Part VIII: Strappado

Shunsui Kyoraku intended to quickly scout the area and return before nightfall. He paused, inhaling the scents on the air deeply. Horses and men. Shunsui cleared his throat, spinning around on his heels and heading back the way he came. It was greatly preferable that he did not encounter any strangers. He had walked only an hour or so and if he ran, he might make it back to Jushiro and Coyote before the sun had completely fallen in the west.

Shunsui was fast, faster than any human ought to be, and he easily retraced his steps. That was the sole benefit of the curse, in his opinion, he had abilities. The horses and men had fallen greatly behind and Shunsui smiled, crisis adverted.

SNAP! Shunsui grunted, stumbling forward off balance. He fell to the ground, his face buried in the leaf strewn forest floor. He had only a moment of confusion before the agony erupted through his foot, shooting up his leg. He cursed, banging his fist against the ground.

"Fucking bear trap." Shunsui laughed humorlessly as he pulled himself up, tapping the metal device with a scowl. "A fucking trap, Shunsui. Dumbass…"

Shunsui exhaled heavily, steeling himself for the uncomfortable maneuver he was about to undertake. He brought his hands to the jaws of the trap, pulling them apart easily. He cursed quietly, pulling his leg out and letting the trap snap shut on empty air.

Shunsui groaned in annoyance, pulling himself to his feet slowly. It hurt, terribly, in fact the bone was most definitely broken, but in a few minutes he would be good as new and he moved forward with effort, continuing his trek.

SNAP! Shunsui felt the bone snap in his other foot and he stumbled, falling to the ground. SNAP! His wrist snapped backward as a third trap enveloped his hand. "Oh, yabbe, yabbe." Shunsui groaned, biting down on his lip in pain. "Fuck, fuck, fuck this." Shunsui growled, his eyes clamped shut tightly. A small little seed of panic began to bloom inside and he hastened to remove the trap from his hand.

It was impossible to do. He struggled in vain, nearly severing his hand at the wrist. The scent of horses and men filled the forest and he hurriedly switched to the trap on his foot. "Damn it." Shunsui grunted loudly, his bones and ligaments snapping loudly. His panting breath began to come out as barks as his body transformed, one limb at a time.

Now that his foot was long and thin, he pulled it easily from the trap. He focused on his hand, watching as his long, thick fingers darkened, shrinking into pads. For a moment the small wolf thrashed around in his clothing, and then with a great burst of heat, the wolf swelled to twice the original size, the clothes shredding to rags.

The enormous wolf whimpered, licking at its wounds. It cautiously sniffed the leafy forest floor, searching for more traps. It took a few steps forward before collapsing, the scent of fresh blood thick in the air. The wolf curled into a ball, its black spotted tongue darting over its injuries. Its nose lifted into the air, sniffing, its hackles raised.

Shunsui once again began to transform, the fur falling out in thick tuffs, his skull breaking and reforming. He panted miserably, only crying out in pain once his human vocal chords had restructured. He curled back into a protective ball, cradling his injured hand against his chest, his wounded feet and ankles underneath his bottom. "Please, God. Please, God. Please, don't let them find me. Oh, please…"

Realizing he was only feet from the traps, he crawled forward on his belly. He clawed at the tree, wrapping his hands around the trunk and pulling himself up, rolling, at last, into the thick brush. The brush scratched his exposed skin, leaving long, thin cuts that bled an inordinate amount. "Please… please… please…" Shunsui chanted under his breath, the vibrations of horse hooves pulsating the ground.

"Damn! It got away! Find the beast! It's wounded!" a man shouted in German.

"Loose the hounds!"

"Fuck." Shunsui growled, his hands dropping protectively to his bare groin.

Within a moment, five snarling canines were at Shunsui, their large, wet mouths closing down on his arms and legs rapidly. Shunsui cried out, keeping his hands firmly in place while sending two of the dogs flying with a kick.

"Back! Heel! Bad doggies!" an older gentleman shouted, his boot connecting with the head of one of the dogs. "We've got a man! He's wounded."

"He's naked." Another man, no older than Shunsui, exclaimed, tearing his sporting jacket from his body and covering Shunsui quickly. "Can you speak? Are you terribly injured?"

"I…" Shunsui managed to sit up with great effort. "I was robbed. I am traveling…and I was robbed."

"Oh, the poor wretch." Shunsui's head snapped to attention as a beautiful woman with violet black hair dismounted her horse. She tossed the reins to yet another man and smiled, her matching violet eyes travelling over every inch of Shunsui's exposed body.

"He's not properly attired, Cirucci, avert your eyes, Fraulein." The young man insisted, going so far as to place his hand over the lady's eyes.

"It seems he's fallen victim to your traps, Father." Cirucci clicked her tongue turning away from Shunsui with false modesty. She snapped her fingers, smiling as she was placed back on her horse, side saddle as befits a lady.

"How truly dreadful! First robbed and then to stumble into a bear trap!" the old man gestured to his valets who lifted Shunsui from the ground. They staggered under his weight and Shunsui shook his head in refusal.

"Please don't bother. I must return to my party as soon as possible…" Shunsui struggled to be put down, a blush creeping into his cheeks at the state he was found in. "If you have any sort of clothing on you… it would be much appreciated."

"You can't walk!" the young man cried out in disapproval. "What sort of Christians would we be if we left you without aid?"

"Cirucci, return to the manor." The old man instructed measuredly. "Call for the Doctor…"

"Oh, no, that's not necessary." Shunsui refused with an uncomfortable laugh. "I heal quickly."

"You are in no position to refuse." The old man said in such a way Shunsui realized that there was no use in arguing. "Go Cirucci."

"Yes, Father." Cirucci smiled happily, whipping her horse and escaping into the forest at a canter.

"Excellent, Valet… remove your trousers and give them to our guest." The old man instructed much to the dismay of the largest valet. "Tesla." The old man turned to the fair-haired young man and smiled kindly. "Take our guest here back to the manor. Konrad and I will search for the thieving scoundrels."

"Yes, Uncle." Tesla replied, waiting patiently for the valets to dress Shunsui. "What is your name, Sir, so that I may address you properly?"

"My name…" Shunsui began unsurely. "Shunsui of the noble house of Kyoraku."

"A nobleman indeed," the old man replied with a shake of his head. "No one else is worth the task of robbery. Unless of course a maiden is involved? Do you have any maidens in your party?"

"No," Shunsui shook his head, clenching his teeth as he balanced his weight on one leg. "I am travelling with two other nobles, one Japanese and the other a Frenchman."

"Are you familiar with horseback riding?" Tesla asked gesturing to the horse politely.

"Yes, of course," Shunsui replied, exhaling in pain as the two valets lifted him onto the horse, behind the saddle. Tesla agilely climbed into the saddle, bringing the reins into his gloved hands. "Hold on tightly, my horse is very fast."

Shunsui rolled his eyes, wrapping his good hand around Tesla's narrow waist. Tesla blushed a startling crimson and after turning from the sight of his uncle, he dropped Shunsui's hand lower, onto his hip. Shunsui was the one to blush this time, studying Tesla in silence as they rode.

After twenty minutes at a trot, Tesla and Shunsui entered a clearing. The sun had set while they were in the forest and several small fire pits lined the road leading to the manor. Shunsui looked up at the grand estate with apprehension. It was beautiful, an architectural splendor of timber, with a tall pointed roof so associated with Germany.

"Welcome to Gilga Manor." Tesla breathed, turning his head to the side so suddenly that Shunsui's mouth grazed upon his neck.

"Gilga Manor?" Shunsui repeated, arching his back to maintain the appropriate distance.

"Yes, I live here with my uncle Wilhelm Sanderwicci and his daughter Cirucci, the head of the house is actually another cousin his name is-" Tesla began to explain.

"Tesla! Stranger! Welcome back!" Cirucci called out from the steps of the house, waving her thin arms in the air. "The Doctor is on his way."

A valet approached Shunsui offering assistance as he dismounted. Shunsui grunted, his feet crunching sickly beneath his weight. Tesla slid out of the saddle nimbly, removing his leather gloves and tossing them to another valet. "Please prepare our guest some tea in the sundry room."

"Yes, Master Tesla." The valet nodded before scurrying off.

"Bring him the invalid's chair." Tesla instructed.

Shunsui sighed in relief when, a few moments later, he was sat down in a chair with wheels. A large valet with a very crooked nose pushed him over the gravelly lane, picking him and the chair up and carrying him up the stairs.

The valet grunted, but never complained, carrying Shunsui up three more flights of stairs before pushing him into a salon. The valet lifted Shunsui wordlessly, placing him on a soft, red chaise. "The doctor will be here shortly, he lives just down the hill." Cirucci purred, chewing on a long, painted nail absently.

"Thank you." Shunsui smiled uneasily. "But you really shouldn't go out of your way. It's not as serious as it looks."

"Lady Cirucci." A withered old chambermaid barked. "I am bringing him fresh clothes now, be a good girl and move along."

"Ah." Cirucci murmured. "Too bad."

"What was that?" the chambermaid screeched. "Wicked girl! Get a move on!" She shook her head, chuckling once Cirucci had left the room. "You mustn't blame the girl… no, no… it is hard on a young lady to lose their mother…"

"I am sorry to hear that." Shunsui apologized, taking the neatly folded garb from the maid with a frown. "Thank you."

"Lemme help you," the chambermaid clicked her tongue impatiently. "You're injured, fool!" Shunsui's eyes widened as the old woman stripped his borrowed clothes, wiping a wet rag over his blood stained skin. "Ah! There you are! Such a handsome man when you're clean!"

"Thank you…" Shunsui chuckled, nearly toppling over as she lifted his leg above his waist. "Whoa! Hold on, Madame! Frau! Wait!" The little old woman tugged up Shunsui's undergarments quickly, even going so far as to reach inside and adjust his manhood. "Hey!" Shunsui switched to Japanese in surprise. "What exactly do you think that is? It's supposed to be attached! Hey! I can do that myself!"

"Oh, whoa!" the maid laughed, starting to tug a pair of trousers up over Shunsui's legs. "He speaks in tongues!" She slapped Shunsui's hands away, tying the leather straps at his waist. "Lemme do it! You're not the first little boy I've dressed…" she clicked her tongue in thought, laughing to herself. "Well… then again… you're not a little boy are ya?"

"Oh, leave him alone, Frau Emma." Tesla entered the room, his arms crossed over his chest. "He is an important guest."

"Master Tesla," the chambermaid grinned mischievously. "It's good for the infirm to get bothered. It raises their fighting spirit." She pulled the shirt over Shunsui's arms and began to button it rapidly. "I'm only thinking of him, Sir."

"Of course, Frau." Tesla sighed, propping himself on the arm of a red chair. He watched Shunsui carefully, his amber eyes settling on Shunsui's wounds, his delicate mouth turning down in a frown. "How many?"

"How many?" Shunsui asked in confusion.

"How many men attacked you?" Tesla explained the question, nodding as a valet brought in a tray with tea. "You are such a … sturdy man… to be robbed of everything on your person; it's rather unthinkable for a modestly built man such as me."

"Well," Shunsui began, his mind racing. "Four men and three bear traps."

"I do regret to say that is our fault." Tesla sighed sadly. "We have quite a slew of brown bears in our forest and they make a remarkable feast of our livestock." Tesla stood up, pouring a cup of tea and offering it to Shunsui with a smile. "How on Earth did you end up so far into the woods anyway?"

"My party and I…" Shunsui chewed on his bottom lip nervously. "Were hunting, I went out to scout the area, got lost, and happening upon a group of strangers, I asked for directions. They of course, turned out to be thieves…" Shunsui took a sip of tea, resisting the urge to spit the weak liquid back into the cup. "Just when I thought I had escaped the scoundrels I ended up in the traps."

"How terrible." Tesla whispered, his eyes wide with fear. "When the Master of the house returns, you will have to repeat this story. He would be most interested in…"

"Good evening." A man called out, rather loudly. He smiled, pushing his glasses up his nose, his amber eyes narrowing on Shunsui. "Are you the hapless victim?"

"Ah, Doctor Granz," Tesla grinned, his eyes crinkling as he crossed the room to meet the doctor. He took the other man's coat and handed it to a valet wordlessly. "Thank you for coming, this is Shunsui Kyoraku, he is a traveler from Japan."

"Oh?" The doctor spared no glance for Tesla, instead crossing the room and kneeling in front of Shunsui with a grin. "Are you in great agony?"

Shunsui looked down at the effeminate man in confusion. His skin was milky white, and his features were handsome, but his hair was the most peculiar shade of pink. Shunsui smiled, extending his hand to the doctor politely. "I've been worse."

"Really? You must lead quite an exciting life." The doctor sighed before, without warning, tapping his finger against the wound of Shunsui's foot. "This is a rather nasty bite." The doctor rose to his feet, brushing his hands on a handkerchief. "Well, I'm certain infection will kill you in a week's time."

"Oh, no!" Tesla gasped.

"Do not worry, sweet boy," the doctor whispered, his fingers running through Tesla's blonde locks. "That would only happen if I did not treat him. I will bleed him, ridding him of the infection. And then I will dress his wounds."

"Thank you, Doctor." Tesla wrung his hands nervously.

"Mr. Lindocruz, may I have a bottle of brandywine? No glass is necessary." The doctor instructed, pulling a small kit from his medical bag.

"Of course, I will be right back." Tesla called over his shoulder, hurrying from the room.

Shunsui groaned, his eyes dropping to his feet and then his heart plummeted. He swallowed painfully, his heart pounding in his throat. He stared at the dried ring of blood on his ankle, the skin beneath unbroken and completely healed. Shunsui cursed under his breath, reaching down quickly and piercing his nails into the flesh.

The wounds were healing and they were healing fast. Shunsui stood up, limping for effect. "Excuse me, where is the latrine?"

"Where are you going?" the doctor questioned, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "You can't get far with that dying body of yours."

"I'm not dying." Shunsui assured the man with a tight smile. "I need the restroom."

"Listen to me, Mr…?" the doctor began impatiently. "I hold the Master of this house in the highest esteem, and he will be none too pleased if his honorable guest loses a leg or two in my care…"

"Look, Doctor…"

"Granz." The Doctor interjected. "Doctor Szayel Aporro Granz."

"Doctor Granz, I can promise you, I will be fine, I do not require your care…" Shunsui paused as a sense of acquaintance surrounded the man. The name, it was unique, he wouldn't forget hearing it but the scent… the man's scent was just so familiar.

"Fine." Doctor Granz lifted his hands in surrender. "Simply let me take your pulse and I will leave it at that."

"Fine." Shunsui agreed with relief. He sat down, offering his arm as the doctor reached for it. There was a pinch and Shunsui's body jerked. He stared down at the needle in his arm and growled angrily, ripping it out and tossing it to the floor. "What is this?"

"You require medical attention." The doctor answered simply.

Shunsui stood up, bolting toward the door. His vision tunneled, his body suddenly feeling like lead. He gripped the door frame, his head reeling. "What is… this?" Shunsui groaned, his eyes rolling into the back of his head as he slumped unconscious to the floor.


Shunsui dreamt he was back in Japan, in attendance of his omiai meeting. He smiled nervously, watching his potential bride fanning herself. Her listed black eyes narrowed, a frown turning down her beautiful face. She made a gesture, visible only to Shunsui, as if she were announcing that she knew, exactly, what he was.

Shunsui sat back in his chair, smiling amiably as his father patted his shoulder in affection. He looked back at the girl warily, matching her intense glare with one of his own. He disliked her as strongly as she him. His father turned to him, a pleased smile splaying his lips, "I approve of this match."

Shunsui's stomach twisted painfully and his smile was replaced with a grimace. He felt as if his entire body was on fire and he couldn't breathe. "Father, I don't think I agree…"

"Kyoraku-sama," his bride purred. "Is there a fault I possess?"

Shunsui shook his head to clear it; the only thing he could think of was long, white hair tickling his chest. When he looked at her forced smile the only thing he could see were bright, green eyes glittering in candlelight. "I …"

"Tell me your secrets, Kyoraku-sama…" his bride pressed, suddenly the only person in the room. His vision tunneled in his dream and soon all he saw was her. She had no color except for bright, pink lips. Shunsui watched her mouth as she spoke as if entranced. "Surely, you have many dark secrets…"

"I don't much favor the company of women." Shunsui admitted easily. He let out an escaped breath. It was so much easier to confess in dreams where there was no consequence or conscience to manipulate the truth.

"Have you ever laid with a woman?" his bride questioned, the top of her kimono slipping down over her shoulder.

"Once." Shunsui shrugged. "It wasn't unenjoyable. She was pretty and nice. She was actually a servant in our manor…" Shunsui paused, lost in thought. "She was with child when she left, it couldn't have been mine, the time was off, but I gave her money and a letter of recommendation for future employment."

"How do you know it wasn't yours?" Her black eyes widened innocently. "Have you any idea who the Father truly was?"

"Well," Shunsui groaned. "I laid with her only two months before she left, her belly already showing. And as for the Father, I have my suspicions but I never did ask."

"Your Father?" she tapped her fingers against her chin as she spoke.

"Of course not!" Shunsui exclaimed with an abrupt laugh. "My Father is the finest of men. He conducts himself with honor and character!"

"Unlike you?"

"Yeah!" Shunsui agreed. "My brother and I may be lacking certain qualities but I can assure you my Father is not."

"So your brother violated the maid?" She sat back, brushing her thumb across her bright pink lips.

"I can only assume, I never asked either of them."

"Interesting." She leaned forward suddenly, her ladylike demeanor nonexistent. "And is he unusual like you? Does he eat human flesh?"

"I…" Shunsui stammered stupidly. He shut his mouth, his eyes narrowing. "What did you say?"

"Is he cursed as well? Who are you travelling with? How many of you exist in the world?"

"I don't know what you're talking about." Shunsui insisted, standing up from his chair. He took a few steps before doubling over in pain, agony shooting down his arms. He dropped to a knee, taking short, shallow breaths.

"Does that hurt? You can feel pain, can't you?" His bride questioned with a wide smile.

Shunsui woke up with a cry, his arms popping out of socket at the same time. He cursed in agony, his arms tied behind his back and his body suspended from them. His legs kicked in midair and he blinked furiously around the dimly lit room. He swung from his dislocated arms, curses spewing from his lips.

"Good morning," Doctor Granz chimed, twirling Shunsui and watching him spin. "I was wondering how much longer you could possibly sleep."

"Who are you?" Shunsui grunted, looking around the room at four walls covered with malicious contraptions.

"I'm Doctor Szayel Aporro Granz, we met last night." The doctor explained as he adjusted his white rimmed glasses. "And you are Shunsui Kyoraku, correct? Would you mind spelling that for me? I'd prefer my notes to be as accurate as possible."

"Yeah? Well fuck you!" Shunsui spat, sweating dripping down his face as his shoulders snapped back into socket of their own accord. He snarled as Szayel gave his body another push, dislocating his shoulders once more.

"I can do this all day." The doctor assured Shunsui with a bright smile. "I have no qualms about it."

"Where the fuck am I?" Shunsui growled angrily.

"How about this…?" the doctor suggested, gesturing wildly. "You answer a question, I'll answer a question. So on and so forth, until I'm done with you."

"K-y-o-r-a-k-u S-h-u-n-s-u-i from Edo E-d-o." Shunsui answered slowly, his eyes clamped shut tightly. "Where am I?"

"Gilga Manor," Doctor Granz replied simply. "The Master has just returned and should be down to welcome you shortly." The doctor scribbled down Shunsui's information quickly. "How old are you?"

"Thirty-something… I think…" Shunsui answered, panting as his shoulders repaired themselves.

"You think?" Doctor Granz clicked his tongue unhappily before sending Shunsui swinging back and forth, his shoulders popping sickly. "Science must be exact."

"I was twenty six the last I celebrated my birthday," Shunsui groaned his dark eyes narrowing on the other man with distaste. "What are you going to do to me?"

"I am going to thoroughly examine you until your body falls apart and then I am going to examine your corpse." Doctor Granz retorted with complete honesty. "How long have you had this amusing regenerative ability?"

"Seven years." Shunsui kicked Doctor Granz, hooking his leg around him and bringing him closer. Shunsui wrapped his legs around his head and squeezed, choking the doctor. Doctor Granz beat his fists against Shunsui's legs, his teeth biting down on the exposed flesh of his thigh. "Fuck you, I'm not letting go."

"We… h-have… him…" Doctor Granz choked out, the blood vessels bursting in his amber eyes. "J-J-Ju…"

"What?" Shunsui released the smaller man, letting him fall to the floor coughing. "What did you say? You have who?"

"Got your attention did I?" Doctor Granz rasped, his throat damaged from the pressure. He straightened his glasses on his face and stood up from the floor. "I think I'll let you think about your actions for a few hours…"

"Wait!" Shunsui bellowed as the doctor weakly made his way to the staircase. "Wait! Where is Jushiro? Wait! Please! Please talk to me! Is he here?"

"Fuck you." Doctor Granz spat, rubbing his throat miserably. "You'll be sorry you fucked with me."