A Twist of Fate

I’m posting some character information description on my FanFiction profile,
so be sure to check it out. Hopefully that will help eliminate
any of the confusion the first chapter may have created. I think
it’s because I had so many OC’s, that they were just hard to keep up with.
- shrugs- I’m certainly guilty of confusing them. Before I posted chapter 1,
I actually mixed up information with Nelisande, and my OC
Suiren from The Color of Trust. Heh


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Chapter 2 – Dancing Around the Truth

After the wind died down, Nelisande cautiously removed the barrier that had protected them from the ferocity of the blast. Kamavon helped her stand, though he was still a little unsteady on his feet himself. Frantically, her eyes scanned the area, searching for any signs of her Sisters.

“Zhai?! Tia?!”

Two dark forms lay on the ground not far from her, huddled beside what remained of the portal stones. Nelis felt a knot form in her throat as she ran towards them, slipping free of Kamavon’s grasp.

“Nel! Come back here!” he called to her, following closely at her heels, grimacing at the pain in his side.

The creature had succeeded in breaking several of his ribs, along with his arm. Nelisande had only just begun to heal him when the world exploded around them, wind and fire slamming into the protective dome with great force.

“Oh Light…Tia…”

Nelisande let out a choked sob, jerking her eyes away from the charred body of her dear friend. Kamavon was back at her side, his arm already encircling her and pulling her close. Holding her as tightly as he could manage with his good arm, the big man scanned the area, and tensed immediately.

A group of around ten men had surrounded them, dressed entirely in black. Most of them already had one hand on the hilt of their swords, though they did not seem to mean it as a threat to them in particular. Caution, perhaps?

“Who goes there?” Kamavon shouted, his voice booming through the small clearing.

A young boy with dark hair and strange markings on his forehead stepped forward, jerking his thumb towards his chest.

“I’m the 7th Seat of Squad 6, Rikichi. We were sent to investigate a large reiatsu spike in this quadrant. Are you the ones that caused the blast?”

While he may have sounded and looked like a small boy, he still held himself with confidence, his thumb pushing up the tsuba of his sword as he spoke. Nelisande moved to take a step away from Kamavon, but he was feeling more protective than ever, and he pulled her back gently.

“We are unsure of why, but the creature that was attacking us caused the explosion.”

Kamavon answered for the grief stricken Aes Sedai, choosing his words carefully. It could have easily been Tianorin that brought about such an explosive end, but that was not certain either. Best to allow them to focus their investigation on the strange beast that had caused it all to begin with.

“You were attacked by a hollow?”

The group tightened around them, leaving Kamavon wishing his right arm would allow him to wield his sword right now. He didn’t care much for the way this group of armed strangers was advancing on them. Things were looking quite bleak for the two in his eyes, assuming they were in danger at all. Nelisande might be able to hold them back, but for how long? Would she be able to heal him enough to allow him to fight in that time?

“It was a creature of the Dark, I can only assume. It looked like an enormous scorpion…my blade bounced right off when I struck at him.”

The young boy cocked his head a moment, sizing the other man up. ‘The only way that would have happened is if he wasn’t using a zanpaktou…but how is that? They are dressed quite strangely too. Not the same as the girl we found earlier, but unusual all the same.’ Holding his thoughts for another time, Rikichi gave the man a curt nod before turning to his teammates.

“Alright, you remember your orders. Group 1 start your investigation. Group 2 assist with the survivors…” he paused a moment, glancing at the ruined bodies nearby and added “…and the dead.”

Nelisande had finally recovered control over her emotions, straightening herself and again moving to stand on her own. Kamavon let her disentangle herself from his grasp, fighting the urge to pull her back. She wasn’t helpless, but he truly did not feel right about this strange group of people.

“Zhai…where is Zhai?” she asked the young man, her voice level once more.

Rikichi gave an unconscious tug to the beads that dangled from two small braids in front of his ear before answering her.

“There was another survivor spotted on our way here. A dark skinned woman wearing a bright red sash at her waist. Is that the…Zhai you speak of?”

Nelisande’s body relaxed visibly when he referred to her Sister as a ‘survivor’ instead of a body. She was still wary of these strangers, but it came as a huge relief to know her dear friend was not among the dead with Tianorin and Tsûretsu.

Nodding sharply to the boy, she spoke again. “Where is she? If she was injured I’ll need to tend to her wounds.”

The young man’s brow furrowed at her words, assuming she meant healing with kido. The woman was clearly not a soul reaper, and while her clothing seemed quite expensive, she wasn’t dressed as a noblewoman per se. ‘Just who are these people?’

“Abarai Fuku-taichou is transporting her to the medical division as we speak.”

“I need to see to her right away.”

“I’m sorry Miss…”

Nelisande and Kamavon exchanged a brief but unreadable glance when Rikichi inquired after her name.

“Where are we exactly, child?” Nelis asked, drawing herself up and using a very authoritative voice.

The young officer seemed startled but the sudden change of subject, but obliged her all the same. “You’re in the Soul Society, not far from the Seireitei…how is it you do not know where you are?”

Again, that look was exchanged between the two, this time worry creasing the lines of Kamavon’s forehead. Neither of them had heard of such a country or city.

“Just where is that in relation to, say, Tar Valon?”

“Tar Valon? Haven’t heard of it…You never answered my question. Just who are you, and how is it you came to be…lost…here? ”

It did not seem beneficial to inform him exactly what they were, and he never asked that. She could not, however, lie. Perhaps if she had thought to give him a false name before he could ask her so 

directly…but that was neither her nor there. Sighing, Nelis tilted her chin up slightly, staring down her nose at the boy.

“I am the Lady Nelisande Togita of Shienar. This man is my guardian, Lord Kamavon Shinowa. He too is a citizen of Shienar.”

The young officer nodded as though he almost expected such a response, but rolled his wrist to indicate that he wished her to answer his second question. Nelisande’s eyes tightened at the blatant disrespect, and she could feel Kamavon shift behind her. The man was, no doubt, boring holes into they boy his insolence.

From Rikichi’s perspective, he was indeed being glared at by the large man. Inwardly he cringed, secretly wishing for the strong and reassuring presence of his Lieutenant. Outwardly, he straightened his back and withstood the glare. If he wanted to be as strong as Renji, he couldn’t back down so easily.

Nelisande’s fingers drummed across her now crossed arms a moment as she thought. From what she could deduce, they had perhaps placed themselves on the other side of the Aryth Ocean. That seemed to be the only reasonable explanation here. The portal stones were used for travel, and they knew nothing of what lie across the vast ocean. It was clear that nobility would not provide enough clout for her here. ‘What then do they know of Aes Sedai?’

It was a heavy thought, one that would weigh on her for some time she had no doubt. There was always some stigma surrounding them, which is why when they traveled, they often gave false names, or hid the Great Serpent rings worn by all Aes Sedai.

They were not favorably looked upon in many places, but they were feared everywhere. Mostly unfounded fears at that. The masses always grew to fear what they did not understand. They fear power too, and Aes Sedai were about as powerful as they come. It was not just the power of Saidar, but their political skills and knowledge that granted them such a reputation. Kings and Queens across the country took Aes Sedai advisors, sometimes in secret, sometimes openly.

However, there were countries that Aes Sedai were not allowed, or where the use of their power was forbidden. Far Maddening actually had a ter’angreal that prevented channeling within the city. Tear holds a ban in place that forbids channeling, and any girl found with the ability is immediately sent away to Tar Valon and encouraged to never return. Because of the Children of the Light’s sway in Amador, both channellers and channeling is forbidden. Aes Sedai do well to stay far away from that country if they value their lives.

Sighing, Nelisande offered him as vague a response as she could muster, completely leaving out exactly how the stones had brought them here. Pointing at the remains of the portal stones, she kept her steely gaze on the boy interrogating her.

“Those stones brought us here.”

Rikichi blinked, following her arm to stare at the ruins of some ancient stonework. The explosion seemed to have destroyed a large portion of it, scattering pieces all around. ‘How in the hell did a pile of rock bring them here? There’s something odd about these people…definitely. I think we’re going to need Captain Kuchiki’s help to figure everything out. He knows how to deal with nobles. Bet they won’t stare at him like that...’

Finally, he brought his eyes back to the woman, brow furrowed in quiet contemplation. Her face was smooth and unreadable, her eyes somehow managed to be cold and flat despite being such a warm golden shade of brown. She was at least easier on the eyes compared to her guardian. He’d not let up on that deathly glare, nearly pinning Rikichi with a look of barely restrained violence. ‘Definitely need Captain Kuchiki…’ he repeated mentally.

“How many of you were there? Is this all that’s left?”

The flatness vanished from her eyes and her posture shifted. It was unintentional, but Rikichi’s words managed to remind her of the still smoking corpses of her friends nearby. He couldn’t help but feel pity for her there. He knew what it was like to lose loved ones, and judging by that pained expression in her eyes, they were very dear to her.

“It was only the five of us.” Kamavon answered, trying to spare Nelisande from speaking of it.

She’d lifted her hand to cover her mouth, discreetly trying to cover her trembling lips. No amount of training could have prepared her for the sight of Tianorin’s body, burned to a crisp, or the gaping wound that had torn through Tsûretsu’s torso. It was a gruesome sight on its own, but it was even harder to bear when it was someone she cared for so deeply.

Rikichi nodded, noting the shift in the noble woman and allowing her some semblance of privacy by changing the subject and switching his focus to her over protective bodyguard.

“You look to be injured Lord Shinowa, are you able to make it into town, or would you like to wait for Squad 4 to arrive?”

The Warders jaw tightened, his gaze dropping to the woman in front of him. He did not need to speak for her to know the question he would ask. How long were they going to hide what they were, how long could they hide it? Already he felt pressed.

“I believe I can walk, thank you.” He replied crisply.

Already he was shoving the pain into a small corner of his mind, wrapping it tightly and tucking it away. It was only a few ribs and his arm…the painful ache could be managed, for a time.

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Flying through the trees as fast as his shunpo would allow, Renji’s mind raced. His eyes were constantly shifting from the path ahead, then back to the broken doll he carried. This strange, exotic looking woman now held him tightly in her grasp, whether she realized it or not. Not a physical grip, but a mental, no, spiritual one. It wasn’t truly his mind he felt her in, but his soul. The grievous wounds inflicted on her body were reflected through him, the pain shared.

It was something he could not even begin to understand just yet, but he knew that somehow, it is what was keeping her alive. The strange awareness somehow formed a bond between the two of them, drawing him closer to her. She was only a stranger, and yet, she was very dear to him. How that came to be, he did not know. Even before that strange chill entered into his body, he felt a personal connection to her.

‘It’s just because she was dying you dumbass, quit overanalyzing things.’ Inwardly, he chastised himself for such foolish notions. The woman he so tenderly carried with such haste was only a victim, one in a sea of millions. After he dropped her off with Squad 4, that would be the end of it. She would heal and recover, then move back on with her life. Soon, he would be out of the picture completely.

In his arms, the woman stirred, letting out a small whimper of pain and in doing so, grabbed hold of his heart once again. It was more than just a pang of sympathy he felt for her, not matter how he tried to shake it.

“Hang in there” he whispered to her as he made it past the gates. “Not much further and you’ll be in good hands.”

It hadn’t taken him long to pass Kobayashi, his speed far outranking that of the 23rd seated officer. Now all that remained was to get this woman to Captain Unohana and have some help sent to meet up with the rest of the group. From there…would he return to the squad? Or stay with her? Already he was rationalizing it in his mind. ‘They don’t need me to head back. She’s going to want a familiar face when she wakes up. I can’t really just abandon her, can I?’

The communicator against his ear buzzed suddenly, the voice of his 7th seat officer coming through clearly.

“Abarai Fuku-taichou.”

“Yes?”

“Group 2 is returning with two survivors, there were two deceased at the scene. No other civilians were around the targeted area. Group 1 is still investigating, but we believe the explosion was caused by a hollow.”

‘So, you weren’t alone after all. That’s good. I won’t feel so bad about leaving you alone…’

“Understood. I’ve almost reached Division 4. The civilian was seriously injured, but I think she’ll make it to Unohana Taichou. I will have her send some squad members to meet you.”

“That won’t be necessary; the two survivors were not badly injured. They will make it to the medical division without problems.”

“Under--”

“Sir?” Rikichi cut him off with a hesitant voice.

“…Yes?”

“Um…I would like to have Captain Kuchiki meet us at Division 4 if possible.”

Renji was silent for a moment, wondering why Rikichi would make such an unusual request. There was no reason to bring the Captain in on this. Not that he could see, at least.

“7th Seat Rikichi…do you have a good reason for that request?”

He knew how formal he sounded, but this was work, and he couldn’t afford to be overly friendly with Rikichi right now. Certainly not when the kid was asking him to do something that would no doubt annoy their Captain. It wasn’t going to be Rikichi that had to deal with the fallout, Renji was going to be the one stuck with getting a lecture.

There was a short scuffling on the other end, before he received a hushed response.

“Sir…the two survivors…Well, their nobles for one, but there is something not right about them. I couldn’t get them to talk much, but it seemed like they were withholding information.”

“Nobles?”

“Yes sir.”

“Hn. You think Kuchiki Taichou can get them to talk?”

“Better than you or I, sir.”

Renji groaned inwardly. As much as he looked to surpass his Captain, and perhaps even looked up to him, he really could not stand his company. The chilly, aristocratic air emanated from the man constantly. It was no secret that he looked down upon Renji and any other high ranking officer that was not nobly born. He had no doubt he would be chastised for disturbing him over such an unimportant matter.

Dropping to his usual tone, Renji grumbled into the communicator. “Fine. You owe me for this, Rikichi.”

“Thank you Abarai-kun! I mean…sir.”

“Che. Whatever. I’m arriving now at Squad 4. I’ll see you when you get here.”

“Understood!”

The line went silent, just as he landed in front of the gates painted with the giant rhombus that stood for Gotei 13 with the number 4 painted in the middle, marking the division. The two guards on duty recognized him and opened the gates immediately, allowing him access to the hospital facilities housed within.

Nurses greeted him as soon as he came in the door, rushing to see what they could do for the injured woman. The first one he sent scurrying to locate Captain Unohana or perhaps Lieutenant Kotetsu. When one of them offered him a stretcher to place the girl on, he hesitated, strangely unwilling to put her down.

“Lieutenant?” the girl asked, thinking perhaps he had not heard her.

Renji lifted her a bit higher into his arms, looking down at the strange woman before reluctantly placing her on the small bed. Even in that act, he took great care, handling her as though she would break at any moment. The nurse gave him a questioning glance, but wisely kept her mouth shut.

He stood a moment, watching the stretcher being swiftly wheeled down the hall, looking to see what room she was taken to. Already he felt a rift forming, almost like he’d been stripped naked. ‘What the hell is wrong with me?! I don’t even know the girls name…why should I even care?’

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Within half an hour of Renji’s arrival to Squad 4, a hell butterfly had made its way to the Kuchiki Manor. It flitted just above the resting nobleman, who for a brief moment, thought of ignoring it. ‘They had best have a very good reason for disturbing me on my day off…’ With a resigned sigh, he lifted a finger, allowing the creature to land and relay its message.

Gray eyes tightened, tinged with annoyance. There had been no call to wake him over something so trivial. It seemed he would need to have a word with his Fuku-taichou over this, but that too could wait until the next day. Byakuya Kuchiki returned the butterfly with a message stating he would deal with the matter the following morning and not a moment sooner.

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When the young officer told them that they would be able to carry both her and Kamavon back to their medical division, she thought they were mad. Kamavon was a rather large man, towering over her by several inches. Despite his size, he held the same, cat-like grace that all Warders seemed to posses. Even so, he was much larger than most of the men out here. She could not imagine any of them being able to carry him, nor could she see him permitting it.

“Group 2, we’re moving out now. Group 1, notify me immediately if you are able to find anything.”

“Yes sir!” came the chorus of replies.

Rikichi turned to Nelisande almost timidly. His inner shyness battled with his need to be assertive. There was also the underlying fear that she might have heard his whispered discussion with Renji earlier. He’d moved away from the group and lowered his voice, but he was still concerned she might have heard. Something about the woman put him on edge.

“Are you ready, Lady Togita?”

The flame haired Aes Sedai glanced at her Warder before nodding her head curtly. ‘The sooner we get to Zhai, the better. Perhaps then I will have a moment alone to decide our moves from there.’ Despite letting him know she was ready, Nelisande let out an embarrassed squawk when he lifted her off her feet. She very nearly threw her arms around his neck to keep from falling, as she expected she would. Instead, he held her as easily as if she weighed no more than a feather pillow. For such a small boy, he was much stronger than she expected.

Through the bond, she could feel the annoyance oozing from Kamavon. It was certainly not proper to be carrying her around in that manner, and if anyone were to, it should be him. After all, it was he who had dedicated his life to protecting her since he was a small boy. For a time, they’d even been betrothed. Unfortunately, hopes of a normal life were shattered when they discovered Nelisande had ‘the spark’, the ability to touch Saidar.

He knew then that marriage was out of the question. Aes Sedai rarely married, and as neither he nor Nelisande were the heads of their respective houses, an heir was not needed. Still, he had never once wavered in his desire to keep her safe and whole. When she left for Tar Valon, he followed to be trained and molded into a Gaidin. The day she was raised to the Shawl and was accepted into the Green Ajah, their souls were bound as one, making him her Warder.

It grated him to see another man lifting her, not even a man, but a boy! It was his duty to care for her, and no one else’s. Kamavon was not even paying any mind to the other officer standing next to him, a worried expression written across his face.

“Ah…Lord Shinowa…are you ready to go?”

Blinking, he stared at the man, noticing him for the first time. Giving another icy stare to Rikichi, he accepted the man’s assistance, allowing his left arm to drape across the man’s shoulders.

When they took to the air, it was impossible for Kamavon to hide his surprise at what should have been a physical impossibility. Instantly his grip tightened on the man, causing the officer to choke.

“My Lord!” the man gasped, notifying Kamavon of his peril.

Loosening his grip, he apologized, while inwardly berating himself. It had not helped that Nelisande’s heart had leaped at that exact moment, her fear quite apparent to him through the bond they shared. If she hadn’t been clinging to the boy before, she certainly was now.

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Renji was pacing the hall outside of the hospital room where Unohana was treating his mystery woman. ‘Che…already getting possessive of her. She’s the mystery woman, not my mystery woman. Get it right Abarai.’ He was so caught up in his thoughts, he barely paid any mind to the message he’d received from his Captain. It alluded to a chewing out he was going to receive, but really, he could care less at this moment. It was something he could deal with tomorrow.

The door to her room slid open, and a nurse beckoned him inside. Eagerly, he stepped in, moving over to the bed without any further direction. Slipping his hand into hers, he squeezed it lightly, staring at her sleeping face with worry clearly marking his.

The motherly Captain of Squad 4 silently observed his unusual behavior. From what she’d gathered, Lieutenant Abarai did not even know the name of the woman she was treating. And yet, he looked as though he cared very deeply about what became of her. ‘Interesting.’

“Is she going to be okay?” he asked, breaking the silence. His eyes never left the woman on the bed.

“I believe so. She is stable now; though her internal injuries are quite serious. In all honesty, I quite surprised she’s alive at all.”

At those last words, Renji’s eyes shot up to meet hers.

“You did not think she would make it either, did you Lieutenant?”

Shaking his head, Renji glanced back at the girl before once again looking the Captain in the eyes.

“No, I…” his eyes fell to the bed, staring at nothing at all.

“Did something happen, Lieutenant?”

The red head jumped slightly at her question, darting his eyes back to the sleeping figure.

“What makes you say that?”

Unohana giggled, the light, happy noise, brightening the rather bleak hospital room. If it was meant to put him at ease, it succeeded in doing just the opposite. Renji was uncomfortable enough with this strange desire to protect a woman he didn’t even know.

“Other than your unusual attachment to her?” she asked in a teasing voice, blue eyes twinkling.

“…”

Ignoring his silence, she continued in a more businesslike tone. “Yes, Lieutenant, I’ve noticed something quite odd. A strange resonance residing within her soul. One that increased the moment you stepped into the room. It seems the closer you get, the easier I can see it.”

Now she had his attention, auburn eyes searching hers questioningly. Unohana’s expression changed, growing more serious as she walked around the bed to his side. Reaching out, she rest one hand on his shoulder lightly.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to give you a quick check.”

Tattooed brows rose in surprise. “There’s nothing wrong with me, I promise you.”

She was insistent, refusing to back away. “I would like to determine that myself, Lieutenant.”

The added emphasis to his title was a subtle reminder to him that she was his superior. The last thing he needed was another Captain angry with him; his own would be bad enough. He nodded, acquiescing to her quick examination.

The raven haired woman hummed to herself, a green glow surrounding her hands as she worked. After a moment, she stepped back, placing one thumb between her teeth in thought.

“Well?” he asked, curious to see if she had discovered anything, yet doubting she had.

“There is something there, most definitely.”

“What do you mean? What is there?”

“I’m not sure of the how and why, but it almost seems as though your two souls are connected.”

“What?!”

Blinking at his sudden outburst, Unohana stared at him a moment before slowly moving back to the opposite side of the bed to get a closer look at her patient.

“It is precisely as I said, Lieutenant.”

“How is that even possible?”

“That much, I do not know. I can tell you that there is a high probability that the connection you share is what kept her alive. It’s almost as if her body is drawing off of the strength of yours. Most unusual.”

For a moment, Renji’s jaw hung slack. Questions were there, right on the tip of his tongue, but he couldn’t find his voice.

“Is there anything that you left out of your initial report, Lieutenant? Something that might perhaps explain this anomaly?”

Snapping his jaw shut with an audible click, the muscles tensed as he thought back. ‘That strange chill…the pain that came with it. Was she tying our souls together? How the hell can she do that? How is that even remotely possible?!’

“Lieutenant Abarai?”

Straightening, Renji gave her a sharp nod. “There was something.”


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A/N: For those of you who were sad to see Tianorin go, just know that WannaBeNinja has already fussed at me for it. She even threatened to stop posting stories, though we all know that’s an idle threat. 

:) Ironically enough, I got attached to Tia, even knowing she wasn’t going to live through the first chapter.

As previously mentioned, I greatly appreciate critiques, suggestions, and even corrections. If you have any of those, please feel free to send me a PM. I'd also greatly appreciate your review. :D Let me know if you did or did not enjoy the story, and why. :) Thanks so much!


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