Chapter 2:
His Daughter.
I remember when we first met. You barely looked at me, as if I was not worthy of you time. I was used to be seen as if I was nothing; my family had mastered this art long before I had joined the Gotei. This time, however, that hurt me. I did not know why. You should have been nothing more than my superior, another shinigami who would look at me with disdain. It should not have upset me like that. Yet, it did.
I think I had already sensed there was something strange in you, something that no other shinigami seemed to have. Maybe I instinctively felt that anger, that hatred, burning in you. Those same feeling you hid under your mask of politeness and kindness that had fooled so many people. And, as strange as it may seem, this is what drew me to you. I think I wanted to understand why someone who seemed to have all he wanted could feel the same hatred and the same anger as me. I think that's why I clung to you; why I did not let you keep me away. I did not know you. I did not know all the pain they had inflected on you. But when I found out, I was not surprised.
It's probably because I felt we were alike I was attracted to you. Instinctively, I knew that you too were a wounded soul seeking revenge. The only difference between us is that you wanted to destroy the entire Soul Society, while I only wanted to try to save it.
Sôsuke was truly surprised. He did not expect to see so many people at Eiko's funeral. Most of the fifth division was present, and he knew the absent all had good reasons for not being there: they were all retained elsewhere by various missions. Most of the thirteenth division had also came, Ukitake in lead. Even Kaien Shiba, the white haired captain's new protégé was standing behind his superior, though Sôsuke doubted he had the time to fight side by side with Eiko before she was transferred to his squad. He had almost forgotten that before serving under him, Eiko had belonged to Ukitake's division. Almost all the members of the Shinigami Women's Association were also here. All the others attendants were various friends Eiko had made in almost all the divisions.
Even Hirako was there and Sôsuke raged inwardly at seeing his captain standing in front of him, with an innocent look on his face, as if he had not taken part in the drama that had taken away his lover. Trying to keep a neutral and calm face, he, however, could not help but star at the blond man's back as if to drill a hole in the kanji printed on his haori. It was almost surprising that the blond did not yet realize the burning gaze fixed on him.
A move on his right distracted Sôsuke's attention from Hirako and he looked down at Kyoko. The little girl clutched his hand in hers as if her life depended on it and tears streamed down her little face in complete silence. Sôsuke knew that most eyes were on them. He knew that most of these shinigami pitied the girl. Ukitake even came to find him, before the ceremony, to ensure that if he needed anything, help or advice to raise Kyoko, he was there for them. Sôsuke had agreed with a pleasant smile, wondering what help could be the captain, who never had children!
Holding back a sigh, Sôsuke raised his head once more to follow the ceremony. Priests were now approaching the pyre with torches and ignited its corners. High flame then rose and warmth bathed the front rows of the audience without providing them any solace. A cry was heard and Sôsuke lowered his gaze toward his goddaughter. The silent sobs had turned into waterfalls of tears and though the little girl tried to remain discreet, it was now impossible for her to stop whining loudly. Sôsuke could no longer remain indifferent to his ward's distress; he leaned toward her and lifted her in his arms, cradling her against his chest. Kyoko immediately buried her face in his neck and gave free rein to her distress. Some whispers were heard around them and even Hirako looked at them over his shoulder. Sôsuke did not care. He looked at the burning pyre, the bright flames licking his lover's body reflected in his glasses, hiding his eyes to his superior's.
For the first time in years, Sôsuke did not care about what the blond was thinking, he did not care his captain could guess what he had in mind. The only thing that mattered was the weight in his arms and the warmth against his heart. He had promised he would protect Kyoko; he would not shirk, even if he had to put his revenge on hold for some time. He would wait as long as necessary, Kyoko would grow, she would understand then she could decide by herself if she wanted to follow him or not. Only then he would resume his scheme, and destroy first those who took Eiko from them.
The ceremony ended. The crowd dispersed slowly, whispering among themselves. Sôsuke paid no mind to what they said. He stood there for a time, his eyes still fixed on the pyre that continued to smolder. There was nothing left of Eiko but some ashes which would soon join the monument erected in honor of the Shinigami fallen on the battlefield. What a joke! Eiko did not die on a mission; she had been coldly executed on the Chuô's order, or Yamaoto's.
When Sôsuke finally turned from the embers, he found himself face to face with Hirako and Ukitake who seemed to be waiting for him. Everybody had left but them. He walked up to them and greeted them with his usual politeness, thanking them for their presence.
"It was the least we could do," Ukitake replied with an indulgent smile. "I liked Tsukishima-chan. What a pity she died so young."
Sôsuke did not answer. Kyoko was not crying anymore. Hearing the unknown voice, she raised her little face, still buried in her guardian's neck, and looked at the two captains. Ukitake gave her a sweet smile.
"Hello there Kyoko-chan, I have known your mom."
The girl did not answer and merely looked at the captain with her big teal eyes.
"You have her eyes," noticed Ukitake softly stroking her head.
"Mama is gone," the girl said in a barely audible voice.
Her gaze slid from Ukitake's smiling face to fall on the floor.
"The evil monsters killed her."
The two captains seemed surprised.
"Did you tell her?" Ukitake asked, visibly disturbed.
"No," answered Sôsuke trying to stay calm. "I simply told her her mother would never come back. She probably heard me talk to her nurse. I should have been more cautious."
If Ukitake seemed to be satisfied with this explanation, Hirako, however, frowned suspiciously.
Sôsuke easily guessed what his captain was thinking. That was why he keept to himself the revelation the nurse had given him when he told her of Eiko's death. That night, while her mother was living her last moments, Kyoko woke up screaming in terror. The nurse, worried and panicked, had struggled to calm her and all she could learn of the little girl was she had dreamed that monster had killed his mother. She though it was a nightmare and had put the little girl in bed after making her drink some warm milk. Sôsuke however knew it could not be coincidence. While speaking with Kyoko, he had realized the monsters she described him were not hollow. What she described was shinigami. The four he suspected to be involved in his lover's murder. Eiko had warned him. This power was running through the veins of every woman in her lineage for centuries, the power to see things before they happen, the main cause of his beloved's death, well that and her incredible Zanpakutô. He would not let the shinigami know that Kyoko also has this power.
"You should have been more careful, Sôsuke-kun," Ukitake chided softly. "Yukiko-chan is too young to know about the hollow. It's better to let her live her childhood quietly."
"You're right, captain," said the chestnut haired man. "I was careless. I'm not yet used to have her with me. I'll be more careful."
Ukitake gave him an indulgent smile.
"Why hide the truth?" Hirako spoke, still frowning. "This girl will eventually learn about the world she lives in. Lying to her is not a solution."
Sôsuke found it ironic to hear that from someone involved in even bigger lies, but he said nothing. He let Ukitake protest for him.
"Don't you think little one?" The blond resumed, brushing aside his colleague's protestation. "You would rather know the truth, right?"
Kyoko did not answer. She looked at Hirako with wide eyes before bursting into tears. She hid her face in her guardian's kimono. Had she recognized one of her mother's murderers, after seeing them during her vision, or did she felt the blonde was dangerous? Sôsuke did not know.
"I think you scared her, Captain" he said with a smile that was meant to seem embarrassed.
"It's not surprising, with such an idiotic face!" growled a new voice.
BAM! Hirako was sent flying away, a red footprint in the center of his face. Sôsuke and Ukitake turned to the newcomer, the twelfth division's lieutenant, a blonde girl, as vicious as a rabid dog.
"Hiyori!" Hirako snarled, pinching his nose dripping with blood. "I will make you pay, brat."
"You've forgotten captain Hikifune, you moron. She is waiting for you."
"It's not your business. I told her I would be late."
"Excuse me, Sôsuke" suddenly said in a firm voice. "I would appreciate if you go bickering elsewhere."
The two blonde turned to him with the intention of telling him to go to hell but they froze instantly. Eyes veiled by a reflection on his glasses, Sôsuke gave off a menacing aura that was not usual. Ukitake stared at them both with an outraged look and even Kyoko watched them in shock. Behind the three of them, the pyre collapsed in on itself in a cloud of incandescent sparks. The two blonds had at least the decency to look mortified.
"Sorry," said Hirako, rising to his feet. "It was inappropriate."
He walked away stiffly.
"Come, Hiyori."
His dry and authoritative tone prevented the girl to protest and she followed him in silence. Sôsuke watched them leave with an annoyed sigh.
"Excuse my behavior, Captain, I lost my temper."
"Don' worry," Ukitake said softly. "If you hadn't done it, I would have."
Still firmly holding Kyoko in his arms, Sôsuke walked towards the stairs to leave the sanctuary, Ukitake alongside him.
"Tsukishima-chan liked you, Sôsuke-kun," the captain suddenly revealed. "She saw you as her best friend."
"I know. She was kind. You could trust her. I am honored she named me to take care of Kyoko-chan."
"If you need anything, you can come to me. I'll gladly help you"
"Thanks, captain. We are still getting to know each other. It's quite a change for us both."
"I can understand that. Goodbye Sôsuke-kun. Goodbye Kyoko-chan."
He gently ruffled the girl's hair and left to go back to his squad. Sôsuke watched him go, wondering why he did not ask about Kyoko's father, like almost all the officers he had met since Eiko' death.
Sôsuke did not see Hirako again that day. Going back to the fifth division's barracks, he walked to his apartment and laid Kyoko on the floor after closing the door behind them. The building was almost empty, for which he was grateful. He did not want to come across anyone yet. Dropping on a cushion near his low desk, he removed his glasses and ran his hands over his face, sighing. He really should find a way to vent his anger, or he would make fatal errors. Too many eyes were fixed on them; even those who did not know Eiko seemed to have taken interest in them. He would have to wait for the sudden interest to fade before resuming his shenanigans.
He cast a gloomy glance at the pile of papers waiting on his table. He had spent the last four days taking care of Kyoko, helping her to adjust to her new life, helping pack her belonging and transporting it to his home. He had had little time to do his administrative tasks. He did not want to. All he wanted was to kill the bastards who took his lover's life with his own hands. But he could not do it, yet.
Putting on his glasses, he looked at Kyoko. The girl was silent, sitting on the tatami despite her precious kimono; she looked a shiny beetle crawl on the ground. She had spent the last four days like that: prostrated in silence, speaking only to Sôsuke, calm and reserved. A little too quiet for her guardian's linking. No child should be that withdrawn. Although he understands perfectly what she felt, Sôsuke would rather see her rolling on the floor screaming or breaking everything around her. Her calmness was almost frightening for a child so young.
"Kyo-chan, could you ..."
A rustling similar to a gale interrupted him. Just a second later, a man in shinigami uniform stood in the middle of the room. Kyoko screamed and rushed to Sôsuke to take shelter in his arms.
"Aizen-sama," greeted the newcomer.
"Kaname. You scared Kyoko."
The little girl ventured a look above her guardian's arm. The man who had just arrived was tall and had dark skin and strange blank eyes behind his black glasses.
"You don't have to be afraid; Kyo-chan. Kaname is a friend."
It does not prompt the girl to come out of hiding.
"I wanted to apologize for not coming to Tsukishima's funeral. I thought it wasn't my place. After all, we weren't supposed to know each other."
"You did well."
Kyoko hid her face in Sôsuke's kimono, wishing not to hear about her mother's death.
"What do we do now?" Kaname asked after a moment.
"Nothing! We wait for the attention to fade. Hirako is even more suspicious than usual and most of the Gotei seems very interested in Kyoko and me.
Tôsen's blank stare remained on an indistinct point somewhere above Sosuke's left shoulder, but the chestnut haired man saw him tighten his jaw like he was trying to avoid saying a comment that could earn him serious trouble.
"Something to say, Kaname?" Sôsuke asked in a sharp voice.
The dark skinned man hesitated:
"If I may ask, why have you agreed to take care of the girl? It needlessly draws attention to you. It will complicate your task. She is a useless burden in our quest."
His words choked in his throat. Sôsuke nailed him on the spot with a sudden discharge of reiatsu. Beads of sweat ran down the blind man forehead.
"You wanted me to leave my own daughter in some stranger's hands? Some stranger who would make her one of those stupid shinigami, unable to think by herself and to see the truth in their web of lies? That's what you're telling me, Kaname?"
His voice was quiet but sharp as a blade. Tôsen swallowed hard.
"You're right, Aizen-sama. It was stupid of me to think that. Excuse me ... but to say the truth, the girl still is a complication. How to be certain she'll do nothing that could harm you? Even unintentionally. Children are easily manipulated. Not to mention that woman who takes care her. She will regularly come to your home, how can we know she is not a spy?"
"Don't worry about her. I already took care of that."
Kaname remained silent for a moment.
"You mean ..."
"She is under Kyoka Suigetsu's influence, yes.
Tôsen seemed surprised.
"When did you do that?"
"When Eiko hired her to take care of Kyoko-chan. As for Kyoko, I don't worry. After seeing her reaction to Hirako and some others, she instinctively knows who she would be warry of."
Kaname tuned his blind eyes toward Kyoko.
"You don't mean ..."
"Yes, Kaname, that's exactly what I mean."
The two men looked down at the little girl who had fallen asleep in her father's arms, exhausted by her day and ignorant of the danger that awaited the three of them in the Seireitei's narrow corridors and closed offices.