I do not own any characters or bleach affiliates, I only "own" Kuro the hell butterfly and my OC Muguruma Tukiko the Shinigami/Vizored.
Tite Kubo owns bleach, the characters and the world of.
Rated M for: strong language, violence, hints of homosexuality, sex references, innuendos and nudity. - Don't like don't read.
Blinded.
Tukiko sat with her knees hugged tightly against her chest, her chin resting on them delicately as her searching crimson eyes admired the sunset over Western Rukongai. The amber light cast a soft glow on the surroundings, making things seem much less depressing. Tukiko hadn't come into contact with anyone for at least four months, she was very alone.
Don't look so down eh? I'm here... A metallic voice whispered.
"Who's there?" Tukiko called out on the hilltop, nothing stirred.
It's me? Don't you recognize my voice? The voice whispered again.
"Stop messing with me!" Tukiko cried, "Leave me alone!" She clamped her hands on her ears, trying to block out the voice.
That won't do anything, I am inside of you... The metallic voice screeched, laughing maniacally at the poor girl who rocked slowly, humming trying to ignore the voice.
I'll leave now, but next time I won't be as kind hearted... The voice melted away into the evening breeze.
"Go away!" The girl cried, rocking herself slowly. Her head was swimming with feelings, thoughts, images that did not belong.
"Tuki-chan!" Shunsui's singsong voice called out from the small hut behind Tukiko.
Her long sliver hair whirled around her as she turned to look at the older man standing in the doorway .
"Hai Kyoraku-Taich-!" Shunsui's whining cut her off.
"No Taichou! My Nanao-chan has got you into bad habits!"
"Gomene Shunsui!" Tukiko's mouth curved upwards into a slight smile.
"See Nanao-chan even Tuki-chan will call me Shunsui!" Shunsui whined at his lover and Tukiko made her way into the bright hut.
"Shut up, or do you want me to spit in your food?" Nanao warned, her eyes flashed menacingly.
"I like your spit," Shunsui crooned.
"Gross!" Nanao cried, hitting him with a frying pan as he leant to kiss her.
"My gorgeous face Nanao-chan!" Shunsui whined with a blazing red face.
"Serves you right!" Nanao giggled to herself. "Tukiko, food's up!" She turned from the side and placed the three bowls of tonkotsu ramen on the tables.
Shunsui and Tukiko sat down together and smiled as Nanao joined them.
A chorus of "Itadakimasu!" Chimed between the trio before they dug into their steaming bowls of noodles.
"How have you been Tuki-chan?" Shunsui asked after slurping down some noodles goofily. This made the little twelve year old chuckle.
"Fine, just been a little lonely, I've read all of the novels Nanao-chan gave me," She paused and turned to smile at the older woman who returned the smile with a full mouth, her cheeks bulging slightly.
"I just don't seem to have anything to do these days." Tukiko sighed, placing her chopsticks across her bowl.
"Have you reconsidered our offer?" Shunsui smiled softly.
"I have and I still don't want it." Tukiko answered sharply, "I don't want to be a shinigami."
"Tukiko..." Shunsui sighed, "It will help you with your reiatsu difficulties and you'll make friends." Shunsui pushed.
"No." Tukiko snarled, unhappy with the old man. He knew she didn't want it, not after seeing that shinigami with her mother.
I'm still here. The metallic screeching crowed.
A shiver crawled along her spine at the sound of that voice.
"I won't push you but there is something we have to tell you." Shunsui's voice had become grave.
Tukiko looked up into his soft grey eyes. "Yes?" She could feel the difference in the atmosphere, he was serious.
"It's about your father..." Shunsui trailed off, Nanao had also put her chopsticks down, her hands calmly folded in her lap.
"He was a shinigami," Nanao continued, "He fought for everyone else, a kind, compassionate man." Nanao smiled, she admired the man greatly.
"He was a good man." Shunsui added, smiling.
"What does this have to do with anything?" Tukiko snapped, she didn't care about her father, he had left, he had let her mother die, he had let her down.
"He's a shinigami Taichou..." Shunsui growled, annoyed at the girl's stubborn attitude.
"Oh..." Tukiko muttered, her interest peaking somehow.
"Does that change your opinion of the man?" Nanao smiled kindly.
"How could I go about meeting him?" Tukiko asked, formulating a plan slowly in her head.
"Join the shinigami academy, join the Gotei 13 and go from there." Shunsui smiled, she had begun to consider the option, his heart was a little lighter.
"Fine." The small girl sighed, "I'll do it." Her crimson eyes sparkled slightly.
"Thank you, now would you like to know more about your father?" Shunsui asked kindly, clearing the table.
"Sure..." Tukiko admitted slowly.
"Well, his name is Muguruma Kensei and he is Kyuubantai Taichou." Nanao smiled.
"Muguruma..." Tukiko breathed, "So I'm Muguruma Tukiko?" She smiled pleasantly at the name, it had a nice ring to it.
"Yes and," Nanao paused and fished out a photograph from her bag, "This is what he looks like."
Nanao handed Tukiko the photo and the small girl's eyes opened wide.
Muguruma Kensei was smiling brightly, teeth bared happily and creases formed at the corners of his eyes. His shihakushō hung loosely over his muscled frame. His spiked hair was identical in colour to her own, his light brown eyes were similar to how hers used to be. He was strong and muscular. He also had ear and eyebrow piercings which gave him an aggressive look.
"What's the black mark here." Tukiko asked pointing to the point just below his muscled chest where the camera hadn't quite captured the tattoo.
"That's his tattoo," Nanao smiled, "It's the number rokujuukyuu, in numerical form." Nanao explained.
"Why?" Tukiko was slightly confused by this.
"Well in Kanji the character Mu, in Muguruma is the same as the character roku. As for the nine, he is kyuubantai Taichou." Nanao explained carefully.
"Oh..." Tukiko sighed, that was cool.
"Nanao-chan, you seem to know quite a lot about Muguruma-Taichou..." Shunsui glared at his lover in fake scorn.
"Oh yes, we're having a secret affair honey." Nanao called sourly.
"Nanao-chan's so mean!" Shunsui pouted and continued with the dishes.
"I want to join the Gotei 13, for definite." Tukiko announced, the picture of her father clutched in her hands. "I will do it!" Her crimson eyes sparkled in the dusk.
Tukiko heard a faint chuckling in the background of her thoughts.
I will conquer you. Tukiko thought to the voice, I won't allow you to control me.
"Tukiko," A small voice filled her ears, "Tukiko!" This time it was louder.
"Kira-kun?" Tukiko's soft voice called out.
"Tukiko!" Hisagi called, his voice flooding her ears like nectar.
"Hisagi-san..." A small smile curved on her sore lips.
"We're here too," Shunsui drawled. This spread the fragile smile further across her face.
"Guys..." Tukiko breathed, she sat up and opened her eyes. No change came across her vision. Her vacant eyes were wide open. "Guys?" Tukiko's voice pitched in panic. Her hands flew to her eyes, Tukiko felt bandages across her eyes and forehead. She ran her hands across the smooth bandages that covered her sore eyes in despair.
"Calm down..." Hisagi's cool voice soothed her, he touched her arm slowly. She flinched at this, the contact was sudden to her heightened senses.
"Why can't I see?" Her voice was weak and vulnerable, she balled her fists up and tried not to cry.
"They cut your eyes up bad, Unohana-san is trying her best," Shunsui's cool voice reassured her.
"My eyes..." Tukiko repeated, grief overwhelmed her as she realised that she may never see again. Tears leaked through the white bandages as Tukiko sobbed slowly. Everyone in the room felt for the poor young woman.
"Muguruma-sama?" A calm voice called from somewhere in the room.
"Y-Y-Yes." Tukiko fought back the tears this time.
"My name is Unohana Retsu, I am yonbantai Taichou." Unohana explained kindly, Tukiko realized she hadn't any reiatsu left, she couldn't even see the others in the room, she wondered who else was here.
"Kon...ichiwa?" Tukiko ended posing a question, she had no idea of time.
"You are correct, it is three fifteen in the afternoon." Unohana calmly informed the girl.
"Unohana-Taichou, not to be rude, but tell me, will you be able to make me see?" Tukiko's voice was desperate.
"I have tried my best, please do not build your hopes up too much." Unohana's words were honest but kind.
Tukiko simply nodded, not able to trust her voice.
"Okay everyone please leave, Isane-san you stay of course, I need your help with this." Unohana called to the people in the room, earning a few moans of protest but they were hushed quickly.
"I will see you later," Hisagi had approached Tukiko, "Take care." He whispered, kissing her cheek before he left.
"Bye..." Tukiko whispered as the door closed behind him.
"This will hurt, how much I am unsure but it could be a fair amount." Unohana admitted with her soft voice.
"Arigatou, Unohana-Taichou." Tukiko tried to force a smile.
"Lie back and try to relax." Unohana soothed her.
Tukiko lay back and prayed to whatever God there was, to please let her see again.
Even if it is for only a day, just let me see the sunset... Tukiko pleaded with whoever was listening.
Tuki-chan, I'm always here, I love you. Kuro's small consciousness brushed against hers and it immediately warmed her.
I love you too... Kuro replied sadly, Tukiko felt a small flutter of wind before she felt his six small legs brush her nose. Always here.
Someone began to unravel the bandages around Tukiko's eyes, Kotetsu she guessed. Tukiko steadied her breath as she felt the warmth of the sun touch the area of skin that surrounded her eyes. Tukiko smiled sadly, at least she could feel the sun if she couldn't see it.
"Prepare yourself." Unohana told her softly. Tukiko braced herself.
The pain of Unohana's healing kido kicked in, pain flared in her eye sockets and it felt as if they were being burned from the very back of her eyes. Tukiko wanted to claw out her eyes to stop the pain. She grasped the bedsheets and gritted her teeth, this was going to last forever.
Kira, Matsumoto and Hisagi sat around their usual table in the bar.
"We've been here for nearly six hours, she's gotta have finished right?" Kira moaned, his frustration pouring out of him like a waterfall.
"Izuru..." Hisagi breathed in despair, "We'll be contacted when we can see her just be patient."
Kira let out a small sigh and nursed his cup of sake gently.
Matsumoto sat with them, she was not a close friend of Tukiko's but she adored Kira and Hisagi, she had to try and cheer them up.
"Why don't we take a trip to the human world, I know just the place." The blonde smiled brightly.
Hisagi and Kira looked up at Rangiku with dubious looks, they turned and faced each other, Oh shit, plastered across both their faces.
Kira and Hisagi sat against the large tree in the middle of the Hiroshima peace garden.
"See.." Matsumoto sighed contently, "I'm not always the party animal." Rangiku closed her clear blue eyes.
"Yeah..." Kira sighed.
"Rangiku...?" Hisagi asked, his brow furrowed.
"Yeah Hisagi-san?" Rangiku cracked her eyes open slightly, looking up at the solemn man.
"How did you deal with losing Gin?" He ventured cautiously.
"I didn't." Rangiku answered flatly, "I still wake up in the middle of the night bawling my eyes out because I dreamt he was with me again." Her voice remained matter of fact, emotionless.
"I see..." Hisagi hadn't let go of Tōsen either. He couldn't forget how dear he was, how he taught Hisagi to fear.
"Let me see your face..." Tōsen's last words echoed around Hisagi's mind like a ghost.
Kira-kun! Kira-kun! Kuro fluttered over to the trio and flapped feverishly in front of them.
"Kuro-kun!" Kira chimed happily.
They're removing Tukiko-sama's bandages!
"Oh my God!" Kira roared in joy.
"What? What is it?" Hisagi jumped to his feet in excitement.
"Tukiko's bandages are coming off!" Kira squealed, he coughed at the high pitch in his voice.
"Why are we standing around?" Hisagi laughed, "Lets go!"
"You guys go, I'm going to stay here for a while longer, I'll join you later." Rangiku smiled sadly.
"Are you sure?" Kira asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Yeah, I need to be alone..." Rangiku smiled as tears rolled down her cheek.
Kira gripped her shoulder tighter before letting go. Hisagi had already opened a Senkaimon a hell butterfly and Kuro flapped impatiently at the open mouth.
"Come back when you're ready Rangiku-san." Kira smiled sadly as he passed into the Senkaimon. Rangiku's howling began before they were totally out of earshot.
"I shouldn't have said anything..." Hisagi muttered feeling outrageously guilty.
"Well she's got to come to terms with it as well, just as I have." Kira responded flatly, "I can't help her, neither can you."
"I just hope she doesn't get too drunk." Hisagi sighed as they arrived in Seireitei.
"Mashiro!" Kensei growled as he came and flopped on top of his lover.
"Oh Kensei." Mashiro sighed dreamily, absently running her fingers around the 69 on his chest.
"It's been years, I had forgotten how good that felt." Kensei murmured as he nuzzled Mashiro's smooth neck.
"I really have missed you Kensei..." Mashiro hugged herself tightly around him, wrapping her legs around his waist and humming softly as Kensei nipped her neck and shoulders.
"I've missed you too, Mashiro." Kensei pulled his head back and smiled, his chocolate eyes filled with pride.
"Is pervy Kensei ready for another round?" Mashiro teased, rubbing on Kensei's limp form.
"Pervy Kensei is only a perv for you." Kensei growled before rolling onto his back and grabbing Mashiro's toned hips in his large hands.
"I love you Kensei." Mashiro sighed.
"I love you too." Kensei began to prepare his lover when a hell butterfly fluttered into the room.
Gomenasai! Muguruma-Taichou your daughter is having her bandages removed, it is suggested that you are there when it happens. The large butterfly fluttered out of the room hurredly, afraid of Muguruma's reaction to the intrusion.
"Lets go," Kensei lifted Mashiro off of him with ease and rolled onto his feet, he placed her down softly and donned his shihakushō, attaching his metallic belt and clipping his piercings back onto his ear and eyebrow. Mashiro donned her jumpsuit, scarf and goggles. She brushed her hair back into order and turned to her lover who was donning his Taichou haori.
"I miss being your Fukutaichou..." Mashiro sighed.
"I don't!" Kensei winked.
"Mashiro super-!" Kensei shunpo'd out of the room and onto the rooftops of Seireitei. "Teme..." Mashiro laughed to herself and followed him, catching up quickly.
"Lets be nice around our daughter." Kensei smiled at the thought.
"Our daughter..." Mashiro breathed. A knot of apprehension formed in her chest.
Shunsui and Nanao lay under their favourite sakura tree in Shunsui's garden. Their fingers intertwined as they lay on their sides, facing each other in complete silence.
"Shall we go to Tukiko?" Nanao squeezed Shunsui's hand slightly.
"We shall." Shunsui smiled and kissed his Nanao-chan on the nose before replacing his hat and adjusting the floral kimono that draped over his large shoulders.
Nanao stood with her Taichou and released her hand from his. Shunsui looked at her questioningly.
"We're going back into the public eye, rumours should remain so." She stated formally, Shunsui shook his head and began to walk out of the garden, Nanao trotting up behind him. The message reached them as they reached the fourth division so they hurried in, Tukiko was sat upright, bandages covering most of her small frame, her silver hair was a tousled mess, her indigo braid was intact and hung through the bandages that wrapped Tukiko's eyes and cheeks. Unohana and Kotetsu were sat in the corner of the room together and rose as they noticed the pair walk in.
"Nice to see you Kyoraku-Taichou, Ise-sama." Unohana greeted them in her always soft voice.
"Nice to see you too Unohana-san, Kotetsu-san." Shunsui nodded towards them as he drew up close to the young woman.
"How're you feeling Tuki-chan?" Shunsui asked softly, his voice quiet as not to spook the girl.
"Like a thousand tiny spiders have scratched my eyes out." Tukiko laughed nervously, her hands fiddled with the sheets that covered her small form.
"That good eh?" Shunsui smiled and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Thanks for coming Shunsui." Tukiko forgot all honorific suffixes and titles, she just didn't care right now.
"Anything for my Tuki-chan." Shunsui smoothed her shoulder affectionately.
Hisagi and Kira burst in at that second, panting like haggard dogs.
"Tuki-chan!" Kira cried as he hurtled into the room, his blue eyes wide with joy.
"Muguruma-sama!" Hisagi called as he followed his friend into the small room.
"Minna!" Tukiko called, unaware of where they stood, "Thank you!" Her small voice was hoarse with emotion.
"Don't forget us." Kensei chuckled as he strolled into the room with Mashiro and Ōtoribashi in tow.
"Yeah, what kind of a Taichou would I be if I wasn't here?" Rose commented with an edge of amusement in his voice.
"What Kind of a mother would I be if I wasn't here?" Mashiro laughed, her voice was sweet, it had a nice chime to it as if she was a children's singer.
"Tukiko-sama, we're going to remove the badges now, please don't get too excited." Unohana warned.
"I promise Unohana-Taichou." Tukiko began to fiddle with her braid.
"Tukiko-sama you'll have to let go of your braid." Unohana laughed as Tukiko realised what she was doing and began to fiddle with the bed sheets instead.
The bandages fell away slowly, one fold at a time. With every layer Tukiko felt like it became brighter until the final layer, Tukiko could see light, she could see it! The final bandage fell away and Tukiko shut her eyes instinctively, the light was far too harsh.
"Tukiko-sama we've shut the blinds, you can open your eyes again." Unohana's smooth voice informed her.
Tukiko opened her eyes to see everyone's faces, Kira was full of pride, as was Shunsui and Nanao. Kensei and Mashiro's faces were filled with pride, happiness and in Mashiro's case intrigue. Ōtoribashi-Taichou stood with a contented look on his face. Hisagi's eyes were full of relief, joy, admiration and something Tukiko couldn't quite narrow down.
"Now before you look at your face again you must know that your eyes underwent serious strain." Unohana explained lightly. This immediately sent panic racing through Tukiko's mind.
Drama Queen! Kuro teased as he landed on her braid, It doesn't look bad, don't worry so much.
"I'd like to see them." Tukiko dared to speak, her voice remaining surprisingly level.
"Okay." Unohana walked into the adjoining bathroom and pulled out a hand mirror, she brought it over to Tukiko and held it up for her to see.
Her left pupil was the same amethyst as her hollow's and her sclera were a pure white, her right however made her gasp when Unohana moved the mirror so she could see. Her sclera was pitch black and her pupils were her usual crimson red. The three jagged scars that ran from temple to temple were a deep black and were smooth to the touch almost as if they were tattoos.
"Thank you for restoring my sight..." Tukiko breathed, trying to sound happy but her despair leaked though. Yes it was superficial but she couldn't help feel like a freak. Her distorted eye was the one that was not covered by her fringe either. She thought she was hideous.
"The scarring is as healed as kido could make it, they will reduce over time," Unohana paused and smiled sweetly at the young woman, "Your eyes will stay as they are but do not despair, they are not unsightly." Unohana smiled again, "You are still a very attractive young woman." Unohana turned to everyone and told them to leave.
"Hisagi-san!" Tukiko called and he turned to face her, "Stay a while longer?" Her voice was fragile, Hisagi couldn't say no to that.
"Sure." He smiled and pulled up a chair next to her bed.
"I really am happy I can see again." Tukiko admitted when the door closed behind them, just leaving Hisagi in the room with her. Kuro obviously had stayed, he rested on the rim of her glass of water.
"I am too, I think your eyes look nice, honest." Hisagi smiled softly, pity filling his mind.
"Arigatou." Tukiko smiled, she reached up and touched Hisagi's scars, she ran her fingertips from his chin to his hairline. Hisagi reached out and traced hers, starting at her right temple, running along the zigzags with his deft fingers.
"Was it hard getting used to your scars?" Tukiko asked, not taking her fingertips from his face.
"Yes, but I had friends to help me through it, like you will have friends to help you through it." Hisagi smiled, cupping her cheek affectionately.
"Hisagi-san?" Tukiko asked, retracing her fingers over the scars, causing Hisagi to blink.
"Yes?" His voice was an undertone, slow and quiet.
"Do you want to see my tattoo?" Tukiko pulled at the white kimono that she was wearing.
"Another time." Hisagi smiled innocently. "You need your rest now." He caressed her face once and stood to leave.
"Where are you going?" Tukiko whined.
"To let you rest," Hisagi grinned, "I'll be back later and we can finish what we started the other day." Hisagi winked and exited the room.
"Teme..." Tukiko muttered, pouting.
"I heard that!" Hisagi called from the hall and Tukiko blushed furiously.
You really like him don't you? Kuro chimed in her head.
I do, I really do. Tukiko sighed.
Mission complete then eh? Kuro settled on her nose and tickled her with his antennae.
Mission complete. Tukiko smiled as she slipped into a meditative state.
"Shishi Ryū Ren?" Tukiko called out across the moonlit savannah.
"I am here." His voice was the usual deep rumbling.
Tukiko turned around, "I'm so glad-" She froze and stared at the topless man in front of her. He had a flowing golden mane of hair that ended at the small of his back, his eyes were a deep amethyst. His skin was a golden bronze and the bottom half of a karate gi adorned his long legs.
"Shishi Ryū Ren?" Tukiko stuttered.
"Yes child, your release of bankai has transformed me." His smile was wide.
"Bankai?" Tukiko's eyes widened. "When did I?"
"Tukishiro must've released it, I have been waiting for you to try it to be honest with you." Shishi Ryū Ren's face was troubled.
"I was afraid of the reaction from the Gotei 13, I don't want to be a captain yet, it's not my time." Tukiko admitted quietly.
"Then we shall perfect it so you can strike down whoever stands in your way when the time comes." Shishi Ryū Ren's bankai form appeared in Shishi Ryū Ren's hands and the bands wrapped around his arms, "My form now is Megasameru Shishi Ryū Ren, come at me!" He launched himself at her and began a brutal assault.
"Lets do this, together!" Tukiko roared, summoning her bankai and launching herself into the air, colliding with Megasameru Shishi Ryū Ren, sending shock waves echoing out into the savannah.
Three Months Later.
"Tukiko!" Hisagi called after her, she smiled at the sound of his voice and turned to look at him, he was the same as ever, glorious dark hair, kind dark eyes, handsome.
"Hisagi-Fukutaichou!" She called back, waving with her free hand, the other held a book.
"Please, it's Saturday evening, why do you have a book?" True enough it was Saturday night and Tukiko was making her way back to her room in the seated officer's quarters, she was now the third seat and loved it. She had cut her fringe into a full one, revealing both her eyes and her scars, she was no longer self-conscious about her battle scars, she was proud of them.
"I'm going to bed, I'm tired." Tukiko sighed, work and training had consumed her life, even Kuro didn't see her that often these days.
"You're such a drag these days." Hisagi moaned.
"I know." Tukiko admitted solemnly.
"Hey, I didn't mean to be harsh it's just, we've been a couple now for two months and I never see you..." Hisagi sighed.
"How about you come up to my room, we can talk there." She grabbed his hand with hers and dragged him towards her dorm.
"Is this allowed?" Hisagi snickered as they sneaked into the female quarters.
"Nope, but what's life without risk eh?" Tukiko countered smoothly.
"True." Hisagi bobbed his head in agreement.
"Come on." Tukiko pulled him into her spacious room.
A double bed was situated just in front of the entrance and three fitted wardrobes lined the wall to the left, a large mirror rested on an easel next to her bed and a desk with mounted bookshelves sat in the bottom left corner of the room. Tukiko saw Kuro flutter out of the open window to the right, giving them space.
Tukiko jumped onto her bed and smiled sweetly, "How about you check out my tattoo now?" Tukiko asked teasingly.
"Sure thing!" Hisagi chuckled, he pounced on top of Tukiko and kissed her passionately, their tongues intertwined gently, exploring each others mouths for the first time. Tukiko moaned softly and Hisagi responded by ripping open her shihakushō, revealing an inky black tattoo resting below her fairly sized breasts.
"Interesting..." Hisagi muttered, tracing the lines of the tattoo with his tongue, "Shouldn't it be 63?" He teased.
"Ah but I'm not sanbantai Taichou am I?" Tukiko laughed as she looked down at the solid lines of the number 69 tattooed on her chest.
"Enough of my tattoo, are we continuing?" Tukiko asked with a wink. Hisagi responded by crashing his mouth against hers and pinning her to the cotton sheets.
End.
A.N – Hoped you enjoyed the ending there, I loved writing this fic and hope you loved reading it, kindest regards – Esuta ~^-^
