seem, I would rather stay here than in barracks. I get easily claustrophobic in small places, probably because I have lived in a desert my whole life.
"Haineko! Where are you?" Yells Rangiku
"Haineko?" I question,
"She's my Zanpakuto" she explains, "She's so lazy and selfish, I don't know how she's my Zanpakuto" I try hard not to laugh. I am guessing someone who leaves a mess like this could not possibly be lazy.
"I'm coming! Don't stress old lady, you might get wrinkles" Calls another voice
"I am not old!" cries Rangiku
A teenage looking girl appears. She has short red hair and wearing a pale pink cat suit. It really is not surprising; you have to expect weird things from Zanpakuto. She looks me up and down and then at Rangiku, waiting for an explanation.
"This is Kodokuno, we are taking care of her for a few days" She says. You would have thought they were talking about a dog- 'taking care of'. Obviously the soul reapers don't trust me yet.
"Haineko" She introduces herself, "how long do ya think you will be here?"
"I'm not sure, it depends if I find my master" I mutter without looking her in the eye.
Tonight's going to be long and painful