Trial of Fire

Chapter 11
Pain

If it was one nice thing about Ikkaku-taichou it was that he never held back. That said Kinomi almost wished he was as she was still struggling to control her Bankai, the power it was granting her was more then she could easily handle and she found herself flying past her intended target or throwing her strikes too late as she was not accustom to moving at such speeds.

Nor was she use to facing against duel weapons, let alone triple like Ikkaku’s Bankai was. First she had to learn that before she could even begin to master her own blade and powers.

So it was that Ukitake-taichou started to spar physically with her and Taka a bit more, and had even managed to sucker his old friend Shunsui to join them on rare occasions, as no one was more skilled with two weapons then him. Yumi-taichou also laid down the law and dragged Hisagi out, forcing him to release his Shikai.

Kinomi only ever used her Shikai when sparing against them. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Hisagi, Ukitake, or Shunsui to keep the secret about her Bankai, but the less people who knew the less of a chance of a slip up and her blade didn’t change all that much in either form. It was the skill she was looking for after all.

She found it was almost impossible to defend against two blades with one so at Ikkaku’s insistence she drew her sheath to function as another blade. She had never duel wielded in her life and it was exciting and slightly frustrating to be learning this new skill.

Zan and Leon moved into the Shihoin estate within a week and a week later they were still brimming with excitement, but told them they had unfortunately signed a wavier making sure they kept any family secrets to themselves, which Kinomi and the others could easily respect and thus never pressured the boys about what they were learning.

When their parents returned Ichigo was displeased but Rukia was ecstatic that her son had been approached for such an honored thing and Kinomi wasn’t murdered. The month came and went and the boys showed no sign of wanting to come home yet.

The Noble Cabal continued to launch political assaults against them, but had lost a bit of steam once it was clear which side of the fence the Shihoin were on. That gave them two out of four of the Greater Noble Houses as their supporters, as well as all the lesser houses attached to the Shihoin.

Their early warning system was now fully in place and all they could do now was play the stupid waiting game and continue to go about their training and lives.

“You are drifting again Pantera, pay attention.” Ikkaku’s voice snapped at her and she barely managed to dodge a strike from one of his twin blades.

She cursed herself for getting distracted and focused on her opponent, melding her mind with the far more experienced one of Kyattsuai. She managed to parry the next strike and rushed in past the chained blade only to have to abort as he simply dropped that chain, grabbed the bladed centre piece, and shifted his body so her strike sparked off of it. Then she took a nice gash up her leg from the other twin blade he still held in his other hand.

Once again she had forgotten about the sheath in her hand to try and block that strike, granted the sheath probably would have shattered under the strength of the blow.

God she hated fighting that stupid triple blade. The fact the third blade was content to hover behind him and he didn’t need to keep a grip on it made it all the more frustrating as he could pull it anytime he needed it.

And the stupid linked chains. She couldn’t just dart left or right after bypassing them to get to his body because she would get tangled in those god awful chains that seemed to extend and retract at his will.

Retreating to a safe distance she checked the gash in her leg, determining it to be just above shallow and nothing to overly worry about at this time. Maybe she should spend more time with Hisagi and less with Ukitake and Shunsui. Hisagi’s style was closer to Ikkaku’s than the two taichou. A single word to Yumi-taichou would get her all the sparing time with the fukutaichou she could ask for.

“Stop drifting.” Kyatssuai voice snapped in her mind, bringing her back to focus.

Time to try something else. If she could sever those chains and remove even one, better if she could get them both, of the weapons she would have an easier time. She returned the sheath to her sash and held Kyattsuai with both hands.
Nodding to herself, she held her distance and quickly went through the chant for a byakurai, launching the lightning bolt toward Ikkaku, who moved to the side at the last second and retaliated by launching his right handed weapon at her.

With a grin she moved to the side and gathered the power of her Toranekosuto into the blade and slashed down, severing the chain and letting the weapon go flying free to almost impale a surprised Yumichika, who managed to dodge to the side at the last second and get covered in the dirt kicked up by the weapon impaling the ground.

A large amount of cursing was directed their way for that and Ikkaku couldn’t help but to point and laugh at his friend, giving Kinomi the distraction she needed to gather the power for another Toranekosuto, this time launching it.
Ikkaku barely moved to the side and Kinomi followed the strike in, gathering yet another Toranekosuto into her blade and managing to sever the other chain while kicking his hand with a foot, causing him to drop the other twin blade.

Now down to one blade she stood a chance. Unfortunately the triple Toranekosuto had used up most of her reiatsu, as well as all the Shunpo she had been employing, and she dropped her bankai form to fall nearly unconscious to the ground.

Yumichika stopped his ranting about his beauty and rushed to catch her before her body could impact the ground. She was dimly aware of being caught and laid gently down before the soothing energy of Azucena flowed over her, healing the injuries she had sustained, although it would do nothing for her reiatsu, only a deep sleep would cure that.

She slowly regained her senses, her friends hovering over her worriedly. She sat up with Taka’s help and leaned against one of the many trees, slowly regaining her wits.

“That was not only your longest record of fifteen minutes, but you managed three Toranekosuto’s, severed both of Ikkaku’s chains, and managed to get four successful strikes in. A new record, Pantera-chan.” Yumichika smiled at her, apparently already over the fact he was covered in dirt.

Kinomi nodded. Fifteen minutes, the longest she had been able to hold her bankai form. She was finding it easier to launch her Toranekosuto, but holding it in the blade still took a lot of effort and she had a feeling that was what had done her in.

“Yumi-taichou, I was thinking that Hisagi-fukutaichou’s style was much closer to Ikkaku-taichou’s then Ukitake-taichou or Shunsui-taichou.” She noted.

Yumichika nodded in agreement with her. His style was a lot closer, and he had a schedule that was a lot easier to clear up. Kinomi was also a fair opponent and might be able to push the man past his inherent dislike for his shikai and get him more firmly on the path towards his bankai.

After all Hisagi had everything it took to be a taichou BUT his bankai, and without it he lacked the power to properly lead a division, or challenge for one if he had any desire to do so.

In fact the more Yumichika thought about the idea, the more he liked it. Coming from the 11th his ideals were considerably different than Hisagi and his former taichou, traitor though Touson might have been. He thought Hisagi’s fear of his own weapon positively ridicules.

“I can work something out.” Yumichika promised with a wide, for him, grin that had the others grinning back.

It turned out by working something’s out, Yumichika had more or less taking 40% of the work assigned to his fukutaichou and gave 80% of it to his third seat and dealt with the remaining 20% himself.

This left Hisagi with more then enough spare time to meet up with Kinomi every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings to train. Taka spent that time with Yachiru, the two of them usually training near by.

Hisagi’s style may have been more attune to Ikkaku’s than anyone else, but those blades of his were far more deadly. Kinomi gained so many scratches and impalements from those T shaped blades that she was almost starting to think this had been a bad idea until she adjusted to the strange shaped weapons.

She did notice that Hisagi seemed reluctant to use his shikai and wondered about it. She could see he didn’t like killing, but what did killing have to do with fighting? She didn’t fight to kill, even if she did have several hollow to her record already.

Every time Kyatssuai clashed with Kazeshini she could feel the blades sorrow wash over her. Maybe sorrow was too strong of a word, but it was close. Maybe more like sulking or at least a sense of sadness. Perhaps sadness was the best word.

She was aware of kyoumei, her Otousan had talked about it a few times during his storytelling about his duels with a few different people he had faced who’s Zanpakuto’s had resonated with Zangetsu.

The duel came to an end, Kinomi covered in a large amount of blood although she was pleased to notice several crimson lines running down her opponents frame as well. Azucena quickly rushed to her side to deal with the injuries.

“Kazeshini is sure a tricky blade to get use to.” Kinomi commented as they rested. “It must have taken you forever to master him, Hisagi-fukutaichou.” Kinomi complimented.

Kyattsuai was still in her Shikai state but she noticed Hisagi had dropped his the moment they had finished sparing. She almost felt sorry for the blade. Being sealed all the time must be frustrating. She knew Kyattsuai would be furious if Kinomi left her sealed all the time.

“Hisagi-fukutaichou, why are you so reluctant to use Kazeshini?” She asked as they rested, Azucena done with her injuries and treating his now.

“Hmm?” He looked at her in surprise.

“I mean, it just seems kind of cruel. I know if I never let Kyattsuai out she would probably rip my mind to shreds with her claws.” She chuckled.

“Cruel?” He asked in disbelief.

“How would you feel locked in a small moving cage?” She asked. “Able to see everything around you but unable to interact with it? The owner of the key only letting you out once or twice a year to stretch your legs?”

He blinked at her in shock, then looked down to his Zanpakuto. His eyes had that glazed look she knew meant he was listening to Kazeshini.

“I don’t fight to kill, even if I have a hollow record higher then anyone else my age. I feel better knowing they are tormented souls I have set free to rejoin the cycle of life.” Kinomi smiled. “Anyhow, it just seems Kazeshini is sad to me. Like you don’t trust your own partner. You don’t have to fight to kill you know. Otousan rescued Okaasan and defeated all of his opponents in the process without killing anyone.” She pointed out.

He remained silent as he looked at her. Shrugging, she bowed and thanked him for the lesson before escorting Azucena home where she could also get a better patch up by Hanataro.

She had sort of stepped out of bounds by speaking to him like that, but she just felt so sorry for Kazeshini. Kyattsuai murmured her approval, indicating she agreed with the path Kinomi had taken.

They were most of the way back to the house Lilinette and Hanataro shared on a small estate owned by Unohana-taichou when she felt the reiatsu closing in on her and Azucena. She sighed in frustration, causing the younger girl to look at her.

“What is it, Kinomi-neechan?” Azucena asked nervously.

“Go ahead. Now.” Kinomi ordered.

With a nod of her head, Azucena bolted in a flash of Shunpo that left Kinomi feeling envious. Granted traveling fast was the only real skill she had, and it was the main one they were focusing on when training her.

Azucena was so common it was almost sickening. She had but one task because of it, survive. Survive until she could reform with Taka and put them back together after wards.

“How much longer must we play this game?” Kinomi demanded of the apparently empty street.

“Until every single one of you abominations have been ridding of.” A cold voice answered her.

Kinomi turned around to face the man walking calmly toward her, his outfit and stance showing himself to be a noble. She recognized him as High Noble Prick from the trial after the first assault against them.

Kinomi felt a bad feeling overcome her and was glad she was alone for this meeting. The man had two guards, both of who were not even really worth mentioning to her powers.

In fact none of them stood a chance against her in combat, but that was not what they were banking on. No, they knew she could not raise a hand against them in anything but self defense, so they stood there in all their confidence.

Kinomi hated these kinds of fight. The invisible strength of political power. Briefly she toyed with the idea of killing them all and leaving no witnesses, but she knew her reiatsu would be all over the place, more then enough to condemn her when they started hunting for those who murdered nobles.

“What do you want?” She settled for.

“I want you to surrender and die peacefully.” He answered with a small smile of confidence.

“And if I do not?” She asked.

“Then I can not be held accountable for what may happen to them.” He waved his hand to the side.

Kinomi’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at the gagged and bound prisoners that were pushed forward into the light. She felt her rage rising, more so when the man holding the woman felt it and his hand shook enough to draw blood from her throat.

“You do not realize what you have done, do you?” Kinomi snarled in barely contained rage.

There were three prisoners, and how he got a hold of the woman was definitely something to look into, for it was none other the Karin. The two children Kinomi didn’t really recognize as she had very little dealings with the other unfortunates who had been born due to Aizen experiments as they had been raised elsewhere in Las Nochas.

She was certain the boy was Hinamori’s, but she couldn’t be sure who the second one was, although her hollow heritage was clear by the small mask fragments adorning her face.

She may not have known them, but they were still just children who were no doubt terrified. Karin seemed furious and if it hadn’t been for the knife at her throat Kinomi had no doubt her aunt would have already trashed them all.

It was also that knife at her aunts throat that was stopping her from crushing them under her reiatsu for fear that the man might slit it on his way to the ground. Instead she settled for plan B.

Her reiatsu pulsed in the code the HMKs had set up for calling each other if they were ever in need of assistance. She didn’t have long to wait until she felt her friends respond, pulsing in tune to hers.

Still, it would be a while until they arrived, assuming Zan and Leon could even leave the Shihoin estate, which she doubted although no one could really stop them when they were using Sonpo to travel.

“I am well aware of what I am doing, Child.” He responded coldly.

Kinomi drew Kyattsuai, trying not to winch as she noticed the man holding Karin tense and nick her aunts neck with that bloody dagger again. She permitted the blade to drop from her hand, landing tip first in the ground and staying upright.

She stepped away from Kyattsuai, walking slowly towards the noble for ten steps before stopping and waiting. She caught a flash out of the corner of her eye and grinned, before she leaped at the Noble, fist leading the way.

His guards jumped in front and she quickly adjusted to send them both flying away with well placed kicks. She was still a black belt, although no one here knew about it since her teacher was 100% human.

She leaped for him and he smirked in triumph. She had but a moment to register that before she felt the binding lights of Kidou strike her to the ground. Struggling she turned her furious gaze over to see the Fukutaichou of the 1st glaring at her.

“A set up.” She realized quickly as she looked over to where Karin and the two kids had been, noting they were now gone and out of danger. One part blessing, one part curse as they could not bear witness.>i> “No doubt they don’t even know who took them or where they were taken to.”

“It is a good thing you came by at this time, Chojiro-fukutaichou.” The Noble thanked graciously as he offered the man a very slight bow. “Otherwise I fear what this creature might have done to my retainers and I.”

Kinomi didn’t fight against the restraints, she did not want to make things worse by breaking out of the binding spell. She felt the others halt away from the clearing and she thanked the gods they were wise enough to keep clear.

Hanataro did come rushing onto the scene though, Azucena by his side. He halted a fair distance away and looked about nervously.

“Hanataro-san, what brings you out this way?” Chojiro asked, turning his attention to the man.

“Azucena-chan came rushing home saying Kinomi was being attacked by some men, Chojiro-fukutaichou.” He answered firmly.

Kinomi continued to lay still and had to bite her tongue to prevent herself from ripping up a storm like she wanted to. She waited impatiently for Chojiro to finally acknowledge her.

“What have you to say in your defense?” Chojiro asked.

“That so called thing you call a man had Karin-obasan and two children held at knife point and demanded I lay still so they could kill me.” She spat.

“I see no prisoners.” Chojiro commented.

“Pantera-chan.” A voice called out.

They all turned to see Karin storming up to them, fury radiating off of her body in waves and blood still trailing down her throat. Cowering behind her were the two children. Chojiro looked at the woman in confusion, clearly not recognizing her.

“Karin-obaasan.” Kinomi responded.

“I take it you are the one called Karin?” Chojiro asked.

“What of it? And why is Pantera-chan being held down by those lights? Let her up.” Karin commanded.

“You are aware that attacking a Noble is a grave crime, compounded more so when the attacker is a Shinigami or a student to become one?” Chojiro asked.

“I don’t even know where the hell I am.” Karin growled. “I was minding my own business when I was grabbed off the street on my way home.”

“I assure you I have never seen this woman’s face in my life, Chojiro-fukutaichou.” The noble assured him.

“What?” Kinomi shouted in disbelief.

By this point they had gathered a bit of a crowd and more of the 1st had shown up to contain the area. Having gathered a fair size crowd Chojiro decided to pack everyone up and ship them to the 1st to be detained until they could be questioned.

That was fine by her, at least until she realized they had intent to fully restrain her like she was some sort of rabid beast. She drew the line at that and snapped that if the REAL criminal was permitted to walk then she would walk as well.

She had a feeling they only bent to her demand because they knew she could do some serious damage to them all if she truly wanted. She walked beside Karin, the two terrified kids between them.

They were separated once they got to the 1st, Kinomi led down to the cells and Karin refusing to leave her side regardless of what anyone had to say about it. Though her aunt did pause long enough to demand to speak to Toshiro.
Chojiro seemed shocked by the request, for the woman was clearly human so how would she know one of the taichou, but did relent and inform her he would send a message to the 10ths taichou.

Left alone in their cell Karin and Kinomi quickly caught each other up on what had happened. Kinomi had to admit she was impressed when Toshiro showed up less then 10 minutes later, no doubt having come rushing over the moment he got the message from Chojiro.

“Karin.” He called.

“Toshiro-chan.” Karin greeted warmly.

“Hmm, never know Toshiro-taichou’s eyes could go that warm.” Kinomi chuckled silently to herself.

“How did you get here?” He demanded.

Karin quickly filled him in on what was going on, his eyes hardening in rage and the temperature of the room dropping considerably. Despite that Kinomi smiled. No doubt the noble would be quaking in his shoes when he realizes he pissed off the fiancé of one of the Gotei 13 taichou.

Then again it wasn’t really well known about the relationship between the two as it was kept hush hush. Unlike Yuzu who continued to age normally as any human would, Karin seemed to have picked up more from her fathers side and still looked to be about eighteen. Kinomi heard it had something to do with reiatsu levels and stuff but in truth she didn’t really understand it.

Toshiro turned his attention to her once Karin was done with him.

“Did you hit the bastard?” he asked.

“No Taichou, I didn’t touch him.” She answered honestly.

“Karin, did you witness any of it?”

“No, I was blindfolded.” She admitted. “The guard just suddenly grabbed me and the kids and ran.”

“What about other witnesses?”

“There is one.” Kinomi answered hesitantly.

“Who?” Toshiro demanded.

“I can’t disclose that information. I am very sorry Taichou, but I can not put that person at risk. The Noble Cabal well go after them if they are exposed. Yazucena was there for some of it, but she was already gone by the time the prisoners were revealed.” Kinomi sighed.

“Kinomi, this is going to come to his word against yours before a court.” Toshiro growled.

“This is getting retarded. I bet he’s not even in a cell is he.” She growled.

“No, he is talking to Yamamoto-sotaichou right now.” Toshiro admitted.

“Pantera-chan.” Taka’s voice came as she came around the corner, Galgo by her side.

“Taka-chan, Galgo-kun.” Kinomi sighed, hugging Taka through the bars.

“Are you alright?” She asked.

“Fine. What’s going on?” She demanded.

“Reina-chan is requesting to speak to Yamamoto-sotaichou as we speak. She was the first to respond to you call and saw the guard leaving with Karin-san and the kids.” Taka answered.

Kinomi sighed with relief, but it was still going to come down to HIS word against theirs.

Barbo came down the stairs a moment later, the occupants turning their attention to him.

“Kinomi-san, I need to know everything you have been up to in the hour leading up to and then the incident.” He requested, keeping his words to something he knew she would understand.

With a nod, Kinomi told him how she had been training with Hisagi-fukutaichou before heading home with Azucena. Barbo was keenly interested in the wounds on Karin’s neck, and requested the woman come with him. With a worried look at Kinomi, she followed the young man out, Toshiro going with her.

“You know, the sad part is that the bastards plan would probably have gone of without a hitch if it hadn’t been for the fact Obaachan is engaged to Toshiro-taichou.” Kinomi sighed in annoyance.

“Bet he didn’t see that coming.” Taka chuckled.

“We are still in danger.” Galgo grumbled from his place leaning against a wall, seemingly half asleep.

The two remaining girls gave him their attention.

“It could still go before a court and you can bet they will most likely rule in the Nobles favor.” He pointed out.
Kinomi scowled.

“If things hit the fan, you are to execute the plan.” Kinomi ordered firmly.

“But…” Taka protested.

“No buts. They are not getting all of us. You will act accordingly. Understood?” Kinomi stated firmly.

Reluctantly, Taka nodded her head in agreement, tears threatening at the thought of abandoning this place and the few friends they had made. A guard came down and informed them their visitation rights were up.

Taka clearly wanted to argue, but stopped herself with a shake of her head and the two girls clasped wrist before the twins left, leaving Kinomi alone in her cell to ponder where this headache was going to go next.



Kinomi didn’t pay much attention to her trial. To her shock, and the shock of almost everyone else, it was a representative from the Shihoin family that acted as her defender. She didn’t understand the politics behind it, but something about them being an outside ally and the court not getting the feeling of one thing verses another.

The saddest part was the only two things that had really saved her from a quick execution was because there would be an on going investigation as to how a ‘human,’ and the fiancé to one of the taichou, had ended up here with a bloodied neck and because Hisagi-fukutaichou informed them that after their sparing match Kinomi didn’t have enough reiatsu left to be a threat to anyone, so why the hell would she go looking for a fight?

The second wasn’t necessarily true, but she did not want anyone knowing just how strong she actually was. Karin’s involvement, and probably only because of her relationship to Toshiro, brought a lot of questions into play.

In the end there would be an ‘investigation in the matter,’ which clearly pissed off the noble as he would be the one being investigated. Other then that he got off scott free, which pissed them all off to no end and all they could do is hope the investigation turned something up to condemn him.

As for Kinomi, she probably still would have gotten a huge punishment but they were ruling that she had seen a human in danger and had reacted without thinking. Her punishment would be twenty public lashes under the repaired Sokyoku arch.

It was still unfair, but Kinomi didn’t bother to argue, only gazing into Yamamoto’s eyes with pure hate and loathing. He knew this was all bullshit and yet he continued to let this farce play, and innocents were being hurt.

Still, it could have gone a lot worse. Kinomi walked towards her punishment with head held high and not a hesitant step. The HMKs watched solemnly, Taka, Zan and Leon with barely surprised rage.

The 11th, current and former, as well as several of the others they called friend watched with grim looks and barely suppressed anger as she was strung between the twin red poles.

Her family was furious, but this was hardly enough to destroy relations over, although she knew the Noble Cabal had just made a large number of enemies, not because of her punishment, but because they had dared to not only involve a human, but one due to marry a well standing, powerful taichou. It was probably the only good to come of this event.
The killing intent of the reiatsu on that platform probably would have sent the audience to their knees if Ukitake-taichou, Shunsui-taichou and Unohana-taichou had not been protecting them with their own reiatsu.

Kinomi ignored everything that was going on, keeping her gaze locked on Yamamoto, who had the decency to match it. She was letting him know how displease she was with her eyes alone.

“The Noble Cabal just made some very dangerous enemies, as has the Sotaichou.” Kyattsuai’s voice filtered past her brain.

Kinomi couldn’t help but to agree, and if it hadn’t been for the few friends among the taichou and fukutaichou they had made, they would have already been gone after this sickening display.

This time blood had been drawn, and it had been drawn from an innocent who had nothing to do with this. Kinomi felt a brief moment of relief that Yazucena had been spared and was glad she had sent the young girl ahead.

She didn’t bother to see who would be the one to bare the whip upon her and wasn’t the least bit modest when they dropped the top part of her uniform to reveal her bare back. At least with the belt from Kenpachi they merely folded over instead of her being completely nude.

Through it all her eyes did not shift. Not even when the pain of the first strike stung her back, drawing blood. Did they think this would break her? Did they think this would put fear into her? She felt more pain sparing with Grimmjow then this.

She made not a sound, not even a whimper as the red lines began to add up on her back, blood trickling down in small streams that met up into bigger rivers. She wasn’t sure, but after one particular strong and deep stroke she thought she saw Yamamoto flinch just the slightest even as she remained impassive.

The strokes finished and her restraints were removed. She stood tall and firm, turning to face the crown and looked the Noble dead in the eyes, satisfied when she saw him flinch and look away, a slight look of fear in his eyes.

It should have been burning hot up on that open platform under the noonday sun, but the temperature was as frigid as a winter day and flecks of frost could even be seen in a few places. Oh yes, war had been declared.


Stay Tuned for Chapter 12: Darkness hints

When the Nobal Cabal gets wrapped in a neat little bundle and Grimmjow pays a visit to Soul Society. It's also the last time skipping about chapter and we settle into a straight line.

Kyoumei: to resonate; More on it much later.

As usual /hug reviews.