Tite Kubo © Bleach

Beyond the Beyond

Chapter 5

by GaleSynch

This was probably where I should be saying my whole life flashed before my eyes but all I could see was my imminent death. And quite suddenly, I was looking at something other than the dark sky dotted by one Hollow that was closing in.

Arisa's Zanpakuto hovered before me, on a clear void of black; he smiled sadly. Then the illusion flitted away, replaced by Metastacia leaping at me, roaring in anger.

"Extend your avaricious arms of darkness"—the Hollow was closing in—ten feet—six feet—"Onikirimaru!"

The chains clicked together and before I knew it, each of my hands grasped the hilt of a katana. Without conscious thought, I adjusted the katana and angled it to catch the Hollow.

A whirlwind of black and the next thing I was looking at was the sight of a flame-patterned mask and a flock of tentacles on his back. My arms trembled with the weight of the... the...

"Y-you—I would never forget—this—gah..."

Silently, the Hollow disappeared into specks of black and silver, probably returning to Hueco Mundo to recuperate or he was already purified, leaving me with the twin katanas. The katana I was holding had a guard that angled downwards and the base of the blade protruded outwards in a small rectangle; the one in my left had a guard that arrayed upwards, otherwise, the length was the same.

It had materialized out of nowhere. What was its name? Oni or something. I couldn't believe I managed to pronounce it right the first time.

With a jolt, I realized that the chains no longer attached my hands together, rather, they each connected to the swords.

I blinked, wondering where I should keep it before deciding to just let it fall from my grip. Centimeters from hitting the dirt, it glowed and returned to its original form, chaining me again. I gritted my teeth in frustration.

A cough broke me out of my stunned daze. I turned and blinked. "Oh, right." Ukitake-taicho was injured. If this event was what I think it was, I wondered where Rukia was and if she was okay. She was important to the plot. I took a few cautious steps to him.

He gazed uncertainly up at me before extending a hand. "Pull me up, please?"

I understood his action and reached out, pulling him to his feet; he swooned, I caught his arm and righted him, not releasing him as he still seemed unsteady and out of it. "Kaien-dono! Ukitake-taicho!" cried a new, female voice.

"Kuchiki!" said Ukitake, surprised. "You came back!"

I turned, looking upon Rukia for the first time. She was as short as I'd estimated, her navy blue eyes were wide. I could see the unasked question in her eyes and I pointed to the tree I'd hidden behind. She turned. "Kaien-dono!"

After the initial shock and hysterics, the four of us—by four, I meant Rukia shouldering Kaien and me carrying the burden of Ukitake—made our way back to the 13th Division's headquarters. The ill Captain had swooned at least three times before I lost my patience with him and forcefully carried him, piggy-back style.

It was awkward as I was shorter than him by a lot (I was smaller than Hitsugaya for crying out loud!). I had came to assume that this spiritual body was about ten or eleven but appearances in this world could be deceiving.

"By the way, what's your name?" Ukitake punctuated his sentence with a cough.

"Oh, me? Arisu."

"Just Arisu?" the Captain wondered.

I nodded. "...Orphan." It wasn't a lie; my parents were as good as gone and Soul Society permanently separated families with its size so there was zero chance of meeting Arisa's parents. If she even had any.

Ukitake coughed again. "Sorry."

I shook my head. Rukia, silent the whole journey, led the way back to the division. It was utter chaos when they saw us. The Soul Reapers beneath Ukitake's command went crazy when they saw the blood on their beloved captain and the injury their Lieutenant sustained.

Ukitake was ripped from my back and rushed away; being short and small, I was practically squashed. I was face-first in the ground by the time everyone was gone. I grimaced in pain; someone had stepped onto my hand. Swearing violently, I pushed myself up.

It took me a few moments to realize Kuchiki Rukia was still there. I stared at her; her eyes were watery. Then she fixed her eyes on me. "Thank you... so much... for saving Kaien-dono's life." She swiped at her eyes, wiping the tears.

"I was only saving myself," I answered even though I doubted she understood. "There is no need to thank me. If the Hollow hadn't attacked me, I would've run. I was just in the right place, conveniently enough for you."

Rukia glanced at me, puzzled. Her eyes widened. "Shit! You're injured! The Hollow got you, didn't it?" Her face hardened. "Tch. We've got to get you to Unohana-taicho."

Ah? I glanced down at the blood on my forearm. Now that she mentioned it, it was starting to sting... Adrenaline and fear must've momentarily glossed the pain over. Since I'm coming down from a high, I realized that—

My face twisted in agony; how did I carry Ukitake all the way without realizing the pain? Had I been that scared? The Hollow's claws had tore a layer of my skin off and oh, now that I was more aware, it was starting to kill me.

Rukia pulled me to my feet, and together, we rushed to the Fourth Division building. Rukia was half-pulling, half-carrying me.

Fortunately, it was not irreparable damage. But since the one healing me was the 9th seat Yamada Hanataro, there was bound to be a very faint scar. Hanataro kept apologizing for his incompetence, bowing as he did so, but Rukia and I waved him off.

Once he bandaged my wounds and left, I made to leave but Rukia stopped me. She seemed to have noticed that I did not understand what she was saying so she pointed at my wound and at the bed I was occupying. "Sleep here," she said. "Yamada-san said that it's safer in case the wound turns out to be infected."

I sighed, deciding to make myself comfortable if she wasn't going to let me go anyway.

I had been through so much, I fell asleep before my head hit the pillow.

:: :: ::

"Onikiri," I said the moment I saw Hikaru's slack-jawed face. "Arisa's Zanpakuto had a name and he gave it to me."

Hikaru slowly closed his mouth, ashen-faced. "Y-yeah, he did, didn't he?"

I frowned. "What's wrong?"

Oddly meek, Hikaru look at his feet. The crystal boat seemed a little dull but that might be my imagination. I stretched my legs before me, not minding when Onikiri landed on my lap. I was entitled to be lenient after all, since he saved my life by giving me his name.

"...Arisu..."

"Hm?"

"You're not going to abandon me are you?" he asked, voice soft. "I know Onikiri will be more useful than me in combat so—"

"You're still my original Zanpakuto, Onikir isn't," I told him. "Of course you're more important than him. No one can replace you. Besides, your healing ability is really useful."

Hikaru broke into a grin.

I returned his smile tentatively.

In my lap, Oni whined.

Silence descended between the three of us; I found that I liked this place, it was dark yet it was bright and pretty because of the crystal boat. Soul Society was nice too; I bemoaned the fate of Soul Society when we'd be attacked by the Quincies.

We.

I had already started seeing them as a familiar group, as if I was one of them. But what choice did I have? I'm a soul now, I couldn't go to the Human world without Soul Reaper's exclusive privilege. It may seem as if I'm doing this willingly but honestly, I had no other choice.

I had a strong spiritual energy and if I didn't learn to defend myself, I would be a free meal for Hollows. But, at my current level, despite the intensive training I'm going through, I would still be fried by the Arrancars, not to mention the Quincies.

"Hikaru, how do I achieve Bankai?"

Hikaru seemed uncertain. "E-eh?" He scratched his cheek, thinking. "The first step would be to summon me into your world. Can you do that?"

"Hm, no... but I save a vision of Onikiri when the Hollow came at me, did that count?"

"Ask him," Hikaru said listlessly. "Good luck, though. You have a lot of years left to try. But before you even think of Bankai, why don't you try to work with what you have now? Oni may be troublesome but I advise you to master his Shikai first. He saved your life once and it would not be the last."

His smile was a little sad. "'Morning," and he snapped his fingers.

:: :: ::

I woke up with someone's face right atop mine. I reacted on instinct; I lashed out, kicking and punching in rapid succession before I heard a chorus of familiar voices calling my name.

"Arisu!"

I stilled, fist a few centimeters from breaking the blue-eyed man's nose. His eyes were wide, his hands were held up in surrender. Blinking, I relaxed my stance and plopped back down on the bed, turning to see the crowd that had gathered. My sight was obscured instantly by large boobs and I knew it was Rangiku.

"Shove over, Ran-chan! I want to hug my best friend too!"

I was only allowed a second to breathe before Yachiru tackled me, squeezing so hard I nearly passed out. I heard a few bones creaking in protest to her violent movements.

I patted her shoulder before physically peeling her away from me. To my surprise, Hitsugaya was also there but he didn't seem angry anymore, just annoyed. Ukitake-taicho smiled kindly at me and I shifted my gaze to the tall, black-haired blue-eyed man I'd nearly punched. He noticed my quizzical look and smiled, but it was tinged with sadness.

He crouched to my level, pointing to himself. "Shiba Kaien."

"Arisu," I held out my hand for him to shake since it was only respectful but, unexpectedly, he crushed me into a hug.

"Just Arisu?" he asked, repeating the same question that Ukitake had posted earlier. I peered past his shoulder, seeing sunlight filtering in through the windows. Well, last night.

"Mm. Orphan."

"Then, what do you say about becoming my daughter?" I blinked. "I mean—I don't think you know, but—" he exhaled shakily, his voice thick; his long bangs were obscuring his eyes but I was pretty sure he was trying not to cry. "—my wife died, recently; the Hollow you killed was the one who killed her. I'd probably never have children of my own and— you're an orphan, you also saved my life, Yachiru and Rangiku said you were fun and hard-working and Miyako always wanted a daughter so—"

"Kaien," interrupted Rangiku, saving me from the onslaught of... whatever. "I think you should rest."

Even Yachiru looked subdued, her smile sympathetic. She took my hand and squeezed. "Yeah," she said, looking at Kaien whose shoulders were shaking. "Don't worry, no one wants to adopt Ric-chan right now so I'm sure Hitsu-chan can draw up the required paperwork—"

Hitsugaya made a noise of discontent, drawing my attention. "Go to bed," he snapped at Kaien. Yachiru backed away when he advanced. He didn't seem so angry anymore, just... hm, unhappy. I was starting to doubt he had any shred of positive emotions in him. "First, you failed in completing your mission and then you poke your nose into other division's business. Are you trying to give me death-by-work-overload?"

Yachiru gasped dramatically, hands flying to her open mouth. "Did he just crack a joke?"

"I interrogated Kaito—"

Yachiru puffed up her cheeks. "It was me—you did nothing but shove the blame on Ric-chan when she did no wrong! I knew Kaito's a no-good, stuck-up jerk! He's a pervert, too!"

"Half-correct. The ladies Arisu supposedly tried to save are... well, paid to do that." Hitsugaya paused for breath, his cheeks tinting slightly.

Yachiru smiled wryly. "Prostitutes?"

"Don't say that—ugh, but, yes." Hitsugaya pinched the bridge of his nose. "Only one of them is truly afraid as she's, er, new to it. You spooked all of them. You can clean the dojo for the whole week and that marks the end of your punishment since Kaito endangered you unfairly and you also redeemed yourself by saving Ukitake, Kuchiki and Shiba."

"Kaito should be hanged—"

Hitsugaya talked over Yachiru's angry words; she was punching air, I thought it was cute. Hitsugaya rolled his eyes and turned away. "...and, you did good, too. Not many unseated officers could've beaten that Hollow."

I twisted Yachiru's pink hair as she clung to my torso, wondering what he had said.

:: :: ::

It wasn't until Kaien crouched to my height, a hand on my head, and said, "Call me Otou-san, okay?" that I realized I had already been adopted into the Shiba Clan. "From today onward, you can proudly answer when people ask your name: Shiba Arisu. It's one of the Five Great Noble Houses and we specialize in fireworks, y'know? I remember vaguely that your Zanpakuto is very bright—so you'd definitely like the fireworks the Shiba Clan invented!"

He sounded enthusiastic and didn't seem to mind that I couldn't understand what he was saying. I gauged his face; he was grinning, waving his hands energetically, but there was that glint in his eyes, the edge in his smile—he was still grieving.

He was holding my hand, I blinked and squeezed it reassuringly—he seemed to need it.

I didn't report to Hitsugaya's office today since I was given a day off to be introduced to the rest of the Shiba Clan.

I was worried though. Not about my adopting into that clan. But the results of Kaien surviving that ordeal... Rukia gave Ichigo so much power because she truly regretted Kaien's death... with Kaien alive, how was she going to give Ichigo everything?

Somehow, I've got to find a way to crush her.

Not physically, Byakuya would probably rip my head off for doing that. But, as Hikaru said, words can hurt more harder than punches.

The next time I saw Rukia was when I was discharged, with Hanataro singing apologies because of the faint scar. I was this close to punching him for repeating the same thing over and over again. Kaien was leaning against the doorway, faint and sad smile on his face.

Rukia hesitated, peering at us. Kaien must've noticed her presence but he didn't turn to acknowledge her presence.

This is your chance, Hikaru hissed.

I pointed at Rukia. "Ah, the girl who... ran away... Ukitake-taicho and Kaien-sama—abandoned." Kaien jerked as if I'd electrocuted him.

He turned. "Oi, Kuchiki, she doesn't mean what—"

But he was too late. Rukia's face had turned ash white. "Sorry, I— I've got something to do." Rukia darted away. I only caught a glimpse of her face but I saw how crushed she was.

Guilt crashed like a wave on me but when Kaien turned to me, I forced myself to look baffled. "What's wrong?" I wondered. Perhaps it was Arisa's delicate and dreamy features that make her seem like a gullible person, and combined with my acting skills (honed from cheating my way out of detention from my previous life because I often did not pass up my homework in time), Kaien's face softened, obviously misinterpreting what I was really thinking ("That's it, Rukia, be crushed by guilt so Ichigo can have all your powers—").

"Let's go, I'm going to introduce you to my brother and sister."

I frowned. "Girl?" I pointed at the spot Rukia previously stood.

"She needs time alone to clam down," responded Kaien.

We left through the Western Gate, using Flash-Step even though I was sure Unohana-taicho forbade Kaien from using it as he was still resting and was in a delicate condition. "You're pretty good at it." He saw my blank expression and sighed. "Man, how am I going to tell you that you make me proud when you don't understand a word I said?"

Before I could respond, a loud cry interrupted me, "Kaien!"

"Onii-chan!"

I stepped aside when two figures came barreling into Kaien. It was a girl who seemed to be in her late-teens, long black hair flying. The other who clutched onto Kaien, bawling his eyes out, was a boy a few years my senior.

"You're okay—"

"They said you were taken over by a Hollow—"

"Situation's very bad—"

"Damn those Shinigami! They won't let us in to see you!"

"Yeah! What're the worth of your clan status if we can't get our way?!"

"Whoa, kids, calm down!" Kaien said, laughing, finally managing to disentangle his younger siblings from him. I observed them curiously and Kaien felt my stare. He grinned at me. "Hey, Arisu, don't stand there like a stranger—come on, closer."

Recognizing the command, I took a few steps forward. I extended a hand for them to shake. Kaien scowled at his siblings, barking, "Hey, she's being nice and you two ignore her like that?"

The boy laughed nervously, darting forward. "No, no, we wouldn't disrespect a special guest of Nii-san's." He took my hand and quickly shook it.

The teenage girl eyed me, a frown on her face. I arched a brow when I saw her missing arm. "Is she the one?" she asked. Kaien nodded, grinning. She seized my underarms and plucked me off the ground. I yelled in shock, kicking out instinctively but not hard enough to seriously injure her. She scowled. "They let kids as small as her in?"

"Hitsugaya-taicho is about her size. They're both tiny. Rangiku-san said she's very young for a soul, though. Died about a year back, twelve-years-old." His smile dipped slightly into a frown. "She's too young to have died, don't you think?"

"Yeah, and signing up as a Shingami is a one-way ticket to death, like Miyako-nee—"

"Kukaku, please don't—"

"If you adopted her, get her to resign! She can go back in a couple of decades!"

Kaien laughed dourly. "She's too involved. I wanted to transfer her to the 13th Division so I can look after her better but Hitsugaya-taicho shot it down point-blank—apparently, for all the damage she caused, she owed 10th Division about a dozen years work of labor." He snorted. "He just wants all the strong Soul Reapers drafted into his division."

"Sounds normal," the boy piped up. "I don't want weak people in my team, either."

"Oh, Ganju..." Kaien sighed but Kukaku had another reaction.

"Butt out of adults' affairs! Show your niece around the house—is this how you treat her?" Kukaku roared, startling both me and Ganju. I jumped and when Ganju grabbed me and high-tailed it out of there. I didn't resist, knowing that he was very much harmless and I had two Zanpakuto's to defend me.

I just wondered what was changing in the future now.

"Look, Arisu—"

I turned, frowning, only to see the magic the Shiba Clan often used and boasted about.

Ganju was demonstrating to me Earth Magic, moving his hand in a wave motion, the sign of the Shiba Clan. I rested my chin on my crossed arms, deciding to put aside all my worries and just concentrate on what he had to show me.

For now.

:: :: ::

To Kenegi: Yep, Hikaru will be useful in disarming opponents but that ability can only be used once 24 hours.

[A/N]: Does anyone know why there's no weekly update of Bleach's newest chapter? I thought it's a weekly Wednesday thing. O.o

Updated: 4/9/2014

Status: Unbeta'ed

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