TZC: Killers and Dreamers
This is the second surprise, and the debut of Zanpakutou-verse Shuuhei and Kazeshini. It's been in the works for-freaking-ever, like everything else around here, but working on my third surprise (which is almost finished, yay!) was the impetus I needed to actually get it done. READ THE NOTES. They're important again, some of the stuff you need to know didn't quite fit in the fic. The Zanpakutou Chronicles index is this-a-way and the main index is right here. Now, on with the show!
Title: Killers and Dreamers
Word Count: 388
Rating: PG
Obligatory Disclaimer: Y'all know the drill--I do not own Bleach.
Summary: Kazeshini's got a little something to say to Shuuhei.
Notes: Okay, first off, if you haven't read chapter 325 of the manga, this isn't going to make much sense. I'd recommend the whole fight between Findor Carias and Shuuhei to get the full picture of where I was coming from when I wrote it, but the two essential pages are right here. Second, now that I've said that, let me say that this is not set after that exchange. I'm working on the assumption that Shuuhei's said or even just thought this before, so this is set pre-series, a few years or so after Shuuhei achieves shikai. Third, a note on Kazeshini himself, as he appears in this series. From the very first time I read the above manga chapter, I could see and hear the Zanpakutou-verse Kazeshini clearly. He's an old soldier...practical, blunt, abrasive, honest to a fault and absolutely brutal in combat. He has a dim view of the philosophies Shuuhei picked up from Tousen and of Tousen himself, but he has too much respect for the chain of command to call the man a crackpot out loud. After Tousen's betrayal, he never says "I told you so," not even to himself.
This is stupid, Shuuhei.
Shuuhei was already braced for the argument as soon as he entered his inner world. He’d known the instant the words left his mouth that Kazeshini would be upset, and that he was going to hear about it at the earliest opportunity. Sure enough…
You know it is. Hell, you’ve come up with some real horseshit before but-
Shuuhei tried half-heartedly to interrupt, but-as expected-it didn’t work.
Kazeshini-
What the hell do you think I am, Shuuhei?
What on earth could that mean? Kazeshini was his zanpakutou, there was no way Shuuhei couldn’t know him, at least not at this juncture.
I don’t-
Kazeshini got right up in his shinigami’s face, close enough that Shuuhei could see the pain he tried all-too-successfully to mask with fury.
I’m made to kill. You made me to kill. That’s how this fucking works, dammit!
Kazeshini.
Why are you here, Shuuhei?
The answer came immediately-Shuuhei didn’t even have to think about it.
To preserve life. To keep the balance. To prevent war.
Kazeshini sighed.
You stupid idiot.
I’m sorry.
Shuuhei told himself that he didn’t know what he was apologizing for, that he didn’t need to apologize. He was just saying it because something had to be said. Then he shook his head sharply, banishing the cowardly thoughts to beyond the borders of his soul, where they could no longer hold him back. He faced his zanpakutou and repeated his words, this time with his heart behind them.
I’m sorry.
Kazeshini turned away and rolled his eyes, but Shuuhei could see acceptance in the tilt of his head and the slow unclenching of his fists. They would probably never agree on this, but they could at least have this understanding: the enemy was without, not within.
Just...don’t hesitate if you need me. Sealed or unsealed, I don’t care. I can live with this philosophy of yours, as long as it doesn’t get you killed.
Shuuhei knew how much that concession cost his partner, so he wisely didn’t address it directly.
I promise.
Okay…okay.
Kazeshini nodded once, absently, then again. He focused on Shuuhei, who decided a peace offering was probably in order.
Meanwhile…
Yeah?
I’d better practice, don’t you think? There’s little point in having a trump card that I don’t know how to use.
Title: Killers and Dreamers
Word Count: 388
Rating: PG
Obligatory Disclaimer: Y'all know the drill--I do not own Bleach.
Summary: Kazeshini's got a little something to say to Shuuhei.
Notes: Okay, first off, if you haven't read chapter 325 of the manga, this isn't going to make much sense. I'd recommend the whole fight between Findor Carias and Shuuhei to get the full picture of where I was coming from when I wrote it, but the two essential pages are right here. Second, now that I've said that, let me say that this is not set after that exchange. I'm working on the assumption that Shuuhei's said or even just thought this before, so this is set pre-series, a few years or so after Shuuhei achieves shikai. Third, a note on Kazeshini himself, as he appears in this series. From the very first time I read the above manga chapter, I could see and hear the Zanpakutou-verse Kazeshini clearly. He's an old soldier...practical, blunt, abrasive, honest to a fault and absolutely brutal in combat. He has a dim view of the philosophies Shuuhei picked up from Tousen and of Tousen himself, but he has too much respect for the chain of command to call the man a crackpot out loud. After Tousen's betrayal, he never says "I told you so," not even to himself.
This is stupid, Shuuhei.
Shuuhei was already braced for the argument as soon as he entered his inner world. He’d known the instant the words left his mouth that Kazeshini would be upset, and that he was going to hear about it at the earliest opportunity. Sure enough…
You know it is. Hell, you’ve come up with some real horseshit before but-
Shuuhei tried half-heartedly to interrupt, but-as expected-it didn’t work.
Kazeshini-
What the hell do you think I am, Shuuhei?
What on earth could that mean? Kazeshini was his zanpakutou, there was no way Shuuhei couldn’t know him, at least not at this juncture.
I don’t-
Kazeshini got right up in his shinigami’s face, close enough that Shuuhei could see the pain he tried all-too-successfully to mask with fury.
I’m made to kill. You made me to kill. That’s how this fucking works, dammit!
Kazeshini.
Why are you here, Shuuhei?
The answer came immediately-Shuuhei didn’t even have to think about it.
To preserve life. To keep the balance. To prevent war.
Kazeshini sighed.
You stupid idiot.
I’m sorry.
Shuuhei told himself that he didn’t know what he was apologizing for, that he didn’t need to apologize. He was just saying it because something had to be said. Then he shook his head sharply, banishing the cowardly thoughts to beyond the borders of his soul, where they could no longer hold him back. He faced his zanpakutou and repeated his words, this time with his heart behind them.
I’m sorry.
Kazeshini turned away and rolled his eyes, but Shuuhei could see acceptance in the tilt of his head and the slow unclenching of his fists. They would probably never agree on this, but they could at least have this understanding: the enemy was without, not within.
Just...don’t hesitate if you need me. Sealed or unsealed, I don’t care. I can live with this philosophy of yours, as long as it doesn’t get you killed.
Shuuhei knew how much that concession cost his partner, so he wisely didn’t address it directly.
I promise.
Okay…okay.
Kazeshini nodded once, absently, then again. He focused on Shuuhei, who decided a peace offering was probably in order.
Meanwhile…
Yeah?
I’d better practice, don’t you think? There’s little point in having a trump card that I don’t know how to use.