Weakling

Title: Weakling: Chapter 1 – To become a Nobody
Fandom: Bleach
Pairing: others x Zaraki Kenpachi. This chapter: Aikido Sazare x Reichin Sazare; Yachiru Yamagi x Reichin Sazare implied
Rating: NC-17. This Chapter: PG-13

Disclaimer: Neither Bleach nor the sexy characters in it belong to me. They all belong to lucky Tite Kubo. Only the idea of this fanficition and some characters [NO Mary-Sues!] belong to me. And, as sad as it is, I don't gain any money with this piece.

Warning:
Read information.

***

To become a Nobody

It was a sunny April morning – not too hot, not too cold. A slight breeze was blowing, birds were twitting and insects were buzzing in the air.
In the middle of a small forest a big manor, built in the traditional Japanese way, was making up the centre of the Northern Japanese Border.
Branches were fanning around the building, a small river running by its side.
"Lady Sazare."
A small, petite woman walked up to her master. Her shoulder-length black hair was pulled up in a messy ponytail. Some stands freed themselves and were fanning her pale face. She had pouty red lips, a small nose and her most striking feature, blazing green eyes. They showed her inner strength, that she should not be underestimated.
The lady of the family put the small bundle in her arms back in the cradle and turned around to look at the woman.
She was tall, taller than any woman the loyal servant has ever laid eyes on. Her figure was thin, almost skeletal, but the petite woman was not fooled; she knew what the other one could do, what power she had in her body. Her skin was also pale, her face long with high cheekbones. Long black hair was hanging loosely down to her hips. Golden-green eyes were blazing with an inner fire, with strength, power and a strong fighting spirit.
"What is it, Yachiru?" the tall woman almost purred.
The servant bowed lightly and took a step forward.

***

"Yataka-san is here to see you, my Lady. He is waiting in the dining hall."
"Thank you, Yachiru." The woman said and walked past the smaller woman, "Would you please watch Hiko-chan while I am gone?" She turned around slightly and smiled at her servant. "He loves you. I am sure he'd like to spend some time with you."
"Ah." Yachiru blushed. "I'd love to spend some time with him too." She replied honestly and walked up to the cradle.
Sazare only nodded and walked to the man awaiting her.
"Yataka-san." The lady greeted the older man as she entered and bowed slightly. "Hiei-san and..." she glanced questionably at the brown-haired man beside them.
"Sazare-sama." Both men said and bowed slightly too. "We are glad you could welcome us in such a short notice. We apologize for not giving you a warning before. This would be Kyou-san. He just got his position as my head-secretary and as Sasakibe and I had business to attend here we decided to take him along and show him our borders, especially because Yumi-san is otherwise occupied." Then the leader of the Guards, who were keeping watch at their border, turned to the man beside him. "Kyou-san. This is Reichin Sazare, guardian of our Northern borders."

"Sazare-sama." The man said silkily and bowed.
"Kyou-san." The woman nodded, mustering the male. Something about him was bothering her, but she just could not point out what it could be.
"Well, we should not waste any more time. I fear I come with bad news." The old man started.
"Yes, I think I know what brings you here." The woman replied and then glanced at the chairs. "Let's sit down and discuss this matter."
Without further ado all of them sat down on the chairs, the three males opposite of the female.
"Well then, let's start."
"But..."
"Kyou-san?"
"I am sorry. Should we not wait for the Lord of the house?"
Yataka and Hiei exchanged glances and chuckled.
"Why should we wait for the Lord?" he asked the younger male.
"Well..." he looked at the woman. "I apologize and do not want to sound rude Sazare-sama, but should such matters not be discussed with the Lord of the family, instead of with his wife?"
A loud, barking laugher escaped the woman's lips. She shook her head and then looked at the man at Yataka's left again.
"Do not fear Kyou-san. You will not need a Lord."
"What..."

"I apologize to both of you." The old man interrupted them. "I should have explained everything to Kyou-san before arriving here."
"Well, maybe you should do so now? To help erase his confusion."
The old man closed his eyes for a second, sighed and sat back in his chair.
"Yataka-sa..."
"No Hiei." The man said to his friend. "It is ok."
Then the leader turned to the younger man, who was looking at them questionably.
"Back, at the beginning, Kami-sama chose four families to protect our borders."
"What?"
"Please, if you want to know, do not interrupt me."
"I apologize."
"These families have been responsible to watch after the borders. So far nobody has managed to come into our territory. "

The young man sat back pondering. "Yes..." he started "Yes I already know that."
"Of course you did." Hiei said silkily. "It is something you hear on your first day in the Academy. For we are are not only responsible for the paperwork, but have to take actions once we are needed to do so."
"But..." the brown haired one started once more, looking again at the woman, who was watching him intensely. "It does not explain why we talk with her and not with the Lord."
"She IS the Lord." Yataka-san explained. "From beginning on the Sazare-family was lead by females and females only. And if it happens that there are only males in one generation, as it is now the case, the youngest will take over."
"What do you mean?"

"I have a loving husband." Reichin started slowly. "And three wonderful sons. My two oldest boys are already 20, and a father's and mother's pride. We tried once more to get a daughter, but Kami-sama decided against it. I know, I feel, that I am not able to give birth to another child. I do not have the power anymore. If this happens in my family, then the youngest child will be raised like his mother was and take over the reigns."

"A boy is raised like a girl?"
The woman laughed and soon Yataka joined her.
"My boy." He said and clasped his shoulder. "Never think the Sazare females are petite women. I would not want to fight against Reichin here, for I know she would beat my ass some terrible. The young boy would be introduced to the finer ceremonies of a family household, but he too would be able to fight and to protect. He would not simply be raised like a girl."
"And if he marries, his wife would take over?"
"Of course not. He will stay the ruler. Not matter if he marries a female or a male."

"WHAT?" Kyou shouted, before he placed a hand over his mouth and took a deep breath. "I apologize. But Sazare-sama that..." he shook his head. "Men cannot give birth?"
"They adopt. And one of these adopted children would be a girl, who carries on our name."
"But they are not family anymore!"

"My dear boy." She growled and leaned forwards, glaring at him with her burning gaze. "Family means so much more than just bonded by blood. Family are the people who protect you, who watch out for you and who are always by your side. They are not always the people, who share the same blood with you. Even Kami-sama knows that."
"I think... I have overstepped my line once more."
"Yes, yes you have."

Just as Kyou wanted to apologize once more he was interrupted by a man entering the hall.
"Love. The boys and I are back from... oh I see we have guests." The man said and turned to them. "Greetings to you, Guards." He welcomed them and bowed.
The new head-secretary gaped. The man was a giant with hard muscles, spiky blond hair and warm brown orbs. Sazare-sama was already taller than he was, she reached two meters without a doubt, but this man was surely twice his size! But he was not the only one. Once he stepped aside he made room for two more men who looked just like him.

"Kyou-san." The lady said and stood up. "Let me introduce you to my husband Aikido Sazare and my two boys Yaten and Heiji."
"My Love." The man said, opened his arms wide and embraced his wife, completely ignoring Kyou. "Good to see you again."
She chuckled, but embraced him back. "You were only gone for hours."
"But I missed you so much, my Beautiful. "
Now the woman, who seemed so strict at first, openly laughed and slapped his arm. "Very funny."
"Oh, but I do not joke. And where is my pretty baby-boy?"
"Yachiru is watching him while I am talking with these men." She answered and nodded at the Guards.
"Oh, I apologize. I have forgotten you. Well," he turned to his wife again. "I shall go and swoon over him instead." He announced and left the room as fast as he entered it.
The two young blonds smiled after him, then nodded at their mother and also left.

"I apologize, I think they just came back from hunting." She said and sat back down.
Yataka waved her off and smiled. "It is fine, my Lady. But what about your youngest. Are we not allowed to see him?"

She chuckled. "I know my husband. I am sure he will soon appear again, showing off his pride. So fear not Guards, you will see the new heir soon."
The old man smiled shortly then his expression darkened. "You said you think you know why we are here?"
The woman sighed, a dark expression also gracing her face. "We families have no ill feelings towards each other, we respect each other, yet we do not keep in touch." She sighed. "But gossip is unavoidable." She sighed once more. "I have heard that... that the other three families have been... killed."
The Guard-leader rubbed his face. "Somebody must have heard about us. Somebody must be after that power. Somebody is killing off the family members. That somebody is somebody among us."
Hiei moved around uneasily in his chair, while Kyou gasped.
"But... how can you be sure it is somebody of us?"
"Nobody could kill them off so quietly – all of them. The families must have known that somebody and trusted them."
"True." The man said and sighed.

The woman leaned back in her chair, elbows crossed in front of her chest, a scowl on her face. "Why are you here, Yataka-san?" She sighed. "I know we are the last family. We will fight this murderer, be it somebody of our family or not. But what do you want, old man?"

"I want to inform you, that we are watching you closely now. This is also another reason why I introduced you to Kyou-san. I wanted you to meet the person with whom you will work together now."
As soon as Yataka said that name she glanced from him to Kyou and mustered the brown haired man once more. Then she growled and stood up, slamming her hands on the table.
"I will NOT work together with him!" she shouted and pointed at the man.
The three Guards were shocked at such behavior and leaned back, as if it could save them from the wrath of this woman.
"But why not? Is something the matter, Sazare-sama?" Hiei spoke up.
"Yes, yes there is." She growled and pierced Kyou with her glare. "You may be fond of him and his skills, but I do not trust him." Reichin moved her face back at their leader. "There is something wrong with this one, Yataka-san." She whispered, almost pleading for the man to not make such a mistake.

"I assure you, Sazare-sama, there is nothing wrong with me." The head-secretary purred.
"He is right." Yataka said in a demanding voice. "The man is skilled and loyal. My decision is final."
The woman stood up at her full height, eyes blazing with fire. "Leave my home, Yataka."
The old man stood up too. "Reichin, please under..."
"No." She said coldly. "I do not talk with old fools. I know about your business so do not doubt my faith in you, old man, but this time..." she shook her head. "This time you are blinded. Leave."
The man nodded then glanced at Hiei and Kyou before leaving. The two men followed.

***

The woman sighed defeated and sat down on the table, face in her hands. She suddenly felt so drained. What should she do now? Oh, she was sure the old man would carry out his plan the way he sees it right. Why has she reacted like that? She didn't know. There was something in the man's eyes, something she just couldn't trust. She was confused – why did Yataka not see it too? She shook her head and stepped onto the floor. Quickly she moved her kimono in place again and then decided to see her family. It would do her some good to see them now.
As she walked down the corridor she could make out a figure at the other end. Reichin smiled.

"Yachiru." She said softly. Her most loyal servant and best friend. They had been together since they were young girls, hunting, fighting ...living. She smiled. Her friend had such a petite body, but inside her was the strength of a lion. Oh how the boys suffered who underestimated her. She was a true warrior.
"Ah Sazare-sama." The woman said and turned around, a bright smile on her face, which quickly vanished. "Is something the matter?"
"Why?" Reichin said and stopped in front of the other, swallowing down a chuckle as she once more was reminded just how small the other one was; only reaching her hips.
"You look very drained." The smaller one said concerned and touched the other's upper arm comfortingly.
The tall woman sighed and rubbed her forehead.

"Bad things are happening... three other families have already been murdered..."
"I have heard so." Yachiru said worried. She hated that thought. She knew that the Sazare family would fight, but still... the other families were no weaklings, yet they have been killed. The small one didn't even want to think about what could happen to Reichin, Hiko and the others. It was horrible.
"Yachiru..." Reichin interrupted her friend's worries. "May I ask you for something?"
"O... Of course!" she answered and nodded encouragingly.

The master of the family smiled once more and placed a hand on the other's shoulder. "If something happens." She swallowed. "If they come, then I will stand my place, for I am the Head of this house."
"And I will stand by your side." The smaller woman said.
"No."
"Bu..."
"No Yachiru. I know you fight and I know you want to help us. But please." She looked at the other with pleading eyes. "Please, if they come, as soon as they are here, run. Do not pick a fight, run into Hiko's room and flee. Flee with my precious."
"Bu..."

"He." She interrupted the other. "Is my biggest treasure. I want him to live. I want him to enjoy life. This is my last wish to you Yachiru. I want you to go to his room, take him and run away. I want you to hide, I want you to change his name, I want you to... never tell him about us."
"But Reichin! I can't do that to any of you!" the woman shouted desperately, tears forming in her eyes. "We will fight and we will win! I don't want to take him from his family! I don't want to keep you a secret. It is unfair to both of you."
"Don't." The tall woman swallowed. "Don't be so childish Yachiru. You make it hard for me." She sighed. "When the murderer comes we won't make it easy for him. But in the end we don't know what to expect. There must be something about this person in order to beat the others. You must save my son and in order to do so you must keep everything about him a secret. He shall never know. Please Yachiru, please promise me."
Yachiru nodded slowly then looked up at her friend again.
"I promise you."
"Thank you." Reichin said then clasped her friend's hand in hers and kissed her palms. "Well..." she stood up to her full height again. "I shall go and see my family. Until later." She said softly.
Yachiru watched her friend walk away, holding back a sob that wanted to escape her throat. Life – life was never fair.

***

Reichin leaned against the doorpost as she watched her husband with her youngest son. The man was currently holding the small babe over his head, making the small boy squeal and giggle in joy.
"Just don't let him fall." She said softly and slowly walked over to them.
"Ah Love." He said and turned to his wife, kissing her forehead and holding the boy to his chest. "Do we not have a pretty boy?"
She leaned against him and together they looked down at the small form, still laughing in his father's arms. "Yes. Yes we have." She whispered and stroked over his cheek.
"He looks just like you." Her husband whispered; wonder in his voice then he chuckled. "He will be a strong warrior. He will scare his opponents away and lead our army with heart and loyalty."
"Yes, he will."

She will miss him so much. She would have loved to see him grow, to know about his fears and dreams. Oh Kami-sama, she will miss him.

***

Flames were licking up the walls and furniture, bloody corpses were covering the floor, yet no single scream was heard. They did not fear death, none of them. Family Sazare had always been known for their will to fight, for facing death honourably. They would not scream, they would not beg, they would fight their enemy face to face.
Growling Reichin tried to get up. Something has hit her from behind, which made her fall on the floor. If she didn't know it any better she would say it was a spell. She slammed her fist against the hard wood under her. Yataka's and her fears have been confirmed – somebody among them was the murderer.
"And not only one." She growled and looked around. "They are more than one."
Just as she was ready to get up she could make out a silhouette approaching her. Curiously she squinted her eyes – she knew that figure from somewhere.
"Sazare-sama. How good to see you again." The voice purred.

"Kami-sama!" Surprised the woman sat up; a shocked expression on her face. "Kyou-san"
"I am very honoured to see that you still know my name, Sazare-sama." The man said silkily and stepped in front of her.
She growled and stood up, would not give him the leverage to stand taller than her.
"Of course I remember you." She said calmly. "But..."
"But what?" Kyou asked, a small smirk playing around his lips as he looked up at the tall, proud Head of the Sazare Family.
"But I am sure that you are not here to help us." Reichin said truthfully.
A small, non-humoured laugh escaped the traitor's lips.
"You know, dear Lady. You are not as blind as the old man."
She held her sword tighter in her palms; she wouldn't get caught up in small talk now.
Of course he noticed that movement. He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck.
"Well now, please do answer me where your baby is located."
"What?" the woman asked perplexed.
Aizen's smirk became wider.
"Oh but Sazare-sama. By now I have killed your loving husband and honourable sons. Only you and your baby are left. I did already look for him, but he was nowhere to be seen. So please, do not make it more difficult than it should be, where is your heir?"

Reichin breathed out and shortly closed her eyes. Yachiru. The woman must have managed to get to her baby in time and run with him. Now everything was fine. She would go to her family, see them again; they would not be parted for long. And her lovely baby will take revenge for them. He will become strong.
A wide grin spread on her lips. "Sorry Kyou boy." She coned. "My baby is gone. He is safe. You will not find him, but he..." she openly laughed now. "He will find you!"

By now the traitor had lost the last bit of his patience. For years he has been hunting all the family members of these four families and now this woman makes it hard for him.

"Then you are no use to me anymore." He said coldly and brought his sword in front of himself.
The woman didn't say anything anymore. She too held her sword in front of her and then ran towards the man who destroyed everything for her. Who killed her husband. Who killed her sons. At least she would go down in a fight. Just as she reached him she felt a sharp pain in her back.
"What..." she whispered, blood running down her thin lips.

The figure she has pierced smirked; the one behind her chuckled.
It became harder and harder to breath, black spots dancing in front of her eyes. She looked down on herself, the sharp end of a sword appearing out from her chest.

"I do have to be honest, I am impressed by you." The serpent voice of Kyou whispered as he walked behind her and leaned against her back; one hand holding the sword hilt the other he placed around her waist, while the other attack stepped to the side. "But none the less, you have to make room for the greater good." He continued, then removed his tool and let her fall to the floor.
With her last strength the woman turned around, looking up at her murderer. "You are..." she coughed up blood. "Nothing more than a coward." She said, almost disappointed. She breathed out deeply and closed her eyes. The tall lean body relaxed one last time then her spirit left this world.
"It does not matter." Kyou said coldly, watching the beautiful corpse laying at his feet. "For I win in the end."

Then he turned to the man beside him. "Yagami."
"What should we do now?"
"We have to find the boy; even if it takes forever."

***

She ran and ran and ran. As soon as she heard the first bodies hit the ground she ran to the boy's room, took the small human bundle carefully in her arms and left the mansion, before the murderer could get further.
And now she ran, her lungs already aching. She did not dare to turn back though; she feared what she would see.
Once she decided she was far enough away she knelt on the ground and took deep breathes. After she has calmed down enough she looked down at the small babe.
He looked up at her with curious eyes, tiny hands trying to touch her.
"Everything will be alright, Hiko-chan." She whispered soothingly then she shook her head. She can't call him that anymore.
From this moment on he won't have a name anymore. He will become a nobody and she... she will love him like she loved his mother.