Bleach: Late: 02 (M)
04 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
in Bleach Tags: Bleach Late, Gin + Rangiku, Toshiro + Rangiku
Disclaimers, etc., see chapter one
Late
A Bleach Fanfiction By Eugena
Chapter Two: Thinking of You
Rage burned in Toshiro’s heart. He tried not to remember the many times that Gin Ichimaru had visited the Tenth Squad. “Was it then?” he would ask himself each time he thought of a visit. “Did they ever . . . ?” he didn’t want to fill in the blank. Never wanted to ask, “Did they ever have sex in my barracks?” The thought of it alone sickened him. He never really liked Ichimaru and not at all after he became a traitor.
He tried never to think of Matsumoto’s personal life. He’d always suspected she’d end up with Zaraki or Madarame after becoming drunk in one of their many drink-a-thons. Well, perhaps not Zaraki. He could hold his liquor. Even though he was a ruthless fighter, Hitsugaya could never imagine him taking advantage of a not-so-sober Matsumoto.
But Ichimaru didn’t need her drunk. No, he was sure of it. Of her own free will, she had always chosen him. And he remembered . . .
oOo
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO – SQUAD ELEVEN BARRACKS
Zaraki took Matsumoto on. Granted, with his spiritual power severely restricted. As a “thank you” for looking after Yachiru many times, he had decided that whenever he got bored, he would spar with her. Who knows, maybe Zaraki would learn the name of his zanpakto, or Matsumoto would achieve bankai. Anyone would have to in order to stand up to a full powered Zaraki. Hitsugaya watched, as he had many times before. Weary that Zaraki might accidentally increase his power and harm Hitsugaya’s favorite (and only) fukutaicho.
This time, Momo Hinamori stood beside Hitsugaya, watching the match. “Matsumoto-san sure is improving, Lil’ Shiro,” she said.
“Don’t call me that,” he warned. “It’s Hitsugaya Taicho.”
“Yes, sir,” she complied, bored. “Aren’t you impressed with her improvement, Taicho?”
“I’d expect only the best from her—and you,” he added.
“Still,” Hinamori said a bit sadly, “she’s lucky to get the attention of a taicho.”
“Oh?” he asked, thinking she meant Zaraki, “I suppose you want me to spar with you too?”
“No, no,” she said. “I mean it’s not that I wouldn’t—I mean that’s not what I meant.” Hitsugaya would not be able to understand. Yes, Matsumoto had Zaraki’s attention, but there was one other taicho who gave her the type of attention she could only dream of from her own taicho.
“Well, well, what are we up to, kids?” Speak of a devil, it was Ichimaru. He walked up to Hitsugaya and Hinamori, his eyes in their usual slit. He made Hinamori’s skin crawl. She wanted the type of attention he gave, but certainly not from him. What did Matsumoto see in him?
“I see that this is where you’ve been hiding my Rangiku, Captain. I’ve been looking for her.”
“She’s in plain sight,” Hitsugaya countered quickly. “You should watch her.” He hated saying that last bit. Yes, he wanted to show her off and boast of her prowess, but he’d rather Ichimaru left.
“Thank you for inviting me, taicho,” he said and turned his attention to Matsumoto.
He enjoyed watching her, almost seeing each of her movements before she made them. Yes, she was predictable. Well, perhaps not. It was just that he knew her so well, so intimately. She fought with Zaraki for a long time, expertly countering several of his blows and dodging the others. Finally, she had reached her limit, growing more tired and Zaraki nearly struck her.
Ichimaru had leapt down and picked her up before the blow landed. Granted, Squad Four could have healed her, but as long as he was watching his Rangiku, not a scratch would come to her.
“Impressive, Rangiku,” he said as he held her in his arms.
“Captain . . . .” she stammered, tired from the fight, not noticing that Hitsugaya had been only a little behind Ichimaru in the same rescue attempt.
He lowered his mouth closer toward her ear. “I’ve missed you.”
He put her down hesitantly, reluctant to let go of her. “If I made you my fukutaicho, we could spend more time together.”
Hitsugaya became furious. He wasn’t sure what to say, but he did not want to remain silent. Zaraki interrupted his thoughts.
“You alright, Rangiku?” Zaraki called from far behind them.
“Yes, Zaraki Taicho,” she answered. “It was a good fight.”
“Anytime, but you shouldn’t push yourself too far.” Zaraki had sheathed his zanpakto and walked over towards them. Yachiru was not far behind.
“That was a great fight, Kenny,” she said. “You’ve really gotten better, Rangi,” she said to Rangiku.
“Thanks,” she said to both of them.
“Matsumoto, are you free this evening?” Ichimaru asked.
“Yes, Ichimaru Tai—”
“Then I will see you this evening,” he said interrupting her. As he walked past her, he allowed his hand to brush against hers.
By this time, Hinamori had already joined the group. At hearing Ichimaru’s words, Hinamori` blushed, her mind wandering to the implied promise behind his words.
“Matsumoto,” interrupted Hitsugaya in a firm voice, “I believe we have several things to go over.”
Her nervous smile fell from her lips. “Yes, Captain.” She turned again to Zaraki and the others. “Thank you again, Kenpachi,” she said, not used to referring to him by his first name, “Yachiru. I’ll see you later, Momo.”
Bleach: Late: 01 (M)
04 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
in Bleach Tags: Bleach Late, Gin + Rangiku, Toshiro + Rangiku
Bleach © Kubo Tite
Late
A Bleach Fanfiction By Eugena
Rated: M
After Aizen, Ichimaru, and Tosen defect from Soul Society, Hitsugaya must pick up the pieces of Matsumoto. Toshiro/Rangiku, Gin/Rangiku.
Chapter One: A Final Birthday Present
Rangiku Matsumoto begins another day at her sink. Sick. Her best friend, who once gave her a day to celebrate her birth had walked away yet again. In the pit of her stomach, she could not quell the loneliness that swelled up.
Rangiku retched again.
“Rangiku?” her taicho called through to her.
She felt so sick she wanted to cry. Her grief overwhelmed her.
She wiped her mouth and opened the door. She tried to give Toshiro a warm greeting, but nothing came from her lips.
“Rangiku.” His voice again. He had never seen her like this before. He held his arm out to support her. “Come, let’s go see Unohana Taicho.”
She tried to speak, tried to do anything but think of Gin. Yet to no avail, all of her moments with him came back to her. She turned away from Toshiro, not wishing him to see her cry.
His arm caught her waist. “Rangiku, if you can’t trust me, who can you trust?”
She allowed him to take her weight, the closest thing she could do to speak. He smiled at her, and the genuineness of it broke her heart. She would never see Gin smile again.
Gin never smiled like that. No matter where their relationship went, Gin would have never been like that. Gin . . . .
Her mind dwelled on the past as Toshiro picked her up and whisked her away towards the Squad Four barracks.
oOo
By the time Toshiro arrived, Rangiku had lost consciousness. On his way there, Yachiru had seen them and had followed them. “What’s the matter with Rangi?” Yachiru asked.
“I don’t know,” Toshiro answered as Unohana Taicho came over to them. “She’s been very sick.”
“Don’t worry. Hanna will get her better.”
Toshiro carried her over to an empty bed, worrying over her pale face.
Unohana placed a hand on Rangiku’s forehead. “So many strange things have begun to happen since Aizen, Ichimaru, and Tosen betrayed us.”
“Ichimaru betrayed her most of all,” Toshiro said.
oOo
Yachiru had left Squad Four to return to Kenpachi and inform him of Rangiku. “Rangi” as Yachiru called her often spent free time with the reapers of Squad Eleven.
oOo
Toshiro withdrew to a place within himself to talk to Hyorinmaru.
“Are you prepared for the truth, Toshiro?” Hyorinmaru asked him.
“What do you mean?” he asked. “Do you know something about this?”
Hyorinmaru’s icy breath washed over him. “If you were older, you would make the same guesses I would. Yet I do not need to guess. I sense it already. What is your loyalty to her? How far will it go?”
“She is my fukutaicho, and I am her taicho. I will not stand by and let her be hurt.”
“You are too late to stop it all, but perhaps you can quell her pain for the future.”
oOo
Unohana Taicho woke Toshiro from his state. “Hitsugaya Taicho, I have discovered what troubles her.”
His eyes widened. “Is there a cure?”
“It depends, captain. This is difficult. I must talk to you alone.” She signaled to the members of her squad in the room. The members and her lieutenant left the three in privacy.
“Normally, this is something she would tell you herself, but I must since she is not awake. She is pregnant, Hitsugaya.” She allowed the news to sink in. Toshiro felt sick. Although he was not completely surprised, he still did not want to believe it. Hyorinmaru was right. Had he been older, more mature, he might have asked her about this before involving another.
“She is most likely sick from stress, and this could be good news. But I will not pretend not to know the father.”
“What do you mean?” he demanded, sick at the unspoken thought between them.
“I will leave it up to you as to whether you or I should tell her.”
“Thank you,” he said and stood up quickly. “Please let me know when she wakes.”
oOo
He did not wait for her reply. Instead, he rushed back to his office, the whole time trying to drown out Unohana’s words. He would not accept such an explanation. He would not acknowledge the name of the man she did not speak of.
I swear it, I will kill you.
Bleach: Cross: Soul of Shirahime: 02 (M)
04 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
in Bleach Tags: Bleach Cross, Bleach Cross Soul of Shirahime, Gin + Rangiku, Mayuri + Shirahime, Shiroyuki + Shirahime
Disclaimers, etc., see chapter one
Opening Theme: Rewrite by Asian Kung-Fu Generation
Ending Theme: Kyouka Suigetsu (Aizen Character Song)
A/N: Warning Dark!Mayuri emerges (worse than his usual)
Bleach: Cross
Soul of Shirahime
By Eugena
Chapter Two: Descent into Madness
THE PAST LIFE MIRAGE – ROYAL PALACE
Mayuri didn’t remember this place. He had never been here before. Though he could not see the place at first, slowly the plush chairs and benches of the Royal Palace faded into view. He looked down the hallway at servants rushing back and forth. He heard Zangetsu’s voice off in a distance, though he did not know him: “Please, my prince, you must calm down.”
“Calm down?” Mayuri recognized this voice. It was Kail, Ichigo’s Hollow and reincarnation of his twin brother.
“You can’t know for sure,” Zangetsu continued.
“He left her!” he shouted. “He left my princess for that guard!” Kail’s shouting became louder and lounder.
“Please, my lady,” said Senna beside him, “why won’t you lie down?” Senna’s gaze held him. “You need rest.”
He doubled over in pain, grabbing his chest. He felt like a sword had pierced it.
“My lady!” Senna cried. “Prince Kail, Zangetsu, help us!”
oOo
HUECO MUNDO
Blood dripped down Mayuri’s face and into his mouth. He tasted the salt and iron of it, licking it as a dog would lick its wounds. His hands gripped the Yukihime and Shinnou zanpaku-tos. He felt the heaviness on his left shoulder and looked to see Shirahime’s broken body draped over it.
He licked the blood more. Ichimaru looked better dead, tasted better. “Shinnouhi,” his droned in a thick voice, “we’re going home.”
Too bad Ichimaru hadn’t felt his death, that he was already unconscious when Mayuri ripped him apart.
“Shirahime,” his voice burned in a mix of grief and desire. “All will be forgiven. You’ll forgive me for failing you.”
oOo
SOUL SOCIETY – SQUAD TWELVE BARRACKS (FLASHBACK)
Some of the lower seats in his squad had managed to capture the new Fourth Seat of Squad Eleven. He looked amused at the young woman in the shinigami robes behind him. Her snow white hair covered her face, and blood dripped down the sides of her mouth.
“Zaraki’s new toy,” he said it mostly to himself.
“Damn you,” she said in a language he didn’t know.
“Do you know that aside from the fukutaicho, there hasn’t been a single new woman to join Squad Eleven since Zaraki became taicho? And now, there’s you.”
“Damn psycho.”
“Interesting.” He looked aside to Nemu. “Hold her down.”
“Hai, Mayuri-sama,” Nemu said.
“You do everything he asks?” the captive woman said in a deeper voice, almost masculine. Although her hands were bound tightly behind her back against the chair, she did not struggle.
A faint reiatsu began to surround her. At first, it was white with a tinge of blue. It quickly turned black and red.
“Does he have his way with you?” she taunted in a man’s voice.
Nemu reached down to her. She looked up at her, and her eyes glowed yellow. The reiatsu aura exploded and knocked Nemu and Mayuri against the wall.
oOo
HUECO MUNDO
Mayuri licked the blood off of the arrancar’s zanpaku-to. What an easy kill. He hadn’t bothered to ask for its name.
“He looked at you wrong,” he said to Shirahime’s body.
oOo
SOUL SOCIETY – SQUAD TWELVE BARRACKS – KUROTSUCHI TAICHO’S QUARTERS (FLASHBACK)
“It’s true?” she asked, the near accusation hanging between them.
Mayuri looked at Shirahime but said nothing.
“You’re nothing but a monster,” she said. “You let them burn for the sake of your experiment!” She waved her arm in the air as if throwing a knife. “You sicken me.”
“My squad exists for my experiments.” What was wrong with him that he couldn’t say that to her?
This was not the first time she had brought up the incident where he first met Ishida and Inoue.
oOo
HUECO MUNDO
Shirahime seemed heavier to him. He pushed forward, barely conscious of his nakedness and injuries. He thought of Shirahime. He remembered so many moments with her, most of them conflict.
oOo
SOUL SOCIETY – SQUAD TWELVE BARRACKS (FLASHBACK)
The black and red reiatsu blasted Mayuri and Nemu against the wall. “This will be interesting,” he said as he freed himself from the wall.
The shinigami stood to her feet, the Shiro Zangetsu in her hands. She laughed manically. Raising the sword, she sliced it down: “Tensa no Shinnou!” A white fire shot from the sword towards him and he barely had time to get out of its way.
“Impressive,” he said again. “And who are you?”
“I am Shirahime’s protector.”
oOo
HUECO MUNDO
Protector.
“I will protect you,” he said, knocking down another arrancar. He raised Shinnou and plunged it into the fallen arrancar.
He would need his own zanpaku-to.
Bleach: Cross: Soul of Shirahime: 01 (M)
04 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
in Bleach Tags: Bleach Cross, Bleach Cross Soul of Shirahime, Gin + Rangiku, Mayuri + Shirahime, Shiroyuki + Shirahime
Bleach © Kubo Tite. Bleach: Cross original characters and elements, including the “past life backstory” © Eugena.
A/N: After Thorne Shirahime Taicho is defeated at the hands of Aizen, she leaves her soul in an unlikely ally.
Shirahime has changed Kurotsuchi Mayuri. He recalls this in flashbacks during this story.
Pairings: Gin/Rangiku, Mayuri/Shirahime, Shiroyuki/Shirahime.
Rated M for violence and adult content.
Opening Theme: Rewrite by Asian Kung-Fu Generation
Ending Theme: Kyouka Suigetsu (Aizen Character Song)
Bleach: Cross
Soul of Shirahime
By Eugena
Rated M for language and violence.
Chapter One: Repentance
HUECO MUNDO
Gin Ichimaru returned to his captives. His eyes were wider than their usual slits, all part of his ruse to make the woman comfortable. As she breathed in and out in ragged breaths, he recalled how she looked before the battle. Such a regal woman, Thorne Shirahime Taicho looked the same as she would have long ago during her time in the royal family. Such a pleasure and an honor it was to Gin to fight full-blooded royalty.
He reached out to her, taking her cheek between his fingers. Elevating his reiatsu slightly, he smiled reassuringly to her. “I’m good at some kido.” Her breathing evened slightly, a small measure of relief against the intense pain she felt. He leaned in closer, having finally given in to the feelings he had suppressed so long. She could not struggle this time.
“Leave her alone!” rasped the man across from them.
Gin shot a cold glance back at Kurotsuchi Mayuri Taicho, glaring at him in his pathetic state. Mayuri appeared as he did after he regenerated from his ooze form, naked, only his yellow eyes remaining a reminder of his usual visage. All the barriers in the makeshift prison suppressed his spiritual power and left him only a shell of his usual self.
“My, my, Taicho,” Gin taunted. “You are in no position to threaten. You haven’t even clothed yourself. How, rude in the presence of such royalty.”
Gin returned his attention to Shirahime. “Now where were we?”
Shirahime spit at him. He wiped it off in amusement.
“Is that all you have left?” Gin asked. “You are nothing but a pathetic human after all.” He turned back to Mayuri. “You should find this quite interesting, Mayuri. After all, you always do love experiments. How many times have you experimented on a human woman? How far did you go?” He paused, watching Mayuri’s anger build. “Have you ever been with a woman or are you just too awkward?”
Incoherent rage filled Mayuri’s head. A cascade of memories rushed past him. Not long ago, he had met with his former taicho, Kisuke Urahara. “You still don’t understand?” Kisuke asked him. “You have Nemu, but you don’t know what it means to have a child? You may have created her, but surely some part of you would care if she gets hurt?” Kisuke looked at Yoruichi and the new Fifth Division Taicho talking together in the distance. “Even with Aizen exposed, I can never go back to Soul Society. I can never be there to watch over her.” He took off his hat and folded it on his chest, bowing his head slightly. “I have no right to ask anything of you, but please take care of her for me. One day, maybe you will understand.”
Strange that Mayri could ever feel something like love. Even his old taicho, whom he still admired, acknowledged that he was a genius at the expense of decency and ethics. He had sacrificed four of his own squad members in his first attempt to capture Uryuu and Orihime—and he thought nothing of it. They were expendable, like everyone in his squad. His squad existed for his research. Nemu could be rebuilt. Yet then, there was Shirahime. All the captains knew she could never be reincarnated again. This had been the last time.
So, she agreed to marry the current Crown Prince of the Royal Family, Shiroyuki. Her human life would always be insignificantly short to that of a soul reaper’s and certainly that of one of the royal family.
Shirahime would die and never return.
Mayuri could die, and he would return some day.
Mayuri returned his thoughts to Gin. “My desire to be with a woman has never made me so weak.”
Gin merely laughed and his reiatsu forced Mayuri to his knees. “You don’t have to watch.”
By this time, Shirahime had enough of her spiritual energy to face Gin. It would be better if she could stall him a little longer.
“Touch me, and Aizen will kill you.”
“It may be worth it,” he said as he came closer. “After all, if he gets tired of you, he may just take Orihime for his mate instead. In that case, he won’t mind me.”
She struggled to keep her expression neutral, not wishing to betray any weakness. “Rangiku will.“
He backed off as if her words had literally struck him across the face. His partial kido flickered out of existence, and Shirahime felt the full force of the pain return.
“You still love her. Are you so eager to give up on her?”
“You don’t know what love means,” he sneered.
“Really? If you love someone, you are willing to die for them.” Her thoughts returned to Hinamori and Takeya. I’m sorry. “Who are you willing to die for?”
Gin advanced, reaching to his side for his zanpaku-to, Shinzo. “Time to be quiet.”
Mayuri thrashed across from them.
Gin unsheathed Shinzo and struck her across her face with its hilt. She laughed weakly. Gin was finally close enough.
The crushing force of his lips against hers surprised her. She had not intended for that happen. Nor had she expected Shinzo thrust through her already broken chest.
Mayuri screamed, finally standing to his feet, but he was still unable to move any closer.
Blood pooled at the sides of her mouth.
“Now, princess, you can be quiet. You don’t need to feel any more pain. Orihime can heal you later.”
“You are really a fool,” she said through struggling gasps of breath. “Orihime’s tricks never worked on me.”
He stopped, stunned at her words. Of course he knew that, but he had been so angry he hadn’t thought of it before.
“Time to repent, Gin.” She managed one final smile, and with all of her remaining reiatsu summoned up her bankai: “Kouten.”
The force knocked Gin unconscious and he flew backwards across the room, crashing into the opposite wall. Mayuri fell to his knees.
After the explosive force cleared, Mayuri rushed to Shirahime’s side. Even though Shirahime’s zanpaku-tos had been taken from her, just as Mayuri’s had, she could still summon the bankai of Yukihime. After all, she was Yukihime. Mayuri cradled Shirahime in his arms, tears forming at last. He had never cried before.
“You show me your weakness after all. You aren’t just a mad scientist. And that’s your real strength.”
“I don’t know any kido,” he said.
“I know. That’s alright, because I’m too weak to leave anyway. But I won’t let you go alone.” She looked into herself, at the saddened spirit of Shirayukihime. She reached out for her, asking for her power once more.
“Revive. Last Revival, Yukihime no Tenjou.” She reformed the Yukihime zapakto beside her. Her breathing became more labored.
“Stop,” Mayuri begged. “Please stop.”
Her eyesight began to fail. “This is what it’s like to lose someone.”
“Reform Shinnou.” Shinnou, identical in appearance to the White Zangetsu, appeared next to Yukihime.
“No more.”
She nudged Yukihime closer to him. “One more time.” She reached up to his face, barely touching his skin. “So this is what it really feels like. I knew there was a real you behind the mask.” Time slowed for Mayuri as he felt her body grow lighter and her hand fall from his face.
“Revival of the Dead, Shirayukihime.”
Bleach: Cross: Blush: 04
03 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
in Bleach Tags: Bleach Cross, Bleach Cross Blush, Gin + Rangiku, Ichigo + Rukia, Kail + Shirahime, Kenpachi + Shirahime, Toshiro + Shirahime
Disclaimers, etc., see chapter one
Opening Theme: Toki Ni Ai Wa by Masami Okui
Ending Theme: Sen no Yoru wo Koete by Aqua Timez
Bleach: Cross
Blush
By Eugena
Chapter Four: Rewriting History
Ling, Mars (Zhan Shen)
I walk out of my zero degree space and everything finally falls apart
Even if it is tiring to be in love, I won’t regret it
I put down all my defense and don’t care about anything
I run away from the dark world and start a new tomorrow
A new tomorrow
ICHIGO’S INNER BATTLEFIELD (THE SIDEWAYS BUILDING)
Snow fell onto the sideways building. This had once been the battleground between Ichigo and Hollow Ichigo—Kail—but no more. Now it was a place were Kail could meet Shirahime face-to-face, and they could have their own battles.
Kail held out his right hand, catching a snowflake in it. He looked at it and then crushed it in his fist.
“Stupid little reaper!” he shouted. “Thinking he has the right to my one. Not even Ichigo can touch her and he thinks he can!”
“Kail,” Shirahime called from behind him.
He turned around to her, the anger still apparent in his face as he faced her. Sam stood before him in a snow colored dress. The White Zangetsu zanpaku-to was strapped to her shoulder, the only element out of place of her princess look.
“Isn’t it time I woke up? If I don’t soon, Sou Taicho may order tests on me. We can’t expect Fourth and Tenth Divisions to hide you much longer.”
“No,” he answered sharply. “No. I’m keeping you to myself, princess. You aren’t strong enough without me, not after you told Zangetsu to leave.”
“Ai Zangetsu—.”
Kail scoffed at her name for Zangetsu.
“—left because I asked it of him. Yet what of you, Kail Zangetsu? You wouldn’t leave even if I fought you for it.”
“You’re right,” he said walking up to her. “Because I love you enough to ignore your requests.” He grabbed her right hand with his—the same hand he used to crush the snowflake. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “Let’s dance, princess.” He took her hand in his and placed her other hand around his waist. He began to hum a dance tune from the past life.
“I know this song,” she said.
“You should know it. This was the dance we should have had long ago. This was the song they played when you became engaged to Ichigo.”
She tried to stop, but he continued the dance, pulling her around with him on the sideways building. Although his hollow appearance had rarely bothered her, she became frightened as he changed before her. His bone white face changed to flesh, the same with his hands and the other parts of his body. He looked more and more as he did in the past life.
“Kail . . . .”
“Shh,” he said against her ear. “Let us rewrite history together. There is no royal mandate here, no parents who sold you to slavery. There is just you and I. The whole world could burn, and we would still remain.”
Bleach: Cross: Blush: 03
03 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
in Bleach Tags: Bleach Cross, Bleach Cross Blush, Gin + Rangiku, Ichigo + Rukia, Kail + Shirahime, Kenpachi + Shirahime, Toshiro + Shirahime
Disclaimers, etc.: see chapter one
Opening Theme: Toki Ni Ai Wa by Masami Okui
Ending Theme: Sen no Yoru wo Koete by Aqua Timez
Bleach: Cross
Blush
By Eugena
Chapter Three: Gifts and Worth
SOUL SOCIETY – SQUAD ELEVEN BARRACKS – ZARAKI TAICHO’S QUARTERS
Lying on his bed, Kenpachi looked up at the silver necklace he held between his fingers. He watched the sunlight gleam off the chain and the light reflected into his eye. With his other hand, he removed the patch he traditionally wore over his other eye. He wanted to see the necklace with both eyes.
His spiritual pressure spiked as he removed the patch. Third seat Madarame knocked on his door.
“It’s alright,” he said quickly. “Just testing something.”
“Yes, sir.”
Not that he was lying. He was testing something—his memory. Outside of the Court of Pure Souls, he had gone shopping with Yachiru. Very unusual for him, but he would humor anything for her. They looked at many items, and none interested him. Yachiru kept saying that he needed to find the perfect gift for Sam. He still called her that, even though now she took the name Shirahime. After all, they had just been reunited after being apart so long—an entire lifetime for him. But what to get for her?
Jewelry was often worn as a sign of family status. It rarely held some of the same significance here like it did in the human world.
But something in this necklace connected with him. It reminded him of his other life. The old woman who had made the necklace recognized him as a soul reaper and had said her own grandson had left to become one. She had named the necklace the Jewel of Winter, saying that it reminded her of her beloved Toshiro. Of course, she already knew that he had made tapchp and was among the many that protected the common souls of Soul Society.
Yachiru had insisted on trying the necklace on. The silver lotus flower looked good on her, but the chain was too long. She didn’t mind; she knew this gift would not be for her anyway. In the center of the flower, a small stone shined. It was the color of a diamond, but Kenpachi knew it was a more common stone.
“Kenny!” Yachiru burst through his door, bouncing once on the bed.
Kenny sat up. “What brings you here, Yachiru?”
Yachiru put on a long, disappointed face. “Come on, Kenny, you know that. Today’s the day. Today’s Valentines. You have to have your gift ready.”
“Do you have one?”
“Yeah, but you have to give yours first.”
“Okay.” Kenny put Yachiru down on the floor. He handed her his eye patch and stood up. “Hold onto this for me.”
“You got it, Kenny.”
She jumped up and down, watching the stone’s light reflect in the room.
“Here, Yachiru.” He handed her the necklace. “Make sure I don’t lose this.”
oOo
SOUL SOCIETY – SQUAD SIX BARRACKS
It wasn’t often that Renji Abarai bothered himself with affairs of the world of the living. However, he couldn’t help but over hear Matsumoto’s plans for a Soul Society Valentines. He knew it had to be hard for her; after all, she had been in love with Ichimaru, and any holiday centered around love had to be difficult. Usually, the higher ranking reapers shunned such holidays, saying that their position immunized them to such weak emotional needs. Although, none of that was true. It had really been to prevent relationships between captains and their subordinates. Yet love itself could never be denied, even if publically it was.
For instance, Shunsui and Nanao were certainly denying their love for one another.
When did Renji start to notice things like that?
Since Rukia Kuchiki joined the Kuchiki clan.
It became so clear to him now. Now that Rukia had found someone else and openly showed her feelings for him.
Well, at least I’ll let someone else have a nice Valentines.
Although many would not join in the celebration, it would not matter. Renji knew Rangiku had held this event for the new third seat of squad ten, the great bard Thorne. Even now Renji saw tell-tale tensions between Hitsugaya and Zaraki over her. But why? Like many high ranking soul reapers, Renji knew that Thorne was at least part human. He hadn’t yet realized she was all human.
Perhaps it would be nice if he visited the Valentines guest of honor.
oOo
SOUL SOCIETY – SQUAD TEN BARRACKS – THIRD SEAT THORNE’S QUARTERS
Hitsugaya returned to a state of normal consciousness. Once again, he looked upon Shirahime’s sleeping form. A blush creeped into his cheeks—so strange to watch her sleep.
Unfortunately, they were not alone. Kail, the hollow form of Ichigo, rose up from out of Shirahime’s body. He lifted his zanpaku-to and pointed it at Hitsugaya.
“You’d better not get any ideas. She’s my woman.”
Hitsugaya steeled his gaze. “Get in line.”
Kail laughed. “Now this is funny. Who do you think owns her? My brother, your substitute soul reaper? He’s no longer a prince. Kenpachi? His life as her fiancée is over. Am I missing anyone?”
“Zangetsu—and me. I won’t let someone claim her as property.”
“Oh?” he laughed again. “I see. You’re taking Zangetsu’s place. This time around you’re the forbidden lover.”
“You’re wrong. I want her freedom.”
“Oh?” he hissed. “So it is true. You’re in love with Matsumoto!”
“No, damn it!” He began to increase his spiritual energy, preparing to summon Hyorinmaru.
“Element God Hyorinmaru, decide which one of us is worthy!” Kail shouted the challenge. He sat down in front of Shirahime. “If you summon him to hurt me, what do you think will happen to my one? Do you think I will let you? Touch her, and I’ll destroy you.” He laughed again and faded back into Shirahime’s body.
Bleach: Cross: Blush: 02
03 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
in Bleach Tags: Bleach Cross, Bleach Cross Blush, Gin + Rangiku, Ichigo + Rukia, Kail + Shirahime, Kenpachi + Shirahime, Toshiro + Shirahime
Disclaimers, etc.: see chapter one
Opening Theme: Toki Ni Ai Wa by Masami Okui
Ending Theme: Sen no Yoru wo Koete by Aqua Timez
Bleach: Cross
Blush
By Eugena
Chapter Two: Paths Crossing
KARAKURA TOWN
Ichigo Kurosaki and Rukia Kuchiki walked hand-in-hand past the shops of Karakura Town. They had not talked to each other the entire time. They simply enjoyed each other’s company after being apart so long. Not even the snow distracted their thoughts from each other.
“Ichigo?” Rukia placed her other hand on top of his. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
Ichigo ran his free hand through his hair, as if brushing off a thought of doubt. “Yeah, Rukia.” He stayed silent a few moments. “I just feel bad for Zangetsu.”
“It wasn’t too long ago that he returned to you.”
Zangetsu and Ichigo’s Hollow form—Kail—had been reunited with their first love, Shirahime, who was once the Heaven Princess in a time long ago. For now, Kail remained inside Shirahime, allowing her to survive in both human and soul form in Soul Society. She had asked Zangetsu to return to Ichigo after she felt Ichigo’s pain of being separated from him. His zanpaku-to was part of his soul, and he could not do without it. True, Kail was part of his zanpaku-to as well, but some strange power allowed Ichigo to exist without Kail.
“I feel his pain,” Ichigo said. He touched his lips, remembering the last time Sam had kissed Zangetsu. He felt the kiss as if she had kissed Ichigo himself. “It’s been so long. Finally reunited with the woman he loved.”
“Ichigo, it’s not your fault. Shirahime wanted him to return to you.”
“Yeah,” he said with a sigh. “But will she really be okay Soul Society? She’s still human.”
Rukia looked up and smiled up at him. “Hitsugaya Taicho took her in. A little strange for him, but she couldn’t be in better hands. He’s an honorable taicho. I’m sure he’ll protect her.”
Ichigo stopped his walk and Rukia stopped with him.
“Rukia, do you think the past will always repeat itself?”
Rukia looked into his eyes. Seeing for once in a long time Kaien. “No, Ichigo. I think it is good to know about the past, because we can change the future. You could say that I met you once before. But I promise you, this life is a lot different than the life before.”
“I hope so. Because I—I . . . .”
“What, Ichigo?”
“I can feel love for Shirahime. I don’t think it’s Zagetsu’s but it’s from Kail. He was once my twin brother.”
“Twins are very connected, Ichigo,” Rukia said. “You can feel each other’s emotions. You were once married to her. It was your duty to protect her. And that, Ichigo, is something that will never change from the previous life. Give her some time in Soul Society, then go to visit her.”
“Right, Rukia.”
oOo
SQUAD TEN BARRACKS – THIRD SEAT THORNE’S QUARTERS
Hitsugaya allowed himself to go inside of his mind. Here he visited Hyorinmaru. Now was another time he would need the Element God’s wisdom.
oOo
SHIRO’S INNER BATTLEFIELD – FIELD OF ICE
“Why so sad, Toshiro?” Hyorinmaru asked.
Hitsugaya kneeled before Hyorinmaru, frustration racking his body. “Must the past always repeat itself?”
“It is far too soon for that conclusion. If you truly want to protect her, you must rid yourself of your own barriers. You must no longer doubt yourself. Until you do that, you will not be able to protect her.”
oOo
SOUL SOCIETY – SQUAD ELEVEN BARRACKS – KUSAJISHI FUKUTAICHO’S QUARTERS
Yachiru woke up cheerily to watch the cherry blossom petals fall. As she leaned out her window, she inhaled deeply and sighed. Yes, today would be the day. It had to be close to the actual day in the human world. Today in the human world was a day for people to tell the ones they cared about that they loved them. Yes! Today she would convince Kenny to do something. Maybe he didn’t remember his life in the human world with Shirahime—whom Yachiru called mom—but surely his feelings wouldn’t have passed away.
Yachiru reached out a hand to grab one of the petals. She caught it and jumped up and down. “Yes, yes! Kenny’s going to say that he loves mom!” I’ll have a whole family now. I’ve had Kenny, and now I’ve met mom.
She flipped in mid air and landed on her feet. Holding her hand out with a ‘thumbs up’ she was very excited about her plan. She would get Kenny to confess his love for mom.
Bleach: Cross: Blush: 01
03 Jul 2011 Leave a Comment
in Bleach Tags: Bleach Cross, Bleach Cross Blush, Gin + Rangiku, Ichigo + Rukia, Kail + Shirahime, Kenpachi + Shirahime, Toshiro + Shirahime
Bleach © Tite Kubo. Bleach: Cross original characters and elements, including the “past life backstory” © Eugena.
A/N: This is a Valentine’s-centric fic. Other details from Bleach: Cross are in the main story.
Pairings: Toshiro/Shirahime, Kenpachi/Shirahime, Kail/Shirahime, Gin/Rangiku, Ichigo/Rukia
Opening Theme: Toki Ni Ai Wa by Masami Okui
Ending Theme: Sen no Yoru wo Koete by Aqua Timez
Bleach: Cross
Blush
By Eugena
Rated: T
Chapter One: The Unraveling
Ichigo’s Narration (Voice Over)
Ichigo Kurosaki, 15, substitute soul reaper. Until recently, I was the only human soul reaper.
Rukia Kuchiki, the soul reaper that gave me her powers, has been living in my closet and trying to live a human life. She gave me a book called Kail the Knight and as it turns out, that’s changed my life more than I could have imagined. But there’s more to that story, I’ll save it for another time.
Sam Hawthorne, author of that book, had been transported into Soul Society by none other than Zangetsu—the incarnation of my zanpaku-to. As it turns out, she was in love with him in a past life but married me. She was once the Snow Princess of the Heavens, Shirayukihime no Tenjou. Now she’s taken up her old familiar name, Shirahime, the one she once let her friends call her and what I once called her. But I doubt I’m her only love this time, now she’s the third seat of Squad Ten under Toshiro Hitsugaya Taicho and Rangiku Matsumoto Fukutaicho. After all, I’m sure my hollow, Kail, will cause trouble.
oOo
SOUL SOCIETY – SQUAD TEN BARRACKS – THIRD SEAT THORNE’S QUARTERS
“Sleeping as usual?” Hitsugaya asked Matsumoto as he looked over at Thorne.
“It can’t be helped, Taicho,” Matsumoto said, brushing back a lock of her hair. “She is still human. Time passes much faster in her world than ours.”
Hitsugaya looked away from them both. “I know.” His tone was low, almost remorseful. “I wish I could restore her back to herself.”
“It won’t be possible, Taicho.” Matsumoto made a fist and brought it down to the desk. She stopped herself short of slamming it and making too much noise. “Not right,” she said. “Will we always be prisoners of the past?”
Hitsugaya looked up, a slight blush on his cheek. Ever since meeting Shirahime, he had found out a past life he had shared with Matsumoto. It was a past life he regretted, one he never wanted to repeat. He would never be weak again. He will protect both Matsumoto and Shirahime.
“Rangiku,” he said in a soft voice.
“T-taicho?” her voice broke, so unaccustomed to hearing him use her given name.
“I swear to you, and to her, that the past won’t be repeated anymore.”
Matsumoto looked away from him. The pain of memories threatened her eyes to tears. “Taicho, the best thing would be to give her happy memories. Erase the pain with new memories.”
“For both of us. All of us.”
Matsumoto nodded and left. She could take on the taicho’s duties for today. They both needed their own sort of closure. She had the Gin of her heart to battle for the day and Hitsugaya had to grow up a little before he could take on his problem.
