Chapter 48: A Crack Here, A Crack There
*I had to make a change to this story. I have to gloss over some stuff I was planning on going into detail about. I had to change because it was personally too hard to write. It brought up some still fresh and painful memories.
Anyone out there? People are still reading this story right?
Please review.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, just the OCs.*
"There are things that we don't want to happen but have to accept, things we don't want to know but have to learn, and people we can't live without but have to let go."~Author Unknown
(Seireitei, 108 years later, 1685)
It should have been a routine mission.
No.
Nothing was ever routine when dealing with a Vasto Lorde.
Kagayaki sat in silence under a flowering tree trying to process the fact that her mother was now dead. Dying in battle beside their father, Kagayaki couldn't think of a better way for her to go. Other than her not going at all.
She had been devastated upon receiving the news. They all had been. She saw Yoshirou figuratively curl into himself which he was known to do when having to deal with something greatly distressing. Taiki was stunned and silent, bowing his head and trying to mourn in front of his younger siblings. Takehiko, though, was very vocal. He ranted and raved loudly. It got to the point that Kagayaki had to leave, she couldn't bear his tantrum. She would have skewered and burned him alive if she had stayed.
She did not want to go to her own home which was empty and spacious and feel even more so now. Besides her home and property would be the first places people would check for her. The same went for the Fifth Division. That was how she ended up sitting in the small private garden in the First Division, it was also were her friends found her.
Nami, Isao, and Yuya stared at Kagayaki from a safe distance. Far enough that she could have privacy but close enough that if she needed them they were right there.
Isao eyed his beloved with worry, "I've never seen her like this before."
Yuya looked at him, "She just lost her mother, how do you expect her to react?"
"I don't know who I'm more worried about. Her or Retsu," Nami said.
The two men had almost forgotten about the Fourth's lieutenant, no acting-captain. She had been close to Akiko and viewed her as a mother and mentor just like Kagayaki. While Kagayaki was good, or at least decent, at handling and processing her emotions Retsu wasn't so much. The kid had an impressive and virulent temper. Said temper had been tampered down over the years but it was still an experience to behold and fear.
"I thought Kagayaki would be holing herself up in that private tea house of hers. Not sitting out here," she continued.
Each Yamamoto child had their own house and they all had the same layout. Any additions or remodeling was done at the expense of that child. Kagayaki had a personal and private tea house built on her property. A small thing but it was intimate, tasteful, and perfect for small parties or if someone wanted to be alone.
'That tea house probably holds a lot of painful memories for her," Yuya reasoned.
Isao looked at Nami, "You should go talk to her."
"What? Why me?"
"Because we've all talked to her but it doesn't seem like none of us are getting through to her. You've barely done anything," he argued.
Her blue eyes twitched, "Barely done anything? I've been helping run her fucking Division along with my own. In case you forgot she lost her lieutenant a few years back and has yet to replace him. The brunt of the work has fallen on that scrawny blonde Third Seat of hers with the toothy maw.
"You're her fiancée or lover or whatever. You should be the one to help her through this; emotions like this aren't exactly my strong suit."
"But you're the only one who hasn't talked to her yet. She might listen to her best friend about things that she won't from someone else," Yuya coolly cut in.
Nami crossed her arms over her chest, "How do you know she just doesn't want to be alone right now? If it were me I'd want to be left alone."
"Kagayaki isn't you. Now go talk to her or at least sit with her, you're her friend," Yuya said.
Nami looked defiantly at both men but seeing as how they weren't going to budge she sighed, "Fine."
She walked slowly up to Kagayaki until she was right next to her. The blonde woman didn't acknowledge or notice her friend's presence. Her green eyes merely continued to stare out unseeingly. Nami fidgeted, not sure what to do. She glanced at the two men for a hint. Yuya moved his hand in a flicking gesture, go on.
She bit her lip and looked back at her friend, "Mind if I sit with you?"
No response so Nami took that as a yes. She seated herself beside the other woman on the stone bench. Nami started fidgeting again and looking anywhere but at Kagayaki. Damn it she wasn't good at this kind of stuff. It was always Yachiru who handled this. Tears, crying, and grief were things Nami didn't know how to help people through.
"I'm sorry about your mother. She was… she was one hell of a woman. We'll all miss her. Sorry if I'm only making things worse but I'm… not that good at consoling people. But she was a great woman, who lived a great life, and I know had a great daughter," Nami said quietly.
Kagayaki sniffled and Nami spotted fresh tears sliding down her already damp cheeks. Great, it looks like I did make things worse. Nami drummed her fingers on her lap, trying to think of what to do. She looked at her friend and decided.
Nami moved closer and wrapped her arms around Kagayaki, pulling her into a hug. Kagayaki, Isao, and Yuya were all shocked by the physical tender display of affection. Nami rarely did things such as hug or hold hands, at least in public. She never seemed the physically affectionate sort (though Yuya could confidently say they're wrong).
Once her shock passed Kagayaki buried her face in her friend's shoulder and wept. Nami didn't move but continued to hold her friend. Finally, after thoroughly soaking Nami's shoulder, Kagayaki pulled away and wiped her eyes and damp cheeks with her sleeve.
"Thank you," she said hoarsely.
Nami shrugged, "It was nothing. Feel better?"
Kagayaki sniffled, "A little. I miss her so much. I don't know how I'm going to go on."
The female Kenpachi rested her hand on her friend's shoulder, "By not going on alone. Look, I can't say I know how you feel or what you're going through. But I can say that you don't have to go through all of this alone. You've got me, Isao, and Yuya, and a whole bunch of others just waiting to help you. We're going to do whatever it takes to help you get through this."
Kagayaki smiled weakly, "Thank you."
Retsu Unohana stood silently in her captain's office. No, it's my office now, she mentally corrected herself. Officially she wasn't the captain but instead the acting-captain. That may change soon since she was close to achieving Bankai. She eyed the desk and chair and the rest of the furniture as though she had never seen it before. It was all familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.
She forced her stiff legs to move forward to the desk. She rested her slightly trembling hands on the edge of the desk. The wood felt warm and recognizable to her fingers. She took in a shaky breath. I cannot do this. I cannot replace her. No one can. I do not have her skills, her talent, or her experience. I am still an apprentice not a master.
"Retsu?" She spun around at the sound of another voice.
It was Jushiro and Shunsui.
The two boys were dressed in formal looking dark kimonos and Jushrio was holding three bento boxes. The two boys had grown quite a bit in the past century; they were almost as tall as her. Shunsui had his thick brown hair in a short ponytail while Jushiro's was cut to his chin.
She quickly wiped her eyes even if there weren't any tears. She had been crying so much lately that the gesture was becoming habitual. "Yes? What is it?"
Jushiro nervously shifted his feet, "We thought… maybe you'd want to have lunch with us. It's a nice day and we thought…"
"We thought you could use some company," Shunsui finished.
Retsu was a little surprised by their boldness. She always thought they were a little afraid of her, too much to make an offer like this.
She could only ask, "Why?"
The young teens looked at each other before Shunsui answered, "Given what happened recently… we thought you would want some friends around."
"And we're… friends?" She felt she needed to ask. Retsu was not ungrateful for their show of kindness and support but she never knew they viewed her as their friend. She was older than them, a Soul Reaper, and acted more like an older sister then a friend.
Jushiro brightened up, "Of course we are. You always find time to help us or visit us even when you're busy. You're always there for us and now we want to be here for you."
Retsu swiped her eyes and this time she really did brush away tears. They weren't tears of sadness or grief but of warmth and comfort.
She nodded, "You're right. I think having lunch together outside would be a lovely idea."
(Rukongai, 19 years later, 1704)
Nami Kenpachi felt like she was traveling at a snail's pace. But that couldn't be because she could feel herself using shunpo to her utmost limit. It still didn't feel fast enough especially when Yuya was able stay on her tail. She could hear him calling to her but she ignored him.
The only thing that mattered was getting to that reiatsu signature.
The only thing that mattered was getting to Yachiru.
Before the Hollows savaging the town did.
The outer Districts had been blindsided by a sudden swarm of hungry Hollows. A few Seated officers that had been patrolling the areas were able to take out a few but were quickly overwhelmed and were barely able to send out a message for help. As soon as Nami heard what District was being attacked she shot off with shocking speed. She didn't know if any besides Yuya followed her and she didn't care.
She could handle any Hollow she came across as long as she got to them before they got to Yachiru. The pink haired woman could handle one or two but not a dozen.
The area she was speeding through soon became familiar and she knew she was getting close. Each step still felt agonizingly slow so Nami pushed herself to go faster. The familiar pulse of Yachiru's reiatsu gave the captain some comfort.
But then it flared and blinked out.
Nami skidded to a halt and froze in horror. Yuya stopped just a few feet behind her, wondering what could have made her stop so suddenly. He looked at her then looked around. They were alone for now but he could hear people fighting Hollows. He knew Kagayaki and Isao brought reinforcements from their Divisions, not to mention the gung-ho battle ready Eleventh was here too.
When they received word that there was trouble in the far outer Districts he wasn't too surprised at how Nami took off with such speed. Despite her rough and seemingly uncaring demeanor she was a great supporter of the strong helping the weak. She routinely sent out her men to patrol the outer Districts such as those in the 60's, 70's, even all the way to the 80th. She also kept serious tabs on what her men were doing out there so as to make sure they weren't abusing any power they had over the Rukongai residents.
Such moves hadn't won her much love or support from her Division. But there were Hollows and battles to be had out there so they weren't complaining too much. Some Divisions though like the Third, Sixth, Eighth, and Thirteenth called this a waste of resources and that Soul Reapers were not responsible for the living conditions of the Rukongai. They believed that their jobs as 'caretakers of the dead' ended when the konso was performed.
Other Divisions, such as Kagayaki's, began following Nami's example though. Soul Society is supposed to be a heaven for people when their lives of trials and tribulations were over. How was it far that good people left one life of suffering only to end up in another?
Yuya thought that considerably compassionate of her. When he told her Nami gruffly brushed the comment aside. At first he found that annoying that she couldn't take a compliment especially when it was one about her looks. It took decades but it was worth cracking that stone hard shell of hers. He had found a beautiful and unique soul inside.
"Nami? What's wrong?" He asked.
The captain darted away suddenly and Yuya followed. Once Nami unlocked her muscles she sped off again to where she had felt Yachiru.
The scene she arrived at was grisly.
It was macabre.
It was horrifying.
The ground was covered with splashes of red, pools and puddles of varying sizes painted the earth. Houses and small buildings had been laid to waste. Ripped apart limbs were scattered about. Hollows milled around, looking for their next meal.
But none of that registered to Nami. The only thing she was honed in on was the body of a woman with a head of long bright pink hair.
Yuya saw the body and his wisteria eyes widened. He had met Nami's close friend, Yachiru Seika, a few times before. She was a cute, friendly, and bubbly woman. When she and Nami were together Nami seemed to completely relax and soften. She was happy and peaceful, Yuya could see.
Now all he could see was shock and horror. But that melted into cold, hateful anger.
Nami felt nothing. A strange but welcome numbness settled into her being. The loud, rhythmic beating of her heart filled her ears. Her hand drifted to her sword and she pulled it out, mentally calling forth her Shikai. The fan seemed to glint malevolently in the sunlight.
She leapt upon the nearest Hollow and began to tear it to shreds. Yuya noticed something then. Nami hadn't gone straight for the mask like anyone else would. No, she just started methodically cutting and slashing the creature. She wasn't trying to kill it but… make it suffer.
Nami hacked off limbs, left vicious cuts, and beat the Hollow with everything she had.
"Please stop! Have mercy!" The Hollow screamed.
Her cold hard blue eyes narrowed, "Mercy? Did you show the pink haired woman mercy? Why should I show such a thing to such a merciless creature like you? You don't deserve such a thing. None of you do!"
Yuya watched from the side as she proceeded to slice and hew every Hollow she could find. Her fighting style was brutal, effective, and beautiful. He realized why her men grumbled about her actions and having to follow a woman but not doing anything about it like challenge her for captaincy.
They enjoyed living too much to do something like that.
He watched her fluid and ruthless movements. He felt her reiatsu steadily grow in strength with every blow dealt. The air was becoming heavier and oppressive. As a lieutenant this didn't bother him as much as it would a weaker person but it was still concerning.
Nami didn't feel the usual rush that came to her when fighting. She only felt a growing sense of anger and hatred. Not just at the Hollows but at herself for not being able to save Yachiru or any of the kids. She cut down more of the creatures but it didn't lessen the growing feelings.
Finally there were none left for her to slay.
She stood there, panting and covered in blood loosely holding her large fan.
It was over. The Hollows were gone. The danger was gone.
Yachiru was gone.
That lone thought broke through the haze of numbing anger and it fractured Nami at her core. She fell to her knees and screamed her anguish up to the sky.
"None of the patrols have encountered any large numbers of Hollows like the ones in the outer Districts two weeks ago," Kagayaki reported to her father.
He nodded curtly, "Good. How has Captain Kenpachi been doing? Has she finally decided to pick herself up and run her Division as a captain should?"
His daughter gave a frustrated sigh, "Father, that isn't fair. When you were mourning over Mother no one told you to move on and get back to work until you felt ready to do so. Everyone allowed you, me, and the boys to grieve at our own pace. The least you can do is offer Captain Kenpachi the same courtesy.
"Yes, I know losing a friend is not the same as losing a mother or wife but this friend was very near and dear to her. This death was a devastating blow to her."
He looked at her with a hard stare but she didn't relent, "Very well. But she cannot grieve forever and must at least make an attempt to begin working again."
Kagayaki said nothing but gave a polite bow before leaving. Isao was waiting outside the First Division for her.
"How did it go?" He asked.
"As well as expected, I suppose. He was pleased that the Hollows aren't attacking in mass numbers like before but he did mention how he wanted Nami to stop grieving and get on with her life," she shook her head in irritation. How callous of him, why if her mother was still alive…
"What did you say to him?" Isao asked, gently drawing her out of her thoughts.
"That it was only fair to let her grieve at her own pace just as people did for us when my mother died. He agreed… for now at least. Is she still at my house?"
"Last I heard, yes. Yuya's with her still which your brother Takehiko is complaining about. He says his lieutenant shouldn't and I quote 'be wasting time tending to the emotional needs of some barbaric plebian whore' unquote."
Kagayaki tiredly rubbed her forehead. Of all her brothers Takehiko was always the most trying. She did not have the energy or desire to confront him right now, "I'll deal with him later."
Isao wasn't one for public displays of affection but they were alone and he could tell she needed this. He drew her into a hug and she gratefully wrapped her arms around him, savoring the feelings of warmth and protection only he could exude.
He gently stroked her long fair hair, "She'll bounce back, don't worry. She'll be back to normal eventually."
She buried her face in his chest but he could still hear her when she said, "Death changes people Isao. It can be a little or a lot but it changes them."
*Long chapter but I think we accomplished quite a bit here. Kagayaki is right, death does change people. Later we're going to see how it changes her and Nami.
The scene between Unohana, Ukitake, and Kyoraku I thought was a nice bittersweet piece of fluff. I figured given how close Unohana was to Akiko that her death would have some serious effect on her, one worth mentioning.
I'll be going into detail much later about how Akiko Yamamoto died and a few other things, some of which I wasn't able to work in right now. If you thought things were bad in this chapter wait until the next one. That's when things really start taking a turn for the worst.
Please review and I'll be updating again January 23.*
