Chapter 4: Caught by My Own Sins
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.
He wanted to smile as he watched her perform the dances. Each was dangerous, each was deadly and with her face concentrated focused on killing him she was beautiful.
"Trying to finish what you started last time Kuchiki?"
He flash stepped right next to her. She was quick but he had been doing this longer.
"I never wanted to…."
Her zanpakuto barely missed his head as he swerved evading the blade. She had gotten stronger. Good, he didn't want her weak.
"It doesn't matter what you wanted. It only matters that you did. You killed me. And here I thought we were friends."
Her eyes flashed as she slashed again. He dodged her easily.
"SHUT UP! You're not Kaien-dono. Kaien-dono would never ask me to murder my friends."
He saw her preparing to do another dance.
"Those movements—I taught them to you."
"NO!"
"I trained you Rukia. I made you a soul reaper."
"NO! You're not—"
"Poor little Kuchiki, why do you keep denying what's true? You know it's true. Or do you want to kill me again?"
Rukia's hands shook as again she ran to stab him.
"I guess you want to be punished. Suiten sakamake Nejibana."
-
Rukia stood straight her zanpakuto extended. Her grip was firm this time. That was good. At least her zanpakuto wouldn't go flying out of her hands like it had done during her last battle with a hollow.
The other soul reapers had laughed at Rukia's inability to hang onto her sword. Some had lectured her. It didn't matter at that point if she was a Kuchiki. She had made a mistake that could've been fatal and her action had caused Vice-captain Shiba to become injured.
The hollow had been coming towards the defenseless Rukia when Kaien jumped in front of her.The hollow had clawed down Kaien's right arm leaving a mark that ran across his clan tattoo.
Of course Kaien-dono said it was merely a scratch but Rukia still felt guilty. He had moved to protect her because she was careless. She tried to get herself into a regular stance but was having some difficulty.
Not for the first time she wished she had spent more time at the academy. At least then she would be ready for this.
"What's up Kuchiki?"
She swung around dropping her zanpakuto in surprise. The last time she had seen him he was headed towards the infirmary to get his arm healed.
"Kaien-dono how's the arm?"
"Still feeling guilty about that? Told you it was a scratch. Come on Kuchiki suck it up it's no big deal. What are you doing?"
"Practicing."
"Good. I wish some of the others did that."
"But they're already good."
He stared at her in disbelief.
"What? You've got to be joking. Anyone even me, the great Shiba Kaien, has room to improve. In fact I was going to practice right now anyway. Want to join me?"
"I'd be too much of a bother for Kaien-dono. I'd distract you."
"Helping you would help me. Besides when a soul reaper gets as advanced as I am sometimes it's the basic things that we slip up on. So what about it?"
"I don't want to be an inconvenience."
Kaien groaned. This girl was too damn frustrating. "Kuchiki, as your vice-captain I'm ordering you to be my sparring partner in the afternoons."
"But Kaien-dono—"
"You going against my order Kuchiki?"
Rukia smiled. "No sir."
"Good now about your stance…."
-
Their swords clashed and Rukia moved faster as he tried to pin her against the wall.
"You listened to me. Good, at least you learned."
"That wasn't you that was—"
"Still in denial."
She moved quickly but he was faster chasing her around.
She dodged the trident as he performed another shikai movement. The white of the trident pushed her hard but she flipped and managed to keep her balance.
Guilt
What had happened to Kaien was all her fault. If what that hollow said was true that meant that Kaien was there. Kaien was a part of that thing.
His eyes were filled that same emotion—lust for battle. She had known Kaien was a fighter long ago. He enjoyed fighting but he could still be cheerful no fighting existed. Now only she could see was desire for her blood.
Sorrow
Why? What had Kami punished her like? What had she done to deserve this? She had loved Kaien. He was her friend. Until Ichigo she had never trusted anyone as much as she trusted Kaien. Ichigo—she had to live to help him. She owed him. Just as she owed Kaien.
She feinted to the right but he didn't fall for her plan. He could read her movements in the barest flinch of her muscles. He had always been able to do that. She didn't want to believe it but this thing if it wasn't Kaien knew her as well as Kaien had.
Anger
How dare this creature wear his face? She forced him into the light and could see the fish tank face. WHY? Why had this arrancar been playing with her? What was he? What right did he have to torture with Kaien and then tell her that Kaien was in him?
The fight wasn't over as it put back on Kaien's face and the tentacles shot out. She felt the squid like arms grabbing her. The suction cups attached to her face and pulled at her skin. Frantically she slashed at the arms to get the sticky things off her.
Regret
Kaien had haunted her nightmares for the past fifty years. It was never changing the images of that dark night when she had committed murder. Never would she regret. Never would she forgive herself. Kaien…Kaien don't leave me here. Kaien don't leave me holding your body waiting. Kaien come back. Come back Kaien. Even now while she fought the hollow all she wanted was him to come back. For him to forgive her.
Blood leaked from her stomach from where Nejibana pierced her. She lay on the trident skewered like a fish. She gazed at the face of her vice-captain. Forgive me.
Acceptance
She was dying. She could feel death and she knew she deserved it. At least now she would be free.
-
Areli jerked the zanpatuko carefully out of her. She was still breathing though her breaths were shallow and her pulse was slow. She'd live. He'd make sure of it.
WHY?!
Stabbing her was the only way to stop her. She was trying to kill us.
US?! SHE WAS TRYING TO KILL YOU, YOU SADISTIC BASTARD.
Calm down Shiba. She'll live.
AND BE YOUR PRISONER UNLESS AIZEN KILLS HER.
Stop shouting. And prisoner—I prefer the term pet.
-
He hated the groveling but it was demanded. He gazed at the floor unwilling to look at his master.
"Aizen-sama, I request to keep the shinigami Kuchiki Rukia as my prisoner."
Aizen appeared bored his eyes merely glancing at Areli as he turned back to his two associates, Ichimaru and Tousen.
"Do you think that wise Areli?"
"Aizen-sama, I will be responsible for her."
"She is after all an interesting specimen," Ichimaru said. "Besides it will be interesting to see what she does and she is the perfect bait for Kurosaki."
He cringed internally. Ichimaru was known for his little obsession and sick fascinations. He had heard the former captain of the third squad discuss Rukia before as a person of interest.
"The psychological affects of her being with Areli would be an interesting study. Very well," Aizen answered. "Do whatever you like with her Areli. She's yours for the time being."
To be continued…
