Disclaimers, Etc.: See Chapter One.
Opening Theme: TBA
Ending Theme: The Other Shore by Jing Long featuring Jing Di

Chapter Two Written 7/13/2022.

Bleach: Cross
The King's Seal:
The Premonition
By Eugena

Rated M

Chapter Two: Puzzle of Memories

天国的白雪公主

SOUL SOCIETY - NEAR THE ELEVENTH DIVISION

Mayuri Kurotsuchi was a man of science. Much like his predecessor, Kisuke Urahara, he lived for his research. It was more important than anything, even Nemu, whom he had created, who was just another research subject.

The woman beside him, the Shinnouhi, current Fifth Division Taicho and a human formerly known as Sam Hawthorne, should have been no exception. But she was a living, breathing god-like creature, and indisputable proof of reincarnation.

When he witnessed her transformation back to Shirayukihime no Tenjou, he saw something he would never forget. A puzzle he wondered if he could solve.

He saw the evidence of her reincarnation just now. He found himself more on the worry side rather than scientific interest side of curiosity.

The Shinnouhi just said something was wrong. Heaven's Reincarnated Princess said something was wrong. That would be an understatement. He knew it.

Though normally not permitted, he allowed his hand to slip slightly into hers. He found it grounded her to her present incarnation. If Zaraki and Asegawa could do so much more, then surely, he could do this.

Unexpected, she grasped it slightly.

She turned slightly to him.

His thoughts strayed to the many times he caught her with either man. He thought of how he would duck out of the way, arguing with himself to go but not finding the courage. Hoping - just a little - that he would join. That she would touch him. That she would turn away from those two. When did he start allowing such thoughts to stay?

"Mayuri."

She looked at him strangely. She placed her hand on his cheek.

"Ma -."

She squeezed her eyes shut.

"Shin - Shirahime?" It felt strange, but right coming from him, her name. It reminded him of the way he would hear Ayasegawa whisper her name like a prayer.

She let go and ran, looking side to side as if looking for someone.

And ran straight into Kenpachi Zaraki, the reincarnation of her human fiancé.

"Sam," he asked as he gripped her, calling her by her human name. "What's wrong?"

She looked around but seemed not to see him. She kept looking for someone else.

"Let them go! Let them go!" she begged as she sank to her knees.

Mayuri arrived across from them.

"What. Did. You. Do?" Kenpachi demanded as he helped her up.

"Zaraki," he said firmly. "It appears she's had a premonition or a memory. Perhaps of her other children -."

"Don't," she said.

Kenpachi looked to Mayuri. "You got a sedative - a safe one? This is probably something the Old Man doesn't need to know about. I'm not sure if you know, but he never took responsibility -." He looked down to her.

Shirahime gripped his arm. She turned stiff, trying hard not to let her tears fall.

"Matsuri."

They barely heard her speak the name.

"Fujimaru."

That day again.

"I'll come by," Mayuri promised. "You might want to take her to her daughter. Her children - she mentioned the others again. I think more than just the two."

Other children. Again. More than just those twins.

Kenpachi picked her up bridal style and brought her back to his division.

Ikkaku and Yumichika were surprised - so was everyone else.

"Hime-sama," some murmured. Most had been part of the division when she was briefly fourth seat.

"Taicho?" Ikkaku asked.

"She's had one of those royal-family-powered visions. A bad one, I suppose." He didn't want to mention that it could have been the memories. Yachiru didn't need to know. Let her not know. To know she had siblings was one thing. To know what happened to them was the fate he didn't want to give her. They were just lost, waiting to be found. Yes, she didn't need to know otherwise.

"Not a good sign," Yumichika remarked. Though Zaraki didn't say it, he wondered if it had been about the children again.

"I want the division on extra patrol," Zaraki commanded. "But not noticeable. It's important the Old Man doesn't know."

"So, just us, Taicho?"

"No," he said. "Kurotsuchi knows. He'll be back with something for her. Until I say otherwise, nobody outside allowed except that mad scientist and anyone running an errand for him."

"Taicho, do you think this means Sou Taicho will be sending her back?" Yumichika asked.

"Over my dead body. I've seen what a nut that Soul King must be - what he did. She's not going back."

Yachiru ran up to them.

"Kenny? What's wrong with mom?"

Zaraki didn't want to tell her.

"She's been working too hard," Yumichika said. "Taicho thought it would be good for her to stay with you."

After Kenpachi settled Shirahime in bed, Yachiru narrowed her eyes at him. "Kenny, what's really going on with mom?"

"Have you had any dreams Yachiru? Strange ones?"

Yachiru looked to Shirahime.

"Momma's turning back, isn't she?"

Kenpachi couldn't answer.

"She's coming back."

谢谢你们的阅读。