Kaien Shiba II

Kaien led his traumatized lamb to the slaughter. A hall lined with prisoners was their path to the execution grounds. Wide eyes observed the terrified woman who walked slowly, her head bowed, tears rolling down her delicate cheeks.

"Dead woman walking." Kaien called out and the all prisoner guard of honour bowed their heads and watched on sombrely.

Kaien forced Rukia to pick up the pace and pushed her through the door into a long corridor which split further up, One path went straight ahead, the other veered off to the left. They took the left path and wound up outside a steel door. Another door was situated next to it, though it was half the size.

Kaien pushed the larger one open and shoved Rukia into the next room...The execution area.

The room was surprisingly large and a row of cells lined the side wall. The cells were past the smaller door outside. Prisoners in there would watch others succumb to fate, a grim demonstration for them. The cells held three unfortunate people, though they were not prisoners.

"Rukia!" Ichigo hurled himself at the bars of the cell, but it was useless. Ichigo looked different. He was skinnier than usual, he looked starved. This must have been his home while Kaien took over his life.

"Hello again Kurosaki. Long time no see."

"You bastard! What have you done to her?" Ichigo roared, clawing at the bars.

"Calm down. You don't have the energy to be thrashing about like that." Kaien grinned menacingly and led Rukia to a large table. He gestured for her to sit there, but she refused. "Oh dear...We have to it the hard way..." Kaien made a hand gesture and two large guards grabbed the smaller woman and lifted her onto the table. She kicked and screamed, but the powerful men were unfazed. They strapped her arms and legs down and restrained her before stepping aside.

"What are you doing?" Kiyone cried. She was hugging her knees and sitting against the wall of her cell.

Kaien did not answer, instead bending over a table and picking out a syringe filled with murky fluid.

"Lethal injection..." Isane whispered fearfully. "This can't be happening..."

Rukia's eyes widened at the sight of the needle. She writhed about, but her limbs were tied down, making escape impossible.

"I'm so sorry Kuchiki. I never meant to do this to you. I always hoped you would get killed by someone else." Kaien chuckled at his dark little joke.

Rukia closed her eyes and soon became lost in her fractured memories.

Her scream alerted the assembled Yakuza of her presence. Kariya waved hand and sent his men off, ordering them to kill her.

Rukia grasped onto a thick branch and hauled herself up into the tree. She ascended into the thick, leaf cover and hid there. The Yakuza fanned out beneath the tree and scanned the area, guns drawn and loaded.

Rukia had never felt so helpless. She was trapped up here. There was no way to get down without alerting them and even climbing up higher would create a racket. There was nothing she could do but hope they don't look up.

Kariya cursed. "Spread out! Search every last bit of this forest and make sure no-one get's out alive! We can't forget about our main objective here...Kaien is top priority, then the stupid bitch who followed us!"

The men split up and did as instructed, leaving only Kariya standing near the base of the tree.

Rukia slid down closer and noticed her was smoking. His gun rested against the trunk. Now was a better time than ever to make a dash for safety. She squatted on the lower branches and then grabbed onto them, swinging down, her feet just above the ground. She dropped softly and then ran in the opposite direction.

Her feet made loud noises as she stepped on the crisp autumn leaves.

Angry roars came from behind, but she pushed it out of her mind and focused on escape. Running footsteps joined hers. The yakuza were giving chase and with guns, they didn't need to catch her.

Her only choice was to widen the gap and ensure they couldn't line up a shot. She ran full tilt, leaping over felled logs and bushes. She then weaved between the thick trees that lined the forest. Her pursuers yelled curses and threats as they struggled to keep up.

Rukia hazarded a glance behind her and realised she had lost sight of the Yakuza. They had fallen behind and stopped chasing...For now she was safe. Overjoyed, she let out a sigh and a triumphant laugh. She turned back around only to run into someone.

She was flung back and she landed at the feet of the one she bumped into. She gazed up from his shoes and met his gaze; it was then that she knew who she had bumped into...

"Kaien!" Rukia screamed, snapping awake from her nightmare...Her real nightmares. She once again took in her surroundings and her body relaxed, recognising her defencelessness. This was like that time in the tree, utterly hopeless; though this time there would be no sliver of hope, no fading light at the end of the tunnel...She was trapped here until the very end.

Kaien placed a freezing hand on her wrist and she shuddered. Kaien lifted the syringe into view and then placed the needle tip on a bulging vein. Rukia sobbed pitifully as the needle was pressed down through her flesh and its cursed contents spewed into her bloodstream and carried around her body.

Kaien took out the needle and placed it aside for a moment. He gazed into Rukia's eyes and brushed the hair from her face before leaning in close. He pressed his lips against hers and kissed her gently before stepping back.

"That little mixture should end things pretty soon...farewell Rukia...I love you." Kaien smiled and then left her there, waiting for the end.

"RUKIA! RUKIA! NOOO!" Ichigo battered the walls of his cell, screaming wildly.

Isane and Kiyone wept for their soon to be deceased friend.

Kaien glanced over at Ichigo and a sickening grin crossed his face. "Do not fear Kurosaki...You will soon join her!" He took out the large knife and admired the blade while Ichigo let out a tortured cry to the cruel world that had taken so much from him.

His life had always been hell. He had to steal and murder just to keep his family from living on the street. He had to betray his pride and honour just to survive in this harsh world. He had to work for cruel masters day in and day out for years. He had lived a life that none could ever imagine, though his suffering ceased the day he met Rukia, the sweet girl he had framed to earn the months rent.

He had regretted what he had done, but when they reunited in prison, he felt the overwhelming burden of life begin to lessen. The pain disappeared and he felt happiness for the first time in far too long. She had saved him from the darkness but without her, the flickering light of hope went out.

This final time when he saw her renewed his vigour, but watching her life fade was a new nightmare, one that eclipsed those that preceded it. Now his life only had one sole purpose...To avenge Rukia and destroy Kaien Shiba...

Kaien waved at the guards and gestured for them to open the cell door. They opened it and then, as instructed by Kaien, left the room, locking the door behind them.

Kaien smirked. "It is just you and I in here now. This shall be easy. You've been starved for days, destroying your usual strength and leaving you weaker than a little child. Your body is so fragile right now that just one slash from this blade should have you down for eternity!"

Ichigo didn't want to admit it. Kaien would not win over him. He had to win no matter what. Kaien's death was more important than survival now, as long as he got to see the vile snake die before he too breathed his last, then Ichigo could die and reunite with Rukia in whatever realm existed beyond the grave.

The two near-identical rivals squared off against each other. Kaien wore a smug grin as he twirled the knife about in his hands.

Ichigo stood his ground. He was ravaged by hunger, but rage and desperation were keeping him on his feet.

Rukia rolled her head to one side so she could see the two men as they prepared to duel. The injection was making her weary, but she pushed herself to stay awake until this was over. If she really was going to die, then she wanted to at least see this to the end.

She watched Ichigo charge blindly, and then she saw the spray of bright red blood. Next, everything went black and she was trapped within another of her memories...

Kaien stared at her and turned his head left and right, scanning the area for others. When he saw no-one he extended a hand and helped Rukia to her feet.

"What are you doing here? I told you to stay inside!"

Rukia averted her gaze and frowned. "I'm sorry...I was just...Worried."

Kaien's expression softened and he embraced the girl he loved. "Look Rukia, you shouldn't have come here. They will kill you too...Unless..."

"Unless what?" Rukia leaned in closer.

"Rukia...You must do something for me." Rukia was only half listening, distracted by the disappearing sun and the encroaching darkness. Shadows fell on them both and it became harder to see Kaien through the dark.

Kaien took something out of his pocket and pressed it into Rukia's palms. "Take this and hide. I will distract them and draw them away from the forest. Then you can run away. If anyone tries to hurt you, then use that to stop them."

Rukia looked down at the flick knife in her hands. She stared at the weapon in disbelief. "But...I can't! You'll be killed!"

Kaien grabbed her shoulders and shook her. "You have to! If not then we'll both be killed!"

Rukia sniffed and opened her mouth to argue further, but it was then that the angry shouts of the Yakuza echoed through the swaying trees. Kaien kissed her cheek and smiled.

"I'll never forget you Rukia. I love you, now go!"

Rukia fled, tears streaming from her eyes. She panted between ragged sobs, barely able to breathe. She ran for a long time, until she collapsed beside a large tree trunk. She slid behind it and curled up into a ball where she remained to weep.

She overheard running footsteps and then a loud boisterous laugh...It was Kaien's!

"That should scare her off." Kariya said.

"Hopefully." Kaien replied.

Rukia's eyes narrowed. Kariya had caught up with him. Her husband was going to die! She closed her eyes and hugged her knees, still clutching the flick knife in her sweaty hands. She tried to listen in on them, though her erratic heartbeat was so loud it was hard to do so.

"I don't want Rukia getting involved in this. You have to swear to me that you will never go near her or harm her after I die!"

Kariya did not answer. He loaded a pistol and aimed it at Kaien.

Rukia shakily wiped a tear from her eyes. She was so terrified that her knees were trembling. She closed her eyes and focused on stopping the shaking. It worked to an extent, until the deafening gunshot rang out.

'Boom!'

Birds flew out of the tree tops and fled. The gunshot echoed throughout the darkened forest and Kariya's sickening laughter made Rukia's stomach clench.

"Make sure that girl isn't still lurking around! Go!"

Rukia staggered to her feet and ran, wobbling and swaying as she went. She stumbled numerous times, but soldiered on. Every bone in her body was aching. Every muscle was screaming in pain. Her heart wept for the death of the man she loved, yet she was in too much danger to even mourn his loss.

Rukia couldn't help it. She cried out and sank to her knees. She could hear someone approaching her slowly. The unknown assailant tread softly. He came closer and closer, all the while, Rukia remained still, slowly bringing the flick-knife to her chest. She stared at the weapon while listening intently on the crunching of leaves beneath the feet of the assailant.

'Crunch.'

A footstep, only about a metre away. Soon it would be time to strike.

'Crunch.'

Rukia released the blade and stared at her reflection. She could see the man behind her, vaguely. It was too dark to make out details on his face, but she knew he was close enough behind her now.

'Crunch.'

Rukia whirled around and thrust the knife into the stranger's chest. The blade sank in and instantly she could feel the warm gushing fluid of life. The man roared in agony and Rukia drove it in further wishing for the man to die quickly.

The man pushed her back and gasped. "No...It can't...Be..."

Rukia looked up from her bloodied hands and into a face she never expected to see again. She gasped and let go of the weapon, backing away from the dreadful mistake she had made.

"K-Kaien?" She whispered.

Her wounded lover staggered and fell, but Rukia caught him, barely able to support herself, let alone him. Rukia held him as his blood soaked into her skin, her clothes, the ground, everything. They both sobbed as Kaien began to slide out of her grip and to the ground.

Rukia let him drop and kneeled over him, crying his name over and over. He gave no response, his eyes slowly drifting shut.

Rukia felt something drip on her shoulder. She looked up and saw the rain pour down. It quickly became a downpour and she was drenched in the earth's tears. She shivered and hugged Kaien, drawing warmth from his body. She could only do so for a short while, until she felt the warmth drain from him and disappear.

"No..." Rukia whispered, gazing mournfully at the dying man. She brushed aside the stray black hair that had become matted down in the rain and pressed her lips against his. She gave mouth-to-mouth, though it did nothing to bring him back. Desperate, she tried to resuscitate him, though pressing down on his chest did nothing but make her hands come away red. She whimpered softly, and grabbed his shoulders, shaking him lightly.

She screamed at him to keep breathing, to wake up...But it was all in vain, for he had stopped long ago.

Rukia sat back and stared at the body before her. Her whole body shook and she unleashed all her sorrows in one tortured cry.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Rukia murdered the man she loved? But how can that be so if he's still alive! And didn't Kariya shoot him before? Just what is going on? Will Rukia find out before it's too late...Is it already too late? Find out in the next chapter!

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