Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. Bleach is owned by Tite Kubo/Shonen Jump. I do own OC's and plot.
Author's Note: Sorry for the late update; I was searching for inspiration of how I wanted this chapter to go down. I extended it to eight pages! I really hope you all like this chapter,and thank you again to those who are reading and commenting this fanfic. It is greatly appreciated. :) Let me know in the reviews how I am doing, and who or what would you guys like to see next. I'll try my best to fit them in the plot :)
P.S: If you want to listen to a song while reading this chapter, I chose "Believer" by Imagine Dragons with a mix of "Bad Blood" By Taylor Swift for the theme.
Bad Blood: The Believer and the Betrayer~ Hisana's Pov
Drifting in and out of consciousness, I tried to wrap my head around what just happened and piece together my surroundings. But it became an impossible task because my surroundings defied the impossible. Beyond my hazy vision, I felt as if I was being carried off to a strange new world. I saw people the size of skyscrapers, and heard incredibly loud mumbled and muffled voices that gave me a terrible earache. I knew would have a massive ringing sensation later. Not to mention, a massive headache.
"She looks terrible!" One of the muffled voices shouted, full of concern.
"Well, sucking spiritual pressure takes a lot out of a person. Especially, those with tons of spiritual pressure. Kohana had trouble controlling Hisana's power as her own, so she contained the rest of it in here." A male voice replied.
He sounds like Ayahiko.
I felt incredibly sick when without warning I was shifted upwards. I may have thrown up, I don't recall. I just wanted the rollercoaster sensation to stop.
"Ew!" A female voice cried as I felt being dropped 50 ft and landed into a somewhat soft yet scratchy surface. "She puked all over my hand."
I groaned in pain as I saw bars.
"Be careful! That's my little sister!" The large person said coming closer to me. "You could have broken her back!"
A crackle of a laugh as different male voice said. "Little."
"She's going to be fine, Kaien. With a couple hours of rest, she'll be good as new. Come, have a drink with me."
"K-Kaien?" I breathless said as I watched the hazy silhouette figure with orange hair looked down at me than turned away with the others. "K-kaien…" I said again before I drifted off again.
I dreamt of the past, where there was no bloodshed. No pain. No death. Just one big happy family. My earliest memories was seeing spirits to my parents battling out hollows in the world of the living. To be honest, I had no desire to become a soul reaper. In fact, I mostly felt bad for them because no one helped them when they were souls. Hansuke thought it was silly of me to think that way, and many others too, but never Kaien. However that changed when my older brother died at the hands of one.
By the age 15, he left for the academy. By 18, he already was third seat under Captain Zaraki. Uncle Byakuya was hurt that Kaien didn't choose to be in his squad once graduated from the academy. Everyone in our family was proud of his accomplishment. Like my parents, he'd go between the mortal realm and the world of the spirits.
It was raining in Karakura town, the last day I saw him. It was the last day of school. I was ten and Suke 10 ½. The school bell chimed, telling us that the day finally ended. I switched out of my school shoes for my pink rain boots.
"Looks like I beat you again this year, Hisana-chan." Suke said grinning like a tom cat because he got higher grades than me. It wasn't my fault I sucked at math and science. Equations and Logic just didn't come to me naturally like him.
"Oh, whatever!" I suck out my tongue as I grabbed my umbrella and walked outside with him. To my surprise, Kaien was standing outside near the school entrance with a blue umbrella.
"Niisan! (Big Brother)" I cried with joy as I tossed my umbrella behind me.
"Hisana!" Suke cried behind me.
I ran across the pavement, splashing through the puddles as sheets of spring rain came pouring down on me. I didn't care if I got sick. All I cared about was seeing my brother. I tackled him with a hug.
Kaien smiled and gave a light laugh. "Hisana-chan," He called and picked me up. We hugged.
"Niisan! What are you doing here?!" I asked as he put me down. "Mother told us in her phone call that you'd be out on a mission this week."
Kaien rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah, but it was postone. I had free time and thought I'd visit home for a while. Father asked me to pick you and Suke up from school. "Hello Suke-chan!"
"Hi, Kaien-sama." Suke replied grinning as Kaien ruffled his hair.
"So, how was school today?" Kaien asked us.
"Good." We both replied.
"We got our report cards today." Suke said.
"Oh, well let me see."
We handed Kaien the pieces of paper that had our grades on it. His blue-violet eyes scanned each paper. "Wow, these are some impressive grades. Since you two got such good grades this year, how about we all get ice cream." He said to us with a grin. "My treat."
Suke and I glanced at eachother than looked up kaien. "Yay!"
On a warm, stormy summer day like this, Taiyaki was the best afterschool sweet. As the three of us headed back to my house with our fish shaped waffle cone stuffed with red bean paste and an ice cream (of our choice) in a swirl on top in hand; a hollow attacked. It sounded like it was coming from the park. Then, coming around the corner, a massive white hollow appeared the size of a third story building. Trees were being knocked down. Windows from the buildings shattered by the sound waves.
Being the great chaperone and big brother, Kaien dropped his ice cream and picked up Suke and I in his arms and ran like hell. He was hoping the hollow wouldn't pick up on our spiritual three of us were children of powerful soul reapers; a hollow would love to destroy us. For we are their nemesis till the end of time, which as you know is quite sad. There were hollows like Nelliel and Grimmjow, but this one that was chasing us? It clearly had the intent to eat our souls, which is odd because we weren't souls.
Kaien ran inside a narrow alley way and dropped Suke and I off behind a dumpster. "Stay here, stay hidden." He instructed us as popped a soul candy into his mouth and transformed into a soul reaper. Like all seated members of the thirteen court squads, he wore a white band on his right arm that had the squad's insignia and his status as third seated officer. He unsheathed his zanpakuto. "I'm gonna go slay that hollow." From behind the dumpster, Suke and I watched in awe at my brother who fought the giant hollow without even releasing his zanpakuto.
Grandpa Isshin once told me that you can tell if a soul reaper was strong by not just how strong his/her blade was in the first blow, but how fast they release their zanpakuto in battle. Watching that fight from the alleyway, behind that dumpster made me realize how strong my brother truly was.
He never faltered, never showed fear, more importantly never gave up just like father.
Which made the next visit, all unbelievably, unreal. Suke and I were playing kickball outside his house, when I felt a senkaimon open up. I was so excited to see Kaien again that I'd stopped playing and ran to the source. I was going to tell him all about the figure skating competition and show him my silver metal I had won. I couldn't have done it without his support via letters I'd been getting the past few weeks. I followed the gate's fainting pressure to my house.
"Niisan! Niisan!" I cried, opening the door.
I heard my mother wail in pain.
"Mom!" Hustling over to the living room, I stopped abruptly to see my uncle Byakuya with his head cast down to the side, as if he was looking away from something terrible. Behind him, Head Captain Shunsui with his straw hat off. I looked to my left and saw my mother on her knees, hugging someone draped in stained white sheets My father standing over her, grasping her shoulders.
"W-what's going on?" I said quietly. "W-who is that? Where's Kaien?" Tears were building up in my eyes, chest constricted as I took small steps forward. I saw familiar midnight blue eyes staring back at me, cold and distant. Lifeless. It scared me half to death.
I screamed and took a step back failing to the ground. "K-Kaien…" I said in disbelief as I started to crawl to the bed, tears streaming down my face.
"Byakuya," My father said with his voice cracked, not looking at me. "would please take Hisana away? I don't want her to remember him in this way."
I remember screaming and clawing away against my uncle's grip as he guided me away from the living room. I yelled my brother's name over and over again, to the point where I heard myself scream.
"Kaien!" I screamed, waking myself up only to find myself alone. Panting, I closed my eyes and wiped the sweat from my face. I wanted to say 'it was just a dream; a nightmare', but no matter how I console myself. The memory will always be there.
Groggily, I sat up feeling a massive headache and pain all over my body.
Inhaling sharply, I shook my head and blinked away the haziness from my eyes. It was still dark or at least it was nighttime. My only source of light was the moon that shone a moonbeam ray onto me.
"This isn't the emperor's dungeons.." I wondered as I gazed at the cage that had trapped me in a vast room. His dungeons were underground in a cavern, while this prison was more out in the open. I saw a large door from afar, light underneath it. I touched the floor with my palm. It felt fluffy yet scratchy as the air smelt like an dusty dirty attic. I looked down and realized that I was sitting on some sort of shredded cardboard or pieces of paper. "Is this some sort of new prison he devised?" I asked curiously as I sneezed. "I'd rather be in the caverns then this dusty place."
Looking to my right, I saw a small dish the size of a kiddie pool filled with water. A plastic water bottle was suspended on the side of the cage bars by metal ties. At the end of the bottle, a spout let out droplets of water into the white bowl.
My headache was probably caused from dehydration. "Who knows when I'll have water again." I whispered. Slowly getting off the floor, I took one step and hissed in pain. I looked down at my right foot. "At least it's not broken…" I grunted, limping over to the bowl. I sat down and leaned forward, placing my hands in the lukewarm water. It was thick, almost like a jello based consistency.
The hell is this? Unflavored gelatin? I cupped my hands and drank. I forced down the bitter jelly water. I exhaled.
"Well, I've had worse." I cupped my hand again and washed my face. After the rippling went still, I got a good look of my reflection. I was still wearing my winter school gym uniform. Then, it hit me.
I saw flashbacks of me in an ice rink. The emperor and- "Kohana," I placed a hand on my forehead and looked behind me.
My eyes widen because everything was coming together. "No, no it can be." I breathed. The weird fluffy bedding. The bowl and water bottle. And right behind me in the far corner was a wheel fit for a small mouse.
"No," I shook my head in disbelief. "No, I would be in a mouse cage if it has a…" I took a short walk to the front. I held onto the tiny metal bars and stuck out my head. Looking up and to my left, I saw the latch to the door the closed my tiny prison.
"Damn it!" I smacked the bars with the palm of my hand and collapsed near the water bowl. "Okay, Hisana, no need to panic. So, your small." Small was a nice way of putting it. "But no big deal...Just take a deep break and remember your training." I said to my reflection.
But I couldn't recall a single detail of training for fear had kicked in. I closed my eyes and heard of the whispers of the emperor and what he does to prisoners. When one does get captured and imprisoned, they are brought before the emperor. From there, he decides your fate. If you don't automatically join his armies, unfortunately he didn't always give you a quick death. There were three options he'd choose from- all worse than death.
Door one was servitude. Which just was a fancy word for slave, but people would rather die than serve the man who has enslaved all the dimensions. Door two was entertainment. You are thrown in a fighting arena and fight your comrades to the death. Last I heard, Captain Zaraki and his entire squad were in there. At least in that situation, death is quick and by those you know and care about. However, the emperor takes your powers away and gives the competitors a single rusted blade. change when it's all about survival.
Door three was the worst of all. If you peeked his interest or had a lot of spiritual pressure, you have the "honor" of becoming his test subject for him and his scientists to experiment on. Those who do survive become monsters personally specialized to hunt down the rest of the soul reapers.
Judging my hopeless situation, all evidence pointed to door three. I shivered and grabbed my hair at the thought of being poked and prodded, being turned into a killing machine. Images flashed of the monsters who were former classmates. Friends who I considered my family.
Is this end? Have I failed? I shook my head again. "No, there's still hope..." I reminded myself as I recalled what my father said to me right before he died:
'Fight for what you believe in; protect those you love, Hisana, and promise me that you will never give up…"
There were times like this that I believed it was impossible to change fate, but remembering my father's last words was a reminder to always believe in yourself. It was a light in the darkness; a fire within me that couldn't be smothered by the impossible. Suke's plan was a slim chance, but it gave many of us the hope we need to persevere. They looked to us know.
If I give up now, who will keep the fires of hope burning with Suke? He can't do this alone. I have to get out. I opened my eyes and stared at the half opened window behind the cage. Cold air moved the dark curtains, revealing the breaking of dawn; a new day full of promise. The sun rose past a highest peak blinding me for a split second. After my eyes adjusted, I saw a valley of sand dunes that stretched for miles. There was only one place in the dimensions that has this much and sunlight.
"Las Noches?" I took a couple steps towards the back and held onto the bars. "I'm not in the future?"
I smirked. Maybe there is still hope.
Heavy footsteps approached the door and jiggled the doorknob, cracking it open. I didn't have time to act like I was still sleeping, so I had to go with the alternative plan.
"Finally!" I yelled, turning around. "Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting?!" I waved my arms in exasperation and dramatic like. The light flickered on, blinding me full force. "Ah, my eyes!" I hissed at the ultra bright lights.
It probably was a stupid idea to be looking upwards while acting. I pressed my hands to my eyes as I heard the booming footsteps. I opened them, seeing the hazy looming figure approach the cage, casting a large shadow.
"I'm sorry, Imōto (Little Sister), His Majesty kept me in a meeting all night." The familiar voice said as his figure leaned a bit closer to the cage.
"Who you calling, little sister, buddy!" I retorted as my vision came into focus. I looked up. " And in the wise words of Edward Elric, ' Don't. Call. me...lit-'" My eyes widen as I was met with familiar orange hair and midnight blue eyes. "Kai-no, that's impossible."
The giant chuckled deeply. "I remember mother grounding me for a month after I allowed you to watch that anime, but I couldn't resist your pleading frown." He unlocked the cage and stuck his massive hand in.
"STAY BACK FREAK! DON'T COME NEAR ME!" I ran for the hamster wheel, but it was futile. I felt fingers pinch the back of my jacket and lift me off the ground. "LET ME GO RIGHT NOW!" I kicked and squirmed in the air.
" Imōto, calm down. I'm not going to hurt you." The imposter said as he pulled me out of the cage. I fought back the sickness as I was being raised higher and higher into the air.
"Stop calling me that! You're not my brother! My brother is dead! How dare you take his face, you monster!" I tried to punch his hand or kick him in the eye.
Another deep chuckle echoed in the room. "Oh, he is your brother and is very much alive."
I paused in mid swing and rotated my head to the left to see Ayahiko leaning on the threshold.
"Majesty!" The imposter shouted in surprise and immediately kneeled on the floor.
"Majesty?" I breathed then screamed by the sudden movement. I opened my eyes and found myself on the floor in front of my so called "brother". "Ayahiko? Is that really you?"
I cracked my head upwards and stared at his vast form. He must have been over 50 ft. Instead of wearing a standard guard uniform which was just a plain black cloak and red obi sash, but Ayahiko was dressed in fine golden, white, and red robes. A crown said upon his head; the emperor's crown which was a beautiful traditional headdress adorned in white jewels.
"That's right, my little princess." Ayahiko said crouching down to get a better look at me. His dominating stare made me feel smaller than I already am. "Many know me as the betrayer and Captain of the royal guard, but that was a front to conceal my true identity."
"True Identity?"
"You see, in reality, I am the Emperor." He said as he plucked me off the floor like a bug. I was shaking; I couldn't move. I was paralyzed in fear as he brought me closer to his face. "And the best part of all, Suke knew the entire time. " He whispered.
My heart stopped, thumped, then stopped again. "W-what?" I croaked as my head started pounding. Was this really happening? Am I still dreaming?
"Didn't Hansuke ever tell you?" Ayahiko said grinning. "He helped me take over the worlds."