Title: Kyrie Eleison
Chapter: Accuse my God, I'll Spit on yours
Disclaimer: I do not own bleach nor do I claim to. Actually, I said long ago that bleach governs over me, lol
Listening to: Senna (Bleach OST). I just watched Bleach 252! I know it's a filler, but the fight between Kouga and Byakuya was simply epic!
The title came from the chapter "Spit on your own God" in Bleach. Yeah, I read it again when I was supposed to be doing my English essay due in a couple hours…hehe
And for the record, I like Soi Fong… Just to let you guys know…
Quote of the day:
It's about time you found out whether or not you're on the cross or banging in the nails. -From a movie I forgot...
The door to Yumi's office slammed open abruptly, revealing a surprisingly disheveled Hitsugaya. "Miyamoto!" her captain called with urgency in his tone for the first time since the Aizen incident. She jumped up from her desk with a sharp cry, allowing the ink jar to spill all over her paperwork and uniform.
"Oh, come on!" she complained, attempting to wipe off the offending liquid with fruitless effort. "What in the name of all that is holy made you do that, Taicho!?"
"No time to explain. You need to come with me now," he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of her chair.
Allowing herself to be dragged, she focused on his hand in hers. The colors seemed so mismatched. Tanned against pale. She wasn't what you called porcelain white, but more of a healthy shade.
The warmth of his hand seeped into her, spreading to the whole of her arm down to her toes. It was…nice to say the least. However, the thin frown on his face and furrowed brow washed away such feelings. Something had to be wrong if her captain was this bothered by something.
In no time, they both found themselves in front of the First Division, where all the captains assembled for their regular meetings. Before she could ask, he turned to her with his eyes demanding.
"Now listen to me," he said, "No matter what… Do not speak and don't do anything unless you are spoken to directly."
"Okay…?" she nodded warily, now anxious as to what was waiting for them beyond those doors. And what she saw was what she had not been expecting.
In the middle of the room, two figures were on the knees on the floor. Their arms were bound with strong kido and spears kept their movements to a bare minimum. Her lips parted with the instinctive intake of breath to call out but Hitsugaya cast his arm out to halt her actions. Understanding the gesture, she mentally reprimanded herself.
'He just told you not to do anything you idiot!' she slapped her conscious and focused. 'So calm down and let him handle it!'
"Hitsugaya Toshiro of the Tenth Division," Hitsugaya stated in the formal greeting he must make before the people in the room. "As you requested Soutaicho, I brought Miyamoto Yumiko."
"Good. Now we can truly begin this meeting. Kurotsuchi-Taicho, if you would."
The strange scientist stepped out of the lines of captains with a grin on his face. "Of course. Now… Last night, there was a break in at my lab. Somehow, they passed all of my security systems and escaped with some very important data!"
"If I may," began Ukitake, "But surely your monitoring system would have warned you of this before they escaped!"
"Well, yes that should be the case," he spoke and walked over to one of the bound prisoners. Mayuri grabbed his chin and let his long fingernail trail upon his cheek. His lips curled wickedly as he completed his sentence. "But this filth I suspect…is of Daemon decent."
Kyouraku whistled and tipped his hat down. "I haven't heard that in a good amount of years now."
His amber-eyed captive forcefully turned his head away and then caught sight of Yumi behind him. He sent her a look of reassurance but her pounding heart wouldn't stop.
"Daemon?" Yamamoto opened his elderly eyes in interest. "I see… If I recall, they could adapt well to technology. Now, Miyamoto Yumiko." She jumped up at the sound of her name.
"Y-Yes Soutaicho?"
"Come forward."
She looked nervously to her side where her captain was, but he didn't match her eyes. Instead, they were focused elsewhere, as if purposely avoiding her purple eyes. Feeling hurt, she took a hesitant step just behind the two Daemons.
"Do you have any idea as to where these two were last night? Or can you at least know whether or not they were in the vicinity of the thirteenth division at the time?"
"I…" she hesitated again, knowing the lives of those two rested on what she would say. She couldn't lie. Sure, she knew Archer of all people would dare go near. But Reisha… Yumi never really found the reason why she even stayed with her. Back in the human world, she had tried to kill her—maybe even take her away somewhere.
"Well?"
"I cannot say that I can either confirm or deny their whereabouts last night, Soutaicho." She spoke carefully. After saying that she could have sworn she saw approving looks of a few captains. "I'm sorry."
"Nonetheless, we have surveillance of the events that have taken place." He answered and Yumi frowned. If they had proof, then had that been a test? To see if she would prove loyal to Soul Society or her friend?
'Even if it is for the sake of Soul Society that was kind of a blow below the belt…' she thought, slightly peeved but let it go. Yumi hoped that with age came the loss of naivety, not mental stability.
A large unfocused image projected in the middle of the room, showing the lab just as it was being infiltrated. There were two figures scurrying around. On had light spiky hair, presumably male from the build. It was dark, so it was hard to make out the actual face of the other person, but they could see the long dark hair and a familiar black uniform. All identifications on the person pointed to the other Daemon on the floor: Adachi Reisha. Yumi took a glance at the female and froze when she saw the speechless expression on her face. As she watched the screen she grew paler, like she had seen a ghost or something…
"K-Kurotsuchi-Taicho…" began Yumi as all eyes turned towards her. "Isn't there a clearer image?"
"Well, it should, but something disrupted my cameras…" he admitted but then raised a brow at a thought, "Maybe due to a third intruder…?"
"Yes, we would like to know where exactly Miyamoto-san was," This time it was an unfamiliar voice to Yumi. It belonged to Sajin Komamura, whose face was no longer concealed behind its mask. It goes to say she was surprised at this turnout but said nothing else to her accusation.
"I can vouch for Miyamoto's whereabouts during last night's activities," Hitsugaya finally spoke up, his tone authoritative. Even though it looked like he was standing up for her, Yumi felt a cold wind sweep past her. None of the occupants in the room seemed to notice so she brushed it off for now. "She remained at my division, so that last theory is unlikely."
"Ah, so you keep the little girl on a chain, do you Hitsugaya-Taicho?" the scientist spoke lightly. "Or is it that you took a liking to this specimen?" The younger captain's eyes hardened and the temperature in the room must have dropped a few more degrees. The look on his face surprised Yumi as she took a step back involuntarily. Her hand clasped the front of her ink stained uniform.
"That's enough!" Yamamoto's elderly voice boomed, silencing the argument before it could escalate. The tension in the room was so thick that it beginning to get hard to breathe. Even with three captains missing, Yumi at this point could say they could take on an army of hollows with ease. "Kurotsuchi Mayuri, although your presumptions may hold valid reasons, refrain from making unneeded comments. As for you Hitsugaya Toshiro…" he trailed off and studied the young captain carefully. "If you are sure of this then what about these two? If I do recall, you are the main reason as to why we have sheltered these two after the recent events with Aizen Sousuke. Can I truly trust your word that you had nothing to do with this yourself?"
His fists tightened, pride hurt. Kuchiki Byakuya frowned slightly. Why was Yamamoto Genryuusai speaking like this? Had he been testing both Hitsugaya and Miyamoto? Or simply teasing?
'At any rate, Hitsugaya Toshiro's response will most likely affect the outcome of this meeting…' he thought dully and then noted Yumi clutching the front of her uniform in discomfort, which he might add was almost covered with drying ink in the front. A pained look flashed in her eyes as Byakuya couldn't help but mentally sigh at this pointless argument.
"As captain of the tenth division, you have my sworn word that I had absolutely no knowledge of what conspired." Hitsugaya answered smoothly, bowing his head slightly in respect. Moreover, it was to mask him biting back colorful words to more than just a few people.
All was silent for a few moments before Yamamoto sighed and tapped his staff on the wooden floors. "Alright. We shall continue this another day since we are sending the Ryoka off in a matter of days. For now, the two suspects will be held at the twelfth division under Kurotsuchi Mayuri's care for the time being." Soft gasps escaped a number of people in the room, including Unohana Retsu.
Unable to contain it any longer, she spread her arm out indignantly and spoke. "Soutaicho, please reconsider—"
"Bite your tongue, girl!" snapped Soi Fong, her words like a whip to Yumi's ego. "Know your place or you'll find yourself crawling in the dirt of the lowest region of Rukongai."
Tempted to show her just who knew her place, she was about to go over but a hand was placed on her shoulder to stop her movements. Turning her head, Yumi nearly jumped to see that it was Kuchiki Byakuya who had possibly saved her from an early grave.
"Kuchiki-Taicho…"
"Miyamoto Yumiko, indeed it would be wise to control your temper at this stage right now," he…chastised? There was that demanding edge to it yes, but that look in his slate grey eyes told her much more than that. Reluctantly, she lowered her head in surrender. She would not allow Soi Fong to enjoy the look of shame on her face.
"This meeting is officially dismissed."
As all the captains began to flow out, she noticed that her own wasn't leaving. Instead, he looked at her for a moment before turning away to walk towards the Soutaicho. A frown creased her features as she slowly followed the crowd.
But I guess Soi Fong couldn't help but add in one more stab to the gut.
"Oh, and try teaching your whelp the meaning of integrity, Hitsugaya-Taicho. She looks like a humiliating mess."
Facing burning with humiliation, she quickened her pace with dark thoughts beginning to form on how to exact revenge on the corps. leader.
"That—that…urgh!" Yumi burst out as soon as she was escorted back to the tenth division with the vice-captain lounging on her sofa. Her uniform was swapped for a new one and her hand flew across the documents in haste. Surprisingly, her speed resulted in the paperwork mountain diminishing even faster than normal. That didn't matter though. That work was all that kept Yumi from trashing her office along with the other divisions on her way to the second. "Sure, I know I may have acted a little out of place but I know they didn't do it! Especially Archer!"
"Yumi-chan, don't worry about it." Matsumoto reassured while popping another rice cracker in her mouth. After chewing thoroughly, she winked at the younger girl, "I'm sure Taicho is taking care of it right now."
"Yeah…" She smiled, a little guilty that she doubted Hitsugaya's ability. After the crazy events she had asked him if it would be alright if they could stay for just a little while longer, since they helped her out so much. There was no doubt Archer would behave, and she only hoped Reisha would do the same given the circumstances.
When she had caught up with the two of them, they looked strangely…at peace with each other. When she asked about it, Archer simply brushed it off and Reisha annoyed her enough to forget the subject completely. They were hiding something, but what surprised her more was that they were getting along. Well, to anyone else it looked like they hated each other more. But the air was more teasing and playful, unlike back in the human world where they split blows and drew blood.
A deep sigh escaped her as she set the brush down; making sure the ink bottle was securely sealed this time around. Yumi set her head down using her arms as a pillow and dully stared at a random crack in the wall.
"Rangiku-chan?"
"Hm?"
"Where does Hitsugaya-kun go later in the day?"
"Erm, I think he goes to the hospital. Why do you ask?" she asked, raising a brow at her sudden interest. "He visits Hinamori Momo, Fukutaicho of the Fifth Division. She still hasn't woken up so he visits her every now and then."
"I see…" she nodded slowly. It was no wonder whenever he would come back he would look so worn and tired. It was like you could feel the lingering feelings of weakness. Even then when he would visit her in the hospital they would exchange brief words, nothing special. "Are they close?"
"They knew each other in Rukongai. Back then, it was just the three of them: Taicho, Hinamori, and their grandmother," the busty woman smiled at distant memories long past. "Taicho was actually a little more lively back then than now. I guess that's what a couple centuries does to a person. Especially after leaving his home."
Yumi raised a brow. "Hitsugaya-kun was lively? Define that please?"
"How to begin," she stalled, the cat-like grin never leaving her face. "The first time I met him was when he was buying something for his grandma. Honestly, he just let the shopkeeper walk over him like dirt! I stepped in and somehow taicho almost turned anemic!"
"You mean you crushed him with your inhumane breasts?" she raised a brow.
"Details, details, who needs them?"
"Matsumoto…" a voice came from the door as Yumi jumped. Once again, the ink tipped over and she was glad she hadn't left it open. "Don't fill her head with ideas."
"I only told her the truth, Taicho!" Matsumoto chimed, wagging a finger in the air. When his stern look never disappeared, her grin faltered slightly but regained its brightness. "I'll leave you two lovebirds alone!"
"R-Rangiku-chan!" Yumi frowned but the vice-captain disappeared from the room leaving the two of them. The air was a little awkward so she played with her fingers a little. "Uhm…do you want to sit?"
"No, it's fine," he spoke, "I have to talk to you."
She went silent as he furrowed his brows in that way when he was in deep thought. Truth be told, he looked like hell. His whole body posture was tense and his reiatsu felt barely restrained. Those emerald eyes of his lost a little of its normal edge to it. Instead, they looked more wary and tired. No kidding since all of Soul Society was still in shambles. This whole ordeal was just more to place on his plate of burdens.
"Soutaicho has decided on what to do with Sayomi and Adachi…as well as you." He spoke carefully and she got up out of her seat. Hesitantly, she dared to walk up to him and touch his arm. He stared at it hard for a good couple seconds before continuing. "They won't be executed, but until further notice they will remain at the twelfth division."
"What!?" Yumi withdrew her hand back as if burnt and narrowed her eyes in anger. "They'll die before they get another trial if they stay with that lunatic scientist!"
"That 'lunatic scientist' is a respected member of the Gotei 13, Miyamoto!" Hitsugaya retorted heatedly.
"Oh?" she challenged. "Well then maybe Soul Society needs to fix more than just a few missing captains!"
"What did you say?" he spoke slowly, muscles tensing at the insult to the place he vowed to protect when he became captain.
She clenched her fists tightly, so tight that her nails bit into the tender skin that once held onto his hand not too long ago. "I'm saying that if Soul Society respects that kind of person, then it's not worth the captaincy!" her violet eyes flashed with an unfamiliar anger and her reiatsu fluctuated ever so slightly. "Do you know just how many lives that man took just for the sake of research!? How many innocents that didn't deserve such cruel treatments?" Unconsciously, images flashed in her mind. Similar events of what they were arguing about.
Tubes and wires filled a dark room
Glass pods encasing 'something'
Blurred voices as if floating under water
"Do you even know what you're talking about, Miyamoto?" Hitsugaya questioned sharply, snapping her out of her momentary daze.
"Do you? Tell me, Hitsugaya. Why did you join the Gotei 13? Tell me exactly why you would leave your grandmother in Rukongai."
Icy reiatsu flared as the temperature of the room seemed to drop on one side of the room. Both Shinigami nearly went head to head in this battle, like fire and ice. "That is none of your business." His voice was stone cold as soon as the conversation went back to the past. "You don't know anything about me." Yumi flinched slightly but held fast.
"Taicho," she let the honorific roll off her tongue like a horrible taste. "You can't expect me to when you never let me! So let me tell you something about me: can you expect me to simply let my friends die? No—do you expect me to not do anything at all when it had nothing to do with them!?"
"Well, you'll have to because you are to remain under house arrest at the Sixth Division," he spoke with decisiveness and turned back to the door. Yumi froze and the breath from her lungs left as if she was punched in the gut. All she could do was choke out one single question.
"W-What…?"
"I spoke with Kuchiki-Taicho already. For now you'll be under the Sixth Division's care." Hitsugaya slid the door open and made his leave. "Be glad that it wasn't a holding cell you were confined to for interrogations, Miyamoto."
The door closed with finality and she immediately fell to her knees in shock. Her violet eyes went wide with shock and her body trembled slightly. Whether it was from distress or anger was a mystery to her. All she knew was that the bitter cold stabbing at her was gone from the room
But not from her heart
"See you later"
And you raise you hand and wave me away
I'm waiting intensely for you to come
But I don't see your form
It's just a little painful but escape and go close to the stars
-Miyamoto Yumiko
Questions:
1. How did you like the chapter? Was is confusing?(Explain)
2. Kurotsuchi's security system was disrupted by something or someone. Any guesses as to how or who? Or was it really Yumi?
3. Toshiro has, in a nutshell, moved Yumi to the sixth division. Is this really for the good of Soul Society? Or better yet, Toshiro?
Kya, 3676 words. Gods. I took way too long... But I'm halfway through school so yay!
BTW, that last part for Yumi is from the song Kizuna Iro