Limits of the Soul ch4- Spirits and Confessions
Extended chapter, because I'm a nice guy.
In response to Krazyfanfiction1, I've got something planned for Nemu's shikai that should make her stand out a bit and give her something unique, it should be revealed soon.
Many thanks to both Krazy and Antex for the kind reviews.
Italics= Zanpakuto speech
It had been a week since the incident in the Fourth Division's medical ward, and Nemu had returned to work with her Captain, despite protests from Ukitake, Kyōraku and Unohana. Nevertheless, the girl continued to work diligently, though she found that she was enjoying her work much less than she had before. Currently she and Mayuri were performing an experiment involving giving shinigami reishi absorption powers, which Mayuri had been fixated with since his encounter with the Quincy Ishida.
"I still can't believe the nerve of those other captains, attaching themselves to some useless puppet?" Mayuri ranted as he worked. Nemu said nothing.
"I mean, seriously? You have all the likability of cholera my doll, and yet people actually WANT to be around you? I only put up with it because I have to y'know," he continued, placing some glowing vials on his desk. Nemu again said nothing. Mayuri continued his rant.
"Anyway, they backed down before they could plant any foolish ideas in your impressionable mind, am I correct?" He said with a raised eyebrow, golden eyes boring into his second-in-command.
"Yes, Master Mayuri," Nemu replied, although internally her reply was different. 'They have put ideas in my head, and... I don't think that they are necessarily foolish'. Mayuri smirked and turned back to his work.
"It would be so much bother to create another assistant, even one that had fewer flaws than you. You would rather die later, rather than sooner, correct?" Mayuri chuckled, and for some reason this put Nemu on edge.
'Strange... I have heard that threat before, and it was never caused me worry.'
The rest of her work day was less eventful. She dodged a vial of acid Mayuri threw at her, and got cut for her effort.
'Business as usual,' came the male voice, which had something to do with her locked-up zanpakutō. Nemu ignored it, and went to her quarters. It was late at night, and the moon was visible in the clear night sky. The only light in the room came from the white disk which dominated the black skies.
Nemu slipped off her short-skirted kosote, enjoying the cool breeze from the open window. It felt good against her pale skin, a feeling she rarely felt due to being inside a lab all day. She then put on her white sleeping robes, and settled into bed, giving in last thought to Captains Ukitake and Kyōraku before falling asleep, and how they had defended her last week.
-o0o-
Dawn was breaking over the Seireitei, and Captain Ukitake had awakened to watch the sunrise. He sat on his porch wrapped in his kimono, watching as the clouds on the horizon gradually became more scarlet. It was likely that he was the only one awake in the division, as even Kiyone and Sentarō couldn't keep fighting without rest.
As the sun rose, Ukitake found that his mind had drifted to Nemu again. Recently she had been on his mind a lot, ever since the incident involving Mayuri and division four.
Ukitake had come up with a new idea to persuade Nemu. He was going to make some excuse to Mayuri that he needed Nemu to perform maintenance on the Senkaimon the thirteenth was tasked with guarding. This would last for a week, but was really so that he could help Nemu make a choice and understand her situation better, and maybe even examine her powers.
So, at about 10am Ukitake sent Kiyone and Sentarō around to the SRDI to fetch the lieutenant, hoping that Mayuri would not be suspicious or cause a fuss. If he went as far as to harm the two third seats, Ukitake had no issues introducing the man to Sōgyo No Kotowari.
-o0o-
Nemu was awakened by loud arguing outside her window.
"Sentarō, you moron! You speak to him first!"
"No way! Captain Ukitake prefers me, so I have to come back in one piece!"
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
Nemu sighed, noticing that it was unusually late in the morning. Normally Mayuri woke her up at 7am, but it was nearly 10.30 now.
'That's probably because your bastard captain is so fixated on that reishi absorption experiment that he hasn't slept for days,' came the voice of her zanpakutō, or part of it anyway. Nemu ignored him as per usual, wondering what all the noise was. It seemed to have stopped.
Just as Nemu finished getting dressed, the loud and boisterous voices continued, although this time they were inside the building. Nemu slid on her white gloves and made her out towards the lab to see what all the noise was about.
It wasn't difficult to find the source of noise- she could hear it even through the thick concrete walls of the lab complex. Nemu rounded a corner to find the two third seats of the thirteenth division, Kiyone Kotetsu and Sentarō Kotsubaki, talking to her Captain, who was sitting at his desk and looking at the two third seats distantly.
"Captain Kurotsuchi, SIR! Captain Ukitake requests that Lieutenant Kurotsuchi is moved to the Thirteenth for one week to assist in repairs to the Senkaimon!" Sentarō barked, all in one breath. Kiyone frantically nodded. Mayuri raised an eyebrow incredulously.
"I think not! I need Nemu for my research at the moment," Mayuri replied, placing a pale hand over his face, which was adorned with bags under his eyes. Kiyone and Sentarō both repressed shudders at his face, which was even worse looking than normal.
"But sir, it's urgent! The Senkaimon needs to be repaired right away, and your division has the tools and the people qualified to handle them," Kiyone countered, causing Mayuri to grunt.
"I'll send you Akon," he replied.
"No sir, it has to be Nemu! There needs to be a survey in the dangai precipice world, and...uh...hollows could attack, that's why we need a lieutenant!" Sentarō shot back, causing Nemu to resist the urge to face palm at such an awful excuse. Mayuri sighed.
"If it will get you to go away and leave me in peace, I suppose I can give you Nemu for one week," he replied, befitting turning back to his work. The two third seats grinned, before spotting Nemu.
"Go and get your things, Nemu," Kiyone said, and Nemu obliged, although beginning to get confused. She then followed the third seats out of the SRDI and towards the Thirteenth's barracks.
"Why does Captain Ukitake need to see me for an entire week? I was monitoring the Senkaimon yesterday, and there was nothing wrong with it," Nemu asked as the three walked. She carried a small bag with her, containing two kosotes, her sleeping robes and a spare pair of gloves.
"Yeah well, Captain Ukitake kind of made that up," Kiyone replied sheepishly.
"Truthfully, we actually don't know what he wants," Sentarō added. This puzzled Nemu, but she rationally assumed that it would be something to do with 'helping' her.
They arrived at the barracks, and the third seats brought Nemu into Captain Ukitake's office and departed.
"Hey, Nemu. How are you? I hope that you're feeling better since the last time we spoke," The resident captain asked jovially. Nemu raised an eyebrow.
"Captain Ukitake, there is nothing wrong with the Senkaimon," she said bluntly, causing Ukitake to nearly fall over. He ran a hand through his hair awkwardly.
"Well, I kind of made that up to bring you here for a week," Ukitake replied with a small smile. Nemu again raised an eyebrow.
"I don't understand, what will I be doing then?" She asked, causing Ukitake to grin.
"Shunsui's away on patrol in the Rukongai, so that leaves me to help you out," the old captain replied.
"Help me out? Captain Ukitake, I am not in need of any assistance," Nemu countered and Ukitake sighed.
"You may think that Nemu, but me and Captains Kyōraku and Unohana think so. Sooner or later Mayuri Kurotsuchi is going to kill you and we're not about to let that happen. I trust that you remember what happened last week?"
Nemu did remember how the three captains had stood up to Mayuri Kurotsuchi, all for her sake.
'Listen to him, Nemu.'
"It's not a problem if I were to die, Captain Ukitake. My master would replace me, and it is a simple as that," Nemu said in monotone, causing Ukitake's smile to fade.
"But that doesn't mean that you WANT to die, Nemu. Do you...want to die?" Ukitake replied solemnly. This derailed Nemu's mind. Now that she thought about it, and with prodding from her zanpakutō...
She didn't want to die. She wanted to live, even in servitude.
Nemu was quiet for a moment, before looking up at Captain Ukitake with a sad gleam in her eyes.
"I...I'm not sure. If I died to give my master a better servant, I should be happy...but now that I think about it, I...don't want to die like that," the girl replied softly, emotion creeping into the normal monotone, surprising the captain.
"Nemu...you're very young, and it would be a tragic waste of life for you die so soon," Ukitake said gently, causing Nemu to look at the ground.
"I'm not sure I have a life to lose, Captain. I don't think I even have a soul to be reincarnated..." Nemu said, trailing of at the last part. She was surprised to find Ukitake's hand on her shoulder, causing her to look up into the eyes of the captain.
"Don't think like that Nemu. Of course you have a soul, all of us do," Ukitake said softly, aware that he was very close to her.
"Do you...want to die, sir?" Nemu asked, taking Ukitake aback.
"Truth be told, despite this awful illness I have, I don't want to die Nemu... I don't want to cause my friends and family pain, and I enjoy life," the captain answered honestly. Nemu nodded.
"But Captain, you are surrounded by friends and family, who will help you even on your deathbed...I'll die quietly, by myself," she replied, and Ukitake was surprised to see a tear running down her cheek.
The captain couldn't find a reply, as the girl was right- he would die surrounded by caring relatives and co-workers. Retsu, Shunsui, Nanao, Sentarō and Kiyone would look after him until he died. Unless he stepped in, Nemu would die alone. When he thought about it he had already noticed this. On the many occasions that he had seen Nemu in the Fourth's medical wards, he had never seen a single visitor for her, not one person showing that they cared, whereas Ukitake always had visitors and gifts. It was a sad truth, but Nemu was right.
He looked at her sadly. Her pale features were beginning to become stained with tears as her eyes shimmered as she stood there, quietly crying. Ukitake felt bad- had he piled on too much at once?
He just looked at her as she looked at the floor, teardrops falling into the wooden surface. So, he acted on instinct and pulled the girl into a hug, wrapping his arms around in her in a friendly embrace.
Nemu took in a sharp intake of air as Ukitake held her. She had never been embraced before, and was unsure how to act. Out of instinct, she rested her head on his shoulder and began to gently sob, caught off guard by strong emotions she had never felt before.
Ukitake felt her heartbeat as she wept into his haori, letting out years of pent-up emotion. Her body shook and her breathing was uneven, but still Ukitake held her, fairly unsure of what to do. He very rarely had to comfort a distressed shinigami, let alone a woman.
After a few minutes, Nemu stopped crying, but the two still held the embrace for about another minute. Nemu felt warm and safe in his arms, and felt like she was actually wanted, just like she had felt in the medical ward, only stronger. Ukitake felt unusually content as he held the girl.
Eventually, the two broke apart and faced each other, both blushing, though Nemu much more so than Ukitake.
"I'm sorry Captain," Nemu said softly, causing Ukitake to cock his head inquisitively.
"Sorry for what, Nemu?" The captain asked gently. Nemu looked at her feet.
"I'm sorry I'm so...weak," the girl said sadly, causing Ukitake's eyebrows to rise.
"Admitting what you just said takes a lot of strength Nemu... Don't worry about it," he replied, causing Nemu to look up give what looked like a ghost of a smile, green eyes still melancholic but somewhat happier.
"Nemu...I have something very important to ask of you..." Ukitake said. Nemu had no clue what he meant.
"What could it be, Captain?" she asked. Ukitake took a deep breath. What he was about to tell her could shake her even more than she already was.
"Nemu...me and Shunsui think that you should take Mayuri Kurotsuchi's place as captain of the twelfth division, and head of the SRDI." At this Nemu blinked a few times in confusion.
"Captain Ukitake, I don't see why that would be necessary. My captain has no desire to step down from either of those positions, and I would be useless without my master," Nemu replied. Ukitake shook his head.
"No Nemu... Me and Shunsui think that it would be best if you stood up to Mayuri and took the position by defeating him," Ukitake continued. Nemu shook her head at the unthinkable thought.
"I could never harm my master. I owe him my very existence," Nemu replied, slipping into the usual monotone much to Ukitake's dismay.
"Nemu...I think that if you just see how good life can be without his oppression, you won't want to return to such a life," the captain continued, causing Nemu to uncharacteristically sigh.
'Come on Nemu...I think that you should do this. It may seem daunting, and I know you don't want to think of Mayuri as a bad guy, but sooner or later he WILL kill you. Couple this with misery inflicted on your soul, pain you choose to ignore...you said earlier that you didn't want to die alone, and this is the only way you can achieve this goal,' the zanpakutō stated. Ukitake looked at Nemu with reassuring eyes.
"Nemu...I agree that this does sound a bit drastic, and that I've placed I on you suddenly, but I'm asking that you do this for your own sake. I could have got you transferred to another division, but your skills belong in the SRDI and the Twelfth," he said gently, and Nemu waged an internal battle.
"Can you give me time to think about it?" Nemu asked quietly, and Ukitake nodded in understanding.
"Of course Nemu. Anyways I brought you here for a week in order to show you what being in a division with people who care feels like, and to help you make some friends," the captain continued. Nemu gave him an inquisitive look.
"Friends?" she asked, reminding Ukitake that she was lacking in experience at friendship.
"Yes Nemu... I want to show what friendship and acceptance are- and since this is one of the more laid back divisions full of good people, I thought this would be the best place," the Captain said with a smile.
"I've...never had friends before, in fact I'm not sure I even completely understand the term," Nemu replied, feeling stupid of failing to grasp a concept many people found easy to understand and carry out.
"I'll be your friend, Nemu," Ukitake said, causing the girl to look up at him inquisitively.
"Master Mayuri says that lower ranked shinigami should not mix with their superiors," she replied, causing Ukitake to shake his head.
"That's not true Nemu, Captains just passively intimidate lower ranked shinigami. There's no rule stating that a lieutenant and a captain cannot be friends, in fact most of the captains are good friends with their lieutenants. I myself am quite good friends with Lieutenant Ise, and Rukia Kuchiki, although she isn't a lieutenant. And I was very close to my old lieutenant before he passed on," Ukitake said with just a hint of sadness in his voice. Nemu seemed interested.
"So, will you take me up on my offer, Nemu?" Ukitake said, offering his hand to Nemu.
She didn't want to be alone any longer. She wanted a friend to be there for her, and to comfort her like Ukitake had earlier. She tentatively placed her hand into his and they shook.
"Thank you for even giving it a chance, Nemu," Ukitake said gratefully. Nemu nodded, with a half-smile on her face.
She found herself looking forward to the next week, although she was most definitely NOT looking forward to making her decision regarding Mayuri.
-o0o-
After Ukitake showed Nemu to the Thirteenth's lieutenant's quarters where she would be staying, he asked her to follow him out to the training area- a large and wide ravine were the squad met to spar and practice kidō. The pair sat on the grass on the rim of the ravine.
It was just past midday, and Nemu found herself enjoying the cool breeze. It was fairly warm and the skies were clear over the whole Seireitei. Ukitake had brought some lunch with him- teriyaki chicken and onigiri rice balls.
"I get this from the world of the living, they only really do teriyaki fish around the Seireitei," the Captain said as he offered Nemu a portion.
"It's good," she said with a smile, thanking the captain. Normally she sustained herself on nutrient fluid, which was tasteless and made her feel unpleasant. She was glad to be trying proper food for the first time in a long time. Once the pair had finished eating they sat and talked.
"Okay Nemu, parting of being someone's friend is getting to know them- learning about their past, likes and dislikes, that sort of thing. So, could you tell me anything about yourself?" He asked with an encouraging smile. Nemu seemed slightly puzzled but cooperated.
"Um...I was born from gigai and gikon technology about 20 years ago," Nemu started awkwardly, never having done this before, which Ukitake understood. Ukitake decided to tell her about himself to make her feel more comfortable.
"Well, I was born into one of the lesser noble families, and I have five brothers and two sisters, all younger than me. I didn't like the usual noble way of doing things- tutors and private classes weren't my idea of what growing up should be. But I was amongst the first ever class of the Shin'ō academy, and that was about two thousand years ago, and a thousand years later once the Seireitei stabilized itself me and Shunsui became some of the first captains other than the Commander and Captain Unohana," Ukitake said, reminiscing. Nemu was shocked- his lifetime was hundreds of times the length of hers!
"You've had a very long life Captain Ukitake...mine is nothing to yours," Nemu said sadly, to which Ukitake shook his head.
"I don't think so. There's something special about young life, when you still have things to do and adventure to find," the captain replied smiling.
"But there's still adventure even at this point in my life," he added with a smile.
"You look much younger than you actually are, Captain," Nemu observed, and Ukitake took it as a complement.
"Yes, I don't look much different than I did in my academy days, though people like Yamamoto are much, much older than me, at least 3 or 4 times my age," Ukitake replied.
"What was it like in the academy, Captain?" Nemu asked. Ukitake was glad that she was asking questions. He thought back.
"Well, I got along all right in the classroom though my hair changed colour in three days due to my illness, but I got by just fine. I had a good circle of friends, but I don't see any of them now. Most of them ended up in the old Central 46 and of course, Aizen killed them all. Shunsui's always been my best friend, and we've had more than a few adventures together. Yamamoto was a good teacher, but very strict and we had to follow the rules to the letter," Ukitake replied, cherishing the fond memories.
"I wish I could have gone to the academy," Nemu said quietly, earning shock from Ukitake.
"You never went to the academy?" he asked. He had never heard of such a thing. Nemu shook her head and readjusted herself on the grass.
"I was born fully trained and with enough reiatsu to be on par with any lieutenant," she said, not understanding the captain's confusion. They sat for a moment in silence, the breeze causing the only sound.
"So Nemu, what do you like?"
"What do you mean?"
"As in, what do you like eating, or hobbies? Personally I enjoying gardening and watching my koi in the pond. I also write a book for the Seireitei Communication." This caused Nemu to smile. She had read that book and was very fond of it.
Nemu thought about this. She didn't exactly have many hobbies or pastimes.
"Well, I inherited most of my likes and dislikes from my Captain. I like pike fish, but nothing to do with onions, just like him. I also like to read magazines and books in my spare time," she said but stopped suddenly. Ukitake raised an eyebrow.
"What is it Nemu?" he asked, concerned. Nemu hung her head low.
"Do you remember when I told you that I wasn't exactly an 'innocent person'?" she asked quietly. The captain nodded, thinking back.
"Yes, I remember. I never really understood what you meant though," he answered, wondering what he could be. Nemu took a deep breath.
"One of the qualities I also inherited was a fascination with all forms of science, but particularly human biology, and me and my father...we...dissected hundreds of humans, including more than a few who were still alive and a few who were conscious, and even a few Quincy," Nemu said sadly. Ukitake said nothing as he processed this.
"We didn't even do it as work, we did it as a hobby...the blood of so many people is on my hands, especially considering that I was the one who captured most of them. And the worst part is we did this for fun," Nemu continued.
"Sometimes I didn't want to see this people die like that, but I never stood up to my Captain out of fear...I let them die, because I was afraid," Nemu said, who voice just above a whisper. Ukitake was stunned. He hadn't expected anything like this from the meek lieutenant of the Twelfth.
"Nemu...," he began softly, and the girl looked at him with eyes packed with repressed emotion. It hurt him to look into her eyes, but she looked back at the ground.
"Captain, you may cut me," she said, shocking Ukitake. That was against everything he stood for.
"Now why would I do that, Nemu?" he asked gently, and the girl looked back up at him, confused.
"Captain?" Ukitake placed a hand on her shoulder.
"I would never cut you, or even hurt you, and that's a promise," he replied, and Nemu could tell he was being truthful. But still, she didn't understand.
"Why would you want to be my friend, Captain, after everything I've done...I'm just as bad as my father," she said staring at the grass.
"You're nothing like him, Nemu. At least you feel guilt over this, cause that's something Mayuri would never feel... Of course I still want to be your friend. Part of friendship is accepting someone for who they are, ghosts and all," Ukitake replied.
"But how can you say that? What I've done can't be forgiven," she countered, and Ukitake gave her a smile.
"I know what it's like to let people die. On missions, I haven't always made the best calls, and I've seen innocents killed, and I couldn't do anything. So I'm telling you, it's all in the past now," he comforted, causing Nemu to sniff and take a deep breath. 'Aww, no hug?' teased Ukitake's zanpakutō. He ignored the twin spirits of Sōgyo No Kotowari and focused on Nemu.
"Thank you, Captain," she said quietly, and Ukitake beamed at her, causing her to smile back ever so slightly.
"Nemu, like I said earlier it takes a lot of strength to admit something like that. You are a strong person with a lack in self-confidence, so I'm going to change that. That's why we came to my division's training area," he said, and he suddenly disappeared. Nemu recognized the move as a flash-step, and then sensed his presence on the ravine floor below. She decided to follow him with a flash-step of her own, and appeared beside him.
"It was no coincidence that we came here, I even had the targets set up," Ukitake said, pointing to a row of targets used for kidō practice, which were ringed target disks on top of posts.
"So Lieutenant, give me a breakdown of your skills," the captain asked, and Nemu thought about it before replying.
"Since I am not allowed to carry my zanpakutō I mostly use hakuda in combat. I can break open a man's skull with one punch, or break through solid rock using my hand. I last used kidō about 8 years ago and I have not used it since. I have enhanced reiatsu levels and enhanced senses and durability, and I am immune to practically every poison around," she said in monotone, and Ukitake was surprised at her skill set. She listed each skill with no arrogance, just stating facts.
"What about your zanpakutō?" Ukitake asked, curious. He didn't think anyone had ever seen the weapon.
"I have never once used my zanpakutō, or even held it. I do know that it is a kidō type, and I know some other things about it that are classified, I'm afraid," she said, sounding apologetic at the last line. Ukitake smiled.
"No, that's okay. In the meantime could you demonstrate your kidō for me? Hit any of the targets over there, you can use either hadō or bakudō," he stated, before moving to the side to watch.
Nemu took a deep intake of air, hoping that she remembered how to perform kidō. Focusing her power, she raised her finger.
"Hadō number four, Byakurai!" A blast of lightning surged forth from Nemu's finger, looking promising. However, it dissipated before reaching the target.
"Don't worry Nemu, you haven't used kidō in quite some time. You'll get back into it after a few more," Ukitake called from the side-lines. Nemu nodded, focusing again.
"Hadō number four, Byakurai!" This time, the bolt reached the target but failed to do any damage. Undeterred, she tried again.
The third Byakurai hit the target, and went straight through the other side, with good aim. Ukitake grinned.
"That was good Nemu! Now, try some mid-level kidō," he said, and Nemu nodded.
"Hadō number thirty-one, Shakkahō!" A crimson fireball flew from Nemu's palm. It flew fairly accurately and detonated on the target. When the smoke cleared, the target was burnt but not overly damaged.
"Try putting some more reiatsu into it!" the captain called, and Nemu raised her palm again, firing another Shakkahō, this time pouring in more reiatsu. The fireball again detonated on the target and blew some of it away. Nemu decided to try a few more techniques.
"Hadō number thirty-two, Ōkasen!" An arc of yellow energy blasted from Nemu's palm, charring the target, but not doing much damage.
"Bakudō number thirty, Shitotsu Shansen!" Nemu drew a golden triangle in the air with her finger, and a thick bolt of energy blasted from each corner into the target with decent aim.
This time, Nemu decided to use an incantation, raising her palm to attack.
"Ye lord! Mask of flesh and bone, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Truth and temperance, upon this sinless wall of dreams unleash but slightly the wrath of your claws! Hadō number thirty-three, Sōkatsui!" A large blast of crackling blue spirit energy flew from her palm and vaporized the target she was aiming for.
"That was good Nemu! Now, what is the highest kidō you can perform? Try it!" Ukitake shouted happily, glad that Nemu wasn't finding kidō too difficult, judging by the look on her face. Nemu thought for a moment. She knew thirties and forties level spells were her limit, but a small part of her actually wanted to impress the Captain. Nemu could not believe herself as she went to launch a powerful kidō she wasn't sure she could handle.
"Sprinkled on the bones of the beast! Sharp tower, red crystal, steel ring. Move and become the wind, stop and become the calm. The sound of warring spears fills the empty castle!" Hadō number sixty-three, Raikōhō!" A huge torrent of yellow energy was blasted from her palm. The wave incinerated several of the surviving targets instantly and crashed into the side of the valley, sending chunks of rock flying in all directions. Immediately after she fired the hadō, Nemu fell to one knee, panting. Ukitake ran over to her and bent down to see if she was alright.
"Are you alright Nemu?" seeing a nod, he continued, "don't push yourself! Your reiatsu is normally marginally below captain level, but that doesn't necessarily translate to kidō skill. Shunsui's one of the strongest captains and he isn't particularly good with kidō. Some people have it, others don't," Ukitake said as helped the panting girl up.
Nemu thanked him and she rested for a few minutes. That Raikōhō had really drained her. She didn't recall ever using such a powerful kidō before. Strangely she felt that she had to impress the Captain, which caused her to become reckless with the spell and tire herself.
Once Nemu had rested she readied herself for the next task. Ukitake went over to the targets and brought over a punching bag.
"So Nemu, think you can use this this demonstrate your hakuda skills? He asked jovially, pleased at her show so far. She nodded, and readied herself. She then leapt and gave a jab with her right hand, which promptly tore the bag in two. Ukitake looked at her with wide eyes, shocked at the show of strength.
"Well…that was great Nemu! See? I told you that you had strength," he complemented, and Nemu found herself blushing slightly. It was strange for her to receive complements rather than insults, and she liked it.
"T-thank you, Captain Ukitake," she replied with a faint smile. The Captain grinned back.
"Well then Nemu, let's continue with the demonstration…"
-o0o-
The two of them practiced Nemu's powers for a for the rest of the day. Nemu demonstrated her strength when she blasted a crater in the rock face with a kick, and she also practiced more kidō, though she didn't stray above the forties level this time.
It was about eight in the evening by the time the pair made it back to the barracks. It was still bright over the Seireitei, but the clouds were rolling in.
Nemu was very tired. The kidō had drained her considerably. After she had some dinner, she decided to retire for the night.
"Captain Ukitake, if I may could I head to my quarters?" she asked, polite as always. The two were sitting in the small lounge area beside Ukitake's office. The Captain was proof-reading the latest version of his novel while chatting to the lieutenant.
Ukitake smiled at her.
"Yes, of course Nemu. You've worked hard today, go and get some rest," he replied, causing Nemu to sigh as she made for the door. She slid it open and then stopped in the doorframe, and looked back at the Captain.
"Yes, Nemu? You alright?" he asked, a trace of concern seeping into his words. The girl nodded, with a faint blush on her face which Ukitake could barely make out in the dimly lit room.
"I…just wanted to thank you Captain…for comforting me…and showing me friendship," she said softly, and Ukitake smiled back at her.
"It's no problem Nemu, you deserve it," he replied, but kept his eyes on her when she seemed to have something more to say. Her eyes flicked down to the floor.
"And most of all, thank you for…protecting me back at the medical room," she said, and Ukitake could tell that she was being really sincere.
She was still looking at the floor when she felt his hand on her shoulder, and she looked up into his eyes.
"It's okay, Nemu…I'd do it again, anytime," he said gently, and the girl nodded, said 'goodnight' and went to the thirteenth's lieutenant's quarters.
Nemu looked around the room to find that it was much more decorated than her own back at the SRDI. There was a comfortable looking bed, with a small desk with a few leather chairs. A painting of a pond or something similar hung on the wall, with a small golden clock on the desk. A door led to a conjoined bathroom. And most importantly, the windows weren't barred. It was an interesting change from the ordinary. After she got changed in her sleeping gown she got into bed and thought about what was happening.
She was having an existential crisis.
One part of her still held extreme loyalty to her Captain, and another wanted her to be free and away from him. It wanted friendship and warmth, not insults and injuries. She wasn't sure who she was anymore. She had been told all her life that she was nothing, merely replaceable. Yet now she was being told the opposite, and she wasn't sure who to side with.
Even worse was the fact that Ukitake and Kyōraku were going to ask her to defeat Captain Kurotsuchi, maybe even kill him. Despite the obvious loyalty issues, she doubted she even could kill him. He wasn't a captain just because of his intellect. He was cunning and ferocious in combat, and possessed enormous amounts of reiatsu, much more than her. His zanpakutō paralysed anyone it cut, and his bankai was enourmous and armed with over a dozen of huge retractable blades.
She had never held her zanpakutō before. She knew some of its abilities and knew that it was a kidō-type sword, but she had only seen it a few times in her life. It was only recently that she realised that the voices in her mind were the voices of her zanpakutō- Mayuri had just told her that they were something to do with her creation and ignore her. She knew where the weapon was kept- in the huge storage bunker beneath the SRDI. Although she had all the passcodes, obtaining the weapon would instantly cause Mayuri to attack her.
Even if she got the weapon without Mayuri knowing, which was possible, there was still the issue that most of the data regarding the zanpakutō was classified …Could she trust Captain Ukitake and Captain Kyōraku?
She felt like she could just Ukitake at the moment, one of the first people to actually care about her. Nemu's mind went back to the embrace they shared earlier. She felt so safe and welcome in the arms of someone who wanted to be friends- a title she thought she didn't deserve.
Taking a deep breath, she blanked her mind, and fell asleep, hoping that this next week would be good for her.
-o0o-
Nemu awoke to a bright light, and noticed that it was much warmer. She opened her eyes and found herself on a familiar hill overlooking a city amongst a forest, surrounded by a desert.
"My…inner world again?" she asked out loud, observing the ruined city. She suddenly whipped around as she felt two presences behind her. Her eyes widened when she saw who they were.
On the left, there was a young, petite and slender girl. She had soft, pale features and large, gray eyes. Long, straight black hair hung down past her neck, the bangs straight and tidy. Nemu noticed that she wore two white kenseikan, the hairpieces of nobility. With a white scarf around her neck, the girl was clad in a white, miniskirted kosote much like her own, although hanging from the front of her sleeves were two long, crimson ribbons that met back up again at the back of each sleeve, forming something akin to a ring. The ribbons seemed to float just off the ground. A crimson sash was around her waist, tied with a small white bow. She wore two small, star-shaped red clips in her hair, and white gloves similar to Nemu's own. Currently there was a small smile on her face, and a friendly look in her eyes.
The other figure was male, and taller than his partner. His white, ragged hair came down to just above his shoulders, and was messy. He had stoic features, but his mouth was covered with a green scarf, and he looked lean built. He was dressed in black samurai-esque armour, with large metal shoulder pads and gauntlets. A green cross covered his chest, with smaller crosses on his gauntlets. He wore armoured boots and wore a green sash across his waist. Nemu wasn't very good at reading expressions, but this man made it even harder for her.
"Hi there, Nemu," the girl greeted with a bow, which Nemu returned. Then it hit her- she recognised the meek and gentle voice to be that female mental voice which had been absent lately. The man also bowed, and Nemu used logic to determine that this must be who the other voice belonged to.
"Well, Nemu, now you've finally met us," he said with the gruff voice she recognised. She nodded.
"So you two…must be my zanpakutō spirits?" she asked, and the girl nodded with a small smile.
"Yes, that's right. We can reveal ourselves to you now, since you are beginning to break free of the misery that's gripped you your entire life," she replied, and the man nodded.
"We could never show ourselves to you before because your soul was so lonely it refused to acknowledge that we existed," he added, and continued, "but since someone has shown you the hand of friendship, it has eased your pain slightly and we can now communicate with you properly instead of just in your head." Nemu took this all in.
"Where have you been for the last week or so?" Nemu asked the female spirit, who gave what looked like an apologetic smile.
"I was having difficulty getting through to you, but you helped me out. When you used your kidō today I was able to appear properly and summon you here, so in a way you unlocked me," she said in her quiet voice.
"Nemu, you may not feel it, but those Captains have helped your soul immensely. When a soul is in turmoil, the weather in their inner world deteriorates rapidly. Over the last twenty years we have endured constant rain, blizzards, thunderstorms and the odd sandstorm," he said. The female spirit continued.
"Yep. It's been getting better ever since Captain Ukitake talked to you the first time. A week ago while you were unconscious in hospital, the rain stopped for the first time in your life, and then my other half summoned you here. The moment Captain Ukitake and Captain Kyōraku fended off Kurotsuchi, the sun began to blaze down," she added.
"We've had some rain here and there, but it's been so much different, and the atmosphere is much better," the armoured spirit said.
"We're proud, Nemu. Proud that you're beginning to break free of Kurotsuchi's grip," the female said happily.
"When you used your kidō today we felt strength in your for the first time. Your strength is our strength and we were able to escape your soul's suppression of us, so in a way you helped yourself," the man added.
Nemu still wasn't really sure what was happening.
"But…I haven't decided if I am going to battle my Captain…I'd more than likely perish anyway," she replied softly. The petite spirit took a step forward.
"That's why Nemu, we want you to retrieve us. We're stronger together- if we're with you, we dredge up strength you never thought you had, from deep inside your heart," she said, and Nemu found herself believing for just a moment.
"But…I don't even know your name, or release command…," she said dejectedly.
"Not to fear. That's the reason we brought you here. But if we tell you our name, you have to promise to retrieve us, and tell Ukitake our abilities even if they are classified," the male spirit replied.
"I don't…know…" Nemu said, still fighting an internal battle. The spirits took on serious faces.
"Please Nemu, it's for you," the armoured spirit said, and Nemu continued to debate it.
"Well…it doesn't mean I have to fight my captain just yet, so…alright," she replied with a small, uneasy smile. The two spirits seemed happy at this.
"That's great!" the female spirit said happily.
"So how…how do I learn your name?" Nemu asked, having a feeling that she wasn't going to like the method. At this, an Asauchi, or a sword for a low-ranked shinigami, materialised in front of her.
"Take it," the armoured spirit said, and he leapt over Nemu, leaving her facing the female spirit who was floating slightly off the ground. She had backed off and was watching. The male spirit landed over to Nemu's left, as if observing.
Nemu turned her attention back to the female spirit facing her at the opposite end of the hilltop, about ten meters away.
Nemu did not like what she was seeing. A long, curved Ōdachi sword with a red handle and irregular hand-guard appared in a black scabbard decorated with gold bands. The spirit drew the sword, which was nearly a whole meter long, and the scabbard dissappeared into thin air.
Hastily, Nemu took the grip of the Asauchi and readied. She had been created with mid-level sword fighting skills, but she had never practiced so she was more likely around beginner level. The spirit's small smile faded.
"I'm sorry, but this is how you will learn our name!" she called apologetically as she rose into the air.
Nemu readied her sword, as the petite spirit hurtled towards her, and raised the Asauchi as the curved blade of the Odachi crashed into her own with a mighty impact.
Nemu had a fight on her hands.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and please leave a review, really helps me out.
Reviews are love, Reviews are life.
For those wondering, an Odachi is a slightly curved Japanese cavalry sword, about 90 centimeters long. Unohana's zanpakuto is an Odachi.
Some of my plans-
I'm seriously thinking about giving this fic a companion story, something to do with Ichigo and Rukia, and then a sequel to those two. I've got a lot of work to do at the moment, so I don't know how long this will all take.
Thanks for reading, EF