CHAPTER 25
Nightmare
With a sigh, Jushiro entered his office, closing the shoji panel door behind him. Minako was sitting at the desk, Sakura asleep in her arms while she worked on a few pages of paperwork. Upon hearing the sigh, Minako glanced up, blinking her platinum eyes as he came towards her, "What did the head captain say?" he ran his fingers through his hair as he sat down in a chair parallel to the desk. Jushiro looked to her. He looked exhausted as he simply sat there. It had been a week since the… 'misunderstanding' at the Squad One barracks, and by the end of the week, the grape vine once more spread its evil thorns and leaked out the news of the child in Minako's arms.
"He revoked his decision about suspending us from our captaincy and vice-captaincy." Minako sighed in relief, a small smile showing on her features, "But…" Minako noticed his frown deepen, his eyebrows scrunching together slightly as he bit his lower lip. She placed Sakura into the bassinette and went to him, kneeling down in front of him and cupping his cheek.
"What's wrong Jushiro?" he looked to her, pain apparent in his eyes as he took her hand, giving it a small squeeze as his thumb ran over the ring on her fourth finger.
"He… he said that he won't allow us to wed… until this whole investigation with Sakura and Aizen and this whole situation is done with." Minako's eyes widened, her blood running cold.
"W-what…?" she whispered, standing and leaning back against the desk. She covered her mouth with a hand, shaking her head, "What does our engagement have to do with this?" Jushiro stood, gathering her into his arms to hold her close. Jushiro stroked her hair with a hand, closing his eyes as another sigh escaped him.
"Since that meeting, the head captain believes that even our engagement is a lie. So until this whole thing is cleared up, he won't allow us to marry." she shook her head, her hands curling into fists, bunching his haori in her palms.
"This isn't fair… Why us…? Why was I so stupid to believe that everything between Sosuke and me would be alright after he left…? I wish I never met him…" she said bitterly, "I wish I was never caught in his web of lies…" Jushiro shushed her quietly, taking hold of her shoulders and holding her back a bit. He reached up and cupped her cheek, shaking his head slowly.
"Don't say that… Then we wouldn't have little Sakura with us…" the woman nodded, using the back of her hand to wipe away a tear.
"I know… I know… I wouldn't trade Sakura for anything in the world… I'm so happy to have her here… I just wish she didn't come into this world like this… with a father like him…" she took a shaky breath, leaning to the white haired captain, "What the head captain is doing isn't fair… I love you…" she whispered, nuzzling her face to his warm chest. A soft smile grew on Jushiro's features.
"I know…" they were silent for a few heartbeats before he looked down to her, "Let's elope." Minako's gaze snapped up to his, her platinum eyes going wide.
"What… did you just say?" she asked in barely a whisper. Jushiro took her hands, holding them as he looked at her, his confidence glowing while he grinned to her.
"Let's elope. We'll grab Shunsui and Tokinei, and take them with us and Sakura to the World of the Living, and we'll elope. They can be our witnesses. The head captain can't do anything to stop us if he doesn't know about it." he cupped Minako's cheeks as she shook her head.
"Listen t yourself! W-we can't just leave and elope…! We have our jobs to think of! The head captain is already on our asses simply because my screw-up ex-boyfriend! I don't want us to get into anymore trouble… Especially if my daughter is on the line." a tear slipped down her cheek, "If Sakura were to be taken from me… I don't know what I'd do…" damn… he didn't mean to make her upset. He drew her into his arms, holding her tightly to him.
"Alright… It's alright… It was a crazy idea…" he smirked, glancing down at her, "But you have to admit, eloping would have been fun." Minako rolled her eyes and let out a soft, barely audible chuckle.
"You, Jushiro Ukitake, are a crazy man yourself." she smiled to him, "But I wouldn't have you any other way." he grinned and leaned down, kissing her softly. She sighed into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck as his went about her waist. He nuzzled her soft flaming locks, closing his eyes.
"I still want you to take Sakura to the World of the Living for a few days…" she looked back at him, a confused look in her eyes, "I just want to make sure you and Sakura are safe… There's no telling how this will turn out." he ran a set of fingers through her hair, "I want to keep my family safe… I'm pretty sure just sending Sakura away isn't what the head captain had in mind." Minako stepped back from him a few inches, glancing to her daughter who was in her bassinet .
"You mean… he wanted… to kill her…?" Jushiro sighed, casting his brown eyed gaze away from hers, a frown touching his features.
"There's no way to tell for certain, but I'm pretty sure that is what he intended to do. Why else would he have gotten Soi Fon, captain of the punishment and stealth force, to take Sakura?" he looked back to her, "That's why I want you to take her to the Living World, just until we get this mess cleared up." he stroked her cheek, "I'll make sure the head captain understands how we intend to raise Sakura. Alright?" after a few moments, Minako nodded slowly. Jushiro kissed her forehead, "I'll sort this out. You just concentrate on Sakura and yourself." he took her hand, guiding her to Sakura's bassinet. He bent down and picked up the toddler, holding the sleeping child to him as he smiled to her, "We'll keep this little one safe." Minako leaned to him.
"Okay… When should we leave?" he shrugged, looking to her with a soft smile.
"Tonight? I can make arrangements with Kisuke Urahara and have him prepare you something there." Jushiro's gaze softened when he saw her depressed gaze, "I'll meet you there. I won't leave you there alone." he smiled to her, "Then, I'll get this mess cleared up, then you and I will get married, and then we'll give Sakura lots of little brothers and sisters." Minako giggled, nuzzling his neck.
"Let's just take it one step at a time Jushiro… First let's make sure our family is safe… Then we'll concentrate on getting married and babies." he laughed softly, taking her hand.
"Sounds like a plan."
LATER THAT DAY
With a glace back, Minako looked over the grounds of the Sereitei, holding Sakura close to her chest. Jushiro placed his hand on her lower back, "Come on… We must go." Minako nodded, keeping close to him as three hell butterflies guided them into the senkaimon. The doors closed behind them, shrouding them in almost a complete darkness. Within a few seconds, Sakura was whimpering, hiding her face in her mother's chest. Minako smiled tenderly, rubbing a hand to her daughter's back.
"It's alright Sakura… Mommy's here…" she murmured, kissing the top of her head softly. Jushiro kept an arm wrapped protectively around his lover's waist they walked, a calm expression on his face, "It's so quiet in the precipice world…" Minako whispered, glancing about her. Jushiro looked to her, nodding.
"Since Sosuke destroyed the cleaner, it's had an eerie silence to it. Until the cleaner can repair itself, it'll be like this for a little while longer." her eyes narrowed slightly at the mention of the ex-captain.
"All that destruction because of one man…" she murmured. He looked to her with a slight smile, reaching up to run a hand gently over Sakura's head.
"Well, at least he left one good thing behind… One shred of light in the darkness he created." Minako grinned and sighed, leaning to his form.
"Why couldn't have Captain Unohana transferred me into your squad before I met Sosuke?" Jushiro gave a soft laugh, so that he wouldn't disturb a now peaceful Sakura.
"It would have saved us some trouble, wouldn't it? And not referring to Sakura." with a giggle, she nodded, hoisting Sakura to her other hip, "Can I ask you something?" Jushiro asked, looking to her with uneasy eyes, making Minako raise an eyebrow.
"Of course. Ask me anything." he looked a little nervous, staying quiet as he tried to figure out how to ask the question. Eventually he sighed, looking back to her.
"If he told you his plans, before he faked his death, and he asked you to go with him, would you?" her eyes widened slightly, a sort of chills running down her back. She glanced away from him, holding Sakura closer to her.
"I don't know… Probably not… I wouldn't want to ruin my reputation by going with him… Well, since little Sakura here came along, my reputation is pretty much ruined." she chuckled softly, "But I wouldn't abandon my job as a lieutenant, and I certainly wouldn't have gone if I knew I was pregnant. I wouldn't dare take a child into the world of the hollows. That would be throwing meat to a pack of wolves. And I wouldn't be able to abandon my job as your doctor and lieutenant." Jushiro smiled softly at her reply. He took her shoulders as he stepped in front of her. He looked at her in silence before kissing her softly.
"I am very glad to hear that…" he whispered against her lips. He took her hand, "Let's hurry. Kisuke is expecting us." Minako nodded slowly, a soft blush settled upon her cheeks. It didn't matter how many times he kissed her… When he kissed her like that, soft yet passionate at the same time, it always left her with a blush. Though she was thankful that the darkness of the precipice world was dark enough to hide her blush. Eventually, they reached the other end of the senkaimon, and the doors opened. Jushiro and Minako stepped out, right in front of Kisuke Urahara's shop. They glanced to each other before walking towards it and making their way inside. Kisuke was inside at one of the shelves, straightening a few items before he noticed they were there. He turned, his eyes shadowed by his hat, but a large grin on his face.
"Ahhh. Hello Jushiro." he turned his head towards Minako, "And you must be Minako." said woman nodded, "And I am guessing that little cutie there is Sakura?" another nod from Minako, "Well, welcome to my humble little shop in Karakura Town!" he chuckled, walking to them, "Now, Jushiro here has informed me that you and little Sakura here need a place to stay." he tipped his head, giving Minako a view of his eyes.
"That's right." Minako answered, "A lot of things have been happening in Sereitei and Jushiro thought it best for Sakura and me to stay in the World of the Living for a few days until it was all settled and cleared up." Kisuke nodded as he listened, taking out his fan and holding it in front of his face as he replied.
"Ah, I see. Well, I'm pretty sure we could find you a place to stay. You could stay here if you wished. I will make you a gigai for yourself as well as Sakura, so you could go out for a walk if you wanted to, instead of staying inside here all the time." Minako smiled softly, giving a nod.
"Thank you Kisuke." she looked to Jushiro, "What about you?"
"We already have him a gigai from previous visits here. He's already taken care of." said a female voice. Minako turned to the sound of footsteps coming down the stairs. She gasped, her eyes going wide as the woman crossed her arms, a cat like grin spreading across the other woman's face.
"Yoruichi Shihouin?" said woman nodded, her goldish yellow eyes glowing.
"Yep! In the gigai." Kisuke chuckled. Yoruichi smiled to Jushiro, "Long time no see Captain Ukitake. How have you been?" Jushiro smiled softly, wrapping an arm around Minako.
"Never better." Yoruichi tipped her head, a soft smile on her face until a little girl squealed, catching everyone's attention. Minako glanced to Sakura, who was reaching out towards Kisuke's hat. Minako giggled.
"You want to hold her?" Kisuke bit his lower lip before shrugging, holding his hands out.
"Sure. What the heck." Sakura kicked her chubby legs as she was passed to Kisuke, her brown eyes widened in wonder while she reached up continually for the hat. Yoruichi snagged the accessory and held it to Sakura, who gave a toothless smile as she snatched it in her hands. She gave a squeal of delight and shook it in her hand happily. Kisuke took the hat and hovered it over Sakura's face, pulling it away and making a quirky sound as he did so, causing Sakura to giggle and gurgle at him.
"I think she likes you Kisuke. Looks like you don't scare all children within a 5 mile radius." Yoruichi said, earning her a playful glare as Kisuke stuck his tongue out at her.
"I don't scare all the kids. I offer them candy and they scream out 'Stranger Danger' and run off! I don't know what I do that scares them!" Yoruichi rolled her eyes, then smirked as Kisuke was hit with his hat by Sakura. Kisuke took the hat again and put it on her head, making her coo and reach up, grabbing the edges of the hat and pulling them down, causing the hat to slip fully over her head, where you could only see her grinning, toothless mouth. Kisuke glanced back up to the couple, "Well, shall we get you settled in?"
"I'll be back tomorrow, alright?" Minako nodded, her arms around Jushiro's waist as the senkaimon opened behind them. She nuzzled his neck, closing her eyes as a frown touched her features.
"I wish you could stay here with me during this." she murmured, sighing softly. Jushiro hooked a finger beneath her chin, tipping her features up to face his. He leaned down and kissed her softly.
"As do I… But our squad doesn't need to be without both its captain and lieutenant for a long period of time. Who knows what messes Kiyone and Sentarou can get into." Minako giggled, giving a nod. There was no telling what could happen when those two were left by themselves to control the squad. Most likely, all hell would break lose from one of their imfamous, act-like-an-old-married-couple spats.
"You're right." she whispered, then pecked his lips, "Just hurry back." he gave a nod before running into the Senkaimon. Minako crossed her arms over her chest as she watched the doors close, "I love you…" she stood there for a few minutes, a slight smile on her features as the wind blew softly. Yoruichi came up and placed a hand to her shoulder.
"Come on inside. Your gigais are ready." Minako nodded and turned, following Yoruichi inside. But Minako stopped at the door, turning back to gaze where the senkaimon just stood. With a final sigh she went inside, walking into the shop where Kisuke was holding up her gigai.
"Here it is! And Yoruichi has some clothes for you to wear." she nodded, taking her gigai and slipping it on. She rolled a shoulder, reaching up to rub it.
"Are all gigais this uncomfortable…? It feels like I'm wearing another layer of skin or something." Kisuke chuckled, nodding his head as he handed her Sakura's gigai.
"Yeah. It takes a while to get used to them. The odd feeling will pass in due time." Kisuke and Minako both worked together to get a squirming and squealing Sakura into her gigai. She gave some uncomfortable grunts and coos before settling into her mother's embrace, her thumb in her mouth in a content silence. After about an hour of settling in, Minako stood, propping Sakura to her hip, who was zoning in and out of sleep.
"Well, I think it's time to turn in. It's Sakura's bedtime and I'm pretty tired as well." she smiled to the pair, "Thank you for letting me stay here. I'll see you in the morning." with a nod from them, she went up the stairs to her room. Minako entered her room, yawning in the process. She spotted a small bassinet by the bed and carried Sakura to it, gently lowering her into it as the baby drifted off into sleep, "That's my girl… Sleep…" she whispered, leaning down and kissing her forehead. She then went to the drawers and pulled out a pair of pajamas, quickly changing into them. She ran her fingers through her hair, tying it back into a low ponytail with a red ribbon she found. Minako dimmed the lights then climbed into bed, yawning once more before falling asleep a few minutes later.
The woman shifted upon the bed, giving soft mews and moans as hands caressed her body. Platinum eyes fluttered closed while she tipped her head back, allowing the man ravishing her body a taste of her creamy neck. Lips pressed to her milky skin, nipping and sucking gently, his tongue sweeping out to lick at the spots, soothing the reddened places until he moved to a new one. Flaming hair spread over the pillow as her head turned, her fingers reaching up to entangle into the white locks of her lover. He moved, settling his body between her parted legs, them both groaning at the feel of his bare, hard flesh dragging along hers, "J-Jushiro…" she whimpered, arching her back and giving a small cry of pleasure as he felt a hand grasp a breast, kneading and massaging the flesh as a thumb stroked her nipple. The man over her smirked, casting his dark brown eyes to look at her.
"You like that?" he whispered. Before she could answer, his lips were on hers in a fiery kiss, his tongue pushing past her lips to taste her sweet mouth. She groaned in reply while his body pressed to hers, giving her a taste of his delicious weight. Jushiro broke the kiss, sending his lips to her chin and neck, then to her shoulders before descending to her chest. His lips closed around a nipple, tugging and nipping it softly with his teeth, his hand still tending to its twin. The hands in his hair jerked upon the white strands slightly, cradling his head to her chest. His free hand traveled down her body until brushing over crisp curls. Minako gasped softly as a finger skimmed over her slick flesh. She screamed out in pleasure as he sank two fingers into her warmth, slowly pumping them in and out of her trembling body, scissoring them as well, "You're so wet…" he said, flicking his tongue over her nipple one last time to glance up to his lover. She was panting, her cheeks flushed.
"Mnnn… Don't say those kinds of things…" she whispered, looking to him with her lust filled orbs. He smirked, pecking her lips.
"And why not my Minako?" he asked, continuing to pump his fingers in and out, curling them against her flesh to make her cry out again, her hips bucking against his hand as his thumb came to rub against her clit.
"Please Jushiro… Please don't tease." she grabbed his shoulders as another wave of ecstasy rolled through her body. He withdrew his fingers, bringing them to his lips where he licked them clean.
"You taste divine." he murmured in a husky tone, making her body quiver with want. He bent down to kiss her gently as he positioned himself at her entrance. Minako closed her eyes, her chest heaving as she prepared for him to take her willing body.
Then she heard a wicked chuckle.
Her eyes flew open as a searing pain ripped through her chest. She stared up into the cold brown eyes of her lover, "J-Jushiro…" she coughed, blood dripping from her mouth. The long silvery white hair began to shorten, the color changing to a dark brown. Her eyes widened as the facial features changed, "Sosuke…" came her fear filled voice, the man above her grinning that wicked grin. His hand let go of the hilt of his blade that was embedded into her chest.
"If only you waited Minako. You wouldn't have to die." Minako struggled to breath.
"Where's… where is my baby…?" she asked in a raspy voice. Sosuke just chucked, shaking his head.
"Our daughter is in my possession Minako. And trust me, I will raise her perfectly." with that, he retracted the bade roughly from her chest, making her cry out in pain as blood splattered from her body, "But don't worry… I'll tell her how mommy didn't want her… How she wanted to get rid of her when she found out she was pregnant…" Minako's eyes widened and she scowled.
"You… You bastard…" Sosuke merely grinned before plunging the blade back into her chest, shoving it down to the hilt. More blood polled within Minako's mouth as pain tore through her body. The woman felt tears prick at the corners of her eyes, one sliding down her cheek to drip to the pillow beneath her. Sosuke leaned over, silencing her with a dominating kiss. Minako whimpered, tightening her eyes shut. She felt the blade once more leave her body. She gave a small shout of pain as she felt herself being flung to the floor. She landed on her stomach, the pain radiating through her body from impact. She struggled to look up, but gasped as she did so. Her pale eyes widened as she gazed upon the face of her lover. Jushiro was laying on the floor on her stomach as well, his head tilted to the side. His brown eyes were open as if in shock, his lips parted slightly, allowing a trickle of blood to pass through, creating a small pool beneath his cheek, "Jushiro! No!" she choked out, attempting to crawl to him. Sosuke pressed a foot to Minako's back, making her cry out in pain once more. Her hands curled into fists as she grit her teeth, trying to bear the pain that was being inflicted onto her body. She glanced up to see him towering over her, Sakura held in one of his arms, "No... my baby..." Sosuke pulled up his zanpaku-to once more, and an ear piercing scream echoed through the home, along with the sound of splattering blood.
Minako woke up with a gasp, sitting straight up in her bed. A hand went to her chest where she had been stabbed in her dream, her chest lifting up and down as she breathed straggled breaths. She looked over to the bassinet, scrambling from the bed and rushing to it. She breathed out a sigh of relief when she saw Sakura's form peacefully sleeping. Minako reached down and gently picked her up, cradling her to her body, "Thank goodness it was only a dream… Sosuke is locked away.. He won't be bothering us…" she whispered, trying to reassure herself, "I wish Jushiro were here… What a great time to have a nightmare…" she said sarcastically, "And it started out as a good dream too…" a knock on her door startled her, "Calm down girl…" she whispered to herself. She cleared her throat, "C-come in." the door opened and Yoruichi poked her head in.
"Hey. Breakfast is ready when you are." Minako nodded with a slight smile.
"Thank you." before Yoruichi left, Minako called out, "Hey Yoruichi?" Yoruichi looked back at her with a raised eyebrow, "You wanna spar?"
Another update! Woohoo! And this story reached 200 reviews! Thank you sooooooo much! So, not much happened in this chapter, but you'll get to see Minako spar in the next update! And maybe she'll reveal her shikai. *winks* But review to get a faster update! And thanks to SqurrielGurl for giving me the idea to take Minako to the world of the living. Haha. So, what shall happen in the next update? Review and you shall see! :D