A.C.: Sometimes you just look at people and wonder what they're thinking. Sometimes you realize that you both love and hate that person at the same time and know that it'll drive you insane someday. Sometimes I mix about as well with other people as oil does with water.
It's Friday the 13th! xD
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach --yeah, nothing fancy this time.
Pairings: none as of now (if anyone has suggestions for pairings, they're welcome to share)
Warnings: No clue, your definition of warnings largely differs from mine. Read and find out.
-
Angelic Lily: Yes this is an AU :)
Windlily: Thanks x3
SilverWhiteDragon: Heh, like I told you before I'm not sure about the pairing... Plot? What plot?
-
-
The attack had been swift and unexpected. No one could have said why or how it had been triggered, only the news written in blood for all to see under the still-bright sun. Hail, the thirteenth house had fallen. Shiba clan in shambles in grief for the son lost, a husband lost, a friend lost, a brother lost. And yet still the world went on totting forward on its lumbering feet. People just stood up to gather the broken pieces in their bleeding fingers as they tried to go along for the ride.
It was about as close as Byakuya could get to slamming doors and shouting. The Kuchiki head looked down on his son pityingly as the young man heatedly listed the culprits and how they should right the wrong that had befallen on their associates. The yellow and orange flames ate up the curling white wick on the table as the moon waned in the sanguinary twilight. At last when the candle melted down to nothing, it seemed as though the Kuchiki heir had finally wearied of his tirade.
"They took her, there was no reason for that but they took her."
The young man's shoulder shook through the thick layers of silk as the candle finally burned out with a small sigh, leaving them both in the obscure light of the moon.
"You are not thinking straight my son. Just as you were enamored with that girl," there, the head gave a small glare to quell the rebellious look in his son's eyes. "You are enamored with your friend." When it was clear that the night-haired scion of Kuchiki clan would not speak up again he continued, "Shiba clan can offer nothing to us of any worth, the only reason they had held the house for so long is because of that outlandish young boy. You must think of the clan my son. To attack the Hitsugaya clan right now would prove disastrous."
"Shiba Kaien did nothing." Byakuya hissed slowly, "Nothing that warranted such atrocity upon him."
"He was foolish," the head corrected dismissively, "And now his dead." He gave his son a sympathetic look. "Hitsugaya clan has killed less for such foolishness, they will not hesitate to turn upon us should we appear weak at this point in time."
The infamous Hitsugaya clan, well know for their usages of high-magic rather than swordsmanship. Their past had always been a bloody one with survivors claiming of snow-fair demons with heart of ice. The royal family at court rarely interfered with the matters between the thirteen houses and there was not a clan in the remaining twelve that wished to challenge them. Not even the head of first house, Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni had much of a way to dissuade them from their blood-filled conquests. Even the eleventh house, boasting the best warriors of the nation, avoided accosting the tenth.
Byakuya lowered his head in defeat. The Kuchiki clan head got up with grace belying strength even at his advanced age. He walked past his heir, closing the window now that the sun was progressively creeping over the summer-green horizon.
"Do not dishonor our name my son." Byakuya got up bowing as he took his fathers words as a dismissal. The elder gave his offspring a thin smile, "Should you acquire Senbonzakura, this house will belong to you."
-
-
"If only you had been born a girl..." Matsumoto mused quietly as the boy eagerly drank the blood offered. The rosy glow returned to the bony cheeks though it wasn't as vibrant shade as she would have liked. He silently held the bowl out for more and Rukia obligingly poured more of the precious liquid into the red-stained porcelain. They took care to be as silent as the boy fed, keeping their ears sharp on the look out for any foreign footsteps. Should they be caught even talking to amongst themselves, they would be sent away and the hidden child of the tenth house would be alone once more.
Matsumoto snapped her fingers, startling the pale haired boy into almost spilling blood all over his lap. Grinning as the catty green eyes glared at her, the blonde turned excitedly towards the bemused looking girl.
"Rukia-chan, do you have any spare kimono?"
"Yes," she replied slightly surprised, "I have one I've been saving for the Dongzi celebration though if you need it..." she trailed off and Rangiku waved her hand in dismissal. She knew how much Rukia looked forward to meeting her brother; it wouldn't do for the girl to be in anything but her best.
"I meant one of your everyday ones, I'd use mine but Shiro-chan wouldn't fit in it." The buxom blonde looked amusedly at the green-eyed boy as the glare intensified. 'Shiro-chan' had been the name they had given him after finding out that he was not to be named. They couldn't call him 'boy' or 'child' all the time so they had given him a nickname based on his snowy hair color.
'Shiro-chan' hated it though he had grudgingly accepted when Rukia had kindly pointed out to him that it was either 'Shiro-chan' or 'Midori-chan'.
Rukia's eyes widened in realization. The white-haired boy simply rolled his eyes and continued lapping at the bowl of blood with obvious gratification.
"You mean you're going to disguise him as a girl?!"
The youngest of the trio immediately spat out the blood in his mouth at this announcement. The eldest nodded vigorously as the middle one held her sides to prevent herself from laughing out loud.
"You get that kimono Rukia-chan and I'll get my makeup box." There was a squeaking protest from the corner of the room. "Hitsugaya clan will not allow another boy on their grounds but if he is a girl... it will work"
-
-
"So cruel," Ichimaru Gin commended as he caught sight of Byakuya performing a series of katas. "Senbonzakura demands blood..." The steely eyed head turned to face the thin man, sheathing his katana as a servant stepped forward offering a towel.
"Ichimaru, should you not be getting ready?"
The silver haired man shrugged,
"The men are in their places. The Hitsugaya clan ain't gonna set out till dark." Byakuya nodded intent on finding Renji for a complete status report as going over strategies had never been Ichimaru's forte. "Ehh one more thing," Byakuya looked coldly at Gin,
"What. Is. It." His tone was clipped, barely controlling the rage that had been simmering below the surface for over a decade. There wouldn't be such an opportunity in a long time. He had just barely negotiated their decision with the current thirteenth house head and Byakuya would not be deterred from this point for anything in the world. Feeling as if years of careful planning were crumbling away under his feet, Byakuya stepped forward warningly as Gin took a step back. Gin shivered and scratched his head,
"Maa, maa... calm down. Miya-chan just requested that Rukia be spared from this slaughter," Byakuya's stance deflated.
"Is that all?" of course that wasn't all of it, there was always a catch when dealing with the fox-faced head of the third house. When Gin looked innocently back at him Byakuya decided that the next time he was about to eradicate an entire clan, he would never include the man in it no matter how useful he was.
"Ahe... weeeelll..."
Because at that point, it just seemed more sensible to work with the eleventh house's pink-haired heiress.
-
-
The second wife of the Hitsugaya clan looked happier than she had been in years as she held tight to the thin fingers as they walked across the sunlit gardens of the tenth house. Both Miyako and Rangiku could manage well under the solar rays due to their age and even Rukia had gotten the hang of it as they stepped over the freshly layered snow. But 'Shiro-chan' was young, too young to even possess an inkling of resistance to the sun's rays and had to be constantly shielded at all times. It meant one of them holding a parasol –as his arms were too weak to hold anything for long- but it also meant that they were the only ones out at this time of the day. Even if there had been someone out, no one would have taken the skinny child in black and silver kimono –it was one of Rukia's better uniforms- as the hidden child of the Hitsugaya clan.
Shiro-chan's hair had been brushed back until it was glossy like flowing silver. The boy's hair had never been properly cut so Rangiku had to trim his hair to a waist length before braiding it with a simple ornament at the top. His clear complexion hadn't warranted any makeup but even after his feeding –it was the blood of a 'feeder' Rangiku had collected in a sake bottle- color had refused to stay on his face so they had to apply some rouge lest the boy looked like an ethereal apparition. They had painted his nails a soft coral pink and his lips –much to his protest- in a pouty shape and determined him a 'pretty' girl before ushering him into Rukia's spare kimono.
Now he looked just like any other fledgling, his eyes wide as he drank in the sight of the world around him. He had never been out in the snow but had felt its chilly presence through the damp walls. Seeing the footprints appear behind them, he turned around in puzzlement as his mother explained things out to him with inestimable patience belonging to a 'mother'.
He was soon tired his legs aching with sudden exercise. But he had no desire to go back to his confinements so he sat in the snow by his mother's feet and grabbed a handful of snow, watching curiously as the clumps of white fell from his hands onto the ground.
He had read about the outside once, twice, as long as the light had allowed him and Rangiku had snuck the books in (apparently no one thought to have her boobs checked...). But to actually see it, to experience it, was an exhilarating experience he knew he could not give up. Never again could he go quietly back to his room under the basement of the slumbering house. Even if his 'father' was to kill him he wanted to die outside knowing that the sky was blue and the sun was brighter than the moon.
He told his mother so and both she and Rangiku exchanged sad looks.
"Then you shall not go back my love."
-
-
The sun began to dip towards the mountains in the west. Gin's almost-florescent eyes lit up gleefully as Byakuya gave orders to move. Zaraki, a semi-friend of Gin's and the best fighter the eleventh house had to offer, grinned wildly as his rough skin took on a bloody glow.
"Let it begin."
-
-
Miyako quickly led her son and Rukia towards the room she knew no one would even think of when searching for them. In the northern most boundaries of the tenth house was a shrine in which the spirit of the tenth house was said to slumber. She knew that if there was any safe place left in the place she had never learned to call home it would be there. Performing a minor spell to shatter the binding spell held over the doors, she went in and was shocked at the waves of energy emitting from the ancient earth.
"Miyako-san," Rukia broke out as soon as she caught her breath, "what...?" the violet eyed woman hushed the girl with a smooth movement of her hand,
"Shh Rukia. Do you mind waiting outside for a moment?" At the black-haired girl's nod, the woman carried the frail child into the room almost as if offering her flesh and blood to the deep abyss of the temple. "Do not worry, I will not be long."
-
-
Matsumoto Rangiku jumped through the grounds of the tenth house grounds as the scarlet disk sank ever so deeper between the two mountains framing the western sky. All those who saw her were quickly silenced, those who couldn't be silenced due to the fear of being noticed she let go with an excuse that one of Hitsugaya clan had called for her services. By the time she had reached her best friend, her sleeves were dripping with blood and her sword had not even been touched yet.
Gin smirked and gave her a slight wave. Relieved that they had not been found out, she went to join the silver haired man as the men below them scattered like cherry blossoms into the shadows cast by the vast compound.
-
-
"How's Miya?"
"Miyako took Shiro-chan and Rukia towards the northern shrine. They should be near if not there right now." Gin nodded as if taking note of it and turned to three men that seemed to have appeared out of thin air.
"Ya heard her, keep clear of the tenth's shrine." He laughed softly to himself before adding, "Ain't gonna matter much though, heard the tenth spirit is a big one."
-
-
Miyako came out of the shrine –Shiro-chan nowhere in sight- and Rukia immediately noticed the spots of blood decorating the nape of her neck. The ebon haired woman smiled shakily as she beckoned her close, giving her a warm hug before looking her over.
"I am sorry Rukia-chan; I should have at least made you go with her when you had the chance."
Rukia shook her head,
"It's alright Miyako-san but... why are we here?" Rukia's dark eyes were troubled as she looked around, "were we not supposed to participate in the Dongnzi celebration at the thirteenth house?" Miyako's smile turned into a sad one and Rukia immediately regretted her words.
"Both you and he will participate... I will not."
"Miyako-san?"
"I thought you'd be here Miyako."
-
-
The current heir –should the house magic accept him, Byakuya reminded himself- had the fair countenance of the Hitsugaya clan but none of its strength. The boy's hazel eyes –from his mother, Byakuya was informed- were impossibly weak set upon the rounded face framed by snowy hair. White lashes fluttered with fear as the Kuchiki head stared down speculatively. Disgusted at the weakness he saw in the brown-eyed boy, Byakuya turned the blood-splashed blade of Senbonzakura away from the narrow neck and exited the room.
"Finish him Renji; I will not dishonor my sword by spilling that boy's blood."
-
-
Miyako immediately pushed the girl into the dark insides of the temple and resealed the door. Then she turned to her 'husband', every bit as proud and defiant as the day he had captured her and forced her to bear the derogatory title of a second wife.
The Hitsugaya head looked furious, his hair lit like dancing flames in the dying sun. He was the greatest warrior of his generation but she did not feel an ounce of fear in her body, not while she had her loved ones to protect. The head stepped forward, his face contorted in a mask of anger and hatred as he held his sword out aimed at Miyako's breast.
"Hyourinmaru has left you as he not?"
"He certainly has not!" the Hitsugaya patriarch denied vehemently as his neck bulged. He no longer looked like the pale ghost described by towns people. He looked like a being made of fire, a demon, an antithesis to the spirit of the tenth house. "But you my wife... you certainly will... oh yes..." snarling, he swung his arm and struck at her neck or where it should have been had she not moved to appear in front of him. She granted him a bitter smile before exploding a small ball of energy in his face.
The man was blown clear off the steps of the shrine and into the snow. She looked down on him unperturbedly as he brushed the frost off of his charred face. He gashed his teeth and seemed to come to his senses. He was no longer war-like in his anger directed at his disobedient wife. Instead, he almost seemed collected and cool. Like a sheet of ice waiting for a boat to fall inevitably into its traps and drown.
"What have you done woman?"
Her expression turned triumphant as she lowered her lids in false submission when he got up to his feet.
"Nothing you wouldn't have done, to ensure the house magic stayed within your clan."
The man phased in front of her, the metal blade against her neck and drawing blood.
"You stole my... our house."
"It was never yours to begin with." The last word was a hiss as the blade dug deeper into the pale column of her neck. Her violet-blue eyes turned vicious as he lowered his sword, "You stole my husband, my family, my son!"
Hitsugaya cocked his head,
"Foolish woman, I shall procure our 'mistake' and take back what is rightfully mine."
With a shrill cry, Miyako threw herself at the man and swiped at his burnt face with her nails. Surprised by the attack Hitsugaya barely had the time to defend himself from rolling off the platform.
"It was never yours to begin with! I swear it; your line will end with you! I...!" the blade dug deep into her stomach though not deep enough to run her through. But she knew that the wound was fatal unless some skill healer was quickly summoned. The Hitsugaya head pulled out his sword in a gush of new blood and old accumulated through her years. Miyako hissed as her eyes rolled back, revealing milky whites as he laid the bloodied sword flat against her shoulder.
"And our 'son'? Will he die too?"
The first and the last time he used the word 'son' for the unwanted child.
Miyako wanted to laugh and she did when Hitsugaya kneeled before her, the tip of a katana visible as a small speck of silver in the middle of his chest.
"Dear husband..."
The first and the last time she would call the heinous beast her husband.
"There are too many things you do not know." The man turned to dust, Senbonzakura singing in the remains of his blood. Miyako smiled dazzlingly at the newcomers, the black haired young man in particular as he stared down at her with impassive eyes.
"Kuchiki-dono," she gave a polite bow in turn as she recognized the all-too familiar faces from other houses. "Abarai-san, Ichimaru-dono, Matsumoto-san," there she gave the blonde a kind look, "Zaraki-san what a pleasant surprise." The spiky-haired man gave a non-committal grunt of recognition as a stream of blood began to flow from her lips. She faced Byakuya, giving him the deepest bow she could manage with a gaping hole in her stomach.
"Miyako..." something flickered through her cat-like eyes as she met his steel-gray ones.
"Finish me Lord Kuchiki. Spill my blood and cleanse the others of the pain I've inflicted upon you. With my blood, save my children and rid them the crimes of this accursed clan. Let me join my husband under the starry skies for while my body remains here, my soul has long since flown."
Rangiku looked horrified and Gin had to place a hand on her shoulders to prevent her from interfering. Renji had taken on a stony look, unable to face death in the face and equally unable to look away.
"Well sung." Byakuya praised.
The dying woman beamed.
The next moment she was nothing more than a handful of ashes carried away by the wind.
Everyone's expression was grim –except Ichimaru's- as they turned towards the locked doors that housed the tenth spirit.
-
-
The door was enforced with metal and stone, engineered with more care than of even the main gates of the tenth house. Surprisingly the lock gave away with little resistance, further proving their suspicions about the presence of the tenth spirit. The last of the sun flooded the room though they had all taken care not to let the light touch its valuable contents. Gin sniggered flagrantly as he followed Byakuya inside. The room was ancient, brimming with unperceived power as they stepped forward onto the mahogany floor. Their footsteps –though they had not made a single sound- resonated through out the room like a brass gong announcing their entrance.
In the room two pairs of eyes turned towards them. One a weary pale but strong and the other determined but afraid. With a small gasp, the bigger of the two spun around on their knees and bowed.
"Nii-sama."
-
-
A.C.: I should probably explain the house thing before it gets anymore confusing.
There are thirteen houses revolving around court.
The thirteen houses supposedly hold 'magic' that holds the house together. No spirit in the house inevitably equals the destruction of it. Should the house spirit exit the house not of its will, the physical manifestations will collapse and wither away until the bearer returns. The house spirit will also choose the heir to inherit it. So if the child of the current head is not to its satisfaction, the 'house' will search for another more worthy one but it's usually passed through the generations (which allows the clan system to be formed).
Though rare, the houses do have skirmishes every now and then (usually between 'x'th house and the 11th) and it seems as though the 13th house was one of the more unfortunate ones. And because blood-linage is not a requirement during inheritance, the Hitsugaya clan got away with a little more than a slap on the wrist. But the house spirits exist for the unity of the thirteen houses and the tenth spirit is less than pleased with the current events.
I hope that explained... something
If you see more mistakes than usual in terms of grammar and such... it's because it's 3am wherever I am.