Wow! I'm very pleased with the sincere reviews this story is receiving. Thank you all so very much for your support and know that you make this story possible. This chapter has actually been split in half as my beta made me aware just how long it had become. The next chapter should be up in a matter of days. My birthday is coming up this Friday and I feel its only right that I give by posting the chapter on the 14th. So look for the update on Valentine's Day.
Soifool- I'm glad that I have inspired you as I have read your stories in the past. You are a good writer and know that you were one of the writers that inspired me to begin my own journey into the world of fanfiction as an author.
shanemc- You are also one of the writers that I hold in high esteem so imagine my excitement to know that you are one of my readers! Thank you! BTW I love Kigo fanfiction and have been an avid reader of your stories of them. Keep up the good work and your critique is welcomed.
TayakoX- I'm sorry to hear about your wrist dear and pray for a speedy recovery. Take care of yourself and enjoy reading!
1991diyaburman-Please no biting! I'm sure we all value our ears. I will not abandon this story until it is complete and I can assure you we are not far from a conclusion.
WolfbaneXXX- I was sad to take Satoshi from his daughter but his death is a means to an end as it will bring about the revelation of this story.
To all the others that have reviewed you have continued thanks from this humble writer. Now on with the show!
Only Ever Yours 14
Osho stared wide eyed into the distance, as he felt a spirit light up brightly just before flaring out like a comet. A spirit had just left one cycle of the world and had joined the next as pure energy. Osho felt a slight quiver in his spine as very dark spirit energy left at the same moment the spirit died off. Since this occurrence had only been known to happen once before, Osho allowed himself to come to two conclusions; someone had taken a chunk of that bastard Osamu with them to the grave and that someone was Shihouin Satoshi. It seemed the Panther King was dead. Osho lowered his head in a moment of silence before fixing his eyes back on the whelp of a man in front of him.
"Shit," Osho said after a minute of not moving.
"Glad to see you're still in there. I was beginning to think you checked out of your brain."
"Kid this ain't no time for jokes. I was getting ready to say time isn't our enemy at the moment, but after the what just occurred we need to get you on track or else you and your hot girlfriend are fucked and I don't mean in a good way," Osho growled as he stood from the barrel he had been sitting on and approached Kisuke to size him up.
"Then how about we cut to the chase and you tell me what this is about," Kisuke answered.
"What would you say if I told you we're gonna catch the bastard that killed your mom?" Osho knew Kisuke's answer as he watched a light flicker in the man's eyes for the first time in weeks.
"How do you know about that?" Kisuke asked, his voice dropping an octave.
Osho walked until he was chest to chest with the smaller man.
"The real question boy is who are you?" Osho answered. "Now where is a place we can train in this dump? We don't have time to waste."
"Hold on a minute. You still haven't told me exactly what the hell is going on," Kisuke rebuked the man.
"That's cute coming from you!" Osho let out a loud laugh. "The man you practically sicced on Aizen has more intestinal fortitude than you do. Now where's a place to train before I begin to level this area to make room!"
"The fuck you will!" Osho dodged a kick and looked to see the same woman he had talked to the night before.
Kukaku had still been asleep when she heard all of the noise. She knew something had to have been wrong because anyone that knew her, knew not to wake her up before she was good and ready, especially Kiskue. She had pulled on a quick pair of shorts and a red t-shirt, marched toward the back of the shop to see the remnants of the broken shoji door on the floor, and hear the large man threaten her boyfriend.
"You're the goddamn perv that hid in the shadows last night. Pansy ass didn't get his fill last night I see," Kukaku noted.
"Hey I didn't peek! My back was to you the entire time," Osho said in defense. Kukaku just glared back at him before turning and walking back into the store and stopping at the open doorway. "Kisuke go eat something. This fuck will be waiting in our basement."
Both men looked at each other with their respective frowns, but said nothing as neither wanted to deal with Kukaku's wrath at the moment. Kisuke walked back inside and was greeted by Tessai tying his apron around his waist and prepping the kitchen to make breakfast for the household. Osho ducked under the hanging lip of the door and stayed in a crouched position in the house until he and Kukaku descended into the basement.
When they had reached to dirt ground, Osho took a look around in silent praise for the well-constructed area. Although he didn't approve of many of his new apprentice's decisions, he had to admit the boy had talent. He was cut out of his musings as a fire cracker screamed by his head causing him to jump off the ground screaming.
"Ayyye! What the fuck! Shit!" Clutching at his chest he looked at the brash woman who had nearly given him a heart attack. "You could have taken my eye out!"
"Shut up limp dick. You have a goddamn spare. And that's beside the point. When I talk to you, pay a-fuckin-tention!" Kukaku roared back pointing a finger at the man who was easily three times her size and towering over her, with a defiant look in her eye as she continued to all but stare Osho down. After seconds ticked by and neither had budged, Osho broke out in a deep heartfelt laugh.
"You've got guts! I like that! Alright what is it? I'm listenin'." He took a seat on a rather large rock.
"One, if I ever catch you inside my bedroom I'll fillet the skin from your dick and choke you to death with it. Two, you don't make a peep in the mornings that will fucking disturb me or I will make a gag from your balls and then kill you. Lastly, if he ends up worse off than he fucking started and you can't keep up your side of this bullshit ass bargain...well you get the picture. Are we clear?" Kukaku belted out.
"Crystal." Osho smiled widely as he eyed the small woman.
"Good," Kukaku said as she went upstairs to rejoin everyone else for breakfast. Tessai had just placed a plate of food in front of Kisuke. He didn't touch the plate and Kukaku noticed that he was staring off into space. Kukaku walked around to her seat next to him and took his chopsticks and placed them in his hand to get his attention. Her hand squeezed his softly, lingering for no more than a few seconds before she pulled away. She then grabbed her own plate while Tessai went to wake Jinta and Ururu. Kisuke began eating his food.
"I have no idea what the shit is going on, but I'm asking you nicely to at least listen to what fucking captain perv has to say," Kukaku said quitely before she began eating her food as well. They both finished in silence. Kisuke set his chopsticks down and grabbed Benehime to meet Osho when Kukaku grabbed his sleeve to pull him for a kiss. Finishing with a few soft pecks to his lips she ran a hand along nape of his neck gently squeezing before giving a smirk.
"I'll be here," She said before releasing him. He straightened up and popped his hat on his head before giving her a smile back.
"Arigatou," He said before leaving the room.
When he arrived on the field of the hidden training ground, Osho was sitting on a rock meditating. Kisuke scratched the back of his head before making his way closer to the large man.
"My name is Hyōsube Ichibei but my friends call me Osho. I am known as the Monk of Perception and I'm the leader of the Soul Kings' royal guard. You have been chosen Urahara Kisuke to be tested on your ability to fill a seat that will be vacated. Also your loyalty will be tested. Now, what do you remember of your father?" Osho boomed.
"I don't remember having one if that's what you mean," Kisuke answered in an annoyed tone. He didn't see what this had to do with anything and he definitely wasn't comfortable divulging his past to a complete stranger no matter where they claimed to be from.
"Well you do you brat and unfortunately he's as rotten as they come. You do remember what happened to your mother?"
Kisuke head snapped up as he looked at Osho for some type of clarification where he was going with this line of conversation. Osho just looked back at the blonde man calmly.
"Why are you asking me this?" Kisuke said evenly.
Osho jumped from his rock, leaving his gourd and slowly walked toward Kisuke. "A man was once one of the smartest Shinigami ever to be born into Soul Society. He and his twin were born of a Kyoraku woman and both showed great potential but these boys were different as one of them had been prophesied to be the next chosen Soul King. The oldest twin showed great knowledge in the art of demon magic and alchemy but had a knack for fiddling with what he shouldn't, while the other showed wisdom and conviction in everything he did but was thought to be too kind to become Soul King."
Kisuke's mind had left his body as all he could process were Osho's words. It was almost like he was watching the past replaying in his mind all over again. He hadn't even noticed Osho's giant hand descending onto his head.
"When the time came for the Soul King to ascend his chosen one to him, the youngest one was chosen, which angered the oldest twin and caused him to fall into dark intentions and thoughts. He began to experiment with forbidden dark arts not just from our realm but from others as well. Eventually, this man became obsessed and lost his sanity, although some believe a dark spirit possessed his mind and body. Eventually, on one fateful day this man turned on his family and killed his wife right in front of his son before then attempting to kill the child believed to become the mother of the next Soul King the second she emerged from her mother's womb. His efforts were thwarted as the new Soul King himself banished his wayward brother into the dark abyss and locked him away."
Osho's hand tightened around Kisuke's head before it glowed with a faint white light causing Kisuke to become limp in the monk's hold. Before he fully passed out, Kisuke heard Osho say, "You may want to run, but no matter what someone will find you and know that you are Osamu and Mikoto's boy."
"Oh my, he looks just like his father! How old are you today?" A beautiful woman asked him.
"I'm four," He felt himself answer and watched as a small hand, his own, hold up four chubby fingers.
"He's very smart too! That's amazing Mikoto! I can only hope my little one will be just as smart."
"Yes, Kisuke is very smart just like his father. Isn't that right sweetheart?" A woman with the most beautiful green eyes he had ever seen and long blonde hair smiled at him.
"Mommy?"
"Speaking of father's, how Satoshi been lately? Still jumpy as ever for the baby to come?" Mikoto joked.
"Of course. I'm a week overdue already as it is, but you should see him every time I make a sound from the baby kicking, he's on his feet running around screaming for the doctor. I figure when this little one is ready it will happen." The woman named Yukina answered. Her black hair and hazel eyes were soft and kind.
"You haven't allowed the new 4th Division captain to tell you the sex?" Mikoto asked.
"No, I want it to be a surprise. Besides if the council found out the sex they might already be making arrangements for the next Shihouin marriage. Satoshi and I just got them off of our backs to have children. I can't deal with those pushy upstarts, especially that Lira and Aeril. The nerve of those two sometimes," Yukina sniffed the last part causing Mikoto to laugh. "Anyway how's your husband been?"
Mikoto sighed, "Busy...he says there's so much for him to do at the division that it takes up all of his time but he's been sick as well. I'm worried about him. He's lost so much weight, and his eyes have sunken in but he won't come home. The other day I went to the division with Kisuke and he turned us away before we could even see him."
"That is odd for Osamu," Yukina frowned as well before she gave an encouraging smile. "It will be alright. This project of his can't last forever so just be patient I guess... If you need to talk you know where to find me but right now I have to get home before my husband sends the entire Second Division after to me to make sure I haven't given birth in a dark alley."
Mikoto laughed hard at that one.
"I'll find you later Mikoto. I'd rather Satoshi not blame me for keeping you." Yukina bowed to her friend who returned the gesture before making her way toward the Shihouin Estate. Mikoto watched for a few seconds before she too turned to make her way toward home with Kisuke in tow.
"Momma who was that?" Kisuke asked looking up at his mother as she smiled down at him before answering.
"That was Shihouin Yukina, she's the wife of the 2nd Division captain," She explained.
Little Kisuke frowned deeply in thought before answering cheekily, "You're way prettier than she is and her husband can't be stronger than Dad, right?"
Mikoto giggled at her son's declaration. "Oh Kisuke, it's not about who's the strongest or prettiest, although I do appreciate that you recognize a beautiful woman like me," She emphasized this with a kiss on his tousled head before continuing, " but it's what's inside that counts. Promise me you'll remember that."
Kisuke nodded his head still blushing from his mother's affectionate kiss. It didn't take long before his home came into view and Kisuke felt a conflict of emotions flow through him. The young him, felt happy at finally being home so he could have his mother all to himself for his birthday. The older Kisuke felt sorrow engulf his entire being as he knew in time what would come.
"No, I don't want to see this!" Kisuke exclaimed.
"You must...this memory holds your salvation. You must claim it, or... would you rather continue to suffer?" Osho let his words hang in the air.
"What exactly do you want?" Kisuke snapped.
"Nothing," Osho stated matter of factly. "I'm completely satisfied. You aren't. Why do you think you are the way you are?"
"I like science, I like making things, I like finding answers and solutions for things thought to be unsolvable. It makes me happy," Kisuke answered.
"Oh do you? What if I told you that's all a load of crap. You are a scientist simply because your father wants you to be," Osho snapped.
"What?" Kisuke's question hung in the air and silence followed.
"Yes, it's true but don't take my word for it. Watch."
Mikoto was putting away the laundry she had folded into the armoire in her room. The sun was beginning to set and she knew Kisuke would be coming home soon to celebrate the rest of his birthday with her. He had been invited to spend the day with his cousins at the Kyoraku Estate. The shoji door opened behind her.
"Welcome home Kisuke. Did you have fun?" She asked as she placed another item in its proper drawer.
"I had lots of fun mommy but I want moooore," A voice sounded behind her making Mikoto freeze in fear and her blood run cold. The voice sounded like hundreds of snakes slithering over each other and hissing angrily. Slowly she turned around to find her husband, but he was only half of her husband. The other half looked like a fungus that had latched on to the right side of his body. The black mass moved and writhed as if it had a mind of its own.
"Osamu...what happened?" Mikoto gasped as she backed away from the creature before her.
"I happened." The substance on the right side of her husband's body spoke while the lips on the other side remained motionless, "You know there is simply no greater feeling than reaching total enlightenment. Once you realize the purpose of every single creature everything seems superficial in way."
Mikoto didn't understand and reached out tentatively for her husband. She touched the right side of his face realizing that the skin was cold and clammy. She quickly pulled her hand away as if burned.
"Osamu! Answer me!" She yelled her voice shaking.
"No need to shout," The creature laughed, "I can hear you just fine."
"What? What do you mean?"
"I am the left side of his brain becoming physical on the right. Since the human spirit, much like its physical state of mortals, is complicated I will explain. I am logic, the left side of your husband's brain, physically manifested. I am the comfort he sought in the pain he felt after such an egregious act as being denied King. I am the reasoning for his shattered and hurt heart, as delicate as it is. Osamu demanded answers and I gave them. What you see now is your husband changing, morphing, and evolving into an entity more superior than anything ever known to existence. Your Soul King will bow to me as I have attained what he cannot."
"I still don't understand, why would Osamu..."Mikoto whispered as she backed until her back hit the dresser behind her, "What could he possibly want besides his family?"
"Hah!" The odd sight of the creature throwing its head back to laugh while the uncovered half of her husband head stayed still was enough to make Mikoto feel nauseous.
"Family? What a pitiful excuse. I care nothing for family. It is your brother-in-law who is responsible for our awakening. It is his fault for not giving us the power that is ours by birthright! It is family who has made us this way! I will show him the error of his ways. I am the rightful King. For what better man to be King than one who is immortal?"
Mikoto felt tears burning her eyes as she watched her husband's still uncorrupted face twist into a smile that was purely malicious. "Osamu..." she whispered as the tears came unabashed.
"Yes my dear?" Both sides of the head asked before stalking closer.
"You've already taken my husband! I'm all our son has left! Leave!" Mikoto shouted as she pushed her hand against wooden wall behind her, reaching into the hidden compartment as it gave way for her to grab the kodachi behind it.
"You see...I can't do that. You have to help me. You see my host has given you a rather large portion of his soul." The creature answered. "I think a demonstration is in order."
The entire right side that the creature had taken over moved and rolled in a disgusting matter as it rose up like a viper ready to strike. It moved toward the left side of her husband's still untarnished body before it was stopped dead center as if there was some invisible line it could not cross. The mass struggled for a moment before it gave up and recollected itself into the form of the previous creature. Mikoto sobbed as her husband and the creature set their eyes on her.
"Help us," Both sides of the head spoke as it came closer. "Submit to your duty as a wife and become one with us. I need the rest of his spirit and yours to become complete."
No sooner did he finish his sentence did Mikoto stab the kodachi into the heart of her husband. She tried to withdraw it but was stuck. Black tendrils shot out and wrapped around her body, squeezing tightly. She screamed in pure horror.
"No! Please! Give me back my husband!" She cried out.
"Join us wife, it's all we ever wanted." The tendrils slithered their way up her torso before wrapping their way around her neck and stuffing itself down her throat until the black murky substance seeped from her nose. Osamu's eyes gleamed as he watched his wife slowly strangled and the life slowly drain from her terrified eyes. When there was not a breath of life left in her he snapped her neck relishing in the feeling of breaking the physical manifestation of his final hindrance and dropped her body. Osamu closed his eyes and rolled his neck and shoulders inhaling in satisfaction as the rest of the black mass quickly engulfed what was left of the human body until the last bit of life was drained from her cells.
He opened his eyes again and rested them on the still warm body of his victim before he raised a clawed hand to rip away at the body with every intention to feed . However, a scream stopped his feast. Looking toward the door Osamu could smell unadultered fear on the other side.
"Ah my son," Osamu hissed as he snatched the door aside and picked Kisuke up by his head.
"Why are you torturing me?!" Kisuke screamed as he willed everything around him to stop. The images, the sickening smell, the feel of it all was too much.
"Face your fears!" Osho yelled. If it were possible Kisuke could feel Osho's spirit surround his and suppress it so that he was powerless. "You alone hold the answers to stop him, you alone have to face your fears, you have to stop running!"
"I don't owe anything to you! Release me!" Kisuke renewed his struggles.
"If you won't become a man for yourself then do it for the women you love!" Kisuke's struggle stopped and his body sagged defeated. "If you don't face what you fear the most, I promise you will lose them and everyone else around you for that matter. Only you will remain alive."
Kisuke sighed before answering, his voice sounding defeated. "Why?"
"That's exactly what we need to find out."
"MOMMY! MOMMY! MOM! MOM!" Kisuke yelled as he struggled against the hand that held him captive.
"My son...a runt," Osamu sneered before squeezing with every intention of crushing the boys head. Kisuke's spirit left the limbo he had been watching from and entered the young body once again. He could feel the hand like iron walls colliding and caving in his skull before everything stopped. His body sagged and from what he could tell he was physically unconscious. However, while the boy in him was sleep he was still aware of everything. It was almost like he was back in limbo but sensation of touch was still possible. He could feel his mouth being opened and saw Osamu's body contort and twist. The black sludge jammed its way down his throat and into his body filling it. His limbs twitched and convulsed as the evil entity invaded his body. No sooner than the last wisp passed through his lips did Kisuke's young body fall to the floor still twitching from the harsh invasion.
Kisuke felt every bit of blinding pain and was almost thankful that Osamu had rendered him unconscious the first time this happened. He could feel the demon inside of his body twisting, turning, burning. The creeping slither on his insides was enough to make him want to vomit even in spirit. Then something happened that Kisuke would never believe if it hadn't happened directly to him.
He felt himself become divided in a spiritual and physical sense. His spirit and body separated into Yin and Yang, Earth and Sky, Light and Dark. Everything had answer, and everything had meaning. Whatever this feeling was Kisuke felt that he finally had all of the answers he had been looking for. That is, until, the shoji door splintered and a dozen masked shinobi surrounded the room. One such shinobi looked toward Kisuke's mother, and kneeled beside her torn, thin body. He gently gathered her into his arms not minding the blood that seeped onto him.
"Leave me." Satoshi murmured.
"Gundachou-kaka, it isn't safe for-" a soldier started before he was abruptly cut off.
"LEAVE ME!" Satoshi snarled as his beast came to the surface making his teeth morph as his eyes turn to slits. His soldiers obeyed him without further argument. When he was alone he looked at Mikoto and closed her eyes.
"I'm sorry I couldn't make in time." He whispered before placing her back on the ground and preparing her body in a final resting position. His sense of smell detected Kisuke and saw the boy lying on the floor unharmed. Satoshi guessed that he had simply fainted from sight of his mother lying dead on the floor.
Reaching over he gathered the boy into his arms and placed him snugly against his chest allowing his beast to purr softly. The rumble allowed Kisuke's body to relax slightly but not much.
"I'm sorry," He whispered to Kisuke before standing to his feet. He took his cloak and bundled Kisuke in it so that nothing could be seen but his feet before making his way outside where his soldiers stood waiting in the dark night. Well hidden as they were, Satoshi knew where each soldier was even with no moon present in the night sky.
"Your orders sir?" A man a few inches shorter than Satoshi said as he approached the Shihouin leader.
"There is a body inside. Remove it for proper rites to be performed and burn it down to the ground." Satoshi commanded and he brought Kisuke's huddled form closer to him.
"Hai," The man replied and snapped a crisp salute. He turned to go into the house to retrieve the body before he was stopped by his commander.
"Sai," Satoshi called out.
"Yes Shihouin-dono?" Sai Feng replied turning to face him.
"Be careful. I didn't find any trace of Osamu inside. There's no telling where he might be." Satoshi said. He turned and walked toward the Shihouin estate. Sai bowed and motioned for soldiers to follow him inside to carry out his master's orders.
Satoshi looked down at the boy lying still in the bed. He would have thought him to bed dead save the gentle movement of his small chest as he inhaled and exhaled.
'What did you see?' Satoshi silently asked the boy.
A soft knock on the door was heard and Satoshi turned to see his beautiful and very pregnant wife looking at him from the doorway. He reached out a hand for her and pulled her close to him. He hugged her body to his as carefully as he could in her pregnant state and sent a thankful prayer to whoever was listening that she hadn't ended up like Mikoto.
"Did she suffer?" Yukina quietly asked as she returned the embrace.
"No," Satoshi lied to save his wife more grief. Such stress was not good for their child in her state. "I don't know what Kisuke saw but I'm guessing..." he trailed off.
"We'll raise him as our own. It's the least we can do for Mikoto," Yukina said with such confidence that Satoshi's resolve was strengthened to do what he needed for the boy.
"Yes." Satoshi nodded raising his wife's chin up to kiss her gently on the lips. She smiled at him and pulled his head back down for another kiss. Satoshi thanked the heavens for his wife, for there was never a woman who completed him more.
Yukina broke the kiss with a gasp and a shaky hand went to her stomach. She looked at Satoshi with surprised eyes. "The baby- ugh! It's c-coming!"
Satoshi's eye's widened and went to pick her up to carry her to a room.
"Stop! I have to give birth here. Don't m-move me! Argh!" She wailed out as she squeezed Satoshi's arm in a grip that made his eyes widen in pain. Picking Kiskue up he helped his wife onto the bed and placed Kisuke on the chaise at the foot of the bed.
"Ahhhhh!" Yukina yelled as she grabbed a fistful of sheets angrily to either side of her and pulled in pain. "DON'T JUST STAND THERE! GET THE DAMN DOCTOR!"
The angry yell broke Satoshi out of his stupor of inaction as he shunpoed out the door faster than he had ever before. Not a millisecond later Sai shunpoed beside the bed sword drawn as he looked at Yukina.
"Oh shit..." He murmured realizing why the woman had screamed so loudly.
Yukina grabbed him and pulled him close to her panting and sweaty form before she angrily growled. "NO SHIIIIIT!" She wailed as she fell victim to the strong contractions of her body preparing for birth. "Oh God!"
Sai couldn't escape the death grip his master's wife had on his shozoku and was forced to ride out the pain with the matriarch. He couldn't voice his condition as she was choking him to the point of silence.
Satoshi shunpoed into the room carrying a very flustered and annoyed Yamada Aikiko. The second her feet hit the ground she couldn't contain her annoyance and lost the image of a caring mother for two seconds. Her foot kicked Satoshi so fast that he didn't see it coming as he went through the door that connected the onsen to the room and many more rooms beyond it. Satisfied with her chastisement of the Shihouin leader she turned to see Shihouin Yukina throttling one Sai Feng. She quickly hit a pair of pressure points in the pained woman's arm before Sai was released from her painful grip.
"Go get hot water and 3 maids," Aikiko commanded calmly before turning to the writhing woman on the bed. She willed the kido to her hands as she took a quick diagnostic of her state. "Breathe Yukina."
Yukina took the advice and focused on her breathing. Aikiko worked quickly taking another diagnostic to monitor how quickly she was progressing and a few minutes later her water and maids arrived. Sai went to the broken doorway of the onsen and farther until he reached his master who was dazed but unharmed besides.
"Gundanchou-kaka, are you alright?" Sai asked as he helped the man to his feet.
"She's...scary..." Satoshi murmured in his dazed state.
"The 4th Division captains always are," Sai answered as he helped the man back to the bedroom where his master's wife lay ready to give birth to their firstborn. No one noticed that Kisuke was no longer lying on the chaise as Aikiko was too focused on helping the woman in pain deliver her baby.
"You're doing fine Yukina. You'll be able to begin pushing soon," Aikiko said gently in a tone that did somewhat comfort the woman in pain. Yukina gave out a painful grunt as another set of contractions rocked her body. "Oh God!"
"Satoshi! Go to your her!" Kisuke yelled as if the man could hear him.
"He can't hear you. This is a memory, remember that. Everything you see has already happened." Osho answered calmly. "I need you pay to attention to anything that's happening with you anything that could hold and answer. Focus!"
"Like it's that damn easy!" Kisuke spat back.
He found his younger self writhing underneath the bed Yukina was on with blood pouring out from underneath his eyelids as his young body tried to expel the demon within. Willing his spirit to reenter his younger body, Kiuske once again felt the blinding pain as his body tore itself apart internally only to repair itself. His organs were shredded by the dark force inside of him but a force like the complete opposite of the dark power fought back and repaired them right before he could die. Kisuke couldn't scream as his tongue and vocal chords wouldn't obey him. The pushing, tearing, and ripping got worse until Kisuke's body shuddered one last time before going limp.
Above the bed Aikiko, had just ordered one of the maids to fetch Satoshi. She quickly obeyed and brought in a rather uneasy 2nd Division captain.
"Go hold your wife's hand it's almost time for her to begin pushing. Whatever happens don't let go of her hand, not even if she breaks it," Akiko instructed before looking back at Yukina's dilation progress.
"What?" Satoshi squeaked nervously before his hand was taking hostage by his wife's own and she squeezed so hard he fell to his knees.
"Holy!" He cried out his wife squeezed harder.
"Shut up! You did this to me!" Yukina hollered.
"You can kill him later but it's time for you to start pushing," Aikiko said motioning for the maids to brace Yukina's legs.
Yukina pushed as hard as she could past the pain of being torn apart. "AAARRRRGHHH!"
"Good you're crowning! Breathe! Breathe!" The 4th Division captain coached. Satoshi swallowed his pain and placed encouraging kisses to his wife's sweaty temple as she paused between pushes.
"Push!" Aikiko commanded again and Yukina let out another yell and she did as instructed. "Breathe! You're doing fine. Breathe! Push!"
Kisuke's body began to seep a thick black puddle around his body until it was completely encased. "I'm...dying." Kisuke's older spirit thought.
"Relax." Aikiko said as she wrapped the baby up but quickly frowned at the one thing that was missing. The baby wasn't crying. She caught the worried looks on both Shihouin's faces as the silence in the room became deafening. Quickly taking the baby away from the sight of the parents, she quickly suctioned all the mucus from the baby's nostril airways and throat before running a diagnostic. A smile graced her face before mentally chiding the little one, "Alright you, the time for beauty sleep is over. Picking the child up by the leg she placed a firm smack on its bottom causing the babe to cry out loudly. Wiping the baby clean with the help of a maid she wrapped it in a clean blanket before turning to see a very worn out Yukina and an astounded Satoshi.
"Satoshi-dono you and your wife have been blessed with a healthy baby girl." Aikiko went to place the baby in the arms of her mother. Then everything went in slow motion for Kisuke.
"He's moving..."
*thump*
"Wait please!"
*thump*
"No!"
The black essence that had encased Kisuke's body morphed around him and his enslaved body shot from underneath the bed like a harpoon through the bottom of the bed and Yukina killing her instantly. Blood splattered everywhere like a fountain, spraying Satoshi. His golden eyes widened in horror and the wall next to him exploded as Sai burst through and snatched him out of the way just as a sharp tendril tore through the floor where he had been kneeling next to his dead wife. They collapsed a few feet away near a corner of the room as Sai's sons burst in, katanas drawn at the ready.
Looking up, he saw the black humanoid figure floating against the ceiling. Slowly Kisuke's small body dropped heavily from the black gel onto Yukina's dead body. The squelch was sickening. The baby began to cry and all hell broke loose. Tendrils shot out from the black mass to grab at the baby but Aikiko quickly threw the child toward Sai who dove to catch the babe before she hit the ground. He quickly handed her to Satoshi and took a defensive stance in front of them with his sons. Aikiko dove out of the way but the tendril managed to snag an ankle and held strong. The doctor screamed out as the tendrils burned like acid through muscle and tendon before ripping her foot off. The maids screamed in terror and ran for the door only to be snatched up and torn apart spraying blood and entrails all over the door they had so desperately tried to reach. Aikiko unsheathed her sword and before she could even form the words 'Bankai' both her arms were ripped from her body. More tendrils escaped the black mass and the ends formed the heads of ravenous beast that began to devour the woman before the men's very eyes.
After the blood curdling screams had stopped and the deceased doctor was of no more interest the mass began to form into the humanoid shape of a man. It turned to regard the men in the corner that had remained still throughout the massacre. Eyes opened to reveal fiery pits that burned a most malevolent fire and a mouth opened that wreaked of carrion and death. The smell would cause anyone to vomit, but Sai's sons were well trained and showed no fear at this unknown monster.
"Give me the child," Osamu growled from his demonic mouth. Satoshi's beast was fighting him but he had to keep it under control for the baby's sake.
"Over my dead body," He spat back through his fangs.
"As you wish."
The demon's chest exploded and shot at Sai's three sons. They quickly parried each life ending surge of the tendrils but were quickly losing the battle as the numbers grew. Sai's son Zhou was the first to fall as the tendrils locked his arms after a vicious swing of his katana, another around his neck. Before his father could cut him free he was pulled toward Osamu who quickly made a meal out of the screaming man.
"Zhou!" The oldest brother Li screamed before losing his cool. He began cutting his way through the tendrils with every intention of running Osamu through with his blade. He was successful but felt the hands of fear grip him when the demon began to laugh raucously before grabbing him and melting the muscles of his arms and dissolving his bones, squeezing his way into his ribcage like hot butter.
"Zhou! Li!" Sai yelled as he stood next to his last remaining son who was still holding his own against the onslaught of tentacles. "Shang don't leave my side!"
Shang nodded and doubled his focus. Sweat poured from both of them as they hacked and cut away at the danger. Shang was finally run through the right side of his chest and fell.
"Shang! No!" Sai yelled as he cut the live tendril away from Shang's chest. Just as he did Osamu lunged at him before a blinding light filled the area and the entire building shook as if possessed by an earthquake. Thunder pealed and roared and a flash lightinng tore through the ceiling of the house onto Osamu. Twenty one stakes of light pinned Osamu to the floor as he howled and snarled viciously.
Sai and Satoshi opened their eyes to see the white haori's of Squad Zero in front of them. Their eyes widened even further when they saw a man with black hair and eyes with red stars for irises staring loathing at the gross face under his boot.
"My brother..." His voice reverberated with power that made Satoshi and Sai sweat even further and the baby cry louder. "How far have you fallen?"
"You are no brother of mine!" Osamu snarled as he struggled fruitlessly against the light beams holding him down. The Soul King bowed his head and released a heavy sigh with closed eyes.
"You are as pathetic as you've always been. Is that sorrow I detect from the infallible Soul King? You're soft and undeserving of your title! IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ME!" Osamu's shrill yell rang out.
"Silence you beast." The King commanded, not once raising his voice. Osamu's mouth glowed and he was made mute. "You've become an abomination that I cannot tolerate. Therefore I banish you from the Four Realms into Limbo. You will not escape and eternity will be your prison."
Squad Zero moved quickly to surround Osamu. All 5 members placed their palms on the floor and raised them to create a barrier around the demon as he struggled even harder. The King looked at his brother one last time before placing a palm on Osho's head as he had raised the barrier near Osamu's head while the rest took the limbs.
"Banishing Blade #7 Void of the Forsaken Abyss." The ground quaked again and it sounded like thousands of voices screaming all at once as the floor split itself open like a mouth. Green smoke and fire spewed out and consumed Osamu before a great wind pushed against the walls of the barrier shaking it fiercely. Energy began to crackle and roll over the outer part of the protective shell. A rogue bolt shot out and hit Sai knocking him against the wall nearby.
"Are you alright Sai?" Satoshi asked. He was answered by the man's coughing and nodding to let him know that he only got the wind knocked out of him. Satoshi turned his attention back to the scene before him and noticed the barrier was no longer being tested and that the storm within had died down until there no longer any danger. The demon was gone.
The Soul King turned his eyes on Satoshi or to be more specific the small child in his arms. He kneeled down and gave the crying baby a small smile before touching her forehead and she immediately calmed.
"I have seen my heir. He will be born to your line from your daughter's womb. She will be tried and may seem to stray but she will return as is her destiny. In the end my vision will come to pass and the cycle will continue. Await my messenger and your questions will be answered. For now I leave you humble servant."
With a peal of thunder and lightning, the group was gone. Satoshi looked down at the child sleeping quietly in his arms. His shock at the events that had occurred kept him silent. Sai had gone to Shang whose labored breaths were the only thing heard as he struggled with the pain in his chest.
It was a while before Yamamoto arrived with a new doctor in tow. She quickly attended to Shang and had him moved to the 4th Divisions infirmary to better treat him. Satoshi had given full leave for Sai to oversee his son. Sitting in an armchair in his office Satoshi recounted the events that had happened but had not looked away from his newborn. The purple tufts of hair that adorned her head were softly stroked by caring fingers as she slept.
"So she will be the one?" Yamamoto said cracking one eye to observe father and child.
"Yes..." Satoshi answered.
"I see. I will be having the boy executed-"
"No, you won't. It wasn't his fault. Too many innocent lives have been lost tonight and if I have to fight you myself I will not allow any harm to come to him. Yukina-..." He bit his bottom lip in grief before continuing, " -she would never forgive me. I will take him."
Yamamoto remained silent for a while after the bold declaration. He turned to leave but before he reached the door he spoke. "Very well, but be warned...should the boy show any signs of being the monster you saw tonight I will kill him without mercy."
And with that the commander was gone. Satoshi allowed himself to break completely after that, holding his child close as tears of sorrow, anger, and frustration poured through. It wasn't until the babe began to cry that he stopped to comfort her.
"Hush my little one. I will protect you." He said before placing a kiss on her smooth forehead. "You may enter Sai."
Sai entered the room and kneeled. "My lord."
"Your son...is he..."
"He's stable."
Silence filled the room. Both men had lost people dear to them and condolences would be hollow words of comfort if spoken.
"What will you call her?" Sai asked looking up at his lord and master.
Satoshi looked down at the golden eyes that reflected his own. "Yoruichi. Her name will be Shihouin Yoruichi."
Kisuke felt himself being pulled away back into his present body. He gasped for air before vomiting off to the side. Osho watched him silently as he waited for the blonde man to collect himself.
"Are you happy now?" Kisuke coughed out as the acid charred his throat.
"No not in the least but, I hope this wasn't for nothing. Is there anything you remember now that brings an answer to our questions?" The monk asked.
"Yes...I felt clarity like never before when he forced his way into my body. Life, Death, everything made sense and had an answer...but there was a voice. It was almost like..." Kisuke stopped as he realized the horror of his answer.
"Tell me...face your fear and understand it's the only way to conquer it." Osho said.
"It felt like when I had the Hogyoku..." Kisuke finished.
"Then you understand now...how he was released."
"Yes... I made it because of him. It freed him because of the properties of dark kido inside of it. I...I-" Kisuke began to choke on his words. Osho stood to kneel in front of him and placed his large hands on Kisuke's shoulders.
"You are not your father and whatever influence he had you are now aware of. There's still time to piss on his plans...if you want to. The choice is yours Urahahra Kisuke."
Well there's the end of another chapter. Please review as I value just knowing what you think. Thank you all.
Melodious Reprieve