Adult-FanFiction.org : Bleach

Prize of Victory 2
By : NovaAlexandria
Category: Bleach > General
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Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach nor make a profit from this story
Chapter List
- 21
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Peace and Disquiet

Jushiro lamented many things about the Gotei 13�s defeat, the fall of the Spirit King and the subsequent enslavement of the Soul Society and its officers was a major one. Chief among them was his inability to do anything to help many of his fellow captives. However, if he was to rate his experiences as a �pet�, he would have to say that he was much better off than many of those who found themselves Claimed by the Arrancar.

Starrk had never raised his hand to either himself or Nanao. Instead, most of the pain dealt to him over the last fifteen years came courtesy of Aizen, usually in the form of a lashing for speaking up during non-Shinigami related meetings where he was expected to sit there, remain silent and look pretty as Starrk�s �pet.� The stripes Aizen gave him were neither deep nor numerous, as Aizen usually recognized the value of whatever it was he was trying to convey at the time. However, according to Aizen, �rules were rules� even if a good reason existed to break them. The worst punishment Aizen had ever delivered to him involved his lost eye, slashed out by the tyrant when he�d tried to beg for leniency and a little mercy for those suffering under masters more brutal than Starrk. While he was grateful he hadn�t lost both eyes, it was another in a long list of grievances he had against the usurper.

While there were plenty of bad memories since the day Soul Society fell, there were also bright spots. For Jushiro, most of them involved Ajuga, Hana and even Lilinette. While he hadn�t expected anything good from Starrk when the Primera initially Claimed him, both halves of the First treated him fairly. In fact, Starrk left him alone for the most part. He asked each time if he truly desired for the Claim to be refreshed instead of simply raping Jushiro. When they did spend time in one another�s company, the experience was pleasant, like now.

The board between them was almost full of stones, indicating their game was nearly over. It looked as if Starrk would win this round, but that didn�t surprise him too much. Jushiro had never been as good at these games as Shunsui and Starrk appeared to be yet another master of the strategy game. Jushiro still won on occasion, but more often than not, he lost. Still, he enjoyed these quiet moments.

�You�re troubled by something,� Starrk commented, placing a stone on the board before looking up at him.

�Is it that obvious?� Jushiro sighed.

�It is to one who knows you.�

�I suppose my apprehension and worry is coming through the Claim as well.�

�Yes, though it isn�t terribly burdensome.� Starrk offered him a brief, wry smile. �What bothers you?�

Jushiro let out a long breath and conceded the game. He could tell by counting the points that Starrk had definitely won, with no way for him to recover. He might as well talk to the Primera. Doing so might ease his fears, if only for the time it took to air them.

�Kuchiki Byakuya is slated to return to work tomorrow. No one has seen him since he was released from the 4th Division and I am worried about what Yammy might have done to him in retaliation for Aizen�s punishment.�

At least his fretful admission fell on receptive ears. Starrk made a small noise that urged him to continue.

�I know Aizen-kami punished him for hospitalizing Byakuya for defying the order to the Espada to keep their�� Jushiro hesitated over the next word, truly hating it but unable to deny that it was what his surviving fellow officers had been reduced to ��pets� in combat-ready condition. I don�t believe the Tenth is the sort of person that appreciates a slap on the wrist and I fear that Aizen-Kami�s interference might only make things worse for Byakuya.�

He sighed dejectedly, rubbing a hand over his blind eye under the patch. However, he wasn�t thinking of his injury. The memory of hauling a thoroughly traumatized and near-hysterical Abarai Renji back to the Science Division, after Yammy had gloated about what he�d forced the younger Shinigami�s walking shell to do to his former Taichou wasn�t anything he�d ever forget, to his sorrow. No one had seen the former Fukutaichou for over a month after that. When he had emerged, the redhead was much thinner, but only after Szayel had called in Karin to deal with his �pet.� She hadn�t elaborated and the utter awfulness of what had happened kept Jushiro from discussing it with anyone, including those present at the time. Yammy had made his crimes against the officers of the lost 6th Division known. Worse, he could only imagine what might have happened to Byakuya after that horrible meeting.

Starrk was silent for a time before speaking, turning one of the game stones over in his hands, his gray eyes following each side as his fingers twirled it.

�I wish I could offer you comforting words, but you are correct. However, Yammy, as unthinking as he can be at times, would not so readily forget Aizen�s punishment. I am sure that Byakuya will return to work tomorrow sans injuries. For a time, at least, the Tenth will adhere to Aizen�s wishes.�

Starrk frowned and hesitated for a moment, as if debating on adding more to his sentence, and after a moment, his gaze met Jushiro�s concerned one.

�What I am about to say goes no further than this. You are not to speak of it.�

Jushiro felt the Claim tighten around him, enough to serve as a warning. The sensation was very foreign, for Starrk almost never used it against him. In the few instances he had, it had been to keep Jushiro from doing or saying anything he felt might worsen a situation, or harm them both. Perhaps this was one of those times as well.

�Aizen-Kami asked me if I would be interested in taking over Kuchiki�s Claim should Yammy prove too destructive towards his pet. For now, Kami-sama values your companion�s combat skills more than he values those that Yammy provides.�

Starrk�s declaration momentarily shocked him. What followed was a brief, almost violent surge of hope that something such as that might come to pass. The Primera wasn�t the type to waste time and energy on lying, so that meant that Aizen really had broached the subject with Starrk. Jushiro desperately wanted to asked more, but the Claim made sure his mouth remained closed as Starrk�s command had forbidden any speech about it at all. He was able to ask one somewhat tangential question, though.

�What about Nanao?�

�She is technically my fraccion, just as Hana is to Harribel. She also doesn�t have a Bankai and isn�t �Taichou-class,� for all her rank. Would you care to play another game?� Starrk asked, indicating the topic was now verboten and the conversation over.

Jushiro shook his head and gave the board a half-smile.

�No, I think I will retire for the evening.�

Starrk nodded and yawned before rising to return to his own quarters, leaving Jushiro to clean up their game, even though manners dictated that the winner retire the board and the pieces after the match. Jushiro didn�t mind, as it let him mull over what Starrk had told him.

Still, as promising as the thought was, it made it no easier for Jushiro to fall asleep that night. Morning found him still apprehensive about what he might find when he arrived at his office. Starrk�s little revelation generated more questions than answers. He had no idea what kind of damage Yammy might have done to the noble in the time Byakuya had been home. Such a transfer would mean another round of brutality for the former Taichou in order for the transfer to occur, and he had no idea how far Aizen would let things go before stepping in and forcing Yammy to give up his pet.

Byakuya arrived right on time and seemed to be fine. He didn�t walk as if he was in any pain and the revealing outfit he wore, consisting of nothing more than a pair of black leather pants and calf high, skintight boots, revealed no additional damage to his body. There was nothing to indicate that Yammy had physically hurt the noble between his discharge from the 4th Division and now.

�Good morning, Byakuya,� he said warmly, genuinely glad to see the other.

Byakuya gave him brief nod and went to his desk, eyeing the large pile of papers that had backlogged while he�d been out. Without any outward signs of frustration or unhappiness, he took the first sheet off the top and set to work as if it had been just another day and he hadn�t spent weeks recovering from life-threatening injuries. The other seemed� subdued, but that was the extent of things as far as Jushiro could tell.

Satisfied that Yammy hadn�t done anything to Byakuya after Aizen�s discipline, Jushiro went to work on the large pile of forms on his own desk. Ajuga arrived at noon with his medicinal tea and lunch for the both of them. It was true that his tuberculosis was in remission and had been for some time, but no one wanted to take any chances, considering the length of time he�d suffered from the ailment. Ajuga still took being in charge of his medicinal tea intake very seriously and if she couldn�t get it to him, she would have someone else deliver it, just to make sure he received his daily dosage.

�I got your tea �take-ji!� she announced happily as she came through the door, a tray with two cups of steaming tea on it and two stacked boxes of hot food. His stomach reminded him that it had been nearly five hours since his last meal and he gave the girl a look of utter gratitude.

�Thank you Ajuga-chan,� he offered her a smile and before noticing that she hadn�t come alone. Trailing into the room behind her was Renji with a little girl hiding behind his legs, wings fluttering slightly in agitation. Now this was a surprise and he wondered what brought Abarai Renji and his young charge to his office.

�She�s the prettiest thing I have ever seen!� Mila Rose exclaimed in delight as she cooed over Vindula. The little girl flitted happily through the air, dancing and showing off about five feet off of the ground.

�Who knew Szayel-sama could produce such a lovely little girl?� Apache agreed. Her mismatched eyes were wide and her hands clasped in front of her.

�Do you really think I am pretty?� Vindula asked the two older females as she landed before the three fraccion and their mistress.

Renji�s original intent that morning had been to bring Vindula to this park so she could practice her flying, something difficult to do in the confines of the Science Division itself. Her wings and the underlying muscles were now strong enough to get her light body aloft and a whole new chasm of child-related paranoia now yawned before the man put in charge of her.

He�d been horrified to find out that she�d managed to sneak away with Ajuga and Diaemus while he�d been busy burning Locusts to a crisp with Zabimaru and electrocuting beetles trapped between his Bankai�s links. A million and one worst-case scenarios had flashed before his eyes when Szayel broke the news to him the next day and he�d turned on his heel and helped himself to Szayel�s stash of sake. When the Espada made an outraged noise behind him as he�d cracked the bottle, Renji had fished out a second vessel from the cupboard, poured the Espada a draught and wordlessly handed it to the scientist. Szayel had stared at it, dumbfounded, and then accepted it and both of them partook of the alcohol, the universal soother of paternal nerves and friend to nannies everywhere. It wasn�t his normal breakfast, but at that point, Renji didn�t care.

Of course, Renji was well aware of how much trouble he�d managed to get into around the same age and tried to come up with a training plan that would give Vindula a goal to work towards that did not involve getting anywhere near the Swarm and would help her gain some basic control over her new aerial abilities. The park he�d chosen had a number of items he hoped she could use as a makeshift �obstacle course� while trying to remain aloft, including several benches, a play area, several fountains and a long walkway full of leafless cherry trees.

He�d walked her through the course once, and she�d made her way through one and one half runs of it when they came across Harribel and her fraccion apparently enjoying what looked like a leisurely stroll with Toshiro, Ajuga and Hana. Renji guessed that Toshiro and Hana were on their way back to the 3rd Division after a lunch break or just heading out for one and had met up with his Mistress, her fraccion and Hana�s friend, Ajuga. The weather was relatively warm for early February and it looked like they might just have an early spring this year.

�You are absolutely beautiful!� Sung Sun assured her and Vindula giggled. �I wonder if Harribel-sama�s child would look as adorable as you do.�

Renji nearly sputtered, managed to change it to a discreet cough and shot a look at Toshiro, who suddenly seemed very much like a deer caught in the crosshairs of a Living World hunting rifle. Renji didn�t blame him. The other young man did not look ready for the challenges of fatherhood. He barely looked ready for lunch. Renji knew, on a rational level, that Toshiro had to be sleeping with Harribel, since that was how Claims worked, but the image of the Third Espada and �the kid� intertwined in such an intimate manner was still a little disquieting, despite how much Toshiro had grown in the last fifteen years and how much things had changed.

Vindula, on the other hand, loved the attention her fellow female Arrancar gave her. Her multi-coloured wings fluttered in a dazzling display as they caught and reflected the pale winter sunlight, setting off another round of adoration from the three fraccion. Even Harribel�s eyes followed the girl as she did a small pirouette in mid-air, a turn he�d been working on with her for two weeks now, mostly to incorporate as an evasion manoeuvre if needed. If Renji didn�t know better, he might almost label the emotion he saw in them �wistfulness.� She said nothing though, content to let her girls do the complimenting.

�Where were you two going?� Hana asked Renji as he shook his head to rid himself of any and all sordid mental pictures of Toshiro and Harribel, mainly because there were several attributes Harribel and Nel had in common and he didn�t need to torture himself in that manner. It would be a little over five months before he could see her again or talk to her and he wasn�t sure he wanted to risk giving Karin a letter to give to Yoruichi to deliver to his mate. He missed her badly and Harribel�s curves weren�t helping matters.

�Uh� nowhere, I brought Vindula-chan here so she could fly and enjoy the weather.� he answered, focusing on the young woman before him instead of dwelling on things he couldn�t change.

It was still hard to believe Hana was the late Kyoraku-Taichou�s daughter. He could see Nanao in her, since she�d inherited most of her mother�s looks, but it was harder to see the late Taichou�s contribution. Considering Shunsui�s reputation, perhaps that was a good thing. Although, maybe there was a bit of her father lurking beneath that calm, efficient surface, as Renji distinctly recalled hearing about an expedition out in one of the Rukongai Districts during the last Claim Meeting, the same one during which the Defence Net had fallen.

�Are you both returning to work, or leaving for lunch?� he asked.

�Back to work,� Hana answered, waving a folder she carried in her hands.

�There�s been an increase in the paperwork since the Defence Net fell, and each battle causes us to fall farther behind,� Toshiro added irritably, then said in a much lower voice, �I�m tempted to take a match to the whole thing if this keeps up.�

If it was one thing Renji didn�t miss about being an active Shinigami it was the endless stacks of paperwork and the lengths he�d had to go to in order to avoid doing it. He never did understand how his Taichou could calmly sit for hours at his desk and work at it contentedly. It usually gave him the mental equivalent of a rash.

�I was going over to see �take-ji to make sure he takes a break and his medicine. He almost always forgets to take one or the other, or both.� Ajuga then paused and admitted, �I also wanted to see how Bya-san was doing. I haven�t seen him since he was still in the 4th Division.�

Renji felt a jolt of pain and took a deep breath to counter it. He had also seen Byakuya once while he was in the 4th Division, and the man had looked like hell. He wished he could have visited longer or more often. However, Nel�s warning to stay away from his former superior, as attention from anyone other than the Tenth made Yammy more violent towards his Claimed target, was one he heeded, no matter how much he wished he could do something, anything, for Byakuya. There had to be a way to make up for what he� no, his body had done to the noble. In the end, he could only show Byakuya that he hadn�t allowed Yammy�s words to beat him. He�d done it to prove that, as Karin had once put it, the �walking pile of dog shit� hadn�t won yet.

It had taken him a long time to recover after learning about that incident, however. Even though it hadn�t been his fault, even though he had no memory of it, the fact that he had been used to violently assault the man he had grown to respect had nearly destroyed him. In fact, if it were not for Nel, and the overwhelming love of the twins, he probably would have never gotten over it.

�Is Kuchiki-san all better then?� Vindula asked curiously, golden eyes going to Ajuga ��cause he didn�t look so good when Renji-ji brought us to see him.�

��taki-ji said he was coming into work today, so hopefully Bya-san is feeling better. Did you want to come see him with me? �taki-ji always has sweets hidden in his desk drawer,� she added slyly.

The hopeful, big-eyed look Vindula gave Renji, (more over the thought of treats than seeing how Byakuya was doing, he was sure) dismantled any argument against going. Besides, he too wanted to see how his former superior fared. This was a chance for him to do so and Yammy was unlikely to learn about it. While he felt Nel�s Claim constrict a little, it didn�t clamp down tightly to prevent him from moving and he decided to risk it.

�I have some reports for Ukitake-Taichou. If you are going over there, can you bring them to him?� Toshiro asked.

�Sure!� Ajuga agreed.

�I will see you after work, Toshiro,� Harribel declared, placing a hand on the young man�s shoulder briefly, meeting his eyes for a moment before motioning to her girls.

Toshiro gave his mistress a nod and they went their separate ways, although Harribel�s fraccion did force Renji to promise to bring Vindula by some other time so they could fuss over the young girl. Vindula seemed more than happy to agree for him and he let out a sigh. He�d need to clear that with Szayel first. Still, at least he knew Vindula was somewhat safe with Harribel and her fraccion, and it would do the little girl good to find some female companionship outside of that of her mother and the few visits Hana and Ajuga managed. There weren�t a lot of female Arrancar and Harribel had proven she was trustworthy last year, when she and Toshiro intervened in the attack on the little girl.

�So, how long were you grounded for?� Ajuga asked Vindula.

�I wasn�t,� the little winged girl answered cheerfully. �Papa said you were to blame for dragging me out there, lectured me for two hours about keeping safe and away from the dangerous places, and then praised me for helping save Karin-sama.�

She sounded pleased with herself. Renji looked heavenward.

�He also put away a few rounds of sake with me, but you, child, don�t need to know about that.�

Ajuga�s expression soured, but she immediately wiped it off her face when Renji caught her eye. While his status as the lowest of the low in whatever hierarchy existed between Grimmjow, Starrk and Szayel�s respective households meant he couldn�t really rebuke her verbally, he hoped she understood what the cold look in his eyes meant. It seemed that she did, as she swallowed whatever she�d been about to say in favour of something appropriately contrite.

�Lucky. Papa was impressed, but Mama was pissed. Though, after speaking to Szay I understand why she was so upset now, even if it is irritating to always be forced to guard a building so far behind the lines.�

Renji understood her frustrations, even if he wanted to smack her for her actions. He�d argued for hours with Szayel to let him return to the fight after the Swarm put the Net out of commission. The only thing on the scientist�s mind had been the safety of his children. While Renji would be the first person to worry about the twins, Szayel�s lab was the most secure place anyone could be presently.

�Which is an odd and frightening notion,� Renji couldn�t help but to think. �Then again, its protections only last as long as one actually stays in the building.�

The girls chatted happily as they walked to the 3^rd Division while Toshiro and Renji trailed silently after, content to watch and listen. It didn�t take long to reach their destination and soon Renji found himself on his way to the 2nd Division with a large pile of papers while Ajuga patiently answered questions about what it was like to hang out with Harribel and her fraccion.

The more Ajuga spoke of Harribel and what the often quiet and mysterious Espada was like, the more Renji couldn�t help but to think of another Arrancar, a woman eerily similar in temperament, intellect and, apparently, philosophy as well as in power and rank. She held his heart and his Claim and made it possible for him to ferret out as much information as he could to hand to the Escapees and Yoruichi. Even though he couldn�t feel her the way she could feel him, he still sent a wave of love down the Claim to his mate, hoping she could feel it, somehow, from a Realm away.

In his mind, late summer couldn�t arrive fast enough.

They arrived at the 2nd Division and Ajuga led them, not to the office, but to the cafeteria. The staff clearly expected her for they had a boiling kettle of water waiting for her as well as two trays of food for the acting commanders. Vindula watched curiously as Ajuga pulled out several pouches of herbs from the bag tied around her waist and measured each herb out exactly before mixing the tea. She did it with such practiced motions that Renji knew she had to have been doing it for some time.

�So, for sure Ukitake-san has sweets in his drawer?�

Vindula seemed to need some reassurance where the candy was concerned as Ajuga, balancing the tray with both lunches and the pot of tea with two tea cups, led them towards the office.

�Filled to the brim,� Ajuga swore to her. �All different types too,� she added with a wink.

The older girl didn�t bother to knock on the door when she reached it, and simply used a foot to slide it open.

�I got your tea �take-ji!� she announced happily, as she came through the door with her arms loaded.

�Thank you Ajuga-chan,� Jushiro replied, looking up at them and smiling warmly.

Jushiro�s remaining eye lit up with genuine pleasure before settling on Vindula, who was, despite her excitement at the prospect of treats, hiding shyly behind his hakama. �And who is this charming, beautiful, young lady?� the white-haired Taichou inquired, even though Renji was certain Jushiro knew exactly who Vindula was as they had seen each other at each of Aizen�s �family get together� over the years and she was no stranger at Jushiro�s estate, thanks to Karin�s proxy Claim on Szayel.

�Vindula Grantz,� Vindula introduced herself shyly, wings fluttering behind her nervously, and then frowned. �You know me!�

Jushiro�s expression was one of slightly exaggerated shock and awe. Renji saw it and while his eye twitched, he prided himself on not laughing out loud right then and there.

�No, that can�t be! Why, the last time I saw her, she was just a little bitty thing! You�ve grown so much I hardly recognized you! By the way, my dear, do you like sweets?� Jushiro asked innocently, pulling open the very drawer Ajuga had mentioned.

Vindula�s eyes brightened and her shyness disappeared as she raced over to stare at the treasure trove presented to her. The shameless sugar-pusher regarded her indulgently as she looked at the bags of candy filling the drawer.

�Not too many,� Renji warned. The last thing he needed was Vindula in the middle of a sugar high, when her normal high was frenetic enough. �We�re going to have lunch soon.�

During all this, Ajuga had set down Jushiro�s plate and forced a mug of tea into his hand. After seeing to Jushiro, she moved over to deliver Byakuya his lunch. While Vindula tried to choose between lollipops and peppermints, Renji finally dared to look out of the corner of his eye at his former Taichou.

What he saw made his heart stop, grief threatening to overwhelm him.

He had known Byakuya for years and after Ichigo had kicked both of their respective asses during the young man�s attempt to stop Rukia�s execution, the two 6th Division officers had grown somewhat closer as colleagues. Renji had spent most of his career as a Shinigami studying the Kuchiki noble, searching for any sign of weakness he could exploit in a bid to get his childhood friend back. As such, Renji knew Byakuya like no other person. He knew the man better than the members of the noble�s own family did, with the possible exception of Rukia. Thus, as he stared painfully at the dark-haired man inadequately dressed for the season, sitting silently behind his desk, he knew that what remained of Byakuya�s sprit had finally been shattered.

The small hint of defiant, unyielding fire in those slate grey eyes was absent. So was his usually formal, upright posture that could make one feel inadequate just by looking at it. Moreover, while Byakuya did look up and offer Ajuga a slight smile for delivering his lunch, it was brittle, as hollow as the growing feeling in Renji�s gut. Everything about Byakuya literally screamed �this is wrong!� to the redhead.

He felt his throat close up and suddenly the office in which he stood seemed to lack sufficient air.

After fifteen years of non-stop rape, beatings and abuse, Yammy had finally won, had finally broken the heir to the noble Kuchiki house, and there was nothing, but nothing that Renji could do about it.

His eyes shifted back to where Vindula and Jushiro rooted through the drawer of candy. The smile wasn�t even forced and Renji concluded that Jushiro was truly in a good mood. Renji could only assume that Ukitake Jushiro was not as familiar with Byakuya as Renji was and therefore, hadn�t noticed anything amiss.

�Bya-san, are you alright?� Ajuga asked quietly, so quietly that Renji almost missed it and he turned his attention back to where Ajuga hovered worriedly over Byakuya.

�She sees it too, or senses it somehow,� he realized, wondering how Ajuga, a Hollow-hybrid, could see what someone as experienced as Jushiro could not. Maybe it had to do with some Arrancar instinct that allowed them to detect any weaknesses in their prey, and in Renji�s opinion, Byakuya was exceedingly weak right now.

�I am fine� Byakuya wrote out on his chalkboard.

�BULLSHIT!� Renji roared in his mind, but mindful of Vindula�s presence, kept his inner raving to himself, as rage and despair warred with one another for the upper hand within him. If it weren�t for Nel�s Claim and the fear of reprisals against the twins if he went through with what he desperately wanted to do now, he would be halfway to the Kuchiki Estate right now, ready to take large chunks out of the Tenth with Zabimaru.

Ajuga looked like she was about to argue about his answer as well, before also casting a glance Vindula�s way. Renji thought she might have some similar self-censorship.

�I was hoping you would have time for some calligraphy after work today,� she said instead, apparently trying a different angle. �It�s been a while since the last time we had a chance to practice and I miss spending time in your gardens.�

Any lingering doubts Renji had about his former Taichou�s state of mind died as the noble hesitated as he wrote out his next answer. Even the kanji seemed off. They were different somehow, less refined. The result was messy wavering white lines on the dark surface, a dirty scrawl compared to his usual handwriting.

It was as if an impostor wrote the words.

�I am afraid I will not be able to do so�

Ajuga looked crestfallen, but she put on a cheerful face as Vindula gleefully ran up to her with a handful of candy. Renji hoped that Byakuya would at least look up at him, acknowledge his presence as he had in the 4th Division, but the noble averted his eyes, staring down at the food Ajuga had brought him. Not once had Byakuya�s eyes shifted his way and Renji had no doubt that was deliberate. Whatever Yammy had done to break Byakuya, he had done so completely.

Renji suddenly felt nauseous.

�Vindula-chan, we should probably get going. We need to get some lunch into you.�

Renji tore his eyes from Byakuya and looked at Vindula, summoning his best, no-nonsense look as a way of masking what was really going on in his head.

He had to get out of here and fast, the urge was overwhelming as the surge of guilt powering it. Renji didn�t want to look at his former superior any longer, to know that he had played a part in fracturing Byakuya�s spirit, even if he hadn�t known about it at the time. He couldn�t even bring himself to notice or care how much candy Vindula clenched in her little fingers or how he would deal with an Arrancar child on a sugar high an hour from now. All he could see was the broken noble sitting behind his desk, his eyes on his paperwork, his backbone bent and Renji had to fight the sudden need to escape Jushiro�s office.

It was as if their visit in the 4th Division had never happened.

�I guess,� she pouted. �Goodbye, Ukitake-san, Kuchiki-san. Thank you for the treats!�

Vindula bowed politely and properly.

�Any time,� Jushiro smiled at her. �You know you and your brother are always welcome at the Estate too!�

Renji just had the presence of mind to numbly hand over the pile of papers in his hand, bow before leading Vindula out of the building, and make his way back out onto the street. Once there, he took several deep breaths of the cool air and tried not to think of what he�d just done as running. Of course, that�s exactly what it was, running. He added some self-loathing to his deteriorating mood. Renji found that he couldn�t deal with the sight of a defeated man he had once thought unconquerable.

Suddenly, the bright, sunny day didn�t seem so wonderful and the small amount of hope he�d had that Kuchiki Byakuya could hold out against Yammy until help arrived turned to cold cinders. Vindula could only frown as her caregiver crouched down, in the middle of a busy street, and pulled her into a tight hug, his eyes squeezed shut and salt tears sparkling at their corners.

�Well, is there another day I can come over and we can practice?� Ajuga asked drawing Jushiro�s attention to the conversation. With Vindula and Renji gone, there were fewer distractions and he was able to focus on the remaining people sharing the office with him.

Byakuya paused in his meal, and then wrote out a message on the chalkboard. Jushiro couldn�t read it from this angle, but whatever the answer was upset Ajuga tremendously. The young girl�s eyes began brimming with tears, and she suddenly fled without another word.

�Ajuga-chan?� Jushiro called after her, but she was already gone, not even closing the door behind her.

�What was that about?� he asked Byakuya, hoping the noble would let him know what had suddenly upset Ajuga enough to bolt from the office.

Byakuya didn�t answer in any of the ways he still could. Instead, the noble took his cup of tea and stared down into it for a moment before taking a drink and returning to work as if nothing had happened, his meal barely touched.

�Byakuya,� Jushiro pressed once more, but the other remained silent. He thought about demanding an explanation, for it really took something big to upset Ajuga, but decided against it for now. When Byakuya clammed up like that, there was no getting anything out of him.

�Even if I did know what was wrong, it is not as if I could do anything about it anyway,� he thought sadly, his hand going to his missing eye, a souvenir from the last time he had tried to interfere on Byakuya�s behalf. �Next time, Aizen might decide to punish someone other than me.�

His good mood fell flat, even with the wonderful little visit he�d had with Szayel�s daughter. Vindula was as sweetly charming as Hana and Ajuga had been at that age, and he found himself missing those days. Both were getting older and had begun to see things that the adults in their lives had gone to great lengths to try to hide from them, or hide as best they could.

Jushiro wondered just how long it would be before the two would finally see the unvarnished truth of what life was like under Aizen�s tyrannical control for the majority of the Soul Society�s denizens. He feared that day wasn�t far off and wished he could do anything he could to postpone it.

Unfortunately, no one could have predicted how quickly that moment would arrive.

Well, here it is, the weekly update. Thanks Kain and Anon for checking in. Hopefully this was a heart wrenching chapter. Maybe I�ll upload the next one sooner, make it a double update or something so we can finally have some fluff and happy thoughts for a change.

Kain: Soi Fon will have her moments, more so further along in the story. It actually took me a few days to realize you were talking about the manga in your last review about how she was awesome in the last chapter. I was like, um okay, I don�t remember her being in the last chapter, or being amazing in the one she was in, but what ever makes you excited.

Next Chapter: We see what Rangiku and Tatsuki are up to and Nnoitra takes them out for dinner and let�s them have a girls day shopping the next day. Too bad it comes to an abrupt end.

This Weeks Question: If it is any cross race relationship you would like to see be made cannon, who would it be: other than Ichigo/Grimmjow, because I know how most of you think *shifty eyes?
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Prize of Victory 2	By : NovaAlexandria Category: Bleach > General Views: 56255 -:- Recommendations : 2 -:- Currently Reading : 5
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach nor make a profit from this story

Prize of Victory 2