Ties of Blood

a/n: At last! An update! Also, I promise, I haven't abandoned The Butterfly Effect. I'm just suffering from a string of writer's block at the moment. I promise, I never abandon any story. I just need a little more time to work on it

Warnings this chapter for spoilers, massive speculation, hints to slash, all the usual

Special thanks to Kuromei for her lovely review!

I hope you enjoy!

Ties of Blood
Part Six

Kisuke stood with his hands planted on his hips and surveyed the results of a night’s worth of hard work. He breathed in deeply, catching the many scents of metals and liquids and fire and all sorts of strange odors associated with a laboratory. One could hardly recognize the twelfth division at this point. For the first time, it really felt like his division.

“Well,” a voice announced from behind him with a loud whistle. “This is certainly different.”

Surprised, Kisuke whirled to greet the intruder. He hadn’t even felt a smidgeon of reiatsu to sense that someone was coming. Nor had he heard anything. Which was strange considering that the second division had trained him to be stealthier than a cat.

“No wonder Hiyori was so ticked,” Hirako Shinji continued, looking around pointedly and whistling again. His hands were on his hips as he peered into one of Kisuke’s beakers and watched the bubbles in a bright colored liquid rise to the surface.

“Hirako-taichou,” Kisuke greeted, a bit surprised and unsure how to show it. “I didn’t know you were visiting.” He glanced warily at one of his experiments, willing the concoction not to explode. That wouldn’t make for a good impression.

“I just thought I’d take a look around. See what’s makin’ Hiyori bitchier than usual.” Hirako chuckled to himself at that. “Looks like yer doin’ pretty good fer yourself.”

Kisuke couldn’t stop the fond smile from curling his lips. “I’m just following the advice of a woman much wiser than myself.”

Hirako’s brows raised as he paused in front of a tall containment unit, empty at the moment but sure to be filled with something at a later date. The curve of the glass distorted his face, and Kisuke could clearly see the older and supposedly more mature man make funny faces at himself in the reflection.

“And that would be yer former boss I take it?”

Kisuke nodded and nudged the temperature on the burner a few degrees lower. “Though her wisdom can sometimes be called into question,” he replied with a faint chuckle.

The other captain laughed along with him and turned away from his amusing reflection to pin Kisuke with a firm stare. Hirako studied him for a long moment before giving a grin.

“Ya know,” he declared, planting his hands on his hips. “I don’t think ya’ve been properly welcomed yet.”

Blinking, Kisuke tried to decipher what exactly he meant. “Wasn’t that whole meeting in the first division about welcoming me?” he questioned, suddenly unsure of himself in the face of the man before him. A man who was actually Kisuke’s senpai if he thought about it.

“That borin’ old meet ‘n greet?” Hirako waved a hand of dismissal. “Nah, that was Yamamoto’s official method of entering ya into the ranks. I’m talkin’ about something fun here. Like ya, me, and a bunch of other people going out fer drinks. My treat.”

“That’s… rather generous of you,” Kisuke commented, inwardly warmed by the offer.

He was still uneasy with his recent promotion, knowing that many probably thought him unqualified. And well, the captains had always come off as a group already tied together with no room for anyone else.

Hirako swept himself into a shallow bow. “Offered outta the kindness of my heart,” he said with cheesy grin. “So I take it yer free tonight. As in right now?”

“Now?” Kisuke repeated and glanced sidelong at one of his experiments, watching it bubble threateningly. He chewed on his bottom lip. “I don’t know. I have this experiment--”

“That’s great!” Hirako interjected cheerily and swept past with a flare of his white haori, one hand snatching out to grab Kisuke’s arm and drag him along for the ride. “There’s this great place in the tenth district. Has the best sake.”

“But--”

Kisuke’s protest was lost to the storm of motion that was Hirako-taichou as the other blond pulled him out the door and down the long corridor. In spite of the chemicals that were bubbling in beakers left behind.

“My experiments…”

“They’ll be fine,” Hirako reassured him, despite the fact there was no way he could possibly know. “Hiyori’ll look after them.”

Kisuke was aghast. There was no way his lieutenant would be able to understand the complex calculations and scientific methods behind his research. At least, not without him there to translate his terrible handwriting and confusing shorthand jargon. However, there was clearly no way for him to escape the iron grip Hirako had on his wrist, a grip that might as well be comparable to steel.

Kisuke resigned himself to his fate and tried to think positively. This could prove to be fun, enjoyable even. And provided he returned at the end of the night to a division that wasn’t a pile of rubble and flames, he could even say he had a good time.

Hopefully.

Hirako didn’t loosen his hold. Not even for an instant. Not even long enough for Kisuke to walk out of his division and Seireitei with dignity intact. Cheeks burning, Kisuke stumbled after his new friend, feeling like a kid facing an eventual scolding. It was a good thing he had little pride as it was. Since right now, Hirako was stomping all over it. And cackling for good measure.

“I think ya’ll like them,” Hirako babbled, fingers gripping tightly enough to leave bruises as he dragged Kisuke through the crowded streets of Rukongai. “There’ll only be ‘bout five of us, so don’t be shy!”

“I really don’t think you’re giving me a choice,” Kisuke muttered.

But luckily, Hirako chose that moment to thrust them into a noisy bar that completely drowned out Kisuke’s voice. In fact, they’d probably all have to shout at each other just to be heard. And Kisuke saw them before they were pointed out, four captains clustered in the center of the room. By a table already littered by sake bottles and nut shells with two noticeably empty chairs sitting side by side. Kisuke recognized them without introductions, but Hirako thought it necessary to give them anyway. Dragging him to the table to a raucous, drunken greeting from the four already present.

Easily recognized was Kyouraku Shunsui, a face Kisuke couldn’t be surprised to see here. Everyone knew how much the man enjoyed a good bottle of sake and enjoyed it even more when there was company to share it with.

To his left was Muguruma Kensei, massive hand locked around a massive sake bowl that never seemed to empty of liquor. And yet, he looked hardly touched for all the alcohol he must have already consumed.

And to his left was Aikawa Love, eyes hidden by his dark sunglasses and swaying a bit in his seat. Most of the peanut shells were clustered by him. As were a few scraped clean dishes.

And last but not least was Otoribashi-senpai, better known as Rose, something of a friend from Kisuke’s schooldays. The man was calmer than the others. Fingers toying with the edge of a glass that didn’t contain sake like everyone else but a pale amber liquid that sparkled inside.

“We’re all here ta make our new friend feel welcome,” Hirako announced loudly, releasing Kisuke’s wrist long enough to clamp a hand on each of his shoulders and plop him down into the open seat next to Rose. “So everyone’s required ta buy him at least one drink.”

Muguruma arched a brow and slammed his bowl on the tabletop. “I seem to remember you sayin’ something about buying for everyone tonight.”

“Did I?” Hirako asked innocently, sliding into the seat on Kisuke’s other side and effectively trapping him in place. “Funny how I can’t remember.”

Kyouraku – call me Shunsui! – laughed. And his booming voice somehow carried over the loud noise of the bar itself.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got the first round!” He winked at Kisuke as though they shared some deep and dark secret. “Pick your poison, Ki-kun.”

Having never been a big drinker – and remembering what happened the last time he shamefully indulged – Kisuke wasn’t sure what to choose.

“Might I suggest the white wine,” Rose inserted from Kisuke’s right, tapping his glass pointedly.

Aikawa – it’s Love – was offended that his close friend would dare neglect the perfectly good sake available. “Don’t listen to him, Urahara. That fruity shit won’t even get you warm.”

Rose sniffed. “It’s better than the swill you suck down in obscene quantities,” he said, voice as hard as steel when it had previously been smooth as silk. Strange that Kisuke should notice. Strange that he should suddenly be paying so much attention to Rose. They hadn’t talked in decades.

“All right, none of that ya two,” Hirako cut in with a warning wagging of his finger. “We’ve all heard this debate too many times.” He turned to Kisuke with a big, beaming grin. “Sake then?”

“If you insist,” Kisuke answered weakly, shooting Rose an apologetic look because he was actually more interested in the wine. Oh well.

Muguruma nodded wholeheartedly. “Good choice,” he said, and another jug of sake vanished into the apparently bottomless depths of his stomach.

Shunsui agreed and turned to summon the barmaid to bring them more, despite the jugs that already littered the table. And Kisuke resigned himself to the harsh, burning, strong stuff that would probably have him waking up the next morning to the sound of his sister’s shock and then later rampant teasing.

“Shinji has good intentions, you know,” Rose commented, voice just loud enough for Kisuke to hear but passing no further. Then again, that might have had something to do with the fact that Rose had leaned in closer, smelling faintly of flowers. “He thought you were lonely.”

“Lonely? Me?” Kisuke chuckled, though out of embarrassment rather than amusement. “I suppose Hirako-taichou just can’t recognize hard work when he sees it.”

Rose blinked slowly before a smile carefully curved his lips. He lifted his glass, taking a small sip, before lowering it again. Eyes watching Kisuke the entire time in a way that was familiar and almost nostalgic save for the odd gleam in their depths.

“Ah, but all work and no play makes for a very dull boy.”

He felt his cheeks heat without his consent. Sure that he had to be misinterpreting the lilt to Rose’s tone. But then just as certain he wasn’t when a knee brushed his beneath the table.

“Who said I never played?” Kisuke replied cheekily as the other captains at the table suddenly laughed at some sort of shared story that momentarily distracted them from paying any sort of attention to him.

Rose’s smile widened. He licked his lips, a motion that could just as easily be mistaken for one intended to savor the taste of his wine. Kisuke, however, knew that by the way the man was holding his gaze that it was meant to convey something else entirely. A shiver danced down his spine, gathering in his belly where it danced about eagerly.

It seemed this night wouldn’t prove to be a complete waste after all.

- - -

Kisuke frowned, taking the rolled up parchment from his sister. Her look was far too devious for him to think of the thing as innocuous.

“What is it?”

“Open it and see,” Yoruichi urged, golden eyes gleaming like she knew the best joke in the world and held out on the punchline since she knew it’d annoy him.

Deciding to humor her, Kisuke unrolled the document and glanced over it. After the first few sentences, he snapped it closed and glared.

“You can’t be serious.”

Yoruichi broke out into laughter. “The look on your face,” she said, chuckling. “It was priceless.”

“A marriage proposal?” Kisuke shook the now-crumpled papers in her direction. “You know good and well how futile that is!”

“That doesn’t mean I can’t laugh at your reaction,” Yoruichi countered with a wise look. “You know you have to reject it properly, Ki-chan. Poor Kaneda-san. She’ll be heartbroken.”

Kisuke stared at the proposal, aghast. “I’ve never even met this woman!”

“That’s why it’s a proposal and not an outright engagement!” Yoruichi put in gleefully. Taking far too much amusement from his predicament.

“Has it escaped your memory that I’m not interested in women?” the blond retorted, giving the paper another shake for good measure.

Yoruichi shook her head. “Nope. That’s why it’s so damn amusing.”

Kisuke rolled his eyes. Sometimes, his sister was more a kid than he was. Strange how their roles were so quickly reversed.

“There’s more, isn’t there?”

He watched as she sat back, her face filled with pride as she crossed one leg over the other. And here Kisuke thought Yoruichi didn’t know how to sit like a proper lady.

“Well, you are the newest taichou. And you did create the Research and Development Institute. You’re pretty hot stuff, otouto.”

Discretion thy name was not Yoruichi. Thank goodness there wasn’t anyone in hearing range of his office otherwise there would be more rumors to supplement the already common ones about their relationship.

“So they don’t care about me,” Kisuke said with a snort. “They care about the things that make me marriageable.” He shook his head, leaning back in his own seat. “I’m high ranking, so they can look beyond my less than stellar background.”

Yoruichi shrugged, ankle wriggling restlessly. “You know how nobles are. They’re only interested in the material. You’d make a great trophy husband! And you’d have strong, smart kids,” she declared, lips twitching as though barely holding back her grin.

Crinkling up the fancy paper and its even fancier seal, Kisuke tossed them both into the nearest wastebasket. “I think not,” he muttered. “This is a waste of my time.”

“They’re not going to stop coming,” Yoruichi returned, losing some of the amusement as she adopted an air of seriousness. “Not unless you start attaching yourself to someone.”

“I’m not pretending to date some woman to keep all the others off my back,” the blond retorted and tried to focus on the various bits of paperwork stacked haphazardly across his desk. Why hadn’t anyone told him there would be so much paperwork? “That wouldn’t be fair to her or to me.”

“To you?”

A slow smile crept across Yoruichi’s face. Kisuke froze, hands stilling in their mindless sorting.

“Does my otouto have a crush on someone? Who is it, hmm? Who’s been warming your bed? It’s not Bya-bo again, is it?”

Despite how frequently this had occurred in the past, Kisuke was still not immune to the easy method with which his sister could make him blush. “None of your business.” And he wished he sounded more solid, more resolute.

A face danced in the back of his mind. And though Kisuke knew that Yoruichi wasn’t a telepath of any sort, he hurried to banish all thoughts of Rose. And hoped to all the gods that the mark discreetly covered by his shihakushou remained hidden.

Yoruichi’s grin widened. If that were at all possible. And she leaned forward eagerly, elbows thumping on the edge of his desk.

“It is Byakuya again, right? Oooo, wait until I tell Ginrei! If you were a girl, they’d have you two married off before you could even blink.”

“It’s not!” Kisuke argued, and his face filled with horror when his denial did nothing to dampen Yoruichi’s interest. “Not that I have to tell you about this anyway.”

A surprisingly well-manicured fingernail tapped at her chin. “So it’s not Bya-bo. Or Yamada-chan. Must be someone new then. Hmmm.” The glint in her eyes was nothing if not pure evil. “Another captain perhaps?”

Sometimes, Kisuke really hated that his sister was so intelligent. And he doubly hated that he was pants at hiding his reactions and/or any possible secret around her as well. He felt his cheeks heat and knew that a fine red glow must’ve accompanied the warmth.

Yoruichi all but chortled with glee. “I knew it! You’ve been spending an awful lot of time with Hirako.”

“Shinji!?” Kisuke’s voice was practically a squeak before he burst into laughter at the sheer absurdity of it. “You’ve got to be kidding!”

She sighed dramatically. “Ah, yes, you make for a good point,” she admitted but didn’t seem daunted by her failure to guess his new… beau. “But he’s definitely a captain. And male. Which narrows down the suspects quite considerably.” She seemed to be considering. “It can’t be Ginrei. Not your type. Probably not Shunsui either; he prefers them with glasses and dark hair. Not to mention female. And you would’ve announced it from the rooftops if Ukitake came onto you.” She sniggered at that. “Which knocks out six of thirteen, including you and me.”

Kisuke made a pained sound in the back of his throat. “Could we please not play a guessing game?”

“What would be the fun in that?” Yoruichi asked with an innocent look that didn’t quite work with her mischievous eyes and complete lack of virtue.

She tapped her chin thoughtfully for several minutes while Kisuke shifted comfortably. He wasn’t sure why Yoruichi took such interest in his love life. It wasn’t like Kisuke grilled her on every single one of her conquests – and there were many. In fact, he didn’t want to know that his sister was conquering her way through the eligible and attractive men – and quite possibly women – in Seireitei. He’d be happier thinking of her as completely celibate. Virginal even. Though he knew for a fact that last one wasn’t true and hadn’t been for a long, long time.

A low evil chuckle suddenly spread through Kisuke’s office. He glanced at his sister, a chill sweeping down his spine.

“I think I know who it is,” Yoruichi sing-songed, leaning forward eagerly. “It’s the lovely Otoribashi-taichou, isn’t it?”

Kisuke felt like banging his head on his desk. Only it wouldn’t do him any good and just hurt in the end. At best, he could deny what was true, but he’d never been any good at lying to Yoruichi. It was like she could sniff out falsity with a feline’s nose. Though the alternative, telling the truth, was just as unappealing.

Well, if anything, at least Rose could better handle his sister’s nosy inquisitions than Yamada-senpai would have.

“It is, isn’t it?” Yoruichi crowed, his hesitation all the answer she needed as she practically wiggled with glee. “Ooo, you have taste, otouto. Though I never knew he swung both ways.” She waggled her eyebrows in a manner better suited for drunk, bawdy men in back alley bars.

This time, Kisuke did lay his head on his desk. Pillowed right on his paperwork, which he’d never finish now.

“If you’re going to tease me so much, could you at least do me the favor of putting an end to these marriage proposals?”

“No can do. That’s an issue you’re going to have to deal with yourself,” Yoruichi declared with a happy clip and then faked a yawn as she rose to her feet. “Well, I’m off. Lots of work to do, you know. Soifon’s probably searching everywhere for me.”

Kisuke snorted. “I’d feel sorry for her if I didn’t already know that she hates my guts.”

“She doesn’t hate you,” Yoruichi corrected with a soft laugh, sweeping her hair over her shoulder. “She hates that you take up so much of my time. As if she could ever compete with my kawaii otouto.”

“Like that makes me so much better.” Kisuke rolled his eyes and waved a dismissing hand. “Go on. Get out of here before the rumors get any worse than they already are.”

She paused in the doorway, hip cocked to the side as she stared at him. “What?” she gasped in mock outrage. “Are you saying I’m not good enough for you? I’m wounded, Ki-chan. Down to the quick. My heart, it bleeds for you.”

Rolling his eyes again, Kisuke picked up his brush and pretended to focus on his paperwork – supply requisitions from Mayuri for the labs.

“I think your ego will survive,” he said dryly and moved to deny the request for another centrifuge. The damn things were expensive, and they already had two. “Bye.”

Yoruichi sniffed. “You’re no fun ever since you got responsible,” she commented playfully and slipped out of the door before he could respond.

Sometimes, Kisuke really did wonder which of them was older.

- - -

There was a notable, hushed silence hanging over Seireitei. It was as if Soul Society itself had taken a breath. Holding it in until it felt safe to make a noise again.

The whispers were everywhere Yoruichi went. When she skulked in the shadows. When she walked in the open. When she wandered around the Shihouin manor. When she swept through the halls of her division. When she dared make a visit out to the furthest edges of Rukongai, a place that would have never seen her face it not for its new resident.

Kuukaku was still healing. And from more than just the physical wounds. Her arm could grow again, if any high member of the fourth division could be convinced to look at it. But either Kuukaku had refused, or the captain-commander had demanded such was to be her punishment.

The Shiba had fallen. From light into darkness. Cast from favor. All because of the aspirations of the head’s wife. All because one silly little twit had gotten it in her head to make her clan more powerful and dragged the rest of them down with her.

It was a story Yoruichi was certain would be told for years. Centuries even. All in hushed whispers where the details would be wrong save for one – that the Shiba had sinned and fallen from grace.

Sighing, Yoruichi kicked back in her seat and stared up at the ceiling, holding little interest in her paperwork. She even went so far as to push the annoying documents away by the toe and knock her brush and ink. Undoubtedly, some eager idiot would rush in here later, all too quick to clean up whatever mess Yoruichi made.

If only things in Seireitei could be fixed that easily.

Yoruichi could hardly believe her ears when a messenger had dragged her out of bed before dawn less than a week ago. His words were crazy, deranged. And for a minute there, Yoruichi had thought the man had lost his mind. Until Soifon appeared not soon after to confirm his story.

That the entire Shiba clan had just been caught attempting to steal the Royal Key and then covering up the evidence. Or to be more precise, the wife of the head had been the main perpetrator. But it was quickly becoming clear that somehow, the entire clan was involved in the conspiracy. They hadn’t wanted Seireitei to know their dirty little secret, that Kuukaku had lost her arm not in a dueling accident but trying to stop her aunt from taking the key, something the Shiba clan had been sworn to protect.

The truth had stayed hidden. For a time. Long enough that no one even had an inkling as to what had really occurred. There had been no reason to suspect anything. Not of a clan as distinguished and noble as the Shiba.

At least, not until Byakuya had overheard a not-so-quiet conversation and figured out what had really happened. He, in turn, had told his grandfather. And a storm of scandal swept through Seireitei. The Shiba were caught, trapped by their own lies and mistakes, with a severe punishment waiting in the wings. Seireitei did not take traitors lightly.

One by one, nearly the entire Shiba clan was executed. Leaving only Kuukaku, her brothers, and a handful of others spared. Most of those left alive were either too young or too ignorant to know what had happened, too weak to be considered a threat. Ganju numbered among the former, and Kuukaku’s loyalty had already been proven. Kaien had obviously held no knowledge of the events and was grudgingly granted clemency, too. Even so, the Shiba could no longer claim themselves as nobles, had been banished to Rukongai, and they’d lost the honor to protect the Royal Key as well.

With the long lives of the Shinigami, Yoruichi knew that the stigma surrounding the clan wouldn’t be forgotten. Not for a long, long time.

“Shihouin-taichou?”

Her seventh-seat’s tentative query prompted Yoruichi to lower her gaze. Focusing on the tall, gangly kid who barely seemed old enough to have graduated from the Academy.

“Yeah?”

He bowed lower. “You have a visitor, ma’am.”

Yoruichi straightened, lips pulling into a frown. Who the hell would be visiting her today?

But a blond head popped in then. His grin was less than cheerful as he waved.

“Good afternoon, Shihouin-taichou. Hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

Rolling her eyes, Yoruichi gestured for Kisuke to enter. “Of course not, Urahara-taichou,” she said with emphasis on the title because it always amused her to play their parts.

Kisuke entered, and the seventh-seat dismissed himself. Wisely closing the door behind him and giving the two captains some semblance of privacy. It still wouldn’t be wise to discuss anything openly, however. The second division was full of spies after all, and any one of them would be thrilled to pounce on a juicy secret.

“To what do I owe the honor of this visit?” Yoruichi added as her brother dropped into a chair in front of her, looking like he carried the world on his shoulders.

He gave her a look. One full of serious concern and starkly reminded her that he was growing up. Almost faster than she seemed able to realize.

“It’s obvious, isn’t it?” Kisuke asked with a sigh. “We’re involved, even if no one knows it.”

“Kuukaku probably wouldn’t agree. You know how stubborn she can be,” Yoruichi responded with a tight smile that didn’t carry any humor.

Kisuke swept a hand over his hair, unsettling strands that were already mussed. He also looked like he hadn’t slept much lately. Something Yoruichi’s own appearance must have echoed. She was worried about her friends, and it showed.

“How’s Kuukaku?”

“Volatile,” Yoruichi replied, which really wasn’t quite enough to explain Kuukaku’s current behavior. She was hurt and broken but refused to show it out of sheer stubbornness and pride. “How’s Byakuya?”

Kisuke winced. “He might as well be a block of stone right now for all that he’s showing.”

Considering that it was his words that had led to the Shiba’s downfall, such was to be expected. Kuukaku and Byakuya had been friends, but Yoruichi suspected that friendship had been absolutely shattered with little chance of reconciliation. At least, on Byakuya’s part. Kuukaku didn’t hold it against him. Not when she’d tried to stop the whole mess in the first place.

But Byakuya? He’d blame himself until his dying day. And probably beyond if he could.

“Damn it,” Yoruichi cursed lowly, feeling absolutely useless.

There was nothing she could do to salve this; it was too late for her to save the Shiba. And fuck it all if she and her legion of spies and assassins hadn’t noticed a damn thing. Sad that the Shiba could hide it from them. But one wrong conversation in front of a half-grown boy, and it was all wrecked.

This was such a fucking mess. And Yoruichi said as much.

“Yeah, it is,” Kisuke agreed quietly and fidgeted as he looked out the window, face pinched with fatigue and distress.

While Yoruichi had been visiting with Kuukaku, trying to make sense of the madness that had become the Shiba, her brother had taken it upon himself to quietly visit Byakuya. The Kuchiki heir, however, was stridently refusing to discuss the circumstances. Not even with his oldest, most familiar friends. Not even with his former bedmate.

“There’s nothing we can do,” Kisuke added, fingers tapping a nonsense rhythm against his knee. “We’re both… useless here. Completely and utterly.”

His sister couldn’t help but agree.

* * * *

a/n: Two more parts to come! I hope you enjoyed this little piece. Thanks everyone!