"who, Kumiko?" Jushiro asked her stepping forward "how do you know?"
"I've seen these marks before" Kumiko told him, glancing back down at urahara. "I lived with the man who caused them"
looking back to the two captains, both faces wore worried looks. Kumiko sat on the edge of the bed to explain, feeling too drained to stand
"his name is kage, kage akabane. he was a member of the team I was with when I was stationed in the world of the living" she began her explanation, body shivering slightly " he went crazy, slaughtered the rest of my team, they were covered in the same three jagged marks. Marks caused by his zanpakuto, the shadows"
"He tried to kill me too, but I escaped" she finished softly, swallowing hard, at the bile threatening to come up her throat
"why did he kill them? What does he want with you now?" Ukitake questioned her
"I don't know." Kumiko breathed "I don't know what set him off, I wasn't there at the beginning. I had returned from dealing with some hollows, found him standing over their bodies before he turned on me"
"had he ever mentioned anything? A motive for turning on you all?" Ukitake continued the conversation, sparing a glance at Shunsui. He hadn't moved since they began talking, worried eyes fixed on Kumiko
"no, nothing" Kumiko thought back "he was always a little separated from the rest of us. Never really spoke much, no matter how many times we tried to include him."
"we need to inform Genryusai-sensei" ukitake told them. "We need to send out teams to search for him "
"he already did, when I came back" Kumiko told them "they couldn't find him. When he uses his banki, he can hide himself in the shadow world" she told him, shivering had become more noticeable. Kumiko felt a chill all over her body, skin prickling unusually for the summer heat.
"this still needs to be made known" he told her gently
Kumiko nodded, teeth starting to chatter gently "do,do I need to go with you?" She stuttered out, chills racking her body, stomach twisting inside her
"Kumiko, are you alright?" Jushiro asked concerned, getting closer to place a hand on her clammy forehead. "You're burning up" he told her, feeling the heat on his hand
"I feel freezing" she told him, shaking slightly
Shunsui moved at that, taking off his pink Kumiko and draping it around her shoulders. Kumiko tightened it around herself, holding it closed at her front, sighing at the warmth. The smell of cherry blossoms clung to the fabric. "You were sick last night love. I thought it was because of your nightmare. Maybe you've come down with something" he told her softly, cupping her cheek. Kumiko leaned into his hand, seeking out the warmth
"you need to go back to bed" Jushiro told her gently "I will inform Genryusai-sensei"
Kumiko looked down at urahara, sleeping peacefully, "can't I stay here?"
"no love," shunsui told her softly, picking her up off the bed and holding her close in his arms "urahara is vulnerable right now. We can't risk infection ".
"I'm sorry, I didn't even think of that" she whispered looking back at her friend
"I will inform retsu san that you're unwell, they will probably give urahara some antibiotics to be on the safe side. "jushiro told her "then I'll go see Genryusai-sensei" he added looking to shunsui
"I'll take her home, will you drop by after?" Shunsui asked his friend
"I will" he confirmed, "get better soon Kumiko" he told her gently, before leaving the room
"come on love, let's get you home" shunsui told her, hugging her tight. Kumiko curled up slightly in his arms, pressing herself into him, chasing his heat
Kumiko was curled up in bed shivering. The blanket was wrapped around her tightly, Shunsuis Kimino draped over that, adding some extra warmth. During the walk home, kumikos health deteriorated. The twisting feeling in her stomach increased, every jostle making her feel dizzy. Sweat clung to her brow, as she shivered violently.
arriving home , shunsui helped her to undress putting on his grey loose sleep pants and one of his T-shirts onto her hot to touch body , before putting her in bed.
Tired eyes were closed, willing her aching body to warm up. The soft footsteps of Shunsui caught her attention, eyes peaking open to see him enter the room, hot water bottle in his hand
"here love," he told her, slipping it under the blanket, Kumiko hugged it it her chest. Sighing at the warmth "do you need anything else?"
"ca can you g get into bed with me?" She begged him softly around chattering teeth, desperately seeking out more warmth
shunsui leaned down and kissed her head peaking out from the blanket, before walking around to his side of the bed, taking his top off as he went. Slipping in behind her, Kumiko rolled over and pressed herself into him, trying to touch as much of him as she could
shunsui jumped surprised at the sudden cold touching his legs as Kumiko slid her feet inbetween his shins.
"sorry" she told him as he wrapped his arms around her
"what are you sorry for?" He asked her gently
"for needing you to look after me" she told him feeling guilty "it's supposed to be fun. flirting, dates, kissing and having sex. I've been nothing but a burden the past few days"
shunsui laughed at that, making Kumiko move with his movements
" and we will have all that again, as soon as things get back to normal" he smiled "have you been worrying about it?"
"a little, mostly I've been worried about Urahara. But that made me feel guilty, I've not been meeting your needs" she told him, getting a little embarrassed
"and what needs are those love?" He asked teasing, knowing what she was getting at, but wanting her to say it
"you know" she mumbled into his chest, cheeks heating up
"im afraid I don't, would you please tell me?" He faked cluelessness
Kumiko shook her head against him, making him chuckle
"as much as I enjoy making love with you Kumiko, it's not all I need" he soothed her worries, brushing the hair from her face "any moment spent with you is what I need"
"I'm still sorry" she mumbled closing her eyes
"you can make it up to me when your better" he told her with a grin
ukitake walked through the 1st Baracks corridors deep in thought. Kumikos conclusion of this Kage has raised a lot of questions for the man, his brilliant mind racing with questions. The biggest one was 'why?'
why did this kage attack his fellow team mates? Why does he want Kumiko now, what will that achieve? Clearly the man had his own unique powers, he himself had never heard of a zanpakuto that could manipulate shadows, nor allow the weirder to enter into their realm. The closest he could recall was Shunsuis zanpakuto, but he couldn't manipulate shadows, just pass through them
the fact that he had single handedly managed to avoid capture, renter the soul society undetected at least five times and manage to defeat a powerful and gifted fighter as Urahara is, worried Jushiro.
Then there was shunsui. Ukitake worried for his friend. Having already proved he struggled maintaining his composure where kumiko is concerned, the fact she is in very real danger, made ukitake believe his friend may do something reckless. He was struggling with his emotions before
that was before he spoke of love jushiro reminded himself what lengths would he go to, to protect the woman he loves?
Ukitake sighed upon seeing the head captains door. He only wished if would be there to talk some sense into his love struck friend, if the time arose.
knocking loudly on the wooden door, ukitake let himself in at the command to enter,
"Genryusai-sensei , I have some , oh excuse me, I didn't realise you were in a meeting" ukitake changed what he was about to say, seeing captain Kurotsuchi standing before a seated captain Yamamoto
"come forth ukitake, you should also hear captain Kurotsuchis findings" Yamamoto summoned him forward,
ignoring the new captain now standing next to him captain Kurotsuchi continued
"as I was saying. Having analysed the readings captured by Urahara on the day of his embarrassing defeat" Kurotsuchi said, ignoring the exasperated look ukitake sent him.
There really is no need ukitake thought annoyed. By nature ukitake was a peaceful man. He hated violence, and would rather sort out their problems with talking. However he was tempted himself to give Kurotsuchi a thump. He had been trying all their patience for days
"besides the usual hollow and what we now know to be hidoi, I found another spike in the reading. After experimenting and analysing, I have come to the conclusion that it is a different realm, the closest I have to compare it to would be the precipice world. The readings are quite similar, but not one I have encountered before" Kurotsuchi finished, annoyed at how much he had to dumb down his explanation so as the two men could understand
"Genryusai-sensei ! I believe I have some new information that correlates with captain Kurotsuchis findings". Jushiro stepped forward, pulling the captain commanders full attention
"this morning Kumiko had come to see urahara, insisting to see the wounds on his chest. Upon seeing them, she believes she knows who is behind all this. Kage akabane"
"kage akabane?" Yamamoto repeated softly, realisation on his face
"Kumiko believes the wounds on Uraharas chest are caused by the shadow Demons his zanpakuto can manipulate. She also said he can go into their shadow realm, it explains the readings we've got and how he has avoided capture " ukitake pressed on, ignoring Kurotsuchis baffled look
"I had sent a team from my own division to the world of the living to capture akabane for his crimes. They were unsuccessful in locating him". Yamamoto told him, getting up from his chair to walk to the open wall in his office, looking out to the Seireitei
"are you sure he's still in the world of the living Genryusai-sensei? " ukitake respectfully questioned his superior
"the increased number of hollows and hidoi suggests he is getting them from the world of the living, and allowing them access here. Though I don't know how he is controlling them" Yamamoto said softly "Captain Kurotsuchi, are you able to create anything to help us detect when or where he is once he had entered the shadow realm?"
Kurotsuchi scoffed, insulted the question had to be asked
"I am creating it as we speak"
"as soon as it is finished, I wish to be notified Yourself along with captains kutchiki and Hitsugaya shall lead to the investigation of akabenes whereabouts and his capture" Yamamoto told him
"it shouldn't take more than a few days" Kurotsuchi said, taking his leave
"Genryusai-sensei ." Ukitake stepped forward to address him "do you have any suspicions on why akabane has orchestrated this? Why does he want Kumiko? What is he trying to achieve?"
Yamamoto turned back to look at his former student "that I can't tell you. Kage had come to me, to ask me to send him to the world of the living many years ago. He was a skilled fighter, but seemed to struggle with life here in soul society. I had no suspicions he would do anything like what he has done"
"then we'll just have to capture him to find out" ukitake told him, determination in his eyes.
Shunsui blinked open his eyes, having accidentally fallen asleep trying to warm Kumiko up. Said woman was fast asleep next to him, body no longer shivering. Feeling his stomach protest at him for missing breakfast, shunsui looked to the clock to see it was after lunch time.
Gently slipping from the bed, shunsui sneaked out the room to go and raid his fridge, hoping he had something in there he could feed to a sick Kumiko.
Grabbing and orange from his dining table, he stopped to peel it,throwing the skin in the bin before popping a segment in his mouth.
Just as he reached the handle to his fridge, he heard his door open and close softly
"shunsui?" Came the familiar voice accompanying the footsteps coming nearer
"in the kitchen juu" shunsui called back, opening his fridge to see what was there. Sighing by the lack of food, he hadn't been able to shop yet. Putting more orange into his mouth, as he looked,Not seeing anything he thought would be good for Kumiko to eat, not wanting to upset her stomach
"are you expecting food to just suddenly appear if you keep staring into your fridge?" Jushiro asked amused from behind him
shunsui smirked, turning to his friend "im trying to work out what I can give Kumiko for lunch without making her sick. I'm struggling" he told him
"you mean you can't make a meal out of half a cabbage, strawberry's and cheese?" Ukitake asked him teasingly, peering around his friend to see the contents, or lack there of
"I forgot to go shopping" he laughed, rubbing the back of his neck
"go now then, I can wait here until your back" ukitake smiled at him
Shunsuis eyes darted to the area of his bedroom, where ukitake assumed Kumiko was sleeping. Looking as though he was struggling with himself, ukitake added "I am more than capable to tend to kumikos needs until you return"
shunsui sent ukitake a grateful look, tapping his shoulder as he passed to go grab his shirt.
Re entering the kitchen, fully dressed this time, shunsui saw ukitake helping himself to some tea, that he mainly kept for his friend. Shunsui wasn't a huge fan of tea, preferring water, fruit juice or sake.
" I won't be long juu, is there anything you want?" Shunsui told him, slipping his wallet into his captains coat pocket
"im good my friend. Perhaps you should stop to get Kumiko some soup though. That should be alright for her to eat" he said over his shoulder, pouring the now boiling water over the tea leafs
"good idea, see you in a bit" he said before leaving his home
ukitake shook his head lightly at his friend. He swore he would forget his own head if it wasn't so tightly Attached to his neck
grabbing the steaming cup, ukitake took at seat at the table, enjoying the hot beverage.
Not even half way through his tea, ukitakes head snapped up at the slow footsteps he heard coming down the corridor. Kumiko appeared around the corner looking pale, hand gliding across the wall for support, dizziness making it difficult to walk
"jushiro?" She asked him confused as he stood to walk to her "where's shunsui?"
"he had just popped out to grab some things" he told her kindly, bending down to lift Kumiko in his arms and walk her back to Shunsuis bedroom "you shouldn't be out of bed"
"I woke up and couldn't find him" she explained weakly, embarrassed about having to be carried
"he won't be long. I will stay and keep you company until he arrives" he told her kindly, laying her back on the bed and pulling up the blanket.
laying a hand on her head to check her temperature "you don't feel as hot anymore. How do you feel?"
"weak, tired and a bit dizzy" she told him honestly
"do you think you could try eating something?" He asked her, perching on the edge of the bed next to her
"maybe" she sent him a weak smile "depends if shunsui is cooking it or not"
ukitake laughed, as much as he didn't like seeing her unwell, it was a nice looking after someone for a change, instead of being the one looked after
"I told him to stop and get you some soup, if he forgets, I'll make you something " he smiled at her
"urahara once told me you're the only one out of the three of you that can make anything edible " she smiled at him
"he's not wrong " he laughed in return. "We really should teach them how to make at least one meal"
"Kiske can manage scrambled eggs" she laughed "can shunsui cook anything?"
"he can hardly boil water Kumiko " smiling at her laugh
"how has he survived this long?"
"his family has servants and cooks, so he never learnt at home. In school he was too busy sleeping and drinking to bother. I'm afraid unless he joins me for dinner , he has take out or things that don't require cooking" ukitake smiled "I've seen him try many times over the years to cook, it always ends badly" thinking of his microwave shunsui managed to blow up, forgetting to take out the metal spoon he had stirred the soup with
"juu?" Came Shunsuis voice ahh speak of the devil and he shall appear jushiro smiled
"in with Kumiko " he called back, the rustling of bags announcing his approach
"look who I bumped into" he called before entering the bedroom, hands full of bags. Renji following close behind him, holding a container of what jushiro assumed was soup "you up for a visitor Kumiko?" He addressed her directly, as she sat up more in bed
"hey renji" she smiled weakly at the man, looking more uncomfortable than she had ever seen him
ukitake stood up from the bed noticing his demeanour too "come on shunsui, I'll help you put all that away". He said grabbing the bags in his left hand, nodding out the room
being left alone renji walked forward, "you ok Kumiko?"
"I'll be alright, just a bug or something" she said moving her legs "come sit down"
Kumiko laughed at his hesitation, "I only asked you to sit down renji, what's with the look?"
"it's weirded sitting on Kyorakus bed" he mumbled
Kumiko laughed "just sit down ". Renji did as he was asked, handing Kumiko the hot soup " you need a spoon or something?"he asked her
"nah, I'll just drink it. Thank you" she said removing the lid and blowing it gently "im sorry about the other day"
renji looked at her then, "why are you apologising? You didn't do anything"
"I shoved you, twice. Pretty much ignored you the rest of the night. I'm sorry, I was too worried about Kiske. I wasn't thinking straight" she explained feeling bad
"it's already forgotten. I would've been the same if someone tried to stop me going to see someone I care about" he told her, looking worried "how is urahara?" He asked, chickening out of what he wanted to ask
"he's ok, he's getting there. Unohana said he's healing well. The drugs are making him kinda loopy though" she laughed "if he's not asleep he's talking absolute nonsense. I can't wait to remind him of everything he's been saying "
"that's good. He's strong, I knew he would pull through" renji said watching her sip her soup "how are you dealing with everything else? I was at the captains meeting when they said the person who hurt him was probably after you" he explained at her confused look
Kumiko rested her soup on her legs, letting her emotions show on her face "im scared renji"
"we won't let him get near you Kumiko. I won't let him" he told her with such conviction she almost believed him.
"you didn't see what he did. How bloodied and broken my friends were" she whispered "the fact that he's been in my home. Nearly killed Kiske I" Kumiko got cut off by renji getting closer to her, pulling her into an awkward hug, careful not to spill her late lunch over her
"we will get him Kumiko." He told her confidently "he will pay for what he has done "
Kumiko closed her eyes, leaning into his embrace soaking up his protection. Renji leaned back, giving her his usual cocky smirk "I think if i just raise my Reiatsu around you, you'll tear him limb from limb yourself"
Kumiko laughed loud at that, head protesting. "Might kick your ass too if you do that"
"wouldn't count on it". He winked at her "I'll leave you to rest. I just wanted to make sure you were ok" he told her, standing up from the bed
"thanks Renji " she smiled at him, as he turned to walk out the room, lazily throwing a wave over his head
finishing half her soup, Kumiko couldn't manage anymore. Putting it to the side she laid back down eyes drifting closed.
Opening them again Kumiko noticed the soup gone, arm thrown over her waist.
I must have fallen asleep she thought, rolling over to face shunsui, who had opened his eyes at her movement
"you ok love?" He asked her softly
"I feel a bit better. I didn't realise I had fallen asleep. Did jushiro leave?" She asked him, bringing up a hand to touch his cheek
"yeah a while ago. He told me about seeing Yama-jii. Kurotsuchi is making something to try and find kage. ". He told her, moving his head to kiss her wrist of the hand on his face "we'll get this sorted soon love" he promised, not telling her about the other part of the conversation they shared
"I'm concerned shunsui" he had told him softly
"I am too juu, the idea of him getting his hands on her" shunsui said, fists balling at his sides
"I ment this, shunsui" jushiro gestured to his fists "im worried you'll do something reckless trying to protect her. You need to keep your head on your shoulders and not react emotionally"
"I'm trying juu. I just " he had said, trying to find the words
"I know these are new feelings for you. But we all want the same thing. To find kage and keep Kumiko safe. You need to trust that we can help, and not rush in on your own"
"you know I trust you" shunsui reminded his oldest friend
"then promise me that whatever happens, if anything happens, you won't do anything without talking to me first" ukitake urged him softly, at his silence he added "I don't want to loose my friend shun, I also don't want to be the one to explain to Kumiko, your parents, nanao, your division that you've acted recklessly and gotten yourself killed"
shunsui sighed, hearing his friends words "I promise juu"