Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ The Cursed Taichou ❯ Final Part ( Chapter 3 )

Shunsui put a restraining hand on her shoulder as she stepped forward menacingly. She mostly ignored him, but didn't step any further. “Did you know the whole time? He was sleeping in the next room, right there and we had no idea! How would we have known if we'd had to protect ourselves, or worse, the innocent souls of that world?” She demanded, cheeks flushed as her fists clenched and unclenched at her sides. “We were chasing an invisible enemy while the real one was at our backs”
“Captain Onishi!” Yamamoto slammed his cane down on the floor, demanding her attention and obedience. “Control yourself.” He demanded in return. Katsumi found that she literally had to bite her tongue to keep from retorting.
“Oh, I am.” She assured him under her breath, though he most likely would hear that as well. “Is anyone in danger?” She asked as evenly as she could. “Even if I'm only on a need to know basis...I need to know this.”
“I can't tell you that.” He said after a moment of silence.
Katsumi nodded, pursing her lips. “Okay...fine.” She turned abruptly and left. She had an errand to run and she was sure that when she was done, he would tell her.

“You're cuddling my fiancé.” Ukitake said with a raised brow, leaning against the door to the apartments he shared with Katsumi. Shunsui was leaning against the wall, lazy as always, chin rested against his chest until Ukitake spoke. He looked up, then glanced down at Katsumi's head nestled against his broad shoulder, one arm loosely draped over his chest.

“You tread on very thin ice, my friend.” With Ukitake, it was hard to tell if he was joking or not.
Shunsui shook his head, stray locks of black hair swaying. Couldn't that man ever keep it all back properly? Katsumi should give him lessons. “When Unohana kicked her out, she was distraught and, naturally, came to me. She didn't want to be alone.” He paused then, for once carefully considering what he wanted to say. “She didn't want to be alone if someone came to tell her you were gone.”
Ukitake knelt down in front of them, brushing back Katsumi's hair with infinite care. “Silly woman.” He smiled and nodded. “Thank you for watching after her. But the next time she wants to cuddle-”
“Tell her Nanao would go into a blind rage and cut all her hair off?” Shunsui cut off with his suggestion.
“Whatever works.” Ukitake agreed with a small laugh. “Though, I can't see “Dear, sweet Nanao” going into a blind rage over you.”
“Hey! It could happen.” Shunsui retorted indignantly.

“Kusajika requires my protection.” He stated firmly when Yamamoto didn't answer him immediately.
“She is a vice in the-”
“She's a child. No matter how much power she has, and she's hinted at a considerable amount, she won't know what to do with it without instruction. Children still get scared, even the powerful ones.” Katsumi pointed out. Why couldn't this man see reason? “You also placed Urahara in danger. That wasn't fair. We are yours to command, but he is not any longer under your rule.”
“The lady has a point.” Shunsui spoke up, making himself known. No one seemed to have noticed he was even there until then. “I think it's time you spilled.”
Yamamoto knew he was outnumbered. These three weren't going to stop until they knew what he knew. With a sigh, he nodded, motioning to the chairs scattered about the room. “Please summon Captain Ukitake.” Yamamoto asked of a young Shinigami standing at the door. He nodded and briskly ran off to do as he was bid.
“Wait..he's sick. Let him rest.” Katsumi protested, not yet sitting.
“No, he isn't. I'm sorry Katsumi, I had to lie to you. He's been in the library studying. You'll find out why.” Shunsui apologized. Once again dressed in his Captain's uniform, he plopped himself down into a chair, patting the one beside him. Reluctantly, she slid into it. Ukitake appeared in the room, taking a step forward with a nod to Yamamoto. The pad of his thumbs and index fingers had been turned brown by dust and ink.
“Please, Captain Ukitake, explain Kisho to us.” Yamamoto invited, remaining standing.
With surprise, his eyes found Katsumi. He gave her a brief smile, meant only for her. It was all she needed to feel her anger boil down. Turning back, he returned to business. “That won't be so easy. As far as Mayuri and I have been able to tell, he is working for Aizen. As to what he is, neither of us can be sure. He has elements of both Shinigami and Hollow.”
Before he could explain further, Kenpachi raised himself to his full height, gripping his Zanpaku-to tightly. “Arrancar.” He growled, his expression hard, one you might imagine on someone who wanted to bite the heads off of tiny critters. Scary indeed.
“Actually no. Not Vizard either. Both of these groups have distinct characteristics that make each what they are. Arrancar must be created. A result of this is their physical characteristics, some marking that makes it obvious they are what they are. Some small amount of Hollow mask and visible hole somewhere on their person. Vizards on the other hand, are trained, not created. They work very hard to gain their unique powers and to master them. Also, they are governed very tightly by their peers. If not deemed worthy, an aspiring Vizard is destroyed. It would be very hard to find a rogue Vizard. Also, they have no connection to Aizen, making it unlikely that Kisho is a Vizard.
“Thanks to Ichigo's information, I believe it is safe to fully rule out a Vizard's part in this. That still leaves us with no answer as to what Kisho actually is. Mayuri's theory is swaying toward a pairing between a Hollow and Shinigami, or even worse, a living human. With Aizen's help, he believes, it would be possible for such an abomination to mature very quickly. There, as Kisho has, such a creature could infiltrate Soul Society. Following this theory, it would have been easy for Kisho to advance. By killing any who took the rank he wished to have, it would only be a matter of time before his skills were needed. As Yamamoto said when he was initiated, his clumsiness, no matter how severe, does not take away from his strength as a Shinigami. He was right. The truth is Kisho could be very dangerous.
“Because of what we now know, as little as it is, Mayuri has asked to study Kisho closely under the pretense of finding the real enemy. As far as we can tell, Kisho isn't any the wiser. We don't believe he knows we're on to him.” Ukitake ended, glancing around.
“Kusajika Yachiru is in danger then.” The statement, rather than question, came from Kenpachi.
Reluctantly, Ukitake nodded. “As is Urahara and those working for him and living with him. Onishi will have to return as well. It will be hard for her to brief the other's on Kisho's state without letting him know we're aware of him being our enemy. Instead, we're going to have to take him down immediately. The longer he is alive, the more information he can gather on the tactics we're preparing to use against Aizen and the more Shinigami he will have a chance to kill.”
“As such, I am having Kenpachi accompany you back.” Yamamoto stepped in with a nod to Ukitake. “If we were to send too many Captains or Vices back with you, Onishi, it might tip off Kisho. Under no circumstances can we allow him to return to Soul Society.”
“Without his Zanpaku-to he should be next to defenseless. Why are you worried?” Katsumi brought up, remembering his plead to return the katana to him.
“What Shinigami would agree to leaving behind is weapon, especially for such a weak reason? It was immediately given to Mayuri for study. It has no power whatsoever. It is simply a prop for Kisho.”
“But I've seen his Bankai.” Shunsui argued.
“Some other power he exhibited and called Bankai. It worked rather well. It took us a long time to determine he was the enemy all along. We had no idea. If he was a bit smarter, we might not have known until it was too late to do anything. Aizen wouldn't have had a hand in the result of whatever event created Kisho, so he was stuck with what he got, and apparently decided to use it anyway.”
“With all due respect, Commander, I'd like to leave now. I don't like the idea of Kisho being so close to so many people who aren't aware of the threat he poses.”
“Go.” He said simply, having the tone of a parent who really just wanted to say; Get out of my sight.
Standing abruptly, Kenpachi beat them all to the door. Katsumi paused a moment to look up at Ukitake. With a brief smile, she laid a hand on his pale cheek. His slim fingers moved to cover hers, black eyes looking down at her gently. “Don't disappear on me again.” He spoke softly, meaning every bit of it.
“I won't. I promise you.”

Before leaving, Katsumi sat down with Shunsui and Kenpachi to formulate a plan. It took the small group a solid four hours to build and agree on one course of action. Their departure was hasty and rushed, both sides eager to see this finished. Upon arrival, Kenpachi stayed behind. Yachiru's predictable reaction to his presence would set things on the wrong track right away. Everyone had relocated to the first floor once more, life returning to the peaceful pace it had been before the appearance of the 'Hollow'. Katsumi walked into the shop and knelt down.
“Here kitty, kitty, kitty!” Although it would annoy Yoruichi to no end, she hoped the former second squad Captain would be smart enough to catch on. “I have tuna!” She taunted.
Sure enough, the black cat leapt at her, laying over her chest and shoulder with a loud purr. Making it appear that she was rubbing her face against the cat's soft fur, she whispered what she had to in order to get the woman in cat form up to speed and understanding her role. Still purring, the cat jumped down and sauntered away, off to find Urahara. Yachiru flew at her next, wrapping her arms around Katsumi's legs. “You're back!” She cried happily, nuzzling her knee.
“Indeed I am. You were good, right?” She asked, looking down as she stroked the little Vice's pink hair. “Ken-chan misses you.” She half lied. He hadn't said it, but everyone knew it was true.
“Hehe, of course he does!” She exclaimed, turning and walking away, slyly stealing a piece of candy off the shelves and popping it into her mouth, wrapper and all.
Right on time, Urahara's cry of pain sounded from the back of the shop. Yachiru nearly choked on the candy as from her point of view, she'd been caught. Everyone rushed to the back where he was laying, a small dagger embedded in his shoulder. When Yoruichi did something, she didn't do it half-asked. Kisho was the last to arrive, his eyes widening.
“Have we been robbed?!” He asked with a small, girlish shriek.
“No...no...Kisho...come closer....I....I have to tell you....” What a drama king. Kids must love playing pretend with Urahara.
Kisho, seemingly concerned, knelt down and leaned in close.
“Closer...” Urahara beckoned. He had to keep from rolling his eyes as Kisho fell for the oldest trick in the book. In one swift movement, the blade was out of his shoulder and embedded to the hilt in Kisho's chest. The reaction was what they'd hope for. Rather than crying out in pain, or simply dying, he blinked and looked down at Urahara, standing quickly.
“Why did you do that?” He asked, sounding more like a hurt child now than anything else.
“Kenpachi!” Katsumi yelled, not a moment before man came lumbering in following the black bolt of fur that was Yoruichi. Only a moment after and Kisho was slammed against a wall, the dull, chipped blade of his Zanpaku-to at his neck.
“Ken-chan to the rescue!” Yachiru cried happily, jumping up and down and clapping.
Before he could be finished off, Kenpachi was stumbling forward a bit, his arm coming into contact with the wall Kisho had been forced against. Yachiru's cry of surprise brought him around quickly with a growl, dark eyes menacing.
“Let me go! You big.....you big.....you jerk!” She cried, struggling wildly, her Reiatsu starting to make a physical appearance around her. Without a moment's hesitation, Yoruichi was on his back, claws deep in his skin as her small, sharp teeth buried in his neck, hoping to hit something major.
Dropping Yachiru, Kisho reached behind him and grabbed the black cat at the scruff of the neck and pulled hard. With a feline yelp, she was ripped from him and thrown hard against a wall, where she simply crumpled and lay still. “KITTY!” Yachiru cried, running over to scoop up the still ball of fur.
Kenpachi made another swing, running toward him with long steps that ate up the short distance between them. Before his blow could land, Kisho was gone again, this time to Urahara, burying the dagger, for real this time, into his shoulder, barely missing his heart. The tall man struggled to stand as surprise and shock took over. He should have been ready for that!
“Where the hell is Mayuri?” Katsumi asked, Zanpaku-to drawn, Shinigami uniform donned.
“Don't patronize me!” The voice sent shivers down her spine despite the situation. Ukitake seemed to be the only one who wasn't affected by him. “I am no coward who would run away from a fight. A -man- never does such a thing.” His implication was clear.
“Then shut up and fight!” She growled, rushing at Kisho from one side as Mayuri came from the other. When they met in the middle, Kisho was no longer there. Luckily, they avoided attacking each other, both spinning around to protect the other's back. Kisho did the unexpected, appearing between them again almost immediately. What appeared to be smoke enveloped Mayuri and he disappeared.
Katsumi managed to finally land a blow as she spun to face her opponent once more, striking him across the chest, but only with half the force she would have liked. The smoke, despite Kisho's injury, drifted out and around the room, threatening everyone else as well. With only a moment's hesitation, Katsumi knew what she had to do.
“Kenpachi! I'll distract him, you finish him.” She ordered without thought, her Reiatsu gathering around her tightly, giving her a soft blue glow. Without another word, she was swallowed by a column of blue light. It burst outward, momentarily blinding all who looked before disappearing, Katsumi with it. The only flaw in her plan was that Kisho went with her.

Unseen, Katsumi sat under the willow, one elbow propped up on her arm. Ukitake had agreed to privately train a young academy student and that was the session she watched now. He was kind and patient with the young woman, helping her up each time he struck her down. It made her wonder what sort of a father he would make, if he was given the chance.

Miako had her lips firmly pressed against his, being taller than Katsumi, the young woman didn't even have to stand on her tiptoes to do so. Abruptly, he pulled away, taking a step back with a hand raised between them. “Was...that wrong?” She asked, obviously embarrassed. “I...I thought we had something. You agreed to train me personally...” She pointed out gently.
“I help Shinigami of all ages and genders train, Miako. I do so to help them better themselves, not because I am attracted to them.” As harsh as it was, it was the truth, and he wasn't going to sugar coat it for her. “I am committed to Vice Captain Onishi.”
Not understanding, Miako just looked at him. “She's dead...shouldn't you move on?”
With a sad shake of his head, Ukitake turned and walked away from her. “You have much to learn. Gone does not mean dead.” He stated simply. Katsumi ran to catch up with him, falling into step beside him. If only she could kiss him.
“Thank you...” She whispered, knowing that even if it wasn't audibly, he heard her somehow.
Almost as if to respond to her directly, “I love you,” slipped from his lips.

“Onishi! Where did you go? Where's Kisho?” Kenpachi fairly roared his fury.
Her eyes flying open in surprise was the only thing that saved her from literally losing her head. Bending at the knees, she let herself fall back, Shunpo then carrying her safely out of his reach.
“You didn't think I could follow you here, did you?!” Kisho cried, furious. His cheeks were flushed with anger, nothing of the clumsy, immature Captain stood before her now. “You thought you were all alone here! That you could do anything without repercussions!” For every step she took back, he took two forward. The shimmering blade of her Zanpaku-to, now a thin line of dust that shifted and swirled was raised protectively in front of her. “You took me from this....this place of perfect beauty!” He swung with all of his might, a sword materializing mid swing, nearly catching her stomach as she jumped back.
“What are you talking about?” Despite the lack of substance her Zanpaku-to seemed to have in Bankai form, the clang of steel rang out when the two blades met.
“This place is paradise! Compared to your crappy Soul Society where most souls live in rags, under leaky roofs, this is perfection. I worked all of my mortal life to achieve perfection. And I did. I was rewarded with this place. Bliss, perfection, pleasure...all of it here. And then one day, some Shinigami drags me to Soul Society with her! Paradise gone in an instant!” He struck again and sent her flying backwards when she blocked. She slammed into the wall next to Yachiru and fell to the floor with a gasp, immediately struggling to her feet.
“With no form I just wandered, miserable. Then I found Aizen. He took me in, gave me form, gave me a chance to avenge the one who wronged me. Onishi Katsumi! The great and powerful Shinigami who now stands before me in fear.”
“I had no idea, I didn't do it on pur-” With a grunt, she was cut off, blocking the five successive blows that came at her. She stumbled back with each one, her arms growing more tired each time. The final blow landed on her arm, digging deep into her shoulder. Lurching back and off the blade, her opposite hand clamped down on the wound to attempt to stop the flow of blood, Zanpaku-to gripped in her now weak hand.
“I don't care!” He roared, swinging again. Shunpo once more saved her, dashing her away, though not as far as she would have liked. This had to end soon if she wanted to be the victor. The more he fought, the more his rage grew and the stronger he got. “And now, you'll know what it's like to be miserable. I'll wound you to the point where you're still alive, but no longer kicking, then I'll drag you back and let you die next to your precious Captain and he'll never even know you're there!”
She jumped back again, shifting her Zanpaku-to to her good hand. Attempting to finish it quickly she used Shunpo to appear behind him, burying her sword into his back and twisting. He howled in pain, starting to sound more like an animal than a man. His own sword swung around to try and catch her but she dodged by mere inches and gave a hard yank, pulling the blade free. He spun to face her and in a show of luck, managed to block his attack.
The fury of his attacks surprised, and scared, her. No human could match it. Even as a Shinigami, wounded as she was, she was amazed. She barely blocked each attack. With the use of only one arm, her defense was growing weaker. All she could do was retreat slowly under his onslaught, hoping one blow didn't sneak past her. Tears gathered in her eyes, realizing she had been backed into a corner. She was going to die, and no one would ever know. They could only guess. Her arm slowly grew cold, blood soaking her haori, turning the pristine white a dark red, making the fabric heavy.
With a roar, he gathered his strength for what he hoped was one final blow. It sent her to her knees where she swayed for a moment, before dropping her Zanpaku-to to fall forward and lean against her good arm heavily. She was breathing hard, heart pumping to sustain her body and her failing arm.
“Finally. That took a lot longer than it should have. Aizen said you were all weak, not willing to do what needed to be done. I can see that now. You're all weak, but you're arrogant as well. Pathetic. You'll never get a glimpse of the beauty I achieved and lived in.”
He raised his sword for a final blow and didn't hesitate. However, even in her weak form, Katsumi was fast. Grabbing the sword, she used her body weight as the driving force behind her blow rather than the nearly nonexistent strength of her arms. The honed blade of her Zanpaku-to didn't fail her. Slicing straight through his arm, the blade continued through his exposed neck. The force of it sent him to the side where he fell with a loud thud, the blade he held, the blade he intended to kill her with, disappearing.
With a gag, she turned away, falling onto her good arm, breathing hard. Her entire body was growing cold now, all the feeling in her arm had vanished. Gathering the last of her concentration, she prepared to send herself back. It took much longer than she'd planned and by the time she reappeared before Kenpachi in a bloody heap, she'd passed out. Mayuri appeared as well, passed out.
Urahara seemed to be fine, as did Yoruichi who was now up and cleaning her silken coat.
“Yachiru.” The large man said simply. The girl nodded and grinned.
“Okie dokie! I'm ready to go!” She grabbed the neck of Mayuri's haori. Kenpachi scooped up the form of Katsumi, cradling her small form against his chest and started out of the shop without a backwards glance. Behind him, Yachiru happily pulled Mayuri across the ground by the nape of his neck, humming as she went.

“Captain Onishi.” A gentle voice commanded her to open her eyes and Katsumi found that she couldn't resist. Unohana's kind face came into focus, barely. “Ah, there you are. Welcome back.” She straightened and turned away to fetch some tea. Quite a few people had gathered in her room. Shunsui leaned against the furthest corner, Nanao prattling off lists of things that she expected him to remember. Every once in a while, she would asked if he was listening to which he would just nod and go back to snoring. Ukitake, of course, as there as well, sitting at the foot of her bed. Momo had even come to see to her care, Toushiro keeping her company, though he was also concerned for Katsumi. Yamamoto's old form could be seen out the door and off to the side, waiting patiently. Several of her squad members were scattered about the fairly large room, milling about and talking, glancing her way.
Ukitake slid up the bed to sit beside her, taking her hand in his. “Welcome back. And thank you for not disappearing on me again.”
“I did...for a while.” She admitted, smiling. When she reached up to touch his cheek, she only found pain, wincing slightly and glancing down. Her injured arm was tightly wrapped, showing no signs of blood soaking through yet.
“You should regain full use of your arm. Perhaps not right away, the muscles will have to repair themselves.” He added gently, squeezing her good hand. “You're lucky to have it.” Yachiru she now noticed, was sleeping at the foot of her bed, curled up tightly like a sleeping, pink kitten. Smiling, Katsumi looked back up. “And we're lucky to have you. Even Kenpachi was worried.”
“You lie!” She laughed, quickly regaining herself.
“Take her home, Captain Ukitake. Make sure she doesn't use that arm for another couple of weeks. I'll look at it after that and we'll see where we're going to go from there.” Unohana instructed gently, handing her the tea. “That is, after you finish this.”
Although no one seemed to noticed, the relief in the room full of her friends and adopted family was evident.

The soft moonlight illuminated the room, coming in through the open window with the warm breeze. Katsumi stood by it, looking out over the city. Before too long, inevitably, her attention turned to the man sleeping in their bed. He lay on his back, head turned to the side against the pillows. The profile it gave was aristocratic, long slim face, tapered chin, almond eyes set beside a slim nose. Stark white hair framed his cheek, giving a striped view of his ear, continuing down his neck to fall over his slightly toned chest. The sheets came half way up his stomach, white cotton barely lighter than his skin. His breathing was soft, the rise and fall of his chest indicating he was fast asleep.

Laying beside him, she slid under the covers and against his body. “Thank you...” She murmured, the soft whisper barely audible.
Without indicating it had woken him, his arm slid around her to pull her close. “I love you.”