Hey everyone! This is the "second chapter" to A God with a Flaw, but it's really the beginning of the story. :) This is how it all started... ;) I love this chapter and I worked hard on it, so I hope you read it all and review for me please. Please, no flames! XP I hate those things, though I've received none for any of my stories... I'd prefer to not have the experience. :) Constructive criticism is welcome, ALWAYS.
I do not own. :)
"Shoot into the heavens, Kihōtenkyū!"
The black haired girl gave a grunt of pain as she quickly dodged the incoming sword but got cut on the arm.
"Minako, you must not get so distracted with releasing your shikai. You must time your release perfectly or else you will be unable to use it properly especially when the enemy is directly attacking you the instant you start!" Yamamoto decreed. "You must sharpen your senses to timing!"
"Timing, right," she gritted out. She easily gathered the bubbles that had appeared from her shikai, leaving her zanpakuto bladeless, and pushed the hilt forward, bringing the bubbles to attack the old man in front of her. He easily dodged them.
"Timing!" his sharp voice rang out again, as he appeared behind her with shunpo. Her eyes widened with realization, but she was too late as she was kicked forward.
"Gah!" she coughed. She caught herself in the air, using the momentum to flip her body around. She wiped the blood that had drooled off her chin.
"That'll be all for today then," Yamamoto quickly asserted, seeing the blood drip down onto the ground.
"Yama-jii!" she whined, her emerald-like eyes pleading with him. "Not again! Last time I coughed up blood you stopped. The enemy wouldn't stop for me, and you know it!"
"I don't want you getting hurt more than you already are," he said quietly. "Now then, we're finished for the day, and I don't want to hear you complaining."
Her eyes narrowed slightly and she nodded her agreement hesitantly. "Of course… forgive my actions. Thank you for training with me today, Yama-jii," she bowed lowly.
Yamamoto nodded stiffly and dropped down to the ground, while Minako gracefully and slowly let herself drift downwards, her waist-length, midnight black hair flowing upwards, rippling like water.
"Mi~na~ko~chan!"
"Minako-chan!"
Two voices rang out from the porch, nice, easy steps coming towards them. Minako turned to look at the elderly men, a bright smile adorning her petite lips.
"Shunsui-kun! Jushiro-kun!" she exclaimed. "What are you two doing here?"
"We could ask you the same thing!" Shunsui sang. "We searched a~ll over for you!"
"Kyoraku wanted to invite you over to his place to drink with us," Jushiro explained kindly. "We only just recently felt your reiatsu over here."
"Oh, gomen!" Minako laughed. "Yama-jii is making me practice hiding my presence when we spar, so I only just recently did show it."
"So, Mi~na~ko~chan, how 'bout it? Drinking, with us? Eh, you know you can't resist me!" Shunsui whistled suggestively.
"Kyoraku, you know she's way younger than you!" Jushiro exclaimed, sweatdropping. "You'll scare her off like that!"
Minako rolled her eyes.
"Shunsui-kun, you're like a 40 year old man, and I'm like a 15 year old teen," she chided. "And besides, I like to think… I'm out of your league!" she joked.
"Wah~! Ukitake, I was rejected by our great, loveable Minako-chan!" Shunsui fake cried. "I'll never show my face to the sun ever again!"
Minako pouted and walked up to him, arms open.
"I'm sorry, Shunsui-kun. Come here, and I'll give you a hug!"
Shunsui instantly brightened and basically ran over to the innocent looking girl who was batting her eyelashes. Ukitake sighed inwardly as he saw the look on her face – he knew what was going to happen even before it happened.
SMACK.
Shunsui fell backwards as Minako sharply lifted her leg upwards – into his face. He couldn't help but praise her for her skill, for she hadn't moved a muscle except to kick him.
"Let's go," she sighed loudly. "Where are we drinking, Shunsui-kun?"
"My place!" he exclaimed cheerfully, standing up quickly. "Bye, Yama-jii!" He tugged on Minako's arm, but she stood rigid, unrelenting in moving. "Minako-chan?"
"Baka!" she exclaimed, smacking him in the head.
"Itai…" he whined.
"I need to get ready!" she whined in return. "I'm all sweaty, messy, and ugly… I'll be there in half an hour, 'kay?"
"But Minako-chan!" Shunsui pouted. "You're beautiful even if you're all sweaty!"
Her jaw dropped. "Are you saying I look okay even though I'm ugly!? Kyoraku Shunsui, I don't think you understand that what you just said is a total paradox and that I find it—"
Thankfully, Ukitake cut in.
"Kyoraku, she's a female," he advised warmly. "It's best to let her do things that we wouldn't understand. The women you hang around with do the same things she's does you know."
Shunsui frowned.
"Oh… you're right. I guess so… but still, Minako-chan, I think you're pretty without even trying."
She smiled slightly.
"Thanks, Shunsui-kun—now go!" she whacked at them. "Leave so I can get ready!"
"Hai, hai!" he dutifully replied.
As they walked away, Minako turned to groan exasperatedly at Yamamoto.
"I can't believe your ex-student likes to drink so much!" she groaned.
"It's been a habit of his since he graduated from the academy. It's as if he has some personal problem he's never talked about…"
"Oh? Not even with you or Jushiro-kun?" she asked, surprise flickering across her face.
"Kyoraku is an easy-going man and very-laid back. He's a known womanizer, rich, a taicho, and has good looks," Yamamoto shrugged. "I'd like to think he's covering something with that personality of his."
"But Yama-jii," she pointed out kindly, a warm light coming to her eyes, "he has a kind heart and can be serious even though he likes to avoid his work and responsibilities as a taicho."
"You sound as if you're in love with him," Yamamoto said seriously. "I hope you're not."
She laughed.
"You're kidding right? Like I said Yama-jii, he's too old for me. He's more like… my older brother; my nii-san. I just respect him – a lot."
Yamamoto's eyebrows flew up.
"I would've expected him to take place as your father."
"Yare, yare, Yama-jii, is that how he seems to be? He's too easy-going for him to be a father-figure," she giggled. "Besides, I think you'd make otou-san jealous if he heard what you said."
"You've taken to calling 'him' 'otou-san?'" he asked.
"Huh?"
Minako turned to look at her adoptive grandfather as she readied to enter the sprawling living quarters of the soutaicho. "You mean Aizen-fukitaciho?" she teased.
Yamamoto just nodded.
"Of course!" she gasped, as if offended. "Besides, he asked me to, and when he asked so nicely… I could hardly refuse. And remember, Yama-jii, he adopted me like you did!" she reminded, walking into the house, a spring in her step.
"Don't drink too much!" he called after her.
"Yeah, I'll try!" she called out from inside.
"Minako-chan?"
Said girl froze mid-way in shunpo and started to fall downwards before she quickly caught herself.
"Huh? Yoruichi-chan!?" she exclaimed, surprised to find her friend standing in front of her, wearing a gold kimono with a violet flowers stamped all over, the outline gracefully swirling around on the silken material. "What are you doing up here...all dressed like that?"
"Shunpoing to Kyoraku's party," she explained. "It's a formal party."
Minako frowned. "Formal… party?"
"Yeah. Are you going to it? You look dressed up," Yoruichi asked.
"N-no…" she stuttered quietly. "I'm just wearing what I'd normally wear on days like these…"
"EH!?" Yoruichi exclaimed. "But—but… you're wearing such formal clothing!"
Minako looked at her, confused.
"What… do you mean?"
"Well, it looks like you're wearing several layers," Yoruichi explained. "And your hair is done so nicely… with such pretty ornaments!"
Minako smiled nicely.
"So are you," she pointed out.
"Hm… you're right," Yoruichi sighed. "Maybe its cause your beauty enunciates it?"
Minako's eyes widened and blushed a light pink.
"Ah! Uhm… thank you, Yoruichi-chan…" she mumbled quietly. "You're too kind…"
"Yare, yare!" Yoruichi laughed. "You're too formal with me! We're friends, aren't we?"
"Yes, friends," Minako agreed, a grin adorning her usually impassive, calm face. "Ah? But where's your guard?"
Yoruichi shrugged.
"Catching up?" she drawled. "I felt your reiatsu, so I kinda sped up."
"Kinda…?" Minako asked sweatdropping.
"Okay, okay, so I kinda went fast," Yoruichi yawned. "Let's wait for them then, 'kay? Is it alright with you?"
"Of course," Minako smiled. "It'd be nice to see Soi Fon again any ways."
"You know, Minako-chan," Yoruichi said warmly, "sometimes, I fear that you're the nice one."
"You flatter me."
"Mi-Minako-sama, you honor me too much with your respectful and pride-filled words!" Soi Fon stuttered out. "But please, let me be the one to praise you! You are looking exceptionally beautiful today!"
Minako blinked several times before smiling kindly at the teen that was around her own age.
"Thank you, Soi Fon," she thanked softly. "It's nothing special, what I'm wearing, really."
Yoruichi laughed inwardly at the love-stricken looks on her guards faces (except the females of course) as they looked at Minako. She had to admit; even Minako could outshine the sun and heavens itself even though she hardly tried. Her long, midnight-black hair shone in the afternoon sun, and her eyes glittered with joy, while her smile brightened her face. She was fully matured though she was young by shinigami standards, her curves all in the right place, and she was somehow gifted in the chest area, possibly much more than Yoruichi when she grew older.
The kimono she wore was beautiful. It was black, which matched her hair, but white snowflakes with silver shavings glued to it. The obi was emerald green, matching her eyes, and she had a silver chain coming out form it, holding a star shaped ruby that swung gently in the breeze halfway down her legs. She wore straw sandals that normally peasants wore, but Yoruichi could understand why. They were pretty comfy.
"Shouldn't we get going?" Yoruichi drawled out, finding it hilarious at how Soi Fon gave a slight jump.
"Oh, we're very sorry that we made you two late," Soi Fon apologized, a pain-stricken look on her face. "We—"
"Stop apologizing, Soi Fon!" Yoruichi cut in, sighing. "It's fine, really. Let's go already."
"Yes, let's," Minako agreed, smiling at the crestfallen Soi Fon, who smiled weakly back.
"Ah, Minako-chan, I'm so glad you could make it to my party!" Shunsui called out, hurriedly walking up to the smiling girl.
"Shunsui-kun, I was hoping to talk to you… in private?" she asked, giving him a meaningful stare.
"Of course," he said politely. "Let me just greet my guests that have just arrived." He turned towards Yoruichi and her guard.
"Yoruichi, a pleasure that you could make it," he greeted.
"Mine as well," she greeted back. "But don't waste your time on me – Minako-chan seems very unhappy about something. I don't think you'd want an angry Aizen after you, now would you?"
Shunsui groaned his hand on his forehead.
"I tricked her into coming actually," he admitted. "I knew she wouldn't want to be here with my family around, but they simply demanded they meet her tonight, or else they'd go meet her at Yama-jii's place, and I don't think she or the old man would like that very much."
"They've been very pushy about meeting her, haven't they?" Yoruichi asked knowingly, grimacing.
"Yes, very," he agreed blandly. "I fear that their going to try something that I hope they won't…"
Yoruichi gently patted his back.
"I see – even the sake wouldn't help at that point then," she supplied usefully. "Don't drink yourself drunk if they do that, 'kay, Kyoraku? Minako-chan would worry endlessly about you then."
"Alright, alright," he sighed. "Go on ahead now—I think Ukitake had to talk to you about something."
"Shunsui-kun, why didn't you tell me that this was a formal party?" Minako frowned. "You're very lucky that I wear this get-up normally, or else I would've come here unprepared and would've been ashamed and embarrassed!"
"Eh… this is gonna hard to explain, but Minako-chan, I'm gonna have to ask you to calm down and listen to me explain why, alright?" he asked quietly. "This is very important, and if you want to live through this night without being shred to pieces, you're gonna want to listen."
Her eyes brightened.
"I've always liked nobles' politics," she chimed in.
He laughed, but she could see that his heart wasn't into it.
"My family hasn't really bothered me this past century," he started quietly. "They left me be, to my own devices. They didn't really care, seeing that I'm the second and youngest son in the Kyoraku family. My older brother had married, gave birth to a son; they had fulfilled their life-long goals. I was… relieved that they wouldn't push anything to me. You know me, Minako-chan, I'm not exactly what many people would consider the perfect man, son, brother, whatever, you know?"
He looked to her, a look in his eyes that made her want to comfort him.
"Shunsui-kun, you're not a burden to anyone, and you're like a brother to me," she whispered quietly. "You're perfect in my opinion; the perfect nii-san."
He smiled sadly.
"And you're like the perfect little sister I wish I had, and now, I do."
A smile flickered across her face, but she became serious again. "Why do you bring your personality into this though?"
"… I thought my parents would never ask me to marry, thinking that'd I'd bring shame to our clan. I understand that my brother didn't marry that great, but what they're asking of me is just… disgusting and impossible."
"What are they asking from you?" she asked almost inaudibly, her heart beating faster.
"They're asking me to marry you."
Her eyes widened and she quickly stood up.
"I… Shunsui-kun… I'm sorry, but we're not like that… haven't you already explained this to your family?" she asked, eyes filled with worry.
"I did," he said sadly, closing his eyes. "But you know old nobles; they're stubborn and don't like to listen to us younger folk." He tried to smile, but failed miserably.
"Let me handle this," Minako assured him, a strange light taking place in her eyes. "If anyone tries to handle how I live, who I marry, what I do… their dead meat – especially if they try to force my family to do the same."
"Family?" Shunsui asked, tilting his head.
"Yes, family," she laughed. "You are my family. And nothing can change that, Kyoraku Shunsui."
"Kyoraku-taicho, it's an honor to be invited to such a great party; I haven't had this much fun for many decades!" Minako exclaimed, coming up to the straw-hatted taicho, who was sipping sake with his relatives surrounding him. The elderly man glanced at her before looking pointedly at his son.
Kyoraku stood up and bowed lowly.
"Thank you for such praise, Sato-sama," he graciously said. "It is unwarranted for a man of my rank."
"You are an honorable taicho of the Gotei 13," she reminded him sweetly. "One of the oldest still standing and very experienced." She turned to look at the elderly man and elderly woman that had sat on either side of them. "I'll take it that these are your parents? You should be proud of having him as your son, no exceptions."
The pair quickly stood up and bowed.
"Yes, they are my parents." He shifted, slightly uncomfortable. Even though they had agreed on greeting each other as if they hardly talked, and to talk very formally, it was something he wasn't used to doing with her.
"A pleasure to meet the rumored Sato-sama!" his father's loud voice rumbled. "We had to bother Shunsui to invite you, can you believe that?"
"It is such an honor to meet you, finally, in person!" his mother tittered eagerly. "You are as beautiful as they say, perhaps even more!"
Minako smirked inwardly. They weren't going to be easy to get over with like she had hoped – but hey, she wasn't a noble for no reason. She's had enough experience to deal with old people like them before.
"Bother Kyoraku-taicho?" she asked, acting surprised. "I can assure you; I received an invitation to this great party quite quickly, with no hesitation from him. He is very serious in his work. It is an honor, though, to meet the head of the Kyoraku clan and his wife. I hear your eldest son has given birth to an heir? That is great, is it not? It is nearly time for you two to retire, from the rumors I hear. This will surely be an opportunity for you two to get your well deserved rest. You flatter me so very well, I am not sure if it is lie or truth."
Shunsui's eyes widened with shock. Minako had taken care of all their statements in one quick, easy breath without having to seemingly change the topic.
"Ah yes…" his father sighed wearily. "Our eldest son… he did not marry well and his wife was ill since she was born. Even their newborn son is fighting to stay alive."
"Ah, what a pity," Minako cut in smoothly. "But even so, with time and practice, that newborn son will grow into a strong man, I am sure of it. But this is a surprise—I did not think the Kyorakus to be those who spoke ill of their relatives behind their backs. Is it not the parents' duty to choose their brides and grooms carefully? I have never heard Kyoraku-taicho speak ill of anyone."
Shunsui's eyes widened even more. Minako had just… insulted his parents.
"Ah, of course, we were being rude, were we not?" his mother quickly intervened, seeing trouble. "Perhaps it's best if we get straight to the point, dear?"
Minako's eyes flickered to Shunsui quickly. That had been her plan. If they offered now, if she turned them down, they'd have no other choice but to accept and understand why she did.
"It's not for the best if we do…" his father said rigidly, biting his lip.
"The main point?" Minako asked quietly. "What is the main point, if I may ask?" she asked sweetly.
Nobody could say no to that tone.
"Sato-sama, you see, we worry endlessly for our youngest son, Shunsui, and he hasn't married anyone yet, and he's getting older. We worry so much, that we've lost sleep over it!" his mother cried. "We were hoping and we'd be honored if you'd agree your hand in marriage to him."
Crickets.
Minako raised a cold eyebrow. Shunsui flinched—even though he knew it'd be like this. She had to seem like the perfect, calculation noble.
"Excuse me?" she asked quietly. Everyone around them, including guests like Yoruichi and Soi Fon listened in. "I believe that you are asking me to throw away my name, my honor, and my freedom to join the Kyorakus through marriage. You are asking the impossible, and the most disgraceful thing you could ever ask of me. How dare you… how dare you soil my name!?"
"Ah, Sato-sama, please forgive us!" the elders croaked. "We never thought—"
"That'd you insult me?" she asked icily. "But you already have. Kyoraku-taicho, I'm very sorry, but I am leaving this party tonight. It is not you I hold my grudge against, but your parents. You do not need to fear my anger, for it is not towards you. I had a great time and thank you again, for inviting me. I shall take my leave. Good night."
As she stalked off, Yoruichi walked over, as if she was being pulled in by a tight rope.
"Oh dear, Kyoraku-dono," Yoruichi drawled. "I'm afraid that you've insulted Minako-chan. I'm afraid that I can't deal with that."
"Shi-Shihoin Yoruichi!" the elders exclaimed. "What connection does the Shihoin family have to Sato-sama?"
"Oh? You don't know?" she asked, regally raising an eyebrow. "She is my friend; a close one if I may say. You have received her fury, and in return, the Shihoin's fury. What she said, applies to you as well as from me, Kyoraku," she nodded towards Shunsui. "The anger is not towards you."
"Well, thank you," Shunsui sighed. "I hope we can have all this solved within the end of this week."
"I'll try. I'll go after her and see if I can talk sense into her," Yoruichi sighed. She glared coldly at the elders. "Count your blessings if she changes her mind."
She stalked out into the cold night, going after the offended girl. Soi Fon quickly followed with the rest of the guard.
"I told you not to try her," Shunsui shrugged. "Now then, I have guests to attend to, so I'm warning you to leave."
The elders stood silent. What else could they do now except hope that Minako's anger subsided soon?
Minako walked at the edge of the garden, sighing sadly, but stiffened at a sudden unknown presence.
"Who's there?" she asked quietly, keeping her voice even. "Show yourself."
"Hime-sama," a curt voice greeted, a shadow of a figure coming out from the trees.
Minako's eyes widened a fraction, before narrowing angrily.
"I believe I told Tennō Heika[1] and Kōgō Heika[2] not to send anybody to Soul Society. What is your business here?"
"You're okaa-sama and otou-sama has sent me here to give you an important message, Hime-sama," the messenger replied.
"Important message?" Minako repeated coldly. "Nothing within that family is important to me anymore."
"They believe that you will wish to hear this," the messenger replied softly. "I agree with them… Hime-sama. You were very close to Daichi-sama, were you not?"
Minako stiffened as her eyes narrowed with suspicion.
"I do believe that it is not any of your business, dono-san. My personal relations have nothing to do with a simple messenger such as you."
"I am here to bring the message in passing: He is—"
"Minako-chan? Minako-chan, I know you're here! Stop hiding and sulking! Where are you?" a voice called out.
The messenger's eyes narrowed, a calculating look in his eyes. Minako's eyes widened as she recognized the speaker: Yoruichi. The look in the messenger's eyes… meant death!
"Yoruichi, get down!" she shouted. She heard Yoruichi's steps still on the grass, while the messenger quickly took the moment to shoot towards the Shihoin princess. Minako was quick to react and shunpoed in front of Yoruichi and blocked the messenger's zanpakuto with her own, which she had hid within the folds of her kimono.
"Hime-sama!?" the messenger exclaimed, horror written across his face. "But why!?"
"Yoruichi-chan," Minako breathed out, struggling to gain the upperhand in their sword fight, "I'm so sorry. My family sent a messenger who appears to have a death wish."
"Minako-chan…" Yoruichi blinked.
"Do not address the Hime-sama with such ease and casualty, Shihoin!" the messenger hissed.
"Shut up!" Minako ordered harshly, slashing downwards with her sword, dealing a deadly injury.
"H-Hi-Hime-sama…?" the messenger coughed.
"It appears you have died a dishonorable death," Minako said chillingly. "To attack a friend so openly… to hold your blade at me… and to never have passed your message on. Any last words, dono-san?"
"Sumimasen… Hime-sama…"
"Tell me why you attacked Shihoin Yoruichi," she ordered coldly.
"I… feared… she would… hear… the message… the secret to our family…"
And he was dead.
"Minako-chan… would you please explain why my life was threatened right now?" Yoruichi asked calmly.
"Ah… Yoruichi-chan…" Minako stuttered. "Uhm… you see…"
"I understand Minako-chan," Yoruichi cut in softly. "It is a family matter; it is the secret to your family. I will wait, no matter how long it takes, if only I can figure out your past. If only I could figure out who hurt you way back when… I will wait."
"Even if it takes a century?" Minako asked quietly, her emerald eyes gazing into amber ones.
"Even if it took more than that," Yoruichi grinned. "We're best friends, Minako-chan. You're like… my younger sister."
A strange look crossed Minako's face.
"You're… younger… sister…" she whispered quietly.
"Yeah!" Yoruichi cheered. "Now how 'bout we discuss the Kyoraku's tight spot, eh?"
"Hai…"
Minako gave a last look to the night sky before she ran after Yoruichi.
'Nii-sama…are you watching over me?'
I hope I didn't kinda go too fast at the end here... NOTE: See how Yoruichi brings up someone hurting her poor, little, Minako-chan? O.o WHO WOULD DARE DO SUCH A THING!? XD What did Minako-chan really tell her in private??? O.o Keep reading to find out the mysteries behind this innocent looking OC! :D
Some terms you may not know:
Tennō Heika: His Majesty the Emperor
Kōgō Heika: Her Majesty the Empress
My, my, that messenger sure is formal... *rolls eyes*
PLEAS REVIEW!!! NO FLAMES!!! OR SODE NO SHIRAYUKI WILL TEAR 'EM DOWN!!! XP XD
