Sins of the Unholy pt. 1

Creeping Shadows

Sins of the Unholy

5: Creeping Shadows

Rangiku, dressed down in a pale pink kimono, comes to stand with her Captain. Hitsugaya is still wearing his black shihakusho as he stands within the garden of the Compound. His arms rest crossed against his chest as he watches the shishi-odoshi tap against a rock before straightening up. The worry in his stance emanates off of him and Rangiku feels sorrow for her Captain.

"How is she?"

Toshiro does not look away from bamboo tapper. Ichigo joins the two, dressed down in a simple gray kimono. Coming to stand with Rangiku, he really gets a look at Toshiro. Standing at almost 6ft, the young captain has grown into his full form. His hair is long but still holds some of the spikyness along the back of it.

"Her Zanpaktou has her now, it's a waiting game." Toshiro turns to look at the two finally before glancing over at a partially opened shoji door.

"Hyorinmaru wasn't happy with the disruption. He was trying to get more information out of him but apparently this new dream came on quicker than she expected. She'll just need to rest till she's ready." Toshiro speaks but sounds broken as he steps a bit closer to Rangiku. The lieutenant frowns as she places his hand upon her captain's shoulder to draw his attention.

"Juno is strong, always has been. She'll give up what we need once her zanpaktou has his fill. She's lasted this long, it will be good for her to see you once she wakes." Toshiro nods before pulling himself back up and stepping away. He moves into the shoji doors and closes it once he's in.

"Are they?" Askes Ichigo as he watches Toshiro leave. Turning quickly back to Rangiku, his wide eyes and shocked face cause the red head to burst out laughing.

"They don't show it much when in uniform, but yes they are. Happily married over 30 years now, still in love as the first days of her joining our squad." Rangiku moves to wrap her arm around Ichigo's and leads the shinigami further into the garden.

"They married just after the Quincy fiasco. To keep Juno safe as well as the Soul Society, they made their home here. Only those with a small trace amount of spiritual energy reside here, but even then they must wear the limiters." Rangiku comes to a small bench and moves to sit. The bamboo around this area is tall and blocks off most of the compound from view. Ichigo paces before her and she can't help but chuckle.

"How does the Soul Society let her Zanpaktou live? I figured you all would have regulated something like this." Ichigo pauses in his steps and turns to Rangiku.

"They tried, but former Captain Unohana stepped forward to take responsibility. To kill a child for something they could not control, we can be cruel...but never that cruel." Rangiku's words sound flighty as she waves off Ichigo's accusing stare.

"Plus with a power like future sight, it has its uses."

"That doesn't seem like a good use."

"Honestly, it's not. But Juno understands the reasons by her living her life as it is. So long as the Captain is by her side, she'd do all she can to make it better for us in the Soul Society."

~

"In one months time, the world will change, Juno." Yume no Kiseichi stands before Juno in the fog covered field. His human form shines dimly while his eyes glow bright. He walks around Juno causing the fog to swirl more and more.

"War."

"Destruction of the Soul Society will start with the ripping of the land." Moving closer to her, Kiseichi comes to stand behind her. His hands reach out before her and he clears the fog. Images flash briefly, but all of it is familiar.

The Soul Society in chaos. Squad 1's wall is cracked and bloodied. Shinigami run from place to place, some wounded trying to find relief in the chaos around them. Captains of Squad 3 and 4, stand side by side, weapons at the ready. Squad 4 lies beyond, healers working quickly to patch up the holes in the defense.

"When the war reaches its pinnacle, Kirin's will fill the sky and bring about the plagues of the world."

Large dragon-like creatures fly across the sky, their claws covered in blood and poison. Large antlers prodroud from their heads, some have bits of cloth wrapped around them while others have flesh. Along the backs of these great beasts are riders all draped in black. Each one holds a different colored orb. Gray, yellow, blue and red.

"When they begin to devour the world, we will devour each other."

With a small groan, Juno feels herself come back up from the fog. The numbness of that world eases and slowly she opens her eyes. The room she lays in has a single candle burning close by. She takes a deep breath before kroaking as she tries to speak.

"Shhh, I'm here." Toshiro leans over from his spot by the candle and places a gentle hand on her chest. Turning her brown eyes to him, she can feel they start to water. Can feel the pressure of his power weighing her down in the room. It brings her calm and yet she fears for what it means.

"Li..limiter." She stutters out, the cackle of Kiseichi within her mind forces her eyes closed to view the world on fire.

"Pl..please... H-He's too strong...pl-ease." She stutters out more as she tries to force herself up. With a forceful hand, Toshiro keeps her down.

"I'll get it, just rest for now." His words are soft as he waits just a moment for her to calm. He watches as her eyes close and she begins to take deep breaths. Toshiro stands quickly and moves to open the door. Stepping out into the hall he's met by Saki, kneeling next to the pillar from the hallway. He sighs deeply before moving over to her.

"Saki, do you have my limiter?" The girl merely smiles before reaching for the box next to her. Opening it up she presents it to him. Laying on the blue silk within are a single gold band ring as well as two gold bangles, each identical yet different from the ones everyone is wearing. As the others are full circles his do not connect but are blunted off into ball coverings. The vines still wrap the gold but no snowflakes adorn the metal.

"It's time to change Toshiro, the Captain title can sleep for one night." Comments Saki as she watches Toshiro slip on the limiters. He looks down at the woman before moving to sit with his legs off the edge. Saki moves to face him and grins.

"How long has it been this bad?"

"It's not about how long, it's about what we know." Saki looks over at the worried Captain and can't help but remember them all those years ago. Saki and Tsuki had grown up with these two. The first of the household to be chosen by the young captain. He'd glared and been cold but anyone could see how he soffend around Juno.

"Juno's been working out on the training fields, she's trying to get Tsuki to join her. She says she feels a power within him. He's asked for a stronger limiter." Saki runs her hands along her lap, she looks out over the compound and watches as a few lights go out. The night has come on quick and everyone has been buzzing with the Captains return.

"I'll take him back with me, we can check to see.." Toshiro starts but seems to cut himself off.

"He won't go. He wants to be here for Juno. We've both talked about it, Juno had urged us both to take a trip into the Souls Society, but we enjoy our life here. To leave Lady Juno...this is our family. You are our family Toshiro." Saki's words are filled with much emotion, eyes watering just a bit as she looks back at the Captain. The tension in his shoulders seems to have eased and he smirks for just a moment before looking back to the room holding Juno.