I want a normal life
just like a newborn child
I am a lover hater
I am an instigator
you are an oversight
Don't try to compromise
I'll learn to love to hate it
I am not integrated
-Sooner or Later, Breaking Benjamin
ShiKai CH.27: Preparation
"...attacked, you say? Hm, I heard about that."
Hitsugaya showed some surprise.
"Kei told me," Kagami intercepted hastily lest the little Taichou become suspicious. "She called me some time last night, I don't remember the time, you know with the difference and all." He shrugged apologetically.
Turquoise green eyes surveyed him through the screen, he did his best to keep his expression composed. Not to blink too much since he'd read somewhere that that was a sure sign of a liar. Luckily Hitsugaya seemed satisfied; "I see then...did she say whether or not it was an Arrancar?"
He pretended to think back. It wouldn't do to confirm the tensai's sharp instincts so early on. Damn it...I'm no good at this! Keiko! "Really? She didn't--" he tried playing for time.
Unfortunately the Shinigami didn't fall for it. "The Research and Development Division couldn't get an accurate reading, I've spoken with the head there, Akon, and he himself didn't know whether or not the read out their scanners picked up on was that of an Arrancar's, or not. Now, hers, did register. Albeit several minutes after the original signal, but it did." Hitsugaya pinned Kagami with his piercing gaze, "a type of ancient magic was used. One that it was thought to have died out a long time ago."
I'm going have to tell him...sorry, Keiko. "She does..." he sighed, rubbing at his temples again, "possess a mastery over the type called Blood. Out of the three magicks in the worlds, Demon or Kido, Blood and the rarest Black, which was a form so-called by its usage among Hollows and the Black army. I--"
"Black...army?"
Said too much. Curses. "Yes," Kagami answered shortly, bracing both hands on the sides of the console, his head drooping, "certainly you must've heard about the Third world of Cayo Hueso and the God that supposedly resides there?" He gave a brief bark of quiet laughter, "of course you haven't! Soul Society outlawed any mention of there being another King or God in existence other than Reio-dono. They've always been like that..." his smile had a hint of bitterness and something else to it. "Because of what happened, I guess I don't blame them in a way. The schism split the Heavens and the earth apart, if I were them, I wouldn't want to risk it coming to pass now."
Hitsugaya didn't know what to say to that nor the strangest feeling he got, one that he couldn't explain its source. Schism...did he mean the chaos that had enveloped the worlds before the Elements were brought into existence?
~Flashback: Karakura Town, the night before~
The house was quiet. The knob to the door connecting the rest of the house to the clinic, turned, in a small clasp. Karin Kurosaki eased the portal open, peering into the darkness of the little room. It contained a hospital bed, coarse white sheets drawn up to the shoulders of the sleeping girl. Her chest rose evenly, her brow smooth, her countenance showing only peaceful slumber.
At the foot of the bed, the girl's clothes were folded, the stains garish in the muted light.
Her brother had said, a fall on some stairs and that she was a friend-could she stay for a few days?
Their dad had welcomed the girl enthusiastically, Rukia had loitered in the background, saying nothing. Yuzu was enthusiastic as well, having censured Karin for her behavior hours before.
But, Karin didn't want her to stay with them.
Looking now into the girl's face, lids closed over purple eyes; she couldn't understand her initial dislike. The girl had manners, almost high-born as if she had been something else, like a Lady.
Again, Karin wondered what the girl saw in her brother; if his glances at her were anything to go by. He was infatuated with her, yet Karin had the feeling it was only one-sided. If so, then her brother had a lot of heartache to go through.
"You'd better not hurt, Ichi-nii..." she said aloud, "I'll never forgive you, if you do."
Feeling a tad bit better, Karin departed, closing the door softly.
~*~
A moment later, her eyes flew open.
Little brat! How dare she even deign to threaten her!
Kei sat up, she had half a mind to summon Kirin to ferry away her soul...
Her hands fisted the material of the sheets, twisting them between her fingers.
"Shaku-" the command froze in her throat. The darkness rippled in response.
He was very protective of his sisters, let alone...damn it. She couldn't do it. At least--not until, she slid from the bed, her bare feet meeting the cold floor. Everything was over.
The door yielded to her touch, glancing out, she saw the kitchen empty. Karin must've gone upstairs already. Carefully, she stepped out, letting the door close gently. On the stairs, she paused and listened, nothing. Not even a creak of the house settling.
Her hand slid up the banister railing.
On the landing, she stepped immediately toward the door marked 15.
His room.
Luckily it wasn't locked. The knob twisted in her palm, the metal clammy. Inside the room, the curtains were drawn back, moonlight falling in shafts over his body, the sheets lowered to his waist, his brow troubled.
He moaned softly. His forehead wrinkling. Kei got closer, dropping to her knees beside the low bed. he seemed to be dreaming, about what though?
"Mo...ther..." his voice was heavy with angst.
His mom? Oh, that's right...she died in the rain. Kei extended her hand, fingers sliding through his hair, slowly she raised herself, sitting at the edge of his bed. He leaned into her touch, his breathing steadily growing calmer.
"Dancing bears, painted wings...things I used to remember," she started singing softly under her breath. The deep furrow of his brow smoothing, his face settling in serene calmness. "And a song someone sings, once upon a December."
There. With some satisfaction, she saw him return to deep sleep.
Now to--
His hand suddenly snaked out, grabbing her wrist. Kei started back, but already felt a weightlessness come over her as she was pulled into his mindscape.
~*~
It was the Hollow of course. Leering grin stretching his lips thin. The moment her feet touched the building, he had pulled her into a bone-crushing embrace.
"Hellooo, Queeeen."
"Bonjour, Hichigo." Kei muttered, her mouth buried in his shoulder. He thrust her back at arm's-length, looking over her current ensemble of a T-shirt and boxers. She sensed more than he warned, what he was going to do next. That is, plant his mouth on hers.
Kei turned her head, his lips grazing her cheek.
His annoyance was great. "Why'd you do that, Queen!? Won't you give a poor lonely Horsie, a kiss?!"
"No," she said carefully, catching flowing black movement from the corner of her eye. Zangetsu. The Zanpaku-to spirit was looking even sterner than usual. "Hey," she half freed her hand to give a wave of greeting. Hichigo twirled her around, her feet momentarily lifting from the ground.
"Why No-o-o-t!" he whined, stretching out the last word.
Kei struggled against his arms, "because..."
He stopped, head cocked at an odd angle, golden eyes intent on her face.
Damn it... slowly her hand rose, cradling his cheek. Her lips pouted slightly, her hand sliding forward into his hair. Inches away, she grasped a handful of the white locks, tilting her face just so. He eagerly lowered his mouth toward hers, meaning to regain control, but her hand at the back of his head, slowed his assault.
"Hichigo...I need you to promise me something."
"Anything."
"I'm serious." She stared into his eyes, "you must promise me that whatever happens, you will not fight Kagami or Kazeatari."
"But--" her finger to his lips, halted his objection.
"If you do...their deaths will be mine as well."
She could see he halfway didn't believe her. "You'd kill...yourself over-?"
No. You've got it wrong. If even one dies...
But it's easier this way. "I would."
He appeared to think about it until at last he assented slowly, not happy with what he was forced to concede to. "I won't touch 'em." He vowed, his scowl making him resemble Ichigo in a way that he-if he knew, wouldn't be pleased with either. Since the Horse was forever trying to usurp the King, and the King was always fighting his Horse.
Idiots. Oh, well...their current disharmony is better for me anyway. Kei dropped her hand to his shoulder, one tangled in his hair still. She tilted her head back, brushing her lips lightly against his. The Hollow pressed harder, grinding his mouth hard on hers, plying for entry. Not satisfied with such a chaste kiss.
Kei felt his teeth nip at her bottom lip, heard Zangetsu's sigh of disapproval. And smiled, her lips parting to allow the Hollow in...
~Karakura Town present time~
How good was the Hollow's word?
With it, her former design to have Takara dispose of it was rendered null. Its existence was no longer a hindrance to her plans...rather...
A source of entertainment.
She was sure neither Ichigo or his Hollow would like to be thought of in such a way. It was amusing to see how much they truly were alike even if either had never realized it. One was the darker half, the other the lighter. The parallel existing inside one soul. Separated they were overcome, together they were unstoppable.
In the inevitable end, she knew that one day they might face one another in combat. And if he and his Hollow were united...
"What're you thinking about?"
...there's the possibility...
She smiled up into his face, the way she had seen other girls do to their beaus. What Inoue never had the courage to do. She looked deep into his eyes, the smile still playing on her lips, "you."
I might lose.
He fairly flushed, refuting it anyway, "tch! Yeah right..."
Her fingertips landed below his lip, tracing the curvature of his jaw. "You're not used to this sort of thing, are you?" His skin felt warm beneath her cold touch.
I love a challenge.
"What do you mean?!"
She chuckled under her breath, "so simple. So naive, but I suppose that is part of your charm..."
His confusion was even more endearing. Agitation deepening the line in his brow, a light scowl thinning his mouth now. "I don't know what the hell you're talking about." He grumbled, his eyes shifting away guiltily. Dimly, she became aware of Inoue and Matsumoto-Fukutaichou's approach. Someone else was with them. Their distance still several paces away.
"Then to clarify, I will make my meaning clear, I like you, Ichigo Kurosaki. Much more than anyone I've ever known in my long life--and don't be stupid either," she glared when he had opened his mouth to speak. "Like can be construed in two different ways, if you don't believe me then let me say this. *Anata ni aenakute sabishii...that's why I came. To remedy that..."
(* Phrase means: 'I'm lonely when I can't see you.)
Her hand fell to her side, her smile to his friends. "Inoue, Matsumoto and ah! Kuchiki! All finished with reporting back to your Taichou? I'm sorry that we missed one another this morning."
"To be sure," Kuchiki's return smile was tart.
Kei's became little less than a sneer. I won't take your shit...her eyes narrowed. Watch yourself.
Inoue was worrying her hands, knuckles white, her cheerful look strained. Kei was gratified to see her on the point of breaking down. She addressed her now, "Inoue, I was wondering about what you told me a couple of days ago--when Kuchiki here, was rescued. You did say...it was because you considered her a friend...right?"
Matsumoto looked taken aback, not understanding where this was coming from. Instinctively the blond Fukutaichou stepped closer to the girl, standing by her side as a show of unconscious support against the evils in the world-or against her.
Kuchiki blinked, "what's this-"
At the last moment, Inoue's tremulous voice interrupted, ending Kuchiki's interference. "It was...it's true." Her voice grew stronger and for a moment she looked determined.
Kei's smile had relaxed now it widened, slow, deliberate, satisfied with her answer, "I see...then you protect your friends-?"
Inoue's affirmative was louder, her confidence returning.
Matsumoto at her side, was reassured by this, enough so as to interpose directly, albeit with a sardonic hint to her tone. "Why are you asking? Is there something wrong with that?" Then crossing her arms below her well-endowed chest, "Orihime-chan is a very honorable girl, and for you to be mocking--"
"I wouldn't, Matsumoto-Fukutaichou." Another smile in her direction, "I have nothing against self-sacrifice. Indeed, I concur with your praise of Inoue's spirit. She is...the very image of selflessness caring for others as she does."
Inoue flinched. Her exuberance draining away.
Kuchiki looked uncertain, going between the nervous twitch of her friend to the other's impassive expression, only the look is those purple eyes made her question the sincerity of the statement.
Ichigo was oblivious to it all; in his mind there was no doubt that they-his friends were getting along well with her. In fact he was pleased by it...
"I suppose I am fond of her...since she reminds me of Ichigo." Kei allowed the faintest of smiles to grace her face, her glance to him, meeting his eyes then swinging her gaze back to them, "a somewhat ridiculous notion, hm?"
With that she walked past them, her cell in hand. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have another call to make." Only...she paused half-step in passing Inoue.
She smiled, whispering in a soft hiss meant only for the human girl's ears. And if anyone heard...they wouldn't understand it anyway.
"I thought we were friends..."
Inoue's face fell.
~Current time, Tsukikage castle grounds~
Kazeatari watched with approval, the great rippling dome repel the spiraling fiery attack by Lieutenant of First's Hisrio Shihoin's Houou-hime. The man himself, dispelled the resulting backlash with a slashing motion of his unsheathed blade. Houou-hime returned to his side, red-feathered wings folding elegantly on her back; Kazeatari was reminded of Suzaku, a smile came to her lips.
Keith Rolston and Atrix Crusellas, both fourth seats of different Divisions, yet both wielded swords equitable to the earth element.
Kazeatari signaled they should begin.
"Save the innocent, Nikoli!"
"Awaken the dead, Tenma Mukurode!"
Kazeatari turned to the woman at her side, clipboard in hand. "Rizu, tell Takara to cut the shield by half, I want to see how it holds up at less power."
The Lieutenant of Fifth nodded and briskly flash-stepped to the laptop Kyou was working from. A webcam feeding directly into the dimmed room of the Third Division's main office showed a girl in gray robes at the console top. Her shiny blond hair pulled back in a pony-tail while she managed the energy output of the Genei.
"Shimizu," Rizu spoke into the attached microphone.
Takara glanced up, "Sakurai, how goes it on your end?"
Not one to waste time, Rizu answered curtly, "as well as can be expected. Captain Namaiki asks that the shield's power be lessened to half."
"Will do...this'll only take a few minutes." The blond muttered under her breath, fingers dancing expertly over the keys. In a matter of seconds, the great rippling barrier high above the spire of Tsukikage Castle's highest point, reduced, the dome thinning noticeably.
Rizu glanced over her shoulder to give the message to her Captain. Kazeatari nodded in thanks, turning back to face the gates. Keith and Atrix standing at opposite ends of the perimeter.
The Fourth Seat of Third, charged first; "Path of the Wrym!"
Kazeatari felt her chest heave, something inside tightening at the rush of the Dragon form made of Earth. A crushing attack meant to swallow the enemy within its jaws. It wasn't...she shook her head to clear it. It wasn't like his.
Atrix more slowly, hurtling his image form of a skeletal reaper. Its touch could corrupt living flesh, this was the power Kagami had given it, that of decay.
Kazeatari fought back a shudder, her lips curling into a small smirk of satisfaction.
Again, they were repulsed. Nary a ripple of shockwave disturbing the barrier's surface.
Keith let out a startled yell, a shower of earth erupting in a wave upon him. His attack had completely shattered, Nikoli's path of the wrym breaking apart as Matsumoto Rangiku's Haineko had upon the real thing.
Atrix's Tenma, however...recoiled back into its blade, the reaper vanishing in a mist of darkness becoming one with the sword once again.
Kazeatari smiled at the dirt falling from Keith's hair and robes as he staggered to his feet, his Zanpaku-to still unsheathed. She motioned for Zoe Elbe to step forward. The dark-skinned woman's hand already reaching for the diamond-shaped guard and Fleur de-lis patterned hilt stuck through her black sash.
A small trill sounded, Kazeatari slipped her hand into her pocket withdrawing a cobalt blue Razr.
"Kaze, here."
"Miracle of miracles," exclaimed a dry sounding voice from the other end of the line, "she answered on the first ring! Praise be to God--"
"Oh, shut it, Keiko." Kazeatari said, glancing up at the first flake falling.
Zoe's reiatsu.
"I am glad that you called though," Kazeatari continued, her eyes on the tall figure, unsheathing her sword just outside the confines of the gates. "The tests have gone well, just about with everyone we've tried, the shield hasn't--"
"Muhyo Getten!"
Kazeatari glimpsed the released state of Shirahime, a slender Wakizashi of frosted diamond sheets attached to a silvery hilt and matching guard, the sheath had become a blue crystalline scepter as well, was held in one long-fingered hand. Ice obscured her vision a moment later, spreading upward and around, following the exact circumference of the transparent dome.
Kyou gasped, his eyes widening as the very sky above them was iced over.
"Kaze, what's happening?" interrupted Kei on the staticky line.
The wind wielder stared at the cell in her hand, "hold on!" She jerked around to Kyou, "give me stats now! Current temps--"
"Already on it!" Kyou typed fast, bringing up a barometer on the screen, he swiveled it around to face her, reading it off quickly, "no change reported in the vicinity of Tsukikage, nor anywhere! It's all...a steady Seventy-five degrees..."
KRK.
Striated lines appeared far above. Rizu stared at them, her head turning to follow the massive crack spreading across the dome-like sky. "What the..."
"Kaze!"
Kazeatari lifted the phone to her ear, "I'm still here."
KRK.
She kept an eye on the firmament. "Keiko...the shield, it's frozen."
"What!" the girl's voice was sharp. Disbelieving, "are you sure?!"
Kazeatari's fine dark brows drew together, her thin mouth twisting in a scowl, "of course, I'm sure! I'm standing beneath it!"
"...ice." Other voices, distorted by distance and the fact they were all asking questions at once, came through. Kei sounded irritated, "back the fuck off--" then, "I'll be there in a--I'm needed-no, Matsumoto. It isn't an Arrancar attack--believe me, they wouldn't even need my help if it were that."
"Captain Namaiki!" Kyou cried, "Lieutenant Shimizu says we should evacuate the area! The shield's power readout is fluctuating erratically! At this rat--"
.
"It'll collapse." Kazeatari finished for him in a whisper.
"Ka---!"
~Karakura Town~
Dead silence.
"-ze." She paled, the line was gone.
"Kaze!"
~Tsukikage Castle grounds~
"What in God's name is going on here?"
Kazeatari lowered her fan, the words for the ReppuGeki dying on her lips. Kagami stood, feet-planted firmly apart, hand wrapped around the empty sheath of Sazanami. Above, outside the clearing dome was the immense form of a blue-scaled Dragon. The sheets of ice were held motionless, where they had begun their descent, the barrier having withheld the Ice World onslaught even to reverse it...to the detriment of those still ringing the outside-namely quite a few of the Divisions' seated officers.
"Uh..."
"KYOU!!!!!! WHAT'RE YOU DOING HIDING BEHIND LIEUTENANT RIZU?!!!!!!"
The Fifth seat flinched and cowered, the wrath of his sister bearing down like a harpy of legend rather than the Hydra spirit she controlled.
Rizu stepped aside as Hana came charging in, her green eyes ablaze in righteous anger.
Kyou whimpered when she took a fistful of his hair and dragged him out by it. Takara peering into the webcam on the other side, witnessed, and laughed behind her hand. Kyou reddened. Kazeatari sighed, dropping her head into her hands.
Kagami tapped his foot impatiently, dispelling the frozen water with merely a flick of his wrist. "Well? What's your excuse this time? I can't believe you, Kazeatari would condone this--and besides, I was right in the middle of answering a call from you-know-who when I chanced to look out for the source of all the rumbling when lo and behold I see the Genei shield frozen over!"
Kazeatari scratched at her nose disinterestedly, "I-know-who? Who?"
"Don't get off the subject..." he frowned then heaved his shoulders tiredly, "...it seems as if our movements are still a matter of great interest to...someone we were once close to."
Comprehension came, "Ma--"
"Yes." They exchanged a long look, "it was her."
"God," she went half a step closer, "how is she?! How is--"
He held up a hand to silence her, "they've begun to stir. They know about Aizen and Hueco Mundo as well as the Shinigami. She says...she says she'll be waiting for us. It's in the stars, that we'll meet again..." he looked at her sadly, "before the end."
~Karakura Town~
Gods...Kaze.
Her body felt numb. What was happening over there--or had it already transpired?!
They were asking her questions. Worry smothering the general atmosphere.
Ichigo began shaking her; Matsumoto told him to stop.
'It'll collapse.' Kei's lips trembled, her teeth chattering. What if...no! She couldn't--
"I have to g-go." Unbidden she felt tears dampen the corners of her eyes and wiped them angrily away.
They were demanding to know what happened.
"I-I don't know!" The tears wouldn't stop. Big, fat droplets rolled down her face. Matsumoto's face softened, "what is it? Did someone-"
Kei forced herself to move.
He went after her, running, his longer legs easily matching her shorter stride. Kei cursed the Gigai once again. He pulled her to a stop, her arm aching from being jerked back.
"What is it?! Tell me! Why are you crying?!"
"Bakudo 1. Sai!" Her Kido was stronger than most. It held him fast to the ground, even though struggle as he might, he couldn't break free. Matsumoto, Kuchiki and Inoue were sprinting up the sidewalk.
"I'm sorry," she mouthed, backing up. Looking away, but not before she had seen the hurt in his eyes. Understand...
"Keiko, wait--"
It was the first time Matsumoto had ever used her first name.
...when one dies the others follow to keep the wheel turning.
She faded from sight.
I have to make sure one of us hasn't died.
~Tsukikage Castle~
"...It looks like the connection held," Kagami spoke in hushed tones, bending over the side of the console. Kazeatari stared up the large screen, her expression inscrutable in the unlit room. Only her dark eyes glittered with expectation and reminiscence.
The doors burst open behind them. Light from the staircase spilling in, Kei stood in the threshold, eyes roving over them. Her shoulders heaved, relief evident in every line of her face. "Damn you, Kaze! You--"
"Oh, hey, you're back earl--" Kagami began, but another, softer, more feminine voice came in through the speakers.
"...is that you...?"
Kei stopped mid-step, frozen at the sound of the woman's voice.
"...Keiki?"
~To be continued~
AN: Thanks for reading. :)
No flames-stupid comments-idiotic spammers!
Special thanks to Nikoli for submitting Keith.
Please review :)
