A/N : Ohayo! didn't keep y'all waiting too long did I? Sumimessai, but I had a tiny writer's block. This chapter was initially one of the shortest, but I got on a roll and it became one of the longest. hope ya'll enjoy!
Disclaimer: Tite Kubo created Bleach.
It was time for the monthly Captain's meeting again, but Komamura's mind was not on the meeting minute. Sasaskibe has been very upset about the reoccurring nightmare that had been ambushing him since that night Komamura woke him, and he was gone when Komamura got up this morning. Komamura had hope to see Sasaskibe accompanying Yamamoto-Soutaichou at the Captains Meeting, but Yamamoto-Sama was alone on his throne. Komamura was also carefully observing the Soutaichou the whole time, trying to find any wickedness in the man's eyes and looking for the unasked question of whether or not he truly is Choujirou's parents' murderer. He failed to see any wickedness in the man's eyes and also failed to get the answer he was looking for. Toward the end of the meeting, Komamura's attention as well as the other taichous were turned toward a snow white kitsune standing at the entrance of the first squad's barrack. Choujirou. Choujirou look drunk again and had his zanpakutou drawn, he flashed the Juusan Gotei a kitsune smile and used shunpo to launch himself at the Soutaichou. Choujirou moved so fast he was only a flash of white, with his zanpakutou aimed straight for Yamamoto Soutaichou's heart. Komamura used Shunpo and moved in between them just in time to be stabbed above the stomach. Choujirou froze and stood in a daze when he realized he had stabbed Komamura.
"Why, why? Komo-san?" he uttered
"Way of Binding no. 61, 'Rikujoukoro'" ((a/n: six light rod prison)) Byakuya voiced up and Choujirou fell to the ground, binded by the Hadou.
Komamura pulled the blade out of his stomach and fell over in pain, immediately supported up by Soi-fon and Byakuya; Unohana rushes over to inspect his wound.
"Arigatou, Kuchiki Taichou." Komamura panted, Byakuya merely responded with a nod.
"Why, why? Why do you people risk your life for this….this murderer?" Kitsune Choujirou cried.
"Silence, Kitsune. Another move and I will not hesitate to cut you down here and now." Byakuya threatened in his usual soft, stern voice.
Kitsune Choujirou hissed and launched himself at Yamamoto-sama again but Byakuya grabbed him in a choke.
"Enough, Kuchiki-Taichou!" Yamamoto-sama voiced up finally, at which Byakuya lets go of the Kitsune and he fell to the ground becoming unconscious.
The Soutaichou turned to the 4th Squad's captain, "Unohana-Taichou, how is Komamura-Taichou's wound?"
"The wound is quite deep but not fatal, I would like to treat him at the infirmary." Unohana-Taichou answered.
"Very well then- -" Yama-jii started, but he was interrupted by a chuckle from Mayuri.
"My, my, my, what do we have here? A rare breed of Kitsune isn't it?" Mayuri chuckled excitedly, his eyeballs spinning around in their sockets. He obviously hasn't paid anyone else any attention since the Kitsune showed up.
"Don't even think about it Kurotsuchi." Soi-fon snapped at him
"What?" Mayuri shrugged, in that what-did-I-do tone.
"We all know what you're thinking, Kurotsuchi," Hitsugaya answered, "and you already know the answer is NO!"
"As I was about to say," Yama-jii's voice boomed in, "Soi-Fon Taichou, please escort Unohana-taichou and Komamura-taichou to the 4th squad's barrack; Kuchiki-Taichou, I'm putting you and the Sixth squad in charge of the Kitsune's confinement; and Kurotsuchi-Taichou, Hitsugaya-Taichou was correct, you are not to set foot in Sixth Squad's barrack within 30-meters ((a/n: approximately 100 feet)) of the Kitsune unless otherwise instructed. Meeting adjourned!"
Yamamoto-sama stood up and left the meeting hall as everyone else started filing out of the room and on to their respective duties.
…Outside the 1st Squad's Barrack….
"Was it just me, or did that kitsune look hell of a lot like- -" Kenpachi started to ask, but Hitsugaya shushed him,
"Sasaskibe Choujirou?" Mayuri suggested, smugly, "It did resemble him didn't it? It was even in his clothes, I wonder why that would be?"
"I think you know damn well 'why that would be' Kurotsuchi, and the answer is still NO!" Hitsugaya snapped at him.
"Beside, if Yama-jii knows about it and trust him, then what are we to worry about?" Kyouraku suggested.
"But it does trouble me, Kyouraku-Taichou, how can we be sure that he won't be any harm to Seireitei? he did attack the Soutaichou." Hitsugaya asked,
"We've known him for a long time and he would never in his right mind attack Yamamoto-sama." Ukitake answered, "There must be something going on, and no doubt the Soutaichou will get to the bottom of it."
"Do you think Aizen would have anything to do with this, Kyouraku Taichou?" Shuuhei asked. Hisagi and Kira had been coming to the Captains meeting in place of Gin and Tousen ever since Aizen's betrayal.
"hmm, It's unlikely, but possible." Kyouraku considered.
"I say we beat the crap out of him and then ask him what the fuck is going on. Hahaha. " Kenpachi suggested with his demonic laughter.
"That would be interesting wouldn't it, Zaraki, but I highly doubt it would be effective." Kyouraku laughed.
"I say we probe his mind, there should be a myriad of precious information there, seeing as he is such a rare breed of kitsune." Mayuri stated feverishly, his eyes spinning around in their socket again, seemingly talking to himself rather than to anyone else.
"And for the last time, the answer is NO, Kurotsuchi!" Kyouraku snapped, beginning to feel irritated at the Ju-Niban Buntai Taichou.
Kurotsuchi just scowled and started walking away from the rest seemingly grumbling to himself but just loud enough for them to hear,
"Just they wait, they'll have to hand him to me sooner or later."
Kyouraku watched Mayuri disappear into the distance before turning back to the others,
"You know, the scary part is, if Hisagi-kun is right, and this is Aizen's doing, we just might have to hand Sasaskibe to him."
….Meanwhile, in the 4th Barrack's Hospital Wing…..
Unohana-Taichou was using her Reiryouku to close up Komamura-Taichou's stab wound.
"Otekazu suru ((n/a: sorry to trouble you)), Unohana-Taichou."
Unohana-taichou responded with a pleasant smile,
"Nonsense, this is no trouble at all, it is only duty, Komamura-Taichou."
"Hai." Komamura replied, though he still looked trouble.
"If it's not a problem, would you mind telling me what is bothering you, Komamamura-Taichou?"
Komamura let out a heavy sigh,
"It's nothing, I'm just…I'm worried about Choujirou, Unohana-youbo ((a/n: mother –all the taichous and fukutaichou save Yama-jii seems to look up to Unohana as a mother figure)) He's been upset about his nightmares, but I never thought that he would actually attack Yamamoto-sama."
Unohana-taichou sighed,
"Yamamoto-sama was afraid this day would come if Sasaskibe-fukutaichou misinterpret the situation, I will encourage him to have a talk with Sasaskibe-san."
"So, you know about it too? Please Unohana-youbo, what do you know of Choujirou's parent murder?"
"It is not my place to tell you, Komamura-taichou, I'm sure Yamamoto-sama will tell you in time. Now, lay down, you need your rest."
Komamura was about to object, but Unohana-taichou gave him her usual "pleasant" smile and he reluctantly lay down again.
"May I at least go visit Choujirou, Unohana-youbo, I haven't got to see him all day." Komamura asked
"Of course you may," Unohana replied with a smile, "Once you get your rest."
"But, I feel fine." Komamura objected,
Unohana-taichou just smiled and lay a gentle hand on Komamura's shoulder, pushing him back down onto the bed,
"You need your rest, Komamura-taichou."
Komamura reluctantly laid still, he was more tired than he realized, because he started drifting off to sleep shortly afterward.
…..A little later, at the 6th Squad's Barrack prison hall…..
Sasaskibe Choujirou awaken to find himself in a prison cell. On the other side of the cell was Kuchiki Byakuya, sipping on a cup of tea and reading an old Japanese novel. Without looking at him Byakuya threw Chouji his clothes, which no doubt had slid off during his transformation. He giggled to himself at the thought of what Byakuya's expression would have been, seeing him naked; Chouji knows for a fact that Byakuya is quite friendly with his fukutaichou, Abarai Renji, and Chouji is quite gifted when it comes to his manhood. Just imagining the expression on the usual stoic nobleman got Choujirou excited.
"What are you so excited about, Kitsune, does imprisonment excites you?" Byakuya asked without taking his eyes away from his novel.
"Oh, hardly…" Chojirou replied, "I do like the idea of bondage though." He giggled.
Byakuya expression did not change, but Choujirou could see a slight blush forming on his cheeks, which just made him the more excited.
"heh, I'm glad you enjoy being detained, it would seem you would be in this state for quite a while, considering the capital offence you committed." Byakuya sneered
"What? Trying to avenge my parents?" Choujirou hissed
"Try attempted assassination of the Soutaichou, and assaulting another Taichou." Byakuya replied coolly,
"Tch, his fault for getting in the way." Choujirou scoffed.
"He was only performing his duty as a Taichou and protecting the peace and harmony of the Juusan Gotei and Seireitei." Byakuya replied,
"By protecting a murderer?" Choujirou growled
"By protecting the Soutaichou!" Byakuya replied, an edge added to his voice, "The Soutaichou is the head of Seireitei, the Soutaichou IS Juusan Gotei!"
They both grew silent afterward, Sasaskibe's thoughts went to Komamura.
"How is he?" Chouji asked
"You mean Komamura-Taichou?" Byakuya replied, "He's doing fine, a mere stab wound is not enough to kill him."
"I know but..." Choujirou trailed off when he felt tears burning his eyes.
Byakuya let out a heavy sigh, "He's ok, he is being treated by Unohana-taichou, a mere stab wound is nothing she can't fix."
"Okay," Chouji said softly, "Would you tell him I'm sorry?"
"I'm sure he won't hold it against you, I'm not an expert at this or anything, but I can tell he really loves you."
"Yeah, but still-"
"Look, I'm sure he'll visit you when Unohana-taichou release him, then you can tell him yourself, ok?"
"Yeah...Arigatou, Kuchiki-san."
A mere nod was Byakuya's only reply. they grew silent afterward, except for Choujirou's mumble and grumble to himself. When his annoyance was piqued, Byakuya closed his book and gave a heavy sigh.
"Tell me Sasaskibe, what is the evidence of your belief that Yamamoto-sama is your parent's murderer?"
"I have no evidence," Choujirou grumbled, "But I was there that night! It was dark and stormy, I couldn't see that clearly….but I will never forget that image…..and then…..then lately, the memory came back to me in the form of a nightmare…..!"
"A nightmare?" Byakuya interrupted, "You mean a dream? You're laying the accusation of Murder on the Soutaichou, because of a dream?"
The words struck Choujirou as a blow to the guts, he know exactly where Byakuya was going with this, "But…IT's HIM….I clearly saw HIM in the dream…." He cried
"Perhaps it was the Soutaichou you saw in your dream Sasaskibe, but consider this; a dream is merely an illusion your sub-conscience creates. It might contains pieces of your memories but it's most likely a perversion of your memory."
Choujirou was about to object but Byakuya pressed on,
"You admit that you did not see nor remember the incident clearly, you also admit that Yamamoto-sama was there at the scene of the crime, don't you think that it's possible that the nightmare is just your sub-conscience trying to piece the puzzle together and making a prediction of what MIGHT have happened?"
Choujirou slumped. Byakuya had a point, he know he had been defeated in his beliefs; but if it wasn't Yamamoto-sama, then who? Who was the murderer? Choujirou fell down onto his face and sobbed. Byakuya sighed and walked over to Choujirou, a soft hand on his shoulder made him look up; Byakuya's expression was uncharacteristically soft, as if he was truly concerned about Choujirou.
"Look Sasaskibe, I know the pain of loosing a loved one, I know it hurts even more when the suspect is someone you dearly love and respect; But you got to stay strong, you have to find the whole truth, and you can't let suspicion and assumptions get the better of you. Now rest, and be assured that the Juusan Gotei will look into this crime against your parents and help you find the true murderer, and we will help you avenge them."
Choujirou looked up at Byakuya as a child seeking condolence,
"You promise?"
Byakuya gave a shadow of a smile and nodded,
"I Swear by the honor of my House. Now then, get to rest."
Byakuya got up and went back to his tea and novel when the kitsune had drifted off to sleep. It would seem that Seireitei will be faced with yet another storm.
A/N: Saying I had a blast writing this chapter is an understatement. Hope you guys had as much fun reading it as I did writing it. R&R Please, Arigatou Gozaimassu! ^_^