The Broken Souls of the Seireitei

A/N: I got fired on Friday. DAMN!!!



Nemu tossed and turned in her sleep. Due to some secret advanced medicine slipped to her by Taro, her coma had broken, but a side effect was that she had a horrible fever. She sweat and writhed against the sheets, crying out constantly. Iemura and Taro exchanged frightened glances at each other, as they were the ‘nurses’ on duty, and were responsible equally for any progress or deterioration in Nemu’s condition. Retsu was off babysitting (or so she told them, but Iemura suspected she was hanging out with Shiba Kukakku) and Isane was wrapped up in her own pitiful little world.

“Please…Yuri-sama, no…” Nemu pleaded, fighting in her sleep. Taro stood from his chair and wiped her bruised face with a cool cloth anxiously.

“What do we do if he comes here?” Taro asked, twisting the rag back and forth. Iemura looked down sadly. “What could we do?”

“Nothing.“ Both men looked up, horrified as the unmasked version of Kurotsuchi Mayuri stood in the doorway.

“Bakudo Number Four, Crawling Rope!” Taro screamed, holding his arms out. The energy rope shot from his palms and wrapped snugly around Kurotsuchi, making him narrow his eyes.

“Fool boy! I am a taicho! Do you think this weak rope can hold me back? If I want her, I will take her!” He roared, struggling against the spiritual barrier. “You can’t stop me!”

“I can.” The small but clear voice of Soi Fon was barely audible as she dealt a devastating punch to Kurotsuchi’s stomach. She punched him so hard that he vomited a little, blood running down his chin. His knees quivered as he fell, cursing her.

“You stupid dyke! How dare you-” His head slammed against the wall from her roundhouse, making him dizzy. “Why are you here?” He muttered, still struggling to unbind himself.

“Retsu had something to do this evening, and she said she figured your perverted ass would slink out here and do something. I owe her some taiyaki- I would have thought you had the sense to lay low and wait until the situation blew over to try to rape her again. Looks like I was wrong!” She cried, kneeing him in the face. He fell back as blood spurted from his nose. He managed to stand and break the spirit binds, but didn’t advance. There was no way he was getting past the pixie captain and the two cronies inside.

“She belongs to me. I will have her back.”

His cold glare met Soi Fon’s, and she readied herself for the impending attack. Instead, her eyes watched the back of his uniform as he walked away. She released a trapped breath, and peered in the door at the two men, shaking from fright. She glanced up at Nemu, and winced, looking away. She had never in her whole entire life seen someone who was beaten as viciously as she was. Anyone else would have died, herself included. She respected that Nemu had the will to struggle on and live, and Soi couldn’t imagine what she would have done if it had been her that was violated so. That is why she agreed to keep a watchful eye over Nemu in Retsu’s absence. Soi also knew that Retsu didn’t want to get physical with Kurotsuchi, because it just wasn’t her style. She was a healer, not a killer. Well, not unless provoked.

“S-Soi Fon taicho! We’re so glad you came!” Taro squeaked, rushing toward her. He stopped himself from hugging her and cleared his throat, maturing instantly. “We were afraid that he would come back to…” He trailed off and looked ashamed, as if he were the one that raped Nemu. Soi nodded and walked into the room and over to Nemu’s bed. The girl briefly opened her eyes and then closed them, an obvious REM pattern. Soi saw that her eyes were blood red and swallowed the lump in her throat. She wouldn’t cry for Nemu, at least not in front of these kids.

“Yes, Soi Fon taicho, we were quite concerned. Kurotsuchi fukutaicho cannot be moved or disturbed, and Kami-sama knows what that psychopath was going to do,” Iemura murmured, taking off his glasses and polishing them roughly. Soi Fon was quiet, gently stroking Nemu’s loose hair, like a mother trying to calm a child. She bent and kissed the girl on one of her bruised eyes and turned to Iemura.

“Where is Kurosaki Yuzu?”

He made a face. “Who?”

Soi Fon was not a patient person. “Kurosaki Yuzu. Where is she?” Soi narrowed her eyes and Iemura broke out in a sweat again. Taro thought for a moment, and his eyes lit up.

“Ichigo’s sister?” Soi looked at him, and he quickly looked away. “I-I mean Kurosaki fukutaicho.”

“Yes, yes. Where is she?”

Taro thought a moment. “She is in the lower barracks on the second level. Last room on the left. There is a yellow bunny on the outside. I think there is also a red bunny, I’m not sure. But she’s probably sleeping now, Soi Fon taicho!”

Soi Fon glared at him, flaring her reiatsu. Taro coughed and sat down, and Iemura held his head for a moment. Nemu started heaving, and Soi instantly felt bad. She forgot how weak Nemu was, and instead of saying anything, she spun around on her heel and went to go find Yuzu’s room.

*********************

Ichigo sighed and looked over at Byakuya. He woke up in one of Chad’s bedrooms, looking at the ceiling. He was alright for the moment, but then remembered the night’s events, and how heartbroken his friend was. He allowed Byakuya to hold him and stroke his wild hair before getting up to pace the room. Byakuya had suggested he lay back down, which made him sigh and look over at him. Most men and women would mindlessly jump at the chance to go and lay beside that raven haired Adonis, but all he could do is think of a modest proposal to satiate Shinji.

“Ichigo, you need to sleep. Come back to bed and let me help you think of what to say to Shinji. I know that is what is on your mind,” Byakuya said, holding out his hand. Ichigo ran his fingers through his hair and walked over to lace the cool fingertips through his own. He sat down beside his lover and closed his eyes, allowing himself to be embraced and consoled. Byakuya murmured sweet things to him, rocked him, and sang quietly to him, much like he did for Hisana in her last days.

“Do you feel better, sweetheart?” Byakuya whispered, kissing the shell of Ichigo’s ear.

“Yes,” The contented murmur replied. “Remind me to be super nice to you the next time you are sad or get hurt.”

Byakuya laughed and looked over at the clock. “It’s almost 6 am. Were you planning on going to school today?”

Ichigo frowned. “Fuck them! Those fuckin jerk offs. I freakin hate school. I‘m good at it, but that doesn’t mean I like them.”

Byakuya gave him an evil smile. “You didn’t answer my question. All I heard was ‘fuck’ and ‘jerk offs’. You pretty much lost me after those.” Ichigo chuckled and shook his head.

“Why were you never this funny and caring before?”

Byakuya looked stunned at that question. He pulled back from Ichigo and stared at him for a moment. “I guess in a way I was like Aizen. I hid my true self from some people. And then also, being head of the Kuchiki clan, I can’t act just any kind of way. But for the past fifty years or so, I’ve slowly been making my parents turn in their graves,” He said with a wry smile.

“What does your family think of me? I mean, I assume they know about me,” Ichigo asked, staring at blue-gray eyes. Byakuya nodded.

“They know. They also know not to comment on my life. My aunts and uncles pretty much hate me, and my few cousins are jealous that I am the head of the clan and not them. The problem is, none of them have even an ounce of reiatsu, so it’s not like they can oust me. They just shun me, which is fine. I’ve gone about creating my own family just as well.”

Ichigo propped himself up on his elbow. “Your own family? Who are they, aside from Rukia?”

Byakuya smiled and turned on his back and held up his fingers. “Ok, Rukia, the pesky little sister. Kenpachi, the wise older brother. Yourichi, the lesbian aunt. Ukitake, surrogate father. Kyoraku, the alcoholic surrogate step-father. Kisuke, the other older brother away at reform school. Renji, my idiot cousin who due to a wonderfully compromising situation does everything I say.”

Ichigo pouted. “You forgot someone.”

Byakuya shook his head. “No, I got everyone.”

Ichigo reddened. “You forgot me!”

“Ah, no, I didn’t. You are my beautiful, but constantly frowning bride to be.”

Ichigo frowned and rolled over. “I liked it better when you forgot about me,” He grumbled, making Byakuya chuckle and press on his hip to turn him back around. When he did, his lips were captured in a steamy kiss, and Ichigo felt himself sighing into it.

“I hate to pull away from you, but if I don’t start getting ready for school, I never will,” Ichigo grumbled, breaking the kiss. Byakuya nodded and stood, putting his haori back on. He summoned a Hell Butterfly and was stopped by a light touch on his arm.

“Byakuya…” Ichigo trailed off, not knowing how to phrase his words. Byakuya reached down and caressed the teenager’s cheek, loving how Ichigo leaned into the gentle touch. Byakuya rubbed his lover’s face for a few moments before running the hand down his arm and holding the warm hand at the end, and then leaned down to kiss him gently.

“I love you,” Ichigo murmured softly.

Byakuya swallowed the lump in his throat and fought back tears. No one he had ever been in a relationship with had ever told him that they loved him. Yes, they have loved the gifts and loved how he felt inside them, and thanked him for loving them, but never loved him, all of him all at once. He resisted the urge to rush into Ichigo’s arms and sob, but rather held a regal neck in the air and smiled.

“I love you too, Ichigo.” The words came easily, as if he had been saying them since birth. Ichigo looked relived and released Byakuya’s hand and stood. He embraced the raven haired man and closed his eyes, resting his head on his shoulder. Yes, he loved Byakuya with all of his heart, and at that moment, nothing could have changed that. Byakuya squeezed Ichigo lovingly and turned to leave, not wanting to see Ichigo’s face fall as he left.

“Hey, Byakuya, you almost forgot Senbonzakura! Hold on, let me get her,” Ichigo cried out, jumping over the bed to get the zanpakuto. Byakuya froze. Senbonzakura was so particular, her hilt could burn those who were unfamiliar with her. Hell, sometimes if she was in a bad mood she even would burn him.

“Ichigo, no, don’t-” He paused after coming around the bed. Senbonzakura was comfortable in Ichigo’s hands, and her hilt was sparkling. She had never done that before. Byakuya narrowed his eyes at her and she stopped gleaming, but was still happy for some unknown reason. Ichigo gave Byakuya a strange look and gingerly handed the zanpakuto to him.

“It’s not that I didn’t want you to touch her, it’s that she can be,”

“Bitchy. I know, Renji has told me before. Zabimaru once sort of bit me. It’s hard to explain, but I held him for a moment to compare him to Zangetsu, and it looked and felt like the bastard bit me. But I guess Senbonzakura likes me,” Ichigo cooed to the sword, making her sparkle for a moment.

Byakuya rolled his eyes. “I will not compete for you with my zanpakuto.” Ichigo laughed and kissed him. “Go home. I’ll stop by later on, if that’s alright.”

“It is. We can discuss what to do about the Vizards after you come.” Byakuya slipped his zanpaukto between his obi and smirked at the double entendre before walking through the portal to go home.

‘I think she’s beautiful.’

Ichigo looked over at his zanpaukto in the corner. “Zangetsu?”

‘Yes?‘ The voice was almost testy.

“Who? Senbonzakura? Is she a hottie like Byakuya?”

‘She is like what a glass of water would be to a man in the desert. She looks like her King, as Shirosaki would say. He is taken by her also. He affectionately calls her Queen, and she isn’t scared of him! She has long, long jet black hair, and her skin is whiter than Shirosaki’s. She has huge gray eyes, and sits perched underneath a sakura tree with never ending leaves.‘ Zangetsu’s voice was smooth, but had a hint of excitement to it. Ichigo smiled.

“Do you love her, Old Man?” By now, Ichigo was sitting beside him on the wall, fingering the white cloth he was wrapped in. He paused when Zangetsu didn’t answer.

“Old Man? Zangetsu? Where the hell did you go?” He thumped on the blade and waited.

‘I’m here still.‘

“So why didn’t cha answer me? Do you love Senbonzakura?”

Again silence. Ichigo frowned and stood. “I don’t have time for this crap. I’m getting ready for school. When I come back, you’d better have an answer for me, or else.” He ignored Zangetsu’s chuckle and set about getting dressed for school.
*************

Rangiku sighed and shifted, finding it difficult to do so. She groaned, just knowing that she had gotten caught up in her bed sheets-again. More than once she had to yell for Toshiro to come and help her to unravel herself, and it was difficult for him to unknot her and all of her breasts while shielding his sensitive eyes to such abundant nudity.

“Why are you pushing against me?” The deep timbre of Zaraki’s voice made her eyes fly open. They were practically nose to nose, his brown eyes fixed on her.

“I-you were holding me too tightly. I needed space to move.” Zaraki scooted back about an inch from her. “Don’t say I never gave you anything.”

Rangiku smirked. “I don’t think I can sleep anymore. I’m not tired.” She moved to get up from the bed, but was halted by Zaraki’s hand on her cheek.

“Ichimaru was a damned fool to leave you,” He murmured, staring into her face. She reddened and attempted to pull away, placing her hand on his wrist.

“Don’t say things like that.”

“He was.” His eyes floated to her mouth and he licked his lips. “I’m going to kiss you, Rangiku. Don’t try and stop me,” He whispered huskily, placing his lips on hers. He gave her deep, open mouthed kisses, sucking playfully on her bottom lip. His tongue rubbed against hers, and she could taste him in her mouth, and it ignited a flame that she didn’t know she still had in her. Rangiku moved unintentionally against him, making him kiss her harder. She felt lightheaded, and pushed against his chest again, this time for air. When he leaned back, she gasped, holding her chest and panting.

“Kenpachi…why did you kiss me like that?”

He smiled down at her and kissed her again, just as passionately. He ran a hand through her hair, and back down to her cheek, stroking it gently with his thumb. Rangiku’s heart was in her throat, and she hated her arms for going around his neck to press him down on her. Her body was working against her mind, and she summoned all her reiatsu, all her chi, all her will to shove him from her.

“Kenpachi. I ask you why you kissed me. Answer me!” She snarled, ignoring the excitement between her legs. He looked at her compassionately and shrugged.

“I have no real answer. Because I’ve wanted to kiss you since I first laid eyes on you? Because I feel like you deserve a real man? Because you’re soft and sensual? I don’t know, Rangiku. Why haven’t you asked me to stop, slapped me, and told me to get out? Do you want me to kiss you, to touch you, to make love to you?” His voice had dropped back down to a whisper, and as he was speaking, he fingered the lines of her yukata from her neck to her belly button, but staring her right into the eyes the whole time. She flushed and felt heat rise in her cheeks.

“I don’t want you to stop kissing me. No one has ever bothered to kiss me the way you have,” She mumbled, slightly embarrassed at the revelation. Zaraki looked genuinely surprised. “Really? No one?” Rangiku shook her head. He smiled and kissed her again, making her heart beat faster.

“Tell me to stop,” He said, moving to kiss her neck. She turned her head to make her flesh more accessible to him, and moaned when he nipped at her clavicle. Her hands ran across the expanse of his wide back, and she moved her legs to trap one of his strong thighs between, resisting the urge to hump against him. He kissed her neck softly, one of his hands running briefly over her cloth covered breasts, feeling her nipples already harden.

“Tell me to stop,” He whispered seductively again, untying the obi to her yukata. Once there was slack in the material, he slipped his hand inside to cup one of her large breasts, gently pinching the rock hard nipple. His eyes meeting Rangiku’s, he opened his mouth and covered the nipple, sucking and nibbling. Her back arched into him, and she moaned, her hands in his hair. He let go of the breast with a ‘plop’ sound, only to lick a trail over to the next. He kept his eyes on her and watched her face go from fear to ecstasy and back again.

“Please tell me to stop,” Zaraki murmured, opening the yukata more and kissing down to her belly button. He knew she could feel how hard he was for her, but he was damned if he’d be a Kurotsuchi and rape her. This situation was so different for him, as he was usually not one for foreplay. Zaraki was not what one would call an attentive or gracious lover, and the one time he tried to be, he was rewarded with infidelity. But something about Rangiku made him want to take his time and please her, something in those crystal clear eyes made him want to love her and forget everyone in her past, namely Gin.

He ran a hand over her curvy stomach and paused when his fingers brushed soft strawberry blonde curls. He inched his way back up to her face and was partially shocked when she kissed him hungrily, her tongue boldly dancing with his. She made him lose his breath when she guided his hand to her wetness, smiling while they kissed. The one good thing about having fucked a sadist is the clear line of knowing what you want. Sure, that subtle innocence was lost, but if she wanted Zaraki’s whole hand inside of her, then that is what she would have. She started to grind against those few thick fingers inside of her, panting as he teased her clit with his thumb.

“Please, for the love of God tell me to stop. I can’t keep this up, Ran. If I keep going, I’m going to lick your pussy. And once I taste you, I’ll make love to you. And once I make love to you, you’ll never get me to leave you alone. Is this what you want? Am I what you want?” Zaraki panted in her ear, fingering her faster.

“No.”

Her mind screamed all kinds of obscenities at her. How dare she turn away this patient, wonderful man? ‘GIN IS GONE’ her mind screamed, but she was trained to turn every man but him away, and it resurfaced almost robotically. Zaraki nodded and removed his fingers from her, and himself from her bed. He sat up and took several deep breaths, the erection in his hakama massive. He stood, his back to her, and started to gather his clothing. Rangiku retied her yukata and stood to go to him.

“Kenpachi, I-” Rangiku started, but was stopped by him reaching backward to touch her hand.

“I understand. I took advantage of you. I lied about what I was saying, I just wanted to fuck you. I’ll leave now.” He took long strides to the door, and Rangiku actually had to shunpo to catch up with him.

“You’re a fucking liar, Kenpachi. If you wanted to just fuck me, you wouldn’t have held me all night, and you wouldn’t have asked me to ask you to stop.” She said accusingly, her arms spread across the door to block his exit.

He sighed patiently. “It doesn’t matter now. You aren’t ready for someone else. You still love…him. So I’m going to go now. We can act like this didn’t happen, I’ll still treat you the same.” His face was emotionless, but his voice held a tone that broke her heart.

“Don’t be mad at me, please,” She whispered, reaching for him. He stepped away and smiled brokenly.

“Touching me would do nothing but remind me of what I can’t have. Good night, Matsumoto Rangiku,” He said and opened the door. He walked away, pretending not to see the tears running down her face. He didn’t know if the tears were for him or not, so they didn’t matter. He also didn’t realize that tears of his own were falling silently from his eyes.
************************


A/N: This chapter may get longer... or I may start with a new chapter. Hope you enjoyed it. Pizza time!