Note: Oh joy, chapter one of this idea. I have two in the works, it just has not been completed yet. Things might become clearer as to what I am planning with this round if you did not pick up on it in the Prologue.
-#-
Cruzado
Chapter One
Murder cases piled on his desk every few weeks, but as of late a slew of unexplained deaths made themselves known. Byakuya Kuchiki massaged his brow, releasing a deep sigh. Seven mysterious deaths and all that linked the bodies were the fact they were seemingly normal healthy people other than a few bruises (according the coroner). The guys down stairs were giving Kuchiki a few weeks but they were prepared to chalk it up to coincidence.
Sudden Adult Death syndrome within a small population seemed pretty plausible right now compared to some of the crazy ideas that had been generated regarding the matter. The matter of the bruising on the corpses though, Byakuya thought something odd about that. Bruising patterns were something consistent which was the only reason he was being allowed time to work the case.
He was a detective in the Karakura police department. Sixteen years ago he graduated from KU top in his class, similarly a year later he did the same in the police academy becoming a homicide detective six years later. Maintain the balance.
Usually he would not feel so exhausted from a case but these had no leads, even his private sources were empty. Kuchiki was no regular detective unless you wanted to call talking to ghosts regular. His private talent had lead to the capture of almost every criminal since getting in on homicide. Ghosts had a tendency to haunt their bodies for a few days out of utter disbelief they had been murdered. He found they really liked to finger their killer too.
Slamming shut the folder on his desk he stood up, restlessness outlined in every movement especially as he gazed at the picture on his desk. So entranced by the image, he had not heard his superior knock as he came in.
"Detective Kuchiki?" the white haired man asked.
"Captain Ukitake, yes sir," he responded, snapped out of his daze.
The captain had shrugged off his coat and tie in favor of an open collar and rolled up sleeves, his flowing white hair hung down behind him. Resting against the door frame Jushiro's eyes flicked to the back of the picture Kuchiki kept on his desk.
"There's no need to be so formal Byakuya, thinking of home?"
A fedora hat peeking over top of Ukitake's head made Detective Shunsui Kyoraku's presence known. He had a thing for pinstripe suits, the dark color complimenting his rugged face.
As typical, when ever Captain Jushiro Ukitake wandered into Kuchiki's office, Detective Kyoraku (Byakuya's partner) followed from his office down the hall. One of two reasons being that both men shared the same mother, the other being that they were the only others in the department who spoke to the dead as he did.
"I bet he's thinking of that pretty wife of his," Shunsui added, his dark eyes shining with a mischievous spark below the brim of his black fedora.
A faint smile spread over the detective's face causing Kyoraku laughed.
"I told you Jushiro!"
"Easy Shunsui, we really aren't here for pleasantries anyway," the younger of the brothers stated, his eyes focused as he redirected his speech to Byakuya, "the case?"
The humor disappeared from Shunsui's face as he too, turned serious.
"No new breaks, aside from the similar bruising patterns. I still cannot believe that between the three of us the deceased were not found,"
"If we don't find anything plausible enough to keep this case open its going to be labeled mere coincidence," Kyoraku mused.
"I agree that this has been odd from the start but if we cannot find anything, then we cannot do anything," Jushiro concluded.
The frown on Captain Ukitake's face told a story of disappointment. One of the victims, a woman had a family. Two children and a husband, Jushiro was the one to break the news to them of her passing. It tore at his heart to watch the little ones cry as their father kneeled to hug them, quietly holding his self in because his girls needed him.
Kyoraku tipped his fedora up, "Byakuya, why don't you take the rest of today? I'll take over. I doubt the lovely Hisana would want you late for another dinner,"
"You compliment my wife so often Kyoraku, maybe you should have married her instead of me," Byakuya joked.
Shunsui chuckled as he strode across the office, swinging an arm around the younger detective.
"Oh please Kuchiki, I am but a mere connoisseur of women, not a husband. Again, take the day off,"
"Rarely do I agree with my brother but she has been missing you at dinner," Jushiro added, "I'm sure so have Rukia and Renji,"
Placing his hands on the desk, Byakuya hung his head knowing this would be an argument he would never win. Both men were right, he had been neglecting his place at home this past week and it was ever so obvious that she had been calling the station.
"Okay," he said with a sigh, "the three of you win,"
"Three?" Shunsui raised a brow.
Jushiro chuckled at the comment, knowing the third would be a chocolate eyed beauty waiting at home.
***
Having just reached his car, Detective Kuchiki's phone vibrated twice. The tell tale sign that he had just received a "text message" (a form of communication he despised), and only two people in the world would ever dare send him a "text message". Digging in his pocket for the device, he brought it out and flipped it open. As thought, "1 New Message from Rukia" displayed across the screen.
She was his sister-in-law (he referred to her as a sister), and Renji was his nephew. The two had been living with the detective and his wife for some years now ever since Rukia's husband died. Byakuya's nephew was really Renji Abarai junior. Kuchiki was never really clear on the details of Renji's passing, nor had he cared for the fiery attitude but he did have a respect the deceased. He remembered the man with wild red hair and tattoos and how his nephew and sister loved him dearly.
The day clouded over in the threat of rain as six men carried a casket to its final rest, Byakuya Kuchiki had invited his two closest friends, Shunsui and Jushiro to help carry Renji's coffin. No one showed up to represent for Renji side of the family other than three people. Rukia recognized all three of them as being friends from Renji's job.
There had been volunteers from the rest of the Kuchiki family to fill the open spots at the casket's side but Byakuya had spoken, the other side would be the duty of Renji's friends.
An orange haired man that identified himself as Ichigo could have been Renji's cousin, showcasing that same fiery attitude and a quiet strength. The other man appeared to be of a similar age with blonde hair who spoke only a few times, he also never gave his name. He did however wear a sorrowed face for the duration of the funeral, the past seemingly played over in his eyes. The last of the three, was a young woman. She remained quiet except to give her name. With the years since he had forgotten that and her face.
Byakuya knew however, that his death affected all three very deeply.
They stood holding the casket over the hole that would become Renji's tomb. Next they were lowering him into the ground. The quiet thud as the casket touched down finalized it, this was really happening. Byakuya stood again, facing the mourners. In front of him his sister sat.
The only face that stuck in Byakuya's mind from that day was his sister, Rukia. How she sat there with Renji junior at her side, his face buried in his mother's side sobbing without end. Her face, he would never understand that look of confusion and betrayal she wore.
They spoke their words, listened to the praises for the man that lay there in front of them. All that was left to do was bury the dead. It had been then that Byakuya realized the three strangers had been gone for some time. He was never able to find them again.
He selected "read": Renji hasn't been home from school yet, can you check for me if you get off early?
He smiled inwardly, knowing exactly where Renji probably was at this moment. The anniversary of his father's death was not far off, the young man generally made a multitude of trips down to the river in the weeks coming to prepare for the visit. Fortunately, it wasn't that far of a walk from the station as he turned away from his car. Byakuya could see the bridge from here, and the bank where Renji could usually be found.
Under the bridge as surmised by the detective, there was a young body. He was only fifteen years old, hair tied back and hanging down. Onyx eyes mulled over memories of when he was little, and what would come almost two weeks from now, the yearly visit to the grave Renji Abarai senior, his father.
School had been something unbearable today, so he really just skipped after lunch. Keigo had wanted to come with him, but he told his friend maybe another day. He really just wanted to be alone. He really wished he could go to the dojo and work out, just something to concentrate his mind on anything else.
The sound of a rock caught his attention and he looked behind him, unsurprised to see his uncle.
"Mom sent you after me?"
"You know your mother. It's time again isn't it?" as he sat down on the bank next to his nephew.
"Yeah, it gets easier every year but I still remember Dad like he was here yesterday. I miss him,"
"When your grandfather passed it wasn't easy on me either, it was some time ago but I don't believe you ever truly stop missing someone,"
"At least you knew who he really was, a detective and look where you are. Mom never knew what dad did to make his living for us, something I'm never going to know. After the funeral you couldn't even track down those people that attended. When I really think about it, all Mom and I knew was Dad but we don't actually know anything about his life,"
"I never cared much for your Dad's hothead but I know he was a good man Renji, whatever he did I am certain it was honorable. I'm also sure if he could see his son today he would be proud of you, I know your aunt and I are," as Byakuya placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
"You've become strong, and you're decent in your studies. I don't think the family could ask for more,"
"Thanks Byakuya,"
"Are you ready to go home then?"
"Yeah, but can we grab something to eat before hand? Mom said she'd be helping Hisana cook tonight,"
Both their stomachs turned upside down at the thought, they laughed at the shared sentiment. Byakuya nodded as they stood.
"Nothing too heavy though, your aunt will have kept something from her clutches!"
They both started laughing again as they climbed the incline leading to the sidewalk.
***
A car ride and stop at the local burger joint later, the two had come home through the back door. Byakuya entered into the kitchen first, greeted warmly with a hug and kiss from his wife.
"I'm glad you're home for dinner," she said smiling.
Byakuya returned her expression, "Jushiro and Shunsui had something to do with that,"
"You can tell them I said thank you. Renji, where have you been? School called to say you had skipped-"
"Yes Renji, where have you been," another voice interrupted.
As it were, Hisana was the eldest of the two sisters but for some reason Rukia always seemed less mature than her sister despite the narrow age difference. While Hisana still appeared young and beautiful there was no mistaking that she was indeed a woman, while Rukia had many times been mistaken as Renji's older sister, flattering to Rukia indeed, if not embarrassing for Renji junior. Currently she sat at the table with a half empty glass of tea, a look of grave annoyance/aggravation sketched across her features.
"Same thing I do every day, go no place," sarcasm flooding his tone.
With a growl she stood up, and instinctively Byakuya and Hisana backed away from Renji sensing the impending brawl he would no doubt lose.
"No place? NO PLACE?" Rukia cried as she launched herself across the room to bury a foot in his face, "You're just like your father! Tell you to go school, run by the store, and be home by five o'clock and here it is seven! Even worse you didn't even go to the damned store!" under her stamping tirade, Renji's anger grew.
"OLD WOMAN! IT ISN'T WORTH MY TIME TO WALK AN HOUR TO THE STORE FOR A STUPID BOX OF TRIX!"
"YOU CALLING RABBITS STUPID?! AND WHO'RE YOU CALLING "OLD WOMAN" "LITTLE BROTHER!"" followed by a string of crashes and things breaking.
Collectively, Byakuya and Hisana sighed as they began arranging the kitchen table. Such occurrences were commonplace in the Kuchiki house now, and to be honest neither of them would have it any other way because despite the occasionally destruction it made home complete.
-#-
If you visit my profile you will see that not only am I busy, but I am also lazy. Two is nearly complete but even so it may take me a few days.