"Do you wish to know your future?" The wizened woman asked, eyeing Ikkaku with interest. She extended her discolored hand, reaching for his slowly. She smiled, nodding, encouraging him to take her hand. But then she frowned heavily, her eyes darkening as Ikkaku withdrew.

"Ah…" Ikkaku began, shaking his head in refusal. "I don't think so…"

"You would refuse such a quality repayment?" the woman snapped and then, as if remembering her manners, she smiled apologetically. "Wouldn't you like to know if you're destined for glory… if you will be rich? If you will find love?"

"Nah," Ikkaku assured her. "I really don't need ta know… I mean, I'll find out 'ventually…" Ikkaku looked down at his hand skeptically. "I don't really believe in that fate stuff anyway…"

"Strange, simple boy." The woman muttered. "To refuse a gift…"

"The fish was a gift." Ikkaku replied, narrowing his eyes. "There is no need for you to repay me." Ikkaku stood, pressing his hand absently against the healing sore on his thigh. "I wish you luck in your travels."

"Sit." The old woman barked, her volatile, mismatched eyes flashing. "Sit back down."

Ikkaku paused, hesitant… An abrupt, cool breeze whipped between the two of them, sand and river spray collecting on Ikkaku's skin. His fingertips itched, snaking down his abdomen to the knife on his belt. "Is there something else?"

Suddenly the atmosphere changed and the old woman sat back with a light, airy cackle. She waved her hand in dismissal and shook her head. "No, no, no… There's no need for you to humor an old woman…" The sun peeked out from behind the clouds; a beam of light illuminated the woman's withered, hideous face. "Thank you for the fish."

"What the fuck?" Ikkaku muttered under his breath as he hurried to distance himself from the strange woman. He turned, casting a look over his shoulder, and then froze in his tracks. He spun on his heels, his narrow eyes searching the camp rapidly. She was gone. "Lady?" Ikkaku's hand found the dagger at his waist and he gripped it tightly. "Lady?"

"What're ya doin'?" Kenpachi growled, his large hand wrapping around Ikkaku's wrist. He twisted until Ikkaku dropped the knife, his face dark and unreadable.

"Ouch! Oww! Fuck!" Ikkaku yelled, cursing and holding his wrist against his chest. "Why'd ya do that?"

Kenpachi inhaled deeply, his beady eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Who's here with you?" He stepped closer to Ikkaku his broad chest bumping against Ikkaku's intimidatingly. "Who did you bring here? What did she want?"

"It was just some old woman…" Ikkaku began to explain, pausing as his skin prickled in warning. "How did you know it was a 'she' anyway?"

"Ladies are usually she's… dumbass…" Kenpachi growled dismissively. He shrugged but Ikkaku could still sense the unnerving tension from before. Kenpachi looked around the camp with a snort. "Don't bring girls back here. You'll give the young'ins ideas…"

"It was a fuckin' nasty old woman…" Ikkaku groaned. "I wasn't doin' nothin'. She was hungry. I gave 'er some fish, is all…"

"Don't just help any person who comes along…" Kenpachi reprimanded.

"What?!" Ikkaku blurted in disbelief. "You are telling me that? You? Look around, old man…"

"Children are harmless." Kenpachi replied. He looked at Ikkaku in such a way that Ikkaku felt the fight seep right out of him. "You can trust children. They take everythin' 'n' give very lil' in return..." Kenpachi's eyes darted around the camp. "That woman from before…" Kenpachi bent over and retrieved Ikkaku's knife from the ground. He brushed it against his clothes and handed it to Ikkaku without another word.

"Where are you going?" Ikkaku called after Kenpachi as the elder man strode out of camp. "Where are the kids?"

"The kids're comin'." Kenpachi yelled over his shoulder. "I'm goin' down to the river fer a bit."

"Kenpachi…" Ikkaku said softly. "Kenpachi?"

"What?" Kenpachi hollered, turning around with a snarl. "What the fuck do you want?"

"That woman from before…" Ikkaku pressed. "Was there somethin' you wanted ta tell me?"

Kenpachi tossed his hair out of his eyes and continued walking toward the river. He turned, ever so slightly, and Ikkaku watched his lips slowly forming the words. The silent words curved around Kenpachi's mouth, dripping into the air and unfurling like smoke. But the sound never reached Ikkaku's ears.

"I can't hear you." Ikkaku stepped forward as he considered whether he should chase after Kenpachi or not. Kenpachi didn't acknowledge Ikkaku as he continued walking down to the river.

"I have a question." Ikkaku demanded, hopping down onto the sand bar and tying his boat to a nearby tree.

"Hmmm…" Yumichika opened his eyes and then sighed dramatically, flipping his fan-like tail from side to side in mock annoyance.

"There's a whole shit load of yer kind right?"

"Well, I would never use the term 'shit load', but yes…" Yumichika replied haughtily.

"And humans can't see you fer some reason…" Ikkaku continued.

"Most humans consciously shut our existence out. They cannot see us or hear us unless we sing…" Yumichika splashed himself with water and settled comfortably back into the warm sand. "I had never spoken to a human before you."

"So what are you here for then?" Ikkaku asked, beaming from ear to ear. "You have no purpose!"

"Do you lie awake at night, thinking these sorts of thoughts? Do you try to validate your own existence with your impeded rationale?" Yumichika pushed himself up on his elbows and smiled tightly. His wet, black hair fell into his face and he licked at his lips devilishly. "In your perfect world, must we all serve mankind's needs?" Yumichika laughed and rolled onto his side. "I think, therefore I am."

"I had a point with this." Ikkaku grumbled, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "Give me another minute."

"I could give you another one hundred years and you still wouldn't have a convincing argument." Yumichika teased, rolling his eyes. "Is it so hard to accept us? We are here. In fact, we were here first." Yumichika eyed Ikkaku. "You descend from hairy, smelly apes, we descend from leviathan… And considering the Earth is mostly water…"

"I'm not an ape…" Ikkaku snapped. "My parents weren't apes either!"

"Ikkaku, sit down." Yumichika asked, turning his face toward the man with a pleading expression. "You have been working so much lately…"

"Kenpachi has been riding my ass." Ikkaku muttered. "I escaped while he was napping. I swear to God, he's watchin' me."

"He's not watching you." Yumichika answered quietly.

"Yeah?" Ikkaku complained. "It sure feels like it. He's given me three times as much work to do."

"Do you believe in magic?" Yumichika asked simply.

"It depends." Ikkaku replied thoughtfully. "Are you magic? I believe in that kind of magic. But rabbits out of hats? Birds in and out of cages? No."

"He's cursed." Yumichika whispered and suddenly Ikkaku found himself sitting on the ground beside the creature. Ikkaku stared into his violet eyes dumbly. Yumichika brushed his hand against Ikkaku's left ear and pressed his lips against his right. His hot breath fanned against Ikkaku's ear and neck and the larger man shivered. "By the sea witch."

"Sea witch?" Ikkaku repeated under his breath.

"Yes." Yumichika answered in whisper.

"I don't understand. How is he cursed?" Ikkaku blurted out loud.

"Our kind and humans…" Yumichika pressed a long, thin finger against Ikkaku's lips. "Are not meant to interact." A soft silvery light began to glow between them.

"He was cursed for that? For pulling one out of the water?" Ikkaku shook his head in denial. "How is he cursed? He says he's happy…"

Yumichika tilted his head to the side in confusion, his eyes narrowing into slits. "You really don't know…?"

"IKKAKU!" Kenpachi bellowed. He appeared over the hill and began to storm down toward the riverbank. "We have work ta do, and yer fuckin' picnicking?"

"I have no clue what you're talkin' about," Ikkaku spoke quickly, under his breath. "We need to talk tonight. I mean it, tonight! Meet me at the dock…"

"Of course…" Yumichika answered with a nod. "I will be there."

"Ikkaku," Kenpachi barked. He stood on the bank of the river, his arms crossed over his broad chest. "Who was ya talkin' to?"

Ikkaku's hands fumbled with the knot of rope. His fingers felt numb. He swallowed a lump in his throat and looked from Yumichika to Kenpachi in disbelief. Could he not see Yumichika resting against the sand bar? He hopped into the boat and pushed off with his oar. "I was just talkin' to myself."

"What're ya starin' at?" Kenpachi barked. It was dinner time, and as they all sat around the warm campfire, Ikkaku found he was unable to look away from Kenpachi. He was a handsome man, albeit unconventionally. He had thick, maintained hair and tanned, smooth skin. There were scars, but scars were manly.

Ikkaku couldn't figure out how Kenpachi had been cursed. He certainly hadn't been disfigured or crippled in any way. "Ah, sorry, I was jus' thinkin'."

"Yer bein' creepy." Kenpachi accused with a laugh. "I can't lick my bowl if yer watchin' me."

"Ah, yeah, go ahead. I really couldn't care less." Ikkaku laughed, waving his hand dismissively. Ikkaku watched Kenpachi out of the corner of his eye. "Ya know… you don't talk about yourself much."

"Eh?" Kenpachi grunted, wiping his chin with his sleeve.

"I just realized… I really don't know a lot about ya. Yer so secretive…" Ikkaku admitted.

"Men don't talk about themselves." Kenpachi said dismissively. "It's not in our character."

"Rumor in the market," Ikkaku began. "Is that you're an infamous Babylonian assassin." Kenpachi laughed and shook his head. "People think you did some bad things and decided to hide out here…"

"Well, I am Babylonian." Kenpachi interjected, his eyes wide with humor.

"All of those scars," Ikkaku continued. "They have to be from something… I mean, I know what those scars on your hands are from. Slippery blades end up cutting the wielder…"

"I'm just a fisherman, Ikkaku." Kenpachi said with a shrug. "I was never an assassin for the empire. I didn't raze my entire village to the ground and escape to the river…" Kenpachi gave Ikkaku a sidelong glance. "Yer too old to ask so many damn weird questions."

"You're too old to avoid my questions. Shit." Ikkaku stood up and kicked out at the log Kenpachi sat on. "I'm goin' down to the river. Don't wait up."

"You shouldn't go down there so much." Kenpachi replied. "At least, not by yerself or at night…"

"I'm too old for you to fuss over me." Ikkaku spat.

"It's uncool too." Kenpachi muttered, tossing the empty bowl into the air and catching it. Ikkaku nodded, smiling sheepishly, before continuing down to the river. Ikkaku stripped quickly, folding his clothes into a neat pile beside a tree.

He walked down the dock slowly, his toes digging into the new wood. He sat limberly, his legs folding beneath him neatly. He combed his fingers through the river water and sighed. "Fish boy…" Ikkaku spoke softly, his cheeks feeling unusually tight. "Are you there?" There was a beam of light, like golden lightning through the water. Ikkaku lifted his hand unsurely, narrowing his eyes to peer into the placid river. "Is that you?"

There was a second flash of light, golden and strong. Ikkaku could just barely make out the shape of a person-like creature in the water. There was no recognition of the shape, the outline of the aqueous body and tendril-like hair was merely a black scar coursing through the light. "Yumichika…?"

The river's flow ebbed, the waterline rising rapidly. Ikkaku crouched at the end of the dock, his fingers clasping the edge tightly. He searched the water, panic twisting his stomach every which way. Ikkaku could only think one thought coherently, Yumichika had the most beautiful silver light… not gold.

Ikkaku cursed as icy water splashed up onto the dock. He fell flat on his chest and gripped onto the slippery wood tightly. Another enormous wave washed over him and he choked, swallowing mouthfuls. A fish flopped on the deck beside him before the water became awash with the surface and it maneuvered back into deeper water. Ikkaku looked up, cutting his eyes at the creature that emerged from the river.

The creature sparked, golden bolts of electricity shooting out from its body. The creature's hair wriggled, like a head of living snakes. She opened her mouth and a beautiful song poured melodiously into the air. She moved her arms slowly, gracefully, sending water droplets streaming down her bare skin.

Her song swelled into a crescendo and Ikkaku felt the hair on his arms prickle. He released the dock and sat back on his knees, eyeing the creature with apprehension. She smiled in-between breaths and curled her fingers, beckoning him closer, beckoning him into the water. Ikkaku shook his head and scanned the river quickly, "Who are you? Where is Yumichika?"

The creature stopped abruptly, her vertical eyelids blinking. She tilted her head and peered at him with growing aggression. She continued her song, crooking her finger in gesture. Come, her song pleaded. Come and lie with me. Her voice grew more demanding and Ikkaku climbed to his feet in defiance.

"You can't ensnare me with just a pretty song," Ikkaku retorted, his hands on his hips proudly. "'Specially since I can't hear outta my left ear." The creature shrieked, her full mouth spreading to expose several rows of thin, pointed teeth. "Shit, yer one ugly bitch."

The river rose up, churning and spewing and Ikkaku cursed as he began to back up. The tidal wave reached the dock before Ikkaku could reach the shore. The water struck him with such force he was thrown into the bank several yards downstream. He gripped at the reeds along the bank, but as the water pummeled into him, they tore in his hands.

The blackness around him was erased by several bursts of colored light. Ikkaku slipped underwater, a glowing gold hand wrapping around his calf. Ikkaku balled his fist and swung, striking the creature's face. He pushed his foot squarely against its chest and bobbed to the surface. He took several gulps of air and began to swim with desperation toward land.

Ikkaku had spent the majority of his life too afraid of the water to swim. He wasn't a strong swimmer. And right then, he was scared. He was wounded. He was in shock. Ikkaku took another gulping breath before he was yanked back underwater. He twisted and kicked, struggling to free himself from the creature's grasp.

The creature's jaw unhinged and her teeth sank into the flesh of his shoulder. Ikkaku screamed in agony, his throat filling with water and blood. Her golden body pulsated, her tail shaking like a rattle. She shook her head from side to side, tossing Ikkaku like a rag doll.

A tiny silver light flashed once, then twice. It travelled through the water like a tiny speck and then shot forward like a meteor. The night lit up, a bright silver sun blinding Ikkaku for several excruciating moments. The creature released Ikkaku and spun, hissing and screeching madly as the silver light collided with her.

Ikkaku paddled weakly, coughing and spewing as he reached the shore. He rolled onto his side, his shaking hands pressed to his serious wound. He was already convulsing when his vision finally returned.

The creature was slammed into the river bank, Yumichika's tail held against her throat like a blade. His handsome face was twisted in rage, his sparkling white teeth exposed threateningly. He began to shout, an eerie, inhuman noise escaping his lips. Spittle flew out of his mouth as he punched the earth beside the female's head. Blood dripped down her neck onto his tail.

The creature writhed and moaned fearfully. She shook her head from side to side, lowering her eyes pleadingly. Yumichika's arms flexed, the veins in his neck stretching and pulsing as he screamed in the female creature's face. The river began to glow brighter, lights in every shade and color illuminating the night.

"Yu-" Ikkaku whispered, his breath unable to support speech. He reached out his hand, his blue tinged, bloodied fingers stretching outward. "Michi-" One of Ikkaku's eyes drooped closed and Ikkaku shuddered uncontrollably. "Ka." Yumichika was enveloped by a wave of colors as Ikkaku slipped into unconsciousness.

Kenpachi had just laid down for bed when he heard it, the faint, eerie singing. He sat up, a snarl curling his lips. He rolled out of his sleeping sack and maneuvered around the sleeping children silently. He stepped out of the hut and scanned the camp, hurrying over to the large trunk he kept beside his fishing gear.

He unlocked the trunk, lifting the heavy lid with a creak. Dust shot into the air, but Kenpachi ignored it, narrowing his eyes and wrapping his hand around what Ikkaku had always thought to be a hook ended harpoon. Kenpachi closed his eyes, the weapon held tightly against his chest. The bewitching music drifted through the air, inviting him closer. He shook his head wildly and stood. He looked around at the sleeping children and muttered under his breath before stalking down the hill toward the river.

The intoxicating music stopped abruptly and Kenpachi's pace quickened. He jogged, his eyes widening as the unnatural flow of the river came into view. "IKKAKU! IKKAKU!" Kenpachi bellowed, his voice tearing from his throat painfully. Kenpachi spotted him on the shore several yards downstream. "Ikkaku! Hold on!"

Ikkaku didn't respond and as Kenpachi approached he feared the worst. Ikkaku was a sickly grey color, his neck and face smeared with blood. His shoulder was critically injured, the tendons exposed along his clavicle. "Ikkaku…" Kenpachi's step faltered and he lowered his hands to his side.

Kenpachi's eyes began to burn and he cleared the frog in his throat. He took another painful step forward and paused, he couldn't understand how he was so out of breath. He gasped for air, his lungs feeling as if they might burst. Kenpachi looked into Ikkaku's face and stared at Ikkaku's half open eye. One eye open and one half closed. Kenpachi shook his head and kneeled beside Ikkaku's prone form. "Ikkaku?"

Ikkaku's leg twitched and Kenpachi stood, holding the weapon out at an arm's length. "I know yer there… I jus' can't see ya." Kenpachi growled, twisting his hands over the metal bar.

"Can you hear me?" Yumichika asked, pressing his hands against Ikkaku's wound. "If you can, I need your help." Yumichika looked up at the large man in desperation. "I can save him."

"I can save him." Kenpachi barked, dropping to his knees. He yanked a few strands of hair out of his head and bit down on his lip. "I need something for a needle."

"Then help me." Yumichika insisted, pressing his thumb and forefinger against one of his teeth. He pushed until there was a loud POP! and then blood oozed down his jaw. He took the hair from Kenpachi's hand, testing the strength, and then strung the hair through the needle-like tooth. "I'm not your enemy."

"He was lookin' for you tonight, wasn't he?" Kenpachi asked, watching the hair and needle stitch Ikkaku up, moving as if held by an invisible hand.

"We were supposed to meet, yes." Yumichika answered, his attention on Ikkaku's tattered skin.

"Why?" Kenpachi demanded, his voice growing agitated.

"Our kind is honest. After all, we have no reason to lie." Yumichika replied pointedly, using his teeth to cut the hair. "He was searching for the truth."

"What truth?" Kenpachi snapped. "What could ya possibly give him?"

"He wanted to know who you were," Yumichika said. He held both of his hands against Ikkaku's shoulder, a soft silvery light emanating between them. "And I, unlike you, happen to remember who you are."

"Why? Why'dya bother? You put 'im in fuckin' danger," Kenpachi barked. "And what's more… Ya think she'll let this go?! You think yewl get away with this?"

"I hadn't broken any rules…" Yumichika blurt out in a panic. "Until tonight! And if you had kept a better watch of him, this never would have happened!"

"Get outta here, Yumichika." Kenpachi said firmly, his green eyes burning into Yumichika's so strongly that the other thought he must finally be able to see him. "Yer in danger."

"I will not leave him," Yumichika whispered. "You don't have enough power to save him when he's so, he's so…"

"Yumi-chika…" Ikkaku moaned, even before he had taken his first gasp of air. Yumichika's violet eyes widened and he looked down at the injured human in shock. Yumichika pushed himself back onto his tail and studied the human with interest. Why had his name been the first thing on Ikkaku's lips?

"I need to go." Yumichika agreed with a sudden nod. He looked at Kenpachi and then back toward the still unconscious Ikkaku. He pressed his hand to his lips slowly, unsurely, before touching his fingertips to Ikkaku's soft, full lips. Ikkaku's warm breath tickled his wet skin and Yumichika smiled sadly. "Goodbye, human. I liked you."

Ikkaku let out a groan, his eyes opening reluctantly. He felt like absolute shit. He coughed, his throat scratchy and dry. It took several prolonged seconds of staring to realize he had no idea where he was. Ikkaku sat up, looking around the small, simple room in confusion. He was lying in a wood framed bed, propped up on multiple pillows. The room had one skinny window, and a desk with one chair. Besides that the room was empty.

Ikkaku swung his legs over the side of the bed and pushed himself to his feet with a pained groan. He scratched at the flaking, scabbing skin of his shoulder and walked toward the door. Just as he reached for the doorknob, it twisted in his hand and the door was flung open. "Ah, yer awake."

Kenpachi pushed into the room, disregarding Ikkaku's personal space as he ushered the younger man back into bed. "Hey, uh, wait, umm…" Ikkaku stammered. "Where are we?"

"The inn." Kenpachi answered simply, plopping into the chair with a thud. He pulled an orange from his pocket and began to peel it with his knife. "We're movin'." Kenpachi popped a slice of orange into his mouth and continued speaking. "I'm tired of this place…" He stuffed two more slices into his mouth and grinned. "We could use a change of scenery."

"Huh?" Ikkaku's eyes widened in shock. "What?"

"Me and you, we're gettin' outta here." Kenpachi explained, waving the knife in his hand dismissively. "Let's go see the world!" Kenpachi offered an orange slice to Ikkaku with a grin. "Ya've always wanted ta see the Hanging Gardens, haven't ya?"

"How did I get here?" Ikkaku asked suddenly, shaking his head in confusion. "I can't remember… I was in the water… I was attacked," Ikkaku touched the healing wound on his shoulder, his eyes narrowed in thought. "He saved me."

"Who?" Kenpachi asked suspiciously. "I found yer dumb ass on the bank of the river, half dead…"

"There was a man, Yumichika," Ikkaku spoke quickly. "Well, he isn't a man… he… he's one of them. He saved me." Ikkaku pushed himself up from the bed once more. "I need to go."

"Huh?" Kenpachi looked at Ikkaku as if the younger man were insane. "What?"

"I need to go." Ikkaku repeated simply. "I have to go make sure he's okay. I think those other things were going to attack him…"

"Yer gonna go check on one of those things?" Kenpachi asked, dumbfounded. "Ta make shurr it's okay?"

"Exactly." Ikkaku admitted with a solemn nod. "I was almost fuckin' killed by one of those creatures. He saved me."

"Just leave it alone, Ikkaku."

"No! I won't!" Ikkaku shouted, his hands pressing at his smooth temples in frustration. "I can't just leave it!"

"You'll jus' make it worse, kid!" Kenpachi roared, towering over Ikkaku intimidatingly. "There are rules for his kind and yer kind showin' up again will jus' fuck it up more!"

"You don't know that! You don't know anything, Kenpachi…" Ikkaku shook his head, pushing his palm against Kenpachi's unyielding chest.

"There's nothin' ya can do fer 'im." Kenpachi insisted. "If he's smart, he's already long gone…"

"What do you mean?" Ikkaku asked slowly, eyeing Kenpachi suspiciously. "What do you know? What aren't you tellin' me?"

"I…" Kenpachi's breath snaked out like a guttural bark.

"You saw him, didn't ya." It was not a question.

"Nah, not exactly," Kenpachi admitted, scratching his head with a defeated sigh. "I can't see them anymore."

"Anymore?" Ikkaku questioned.

"Look, I've got some things I might need ta explain…" Kenpachi mumbled, pushing his knife back into his belt. "So sit back down 'n' let me start at the beginin'."

Ikkaku sat on the edge of the bed expectantly. Kenpachi sighed and scooted his chair closer to the bed. "Nineteen years ago, I saved a boy from drowning." Kenpachi paused, his eyes downcast. "It was the firs' time I'd ever been seen by one of yer kind…"

"My kind?"

"Shut up." Kenpachi muttered. "I saved this boy, he was lil' younger than ya are now. He could see me… 'n' fer the first time, I really jus' felt… real…" Kenpachi stood and began to pace the small room. "I stayed along the bank, in the shallow bits of the river, waitin' fer 'im to come back." Kenpachi walked to the window and rested his head against the wall. "I spent two weeks watchin' 'im. And then, jus' like that he was gone."

"Have ya ever wondered why kids like me?" Kenpachi asked suddenly, his green eyes focusing on Ikkaku sharply. "I'm impatient, lazy, rude… but kids jus' flock to me…" Kenpachi smiled at the thought. "It's my kind. We attract children… to eat them." Kenpachi laughed bitterly. "Sure, we eat adults too, but children are soft and tender… and easily persuaded to obey…"

"I don't believe you." Ikkaku whispered. "You would never… you can't be one of them…"

"I did and I was." Kenpachi said flatly. "But nineteen years 'go, I was banished. I broke the laws of my kind," Kenpachi cleared his throat. "I was supposed to die, but…"

"You're a fuckin' liar!"

"No, nah, ya see, I never really lied…" Kenpachi reasoned guiltily.

"You must've thought I was such a fuckin' moron! I've been chasing those things for sixteen years and you! You! You've been laughing at me all along!"

"Fuck no. I never did that!" Kenpachi yelled. "Look, I hate talkin' about myself… This doesn't change anything, anyway. All I need ya ta know is that you gotta stay away from that damn river. That fuckin' witch! She's back…"

"What witch?" Ikkaku asked.

"The sea witch." Kenpachi answered.

"Now there's a sea witch…?"

"Fuckin' God damn it, Ikkaku! There's always been a sea witch! Tha's who fuckin' cursed me! She read my palm and saw somethin'… somethin' that made her want to destroy me…"

"Then why do you live on the water? Why not go inland and hide?"

"That's where we're goin'."

"Not now… before!"

"Because she wasn't interested in me and she wasn't interested in you! And then that changed…" Kenpachi groaned in exasperation. "You've attracted her attention…"

"Yumichika." Ikkaku said, his eyes widening. "He's in danger isn't he? He's in trouble for saving me." Without another word, Ikkaku flung himself across the room, twisting the doorknob and hurrying out of the room.

Ikkaku jogged down the stairs of the inn, pushing his way through the crowded bar to the abandoned street. He ran full out, ignoring the hitch in his side, until he reached the hut. It was a mess, the valuables had all been removed sloppily, as if the person had been in a great rush. Ikkaku wrenched the skewer from the roasting spit and ran toward the dock. "Yumichika! Yumichika!" Ikkaku called out as his fingers fumbled with the tether on the boat.

"He's already gone," the old woman spoke as she appeared beside the boat suddenly, her mismatched eyes settling onto Ikkaku.

"Gone? Gone where?" Ikkaku demanded, his fingers tightening around the spit skewer distrustfully.

"They took him away," the old woman continued, pressing her sandaled foot onto the bench of the small boat. She looked out over the river and frowned, her whiskered chin dimpling. "To the Ryugu-jo." She clicked her tongue with disappointment.

"Ryugu-jo." Ikkaku repeated the foreign name carefully. "Where?"

"To a place you cannot follow," the old woman sighed sadly. However sweet and sorrowful her words, her eyes glimmered devilishly. "The underwater palace of the great sea dragon." She stepped into the boat with surprising nimbleness for her age and size. She gripped Ikkaku's hand in hers and beamed from ear to ear. "Shall I take a look now?"

"How do I get there?" Ikkaku demanded, shaking free of the old woman's grip and lifting the oars. "Where is this palace? Somewhere along the Tigris? The Euphrates? The Arabian Sea?"

"I'm afraid that mankind cannot reach the palace." The old woman admitted regretfully. "But there is hope yet…"

"I'm listening."

"Drink this." The old woman waved her wrinkled hand, offering a purple vial to Ikkaku. "With this you will be able to reach him." She smiled toothily, "If you hurry, there might still be time…"

"And what is the cost?" Ikkaku asked, his hand slowly reaching toward the vial. "Of such a gift."

"I'd much rather make a wager, boy. I'll make you a very sweet deal," the old woman purred. "You may take the vial… and I will take your sight." The old woman smiled, her mismatched eyes gleaming. "If you return with Yumichika, within three hours' time, I will forfeit and your sight will be returned to you. You will make it out, free of charge…" The old woman wiggled the vial. "If you do not return with Yumichika within the three hours' allotted time…"

"How am I supposed to find him if I can't see?" Ikkaku interrupted.

"This potion is all you need." The woman said with a shrug. "The question you should ask yourself is, is he worth such a price?"

"He saved my life, more than once," Ikkaku replied. "I owe him."

"It's possible, you know, that you are under his spell…" the woman suggested, taking a slight step backward. "And he is luring you into a trap… tricking you… his kind is like that…"

"Yumichika's not like that." Ikkaku said firmly. The old woman's face twisted momentarily in disgust and she let out a dry laugh. Ikkaku leaned forward and took the vial in his hand, popping the cork. "Where am I going?"

"You wish to go to the Ryugu-jo?"

"Yes."

"I can show you the way."

"If I take this… I have three hours. I can go, find him, bring him back... here? Where? Where do I return to?" Ikkaku pressed impatiently.

"A very wise question," the old woman admitted with a smirk. "Right here." The old woman gestured with her arms.

"If I don't make it back…" Ikkaku continued uneasily. "What is the cost of the vial?"

"One vial is equal to one soul." The old woman answered.

"A soul?" Ikkaku straightened up, his brows furrowed.

"Yes, a soul." The woman repeated, grinning from ear to ear. She waved her hands and the water exploded with multicolored lights. "I collect them, you see."

"Is this task impossible?" Ikkaku asked.

"Very nearly." She answered with a tight smile.

"I accept the terms," Ikkaku pressed the vial to his lips. "But if this is some sort of trick…" Ikkaku gulped the purple fluid down, making an unpleasant face at the end. "I'll kill you."

Ikkaku hiccupped forcefully, the muscles in his neck straining from the sudden movement. Before he could even react, his vision was gone. He threw out his arms for balance. His body began to spasm and he grunted, scooting his feet further apart. The boat rocked gently as the old woman stepped back onto land. Ikkaku yelped in surprise as the boat capsized without warning and he was tossed in the icy water. He threw his arms back and forth, treading water in place, trying to remain calm.

"You fuckin' idiot! Where the fuck are ya?" Kenpachi roared, kicking the hut with such force his foot tore through the wall. He hopped on one leg, wrenching his leg out with a stream of expletives. "I'll fuckin' kill ya myself!"

Their small fishing boat was gone and Kenpachi bit down on his lip, drawing blood. He dropped into a squat, dragging his fingers through the sand absently, his eyes closed in concentration. He listened carefully, his ears pricking to attention. He stood and ran upstream toward the source of the sound.

He realized at once that the commotion was not Ikkaku. He almost turned around and returned to camp but he paused, the anguished and pitiful screams tugging on his sympathies. He kept running, his chest feeling unbearably tight.

Several yards ahead of him, there was a young man lying in the muddied bank. He was curled into a protective ball, his bare skin, streaked with mud, almost illuminated. The man sobbed uncontrollably, his handsome face pressed against the ground. He pushed himself up on his elbows and let out a terrible scream as his weight was placed on his legs.

Kenpachi approached the man silently, his green eyes studying the other coolly. He dropped to his knees, pressing his hand softly to the back of the man's bare thigh. The man whimpered, his violet eyes meeting Kenpachi's. They shared a look in silence and then Kenpachi tore his shirt off and over his head. He pulled the garment down over the naked young man, smiling crookedly as the shirt swallowed the smaller man up. "Where is he?"

"I don't know." Yumichika admitted, his voice scratchy from screaming. "I haven't seen him."

Kenpachi bit down on his lip in worry and then looked back down at Yumichika. "Sorry, this's gonna hurt." Kenpachi had barely finished speaking before he climbed to his feet, lifting Yumichika into his arms. Yumichika hissed, his hands shooting toward his legs in agony. He cursed and bared his teeth threateningly. "We don't have time…" Kenpachi drawled. "Ikkaku doesn't have time."

"She hates you," Yumichika whispered, blanching as his body jostled. "What did you do to her?"

"It doesn't matter." Kenpachi said simply.

"The fuck it doesn't!" Yumichika snapped. "Look at me! I'm hideous! I'm disfigured! I'm ruined!" Yumichika groaned miserably before continuing. "She had him marked. I was doomed from the start!"

"There was a maiden in love with me, but I didn't love her back." Kenpachi quickened his pace, running alongside the river. "Because I was already in love with someone else…" Kenpachi turned toward the camp as he passed, silently bidding his home goodbye. "She killed the person I loved and then I killed her," Kenpachi's voice came out in a low growl. "She was the sea witch's daughter…" Kenpachi laughed bitterly. "That fuckin' bitch was s'ppose' ta put me to death, but when she read my palm…"

"What did she see?" Yumichika pressed, letting his head drop against Kenpachi's shoulder weakly.

"Bitch saw her fuckin' death." Kenpachi said as he came to an abrupt stop. He lowered Yumichika to the ground and approached the river. "Here." Kenpachi turned to look at Yumichika. "He's here."

Ikkaku was consumed by the water completely and for a few terrifying seconds he couldn't breathe. And then, with a great, painful burst, he took his first breath underwater. He paddled unsurely, his eyes open but unseeing. Blind and deaf, this mission was more than impossible, it was idiotic. Ikkaku pushed his doubt to the back of his mind and focused. The old woman's voice filled his mind, instructing him where to find Ryugu-jo and he swam blindly, diving deeper and deeper.

"You're too late," the old woman spoke, chuckling bitterly. "His fate is sealed."

Kenpachi turned slowly, facing the hideous old woman with an expressionless face. His green eyes scanned her entire body, settling at last on her mismatched eyes. "What did you do to him?" Kenpachi took a step forward, his entire body emanating hatred. "Where is he?"

"Now you can know my pain you bastard…" the sea witch screamed. She stormed forward and struck Kenpachi in the chest repeatedly. "You murderer! You human lover! You disgust me!" She stepped backward and looked up at Kenpachi with a delirious grin. "But I've won! I have won! You will pay! I will hurt you with this!"

"The human didn't do anything!" Yumichika shouted, pushing himself up with his arms, a look of defiance steeling his features. "You are harming innocent people!"

"You," the sea witch shrieked. "You are a human lover too! Disgusting!" The sea witch laughed cruelly. "You've been banished, you aren't welcome here anymore." The sea witch's face darkened. "Go spread your legs for the humans, it's what you wanted isn't it…"

"Why didn't you just kill Kenpachi?" Yumichika demanded, his brows furrowing with rage. "If he killed your daughter…"

"She can't." Kenpachi replied quickly, his eyes scanning the river desperately. "If she kills me, she will die too. She saw it herself nearly twenty years ago."

"This doesn't have anything to do with Ikkaku!" Yumichika shook his head and with a grunt he pushed himself onto his knees. He cursed, tears threatening to fall again. He glared at the sea witch his fingers digging into the sand. "Ikkaku wasn't even in Babylon!"

"I lost my only child." The old woman explained with an exacerbated sigh. "He will suffer the same way."

"You miscalculated." Kenpachi murmured. "There's nothin' stoppin' me from killin' you." Kenpachi opened his mouth, his jaw dislocating grotesquely. He shoved his hand into his mouth and down his throat, pulling the hook ended-harpoon from his body. The weapon was large, too large to be held in such a place, but he kept pulling and at last the enormous, silver weapon was free. In the bright sunlight it was clearly nothing short of a magnificent trident.

"You can never beat me." The witch insisted, shaking her head and sending her graying hair spraying in every direction.

"I don't have to beat you," Kenpachi growled, flipping the trident between hands. "I only have to get you to kill me."

"You wish to die?" the witch questioned.

"I die, you die." Kenpachi answered simply. "It's worth it ta me."

Yumichika gasped for air, paralyzing torment gripping his body as he attempted to stand. He sank back into the sand and chastised himself for the failure. He closed his eyes and bit down on his lip, moving his hands and then his knees slowly. He began to move forward, the sand scraping across his sensitive limbs like some form of torture. If he could only make it to the water, then he had a chance.

Ikkaku felt the temperature of the water rise and there was a sinking feeling in his stomach. Something brushed against his shoulder and he raked his fingers through the water fearfully. "Hello?" Ikkaku called out, the water filling his mouth and nose in a most peculiar way. "Who's there?" There was a chorus of giggles and Ikkaku snarled, twisting from side to side blindly.

"What is it?" a young boy asked.

"A human boy… I think…" a woman answered.

"It's so ugly." Another woman scoffed.

"Awww, but I think it's cute!" A young girl whined.

"Shhh! You're scaring the poor thing!" the first woman chastised.

"How did it even get down here?" a young man asked.

"That witch is at her mischief again…" another warned.

"His head is so shiny and smooth…" a child of indeterminate gender questioned.

Ikkaku opened his mouth and let out a mighty roar, "Shut the fuck up! Who are you? Where am I? Where is Yumichika?"

"Which question do you want answered the most?"

"Where is Yumichika?!" Ikkaku repeated desperately, turning his head toward the source of the voice.

"He has been banished."

"Where is Ryugu-jo?" Ikkaku asked, beginning to panic. "I have to find him."

"Ryugu-jo?" a man asked with a disbelieving scoff. "You don't want to go there."

"I have to! I have to find Yumichika!"

"You don't understand, human." The man explained hesitantly. "Yumichika has been banished to the surface…" The man paused. "You've been tricked."

"Tricked?" Ikkaku repeated the word, letting the bad taste drip from his tongue. "The old woman… she said if I…"

Yumichika rolled to the side with a hiss, the sea witch's spear striking the sand where he had been a moment before. Kenpachi maneuvered around quickly, standing between the two defensively. "I'm your opponent. Don't look elsewhere." Kenpachi backed up, pushing his legs against Yumichika's torso. "Ya need ta get goin'."

"I know." Yumichika growled between clenched teeth. "I don't know how to use these… legs…"

"Use yer arms to crawl." Kenpachi suggested. "The legs will follow behind."

"Fine," Yumichika agreed. "Then you keep her away from me."

"I don't need ya ta tell me that." Kenpachi thrust his trident forward, flipping it in his hand and using the butt to strike the sea witch in the stomach.

Yumichika dragged his lower body through the course, hot sand. He could feel the atmosphere behind him changing and he closed his eyes, too afraid of the sea witch's magic to keep them open. He clawed through wet sand and with a relieved sigh he rolled down the bank and into the river with a splash. He bobbed to the surface with a terrible gasp, his arms and legs floundering weakly. The current was strong and it was only a moment before he was washed downstream.

His body was flipped over and he was rolled mercilessly by the river. Yumichika's legs burned terribly, salt rubbing his fresh wounds. He hissed and gripped a reed tightly in his fist. He twisted the slimy green plant around his hand, securing himself in place long enough to catch his breath. Yumichika launched himself forward, his fingertips clutching the reeds desperately.

"Hurry up!" Kenpachi roared from the bank of the river. His green eyes narrowed in effort as he held the sea witch in place. Kenpachi's life wasn't in direct danger from the witch, but she would do anything to stop Yumichika. He shook his head, his long, black hair cascading down his muscled body. He clicked his tongue irritably as he studied Yumichika. "You can't do it, can ya?"

"Shut up!" Yumichika snapped, the anger in his violet eyes sending a shiver across Kenpachi's skin. "I'm not finished yet."

"You're finished." Ikkaku couldn't say whether it was the sea witch's voice in his head or if some unknown speaker was inches from him.

"Shut up!" Ikkaku choked, his fingers scraping at his eyes blindly. "Shut up! Shut up!"

"You're going to die."

Ikkaku's rough hands pressed to his throat, his heart pounding painfully in his chest. He opened and closed his mouth, the water burning down his throat like a strong drink. "I can't die like this."

"What did you expect?" the voice goaded. "Why would you take such a ridiculous deal? You had to know it was pointless… and for what? For whom?"

"Shut up!" Ikkaku screamed, his eyes open but unseeing. "Just shut the fuck up!" Ikkaku began to move, closing his eyes and, without a choice, trusting his gut. He swam hard, his arms and legs groaning beneath the crushing weight of the water.

"This way…" a small voice called out. Ikkaku shivered as a small, warm hand pressed into his. The hand tugged his gently, leading him upward in another direction. "This way to the surface…"

"Is this another trick?" Ikkaku asked exhaustedly, his voice low and defeated.

"Trust me." The child whispered, placing a hand on Ikkaku's left ear. "You don't have time to decide. Just trust me."

Colored flashes of light danced through the rippling water. Yumichika's mouth turned down in a thoughtful frown and then he smiled, his bloodied, battered hands releasing the reeds. He soared backward over the water, his arms spread like an eagle. His arms were gripped above the elbows and he took a deep breath. Within moments he had been pulled below the surface, his body cutting through the water like a knife.

Ikkaku's skull felt as if it was being crushed. He screamed, water filling his lungs with deadly intent. The potion had not lasted three hours, it had all been a lie. Ikkaku couldn't cough, couldn't sputter, couldn't retch as the water choked him. It felt as if his entire body had been filled with water, from the head to the toes. It wasn't painful. He didn't scream. He didn't need to. A bit of blood poured from his nose and, as the small hand let go of his, he fell asleep.

He bobbed to the surface with an earsplitting rush. His right ear drum exploded, the small sensitive organ inside bleeding profusely. The pain roused him and he gasped for air. He was confused and in agony, his chest, lungs, throat and ear burning. He slapped at the water weakly, attempting to paddle enough to stay above the surface. He would have been swept down river and drowned if not for the two small hands that gripped his arms forcefully, holding him up.

"Are you alive?" the creature asked, her voice peculiar sounding out of the water.

"Yeah," Ikkaku muttered weakly, spitting water as he spoke. "I think so."