"One, two, three."
Rukia hummed a bit as she tuned her guitar. It was one of the few Christmas gifts she had recieved as a child, from her Grandmother Dianne in England or something like that. Dianne was from Rukia's mother's side. Even though Rukia had never met the old woman, she still felt a certain connection towards her. Old Grandma Dianne was still alive as far as Rukia knew, and she briefly wondered why Mikoto couldn't go there.
Simple, She thought warily, One, it's too far, and two, the old woman probably won't make it another two years.
It was true. It was 1944 now, and if Dianne was still alive and kicking' she would be well over ninety.
It wasn't that Rukia didn't love Mikoto; it was just that the seven year old would have been better off living with someone else. Mikoto understood Rukia and Inoue's work by now, but it was just so hard leaving her alone. Leaving her to think about what would happen if Rukia or Inoue died, or if Mitsuki's sanity was further questioned. She supposed Yoruichi or Urahara would look after her.
Sometimes, it was just too difficult.
"Rukia!" A voice with a heavy French accent called out suddenly, and Rukia looked up questioningly.
There, jogging up towards her, was the new recruit, Kiyone Kotetsu. Over the past month and a half, Rukia and Kiyone had formed a strong friendship.
"Hey Kiyone." Rukia smiled at her friend.
"Have you seen Sentaro... you know... around lately?" She stuttered her words, lightly blushing.
Rukia smiled. Sentaro was a Slayer who usually patrolled Eastern Karakura. Kiyone had been paired up with him on occasion for reconnaissance missions.
Rukia giggled lightly as she remembered how excited Kiyone had been. "Yeah. I think he's at Urahara's office. Giving a report on his latest mission."
"Oh." Kiyone said, smiling a bit. "Okay... um... if you see him around... tell him I'm looking for him!" She practically shouted the last part, and then jogged away. Rukia blinked. Then, she smiled knowingly. "Sure thing Kiyone... sure thing."
She went back to her tuning.
"Lalalalalalalalala..."
Sakura's POV
I felt a little better, now that I know what makes Ichigo-san so distant in January and June. He's guilty. But the way Karin-chan described Yuzu and his parents, I'd say they would never want him to feel guilty. I wouldn't. Then again, Senna always said I was too nice.
Speaking of which, were is Senna? I hadn't seen her around the house for days.
I spotted Karin in the kitchen.
"Karin," I called, a bit louder than intended. She turned, and her she smiled. Actually smiled. "Yeah, Sa-ku-ra?" She practically sang, going back to her tea.
I was a bit unnerved by this sudden change in attitude.
"Um, have you seen Senna around?"
Her smile dropped, and she stared at me with a mixture of what I assumed was confusion, and repulsion. I knew Karin didn't like Senna very much, but she didn't have to be so obvious about that fact. "No. I haven't, actually. I think she's downstairs." Her voice was icy, and I think I had just killed whatever good mood Karin had.
"Oh. Okay, thanks, Karin." I smiled brightly, trying to lift her spirits, even just a little bit. She weakly smiled back, and nodded me off.
I fast-walked towards the stairs. I don't know why I hadn't checked there. Senna was not only an Oracle, but also a woman of Witch descent. She was always casting spells and summoning who-knows-what down there.
I remember when she first saw the basement. She was so excited.
"Oh! The first thing I'm gonna do is summon the Guard Dog of Hell! That'll really kick up a ruckus in Karakura!"
To this day, I still don't know whether or not she was kidding. Luckily, Ichigo was there to stop her if she did try to summon Cerberus. "Sen-na!" I called cheerily, jumping down the oak steps. They made an eerie 'creak' when I moved, and it always sent a shiver up my spine.
"Oh, sweet candle light, of the Great Spirit's sight, please, guide my spell... through it's flight." I heard her voice echo through the stony basement walls. "Senna?" I called once more, a little confused. I turned a corner to find her hovering over a small, beeswax candle.
Suddenly, she blew out the candle, and grabbed a Raven's feather that was sitting to her right, and started to wave it around quickly, effectively blowing away the black smoke.
"Guardian spirit take wing upon the thousand winds and carry my will. Stand over and protect Ichigo. With my will, I wish it so!"
A small flash of light came from outside, along with a loud rumbling noise, and I knew it was raining. Senna sighed heavily, and then looked up at where the candle had been. It was gone, and she smiled. "Thank you," she seemed to whisper, and she then proceeded to collect her things and get ready for bed.
"Stand over and protect Ichigo." Ichigo? He seemed okay. I just saw him in the living room. Why would Senna cast a protection spell for Ichigo?
My mind whirred with questions.
Why were Turok Hans and Scourge everywhere nowadays?
Why did Ichigo need protection?
Who was the Chosen One? The supposed savior of the two worlds?
Who was Rukia Kuchiki? And why did Ichigo seem so interested in her?
But most importantly... where was Reiko-san's new reincarnation?
I sighed as I walked up the stairs. Nothing made sense anymore. And after thinking everything over, I decided I could finally blame something.
The noise.
It was the cause of everything.
Flashback
Sakura's POV (1839, in Valencia, Spain)
"Nōizu."
"Noi-whatta?" I asked, my eyebrows raised. My grandmother, Summer, laughed at my foolishness.
"The Noise, sweetheart."
I was no more than twenty years old at the time, and even then, I barely knew anything about my culture, about the life of Brachen. "That doesn't sound like Spanish," I accused, my eyebrows knitted together like a young child's.
"It isn't, it's Japanese, just like your name."
"Sa-ku-raaa..." I hummed my name, and smiled. "It is, isn't it?"
She nodded, and smiled kindly. "So, Grandmother, what is the Noise?" I asked curiously, deciding to play along. I didn't understand the meaning of "Nōizu", but I did understand the term "Noise". 'The Noise' was supposed to have been created about two thousand years ago. It was what created the more civil form of Vampires. It was what separated Hans, Vampires, and Demons alike.
"There is an old prophecy that states that once every two thousand years, the 'Noise' would awaken, and wreak havoc on the Earth. It would re- incarnate any and all mystical beings who played important roles in the history of Earth."
I smiled lightly and nodded. "O-kay!" I sang, and saddled my horse, waving her off, ready to go to the ships. I was moving away, to London, England.
At the time, I really didn't believe her.
I didn't believe anything, I was so damn naive.
I just thought the Noise was an old myth used to spook children, like humans and their fear of the Boogeyman or the ghosts in the night.
Little did I know, it was true. The old stories and folklore my Grandmother and mother used to tell me about. The Noise, Hans, Black Hounds, even Inari the Japanese God of Fertility and Foxes... all of it was true.
All of it...
End POV
End Flashback
Yoruichi's POV
The Chosen One...
She's really going through a difficult time. Kisuke and I have bought her all the time we could, so she could get back on her feet. But the Hans are closing in way too quickly. Scourge Demons, too. We'll have to re-double her training.
And tell the Higher Rank Officers to keep an eye out for her on any and all missions.
The Chosen one is supposed to be the one to grant life to the dying world.
The Chosen one is supposed to be the strongest Slayer in her generation.
The Chosen One is... Rukia Kuchiki.
Underworld
"Aizen-sama."
The brown-haired man smiled silkily at his subordinate. "Yes?"
"I know you told me not to say this anymore... but thank you so much. Without you, I'd still be dead." Hinamori Momo smiled brightly at her superior, admiration evident in her dark chocolate orbs. Her smile grew when Aizen cupped her chin.
"Don't mention it, Momo-chan."
Shortly after Momo Hinamori, an heiress who was born in 1593, died by the hand of her lover, Hitsugaya Toshirou, Aizen had found her in the mortuary before her funeral, and so graciously turned her into his personal servant. She had been living in the human world (See chapter 1, where it describes Rukia's life before becoming a Slayer) until just recently, when Aizen called her back.
"Now, Momo, do you understand your mission?"
The three hundred and thirty-six year old woman giggled happily. "Of course I do. To kill this girl here, right?" She pointed to an old class photo she received from middle school. Next to her 'twelve year old' self, was a girl, who was shorter than her, but with a face that was more mature. "Rukia-chan!"
He smiled evilly.
"That's correct, Momo."
"You're wrong! I love Aizen-sama!"
Momo.
"I don't even know your name! How could I possibly love you?"
You're being deceived.
"You're nothing more than another Vampire!"
"I loved you."
It was true, Hitsugaya Toshirou, at one point, was madly in love with Hinamori Momo. But she had betrayed him. She had followed Aizen, just like a puppy would his owner.
"Don't you remember me? I loved you! MOMO!"
Tears unwillingly fell from both of their eyes. "I don't believe you!" She screamed, and ran out.
He had already lost her once.
Then, he had lost Mitsuki.
He had almost lost Karin to Gin.
Now, Momo Hinamori, the girl he had grown up with, and come to love, was back, and she couldn't even remember him.
"I loved you dammit!" He screeched, slamming his fist's against the hard oak desk. He shook slightly, and swallowed thickly. "Toshirou, be careful." A warning, yet calm voice said behind him. "Karin, what are you doing here?" He asked her, standing up, his anger diminishing slightly.
She smiled weakly at him. "Rangiku let me in. Have you noticed? There's something... different, about her. She seems quieter."
He scoffed, "Around you, maybe."
"Shirou-kun, tell me, who is she? Who did you love?" Karin asked, sincere and full of worry.
Hitsugaya was silent for a long moment. "Her name... was Momo Hinamori. My... my fiancé."
This made Karin stiffen. Fiancé? He was married? "You're married?" She yelled incredulously, jumping up. He stared at her, shocked, and then began to laugh mercilessly.
She looked at him as if he had just gone crazy. "HITSUGAYA! This is not funny! If you're married... then why did we... you... I... us... I'm not the type of woman who would intentionally go out with someone else's husband!" She suddenly yelled, cheeks flushed and eyes blazing.
He was still chuckling darkly, and then spoke, "Relax, we aren't engaged, married, or anything like that. She was killed a week before the wedding."
Her eyes instantly softened. "Oh my... I'm so sorry, Shirou. I didn't mean to... I mean, I never wanted it to sound... like you know, how it... sounded..." She stuttered her words, which was very unlike Karin. She must have been embarrassed.
"It's fine. I'm actually the one who did it..."
This got her interested. "Is that so? How?"
He took a long sip of his wine. "Oh, nothing. Just a conversion spell gone bad..."
"V-Vampire? Oh, Kisuke, I have absolutely no idea what you mean! Hahaha..." Mitsuki Kuchiki stuttered out, laughing nervously. Her blond friend -and boss- looked at her sternly, his face devoid of any and all emotions.
Just one glare from his dark eyes shut her up.
"Don't be stupid, Mitsuki. You're in serious danger here!"
"Yeah, nice going' idiot!" One of Urahara's assistants, a redheaded boy named Jinta scoffed. "Like we already didn't have a lot on our hands, what with the Chosen Slayer and all that crap. And... HEY! OW, OW, OW! OKAY! I GET IT! I'M SOOOOORRRRYYYY!" Jinta howled when Mitsuki grabbed him by the hair, lifting him into the air.
"Yeah, you better be you little hot-headed punk! And another thing... wait a second, what do you mean, Chosen Slayer?" She asked suspiciously, slowly setting the thirteen year old down.
Urahara took that moment to glare at Jinta, then sighed.
"Mitsuki, you know about your condition, and so do I. Before I answer any more of your questions, have you figured out your affinity*?"
She nodded slightly. "I think so. But it could be a little too early to find out... but I do have a... rather... appropriate guess. I think it may be... rage." She huffed, her eyes closed. She opened one lid to see their reactions.
Urahara had a brow cocked, while Jinta looked a bit nervous, although his brows were furrowed. And his eyes... they were just... blazing.
Mitsuki's mouth watered just looking at the redhead fidget in his place. He saw her gaze and growled somewhat lowly. He looked... angry, yet a little scared, standing there. She was just about to lunge forward and confirm her assumptions when Kisuke spoke.
"I see. And Mit-chan, by the way you're staring at Jinta, I'd say you're absolutely correct."
That made his assistant step back once and gulp audibly.
Mitsuki made a sound that was halfway between amusement and halfway between irritation. "Whatever."
"Loving and protecting humans can only lead to heartbreak. Sooner or later, you're going to have to leave the world of sunlight, and delve into the world of night."
Karin had told her this on the night of the conversion.
Mitsuki knew. Kisuke knew. Yoruichi most likely knew.
Her leaving was inevitable. So was defeating the Vampire Hans. Both the Turok Hans and the Scourge Demons wield the power of the Ancients. They were too wise. Too powerful.
"Too... invincible."
"Hm? What was that, Mitsuki?" Urahara asked when he heard her.
"Ah! Nothing! Nothing at all! Ano..."
"Yes?" Urahara asked patiently.
"Who... what was Jinta talking about? About... the Chosen Slayer?"
Rangiku thought back to her conversation with Gin the night before.
"Gin."
"Rangiku." He still had that sickly smile plastered onto his face, his snake- like eyes boring right into hers'. "You're still following that child Hitsugaya around like a lost puppy? It really is ashame... you know, it's not too late... Aizen-sama really would love to have you on his..."
"Not a chance in Hell, Gin!" Rangiku suddenly shouted, her fists clenching tightly. "Not a chance... in Hell." Her voice cracked suddenly, and she took in a sharp breath.
He honestly looked disappointed. "I see. Well... you know where to find us if you ever reconsider." And with that, he was gone, seemingly fading into the darkness of night.
'You know where to find us.' His words rang in her mind.
"I'm not going back," Rangiku whispered into the air, looking out the window. "Never. I'm never going back."
"Ever."
"Hello?"
"Yes. May I speak with miss Mitsuki?" An old, weary voice echoed through the phone.
Mitsuki raised a brow. "Um... speaking. And... may I ask who's calling?" She had just escaped Urahara's office and gotten home, so she was pretty tired.
An old, hollow laugh ripped through the phone line. "Yes, I'm so sorry, deary. My name is Dianne Kusaku."
Yoruichi Shihoin groaned softly. She was seated in the park, despite the late hour. "Ishida-san. What are you doing? I thought you were living happily in Osaka." She scoffed.
The middle aged man smirked softly, and lifted his glasses away from his nose. "Came back. I heard there was something strange happening in Karakura, so I wanted to check it out." His hand swayed towards the bejeweled dagger at his hip.
"Well you came at the right time, let me tell you. There are Hans crawling around everywhere." Hopefully one of them will kill you.
"Ah. Is that so?" Hopefully I can kill a few, just so I can rub it in your face later.
Ryuken Ishida looked at the normally bubbly -now irritated- woman in front of him. "So... Slayer. How is everyone?"
"Hunter..." She shot back, irritated. "They're fine. Although I think it would do you well not to see them. Well... at least not Rukia. She's... going through some rough times."
"Really?" The bastard. He actually sounded like he cared. It wasn't that she hated this man. In truth, he was actually very nice and polite... well, to her, anyway. She just hated Hunters in particular. Ryuken Ishida was no exception.
"Well then, I suppose I should be going. Can't keep my son waiting, now can I?"
Yoruichi's eyes widened. "Wait, your so- huh?"
He was gone.
He was so fast. So... sharp. Almost like he was a Vamp... She shook her head wildly. No. It couldn't be.
It just couldn't!
...Could it?
*Affinity-
Basically a Vampire's preferred taste for blood. Like Mitsuki's was rage, so if she sucked someone's blood, she would suck out all of their rage if she didn't kill them first.
PREVIEW FOR NEXT CHAPTER:
'"You can stop all of this now. Just admit to yourself you don't love him!"
'Love who?' Rukia mentally screamed, deciding enough was enough.
"Ichigo Kurosaki, of course. Just admit this one fact, and I can stop Aizen right now." The little voice echoed. "You don't belong with him. Temperance does. Temperance always did!"
'No… I won't. I don't have to. Because the truth is… I do love him. I do love Ichigo Kurosaki.'
She hardly knew him, but he was her world.'
A/N: Whoa... if you guys wanna know what the hell's going on there... REVIEW!
-TMU
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