Chapter 20: Tides
I sat down cross-legged in this white world with black stripes like a white tiger's skin. A purple snake on my shoulders, two Zampakutos on my lap. A beautiful white tiger woman sitting in front of me in the same position. She called this world my 'Inner world'.
The scene was too visually poetic.
Having Shitsutora was a blessing; through her, I could get to know a lot of knowledge that was exclusive to Shinigamis. Most exclusively regarding the Zampakutō.
"Why don't you just attend the academy, brat? with your potential you could easily become a Lieutenant and work your way up until you become a captain, by then your life would be peaceful– nevermind..." She sighed, it is nice that she asked the question and answered it herself, it goes to say how much she knows me already.
...
"The connection between a Zampakuto and its master is sacred, a one-time definite link that can't be replicated by any other Shinigami or Zampakutō. Once a Shinigami receives their Asauchi, their Reiryoku gradually impregnates it, forming an Ego within the sword and a 'name'. The reaffirmation of identities between a Zampakuto and their master is the source of the strength between both" she explained to me.
"You know her name and she knows yours... but it is more than just a name. It is an acceptance of our existence. When you know your Zampakuto's name and your Zampakuto knows yours... that is the first release (Shikai)".
"When you accept and recognise your Zampakuto's existence, when your Zampakuto has recognised and accepted your existence, last release (Bankai)".
"All this is a process of learning and self-consciousness that can take many decades for a Shinigami under guidance" She picked up the snake from my shoulders and petted it. Hebimaru looked at the finger and bit it hard, I knew it...
"As expected of a snake. You can't act kindly, they will take advantage~" She said those words looking at me for some reason.
"Can anyone use someone else's Zampakutō?".
"Wield a sword? anyone can wield a sword but not everyone can create a spiritual connection with it, much less release it. Anyone could have taken Shūhei Ryōsuke's asauchi, but you managed to make a spiritual connection and imprint your Reiryoku in it".
"What about a sword that already has an imprint" I asked back.
"Like me?~".
"Like you..."
"It depends. In most cases once a soul plunders an Asauchi they can override the previous owner's Reiryoku with their own, that is because most Shinigami don't create a strong enough connection with their Zampakutō~" She mumbled, giving me a snickery sidelong glance that got on my nerves.
I picked her up and pressed her against me, this tiger was playing games.
"Not so fast, boy... let me finish~".
"Uh-huh, say..."
"This only happens when the Reiryoku within the Asauchi is feeble. In my case, my ego has long been formed and developed, I have achieved Bankai too alongside my master" She whispered in my ears, "As tasty as it may be, there is no way I would allow you to impregnate me with your Reiryoku~".
"We will see about that, Shitsutora. You women are always like that at first".
"I am a sword! I am dangerous, sharp, I kill!–"
"Same dang thing".
"Boy..."
**
**
I woke up feeling like an eternity had just slipped by. Shitsutora and I talked plenty, concluding that it would probably hurt me when the time came for me to return her to that Yoruichi. I love and live by the sword and never expected that I'd come to a world where swords can talk. I had to, at least, respect her will. Besides, I already have Hebimaru with me.
*cough!*
Not before I thoroughly use her and jizzle my Reiryoku all over to make sure I can't impregnate her and override Yoruichi's imprint with a hundred per cent certainty.
"You're thinking something devious, Ryōma... you are smiling"
"..."
I heard Sakuya's pouty voice but once more struggled to see her face. Like always it was hiding behind that bountiful jiggly chest of hers.
"Sakuya, how long has it been?".
"I came into the bath just a bit ago. You looked like you were asleep, I put you in a more comfortable position" She rubbed her palm on my head, and after she leaned forward I finally managed to see her expression. She had a deep blush on her.
"I just discovered a thing or two. Where is everyone?"
"They are all asleep... even Murasaki-kun, he counted all the money we got, saved it and then crashed on the bed. It is quite late".
"Why didn't you? You must be tired".
"I wanted to make sure everything is okay with you. It was a difficult fight, but it seems like there are no injuries, like always" Sakuya mumbled, her right hand ruffled my hair, and her left hand caressed my chest, thoroughly spoiling me.
I sighed, there were injuries and deep ones at that, it was all thanks to this unusual physique of mine.
'It is because I am a hollow?'.
There was a massive gap of knowledge that Shitsutora could fill up over time. I don't even know what a hollow is and although Shitsutora does know what a hollow is, my characteristics don't seem to match her criteria.
'The way I can tell you are a hollow is by your Reiryoku. Each one is different, and there is nothing more sensitive to Reiryoku than a Zampakutō. Once you perished, you should have gone to Hueco Mundo. So why are you in the Soul Society? How can you wield a Zampakutō?'.
She was unable to think of a conclusion, so we left our conversation there and she promised she'd teach me more next time.
While deep in my thoughts and feeling Sakuya's caresses, I noticed her gaze seemed to be fixed somewhere.
"It must have been a thrilling fight..." She mumbled, looking at my crotch.
I nearly whistled, "Oh..."
"Muramasa-kun is quite active tonight" Sakuya blushed, the caresses in my abdomen were starting to get progressively lower.
"M-Muramasa...?" my brows twitched, 'D-Did she just named my dick...? Isn't that my job?'.
Her gaze looked so enthralled that I couldn't help but smirk.
"Do you like Muramasa-kun, Sakuya?~"
!!!
She gasped and looked at me in shock, it was the first time I was taking the incentive with her. It had been a long and glorious night. I made it out alive and I got a wonderful new sword.
Kurayami had blazed a fire in me that perhaps Sakuya would have to put off tonight. I wouldn't mind going to bed with yet another victory.
**
**
Ryōma is the most interesting yet complex person that I, Sakuya, have ever known. Not that I have known many... but experiencing years in Rokungai travelling from hut to hut in poverty has to account for something.
After going through a lot of abuse and harsh treatment, I have come to hate men. I took care of Ryōsuke and Ryōta, even Murasaki... mostly because deep down I felt afraid they would gradually turn into those disgusting men I had grown used to if left to fend by themselves in this accursed world, I found them when they were little kids, just like Mikoto. That is why when he came to us at first, I naturally distrusted Ryōma.
He came to us like a cheerful warm hug in the worst of times. He helped Murasaki and he fred me... but even then I couldn't fully trust him.
I couldn't take the feeling off my head that he was at some point going to betray us, or he would do something horrible to Mikoto. So I kept close to him at all times, closer than any of the kids.
I observed all of his movements and mannerisms, I serviced him in every way I could... not out of love, but as a survival instinct.
It was after a period that I realised he was not like other men. Ryoma's passion for the sword goes beyond every other desire he may have. This boy just wants to fight... he doesn't care about anything else.
He would look at my body, he would look at Mikoto's body... he would brazenly leer at us and show interest, but he wouldn't make a move. He would look at the boundless amount of money he made but he wouldn't touch it. So long as there was a dish on his table every day and an opponent to fight, he'd be happy.
He would sometimes walk around aimlessly just looking at places but never going in.
To me, he was like a child in many regards, but no doubt a man in others. He gave me security that no one else could.
The desire to take care of him grew up in my heart, he looked so strong and yet weak at the same time; like a wandering soul that doesn't know where to ever go... he just craves the next fight.
He didn't seem to notice that, but I did. I looked at his true nature.
I went through deeper emotions before I noticed. The suggestive looks he'd give to me started to become intense to me and I began showing him more. I took care of myself, I tried to become prettier.
I noticed Mikoto did so too.
We knew he'd eventually leave, but we were determined to do everything we could to stop that outcome.
But my feelings... our feelings were never his priority. I knew he had more important things to think about and never pressed, I thought I'd push him away if I did. I began craving his body to the point I saw him in my dreams, but he wouldn't make a move and neither did I.
He had told me more than once the only way he'd compromise was if he found a woman who was as strong as him, someone with whom he could have a thrilling fight.
I berated myself many times if such a woman existed, and if she did... it most definitely wasn't me. Tonight was also the first time I saw him so aroused, I could only hold the bitterness in my heart thinking this reaction was due to that woman, Kurotora.
"Do you like Muramasa-kun, Sakuya?~".
"..."
That seemingly friendly snickery comment was packed up with such lewd intentions...
I looked at him in shock, like a starving dog who had just been thrown a bone. He gave me a chance. Before I knew my countenance was all flared up and all I could do was look at him, feeling extremely conscious of my body, his and his stare on my skin.
"I-I do..."