Fic: Guilty Until Proven Innocent 3/? Hisagi/Kira.
Title: Guilty Until Proven Innocent 3/?
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Over-all ShuuKira but in this chapter Ikka+Kira, IkkaYumi, slight GinKira, Iba/Nanao, GinRan...the ShuuKira will come later, I swear.
Notes/Warnings: This chapter is for live_with_love and 0mohni0 who requested the sentence "Come wit' me, Izuru" here, as well as all those who read and commented in the first two chapters (still with me, guys? XD). Mild angst. Spoilers for the Soul Society Arc.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its sexy characters. I just borrow them and make them do my nasty bidding. They like it. A lot. >:)
Summary: In this chapter we finally find out where Kira is.
Previous Chapters:
Chapter One | Chapter Two
Also, an early birthday greeting to my dear bliriel, who gave me the plot bunny for this entire fic. Here's your birthday present, Bree!
*
“Come wit’ me, Izuru.”
Those words were like a balm to his soul and when Kira felt his restraints slide off him and to the floor he took a deep breath as if breathing for the first time. The cell door slid open, metal clanking hard against metal as the bars gave way to freedom, and he all but ran out to his Captain.
He had been running ever since.
And he couldn’t stop. He ran through back-alleys and side-roads, virtually blind in near-total darkness; running from…what? A terrifying vision of an ice-dragon came to his mind and he unconsciously sped up. The wood and stone of Seireitei disappeared around him and he was suddenly surrounded by impenetrable darkness.
He skidded to a halt, trying to catch his breath. His lungs burned. His knees shook.
What am I doing? He asked himself. Hinamori…Hinamori is hurt! Hitsugaya-taichou…Rangiku-san…
What in God’s name was he doing?
“Izuru.”
He looked up at the sound of that voice just as its owner stepped out of the shadows and into his sight. The room was dark save for a slender patch of light where the moonlight spilled in from the open doorway. Ichimaru Gin stood at its center. He cocked his head at his subordinate and smiled.
“Taichou,” he gasped out and forced himself to stand upright.
The silver-haired shinigami walked calmly toward him. Kira swallowed audibly and didn’t move when his Captain lifted a hand and ran it through his blond hair. His long, elegant fingers came away dusted with ice crystals. Kira shivered.
“Are ya hurt bad?” Ichimaru asked, tucking his hands into his sleeves.
Kira shook his head. “No, sir,” he lied. He tried to keep as still as possible when his Captain leaned in close, uncomfortably so. Ichimaru’s grin seemed to widen when he noticed his adjutant’s unease. His eyes opened fractionally, allowing the younger shinigami a glimpse of crimson-red.
“Taichou,” The blond began tentatively. His voice was barely above a whisper for fear they would get caught. He could still feel the chill of Hyourinmaru on his skin, could still hear Hinamori’s near-hysterical cries. “Where are we?” He asked.
Ichimaru’s eyes left Kira to stare into the darkness around them. “Nowhere special,” he said lightly. “Come wit’ me.” Hands tucked into his sleeves, he led the way further into the gloom. Kira followed obediently, his blue eyes warily scanning the darkness but seeing nothing. He reached out with his reiatsu and stopped in his tracks when he found that he couldn’t. Something in the room was locking his spiritual energy down.
“Taichou,” he called out worriedly and looked to the older shinigami. He stared into blackness. Ichimaru wasn’t there.
Panic gripped him. Something was wrong. A sour smell permeated the stillness. Kira’s heart was beating wildly in his chest. The air felt violent…terrifying. His captain’s name slipped out from between his fear-clenched teeth as he felt bile rise up from the back of his throat.
“Yare, yare,” came Ichimaru’s voice from behind him and Kira automatically spun on his heels to face him.
“What am I goin’ to do wit’ you, Izuru?” Ichimaru leered at him and this time Kira took a step back.
“Why did you release me?” He demanded. Ichimaru gave no reply. There was only enough light in the room for Kira to tell exactly where his captain was standing. Ichimaru still had that smile on his face. “Please tell me why you released me, Taichou.” He asked again, softer this time. He willed his voice not to shake.
This time the older shinigami opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted.
“Enough games, Gin,” a voice came out from the darkness.
Kira froze. He didn’t realize he had been holding his breath until it escaped him in a shuddering rush. It can’t be… He thought. Very slowly he turned where he stood to face a man he thought he would never see again.
“Aizen-taichou…” He breathed, fear choking his voice down to a whisper.
The allegedly murdered 5th Division Captain looked down at him warmly and smiled. “Good evening, Kira-kun,” he said.
Kira screamed.
*
His eyes fluttered open when voices reached his ears. The first thing he noticed was the light-faintly grey and spilling from the circular window over his head. Morning already, he thought miserably, and sighed.
Time passed oddly for Kira here, and he had no idea how long he had been sitting there, could barely tell the difference between wakefulness and blissful sleep. His body ached and his mind was blank as he tried to distance himself from his surroundings, from the tiny cell he was in, not unlike the one he had been in only days ago. The voices, whose owners couldn’t have been more than ten feet away, sounded far away to his ears.
“I’m sorry but Kira-fukutaichou is not allowed any visitors.”
Kira blinked and looked up at the sound of his name. Who would come to see him? He wondered numbly. Footsteps sounded from beyond his line of sight, approaching his cell, and he felt his limbs start to tremble when he remembered the last time someone had come to see him in prison. Ice touched his mind and trickled down his body until fear, ruthless and cold, clenched his heart in his chest. He gasped, suddenly feeling again the restraints wrapped tightly around him, ice-water crashing down on him, and, more vividly, the feel of cold sharp-nailed hands on his skin.
There was arguing out in the hall now. The voices grew louder as the speakers came closer and Kira shoved himself back against the wall, trying to get away from the shadows that grew steadily larger as someone approached.
The voices softened and then stopped abruptly. Someone stepped into view and Kira’s eyes widened as silver hair glinted even under the dim light. Crimson-red eyes immediately flashed through his mind and he bit back a startled cry. He quickly shook his head clear of the unwelcome image.
“Sasakibe-san,” he greeted as he lurched to his feet. To his relief, his voice was steady.
The 1st Division Vice-Captain regarded him without a word at first then heaved a great sigh. “You have a visitor,” he said and, looking irritated, stepped aside to give room to none other than the 11th Division’s 3rd seated officer.
Kira’s breath left him in a soft exhale and he rushed to the bald-headed shinigami. “Ikkaku!” He cried out, overjoyed to see a familiar face after hours of solitude. He stopped short inches from the doors of his cell.
Ikkaku’s eyes widened at the sight of the blond behind bars and he clenched his fists, fighting to remain calm. He heard Choujirou say his name in warning but ignored it. He stepped forward and closed the distance between him and Kira. “What the hell?” He grit out, taking hold of the bars. If they hadn’t been made of metal, they would have been crushed in his grip.
Sensing the older shinigami’s distress Kira lifted his hands to grasp the same bars Ikkaku did, lightly touching the other’s closed fists.
“You have ten minutes,” Choujirou said as he turned to leave. He looked back at them after taking a few steps. “Madarame, one wrong move…” He warned sternly and Ikkaku scowled.
“I got it,” Ikkaku said and Kira held on to his wrist to keep him calm. Choujirou nodded and closed the door behind him.
“How long?” The bald shinigami asked once they thought Choujirou was out of earshot. His voice was tight with barely controlled rage.
Kira swallowed. His eyes were over-bright and this time his voice shook when he spoke. “All night,” he replied.
Ikkaku cursed under his breath. Hands tightening on the bars, he gave the cell door an experimental jolt. It clanked noisily against its hinges but held fast. The clang of metal echoed down the hall but Ikkaku didn’t care. He made to do it again when strong hands gripped his wrists and squeezed.
“Stop it, Ikkaku” Kira whispered harshly, his blue eyes glaring a warning. Ikkaku heard the urgency in his voice and obeyed, albeit grudgingly.
“I thought they had ya in some low-ranking officer’s quarters,” he grit out. “Not in fuckin’ prison!” He banged against the bars once more before groaning in frustration and leaning his forehead against his fists. “This is my fault,” he said.
Kira closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “How could this possibly be your fault?” He asked, neither sarcastic nor angry. Just tired. To his surprise Ikkaku smiled; sardonically, but it was still a smile, if a frightening one. Ikkaku lifted his head to look him in the eye.
“Shoulda broken you out the first time,” he said. “That day they found Aizen dead. Shoulda locked you up in the 11th somewhere and let ya out when all this was over. Then maybe…” He trailed off then sighed. “Then maybe ya wouldn’t be in this mess.”
Kira smiled. “Maybe not,” he said. “But then you would be and Yumi would kill you.” Ikkaku laughed humorlessly and Kira stayed quiet. A group of people passed by beyond the walls of Kira’s cell and their voices floated in through the window. They were arguing heatedly. Everyone seemed to be arguing nowadays. He had been hearing people come and go outside his cell since he got here, all talking agitatedly.
“What’s happening out there, Ikkaku?”
The older shinigami’s face grew dark and his eyes hardened under the red painted on his eyelids. “What ain’t happening out there?” He said bitterly. “It’s all messed up. Taichou got into some shit for attacking Komamura-taichou. They even called Yumi and me in for questionin’. Just some questions,” he clarified when Kira’s brows drew together in concern. He shook his head. “I dunno what the big deal is. ‘s not like Tousen wasn’t in on all this with those bastards.”
“How is he?” Kira interrupted. “Hisagi-san?”
Ikkaku shrugged. “No idea. He ain’t talkin’ much. He was sleepin' when I left.” Kira nodded and he cleared his throat. “Things are pretty wild,” he went on. “I don’t think any o’ ya lieutenants went to the office today. I heard even Nanao went AWOL. No one knows what to do. Load o’ bullshit, if you ask me. We oughta hunt those bastards down. Make ‘em pay for what they did.”
Kira shook his head. “They’d cut us down to pieces.”
“I can take ‘em,” He lied.
Kira chuckled. Then something in his blue eyes changed. “Have you…have you been to the 4th?” He asked softly.
Ikkaku didn’t fail to notice Kira’s eyes glance at the bandages peeking through the neckline of his uniform but he knew the blond wasn’t asking about him. “She ain’t awake yet,” he said and wished it were anything but the truth when Kira’s eyes misted over and the blond looked away. Ikkaku swallowed and reached through the bars to lay a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Unohana-taichou’s lookin’ after her herself. She’s gonna be all right.”
He squeezed Kira’s shoulder to comfort him and the blond sniffled and wiped at the corners of his eyes. “This is insane,” he whispered into his hands and Ikkaku leaned in closer.
“Tell me about it,” he said. His hand returned to the cold metal bars and he stared at the top of Kira’s head. Now he knew why he hadn’t gone to see Kira the day they locked him up for attacking Hinamori. “Just tell ‘em yer innocent already,” he whispered and Kira’s head came up abruptly then lowered again as he stared at the floor.
“Am I?” His voice was little more than a whisper but Ikkaku heard him loud and clear. The words hung heavily over them; Ikkaku felt the weight of them in the air.
“O’course ya are,” he said after some time. “Why wouldn’t ya be?” Before the blond could form a reply, Ikkaku’s arm shot into his cell and gripped him by his shihakushou. “Ya didn’t kill anybody, did ya? Ya didn’t hurt anyone. What the fuck is wrong with ya?” He glared angrily at his former lover. Any other man would have quailed under his gaze but the younger shinigami only stared back at him.
“You don’t know,” Kira whispered. His eyes were brimming with unshed tears.
Ikkaku would have none of it. “What don’t I know? What that bastard did to ya? What he made ya do?” He shook his head in disbelief. “Rangiku told us everythin’.”
“I still helped them, Ikkaku,” Kira grasped the bald-headed shinigami’s wrist and tried to push it away. His voice was raised in response to Ikkaku’s fury.
Ikkaku held on. “Ya let Hitsugaya-taichou go back for Hinamori. Ya tried to fucking save her!”
“Hitsugaya-taichou was almost killed!”
“They’d both be dead if ya hadn’t told ‘im to go back!” Ikkaku dragged Kira towards him and the blond’s hands came up against the bars to keep himself from slamming face-first into the metal. Anger coursed through Ikkaku’s blood, raw and hot. “They woulda killed ya,” he hissed. “They woulda killed ya if you said no.”
Kira glared at him, blue eyes flashing with molten fury and despair. “Anyone else…” he said through gritted teeth. His breath was coming in pants and his whole body shook from the effort of reigning in his anger. “Anyone else would have rather died.”
Ikkaku let him go and Kira fell to his knees, trembling violently with suppressed anger. Ikkaku slowly lowered himself to his knees so he was leveled with the younger shinigami. “Damn it,” he said to no one in particular. He was shaking. Why the fuck was he shaking?
“I had no choice,” Kira whispered. “I had no choice.”
“Ain’t that what I’ve been sayin’ from the start?” He looked to Kira but the blond wasn’t looking at him, hadn’t even been speaking to him just now. “Hey.” He reached in through the bars and turned Kira so that the blond was facing him.
The blond blinked at him as if seeing him for the first time then quickly wiped his tears away, taking deep shuddering breaths at the same time. When he looked up again he had regained his composure. Ikkaku stared at him steadily, waiting. Kira opened his mouth to speak again just as the door suddenly opened and Choujirou stepped back in.
Ikkaku quelled the rage that welled up inside him at the horrid timing and glared at the 1st Division Vice-Captain who only gazed back solemnly. He looked back to Kira who looked at him miserably now.
“Time’s up.” The bald shinigami tried to say it lightly but failed. Kira looked even more miserable. Ikkaku sighed. “Here. I brought ya something.”
They both stood up as he removed the package he had kept under his arm the whole time. He passed it through the bars to Kira. “Fresh uniform,” he said when Kira took it. “Thought ya might need it.” He watched the blond unwrap the package and carefully unfold the heavy black fabric within.
“How did you…?”
The bald shinigami scratched the back of his head self-consciously. “I dropped by your place on the off chance that…that you didn’t change yer lock or anythin’,” Ikkaku said lamely. He reached into his pocket and held his hand out to Kira. “Good thing I kept forgettin’ to give this back, eh?”
Kira eyed the small key Ikkaku held out in his palm and smiled. He closed Ikkaku’s fingers around it. “Keep it,” he said and Ikkaku opened his mouth to argue. Kira shushed him gently. “We don’t…we don’t know how long I’m going to be in here,” he explained. “I could need more uniforms.” He chuckled mirthlessly then went quiet. Their eyes met and Kira squeezed Ikkaku’s wrist gently when he felt it tense.
A cool breeze misted with raindrops swept in from the window and Kira shivered. There was the distant rumble of thunder followed by the unmistakable sound of rain.
“Madarame,” Choujirou called from down the hall and Ikkaku startled and muttered a begrudging “yeah, yeah” under his breath.
“Hang in there,” Ikkaku said softly to Kira who only nodded. He took a step back from the blond but kept their eye contact. “What ya said earlier,” he began and Kira’s eyes darted from Choujirou then back to Ikkaku. The bald shinigami ignored the unwelcome lieutenant. “I hope ya know it was a whole load o’ crap.” He said, stepping away from the cell and quickly making his way down the hall.
Kira’s eyes widened fractionally and he suppressed the urge to call him back. Ikkaku was again arguing with the older shinigami but Kira didn’t even try to hear what they were saying. He watched both Ikkaku and Choujirou go with a mixture of relief and regret until they disappeared from his sight and the slamming of the door reached his ears.
*
Yumichika woke up to find that he was staring at the ceiling. He groaned when he felt his neck ache and pulled his head back up. The pain flared and he rubbed at the sore muscles, trying to massage the pain away. Sword-callused hands suddenly settled over his and he stiffened.
“Did you find him?” he asked tersely, not looking up. He took the noncommittal grunt as a yes and closed his eyes when those hands started kneading the muscled on his neck.
“Thought I told ya to go home,” Ikkaku grumbled, working out the knots in Yumichika’s shoulders. The smaller shinigami hummed then sighed.
“I thought I told you I wouldn’t,” he said, leaning his head back so it rested against Ikkaku’s hard body. He opened his eyes. “How is he?” he asked and Ikkaku looked away.
Even after all these years the bald shinigami was still uncomfortable talking to him about anything that had to do with his former lover. Yumichika waited patiently and eventually Ikkaku looked back at him.
“It could be worse,” was all he said and again Yumichika waited. Ikkaku obviously had more to say on the matter. The bald shinigami sighed and pulled up a chair and sat behind his lover, leaning in so he could wrap his arms around the other and bury his face in his hair.
“They’ve got ‘im behind bars, Yumi,” he said quietly. “Kept ‘im there all night like some criminal. It ain’t right.” Ikkaku’s arms tightened around the brunet’s lithe frame but Yumichika said nothing. “He’s innocent.”
Yumichika sighed. “Ikkaku…”
“You know he is.”
Yumichika closed his eyes. Behind him Ikkaku sighed and pulled him tighter against him. Ikkaku obviously still cared deeply for Kira but Yumichika wasn’t angry or jealous. He understood why Ikkaku had to see Kira; it was something the bald shinigami would do for any one of his friends. But Ikkaku was badly injured; the wound that ran up his torso to his chest had barely been healed before he was back on his feet again. Ikkaku may be many things but he was not invincible.
The brunet turned in his seat to face the bald shinigami and pulled him into his arms. He wanted nothing more than to go home and take Ikkaku with him. He thought about Kira locked behind bars and for one frightening moment imagined him as the traitor he was accused to be. It made a chill run down his spine.
“He is,” was all he said, trying to comfort his lover. “He’ll be okay.” He kissed Ikkaku’s forehead and Ikkaku nuzzled his hair and kissed his cheek, making Yumichika laugh softly. “Down, boy,” he chided and Ikkaku pulled away, grinning. Yumichika grinned back at him then the bald shinigami’s face became serious.
“Thanks,” Ikkaku said gruffly. His voice was low and hoarse. “Thanks for lettin’ me see ‘im.”
Yumichika’s smile softened and he shook his head. “Idiot,” he said. He huffed and looked away. “You make it sound like you needed my permission.” He turned and cupped Ikkaku’s cheek gently in his hand. “You don’t have to ask me to let you do something you want to,” he said seriously, blue-violet eyes staring into Ikkaku’s. “And I better not have to ask you to let me do something I want to,” he smiled cheekily and gave his lover’s cheek a light slap.
Ikkaku blinked and then grinned sheepishly. “o’course you don’t gotta.”
Yumichika gave him a satisfied smirk then let his face fall into a serious expression. “I want to go home, Ikkaku,” he said quietly, contradicting the words he had said only moments ago. He saw Ikkaku’s dark eyes shift from him to the doorway behind him. They were filled with worry. Yumichika ignored it and stared openly at his lover.
Eventually Ikkaku sighed and nodded. “Yeah, I guess we should. Ya look like you need some sleep.” He grinned and Yumichika’s eyes widened.
“What?!” He said anxiously, hands flying to the smooth skin under his eyes. Ikkaku chuckled and Yumichika glared at him. “Not funny,” he snapped and got up, pushing his chair back extra hard so it hit Ikkaku in the stomach. The brunet snickered and dashed for the door then yelped when strong arms caught him just as he reached it.
Ikkaku spun him around then pinned him against the door with his body. He was grinning and Yumichika was glad to see that there was no longer any trace of anxiety in his eyes. He leaned in and kissed him full on the mouth.
“Minx,” Ikkaku said once they broke apart and Yumichika only grinned. He opened his mouth to speak and ended up yelping in surprise when the door opened behind him.
Ikkaku caught him before he hit the floor and they both looked up to find Hisagi staring at them, wide-eyed.
“Sorry,” The brunet said and stepped back. “I…ahem…didn’t hear you in there.” He made a sound that sounded suspiciously like a suppressed snicker and Yumichika’s eyes narrowed into a glare. Ikkaku only grinned and pulled them both up.
“Your timing is shit, Hisagi,” Ikkaku said and clapped his friend on the back. Yumichika huffed and swiped at imaginary dust off of his uniform before looking at Hisagi.
The younger shinigami was grinning but there were dark circles around his eyes. His uniform was rumpled and his hair unkempt. Yumichika knew immediately that Hisagi had not stumbled upon them without a good reason. Ikkaku must have guessed this as well because the bald shinigami had gone quiet.
“Whatcha doin’ here?” Ikkaku asked and Yumichika looked back at Hisagi. The lieutenant’s face was serious now.
“Do you know where Kira is?” He asked tentatively. Yumichika caught a hint of quiet desperation in his voice and looked immediately to Ikkaku. He bit back a curse.
Just like that Ikkaku’s newly restored mood shattered like breaking glass. His shoulders sagged and his eyes clouded over with worry. He shook his head and looked away, muttering a curse.
Hisagi looked at him expectantly but Ikkaku wasn’t looking at him. He was looking at Yumichika who was trying very hard not to glare back at him. Ikkaku apologized to his lover with his eyes and turned to face the young lieutenant. “Yeah,” he said quietly. “Yeah, I know where he is.”
Yumichika felt a migraine coming on.
*
“You’re going to drown out there.”
A soft smile played on Nanao’s lips even before she turned to face the newcomer. “Rangiku-san,” she greeted her long-time friend.
The taller woman huffed and tossed her umbrella aside, combing her fingers through her messy blond hair. She made a face when she found that it was damp from the rain. She shuffled her feet experimentally and groaned when her tabi made wet noises against the floor.
“Ugh,” she said disgustedly, making Nanao giggle. Rangiku looked up at the sound, getting her first proper look at the bespectacled brunet standing across the room from her. “You didn’t stay here the whole night, did you?” She asked when she took in her friend’s tired face.
Nanao only smiled. “You know how stubborn Tetsuzaemon can be.”
Rangiku shook her head. She gathered her hair into her hands and attempted to squeeze some water out of it. “Well, apparently he’s not the only stubborn one around here.”
The brunet rolled her eyes. “I’ll say. I thought they asked you to come back this afternoon. What are you doing here so early?”
“I didn’t want to be late,“ Rangiku said, shrugging a shoulder, and Nanao let it slide, knowing better to argue with the older shinigami.
“Where’s Shuuhei?” The blond asked and didn’t miss the way Nanao cringed.
“I‘ll give ya three guesses,” Iba said suddenly, coming through the open doorway. He had two umbrellas with him and quickly made his way across the room toward Nanao.
Rangiku sighed. “Those two…” she said softly, shaking her head. Nanao looked at her sadly as she took the umbrella Iba offered her, unsure of what to say. Iba looked from one solemn face to the other and cleared his throat.
“He’ll be fine,” he said firmly and Rangiku seemed to snap out of it and looked at the burly lieutenant, a hint of a silent plea in her blue eyes.
“He better be,” was all she said before she looked away with a distant smile on her face.
Nanao’s heart broke. She wasn’t sure she was talking about either Hisagi or Kira anymore. “I think,” she said as she stepped closer to her friend. “This belongs to you.” She smiled as she let Rangiku’s bright pink shawl unravel between them. The blond stared at it for a moment before taking it and wrapping it around her waist. She gave the younger woman a grateful smile.
“You two should get going,” she whispered. Nanao nodded and pulled her friend into a loose hug.
“It’ll be okay, Rangiku-san,” she said softly before letting go and moving away. “It’ll be okay.”
Iba stepped over and put a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. She thanked him with a smile and silently watched the two of them leave. Halfway down the hall she saw Iba step closer to Nanao and place a hand on the small of her back.
Ya could have held on a little longer. A voice came unbidden in her mind. Her shoulders sagged and her scarf dangled limply about her, threatening to fall off completely as she heard that melodic lilt in her head.
Sayonara, Rangiku. Gomen.
She closed her eyes and tightened her scarf around herself. The rain seemed to fall harder outside.
It was going to be a long day.
TBC
A/N: That was longer than I wanted it to be with more characters than I can do justice in one go. But I do hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed making Izuru miserable writing it!
Comments? Suggestions? Violent reactions? Please let me know!
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x-posted: all_for_bleach, asterisk_plus, bleach_yaoi, kurosaki_clinic, sanbantaifuku and shuukira
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: Over-all ShuuKira but in this chapter Ikka+Kira, IkkaYumi, slight GinKira, Iba/Nanao, GinRan...the ShuuKira will come later, I swear.
Notes/Warnings: This chapter is for live_with_love and 0mohni0 who requested the sentence "Come wit' me, Izuru" here, as well as all those who read and commented in the first two chapters (still with me, guys? XD). Mild angst. Spoilers for the Soul Society Arc.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of its sexy characters. I just borrow them and make them do my nasty bidding. They like it. A lot. >:)
Summary: In this chapter we finally find out where Kira is.
Previous Chapters:
Chapter One | Chapter Two
Also, an early birthday greeting to my dear bliriel, who gave me the plot bunny for this entire fic. Here's your birthday present, Bree!
*
“Come wit’ me, Izuru.”
Those words were like a balm to his soul and when Kira felt his restraints slide off him and to the floor he took a deep breath as if breathing for the first time. The cell door slid open, metal clanking hard against metal as the bars gave way to freedom, and he all but ran out to his Captain.
He had been running ever since.
And he couldn’t stop. He ran through back-alleys and side-roads, virtually blind in near-total darkness; running from…what? A terrifying vision of an ice-dragon came to his mind and he unconsciously sped up. The wood and stone of Seireitei disappeared around him and he was suddenly surrounded by impenetrable darkness.
He skidded to a halt, trying to catch his breath. His lungs burned. His knees shook.
What am I doing? He asked himself. Hinamori…Hinamori is hurt! Hitsugaya-taichou…Rangiku-san…
What in God’s name was he doing?
“Izuru.”
He looked up at the sound of that voice just as its owner stepped out of the shadows and into his sight. The room was dark save for a slender patch of light where the moonlight spilled in from the open doorway. Ichimaru Gin stood at its center. He cocked his head at his subordinate and smiled.
“Taichou,” he gasped out and forced himself to stand upright.
The silver-haired shinigami walked calmly toward him. Kira swallowed audibly and didn’t move when his Captain lifted a hand and ran it through his blond hair. His long, elegant fingers came away dusted with ice crystals. Kira shivered.
“Are ya hurt bad?” Ichimaru asked, tucking his hands into his sleeves.
Kira shook his head. “No, sir,” he lied. He tried to keep as still as possible when his Captain leaned in close, uncomfortably so. Ichimaru’s grin seemed to widen when he noticed his adjutant’s unease. His eyes opened fractionally, allowing the younger shinigami a glimpse of crimson-red.
“Taichou,” The blond began tentatively. His voice was barely above a whisper for fear they would get caught. He could still feel the chill of Hyourinmaru on his skin, could still hear Hinamori’s near-hysterical cries. “Where are we?” He asked.
Ichimaru’s eyes left Kira to stare into the darkness around them. “Nowhere special,” he said lightly. “Come wit’ me.” Hands tucked into his sleeves, he led the way further into the gloom. Kira followed obediently, his blue eyes warily scanning the darkness but seeing nothing. He reached out with his reiatsu and stopped in his tracks when he found that he couldn’t. Something in the room was locking his spiritual energy down.
“Taichou,” he called out worriedly and looked to the older shinigami. He stared into blackness. Ichimaru wasn’t there.
Panic gripped him. Something was wrong. A sour smell permeated the stillness. Kira’s heart was beating wildly in his chest. The air felt violent…terrifying. His captain’s name slipped out from between his fear-clenched teeth as he felt bile rise up from the back of his throat.
“Yare, yare,” came Ichimaru’s voice from behind him and Kira automatically spun on his heels to face him.
“What am I goin’ to do wit’ you, Izuru?” Ichimaru leered at him and this time Kira took a step back.
“Why did you release me?” He demanded. Ichimaru gave no reply. There was only enough light in the room for Kira to tell exactly where his captain was standing. Ichimaru still had that smile on his face. “Please tell me why you released me, Taichou.” He asked again, softer this time. He willed his voice not to shake.
This time the older shinigami opened his mouth to speak but was interrupted.
“Enough games, Gin,” a voice came out from the darkness.
Kira froze. He didn’t realize he had been holding his breath until it escaped him in a shuddering rush. It can’t be… He thought. Very slowly he turned where he stood to face a man he thought he would never see again.
“Aizen-taichou…” He breathed, fear choking his voice down to a whisper.
The allegedly murdered 5th Division Captain looked down at him warmly and smiled. “Good evening, Kira-kun,” he said.
Kira screamed.
*
His eyes fluttered open when voices reached his ears. The first thing he noticed was the light-faintly grey and spilling from the circular window over his head. Morning already, he thought miserably, and sighed.
Time passed oddly for Kira here, and he had no idea how long he had been sitting there, could barely tell the difference between wakefulness and blissful sleep. His body ached and his mind was blank as he tried to distance himself from his surroundings, from the tiny cell he was in, not unlike the one he had been in only days ago. The voices, whose owners couldn’t have been more than ten feet away, sounded far away to his ears.
“I’m sorry but Kira-fukutaichou is not allowed any visitors.”
Kira blinked and looked up at the sound of his name. Who would come to see him? He wondered numbly. Footsteps sounded from beyond his line of sight, approaching his cell, and he felt his limbs start to tremble when he remembered the last time someone had come to see him in prison. Ice touched his mind and trickled down his body until fear, ruthless and cold, clenched his heart in his chest. He gasped, suddenly feeling again the restraints wrapped tightly around him, ice-water crashing down on him, and, more vividly, the feel of cold sharp-nailed hands on his skin.
There was arguing out in the hall now. The voices grew louder as the speakers came closer and Kira shoved himself back against the wall, trying to get away from the shadows that grew steadily larger as someone approached.
The voices softened and then stopped abruptly. Someone stepped into view and Kira’s eyes widened as silver hair glinted even under the dim light. Crimson-red eyes immediately flashed through his mind and he bit back a startled cry. He quickly shook his head clear of the unwelcome image.
“Sasakibe-san,” he greeted as he lurched to his feet. To his relief, his voice was steady.
The 1st Division Vice-Captain regarded him without a word at first then heaved a great sigh. “You have a visitor,” he said and, looking irritated, stepped aside to give room to none other than the 11th Division’s 3rd seated officer.
Kira’s breath left him in a soft exhale and he rushed to the bald-headed shinigami. “Ikkaku!” He cried out, overjoyed to see a familiar face after hours of solitude. He stopped short inches from the doors of his cell.
Ikkaku’s eyes widened at the sight of the blond behind bars and he clenched his fists, fighting to remain calm. He heard Choujirou say his name in warning but ignored it. He stepped forward and closed the distance between him and Kira. “What the hell?” He grit out, taking hold of the bars. If they hadn’t been made of metal, they would have been crushed in his grip.
Sensing the older shinigami’s distress Kira lifted his hands to grasp the same bars Ikkaku did, lightly touching the other’s closed fists.
“You have ten minutes,” Choujirou said as he turned to leave. He looked back at them after taking a few steps. “Madarame, one wrong move…” He warned sternly and Ikkaku scowled.
“I got it,” Ikkaku said and Kira held on to his wrist to keep him calm. Choujirou nodded and closed the door behind him.
“How long?” The bald shinigami asked once they thought Choujirou was out of earshot. His voice was tight with barely controlled rage.
Kira swallowed. His eyes were over-bright and this time his voice shook when he spoke. “All night,” he replied.
Ikkaku cursed under his breath. Hands tightening on the bars, he gave the cell door an experimental jolt. It clanked noisily against its hinges but held fast. The clang of metal echoed down the hall but Ikkaku didn’t care. He made to do it again when strong hands gripped his wrists and squeezed.
“Stop it, Ikkaku” Kira whispered harshly, his blue eyes glaring a warning. Ikkaku heard the urgency in his voice and obeyed, albeit grudgingly.
“I thought they had ya in some low-ranking officer’s quarters,” he grit out. “Not in fuckin’ prison!” He banged against the bars once more before groaning in frustration and leaning his forehead against his fists. “This is my fault,” he said.
Kira closed his eyes and took a deep breath. “How could this possibly be your fault?” He asked, neither sarcastic nor angry. Just tired. To his surprise Ikkaku smiled; sardonically, but it was still a smile, if a frightening one. Ikkaku lifted his head to look him in the eye.
“Shoulda broken you out the first time,” he said. “That day they found Aizen dead. Shoulda locked you up in the 11th somewhere and let ya out when all this was over. Then maybe…” He trailed off then sighed. “Then maybe ya wouldn’t be in this mess.”
Kira smiled. “Maybe not,” he said. “But then you would be and Yumi would kill you.” Ikkaku laughed humorlessly and Kira stayed quiet. A group of people passed by beyond the walls of Kira’s cell and their voices floated in through the window. They were arguing heatedly. Everyone seemed to be arguing nowadays. He had been hearing people come and go outside his cell since he got here, all talking agitatedly.
“What’s happening out there, Ikkaku?”
The older shinigami’s face grew dark and his eyes hardened under the red painted on his eyelids. “What ain’t happening out there?” He said bitterly. “It’s all messed up. Taichou got into some shit for attacking Komamura-taichou. They even called Yumi and me in for questionin’. Just some questions,” he clarified when Kira’s brows drew together in concern. He shook his head. “I dunno what the big deal is. ‘s not like Tousen wasn’t in on all this with those bastards.”
“How is he?” Kira interrupted. “Hisagi-san?”
Ikkaku shrugged. “No idea. He ain’t talkin’ much. He was sleepin' when I left.” Kira nodded and he cleared his throat. “Things are pretty wild,” he went on. “I don’t think any o’ ya lieutenants went to the office today. I heard even Nanao went AWOL. No one knows what to do. Load o’ bullshit, if you ask me. We oughta hunt those bastards down. Make ‘em pay for what they did.”
Kira shook his head. “They’d cut us down to pieces.”
“I can take ‘em,” He lied.
Kira chuckled. Then something in his blue eyes changed. “Have you…have you been to the 4th?” He asked softly.
Ikkaku didn’t fail to notice Kira’s eyes glance at the bandages peeking through the neckline of his uniform but he knew the blond wasn’t asking about him. “She ain’t awake yet,” he said and wished it were anything but the truth when Kira’s eyes misted over and the blond looked away. Ikkaku swallowed and reached through the bars to lay a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “Unohana-taichou’s lookin’ after her herself. She’s gonna be all right.”
He squeezed Kira’s shoulder to comfort him and the blond sniffled and wiped at the corners of his eyes. “This is insane,” he whispered into his hands and Ikkaku leaned in closer.
“Tell me about it,” he said. His hand returned to the cold metal bars and he stared at the top of Kira’s head. Now he knew why he hadn’t gone to see Kira the day they locked him up for attacking Hinamori. “Just tell ‘em yer innocent already,” he whispered and Kira’s head came up abruptly then lowered again as he stared at the floor.
“Am I?” His voice was little more than a whisper but Ikkaku heard him loud and clear. The words hung heavily over them; Ikkaku felt the weight of them in the air.
“O’course ya are,” he said after some time. “Why wouldn’t ya be?” Before the blond could form a reply, Ikkaku’s arm shot into his cell and gripped him by his shihakushou. “Ya didn’t kill anybody, did ya? Ya didn’t hurt anyone. What the fuck is wrong with ya?” He glared angrily at his former lover. Any other man would have quailed under his gaze but the younger shinigami only stared back at him.
“You don’t know,” Kira whispered. His eyes were brimming with unshed tears.
Ikkaku would have none of it. “What don’t I know? What that bastard did to ya? What he made ya do?” He shook his head in disbelief. “Rangiku told us everythin’.”
“I still helped them, Ikkaku,” Kira grasped the bald-headed shinigami’s wrist and tried to push it away. His voice was raised in response to Ikkaku’s fury.
Ikkaku held on. “Ya let Hitsugaya-taichou go back for Hinamori. Ya tried to fucking save her!”
“Hitsugaya-taichou was almost killed!”
“They’d both be dead if ya hadn’t told ‘im to go back!” Ikkaku dragged Kira towards him and the blond’s hands came up against the bars to keep himself from slamming face-first into the metal. Anger coursed through Ikkaku’s blood, raw and hot. “They woulda killed ya,” he hissed. “They woulda killed ya if you said no.”
Kira glared at him, blue eyes flashing with molten fury and despair. “Anyone else…” he said through gritted teeth. His breath was coming in pants and his whole body shook from the effort of reigning in his anger. “Anyone else would have rather died.”
Ikkaku let him go and Kira fell to his knees, trembling violently with suppressed anger. Ikkaku slowly lowered himself to his knees so he was leveled with the younger shinigami. “Damn it,” he said to no one in particular. He was shaking. Why the fuck was he shaking?
“I had no choice,” Kira whispered. “I had no choice.”
“Ain’t that what I’ve been sayin’ from the start?” He looked to Kira but the blond wasn’t looking at him, hadn’t even been speaking to him just now. “Hey.” He reached in through the bars and turned Kira so that the blond was facing him.
The blond blinked at him as if seeing him for the first time then quickly wiped his tears away, taking deep shuddering breaths at the same time. When he looked up again he had regained his composure. Ikkaku stared at him steadily, waiting. Kira opened his mouth to speak again just as the door suddenly opened and Choujirou stepped back in.
Ikkaku quelled the rage that welled up inside him at the horrid timing and glared at the 1st Division Vice-Captain who only gazed back solemnly. He looked back to Kira who looked at him miserably now.
“Time’s up.” The bald shinigami tried to say it lightly but failed. Kira looked even more miserable. Ikkaku sighed. “Here. I brought ya something.”
They both stood up as he removed the package he had kept under his arm the whole time. He passed it through the bars to Kira. “Fresh uniform,” he said when Kira took it. “Thought ya might need it.” He watched the blond unwrap the package and carefully unfold the heavy black fabric within.
“How did you…?”
The bald shinigami scratched the back of his head self-consciously. “I dropped by your place on the off chance that…that you didn’t change yer lock or anythin’,” Ikkaku said lamely. He reached into his pocket and held his hand out to Kira. “Good thing I kept forgettin’ to give this back, eh?”
Kira eyed the small key Ikkaku held out in his palm and smiled. He closed Ikkaku’s fingers around it. “Keep it,” he said and Ikkaku opened his mouth to argue. Kira shushed him gently. “We don’t…we don’t know how long I’m going to be in here,” he explained. “I could need more uniforms.” He chuckled mirthlessly then went quiet. Their eyes met and Kira squeezed Ikkaku’s wrist gently when he felt it tense.
A cool breeze misted with raindrops swept in from the window and Kira shivered. There was the distant rumble of thunder followed by the unmistakable sound of rain.
“Madarame,” Choujirou called from down the hall and Ikkaku startled and muttered a begrudging “yeah, yeah” under his breath.
“Hang in there,” Ikkaku said softly to Kira who only nodded. He took a step back from the blond but kept their eye contact. “What ya said earlier,” he began and Kira’s eyes darted from Choujirou then back to Ikkaku. The bald shinigami ignored the unwelcome lieutenant. “I hope ya know it was a whole load o’ crap.” He said, stepping away from the cell and quickly making his way down the hall.
Kira’s eyes widened fractionally and he suppressed the urge to call him back. Ikkaku was again arguing with the older shinigami but Kira didn’t even try to hear what they were saying. He watched both Ikkaku and Choujirou go with a mixture of relief and regret until they disappeared from his sight and the slamming of the door reached his ears.
*
Yumichika woke up to find that he was staring at the ceiling. He groaned when he felt his neck ache and pulled his head back up. The pain flared and he rubbed at the sore muscles, trying to massage the pain away. Sword-callused hands suddenly settled over his and he stiffened.
“Did you find him?” he asked tersely, not looking up. He took the noncommittal grunt as a yes and closed his eyes when those hands started kneading the muscled on his neck.
“Thought I told ya to go home,” Ikkaku grumbled, working out the knots in Yumichika’s shoulders. The smaller shinigami hummed then sighed.
“I thought I told you I wouldn’t,” he said, leaning his head back so it rested against Ikkaku’s hard body. He opened his eyes. “How is he?” he asked and Ikkaku looked away.
Even after all these years the bald shinigami was still uncomfortable talking to him about anything that had to do with his former lover. Yumichika waited patiently and eventually Ikkaku looked back at him.
“It could be worse,” was all he said and again Yumichika waited. Ikkaku obviously had more to say on the matter. The bald shinigami sighed and pulled up a chair and sat behind his lover, leaning in so he could wrap his arms around the other and bury his face in his hair.
“They’ve got ‘im behind bars, Yumi,” he said quietly. “Kept ‘im there all night like some criminal. It ain’t right.” Ikkaku’s arms tightened around the brunet’s lithe frame but Yumichika said nothing. “He’s innocent.”
Yumichika sighed. “Ikkaku…”
“You know he is.”
Yumichika closed his eyes. Behind him Ikkaku sighed and pulled him tighter against him. Ikkaku obviously still cared deeply for Kira but Yumichika wasn’t angry or jealous. He understood why Ikkaku had to see Kira; it was something the bald shinigami would do for any one of his friends. But Ikkaku was badly injured; the wound that ran up his torso to his chest had barely been healed before he was back on his feet again. Ikkaku may be many things but he was not invincible.
The brunet turned in his seat to face the bald shinigami and pulled him into his arms. He wanted nothing more than to go home and take Ikkaku with him. He thought about Kira locked behind bars and for one frightening moment imagined him as the traitor he was accused to be. It made a chill run down his spine.
“He is,” was all he said, trying to comfort his lover. “He’ll be okay.” He kissed Ikkaku’s forehead and Ikkaku nuzzled his hair and kissed his cheek, making Yumichika laugh softly. “Down, boy,” he chided and Ikkaku pulled away, grinning. Yumichika grinned back at him then the bald shinigami’s face became serious.
“Thanks,” Ikkaku said gruffly. His voice was low and hoarse. “Thanks for lettin’ me see ‘im.”
Yumichika’s smile softened and he shook his head. “Idiot,” he said. He huffed and looked away. “You make it sound like you needed my permission.” He turned and cupped Ikkaku’s cheek gently in his hand. “You don’t have to ask me to let you do something you want to,” he said seriously, blue-violet eyes staring into Ikkaku’s. “And I better not have to ask you to let me do something I want to,” he smiled cheekily and gave his lover’s cheek a light slap.
Ikkaku blinked and then grinned sheepishly. “o’course you don’t gotta.”
Yumichika gave him a satisfied smirk then let his face fall into a serious expression. “I want to go home, Ikkaku,” he said quietly, contradicting the words he had said only moments ago. He saw Ikkaku’s dark eyes shift from him to the doorway behind him. They were filled with worry. Yumichika ignored it and stared openly at his lover.
Eventually Ikkaku sighed and nodded. “Yeah, I guess we should. Ya look like you need some sleep.” He grinned and Yumichika’s eyes widened.
“What?!” He said anxiously, hands flying to the smooth skin under his eyes. Ikkaku chuckled and Yumichika glared at him. “Not funny,” he snapped and got up, pushing his chair back extra hard so it hit Ikkaku in the stomach. The brunet snickered and dashed for the door then yelped when strong arms caught him just as he reached it.
Ikkaku spun him around then pinned him against the door with his body. He was grinning and Yumichika was glad to see that there was no longer any trace of anxiety in his eyes. He leaned in and kissed him full on the mouth.
“Minx,” Ikkaku said once they broke apart and Yumichika only grinned. He opened his mouth to speak and ended up yelping in surprise when the door opened behind him.
Ikkaku caught him before he hit the floor and they both looked up to find Hisagi staring at them, wide-eyed.
“Sorry,” The brunet said and stepped back. “I…ahem…didn’t hear you in there.” He made a sound that sounded suspiciously like a suppressed snicker and Yumichika’s eyes narrowed into a glare. Ikkaku only grinned and pulled them both up.
“Your timing is shit, Hisagi,” Ikkaku said and clapped his friend on the back. Yumichika huffed and swiped at imaginary dust off of his uniform before looking at Hisagi.
The younger shinigami was grinning but there were dark circles around his eyes. His uniform was rumpled and his hair unkempt. Yumichika knew immediately that Hisagi had not stumbled upon them without a good reason. Ikkaku must have guessed this as well because the bald shinigami had gone quiet.
“Whatcha doin’ here?” Ikkaku asked and Yumichika looked back at Hisagi. The lieutenant’s face was serious now.
“Do you know where Kira is?” He asked tentatively. Yumichika caught a hint of quiet desperation in his voice and looked immediately to Ikkaku. He bit back a curse.
Just like that Ikkaku’s newly restored mood shattered like breaking glass. His shoulders sagged and his eyes clouded over with worry. He shook his head and looked away, muttering a curse.
Hisagi looked at him expectantly but Ikkaku wasn’t looking at him. He was looking at Yumichika who was trying very hard not to glare back at him. Ikkaku apologized to his lover with his eyes and turned to face the young lieutenant. “Yeah,” he said quietly. “Yeah, I know where he is.”
Yumichika felt a migraine coming on.
*
“You’re going to drown out there.”
A soft smile played on Nanao’s lips even before she turned to face the newcomer. “Rangiku-san,” she greeted her long-time friend.
The taller woman huffed and tossed her umbrella aside, combing her fingers through her messy blond hair. She made a face when she found that it was damp from the rain. She shuffled her feet experimentally and groaned when her tabi made wet noises against the floor.
“Ugh,” she said disgustedly, making Nanao giggle. Rangiku looked up at the sound, getting her first proper look at the bespectacled brunet standing across the room from her. “You didn’t stay here the whole night, did you?” She asked when she took in her friend’s tired face.
Nanao only smiled. “You know how stubborn Tetsuzaemon can be.”
Rangiku shook her head. She gathered her hair into her hands and attempted to squeeze some water out of it. “Well, apparently he’s not the only stubborn one around here.”
The brunet rolled her eyes. “I’ll say. I thought they asked you to come back this afternoon. What are you doing here so early?”
“I didn’t want to be late,“ Rangiku said, shrugging a shoulder, and Nanao let it slide, knowing better to argue with the older shinigami.
“Where’s Shuuhei?” The blond asked and didn’t miss the way Nanao cringed.
“I‘ll give ya three guesses,” Iba said suddenly, coming through the open doorway. He had two umbrellas with him and quickly made his way across the room toward Nanao.
Rangiku sighed. “Those two…” she said softly, shaking her head. Nanao looked at her sadly as she took the umbrella Iba offered her, unsure of what to say. Iba looked from one solemn face to the other and cleared his throat.
“He’ll be fine,” he said firmly and Rangiku seemed to snap out of it and looked at the burly lieutenant, a hint of a silent plea in her blue eyes.
“He better be,” was all she said before she looked away with a distant smile on her face.
Nanao’s heart broke. She wasn’t sure she was talking about either Hisagi or Kira anymore. “I think,” she said as she stepped closer to her friend. “This belongs to you.” She smiled as she let Rangiku’s bright pink shawl unravel between them. The blond stared at it for a moment before taking it and wrapping it around her waist. She gave the younger woman a grateful smile.
“You two should get going,” she whispered. Nanao nodded and pulled her friend into a loose hug.
“It’ll be okay, Rangiku-san,” she said softly before letting go and moving away. “It’ll be okay.”
Iba stepped over and put a hand on her shoulder, squeezing gently. She thanked him with a smile and silently watched the two of them leave. Halfway down the hall she saw Iba step closer to Nanao and place a hand on the small of her back.
Ya could have held on a little longer. A voice came unbidden in her mind. Her shoulders sagged and her scarf dangled limply about her, threatening to fall off completely as she heard that melodic lilt in her head.
Sayonara, Rangiku. Gomen.
She closed her eyes and tightened her scarf around herself. The rain seemed to fall harder outside.
It was going to be a long day.
TBC
A/N: That was longer than I wanted it to be with more characters than I can do justice in one go. But I do hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed making Izuru miserable writing it!
Comments? Suggestions? Violent reactions? Please let me know!
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x-posted: all_for_bleach, asterisk_plus, bleach_yaoi, kurosaki_clinic, sanbantaifuku and shuukira