Pre Note
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. This is for creative purposes. I do own this plot.
There are Images for this Chapter.
Reminder: Mature-rating. Mystery-themed. Light sexual content. Crucial to remain attentive to detail. This is for Rukia and her relationships.
Not Just Yet
"He's gone." Ichigo nonchalantly said as he stared down at the Rukongai District. At this point, he wasn't even surprised. Somehow, miraculously, Renji had disappeared quicker than Tōshirō or himself could reach him even if they were right behind him the entire time.
Ichigo didn't know what to do at all. The only thing he could actually grasp from Renji's escape was that, Rukia eloped with a quincy that apparently Renji knew and the Head Captain somehow believed it was betrayal.
Anything beyond that, he did not understand.
According to the Head Captain, because of the evidence given he had no choice but to sentence Rukia to another execution, but Ichigo disagreed. The Head Captain's words still rang loudly in his ears, no matter how much he tried to make them disappear. They made him feel useless, weak, irrelevant it was uncanny.
Remember your place, Kurosaki Ichigo; if you continue to pursue that Lieutenant Kuchiki Rukia is innocent you will face the same fate. I will not change my mind.
He clenched his fist. There was no doubt in his mind that the Head Captain was already making a sentence for Renji too. Most of the Captains had stayed within their barracks, trying to figure out everything they could, but he couldn't even think of returning back home. He had to find them—he would and then, he'd make them explain everything.
"Kurosaki Ichigo." A baritone voice spoke behind him.
"Byakuya." Ichigo acknowledged as he turned around. "Have you found anything?"
"No." He responded. "I was sent here but the Head Captain to advise you to get some rest."
"Tell him I'll be alright."
"Standing out here will not give you any answers."
"Neither will sleeping." Ichigo said.
"Go home."
"I won't." He responded defiantly. "C'mon Byakuya, you can't seriously be thinking about sleeping after this."
"I do not see your point."
"Your sister, Rukia is missing godammit and your Lieutenant, Renji just ran away! How can you be so calm after that?"
"Rukia is an honest soul reaper, she left fully aware of the consequences she would face for what she has done."
"You can't be—"
"Nonetheless, I do not believe she has committed treason. There isn't enough evidence to support it so I have disdained that possibility."
"So what you think this whole thing is? Why did she run? Why did Renji run after hearing she ran away with some quincy?"
"I believe it has something to do with her past in the Rukongai. It seemed to be evident when she was asleep for seven days and that man listed in the student registry."
"And the quincy?"
"It seems that there is much more alive than we originally anticipated. I am not aware of her relation to the quincy but he is among the group that we found alive."
"Fuck," Ichigo scoffed. "I just don't understand why the hell both of them didn't tell us this? I still don't understand who the fuck that Okasake Jushirmai is and I just—"
"Instead of growing impatient, you should be more concerned on how we will find them."
"It isn't that easy Byakuya, trust me—I'm not you. I don't understand anything."
"Then rest. The Gotei 13 will meet in the morning to determine our next move. Until then, I believe it would be best if you returned to your own world until further notice."
"What about Rukia? What about Renji?"
"They will be fine." Byakuya said as he turned around. "It seems that they have had this planned all along. We will have to wait until further information is provided."
"Who do you think they're with? They must be sleeping somewhere. I don't know about the Rukongai but what about the Okasakes?"
"Your point?"
"I mean, the Okasakes...have you ever met them?"
There was a brief silence in between before Byakuya slightly turned his head to respond. "No."
He had heard of them, of course. They were one of the four great noble clans, they held a very high prestige upon themselves to not appear to the public in broad daylight. He only ever saw a painting of them in the Noble Hall. That was all.
"Then how..." The words died at his throat but what he wanted to ask was how did he know who they were then?
"My grandfather was once associated with them. That is all I know."
"Oh...did he know anything about their position? Their specialty? Okasake Jushirmai?"
"That, I do not know. I did not meddle in my predecessor's affairs."
"Does anyone know them?"
"Although they are mentioned quite often among nobles, I have never seen them personally."
"They're assassins, that's probably why." Ichigo said before he paused in deep thought. "Rukia said they have nothing to do with this though, so I guess it doesn't really matter."
"You believe that?" Byakuya asked.
Ichigo looked up. "Yeah, don't you?"
Byakuya didn't respond.
"Don't tell me you don't trust her, Byakuya; she's your sister—what part of that do you still not get?"
"I never said I do not trust her. I've already told you, I do not believe she has committed treason."
"Then why are you doubting her?"
"You misunderstood. It was a test."
"I still trust her, Byakuya—you out of all people should know that. I know she has an explanation for all of this—I'm just waiting for her to tell me."
"If that is true then rest. If she was here, perhaps you would've gotten the same scolding."
"Fine then, I'll rest." Ichigo responded.
But I'm not sure that's gonna do any help.
"Based on this research, it seems that the Head Captain revolutionized the Soul Society which is why the Okasake twins were forced to move out." Nanao explained in the dim library to her Captain. "Captain, do you recall this ever happening in the past?"
"I'm not too sure, Nanao. My memory must've died a little because as I remember it, it was the Okasake twins themselves that individually decided that it would be best to sever their ties with Yama-jii, not the other way around."
"I see. There seems to be many stories regarding this incident, the only problem is I don't know which one is true. Everything written here is completely biased."
"It's a shame we can't trust Yama-jii on this one either. Whatever happened between him and the Sensei Okasakes has always been something he refused to talk about."
"What do you think happened?"
"Well, if I told you what I thought I guess I'd be speaking with bias too."
"Forgive me, Captain but at this rate, it doesn't matter. We need all the perspectives we can get to validate this story."
"You know, if what you're looking for is validation, there is one person's perspective you could look at it to find out."
"Who?"
"But he's no longer around so I guess it no longer matters, Nanao."
"Captain, please. Dead or alive, this person could validate one of these stories after so many years of conspiracy and frustration."
"Alright, I'll tell you. It's the former 6th Division Captain, Kuchiki Ginrei. From what I remember, Captain Kuchiki was heartily involved with the Okasake clan around the time the Soul Society had three Head Commanders. Since he was neither in the position to rule, he acted as their supervisor until Yama-jii and the Sensei Okasakes divided. After the division, Captain Kuchiki remained associated with them while maintaining his role as Captain here in the Seireitei. I assume only he would know what the truth was since he was only neutral."
"Does that mean, current 6th Division Captain, Kuchiki Byakuya would know anything of this? Do you think, perhaps, his predecessor could've left some form of content to express the truth?"
"I highly doubt Captain Kuchiki knows about this. But I have no doubt in mind that the previous Captain Kuchiki wrote it down prior to his passing."
"Then...that would mean that the Kuchiki clan would have those files!"
"That's the thing, it seems that Captain Kuchiki wasn't able to find them."
"What do you mean?"
"As you know, the Kuchiki clan's specialty is in fact the Soul Society's history. It seems that he did some searching on his own but couldn't find anything related to the Okasake clan or the assassins."
"He must've hid it someplace else."
"Possibly, but since we can't find it, all that's left are these stories to figure out."
"But how? There are so many. Some even suggest that a young child prodigy was the reason for their division, but they end up inconsistent with time."
"Those must be some of the inaccurate ones written by the supposed scholars in the Rukongai because from what I know, that young child prodigy came later on."
"So there was one?"
He nodded his head.
"However, it happens much, much later on in time. It could almost be considered recent—about 170 years ago, I think."
"Oh so...what are the chances of that prodigy being Okasake Jushirmai?"
"I don't know. I'm not really considered a trustworthy person to be given that type of information."
"What do you mean?"
"I guess I should've told you this sooner but, there are some soul reapers here that are playing dual roles—part time they act as assassins on the other side and then they transition here as soul reapers to conduct research and broaden their power."
"So we have traitors?!"
"Not exactly. The assassins aren't against us—they fight against evil and advocate purification however, to a certain level they do look down at us because of their superiority. Often, in order to restore balance in the Soul Society, they switch roles between assassins to soul reapers, assassins to quincies, and sometimes even to hollows to help expand their sheatsu."
"Do you know who those people are?" Nanao inquired before she quickly gasped. "Do you think...Lieutenant Kuchiki and Lieutenant Abarai are one of those people?"
"No, but Yama-jii does. Usually, when assassins are being sent from the Capital, Sensei Okasake lets him known prior to their arrival but he doesn't inform anyone else." Captain Kyōraku explained. "As for Lieutenant Kuchiki and Abarai, I don't think they would be one of those people. Although Yama-jii knows all the people who have dual positions, he often neglects them so they can blend in with the rest of us to be completely normal. I don't think Yama-jii would've sentenced Lieutenant Kuchiki to another execution if he knew she was one of those people.
"So then..."
"The soul reapers who currently have dual positions are probably still here living their life. They appear completely normal, they blend in so naturally that even someone as close as your relative could be one but you would never notice." He continued to explain. "They're commonly the type of people who never get light shed on their faces."
"Therefore, anyone surrounding us could be a complete traitor." Nanao said. "Even...Kurosaki Ichigo."
"Unlikely, but even him."
"I want to return to the World of the Living." Rukia informed as they walked down the tunnel.
"Rukia, the fuck—now?!" Raiden exclaimed. "Do you not realize that we're in a fucking situation?"
"Yes." Rukia stressed the word in annoyance. "However, I could find help for our situation in the World of the Living."
"How?"
"I don't think it would be wise to reveal that now that we know Jushirmai has complete and utter control over our dimension."
"Well, Kuchiki-san, if you can get the Gotei 13 to be distracted elsewhere, I do not see why not." Kisuke said.
"Why is it so important for you to return to the World of the living?" Yūshirō questioned.
"Well...it's kind of a long story but, I promise you something good will come out of it."
"Such as?" Raiden questioned.
"J-Just trust me, alright? I know we can find some help in the World of the Living, just let me go there and I'll come back."
"What if that human boy you talked about earlier finds you? Fuck, Rukia don't tell me you're intentionally trying to get ca—"
Rukia raised her voice. "I'm not deceiving you!" Raiden immediately got silent.
"And I'm not trying to get caught either." She lowered her tone. "I just know somebody that can help us get the information we need."
"It will be fast." Yoruichi said.
"It will. I don't intend on staying in the human world for long and besides, even if Ichigo returns to Karakura Town, the place I'm going to isn't within that region."
"Fine, but then what the fuck are we gonna do in the meantime?"
"We'll stay underground. We still need to gather our resources and restore our respective abilities."
"I think Mayuri should be just about done now."
"Done with what?" The younger Shihōin asked in turmoil to the people surrounding him.
"The revival." Yoruichi responded.
"Finafuckingly! Hey, Rukia—that means that the Captain's b—"
"I'm going now." She announced before turning away from him—allowing Kisuke to open a senkaimon for her but Raiden continued to talk.
It seemed that Yūshirō finally understood what the group of people were talking about and expressed his content too. But not Rukia, no...not her. She felt something else...but, it was harmless really, she understood their excitement but all she could really feel in that moment was regret.
"Kuchiki-san," Kisuke called before stopped in her path. "if something should happen in the World of the Living, you only got a few ways to contact us and even so, they might not be reliable."
"I told you I'd be fine. I will come back, I just need to handle a few things on my own." Rukia responded. "In the meantime, you all should just follow Yoruichi-san. We have limited resources and we need the extra energy."
"Aye Aye, Captain. Man, it's gonna be just like ol'times." Raiden said.
"Right." Rukia responded but behind her tone she hosted a quiet solemnity.
She should've defied.
But she couldn't, after all, it was him.
"Are we really just gonna go back without Nee-san?" Kon asked as he held onto Ichigo's shoulders.
"I'm not going back. We're just going to have to stay at Kūkaku's place for the time being."
"But Ichigo, shouldn't we try finding her? She couldn't have gone that far!" Kon said as he tried to detect her reiatsu.
"She ran with a quincy—we can't really tell where the hell he plans on taking her."
"That doesn't mean we should give up. C'mon Ichigo! Remember, you and Nee-san are connected! If you concentrate you can find her reiatsu!"
"I'm not giving up, Kon. I just...I don't really have an idea on where to start. Something tells me that wherever that Jushirmai is, Rukia will be."
"But he's Nee-san's enemy!"
"There's something more to this, Kon—trust me. But even so, all I know is that I'm not giving up."
"So what are we gonna do?"
"We're gonna find Rukia."
"Do you think you can detect her reiatsu?" Kon asked before Ichigo closed his eyes.
"That's not what I'm trying to detect, Kon. I'm trying to find her."
"That's the same thing!"
"No," Ichigo furrowed his brows."...for some reason it feels like something different."
It was strange—this feeling, Ichigo was feeling—it felt different from how her reiatsu felt, it felt weighed with something...a dominant emotion equivalent to some type of solemnity...some type of guilt.
What are you hiding from me?
He was almost confident that he was feeling her emotions more than her reiatsu because it was dominating the now faint touch she had left. It was strong—heavy. He could feel a heavy weight burden his shoulders and it wasn't the weight of the plushie. It was like a heavy coat, weighing him down, hurting his back, and never disappearing...just so it could grow heavier.
What could she possibly be feeling to feel this...discomfort? Ichigo wondered to himself before he raised the palm of his hand to his face and squeezed his eyes tighter. He wanted to see the cause behind this emotion—this pain she retained so deeply within her soul that it never came to surface until today. But everything he felt was purely physical. It was just the burden of carrying a heavy weight—nothing more, nothing less.
"Well...?"
"I'm not exactly sure, but I'm sure I felt her reiatsu for a couple seconds near a few mountains but it disappeared."
"Does the Soul Society even have mountains?"
"Yeah, most likely. We can ask Kūkaku for a map."
"But Ichigo, what about the Gotei 13?"
"Look, the Head Captain's already made his decision and I don't think he's gonna change it. If he finds out we're searching for Rukia, he'll have Suì-Fēng's Onmitsukidō after her the moment we find her."
"So we're gonna run away?"
"Seems like it, but it's our only option."
"You idiot! Then what are we doing here for?! If anyone sees us they'll think—"
"Alright, alright I'm going. Let's move."
"Yama-jii, don't you think you're jumping to conclusions?" Shunsui asked with Jūshirō by his side.
"No, I do not. I will not inform the Gotei 13 of the assassins regardless of Okasake Jushirmai's intrusion. I have kept it from them for hundreds of years and I believe it would be best if it remains that way."
"How long will you continue to lie to them?"
"They do not need to know about who or what the assassins are. They are far better living on the other side of the Soul Society."
"And what about our guys who have been transitioning to gather information?" Shunsui asked. "Even if you try to rid us from them, they are still here, Yama-jii. They are still superior to us."
"And what of it?" The old Captain asked. "Regardless of their superiority, we have done just fine without them. The only reason that boy, Okasake Jushirmai, came here was for the Lieutenant of the 13th Division."
"Don't involve Kuchiki in this. He must've been misunderstood." Jūshirō said. "The assassins operate in the Rukongai as well, he must've mistook her for someone else."
"Captain Kuchiki of the 6th Division disclosed that he loved her."
"Byakuya-kun assumes that, just as the rest of us, but why don't you?" Jūshirō questioned.
"She committed treason. She eloped with a quincy to resist her fate once she knew she was wrong, I may have pardoned her execution before however, I will not give her mercy once more. Her execution will be immediate."
"She hasn't done anything wrong, Yama-jii."
"Kyōraku's right, I'm afraid the evidence you have isn't enough to convince me that Kuchiki has committed treason. She has no reason to."
"It is not a matter of whether you agree with me or not. I cannot bother myself trying to convince you both that Kuchiki Rukia is a traitor to us. However, if you two, choose to interfere with my orders, you will face the same calling."
"Genryūsai-sensei—"
"That is all. You are dismissed."
Seated, Orihime, Uryū, Chad, Ichigo, and Kon sat in front of the black-haired woman, staring at the enormous map of the Soul Society. The hole Ganju had made in the ceiling allowed the light of the moon to shine through and illuminate the map so it was 3D—glowing blue.
Their eyes lit up in astonishment as it formed, almost stealing their attention before the woman spoke. "This," she paused. "is the map of the Soul Society. Centuries of work, but it's useless. At least, for us."
"If it's not useful then, why are you showing it to us?" The quincy questioned.
"When I said useless I meant for us, soul reapers. Any other kind doesn't apply."
"I'm a quincy." Uryū corrected.
"It's not like you're a part of the association to be considered a genuine quincy. If you ever meet Raiden he might recruit you, he hates soul reapers more than any quincy I know." Kūkaku said.
"He's a quincy?" Uryū confirmed before he paused to think. "Could you maybe describe him?"
"Yeah sure, he's great. Red mohawk, green eyes, and he's got a couple of tribal tattoos on his arms. Have you met him?"
"That sounds like the quincy Rukia ran away with!" Ichigo said.
"Kuchiki-san seems to be associated with this quincy. Could you perhaps give us more information on him?" Uryū asked.
"His full name is Arigawa Raiden. He's an orphan—grew up in Inuzuri—there isn't much to tell about his life story since it's practically the same as Renji's."
"You know Renji too?"
"Yeah. But anyways, if you know Renji's story, you'll know his."
"He grew up in Inuzuri too, with Rukia."
"And?" Kūkaku questioned.
"And what?" Ichigo asked.
"Dumbass, don't tell me that's all you know."
Ganju appeared and laughed. "What the hell have you been doin' all this time? Haven't you talked to him?"
"He ran away." Uryū explained. "We tried to find him, but he escaped once he heard that Kuchiki-san eloped with a quincy."
"Man, you're an idiot." Ganju commented.
"Say what?!" Ichigo asked.
"You didn't think of asking him about the truth before he ran?" Ganju asked.
"What are we gonna do now?" Kon asked. "We don't know the truth about that quincy and Nee-san ran away with him without telling us why."
"Don't worry, Kon. We'll find her. Let's just get on with this, when we find Renji, we'll know."
"Anyways, this map is suppose to cover the entire Soul Society but in truth, it only covers a portion. It's suppose to show major locations, but it's missing one—the most important one."
"What?"
"The Capital." She answered. "Ganju, explain."
"The Capital is the area where the assassins reside on the other side of the Soul Society. They're basically our primary governmental institution and judiciary that rules the Head Captain."
"Why aren't they shown on the map?"
"They aren't shown because the two sides have been separate for centuries. The assassins operate based on their own rules and regulations—they have their own style of government; a dictatorship. In truth, they operate the entire Soul Society even though they reside on ½ of the land."
"What exactly happened between them? Mizuri Jushirmai implied that the Head Captain was the reason for their division."
"That's the problem. No one can really tell you the truth about that story. There's been too many interpretations made by different people. All of them are either biased or inaccurate, no noble clan can tell you what exactly went down. Some of them side with Head Captain Yamamoto while others side with the Okasakes, specifically Okasake Hiroshima."
"So, nobody knows?"
"No one."
"That's strange. Wouldn't there have been someone there to document that type of information?" Uryū asked.
"Most of them are already dead. And besides, no one really gives a crap anymore about what happened centuries ago. Most people are just glad we're not going through a civil war because of the two separate institutions."
"Where does Okasake Jushirmai come in all of this?"
"That thing is another story."
"He was adopted as a kid." Kūkaku explained. "The Okasake clan needed an heir to succeed them as the Head so they adopted him. Initially, they had wanted him to also succeed them as Head Commander of the Soul Society but then, the way I heard it, at least one of them realized there was somethin' more to him then he showed."
"Sensei Okasake Hiroshima was his father, Sensei Okasake Hirosuke was his uncle. About fifty-five years ago, Sensei Okasake Hiroshima passed away—leaving his brother to take over as Head Commander and an estranged son who didn't even show up for his funeral."
"How'd they become estranged?" Ichigo asked.
"That kid was always lookin' in the wrong direction. He was problematic for everyone except his father, Sensei Okasake. Now I don't know about how all of it happened or went down but he was pretty angry and resentful towards his father when he started listenin' to others about his behaviour, even though he practically stuck up for him in front of everybody and covered up all the nasty shit he'd done."
"What happened after that?"
"People laughed at him, questioned his capability to be an equal leader in the face of everything he's done to protect his son and what not. The kid didn't really give a shit, he did everything in his power to weaken his father's position as Head Commander." Kūkaku said. "Unfortunately, we don't know the details of what he's done, but those close to Sensei Okasake were well aware of his son's intentions and tried to prevent them secretly without having Sensei Okasake aware, even his brother who was also equal in power. Sensei Okasake eventually became ill and died, still fighting for his attention, by the way and that's that. His son did a lot of frolicking in the Rukongai from what I heard, he liked hanging in the Rukongai District—Inuzuri—to be specific when he was trying to get away from his father.
"Rukia and Renji both grew up in Inuzuri, that must be how he knows them." Ichigo said.
"Most likely. It could be possible that he stayed with them to hide from his father why they know so much about him or most importantly, why he knows so much about them." Uryū theorized.
"And Kuchiki-san and Abarai-kun didn't know he was a bad person until after." Orihime finished.
"But that still doesn't answer why they'd run." Uryū said with his arm across his chest and hand touching his chin.
"He probably threatened them when they found out the truth. Maybe that was the whole secret that Rukia and Renji didn't wanna tell." Ichigo said.
The human group theorized the possible reasons Rukia and Renji would run but little did they know, most of their theories were all wrong. The Shibas had purposely been cautious of what they told the little group. Even though they knew their intentions were good, Shiba Kūkaku did not want to get in trouble with the state for revealing too much information.
She could tell the young group of humans were still very misguided by who or what the assassins were and Kuchiki Rukia. Her good conscience told her to tell the truth but the Shiba clan were in no place to reveal that kind of information. It was best to keep it safe.
Ganju eyed his older sister but after her glaring glance, he lowered his head and waited for the group of humans to settle down.
So as the group ceased their theories, the Shiba began to explain the map—hoping that they would eventually understand.
Mayuri's fingers moved effortlessly on the keyboard as he allowed the device to arise from the ground, revealing the project that could transmit him into a dimension gone unknown for centuries; the Interioreum World.
He could not wait. The Interioreum World was a dimension that existed within the same one that could allow an individual to see everything surrounding them but could not touch them, neither could they be seen. They were practically invisible to anyone surrounding them, who were not inside their Interioreum World.
If something exploded, they would not die if it happened in the dimension they were watching, despite the fact that everything surrounding them looked the same and felt the same. It was a world inside the same world. It was perfect for spying.
Not too far from his location, a cylinder arose from the ground revealing a tall, jade green-illuminated crystal that broke the ceiling of the underground lab, but Mayuri didn't care. He stepped down from his chair to stare at the amusing sight—pleased with his progression ever since he had completed the revival project once again.
The objective behind this was simple. The crystal was the central host or maintenance of the entire dimension. The unique crystal was able to reflect two worlds together in which one could be seen and one could not. If it was to break, the entire Seireitei would be engulfed in the Interioreum World with no chance of escape.
They would live in a world in their own world—seeing the people they loved who could not see them. They would be more like the lost souls in the human world that ran around with a chain in their chest. Except, while they had an option of escape, an individual stuck in the Interioreum World did not if the crystal was to break.
"I never thought in my wildest dreams that something as intriguing as this could exist." Mayuri said to himself as his golden eyes glimmered at the cold crystal.
Around the time the Soul Society was first developed, the technique had been used to secretly find out military techniques from their enemies. They would stay in the Interioreum World and follow their enemies wherever they went, hoarding in on their conversations to find out their next step. Unfortunately, the technique had been abolished shortly after because of how risky it was to depend on a singular rare crystal that could break at any time and any place.
Eventually, Head Captain Yamamoto had it sealed underground the barrack that would soon become the Department of Research and Development. It was the perfect place because it was now within his control.
He reached out his hand to touch it in curiosity, fingers tingling in excitement to touch the fragile glass but was silenced by a swish sound in the empty lab. His feet froze in its place as his eyes scanned the area surrounding him. His hand did not reach for his zanpakutō, even if he sensed another thing in his room.
He was waiting to see exactly what was with him. It was not a soul reaper.
"Who's there?" He questioned. No response.
He gulped as the swish sound got faster—it felt as if someone was using flash-step at the level of the assassins from the Onmitsukidō or even worse, Shihōin Yoruichi; the Goddess of Flash.
"Who's there?" He voiced again as he tried to move with the unknown person's speed, barely spotting their shadows as they transitioned around him with haste.
His eyes went left then right then up then down then to the corner and then back. His neck moved in spirals until his neck could not take it anymore.
A female voice whispered as she flash-stepped around the underground lab, leaving the clueless Captain to turn at every corner to avoid being surprised attack.
"Where are you?" Mayuri voiced.
She whispered again as her steps got faster and faster and faster and faster. From the corner of her eyes she could see the Captain search from corner and corner, trying to spot her—someone he could never find.
"Mayuri-sama!" Nemu called from far, but Mayuri did not pay attention. "Mayuri-sama!"
"Be quiet." Mayuri scolded as he scanned the room.
She gasped. "Mayuri-sama, she's—"
"Nemu." Mayuri snapped as he stared into the sky.
"But, Mayuri-sama—"
"Stop being such a loud mouth." He scolded as he listened to the voice that echoed softly in a hushed whisper throughout the entire lab.
The whisper became softer, it was almost inaudible but the swish of flash step was still audible to him. He imagined the world was fading and he and that unknown woman were the only people within the room. His hand finally clutched the hilt of his zanpakutō as his golden eyes slowed her movements and caught the perfect sight of her purple hair.
"I see you." He teased in amusement before releasing his zanpakutō.
"Mayuri-sama, wait!" Nemu pleaded with forest eyes finally widening as she leaped forward to try to protect him. The moment slowed, Mayuri's head turned around to spot the leaping Nemu who couldn't make it in the slowing tick of time. The shadow of the purple-haired woman revealed itself as an expert kick clashed with Mayuri's zanpakutō in a speed that dashed the sword to the other side of the room in quick movements.
Using flash-step, the figure quickly appeared in front of him, causing his eyes to widen at the sight of who it was.
She whispered again, voice quiet with a hidden grin behind her mask.
"Goodbye..." Her voice whispered before a kick sent the Captain flying and the scatter of crystal glass.
Her heart felt heavy. Weighed down by years of oblivion, forgetfulness, and abandonment.
The jittery feeling she felt at the pit of her stomach grew into something permanent, she could barely walk as the jitters took over her legs and eventually her entire body. They shook until her legs felt like jam—immobilizing her balance.
She felt so empty. She could barely control the swelling of it as her own breathing trembled despite the hot wind that plagued the human world. If anyone was to see her right now they would assume she was sick—her quivering body, crippling legs, jittery breathing, and the dullness of her once so vibrant eyes.
She could barely control herself.
The hotness of the wind was making her feet hazy, her tekkō was already beginning to stick to her skin. She didn't know whether she was hot or she was cold, whether she was alive or just breathing. She couldn't tell the difference as she dragged her feet that were close to dragging her to the ground.
How did she do this to herself? She wondered.
How could she be so stupid? So forgetful?
How could she forget? The mere thought made her eyes sting with hot, warm tears threatening to spill down her sweaty face—her lips were trembling like her breath, but she would not let them out. Not until she saw him again.
Stupid! She cursed to herself.
Fool!
Coward!
What have you done to yourself?
How could you…How could you?!
It was becoming hard to control. She bit her bottom lip as hard as she could, not caring whether it would bleed as she shook to control the tears. They wanted to come out, she could feel her heart burn with the pain to fall.
She stopped breathing for a second so she could control her face—she had to stop this, she couldn't cry! Not just yet…not just yet.
Her hands clutched into a fist as she stopped dead in her track at the approaching house. Her heart clenched with pain—her knees crippled at the shock that she fell to the ground. She couldn't stop trembling, she could not.
Stupid!
Fool!
Coward!
Her own hateful words attacked her as her heavy breathing shook her to the core. She couldn't believe it. It was almost too unbelievable to be real but it was. How truly real it was. She could almost spit at the distaste of her oblivion, stupidity, forgetfulness…
How could she face him?
What could she do now?
The anticipation would kill her if she didn't go and ring that bell. But she couldn't. Not just yet…Not just yet.
How useless she felt, her emotions and tears were about to rip her apart before she could even step in front of the door. But she just couldn't help it. How could she? How dare she? How—she couldn't even fathom the words—do this to someone? She did not know.
Somehow, through it all, she mustered the courage to pull herself up—climbing up the stairs with her legs ready to collapse at the first step.
It was her own fault.
How stupid…How careless…How senseless of her.
Her finger reached out to touch the doorbell. She gasped at how loud it was but quickly covered her mouth.
Her heart was beating so fast, her pulse quickening in nothing but fear, desperation, guilt, pain; a variety of quivering emotions that could possibly kill her if they gained more control. No one came to the door for a long while, she could feel her tears on the edge threatening to come streaming down like a river on her face.
But they couldn't. Not just yet…Not just yet.
With a look of a defeat, she concluded the one possible thing she had not wanted to happen.
He was no longer here.
Gone.
She was too late.
Too stupid.
She turned around, ready to leave in the same tears she had expected herself to go in with. But then suddenly, the door made a sound.
From the wooden floor she could see the dark shadow of a tall man, the golden light of the room on the inside, and the shadow of a vase of flowers as the door opened half way.
"Wait."
She gulped.
The lump in her throat had gotten in the way.
Her feet remained still for awhile but slowly, she could feel them move against her will—against her mind's will, it was following her heart. Her face hid itself in the darkness as he tried to decipher who it was with the light provided from the doorway. Shamelessly, she could feel her chest heave as she slowly turned her face—unveiling herself in the golden light—allowing one spark of her violet eyes to capture his eyes so he could identify who she was.
"Jushirmai."
His shoulders fell.
End Note
byaruki / tumblr