Notice: I don't own Bleach. That belongs to Shueisha, Studio Pierrot and Tite Kubo.
Chapter 4: The Soul Craves
"You honour us Lady Masaki!" The retainers were overwhelmed by the display, and rained tears like giant, muscled spouts. Then they bowed so low, and so fast, that they hit their heads on the floor. Hard.
Masaki rose up from her bow and began to worry about the two men. "Eh, don't worry about it aunty, these two knuckleheads are as tough as nails!" Kūkaku proclaimed. After the display and the retainers finally calming down enough to perform their duties, the Shiba siblings and Kurosaki matriarch were lead to the dining room.
Masaki couldn't believe her eyes at the lavish meal on display. Assorted meats; cold and hot, complimented with a range of freshly picked vegetables. A very large roasted animal, that looked far too big to be real - 'Is that a lamb, pig or bird?' There were also bowls of noodles, rice, and other dishes she couldn't quite describe. It all smelled exquisite.
'Wow, I made some great meals back home, but this is far beyond my expectations.' She didn't realise how hungry she was, when her empty stomach growled in anticipation, "oho! Seems like someone's hungry!" The Shiba Head grinned at her aunt. Masaki blushed, feeling embarrassed from her poor etiquette. "The food sure looks great...thanks boys!" Kūkaku gave a thumbs up to her retainers. Again, the duo leaked like geysers. "Yeah you two, this is delish, thanks for the grub!" Ganju was salivating at all the food he'd pile into.
The three of them enjoyed their meal, and even though the Shiba retainers weren't expecting it, they were invited to dine alongside them. Masaki's heart filled almost as quickly as her belly. Enjoying the company of new friends and family.
/Six years later – Training Dojo, Shiba Estate
Ever since arriving at the Shiba Estate, Masaki had decided to not only help out where she could (cooking, cleaning, so on), but she also wanted to keep her Quincy abilities fresh, while training new techniques she only just grasped back when she was alive.
This was one of those times.
"Lichtschuss – Anleitung (Light Shot – Guidance)"
Aiming at multiple targets both visible and hidden, Masaki let out a single, powerful arrow from her Quincy bow. Using her spirit senses she guided the arrow to hit every target in the room, without fail. Having honed this technique to what she considered 'mastery,' the arrow hit the targets dead centre; whether they were in her sight, hidden behind an obstacle or on odd angles.
"Perfect, looks like a single shot works like a charm!"
One of the weaknesses of Quincy was how direct their attacks were. If you could anticipate their trajectory, you'd very likely have an advantage against them. Even the fastest Quincy, who mastered hirenkyaku, and could move around an opponent were still vulnerable. This was one reason why Quincy learned and mastered blut and ransōtengai; to power through such weaknesses.
Prior to arriving in Soul Society, Masaki was an expert in one handed reishi (spirit) weapons. In particular, she could generate a small crossbow in one hand and fire it, fairly accurately. She was also developing her skills in firing a sustained volley of attacks (known as Licht Regen or Light Rain), and boosting her physical abilities through the two Blut techniques: vene and arterie.
In this training session she utilised not only the Light Guide shot, but also boosted it using Blut Arterie, and now is aiming to...
'Blut Vene.'
Masaki rapidly pumped reishi into her veins to increase her physical defences. Blue lines of reishi appeared across her body, and the power she felt from it was...exhilarating. Her arrow had just finished off the last target, and now it was streaking towards her. She held out her left hand in front of her, waiting for the arrow to hit her palm.
Crash!
The arrow was struggling against her mighty defences. However before it could gather any leeway against her, she crushed the arrow in her hand! Satisfied, she breathed out in relief, happy with her progress today.
Clapclapclapclapclap!
Masaki paused, seeing the audience watching her, near the entrance to the training room. Ganju and the Shiba retainers were clapping furiously, looking very impressed by her display. Kūkaku was also clapping, a grin on her face. The Shiba Head spoke up, "well done Aunty, your display of power and skill would put veteran soul reapers to shame!" Masaki smiled at the comment. Breathing in and out; slowly, Masaki relinquished her Quincy bow. The bow evaporating into thin air.
The past six years with the Shiba household – her extended family – was a blessing. She bonded with her niece and nephew, to the point she felt comfortable calling them niece and nephew – regularly. As for her relationship with the Shiba retainers, she could happily call them her friends. Masaki beamed at her new family.
Ganju spoke up first, scratching his head nervously: "Um, Aunt Masaki, I'll be gone for a few days, looking over the 46th district of the Rukon. I'll be with my friends and will have Bonnie for company too!" The domesticated boar was a great addition to the family. From what Kūkaku has told Masaki, her brother Kaien (Isshin's now deceased nephew), raised Bonnie alongside them. She looked intimidating to the uninitiated, but Bonnie had a heart of gold, and always enjoyed Masaki's company; especially since she was the Aunty of the Shiba siblings. Also, Masaki liked pets and other animals. They always seemed to get along with her.
"Well, be safe nephew, and don't let me and your sister worry. Take good care of Bonnie too." Ganju saluted his Aunt. 'That boy still hasn't gotten over saluting others has he?' The young man turned around and walked off, with his sister giving him her nod of approval. As soon as Ganju left, Masaki packed away her training equipment. "Aunty, you don't need to do that, get Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko to at least help out!" The Shiba Head implored her aunt. Masaki shook her head "This is also part of my training Kūkaku, part of the discipline of a Quincy. As I have said before, Quincy pride and honour is paramount to my overall training." Kūkaku smiled, knowing how determined her aunt can be. "Okay, just thought I'd offer." Kūkaku turned around and waved Masaki goodbye.
About an hour passed, before Masaki was finished packing away, and cleaning up the training area. 'There, that looks better, all ready for my next session' Masaki stretched her sore limbs, before heading off to the bath, to clean herself and change into her day clothes. A little over half an hour later, Masaki was refreshed and decided to go to the kitchen to cook herself some breakfast. Arriving at the kitchen, she spotted a note left for her.
The boys (including the idiot) helped cook you a breakfast meal.
Thought you'd want to eat instead of having to cook first.
-Kūkaku
Masaki was shocked that Ganju wanted to make her a meal. Over the years she taught Kūkaku and Ganju the art of cooking, even, teaching the skilled retainers some of her favourite meals; simple and quick dishes that anyone could enjoy. She cherished those memories. Walking into the dining room, she saw a nice little breakfast, on the table – Euro-American styled – consisting of sausages (beef), scrambled eggs, tomatoes, toast and a jug of juice, with a cup to pour into. 'By the smell of it, they did a great job.' Masaki sat down and enjoyed her breakfast.
/10pm, Shiba Estate – Masaki's Quarters
For the past few hours Masaki diligently wrote into her notebook. A notebook which contained every scrap of knowledge she had about her Quincy heritage. Lore, techniques, history, notable families. Over the past six years, Masaki made it her afterlife's work, to chronicle the Quincy culture. She stretched out her hands into the air. 'Body's getting a little stiff now, must be getting late.' Looking at her clock, she yawned – deciding to retire for the night.
Masaki drifted off...
...'Grr..eh...' a claw mark, blood pouring from the wound...a howl, from a ferocious, bloodthirsty beast...
"Gritz!" an explosion, made from the last ginto cannisters from Masaki...a blood curdling howl, reverberating through her body...
M-Must get to Ichigo' Masaki awoke, finding herself covered in blood – her blood. She crawled over to the unconscious body of her boy, wrapping her arm around him. 'T-Th-Thank G-G-Good...ness' her last thoughts before she blacked out...
A voice she didn't recognise
...even without her powers, she was a formidable opponent for that hollow...Masaki Kurosaki...interesting family indeed!
/Next Morning
Masaki woke with a start. Breathing heavily she tried to calm herself down. 'Masaki, breathe...slowly, in and out, in and out.' Her breathing settled, and she calmly moved to the side of her bed. 'That dream again...well it's not a dream, it's what happened to me when fighting that hollow.' Hands on her knees she settled herself. 'That voice was a new one though, what does it mean?'
If she stayed there for too long, she might not move from her bed, so she decided to get her routine started. 'Gotta stay positive, remember your training Masaki!' encouraging herself Masaki started her day.
Her day ended without incident. She was able to write down more notes on her own techniques, read up on Soul Society history (from whatever was in the estate) and help with some of the household chores. Wishing her niece and the retainers goodnight she headed to her room – to retire for the night. Getting ready for bed, she silently wished good tidings for her family back in the human world. Hopping into bed, she closed her eyes and let rest take her.
She would would never guess what would happen the next morning.
Author's Note: Hello everyone. It's been a little while, but this is the fourth chapter of my Mother's Love story. This one leads into a pretty familiar scene that happened in canon. Of course, trying to keep things original, a lot of that dialogue will be changed up. Anyway best wishes.