Hinamori's Apprentice
Chapter 40
"An honor duel?" Momo repeated. The man nodded.
"Honor duel. Kyrzk will accept challenge of either yow."
"I'm sorry, but we cannot do that," Toushiro said, "Soi Fon allowed us to speak with you alone, but she'll never agree to take your restraints off for a duel."
"Yow misunterstand. Honor duel can be any contest. May be fights, may be riddles, may be sports. Don't matter. If honor rest upon te outcome, is honor duel."
"We have nothing like that available. I'd appreciate it if you didn't play your games with us as we are quite serious about finding information on our friend," Toushiro said.
"Look to Kyrzk like yow already playin games," the captive said, "Yow left side, beneath te robes. Kyrzk saw during yow scuffle. There be a bag of smooth stones; no doubt for games."
"Those… In the time before Momo was allowed to leave the Fourth Division, we played mancala to pass the time. Those are just the pieces," Toushiro said, looking a bit embarrassed to be in possession of game pieces.
"Set them out," the captive instructed.
Momo and Toushiro glanced at each other, unsure what to do.
"First tell us your name," Momo said, "You know our names, what is yours?"
"'Kyr' is name," the man said.
"Really? I thought it was 'Kyrzk' since that's what you always use to refer to yourself," Momo said.
"'Kyrzk' how refer to self, 'Kyr' formal name. Now put out game pieces."
Toushiro reluctantly reached into his robes and pulled out a small leather bag. He opened it and poured out a number of highly polished stones colored green and pink. They were flat on the bottom, but otherwise completely smooth and rounded. In total, there were eighteen green and eighteen pink for a total of thirty-six stones. Kyr smiled upon seeing the game pieces.
"Yes, this will do," he said, "Kyrzk show yow how play Iskl, traditional game of te Karekol people. First, line up te pieces six by six. Green one side, pink te other."
Toushiro did as Kyr instructed, lining up the pieces into neat rows, with the green on his side and pink on Kyr's side. After it was set up, Kyr began telling him the rules of the game.
"Te object of Iskl is to move pieces to opponent side to form win pattern. Yow switch one yow piece with opponent piece. Piece in yow first row only replace piece in opponent first row, piece in second row only replace opponent second row, din piece in te third row switch with opponent third third row. When on opponent side, may switch with adjacent opponent piece in first din third row, din with diagonal pieces in second row. Yow understand?"
"I believe so, but what sort of patterns are to be made?" Toushiro asked.
"Any symmetry pattern with half yow pieces one side, half other. Same pattern each side. Opponent try disrupt, yow try outwit him."
"I see. Very well then, I'll play this game of yours. If I win, you will tell me all the information we need about the "Fourth Rising", its leaders, and how to get there, agreed?" Toushiro said.
"Agreed," Kyr replied, "But know that Kyrzk only give yow information on te Fourth Rising. Kyrzk will not betray people."
"Very well then," Toushiro said.
"Din one more thing!" Kyr said, "If Kyrzk wins, yow must release on yow honor."
Momo was about to object, but before she could, Toushiro said "Agreed."
"Toushiro, we can't do that!" she whispered to him.
"This is our only chance to obtain real information on where Karin is, not to mention finding and defeating the enemy," Toushiro said.
"But what if you lose?"
"If I lose, I'll uphold my side of the bargain," Toushiro said simply.
Before Momo could object further, the game had begun. Toushiro took the first move, switching one of his first row pieces with that of Kyr. His opponent responded by switching the piece that Toushiro had just moved to his side with one of Toushiro's pieces. As they took turns switching their pieces for the opponents, Momo soon became lost with the complexities of the game. The rules had seemed unclear to Momo, but Toushiro was apparently able to pick them up fast. Both Toushiro and Kyr focused intensely on the game, their expressions as serious as if they were in the heat of battle. She would sometimes see a pattern emerging on one side, only for the opponent to block it before a complete combination could be made. It went back and forth for a long time – or at least what felt like a long time – until Toushiro stood up and moved one last piece into place, forming a diamond pattern with four pieces in each corner.
"It's my victory," he said, trying to stifle a sigh of relief, "Now tell us everything you know about the Fourth Rising."
"Very well. If Kyrzk answers not honest, then Kyrzk condemn self to dishonor. What yow question Kyrzk answer?"
"Um, I guess the first question would be who's leading this rebellion against Seireitei?" Momo said.
"A man name Aurion. Kyrzk know not where came from. As if came from nowhere, din gathered followers. Arrancars, rogue Shinigami, anyone with power din nothing to do with it."
"And that would include your people?" Toushiro asked.
"No! Of course not!" Kyr barked, "We a proud people. We never put selves subjugation to such dishonor ones! We serve Aurion because our master instructs us to."
"Master… you mean that skeleton monster?" Momo asked.
"Do not refer him in such disrespect words," Kyr said, "He te reason te Karekol last so long. When enemies attack, he fight them off din lead us to safe hide spot until danger over. Invaders came to our lands many times, din because him, we outlast every one of them. Whomever they be, every empire in past four thousand years fall, because they don't have him to protect him. He appears when danger, then disappears. He is more than our master, is unstoppable force of nature. We no know why he leads us in following Aurion, but we can only trust in him as we always have."
"So… why did he kidnap Karin?" Momo asked, trying hard not to insult the monstrous being that Kyr clearly held with great reverence.
"Because Aurion told him, and he chose to follow te order," Kyr said.
"But why did Aurion want her kidnapped?" Toushiro pressed.
"There is a man Aurion hired. A madman named Usagi Uzaki. He make all kind of device for Aurion, but asks for 'material' in return. He had us raid any place might possess thing he could use. One way he power his weapon is soul energy. He use Quincy for that, but that not enough. Te gul was taken to provide power for new weapon Usagi build for Aurion."
"I see…" Toushiro said, his expression dark, "Will Karin be okay?"
"Kyrzk no know. He want her alive, but when he done with her…"
"I understand. Do you know how we can get to the place they're holding her?"
"Yes. One Usagi Uzaki item makes move from one place to another. He able to do it freely, but for us is design to go to pre-established location: te fortress."
"So… so we can use this thing to go straight to where they're holding Karin!" Momo said hopefully.
"No, no yow," Kyr said, "Design only for use by Karekol. Yow can't use."
"What? Then how are we supposed to-"
"However," Kyr continued, "It is entirely possible for te user, by which mean Kyrzk, to move multiple people. If yow agree let Kyrzk go back to people on arrival."
Momo and Toushiro looked at each other nervously. There was no way that Soi Fon would allow them to take the prisoner outside her division, let alone release him afterwards. If they were going to do this, they would have to do it secretly. This was their only chance however, and they couldn't wait for such a plan to be approved. With each passing day, the danger for Karin grew. If they were to propose such a plan to Yamamoto and Soi Fon, it would be greatly delayed, if they allowed it at all. This was their only chance.
"Very well," Toushiro said, "What do these devices you use look like?"
"Small metal tubes," Kyr said, "Kyrzk sure yow capture some."
"Yes, we did…" Toushiro said, "Momo, go contact Matsumoto and Ichigo. Chances are they're already on their way here. Tell them to meet me at Tenth Division headquarters. We'll need a plan to infiltrate Twelfth Division, get that device, get back to Kyr, get to the enemy fortress, and rescue Karin!"
Karin sat in a chair, her hands bound. Usagi leaned against the wall of the dark room they were in, smirking at her as he waited for his master to arrive.
"I'm sure Aurion will be quite effective in getting you to talk," he chuckled, "Aurion isn't the type of person most people can deny."
Karin remained silent, choosing not to react to Usagi's taunts.
"What's the matter? Too scared to talk? I don't blame you. Aurion is a scary guy if you get him mad. If he has to force your cooperation, you'll be in a world of hurt!" he said, "Of course, I plan to make you pay for the trouble you've caused me too. I might even keep you as my little pet to conduct experiments on when we're done with the issue at hand. How does that sound you little-"
"That will be enough, Usagi," a deep commanding voice said. Usagi immediately straightened up.
"As you wish," he said, the mocking tone gone from his voice, "Is there any way I can assist you?"
"You may leave. I'd like to speak with her alone," Aurion said.
"Very well then," Usagi hurriedly said, promptly scurrying out .
Karin's heart beat quickly. She couldn't yet see the man called Aurion, but she could feel his power, even greater than Toushiro's or Ichigo's. The man's presence struck fear into her, but she refused to show it. She could hear his footsteps approaching her from behind, and tried to steady her breathing so as not to give away how unnerved she was. This was the leader of the organization that had abducted her. She didn't know what he was going to do to her, but from what Usagi said it couldn't be pleasant. She held her breath when she heard the footsteps stop right behind her.
"My apologies for the rough treatment, Miss Kurosaki," he said in his deep voice, "Allow me to make you more comfortable."
The bindings that held her hands behind her back suddenly turned hot before dissolving, freeing her. Karin rubbed her wrists nervously. Why had he freed her? What was this man up to?
"Now then, I think I'd like to begin our conversation," Aurion said, for the first time walking into Karin's sight. He was tall and quite old. His grey beard was neatly trimmed, and his clothes appeared to be made of the finest and most expensive leather and cloth, with a cape hanging over his shoulders. At his side was a sword with a western-style hilt.
"First, let me say that I have nothing against you. I suppose you could say it's not personal, it's just business," Aurion said.
"I hope you'll excuse me if I do take it personally," Karin said icily.
"Well I suppose that can't be helped," Aurion chuckled, "Tell me, Miss Kurosaki, why are you here?"
"Because you kidnapped me," Karin said dryly.
"No, I mean why are you in Soul Society? Why are you here, and not with your family in the Living World?" Aurion said.
"Because the Living World is for the living," Karin said.
"And why aren't you living?" Aurion asked, "I don't mean how you died. I'm well aware that you were killed by a hollow. I mean why you died. Why didn't a Shinigami appear the instant hollows were spotted? Why did those hollows become hollows in the first place? The answer is simple: Seireitei is rotten, corrupt, and incompetent."
"I don't know what you're talking about, but Toushiro Hitsugaya came as soon as he could to fight off the hollow. True, he wasn't able to save my mortal life, but because he arrived, my soul wasn't eaten," Karin said.
"You're wrong. Soul Society became aware of that hollow nearly ten minutes before it attacked you. Captain Hitsugaya was instructed not to leave his assigned post, and ordinary Shinigami were dispatched to combat the hollow. As evidenced by your being here, those ordinary Shinigami didn't make it in time, and it was only Captain Hitsugaya's last minute decision to abandon his post that saved you. Had Seireitei stationed enough Shinigami to react quickly to such incidents, or if they had allowed Shinigami such as Captain Hitsugaya more flexibility while staying in the Living World, you would still be with your family and friends. Instead, they chose to keep the majority of Shinigami in Seireitei at most times, when those same Shinigami could defeat numerous hollows, preventing many tragedies such as yours. If they really made an effort, they could even perform Konso on nearly all souls, preventing them from becoming hollows in the first place. But they don't do that, because the leaders of Seireitei are more concerned with their own grip on power than the good of the world. That's why they focus their forces on Seireitei instead of the Living World, or even Rukongai."
"There might be some faults, but from what I've seen the majority of Shinigami are hard working and make an honest effort," Karin said, "If you're hoping to persuade me that you're really the good guys here, you'll have to do better."
"Very well; I will then," Aurion said, "You're familiar with the Quincy Uryu Ishida, correct?"
"Yes, you've been trying to capture him," Karin said.
"Do you know why he calls himself 'the last Quincy'? It's because almost all other Quincy were wiped out in a genocide committed by Seireitei," Aurion said grimly.
"What? No, that can't… You're making things up!" Karin said, shocked at this revelation.
"The Quincy were humans who learned to control spirit power to fight hollows. Because of this, they were a threat to Seireitei's grip on power, even though they were only concerned with fighting for the safety of their fellow humans," Aurion continued, "The Shinigami launched a brutal campaign against them in which nearly all Quincy were killed."
"You… You must be leaving something out. They wouldn't do something like that for no reason!" Karin said, horrified by what she had been told.
"The Shinigami of Seireitei are trained to be ruthless. Even if as individuals they abhor violence, on the battlefield they are absolutely merciless. It is because he didn't receive that indoctrination that your brother has had such trouble proving himself worthy to become a Captain. Make no mistake though, all of the Shinigami you know and have befriended are killers."
Karin's heart began to beat faster. She knew on a mental level that as high ranking officers, people like Momo, Toushiro, and Rangiku would sometimes be required to use lethal force, but the thought of her friends actually killing someone was extremely disturbing. She tried to shake away that feeling, realizing that it was silly to be bothered by this now.
"That can't be helped. On the battlefield, it's kill or be killed. They did what they had to do. It is unreasonable to fault them for that," Karin said.
"Is that so? Well can you fault them for this?" Aurion pulled a photo from his robes and held it up to Karin.
Karin quickly shut her eyes and turned away, but the image was already burned into her mind. She felt as if she would be sick, and was unable to get the haunting picture out of her mind.
"You can open your eyes, I've put it away," Aurion said, "Tell me, what did you see just now?"
"A… A man with the top of his head blown off…" Karin said, shuddering slightly.
"That was one of my men. Do you know why he ended up like that?" Aurion asked. Too disturbed to speak, Karin shook her head, to which Aurion gave a subtle smile. "It's because your mentor, Vice-Captain Momo Hinamori, murdered him in cold blood after he was defeated."
"No!" Karin yelled, standing up angrily, "You're lying! There's no way she would ever do that!"
"You think I'm lying? Think back a little. I know that the picture I just showed you had some features missing, but I think you can recognize who it was if you try hard enough," Aurion said.
Karin's eyes widened as she thought back to when she and Momo had been ambushed by Arrancars. She now recognized the man in the grizzly photo as the one that had fought Momo. Her legs seemed to turn to jelly, and she slumped back into the chair, putting a hand to her forehead in shock.
"Such actions are not unusual for Shinigami. You'll find that they are unworthy of your respect. I was once a Shinigami Captain, but I tried to press for reforms to help people in Rukongai and the Living World. The dominant powers of Seireitei viewed this as an attack on their authority, and they tried to suppress me. I fought the First Rising in an attempt to end Seireitei's inhumanity and callous disregard for the well being of the vast majority of souls. I failed then, but with your help, I can succeed now," Aurion said, "Cooperate with me. With your help, I can reform Seireitei. They will no longer ignore the suffering of people for the sake of their own grip on power. Both Rukongai and the Living World will benefit. More hollows will be defeated before they can harm souls, and more souls will be sent to Soul Society before they can become hollows. Furthermore, I intend to create a second great city so that Seireitei will not have a monopoly on power. Lives will be saved, Rukongai will prosper, and Shinigami will be able to reach their full potential rather than stagnating under current rule. I promise that if you cooperate, I will not harm you, nor will I allow Usagi to harm you. My plan will involve minimal casualties for Soul Society; certainly far less than if the Shinigami continue operating the way they do now. Will you help me create a better world, Karin Kurosaki."
Karin's mind felt numb. Aurion's words echoed in her head. Seireitei incompetent and unable to protect people… Shinigami guilty of extermination of the Quincy… Her friends killers… it was all too much. She felt as if her entire world had been turned upside down. In her hazy mind, she heard herself murmer "Yes."
"Ah, excellent!" Aurion said, raising his hand to press a small button on the front of his cape, "Usagi, please come in."
Within seconds, Usagi Uzaki was inside the room, his usual smirk in place.
"You rang?" he said.
"Miss Kurosaki has agreed to cooperate. Please prepare to perform the extraction in the least stressful way possible. Ensure that she is not harmed during the procedure," Aurion said.
"Very well…" Usagi said, looking rather disappointed.
"Wait, just one more thing," Karin said as Aurion prepared to leave the room, "Usagi said that he wanted to study my soul as a way to create a new kind of power. What do you intend to use that power for?" Aurion didn't speak for a minute, seeming unsure whether to answer, but finally spoke.
"With the power derived from your soul, we will create a new weapon, one that can destroy a huge area in an instant. We will use these weapons on cities in the human world. At the same moment, we will release hollow bait over Seireitei and announce our intentions to the Shinigami. The vast number of souls that will need to be managed will render Seireitei unable to fight against us in battle. An agreement will be reached before combat even occurs. Seireitei will adopt the needed reforms and we will be allowed to establish a second organization of Shinigami to break their monopoly on power. By the time the situation is under control, the beginnings of this new era will already be firmly in place, and they'll be left with no choice but to accept it."
Karin whispered something under her breath, causing Aurion to drop the excited look on his face.
"What did you say?" he asked.
"You're evil," Karin said a little louder, "I don't know about those things you've told me about Seireitei, and I'll certainly ask some questions when I get back, but there's no doubt in my mind that you are evil. Murdering millions so you can get your way? No good person could do that. The same goes for associating yourself with this maniac and letting him torture me. Would a good person do that? After all the people you've harmed, you can't possibly be considered a good person."
"I did those things for the greater good. Seireitei is rotten, and I'm needed to correct it," Aurion insisted.
"No, you're just a maniac convinced that you have the solution to all of the world's problems and that any action, no matter how despicable, is therefore justified," Karin said, "I'll never cooperate with a person like you."
"I see," Aurion said grimly, "That is unfortunate. Usagi, please take Miss Kurosaki back to her cell. You may resume your work on her as soon as you like."
With that, Aurion turned and exited, leaving Karin and Usagi behind.
"My, my, aren't you a stubborn one!" Usagi chuckled, "You're going to wish that you had taken up his offer when you had the chance."
"Whatever. You've been saying that for days. If you still think that by torturing me you'll get me to cooperate, you're clearly not as smart as you think you are," Karin said.
"Those are big words for a little brat. Now put your arms forward so that I can put new restraints on you," Usagi said.
Karin glared at him for a moment before slowly stretching out her arms. Usagi took out a pair of wrist restraints and moved towards her. Before he could do anything however, Karin suddenly jumped up and kicked the restraints out of Usagi's hands, taking a fighting stance. Usagi laughed at this.
"You're going to fight me? Fine! Let's see you try!" he giggled.
Karin stayed in her fighting stance, prepared to make a dash for freedom. Usagi was unarmed, and she knew that he was relied on his various devices and weapons in battle. If she could just subdue him, she might actually be able to get out of here. She let out a yell and aimed a punch at Usagi. Usagi leapt back at that exact moment however, resulting in the blow missing. He grabbed her outstretched arm by the wrist and yanked her forward, pulling her close to him and grabbing her by the shoulders.
"I'll admit you have some skill, but you're still just a stubborn little insect to me. The only thing you're good for is being a specimen for study and experimentation," Usagi said with a grin.
Karin did not pay attention to his taunts, and used her knee to kick him in the groin. In surprise, he let go, giving Karin the chance to run for the door. Before she could get there however, Usagi had recovered and ran to block the way.
"Sorry missy, you're not going anywhere," he smirked.
For a moment Karin hesitated, but then she thought of everything Usagi had done to her, of all the pain he had put her through. Her anger galvanized her resolve. She let out a yell and proceeded to leap and deliver a powerful kick to Usagi's face.
The blow caused Usagi to stagger backwards, nearly making him fall on his face. When he straightened up, he was no longer facing Karin, but rather looking at the ground, where the dark glasses he wore lay on the ground, one lens smashed and the other badly cracked. He bent down and picked the glasses up, examining them for a moment before tossing the useless things away. Karin could see him clenching his fists.
"I liked those," he said in a deathly calm tone, slowly turning around.
Karin screamed, falling backwards in horror. Where Usagi's eyes should have been were what looked like a pair of black, pulsating hearts. Usagi took advantage of her startled reaction, kicking her in the gut and promptly pinning her down. Before Karin could react, Usagi had stabbed her in the legs with a thin spike that evidently delivered a type of tranquilizer, as her legs soon turned numb. He looked her in the face with those horrible, disgusting eyes, anger etched across his face.
"I tried being fair to you. I gave you multiple chances to cooperate, but you didn't take them. It's too late for you now. I swear upon all the work I've ever done, you will never leave this place alive," he said viciously.
A manic look spread across Usagi's face, and he reached into his robes and pulled out what looked like a large silver marble. He fiddled with something on the side of it for a moment before turning to Karin.
"Of course, I'm a nice guy, so I suppose I can give you one last chance," he said in a sickeningly sweet tone. With that, he grabbed Karin by the neck with on hand and with the other began prying her jaw open.
Karin tried to resist, but panic, fear, and exhaustion reduced her resistance to little more than aimless struggling. Despite her best efforts to keep her mouth closed, Usagi forced her jaws open and pushed the marble into her mouth. Karin choked and gagged as he forced the marble past her tongue and into her throat, tears streaming down her face as the large object was forcibly shoved down her throat. When it was over, she coughed and gasped, grasping her throat fearfully.
"That device will explode in 36 hours unless I see fit to disable it," Usagi said calmly, "You have that amount of time to cooperate with me."