Tite Kubo owns Bleach. I do not. I also do not make money from writting fan fiction. This is something I had believed was lost forever. This is a repost.
Chapter 4: Reunions, and New Unions!
Hanatarou checked on the sleeping girl about fifty times during their quiet meal. He finally let a sigh go brushing a strand of golden hair from her face. He blushed, but he wasn't smiling. He remembered he had a mission to complete.
Kūkaku and Ganju glanced sideways at the affectionate actions of their young friend. The woman smiles behind her cup of sake. Ganju snickered, earning him a whack to the head by his older sister. Hanatarou looked at them puzzled. He sighed once more heavily, "I-I must go complete my mission. Captains Unohana and Kurotsuchi will both be getting quite impatient for the rare plant I was supposed to gather."
"What kind of plant was it, what'd it look like? Maybe me and the boys could help you find it faster," Ganju smiled at his friend.
"Well it's red, it has reddish tinged leaves the flowers are tiny star shaped and also very red. The ends of roots sort of stick up out of the ground they form a small circle around the plant and are also- red." Hanatarou blushed (also quite red).
"Hmm, a strange red plant, You know I know of a small grove of these I thought they were just weeds. I let bonnie loose there thinking she might like to eat them, but she just turned her nose at them, but I can take you to them." Ganju scratched his head.
Hanatarou was shocked, could these rare plants be more plentiful then was previously thought, "It's a good thing she didn't eat any of the aka-netsu, they are very potent, and she may have been made ill or died if she consumed many. Besides this they are very valuable for their healing and spiritual potential."
"Oh, well that's good then. We can go now if you like, then you can hitch a ride with me on Bonnie's back to get you back quicker, if you're behind schedule..." Hanatarou gulped. It wasn't that he didn't like Bonnie. She was actually very sweet and affectionate (If one could get past her smell), but to ride her was an entirely different thing. She flew, if you believe it. (Ha, Ha, pigs can fly!)
Hanatarou tried to protest this idea, but was defeated when Ganju forcefully dragged him out by his collar. Turning to his sister to wave. Hanatarou waved weakly. Then looking at the girl on the couch, he stopped, he forced the man dragging him to stop—he could be strong if he had the tight motivation.
"Wait!" he shouted, then remembering himself he blushed, "W-what about Yuzu. I can't bring her with me right now I don't know where to put her. I only have a small room and I-I don't want to impose upon your hospitality further. B-but c-could s-s-she s-stay h-here?" he bowed low, Ganju still holding his shirt was also forced to bow also, rather then actually letting go of him.
"Don't be simple!" That was the closest to an insult that Kūkaku would ever bestow on the sweet little healer, "Hanatarou, you're family, we might as well call you Hanatarou Shiba, as much time as you spend here, or out with Ganju. Of course your little girlfriend is welcome." She winked at Hanatarou.
"I-I don't know what to say. H-hey! She's not my girlfriend," He almost shouted then blushed. That was the closest Hanatarou had ever come to scolding one of his ever-growing circle of friends, "But again I thank you. I must hurry though word must be sent to Kurosaki." Hanatarou beamed with pride.
Ganju again began pulling the boy out this time he followed more willingly. He decided he was in enough of a hurry to suffer the near death experience that was a ride on the back of one of the infamous Shiba boars.
Ganju and Hanatarou mounted the boar, after Ganju admitted that Bonnie, not he, who actually found the plants. He guaranteed she would find them. After an hour or so of sheer terror Hanatarou felt them stop, "What'd I tell ya'!" Ganju hopped off his pet's back. Hanatarou slid down her side very carefully.
He looked around to see hundreds if not thousands of the little plants. He was so tempted to harvest many, but his orders were to gather only one plant. He chose a very large and healthy aka-netsu with a fat stalk and lots of little flowers poking out of luscious stems.
He took a small trowel from his sleeve, he carefully dug around the root to disturb the plant as little as possible. He gingerly tugged the roots from the soil. Then taking a sheet of brown paper from the sleeve he carefully wrapped the plant to protect it from the outside elements. He was so graceful while doing this Ganju could hardly believe he was the same boy who tended to walk into doors instead of through them. Hanatarou smiled up at the man who was his best and one of his first real friends.
Then he got up and started back to the boar. He reached the edge of the grove before he tripped ruining the illusion of grace. His face hit the ground, but the plant safely over his head. His body instinctively protecting the plant that would cure so many. Ganju picked him up, and set him right, "Hey, that's not so bad, just a little nose bleed, but do you want me to hold the plant for you?" He tried to take it. Hanatarou snatched his hand away and eyed the older man seriously. Ganju blinked, but relented he helped the boy onto Bonnie's back then he climbed on himself. They raced off to the seireitei.
Yuzu was awakened by a familiar feeling, hunger. Her stomach grumbled. She rubbed her eyes disappointedly. She had dreamed that a cute boy had rescued her and she was just about to be fed. When a scary woman came in yelling at the other man in her dream. She stretched and rolled over, "Please just another five minutes." She was startled to hear a deep throated chuckle. The voice was deep but still feminine, with just a bit of a harsh edge to it.
"So you're awake. Come sit here and eat something. I heard your stomach issuing it's complaints from across the room." Yuzu shot up so fast that she fell of the sofa into the floor. Yuzu craned her neck to look at the woman behind her. Her eyes widened and she grew paler.
"No need to worry I would never intentionally harm one of Hanatarou's friends. I must apologize for my behavior earlier. Please come sit with me and have something to eat," The woman patted the cushion next to her that would normally have been her little brother's seat, but the timid girl obeyed. She eyed the food it was a fresh spread. The others had eaten and visited while she slept. Hana and Ganju had left over an hour previous. Kūkaku had ordered another meal be prepared for the small girl. Despite their dwindling stores.
'Ganju you had better take that pig to the market before you return. If you don't I'll take her to the wholesale market and sell her off by the pound!'
Kūkaku said to herself.
Yuzu sensed her irritation and assumed it must be her, "I-I'm sorry."
The girl's soft voice brought Kūkaku out of her murderous fantasy of butchering and barbecuing Ganju's beloved Bonnie, "Huh? What are you apologizing for," She had to quell her anger at her brother and the stupid pig.
She only just realized she was suppressing the girl's weaker spirit and delicate body with her anger. "Please eat something you're still very weak," She smiled sweetly, and yes she could be sweet to the right person at the right moment. Now was the time to be motherly and kind, 'Thank god Ganju's not around to spoil it.'
"I-I don't mean to trouble y-you," The girl's lip trembling.
'Oh no,'
Kūkaku thought. One big tear slipped out of her eye rolled down her cheek and dropped to the tatami mat. Then another, followed by a sniff.
"I didn't mean to anger you," Yuzu inhaled deeply she was looking at the mat. She was afraid that she had landed herself into a much worse situation, 'This woman could kill me without even laying a finger on me.' Yuzu was unconsciously shrinking away from the woman. Kūkaku's heart broke. She hadn't meant to, but she had scared this already frightened child.
Kūkaku knew Sabarou (well she really knew anybody with a bad reputation). He had a fairly mild one, except she had heard stories that he was keeping a girl in the position of an adopted daughter...but he treated her like a slave, abused her badly, and barely fed her. Looking at the tiny huddled child. She looked not only half starved to death, but also love starved. More tears splashed down. Kūkaku made a mental note to kill Sabarou if she ever ran across him. Then she scooped the girl into a warm hug. She felt bones protruding in her back where muscle and even a little fat should have been.
From Hanatarou's story Kūkaku had grasped the depth of her abuse. She was apparently eye candy to attract new customers. She wondered if looking was as far as it went. The woman had to admit the girl had potential to be gorgeous. If they put some meat on her bones. She had deep eyes and beautifully colored hair, like wild honey. Kūkaku could have easily seen many young men, and women, becoming infatuated with this cute little girl.
Hanatarou had discovered the only soul more adorable then him in the whole soul-society. Kūkaku smiled at the thought, 'They would make some of the most lovable babies, if they got together. I'd finally be a grandmother,(thinking of Hanatarou as a son). Ganju certainly is not going to supply this clan with offspring. As for me I have enough responsibilities without a bunch of screaming babies.' The woman grinned at the little girl.
Yuzu was frozen on contact with the large busted woman. She allowed the woman to embrace her, hoping that the woman did not expect any kind of physical gratification. She had fought hard to preserve what she could of her own innocence. Her last scarps of innocence remained only physical. She had already been violated mentally, and emotionally.
She had always suspected Sabarou was actually more interested in the men that came into the clinic then any women (lucky her). She noticed him taking more time then necessary examining some of the burlier male patients. Then she confirmed it by walking in on him and a very ugly looking male. The man smiled at her as he did things she wishes she could forget. She remained frozen on the spot until the ugly male tried to entice her to join them. Sabarou frowned, he finally noticed her standing there gaping in shock, and then he screamed at her to get out. She had never been happier to oblige him.
Kūkaku held her for a long time stroking her hair, telling the girl not to be scared, "We are all friends here. No one will harm you or touch you in anyway that you do not wish to be touched," the woman seemed to sense the thoughts of the little girl. She gave in and relaxed into the woman's large bosom. She wept. She sobbed like she had never been free or safe enough to give in to the sorrow that plagued her spirit. She shook and cuddled into the woman. Kūkaku smiled down at her new daughter, "My how our family keeps growing."
Hanatarou would have kissed the ground when he slid off of Ganju's beloved pet, but he was in to much of a hurry to greet the solid ground. He ran the whole way to his captain's office, "Captain Unohana! I have brought the plant for you!" His captain looked at the excited healer. She proudly unwrapped the perfect specimen for her to examining. "Good work Hanatarou," She praised.
"Captain, there's more. I mean there is an entire field. I only took one as per your orders, but I was so tempted to gather a few. I would like to go back there and get another so you do not have to share with Captain Kurotsuchi." He looked at her with a blush and starry eyes, "B-but Captain, please may I go now? I have an important message to deliver."
She nodded, but stopped him with her hand, "You may go but first take this to Mayuri," She used her zanpaktou to slice the plant into two perfect halves. Hanatarou flinched at the thought of the poor plant he had protected, only to have it bisected before his eyes. He nodded and re-wrapped the half of the plant that was supposed to go to research and development.
Kūkaku sighed, the girl fell asleep in her arms, "You need to wake up and eat something." She was normally an impatient woman when she was not obeyed, but this girl would not wake up instead she was clinging tightly to the woman. Her face wore worry like it was natural, and fear like it was second nature.
Kūkaku pried the girl from her and shook her gently. Yuzu's eyes fluttered, "Wake up child and eat." The words came out gently, but deep behind them was an sliver irritation and worry.
Yuzu responded obediently. She slid onto the cushion and began to eat almost mechanically. She was still scared, but she felt safer then she had in years. Finally she asked after Hanatarou.
'Hanatarou left you with these people. You should trust him,' The sweet tiny voiced comforted her.
"Hana had to go back to the seireitei, but he'll be back soon," She encouraged the girl with a friendly look. Yuzu smiled, it even reached her eyes somewhat. There was still a haunted look there, but she was warming up to the woman.
Hanatarou walked into the 12th district nervously he hated going there, but at least there would be one friendly face. He just hoped Rin was on duty. Hanatarou looked for the Captain of the 12th division he was usually in the lab, so that was where he headed. He thought the 12th division was the creepiest place in the whole seireitei. He was too busy gawking to notice the small boy holding a sucker run up to him, "Hello Hanatarou! What brings you here?" Hanatarou jumped out of his skin. The other boy smiled and grabbed hid hand, "I didn't mean to scare you, sorry. Hey! Have you been to the living world lately? You wouldn't happen to have any candy would you?" Rin looking hopeful.
"No, sorry," Hanatarou looking at the boy holding a sucker.
'How does he not get fat eating all that sugar all the time? I bet he has lots of cavities, and I wouldn't rule out diabetes in the future,' Hanatarou shook the thought off, "Rin, you shouldn't be eating sweets all the time." Hana smiled at the scientist.
"How many times are we to have this discussion?" Rin as usual acting perturbed at his friend's attempts at intervention.
"Okay, sorry I brought it. Anyway I was looking for your captain. Captain Unohana sent him something." Hanatarou held up the wrapped plant to show his friend. Rin looked in the paper.
"Oh, he was asking after this. He got quite impatient and went to division four about an hour ago," Rin explained, "Hanatarou why don't you stay and visit for a while It's my break we can wait for Captain Kurotsuchi. He will come back when they inform him that you were sent here with his new specimen." Hanatarou was itching to tell his good news, but he didn't mind spending time with a friend, so Rin lead the Healer to the break room. He got out a bento box. His lunch consisted of sweet things. The most nutritious item was a rice ball. Rin poked it like he decided it was a mistake he'd brought it before handing it off to Hanatarou. Hanatarou accepted it and they chatted. Hanatarou told his story of the girl he met. Blushing brightly. Rin giggled at him.
"I think you have a crush on the girl. Is she pretty?" Rin blushed. He was quite shy about romantic affairs, he really only had one true love and that was sugar.
"W-well y-yes. She is very pretty, sweet and brave. She, she healed me, with kidou. She didn't know what she was doing, she just did it automatically." Hanatarou communicated his amazement with his eyes. His mouth smiled like his face was stuck with a permanent happy countenance. Then they suddenly felt an irritated Captain Kurotsuchi approaching. Rin resealed his bento and went with Hanatarou to meet the captain.
They could hear him yelling down the hallway, "Those idiots in squad four kept me waiting for an hour and fourty-five minutes only to tell me that my specimen was here all along!" Hanatarou froze holding the paper out hoping he was allowed to keep his arm. The Captain could easily rip it off in his fit of anger, and his body parts did not grow back like certain angry captain's could.
The screaming maniac looked disgustedly down at the boy and snatched his prized specimen. He whisked past the boy mumbling something along the lines, "Finally you simpleton. Ooooh! This is just perfect I can't wait to..." His words faded. Hanatarou still holding his hand out to frightened to move lest he call attention to himself unnecessarily. Finally Rin poked his arm. Hana relaxed.
"Thanks for visiting. Maybe I'll see you later?" Rin called as Hanatarou broke into a run thankful to be safely out of the creepy labs and away from the lunatic of a captain. He turned to wave tripping over his own feet before scrambling out of the building and away from the awful place.
Byakuya sat at his desk irate. His lieutenant and sister making eyes at each other. Ever since she declared her feelings. He reciprocated. They had been inseparable. They kept their decency. The Captain promised not to interfere with their romance. Renji was odd looking, but a good man, and assuming he would eventually propose he would make a good husband. Knowing Rukia, she was likely the reason he had not proposed to her yet. She seemed dead set against marriage. When an opportunity for an arranged marriage to the Kurosaki, The elders insisted upon this learning of his prowess and strength, she flatly refused.
"Brother, I do love him. I love him very much, but I am not in love with him. He is kind and sweet and would make any woman very happy. He already has. He loves Orihime, and she loves him. I love someone else." He remembered her blush her down cast eyes, "I love someone who I have no right to, but he has been there for me always. Though I don't deserve his loyalty. I thought of him like I thought of you, brother, for the longest time. I realize now I was fighting against what I always knew. I love Renji Abarai." She had turned her back to him in embarrassment.
His face impassive, his insides had turned to rotten mush. He had long been aware that his second had been pining away for his sister. She was an unattainable dream for him. Yet here she was admitting that she thought he was to good for her. Suddenly she turned to him gazed sternly up into his eyes. He felt a jolt of fear, but he hid it well, "Brother, if you ever tell him..." She cut herself off, "Goodnight, Byakuya." She walked away and that was the beginning of his personal hell.
Suddenly there was a ruckus outside. Byakuya was thankful for the intrusion. Hanatarou burst in and collapsed on the floor clutching his chest. Rukia and Renji broke away from their romantic staring contest to help him, "Are you OK Hanatarou?"
He looked up with a beaming smile. "I have very, very good news," was all he said before fainting.
Hanatarou found himself on a hard uncomfortable sofa at the back of Kuchki's office. Three people staring at him. One stoic, but a hint of concern in his eyes. One smiling softly, lots of worry apparent in her eyes. One smirking playfully, curiosity playing in the depths of his eyes.
Hana gasped, then he sat up to fast. The room swam out of focus for a second before his head cleared. "I found Yuzu Kurosaki!" He yelped. Confused lookes shot his way, "Ichigo's sister!" He attempted to clarify.
Rukia gasped, tears forming in her eyes. Renji's smile widened. Even Captain Kuchki had a small smile on his face, "Are you certain?" The captain asked. Hanatarou nodded, "She saved my life."
This was his evidence, "She has powers. She is still weak, but-but she used a healing kidou on me! Hanatarou moved his shirt to show the faint scar that was left from his fight earilier, "I was run through by another's sword. The blade went clear through." He turned to show them a matching scar on the other side, "That was only a few hours ago."
"Where is she?" Rukia looked happy but frantic.
"Well she and I were in bad shape after she got attacked, Ganju found us. She is in the Shiba compound right now. She's safe there." They looked confused again so he just told the whole story again. He never embellished. His chronology may get confused but it was a pretty accurate rendering of the facts. Hanatarou loved telling that story. He loved talking about the girl in general. His furious blushing had not escaped them.
"Hanatarou, you like her don't you," Renji teased, "Wait what am I saying Ichigo will kill you if he finds out you have a thing for his little sister."
Hanatarou took him quite seriously. Renji was only teasing, but Hana's face got worried, then determined. He surprised everyone by confirming what Renji's teasing had implied, "I do care for her, a lot. I'd risk my life again for her!" He blushed and plopped back on the couch. He had yet to completely recover his energy and he had practically just run all over the seireitei.
Kuichki let him rest there; sending word to his captain so she would not worry over him. He felt pity for the boy.
Everybody in the entire seireitei knew how over protective Ichigo was, and is over his sisters. Epically when concerning the issue of romance. The boy put Kuchki himself to shame in this area. When Karin became a substitute shinigami, like her brother, there were rampant rumors that she and a certain disgruntled short white haired captain were seeing each other on a regular basis. He hounded the boy mercilessly.
When Karin finally had enough she challenged her brother to a sparing match. She won and her condition if he lost was that he back off and leave them alone. He was true to his word, but it was all for naught. They realized they would never be more then friends, but they became very good friends.
She was now often seen in the company of a certain Kira Izuru. She met him through Momo Hinamori. Once Toshiro and Momo admited their love for each other, she and karen became friends.
Kira and Karen were not seen as more then friends by most, but Rukia kept telling the girl there was a spark there. Their personalities fit better. He was kind of quiet, but not overly brooding. Karin could be herself and he'd not judge her for being unladylike. Where as Karin and Toshiro often got into loud violent arguments, even after they decided to just be friends. Weather it was soccer or sword fighting they end up in an argument. Still they are very supportive of each other.
Karin would be Maid of honor the coming fall in when the Toshiro and Momo were planning to be married. Kira would be best man, only because the other way would be really weird. Everybody was excited to see Karin forced into a hideous pink taffeta gown (Momo isn't that mean, it's going to be lavender). More than half of the guests are probably only going for the spectacle of 'the Shadow of terror', Karin's nickname (for her soul reaper power), in a flouncy dress.
It was quite the boring day in Karakura Town. Karin had decided to look in on her former sensei, Kisuke Urahara. "Hey old man!" She smiled. Kisuke smiled back, not his fake smile which was creepy and unpleasant, like live bait in your bare hand. He used his real smile. He reserved for a special few that had earned his respect and trust, or like Her sister, who used to come with her. She immediately disarmed the man with her innocent smiles. Karin saw him try to force the fake smile on, but it was wiped off and replaced with a pleasant friendly look.
Then he tried again to contort his face. It was funny to look at. He took it as a personal challenge to creep Yuzu out, but she always left with her innocent countenance. He always looked like he'd been hit by the happy train. Karin would laugh at her sensei, he'd scowl at her and of course her grueling training would become even more brutal on those days. It was worth it to see that sorry excuse for a smirk wiped off his face.
"Any news from the seireitei?" Karin looked hopeful. Urahara shook his head. This was their ritual for almost five years. She'd come in, insult him and ask if her sister had been found, if in not so many words. Karin's hopes had been crushed long ago. Yuzu was given up as lost in a sea of anonymous souls. Ichigo still held out hope. Stubborn as ever. "You know Ichigo's coming to town. He's bringing Orihime and, little Ichirou." Kisuke's eyes lit up. His favorite two year old, in the whole universe. His only godson.
"Heh! I still can't believe he asked me to be godfather. Ichirou will one day be an old fart and I'll be as young and handsome as ever," His eyes glinted.
"Since when were you handsome?" Karin snorted, "Anyway I can't believe you accepted."
"Who can resist Ichigo's puppy dog eyes," again Karin snorted.
"So they'll be here in time for dinner. Dad's cooking tonight so it might not kill you. You're welcome to come to dinner. All of you," Yelling over his shoulder at two teenagers and a large muscular man pretending to work in the background.
"Right, we'll be sure to take nausea medicine before we come over," He chuckled at his own joke.
"Well I have to go. We have to make up the guest bedroom, Be there at seven!" Karin was about to leave when. A black cat pounced on her.
Karin looked down a beautiful black cat with unusually intelligent eyes. It clung to her shirt careful not to dig it's claws into her skin. Karin gingerly picked up the cat and set it down on the floor, "Hello Yoruichi."
A satiny male voice oozed out of the cat, "Please wait Karin. I have news for you."
"Y-Yuzu?" Karin looked at the cat who nodded to affirm. Karin lost her legs she slid to the floor in shock, "Yuzu? She's been found?" Karin had suspicious dew forming in her eyes.