Chapter 22: In the Beginning…
One Hundred and Ten years ago:
Soul society…
Meiyotou Takahashi, proud fourth seat of the tenth division walked through the streets of Seireitei much like he owned the place. Having only graduated from the academy a few years previous to his enlistment within the divisions he had quickly swept his way through the ranks to fourth seat. Though everyone know your rank didn't not gauge your power within most of the Court Guard Squads. Especially the Tenth Division.
He greeted lower ranked members as he passed, respectfully of course but still with a hint of smugness. Maybe his promotion had gotten to him, or maybe he was trying to act like someone else.
He frowned at the though, deciding instead, to change his demeanor to something more lose, relaxing his body and just flowing through his movements. He noticed the odd whispers he got had stopped as he passed people, which had turned into bows of respect in return.
Smiling, Takahashi continued on, as if he had found the secret to life it's self.
'I wonder what captain wanted to see me about,' He thought as he neared the entrance to the tenth division headquarters, kneeling before the wooden door and shouting his presence. "Fourth seat Meiyotou Takahashi reporting as ordered!"
It took a moment but the door opened and there stood Rangiku Matsumoto, the lieutenant of the tenth division, her ample cleavage showing as it always did. And standing just to the right of her was third seat Toshiro Hitsugaya, short and thin, yet very capable with that Zanpakuto of his. Meiyotou had been uncomfortable at first taking orders from a kid but he'd gotten used to it over time. He did complete the Academy in only one year.
Matsumoto smiled, "Oh Meiyotou you're just in time! Captain made tea!" Her cheery voice made Meiyotou smile but Hitsugaya had a very prominent tick mark on his head, Matsumoto obviously annoying the third seat.
"Come in Takahashi, we have some thing's to discuss." The white haired third seat said before turning around and heading back into the office. "And close the door on your way in."
As it happened, Takahashi nearly jumped out of his Hakama as graffiti came flying down and someone started screaming. "surprise!" His first instinct was to reach for his Zanpakuto but the sight of his Captain wearing a ridiculous party hat calmed his nerves just enough to go from battle mode to investigation mode. "What's this?" He asked, moving his eyes around to take in a better view.
Isshin Kurosaki, Captain of the tenth division started to visibly cry, "We put all this together and you can't even remember your own birthday Meiyotou! How depressing. Come give your old friend a hug!"
Meiyotou blinked, "Um…" He looked left and right to make sure there were only Matsumoto and Toshiro in the room, not wanting to have the Captain accused of favoritism, "Isshin… my birthday is next month."
"Oh my," Isshin said, his tears drying up, "I can't believe, me, one of your oldest and dearest friends, misplaced your birth date." He began smacking his head against his Captains desk for full effect, tears streaming all the while.
Matsumoto rushed over to her Captain, wrapping her arms around him from behind as he now sat in his office chair with a very prominent bloody nose. "Oh Captain!" She cooed, "You can't be going off and hurting your self. That's just not healthy."
Toshiro at the moment was leaning against one of the sidewalls, eyes closed. It seemed the tick mark on his forehead had never really left.
Isshin nuzzled his head further into Matsumoto's bosoms, continuing to cry, "Oh Matsumoto, you're such a dear, what would I do without you?"
Meiyotou looked to Toshiro and shrugged, feeling almost the same way as the short third seat did. "Thanks for the effort though guys," He then stepped over to Toshiro and began patting his head, "Especially you Little Shiro!"
That clearly made the third seat mad, enough for him to reach for his Zanpakuto conveniently strapped to his back, "Why you slimy little… I'll show you who's short!" He drew the weapon, the atmosphere changing to complete darkness, a great chill running through the air.
Meiyotou stepped back to joining Matsumoto and Isshin in cowering behind the Captain's desk.
As Toshiro was about launch a volley of Ice towards the trio, a familiar voice spoke, breaking the third seats concentration.
"My, my, what a grand display of power Toshiro!" Came the voice of Kisuke Urahara, another one of Isshin's and Meiyotou's long time friends. He was accompanied by Yoruichi Shihoin, yet another friend of the two. Shinji Hirako had also tagged along, making it clear that it was more then just a cordial visit from long time friends. So even though Shinji was a laid back guy, he wasn't a long time friend of the four. Regardless, the atmosphere had changed back to normal and Toshiro re-sheathed Hyourinmaru, visibly calmer then he was just a minute ago.
"What do you want? Captain Urahara." Said the third seat, eyes closed, arms crossed over his chest. The three that were hiding behind the large mahogany desk stood up, slowly at that, to greet the new comers.
"We have an urgent matter to discuss and I'm sorry but I'll have to ask you and the Lieutenant here to leave." Urahara ordered as he brought his fan to his face. Yes even then he had one to hide his sneaky little smile.
Toshiro grunted, looking sharply towards Meiyotou, "I don't get it, you're only a fourth seat yet you get to stay. This happened last week too." Without another word he turned on his heal and left, Matsumoto following him out shortly after.
Isshin had tuned rather serious, as if he wasn't capable of the shenanigans beforehand, stepping out from behind his desk to move close to the trio of Captains. "What happened this time?"
Meiyotou stayed at Isshin's side for now, keeping quiet and waiting for the reason as to why the three had come to visit.
"We know it's been a week since Captain Muguruma and Leutenant Kuna have gone missing after investigating the mass hollow attacks in Rukongai and we were able to find them in their... new forms without alerting the higher ups. Now Love and Rose have gone missing too..." Shinji informed, his eyes moving to look out a window in thought.
Urahara sighed, nodding in agreement with his fellow Captain, "Seems who ever stole the Hogyoku is deciding to experiment with Captains and has the power to do such a thing and evidently get away with it." He paused a moment to consider his words, "I've sent Hiyori and asked the Eighth Division's Captain's help in our cause. He lent us his Lieutenant and vouched for her skills personally."
Takahashi finally interrupted his silence, "Can Captain Kyoraku be trusted?"
Urahara nods his head, "Yes... him and Ukitake are two of the oldest Captains in the Court Guard Squads. I've talked about the situation at hand with him and his adjacent , they believe in order to keep the rest of Soul Society out of danger we need to keep this quiet."
Meiyotou nodded, looking over to Isshin as he starts speaking. "How is the barrier Tessai and Hachigen are holding up so that when we get the Hogyoku back we can hopefully get those effected back to normal?"
This time Yoruichi spoke, her cat like eyes moving between Meiyotou and Isshin, "It's tiring but the time displacement field is holding up. They've been taking shifts and it's safe to say they're more worried about getting caught using illegal Kido then anything."
Isshin chuckled, scratching his stubble which grew across his chin. "Well, all we can do is wait till we hear from Lisa and Hiyori.
Meiyotou nodded solemnly, "Let's hope they make it back in once piece."
Byakuya Kuchiki was not what you'd expect him to be when he was younger. Practically a mirror mental image of Ichigo, the boy was exceedingly brash and acted on the whim of his emotions. He sought approval of his elders and was stubborn to the teeth about gaining as much power as he could in order to surpass his grandfather and protect his family.
Coming from a high noble house, it was not unexpected that Byakuya became lieutenant of his Grandfathers Sixth Division, even if he didn't have the credentials for it, and on the day of his graduation from the Shinigami Academy. Even that part was not fully completed, but the young man made up for it in years of training with Yoruichi and Meiyotou Takahashi, two of the fastest Shinigami this side of Soul Society. He had indeed become good friends with the bunch, Urahara Kisuke and Isshin Kurosaki both. They taught him many things and he would always be grateful, well at least to everyone except Yoruichi. He never much appreciated her teasing.
It was because of them he met Hisana, his bride to be, and the most beautiful women he'd ever laid eyes on.
Hisana had grown up in Rukongai with Meiyotou. They had been best friends and well, he had admittedly, at least to Byakuya, loved her for as long as he could remember. Byakuya had tried his best when they met not to fall in love with her, but Hisana pressed him into a corner and thus he could not refuse.
Things with Meiyotou had deteriorated after that. His once good friend had taken to avoiding him at all cost and had become rather reclusive, at least from Byakuya's stand point. The others were confused as to what happened between the two and Meiyotou had no wish to inform them of his deep burning love for Byakuya's fiance. At least he still came and saw Hisana, especially with her condition getting worse day by day.
So it was on this night, warm with a breeze, that the Lieutenant of Division Six set out to find his friend and reconcile. Hopefully
It took about an hour to find Meiyotou wondering about Seireitei like he always did at night, it was one of his favorite things to do, especially if there was a breeze.
"Meiyotou!" Byakuya called with a smile and a wave but Takahashi just kept walking. The Lieutenant frowned, stopping for a brief moment to assess the situation. It didn't take him long to figure out a strategy. He shunpoed so he could stand directly in front of the fourth seat, a big smile on his face. "Hey Meiyotou," He said once again, this time softer.
Meiyotou stopped and sighed, adverting his eyes to the wall on the side of the street, "Yes Lieutenant?"
"You don't have to refer to me by that title now Meiyotou, I'm off duty." Byakuya replied, an eyebrow raised.
Meiyotou finally met Byakuya's eyes. They were cold, filled with something the Sixth Division's Lieutenant wanted nothing more then to run away from, yet he stood firm and renewed his resolve.
"What do you want then?" The fourth seat asked.
"I..." Byakuya hesitated a moment, but finally got it out, "Just wanted you to know that I'm sorry... I just love her so much. And she's made up her mind. I didn't mean to hurt you."
There was a long pause before Meiyotou spoke his eyes never moving from Byakuya's, although once he began his reply, his words spoke the depths of his emotions at that moment. "I'll tell you this right now Lieutenant. You took the only thing I loved away from me. When the time is right, I'm going to make you feel all the pain I do. And then once your bloody corpse is converting it's self back into Reshi particles, I'm going to go and take back Hisana so she can be at her rightful place by my side like she always had been before she met you. And no one will brain wash her with money and social status ever again."
Byakuya stood there stunned for a moment, " You surly don't..."
He was cut off by Meiyotou, who stepped up so closed to his face it was just a bit uncomfortable. "I mean every word of it you spoiled little brat. I'm going to get so strong that there is nothing you can do about it but weep and weep and weep before you die. You took the only thing I loved away from me. The only thing I had" The fourth seat held it back well, but Byakuya could tell his once good friend was on the verge of tears. He really did mean what he said.
Byakuya swallowed, his expression becoming hard. The Sixth Division Lieutenant had slowly become angered by Meiyotou's words. "I'm sorry to hear that Meiyotou, I wanted us to stay friends but you're on a completely different wave length." He paused a moment so he could gauge Meiyotou's expression, "I will do what I must to defend myself, so I will get stronger too, so even you, the great God of Flash, will not be able to keep up with me."
Meiyotou chuckled darkly, "Good luck with that. You couldn't get past basic Kido if you tried. You didn't even finish the Academy"
"At least I can get a girl, you scruffy fool!" Byakuya retorted, his eyes widening at the realization of what he just said, "Meiyotou... I'm so..."
"Save it," The fourth seat interrupted as he started walking in the opposite direction, "You know the only thing I regret in this life." Meiyotou the stopped so he could look over his shoulder, "Was ever introducing Hisana to you." And with that he shunpoed off into the darkness, leaving a heart wrenched, Byakuya behind.
Just another brick in the wall...
Meiyotou, Isshin, Urahara, Yoruichi, and Shinji all stood silent as they looked over Lisa and Hiyori paused in time. There faces were unreadable except for the newly formed hollow masked that covered the features of their faces. One could only guess that they were paralyzed in fear under the abominations that now dominated their body's, forcing who they once were to the back on their subconscious... at least in theory.
Hachigen and Tessai now both worked to hold up the barrier, the task becoming more difficult with the new arrivals. Thanks to Urahara's secret training ground underneath Sokyoku hill, they were able to keep their presence unknown, which was easy for the head's of the Kido Corps. They never did attend meetings anyways.
"Who the hell is capable of this?" Meiyotou asked finally, his eyes filled with shock, "They were two of the strongest Lieutenants, almost Captain level."
"I don't know..." Isshin replied, his voice flat and dis-trot, "I just don't know."
"Oh poor Lisa," Came an unexpected voice, the one of Shunsui Kyoraku who had in inadvertently snuck up on the group gathered. "I should have gone myself. Now look at her."
Shinji looked over to his fellow Captain after dismissing the initial surprise of not sensing the Eighth Division's leader before he entered. "No, Kyoraku, then we might be down another strong ally. Such a thing would not be good."
Shunsui smiled, nodding, "You're too kind Captain."
The group had not noticed before but Hachigen was sweating pretty bad and it was to the point now that his face was becoming beat red. "Are you alright Lieutenant?" Asked Meiyotou, the question sparking Tessai's interest.
"F... fine..." But he was not able to finish his sentence as white erupted from his mouth, his large body dropping to the the floor in painful spasms.
"Stop, don't go to him Tessai," Yelled Urahara, alarmed, as Tessai started to panic in worry for his subordinate. The group gathered becoming wide eyed with unexpected surprise, "Keep the barrier up and extend it to include Hachigen, he's going through hollowfication."
Meiyotou continued to stare wide eyed as the barrier grew to include the large man, his transformation pausing once he was securely consumed by the time stopping Kido. "But how could that happen? We're the only one's in here."
"Not anymore," Said Shunsui, his back now facing away from the group. His body then suddenly broke into a million piece and reformed into a sword, one with a green hilt.
"Afternoon Captains, it's a nice day today isn't it?" Sosuke Aizen said, his face kind looking and warm, making it look as if he wasn't capable of hurting a fly or chopping anyone's head off. He walked up to his sword and retrieved it, Gin Ichimaru and Kaname Tousen just behind him on either side.
Shinji narrowed his eyes, "I had a feeling Aizen. You'd not been actin' your self theses past few weeks."
"Indeed Captain, for that was not me." Aizen replied, "I had someone trained to project my manor-isms and held you under the spell of my Zanpakuto so I could conduct my experiments without interruption. You see, my Zanpakuto's true power is complete hypnosis, brilliant isn't it?"
Urahara seemed not to be surprised, his hand now reaching for Benihime. "I want my invention back now, Aizen." Meiyotou too took out his own blade, ready to do battle if necessary. The others, however, did not move.
"I want to know, if Urahara ever really did talk to Captain Kyoraku." Isshin asked, his voice cold.
"No, " Said Tousen, "It was Aizen all along..."
"Oh don't worry your selves about his well being, he's fine, just never is around the Division Barracks too much. He was an easy person to imitate." Aizen reassured, a light little smile on his lips, "And as for your Hogyoku, sure here." He took the Orb out from his Kimono and tossed it towards the blond scientist. "I have no use for it anymore."
Urahara caught it easily, and just then the three disappeared in a flash. And then as quickly as they left the larger group was surrounded by a hundred different Shinigami.
The group grunted, figuring out what had happened. Aizen had done the experiments and then gave the Hogyoku back to Urahara so he could be framed for his crimes. How smooth.
"What do you want." Urahara said, his eyes looking for the Shinigami in charge.
"You and Captain Tessai are wanted for treason. One count of using Illegal Kido and one count of experimentation on high level Shinigami without their consent. Especially making them into hollows. You're wanted in the Central 46 Chambers immediately for punishment."
Urahara nodded, sticking his finger out and blasting the surrounding Shinigami with a bright white light...
And then everything went dark.
Isshin woke up in the Fourth Squad medical building next to Meiyotou. His fourth seat was sitting up in his own bed reading a piece of paper that had been folded neatly into thirds. It was not addressed to anyone, just had a picture of Urahara giving a peace sign.
"Oh my head," Isshin sighed, sitting up as well so he could face Meiyotou, "Where's the others?"
"Urahara and everyone escaped to the real world to try and solve the problem and destroy the Hogyoku. He says Shinji started hollowfication not too long after he knocked us out, Aizen must have gotten to him before he reviled himself. It seems Shinji has a higher sense of resolve then the rest of the people effected. He was able to subconsciously fight off the progression until it came to present it's self physically.. Even then, if he controlled his emotions he was able to slow the process and stay coherent. Urahara doesn't know how long that will last though."
"Why leave us and not take us with him?" Asked Isshin.
"He wants us to observe Aizen and try to stop him before he dose anymore harm," Meiyotou answered, his eyes still moving over the piece of paper. "he says trust no one but the two of us. It's too dangerous with Aizen's level of power."
Isshin nodded and sighed, "Well... we're not in trouble are we?"
Meiyotou shook his head, "I talked to our guard outside and he said that Central 46 thinks we were there to try and stop Urahara."
Isshin nodded with a sigh of relief, "Well I guess all we can do now is watch Aizen closely."
Meiyotou nodded in agreement, "What we can of him. It'll be hard with that power of his."
"Urahara really needs to tell us things ahead of time before he goes and dose something like this, My head feels like it's on fire." Isshin moaned.
"Tell me about it." Meiyotou chuckled.
One Hundred and Ten years Later
Secret Training Grounds under the Urahara Shop, after the incident on the roof with Shinji.
"So we spent fifty years observing Aizen, and the only thing we could come up with was the power shift in the governing body. He was slowly gaining control of the Central 46 and we knew he'd come after me and your father, so we left to join the rest of our friends and operate under our own accord like I had said when I first arrived here. By then the Vizards had found a way to suppress their inner hollows and use it as a catalyst for an increase in fighting ability. Very clever actually." Meiyotou said to Karin, who's mouth was hung wide open, her eyes staring stupidly towards the narrator of the story.
"I thought you said you were a Lieutenant not a fourth seat." Karin asked.
"I became a Lieutenant after the fact, as soon as Komamura took charge of the Seventh Division. Of course Gin took charge of the Third division and Aizen the Fifth. Captain Commander seems all knowing but he actually can be quite narrow minded."
"No shit," Karin replied.
"Hey, young ladies your age should not be speaking like that." Meiyotou scolded, only to receive a kick to the face from Karin in reply.
"I'll talk how ever I want, old man..." She retorted, "How did Toshiro become Captain?"
"Your father left him in charge right after he departed from Soul Society," Meiyotou replied as he held his nose to keep it from bleeding, "you're so violent Karin."
Karin replied with yet another kick to the face.
Poor, poor, uncle Meiyotou. He wished Rukia would hurry her little ass over here and stop gossiping with Rangiku.
It was a few hours later that Meiyotou found himself on his way to Orihime Inoue's apartment. He walked there slowly, enjoying the fresh air that the winter season brought to Japan. It certainly didn't get like this in South America where he had been for almost seventeen years.
Rukia had done all she could with Karin, the girl was a fast learner and needed an expert on Kido to teach her more, so she sent her to Leutenant Ise for more extensive training. Now he could focus more on helping Rukia obtain Bankai and work on his friendship with Orihime.
He enjoyed spending time with her. She had a kindness that could only be compared to Hisana and he supposed that's what attracted him to her.
Though, what he did not expect was to see Byakuya Kuchiki all bandaged up, standing in the middle of the road, holding a broken sword. His steel blue eyes stared at his once powerful Zanpakuto which was now slowly growing back in the wake of his day's training with Ichigo.
Meiyotou stopped in his tracks, only a short distance away from Byakuya, "Kuchiki..." He said softly, "Are you alright."
The nobleman sheathed Senbonzakura, turning ninety degrees to face Takahashi, "What do you want Meiyotou? Finally come to make good on your promise? I couldn't fight you in this shape anyways."
Meiyotou shook his head, steeping closer to his one time friend, "No... I was on my way to Orihime Inoue's house for she invited me to dinner. You happened to be here and I noticed your sword was broken."
Byakuya nodded, his voice flat and calm as usual, "Ichigo did this with one swipe of his blade when I was in my most powerful form of Bankai. It's clear that I need more work once Senbonzakura heals."
Meiyotou nodded, "Well don't rush it. He's very powerful you know."
Byakuya nodded, "Indeed... he seems to be picking up what Kido I can teach him well too." the stoic man paused a moment, as if considering something, "So... a human girl huh? I never could understand what some Shinigami found in them."
"She reminds me of Hisana," Meiyotou answered bluntly, earning a now rare surprising reaction form the once stubborn Ichigo like Byakuya. "look Byakuya, I've had time to think about it... and She was happy with you. I should have congratulated you both and been happy for your happiness. Instead I acted like a child would. I want to ask for your forgiveness." He then proceeded to bow deeply.
"Stop bowing Meiyotou," He said softly, "There is no need for you to be forgiven. Hisana made me forgive you on her death bed. She loved you as much as she loved me but in a different way. It's alright Meiyotou. She's gone now and all we have of her is our memories."
Meiyotou nodded, standing up strait once more, "Yes... we should remember her. The both of us, the best we can."
And for the first time since Hisana passed away, Byakuya smiled.
Tare Down The Wall! Tare Down The Wall!...
A/N: Well finally another chapter down. This is taking longer then I thought. Oh well, more awesomeness to come I guess. Next Chapter we'll probably be fluffy, not sure yet, I don't even have a ruff draft yet. But I promise there will be another one. Until next time R&R