Chapter Text
Kaien was smiling as the chaos ran rampant around him.
The majority of his colleagues were restraining a murderous Captain Hirako from stabbing his zanpakuto at his alternate self while Captain Urahara on the side was standing with a blank face, Captain Yoruichi feverishly whispering in his ear looking near pleading and desperate.
Likely trying to warn her former 3rd seat not to do anything that definitely will end up with him thrown into the maggots nest and the two alternates not to be heard again.
On the side, the alternate Hirako was staring blankly at his hands crusted with dried blood from Sosuke who placed himself in between Hirako and the unholy version of his best friend's blade.
He looked extremely confused, horrified, and something else that Kaien didn't like seeing on his face. Correction, something he didn't like to see in anybody's face whenever it involved his oblivious best friend.
Still, Kaien smiled and kept a right hold over his future baby cousin's shoulder as the young teen was still reeling at having done his first kill. Even if it was someone like that monster who needed to be exorcized first then have their face covered before being thrown to the hollows to be eaten alive.
He'd heard from the alternates what that fucker had done to his clan. Prosecuted and reduced to disgrace with the members mysteriously disappearing. The fucking nerve.
That was not a version of Sosuke-kun. That was a mistake on the three realms by the soul king.
A disgusting inky tar of pollution that walked around with the face of the brightest and kindest man Kaien knows. He'd wanted to throw up when he saw the bastard for the first time.
No doubt others are feeling the same thing he did.
But he still smiled.
Because he was a Shiba, the one who brought cheer and managed chaos by embodying it. And he lives in chaos, he needs to be calm in chaos.
Even when an inhuman rage is simmering under his skin, swelling ocean and roaring tsunamis at his fingertips. Nejibana pleading and shouting to let loose. Flashing blue eyes and the Ocean Queen's trident at hand.
Ichigo frowned beside him and clicked his tongue. "Calm down Kaien, go rest or something."
Kaien blinked and looked questioningly at Ichigo. He smiled and ruffled his head with a tight laugh.
"My baby cousin is worried about me! Hurra! Don't worry, I'm fine. Sosuke-kun will be fine too, he's made of tougher materials."
Ichigo hissed and pried his hand away but still grumbled. "You're just like Yuzu, bottling it up til you explode. Just get away from me, I'm fine."
Kaien cooed and tried to wrap his baby cousin in the hug and only got bitten for his efforts. At least the dark feelings in his chest were receding, good.
But he'll still have a nice chat with whoever let Sosuke go out alone. A very nice chat with Nejibana.
Urahara Kisuke has plans upon plans, contingencies from a to z.
From a street rat at Rukongai he'd been raised and molded by the Onmitisuki into a weapon. To kill and perform missions, to be the machine they need.
The small remaining part of his humanity was something Yoruichi cupped in her hands and shielded away from turning into a mindless soldier.
An apology and wish for her friend to remain something to make him different from a mere blade.
For all he knows more than a hundred ways to murder someone without leaving a trace of blood, to perform elaborate missions in the dark night, and creating genius kido formations. He knows his flaws.
Being a soul was part of it.
Morality, social niceness, and emotions were something out of his reach. So he'd put on a mask, a polite and seemingly careless man.
Yoruichi and Tensei tell him to close his eyes and he'd fit in just fine.
Eyes are the window to the soul, so it was probably for the best.
Then he met Aizen Sosuke.
Kisuke met the shinigami when Sosuke was still an Academy student and him an assassin at the second.
He'd finish his mission, it was one of the harder ones that he needed his full attention and battle capacity. He'd finish the mission of course, an assassin who didn't finish their mission was a dead assassin, in a literal sense of speaking as well.
But he was severely wounded and low on reiatsu. A bad combination that could get him killed by a hollow on the way back to the headquarters.
Then Kisuke felt a presence, his instincts made him throw a blade at location. Only to hear a yelp and the sound of the blade hitting a tree.
There, awkwardly sprawled on the ground with his back pressed on a tree, was an academy student based on his uniform.
The boy awkwardly gulped and fixed his thick framed glasses before looking at him. Kisuke ran through the promising members of the academy he had profiles on and placed a name on the young teen.
Aizen Sosuke. A skilled student who was known for apprenticing under Captain Unohana and on his way to being shuffled to the fourth after his graduation. Also known for his friendship with the Shiba heir.
To high profile to discreetly dispose off.
Taking course 3 action 20. Flee from the situation and report back to the head commander, then proceed to follow up the action plan.
"W-wait! "
He stopped and turned back to the academy student. Curiosity picked up on why somebody wanted to stay any longer in the presence of an Onmitisuki on a mission.
"U-um—I know some healing kido—or! I—I could just give you some bandages." The teen asked wryly and took some bandages out.
Aizen then hesitantly handed the bandages over by reaching out his open hand with them towards him.
Kisuke was very puzzled by this action. He then began to wonder whether this was a trap, or if the teen had wanted something from him.
Aizen was known to be proficient in Kido, not nearly as much as him and Tessai, so he checked for any possible tampering on the bandages by sight.
It was clean. Even freshly packaged with the seal of the fourth division over its container.
Kisuke would have ignored the other and immediately left if it weren't for the fact that he was indeed bleeding out.
So he grabbed the bandages, made a point to bring this up to Yoruichi and immediately left.
The next time he met the academy student, he was out on patrol and the teen was practicing Kido in the forest. Keisuke just stopped and observed. Then continued to do so for days until he finally piled enough curiosity to jump down from his usual tree.
Their life was forever entwined since.
Kisuke had met Sosuke first, from a young teenager tumbling after Urahara in the 4th to the young man running after his captain at the 5th.
He'd seen how Sosuke had lived and evolved, and how the man unknowingly affected everyone around him. Aizen Sosuke was the observational study he would never be bored off.
Something close to the word 'like' for him. Kisuke does not love. Love is fictional, an emotional response to stimuli. Strong yet fleeting.
But he might wear that label for the brunette lieutenant. Yoruichi and Tensei seem to believe he does.
And because of that—Kisuke doesn't like sharing Sosuke.
Hirako Shinji was toeing the line. Both have reached the same level of 'like'. Both in a stand still.
Kisuke met Sosuke first. But Hirako made the first move, dragging Sosuke kicking and screaming into his division.
Even at the cost of Captain Unohana's wrath. Captain Commander Yamamoto ended up having to be present when a thick pulse of killing intent spread on the whole Sereitei when Unohana found her apprentice missing. For that, Kisuke will give his respect to Hirako.
But that does not mean he's happy with the man's present. No—definitely not.
But right now? He was willing to be ecstatic if it meant getting those two leaches away.
"Um—Kisuke? I can't walk properly like this."
Kisuke turns his head to Sosuke who was wearing a particularly delightful blush over his cheeks. An awkward smile on his face as he tried to walk with his elbow locked with Kisuke's.
The Onmitsukido assassin turned captain merely blinked innocently and tightened his hold on the Lieutenant.
"But Sosuke. I'm scared of leaving you alone. I still remember what happened last time, for my own sake please let me do this." Kisuke also added that puppy eyes that the brunette always fell for for good measure. And done.
Sosuke sagged in defeat and finally allowed Kisuke to drag and press himself as close as he could while they went out in the Seireitei.
It had become imperative that Sosuke mustn't be left alone. Someone should always be beside the lieutenant and ensure that neither alternates aside from Kurosaki-kun can get close. That was something everyone agreed on.
Kisuke had not liked the look on the alternative Hirako and his very own menace's face. Not one bit. He'd like to pry it off with a carving knife and plunge his blade over their eyes. Their lingering stares nonononono—he'll kil—
"Ah, Sosuke. Look who's out of the fourth!" Kisuke said while pointing over to Captain Kyoraku. The man had been admitted to the fourth longer than even Captain Ukitake. The alternate Aizen had managed to wound him that badly amidst the battle. It was unfortunate that most Captains' Bankai weren't able to be utilized in a close battle like what occurred.
Sosuke's eyes widened at the fierce light in the normally relaxed captain. Kisuke wanted to chuckle and moved over to his friend's ears. Hand cupped between them to muffle his words.
"Sake isn't allowed in the fourth. Captain Kyoraku has been sober since the battle." And the Captain made sure everyone knew how irritated he was.
Sosuke gasped, light and amused. It sounded like music to his ears.
"We better make our way then. I'll rather not be on the other end of his—whatever you call it."
"I think they called it blue turkey?"
Sosuke's laughter floated in his ears. "Cold turkey, Kisuke. Cold." Warming his chest ansletting a smile curve on his cheeks. Yes, he 'likes' Sosuke. Very very much.
The screech and feel of nails on board, shattering glass and kaleidoscope of too bright colors. Loud, disturbing, and headache inducing. He hates it.
Kisuke's eyes focus on the side to see grey eyes and a sly smile.
Benihime rages on his side.
"What's wrong Kisuke?"
"Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Go on, let's visit the fourth."
Retsu is at her core, a warrior infatuated with crossing blades. But she had long buried that for the life of being the captain of the 4th and to be a healer. She knows one day it will be unearthed. And that was the day she either brought bloodshed into Seireitei or she's finally put down.
Yet that was far in the future and she had different priorities now. She awaits the day the young boy in Rukongai takes the mantle of Kenpachi. And she had prepared young Sosuke to don the white captain haori of the 4th.
But life doesn't work the way people tend to plan it. No doubt young Zaraki would be a Kenpachi. But her darling assistant was snatched away from her.
In her own building, her territory. Her skilled and adorable pupil was taken seconds before he was hers.
If Genryūsai had not intervened then the fifth division would have been a captain short. A fair trade in her eyes for taking what was to be hers.
Now she was missing a Lieutenant, her third seat taking the reins. And Retsu was not happy.
Hirako Shinji knew better than to engrouched near her again. She'd heal him of course. But she would not make it pleasant. Dear Sosuke was thankfully still an almost constant presence in her division. She didn't expect anything less. A helper at heart that one. Completely unlike Retsu.
Everything was still going as she expected. Things were peaceful. Then the dimension travelers crashed into their world and made it their business to drag them all along in the wreckage they called their life.
Kurosaki-kun is a nice boy with a terrifying potential. Oh how her blood burned at the thought of fighting the boy when he matures to his full capacity. It will bring ruin.
The other three, she had a mind to throw them all to Muken and be done with it.
One was a bitter and more feral version of the man that stole her apprentice. Who also had the gall to target his hatred to their Aizen Sosuke.
The other was willy fox, a future Kisuke they hoped they wouldn't have. She dislikes his eyes, especially when it's on Sosuke.
And the third?
Oh, if Kurosaki-kun hadn't dealt with him at the time, he would not have lasted any longer with Retsu.
She had sealed her passion, her bloodlust and greed for battle. But that would not have been a battle, it would have been an extermination.
She knew Sosuke better than the man himself. Every skill, thought, and ambition. She knew and cultivated.
From that wide eyed little thing that barely reached her waist. To the polite young man who she would be proud to call a pupil.
Retsu had cultivated him in the arts of healing. Of knowledge and legislation. The skill in bonding with his zanpakuto.
And how to beat, aim to kill, to defend, to bathe in the blood of your enemy. Unfortunately, Kyoka Suigetso took those lessons to heart more than her own student. A murderous sword spirit and a peaceful soul reaper.
Sosuke is a pacifist. As Retsu is a fighter. The Ying and the Yang.
"So what did I even do to get yer special version of tender care, Captain Unohana?"
She turned her attention to the alternate of the thief and merely hummed. She looked at the short hair and the expression of false confidence. Retsu wants to throw him out of her division after gutting him.
Captain Hirako and the other had gotten into another fight. One of the numerous that had occurred after Sosuke's darling mistake, not that her soft hearted pupils would have let anything happen to this one either if he could help it.
But Retsu knew no doubt that Sosuke had mixed up his captain and this other, with him being intoxicated from the painkillers. It was the reason for the boy's second admission to her division just a few minutes after he was let out. Retsu didn't bother going inside and just waited outside for him, already expecting the reaction.
"Hirako-san, it wouldn't be quite a problem if the two of you would try to not act like children," she chimed in. Her hands wander over the bottles of medicine and bandages at her table.
"I ain't gettin' in ta fights. The other bastard is the one that got a bone to pick with me."
"Then I suppose, you have to try not to stalk Sosuke-kun then. Maybe the murder attempts on you would be lessened, including those not conducted by Captain Hirako."
The loud click of the glass bottle when she settled it on the table echoed in the silence that was left after her statement.
Sat hunched on the bed with bandages over his chest and dresses in medical clothes, the man looked paler than he already was. His face was scrunched up, mouth open to speak in denial but paused midway.
"Your cohort already found a way back to your own dimension with the assistance of the 12th Division. If you have something to say, time is ticking," she said then paused for a moment. "That is if it's Sosuke's wishes."
Amber eyes looked at her and she felt the stirring of Hollow reatsu in the air. "Appreciate the offer, but I think I need ta go now. See ya later, Captain Unohana." The man smiles, all teeth and venom. Then he stood up from the bed and walked out of the room whistling.
Retsu's sight landed on the small indents in the word of the bed frame, like fingers pressing into the woodwork. She'll send the bill later to the Fifth.
And might as well call Captain Hirako to warn him of the impending presence of the other in the fifth. Retsu hopes both of them kill each other.
Sosuke woke up in the middle of the night. His vision was adjusting to the darkness as he started confused at his wooden ceiling. It was odd for him to wake up in the middle of the night. Usually he ends up sleeping and doesn't wake until the sun is at least peeking from the horizon.
Having grown paranoid these few weeks, he immediately reached out for Kyoka Suigetso which he always placed beside his bed and heaved a sigh when he felt her scabbard. He then pulled it towards him under the blanket cover and pressed it over his chest.
"Calm down would ya. I ain't planning on guttin' ya anytime soon."
And Sosuke jumped out of the bed like a startled cat and moved to press his back against the wall, his eyes immediately landing on the exit and his body twitching to move and get the hell out of the room.
There was no way the person with that accent was his captain. Shinji wouldn't sneak into his room unnoticed at night. He's more likely to kick his door open and start yelling while turning on the lights. This could only be the Hirako Shinji of Cannon whose main motivation is to kill Aizen Sosuke. Ergo him.
"Yeesh! Calm down would ya. Yer likely to wake up the whole division at this rate," Hirako groaned from somewhere in the room, Sosuke was too busy eyeing the exit to let his sight roam to find the blonde.
"I'm afraid one does not go into the state of calm when one is in the room of a person who wants to peel their skin alive and cut their head off. With that I would like to—CAP—" Sosuke was cut off in the middle of screaming his lungs out for his captain by the sudden movement from the other man.
A hand now firmly pressed against his mouth to muffle his shout.
Hirako was too close to him. One hand on his mouth and the other using his forearm to pin Sosuke into the wall by pressing onto his chest. He could hear the loud thumping of his heartbeat in his ears. The constriction of his breath and chest from panic.
"Now listen here. I ain't gonna harm ya. I just wanna talk, m'kay?" Hirako carefully said, his voice even and blank. Now getting a better look at the man, he could see that Hirako was dressed in a white long sleeved shirt and dark pants.
Sosuke slowly nodded and the hand left his mouth. Pursed his teeth and squinted to adjust to the dark and his lack of glasses.
"Ya won't run off if lay off ya?" Shinji asked and lightened the press of his arm over his chest.
"Yes, I won't." Not a complete lie. Sosuke would only make a run for it if Hirako tries anything.
"Good," Shinji said and pulled away his hand. He then moved back and took the chair paired with the table on the right side of the room.
"Um, should I turn on the lights?" He asked with weariness. Hirako shook his head, short blonde hair swaying.
In the dark room, the only light was from the moon and the lamps outside blurring through the shōji. Enough to get a clear silhouette of the inside of the room but enough to make a clear vision. Especially without his glasses.
Hirako licked his lips and bit on it, a nervous tick that his captain rarely showed. Sosuke couldn't help but be fascinated with the similarities and differences between the captain he spent years with and this person.
It never had really sunk in on him that his captain and this person were truly one person before now.
"I—the last fight—I—darn it! Thank ya! That's it. For takin' the blow fer me and not being like Aizen. Fer everythin' else as well. Sorry for bein' a jerk ta ya. Yer face really bring up bad thoughts."
Hirako blurted out, then groaned, planting both of his hands to cover his face.
A small smile formed on his lips. That was just like Shinji, pulling a genuine gratitude was like pulling teeth and he just had to get a final rebuttal even unintentionally.
Just like Hiyori too although without the violent tsundere vibes. No wonder those two act like feral cats with each other.
Hirako then stared at him frozen, his lips slightly parted as if he saw something unexpected. In the darkness, he could see the man's eyes glowing. It seems like the hollow part also sometimes slips even in human form. It was beautiful.
Hirako's face then turned red as his face contorted into pure shock, he opened his mouth then closed it.
Sosuke barely had any time before he got slammed in the head with his pillow that was beside Hirako.
"You—you! Shameless!! What is spewing out of yer mouth! I ain't gonna fall fer it!"
Sosuke's wide eyes mirrored Hirako's. Oh, he said that last bit out loud.
Feeling ridiculous, Sosuke couldn't help but laugh at the situation he was in. One moment he was asleep, then fearing for his life, and now laughing at the sputtering Hirako. The whiplash should be enough to knock him out. Yet he was still somewhat awake.
Further infuriated by his laughter, Hirako then lunged at him. The situation was familiar enough that Sosuke wasn't alarmed and habitually caught the man when they both landed flat on the floor, the golden haired shinigami on top of him.
Sosuke then pushed his forearm over the ground to pull himself up to a semi-upward position. His other hand then placed on Hirako's back to keep the man from falling over here he tried to sit up.
Then the Shōji slammed open.
Sosuke turned his head quickly and paled when he saw who it was.
"C-captain, I—I can explain."
Hirako Shinji looked like divine retribution from the heavens with his long hair casting a golden halo over his head from the moon and the lamp's light. He don his captain haori with his shinigami uniform and Sakanade strapped to his waist. A blank face and murderous amber eyes stare back at them.
It's just—why does Sosuke feel like a traitorous husband caught red-handed with his mistress at the house owned by his wife?