OMG! Hi everyone. I'm soooo sorry that this took so long but life has been a real bitch and writing this was no cake walk. I'm not being deployed! But on that note I am being sent to Virginia for training in a couple days and I wont be back till September and then school will be starting. So that means chapters will be slower than usual but like I said before, I'm going to finish this story. Special thanks to MKThrall for betaing this chapter as well as a thank you to all those that have reviewed. You make me smile.
Only Ever Yours 11
Soul Society
The day Yoruichi and Sui-Feng leave
In all the time she had existed in the Spirit Realm, Unohana Retsu had seen many grotesque and horrifying things. From seeing an unsealed spirit transform into a hollow to she, herself, ripping out a man's spine through his throat and showing it to him. At this moment, none of those things could compare to the mutilated girl that had been found crucified against the gates. Her body was cut and bleeding all over and her face and hair were caked with the blood that flowed from the multiple blows she had suffered to the head. Jidanbo, the gate keeper, had found her but knew better than to touch someone so small and in such horrible condition. After being informed of the situation by a messenger, she told Isane to keep watch of the infirmary as she headed out.
At first, she was stuck in shock at the sight of something so horrible but years of medical training kicked in and she motioned for Jidanbo's hand to lift her level with the girl's body. He did as asked, gingerly lifting the caring woman and trying to keep himself from crying at the sight of the poor girl.
Once she was level with the girl, she stepped forward to observe her hands and feet to release her from her captive state. She saw nails the size of railroads stakes in the tiny hands. Clenching her jaw in anger and wondering who could do this, she raised a hand to the head of the spike in the girls left hand and began to pull it out.
"Ah!" Came the feeble but painful cry of the girl. Unohana stopped right away in shock.
'This girl is still alive.' She knew she had to save the child. Mentally begging for forgiveness, she pulled the spike the rest of the way out of the girls hand and began to administer healing kido to the mangled limb. After she was satisfied it was enough until she could get her to the infirmary, she moved on to the girls head. Her hands glowed green as she put the girl into a deep dreamless sleep so that she would be spared the pain of being taken off the wall. Quickly removing the other spikes from her patient Unohana barked for Jidanbo to let her down and she raced to the 4th Division with the girl held protectively in her arms.
Isane was startled to see her captain burst so recklessly through the doors of their division but her noise of surprise quickly turned to one of fear.
"Isane get me every seated officer in our division. I will not let this child die," Retsu barked out as she went to an empty room and quickly deposited the girl on the bed. Isane scrambled to do as told and in 10 minutes had every skilled medic ready to follow every order Retsu gave. They were able to stabilize her and stop the bleeding but it seemed that there was more going on than Retsu originally thought. The girl had been raped in every orifice. She had anal and vaginal tearing. The cuts on her body turned out to be scratches from clawed hands. As she lightly sponged away the blood from the girl's back, she noticed peculiar scratches that she had not seen before. Carefully sponging the area she gasped when she was finally realized what it was. The scratches read: Bring me Shihouin Yoruichi.
"Taicho, what is it?" Isane asked worried.
"Send word to the Commander that we have a problem."
"Cheer up old man! The worse is over. She knows the truth so now all you have to do is give her time. She'll come around." Shunsui slapped Satoshi on the back as he walked past him to his desk.
"I don't think so. Since that day she hardly comes home, she's always working, and now it seems she and Shaolin aren't even speaking to each other," Satoshi grumbled with a frown.
"Lover's spat. You have no idea how many times my dear Nanao-chan has given me the silent treatment. Besides break up lead to healthy make ups," The commander said with a lecherous smile that only caused Satoshi to roll his gold eyes in annoyance.
"Do you ever take anything seriously? I swear Yamamoto was drugged, bribed, or drunk when he named you his successor. If only-"
"Commander!" Nanao burst in breathing heavy.
"What is it?" Shunsui said all traces of playfulness from before gone.
"You're needed at the 4th Division. It's regarding Shihouin-taicho."
As soon as the name left Nanao's mouth Satoshi was gone. Shunsui was not far behind him hoping to get there in time to prevent his uncle from creating a scene. Luckily, Unohana had been outside the division waiting for their arrival and could be seen explaining the situation.
"-not her." By the time he arrived all Shunsui heard her say before he saw Satoshi's shoulders slump with relief.
"Let's try to not jump the gun, eh?" Shunsui said as he stood shoulder to shoulder with the other man. "Unohana-taicho. What is this about?"
"Follow me." Unohana said as they headed inside the infirmary."Jidanbo sent word to us that Western Rukongai has been attacked but he called for us because this young girl was pinned to the gates. When I got there, she was covered in blood and I thought her to be dead until I realized she was breathing. I pulled her off the wall and brought her here for treatment. I was able to stabilize her and put her into a medically induced coma. While Isane and I were cleaning the blood away we noticed that something had been carved into her skin."
Unohana stopped outside a room and sighed before turning to look at the two men. "I'll warn you now that while I'm sure you have seen many things, what has been done to this girl does not compare. Are you ready?"
Both men nodded and Unohana opened the door. On the bed, the small girl lay fighting for breaths. Her hair was still matted to her head and although she was sleeping her face still looked troubled. That wasn't what caught either man's attention. Where her skin was visible carvings stood out angrily against her pale skin. Satoshi stepped closer to read what they said and gasped when he was able to make out the wording. It read: Bring me Yoruichi.
Shunsui grit his teeth in anger. He had known he was dealing with a monster but never did he think someone could stoop so low to do this to a child. Unohana circled to the other side of the bed and ran a quick diagnostic on the girl before looking at the two men.
"At first I had hoped that this was the worst that had been done to her but then I found internal bleeding from her reproductive organs. She's been raped numerous times anally and vaginally. From what I can tell her attack continued for an entire day. Being that she is from one of the districts she was already malnourished to begin with but for her to take this type of treatment and survive...she's strong." Unohana explained placing a caring hand around the girl's small one.
Satoshi was shaking with anger. Osamu was calling his daughter out and he'd be damned if he gave her to him, but he could not allow for another child to be treated like this one had. Shunsui looked at the man and knew what he was thinking. The fact that this child had been sent to them as a messenger was an act of war. They would have to act to protect the districts and hide Yoruichi. The problem was that they had been withholding the progress of her courting to find a mate and produce the Soul King's heir. The longer they waited, the stronger Osamu would become, and the more trouble he would be.
"I'm going to call the captains together. Satoshi figure out where we can send Yoruichi and there better be a suitor she's interested in, because she has to have this kid or else this is never going to stop. Unohana you stay with the child and let me know when she wakes up." Shunsui ordered. His usually playfulness was like a thing of the past as he turned to face the door. "Uncle, I know that this isn't what you want for your daughter but think about that little girl. Do you think her parents wanted for her to be a sacrificial messenger?"
Satoshi never got the chance to answer Shunsui. The commander had left without another word. Looking down at the small girl on the bed he swallowed hard and prayed silently for her forgiveness. Unohana watched him silently.
"Please save her." He said looking up at the healer.
"I don't need you to ask me that." She answered and gave a small reassuring smile. Satoshi nodded and turned to leave before Unohana stopped him.
"I'm not sure what is going on but there's a time for everything whether we want it to come or not." She said. Satoshi looked over his shoulder at her and nodded before leaving the room. Unohana looked back at the girl with grim determination.
"Keep fighting child."
Satoshi sat in his office rifling through paperwork for everything he would need for Yoruichi to have in case of his death. He had sent a messenger to Jou Mou for her to come to him and right now he was losing his mind with all the things he had failed to teach his daughter.
"I spoiled her! I have got to be the worse father to ever grace Soul Society." Satoshi grumbled as he grabbed a scroll and placed it into a box that was quickly becoming too small for what he was leaving behind.
"You are being too hard on yourself. Had you taught the girl all the things she needed to know before her exile she would have never come back and my granddaughter might have gone with her." Satoshi looked up to see Jou Mou enter the office. She had obviously been busy in her garden from the streaks of dirt on her clothing.
"Jou Mou...Osamu has-" Satoshi was cut off by the old woman.
"I know. It looks like this can no longer be avoided. I hope she knows her destiny." Jou Mou sat down in a chair and folded her hands in her lap looking cryptically at the man.
"I told her but she was unhappy that I didn't let her know sooner," Satoshi explained.
"For good reason too. Satoshi from the time she was born you have coddled her and tried to protect her from the reality of our world. Now that everything has come to a head you have a right to be upset with yourself. Not because you spoiled her but because you withheld the truth. It's a blessing that you told Sui-Feng when you did. At least one of them has a complete grasp on reality," Jou Mou admonished the man as if he were still a child.
Satoshi ran a hand through his hair knowing that everything she had said was true. If he had told Yoruichi as soon as she had been reinstated she may have been more prepared to take his place should something happen to him. Jou Mou watched him as he fumbled through his scrolls, eyes widening at the box they were being placed into.
"You plan to die?" Jou Mou asked. Satoshi stopped midway to placing another scroll into the box. He looked the old woman in the eyes and swallowed before nodding. "Sacrificing yourself is meaningless. What purpose do you plan to throw your life away for? To what benefit?"
"I have to weaken him! I'm the only who can!" Satoshi roared slamming his fist into the desk causing it to crack. "I cannot allow him to continue to wreak havoc and get away with it. Every day he gets stronger, every day more souls are taken by him and turned into that abomination of an army. The balance of our existence is threatening to collapse if something isn't done."
"And what answer do you have?" Jou Mou said cooly still seated in her chair as if Satoshi's outburst had never happened.
"I've been researching his dark kidou and found that while it is inevitably evil it is a double edged sword. I can use his own power against him to weaken him." Satoshi answered.
"That's a nice assumption seeing as you've never used it." The old woman shook her head.
"Sai did. When Zhou went crazy and we figured out that he was possessed by Osamu that's what Sai used to stop him. While it was only a part of Osamu it definitely made him weaker. He and I had been studying for a few years after Yoruichi was born." Satoshi picked up a scroll and looked at it. He went to place it into the box.
"Shouldn't you give that to her?" Jou Mou asked.
"I want to but if she reads it before the time is right..." He trailed off looking at the thick scroll in his hand.
"Then give it to Sui. She will give it to Yoruichi at the appointed time you instruct her." Jou Mou offered.
"Yes...that would be the better choice." Satoshi said quietly before placing the scroll in question into his robes.
"Satoshi...you didn't make a mistake raising her. She stands for what is right even if it's by herself. She'll be fine. She has friends that will make sure of it and you know how that granddaughter of mine is." Jou Mou stood and approached the desk.
"Your words are...reassuring but my mind won't accept them. Once again your family is the reason mine continues to thrive." Satoshi said sadly as he closed the box. Elongating a fang he bit his wrist and poured his bleeding appendage over the top. Blood dripped on the middle, making it glow and the Shihouin symbol appeared on the top before both Jou Mou and Satoshi heard it lock. Picking up the box he held it out to the old woman who gave him an exasperated look.
"You think you're the only one that plans to fight?" Jou Mou asked incredulously.
"You can't. When Yoruichi comes back you have to give this to her. I only trust you to guard it."
"I'm retired."
"You just said you were going to fight." Satoshi countered.
"On my own volition I can do whenever I want. I would like to fight this bastard but you're ordering me to stay behind and guard a box. Being retired, I can ignore that," Jou Mou answered with a sniff.
"I'm asking you to live and give my daughter what I can't. I'm begging you to stay behind and tell my grandchildren about their grandfather. Yoruichi will need you. Please, I'm not ordering you...I'm asking you as a friend...please." Satoshi placed the box back on the desk and walked around it to stand in front of the woman. Gently grabbing her hand he squeezed it gently.
Jou Mou looked away from the sad gold eyes of the boy she had practically raised. This was his last request and practically his dying wish. How could she deny him?
"I'm too old for this shit...alright, I'll give it to her." Jou Mou answered. Satoshi swept her into a hug and held her tight.
"Thank you. You know you were always like a mother to me." He said quietly.
"I know and I never wanted to bury another son," Jou Mou said as a few tears fell. She pulled back and gripped the Shihouin leader's arms. "But you promise me one thing."
"What's that?" Satoshi asked.
"You give that asshole hell."
Presently in Soul Society
Shunsui watched as the portal closed behind Yoruichi and Sui-Feng before turning to the direction Satoshi had headed. The other captains stood at the ready for any order he issued.
"Shihouin Yoruichi is our enemies' target because she is to bear the future Soul King," Shunsui said aloud to all present. All heads snapped to him in utter disbelief. Kurosutchi smiled before speaking.
"That would make her most interesting to study...the child as well." As soon as words were out of his mouth he regretted them. The Visored captains had their swords drawn and mask at the ready, Shunsui looked like he was going to draw his sword, but Satoshi was faster than all of them as he grabbed the strange captain by the throat and slammed him into the ground.
"If you cannot keep your tongue still I'm going to rip it out of your head. Do you understand me?" Satoshi growled barely holding himself back from tearing the man's throat out. All the other captain's present, save Shunsui, stared wide eyed at Satoshi's speed. Now they understood where Yoruichi got her speed from.
"Shihouin-dono while the man you are strangling is a definite thorn in all our sides, if this was a different situation I wouldn't care if you killed him but we need all the man power we have. I think he gets the message. How would you like to handle our current situation?" Shunsui asked looking at the man.
Satoshi released Kurosutchi with a growl and straightened up. Looking at the sun he thought about a strategy before speaking. "We don't know what Osamu has up his sleeve but if I were allowed to take a tracking team to observe him then I can gauge exactly what he has planned. Meanwhile I would station two captains at every cardinal direction to cover the gates and one captain evenly between those two groups. The districts are our priority now. If he is allowed to take anymore souls we won't have a fighting chance. Since it's still daylight out, I recommend escorting all those in the districts into the Gotei area for protection. The bathyms cannot enter the walls so we can ensure they won't be used against us."
"And where do you propose they stay?" Byakuya asked haughtily.
"Anywhere. I don't want to hear your crap Kuchiki, when it was your ancestors' job to bear the King the Shihouin's helped in whatever way possible. I would hate for the next King to look down on your family." Satoshi growled.
That shut Byakuya up. He nodded in agreement, even if he was bit reluctant. Satoshi looked around to see if anyone disagreed and was met with the disbelieving looks of the Visoreds. Shinji was the first to speak.
"Timeout...Yoruichi is what now? I'm sorry but this is a little hard to believe. Most of us don't even know what the hell is going on. Kyoraku, with all due respect you make a really shitty commander. We all had an idea that something was happening but the last we heard about there being any threat on Soul Society was when you sent Yoruichi with the kid to check out some district. Now you're sending us against an enemy we know nothing about. That's bullshit."
His small rant was met with silence as Shunsui and Satoshi shared a look. Satoshi sighed and looked every captain in the eye as he spoke. "I know we dropped this on you but do not blame the Sou-Taicho for his secrecy. This was a situation that he was forbidden to speak on since not many can be trusted in a situation this delicate. Anyone that knew of this and spoke of it would be sentenced to death and any person who had been told about it would be put to death as well. I will start at the beginning and tell you what has been withheld from you. Most of you..." The Shihouin gave a pointed look at Kurosutchi, "are well trusted. The visoreds more so than others because I know that you feel like you owe a debt to Yoruichi for saving you. Everyone else has served with my daughter and know that she would risk her life for yours without thinking twice. So I ask you to listen..."
THE WESTERN LANDS
Yoruichi woke before the rising of the sun which was unusual seeing as she opted for sleeping half the day away. Unfortunately her thoughts were going nonstop and the chaos that was her mind, was making sleep practically impossible. Too many things had happened in the last couple of weeks making her life akin to a rollercoaster. She didn't know what to think about anything. She had loudly voiced her opinion about being forced to marry though no one listened beside her father but now that she knew about the hidden agenda in her life...it mad her angry. Her father had always told her that honesty with one's family was worth more than gold. So why hadn't he told her something so important? Did he think she couldn't take the truth?
The thoughts continued their vicious cycle inside her head. Deciding that some fresh air would probably do her some good she got out the bed and stretched. Her senses picked up the Onmistukido detail that had accompanied her and Sui-Feng and she grimaced in annoyance. Turning to head to her bathroom, the only place she got any real privacy, and opened one of the windows. She took off the sleeping yukata that she had been provided with by the castle servants and transformed into her cat form. She leapt from the floor to the lip of the sink and finally out the window. Once outside she noticed that she was on the third floor of the castle instead of the second.
'This place makes Byakuya's house look like a back water shed.' Yoruichi thought with a smirk and carefully made her way down to the green grass below. Once she was on solid ground, Yoruichi preened her claws to relish in the feeling of the soft grass and dirt between her paws. She sighed and began to explore the grounds hoping to find something interesting.
Unfortunately, it didn't work as the woman kept finding her mind wandering back to her problems. She just was so mad at her father for keeping secrets from her. Now she was stuck with the only suitor she had approved of and who knew what would happen. She doubted he was going to bore her to death about how wealthy he was and so on but she hoped he wasn't going to use this as an opportunity to sweep her off her feet. She just wasn't interested and the only person that she was or had been interested in had stomped on her heart.
The thought made Yoruichi stop and sit on her haunches. She had been trying so hard not to think about the silver eyed girl that her heart belonged to but so far she wasn't having any luck. Her heart still felt raw when she thought about the captain and then she got angry with herself all over again. With an angry growl she resumed her walk with more urgency in her step. It was almost like she was trying to walk away from the thought she had.
'If she wants to be a bitch then so be it! I don't care anymore she's nothing but a guard anyway. I don't- no I won't deal with this shit. As long as she stays the hell away from me I can pretend she doesn't exist.'
Yoruichi was so caught up in her thoughts she didn't notice the large white canine running at her until she heard a loud bark. Her head whipped around just in time before she sped away with a startled yowl. She could have sworn she heard the dog laugh before continuing to chase after her. Yoruichi felt her heart was ready to beat out of her chest as the big dog continued to gain on her. Not liking the situation she was in she kicked her speed into high gear and shunpoed into the woods. She looked over her shoulder and balked when she saw the canine still behind her and faithfully making chase.
"What the hell!" She said aloud, "Get lost you stupid mutt!" She pushed herself faster but the dog kept up and began to match her stride for stride. The chase continued until Yoruichi got sick of being chased. Skidding to a halt she brought up a clawed hand to swipe at the dogs face once he reached her. It seemed the canine had other ideas as he jumped over her and blocked the escape path behind her.
"Stupid dog. What do you want you flea bag?" She growled.
"Is the name calling really necessary?" The dog responded sounding miffed.
Yoruichi blinked in suprise. "You can talk?"
"What? Are cats the only ones entitled to intelligent verbal communication? Oh and for the record, I don't have fleas." The dogs deep voice rumbled playfully.
"Sure you don't next you're going to tell me you don't slobber." Yoruichi hissed in response barring her fangs.
"Are you always this hostile?" The dog asked cocking his head to side with curiosity.
"Does it matter? I don't have time for this." Yoruichi turned and began to head back toward the castle.
"Hold it." The dog said coming after her and falling into step beside her. "For being a cat you really can be a bitch."
"What did you call me?" Yoruichi whirled on the dog and got in his face. "You nearly scared me half to death running at me out of nowhere. Didn't your mother ever teach you that shit like that is going to get you killed?"
"Can we leave my mother out of this? Beside I didn't think you would be such a 'fraidy cat." The dog's expression could almost be thought of as a smile if Yoruichi didn't want to scratch his face off.
"Look I have a lot on my mind and it's something a dog like you wouldn't understand. So just go away." Yoruichi said as she resumed walking.
"Oh? Are you going to whine about how life is so unfair? Cry me a river princess." The dog barked a laugh.
"Screw you! Would you just go away already? Go chase your tail or something."
"You are such a cry baby! What's really your problem?" The dog once again stopped in front of the cat and blocked her way. It was really a comical scene. The small black cat looking defiantly at a large white dog who seemed nonplussed about the glare directed at him.
Yoruichi grunted and gave him a second look before rolling her eyes and sitting on her haunches. "Look, I'm not having a great day... actually more like year...anyway, I'm in a place I know nothing about with some stuck up suitor that I'm probably am going to get stuck marrying."
"Hey I'm not stuck up!" The dog gave Yoruichi an indignant look. The statement made Yoruichi do a double take as her jaw dropped and realized she was indeed talking to the lord of the western lands.
"Besides," Yuu continued, "you're no treat yourself. All you've done this morning is mope and whine. Get over it and if you don't like how things are going, change it instead of feeling sorry for yourself."
"When were you going to say something?!" She snapped.
"Oh, I wasn't aware I had an obligation to. Besides I was planning to give you a taste of your own medicine" he replied. "And with as bitchy as you're acting I'm thinking I made a mistake approaching you at all."
"Am I acting that bad?" Yoruichi asked as her ears pinned back in frustrated annoyance with herself.
"Actually, yeah you are but forget about it. I just got done doing my rounds and I'm bored. All the servants and guards are busy so there's no one to prank..."
"Wait a minute? You go around pranking your servants?"
"No, I prank the statues in the courtyard," Yuu rolled his eyes. "Of course I prank the servants. Besides me there's really no one else here. So I make do with pulling shit on them. Most of the pranks are harmless for the most part." The dog shifted and rolled onto his side.
"Wow. I take it back, you're not stuck up...just an absolute prick." The cat retorted.
"And you're a bitch so I'd say we're even." Yoruichi shot the dog a dirty look which the canine practically shrugged off.
"Look, all I'm saying is that you have to stop worrying about how to solve your problems and just live through them. Things like these tend to work themselves out in time. Rushing for some type of resolution will only wear you out and possibly make you even angrier with your life. Besides...I've learned that shit just tends to happen." The dog stood to his feet and stretched its back out.
Yoruichi didn't respond and rose to all four paws as well and looked at the dog thoughtfully. "I take back the stupid mutt comment but I still think you have fleas."
The dog laughed, "When you see a flea you'll know. It will probably start talking to you."
Yoruichi did a double take. "Talking to me?"
"This place much like your home has many surprises that are very unique compared to other places. The people, the customs, life in general. I'm sure you'll come to find everything to be quite interesting with time."
A howl could be heard in the distance and the white canine perked its ears toward the sound. "Damn it...if it's not one thing it's another." The dog started bounding in the direction of the howl and stopped to look back at Yoruichi. "I feel compelled to say this...your perception of me is complete bullshit, so let me just give you the tip of the iceberg about who I am. I curse like a sailor, I hate formality, and I'm more likely to sneak off the grounds to go gallivanting with humans to drink than get to a meeting on time but, I do have priorities. If any of those things were a turn off for you than I'm not interested."
Yoruichi didn't respond as she watched the dog take off and pick up speed till it was out of sight. 'Well that was...revealing.' She thought.
She made her way back to the castle and ran past the guards and up the stairs to her room. A few of the busy servants shot her a curious glance but other than that paid her no mind. She reached her room and reverted back to her human form and stretched to get the kinks out of her back. She then noted that she did feel a little better after talking to the dog about her problems and pondered on his advice.
"I can't really fix anything. I hate feeling like my hands are tied besides I'm stuck in a place I don't know." Yoruichi said aloud to no one. She went to the bathroom to wash and head for the dining hall.
She had just finished tying the gold sash she had been given around her purple hakama when she was stopped by a familiar voice.
"Yoruichi-sama."
Yoruichi closed her eyes but did not turn around to face the owner of the voice. Taking a deep breath she willed herself to respond. "What can I do for you Feng taicho?"
Sui-Feng winced at the use of title but other than that held her bearing. "You're disappearance this morning caused a lot of alarm. Please stay with a guard at all times please."
"I don't think so." Yoruichi answered matter of factly.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me Feng taicho. You were brought here to protect me and that means for you to keep up with me wherever I go but at the same time stay out of sight. Was that not the agreement?" Yoruichi's voice was disturbing to Sui-Feng. She had never been on the receiving end of such a tone but had heard it more than a few times when Yoruichi was carrying out an assassination.
"We have upheld our end of the bargain but if you give us the slip again I am going to make sure that you are surrounded at all times" Sui said through grit teeth.
"It must be frustrating..." Yoruichi began, "-to know that none of you are good enough to keep track of me or keep up. If the task is too much for you it's not too late to ask for a replacement. I'm sure I can do so much better than you."
The meaning behind the words was not lost on Sui-Feng as she caught the icy look the Shihouin was throwing her. Deciding not to respond Sui turned to leave but Yoruichi's words stopped her in her tracks.
"I don't want your protection. You're not suited for the job anyway. You can have your guards watch over me but you stay the hell away from me." Yoruichi's whisper cut through Sui-Feng like a zanpaktou. She turned to look at the woman who still had her back to her.
Did Yoruichi even know what she was saying? Sui-Feng had no other purpose but to serve and protect Yoruichi. Without that sole purpose she was like a blade with no wielder, a blade with no edge. A hollow feeling began to well up in Sui-Feng's chest. Yoruichi had rejected her and there was nothing she could do. What the woman said she had to obey.
"As you wish Yoruichi-sama." Sui-Feng walked out of the room. The two Onmitsukido soldiers outside the door had heard the words exchanged and noted the look on their captain's face.
"Stay by her. You know how to find me if something happens," Sui-Feng said sounding very tired.
"Taicho." The guard to her left said. He had steel blue eyes and a cut across his nose. Sui-Feng waited for him to say something. Instead both guards bowed deeply to their captain before straightening up to salute her.
The action spoke volumes to Sui-Feng. She would never voice it though. They had shown that they trusted her whole-heartedly and that they didn't believe that she was any less suited for this job than she was. Though the gesture was reassuring it didn't help ease the aching pain in her chest.
The sun had fully risen over the Western Lands by the time Yoruichi made her way down to the dining hall for breakfast. She hadn't expected the table to be so full of food when she got there. She did however find herself alone at the table which suited her just fine since she felt being around Yuu after this morning might be a little awkward. Unfortunately the universe did not share her line of thinking.
"Well, well, look what the cat dragged in." Yuu said sending a devilish smile her way.
"Said cat is ready to throw this butter knife between your eyes." She said before grabbing a peach and a glass of milk.
"So touchy. Where's that beautiful body guard of yours?" Yuu commented causing Yoruichi to bristle.
"Who cares?" She snapped.
"I do that's why I asked. For a bodyguard she doesn't really stick by your side like she did at the festival. You two break up or something?" Yuu joked unaware of how right he actually was.
Yoruichi looked miffed but responded anyway, "I don't need her to follow me around."
"Well she must have done something from the way you got angry at me for just mentioning her, but it does explain some things...you seem to have a lot on your mind. That's to be expected with everything that's happened. I'm still trying to wrap my head around everything as well," Yuu said filling his plate with food.
"Did my father tell you why he sent me here?" Yoruichi bit out, there venom with the word father.
"Yes he did but what's more disturbing was what your elders said to me after he left. They gave me your dowry and named us affianced." Yuu said.
Yoruichi almost choked on her milk as she gave him a look. "What?"
"I sent the dowry back and told them that I have no desire to marry you unless you wish for it. Like I said before, I do not want a reluctant mate or an angry bitch. Besides I know nothing about you. They seemed quite upset and I told them that they had greatly dishonored themselves by their actions," Yuu answered before taking a bit out of the red herring in front of him and chewing it.
Yoruichi watched him while her mind processed what he had told her. His reaction to the elders made her feel some pride toward his actions in vehemently letting her make this decision on her own. Most suitors would have snatched the dowry and she would have been forced to say her vows right about now.
"Ok asshole, let's get one thing straight. I'm not going to allow you to continue calling me a bitch. I'm not a mutt like you and if this courtship is expected to go anywhere cut the bullshit." Yoruichi said cooly, making the man look up from his delicious meal.
"Hn, well you've got spunk I'll give you that." He smiled. "Very well. I'll refrain from calling you a bitch but I'll have you know, in my culture we tend to sometimes refer to our women as bitches...I am a dog."
"No you're a mutt." The princess mumbled and rolled her eyes. "So what's there to do around here anyway?"
"Depends on what you're in to." Yuu said before he took a sip of his milk before giving her a thoughtful look. "I actually was thinking of taking care of some things and then taking you on a real tour, but it seems you're pretty tired. Were you working too hard before you came here taicho?"
"Unusually so. I'm kind of like you in that aspect. I slack when I can but don't allow my laziness to make me incompetent." Yoruichi said as she took a bite out of a roll.
"Well said. I tell you what, I'll take care of most of my business today and then we'll take a trip tomorrow." He answered before digging back into his plate. Yoruichi nodded and they both continued to break their fast.
By the time breakfast was over the two were finished they had engaged in conversation about various things and both were impressed with each other, though they weren't about to say it. The servants cleared the dishes from in front of them and the two eyed each other as if sizing each other up.
"So you never did answer me. Where is she?" Yuu said breaking the silence.
Yoruichi frowned at the mention of Sui. Under different circumstances she might have been worried but she was too hurt to care. "I don't know. I don't keep track of things that don't matter."
"You're an awful liar." Yuu watched her for a response.
"It's none of your business anyway." She answered leveling him a stern look. "Besides what do you want her for?"
"I have a potentially dangerous shinigami on my lands that is unaccounted for. That could cause problems. She hasn't really been briefed on what to expect from the locals and I would hate for something to happen because of a misunderstanding."
"How is Sui a danger to you?"
"You're father deemed her strong enough to protect you meaning she's a force to be reckoned with. My soldiers know that there are visitors but are still on orders to attack suspicious persons. If she's watching you from the shadows and my soldiers see her a confrontation could occur and I'd lose men for no good reason. That's how she's a danger to me." Yuu eyed the woman.
Yoruichi closed her eyes and sighed. She knew she was being difficult but she just couldn't find it in herself to stop. It was almost like she was taking out her frustrations on the man in front of her. "I see. I saw her this morning but I couldn't tell you where she is right now."
"I guess I'll have to send someone to look for her." Yuu ran a hand through silver locks and leaned back in his chair. "Well no rush,besides I'd much rather spend time with you at the moment. You know, I plan for us to get to know one another and I think it would best to let you know how your world ties into mine to avoid any possible confusion. I'm not sure if you've noticed but I'm not like you in many ways. For starters I'm not a soul reaper. I'm a youkai."
Yourichi gave a startled frown, "A demon?"
Yuu smiled at her reaction. "Your father didn't tell you?"
"Apparently my father doesn't see fit to tell me shit." Yoruichi gave an unlady like grunt.
Yuu rolled his eyes at her attitude before starting. "I come from a long line of demons that has been slowly dying out for generations. The realm you are in used to consist of many races of demons but because of the ignorance of many, fighting is all that has gone on since anyone living can remember. I am the last of the shiro inu or white dog demons. The only demon races that remain are the panthers, snakes, and wolves. The wolves have always been allies of ours. The panthers were enemies until recently and the snakes will always be enemies." Yuu said the last part with unbridled hatred.
"I'm guessing there's a back story to that," Yoruichi said.
"Maybe another time," He relplied with a sigh before continuing. "The panthers are very closely linked to you in ways that you will experience with time. From the skin tone down to your personalities. My father was able to garner peace between our races after having been enemies for as long as anyone can remember."
"So how is it that no one knows you exist?" Yoruichi asked skeptically.
"We stay to ourselves. The few humans we do have in our realms are ruled by us and the wandering souls you call ghost are sent to the afterlife by mikos. All in all we have absolutely no need for shinigami. The only reason our paths have crossed is because of the shinigami's early efforts to harness demon magic." Yuu laughed.
"Wait are you insinuating we get our kido from you?" Yoruichi had both brows raised as if it was complete nonsense.
"Not an insinuation at all. Think. The closest thing your realm has to what you would call demons are hollows. Why call it demon magic if it doesn't come from demons? A long time ago both of worlds were tampering with time and space. At some point a shinigami found himself here in our world. A demon thought he had stumbled across an easy dinner. He was surprised when the human possessed powers more fearful than mikos. He was so fascinated that he trapped the man with what you call Bakudo #30. That was when the barrier between soul reapers and demons was lifted and the existence of our two groups became known. The demon that caught the soul reaper taught him the demon arts in exchange to for knowledge on them," Yuu stood from his seat and looked back at the dark skinned woman who was still mulling over his words.
"How come no one knows of this?" Yoruichi asked. She was thoroughly confused on how something so important in the history of the Shinigami was unknown to the masses.
"Well it is in your records. The Kuchiki keep the record of time, souls, and history in your world, correct?"
Yoruichi nodded.
"Then it is known just guarded by them. The only reason for that would be because I heard that the first man to the break the barriers of realm and time, learn the demon arts, and become the most powerful Shinigami to ever live was the first Soul King," Yuu said. Silence hung in the air for a while and Yoruichi thought on the story she had been told.
"Try not to think about it too hard. Answers will come with time. If you'll excuse me I have some things that need taking care of. Take some time explore. If there is anything you need just call out and a servant will be nearby to attend to you," Yuu smiled at her and bowed. Yoruichi watched him leave and slumped in her chair.
The conversation they had just had was mind boggling to say the least but the more she thought of it the more it made sense. So many secrets had been revealed to her in such short time. It made her wonder just how much was she unaware of? A yawn caught hold of her so she decided to walk back to her chambers to catch up on much needed sleep. As she walked down the hall she could feel the guards that had come with her following her discreetly. She couldn't feel Sui-Feng's reiatsu and didn't know whether she was angry or relieved that the girl wasn't around. Shaking her head in anger at herself she opened to door to her chambers and began stripping her clothes off. Sliding under the silk sheets she found her thoughts kept going back to Sui-Feng.
It went without saying that she missed her. Even though Sui had hurt her in the worst way imaginable, she still missed the woman in the worst way. The small touches that had been shared, the looks of knowing, the kisses of longing. Yoruichi bit her lip as she felt her eyes begin to water against her will. She didn't want to cry over the girl, but she had no one to talk to about it. She had opted not to tell her canine friend about since it was such a delicate situation. She couldn't tell Yuu that her relationship with her bodyguard had turned improper and now she was the victim of an unrequited love. Kisuke couldn't be reached. Kukakku probably had no idea that she was gone, and her father...
Yoruichi couldn't hold back the tears as she thought of her father. He had a certain look in his eyes like he wasn't ever going to see her again and Yoruichi didn't like it. Especially since the last true words she had said to him weren't anything to be proud of. Yes, she had been mad at him for keeping secrets from her but she didn't want the last words she said to him to be without love. Yoruichi allowed to floodgates to open and her tears to soak her pillow. For the first time in her life she felt truly trapped and alone. "...Daddy." she whispered into her pillow before she drifted off to sleep.
Sui-Feng couldn't focus. Her mind was in shambles and instead of being able to concentrate on the task at hand she found herself not being aware of her surroundings. She had watched her charge throughout her first day in the Western Lands. Albeit, from afar but she watched her none the less. She found herself angry at her Lady's actions that morning and felt even more frustrated when she saw her and the Lord of the castle sharing deep conversation. She had watched them talk at breakfast, too far to hear the topic at hand, she settled for watching body language. To add to her frustration, it seemed that Yoruichi had found someone to banter with, in other words she might have found someone to match her wit. It took a lot for someone to impress Yoruichi but by the way she watched Lord Yuu talk to her, it seemed banter came naturally for him.
'Maybe fate has pushed them together and my breaking her heart was all part of the process.' Sui-Feng thought with a frown as she watched her goddess lean in to listen to something the silver haired man was saying. 'It's not like you have anything to offer anyway...'
The self-depreciating thoughts continued as the day went on. Now as she watched her charge cry herself to sleep the captain only beat herself up more. A sense of self-loathing and hatred for herself and her life began to fester within her until she found herself almost too angry to keep her reiatsu hidden. Her group of soldiers noticed.
Excusing herself from her place in the shadows she left the area and went to the outside hall. There were two guards outside Yoruichi's room while the two others watched inside from the hollowed out ceiling. The other three roamed the grounds alternating patrols every so often. It was set up so that Sui-Feng could be with Yoruichi at all times she was needed and if she could not be present they could handle a situation themselves until she arrived. Right now, she had to get away. It hurt to watch Yoruichi and not be close to her. She wanted to be around her goddess but she knew that if she allowed Yoruichi to continue to love her and gave that same love in return, her Goddess would never allow herself to marry and become with child.
It wasn't who they were. Yoruichi was loyal to a fault so if she pledged her heart and soul to Sui-Feng then the girl knew she would have it. She would never allow herself to be taken by another. Likewise, Sui-Feng would never be able to allow herself to stand by and watch Yoruichi lay with another. She would murder the person responsible for making her lover with child, especially since she herself was biologically incapable of doing so.
'I did the right thing...right?' Sui told herself. She swallowed hard and she found herself in a small garden with a pond. Staring into a small koi pond, she watched as the fish swirled in a dance under the calm liquid surface. She became envious of the fish as they chased each other like it was a game only to stop and begin again. Such simple creatures, fish. They were only able to hold a thought for 5 seconds before it disappeared and had virtually no long or short term memory. If there was a problem, they wouldn't remember it. Their minds would never have the ability to torture them like hers did. The captain's thoughts drifted to another time and place as if she were in a trance.
" I apologize for avoiding you. It seemed like that was best for both of us."
"I understand why but if it's something that you feel is best then you have to also make sure it doesn't hurt us both as well."
The words echoed in her thoughts as she remembered the words they exchanged when she stopped avoiding the purple haired woman. Her plan at the time was the same as the current one but she didn't have the conviction she had now. This wasn't about them and what they wanted. The future of the entire existence of soul society hung in the balance. If they decided to become lovers they were more than likely to run away and not return. They would be hunted but knowing the team they made, no one stood a chance at catching them. Soul Society would collapse without a King and the balance between the dead and the living would shatter. Souls would not reincarnate, life could not continue and it would be their fault.
Sui-Feng couldn't allow that to happen. As much as she loved the Shihouin and wanted to be by her side for all eternity...nothing lasted forever.
Yuu sat in his office looking over request for protection for a small village that had been getting pillaged like clockwork. They provided a small share of goods to the Western Lands and although the contribution wouldn't affect the castle much he wanted to show the people that he would defend them. He signed off on it and placed it in a pile of answered request and groaned when he saw the pile of work that awaited him.
"It seems the more I work on getting rid of you, the more your contents just multiply. Oh if only I could burn you." Yuu growled at the mountain of paper work before snatching off the next request.
Halfway through the document he was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Come in."
A young man with midnight black hair walked in and bowed before shutting the door behind him. His skin tone was dark like Yoruichi's but his eyes were a deep orange that matched the stripes on his face. He had a horizontal stripe under each eye and a vertical one on his chin.
"Kenji! I told you that you don't have to knock. When did you get back?" Yuu said with a warm smile.
"Just now, milord. The treaty with the Eastern Lands is being enforced and I don't think we'll have anything to worry about anytime soon," Kenji reported standing stiffly in front of Yuu's desk.
"Kenji."
"Yes, milord?"
"Relax," Yuu said with a look. "Sit down dammit, you're giving me a crook in the neck." When the tiger did as told he continued.
"So I'm glad everything worked out with the Eastern Lands but I'm more concerned with how you've been lately. Any luck with the ladies?" Yuu said as he waggled his eye brows.
"No I'm too busy for that." Kenji answered.
"Then as of now you're on vacation."
"But I still have to train my platoon, and-" Kenji was cut off by a stern look from Yuu. "I guess a few days off wouldn't be so bad." He mumbled.
"That's more like it. Besides I need your help. We have a special guest with us and she has a transformation much like yours that is under developed."
Kenji went wide eyed. "Is it another tiger demon like me?"
Yuu sighed. "No...like I've told you before. I'm pretty sure you are the last remaining one. This one is actually a panther but she's not a demon."
The look on Kenji's confused face was comical. He was still young by demon standards but extremely talented. Yuu had found Kenji as a baby when he himself had just reached mating age. His father had been at war with a group of rogue demons and the village they had found him in had been burned to the ground but amazingly Kenji had lived. His father had been at odds with him for wanting to keep the tiger babe but after practically fighting tooth and nail he had won Kenji the right to be raised in the Western Lands.
"She's a soul reaper. Something that you know nothing about but I feel its time you expanded your knowledge. We'll begin tomorrow but for now I want you to write your report, hand it in to the captain and then go relax, bathe, roll around in the grass, but for Kami's sake don't do any work or training till tomorrow. Understood?"
"Yes sir."
"Good now get out of here you little furball." Yuu said with a smile. "Oh and before I forget. Our guest has a very interesting bodyguard that has been hiding around her somewhere. You can't miss her, her style is peculiar. If you see her could you send her to me?"
"But I thought you said no work" Kenji said with a cheeky smile.
"Just do it you imp." Yuu replied. Kenji bowed and left the room. Yuu looked back down at the page he had been reading and grumbled.
"Now back to you, paperwork..."
It didn't take long for Kenji to find Sui-Feng. She was indeed peculiar but she was fascinating to the tiger demon. He had never met a female that carried herself the way the silver eyed woman did, but it seemed that she was distracted by something. He chose not to pry as he led her to Yuu's office.
He knocked on the door and stepped away but not before giving Sui a small smile. "See you around."
Sui blinked at the action but said nothing as Yuu had beckoned for her to come in. She walked in and found the office to be much like Satoshi's but with a different feel. It seemed like everything about this place was similar yet different. Like an alternate reality or looking at a reflection of her and Yoruichi's life in Soul Society. She had met and conversed with the some of the more curious guards and their structure was a lot like the Gotei but again it was different as they had assassins and samurai like foot soldiers in two different armies. The number of the men and women involved was astonishing but Sui had tried her best not to look nonplussed.
"Ah Yoruichi-san's bodyguard. I finally get you to emerge from the shadows." Yuu said with a grin.
"You wanted to see me." Sui-Feng said in a business like tone.
"Indeed. Have a seat though. I'm not in a rush to get back to this heinous pile of paperwork." Yuu said jabbing a thumb in the direction of the never ending stack.
When Sui was seated he began. "Why are you here?"
Sui blinked. "Excuse me?"
"Forgive me if its intrusive but it seems your charge is angry at you for something and whatever it is could potentially cause me problems in protecting and courting her." Yuu said.
Sui eyed him warily. "I have had no problems protecting Yoruichi-sama in the past and I have none now. Whatever it is that you feel is a problem is just misplaced concern."
"I declare bullshit. I know she has a lot on her mind right now with this whole date with destiny looming over her head but whenever I mention you, her bitch level goes from a 3 to a full blown 10. Now what I want to know is if I'm going to have a problem with you while you're here because if I am I'm going to send you back where you came from" Yuu said in a deadly voice to convey the threat.
The tone made Sui-Feng snap as she stood to her feet and slammed her hands on the table. She leaned in close to his face as her eyes flashed dangerously and she struggled to keep her reiatsu in check. "I'd like to see you try. I already told you that your concern is misplaced. I am here on a job and if anything I am professional, but let's get one thing straight. I don't serve you or owe any loyalty to your house so if you think you can send me somewhere without getting hell, you have another fucking thing coming."
Yuu cocked an eyebrow at her statement. In all actuality he had expected the girl to go home with her tail tucked. "I see. Well if that's the case and only the Shihouin's can send you home I think it's fair to let you know that Yoruichi doesn't want you here, so when it comes down to it, I could send you back on her orders."
"She can't order me to leave her side. Only her father can since he charged me with protecting her in the first place. Nice try."
"I have half the mind to rip your throat out for your insolence." Yuu growled.
"Are you that eager to lose a hand?" Sui snapped back.
The two gave each other deadly looks. Yuu was the first to break the stare as he leaned back.
"Fine, you can stay, but the second I see that your presence is hindering Yoruichi's progress while she's here I'll make you leave myself."
Sui gave a deadly smile that caused Yuu to frown.
"Consider it a fight to the death then."
With that final statement she left the office and a very confused Yuu. What was going on with these two? One hated the other, while the other would fight to the death just to be near the person. This smelled...and Yuu didn't like it.
THE ABYSS
Osamu flexed both of his hands with a smile at the unmarred flesh. His body had been restored after his last gorge of flesh. The screams had been sweet music to his ears as he tore into the defenseless bodies. He thought back to the young girl he had all but murdered. He wondered how the fools in the Gotei were taking his message.
"My Lord, all the Adept are in place. Are you ready to begin?" Yrael asked in a deep bow.
"Yrael tell me what's the best way to defeat a strong enemy?" Osamu asked his deep voice slipping from his mouth like a snake.
"Use their strength against them?" Yrael asked unsure.
"Please." Osamu shot the man a look as if he expected a better answer. Seeing as the man really didn't know, Osamu stood from his chair and walked to Yrael until he was towering over him. "You take his future away."
"M-my Lord?" Yrael asked unsure what his master meant.
"The children... you go after the children."
So there you have it. Yuu seems to be quite the ass, right? The next chapter will come sometime in the middle of September but don't quote me on it, you know, real life and all...Remember to review and everyone be sure to enjoy the rest of their summer vacation.
Melodious Reprieve