Bleach (c) Tite Kubo
Black and Blue
Discovery
Haruto Takada grumbles to himself, hissing curses under his breath on the way to the Captain's office. His direct supervisor, Ito, spent the better part of half an hour dressing him down for letting one of the red-marked Hell Butterflies escape isolation.
Made special note of combing over the finer points of those red labels and exactly why they're given out; Temperamental. Difficult to rehabilitate. Prone to erratic behaviors. Unable to bond with new Shinigami. Indefinitely retired.
To make matters worse; it was that troublesome pest in particular.
The Captain claimed the caretakers thought of it as a good luck charm, but right now its their frustrating miniature nightmare.
The Entomologists are scrambling, combing the cages trying to locate the missing pest and shove it back in isolation where it belongs, to unfortunately limited success.
They always managed to spot it whenever they weren't equipped to retrieve it, but whenever they returned with necessary tools for recapture, the butterfly hides away or others would flock to disguise it. You wouldn't imagine Hell Butterflies to be capable of pack mentality, but there they were, protecting their own as one.
Got to the point where it felt like those wretched flying pests were sassing them.
It wasn't until Supervisor Ito screamed himself hoarse, leaving himself blue in the face, did Haruto finally get the pause needed to feebly defend himself.
It felt terrible throwing the Captain under the bus but it was the truth.
Captain Ukitake himself wandered into the enclosures and after spending a few moments chatting and observing, he released the Butterfly into the main cages.
Upon hearing that, the Supervisor's temper reduced to a simmer. Absolutely furious but he wasn't outright yelling anymore. Minor relief there. He'd huffed and puffed about missing paperwork and disregard for protocols before roughly shoving a stack of documents into Haruto's chest.
"Don't come back until you get the Captain's signature on these release forms," The Supervisor barked the order, levelling a skeptical glare at Haruto, "If it really was Captain Ukitake who released that butterfly then getting that signature should be easy for you."
The accusation of a lie hung unsaid in the air. "And if I don't see those signed documents by the end of the day, I'll have you scrubbing out every toilet in the barracks with a hand brush for a month!"
Haruto grits his teeth in frustration and shakes his head of the memory.
More menial work. What, was he supposed to be a courier now? And now he's getting flak for something the Captain did on stupid whim? This is just ridiculous! Completely unfair!
Maybe the Captain should check those sentimental impulses!
Haruto closes his eyes and clamps down on the thought.
No. No, someone as wise and ancient as Captain Ukitake surely must've had a reason for his actions outside base emotion.
The fact that he did so in Haruto's presence... was this meant to be some sort of test? To allow Haruto the opportunity to demonstrate his deductive reasoning and investigative skills? Was... was the Captain scouting him? Did Captain Ukitake singularly recognize the talents everyone else vehemently denied?
Yes! That had to be it.
Now Haruto figured that much out, the question remains; why did Captain Ukitake release that Butterfly in particular? Was it for Haruto to demonstrate his ability to withstand the critique and the irascible attitudes of fellow officers? If that's the case, the Captain must be assessing him for a very highly ranked seat indeed.
There were several vacancies seats in the Squad's command hierarchy; Which one of those could it be? Perhaps as high as the Lieutenant's seat?!
What a thrill that would be! To come back to that pathetic little Caretaker station brandishing the shiny Lieutenant's badge on his arm and getting righteous payback for being treated like some no-named plebeian. Then there was the huge office space and private quarters; that would be a dream. Especially if it meant not having to share a room with three other disgustingly pretentious roommates. And his own desk too!
Haruto would have to clean the office and quarters from top-to-bottom first. The room was so seldom used that it accrued layers of dust. Haruto would have to make sure it suited his refined sensibilities.
Reinvigorated by that dazzling thought, Haruto weaves his way through the usual rabble (with less grace that a drunken rhino in a fine china shop) and composes himself outside the Captain's office. Have to look good for the superior officers. Have to look prim and professional to get noticed.
Haruto rakes a hand through his messy hair, straightens out his shihakushou to picture perfect uniform order before confidently puffing out his chest and knocking the closed door twice. Politely, of course. Not too loud, not too quiet either.
"Come in."
Haruto blinks in surprise. That's not Captain Ukitake's voice.
Haruto's confusion compounds when the door opens and Fifth Seat Takanashi is standing before the empty desk, skimming over some paperwork or other administrative forms while the Captain is marked by his absence.
Why is Fifth Seat Takanashi still here performing an adjutant's duties? Where were Third Seat Kiyone and Sentaro?
Or... could it be?
Haruto's eyes narrow while he puzzles it all out and a slow cunning grin tugs at his lips.
Everyone in the Thirteenth - everyone - knows Takanashi has hungry eyes on the Lieutenant vacancy and had applied for it. Even passed the evaluation trials with flying colours if scuttlebutt is to be believed.
Haruto would've submitted his own name for consideration, but Soul King curse him, he only joined the squad after this round of application dates closed.
All that remained was for the Captain to simply choose among the candidates.
That can be the only reason why she's there in the Captain's office.
Captain Ukitake must've already selected her as the Thirteenth's new Lieutenant and is away making final preparations for her investment. Which means... this was a fantastic opportunity to make new headways and form perfectly respectable (and tangentially beneficial) relationships with the new executive officer.
"And you'd be?" Takanashi questions barely looking up from her task.
Haruto puffs out his chest, speaking in an imperious (but not too arrogant) tone, "Ah, forgive the intrusion, Fifth Seat. I'm Haruto Takada, here on behalf of Supervisor Ito charged with the Hell Butterfly care and maintenance. Captain Ukitake paid a visit to our enclosures recently and we've some paperwork requiring his signature for recordkeeping purposes."
"Is that so?"
Haruto crosses the room with carefully measured strides to project his confidence and professionalism, presenting the documents to the Fifth Seat who doesn't even acknowledge him with a glance.
"I see. I'll review these at the first opportunity. Is there anything else?" Takanashi says, offhandedly taking the proffered papers and placing them in the middle of the stack she's sorting through.
Haruto grimaces then composes himself. "Uh. Forgive me Fifth Seat, but Supervisor Ito requested those documents be completed by the end of today."
"The Captain is attending to a Priority Red directive set forward by the Captain-Commander himself. As such, he's delegated the administrative duties to me for the time being. I'll attend to it when I can and not a moment before, am I understood?"
Haruto sketches a waist-level bow, respectful and deferential but not overly fawning. "Yes ma'am."
"Is that all?"
Haruto strands straight, offering a congratulatory smile. "Ah. One last thing as a matter of fact; may I offer congratulations to the new Lieutenant of Squad 13? When will the official announcement take place?"
Takanashi's emotionless expression does not change but there's a deliberate pause in her work, signaling something amiss. "Though it is no business of yours, soldier, I've withdrawn my application from the Lieutenant vacancy. I'm attending to these task due the acting Fourth Seat Rukia Kuchiki is currently away on assignment in the human world."
Crap. Haruto grimaces ,but while his interest in the Fifth Seat wanes significantly at that news, the idea of getting the newest hot scoop on who could possibly fill that role is very tantalizing indeed.
"Then may I ask who? The trials have already been completed, haven't they?" Haruto questions, tilting his head quizzically.
A dreadful thought crosses his mind as he roams through the possibilities.
Neither Third Seaters seemed to want the Lieutenant badge despite how hard they worked to fill it in along with their own duties. It couldn't possibly be that worthless traitorous Kuchiki bitch, could it? Everyone knew she was the Captain's pet, thanks to her adoption into the Kuchiki clan. Captain Ukitake only kept her around to keep the nobles appeased, that's why he rushed to save her in the first place and brought dishonour to the Thirteenth. Her being assigned to the position of Acting-Fourth Seat is salt on the wound on top of that.
Classic noble nepotism at its finest, right there.
Haruto admires the Captain, but that's one decision he simply cannot understand.
His not-so-private displeasure aside, whomever the new Lieutenant was, they better not be as useless as that pathetic dullard Kaien Shiba. People around here still venerate that braggard's memory, even the Captain, even after the halfwit got himself killed by a measly little Hollow. Haruto wouldn't have fallen so easily in his place.
And it was so shameful a death that he managed to inflict disgrace onto his entire seditious family, dragging them all down with him.
Filthy traitors, all of them.
The Omnitsukidou really screwed up there, letting most of them live. Should've been exterminated like the vermin they were in this humble Shinigami's opinion.
"A replacement has been selected to fill the role and preparations are being made. The Captain will make the announcement in due course. That is all anyone is permitted to know." Takanashi explains curtly.
"He will?" Haruto's eyebrows shot up in surprise and he was struck dumb he didn't notice Takanashi's dismissal.
"I said you're dismissed." She repeats with stern authority. "Return to your post and tend to your duties."
"Yes ma'am." Haruto retreats quickly, scowling.
Fantastic. Looks like he's going to be stuck scrubbing toilets thanks to these worthless officers.
Seems like Ichigo's finally managed to work that stick out of his ass.
Kon considers that fact alone a win. Especially since Ichigo's not waking the whole house with panicked screams in the middle of the night anymore.
Either he's managed to get his act together and deal with whatever crap was giving him those nightmares, or he's tired himself so completely his sleep-deprived brain doesn't have the energy to conjure up whatever vivid torment haunted him every other night.
Kon watched him apologize to his sisters too when Yuzu and Karin called him down for breakfast, offering some of his favourites to cheer him up. He gave them an explanation for his foul temper lately that was technically the truth as individual statements if one omitted the supernatural context behind it.
In general, Ichigo seems... lighter on his feet.
Like a massive weight's been taken off his shoulders and he's back to sleeping full nights again.
Kon's still feels the occasional prang of worry when Ichigo wakes up with bruises Kon swears weren't there when he went to bed the night before, but Ichigo acknowledges then dismisses them with grumpy mutterings to himself. The evident lack of concern confuses Kon even more, but given Ichigo doesn't seem worried about them beyond frustrating stiffness in his limbs makes it... okay? Sort of?
Then there's this new habit of bolting off every other night in his shihakushou until late into the evening (or some god awful hour in the morning on weekends), coming back covered in even more scrapes and bruises like he's been through a hell of a fight.
He's exhausted those nights but its the satisfying physical kind like coming home from a hard day at the gym. Whatever training he's putting himself through these days, it must really be helping him deal with... whatever was bothering him.
All and all, Kon concludes it's a right sight better than Ichigo was a month ago.
That is, until about two days ago. Something's got Ichigo's down in the dumps again and Kon's not about to put up with his prickly nature after such a massive improvement. He's ready to come out swinging (or maybe steal Ichigo's phone and call that Kaien guy? Ichigo never said anything about what they discussed that day, but not long after Ichigo started getting his shit together. Can't be a coincidence, right?)
But Kon notices some key differences this time. There's no nightmare induced sleeplessness like before. This is more... wistful? Or would this be better described him as numb or lost in his own thoughts?
Two days ago, Isshin pulled Ichigo aside after dinner one night for a private talk. A long private talk at that, which went on for ages. By the time Ichigo came back to his room to call it a night, he looked vacant and his eyes glazed over like he was lost in deep thought.
He flopped onto his bed, staring off into space and Kon couldn't tell if he wanted to be pissed or to laugh.
"You saw him, right?" Ichigo asks when Kon woke up this morning, slipping on some casual clothes, which is out of the ordinary considering it's supposed to be a school day.
"Huh?" Kon looks up from the magazine he'd been fake-reading the night before while pretending not to watch Ichigo like a hawk.
"My old man. You saw him as a Shinigami, didn't you?" Ichigo asks again, giving the mod soul his full attention.
Kon winces (as much as he can as a stuffed doll) and freezes in fright. There's no getting out of this one, but fortunately for him, Ichigo don't seem like he's about to pummel Kon... yet.
"I, uh..."
"He told me he killed the Grand Fisher a while ago." Ichigo explains, fiddling with his watch. "You saw him do it, didn't you?"
"Y-yeah." Kon answers hesitantly, "He said not to say anything. When'd you figure it all out?"
"Couple weeks ago. Let's just say I had a third party confirm my suspicions. I'm not as dense as I look, you know." Ichigo admits, reaching for his phone and flipping it open.
Kon watches him text someone but stops midway.
"L-Look, I wanted to tell ya! I really did. But your dad - I don't know what he told you, but don't let that goofball act fool you. He's one scary guy, Ichigo! I didn't wanna get on his bad side, ya know? He took that big Hollow down with just one swing! And he told me to keep it a secret! I swear I wanted to tell ya! Honest!" Kon's words spill out in a nervous tirade, he just can't help himself. He's worried Ichigo's temper still teeters on a knife's edge, even if things have been improving, Ichigo can be unpredictable.
"Kon." Ichigo interrupts pointedly and Kon stops.
He's nervous, shaking on his spot on the floor expecting retribution. "I-is it something I said?"
"Nah. Its fine, I'm not angry." Ichigo dismisses.
"You aren't?" Kon questions quizzically.
Ichigo runs a hand through his hair. "Everyone's entitled to their secrets. Way I figure Goat Face has his share. I'm not about to wring answers out of him just because I'm impatient."
"But, still - he's your dad? You're not the least bit upset over this." Kon prods.
Ichigo scoffs at the notion. "Me being upset and kicking up a stink over it doesn't really do anything outside wasting energy, now doesn't it? When the Old Man's ready to talk, he'll talk. That's just how it goes."
Kon reacts on impulse, frustration bubbling to the surface, "Then what the hell was all that crap where you were snapping at your family and screaming your lung out every other night?!"
Ichigo gives him a sharp look, and Kon shrinks with a frightened squeak. "I didn't mean that; Forget I said anything! Don't hit me."
"Calm down. You actually reminded me of something." Ichigo sighs, slapping his phone shut as a faint smirk plays on his face, as though something morbidly funny just sprang to mind.
"Reminded you of what?" Kon questions anxiously.
Ichigo snorts, shaking his head. "Don't look so terrified. Just wanted to say thanks for back then; I really did need that kick in the ass."
"Huh...?" Kon questions dumbly as Ichigo leaves, closing the bedroom door behind him.
What the hell was he talking about?
Kukaku Shiba scans the portraits adorning the walls of the anteroom with mild disinterest while she awaited her Chief Archivist Ayane Tenkawa to greet her.
Koganehiko and Shiroganehiko await her outside, backs ramrod straight as they stand guard at the store front upstairs.
Like Kukaku's own home, the Shiba clan archives were located in an cavern under Rukongai's 4th District with a homely teashop functioning as its entrance. The tunnel system shored up by a superstructure of wood and metal scaffolding reinforced with ancient powerful kido cast centuries before Kukaku's great-great-grandmother was born.
Despite its incredible age, the archives remain as sturdy as ever.
The progenitors who built this place built it to last and the descendant custodians have provided their own mishmash of homely touches.
Kukaku lounges on a worn yet comfortable cushioned chair with a tea table set before her.
An apprentice that Kukaku's never seen before, Ayane's grandson Yukio, provided her with steaming green tea and a plate of osenbei crackers while she waited. The kid's maybe thirty-five? Forty at most? Kukaku makes a mental note to add his name to the family registry (They don't bear the same name anymore but the Tenkawa family are still blood kin to the Shiba, however many generations ago that split was.).
While she waits Kukaku's eyes trace the portraits of her ancestors, all of the Shiba clan heads since their founding.
First they were drawn as crude exaggerated lines on yellowed hand-made parchment, so faded and dim with time the features are practically lost despite best efforts for restoration. After that, more true-to-life paintings followed, which Kukaku suspects imply a far more regal aspect than the reality, and then photographs became the norm.
As a rule, the Shiba didn't really buy into the typical trappings of noble society. But they did keep some practices. Up to and including record keeping of their family line. Not that they placed any real stock in the idea that succession belonged solely to the main house.
A branch family member was just as likely to be elected to Clan leader as the firstborn of the current family head, it was more a process to keep track of who belonged to whom.
Even then, their record keeping wasn't as exemplary or meticulous as their studious contemporaries. There's probably entire descendant branches of the Shiba scattered to the four compass points of Rukongai that Kukaku doesn't even know about.
Before long Kukaku's eyes fell on her brother's portrait.
Kaien Shiba, the Twenty-First Head. Third-to-last on the daisy chain of official portraits. Preceded by their gaunt pallid father Inei and chased by their father's far healthier looking twin Isshin Shiba, then finally Kukaku herself.
Back near their old stomping grounds, Kukaku can't help reminiscing with a nostalgic smile. Their childhood memories together playing out in her mind.
What devilish pranksters they were back in the day, the mischief Kukaku and Kaien got up in Rukongai's third district was legendary.
Well before Ganju was born, before the weight of responsibility compelled them to leave their more overtly prankish ways behind (not completely, of course. That'd be ridiculous! They simply learned to be more cunning and subtle about it).
Oh, the schemes they'd hatch. Plots, tricks and practical jokes that earned them a fierce scolding and a cuff on the ear, but always always had someone in peels of laughter.
The Shiba clan affectionately christened the hellraising duo 'Search and Destroy' for all their mischievous antics.
Even their father, stone-faced and cold as iron, couldn't always resist cracking a faint smirk at their misadventures (by Inei Shiba standards, that's as good as hysterical laughter).
For the last sixty years, these cherish memories were all Kukaku had left of her brother. But now?
Now they'll have the opportunity to make new memories soon. And wasn't that a thought that made Kukaku giddy?
Of course, that's after she kicks Kaien's stupid ass to Hueco Mundo and back.
"Master Kukaku. Please forgive my tardiness." Ayane Tenkawa is an ancient woman who hurries into the anteroom, performing a waist deep bow in greeting. Her wiry silver hair is tied back in a bun, pinned by a calligraphy brush, and her robes were patterned in traditional Shiba style. Navy blue with a smattering of white and gold firework embroidery woven into the right side.
"I forgive it. I wasn't expecting any kind of formal welcome. I've dropped in unannounced. Please join me." Kukaku dismisses the apology breezily, gesturing to the chair across from her.
With formalities out of the way, the elderly woman regards Kukaku with kind eyes.
"I must say I'm delighted to see you once again, my dear. Its been a day and an age. I believe the last time you came here in person was... oh, you must've been perhaps 80 or 90? You were doing research into developing a new creation then, as I heard the tale, used it to promptly shoot your brother out of the Flower Crane Cannon less than a week later."
Kukaku stifles a laugh at the memory. Ah, those were good times. The memory of the scandalized expression on her mother's face at that pronouncement never fails to make Kukaku grin to this day. (Poor woman. Coming from the prim and proper Kasumioji clan, marrying into the rambunctious Shiba would've been a culture shock and a half for her.)
Ayane smiles fondly at a distant corner, "You and your brother, always the daredevils and thick as thieves. Its a wonder any of us still had any colour left on our heads by the time you both grew up."
"I prefer to think we knew how to keep ourselves entertained." Kukaku remarks.
"Indeed so. Though I believe your parents would've preferred you kept yourselves occupied in ways that resulted in fewer grey hairs for them."
"You can't win every battle." Kukaku replies smoothly, plucking the green tea from the saucer, giving an experimental blow then taking a small sip now it had cooled enough to do so.
"I see my darling grandson has already provided refreshments. Please enlighten me; to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" Ayane begins, a knowing smile playing on that aged face.
Quick to the point, Kukaku produces the folded slip of parchment with the reference list and slides it across to Ayane, "I'm working on a new project for the Clan and I need access to certain materials. These in particular. I'd appreciate it if you could retrieve those volumes for me."
Ayane plucks the parchment between off the table with surprising deftness and opens it, studying the notations carefully. Frown lines deepen on her wizen face as her eyes trace downwards.
"Is there something wrong?" Kukaku ventures with a raised eyebrow.
Ayane opens her mouth to speak then closes it several times, as though not quite sure how to respond. After a minute, she speaks up.
"Master, I hesitate to tell you this but I am afraid that these numbers must be mistaken. I know the entire contents of these archives like the back of my hand, such is my role as their caretaker. I regret to inform you of this but these lead to locations that simply do not exist." Ayane begins in her trembling voice, lips pursed in a thin line.
Kukaku's expression doesn't change. She's not surprised. When one is trying to hide something, they wouldn't do it in a way that'd be easily found at a passing glance.
At the same time, the first hint of doubt threads through her thoughts. If these numbers don't pan out Kukaku's back to square one.
"Indulge me then. Let us pretend for the moment that they do exist, can you take me to their approximate locations in the archives? If there's nothing there then I'll be on my way."
Ayane's craggy face screams her protest more than her trembling voice ever could. Nevertheless, she inclines her head gently and offers a guiding hand to the Master of their House.
"This way, Master." Ayane begins, and despite her aged appearance, she walks with shocking speed and grace.
Kukaku follows after her.
They crossed through a long narrow hallway, down a flight of stairs and into a larger cavern beyond. Rows upon rows of shelves lined the space, arranged in an elaborate labyrinth filled with neatly organized scrolls, tomes, parchment sheets, maps and plans and other minutiae. Kido protects them from the march of time, keeping them all intact if not a pristine condition.
Ayane pauses to consider the parchment once more, muttering something to herself.
"Yes. Yes, by my reckoning, this one would be the closest." She concludes, making an abrupt turn right through the winding maze, effortlessly navigating through increasingly obtuse angles.
"I must say Master, you've certainly chosen some rather obscure texts for your studies. Even I have not seen these parts of the archive for decades."
"Pretty sure the obscurity was the whole point..." Kukaku muses.
If the Archivist wanted to question Kukaku's words, she didn't make a show of it. Checking over the parchment one final time, she makes another sudden turn down an isle.
"This is the correct place. According to your reference numbers, the tome should be contained on this shelf, however -" Ayane halts at the indicated spot and stares, lips parting in confusion.
"This... is most perturbing." Ayane muses out loud, her quizzical frown deepening as she reached out to touch a volume in the middle of the stack. "This should not exist."
"That's the book I want, right?" Kukaku prompts, feeling a twinge of satisfaction and bone-deep relief.
Ayane performs a series of Kido spells and an invisible barrier surrounding the shelf falls away in a spatter of yellow-white light. With the web of kido binding gone, there's something else lingering about. The faint residue of a kido seal.
"May I?"
"Please."
The second Kukaku takes the book in her hand, she instantly recognizes the subtle traces of reiatsu. The taste of salt spray carried on an ocean breeze.
Kaien's reiatsu.
For a moment Kukaku was lost in the sensation, brushing her hand over the cover.
It'd been so long since she felt his reiatsu and it fuels her anticipation. She will have her brother back, and if Ukitake's right, whatever's hidden in these tomes will make that happen.
Studying the kido weave's structure, Kukaku allows herself an appreciative smirk. Its a sealing technique her father invented centuries ago. Only four people knew how to undo it without triggering the inbuilt booby trap which would transform the protected object into a makeshift bomb. Inei was dead, Kaien's trapped in the human world, Uncle Isshin was declared MIA, and lucky last is Kukaku herself.
"The old man always knew how to conjure a nasty bit of Kido, didn't he?" Kukaku muses to herself.
"I must admit I'm rather bewildered by all of this." Ayane offers, deeply troubled, "Only those of Shiba blood are permitted to enter these catacombs, let alone accessed the seals on these to hide a book away. And that's an extremely potent seal binding the book closed. Who could've possibly snuck into my archives without my knowing to hide this from me?"
"A member of the Shiba clan who wanted to bury something here. And I plan to dig it all up." Kukaku answers, she glances at the Archivist.
"But who could it be? And why?" Ayane inquires.
Kukaku doesn't answer.
"Let's go find the other locations. I have the sneaking suspicion that we will find my so-called impossible volumes are quite real."
Author's note:
Return of Professional ass-kisser. If you hate this dude's guts, congrats - that's the plan. Ichigo knows Grand Fisher is dead and thanks Kon for helping him get his butt in gear, and Kukaku finds Kaien's 18+ mags. :P
I wanted this chapter out for Kaien's birthday. But, ya know. Life gets in the way of plans.
Edited: 25/4/2023 - Cleaned up the chapter's grammatical errors and spruced up the language a little.
Regards,
Aurora313