Sins of the Unholy

Chapter 17: Interlude

Hello All!

Welcome to the end of Sins of the Unholy: Kiseichu Arc! I don't think I ever thought I'd get this far. A lot of things have gone into the making of this series and a lot of it is the excitement for Bleach's return in October. Now, I'm not gonna talk for this whole chapter, I think that'd be wrong and I'm sure some of you would like to have a happy moment before we jump to part 2.

Any and all Interlude's will be glimpses of Juno's past along with some familiar faces.

So enjoy this little story about how our Main Characters came to be.

Ever since she was a child, Juno always wore a limiter. The fear of causing problems within the Soul Society always frightened her. Listening to the way the Captains would talk about her, always caused Juno to grip her Zanpakuto tighter. It's the little voice at the back of her mind that makes her pause over the choker. The black lace is intricate with yellow stones cast into it. She looks down at her Zanpakuto and knows it needs to happen.

Peeling off the choker, Juno focuses all her energy on keeping him at ease. Closing her eyes, she lets the wash of the dream take over.

Captain Hitsugaya stands busted and beaten. His large ice wings are cracked, ice falling like snowflakes around him. He breathes hard as he stands off against Aizen Souske. Around them many others fight, arrancars and captains take on the Soul Society over what looks to be Karakura town. The town below shifts and then settles, like an old image on repeat.

Hitsugaya charges in for an attack, clashing swords with Aizen yelling out in anger as he takes on the former Captain.

"You really are young. You recklessly charge in when you see a chance for victory. This is your biggest shortcoming, Captain Hitsugaya."

The battle is bright, the attacks are flying and before Juno knows it, she blinks and Hitsugaya is behind Aizen. He thrusts his sword up and through Aizen. The look of excitement that plays along the other Captain's faces is joyus and a thrill runs along Juno's skin. But then it morphs so quickly, the look of dread that crosses Hitsugay's face as Momo Hinamori stands speared by his blade.

"Momo.."

Juno quickly wakes, slipping her limiter back on and she takes a deep breath before looking at Kiseichu. The sword hums under her gaze and Juno sighs out as she knows what she must do.

After Toshiro's bankai is stolen, Toshiro begins to train regularly to gain it back. Between times in the cave and a dojo located in squad 11, Toshiro works himself to the bone. It's not till he's two weeks in that he notices something. The case workload has been low and the only things that come across his desk are things that need a brief look and a signature. It's on his way to the cave one day that he turns and asks a question expecting Rangiku to be there.

"Matsumoto, do you have the reports for later this afternoon?" He pauses before entering and turns to see his third seat. Juno Ryuzaki stands flipping through a notebook and looks up at the Captain. She's dressed in her shihakusho, her hair is braided into two pigtails that come over her shoulders. Her Zanpakto slipped into the white obi.

"Oh, I'm sorry Captain Hitsugaya. Lieutenant Matsumoto disappeared a few hours ago. I figured I should stay around till you needed something." Juno's voice is sweet as she turns to the last page and reads over the schedule.

"The squad will be joining you to do some spiritual pressure training later. We're working on getting yours up to its maximum by influencing the area around you." Juno lets the sheets fall back and holds the notebook close as she stands under his eye. Crossing his arms he frowns for a moment before turning back to the cave.

"If you happen to see the Lieutenant, please inform her she's in for double duty this week." He presses on into the cave, hardly sparing her a glance. But in that moment, in just the brief conversation he realizes something is about to change.

From then on he sees her everywhere, she accompanies him for most of his day. Taking notes or relaying information needed at any moment. She doesn't hover or comment out of turn, but she keeps the day lively as she points out random things around the Soul Society.

Winter rolls into the Soul Society and snow coats the area. Everyone bundles up and keeps inside, Toshiro doesn't slack off. He keeps up his daily training and dojo practices. Juno follows, bundled up with a thick shawl in dark purple with a hood over her head. She's red cheeked as they move from one place to the other. But she doesn't complain until the first snowfall.

"Captain Hitsugaya, I understand Hyorinmaru is an Ice Zanpakuto. But aren't you cold? Especially now with the snow fall, my room is like an ice box because of it." It's nothing major, but it's the first time she speaks about herself. It stops Toshiro in his tracks and he turns to look at her.

"The cold is probably what will bring Hyorinmaru back to me. It's better I feel it on my skin like the first time we met." It's something personal, something small and almost an afterthought and Toshiro is surprised by himself.

"You're going to lose your fingers Captain." She chuckles as she holds out a hand to catch the falling snow. Her smile is wide and her eyes are full of excitement as she takes in the gray skies. Toshiro turns away from her, feeling something warm bloom along his chest.

Two days later he finds a present on his desk. Opening it up, he can't help the smile that comes to his lips. A green scarf, like the green of the squad, lays within. He picks it up to feel it and is surprised to find that it's soft and thin. Something that would not hinder him in any case. Pulling it out, he wraps it around his neck and secures it just as Matsumoto comes in. She blinks at him but he ignores her. Looking to the bottom of the box is a note.

'Still keep an eye on your fingers, you never know!' It's not signed but he recognizes Juno's handwriting.

*Note- Yes I know the scarf he wears is the sash for Hyroinmaru, let's pretend it's not.*

Tsuki watches the girl closely. She's a few inches shorter than him and she's close to the lady of the house the whole time he's been here. When he'd first arrived with the other villagers, Lady Juno and Captain Hitsugaya had let them wander the grounds and get used to the area. Far off the grid and far away from the Soul Society. He noticed that the Captain seemed to relax once they'd crossed into the compound.

The girl was currently sitting with Lady Juno as they both looked over a piece of sewing work. The girl giggled as Lady Juno pointed out either mistakes or correct stitches. The two of them together made quite the pair, the girl hadn't parted from Lady Juno's side since they'd arrived. Waited hand and foot and never seemed to part long.

"The last of the villagers are leaving, will you be joining them?" The Captain's voice makes the boy jump before turning quickly to stare at him. He's dressed down in a dark green yukata with a black obi over. His arms are crossed over his chest and the worry lines have slowly eased out from around his eyes.

"Um...No Captain. I'll be staying here." Tsuki moves to the side as Toshiro steps forward to look at the two girls. A smirk graces his lips and he looks down at Tsuki.

"Saki has taken a liking to Lady Juno, it's been harder to pull smiles from her lately." Speaks Toshiro as he uncrosses his arms and lays a hand on Tsuki's shoulder.

"I hope when I'm not around, I can rely on you to take care of the two of them." Tsuki looks up at the man as the hand on his shoulder squeezes. Looking back at the girls, he watches as Lady Juno looks up to the two and smiles before gesturing for them to come closer.

"Yes sir, I will." Speaks Tsuki truthfully as the hand slips off his shoulder and Toshiro uses it to wave at Lady Juno. He moves to walk closer and Tsuki, feeling like he's caught up in some sort of spell, follows like a child trying to catch up to his family.

Comments, Questions, Concerns

Now, Sins of the Unholy is part 1 of the "Sins Trilogy". Part 2, Sins of the Exiled: Silko Keep, will be uploaded with one chapter just after this.

I have a few places this is posted so it will take a few hours, but it will go up today.

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