Force of Souls Chapter 24 (Patreon)

Hey friends and fans, Kairomaru is bringing you another Force of Souls chapter! The group arrives to the home of Shiba K­­­ūkaku! It’s an odd residence, to say the least. But life is unpredictable, and even in strange places, one can find connections. A life that has grown here, and a life that would’ve never grown here, finally meet.

If you’d like to become a patron and get access to these chapters earlier, just head on over to Pat re on and add a /Kairomaru after the com.

Make sure to thank the patrons that make these stories possible by checking out the Patron Plaque on my profile!

So, without further delay, please enjoy.

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Chapter 24 – Shiba K­ūkaku

A cacophony of noise,
Sound to divert attention.
If it bursts brilliantly,
Will reality change for the better?

The group of five continued to walk, as they had been doing since they’d left the elder’s house that morning. Yoruichi had found out where this Shiba K­ūkaku lived and was leading them to the location, but none of them had expected it to be so remote.

“Hey.” Ichigo finally spoke up. “We’re a long way from the village. Are you sure this is the right way?”

Tatsuki looked around at the grassland they were walking through as well. “He’s got a point. We’ve even left the farming fields behind at this point.”

“Only a few buildings too.” Chad mentioned, seeing a trio of huts a good distance from them.

“This K­ūkaku person is the one that knows how to get into the Seireitei without using the gates, right?” Orihime asked as they kept walking. “But if they’re so great, shouldn’t they be living in the town like some kind of celebrity?”

“No. That would be impossible.” Yoruichi’s head shook side to side as the black cat kept walking. “Judging from that one’s personality, this looks about right. A quiet and deserted area.” The five of them started walking up a hill as the long grass brushed against them. “Don’t worry. This one may change residences frequently, but will always build a recognizable house. One glance and you’ll know it.”

“One glance?” Ichigo cocked an eyebrow at the sureness of the black cat’s tone.

“Yes…” Yoruichi reached the top of the hill first. “I see it. There.” The cat motioned the others to look.

“What the hell?!” Tatsuki exclaimed upon seeing the house.

The house itself was rather simple in design, being a two-story square home in a traditional style, much like the rest of the Rukongai homes that the group had seen. What very much wasn’t simple was the massive chimney that towered high into the air, or the two titanic stone arms that were acting like pillars to hold up a large banner that had the name ‘Shiba K­ūkaku’ emblazoned on it with what looked to be brushstrokes.

“See? You can tell with one glance, right?” Yoruichi asked with a cat’s version of a grin. The looks of shock on their faces were priceless!

“That’s beyond recognizable!” Ichigo declared in shock as he pointed at the odd design choices.

“I feel like you intentionally misled us about this person.” Chad remarked, looking between Yoruichi and the giant stone arms.

Orihime tilted her head as she looked over the design choices. “Is the reason that Shiba K­ūkaku lives so far from the village because people complained?”

“Hmm…the banner holder is a pair of giant arms this time. Very nice.” Yoruichi nodded at the choice.

“Is it always something different?!” Tatsuki wasn’t sure she wanted to know what some of the previous choices might’ve been.

“Come on. What’s wrong, let’s go.” Yoruichi urged the group forward down the hill and towards the house.

‘The chimney is so large for such a small house.’ Chad looked at the towering structure again. ‘Is the top covered up?’ He spotted the multiple large white tarps covering the top of the chimney. That didn’t make much sense at all. Shiba K­ūkaku couldn’t use their chimney if the top was blocked.

“HALT!!!” Two deep male voices demanded just as the group of five reached beneath the banner bearing Shiba K­ūkaku’s name. Two large men leapt down from the tops of the giant stone fists to land on the grass in front of them.

Both men wore a red hat with gold trim and white tassel on top and a light blue scarf tied at the front by a red fastener with gold highlights. The man on the right wore a white top, while the one on the left wore a yellow one. The only notable differences between the two (apart from the differing color of their clothes) were some features of their faces; the man on the right had a broad face and cleft chin, while the one on the left had a long face and a normal chin. But both men sported the same style of thin mustache that went down to just past the corners of their mouths.

“Who are you?” The man on the right demanded of the group.

“One of you is dressed strangely, and three of you are Shinigami!” The man on the left stated with suspicious eyes.

“You’re a suspicious-looking lot!” The man on the right declared. “Shiroganehiko will not let you pass!” He gave his name to them in an odd way.

“Go! Or will die here by Koganehiko’s hand!” The newly introduced Koganehiko on the left threatened.

“Does every place have gatekeepers?” Ichigo cracked his knuckles. “Soul Society is becoming a real pain in the ass.”

Koganehiko’s eye was caught as Yoruichi sat down next to Ichigo in the grass, the black cat looking up at the tall man. “Y-Yoruichi-sama?!” The exclamation caught Shiroganehiko’s attention and he also stared at the black cat in surprise.

In short order the group was led inside the house by Koganehiko, while Shiroganehiko stayed outside to act as a guard for the front door. To the surprise of Ichigo, Orihime, Chad, and Tatsuki, a flight of stairs was right behind the front door, leading down into a deep basement.

“Forgive me!” Koganehiko apologized to Yoruichi. “I had no idea that these four were your attendants, Yoruichi-sama. I apologize for my rudeness!”

‘We’re not attendants…’ Ichigo thought to himself, a little annoyed by the insinuation. Why would a cat have attendants?

“Never mind that.” Yoruichi brushed the matter away. “I should’ve notified you in advance.”

“So gracious!” Koganehiko rubbed the back of his head with a smile. “Great people really do have big hearts!”

“How do you get to the second floor?” Orihime asked curiously, since they’d been walking downstairs the whole time. Her natural curiosity and airhead personality wouldn’t let her not ask.

“Do we really need to know, Hime-chan?” Tatsuki looked over her shoulder at Orihime with a fond smile.

When they got to the bottom of the long staircase, Koganehiko held up his hand to motion for the group to stop. “Please wait here for a moment.”

“Koganehiko?” A voice drifted through the shoji doors behind the large man.

“Y-Yes?” Koganehiko was right beside the doors in an instant.

“Have you brought me an interesting guest?” The voice questioned. “Well, come in! What’re you waiting for?”

“Ah, yes! Right away!” Koganehiko complied and slid the shoji door open for the five guests, beckoning them to enter the room ahead of him.

The room they entered was a large, open space with a tatami mat floor. The lone occupant of the room was a youthful-looking woman of average height. She had green eyes and wore bandages over her long, messy, black hair that parted down in half all the way to the small of her back. She wore a white skirt and a provocative red robe that exposed much of her ample bosom and had a black swirl marking over the stomach area. The beautiful woman was missing her right arm and had a tattoo on her left arm of the kanji for ‘Sky’. She had bandages wrapped around her right shoulder and the stump of her arm and on both ankles as well. Strapped to the remainder of her right arm, near her shoulder, was a sheathed shortsword, similar to Orihime’s kodachi in length, the tsuba was a dull bronze colored rectangle with the corners rounded inwards in half circles, the wrappings of the handle were a red-pink color and the kashira was a matching dull bronze to the tsuba.

“Hello. It’s been a long time, Yoruichi.” The woman greeted the black cat while resting her left arm on a purple kyosoku, while propping her up from behind were three large purple pillows with the same black swirl design that was on her outfit.

“K­ūkaku’s a woman?!” Ichigo exclaimed in surprise. He’d been expecting a man, given that Yoruichi had never once called K­ūkaku a female and the black cat had a masculine voice itself.

“Holy shit, she’s hot!” Tatsuki blurted out before she could stop herself.

“I think her boobs are bigger than mine!” Orihime nearly squealed as she looked at K­ūkaku’s tits in the skimpy red top.

Chad’s shock at finding out that Shiba K­ūkaku was a woman was quickly replaced by his shock at what Tatsuki and Orihime had just said. He looked between the two in stunned silence. Tatsuki was already blushing, her hand over her mouth at what she’d blurted out. Orihime was giggling sheepishly, rubbing the back of her head.

“Hmph.” Kūkaku looked vaguely amused by the two girls. “I’ve not met very many women that have tits bigger than mine.” She chuckled at Orihime’s outburst before turning her eyes on the black cat again. “Who’re the kids?” She asked Yoruichi, her green eyes lingering on Ichigo for a moment.

“Kūkaku, I’ve come to ask you a favor.” Yoruichi padded forward, the soft paws not making a sound on the tatami mats.

“Of course you have.” Kūkaku grinned at the cat. “That’s usually the case when you show up.” Her green eyes locked on the golden feline eyes of Yoruichi. “Trouble?

“Probably.” Yoruichi replied simply.

“Heh. We haven’t had an exchange like this in too long.” Kūkaku smirked as she sat up fully. “Go on. Let’s hear your story. I love trouble.”

Everyone was bidden to sit down on the tatami and then Yoruichi spoke, telling Kūkaku of the situation with Rukia and why the five of them had come to see her. Kūkaku started smoking from a kiseru pipe while listening, thein white smoke coming from the end. After hearing the whole story, Kūkaku sat quietly for a long moment as she thought everything over.

“I see. I get the picture now.” Kūkaku removed the kiseru and held it with her left hand. “Fine. I accept.”

“You do?!” Yoruichi seemed surprised by the quick acceptance.

“Sure. If Urahara’s involved, how could I possibly say no?” Kūkaku sighed, knowing that she still owed the man a large favor. “Just one thing. I trust you…” Her eyes locked onto Yoruichi’s with hidden meaning. “But I’m not so sure about these kids.” Her green eyes left Yoruichi’s leadingly, looking over Chad, Tatsuki, and Orihime, before settling on Ichigo for a prolonged moment. Yoruichi caught onto Kūkaku’s meaning and gave a subtle nod. “I’m assigning a man to oversee the operation. That’s all right with you, isn’t it?”

“Of course.” Yoruichi agreed easily.

“A man?” Ichigo spoke up for the confused group.

“Yes.” Kūkaku stood up and walked over to one of the sliding doors. “Well, actually he’s my little brother. He’s a useless brat, but…” She placed her hand on the door. “Well? Ready?”

“Wait… Just a second!” A muffled voice came through the door.

“I’m opening it! And you’d better behave yourself!” Kūkaku warned the person on the other side.

“Okay!” The muffled voice sounded panicked at the warning. “Ready sis!”

The door was slid open and the little brother was revealed. “Hello! My name’s Shiba Ganju! It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance!” Ganju greeted them with his eyes closed and a big smile on his face. He’d changed out of his previous clothing and now wore a dark green headwrap over his black hair, a white kosode with a light green vest over it bearing a pattern of fern leaves, blue-gray hakama covered his legs and he had a black obi tied around his waist. Ganju opened his eyes after his greeting, only to come face to face with the group from last night at the elder’s house.

A dead silence filled the large room for a moment.

“AAAGH!!!” Ganju cried out in shock, pointing at Ichigo.

“YOU!!!” Ichigo pointed at Ganju with a glare.

“What?” Kūkaku blinked at the reaction of the two men, looking confused. “You two know each other?”

Ganju launched himself at Ichigo, fist cocked back to deliver a punch. Ichigo, not just going to sit there and take it, shot to his feet and lashed out with a kick. Ganju went sprawling, only to roll on the tatami and spring at Ichigo, spearing him and taking him down to the floor. The two men continued to punch, kick, and grapple with each other on the floor before separating and getting to their feet to fight some more.

“You’re going down, dandelion-head!” Ganju declare rushing at Ichigo with a punch.

“Bring it, pig straddler!” Ichigo prepared to counter and knock Ganju out.

“CUT IT OUT!!!” Kūkaku roared as her left fist slammed down on the top of Ganju’s head, drilling him into the floor as blood flew from his nose and mouth from the forceful collision. In a show of incredible flexibility and martial skill, Kūkaku’s right leg extended straight up above her head, before she brought her heel down on Ichigo’s skull in a brutal axe kick that left him in the same state as Ganju.

Tatsuki, Chad, and Orihime could only look on in stunned shock at the brutal and efficient takedown. Yoruichi only seemed amused, rather than surprised in any way.

“What’s wrong with you guys?” Kūkaku demanded of the laid out Ganju and Ichigo. “Attacking each other the moment you meet!”

“She kicked me without warning…” Ichigo pushed himself up off the floor. “Must run in the family.”

“But sis!” Ganju sat up and looked at his older sister with tears at the corner of his eyes. “That jerk…”

He was cut off by a kick to the face from Kūkaku. “Don’t talk back!” The fact that Ganju was know bleeding on the floor as his consciousness wavered, prevented him from talking at all. But the Shiba Head wasn’t done, she took two quick steps to Ichigo and grabbed him by his orange hair, roughly jerking him to his feet. “Listen to me, you little punk! This is my house! You don’t like how I run things? Then get the hell out!” She glared daggers at Ichigo, daring him to speak against her.

“I…I’m sorry, ma’am.” Ichigo apologized to Kūkaku, the pain in his head reminding him of what happened to those that went against the woman. He didn’t even try to take a peek at the massive amount of cleavage that was being shown off by Kūkaku leaning forward like she was. That might be a death sentence.

“All right. As long as you understand.” Kūkaku’s expression softened, becoming only vaguely annoyed, as she dropped him back to the floor.

“Your sister’s scary…” Ichigo whispered to Ganju as they both lay on the floor.

“Tell me about it…” Ganju wheezed out from his prone position.

“All right! Everybody up!” Kūkaku ordered loudly.

“Yes ma’am!” Tatsuki, Orihime, and Chad sprang to their feet, none of them wanting to get on Kūkaku’s bad side.

“Now then, shut your mouths and follow me.” Kūkaku led them out of the room and across the house through a few hallways. The architecture notably changing once they got to a certain part of the house.

“Wow, there’s a lot of lights down here.” Tatsuki looked at the lighting on the ceiling that looked like recessed lamps. “I didn’t see a power source on the way in.”

“We grow hotarukazura here.” Kūkaku spoke up, using her index finger to point at the ceiling lights. “In the holes in the ceiling and on both sides of the wood paneling.” She pointed at the walls.

“Hotarukazura?” Orihime put her index finger on her chin as she tried to recall if she’d ever heard of such a plant.

“Must be native to Soul Society.” Chad guessed, never having heard of such a thing either.

“Okay, here we are!” Kūkaku stopped in front of a specific door. “Open it, Ganju!”

“Yes!” Ganju was at the door in a blur. “Opening door! Here we go!” He pulled the door aside, quickly moving out of his older sister’s path.

“Huh?” Ichigo wasn’t sure what he was seeing as he entered the new room.

The room they entered had a wood floor and was a massive circular space. In the center of the room was a platform with six steps that held a tall black tower which went up to, and through, the ceiling.

“What’s this?” Chad questioned, looking up at the tower.

“It’s huge!” Orihime marveled at the cylindrical spire.

“I’m going to launch you guys into Seireitei with this!” Kūkaku declared with a bright smile, her left hand on her hip. “Through the sky!” She pointed straight up with an amused grin.

“THE SKY?!” Tatsuki and Ichigo exclaimed at the ridiculous statement.

“I’m Shiba Kūkaku! Soul Society’s premiere fireworks expert!” Kūkaku stated, her left hand back on her hip as she thrust her chest out proudly.

‘She’s going to pop out of her top.’ Orihime, Tatsuki, and Ichigo all thought at the same time as they saw the red robe strain against her tits.

“Did you say ‘fireworks expert’?” Chad had to ask, just to make sure he heard the woman’s declaration correctly.

“That’s right!” Kūkaku grinned before looking up at the ceiling. “Koganehiko! Shiroganehiko! Hoist it!”

“Yes ma’am!” The muffled calls of the brothers were heard coming from beyond the ceiling. On the grass behind the house, both large men grabbed a handle of an equally large crank. “Hoi! Hoi! Hoi! Hoi! Hoi!” The quickly moved the handles in circles as the ground around the white ‘chimney’ suddenly began to open, revealing it to be a large hatch hidden beneath the ground.

“The floor is rising!” Tatsuki cried out in surprise as they moved upwards.

“The ceiling is opening!” Orihime was awed by what was going on.

The white coating over the upper part of the black tower cracked and fell away, revealing what had passed for an overly large chimney to actually be the massive black tower. The floor and platform rose to be level with the ground before a loud metallic clang was heard.

“HOI!!!” Shiroganehiko and Koganehiko declared, now that the platform was locked in place.

“How d’you like that?!” Kūkaku asked rhetorically to the stunned group with a big smile on her face. “Did that scare you? This is Shiba Kūkaku’s exclusive fireworks launch pad!”

“The Flower Crane Cannon!” Ganju declared proudly from beside her.

“Who said you could get on the platform?!” Kūkaku kicked him off of it angrily for stealing the best part of the introduction for her cannon. Ganju went flying with blood trailing from his mouth and landed in a heap on the grass.

“But, if you launch us out of a cannon, won’t we die?” Tatsuki questioned, looking warily at the massive cannon. She barely reacted in time to catch a strange translucent sphere that nearly smacked her right in the face. It had a red design in it, reminiscent of a crane’s head and neck with its wings spread. “What’s this?”

“A reishukaku, or spirit core.” Kūkaku answered the girl with a grin. “You can press your palm against it and fill it with Reiryoku.” She demonstrated by making an orb of Reiryoku appear above her hand that was the exact size of the reishukaku. “That orb produces the cannon ball.” She motioned for Tatsuki to toss it back to her, catching it easily when the Martial Artist did so. “Ganju! Get up and come over here!”

“Y-Yes, sis…” Ganju jogged back over and went to stand next to his sister. He accepted the reishukaku when it was placed into his hands.

“Demonstrate.” Kūkaku’s one word order was simple.

“Uuuooohhh!” Ganju did as told, filling the orb with his Reiryoku until it glowed and a transparent sphere of Reishi formed around him.

“Oooh!” Orihime’s eyes sparkled at seeing the sphere. She liked things that were new and interesting!

“As I said, this…” Kūkaku tapped on the sphere surrounding Ganju with her knuckles to show its solidity. “Is the cannon ball.” She looked at the four of them sharply. “Listen carefully. If you think the Sekiseki wall around the Seireitei is the only thing protecting it, you’re wrong. Sekiseki completely blocks spiritual energy, so you can’t make a hole in it with Reiryoku. However, the stone also emits a wave that disperses Reiryoku so completely that it can even destabilize Reishi.” She made sure that all four of the group understood so far before continuing. “The way the wall is designed, it forms a barrier that is a complete sphere around the Seireitei when the Sekiseki wall is lowered. Both high in the sky and deep underground are protected by this barrier. Which means that normally, if you tried to fly in, you’d hit the barrier and disintegrate.”

“Eh…” Chad, Orihime, Tatsuki, and Ichigo all gaped at the defense around the Seireitei.

“That’s where the cannon ball comes in!” Kūkaku banged her fist against the sphere surrounding Ganju.

“Sis…I’m feeling weak…” Ganju mentioned, since powering the sphere alone took a substantial amount of Reiryoku.

“Suck it up!” Kūkaku didn’t even look at his whining. “This is my own invention. The Special Hard Spiritual Partition Penetration Device! By infusing the reishukaku with your combined Reiryoku, you will create a cannon ball that can punch through Seireitei’s barrier!” She declared, proud of her own creation. “The plan is to fire the cannon ball from the Flower Crane Cannon and in you go. It’s a rough ride, but there’s no other way! That’s all! Any questions?!”

“Um…” Ichigo began to speak but was cut off.

“Good! Then you’re dismissed!” Kūkaku snapped her fingers. “Go to the dojo and start practicing with the reishukaku! Koganehiko! Shiroganehiko! Escort them and show them the ropes!”

“Yes ma’am!” The brothers responded as they quickly grabbed the four and started dragging them off.

“Hey!” Tatsuki grimaced at the sudden treatment.

“Eep!” Orihime squeaked as she was picked up.

“Hm…” Chad was honestly surprised that Shiroganehiko could drag him along so easily.

“And you better trained hard!” Kūkaku called out to the four being dragged away. “If any one of you loses focus, it’s BOOM!” She warned them lackadaisically.

“What!” Ichigo cried out at the bland warning. “You never told us that!” He was dragged off before he could say more.

“Hah…” Ganju exhaled heavily as he stopped pouring his Reiryoku into the reishukaku. The orb faded away and Ganju looked uncertain.

“Ganju, you can go now.” Kūkaku spoke while turning her gaze onto Yoruichi. “That that reishukaku and go help them practice.”

“But, Sis, are you really going to help them?” Ganju questioned her, finally getting over his indecisiveness.

“What do you mean?” Kūkaku didn’t turn to look at her little brother.

“I don’t like it!” Ganju stated his feelings on the matter. “Helping a Shinigami, that’s just…what am I supposed to say to big brother? Sis, I think…”

“Ganju.” Kūkaku’s tone was like ice as she looked over her shoulder at him, nearly paralyzing her little brother with her gaze alone. “Are you still on about that?”

“Sis…” Ganju looked at the ground.

“Go, Ganju.” Kūkaku sent him on his way. “And whatever you do, don’t ever let them see your face like that.” She spoke of the sadness on his face as the memories came back to him again.

Ganju didn’t say anything else, merely heading back into the house as he put his emotions back in order.

“We have things to talk about, Yoruichi.” Kūkaku spoke firmly to her friend.

“Indeed we do, Kūkaku.” Yoruichi agreed, walking beside the fireworks expert as they also headed back inside. “Some of which I believe you’ve already figured out.”

“No shit.” Kūkaku sighed, wondering how much she might need to drink over the course of this conversation.

-Seireitei-

Klang

The opening of her cell got Rukia’s attention. She turned to look at who it was and saw Renji along with members of the Kidō Corp. “What is it, Renji?” She questioned her childhood friend and nearly her brother. “Has the day of my execution been pushed forward?” Her violet eyes showed no care nor concern for her life either way.

“In fourteen days you will be executed.” Renji informed her monotonously as he could manage. “I’m transferring you to the Senzaiky­­ū, the Repentance Palace.”

Rukia didn’t say a word, nor did her eyes change. She merely stood up and allowed a red collar to be placed on her by one of the Kidō Corp. members. A white cloth was placed over her head, four red cables attached to it, each one of them attached to one of the shakujō that four of the Kidō Corp. members carried with them. Lastly, her arms were bound together behind her back with a black cable that came from the back of the collar around her neck. All of this was to restrain her physically, block her sight and hearing, and seal her Reiryoku so that she couldn’t use it to try and escape, not that she had any intentions of doing so.

The procession was guided by Renji as the guard, not that any of them believed that such a thing was necessary. But tradition and protocol demanded it, and so it was carried out. The group walked across a bridge suspended high in the air as they approached the white tower that was the Senzaiky­ū.

Once the group had entered the tower, the shakujō were pulled in four different directions. The cables attached to her collar and the cloth over her head separated, removing the cloth and freeing her from the control of the four shakujō bearers. All four of the Kidō Corp. members gave a short bow to Rukia, as was necessary for her standing within Seireitei as part of the Kuchiki Clan.

“Can you see, Rukia?” Renji pointed to the lone, barred window in the tower. “Out that window lies the S­ōkyoku, the instrument that will end your life.” Indeed, through the bars the hill across the way held an immensely long and large halberd-like weapon that was sealed to the ground with at least eight thick ropes all driven into the ground by special stakes, each of which also bore their own unique seals to prevent them from being removed.

Rukia’s expression didn’t change at all, even seeing the weapon that would end her life.

“You may stare out that window each day and repent your crimes. That is why this is called the Repentance Palace.” One of the hooded and masked Kidō Corp. members spoke to Rukia as he moved behind her. “Your hands, please.” Rukia made no moves as the man chanted under his breath and then tapped the black cord that bound her hands and arms. “Release.” The cords loosened before slowly withdrawing back into the red collar.

“Lieutenant Abarai, thank you for escorting the prisoner.” A different Kidō Corp. member thanked the new lieutenant with a bow. “Now, we must go.” He motioned towards the door.

“Very well.” Renji nodded to the hooded and masked man. He looked at Rukia, expression still unchanged, lifeless, and turned away. Renji made it three steps towards the door before he stopped. He moved back towards Rukia quickly even as the Kidō Corp. members questioned his sudden actions. Renji placed his hand onto Rukia’s shoulder with a little force to make sure he had her attention. “Here’s a tidbit of idle gossip for you. Yesterday, some ryoka entered the Soul Society. There were five of them. One of them was a male Shinigami with orange hair.”

The reaction was instant.

Rukia turned towards Renji, life and emotion filling her violet eyes like he hadn’t seen in days. A hundred different things passed through Rukia’s eyes: concern, longing, worry, remorse, love, anger, and even annoyance. But Renji had to turn and leave as the Kidō Corp. members were calling him to do so. If he didn’t comply quickly, they’d have to assume that he was plotting something and seal both of them inside the Senzaiky­ū.

Several minutes later and Renji was walking along a path away from the Senzaiky­ū beneath the awning of the building it was next to. He wasn’t heading anywhere in particular, just wandering slowly back towards Squad Six.

‘All these days… Seeing her eyes come alive like that…’ Renji rubbed the back of his head. The man that she’d given her powers to had formed a connection with Rukia that was powerful for being only a few months old. The redhead couldn’t imagine his oldest friend coming out of her acceptance of death like that for anyone else off the top of his head. As wrapped up in his thoughts as he was, it was no surprise that he was a bit caught off guard when someone called out to him.

“Hey!” A man got Renji’s attention. “Hello!” He waved once he saw Renji’s eyes on him.

“Aizen…” Renji blinked at seeing his old Captain waving to him.

Captain Aizen was a mild-featured man with brown hair and a scholarly appearance, enhanced by his square-framed glasses. He had soft brown eyes and a rather gentle demeanor to all that knew him. He wore the standard Shinigami shihakushō with a captain’s haori over it.

“It’s good to see you, Renji.” Aizen smiled at the redhead. “Do you have a moment?”

Renji didn’t have anywhere else to be for a while, so he agreed to follow along with his former Captain for a chat. It was odd that Aizen wanted a private conversation, but not seeing any harm in it, Renji entered a storage room just off the path and between two of the buildings near the base of the Senzaiky­ū. Aizen closed the curtain, the room not having a full door as it was inside and only held basic cleaning and maintenance supplies.

“It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?” Aizen chuckled lightly, as if the conversation was just about catching up since Renji had left the Fifth Squad.

“Yes…” Renji wasn’t really in the mood for small talk though. He hoped that Aizen would get to the point quickly enough.

“How many years has it been since I lost you to Kenpachi?” Aizen’s voice was easily loud enough to hear for anyone passing by the closed curtain. It would further sell a simple conversation if anyone was trying to eavesdrop. “You’re in Squad Six now, just made lieutenant, yes?”

“Um, yes, sir.” Renji nodded before deciding to just ask. “What did you want to talk about, sir?” He lowered his voice a bit as he knew Aizen wanted the real conversation to remain private.

“Renji, you’re close to Kuchiki Rukia, aren’t you?” Aizen’s voice lowered significantly.

“Well…uh…” Renji didn’t know how to answer that, given that Rukia was now considered a criminal.

“There’s no need to hide it.” Aizen shook his head gently. “I know that you two have practically grown up together, right?”

“Yes…” Renji was now curious as to where this private conversation was headed.

“I’ll get right to the point.” Aizen’s face became serious. “In your opinion, does Kuchiki Rukia deserve to die?”

Renji barely stopped himself from physically reacting to the man’s words. “I’m…I’m not sure I understand.” He diverted the question, now wondering if this was some kind of test or internal investigation against him as a friend of the accused.

“Don’t you think it’s strange?” Aizen questioned the lieutenant. “Her crime was merely the unauthorized loan of her Shinigami Reiryoku to a human. A crime, to be sure, but is it really one requiring such a punishment? I’ve never heard of someone getting the ultimate punishment for a crime like that…especially not a crime that was only recently a crime at all.” A few decades were nothing to a Shinigami as old as Aizen. “On top of the harsh punishment, her Gigai was immediately recalled and disposed of without any reason being given. Then her stay of execution was shortened from thirty-five days to twenty-five days. The use of the S­­ōkyoku on someone below the rank of Captain is also unprecedented.” He looked at Renji. “I can’t help but think this is too many anomalies to be normal.”

“Captain…what are you getting at?” Renji did have to admit, even if only to himself, that Aizen was bringing up some very good points.

“Renji, I have a bad feeling.” Aizen admitted with a contemplative look. “I think someone might be behind this.” Renji’s eyes widened and he felt sweat breakout on his brow at the other man’s words. “Maybe I…”

Klang Klang Klang Klang Klang

An alarm sounded throughout the Seireitei suddenly.

“All Captains! All Captains! Report immediately for an emergency officers’ conference!” I repeat!” The voice over the speaker repeated the message again.

“It seems something is going on.” Aizen looked towards the curtained off door. “Just think about what I’ve said, Renji.” He nodded to the redhead and vacated the room to head towards the meeting. With no one around to see, a sly grin crossed Aizen’s face. Another seed of doubt had been sown now. The more confusion there was in Seireitei, the easier it would be to complete his plan.

-Kūkaku’s House-

In a smaller room, Kūkaku lounged on some pillows and a different kyosoku while sharing sake with Yoruichi. Ichigo, Tatsuki, Chad, and Orihime were all still training with the reishukaku, so they had plenty of time to talk.

“Your brother seems to have some issue with Shinigami.” Yoruichi spoke up, looking at Kūkaku. “Quite odd for a member of one of the Five Noble Families.”

“I know…” Kūkaku sighed at Ganju’s distaste for Shinigami. “But it doesn’t do him any good to despise what he is. We Shiba have been Shinigami since the beginning. Whether he likes it or not, and whether he wants to acknowledge it or not. Part of the reason I’m sending him on this little mission of yours is to help him move on from the loss of our older brother.”

“I see.” Yoruichi nodded, knowing what Kūkaku was going to bring up next.

“Who is he?” Kūkaku asked without specifying. Both knew who she was talking about.

“Kurosaki Ichigo, a Substitute Shinigami for Kuchiki Rukia.” Yoruichi answered and watched as Kūkaku finished off an entire saucer of sake in one pull.

“Hah… Hehe… Now, do you wanna tell me who he really is? I recognize the face of my own family, Yoruichi.” Kūkaku’s green eyes looked at the black cat expectantly.

“He is Isshin’s son.” Yoruichi knew that would get a reaction.

“Uncle’s?” Kūkaku blinked at the new information. “He’s alive?” Technically speaking, Isshin had been the head of the last remaining Branch Family of the Shiba Clan. They were related, distantly, but without getting out the scroll detailing the Shiba Clan’s family tree, Kūkaku didn’t know their exact relation, only that it wasn’t close enough to matter genetically. Isshin had just told the three siblings to call him ‘Uncle’ and be done with it.

“He is.” Yoruichi confirmed with a nod. “He has two daughters as well, both younger than Ichigo.”

“Well…damn.” Kūkaku filled up her saucer again and toasted the air with a laugh. “To uncle! For working to regrow the Shiba Clan’s numbers!” She downed the saucer in one go. “Who’re the two girls with him, aside from his lovers.”

“That obvious, huh?” Yoruichi chuckled.

“Duh.” Kūkaku snorted at the obvious closeness between the three.

From what I’ve gathered.” Yoruichi explained what she knew of the relationship between Ichigo, Orihime, Tatsuki, and Rukia.

“Woo~” Kūkaku whistled at the relationship. “The Shiba Clan charm actually works once in a while.” She snickered at her own joke. “Young man makes me think about it too.” She admitted without a care. Ichigo was a fine-looking man, and she could sense the Reiatsu he carefully contained even as some of it slipped out. Shiba men like him came along once every couple of generations, and she wouldn’t mind keeping that power within their Clan.

Yoruichi chuckled a little. “He does have some admirable qualities, to be sure.” The black cat lapped up some sake from the saucer in front of it. “You should’ve seen the power he unleashed when he learned his Zanpakutō’s name.”

“Oh?” Kūkaku raise an eyebrow curiously. “What’s the name?”

“Shingetsu.” Yoruichi gave a cat’s grin.

“What is it with that branch of the family and the moon names?” Kūkaku laughed brightly. She hadn’t been able to talk about her Clan like this in the last several years. On account of everyone else being dead. “Ah, it’s good to know that we’re not gone yet.”

“Speaking of gone…” Yoruichi briefly glanced at Kūkaku’s missing arm.

Kūkaku looked at her remaining stump and gave a wan smile. The sword strapped to the stump of her right arm visibly twitched and rattled in its sheath a bit. “We got a bit too reckless… Went a little too far… I don’t blame you.” She placed her left hand on the sword and it settled down.

“Kūkaku…” Yoruichi understood all too well. There was a reason that the Five Noble Families rarely unleashed their Zanpakutō unless they truly needed to. The power that lay with their members, the power that the Zanpakutō brought out and strengthened further, it could even harm them if it wasn’t properly controlled.

“I can still throw down, if necessary, Yoruichi.” Kūkaku waved it off with a shake of her head. “Maybe not as well as I used to…but Bakusaiten and I aren’t helpless.”

“That girl, Orihime,” Yoruichi spoke up after a long moment of thought. “Her Zanpakutō could probably restore your arm.”

“You can’t heal what isn’t there, Yoruichi.” Kūkaku let out a mirthless chuckle.

Yoruichi didn’t blink. “I said restore, not heal.” The black cat clarified. “Her power is unlike anything I’ve ever heard about, and even Urahara is still going through his theories about it after observing it in-person.” Yoruichi stared into Kūkaku’s eyes for a long moment. “She’s going to become family; and she’s a sweet girl that would love to help. Just consider asking her before we leave.”

“Maybe…” Kūkaku’s voice was incredibly low as her left hand gently rested on the stump of her right arm.

“Should I change back?” Yoruichi offered, to help lighten the mood a bit.

Kūkaku snorted out a laugh at the offer. “If you do that, we’re both going to get sidetracked.” Her green eyes met Yoruichi’s golden ones. “You’re not wearing any clothes, and we have a history.” The fireworks expert grinned saucily at the cat.

“Another time perhaps…” Yoruichi gave the cat equivalent of a shrug. “Perhaps we can invite Ichigo and his lovers?”

“Having the honeymoon before the wedding is just like you, huh?” Kūkaku chuckled, pouring more sake.

“Your one to talk.” Yoruichi laughed and finished off the first saucer of sake. “Another, please.” It was quickly refilled.

“Eh, he’ll need to know sooner rather than later.” Kūkaku admitted after another drink. “And if I have to, I’m going to the Living World and I’m gonna beat answers out of uncle.” She cracked the knuckles of her left hand.

“Let me watch.” Yoruichi laughed amused at the idea.

Kūkaku finished off another saucer. “Now, explain to me how he was a Substitute Shinigami, exactly?” She questioned the confusing nature of Ichigo. “Who’s the mother? And does he know Raikōhō yet?” She was obviously looking for all the information that she could get on Ichigo.

“Not that I’m aware of.” Yoruichi replied with a shake of the head.

“What the hell? He’s more than old enough! What has uncle been doing?!” Kūkaku growled at the lack of upkeep of Shiba traditions.

“I’ll have to start at the beginning to answer that.” Yoruichi pushed the empty saucer forward for a refill.

“We’ve got all night.” Kūkaku refilled it. “I’ll have Shiroganehiko and Koganehiko feed them and show them to the baths and stuff.” The last two attendants of the Shiba Clan were loyal beyond all else after all.

Shiba Kūkaku, current Head of the Shiba Clan’s Main Branch, would learn a great many things this night, several of which shocked her, and a few of which angered her greatly. These facts had put a target on the backs of a few people, unbeknownst to the unfortunate souls. But the bastards deserved it. Or at least they did in Kūkaku’s eyes, and that was all that mattered if things played out as Yoruichi and Kisuke suspected they might.

-End Chapter-

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

Shiba Kūkaku met!

Tatsuki: “OH NO, SHE’S HOT!!!” lol

Ichigo, Chad, Orihime, and Tatsuki have some practicing to do if they want to break into Seireitei and save Rukia. While they’re doing that, Yoruichi and Kūkaku can catch up after more than a century!

Yoruichi shares what she knows, and Kūkaku has things to think about, as well as people to plot against.

What is a Bakusaiten? I think you all know what it is. But if you want to know what the name translates to, it means: Explosive Crushing Heaven

Ichigo has two more that seem interested! Ooohhh~

Will his pelvis survive? KEK!!!

Does the Cannon Ball break in work this time around?

Keep reading to find out!

Until I get your reviews, later!