Chapter 55: Protective Instinct

As the warehouse came into view, Kirara felt her stomach start to churn. The repercussions of what she had done were starting to make their way into her mind, and Kirara was not looking forward to facing Hiyori when she went inside.

She'd defended Orihime and Chad from Hiyori, stopping her from trying to kill the pair. It had been a natural, instinctive reaction to grab her wrist and stop her from drawing her blade. Kirara hadn't even fully realised she was doing it until she'd already warned Hiyori to stop what she was doing.

Kirara had already vowed that she didn't have new loyalties. That the Vizards would always be the most important to her. And then she had gone and stood against Hiyori to protect humans.

"Shit," Kirara muttered under her breath, refusing to run away. She stepped into the warehouse, where less than a heartbeat passed before Hiyori was on her, throwing a punch that whistled through the air, showing how much power she'd put behind it.

"Asshole!" she yelled, recovering from her miss to twist and kick out. Kirara dodged again, jumping away from her. She refused to fight back, which only pissed Hiyori off more. "Fight back! Come on, you were ready earlier!" Hiyori chased her, but Kirara just continued to move around her with ease. Hiyori was the stronger fighter when it came to pure power, but she was never able to come close to Kirara's speed.

"Hiyori, stop this!" Rose called from nearby when Kirara didn't speak.

"Stay out of it!" Hiyori snapped at the man, who sighed. When Kirara glanced at him and gave the smallest shake of her head, Rose obliged and stayed on the sidelines to watch as Kirara bounced around. There was a rumbling crash as Hiyori smashed her way through a block of concrete, causing rubble to fly through the air as dust rose up around her.

It was only when Hiyori paused, starting to breathe heavily, that Kirara finally spoke. She landed a fair distance away, ready to move again if Hiyori decided to keep going.

"Killing them would have done the exact opposite of what we want, you know," anger flashed in Hiyori's eyes, but she stayed where she was as she glared at Kirara. Kirara met her gaze, keeping her face impossibly blank. "They are Ichigo's friends, and if you killed them, he would get himself killed trying to avenge them, and then we would really be on the Soul Society's shit list," Kirara spat out the words.

"So you protected them because of that?" Hiyori demanded, glaring at her.

It was obvious that she didn't believe a word. Her anger was rising, and Kirara couldn't stop her own anger rising in turn. She was tired. Tired of everything that was happening. Tired of worrying about everyone and everything.

For the last century, the Vizards had only had each other, and they had a balance that Kirara refused to risk disrupting. Especially now that Sosuke Aizen was on the move. Now more than ever, they had to stick together.

"Yes, okay. They're my friends too, Hiyori. After everything that went down this summer, they're my friends," Kirara admitted to her. When cold satisfaction flickered across Hiyori's face in response, Kirara's temper flared. "But so what? You think that means I'm going to choose them over you? You're my family!" Kirara raised her voice as her anger grew.

Hiyori was started by Kirara's shout. While it was common for Kirara to be loud and shout - particularly at Shinji - she rarely raised her voice in anger at Hiyori. Her fury faded at both the implications of Kirara's anger, and her words. "I will not let anyone kill for no reason, and that includes you!" with that, Kirara turned on her heel and stalked off.

"Kirara!" Rose followed her as she stormed up the stairs.

"I don't know why I'm like this," Kirara said, standing in the hall as he caught up with her. "I can't stop myself, it's like someone else takes over when someone I care about is being threatened or…" she clenched her fists tightly, and her nails dug into her skin.

"It's an admirable trait to have, to care so deeply about others that you would do anything to protect them," Rose told her as he dared to get closer. "Hiyori will be fine," he soothed, and Kirara snorted.

"Will she? I went up against her, for the sake of some humans," she said bitterly, and Rose put a hand on her head.

"You went up against her for the sake of your friends. They were the ones by your side when we couldn't be," he pointed out carefully, and Kirara didn't reply. Her shoulders were still tense. "She will be fine. Especially after your bold statement," Rose smiled at her warmly. "Now come on. We have time for some tea before training," he said firmly.

"I was going to nap…" Kirara muttered, which made his smile grow. Despite her words, she turned and followed him with a small smile playing on her lips.

They felt the earthquake even through the barrier around the warehouse, and it caught them off guard enough that Kirara slipped and fell into Rose at the bottom of the stairs. "What the hell was that?" she asked as he carefully righted her.

"I have no idea," Rose murmured, keeping a grip on Kirara's arm as she looked over towards the exit. "I wouldn't recommend it, Kirara," he warned, and watched her brow furrow. "I feel your presence will only hinder those who go to investigate," Rose pointed out. Kirara didn't reply, but she knew he was right. She'd left Ichigo, Orihime and Chad with more questions than answers about not only who she was, but where her loyalty was placed.

"They'll be fine," she managed to tell herself, and forced a smile onto her face. "Besides, if I skipped Mask training, I think Kensei might have a meltdown," Kirara told him. Rose almost smiled at her words.

"They will be fine," he repeated what she'd said, sounding more confident than she did. "They survived everything the Soul Society threw at them and it only made them stronger. Such strong people will endure anything," Rose's rambling attempt to stop Kirara worrying made a genuine smile reach her face.

"You're right," she agreed.

"Good," Rose let go of her arm and patted her head. Again, Kirara wondered just what had everyone doing that to her. "Let's have some tea. I have a new blend that I believe you will enjoy," he decided.

"Right," Kirara agreed, following him as he led the way to the kitchen. Her gaze strayed to the door once more, but she stayed where she was, telling herself it was best not to get involved anyway.

She just hoped she was right.

Rose's ability to find the best teas had remained even when they had gone to the World of the Living, and the two sat on the worn sofa chatting as they drank, reminiscent of when Kirara would visit his office so frequently.

Kirara couldn't help but laugh as Rose complained about Love once again stealing his manga to read before him. It was a common occurrence, and Love would always end up spoiling it for him, which frustrated him even more.

"What about you, my dear?" Rose asked as he finished his tea. "Are you going to continue attending that bizarre school?" he asked the question that had been on Kirara's mind for a while now.

"I'm not sure," Kirara admitted softly as she held her own drink. There was a peppermint taste to it this time, and she was enjoying it. "I was never there to recruit Ichigo, just keep an eye on him. I think…I need to do that for a little while longer," she said, looking at the drink in her hands.

"Just be careful," Rose warned her. Kirara managed a faint smile, and finished her tea as well.

"I'm always careful," she replied, and the droll stare she received in response made that smile widen into her usual grin.

"Be more careful, then," Rose chided. "I'm somewhat fond of you, and my music always flows better when you're around," he told her. Kirara kept the grin on her face as her chest tightened at his honest words.

"Watch out Rose. If you're not careful, Shinji will get jealous," she warned playfully, and saw a flicker of surprise, followed by amusement cross his face. "What?" Kirara asked as Rose quickly busied himself with collecting their cups and the now empty pot of tea.

"Nothing at all, my dear," Rose, it seemed, was as bad a liar as she was. Kirara watched him with an arched eyebrow. "We had best get ready for training. You know how Kensei gets when we're late," he said. Kirara grimaced, knowing that he was right.

"Fine, fine," she agreed, dropping it for now. "Thanks for the tea as always, Rose. We should go to that tea house this weekend," Kirara suggested as the thought came to her. He nodded, the warm smile returning.

"A great idea, my dear," he nodded. "And Kirara?" Rose spoke as Kirara rose from the sofa and smoothed down her skirt. She looked up, curious. "I told you that you suited one another," he said, turning and walking off as Kirara's face turned red.

"What did he mean by that?" she jumped at Shinji's question, whirling around. Quickly she returned to that devious, sweet smile.

"I'll tell you if you tell me what you two are keeping secret from me," Kirara offered. Shinji rolled his eyes.

"There's nothing we're keeping secret," he denied, never wanting her to know the truth. She'd laugh herself to death if she did.

"Fine. Then Rose didn't mean anything by it," Kirara's answer was expected. Her smile then softened. "Shinji, about earlier-" Shinji shushed her before she could broach the subject. Instantly she let out a little huff that made him grin. He adored the sound, and teased her just so he could hear it.

"Forget about it. I know why you did it, and I think you did the right thing," his words took the fight out of Kirara before she could complain about him never letting her apologise. "But…" Shinji then lightly hit her over the head with something, and when Kirara reached up, her fingers brushed worn leather. Instantly her heart began to race. "I think you need to read this," he said when she took the book from him.

"Yeah," Kirara gave a sigh of resignation, knowing that he was right. She had avoided it for long enough. She then reached out and caught his hand. "Will you read it with me?" she asked. Surprise flashed across Shinji's face as he was unable to hide it in time. Kirara had been working to share more about her with him as time progressed, but this was a lot more open than she usually was. A grin spread across his face.

"Sure thing, Princess," he agreed.

"You don't have to always call me that, you know," Kirara complained as she fought the blush on her face.

"I know," Shinji teased her, leaning in to kiss her for just a moment. "Come on. We have Mask training," he pointed out as he drew back, but Kirara followed and kissed him again. Shinji groaned, unable to pull away a second time as she pressed against him. "Fiend," he hissed against her mouth, and felt her grin. With a great deal of willpower, he managed to draw back and keep her from resuming. "We can't ditch. Kensei will break down the door if we try," he reminded her.

"So responsible," Kirara grumbled.

"That's what we get for being idiots for so long, remember?" Shinji pointed out, and she laughed at his words, which echoed Kensei's when he'd dragged the pair away from one another before to get training done.

"True, true. Fine, let's get this over with them," Kirara shrugged, following him towards the stairs as she held the book in her hand tightly. Apprehension made her stomach churn, but Kirara refused to be ruled by it. She would learn about her ancestor, and hopefully something about herself when she did.

The book, Kirara found, was a lot more detailed than its small size portrayed.

Kirara's heart sank as she opened the book slowly, taking care not to damage what was clearly fragile from age. The paper was browning, but the text was legible, and the first lines she read only confirmed her fears.

"Hey, you were supposed to wait for me," she glanced up as Shinji walked in and closed the door behind him. His hair was damp from showering after training, and there was a faint bruise forming by his jaw where Hiyori had caught him during their sparring. While she had still been mad, at one point towards the end of their training she had met Kirara's eye and nodded - as close to words of forgiveness and understanding that Hiyori could bring herself to do.

"You could knock. It's still technically my room," Kirara fired back. Shinji grinned at her words. They were long past that sort of pleasantry, and both of them knew it.

"Why would I knock? If you're indecent, then it's a benefit," he told her, making Kirara's face heat up.

"Pervert," she muttered, avoiding his gaze as Shinji laughed and took a seat on the bed. He pulled her into his chest as he leaned back against the propped up pillows, and despite her words, Kirara let him. "What do you think happened out there today?" she asked quietly, and he hummed.

"No clue," his shrug made Kirara twist in his grasp to give him an exasperated look. "You'll find out eventually, Princess. You always do. Now stop worrying and let's see this mysterious book," Shinji nudged her to turn around and start reading the book. Reluctantly, she opened it, getting comfortable as she fought the impulse to turn again and distract him.

As Kirara started to read what was inked on the pages, her heart started to sink again. The first few lines detailed how ruthless a woman Captain Furofushi Saito had been, loving the thrill of fighting to the death.

' Sounds like someone who Natsuki would have gotten along with,' she thought to herself, suddenly a little self-conscious about asking Shinji to read it with her. He was surprisingly quiet, letting her read at her own pace as his chin rested lightly on her shoulder.

Kirara had never put much thought into her family, past her brothers. She barely even remembered her parents, having raised Seinosuke and Hanataro more or less by herself. The sudden thought of having a heritage was overwhelming by itself, but this was far more than that.

One of the original Captains of the Gotei 13. Kirara could count on one hand how many people truly knew them. Almost a thousand years had passed since they had been around; they were legends. It was a huge legacy to stumble into.

The knowledge of not only how ruthless and cutthroat she was on the battlefield, but how she thrived in the shadows, however, scared Kirara far more than the idea of a legacy. ' The killer instinct that Aizen talked about. Why couldn't I have inherited something like your eye colour or some shit?' she complained to herself, finding it the only way she wouldn't freak out and throw the book across the room.

It was part of the reason why she had risen through the ranks of the Onmitsukido. Unlike most, she never hesitated to kill, even though she hated it. Even back then, it had been crushing and slowly chipped away at her soul, but she never hesitated when she had her orders.

That thought made the old anger surface for just a moment. She'd sacrificed parts of herself to keep the Soul Society safe. To keep the Seireitei safe, and this was her reward. For a moment, she had to close her eyes and take a deep breath. She focused on Shinji's arms around her, taking solace in that comfort as best she could.

She wondered just how it tied into how protective she became, if it even did. Aizen had hinted as such when he'd told her that her heritage was wasted, thanks to her killer instinct showing only in her determination to keep those she loved safe. ' That asshole loves to hear himself talk. It might just have been another trick, to throw me off,' she warned herself.

"Well…this certainly explains why Aizen was so fixated," Kirara finally spoke, interrupting the quiet as she opened her eyes. Shinji hummed, pressing the side of his head to hers as he seemed to sense her inner turmoil. "Kind of terrifying, being related to one of the original Captains," she admitted quietly. "Someone who was so at home in the shadows. It's…" Kirara trailed off as her stomach churned.

"Doesn't change anything, idiot," Shinji said, and Kirara rolled her eyes.

"You call people idiots too often, dumbass," she retorted, and he responded with a loud yawn right in her ear. Kirara couldn't help but laugh, relaxing further in his grasp. She hadn't realised that she'd been reading for a while now, engrossed in learning about her ancestor. "Tired, Hirako?" Kirara asked. Deciding that she'd learned enough about Captain Saito, she closed the book and reached over to set it on the table. It took more effort than it should have, as he refused to let her go.

"I've had a long day of school, I'm exhausted," he said seriously, and she laughed again.

"Poor thing. You should get some rest," Kirara said, her voice dripping with condescension. A shiver ran through her when he suddenly nipped her neck.

"Don't be so mean, Princess," he complained, his breath washing against her skin to send another shudder through her body. Kirara grit her teeth, and twisted in his grasp.

"Stop," she shoved him down. "Calling me," Kirara continued as she pinned the smirking man and straddled his chest. "Princess," she hissed, her eyes blazing. However, the anger drained out of her in an instant as the memory from only a short while ago awakened, reminding her of her instinctive reaction during a nightmare.

Before fear could replace the fizzling anger, her world suddenly spun and she landed on her back with a gasp. She stared up at Shinji with wide eyes, startled by the sudden movement. His hands were on her shoulders, pressing her down against the mattress.

"Or what, Princess?" he smirked, his challenge issued as he noticed her mind drifting to that night too. She hadn't had such a violent reaction since then, but he knew she still felt guilty for attacking him in her sleep.

His challenge had the desired effect, as anger over the nickname caused Kirara's eyes to darken again.

"Your hold is sloppy," her insult was the only warning before she'd broken free and grabbed him to flip them once more. This time, they rolled off the bed, and Shinji landed on his back with a grunt as Kirara landed on his stomach. "Idiot," Kirara snarled quietly, and then her hand was in his hair to yank him up roughly into a burning kiss.

"That's my line," he growled against her mouth, deepening the kiss as thoughts of her nightmare and of the book on the table vanished from Kirara's mind.

For now, at least.

That's one way for Kirara to distract herself anyway.

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