Bleach: Cero Devastador

In the Shiba Manor, Kukaku Shiba sat on her desk holding what looked like a telephone. this was a Denreishinki, a device capable of communicating between the world of the living and the Seireitei.

She smoked from a pipe and sighed in exasperation as the individual across the line waited for her input. 

"Kamishiro Ryōma has got the Zampakutō, I couldn't get it. I tried to retrieve it but couldn't–"

"I never told you to retrieve it. Leave it as it is" A mature and grumpy male voice said from the other side. 

"Huh? Are you crazy, Yoruichi?".

"I said leave it, that kiddo can keep it in the meantime. More importantly, what information did Yami manage to get from him regarding the Shūhei boy?"

"Nothing too relevant, but so far we can tell the disappearances are tied to Kaname Tosen's division" Kukaku huffed a breath, a man sat in front of her, listening to the conversation. 

The Lieutenant of the 13th Division, Kaien Shiba. 

"Tosen?" Yoruichi sounded surprised like she didn't expect it. 

"It was a transaction that wasn't supposed to have any mishaps. The gangs have always existed in Rokungai and you Shinigami never manage to completely crack on their activities. This time there was an 'accident', that is the only reason we even knew that transaction was taking place in the first place" Kukaku huffed a breath in irritation, rendering an apologetic look out of her brother. 

"Human trafficking is not necessarily an uncommon gang activity. The question is with what purpose..." The grumpy person on the other side mumbled in annoyance. 

"What do you want to do now that you know this?" Kukaku inquired. 

"What should I do? My life is quite peaceful compared to when I was a captain. I can go and come on my leisure and wander around as I see fit, let me be. The soul society can burn for all I care".

"You're only saying that out of spite, you lazy cat. But even about Shitsutora... if it is not retrieved–"

"You are worrying too much, Kukaku. Generations have changed, the point in time at which Shitsutora was relevant to keep our clan's standing in the Seireitei is long gone. Even if they know Shitsutora is no longer in the clan's hands, Kurayami and Yushiro have accomplished enough merits to stop Central 46 from doing anything stupid. Your and the Shiba Clan's money will remain safe.

"Idiot, this is not about money!–" Kukaku yelled but she was ignored as now one knew her better than the individual talking across the phone, not even her own brother.

"Kurayami will get a scolding at best, she won't be banished from the clan... although she will realise later how quiet and wonderful life is without those annoying shackles. So long as her position as Karasu remains, she is necessary to them. Besides, if she doesn't say anything, nobody needs to know that Shitsutora is not in her hands. She tries to copy my style and rarely uses her Zampakutō".

"Yes but still..."

"In any case, I'll be heading to the Rokungai soon. I said he could keep it in the meantime, not that I would allow him to hold it permanently. What is even the point? From what I heard the boy already has a Zampakutō, he won't be compatible with that pesky cat and holding her will be useless. The Zampakutō to him is just a mechanism he has to hold onto Kurayami's attention, that's all".

"..." Kukaku was surprised at how much Yoruichi seemed to grasp the situation with very little information.

"Actually Yoruichi. He wants to fight you... He's a battle maniac who only wants to fight stronger people"

A terrible laughter broke up on the other side that forced Kukaku to remove her ear from the Denreishinki. 

"That mentality will have him killed one day. So be it, when the time comes I'll entertain him for bullying my little sister, let's hope he survives".

The call hung up and Kukaku sighed, "You heard it, aniki".

The man with spiky black hair was in deep thought, "Let's keep this between us in the meantime. I'll have an eye on the ninth division. If Shūhei Ryōsuke is who we think he was then there will be a replacement. We just need to perk up our ears and look for the right person, then follow their tracks".

He stood up to leave, "Also, try to get closer to that boy Kamishiro Ryoma, it is likely he will be sponsored after defeating Kurayami".

"But he doesn't want to attend the academy".

"I am afraid that is not his choice, one way or another he will be pulled in this whirlwind, that is what the soul society is".

After her brother left, Kukaku thought about the young man who had been in her mind all day with a blush. She huffed a mouthful of smoke in irritation. 

'All I said was some light stuff and you backed off so quickly, you coward... I will get you one way or another and I will ***** and also ******* with that lil' hole–'.

**

**

I felt a shiver run down my spine for some reason. I attributed it to the cold windy haze of the morning. Our training resumed as scheduled for two days in which I had small spars with Kurayami using bokken.

Kurayami heeded my words and didn't sleep in my room again after that.

We were refined and displayed our expertise to one another. She came at me with a style that was completely different to what I saw during our duel. Instead of harsh and abrasive, she was more delicate and refined.

However, ultimately we stopped and instead, she began giving me tips in regards to Shunpo and Kido in general. The reason was simple: a fight with Bokken was so boring that had to resist the urge to throw up. 

Any of the swords in the rack were so low in quality that they wouldn't be able to match Shitsutora or Hebimaru.

She left the next day unnoticed and without giving any warning. I thought my warning had worked until somebody knocked on the door in the evening. Murasaki opened up, and it was her.

It was Kurayami carrying luggage and a sword in its scabbard.

My brows twitched.

"I'm moving in" She said shamelessly, I looked at Murasaki and he shook his head... then I looked at Mikoto and Sakuya and they also shook their heads. 

"Who gave you permission to move here and even assigned you a room to put your stuff?".

"Can't I?~" She smiled brightly and even hooked her arm around my shoulder as if that was something making things better. 

"Woman, stop it..."

"Tch, stop being such a wuss, Ryoma. If I live here we will have more chances to spar. I can teach you what I know and we can communicate better until I receive an order to be deployed. I can continue giving you and your women tips" She said towards Mikoto and Sakuya who both blushed madly

"So me being here is beneficial for the both of us–uh!" I grasped her hair and pulled her to me, Kurayami stilled up, her eyes sharp like a tigress. 

"I never said it wasn't, in fact. I don't mind. My question is why did you move into my house without my permission or asking me first" 

My eyes must have been quite sharp because Kurayami gulped a mouthful and put her hands on my chest, "I won't do it again..."

"Good, Sakuya... give her a room".

"Yes, please come with me, Kurayami-san~". 

**

**

Just as she had been ordered, Sakuya led Kurayami down the hallway where all the main rooms of the building were. However, they walked and walked... and it seemed as if they were not going to reach Kurayami's room any time soon.

"Sakuya" Kurayami asked.

"Yes?~" 

"Isn't this a bit far away?".

"Far away from where?~" Sakuya came to a stop and asked back with a smile that didn't look too friendly. 

'From Ryoma's room...' Kurayami thought but didn't voice it out loud. 

*cough!*

"From the living room, I'd rather get a room next to you and Mikoto".

"Hmn...? But that room is next to Ryosuke, Ryoma and Murasaki's rooms... it may be a bit inappropriate".

"Then the guest room where I was–".

"But the guest room is for the guests~"

"..."

Kurayami sighed, 'So that's how it is... you won't make it easy for me, will you?'.

She planted her foot in front of Sakuya whose head tilted cutely in confusion. 

"Is this a declaration of war?"

"Not at all, this is a deterrence strategy~"

****

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