Here is the next chapter of "A Rose That Won't Bloom". Now, because I will be leaving this Saturday, I am unsure if I will be able to update next Monday, depending on where I will be. Hopefully, I will be able to update according to my usual schedule. If not, then I will post however many chapters are needed to catch up until that point. I should only miss one update at the most.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or its characters. I only have the OCs.
Renji entered his captain's office, already dreading the report he was to give. How could he possibly explain seeing Tousen in the Mortal World? Even worse would be explaining the traitor's plan. Hell, Kagami was the one who guessed what the attack would be, and she was supposed to be in the Fourth Division. She was currently hiding in Renji's barracks.
"Is this urgent, Lieutenant Abarai?" Captain Kuchiki asked from where he sat behind his desk. The captain was a tall, pale man with long, black hair. Around him was always an air of authority.
"Yes, Captain. There's an imminent attack coming for the Soul Society. It's the same man who stole the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi," Renji answered. This drew Captain Kuchiki's eyes off the paperwork in front of him and to his lieutenant. Renji stood perfectly still, trying not to fidget. He knew exactly how this would sound to his captain. He'd had the same feelings when Kagami had first told him of Tousen.
"Did you encounter him?"
"Yes, sir, but he escaped before I could capture him in the Mortal World. It was-" Renji cleared his throat. "It was Kaname Tousen." The Sixth Division's captain raised a skeptical eyebrow.
"Kaname Tousen was killed."
"I know how this sounds, Captain, but it's the truth. He's alive and he plans to attack the Soul Society," Renji insisted, his voice sounding urgent.
"Do you have any proof of your allegations?" Captain Kuchiki asked. Renji's hand clenched into a fist at his side as his frustration grew. Now he knew how Kagami felt when he'd thought her to be insane.
"You'll get plenty of proof when Tousen comes and kills us all! I didn't think it was possible until I saw him with my own eyes!" Renji yelled. A slightly inquisitive expression crossed the captain's otherwise stolid face.
"Do you mean to say, Lieutenant, that you'd previously been told of Tousen?" Renji clenched his jaw, nodding tersely. He'd slipped up and he knew it.
"Yes, sir. I was told by Kagami Okasawa, Third Seat of the Ninth Division and the only remaining survivor from the theft of the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi."
"Former Third Seat," Captain Kuchiki corrected impartially, only serving to remind Renji of his conversation with Nakane. His eyes widened as he realized Kagami had officially been demoted. How would she take that news? Renji wondered if she was even considered a Soul Reaper now. "Are you referring to the same Okasawa that disappeared from the Fourth Division as you left for the Mortal World?"
Renji resisted the urge to cringe. "She escaped?" he asked, feigning shock. "Has she been found? When I saw her, she hardly looked in well enough condition to be moving."
"She hasn't been seen in two days, and the Fourth Division reports her as being unstable." Renji's fists clenched tighter. "But enough about that minor inconvenience. Have you learned anything more of this supposed attack?"
"It will likely be within the week. Tousen will be using the combined power of two artifacts. One is the Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi and the other is likely the Sessho-seki," Renji answered, trying to ignore the 'minor inconvenience' remark. The Sessho-seki was a powerful artifact known only to humans as being legend. It was very real, though, and hidden in the depths of the Mortal World, constantly protected. Kagami and Renji had figured Tousen must have stolen that artifact first. It was what he had used to kill Hisagi and the team from the Ninth Division.
"The stone that will kill any who touches it?"
"Yes, sir."
"Are you certain he has this artifact?"
"It was what he used to kill the team from the Ninth Division. The Soul Society needs to prepare for the inevitable attack."
"And how do you propose we prepare, Lieutenant Abarai? You are insisting we will be attacked by a dead man," Captain Kuchiki said, his tone carrying a hint of skepticism. Renji frowned.
"Whether you believe it's Tousen or not, he is coming. If the Soul Society isn't ready, it will be gone in a week's time!"
"I will speak with the other captains. If they deem this attack to be as serious as you believe, action will be taken. You are excused, Lieutenant."
Renji nodded tersely and left the room. He'd hoped for a better response, but figured nothing would be done for at least a couple days. He could only hope the Soul Society would be ready when Tousen attacked. Renji also wondered how long Kagami would be planning on hiding in his barracks; she couldn't hide there forever. At that thought, Renji stopped in his tracks. Kagami had been demoted from Third Seat of the Ninth Division. Head Captain Yamamoto had deemed her unfit to hold her position, after losing her arm and disappearing from the Fourth Division. Renji thought to how proud Kagami had seemed at being Third Seat. It was really all she had left. Now, she had lost that as well.
"How's the mission, Lieutenant Abarai?" a young male voice asked, snapping Renji back to reality. He looked up to see Imagawa, looking like he'd just lost a fight.
"What the hell happened to you, Imagawa?" Renji asked, looking over the young man's limping form and tired face.
"Just came back from Maggot's Next. Ichimaru tried to escape again and a bunch of Soul Reapers were called to contain him and the other inmates."
"How many attempts is that now?"
"Fifth, I think. He's a persistent bastard, I'll give him that. But that's not a big deal. How's your search for the stolen artifact?" Imagawa asked with a light chuckle in his words.
"It's almost over," Renji answered vaguely, causing the younger Soul Reaper to give him a slightly confused look.
"Oh? Are you close to catching the guy?"
"Yeah." Renji walked past Imagawa and to his room, where Kagami was staring at the ceiling from his bed. Once the door opened, she sat up straight and watched him expectantly.
"Well," she prompted as Renji took a seat in the nearest chair.
"I doubt he believes me, but Captain Kuchiki will be speaking with the other captains. If they think the Soul Society will really be attacked, then they'll prepare all the Soul Reapers." Kagami sighed heavily in frustration, obviously unhappy with the news.
"That could take too long! Tousen will be coming soon. He'll wipe out the entire Soul Society. Everything will be gone!"
"I said all that. It's kind of hard to convince people that a dead traitor is attacking the Soul Society." Kagami nodded slowly, staring pointedly at Renji. "Shut up."
"I didn't say anything," she answered with a faint smirk. "Have there been any rumors about me? I don't want people searching for me around here if we can help it." Renji again thought of Kagami's demotion. He couldn't bring himself to break her spirit by forcing her to let go of everything she once was. He simply shook his head.
"They don't know where you are, and don't seem to have any leads, so far as I've heard."
"Good. The longer they don't know my whereabouts, the better."
"Kagami, what do you plan to do if we manage to stop Tousen?" Renji asked.
"There's no 'if' in this situation. We will stop Tousen. And, honestly, I haven't put much thought into what I'll do afterwards. I'll have to face whatever punishment I've earned from running off like I did." Renji stared at her, a bit surprised. He'd expected Kagami to have more of a plan, considering her obvious handicap. It wasn't like her to leave herself in the dark.
Have I ever mentioned how much fun it is to keep characters guessing? lol. Anyway, please R&R.