Ribbons of Blood
Chapter Seven
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, or any of the characters. INJUKEN.
AN: It's Valentine's day tomorrow! So, I'll just take the chance to say HAPPY EARLY VALENTINE'S DAY! XD Hope you guys have a great day (: Thank you to Jen Jardine and TheBeginingsEnd for the reviews and alerts, also thanks to Arisu Hato for the fave! :D
"Good work today, Ketsueki," said Yumichika, panting slightly as he slid down against a tree. He rubbed the back of his neck. "After a few weeks you're definitely getting better."
"Thanks," replied Ketsueki, equally tired. She was lying on the ground, staring at the grey clouds. The sun hadn't come out in days. Today was no exception. From morning to noon, clouds dominated the sky, hiding the sun from everyone's view. The air seemed to be heavy and humid. Ketsueki's robes clung to her body, sticking to her skin, restraining her movements. It was uncomfortable and stuffy.
Reading her thoughts, Yumichika shook his head. "What is wrong with this weather? It's been terrible for my lovely hair." He turned to his subordinate. "Anyway. I was about to ask you whether or not you've been keeping up contact with your zanpakuto."
"Um..." Should she tell him about the dilemma she was faced with? Ketsueki should probably let someone know about what she was going through, but she just wasn't comfortable with Yumichika having the knowledge that her zanpakuto was too twisted and complicated for her. Deciding it was best to lie, Ketsueki said, "Well, yeah, it's not getting anywhere though. I...I don't really understand what it wants from me." The last part of her sentence was true, and immediately Ketsueki felt slightly less burdened.
Yumichika looked at her thoughtfully. "You know," he eventually said, "The best way to communicate with your zanpakuto is through your dreams."
"Dreams? You mean...when we're sleeping?"
"Yes, for some reason it makes the bond between shinigami and zanpakuto stronger."
Ketsueki did not think much of this piece of advice. After all, every time she did talk to her zanpkuto in her sleep, it gave her chills, and she often woke up in the middle of the night crying or screaming. Normally, Renji would be by her side if she was in the Academy, but now, amongst all the strangers, she wasn't so sure if she should give this technique another chance. Maybe she was being too cowardly again. She nodded, to show she would contemplate Yumichika's suggestion.
After a few moments of silent companionship, Yumichika asked, "Do you wanna go out with me tonight?"
Ketsueki perked up. "Hm? Go out?"
Yumichika smiled that elegant smile of his. "Yes, Ketsueki. Would you like to go out with me?"
Ketsueki was thrown into shock. "U-um..." she blushed. What was she to say?
At her reaction, Yumichika laughed, perhaps a little too harshly. "Oh, you silly thing! I'm only joking, only joking. Really, look at you now, your face is much too flushed. Calm down, calm down. All I really wanted to ask was if you wanted to come out for a drink with Ikkaku and me."
Even this little invitation surprised Ketsueki. She was not that close with Ikkaku, although they did pass by each other and exchange a few words quite often. Admittedly, she was pretty relaxed around Yumichika now. It couldn't hurt going out and socializing a bit, would it? It would improve her image slightly, if other shinigami saw her among the first seat officer and fifth seat officer. Or it would make her seem stuck up and arrogant. Either way, Ketsueki had to make a decision. "Sure," she said, with a small smile.
"Good. I'll pick you up at six tonight."
That afternoon, Ketsueki spent a long time staring into the mirror in the bathroom. She played with her hair, sorted out her robes, practised smiling. She was doing anything to get her mind off sleeping that night. What Yumichika had said about communicating with her zanpakuto in her sleep frightened her. She was too scared of her zanpakuto.
You have to confront it. You have to.
A few hours later, Yumichika knocked on her door. He guided her into a small neat town. Night had settled. The light had vanished, but the humidity and pressure remained. Even so, the town was quite alive with people roaming about. Lanterns lit the roads and shops. Stalls stood at the ready, selling snacks and small items: bracelets, necklaces, earrings, anything that caught the eye. The air buzzed with conversation. Ketsueki found herself drinking in the sights and sounds. Before she had finished exploring the area, Yumichika led her into a small pub. A waitress greeted them. She bowed, took Yumichika's name, and guided them into a corridor and gestured towards a closed door. Ketsueki slid it open, revealing Ikkaku sitting on the floor in front of a table. In one of his hands was a bottle of sake. He waved impatiently towards the two. They sat down. The waitress poured the newcomers some drinks, closed the door then left.
"So, how's the training going?" asked Ikkaku, jerking his chin in her direction. His eyes were already a little hazy, and his speech was a little slurred. Ketsueki noticed a pink tinge on his cheeks as he downed another glass. She fought the small smile that was creeping onto her face.
"She's improving, but she hasn't gotten through to her zanpakuto yet," said Yumichika. There was a pause as he sipped his drink, holding the tiny glass delicately with his thumb and forefinger. He set the glass down with a small clink, then breathed out, eyes closed. Then he opened them with a sly smile. "Let's not talk about training, I'm fairly exhausted."
"Yeah, yeah, you lazy ass," growled Ikkaku, leaning towards the table. "You just don't want to admit she's gonna get better than you, yeah?" Ketsueki was starting to feel uncomfortable, and was beginning to regret agreeing to come. Obviously this was meant to be a men's night out. She did not belong. Suddenly she felt Ikkaku's fingers beneath her chin, tilting her head back and forth. She stared at him as he studied her neck, where there were still red marks left after her struggle with her zanpakuto. "What's with this?" he muttered. "Don't tell me you were strangled or raped or something."
"Well aren't you gentle with your words," muttered Yumichika, twirling his drink.
"What do you expect? I'm not a scholar. So, did you or did you not get raped?"
Ketsueki shot him an angry look, pushing his hand away. "I did not. It...it was an accident." Ketsueki's mind flashed back to the day she was paralysed by her zanpakuto in the woods.
Ikkaku laughed. "Yeah, accident alright."
Ketsueki shot him a lethal look.
"Ignore him, he's gotten slightly drunk," said Yumichika casually.
"Heh, if you ask me it was probably Kenpachi. It's impossible for that bastard to get a girl without forcing her to-"
"Oh shut up," said Ketsueki abruptly, standing up and knocking her glass over. Sake spilled over the table. She grit her teeth. For some reason, Ketsueki felt extremely agitated at the mention of Zaraki doing something like that to her. It hurt her pride, and it infuriated her that someone would think of something so wrong between her and the person she hated. "Why would you bring Zaraki into this?" she snarled.
Ikkaku smirked. He stood up, wobbling on his feet, and pointed a swaying finger at her. "Might I remind you you're speaking to your third seat officer?" he informed her in a husky voice. Ketsueki stood her ground, but her resolve wavered, and she sat back down slowly. Seeing her defeat, Ikkaku laughed to himself and fell back onto the floor, wiping the spilt sake with his sleeve. "Heh, I don't get you, you're always so worked up when Kenpachi's mentioned, or when he's around."
"I'm sorry, sir, I would just like to know why you'd bring Zaraki into this," seethed Ketsueki.
"Well obviously he has some interest in you," slurred Ikkaku, filling his glass with more sake.
"What do you mean?" asked Ketsueki, dread starting to fill her heart.
"Well," drawled Ikkaku, grinning and enjoying the attention. "Well, like I said the other day, he was obviously spying on you. And you're one of the first female recruits we've ever had, so you've gotta be somewhat special to him, y'know?"
"What, so...what are you getting at?"
"Perhaps he is attracted to you," suggested Yumichika quietly, with a little smirk.
"'course not!" interjected Ikkaku. "That guy doesn't like people in that way. He either cares about them, or wants to beat the shit out of 'em." Ikkaku threw back his head, draining his glass in one gulp.
"What Ikkaku is trying to say is, no, perhaps Kenpachi doesn't like you in an affectionate manner. Maybe the reason he's watching you behind your back would be because he's just curious, or wasting his time away cus he's bored." Yumichika shrugged. "He does that."
"Yeah, so don't go thinking you're good enough for that man," laughed Ikkaku, hiccuping. "Nobody's good enough for him."
"Thank you for your company, sir," said Ketsueki, forcing herself to remain polite till the end.
"Oi, where do you think you're going?" snapped Ikkaku as Ketsueki stood up.
"I think I'll leave now. Goodnight Yumichika," said Ketsueki, ignoring Ikkaku.
"Wait, wait, wait," repeated Ikkaku, his words melting into the next one. He grinned toothily at her, and Ketsueki felt uncomfortable staring into his flushed, drunken face. "How 'bout you come to my room after - "
Ketsueki walked out of the room, slamming the door.
Next time Yumichika asks you out, do not agree to go. Ketsueki was still fuming when she ordered a bowl of ramen in a small restaurant nearby. It was simply the fact that Ketsueki really did despise Zaraki as a person that she was so angry. To have Ikkaku say something so vulgar about him and her made Ketsueki feel sick. She couldn't even imagine herself in that kind of situation with Zaraki. It gave her goosebumps. She calmed down at the sight of food, realizing how hungry she was. She ate her meal quickly, paid, then returned to her room. The heat of the night was making her sweat. She fanned herself in her room, combing her hair back in front of the mirror.
Soon after, Ketsueki changed into a clean set of night robes and slipped under her bedsheets. She shut her eyes, letting her mind wander. She pictured Yumichika's face, and wondered whether or not she would like him if it weren't for Renji. The thought brought a small smile to her lips, and there onwards she began to drift into sleep...
Black shadows before her eyes, blocking her view.
Dripping red ribbons hanging in the air.
A quiet voice, curious, questioning, inquisitive.
The boy welcomed her, "It's good to know you're at least trying to get stronger."
She couldn't see him. But she felt his presence. Somewhere. Everywhere.
"Tell me your name." A whisper that did not belong to her, yet came from her lips.
"Why should I?"
"Because I need you."
Harsh, cold, resonating laughter. "Try again."
Such formalities. Useless. Only one thing can complete this transaction.
"Because...you want to become stronger too, don't you?"
Empty air, filled with nothing but everything.
"Good, you've grown. Changed."
"Will you give me your name then?"
"I'll say it once, I won't say it again."
At last.
"My name is Inju-"
The loud crack of thunder jolted Ketsueki from her sleep. She sat up wearily, staring out the small window in her dark room. The rain was coming down relentlessly, the heat and humidity of the day finally released in this raging storm. The droplets drummed on the wooden corridor outside. Lightning lit up her surroundings for an instant, and Ketsueki saw the blood trickling down her shoulder, seeping into her bedsheets.
"Inju...Inju..." whispered Ketsueki repeatedly.
She sat there in silence, listening to the rain cascade down onto the world.
She had been so close to knowing his name.
Inju...
The deep rumbling thunder resounded in her room, mocking her. It had woken her up at the most critical moment possible.
"Damn it!" She threw her pillow against the wall: wretched, enraged, distraught.
She collapsed on her bed, staring at the shadows dance to and fro on the ceiling.
AN: Wasn't too sure about this chap, it seemed kinda like a filler D':
