„Hole in chest, not in heart"
Chapter #4: „It's a new day"
Oh my... Why everything hurts so much...
Rukia slowly opened her eyes and tried to memorise why the hell her body was in such a great pain. But in some way her soul was in pain too...
„Do not trust her. She's really dangerous. I don't know what she's really planning, nor how is she going to use the New Espada, so be careful. All of them might be our enemies – sou-taichou said on the meeting, previous evening, after leaving of Eien and her companions. - I'm not sure, how she seduced them to follow her, but if I think good, all of them have made a deal, but not usual deal. She uses powerful kind of power and I guess she used this in that case.
-Sou-taichou – Hitsugaya asked. - Who is she? That Eien?
Yamamoto stared into space for a moment and seemed like he was deep, deep in his memories.
-Yama-jii? - Kyouraku fastened him.
-She... Eien... She belongs to the past."
Yesterday evening, Rukia was called on the captain's meeting to talk about current situation with Arrancars. In general, she was interrogated about Ichigo, but not for long, because of „the enter dragon". Rukia didn't know why, but it suits to Eien in some way.
Rukia stood up and stared to dressing up, being careful about her wound in the stomach. She touched it through the bandages and thought about Ichigo again. No, not again. He was on her mind all the time, now she found it out. No matter he was dead, he was a Hollow nor anything else... She always thinks about him.
But did this Ichigo who she was looking at, was the same Ichigo that she has known.
Anyway, in the presence of Eien talking about all that stuff with deal, he was acting very strangily. What's going on? What are conditions of these 'deal' and what about yamamoto-sou-taichou's words? The Eien's onece? Who is right?
Who, on the earth, says the truth?
More Rukia was wondering, more she was getting confused. Finally, she ended the dressing and left her room to talk with Byakuya-nii-sama. She moved to Kuchiki's manor even yesterday, to free the spot in 4th's division barracks. Now she was crossing the so well-known corridors, but anyway they seemed so empty.
Hey, why did she think like that?
Hmm, Eien said she was going to find a place to sleep. Rukia wondered where Ichigo...
She opened another door, in search of Nii-sama, and now calling her „surprised" was just great udnerstatement.
-Oh, you're here – Rukia heard Byakya's voice behind her. - I was just watching for you...Rukia, I'm talking to you, what are you staring at...
He came forward to her and became silent too.
Everyone was sleeping peacfully. Nel was lying on the sofa, Grimmjow on the dresser (Rukia wondered how did he do that...) and Ichigo simply put himself on the floor. Only Eien was sitting on the armchair, reading the newspaper.
-Oh, good morning! - Eien looked above her lecture. - So it was your house, Rukia-chan? Gommene, in darkness only this place looked good enough! - she laughed and turned her head to asleep Arrancars. - Oi! My New Espada, time tooo geeet uuup!
Ichigo unwillingly opened his eyes and yawned. He sat on the floor and then noticed Rukia and Byakuya.
-Oh, so it was your house. I knew it looked too good for any other. Sorry for intrusion.
Grimmjow fell down of the dresser with great „guwah". Ichigo giggled:
-And who said kittens always falls on one's feet?
-Shut the hell up, Kurosaki... - Grimmjow muttered back, while standing up from the floor.
-Uh, mommy, let me sleep a bit longer – Nel mummbled, half-asleep.
-No more sleeping! - Eien ordered. - Ichigo, Grimmjow, stop fighting! Nel, wake up already! Ichigo, stand up from this floor!
During all this time of bantering, householders, Rukia and Byakuya were watching it with wide eyes. They were so surprised, that they couldn't say a word. But who normal could?
Eien stood up from the armchair and bowed to Byakuya.
-Arigatou gozaimasu for your, even if unaware, hospitality - she said. - Hey, Arrancars, we're leaving!
-Thank you, thank you... - Grimmjow muttered with a yawn.
Eien came to the door and looked behind her.
-Moove! - she shouted angrily. - I'm going to train with you today.
-Doo weee haaveee tooo? - Nel asked in a sleepy voice. - We've just returned from Hueco Mundo, give us some break...
-We are on the WAR, not on the picnic! - Eien was slowly getting mad.
-Think about it, Eien – Grimmjow tried to use calm arguments. - After a training we will be tired! And what if the enemie appeared?
-Yeah, accidentaly I agree with him! - Ichigo supported him. - Training isn't enough, the true fight trains us better than the most serious fake fight.
-And we're tired! - Neliel added.
Eien sighed and rised her hands.
-Ok, you won. But if you lost today – suddenly she changed her voice into evil's one. - I'll train so hard, that you'll bless every your free breathe!
-We get, we get it! - Nel stated. But after a second of being serious, she gave Ichigo five and screamed: - Woo-hoo! No training today!
-Enough of this celebratings. Let's find something to eat. Excuse me – Eien was trying to pass the door, where Byakuya was standing.
When he backed off, Arrancars followed her. Byakuya shhok off of surprise and called after them in the corridor:
-Hey, you!
Eien and the New Espada turned around.
-Mm? What's up? - the girl titled her head.
-Where are you going? - Rukia asked before her brother said anything.
-We can stay if you have something to eat – Grimmy answered. - Any other questions? I'm already hungry.
Byakuya and his sister kept silent, still to amazed to say another word.
-Then, off we go – Eien ordered.
-What do you think of them? - Byakuya asked Rukia when they were in his cabinet.
-Well... Let's say the New Espada isn't strange.
-No? - Byakuya raised his eyebrow.
-It's Eien the strange one.
-I see.
-Candy from a stranger, candry from a stranger... - Eien was humming under nose.
-What are you humming? - annoying Ichigo asked. He was already pissed off, because of an incidnet in Kuchiki's house. He knew that Eien took them to this house deliberataly.
She turned around and smirked to him.
-Candy, candy from a stranger! - Eien repeated like a freak. Or devil, whose she actually was. - Ichigo, where can we find something to eat? It can be even candies.
-Even from strangers? - he asked to irritate her.
-Noo, of course not! We're good children, right? We do not take sweets from strangers! - the girl continoue their game, whle passing white buildings of Seiretei.
Which haven't been so white any more. Everything was covered by blood, new and old one. The effect of everyday fights, more and more exhausting. Injured people were lying on the streets, without any medical care. Ichigo guessed, that Unohana-san just couldn't help everyone. They were just too many.
Most of them were too tired to care about their neighbourhood, but those who were able to see uncoming Arrancars were backing off, almost pressed to the walls by their fear. Kurosaki sighed and concentraded on his path. He could do nothing for them, not now.
-Oi, Eien – Grimmjow started.
-Yeah?
-Why were you calling that old hag „Kuni-kun"?
Ichigo got interested in it.
-Yes, I wondered too. What's about it?
-Kurosaki, can you tell me full name of Kuni-kun? - Eien flashed her teeth.
-Jii-san? Err... As I remeber well, it was... Yamamoto...
-Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni. Kuni-kuni!
-Ahh, that's it – Grimmjow got it.
Suddenly Ichigo released something.
-Hey, why are we heading towards general command?
Eien laughed and looked at him.
-Isn't it obvious? They have to have something to eat there! It's general command, isn't it?
-Yes, but... - Ichigo did not know what to say. As always against Eien's sick logic.
-Don't worry. Soon or after, I'll find something.
Ichigo sighed once again today. It's gotta be a looong day.
Finally they came to the general command, but this time Eien didn't do so much rumor about them.
She did bigger.
-Good morning, Seiretei at this beautiful day! - it was almost able to hear two excalamations.
Only few captains were already on the place: Ukitake, „Kuni-kun", Hitsugaya, Mayuri and, of course, sealed Zaraki. When he saw Eien, he started to pull his fire chains, but it was useless; nothing could broke that spell. Even so, Kurostuchi Mayuri was kneeling next to Zaraki, trying to put it down.
-Oh, so here we have that famous scandalist...Hey!
Eien just passed them and kept on walking. She came to the place, where the view for all Soul Society was the best. She breathed deeply and shouted:
-IT'S A NEW DAY!
Eien turned around and said to New Espada, but in a way, that everybody could hear it clearly:
-It has been almost two thousends years since last time I breathed this air. It's full of spiritual participes.
She was talking in her special way, the way when she shows „her good side". All Arrancars knew that side and listenting carefully, because they knew something important is about to be said.
-We have to protect this world! This is our purpose! If we fail, Hell will overpower all spheres. Living World, Soul Society, Hueco Mundo, Hell, all of them will be mixed. Harmony will be destroyed! Everything precious and beautifull will turn into nothing! - she was getting into it. - Among these lost things will be sun rises like that! - Eien pointed at sky above them. - This is why we fight!
-Yeah! - Kurosaki added. - This is Sparta!
-For those who we love! - Eien sounded like some of these big, historical generals, like Napoleone or someone. - To protect! Everything precious! Friends, peace, power. We have to protect it.
She had started walking in direction of previous place, but now she faced the New Espada.
-Who we are?
-The New Espada! - they shouted unanimously.
-What we protect?
-Friends, peace and power!
-Are we strong?
-No! - Ichigo, Grimmjow and Nel was getting more and more fun from this. Anyway, they felt cool shouting like that, expressing their feelings. - We are stronger!
-Are we fast? - it seemed like Eien was having fun too.
-We are faster!
-How much we are determinated to win?
-Enough!
-And that's what I wanted to hear! - Eien jumped onto nearest table. - And now it's time to get some food!
-What are making so much rumor about? - asked calm voice.
Meanwhile, this all a bit cheesy, but effective and full of emotions speech, a few more captains appeared. The speaker this time was no one else than Kuchiki Byakuya. He entered the room and now was standing still, with crossed shoulders.
-Well?
-Oh, isn't it obvious? - asked Eien, hopping off the table. - We're getting all fired up before fight.
-And breakfast – Nel added. - We're already hungry, Eien, and you still haven't found anything...
-As I said, do not worry! - Eien cheerefully ensured three very hungry, but with good morals, people. - Hey, Byakuya, right? Do you the hell know, where we can get something what is able to eat?
-I wonder, why do you have to eat anything? - coldness collapsed between them. - You are all Hollows. Apart from one arrogant girl.
-Byakuya-taichou! - Yamamoto cried.
-No, no, no, no, Kuni-kun, don't get involved. I'll take you care of you later, do not worry -Eien stated.
-Why do you think we shouldn't eat? - asked Neliel. Her companions were getting nervous; Ichigo felt, that something bad is coming
-You are Hollows – Byakuya repeated. - You're only desire should be hunger of human souls.
-Oooh - Grimmjow leaned back. - So, it seems that you know pretty much about us. Would you mind to share your...knowledge?
-Lower forms of life, like you won't understand this – he looked at them with disgust. - I despise you. You do not know what pain is. You only cause it. You do not know, how is it to lost something. You do not know the feelings of sadness, pain, loss. You only know fear. And also...
-Shut...- Ichigo gasped. - ...up. Shut up. Shut up. Shut up! SHUT UP!
Last words were a scream. Scream of suffering soul. Ichigo was breathing hardly, he was almost catching oxygen from air by all his strenght. Now everybody in general command room was serious. Eien was staring at him with frowned look. Grimmjow and Nel stayed a little back, but ready to move. Rest of the captains were watching this scene carefully, even Zaraki calmed down.
-What the hell would you know about pain? - Ichigo's eyes were unable to see, because he was staring at the floor.- What do you know about loss? About sadness? ABOUT LONELINESS?
Orange-haired boy came forward to the captain and now they were staying face to face, eyeing each other up and down. But Byakuya saw something really scary in Ichigo's eyes. It couldn't be...
-Do you now this feeling, when you heart is taking out of your body, then cutting into smaller, and smaller pieces? Do you know how it is, when these pieces is putting you down on your face, so you see the world covered by slight fog of instinct...of insanity.
His voice was getting more and more quietly, but suddenly he spoke again.
-I remember everything. Who I used to be. Who I had become. Who I have become NOW! All my life of human, Shinigami, Winter War and then... My hollow's „life" - Ichigo laughed bitterly. - Can I call it life? Every dear face, every face of my friends, who I sweared to protect... Every memorie was like sharp knife. So you – he looked at Byakuya with angriness. - you are creating yourself as...as... as a God! You think your pride is everything you want, you have, you protect? Wrong. – Kurosaki screwed his eyes. - When there's nothing more than fear, when you stay naked in the darkness, when you can destroy everything by your power, but nothing gain... Tell me, what your damn pride can do, Byakuya? It will give you nothing. So as long as your heart will know what pain, real pain is – we have nothing to talk about. If you think your better, than us, when you wear your safe „poker face", hiding behind thick walls of insensibility, than you are weaker than us. I used to respect you, because in the end you've protected Rukia. But now, when fighting lines have changed and you can't agree with this...
Ichigo shook his head and tried to breathe normally again.
-Now, Kuchiki Byakuya...
-Wait! - Eien suddenly interupted him. - You said: Kuchiki?
Ichigo was beaten up from his rythm, so he got a bit annoyed.
-Yes, what about that? Rukia has Kuchiki surname too.
Eien came forward to 6th squad's captain. He looked down at her.
-You are not adopted, right? I know that your sister is, but you don't?
-No – he ansewered coldly. - I'm Kuchiki Byakuya, twenty-eighth head of Kuchiki family and also captain of...
-Ha! - Eien claped her hands. - That's brilliantly, really brilliantly!
-Why are you so happy about this, Eien? - Ichigo asked.
-I almost forgot about this, almost forgot... - she muttered, ignoring Ichigo's question. - And you're successor in a straight line?
-Yes, what about it? - Byakuya gor irritated.
-A LOT about it! - girl grinned widely. - Because I've just memorized something. If you are real successor, from body and blood, then...
-You doubt it? - Byakuya asked with superiority.
-Let's see – Eien leaned back. - Rise your right hand, Kuchiki.
-What do you...
Byakuya's question was cut by his right hand rising up. Eien laughed maniacally.
-So there is real blood of Kuchiki in your veins – she moved closer to him and claped her hands again. - I've just got a new toy! What can I do with you?
She had started to round Byakuya, and wondering:
-Maybe I should order you do to something funny? Noo, you're too serious. Something dangerous? It might work.
-Eien-chan, what does it all mean? - asked Ukitake. - You've tied Zaraki Kenpachi to the floor, now you're doing something with Kuchiki-taichou...
-First off – Eien thundered and turned to Ukitake with flames in eyes. - I am Eien-SAMA, or for you, because you seem nice, might be just Eien. Do not judge by appearances, Ukitake-kun – she came back to rounding Byakuya. - Zaraki might bother me and my Espada. About Kuchiki here... - Eien smiled devilously. - I'm just using the contract I have made long, long time ago. With the first Kuchiki householder.
Byakuya's eyes widened.
-You...
-Of course it wasn't the same deal as I've made forming New Espada. This deal was making with each Arrancar himself. THAT deal was making with householders of four big families.
-Impossible – Hitsugaya spoke for a first time today. - You don't mean...
-Four Great Houses – Yamamamoto ended.
-That's it! - Eien agreeded. - They made a deal with me. They, and everyone with their blood in veins are in my debt. They swore me their obedience and their childrens.
-What did they get? - Grimmjow asked.
-Power, money, respect and of course, influences – Eien snaped her fingers and Byakuya's arm leaned down. - Kuchiki, I still remember your ancestor, kneeling in front of me and swearing his obedience.
-LIER! - Byakuya shouted rushed into Eien. He had already reached his Zanpaktou.
-Me? A lier? - girl was surprised. - Usually, liers know when they lie. I do not. What part was exactly a lie?
-My...My...My ancestor would NEVER kneel in front of someone like YOU! - Byakuya was all shivering, ready to attack.
-But he did it, honey – Eien looked at him with playfulness. - Just to gain influences. It was all he wanted, all he needed to reach another things; money, social position, power. Pride didn't count. All of them did it in a secret, behind locked doors.
-How you can prove it? - Kurotsuchi asked. It wasn't his business, but it interested him a bit.
-Haven't I already done it? - she turned to Byakuya and screwed her eyes. That evil smile, causing chills running down spine, appeared at her face. - But you, young Kuchiki, still haven't paid for something you have said.
She came closer to him and now was looking deeply in Byakuya's eyes.
-Those words. About my Arrancars. My soldiers. Your fault was twice bigger, because you have made Ichigo suffering. You think you're so cool? You think you can despise everyone and everything? I'll show you how wrong you are! - she flashed her teeth. - I could beat you up, but now I have a better idea.
-Eien, what are you tryin'...- Ichigo was a bit disturbed.
-Don't interfere, Ichigo, it has nothing to do with deal between you and me – she was talking seriously. - I won't kill him. I'll use the old contract and do something worse.
Ichigo, deep in his mind, had already knew what she was planning.
-Kneel down, Kuchiki.
Byakuya was fighting with his limbs, but it was useless. His one knee bended, another came the same way.
-Stop it! - Yamamoto shouted. His reiatsu has started to increased, creating red aura around him. - You know, that hurting Kuchiki's proud...
-Did he think about it, making Ichigo suffering and insulting Grimmy and Nel? - Eien was definetely angry now. - Listen, Kuni-kun, you old and sneaky snake! Me and MY Arrancars aren't going to...
She suddenly cut and stared into space. Ichigo, feeling that something is going on, asked:
-Eien! What happened?
-They're coming - she answered seriously and totally calm.
Rukia hopped of the roof as quietly as she could. She was sure, that the only one person, who was able to feel her reiatsu was Nii-sama, whose let her stay there. She has heard every word, since she sat at the roof. She heard end of Eien's speech and every word of strange dialog. Rukia was too afraid to look, what was going on with „deal of Kuchiki's blood". But she deduced what was happening.
That Eien really was scarry.