Hello everyone, here's your precious Dakan69.
It's been a month, I guess, and we've all entered a new year. A new year which won't be as hard as the last one I hope.
Hope you enjoy my new chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, not even the soundtracks. Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo while the soundtracks and anything else copyrighted belongs each to their originator.
Vaizado no Ashido
Chapter 4: Departure
SEIREITOU'S MANSION – HEISEKAI – LATER
" " we're back, Oyabun" " Ashido and Shinji greeted and bowed in front of Seireitou properly after they entered his lounge room first.
When all the five people returned to the mansion, they noticed that beside Seireitou, who for some reason had a large swelling bump on his head, and Shiyo, who seemed to be in some conversation while making a rather sad expression, probably because of the news about her mother.
(OPENING: Leader – Warrior Inside)
There was also Raian, along with Naibu and two young girls, unknown to and the twins.
Matsuri then suddenly put Fujimaru's right ear before dragging him along so that they both could bow in front of Seireitou.
"I'm deeply sorry for the damage my brother caused on your shoji-doors, if you request any repairing cost, my dear brother will gladly take care."
"MATSU-NEE… " Fujimaru suddenly asked in disbelief while feeling being mocked by his sister, wondering why Matsuri thinks that he would refuse.
"I'm at fault too, maybe I should've waited a bit longer until we could talk about Suzunami-taichou. Let's talk about that for another time, maybe when we arrive at the human world." Shinji explained, to which Fujimaru, Matsuri, and Shiyo agreed.
"Ah don't worry about it, and actually it was my fault too, I believe I talked rather tactless about your dear Captain" Seireitou admitted before he came closer to the twins, "but I wish to talk to you two later in private if you don't mind." Seireitou said towards the twins, who's expression became rather nervous.
"Anyway … " Raian started talking, "I think it's time to introduce you to some more people" Raian announced.
Raian first went to the first young man, who wears his red hair spiked up., also carrying a Zanpakuto, or a 'Zanku' as the Visoreds call them.
"This is my son, Hake Getsueikirite" Raian introduced.
"Nice to meet you." Hake said while bowning in front of the three other teenagers.
"and my name is Kaguya Kawahiru, granddaughter of Seireitou Kawahiru." the other, white purple-haired girl introduced herself, also bowing.
Then, another man, with black hair and a cyan colored 'Shihakusho' like Kimono with unique ornaments on it, also carrying a Zanpakuto or Zanku as the Visoreds call it, came forth.
"I know we've already seen each other, but I'll introduce myself properly now … " Naibu announced while looking towards Matsuri, who remembered him to be the other person who found the three in the Menos forest " my name is Naibu Shizuka, Ambassador of Horiwari, nice to meet you."
Then Fujimaru, Matsuri, and Shiyo began to bow as well before they introduced themselves while wondering what 'Horiwari' is, but all three were somehow too shy to ask right now.
"Um, Kawahiru-same, sorry if it's rude for me to ask, but are you alright, since your head … " Matsuri asked politely.
Seireitou, who expected this question, didn't hesitate at first " oh this?, well … ", the superior Visored struggled to find a proper answer.
" it's his punishment for scaring our guests." Kaguya answered while she suddenly made a disgusted expression towards her father, which scared him.
Kaguya then looked again towards the twins and Shiyo, "Shiyo told me that my father showed you three his 'Zanku' and his mask, and after I saw the broken windows, everything fell into pieces" Kaguya concluded while looking again towards her father.
Before Shinji, Ashido, and the twins returned to the Mansion, Kaguya punched her Father at his head for believing that the damaged Shoji-doors were broken because her father was scaring the mentioned twins to death. After all, he showed them his hollow mask and his Zanku's spirit, making them run away in panic, which then resulted in the Shoji-doors being broken.
"Anyway, because of that, you don't have to concern about the renovation costs, right, grandpa? " Kaguya said to the twins before looking towards her father with her usual angry expression.
"of course, Kaguya-chan, " Seireitou said rather nervously, which made Fujimaru nervous too even though he doesn't need to pay for the damages.
After they introduced themselves, the three teenagers could hear how the two other girls were giggling for some reason but didn't think about it that much.
"Now that we all know each other" Seireitou spoke before looking to Naibu, "how was your call ?" Seireitou asked, but forgot that he's requesting classified information in front of strangers, the three youngsters in particular.
Naibu, who also realized Seireitou's small mistake, had to answer as much discreet as possible from now on,
"successful" Naibu announced, "besides Hiroshi-sama himself, Kori-dono will join too, what's more Fujimaru will meet us at Karakura town as well." Naibu announced.
"what? ….. " Fujimaru suddenly asked why Naibu is mentioning him out of nowhere, which has been realized by Naibu.
Then Fujimaru heard how Hake and Kaguya were chuckling.
"Not you, another Fujimaru" Naibu stated, "he's my previous disciple."
"oh …. " Fujimaru stated before Matsuri looked towards Hake and Kaguya, "so that why you were chuckling, " Matsuri said
"Sorry if you believed that we offended your brother, but it's still a funny coincidence " Kaguya explained
"so you know that other Fujimaru as well? " Shiyo asked curiously.
"of course, and I think he'll be surprised as well " Hake announced.
"I would be also surprised to know when someone else has my first name as well, obviously." Kaguya explained.
It was at this moment that the main shoji-door opened, revealing many servants who carried many meals.
"It's lunchtime" Seireitou announced loudly.
During lunchtime, while most inside the room were eating, Shiyo noticed that Seireitou has been starting to look towards her steadily with a concerned expression for some reason.
LATER – SOME PRIVATE ROOM – SEIREITOU'S MANISON – HEISEKEI
The twins waited inside the private room as Seireitou wanted to talk to them in private.
Around Dozen Minutes later, Seireitou finally appeared.
"Sorry for the long wait, but I had to talk to Raian about some matters" Seireitou apologized.
"no problem Sir, so what did you want to talk with us anyway, " Matsuri said politely.
"I want to ask you what you will do when you return to the soul society." Seireitou asked, which somehow surprised the twins.
"well that's obviously" Fujimaru started answering "we will ask about 'Yofu-sama's whereabouts since he only 'resigned' as Shinji said, I'm sure he's still somewhere in the soul society, the same goes for 'Oba-sama' as well." Fujimaru explained his contemporary goal.
While Fujimaru answered confidently, Matsuri wondered why Seireitou asked this question in the first place, only to finally realize a possible reason.
"But don't worry, Kawahiru-sama, we won't tell anyone about you and the Visoreds if it's that what you're worried about." Matsuri suddenly answered while bowing, followed by Fujimaru doing the same.
"well thank you for thoughtfulness, you two, but that's not what I'm worried about, there's something else I must tell you." Seireitou commented.
After the twins have straightened up their bodies from the bowing, they suddenly say Seireitou with a serious expression.
"As I've told you before, during your absence for 200 Years, many things have happened and changed. Things which I both agree, like the progress in the human world, and also disagree, like the newly formed Army of the Arrancar" Seireitou stated.
" "new Army of Arrancar ? " " the twins asked in disbelief, knowing what the term 'Arrancar'.
"so I'm right to guess you know what Arrancar are? " Seireitou asked.
"yes. As 'Yofu' once told us, Arrancars are hollows who became so powerful that they've been able to break their white masks and take human shape, the most famous of them is Arturo Plateado, who around 700 …" Fujimaru explained
"ahem, 900 years" Matsuri corrected her twin brother.
" … uh yes, 900 years ago, who not only attacked the soul society but also killed on his own half of the Gotei 13." Fujmaru finished the story.
"Only the Gotei 13's Sotaicho, Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, himself could challenge him before Arturo Plateado was sealed inside the 'Shisuiyo', an ancient artifact in possession of the Suzunami-Family"
"I remember how Konoka-dono telling this story to us made me always excited and proud being adopted into this Family, I mean which other lower noble Family could claim to have helped in defeating one of the most dangerous foes of the soul society along with Sotaicho Yamamoto-sama " Fujimaru admitted proudly.
"She also told us this story because she didn't want for us to ever come near the 'Shisuiyo'. " Matsuri added.
"But of course you know that since you surely witnessed that as the first Captain of the 8th Division, am I right Kawahiru-sama ? "
"that's right, but let's get back to present if you two insist, " Seireitou told them while remembering how the story of Arturo Plateado is officially taught in the Soul Society.
"As I said before, there's been a new Army of Arrancar on the rise for about a half-century." Seireitou started explaining, "but it's not the size that concerns me, since I, Raian, Shinji, and my other fellow Visoreds could deal with them." Seireitou announced with a rather proud tone.
"no, what concerns me more is how well informed they are." Seireitou revealed with a serious expression.
The twins looked in confusion, "'well informed' sir ?" Matsuri asked.
"from the information, we could gather, they seem to be well informed about the soul society, TOO WELL informed if you understand." Seireitou explained further.
It took a while for the twins to understand what Seireitou is suggesting.
"you mean there is a traitor among the Shinigami, who secretly helps the Arrancar, is it perhaps Bansui Amatsuki? " Fujimaru wondered.
"that's our conclusion. Shinji and Ashido themself have a good suggestion on who else is involved with the Arrancar, so I will leave him to explain who this traitor is, but that isn't what I wanted to tell you eighter." Seireitou stated.
"and what is it then you want to tell us?" Matsuri wondered.
There was a silence in the room before Seireitou continued explaining
"no matter how the worlds have changed, promise me that you will protect each other, this also includes Shiyo as well." Seireitou stated.
This statement surprised the twins, and it made Matsuri chuckle.
"please don't worry, Kawahiru-sama, I'm always protecting my sister and Shiyo."
"Shiyo more than me, right? " Matsuri added further.
"MATSU-NEE … " Fujimaru suddenly said while his face turned beet red.
This made Seireitou smile again, his serious expression disappearing a bit.
"well that's unfortunate." Seireitou suddenly answered, which made Fujimaru and Matsuri looking again with confused expressions.
"and why's that ?"
"Well because here I thought I could ask you if you might have interest in my granddaughter, but … "
"well, that's unfortunate" Matsuri suddenly answered instead "because my 'dear brother' " Matsuri emphasized the last two words while both, Fujimaru and Seireitou noticed that she somehow got angrier for some reason "like most guys, my brother surely wouldn't want a wife who would, hmm hmm, 'get bumped on his head when causing trouble' if you understand, sir" Matsuri explained while suddenly smiling, ". And the impression your daughter Kaguya-dono made in front of us, well …. Fuji-nii ?" Matsuri explained while suddenly smiling in front of them both, expecting that Fujimaru answers.
While it seemed like Matsuri is making a comical smile as if making fun of her twin brother, Fujimaru and Seireitou could feel the dark energy behind her 'smile'.
"Hehe …. " Fujimaru laughed very nervously since he somehow knew what his sister is thinking right now.
Fujimaru, of course, knew that kind of 'smile', since it was the same expression Konoka-dono did when he caused trouble. And what followed after such 'smiling' was that Fujimaru could get any refill during meal times for around one week.
Seireitou also knew the meaning behind that 'smiling', since Retsu Unohana, who, like him, is a founding member of the Gotei 13, also made that kind of 'smiling' when she was mad. Of course, he remembered that she started 'smiling' only after she switched Divisions.
While Seireitou somehow enjoyed seeing that particular woman 'smile' after provoking her, it was unpleasant for Seireitou when other women were making that kind of expression, especially if it was from his deceased wife when he caused trouble like when he came home from work while being drunk.
"Anyway, back to our topic, between man and man … " Seireitou's expression became more serious while looking towards Fujimaru, " don't be reckless."
"what do you mean by that, Kawahiru-sama ?" Fujimaru asked, wondering how he could become reckless.
" Just a reminder that men always tend to be more reckless than women, otherwise you wouldn't unintentionally insult the Captain-Commander back then, am I right, " Seireitou asked, this time with a comical expression on his face.
"I don't disagree with you, since I always tell him to hold back when someone insulted our Family's name, but I don't understand why you're telling him that now, is there a special reason for that? " Matsuri wondered.
"Just don't be reckless, that's all I'm saying, see it as your way to repay for my broken Shoji-doors." Seireitou concluded.
"y-yes, sir." Fujimaru and Matsuri said in unison, realizing that they couldn't ask any further.
LATER – SUNEKU-GATE – HEISEKEI
Sometime later after lunch, Shiyo as well as Ashido, and Shinji were preparing to go.
When they arrived at the agreed destination, Shiyo saw Naibu, Yukina, the nurse who treated them, along with a little girl coming towards them.
Compare to last time, Naibu now wore a cyan-colored 'Samue'-style attire with Lapets on the collar and buttons attached to it. His Zanpakuto, or Zanku, was attached to his left pelvic area. His 'jika-tabi'-footwear was similar to that of Ashido and the three youngsters. But for the twins, his most notable clothing feature is his slantingly belt, which also attached a thin cylinder-like stick, which resembled a Katana's 'Tsuka' along with it's 'guard sheet', making it look like as if Naibu is carrying a Katana upside down, without its blade.
After greeting Ashido and Shinji, Yukina and Naibu embracing with each other before Naibu lifted the little girl who's name is Mikoto as she heard Naibu calling her.
The only two missings were Fujimaru and Matsuri, whom Seireitou wanted to have a conversation in private.
Shinji as well as the others suggested it's about the broken windows.
They were now staying in front of a large door, which Ashido described as the 'Suneku-gate', similar to the 'Senkaimon' they saw in the soul society.
Near the gate, they saw how two Visored-Guardians did something at the gate, probably preparing for the opening.
Then they noticed Fujimaru and Matsuri, each with their Zanpakutos given back, finally arriving, along with Seireitou.
Seireitou then looked towards Naibu, Yukina, and their daughter Mikoto.
"Oohhh where's my little granddaughter, where … "Seireitou asked while pouting slightly, making Mikoto laughing with his mimics.
"Ojisan … " little Mikoto said while looking towards her uncle, who then lifted her after Naibu put her down.
Little Mikoto also noticed the three strangers, looking at them.
Seireitou knew what little Mikoto wanted to ask, but was too shy to do it.
"Before you all leave, I would like to introduce someone else as well … " Seireitou announced while coming closer to the group while putting the girl down
" this cute young girl here is Mikoto, my other granddaughter."
"As well as our daughter" Naibu added while referring to himself and Yukina.
"Daughter? " Fujimaru asked in surprise while looking towards Yukina, which somehow seemed to make Matsuri 'smiling' again, which in turn made Fujimaru looking towards the little girl again.
"hello Mikoto, my name is Shiyo, it's nice to meet you" Shiyo introduced herself first while smiling.
"n-nice to meet you, Shiyo-san, my name is Mikoto Shizuka" Mikoto shyly introduced herself while bowning politely.
Fujimaru and Matsuri stooped in front of Mikoto.
"Hello Mikoto-chan, my name is Matsuri, and this is my brother Fujimaru."
"N-Nice to meet you too." Mikoto shily introduced again while looking mostly towards Matsuri, especially towards her flower-designed headband.
"y-you have pretty hair, and your flower is pretty too, " Mikoto said shyly, still looking towards Matsuri.
"well thank you, Mikoto, you have pretty hair as well." Matsuri answered sincerely with a happy expression, which made Mikoto smiling as well.
While the youngsters were talking with the little girl, Seireitou came closer towards Naibu.
"did Raian told you about your part of the mission? " Seireitou asked him, this time with a serious expression.
"yes, I'll try to talk to Soken Ishida-san's son about this, I'm sure he knows something, that's if he agrees to talk." Naibu said to Seireitou since from what he remembers Soken Ishida's son, whose name is Ryuken, isn't considered to be the friendliest person someone could talk to.
"good … " Seiretou said with a relieved expression before he gave two scrolls to Ashido and Shinji " … and as for you both, give those scrolls to Kisuke and Yoruichi, it's necessary, especially for them." Seireitou explained while looking towards the Twins and Shiyo.
"how long until you come back? " Yukina asked Naibu.
"This time it shouldn't take long, after all, I'll meet Fujimaru in Karakura town."
This made Fujimaru look towards Naibu, who mentioned his name.
"I'm not talking about you !" Naibu said, which made Fujimaru looking confused again until he remembered that Naibu knew of another person with the same name.
Yukina meanwhile laughed, "did you informed him about those three? "
"Yeah, I sent him a message, I wonder how he'll react to them? " Naibu said with a smile before kissing his wife on her lips.
Naibu also went for his daughter, kissing her on her left cheek, telling her to behave while he's gone. Mikoto embraced her father while saying goodbye to her father as well to the three youngsters she just met.
Then everyone heard and saw how the gate opened, releasing a rather large amount of reiatsu as well.
"As for you three, Fujimaru, Matsuri, and Shiyo" Seireitou spoke to them, "I wish you three good luck."
" " " thank you, sir !" " " the three said in unison, which made Seireitou chuckle a bit. As the three youngsters joined Shinji, Ashido, and Naibu, Seireitou looked towards the twins, remembering their private conversation after lunch.
While the group of six then entered the gate, Seireitou then looked towards Shiyo with a concerned look.
GARGANTA
As the group of six were sitting on some kind of flying energy slice, which brought them towards the human world.
It was quiet for a while until Shiyo decided to start a conversation.
"Say Shinji, I've never had the chance to ask you, but what kind of clothes are you wearing. I've never seen such kind of clothes, especially that hat."
"oh you mean these ?" Shinji asked while taking his hat, "these are the kind of clothes which are usually worn in the human world right now."
"yeah, and these are only some examples of MUCH MORE kinds of clothes worn in the human world."
"Really ?" Shiyo asked excitingly.
"of course, maybe we can find also some fitting clothes for you three as well when we arrive." Shinji proudly announced, which made Shiyo even more exciting.
Meanwhile, Naibu came closer to Ashido.
"Are you both sure it's a good idea not to tell them ?" Naibu asked him how long he and Shinji want to keep this certain detail from the three youngsters.
"not yet at least." Ashido just said. Naibu realized that Ashido doesn't seem in the mode for small talk.
As for Ashido himself, he also wasn't sure how long he wants to hide that certain information from the three youngsters since he knew that it was wrong not to be honest with them, but on the other hand, if he has told them, how would the three react then.
But there was something else that wondered him. And that was Shiyo. Not that Ashido minded, since this subject is also something he also wants to avoid discussing. Ashido knew that Shiyo is the most exciting one of the three, maybe even more exciting than necessary.
It's possible that she has talked with Seireitou about her mother when he himself left to look for Fujimaru, and possibly because of his reaction about what they've revealed about Seigen, Shiyo possibly doesn't want to add more fuel to the flames than already available.
'If that's the case then she's exactly like Konoka-dono in that regard' Ashido concluded to his thoughts.
However, there was something else that concerned Ashido, even more, is how came the three youngsters in Hueco Mundo in the first place? While Seireitou talked with the twins, he and Shinji were talking with Raian about possible explanations for that incident. It's crystal clear for them that none of the three expected, not even wanted to be in Hueco Mundo, because none of them is that stupid, despite Fujimaru's sometimes childish behavior back then.
At first, Ashido thought that no one could suggest anything about how or why they appeared until Shinji himself gave a rather plausible explanation while reminding Raian and Ashido that the three belong to the Suzunami noble Family. But if Shinji's explanation would turn out to be the truth, then this would mean that they all are in big trouble.
But what has been bothering Ashido the most was the question Raian gave to Shinji about Shiyo's father. While Shinji stated that he met Konoka-dono's Husband a few, it was Seigen himself who told him that her husband was also part of the Kido-Corps, something that Shinji wouldn't have believed considering that Konoka's husband made a rather fragile impression on him.
Now for Ashido, the issue was not that Shinji didn't know about Shiyo's father, but more that Ashido himself and Kuruyashiki actually met him once, but when Ashido himself tried to remember, only a black spot appears.
As if that's not enough, when he tried to remember again, he somehow has been remembered by someone entirely else.
Even now, Ashido had memories of the one person who not only was the first 'Not-hollow' to ever met again but also the one person who brought him away from Hueco Mundo. He even remembered his first two sentences.
Are you a Shinigami? How long are you here alone?
Not only he remembered the name he told to Ashido, but also he seemed to be familiar with Seireitou as well. But then one day, however, he couldn't remember him, the same as he couldn't remember his name.
And not only Ashido, but others like Seireitou, Raian, and even their Informant from Hueco Mundo also didn't seem to remember his name, only some fragments of his appearance.
He now remembered the Informants' question to Ashido:
Do you remember his name?
Ashido recalled the informant asking him, hiding his appearance with a green colored cloak, only his yellow eyes visible
Because I desperately try to remember.
And what's more, now putting all his current thoughts together like a puzzle, it seems to make sense. He now remembered the mysterious man's words again.
I can see your eyes, wow I remember you, but don't worry, One day you will also remember me, I'm sure …
'do you have something to do with that? WHEN WILL I REMEMBER YOU ? ' Ashido thought angrily, still not be able to remember
Ashido came back from his thoughts when everyone saw a light at the end of the dark space, which meant only one thing.
"we've arrived." Shinji announced while standing up.
(ENDING: Aqua Timez - 1mm)