The Awakening [Book 2] (Bleach: Ichiruki)

X

Arachne

"Nothing?"

"Nothing, my queen. Not since almost six months ago."

I sighed, running my fingers furiously through my hair. I could feel my soul throbbing, my skin vibrating as I felt the bits of my body threatening to protrude out.

"You're dismissed." I said with a flick of my hand.

He bowed before standing up and leaving my throne room rather quickly.

I stood up on my feet, removing my overcoat and placing it on the ground next to my throne. I walked behind my throne, placing my hand on a gold pedestal planted behind my throne.

The ground opened up to a long winding set of stairs, illuminated by torches licking at the stone walls.

I steadily made my way down the steps, descending into an open empty room with four torches surrounding a levitating crystal.

Within the crystal was a white mass swirling, slamming against the crystalline keeping it in.

I placed my hand over the smooth crystal, feeling its purity cleanse me of the negativity that had flooded me today.

I closed my hand around the crystal, feeling the pure white soul fill me with power.

"My queen."

I pulled my hands from the crystal as I turned to look at Tatsuo.

"I told you to knock."

"You left the staircase open." He pointed out.

"Still. It doesn't hurt to knock now, does it?"

He stalked steadily towards me, his gaze slowly hardening on mine.

"You have it?"

"Yes. It was a struggle to get her to kiss me though."

I let out a small laugh.

"Then its a good thing she falls in love with you over and over again every time you kiss her."

Tatsuo shrugged; as if he didn't care of the thought.

But I could see it in his eyes; he really did love her. And I knew how it was hurting him that he had been stripping Rukia of her life.

I reached my finger up to his chin, slowly pulling his face down to mine as he gazed at me with such harshness, such frustration.

I sighed when I pulled his lips to mine, feeling a calming energy overwhelm me. I deepened the kiss right away, as I felt Rukia's soul, her power, flowing into my mouth and filling my soul.

I pulled away from the bliss, turning and placing my hand over the crystal.

The crystal emanated a blinding aura as I felt Rukia's soul pour into the crystal.

"How much longer?" He asked as I worked on the task.

"Three days. Then it will all be complete."

"What.. What will happen to Rukia?"

"She will become an empty vessel. You can do as you wish with her once I've taken her entire soul. And this last one requires more than just a simple kiss." I turned, staring hard into Tatsuo's eyes.

"You want me to-"

"- I need you to." I said, with a smile.

"Why can't you just take it yourself?"