Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha or it's characters, that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Nor do I own Bleach or it's characters, that right belongs to Tite Kubo.
Kagome flinched at the low annoyed growl that echoed in the back of her head. She knew what was causing this as well — making her wish that she didn't have a specific talent. But she had it, and it was part of who she was. And this was something she'd put off for over half a year now. In fact, she had noticed that the first day she'd met them. Heaving an overdramatic sigh, she sat up on her bunk and plopped her feet on the ground hard and causing the few others who were resting in the barracks to look at her.
"Miko, take care of it now!"
Rolling her eyes and raising a hand to pinch the bridge of her nose, Kagome agreed. That discordant sound was giving her a headache, and finally broke the patience of sir stick up the ass Zanpaku-to. So, with heavy feet, she made her way to where the sound was loudest. Eyes half-open because she had been sleeping. Though her brain subconsciously noted that those in the hall were clearing a path for her, making her groan internally. One time she woke up on the wrong side of the bed and lashed out... now they feared her in a half-awake state of being. They were pansy assed little bitches... even if she did put quite a few through walls, beat them black and blue before having life-giving coffee and waking up...
The moment she reached the outer veranda, she followed it around until she spotted who was causing that obnoxious sound. Masking her Reiki completely and moving with a silent grace that she couldn't have hoped to achieve while alive on earth, she made her way to the person, who was in deep meditation. Crouching down, she leaned in until their noses were just centimeters from touching and flared her Reiki fast and hard.
He was not amused. He was trying, really he was, to communicate with the arrogant, smug bastard. But his own Zanpaku-to was keeping silent and not letting him in, again. And all because he refused to call out its real name. The reason was a good one. A pure Kido based Zanpaku-to in the 11th squad was no heard of, and he didn't want to be kicked out. So, his pride made him fight with his raw strength. Couldn't the damn thing appreciate the fact that he had gotten that strong to obtain the 3rd seat? No! Of course not! That would make the bastard understanding.
The sudden flare of intense, numbing spiritual pressure, literally next to him, had Yumichika starting out of his meditation. Only to go very red in the face as he stared into the blue gaze of Kagome, and seeing that she was half-awake wasn't helping matters.
"Yes?" he asked.
"It had finally happened. I have been ignoring this since I met you, Yumi-chan. But now even White Fang is annoyed," she said, her voice heavy with just being woken up.
Confused, Yumichika didn't know what to think. "Uh... what? Kagome?" he asked.
"That obnoxious, upset, pissed off, sound," she hissed.
"Uh..sound?" he asked again, feeling more confused. "I do not know what you are talking about? And how does it annoy your... Zanpaku-to?"
The slight twitch of one of her eyebrows was telling as she leaned back and looked down at his lap. As if she was assessing before her head tilted to the side. An indication she was communicating with her own Zanpaku-to. A thing that confused them all. Since usually one had to meditate to do that. She did it all the time — another mystery about the tiny woman.
When she just raised the other eyebrow, he wondered what was going to happen. He knew full well a tired, half-awake Kagome was a bad thing. When she suddenly stood up and started to leave, Yumichika let his body relax. Only to scream in pain as his earlobe was snagged between Kagome's pointer and thumb painfully. The sharp jerk she gave had him climbing to his feet quickly, even if he stumbled. So he could follow her.
"Baldy and the voyeur are out right now... that Captain and Lieutenant's meeting still, right?" she growled.
"Yes..." he choked out.
"Good, we are using the Voyeur's office then," she muttered.
When she finally let his ear go, he shot a dark glare at those that were watching with amusement and horror on their faces — sending them scurrying as he followed her down the many halls to the Captain's room. Where she promptly opened the door and motioned for him to enter. Which he did without hesitating. Though he knew if they were caught, Kenpachi would have both their asses for practice dummies for a few hours, if not a whole day. He was turning just as Kagome shut the door.
"Look, I have been hearing this sound since the first time we met, Yumi-chan. And trust me, it is painful to hear," she said, her voice going soft.
He watched as she walked right beside him and sat on the floor, crossing her legs in the yoga meditation pose. Before indicating he should too. A bit curious and skeptical, he did as told and just looked at her.
"You Zanpaku-to is crying out in anguish because you two are very narcissistic peacocks. And it is time that you two get over your fucking shit, and talk," she said, giving him a smug smile. "And White Fang and I are going to help."
This had him tensing and readying himself to stand up when he felt her Spiritual pressure spike dangerously high, making him feel light-headed. Looking at her, he frowned. Yumichika knew she didn't flare it like that at all unless she was sparring or outright fighting with their Captain. And the hard, cold look she was giving him let him know she'd have no qualms beating him into submission.
"Fine, but don't expect anything," he grumbled.
"We are going to do this together. I meant it when I said White Fang and I are going to help. Unsheath him and laid him across both our laps, his tip on my leg," she said in a gentle voice, totally at odds with the look she was giving him.
Reluctantly he pulled Ruri'iro Kujaku from his sheath, laying his hilt on his knee, the point on Kagomes. Just to watch as she did the same with her own Zanpaku-to. The feel of the blade's point against his knee had him wanting to shiver. There was a raw current of power running through it and making him wonder if Kagome felt this all the time.
"Good, now place her hand over White Fangs' tip, close your eyes and start to meditate," she quipped as she put her own hand over his Zanpaku-to's tip. "Whisper, White Fang."
Before he could shut his eyes, he saw the sword shift to its first form. Changing the feel of the raw power he felt coursing through the blade under his hand. Deciding to close his eyes and meditate, he focused on Ruri'iro Kujaku and asking for permission to enter his world.
The moment she felt the change in Yumichika, Kagome gave a dark smile, closed her eyes, and told Lord Fluffy to do his thing. It took a few seconds before she was standing in that familiar clearing, a gentle breeze causing the grass and leaves on the trees to wave back and forth, as clouds moved across a clear spring day. She knew this clearing well, had visited it a lot with little Rin. Slowly she turned to look at Yumichika and his spirit. Pressing her lips into a thin line when she saw them and the matching twin looks on their faces.
They looked a lot alike, except that one had feather-like appendages and less clothing. Coloring was a bit off, but the whole aura and vibe they gave off were the same.
"You will not fight here, and if you do, I will personally make your lives hell."
Blinking her eyes as she tilted her head back, Kagome saw Sesshomaru standing right behind her. His golden eyes cold and piercing as always. And she could tell he had his I am serious and will kill you maks on. Turning her gaze back to the other two, she saw that they were looking at her in awe and horror though she wasn't sure why there was a look of horror.
"Welcome to White Fang's world. This is my Zanpaku-to's spirit," she said, lifting a hand and waving it at Sesshomaru, who just hnned. "And you two are going to fucking talk your shit out, or the both of us will personally take a few layers off your metaphysical selves. And before you complain, Yumi-chan, what the fuck do you think White Fang's first form is? It is pure Kido... and no one thinks of kicking my ass out, because I have proved myself physically...in combat so far."
He was stunned. Not once had he heard, even from the 12th squad, of a Shinigami or their Zanpaku-to being drawn into another Zanpaku-to's world. And it was a bit disconcerting to see his own Zanpaku-to for the first time since the Academy. And he could admit while there was beauty there, the aesthetic didn't match his own. The damn thing looked gaudy, just like his name claimed, Azure Peacock. Though as he saw the spirit that inhabited the Zanpaku-to, he was in awe. The male was beautiful. And his beauty alone could put Rukia's Zanpaku-to's Shikai form to shame.
When Kagome spoke, he started to complain but stayed silent at the threat of having his non-corporal form being beaten. The male behind her looked like he could kill with a flick of his hand and not care either. Casting a side glance at Ruri'iro Kujaku, he saw horror etched on his face that his skin was paling rapidly.
"What are you scared of, Fuji?" he asked.
The visible twitch that ran through his Zanpakuto's spirit's manifested body told him a lot. He did hate that name.
"I know strength when I see it. And not once during any of your sparring sessions with Kagome, can you say you've felt his power? Have you? He is the real deal... Like your Captain, and that old man whose Zanpakuto was the Phoenix itself," Ruri'iro Kujaku hissed at him.
Taking a quick moment, Yumichika opened up all of his senses. Trying to figure out what the damn thing was talking about. Immediately he felt that cold aura that had been the current running through the Zanpaku-to. Only it was a thousand times stronger. And he was sure that the spirit was holding back. Shifting his gaze to Kagome, he saw her looking up at the sky, lost in the tranquility of the world. He couldn't believe that she was housing all this power and didn't even flaunt it.
"I suggest you two start talking. He doesn't have a lot of patience... and can get rather physical... trust me... I know," Kagome said softly, not looking at them.
He was highly insulted at first being pulled from the blade that housed him. But that was put on the wayside when he saw the male spirit next to the girl. All Zanpaku-to at creation are given knowledge to a degree. And most of it is off the history, their powers, and the legendary spirits sealed in the Zanpaku-to's. This was one of them. And the fact that the girl called him White Fang instead of his real name meant she had yet to gain all of his trust and respect.
Ruri'iro knew though, just from watching the two, that if he were to attack the girl, he'd be killed. His blade shattered. That was not an option. Even if he had his differences with his Shinigami wielder, he would not anger someone who could destroy him with a flick of the hand.
"Fine, we will talk. And you missy play a dangerous game doing this," he said in a prim and prissy tone.
When the girl looked down, he saw her eyes for the first time. He loved the color, Azure. It was part of his name. And her eyes were the embodiment of that. But there was amusement dancing in their depths as well as a wisdom and power that didn't belong to a Shinigami.
"I am glad that you are willing. I mean seriously, you two are so alike in personality. And it is why you two fight. But, I can say you are beautiful, very exotic," Kagome said, laughing good-naturedly.
He preened under that compliment and turned to Yumichika. Who was looking at him, questions dancing in his eyes as he waited? It was now or never. He hated being referred to by that hideous name. He wanted to be let out and do the damage he was created for. Hell, part of his ability was to protect and heal his owner. That chafed that he was refused that right under supercritical reasons.
"Let us talk things through... I do not want that wrath brought down on my head, Yumichika," Ruri'iro stated, using his owner's name for the first time in a while.
The meeting felt like it had dragged on forever. So, as they arrived back at the 11th Squads compound, they noted that several people were standing around and peeking down a particular hallway. And hadn't noticed them. With a quick look, they walked forward.
"Why are you all just standing around looking down the hallways?" Ikkaku barked.
This had the group spinning and looking wide-eyed at the two of them. It took a few seconds before someone explained that Kagome had dragged Yumichika down it by his ear. Then they went into the Captain's office, and they hadn't come back out. And that was over six hours ago. But the feel of both their spiritual pressure had spiked and calmed several times. And a strange blue-green glow had come through the shoji door a few times.
Once more, they shared a look before they made their way quickly down the hall. Only to stop outside the indicated door, before slamming it open. Only to see both Kagome and Yumichika looking at them. One with a smile and the other pale, but yet content looking. A look that was not usually associated with that particular person.
"Well, Yumi-chan, I think you need to talk to them," Kagome said.
They watched as she stood up, leaving a now slightly worried and panicking Yumichika in her wake. As soon as she had glided between the two of them, they turned their attention back to their friend and 3rd seat. They were watching and waiting as he stood up, holding his unsheathed Zanpakuto out before him. A slightly haunted look on his face.
"I have to tell you something... I have been keeping something from the both of you for a very long time," Yumichika said. "You see... My Zanpakuto..."
TBC!