Bleach - Winter Fragrance, Chapter 4
Since I've nothing better to do, I might as well post and edit the last chapter I have of "Winter Fragrance." This is an incomplete chapter of an incomplete story.
Title: Winter Fragrance
Fandom: Bleach
Summary: To avenge the death of a childhood friend, Toushirou dresses up like a woman and enters Aizen's court as a servant. But when he tries to assassinate Aizen, who should he meet but...?
Characters: Hitsugaya Toushiro, Hinamori Momo, Matsumoto Rangiku, Neliel Tu Oderschvank, Ichimaru Gin, Aizen Sousuke, Shihouin Yoruichi, Urahara Kisuke, Kurosaki Isshin, Kurosaki Karin
Genre: Drama, Adventure
Warnings: Cross dressing, gender bending, Alternate Universe
Chapter 4
This scene was happening way too often for Neliel's liking.
She sighed as Rangiku blasted another hole in the ground, the smoke temporarily hiding her from view. Too bad it didn't hide sound. Neliel winced as a particularly large explosion took out a chunk of the yard.
"Satisfied?" Neliel asked.
Rangiku growled. "No." Neliel threw her hands up in the air as Rangiku blasted another crater. At this rate, she didn't think Rangiku's ample salary was enough to pay for the damages. Rangiku had better not come to her begging for extra money.
"You want to, I don't know, talk about it?" Neliel asked sarcastically. An explosive boom answered her. "You know, at this rate, I don't think you'll be able to keep your cover as a simple Mistress of the Servants." Rangiku finally stopped, storming up towards her and sitting down with a huff. Neliel sat next to her.
"You want to know what that idiot did?" Rangiku said angrily. "I'll tell you what that idiot did." Neliel felt that it would be unwise to interrupt and ask who the "idiot" was. "She knew. She knew and she didn't tell anyone. Just because it would jeapordize her position, and wasn't really that important to the safety of the country!"
"Who?" Neliel felt compelled to ask.
"Momo!" Rangiku shouted. "She knew Seireitei was going to attack Gen'se, and she didn't tell anyone because she knew that it was partially a ruse to flush out the spies. But she knew Fuyuka was going to be there. She knew and she didn't say anything!" Neliel felt discomfited by the news.
"And you know what's even better?" Rangiku continued on. "Sousuke and Gin both agreed with her! They agreed that she acted in the most prudent manner, and even praised her for keeping her head in such a crisis!"
"She would have to be quite level headed to make such a decision when she knew that someone she cared about might be in danger because of it," Neliel said calmly. Rangiku snorted.
" 'Cared about.' Yeah, right." She zapped a fluttering butterfly out of the air.
"I've told you before. You can't judge her without knowing her," Neliel said, trying to be a voice of reason. Though Rangiku's ire must be contagious, because she was beginning to dislike the other girl without having ever met her.
"I don't ever want to get to know her," Rangiku said through gritted teeth. Neliel sighed.
"Bull-headed, aren't you?"
Rangiku would have said something scathing in reply, but just then, Fuyuka ran towards them, appearing extremely happy.
"What's going on?" Rangiku asked in amusement, relaxing into a smile.
"Momo invited me to visit her," Fuyuka signed. Neliel could feel Rangiku tense beside her. Rangiku made a regretful expression.
"Sorry, but I have you scheduled to fill in Yumi's spot for the next few months. At least until we get new help."
Neliel was awed by Rangiku's acting. She made note never to fall for it.
Fuyuka looked a little disappointed, but nodded her understanding. "Once we get new help, I can go, right?" she signed.
"Of course," Rangiku said, a little too cheerfully. Fuyuka didn't notice anything amiss, though, and simply gave a brief smile before running off. Neliel gave Rangiku an accusing look.
"You shouldn't have done that."
Rangiku pretended to be extremely interested in the tree next to her.
"I noticed you didn't say anything, either."
"I'm weak-minded," Neliel replied. "I've been corrupted by your biased opinions." Rangiku laughed, her foul mood from before vanishing. "I just hope this doesn't come back to bite you in the ass." Rangiku waved her concern off nonchalantly.
"That kid will believe anything that someone she trusts tells her." Rangiku frowned in concern. "It's what makes her cute, but vulnerable." Neliel gave her a searching look.
"You're never going to get new help, are you?"
"Nope," Rangiku replied shamelessly. Neliel shook her head in exasperation.
--o--
Grimmjow was pissed that he hadn't been part of the action at Gen'se and Neliel had. It was hugely unfair. She didn't even like fighting all that much, whereas he, who adored fighting and asserting his supremacy, was usually left out of the loop and out of the fight.
When a soft knock sounded from his door signaling dinner time, Grimmjow was itching for a fight, even if it was just a verbal one. He yanked the door open, hoping to scare the narcissistic servant, but a girl was standing there instead, raising an eyebrow at his antics, looking at him as if he were crazy. She entered the room without his express invitation, placing the tray on the table.
"What the hell is this?" Grimmjow sneered, looking at the salad with disgust. "I don't want it." The girl huffed a little, but moved to pick up the bowl of salad. He knocked it out of her hands.
He was expecting her to flinch, back off, freeze in fear, or maybe even cry a little. Instead, the girl stormed up to him and punched him in the jaw. Grimmjow stumbled back, more in surprise than actually hurt by the weak punch.
The girl then picked up the bowl, scooped the ruined salad into it, and stomped off. Grimmjow hadn't been able to get a word in edgewise. Then, to his luck, Ulquiorra appeared in the hallway, giving him an impassive look. At least he knew that Ulquiorra would thankfully never say anything.
"Did I just witness a little girl knocking you over?"
Grimmjow gritted his teeth. He had spoke too soon.
"Get the hell outta here and mind your own damn business," Grimmjow growled, slamming the door in his face. He had an injured pride to tend to. Today was just not his day.
--o--
The room was silent as Gin grinned at Kaname, and Kaname fell just short of glaring at Gin. Sousuke, in turn, looked amused by them both.
"I think it a poor idea."
"Aw, c'mon," Gin prodded. "Just because you don't like Grimmjow doesn't make it a bad idea."
"Having Grimmjow there would be poor politics," Kaname replied. "The man is too violent, and he loves fighting more than anything."
"That's the point. His reputation will precede him and dissuade Seireitei from attacking," Gin pointed out. "Not to mention that he's a riot when he gets angry."
"I believe Gin has a valid point," Sousuke said before Kaname could protest. "Grimmjow's notorious reputation should persuade Seireitei into thinking twice before attacking Gen'se once more." He gave them one of his beneficent smiles. "He will also serve as a good distraction while Ulquiorra looks into the issue." Kaname could say nothing to that, and merely nodded in acquiescence.
"You don't believe Seireitei is right, do you?" Gin asked casually.
"No, but I don't like to leave things to chance," Sousuke answered calmly. "How are things on your front?"
Gin shrugged. "It's hard looking for someone whose appearance and name you don't know. I'd ask Ran-chan for help, but I doubt she could give any." His king looked contemplative for a moment.
"Well, do your best," Sousuke said kindly. "I believe that will be all for today." Gin and Kaname gave respectful bows, before preparing to exit.
"And Kaname?" Sousuke interrupted. Kaname turned slightly. "Please do be more careful. I would hate to incite another war with Seireitei. My people have suffered enough, don't you think?" Gin watched in fascination as a bead of sweat fell from Kaname's forehead.
"Of course, Your Majesty," he said, bowing deeply, back rigid. Sousuke waved it off casually, shaking his head.
"Please. So long as we understand each other." Another one of his smiles again.
They exited.
Discontinued...
Title: Winter Fragrance
Fandom: Bleach
Summary: To avenge the death of a childhood friend, Toushirou dresses up like a woman and enters Aizen's court as a servant. But when he tries to assassinate Aizen, who should he meet but...?
Characters: Hitsugaya Toushiro, Hinamori Momo, Matsumoto Rangiku, Neliel Tu Oderschvank, Ichimaru Gin, Aizen Sousuke, Shihouin Yoruichi, Urahara Kisuke, Kurosaki Isshin, Kurosaki Karin
Genre: Drama, Adventure
Warnings: Cross dressing, gender bending, Alternate Universe
Chapter 4
This scene was happening way too often for Neliel's liking.
She sighed as Rangiku blasted another hole in the ground, the smoke temporarily hiding her from view. Too bad it didn't hide sound. Neliel winced as a particularly large explosion took out a chunk of the yard.
"Satisfied?" Neliel asked.
Rangiku growled. "No." Neliel threw her hands up in the air as Rangiku blasted another crater. At this rate, she didn't think Rangiku's ample salary was enough to pay for the damages. Rangiku had better not come to her begging for extra money.
"You want to, I don't know, talk about it?" Neliel asked sarcastically. An explosive boom answered her. "You know, at this rate, I don't think you'll be able to keep your cover as a simple Mistress of the Servants." Rangiku finally stopped, storming up towards her and sitting down with a huff. Neliel sat next to her.
"You want to know what that idiot did?" Rangiku said angrily. "I'll tell you what that idiot did." Neliel felt that it would be unwise to interrupt and ask who the "idiot" was. "She knew. She knew and she didn't tell anyone. Just because it would jeapordize her position, and wasn't really that important to the safety of the country!"
"Who?" Neliel felt compelled to ask.
"Momo!" Rangiku shouted. "She knew Seireitei was going to attack Gen'se, and she didn't tell anyone because she knew that it was partially a ruse to flush out the spies. But she knew Fuyuka was going to be there. She knew and she didn't say anything!" Neliel felt discomfited by the news.
"And you know what's even better?" Rangiku continued on. "Sousuke and Gin both agreed with her! They agreed that she acted in the most prudent manner, and even praised her for keeping her head in such a crisis!"
"She would have to be quite level headed to make such a decision when she knew that someone she cared about might be in danger because of it," Neliel said calmly. Rangiku snorted.
" 'Cared about.' Yeah, right." She zapped a fluttering butterfly out of the air.
"I've told you before. You can't judge her without knowing her," Neliel said, trying to be a voice of reason. Though Rangiku's ire must be contagious, because she was beginning to dislike the other girl without having ever met her.
"I don't ever want to get to know her," Rangiku said through gritted teeth. Neliel sighed.
"Bull-headed, aren't you?"
Rangiku would have said something scathing in reply, but just then, Fuyuka ran towards them, appearing extremely happy.
"What's going on?" Rangiku asked in amusement, relaxing into a smile.
"Momo invited me to visit her," Fuyuka signed. Neliel could feel Rangiku tense beside her. Rangiku made a regretful expression.
"Sorry, but I have you scheduled to fill in Yumi's spot for the next few months. At least until we get new help."
Neliel was awed by Rangiku's acting. She made note never to fall for it.
Fuyuka looked a little disappointed, but nodded her understanding. "Once we get new help, I can go, right?" she signed.
"Of course," Rangiku said, a little too cheerfully. Fuyuka didn't notice anything amiss, though, and simply gave a brief smile before running off. Neliel gave Rangiku an accusing look.
"You shouldn't have done that."
Rangiku pretended to be extremely interested in the tree next to her.
"I noticed you didn't say anything, either."
"I'm weak-minded," Neliel replied. "I've been corrupted by your biased opinions." Rangiku laughed, her foul mood from before vanishing. "I just hope this doesn't come back to bite you in the ass." Rangiku waved her concern off nonchalantly.
"That kid will believe anything that someone she trusts tells her." Rangiku frowned in concern. "It's what makes her cute, but vulnerable." Neliel gave her a searching look.
"You're never going to get new help, are you?"
"Nope," Rangiku replied shamelessly. Neliel shook her head in exasperation.
--o--
Grimmjow was pissed that he hadn't been part of the action at Gen'se and Neliel had. It was hugely unfair. She didn't even like fighting all that much, whereas he, who adored fighting and asserting his supremacy, was usually left out of the loop and out of the fight.
When a soft knock sounded from his door signaling dinner time, Grimmjow was itching for a fight, even if it was just a verbal one. He yanked the door open, hoping to scare the narcissistic servant, but a girl was standing there instead, raising an eyebrow at his antics, looking at him as if he were crazy. She entered the room without his express invitation, placing the tray on the table.
"What the hell is this?" Grimmjow sneered, looking at the salad with disgust. "I don't want it." The girl huffed a little, but moved to pick up the bowl of salad. He knocked it out of her hands.
He was expecting her to flinch, back off, freeze in fear, or maybe even cry a little. Instead, the girl stormed up to him and punched him in the jaw. Grimmjow stumbled back, more in surprise than actually hurt by the weak punch.
The girl then picked up the bowl, scooped the ruined salad into it, and stomped off. Grimmjow hadn't been able to get a word in edgewise. Then, to his luck, Ulquiorra appeared in the hallway, giving him an impassive look. At least he knew that Ulquiorra would thankfully never say anything.
"Did I just witness a little girl knocking you over?"
Grimmjow gritted his teeth. He had spoke too soon.
"Get the hell outta here and mind your own damn business," Grimmjow growled, slamming the door in his face. He had an injured pride to tend to. Today was just not his day.
--o--
The room was silent as Gin grinned at Kaname, and Kaname fell just short of glaring at Gin. Sousuke, in turn, looked amused by them both.
"I think it a poor idea."
"Aw, c'mon," Gin prodded. "Just because you don't like Grimmjow doesn't make it a bad idea."
"Having Grimmjow there would be poor politics," Kaname replied. "The man is too violent, and he loves fighting more than anything."
"That's the point. His reputation will precede him and dissuade Seireitei from attacking," Gin pointed out. "Not to mention that he's a riot when he gets angry."
"I believe Gin has a valid point," Sousuke said before Kaname could protest. "Grimmjow's notorious reputation should persuade Seireitei into thinking twice before attacking Gen'se once more." He gave them one of his beneficent smiles. "He will also serve as a good distraction while Ulquiorra looks into the issue." Kaname could say nothing to that, and merely nodded in acquiescence.
"You don't believe Seireitei is right, do you?" Gin asked casually.
"No, but I don't like to leave things to chance," Sousuke answered calmly. "How are things on your front?"
Gin shrugged. "It's hard looking for someone whose appearance and name you don't know. I'd ask Ran-chan for help, but I doubt she could give any." His king looked contemplative for a moment.
"Well, do your best," Sousuke said kindly. "I believe that will be all for today." Gin and Kaname gave respectful bows, before preparing to exit.
"And Kaname?" Sousuke interrupted. Kaname turned slightly. "Please do be more careful. I would hate to incite another war with Seireitei. My people have suffered enough, don't you think?" Gin watched in fascination as a bead of sweat fell from Kaname's forehead.
"Of course, Your Majesty," he said, bowing deeply, back rigid. Sousuke waved it off casually, shaking his head.
"Please. So long as we understand each other." Another one of his smiles again.
They exited.
Discontinued...