Adult-FanFiction.org : Bleach

Prize of Victory	By : NovaAlexandria Category: Bleach > Het - Male/Female Views: 87205 -:- Recommendations : 8 -:- Currently Reading : 8
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach nor make profit from this snippet

Chapter List
- 26
- 27
- 28
Warnings: None this chapter
Karin forced herself to hold still while Yuzu finished tying off the obi to her outfit. She felt like her heart was going to constrict in fear at the thought of once again meeting Aizen face to face.
It had been six years since she had seen him after her home had been obliterated, but she still recalled how powerful he had been. The thought of having to go to a meeting with him and the other Espada was not pleasant.
“Are you almost ready?” Grimmjow demanded, striding into the room wearing his usual uniform.
“I would be ready if you hadn’t insisted I wear this ridicules thing.” She growled, indicating the Kimono her sister was adjusting.
The last of five layers was on and Yuzu was just finishing typing off the obi. Karin couldn’t help but to be thankful her sister knew how to put these things on. Truthfully, death was starting to sound attractive.
“I thought chicks liked getting dressed up.” Grimmjow snorted.
“Because I am such the girly type.” Karin snorted back.
“But you look so pretty Karin.” Yuzu beamed at her.
“Yeah, well pretty won’t let me kick that bastard Nnoitra’s ass if he tries to touch me again.” She snapped irritably. “God, this thing is so restricting.”
“You won’t need to kick his ass. I will be there.” Grimmjow assured her, coming up behind her to rest his head on her shoulder and wrap his arms around her waist.
Karin sighed in annoyance, but did lean back into his embrace while her sister smiled warmly at them.
“It was Aizen’s great idea to have our pets wear these things.” Grimmjow comment, apparently finding it important to let her know this wasn’t his idea.
“Are you almost ready?” Ukitake’s voice came from the door way.
“Yeah yeah.” Karin grumbled, pulling out of the warm embrace with a reluctance she would never admit to anyone.
She blinked as her eyes fell upon Ukitake, for she had never seen him wear anything other than his uniform or a simple yukata.
Now he was dressed up in several layers of kimonos with the black, top layer covered in white wolves howling at a crescent moon.
“Oh Ukitake-san, you look wonderful.” Yuzu beamed.
“Thank you, Yuzu-chan.” He smiled at her. “You are looking wonderful Karin-chan.”
She couldn’t help but to blush lightly and pulled on the hem of her own outer Kimono nervously before Yuzu brushed her hand away.
She honestly wondered why they needed so many layers in the first place, but had to admit Grimmjow at least had good taste. Her outer layer was a very deep shade of blue with a single white panther stalking across the print.
“Hurry up, you guys are going to be late.” Lilinette commented as she entered the room, Starrk following behind her.
Like Grimmjow, Starrk was also in his uniform. It even looked freshly pressed instead of the usual slept in, rumbled up look it was normally in. Actually, even Grimmjow’s uniform looked freshly pressed and she had no doubt that Yuzu was behind it.
“What is the point of this meeting again and why do I have to go?” Karin asked in annoyance.
“Well, it’s real purpose is to make sure the Claims on us Taichou are being kept up, but since Aizen-kami didn’t want to play favourites with those that Claimed Taichou class Shinigami, everyone is expected to bring their companions.” Ukitake explained.
“I see.” Karin sighed. “So it’s a dog show where Aizen get’s his Espada to show off their pets?” She asked annoyed.
“Something like that.” Ukitake smiled at her.
“Joy.”
She really did not want to go. She had no way of knowing if Aizen would announce her condition or not and she still wasn’t sure on telling the others. She would have to soon though because her stomach was starting to grow and sooner than latter she wouldn’t be able to hide it anymore.
Yuzu walked them to the door and waved good bye, little Hana waving her own arm vigorously. Karin offered them a smile and Ukitake waved back as they followed their respective masters.
Karin didn’t really get to spend anytime out side of the mansion, and before that the house, so she couldn’t help but to look about as they walked, getting to see where she lived for the first time in six years. Ukitake noticed her interest and began pointing thing outs to her.
He explained this was the first district, the top of the 80 there were. The streets were rather busy once they hit the market area and the large wall that loomed up as they approached it nearly took her breath away. It was guarded by a few Shinigami who bowed as they were permitted to enter without any delay or challenge.
Inside the walls it was much quieter and the only people they passed were either Shinigami who scurried about or Arrancar who strutted about. She could understand the Shinigami’s fear, for the Arrancars reiatsu far outweighed theirs. In fact, she overshadowed all of the Shinigami they passed by a fair amount and admitted to herself she was as powerful as many of the Arrancar they passed, just not as highly trained.
The closer they got to the meeting hall, the brighter the large flare of Aizen’s reiatsu was starting to get and she tried to find someway to turn her sight off without having much luck.
She had never been this close to him since her ability to visually see reiatsu had developed and once more she couldn’t help but to compare it to a sun, one she was approaching rather quickly and was overwhelming her sight.
She was so focused on trying to get her sight to turn off, or at least toned down, that she failed to notice another couple approaching them until the surprised gasp of a woman caught her attention.
Karin looked over and the first thing her eyes fell upon was the scowling face of Nnoitra, followed by an urge to punch it in. Quickly though her gaze adjusted to the woman standing slightly behind him dressed in a green outfit that seemed to have an elaborate leaf pattern printed on it.
At first she didn’t recognize the woman, but after a moment the memory came back from so long ago on a soccer field.
“Matsumoto-san.” Karin recalled.
It was indeed the woman from her past and with a rather polite request, that sounded more like begging, she obtained permission from Nnoitra to approach them.
Karin barely had time to register it before she found herself pulled into a large hug that she returned after a moments shock.
“Karin-chan. I can’t believe it’s you. I haven’t seen you in years.” Matsumoto exclaimed.
“It’s good to see you too.” Karin returned.
“Ukitake-taichou, you are looking good.” Matsumoto smiled at him.
“You as well, Rangiku-san.” He returned politely.
“Rangiku-san.” Another warm voice called.
Karin looked over to see Orihime and Ulquiorra approaching their gathering group. Orihime and Matsumoto pulled each other into a large huge and shared warm smiles.
Karin was starting to suspect there was something more to their Kimono’s other than Aizen‘s sense of humour. Now that Matsumoto was closer she was able to find the praying mantis hiding in the field of green leaves. Orihime’s was white with what at first appeared to be strange, almost ink blot like patterns before Karin realized they were a swarm of bats.
“It is so good to see you all.” Matsumoto smiled at them.
“You as well.” Orihime replied.
“You sure have grown, Karin-chan. In more ways than one.” Matsumoto looked her up and down and she couldn’t help but to blush a little.
“Thank you. Have you heard from Toshiro?” She asked hesitantly.
She knew he was still alive. She had been able to sense his reiatsu for a long time now.
“Not in about a year, but he should be here today.” Matsumoto answered with a small smile, clearly eager to see her former Taichou as well.
Orihime was silent and studying her strangely, but didn’t say anything. It was making Karin a little nervous truthfully.
“Speaking of Hitsugaya-taichou.” Matsumoto smiled.
Karin turned to see the white haired Taichou approaching them. He was walking beside the Blonde haired Espada who had pulled her sister and herself out of the wreckage of their former home.
His outfit was various shades of blue reminiscent of light filtering through water with a white shark.
Toshiro paused as the two approached and his eyes shot to her with a look of surprise and disbelief.
“Karin?” He asked shocked.
“Toshiro.” She greeted him warmly, walking up to pull him into a hug that he returned after a moment of surprise. “It is so good to see you.”
“You as well.” He returned as they broke apart.
Matsumoto had him in her grasp almost immediately after Karin let him go. She could swear there were tears threatening the corner of the woman’s eyes and while Toshiro may have stiffened a bit at the embrace, he didn’t try to stop it in anyway and did return it.
“Oi.” An annoyed voice snapped.
Karin shot a glare at Nnoitra, who was staring at the embraced duo with a dark look. Reluctantly, Matsumoto let her former Taichou go and took a step back.
“Come. We do not want to be late.” Ulquiorra broke up the little get together.
Orihime gave a nod of her head and fell back into step with him as the rest returned to their respective Masters side.
“I see you have finally Claimed someone.” Harribel commented to Grimmjow as they walked.
The green eyed woman studied her as they walked. Surprisingly, Karin didn’t feel all that uncomfortable or threatened by the gaze. It was more curious than scrutinizing.
“What of it?” Grimmjow asked nonchalantly.
“Curious. Is that not one of the Kurosaki girls? She is older and cleaner, but I do recognize her.”
“Bitch is as annoying as her brother.” Nnoitra spat in disgust, tossing her a glare she returned.
“Want me to pound your face in again?” She asked sweetly when he continued to glare at her.
His hand tightened around the handle of his large weapon and he looked about ready to draw it.
“Just try it.” Grimmjow threatened as the three of them stopped walking.
“We do not have time for such pathetic posturing.” Ulquiorra broke up the fight before it could start.
“Tsh.” Nnoitra snorted. “I went easy on you. Wouldn’t want Aizen-kami’s little experiment to fail now would we.” He snorted, releasing his grip.
“Experiment?” Toshiro asked, looking at her in confusion that was mirrored on many of the others faces.
“Drop it.” Starrk spoke up for the first time, shooting a warning glare to Nnoitra, who scowled but backed down.
She didn’t answer the questioning looks, simply brushed past them and kept following the others still walking. After a moment everyone fell into place once more. They walked in silence until a large building she vaguely recognized from so long ago came into view.
The closer they got to it, the closer they got to Aizen, and his reiatsu was getting rather bright at this close range. Karin’s entire focus went back to trying to find a way to turn her sight off or at least dim it, but she wasn’t having much luck.
The more they walked down the corridors, the more her vision started to fill with the overwhelming reiatsu off the other. Finally, she couldn’t take it anymore as her vision was now a field of nearly complete white and she stopped, turning her back to the source but not finding much relief behind her.
Like light, power bent.
“Karin, what’s wrong?” Ukitake asked concerned.
“I can’t see.” She admitted. “It’s too bright. Everything is white.”
She rubbed her eyes, trying to clear them but it made no difference. Closing her eyes didn’t help much either. She was starting to get a resounding headache from the sharp light and felt herself waiver.
“Karin.” Orihime called concerned.
She was getting a bit dizzy to go with the headache and would have probably collapsed if someone hadn’t steadied her.
“My, this is an interesting gathering.”
Karin’s eyes snapped open to glare hatefully at Szayel as he walked towards them. To his left was the woman Nemu, to his right was a red head she was pretty sure she recognized but who’s eyes were so lifeless one would mistake him for dead if it wasn’t for the fact he was walking.
“He use to hang around Niisan.” She recalled.
She didn’t focus on them for long though, and forced her eyes shut as she tried to do anything to ease the pain from the blinding light. She was really stating to feel dizzy and kneeled down before she really did collapse.
“Karin, what is wrong?” Ukitake kneeled beside her, resting a hand on her shoulder.
“It’s too bright.” She complained.
“Bright?” He asked.
She nodded her head. “Too much power.” She whimpered.
“Aizen-kami’s reiatsu. You are seeing it.” He realized.
She nodded again.
“You mean her ability to physically see reiatsu has no way to be turn off?” Szayel asked with far too much interest.
“Yes.” Ukitake answered reluctantly for her.
“Wonderful. I think I may be able to do something for her though. Nemu, can you go get the device stored in Lab D, Section L, Sub Section A, Drawer C, Item # 48492.”
“At once, Szayel-sama.” The woman bowed and just disappeared as she launched into a Shunpo.
“Why should I accept help from you?” Karin snapped.
“Think of it as my way to apologise for the misunderstand the other day.”
Nemu returned as quickly as she had left with what looked like a pair of visored sunglasses. She handed them over to Szayel, who quickly began to tinker with them.
“What are those going to do?” Grimmjow asked with a near threatening voice.
“Awhile back I made these to see reiatsu so I could study the flows and patterns. It would be nothing to reprogram them to do the opposite. There we go. Try these on.” He smiled as he held them out.
Karin continued to glare at him distrustfully and Ukitake was the one who took them from the Espada before slipping them over her head. Her vision merely darkened as if she was wearing normal sunglasses and everyone’s reiatsu levels suddenly snapped to an even glow with numbers scrolling up the side of her vision giving out what she presumed was some sort of power level.
“Thank you.” She reluctantly said as she stood up again, her headache starting to dim now that the blinding light had been removed.
Now that she could see again she noticed that both of the Shinigami by Szayel’s side were Claimed by him and wearing similar outfits. Light pink with what looked like a swarm of butterflies. They were rather pretty.
Nemu she had known about, but the red head was new to her. Now more than ever she could see the dead look in the others eyes and what more his reiatsu was completely out of whack. Almost like a piece of his soul was missing.
“Shall we continue on. It would not do well to keep Kami waiting.” Szayel bowed lightly and gestured down the corridor.
Reluctantly, she once more fell into step beside Grimmjow as they finished their trek to a large board room. There was a beautifully carved table where two others were already sitting.
One was an old man with a rather nasty scar on his face. Kneeling on cushions behind him was a small woman with the power readings of a Taichou and a rather handsome man who, while powerful, wasn’t quite Taichou level. Both wore black kimono’s with red scythes crossing over an hourglass.
Karin frowned a bit as she realized the reiatsu surrounding the woman did not belong to the Espada. In fact, the binding power didn’t match anyone in the room at all.
The other Espada was a rather large, one might even say gargantuan, man. Kneeling beside him was another man sitting with far more poise than Karin had ever seen in a person before. Unlike the rest of them his Kimono was made of what had to be the finest silk she had ever seen. His was a swirling vortex of various shades of red and black. He also had a white scarf wrapped around his neck.
“Eh? What’s this? Finally get tired of being left out, Grimmjow?” The huge man taunted as everyone spread out to take their seats.
“Mind your own business, Yammy.” Grimmjow snapped back.
She noticed that while Nemu and the red head also kneel on cushions behind Szayel, Orihime, Toshiro and Ukitake all sat beside their Masters. She found herself sitting beside Grimmjow with Starrk on her other side, much to her relief. He and Ulquiorra were honestly the only other Espada she felt relatively safe beside.
There was some chatter between Ukitake and Toshiro as they talked about work and Nnoitra and Yammy jabbered on about something involving decapitation. The room fell silent however when the doors in the back swung open.
Aizen stepped in, looking far different from what she recalled. His wings were long gone and now he looked very much like a warm father figure. Flanking him were Unohana and an un-Claimed, male Shinigami of Taichou level.
Unohana sat beside Aizen as he took his seat, but the unknown man kneeled on a cushion behind Unohana. Everyone seemed to be gathered as there were no extra chairs or cushions and Aizen spoke.
“Good afternoon, My Espada.” Aizen smiled warmly at the room. “Let us enjoy some tea while you tell me how your year of Mastery has been. And I see we have a new guest. Would you be so kind as to introduce your pet to those of us that do not know her, Grimmjow?” Aizen requested.
“Karin.” He grunted.
“Ah yes. Kurosaki Karin. You have grown considerably in the past six years.” He offered her a smile.
Her mouth was too dry to speak so she gave a small nod of her head. She wasn’t so sure she wanted to speak anyway seeing as how the last time Ukitake had spoke during a meeting he’d had his back strapped.
Tea was brought in and she noticed everyone received it differently. Some poured for themselves while others poured for both themselves and their Masters. The tea smelt wonderful and she had to admit for all his evil faults, Aizen did know how to pick out a good tea.
She poured herself a cup, and since she was holding onto the pot, poured one for Grimmjow as well. His gaze was on Aizen and he didn’t touch his drink. She was more than happy to take care of the tea pot herself while wondering if she could somehow get the recipe for Yuzu.
She didn’t bother listening to the conversation. It seemed as if each of the Espada were giving their reports and answering questions in order of rank. Aizen didn’t speak once to the slaves and she quickly deduced they were just there for show, like a bloody pet cat or something.
“At least the tea is good.” She couldn’t help but to think slightly amused.
Finally it was Grimmjow’s turn and despite herself she found herself paying attention once more.
“I was starting to wonder if you would ever find an interest in anyone.” Aizen chuckled. “How long have you had her?”
“Few months.” Grimmjow grunted.
“I trust all has been going well?”
“Peachy.”
“And yet I have heard of some…… issues.” Aizen frowned at them.
“Well, if Nnoitra could keep his hands to himself, he wouldn’t have gotten his ass kicked by a little, human girl.” Grimmjow smirked.
Despite the somewhat insult to her statue and race, Karin had to hold back a laugh for she knew Grimmjow wasn’t intending to insult her, but rather the fuming Arrancar across from them.
Nnoitra looked ready to kill them, almost ready to leap across the table. Aizen merely let a small smile widen his lips and Karin could feel his reiatsu clash against the two men. Since she was so close to Grimmjow she could feel the wash out. There was also the fact she could see Aizen reiatsu assault the two of them.
Grimmjow scowled and Nnoitra went pale, but both back downed. She rubbed the arm closest to Grimmjow. It felt a little singed and she unconsciously rubbed her stomach, hoping the violent reiatsu hadn’t harmed her still forming child.
“Is that why your nose was all bloody the other day?” Yammy laughed. “You got your ass kicked by this slip of a creature?”
Nnoitra looked pissed. Aizen frowned and the conversation instantly dropped.
“I do believe your pet is currently engaged in a project that I informed you Szayel would be assisting with. He is informed no test are to alter her in anyway, and yet you seem to be denying him access. I trust this will not happen again?”
“Fine. But I insist on being there. This has bearing on me too.” He crossed his arms and glared.
She could tell they definitely had the interest of the others now.
“What experiment?” Harribel asked curiously.
“Please say nothing. Please say nothing.” She begged silently.
She was totally not ready for Orihime or Ukitake-san to know she was with child. If they knew than the others would find out.
“I will let the rest of you know when it comes to its completion.”
She felt a rush of relief.
“And if anyone does try to harm her, well.” Aizen just smiled. “Let’s just say this is one experiment I am watching closely. I will not tolerate interference or questions from anyone until it‘s completion.”
He switched to Szayel next and Karin was just pleased she was no longer the topic of conversation, but there were still several people looking at her with clear curiosity. Now more than ever she was thankful for the tea. For it settled her suddenly upset stomach and she wondered if that property wasn’t one of the many reason’s Aizen had chosen it.
The meeting finally concluded and everyone rose to leave.
“Karin, Szayel, a moment please.” Aizen called.
The others left, leaving the two called plus Grimmjow.
“I did not ask for you to remain. “Aizen frowned at him.
“I like to know what’s going on with her. Would hate to hear someone else got their nose busted in because they couldn’t keep their hands to themselves.” Grimmjow looked pointedly at Szayel.
“Again, that was simply a misunderstanding.” Szayel sighed in sufferance. “And I have apologized several times.”
“I assure you no such thing will happen. Please wait outside, Grimmjow.”
Grimmjow scowled, but reluctantly left. Karin felt fear grip her as she was left alone with the mad scientist and an evil maniac.
“Please sit back down, Karin.” Aizen smiled softly at her and indicated a chair by his side.
She reluctantly did as ordered and tried to get her body to stop trembling. She could feel Grimmjow right outside that door, and that helped to ease her nerves slightly. Granted, there was really nothing he could do against Aizen.
“I would like to hear from you in your own words what happened the other day with Nnoitra.” He smiled encouragingly at her.
“Szayel-sama,” the honorific tasted like ash in her mouth but she wasn‘t going to push her luck with Aizen, “showed up with Nnoitra-sama because he wanted to run some more so called test.
“I went with him without a fight the first time he wanted to run some tests and he started draining my reiatsu thinking I wouldn’t notice.” She glared at him.
“A misunderstanding.” Szayel quickly interjected.
“Szayel.” Aizen warned.
“My apologies, Kami.” Szayel bowed and went silent once more.
“I had no reason to trust him a second time and told him if he wanted more material he could get it from Unohana-san, who had just ran some test the day before. Nnoitra-sama didn’t like it very much and tried to physically force me to go. I said no in a way he would understand.
“I am sorry, Aizen-kami, but I don’t remember much of the fight. I blacked out half way through.” She admitted reluctantly.
“I see. What caused the black out?” This time Aizen looked at Szayel.
“Reiatsu drainage. Karin-san panicked when Nnoitra finally caught her and threw all of her available reiatsu against him.” Szayel reported.
“And you did nothing?” Aizen asked warmly, taking a sip of his tea.
Karin could hear the danger in Aizen’s voice and Szayel stiffened in fear. Actually, she would probably label that as terror as he was suddenly ghost white.
“I...” Szayel stammered.
“Szayel-sama constantly ordered Nnoitra-sama to stop during the whole thing and Nnoitra-sama blasted Szayel-sama when he tried to physically interfere.” Karin interjected, bringing Aizen’s attention back to her.
Szayel looked at her in surprise before his look turned grateful.
“I see.”
“I am sorry Aizen-kami, but Nnoitra is far stronger than me.” Szayel admitted.
“It is irrelevant now. However, I am displeased you failed to admit to testing I have ordered.” He frowned at her.
“I was scared.” She offered.
This time his smile was one of understanding.
“You have nothing to fear. I assure you that none of the tests will harm or alter you or your child in anyway. Do I have your assurance you won’t misbehave anymore?” He asked warmly.
“Yes, Aizen-kami.” She bowed her head.
There was really nothing else she could say after all. Nothing else she could do.
“Good girl. I do have one last question before I permit you to depart. Why are you wearing such interesting head gear?”
“I can visibly see reiatsu and yours is very overwhelming. This contraption filters reiatsu down.” She answered.
“Ah. I am curious then. How would you rank my Espada power level wise? You may drop the honorific’s for this response.”
“With no knowledge of their abilities and by pure reiatsu level alone: Starrk, Yammy, Ulquiorra, Barragan, Harribel, with a toss up between Grimmjow and Nnoitra right on Harribel’s tail, and Szayel.” She answered.
“Strange. You place the 4th above the 2nd and 3rd and the 1st above the Zero.”
“Ulquiorra-sama has more reiatsu. But like I said, I don’t know their abilities.”
“Can you see active Claims as well?”
“Yes.” She admitted slowly.
“And everyone in this room was Claimed by their Masters?”
“Not quite.” She swallowed nervously as his eyes looked at her dangerously.
“Who was not Claimed?” He demanded.
“Only two were not, Unohana-san and the white haired man.”
“Then you are lying?”
“No. It’s just.” She bit her lip. “The woman with black hair sitting behind Barragan-sama. She is Claimed, just not by him. I didn’t recognize the reiatsu entrapping hers.” Karin explained.
Aizen’s eyes narrowed and she felt her body go ridged with fear.
“Szayel?”
“Well, I would need to do a more in-depth study.” He stammered. “Hollows can only tell that someone has been Claimed, not the who. She is definitely Claimed.”
Karin nodded in agreement.
“In the end it hardly matters.” Aizen suddenly brushed the subject aside. “I believe we have left your master alone in the hall long enough.” He smiled amused as he looked at the door. “You are dismissed, but before you go, Karin.”
She paused getting out of her chair.
“I expect to hear you have reported to the lab for the tests I will be requesting tomorrow. Correct?” He asked with a warm smile.
“Hai, Aizen-kami.” She bowed.
“Any questions before you go?”
“Just one.” She admitted, rubbing her arm nervously.
“Ask.” He offered her a warm smile of encouragement.
“I don’t suppose I could have that tea recipe for Yuzu?” She asked rather embarrassed.
Aizen actually chuckled softly.
“I will see she gets it.” He assured her.
He waved her away and she retreated as fast as she could without making it look like she was running. As she entered the hallway she found Grimmjow to be right where she knew he would be. She was very positive that if Grimmjow had fur, it would be fully up like any agitated cat.
He looked her up and down, studying her for any signs of distress or injury. Finally pleased, he grunted for her to follow him. She was just happy to escape this hell hole and get out of these restricting clothes.
I love you all so much. I don’t think I have ever gotten as many reviews as I did the last chapter and I am pleased everyone enjoyed it.
The one who has Soi Fon Claimed is Ggio since Barragan wouldn’t sleep with her. It doesn’t come up anywhere that I can think of.
There wont be any chapters on the Escapee’s, at least not anytime soon, as this story really isn’t about them. We will see them off and on.
There will be more scenes between Matsumoto and Nnoitra in the future. And the feeling you got Bleachfan7, was EXACTLY what I was going for. A lot of abusive men don’t realize they are being abusive and actually believe they are in the right and are showing love (a product of how they were raised).
Next Chapter: More development between Karin and Szayel. The heart wrenching scene with Yuzu is in two chapters. If all goes well, or unwell I guess, it will leave you all in tears and needing your teddy.
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Prize of Victory