Broken Soul

Renji had never known his parents. It wasn't a statement; it was a fact. No one had parents in Rokungai, and children were forced to fend for themselves, or die as many of them did, alone and afraid. Renji was one those who survived, and in his short time in the human word on assignments and information from Ichigo, family was a big deal. I had friends, and that was fine for me. Until I started to wonder what it was like to have a sibling when I now watch Taichou and Rukia meet with each other. For some reason, Renji hadn't considered that Taichou had parents. It seemed…almost beyond him to rely on anyone, or to be small or afraid. I had no idea that Taichou's mother died giving birth to him. That just…sucks. Judging from Rukia's shocked face and the breathless way that she had spoken, the petite Shinigami had no idea either. A shrine, huh? Everyone knew at least something about the Kuchiki Hisana, the woman from Rokungai who had married their captain but died five years after their marriage to an illness. Almost like a dramatic play, Renji had once thought with a slight frown decades ago. Back then, he hadn't thought that Kuchiki-taichou was capable of any emotion. Now however, it pained him to hear that his Taichou had a shrine for his mother, who he didn't even know, as well. And there's his brother as well…

Wait.

"Byakuya had a brother?" Ichigo shouted, voicing Renji's confusion. "A twin? How come we've never heard of this?"

"The Kuchiki clan specifically forbid this information from leaking out," Yoruichi stated calmly as Ichigo and Renji continued to gap in shock. "Byakuya was forbidden to mention his twin after his death…his supposed death that is," she sighed. "To think their pride is more important to them than their clan leader," Yoruichi stated with disgust. "Ginrei-sama would certainly…"

"What's up with all these names?" Renji asked furiously. "Ginrei…Akiya…who are they?" And how Taichou's twin die? Renji thought inwardly. "And why is the Kuchiki clan not doing anything?" Seeing the sneering member of the Kuchiki clan in his mind again made Renji's mind spin from rage. They have no right to talk about him like that! "What the hell happened that made the Kuchiki assholes so –?"

Yoruichi didn't respond at first. Her dark eyes only met Renji's once, as if weighing his emotional stability to go on. "Akiya and Byakuya…were always together," she stated with a faint look in her eyes, as if recalling a distant past. "As I mentioned before, Akiya was the older twin and was considered the heir to the Kuchiki clan. Byakuya was simply his younger twin who adored his older brother and never left his side." There was a pause. "But then it came to the Kuchiki clan's attention when the two were children that Akiya inherited their father's weak physique and was unable to lead the clan."

"What do you mean their father?" Ichigo asked. "I've never heard of him."

Yoruichi smiled sadly. "Of course you haven't. Byakuya is the strongest clan leader in generations, and the Kuchiki clan…those bastards…do not acknowledge Kuchiki Soujun as a member of their clan, considering him a failure."

"Failure?" Renji yelled. "How the hell could they call their own clan member a failure?" His brown eyes narrowed. "He's Byakuya's father, so he must be strong!"

"Kuchiki Soujun was often ill and couldn't preform most vice-captain duties," Yoruichi said. "Even so, Byakuya's grandfather, Kuchiki Ginrei, promoted him to a vice-captain positon because he knew his son felt guilty for not having enough strength to bear the pride of the sixth division or the Kuchiki clan."

"That's bullshit!" Ichigo yelled, raising his hands. "Ukitake-san was able to become a taichou, and had his own bankai! He was ill all the time! How on earth –?"

"Think, Ichigo." Yoruichi said. "It is rare for a Shinigami even from a noble family to obtain bankai. Soujun…was one who could not obtain bankai, and was weak in body. Still, even so, he worked hard in order to make his father proud."

"He sounds like a nice guy," Renji murmured, half-wishing that his taichou could be more like his father. "What is he like?"

Yoruichi blinked. "Soujun was a very kind person, much like Ukitake. No one could say anything negative about him, except that he pushed himself too hard." A half smile framed Yoruichi's face. "I still remember the times when I was a child and Soujun would allow me to see his shikai, and of how patient he was with me when I would bring Kisuke along to torment him. He loved both his wife and sons very much. From what I have heard of her, I think he and Hisana would have gotten along."

"You're saying that in past tense," Renji said with growing dread. "Do you mean…?"

Yoruichi nodded. "When Akiya and Byakuya were still very young, Soujun was killed by a Hollow in the human world." Renji gulped. "Immediately after, Byakuya was trained every day in order to become the leader of his clan by his grandfather. Akiya…stayed inside the manor, unable to do anything but watch. Perhaps that was the reason he did that," Yoruichi stated almost to herself, a saddened look in her eyes. The trio looked at her in confusion. "After Kuchiki Ginrei's death, Byakuya was appointed as the successor to lead the clan. No one knows why Akiya reacted like this," Yoruichi whispered, tight with regret, "but Akiya…reacted violently and the elders ordered Byakuya to kill his twin."

"Just like that…?" Renji whispered, his voice become thick with growing rage. That's bullshit! How is that even comprehensible? "Just like that, they - ?!"

"They did," Yoruichi stated solemnly to a stunned Ichigo and Rukia as the red-haired Shinigami began to boil in fury. "And when…it was over, the elders forbid Byakuya mention his older twin. As if he never existed."

"Yoruichi-san," Rukia asked with a faint tremble in her voice, "when did…Nii-sama's grandfather and brother die?"

"Fifty years ago," Yoruichi stated without pause as Rukia gasped. "The same year that he lost his wife."

"Nii-sama…" Rukia whispered, grief in her voice as the dark-haired Shinigami thought of her beloved older brother. "No wonder…no wonder he was so distant to me," she whispered with a look of mourning at Ichigo. "Not only did I remind him of my sister, but he also lost his twin brother...that he was forced to forget."

"So Byakuya's brother was the Hollow that kidnapped him?" Ichigo demanded. "I still don't get why he waited this long to kidnap Byakuya!" He was met with stupefied stares. "I mean, he was in a coma for six months!"

"You're looking at the answer right now, Ichigo," Yoruichi stated with a glance at the red-head who was unable to keep his emotions in check.

"I'll kill them," Renji hissed. Yoruichi didn't seem surprised by his reaction. "I'll kill them for what they did to him! How could he be forced to forget his own brother? Hell, that guy was his twin!" Renji sighed through his teeth and his eyes narrowed. "If I know anything about Taichou, it's that he carries insane amount of guilt. That's what it looked like when…" Renji cleared his throat as images came into his head as Yoruichi grinned. "He just seems that kind of person," the red-haired Shinigami tried to say as Ichigo rolled his eyes and Rukia gave him a knowing smile. "Anyway, now that we have the goddamn story behind this, can't we just rescue Taichou now?"

"Byakuya is currently held in Aizen's fortress is in Hueco Mundo," Yoruichi stated carefully with a glance at Renji before she grinned. "But there are some others who wish to help as well."

"Wha –?" Ichigo and Renji said at the same time before an immense reiatsu clouded their thoughts.

"It looks like Kuchiki-hime needs rescuing," Zaraki-taichou said with a wide grin. "Don't worry, Renji. I'll leave the rescuing to you." Renji stared incredulously at his former captain. "Every prince needs a beautiful princess."

Yoruichi howled with laughter as Renji spluttered with trying to come up with a response. Why the hell does he call Taichou princess? It…well…would piss him off if he heard what was just said!

"Why is Taichou the girl?" Renji demanded as Ichigo sweat-dropped. "We both have long hair!"

"He's shorter than you," Zaraki-taichou said with another wide grin. "And don't you think he would look nice in a nice petal-themed wedding kimono?"

"Uhh…" Renji could easily imagine it, which was the problem. He could see his captain's long dark hair – that he would not attempt to touch – long and flowing along his shoulders with sakura-petal themed kimono with a blissful smile on his face as he held Renji's hand in his own. I always wondered what he looked like smiling, and I really think it would be really beautiful. His bankai is beautiful, looking like the cherry blossoms I bet he likes so much, and with me by his side… Renji's thoughts stopped at the first comment Zaraki-taichou made."He's shorter than me?"

"Yeah," the taller Shinigami stated with amusement as Renji looked flabbergasted. "You didn't know that?"

"Of course not!" Renji said hotly. "Taichou just seemed so…himself that I didn't notice!"

"Enough." A familiar cool voice echoed in the room. Ichigo's and Renji's jaws dropped.

"Soutaichou said that it would be prudent if I had my division in the care of Matsumoto to relieve her drinking issues," stated Hitsugaya-taichou in a monotone voice. "Now, are we ready to go?" he demanded.

Renji nodded, determination steeling in his soul. Taichou…I haven't had the chance to respond to the words we said, and I promise that I'll rescue you from your crazy brother!

How can it be? Byakuya thought as he stared at the figure in front of him. The figure had…his face, and the voice was so similar. "You're…" he continued to gasp.

The figure resembling his brother smiled lightly. "Did the elders force you to not even remember me, otouto?"

Little brother… The word itself made Byakuya's mind freeze. Broken memories resurfaced, specifically one of two young souls training in the rain, the older calling for him playfully. The two walking side by side as Byakuya held his arm to steady him as a serene smile framed his face.

"Nii…sama…" Byakuya whispered, his lungs collapsing from the very name he had called him. "Nii-sama…." How many times had Rukia called to him, and he did not respond, not out of distance or the coldness of his heart, but from the mere memory? "Aki…ya…"

"Good." The smile on his twin's face faded. Byakuya noted of how his older twin appeared to glance at his surroundings before glancing at the Shinigami in white. "You remembered…Byakuya."

The sound of his name caused Byakuya to almost shudder. The face identical to his own appeared to be calm, but Byakuya knew that he was anything but that emotion. I was by his side for one hundred fifty years, and even though…he is a Hollow, I still know what he is thinking.

"How?" Byakuya asked with an attempt to calm himself. It failed. He could feel his distressed reiatsu. "How could you have…?"

"Survived?" His twin finished. Byakuya didn't speak as the Hollow moved towards his face. "It is simple, otouto." Byakuya was still as he felt the hard claws of the Hollow grasp his face. "Aizen. He knew of how I felt. Of how betrayed," at this word, the claws bored into the soft flesh, Byakuya unable to move. "I was to the leadership of the Kuchiki clan."

Blood streamed onto the floor as Akiya's claws withdrew, the tips of his claws stained with blood. Byakuya continued to stand as his blood continued to trail down his cheeks. "Nii-sama…" he began, struggling to find his voice as his dark gray eyes continued to stare at the figure before him. How…? "I did not want to kill you that day. I –"

"My foolish little brother," the Hollow said with his brother's voice. "Did you really think that you're last technique of Senbonzakura would kill me? When in your heart," he stated as he stepped closer, "was broken? When your soul was dying?"

Byakuya's breathing hitched, unable to forget of the aftermath of the battle. Akiya, his zanpakutou shattered as blood continued to pool underneath him, staining the ground, the pieces of the kenseiken shattered and across the the blood-soaked soil. The kimono he wore, slashed in so many places, ribbons of blood ceaselessly flowing as splatters of blood also dotted his hair. Byakuya, unaware of his own wounds, one deep on his side and a gaping hole in his chest. Ichimaru's zanpakutou stabbed me there as well, Byakuya thought blankly as his hand reached to touch his chest. So much blood… He remembered feeling numb, staring at the figure that had been his brother as the Senkei faded from sight. His vision had blurred, Senbonzakura falling from his grasp and his zanpukutou's voice echoing in his mind. Nii-sama…

Nii-sama…was the first to see Senbonzakura's true form. The first… Byakuya remembered facing Kurosaki Ichigo, sweat leaking from his forehead with his eyes wide with shock and terror as Byakuya spoke to him. "You are the second one to see it." I…planned to kill him with Senbonzakura's true form.

But… He remembered Renji, his blood coating his body and his zanpakutou shattered. The heirloom to the Kuchiki clan covering his bloodstained body. I never told you, Renji… He knew what his vice-captain would do in the event of Rukia's execution, and was not surprised by his declaration that he would kill him to save his childhood friend. That time… Renji screaming as he stood, stating that he vowed on his soul that he would save Rukia. "This is the difference between the power of you and I…" That… He could see Akiya staring at him, a knowing smile on his face. It felt strange to see a reflection of himself smiling, especially one such as this. Of mockery.

"Byakuya, you know what I have come here to do."

His form changed, the hole across his heart across his chest as the form of the Hollow faded. Byakuya's eyes widened at the sight of his twin appearing as he had when he was alive, the kenseiken tied within the last bangs of his hair and wearing a Shinigami shihakushou. That hilt…! Byakuya thought as his brother moved forward, a sickening smile framing his face the pale hilt of his zanpakutou became visible. Senbonzakura was thrown in the air, and Byakuya felt his hands catch the zanpakutou.

Master… whispered the zanpakutou spirit. Byakuya wasn't able to pay heed to his zanpakutou's unusual voice in his thoughts as Akiya slid his own blade from inside.

"Twin blades," the twin whispered at Byakuya's shocked expression. "You thought you lost everything, didn't you, otouto? That day…you thought I died. But, on that day, Aizen made me something more than an Arrancar. Something…that will allow me to complete what I wanted for so long. But," he added with a glance at Byakuya's paling face, "you cannot move, can you? Ever since you woke up, otouto, you have been tormented by memories of the terrible action you committed that day." He moved forward, reaching his younger twin's face. "You couldn't control your emotions that you kept hidden inside for so long. Especially…concerning your beloved vice-captain."

"Renji!" At the whisper of his name, Byakuya found his body taunt and his heart racing, images of the night he had shared with the red-haired Shinigami burning in his mind. "How do you…?"

"I've watched you all this time, Byakuya," Akiya stated, unsheathing his zanpakutou. He smiled, the smile burning in Byakuya's mind that this was his face which was smiling. "I…have seen you since after my supposed death. Enough to know…" Byakuya attempted to sheath Senbonzakura, but found Akiya to be too quick. Agony poured through his limbs as he felt the zanpakutou pierce his flesh, blood pouring from the wound. Akiya leaned his lips to his twin's ear.

"Enough to know that your emotions are too raw to ever hurt me again."

Nii-sama…

"Resonate...Hanami Houka."

Hinami Houka - Light Petal Flower Viewing

Hinami - flower viewing of the cherry blossoms in Japanese culture, direct implications of connection to Senbonzakura.

Houka - light petal or petal of light; association to be revealed in later chapters.