-143-
In Conclave
Unohana Retsu
Captain of the 4th division
Also known as the "Beast Kenpachi."
Also known as Unohana Yachiru
At the beginning of time, she was a sword for hire, a mercenary. Not much was needed for her to enter a fight, but the notion of the blood of an adversary drenching her sword. Now she was a free spirit, free to love, free to hate, free to fight, free to die.
"Can I see your scar tonight?"
Ciara - Paint It, Black (Official Audio)
She loved how polite he could be whenever they were touching matters of the flesh. His voice would be detached, almost clinical and direct, speaking directly to her core, to Yachiru. It was if he was the doctor, and she was the patient. Unohana loved close doors. There was nothing more sensual than a man closing the door on her, helping her keep her dark secrets. With the door closed, all pretenses fall. The facade she had to show the world could finally melt away and all that was left of her was ready to be given away to the highest bidder.
The life of a mercenary.
She pushed all the files and books on the desk and waited for him to make the first move in a predatory way.
Sad to say, they didn't find a use for the desk. This time.
Unohana Yachiru was all logic and cool detachment until her hair finally came undone. When she touched his skin, then something not only stirred in her, a sort of starving hunger that took over her thinking. It was like flicking a switch, and all she wanted was to fuck and fight, fight and fuck, no matter in what order. The rest of the world became a slight blur that was banished into the far recesses of her mind. The only thing that mattered was touching him more. She was no longer gentle and meek. She ripped and trashed and clawed her way to pleasure.
Every kiss left a redness on her skin like his distinct signature, like a temporary tattoo, like a quick letter, telling the world about whatever this was. They never speak about it. She wasn't the kind of woman you sat down and have the talk with. She didn't care about tomorrow. She was made for now.
Although Retsu would advise her patients to exercise often, she never got to fully practice what she preached. She had a very quiet intimate life. Not quiet in the sense where she didn't get a few bangs, see a few stars, have a couple of butterfly swimming in her tummy from time to time. It was just quiet as in there was not a lot of men she ever felt comfortable enough to share this with. Yet, in the line of duty, a pleasurable moment was not to be taken for granted, so when Jūshirō, Shunsui, or Zaraki offered, depending on her mood, of the actual state of the moon, she generally didn't let the opportunity pass.
They took a turn using the chair in the office until they didn't have the strength anymore until they were exhausted beyond beliefs, sweaty, and flushed. It was even more hard work being stealthy in a building full to the brim with people. But again, she thought it made for the best cardio.
While Jūshirō was on the floor, resting his head on her lap, she remained sprawled in the comfort chair, not very lady-like, in nothing but her traditional undergarment. She stroked his silky hair, massaging the side of his face. Jūshirō took the best care of his hair, and it always smelled like spring. Every time he was overwhelmed by a cough, she would wait for the storm to pass. When he finished coughing, she pulled playfully on his mane and licked the drop of blood left in the corner of his mouth.
They remained like that until the sun came up again, the sunlight filtered by the linen curtains. Leaning over softly, Unohana showed her appreciation by kissing the top of his head. He turned toward her, catching her lips before she could fully retreat. Jūshirō was the only one she allowed herself to kiss, though. Something about it always made it so evident. First, he was an amazing kisser. But although, sometimes she could see so much in his eyes. It was like seeing her own reflection in the mirror. He could have retired like her. He could have retired and spent his last days writing children's books. He could have settled down with a charming unsuspecting young thing. He certainly didn't lack their attention. But this work was all he had just like her. They were not the type to dream of having a house and a family. He was so good at what he was doing just like her. There was no way he could let this gift he had rot.
She watched him stir with a contented smile. He stood up gracefully never in a hurry to cover his chest. His hand traced her chest, his fingers lovingly drawing every curve, ensnaring her throat tight for one minute, before caressing her cheeks, her hair. He wouldn't look at her then, his eyes staring in the distance, as if he was trying to print and map her body from memory. He stood by the window, his defined chest in full view. He stretched and she marveled at the tautness of his muscles.
She realized she would need a cup of tea if she ever hoped to leave the comfort of that chair. She remembered it had been days since she'd slept.
She opened her eyes, startled as a steaming hot cup of tea magically appeared in front of her a couple of minutes later. He was an 'expert mind reader,' too.
"Can't expect it is any good… but I feel this will have to do." Jūshirō simply said.
" Gosh, we must do this more often. I could get used to this."
"Well, you never do, and you leave me disappointed every time." He said mischievously as he picked up an overturned chair. He sat down with a sigh, taking in for the first time the extent of the damage in the office.
Files and books littered the floor. Paintings were torn in the middle. Another chair was broken. A bookshelf was dangerously leaning sideways.
"I wish we had superpowers to clean this up in the blink of an eye. Wait…" He smirked.
She gave him an amused wink in return, sipping on a tea. Before long, he was back next to the window, sunbathing.
She frowned. He reminded her for a second of Tadashi Ichinose. It was just the way he stood by the window, the grace in his movement. Young Tadashi was just as smooth. Yachiru closed her eyes. Tadashi was looking at her with a smug expression on his face. He winked.
"You like what you see, Yachiru-chan? I know you secretly want me."
"Yes. Drenched in blood and your guts attached to my sword. Also, I'd probably wear your skin to sleep." She retorted as she leaned to grab some yakitori meat in the fire. Tadashi made them, and they were delicious. Hilarity ensued among the group.
Guro Sakeba, the "Hollow Rider," almost spilled his wine on the ground. Shiba Simo immediately rose to refill his good friend's empty mug. Ryujin Kasumiōji was standing out among all of them with his blond hair. He was finishing a whole chicken, but he had enough appetite for an entire goat. Another that was standing out like a tower, Komamura Sajin, with his wooden helmet. Kuchiki Natsuo roared with laughter, almost choking himself with the meat in his mouth. He was the less refined man she's ever met and the laziest. She used to say his most useful skill was being a rich merchant. He could really sell anything including his mother. He could use a sword but nothing worth being mentioned in a book, according to Unohana, although she was pretty sure he was already selling a collection of novels about his mostly bogus adventure. Mariyo Dorotsube grabbed some smoke pork and sat down beside her on the makeshift bench she occupied. When he sat, she heard the bench cracked.
"I'd want you to wear my skin to sleep. Hell, as deadly a prospect, I bet all the guys do. How can you arrange that, beautiful?"
Mariyo, the wise, was also another crude specimen.
Just like she wouldn't waste her saliva to talk to this boor, she also wouldn't waste her time fighting him. He was a terrible swordsman. But he could use a mace like no other, so he was useful in a melee of men. She detested his way of fighting. It was all about brute force. But he was the most perfect infantry soldier one would ever need. His head was hard enough that it could open doors.
"Yachiru-chan, you should try being more tender-hearted, or else you will never find yourself a good man. Bibigosha said as she came out of her tent, holding Omaeda Tagawa's hand.
Bibigosha Shihouin was a fine specimen of a woman. She was all curves like an amphora of sake. Her skin was tanned. Her purple hair reached low under her plump butt. She would wear a massive set of kimonos with an exuberant pink and gold pattern. She had the warmest personality, smiling when she ought to be crying, crying when she ought to be laughing. She would laugh, flirt openly, and tell blatant lies to unsuspecting men. The most obvious of all those lies was when she'd say all she wanted was to get married one day to a proper gentleman. Something Yachiru wasn't seeing happening any time soon. There was no way any men would marry such a loose woman. Shihouin women were all courtesans from mothers to daughters. But well, the girl came from a family of blacksmiths and locksmith, core proletarians, mostly men, where she obviously didn't learn to have any boundaries with the opposite sex. She'd take anyone who would sweet talk her out of her dress. They were so many candidates. Yachiru didn't begrudge her for seeking happiness, but she shouldn't be advising anyone on finding love. No offense, that girl could open any door and any gates anywhere, with even the most inaccessible vaults being no match for her golden sticky fingers. She was strong-willed and dishonest to boot. She was the only other female in the group, and she knew it came in handy when you needed help washing blood out of your clothes... She was a good friend indeed, and this Kenpachi respected her craft.
Omaeda Tagawa kissed Bibi's hand solemnly before parting with her. He sat next to Tadashi while Bibigosha unceremoniously plopped herself on Kuchiki's lap. Natsuo gave her a wet kiss on her neck, and she laughed like the young sweet thing she was. Those two! Holding his neck, she winked playfully in Yachiru's direction.
Out of the bunch, Omaeda was the one with the most exquisite features. He was handsome from the depth of his eyes to the gentle expressions of his voice. His face was flawless with crystalline blue eyes that complemented his long dark hair. He was the picture of perfect masculinity always posing with a regal and dignified air. Just like the way he was currently staring at her over the fire. It was a pity he never talked, so she wasn't at all sure he got a tongue agile enough to be put to good use. Her one specific request. She made a mental note of asking Bibigosha later.
Then they were joined by the only man she truly respected, the only man she'd gladly walk in a fire with. His hair black, with just a hint of grey in his beard, Yamamoto Shigekuni, stood at the edge of their small circle. Yachiru immediately rose to greet him. He looked at her and at every one of them with a satisfied smile. The kid that always follow him around everywhere, Sasakibe, grabbed a silver plate to serve him breakfast. The newcomers followed him suit. They arrived late last night, and she heard they were up discussing with Yamamoto all night. The only one she knew was Hyōsube Ichibē because he joined them on occasions when they were in a campaign. Three men and another woman stood behind him.
"Well, my friends, I'm glad you could all make it. Some of you are new to the group, some are old friends. I thank everyone from coming from parts of the country, leaving everything behind for this little get-together, I know the journey wasn't easy to some of you. As you know, our dedicated group had been fighting to reestablish order in all the Rukon districts for close than a century now. We can finally start reaping what we sow… But they are still threats we cannot tackle."
"Let's cut it short!" Kuchiki said.
She forgot he had a tendency to be rash and undisciplined. She almost groaned in annoyance as he continued.
"I came here so we could talk about those freaking hollows. Not only they do so much damage in the living world, that the influx of migrants is at its all-time high. They don't wait for people to have passed over there. They ate any souls. Now, they're hunting further and further into the country, and the King's men are asking a tax to control the invasion of their pets. When people refuse, they take them to their masters, the Vasto Lorde, and they're never seen again. They kill hundreds every week in an endless circle. I had to move my family twice last year, and it's because I could pay for the journey and the taxes. When I left, the king signed a royal decree demanding more sacrifices. This must end, Shigekuni."
"He is no king of mine. That Greedy monster! He is the King of the Quincies, his wife is one of them. He loves those people more than us. I heard he dedicated an entire plane of existence where he allowed them to roam free. They lived a prosperous life being daimyo and samurais while we slave away here!" Mariyo said.
" Fuck those ugly beasts, they kill my father in front of me! And for what, to feed… their King…fuel him with power… They never get enough! I'm tired of this!" Kyouraku Shin said.
"Everyone calm down! We will come to that particular subject on time, my friends. But now I want you to meet the person I talk to you about. His name is Hyōsube Ichibē, and these are his allies, Nimaiya Ōetsu, Tenjirô Kirinji, Senjumara Shutara. They are my solution to your problem. "
"I don't care for your so-called friends: Can they slay hollows and Vasto Lorde? Can they stand against the Red King? Can they do anything at all." Ryujin said flatly.
"Without a doubt. We can. I will tell you more since Yamamoto told me you guys were the best of the best. So I will entrust you with a little secret. Even Kaijus can die."
Everyone looked up.
"Well, how would you know that?"
"I work for one."
"What?"
"Yes, like he said. We all work for one. He is the architect of all of this. You never asked who's been funding your little punitive expeditions?" The man on his left said.
"Our master is a man of a few words. But he has been quite generous with you lot."
"Thank you, Kirinji, but I was going to come to that if you all had let me finish," Yamamoto said. "Together, we are the best mercenaries in Soul Society, each with a unique set of skills. Today we are already a barrier of sorts against evil. True, we helped thousands. But just like you said, it's not enough. Together we're going to go to the next level. These people are the ones who taught me how to use this. This is a zanpakutō. I'm going to teach all of you how to get your own."
"What? Why I've seen you fight with that thing, and I can attest for its greatness, knowing it can make a difference on the field, what do you expect us to do with that? Go over there and kill a bunch of hollows. They will always be more of them, born out regrets, filled with hunger. Menos Grande as tall as the sky." Shin Kyouraku said.
"Yeah, you expect us to kill a Vasto Lorde with your magic tricks?" Ryujin added once more.
"No, I wouldn't expect you to," Yamamoto said firmly.
They all sighed in relief except Unohana. She knew something more was coming. She was hanging on his every word as if hypnotized. It was an oddly thrilling prospect the fact he was going to say. This man knew how to directly address her soul.
"I want us to go and slay the king."
For the second time on that day, Sakeba spilled his wine in the fire.
"What did you just say?"
"You heard well. We are gonna go to Hueco Mundo, and we are going to burn that wretched place to the ground. We are going to replace the king."
"Huh?" It was all most of them could utter.
Unohana jumped startled as she felt Jūshirō's lips on hers.
"You seemed so far away; it was too tempting. Shunsui is in the building. So long for peace! We can expect they barge here in less than three minutes! You know him, he doesn't have much restraint."
"I'm sorry. I keep thinking about the past."
He smiled; his face more relaxed than she'd seen him in days. It suits him so well to look unbothered. He crossed his arm on his chest, waiting for her to continue. He knew she wanted to say something else.
"You know. Now that I remember, Yamamoto was quite different back then."
"Different?"
"He was hopeful. We were all hopeful, but he was really optimistic."
Jūshirō barely had time to register what she said. The light in her eyes changed suddenly. Recess was over. He blinked, and she was dressed, her hair braided. She gave him a small, demure smile. Immediately understanding the shift of mood, Jūshirō cleaned the rest of the room in a blink. He was picking a lamp off the floor when Shunsui came in without knocking, Nanao in tow.
He froze with mirth in his eyes, pretending to be sorry.
" Oh! Ju-chan… Sorry, didn't know you had company. Unohana-taicho, good day to you!"
"Good day to you, Shunsui."
"Am I interrupting something?" He said with his usual exuberant style.
" Not at all," Retsu said, tilting her head on the left, her eyes sparkling with mirth. She was the picture of modesty and innocence.
" I was just finishing Ukitake's annual check-up."
She said with a straight face. Jūshirō tried hard not to laugh. He nodded. The bookshelf was still oddly unbalanced, and she was standing in front of a torn painting Jūshirō forgot to put away. Yet, she was putting so much conviction behind her words that it may as well have been the truth.
Nanao was adjusting her glasses on her nose with a blush. Something wasn't quite right here. They were days she absolutely loved her job. But usually, on those same days, she felt the gap between captain and vice-captain acutely. Every day though, she missed her Ran-chan a little bit more. She was trying to avoid staring at Ukitake-taicho's amazingly defined chest. He seemed to have forgotten he was naked. Oh! Rangiku would have loved this angle. A new edition of the captain calendar was in order. ASAP!
Retsu cleared her throat. Nanao turned even redder, feeling Unohana's firm gaze on her. Damn, she was spotted.
"Oh, it's a bit crowded here. I'm definitely waiting outside, Taicho."
"You do that, Nanao-chan. I will miss you. I'm missing you already." Shunsui said.
Her captain was such a goofball.
"No, you're not. Stop it!"
"I'm glad you feel better, Ise-fukutaicho," Retsu said.
"Yes, thank you, Unohana-Taicho."
Nanao waved happily before leaving.
"So, everything is fine?" Shunsui asked, staring at his best friend.
Ju-chan nodded with a smile.
"You're still dying?"
"Yup."
"Good. Good. Wonderful."
The door slammed open again to let Momo in. Shunsui had his hands up in the air. He wasn't responsible for this one.
"Oh! Ukitake-taicho… Unohana-taicho! Kyouraku-taicho! Sorry! Sorry! Didn't know you were all here? I was just… Nevermind… I was searching for you, Unohana-taicho! It's that new captain. She is with Kira… He is in such bad shape. He was just about to go in surgery. But she is delaying his care for no good reasons. I'm worried."
"I'm coming, Momo-chan. Shunsui, can I expect a captain council soon?"
"Yup, Yama-jii is 'en route.' He had last minutes arrangements to make. Meeting's going to go down here. This place is bigger than I thought it would be. Nice office space. A couple of nice bedrooms too. Very cozy."
"Was that all Captain Kyouraku?"
"No. Obviously, Council is mandatory for every captain cleared for combat. I'm counting on you then, Unohana-Taicho."
"Wonderful. I shall check on Kira-Kun then. Who was he fighting? Do we know?" She said with a gentle smile.
"Gin. It's bad, I heard. He escaped. No Surprise here. Toshiro found Kira barely breathing after his encounter with his former captain… Again, that was predictable. A little less predictable is the fact Toshiro somewhat disappeared too. No words if Gin is alive or dead." Shunsui said matter-of-factly.
"Toshiro, disappeared?" Jūshirō frowned.
"The most amazing Vanishing act in history."
"Well, at least the day promised to be lively," Unohana said amiably.
"Well, when can I expect my annual check-up?" Shunsui ventured.
Her smile faded, replaced by her grim features.
"Nevermind, I feel so good. I have never felt so great! Age is nothing but a number!"
Jūshirō was trying hard to not burst into laughter. Retsu shook her head slightly with an indulging smile.
"Ju-chan, let's do that again another time." She said before leaving.
"What did she mean by that?"
"I don't know. We just reminisced about old times." Jūshirō said mischievously.
"Why are you so lucky with the ladies when I clearly got the good looks?"
"That's not true. Even your mother thought you were ugly as a baby, Shunsui."
"I should have never invited you back home. Ne, you can tell me, is it because you're pulling the 'I'm dying card" every time. You look at them straight in the eye and target their hearts..."
"I've been dying ever since I was born. I cannot help it. It's part of my charm. You could try it. We can certainly trade places."
"Longest suicide note in history. Not for me. My point exactly."
"Don't be a jerk. Yachiru-chan is above that. We talked about the originals."
"Really… She never talked about that time. I love history lessons."
"You had an affair with the history teacher at the academy. That's so not the same."
"True. So, did you guys found anything in the past that could help us deal with this mess."
"Not really, but considering the circumstances, I think she needed to open up. I needed it too."
"Can't you guys call me when that happens?"
"Shunsui…"
"I was stuck with that ice queen!"
"Dengeki? She seemed… efficient."
"Efficient doesn't buy you a good time, ask Nanao. And hell, that woman is cold. I'm not volunteering again."
"Did you do it?"
"Yeah. Found it. Piece of cake. How was it on your side of things?"
"I'm not gonna answer that no matter how many times you ask."
"Really? No details?"
"Byakuya said he will tell her when the time comes."
Shunsui frowned.
"Huh? Byakuya said that?"
Jūshirō nodded.
"He said that with a straight face?"
Jūshirō yawned loudly.
"Yes, I was staring into his eyes. Deeply manly moment. I recall I shivered. You want more details?"
Shunsui made a face.
"What?"
"Is everybody getting laid around here but me?! I hate this job!"
"You know you're being ridiculous."
"Well, we could die tomorrow."
" So, we're going to war. Yama-jii decided."
"Seems like it to me. What was bothering you, Ju-chan? Be honest."
"I'm deeply enjoying myself. Is it bad?" He said sarcastically.
"Who's a good boy? Good boy? I heard Rukia's going to be fine. Who's gonna get a new vice-captain soon? Yeah! Yeah! That's my boy…"
"I don't want her… I'm not sure she had that in her…"
"The girl just destroyed an Arrancar. The first one, you and Byakuya could pretend it was a fluke, this one is the real deal. I saw the tape. Inhibitors still on. She still kicked ass. What a day to be alive!"
"She is very young."
" Somebody is being unfair. Very unfair!"
"I don't need a vice-captain."
"I don't need to get laid. See what it's like to hear some half-hearted lie!"
"It's already so messy. Gin. Ichigo. Toshiro."
"Kaien? Is it about Kaien?"
" I'm tired of watching people I care about get hurt."
"Oh my! I knew it! You're depressed! That was Yachiru-chan's depressed look. I knew it! I knew something was up! I sensed it. Yet, I was not here to take advantage of it. "
"Shunsui…"
"We need sake to make up for it!"
"We're on duty, Shunsui. You said it yourself council will start soon."
"We need it even more. Trust me. The old man has a plan, and I know there's zero chance we will approve of it."
He opened the door.
"Nanao, my brave vice-captain, my Sweet Nanao, find us the finest bottle of saké and tell Keikosuki-chan to fire up that kitchen. I'm starving. You know your captain can't work or focus when he is thirsty and hungry. I would eat you right now, but there are so many witnesses."
Nanao blushed, then she groaned in annoyance. How dare he talk to her like that in public?
"Scones would be nice indeed. Some real tea too." Jūshirō admitted.
Nanao nodded.
"I'm on it."
Jūshirō turned to Shunsui.
"What would I do without you?"
"Fortunately, you will never get to know since you're gonna be the first to go."
"That's mean we've just established that women like me more. You die first!"
Reiichi
Zero division Commander
Aka Prince Masahiro
The king made him a leader, a soldier, a spouse, and a father. Most people would be surprised to know he asked for none of it and would exchange it all just to see his sister again.
Audiomachine - Warlords [Heroic, Battle, Orchestral Music]
Flying between a succession of colossal golden columns aligned in disturbingly perfect symmetry, the phoenix opened his flamboyant beak. Reiyon was running. Well, she was using shunpo, dashing through the seemingly endless corridor. She froze. She got lost again. Yup, she was trying to go to the Red Chamber, and she already got lost twice on her way to the most secret room in the palace. The blinding lights of the imposing crystal chandeliers, the sparkling "reisekki" stained glass windows, the castle was a monument of art. She studied the tapestries of the rice paper partitions. Those giant frescoes represented the Origin of the world before the age of Men. It told the tale of the creation of seven kingdoms and their unification... The choice of the First Spirit God Guardian… The war between kingdoms…
She focused. She could sense activity on the left. So even though she came from the left door from the garden, she continued that way. She had learned that the roads here didn't quite connect logically together, the path could lead you astray or take you straight to where you should be. It was one of the idiosyncrasies she had to live with around here, the fact that sometimes this place didn't make a lick of sense.
She found Ego and Furuichi before she realized she also found her destination and the giant double doors of the Red Chamber. It was an elaborate monument forged in bones and sturdy reisekki. Gold leaves intricately linked together to form an arch around the door. Skeletal arms crossed together, defending a secret. It was a common belief that the door was red because the King painted it with the blood of the King's enemy.
"Am I late? I can't believe I'm late."
"You are?" Furuichi frowned.
"We've met before. I'm Hikifune Kirio, number four, Shihouin-Sama."
He didn't look too moved and kept shaking his head and cleaning his nails with a pointed dagger.
"I'm the housekeeper! At least that's what you said, the first time we saw each other." She smiled. She remembered a friendlier number seven.
It still didn't ring a bell.
" He is messing with you. He has the memory of a goldfish, but he always remembers a pretty face."
Kirio turned to Ego. She remembered this antisocial too.
"You're tall." Ego said. "It's quite unusual but not unpleasant. I didn't remember you were that tall."
"I'm really not."
"She is. She is very tall."
"I'm not."
Furuichi and Ego gave each other an amused look.
"You are both messing with me now. I'm falling right into it." Kirio finally guessed.
Furuichi let out a boisterous laugh. Ego smirked too. Old men!
". Not too bright this one. But you have a cute face. Try not to get killed, kid. No, you're not too late to get killed."
Kirio smiled at that when she noticed Reiichi was standing by the wall, his back turned to them, his nodachi against the wall. He was seemingly staring intently at the sun in the undisturbed blue sky. She was about to approach him when Furuichi grabbed her arm. He silently shook his head.
"He is not with us." He whispered in her ear.
"You didn't even ask for the list." He recalled the last world of the majesty.
His tranquil appearance was nothing but a façade. One eye was red, and the other swimming in darkness. Both pupils jumped frenetically, his iris dilating. The balcony was shaking almost imperceptibly. He could see further than the artificial sun. He could see behind the curtain of clouds. He spread his mind to race the stars. The stars were flickering like jewels in his consciousness. He jumped in the river of time. Replaying over and over the last words of Tadashi Ichinose. Watching him as he wrote his last will on a scroll twenty-five years ago. The leader of the Zero Squad went back in time trying to find what started this all. It could not be Tadashi reaching to gather his little girl in his arms, crouched before the King's bedroom chamber. He watched Ichinose lift that child in the air repeatedly with the same relieved expression. His Suki was back safe and sound. Going back in time, he stood by as Tadashi search for this Suki all over the place. That wasn't it. He saw the toddler play hide and seek with a sister. Reichi went even further, catching a glimpse of his beloved sister before she faded away. Even if he couldn't remember her face, he remembered she was dressed like a warrior queen, carrying a bow. She was running away. For a second, his focus split, and he turned to look in her direction. She was running toward her destiny. Going back in time, he watched Tadashi bidding her goodbye. She was…
His focus painfully shifted again as he went back to Tadashi. He went further to the origin of things. Tadashi was playing with something in his hand. Something that was not his. It was a crown made of bones and fossilized wood. He stood in front of a giant painting surrounded on either side by thirteen mercenaries in white Shihakusho. Pushing the doors, made of opal and marble, wide open, he walked into a room dimly-lit by a frozen-in-time crescent moon. The painting was torn so that the faces of the models couldn't be seen. It was a traditional representation of an Emperor with his two children. Blood prints were everywhere on the white wall. He came to stand above the corpse lying on the ground, hacked in tiny pieces, their thirteen swords leaking on the marble floor.
He went back again. The thirteen mercenaries faded. The beast sat at a table finishing the soup that was served to him, with delish, his frightening fangs gleaming.
"You've come to watch or gloat? That is profoundly like your kind."
Reiichi frowned. He turned to see who the shadow was addressing. It seems it was only the two of them. He came to stand at the end of that table. Hollows and Vasto Lorde's corpses piled in the courtyard started fading as the enemy gained ground.
"You traveled far, my liege." He said while sucking on some unidentified bone.
"You can speak to me? You can see me?"
The red King smirked, his fangs gleaming. It wasn't really a question.
"You think this story will ever end differently. I'm afraid not, brother. It's almost laughable."
"I am not your brother," Reiichi said.
"You're not? Let me guess ! You're one of the puzzle pieces. You believe you are your own person. You believe you are different. Better…than him… Better than all of us. You believe this will end differently this time, just like those guy outside."
He said nothing. He looked at his surroundings. The king grinned. His features were so familiar. The thought was suddenly haunting.
"Does anything look familiar to you?"
Reiichi frowned, tears of blood running down.
"Why am I here?"
"Like Hell, I know. I'm positively starving, brother. It's like I haven't eaten in centuries." He said, licking the bowl. "This taste so good."
"How did I make it here? I was following one destiny… Ichinose's … This is impossible."
"Is it, brother? Is it really?"
"Tell me what I am doing here!" He suddenly roared.
The Red King shifted on his grand chair, amused.
"We've been at it for a long time. You and me? Like a band of madmen! When only one of us can break the wheel. A guardian born of flesh and blood. Will have died three times. Will ascend all through the Angel Rebellion. Will gather the angels under one banner and will kill us all, destroying this universe. Simple."
"I…"
"It was the Spirit God who took you to me. It's trying to tell you a story, brother. Why do you not seize it? The moment? The opportunity?"
He opened the palm of his hand slowly, and Reiichi could only catch a glimpse of the Spirit God...
" I don't want to be like you. I know it corrupted you. All it does is corrupt you."
"See, you're not the one brother. Why do I know? You don't have the slightest understanding. Corrupting me. No. It gave me anything I wanted. It filled me with pride, joy, and purpose."
"I don't believe you."
"Liar! You want to believe me. Wearing that crown, as they say, is all you ever wanted. It is everything you imagined in your head. Every you cannot fathom. To really create out of nothing. To harness that kind of power. To love. Hate. Destroy. Relish in power. And taste the fruit of your legacy. A real legacy. Isn't that why that girl ran away? She wanted a taste of real."
Reiichi's face contorted with pain and disgust.
"I know you want to know what it is that will make her run away from you? What will she run away from? It's all that power. It frightened some. But not her. She wasn't frightened by the power. No, she was your strongest part. She was the closest you came to be a threat to me, indeed. She knew she could wield and change the world with it. But she thought. Why change it at all? She loved everything in it. Except staying in that place, being with you…"
The Red King smirked cruelly. Reiichi groaned like a wounded beast. He slammed the table with his hands to roar his answer.
"You think you know anything about my sister, you beast? You will die in a minute or so. They're going to stand over your corpse while my father will take over your crown."
The creature smirked.
" Is that what happened? Am I really dead, though? Is that why you came for a visit?"
The shadow figure departed into a boisterous laugh. When the door slammed open all of a sudden and a group of soldiers barged in. They traversed Reiichi's body like he was just a ghost.
"They are here, your Majesty, breaching the walls as we speak. We don't know how long we can hold them back. They have weapons we've never seen before, using magic and soul bending.
The shadow only grinned wider. The creature suddenly rose from the table, with the first soldier jumping out of the way swiftly. The second one was pushed swiftly with the white table against the whole. They slammed into the wall, the table exploding on impact. Turning to the soldier painfully gathering himself on the ground, he said with a commanding tone.
"You get my blood out of these walls. My bloodline shall survive the test of time. They will witness the end of another era, and I will be living forever."
The soldier struggled to get back on his feet and ran out of the room. Reiichi turned to take a good look at his face. He froze. That was… This man looked like… Aizen Sousuke. Aizen opened the door and vanished in the hallway. Slowly the mercenaries entered the room and surrounded the beast. A subtle drop of blood stained the ground where it stood. It stumbled backward, catching himself from falling. It sneered sardonically.
"Who are the braves among you? The one who will embrace death first. Smile, this is your day to shine. Death is not shameful. It's not revengeful. It is Sorrow and Pain. It is Regrets. All the things you have yet to do, all the feelings you've yet to experience, Death is the best that could happen to you. Death is a revelation. The true Death is what you all should aspire, mortals. There is so much beauty in death. "
He said, brandishing the Spirit God. The ground was shaking where Reichi stood. It gleamed with such an unnatural powerful shine that all the people in the room had to cover their eyes, including Reiichi.
"Father?"
Rei Ichi's vision blurred suddenly, and he was sucked in a spiral back in his own corporal body. His hand crisped on the balcony. Dark fumes gathered at his feet. Jerking away from the vision, his mind crashed back in his own body with a thud, pain shooting in every nerve endings. He lowered his gaze to the ground, and with a feral growl, he turned the balcony to dust.
Kakira jumped away the same way the soldier had earlier, watching him with a mix of worry and incomprehension. She was staring at him expectantly. He groaned. He did not have time to see anything of value before she interrupted his Henzai[1] state. Barely sparing her a glance, he turned to see who arrived. He locked gaze with Reiyon curiously. She stared back for the first time.
There was a rumbling of the doors. Reijû appeared out of nowhere just at that moment, providing for the perfect diversion. He looked unbothered as always, and not at all like someone who just traveled through planes of existence in a matter of seconds, such was his Denshi level. Denshi [2] was a technique that allowed long-distance travel in minimal time that inexperienced neophytes would compare to Shunpo. However, the difference in speed between a Denshi user and the best master of Shunpo was like the difference between light and sound. There was like an ocean separating the two. The most experienced Denshi users could run so fast that it would dematerialize their bodies and thus, they could travel for miles or even between dimensions in just a moment. Reijû had long been a master in the art of displacement to the point that it was said that he could appear in multiple instances at the same time.
"I am not too late, after all." He said.
He meant it as a joke even if there was not a trace of humor on his expressionless face. He despised those gatherings. For him, they were a massive waste of his time. The leader glared in his direction. It was no secret that the "brothers" got along like cats and dogs. In They faced each other in a duel once with long-lasting consequences. Reiichi limped over long distances, and Reijû hid under his formal clothes an ugly scar on his chest.
"If everyone is here…"
Reini appeared then, slow in conception, her image fluctuating several seconds in the air before it stabilized in this realm. She was also a Denshi Master, having mastered the most graceful "landing"[3] technique of Denshi users. It was said seeing her appeared was akin to seeing the apparition of an angel. The only testament of the effort this demanded was the ground undulating under her feet and the reisekki window cracking slowly. Reiyon felt a blazing hot breeze on her face. She gritted her teeth like a true soldier. Reiichi, Reijû and Reini stood there almost aligned and it was rather uncomfortable a feeling. Even Kakira didn't emit this much Gamma Gosei. Reini stood up gracefully. Her hair, the color of the crescent moon, was shimmering and flying away animated by an invisible breeze. If she was virtuous and modest in a demeanor, her dress was not. Her kimono alone could have supported Seven nations of men. The obi was made with white Dragon Rat leather. The necklines were lined with albino tiger fur and adorned with reisekki. It was an authentic handmade Ichinose kimono, woven and embroidered by four sets of hands, custom-made to fit a queen. Reiyon stared at the expensive garment with a hint of jealousy. Furuichi nodded with mirth.
"Your wage does not cover this." He said as if he read his young colleague's mind.
Her skin was as pale as the Hierro of an Espada. Her facial features were defined with blue eyes like shards of ice. She opened her mouth and black fog came out. Her eyes turned black. Reiichi reacted immediately, his eyes injected with black ink. Reijû was the same. Reiyon turned curiously to Kakira, but the little girl was looking on expectantly like her.
"What is this?"
"Black fog also called the Effluve of Hell. Remnants of souls they ingested." Kakira said.
Reiyon turned to her immediately with wide eyes.
"I guess you didn't know. I think it is somehow taboo. You ever wonder why the Kaiju need to push the cycle?
Reiyon shook her head.
"Every creature got a diet to follow." Kakira shrugged."They are greeting each other in the way only the purest of blood can." She whispered.
Kirio frowned. Both Ego and Furuichi nodded.
"You can't?"
"I'm not pureblooded, Kirio. I'm… 'adopted.'"
"What?"
"Pureblood cannot have kids, Reiyon."
"But, you told me…"
"Grandfather created me with the spirit god and gave me to these people. I'm like a 'commodity' to them. I'm part of a deal, a bad one, or so I heard."
Reiyon's lips opened again, confused. She wanted to say that it didn't feel that way when Reiichi mentioned Kakira to her earlier. He seemed almost proud at that time. But she could see Reiichi's initial rejection hit her friend's spirit deep.
Ego and Furuichi bowed politely in front of Reini. With an elegant hand gesture, Izayoi signaled them not to disturb themselves for her. She held out a hand to Kakira, who begrudgingly approached. She rapidly stroke her 'adoptive daughter's hair and face with a smile. Then before a daughter could even take comfort in the gesture, she pushed her away to turn to Reiichi.
"Reisan, sent me a message, my love. Our friend is too troubled with the peculiar situation in his garden to come to our tea party. His words, not mine. He is not coming but sends his regards."
Ego gasped. Furuichi shook his head, unbelievable. She continued with a shrug.
"I guess he thought by making me the messenger, he gained a better chance of surviving your wrath, Reiichi. He is clearly deluded. Forgive him, my Sun." She said with a cold smile.
Reiichi gritted his teeth. Kakira was frowning, visibly unhappy with the cold greetings she received.
"He is not the only one absent, I see. How embarrassing! Where's the cook?" Reijû said, annoyed.
"He is not coming." Reiichi simply said.
"What are you talking about? He is not coming? I'm only here because he generally brings a couple of sweet delicacies in these boring gatherings. His cooking is the only thing that doesn't make me sick in this world. You cannot expect me to share space with these 'mouthbreathers' sober like I have nothing better to do like I have no standards. "
"I said he is not coming, Masataka."
"Brother-in-law, for my part, I've been waiting for this moment forever. To be in such wonderful company! Your absence would have been deeply felt. I don't want to be on the verge of witnessing the Great Collapse without my amazing… Family by my side."
Masataka turned to her with a grim face. Inside, though, he was rejoicing at her words. He always was fond of Izayoi.
" Masahiro, your lovely spouse is always such a delight like the moon in the sky. You are fortunate, indeed."
"He is… You are my favorite brother for noticing."
"She is more like a disease you cannot get rid of. She is always late as a bonus. Let's move, people!"
Masahiro rolled his eyes and came to stand between Kirio and Kakira.
"I love you too, my Sun. I swear men get so grumpy when they haven't eaten in a while. "
"Princess Izayoi, you looked amazing as always," Furuichi said, shifting the subject.
She nodded gratefully.
"Thank you, Furuichi. It's good to see you too, old friend. Ego, you too. You look… What's the word? Oh! Exhausted!"
"Princess…You're too kind. Work will do that to you." Ego said sarcastically.
"Really?" She frowned and turned to Kakira.
"Never exert yourself too much, darling. Our beauty is everything. That's what my mother used to tell me. You don't want to look like these old mortal souls fading, regretting, and declining. I think she was a bit jealous of my younger brother and me... She was also quite… homicidal in the end. Still, all motherly advice should be taken in great consideration. You bring them everywhere with you. Mothers know best. Right, my Sun?"
She turned to Reiichi, expectantly.
"Of course, Moon of my life. Mother knows best, and it's time." Reiichi grunted sarcastically.
Did he say that while looking straight into her eyes? Kirio wondered. It was like he was deliberately pulling her in an inside joke. Must have been her imagination. She blushed.
With that, they all stood in half a circle, their left wrist raised toward the door, as their soul marker shone brightly. Each Zero division member was dotted with a soul marker, a mysterious artifact, imparted onto their bones by the Soul King, allowing them not only entry in the royal palace, but to be followed everywhere. The ground shook as the hinges started to move, the lock falling back into place, its skeletal arms opening slowly.
Hidden CItizens - Für Elise (Beethoven Cover - Epic Trailer Version)
They entered the room parting around a central lower table, kneeling to their seat, each arranging their weapon on the table. Kirio arranged her katana on the sword display in front of her while Izayoi and Kakira put down respectively her blue wakizashi and the teddy bear she walked with. Furuichi, Ego, and Masataka similarly arranged themselves. The only one who propped his nodachi against the wall and the last to kneel down.
They all waited for the doors to patiently lock them in with a sickening noise. They were in session.
" Without preamble, let's start with the bad news. Tadashi Ichinose is dead, and according to Ego, someone has been tampering the Reality Engine from downstairs. There's a squirmish in soul Society which is causing great instabilities. I don't really care about the details. But seems like there is a need for us to deal with this Aizen situation."
There was a collective gasp, mainly coming from Kirio.
"That is not the bad news," Masahiro said.
"What is the bad news then?" Kirio said. It seemed to her that it was already horrible enough that he just said one of them had died. He even talked of something messing up the reality engine, the thing controlled by the Spirit God itself. What could be worse?
"The King is awake and he is hungry." He said.
It was Izayoi's turn to gasp, her hands over her mouth. Kirio turned to her with a frown. A lone tear streamed down the pale cheek of the princess, her expression deformed with horror.
[1] Henzai state. It's a high-level meditation technique that allows users to enter a state of omniscience, traveling through time and space. It demands such high skills and reiatsu. It is generally admitted that only pureblood members of the Royal family are capable of this, and actually only a selected few at that.
[2] Denshi- literally "Dematerialization of body and mind", a displacement technique similar to shunpo and Sonido only a hundred time faster. It allows for travel through planes of existence, dimensions in a matter of seconds. Like shunpo, it is based on the speed of its user. The speed that a user can then reach, 500 times higher than a Shunpo master. How does it work? It's the consequences of a chain reaction that enables the dematerialization of atoms, that facilitates movement over very long distances. So all a Denshi Master's expertise is to succeed in controlling his speed and constantly maintaining a high level of concentration in order to avoid the disintegration of his spiritual envelope. Denshi is as dangerous as running with an atomic bomb in one hand. Its learning is laborious. Kaiju like Reiichi will learn it easily.
[3] To master the Denshi technique, one has to also learn the three sacred movements. "Strolling, Falling, and Landing." Each represents a characteristic of the discipline. Strolling is the act of casually hopping from one plane of existence to the other. It is managed by concentration and meditation. Falling is the act of riding the elements ( for example air and clouds) to diminish the impact of one's fall during interdimensional travel. Landing is the hardest part to master. It's the act of maintaining the integrity of one's soul after the impact.
Next chapter=Mr. Nice & Mr. Ice