Chapter 41
End of Hypnosis IV - Sweet Release
Aaron wasn't surprised to find himself in a room he didn't recognize. Waking up in his own bedroom honestly came as a bigger shock these days. With a groan, he sat up and decided to figure out where he was this time.
Except when he did, he rammed his forehead into the person hovering over him. Both parties spilled onto the floor holding their throbbing skulls.
"W-What the hell is your head made of?!" Akira Akiyama hollered, tearing up.
"What the…?!" Aaron forgot all about his pain and reached for his Zanpakutou. He grabbed nothing but thin air. "What did you do with Seigetsu?! Kidnapping me is pretty low, you…!"
Akira splitting her sides with laughter put a damper in his tirade.
"H-Hello?" he said in confusion. "What's so…?"
"You think I would kidnap you?" Akira said in between her snorting. "Oh, that's rich! I can't breathe!"
Putting his hands on his hips, Aaron frowned and watched her roll around on the ground. She would run out of steam eventually. As irritated as he was, he just had to wait.
It took another minute or two, but his prediction came true. How she hadn't managed to choke on her tongue was beyond him.
"Okay. I needed that." A few smaller giggles escaped Akira. "Wow. I was still healing you, but if you can crack jokes like that, I guess you're alright."
Her words prompted Aaron to inspect himself. Someone had gone to the trouble of bandaging his torso. He felt all around his stomach, relieved to find it was still attached to his spine. Every inch of him was still sore, but he could deal with it in exchange for his life.
"You healed me, you said?" he asked, stretching his neck. After a few moments of accessing the situation, he smiled. "...Thank you."
"Y-You're welcome…"
Akira hadn't expected him to to be so complacent, so sincere.
"Where am I?" he asked.
"The Fourth Division's barracks. They're not good for anything but healing, but if you are dying, this is best place to be."
That meant he was still in Soul Society. He figured as much, though it didn't hurt to check. Instantly, his mind flashed back to the events of Soukyoku Hill.
"You've been out for a week," said Akira, reading his concerned expression. "Don't worry. All your friends are okay. Captain Unohana insisted we treat you all despite being Ryoka. You and that Kurosaki kid were in the worst shape. Nothing some good healing Kidou couldn't fix though."
Aaron breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. Uh...it's not really any of my business but...what happened with all those Captains? You know, the ones that tried to…"
"Captain Ichimaru and Captain Tousen are gone. I mean, you saw what happened for yourself. Nobody knows where they are, but the Onmitsukidou are supposedly tracking their movements."
"And Aizen?"
Akira smirked. "That jerk? He's at the Central Underground Prison. They locked him in the eighth level. We call it Muken."
She expected Aaron to celebrate as well. The most he could offer was a perplexed turn of his head.
"...Right. You're a Ryoka. Let me explain."
#
Bemused, Sousuke Aizen pulled at the straps keeping him fastened to his chair. They weren't all that thick, though with his lack of spirit energy, they might as well have been lead chains. Even if he could break free, he would have to deal with the person sitting high above him.
A suicidal prospect.
"Are you all that's here to deliver my sentence, Genryuusai Shigekuni Yamamoto?"
That was indeed the case. Yamamoto, with Vice-Captain Choujirou Sasakibe at his side, would be judge, jury, and—depending on how the proceedings unfolded—executioner.
"...Why are you smiling, Sousuke Aizen?"
Yamamoto's tone was no nonsense. It was clear to him that the accused wasn't taking the proceedings seriously. Perhaps the empty chamber they occupied was to blame. It would normally be filled with the members of Central Forty Six. Yamamoto was, in fact, acting in their stead until replacements could be found.
"No reason," Aizen answered casually. "I just thought it was unusually quiet in here today."
Having his theory confirmed did nothing to soothe the Captain-Commander's anger.
"In lieu of my decades of service to the Gotei Thirteen," Aizen continued, "I expect a fair trial."
"Silence!" Yamamoto slammed his fist with enough force to leave a dent on the table. The noise reverberated around the chamber, though Aizen didn't flinch. "Your crimes include conspiracy against Soul Society, numerous counts of murders, as well as multiple counts of attempted murder. Sousuke Aizen, your actions have brought great shame upon the Gotei Thirteen. Do you have anything to say for yourself before I deliver your sentence?"
"Great shame, you say? This is comical. How can I receive judgement from a being who would willingly be subjugated by that thing?"
"Are you perhaps referring to the Soul King?"
"Indeed. It doesn't make any sense. Those with strength should seek to rule. You, the strongest Shinigami in existence, should understand that better than anyone. No one immediately stands at the top, not we so called Gods of Death, and certainly not a ruler who doesn't have the decency to show its face. Let me ask you something, dear Captain-Commander—don't you find the vacancy in the sky unbearable?"
"Fool." Yamamoto shook his head. "Those with strength should not seek to rule but to protect. That is the sole reason for the Gotei Thirteen's existence. If you do not understand such a simple concept by now, then we all have failed you, Aizen."
"I disagree. It is the Soul King that has failed."
"The Soul King is the lynchpin. Without him, Soul Society would crumble."
"Perhaps such a thing wouldn't be so bad. You all insist on playing the part of the loser. The winners are the ones who use their power to change things. You have beaten me, Yamamoto, but what have you really won?"
"Are you suggesting you should play the part of God?"
"Why not? If none of you chose to, I will gladly step into that role."
Closing his eyes in deep thought, Yamamoto eventually said, "...Talking with a petulant child like you is a waste of time. I will now deliver your sentence. Before I do so, I suppose you don't intent to sell out the location of your co-conspirators."
Aizen's smile grew. It gave Yamamoto the answer he both dreaded and fully expected.
"Sousuke Aizen, you are hereby sentenced to life imprisonment in the eighth and lowest level of the Central Underground Prison—Muken."
#
"Muken?" asked Aaron, his eyebrow shooting up.
"Imagine Hell but without the fire, and there's no one other than you," Akira explained with glee. "Just black for as far as the eye can see. You'd go crazy within days."
Aaron whistled. Her description was without a doubt chilling. And if it was true, it seemed a fitting punishment for a man that had put them all through so much hell.
"You Shinigami don't play, huh? And he can't get out?"
"Hell no. It's an entirely different dimension. Not even a Captain could go there without permission and special keys. That place is reserved for the worst of the worst. He's going to rot there until he's worm food."
"Good." That was one less headache for Aaron to worry about. "What about Arashi? Did they…?"
He stopped. Akira becoming visibly depressed was part of the reason. The remainder was him watching Arashi Mitarashi die with his own eyes.
"I'm...sorry," he muttered. Truthfully, he didn't know what he felt. It wasn't sadness, though it wasn't a sense of relief either. "I-I didn't mean…"
"It's fine…"
It wasn't. The way Akira squeezed her arm and shifted her gaze to the floor made that evident.
"Um…" Aaron rubbed the back of his head. Talking with women was never his forte, but he felt this was his worst encounter yet. "...T-That Hougyoku thing. What happened to it?"
"The Onmitsukidou are taking care of it. It's in their headquarters."
"Oh. That's good. ...Who are the Onmitsukidou?"
Anger replaced Akira's somber mood. "I-If you don't know anything about Soul Society, don't act like you do, dumbass!"
Aaron held his arms up defensively. "I-I'm sorry. But that's...erm...good, right? The On...erm...whatever having that thing?"
"OF COURSE IT'S GOOD!"
Goodbye, eardrums…
More shouting could be heard outside. Already annoyed, Akira threw the door open and stuck her head out. "Shut the hell up, you Eleventh Division punks! I've got a dying patient in here who needs his rest!"
Aaron wasn't sure when he had become terminally ill.
"Hey, watch your mouth, whore!"
Akira slowly turned back to Aaron. There was nothing alarming about her face, though that was exactly why Aaron found himself scared half to death.
"...Wait here for a sec."
He did just that, cringing at the punches someone was tossing around like Christmas presents and the ensuing screams of anguish.
Only thirty seconds had passed by the time Akira came back. That seemed like a short amount for her to be covered in so much blood in Aaron's opinion.
"Sorry about that," she said as she wiped her hands clean. They too were red. "Where was I?"
"What...just happened?"
"Nothing much. Just a couple of rowdy customers. Damn. Now I need a shower."
And maybe a check in into a mental institution…
"We...got off on the wrong foot, kid." Blushing slightly, Akira avoided direct eye contact with Aaron as she spoke. "I know I've said and done a lot of shitty stuff, and maybe words alone ain't gonna cut it, but…"
"All of us got taken for a ride. You, in particular, have been through a lot. If what you told me earlier is true, then you saved my life, so...we're cool. I'm not one to hold a grudge. Just promise me you won't go after Kana anymore."
"...You're a weird kid alright. I knew that from the first time I laid eyes on you. Even so, you…"
Before Akira could finish, the door flew open. Aaron wasn't sure if a hurricane or a person ran in.
"Chocolate Thunder!"
He also wasn't hugged as much as he was tackled to the ground.
"K-Kana…"
"I knew you were alive! I just knew it!" she squealed with glee, squeezing him tight enough to choke him.
"Y-Yeah…"
Aaron's hands trembled over her shoulders. He faltered on hugging her back. None of this felt real, and he feared he would wake up from some fantastical dream if indulged himself by laying a finger on her.
"Whoa! Your arms are so big now, CT," she said, prodding every inch of them. "I used to be able to fit both of my hands on them, but now…"
Here Kana was fawning over him like she had done back in his world, back in Hino. No one was gunning for her life. There was no reason for Aaron to fight any longer.
It was like nothing had ever changed.
"Hmm? What's the matter, CT?" Kana wanted to know in light of how stunned he looked.
"N-Nothing. I'm...just not used to things being so...normal."
He placed his hand over his chest. Even through his bandages, he felt numerous cuts and scars that would never heal fully. He would have a hell of a time explaining where they came from during gym class.
Oh yeah. School…
With no reason for him to remain in Soul Society, he would have to return home and thus school. The idea seemed so foreign. Two weeks in the Seireitei had felt like several years. He seriously wondered if he would even be able to adapt.
"Sorry to interrupt," said an incredulous Akira, "but what in the hell did you just call him?"
Aaron, mortified, replied, "D-Don't ask. It's a long and pointless story."
"Yeah! CT is just CT. That's all there is to it," added Kana, who insisted on clinging to him like they were conjoined.
That wasn't lost on Akira. "Okay, I think I'm gonna leave before I end up sick. You two are seriously too lovey-dovey for my taste."
"No need to be jealous. I'm sure you'll find a boyfriend of your own in due time. Maybe try to grow your hair out a little though. Oh, and stop borrowing Vice-Captain Hisagi's piercings."
"W-Who the hell do you think you're talking to?! I don't need a boyfriend or whatever!"
"I mean, you'd be way more relaxed if you had a man. ...And I think we all know you're anything but relaxed."
"I-I just told you I'm not interested! Shut up already!"
"I do know a few guys around here who are single, so if you need a hand…"
"Listen to me already, you cow-chested bimbo! Just because you whore yourself around town doesn't mean the rest of us have to!"
"H-Hey! That was uncalled for! It's not my fault I'm so incredibly gorgeous that men flock to my side! I am a decent, wholesome young lady!"
"Oh, blow me! You couldn't spell 'decent!'"
"See what I mean?! Only sexually frustrated people yell so damn much!"
"And I guess people who are only good at spreading their legs can afford to yap on and on!"
Aaron had long ago lost track of the heated discussion. At the very least, it was a step up from them trying to kill one another. Although, as Akira tossed a chair across the room that narrowly missed her adoptive sister, he wasn't so sure.
"Wait," he mumbled. "Since when have I been anyone's boyfriend?"
"Oh yeah?! At least I don't have mosquito bites for boobs!" he overheard Kana shout.
"At least my back won't be hurting in another hundred years, cow!" Akira snapped back.
"Pardon my intrusion, but there is something I need to discuss with you all."
Gradually, Kana and Akira turned their heads to Captain Retsu Unohana standing in the doorway. They had been an instant away from punching each other and thus were frozen in rather awkward poses.
"I believe I've already said this to those men from the Eleventh Division, but there is to be no fighting here, ladies. While I am pleased to see you two have so much energy, let's try to keep it down while we're in a hospital. After all, accidents can happen if it's too noisy."
While there was nothing at all harrowing about her speech or friendly smile, both made Aaron, Kana, and Akira break out in goosebumps.
"S-Sorry, Captain Unohana!" said Kana at once. She bowed sharply enough to pull something.
"I-It won't happen again, ma'am!" said Akira in the same terrified tone. "We promise!"
Tempted to apologize himself, Aaron discovered he was too afraid to speak.
"Thank you," Unohana said. "Now then, are there any issues with the patient, Akiyama?"
"No, ma'am. I mean, he's been a little fussy, but he'll live."
"Fussy, you say? Oh no. That won't do." Unohana trained her eyes on Aaron. He yelped. "So long as you are in this building, your limbs and internal organs are our property. Please, do not do anything that would cause one of those accidents I just spoke of. Understand?"
There it was again. The feeling of standing on pins and needles. Nearly snapping his neck, Aaron nodded frantically. It didn't matter that he hadn't done anything wrong in the first place.
"If you're all done here...I'm afraid it's almost time to go, Akiyama."
A brief flicker of surprise illuminated Akira's face. It then settled into pure misery.
"R-Right. I...understand, Captain Unohana."
Curiosity nearly got the better of Aaron. He yearned to know what they were talking about but supposed it was Soul Society business.
"And about Arashi Mitarashi…"
Kana recoiled at the name. Akira, meanwhile, became even more dejected.
"I apologize. I realize this is a tough subject for you both," Unohana said, "I shouldn't have opened such a gaping wound so soon. We can discuss the matter later."
Aaron wasn't interested in talking about the subject either. "Can I ask why you're helping my friends and I out? Aren't we Ryoka or whatever?"
That question had been bugging him. There was no telling if the 'hospitality' he was receiving was instead some sort of elaborate trap.
"Do you believe we would go to the trouble of treating you only to stab you in your sleep?" Unohana was humored by his suspicion, something that made him snarl. "Rest assured that you and your friends are no longer considered Soul Society's enemies. After all, you too were victims of Sousuke Aizen's scheme."
Aaron turned his head to Kana. She was pressing down on his arm even more. Unohana herself grew pale at the mere mention of Aizen's name.
That's how strong that guy is, I guess. He's locked up, and everyone is still…
"You and the other Ryoka are free to go home as soon as the Senkaimon is opened."
"Is that right?" Aaron still had his suspicions. Having done nothing but fought against the people he was suddenly supposed to count as friend, he couldn't help himself. "Can I have Seigetsu back at least?"
Unohana gazed at his outstretched hand. "What for? Now that Aizen has been apprehended, you won't need…"
His entire being burned with determination, giving her pause.
"...I understand. I can assure you your Zanpakutou will be returned to you before you leave Soul Society. It's against the law to carry them around the Seireitei unless its an emergency, so I'll have to ask you to wait until then." Unohana headed for the exit, but not before saying, "I again apologize for disturbing your rest. Until the Senkaimon is opened, you and your friends are free to walk around the Seireitei at your leisure. And Akiyama…"
"I'll come with you now, ma'am."
Unohana, surprised, replied, "...Are you quite sure? There's still time for you to…"
"No. It's fine," replied Akira pointedly. "Let's just get it over and done with."
Nodding, the Fourth Division Captain left first. Akira wasn't far behind. She only stopped to leer back at Kana.
"You…"
The rest of her statement refused to come out. She never was one who could put her true feelings on the table. That was why she settled on shaking her head and slamming the door behind her.
"What was that about?" questioned Aaron.
"I don't know, but…that's certainly like Akira," replied Kana, smiling thinly.
It was contagious; Aaron mirrored her as he stood. "Well, I think I'll take that lady up on her offer. It's not often you get to come to a weird place like this. Might as well look around."
"Perfect!" Kana wrapped her arm around Aaron's again. "Then allow me to be your charming tour guide!"
"...I don't have a choice in the matter, do I?"
She giggled as if to say that was a futile question. "And we're off!"
Aaron allowed her to drag him along with her. "Where to?"
"I've gotta show you some of my favorite spots before you go! There's this cake shop you just have to try!"
Being Kana's hapless victim as she did whatever she wanted was a nostalgic feeling. Aaron was happy, truly happy for the first time in weeks.
But, he could only enjoy it to a certain extent when she insisted on pretending to be her usual, cheery self.
Everything about her was off. The way she walked. The tinge of sadness in every word she spoke. Her amber eyes that were slightly puffy, a good sign she had been crying. As a person who was usually so carefree, Aaron thought her as easy to read as book.
"Listen, Kana." He spoke gingerly. He wasn't sure how to approach the topic, though he nonetheless pressed on. "If you want to talk about Arashi…"
"Oh! CT, there's this ramen stand we gotta check out too! It's my favorite!"
There was no doubt she had heard him. That was why he was shocked she had the gall to brush him aside so easily.
"...Sure. Let's go."
He wasn't going to argue. She would talk when she was ready.
"Could you do me a favor before we go?" he said. "I just want to make sure everyone else is alright. Can you take me to them?"
"Sure thing! Your wish is my command."
#
It was a short walk to their destination, something Aaron was thankful for. His legs were stiff, no doubt a side effect of sleeping for an entire week.
"You alright there, CT?" Kana asked.
Aaron gave her a thumbs up. "Just a little sore."
"I'd say you can lean on me, but...you're sort of heavy…"
"Fair enough."
All of Aaron's friends were there alright. He stumbled upon a rather odd sight, however.
"And...all done!" exclaimed Uryuu Ishida. Aaron had never seen him so happy. "How's this?"
The Quincy held up a tank top with a cross stitched into it. Yasutora Sado merely stared at it.
"I was able to borrowing some tailoring equipment, so I sewed clothes for all you based on what you were wearing when we got here. I had to go off memory, so it might not match exactly…"
"It's...different. Yeah," was all Chad really had—and wanted—to say on the matter.
"And this," said Uryuu in the same chipper tone, "is for you, Inoue."
Orihime disappeared for a short while and then came back with a vexed expression. Aaron understood why. The frilly, pink shirt Uryuu had made was not only exotic but hard to look at without one's eyes hurting after a while.
"I couldn't quite get the pattern the way I pictured it, but I'd say it worked out in the end. I also managed to make corsages on the bottom with the leftover material. Also, that lace is…"
"It's...erm…" Orihime cut him off, pulling at the aforementioned lace. "It's cute...I think."
Her lack of enthusiasm was lost on the shirt's creator. "Excellent! And I, of course, didn't forget about you, Miss Mitsumi."
Konoka stood in a corner of the room with her arms crossed. She had been hoping that made her hard to spot.
Uryuu held up a pair of black pants and a white tank top. "I managed to embroider the Mitsumi Coffee logo onto the shirt. What do you think?"
Reluctantly, Konoka took the gift. "...I'm not really sure what to say. Like, I really don't have a clue."
She could at least give him points for getting the logo down to the letter. Then again, it was difficult to commend such a worthless talent.
"And of course, I have something for Kuchiki to wear when she comes back with us," said Uryuu. Everyone marveled at a flashy, albeit simple compared to everything else, one piece dress.
"It's cute," said Orihime. Aaron thought she sounded much more authentic.
"I think you have a talent for making women's clothes," said Chad.
"You think so?" Uryuu smirked and pushed up his glasses. Aaron wasn't sure why he was so pleased with himself; he felt Chad's remark was anything but a compliment. "Perhaps I should…"
"Hey! Aren't you forgetting someone?" Sasune Ishida tapped his foot impatiently. "Where's my new outfit? You made something awesome, right? Preferably, something with helicopters and dinosaurs."
Uryuu merely glared at him.
"...You didn't make me anything, did you?"
Again, Uryuu said nothing.
"How the hell does Chad over here get something, but not me?! I'm your own flesh and blood for crying out loud!"
This time, Uryuu shook his head. Chad, meanwhile, wasn't sure why he had been singled out.
"Um...I-I don't mean to interrupt, but…"
Finally, the others noticed Aaron and Kana. Sasune pushed and shoved his way past the others, nearly knocking them over, in an effort to reach Kana. He moved so fast that he made her shriek in terror.
"M-Miss Mitarashi! Can it truly be? You...have returned to us at long last!"
He got down on his knees and put his hands together, giving a silent prayer to the heavens above.
"...What are you doing?" Aaron had to ask.
Ignoring him, Sasune took one of Kana's hands and kissed it tenderly. "I have been hoping—no, weeping for the day we were reunited, Miss Mitarashi! At long last, the gods have answered my cries of anguish and delivered this blessed angel before me!"
Aaron never thought mere words could make him sick to his stomach. Just about everyone else shared the sentiment.
Everyone save Kana. "Ah! You're so sweet! ...I think. I'm not really sure about most of the stuff you just said. It's good to see you again though, Sasune."
"Y-You remember the name of a worthless mortal such as myself?" Sasune clasped his hands again and gave more thanks to whoever was watching over him. "I am unworthy of such love, such adoration, such…!"
"Ya'll don't mind if I kill him, right?" asked Konoka while she thrust her fist into Sasune's stomach. He crumpled onto the floor like an accordian.
"D-Do not be jealous, my love," he squeaked in a high-pitch voice. "I-I was just about to sing songs about your beauty and majesty as well!"
Konoka kicked him for good measure. "The moment you sing about me is the moment you stop breathin', Pretty Boy? Understand?"
"You're a lot more violent, huh, Mitsumi?" mused Aaron with a grin.
"...Higuchi. So, your skinny ass is still alive."
"Somehow. Looks like you made it too. I'd expect nothing less from the Red-Haired Beast. I hope you didn't run into too much trouble out there."
"Me? Do you even gotta ask? You're the one covered in bandages."
"Can't deny that."
"Well, guess I'll give you props for hangin' in there. Guess you ain't so skinny anymore either."
"I've been eating my vitamins and saying my prayers."
Their conversation was a little too cordial for Kana's liking. She stomped her foot on Aaron's, making him yelp.
"W-What was that for?!" he spat out.
"Just because I get kidnapped doesn't give you permission to start cheating on me!" She smashed his toes again. "Dirty two-timer!"
Aaron was in too much pain to ask what in the world she was going on about.
"Um...let me get something straight," said Konoka, eying Kana with a frown. "This is the idiot you made us kill ourselves over, Higuchi?"
"...One of them," he muttered in pure embarrassment.
"Isn't she one in a million?" said Sasune with a hearty laugh. He had gotten back on his feet while no one was paying him any mind.
Kana scowled in Konoka's direction. The Red-Haired Beast didn't back down, returning the gesture.
"...What?" she said stiffly. "Can I help you with somethin'?"
"I won't let you have him, you hussy!" Kana stuck out her tongue and blew a raspberry. "Chocolate Thunder is all mine!"
Aaron swore he heard someone in the crowd snort. He couldn't identify who. Not that it mattered. He grew as red as a tomato and mumbled, "Somebody please kill me..."
How he envied a tortoise who could simply retreat into its shell.
"Chocolate...Thunder?" Orihime put her finger on her chin. "That's...erm…"
She looked to Chad for help, but he shook his head, having no urge to touch that one.
Flustered herself, Konoka stammered, "Y-You can have him for all I care! I never want to see his face again!"
"What the hell did I even do?!" cried Aaron as she marched past him and out of the room. "And why is she so mad…?"
It was odd. Usually, the only person who could rile her up was Sasune. Aaron half expected her to just ignore Kana's baseless remarks.
"That's right! Begone, you tramp!" Kana blew another raspberry for good measure.
"Ah! Wait, Miss Mitsumi! You forgot your clothes!" shouted Uryuu. The lack of returning footsteps meant she was already long gone.
"You still haven't given me mine," said Sasune.
"...Run around naked for all I care. ...Idiot."
Both annoyed and dejected, Uryuu sulked off toward his sewing machine. He was intent on making Konoka's clothes bigger and brighter. Then, there wasn't a chance she would walk off without begging to try them on.
"Um...I'll go and give Rukia her dress now," said Orihime, thankful for any sort of escape.
"Good idea. I want to know how Kuchiki's doing. We'll tag along if that's okay," said Aaron.
All of a sudden, Aaron felt every hair on his body stand on end. He at first worried Captain Unohana was around and about to give him another lecture.
That was until he spotted Kana glaring at him as if he was the scum of the earth.
"...What?" he asked, weirded out. He moved his foot out of the way preemptively.
"Oh, so that hussy from before wasn't good enough?" Kana answered. "You've got to cheat on me with someone with boobs bigger than their head too?"
Aaron's eyes were unconsciously drawn to Orihime's chest and then Kana's. "You know, yours aren't that much smaller."
A slap loud enough to be heard across the Fourth Division's barracks gave its inhabitants quite the scare. Captain Unohana, in the middle of healing another wounded Shinigami, moved her head up and fearfully searched around.
"What frightening killing intent. I wonder who that could be?"
#
"...If she's that damn strong, why didn't she just rescue herself?"
Aaron placed a hand on his reddened cheek. It was mostly an attempt to dull the pain, though hiding the handprint left behind was important too. Grumbling under his breath, he trailed behind Orihime and Kana. He made sure to keep as much distance between him and the pouting brunette as possible.
"I didn't even say anything that strange…"
"And that's where you're wrong, CT." Sasune, walking side-by-side with him, snickered. He was pleased someone else was getting abused for a change. "If you're going to talk about a woman's bust size, never ever use the word 'smaller' in the same sentence. Even if they're only an A cup, you lie and tell her they're the biggest you've ever seen."
"...I don't want that kind of advice."
"Also," Sasune wasn't listening to anything other than the sound of his own voice, "even if you've done nothing wrong, apologize anyway."
"What kind of sense does that make?"
"It doesn't. That's the point. Don't think about it too hard. Just get down on your knees, grovel, and go on and on about how much of a worthless piece of crap you are."
Aaron's head was spinning. "S-She's the one who should apologize to me! Why are you even here anyway?"
"Rude." Sasune smacked his lips. "I was giving advice to my bestest friend in the world, but he insist on dying a lonely, old man. Besides, it's a free country. I can go wherever I want."
"Sure. That means you can go somewhere you can bother me."
"Your words sting! And after all I've done to carry you thus far!
Aaron was too preoccupied observing Kana chew on her fingernail to give much of a care to Sasune's rambling.
"I don't get it," she said in a louder voice than she intended. "How does a fifteen year old get a rack that big? How much milk can she possibly drink? Does she rub them every night while in the bath or something?"
Much to Aaron's relief, Orihime didn't appear to pick up on Kana's depraved muttering.
"Oh! I just realized something!" Orihime cried.
Kana said, "That dress is too cute?"
The two looked at one another. Then, at the exact same time, they gave each other a thumbs up.
"Um…" Aaron scratched his head. "What's 'too cute?'"
"This dress, obviously!" said Kana. "Maybe…"
"Ishida has feeling for Kuchiki!" said Orihime with far too much confidence for Aaron's liking. "Amazing! How didn't I realize it before?"
"Wow. You're rather astute for a fifteen year old. That's gotta be it!"
Aaron was one-hundred percent sure they were both wrong. He saw no point in trampling on their dreams.
Sasune sounds sane by comparison...
They made it to Rukia's room, where Orihime peered in happily.
"We've got a present for you, Kuchiki!"
But the room was empty.
"Huh? Where did she…?"
"A mystery!" Kana gave Orihime a good scare popping up behind her out of the blue. "Let's split up and look for clues, gang!"
"Calm down there, Scooby-Doo." Aaron shoved her back so he could get a good look around. "Did Kuchiki say she was going anywhere?"
Orihime shook her head. "She said she would wait here for us."
"Maybe she's out on a pleasant stroll?" suggested Sasune.
"Maybe, but I'm a little worried," Aaron admitted.
"Me too," said Orihime. "I say we split up and look for her. Just in case."
"Excellent idea!" Kana pointed straight at Orihime, startling her again. "You take Sasune with you. I'm going with CT."
"I mean, I don't think we really need to split…"
Kana pulled Aaron along with her. Not that he had agreed to anything.
"Y-You're about to rip my arm off!" he voiced to no avail.
"Aw. Those crazy kids," remarked Sasune, chuckling. "Guess it's just you and me, Miss Inoue. Never fear! Your gallant knight is here to risk life and limb for you! Oh, and Miss Kuchiki too, I guess."
Whether she did it on purpose or not, Sasune owed Kana big time.
All alone with Inoue! And no pesky Uryuu around to get in my way!
"Y-Yeah…" said Orihime weakly, recoiling under his intense gaze. "We'd...um...better get going then."
#
Aaron wasn't sure they would find Rukia in a bar. The stench of alcohol hit him like a ton of bricks. Covering his nose hardly helped.
"Damn. It's smells like a brewery," he moaned. "...Or Sasune on a Friday evening."
He wasn't sure where exactly Kana had brought him. She wasn't taking the time to explain either, strolling into the establishment without a word.
"H-Hold up…!"
He really didn't want to, yet, he followed after her.
The atmosphere inside was different from the Seireitei. Cigarette smoke littered the air, forcing him to fan it away to even see. The smell of liquor was even worse. He had to hold back the urge to puke. He was a bit surprised to see how much it resembled a bar in his world, save for all the Shinigami. Many of them were a rough-looking sort, similar to the Eleventh Division members he had seen roaming the halls of the Fourth Division's barracks. He attracted a number of stares as he walked by in search of Kana. His skin crawled. Though he didn't think he looked much different from anyone else, it was as if they could tell he wasn't a member of their ranks.
"Where the hell did…?"
Suddenly, a pair of arms wrapped themselves around him. Something big, squishy, and warm pressed against his chest.
"You really are nothin' but a jerk, ya know!" shouted Rangiku Matsumoto with every bit of ire she could muster. Cheap liquor laced her breath.
"W-What…? I'm...sorry?"
"You look just like him! Bastard! I'll kill ya!"
She was drunk. Very much so in Aaron's estimation. That likely explained why he understood nothing she was saying.
Don't look down, Aaron! Just...don't look down!
"Oh, come on, Rangiku. CT doesn't look anything like him."
With a sigh, Kana plucked her off of a grateful Aaron and into a bar stool where she belonged.
"Oh my God! Kana! You're Kana!" Rangiku squealed. Kana was her next victim; she hugged her tightly, and Aaron lost sight of Kana's head somewhere in Rangiku's cleavage. "I missed you so much! I didn't have anyone to compare busts with ever since you've been locked away!"
"Can't...breathe!" Kana's muffled voice cried out. Fortunately, Rangiku heard her and let go. "Whew! That Inoue girl gives you a run for your money, but you're the undisputed champ, Rangiku!"
Aaron shielded his ears from Rangiku's shrill laugh."You are so cute, Kana! I just want to hug you for hours and hours! ...But you!"
Aaron held his hands up when she pointed her finger right in his face.
"Bastard!" she repeated.
"I'm...sorry?"
"Oh, Rangiku. I just told you CT doesn't look a thing like Captain Ichimaru. Just how much did you have to drink before we got here?"
"DID YOU SAY GIN?! THAT BASTARD! GET BACK HERE!"
Aaron might have blocked it if he had seen it coming. He hadn't, which meant Rangiku's punch connected squarely with his jaw.
"What the hell?!" he shouted. Drunk or not, she had one hell of a right hook. A couple of his teeth had been jarred loose.
"That's what you get for having a stupid head, beady eyes, and a dumb face, and…!"
"Yeah! Yeah!" said an entirely different person who was equally as wasted. "Big, stupid head!"
"You got Kira drunk too," said Kana. Izuru Kira was so drunk, in fact, that he was rolling around the floor. "Now this guy knows how to party!"
"Who's got beady eyes?! Huh?! I'll kill 'em! Come here!"
Aaron turned his head and discovered a third person. Horrified, he said, "I-Izumi?!"
Laughing at nothing, Izumi waved him off. She tried anyway. There were three of him in her vision, and she picked the one on the far right to chastise. "Go away, B-Bro! Yer not old enough to be in here!"
"Yeah! Not old enough!" echoed Kira.
"No beady eyes allowed!" declared Rangiku. She chucked her empty glass across the room, where it shattered against the wall. Both Kira and Izumi whooped and hollered. "Sit, Kana! We'll show that beady-eyed Gin that we can still have fun without him!"
"Don't mind if I do!" Kana didn't waste any time ordering the strongest shot on the menu. "You want something, CT?"
Aaron scowled. "...What happened to finding Rukia? Weren't you worried?"
Kana was so not worried, she laughed. "Come on, CT. She's fine! Who the heck is going to do something to her while she's still in the Seireitei? With Captain Aizen gone, this is the safest place in Soul Society! I'm sure it's like Sasune said—she went to go take a walk or something. Just relax and have a drink or two. ...Or twelve."
"Drink already, beady eyes!" snapped Rangiku.
"Heh. Beady eyes," slurred Kira.
Thinking Izumi would join in, Aaron wasn't at all shocked to find his sister resting her head on the counter in a deep sleep.
"She always was a lightweight…"
"Matsumoto is as well, but I didn't have a clue about Kira. That'll teach me to let these idiots drink together again."
Aaron wasn't sure how long Captain Toushirou Hitsugaya had been occupying the seat next to his. Maybe the smoke had obscured him. Not wanting to admit so out loud, Aaron instead debated if it was his short stature.
"You're…?"
"Captain Hitsugaya of the Twelfth Division. We meet again, Higuchi."
Aaron felt guilty. Hitsugaya had remembered his name, but he had failed to commit the young Captain's to memory. "Y-Yeah. What are you doing in a place like this? Erm...no offense, but…"
"It's fine. Like you, this isn't somewhere I would hang out by choice." Hitsugaya nodded toward Rangiku, who was busy cackling and pouding Kana's back over some unheard joke. "They were having a party at my place, but it got too rowdy for my liking, so I moved it here. ...I should've left them behind while I was at it. That other girl was already here when we arrived."
Aaron palmed his hand over his face. "Izumi was, huh? Sounds about right…"
"She's rather bad at masking her feelings, isn't she? Mitarashi, I mean."
The person in question was knocking back her fifth shot. Aaron wasn't sure whether to be amazed or ashamed. "...Yeah. You're right."
"I don't need a stinkin' brother!" she suddenly shouted. She was already drunk, much to Aaron's disbelief. "Who told you to go and die, Arashi?!"
"Yeah! Who told you to go and die?!" echoed Rangiku, pounding her glass onto the counter. "All men are useless anyway!"
"Yeah! Yeah! Useless!" chirped Kira despite being one of those 'useless men.' "Oh, crap. I'm gonna puke…"
"Thank you," said Hitsugaya. "For saving my subordinate. She's a pain to deal with, and things are only going to be louder with her and Matsumoto together again, but...thank you for not letting Aizen get his way. He had us all fooled. I...wasn't strong enough to stop him."
Aaron wasn't sure what to say. "I...just did what I had to. You don't have to thank me. It wasn't like I could do anything against Aizen either. If anything, I should be thanking you for taking such good care of Kana. When we fought before, I could tell you really cared for her. I bet she thinks pretty highly of you too."
Hitsugaya didn't respond, instead turning away. Aaron smiled, seeing a slight blush on the Captain's face. Perhaps Kana wasn't the only one bad at hiding their true feelings.
"Can I ask a favor?" Aaron said, standing. "I don't think I'm dragging Kana out of here any time soon, and there's something I need to take care, something important. Can you…?"
"Don't worry. I'll look after her and the others for a little while longer." Hitsugaya didn't seem thrilled with the prospect. "I'll keep and eye on your sister as well. That should be easy at least."
Izumi muttered something about candy but remained fast asleep.
"Thanks. Oh, and...sorry about what happened before. You know, the Hollow thing."
With a wave, Aaron was gone.
"That's right! Get da steppin', stupid penis!" Kana shouted.
"Hey, Shuuhei!" Rangiku shouted out of the window. "I know you ain't doin' nothing right now, so come and have a drink with us!"
Shuuhei Hisagi had only been passing by, but he couldn't turn down such an tempting offer. "You don't have to tell me twice!"
"Be careful," Aaron warned him. "They're like a pack of wild animals. ...No offense."
"...None taken," replied Captain Sajin Komamura. "You're one of the Ryoka, aren't you? Taking a stroll around the Seireitei?"
"S-Something like that…" Aaron was confident he would never get used to conversing with someone who resembled an oversized dog. "Are you going to drink too?"
"No. I was simply passing by."
"He's so uptight," said Rangiku as he walked away. "At least he's not wearing that weird mask anymore."
"He's so cute! Do you think he'll let me pet him?" Kana wondered.
Nothing about Komamura made Aaron think 'cute.'
"What the hell, Kira? You're hammered!" he heard Hisagi shout.
"Yo, Higuchi!"
Aaron bumped into none other than Ichigo Kurosaki. In his midst were Orihime and Sasune. The lack of Rukia by their side meant, like him, they hadn't tracked her down.
"Wow. You must heal really fast, Kurosaki." Aaron was amazed. If he hadn't been with Ichigo at the time, he wouldn't have had any idea Sousuke Aizen had nearly killed him. "No luck, huh?"
Ichigo shook his head. "Renji doesn't know where she is either. I'm pretty confident she can only be in one place though."
"Hey! Ichigo! Orihime!" Rangiku waved them down. "Come and get some sake! It's good!"
"Maybe later," replied Ichigo.
"Um...we're underage," said Orihime, talking to both Rangiku and the orange-haired Shinigami.
"Screw that." Sasune grinned from ear to ear, rubbing his hands together. "Hold on, baby! The Master of Mac is on the…!"
Sasune wasn't going anywhere. That was thanks to the shot that glass that hit him right between the eyes.
"WHY?!"
"Scum!" said Rangiku, sticking out her tongue. "All men are scum! Get lost!"
"Yeah! Go away, pig!" said Kana, nearly falling out of her seat.
"Yeah! Pigs! Pigs!" said a snorting Kira.
"Would someone shut them the hell up already?" groaned Aaron. "Look, why don't we split up again, Kurosaki? Just in case Kuchiki isn't where you think she is. I'll take Sasune with me this time. Er...what's left of him anyway."
"Oh, thank goodness." Orihime gasped and put her hands over her scarlet face. She hadn't meant to say that out loud. "I-I mean...erm...I just think I'd team up better with Kurosaki! T-That's all!"
She didn't have to explain. Aaron understood exactly how she felt. Sasune was too busy writhing around the ground to hear her anyway. Aaron dragged his fallen friend with him, shaking his head.
"Was it something I said?!" Sasune inquired as blood leaked out of his nose.
#
Aaron and Sasune weren't sure how long they had wandered around Rukongai. They asked around for Rukia, though none of the inhabitants seemed to know who she was.
"You'd think they didn't know an execution almost happened," said Sasune in frustration.
"Maybe they didn't," replied Aaron, shrugging. "They say the other districts are pretty dangerous, so I doubt Kuchiki went there. Not purposely anyway."
"You think she's been kidnapped? She's from a pretty rich family from what I hear."
"Yeah. Good luck. She'd freeze anybody stupid enough to try that."
"Let's just head back then. I'm starving."
"Excuse me, Sasune Ishida."
Sasune whirled around. There, he was greeted by a person he hadn't counted on ever running into again.
"Pardon my intrusion," said the robot voice of Nemu Kurotsuchi. "I come with a message."
Sasune didn't say a word. He was shell shocked.
"Is...this someone we need to worry about?" asked Aaron. He was already gearing himself up for a fight.
"Y-You…!" Clenching his teeth and balling his fists, Sasune took a step forward. Aaron could practically feel the bloodlust radiating off him. "You've got a lot of nerve…!"
"Relax, Sasune! You…"
"...not coming to see me sooner. Come and give me a hug, you cutie!"
Or perhaps Aaron's instincts weren't as sharp as he thought. He wasn't sure what to think when Sasune embraced Nemu like an old friend. She didn't either, hence why she didn't react at all. This didn't put a damper on Sasune's mood.
"Look at you! My beautiful, little sister! I could just eat you up!"
"C-Come again?" Aaron said, bewildered. "You...have a sister? And she's a Shinigami?"
"I can't believe you're okay after that loony Kurotsuchi bastard nearly hacked you to pieces. How can big brother Sasune help you today? Through hell or high water, I'll…!"
"Technically speaking," said Nemu, "I would be the older one."
Sasune thought the matter over. "...I guess that's true. And it's not like I'm not already a big brother with Uryuu. ...Wait. That means I can finally call someone Nee-chan. Is that alright? Hell yes! That's any man's dream! Nee-chan! Nee-chan!"
"I don't...think that's why she's here," Aaron was compelled to say. "Um…"
"Correct. Master Mayuri sent me here to give you something, Sasune Ishida," Nemu explained.
Sasune's goofy grin disappeared. "...You mean that bastard that nearly killed you. The bastard who nearly killed my brother. The bastard who nearly killed me."
"Yes," replied Nemu, paying no mind to the swelling anger in his words. "Here."
She held out a photo. Suspicious, Sasune snatched it out of her grasp with some hesitation. He also took his time in flipping it around.
"T-This…!" he said in shock.
"What's wrong?" Aaron couldn't help but take a peek at the picture. A rather creepy looking man—he assumed this must have been the 'Master Mayuri' Nemu kept going on about—stood next to a beautiful woman. In the middle was a girl that looked exactly like her, so much so that he questioned if it was her daughter. Studying the apparent family photo a bit longer, Aaron's eyes lit up in understanding. "That's your mother, isn't it? Then this little girl has to be…"
"Correct. I was known as Nemuri Nanagou back when Master Mayuri and Master Meiko first created me. This was photo was taken shortly before Master Meiko disappeared."
Now Aaron was hopelessly lost. "Your Mom and this guy...um…?"
"Hell no," replied Sasune. "When she said 'created,' she literally meant they made her."
Aaron remembered going over to Sasune's house as a kid. His mother made them peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, not entire human beings, in the kitchen. His head hurt from processing all of this, so he opted to simply stay out of the discussion.
"...Why are you giving this to me?" Sasune asked, suspicious.
"As I've stated, Master Mayuri wanted you to have it. He found it amongst his research materials and stated he had no use for it."
"I don't believe for a second that heartless bastard would go out of his way to do this. Did you…?"
Nemu bowed. "If you'll excuse me. Master Mayuri is waiting."
"W-Wait! Are you seriously going back to that guy?! Why not come with me? Look, I don't care how you were made! I may not have known my mother back when she was a Shinigami, but I know she treated you the same as she did me—with all the love and care in the world. That Mayuri Kurotsuchi isn't anything like that! Maybe he's brainwashed you or something, but…!"
"Thank you. You are as kind as Master Meiko. You are indeed her son." Nemu smiled. Aaron had never seen her before today, yet, he instinctively knew that wasn't something she did often. It was unnatural but also beautiful in a way. "However, you don't know of Master Mayuri's kindness. I am happy being with him. It is my job to protect him. That is my mission."
That wasn't a lie. No matter how incomprehensible it was to Sasune, he understood that wasn't something Mayuri programmed or commanded his daughter to say.
It had come from the bottom of her heart.
Nemu bowed again and departed, leaving Sasune debating on whether or not to go after her.
"You sure about that?" said Aaron once Nemu was no longer in sight. "I can chase her down if you want."
"...If I forced her to come with me, I'd be no better than Kurotsuchi."
"How mature of you."
"Besides, she's stubborn. ...Just like my mother. Just like me." Sasune shook his head and shrugged. "Women. Man made or not, I don't get them."
"Well, if that's what you decided. I won't..."
"Aaron. We need to talk."
The sound of his own name had never given him so much pause. He followed the soft voice that had called out to him.
It belonged to Kana.
"Finally sobered up?" he said with a laugh. He stopped. Kana, for the first time in his recollection, looked deathly serious. "...What's wrong?"
"Can you...come with me for a little while? There's something I need to show you."
END
