A huge thanks to everyone who is still enjoying and reviewing on the story, hope you enjoy this chapter just as much.
Chapter Ten:
~ The Last Words ~
So, I opened my secret writing book this morning and discovered these two surprise entries which certainly weren't written by me; upon reading them I must say I'm quite embarrassed by all my complaining, to think that Jushiro went and read it all. It was meant to be a secret which is why I had put the book in a file labelled S-E-C-R-E-T... Still, Jushiro always was a nosy so and so, but I wouldn't have him any different.
~ The Last Words ~
Shunsui grumbled in his sleep, jolting awake as he nearly slid sideways from his chair; he looked around for the source of his sudden awakening but found none and yawned hugely; looking at the man asleep in the hospital bed he was sat beside.
Jushiro was pale, clammy, and still unconscious even after two days of hospital treatment; there had been signs of improvement though and he was no longer struggling to breathe for himself. Retsu had confirmed that he would wake up in the next few days.
He hadn't left his friend's side since bringing him into the hospital and he raised hell whenever someone tried to make him leave even for a few minutes. He wanted to be there when his friend woke up, he wanted to be the first face he saw when his eyes opened and he wanted to make him smile - a smile healed everything after all.
The brunet sighed slightly and sat forwards, clasping one of his white haired friend's hands in his, he squeezed gently and glanced at the clock thoughtfully before looking back at him and smiling slightly, "You know... If we were in reverse places I have no doubt you would scold me for being so lazy. Asleep for two whole days... You are just as bad as I am." He shook his head and leaned closer, "And I mean... I know you had that coughing fit because the site of my body was just too much for you to take... But next time can you try a nosebleed instead of a near death encounter? A nosebleed I can deal with."
Shunsui shook his head in amusement and rested his chin on the bars of the bed, not moving as he heard the door open behind him. He did glance around with his eyes as he sensed their Sensei come to stand beside him at the bed and his brown eyes lingered on Yamamoto before he looked away again.
"How is he, Shunsui?" the older man asked.
"Retsu thinks he'll start coming around within the next couple of days. But it is likely he is going to have a reoccurring problem with this Chronic Bronchitis. But there is medication that he can have which will manage the majority of the effects." He responded, having asked the medical staff this so many times that he had their answer learned off by heart.
"I see," the man nodded, "I'm afraid I have to tear you away Shunsui, I have a task for you to complete."
"Can you not send someone else? I want to be here in case he wakes up."
Yamamoto looked down at his student, "I'm afraid this cannot wait, it involves information concerning more Hollows which might be like Katsuki."
Shunsui looked around sharply, "I see... Well that changes things slightly. What do you need me to do?"
"There appears to be a barrier in the forest outside of Rukongai; I need you to go and check it would with a couple of reinforcements. Go and get your Zanpakto and meet Kuchiki Sojun at the White Road Gate which exits into the West."
"Yes Sensei." He stood up and released Jushiro's hand, "You'll let me know if there are any changes right?"
"Naturally."
The brunet nodded once before e sighed and departed running back towards the student accommodation to retrieve his Zanpakto. Usually he would have been happy to receive such a mission, but in truth he would rather have Jushiro with him to celebrate their first mission together. But it couldn't be helped and if a job needed doing he would make sure it was done.
He was soon on his way to the gate as Yamamoto had instructed, seeing the light-hearted nobleman waiting for him already. He lifted a hand and waved to Sojun as he got closer, smiling slightly as the man waved back and that carefree smile.
He came to a stop beside the man, barely breaking a sweat after his exertion, "Good day to you Sojun-san." He greeted.
"Ah, hello again Shunsui-san!" he answered, smiling warmly at him, "Are you ready for an afternoon of brain bashing and blood fuelled excitement?"
"Goodness you didn't strike me as the adrenaline junky type!" the brunet teased as they began walking together.
His laughter was like the peeling of bells as he looked around at him, "Ne, we nobles need even more entertainment than the average soul! Commanded by rules and regulated by the Clan Elders, our hobbies have to have purpose... Apparently. My father enjoys planting and growing cherry blossom trees, undoubtedly it will lead to an assortment throughout Division Six; his excuse for this hobby is that it helps him channel his reiatsu."
Shunsui listened with interest as the other spoke, "I don't understand why you can't have hobbies that you want. It seems very strange in my eyes. Um... How does that help channel his reiatsu?"
Sojun looked at him and his eyes twinkled with amusement, "We can have whatever hobby we desire so long as we can justify it. Being a noble has many restrictions; you have to live by the rules of the family, but it also has many positive points as well." He paused, "Ah, you will not have sat those lessons yet I presume. With some activities you can channel reiatsu to assist you, for example, when my father plants his blossom trees, he flows gentle pulses of his reiatsu through them to aid them in growth and to make them stronger, it lowers the chance of failed development and it helps him to familiarise himself with his reiatsu and to keep in touch with his Zanpakto."
Shunsui's face dropped slightly and he stared, "W-Wow... That's amazing! Do you think he would show me? I mean, I know I am practically a stranger but-"
"Nonsense, once a guest in our house, always a guest in our house. Besides, my father is always happen to help a curious mind, that and he loves to show off." He laughed lightly again and ran a hand through his locks of hair.
Shunsui grinned at the news before he faltered and considered Jushiro, laid up in that bed while he was having fun.
"How is Jushiro-san?" Sojun asked suddenly, reading the concern on the other's face.
"Oh..." he cleared his throat, "He's stable at the moment, and hopefully he will wake up in the next couple of days. But... He's going to have the illness for the rest of his life."
"I am pleased to hear that he is stable, if there is anything I can do to assist you in caring for him once he has come around I would be happy to do so." He rested a hand on his shoulder before pulling it back and pausing as they reached the outskirts of Rukongai, "Now, I am afraid pleasantries are over. The barrier lies before us; if we are not prepared for what may await us we may die."
"I understand." Shunsui murmured, resting a hand on the hilt of his main sword.
The two delved into the forest cautiously and with hawk like eyes; traipsing through the undergrowth and ignoring the sound of crunching of dry leaves and the snapping of twigs, and before long, a shimmering light glinted before them.
Sojun gestured for Shunsui to slow and drew the long white hilted katana at his side, holding it out before making three swift slashing movements, carving through the barrier and forming a doorway for them to enter through.
They shared a look and Shunsui drew his two swords, following the nobleman through the manmade opening and into the barbaric world beyond.
Snow was thick on the ground, large fir trees wore white cloaks and the sky was stormy, grey and angry as it relinquished further snow above them. It was a stark contrast to the pleasantly warm summer day outside of the barrier.
"What the hell... Is going on here?" Shunsui breathed as he looked around, shivering slightly.
"It is a dimensional rift, caused on rare occasions by a powerful soul forcing its way into one of the other worlds." Sojun murmured, "I have never seen one before, by my father has mentioned them in passing."
"So... This place is from another world?"
"Indeed, I can sense Hollow reiatsu surrounding this entire plateau, so I would guess that this entire section has been forced into Soul Society from Hueco Mundo. I believe it is winter there at this time." He responded, glancing around them, "I can sense a Hollow reiatsu close by as well, so there are definitely Hollows habituating the area. Be on your guard Shunsui-san."
"I've got your back, Sojun-san." He murmured in response, eyes flitting back and forth.
They made their way deeper into the strange world which had been impressed into their own. Their hakama were drenched with the moisture of the shin deep snow within ten minutes; their teeth chattering and fingers half frozen to their swords.
They both stopped dead as they sensed a prominent Hollow reiatsu very close by, heading towards them; their muscles tensed in preparation but their sight was hindered when an abrupt and unexpected blizzard began to whip up around them, large snowflakes blaring at them.
Forced to shield their eyes, they missed the first sighs of the attack, right up until the point that Shunsui felt the sting of claws across as abdomen and the warmth of fresh blood spreading across his white kosode.
A gasp escaped him as he looked up, a momentary gap appearing in the blizzard to reveal a pale blue woman who was clad in a dress which seemed like it was made up of opaque snowflakes; her eyes were the most startling shade of emerald green and her hair was rippling blonde with crystal like ornaments buried in the locks.
She was very beautiful Shunsui couldn't help but notice this after several months of absolute celibacy. But, he also couldn't fail to notice that she was emitting a huge level of Hollow reiatsu.
He set aside the pain in his abdomen and watched her disappear behind a veil of snow again; he looked around swiftly for Sojun and found him after a few moments, relaying the information he had concerning the woman.
"Another Vasto Lordes?" Sojun murmured, "This is troubling indeed. I wonder if she is the original link to this rift or if she simply slipped through after it was created. Regardless, we must end her quickly and seal this dimensional rift again to prevent further danger to Rukon subjects."
"We have to find her first, from her clothing I would hazard a guess that she might be one of the rarer types of Arrancar which are linked directly to the climate. She seemed cold, not in personality, but in appearance and her reiatsu was icy. I think, perhaps, she is controlling this blizzard to hide." Shunsui murmured, holding a hand over his wound with a wince.
"I thought the same, in which case we must end this before she freezes us to death. Can you still fight, Shunsui-san?"
"Yes, don't worry about me." He said quietly, glancing around auspiciously.
They moved side by side, reaching out to sense the reiatsu of the Hollow woman. The snow was thickening with every passing minute; where it had reached their shins upon first entering the rift it was now up to their thighs and growing deeper still.
Wading through, ignoring the freezing temperatures and the bitter wind which was wiping around them like continual slaps in the face.
Freezing suddenly, Shunsui looked behind them and lifted his Zanpakto just in time to halt a second attack from the woman; she snarled at him and lifted a good, kicking him sharply in the side before she lunged at Sojun, knocking the noble under the snow completely before she rounded on Shunsui and grabbed his throat in her hand.
"You..." she hissed, glowering at him and growling in his face, "I can sense his reiatsu on you..."
The brunet struggled with her hold and gasping slightly as his airway was cut off, "Who... Are you... Talking about?"
"KATSUKI!" she exploded, green eyes narrowing to slits, "Nii-sama."
His eyes widened abruptly and he paled, "Y... Your... Brother?!"
"You murdered him! You and the pale one!" she yelled, tightening her fingers around his throat, "So I will kill you! And then the other one!"
"I can't let you do that." He murmured, lifting his Zanpakto and slashing her arm, forcing her to release him from her grasp.
He hit the snow and almost sank under it like Sojun had; he glanced around fleetingly for the nobleman before he was struck around the face with a block of ice, feeling a tooth loosen in his mouth as his head snapped around. He ducked her follow up attack and elbowed her in the ribs turning around and holding up a hand, "Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of man! On the wall of blue flame, inscribe a twin lotus. In the abyss of conflagration, wait at the far heavens; Hadou 73: Soren Sokatsui!" he yelled, squinting slightly as a force of brilliant blue light erupted from his hand and blasted the area in front of him, shrouding the Hollow woman in cobalt.
He took the momentary distraction to wade through the snow to where Sojun had disappeared. He dug through the snow until he found a pale hand and pulled, yanking the man free from the now hip deep snow.
"Are you alright?!" the brunet asked.
"Yes, thank you for your assistance." The noble replied before drawing his sword again and looking around at the still flickering Hadou which had been casted, "Did you do that?"
"Yeah." Shunsui murmured, watching the Hollow as she went into hiding, scorched and bleeding in some places.
Sojun looked at him for a moment, "That is a very high level Kidou for one so young as yourself to be casting."
"Yama~jii is a good Sensei." Shunsui murmured, glancing around again as he tried to seek out the Hollow once again.
Silence fell between them and they began stalking through the snow again, both detecting a sudden flare of reiatsu from ahead of them. They shared a look before nodding in unison and flash-stepping forwards.
Shunsui raised his hands as the Hollow came into sight, "Carriage of thunder, bridge of a spinning wheel. With light, divide this into six! Hadou 61: Rikujokoro." the brunet watched as she was impaled by the six yellow rods and prevented from moving before he clenched his teeth, "Disintegrate you black dog of Rondainini. Look upon yourself with horror and then claw out your own throat; Hadou 9: Geki."
The two Shinigami advanced upon the now restrained and utterly paralyzed Hollow, both of them holding their blades to her throat to prevent her making any sudden movements if she somehow freed herself.
"What is your name?" Sojun asked.
"Tsubaki." She said quietly, eyes narrowed and full with anger.
Shunsui licked his lips and cleared his throat, "You said Katsuki was your brother... Did you come here together?"
She glowered at him for a moment before she sighed and closed her eyes, "No. He came first; he was magnificently strong after he had fed off other soul's reiatsu but he was running out of Hollows to scavenge in Hueco Mundo so he used his power to force his way through the barrier between our worlds and arrived here. I followed after, in time to see his death at your hands." She hissed as she finished.
"He was hurting my best friend; we did what we had to do to protect people. I am sorry for your loss." The younger man murmured before he looked at Sojun, "What should we do?"
The nobleman considered it for several moments before he sighed, "We have three choices. The first being to kill her here ourselves and be done with it; the second being that we take her into our custody and leave it to Division Two and Central 46 to decide her fate which will undoubtedly also be death after she has been pumped for information... And the third is to assist her in pushing herself back through the dimensional rift and sending her back to Hueco Mundo, with the threat that she might return one day to make good on her threat."
Shunsui looked at him and then down at the woman, "She hasn't technically hurt anyone... I don't believe that Vasto Lordes are mindless souls like Hollows are... Tsubaki-chan? If we allow you to return home will you come back again?" he asked her.
She seemed to consider the question for a long time before she swallowed, "You murdered my brother... But he always wanted to protect me; he would be sad if I died for revenge..." she looked down, "No, I won't come back."
"Then we will send you back." Shunsui decided, peeking across at the nobleman, "Can we do that?"
"Absolutely."
A few minutes later, Sojun had sought out the original rift which had lead to the change of climate and he poured some of his reiatsu into it, opening it again to reveal a black mass beyond the tattered shreds of reality.
Tsubaki followed Shunsui as he led her towards it and glanced at the man, "Thank you for not killing me. I am sorry to have caused you trouble, my anger clouded my judgement. You are a kind sort, able to see the truth in things."
"I am just sorry that you cannot return with your brother." He responded.
"Nii-sama was special to me, but his power was insatiable. He would have fed and fed and... Maybe you did the kindest thing in those circumstances." She sighed heavily as a single tear rolled down her cheek.
Shunsui reached out and rested a hand on her shoulder, "He did seem... At peace."
"Then it was for the best." She announced, gently shrugging his hand from her shoulder before she walked over to where Sojun was stood and thanked him quietly for his assistance as well.
"I know you have been through one of these before but just remember to keep a steady flow of reiatsu as you pass through the darkness to ensure safe passage. And good luck to you." He said softly, smiling at her before he stepped back and watched her disappear into the darkness.
The pair stood together and watched the rift seal up behind her; almost instantly the snow around them began to melt and the barrier shattered, revealing them to the outside world once again.
"What was that about?" Shunsui asked curiously.
"The dimensional rift was healed when she went back through; it was only natural for the habitat to repair itself." He explained, "The same would have occurred is we had killed her."
"I see... Well, I guess that's the end of the mission, right?"
"Yes, I suppose we should make our way back to Seireitei..." Sojun agreed, smiling at him before leading the way towards the edge of the forest.
Shunsui followed and ran a hand through his hair; he looked up as he sensed a fast moving reiatsu approaching and his heart leapt in his mouth as he saw it was Retsu.
"There you are! I have been searching everywhere for you Kyoraku-san. Are you injured? I can heal you on the way..." She panted slightly as she came to a stop, "Ukitake-san is waking up; if you hurry you might get there in time to see him." She explained.
Shunsui's eyes widened and he nodded, "I'm coming." He went to take off but paused and looked at Sojun, "It was a pleasure working with you." He smiled.
"It was. Now get going; send him my best." The noble replied with a casual smile.
"Thanks. Bye!"
Sojun leaned against the tree he had paused by as he watched Shunsui and Retsu flash-stepping back towards Seireitei like they were being chased by a devil and chuckled before his head snapped around as he sensed his father's reiatsu beside him.
"When did you get there, Father?" he inquired curiously.
"I have been here the whole time." The older Kuchiki responded calmly, "Shame on you for not sensing me before hand."
"I had a deranged Vasto Lordes on my hands." Sojun protested.
"Indeed." Ginrei glanced at him before looking back at the fading figures of Retsu and Shunsui, "How did he do?"
"He is too kind at the moment, but he is strong and will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with before long. He will be an excellent Taichou." The younger noble told him honestly.
"That is good news. I am pleased."
Shunsui burst through the door; nearly tripping over his own feet as he dashed to Jushiro's beside and gripped his hand despite the medical staff in the room. He half beamed as the white haired young man's eyes flickered open and he sighed in relief, "Hello Stranger."
~ The Last Words ~