Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach yo
Michiko held up the paper Kisuke-Ji-San had given her. She asked around until she found the Inn. The Star's Inn was written on the sign. She walked in, she immediately drew all the attention in the room which she had been doing all day. Her hair was odd in the world of the living but here it was completely freakish. She walked up to the desk.
"May I help you young lady?" The woman at the desk asked her in a pleasant voice.
"I'm looking for the owner, Akahana. I need to speak with her."
"Alright." The woman led Michiko to the back room. Michiko stood by the door clad in a blue kimono with crimson fish painstakingly embroidered on the fabric. She walked in and almost had a heart attack. The woman, Akahana, had black hair and blue eyes. Akahana gave her a strange look.
"I'm sorry, did I frighten you miss?" The woman asked.
"No, I'm sorry you look like someone I know."
"Alright, how can I help you?"
"I'm Hanakari Michiko; I'm the child of one of Urahara Kisuke's charges." She blinked.
"Oh, I see, what can I help you with?"
"I'm looking for my mother Kurotsuchi Ururu. She's a shinigami so I really need to find her and Kisuke-Ji-san said if anyone could get me in it would be you." Her words struck a chord with Akahana; she couldn't imagine why, then again, she was an ex-shinigami.
"I see, your mother, well there's no way I could refuse that. I had a daughter of my own but her father took her away from me." She said sadly.
"Oh."
"Come along dear you can stay for free, with me. That is of course if you're willing to humor me by acting like a daughter."
"O-okay." Michiko's heart was feather light, never once had she ever been in the company of girls other than school and the occasional visits from her aunties. Michiko had grown up with her father and his two male guardians. Maybe that was the reason that she longed to see her mother so badly because she so deeply wished for another female to relate to.
The next morning Michiko woke up refreshed. She walked down to find Akahana dealing with some difficult guests. One man grabbed her wrist roughly threw her across the room. Michiko rushed in struck the man with her staff. He tried to punch her but she bent backwards and jabbed her staff under his chin, catching him off guard and kicking him into a wall. She landed in a fighting position, her staff ready.
"Never attack a woman there's always someone to protect her if she can't protect herself!" The man was stunned that he was just beat up by a girl, a young one at that. He left, men laughing at him. Michiko went to help up Akahana and another woman ran to her aid as well.
"Are you alright Aka-chan?" Michiko blinked, this woman had bright red hair like her own father, brighter than her hair.
"I'm fine Suko." The woman smiled. Michiko went up to her timidly.
"Excuse me?"
"Oh, it's you, well you're an impressive young lady. You must be part wiccan, we have the same hair." Suko stated cheerfully. Michiko nodded.
"I am, my dad, he was half wiccan he's the one I got my hair from although its darker because my mom had black hair.
"Ah, what a coincidence, my son was a half breed."
"Was your son's name Jinta?" Suko froze.
"Yes actually."
"Because, he's my dad." Suko froze.
"My son, Jinta?"
"Yeah." Miko soon found herself in a huge bear-hug from the dainty-looking woman. Miko blinked.
"Well Aka-chan, isn't this wonderful, how is he?"
"Oh, he's great we have a good life at the shop."
"Shop?" Oh that's right she died when he was little boy, before he met her mother his only love.
"Well after you and his father died he went to live with ex-shinigamis and a little girl not human, named Ururu, my mother.
"So my little one married." Miko didn't answer at first.
"No, he loved her dearly but, they never married, my parents. They were separated shortly after I was born."
"Oh, I see, is he happy?"
"He has me, so he's happy a lot of the time. But, ever since I was little, I always noticed some form of melancholy in him. It wasn't until I was older that I figured it was because my mom was gone."
He really loved her and she was taken away for my sake. I always felt guilty once I found out, I felt as if I had taken my father's love away."
"But darling, aren't you dead?"
"No, I'm here to bring my mother back to her family. The shop will have their Princess back."
"Yes Suko, Kisuke-sama sent her here and can bring her back." She smiled.
"Your mother?"
"Yeah."
"How sweet."
Michiko spent the next few days training with Akahana, she taught her to deflect swords with her staff. Akahana was duly impressed with Miko's skills as a martial artist. Like her mother Miko had a Martial artist's body and had a boatload of natural talent.
"Well dear, I think you're about ready to go forth to the Serietei!" Akahana chirped pushing a lock of hair behind her ear.
"Thank you Akahana, for everything. Tell me, why are going are you going through so much trouble for me."
"You are risking everything to save a mother whom you have never met, why?"
"She saved me; she sacrificed the freedom she guarded to save her baby. This is the least I can do to repay her. It's my fault my father is miserable and my fault my mother is trapped in torment, all because I was born."
"I doubt they see I that way, you didn't ask to be born so how is it a fault of yours. I'm sure they love you, if they were angry with you your mother never would have given up her freedom for you."
"I guess, but I still owe her."
"I'm glad for that."
"Hm?"
"You love your mother as you should. I think you're ready to enter Serietei."
"Really?" She yipped.
"Yes it's time."
Akahana walked along the wall of the Seretei with Miko trailing behind her. Michiko was wearing Akahana's old uniform with her staff disguised as a zampacto. Her beautiful red hair was tied in a ponytail that drooped down her back. Akahana led her to a cracked area.
"Remember Miko-chan, you're a member of squad twelve and your zampacto is Kouchou." She tapped a cracked stone and a small door opened in the stones.
"You're on your own from here on out."
"Thank you for everything Akahana."
"Don't worry about it." Michiko slid into the door. It closed behind her. She took a deep breath and started to walk. She was told to find either Abarai-tiacho or Kurosaki-taicho. She walked and walked and walked. It was so confusing; the halls were twenty different forms of chaos. She swore at whoever idea it was to make this place so damn complicated. She eventually stumbled on a garden and sighed. She had finally found a distinguishing mark in this maze. She walked to the pond and splashed water on her face. She sighed until; of course a small foot shoved her head under water. She instinctively grabbed her attacker and threw her into the pond. It was incredibly awkward but she managed. She ripped her head from the water.
"What the hell is your problem?!" She suddenly felt bad; the person she had thrown into the pond was a little girl wearing a white and red kimono shirt and pants. There were two pinwheels on the top part. She had her hair in a ponytail; her hair was white as winter snow. Her eyes were hazel green.
"You're not supposed to be here, this for fuku-taichos, taichos and their families only."
"Oh really, then I'm sorry and since you're obviously not a taicho could you tell me where I could find Abarai-taicho."
"Why should I tell you fire head?!"
"Because I'm twice your size and more experienced and could kick your butt if need be."
"You wouldn't dare, I'm Hitsugaya-taicho's daughter and Histugaya-fuku-taicho's daughter." Michiko grabbed the girl by her collar.
"Oh really, you must be packing some serious power. Too bad I don't care." She smiled maliciously. She felt someone throw a pebble at her head.
"Oh what now?" A boy hung upside down from a tree. His hair was spiky and black and his eyes were mahogany brown.
"Geez I know Yukiko can be a brat, but you could put her down."
"Oh really?"
"Yeah, it's pretty brave of you to attack her though. Histugaya-taicho is ultra protective of his wife and triplets."
"Okay, but who are you."
"Kurosaki Kaien."
"I'm going to assume that Kurosaki-taicho is your father."
"Yeah what of it?"
"Could you take me to him?"
"Why should I?"
"My name is Hanakari Michiko; I'm a friend of his sisters, the twins."
"Oh so, I'm going to believe you."
"You better kid."
"Kid? You're hardly older than me."
"So I'll bet I'm ten times more mature!"
"Are not!"
"You will you two shut up." Yukiko shouted.
"You, Hanakari, why do you need to speak to Abarai and Kurosaki?"
"Because I need to find my mother!"
"Oh really? Why can't you do that on your own?"
"Because my mother is Kurotsuchi Ururu!" They paused.
"As in first-seat Kurotsuchi?"
"Yeah….." Michiko stared warily.
"Oh well that's a whole different story." Kaien stated crossing his arms. Michiko scrunched up her face.
"It is?"
"Well yeah, if you're her daughter that means you're the family of a taicho and fuku-taicho. You're allowed to be here." She sighed angrily.
"Look are you going to take me to your dad or not?"
"Yeah, yeah just come on fire head."
"Fire head? How creative." She scowled. Kaien turned to look at her. He gave her a critical once over.
"What?" She got very uncomfortable.
"You're kinda cute." He said with a straight face. That resulted in a right hook.
"That hurt!" He hollered.
"Yeah and I'll make it hurt more if you ever call me cute again!"
"Heh, the mighty Kaien got his butt kicked." Giggled Yukiko.
"Shut it Yuki No. 1!"
"No. 1?"
"Her sister's name is Yukihana."
"That's dumb named two sister similar things."
"Tell that to their dad, if you live I'll be surprised." Miko stuck her tongue out at him.
"Keep your comments to yourself."
"Feisty." He grumbled grinning.
"You're asking for a slap little boy." Her red hair almost looked like actual flames.
"You're pretty bold for a Kurostuchi girl."
"That's because I'm also a Hanakari girl. I'm bold and fearless and I have a helluva temper." She smirked. Kaien didn't say anything else but he walked away with Yukiko and Michiko following him. They walked through the halls and all eyes were on Miko. She followed close behind Kaien brushing against the boy several times causing him to blush. Miko seemed to be completely unaffected by it. Except for her long hair and female clothes she was practically raised as a boy; and had to beg her father to stop buying her overalls, baggy pants and t-shirt so she could own skirts. As such she wasn't the type to get mushy over a boy.
"Are we almost there?" Miko grumbled impatiently.
"Keep your Yukata on! Or not…" He smirked and that was rewarded with a flower pot to the head.
"Ever say that again and I'll freaking murder you!" She said adding on a kick. The door nearby opened and Michiko looked up to an intimidating man with orange hair. Miko froze and looked up at the man. The man glanced down at Kaien then at Michiko.
"Kaien what did you do?" The man sighed. Michiko recognized this man from the pictures at the Kurosaki clinic. He was Ichigo.
"Kurosaki-taicho, I apologize! I didn't mean, he was!" She couldn't speak properly.
"You must be Michiko, the brat's kid."
"You're talking about my dad?"
"Of course. By the way what did Kaien do?"
"He uh, was making lewd comments." Ichigo took hold of his son's ear.
"I'm sorry for that, he will be punished. Come into my office." Michiko timidly followed him into his office and sat in a chair.
"So I'm guessing you're here to rescue your mother." Miko nodded.
"Well then I'll do everything in my power to help. Renji will too, he likes your mom, he thinks she's sweet. On top of that you look like him so you pose as some long lost relative."
"Thank you so much."
"Don't worry about it; I like your mom too. She's nice."
"Oi! Ichigo!"
"Ah perfect timing Renji."
"Hm?"
"See this girl here, she look familiar?"
"No….." He had seen this girl before yet he hadn't…..
"Her name is Hanakari Michiko; I believe you've met her before."
"Michiko?! As in Ururu's kid?!"
"The one and only." She replied, this man oddly had red hair like her.
"Hey kiddo, haven't seen you since you were a newborn! You look like your mom, good thing too."
"Eh?"
"Your dad looked scared out of his mind when he was holding you. I'm glad your mother named you too, who knows what awful name the brat would have given you!" He began laughing.
"My…..mother named me?"
"Yeah didn't you know?" Michiko shook her head.
"I guess I had always assumed my dad named me, since my mother's never been around." She remembered those days as a child. Ever since she knew it took two to make a kid she wondered who her mother was. Every mother's day she and her father would lock themselves in their respective rooms. Her father in mourning; while Miko would be sitting in her room looking in the mirror picking out features she imagined were her mother's. Her eyes had been easy to figure out but she never would have guessed how much she really resembled her mother. She eventually grew out of her habit of staring in a mirror. The minute she saw her mother's photo she immediately got back into the habit soon after. She did look like her mother to a very frightening accuracy.
"Do you want to see her?" Michiko whipped her head up so fast she swore she got whiplash.
"Really I could meet her?"
"No, you can't meet her, but you can see her." Michiko nodded her hair fluttering. Renji chuckled at her cuteness.
"Come on kiddo." She followed him like a puppy. He walked a ways then stopped. He gestured to a trio of people standing in a training field.
"The short girl is your mother." He told her. Michiko looked out and saw her. Her breath caught in her lungs. She was beautiful. Her hair was jet black and very long and in low pigtails tied underneath her ears. She wore no jewelry of any kind. Her eyes were sapphire blue like Miko's; they shone in a sad way almost giving the feeling of rain. Her skin was as pale as winter snow. Miko's own skin was darker. Oddly enough she looked so young; barely seventeen if she guessed even though she was told the girl was over a hundred years old. This girl of melancholy beauty was her mother. She couldn't be more proud. The daughter of an exorcist priest, son of a high priestess, and her mother a creature of science built to be strong, beautiful, immortal somewhat like was the Frankenstein monster was supposed to be.
"Ururu! Gather the results from the lab! Nemu, oversee the training of the subordinates." Both her mother and aunt nodded and walked in separate directions. They exchanged a silent glance before parting. Her mother was heading towards them. She smiled but Renji shoved her into a room behind them. She watched from a crack as she came close.
"Ah Ururu-chan." Renji shouted catching her attention. She smiled and came over.
"Abarai-taicho."
"I've told you every time that "san" is fine."
"Heh, gomen." Her mother seemed in good enough spirits. Renji however seemed upset.
"Is that new?" He asked. Miko couldn't help but wonder what he was talking about.
"What?"
"The bruise on your neck."
"Oh, that, I was just…."
"Has he been hitting you again?" Her mother looked terrified.
"Ururu, I told to come to me if he hurt you." She turned her head away. He put a hand on her shoulder.
"It's not your problem." His eyes narrowed.
"Ururu, you can't think about only yourself, don't you ever want to see your daughter." Her mother's eyes widened.
"Of course I think of her, I think about her every day. I wonder if she's happy."
"Knowing that bratty kid is her dad I remain unconvinced." He snorted.
"I've told you before, he's a nice guy, and he'd be a good dad."
"Yeah right, he's a regular delinquent that kid'll be smoking by fifteen. I heard he did that when he was fifteen."
"He stopped."
"Only when you told him to." He smirked.
"You sound as if I have some sort of influence over him."
"Hell yeah you do, I mean Ururu, come on. He will do anything to make you happy."
"Oh that's not true, he barely even likes me." Michiko sweat dropped, was her mother serious, her dad was head over heels in love.
"Ururu!"
"Coming Mayuri-sama! I have to go, good day!" She attempted a smile but it was still laced with fear of what her father would do to her.
"Bye……" He whispered, what was that look in his eyes, that faraway look he was giving her mother.
"She's so, so, beautiful….." Michiko whispered.
"Yes she is….." She didn't like that look he was giving her mother, not at all.
"So you're a friend of my mother."
"Yeah I look after her since your dad's not around to."
"How did she get hurt?"
"I'm sure you're aware by now that her creator, father, whatever the hell you wanna call him, abuses her."A tone of bitterness was strung in his voice.
"Why?"
"To punish her I imagine, to him she's just another tool for him to use."
"You look out for her."
"I care about her, so I do my best to protect her." Michiko decided to avoid being blunt and asking him 'that' question. He took her to the 10th squad to borrow a kimono from Momo. When he arrived he got a warm welcome from Momo.
"Renji, I'm so happy you're here!"
"Hey Momo, can I talk to Toushiro-kun."
"Sure! Shiro-chan!"
"Just a minute!" He came in looking horribly stressed.
"Piece of advice, never have triplets, I only have two with me but they're driving me up the wall."
"Yeah well Ryuu is a little hell raiser and his sister's a drama queen. Toushiro, meet Michiko, Ururu's little girl." He mumbled something along the line of 'Hitsugaya-taicho'.
"Ah the brat's kid?"
"Yup."
"She's surprisingly cute."
"She takes after her mom."
"Good thing."
"Why does everyone keep saying that, he's not that bad anymore." She rummaged through her kimono and pulled out a photo of him holding her with a smirk. She was smiling and laughing.
"See!" They examined the photo.
"I guess he doesn't seem so bad."
"He isn't!"
"Whatever, you needed a kimono, I doubt they'll fit you Renji."
"It's for Michiko!"
"Good because I doubt you'll woo you-know-who dressed in Momo's kimono." His face turned as red as his hair.
"Shut up!"
"Come on, this will be so fun!" Momo shrieked yanking her like rag doll. After what felt like day but was only half an hour she emerged in a deep green kimono with ruby and sapphire flowers embroidered on the fabric. During the session Michiko spoke of her mother and the life she had with her father. Momo spoke of her life with her husband and her children.
"Now that you're taicho family you gotta look the part. Oh you look so cute!" She giggled. Michiko found it hard to believe that such a warm and open woman married such a cold and grouchy man. Opposites attract she supposed. She sat still while Momo pinned up her hair with an anemone.
"You look lovely your mother would be proud!" Momo gushed.
"Hey, um, Histugaya-fuku-taicho……."
"Momo-san is fine."
"Um, right, Momo-san, does Abarai-taicho, 'like' my mother?"
"I think they are both fond of each other why?"
"No I mean like, as in how you and your husband like each other."
"Oh, like that……"
"Yeah. I just saw him looking at her as if…"
"I believe firmly that Renji-kun loves her, I can't say whether or not his feelings are returned."
"Oh, well, why does he love her?"
"Why do I love my husband? No one knows why we love who we love. Renji probably developed his love while those years he was watching over her. She's a sweet girl. I've spoken with her many times and her sister, but neither of them have really been in love, you can tell by their expressions."
"My dad loves her a lot."
"I'm sure he does."
"I wanted us to be a family, but maybe I'm not being considerate of others."
"Yes maybe, life is full of choices. Would it be selfish of you to take her away from Renji without considering her feelings, just because you wanted a mother? Perhaps she so wants her little girl to be happy that she would be willing to make that sacrifice for you. It's a question of considering feelings of all parties."
"Easy for you to say living your dream life with your dream husband with your little dream kids."
"It wasn't always this wonderful." Her face grew sad.
"Really?"
"Yes, we suffered many atrocities, both of us. I was betrayed by my captain it took me years to recover from my delusions; he stood by me; even when I tried to kill him. When I recovered he was there holding me and we had our first kiss." She looked like an old woman remembering her time as a girl, in a good way….
"Oh, sorry."
"Don't worry about, things will work out for you, everyone may not be happy in the end but hopefully you will."
"That sounds selfish."
"Perhaps, but don't the people around you want you to be happy." She was right, Dad, Mom, Kisuke, Tessai, Renji, the twins they all did so much for her to make her happy. She didn't deserve it she had been a sign of misfortune for many of them especially her parents. Renji too now that she thought of it.
A thought occurred to her father had told her he and her mother never been together in any way, then how was she born? Was she maybe Renji's daughter? No, that didn't make sense, but neither did a baby without, well, the deed. Then again, her life didn't make sense any longer, seriously. She was the daughter of a human and artificial life form, and she didn't know what the hell she was! She wanted her mother to return with her but would her mother be content with that? Her mother after all had barely aged in fifteen years, was she immortal? Would her daughter age at the same pace? Momo noticed her troubled look.
"What's the matter?"
"I don't know what the hell I am! That's the matter!" she began to cry, Renji burst into the room.
"What's the matter?"
"She's just venting leave her alone." Momo tsked shooing him away.
"It's okay to cry Michiko."
"I want my mama I want to be her daughter! I'm sick of all of this drama! I want her, I want my mommy…" She eventually fell into sobs. Momo comforted her.
Meanwhile Ururu sat in the quarters she shared with her sister. She was staring wistfully at a photograph Renji and Ichigo had managed to smuggle to her. It was Kisuke, Tessai, and Jinta in front of the shop, Jinta was holding their little girl in his arms, she was still a baby. They were all smiling for the camera, Ururu stroked the smooth surface.
"Michiko, I wonder what she's doing now." Nemu walked in and saw her sister staring at the photo quietly.
"Nee-sama, do you think she is happy?"
"I do." Nemu knelt down by her.
"Mayuri-sama wishes to speak with you."
"Does he now?"
"You should go see what he wants….."
"I should." She got up and hid the photo under a loose floor board along with other treasures. She walked down the solemn halls thinking that they reminded her of the Urahara Shoten. She wanted to return there so very much. She came to the lab where her father was working, normally she and her sister would stand there patiently until he thought of a task for each of them. She walked timidly to him with her head down, not saying a thing.
"Ah, Ururu, took you long enough."
"I apologize Mayuri-sama; I hope it was not too inconvenient for you." He slapped her, fairly lightly, but hard enough to hurt.
"It was now I would like you to meet Kunonaske Hiroto." He gestured to the frighteningly handsome man behind him; his beauty was one that expressed cruelty.
"Nice to meet you." She told him timidly. He walked forward and boldly grasped her chin and forced her to face him. He smirked.
"You're cuter up close."
"Pardon?"
"I said you're cuter up close. Your eyes are more vibrant and I can see the peach highlights of your skin and the ocher shades of your hair. I like her Kurostuchi-taicho; you're sure she can conceive and carry a child to term."
"Positive, she has done so before."
"Oh so she is not pure?" Hiroto raised an eyebrow.
"Artificial impregnation, I used the male gene from a boy she knew. There was never any such contact."
"What happened to the boy and child?"
"Both disposed of."
"I see, I'll take her."
"Mayuri-sama?"
"I see then the deal is secure, one of my daughters for a strong trading link with your family."
"Mayuri-sama."
"Ururu, meet your future husband."
"What?" She whispered.
"Okay I'm done." Michiko whispered wiping away remaining tears away still clutching Momo.
"Oi! Momo! Are you almost done Abarai-taicho needs to be somewhere." He strode in calmly and stole a kiss from her lips. She giggled girlishly and Histugaya glanced at her. Renji came in behind him. He ruffled her hair.
"Hey kiddo, look cute."
"Thank you."
"You're going to pose as my niece, Abarai Miko; whom I recently reunited with during a trip through the Academy."
"Okay."
"Come on, I'll show you to your room." She obediently followed the older man. They met several people all to whom he introduced her as his niece. She was quiet and polite to all she met, which she hated but she was supposed to be shy and out of her element. Everyone was entranced by her and found her quite pleasant. Renji made sure she was comfortable and told her he had an errand to run. She eyed him suspiciously but said nothing.
He walked from his division and pulled a parcel out from his robe. It was wrapped in several layers of newspaper. He knew what lay within though. It was a gift for Ururu, a blue glass flower. She had made an off handed comment that her father never let her keep flowers in her quarters claiming they made a mess and died quickly. She loved flowers, when he had stayed in the shoten when she was younger she always had vases full of dried flowers. He had loved to see her face light up whenever Tessai, Kisuke, or even Jinta occasionally bring her home a flower. He saw her running towards him and stuck the flower back in his clothes.
"Abarai-san!" She ran and buried her face in his chest.
"Ururu-san what's the matter?" She sniffled for a few moments then jolted away.
"Gomen ne, Abarai-san, Nee-sama was working and I needed to tell someone."
"What, did he hit you again?" He noticed that her cheek was red and swollen.
"Well, yes, but that's not the problem."
"What did he do?"
"I'm really sorry to dump my problems on you but….."
"Abarai-san, I'm getting married."
-
-Omake-
"Hey Histugaya-fuku-taicho….." Michiko asked.
"Just call me Momo-chan!"
"Right, Momo-chan, don't you find it strange how much my father and Abarai-san are alike."
"I've never met your father."
"Well they have the same rough attitude, red hair, and they both have a thing for my mother."
"That is weird, are you sure they're not related?" Michiko gasped. She put the image of her father next to Renji.
'Oh my god could Renji be my dead uncle from a past life or something? No wait my dad's past life, then he wouldn't' be my dad! Dammit this is confusing!' She thought furiously.
"Miko-chan, are you alright?"
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Princess: Yo, it's been awhile but I wanted to edit the chapter. I gave Shiro-chan triplets because he handles stress so badly. I just loved the idea of Hitsugaya trying to work with three screaming kids running around his office because he was babysitting that day. Undoubtedly Matsumoto would be instigating them. The image just tickles me. Yeah that was the inspiration behind that. I once read a fanfic pairing Renji and Ururu, so I figured, why not add that.
(Checks review box and moths flies out.)
I should be more used to this by now, my preference for writing obscure stuff. What can I say, it's so much more fun to write about minor characters, there's less about them.