Happy New Year! It has been a while I admit but it will of course be worth the wait as I have quite an interesting chapter for you all. I would like to thank all the faithful readers for bearing with me and special thanks to those who reviewed:
TayakoX-glad you enjoy this so much.
Aquamarine99-I work very hard to make sure the events of this story are at least somewhat logical, thank you for noticing.
MiniMeani- Yes indeed Sui and Yoruichi belong solely to each other.
FongShihouin- I don't mean to make you sad but alas what good is a story that doesn't pull your heart strings. Even though you hate the man, try and give Yuu a chance he might surprise you.
Jfoto- Thanks!
WolfbaneXXX- Yes this emotional turmoil does get to be quite a bit much but nothing these two can't handle. Sui's journey to fully master her Bankai should be quite interesting for you.
Courtneynr15- I'm glad my original villian has that affect on you :) BTW look for a PM in your inbox from me.
Last but not least, MKThrall- Your input is more valuable than you know, thanks so much for everything!
Now that all that is out of the way without any further delay...
Only Ever Yours 13
Sui-Feng woke the next morning feeling more sluggish than any other time in her life. It seemed like every bone in her body protested even the slightest of movements. She groaned as the morning light shone through her window cheerfully, a complete contradiction to how she felt. With a groan, she forced herself to sit up. The movement caused her to cough and she realized her throat felt like sandpaper. So caught up in her pain, she failed to notice Shutara watching her from the corner of the room. The woman opted to stay silent, seemingly mulling over something as she watched her student adjust. When Sui made a move to get out of the bed, only then did the older woman speak.
"Don't push yourself." Shutara said as she went to sit on the side of the bed and gently pushed Sui-Feng back to her back. "I pushed you a little too much yesterday and I've realized that I've been training you too frequently. For that, I apologize."
Sui groaned and did as she was told without argument. Even if she did want to protest, her body wouldn't have allowed her to stand at up had she tried. Her arms felt like noodles and were shaking just from the exhaustion of standing up. With a sigh, Sui closed her eyes again frowning.
"Who do think you're kidding? You enjoy trying to kill me. You're pushing me to improve and I have to work harder if I'm to meet your expectations." She replied.
"Indeed." Shutara smirked at being called out. "You've already improved more than I could have hoped in such a short time. It would have taken any other soul 100 years to reach the point you have. I have helped you cheat some since the time you would have spent healing was nullified by my abilities. However, I seem to have forgotten that my healing does nothing for your energy which has been depleted to the point of causing you pain," Shutara replied as she poured a glass of water from the pitcher at the bedside table.
"Can't you do something for that?" Sui asked as she gratefully accepted the cool glass before downing the contents greedily.
"Possibly. But for now your body needs to learn how to deal with this on its own. Much like a hornet in its larvae stage your body is going through a metamorphosis to handle its new abilities. Soon you won't need to rest as long and you'll recover faster. In the meantime rest here. I have some matters to attend to and I'm afraid I will be gone for a while. In my absence, I expect you to have mastered your new found speed." Shutara stood up from the chair to leave. "Oh! And that reminds me...you might want to take this time to appease Suzumebachi, I am sure there is much more to be learned from her. However I suggest you do it quickly as she is only the stepping stone for your true challenge."
Sui-Feng nodded and felt her eyelids start to droop. "I will. When will you be back?"
Shutara gave a sad smile, "When you are ready I will be here." With that she placed her hand on the young captain's forehead causing her to fall into a peaceful sleep. "For your sake I do hope you will indeed be ready."
Yuu watched as Yoruichi finished a series of enchantments before placing a high profile force field around herself. Both could tell that the other was preoccupied by something but neither called the other out on it. Right now training seemed to be a welcome distraction from whatever was bothering them. Yoruichi had all but thrown herself into refining her demon magic under Yuu's tutelage. Each spell had become noticeably stronger and took less time to cast. At the pace she was making, Yuu wouldn't have been surprised if she was able to cast this last spell without an incantation before the week was out. These spells required a level of mastery that was above anything anyone in Soul Society knew in the case of kidou barriers.
Yuu decided to test the barrier lashing out his poison whip with a snap. It hit the barrier with a loud crack before a hissing sound was heard akin to a torch being doused in a bucket of water. The whip fell from its point of contact and wisp of smoke rose. Satisfied with her progress, Yuu recalled the whip.
"That's enough for now. You should return to your quarters to bathe and rest. We will continue later on today," The demon said before turning to head back into his castle. A tug on his sleeve stopped him and he turned to look over his shoulder to see Yoruichi nervously biting her bottom lip but not giving him eye contact. This was unusual behavior for such a strong woman but he had an inkling as to what was causing this anomaly in her character.
"Yes princess?" He asked softly.
"Would you join me?" Came the soft reply and Yuu was sure if it were not for his acute canine hearing he might have missed it. His eyebrows rose to meet his hairline as his jaw dropped in the opposite direction.
"Join you..."
"In bathing...Lord Yuu." Yoruichi answered. She was nervous but knew that she had to make a conscious effort to show she was willing to go through with this marriage. She had done a lot of reading last night to try and understand the mating rituals of demons and had found that females often showed their validation of the courtship by bathing with their males.
Yuu frowned but found himself agreeing, albeit reluctantly. If Yoruichi noticed, she didn't call him on it. When she began to make her way toward her wing of the castle, Yuu gently grabbed her arm and directed her towards his room instead. While he understood her intentions, he didn't want his inner beast to be compromised by the smell of Yoruichi's true lover. His beast knew it was being lied to and Yuu could feel it scratching beneath the surface but kept it at bay. His room would be safer for what Yoruichi planned to do.
When they arrived in his quarters, Yoruichi took the time to take in the immaculate room. The color scheme suited Yuu as reds and blues mixed with white and gold. The window leading to his balcony showed what Yoruichi guessed was his entire kingdom as far as the eye could see. The carpet was soft and tickled in between in her toes as she walked further inside. As she turned to look at the rest of the room, she noticed a picture of Yuu with two people whom she guessed were his parents. His father looked quite regal with a strong jaw and wide chest. One arm encircled a beautiful woman with hair black as night. Her eyes shined a beautiful bright blue and her smile was calming.
"My mother and sire," Yuu confirmed for her as he saw her staring at the portrait. Yuu's father had his hand on his head as he only came up to his hip the picture. Yuu had a smile that was contagious and Yoruichi found herself smiling as well, her nervousness for the moment forgotten.
"How old were you?" She asked turning to look at him noticing the far off look in his eyes as he too looked at the picture.
"Around 100 years or 10 years in human chronology," He answered. "My mother wanted a portrait of all of us and this is the only time I can remember my father coming close to smiling."
"You look very happy," Yoruichi answered. Her observation was met with silence and figured that Yuu wasn't keen on sharing anything more. She turned to head toward his bathroom and began to draw the water for the tub, her nervousness returning. She ensured the water was at a suitable temperature before turning to find Yuu standing in the door way watching her with piercing eyes.
She approached him slowly until she was standing almost chest to chest with him. Without looking at him, her hands went to his sash and began to pull when his hands gently closed around her forearms stopping her. Yoruichi looked up at him startled as he looked back at her seemingly searching for something.
"Do you know what you are doing?" He asked gently as if imploring her to change her mind. Yoruichi closed her eyes and took a deep breath before opening her eyes in determination and tugged harder on Yuu's sash causing his juban to flutter open. Carefully folding the sash and placing it on a nearby bench, Yoruichi let her hands cautiously caress his pale chest to move the clothing off his shoulders. Yuu let it slide off of his arms and to the floor, his eyes never leaving Yoruichi. She gently went to her knees before him before bowing her head to side and sweeping her hair over her left shoulder to reveal the smooth dark skin of the right side of her neck. This showed submission to the male. Reaching up she began to undress him the rest of the way. When he was without clothing Yuu walked into the tub and sat down.
'Almost there...I can do this.' Yoruichi thought as she turned make sure he was watching her as she slowly undressed. As expected Yuu's eyes never left hers and a rumble of approval could be heard as his inner beast scratched closer to the surface.
Yoruichi had always preferred being naked never quite caring that she made other people uncomfortable from time to time. However, this was different. While others would turn away in modesty Yuu was watching with the utmost scrutiny. From what she had read in her research on demon mating, undressing before the suitor was to show that she was unmarked and willingly giving herself to be marked by him.
Finally bare for him to see she walked slowly into the tub untying her hair to let it fall around her shoulders. She could see faint traces of red seeping around Yuu's irises as she came closer and knew that his inner demon was observing her as well. Apparently one's inner demon was the base instinct of any demon that only fully emerged in mating and battle. It was like a failsafe in a way. If the main consciousness of a demon was failing in battle, the inner demon would emerge but would be a mindless killing machine unless whatever it was battling against submitted or died. Yoruichi knew she had to be careful even though it seemed Yuu was still in control, but for how long she didn't know.
Yoruichi submerged herself fully as Yuu did the same. When they surfaced, Yuu gathered her into his arms and inhaled her scent the vibrations from the purr in his chest soothing her. Leaning her head to the side again Yuu licked her exposed neck before releasing her to wash him. Methodically, she washed him first and then herself. When she had finished and rinsed the suds from her body Yuu gathered her once again into her arms and climbed out. He then dried her off and then himself before taking her to his bed. Yoruichi felt her heart hammering in her chest as she was not quite sure what to expect next. She allowed herself to be laid down on the cool silk sheets of the bed and closed her eyes trying to calm herself.
Yuu's constant purring had stopped as he kneeled beside her bed. When nothing happened after several moments, Yoruichi opened her eyes to see Yuu's eyes clear of their red tint looking back at her. She began to ask what was wrong when he beat her to it.
"While your body submits to me I could smell your fear of me and your apprehension the moment I laid you down. I told you that I do not want a reluctant mate," He said softly.
"Forgive me but it's my first time, I'm merely nervous," She answered.
"Yoruichi...you're insulting me. Do you really think of me as a fool?" Yuu shook his head as he stood to grab a pair of clean hakama from a nearby dresser before quickly tugging them on. "I know."
Yoruichi looked at him hoping her face wasn't betraying her shock. 'He can't know...'
"Know what my lord?" She asked her voice wavering.
"I know you'd rather my hair was black, my eyes gray, my gender the opposite...I know why you look at and don't see me. I know why your heart doesn't reach your eyes when smile at me..."
Yoruichi gasped looking Yuu in the eye. She was met with a sad smirk from the man as he continued.
"...and most of all I know that you could never love me the way you love her. For her to affect your moods as much as they do, told me enough. At first, I thought she had done something to anger you but as time went on I've noticed that she looks at you the same way you look at her when you think no one sees. "
Yoruichi would have stopped breathing altogether if it were not for Yuu's distracting movements in handing her a bath robe to cover her nudity.
"Why aren't you angry?" She murmured.
"Who am I to tell who you can and cannot love?" He said as he shook his head.
"Who said anything about love?" Yoruichi said hurriedly.
"Do not patronize me like some fool," Yuu glared as he snatched a nearby juban and threw it on before securing it shut with a sash in snappy fashion. His harsh tone quitted Yoruichi. The silence in the room was deafening as the rustling of fabric seemed louder than it should have been. It seemed like forever before he continued.
"I know you don't want me to know you're using me. I know you don't want to marry me anymore than you want to give me children...but it seems that you're slowly becoming aware that you have no other choice. I will marry you, please your elders and give you children. However, allow me to level with you completely, should we mate you will forget everything about your bodyguard; who she is, her name, and any thoughts and feelings you may have had. That is the consequence in the pact of mating a demon. Your mind will lose any prior memory of loving another," Yuu said quietly but to Yoruichi he might have been screaming. The shock was apparent on her face.
"So I'm going to forget her?" Yoruichi asked in a scared whisper as if voicing such a thought was taboo.
"Yes. I have never heard of a demoness remembering a previous lover after she had been marked." Yuu continued, "Your elders and your father have put me in a damned position. Mate with you and save countless souls on both sides, or damn life as we know it to hell. Circumstances as they are, we will be mated by the next two moon cycles if not sooner. Your monster is growing impatient. I was hoping the mating bond would only strengthen the love I felt for the woman who loved me as much as I loved her. That's why I have not yet claimed a mate. I am trapped just as much as you are."
"Are you looking for sympathy? Sorry, fresh out," Yoruichi hissed.
"Your sympathetic notions are only needed for yourself. Any demon less honorable than I would have kept this from you given the situation and trapped you blindly. Would you rather I hide this from you?" Yuu all but growled. "I will not be responsible for the destruction of life. Think on this carefully...can you really be so selfish as to allow your feelings to bring the destruction of everything you know?"
"Don't you dare lecture me! Regardless of my feelings everything I know has already been destroyed...you're just the nail in the goddamn coffin," Yoruichi whispered shaking all the while as she tried to stop the tears of frustration that wanted to fall from her eyes. Seeing the defeated look in her eyes made Yuu drop his eye contact and look out of the window, his back turned to her. Yoruichi quickly stood and walked out of the room. She knew she was trapped and there was absolutely nothing she could do about it. The reality of her return to the life she had left was continuously weighing down on her. This was an inevitability that couldn't be changed or altered no matter how much she wished for different. How could she marry a man she barely knew and be forced to forget her only love? A chilling thought crept through her mind.
'Can I damn an entire way of life to hell?' Yoruichi knew that if she ran now, spirits, both dead and alive, would either cease to exist or would be stuck to wander oblivion for eternity. Yuu was right to fear the responsibility of such a thing. She wanted to be mad with the dog demon, but in a way she knew he was trapped just as much as she was.
Yuu sighed as he rethought his actions. Should he have taken her even though it would have been against her hearts will for him to do so? His inner demon growled in frustration as it could care less what her heart wanted. Pushing the angry inner voice to the back of his mind he reminded himself that he would do what was right regardless of his own selfish ambitions. Yoruichi had physically submitted to him and that was all his demon cared about but, what was the body without the mind? He would have to wait for her decision before any further action could be taken. It seemed time away from the situations would benefit her the most. Yuu donned the rest of his robes so that he was presentable and went to his study to think.
He began to summon the workers from the library to gather all the information they had on the mating pacts of dog demons and anything else equivalent to the matter. After hours of skimming various tomes for an answer a knock sounded from the door.
"Enter!" Yuu barked from frustration. His eyes were becoming tired from his search. Kenji entered the room and took a good look at his master.
"Are you well my lord?" He asked.
"Fine," Yuu answered as he snapped a tome shut and tossed it onto his desk with the rest of the books. "What is it that you need Kenji?"
"You summoned me my lord."
"I did?" Yuu frowned and rubbed his eyes. "Oh, that's right. Shihouin Yoruichi will be leaving us soon to the Human Realm and you are to accompany her there as a guard of sorts."
"Doesn't she already have a personal bodyguard?" Kenji asked.
"Yes, but I'm sending you for reasons other than protecting her. You are a demon that knows our customs and you can impart knowledge to Yoruichi on matters she may have questions on," Yuu answered with a sigh and slumped in his chair. This whole thing was mentally tiring.
"My lord may I speak freely?" Kenji bowed humbly waiting for an answer.
"You may."
"It seems that you wish to mate with this woman, but she does not wish to mate with you...so why are you lowering yourself to accommodate her? You could have the pick of any woman," Kenji reasoned.
"There are some things that take precedent over what I would want or like. While I am able to do whatever I wish this situation falls into politics. Yoruichi is in a place that she didn't ask to be but it seems the fates chose her and in conjunction chose me as well. She has to produce an heir with a man approved by her council and unfortunately for her current events makes me the only appropriate suitor for the task. Do not look at my kindness as lowering myself...look at it as bettering myself," Yuu answered slowly. "Or would you rather I give a demon's answer? The woman is strong and will bear strong pups that will carry on my line. She will be a useful attribute to my kingdom...sorry but that's a little too heartless for my taste at this moment."
Kenji thought on the words of his master and while he did not completely understand he trusted that Lord Yuu knew what he was doing. "As much as your demon scares me, I must agree that his outlook on the situation is quite cold and that Yuu-sama's approach sounds much more ethical," With a deep bow Kenji continued, "Forgive me my lord. I will make preparations to accompany Lady Yoruichi. Is there anything else?"
"You may see some things that may alarm you but be warned I already know anything that could possibly be hard for you to process. Also I want you to comply with her bodyguard. Be ready by dawn," Yuu answered.
'Momma! Momma!' A little boy cried and his small feet beat along the hard wood floor of his home. He was holding a frog that looked to be in between its tadpole and adult stage. The amphibious tail waggled between its two hind legs causing the boy to giggle at the squirming feeling. He could see the light through the partially open shoji of his mother's room when he heard a horrible scream.
The boy stopped in his tracks, breath caught in his throat, and eyes wide with fear. 'Momma?' He whimpered.
"No! Please! Give me back my husband!" He heard his mother yell before the sound of strangling could be heard. The boy, curiosity outweighing his fear, stepped cautiously toward the door and peered through the crack. A monster was kneeling over his mother's still body. The man raised a clawed hand and began to rip at her body. The boy screamed and the monster looked toward the noise. He leapt toward the door seeking out his unfortunate prey.
"Momma!" Kisuke sat up shouting. He was breathing like he had just run for days. Looking at trembling hands he tried to push the images of the dream from his mind.
Kukaku sat up next to him grumbling. "For the love of fuck! What now?"
Kisuke didn't answer and it didn't take long for Kukaku to realize something was wrong from the expression on the blonde's face. She softened her voice a bit before again asking, "What's wrong?"
"N-nothing...I'm fine. I'm a-absolutely f-fine." He muttered not looking at her. It wasn't until Kukaku put a hand under his chin and made him look at her that she noticed the tears that threatened to fall.
"I-I couldn't save her. I can't...sc-scared." He was beginning to hyperventilate. Kukaku began to shush him as she pulled his trembling form into her warm body. She placed his head on her breast and stroked his shaggy hair. Kisuke's gasps quieted down and his shaking lessened. Kukaku held him and placed soft kisses on the top of his head.
She had no idea what was making Kisuke unable to sleep soundly the past few weeks but his night terrors needed to stop. It was almost like the man she had fallen in love with had all but disappeared. His motivation to tinker in his lab was nonexistent, his smiles were forced, and his appetite wasn't what it used to be. There were many times Kukaku would catch him staring into space not seeing anything in front of him. She wanted to help him but didn't know how. He wouldn't talk about his dreams with her so she could only be patient until he was ready.
"I could help if you'd fucking let me," She murmured to him knowing that he could no longer hear her as he had fallen back to sleep. She sighed and continued holding him.
"The boy is having nightmares?" A deep voice rang out of the darkness of the room making Kukaku's hair stand on end.
Kukaku looked around not seeing anyone. "Who the fuck is there?"
"Someone that can help. How long has he been like this?" The voice came again. It was weird as Kukaku could not tell where it was coming from. It seemed like they were surrounded by it and that alarmed Kukaku to no end. "I asked you a question..."
"I heard you the first goddamn time." She snapped quietly. She figured that if whoever this was had the intention of doing them harm, they would have done it long ago while both of them were asleep. "A couple weeks now."
"You're a good woman to take care of him like this. Has he told you what's haunting him?" The voice asked.
"If I knew he wouldn't still be going through this shit. Know something you want to share with the class?" Kukaku asked exhaustedly.
"Not my place to tell you. He will when he's faced it himself. Right now he's running and for good reason too. I'm sure you've noticed something is severely amiss in Soul Society." The voice seemed to finally be coming from a general direction instead from everywhere now.
"No shit. Those dick knuckles only tell you what they think you should know then expect you to save the world. It's not like we could go there anyway," She answered as she willed her eyes to catch a glimpse of whoever it was in their bedroom.
"Maybe you were told only what you needed to know but the boy does know the severity of the situation. The Shihouin girl is in trouble and while the boy may not be the cause of it he is a part of it. Time will be a test for you both but I came here to ask something of you." A silhouette could just barely be discerned in the darkness now.
"And I should help a fucking coward in the shadows because?" Kukaku asked.
"It's not me you're helping, it's him. He'll need your support or else he just might snap. You have to stay by his side and assist him in anything he might need. Because if he falls into the hands of his internal demons, if that happens...he'll die."
The declaration was met with silence. Kukaku looked at Kisuke as he shifted in her arms. As long as she had waited to be with him she'd be damned if she left him now. "That isn't something you even need to ask of me."
Sui felt comfortable and safe. Two things that were quite foreign to her. Someone was holding her and stroking her forehead. Cool caring fingers swept across her hot forehead. A soothing humming could be heard and she sighed at the content feeling.
"I see you're awake now," Suzumebachi hummed. "Open your eyes Sui-Feng."
Sui did as she was told and found herself in her mindscape. The atmosphere was calm and tranquil ever since Suzumebachi had separated herself.
"How did I get here? I don't remember meditating," Sui asked quietly.
"You were sleeping and it's easier for me to pull you here when your mind is at rest. I feel it is time we spoke about your recent changes," Suzumebachi answered continuing to stroke the captain's brow.
"Why did you keep this power from me?" Sui asked right away. This caused Suzumebachi to sigh.
"As I told you before, you were not ready. An angry mind is a narrow mind. I was protecting you from yourself. What would you have done to the Shihouin girl had I given you your true potential?"
Sui-Feng didn't answer as she knew she probably would have killed Yoruichi.
"I know you better than you know yourself sometimes. I wish you would heed my voice when I speak to you but like a child you are hard headed and foolish. My voice is quiet and when your soul is full of sorrow and anger you cannot hear my voice." Suzumebachi trailed her finger down the smooth plane of Sui-Feng's jaw.
"Why do you care so much?" Sui asked causing the zanpaktou to laugh. Leaning down so they were eye to eye she answered her.
"I am you, you are me. Our spirit is split from the same soul. I am an extension from you that you would do well to listen to. I look out for your well-being because you were destined to face turbulence throughout your life. I will protect you and teach you until you can handle it on your own."
Suzumebachi straightened back up and went back to stroking the captain's forehead in silence. Sui-Feng weighed the words that had been said and while there were many things she wanted to say she settled for just one.
"Thank you." Suzumebachi's movements stopped as she heard the words. Looking down she saw the small smile being directed at her and couldn't help but give one back.
"Don't thank me just yet. Your training is only going to get harder but hopefully now that we've come to an understanding you will trust me more and your progress will increase exponentially." The zanpaktou stood and walked a ways before turning back the captain. "On your feet."
Sui-Feng did as she was told. She didn't feel tired or sore and figured something must have changed while she slept. She felt...different.
"Let's play a little game you should be familiar with. Catch me." Suzumebachi disappeared from sight and Sui quickly gave chase feeling out for the humming vibration she had become familiar with. She would come close to catching the woman that was her zanpaktou only for her to speed up and lengthen the distance between them. This continued for a while until Sui became used to the pulsing hum in and around her. Tracking her speedy zanpaktou was easier and she was becoming faster. A little while later Suzumebachi called the exercise to a stop and looked approvingly at Sui-Feng.
"Good your mastery of your Pulse is almost complete." She said.
"So that's what it's called? That's an interesting name for it." Sui-Feng noted.
"Actually, it's quite appropriate. Every element of life, from a small blade of grass to the Menos, have life forces that are akin to the pulses you felt when chasing me." Suzumebachi answered.
"So in another words it's another form of detecting reiatsu?"
"Not even close. Those creatures you fought, did you even feel any trace of reiastu from them?"
Sui thought for a moment and then noticed that the woman was right. The bathyms were hard to detect because they didn't use reiatsu. "Then how?"
"They are moving creatures. Their movement or pulse can be felt by you no matter what. Others may be able to feel them nearby because of the chilling feeling of death that surrounds them almost like an instinctual sense but even this can fail. You now have the advantage against them in a fight."
Sui nodded somewhat surprised to what she was hearing. The zanpaktou laughed at her master's expression.
"Now while this is all a lot for you to process you'd better save it for later. It's about time we improved your control of your Shikai."
"What else is there to learn?" The captain asked with a frown.
"You'll have to see but remember there is another that is waiting for you when I am done so time is of the essence."
Sui-Feng frowned and thought for a moment. "Who?"
"Jakuho Raikoben."
Soul Society
Toshiro swiped some of his sweat on the shoulder of his uniform as he tried to figure out a way to best his opponent. He couldn't fully see Dyrim and the shadows weren't helping matters either. Dyrim was definitely taking joy in messing with the young captain's mind. At this point, Toshiro was trying to figure out where Dyrim was going to attack from next. The moon high in the sky cast tall shadows everywhere giving the Adept quite the advantage.
"It seems you are beginning to weaken," Dyrim hissed menacingly. To Toshiro it was as if the voice coming from every side so there was no pin pointing its source. The ice captain would have to wait for Dyrim to strike first and be fast enough to move away. Toshiro tsked in annoyance as he was sick of waiting for his enemy to move. He had no idea his situation was the same as the other captains who all but had their backs against the proverbial wall of obliteration.
Komamura swung his sword at his opponent and Tengen Moy-o faithfully mimicked his actions descending its blade onto Belgaer. The impact sent a cloud dust into the air covering the surrounding area. Komamura remained motionless as he waited for his vision to clear. As the dust slowly settled Komamura could faintly see the silhouette of a hulking man holding the giant katana off of his shoulder.
"How?!" Komamura yelled in disbelief.
"Easy," Belgaer answered in deep baritone as he squeezed the muscles in his hand until the sound of metal snapping rang through the area. "You're weak." The chunk of warped katana was tossed to the side as the rest of the broken weapon shattered like glass around the Belgaer.
Komamura squeezed the hilt of his katana as he kept his eyes on the enemy. "Oh and you believe your strong with such morals?" He growled.
"Your idealistic notions are ridiculous. Such things can only come to fruition in a utopia which this world, your reality, is not. The weak die and the strong survive. I do believe the living call it survival of the fittest." Belgaer answered as he looked at Komamura with an expression that all but let Komamura know that the man didn't give a damn what he destroyed.
"How about this little poodle... Let's pit your ideals against my realism and see who walks away alive." Belgaer gave a cold smile before leaping at the werewolf.
Byakuya could barely believe his eyes as he couldn't help but stare at Hisana. The smile on his face told him that it was indeed her. As his feet walked him closer his nose told him that it was her scent he smelled. He reached out to stroke her cheek to check to see if he was indeed dreaming when he was bludgeoned away from his prize by Renji.
"Captain snap out of it!" Renji cried out as he tried to stand between his master and danger. Byakuya couldn't hear his previous lieutenant and slowly climbed back to his feet like zombie marching back to the woman with her arms outstretched welcoming him.
"Come my love," She said with compassion and love that he could not resist.
"Hisana," Byakuya echoed.
"Kuchiki-taichou!" Renji yelled.
Byakuya blinked his eyes as warm liquid showered his face and the air around him held the pungent coppery tang of blood. His mind was foggy and slow to react but he did notice the something from the person in front of him. His eyes widened in horror as his mind cleared enough for him to recognize his old vice-captain staring back at him with surprise, anguish and disbelief in his eyes. Byakuya looked down at the hooked tip protruding from the man's stomach.
"Abarai!" Byakuya choked out before jumping away from the sickled blade still questing for its intended target.
"How pathetic," Renji's body was tossed to the side like a doll to once again reveal Hisana looking pleadingly at Byakuya. "He tried to get in the way of our happiness. Come to me."
This time Byakuya stayed motionless save for the silent shaking of his body as every muscle tensed trying to hold back uncontrollable anger and hatred. Byakuya could feel his mind slowly snapping like the slow trail of a bead of sweat before it drops.
"Stop. Enough!" He barked as he looked at what his eyed deceptively told him was his long dead wife. Instead he focused his eyes on what he knew, the partner who had been with him all these years had jumped in front of a blade meant for him, that same comrade was gasping for breath with pierced lungs slowly bleeding out.
The fog from his mind slowly began to lift and the mirage disappeared to reveal a beautiful woman with hazel eyes and black hair. Too bad she wasn't his type.
Byakuya lunged forward Senbonzakura drawn as he heatedly snarled his intent. "I'm going to kill you."
"Byakuya-kun." Hisana whispered and for a moment her cold lifeless eyes came to life." Help me."
The thrust of his sword missed its intended target as he could not bring himself to strike down the woman who so resembled his late wife. His mind was so caught up in the sight before him that he failed to notice the blood bubbling from Renji's mouth as he attempted to warn his former captain of the danger closing in behind him.
Every captain found themselves engaged with the enemy. Some were lucky to have the assistance of another captain or they were cursed to have to handle the enemy themselves.
"Ken-Chan! Ken-Chan! Can you feel that Toshi and Smiley and are fighting some really strong guys. Let's go!" Yachiru cried out as she all but spurred her heels into the hard frame of the 11th squad captain.
"Hn? What the hell is this shit? Everyone's fighting but me." Kenpachi drawled as he frowned.
"Well let's go Kenny! Giddy up!" Yachiru repeated her action from before and this time Kenpachi broke into a quick run heading toward the the biggest battle. He turned the next corner and jumped back as a jagged sword descended where he had been standing before.
"What the hell?" Kenpachi growled as he looked up at the person responsible but, what he saw made him begin to grin like the madman he was. In front of him was none other than the spitting image of himself grinning back in a devil may care demeanor.
"Oh so you're this guy huh?" faux Kenpachi asked as his grin got wider.
"The hell are you?" Kenpachi asked as he scratched his head.
"Nothing but a suicidal memory." faux Kenpachi lashed out at Yachiru aiming to remove her head. Kenpachi jumped back distancing the girl from danger. Yachiru removed herself from her perch on the warriors should set about removing herself from the area. This man had just made her Ken-chan furious. Whether it was in a good or bad way she was unsure and found a safe ways away to watch the fight.
For Satoshi and Shunsui a woman would be the source of their problems, specifically two. Nanao held Kyaraku's zanpaktou in either hand, crossed over her chest and stood stock still. Both blades faced inward scissoring her head in between the unforgiving edges of steel. Every time either moved toward her the space would tighten dangerously.
Shunsui watched the trickle of blood escape Nanao's pale neck and his jaw tightened. "Nanao..."
"Does this girl mean something to you?" Nanao's mouth moved but the voice that spoke was not hers. It was eerie. Cold. Dead.
Satoshi looked around for the source of their problems. "Don't move." he murmured to the Sou-taichou.
"Don't you think I know that?" Shunsui snapped.
A laugh resounded through the area. "So predictable. All I needed was to take control of this girl and you're powerless. Men are so pathetic."
"This is coming from a bitch that has to hide behind a hostage to fight." Shunsui spat as his mind raced quickly for a solution.
"I look at it more as collateral. All we want is the Shihouin girl. Whether you give her to us or we leave a trail of blood in our quest to find her is up to you. Make this easy on yourself and give her up." Nanao's body shivered as the devilish voice left her lips.
"I would say you're going about this all wrong." Satoshi spoke up. His air of confidence made Nanao's puppet master curious as to what the man thought he knew.
"Oh and what would you do in your predicament Shihouin?" The question was sharp and mocking but the blades around the fukutaicho's neck loosened slightly.
"You want my daughter then you'll have to get me first. She wouldn't let her father stay in the hands of the enemy. Yet you capture someone who means little to your cause." Satoshi answered still searching around him for any source of his enemy's location. He wouldn't have to wait long as Kibeth came forward.
"Interesting," Kibeth brushed her hands over the bell bandolier across her chest before pulling a medium sized bell out carefully holding the bell's tongue still so that it did not ring freely. Turning the bell over, she waved it 4 times in a simple lazy 8 pattern and the ringing sound hung in the air. The sound sweet and compelling as the magic of it requested to be obeyed and Nanao dropped the twin swords from their dangerous position around her neck. The vice-captain tossed the swords to Shunsui who immediately grabbed them brandished them toward- the bell ringer.
Satoshi eyed the bandolier counting the bells and strategizing how to maybe separate them from their wielder. Before he could move to take action Kibeth's ringing pattern changed to triangular as she swiftly pulled a larger bell from the belt and let it's loud voracious sound mix with the sweet lull of the first one. The sound made Satoshi grit his teeth but not before the sound gripped both men and Shunsui felt himself moving against his will. He struggled but could nothing to stop his arms from thrusting his weapons through the soft stomach of his lieutenant.
"Nanao! Nanao!" He yelled willing with all his might for his arms to withdraw the metal from his vice-captains stomach. Satoshi had tried to move to remove the girl from the situation but he was just as trapped as the commander.
"Now this is more like it. All three of you are trapped and all you can do is scream." Kibeth laughed over the din of her bells. Shunsui felt rage like no other grip him as his struggles were fruitless and Nanao's look of anguished pain as she walked her body further into the sharp blades toward her captain's hands. The squelching sound was sickening as she further impaled herself. Satoshi felt himself being forced to watch as the ringing in his ears caused his mind to begin to fog and his mouth began to feel like cotton. His legs felt like they had fallen asleep and were completely unresponsive. The agonizing tone became louder and louder until Satoshi's head felt like it was splitting in two.
The sound became too much and akin to a dog Satoshi practically yowled at the noise. As he did, he could feel whatever invisible force that was holding him budge and saw Shunsui's swords begin to withdraw from Nanao. He yowled louder in the same tone and focused on changing his vocal chords to his feline ones to boost the volume. Kibeth's first bell cracked down the middle and the handle turned to ash in her hand. Just as the broken bell clanked silently to the ground, Nanao collapsed and Shunsui's swords were yanked out. Satoshi wasted no time in lunging after Nehima with his katana drawn. He slashed and missed as the bell ringer had wasted no time escaping. He cursed his luck and turned his attention back to the commander and his fallen vice-captain. Shunsui held Nanao's bleeding form in his arms with a look of horror on his face.
"I have to get her to Retsu," Without another word he was gone. Satoshi reached out trying to feel how the rest of the captains were doing when he felt Komamura's reiatsu disappear like a snuffed out candle. However as he felt the death he also felt a massive dark force due west. His body broke out in a cold sweat and the feeling made his stomach twist and turn. That had to have been where Osamu was but he couldn't be sure.
Belgaer had had no problem killing Komamura as the werewolf had tried to repeatedly best him in speed in strength. There was no contest and while his opponent had been fun to destroy his soul was in no way appetizing so he let the beast die naturally. Now he had moved on to bigger more interesting prey. The only creature to ever look upon his master's true form and not succumb to death interested him.
"Belgaer!" A voice called out to him. He looked over to see Yrael hot on his trail.
"Are we going to entertain our guest of honor?" The pale skinned man asked with a smile that was too wide for his face.
"Hmph. More like entertain myself and handle what Kibeth failed to," He answered gruffly and felt himself smile as the Shihouin leader came into view. When they were close enough they could feel the rage emanating off the were-panther. His fist was gripped tight around the katana he held and his teeth were being ground so hard both men could hear it.
"Where is he?" Satoshi growled as the dust around his feet swirled as his reiatsu began to skyrocket. His eyes glowed and his eye teeth began to elongate into fangs as his beast wanted out.
"I'm sorry but the master is only available by appointment only and currently his only opening is for a one Shihouin Yoruichi. However we've been instructed to keep you entertained for the time being," Yrael said smugly with a smile to match.
"You think this is a game?" Satoshi hissed as he eyed Yrael.
"I don't know if I would call it a game but I'm certainly having fun."
Both Belgaer and Yrael lunged at him intent on taking his head clean off. Satoshi ducked and dodged the blows Balgaer and Yrael continuously threw. It was easier to avoid Balgaer because his massive size made him slower but one mistake would end Satoshi if he wasn't careful, the big man wasn't that much slower than him. Yrael however, was as fast as he was strong so the doubled task of avoiding the life ending blows was beginning to take its toll. He had to get to Osamu no matter what it took even if it meant possibly walking into a trap. His only clue to his location was the dark mass he felt after Komamura died. It was hunch but it would have to do.
Going on the offensive Satoshi grabbed Yrael's arm just as the sickle missed his midsection and redirected the blow toward Belgaer. The sickle found its target and was imbedded deep in the giant's thick midsection. Yrael tugged but the blade refused to come free. Belager on the other hand seemed not to appreciate that he had been hit by his own comrade and fiercely backhanded the smaller man away from him. Those few scant seconds was all Satoshi needed as he bypassed the men and shunpoed to where he thought Osamu was located. It didn't take him long to find the small encampment that had been made by the bathyms. There were torches that were made out of bone that had been stuck into the ground. Human fat, dry grass, and god knew what else had been clumped together on the end of the bone torches for fuel and burned brightly causing an odor that almost made Satoshi vomit. Still he pressed on. Bathym after bathym jumped in his way but he was relentless swinging his twin katanas and slicing through them severing the bone and sinew of his enemies as they fell to the wayside.
A primal blood lust began to well up inside of him the closer he came to the demon he so desperately yearned to kill for years. Thoughts of past failures flashed in his mind with each enemy that fell. His wife dying as Yoruichi gave her first cry, Sai and his family dying protecting his daughter, the young girl that had been beaten and raped by this disgusting bastard...all of it drove Satoshi as he pushed harder through the line.
"Face me you bastard! Meet me and my blade!" Satoshi roared as he left a path of carnage in his wake. Revenge was the only thing on his mind. It seemed that even the mindless beasts he was destroying were beginning to get the message as they began to abandon the path they were once guarding to avoid the blood thirsty Shihouin.
It wasn't until he cut down the last monster that dared to face him, did Satoshi notice that everything had gone quiet. Foam had gathered at the corner of his mouth and his panther teeth pushed past his upper teeth. The beast inside him had risen to the occasion and wanted blood. Eyes red with rage he looked around for any sign of an enemy. The flames from the torches flickered and went out. The only sound that could be heard was the sound of Satoshi's heavy breaths.
Suddenly, the ground shifted underneath him and it seemed like hundreds of hands were grabbing at him trying to pull him underground. Satoshi jumped away from the grasping appendages to a safer area. More bathyms pulled themselves from out of the ground and charged at the angry were panther. A guttural laugh could be heard from him as he was once again faced by the enemy.
"And here I thought you learned your lesson by now, but if you want to precede your master past the gates of hell I'll oblige you!" Satoshi laughed as if he was truly insane. "Come to me! Osamu!"
The sounds of inhuman cries broke through the air as Satoshi was a blur among the black shadows ripping every entity apart. For every bathym he cut asunder two jumped in its place and Satoshi welcomed it. He fought like a mad man possessed. The panther inside him roared fiercely as it pushed to give him more power. The Shihouin's eyes continued to glow red as blood. "I'll fight your whole army if I have to Osamu but I will find you! When I do, my blade will taste your flesh!"
"IS THAT SO SHIHOUIN?" The booming voice broke through the cries of the bathyms and they began to back away. They backed to the edges of the area stumbling over the cut open bodies of their dark brothers and bowed low to the ground.
Once again the ground opened up and a massive bone throne rose out of the earth. Osamu sat with red eyes trained on the warrior before him. Instead of steadily decaying skin, smooth skin and toned muscles showed under the black robes he wore. Silver clasp held the cloth on his frame. Thick black gauntlets rested on his thick forearms. The most noticeable part of his ensemble was the bone helmet that adorned his head. It looked like he had killed a hollow with horns and hollowed out the skull. He looked through the empty eye sockets at Satoshi and let a smirk appear on his face. Satoshi snarled baring sharp fangs at his enemy.
"Did you receive my little gift? I was sad to see her go but I felt she could serve me better as a messenger." Osamu smiled as if remembering a fond memory.
"You'll pay for what you did to her," Satoshi snapped.
"Oh? And who's going to make me? You?" Osamu mocked. "I have to say though...the entire time I was having my fun with her, I was thinking of your little girl."
Satoshi had heard enough and lunged at the demon and ran him through with both swords. Osamu gasped in pain and looked down at the blades protruding from his abdomen and shock registered in his eyes. Satoshi smirked but it didn't last long.
"Just kidding," Osamu snapped the blades from the hilt and back handed Satoshi away from him. The Shihouin hit the ground hard and lie still. Osamu jerked himself out of his throne and stood.
"Did you really think that was going to work? I thought you to be a smarter man than that. What a disappointment. I hope you didn't think that you were going to come here, save the day, and go home a happy man. I'm going to enjoy killing you slowly, but not before I knock you around a bit." He stood over Satoshi. The Shihouin had been making motions to stand but it seemed like half his rib cage on the left side had been crushed. Osamu rolled his eyes and reached down to grab him by the neck and lift him off his feet. Satoshi gasped for air and clawed at the thick arm that held him captive.
"You see the difference between you and I, is that you are going to die...easily. I on the other hand, can be run through with your little swords, burned, frozen, melted; but each time I rise. I've ascended into something greater. I cannot die."
Satoshi growled and mumbled something as he allowed his beast to grow his nails into hardened claws. Osamu barked a laugh.
"I'm sorry, what was that? I couldn't hear it over the sound of me choking you," Osamu mocked as he leaned in and loosened his grip slightly.
"I said..." Satoshi began as a black aura began to form around his body, Osamu frowned. "Everything that has a life and breathes must also to have a time to die."
Osamu yelled as Satoshi's black aura turned blindingly bright white and burned him. He ripped his hand away from Satoshi's body as it burned to touch him. Bringing up his burned arm he saw that his flesh had begun to decay again.
"NO!" He roared and glared at the man responsible. Satoshi looked back at him defiantly.
"I came here with the intention to die but you aren't going to be the one to take my life." Satoshi snapped.
"You were using dark kido?" Osamu said in wonder. "How?"
"My best friend that you killed, was willing to give his entire life force to take that thing you put in his son to the grave with him. This is an ultimate sacrifice and a technique you'll never learn."
"You think that will kill me?" Osamu grunted as he dropped his decaying arm. Maggots and rotting flesh dropped to the ground.
"No but it does buy time. Now let me tell you the real difference between you and me. You are a sniveling little bitch that has always run from fate. That's why you cling to cheating death, but a real man knows when his time has come and welcomes it. I won't let you have my daughter or my grandchild."
Osamu backed away from Satoshi as he came closer. "Get him!" He yelled at the bathyms that surrounded them but they were falling apart from being so close to his shining body. Satoshi pulled knives from his belt and threw them into Osamu's knees making the demon fall into kneeling position. He pulled out two more in quick succession and threw them into the hands that Osamu had used to brace himself. Running up he grabbed the demon by his head and ripped the bone helmet off his head. Clawed hands gripped Osamu's head tightly making him cry out in anger and pain as the life force that surrounded Satoshi decayed the body that he had worked so hard to restore. Taking his thumbs, Satoshi dug them into Osamu's eye sockets taking his sight from him.
"I hate these damn eyes of yours. I have not stopped seeing them since you took Yukina from me!" Satoshi growled as he dug harder into the squelching, decaying flesh. He willed his hands to squeeze tighter hoping to crush Osamu's skull. The demon let out a yell that could be heard by all.
Nehima and Axazel stopped their battle with Kurosutchi and Byakuya to leave and go to their master. The same with all the other Adept. Something was wrong and their master was calling. Balgaer ripped the sickle out of his stomach with a grunt and ran to his master. Yrael grabbed his tool and did the same. They all arrived at the same time to attack Satoshi. He roared in pain as he was run through by all 8 Adept at once but refused to release his death grip on Osamu. Saere had to back away as the life force had began to make his hands peel. Dyrim wasn't as lucky as he had gotten too close and the flames from Satoshi's life force engulfed him. He didn't even have a chance to cry out before he crumbled and died.
Yrael pulled back his sickle and cut Satoshi's hands off severing the hold he had on Osamu, freeing him. Satoshi laughed a haunting bitter laugh that chilled all those present as they quickly retreated. He burned brighter and brighter until he was as bright as a bonfire of white light.
It is said that a light burns its brightest before it goes out.
Satoshi smiled one last time.
'Yoruichi, I hope you know much I love you, my daughter, my pride and joy...Here I come, Yukina.'
And with that Shihouin Satoshi died.
Kisuke awoke groggily as he felt like his entire rest had been a complete out of body experience. He extracted himself from Kukakku's caring grip and went to the bathroom. Splashing water on his face to wash the sleep from his eyes he sighed in frustration. His nightmares had come back from his time as a child and he had no idea what had triggered them. He didn't remember much from his childhood besides his time with the Shihouin's but he did remember watching his mother be murdered before his very eyes. Gritting his teeth he thumped his fist against the wall in frustration as he willed himself to forget and move on. Shrugging into his striped coat he went outside the watch the sun rise. Any other time he was able to marvel at the beauty of such a phenomenon held but currently he was numb. He couldn't bring himself to care about anything. He felt bad for Kukakku as their recent development of a relationship had all become stagnant because of recent events. At first Kukakku thought he was still hung up on Yoruichi but he had assuaged her fears and told that was not the case. Kisuke had no idea what was wrong. He should have been ecstatic to have the attention of such a smart, beautiful, and strong woman...yet none of that mattered.
Kisuke sighed and tried to bring himself to feel something as the sun climbed higher and higher but nothing came. Except for a flash of pain as he was struck hard across the face and into the door of his shop.
"You gotta be fucking kidding me! Why didn't you move?!" A man bellowed.
Kisuke felt dizzy as he sat up. His vision swam but he could make out the large man with a bald head and black beard, holding a large gourd in one hand with the other on his hip.
"I'm sorry, but who're you?" Kisuke groaned as he picked himself up.
"Don' worry 'bout that. Worry about surviving cause right now you aint making the cut kid, but to make this easy on both of us I guess I'll get the damn introduction out of the way. I'm Osho, you're Kisuke. I'm the master, you're my student. Got it?" Osho jabbed a thumb at his chest.
Kisuke scratched his head in bewilderment and picked himself out of the splintered wood of what used to be his shop door. "So Osho-san what are we training for?"
"If I told you, you wouldn't believe me," Osho answered as he laid the huge gourd down on its side to use it as a makeshift seat. "I still can't believe how big you've gotten. You know you look just like her..."
Kisuke looked at the man and narrowed his eyes. "I'm sorry...do I know you?"
Osho shook his head. "Nope last I saw you, you were a small crying boy. Now while you aint a boy anymore, but I see you're still crying."
That struck nerve in Kisuke and his spiritual pressure fluctuated for moment before calming back down.
"If you have business with me I suggest you conduct it in such a way that doesn't cause me to throw you out." Kisuke threatened.
"You can't throw me out and we need to get a move on this if you're to be ready to meet him. Time's is-!" Osho stopped in mid-sentence and his eyes widened slowly in disbelief. Kisuke quirked a brow at the man's behavior beginning to wonder if he was dealing with a nutcase of some sort.
"Shit," Osho said after a minute of not moving.
"Glad to see you're still in there. I was beginning to think you checked out of your brain.
"Kid this aint no time for jokes.I was getting ready to say time isn't our enemy at the moment but after what I just felt we need to get you on track or else you and your hot girlfriend are fucked and I don't mean in a good way." Osho growled as he stood from his gourd and approached Kiskue to size him up.
"Then how about we cut to the chase and you tell me what this is about," Kisuke answered.
"What would you say if I told you we're gonna catch the bastard that killed your mom?" Osho knew Kisuke's answer as he watched a light flicker in the man's eyes for the first time in weeks.
Well there you have Only Ever Your chapter 13. I hope you enjoyed it and please remember to review. Your feedback is the fuel that keeps this fire burning and I love hearing from you all. Until next time take care and Happy New Year! :)
Melodious Reprieve