Jigoku no Monko

Chapter 7
Justice Done


“Alright, who has Irimote?” Kinomi asked as she looked at the group assembled before her.

“I do.” Taka was quick to answer, holding Yachiru’s zanpakuto up for inspection.

“I do not like this.” Rata hissed in annoyance from Kinomi’s shoulder. “There are too many openings.”

“I don’t like it either, but I doubt the Zanpakuto were lying to me.” She pointed out.

“You sure it wasn’t just a messed up dream?” Rata asked sceptically.

“Only if Kyattsuai, Kazeshini, myself and all the other Zanpakuto were dreaming the same thing.” She answered dryly.

“How is that Taichou?” Zan asked as he finished tying the rope off binding Soi Fon’s hands behind her back.

With a deft flick of her wrist the rope dropped to the ground and her hands were free.

“Perfect.” She nodded.

“Are you sure we should do this?” Galgo asked in a slightly bored voice.

“Yes.” Kinomi answered without hesitation. “If things get ugly I don’t want anyone dying because they couldn’t defend themselves. Zan, you got Suzumebachi?” She asked.

“Here.” He indicated the Zanpkauto’s location across his back just the way Soi Fon usually carried it with the handle on her side so she could draw from his back quickly.

“Good. I got Kazeshini. Azucena, I want you to stay by Rina-chan at all times. Ukitake-taichou, are you sure you are feeling up to this?” She asked worriedly.

“I am fine, Kinomi-chan.” He assured her with a warm smile while letting Reina restrain his hands behind his back.

Orihime had healed all the damage done to his body, but for some reason his tuberculoses remained. She explained that it was probably because rejecting over a millennium of damage would take an exceptional amount of time and energy.

As it stood his condition was stable and his torture marks were now just scars that would probably never fade.

“Alright. Reina-chan, you got Sogyo no Kotowari?” Kinomi turned to the woman.

“Yes.” Reina indicated the Zanpakuto.

“Good. I am not sure what is going to happen, the golden dragon didn’t say, but I want everyone to be ready for anything.” She ordered.

“All the more reason some of us should come.” Rata declared loudly, slamming a paw down on her shoulder.

Kinomi sighed and turned her attention to the adjucas.

“This is going to be ugly enough as it is, bringing hollows to soul society would make things worse.” She pointed out. “Besides, if I can’t handle myself than I do not deserve to be you queen.” She pointed out before he could make another protest.

“Indeed. We shall await your return.” Hurón commented.

She nodded at the vasto lorde and with another huff of annoyance Rata stormed off her shoulder and over to Hurón’s head.

“Look, if the shit hit’s the fan and I screw up, I’ll let ya eat me.” She winked at Rata.

“You’ll be dead.” He huffed, but did seem somewhat less angry.

Kinomi nodded her head and they turned to face the garganta Leon had opened, coming out somewhere out side the main city. Once everyone was through the gate closed and they started their trek through the city.

“At ease, Pantera-chan. We are here and not a single Zanpakuto will raise their blade against us.” Kyattsuai assured her.

“Yeah, but there are still other means to hurt us.” She pointed out.

Kyattsuai responded with soft caresses against her mind. Kinomi stood a little taller, walking with all the dignity of the position she held in Las Tardes. The golden dragon had ordered her to come as the one offended and it was the Queen who had been insulted, not the 4th seat of the 11th.

Of course they got a lot of stares and alarms were quickly raised, drawing a large crowd to watch the procession. Zan and Leon were on the look out and Soi Fon had assured them she would give the ‘all is well, but stand ready to assist’ signal to the unseen agents from the 2nd that were all around them, standing ready to assist their taichou.

The trek up to the top of the hill worried her the most and they paused half way up to let Ukitake rest a bit, his breath becoming laboured as his condition kicked up a bit. He was quick to assure them he was fine and they finished the walk until they stood before the red arch that had once tried to execute her mother and later was used to have her whipped.

Awaiting them was the Sotaichou, the other taichou, and a fair representation of Central 46, heavily surrounded by guards. Kinomi took a few steps forward until she was at the front of the procession, drawing all eyes towards her.

“Taichou, the paperwork for our last mission should be on you desk at the end of the day.” She smiled at Kenpachi, completely ignoring the rest and gaining looks of indignation from the Nobles that she would dare to acknowledge a brute from the Rukongai before them.

“In full detail I hope.” Kenpachi demanded with a wide smirk.

“Of course. If you would like a detailed audio report I could give it now or later.”

“Later.” He waved his hand at her.

“We did not come here to speak about…. Reports.” The apparent representative for Central 46 commented coldly.

“You sure?” Kinomi asked sweetly. “I thought anything involving Aizen would be important.”

That caused a few intakes of breath and earned several startled gasps.

“However, if that is the case than let us proceed.” She said before anyone could demand to know what she meant by her statement. “Let us instead discus the ill advised declaration of war you have visited upon me.” She said coldly.

“What?” Several of the taichou ground out, the rest keeping their dignity.

“Yesterday a representative working on behalf of Central 46 entered Las Tardes and proclaimed in front of my subjects that I was ‘to be replaced.’”

Byakuya, Shunsui, Yamamoto and Unohana looked to Central 46 with clear displeasure. The rest were a little confused, not understanding the insult.

“Is this true?” Yamamoto asked coldly.

“It is. I bore witness.” Ukitake spoke up.

“I hardly see how a simple reassignment is cause for a declaration of war.” The representative sniffed.

“I authorized no reassignment.” Kenpachi growled, his aura going dark.

“Nor have I heard of it.” Yamamoto said, clearly displeased.

“As you can imagine, my subjects did not take kindly to the threat. I managed to get them to spare the fools life, for by my rights as Queen I am expected to kill any opposition to my throne.

“I do not know how willing the next ruler of Las Tardes would be with dealing with Soul Society. Perhaps Orihime-san would be able to convince him to keep the treaty, but I would not bank of it.”

“So you have turned our own troops against us.” The representative hissed. “We have long suspected you of being treacherous, and the fact you have been knowingly harbouring a wanted criminal, one Ichimaru Gin.” That earned a good number surprised gasps and Kinomi frowned, wondering how that knowledge had gotten out.

Everyone of the Shinigami who dealt with them had been sworn to secrecy. She severely doubted Hisagi or Yachiru had betrayed them and Soi Fon and Ukitake only just now learned of his presence there and would not have had the time to inform anyone on the matter.

“Harbouring Aizen’s number one commander, a known traitor, one of the most sought after criminals, and you expect us to believe your intentions are pure.” The Noble sniffed.

“Is that the reason you finally found reason to sign my execution order?” She asked coldly.

Kenapchi, Ikkaku, Renji, and Yumichika turned furious gazes on the nobles, each of them demanding in their own way if such an accusation was true. Yamamoto and the others had various, more refined, exclamations of surprise and anger.

Blades were drawn and would most likely have been used had Kinomi’s voice not thundered over the noisy din thanks to a quick kidou spell cast by Leon, who didn’t even need to say a word or make a gesture for such a small spell.

“I demand now to know what arrogance you claim to have to order the execution of the Queen of another city. Will you now demanded that Kuchiki-sama be removed as the head of his clan and be replaced with one of your own choosing? Will you now go to Earth and kill off the Emperor because he does not fit your designs?”

The words triggered an all out argument as accusations where hurled back and forth. Through it all Kinomi remained silent and stood firm. Finally the arguments were coming down to a lower level as frayed tempers ran out of steam and adrenaline.

“Kurosaki Pantera Kinomi.” A new voice spoke up and a man came forward from the group of Nobles to stand next to their representative. “You have a known history of violence against the souls of Soul Society, you have a history of deceiving your commanders, and you have turned a field assignment into a quest of power.

“We have learned from Aizen not to let a snake fester and grow, but to eliminate it while it is still small. We will not stand by while you take over the traitor’s place and form your army to march upon us. It was with an unanimous decision that your execution warrant was signed.

“We tried to prevent that by offering you a reassignment, one you tossed back in our faces on your own. You have no one to blame for this decision but yourself and your ambitions.”

The man pulled out an official looking scroll and read her execution warrant dictating her crimes and declaring her an enemy of state and a clear threat to Soul Society.

The sound of oxen and the loud creaking of a carriage interrupted the reading.

All eyes turned to the sky in shock and disbelief as the large escort descended onto the ridge, twenty of the most perfect oxen to ever exist and harnessed with gold pulled a large wagon of the like never seen in Soul Society, the emblem for the king on the side.

The wagon came to a stop at the edge of the gathering and everyone was quick to snap into quick rows, drop to their knees and put their heads to the ground. Kinomi helped Ukitake down before maintaining her standing position, as did Zan, Reina and Barbo.

Several stared at the four of them in pure shock that they would dare to be so rude but were quick to drop their heads once the doors to the carriage opened and a rather elderly man stepped out.

For the first time in generations the King had descended from his throne to walk amongst the souls of Soul Society. He walked with a regal that instantly earned her respect as he approached them.

He stopped once he was among them and to her surprise offered her a warm smile before the mask of a ruler slipped back onto his face and he spoke with a voice that commanded respect and attention in such a way that she was sure had he ordered Aizen to slit his own throat the traitor would have happily done so.

“Rise, rise and tell me why I have been summoned here.” The king ordered coldly.

Only the Nobles and Taichou rose, the rest remained prostrated on the ground. Kinomi helped Ukitake to rise, Soi Fon was fine to rise herself, but Hisagi and Yachiru remained as they were, as did the rest of the HMKs.

“My lord, no one summoned you.” The man who had been reading Kinomi’s sentence answered after several moments of silence.

Kyattsuai was suddenly by her side, as was Kazeshini. Around them the other Zanpakuto spirits began to manifest and for the first time ever everyone got to lay eyes upon the spirits of the most powerful men and women in Soul Society.

As one the spirits bowed to him before the four eldest approached the king.

“It was us who requested your presence, your majesty.” Ryuujin Jaka declared, his voice crackling like the fire he was made from.

This earned hushed murmurs.

“Too long have we witnessed the corruption of these nobles.” Ryuujin Jaka continued. “Too long have they undermined that which we have built and seek only to remind themselves of the power they wield for their own pleasures.

“It was I who alerted Kurosaki-sama via Kyattsuai-san that there was a plot to have her executed simple because she is not a pawn to their power, for they seek to gain dominance over a realm not their own.”

Protest rose quickly from the Nobles, who were silenced with but a look from their king.

“I enjoy games, but this one has long since grown stale. Should a declaration of war be declared against Kurosaki-sama, know now that I shall refuse to let my partner wield our power against her.” Katen Kyoukotsu declared.

“As well I.” Hyourinmaru was quick to add, throwing a look at Central 46 that clearly showed his anger and distaste for them.

Every other Zanpakuto responded the same, declaring their intent to with hold their power should a declaration be made. They were silenced by the arrival of the golden dragon Kinomi remembered from the other world.

The king smiled warmly at the golden dragon and Kinomi quickly realized that this was the Zanpakuto of the spirit king. She was beyond stunned.

“Are you implying the entire council is conspiring together in an act of deliberate self mutilation?” The king asked in a voice that made her think that whatever her answer was, it had better be the truth or their would be a lot of hell to pay.

“I do not know if the entire council is corrupt, but I strongly believe a large portion of it is. Before this latest atrocity, when I was still a child, they made several attempts at my life, and the life of my companions.” Kinomi answered truthfully.

The king turned his attention to Yamamoto.

“There have been worrying decision and actions taking.” He admitted.

“So be it. Truth has been demanded and so the truth shall be known. Truthsayer, come and cast your spell, let us learn who is truthful this day and who is not. Those found with black hearts shall be no more.”

A strange woman approached the group from the entourage. Kinomi suddenly felt very nervous until Kyattsuai and Kazeshini butted their heads against her. She took a step forward and volunteered to go first.

She wasn’t sure but she thought she caught a hint of approval in the kings eyes, as well as respect. The truthsayer moved her hand about, but Kinomi didn’t feel any different.

“When his majesty ask you your name, you will tell us it is Sakura.” The truthsayer ordered once done.

Kinomi nodded her head to indicate she understood before turning to face the king once more.

“What is your name?”

“Kurosaki Pantera Kinomi.” She answered without even realizing she had done so.

The king nodded pleased while she held back her shock for she had intended to say Sakura as ordered. From there the questions came and she answered with a brutal honesty that took even her by surprise.

The last question asked took her rather by surprise.

“Your prisoners are not well restrained are they?” The king asked with a small smile.

“No Majesty. The restraints were made so they could fall off with a flick of a wrist as I am sure Soi Fon-taichou can easily demonstrate. I did not know how this meeting was going to go and I did not want them harmed because they were unable to defend themselves.

“Likewise their Zanpakuto have been kept close to hand, as you can tell by the way Zan-kun has positioned himself and his charge’s Zanpakuto so that the handle is facing her way and could be easily drawn.”

Soi Fon was quick to demonstrate at a nod from the king, deftly flicking her wrist to let the restraints fall away and pull her Zanpkauto from Zan’s back in one fluid motion that left the spectators in awe.

“I find it hard to believe one who has taken so much precaution for the safety and wellbeing of her so called ‘prisoners’ would have the intent to harm them.” He declared.

The truthsayer went around to each person as indicated by the king and questions were asked.

Kinomi wasn’t sure what she had been expecting from the Nobles, some were actually honest in their concern, but most were as dark she had been expecting and some were dark enough to make her ill as their evil, for she could think of no better term for it, was revealed.

In the end those who had false ideals were quickly executed by her own blade at the Kings command. Despite knowing their true intents and having it put on display it still made her slightly sick, although she wasn’t sure which part it was that made her sick; the fact their filthy blood was on Kyattsuai’s blade as she was called to be their second as they were giving one last chance to commit honourable seppuku, or the fact most of them were too cowardly to commit the act and actually tried to run, at which point Soi Fon seemed to take pleasure in removing their heads from their shoulders.

When it was all over and done with evening was approaching and Kinomi managed to excuse herself from the proceedings and retreat to the near by ledge to gaze out over the home she had known briefly so long ago.

“Do you miss it sometimes?” Taka asked, coming up beside her, having just finished spending time with her parents.

“The sun maybe, but lets face it, we were born and raised in Hueco Mundo, so it’s always sort of felt like home.” She answered. “Go, spend more time with your family. You never know when we will be giving the chance again.” Kinomi bade. “I’ll be fine.” She assured her friend when Taka hesitated.

Taka nodded and headed back to where her family was, fully gathered for the first time after so long. Kinomi turned her gaze back out to look over the city.

“You must be an extraordinary young woman to have all the Zanpakuto, including my own, rise to your defence.”

Kinomi whirled around to see the king standing before her, mask off and smiling at her in a rather fatherly way.

“Thank you, your majesty.” She bowed politely. “Although I do not know what I did to earn such loyalty, especially from Ryuujin Jaka. Yamamoto-sotaichou and I have not often seen eye to eye.” She chuckled.

“By his own words, though I am sure he would deny them until his time of rebirth, the young have much too learn and it is a true sign of leadership that one never makes the same mistake twice and even teaches the teacher a thing or two.” The king smiled.

“Thank you, but I doubt that the Sotaichou said that about me.” Kinomi chuckled.

“On the contrary. Every challenge you have faced you have rose up to meet. You will never learn to walk if someone always carries you.” He said wisely.

Kinomi nodded, thinking back on all the times she had caught the old man looking at her as if judging her. She realized now he was checking to see if she was ready for the next challenge that came her way and not if he should have her whipped or beheaded for her transgressions.

“Hindsight is almost always crystal clear, but the way ahead is often shrouded in fog.”

“Well, it’s a good think I got such good friends to scout the unknown for me than.” She smiled.

“Indeed. You, my dear, have accomplished something no one, not even the great Yamamoto himself has accomplished.”

“Oh?”

“You have brought healing and peace to those poor souls that the Gotei 13 were not able to save. I have heard that the food growing in Hueco Mundo has been applied here as well to help feed the souls in the outer districts.”

Kinomi thought she recalled Hinamori mention something about working with Kira and how he was using his clan and estate to spread the food growing in Hueco Mundo to those in need while trading things like cloth, water and other matterials not so easily found in the desert in exchange. Hurón or Ulquiorra, or even Szayel would probably know more about it than her.

“I leave such things to those better suited.” She answered honestly.

“Wise indeed. I must return, besides, it seems like someone else would sooner stand by your side.” The king smiled at her and walked off, his retainers quickly rushing to attend him.

Kinomi looked over to where the king had been looking to see a rather nervous looking Fukutaichou who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but where the Black and Silver gryphon was herding him.

Kinomi felt her heart splutter for a moment. She had never pegged herself as a coward but she had to admit that there was something about the Fukutaichou of the 9th that drew her to him, and she didn’t think the whole reason was Kazeshini, despite her fascination with the chained, duel bladed Kusarigama.

“If I wanted to bite you, Hisagi-san, I had a more than ample opportunity back at the volcano.” She chuckled.

Kazeshini shared her chuckle before phasing out. Kinomi sighed and promptly told them to take their tryst to their own world so she could use her brain for herself. She heard both spirits snicker before obeying her wishes.

“What did you need?” She turned her attention back to the man who was standing before her.

“Kyoumei.” He said rather embarrassed. “I still don’t know much about it. We were interrupted last time.”

Chuckling Kinomi gestured for him to come closer and they both looked out over the great city. She would gladly talk about Kyoumei and get her mind off of the heads she had removed this day. She still wasn’t sure what they were going to do with the Hiuma that came through the gate with them.

“Like I said before we were called away, my Otousan told Zan-kun and I all about Kyoumei. It’s when two Zanpakuto ‘feel’ for each other, usually because one is crying out in despair, waiting to be heard by one who cares to hear.

“You could say that blind compassion runs in the family.” She smirked. “I lost count the number of times Otousan raised his blade in defence of the person he just defeated, Grimm-ji being one of them.”

Hisagi gave a small chuckle at that as well, knowing many of those events better than she did having witnessed some of them first handed.

They settled into a somewhat awkward and yet comfortable silence, both of them just staring out to where the sun as just getting ready to set. It as a beautiful flourish of color and it was only than they realized they were the only two left up on the rise, the rest having retreated.

“No doubt everyone is going to have a butt load of paper work after today’s display.” She couldn’t help but to think in amusement.

“I should probably find Leon-kun and get home.” She sighed wistfully as the moon came up, reminder her of where her place in the scheme of things was at this moment in time. “After all, I need to tell Rata that I am unfortunately alive and he can’t eat me after all.” She chuckled.

He chuckled as well and looked ready to say something, but stopped and just shook his head, nodding with her in agreement.

With a wistful sigh she stretched and turned to find the others. Taka was heading towards her with Azucena, delivering the good news that Ukitake and Rina were both safely tucked away in the 4th where Unohana-taichou and Stark refused to leave their daughters side, which incidentally included Ukitake’s as well since the two shared a medical room.

Kinomi could see the pain in some of her friends eyes as they were forced once again to leave their family behind in a place they were not welcomed. Leon opened the garganta and the HMKs started to file through, back to their own homes.

“See you around brat.” Kenpachi grinned at her.

“If you ever get bored Kyattsuai is always willing to welcome you, taichou.” She grinned back.

“We sure had fun, neh Pantera-chan.” Yachiru grinned at her.

“You know it. “Kinomi agreed, noticing her friends clothing seemed to be a bit ruffled and Renji had a bit of a blush on his face with his hair down and mussed up.

“More to those rumours than they let on I guess.” Kinomi chuckled to herself.

She turned back to look at Hisagi, who was looking at her intently but still refused to say anything even though she could see the waring in his eyes that there was clearly something he wanted to say.

“If Kazeshini gives you any problems, just tell him ‘Kinomi knows a good well.’ That should bring him back in line.” She said in parting to Hisagi, holding back a smile at his confused look.


With Kinomi gone the others started to head out until he was alone on the rise.

“IDIOT.” Kazeshini screamed in his mind, causing him to jump a bit in shock. “FOOL. USELESS PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A PARTNER.” The rant continued.

He was pulled into his inner world to find himself in Kazeshini’s nest on the top of the highest peek. A large forest dotted by more high rises like this one spread out in all directions.

This was the first time he had ever been up at the nest and he spun about to see a very irate Kazeshini. His ears were laid back, his tail was lashing like a whip and every feather was raised. He was snapping his beak with loud, threatening clicks at the end of almost every word and was pacing back and forth, his claws tearing up the nest as he did so.

“Stupid, insufferable, useless.” Kazeshini continued. “How could I have been cursed with a fool like you?” Kazeshini had stopped his pacing to glare at him on the last sentence before starting up again.

“What?” Hisagi asked, taking a few steps back until he hit the edge of the nest to get away from the terrifying visage of his Zanpakuto’s spirit.

“Useless. Utterly useless. That was your chance.” Kazeshini snarled. “Our chance. I can not bare to be separate from her like this forever.” The gryphon moaned.

“What?” Hisagi asked, now thoroughly confused.

He knew Kinomi had been waiting for him to say something to her, and he did have things he wanted to say, he just didn’t know how. Which was rather ironic because he had never had problems talking to women in the past.

But with her, something was different. With her he wanted more than just a night of pleasure, and not just because if he did do something to hurt her what would be left of him when she was through with him would pale in comparison to what the other men in her life would do to him.

But why was Kazeshini so worked up over it? And what the hell did he mean by ‘our chance and couldn‘t bare to be separated any longer from her?’ Could a Zanpkauto develop a crush for another Shinigami.

“You will go to her now and fix this.” Kazeshini ordered, marching up to him in a clear sigh of aggravation.

Hisagi backed up the last foot of space he had before freezing as he realized there was nothing but air behind him and a very long drop. Could he die here? Was Kazeshini truly enraged enough to kill him? He felt terror grip him.

Kazeshini seemed to catch on to his terror for the large gryphon closed his eyes and visibly forced himself to calm down and back off a few feet.

“You are such a coward, unworthy of wielding me.” Kazeshini whispered, all of his feathers flattening and his tail ceased it’s lashing. “I can stand this no longer. I will be with her. When you are ready to man up and face your fears and emotions you can come get me.”

And with that Kazeshini disappeared from his inner world, taking him by complete surprise as he was left alone on the rise. Around him pillars began to collapse and the nest started to break apart.

He felt panic hit him even harder and with a sudden gasp his eyes snapped open to see himself laying on the high rise, a concerned Kira hovering over him.

“Hisagi?” Kira called softly.

Hisagi gasped as he realized he couldn’t feel Kazeshini at all and when he looked down to his Zanpakuto it was once again a simple Asuach. Kira seemed to notice this as well and they shared a stunned look.

“I think I should get you to the 4th.” Kira offered after a moment of silence.

Hisagi couldn’t being himself to speak, just stared at his blade in shock as Kira helped him up and moved them with flashes of Shunpo.

Kazeshini was gone. Was that even possible? He had never heard of a Zanpakuto abandoning its partner before. How was he suppose to get him back? Go to her? Who was her? How could Kazeshini even be with her?

His brain shut down and it was in a daze he realized he was in the 4th. Kira had to pry his hands off of what had once been his Zanpakuto and Hanataro saw him into a bed while questioning them on what had happened.

Hisagi just remained in a daze, dimly aware he had been answering the questions asked of him.




Stay Tuned for Chapter 8: Beginnings and Endings

Where Szayel wants to experiment and I finally write a sex scene again, and boy has it been a while. All I will say is Pantera earns her name.

BIG /HUG to Kazes, the only one who reviewed last chapter.

I didn’t really like this chapter, but it was necessary to clean up everything and only the King would be able to put Central 46 in their place without starting a Civil War, something I have no interest in writing about. Of course how the king would learn about all the bull crap that had been going on was a good question, so enter the Zanpakuto.

So I was trying to remember how to spell seppuku when I came upon a bunch of information about it I never knew. Apparently it became quite the ceremony where the one committing the act would plunge a dagger into their stomach and bend over offering their neck to their ‘second’ who would than chop off their head, although it was expected that a little bit of skin remain so the head didn’t go rolling off.

en.wikipedia. org/wiki/Seppuku for more interesting information on it. Just remove the space.

Oh, just about finished writing the whole story and it looks like its going to be around 112ish pages, give or take a few, so about as long as Crossbreeding was. Central 46 has now been permanently dealt with. *evil laugh.