What we live in is a world of lies
where everyone hides their true faces...
Tainted Black and White
Chapter Two: The Noble Four
by Calistus053
Disclaimer: Lying is a double-edged sword, one that I do not wish to grab a hold of. Therefore, I must admit I do not own Bleach...at all.
NOTE:
1-THIS is the all-important chapter which starts the ball rolling. Please be sure to read it!!
2- This chapter will be introducing some OC's. There will be quite a lot of them, 3 in the least, but I assure you that imagining them will be easier than you expect. They're basically OCs, but they do have solid bases in the anime, should you be observant and curious enough.
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Four flags hung like four-pronged horns outside of the tent, as if daring anyone else to enter. These same flags flapped helplessly against the cold harsh wind now blowing across West Rukongai, a chilly prelude to a ghastly evening ahead...
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Quick and silent as the night, he crept closer and closer to the tent pitched in the middle of West Rukongai. His feet made no sound as they hit the ground, since they seem to be gliding on air. The fairly long remains of his black scarf he had wound around his bare neck flapped against his bare right arm, said arm protected only by what looked like black bandages that ran from the length of his elbow to his wrist. The same went for his other arm, this one clutching what looked like a long stick in the night, though some other details became blurry because of his speed. He was like a ninja, whose pace went uncalculated and with agendas quite unknown to the common folk.
Deadly and silent, he arrived at his destination.
Firelight danced from within the tent, as if sending away the chills of the night outside. Surely with this much light, the place inside would be no different than when it was in broad daylight.
The man held the black scarf closer to himself, and took one last glance at his surroundings. He clutched his long-handled spear tighter, mentally assuring that said weapon was still there to serve him dutifully tonight.
With no more than a last cold stare cast into the merciless crowd hidden in the shadows, he entered.
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"Welcome back!! ...You're late, you know."
A tall voluptuous woman with red hair and striking gold eyes sauntered over to the newcomer, swaying her hips ever so seductively at him. She wore a long plain white kimono with delicate flower patterns. It was secured to her waist with a big red bow situated at her back.
With an almost imperceptible 'hm', the newcomer went further into the fairly large tent and went to deposit his weapon safely on the farthest corner.
Unfortunately for him, said corner was already occupied by someone.
"We were all waiting for you for quite a long time. Did anything go wrong on your way here?"
A small, soft voice spoke. This time, it was a small child wearing a pure white kimono. He had dusky blue eyes and silvery-white hair that reached up to his shoulders, some stray strands dropping over one eye and successfully hiding it from view. The child looked quite innocent, though it is best not to judge anyone at such an early stage. Appearances can very well fool with this one.
Without even waiting for a reply from the other, a louder, arrogant voice popped in.
"We thought you had a run-in with a random thug out there!! I actually thought you wouldn't reach this place, but hey, that's Kuchiki Byakuya for you!!!" yelled a teen from the other corner. His spiky/messy dark green hair stuck out at random angles, his silver eyes tauntingly gazing at the older man, mouth instantaneously curving into a mischievous smirk.
Byakuya swept his gaze over to the loud boy, then turned a slightly questioning glance at the lady he met by the entrance.
Said lady just shook her head and sighed, "Forgive him; he's new."
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In an age as old as time, four Noble Houses have already resided in Rukongai. These Four Noble Houses watched over Rukongai and worked hand-in-hand with the shinigami in Seireitei. They made sure that these bonds are never broken, thus securing the stability and safety of the people that reside in Rukongai.
And in an age that rivals time itself, there had been clan wars. Most of these wars were pointless, starting out from simple negotiable matters to the dreaded clanicide, or the destruction of a whole clan in terms of revenge, or just plain bloodthirst.
For many decades, there had been neither reasonable object nor premise that proved debatable between the clans. There had been long moments of peace and silence. For most clans, it was good enough. But the others needed and desired a way to prove themselves, to show that they were the best there was.
Thus started a more proper clan war, or as it was notoriously known, the Tournament.
The Tournament basically consisted of clans fighting against other clans to gain the coveted position as one of the Four Noble Houses. The privilege and respect earned by being a Noble House was indisputable. Most refer to that highly acceptable reason. However, some still join the Tournament with the pointless reason of spilling blood.
The rules that got applied on the first few Tournaments were harsh and jagged, much like an unsharpened sword. Clans against other clans. Those left standing win.
Eventually, the rules were decided to be too brutal. After all, the Tournament then was plainly and simply clanicide, only with a fancier name. After much thought, the rules were changed.
The Tournament now is held annually, consisting of clan representatives against other clan representatives. The weight and pressure of gaining the title was now on these individuals' shoulders.
But no matter how the high-ranking shinigami try, bloodthirst was hard to remove from the public's minds. Even after the rules were changed into somewhat humane ways, violations still happened often. News of clan representatives killing other clan representatives before the Tournament was rampant, as well as blackmailing and the use of innocent children to fight were shocking yet true reports sent to Seireitei.
Outraged, the shinigami issued an ultimatum, banning the Tournament forever. This same rule was very soon exercised and strictly implemented during the time of Captain Commander Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni, who was still Gotei 13's current head.
Silence ensued after that. No one heard of the Tournament ever again.
But some rumors say it still lives...only this time, underground and away from the prying eyes of the shinigami...
...The thirst for blood and power lives on...
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"It's been a long time, ne, Byakuya?" the tall red-haired lady asked, almost wistfully looking at the other.
Rengei Kanare- that was her name. She might not look like it, but the Rengei clan is the oldest defending clan there was. Said clan has already outlived the Kuchiki's, which was saying a lot. Tonight was Kanare's tenth year to defend her clan's position. She was known to be quite the rabid fighter and is a force to be reckoned with. She and her detachable chain-linked scythe formed a formidable pair.
...Oh, did I forget to mention she was pregnant now?
"...yes, rather long..." Byakuya glanced at the woman, who had a 'sweeter-than-sweet' smile plastered on her face and was currently pointing at her tummy.
The Kuchiki merely raised a delicate eyebrow, "...Did you want to tell me something?"
Kanare suddenly squealed in delight and glomped the unsuspecting man, "I'm pregnant!! Four months!!! Isn't that great??"
Byakuya could only sweatdrop, like the rest of the people in the tent. Kanare really was...quite warm towards others. She never kept any emotions locked up inside. Come to think of it, she and 10th squad lieutenant Matsumoto Rangiku could very well pass as cousins...
The child from the far left corner joined in the 'conversation', "Kanare-san even told us about how she and her husband met. Go on, tell him, Kanare-san!"
This child, clad in all white, was Seishurou Itsumoki. He was the youngest fighter defending this year, but that didn't mean he was a pushover. He actually...scared off his cousin, who was supposed to defend. Mind you, said cousin was rumored to be Attila the Hun's reincarnation. Itsumoki was too adorable for his own good, but the twin maces he held behind him begged to differ.
Egged on by a companion, Kanare started with her story, "Well, if you guys remembered, I met this man on the Tournament last year...Or was it the year before that?"
The other fighter left in the other corner peered into the small crowd inside the tent, "It was last year. You told us, like, a thousand times already.."
As sarcastic and obnoxious as ever came Kusanotsugi Shiryuu. Tonight was his first night to defend the Noble House title for his clan. Even though he was new, Shiryuu talked like he had been in the Tournament for years. Needles to say, his fishing pole weapon proved otherwise. If hot air was a weapon, let's just say Shiryuu would be the master of it.
Kanare blinked in succession, "Oh, right... Anyway, I met him on the tournament last year. I remembered beating him to a pulp then, but I actually realized he looked kinda cute..."
Kuchiki Byakuya started outside into the night as Kanare's voice droned on. It was getting late, but not late enough. Soon, the Tournament was going to start, another weight to add upon his conscience.
Ever since it started, Byakuya always had the responsibility to defend his clan's position. Joining the Tournament was pretty much mandatory on his part. However, things have become quite...awkward when the ultimatum was imposed.
The Tournament was illegal.
...and yet, here he was, breaking one of the rules that he was prepared to die for...
Why was he here anyway? If anyone saw him here and actually recognized him (which was a hard feat, seeing that he was wearing clothes no one in Seireitei would think he'd wear) he could face harsh consequences...and he might have to say goodbye to his position as the 6th squad captain, a position he is absolutely not ready to give up.
...then, why?
Well, that was easy- because his clan needed him to.
But...does he actually need his clan?
Can't he live a simple contented life without them? Without all this?
So many questions, and yet no answer to any of them.
'Everything is so complicated...yet again.' Byakuya vaguely shook his head, before turning his attention back to his tent comrades.
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"Will you hurry up?! I'm growin' roots here!!"
"Shut up! You were the one who suggested this in the first place!!"
An annoyed groan, "Well, yeah! But I'm only doing it because you were worried about it!! 'Sides, aren't you the one who wants answers here??"
Rukia glared a bit at her friend before sighing, defeated, "Alright, fine...but if we don't hurry up, we might not catch him anymore!"
Renji rolled his eyes, "Ofcourse we couldn't. Did you see how fast he was going??"
"Whaat???!!!"
"Hey, keep yer voice down!! Someone might see us!!"
The younger Kuchiki quieted a bit, but glared nevertheless at her friend, "Then how are we going to follow him now and know what he's up to???"
The red-haired shinigami looked out towards the dark streets of Rukongai, "Simple- it's faint now since we're too far from him, but I can feel his reiatsu. And don't ya forget- I know this place like the back of my hand, even if it's freakin' dark."
Rukia nodded in confirmation, "Well then, let's go!"
In a flash, the two shinigamis were gone.
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...How else, then, can you find a reliable one
if you do not break their masks?
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After all the seriousness, let us take a break for a while...
SHINIGAMI CUP...GOLDEN!!!
Byakuya looked at his shirt, "These are...what, again?"
"They're our clan shirts, silly!! See, they have such adorable prints!!" Kanare exclaimed, showing off her shirt with a print of a smiling heart with wings.
The Kuchiki looked back at his shirt. It was white and had strange black zig-zaggy lines on the top, and then on the side. There was nothing else.
"What could that be on your shirt, Kuchiki-san?" Itsumoki inquired. He was wearing a shirt with a bunny on it. The bunny was wearing ninja clothes and had the words 'BUNJA' on the bottom.
At last, a thought hit Byakuya, "...Could these be...the kenseikan?"
The other two looked at the shirt, curious.
Kanare was first to speak, "Well...now that you mentioned it..."
"...It does look like the kenseikan...on the front view and on a bald head, that is.." Itsumoki finished, leaving Kanare laughing behind him.
Byakuya dragged the shirt over to the other side and ripped it to shreds with his spear. Never, never was he to wear such a humiliating depiction of his noble family's symbol...
Just when the stoic man was to burn the material into ashes (just to make sure he has exorcised it properly), Shiryuu went back into the tent, wearing his shirt. On it was a lightbulb...with no light.
With a frown, Shiryuu spoke, "I don't get it!"
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So, there you are! I hope you enjoyed reading that chapter as much as I had fun (and backaches) in making it! Expect more action and drama in the upcoming chapters.
Chapter 3 will be ready as soon as...fate and internet connection make it possible for me to do so.
Reviews and other comments are always welcome.
Adieu:)