Chapter 4

"I don't care," Masaki huffed, agitation clearly ringing through her voice.

"How can you not care about your wedding dress?" her mother asked as she held out yet another gown for her to inspect.

"Because I don't want to marry him."

"Nonsense. You will adjust just like I did. Marriage is not about love, it's about power. Now here, try this on," her mother said.

Masaki grabbed the dress from her hand and practically ripped the curtain off the dressing room door as she pulled it closed behind her.

She'd met her betrothed again a few days ago, this time more privately. They'd had dinner together at a high class restaurant and the experience had been more miserable than she could have imagined. The whole time she had longed for the man in front of her to be replaced by Isshin but instead had to suffer through the mans emotionless stares and cold words. She barely said a word throughout the entire meal and her body was tense and uncomfortable. It wasn't till the man excused himself from the table for a few moments that she was able to breath normally and relax her body.

That didn't last long though because what she saw from the corner of her eye made her instantly terrified. Standing beside her soon to be husband was a man she remembered from her childhood, a man whom she'd thought to be long banished from Soul Society. She stood up and walked cautiously to the window, trying to get a better look. She weaved her way between the tables till she got a good angle and gasped when she saw the man's face again, slightly covered by a dark cloak.

There was no doubt in her mind now, the man her betrothed was speaking to was long ago banished Juha Bach.

Masaki pulled the dress her mother had given her up her body and tugged it till it was on correctly, her thoughts still wandering to that day.

She'd gone immediately to her father and Ryuken after the dinner, sharing what happened.

"Are you sure?" her father had asked, his eyes wide with horror.

"Yes father, I'm sure it was him. He had the scar and everything. What could they have been talking about?"

"I can think of a few things," commented Ryuken, receiving two sets of eyes staring at him curiously. "Well it's pretty obvious that your betrothed's family is one of the ones that believe the Soul King should be eliminated so to speak. What better ally than him, the only man to challenge the Gotei 13 and the King himself?"

"We must not jump to conclusions. She could have been mistaken," said Soken. He started pacing the room, his eyes glued to the floor in front of him.

"Regardless, the Soul King needs to be informed," said Ryuken, already moving to leave the room.

"No. We need to be sure. Masaki, when are you meeting him again?"

"Tomorrow after my dress fitting. Mom and I are supposed to visit him and his family for tea," she answered.

"Good. Find out what you can then. Don't make it obvious. I don't want you getting yourself into any danger. Just ask subtle questions," her father said and she nodded her head.

Ryuken watched the pair with narrowed eyes. He didn't like this. He didn't like it at all.

Masaki shook her head of her thoughts and strode out of the dressing room.

"Oh that's lovely. What do you think darling?" her mother asked.

"It's fine," she answered, hoping to be done with this. She really didn't care about the dress. She knew she wasn't marrying the man so it didn't matter.

Her mother huffed and stood up. "Well then, let's just get that one and be done with it."

They left the shop soon after and headed towards her betrothed's family house. When they arrived, he was waiting for them in the foyer and led them to a room towards the back of the house where his mother and sister were sitting.

Masaki tried to hold back the revulsion she felt for the man and responded kindly to the things he said to her. After she had finished her cup of tea, she was startled when he suddenly stood up from his seat and held his hand out to her.

"Would you care to walk with me for a bit?" he asked, his tone even and smooth.

She carefully placed her hand in his, her skin prickling at the contact.

He led her out a side door into a beautifully landscaped garden. All the hedges were neatly clipped and there was a bubbling fountain in the center, circled by a gravel pathway.

Masaki searched for something to say, trying to remember the questions her father had come up with the previous evening. "So, what do you do for fun?"

Perfectly straight, white teeth grinned at her as he answered, "I don't have much time for fun. But you'll find out soon enough when I do."

Why did she always want to shiver after he spoke? It was like there was always a double meaning to his words which unsettled her.

He led her to a wrought iron bench beside the fountain and gestured for her to take a seat which she did and he took the seat beside her.

"It's lovely," she said as they started down a winding path.

"Yes, it is," he responded but he wasn't looking at the fountain when he said this. Instead, his gaze was fixed on her like he was trying to find some sort of clue within the plains and angles of her face. "Lovely enough to be a queen some day."

Masaki blinked, trying to seem unfazed by his remark and smiling shyly like she figured she was supposed to react. 'Queen… what did he mean by that,' she wondered.

"Queen of our house maybe," she added with a small chuckle, trying to bring out some other clue, a hint at what he was thinking.

"Yes… that and much more."

Later that night, Masaki relayed the information she got while visiting with her betrothed to her father and brother.

"I fear you are right Ryuken," Soken said, his shoulders sagging like a thousand pound weight had be drop on him.

Ryuken didn't bother to respond before he took off, Masaki close on his heals.

"Where are you going?" she asked as they passed through the front door and hurried down the road in front of their house.

"To see Isshin. He needs to know."

Masaki followed him as they quickly made their way to a part of Soul Society she had never been to before. The gate to the Gotei 13. Quincy's were not allowed near the squads after the rebellion years ago but Ryuken walked straight up to the guard and demanded at once to have Isshin brought to him.

They waited several minutes and Masaki started to day dream about the other night when Isshin and Ayden had come over and played cards with them. The night had been magical. They had flirted outrageously most of the evening, pretending to leave and get something to drink when it was horribly obvious that they were just looking for an excuse to spend some time alone.

They'd wandered from room to room, kissing and touching with abandonment. She'd never experienced such strong feelings for someone before. Every kiss and every touch made her insides melt.

When they had gone back to Ryuken's room and found the two in such a compromising position, they'd quickly run off and disappeared into her own room, giggling like little children. The giggling didn't last long though. Soon they found themselves in their own compromising positions, clinging to each other and losing themselves within their embrace. She gave herself to him, wanting to experience what it was like to make love to a man she wanted and had feelings for.

"Ryuken… Masaki, what's wrong?" Isshin's voice interrupted her thoughts and she blushed at the sight of him. He was wearing his captains' uniform, looking the same as he'd looked the first time she'd met him.

"Isshin, we must speak to you… in private," answered Ryuken and Isshin didn't hesitate to follow him.

They walked briskly towards a secluded area away from the Soul Reapers high walls. Once they were completely alone, Ryuken and Masaki started to relay the information they had learned recently. Isshin's eyes grew wider and wider as the story went on and by the end he was almost seething in anger.

"I knew that bastard was up to something," he fumed, his eyes staring at something distant.

"You know him?" Masaki asked incredulously.

Isshin turned towards her as he answered, "His family was over a few nights ago for dinner. I didn't know he was your betrothed." He nearly spat the last word, his face contorting into revulsion.

Masaki crossed her arms over her chest, suddenly feeling cold from Isshin's words. She'd never seen so much malice and hatred come from him before but he quickly changed his demeanor when he saw how upset she was.

"I'm sorry Masaki. I just… I don't like that man or the idea of him marrying you." 'Or anyone else for that matter,' he mumbled to himself. The other evening had been on his mind for days now. He couldn't get it out of his head. He'd been dying to find an excuse to see her since then but either he had been busy or she had. Unfortunately this time wasn't under the best of circumstances.

"I need to go tell my father. Will you guys come with?" Isshin asked.

"I'm sorry. I'm supposed to meet Ayden in a little while. Can you meet us after?" asked Ryuken.

"Yea. I'll come as soon as I'm done. Do you need to be anywhere Masaki?" Isshin asked with a grin.

Ryuken rolled his eyes. Leave it to Isshin to snap from angry to flirtatious in a matter of a few moments.

"I'll come with you," she answered and stepped beside him. Isshin reached his hand down and clasped hers. Ryuken noticed this but decided not to remark. This was not the time.

"Meet us at the pond again. That'll at least give us a little privacy to talk things over." Ryuken stated this before he turned and started making his way back towards his house.

"I've been thinking about you," stated Isshin after they'd turned and started heading in the opposite direction of the courtyard.

"I've been thinking about you too," returned Masaki, her hand clasping Isshin's a little tighter.

"I tried to come see you but I just couldn't get away. Are you ok?" he asked.

Masaki smiled at him while they ran steadily along the path. "Yes, I'm fine."

He remembered the anger that had coursed through him when he'd found out who Masaki's betrothed was. It had surprised him how he'd reacted. He'd never felt so possessive of someone before. The idea of her marrying anyone made him seethe with hatred.

"I'm not going to let you marry him," Isshin stated, his jaw clenched.

"I had no plan on it anyway," she answered with a grin much like the ones he usually did.

"I don't think you understand," he continued, glancing in her direction. "I'm not going to let you marry anyone."

Masaki stopped abruptly and looked over at Isshin who stopped when he felt her hand leave his own. "Why not?" she asked.

"Well, besides me of course," he stated, his grin fixed firmly on his rugged features.

Masaki gasped and held her hand to her throat. 'He couldn't mean it,' she thought. "Don't joke with me like that Isshin."

"Who's joking? Would you say no?"

She shook her head in bewilderment. "It doesn't matter what I would say. It's impossible. You're the son of the king… a soul reaper. I'm a Quincy. It's unheard of."

"Eh, like I've ever done what I'm supposed to," he answered nonchalantly.

Masaki walked up to Isshin and slapped him across the face then clutched her hand when her palm started stinging. Isshin stared back at her, a look of pure surprise written on his face.

"How dare you make light of something like that? And what kind of proposal is that? Am I supposed to swoon at your feet and thank you for considering me worthy? No… right now I would definitely say no."

Isshin's mouth fell open as he watched Masaki fume at him and then turn to start walking away. "Wait!" he cried out and reached a hand out for her. "I… I didn't mean it like that. This wasn't something I had planned. It just kinda popped into my head and… the thought of you with someone else, it makes… it makes me furious."

"So you want me to marry you just because you don't want me to be with anyone else?"

"Yes… no. Oh God. I'm totally butchering this," said Isshin dejectedly.

Masaki couldn't help but smile at the total look of helplessness on his face. "Isshin," she started and held a hand out to cup his cheek. "Just talk to me ok?"

Isshin stared into Masaki's eyes, his chest tightening and heart rate accelerating. This was it. He knew this was what he wanted and that he would never want anything more than her. The sudden knowledge didn't scare him as much as he thought it would. Instead, it calmed him. "Masaki, I… I'm in love with you. I can't stop thinking about you and when we are together I just, I just want you to smile all the time.

"I don't mean to offend you and I know that it's probably going to be impossible to get married with our situations but… I don't care. I want you and I'll do anything to have you.

"Will you please, consider marrying me?"

A huge smile lit up Masaki's face. "Now that was much better."

Isshin looked at Masaki, wide-eyed. There was no doubt about it. She was his match. "So… is that a yes?"

"Yes yes! I'll marry you!" She threw her arms around Isshin's shoulders and squeezed him tightly to her.

"Aw now isn't that touching," a gruff voice interrupted from a few yards away.

Isshin and Masaki quickly released each other and turned to face the person who intruded on their moment.

"Is that her?" the gruff voice asked the man next to him.

Masaki gasped when she saw her betrothed standing beside the large cloaked figure, nodding his answer.

"I guess she's not your betrothed anymore. Pity, she seems strong and is quite beautiful."

"Juha Bach, what do you want? You were never to set foot back in Soul Society," said Isshin.

"I'm back to settle a few scores. Firstly, your father."

Isshin gritted his teeth and pulled his sword from its sheath. He was surprised to see Masaki beside him, lifting her Quincy cross in the air and summoning her bow. He'd never seen her in that state before and he had to admit, it was quite impressive.

"Oh now… look what we have here," Juha said, removing the cloak from his head. "Quite an impressive couple."

"Leave at once. You know as well as I do that everyone in the seireitei has been alerted now that we have released. You will be swarmed by Soul Reapers in a matter of a few minutes," Isshin said, his hand clutching his sword tighter.

"I only need a few minutes," Juha answered and jumped forward, pulling his sword from his hip and slashing at Isshin who blocked his blade with his own held high over his head. Juha quickly retracted his sword and slashed again, pushing Isshin back till he had to jump back to regain his footing.

Masaki was about to let out a volley of arrows at Juha when suddenly her betrothed was speeding towards her with his own sword out to impale her. She dashed away just in time and sent out an arrow towards him. He blocked it easily and pursued her again. His sword slashed at her, slicing a gash through her upper arm. She clutched the bleeding wound and stared at the man grinning wickedly at her.

"Join us Masaki. We can take over Soul Society and the Quincy's can rule like they were meant to," he said while taking several slow and deliberate steps towards her. She glanced to her left, trying to find Isshin. He was backed up against a large boulder, blood streaming down his chest where a large gash was visible through his torn robes.

"What you are doing is wrong! I will never join you," she yelled and narrowly avoided another swipe of his sword. As much as she tried, she couldn't get off of the defensive. Every time she thought she saw an opening he would lunge towards her, throwing her off balance as she tried to avoid him.

Her breath was coming in rapidly and sweat was pouring down her face and neck, her clothes clinging to her body. She could feel herself being overpowered and every time she looked over at Isshin he seemed to be struggling to hold Juha at bay.

When she turned to watch Isshin he was getting cut again and again and she watched him fall to his knees, blood spurting everywhere from several wounds around his body. She cried out his name and ran. Juha's sword was pointed towards Isshin's chest, ready to give the final death blow and she leaped in front of him, her shoulder receiving the blade that would have killed Isshin.

She clutched the wound, her chest heaving and pain slicing through her body.

"Masaki!" Isshin hollered and grabbed her, throwing his arms around her body. He looked at the blood seeping between her fingers where she pressed against the wound and felt an overwhelming sense of power surge inside of him. 'Getsuga, please… give me the strength to save her!'

Ryuken turned when he heard a noise and saw Ayden approaching, a small smile on her face. He moved to meet her but before he took a single step, a wave of spiritual pressure washed over him and he recognized it at once.

"Masaki… Isshin," he breathed and looked with wide eyes at Ayden who had also stopped dead in her tracks.

Without saying a word, the two started running towards the source of the spiritual pressure.

Isshin stood up, his shoulders straight but head bent as his body swirled with energy. "Saigo no Getsuga Tensho…"

A tsunami of dark energy rolled over the nearby landscape, enveloping the group in its blackness.

Masaki stood, her hand releasing the wound on her shoulder and fisting at her side. "We will stop you," she stated; her tone even and determined. Her left hand reached out and gripped the spike on the side of her glove, snapping it off as a sudden burst of power erupted around her.

She turned her head and looked at Isshin who was standing directly beside her. Her lips curved up when she saw Isshin's signature grin spread over his face. No words were needed as they both turned and let loose their final attack.

Ryuken was panting as he neared the area where the massive amount of spiritual pressure was. He could see other people running there as well and he hoped he wasn't too late when a huge wave washed over the ground.

He grabbed Ayden's hand when they were within sight distance. Two figures lay sprawled out on the ground and not a wisp of energy lingered as a small group crowded around the scene.

Ryuken pushed his way through the curious soul reapers and fell to his knees beside his sister. "Masaki… MASAKI!" he screamed and grabbed her to turn her over on to her back.

She blinked and searched for his eyes, a small smile forming on her lips when she recognized him. "Ryuken, how is… how is Isshin?"

Not five feet away lay Isshin, his clothes torn and ragged. His body was motionless except for the slightest movement in his chest where tiny breaths were coming in and escaping.

"He's alive," he answered her, tears starting to stream down his face.

"Let's get you home," he said through his tears and slid his arm beneath her knees and the other beneath her back. He looked one last time at Isshin who was still lying on the ground. A few captains had already joined the group so he was sure they would know what to do to help his friend and he left, Ayden walking serenely beside him.

Several weeks later

"Father, we have to leave.." said Ryuken emphatically, Ayden standing silently beside him.

"I will not leave my home," answered Soken, his body sitting determinedly in his seat in the dinning area.

"But Dad, it's not safe here." Masaki started in on the argument as well. Isshin was due to arrive any minute now and they were leaving; getting away from the madness that Juha Bach's incident had created. It had taken nearly a full week for them to both heal from their injuries.

She'd been able to muster up just enough strength to tell her brother what had happened before she'd passed out, not waking for more than three days.

In the last final moments after Juha and her betrothed… Haschwald had received the crushing blows from herself and Isshin, the two had somehow escaped through some strange portal. Someone had helped them, someone had pulled them through to safety when they were both on the brink of death. Neither her nor Isshin were able to recognize the figure before it disappeared.

Her and Isshin had discussed this several times since they reunited after recovery but nothing was figured out. The only thing that was apparent now was the fact that neither of them had their abilities anymore and also that they couldn't stay here anymore. Once news had spread that Juha Bach had come back and that the Quincies had tried to usurp the King, all Quincies had been declared the enemy and must be captured or destroyed.

"Isshin!" Masaki cried out, throwing her arms around her lover as he walked into the room.

"We have to leave… now. A squad is heading in this direction." Isshin grabbed Masaki's hand and started to turn to leave, only to be stopped when she tugged her hand free and ran to her father who was still sitting in his seat.

"Father please, we have to go. They are going to imprison you or worse… kill you. We have to go," she pleaded, falling to her knees in front of him.

Soken stared at his daughter and smiled. "You kids go. I will be fine here."

"But Dad, you just heard what Isshin said. You can't stay here," argued Ryuken.

"Yes, I did hear which is why you must leave. I will find you again, I promise."

Masaki looked one last time up at her father and brushed a few tears away that had fallen down her face. "Ok. I love you Dad."

Ryuken glared at his father but stayed silent as he turned and headed out the door.

Soken watched his children leave with a heavy heart. He couldn't leave yet. There was stuff he still needed to do in order to keep his family safe. His wife was already gone. She'd left a few days ago so now he was alone which is exactly what he'd wanted.

A door creaked open slowly behind him and he turned to see a familiar face lurking in the hallway.

"Kurotsuchi Mayuri, we have a deal. Please see to it that my end is fulfilled."

Several weeks later (again)

"You're what?" Isshin gasped, his eyes wide.

"I'm pregnant," Masaki giggled and rubbed a hand over her stomach.

"H… How?" Isshin asked incredulously.

"Umm… do I really need to explain to you how babies are made?" Masaski laughed and walked up to Isshin, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

"Well I… when did you… when did it happen?"

"The doctor thinks about 12 weeks ago which means… it must have been from our first time or close to it." Masaki reached up and kissed him gently on the lips. "We need to start thinking of names."

I'm sorry… I'm sorry. I know I left a zillion holes in this and it probably doesn't make a whole lot of sense but there it is. I hope it wasn't too obvious that I was trying to end this quickly. I might elaborate more at some point on this story but I'm dying to get back to Ulquiorra and Orihime.

Please let me know what you thought.