11 Chapter 11: Riddles and Rumors
[Furoufushi POV]
I've been grounded…
For a week now…
I've been alive for decades…
It's my fault, I guess. Never seen Tenchou so mad before. But I can't help it. That shitty sword won't let me do anything. All she does is make fun of me and beat the crap outta me. What kind of spirit does that? Why is she even dressed like a Miko? She's more demon than anything.
All I've been doing is sitting in my room or walking around Akachou. The snow stopped falling a couple days ago. People are still wear heavy clothing and sit around fires. The fighting has stopped for now. I don't really plan on looking for strong opponents. The training has done more for me than street fights ever could.
I'm trying my best to avoid thoughts about the woman we found a week ago. Something about her really ticked me off. Her expression was just gloomy as hell, like she was fighting to give up on something. However strange that sounds.
I really wanted to beat the shit outta her and set her straight, but she was probably the type that only took advice from the ones she okayed. Her strength wasn't too bad for North Rukongai standards. But I'd still kick her ass, I've come way further than I realized. I was probably around her level when Tenchou took me in.
I'll be getting my Zanpakutou back tonight. Past couple days, I asked Tenchou a bunch of questions about the sword. I found out that I'm learning its name. He looked a little surprised when I told him my Zanpakutou hadn't told me anything. Literally nothing.
Beside the Shikai release, I also learned about the 'Reiatsu' I had been unconsciously using sometimes. I got that under control and practiced manifesting it in small amounts when Tenchou wasn't watching. At least, I think he wasn't aware…he probably was.
"Alright. Take it easy this time. Get some sleep tonight. Got it?"
"Hn."
I nodded and hummed in agreement. I saw his squinting eyes; he probably didn't believe me. Well, I didn't believe myself either. Tenchou handed over my Zanpakutou, his fingers lingered on the sheath as I tried to wrench it from him. He released it. The silence in the room was heavy. I waited to see if he was going to say anything.
"Goodnight Fu-chan."
"Hn."
*slide*
Sliding the door closed, he left. All alone in my room, my eyes shot to the sword in my lap. Would anything really be different this time? I struggled so hard, for weeks. I felt months were going to pass me by, then years. Losing sleep and hardly paying attention when I work, it was the most frustrating thing I've ever done. I guess I'm being impatient. The fact that I even have this thing is a blessing huh?
Instead of sleeping with my Zanpakutou, I leaned it in a corner of the room. Plopping back in the futon, I closed my eyes, waiting for sleep to take me.
"…"
"…"
Within a minute, my eye opened. I glanced at the leaning sword. It sat in the deep shadow, watching me. I could feel her mocking smile. Those sealed eyelids hid ethereal white eyes that saw me as inferior. Mocking me.
"Ha!" I scoffed, breaking the silence of the night.
Maybe I hadn't learned anything at all. All I did was run and run, then fight and fight. And now, all I do is train. I know Tenchou doesn't like it, but I can't help it. Even if I wanna stop, I can't. I'm addicted…
It's okay... everything's fine.
*sniffle*
I'm fine...
*sniffle*
Wow… I'm just…
*sniffle*
I'm not even on my period. I just wanna stop for once. Just stop...
*shk shk shk*
I glanced back at the sword in the corner. Yeah, judge me all you want as I try to escape. Whatever it takes, I'm leaving this shitty place.
*SHK SHK SHK*
"WHAT?!"
I can't, I just can't. Wiping the tears away, I sat up. Crawling over to the corner, I picked up the sword and spun around, cocking my arm back.
I want to throw it away…
I really do…
But it's the only thing I know.
'Just stop, okay? All you do is trample over everything.'
"…"
"…"
I crawled back, carrying the sword in my hand. Tucking under the covers and closed my eyes. If she wanted to beat me up again, it was up to her.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
"Goodness. The monkey's realized how terrible it's been."
Opening my eyes, the sadistic spotted Miko graced me with her presence.
"…"
"My~. Our monkey has turned mute. How sad. I might cry."
I stood up from my seat. After looking down at her amused face, I turned around and headed toward the door where the flowery typhoon surged on. I sat down at the door, dangling my legs off the edge, watching the constant current of petals fly by.
*WHIISH* *FWOO*
The scent of flowers invaded my nose. I lifted my head, looking up at the eye of the typhoon.
A beautiful blue sky beyond the revolving ring of petals.
Nothing but a clear blue sky. No sun. No clouds. Just a motionless ocean of soft, serene blue.
But my vision couldn't help but drift back to the swirling typhoon of flowers that imprisoned the very same sky.
The maiden's voice echoed off the shrine's walls behind me.
"The storm carries profound significance for us."
Us?
'You have all the time in the world child. But now isn't the time to be lost...'
"…"
A person flashed in my mind. Without meaning to, my thoughts escaped from my lips.
'Can I be like him? Do anything... be anything? Live a good life?'
'Child…' The voice turned tender; a trace of sadness split through her whispers. 'The strong meet countless struggles, from within and from foe. You are also one of these. To be like him...'
"…"
Strength.
Does it end?
Will I keep going? Forever?
But it's the only thing I know...
And the only thing I can ever be...
Strong.
But I don't even know what a 'good life' means.
Who gave me such a silly idea?
I can't even remember.
A good life? Sounds like a joke.
But I don't wanna laugh...
Lingering thoughts filled my mind as I watched the mesmerizing storm. The blend of colors filled my vision, while the eye of the storm dragged me in. It was frighteningly magnificent as if nothing else mattered in the world. Even if my eyes saw the vibrant colors, none of it mattered, only the eye did. Threatening to leave me blind to everything else. Like a tunnel…
Ah. I see...
I turned my head to face the maiden.
A peaceful air surrounded her as she sat in the middle of the Shrine. A beautiful smile had spread on her lips as she silently nodded in agreement.
It was a start.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
[Neutral POV]
"Here you go."
"Thank you, young lady."
Tengoku's customers perceived a small change in their resident pink pigtail employee. Her aura had softened ever so slightly. Enough that they could enjoy their time in the tea house without having to worry about minor details. That wasn't to say there weren't any issues…
"Alright... who puked on the floor?"
""…""
Kenji smirked. His eyes flashed in pride as Furoufushi commanded the masses and parted the sea of people. Although it was slight, changes were starting to show in her. Seated behind the front counter, Kenji grazed his fingers over Muhou. Looking at his nagamaki with a fond look, his lips curled up as he talked in a teasing tone.
"You were worried, weren't you."
*shk*
"Always so shy. You should break that habit."
*SHK SHK shk*
"Oops~. Slip of the tongue."
*shkkk~*
He rolled his eyes at the drama queen. Finishing the small chat, Kenji's eyes traveled around the booths and tables of Tengoku. Satisfaction was easy to accomplish. The returning guests and positive rumors all contributed to Akachou's number-one destination. Yet with gossip came embellishments. Rumors of unrivaled strength and a grand reverence for the Tengoku house spread throughout all Rukongai. From the four cardinal directions, a simple expression emerged.
'Tengoku. A house with a history as deep as the oceans, and where strength sits above the clouds.'
Yet no one could really believe the 'fabled house of Tengoku' and the teahouse were indeed connected. Many residents who didn't live in North Rukongai believed it to be a front. A farce to draw their attention away from Seireitei's noble houses. But some searched for the truth, however false the trails appeared, they searched. Ones who wished to fight above the clouds.
Kenji's eyes narrowed as his vision locked onto the far corner of the teahouse. Obscured by a straw hat and a mino [straw raincoat], a man indulged in his tea, wafting the scent and taking deep sips. Furoufushi walked over to Kenji, standing beside him, her violet eye followed his gaze. She noticed the peculiar and tense air around the man sitting in the far corner.
Before she could take a step forward, the man in the far corner tilted his straw hat up. Under the hat was an elegant fair-skinned face of a man. Long black hair fell on his shoulders while his bangs hung in front of his chest. His thin eyebrows furrowed as his drooping eyes sharpened. He detected a stare coming from the young lady of the house. He then noticed the pair of dull black eyes. Alarmed he couldn't feel the master's gaze, cold sweat trailed down his spine. His hand subtly slid under the table, handling the katana he carried.
Furoufushi started to bend down under the counter to grasp her Zanpakutou. Kenji placed a hand on her shoulder and shook his head. With a firm whisper, he pacified her.
'Easy now. You can do it later.'
She nodded in understanding; however, her sight didn't move from the threat sitting deep in the teahouse. The man in the far corner raised his hidden hand onto the table in a display of sincerity. Furoufushi scoffed with disdain. The man's lips curled up as he lowered his hat back down and continued to drink in silence.
