Disclaimer: Although I would very much want Ukitake Juushirou or Byakkun to be real and mine, but sadly they are not and they belong to Kubo Tite who also owns BLEACH and all the other gorgeous characters. Only the OCs Kuroki Yuu and Tsubasa are mine.
(From now on only Japanese words that were unexplained before will be in italic format. They will be explained at the end of each chapter just like before. Emphasizes are bolded and in italics, so as to separate them from the former.)
Chapter 28 – Never meant to belong.
"Now that we're alone, I can finally greet you properly. Welcome to Las Noches, Kuroki Yuu." Aizen smiled at the lady he had wanted to meet again, "I've wanted to meet you, badly."
"Oh really? Miss the punch which landed on that pretty face of yours?"
"Oh no, no, no." Aizen shook his head and laughed. "That punch was pretty nasty."
"I could do much scarier things." Yuu smirked. "Want to try?"
"My pleasure." With that, Aizen dashed forward and strike at Yuu.
Drawing Kotogeume immediately, Yuu managed to block that blow. "So you want to play with swords? I thought you specialise in Kidou."
"Oh? Who did you get that false information from?" Aizen took a few steps backwards when Yuu attacked. "I'm good at everything. Not just Kidou."
"Yeah, I thought so." Yuu snickered. "You're even good at being a bastard."
"Mind your words, Kuroki Yuu."
"Opps, my bad." Yuu said as she countered another attack from Aizen. "How about a mutt? Since you have that Gem fused into you."
"Save that for yourself. I wonder who has a Zanpakutou spirit fused in her soul."
Yuu gasped. Her slight paused gave Aizen a chance to attack. Though she managed to jump away, her left arm suffered a deep cut, making her drop Kotogeume. Holding onto her wound, Yuu stood there, wondering how he knew her secret. Just what did he tell Tsubasa? She will have to be extra careful despite the rage building inside of her. "I am warning you, don't test my patience… If you know my background, then you should clearly know what I am capable of doing…"
"Ah Taishi-san, why would I doubt your capabilities? With a Zanpakutou fused in your soul, your ability could easily surpass that of anybody. All thanks to the powerful mutated spirit of yours that the King granted you."
"Mutated?" Yuu clenched her fists. What right does this jerk who played with souls have to call her that? "Then what are you?"
"My apology if my words offended you, but I could not think of a nicer term." Aizen chuckled and pointed to the shadow behind Yuu. "But that educated noble behind you might have an idea of a more graceful vocabulary."
Noble…? Yuu gasped and turned. Letting Tsubasa know her secret had been upsetting enough. Now that Byakuya had learnt about it too, Yuu felt that her heart got crushed in an instance. "Byakuya… sama…"
Byakuya was standing there with his eyes shut tightly. So, this is why the King wants Kuroki Yuu back at the palace as soon as possible, with only Renji and him as escorts. This way, no one else will learn about this secret.
This hideous secret that the Royal Family made Yuu kept for all these years.
So this is the fatal agreement that she had mentioned.
"I handed Tsubasa to Renji. He will take good care of him." Byakuya said and took a step forward. "Let's do this together, since I promised I will be there to help you when you are in trouble."
"Trouble? Isn't that an understatement?" Aizen snickered.
"So… You kidnapped Tsubasa to lure me here…" Yuu clenched her right fist.
"Sort of. I want to see what you are capable of. Why? Regret that you fell for my trap? But who could you blame? If you had not come to disrupt my plan back at that fake Karakura Town, then today wouldn't have arrived. You never belonged to Seireitei, don't you understand, Kuroki Yuu?"
Yes. If she had not went to Karakura Town that day, if she had never joined in the battle to help the Gotei, then a lot of things would not have happened.
She would not get herself into such a situation. Her secret would not have been known. Tsubasa would still be a healthy, happy child instead of getting so seriously injured. She would not have thought about enrolling Tsubasa into the academy, then upsetting that poor boy. She should be enjoying her stay in Europe, not coming here to this ridiculous place.
Aizen Sousuke was probably right. She was never meant to be a part of the big community in Seireitei. She did not belong there.
But yet, if she had not set foot on Karakura that very day, if she had not met the Gotei or stay at Seireitei, she would never have met all the amazing people. The wonderful seniors like Kyouraku Shunsui, Unohana Retsu and especially Ukitake Juushirou… The scary ones like Zaraki Kenpachi or Kurotsuchi Mayuri. Then there were the young ones like Abarai Renji and her favorite girl, Kuchiki Rukia.
And of course, the most amazing people out of thousands she had met in the Seireitei, had to be the raven haired man who is standing by her side right now. "Byakuya-sama…" She said gently under her breath, the favorite name she would never get sick of repeating.
Nodding to herself, Kuroki Yuu decided that she should let it all out now. Without the barrier of a hideous secret, she would be able to work with Byakuya better. Then they could both return home after that.
She wants to go home. To the Kuchiki manor which felt more like home to Yuu than anywhere else.
"Go on, Kuroki Yuu." Aizen pointed to Kotogeume, which had fallen onto the sand. "Pick up your sword and we shall continue."
"The best hunter never uses a spear. If it is what you would like to see, then I'll show you…" Yuu smirked and raised her right hand. Her eyes turning red in an instance and canine teeth started forming in her mouth. "My true powers."
"Good. Let me see why the Royal Research Bureau chose you as the guinea pig."
"Byakuya, I hope I did not scare you." Yuu laughed. "Will you still work with me to exterminate this bug?"
If Byakuya said he wasn't shock, he will be lying. But no, he's not scared. "Just make sure you return to your usual self later."
Yuu chuckled. She was relieved to hear that. "Good to hear! But make sure you keep it to yourself, if not the King will have you beheaded." With that, Yuu Shunpo and travelled upwards. Forming arrows with her right hand, she threw them towards Aizen Sousuke. The arrows needed no bow and still dashed towards their target at high speed.
"Good accuracy." Aizen vanished and reappeared behind Yuu. "But I expected more." He nearly slashed Yuu, when a cloud of pink surrounded him.
"Don't forget me. Aizen Sousuke." Byakuya said and lunged forward with Senbonzakura.
With a blast of Reiatsu, Aizen was able to escape out of the uncountable petal like blades. He will have to do something to anger that Royal Servant, so that she will unleash the full power of her mutated soul.
Yes, Kyouka Suigetsu.
"Kudakero." Aizen raised his sword in front of Yuu. "Kyouka Suigetsu."
"No Yuu!" Byakuya shouted. "Don't look!"
But it was too late. Yuu looked to where Byakuya was and couldn't find the raven haired man anymore. "Byakuya-sama…?" She looked around, trying to find both Byakuya and Aizen. Yet she could find no one. "Byakuya-sama? Where are-"
Before she could finish her sentence, a scream from behind caught her attention. "Yuu…!" A male voice called. Turning to the origin of the scream, Yuu witnessed yet another devastating scene. Aizen had impaled Byakuya with his sword and blood dripped endlessly from the noble's chest.
"Where were you looking?" Aizen chuckled and flung Byakuya's limp body aside. "How careless."
"Byakuya-sama!" With flash step, Yuu was able to get hold of Byakuya's falling body. She landed on the sand and placed Byakuya down gently while supporting his head. "Byakuya-sama…"
"Yuu…" Byakuya raised a trembling hand and grabbed onto the collar of Yuu's Kosode, tugging on it angrily. "Where were you… when I needed your help…?" He then let go, his hand dropped limply to his sides. No sign of life in his eyes anymore.
"I'm sorry Byakuya-sama…" Yuu lowered her head as tears started rolling down her face. "I'm sorry…"
"You can always revenge on his behalf as compensation." Said Aizen, as he gave Kyouka Suigetsu a few swings to get rid of the blood staining its shiny blade. Raising a finger, Aizen motioned for Yuu to get up, taunting the Royal Servant to come and get him.
"Aizen Sousuke!" Without even the need to charge or gather her energy, Yuu sent a large fire ball towards Aizen. It was strong, but also easy to dodge.
"Try harder, Taishi-san. If not I'll kill you before you realize like how I did to Kuchiki Byakuya."
"I'm no scientist, but I do know, as long as there is oxygen in the air, a fire can start." Placing the lifeless body of Byakuya's to rest on the ground, Yuu leaped towards Aizen. Her right hand started burning and her hair was turning red. "As long as you could still breathe, I will be burning with life!"
Aizen smiled. He was pleased that Kuroki Yuu had completely fallen for his hypnosis and is reacting to the illusions like he had planned. He then raised his sword to block Yuu's burning hand from reaching him. Upon unleashing her real powers, Kuroki Yuu had gained immense strength too, Aizen noted. He took a few steps back when Yuu did not budge. She had kept her hands on Kyouka Suigetsu's blade and with brute force, wanted to pry the sword off Aizen's hand. Even when blood started trickling down her palms, she did not stop.
There's no turning back now. The eyes, mind and soul of Kuroki Yuu's are all blinded by anger and taken over by Kotogeume, making her act like an angered tiger. She had lost control and will fight until she is drained, which is when her life ends.
Not too far away from her, the real Kuchiki Byakuya was watching Yuu with concern and fear.
Not fear of her powers, but the fear of losing her.
Aizen Sousuke had summoned a large number of Gillians to keep him occupied. He was frustrated. No matter how many he exterminate, the number just kept increasing. He had come here to help Yuu. Yet here he is, unable to do a single thing. "Bankai!" He shouted. He had to do this.
Back at where the traitor was fighting, Aizen Sousuke had finally managed to keep Kuroki Yuu away from him by retreating backwards and shifting away instead of forcefully pushing himself forward. He had already seen all that he needs to know. Just a while more, he told himself. Soon, Kuroki Yuu will be taken over by her powers and she will become history. Thanks to her, he had learnt the power, as well as side effects of a fusion with Zanpakutou spirits.
"ARGH!" Yuu roared as she charged towards Aizen again. But this time she sent a magnificent blaze towards her target instead of clinging onto him. The blaze was so strong it destroyed most of the towers in Las Noches.
"Yare yare…" Aizen chuckled as the barrier which shielded him from the blaze cracked. Though he was unharmed, but the amount of energy he spent creating that barrier did drained him quite a bit. "There goes my subordinates' chamber… Guess I need to do something, before my office become ashes."
In the blink of an eye, Aizen appeared behind Yuu and sent a blast of energy towards her, sending her backward till she hit one of the towers. Yuu tried getting up despite the pain in her body. But before she could get away from the wall, Aizen Sousuke pinned her against it, the blade of his sword at her neck. He believes that by doing this, Yuu would not try to send another blast at him because she would be caught in it too.
"Where do you think you're going, Taishi-san?" Aizen smirked and whispered. "Be a good kitty and stay."
Yuu hissed and struggled, but to no avail. Losing her ability to speak any coherent words, she started screaming.
"This is so sad." Aizen pushed the blade of his sword, drawing some blood from Yuu's neck. "Even though these are your last words, I can't understand what you are saying."
"Yuu! Wake up! I'm here!" Byakuya shouted from afar. After releasing Hakuteiken, he too, had not much energy left. But he will not give up. Hence he hopes that Yuu would not too. "Remember Tsubasa! Remember… Remember me!"
Kuroki Yuu stopped struggling. She gave a few blinks, and Aizen Sousuke swear he saw her eyes turned back to black for a second. She then started laughing as a drop of tear rolled down her cheeks. But that drop of tear did not stay for long, it evaporated before it could drop further. Aizen Sousuke raised a brow, wondering what's so amusing. Is her time up?
Yuu continued laughing, but soon the laughter turned into screams. Aizen's eyes widened for a second, before he flashed step to a certain distance away from Yuu. It's finally here, he told himself. His skin which came in contact with Yuu had been burnt by a sudden extreme heat.
The extreme heat from Yuu's body.
"Yuu!" Byakuya shouted again when he heard the Royal Servant scream. She must be in pain.
Destroying the very last Gillian which obstructed his way, Byakuya rushed over to where Yuu was with the fastest speed his remaining energy could manage. But he stopped, when suddenly Yuu was surrounded by a large ball of fire, as if her body was made up of flames, just like how Hitsugaya Toushirou's limbs become ice when in Bankai. He could see nothing but shades of red before he closed his eyes and shielded himself from the heat and flying debris.
"Yuu…" He muttered. Byakuya could still hear her screaming in pain.
When the heat and blaze faded, Byakuya opened his eyes, hoping to see the Royal Servant. But the fire on her body was still burning fiercely. The burning body of the Royal Servant fell till she hit the ground and landed on the sand. Standing up immediately despite her injuries, she started running aimlessly, like someone who had lost her mind.
"I guess I have seen enough." Aizen sheathed his sword. Satisfied with all the things he had learnt today. "I'll return Kuroki Yuu to you, Kuchiki-Taichou. I think she needs your help. Even though she would eventually die, but you could help her speed things up and lessen her pain. It's ugly to be burnt to death. Or you could at least help her wake up to see that you're alive." The Ex-Captain of Squad Five laughed. "We shall meet again soon."
With that, Aizen Sousuke vanished.
Byakuya's gaze followed which ever direction Yuu ran. "Byakuya-sama…!" He could hear Yuu scream. "Help me… Byakuya-sama!"
"How?" Byakuya shouted. Of course, he wants to help her more than anyone would. But what can he do? He can't possibly follow the advices Aizen Sousuke gave. "I want to help… Tell me… How can I help without hurting you…?"
But Yuu did not answer his question. She was still under the hypnosis of Kyouka Suigetsu and could neither see nor hear Byakuya. "Rikujoukourou!" Byakuya commanded, stopping Yuu as six rods of light pinned her body.
Tightening his hold on the hilt of Senbonzakura, Byakuya slowly approached Yuu and raised his Zanpakutou. He closed his eyes and lunge his sword forward, pulling it out and took a few steps backwards as soon as he knew he had done it.
He had stabbed Yuu in her chest.
"Byakuya… sama…?"
Upon hearing his name, Kuchiki Byakuya opened his eyes and saw familiar, gentle, black orbs staring back at him. The strong blaze that surrounded Kuroki Yuu had disappeared.
"Thank God…" Yuu approached Byakuya slowly, limping as she walked. "Thank God you're alive… I thought you died and… it was my fault."
Byakuya went forward too. "They were illusions. Illusions Aizen Sousuke made you see when he hypnotized you with his Zanpakutou. I'm perfectly fine…"
Yuu smiled but stopped walking. Raising a hand to her chest, she grabbed at her wound. The pain was probably the reason why she stopped. But she remained smiling. "You woke me up from the hypnosis and ended the unbearable pain… You saved me… You kept to your promise…"
"Yuu…" Byakuya lifted the Royal Servant's face. Her tear-stained face was pale and she looked tired. "Will you forgive me…?"
Knowing Byakuya was referring to the fatal injury in her chest, Yuu nodded. "Of course, silly… But can you promise me something?"
The raven haired captain nodded. Not just a promise, he is willing to give her his everything.
"When I'm gone," Yuu picked up one of Byakuya's hand and held onto it. "Please watch over Tsubasa for me. You could make him do chores in your manor, as long as he is under your care."
"I promise…"
"Hiring a loyal boy like him to clean your house will not make you break any family rules… right?"
Byakuya shook his head. "No, it won't. Should I thank you for your understanding?"
"Of course you should…" Yuu chuckled lightly. She then punched the young noble's arm, like how she always did. But this time with very weak hands. Her legs soon gave up on her, making her collapse and landed onto the chest of Kuchiki Byakuya, where she is then gently lowered and held tightly by a pair of strong arms.
"Thank you very much… and… I will… miss you a lot… Byakuya-sama…" Yuu said between short, weak breaths. "Will you miss me…? Will you miss… having me at your manor…?"
Byakuya remained silent as he knelt there, holding onto Kuroki Yuu. Why is God so unfair? Why must God play with his feelings twice? Why must he go through this twice? He needs to say something. If he remains quiet he might regret it for the whole of his life.
Because he will never have a second chance.
He needs to follow his heart.
"Yes. I…" Byakuya tightened his hold on the Royal Servant's limp body and lowered his head, allowing their faces to touch. He then swallowed the odd lump down his throat before he continued speaking. "I… enjoyed your company very much. Therefore… I will miss you too. Having you by my side for the past five months was like an amazing dream to me. Thank you for coming into my life…"
"I'm honored… I know I am greedy, but can I request something from you again…?"
Byakuya loosen his hold a little. He pushed her hair out of her face gently so he could take a better look at Yuu's face. "Go on..."
"Can you… smile for me?" Yuu raised her weak, trembling hand and brushed Byakuya's lips with her cold fingers. "Can I see it for one last time…?"
Taking in a deep breath, Byakuya held back the tears in his eyes. He managed to curve his trembling lips upwards despite the unbearable pain within his chest. Ever since he had his heart locked up, Kuroki Yuu was the first person to teach him how to smile again, so he will smile for her.
"You have a beautiful face and smile…" Yuu cupped Byakuya's face. Using her thumb, she gently brushed Byakuya's cheek. "Promise me to be happy…"
"I will." The raven haired captain raised his hand as well and placed it onto the small, cold hand that was caressing his face gently. He held it there, liking the contact and hoping to give it warmth. "For your sake I will..."
Satisfied with the answer she was given, Kuroki Yuu smiled and gathered the negligible amount of energy that was left in her body "…Sayonara…" She managed to whisper.
Byakuya did not bid her farewell. How could he bear to say good-bye? He just stayed there, smiling as the spiritual particles of Kuroki Yuu's body dispersed. He will not cry. He will not allow tears to blur his vision. He wants to look at the smile on her face till the very last moment and keep it in his mind for the rest of his life.
Though a Zanpakutou dies and vanishes together with its owner, but when the body of Kuroki Yuu had vanished, somehow Kotogeume remained. The small red particles of her soul slowly settled onto the sword, like they were being absorbed.
Byakuya's arms swayed limply back to his sides now that Yuu is not there anymore. His face had returned to his usual expressionless demeanor, but the pain in his heart lingered.
"In the end I got to learn about your secret but you still do not know mine…" Byakuya whispered as he stared at the red sword which contrasted with the pure, white sand.
He shall tell no one about it. If the first person to know it can't be Kuroki Yuu, if the first person to hear it from his mouth can't be Kuroki Yuu, then no one shall ever learn about his secret.
The secret of him actually loving Kuroki Yuu.
End of Chapter
I'm not done! It's not the end yet! So do keep reading! There is still an ending chapter, as well as epilogue which I will post up together soon (within 1 week)! So do stay tuned!
Anyway, there, I did it.
I murdered another OC. And I know a lot of readers must be very angry right now.
But hey, I can't help it. Byakuya will not be Byakuya anymore if he is all chirpy with a new wife and all. Right?
Right.
…So… R&R? Y/Y? *runs*
