CHAPTER 89: Rukongai

Published the Chapter 90 by mistake. I need more sleep...

***

Yoruichi let out a soothing purr of relief, her velvety paws finally relaxing their grip in Kazuya's messy bed of hair. "You came through."

Lifting a hand, Kazuya cradled Yoruichi's delicate feline head, his fingers tenderly tracing the contours of her soft fur. "Never underestimate the resolve of a man who's survived a toxic relationship. Do you have any idea how much self-control it requires to hold back from snapping, or even... killing that person?"

His words were cloaked in bitter memories of his grandfather, yet she misinterpreted them as a reference to his relationship to Aizen.

"What if my skepticism gave you the determination to pull through? You never know."

"Just admit you were wrong. It won't make you a smaller woman… Wait, I don't want to see you shorter than you already are."

"..."

"I was referring to your cat form," he clarified, a mischievous whistle escaping his lips. "Your real form is perfect as it is. I'd have preferred if you were just a tad taller. Like a couple of inches."

"Now you're just asking for a beating," she huffed. "Go to the ground before anyone notices us. Hurry~."

Heeding her urgency, he descended, a second sigh of relief from Yoruichi brushing past him.

"Well," she said. "How does it feel to be back?"

Her question was more than just casual conversation; she hoped to pry open the walls around his past life, to ease the burden upon his heart. After all, for souls as ageless as theirs, the emotional wounds often ran deeper than physical scars. She had no desire to witness him crumble under the weight of his past, not as an ally, and certainly not as a friend.

"I have no idea."

A brief silence, heavy with unsaid words, stretched between them. Yoruichi sighed, her third one since their arrival, settling more comfortably on his head as if it were her personal couch. "Sharing your feelings wouldn't kill you, you know?"

"I know, jeez," he said. "I hardly remember anything about my life here. I don't feel sad or overwhelmed. You don't need to be concerned."

"If you say so."

"Are we staying here until the next Shinigami recruitment process begins?"

"Yup. Just head in that direction. I'll introduce you to my friend."

The 'friend' she was so eager to introduce was no mystery to him.

'Sexy fireworks woman.'

He was excited to meet her, and not just because she was among the most attractive women in Bleach. Kūkaku Shiba was closely tied to Kaien Shiba, a man who could put an end to his entire mission. Kaien had previously seen him as a Quincy. Encountering him again as a Shinigami could stir up complications.

{Just kill him. Violence is the key to solving every problem. If it doesn't solve your problem, you simply aren't using enough violence.}

Nami's suggestions had turned murderous, and it was only his first day in the Soul Society.

'Don't go down the murderhobo route please.'

{I'm sorry… It's too late for me. I have embraced the path of death and loneliness. I'll become the Mistress of Heavens, then give you the Heavens as my dowry.}

'Oh no.'

As they ventured towards their destination,Yoruichi filled him in on some interesting bits about their current location. Rukongai was the biggest and most populous part of the Soul Society, encompassing a staggering 320 Districts, divided into 80 sections around Seireitei. The 1st District had peace and law comparable to the Seireitei. The same couldn't be said to the districts further from the Seireitei's reach. The 80th District was a violent territory infested with some of the most violent souls.

The living standards in Rukongai declined sharply beyond the fiftieth district, with an increase in people wearing rags. The further a district fell from the center, the more decaying slums it would become. The poverty was to the point no Rukongai resident wore sandals beyond District 59.

Kazuya felt grateful that Yoruichi directly brought him to the 1st District of West Rukongai, where Kūkaku Shiba resided. Soon, he could see a well-built house in the distance. Though humble in size, the house boasted a massive chimney.

'She didn't start using those hands yet.'

Kaien's death would affect many people. His sister, Kūkaku would shift to a deeper part of the Rukongai and use two giant human hands to hold up a banner with her name on it.

He blinked, sensing an unusual stillness. 'Strange. I can't sense anyone inside.'

He tugged at Yoruichi's tail. She retaliated by clawing his hair.

"Stop messing with my tail," she growled. "I'll kill you."

Her tail to her was as sacred as a dragon's reverse scale.

"Calm down, Shihōin-san. Your friend isn't at home."

"True. I don't hear any movements." She gave his head an affectionate pat. "Let's just wait inside."

"Isn't that rude?"

"Who cares? Kūkaku and I are like sisters. She wouldn't mind me barging into her house."

"From a noble princess to a trespasser. Shihōin-san's fall is a story worth writing."

"I'll obviously be the main character," she said with a laugh. "Stop calling me Shihōin-san, or I'll start calling you Lil' Kazu."

He cringed at the nickname. "Fine, Yoruichi."

"Better."

They pushed the sliding back door of the house open and plunked down by the entrance. The home was warm and inviting, with a snug living room and even a basement. But they chose to lounge near the entrance, basking in the waning daylight.

As Yoruichi stretched next to him, her tail swirled in rhythmic arcs. "I'll take a nap. Wake me when—"

"Yoruichi, I need to tell you something."

He explained the potential complication of Kaien Shiba's presence and how it could disrupt their mission.

Yoruichi narrowed her eyes. "We're at the perfect place to remedy the problem. The friend you're about to meet is Kaien Shiba's younger sister. We can ask her to summon Kaien and discuss things."

"Perfect or should I say purrfect?"

She glanced at him and rolled her eyes. "You impudent little kitten. Where did you find the fur-balls to utter cat puns in my presence?"

"I'm still scratching the surface... There will be a purr-ticular time when I'll be meow-tering cat puns as naturally as breathing."

"Get out of here. Away from my sight, now!"

"..."

***

After about an hour of idle chatter and the occasional cat pun, Kazuya spotted three silhouettes on the serene horizon. A raven-haired woman was making her way towards them, her strides flanked by two loyal servants wearing red hats.

"She looks pissed," he whispered. "What ticked her?"

Yoruichi languidly rose from her spot, her tail playfully swatting at his back. "One step at a time, Kazuya. We'll deal with her troubles first."

She was prioritizing her friend over the mission, and he couldn't fault her for it.

"Fair enough."

Kūkaku Shiba came to a halt before him, her hands resting on her hips as she scrutinized him with a hawk's intensity. "Yoruichi, who is this gentleman?"

Kazuya rose to his feet and gave a refined bow. "It's an honor to meet the Princess of Shiba Clan."

His words, carefully chosen and delivered with a hint of admiration, would have been a perfect greeting for a princess. However, Kūkaku clenched her fists, her face twitching. With the temperament of a tiger and a distaste for nobles, this princess was ready to snap at anyone at this moment.

"Shiba-san, did I perhaps offended you? If so, I apologize."

Yet, his soothing voice seemed to dissolve the anger before it could reach a crescendo. She became more composed than when she first arrived.

"You…" she murmured, her eyes narrowing, clearly puzzled by his unexpected calming voice. "Yoruichi, what the hell is this man?"

Yoruichi burst into laughter, never expecting this baffled reaction from Kūkaku of all people. "Come inside. I'll introduce him properly."