so I hope you guys are liking the story! I for one love this story... But I could be biased too :) either way

bleach doesnt belong to me. Only the mirrored world content does

~The Human Seritei~

Since the two Shunsui had left the two Jushiro's to their own devices for a while as they both seemed irritable... One more so then the other, they decided to go have a look at Seritei chatting, they were basically exactly same apart from appearance and much like in the same manner the two Jushiro's met, they immediately became friends, enjoying each other's somewhat crude sense of humour. Jushiro and the cat however were just as easily lost in their own conversations, Jushiro found the cats history fascinating. though the conversation was a rather gory one, the cat spoke of his own experiences "well I believe I was one of the first they experimented on... They didn't exactly know what they were doing at that time, so I seemed to take irreparable damage to my organs... Let's just say my body doesn't exactly work all the time, there will be times where I have organs failing on me.. It's rather inconvenient if I do say so.. But somewhere in my experimentation I acquired some unnatural will to live" the cat chuckles "somehow I always seem to find a way to get back to health..." The cat looks thoughtful "it was about a year or so before the true extent of what had happened to me showed it's colours.. I believe I was having a dangerously high fever and my being was somewhat unbalanced, I couldn't control it but I found the more unsettled I became, any water around me seemed to mirror it, it took a day of progressively getting worse for the water to rather defy the laws of gravity around me" he nods thinking back "I don't remember much from that time as I was rather ill, but I recall being taken in by the researchers again and tested when I was well again, I discovered I could manipulate water...".

Jushiro listening looked intrigued "what to mean by that.." The cat sits up and lifts his paw, amazingly a pool of water seemed to come up from the floor but then float following his palm, Jushiro looks surprised and then curious "that is rather interesting.." The cat smiles dropping the water "I was rather shocked at this point... It's a lot to take it, stress seemed to make the power so much more dangerous as well, I found out water could be sharper then any one of the tools they'd been using to cut us up with... The first two lives I took were an accident.." He looks at Jushiro "though I should probably explain, at that point we were basically kept in cages, despite our now human thoughts, we were still only test subjects, my claws had been cut and I was constantly muzzled.. So when I discovered what they had done to me I was afraid.. I killed the first by accident, the water peirced him through.. The next was also the same, but it hit me then.. I didn't understand but I knew I could escape.. So I did.. Somehow escaping from the huge building they were keeping us all in" Jushiro looked shocked and listen silently, the cat continued "after that.. I lost control not sure how I did any of what i did in the first place, I was cut and scarred, unfortunately I didn't think at the time to free myself from the muzzle so I could no longer free myself of it" the cat goes quiet "I had stumbled into this maze of buildings of halls and I got Lost.. Many people who found me wanted to kill me.. In fear I accidentally killed more.. It wasn't until a woman found me.. Her name was Miyako Shiba..".

Jushiro looks shocked at the name but retains his questions so the cat can continue "she found me just when I'd given up, I had unknowingly stumbled into the division I am now captain of.. And she found me in a garden.. I was too weak to stand then, however she was different, she wasn't afraid of me and the first thing she did was free me of the muzzle binding me.. She then brought me water and when I could handle it, food... When I had the strength to stand she said, if you follow me, I promise to look after you, but you can go if you like now.. I knew I wouldn't survive.. And I think she knew that too.. But she still gave me the choice.. I decided to follow her.. And she kept her word.." The cat smiles at the memory, the first night, her husband saw me and was immediately worried for my health, as was she, while miyako bathed me and looked after my wounds, kaien prepared tea and food for me.. I hadn't even spoken yet.." It went on for weeks, these two humans nursing me back to health... I was afraid to speak though.. When they found out they were surprised but after weeks they simply said, ah.. And all that time we could have told each other stories..." He sighs "they weren't even bothered.. They were the ones that started the revolt on animal cruelty and ended up freeing everyone else still left in that hell... And that was when the treaty was made it took another few years but the animals soon joined the ranks of the humans if they, like me, had acquired a power that could help protect Seritei... Unfortunately I was forever to be plagued of the illness that had been given to me in those halls.. But I didn't really mind after I found the shiba family... They actually helped me find my human form... And the rest of my hidden abilities".

Jushiro looks a little confused "a human form? And I'd believe that of the shiba family... They were two of the best people I have ever had the pleasure to work with.." The cat looks up "have you also got a Shiba family..." Jushiro looks a little depressed at the memory "yes... Kaien Shiba used to be my lt.. I trusted him with my life... Miyako was my third seat... I'd never seen a happier or kinder pair... Unfortunately they fell to the same hollow... But even so, I am proud to have met them..." The cat looks saddened by the thought "I'm sorry... I can understand your loss..." Jushiro nods and smiles "they were favourites among the division, they would be disappointed with me if I got too upset about what happened now though... You said you had a human form though.. Excuse my curiosity... But please explain.." The cat nods "I found out that if I concentrated, I could change my form... Well actually I should clarify.. I also found this out by accident.. And I was rather terrified at first..." Jushiro looks thoughtful but he couldn't really imagine what the cat would look like.. Surely he wouldn't be a mirror image of himself... The cat looks thoughtful "I know I say human... But I don't think the form could really be called human... How to explain.." He looks unsure then looks up at jushiro "would you perhaps have a unform I could borrow?" Jushiro looks surprised at the random change of topic "of course but... I'm not sure if it would suit your needs.." The cat smiles "I will make do, it will be fine" Jushiro nods unsure what the cat was planning and stands to take a neatly folded unform out of a cupboard and placing it in front of the cat "if you'd like the bathroom is just in there" he nods to the room and the cat smiles "thank you, I'll return in a moment then" the cat picks up the uniform before pacing into the side room, Jushiro sips his tea cluelessly.

It was a few minutes before the bathroom opened again though Jushiro was shocked by his guests appearance, by all accounts the cat now looked like a mirror image of Jushiro himself, only it was so different, it was obvious he wasn't human, the cat, as explained, was now human, but did not look it, his body was well toned only his shoulders, which he had left unclothed, were covered in fur that faded to a human chest, skin and all, however there were faint scars staining the skin, the fur covers his arms down to the backs of his hands, the palms and fingers were also human skin, the front of the neck and face apart from the very borders which were also lined with fur were human skin as well, only his eyes were that of the bobcat he was, the face though looked tattoed as there were the face marks from his bobcat form where his human features were, he also still had the fur cat ears and tail, the cat human sat down lightly in front of Jushiro with only the pants on but carrying his shirt and now human haori, he didn't wear it though presumably as he felt it disrespectful to the human captain "this form is a little hard to describe... I felt it easiest to show you" Jushiro nods "I can understand that.." He wasn't so much as disturbed by the form, it was just a little shocking and fascinating rather, Jushiro looks unsure "you found this form by accident?" The cat smiles a little "I woke up one day to a scream... Followed by my own scream... I gave Miyako quite the scare but after I started freaking out she realised it was new to me and tried to calm me down instead..." Jushiro imagining the scene easily now "I can understand that... Are your abilities different in this form.." The cat nods inspecting his hands and retracting his claws "oddly I still am able to control my claws like this.. My senses remain as heightened as they were before as well, my elemental control though seems stronger and I have excellent hand to hand capabilities..." Jushiro smiles "I would imagine those claws would be dangerous yes.. Do you use blades over there?" The cat looks thoughtful "some people have mastered using a blade... I did train in the art for a time... My senses helped me with that... But for some reason I have never really been comfortable holding a blade..." Jushiro looks curious "really?" The cat nods "I did however notice you carrying a blade... You must differ from me in that manner..".

Jushiro looks thoughtful "I dislike having to use my blade... But don't get me wrong.. I would be extremely lonely without my blade..." The cat looks thoughtful and a bit confused "is your blade really that important to you?" Jushiro nods "hai... Perhaps that deserves an explanation..." The cat looks at Jushiro realising the humans blade wasn't actually at his side "where is your blade if it's so important.." Jushiro smiles realising "ah, I must seem strange saying that without having it beside me... Let me start at our rules, there is a rule stating that anyone of captain class is limited to their use of their zanpaktou, which are what we call our blades, as captains we are the most dangerous even without our blades.. But with them we are more so, only during war times are we captains allowed to carry our blades with us at all times, I often choose not to carry mine with me unless I'm leaving the division, and it is usually close to me at all times if I don't have it on me" the cat nods "I see.. Then this means your at peace then.." Jushiro nods "yes..." The cat then looks confused "so then.. Zanpaktou...?" Jushiro looks thoughtful "a few years after your start at the shinigami academy you recieve a blank blade, this blade from then on is yours and only yours, this blank blade is exactly what it sounds like, in the time spent beside you, you imprint your soul onto the blade and it becomes your zanpaktou... To put it simply... A zanpaktou it the manifestation of your souls abilities, much like your ability to manipulate water" the cat looks thoughtful processing the words "how?" Jushiro searches for words before continuing "well.. I'm not sure if it's the same over your side but in ours, everyone has their own abilities represented by their sword, each sword also has a name.. As funny as this might sound, your zanpaktou is a part of you, the other half of your soul, as such it becomes it's own being, and it lives in your soul...".

He knows this sounds confusing and the cat doesn't really understand "so... Are you saying the blades are essentially alive... That seems impossible..." Jushiro nods "it does sound strange yes, but you have the right idea, however the souls live inside" he puts a hand on his heart, the cat looks a little confused "then what are the blades then.." Jushiro smiles "well they are basically just a manifestation of the soul that lives inside, the blade allows you to use your powers, think of it like an instrument" the cat frowns "so.. Where did the powers come from then?" Jushiro puts his hand to his heart once more "they come from the being inside." The cat takes a second to process this and then uses his hands to demonstrate "so there two souls right? Yours and your power? Your power is alive and the blade is the device to use it.. Right?" Jushiro nods "perfect" the cat looks thoughtful "so then are the blades really special or is it just the other soul?" Jushiro looks thoughtful "well the blades are just as important as the other soul, see you need to talk to the other soul to learn how to use your power, they teach you... When you learn the souls or the blades name, you can then use your power, not before then" the cat nods "but why? Is a name really that important... And then aren't you essentially talking to yourself?" Jushiro smiles "yes, essentially you are... But the name is extremely important, communication is everything" the cat frowns "so what happens when you learn the name then?" Jushiro frowns "well then you can what you call release your blade, in releasing your blade, you become more powerful, but not just that, your blade changes shape, it looks like what your power looks like..." The cat was a little lost again "I'm not sure I understand, what would power look like?" Jushiro looks thoughtful before standing "follow me..." The cat stands unsure and follows Jushiro out of the room, Jushiro steps into his room to pick up his blade in one hand and then continues out past his garden and too an open courtyard, Jushiro then motions to the cat "please stand on the grass there.. It's safer".

Despite Jushiro not really feeling well enough for this, it was his turn to show his guest something new, he comes to stand in the centre of the courtyard and unsheathed his blade and mounting the sheath by his side before taking a breath and warning sogyo, he then holds his blade forward with both hands before chanting his release so his guest can hear him "waves, rise to become my shield, lightning, strike to become my blade, sogyo no kotowari" in a quick movement, jushiro instantly pulls apart the hilt of his blade, it separating into two as he did, a rope connecting the two ends, the blades thinned and then the top backwards blades formed as the guard extended down the blade, the courtyard had immediately filled with pressured wind from the release and it subsided quickly, the cat stared in shock and Jushiro approaches him to lift the blades "this is the shape of my soul, their name is sogyo no kotowari" the effort of releasing his blade had tired him but Jushiro chose not to show it, the cat looks surprised "there's two... They are beautiful blades... What can they do..." Jushiro smiles "I am rather proud of them.. They have served me well... Their ability is mainly defensive in that I can return most attacks of an elemental nature" the cat had never seen anything like this before and was rather amazed "I think I understand now..." Jushiro nods "this is what is called the shikai release, there is one more though, the bankai... This is achieved differently to the shikai though, to learn bankai I had to bring sogyo no kotowari to this world and then defeat them to gain bankai... It's process that takes over ten years altogether" the cat nods "zanpaktou are fascinating aren't they.." Jushiro smiles letting one of his blades go as he sealed his zanpaktou and sheathed it "they are, they are also your best friends and companions, they will never let you down as long as you stay faithful to them as well, all shinigami here treasure their zanpaktou" the cat nods "I can understand why... Such a friendship is a special thing..." Jushiro nods and starts walking inside, the cat follows looking thoughtful.

Shunsui however meet them on the way inside, the bird landed on a nearby tree and looked surprised at the cat who'd changed his form, Shunsui looks worried "you all good Juu?" Jushiro nods "I explained the zanpaktou to my guest" Shunsui sighs "you worried me a bit..." Jushiro smiles "that's not hard though" Shunsui nods "that's true.." Shunsui then eyes the cat and frowns "you two look scarily alike..." The cat smiles and Jushiro muses "well it's still easy enough to tell us apart" the cat nods before walking over and offering his arm to the bird who lands on it with a flap "so what's got you out of your shell Juu?" The cat looks thoughtful "Ukitake Taicho didn't understand when I tried to explain, so I chose to make it simple for both of us" the bird nods "fair enough, what were you two up too anyway, suddenly my counterpart got all worried?" The cat smiles "Ukitake Taicho returned the favour and explained his own abilities, I didn't understand them but he showed me instead... Zanpaktou are curious... It's similar to our own powers but different in their own way..." The bird looks thoughtful "zanpaktou... Kyouraku Taicho briefly mentioned them... What are they?" The cat smiles "I'll explain it later, are you staying like this?" The bird nods "yeah, I don't feel like changing tonight, are you staying human are you?" The cat looks thoughtful and nods "it's more convenient, we don't have our usual help here after all..." The bird nods in realisation and chuckles playfully "aww, no cuddles for you tonight juu" the cat sighs "no, it seems not.. Though I was looking forward to them.." The bird smiles "don't worry, I'm sure you will get twice as many when you get home" the cat smiles "hopefully". Jushiro then set up the visitors room before it got too dark, the bird and cat decided it's easier and likely more comforting for them to stay in the same room, Jushiro also asked one of his division members to bring by dinner when it was ready so the visitors were comfortable, Shunsui went to his division after that and Jushiro apologised before admitting he needed to retire early, both visiting captains understood completely and were content to spend the night chatting to each other instead of wasting the humans time instead, despite not being home, it wasn't overly uncomfortable so they were able to rest relatively peacefully.