Summary: Guardians and Reapers; the last line of defense against any threat to humanity. One day an unknown Entity emerges and throws their very existence into peril. AU ByaRuki fic. Rated M for suggestive themes, smut and Fantasy violence.
Author's Notes: I'm writing my notes at the beginning instead of later on, so hope you'll bear with me. This is a new short story I wrote, which I dedicate to my late cousin. To quote; Lana Del Rey's 'Summertime Sadness' ... "I think I'll miss you forever." I write what I can't say out loud, so here's to you...
Meanings: Cocytus - River of Tears. Exordium - Beginning.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or its Characters.
- Exordium -
It came hailing down from the Heavens. A punishment for mankind's sins; Hogyoku, an Entity comprised purely of reiryoku. Without warning, there was no reasoning, no negotiation. Only an insatiable craving for power. To reshape the world in order to achieve its idea of perfection.
Hogyoku sought to feed off the life force of Guardians and Reapers, special humans born with unusually high amounts of reiryoku in their bodies. The stronger ones also gaining the ability to obtain a Reaper, a spirit manifestation of a Guardian's soul. Every one unique in both skill and persona, more often than not a mirrored reflection of each other.
War raged.
Called to arms at SÅkyoku Hill, the ground quaked under the crushing footfalls of the Guardians. The sky groaned, dank and heavy. Roars, screeches and dying wails echoed through the battlefield. The Earth was scorched as Hogyoku unleashed torrents of searing energy. Cities were demolished. Then vast hoards of Hollows appeared, spilling out from the Hogyoku's blue and white crystallized form. Mindless beasts driven by bloodlust to annihilate. Still, the fight surged on. Where one Guardian fell, another would take its place.
On a cliff precipice, a female Guardian viewed the scene below, conviction and valor emanating from her warrior's soul. Soon it would be her turn to lead the assault with her division, the Thirteenth Squad.
"This is our World." She said to the man beside her. One hand poised on her katana, uniquely pure-white from blade to pommel. Amethyst eyes gleamed like dancing purple light, and short raven-colored hair swayed about a porcelain oval face in choppy waves to the gusty wind. "If we don't defend it, who will?"
'You aren't just anyone...' He wanted to say, but nothing came out.
It was his duty as Captain of the Sixth Squad to defend the people, irrespective of his own life. And she had just made Lieutenant, despite his misgivings. Perhaps in spite of them through her tenacity and stubbornness. There was no doubt she was skilled, even without having obtained her Reaper. The lieutenant's badge she wore proudly on her left bicep was testament to that.
Seeing her brave smile, his chest tightened. Everything they'd strived for had lead them to this point. Bearing the same responsibility, he could not think of any plausible excuse to prevent her from going. Instead he had chosen to remain behind to stay with her until the last possible moment.
To think that after five years under the same roof, only now was he willing to admit to himself how much she meant to him, that she was the one to melt his frozen heart.
"Rukia, always remain alert."
Nodding sagely, her words were drowned out by the battle cries, nevertheless looking directly at her, he still heard.
"I won't disappoint you, nii-sama."
She didn't know it, but she could never disappoint him, not when she'd given him so much. Never giving up on him though he kept her at arms length, aloof to the point of cruelty. Her persistence paying off until her very presence became his daily torture. Of forbidden desires. Now he cursed the day he made her his sister instead of his lover.
On impulse her right hand reached out and touched his. Normally she would never be so bold, but he allowed it, instinctively sensing her need for comfort. He would not deny her this time. His own seized hers more firmly. A small blush crept over her cheeks as they lingered with interlaced fingers, their first real intimate moment. Cold and delicate mingled with warm and strong.
Then the call to advance sounded out and she shot off into the foray. Byakuya watched her, saw her turn back again and give him the most beautiful smile that set her whole face alight. Opening her mouth to speak, she said something, but the distance between them was too far for him to make it out properly. It could've been his imagination, but he didn't think so.
Forever stamped in his mind, Byakuya lead his own division in the final battle between Hogyoku and the Guardians.
He'd never regretted a thing until that day... He should have told her what she wanted to hear all along. But he couldn't push past his glacial inner walls in time.
Then it became too late...
A short Prologue Chapter. The next one is longer. As always, thanks for reading and hope you like it. All comments and feedback are much appreciated.