Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ For The Love of a Friend ❯ Faulty Friends ( Chapter 38 )

Tite Kubo owns Bleach and the characters depicted therein. The characters in this story are not mine, except for the original characters. I make no money from the publication of this work.

Faulty Friends

Fourth Division was silent. It seemed people slept and he might too, once he'd checked the health of his lieutenant and the condition of his 'friend'.

Hanatoro met him at the door and smiled wearily. "Lieutenant Matsumoto is sleeping peacefully and will experience no side effects. She will be fully recovered by tomorrow."

He hadn't even needed to ask. A feeling of calm surrounded his heart as he experienced the relief in the news and also that there was no need to explain to Zaraki. "May I see her?"

The small frown on Hanatoro's face showed the request was not welcome, but finally he nodded. "Very, very briefly. Do not talk to her or touch her. She needs uninterrupted rest."

Opening the door, he permitted Toshiro the chance to peer through and see Matsumoto, curled on one side, her back to the door. Her arms seemed to be stretched out, as if embracing someone and she murmured slightly in her sleep. He thought he caught the name, "Zaraki", breathed out on a sad sigh. Did she miss him already?

The shutting of the door indicated that was all the time he was permitted and as he prepared to argue, he decided against it. Shunsui was leaning on the opposite wall, his hat pulled over his face and for a moment, Toshiro wondered if he was sleeping.

"I'm awake. Resting my eyes, but knew you were here the moment you entered the building, Captain Hitsugaya," the man teased. "No one has tried to visit, except for a small unpleasantness with Akon. But that happened while you were here last time."

Where there other potential assassins who wanted to kill Matsumoto? Momo might be hated, but no one was making such strong efforts to kill her.

There was something about Matsumoto, but what could it be? She seemed pretty much an ordinary Shinigami, but the number of attempts to terminate her life was steadily increasing and he had no idea why. Zaraki had hoped that the Seireitei was safe and her life protected. Safety was no longer assured and each attempt increased the likelihood that someone would succeed.

Thinking carefully he walked towards Momo's room, following the noise of sobbing. Was Momo crying?

Kira stood despondently outside the room and Toshiro sensed the presence of Soi's troops out in full force. He was certain he'd detected some outside Matsumoto's room, but they were much better at concealing their presence, which gave him a firm indication of which life Soi felt was more important. More people for Momo, but not the best or most experienced.

He gave a short nod to Kira and braced himself as his hand pushed open the door. Tearful apologies made him nervous and Momo might gush and go on at length about any number of things he didn't want to hear.

Movement attracted his attention as he entered the room as he witnessed Iemura clambering hastily to his feet from the kneeling position he'd adopted to comfort Momo who was kneeling on the floor, every line of her body depicting despair and distress. She was weeping, but it was nothing new to Toshiro. Growing up with the girl he'd seen her weep on a regular basis, crying over accidentally stepping on a caterpillar, the harshness of the breeze, the tea burning her tongue or anything he considered trivial. Too often she overlooked the matters which should concern her and permitted the tiny details to guide her life. Perhaps this was what had drawn her to Aizen, master of tiny details: those minor deceits which added together became a major dishonour.

"'Shiro," she burbled. "I'm so sorry. Will Ran survive? Can you forgive me? I wished I'd never listened to Akon, but he told me I had to know. He said it was about Captain Aizen and important. "

Her voice trailed off as his face stiffened and inadvertently he lowered the room temperature.

Momo shivered and he didn't care. Aizen. Aizen. Always bloody, fucking Aizen. She almost killed her best friend over the bastard Aizen and it made him wonder if she was crying because of what she did to Matsumoto, or what she'd heard about Aizen. If she shivered, she might finally understand he didn't want to hear the man's name or anything about him.

"Lieutenant Matsumoto will recover and there is no permanent damage done, despite your efforts," was his response.

"I didn't mean... Well maybe I did, but not really. I don't want Ran to die before I apologise, but she had sex with Captain Aizen." Momo protested through tears.

"Sex and rape are two entirely different things. One is forced, the other consensual and what Aizen did to Matsumoto was violent, brutal and forced." His voice was as cold as his heart. Why didn't she see it?

Momo hung her head and remained silent. Iemura touched her shoulder and whispered something to her and she nodded. The man left the room after giving Toshiro a cool look.

The bowed woman began speaking very quickly, but very quietly and he had to step closer to hear the words. "It seemed odd for Akon to visit me. He poured me a drink and began talking about injustice. How Captain Aizen had been wronged and that was why he betrayed the Gotei 13. All the blame rests solely on those people who had attacked him and caused him to suffer. Then he mentioned the vile lies that Ran was spreading about being raped by Sosou.... by my Capt..." Momo faltered and swallowed.

Toshiro said nothing. Why respond to the way another person had twisted words and facts into a fantasy that bore little resemblance to the horror experienced by too many at one man's hands.

"I didn't want to believe him, but he was so convincing. Every word he spoke sounded right and made me angry with everyone in the Seireitei: you, Iemura, Kira and most of all, Ran. I don't even remember taking the knives from him, but he assured me the poison would kill and Captain Aizen would be proud of me."

Why was Akon doing this? It seemed like Momo was talking about a different person to the man he knew. Had another person infiltrated the Seireitei and posed as Akon to cause this to happen?

Then he thought about it. The man had given Momo something to drink. It may have been a coincidence, but there were too many coincidences in the world.

Instead of mentioning his suspicions aloud he simply stood there. Nodding would make it seem like he approved of her actions, or the distorted things Akon had told Momo. Visiting the man and questioning him might provide some answers, providing they had the right person in custody. Too many unexplained incidents were happening. Until now he hadn't considered how strange it was the two Divisions had nearly rioted and were now under lockdown. Were events being orchestrated by an external agency?

"Please, Sh..... Captain Hitsugaya. Ask Ran to see me. I want to tell her I'm sorry. "

The fact that she had called him by his title touched him as did the sincerity in her voice. He found he was nodding. "If she agrees. Only if she agrees," he said.

"Thank you Captain."

"But you will be restrained," he added, thinking it wise to avoid another incident. If Momo attacked Matsumoto again, he might be tempted to kill her, before anyone else had a chance.

Tears trickled down her cheeks once more. "I promise to never hurt Ran again. You don't have to believe me, but I mean it."

Biting his lip he thought about it. She would be restrained. Even this promise didn't make him feel secure.

"Matsumoto must agree and you will be restrained." Those were the conditions. "I will stand outside the door and if you even attempt to hurt her, you will wish Aizen had killed you." He was fierce and noticed her shudder at his tone.

"I already do," she said softly.

The answer seemed to require more questioning, but he resisted the temptation.

Suddenly he felt tired. Too many events and restless night were catching up with him. Without meaning to, he yawned. "We will discuss this further, but later," he told the woman and left the room before she had a chance of replying.

After checking with both Shunsui and Kira regarding who was relieving them of duty and being satisfied by the answers, he returned to his quarters and prepared for bed. As he undressed he found the letter in his sleeve and remembered the earlier drafts. They were still in the room. He'd carefully shredded one, but the other was intact.

"Nothing important there and who'd go to the trouble of piecing together the pieces of paper?" he assured himself. "No one uses that room, anyway."

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4th Division looked deserted. There were no people huddled outside whispering and looking furtive. Her subordinates must have already cleared them away, as she had ordered.

The news of the attack on Lieutenant Matsumoto by the moron, Momo had shocked Soi. How could she hurt someone who stood by her during the times when others ignored her? Why would she try to kill possibly one of her best friends? It made no sense.

When she'd first heard the news, her mind had immediately flashed to Toshiro and his reaction. She knew he'd been present and intervened before the Special Forces operative she'd appointed to watch over Momo had a chance. The meeting with her subordinates on guard duty had been short and bitter. Failing to protect the 10th Division lieutenant twice in quick succession, didn't reflect well on her or 2nd Division. Nor did the fact that weapons had been passed to Hinamori while she was supposedly also under observation. The explanations offered didn't satisfy her, but in her current state of mind nothing would satisfy her except the death of the people who'd fallen far short of her expectations. Hinamori headed that list.

Her elite corps was now watching over Matsumoto and Momo. She had grudgingly agreed to increase the guard on the fool, mainly to prevent her from attacking anyone else, instead of protecting her from any irate Shinigami who might wish to shorten her life. Secretly she applauded the attempt on Hinamori's life by the seated officers of 11th Division, yet at the same time, felt they hadn't tried hard enough.

Resentment of the girl grew. Her actions only proved how selfish she was. All the times she'd been protective and supportive of her captain hadn't been motivated by any noble ideals, but because she was besotted by the bastard and would do anything for him, and obviously had. Her long time friendship with Toshiro had been reduced to something that made him less than a sounding board as she spouted about the traitor's perfection.

The presence of Momo grated on her nerves. She didn't wish to be near her, see her or even think about her, but because of events was prevented from experiencing the luxury of being able to ignore her. Every day brought new reminders of the reason for her estrangement from Toshiro. Now the fool had caused lockdown on three Divisions because of her stupid actions and, if anything, made the already flammable situation in the Seireitei even more combustible.

Toshiro's lieutenant had a knack for choosing the wrong people to befriend and love. It still seemed strange that the woman had fallen for Gin and remained faithful to him as long as she had. One thing it indicated was a firm loyalty, even when the evidence indicated that it had not been earned, nor was it acknowledged by the snake of a man. She'd remained loyal to Momo, being one of the few people who'd tried to help the girl on many occasions. Soi would never have tried, or given up pretty quickly after she realised that there was little hope in trying to make her see sense.

If she was honest, her inclination would be to kill Momo, rather than befriend her.

It was a pity no one else felt the same.

These proofs of steadfastness when it didn't benefit her, meant Ran was completely loyal to her Captain, even while she wheedled him into permitting her freedoms and laziness no other Captain would tolerate. If it was normal for her to give her loyalty in the manner, then she would give her life for her husband and captain, if it was necessary. Soi hoped that the new loyalty was stronger than that which was decades old.

Sighing loudly she shook her head and once more scanned the tops of the roof, the walls, the trees, any place a body could be concealed. Her senses couldn't perceive anything, but since she'd become pregnant she'd wondered if her senses had become less keen as the hormones stole away her abilities. Why she thought that, she didn't know. Half remembered stories and conversations had revolved around the problems of pregnancy and the things it did to women. Any change to either her body or mind she attributed to the changes forced on her by the life growing within her.

Guarding a pregnant woman, possibly two pregnant women, while she was pregnant.... Three pregnancies, plus Retsu and Kiyone were pregnant. Why did she even suspect Ran was pregnant? A small snort erupted from her nose as she recalled the reason Kenpachi had provided for the hurried marriage. He'd claimed she was pregnant and it was his responsibility to marry her. Had it even been true? Was it still true?

Why was there a rash of pregnancies? It made no sense. Most of the male captains had seemed more interested in fighting, drinking and avoiding getting into serious relationships as long as she had been a Shinigami, but within the last month there'd been one marriage and an engagement. Toshiro had spoken of marrying Momo, Retsu denied any hope of marriage. Marriage, babies, war, abductions, hatred, violence and misunderstandings that could break apart families and friends all happening now. Could it be a coincidence? At least three pregnancies, that she knew of. Were the women of her Division who'd visited her pregnant? Were all the female Captain and lieutenants pregnant? Was that why Captain Kuchiki had agreed to permit his sister to marry his lieutenant, because she was pregnant to him?

This was unnatural. The other matter which forced her to wonder was that each of them seemed to fall pregnant within days of each other. There was no possibility of it being explained away by coincidence. She'd set up the relationship with Toshiro before any strange events had taken place and now she questioned why she had done so. It seemed out of character for her to demand sexual gratification from another captain who was basically a stranger. While she may have thought about obtaining a lover, until now she had sublimated her desire and taken no action. Why him, why then? It was true the opportunity presented itself, yet normally she would never have taken matters as far as she did.

The other question, and one she might never ask, especially considering the current relationship with Toshiro, was why he'd accepted? Asking for her assistance didn't seem a normal action from him. Why hadn't he simply delegated experienced Shinigami from Momo's Division and his own to protect her? While her forces were elite and well versed in guarding, though in light of recent events she questioned that, why ask for this favour?

Each strand of the situation was knotted and twisted through the others so closely it was hard to tell where one began and the other ended. It was evident that some of the strands were concealed or missing.

A surge of anger was quickly repressed. Being manipulated for unknown reasons angered Soi. There was a purpose, one which she began to grasp, but to direct so many people to act contrary to their natures required great skill, planning and dedication. Even while she prided herself on making her own decisions, regardless of others advice, she had been led to act in ways she knew were unfamiliar and foreign.

She didn't regret the pregnancy, not now she'd accepted it. She didn't regret her recently formed friendships or her more active role within her Division. Estranging Toshiro was her regret, though it was impossible for her to bear the burden of the fault on her own. There was no point in allocating blame as it changed nothing. Everything had gone wrong, was still wrong and there was no sign that it wouldn't be wrong tomorrow.

Yet, if there was another force playing with fate and setting these events in motion, it was essential to identify and set up a method of blocking the interference with the line of normal events. Of course, after this, returning to her previous existence wasn't possible and there was no point in mourning what was irretrievably lost. She's spent too much time doing so when she lost Yoruichi to allow the waste of time to recur.

Again she scanned the building, feeling a genuine reluctance to enter. Too many memories surfaced each time. Not only the sex, but the bargain and having to spend time watching over Toshiro's stupid friend. They were only some of the recollections which rose in the vicinity of the place.

No matter how much she wished to avoid it, it was important the interior was checked. Finding it necessary to reinforce her determination, she entered the building, sensing the fluctuating reiatsu of those within. Ran was stable, not in the same peril as when she's been retrieved from the 'gentle care' of her former lover. She would recover quickly which would please most people. Indications were there making it seem the Seireitei wasn't safe for the woman. Was it a haven for any of the inhabitants?

Before she entered the building she felt Toshiro's reiatsu present and her face paled. With all the disturbing thoughts and images which recently rushed through her head concerning the man, she didn't wish to be in close proximity to him. She was strong, yes, but not strong enough. Each time she'd seen him recently, her heart had pounded, but as she refused to act, it hurt as well. Anything to avoid that.

Turning swiftly on her heel she walked, no ran in the opposite direction. "Get away, get away," her thoughts told her. "Being near him is a bad idea and you might end up..."

Shutting her eyes while running was not one of the better ideas she'd had. Recognising the folly of her decision she opened her eyes and found she was standing outside another place she'd avoided.

The place. Where she had first met up with Yoruichi and then Toshiro. Too many memories dwelt in those walls to make it comfortable, but resisting the impulse to enter and revisit a few of the good moments was impossible.

Her hand was opening the door before she realised she'd lifted her arm. Standing in the doorway she tried to turn away and leave, to deny the sweet temptation of the past that permitted her to remember the times when she felt either loved, appreciated or at the very least, satisfied. Partially turning away, her feet betrayed her, walking through the door while her hand closed it firmly behind her. The silence in the room echoed with the words of want, need and hope from the conversations of the past. Hope was the killing emotion. Always the one that would never be met, with events and people regularly falling short of their promises. No one kept promises. They were only words used to gain the attention, affection or another need of the person making the promise. How could anyone keep a promise made in a moment of passion or irresponsibility? Once spoke, the promise was fulfilled simply by the utterance of the words. The promise was complete of itself.

This was how it seemed to Soi. The words substituted for the action and neither were worth anything. Even if the promise was kept, it was always at too high a cost. Better to live in a world without promises. There would be less disappointment and fewer unfulfilled expectations.

If Yoruichi had kept her promise, she would be here. No need for Toshiro, no forthcoming child, no bitter remorse and resentment flavouring her life. And her lieutenant. The man, his proposal and despicable acts may never have been brought to her attention.

Yoruichi had proved unfaithful, betraying her for the first man who looked at her.

She was being unjust. Other men had looked at her lover. Often they'd laughed at the foolish creatures whispering requests, demands and words of love, hoping to gain her attention, but they never had.

What did Urahara possess? Aside from the obvious, of course. He had a penis, but so did other men, or so she was led to believe. He smiled. So did other men. What made him so special?

What made Toshiro so special to her?

No; that was wrong. She was thinking about Yoruichi, not her own 'lust' life. Not love. First she acknowledged she loved him and the next hour denied it as harshly as was possible. Love, not love. If she had a daisy she could pluck off the petals while chanting, "I love him, I love him not." There was more sense in pulling petals off the stem then constantly making decisions and then denying the decision had been made.

Walking across to the table, she sat. The bed, while made and inviting, was not a place she wished to sit. There was a limit to this foolish indulgence and there had already been too much lenience in these idle fancies.

Was it possible to blame the pregnancy for this needless sentimentality? Must she lose everyone she loved?

She'd had that thought before and it was as sickening now as it had been then. She hadn't lost everyone. She didn't love everyone.

"I hate love. Love is stupid. It makes rational people act in a foolish manner: sighing, crying, longing, desiring and worst of all, hoping."

It sounded believable and she'd said it before, but it didn't convince her any more. Love was stupid, perhaps, and she was stupid because she stupidly loved a stupid man. Stretching out her feet, one came into contact with a light object that rolled away, propelled by the slight touch of her foot. Ready to accept any distraction from her thoughts, she looked and noticed it was a piece of paper, wadded into a ball. Looking at the table, the ink stone, paper, water dripper, brushes were there, on the other side of the table. Who'd spend time in this room writing a letter?

Did she dare read it? Even as she considered the matter her fingers had picked up the paper and were smoothing it flat on the table. If the person hadn't destroyed the words they'd written, it meant they weren't important. Anyone might use the room for a period of seclusion. It was pretty Spartan, with only a bed, table, chairs and sink. It was very basic accommodation and many of the Shinigami preferred their little luxuries with tatami mat floors and pleasant views. This room had no views. The window opened onto a blind alley without any flowering shrubs or water features to add interest. The paint was shabby, the ceiling cracked. It was fine for assignations, but not to live. Unless the person didn't care about their surroundings or status.

Then her eye caught something familiar. The paper had the words: "Captain Soi Fong. Captain of the 2nd Division and Commander of the Stealth Forces."

And that was all.

Someone had chosen this place to write her a letter and the calligraphy was familiar. Toshiro had sat at this table, recently, she could tell by the state of the ink stone, preparing to write a letter to her.

Staring at the words, she wondered what reason he had to write to her, especially with a formal introduction. Their recent conversations hadn't been pleasant or even conversations. Most of the time one of them had been willing to talk while the other gave only short and terse responses. Why did he think she'd read any letter he sent her?

A small pile of shredded paper drew her attention and rising from her seat, she went closer, picking it up and noticing there was writing. Whoever had written the words didn't want anyone to read them, but if that were so, why were the scraps of paper still there?

Torn, like the paper she held, the choice was clear. Destroy these scraps of paper, leave them where they were, or piece them together.

Jumping to conclusions often meant an important step was omitted. It was too late. She'd observed the paper was the same as that on the table and the first letter she'd found. The ink was the same consistency and the writing appeared similar.

Refusing to think any further, she sat at the table, moving everything out of her way as she began to arrange the scraps of paper . It wasn't easy. The paper had been ripped into small pieces and the writing was sparse. Carefully she only retained those pieces which contained what looked like writing, placing the blank pieces to one side. There was no need to reconstruct the whole thing, only the words were important.

The first word she managed to put together was 'me'. It didn't take long to pick out the letters of her name and the single word 'I'.

Her fingers felt numb and her mouth stiff as she pieced the other scraps together and disbelievingly read, "Soi, I love me. Marry you."

That wasn't right. A few moves brought the message, "Soi, I love you. Marry me."

Without realising she was doing so, her hand pressed against her mouth. It wasn't signed, but she didn't doubt Toshiro had written the words.

He loved her. He wanted to marry her. But he was going to marry Momo. Was he suggesting a polygamous relationship? She wouldn't share him with the feeble fool who wept for a traitor and tried to kill her friends. Sharing a residence with the woman was the stuff of nightmares and only a desperate person would accept those conditions.

Who would be the chief wife? Was she meant to be a concubine? Soi Fong, the Captain of the second Division a second wife or concubine? It couldn't be tolerated.

He loved her.

Why would she marry him? Immediately dismissing all her frenzied fears about her family and other Captains discovering her condition, she instead thought about all that would be lost to her if she chose to marry. Her independence, much of her free will as she'd need to consider another person's needs and wants, privacy, solitude, the list went on. Why did she bother? Sharing a life, fully committing to another person and that person being committed to another person?

She sat up, shocked that her mind had even led her down this path. How could she think like this? Had love destroyed all her pride and morals? It was unthinkable. then her mind drifted irresistibly to the biggest question.

Did he really love her?

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A.N.

I've enjoyed most of the music recommendations I've been given, but don't bother suggesting Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Rhianna, Miley Cyrus, The Jonas Brothers, Justin Beiber etc. There are depths to which I will not sink.

Soundtrack

'Tsugaru' RevenGe vs DE-SIRE

"Forbidden' Moi Dis Moix

'Dissolved Girl' Massive Attack

'Princepio de lucha' Bleach Original Soundtrack 3

Review. Reviews sometimes amuse.

Thanks to Bastion and frenchdiamond1 for the reviews. Soi and Toshiro getting together. Interesting idea. I'll think about it.