Chapter 28: Opening Pandora's Box

*Hey guys I'm terribly sorry that I didn't post this yesterday. Saturday my family returned home and after unpacking I was dead tired and I felt the same Sunday plus I didn't feel so great. But I feel a lot better and more rested. The next chapter will be posted on time on Friday. If you forgive me please review.

Niagara Falls was lovely even though it was mostly hot and humid outside. Plus we went to Toronto too which was kind of fun. And Canada taxes you on everything and it's made worse because they have TWO different taxes you have to pay. I think we paid around 500 dollars on food alone! Granted there were six of us but still...

I hope all of you are finding ways to stay cool and hydrated these past few days especially those of you who live in the east coast and mid part of the US. And... *looks around at the charred mess*

That's it no more vacations! You people can't be trusted!

Seirin: Don't blame us! It was Flynn's fault! He was the one who went nuts with the fireworks!

Stanley: *lays on the ground covered in ash and smoke* That... was... awesome~!

Me: *pinches the bridge of nose and sighs* I thought we could take a break from Naoko and Uryu's plights and see what Ichigo and co. are up to. We'll have to back track a little, this takes place the morning after chapter 24. Plus I've got a Fourth of July omake at the end of this chapter. ^.^

Also if you think the characters in this arc have parent issues just wait until the next arc. You guys are going to be wondering how my characters have remained sane. XD

So please review and I in no way own Bleach, Seirin or Ayame. You should all know by now who I own.*


Ryuken awoke feeling better than he expected to. He took a few slow deep breaths purposefully expanding his chest and testing his half healed wounds. He looked at the clock resting on the nightstand and it read a quarter to nine. The elder Quincy was surprised; he never slept that late even if he was sick.

He let out a low sigh as he stretched and slowly rose out of bed. Sakura must be behind it. She probably had shut his alarm off so he could sleep and possibly called in sick for him too. If it had been anyone but Sakura who did that Ryuken would've said they overstepped their bounds.

But it seemed between him and Sakura it seemed like there were no bounds.

He dressed and made his way downstairs. There Sakura had her back to him and was looking outside. Her hair had gone from ink black to a deep chestnut brown. She had her phone pressed to her ear and her tense muscles showed her irritation at whomever she was talking to.

She turned when she felt him coming and smiled. "Good morning, how are you feeling?"

He lightly wrapped his arms around her middle, "Better thanks to you."

Sakura smiled before she was roused back to her conversation over the phone. "Yes Captain Kuchiki I'm still here. I just need you to check in on my division while I and Naomi are gone. Yes I know spontaneous departures can put other divisions in a pinch. Yes it's true that I do take on some of the paperwork from the Third and Ninth divisions.

"Cut them some slack, those two came from completely different countries and cultures. They're learning as fast as they can but they still need help. Hey, don't bring Flynn's nationality into this. It doesn't matter if he's American it doesn't make him any smarter or dumber than anyone else.

"Well asking the Head Captain for help would be suicidal, Yoruichi seems to constantly be tangled up with Urahara and Unohana is constantly busy with her own work. I don't know Captain Komamaru well enough to ask him, we all know Captain Kyoraku doesn't even touch his own paper work and Captain Hitsugaya does all his division's work.

"And the only reason the Eleventh hasn't fallen to paper ruin is because Yumichika did all of it three months in advance. Urahara is again tied up with Yoruichi and Ichigo has his own work to do I can't pile it on the poor boy on a good conscience."

She paused and leaned back allowing her head to rest against Ryuken's shoulder. He could hear snippets of the other end that was Captain Byakuya Kuchiki and it sounded like he was given Sakura a monotone rehearsed dressing down.

"Are you going to help me or not? Think of it as helping out a fellow captain. Okay fine is there something I can give you in return?"

Another pause before she spoke again. "Yachiru is just a little girl who loves you for some unfathomable reason. And who says she even visit my division—"

She was cut off but then retorted, "That is not true I do not give Yachiru extra sugary sweets in order to make her hyper and unleash her upon you. But if you're asking for me to find a way to make her less of a bother then I think that can be arranged." She paused before smiling victorious. "Thank you very much Captain Kuchiki, good bye."


Byakuya Kuchiki set the phone down after ending his discussion with the Captain of the Fifth. Honestly did that woman really think he had nothing better to do then paperwork? He actually had plans this coming evening and he would not cancel them, not again.

With their schedules it was difficult for Byakuya and Mihana Kuroki to work a day or night they could see each other. Through a fault on his part Byakuya was forced to cancel their previously arranged meeting and rearrange for this evening. He would not forgo another date with her again.

He glanced at the clock. His own division's paperwork took a good part of the day and now with the addition of three other divisions there was a certain chance he wouldn't get out until tomorrow night. He needed help... he glanced over at Renji sitting and filling out his share of work.

"Lieutenant Abarai... do you have any plans for this evening?" The nobleman asked.

Renji looked up at his captain and blinked before answering. "Not really Captain why?"

That wasn't entirely true. He was planning on going out drinking with some friends like he normally does but something told him it didn't matter if he actually had plans or not.

"Good, I need you to collect and finish the more imperative paperwork from the Third, Fifth and Ninth Divisions."

"Wait... why?" The lieutenant asked trying not to sound like he was complaining.

"Because Captain Ishida and her lieutenant were called away to the Living World, Captain Flynn still has difficulty reading and writing kanji as does Captain Diallo and lieutenant Hisagi is vacationing in... India I believe for now and the Third doesn't even have a lieutenant.

"So the task of completing the documents that require the attention of a captain or lieutenant of each division falls upon us." Byakuya explained with cold sternness.

Us? What do you mean us? I'm the one who will be doing all the paperwork. Renji mentally groaned.

Next time his captain asked if had plans he was going to say yes whether he really did or not.


She flipped her phone shut and sighed. "All I ask from him to do is to check on my division and you'd think I was asking the world from him."

"Are you sure that's all you asked of him?" Ryuken asked, resting his head against hers.

"Well... that and maybe do some pressing paperwork from mine, the Third and Ninth Division's. But in my defense that's not a lot and I would do it but I'm here." His wife defended.

"Sure." Ryuken said with a touch of dry sarcasm. "You shut my alarm clock off and called me in sick didn't you?"

"You need to rest as much as you can. Your wounds may be half healed but I would feel comfortable if they were completely healed. I asked Mihana to keep things in order while you're gone."
She gently commanded.

"I suppose that's fair, I know it's futile to talk you out of something. At least I'll have you to myself for a few days." Her husband said.

The couple stood together before Sakura spoke. "Do you still have that box that my father left me?"

"I believe so, why?"

"Well, I never did get a chance to see what was inside."

Taking the hint Ryuken led her to his office and Sakura looked up to see the wooden box sitting at the top of the bookcase. It looked the exact same the last time she had seen except coated heavily with dust. She pulled a stool over to stand on and reach for it. Or she would have except...

"AAAHHH!" Sakura screamed and fell off the stool and crawled to the farthest wall away from the box.

"Sakura what's wrong?" He asked, kneeling down to the trembling woman.

With a shaky finger Sakura pointed at the box and stuttered, "S-Spider."

Ryuken blinked at her and held back an annoyed sigh. "Are you still afraid of spiders?"

The Quincy captain clamped her hands over her head and pulled her knees in. "Evil vile creepy eight-legged freaks."

Rolling his eyes slightly at his wife for being scared of some tiny insect. Then again he couldn't really blame her for still being afraid. When Sakura was young her twin sister dumped a jar full of dead and living spiders on Sakura while she slept. Sakura didn't sleep for two weeks after that and had developed a crippling arachnophobia.

He stood on the stool and saw a tiny black spider sitting still on the box. Ryuken swatted the little bug away and grabbed the dusty box. He then coaxed Sakura to come out her tightly curled ball and helped her sit down at the chair at his desk. The woman's hands were trembling and her breathing was a little ragged.

Ryuken gently rubbed her arms, "Sakura calm down. It's gone now. You're alright."

The shaking woman slowly calmed down and regained her composure. Her pale finger brushed away some more dust from the box. Her keen eyes caught a small inscription carved in the wood. 'Knowledge is key'.

Her brows knitted together as she picked up the box and turned it around. There was a key hole but it was painted on. Sakura slowly moved her fingers all over box trying to find some hint. Then she felt a thin fissure, she pushed the small section of wood and it moved.

"It's a puzzle box." She said with some surprise. "Whatever is in here my father didn't anyone to get it."

Sakura started moving and sliding different panels until the lid popped open. She and Ryuken exchanged glances before she cautiously pulled the lid away. Inside was a folded letter, a pair of fine pens, a small worn book, three pictures and a beautiful Quincy cross.

Ryuken gently took the worn book and flipped through the pages. They were filled with poems, odes, eulogies, haikus and many more. "I didn't know your father was poet."

"Neither did I." Sakura replied while looking at the pictures.

One was of Uryu when he was about a month old. On the back written in neat writing was 'Uryu Nov. 27th.' Another was of her and her twin sister when they were young girls. Sada was sticking her tongue out at the camera and Sakura was smiling. The last picture was of Sakura with shorter hair smiling widely and written on the back was, 'my little spring time muse, Sakura age 10'.

She set the pictures down, reached for the letter and opened it. Her blue eyes slowly moved across each line and taking in what was written. Her curiosity slowly morphed into abject horror and disgust. Ryuken looked up from the book and saw her pale ill complexion.

"Sakura? Are you alright?" He asked.

She handed him the letter wordlessly. He read it and was shocked that a family could something like that to their own kin and others.

"I-I don't... even know what to say about... that. I knew your family was..."

"My family was sick and psychopathically twisted." Sakura hissed as she laid her head on her hands, trying to will away her disgust.

This may truly be Pandora's Box after all. Ryuken noticed something at the corner of the paper, "Sakura did you see this?"

She looked at what he was pointing at. The letter was dated the day right before her parents died.

"I don't suppose Soul Reapers believe in coincidences do they?"

"It would be nice to but my intuition is telling me this is far from a coincidence." Sakura said holding the letter in one hand and propping her head against the other.

She re-read a particular paragraph and felt a new wave of hatred and revulsion at her mother.


"I think this is a perfect example of a Mexican Standoff."

Rukia and Naomi stood stock still with just a few feet of space between them. The Thirteenth lieutenant looked like a deer caught in headlights. While the Fifth lieutenant gazed at the other with cool disinterest while holding her phone. Both men dared not to breathe out of fear for ruining this moment.

Naomi gave a slight jerk of her head, "Kuchiki."

Rukia repeated the gesture, "Yamamoto."

Spring green eyes clashed with cool amethyst. Then Rukia noticed the bandage across Naomi's nose.

"What happened to...?" She tapped her nose to signal what she was asking.

The blonde's face remained even. "That is none of your concern. I'm guessing you're here to celebrate Ichigo's birthday with his family?"

"Yes, what about you? Why are you here?" Rukia said trying to sound neutral.

"Again that is none of your concern." Naomi replied.

They relapsed into silence both staring the other down and refusing to back down and break eye contact.

Yuzu broke the tension, "Lunch is ready everyone."

Naomi casually walked to the kitchen and Rukia followed. Isshin and Ichigo watched the girls walk away before untangling themselves from each other.

"What in the hell was that all about?" Ichigo asked.

"Naomi and Rukia... they don't get along well and it's not entirely because their zanpakutuos are two completely different elements. You know fire and ice. Ichigo do you know anything about the lieutenant before Rukia?" The former captain asked.

"Just bits and pieces from Ukitake and Renji mostly. The guy was really smart and came from a noble family and he helped train Rukia. They both warned me to tread carefully if I ever bring it up which I haven't." Ichigo replied.

His father nodded in agreement. "Kaien Shiba was the lieutenant before Rukia. He took her in and was a friend to her when no one else was. Naomi's story is a bit similar; she looked up to him like a brother. Hell there was times when they really did act like a brother and sister.

"One night Kaien went after a Hollow that had killed his wife, Ukitake and Rukia followed. Long story short Rukia was forced to kill him. Even if it was an order Naomi couldn't and maybe still doesn't forgive Rukia. To be honest I thought Naomi would've tried to attack her. "

"How long ago did that happen?" The teen asked.

"If I had to guess I think thirty maybe forty years ago." His father answered.

"That long ? Why the hell don't they just let it go already?"

"Ichigo a few decades is nothing for a Soul Reaper. Kaien touched those girls deeply and he was ripped away from them. The wound left behind might take ages to heal. But at least they didn't fall into violent cat fight when they saw each other. That's improvement..."


Belated 4th of July Omake


Sakura raised an eyebrow at seeing what Flynn was doing. "Flynn, what's with all the fireworks?"

"Well since I can't go to America to celebrate the Fourth I'm bringing the Fourth here." The American chirped.

"Something tells me I'll need to bring the Fourth Division over here tonight." She sighed.

Night fell over the Third Division and a majority of captains, lieutenants and seated officers were there. When the last of the sun's rays fell past the horizon. Flynn then had Naomi light all the fireworks since she had a fire based sword. The fireworks flew up one after another to sky before brightly exploding but it soon ended.

"Is that it?" Ichigo asked a little disappointed.

"Trust me that was just the warm up. Yoruichi introduced me to this eccentric pyrotechnic chick out in the Rukongai. And she agreed to help me." Just as he finished talking a loud boom was heard and the sky was a lit with rainbow colors. "Now those are some epic fireworks!"

Firework after firework exploded with intense color in the night sky. After awhile the grand finale happened with intense bursts of dazzling color. The show ended with a large resounding bang. People cheered at seeing such a grand display.

Out in the Rukongai Kukaku sat up covered in ash and a corner of her hair had a slight flame on it. She blinked and then smiled widely.

"That was amazing! That was the best show we've ever done! I love this holiday! Let's so do it again next year."

Her brother Ganju fell back to the ground covered in as much ash and dust as his sister. "Does anyone else smell roasted pig?"


*Don't worry I didn't actually kill Bonnie. I'm not that cruel. I hope you liked this chapter and I apologize again for being late.

SasuTenLuvr I'm working on that one-shot. My muse sort of died for it a while back but I'm trying to get it finished, so if could just wait a bit longer that'd be great.

I am so very excited for the upcoming chapters because that's where things get more dramatic and twisted. So please review so I know you all still love me.*