DREAMS OF RUKIA: Opening Arc & Soul Reaper Civil War Arc

DREAMS OF RUKIA: Chapter Twenty Four

DISCLAIMER: THERE WILL BE SPOILERS FOR MAJOR EVENTS AND CHARACTERS OF BLEACH AND ITS SUBSEQUENT LIGHT NOVELS. If you don't wish to be spoiled, then do NOT read until you have seen all of Bleach and know of the light novels Can't Fear Your Own World, WE DO knot ALWAYS LOVE YOU, and Spirits Are Forever With You.

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I take a step.

Suddenly I'm right next to Byakuya, grasping his arm as I tap other locations on his body, freezing it from the shoulders down. Byakuya struggles to free himself as I throw me hands outwards at the group of Captains rapidly approaching, creating a huge glacier that block their path. Soi Fon climbs to her feet and points her Shikai at Byakuya.

"Don't try anything."

Byakuya sighs angrily as I run back towards Rukia. She smiles, running towards me and leaping up, hugging me tightly.

"You... You did it!!"

"We shouldn't be celebrating yet, Rukia. Thanks for the hug, but the Head Captain still thinks-"

"Thinks what?"

I drop Rukia as my eyes widen. She yelps and takes several steps back as I slowly look behind me. There, standing directly behind me, was Head Captain Shunsui Kyoraku.

"H-Head Captain!"

"Have something to say, Tsuchiya? You fought through countless battles, survived several Bankai and even attained your own, even defeating the Hollow Queen. Why? Why work so hard to save one person?"

I turn the rest of my body to face Kyoraku.

"Why? Because that one person is Rukia Kuchiki. When I was at my lowest and had nobody to turn to, it was Rukia who visited me in a dream and got me to who I am now. Why did I fight several Captains, and nearly die countless times? Because I knew if I didn't, I'd lose the only friend I have!!" Tears begin flowing from my eyes, and Rukia's eyes widen. I disengage my Bankai as I fall to my knees. "Rukia is all I have right now, and she could have died!! What, did you expect me to just keel over and WATCH the only friend I have be falsely accused of treason and be executed?!" My head falls limp as I cry out, Rukia runs towards me and crouches next to me.

"Please, spare him Head Captain. He's been through so much, can't you see he's had no time to reflect at all? It's such a noble thing to do, rescuing me and going against the entirety of the Court Guard just for me." Her head rests on my shoulder as she rubs my back. One of the blades of Katen Kyokotsu lowers to point at me.

"Sorry, Rukia. I can't do that. Your friend here has defied and stood against the law of the Court Guard, committing high treason several times. I can't allow him to live after that."

Silence. Only broken by my faint weeping. Then...

"After everything I've done... You're still going to kill me..." Suddenly my crying stops. My axe appears as I grip it so tightly my knuckles turn white, my arm quaking in anger. I throw my head up to face Kyoraku as I scream at him.

"YOU'RE ALL JUST A BUNCH OF HEARTLESS MONSTERS!!!"

I slowly rise to my feet and, with an enraged look on my face, stare down the Head Captain. He was the strongest Soul Reaper, but I didn't care. Blinded by rage, all I cared about was that he was going to kill Rukia.

"I HATE YOU!!!!"

I roar as I lunge for Kyoraku, Rukia tries to stop me but I'm too fast. I'm already on top of the Head Captain, blindly and furiously slashing at him and overpowering base Kyoraku. Finally, after I regain my senses I collapse to the ground, out of breath. Kyoraku's blades rest centimeters from my face.

"See, Rukia? He can't control his emotions, blinded by his compassion and hatred. Such a volatile Soul Reaper is too much of a threat to Soul Society."

"RUKIAAA!!!!"

I scream as I look at her, tears flowing again as I reach for her. Kyoraku stamps a foot directly on my chest, pinning me to the ground as the rest of the Captains watch. After everything I had done to save Rukia, I was still going to die. Everything was in vain...

But it wasn't. Rukia was safe. I wanted to save Rukia not only so I wouldn't lose my only friend, but so that she would be safe and happy again. 

Did I... crap, I think I actually do...

In that moment, facing and staring death in the eyes, I came upon a revelation that I thought would never be fulfilled.

I realized... that I loved Rukia. 

As I mouth the words to her in what I thought would be my last breath, her expression changed completely. From feeling terrible for me, to realizing just why I rescued her, her face reddened and tears welled up in her eyes. 

But then, in what would have been my final moment, we all suddenly started hearing applause from above.

"What the hell...?" Kyoraku looks into the air as a man descends, clapping his hands together. From the look on Kyoraku's face I could tell he knew who this man was.

"Bravo. Bravo! Such emotion, all brought up by a single lie! Ah, the butterfly effect." The man's clothing wasn't a typical Soul Reaper uniform, and was completely foreign to me.

"Touma! What the hell is all of this?!" Kyoraku yells up at the man who now stands behind him. The man, who is seemingly called Touma, smirks deviously.

"You were correct, Tsuchiya Isoruko. You and Rukia were framed. Too bad nobody would've believed you unless I intervened!" He laughs as he brandishes a strange-looking blade. "I almost feel bad for you, professing your love for her in your dying moments."

"You... You DID frame us!!"

"Yes, I did just say that. Shocked, I'm sure, Shunsui."

"I thought I could trust you, Touma. I should have gone with my gut and not believed you, your noble family has always held a reputation of lies and deception." Shunsui scoffs at Touma as I slowly scramble back towards Rukia.

"So, you really-"

"Yes, Rukia. But now's not the time, we can talk about that later." I turn back towards Touma as I rise to my feet. "Who are you? I demand to know who you are, after you weaved this intricate lie and turned me against the Court Guard!"

"Names, huh? Always held no meaning for me. But, if you must know..."

He stabs the ground with his blade, smirking devilishly over at me.

"...I am Touma Tsunayashiro, Head of House Tsunayashiro."

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The culprit is revealed! Tsuchiya reflects and learns, then admits, that he loves Rukia! Though it seems like she feels the same, that will have to wait as the man who framed the two reveals himself: the head of House Tsunayashiro, Touma! The final battle of the Soul Reaper Civil War arc begins next chapter!

I hope you enjoyed, and thank you so much for reading!