Adult-FanFiction.org : Bleach

Prize of Victory 2
By : NovaAlexandria
Category: Bleach > General
Views: 56251 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach nor make a profit from this story
Chapter List
- 104
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Off Princess and Towers

Ulquiorra didn�t bother to stir Orihime awake once the last couple had been seen to, but rather just picked her up bridal style and disappeared into a Sonido with a nod to the others once they were outside. There was going to be a meeting tomorrow, or today he supposed, at noon. He was going to make sure his Mate got as much rest as possible before she would, inevitably, sneak out and head towards the 4^th to keep working, and catch up some more with her long missing companions.

Ajuga and Diaemus should be returning tomorrow as well, and he knew his mate was looking forward to seeing their son, and apparent daughter-in-law, again. He wondered how much becoming monarchs had altered the two and he would silently confess he was looking forward to seeing his son again to view for himself the changes wrought upon him.

Orihime barely even stirred as he made it to their home, got her into their room, stripped her down, and tucked her into bed. He joined her shortly after, nestling against her side but unable to sleep just yet. He could see her, even touch her, but it wasn�t the same without the Claim. He felt so�. Hollow without her sparkling emotions playing through him. He had never realized just how much the Claim meant to him until now, nor had he realized how much he had taken it for granted.

He recalled Szayel�s promise about possibly being able to get Karin to intercede and get Mating Claims up, and he silently prayed the scientist was successful. He could not wait for this month to end, and it was only now that he realized he�d become addicted to feeling her cheerful emotions coursing through him.

It was no wonder so many Arrancar had changed. Having gained half of a Shinigami soul thanks to the now destroyed Hogyoku, they were capable of experiencing far more emotions than simply the dark ones, most of them just hadn�t known �how� to feel them, let alone what they were. Ulquiorra was just beginning to realize that, through their Claims, they had been emotionally trained how to feel things like love, real joy, and a large number of other positive emotions. True Vasto Lorde possessed a larger selection of emotions, but they still paled compared to the full spectrum.

�Some would say that casting Claims on the Shinigami has corrupted us, while others would say it has healed us. I prefer to think it the later. Of course, not all horses that are led to water will drink it,� he thought, thinking of idiots like the now deceased Yammy and Barragan. �Granted, if you do nothing but beat your pet until they fear you, fear is the only emotion you will get, so no �reconditioning� ever occurred.�

It was an interesting theory, one he might want to bring up with the others. If Karin could set two way Claims, than those who have been emotionally damage or stunted could get that helping emotional boost by being linked to someone like the spirited Orihime, just as she had �taught� and �healed� him. Who knew, it might even help heal things like depression.

Gazing down at her now, sleeping beside him and snoring softly, he could feel his body warm as the emotion he knew as love washed over him.

�Perhaps, there is a good side to the Claims being taken down, for it is only now that I have realized just how much what I am feeling is me. All these emotions; love, pride, joy� they are mine, not hers. I have no doubt in my mind now. I LOVE ORHIME. This emotion is mine, and I relish in it. I am proud of my son, although I did not doubt that one, for Diaemus is an excellent child. I like and care for, of all people, Grimmjow, who taught me what I needed to know to mend my relationship with Orihime, a relationship that has brought me here.� It was both a sobering and surprising thought.

He brought a hand up and brushed some of Orihime�s hair out of her face. She didn�t even shift, which just proved to him how exhausted she was. Still, she had saved lots of lives today, and that was something she always deemed as worth it.

Ulquiorra wasn�t positive when it was that he finally drifted asleep, only that when he awoke it was to find the bed empty. His first reaction was to check for her presence with the Claim, but when that came up as an empty void he damn near shot out of bed in a panic, convinced something horrible had happened to his Mate. His reiatsu rushed out in a desperate bid to find her, even as he bolted out of bed.

�Oi, you are going to be sending the neighbours running,� Orihime admonished from the kitchen, even as he detected her signature there.

There was a fair amount of amusement in her voice and her eyes glistened with barely suppressed humour as he joined her in their kitchen, a slight hint of embarrassment hanging on his frame from his over reaction. The next month was going to kill him, drive him absolutely insane.

�Perhaps,� he mused, �I should just keep her by my side and not let her out of my sight.�

That would probably drive him bonkers before it drove her batty. She had no problems towing him around everywhere while she fluttered around everyone like a social butterfly. He had no real desire to see Kurosaki again either. The last time they had really met had been fifteen years ago when they had fought over the right to take Orihime. He didn�t count the hours they had spent last night going through the couples and breaking Claims while expounded on the new laws. That had hardly been a social setting.

The cold, rational hollow side of him pointed out that the real reason he had no desire to see Ichigo was because the Hybrid had become far stronger than he was, based on what he�d seen during the battle with Aizen. With the Claim now down, Ichigo could easily take Orihime from him. The new emotional side reminded him that Orihime loved him, that the new laws protected such a thing from occurring. Orihime would never leave him, and Ichigo would never forcibly take someone. Besides, like it or not, he was going to be seeing Ichigo this afternoon anyhow.

�Breakfast is ready,� Orihime announced, breaking him out of his internal musings.

Breakfast consisted of pancakes with a large selection of toppings arrayed on the table to pick from. Everything from cut fruit and syrup to wasabe and soy sauce. He kept to the fruit and syrup and tried not to watch the selection his mate picked. If it was one thing he was damn thankful for, it was that Diaemus had not picked up his mother�s strange eating habits.

�I am going to go back to the Fourth when we are done eating. There is still a lot of work to be done there,� Orihime announced. �Afterwards, I was going to go to the market to pick some things up for dinner tonight. It�s been weeks since Diaemus-kun has been home, and I can�t wait to sit around the table like a family again,� she sighed wistfully.

�I would feel more comfortable if you avoided the market for a few days.�

She pouted up at him in clear disappointment.

�As you saw this morning, emotions are going to be high with the Claims off. I would sooner avoid any� unpleasantries.�

�Ulquiorra Cifer, are you implying that I can not take care of myself?� Orihime demanded, and he had a sickening feeling he was falling into one of those traps Grimmjow had once warned him about.

�It is an irrational fear, but nonetheless, a fear that is plaguing me,� he confessed. �I do not like not knowing where you are, or if you are in danger or not.�

Orihime beamed happily at him, and he silently thanked whoever was up there that he�d managed to avoid the steel fangs that had threaten to close in on him.

�Would it make you feel better if I didn�t go alone?� she questioned. �And you can track me all day if you need to, I know you can.�

He could, and he would feel better if she went with someone, strength in numbers and all that. Besides, he was an Espada, and now that the new ruling council intended to incorporate both Taichou and Espada, he had a confident image he was expected to maintain. If he could not trust the new system, couldn�t trust Orihime to go about her business by herself, than why would any of the others come to do the same?

�Go to the market, and I will not track you all day,� he promised. �Although, I will periodically check on your progress.�

Orihime rose from her spot at the table and came around to stand before him, a wide smile on her face. She leaned down and captured his lips with her own for a brief kiss, before breaking it off and kneeling before him so she was level with his still seated form.

�I love you Ulquiorra,� she declared firmly. �I have no plans on leaving you, and many plans on, hopefully, having more children over the years that will, undoubtly, brighten our home and give us grey hairs all at the same time. And don�t worry,� she stood up and let her smile widen completely, �I plan on telling everyone I meet how I can�t wait for this month to be over. I like having your reiatsu encompassing mine. Like I once told Karin-chan, it feels like having a warm blanket wrapped around your shoulders on a cold day, and it is something I know you will never abuse.

�I have to get to the Fourth, and I promise I will both not work myself to exhaustion, and have someone with me when I go to the Market. I bet Karin-chan will even want to come, she is going to have to pick something out for Ajuga-chan�s return. Although, she might be busy, she is still technically an acting fukutaichou. In fact, I am probably the only one who is not going to be running around with tasks and chores all day.

�I know!� she exclaimed excitedly, �I should cook dinner for all of us. Karin and Grimmjow should come over with Ajuga for dinner tonight, that way they won�t have to worry about cooking too since they are going to be so busy. What do you think?� she asked him, a beaming smile on her face.

He thought it was a terrible idea, but conceded it made sense from a practical standpoint. He�d had non unpleasant dinners with Grimmjow before, and it would behove them to meet Ajuga and Diaemus together after their return. As the more powerful, he supposed it was his duty to see to the new couple and host the meeting between packs.

�At least this way, they will only be interrogated by their mothers once,� he reminded himself, a slight quirk of a smile touching the corner of one side of his lips.

�It is acceptable,� he conceded.

�Excellent.� Orihime gave him another deep kiss.

With that, she put her plate in the sink and headed out the door, leaving him alone in the house. He had to consciously force himself not to track her reiatsu like a bloodhound on a scent trail, and used finishing his own meal and cleaning up breakfast as a way to distract himself. They would only be emotionally separated for a month, a short period indeed when considering the lifespan he had already, and was expected to live. By the time he was done his tasks, it was almost noon.

Locking the door behind him, he headed towards the meeting hall where all meetings had taken place since the late Yamamoto, possibly even before for all he knew. It was bound to be a long one, and he wondered how many issues had arisen today already. He was also impressed with himself, he only sought her out four times in the walk there.

(POV)

He floated on his back, weightless and boneless in the dark current that had enveloped him. It bore him in an unknown direction. His lungs worked and his mouth took in air, but the rest of his body remained unresponsive, arms and legs trailing like limp seaweed.

Letting go was so bloody peaceful. The quiet, the solitude� it was pure bliss. There were no nagging obligations, no one forcing him to do or be anything other than a bit of flotsam. He didn�t have to hurt anyone or make anyone bleed, nor worry about anyone forcing him to bleed in return. He didn�t have to move a muscle, which was just fine, because he wasn�t certain he could move them if it came to it. The only thing keeping him buoyant was what he inhaled. The rest didn�t matter all that much.

The waves surrounding him weren�t bathtub-hot, nor were they ocean-cold. Instead, they were just right. The splashing as they lapped at him mixed with the muted drone when the water temporarily covered his ears, mesmerized him. Yumichika thought he could hear them cajoling him to sink just a little further, to let them fill his chest and put an end to all of that pesky breathing�

It took a while before he realized that there were other words mixed in with the droning.

��the fairy wanted to enter, she stood below and called out: �Rapunzel, Rapunzel... your hair to me.� Rapunzel had splendid hair, as fine as spun gold. When the fairy spoke her name, she untied it, wound it around a window hook� let it fall twenty yards to the ground and the fairy climbed up it. One day � where the tower stood. He saw the beautiful Rapunzel standing at her window��

It came and went, at first, but in time, the piping, childish voice grew stronger and clearer. At the same time, Yumichika began to feel the faint stirrings of sensation in his fingers and toes.

Along with them came the first hint of dull pain.

�On the evening of the same day that she� the cut-off hair to the hook at the top of the tower, and when the prince called out: �Rapunzel, Rapunzel! Let down your hair!� she let down...�

He�d been doing something important before he�d come here, he recalled and as he tried to recall what it was, the pain grew worse. It became harder to remain afloat and the urge to struggle, to move his arms and legs got stronger.

The speaker�s voice, one he felt he knew but couldn�t label with a proper name, wavered as it said the next few lines.

�The prince, in his despair, threw himself from the tower. He escaped with his life, but he lost his eyesight in the fall.�

The sniffles that accompanied it seemed sincere, though Yumichika suspected that they were for someone other than the blind nobleman. They also kindled in him a sense of urgency at odds with his environment.

�Sorrowfully he wandered about in the forest weeping, sightless and ragged. Some years later, he happened into the wilderness where Rapunzel lived miserably with her children and heard a woman singing sadly��

That was it� there had been a woman and a child he�d needed to help.

The baby�s name� had it been� Avispona?

Yes, that was it. That was the name.

He�d caught her� but then�

Yumichika flailed now, desperate to hang onto that little thread and to find some sort of solid footing in the shoreless, dark expanse. If he could keep hold of it, he could work his way out of a place that had gone from a soothing sanctuary to a deceptively deadly trap.

�I�m so sorry, Yumi-san. I wish they didn�t have to cut your hair. It was so pretty��

Those words made him frown, though one half of his mouth failed to curl downwards as it should have. He reached out, to try to see if what the girl, as he�d worked out from the voice�s tone and pitch, had said was true. His ridiculously long tresses, one of Barragan�s many requirements, ought to have been easy to find in the water.

There was nothing to the left side of his head and the strands he expected to encounter to his right were far shorter than he remembered.

Barragan would be angry� except, he remembered, that the skeleton was dead and gone, eaten by his own released power.

He was no longer a slave and he didn�t have to stay trapped in the remnants of the bone-bag�s power. All he had to do was let the blackness fade away and he would escape the rot that had held him captive for the last decade-and-a-half.

�The prince thought her voice was familiar and walked through the forest towards the singer. She recognized him instantly and threw her arms around his neck.�

The gloom had lightened and he became aware of a small hand on his arm, patting it carefully, as if the person touching him didn�t want to hurt him. The sensation was shocking, more so because her fingertips didn�t feel as if they were made of flesh. They also caught on the fine hairs that grew on his forearm, snagging them and giving him the sensation of pinpricks. Ironically, that helped him regain a sense of mastery over his physical form and his limbs.

�Two of her tears fell into his eyes and they became clear once again. He could see as well as before. They rejoiced at their reunion and the prince led Rapunzel and their children back to his kingdom, where they lived happily ever after.�

He no longer floated, but instead, rushed upwards, towards the hand, the voice and the light he detected on the uninjured side of his face.

Why did his face hurt?

Why was he only able to open one eye?

For a second, all he saw was a hurtful brightness, until a shadow moved between him and what he suspected was an un-shuttered window, though two small parts of the obstacle glittered when the sunlight hit them. The voice spoke again and Yumichika understood the blockage was a person, sitting next to the bed in which he currently lay.

Once he was able to focus, he let his bleary gaze wander around a room decorated in the 4th Division�s utilitarian chic. His companion hadn�t yet noticed that he�d awakened; she held a large book in front of her face, as if examining the pages very closely for errors. It hurt to move his head, so he had to look sideways at her as her iridescent wings slowly moved forwards and backwards.

What in the world was little Vindula-chan doing here?

�That�s kind of funny,� she said, more to herself than to the man in the bed. ��Ji-ji never included the part where Rapunzel and the prince had babies together. I wonder why he changed it when he read this story to us before?�

�Because he doesn�t� want to make you think� it�s heroic or good to let a prince climb into your tower and get you pregnant,� Yumichika croaked. He found it difficult to speak with the bandages covering half of his face, his neck, his shoulder and his arm, but he gave it his best shot.

The girl immediately snapped the storybook shut and put it on the table next to his hospital bed, startled by the question.

�Oh! You�re awake, Yumi-san!�

A torrent of air buffeted him, caused by the excited flapping of her wings and he closed his eye again. Yumichika didn�t like the fact that he couldn�t feel his other eyelid. There was bone-deep pain, but the usual hurt brought on by damaged nerve endings in the skin wasn�t there and that only served to worry him more.

Slowly, his jumbled memories sorted themselves out and he was able to construct a timeline of what had happened before he�d met up with the ground.

�Avispona� is she all right? Was she hurt?�

Szayel�s daughter blinked at the question, and then to his great relief, sat up and clapped her hands together. Her smile widened happily.

�That�s right� the baby! Vega-san told me she was okay and that if you woke up, I was supposed to tell you she�s with Lindocruz-san an� his mate. I�m also �sposed to get Unohana-Taichou.�

Yumichika slumped against the pillows upon hearing that. He�d succeeded in saving Soi Fon�s daughter and Ggio had been well enough to give his temporary nursemaid instructions.

It was better news than he�d expected and some of the terror he�d felt when he figured out what had happened in those last, frenzied seconds drained away. The acid had splattered everywhere thanks to the ill-timed Cero. After that, there had been a great deluge of water� it also explained how awful his chest felt, as if he�d coughed up not only a lung but also his stomach in an attempt to clear it of fluid. He considered it a miracle that the baby had come to no harm..

�Where is Ggio? Furthermore� why are you here, Vindula-chan?� he then asked, curious as to why a child who hadn�t seen her parents or guardian in almost three weeks would bother watching over him. He could count the number of times he�d spoken with Vindula Grantz over the last five years using the fingers of both hands. Aside from the restaurant meal they�d shared when she and her precocious brother had been two-year-olds, he hadn�t had what he would consider any significant interaction with her at all.

�Unohana-Taichou thought it would be a good idea if Vega-san got some sleep, so she told him to use Iemura-san�s office to take a real nap rather than sleeping in a chair. She also said I could read to you. She had someone go to the Palace to fetch the book I wanted.�

Vindula swiftly snatched up the volume and held it in her hands. It was then he saw the gloves encasing them. They weren�t just any gloves either, but made of a strange sort of metal cloth. On closer inspection, he could see that someone had created them using tiny, interlocking rings of steel. They shimmered whenever she moved her fingers, which explained what he�d seen earlier. She must have seen his eye tracking her hands� movements, because she put down the book and held them before her, bending her hands back at the wrists so that her palms faced him.

For a girl who loved pretty, shiny things, she didn�t seem too happy to be wearing them. Her brief, sunny smile faded as she regarded both appendages.

�Those are new accessories, Grantz-san. Where did you get them?�

Vindula looked away from them and did her best to fold her hands together, resting them on top of the closed book in her lap.

�Papa says I need to wear these until I can control my� stingers. I can�t touch anyone, not even Abisara or �Ji-ji. I might hurt them. Mama did some tests last night and she said I �envenomed� Kami-sama, but I don�t know what that really means. I just scratched him� I didn�t mean to hurt anyone! It was an accident!�

Yumichika listened and came to the conclusion that his morning had taken a turn for the surreal. Had the girl actually poisoned Aizen? He�d been under the impression that Aizen had died as a result of a group effort, according to the Third Espada and Hitsugaya-Taichou, but there was evidently more to the story than what they�d initially told him. He also wanted to say something to make Vindula feel better but his little guest wasn�t finished.

�I can�t sting anyone if I wear the gloves, but they make it hard to turn the pages and I don�t wanna� tear my book.�

He wanted to toss her a quip he used to employ, about how the pursuit of beauty required a certain amount of sacrifice, but her sad expression killed it before it left his mouth. The more he thought about it and the longer the silence dragged out, the more he realized that he had no business bringing up the �price� of beauty at all.

Yumichika�s good looks had spared his life during the Winter War and his skill as a one-time courtesan had kept his perfect skin intact, for the most part. Unfortunately, that led to over fifteen years of enslavement to an egomaniacal monster with a fetish for crowns. He�d felt Barragan�s heel on his throat and the petty tyrant�s cock in his ass or mouth almost every day since they�d lost. While beauty had condemned him to the fawning existence of an Espada�s whore, its possible loss created a cold, dreadful feeling in the pit of his empty stomach, crowding out what little hunger had been there.

Tentatively, Yumichika lifted his hand to the bandages that covered the left side of his face. Now that he�d awakened, the badly damaged flesh beneath them hurt like hell, all save for the spot beneath his left eyelid. That felt like a nothing at all and he prayed the lack of pain didn�t mean what he thought it did. Maybe one of the healers would be merciful and serve him some painkillers with the breakfast he wasn�t sure he could stomach. Obtaining a prognosis would have to wait until one of the 4th Division�s healers could see him. His treasured beauty, on the other hand, might just be another unexpected casualty of the coup. Either way, he was good for little else but decorating a hospital bed at present.

The purple iris of his one functioning eye slid back to Vindula, who had begun to bite her lower lip. While not on the verge of tears, she still seemed far too pensive for someone who had been reading fairy tales with happy endings aloud just a few minutes ago. Usually, when he saw her, she was a study in enthusiasm and always admiring of whatever elaborate kimono he�d donned for the occasion.

�They�re very pretty gloves, Vindula-chan,� he murmured, surprised at how much energy talking required, �and you won�t have to wear them forever.�

�Mama said the same thing. She told me that the venom is something I got from her and that I�ll be able to defend myself with it. She looked really happy about that too, since I don�t have claws or sharp teeth like Ajuga-chan or Diaemus-kun.�

Yumichika considered the possibility that he was already under the effects of a narcotic and that this strange conversation was the result. While he�d never been particularly chummy with Kurotsuchi Nemu, either as an officer or in her new capacity as the Seventh�s mate, he�d heard the old rumours that her artificial body served as a receptacle for a vast array of toxic substances her father had devised, among other, more disturbing things. It was entirely possible Vindula was telling him the truth.

�Abisara an� �Ji-ji won�t hafta protect me anymore. I won�t be such� a problem.�

She said this so quietly that he almost thought he�d misheard her. The one eyebrow he could make work rose at how disappointed she sounded.

�What makes you think� that you�re a problem?�

�I� when we were at the Palace, Ka� I mean, Aizen told us all of these things, about how Mama and Papa and �Ji-ji were still in the north with Grimmjow-san, but he was lying the whole time. My brother knew and so did Karin-san, but they didn�t say anything or tell me the truth� about the fact we were really his prisoners. I was so stupid��

He could no longer see her eyes because she�d hung her head and her shoulders sagged. Yumichika imagined her lower lip trembling and sighed, ignoring the pain that came with inhaling so deeply and then letting it out.

�How can you be �stupid� if people deliberately hid things from you?�

�Huh?�

Vindula raised her head and blinked twice at his rhetorical question. He pointed his chin at the book and did his best to remember the exact tone of voice he�d used to get Ggio up and moving after his stint in the kennel.

�Sometimes all we can see is what�s around us, if those who love us want to keep us from seeing the bigger picture, especially if it�s ugly. They might think they�re doing us a favor, but eventually, the truth will come out. After all,� he added gently, reaching out with his uninjured arm and touching the metal links that covered the child�s fingers, �the princess has to leave the tower at some point in the story, right?�

She nodded and he found her hand clasping his as she used her sleeve to rub her eyes. A square of white fabric fell out of it, landing on his bare arm. He had no idea what it was at first, but when she quickly snatched it up and dabbed the corners of her eyes with it, he remembered the handkerchief he�d given her on that day in the restaurant. The faded blue and yellow butterflies stitched along its edge confirmed it.

He thought it remarkable that the child had kept it all this time. Seeing him staring at it, she gave him a wobbly smile and sat up straighter.

�You said, �Ladies never cry in public, lest their tears make everyone else sad�, right? You�re already hurt. I can�t make things worse for you, can I?�

�Vindula-chan��

�Oh, and I almost forgot! I need to let Unohana-Taichou know you�re finally up!�

He withdrew his hand as Vindula hastily stood up. She placed the book on the chair�s seat, as if it would hold her spot until she retrieved the healer. Brushing the wrinkles from her white skirt, the girl made for the door. Pulling it open, she paused, and then turned around so she faced him.

�I�ll be stronger once I get older and my stingers work better. Then I can protect Abisara� and you, Yumi-san...�

Now he was certain he was hallucinating.

�...since the handsome Silk Prince always marries the princess, right?�

With that, the winged girl withdrew, leaving Yumichika to stare at the ceiling of his hospital room in confusion. A loud chuckle from across the room informed him he wasn�t alone like he had first thought after Vindula�s abrupt and rather cryptic departure.

�Silk Prince?� Rangiku asked, and he could envision her with a raised eyebrow despite not being able to see that side of the room thanks to the bindings on his face. It hurt far too much to turn his head far enough to see her with his good eye.

�Well, I am a rather striking person, clearly fit to be a Prince,� he sniffed, than regretted it as his face became awash in agony at the action. �How bad is it?� he asked in a low voice, bringing his good arm up to lightly touch the bandaging on the side of his face.

�I don�t know. I was unconscious when they brought me in and you were already bandaged up when I first regained consciousness,� she answered truthfully. �but with Unohana-taichou�s skill, I am positive you�ll be back to your self preening self in no time.�

The words were meant to cheer him up, but he could tell that even she doubted the viability of them. He had a sickening feeling that he would never be the preening peacock he�d been before, and the saddened silence of his Zanpakuto only served to further that fear. With luck, Vildula would run into Iemura and drag the man in here instead of Unohana-Taichou. The former 5th Seat would feel much better about asking her Fukutaichou for a bottle, or more, of saké to break his fast. He had the feeling he was going to need the comfort.

(POV)

There had been so much going on yesterday that there had been no time to catch up with anyone. Her first obligation today was to meet with her returning daughter and son-in-law, in addition to Nel. Karin had only met the Arrancar briefly in passing, but when asked her Mate seemed indifferent to the former Espada, not for her but not against her either.

They passed several Shinigami and even a few Arrancar on their way to Szayel�s domain. The first set moved about briskly, some even cheerfully she would say, as they went about their duties and headed to work with what seemed to be a fresh skip to their steps. She had no doubt by now that word had spread from those that had been Claimed to the rest that Aizen was dead and the Arrancar were no longer to be considered their Lords and Masters. By noon the entire Shinigami population would know as their Taichou informed them what had happened in today�s Division Meeting before heading to the Taichou/Espada meeting taking place at noon. She was damn thankful she was neither and as such, got a pass. She would be able to spend that time with her daughter, even if her Mate was required to go.

�Is it just me, or do most of the Arrancar looked a bit uncertain, weary and spooked?� she asked her mate as they passed another Arrancar that had his hand on the hilt of his blade as he walked down the street next to a completely relaxed woman Karin only recognized because she�d broken her Claim yesterday.

�They don�t like having their Claims broken,� he grunted. �And their future is uncertain, even with our assurances last night. It will take a few days for the twitchiness to work itself out, probably longer in the case of those expecting.�

Those they passed did seem to relax slightly as they caught sight of the Espada sauntering easily down the street without a concern in the world, and a rather large grin of satisfaction on his face. Her mate was in a good mood, and seeing him in such a matter seemed to ease the others slightly.

She didn�t blame them, their entire world was changing with an all new set of rules, literally over night. A few seemed mostly unconcerned, mainly those who had never held Claims in the first place or had held them only very recently, such as Mila Rose when they passed her on the street. She seemed completely casual as she walked to wherever she was going and even offered them a cheerful wave in passing. Karin had a sneaking suspicion Harrible had sent her girls out to scout about for any problems and to help keep the peace by putting up a confident, relaxed front before the other, more skittish hollows. Considering the way the ones they past relaxed at Grimmjow�s presence, she had a feeling it was helping, if only minutely.

�Better slightly than not at all,� she mused to herself.

When they arrived at the Science and Research building they discovered Szayel and Nemu were waiting for them in the very same room Nel used to sneak in to re-cast Renji�s Claim. There was a new hole in the wall that several members of Szayel�s Division were already underway filling in, the stench of the sewer system trickling in through it. They had chosen this location because the Scarabs were already familiar with it and could port in to make the gate to bring Ajuga and Diaemus home. She hoped Zee would come as well, for she had some very choice words for the General, she might even let her mate hit him�. a lot.

�Good morning, Karin-sama,� Szayel greeted her in a rather cheerful manner.

�Cut out the �sama� Szayel, there is no reason for it anymore,� Karin ordered with a smile.

�Indeed not,� Szayel returned her smile. �I hope you will forgive me the odd slip of the tongue. I have referred to you as Karin-sama for so long now, that it is just natural.�

�I seriously doubt any such occurrences will be by accident,� she snorted, crossing her arms and glaring at him.

�If he forgets, you can always just spank him again,� Grimmjow commented, letting out a bark of a laugh as he did so.

Szayel gave off a shudder at the though, before clearing his throat and adjusting his broken mask fragment.

�Well than, our guest should be arriving soon. Nemu, is the senkonmon ready to bring through Nelliel and Hachi-san from Ishida-san�s estate?� Szayel asked.

�We can open the gate at any time,� Nemu answered.

�Excellent. Let us proceed.�

Karin had honestly never seen a Senkonmon open before. Hell, she�d only ever seen a garganta once, which was ironically more times than most of the shinigami population combined. Thus, she found herself staring in rapt attention as the double doors slid open, shortly before Nelliel, her belly blatantly round with pregnancy, stepped into the room leaning against a very round, pink haired Vizard, one that made Nel look slim in comparison. Karin recognized Hachi from their brief meeting in the palace courtyard yesterday, as well as in the woods so very long ago now. He must have returned to the living world to let those on the other side know everything had gone well on this side. Rather considerate really, and she wish she�d though of it.

�By the time my job was done, my brain was mush. I doubt anyone would have been surprised if I couldn�t even remember my own name by the time we crawled into bed.�

�Oh, Karin-chan!� Nel greeted her warmly, which honestly took her by surprised for she had only meet the woman twice in the last fifteen years, and both meetings had been short and in the midst of combat.

�Nelliel,� Karin returned the greeting politely.

�Oh, call me Nel, everyone else does,� the Arrancar smiled warmly at her. �And Grimmjow, good to see you again so soon,� Nel turned her smile towards Karin�s mate.

�Nel,� Grimmjow returned. �Red is at the fourth. We�ll bring ya to him as soon as the brats get here.�

�Oh, was he hurt?� Nel asked worriedly, chewing on her lip nervously.

�Nothing a few days of rest won�t fix,� Grimmjow assured her, which was true thanks to Orihime�s efforts last night. �You should be proud of �em, he held his own so Ichigo and I could do what needed to be done, than he helped take down that stupid brute Yammy.�

Nel let out a sigh of relief, and a small smile made it�s home on her face. Karin could sympathise. She would go sick with worry if her mate had ran off to do battle against a powerful opponent, hell, it had almost been worse standing there watching as her mate and brother attacked Aizen, knowing there was nothing she could do to help them, that trying would only get in their way.

�Well, I actually did help,� she thought slightly amused as she thought about the little cloaking trick she and Grimmjow had played with their lil� reiatsu exchange. It had been a rather ingenious idea coming from her love. �I did destroy the Hogyoku too, they couldn�t have won in the end if that damn thing was still around.�

�A, Hachi-san, how soon can we start on the restoration and repair?� Szayel asked the vizard gleefully.

�Soon,� Hachi assured. �It will take a long time to repair the damage, but it will be done,� the Vizard answered.

�I am desperately looking forward to it.�

�It took a few years to do my mask,� Nel commented, running her fingers over where her mask, no doubt where it had once been broken. �You have less damage, so I am sure Hachi-kun can get it done in no time.�

�I pray so.� Szayel pushed his mask back into place, a nervous habit if Karin ever saw one, and one she was all too willing to call him on.

�Why do all men with glasses feel the urge to play with them,� she grunted. �I mean seriously, have you ever seen a woman play with them? I don�t think Nanao has ever touched hers� other than to take them on and off.�

That brought a bit of laughter to the room as Szayel let out an affronted humph and crossed his arms.

�Yes, well clear the floor everyone, our guest should be arriving soon,� Szayel ordered in a vain effort to regain a small fraction of his dignity.

Everyone moved off to the side, and a moment later the air in the room displaced with a pop as two scarabs teleported in. They looked about the room before their eyes settled on her, and with an excitable chitter that reminded her of Mushi, they moved towards her like a pair of excited puppies. Karin felt a brief pang of loss as she thought of the dead scarab, but it was hard to remain sad when there were two more vying for her attention and a head rubbing. A smile bloomed across her face as she gave each one some attention, ignoring her bristling mate. He was obviously uncomfortably having them so near, either that or he was jealous the attention wasn�t for him.

�Alright, alright,� she laughed. �I think you two have a job to do,� she admonished them, giving their heads a shove.

Both gave her a sheepish look before moving into the centre of the room. It was breathtaking to watch them work so close, as their brightly coloured wings spread up and over until the tips touched. Rainbow-like colours danced over them, and a moment later the portal flared to life. Karin barely had time to let her eyes adjust from the flare of power before she found her arms full of child.

�MAMA!� Ajuga cried, holding onto her tightly.

�Oh Ajuga,� Karin returned her grip, damn near squeezing the life out of her daughter. Tears of relief ran down her face as she held her child close. �Oh god I missed you. Are you okay?� Karin asked.

�Just fine Mama. Not a scratch. The Swarm�s homeworld is rather amazing, at least the parts of it that aren�t damaged. Their Queen was really nice too. Oh� did Papa tell you about Diaemus and me?� her daughter asked hesitantly.

�I know, I was there, remember?� Karin laughed. �And your father is right. I don�t want to hear a lip about grandkids until you are both a hell of a lot older. I am too damn young to be a grandmother at my age and you have too much to do ahead of you to be tied down chasing a lil� hellion around the palace.�

�No problems there, right Diaemus-kun?� Ajuga asked, turning her attention to her consort.

�We have more important duties to see to other than procreation,� Diaemus agreed.

�Good answer,� Grimmjow grunted.

�Well, now that everyone is here, I would like to see my husband,� Nel broke in, before giggling. �Husband, I love that term.�

�Be thankful you missed that Mama. I think Diaemus and I will be forgoing a �wedding,�� Ajuga shivered.

�I can hardly admonish you otherwise when I never had one,� Karin assured her daughter.

�You don�t want one, do you?� Grimmjow asked apprehensively, subconsciously tugging at the collar of his shirt.

�That has to be the lousiest proposal in history, but no, I do not require a wedding to let others know we are together,� she answered. �Now, before we get too sidetracked, you should check in with your mother Diaemus. Orihime-chan is no doubt worried sick about you. She should be at the 4^th today as well, and I need to see Unohana anyway, so we might as well all escort Nel over to see Renji and Rukia. If I recall right, Rukia, at least, is suppose to be discharged this morning.�

�Indeed,� the hybrid sighed, his wings dropping at the thought of any reunion with his highly emotional mother.

Their jobs done, the two scarabs let the portal fall and folded their wings. Karin offered them anther round of petting before they simply vanished, returning to their own world and heaven. She wondered if she would ever see any of the Swarm again, than quickly concluded that she hoped she never had to. The thought of the worlds coming so close to collapse again terrified her.

Children and guests in tow, they headed towards the 4^th, all be it at a waddles pace. Today it didn�t bother her in the least, for her daughter was more than willing to spend that time catching her up on everything that had happened in the living realm, and her little girl was all too willing to rat her father out on every bit of bad behaviour he�d indulged in while she wasn�t around to keep her eye on him.

�Sounds like if it�s anyone who is going to need a spanking today, it�s going to be you,� she teased her mate.

�You have no proof I did any of that,� he defended.

�Of course not, Grimm-chan. But I doubt Karin-chan will take your word over the word of the room full of people who were in attendance,� Nel pointed out.

�Oh I don�t need that much, the guilt is just rolling off of him in waves as we speak. That�s about as much of a proof of evidence as I will need.�

�In my defence, it was a rather stressful situation. Besides, if we are handing out spankings, I believe I recall a few choice words falling from your own mouth over the last twenty-four hours,� he smirked down at her.

�I don�t know what you are talking about,� she fluttered her eyelashes innocently.

�Oh please, as if Mama would ever swear,� Ajuga scoffed.

�Thank you dear,� Karin smiled warmly at her daughter.

�No winning,� Grimmjow grunted.

�I am surprised you are even trying. I have long learned that there is little reason to attempt to rationalize with a female,� Hachi pointed out innocently.

�And that�s just the way we like it,� Nel commented.

There were tears, tons of hugs, a few smack over the head in Renji�s case as Nel admonished him for making her worry. All in all, a very joyful reunion. Information was exchanged, lives were caught up. As predicted, Rukia had been released to head home earlier in the day, so her brother and Sister-in-law had already left the 4^th. Karin was surprised to learn that Byakuya had extended his invitation for her sister and brother to remain at the Kuchiki estate for the duration of their stay. She felt guilty for not having thought of her family last night, but at least it was a relief to know someone had stepped up to the ball, even if it was her new founded adopted brother-in-law. She supposed it was as good thing Rukia had spent the night in the 4^th, and by attachment, so had Ichigo. Karin made a note to thank Unohana for taking care of them. Yuzu, on the other hand, had taken Byakuya�s invitation last night to spend the night at his Estate and she, once again, felt horrible for not even thinking about her own twin.

Hachi had informed Yuzu that her husband, and didn�t that bit of information just make Karin�s head spin a bit, had asked him to inform her that he could spare her for a few days to reacquaint with her friends and family, shortly before excusing himself so they could enjoy their reunion.

�Nel, Renji, there is one thing I have to do,� Karin sighed as she walked over to where the redhead was still resting. It looked like he�d be released in a few days, once they were certain there would be no permanent damage to his spine from his meeting with Yammy�s fist, followed by the ground.

�That�s okay,� Nel smiled at her. �I understand perfectly. Go ahead,� she stepped back from Renji.

�I can�t believe, for the first time in my life, I am actually unhappy about this,� he pouted, crossing his arms and glaring at the wall.

�It can go back up later,� Orihime reminded him with a smile and a wistful look on her own face. �Besides, I think it will do Ulquiorra some good to get a small amount of distance for a short while. Sometimes I wonder if he isn�t only happy because I am happy.�

�I thought that was half of what a relationship was?� Renji questioned confused.

�You just keep on believing that,� Yuzu give him a small smile.

Karin rested her had on his shoulder, and after a second the Claim shattered.

�Well, you got a month to think about it, and have it put back up if you still decide you want it. There is also that little bit about Szayel thinking he might have a way to make assisted mating Claims, so there is always that to look forward to,� she pointed out.

�If anyone can figure it out, he can,� Renji declared with full faith.

�I need to check in with Unohana before she heads to the meeting, she doesn�t know Orihime healed me already yet, and than I have a few more Claims I need to break today. You behave yourself,� she turned her attention to her mate.

�Che, I don�t even want to go to this meeting,� he snorted.

�No kidding,� Ajuga sighed, tail and ears dropping in displeasure.

�It is our duty,� Diaemus commented.

�I am already tired of hearing that, and not a word about it being true either,� she threatened her consort when he opened his mouth to respond. The boy wisely closed his lips and remained silent.

�Well I, for one, am proud of you both,� Orihime gushed. �Oh, before I forget, Karin, Grimmjow, will you two come over for dinner? I know it�s going to be a long day, and it�s been so long since we saw our children, I thought it would be nice to do something together. You can come too of course, Yuzu-chan,� Orihime assured the fair haired twin.

�I would love to, but Kuchiki Byakuya has extended his invitation for me to join him at Kuchiki estate already to welcome Rukia-neechan home,� Yuzu smiled. �I would, however, love to meet for lunch tomorrow with everyone. I haven�t had a chance to see Tatsuki-chan yet, and I hear she is expecting soon.�

�Lunch it is,� Orihime agreed. �And you are right, let�s go see Tatsuki-chan. Grimmjow, good luck at your meeting, and I will see you at dinner. Diaemus, you be a good boy now. I�ll see you in a bit after your meeting with Unohana, Karin-chan. Come along Yuzu-chan, Tatsuki-chan seems to be around here somewhere. My senses never lie.�

�We never agreed to dinner,� her mate grunted as they watched Orihime and Yuzu wander off to find Tatsuki.

�I don�t think �no� was an option anyway,� Karin shook her head. �Ah well, at least we won�t need to cook tonight.� She turned her attention to the couple now sharing the hospital bed, Nel taking up more of the space than it�s intended patient. �I�ll see you later Renji, you get better soon. Nel, it was nice to actually meet you.�

�Likewise,� Nel returned.

Leaving the recovery room, he gave her grumbling mate a kiss before they went their separate ways, him to the meeting and her to find Unohana. It didn�t take long to find the woman, and less time than that to be given a clean bill of health. With that, she caught up to Orihime and Yuzu in a different recovery room, this one housing Rangiku and Yumichika. The air in here was much heavier, and why was explained right away as she looked at the man laying swathed in bandages on his bed with Orihime�s healing shield flickering weakly over him. Her human friend hadn�t had much time to regain her strength yet after all the work she�d put in yesterday and it showed now in the weakness of her shield.

Karin didn�t know what kind of wounds Yumichika had, but she could guess based on the wrappings and the smell of salve. She walked up to Orihime and rested a hand on her shoulder. Tears streaming down the woman�s face, the shield shattered as she was unable to maintain it any longer.

�I am so sorry Yumichika-san, that�s the best I can do for now,� she apologised.

�It took the edge of pain away at least,� he offered, his own voice weak and full of despair. �It�s better than being doped up on drugs.�

Karin didn�t ask what happened, such would be a question for later. She did notice Tatsuki was sitting on the bed next to Rangiku, the later had one foot suspended in a cast with the other tightly bound. She was playing with a simple gold band that looked to be a bracelet of some sort, although it had a ring on it as if a charm was meant to hang there. Avispona was in Ggio�s arms as the Arrancar stood vigil over his wounded now former fellow slave. It was then that Karin realized what was missing from the room.

�Soi Fon?� she asked softly.

�Didn�t make it,� Yumichika answered softly, his one uncovered eye shifting to father and daughter. �She took Barragan with her and saved our lives in the process.�

Karin felt grief touch her. After all the work they had put in trying to save the woman, in the end she had died anyhow. It was a sharp reminder that not everyone, no matter how hard you tried, could be saved.

�At least we saved Avispona,� she thought, but it did little to cheer her up.

�Did you still want to go to the market,� she asked Orihime instead, desperate to change to subject.

�I need to,� she answered, he voice holding a hint of the sniffles.

�You should go too Tatsuki,� Rangiku piped in. �You don�t need to be holed up in here with me, and you have lots of catching up to do with Yuzu before she has to go home.�

�Are you sure?� Tatsuki asked worriedly.

�Yes,� Tesra insisted, coming up to stand beside his mate, which reminded Karin of a task she had yet to do.

�Before we go, I should break your Claim,� she said slowly.

Tesra stiffened, but they had already been informed this was going to happen. Karin didn�t move in yet, waiting for permission to continue. She didn�t want to set the Arrancar off.

�I understand,� he bowed his head and took a step away from Tatsuki. Karin moved in and broke the Claim. Tesra, like so many others, flinched as the bond between them broke.

�It�s okay,� Tatsuki took her mate�s hand as he moved in to stand beside her once more. �It�s only for a month after all. Do you still want me to go to the Market, or do you want me to stay here with you and Rangiku?� she asked.

�Go,� he forced himself to say, taking a step back once more. �Rangiku would visit bodily harm upon me, despite her condition, if I were to restrict your freedom,� he answered with the barest hint of smile.

�You better believe it,� Rangiku glared at him.

�Very well,� Tatsuki offered her mate a very deep and rather salacious kiss that definitely promised more later, before making her way to her feet. �Now, what�s with the ring on your finger there Yuzu-chan?� Tatsuki asked as they all filed out of the room.

�You have one too,� Yuzu pointed out.

�Aye, but you have already met my Mate, charming young�ish man that he is. Who did you end up shackled with?�

The conversation turned lighter as they left the 4^th and the gloom behind them, although the loss of Soi Fon did hover over her shoulder every time she had a second to think about it. She saw as much as felt Ulquiorra reach out to touch Orihime six times, and Tesra did so at least a dozen, as they walked through the market sharing news and gathering materials for dinner, as well as supplies for the three impending children due to arrive sooner than later.

Karin wasn�t positive, but her sister seemed almost wistful and sad as she held up a small kimono. She made a note to talk to Yuzu about her so called �husband� when the two of them had a chance to be alone. All she knew was that it was a political marriage, to Uryuu�s father of all people. Political or not, the man had better be treating her sister right.

They had made their way in a yukuta shop, a rather high end one actually, but Yuzu had wanted to look for a new spring yukuta, when she caught the sound of Rukia�s voice as she spoke to someone else. Rukia had already been discharged when Karin had arrived and they hadn�t had much time to catch up yesterday. Coming around a rack, Karin noticed her sister-in-law was speaking rather forcefully to a terrified servant wearing the livery of the Kuchiki clan. She recognized an interrogation when she saw one, and judging by the increasing amount of barely repressed fury in Rukia�s stance, the woman did not like what she was hearing.

�Oi, you are going to give the man a heart attack at this rate,� she spoke up, drawing the attention her way. The servant made a hasty retreat as soon as Rukia�s attention was off of him. �What�s wrong?� Karin asked more softly and closed the distance between them when she noticed Rukia�s hands were clenched tightly into fists and she was shaking in barely surprised rage and anguish.

�Nii-sama,� she answered. �What�. what did that brute do to him?� she asked in a harsh whisper.

Karin felt her heart flutter in fear. Rukia was going to find out sooner or later, better it come from a friend than strangers. Such information was probably best to come from Byakuya, but if Rukia was fishing she was going to find out, and Byakuya was both the kind of man who wouldn�t express such things, as well as being physically handicap when it came to doing so thanks to his disability. Oh he could write it out, but she doubted even his hand would be stable and it would take a long time. No, it was best such information came from family, even if it was only recently rediscovered family.

�Let�s get some tea. I�ll tell you what little I can,� she offered softly.

Her companions were fine to let her go. Karin wasn�t even positive they were even paying much attention to her since they were gushing over Yuzu in the spring yukuta she was showing off at the moment. Even the sales lady was in on it, which just showed that the woman could smell money a mile away. Karin didn�t have the heart to point out that she doubted the Ishida fortune would do much good in Soul Society since the currency was different, but who knew, maybe there was a conversation station. She knew many living world things made it over so perhaps there was a way to exchange it.

Leading Rukia to a nearby tea shop, the two found a corner booth were they wouldn�t be disturbed, and with a sinking heart, she filled her sister-in-law in on most of the things she knew. She didn�t tell her about how Yammy had forced Renji to rape Byakuya, that would have to come from them, but all the public stuff any servant could tell her; the humiliations, the forced manifestation of Senbonzakura, the wardrobes, all of that she did share.

It was here that Byakuya, Ichigo and Grimmjow found them after their Taichou/Espada meeting was done. Giving Rukia�s hands a squeeze, she excused herself and went off with her mate, but not before glancing back over her shoulder to see Rukia send her husband off to find their sister while giving her adopted brother a rather firm look that had the noble almost taking a step back. Karin had a sneaking suspicion that all hell was about to break over the Kuchiki estate. A rather cold one giving Rukia�s nature.

�She looks ready to freeze over hell,� Grimmjow noted with a grunt once they were out of hearing distance.

�Yeah,� Karin agreed. �How did the meeting go?� she asked.

�Well enough I suppose,� he shrugged.

She thought about asking him for details, than quickly decided she would sooner get the information from Nanao, who would fill her in later anyhow with far more accuracy than anything her mate might grunt out.

�Are you up for breaking the last of the Claims?� he asked hesitantly.

�I should, if only so it doesn�t look like favouritism is being handed out,� she sighed.

�Alright. Sementall�s house is this way. We can hit them first.�

�Hmm,� Karin agreed, leaning against her mate and taking in his warmth with a sigh of relief.

Today had been an emotional one, and it wasn�t over yet. She still had a family dinner to go to, but at least that was one event she was certain would be positive� assuming Ulquiorra and Grimmjow didn�t try to kill each other over the mating of their children. Granted, that had as much chance of being amusing as it did being exasperating, depending on how it fell.

I believe there are only 3 chapters left now. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas.
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Prize of Victory 2	By : NovaAlexandria Category: Bleach > General Views: 56251 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach nor make a profit from this story

Prize of Victory 2