Chapitre 46: Chapter 34: Saying Goodbye 1/2
AN: Hey everyone, hope you're all doing well! Thanks for everyone who read and reviewed. I tried to get to everyone and hope I answered some of the questions you all had without giving too much away about the future development of the story.
Also, some of you have PM'ed me asking if there will be something to do with the Bounts. My answer to that is...yes! They are not just a filler in my story. They have a certain importance to the overall story. Well, you'll have to read the chapters and see what I mean. It's not that a whole lot of time will be spent on the Bounts themselves, but there is a significance to the backstory of their creation. Ahem...but as I said you'll have to read the future chapters and see what I mean. I promise it won't be like the Anime Bount Arc filler as that filler had basically no significance to the Bleach universe.
As always, thanks for your continued support!
Vocabulary Terms:
*Baka (Bakamono) = Fool/Idiot
*Onii-sama = Big Brother
*Obasan = Aunt
*Chappy = Most popular soul candy with a cutesy personality and depicted as a bunny.
*Ryoka = Traveling Evil(s)/ outsiders not associated with the Seireitei
*Senzaikyu = Palace of Penitence/Repentance Palace
*Sekkiseki = Spirit reducing stone, a special mineral with properties that allows it to repel all reiryoku.
*Shakonmaku = Soul-Warding Membrane. A large spherical barrier surrounding the Seireitei that vaporizes any reishi that tries to pass through the barrier.
*Sokyoku = Twinned Punishment. A giant halberd currently sealed on the Sokyoku Hill and used to execute nefarious criminals of the Soul Society.
*Seijotokyorin = Tranquil Forest of Residential Towers. The living quarters of the Central 46 members that is completely forbidden to all except the members of the Central 46.
*Daireishokairo = Great Spirit Book Gallery. A repository of all the knowledge and history of the Soul Society with restricted access to very few. Even many Captains are unaware of its inner workings.
*Negacion (Negation): A pillar of yellow light that Menos use to envelope their comrades to save them. Within the light is a completely isolated space that cannot be interacted with from the outside.
Reading the story:
-Scene change: "888"
-Rated M Scene: "XXX"
-Hello, how are you? (Someone in their own thoughts)
-Hello how are you? (Zanpakuto Spirit speaking in a Shinigami's mind)
-"Hello, how are you doing?"(Hollow Ichigo taking over Ichigo's body and speaking)
DISCLAIMER: I do not own Bleach.
Chapter 34
One Week Later
"Haaaaaah…" Kishin let out a long drawn out yawn as he stretched his arms above his head whilst lying in bed. He took a deep breath and stared up at the ceiling of his dimly lit bedroom. The light of the sun was unable to penetrate through the thick window curtains. Although he was usually an early riser, with how hectic everything had been in the Soul Society he decided that sleeping in every now and then wasn't so bad. He could use the extra rest, but he was slightly unhappy as he turned to look to his right where his hand rested on the empty spot where Rukia would usually sleep.
"Tch. Now that everything is over with Rukia's sentence has been completely lifted. She doesn't have to be my prisoner anymore and…"
He recalled how Bakuya had immediately taken Rukia back to the Kuchiki Manor and prevented her from staying within his residence any longer. An amused grin found its way to Kishin's lips as he silently shook his head at the memory.
"Haha...right...Byakuya knows that Rukia and I are dating now. There's no way he would let us live together, but isn't he taking the whole overprotective big brother role a bit too seriously?"
Again he brushed the empty air to the right of the mattress and let out an annoyed huff. "Haaaa...senpai...I know you want to listen to your brother and improve your relationship with him but now you're neglecting me."
He laid there for several more minutes before staring at the clock and decided that it was time he got up. With a quick whisk of his arm he threw the blanket off of his body and rolled out of bed. The first thing he did was open the curtains letting the bright stream of golden light enter his room. He then walked over to his wardrobe and started getting dressed. He donned the standard black shihakusho with a red sash tied around his waist. His crimson colored hair was tied in a mid-length ponytail and his black reivice earring hung down his left earlobe. With a quick grab of his Zanpakuto strapping it to the left side of his waist he finally took a step outside onto the 13th division grounds, however when he saw who was waiting for him nearby he immediately turned around attempting to dash back into his quarters.
"Ahem!" The sound of someone's loud cough caused Kishin to pause in his step. He mentally sighed and turned back around to face the individual.
"Yo, Kiyone. So...what can I do for you?"
Kiyone angrily glared and pointed accusingly at him. "You! Have you seen the paperwork that has stacked up on your desk?! You've been slacking!"
He put up his hands defensively and replied, "Hey, cut me some slack okay? I was wrongly accused of betraying Soul Society and was kicked out of my position for a few days. Then I was dragged into a troublesome fight and blah blah blah. Can't I take a few days off?"
Kiyone's glare became even fiercer as she responded, "Look, I get it. A few days off is fine, BUT! It's been a WHOLE week. Just how much longer are you planning to put off your work? With everything that's happened there's even more work for you to do now! At least hurry up and approve the finance work for the 13th division so we can repair the damaged areas that our barracks sustained during the chaos!"
Kishin rubbed the back of his neck and sighed in annoyance. "Alright alright. I got it." He then mentally cursed Ishida and the others as he heard of how the 13th division buildings were damaged. When he brought Inoue and the others to imprison them here Ishida was the one who broke them out, but in the process there was a scuffle and that led to parts of the barracks sustaining damage. Furthermore, in that process was how Renji came to meet the others as one of the buildings destroyed was the warehouse Kinji had taken Renji to recover in. In the end Renji helped Ishida and the others on their quest to rush to the Sokyoku Hill to save Rukia and Hinamori. Well, they were all too late by then anyways.
Kiyone simply gave him a suspicious look. "Promise?"
"Yeah yeah, I promise. No worries. C'mon, I've been a Lieutenant for how long now? The 13th division's internal structures have improved since I've been here. Just leave it to me."
"Hmpf. Where's Rukia when I need her…" Kiyone silently grumbled.
"What was that?"
"Ahem. Nothing. Well then, I'll be off Lieutenant. And make sure you do good on that promise. Bye!"
Kishin just shook his head as he watched Kiyone disappear further inside the division grounds.
"Rukia huh…" He silently pondered to himself. A smile soon found its way to his lips as he thought about her. "Heh. Maybe I should go pay a visit to the Kuchiki Manor. Since Rukia's doing her best to improve her relationship with Byakuya then I should too right? I mean...we'll be future brother-in-laws won't we?" He quietly mused to himself whilst heading out of the division grounds.
The first place he decided to stop by was the Kuchiki Manor as he hadn't had a chance to see Rukia ever since the incident with Aizen. Just as he turned a corner he quickly paused and halted his step as he felt the loud screaming and panting and huffing of Orihime's voice. "Kurosaki-kuuuun! EH?!"
WHOOSH!
Crash!
Boom!
Kishin blinked several times, completely confused at what Orihime was doing. Due to his timely halt he had managed to avoid being a cushion for Orihime's wild running, but it was also due to his presence that Orihime had lost focus and tripped over her legs falling and tumbling down into the ground rolling like a bowling ball right into the wall.
"Pah!" Orihime huffed aloud as she stood right back up acting as if nothing had just happened. "C-Chigetsu-kun!"
Kishin awkwardly scratched the back of his neck and wondered if he even wanted to know what was going on. "Y-Yeah…" He hesitantly responded.
With a frantic tone of voice Orihime asked, "H-Have you seen Kuchiki-san?! I've been looking all over for her but I can't find her!"
Kishin furrowed his brow and lightly brushed his fingers over his chest pocket that currently held the necklace that Rukia took off a while ago. Well, it functioned as a tracker device as well but details details. Since she didn't have it on her he couldn't directly check where she was.
"Chigetsu-kun?" Orihime inquired curiously at his silence.
Kishin let out a sigh and closed his eyes, focusing his entire mental power on just finding Rukia's reiatsu. He blocked out all other reiatsu signatures and emptied out his thoughts. For several long moments he remained as still as a buddhist statue. After a good long while he finally opened his eyes and looked out towards the western precinct of Rukongai.
"Found her." He quietly mumbled.
"Chigetsu-kun?" Orihime inquired once more whilst tilting her head to the side.
Just then Ichigo's loud voice could be heard as he dashed on over to them. "Oi! Inoue! I heard you shouting for me. Is something wro-"
Ichigo paused and took note of who was standing next to Orihime so he curiously raised his eyebrow and let out confusedly, "Eh? Kishin? What are you doing here?"
Before he could answer he was interrupted by Orihime's frantic voice. "K-Kurosaki-kun! You're here!"
Ichigo didn't miss the worried look in Orihime's eyes so he gave her a questioning glance and asked, "What's wrong Inoue? You seem pretty flustered?" It was then a thought struck him as he gave Kishin a suspicious look and ventured to guess, "Wait...d-did this guy do something to you?"
Kishin slightly frowned and turned to walk away not bothering with the two orange haired kids. This only caused Ichigo to raise his eyebrow in awkwardness. "A-Ah?! W-Wait! Kishin, where are you going? I was just joking! Don't be mad."
Again Kishin simply ignored them and continued walking away. It was Orihime who brought Ichigo's attention back to the reason why she called for him as she tugged on his shihakusho sleeve. "Kurosaki-kun. I can't find Kuchiki-san anywhere! I've been looking all over the place but no matter where I look I can't find her! I was hoping Chigetsu-kun would know since he and Kuchiki-san seemed pretty close...but…" She turned to stare at Kishin's retreating form in the distance and continued, "Ummm...well he just walked away."
Ichigo rubbed the back of his head as he stared up at the sky in wonderment.
"Kurosaki-kun?" Orihime questioned at his silence.
Ichigo coughed and then motioned for her to follow him. "Let's go Inoue." He then started dashing off into the distance as Orihime hurried after him.
"E-Ehhh? Where are we going?"
Ichigo smirked and turned a corner as he replied, "Well, since we need to find Rukia then all we need to do is follow Kishin. He definitely knows where she is."
"Ehhh? He does? But he didn't say anything earlier when I asked him."
Ichigo just shrugged his shoulders. "That's just the kind of guy he is. Don't sweat the small stuff. If we follow him then we'll find Rukia."
"I-I see...ummm...but how do you know that Chigetsu-kun knows?"
Ichigo had a pondering look on his face as he recalled the conversations he had with Yoruichi on the subject. He then let out a sigh and said, "Well...when I was training with Yoruichi-san alone we would have some down time in between lessons. I asked her about Kishin and so she told me some stuff."
Orihime just gave him a questioning glance. "What kind of stuff?"
"Mmmmm...well, just stuff I guess. She told me how they met and how he knew about Aizen and Urahara-san as well as her. She mentioned how he's a bit mysterious and violent and how she trained him and how he became a Lieutenant and how skillful he is in Zanjutsu, Hoho...Kido...Hakuda…" Ichigo's voice trailed towards the end as he recalled all of the praises that Yoruichi had given Kishin. A thick vein then popped on his forehead just recalling how she had teased him about his first fight against Kishin and how he was too hot blooded and temperamental which caused him being shamelessly beaten into the ground black and blue time and time again.
Orihime noticed how quiet Ichigo had suddenly become and stared at him questioningly. "K-Kurosaki-kun?"
Ichigo snapped himself out of his thoughts as he stopped and noted that Kishin's presence had also stopped moving. Without realizing it they had followed Kishin out of the Seireitei and into a large meadow within the western Rukon district.
Kishin stood just a few meters ahead of them in silence as a few dozens of meters ahead of Kishin stood Rukia who was currently wiping some tears away from her eyes whilst talking to the Shiba siblings, Shiba Kukaku and Shiba Ganju. A look of understanding flashed past Ichigo's eyes as he Ganju had at some pointed confronted Rukia on the Sokyoku Hill about Kaien. It was then where the truth about Kaien's death was revealed. He slowly walked up standing next to Kishin.
Kishin smirked at Ichigo's presence and commented, "Took ya long enough to catch up."
Ichigo smirked back and replied, "Shut it. We're just as worried about Rukia as you are."
"Doubt it." Kishin immediately replied leaving Ichigo a bit speechless.
"I-Is this a competition to you or something?"
Kishin grinned as he stared at Rukia's small back in the distance and shook his head. "It's not a competition. It's just a fact."
Ichigo clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Tch. I don't get you."
Kishin just let out a light chuckle. "Haha, you don't have to. Oh, by the way, didn't I tell you that Aizen was stronger than me? Why the hell did you go charging in head first?"
Ichigo awkwardly rubbed the back of his neck and turned to face away from Kishin lessening the pressure on him from Kishin's glaring eyes. "Ahaha...uhhh...well I was caught in the heat of the moment. That guy said a lot of things and it pissed me off. I sort of just moved without thinking."
"Yeah? Well next time you might want to think a bit unless you want to be horizontally bifurcated again."
"Uhhhh...right. I'll keep that in mind."
"So? When are you guys going back?"
Ichigo scratched the side of his cheek but he had no idea so he turned to Orihime and asked, "Inoue, when did Yoruichi-san say we were heading back?"
Orihime tilted her head to the side and placed a finger to her lips thinking hard to remember. "Hmmmmmm...AH! Actually we're leaving later today!"
"EHHH?!" Ichigo exclaimed aloud in shock. His loud voice caught everyone's attention, including Rukia, Kukaku, and Ganju in the distance. Rukia immediately dashed over with Kukaku and Ganju behind her.
"Kishin? Ichigo? Inoue? What are you guys doing here?"
Kishin took a moment to glance from Rukia to Kukaku and noted that there wasn't any air of hostility or tension between them and understood that the Shiba Clan head had forgiven Rukia for Kaien's death so he leaned forward and kissed her cheek.
Muah!
Everyone nearby immediately widened their eyes in shock and awkwardness not knowing exactly how to react at Kishin's public display of affection, but he didn't care. Rukia also tensed up and madly blushed at his surprise move.
"W-W-What are you doing?" She said embarrassedly.
Kishin just smirked and straightened back up. "That's your punishment for neglecting me for an entire week." He then pointed to the necklace he had placed around her when he bent down to kiss her just a moment ago and continued, "And don't even think about taking that off."
Rukia looked down to where the necklace hung around her neck and smiled. Truthfully she felt a bit naked without it, but now that it was back she felt wholesome again even though she knew what the true purpose behind its use was.
"Ahem!" Kukaku coughed to bring the two back to reality. Kishin turned his head and took a moment to observe the temporary head of the Shiba Clan. It was his first time actually meeting her in person. She was about 168cm tall with green eyes and black colored messy hair that parted down in half at the small of her back. A white bandage cloth was wrapped around her forehead and the top left of her hair. There were also bandage wraps around her right shoulder and ankles. She wore a white skirt and a very open red robe that clearly exposed her bosom beneath. Her right arm was missing and in its place was a type of prosthetic. Her left arm had a tattoo on it and her Zanpakuto, which seemed a bit shorter than a normal katana, was strapped behind her back. She took note of Kishin looking her way so she smirked and teasingly commented, "Heh, like what you see?"
Before he could answer he felt Rukia slap her hands over his eyes as she scoldingly said, "B-Baka! W-Where do you think you are looking?!"
Kishin merely scratched the side of his cheek and nonchalantly responded, "You can't blame me for this senpai. It's not like I was actively looking with some perverted intention. And it's also not my fault that she's wearing clothes that barely cover anything."
Rukia pouted at his answer and quickly turned around to face Kukaku giving a quick apologetic bow. "S-Sorry for his rude behavior. I'm sure he didn't mean to s-s-stare…" Her words trailed a bit at the end as she was now made conscious of Kukaku's large bosom from Kishin's comment of Kukaku's clothing.
Kukaku just let out a boisterous laugh as she noted Rukia's red colored cheeks. "Bahahaha! Don't worry. I'm not planning to steal him or anything. Although...he's quite the looker. If you ever don't want him, just let me know. I'll take him off your hands." She teased towards the end with a playful wink.
Rukia felt even more embarrassed now and wanted to dig a hole to hide inside, but Kishin just grinned and placed his arms around her shoulders pulling her closer into his chest. "Senpai, don't tell me you were jealo-AH!" He groaned out as Rukia elbowed his side. "I-I am not! I was just worried that you were being rude. Hmpf."
Kishin smirked and was about to kiss her, but he was interrupted as Kukaku let out another cough. "AHEM!" She simply stared wide eyed at the two lovebirds wondering how they could be so public with their affection in front of people. "Can you two please save that for when you're both alone?"
Kishin blinked a few times and had a look as if he was considering whether or not to just do what he wanted, but Kukaku decided not to let him finish his thought and instead quickly interjected, "Ahhh never mind never mind. You don't look like you care." She let out a sigh and shook her head amusedly. "You're exactly as Yoruichi said you'd be." She turned around and started walking back towards her house, but not before motioning with her hand for everyone to follow her. "Come on in. Since you all came this far out you mind as well stay and have some tea or something before going back."
Like obedient little ducks everyone followed in line behind the Shiba Clan head and into her strange looking house that had two giant stone hands erected on either side of her residence with a tall giant tower standing behind. Kishin craned his neck upwards and mentally noted the simple but also very unique nature of the tower knowing that it was actually a giant cannon. A few minutes later and everyone was seated inside the main room of the Shiba residence. It was spacious enough to fit up to 30 people inside and had long tan colored tatami mats on the floor. Some wooden sliding door panels lined the walls of the room and a large comfortable colorful looking cushion where Kukaku usually sat was centered at the head of the room. She immediately took a seat on it and ordered, "Oi, Ganju. Go bring a table and seat mats. And don't forget the tea."
Ganju immediately nodded with fear and respect. "Y-Yes ma'am!"
As Ganju left to gather the items Kukaku gave a curious glance over to Kishin. "So...you're the one who fought Aizen...so I heard from Yoruichi."
Kishin shrugged his shoulders at her comment. "Guess I am."
Kukaku smirked at his answer and pulled out a pipe lighting it on fire. As she took a quick puff she turned to Ichigo and said, "I heard that you made a lot of progress kid. Not bad not bad. Yoruichi gave you some high praise."
Ichigo pointed to himself in question. "Eh? Me? Yoruichi praised me?"
Fwish.
Tap. Tap.
Fwip.
The sound of Ganju returning and setting up the table and the seat cushions and tea interrupted everyone's thoughts as they could only wait and silently stare at Ganju with curiosity as his muscular burly frame moved with a meticulousness that made everyone wonder if he regularly served tea for Kukaku. After everyone took their respective seats around the circular wooden table Kukaku continued, "Yoruichi tells me that you all are leaving later today. What are your plans now? Orihime? Ichigo?"
Orihime knocked her pointer fingers together and slightly blushed as she answered, "I'll...go wherever Kurosaki-kun goes…" She spoke so softly and quietly that no one ended up hearing what she said.
Ichigo turned his head and glanced at Rukia sitting between him and Kishin. "Rukia...are you...are you coming back with us?"
There was a silent pause in the room after his question. Kishin shifted uncomfortably a bit beside Rukia, but he elected not to say anything. In the end he inwardly breathed out a sigh of relief hearing Rukia's answer.
"No. I've decided to stay and..." She shyly glanced over at Kishin from the corner of her eyes before continuing, "My home is here in the Soul Society after all."
Ichigo glanced at her for several long moments in silence before letting out a sigh. "Haaah. I see." He nodded his head and accepted her answer before turning back to Kukaku to answer her question. "Well, it seems Momo has to stay here too...she's...still unconscious and in recovery. As for me, once I get back I guess I'll just be heading back to school and whatnot. Plus I need to check in on Yuzu and Karin. Who knows if that old man of mine is properly taking care of them."
Kishin's eyelid slightly twitched as he curiously asked, "What about your mom?"
"Huh? Mom? Oh...she passed away when I was 9 years old so she's not around anymore."
"Eh? Masaki passed away?" He slightly frowned at hearing that news, but he then recalled that he didn't see Masaki around the Kurosaki Clinic when he had his spy cams surrounding the area.
Ichigo however was startled as he stared wide-eyed at Kishin. "H-How did you know my mom's name was Masaki?"
"Hm? Oh me? Isn't it obvious? I mean it's not the first time you and I have met you know."
Ichigo furrowed his brow in confusion. "Well...I know that. I mean we met when you came to take Rukia back that ni-..." He stopped himself from finishing his sentence as something suddenly clicked in his brain. His look of confusion did a complete 180 as realization struck him. He suddenly recalled a memory from a long long time ago when he was a kid. The memory of when there was someone who came to the clinic and said that they weren't a patient and instead asked to see Isshin.
I-I thought he looked familiar!
With an accusatory finger he pointed at Kishin and stammered,"Y-Y-You! But...what? How? And why?! Wait! What's going on here?!"
Kishin smirked and simply said, "Seems you remember. That's right. I visited your clinic a long time ago. I can't remember how old you were back then, but it's nice to see that you finally noticed. Guess you aren't a total loss."
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone