A/N: Okay, I have to admit there was a lot of bad words in the last chapter. It wasn't all that exciting either but I'm finally getting to the good part. This part is just a replay, so there's nothing new besides the thoughts that are going through Kazeshini's head. On with the story.
flashback = underline
Chapter 2 – Innocence
Kazeshini had finally caught up with the group of shinigamis, though he was only there to deal with the bastard. He stood on a roof of a house and was a great deal of distance away from the sight of the four man group. He snapped out of his thoughts when he heard heavy breathing on his shoulder. He looked at the kid that was draped on his shoulder and sighed in annoyance. He didn't want to be seen with the kid or get the kid involved with his fight, so he was just going to put him down for the time being.
Kazeshini took the kid off his shoulder and laid him on the long beam of the house. It was flat so there was no way the kid could fall off.
"Stay there," Kazeshini replied, he got up and looked back at the group.
He looked back down to see the kid roll of the beam and down the roof. The kid ROLLED OFF! Oh shit! Kazeshini quickly dove for the kid before he fell off the roof and crawled back to the top, holding the kid in one arm. He wasn't expecting the kid to roll off, now where to put him? He looked around and spotted a small house near the edge of the small town. It looked safe; it was on the outskirts so that meant it was pretty isolated. Perfect.
Kazeshini went over to the house and strolled inside. It wasn't that big but there was a small straw mat on the floor. He knelt down onto the floor and Kazeshini carefully place the kid down on the mat, making sure that he wouldn't wake up.
"Now, stay here and be a good boy." Kazeshini replied.
Almost in response, the kid gave a smile and a happy gurgle. Kazeshini couldn't help but smile at that. It wasn't his usual smile; his insane, bloody thirsty, killing smile, but it was more of a happy and caring smile. Kazeshini got up and left the house, going to the same spot, on the roof of one of the houses. It looked like he had made it just in time; his wielder was by himself, fighting two sword fiends. It was a perfect opportunity to fight him. There was no one there to interrupt their fight.
Kazeshini was about to attack him when he heard crying within the distance. It sounded like the kid. He started to curse at how bad the kid's timing was and looked back at his wielder. It was perfect! The pussy would have never suspected the attack, but the crying restrained the thought. What to chose; was he willing to give up his chance in order to go to the kid? NO! He wasn't going to give it up!
He felt his will caving in as he loosened his grip on his scythes before he gripped them tightly. Damn it! He knew that he was going to regret this later. Kazeshini turned around to the source of the crying and quickly ran there.
"Don't cry!" Kazeshini shouted as he came skidding to a halt near the door.
He stared in shock at the sight that was in front of him. Sure the kid was there, but there was a woman, a normal woman, holding the kid. He wasn't sure of what to say as the woman cowered in fear and the kid slowly came walking towards him. He stared at the kid as he walked up to him and hugged his leg. Without hesitation, Kazeshini knelt down to the kid, placing both of his scythes on either sides of him, and put his hand on the kid's head.
"Were you going to take this kid?"
"Y-yes," She responded, the woman looked at Kazeshini as he gazed at the kid for a few moments, "He was just sitting here. . ."
"Woman," He looked at her, "I want to you to take this kid-,"
Before he could finish his sentence, the woman screamed. He looked behind him and used his right arm to block the sword the came down. Behind him was a sword fiend.
"Still here? Shinisami dog?" The sword fiend asked. Kazeshini pushed the sword back but it didn't seemed to be fazed by the action.
"All enemies must die!"
Without thinking, Kazeshini grabbed the kid and hugged him to his chest as the blade slammed onto his back. It hurt but he didn't care at the moment. He held the kid in his right arm and used his left to throw one of his scythes backward. It missed and the sword fiend laughed as he knew it prepared to finish him. Kazeshini's left hand held the chain that was attached to his scythe; he gritted his teeth in pain as he jerked the chain forward.
He heard his scythe stab the sword fiend and didn't hesitate to take the chance to finish him as he passed the kid to his left arm, grabbing his other scythe in his right, turned around and stabbed it. He was panting right now; he had killed the sword fiend but he was injured. Why? Why did he protect the kid? His mind soon thought back to when he attacked his shinigami.
Kazeshini leaped from the building and landed in front of the 9th Squad lieutenant.
"Fancy meeting you here!" He sneered before throwing one of his scythes at him.
The people behind the shinigami screamed. The lieutenant flicked his eyes to the side before moving them to the scythe that flew over toward him. He moved his sword in front of him and blocked the scythe that came at him before pushing it back with a grunt.
Did this have something to do with that? Kazeshini finally realized why he was so attached to the kid and why he protected the kid. It was because he was so innocent; he knew nothing and he didn't understand what was going on. He didn't want him to get hit because the kid didn't do anything wrong. Finally, it all made sense; his eye flicked over to the kid. The kid was looking at him now and smiled the same innocent, happy smile.
Kazeshini didn't want the kid to get hurt. He knew that at this rate he wouldn't last long and he wouldn't be in good shape to protect the kid. He didn't want the kid to get hurt and he would do anything to keep him safe right now. He grabbed the kid with his right hand and stood up. He didn't look back as he threw the kid to the woman and told her, "Take the brat. Get away from here as far as you can."
"But-" The woman started to protest.
"Just go."
"Y-yes."
He didn't turn around as he heard the woman run away out of the house and away from the town. He turned his back and looked at the town, where the bastard was fighting. He didn't look back as he heard the child cry for him. Kazeshini wanted to look back, he didn't want to do it. He wanted to be with the kid, just as much as the kid wanted to but he did it to protect him. He felt himself shatter into a million pieces as the kid's cry fade away and walked toward the town. The shinigami's words echoed through his mind.
Until you fight me head on, I won't finish our fight.
It was time for them to finish their fight. Kazeshini had avoided the battle for too long. He kept his trade mark smile on his face as he walked into to his wielders view, just as he finished dispatching a few of the sword fiends. At first he didn't look at him, trying to hide all evidence of sadness from his face.
"Yo! I've been waiting." Kazeshini called to his wielder, "You said that you wouldn't finish our fight until I fought you head on, right?"
He finally looked at his wielder. His opponent stared at him with a calm and serious look.
"Yeah,"
"Well, here I am."
He looked surprised but covered it up quickly. They made no sudden movements until they both uttered one word, "Reap."
They ran at each other and struck at one another. It was the day Kazeshini had been waiting for, he wanted to fight him, he wanted to beat him but nothing felt right at all. He didn't feel the joy and excitement that he was expecting, no, all he could think was how empty he felt. Their rods clashed together and they stared at one another in the eye.
"Let me ask you something," His shinigami said, "What did you do with the kid?"
Kazeshini looked shocked for a second but then gave him his insane smile. If anyone were to actually look at it closely, they would have known that it was a forced smile.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Kazeshini replied.
He pushed him back and they slashed and blocked each other a few more times before leaping away. He landed away from him and was on his knees; the pain vibrated through out his whole body. It wasn't just the wounds on his body, but . . . he also felt his chest aching.
"It's time to finish this." Kazeshini got up from his feet.
"Yes."
"It looks like we finally agree on something."
His wielder didn't say anything as they finally charged towards one another, sending volley of attacks at each other, dodging and blocking each blow. Finally, Kazeshini jumped back, landing on his feet but felt his spine crack. He gave a small cry in pain as he felt a shockwave of pain race from the wound. Kazeshini stood there in pain, he was leaning back, leaving himself open. He stared up at his wielder who jumped into the air, his own scythe raised, showing no mercy in his eyes. His eyes widened as he finally saw everything come falling down.
He felt the blade slice through him; everything seemed to go into slow motion as he fell toward the ground. He heard crying, everything hurt and now it was the end of all of it.
"Don't . . . cry." Kazeshini murmured.
He felt back slam onto the floor, his strength starting to leave him. He . . . regretted how this had to end. He probably wouldn't see the kid anymore, but . . . he wasn't going to show his pain right now.
"Tell me," Kazeshini said, "Will I turn into a regular zanpakuto?"
"Yeah,"
"When everything goes back to normal, what'll we fight for?"
"To protect someone."
Kazeshini couldn't help but wince at what he had said and frowned. The person the shinigami wanted to protect was that bastard. He didn't dare say his name but he just said, "I see."
"That doesn't sit well with you, does it?" His wielder asked him.
"Of course it doesn't!" Kazeshini answered. He couldn't help but give a weak smile. He couldn't help the fact that they were now similar; how the both of them wanted to protect someone, it was ironic that Kazeshini would even compare to it.
"But . . . it's not like I have a choice." Kazeshini continued. He looked at his wielder and slowly closed his eyes.
A/N: How was it? Good? Bad? I'm not sure if it's good for my readers but I just hope it works out alright.