The Broken Souls of the Seireitei

A/N: Hello all. There is more to this chapter, but I decided to add it to the next one. Um...you'll understand. :)



Renji sat at his desk, heaving a sigh. Work was tedious as always, but his mind was far, far away from the tasks at hand. He looked at the ink pen in his hand, fighting the urge to throw it. The last time he threw a pen the ink barrel broke and Byakuya threatened to rip his tongue out to clean it off the wall. He looked at the faded blue stain that was still there and gulped, shaking the urge off. He sighed again and cracked his knuckles, looking at the clock.

“Abarai fukutaicho.”

Renji looked up, a morose look on his face. Byakuya gently laid down his own ink pen and stood up, walking over to his vice captain’s desk. Renji swallowed and looked down, not knowing what state his captain was in.

Byakuya leaned against the edge of the oak desk, smirking at where Renji had surreptitiously carved ‘FUCK YOU’ in a corner, probably during once when he was speaking to him. “You have sighed several times this afternoon. Is there something troubling you?”

Renji looked up quickly. “No, no there’s nothing wrong here.”

Byakuya raised an eyebrow. “Here?”

Renji grimaced and gestured around. “Anywhere?” He wore a sheepish look, and Byakuya frowned.

“You know, Renji, you and I haven’t exactly been the closest of…friends. When I came to you the other day about the Kurotsuchi incident, I did so because despite everything that has happened between us, I trust you. And also I appreciate you. Although I don’t use it often, I know I always have a listening ear from you. I’d hoped perhaps that the feeling was mutual, but if I presumed incorrectly, I apologize.” Byakuya moved to walk away, when he felt a hand on top of his.

“I’m in love.” The words were sullen and sad, making him furrow his brow in confusion. “Is there something wrong with being in love?”

“Yes.” Renji frowned and then sighed, taking his hair down. Byakuya’s eyes widened. Renji rarely took his hair down in front of anyone. To do so was a sign that the man was indeed stressed. Byakuya walked back to his desk to retrieve his chair, and also rummaged around in his desk for something. Coming back over to Renji, he pulled his chair up and tossed a gold box wrapped with red ribbon foil at him.

“It’s chocolate. Ichigo insisted that if he is to visit me, that I have proper provisions. If he asks me where it went, I’ll tell him Rukia ate it.” Renji smiled and unwrapped the foil, opening the box. He placed one of the chocolate truffles in his mouth and sighed, letting it melt on his tongue.

“This is Godiva; I can tell. Have one,” Renji offered, but Byakuya held up his hand.

“Those are addictive. Between those and the Cinnabun things you get from the mall, I’m going to be Omaeda’s size in no time,” Byakuya mused ruefully. Who knew ryoka food was going to taste so good? Only after he had eaten three Cinnabuns each with extra icing did Ichigo tell him how many calories they were, and how many miles he would have to shunpo to keep from gaining weight. And rue the day when Rukia had brought him a piece of Godiva chocolate! He’d practically choked her to death when she refused to give him another piece.

“Thanks,” Renji said, a little embarrassed. He ate another truffle and then leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands in his lap.

“So about your problem?…” Byakuya prodded, actually looking for an excuse to keep from doing his own work.

Renji nodded, sighing. “I care about this chick. A lot.” He seemed unable to pry his eyes from his clasped hands.

“Is she your girlfriend?”

Renji jolted. “N-No! I mean not yet. I guess.”

Byakuya grimaced. “So what is she then? And don’t say she’s just a friend.”

Renji rubbed his temples and looked at Byakuya. “She’s a ryoka. And I know the laws around here forbid that, so I was maybe thinking that I’d have a way out. But now…I don’t know…”

“…if you want a way out?” Byakuya gently finished. Renji looked up at him and nodded slowly. Byakuya smiled.

“So if you want to be with Orihime, why don’t you just tell her?”

Renji looked as if Byakuya had just shit in his hand and told him it was candy. “Orihime?!! What does she have to do with this?”

Patience was always necessary in dealing with Renji. “Is she not the ryoka that you speak of?”

“No.” Renji’s voice was flat. Byakuya looked confused. “So then who is it?”

Renji laughed. Patience was also necessary with Byakuya. “Orihime isn’t the only girl in the world, although she sure does think so sometimes. Like ‘Oh my boobies are sooo big, buy me something! Ummhmm I’m hot shit even though my healing abilities are TOTALLY LAME!!!’” He placed his hands on his hips and wiggled around, and though he tried not to, Byakuya chuckled.

“Well Orihime is the only one I really know. Who is the mystery girl?”

Renji immediately sobered and looked down. “It’s Tatsuki. One of Ichigo’s friends.” Renji noticed the change in his captain’s face.

“Didn’t she date Ichigo?” Byakuya put forth the question as neutrally as he could, but it was still tinged with jealousy.

Renji made a face. “Not so much dated. They kissed a few times, but I suppose nothing between them clicked. Sort of like me and Rukia. So they left it as friends, and then she and I started flirting. That’s a really long fucking story though.”

The raven haired man stood and paced a bit in front of Renji’s desk. “So they never really had a relationship?”

Renji shook his head. “Nothing to speak of. But I feel weird telling you this. Has Ichigo not talked about it with you?”

Byakuya stopped pacing. “Yes and no. Uh…briefly.”

“Did you not believe what he was saying?”

Byakyua glared at Renji. “This is your time to talk, not mine.”

Renji blushed and looked down. “Of course. I apologize for being pretentious. Tatsuki and I both see other people, because we aren’t in an exclusive relationship. It angers me to see her with other guys, but she is always respectful about it, and I think I’m the only one she’s fucking. It’s just with what she does, she’s always surrounded by guys. It‘s a money thing, and I‘ve got to respect and understand that.”

“Well what does she do?”

Renji swallowed. “She’s a stripper.” Byakuya’s mouth dropped open. “Really?”

Renji nodded. “She has to. Actually, she and Orihime are dancers. Tatsuki does it because her family kicked her out shortly before she and I started messing around. That was about two years ago. And Orihime does it because her family stole most of her trust fund after her brother was killed in that car accident and she needed money. It’s just a job.” He said in a slightly defensive tone.

Byakuya nodded thoughtfully. “They have to make a living somehow. I dare not thumb my nose at the profession of others. I’ve done things to survive that I wasn’t particularly proud of, but I survived. Hmmm…” He said, stroking his chin. Renji looked less tense.

“Tatsuki knows about Shinigami and the Seireitei. The funny thing is, she barely has any reiatsu. I doubt that she’d even survive if I tried to bring her here for a visit. That’s another reason why I didn’t want to invest a lot into this, but I care about her. I left with Yoruichi and Urahara the night of Chad’s party, but I ended up with Tatsuki. She was sick that night, so I sat with her and held her all night. We had a fight that next morning though about our relationship, and now we aren’t talking. I feel like I should do something, but I don’t know what.”

Byakuya smiled. “Just continue to love her. But keep in mind that she is on a different time scale than you. Don’t let her have wasted these past two years on you.” Byakuya gave his shoulder a friendly squeeze and headed towards the door. “I’m going home now; I have a slight headache. Finish up whatever papers you have and then go buy her some flowers for your apology or something. And…tell her I said hello.”

Renji nodded. “I will. And Byakuya?”

Said man stuck his head back in the door. “Yes?”

Renji stood and gave him a very brief hug. “Thanks…for being a friend. My friend.”

Byakuya smirked and saluted before walking away.
************************

“Jeez! What am I gonna wear?!!” Matsumoto fretted, nearly ripping her kimono. She had grabbed Nanao and they were holed up in her house, trying to make her pretty for the dinner with Zaraki. She didn’t want to be too sexy since Yachiru would be there, but she didn’t want to be to drab because that just wasn’t her style. She placed her hands on her hips and kicked the kimono on the floor away from her, thoroughly annoyed.

“Nanaooooo…help meeee,” She whined, stamping her foot and jiggling. Nanao looked frustrated. “I’m trying! But you keep shutting down all my suggestions! And it’s not like you can fit into any of my kimono!” She looked away at Matsumoto’s angry expression.

“So what, are you calling me a fat fuck or something?”

Nanao sighed. “No, but you are bigger than me.”

Matsumoto railed. “I can’t help I got more nutrients than you when I was younger!” She looked at the white kimono Nanao had set out for her and stepped on it. “I can’t wear this! I’m not getting married, and I sure as hell ain’t no virgin!”

Nanao snatched off her glasses. “STOP COMPLAINING AND PUT ON THE GODDAMNED KIMONO!!!!”

Matsumoto shrank back into a ball. “Yes Ma’am.” She quickly squirmed into the kimono, even the fabric refused to rustle and annoy Nanao. She turned around and allowed Nanao to tie a dark red obi onto her. She pinned a ruby brooch on the chest and nodded.

“You look fine, Rangiku. Very nice, very regal.” Nanao did a once around, nodding her approval. Matsumoto sighed. She really didn’t want to wear white, but she also didn’t want her friend to kill her.

“Alright, so I’ll wear this, and I think I have a pair of dark red geta. And Rukia can do my make up.” She wiggled out of the kimono and sat on her couch, head in hand. Nanao sat down beside her and rocked into her, making her laugh.

“What’s up, Ran? I know this isn’t cause I yelled at you. What’s up?”

Matsumoto sighed and lay back, resting her head on her arm. “I care about Kenpachi. A lot. What if Yachiru doesn’t agree? He’d stop seeing me, I know it.” She leaned forward, rubbing her face.

Nanao sighed and rubbed her friend’s back. “I think Yachiru will be able to see the good in you. Isane really fucked it up for the next one, but it’s nothing you can’t handle. Just be you, nothing more and nothing less. Yachiru is growing up; Kenpachi needs a woman around to help rear her. It may as well be with a woman that he cares for. Maybe even loves?” Nanao said, rocking into her again.

Matsumoto smiled and stood. “Ok then. I’m going to wash up and then get dressed. Will you stay until Rukia comes? She won’t be too much longer, I promise.”

Nanao smiled and nodded. “Of course.” She watched her friend walk into her room and leaned back, yawning. She needed to go home and get ready herself. She and Chad had a date, and if she could get to Karakura before the mall closed, she could coerce Chad into buying her something from Barnes and Noble.
********************

Karin angrily tossed a magazine at the floor. Toshiro hadn’t been by to see her in awhile, and her skin was itching beneath the torso cast. Yuzu managed to come by at least every hour, slipping her cookies, ice cream, and other treats afforded to those healing in the ward. More than a few times she had told her sister to take some treats to Nemu, only for Yuzu to come back across the hall with them, telling her that Nemu was either unconscious, or even more disturbing that the girl said that she “wasn’t allowed to have nice things”.

“Did you drop this?”

Karin looked up at the door, seeing Soi Fon. She scrambled to sit up, wincing at the skin shifting under the cast. “Uh no, taicho. I mean yes, I mean…”

Soi Fon smirked and picked up the magazine, placing it on the foot of the bed. “Kurosaki, let me ask you something. Are you still healing, or are you just milking this for all it’s worth?”

Karin looked surprised. “What?”

Soi Fon came around the bed, pulling the covers off of her. “Get up.”

Karin looked panicked. “I can’t!”

Soi Fon narrowed her eyes. “Don’t you tell me what you can and can’t do, little girl. Get up!”

Karin’s face temporarily crumpled, but she didn’t want to give her captain the pleasure of seeing her cry. She reached out to brace herself on the small nightstand and moved a thin leg out of the bed, tentatively setting her foot down on the cold tile. She swung her other leg and placed another foot down on the tile, giving Soi Fon a look of pure hatred. Taking a deep breath, she hoisted herself up, her body cast barely giving any slack and rubbing against her chest.

Soi Fon nodded at seeing Karin stand. “Come here.”

Sweat from distress and exertion rained down Karin’s face. “I can’t,” She said in a gritty voice, making Soi Fon slap her hand down on the bed.

“What did I just say?!! Bring your ass over here, Kurosaki! NOW!!”

Karin took several deep breaths, unaware of her spiritual pressure rising. She took her hand off of the dresser and slid her foot along the tile, wincing. Then she took another step. And another. And another. A look of triumphant success crossed her face, but once she lost focus, she fell.

Yuzu came running and opened the door, shrieking to see her sister writhing on the floor, and Soi Fon just staring at her. She pushed the captain out of the way, cradling her sister’s head in her lap.

“Kari-chan, what were you thinking? You know you aren’t fully healed yet!!” She turned and looked hatefully at Soi Fon, who looked less than pleased. “And you! Why didn’t you help her up? Why did you let her get out of bed?!!”

Soi Fon walked over to Yuzu and easily snatched Karin from her grasp. “I wanted to show your sister that there is more to this than just laying in bed reading comics. If she is to be strong, if she is to live, she has to go through the pain. Your body would have healed in 2 days had you at least tried to get up and move. You ryoka…all so lazy and unfocused. You have no place in my division. You can stay here until you rot,” Soi Fon declared, placing Karin back into her bed. She turned to leave, but paused at Yuzu’s crying face.

“Here’s a tissue, sweetheart. Wipe your face off.” She smirked and walked to the door, prepared to turn her back on Karin forever.

“Taicho, wait. I want to learn. I felt it. I felt my reiatsu take over when I was walking. Please, please don’t give up on me. I want to be strong like Dad and Ichigo. Please, taicho.” Karin’s plea struck a chord in the pixie captain, and she turned slowly.

“Your training begins tomorrow.” She looked at Yuzu once again, but bit back the apology that was on her tongue. She stared at her blankly and then walked out, closing the door silently behind her.
*************************

Uryuu looked around, trying to remember where to go. After many warning and instructions from Ichigo concerning the reiatsu bracelet, Uryuu ventured into the Seireitei, mind intent on one thing; Nemu. He looked down at the bracelet, which was already giving off a greenish color. He frowned. That meant he had even less time to figure out where everything was.

“Psst…over here!” Uryuu looked up sharply towards a shaded alley. He cautiously walked over to it, breathing a sigh when he saw Hanataro’s familiar face.

“Kurosaki-kun told me you’d be coming here today to see Nemu. Here is a badge from the 4th, and here are some blankets. You can pretend like you’re taking the blankets to Yuzu-san. She and Karin know you are coming and you and I look enough alike for most people to not even notice the difference.” The man was speaking in a hushed tone, practically throwing the items at Uryuu. “I had to sneak away through the sewers, so it’s been about a half hour since anyone has seen me. I’ll be back in an hour or so, and show you the sewer trail that will lead you back to this very spot. Luckily, you are only 2 streets from the division.”

Uryuu nodded and gave Hanataro a small smile. “I really appreciate this. I love Nemu so much, and I miss her. I hated how Mayuri kept us apart.”

Hanataro’s face clouded. “Yes…I know what it’s like having a man stand between you and the one you love.” He looked away for a moment and sighed, turning back to Uryuu. “You need to get going, just hold the blankets up higher toward your face. And take your glasses off, we both know they are just for show.”

Uryuu blushed and handed Hanataro his glasses. “Try not to break them,” He warned, giving the healer a stern look. Hanataro simply laughed and walked further down the alley.

Uryuu took a breath, trying to calm his rattled nerves. He held the blankets practically to his nose and walked through the streets, as Hanataro said, relatively unnoticed. Some cheeky girls from the 3rd came past and goosed him, almost making him drop the blankets. Other girls wearing red and white nearly swooned and ran into each other for looking at him. Uryuu almost laughed. Hanataro was obviously a pimp of some sorts, and he made a mental note of teasing about it ruthlessly to him. He easily walked into the division’s hospital, immediately seeing Yuzu.

“Yuzu-chan, here are those blankets you asked me for,” Uryuu said, trying to mimic Hanataro’s voice. Yuzu looked up, annoyed, but then narrowed her eyes and smiled.

“Uryuu?” She whispered, grinning when he nodded. She looked around briefly and then gave him an enormous hug, nearly bursting out into tears. It was good to see a familiar face from home.

“Come with me.” She took him by the hand, leading him down a small flight of stairs. Isane was sitting at a desk, doodling idly. “Kotetsu fukutaicho, Hanataro is going to help me stock the laundry closet and change the sheets in Ward 2. Is that okay?” Yuzu called, pushing Uryuu towards a door.

Isane grunted and waved her hand, not even looking at them. “Just come back when you are done, as a few members of the 11th need their bedpans changed.”

Yuzu grimaced. “Why can’t her lazy ass do it herself?” She muttered, making Uryuu laugh. They turned the corner, and Yuzu stopped outside of a door. “Nemu is in there. I’ll take these,” She said, taking the blankets from Uryuu. “I’ll be back in a little while, and then you’ll have to go.” She gave him a smile before shifting the blankets and walking away.

Uryuu sighed and opened the door, the smell of pine cleaner immediately hitting his nose. He looked at his love, his heart breaking. She had definitely lost weight, and her face was still bruised. She was sleeping under the covers, her head to the side and her arms on top of the sheets at her sides. Uryuu swallowed as he looked at her arms, sickly yellowed bruises and cuts lined them, trying their best to heal. He walked over to her and ever so gently brushed a few strands of hair from her face, causing her to stir and awaken.

“Hello beautiful,” He managed to choke as aquamarine eyes settled in on him.

“Ishida-kun?” Nemu whispered, squinting her eyes. They still burned a bit, and she couldn’t even be sure if he was really standing before him. She had already mistaken Hanataro for Uryuu twice, and wasn’t going to get her hopes up.

“Yes my love, it’s me. I…” He paused and sat at the edge of her bed. “I’m so sorry I wasn’t here to protect you. Please, please forgive me,” He begged, burying his head in her lap. Nemu searched for words as she brought her hands to his head.

“Not your fault. It was mine.”

Uryuu looked up and grabbed her wrist, making her wince. “Never. Don’t you ever say that what that bastard did to you was your fault or that you deserved it. His death was more than what he deserved,” Uryuu spat, his blue eyes blazing.

Nemu drew back. “His death? What do you mean? Kurotsuchi-sama is dead?”

Uryuu looked at her quizzically. “No one has told you? Yes, darling, he’s dead.”

Nemu looked frantic. “Is that why you are here? Did you kill him? Did you kill my father?!!” She struggled to sit up, coughing a bit.

Confusion framed the Quincy’s face. “No, I didn’t, but does it matter who did? Nemu, he raped you. He almost killed you!”

“I know. I was there.” Her words were clipped, and Uryuu looked hurt.

“Nemu, I-” He started, reaching for her hand, but was cut off.

“Please leave, Uryuu.” She pulled her hand back and looked at the window.

“I don’t understand. I thought that you wanted this?” Uryuu nearly whispered, backing away slowly. Nemu turned and gave him a look he’d never seen before on her face.

“Did you, did he, did anyone ever ask me what I wanted? I’m all alone now. I don’t even have a mother!”

Uryuu narrowed his eyes. “Neither do I,” He said tightly. Nemu frowned. “You still have a father. Whether or not you choose to acknowledge him.”

Uryuu nodded his head. “This was a bad idea.” He looked at the bracelet, which was starting to turn black. He looked at Nemu again. “I’m sorry Nemu. Real sorry.” He wordlessly pulled the baby doll he made for her from his pocket and set it on the bed, and then turned to leave, closing the door softly.

Nemu looked at the doll, and then the door. “No, Uryuu. I’m the one who is sorry.” She grabbed the doll and clutched it to her chest, bursting into tears and drawing herself up into a ball. She cried for herself, for the mother she never knew, for the father who never loved her, and for the man who did love her.
*******************

Uryuu closed the door, breathing heavily. His chest felt like it was on fire, and he just wanted to run. He had no intention of being the one to let Nemu know her father was dead, and had thought she would have been happy to see him. He turned blindly to walk down the hall to find Yuzu, mumbling an “Excuse me” to whoever he had bumped into.

“Wait.” Uryuu halted, willing his tears not to fall. The female turned and walked back to him, looking at him in the face.

“You’re that Quincy, aren’t you?”

Uryuu was too upset to lie. “Yes.”

The woman was pleasant looking, and seemed more curious than anything. “What were you doing here, Quincy?”

“If you must know, I was here to see Nemu. But she doesn’t want to see me. So I’ll be leaving now.” Uryuu turned to leave, nearly shocked when the woman grabbed his arm with a frightening amount of reiatsu circling her.

“Why doesn’t she want to see you?”

A tear slipped from his eye as he wrenched away. “Because I told her that her piece of shit child molester father was dead and she didn’t know. She mentioned something about being all alone now. I guess I don’t count as much as I thought I did,” He said wryly, making the woman flinch. “So please, before I break down in front of you, I’ll be taking my leave. Where is Kurosaki Yuzu?”

The woman looked faint as she pointed to a stairwell. “She’s down there,” the woman whispered.

Uryuu nodded. “Thank you.” He turned and walked slowly, not caring if the bracelet didn’t mask his reiatsu any longer. He found Yuzu folding towels in a room, singing to herself, rather loudly and off key.

I was walkin with the ghost
I said please, please don’t insist
I was walkin with the ghost
I said please, please don’t insist
No matter which way you go
No matter which way you stay
You’re out of my mind
Out of my mind
Out of my mind
Out of my mind

Uryuu leaned on the doorway, listening to her sing. She turned and nearly jumped out of her skin when she saw him. He was pale and his eyes looked slightly puffy. She wordlessly took one of the towels and walked over to him. She wiped his face, pouting when his face broke. He bowed his head on her shoulder and for a few moments just wept. Part of it was from sadness, but a great deal of it was relief. Relief that through every terrible thing she had endured that she was still intact, physically and seemingly mentally. He could eventually get over her if need be, but if she hadn’t been alright, he wouldn’t have known what to do.

Yuzu patted Uryuu and wiped his face again, even holding the towel against his nose and coaxing him to blow. Many a defeated night Ichigo had come to her, just to sit and be held. She never knew what had transpired or why exactly her brother came to her, but she would never turn him away, and the look on Uryuu’s face reminded her so of her beloved brother. She took his hand and led him back to the alley where Hanataro was waiting.

“Hey man, are you ok?” He looked at Uryuu, knowing immediately that the visit did not go at all the way the Quincy had wanted it to.

Uryuu pursed his lips. “I’m just ready to go.” The pained whisper was more than enough explanation, and Hanataro nodded and handed him back his glasses, newly cleaned and polished. Uryuu took the glasses and looked at them blankly. He opened the portal and wordlessly stepped inside, glasses still only in hand.

Hanataro turned to Yuzu, who could only offer him a shrug. He shrugged back and offered his arm to walk her back to their division office. She smirked and took it, walking back to their offices.
***********************

Unohana stood outside of Nemu’s room, her heart beating fiercely. She had spoke to Ukitake several times that morning, trying to get up the gumption to talk to Nemu and explain her lineage. She saw the Quincy leaving her daughter’s room, looking extremely sad. He bumped into her, and after a few tense questions, revealed that he told Nemu about Mayuri’s death. The most unnerving part was when the Quincy said something about Nemu stating ‘she was all alone now’. Unohana swallowed and placed her hand on the door knob, but her hand trembled so bad, the metal lock sounded like it was jiggling.

“Who is it?” Nemu’s voice called from the bed, making Unohana snatch her hand back. “Was someone knocking?” Nemu’s voice sounded less agitated, and Unohana quickly opened the door.

“It’s me, dear. I just wanted to uh…check your vitals.” Unohana could have kicked herself. Her excuse sounded like a total lie, one even Nemu wasn’t buying.

“You saw Uryuu leave, didn‘t you.” It was an accusation, but the soft and sad way that Nemu said it made Unohana want to run over to her and hold her.

“Yes. Did he upset you?”

Tears brimmed in Nemu’s eyes. “Did he kill my father?” She whispered, looking at Unohana.

“No! No…Urahara-san killed him.”

Nemu gave a wavering sigh. “So he is dead. Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

Unohana fidgeted. “You have been in and out of conscious. Someone may have told you and you forgot.” It was a lie. No one had told Nemu yet, she had sternly made it aware that if anyone told Nemu about Mayuri, that dire consequences would be paid.

Nemu shook her head, compulsively picking at a scab on her arm. “No, honey, don’t do that,” Unohana said, rushing over to swat the girl’s hand away. Nemu looked up at her with an odd look. “You can’t tell me what to do. Who are you supposed to be? My mother?” Unohana gasped and Nemu’s face darkened as she gave an ugly laugh.

“What am I saying? I don’t have a mother. Don’t know what she’d sound like. No mother, no father, nobody.” She hung her head, drawing her knees up under her chin. “Nope, ain’t got nobody nowhere. How pathetic, right?” Bitter tears started to roll down, and Unohana couldn’t help but to cradle the thin girl in her arms.

“That Quincy, he loves you doesn’t he?” Unohana asked gently, only to hear that ugly laugh again in response.

“He feels sorry for me. I saw it in his face. I don’t want his pity. I want…I want a life of my own. But Mayuri said I could never have that. He always warned me that he was the only person who would ever care about me.”

Unohana looked indignant. “Did he really say that?” Nemu looked at her and nodded. “Well, you know that is a lie.”

Nemu rested her head on her knees. “Do I know that?” She whispered, sighing. She held her arm out. “Do it.”

Unohana looked confused. “Do what?”

Nemu stared at her. “You came here under the ruse of checking my vitals. Please do so…remind me that I’m alive.”

Unohana nodded and checked the girl’s vitals as quick as she could, and then fled the room, probably doing the fastest shunpo of her life. She ran blindly until she tripped and practically fell onto the steps of the 13th division.

“Jyuushiro!!! JYUUSHIRO!!” She screamed, her chest heaving. Sentaro and Kiyone came running, appalled at the usually composed and docile captain. Sentaro reached for her, and she violently snatched away, nearly causing him to fall over.

“Unohana taicho! Is it Isane-san?” Kiyone asked frantically, also trying to assist the woman up.

Unohana gave them an ugly look. “No, it isn’t your sister. Not everything is about you and her.” Kiyone reddened and bit her lip, on the verge of tears at the harsh words.

Sentaro pulled himself up and gave Unhand as stern a look as he could. “Ukitake taicho is sleeping. Y-You’ll have to come back later.”

“No.” The voice coming from her was frightening. Like a wild animal that was cornered.

“Unohana taicho-”

“GET JYUUSHIRO…NOW!!!!” Unohana flared her nostrils and her reiatsu, making the third seats quiver in fear. Unfortunately she had expelled too much reiatsu, and both Sentaro and Kiyone were rendered immobile and frozen in their spots.

“Yare, yare. All this commotion and bad chi flowing. Have you done something to upset our fair Retsu?” The voice of Kyoraku came floating from inside, and he came to the porch, smiling. He placed a hand on Sentaro’s shoulder, and frowned immediately.

“Stop it, Retsu.” His voice was deadpan and he realized the gravity of the situation. “Let them go,” He said again, walking a few steps toward her. He noticed his steps were heavier than normal, as if he were walking in mud.

“Retsu. Retsu! They can’t breathe!” Kyoraku yelled. Kiyone was turning a purplish color, and Sentaro’s eyes had rolled back into his head. Unohana was glaring at the two of them, her gaze so intense that veins were starting to pop out of her forehead.

Kyoraku finally reached her and grabbed her by the shoulders, shaking her as hard as he could. Her head flopped back and forth, but her gaze was unbroken. Hating himself, he raised his hand and brought it down as hard as he could manage across her cheek. The loud crack of his hand seemed to break the trance, and both Kiyone and Sentaro fell to the ground, coughing and gasping.

“Retsu! Retsu?” Kyoraku looked into the captain’s face, and was appalled when she started bawling. He gathered the woman in his arms, throwing a look at Sentaro.

“Take Kiyone and don’t come back until tomorrow.” The frightened man was to scared to speak, opting to nod and wrap his arms around Kiyone, who was still sputtering for air. In a flash, they were gone.

“Let me go,” Unohana sobbed, trying to fight Kyoraku off. His strong arms held her, and she collapsed, tired of everything.

“It’s Nemu, isn’t it?”

She looked up into his sad brown eyes and nodded. “Jyuushiro told you?”

He nodded. “He tells me everything now. But I always wondered, seeing how you two favor each other. He didn’t tell me why you kept it from her, but that’s your business. I tried to tell him that, but you know how he is when it comes to family.”

Unohana looked down. “I’m ashamed, Shunsui.”

“I know.”

“I hurt Nemu for my own selfish reasons. Mine and Mayuri’s.”

“I know.”

“I don’t deserve to be her mother.” Fresh tears welled in her eyes as she buried her head in Kyoraku’s chest.

“C’mon. You need a drink. I brought some apple flavored sake with me. We can drink until Jyuu-chan wakes up.” He wrapped an arm around her, helping her up the stairs.

“I hate apples, though.”

“I know, Retsu. I know.” He ushered her inside of the house, looking around for potential gossipers. When he saw none, he cautiously and quietly closed the door behind them.
**********************************



A/N:The song Yuzu was singing was 'Walking With A Ghost' the Tegan and Sara version (I didn't like the White Stripes one). It seemed fitting. And did you pick up on Retsu and Shunsui's convo? Doesn't it remind you of Geta-boushi and Neko-sama? They are alike, and will soon realize how much so. Nemu and Uryuu...heartbreaking. I haven't decided yet, but it may get worse before it gets better. I hope you enjoyed this, and stay tuned.