A/N: I don't own Bleach
All I have is my creative mind
We meet again - HITSUKARIN
There are always threes sides to a story…. HERS, HIS, and what really happen
Chapter 50... The aftermath of the battle of the Shadow
Awakening
All eyes turn to the Paquin…..
Another scream is heard….
Hitsugaya, having just arrived to the battle, quickly turns and starts to fight his way toward the Paquin, while shouting to his division , " Kill the shadow and protect the wounded."
Inside Akrina/Shiba's dream state:
The scream pierces her heart, as she shouts, "AMI"
Her eyes open, she is in the Paquin.
She awakens to find the child she held dear to her heart, impaled on a blade, screaming in pain while still fighting the mercenary trying to protect her NeSana.
Akrina's hands tightly grip Haburi Nara, as her eyes slowly turn from black to gold.
Seeing his prey has awakened, the mercenary is angry that he missed his chance to kill the Shiba Witch as she slept.
He shows his anger by harshly twisting the hilts of his blade, swinging it toward the wall of the Paquin, sending a severely injured Ami against the battle worn Paquin wall.
The hard impact of her body against wall causes the Paquin walls to collapse outward, and the roof of the Paquin to start to fall inward.
The mercenary, keeping his eyes on Akrina quickly swings his blade cutting the roof in half, sending the wooden pieces away from the both them, now exposing the fight that is about to take place to all.
Another nail in his coffin
Hitsugaya has just cut down his fourth mercenary, when he looks up and sees his wife.
He can see she is furious, her eyes never leave the tall man in front of her, and the only reaction that can be seen from her is the blood trailing down her arm from her hands tight hold on Haburi Nara.
He quickly moves toward them.
He has reached the Paquin, and he looks over to see Ami lying unconscious on the ground, her organs are exposed and she is losing an enormous amount of blood and reisatu.
He rushes over to her, his division members are trying but they do not have the skill to save her, he knows even though he is a Taicho, her injuries are too severe for him to save her.
He looks up in time to see Akrina, take her position of attack.
Her eyes are completely golden, and her beautiful mask has totally materialized around her face symbolizing she has completely transitioned to Shiba.
She screams and starts to charge the man in front of her with the intent on killing him.
As she screams and swings Haburi Nara toward the mercenary, her blade is blocked.
As she turns toward the intruder, she feels an arm encircle her waist and pull her from the fight.
Shiba, feels his warmth, she knows it is Hitsugaya.
She is beyond furious, as she screams, "How dare you! Interfere ….. It is your fault that this has happened!"
He stays calm, while keeping his arms securely on her waist and his eyes on the mercenary in front of them, he softly says, "Shiba"
Before he can say another word, Shiba, attempts to pull from his hold while shouting, "We should kill you, for betraying us!"
He stays calm as he keeps his hold on her waist.
He knew of their anger and the oath that Hyourinmaru had made while, he was in their dream state.
The mercenary, thinking he has an opening tries to attack; only to have both husband and wife block his attack with their Zanpakutōs.
Shiba looks to the mercenary saying, "Don't worry, you will die" she then looks to Hitsugaya then back to the mercenary saying, "It is a matter of who will die first!"
Hitsugaya says with a soft voice, "Shiba, I will take care of him, please… I need Akrina…. I need her NOW!"
Shiba is trembling from the anger.
She is in shock, as she stares at Hitsugaya thinking, 'This man she has married just a few hours ago, drugged her, sent her into the desert where an ambush lay waiting for her, she awakens to find her baby sister screaming in pain, from battling a killer, and just as she is about to kill the man, he interferes in her battle, saying he needs Akrina…..I should do us all a favor and just kill him ...Now!'
While keeping the mercenary at bay, he glances into Shiba's eyes and sees Akrina looking at him, the emotion in her eyes are the same as Shiba's; full of hurt and anger.
He again says, this time with a little more emotion, "I need Akrina, remember the oath Hyourinmaru has made…if you want my life you will have it …but only after the shadow has been destroyed and you are safe.. Now SHIBA I NEED AKRINA!"
Akrina now stands, where Shiba once stood, he can see a very pissed Shiba glaring at him, from Akrina's eyes.
Akrina shares Shiba's feelings, as she glares at Hitsugaya saying, "What the hell ...do you want… that you would stop us from killing this man!"
Hitsugaya fights to stay calm as he watches his wife reaction.
He knows that his actions, has just put another nail into his coffin, possibly killing what was left of his broken relationship with his wife, but there was more at stake than his broke relationship.
Do your Job
Hitsugaya, with Hyourinmaru in hand turns toward the mercenary, saying, "I will handle this, and I need for you, the Shiba Clan leader to heal our sisters and brothers who are all near death."
Her eyes are hard as she stares at him with a guarded look.
Hitsugaya is on guard as he pulls her close to him, saying, "you both are angry at me and wish to kill me… I have told you already, that I will gladly give you my life, but only after the shadow has been destroyed and you both are safe… now look around you. Look at the Shiba clan's royals lying on the ground!"
Her eyes continue to glare at him, as again her body stiffens and her hand again bleeds from the tight hold she has on Haburi Nara.
Hitsugaya ignores the blood as he says, "look around you … .look at Yuzu Sama, Vice-Captain Kurosaki … look at Ami Sama LOOK!"
As Hitsugaya speaks, the mercenary's patience has run out and he attacks.
He quickly pushes Akrina out of the way shouting, "YOU are the TRUE SHIBA clan LEADER! Your job is to heal the Shiba wounded…! DO YOUR JOB!"
Shiba screams in Akrina's head saying, "NO I want to kill the mercenary that wounded Ami!"
Akrina still full of emotion starts to slowly look around her and sees for the first time, since awakening in the Paquin, the devastation surrounding what is left of her guard, Paquin and her family.
Tears start to form in her eyes as she soft says, "Calm down Shiba... He is right… we must heal what it is we are fighting so hard to save."
She sees Rukia, being healed by Byakuya, Yuzu, Jinta, and Boi being healed by Hinamori, Matsumoto, and other member of the Gotei 13 who are not in battles across the desert.
Shiba now fights hard to stay calm as she now sees Ami's badly wounded body lying on the ground, surrounded by the 10th division member's trying so desperately to save her life.
Akrina takes a deep breath and in a commanding voice says, "bring the wounded to me now… I must do my job as the Shiba Clan leader and heal them!"
Hearing her words Byakuya quickly organizes the move of the wounded to Akrina, and a perimeter of protection surrounding her and the others.
With everyone tightly surrounding her, Akrina, reaches her arms out, starts to slowly chant as she charges her body with her healing reisatu.
She glances over to see Hitsugaya fighting the mercenary, she momentary chuckles thinking. 'Yes you were right … I must do my job…. but this does not change anything between us!'
She closes her eyes and starts to emit a warm red light from her body healing her family and her people.
Hitsugaya and Ichigo turn their attend from their battles and glance over and notice that as Akrina's healing reisatu is absorbed into her people, they respond to her by humming, making Akrina's body glow with even more.
Hitsugaya starts to think 'She and her clan are linked …. I have watched her heal Yuzu, but this is on a whole another level… never before have I seen a healer linked that this..."
He glances to Ichigo, and can see in his eyes that he too is concerned.
His thoughts are interrupted, when the mercenary he is battling swings his blade cutting his side, screaming, "That Shiba Witch has you under a spell….and you will die because of it!'
Hitsugaya pulls away touching his side, and then looks to the mercenary saying, "It is time to end this now."
Battle in the Desert
Guenon watches as his army of Mercenaries are being cut down one by one, he looks around for Jaen, and he is nowhere to be found.
The final battle of the shadow is one of defeat.
He knows he will die this day, but he is determined that he will not die alone; they will pay for all that he has lost.
His reisatu is high as he looks around for his finial victim.
His son is dead, killed by the Kuchiki bitch Rukia, who he sees lying on the ground protected not only by Byakuya Sama, but by the Shiba Prince Kurosaki Ichigo.
He glances over at Akrina, thinking "The Shiba Witch is protected as she heals the others, so…no."
Just as he is about turn, he sees the loving expression between the Akrina and Hitsugaya, and then he grins as he sees his target, saying, "Her lover… he must die!"
Hitsugaya having just cut down the mercenary starts to move toward his wife, when he feels another sharp pain hit the wound that the mercenary had inflicted upon him.
He quickly turns and blocks Guenon's second strike.
Hitsugaya is hurt, but can still fight.
He looks to Guenon Sama, seeing the man behind all the pain that his wife had endured up to now causes his reisatu to be unleashed.
All eyes with the exception of the wounded and Akrina Sama who is healing; turn to Hitsugaya.
Never before, even during the winter-war against Aizen had anyone witness the true fury behind the 10th division Taicho's reisatu.
Guenon, a man of skill and a man with a death wish, responds with swings of his own, only to have them blocked by the 10th division Taicho.
The 10th division all stands quietly watching the battle; they all know of the pain that Guenon had inflicted upon their Taicho and his wife.
They know their Taicho must kill this man.
With all the attention focused on the battle between Guenon and Hitsugaya Taicho, Jaen quietly pulls back and moves into the desert unnoticed.
Seeing the blood coming from Hitsugaya's wound, Guenon drops his sword and charges Hitsugaya, hitting him in his side, causing more blood to flow.
Hitsugaya pushes the man off and across the desert floor.
He touches his wound, quietly curses, and looks to Guenon is standing across from him breathing hard, saying in a commanding voice, " you have two choices either pick up your sword and die like a man OR stand there and die like a dog."
Guenon picks up his sword and with a scream; he charges the remaining of his reisatu, swings his sword wildly and charges toward Hitsugaya.
Hitsugaya responds with a single blow from Hyourinmaru, splitting the man in half.
Guenon lies on the desert floor, looking up into Hitsugaya's cold eyes, watching as he takes Hyourinmaru and beheads him; killing him instantly.
Returning Home
Hitsugaya has just killed the mercenary and Guenon Sama.
He has stopped the bleeding coming from his wound with every intention to properly heal it once he knows his family is safe.
He stands surveying the area for additional battles, Hui approaches him saying, "Taicho, we tried to apprehend Jaen, but he escaped into a portal, we called into the 12th division and requested that they track where that portal opens, and they are working on it."
Hitsugaya is pissed that that Jaen had escaped, he looks over to Byakuya, and Ichigo; he can see that they too are angered that he had escaped.
Byakuya, shakes off his displeasure, looks over to both Ichigo and Hitsugaya saying, "I will organize the divisions so we will have maximum protection as we travel back to Seireitei this will allow you both to be with your wives, Vice-Captain Hinamori travels with the Shiba Princess Yuzu Sama and her husband, Vice-Captain Matsumoto will travel with the Shiba Princess Ami Sama and her intended Boi Sama; while Hachi has already left with Hiyori San."
Hitsugaya and Ichigo both nod with acknowledgement, and start walking toward their wives.
The two men walk up to Akrina, who is standing talking with her sisters, Jinta, and Boi, she weak from healing the group, but ok.
Ichigo reaches over and kisses his sister on the head saying, "I love you and thank you"
He then turns toward Rukia who is still weak but sitting up saying, "Midget, you promised me I would not have to worry."
Rukia looks to her husband smiles saying, "No I said I will try hard not to get in a situation where you would have to worry."
Ami is still lying down, she is very weak, as she looks over saying, "Nisama, it is not our fault, they out maneuvered us that's all"
She looks over to Akrina saying, "Isn't that right NeSana"
Akrina looks to Ami, lying there, she is fighting to stay calm as she, brushes some dirt from her face saying, "Hai, but we will get them …don't worry"
Yuzu seeing the emotional struggle in Akrina's eyes, says in a weak voice, "Akrina, you have healed us don't worry, we will be fine, we just need to return to the Manor and rejuvenate in our baths."
Hinamori and Matsumoto now take their place next to the 10th and 5th division members who have just picked up the stretchers with Yuzu, Jinta, Ami, and Boi, signaling that they are ready to leave.
Hitsugaya seeing this gently lifts Akrina into his arms, while Ichigo takes Rukia into his arms nods to his family saying, "we will return with the 5th" and then shunpos with his wife to join his division.
Akrina's eyes are cold as she looks at Hitsugaya, before she starts to resist, he pulls her close and whispers into her ear saying, "Yes, I know you are still angry with me"
He starts to walk as he continues to whisper into her ear saying, "At this moment, even though we are husband and wife, I am Hitsugaya Taicho and you are Akrina the Shiba Clan Leader and we are in public…. given our positions, I suggest you lay your head down and rest… When we are in private, then, we as Karin and Toushirou will discuss all the events of today."
Hearing what was said, to her Twin and reading her twin's thoughts, Yuzu quickly uses her ability to speak to her twin, saying mentally, "Karin, he is right… now is not the time to fight with him, please wait until you both are alone.."
Without saying a word, Akrina, exhales, closes her eyes and lays her head on Hitsugaya's shoulder, allowing them to proceed to the Shiba Manor without incident.
Home
With Akrina, still protectively in his arms, Hitsugaya enters into the Shiba Manor, into their apartments and directly into the healing baths.
Hitsugaya carefully stands Akrina on her feet, and gently takes her shoulders while softly saying, "I know you want to talk, I too want to talk, but I need you to recover."
Her eyes are still cold, she watches him as he steps back and points to the bath saying, "Please regenerate yourself, and then check on the clan"
He turns saying, "I need to go can check on the 10th division's wounded… we will talk tonight before the evening meal."
Akrina is quiet, but Shiba is screaming in her head saying, "Kurosaki…We will not be seduced by him, he almost got us killed… he will pay for what he has done!"
Hitsugaya turns and walks to the door leading out of their apartments into the Manor, he places his hand on the door handle saying, "Hui, will be watching over you, his orders are to stay out of sight and not to interfere with the clan business… but if a situation arises, while I am not with you, he will be there."
Once again he can feel her anger arise, he sighs saying, "It is not a matter of if you can defend yourself… it is a matter of your being the Shiba Clan Leader and the 10th Division Taicho's wife…. Please do not fight me over this."
Before she can reply, he walks out, shutting the door behind him.
With his hand still on the door handle, he leans on the door, closes his eyes and exhales, thinking, "Her anger is beyond what I have ever experienced."
He opens his eyes, again exhales and starts to walk out of the manor thinking, "I pray we can get pass this."
Report
All members with the exception of vice –Captain Kuchiki stand in formation, preparing to listen to Kuchiki Taicho give the final report on the battle with the shadow…
Byakuya starts his report saying, "The shadow has been for the most part destroyed. Guenon was killed by Hitsugaya Taicho and the hired mercenaries where all killed by the Shiba royals, 5th, 6th, 10th, 13th divisions and the Vizards.
The divisions and Vizards suffered no loss of lives, just a few wounded which are recovering in the 4th division"
Sotachio raises his hand and looks to Ichigo and Hitsugaya stating, "Your wives and sisters …their conditions"
Ichigo looks to Byakuya who nods, then looks to Sotachio saying, "My wife, is resting, we have agreed that we will look to Unohana Taicho to recommend to her Taicho and you, when she can resume her duties."
He continues by saying, "As for sisters... Yuzu, her husband and Boi, after being checked out by Unohana Taicho are re-covering and resting at the manor"
Everyone watches as he fights the emotion which is rising in his voice as he says, "My sister Ami was gravely wounded and is at the 4th Division, but I have been assured by Unohana Taicho that with time she will recover."
Hearing Kurosaki's words about Ami's condition, Hitsugaya too is shaken, to the point he must pause and pull his thoughts together, before stepping out of the ranks to get status on his wife.
He breathes deeply then steps out saying, "My wife, is also resting at manor, she exerted a lot of her reisatu when she healed our family in the desert."
Unohana Taicho, steps out of ranks saying, "Hitsugaya Taicho, I would like to come and visit with Akrina Sama, just to make sure she is fine."
Hitsugaya knowing his wife's current mood, replies saying, "I will send a messenger with arrangements for a visit."
Unohana Taicho nods with acknowledgement and does not push because she too knows; Akrina needs time to calm herself from all that has happened.
As Hitsugaya steps back into the ranks, Sotachio looks to Byakuya saying, "Continue Kuchiki Taicho"
Byakuya looks around and continues by saying, "The 6th and 10th divisions to include the Vizards have disbursed in the outlands to ensure the message which has been sanctioned by Sotachio and all of the Clans stating, 'All mercenary factions or any individuals who join the shadow will be considered enemies of Soul Society and therefore be killed on site, there will be no trial, they will be executed.'" Is understood by all.
Byakuya breathes deeply as he says, "As you as I stated the shadow for the most part has been destroyed, the reason for the words 'for the most part' is because Kuchiki Jaen, escaped into a portal."
He looks to the 12th Division Taicho saying, "Do you have any information on where that portal opened?"
A frustrated 12th division Taicho steps out saying, "we are still tracking it, …it seems the portal was link to 15 other portals and each of those with 10 other portals connected, each opening with a 10 sec gap; which could have allowed him jump out at any time, so we cannot be sure as of where he may have jumped out…This portal linking method is a brilliant method of escape!"
Hearing those words Byakuya's face is hard, his lips are tight with anger, because the method the 12th division Taicho mentioned is something that he himself created to for his Clan; knowing that Jaen used it, he also knows there is no way to track him.
Reading the expression on Byakuya's face Sotachio knows that Jaen has escaped and they will have to wait until he surfaces.
Sotachio looks around the great hall saying, "identify the portal openings, and put the shimigami patrolling those areas on alert, we have cut off any additional mercenary support, so it is just a matter of time before we find him."
Shortly after a few more reports the meeting is dismissed...
A request…
Hitsugaya, after listening to Kurosaki Taicho's report, now sits in the 4th division, looking at a sleeping Ami.
His heart is heavy, even though to put in the pranksters words, "it is not our fault…they out maneuvered us..."
It does not take the pain away that she was gravely hurt, and could have been killed.
He knows that even though, the shadow has been for all purposes destroyed that there is still one more out there that could possibly hurt the little girl that lies in front of him.
He closes his eyes, sighs, and then starts to stand only to feel a tiny hand grab his Haroi and hear a soft voice saying "Taicho"
Hearing her voice his eyes light up as he looks down saying, "Hai"
She looks to him with a shy smile saying, "Is my NeSana…My Ne Sana is she… Ok?"
He leans over towards her, brushes a fallen strain of hair from her face softly saying, "Hai, she is in the healing bath rejuvenating herself, once she is strong she will come to see you."
She smiles saying, "can you help me sit up; I would like to ask you something, but I want to ask face to face?"
He reaches over placing pillows around her back to help support her, once she is comfortable, he sits and looks at her saying, "What is it you want to ask …. Prankster"
There is a glint in her eye as she grins at him saying, "So since you are now married to my NeSana, do I call you Taicho or can I call you Nisama?"
Hitsugaya, sits back in his chair, puts his hand his face, taps his chin with his finger and contemplates the question saying, "Hmmm, I had never thought about it."
He now has a playful mischievous look in his eye as he says, "Which would you prefer?"
His heart starts to settle down as he watches her mimic him, by tapping her finger on her chin saying, "Hmm...Let me think"
She stops tapping then, looks at him with excitement in her eyes saying, "I KNOW…. I will call you Nisama, BUT when I am at the academic and when I join the 10th …. I will call you Taicho!"
He is taken back, by her words, he knows they are sincere, but he also knows his brother in law, so he says, "I like that… but are you sure about the 10th, you know you have another Ni Sama who would like to see you in the 5th?"
Ami exhales then says, "I have talked about it with my father, and he says when the times he and my NeSana will ensure I will have the right to choose and Ich-nii will have to live with my decision!"
Hitsugaya sits thinking about now being Ami's Ni Sama, When his thoughts are interrupted when the prankster looks at him sweetly saying, "Ni Sama."
Without thinking, Hitsugaya looks over to the little girl who is now leaning into the pillows, with puppy-dog eyes; he reaches over pulling the sheet up over her shoulders saying softly, "what is Ami"
She shyly looks to him saying, "I have a favor to ask"
He looks at Ami saying, "Yes"
She becomes a little withdrawn, as she says, "well….mmm"
Hitsugaya is becoming concerned, he leans closer to her saying, "whatever you need I will take care of it... Just tell me what is it?"
Hearing his words the little prankster, knows she has him, and with tears forming in her eyes she looks to him saying, "Now that you and NeSana are married, well… I really need you give me niece or nephew…. So you will take care of that … Please"
Hitsugaya, never seen that question coming, he leans back in to the chair thinking about what was just said.
Ami still maintaining puppy-dog look in her eyes, glances to the now open door and sees the wink and thumbs up from her father, who quietly shuts the door, grins and walks out the 4th division.
Responsibilities of the Shiba Leader
Akrina's towel drying her hair as she walks into her living room, and comes to a complete stop when she senses her father's presence.
Without turning towards him, her voice is cold as she says, "how could you send me away like that!"
Hison replies saying, "I felt it was for your own good."
Akrina looks to her father saying, "What do you mean for my own good."
She turns and stares at him, saying with her voice slowly increasing in volume "With all that happened with the attack on the school, and the killing of our children…. I NEEDED to be here with MY CLAN, not drugged, put into a Paquin and WISKED AWAY INTO THE DESERT TO HIDE!"
Her eyes are full of hurt and anger as she continues saying, "And MY HUSBAND…instead of believing in ME, HIS WIFE... Without any second thought he followed you and Ich-nii and allowed it to happen!"
Hison, stands quiet thinking, ' he knew when he drugged her, that she was going to be pissed, but what he did not know was he was tricked by Shia causing the lives of his daughters to be put in danger...causing his youngest to be critically hurt'
Hison's thoughts are brought back into the conversation, when he sees his daughter start to pull her wedding band from her finger while saying, "This was a mistake"
Before she can remove the ring, Hison quickly grabs her hand saying, "you are upset, don't"
Akrina tries to shake his hand off while saying, "I can't be with him, he has shown me that he does not respect my judgment and decisions when it comes to doing my job as the Clan leader."
Hison holds onto her hand tight, while listening to her say, "I was a fool to believe that he would support me…If he can't do that how can he remain my husband!"
Her eyes are full of determination as she says, "I told Yuzu many times, that as Shiba Clan Leader for my clan I would give my live, so me to forsake love is not out of the question."
Hison knows his daughter is serious, but he also knows she is over reacting and will not listen to reason.
Hison still holding on to her hand, sighs then will a hard look in his eyes he looks deep into her eyes where he can know see Shiba looking back at him.
He thinks, now that I have the attention of both Akrina and Shiba, his voice is now serious as he says, "You take being the Shiba Clan leader serious?"
Akrina's rolls her eyes, and then looks back at him; her eyes are just as hard as his saying. "Yes very serious!"
He drops her hand and then walks around her watching as she rubs her hands together but no longer trying to remove her wedding band.
His eyes are now penetrating into hers as he says, "Akrina, you say you love your people and that you are willing to do anything for THEM!"
She looks are him saying, "Yes I am responsible to my people, yes I am willing to do anything for them!"'
He stands in front of her staring at her, watching as she once again starts to become angry.
He once again speaks saying, "Akrina as the Shiba Clan Leader, do you accept the responsibility of your peoples action!"
Her eyes turn hard and she says, "YES...what is the point of your questions?"
Hison's eyes has never left hers as he moves in close to her slowly saying, "Do you understand and accept the most critical thing in your life is to be responsible to your people !"
Akrina is frustrated to the point she grits her teeth as she looks at her father saying, "YES of Course …that is why I cannot continue to be married to Toushirou, he will undermine my ability to lead!... and will hold me back from doing my job!"
Hison's expression has not changed as he looks at her saying, "YOUR JOB….Ha… you need him to do YOUR JOB!'
Akrina is beyond frustrated as she screams, "What do you MEAN… I need him to do my Job!"
Hison rolls his eyes then steps even closer to her saying in a serious tone, "The most important Job you "Akrina Karin Kurosaki Shiba – Hitsugaya, Leader of the Shiba Clan have now that you have taken a husband is to produce a heir, and in order to do that you will need your husband."
Akrina is beyond frustrated and angry as she turns saying, "What do you mean!"
Her eyes are wide and full of anger as he steps up to her saying, " The clan has accepted Toushirou as your husband, … and with your display of love by running to him during you wedding and demanding to be married to him, I can say no other man will be accepted!'
She attempts to say something, but before she can he grins at her saying, "With your marriage to Toushirou, I and the clan elders have nullified that document stating your brother and sister will provide an heir for the clan…. I will repeat this again for you …."
He steps to her and stares in her face saying slowly, "It is your responsibility has the Shiba Clan Leader to provide your clan with a heir, so I suggest you do your job before you reject your husband, or even worst get yourself killed!"
He turns and walks out, quickly shutting the down behind him.
Hison walks down the hall, stops and turns looks at the closed door thinking, "Karin Chan, I am sorry that I was mean, but it is time to grow up!'
He shakes off his thoughts puts on a large grin and starts to walk toward the great hall humming….
Akrina is still standing in her living room, staring at the closed door, thinking about what her father had just said, 'I and the clan elders have nullified that document stating your brother and sister will provide an heir for the clan' .
Her eyes suddenly grow large as she turns and runs into her bedroom, opens the secret compartment of her desk.
She reaches in and discovers only two documents, the third document is gone.
She now sits on her bed thinking of what to do next.
Going Crazy
Hitsugaya sits in his office signing reports, trying to take his mind off of his wife; he can sense her sitting in their bedroom, just beyond the hidden passage which lies behind his bookcase.
He thinks about the favor that the little prankster tricked him into agreeing to, he grins because how can he say she tricked him into something he had plans on doing anything.
It is just how is he going to get her to settle down and listen to his reasons for sending her away, and that is what has him hiding in his office, instead of being with her now.
He gave his word that with the shadow destroyed he would give her his life, if she wanted it.
Well the report has gone out, that shadow has been for the most part destroyed and right now his wife Akrina Karin Kurosaki Shiba–Hitsugaya wants him dead and he knows it.
It is not a matter of him dying at her hand, if he had to die; he prefers that it be done by her hands.
The issue is that she must a bare an heir for her clan, and the thought of another man impregnating his wife, is something that has him on the verge of going crazy.
Just thinking about makes the muscles of his body tense up.
Suddenly he feels a sharp pain in his side and blood start steep out of the wound he got during the fight in the desert.
Hison Shiba's Daughter
Having just received word that the shadow had been for the most part destroyed and understanding her father words were true about nullifying the document stating that Ich-nii and Yuzu's children would be heirs for the Shiba Clan, Akrina now sits on her bed, having a discussion with Shiba.
Shiba is still pissed as she looks to Akrina saying, "Kurosaki, we have much to learn from our father,"
Akrina looks to Shiba saying, "Hai, Shiba let me ask something ...Something I because we share our heart I already know the answer to"
Shiba looks to her; she already knows what she is going to say, but remains quiet and listens for her to speak.
Akrina looks at her saying, "Can we truly take his life; this man that we love more than life itself… can we?"
Shiba looks at her, she is angry, Pouting as she starts to kick soccer balls into the nets that surround them.
Akrina walks over to her and stands in front the soccer ball before she can kick it saying, "answer me... can we?"
Shiba looks into her eyes saying, "I can kill anything that is living but I can't kill him, because for us to kill him we will die too… We would die from being empty of love, and to bear children with another without love would destroy our Clan"
Akrina looks to Shiba saying, "Yes Shiba you are correct, we can't, but we can't just let go of what has been done."
Shiba reading Akrina's mind, starts to grin with approval, as Akrina says, "There is only one way to solve this."
Shiba kicks the final ball into the net saying, "Kurosaki we really are our father's child, we will do what we are told but things will not happen the way they think they will."
Coming out of her trance with Shiba, Akrina hums as she walks to her desk and writes three letters, stealing them both with her stamp.
She walks out over to her wall a pulls the silk cord calling for her messenger, who takes the letters and delivers them.
Within 5 minutes, she is grinning, because the first letter has been delivered and the individual stands at her door knocking.
She opens the door, looks at the individual with cold eyes, saying, "Do you understand what is written in the letter you hold?"
The individual bows saying, "Hai"
Her words are even colder as she says, "Do you accept the terms that are in that letter."
The individual looks up with pleading eyes as if to say something, but her eyes start to turn golden as she again says, "do you accept the terms that are in that letter!"
The individual looks at her and drops their head saying, "Hai"
She steps back into the room saying, "good' then shuts the door.
She starts to humm as she walks back into her bedroom to prepare for tonight's feast and finish dressing so she can go visit her clan and most importantly her baby Sister.
A Husband's responsibilities
Hitsugaya has just healed the wound on his side when he hears a knock at the door…
He looks over saying, "enter"
Akrina's messenger walks in saying, "Hitsugaya Taicho I have a message from your Wife Akrina Sama."
Hitsugaya's takes the letter and dismisses the messenger.
He holds the letter; the smells of Indian Holi come from the letter making him smile with thoughts of when they shared their first kiss.
Just as quickly as the pleasant memory of the past takes hold of him the facts of the present grab hold of his mind, and he shakes off his memories.
He breathes deeply and opens the letter…..
Toushirou
Please remember you have a wife and you cannot work the long hours you are accustomed to doing.
We are to eat our evening meals as a family
And tonight being our wedding night
My father has planned the traditional wedding feast.
So as my husband and most importantly the husband of the Shiba Clan Leader your responsibilities are to be at my side not working
I have been informed that you clothing have been moved to manor
SO I expect you to change for dinner
By now Ami probably has told you of the passage from your office to our bedroom please use it and don't be late.
Social starts at 7 sharp.
Karin Hitsugaya
He sits there reading the letter over and over stunned…
He concentrates on her and finds her at the 4th division; her temperament is surprisingly pleasant…
He says to Hyourinmaru, "Has she really calmed down?"
The old dragon blows hard saying, "I don't know if she has calmed completely down, but it is safe to say at least tonight she does not want to kill us."
He reads the letter once more then looks at the clock on the wall; it is 5:30.
Hitsugaya blows gently saying, "Hai, I better get moving, I rather be early then to be late and risk the chance of her getting angry again."
He turns looks at his desk; all the reports have been signed, packed up and are ready for delivery to Sotachio.
He stands, opens the door and calls two of the 10th division lower members in telling them to deliver the reports and then go for the evening.
As the two members walk out they turn saying, "Taicho enjoy our wedding feast and once again congratulations on your marriage!"
Hitsugaya locks his office and enters into the passageway.
He is surprise to find as he steps into their bedroom, that his wife has already selected what he would wear tonight for the feast.
He touches the material, it is soft and it is the color of blue that she loves for him to wear.
He grins as he walks into the shower.
As he showers, he looks at the wound, thinks about the fact that it is his wedding night and he has responsibilities. He then decides he better sit in the healing bath to rejuvenate himself.
He sits in the healing bath thinking 'tonight he will work to fulfill the clan's wish to have an heir.'
A visit with her sister
Akrina, has visited with her clan, and is satisfied that everyone is safe, she has discussed and put into action plans to not only rebuild the school, but to beef up security on the Clan grounds.
The construction is planned to begin tomorrow.
She now sits in Ami's room, talking.
Ami looks at her sister, trying to figure if she is still truly angry with Hitsugaya, Akrina looks to Ami Saying, "Stop trying to figure it out, just ask."
Hearing her sister's word Ami looks at her saying, "Are you really going to kill my new Ni Sama?"
Akrina looks at her saying, "for you to be sitting in here in the 4th division, it seems you are very well informed."
Ami eyes become hard as she stares into her sister's eyes at her sister and her hollow, saying, "NeSana, why would you both want to hurt Taicho when you both love him so much… and you know he loves you!"
Akrina looks at Ami, her eyes have not changed, it is then Ami knows why her NeSana is upset.
Ami then says, "NeSana, it is not my Taicho fault that I was hurt… it was the shadows fault that I was hurt… no one else…the shadow and they are now Dead!"
Akrina's eyes are ebony with amber signifying that she and Shiba are now joined as she says, "Not all of them are dead, there is still one out there, and that one I will kill with my bare hands!"
Her eyes turn back to ebony as she says, "As for my husband, little sister, you are right we do love him, so NO we will not kill him."
Hearing her sister's words Ami relaxes a little, but then pouts as she says" Ne Sana please you both love each other and I want a Niece or Nephew"
Hearing Ami's request, Akrina's eyebrows raise as she smiles saying, "A niece or a Nephew, well your Ni Sama, will have to agree to something like that."
Ami looks at her NeSana saying, "I have already spoken my Nisama Toushirou about it."
Akrina's eyes grow large as she says, "You WHAT…. And what did he say!"
Ami just sticks her tongue out and then teasingly says, "Why don't go back to the Manor and find out."
Just as Akrina starts to react to Ami words Unohana Taicho walks in and asks to speak to Akrina.
Akrina pulls herself together saying, "Yes of course… give me a moment to say good bye to my Sister."
As Unohana Taicho walks out the room, Akrina looks to Ami, her eyes soft as she says, "little One, I want you to rest, and when you leave here, you will return to the Manor for a few days; then you and Boi will move into the Academy dorms to start your formal training."
Akrina looks at her closely saying, "I don't want any problems do you understand me Ami Shiba…"
Ami looks at her sister and shakes her head saying, "Yes NeSana"
She hugs her and kisses her on the forehead saying, "I love you … and I will always love you!'
She turns and walks out.
Husband and Wife
After a long talk with Unohana Taicho and reassuring her that she was rested, Akrina returns to the manor to find her husband in the healing bath, healing a wound he suffered during the fight in the battle.
Without really thinking, she quickly removes her clothes, joints him in the bath.
She quickly moves to his side, swatting his hands away and starts to heal his wound.
As she heals his wound, his eyes stay fixed on her.
He looks at every detail of her nude body, from every scar to every curve.
She tries hard to hide the pleasure she is getting from him looking upon her body; thinking 'it is only fair that he looks at my body since I already know every inch of his.'
Once she knows his wound is healing she looks up into his eyes saying, "Why didn't you stay earlier and have me heal this for you?"
He responded by saying, "It was more important that you rested and rejuvenated yourself, I had taken care of it, but I keep re-opening it."
She looks up him saying, "Yes I see, it seems you did not take your time to heal it that is why it keeps opening back up."
He looks at her and laughs softly causing his body to move, she quickly snaps at him saying, "Stop moving it is not heal yet."
He then softly says "your skills in healing have grown since you healed my bruised face."
She smiles saying, "yes, my skills have grown, but I still have more to learn… now stop moving I am almost done.
As she lowers her hands saying, 'There it is complete."
He sees the golden chain he had given her last year for her birthday and the scar left from wound she suffered from ambush in the human world.
Tears fill his eyes as He reaches out and touches the wound saying, "Karin I am sorry…. I would never intentionally let anything happen to you… All I ever wanted to do is protect you and keep you safe from harm."
Hearing his sincere words she and Shiba both, know he loves them, he has always loved him.
They both feel the tears start to roll down their face as they hear him say, "I have given you my word that if you wanted after the shadow had been destroyed I would give you my life."
He takes her chin into his hands and lifts it making her look him in the eyes as he says, "The shadow is destroyed, Jaen Sama is still out there but we are searching for him it is just a matter of time before we find him, so I now give you my life as I promised."
She locks onto his eyes with her amber and ebony eyes, saying as she reaches her arms up around his neck, "To kill you is to kill myself and more importantly it would kill my clan so no… I will and cannot kill you"
He keeps his eyes locked on her eyes as he quietly listens as she continue saying, "this does not mean we are not angry…we are angry very angry…but tonight is our wedding night… and we will have only one first night and we have decided we will not waste this memory on anger."
With those words she pulls him to her and kisses him with all the passion she has for him.
Just as he starts to fall deeper into the kiss she pulls from him and with a mischievous grin says, "We need to get dressed before we are late."
He can only react by softly saying, "UGH….why …why does my pain always give you pleasure."
She climbs out of the bath, grabs a towel and starts to walk in their bedroom laughing as she teasingly says, "I don't know snowball maybe it is just fate."
He quickly climbs out of the bath, grabs, towel and his wife carrying her into their bedroom saying, "Yes Fireball it is fate."
A wedding feast unlike anything ever imaged
Akrina and Hitsugaya have taken their seats in the great Hall, they watch as Hison Shiba, who has a grin on his face unlike no other stands in the Great Hall of the Shiba, before all of the clans, nobles, Taichos, vice-captains of the Gotei 13.
With a big smile on his face he says, "My friends, no words can express the happiness, I feel today."
He looks to Karin and Toushirou and proudly says, "You have witnessed the marriage of My Daughter Akrina Karin Kurosaki Shiba to Hitsugaya Taicho.
This marriage now brings the Shiba Clan back into the Gotei 13 as active member in Soul Society…and with her marriage; she has inherited all rights to lead the Shiba Clan."
As everyone claps, Toushirou whispers into Karin's ear saying, "What is he up too, where is Kurosaki Taicho, vice-captain Kuchiki, Yuzu Sama and Jinta Sama?"
With a smile on her face, Karin whispers, "I don't know, we will just have to let him finish then ask."
Toushirou quickly whispers, "Karin, by the way…Happy Birthday.'
Karin's smile shines brighter as she whispers, "Thank-you"
Toushirou and Karin's attention turn back to Hison.
Who looks around at members of the noble houses sitting before him, some who he suspects may still harbor feels of distrust of the Shiba clan misusing their power, and says, "After many years of our ancestors attempts of bring our clans together in a peaceful co-existence; fate has finally shined its grace upon us."
They all look at him with confusion, but he laughs saying, "Sometimes it is better to show you; then to explain."
With that he claps his hands and one of the three great door opens as he says, let me introduce you to the rest of the Shiba Clan Nobles.
The procession started with a very pregnant Sara dressed in the Shiba nobles robes on her arm stood Shoin dressed in his Kasumioji noble robes, signifying his position once again as the Kasumioji Prince.
As the couple walks by they stop and bow with respect to Shia Sama and the other Kasumioji nobles, and then take their place at the head table with Karin and Toushirou
Shia Sama can be heard proudly saying, "My daughter in law carries the Kasumioji heir."
The Next door opens and reveals Ichigo who dressed in his Shiba clan robes signifying his position as the Shiba Prince, on his arm is his wife Rukia, who is dressed in her Kuchiki robes signifying her position as the Kuchiki princess and more importantly, her position as the future mother to the Kuchiki heir.
As the couple walks by they stop and bow with respect to Byakuya and the other Kuchiki nobles; and take their seat the head table with Karin and Toushirou, Sara and Shoin.
What happened next is the something no one seen coming, to include Karin, Ichigo, Rukia, and Toushirou.
Everyone is in shock as they look around to see Hison who is grinning, escort Yoruichi the Shihoin Clan leader to her seat with the noble members of her clan.
The third door opens and It is Yuzu, she is dressed in the Shiba Clan robes signifying her position as the Shiba clan Princess, and on her arm is Jinta, he is dressed in the robes of the Shihoin Clan nobles, signifying his position as the prince and which in turn signifies Yuzu as the future mother of the Shihoin Clan heir.
As Yuzu and Jinta walk by they both stop and bow to Yoruichi and the other Shihoin nobles who are over joyed in what they see; they too join the others at the head table.
Sotachio sits amazed at the sight before him.
He realizes that in just the short time of Akrina being in soul society, be it through god or fate, had unified the clans and Gotei 13, something that everyone to include himself had tried to desperately to do.
Yes this girl who had become the Shiba Clan leader was special just like her father.
Byakuya's lessons
At that same moment...
Jaen just walked into the apartment he had as his safe house.
This location was known by no one but Jaen, something he learned from Byakuya; 'always have an escape plan and an untraceable place of refuge.'
He sits in his healing bath, and starts to regenerate, thinking of the final battle and the loss he and others suffered.
The mercenaries that Guenon had gotten where useless and how now all the clans and the Gotei 13 had become unified against the shadow and against him.
Thinking, how after so many years of his father's planning to kill the Shiba Powers had failed.
He thinks of Hison Shiba and laughs saying, "That man has amazing patience…. God must be really on his side to have him not only survive but in the end came back, after so many years, with his children, and take vengeance."
He knows by now, for trying to kill his precious little sister that Byakuya is looking for him, with every intention on killing him.
He also knows he cannot get any monies needed to form another army, to touch any accounts would lead them straight to him, so it is only him, no one else just him.
Jaen submerges his head into the water, thinking, "Eventually they will find me and I am going to be killed….. But before I die… I will kill that little bitch!"
He hears "ring…Ring…ring…"
He lifts his head above the water, picks up his cell phone, looks, grins, and answers the phone saying, "Hello…. Yes… I just got back …..What a Movie? Tonight sure, I will meet you there around 7…. Bye"
He puts the cell phone down and lays back into the water, thinking another lesson from Byakuya 'always have plans of last resort that only you know.'
Gone, without a trace
Karin stretches then rolls over to see her husband sleeping peacefully next to her.
She starts to blush thinking of the night they spent together as husband and wife.
Even though she and Shiba both were afraid, he had taken his time with them.
After the pain had stopped, the only way to describe it was to say it was magical.
She quietly giggles as she thinks to herself "there is no more purity test, because she truly was his woman."
The memories that they had made last night, not matter what happens to her, would never be able to be taken away.
She swallows hard, because what she is about to do will truly test his love and respect for her.
Yesterday, with the third letter she and Shiba set something in motion and there is no turning back.
She had made plans to leave the day after her wedding and return to the human world to draw Jaen out and kill him.
Through connections of the Vizards, Akrina had found out that Jaen was in the human world somewhere in Japan, and given what she knew of the man, she knew he would only reveal himself for a chance to kill her.
The letter was sent to Sotachio out lining her plan to return to human world, attend Todai University as she originally intended and wait Jaen out.
She knew he had the information about her attending the university, so she knew it would just a matter of time.
Shiba and Akrina thought this plan out carefully, and in order for it to work, Toushirou must not interfere.
So she reached out to Sotachio, telling him of her plan and asking that he ensure that her husband remained in soul Society, until needed.
During the feast, Sotachio agreed to not only keep her husband but Ich-nii, Rukia-nee, and the rest of the Shiba Clan nobles in soul Society.
Through discussions with the Shihoin clan and Yoruichi Sama, it was decided that Yuzu and Jinta would also remain until it was over.
The only one that could not be controlled was her father, but that goes without saying.
Karin is dressed, she hands Hui her bag and tells him to meet her at the gate.
She turns and walks back into the bedroom, looks down at Toushirou, she knows he is going to be pissed, but it does not matter that he was going to be angry.
She had told him last night that she and Shiba were angry, very angry, but what she did not tell him was that the only way to calm their anger was to kill Jaen.
She puts all her trust in the love Toushirou has for her; she bends down kisses her sleeping husband, leaves another letter, and walks out of the Manor and into the senkaimon gate.
She is gone…..
Warmth turned cold
It Is September and a cold breeze can be felt blowing through Soul Society.
The 10th Division Taicho is standing on his balcony; his hand is in his pocket, holding a letter, his eyes stay fixed on the Shiba senkaimon gate.
This something that he has done for the past four months since his wife had disappeared into the human world, to find Jaen Kuchiki.
Hitsugaya's days are filled with running his division, checking over the construction of the Shiba School, attending meetings in the Great Hall, and staring at the gate.
He has returned to his old self, the person he was before he met Karin Kurosaki, the Hitsugaya Taicho who had cold eyes and a cold heart.
Matsumoto, Momo, Ichigo, Yuzu, Jinta, Rukia and Ami have all tried to talk to him, but he does not respond, he just stands there watching the senkaimon gate, holding on to the letter she left him .
A/N…...I hope you enjoyed it…
I know it was a very long chapter …sorry …
Music: none
Next Chapter 51: Her side: satisfying her anger
Yes we are going back to her/his side…and yes we are nearing the end of this story
As always please review...it is not hard just push the button and tell me your thoughts about the chapter you just read. (Be nice)
LR
