Trial of Fire

Chapter 5
Lonely

Leon felt like dying. He was so confused right now he didn’t know what to think. He had never seen Reina-sama snap. He had never really thought about the relationships between their Shinigami and Hollow parents. He had never stopped to think that his father might have raped his mother to bring him into this world.

As soon as they were on the Kuchiki grounds he had bolted to his room with a bang/flash of Sonpo, pushing his desk against the door and curled in the corner of his bed, hugging his knees as his young mind tried to compute everything, tears falling slowly.

His mother had shouted after him as he ran, but he had ignored her. He didn’t want to talk to anyone right now. He just wanted to be left alone while he tried to comprehend everything that had happened.

It was probably about an hour later when there was a soft knock on his door.

“Leon?” Ggio called softly.

“Go away.” Leon growled out. “I don’t want to talk to you.”

“Leon, open the door please.”

“Go away.” He repeated.

There was a sigh from the other side of the door, and then it slid open.

“Right sliding doors, not swinging.” He growled to himself.

Ggio looked at the desk for a moment before raising his chained hands to push it aside so he could enter the room and slid the door closed again. Leon watched his father approach him wearily, noting the fact he was still in full restraints.

“Leon…”

Leon looked away from him, clearly indicating he didn’t want to talk to his father right now. Ggio sighed and sat on the edge of the bed.

“Is it true?” Leon suddenly asked.

“Is what true?”

“What the noble said. About Okaasan, and Reina-neesan and…” He couldn’t finish, breaking into tears again.

Ggio sighed.

“There was no love between Barragan-sama and Rangiku.” Ggio admitted.

“So Reina-neesan was…”

“Conceived under duress.” Was the term his father settled on.

“How can you respect someone who would do such a thing?” Leon asked softly. “And Reina…”

“It’s not Reina-sama’s fault what Barragan-sama did to Rangiku.” Ggio pointed out.

Well, that was true.

“How can you show respect to a man that would hurt Okaasan?” Leon asked.

“It’s hard to explain. I was serving Barragan-sama long before I met your Okaasan. He was my king, more so than even Aizen-sama was. The last task he gave me was to care for Reina-sama.”

“What about me? Did you ever… to Okaasan?” Leon couldn’t bring it to himself to finish asking the question that had been haunting him since the thought had been implemented in his brain by the noble.

Ggio turned his gaze away, unable to look his son in the eye.

Leon clutched his knees tighter, burying his head and feeling like his heart had been shredded, shattered and trampled over. His sobs strengthened.

Ggio reached out for him, but Leon slapped the hand away, ignoring the hurt expression that crossed his father’s face. How could his mother love him or even look at him and Reina after what she had to go through to get them here.

“Leon. There are things I have done in my life that I regret and can not undo or ever atone for.”

“Go away.” Leon interrupted. “I don’t ever want to see you again.” He whispered. “Just, go away.” He sobbed.

“Leon.” His head snapped up to look at his mother, standing in the door way with a soft look on her face.

She approached, sat down next to his father, and pulled him into her lap, nestling his head against her large pillows.
He sobbed until there were no more tears left and he was exhausted. All the while his mother just made soothing noises and rubbed his back.

“How… How can you stand me? Or Reina? Or him?” Leon asked sniffling.

“Leon. Ggio has never, ever hurt me intentionally.” She explained softly.

“What?” He looked up into his mothers face.

“Sometimes when Barragan let him have me, all he would do is just hold me and let me sleep.” She explained softly.

Leon noticed their were tears forming in her eyes as well as old memories were brought up from the depths she had managed to burry them.

“So I…”

“You were brought into this world willingly, or as willing as able considering Aizen dominion over us.” She answered.

“So he didn’t…”

“No.” Rangiku answered with a soft smile. “You were not brought into this world like Reina was. And you know what?” She whispered conspiratorially.

“What?” He asked.

“It makes Reina jealous.”

“It does?”

“Um hum. But don’t let her know we know. It has been very hard on her.”

Leon caught the sadness in her mothers voice and in her eyes.

“So you and Otousan?”

“Well, I don’t know if I would call it love.” She winked at him. “But he is my Neko-chan.” She chuckled, reaching over to tug on Ggio’s braid.

Leon giggled as Ggio protested the motion, but with his wrist still cuffed closely together and a chain attaching them to his ankle restraints, all he really managed to do was shrug his shoulders.

“Feel better?” Rangiku asked.

Leon nodded his head.

“What about the others?” He asked.

Knowing there was no way to avoid the subject now, he could see his parent share a look, and then answered him honestly.


Kinomi was bristling with rage. She was so furious she could kill. Their Zanpakuto’s were returned and their parents escorted them all home. Kinomi spared a glance at Zan, who seemed depressed.

“Of course.” She realized. “Zan and Leon-kun are too young to really understand what happened in Hueco Mundo with our parents.”

It was later that night when Zan broached the subject to her. Downstairs she could hear Ichigo and Rukia arguing, or more like Ichigo was ranting and Rukia was trying to calm him down before he did something stupid.

“Hay, Kinomi-neesan.” Zan started.

“Yeah?” She asked, turning over in her bed to look at her younger half brother.

“Did Otousan ever…”

“No.” Kinomi interrupted before he could finish. “Okaasan doesn’t love Grimm-ji like she does Otousan, but she doesn’t hate him and he never hurt her.”

“How then did I come to be?” Zan asked.

“Well, Aizen-sama had Okaasan captured to try and create a new race, but Grimm-ji didn’t really like Aizen-sama much so he ignored him. Unfortunately Aizen-sama made sure to check to make sure his men were following his orders.

“Grimm-ji brought Okaasan to the real world and that’s how I was born. Aizen-sama locked down the realm after that though so after I was born Okaasan and Grimm-ji didn’t have much of a choice. I think she was honestly happy to have you though Zan-kun.” Kinomi offered with a wide smile.

“Why?”

“I think in her mind it was her way of thanking Grimm-ji for everything he did for us. So don’t worry about it. All that matters is that you are here and we love you. Does anything else really matter?”

“No." He agreed after a moment with a soft smile of gratitude. "What about the others?”

Kinomi sighed, knowing there would be no way out of this now the subject had been broached. “Why couldn’t he have asked Okaasan instead? Still, best to get everything clear now before he starts getting the wrong idea or makes up his own nightmares about what happened.”

It was late at night before Zan was finally satisfied and fell asleep. Kinomi was right behind him, exhausted after the days event.


Kinomi sighed as she stared at the small patch of dirt that was on the edge of their small property.

“This is so stupid.” She grumbled.

“Neko-chan.” A voice shouted out.

With a smile Kinomi looked to see Kenpachi, Yachiru and Taka walking towards them.

“Morning, Kenpachi-sensei, Yachiru-chan, Taka-chan.” She greeted them with a smile.

“Morning, Pantera-chan.” Taka greeted. “Kenpachi-sensei is going to escort us to class. I think he’s mad that we didn’t save any of the fun for him.”

“They were so pathetic he could have beat them all with a sneeze. We just saved him from the disappointment trash like that generates.” Kinomi laughed. “It was barely worth this punishment, but I bet no one is going to think about attacking the others anytime soon.”

“I didn’t realize they were going to bring it this far.” Kenpachi grunted.

“I am sorry Neko-chan. If I knew it was going to turn out this way I would have stepped in.” Yachiru apologized, looking slightly abashed.

“It was worth it.” Taka commented. “Noble brats got a good ass kicking. Will be a while before they mess with us again, bloody cowards going after the others.” Taka snarled.

“How do you think Reina-chan is doing? That cursed noble bastard brought up some shit that had Zan-kun asking about it last night.” Kinomi sighed.

“Oh god, he asked you about it?” Taka gasped.

Kinomi nodded her head in the affirmative.

“Well, what did you tell him?” Taka demanded.

“What could I say? I told him the truth. He would have learned about it sooner or later. Better he get it from one of us then have it slapped in his face by someone like that primped up peacock.”

“Best thing you could have done.” Kenpachi agreed.

The school appeared before them and he waved them off, informing them they would be picked up after school to begin their community service. Taka and Kinomi noticed they were getting a rather wide berth from the other students, slightly more than usual.

It was easy to find Galgo, Barbo and Reina. All they had to do was look for the break in the crowd. Class would be beginning soon though so they didn’t have time to chat. Weapons class was up first and the teacher asked the two of them to wait in his office while he got the other students set to their lessons.

Slightly nervous, they did as ordered, waiting silently. God Kinomi hoped the teachers weren’t going to become even more aloft with them after this incident. They looked up in apprehension when the instructor arrived ten minutes later and sat down at his desk, waving for them to do the same.

“Off the record,” He began, “that was some amazing display you guys put on yesterday and your restraint was admirable. Those boys are lucky you two held back.”

Kinomi and Taka beamed.

“Now back to the record.” He declared firmly. “It is clear none of the students around here can challenge either of you and most of them refuse to spar with you. So I found a teacher for the two of you. Some one who can take the time to spar with you on even ground and teach you what needs to be taught.”

Now that definitely drew their attention. Their very own teacher! Someone to train them and only them.

“It took a lot of negotiating, but until further notice your new weapons teacher will meet you at the far back training grounds. I believe the person in question should be waiting for you there now. You are dismissed.”

The ‘sed hadn’t even been out of their teachers mouth when the two bowed and disappeared in a flash and bang, racing to the far back training field no one bothered to use because it was so far out of the way and unkempt.

“Ukitake-taichou?” They gasped, staring at the white haired man in shock.

“Good morning girls.” He smiled softly at them.

They stared at him in shock. Kinomi was unable to get over the fact that they were going to be receiving personal training by her Okaasans Taichou.

“I know you are both eager to get right to work, but this field needs to be cleaned up first if we are going to be using it.”

They snapped to work before he could even suggest the two of them start cleaning. He simply chuckled and poured himself a cup of tea while the two girls went right into cleaning the field up, flashes and bangs going off like fireworks as they went full speed.

They were not able to get any training in that day, but that was fine. Both girls were so excited they didn’t mind. Come lunch though their high was floored by one look at Reina.

“Oh god, Reina-chan, are you alright?” Kinomi asked worried.

Reina’s eyes had black marks like she hadn’t slept and had been crying all night. She was walking gingerly as well and they could tell she had probably received a caning for attacking the noble, a high crime indeed despite the circumstances and she was lucky a caning was all she got.

“I assure you my heath is adequate, thank you, Kinomi-san.” Reina assured them.

“I am not as schooled in politics as you are, Ruizenban-san, but I got the feeling that Kuchiki-sama and that other noble have declared war on each other.” Akata commented.

“You are correct, Akata-san.” She answered.

“Wait what?” Taka asked confused.

“Political stuff.” Barbo answered. “Otousama was not pleased by the assault on us, nor with the way things were handled.”

“So what does that mean for us?” Kinomi asked confused.

“In most likelihood there will be minimal reprimand for you, Kinomi-san.” Reina answered. “It should not impact upon you because you are a Kurosaki and not a Kuchiki, or living under the guidance of the Kuchiki clan.”

Reina and Barbo tried to explain the intricacies of what had occurred during the meeting, but it went right over Kinomi’s head. Akata seemed to be listening with interest and made the odd comment. Galgo had eating his sandwich and then promptly went to sleep for his usual afternoon nap, taking up half of his side of the bench.

The rest of the classes were hell. It would seem that some of the teachers were going to become troublesome after all. Their Law teacher choose that day to discuss the various laws involving any involvement that Shinigami might have with the Noble families and was picking primarily on herself and Taka.

The teacher had giving up trying to pick on Reina after the girl had corrected her the second time and gave in depth answers that left most of the classes heads reeling, as had Barbo.

“Do you even know how to read?” The teacher finally snapped at Kinomi after she was unable to answer yet another question.

Kinomi shot a glance to Taka. Taka shot her a ‘please don’t’ look that half screamed ‘do it, for the love of god do it.’

“Well, I must admit that reading skills and Soul Society political laws were hardly what Aizen-sama had his Espada training us in while growing up in Hueco Mundo.” She answered sweetly. “I mean, I don’t even think Grimmjow-sama knew how to read, did he Taka-chan?” She asked her friend, looking at her with a smirk.

“I don’t know, it was hardly on his list of things to teach us. I do remember spending a lot of time out on the dunes learning the best ways to kill a person. And the few times Aizen-sama paid attention to us it was to reaffirm the fact he was our god and how happy we should be to be in his service.” Taka added offhandedly.

“Hmm, I do indeed recall a lot of that. Was it during the main course or desert he would lecture us on how lucky we were to serve him and would remind Okaasan how lucky she was that he had a use for her?” Kinomi asked, looking up at the ceiling with her arms crossed as if trying to remember an illusive memory.

“Between the two I believe. While the plates were being removed but before dessert arrived. He would make us repeat that stupid little pledge of his three times each before he would let us leave the table.”

“Right. And if we didn’t then we were chained up in that room and whipped until we got it right.” Kinomi snapped her fingers as if remembering. “Man that sure stung the first few time, eh?”

“Don’t remind me.” Taka did a good job of shuddering. “That room was bloody cold. And it was the only room that wasn’t white in the whole damn place.”

“Yeah. I guess trying to wash the blood out got tedious after a while so they just left the walls and floor red.”
Looks of horror crossed several of the students faces and the teacher actually had a look of regret and shame on her face.

“Well, it’s a good thing Yamamoto-sotaichou was generous enough to have us all rescued and take care of us.” Kinomi smiled.

“Yeah. We owe a lot to him.” Taka agreed. “Making us official citizens and all. After all like he said in our introduction speech, it’s not our fault our mothers were repeatedly raped and we were born.”

“Ahem, Yes, well.” The teacher stuttered.

Taka and Kinomi held back smirks of triumph at the look of shame and horror that passed on a good portion of the classes faces. Some of them looked like they were ready to be sick and Kinomi wasn’t quite sure, but at least two of the girls looked like they had actually fainted.

“Perhaps I can see about getting the two of you some extra tutoring to catch up.” The teacher offered, voice slightly more steady.

“That would be awesome, Sensei.” Taka beamed up at her.

“It would be greatly appreciated.” Kinomi agreed.

Truthfully they both hated the class and the idea of a tutor sucked, but to deny the extra help now would undermine the show they had just put on. And truthfully, putting up with extra tutoring was a small price to pay for the few hearts they had just won.

“I would be pleased to assist Kinomi-san and Taka-san in their lessons.” Reina offered.

They shot her a thankful glance as the teacher consented. After all Reina and Barbo were tied for the top of the class. Of course Barbo was being trained as the Kuchiki heir and Reina, with her noble upbringing, had simply inserted herself into his classes and Byakuya had yet to say anything about it.

Class eventually ended for the day, much to their relief. With groans of annoyance they walked to the edge of the school grounds to await their punishment of community service.

Akata and Barbo were picked up by Isane-fukutaichou, apparently sentenced to helping out with the 4th’s duties.

Reina and Galgo were picked up by Ukitake-taichou. Apparently they would be assisting in his gardening work as he was getting too sick to keep up with it himself.

That just left Kinomi and Taka waiting for their fate. Yumichika and Ikkaku showed up at the same time. Apparently their fate was to help the two of them file their paper work. Kinomi suddenly felt like perhaps expulsion might not have been that bad after all.

She ended up going with Ikkaku, who had papers all over the place, some of them not even done or were only half filled out. By the time she had made but a small dent in the mess that was his office it was already time to be escorted home for dinner.

Zan was surprisingly in a happy mode, which just made her sour one all the more sour. Apparently since their parents did have work to do and Ggio was no longer considered a proper guardian at this moment in time, the two boys had been dropped off at the 2nd and got to spend the day training with the new recruits.

Kinomi was instantly jealous, though she did get to brag that her and Taka would be getting private lessons with Ukitake-taichou every morning now.

“Really?” Rukia asked surprised.

“Yep. I wish it had been Kenpachi-sensei, but Ukitake-taichou is cool to.”

“Ukitake-taichou is arguably more skilled with a sword. Kenpachi-taichou is more about pure brute strength.” Rukia pointed out.

“True.” Kinomi admitted. “And I need both if I am going to be stronger the Grimm-ji and Otousan.”

“Oh, you think you can be stronger then me?” Ichigo asked with a small smile.

“Of course. I have had training.” She smirked at him.

“I had training.” He countered.

Rukia raised an eyebrow at her husband.

“I have had training.” He reasserted firmly. “Just not a lot of it.” He admitted after a moment more of the silent stares from his family.

“Even Kinomi-neesan had more Kidou training than you.” Zan pointed out.

“Never needed it.” Ichigo brushed it off.

“I hate Kidou.” Kinomi muttered.

Dinner finished off without a hitch and homework, a bit of training and a bath later she was in bed fast asleep.

Stay tuned for Chapter 6: Resurrect

Next chapter we get to see the Resurrección forms of the kids that have such forms. The only Zanpakuto spirit of the kids I focus on is Kinomi's. Didn't want to burden people with too many 'people'.

As usual thank you all for the great reviews. Onigiri eh? I loved that scene, but I was having a bit of a pain running through all the eps trying to find that scene. Thanks for the info ;)

Oh Kazes, ever since reading the reviews on Betrayal about people wanting Szyal/Nnoitra my brains been going bonkers with ideas. Can you ask it to stop for me please before I end up writing a slew of one shots, that knowing me will turn into novels some way or how? I don't even like the pairing but they wont leave me alone.

By request, the kids and the powers they wield.
Kinomi: Shinigami
Galago: Shinigami
Taka: Hollow
Barbo: Shinigami
Reina: Both
Azucena: Shinigami, but very low level and no Zanpakuto
Akata: Shinigami
Leon: Both
Zan: Both

For all intents and purposes Barbo appears to be Shinigami. Since his hollow mask parts are on his chest it is very easily to hid his true heritage.

I found the comment about Reina amusing because her Zanpakuto, Tenkou, means queen of heaven. More on her later in the story.