LATER IN THAT EVENING...
[ KA-BOOM×3]
[ *Thunderous sound *]
A scattered lighting storm rumbled the ground as dark clouds were slowly covering the starry night. Nearly everyone from the medical facility were done from the daily work after some travesty that occurred these days. It all seemed quiet before a darted heavy footsteps was heard.
Rukia dashed through the hallway after staying with Byakuya ( and Sai in a pigeon form ) for too she fell asleep. As time reached nightfall, she nearly forgot about them in the facility.
It took a while before reaching to Ichitaro's room, only to discover that the triplets were missing, which fueled her anxiety and froze her entire body with terror.
Ever since Ichitaro and his sisters, unknowingly, arrived at the Soul society, Rukia was stunned as they knew Ichigo. But when she learned their lives are in danger, she risked her life trying to protect them, resulting her near fatality. Now they're gone, it's like she failed Ichigo.
' If I can't protect them, how can I plan on keeping everyone I care about about, including myself, safe? Where are they?' She thought, which might haunt her for the rest of her life.
However, her questions were `answered ` when a hand was placed on her shoulder. She turned her head and body and saw Captain Ukitake carrying a young boy, around 5 to 6 years of age, on his back whom was asleep at that time. Ukitake was confused when Rukia located herself towards Ichitaro's room where the triplets were in the middle of the night.
" Rukia, what are you doing here? I thought you're at the Kuchiki Manor by now." He asked.
" Oh, Captain Ukitake. I was wondering if those triplets from the world of the living were. I just realized they're gone." Rukia explained.
" I don't know if anyone had ever told you about them. They're now at the Long cottage. Apparently, Shunsui told me Old man Yamamoto placed them here for safety. " Ukitake answered.
" Out of all places in the Soul society, he placed these kids there with Captain Kyoraku and his wife? They haven't had kids yet. This is disrespectful. " she spoke anxiously.
" That's what I thought too. But, who are we to judge the Old man's decision? I don't know if it'll backfire or something, yet he need to ask Shunsui or other captains first. You can see them if you like. Besides it's late, you should probably head back before Captain Kuchiki noticing you're gone again. " he advised, easing Rukia's nervousness away.
Rukia sighed with relief and said before leaving:
" Very well. See you in the morning, Captain Ukitake. Send my regards to Tobimaru."
" Okay. Good night. " he simply replied before leaving as well.
~~~~~~~~
THREE ( SHINIGAMI) DAYS LATER....
Days have passed and an early winter breeze welcomed the dark dawn. The mournful Buddhist bells rang throughout the Sēireitei for the first time in decades, visiting everyone's hearts and the entire area.
Both Shunsui and Ukitake sat down on top of the roof outside of Shunsui's office. Ukitake told him about his experiences those three nights ago when he's inside the facility.
" I'm telling you, Shunsui. Rukia was there when I came back from picking up Tobimaru. You should've seen how horrified she was when these kids from the world of the living were gone." Said Ukitake.
" She sure loved them just because they know Ichigo for a long time. It must've been very horrible her. It's like my wife's pain all over again. " Shunsui said with a sigh.
" Yeah. Just like Ramune, Rukia doesn't deserve any of this. First, Rukia and her foster parent were separated by the Kuchiki clan after she was adopted immediately, hence was graduated early from the academy Then, she and Renji hadn't seen each other for over 40 years since, Kaiēn Shiba's death, Renji attacked and nearly killed her in front of Byakuya, her execution for a petty crime and was separated from Ichigo for nearly 2 years. Now the kids, it's too much. But I'm so grateful you and Ramune allowed her to spend more time with them." Said Ukitake.
" At least I'm not like Old man Yamamoto. We both know he doesn't have to settle this way. Nevertheless, I'm worried it might end in catastrophe. Welp, whatever he's actually planning, it better work or we'll be cleaning every shitty corner. I should check on Ramune and the kids. " Shunsui stated.
" Me too. Ling and Tobimaru might be worried as well. I should better leave. So, see you at the funeral. " Ukitake replied, before both men got up, leaped to the ground and went their separate ways.
Later, Shunsui arrived in the cottage house and noticed two of the triplets were asleep and one of them doesn't. Whilst his wife left so early to pick Murasakiiro no me on the Central 46 compound. As Shunsui gently nudged Ichitaro, whom was barely asleep, he quickly rose his upper torso and nearly grabbed Shunsui's arm.
He panted and his hands were shaken as if his panic attacks had returned. But when he noticed Shunsui's presence, he wiped his cold sweat and gulped:
" Oh, it's you. You almost scared me to death, I thought you're someone else. "
" I was just checking you three. Hey, you seemed like you didn't sleep properly, do you?" Shunsui asked, concerned about Ichitaro's health.
" Nah, it's just a petty nightmare that it'll go away, sir. It's nothing to worry about, I'll be fine. " He lied, not bothering him too much about his constant nightmares that haunted him since childhood.
With a deep breath, Shunsui told Ichitaro without letting himself frustrated by Ichitaro's sleeplessness. He advised:
" Listen, kid. I know we barely know each other, but you don't look like you're having a pretty good sleep. Just try to get some rest, alright? I may be ` mr nice guy` , but I won't take no for an answer with stubbornness in it and I don't want anyone to kill my arse if it occurred again either. "
" I'll try my best. And thanks for giving us a place to crash in. " Ichitaro spoke.
" No problem. But don't thank me yet, thank the old man that runs this place." Said Shunsui.
When he left, Ichitaro laid his upper torso down before closing his eyes and went to sleep as lights slowly came through.
~~~~~~~~~
It's the day of the funeral, yet nothing reckoned a gloomy atmosphere of Aizan's death. Not even a single blue sky nor any sunlight peeking through an over casting sky, as if it's going to rain. Every rulers, emperors, empresses, kings, queens and tribal chiefs from different spirit worlds arrived at the Soul society along with their own guards and maids towards the Sōkyoku hill.
Despite both Bezel and Jupiter kept their distance without people noticing them, Kazumi was here as well, except there were neither guards nor any maids accompanied her. Before long, lines at the Senzaikyū steps was packed as majority of soul reapers saw countless of the spirit leaders heading forward to the Sōkyoku.
Yumikō and Hirōshi were amongst the spirit leaders, chatting along. Until, Yumikō caught sight of Kazumi in the crowds, not interacting with the others amid wasn't invited by the Captain commander himself.
' Sure smells like trouble from miles away. What is she doing here after all the crap she and her stepbrother did?' He wondered. As soon as Yumikō was going to confront Kazumi, Starrk went and immediately stopped him by wrapping his arms around Yumikō's chest.
" Yumikō, this isn't the right time to attack her. Remember your foolproof plan on getting your throne back. Just be patient. Do it for me and Lily." Starrk muttered.
" Alright. I'll do it for you and Lily. " he whispered, patting his hands on his arms before both part way, avoiding attention.
Otherwise, whenever someone questioned about their relationship, Starrk and Yumikō denied any romantic feelings for each other, rather as platonic.
~~~~~~~~~
MEANWHILE...
Outside of the Central 46 compound; Renji, Shikamaru, Ikkaku and Hōshi arrived after serving their punishment for bringing and leaving Ichitaro without permission by feeding the dragons. They were waiting for Ramune to pick up Murasaki.
As the cold wind blew passed their presence, Ramune arrived carrying a humongous wet sack full of fishes along with a black haired woman, wearing a pale turquoise Guiyi* and a golden phoenix shaped pin around her hair.
Afterwards, they all headed inside where once ruled by soul reaper governors, now occupied by Chinese dragons, preparing their winter hibernation. In curiosity, Renji asked the woman:
" Feng Huang. Why is Shunsui's dragon named Murasakiiro no me?"
" That's because of his one eyed coloured pupil that stood out. He once was a perfect dragon for burning every traitor's body into crisps and devour their bodies for years. Anyway, it's an order from Shīfù. He wanted to use him again after Kazumi banned all dragons, but his motives are uncertain. " She answered.
" How do we find and tame him?" Shikamaru asked.
" You don't. It's suicidal for any entity. Besides, it's a wild dragon that only a strong dragon rider can do so. " Ramune answered.
As they all reached to the Seijōtōkyorin, the residential district for the Central 46, they saw majority of dragons living happily. When Ramune gave a wet sack to Renji, they tossed each and every fresh fish to all of the dragons one by one.
Then, both women went and spotted a silverish dragon lazily slept. When they woke it up, his purple one eye opened and they told him about the incident and Yamamoto's request, it eventually glad to help them.
~~~~~~~~~
Moments after the leaders assembled in between the Sōkyoku hill and the exit, a female shintō priest arrived along with dozens of vampire-hallow like entities, carrying a coffin on their shoulders, whilst some are following them. They placed the coffin onto a long rectangular table before leaving.
Minutes later, Head Captain Yamamoto walked among the crowd and into the Sōkyoku hill next to the coffin with his eleven remaining captains by his side. By then, they left the old man and some went to their clans. Luckily for Ichitaro and his sisters, they stayed at the cottage until the funeral ends.
His eyes scanned the crowd, patiently waiting for him. He cleared his throat and spoke:
" Thank you all for coming. It's been an honor for everyone here to witness the execution of Sosuke Aizan, despite his unforeseen death. It's true, he must pay for all sins he'd committed. "
" He not only slow the members of the Central 46, but also betrayed and threatened to destroy both the Soul society and the world of the living, slew thousands of innocent orphans and annihilated the only safe place for them, slaughtered almost the entire Katumu clans and killed all Kings and Lords of the spirit world, including the tribal chief of the wolves. He even kidnapped the Khitan crowned prince, despite his mysterious disappearance. He may be dead, but his will not go unpunished. "
" Yes, we all lost our loved ones because of that scumbag as I too had tragically lost the love of my life and my son. However, to prove I have redeemed myself and the Soul society shall not be corrupted anymore, I will bring an old friend that will surely his body."
Everybody remained calm as they felt a powerful spirit energy appeared at an incredible pacefrom the Central 46 compound. Then, Murasaki arrived soaring through the sky and when he landed, his deep roar echoed the Sēireitei. He glanced and sniffed at the coffin and realized that Aizan had, in fact, died.
As heat radiated on the dragon's body from the inside, a violet flames engulfed onto his mouth. By the time he opened it, Jupiter's shadow reached against the coffin and quickly blocked it from reaching the coffin. He, then conjured a rope like trap fit for a dragon, holding him against his will.
Panicked paved the crowd as dark soldiers approached from Jupiter's shadow and drew their swords, pointing it straight towards the other spirit Lords and Ladies, apart from Kazumi. Their guards and maids tried to fight these soldiers, alas they were captured. By then, Bezel and Jupiter arrived.
" Greetings to you all. It is I, Lord Beelzebub. I'm here to arrest this dragon mutt and Wolf's bastard son for the death of the almighty man in the Soul society, capable of ending Jehovah and the armies of Archangels of the `sky kingdom` . " Bezel spoke.
The captains were outraged at such accusation with a lack of evidence. There's no way that Ramune or Sai could've done such a bizarre crime. Even Ramune herself was offended by Bezel's `theory ` .
Soon, the dark soldiers headed straight toward Ramune. Shunsui broke free and both drew their zanpakutos, slashing them, yet Jupiter activated a spell which froze his arms and paralyzed Ramune's arms and legs.
Whilst guards, soul reapers and captains were captured, Bezel stepped forward to Yamamoto and laughed. He said:
" You can try all your puny tricks on me, but it'll never work. Those two I've mentioned, committed a crime and should be arrested. Unless you want to negotiate, Shigekuni."
"I've heard three of the spirit demons were here. There's a way you can redeem yourself. So,how about this- why don't you give me these kids that you keep and the body of this brave lad that was actually helping you to defeat the angels? Or I will declare war on your land and it'll be not as easy as that war you had with the Quincies . You, of all people, won't understand what I am really capable of. Just give these kids to me and I'll spare your precious lives. Who knows? You don't even give a flying dragon shit about their pathetic lives. The choice is yours. Be wise. "
Yamamoto's fists clenched as if he'll erupt with anger. He remained silent and glanced through anxious leaders and defensive captains. He even noticed Kazumi smiling. He looked at Bezel with disgust and responded:
" You really can't give up, can you? It seemed like she told you about those spirit demons. You can take Aizan's body, but unfortunately for you and Kazumi, I'd rather accept the war offer than giving those kids for Celestia knows what. Even if they could stay here for all eternity, you'll get them when I'm dead. Besides, Aizan was a bed warming fool for an old hag you called queen. "
Everyone's jaws dropped. Yumikō smirked and was pleased with the Head Captain's decision. Bezel was lost for words and gnashed his teeth in anger.
" Well, in that case war it is, fool. I will avenge Lord Aizan and I will destroy all of you! That way, you'll feel the exact same as my queen felt. " Bezel shouted before he, Kazumi and Jupiter vanished from the shadows with Aizan's body.
Everyone and Murasaki were free and were flabbergasted.
' How can it be?' Shunsui thought, ' what was he thinking? Kill us all?'
At that moment he realized, things are getting out of hands and Ichitaro's safety was at stake.