Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Daydreams Come True ❯ Jushiro Ukitake ( Chapter 31 )

Tite Kubo owns Bleach. I just borrowed the characters.

 

 

Jushiro Ukitake

 

The days his chest ached, he continued to smile. It might hurt to breathe, but if he showed the pain his subordinates panicked and pandered to his every whim. Suppressing his urge to cough was not always possible but even the slightest clearing of his throat alerted them to a possible attack and they would crowd him. Pounding his back, applying poultices, both hot and cold, wet and dry, forcing him to inhale steam, scented and unscented. Or they would make him drink this potion or that concoction. Instead of taking his place and handling division affairs they vied for his attention; their focus almost absolute, too much so. He didn't like to admit that he found it both overwhelming and alarming. Nor that it made him notice the pain even more. From habit he had always tried thinking of something else until the worst of the pain had passed. If he could push it from his mind it seemed to pass more quickly, or at least seem that way. Years of practice made it possible on most occasions but being reminded of it by his third seats made it more difficult.

 

He missed Kaien.

 

That thought wasn't good or useful. In his place, both Kiyone and Sentaru should be undertaking the important work of his Division without worrying so needlessly about him. He would recover but the work, the requirements never went away. If he took the day off to recover, the paperwork and tasks remained, awaiting his decision. Even when he hinted and hoped that one or both would take command, he was always met with disillusion. He didn't want to think about it. Now was the time to be at peace.

 

“Why did we agree to be Captain's Shunsui?” It was very early in the morning and he was sharing breakfast with his best friend. The air was fresh as they sat on the veranda sipping the soothing brew in their cups. “It's so long ago I've almost forgotten.

 

His friend was reclining, with his hat perched over his forehead and his eyes closed. At the intrusion of the question, he opened one eye, looked at his friend and sighed while placing both hands behind his head as he stared at the ceiling. “Hero worship.”

 

The answer was totally unexpected and Jushiro carefully placed his cup on the tray before venturing to speak another word. “I did not expect that reason from you.”

 

“It's the truth. Remember, we were in the first class, freshly graduated from the Academy and Shigekuni Yamamoto Genyusai, the head man, offers us the positions. We were flattered. We were young. We were conned.” Shunsui seemed unconcerned by the answer, sipped his tea and then closed his eyes once more.

 

An eccentric explanation but one that seemed irritatingly correct. “I thought you did it for the women.”

 

A strange smile curved his friend's mouth. “The women? More like the lack of women. My two assistant captains have been women, both of them talented and good looking and can I do anything about it? No. Why? Because Old Man Ji has taken me aside and explained it would be bad for morale. Retsu? No luck there, says she knows me too well. If I try to chase pretty girls, Nanao scolds me. It doesn't stop me, but it's a nuisance listening to another list of my faults. I didn't know I was signing up to be a priest as well as a Shinigami.”

 

“Except for the teahouses and the women who run after you,” Jushiro couldn't help teasing. “And the other females who cluster around you at all times.”

 

“I'm a man, not a monk. I'd marry if I could find anyone remotely intelligent and attractive….” and then he stopped.

 

The name that echoed through his mind escaped his lips. “Rangiku Matsumoto…”

 

“Is still in love with Ichimaru. Why do you think I became her friend? Hope; stupid hope. But you should know all about that,” he added slyly, remembering the meaning of the 13th Division. “Hinamori is in love with Aizen and the other women are wrong in some way. I'll remain single, like you.”

 

Not wishing to talk about women and love again Jushiro went back to the original question. “I don't think it was only hero worship.”

 

His friend smiled and coughed slightly. “Wanting to be a hero. A Captain of one the 13 Elite Divisions of the Imperial Guards. `An honour and a privilege', were the words you used to me. You were always the dreamer.”

 

“You were always the cynic.”

 

“Realist.”

 

“You're like Kaname Tosen. Afraid to fight,” Jushiro teased gently.

 

They'd discussed their reasons for their attitude to fighting many times, but Shunsui never truly expressed why he was wary of unsheathing his blade. When he seemed close to offering a logical explanation he would slowly blink and then offer a joke, a drink or sing a song about butterflies, pretty women or the joys of love.

 

“I'm not afraid to fight, just reluctant. Like I said, I'm a realist. Fighting proves nothing and it means someone ends up either hurt or dead. If I die, how can I appreciate the pretty women?” A sly chuckle emerged, “Or run away from them.”

 

The last sentence reminded Jushiro of the number of women who had been annoyed when Shunsui would abandon his pursuit of them and they would in turn pursue him, trying to regain his passing affection. He'd watched and smiled, knowing that his friend acted in this manner on purpose. If chasing the woman failed, stopping the chase abruptly while appearing to lose interest could make the woman chase him to find out why.

 

“Women again! I thought I'd find you here again, shirking work,” the voice of the 8th Division assistant awoke them from their shared reverie.

 

“But sweet Nanao, I told you I'd be visiting my old friend for breakfast. We were talking over important Captain's matters,” his friend blustered, unconvincingly.

 

“Women?” was the disbelieving reply.

 

“We were having a break from discussing the recent distressing events,” Shunsui said smoothly. “We've tried to fathom the reason for the unfortunate imprisonment of Rukia Kuchiki. As you can imagine, her captain is very disturbed and is asking my advice on what he should do.”

 

It was true, they had discussed the problem. Any appeals made so far had fallen on deaf ears, whether it was the Council of 46 or the Captain-General. Discussions with Captain Kuchiki had been unproductive and disappointing as he had insisted that he would not intercede as it was not proper. Shunsui had suggested a few things, some of them sensible, but as the situation was unprecedented, there seemed little that either of them could do without acting directly against the interests of the Seireitei.

 

“And the arrival of the Ryoka,” added Jushiro as that had been briefly alluded to. Both had wondered about the coincidence of this invasion and the strange sudden ineptitude of Captain Ichimaru. Until now he had never failed to strike and kill his opponents. There had been a little, but very furtive discussion, about how much the man enjoyed killing and had previously never missed his mark. They had discussed the invasion of the Ryoka and the number of casualties that had resulted. Jushiro was curious about the matter and would have liked the opportunity to meet with these strangers, but his health interfered.

 

Shunsui had remarked, “Ichimaru's as clever with his blade as he was with his tongue.”

 

Jushiro has only nodded in reply. They both knew the source of many of the damaging rumours which were threaded through many of the conversation in the Seireitei. Neither of them were prepared to confront the man, but instead often worked to counteract those rumours with the truth, disguised in more sensational terms. It didn't always work. Many found it more fun to believe the worst of people.

 

It had made Jushiro wonder about the incident at the gate. The reports were second or third hand and many of the facts were distorted or contradictory. Did this mean the Ryoka were abnormally strong or Captain Ichimaru had his own reasons for allowing them to remain within Soul Society? There had been little time to look at the facts.

 

“The Ryoka? They'll get tired of fighting the might of the Seireitei and go away, back to where they came from,” Nanao sounded very certain.

 

“Then why did they bother coming here, sweet Nanao?” Shunsui seemed interested in her answer.

 

“I don't understand how Ryoka think. There are some rumours that they are looking for treasure,” she replied as she straightened her glasses.

 

Shunsui giggled. “Treasure? Who would believe that? Why would humans seek gold amongst the Shinigami?”

 

“I heard another rumour,” Nanao began and then pressed her lips tightly together. “It was gossip and I don't believe in spreading gossip.”

 

Jushiro almost burst out laughing. Shunsui had told him about Nanao's comments which had sparked the drinking contest the result being one captain and three assistant captains with acute hangovers the next day.

 

“Of course you don't gossip. We all know that, but we haven't heard the rumour, Nanao. Tell us. I promise we understand it is only gossip.” Shunsui was using his usual smooth technique to extract the information.

 

As often happened when she was going to say something she was unwilling to tell, the woman's mouth pursed and then twisted to one side as she looked from one captain to another. In particular her eyes dwelt on Jushiro and he had an uneasy feeling in his stomach.

 

“Come on. You know you want to tell us,” his friend said pleadingly.

 

“The Ryoka are here to rescue Rukia Kuchiki,” she burst out. “One of them is her human lover.”

 

The uneasy feeling became close to gastric reflux as the meaning of the words struck home. He tried hard, but couldn't prevent a small cough from escaping. He'd covered his mouth and tried desperately to make no sound but in seconds he was surrounded, if you can be surrounded by two people, urging him to rest, offering medicine.

 

“I'll see you later, Jushiro,” his friend said making his escape as quickly as he could. Too often he was the subject of accusing glances and he'd grown tired of attempting to prove his innocence, or at least protest that he wasn't guilty. The two third seats of 13th Division were quick to accuse and try to block access to their captain if they decided he was unwell. Obviously Shunsui didn't wish to upset them but it also removed Nanao who might have other information about the invasion which might prove useful.

 

This time his resolve to be patient broke. “Stop it. I'll drink the medicine, but only if you answer my questions.” His voice was firm and his two third seats stopped squabbling, distracted by his authority.

 

Kiyone replied first. “I'll answer any question you want to ask, Captain.”

 

“No, ask me. I'll give the more correct answer,” Sentaru protested. “I'll use fewer words too.”

 

“You used more words then,” Kiyone challenged him.

 

“Because I knew you were going to carry on if I didn't interrupt,” he co-seat answered. “Here's the medicine, Captain,” the man said as he handed a full cup of liquid over.

 

“That's the wrong medicine. Drink this one instead. It's better for you,” Kiyone protested brandishing another cup.

 

“I'll drink both. If you'll answer my question.” His voice came out louder than he anticipated, momentarily quelling their noise.

 

In unison, they nodded, their eyes wide with anticipation and astonishment. It was nice to see them nod, rather than speak.

 

“What gossip have you heard about the Ryoka? One at a time,” he added quickly as they both opened their mouths. “Sentaru, you first.”

 

Kiyone made a disgusted noise as a self satisfied grin broke across the man's face. He'd have to remember and let Kiyone go first the next time he needed something. Having never had children of his own, but having observed families, he wondered again why these two acted like competitive siblings. Apart they acted quite sensibly, but put them together and they were locked in instant conflict. At least they didn't let it degenerate into a physical struggle, very often.

 

“There are 5 of them and a strange cat has been seen wandering around,” he said. The mention of the cat made Jushiro pay even closer attention. That could not be a coincidence. “11th Division have filled 4th Division with their injured. One of the Ryoka nearly killed Ikkaku Madarame and you know how strong he is. They're bad news, Captain Ukitake. They're vile killers who want to hurt all of us and destroy the Shinigami. Maybe they're Hollows, pretending to be human.”

 

“One's a giant and another is a goddess, or so I've heard,” Kiyone cut in. “Another one is supposed to be crying and calling for Rukia all the time. He's the one that Captain Ichimaru thought he'd killed.”

 

“The girl can blast people with kido,” Santaro said.

 

“No, she uses it to hypnotise people. She made the gate guards fall in love with her,” Kiyone cuffed her co-seat.

 

“Renji Abarai asked Rukia to marry him,” Santaro was pushing Kiyone away as he spoke.

 

Before the tussle could break into the fight that seemed ready to commence, he yawned. He had been unwell and felt weakness engulf him. “The Captain's meeting,” he gasped.

 

“You're not well enough Captain. You should sleep. Here, take your medicine.”

 

Without protesting he gulped the contents of the cup and accepted their assistance to get him into bed. As he fell asleep he worried about the events that would take place while he was unable to intervene.

 

The following morning he awoke to the dreadful news. In spite of every proof to the contrary, he felt responsible. If he had been awake he might have been able to prevent the string of events from unfolding as they had. He had to act. Before he could summon them his two third seats were there, with their own theories. After a brief interrogation about his health they started chattering.

 

“The Ryoka did it,” Santaro averred.

 

“How could the Ryoka kill Captain Aizen? None of them could be strong enough. Why would they?” Kiyone's eyes were wet with tears. “And that means one of us killed him. Who would want to kill the Captain? Everyone loved him. Look at how kind he was to Renji and Momo and Kira. If I hadn't been lucky enough to serve Captain Ukitake, I wanted to be in Captain Aizen's Division.”

 

“What disloyalty,” Santaro was triumphant in his comment. “I never thought of serving anyone else. It was Captain Ukitake or no one.”

 

Kiyone screwed up her face and hissed back at him, “Liar. The Captain-General.”

 

The accusation made the man flush. “Any Shinigami would be honoured to serve in First Division under the Commander-General.”

 

His voice cut across the squabbling. “We have a serious problem. The death of a Captain cannot go unpunished.”

 

Both of them immediately looked ashamed. He knew it wouldn't last, it never did.

 

More reports flooded in. Captain Zaraki was fighting one of the Ryoka, two of them were reported fighting Captain Kurotsuchi, two more were on their way to the Senzaikyu and one was on his way to 8th Division.

 

He was torn. There were too many choices but he knew there was only one logical choice, one that he must make. All of them were making their way to the place Rukia was imprisoned and as his subordinate he must ensure her safety.

 

Preferring that he was not accompanied by anyone he gave swift instructions to both Kiyone and Santaro. “Keep vigilant, but do not follow me. It will be dangerous and it is my responsibility.”

 

“But, Sir,” Santaro began.

 

“Will you obey my orders,” he rapped out as strongly as he could.

 

“Well, yes,” both answered but he had the feeling they were crossing their fingers as they spoke. His hope was they would let him act without interference.

 

In minutes he was there, and all he feared was happening. Even as he intervened he knew that his actions would not go unnoticed or unpunished. Captain Kuchiki did not like anyone to stand in his way, but his actions were wrong. The few times he had tried to contact the man about the imprisonment of Rukia, his requests had been ignored.

 

A quick glance and greeting to Rukia proved she was alive and unharmed. Weaker due to the prison's influence, but he had to uphold the law. The law was the law. As a Captain he represented the law.

 

Again he found that he was questioning the law. Why did she have to die? She had broken certain rules, that was true, but to punish her in the manner planned was excessive. The only people to be harmed had been Rukia and the person she'd passed her powers to, and from what he saw, the boy had suffered more injury since arriving in the Seireitei and trying to free her than he had at her hands. And as Rukia was his subordinate, should it not have been his role to retrieve her from the human world and arrange her punishment?

 

Everything changed when he saw the boy. There could be no doubt of the relationship between Rukia and her potential rescuer; the love in the glances they exchanged, the complete rudeness in how she treated him and the way he returned her insults. That was interesting but what made him gasp was the face. He knew that face and seeing it again made his heart thud unsteadily. Suddenly he realised why Rukia had been in no hurry to return, why she had passed on her spiritual powers, and most importantly why she had fallen in love. The young man was the image of his former assistant captain. His attitude was remarkably similar as well.

 

Tightness constricted his chest as Rukia's brother and Kaien's double faced each other. No doubt could exist as to who would win that conflict, yet he didn't want to see them fight and witness Kaien die once more. Too many deaths for stupid reasons that sounded fine and noble, but still ended in death. There had to be another way. As quickly as his mind tried to consider options, he as quickly disposed of them. None of them suited this special situation. Preserving the boy's life without inflicting what would be perceived as a gross insult by Byakuya was a difficult call and one that would require very careful handling. He would be seeking his support for preventing Rukia's death, even though it seemed unlikely that this would be forthcoming.

 

As he prepared to act, another interruption confirmed his earlier surmise. The black cat, the strange black cat that arrived with the Ryoka was Yoruichi and she was collecting the boy as if he were a student reluctant to attend a detention. Her arrival changed everything. Byakuya, as usual, tried to prove his superiority over the woman, and failed again. She out manoeuvred him and bested him in front of witnesses and didn't seem to be trying. Seeing that made Jushiro sigh. The man would be unbearable, seeing the fiasco as yet another blow against his all too sensitive honour. He'd do something stupid or arrogant to confirm his supremacy over everyone soon and then someone would have to try to repair the damage. It had been some time since he'd seen Byakuya so shaken, and he predicted, that as usual when he felt shamed, he would wear his arrogance as a shield and leave at the earliest opportunity, trying to preserve his dignity. It did not surprise him when his prediction was proven correct.

 

At least it gave him the means to take charge of the situation. Sorting things out as best he could, he addressed the mos pressing issues first. As much as he didn't wish to, he instructed his two third seats to restore Rukia to her cell. Flouting the orders of the Council would make them both outlaws and there were other avenues he wished to explore in order to obtain her freedom. He addressed the next priority of obtaining medical attention for the wounded man. In standing against Byakuya the man had acted nobly and he found it hard to fathom the reason. Later he would find the time to question him and discover who he was and what motivated him.

 

Then he considered the Shinigami who had acted so protectively of Rukia. Captain Unohana's subordinates normally did not act in any way against the commands of their superior and he wondered about the rather weak looking specimen. Another courageous person who was following his conscience instead of his orders. In accordance with protocol Hanatoro was returned to his Captain for her judgement. Jushiro felt confident that she would act in her usual calm and rational manner in determining whether punishment should be administered. The boy would be in safe, steady hands and would emerge from this trial a more dedicated Shinigami. He would not be as confident if it had been a different Captain, for example Ichimaru, who might use the occasion to torment his subordinate.

 

All these conflicting loyalties were making him nervous. He'd heard of the fight between Assistant Captains Hinamori and Izuru, normally such close friends, after Aizen's body was discovered. Assistant Captain Abarai was in custody after losing to a Ryoka. Something odd was happening within the Seireitei as more and more people appeared to be rebelling, even in minor ways, against the prohibitions and laws that had been laid down so long ago. Did this indicate that something, aside from Aizen's death, was promoting a different way of thought? As he cast his mind back to the conversation he'd had with his best friend, he recognised that there had been a shift in the way he'd talked.

 

After all the years of rigid adherence to the laws he found he was eagerly anticipating events, except the execution of Rukia. Without any real threats they had become soft and did not seek new and better ways of doing things. He was as much to blame as the others, but the loss of Kaien had weakened him and after experiencing the loss, he had been unwilling to become as close to another member of his Division. They had all felt the effects of that withdrawal and now he regretted it deeply. Once this current issue was finalised, things would change. It was time he took a more active role and made 13th Division into a force that promoted, if not excellence, at least competence.

 

Returning to his office a new resolve descended on him. No one was monitoring all the developments that were occurring. Very carefully he instructed his most trusted subordinates to collate the information about any new events and let him know of them as soon as possible. While they did that he undertook some research into the judgment of the Council and to determine what action he could take to prevent the execution. He sent a number of appeals to Byakuya, but received no response.

 

The news he received disturbed him. The apparent harmony in the Seireitei had only been a shallow surface, rife with flaws and faults. Long harboured resentments were being roused by catalysts he couldn't identify. At first it would appear that the cause was easy to identify, but further investigation showed that the simple explanation was not the one that applied to the situation. Friends were turning against friends, old jealousies were reawakened.

 

Rules were being ignored, Captains were acting independently, and fights were breaking out between Divisions. It humbled him to recognise that many of the things he though of as facts were illusions, carefully constructed with his unconscious connivance. In general, people scepticism had been worn down by a hundred years of relative peace. Vigilance had been relaxed and now he was witnessing the cumulative expense of living a lie. Reports kept being presented.

 

“Renji Abarai and Captain Kuchiki fought and Renji lost,” Kiyone told him.

 

“Kira Izuru has gone missing from his cell.”

 

“Momo Hinamori has escaped from her cell.”

 

“Captain Ichimaru is fighting Captain Hitsugaya.”

 

“Captain Zaraki was beaten by a Ryoka.”

 

Each report chilled him further. Despite his normal passive role he was being forced to take action, and from this point on there could be no turning back. He would make one final appeal to Byakuya and if that failed then his hand would be forced.

 

Thinking back to the conversation he'd had with Shunsui he recalled the words that he had originally contested. “We were conned,” he said under his breath. “Willingly because we didn't want to face the truth.”

 

 

Author's Note:

 

Another chapter, another step closer to the end of this story. Through the time I've spent writing this story it has become very clear that not each character will have their own chapter. (Phew). As it's my story I can play favourites and frankly some of the characters do not inspire me. (I'm still amazed I managed to write a chapter on Ganju!)

 

I won't bother apologising for the delay. Oh, okay. Sorry……..

 

Please review.

 

MS