Oh Lord, this is it.
The Bount arc. The necessary evil.
Some of you have expressed concerns over including this filler arc in the fic, but trust me, this arc has a purpose (one that may not be readily apparent in the beginning). Here's to me making it entertaining and worth the read for you guys. Hoo, boy, am I up for the challenge! *sweatdrops*
Many thanks to everyone who reviewed/favorited/followed my fic! Especially for your warm and helpful comments! Feel free to tell me what you think and how I can make the fic better. I'm always up for learning new things!
That said, enjoy the fic!
Chuchi, exit stage right!
人形: 任務を開始
Bount: And So it Begins
In a skyscraper office building, a lone man stood behind one of its large picture windows.
The room he was barely lit and trashed, but what little furniture remained were as posh as the grey and black business suit he wore. He held a goblet of red wine in his hand, swirling it idly, as he regarded the city below him with a bored look on his face.
The man stayed where he was, unmoving save for the occasional swish to his glass, until the double doors behind him opened.
"Kariya-san."
The man grunted in acknowledgement but did not turn around. "What is it, Utagawa?"
"I regret to inform you that Yoshino-san has run off on her own again," A tall brown-haired man dressed in a suit, jacket and tie emerged from the door. "She simply will not listen to reason despite countless warnings, Kariya-san."
"She is a stubborn woman, that one. But it doesn't matter how hard she tries, she'll never be able to truly leave us." The goblet was lifted for a sip. "Find her, Utagawa. Bring her back safely here at all costs."
"As you command."
The door closed quietly, and the room was quiet once again.
A dark chuckle. "All this effort for such a tantrum. Just what is it you hope to achieve with this," The red wine was swished again. "Yoshino?"
Still nothing!
Rukia scowled in frustration after skimming through the contents of another book with everything but what she wanted in it. Frustrating, because it was probably the fiftieth book she had seen in the Kuchiki archives for the day and still nothing!
You'd think that being the most comprehensive historical collection of Soul Society would mean that the Kuchiki archives would have at least some hint of the Shitenno. The girl groaned in frustration, returning the book to the shelf in favor of a new one.
It was after a few weeks post being reinstated to active duty that Rukia decided that she should start looking into the mission she had been assigned by the Balance. Shortly after returning to the Division, both Byakuya and Hitsugaya had seemingly come to the agreement to put her training days with them on hold to give her more time to rest in between missions, even if the most she had to do was to provide support to patrol groups during low-level Hollow extermination missions.
(Or, at least, that was the gist of their reasoning. Renji once suggested that the resulting workload on all Divisions due to the increased Hollow activity and the loss of three captains may have also been part of the reason.)
Rukia was fine with that—she was more than grateful for having the chance to train under them after all—but that left her with a little too much time in her hands, what with Renji also too busy to hang out lately. Spending that much time training by herself had been the plan at first; but Sode no Shirayuki reminding her about the Shitenno and asking about the sequence of events in the previous lifetime made Rukia realize that she should also do some research and planning.
And so far, her search regarding the Shitenno isn't going as well as she'd like.
/We did consider the possibility that there will be no information./ Sode no Shirayuki reasoned. /You said it yourself, the Academy never mentioned anything about them. For all we know, they might not have even heard of the Shitenno before, and some of the teachers there are already past thousand years old./
I was hoping for at least a tidbit to the right direction though. Maybe stories or writings with some similarities?
The snow spirit paused thoughtfully. /Perhaps because it is something akin to esoteric knowledge?/
Esoteric knowledge?
/The idea that knowledge of the Shitenno—be it treated as history or myth—is exclusive only to a certain group of people here in Seireitei./
Rukia pondered over the idea before shaking her head. Then all the more that the Kuchiki archives should have that information. Our family is in charge of recording and protecting Soul Society's history!
/That is possible, and it is true that we have not searched every nook and cranny of the archives./ (That made Rukia sigh heavily; weeks of searching and they weren't even past a quarter of its shelves!) /But there is also the likelihood that whatever material regarding the Shitenno Soul Society has could have been stored elsewhere. The Kuchiki family does not deal with legends now, do they?/
Upon further contemplation, the snow spirit had a fair point. The Kuchiki family was the protector of Soul Society's history, not what could be called its mythology (the debate on them being related and inspired from, and therefore are part of history notwithstanding). But instead of making things easier for them…
This search just became more complicated! If we can't find anything on the Shitenno here, then where else can we look? There's the Daireishokairou in Central 46 but I doubt I could get as much access there as I can here. That leaves the library back at Shinou Academy and the archives of the other noble clans. Rukia groaned again. And we haven't even gotten past half of the books we have in the compound! This could take anywhere between ten years to a hundred at this rate!
/Have you considered asking around your former teachers or the senior captains?/
No, but what am I supposed to say as to how I've heard of the Shitenno? Like what we've said again and again, it's not common knowledge. Rukia pursed her lips. And from what it looks like, all high-ranked officers from all Divisions are too busy on something. Even Nii-sama is coming home later than usual.
/That is true. Do you remember anything from the past that could hint you as to what is going on? I am afraid my memory of the time before you regained my shikai still remains clouded./
The Shinigami girl hummed in thought. Well, all the lieutenants and captains have been working doubly hard to make up for the Gotei 13 being three captains short, not to mention the promise of war in our hands.
/So all this fuss is over preparations for the war, then?/
Now that I think about it, there was something else that happened right before the war…
Sode no Shirayuki gave Rukia a mental nudge. /And that would be?/
It took ten seconds for a memory to click in the young Kuchiki's brain. The Bounts! Crap, I can't believe I nearly forgot about them!
/…Sorry, Bounts?/
Right, you weren't around during the time they managed to invade the city. Rukia leaned against a shelf with her arms crossed in thought. I don't remember everything as clearly as I'd like, but what I do remember is that they're a disgruntled artificially made race who made a grand plan of invading Soul Society. My involvement with them began when I was assigned a mission in Karakura, though I didn't know it was because of the Bounts at the time.
/What was your mission back then about?/
Honestly, I don't know. I don't remember being given details. I'm pretty sure I wasn't even back in active duty until that very moment they gave me the mission. Though that may not be entirely their fault! Rukia amended quickly when she felt her spirit friend's cold anger stirring around her. I'm quite sure that there wasn't much information on Bounts at the time, so…
But Sode no Shirayuki's distaste still rang clear in her words. /They made you undertake a mission before you managed to regain our shikai? And against an unknown enemy? How did they expect you to defend yourself? Run around like a flailing chicken and hope your kidou and shunpou will be enough?/
Uhm, when you put it that way…
/As if you need any more opportunities to get yourself killed, hime./ Sode no Shirayuki sighed loudly over Rukia's sputtered indignations. /Do not waste your energy denying it. I have been your companion for nearly two hundred years. One thing that has not changed ever since is that you always draw in trouble like honey does bees!/
It's not my fault! I mean, not always!
/Merely half of the time, I will concede. Still, that does not change the fact./
Anyway! Rukia sent a mental glare at Sode no Shirayuki, who huffed daintily. Whether whatever the squad leaders are working on is about the Bounts or the Winter War, there's no way for me to know unless Ukitake-taichou says anything about it. And since so far, all that I've been doing since resuming active duty is mind-numbing Hollow extermination, unless I suddenly get an assignment to Karakura then—
/Well you might want to look up, Rukia-sama./
Look up? Rukia's violet eyes moved up just in time to see a Hell butterfly fluttering innocently towards her from one of the archives' open windows. Raising an eyebrow, the girl held out her index finger for the insect to land onto.
Ukitake's voice filled her mind in half a second.
"Sorry, Rukia, I know you've just been on a mission, but we need you to report to the Division at once for your new assignment. It's based on the Human world and it's a task of high importance. I'll be waiting for you at my office. Please hurry."
Huh. Rukia frowned in confusion. This is...new.
/Rukia-sama?/
If this mission is what I think it is, then this was not how I was assigned it.
/What do you mean?/
When I was given the Karakura assignment that involved the Bounts, Ukitake-taichou only told me I had a new assignment in the living world, not the fact that there was anything in it more than just killing random Hollows.
/...Oh./
Rukia met her friend's gaze, knowing full well they were both thinking the same. Another thing that's changed.
/Well, you know what they say about ripples.../
Apparently, the ominous Hell Butterfly was just the tip of the "what has changed" iceberg.
Rukia was summoned back to the Division by Ukitake, who gave her a brief rundown of the situation she already knew of (one that would have been of better help in the past, had it happened).
"Yoruichi and Soi-Fong had the Senkaimon closed because of the strange happenings she had been noticing in the Human World recently, specifically in Karakura Town. We have received confirmation that formidable presences known as Bounts have been sighted as the instigators." Ukitake said. "From what we know, they are artificial beings that can live forever by consuming souls and also have special abilities, most notably through the use of their Dolls for combat.
"You will be sent to Karakura as Abarai's back-up in the preliminary investigation. We want to keep the knowledge regarding the Bounts under wraps for now. But seeing how well you've improved for the past few months, I was able to vouch for you being informed regarding this."
So that was why? Rukia shook her head. It won't do for her to dwell in the past. "I understand. When do I have to leave?"
"As soon as possible. I will personally inform Kuchiki-taichou of this situation so don't worry about that. We'll be sending you the coordinates to Kurosaki's location by your denreishinki once you arrive in the Human World." Ukitake stood up and made his way to the door. "Come, I shall accompany you to the senkaimon myself. While still on lockdown, you'll need me to authenticate you using it."
Rukia gave a brief nod as she followed the captain. "Is there anything else I need to know about this situation, sir?" She asked, though more for Sode no Shirayuki's sake.
"Urahara made three modified souls to act as detectors for these Bounts. Those three are currently with your friends, one each for Kurosaki, Orihime and Yasutora. Urahara found out that the Bounts are especially attracted to humans who possess some degree of spiritual awareness. So far, only two Bounts have been sighted active in Karakura: the woman Bount with an unknown doll that Soi-Fong and Yoruichi spotted and a male Bount with a snake like one. Though Yoruichi and Urahara both suspect that there are more of them in hiding."
"I see."
/You must have done really well in this time if Ukitake-sama is willing to share this much information with you./
I guess…
/Really, hime, look at the bright side. You're starting to prove to them much earlier that you are a reliable asset! This could mean more opportunities for you to be in a better position to fight more efficiently in the upcoming wars./
Rukia had to smile at Sode no Shirayuki's comment. She really needed to learn to see things the way her zanpakuto friend did. It would certainly help with the stress-induced headache.
"I'm on my way to the archives to see if we can find more information about these Bounts." Ukitake went on. "We will send you whatever we can find here in Soul Society. We will be also sending further back up as soon as we can find more available Shinigamis, but do call for reinforcements if you feel it is absolutely necessary."
"I promise I won't let your trust in me go to waste, taichou. I'll make sure that Ichigo and Renji will—"
"About time you got here, Ukitake."
Rukia's head turned away from her captain in surprise to the figure leaning on the post on one of the gates of the Central 46 compound entrance. This was unexpected. In the previous life, Rukia and Ukitake reached the senkaimon without running into anyone else. "Hitsugaya-taichou?"
The tenth Division captain's scrunched up face loosened when his green eyes landed on her. "Kuchiki? What are you doing here?"
"Hitsugaya-taichou will be assisting me in searching the archives later as part of the investigation here in Soul Society." Ukitake explained before turning to the other captain. "Sorry about that, Hitsugaya-taichou. I had to wait for Rukia to come back from her mission for the debriefing. She'll be joining Abarai to assist Bount investigation. I just came by to let you know that I need to accompany her to authorize her using the senkaimon. I'll come by as soon as I'm done."
Hitsugaya's eyes narrowed slightly. "You told her about the Bounts?"
The girl stood on attention. "Yes. Ukitake-taichou informed of the threat they could potentially pose on the humans. I'll do my best to be of help in the investigation."
I promised I won't be a burden anymore. Now would be a good time to start.
/You won't be, Rukia-sama. I can guarantee it!/
"Well, we won't be keeping you then, Hitsugaya-taichou." Ukitake spoke again. "If you'll excuse us—"
"It's not like I'll be able to do anything without your clearance in the archives myself." Hitsugaya interrupted. "I might as well join you."
"Oh, that's a pleasant surprise." The other silver haired Shinigami's smile was wide. "Would you rather not wait inside for me?"
Hitsugaya's green gaze flickered to Rukia for a brief moment before clearing his throat. "What difference will that make? At least going with you will be marginally more productive."
"Is it really OK, taichou?" Rukia blurted. "The senkaimon is not that far off. I wouldn't want to—"
Hitsugaya gave an irritated wave. "Don't make such a big deal out of it. Like what I said, I have nothing better to do anyway."
"But—"
"Let's just go!" The shorter Shinigami walked ahead of them before Rukia could finish her protest, leaving both Ukitake and her gaping at him.
The oldest Shinigami was the first to recover. "Huh. I guess there's no changing that one's mind. Come, Rukia."
Rukia blinked dazedly before nodding. "Right…"
/Oooh, Rukia-sama! If I did not know better, I would say he wants to see you off!/ Sode no Shirayuki whispered conspiratorially to her mistress.
Rukia's eyebrows twitched. D—Don't be ridiculous! He just doesn't want to remain loitering around the Central 46 compound. Anyway, we'll be heading to the Human World soon. We need to focus. The Bounts won't be easy opponents.
Sode no Shirayuki's mood immediately sobered up. /These Bounts absorb souls and use these dolls, their own version of zanpakuto, to fight, correct?/
That about sums up what they are. Though their dolls function differently from zanpakuto, in a sense that the dolls can somehow fight independently of their masters, to the point that they can decide how to carry out their masters' orders and even turn against them if their masters are considerably weakened.
/Even if it could mean their own deaths as well?/ At Rukia's mental nod, Sode no Shirayuki shook her head. /That is…brutal. And senseless./
That is how they are. Though there are some dolls who can fuse with and increase their masters' strength. The black-haired girl winced. Kariya was one. And according to Ishida, the lady Bount, Yoshino, had been another.
/Was she one of the Bount Ukitake-sama mentioned before being active in Karakura?/
Yes, but not for the reasons the others think. She had been against Kariya from the start… The Shinigami exhaled. Gods, I wish I could remember more clearly. All I could make out of that time was that she died, and somehow that triggered the rest of the Bounts managing to invade Soul Society!
/Easy, Rukia-sama. Do not push your mind too hard. Let us start at the beginning./
Rukia frowned as she tried to concentrate. I remember saving Ichigo from Yoshino's doll's attack. The doll was a fire-based golem of some sort, and it was pretty strong.
/If you say so, then it might pose a bit of a challenge./
But we didn't fight for long. The male bount with the snake doll, Utagawa I think his name was, showed up and took her away. We ran into him again when he was about to feed on a human. He eventually escaped, but we let Ishida get hurt. He was then taken by Yoshino for some reason, but then…
Suddenly, her mind was engulfed by a spark.
Two Bounts. Two bottle caps. Two arms of water.
Jin Kariya standing before them in a huge mansion.
Utagawa blocking their way.
A disgruntled shinigami within the Bount ranks.
Ishida and Yoshino disappearing again.
The fox flower doll entering and controlling her body.
The Bount with the fan and sword sending her flying.
Nii-sama saving her.
Jin and Ichigo clashing in a barren landscape.
/—sama! Rukia-sama, snap out of it!/
"Kuchiki!"
"Huh?" Rukia blinked, clearing the haze out of her vision, to find her two companions staring at her. Since when did they stop walking? "Uh, sorry, were we talking about something?"
Hitsugaya and Ukitake traded glances before the older captain cleared his throat. "Rukia, we're here."
Wait? What? True enough, they were no longer in the gates of the Central 46 compound; rather, they were in the huge courtyard that housed the Soul Society senkaimon gates. Shirayuki, why didn't you tell me we're here already?
/I've been trying, Rukia-sama. But you were so absorbed by your flashbacks./
Rukia bowed guiltily. "I'm sorry, I was just lost in thought, thinking about these Bounts." She paused to rack her brain at their disbelieving looks. "It's just that, at least with the Hollows, we have some idea of their capabilities and how to deal with them. But the Bounts are completely different creatures, aren't they? Neither human nor soul?"
Ukitake's green eyes softened. "I understand your concern. I loathe to ask you to confront them with the little knowledge we have but the humans in Karakura are at stake. Exercise caution and good judgment on whether or not you should engage against the Bounts. There is no telling how strong they can be because of their unique abilities."
Rukia let out a breath she realized she held in. "Yes, taichou. Hopefully, we'll find something that can help."
"I trust you will. Now right this way. I'll just have a word with Sentaro on opening the senkaimon."
Rukia obediently followed the frail captain, coming to a pause when she was several feet away from the stone passage that radiated pure reishi.
Right on the other side of this are her friends. Her dear human friends who risked their lives to save hers. She felt a smile cross her lips.
Sado. Inoue. Ishida. Ichigo.
"You're thinking about them."
Rukia nodded before facing Hitsugaya. "It's been a few months since I've last seen Ichigo and the others. I only wish we would reunite under better circumstances, but I am glad for the chance to be with them again."
The shorter Shinigami huffed. "It's just like Kurosaki to be caught in the middle of something like this."
"Well, he's always had a thing for saving others. But like what I told Ukitake-taichou, I won't let him get into more trouble than he can chew." The thing was, though, it looked like Ichigo thought there was no trouble he can't chew, making Rukia's job of making sure he won't just charge like some manic bull that much harder.
"It's not him I'm concerned about." Hitsugaya mumbled so lowly Rukia didn't think she was supposed to hear it. But she did, and it made her eyes go wide. "Wh—what?"
"Nothing." The boy Shinigami snapped, glaring at the opposite wall. "Anyway, we're counting on you and Abarai to keep him in line."
"I'll do my best. Just remember that this is Ichigo we're talking about." She hesitated before adding carefully. "It's been a while, Hitsugaya-taichou. How have you been?"
"It's only been a few weeks, idiot." The male Shinigami remarked. Rukia however waited quietly. "...Fine, mostly. Nothing unusual until this happened. If only Matsumoto's skill in getting the latest news applies to the rest of her work ethic. She was the one who informed me of the investigation regarding the Bounts two days ago."
"I'm sure Matsumoto-fukutaichou has her strengths in other areas." Rukia said warmly. "You wouldn't keep her with you if she didn't. And besides, she is incredibly loyal to you. It's hard to top that."
Hitsugaya raised an eyebrow at her. "You can tell that sort of thing?"
"Ah, well, she does complain about you being so strict every now and then, but from what I can see from her," Flashes of Matsumoto distraught over Hitsugaya's disappearance during the Kusaka incident, of Rukia's and Toushirou's conversations regarding the buxom Shinigami crossed her mind. "Push comes to shove, I am sure she will stand by you all the way."
"...It's not that I am unaware of her strengths." The white-haired boy mumbled. "I just wish she'd show them more often. It's hard to keep vouching for a lieutenant who most people only see as a slacker."
"And yet you still do."
"Because you're right." Hitsugaya sighed. "Gods, she may drive me insane at times, but there's not a lot I trust as much as her to have my back."
You can trust me. Rukia squashed the impulse down. She had no right to ask for something she knew was so precious to Hitsugaya. I'll just have to prove myself worthy of it one day…
"...Kuchiki."
Green eyes met violet, making Rukia tilt her head questioningly. "Taichou?"
"Don't push yourself too hard out there." The captain said suddenly. "You just got your shikai back. Don't do anything reckless."
It was the same look Toushirou used to give her whenever they had no choice but to engage in a fight against the Wandenreich, the concern in his eyes that never failed to give her a warm, comforting feeling.
"I won't. I promise."
"Good."
Before Rukia could say anything else though, a cough sounded behind them.
"Sorry to interrupt, but the senkaimon is already open." Ukitake informed them with a nod. "It's time, Rukia."
"R-Right!" Rukia stuttered, trying in vain to push down the red she knew was burnt onto her face. She bowed to the two captains. "Thank you very much for seeing me off, Ukitake-taichou, Hitsugaya-taichou!"
"I—It just so happened that I didn't have anything else better to do anyway." Hitsugaya scowled, his eyes looking at anywhere else but at her.
"Think nothing of it, Rukia." Ukitake smiled kindly. "Take care and remember to report back in once in a while."
"I will." Rukia stepped forward to the light of the senkaimon, a determined look on her face.
/This is it, Rukia-sama. Our first battle in this timeline./
Yes. Rukia tightened her hold on her sword. No better time for me to put my training to the test. Here's to hoping I actually learned a thing or two on how not to be a burden anymore.
Ichigo. Inoue. Sado. Ishida. I'm on my way.
Sorry that not much is happening in this chapter, but as with all arcs, we need to get the exposition out of the way. Don't worry, the action's going to come pretty soon. I just need to write them down because, you know, we're past the 50K mark. :P
On a side note, I get that this is filler arc, and that they need to pad the running time of the show while the manga chapters are still going, but seriously, logically, why the hell would Soul Society send Rukia on a mission in the Human World, against an unknown enemy without even her shikai back? Are you asking for her to get killed?! Again, I know it's not entirely the show's fault it had to be that way, but that fact still bugged me.
Lastly, in case you'll notice (most likely), the coming omake is shorter than usual. That's because the original became too long so I had to cut it; and where it ended was the best place to do it, me thinks. But since I feel that they're necessary for the story, you'll be seeing the rest of its parts in the next chapter.
(Spoiler: I can't deny Ruru her dramatic entrance now, can I?)
CHUCHI'S HEADCANONS:
- It's not that Ukitake deliberately kept Rukia in the dark. It's just that until more info was gathered about them, the Bounts were classified information. But because of her improvements in this timeline both as a fighter and a tactician (of sorts), Ukitake was able to vouch for her knowing more about the Bounts more effectively than the last time.
-The Kuchiki family archives is three stories (two floors plus one basement) tall and half a hectare wide. Unless you know specifically what you're looking for, you could end up searching there forever (or a few decades).
-Toushirou is a fricking Tsundere and I will debate on that. (lol)
OMAKE:
If someone's coming over to help me, now would be a damn good time!
A bead of cold sweat slid down Ichigo's back when he saw the lady bount's flaming behemoth of a doll hover threateningly, its fiery arms poised to attack. Maybe going after an unknown assailant without any backup was a stupid move, but it wasn't like he could just let the woman get away with whatever she was planning.
He just didn't expect that she could kick his ass so badly like this. Man, why is he such a complete flop lately? First, during the games with Ririn and the other mod souls, and now this?
"Goethe," The woman sounded rather tired when she said it. "Finish him."
The fire golem didn't hesitate for a moment. "Finish him? Understood."
Well, that's just great.
"Quickly! Come on!" Ririn fretted while she tried her best to pull the much taller teen off the rubble pinning him to the ground with her stick thin arms. But try as he might, the rocks and beams on top of him just won't budge.
"...I'm stuck." He deadpanned, belying the fact that he was a panicking bundle of nerves inside because he was ten seconds away from being roasted alive.
Ririn gawked at him. "IDIOT!"
What the hell am I supposed to do? These shitty beams won't move! Ichigo wanted to snap at her, but Goethe chose that time to fling his flames at them.
Well, that's just fucking great!
If someone's coming over to help me, Ichigo screamed in his mind, belatedly hearing Ririn screech next to his arm as he braced himself for the impact. Get your ass over here right damn fucking NOW!
But just before the jets of flames could reach him and Ririn, a burst of white lightning crashed into the ground, intercepting the attack and forcing it to disperse.
"E—Eh?" Ririn gaped while Ichigo held in a breath. "What the hell—?"
"What do you think you're doing, idiot?"
The orange head's eyes widened when the smoke cleared in front of him. Th—That voice!
Ririn tilted her head, trying to get a better look at the newcomer. "That outfit—she's a shinigami too?"
But Ichigo, who was too busy gaping at the newcomer in shock, barely heard the question as said shinigami turned towards them with a small smirk on her face. "Gotten rusty, have we, Ichigo?"
"R—Rukia!"
