![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
marinliliz[Characters]: Kuchiki Rukia, Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika. Mentions of Byakuya' Renji, Shuuhei and Kira.
[Summary]: Gathering of troops and returning home turns out to more complex than antecipated.
[Word Count]: ~1300
[Finished]: 03.August.2009
[Beta]: not beta-read
[Contents/Warnings]: AU/Character-Death
[Rating]: PG
[Notes]: If all goes well first chapter of this week, before I leave for 2 weeks of vacations.
I. Mind Sight Sound | II. Search Incessantly | III. Battleground | IV. To Get To Renji | V. Evil Plots
Disclaimer: Do not own Bleach and will not make a profit out of this fic. All characters © Kubo Tite
Dry eyed now, Rukia was still by Byakuya-niisama’s side, watching as he watched over Renji and attentively observed every effort Unohana-taichou dispelled in trying to save his red-haired fukutaichou.
Byakuya’s distress, palpable, and his unawareness to the surrounding area made clear the intensity of his feelings. Baffling, but clear as ice.
It made Rukia feel like she was intruding and witnessing something she shouldn’t have; something that was secret and precious and that the sorrows of war had brought to light. It made her wonder if it was mutual and required and assumed or if it had all been just one-sided, secret, hidden. Made her regret being away from home for so long, avoiding staying at the Kuchiki Mansion even if she was in Soul Society. And not paying much attention to Renji; take notice of his mood, for she would know for certain if it had been mutual and active, because Renji never hid his happiness like he did his sadness; it always showed in his eyes, in his crocked grin and the spring in his gait
.
Yes, there had been a war and a megalomaniac with delusions of grandeur wanting to destroy bouts of Human Life just as a means to even more horrific ends. Yes, there was a Substitute Shinigami who, at each action he took, managed to surprise and shock and dazzle her, and the world of living and dead and everything else in between.
But these were excuses. Rukia had not been a good sister and she had not been a good friend.
The tears were back in her eyes, but were kept from spilling as Renji moved and let out a strangled cry as Unohana-taichou aligned his spine back together with a sickening snap. Byakuya paled to impossible whiteness and bent down to whisper soothing nothings into Renji’s ear.
Even if his aloof mask was still in place and the expression in his eyes could simply be interpreted as mild concern for his fukutaichou, it all was betrayed by his attentive cares: the whipping of the blood out of Renji’s face, the holding of Renji’s hand around the hilt of Zabimaru preventing the fukutaichou from loosing vital contact with his zanpakutou. His whispered words, the small caresses, the demands for Renji to fight for his life were blatant displays of affection.
It was unsettling watching that amount of emotion transpire from someone has her brother. Because of the way she was accustomed to seeing him behave, collected and composed. And because of what it meant and what would happen if Renji didn’t pull through.
The shivers down her back made Rukia tremble and look away from them. They were taken care for now.
She needed to and find her own captain, receive new orders, do something... So Rukia treaded back through the battlefield, closing her heart to the mayhem.
To the side she saw Matsumoto-fukutaichou do the same for Hitsugaya-taichou and then move away slowly towards the Garganta that had been opened by the fallen walls of Las Noches, presumably by Urahara-san.
The order to move out had been given and the prospect of going home, of leaving this void, retched place seemed to give Rukia extra strength.
She stopped by Hisagi-fukutaichou and helped him with Kira-fukutaichou, carrying the apathetic blond to the way out. It frightened her, the loss and distraught in his eyes. The killing of one’s Taichou, even if said Taichou had been a traitor, was a devastating blow at least for Kira-fukutaichou; Hisagi-fukutaichou, having done the same, didn’t look as perturbed. Or perhaps he hid it better.
On her way back to the field, in another failed attempt to find her Taichou, she spotted a familiar bald head. She had seen Ayasegawa-san’s frantic search and now understood why he had not found Madarame-san. The Eleventh Division officer was buried beneath several bodies of Shinigami and gooey remains of Hollows of all kind, most likely dampening his reiatsu.
Fearing the worse, Rukia climbed down into the shallow ditch and placed her hand on Madarame-san’s face. She sighed, it was still warm. He was still breathing.
She had no medic skills to speak of but a war this long, a battlefield such as this... Well and her everyday life as Ichigo’s supervisor had given her some basic knowledge, so Rukia made a quick scan for injuries noting all seemed well but for a nasty bump on his forehead.
The chuckle startled her.
“Lady, I’m all up for it if you take all of this crap from atop of me!”
Rukia blinked and then moved to help him from under all the bodies and debris.
“Thanks!”
“It’s all right, Madarame-san.”
“We know each other?” Madarame-san asked, watching her with interest.
Rukia looked puzzled, was he mocking her? But then he continued.
“Come to think of it, how did I get to be in a war zone?”
Oh Dear! “You don’t remember?”
“Not really. And what the hell is this place?!”
What to do? Did she tell him of the war and risk and even bigger shock? She played it safe. “What’s the last
thing you remember?”
“Hmm... not so sure about that, either.”
This didn’t bode well at all. “Well you know your name, it’s a start.”
“Well, I guess.”But he didn’t look much convinced.
“I’m going to get Ayasegawa-san.”
He nodded and replied, “’kay. Is that a medic?”
Rukia’s felt her eyes widen. “You don’t remember Ayasegawa Yumichika?!”
“Should I?” Madarame-san looked confused now.
“Ayasegawa-san,” she called.
He looked up. “Kuchiki Rukia-san!”
“I’ve found Madarame-san!”
He was on his feet instantly, nearly sending Yachiru-fukutaichou to the ground, asking, “WHERE! Take me to him.” There was a plea in his voice.
“Sure, it’s just...er...”
“OH... NO! He couldn’t...”
Rukia realised his assumption and corrected it. “Oh. No, no, he’s alive...he just...”
“Is he injured?”
It seemed to Rukia he was trying more to convince himself than anyone else, but before she had the time to tell him, Ayasegawa-san spotted the familiar bald head and took off running.
When he reached Madarame he launched himself into his arms and held tight, placing multiple kisses to the bald head and when Madarame raised his confused face, Ayasegawa kissed his mouth desperately.
Until he was pushed away by Madarame
“WOAH! Woah it right there. I’m not into that kind of kink, fellow! You’re kinda good looking and all but... I’m more of a gal’s kinda guy.”
She turned her body in the direction of Hollowfied Ichigo, eyes still closed.
Before opening them again and inform Madarame-san and Ayasegawa-san that they were starting to retreat back to home.
Next: VII. Secession - Yamamoto-sotaichou's orders pertaining to the Hollows are not well received.
[Summary]: Gathering of troops and returning home turns out to more complex than antecipated.
[Word Count]: ~1300
[Finished]: 03.August.2009
[Beta]: not beta-read
[Contents/Warnings]: AU/Character-Death
[Rating]: PG
[Notes]: If all goes well first chapter of this week, before I leave for 2 weeks of vacations.
I. Mind Sight Sound | II. Search Incessantly | III. Battleground | IV. To Get To Renji | V. Evil Plots
Disclaimer: Do not own Bleach and will not make a profit out of this fic. All characters © Kubo Tite
Dry eyed now, Rukia was still by Byakuya-niisama’s side, watching as he watched over Renji and attentively observed every effort Unohana-taichou dispelled in trying to save his red-haired fukutaichou.
Byakuya’s distress, palpable, and his unawareness to the surrounding area made clear the intensity of his feelings. Baffling, but clear as ice.
It made Rukia feel like she was intruding and witnessing something she shouldn’t have; something that was secret and precious and that the sorrows of war had brought to light. It made her wonder if it was mutual and required and assumed or if it had all been just one-sided, secret, hidden. Made her regret being away from home for so long, avoiding staying at the Kuchiki Mansion even if she was in Soul Society. And not paying much attention to Renji; take notice of his mood, for she would know for certain if it had been mutual and active, because Renji never hid his happiness like he did his sadness; it always showed in his eyes, in his crocked grin and the spring in his gait
.
Yes, there had been a war and a megalomaniac with delusions of grandeur wanting to destroy bouts of Human Life just as a means to even more horrific ends. Yes, there was a Substitute Shinigami who, at each action he took, managed to surprise and shock and dazzle her, and the world of living and dead and everything else in between.
But these were excuses. Rukia had not been a good sister and she had not been a good friend.
The tears were back in her eyes, but were kept from spilling as Renji moved and let out a strangled cry as Unohana-taichou aligned his spine back together with a sickening snap. Byakuya paled to impossible whiteness and bent down to whisper soothing nothings into Renji’s ear.
Even if his aloof mask was still in place and the expression in his eyes could simply be interpreted as mild concern for his fukutaichou, it all was betrayed by his attentive cares: the whipping of the blood out of Renji’s face, the holding of Renji’s hand around the hilt of Zabimaru preventing the fukutaichou from loosing vital contact with his zanpakutou. His whispered words, the small caresses, the demands for Renji to fight for his life were blatant displays of affection.
It was unsettling watching that amount of emotion transpire from someone has her brother. Because of the way she was accustomed to seeing him behave, collected and composed. And because of what it meant and what would happen if Renji didn’t pull through.
The shivers down her back made Rukia tremble and look away from them. They were taken care for now.
She needed to and find her own captain, receive new orders, do something... So Rukia treaded back through the battlefield, closing her heart to the mayhem.
***
To the side she saw Matsumoto-fukutaichou do the same for Hitsugaya-taichou and then move away slowly towards the Garganta that had been opened by the fallen walls of Las Noches, presumably by Urahara-san.
The order to move out had been given and the prospect of going home, of leaving this void, retched place seemed to give Rukia extra strength.
She stopped by Hisagi-fukutaichou and helped him with Kira-fukutaichou, carrying the apathetic blond to the way out. It frightened her, the loss and distraught in his eyes. The killing of one’s Taichou, even if said Taichou had been a traitor, was a devastating blow at least for Kira-fukutaichou; Hisagi-fukutaichou, having done the same, didn’t look as perturbed. Or perhaps he hid it better.
On her way back to the field, in another failed attempt to find her Taichou, she spotted a familiar bald head. She had seen Ayasegawa-san’s frantic search and now understood why he had not found Madarame-san. The Eleventh Division officer was buried beneath several bodies of Shinigami and gooey remains of Hollows of all kind, most likely dampening his reiatsu.
Fearing the worse, Rukia climbed down into the shallow ditch and placed her hand on Madarame-san’s face. She sighed, it was still warm. He was still breathing.
She had no medic skills to speak of but a war this long, a battlefield such as this... Well and her everyday life as Ichigo’s supervisor had given her some basic knowledge, so Rukia made a quick scan for injuries noting all seemed well but for a nasty bump on his forehead.
The chuckle startled her.
“Lady, I’m all up for it if you take all of this crap from atop of me!”
Rukia blinked and then moved to help him from under all the bodies and debris.
“Thanks!”
“It’s all right, Madarame-san.”
“We know each other?” Madarame-san asked, watching her with interest.
Rukia looked puzzled, was he mocking her? But then he continued.
“Come to think of it, how did I get to be in a war zone?”
Oh Dear! “You don’t remember?”
“Not really. And what the hell is this place?!”
What to do? Did she tell him of the war and risk and even bigger shock? She played it safe. “What’s the last
thing you remember?”
“Hmm... not so sure about that, either.”
This didn’t bode well at all. “Well you know your name, it’s a start.”
“Well, I guess.”But he didn’t look much convinced.
“I’m going to get Ayasegawa-san.”
He nodded and replied, “’kay. Is that a medic?”
Rukia’s felt her eyes widen. “You don’t remember Ayasegawa Yumichika?!”
“Should I?” Madarame-san looked confused now.
“Er... Stay here, I’ll see if I can find him and we’ll go from there.”
“Ayasegawa-san,” she called.
He looked up. “Kuchiki Rukia-san!”
“I’ve found Madarame-san!”
He was on his feet instantly, nearly sending Yachiru-fukutaichou to the ground, asking, “WHERE! Take me to him.” There was a plea in his voice.
“Sure, it’s just...er...”
“OH... NO! He couldn’t...”
Rukia realised his assumption and corrected it. “Oh. No, no, he’s alive...he just...”
“Is he injured?”
What to say? “Somewhat. I think you better see for yourself.”
It seemed to Rukia he was trying more to convince himself than anyone else, but before she had the time to tell him, Ayasegawa-san spotted the familiar bald head and took off running.
When he reached Madarame he launched himself into his arms and held tight, placing multiple kisses to the bald head and when Madarame raised his confused face, Ayasegawa kissed his mouth desperately.
Until he was pushed away by Madarame
“WOAH! Woah it right there. I’m not into that kind of kink, fellow! You’re kinda good looking and all but... I’m more of a gal’s kinda guy.”
Ayasegawa took a step back and then another, stumbling on the bodies on the ground and falling on his back with a horrified expression on his face.
Madarame whipped his lips with the back of his hand.
She turned her body in the direction of Hollowfied Ichigo, eyes still closed.
Before opening them again and inform Madarame-san and Ayasegawa-san that they were starting to retreat back to home.
August2009©MarinLiliz
Next: VII. Secession - Yamamoto-sotaichou's orders pertaining to the Hollows are not well received.
