The Noble Sort

A/N; Sorry for the late update! I went from being in the middle of moving across country and getting a new job to being unemployed very suddenly. It's a long story, but the gist is that real life reared its ugly head and put me behind. I do apologize. So there will be four chapters for this update, which leaves only three more updates before the story is finished!

Enjoy!

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"The Noble Sort"

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Minako woke hours later in the hospital. She was becoming more familiar with the fourth division as an exile than she had been when she was a shinigami.

She felt someone jerk, her right hand falling out of someone's grasp as they stood up. She looked over and saw Akane's red hair bobbing as the girl jumped to her feet, her eyes wide as she stuttered something out and ran from the room, shouting for Unohana-taichou.

Weird.

She pushed herself up slowly, careful not to mess with the lines going in and out of her arm, as well as the bandaged left wrist that, while it seemed to be healed, was still throbbing a bit. Her neck also felt crusty—had no one had the decency to clean the damn thing?

"Sensei!" Akane exclaimed, breathless, as she ran back into the room and collapsed into her chair. "Sorry. I was under strict orders to get Unohana-taichou as soon as you woke up."

Minako shut her eyes, humiliated.

"Tell me I did not seriously pass out from a broken wrist."

"The wrist was only one factor, Minako-san," Unohana-taichou said calmly as she approached the left side of the bed, her hand already glowing green. "You had lost quite a bit of blood, never mind the severe malnourishment and vitamin deficiency. There were also insufficiently healed wounds in your abdomen, your right leg, and your cheekbone."

"Oh, well, I guess I can show my face now," she muttered, shoulders drooping as the kind healer continued her exam.

She gave her a moment of silence to do so; there were surroundings to check out. She had no idea what was going on. But Akane was moving about freely, Hidaruma was right next to the bed, within reach, and there were no handcuffs. Hmm. She couldn't even sense guards outside the room.

"Well, Minako-san, you should be fine, although I will be having you stay the night to make sure. And you must eat. You are severely underweight. I am surprised you were still moving, to be honest."

She nodded at the taichou, chastised but grateful to be healed.

"Good. I will have them send some dinner in for both of you, then, before any other visitors are allowed. There is a long line."

Minako grinned at the joke, but she was eager to see some of them herself. Some, though…

As soon as Unohana-taichou left, she turned to Akane, her face serious.

"How deep are we in?"

"I'm not sure," the girl said, looking confused. "Zero-taichou is pissed. Showed up not too long after Matsuno was dead—although he thought it was Nishiori."

"I'll explain that later."

"Oh, I'm sure. Your uncle was just bursting to ask you tons of questions, but I get the feeling Unohana-taichou is not too happy with him right now. I think she's forbidden him from approaching you for a few hours."

They shared a grin.

"But no corps. members, no arrests or anything yet. I know Central had representatives in the office not too long after you were transferred here." She shrugged her shoulders. "Really, no one's told me anything. All I've gotten is that there are people who want to see you and your uncle is actually going to allow them in. I guess you're officially alive again. Welcome back!"

"Idiot."

"Moron."

She threw her pillow at the girl, who had obviously finally allowed all the stress to leave her body. Minako was glad; Akane had been way too worried for someone her age. And it had been her fault. But she had oji-san's full agreement that the most Akane would face was some questioning after everything was done, so there wasn't anything more for the girl to worry about. Well, nothing that couldn't wait.

Just then a young boy entered, two trays balanced precariously in his arms, and Akane moved to help him situate one on the moving table for herself and one on her lap. The food didn't look just great, but right now it didn't matter. Food was food.

"What is this?"

"You probably don't want to know," Minako said, staring at the food dubiously.

They both ate quickly, and the trays were taken away, which left them bored. At the house they always had computers, books, television, even the piano if they got too bored. But here there was nothing to do but stare at the walls and wait for someone to show up and explain what was going on.

And then, after only half an hour of sitting idle, both contemplating hospital room décor, the door swung open, Isane and Nanao both entering at a quick pace. Isane had her in a crushing hug before she could even say 'hello,' and Nanao was already scolding her as if she was one of her lower division shinigami.

"Nice to see I was missed," she said jokingly, receiving a glare from the petite fuku-taichou and a playful smack from Isane.

"Of course we missed you! What were you thinking?"

"I'm not sure we were," she said as both women took up spots near the side of the bed. "Everything just spiraled down. I'm not even really sure what you were told."

"We were told you had died of a heart attack not too long after you woke up! I don't know how he managed it; even taichou didn't know!"

"If he is anywhere near as crafty as Shunsui—"

"Worse, actually, Nanao. Where do you think taichou got it from?"

They shared a look of fond exasperation.

She looked over for just a moment, but she was able to catch the weird look on Akane's face. The poor girl. Was she just unused to seeing this side of her? Or—did she think she would be abandoned for the other girls she'd known when she was a shinigami? She should have known better.

"Nanao, Isane, this is Akane. She's my 'student,'" Minako said, even using her hands to make quotations in the air.

"You poor girl," Nanao remarked, her face completely void of emotion.

"But—"

"Don't let her push you around. Or slack off—she does that still, yes?"

Akane just nodded, dumbfounded.

"Don't scare her, Nanao, Isane!" Minako laughed out, amused at the girl's confusion. Akane actually looked quite scared now. "She's been with me for three years; if she's lasted this long I imagine she can last a little longer."

"But this is irrelevant," she said, waving her uninjured hand in the air. "What's going on? No one's told us anything. "

"As far as I know, the sou-taichou has been in a meeting with some of Central and Zero-taichou for hours now. Shunsui and Ukitake-taichou were in there until just about an hour ago—they stopped by before going to get something to eat." Nanao gave her a sly look. "I believe they will be back."

"Oh?" Minako said nonchalantly, picking at a string on the blanket.

"Mmm. Shunsui didn't seem too surprised to see you alive, either. I haven't been able to ask him, yet…"

Minako felt a shiver go down her spine as the younger woman adjusted her glasses and fixed her with a deep look. Apparently they were both going to be in trouble if she didn't like their explanation.

"He found out Sunday. Walked in on me and oji-san arguing, unfortunately. We knew it was just a matter of time, so we were able to get him to agree to just be quiet…"

"That better be the truth."

Minako nodded fervently. She could see the darkness in both their eyes, and she felt a brief moment of guilt for what she must have put her friends through. She didn't have many, so upsetting the ones she had was a problem. Which reminded her…

"Akane, did you call—"

"Taken care of, sensei."

She breathed a deep sigh of relief.

Well, then. So far, so good.

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She had spoken too soon.

Thought too soon. Whatever.

It was a little past midnight now, the hospital quieting down, and her taichou and his best friend had never showed up. Not surprising, really, considering that they had been in meetings all day trying to help clean this mess up. But part of her had desperately wanted to just see him.

Pathetic onna.

Shut it.

Oji-san hadn't been by either, which could be both good and bad. Good because he just might plan on taking her home, bad because she might end up in jail in the morning. It was still her biggest fear.

There are no guards now. We could sneak away.

And Akane?

Oh. Yeah. Forgot about Red.

Akane had left two hours ago, escorted to the Eighth by Nanao, where she would stay tonight. At least she was safe from any potential retaliation and being kept close to people Minako would trust no matter what. Taichou would make sure she was safe tonight. She would most likely be bunking in Nanao's quarters, which made her giggle—Nanao and taichou were still together! How cute!

She had known it was a good match.

She shifted in the bed again—she liked to sleep on her side, which was almost impossible with one arm injured and one sporting iv's, and she huffed at the shishi's grumble. At least she had let him take his form. And he could sleep comfortably.

But the floor is cold, he whined.

I feel no sympathy.

Stupid bitch.

I'm not stupid!

She laughed out loud while the shishi snorted, and then covered her mouth quickly. She was still in a hospital, and she didn't want to disturb the other patients.

"Is your hound telling jokes?"

She turned quickly, almost ripping one of the tubes out of her arm—she hissed in pain and grabbed at her forearm with her injured hand, which only made it worse—but forgot it all immediately when she caught sight of the person that had been able to enter the room without them noticing. He had barely passed the door, and his white hair was gleaming in the moonlight coming in through the small window.

Sorry 'bout that, shishi said, although he didn't sound too upset.

She pushed herself up awkwardly, her left wrist still too weak to hold her weight, and once she got herself up and situated she leaned over and flicked on the small lamp beside the bed.

This was going to be awkward.

He looked drained, very tired. The day had obviously taken a toll on him, and for a moment she had the urge to let him have the gurney. Instead, she gestured helplessly to the chair near him, hoping he would at least sit. It would make her feel better to have him resting—and not towering over her.

He didn't.

He walked slowly to the bed, his eyes more serious than she had ever seen, and he slowly turned her injured wrist over, staring at the bandage.

"It doesn't hurt," she said, her voice hoarse.

He nodded slowly.

Awkward!

He let her hand go, though, and moved to the chair, collapsing into it bonelessly. She had never seen him appear anything less than perfectly in control—it was strange. She knew, logically, that with his illness there had to be times where he was like this, but she had never seen it herself. She wasn't sure she liked it.

Shishi! Dance or something!

The dog snorted from his position on the floor, almost underneath the bed, and she felt something dark start growing inside her. He was dead next time they faced off on a training ground.

"I—"

He held up a hand.

"Just—don't talk for a moment. Let me think."

Her mouth snapped shut, her eyes wide with shock, but then she pursed her lips and gave him the age-old look that meant she was a Very Offended Female. The dark anger growing inside her was now aimed towards him. One night three years ago and he thought he could boss her around? Did he not remember exactly who she was?

"Excuse me—"

"Please, just give me a minute," he said, and she actually shut up. He was almost pleading with her. It wouldn't kill her to be quiet for a moment a let him gather his thoughts.

So she sat quietly, picking at the same string on the blanket that she had fiddled with all night, and stared at the chipped nail polish on her fingernails. It really was time to repaint them, although she wasn't really sure what color she would pick right now, especially if there were going to be hearings with Central and meetings to deal with. She would have to be all modest and unassuming, then, and she tended to go with bold reds—

"Did I really even know you?"

Her head snapped up, and she met his glistening eyes with her own.

"Huh?" It was all she could manage.

"We've spent most of the day going through everything sensei had concerning these men, their activities, you—did—were you ever who you pretended to be?" He gave her a look of confusion. "I am usually so good at reading people—but this—you—"

She raised an eyebrow.

"I'm not sure what you mean by that. What could you all have discussed today that would make you think I'm not, well, me?" She sent him a confused look. "I think I was pretty straightforward the last time we saw each other."

"You were engaged," he said, his voice cracking just a bit on the last word.

"No, no, no," she said vehemently. "I was not. Matsu knew better, it was just something he kept throwing out, especially in front of other people. The man was psychotic."

"You kept so much from us. And then—we thought you had died—do you have any idea—"

"I do, actually—Lisa, remember," she said, her voice low, "but it wasn't really my choice, no matter what oji-san may say. But if I had stayed, I would've been dead. I wouldn't have gotten the chance to even recover before they got to me. I had to leave and it was the only way." She shot him a look. "And why am I getting all the blame? What about oji-san?"

"I've already made my point clear to sensei," he said, his voice harder than she had ever heard it. Then he knew what oji-san had used against her to get her out of here.

"So what? This is you getting your anger out at me?" She scoffed.

"I thought you were dead," he said slowly, his eyes locked with hers. "I mourned you. I blamed myself for not saying everything that I should have. And then—to find out you were alive, only to face the fact that some madman you apparently left brokenhearted was going to kill you in front of me—"

"Matsu didn't have a heart to break."

"Of course," he said.

She frowned.

"The files, the videos, all the reports…nothing in there was the Yamamoto Minako I thought I had known. You killed two men in cold blood and murdered another in front of me when he was already disarmed."

She took a deep breath, fighting for calm, but it wouldn't come.

"He raped me," she hissed, her eyes glittering in the dark. "That man had no problem taking advantage of someone unable to defend against an attack. Then, he—he—I—" She closed her eyes tightly, fighting the tears that wanted to come. "He didn't deserve mercy. When he saw he would die in battle he let someone else take his place. And you think I should give someone like him mercy? Please."

"Is your heart truly that hard, Minako?"

"These men are not only responsible for eighty years of my suffering, but the deaths of at least six shinigami in the same experiments that made me the freak I am today. And how many shinigami—how many of your squad have been injured due to the hollow numbers recently? They weren't innocent. They knew years ago what Aizen was planning and didn't do a damn decent thing to stop him! The only thing I regret is not getting to them earlier."

"How…I knew you were not like me. It's your nature, and I accepted that. But this, Minako, this is all unbelievable. You took pleasure in what you did—you gloated about it."

"Yes, well, Matsu gloated about the fact that he held me down and fucked me against my will, too. You aren't crucifying him for it."

"I don't speak ill of the dead."

"I'm sure the bastard thanks you," she said, her sarcastic tone biting. "You didn't know him like I did. He could be pure evil when he wanted. He just rarely pointed it at me until now."

She turned away from him, looking down at the ground. Shishi was staring up at her, golden eyes glittering with sympathy. He could feel her heart breaking, apparently.

It was happening again. She had known better. God, she had known better. They always left. They couldn't stand the fact that she could stand on her own two feet, that she could do what she had to do. She had hoped he would be different, but she had always had that niggling doubt in the back of her mind. And then he showed up tonight, and her heart soared, hoping that for once she had found one worth keeping.

She was always wrong.

Was it really too much to ask that she finally meet a man that could love her for who she was?

She swallowed the lump forming in her throat and blinked a few times, pushing away the tears that were forming. Her body was going cold and numb as the emotional shock took over. It always happened this way. She knew next would be the sobs she couldn't keep away, and she really just wanted to be alone now.

"Is there anything else, then, Ukitake-taichou?" she said, turning back towards him. She made sure her tone was civil, but her face was closed off, her mask up completely.

"Minako, I'm not done discussing this—"

"I am, Ukitake-taichou. Unless there is something else you wish to make clear other than what you've already said."

His mouth went slack for a moment, then he took on the persona she was so used to. And she was the one hiding. Seriously. He stood, bowing slightly at the waist, before moving to the door.

"I don't believe so, Minako-san. I—I hope everything goes well."

She listened as he exited, as his steps grew quieter, waited for the silence that would mean he was down the hall and out of her hearing range. Then she flicked the lamp off, curling up in the small bed.

Two paws were placed on the side of the gurney and she pulled at the big black mitts, scooting over as far as she could to allow him to crawl up on the bed, tail firmly tucked between his legs and his ears folded down.

That was not how that should have gone.

I know, shishi.

As she finally let the tears lose—it had been too long since she'd had a really good cry—she knotted her hands in the thick black fur and sobbed as Hidaruma whispered to her in her head.

But I can't make him love me.

I know, Minako. I know.

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"Sensei—are you supposed to have those out yet?"

She glanced up at the redhead and the petite brunette behind her, shrugging, before turning back to Hidaruma, who was sitting next to the chair she now occupied. She just hoped they had brought her some clothes.

"I guess it doesn't matter, then? But I'm pretty sure you were supposed to stay in bed until we came to get you."

"Did you bring me clothes?" she asked, her voice scratchy.

"Yeah," Akane said slowly. "What—what the fuck's wrong with you?"

She shook her head, putting her hand out for the bag of clothing.

"Where did this come from?" She looked up at them and they gasped at the sight of her eyes, red-rimmed and bloodshot from her night of crying. "Oh, stop it. Seriously, where did you get them? If they happen to be something I left at oji-san's three years ago, you know they won't fit."

"I know; they aren't. I went shopping this morning already and got some things for you. It isn't much, but it'll work."

"Please no kimono," she muttered, digging through the bag.

"No. Some black pants," Akane squeaked out as she jumped to the side to avoid the swing of a fist aimed at her hip, "and a typical shirt. They didn't have anything long sleeved, sorry. Plus, it's summer." Akane shot her a sympathetic glance. "And some make-up, thank the Kami. You'll need it, although I don't think it'll cover all that."

She snorted.

"Anyway, get up and get dressed. Your uncle's not five minutes behind us. We're busting this joint."

"Finally," she muttered, moving to the small bathroom.

The two women shared a look when she left, both gesturing at their eyes, before Nanao quietly informed her that Ukitake-taichou was supposed to have been by last night. Akane's face drooped; something bad had happened.

Minako didn't take long in the bathroom, just throwing on the clothes and shoes proffered and not bothering with make-up at all. Nanao looked stunned when she entered, though—apparently this clothing didn't hide her condition nearly as well as the hospital gown.

"So what's going on, then?"

"I'm taking you home," her uncle's gruff voice said form the doorway, and she couldn't deny the relief she felt at hearing it. "We are going by the division first, but then you'll be staying at the estate until everything is taken care of."

"Oh?" she said, gesturing to Hidaruma and grabbing the sword as he changed forms, easily hooking it into the belt included in the bag of clothing.

"Your reiatsu will be mostly sealed until this is over. I have negotiated a ten percent range of freedom for your…protection."

For the shishi.

"And Akane?"

"She will be staying with us as well. Neither of you will leave the grounds until this is over."

"They're not even sealing me, sensei. I'm apparently a small fry," the girl said in a comical voice.

They were being protected, and by him. That worked for her. Anything was better than jail, and at this point she just wanted it all over and done with as soon as possible.

She nodded, moving to follow both he and Sasakibe down the hall. The two women were right behind her, and she could hear Nanao firing off rapid questions about the state she was in. She finally turned and shot them a look to get them to shut up once they left the hospital building, and they were blissfully silent for the rest of the trip to the First.

Everyone stopped and stared when they entered the large gates, apparently shocked by finally seeing the person responsible for all the upheaval in the last day. But she squared her shoulders—this wasn't the first time she'd been in deep water. She'd never let them get to her before and she wouldn't now. She'd once faced soldiers, rapists, taichou—a few clerks were nothing.

They steadily made their way to the large chamber that was home to every taichou meeting she had ever attended as a fuku-taichou, and she felt a brief moment of shock when she saw they were all assembled, waiting on them. There were even Central members in one corner, as well as the taichou of Zero. Everyone had come out, apparently, to see her sealed properly and officially begin the inquiry she knew was coming.

Nanao pulled Akane aside as she followed her uncle up to the front of the room, through the two lines of taichou assembled in their normal formation. Zero-taichou stepped forward, a black band in his hands, and the reiatsu inhibitor was snapped around her neck quickly.

She fought the weakness that threatened to drag her down when it cut off her power.

Charges were read off, although she barely listened. She did understand that she was being charged with treason, something about attempting to overthrow the balance, and three counts of murder as well as the murder of humans she was not ordered to kill. She wasn't sure where that one came from. Finally, they were going to charge her with—she fought the urge to snort—remaining in the human world longer than her mission.

And then it was done. Just like that.

"Take her to the estate, Choujirou. And Akane."

The man nodded, stepping forward to grab her elbow, but she jerked it away from him and walked towards the large doors at the other end of the room.

She ignored the eyes she could feel following her as she moved, fought like hell to keep the mask over her face when all she wanted to do was curl back up in a bed and forget everything. She was ready for it all to be over.

Sasakibe and Akane swiftly caught up with her, and they had to literally jog to keep pace with her as they moved through the maze of buildings that made up Seireitei, heading for the estate that was a good twenty minutes away on foot. Neither tried to speak to her, thankfully, seeming to understand she was in a mood. They didn't comment when they reached the gates to the grounds and the shishi immediately appeared next to her, trotting to keep up with his master.

Sasakibe ran off to do something else once they entered the house—most likely going to report back—but Akane followed her all the way to her bedroom.

Still a soft blue mural on the wall.

"Are there—" she cleared her throat. "Pajamas, Akane? Something more comfortable?"

"Yeah," Akane said quietly, digging in the bag she had been carrying since they left the fourth.

She allowed Akane to help her get them on—her wrist was still hurting and she was almost too tired to do so herself—and let the girl brush through her hair, throwing it back up into her standard ponytail. Then she moved to the bed, Hidaruma hopping up beside her, and just lay there.

"Sensei?" Akane asked, her voice quiet, even in the silence of the house.

"Yeah?"

"What did he say?"

She laughed. It wasn't a happy sound.

"I'm a cold-hearted bitch, Akane. Did you know that?" The tears were coming again, flooding her eyes and building another ball of heaviness in her chest.

"Then he's not worth it," the redhead said, sitting gingerly on the bed behind the older woman and letting her hand rest lightly on her arm. She glanced at the pile of jewelry she had put on the nightstand earlier this morning—all pieces her sensei wore daily, each having some important anecdote, all given to her by someone or marking some important date in her life. "He has no idea."

"But I love him," she said, her voice breaking as the sobs finally came out, and she buried her face in the black fur of the whimpering hellhound.

Akane slid onto the bed, her arms coming around the older woman, and she felt her own heart break as she realized that her sensei had done it all for a happiness she would never get to have.