Bleach - Winter Fragrance, Chapter 3

[celadonserpent]

Title: Winter Fragrance
Fandom: Bleach
Summary: To avenge the death of a childhood friend, Toushirou dresses up like a woman and enters Aizen's court as a servant. But when he tries to assassinate Aizen, who should he meet but...?
Characters: Hitsugaya Toushiro, Hinamori Momo, Matsumoto Rangiku, Neliel Tu Oderschvank, Ichimaru Gin, Aizen Sousuke, Shihouin Yoruichi, Urahara Kisuke, Kurosaki Isshin, Kurosaki Karin
Genre: Drama, Adventure
Warnings: Cross dressing, gender bending, Alternate Universe


Chapter 3

Kurosaki Ichigo let out one of his rare smiles as the firework shot into the sky, illuminating the encroaching twilight in a shower of sparks. They had had a good year, and his father had decided that using the extra money they had saved to splurge a bit on the citizens was something worth doing. Of course, Uncle Ryuuken had disagreed, but there had been nothing strange about that. The "enmity" between them was famous throughout the small country, and no one had been especially surprised when the fireworks had gone out as Isshin wanted.

But perhaps Ryuuken had only agreed because of the profits such an event would bring, thought Ichigo wryly, as he watched the unusual number of foreigners in the city, mingling with the citizens, buying food and souvenirs here and there. He wondered how many people from Seireitei, and how many people from Hueco Mundo were there. Gen'se was a neutral country that allowed basically anyone in, so long as they didn't disturb the peace, and Ichigo hoped that the people who had gathered this year remembered that part of the law.

But apparently citizens of Gen'se itself had trouble remembering that, Ichigo thought as he saw someone shove a girl down, stealing something shiny from her before running into the crowd. Ichigo immediately gave chase. He wasn't about to let bastards like that thief ruin the good name of his country.

But it was apparent that he hadn't really needed to help out at all when he saw the girl catch the thief before he did, pounding the shit out of him. Ichigo was impressed, watching her give a final kick to the thief before slipping the thing that had been stolen around her neck. It was a whistle.

"Sorry about that," Ichigo said, sending out a signal to the officers with his spiritual force. "I guess the crowds attract thieves." The kid gave him a look that shouted, "no kidding," before walking back towards the crowd. "Oi! You didn't get hurt, did you?" Ichigo yelled. The kid had the decency to stop and shake her head, before going back into the crowd without another word. Ichigo decided to chase after her. Little kids like that shouldn't be walking around alone. He would never let his sisters do that, and he sure as hell wasn't going to let someone around his sisters' age do the same.

The kid gave him a vaguely annoyed look when she saw him next to her, but continued walking in silence. Ichigo felt that she was a little too confident for someone who had just been robbed, even if she had managed to catch the thief and made him pay. Still, it was none of his business, so he didn't say anything.

The whistling of a firework being shot into the air signaled another performance, and many people stopped to admire the scene. Even the girl, despite her tough attitude, was watching the fireworks with wonder. When the brief performance ended, and she noticed Ichigo looking at her, she gave a snort of annoyance, stomping off towards whatever destination she had in mind. Ichigo followed diligently.

"Oh! Ichigo! Is that your new girlfriend?" His dad appeared out of nowhere, giving him an embarrassing thumbs up.

"Isn't she a little young for you, Ichi-nii?" Karin asked disrespectfully. "Unless you're one of those types."

"What the hell you talking about, Karin?" Ichigo asked, extremely annoyed at them. Here he was, being a gentleman by escorting the kid back to her parents, and his family was making cracks at him for it. The kid didn't look like she was enjoying it much either, though she did smirk at his embarrassment.

"How are you enjoying the fireworks?" Yuzu asked, ever the diplomat. The girl shrugged, though her expression did soften from its previous scowl. "Want to go goldfish fishing? I asked Karin, but she doesn't like those kinds of things, and I really don't want to go alone." She looked pleadingly at the kid, and while the kid had at first been ready to reject the invitation, once Yuzu turned those eyes on her, there had been no way she could refuse. Ichigo himself had been subject to those powers more times than he cared to admit.

"Great!" Yuzu said happily, pulling the other girl along as her family followed. "I'm Yuzu. What's your name?" The kid gestured from her throat to her mouth, and then gave a shake of her head. Yuzu looked puzzled.

"You can't talk?" Karin guessed. The girl nodded. Ichigo felt a swell of pity for her, and the girl must have sensed something because she turned and gave him a glare.

"What should we call you then?" Yuzu asked, looking troubled. The kid shrugged.

"How about 'Yuki' for her snow-white hair?" his dad suggested. She looked annoyed at the mention of her hair, but nodded grudgingly.

"You can't just go around randomly naming people," Ichigo protested.

"Why not? She doesn't mind," his dad shrugged. Ichigo spluttered wordlessly while the girls ignored him, heading towards the large basin that held several small goldfish. Yuzu paid the vendor and picked up the "net," a thin, wooden ring with paper stretched across for catching fish. She handed one to "Yuki."

"Do you know how to use it?" Yuzu asked. The girl shook her head. Yuzu then patiently explained the process to her, the girl frowning in concentration. Before they could even start, however, a distant explosion sounded in the night.

"That's out of schedule," Ichigo said, looking at the night sky for any sign of the firework. His father looked grave.

"Ichigo, take the girls and get somewhere safe," he commanded. Ichigo gave him a questioning look. "Just go," he said, eyes scanning the horizon. Ichigo nodded, a feeling of unease rising within him.

"Hey, Yuzu, Karin, and you, kid," Ichigo called, much to the kid's irritation, "Let's get out of here."

"Ichi-nii, what's going on?" asked Karin, jogging alongside him. "Yuki" was frantically looking through the crowd, presumably for her parents.

"I dunno. I think we might be under attack."

The building in front of them exploded, knocking them all to the ground. People began frantically running away and screaming, only to be stopped by subsequent explosions.

"Get to the castle!" Ichigo shouted. Yuzu and Karin were frozen with fear. "Move! Move!"

The girl tugged the other two girls up, looking at Ichigo for directions. He pointed, and she nodded, immediately taking off with his sisters. Ichigo looked around for his dad. There was no way the old man could handle an attack of this scale alone.

--o--

When Rangiku, Neliel and Fuyuka finally made it to the capital of Gen'se, Rangiku immediately made a beeline towards the sake stand, having not tasted that wonderful drink in years. She hadn't minded drinking alone, but Neliel, with Fuyuka's insistence, had decided to accompany her. They had left the other girl to wander the festive streets alone, with strict instructions not to go too far, though Rangiku personally believed that Fuyuka would probably just do what she wanted.

Rangiku had been on her third bottle, while Neliel was still on her first cup when the explosion occurred. Rangiku and Neliel had immediately tensed, even while the civilians around them had looked around in confusion, wondering where the firework display was.

"Nel..." Rangiku started. Neliel nodded.

"I'll go look for her. Be careful." Neliel took off in a blur, and Rangiku stood up, her sharp eyes searching for the enemy. She saw them in the form of black death, an army clad in the dark robes of Seireitei's military force.

"Bastards," she cursed. She headed towards them, noting that several others were doing the same. They were going to pay for ruining everyone's holiday.

--o--

Isshin stood on the hill, directing his own army to intercept the intruders. He felt Ryuuken appear behind him.

"Looks like you were right. They did attack," Isshin said, ordering another regiment to head the army off from the east.

"Well, at least the money we made on this venture should be able to cover the repairs," Ryuuken said coolly.

"What a bastard."

Ryuuken bowed, as if it were a compliment.

"I've sent my people to protect the citizens," Ryuuken said, glancing at the map placed on the makeshift table.

"I knew you would." Isshin scratched his chin, looking at the army for any signs of its leader.

"We're outnumbered."

Isshin sighed.

"I know."

They both looked as the two armies clashed, the more disorganized and unprepared Gen'se army breaking under the force.

"Are you going to fight?" Ryuuken asked.

"Hell ya." Isshin grinned, tugging his sword out of its scabbard. "Bet I can get more than you." Ryuuken gave him a disdainful look, materializing his bow from nowhere.

"Maybe in your next life."

They both stared at each other challengingly before disappearing in a blur.

--o--

Toushirou ran through the chaotic streets with the two girls in tow, dodging people and debris. He needed to get the two girls to safety first. Then he could turn back and look for Rangiku and Neliel.

That had been the plan, anyway, until a dark robed figure appeared from nowhere and grabbed Karin, trying to run off with her. Yuzu screamed, while Toushirou found a suitably sharp piece of wood and threw it at the offender. The kidnapper dropped Karin in pain when the wood pierced his arm.

"Let's get out of here!" Karin shouted. Toushirou couldn't agree more.

They ran down the streets even more frantically than before. But it seemed as if the dark clothed people blocked their path off at every turn. Toushirou scowled. They were probably trying to surround them or herd them somewhere, neither of which were any good. He grabbed another sharp piece of wood as they ran, and when a big, black robed man appeared in front of them, he hurled the wood at him.

"Ha! I won't fall for the same trick as--"

The man didn't get to finish his sentence as Toushirou rushed towards him, rendering him unconscious with a hard slice at the neck. He landed smoothly behind him.

"Wow," Karin said, her mouth agape. "That's just...so cool."

Toushirou rolled his eyes at her inane comment, grabbing the two sisters and starting to run again. He had a feeling that the strangely clothed people were after Karin. If that was the case, then he had better get them to the castle before anything unfortunate happened.

They hadn't even finished crossing the street when another attacker appeared, obviously having caught on that their ring had been broken. The attacker made to grab Karin, but was stopped by a swift kick from Toushirou. The person then decided that taking care of Toushirou had the greater priority.

Toushirou flipped away from the attacker as the person brought the sword down, the attack strong enough to leave a crack in the ground. He needed a weapon if he was going to be able to successfully defend himself. He leapt to the side as the person attempted to slice him in half.

"Oi! Catch!" Karin shouted, throwing him a chopping knife. He caught it, barely just in time to block the blade that nearly sliced his head off. A part of his mind found it amusing that he was fending off a sword with a chopping knife. He was spending too much time with Rangiku.

Toushirou dodged under another attack, getting inside the person's guard and managing to give the person a shallow cut to the abdomen as the person attempted to evade him. He moved away before the person could counter. Sometimes, it paid to be so tiny.

Suddenly, someone grabbed him by the hair, lifting him up painfully. Toushirou was half tempted to just lop the whole thing off, but Rangiku would raise hell if he did, so he settled for kicking the person in the balls. The man dropped him with a curse.

"Look out!" Karin screamed. He barely had time to turn around before a third person ran him through with a sword, and then tugging the sword painfully out again. Toushirou collapsed on the ground, clutching the profusely bleeding wound, cursing his inattention. He threw the chopping knife at the person's head, only to have it batted easily away with the sword. Shit. They were screwed.

His vision was beginning to swim even as his hand reached out for another weapon. A foot came down on top of it.

"You're pretty good kid, but we win this time," the person who stabbed him said. "Stop struggling, and you might live long enough for someone to patch you up." He could hear Karin scream as someone grabbed her again, Yuzu sobbing for them to stop.

A dark blur appeared, knocking two of the attackers away, and turning to face the last one. Karin dropped with a thud, running immediately to Toushirou's side.

"You okay?" she asked. Toushirou didn't have the energy to shoot her a glare. She laughed nervously. "Dumb question, I guess." She ducked, using her body to shield his as the dark blur and one of the attackers went sailing over them. It should probably hurt, with her lying on top of the wound like that, but Toushirou couldn't really feel anything. He was struggling just to keep his eyes open.

"Hey. Hey! Don't fall asleep," Karin said desperately. "Chad! Chad!" She was being so noisy. "Oi! Just hold on. Chad!"

Toushirou closed his eyes, her words no longer able to be registered in his mind.

--o--

Sado "Chad" Yasutora had begun looking for Ichigo's sister when one of the men he had been fighting let loose that their primary objective for attacking Gen'se was to kidnap Karin. He had no idea what they wanted to do with her, but then again, he had never really been good at reading the minds of maniacs.

He had arrived in time to see a white haired girl defending Karin, but he didn't really put on the extra burst of speed until he saw her get stabbed. No one attacked helpless people and got away with it while he was on watch.

The enemies had been weak physically, mostly relying on speed and spiritual force to fight. Chad guessed that they were probably members of Seireitei's Onmitsukidou. Once he finished the last person off, he rushed to Karin's side, checking to see if either Karin or Yuzu were hurt, before scooping the third, now unconscious girl up. They needed to get out of there before reinforcements came.

Instead of running towards the castle as the kidnappers no doubt expected, Chad ran towards where he had last seen Isshin and Ryuuken convening, hoping that Orihime was somewhere close by. He didn't know if the girl's wound was serious or not, but that was a lot of blood covering her front.

"Karin, Yuzu, stay close," he warned as he ran through the streets. Karin was too panicked to make her usual snarky comment. The building next to them exploded, and Chad used his large body to shield the three girls, feeling bits of debris hit against his back.

"Fuyuka! Fuyuka!" a woman yelled, running through the streets. She spotted Chad when he stood up, and immediately ran towards them.

"Fuyuka," she started, before she saw the wound. She gestured for Chad to bend down, and he did it automatically, not sensing that the woman was a threat. She closed her eyes in concentration before she breathed on the wound, a strange smoke coming forth. The wound stopped bleeding.

"Thank you for taking care of her," the woman said, taking the smaller girl back.

"Chad, don't let her take her!" Karin yelled. "What if she's one of those kidnappers?" Chad wanted to explain that the kidnappers were only after Karin, but decided not to. There was no point in revealing it here, especially to these strangers. Karin would be safer if they didn't know she was the Lord's daughter.

"What's this about kidnappers?" she asked, her posture changing from concerned to battle alert.

"Someone's been trying to grab...me," Karin said, beginning to put two and two together.

"They're probably Seireitei's Onmitsukidou," Chad supplied. The woman raised an eyebrow at him.

"Where are you headed?"

"Wherever is safe," Chad replied. She nodded, shifting the unconscious girl in her arms.

"Follow me. I'll make sure you guys stay safe," she said. She headed away from the fighting, towards the border with Hueco Mundo. Karin followed the other woman, not wanting to let the other girl out of her sight, and Yuzu and Chad trailed after her.

"So, what's your name?" Karin asked, her voice higher than usual.

"Neliel," the woman answered without looking at her, her eyes constantly scanning for enemies.

"I'm Karin. That's Yuzu, my sister," she said, pointing, "and that's Chad. Did you call her 'Fuyuka'? Is that her name?"

"Yes." The woman's steps suddenly slowed down, and she handed Fuyuka to Chad, pulling out her blade. Five black clothed people suddenly appeared, and she dispatched them easily. She took Fuyuka back, ignoring the other three's open mouths. "Let's go." They followed her wordlessly.

She remained alert, even when they had reached what appeared to be a relatively safe area, other refugees from town milling around, looking at the distant bursts of light. Yuzu collapsed on the ground, tired, and Karin followed her, though much more slowly, trying to act less tired than she was. Chad remained alert next to the woman.

Fuyuka opened her eyes groggily, and Neliel lowered her gently to the ground.

"You awake, kiddo?"

She gave her a confused look. Neliel chuckled, ruffling her hair, trying to ignore the red stains.

"Next time you try to help someone, try not to get yourself hurt."

Fuyuka finally looked a little more clear headed, and gave her a glare. Neliel smiled worriedly. The girl looked a little pale, but she would be okay.

"I have to go find Rangiku. Promise me you'll stay here and not get into fights?"

Fuyuka signed, "What if I have to fight?" Neliel pursed her lips, not wanting to provide the girl with a loophole.

"Only if you absolutely have to," she relented. Fuyuka nodded. At least the girl didn't look like she was eager to get in another fight. Neliel turned towards Chad. "Can you take care of them?" He nodded his affirmation. She turned back towards Fuyuka. "I'll be right back. Don't move." Fuyuka rolled her eyes, but nodded. Neliel left with a burst of speed.

She found Rangiku tearing the army to shreds with Haineko, appearing to enjoy herself. It had been a long time since she had last been in battle.

"I found her," Neliel said, joining in. "She's in a safe place."

"Good," Rangiku grunted, tearing a new hole in someone with her sword. Neliel was about to ask Rangiku to stop fighting so that they could begin to head home when a horn sounded. Seireitei's army immediately began retreating. Neliel looked worriedly in Fuyuka's direction.

"What's up with them? They haven't even conquered the city yet," Rangiku said, confused.

"Come on." Neliel sprinted towards Fuyuka, hoping that no one had been kidnapped.

When she and Rangiku arrived, she saw a bunch of people crowded around Karin and Yuzu. Fuyuka was standing to the side, looking relieved to see them.

"What happened?" Rangiku practically screeched, rushing towards Fuyuka. "You're all bloody." Rangiku gave an accusing look at Neliel.

"She was safe, you were in the middle of a fight," Neliel stated as an explanation.

"Oh yeah, real safe," Rangiku snorted, turning back towards the girl. "And you! I'm never letting you out of my sight again." Fuyuka looked annoyed at her declaration, but her expression softened when Rangiku hugged her tightly. She patted Rangiku reassuringly on the back.

"Fuyuka, is it?" a tall, slightly bearded man asked. "I'd like to thank you for protecting my little girls. Is there anything that you would like as a reward? Anything that I can do for you?"

"Oh, I'll tell you what you can do," Rangiku started angrily, before Neliel quickly shut her mouth and pulled her away. Fuyuka looked at her in exasperation before turning towards the man, shaking her head.

"Are you certain?"

Fuyuka nodded. Isshin sighed, though smiling slightly at the girl.

"In that case, you will always be welcome in Gen'se, and in our castle," Isshin announced. The girl looked confused, but her two guardians did not.

" 'Castle'...?" the blond woman asked, mouth dropping woman. Her friend did a better job of hiding her astonishment.

"I am Kurosaki Isshin, and I shall always be indebted to you," he said, giving a regal bow. The girl still didn't quite understand, tugging at the blond woman's sleeve for an explanation.

"He's one of the rulers of Gen'se," the green haired woman explained, giving him a curt bow. Fuyuka looked him over, and did not look impressed. He heard Ichigo snickering in the back. He would teach his son a lesson later.

"May I ask who you two are?" Isshin asked politely. Neliel gave Rangiku a quelling look, but the other woman just shrugged.

"I'm Rangiku, and she's Nel," she said, gesturing to Neliel with her thumb. Neliel looked annoyed with her for revealing even that much. "As much as I'd love to stay and chat, I've got to get her out of those bloody rags and home, so I'll see you guys later." Isshin recognized that she was wary with them, and nodded.

Karin stepped forth as they were leaving.

"Oi, Touka," she called out. Fuyuka looked slightly annoyed at the name. "Come back next time. I'll have learned how to read sign language by then." Fuyuka gave her a skeptical look, prompting the other girl to scowl and her sister to giggle. "Hmph! I'll show you! So you better be back, you hear?"

Fuyuka looked to Rangiku and Neliel. Rangiku scowled, but Neliel shrugged. She shrugged in return.

"Fine, then. So annoying," Karin muttered.

They waved good-bye, and Rangiku, Neliel and Fuyuka headed back towards the inn they were staying at. When they reached their room, Rangiku immediately ordered the younger girl to take a bath, grabbing the blood-stained clothes and attempting to get the blood out. When she finally got the clothes clean, Fuyuka was already asleep in bed, and she no longer had to heart to chew her out. So she decided to chew Neliel out instead.

Neither of them were willing to explain to Fuyuka the next morning why their room was in shambles.

Chapter 4