Zanpakuto Tales

Chapter 4

Everyone stared at the woman when she finished the story.  Rin's eyes narrowed. Clearly, she was deep in thought and concerned over her husband's safety. She closed her eyes briefly when Rukia was the first to regain her composure and speak.

"You... You didn't see what happened to Nii-sama?" Rukia murmured, staring at Rin with wide eyes as she finished her story.

The woman reopened her eyes, but said nothing. She was now completely healed and currently testing her shoulder. "I didn't, but I would prefer not to think about that."

"Why are you so worried? I thought you and Byakuya hated each other, Rin," Ichigo said, looking confused. The woman held up her left hand, revealing a silver chain wrapped around her wrist with a gold heart dangling from it. It was what Byakuya had given her when he had asked for her hand in marriage.

"You dumb shit, we're married," she snarled, gesturing towards the bracelet. "I have every right to be concerned!" She frowned when Ichigo, Uryu, and Chad, all stared at her with wide eyes. Finally, the first burst out laughing.

"Ha! Byakuya, married to you? You're pulling my tail!" He hooted.

"Ichigo... She's telling the truth. I was there for it," Rukia spoke up in Rin's defence.

"...What?" Ichigo's jaw dropped and he looked between the two woman, dumbfounded.

"Dammit, that's besides the point!" Rin snapped, her cheeks turning red. "Basically, me and Rukia barely got out of Soul Society alive, okay? Who cares about Byakuya being married to me right now!"

"So, zanpakuto are defying their masters and attacking them..." Urahara murmured, looking serious. "I've never heard of that happening before. After all, a zanpakuto's true form resides within their shinigami."

"Was everyone in Sereitei okay?" The Quincy asked, turning to Rin and Rukia. The latter shook her head, not sure.

"They're just fine." Both shinigami women looked up when they heard Yoruichi, who was leaning against the door. She had gone to Soul Society to investigate the situation. "The Gotei 13 hasn't fallen apart yet. Though quite a few Captains were asking about you, Rina-chan."

"Yoruichi-san! Back so soon~?" Urahara exclaimed.

"Yoruichi-dono, what's happening in Soul Society?" Rukia exclaimed. "And Nii-sama! What about Nii-sama?" Meanwhile, Rin was hauling herself to her feet. She grabbed her uniform, not caring that is was ripped and burnt.

"I need somewhere to change, I'm going back. Now." She didn't want to hear the news she was expecting, but Yoruichi stopped her from leaving with one hand on her shoulder.

"Don't panic, Kuchiki-san. I'll tell you everything," she said, sitting down on a nearby cushion and pulling Rin down beside her. When Rin tried to leave once more, she put the younger woman into a head lock.

"You need to hear this, Rina-chan," Yoruichi said, making the woman relax with a huff. "The Sereitei was in shambles. It appeared that the fighting had come to an end, but there were countless casualties and destroyed buildings. I headed to Squad 4's first-aid station hoping to find someone who could fill me in. Captain Unohana, Ukitake, and the others were all staying at the Squad 4 barracks..."

---

Yoruichi leaned against the wall on the far side of the porch with her arms crossed. Shunsui and his Lieutenant, Ise Nanao, Ukitake and his third seats, and Unohana were all there as well.

"So the enemy made a mess of things and vanished, is that right?" The former shinigami Captain confirmed.

"Exactly," the white haired Captain replied. "Sereitei is overflowing with people who got hurt. The 1st Squad's barracks caught fire, which spread to the other nearby buildings. It was horrible when they collapsed. Many people died when they fell in."

"It was a miracle that our first-aid station was spared. Squad 5 managed to keep it together as well, so their barracks will be the first we repair due to the minimal damage," Unohana said.

"I'd heard about that. I've also heard that the 2nd Squad and 13th Squad's buildings are still standing," Shunsui said. "Captain Soi-Fon and all of the Covert Ops are searching for the zanpakuto. Captain Esaki went with, since he was once a member. Captain Kurotsuchi has begun researching this phenomenon."

"Let's use the 4th Squad's barracks as our centre of communication for now," Ukitake spoke to Unohana, who glanced over at him. "First, we need to find any shinigami who can still fight and strengthen the security here."

"Please do," the woman agreed, smiling slightly. "With the Head-Captain gone, we must stand strong in his stead."

"What a pain. This would be easier if we had Rina-chan here, but we haven't been able to find her," Shunsui groaned, fixing his hat. Though he didn't show it, he was concerned for the young woman's safety. Yoruichi pushed herself off the wall and walked away.

"Rina-chan is fine, I'll be sending her back soon. I'm going back to the World of the Living now, anyways." She paused and looked over her shoulder. "I need to ask Kisuke his opinion on this 'zanpakuto revolution'."

"You're just planning on asking him to investigate it, aren't you?" Unohana said with a small smile. Yoruichi smirked.

"Pretty much."

---

"It is good to know all the Captains are okay," Ishida said, pushing up his glasses. Rin knelt to the side, her eyes fixated on the ground. When the Quincy spoke, she glared at him, about to make a comment. Urahara cut her off unintentionally.

"Kurosaki-san, have you noticed anything different with your zanpakuto?"

"No, not really." The teen shrugged.

"Oh, is that so? Actually, I've read some reports from Soul Society for a while now stating that shinigami have been having difficulties with their zanpakuto. Not that I had any problems with Benihime."

"I believe Muramasa's reach only affects those in Soul Society. If you were to go, I'm sure your Benihime would betray you as well," Rin spoke up. She appeared distracted.

"Is it because his powers are unable to reach here? Or is there another reason for this?" Urahara asked. "I'll have to do some research into it first..."

"I'll return to Soul Society come morning." Yoruichi announced. Rin's eyes slid over to Rukia. Had she noticed, too, that Yoruichi had said nothing on Byakuya? From her expression, she was sure that she had. The small woman looked up.

"Yoruichi-dono, how's Nii-sama?" She asked once more. Said woman closed her eyes briefly before casting a sidelong glance at Rin, who was watching her with a hard expression on her face.

"We've been able to find all of the Captains, Lieutenants, and upper seats," she told them. "But Byakuya-bo is still missing, as of yet." Rin's hands clenched into fists and she stood.

"Damn it..." She hissed beneath her breath, her eyes squeezing shut. Rukia's reaction wasn't much different.

"He's fine," Ichigo spoke up, making the two woman glance at him. Rin's eyes narrowed at the confident smile on his face. "There's no way he'd die. You guys know how strong he is." The older woman stood and left the room.

"I don't need someone like you to comfort me. I'm not worried about that idiot."

"Open." Rin turned her zanpakuto as if it was a key, opening the Senkai Gate.

"Are you sure you are healed enough for this, Captain Asaje?" Rukia whispered from behind her.

"Who are you to talk, Kuchiki-Flower?" The woman murmured. "That fight hurt you worse than me. Don't be pushing yourself too hard when we get there."

"Hai," Rukia agreed, nodding once.

The woman stepped into the Senkaimon and quickly made their way back to the Soul Society.

"We don't have a lot of time. It won't be long until they notice our absence and decide to come after us," Rin informed Rukia as they ran. Despite herself and the situation, the shorter woman smirked at her superior.

"I don't think they'd be able to take you back, anyways, Captain Asaje."

For the first time in a while, Rin smiled, too. "Ha. They can try."