Disclaimer: Bleach is owned by Kubo.

Chapter 6: Behind Closed Doors

Ichigo finds himself heaving his breath. Sweat beads dropping from his forehead to his chin then to the ground one after another. He barely feels his arms and knees as his sword now struck on the ground serves as his only support to keep himself barely standing. Last night's memory crosses his mind.

It is weird for him to be even tiptoeing inside his own house, pushing the doors as slowly as possible to prevent any sound form waking up the person inside the room from her deep slumber and shuts it as gentle as possible. He slowly approaches the lone bed in the room that isn't his own, his heart pounding hard against his chest every time he takes a step against the wooden floor fearing it will make a loud creak—fearing more the trepidation he will face if the slumbering monster wakes and sees him intruding her space sneakily. It isn't the first time he's been here but the room feels much bigger. For him, it feels like an eternity closing the gap between the bedroom door and her bed.

Once by her bedside, Ichigo finally lets out the breath he didn't know he was holding. He studies her sleeping face against the moonlight shining down directly on her from the open window as though nature itself has made it happen deliberately. He takes in a moment to contemplate on his current actions and heaves a sigh. 'Honestly, why am I acting like a thief inside my own house?' He reproaches himself internally as he decides to open his mouth to wake her up, his hand approaching her shoulder to shake her but he freezes once his eyes land once more on her peaceful face and hesitates. A second passes and then another before he gives up the idea. Instead, he opts into kneeling beside her and stare at her face a bit longer. He notices a strand of hair on her face and decides to tuck it behind her ear as gentle as possible, taking note of the feeling of the smoothness of her cheek against his fingers.

" You're only this docile when you're asleep." He whispers to her sleeping form. " I won't wish you goodbye tomorrow. I'll take you away from that place, midget. Wait for me until I'll have the power to take you away from that place."

" What's wrong, Ichigo? You seem distracted. No more strength to fight?" Shihoin Yoruichi asks him as she stands tall in front of him, looking down on his crouching form. She taunts.

"Heh!" Ichigo huffs, pushes his upper body to straighten and glowers at him opponent. He pulls out his sword from the ground and points it towards his mentor. " I'm not done yet." He runs towards the tanned woman, his sword in thrusting position in front of him.

Shihoin sees this and makes an upward slash with her sword, cancelling the momentum of Ichigo's attack and clashing her sword with his. "Do you understand why I, using a normal sword, can keep up with you, who is using a holy sword?" She asks as she exerts force and pushes him backwards. This time, it is her turn to take offensive as she immediately change the direction of her sword to strike him down. Ichigo barely manages to move his blade in front of him to stop the attack. " It's because holy swords are nothing but normal swords if the owner they acknowledged thinks nothing of them as mere blades."

Ichigo manages to push her back and create a distance between them, to regain his stance. However, his mentor does not allow him room to breathe as she immediately jumps at him again to exchange blows—the sound of clashing metals steadily fills his ears as he feels the impact of Yoruichi's attacks ripple in his arms. " What do you mean by that?!" He asks through gritted teeth as he tries to fend of the upward slash she sends towards him.

" Think Ichigo!" He hears Yoruichi telling him as she pushes down her blade towards him. He successfully evades it but earns a cut on his cheek as a consequence. " Try and remember the feeling when the sword recognized you as its owner." She gives him a round kick which he blocks with his sword, the force sends him a meter away.

' Feeling?' Ichigo muses as he watches out for his mentor's next attack. ' That electric sensation from before? Is that what she means?' He thinks to himself. He tries to remember the feeling and feels a slight bolt of electricity in his vein. 'There it is!' Ichigo sees another attack aimed towards him and he counters it. Unexpectedly, he sees his mentor sent back upon impact of his sword clashing with hers. The tanned woman wears an equally perplexed expression as he was wearing as well. " I see." He mumbles to himself as he grips his sword tighter. Letting the sensation of electricity coming from the sword course through his entire body. Ichigo swings his sword to the side and the force itself was strong to create waves in the still lake.

" Seems like you're getting the gist, Ichigo." Shihoin Yoruichi says as she wipes the blood on her lips—the impact she receives from the holy sword much stronger than she expects. " I guess Isshin will have to provide me free treatment for the rest of my life then. Let's hope the temple compensates me when I file for damages. " She mumbles to herself. She holds her sword in front of her. " Give it all you've got then, Ichigo!" She cries out and charges towards him.

-000-

" A whole team of templar knights has been killed last night by inside the west forest. One unit captain plus ten other gold rank knights. Their bodies were found this morning by the farmers passing along the area and was reported immediately." Juushiro Ukitake reads the report. " Bishops Hitsugaya and Komamura along with some of the best knights left an hour ago to investigate deeper. But the preliminary report suggests—" He pauses and looks up towards his superiors. Both the head bishop and the grand priestess stares at him intently, waiting to for him to continue. "—t-that it is the dark shadow's doing basing on the flesh wounds that the victims suffered. This has been the fifth incident in a week. The number of Templar knights has decreased to half and their moral seems to be heavily impacted by the purging." He finishes.

Rukia clenches her hands on her lap but keeps silent, face in obvious distraught.

The head bishop lets out a contemplative hum. " Good work. I'm sorry to bother you when you're having another attack of your symptoms again." He tells Juushiro who smiles at him weakly. The white-haired bishop then dismisses himself from their presence to get some rest.

" And here I thought he's been behaving himself since his reports of his terror attacks have greatly dwindles in the last thirty years and suddenly stopped this last three months. I honestly suspected that he grew weaker but this happens." Kyoraku says wistfully as he rubs his forehead. " He's directly attacking the temple again. So even a group of the most our most talented knights are powerless against him. How inhumane."

" It's no surprise." She says. " This has been like this since dark shadow's appearance in history. More than a thousand years of him reigning in terror."

The grand priestess feels the head bishop's stare at her and hears him say, " I wonder what kind of sin our ancestors have committed in the past for us to bear this curse and still see no end to it." He then lets out a sigh. " How hard must it be for you to bear such responsibility no one else can? As the goddess' chosen one, is it truly a blessing or a curse?"

" I never knew you cared for me that much." The grand priestess notes.

Kyoraku Shunsui grins at her playfully. " Well without our beloved grand priestess, the temple's authority will crumble and I'll be nothing but an unemployed uncle with a bit of holy power in me." He lets out an abashed laugh as he scratches the back of his head. " Our salary depends completely on you."

Rukia chuckles. " Well, that's a very unfiltered answer. You really don't mince your words, head bishop."

The male then straightens his demeanour and tells her with sincerity, " Ï'm not supposed to say this but Juushiro and I are actually glad for you…to have been able to gain a bit of freedom during the last three months and kept yourself safe during that time. Even though they were stolen moments—they might have been something that you would treasure for the rest of your life. They might have been the first time and will probably be the last time you see world outside the temple."

" No wonder it took that long for the temple to come find me. I guess I owe that to you, Ukitake-san and Renji." The raven-haired woman gives the head bishop an unfathomable smile as she lets his words sink in to her slowly. " I feel assured that the my bishops feel that way towards me." She pushes herself up from the chair across the bishop's desk and goes towards the bookshelf, taking out a book related to the archives of the temple. " Head bishop, how long has it been since you and the other bishops have taken your respective posts?"

Kyoraku ponders on the question. " It's been more than twenty years since all the bishops have taken the posts after the massacre in the temple. I was the first one who has been called to the temple to become the head bishop." He refers to the time when chaos descended upon the temple, a time when dark shadow attacked the temple—killing most of the people working in the temple. It was a night of madness that stirred the nation into years of fear until the temple manages to stabilize and fill up the empty seats.

Rukia opens the book and traces a page with her fingers. " Then that means that you haven't met the grand priestesses before me."

" You were already the grand priestess by the time I entered the temple and you were the one who ordained me. The same can be said with the other bishops except for the empty bishop seat that remains." He points out but hears nothing from the grand priestess, so he continues. " But while we are on the subject, grand priestess-chan. The reason for that massacre has never really been disclosed nor recorded in the archives. It is also the first time that I hear that dark shadow directly attacks the temple."

" It wasn't an attack towards the temple." Rukia tells him. "It just so happen that the person he is after is in the temple. He ended up killing everyone standing in his way."

This peaks the head bishop's interests. "And who that might be?"

Rukia looks up and meets his eyes. " The goddess' bloodline—the rightful wielders of the sacred sword."

The head bishops face shows enlightenment upon hearing the answer. " Ah. Now that makes sense. The dark shadow did aim to purge to goddess' bloodline." Then a realization dawns to him. " Then the temple, during that time must have been so close into defeating him then if the goddess' bloodline was already in the temple."

" Not even close." The grand priestess shakes her head. "She wasn't acknowledged by the sacred sword as its owner despite the goddess' blood coursing through her veins." Rukia closes the book in her hand. " The goddess' bloodline has existed for as long as the dark shadows' appearance—for the very reason of purging the dark shadows. Not many people know that fact, not even in the temple as it is something that is not written in the archives."

" I see. It's nice to have the blessing of wisdom, huh?" She hears the head bishop comment—pertaining to the ability exclusive to grand priestesses—the ability to retain their predecessors' memories at will. " No wonder it's so hard to find information in the temple archives. So the grand priestess serves as the archive as well." He says this, admitting how limited the temple's knowledge is towards grand priestesses. As head bishop, he may know the ins and outs of the temples laws and processes but only very few established facts about the grand priestess. This only says how important the role of a grand priestess is for the temple.

" As you know, the temple lets the people believe that the blessed weapon is meant to be wielded by the grand priestess. But it is not disclosed in the records as to why…" Rukia eyes him and waits for him to nod in affirmation. " This is to protect the existence of the goddess bloodline." She explains. " From enemies…from dark shadow. He may have been killing without discretion but it is not solely to feed his power through people's fear and take advantage of their vulnerability. It is also to kill the goddess bloodline that is a threat to his existence."

" He knows of it?!"

The grand priestess lets out a wry smile. " Because the first of the goddess' bloodline and first wielder of the sacred sword nearly succeeded in killing him one thousand years ago. That is why he knows that grand priestess and the temples are not much of a threat to him compared to the goddess' bloodline. And he purges them throughout all this years. That is why even the temple has difficulty finding the goddess bloodline."

The head bishop lets out a sigh and scratches his head. " I see. Now that complicates things."

" One of the grand priestess' miracles is the miracle of directional tracing. It is something that needs years of practice for one to be able to use it." Rukia suddenly tells him.

She sees Kyoraku's face contort into confusion and curiosity. " It's the first time I've heard of his. I only know of the miracle of healing, miracle of protection and miracle of purification. I know of the miracle of vision that is exclusive to the grand priestess but I've never heard of such."

The woman nods. " As how we willed it. This power is the same as the miracle of vision but has been kept secret within the temple. Only the grand priestesses and selected few of your predecessors know of it. You don't know how honest people can be in face of death." Rukia sees the head bishop agreeing to her words silently, understanding the rationale of her words without the need for further elaboration. She stands up and walks towards the window, opens it and glances down. " It is the ability to mark the current descendants of the goddess bloodline to track and find them. This can only be used once and it greatly depletes the user's holy powers."

" Now I understand the reason why you I can't feel any holy powers coming from you. Is it so miracle so powerful that you haven't recovered even after a long time has passed since you've performed it?"

Rukia does not know the answer to that question. Holy powers maybe be finite but it replenishes gradually like through rest just like normal energy. But this does not seem to be the case as she seem to have lost most of her holy powers altogether after casting the miracle and it never recovered. She chooses to remain quiet instead.

" But why do you tell me this?" Kyoraku Shunsui asks instead. " Aren't you afraid that the dark shadow will come to kill me and I may spill it out by accide—?"

" I've already used it." Rukia sees a familiar trio in front of the temple gates from the distance. She then turns around to face the head bishop. " As of now, I have identified two bearers of the goddess bloodline."

" Hmmm." She hears Kyoraku hum in a contemplative manner. Rukia realizes how she really has underestimated Kyoraku Shunsui's capability as leader of the temple. She always thought it's been a mistake on her part when she ordained him as head bishop when he can be so lax and irresponsible most of the times that it troubles his subordinates. She expects him to be overjoyed without just cause by this fact but instead he reacts appropriately to the situation despite the desperate times they are facing. " Well that cuts down one of our problems. So it is now a question of if they will be acknowledge by the sacred sword." He points out.

She nearly claps in amazement but holds herself back. She smiles and inwardly thinks how the current head bishop resembles the previous one, seems unreliable in mannerism but more capable than anybody else. She looks back again outside the window. " The sacred sword has acknowledge his current owner." She pauses for a moment then says, " The goddess' bloodline bearer…I found him."

The head bishop does not show any reaction for a moment as though pondering the words he has heard. " I see. Is that a good thing?"

The question seriously surprised Rukia then she chuckles. " I completely understand now why the goddess chose you as the head bishop." She tells him sincerely.

Kyoraku Shunsui is taken aback by the sudden compliment and blushes, laughing bashfully. " You flatter me."

" He..." The grand priestess begins. " It will be up to him to accept his destiny or not. He may have been chosen by the goddess but he is still his own person. He can choose if he wants to take on this difficult path forced to him or not."

" That is not something that a grand priestess would say." The head bishop tells her impartially.

She replies nothing but directs a small smile towards the head bishop.

-000-

" Who goes there?" The gate guards asks, putting Ichigo and the rest of his companions to a halt.

" I'm here to see Rukia." Ichigo declares without preamble.

The guards exchanged looks and turns back to him. " Who?"

" Rukia!" The orange-haired man repeats. " Short, black-haired, amethyst eyes. That Rukia." Ichigo could hear sighs from his companions behind him.

" We don't know any temple clerks or wards with that description. If you're not here for worship or offering, head to the southern gate. They've moved all services in there. But you can only meet with a priest or priestess if you applied for it prior to coming here and will need to show the approval letter sent to you by the temple."

" Huh?" It is Urahara Kisuke, serving as Ichigo's chaperon along with Shihoin Yuroich, who speaks. " Did they change the system? It wasn't this elaborate before."

" No." The guard answers. " It's only been in place since the disappearance of the grand priestess. They had to increase security, you see. For public safety." He explains. " Now if you want to book an appointment with a priest, you can register with Yamada over there." He points towards a harmless looking fellow, sitting on a booth at the side of the gate. " Then he'll give you a date when you can come back for that appointment."

Shihoin nods after hearing the explanation. " That's understandable. Given the situation that had happened, I would have done this as well if I was still in charge. Or maybe more."

" Wait, does this mean that we have to book an appointment to see Rukia?" Ichigo asks his chaperons.

" If we were to go with their current operational procedure, it will probably take a year for you to set an appointment with the grand priestess." Urahara tells him.

"What?!" Ichigo exclaims. " I can't wait that long! Do we have to break in or something?"

Yoruichi sniggers at Ichigo's reaction then turns to her other male companion. " Kisuke, enough jesting and take it out."

Urahara Kisuke pouts as he dives his hand into his pocket. " I really wanted to reserve using this for better use later but I suppose it can't be helped." He mumbles then retrieves an item from his pocket before showing it to the guards. It is a golden badge with the crest of the grand priestess on it, glimmering under the bright sun. " Is this enough proof?"

" T-that! How?!" The guard shows a flabbergasted look as he stares at the item. " W-who are you?" When Urahara simply smiles at him, he backs a step away before turning his head towards his companion. " You! Go get Sir Ishida or Sir Abarai! Tell them we need special clearance for this people first before—"

" My, my. There's no need for that." A new voice joins in the conversation. " I'll vouch for their entry so let them in."

" Your eminence!" The guards immediately recognized the man that has appeared by the gates and immediately salutes to him in acknowledgment. " As you command, sir." Then the gates are hastily opened.

" I do apologize for coming late to welcome you." Kyoraku Shunsui looks at the three people entering the compound of the temple with curious eyes. " It is my honor to meet you, Urahara Kisuke, Shihoin Yoruichi…" Then he locks his gaze at the youngest member of the party. " You must be Kurosaki Ichigo."

" How do you know me?" Ichigo's brows furrows further as he eyes the man in front of him.

" I don't know you in particular. I was just told that you would immediately stand out by the colour of your hair." The man in question answers. " I'm Kyoraku Shunsui, the head bishop and leader of the temple." He introduces himself the same way as though he is talking about today's weather.

Ichigo is silent for a moment as he begins to acknowledge how the image of the temple is slowly crumbling in his mind. The grand priestess who is fierce and violent and the leader of the temple who wears a nonchalant expression on his face, temple attire loosely donned and black long curly hair messy and haphazardly tied at the back while wearing an unconventional straw hat.

Shunsui suddenly bursts into laughter. " Boy, you look like you've been disillusioned." He tells Ichigo. " Don't worry. Even if I look like this, I make sure the rest of the temple do a decent job. Well the other bishops at least do that." He laughs again.

" I guess high ranking officials of the temple just do whatever they please." Ichigo thinks out loudly.

" It's mostly just me really." The head bishop admits. " Power comes with its perks at times. Not many people can tell me off easily since I'm their superior. Although the grand priestess can also be out of control at times." He then claps his hands together. " Ah! Enough with the chit-chat. Shall we go then? Shall we go see the grand priestess?"

The head bishop, as he introduced himself led the way through the temple grounds. Ichigo notices how people will greet and bow this man, Kyoraku Shunsui, as they walk pass by and this shakes any doubt left in him about his identity. They travel by foot for nearly twenty minutes and are led by him in an area beyond the forest inside the temple grounds. The place appears secluded, not somewhere one will go to unless necessary. They end up in what appears to be shrine of pure white. The number of Templar guards by the door nearly a dozen.

" This is the grand priestess' Shrine of Reflection. This is where she will perform rituals or pray for miracles as this is the place most concentrated with holy powers." Kyoraku tells Ichigo who listens to him attentively. The head bishop glances behind the young man and finds his two chaperons looking a bit wary. The guards salutes towards the head bishop as they approached the door of the shrine. " Open the doors. I have brought guests for the grand priestess." The guards comply with the instruction without question.

The hall's heavy doors make a creaking sound as it is pushed open by two guards at the same time. The scent of burning wood and incense infiltrates Ichigo's nose as his eyes welcome the sight—a large white squared room, torches lined up both sides leading towards the what he assumes is the altar which is divided into unequal parts, on either side seems to be an area dedicated for incenses to be lit and in between these portions stand two pillars supporting a large mirror occupying half the wall in width and height covering from floor to ceiling. The moment you enter the shrine, first thing you see is the reflection of yourself entering the doors of this place.

The hall is filled with Templar knights lining up by the walls. Then there are a dozen of people who wears white robes similar to the head bishops, forming two equal lines facing each other. All their eyes follows Ichigo and his entourage, their stares heavy and curious.

Ichigo hears another door on the side of the shrine opening. His head veers towards that direction and finds a familiar individual emerge from it, followed by Abarai Renji and Ishida Uryuu. His breath hitches in his throat as he follows her movement. Every step she takes echoes across the room, walking slowly and gracefully, taking small steps and stops as she arrives in the middle of the altar.

She faces forward, giving his entourage a swift glance. Then she meets his eyes. " Welcome, Kurosaki Ichigo."