Bleach: Cero Devastador

I was disappointed but thrilled at the same time. No matter how much I tried, I couldn't find them. That thrills me like nothing else... a slippery bastard hiding somewhere ready to strike any time. 

This individual, whoever it is, has been following me but hasn't made a move regardless of how many times I bait him or her to do it. It doesn't matter how vulnerable I put myself for them to make a move, they just won't. But I still can't sense them... I can't take this tingling feeling off my head that somebody is lurking. 

I made Mikoto, Sakuya and Murasaki aware of this. They didn't think twice before suggesting I should use them as bait, an option I had already considered.

Since we left the 78th District, there has rarely been an occasion when we have been apart. I started creating those opportunities; I put Mikoto and Murasaki in vulnerable circumstances to see if this individual would try to reach me through them but to no avail. 

I gave up on wasting time on this issue.

That night, with a deep sigh I entered the warm bath of our new manor in the centre of the tenth district. It cost a third of our savings and it was worth every kan it cost. My eyes closed, I relaxed my mind, leaned back and let everything flush like impurities were leaving my body.

The manor's bath was like a massive antique spring with warm water that used to belong to some influential family that moved to the Seireitei.

A lifetime of fights was encouraging for my soul, but resting and basking in my money and progress once in a while wasn't too bad either; those two made sure of that. 

I heard the doors open, and slick steps heading into the bath. Those steps stopped in front of me and there was a time of silence. 

"Ryōma, put that sword away..." Sakuya huffed a breath crosshanded, I could literally see her tap her elbows. I twitched my tongue and put my sword (in its scabbard) on the edge of the bath.

Sakuya wrapped herself in a towel that struggled to hide everything she had to offer. No a shrewd of shame in her. We had already gotten used to this, it wasn't the first time we took a bath together and I was not one to reject kind-heartedness. 

She tip-toed to the edge; prickled the water with her toes a bit and squirmed in joy, "It's a bit hot~".

Eventually, she released her towel, put it to the side and entered the warm bath with a sigh of pleasure, swimming until she reached my side.

"This is wonderful, thank you~".

"How many times have you said that already?" I sighed.

"It is not enough" Sakuya spread her arms wide for me, I knew exactly what she wanted me to do... and I didn't decline it. I went to her and hugged my way in; making sure to rest my head on those big marshmallow–like breasts of hers. 

Immediately I started to feel drowsy and rejected the feeling, but she put her hand on my head and caressed my hair, bringing it back. 

"Tonight you have three fights... so rest to your heart's content, we have a few more hours".

"Where is Mikoto?"

"They all have already eaten and are going to rest too before we head off. They should be all asleep, Mikoto too".

"Mikoto would usually be here with us..." I mumbled, looking up. Sakuya had this troubled expression in her. 

"I told her to not come... she wasn't happy hehe".

"... what is wrong, Sakuya?".

"You didn't get this house... just to leave us here and go on your way, did you?" It sounded like it was a question she was struggling to ask. 

I didn't answer right away, she struggled to ask that question because she knew the answer and didn't want to hear it –and yet she still did it. 

"I did. However, it won't be now or any time soon, so don't worry" I answered clearly and concisely, the truth... as I always would at least with them. 

I felt a strong palpitation from her heart before the rate slowed down, tears fell on my face but she had a smile. 

"I'd rather die than hold you back. You are doing it to protect us, right? I know you are a monster, but you're a kind monster~".

It may look like I am heartless when for the past month; She, Mikoto, Murasaki... they have done everything they can to earn their keep. I am the one who brings the money in, but I wouldn't ever claim they're useless. 

This is the first time I've ever seen such useful weaklings. 

 "Is that supposed to be a compliment?" I smirked. With this understanding expression, she looked quite charming. We just looked at one another like this.

Sakuya, in particular, had put the most effort, not only for my sake but for everyone's sake. Keeping order amidst the chaos of a sudden lifestyle change that took them all by surprise. She is a perfect wife material; I couldn't help but think that if I were to meet her in my previous life, I would have married her without a doubt.

But in this world, I can't... I am too enthralled by this world of swords to think of anything else. 

I am well aware of Sakuya and Mikoto's welling-up feelings for me, I am not that dense. But I have already made my stance clear: I can't compromise myself to a woman who isn't at least as strong as me. There has to be chemistry with the sword. 

Sakuya has relentlessly tried to seduce me and crush those walls; unaware that I have erected those walls for her sake. She is someone who has been abused and hurt many times; after finding a bastion of security, it is natural that she wants to cling to it with everything she has. 

While I wouldn't compromise for her or Mikoto; nothing is stopping me from screwing them, having my way with them and using them as my toys, they would probably be willing to take the part. 

But I wouldn't do that to them knowing that I would one day leave.

I can bear to crack the heart, but not to tear it down. 

So when her lips approached enthusiastically, mine receded, again... leaving yet another crack as she faltered

"Ryōma, I... what I feel for you–"

"Yay!"

!!!

Sakuya had taken a step forward, but she was doomed to fail. Mikoto ran into the bath with no towel or anything jumped and splashed water everywhere... mostly on Sakuya.

"Mikoto, I told you not to come..."

The blonde girl resurfaced and pulled me away from Sakuya, sticking out her tongue in a mocking way, nearly popping out veins in Sakuya's forehead.

"You little–! Come here!"

"No! Leave me alone!~".

"..."

**

**

Thankfully, Mikoto took me out of a situation that could have escalated. With her in the bath, Sakuya's swinging breasts settled down a bit as they both focused on making me relax even as I felt a certain degree of tension in the room. 

I was lying down on my stomach with both of them straddling my back in opposite directions. Mikoto massaged my shoulders and back, and Sakuya massaged my legs and feet.

There was... a lot of tension... in certain areas. 

"Murasaki-kun said the opponent this time will be tough. You will have three different fights in one night, one more difficult than the other".

"So be it," I mumbled, not paying attention; I was rather more focused on the squishy feeling on my lower back. For some reason, Mikoto giggled. 

"One is a high-ranked mercenary of the third district; His name is Kikaku Benimaru, he uses a club instead of a Katana and he is reputed to have won more than a thousand fights in the last two hundred years, although he's also lost quite a few... he's an experienced fellow and he even lost against Zaraki Kenpachi once, people talk about that a lot".

"He didn't win, he lost... how is that amazing?" I asked, puzzled. 

"He survived".

"Oh... that one's interesting... finally one clue on that bastard" I have fought so many people trying to reach that Kenpachi, but I was getting out of options. The only real way to get in contact with a Shinigami Captain was to live in the Seireitei. The only way to get into the Seireitei was to attend the Shin-o-Academy. 

"T-Then the next one is a Shinigami from the Shin-o-Academy, in the underground he goes as 'Hage (baldy)', apparently he's quite promising and even set to enter the 11th division already, his name is Ikkaku Madarame. but he is not the one that concerns me. It is the last opponent".

"What about him?"

"It's a woman, she goes by Kurotora (Black Tiger) and she's a Shinigami... a very powerful and famous Shinigami".

"Tell me".

"According to what Murasaki has arranged; she retired from the underground more than two centuries ago and hasn't fought a battle since. It said she belongs to a prestigious family in the Seireitei. Until her retirement, she was never defeated" Sakuya mumbled in worry.

I almost licked my lips "... and she challenged me for?".

"Yes, it's not a comeback or anything. She merely wishes to fight you to determine whether you're legit," 

"Legit? Right~" I thought in ridicule, so far Shinigami had done nothing more than disappoint me. This time, however, it was going to be completely different.

**

**

At the time I met her; I felt reiatsu, strong like I hadn't felt until then.

A woman with flowing white hair like a tiger stood in front of me with a sharp glare, extending her hand forward in an uncharacteristic handshake.

*RUMBLE!*

Her skin was dark and her eyes yellow; it contrasted her hair so much that I couldn't help but be drawn to it. 

However, no doubt the most shocking part of her was her aura. Before I noticed I was giving her a strong handshake. 

*RUMBLE!*

Both of our auras were released at that moment with a strong battle intent.

"So this is Kamishiro Inuzuri, the upcoming star... a promise to be the next Kenpachi. I was wondering how long it would take you to come here since you escaped the 78th District".

"..."

Her grasp on my hand tightened and I felt my bones crack at the sight of her maniacal expression that brought me to the edge. 

"Shūhei Ryōsuke".

"..."

"Do you recognise that name, kiddo?~"