AU: Within Your Heart: 02: Death, Rebirth, Retribution, Part One

Disclaimers, etc., see chapter one

Opening Theme: Believe Own Way by AAA

Ending Theme: TBD

Bleach: Cross

AU: Within Your Heart

By Eugena

Chapter Two: Death, Rebirth, Retribution, Part One

THE WANDERING SPIRIT WORLD – SHIRAHIME’S POV

It’s not easy being dead. I mean really dead. How many past lives have I had? But this last one was by far the best. And it had to be: that one was it.

I imagined Kurotsuchi either crying or threatening to rip Hinamori apart. The first one was not too much him, but then again, I was the only person he’d ever fell in love with. Gods only know what he’d do.

Where was I anyway? I couldn’t see my body, but I stretched what I thought was my arm out. “Last Revival.” Nothing happened. Neither of my zanpaku-to appeared. I could not hear my past life self, Yukihime.

“Shinnou! Shinnou!” I called to the dragon spirit that inhabited my second zanpaku-to.

“Shinnouhi,” the voice could turn blood to ice. That was not Shinnou.

I turned to an all too familiar face. It was Sosuke’s Aizen’s face, but it phased in and out.

“Kyoka Suigetsu.”

oOo

KARAKURA TOWN

It took only moments for Hinamori to realize what happened. She had died, but Taicho sacrificed herself for her. Momo had lived in Shirahime’s place. But why?

Shirahime’s memories came to her in a flood to answer her question. Only recently, when the long lost Kudo twins and Suzunami had been found, had anyone remembered Shirahime’s most recent past life. She had been born into the Royal Family again. This time called simply Yukihime. She had run away only to hide out as a shinigami of the Soul Society. Few knew where she had really come from. Only Yamamoto, Urahara, and Siegen and Konoka Suzunami. Seigen Suzunami had been the Taicho of Squad Ten. He had no fukutaicho, but Yukihime became his. She later married him and took his last name, as she had none of her own.

Yet the next memories hurt Momo the most. Aizen, then Fukutaicho of Squad Five, was in love with Yukhime. He didn’t try to hide it, but he made sure Suzunami didn’t know. Probably Kyoka Suigetsu’s doing.

During the battle with Arturo, Yukihime had saved the Kudo twins at the cost of her own life. She died nearly instantly. Despite that, Aizen had tried to give her his own reiatsu by plunging Kyoka Suigetsu into her chest. But it was for nothing.

Her body disappeared along with Suzunami and the Kudo twins. Aizen used Kyoka Suigetsu to make everyone forget Yukihime. No one would know his weakness.

His weakness. If she died again, he would be heartbroken. That had been her plan.

“Aizen,” Hinamori spoke finally. “Now you know my grief. You know what it means to lose the one you love. I was a fool for ever loving you, Aizen. Taicho taught me a better life, but you took her away.”

The other shinigami seemed stunned. Shirahime’s leaking reiatsu held them in place. Gin seemed unaffected, but he was at a loss of what to do.

“Where is Shirahime?” he demanded.

At this moment, Ichigo took advantage of Aizen’s distraction and sliced him with Getsuga Tenshou. The attack stung Aizen and he turned on Ichigo. He didn’t care before about killing Ichigo, but since losing Shirahime, he would not hold back.

Hitsugaya stirred in Soi Fon’s grasp. He could hear Hyorinmaru screaming at him. He didn’t want to wake up. He just wanted to die. He felt Shirahime punching him across the face. “Wake up, Shiro!” she yelled at him.

Why was she so angry?

“Hitsugaya,” he could hear Hyorinmaru clearly now, “Shinnouhi is dead.”

Rage and grief engulfed him. He jerked awake in Soi Fon’s grasp. He turned to look at the battle. Shirahime’s powerful reiatsu was leaking from Hinamori. He had killed Hinamori, but now she stood there alive. But her eyes were blue, like Shirahime’s eyes. Could it be possible that now Shirahime lived within Momo?

Momo could hardly control Shirahime’s reiatsu. It raged out of control. It seemed angry about something. Momo’s own anger had become a catalyst for Shirahime’s anger from all of her past lives to surface.

AU: Within Your Heart: 01: The Hidden Shikai

Bleach © Tite Kubo. Bleach: Cross original characters and elements, including the “past life backstory” © Eugena.

A/N: I just read the new manga chapter (392) and I thought I should come up with a fix for it. I wrote it mostly in Hinamori’s point of view, and I may continue the story.

Seigen Suzunami is from Bleach: The 3rd Phantom DS game. I’m working on an adaptation of this.

This is part of my “Bleach: Cross” universe, but it is AU to the original story.

Brief Bleach: Cross Overview: Shinnouhi (Imperial Princess of the Royal Family) Shirahime Thorne is the new Fifth Division Taicho. She is Yachiru’s biological mother. Daichi Takeya is the third seat of Squad Five and her adopted son. Shirahime and Daichi are immune to Kyoka Suigetsu’s influence. Shirahime’s zanpaku-tos are Yukihime and Shinnou. Ichigo is now the fourth seat in Squad Five.

I originally had this take place in Hueco Mundo as I didn’t realize it was in Karakura. Thanks to Samantha for pointing this out and to Yemi Hikari for pointing it out in a review.

Opening Theme: Believe Own Way by AAA

Ending Theme: TBD

Within Your Heart

A Bleach: Cross AU Story for Manga Chapter 392

By Eugena

Rated: T

Chapter One: The Hidden Shikai

KARAKURA TOWN

She felt the earth stop spinning beneath her. That slow, usually unnoticeable rhythm ended and what was left of her life began to fade away. She had always imagined her last thoughts would be of her new taicho that she loved. She had been the woman to show her how to pick up the pieces after Aizen and to spread her own wings.

“Shiro-chan why?”

Momo had learned a lot about love. She had first fallen in love with Aizen who did nothing but use her. She found a new taicho who protected her “because you’re my fukutaicho, even if I’m not your taicho.” She loved the taicho who had been good to her. She thought she fell in love with the taicho’s adopted son who was the third seat.

But at the end of her life, she loved Hitsugaya, Thorne Taicho’s “Shiro Taicho.”

She could hear Tobiume’s voice calling out to her. No matter how much she strained, she couldn’t hear her zanpaku-to’s words.

She thought of Shiro. Why?

Wings flapped in the distance. Dragon wings.

“First Revival.”

The world faded from her. Had she really been so deceived? Why?

oOo

Yukihime’s ice barrier surrounded Hinamori’s body, preventing her fall. Shirahime Thorne Taicho dove swiftly towards Hinamori. With Shinnou in bankai mode, the outstretched dragon wings quickly soaked up the reiatsu from the fallen shinigami and arrancar. She gave no thought to Gin’s tricks in delaying her, knowing full well he was close behind her. Gin could celebrate a small victory: only she, Ichigo, and her son Daichi were immune to Kyoka Suigetsu, and she had arrived too late to save Hinamori from it.

“Raika.” She commanded Yukihime’s second shikai. Flames shot from Thorne’s fingertips towards Gin. She held on tighter to Yukihime, feeling uneasy as Shinnou began to take in some of Gin’s reiatsu.

Hitsugaya screamed. His bankai form began to break as he fell.

“Ichigo, take Gin!” she yelled to him. She flew towards Hitsugaya and caught him in her arms. She struck him across the face.

“You’re all open,” Aizen taunted.

“Stay on Gin!” she yelled to Ichigo, not wanting him to avert his attention. Though she had not once looked at him, she knew he would want to go in for the kill now.

It wasn’t quite time for Aizen.

She could hear Kail, Ichigo’s Hollow in her mind. “What are you doing?” he was enraged, wondering what strange scheme she had thought of now.

“Keep Ichigo focused and on Gin,” she warned. She didn’t have time to explain.

She struck Hitsugaya again, this time drawing blood. He still did not look at her. Damn it.

She flash stepped to Soi Fon, expecting Aizen to strike at any moment. Pushing Hitsugaya in her arms, she said, “Take the shinigami and leave. Kill Gin if you can, but leave right now. You’re in no shape for Kyoka Suigetsu.”

She didn’t wait for Soi Fon to object. She knew the taichos had enough to worry about with Aizen striking them. For once Aizen seemed to ignore her, overconfident in his abilities, focusing various strikes and kidos against his enemies.

None of that mattered to her. She saw now only her fukutaicho encased in ice.

oOo

HINAMORI’S INNER BATTLEFIELD – FIELD OF BURNING TREES

Hinamori could no longer see herself. She could hear her thoughts, but she could not see her body. She kept walking towards Tobiume’s reiatsu.

Two hands on either side of her face stopped her. “Hinamori,” the voice commanded. Her body began to form again. She could see where Hyorinmaru pierced her chest. “Hinamori.”

Did she know that voice? It seemed familiar.

Taicho.

Yukihime. She felt Yukihime’s reiatsu surround her.

She remembered the last thing Taicho asked of her: “Promise me you’ll remember me.”

“I’ll remember you forever,” Hinamori whispered out into the burning forest.

Tobiume faded into view in front of her. She was weakened by her master’s injury. Tobiume heard Thorne Taicho’s voice: “Tobiume, take care of her.”

oOo

KARAKURA TOWN

Thorne Taicho stretched her hands out to the ice barrier. Hinamori’s life had already ebbed away, kept intact only within the barrier. She spoke to Yukhime: “Yukihime, will you do this?”

Yukihime responded in Thorne’s own voice: “I have always been you. What you have wanted, I have wanted.”

“And Shinnou?” Thorne asked of her other zanpaku-to.

“Shinnou can survive without us. Shinnouhi, what will you command?”

She gave one last thought to Yachiru, safe somewhere with Kenpachi, and to Daichi, injured but still alive.

“Promise you’ll remember me,” Thorne said as tears gleamed in her eyes. Without turning, she said in an even voice, “Aizen, I’ve finally realized how to destroy you.” In a past life with Seigen Suzunami, Aizen had given her Kyoka Suigetsu’s power in a futile attempt to save her. He had loved her, and now she would make sure he would kill her once and for all.

Hitsugaya lost his heart killing Hinamori. If Aizen still had a heart, he would lose it when Thorne died.

“Final Revival.”

The reiatsu drained from her body. Shinnou’s wings folded and they faded back into their sealed zanpaku-to form. The zanpaku-to plummeted toward the earth.

Shirahime had left her human form behind at Urahara’s. Soon they would know what she had done.

Aizen looked toward her. Only now had he realized what she was doing. He had ignored her up until now, having left her to Gin. He remembered when he had been Shinji’s fukutaicho. He remembered Yukihime Suzunami. He remembered when she died. He began rushing towards her.

“Now Ichigo!” she shouted. “Go for Aizen!”

Pouring the last of her reiatsu into the barrier, her shinigami body faded. As the barrier broke, Hinamori’s eyes opened and the Shirahime’s blue reiatsu shone from them.

With a snap, Kyoka Suigetsu’s mirror Aizen broke and its pieces scattered in the dust.

Desolate: 02: Sisters in Spirit Force

Disclaimers, etc., see chapter one

Opening Theme: 3 Heartful by AAA

Ending Theme: Believe Own Way by AAA

Bleach: Cross

Desolate

By Eugena

Chapter Two: Sisters in Spirit Force

SOUL SOCIETY – SQUAD FIVE BARRACKS – THORNE TAICHO’S QUARTERS

“Gah!”

Shirahime Thorne felt her entire body break. She no longer felt her soul self, just her body racked with pain. Her hand outstretched for Shinnou, but it was no longer in reach. Only Yukihime remained. Forcing her fingers to stretch, she grasped the blade and allowed it to slice her fingers. Not that the feeling of bleeding could compare to the pain she already felt. She had to leave a message for Momo and the others. A warning, with whatever strength she had left.

“Shirayukihime Shinnouhi, give me strength.”

She felt tears unbidden fall from her eyes. “Shinnouhi, you’ve finally been freed. Will you die now?”

“Shinnouhi!”

oOo

ICHIGO’S INNER BATTLEFIELD (THE SIDEWAYS BUILDING) (FLASHBACK)

“Shirahime!” Kail screamed. “Shirahime!” He turned to Sam, his eyes filled with hatred. “Is that what you wanted to know? Shirahime. Your name was Shirahime.”

Sam knelt before him, her wrists shackled together in front of her. The cloth of her dress ripped to shreds. Lesser reapers would have wept. But she kept all of it inside. She let rage and fury replace her desire for vengeance.

She breathed in and out several times, steadying her voice. “Who am I to you? Simply her rebirth?”

Kail fell to his knees before her. Conflicted emotions played across his face. “No,” he said, almost inaudible. “No, I am Kail Zangetsu, not Kail Shiroyuki the Prince. I am no prince, but you will always be my one.”

He touched her tentatively with his fingertips and kissed her forehead. He looked her in the eyes.

“Do you want to know why you can’t separate your human self and your spirit self? Why you can’t use a gigai? Because you are the Princess of the Heavens. Because your own zanpaku-to is what remains of your past life.”

“My own zanpaku-to?”

“Yes.” He touched the shackles on her wrists. “You are still chained to your past life, the Shinnouhi.” He kissed her full on the lips. “You created me, Shirahime Sam Thorne no Tenjou.” He kissed her again.

oOo

SOUL SOCIETY – SQUAD ELEVEN BARRACKS

Toshiro Hitsugaya and Ichigo Kurosaki combined their strength against Kenpachi Zaraki. He had not yet removed his eyepatch, but soon he would decide they were formidable enough. Lately, Kenny had pushed himself beyond his normal limits. Normally he would have already removed his eyepatch, but he wanted to get stronger. He wanted more than anything to protect Yachiru, Sam, and Rangiku. Part of him wanted to protect Ichigo and Toshiro, too, since they, too, would look after the women he loved.

Yachiru was his daughter with Sam. Even though Sam now adopted her past life’s familiar name of Shirahime, he still thought of her as Sam, much like she thought of him as Kenny and not Kenpachi. Yachiru had first called Sam “mom,” and never let go of it. In his past life, he was going to marry Sam. He had fallen in love with her again. Yet he could not deny his growing feelings for Rangiku.

While he loved Sam, he had dreams of her ending up with Toshiro. Strange to have dreams of it, but he had lately begun to believe in the Element God Hyorinmaru. If she would be happy with Toshiro, he would let her go. For he already knew she loved him. Toshiro had grown a lot for her. He had matured at a rate that surprised Kenny and the others starting after her first “death” after a battle with Aizen. Perhaps Kenny was only choosing Rangiku as a second choice, but as soon as they defeated Aizen, Ichimaru, and Tosen, he and the others would face their own emotions. He could ignore them for now, but when the battle was won, he had an inner battle to face. And perhaps finally he could harness his bankai.

With the help of Sam’s reiatsu, both Kenny and Yachiru had once achieved their shikai forms, but they had not done so easily while Sam was gone. Kenny pledge to be able to perform shikai on his own.

Toshiro released his second shikai, the ice prison. While this held Kenny, Ichigo released his shikai.

Something went wrong.

Without fully releasing the shikai, Ichigo fell forward, motionless as stone.

“Kurosaki!” yelled Toshiro.

Rangiku, Yachiru, and Rukia, who had been watching the battle rushed toward Ichigo. Yachiru beat Rukia to Ichigo.

“Kail,” he muttered. “Kail.”

Rukia’s zanpaku-to began to glow in a white light. “No. No!” she shouted.

oOo

RUKIA’S INNER BATTLEFIELD – FIELD OF SNOW

Rukia fell forward onto the snow, stopping her fall with her hands. Her breathing became heavier and she could hear the sound of her breaths filling the space of her inner battlefield.

“No!” she screamed. “I won’t allow it.”

She looked up into the frozen form of Shirayukihime. She knelt. “This won’t happen again!” Shirayukihime did not answer, could not answer. She unsheathed her zanpaku-to and threw it on the ground. “I won’t take your power!”

She screamed. “Stop this, Shinnouhi. Stop giving us your power! Fight! Fight, Thorne Taicho, fight!”

A vision of Thorne Taicho appeared behind her. “You know I’m dying.”

“It’s not true.”

“How can you deny it? You of all people should know. You were the first to receive my power. I am giving my power to you. You can defeat the enemies that remain.”

“Last time, you returned to the human world. But now I see the Shinnouhi. This time, this time, Thorne Taicho, you won’t return. I can’t take your power. You have to fight.”

“Are you happy, Rukia? You’ve been reunited with the one you love.”

“No!” she turned from Shirayukihime to Thorne. “How can you say that when you’re about to take away someone I love? I love you! Ichigo loves you!”

Thorne leaned down her and placed her hand on her face. “Rukia, you’ve grown so much. I’m so proud of you. As long as you’re happy, I can finally let go and be free.” Thorne walked toward Shirayukihime, seeming more distant and less real with each step.

Rukia fell after her, grabbing her leg. “My lady! I love you with all my heart. I’ve loved you since our life long ago. I pledged myself to protect you, and you always treated me as an equal. Your happiness is as important as my own.”

“Little sister,” Thorne said with fading tears in her eyes, “do not let go of the life that lies before you. Be happy, Rukia.”

“No!” Rukia screamed. “No!” She crawled after her. “What about Ichigo? Yachiru? Kenpachi? Toshiro?“

oOo

SHIRO’S INNER BATTLEFIELD – FIELD OF ICE

Toshiro’s inner battlefield was unusually quiet. He could not even feel the presence of Hyorinmaru. He stood in a field of ice alone.

“Kail,” he repeated Ichigo’s words. “Kail.”

He knew what it meant. Like it or not, Ichigo would always be closer to Sam than him. She seemed closest to Kail, and since he was Ichigo’s hollow, Ichigo would know his feelings.

“Hyorinmaru!” he called. Perhaps this Hyorinmaru was not the one he needed. He knelt down and as if beginning a prayer, called out again, “Element God Hyorinmaru.”

A large ice dragon flew into view before him. Although it did not move its mouth, it spoke.

“You finally find me, Hitsugaya Toshiro.”

“Your princess is in danger.”

“She is no one’s princess. Even you must know that by now.”

Toshiro lowered his eyes. “She can only belong to herself.”

“She does not have long for this life. I will reunite her with Zangetsu.”

oOo

ICHIGO’S INNER BATTLEFIELD (THE SIDEWAYS BUILDING)

Ichigo stood with Zangetsu in its bankai form. His breathing slowed, and he tried to control his senses. He could feel and hear Kail, but Kail did not appear before him.

“Kail. Kail!”

“He can no longer hear you,” Zangetsu said. “He will soon pass completely beyond even my hearing.”

“What’s happen to him, old man Zangetsu? I know it has something to do with Shirahime.”

“She’s dying.” Zangetsu took off his sunglasses and held them out. He let go of them and watched as the fell away over the building’s roof. “The past repeats itself again.”

“No. Because this time, I choose her.”

Desolate: 01: Prelude of a Past Released

Bleach © Kubo Tite. Bleach: Cross original characters and elements, including the “past life backstory” © Eugena.

When the Soul Reapers of Cross face Aizen for the final time, will they be prepared to lose the ones they love?

Pairings: Kail/Shirahime, Toshiro/Shirahime, Crown Prince Ichigo/Shirayukihime, Ichigo/Rukia, Toshiro x Rangiku friendship, Toshiro x Momo friendship

Opening Theme: Heartful by AAA

Ending Theme: Believe Own Way by AAA

Bleach: Cross

Desolate

By Eugena

Rated: T

Chapter One: Prelude of a Past Released

SOUL SOCIETY – SQUAD FIVE BARRACKS – THORNE TAICHO’S QUARTERS

Thorne Taicho sat in silence, drinking the tea that Hinamori had prepared for her. She had asked her fukutaicho to come back in shortly to check on her. Her human body had been wearing down as of late, and any minute, she expected to be knocked out asleep on the floor, just like times long ago when she had first joined squad ten. Today she had wanted time to gather her thoughts, for many worries lately haunted her.

As of late, she had turned her attention to Rangiku Matsumoto and Gin Ichimaru. Surely, either Aizen, Ichimaru, or Tosen could be defeated in their next battle, but how would the outcome affect those who remained? With Tosen defeated, Thorne Taicho could predict little difference. With Ichimaru defeated, Matsumoto would be safe from his now obsessive advances. Yes, if Thorne could afford to be selfish, that was the path she would choose. Although she was human, she was also the fifth division taicho—meaning that a greater responsibility was upon her shoulders. No, if only one could be defeated in their next battle, it had to be Aizen—no choice or hesitation between the others.

How could she defeat Aizen? Even with all the other soul reapers working together, he had increasingly gained power. She died once long ago to slow down his attainment of godhood, an act that won her the posthumous award of captain of the same squad he had once led. Still, Hinamori harbored hurt feelings over him. Guilt that she loved him, but love in some form nonetheless. Thorne had to keep Hinamori from becoming involved. There would be no time for hesitation—something she knew would come from her. She would not mean it, but Hinamori might kill them all.

Thorne Taicho was running out of time for herself. She trained with both her squad and many other captains with both of her zanpaku-tos – Shinnou, a copy of the White Kail Zangetsu and Yukihime no Tenjou. Shinnou was the more normal of the two, closer to having its own zanpaku-to spirit. On the surface it appeared just like Kail’s—Hollow Ichigo’s—zanpaku-to. Yet its spirit was that of a white dragon with blue eyes the color of Shirahime’s. Thorne had some while ago abandoned her human name, Sam Hawthorne, kept part of her last name as her new last name and took the familiar form of her past life’s name as her own. Her name of royal title still remained to this day as Shirayukihime no Tenjou. To separate room for herself from among her past life, she called the spirit of her past life by the royal title and referred to the zanpaku-to only as Yukihime or Yukihime no Tenjou. She only called it by royal title in bankai form, where she could use the command Kouten. But that command drained much from her, especially when she used it with Shinnou—Kouten no Shinnou (“Prince of Royal Blood’s Revolution of the Heavens”). Usually, she preferred shikai commands. Yukihime, like Sode no Shiroyuki, had more than one shikai form and command. The release command for Yukihime was “revive,” fitting as she was always getting the power from the spirit of her past life. As for Shinnou, he, too, had more than one shikai form and command. She released him with “prepare,” short for “prepare for battle.” Although generally, Shinnou’s shikai form did not change much and looked the same as its sealed form, she usually called on the shikai which allowed the zanpaku-to’s spirit to appear. A dragon for a protector was very useful and Shinnou allowed her to attack others during training without tiring her human body.

Of all of Thorne’s squad members, Hinamori seemed not to improve. Granted, she had gained consciousness on her own, finally without using Thorne or Shirahime’s power. Still, it was her forbidden love for Aizen which crippled her.

Like Thorne could complain. She wasn’t exactly and expert in the love department. Long ago, as Shirahime, she had been forcibly engaged to the Crown Prince of Heaven, Ichigo. An act alone which gave her the title as Princess of the Heavens. Though now she still drew on her power as Shirahime, she was more than willing to trade it in for freedom from her cycle of suffering.

Even now she remembered playing with Benehime, her younger sister who had been originally pledged to marry the Crown Prince. Her father, Kisuke, had been a childhood fighting companion of the Emperor of Heaven. The Emperor promised that his heir would marry one of Kisuke and Yoruichi’s daughters. Tragedy took the life of Benehime, leaving more tragedy to follow. Even though the crown prince had become fond of Shirahime, he gave his heart to Rukia, the captain of the guards in charge of Shirahime’s safety. Thorne remembered overhearing the Crown Prince arguing with his twin brother. Yet the Emperor had sworn an oath: the heir would be her husband. She had been so surprised then that Prince Kail did not try to kill Crown Prince Ichigo. All the while, they did not see her growing love for their sword master Zangetsu.

“Zangetsu,” she murmured, her heart still entranced by him. Yet she was Shirahime no longer, even though she now used the same name. She could not love the men she had loved in the past. She had even grown distant to Kenny Zaraki, who had once been her fiancé in the living world. Strangely enough, that left only Shiro, the incarnation of the element god she had sworn herself to. Shiro, who had been Hinamori’s childhood friend. Thorne had tried to force on him love for Hinamori, just to selfishly get him to let her go. Her plan failed. He continued to love her. He loved her more than Hinamori and more than Matsumoto, no matter how hard she tried to deny it.

She looked up to the heavens and laughed. She stretched out her hand on the floor and formed Shinnou. “Kail,” she asked, “will you let me go now?”

She closed her eyes and remembered the many times she had danced with him. Finally in this life, she had learned to love the younger prince. “Kail, I think I can finally move on. Even if it is the last thing I do, and I don’t have much time. If for one moment I can still be happy, will you still love me?” She looked up again into the heavens. “Maybe Shirayukihime can remain with you and,” she said, thinking of her estranged human name, “Sam with Shiro.”

It was enough, and she found the closure she needed. For a final time, she would dance with Ichigo and ask him as the Crown Prince to let her go.

As she began to envision her freedom and the chains of the past life breaking before her, she felt a sting at her neck. She felt her blood began to burn. A poison arrow had struck her without warning. She felt her life begin to leave her and her chain of fate beginning to dissolve.

oOo

A/N: I have a lot of the Cross series planned out. Near the end of Sam’s time as squad ten third seat, she discovers her name in the past life, Shirahime, and that she was the daughter of Kisuke and Yoruichi in the past life. This of course brings her close to Soi Fon, who is dedicated to Yoruichi. Soi Fon is one of the few in Soul Society who refers to Sam as Thorne-Shihoin Taicho.

The King of Soul Society was called the Emperor of Heaven in the past life.

Soul of Shirahime: 02: Descent into Madness (M)

Disclaimers, etc., see chapter one

Opening Theme: Rewrite by Asian Kung-Fu Generation

Ending Theme: Kyouka Suigetsu (Aizen Character Song)

A/N: Warning Dark!Mayuri emerges (worse than his usual)

Bleach: Cross

Soul of Shirahime

By Eugena

Chapter Two: Descent into Madness

THE PAST LIFE MIRAGE – ROYAL PALACE

Mayuri didn’t remember this place. He had never been here before. Though he could not see the place at first, slowly the plush chairs and benches of the Royal Palace faded into view. He looked down the hallway at servants rushing back and forth. He heard Zangetsu’s voice off in a distance, though he did not know him: “Please, my prince, you must calm down.”

“Calm down?” Mayuri recognized this voice. It was Kail, Ichigo’s Hollow and reincarnation of his twin brother.

“You can’t know for sure,” Zangetsu continued.

“He left her!” he shouted. “He left my princess for that guard!” Kail’s shouting became louder and lounder.

“Please, my lady,” said Senna beside him, “why won’t you lie down?” Senna’s gaze held him. “You need rest.”

He doubled over in pain, grabbing his chest. He felt like a sword had pierced it.

“My lady!” Senna cried. “Prince Kail, Zangetsu, help us!”

oOo

HUECO MUNDO

Blood dripped down Mayuri’s face and into his mouth. He tasted the salt and iron of it, licking it as a dog would lick its wounds. His hands gripped the Yukihime and Shinnou zanpaku-tos. He felt the heaviness on his left shoulder and looked to see Shirahime’s broken body draped over it.

He licked the blood more. Ichimaru looked better dead, tasted better. “Shinnouhi,” his droned in a thick voice, “we’re going home.”

Too bad Ichimaru hadn’t felt his death, that he was already unconscious when Mayuri ripped him apart.

“Shirahime,” his voice burned in a mix of grief and desire. “All will be forgiven. You’ll forgive me for failing you.”

oOo

SOUL SOCIETY – SQUAD TWELVE BARRACKS (FLASHBACK)

Some of the lower seats in his squad had managed to capture the new Fourth Seat of Squad Eleven. He looked amused at the young woman in the shinigami robes behind him. Her snow white hair covered her face, and blood dripped down the sides of her mouth.

“Zaraki’s new toy,” he said it mostly to himself.

“Damn you,” she said in a language he didn’t know.

“Do you know that aside from the fukutaicho, there hasn’t been a single new woman to join Squad Eleven since Zaraki became taicho? And now, there’s you.”

“Damn psycho.”

“Interesting.” He looked aside to Nemu. “Hold her down.”

“Hai, Mayuri-sama,” Nemu said.

“You do everything he asks?” the captive woman said in a deeper voice, almost masculine. Although her hands were bound tightly behind her back against the chair, she did not struggle.

A faint reiatsu began to surround her. At first, it was white with a tinge of blue. It quickly turned black and red.

“Does he have his way with you?” she taunted in a man’s voice.

Nemu reached down to her. She looked up at her, and her eyes glowed yellow. The reiatsu aura exploded and knocked Nemu and Mayuri against the wall.

oOo

HUECO MUNDO

Mayuri licked the blood off of the arrancar’s zanpaku-to. What an easy kill. He hadn’t bothered to ask for its name.

“He looked at you wrong,” he said to Shirahime’s body.

oOo

SOUL SOCIETY – SQUAD TWELVE BARRACKS – KUROTSUCHI TAICHO’S QUARTERS (FLASHBACK)

“It’s true?” she asked, the near accusation hanging between them.

Mayuri looked at Shirahime but said nothing.

“You’re nothing but a monster,” she said. “You let them burn for the sake of your experiment!” She waved her arm in the air as if throwing a knife. “You sicken me.”

“My squad exists for my experiments.” What was wrong with him that he couldn’t say that to her?

This was not the first time she had brought up the incident where he first met Ishida and Inoue.

oOo

HUECO MUNDO

Shirahime seemed heavier to him. He pushed forward, barely conscious of his nakedness and injuries. He thought of Shirahime. He remembered so many moments with her, most of them conflict.

oOo

SOUL SOCIETY – SQUAD TWELVE BARRACKS (FLASHBACK)

The black and red reiatsu blasted Mayuri and Nemu against the wall. “This will be interesting,” he said as he freed himself from the wall.

The shinigami stood to her feet, the Shiro Zangetsu in her hands. She laughed manically. Raising the sword, she sliced it down: “Tensa no Shinnou!” A white fire shot from the sword towards him and he barely had time to get out of its way.

“Impressive,” he said again. “And who are you?”

“I am Shirahime’s protector.”

oOo

HUECO MUNDO

Protector.

“I will protect you,” he said, knocking down another arrancar. He raised Shinnou and plunged it into the fallen arrancar.

He would need his own zanpaku-to.

Soul of Shirahime: 01: Repentance (M)

Bleach © Kubo Tite. Bleach: Cross original characters and elements, including the “past life backstory” © Eugena.

A/N: After Thorne Shirahime Taicho is defeated at the hands of Aizen, she leaves her soul in an unlikely ally.

Shirahime has changed Kurotsuchi Mayuri. He recalls this in flashbacks during this story.

Pairings: Gin/Rangiku, Mayuri/Shirahime, Shiroyuki/Shirahime.

Rated M for violence and adult content.

Opening Theme: Rewrite by Asian Kung-Fu Generation

Ending Theme: Kyouka Suigetsu (Aizen Character Song)

Bleach: Cross

Soul of Shirahime

By Eugena

Rated M for language and violence.

Chapter One: Repentance

HUECO MUNDO

Gin Ichimaru returned to his captives. His eyes were wider than their usual slits, all part of his ruse to make the woman comfortable. As she breathed in and out in ragged breaths, he recalled how she looked before the battle. Such a regal woman, Thorne Shirahime Taicho looked the same as she would have long ago during her time in the royal family. Such a pleasure and an honor it was to Gin to fight full-blooded royalty.

He reached out to her, taking her cheek between his fingers. Elevating his reiatsu slightly, he smiled reassuringly to her. “I’m good at some kido.” Her breathing evened slightly, a small measure of relief against the intense pain she felt. He leaned in closer, having finally given in to the feelings he had suppressed so long. She could not struggle this time.

“Leave her alone!” rasped the man across from them.

Gin shot a cold glance back at Kurotsuchi Mayuri Taicho, glaring at him in his pathetic state. Mayuri appeared as he did after he regenerated from his ooze form, naked, only his yellow eyes remaining a reminder of his usual visage. All the barriers in the makeshift prison suppressed his spiritual power and left him only a shell of his usual self.

“My, my, Taicho,” Gin taunted. “You are in no position to threaten. You haven’t even clothed yourself. How, rude in the presence of such royalty.”

Gin returned his attention to Shirahime. “Now where were we?”

Shirahime spit at him. He wiped it off in amusement.

“Is that all you have left?” Gin asked. “You are nothing but a pathetic human after all.” He turned back to Mayuri. “You should find this quite interesting, Mayuri. After all, you always do love experiments. How many times have you experimented on a human woman? How far did you go?” He paused, watching Mayuri’s anger build. “Have you ever been with a woman or are you just too awkward?”

Incoherent rage filled Mayuri’s head. A cascade of memories rushed past him. Not long ago, he had met with his former taicho, Kisuke Urahara. “You still don’t understand?” Kisuke asked him. “You have Nemu, but you don’t know what it means to have a child? You may have created her, but surely some part of you would care if she gets hurt?” Kisuke looked at Yoruichi and the new Fifth Division Taicho talking together in the distance. “Even with Aizen exposed, I can never go back to Soul Society. I can never be there to watch over her.” He took off his hat and folded it on his chest, bowing his head slightly. “I have no right to ask anything of you, but please take care of her for me. One day, maybe you will understand.”

Strange that Mayri could ever feel something like love. Even his old taicho, whom he still admired, acknowledged that he was a genius at the expense of decency and ethics. He had sacrificed four of his own squad members in his first attempt to capture Uryuu and Orihime—and he thought nothing of it. They were expendable, like everyone in his squad. His squad existed for his research. Nemu could be rebuilt. Yet then, there was Shirahime. All the captains knew she could never be reincarnated again. This had been the last time.

So, she agreed to marry the current Crown Prince of the Royal Family, Shiroyuki. Her human life would always be insignificantly short to that of a soul reaper’s and certainly that of one of the royal family.

Shirahime would die and never return.

Mayuri could die, and he would return some day.

Mayuri returned his thoughts to Gin. “My desire to be with a woman has never made me so weak.”

Gin merely laughed and his reiatsu forced Mayuri to his knees. “You don’t have to watch.”

By this time, Shirahime had enough of her spiritual energy to face Gin. It would be better if she could stall him a little longer.

“Touch me, and Aizen will kill you.”

“It may be worth it,” he said as he came closer. “After all, if he gets tired of you, he may just take Orihime for his mate instead. In that case, he won’t mind me.”

She struggled to keep her expression neutral, not wishing to betray any weakness. “Rangiku will.“

He backed off as if her words had literally struck him across the face. His partial kido flickered out of existence, and Shirahime felt the full force of the pain return.

“You still love her. Are you so eager to give up on her?”

“You don’t know what love means,” he sneered.

“Really? If you love someone, you are willing to die for them.” Her thoughts returned to Hinamori and Takeya. I’m sorry. “Who are you willing to die for?”

Gin advanced, reaching to his side for his zanpaku-to, Shinzo. “Time to be quiet.”

Mayuri thrashed across from them.

Gin unsheathed Shinzo and struck her across her face with its hilt. She laughed weakly. Gin was finally close enough.

The crushing force of his lips against hers surprised her. She had not intended for that happen. Nor had she expected Shinzo thrust through her already broken chest.

Mayuri screamed, finally standing to his feet, but he was still unable to move any closer.

Blood pooled at the sides of her mouth.

“Now, princess, you can be quiet. You don’t need to feel any more pain. Orihime can heal you later.”

“You are really a fool,” she said through struggling gasps of breath. “Orihime’s tricks never worked on me.”

He stopped, stunned at her words. Of course he knew that, but he had been so angry he hadn’t thought of it before.

“Time to repent, Gin.” She managed one final smile, and with all of her remaining reiatsu summoned up her bankai: “Kouten.”

The force knocked Gin unconscious and he flew backwards across the room, crashing into the opposite wall. Mayuri fell to his knees.

After the explosive force cleared, Mayuri rushed to Shirahime’s side. Even though Shirahime’s zanpaku-tos had been taken from her, just as Mayuri’s had, she could still summon the bankai of Yukihime. After all, she was Yukihime. Mayuri cradled Shirahime in his arms, tears forming at last. He had never cried before.

“You show me your weakness after all. You aren’t just a mad scientist. And that’s your real strength.”

“I don’t know any kido,” he said.

“I know. That’s alright, because I’m too weak to leave anyway. But I won’t let you go alone.” She looked into herself, at the saddened spirit of Shirayukihime. She reached out for her, asking for her power once more.

“Revive. Last Revival, Yukihime no Tenjou.” She reformed the Yukihime zapakto beside her. Her breathing became more labored.

“Stop,” Mayuri begged. “Please stop.”

Her eyesight began to fail. “This is what it’s like to lose someone.”

“Reform Shinnou.” Shinnou, identical in appearance to the White Zangetsu, appeared next to Yukihime.

“No more.”

She nudged Yukihime closer to him. “One more time.” She reached up to his face, barely touching his skin. “So this is what it really feels like. I knew there was a real you behind the mask.” Time slowed for Mayuri as he felt her body grow lighter and her hand fall from his face.

“Revival of the Dead, Shirayukihime.”

Valentine’s Day Off: 01: Momo’s Feelings

Bleach © Kubo Tite. Bleach: Cross original characters and elements, including the “past life backstory” © Eugena.

A/N: The Shinigami get a day off and have a chance to attend to matters of the heart. After the Zanpaku-to Rebellion Arc.

The first published Bleach: Cross fic to feature Shirahime’s special Royal Family power, Royal Orders.

Opening Theme: TBD

Ending Theme: TBD

Bleach: Cross

Valentine’s Day Off

By Eugena

Rated: T

Chapter One: Momo’s Feelings

SOUL SOCIETY – SQUAD FIVE BARRACKS

The Fifth Division bustled with its shinigami making preparations for the Valentine’s holiday. It taicho, Shirahime Thorne, Imperial Princess of the Royal Familiy, could not help but laugh at her squad members accidently wrapping themselves up in the Valentines ribbons. She nearly keeled over laughing. “Damn, I need this. I haven’t laughed so hard in what seems like centuries. Maybe today I can just forget everything.”

Hyorinmaru, or Maru as she usually called him walked up beside her. “Are you alright, Hime-san?”

She laughed harder.

“She’s alright,” answered Yukihime for her. Shirahime cast a side glance to the incarnation of her first zanpaku-to. They looked identical, except for their clothes. Shirahime wore black shinigami robes and the fifth division taicho haori. Yukihime wore a white dress that seemed to gleam moonlight even in the daytime.

“Did you invite Shinnou?” Shirahime asked.

“He’s not coming. He’s too embarrassed that he still looks like a dragon.”

With a serious expression, Shirahime countered, “I even told Muramasa he was my pet. Shinnou knows that.”

“Do you want me to talk to him, Hime-sama?” Maru asked.

Shirahime sighed. “You don’t have to. He’s probably with Yachiru.”

She looked down at her hands for a moment, knowing that she could recall her zanpaku-to without having it physically present. “Perhaps best to leave Shinnou alone for now,” she thought. Shirahime took off her haori and handed it Yukihime. “Be me for a while.”

“Shinnouhi,” Yukihime protested.

“I could order you, but since you’re really me anyway, wouldn’t that just be awkward?” Shirahime asked before she turned away.

Yukihime took Maru’s hand. “You’re going to help me pull this off.”

Yukihime hated taking this form. Since she was, after all, the past life incarnation of Shirahime, there was really little point of her assuming a form. But the Zanpaku-to Rebellion had just ended and during that time she had taken this form to fool Muramasa.

Maru on the other hand could not complain. It was nice to be near to Yukihime, since she and Shirahime were essentially the same person. But this Yukihime was not weighted down with Shirahime’s responsibilities. Maru always thought that Yukihime was not the real incarnation of Shirayukihime Shinnouhi, but was instead just the incarnation of Shirayukihime’s power.

Shirahime ducked behind the Fifth Division barracks. Thankfully, no one had seen her. Now, she only had to change. Sometimes, there were advantages to being royalty.

“Royal Order Fifty-Three: Kouten.”

A blue light briefly surrounded her and when it faded, she looked like a slightly younger Rangiku.

“This should work for a while,” she thought.

oOo

SOUL SOCIETY – SQUAD FIVE BARRACKS – HINAMORI FUKUTAICHO’S QUARTERS

Tobiume watched amusedly as Hinamori Fukutaicho tossed several ribbons out of bag, still furiously looking for the one she wanted. The zanpaku-to gently rolled the cylindrical package between her hands. “Come on, Momo-san, don’t worry about it.”

“But it has to be perfect,” Momo protested.

Daichi Thorne Takeya, the Third Seat of Squad Five, walked in and looked quizzically at Tobiume.

“Daichi-chan,” she said exasperated, “you have to help me.” She turned to him, still clutching ribbons in her hands.

“What are you trying to do?” he asked.

“I need to find a ribbon for my Valentine’s gift.” She looked at the package in Tobiume’s hands.

Daichi blushed slightly. “Who’s it for?”

“Taicho, of course.” Momo smiled and could not see the sigh of disappointment on his face.

“But it’s Valentines. You do know what that means, right?”

“Of course.“

Daichi stole another glance at the package. “You give presents to people you love.”

“And I love Taicho,” she said.

“No, to people you ‘love’.” He tried it again, remembering to use Taicho’s putting-a-word-in-quotes tone of voice.

“Of course I love Taicho.”

He sighed audibly and glanced at Tobiume who shrugged. “Well, I love Taicho, too.”

“Well, of course, you do,” she replied in a near whine. “She’s your – your –.” She could quite say it.

“My mother,” he finished. Even Daichi thought it would be too disrespectful to call her that, that he should either call her Taicho or Shinnouhi. Could Hinamori be jealous of him because Taicho was his mother? Was that what all this was about?

“You could always save your present for Mother’s Day,” he suggested.

A disappointed look crossed her face. Had he said something wrong?

“Daichi-san,” Tobiume interrupted, “I think Maru-san might need your help.”

“Okay,” he said then looked briefly to Momo, “see you both at the party.”

The Zanpaku-to Rebellion: 01: Kuckiki Comes to Call

Bleach © Kubo Tite. Bleach: Cross original characters and elements, including the “past life backstory” © Eugena.

A/N: After the “Shiro Shattered” arc, Momo and Daichi are on their own to lead the fifth squad. While the Shinigami of Soul Society face rebellious zanpaku-to, Thorne Taicho must finally address the personal issues she’s ignored.

Opening Theme: Shoujo S by Scandal

Ending Theme: Kimi wo Mamotte, Kimi wo Aishite by Sambomaster

Bleach: Cross
The Zanpaku-to Rebellion

by Eugena

Rated: T

Chapter One: Kuckiki Comes to Call

Shirahime Voice Over:

We had lost everything. Shiro Taicho was bleeding to death. Matsumoto was again at Ichimaru’s mercy. This was the last day of my life.

oOo

HUECO MUNDO (FLASHBACK)

Gin Ichimaru held Shinzo at Matsumoto’s throat. She breathed ragged breaths and strained to see her taicho thrown backwards from Aizen’s attack.

Alone, Shirahime Thorne stood before Aizen, blood dripping from the gash in her side. She stared intently at him and through a rasped voice said, “Sorry, Aizen, but I think you’ve forgotten someone.”

Aizen laughed. “You? You’re just an insignificant little shinigami. And a human one at that.” He held his zanpaku-to out to her. “Try and fight if you want, but you will only die.”

Shirahime dropped her zanpaku-to’s tip towards the ground. The blade continued to pulse blue fire. “Shishawoikasu Shirayukihime no Tenjou!”

The fire from the blade stretched like ribbons and become a transparent bubble around Shirahime. Her pale white hair glowed silver and she grew taller. The blue fire ribbons shot out and exploded in a blinding light. Shirahime brandished the sword towards Aizen.

“I have the feeling you’re not the same shinigami. Apparently this is your bankai.” He rushed towards her.

The same blue fire flashed in her eyes. “Kouten.”

oOo

URAHARA SHOP — SHIRAHIME’S ROOM

Shirahime shot up in bed, nearly knocking off Yachiru who slept in her arms.

“Mama?” Yachiru asked in her sleep.

Across from them, Yoruichi stirred. As she stood, Shirahime looked over at her.

“Yoruichi-ma, have you been sitting there all night?”

Yoruichi walked over to her and took Yachiru from her arms. “Bad dream?”

“Just remembering when I faced Aizen.”

“You should try and put those memories aside. You have a new life now.” She smoothed Yachiru’s hair and the young reaper stirred.

“I don’t know if I will be strong enough to face him again. I’ve been weakened.”

“He has weakened you. He and Ichimaru have gone after you since you returned.”

It was bad enough to think of Aizen, but did Yoruichi have to bring up Ichimaru?

“I’ll take care of you, mom,” said Yachiru as she woke up.

She took Yachiru from Yoruichi and held her tight to her chest. Perhaps it was to prevent from crying. After all, she had a bad life as a human before, but since becoming a shinigami, she had the life she had always wanted. She had to fight every day to keep the ones she loved and the members of her squad safe.

“I’m the one who’s supposed to take care of you,” Shirahime said.

“You’ve done enough, hime,” Yoruichi said. “Not everyone could have stalled Aizen.”

“Ichigo’s only a child, and he could have done the same.”

“Ichigo is no child. He’s nearly an adult.” She put Yachiru down. “Maybe you can’t see it, but Ichigo may be the same age as Toshiro if he had been a full shinigami. But neither Toshiro nor Ichigo could have done what you did. You’re a member of the Royal Family, Shirahime. You have your own power, even if you haven’t awakened it, yet. But I won’t allow you to use it if it kills you.”

Yachiru climbed on Shirahime’s back and pressed her lips to her cheek. “Momma, you’re strong enough. Together, we’ll get stronger.”

“Yachiru, go get Kisuke-ji for me,” Yoruichi said.

“Hai, Yoruichi-ba.” She climed down and left.

Yorichi placed her hands on Shirahime’s shoulders. “Aijou, Sou Taicho sent you here to recover. You can’t fight Aizen if you’re just going to die.”

“You’re willing to die.”

“Yes, but I know you’ll have someone to take care of you. Yachiru needs you.”

“She didn’t need me before I can to Soul Society. She’ll always have Kenpachi.”

“He can’t replace her mother. She’s finally learning how to have a childhood. Neither I nor you should take that away from her.”

“How much of a childhood will she have when we get taken away by the Royal Family?”

“They won’t do it until Aizen is dead or Shiroyuki takes the throne.”

Shirahime turned away. There was nothing she could do.

“You’re the Shinnouhi. If you can stall until Shiroyuki takes the throne, you may not have to marry him.”

“Surely the King will insist? He wants my power, after all.”

“Don’t think Toshiro and Kenpachi are the only ones fighting the Royal Family for you.”

oOo

URAHARA SHOP — MAIN ROOM

“Bya-kun?” Yachiru was surprised to see Byakuya Kuchiki in Kisuke’s main room.

Both Byakuya and Kisuke looked over at her. Kisuke seemed on edge.

“Your mother’s awake?” Byakuya asked.

“Yes, Yourichi-ba’s with her.”

“Hmph.” He said nothing more and walked past her.

Yachiru walked over to Kisuke. “Ji-chan?”

Kisuke forced his lips together in a thin smile and patted Yachiru’s head. “Nothing to worry about,” he said.

oOo

URAHARA SHOP — SHIRAHIME’S ROOM

Yoruichi and Shirahime turned to Byakuya as he walked to the doorway.

“Kuchiki Taicho,” Shirahime greeted.

“You should really call me Byakuya, Hime-san,” he said.

Yoruichi looked between the two of them, studying each of them to read what they had not said. “What brings you here, Byakuya?”

“I’ve come to call on Shirahime.”

Shirahime’s eyes widened. It had been so long since they had last discussed this. She opened her mouth, but no words came out.

“Now that you’ve been banned from Soul Society, you will need a good reason to get back in.”

“I’m still the Fifth Squad Taicho. I think that’s enough of a reason.”

“I’m not asking you to marry me just as an excuse. I only wished to appeal to your sense of reason. Yoruichi, will you please excuse us?”

“No. I’ll stay.” Shirahime seemed uncharacteristically quiet and Yoruichi worried about how she had suddenly changed.

Byakuya walked over to them, ignoring Yoruichi. He placed his hands on hers. “Hime-san, I still love you. And I have the most powerful family in the Seireitei. You’ll want for nothing.”

“How about my own life?”

“No one will deny you.”

She steeled her gaze and steadied her voice. “I’m a human. Surely that’s beneath you.”

“You’re a shinigami taicho. That’s beneath no one, but beyond many.”

She wanted to ask who he meant, but she had less courage to speak. Her body had been taxed with her long recovery. She was nowhere near the reiatsu level she had before. She had placed enough masks on herself thus far, but she remembered the many times they had talked about this before, and no mask could hide her any longer.

He leaned closer to her.

“Some things won’t be done in my house,” Yoruichi warned before he had kissed her.

Byakuya turned to Yoruichi. “Very well.” He turned to leave, stopping in the doorway. “I’ll take care of your squad, Hime-san.”

Shirahime watched him leave, unconsciously touching her lips where he nearly kissed her.

oOo

Mini Dictionary

-ba: derived from Obaachan (grandmother)

-ji: derived from Ojiichan (grandfather)

aijou: beloved daughter

hai: yes

hime: princess

ji-chan: derived from Ojiichan (grandfather)

shinnouhi: imperial princess

shishawoikasu: revive the dead soul (Shirahime’s bankai command for Yukihime)

Shiro Shattered: 05: Shiro Sunset

Disclaimers, etc.: see chapter one

Opening Theme: Diamond by Alan

Ending Theme: With You by AAA

Bleach: Cross

Shiro Shattered

By Eugena

Chapter Five: Shiro Sunset

URAHARA SHOP

Two days later:

Family gatherings had never been a strong point with Shirahime Thorne and even now that she was a Shinigami, they still grew tedious and full of apprehension. Lafiel Urahara, a Shinigmai much like Nemu, a mod soul and gigai combined handed her a cup of green tea. She did the same to Toshiro Hitsugaya who sat next to her.

Shirahime eyed Lafiel suspiciously, caught only slightly off guard by the blue eyes that looked so much like her own. Kurotsuchi Taicho could have made them different, perhaps golden, but he had insisted making her as much like Thorne as possible. Lafiel looked at least five years younger than her and Lafiel’s powers were much different from her own. After Lafiel as a mod soul failed to separate Shirahime’s human and soul form, Lafiel took on a much more interesting life. Although failed at her first purpose, Lafiel absorbed some of Shirahime’s memories. No one yet knew if she had any of Shirayukihime’s—the Princess of Heaven and Shirahime’s past life.

Shirahime preferred it that way. She had enough issues with Shirayukihime to last any amount of past lives. She didn’t, however, prefer the makeshift date set up for her. Toshiro—Shiro—as she called him was red with anticipation.

“Thank you, Ms. Urahara,” he said graciously. Lafiel smiled, stifled a giggle and nearly ran inside, no doubt to report back to Kisuke Urahara.

“You could call her Lafiel,” Shirahime suggested.

“Yeah.”

“Just being polite,” she finished his unspoken thought. Shirahime looked to the side away from him. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Anything? How have you been?”

“You mean since the Sou Taicho relieved me of duty? Fine.” Feel the dripping sarcasm.

“It’s for your own health. You can’t take battles like we can.”

“I’m the reincarnation of a pretty pissed off Heaven Princess, as everyone and everything are so fond of reminding me, and I can’t take battle?”

“You’re human. You could die.“

“Been there, done that. Several times actually. Besides, the new mod soul from Mayuri has been working.”

“The Royal Family expects you to be protected. Momo can handle the Fifth Division.”

“No, she can’t. She’s still in love with Aizen—I’ll explain the psychology later. Do you think she could kill him? She’d kill you first!”

She stood upon her last statement of outburst. Frustrated that she felt so limited in her own body.

“I don’t care about me,” he said, “but I won’t let her take you down.”

She turned to him, not ready to hear what he had said.

“I don’t want to choose,” he said softly, “but I don’t want to lose both you and Matsumoto. Matsumoto will fight Aizen—even if it means fighting Momo. I can’t just choose between you and Momo—I must choose Rangiku, too.”

“Shiro . . . .“

He looked down at the grass beneath his feet. “But that’s not why I came.” He drew on courage and looked up at her pleadingly. “Will you really marry Kenpachi?” His next sentence nearly fell out of his mouth: “Rangiku says it’s the only way to avoid the royal mandate.”

She curved her lips in a half smile, half laugh. “Not the only way.” She squatted in front of him. “Besides, Rangiku might get angry. She’s jealous enough.”

“But if you don’t want to marry Shiroyuki, then who else? Kurosaki?”

“Ichigo is too young. He’s not even an adult. I don’t care who he was in the past, but I am not marrying some kid.”

Shiro hung on her last few words. He was much older than her, but in spiritual maturity, he still looked like a teenager. Some even mistook him for Rangiku’s ward, but usually only on the days they went to the public springs in Soul Society.

He drank his last bit of tea, barely aware of when he had drunk the rest of it. “I’ll look after everyone for you.” He stood and took her right hand. He bowed his head and touched his forehead to her hand, a pledge of loyalty and service to those in the Royal Family. “I hope you find who you are looking for.” The red rose to his cheeks.

“I already have. One day he’ll mature enough to take on Shiroyuki. Shiroyuki isn’t bad; he just wants to make sure I will be protected. Shiroyuki owes his loyalty to Hyorinmaru. You of all people should remember that.”

“One day,” he thought, “the Royal Family will accept me.”

She suddenly grew tired, and with great reluctance said, “I must go in now, these wounds are opening again. I will find a way to destroy Aizen. One that doesn’t hurt so much. Take care of everyone. I will send Lafiel tomorrow. Perhaps she can help Momo, if even just a little.”

The sun set on some of his doubts and fears. He would one day no longer be the boy genius but would be a man, a man worthy of this new Princess of Heaven.

Shiro Shattered: 04: Shinnouhi, Imperial Princess

Disclaimers, etc.: see chapter one

Opening Theme: Diamond by Alan

Ending Theme: With You by AAA

Bleach: Cross

Shiro Shattered

By Eugena

Chapter Four: Shinnouhi, Imperial Princess

ROYAL PALACE COURTYARD

Shirahime lay on a plush couch. The sun shown down on her tanned skin. She slowly awoke, brushing away her hair from her face. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her black hair.

“What?” she said and tried to sit upright. A flash of pain struck her across her chest. Fighting the pain, she rose up and looked out across the courtyard.

She recognized every piece of it. This was the palace from thousands of years ago, in her first lifetime.

“Bring back memories?” a woman asked.

Shirahime turned to see a woman only a few inches taller than her dressed in an imperial gown. She knew the woman’s face as her own. “Yukihime Shinnouhi (Imperial Princess Yukihime),” she acknowledged.

“You would really call me that?” Yukihime asked. “We have all the time in the world here and any lifetime you want.”

Shirahime held out a lock of her hair. “Then why did I revert to my human form?”

“You don’t understand,” Yukihime. “You aren’t just inside your mind. This place is real. You are here, back to the place where it all began.”

Shirahime looked out again at the palace. Far away, she could see Zangetsu training Kail.

“No,” Shirahime pleaded. She felt sick.

“Don’t reject me,” Yukihime warned. “You may never be able to come here again.”

Yukihime placed her hand against Shirahime’s cheek.

“Look at me, White Princess.“

Shirahime looked at her, confusion in her eyes.

“You can’t understand my language so I’m translating everything for you. Including your name.”

“Why did you bring me here?”

“You brought yourself here. You looked at all your past lives and came back here.”

“I don’t have that power.”

“Stop rejecting me. You have the same power as the other one—rejection—but to reject the fate of your own life—all your lives.”

“If I am really here, I want to speak to Kail.”

“Then you love him?” she asked.

Shirahime did not reply. She looked out at Kail and Zangetsu. “He made you promise?”

“No,” Yukihime said. “My huband does not know I am pregnant. The less contact I have with Kail the better. My husband will think the child is Kail’s.”

“Then I will speak to Zangetsu. Ichigo cannot deny you that.”

“So bold to call him by name,” Yukihime commented. “He may deny me, but I will not deny you. You cannot do it for long. Call your soul slayer.“

“She must mean my zanpaku-to,” Shirahime reasoned. “It is the only way. So be it.”

Shirahime raised her arm as if raising her zanpaku-to. “Revive Shiryukihime no Tenjou.”

She had expected the zapaku-to to appear in her hand, but instead she fell forward. She looked down at her hands—pale as Yukihime’s. So, she was inside Yukihime’s body.

Zangetsu and Kail stopped sparring. They looked up at her.

“That spiritual pressure,” remarked Kail.

“One of a Death God’s,” replied Zangetsu.

They both ran towards her.

Shirahime heard them, noting that Yukihime still translated for her.

Zangetsu ran faster than Kail. He would come to her first.

“So be it,” thought Shirahime. “First Revival, Ice Barrier.”

Her shikai’s blue ice barrier formed around Kail. He stopped and looked around the circular wall. Without stopping, Zangetsu looked at the barrier. He leaped forward and flash stepped towards Shirahime.

“I’m sorry, Kail,” Shirahime said. She felt Yukihime fight against her. “I’m not done with your body yet,” she said.

Kail began to slash away at the wall, summoning up his royal abilities.

“Stop it, Kail,” Shirahime projected the thought out to him. “Trust me.”

Kail stopped and flooded her with questions. Reaching out a hand, she touched his mind.

“White Princess?” he asked. His mind flooded with images from her. Soon, images of her present life came.

“That’s enough!” shouted Zangetsu. He reached out for her arm and her mental link to Kail severed. “Who are you?” he demanded.

“I am Shirahime no Tenjou.”

“You are not the Imperial Princess,” he said.

Shirahime began to shake. “Stop elevating your reiatsu!” she warned. She began to feel her world rip.

“That’s not mine,” he said. “You can’t be the Imperial Princess. You are a Death God.”

“I am many things, including Yukihime. I am a shinigami, thousands of years from this time. Zangetsu, I never told you how much I loved you. You were the first one I remembered. I realize now, I must let you go. You and Kail. Please remember me, Ai Zangetsu.”

“If you are Snow Princess, that means that the Imperial Princess—.”

“I’m sorry. It’s a fate I wish to change, but not one that I even can. I realize now the reason I can’t separate my forms is that you brought me into Soul Society in my human form.”

Shirahime felt Yukihime fight within. Her time was running out.

“Princess!” Crown Prince Ichigo called out. He rushed towards Shirahime.

“So it was Ichigo’s reiatsu. Even then.”

She leaned closer to Zangetsu. “I’m sorry I never got to say a proper goodbye to any of you.” She kissed him, a kiss full of pain and sorrow. He could feel her emotions as she kissed him.

“I will always protect you,” Zangetsu projected into her mind.

As Ichigo passed into the space where Shirahime had stood behind Yukihime, his reiatsu ripped her from Yukihime’s body.

Yukihime fainted backwards into Ichigo’s arms.

“Princess!” he called out. He looked past Zangetsu to see a circular flash dissolve from around Kail. “Brother!”

“Do not be concerned my Lord,” Zangetsu said to him. “The Imperial Princess was merely possessed by a future spirit.”

“Future?” he asked. “I won’t let her die. There is no future spirit!” His eyes pinned Zangetsu. His reiatsu had been elevated from Shirahime’s presence. Zangetsu could not move. “Why did she kiss you?”

“The future spirit wished to say goodbye—and to have some of my power.”

“Your power?”

“Yes, one day, she will live as a Death God. She was on her last life, and now she has taken the rest of my future lives.”

“I will not hear of it!” Ichigo warned. “She is not to leave the palace.”

Kail finally appeared before them. “The Princess produced that barrier,” he said. He looked past Zangetsu and saw Shirahime. He stammered.

“What is it, brother?” Ichigo asked.

He walked past them and stood before Shirahime.

She glowed blue then appeared visible to all of them. Her appearance fluctuated between her original human form as Sam Hawthorne and her shingami form as Thorne Shirahime Taicho.

“Why?” asked Ichigo. “Why!”

“I’m not strong enough. This was the day I lost that power,” she said. “I came here to understand my past—and to say farewell to a life as royalty.”

Growing weaker, she fell to her knees. “Ichigo, you can’t love two people,” she warned, then faded away.

oOo

URAHARA SHOP

Kisuke and Yoruichi helped Ichigo to his feet.

“Ichigo, are you okay?” Yoruichi asked.

“Yoruichi,” he answered weakly, “where is Shirahime?”

Yoruichi looked at Kisuke.

“Where is Shirahime!” he demanded.

“Ichigo, calm down,” Rukia said walking up to him.

Finally on his feet, Ichigo pushed away Yoruichi and Kisuke.

“She’s in Soul Society,” Kisuke said.

“Then she’s dying,” Ichigo said. “We have to bring her back!”

Tessai appeared in the doorway. “Boss, Nemu Kurotsuchi says she needs to talk to you right now.”

Kisuke ran into the room he set up for communicating with Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Yoruichi, Ichigo, Rukia, and Tessai followed.

Nemu and Mayuri Kurotsuchi appeared on the screen. When Kisuke sat down in front of the screen, Nemu left the viewable area.

“Urahara,” Mayuri began. “Yamamoto has exiled Shirahime to the living world. She will be brought to you soon.”

“Is she alright?” Yoruichi asked.

Mayuri shook his head. “Aizen, Ichimaru, and Arrancar attacked the Fifth Squad Barracks. She’s in Captain Unohana’s care now.”

“We need to take her out of there now!” Ichigo shouted. “I’ll go get her myself.”

“Sit down, Ichigo. And tell Kail to shut up,” Urahara warned.

“It’s not Kail that told me.”

Urahara turned to Ichigo. He could feel his reiatsu change. “Now is not the time for you, either, Prince.”

He turned to Yoruichi. “Yoruichi, bring her home.”

oOo

SOUL SOCIETY – SQUAD FOUR BARRACKS – THORNE’S ROOM

Shirahime stopped thrashing and settled down into the bed. She felt a cold fire burn her, just as it had when she had first entered Soul Society before Kail entered her body.

“Momo,” she whispered. “I need to get to the gate now.”

Hearing the desperation in her voice, Unohana began unhooking her from the machines. “Isane, construct a barrier.”

“Yes, Taicho.”

Once Isane had made the barrier and Unohana finished unhooking the machines, she picked up Shirahime. Once outside the barracks, she summoned her zanpaku-to’s form and placed Shirahime inside. She flew towards the gate.

oOo

URAHARA SHOP

Several days later, Lafiel knelt at her sister’s bedside. She kissed her forehead.

Kisuke stood in the doorway. It hurt to see Lafiel and Shirahime together. Shirahime had been unconscious when she came through the gate and had changed back into her first human form. Lafiel, however, looked almost exactly as Shirahime had in her shinigami form.

He had banished Ichigo from his shop for the time being. He knew Ichigo was fighting too much with both Kail and his past self.

Had Shirahime been injured beyond repair? Unohana had suggested she would regain her old form once she woke up, but he had his doubts. He might never see his first daughter again.

“Kisuke,” said Yoruichi coming up behind him. “Mayuri and the others are here.”

He nodded without a word. He stepped inside the room and took Shirahime’s hand.

Mayuri and Nemu came in, followed by Momo, Daichi, Soi Fon, Retsu Unohana, and Hanataro.

Mayuri stopped beside Urahara. He held out a mod soul to him.

“Why should it work this time?” Urahara asked.

“Yukihime helped,” said Daichi.

Lafiel got up and stood back. Urahara placed the mod soul in Shirahime’s mouth and waited.

The room shook as Shirahime’s reiatsu flooded the room. Shirahime burst forth from her human form. She wore her taichos robe and her royal cloak. Blinking her eyes several times, she looked around the room. The reiatsu settled.

Kisuke embraced her. Momo, Daichi, and Hanataro came to her side. Momo hugged her. Looking on, Unohana smiled. Soi Fon squirmed, suppressing her emotions. Nemu smiled, feeling as she rarely had, happy. Mayuri turned away, wanting to welcome her, too, but not wanting to make it so public. Shirahime had changed him. Perhaps one day he would have a chance to show her.

Yoruichi stood beside Lafiel. Seeing her, Kisuke and Momo let go of Shirahime. Tears in her eyes, Yoruichi embraced Shirahime. “My Princess,” Yoruichi said, “I missed you.”

Another wave of reiatsu hit them. Yachiru popped in, followed by Kenpachi and Rangiku. “Mom!” she cried out. She ran to her and jumped. Kisuke caught her. “Sorry I’m late. I had to tell dad Shiroyuki.”

Tears formed in Shirahime’s eyes. She had escaped death, but not fate. Shiroyuki still waited for her. She took Yachiru from Kisuke’s arms. And embraced her.

From across the room, Rangiku turned to Kenpachi. “I wish Hitsugaya Taicho could see this.”

“Unohana said he’ll be conscious soon. Nothing will hold him back now.”