I do not own BLEACH, nor Aizen, though I very much hope I did, or at least his Zanpakutou. Oh, of course I do not own the other characters as well. The only thing I own is my OC here Aki-chan. The rest goes to Kubo Tite, the guy who kind of broke my brain.
Thank you, vivalavintage, for adding Petals Rain as your favorite. :D
Yuki chan: Thanks! I'm glad you liked it. :D
Yuzuki0429: Yes, because I think flashbacks are good ways to tell the readers the real side of the characters. We're going back to the present soon! Do stay tune for that. :D
MysticBreez: Thanks! I'll try to balance it more. Maybe I will update slower, but I'll still do it regularly. :D
(All thoughts of the characters are in 'this is thinking' this single inverted comma and italic format.)
Chapter 9 – Looking back [V]: Gently close your eyes and sleep my lady, you are not going to miss anything.
Back in the Captain Office of Squad Five…
"What do you mean arrested?!" Ukitake slammed his fist onto the tea table as he goes into a coughing fit.
"Calm down, Ukitake." Kyouraku pat his friend on his back. "I think we need to talk to Yama-Jii on this."
"Please Ukitake-taichou, Kyouraku-taichou." Aizen was on his knees, begging, "You have to help Aki."
"You sure you don't know a thing eh, Sousuke?" Shinji stared at his fukutaichou from the doorway, looking down at his begging form, sarcasm in his tone. "Weren't you with her most of the time? Huh?"
"I'm sorry Hirako-taichou, but I really don't know what happened. I'm so sorry everyone. I should have taken better care of her."
Ukitake sighed. "It's not your fault Sousuke-kun. Kyouraku, let's go see Genryuusai-sensei now. We need to get Aki out as soon as possible."
In the Detention Unit…
"Corps Commander! We have arrested Sakamoto Chiaki."
Urahara Kisuke had his face flat on his desk, asleep, when his men came back with the suspect and surprised him with the red hair suspect now in their hands.
"Woo that's very efficient of you guys! Thank you!" he smiled sheepishly and went forward to stand in front of Chiaki.
"Hm…" He inspected her for awhile. "Leave her Zanpakutou in the holding area and wait outside for further instructions. I'll calls you guys if I need help."
"Yes sir."
After the men who captured Chiaki left, Urahara let out a sighed. "I thought they would take awhile longer so I could take a nap, since I heard you're a good fighter." Urahara bent his knees a little to be on eye-level with Chiaki. "I'm Urahara Kisuke, Corps Commander of the Detention Unit. Nice to meet you!"
"I think you should know my name…" Chiaki shifted her gaze from Urahara to the floor. "You look like a nice person, but I can't actually say I'm very pleased to be meeting you here…"
"Ah, that's a little sad isn't it? You look nice too. But those bold things you said a few years ago cannot be taken lightly."
"Bold things? Wait, I'm sure there's some misunderstanding here Urahara-san. Plus, who would remember what is said years ago?"
"On the night of the Zanpakutou showcase ceremony last week, a few medical staff from the Squad Four infirmary came to us and reported what they heard from you a few years ago, things about allowing Hollows to attain Shinigami powers, creating a kingdom of your own, and overthrowing Soul Society?"
Chiaki was trying hard to recall if she ever said those things.
"Of course, a few nurses won't be able to prove what you did, especially for something that was said years ago. So we gathered a few of the Squad Five men and asked if they remembered what happened exactly on that day, why were you in the infirmary..."
"Was it… the day of the Menos attack at District… forty-one?"
"Hey you remembered Sakamoto-san!" Urahara brightened up. "So so, your men from Squad Five said that after they had completed their missions, they went back to report to you only to find you face to face with a Hollow, a Hollow that spoke. What was said, they don't know, but you weren't fighting the Hollow. With your abilities that is said to be nearly on par with a captain, you should had been able to slay the Hollow successfully. But you stayed still and got attacked. It was Aizen Sousuke, the Seventh Seat back then who attacked the Hollow instead. So far so good?"
Chiaki nodded.
"After that you were sent to the infirmary. And I believe it was at that point where you mentioned about over-throwing Soul Society together with the Hollows."
"I admit what you have said up till now is true, but never had I ever said the word 'overthrow', I swear Urahara-san!"
"It's no use Sakamoto-san. I'm sorry to say but whether you had mentioned the word 'overthrow' or not, the meaning behind what you've said will stay the same. They still pose the same threat to Soul Society."
"I wasn't being serious Urahara-san… You should understand that it's not even possible for what I've said to really happen."
Urahara sighed again and pat Chiaki on her shoulders. "Sakamoto-san, you have to understand that in this world there's nothing that is ridiculous or impossible. Do you know even cats could talk?"
Chiaki gasps and look up at Urahara, face full of shocked. 'Wasn't those words what I said to Sousuke? This person knows Yoruichi-san! Maybe she can help me!'
"Hey, don't look so shock. Believe me, cats do talk. Ah never mind, let's get back to the topic." Urahara cleared his throat. "Our other concern now is… there must be someone who was with you in the infirmary who you had that conversation with, right?"
'Sousuke… No, I can't let them get Sousuke!'
"Sadly, the nurses just have to miss the best part and forgot who was there with you. So we investigated on the data of a few of your close friends." Urahara went to pick up a folder. "Let's see… Ukitake-taichou, Kyouraku-taichou, Hirako-taichou… wow you're something! So many captains on the list! And some of your comrades from Squad Five like..."
'Please no…'
"Aizen Sousuke. Yup." Urahara finishes his previous sentence.
Chiaki heart sank.
"But somehow, our investigators found that they all have alibi in their data to prove that they weren't in the infirmary with you that night, each and every one of them, without even the need for an interrogation!"
'What…? Even Sousuke? How…?' Chiaki was relieved, but how Sousuke managed to get his alibi was a mystery to Chiaki. She decided that she should be thankful he somehow managed to escape from this though.
"We checked the database for the attendance of a captains' meeting that very night, and all of them were present, so they can't be with you that night. So Sakamoto-san, I'll have to ask you this. Who did you have the conversation with that very night?"
Chiaki tried to think of something that would work. Something that will not be linked to Sousuke ever again.
"I did talk to somebody about it. But… "
"But?"
"It's not here, Urahara-san. Ninjouhime. She's not here. Please don't hurt her."
"Ninjou…hime?"
In the Captain Commander's Office…
"Genryuusai-sensei! You should know Sakamoto-san. She wouldn't plan something like this."
"He's right Yama-Jii, you sure there's no misunderstanding? A person's hearing gets old together with his age…"
"QUIET." Yamamoto-Soutaichou knocks his wooden staff against the floor hard. "Have you forgotten your place just because of a mere Fifth Seat that is not even from your squad?"
A man dressed in black appeared beside the Soutaichou suddenly and passed a message to him through whispers and vanished.
"There are no more reasons for you to speak for Sakamoto now. She has admitted to the charges, but the Detention Unit has found fault in her statement. They will investigate further, but for now she will be detent."
"What…" Ukitake cannot believe what he just heard. "Why Aki?"
In the Maggots' Nest…
Months and months had passed. Chiaki had waited for her execution to come, but it never did.
For such a strong statement she made, the Central 46 will surely want her dead as soon as possible. Each time when Urahara went in for a patrol, she would ask him for any updates, but every time Urahara would shake his head and ask her why she wants to die so much. But it's not like she really wanted to die, it's just weird that she is still living.
The first time Chiaki was brought into the Maggots' Nest by Urahara, she had been very afraid. She wasn't sure what kind of a place it was, and to make matters worse Urahara told her all the prisoners here were deemed dangerous by Soul Society. If it was the usual individual detention cells like what each squad have in their barracks, then she would have felt better. But here in Maggots' Nest, all the prisoners were free to roam around the big area. Some were crying and screaming to be freed every day, some were picking fights every day, while some, like her, will be sitting in one corner, staring into thin air every day.
Every Monday, Urahara would escort her to a room where she is asked to stay still on a bed with her hands and legs cuffed. Nurses would place wires and sensors to her head and body to monitor some data of hers, although she noticed that this equipment seems to be draining her spiritual energy too. And then they will repeat a same set of questions weekly, questions asking if she is seeing things, about having unknown voices talking to her. She would say no every time, but then they would just tell her that "she need not be shy about it", and that they will examine her again next week.
Urahara had been treating her well. Not like she had special privileges, but Urahara would always look out for her, talk to her, and tell her what is going on outside.
"Ukitake-taichou came to visit again, but you know…"
"Permission denied. I know."
"Aizen-san came too, but…" Urahara let out a sigh.
"Permission denied. I know." Chiaki smiled bitterly at Urahara. "I understand Urahara-san, it's okay. It's good enough that you let me know. Thank you. I appreciate it."
Conversations like these will be exchanged for two to three times a week whenever Urahara is on patrol. He will tell her who came and when. Urahara also told her that Ukitake and Kyouraku are trying their best to convince the noble houses, especially the Kuchiki, to help them get Chiaki out. Things like these went on for months, and then years, until one day after five years of imprisonment, when Chiaki was done with her weekly examination, Urahara told her that someone is here to visit.
"I don't know who he is, but seems like he is someone from the Central 46 and my Commander-in-Chief has gave him an OK. So come with me."
She was led to a room in another corner of the Nest, a darker, creepier corner, where individual cells were. "I was told to leave you alone with him. I've checked him myself, he isn't carrying any weapons or dangerous items so rest assure. Follow the lights on the wall and you'll find a room, he is waiting in there. Remember, even though this place is sound proof but still, do not try anything funny Chiaki, I trust you on that. Ukitake-taichou is trying his best to get you out of here, and he is getting some results. This person from Central 46 might be the key person who decides your future, so be good and bear with it, if not Ukitake-taichou's hard work will all be washed down the drain. I'll be back when the duration for his visit is up."
Chiaki nodded, and when Urahara left, she followed the lights and found a room. When she opened the door, she saw a figure dressed in the Council uniform, but who, she didn't recognize.
"Kudakero, Kyouka Suigetsu."
Chiaki was on the brink of tears when she saw Aizen standing right there suddenly with Kyouka Suigetsu in his hand.
"Sou..Sousuke!"
Aizen just smiled at her, and opened his arms wide, signaling Chiaki to come over and give him a hug.
Chiaki was sobbing like a child in Aizen's arms. And all Aizen did was pat her on her head and soothing her on her back.
"How Sousuke? What just happened?" Chiaki asked while sobbing. "They said a member from the Central 46 is here to see me. How did you come in instead? I thought it was impossible."
"Don't bother about it silly." Chuckling, Aizen ruffles Chiaki red hair. "Didn't you once tell me nothing is impossible?"
"But-"
"No buts." Aizen stop Chiaki by putting his finger on her lips. "I brought you something."
Aizen handed Ninjouhime to Chiaki. She was so shock to receive her sword, even though Ninjouhime feels different somehow. "Is this really permitted?"
"I said don't bother about it Aki." He knew Aki would cheer up upon receiving her sword. "I brought someone to meet you too."
Chiaki was expecting someone close, like Ukitake or Shinji, or maybe the member from Central 46 that Urahara told her about. But a pink haired, bespectacled person appeared instead.
"Nice to meet you Sakamoto-sama, I'm Szayel Aporro Granz."
"H-Hi… I'm Sakamoto Chiaki…" Chiaki stepped back a little. This person is giving off a rather weird Reiatsu that is making Chiaki rather uncomfortable. "Sousuke, who is he?"
"Arrancar, Aki, an Arrancar. Something that you wished to happen isn't it?"
"Arrancar?"
Aizen chuckled. "Hollows with their mask removed and gained Shinigami powers Aki. Isn't that great? He even obtained his Zanpakutou."
Chiaki gasp as Szayel showed her Fornicarás, the sword strapped at his side. "Sousuke… What do you plan to do with him?"
Aizen chuckled again. "Aki, have you forgotten the kingdom we promised each other to build? Szayel here will help us achieve that. He is our ally."
Chiaki grabbed onto Aizen's sleeves, "No Sousuke. We can't do that. Look what has happened to me. I don't want you to end up the same! Please, stop before it is too late. I don't want to betray Soul Society. It is my home after all. Ukitake-taichou is helping to get me out, let's leave it to him."
"Don't talk to me about Ukitake, Aki. I've had enough of him trying to mess up my plans." Aizen held onto Chiaki's hand and squeezed tight, "Don't worry. I already have everything planned. All you have to do is trust me. I will get you out of here now, and then I'll bring you to Hueco Mundo, where we'll gather more manpower and get rid of the king so that we could build our new home. This place is not fit to be called your home, it has only brought you pain. Szayel will take good care of you in Hueco Mundo, so you stay there and wait, alright?"
"No Sousuke, please," Chiaki was once again in tears, now begging Aizen, "you will get executed! Forget about the betrayal. Please…"
Aizen sighed. "Calm down Aki. Trust me, everything will be just fine. Since when did you become such a crybaby?" Aizen wipes away a tear from Chiaki's face. "I knew a situation like this would come, that's why I told Szayel to come out with something that might help both of us get through this easier."
Szayel approached Chiaki step by step, a syringe filled with blue liquid in his hand, a smile plastered on his face. "Come on Sakamoto-sama, it won't hurt."
"Back off!" Chiaki unsheathe Ninjouhime, even though she can't release it somehow. "Back off, both of you! Aizen Sousuke, how could you."
"Aizen-sama", Szayel looks to Aizen, "she's not cooperating."
Aizen sighed again, not amused at the situation. "Look Aki, I'm doing this all for you, so please be a good girl and let Szayel give you the jab. It will be over soon."
"Shut up! You ba-" Never did Chiaki expected that Aizen had Shunpo and grabbed her from behind her back, restraining her limbs.
"Aizen Sousuke, let go you bastard!"
"Szayel, be quick, before I reach my limit of endurance with all the insults she is spouting at me."
Szayel went forward and injected the needle into her neck. Chiaki screamed with all her might, hoping someone will come and help her.
"Done, Aizen-sama." Szayel removed the syringe and caressed the injected spot with his gloved fingers. A weird expression was on his face when he found that her neck was perfect. No sign of injection at all.
"Hands off my girl, Szayel. I did not give you permission to do that." Aizen loosen his hold on Chiaki and turned it into a hug instead, "See? It isn't that bad Aki. Now when someone get here hopefully they will get those bleeding hands of yours treated. How many times had I warned you about holding your sword too tightly? Now relax Aki." Holding onto her wrist, Aizen tried to shake Ninjouhime off Chiaki's grab. "For now just stay here until someone finds you."
Chiaki's mind was blank. All the shock was too much for her mind to process. The more Aizen spoke into her ears, the tighter she held onto Ninjouhime.
"Why…?" She managed to say. "Why Sousuke?"
"Because reality is hurtful, Aki." Aizen whispered into her ears. "Reality hurts you so badly. So I want to bring you away from it. Then we could both scatter, and be carried away by the wind, like the petals of cherry blossoms in spring. For now, just gently close your eyes and sleep. You won't miss out on anything. Nothing is worth witnessing from now on."
"Bullshit."
"What?" Aizen raised a brow.
"You and your bullshit!" Chiaki struggled out of Aizen's arms and rushed to the door, trying to escape with her remaining strength.
"Hey!" Szayel went forward to stop Chiaki, but was stopped by Aizen instead.
"Let her be Szayel. Let her run wild, there is no where she could go anyway, she will be fine." Aizen sighed as he recalled how hurt and lost Chiaki looked just a minute ago. He hates it that he was the one who caused it. "We will take our leave for now. Thanks for your hard work. I'll see you in Hueco Mundo soon when things have settled down here. We have plenty of time now, so no rush in killing the King of Hueco Mundo soon."
"Sure, Aizen-sama."
"Kudakero, Kyouka Suigetsu."
Chiaki ran to the main cell of the Maggots' Nest where all the prisoners were, Ninjouhime still in her hands.
"Urahara-san! Where is he?! Urahara-san where are you?!"
When the prisoners saw that she has a sword in her hand, all started to panic and broke into chaos.
"She's mad! She's trying to break out of here! She's trying to kill the Commander!"
Chiaki didn't have much time left. The injection is taking effect. She needs to tell Urahara, the only person who believes in her here in Maggots' Nest what Aizen Sousuke is planning before she blacks out. She has to, if not Soul Society would be in danger.
But it was too late, when a few prisoners started attacking her. Ninjouhime had disappeared from Chiaki's hands upon Aizen's withdrawal of Kyouka Suigetsu's hypnosis, and she has no more energy to defend herself.
"What is happening here?" the blonde Commander finally arrived at the cell along with many of the prisoner officers working under him. "Get away from her, NOW!"
Chiaki had already lost her conscious.
"This crazy bitch was trying to kill you Commander!" the prisoners yelled while being held down by the prisoner officers, "She has her Zanpakutou!"
Urahara went over to check on Chiaki who is now on the ground. "Nonsense, her Zanpakutou is in the holding area when I was still there just a minute ago." He recalled seeing it with his own eyes, when he was there to see the member from Central 46 who came to visit Chiaki, out of the Nest. "You guys will be punished for assaulting and maligning her like this. Now bring them away, and get the medics!"
Urahara look at the still form of Chiaki and sighed. "I hope this doesn't affect the decisions they just made Sakamoto-san. Ukitake-taichou had finally succeeded in getting you released. So please hang in there, so that you could at least thank him, and then go back and enjoy your freedom."
End of Chapter.
Sorry for not updating yesterday! (^_^;) I think I'll slow down for the time being. Maybe an update every 2 days. My apology!
