Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Prey
[The Past: ~875 to 890 A.D.]
Outer West Rukongai, a sector of West Rukongai known for its lush forests and sloping mountains. Citizens residing in these semi-remote areas dubbed themselves peaceful and in tune with nature. With the established stability, people lived in vast contrast to the crime-infested outer districts of North Rukongai.
Where thievery and murder earned meals for the hungry in North Rukongai, hunting and gathering were the common practices of the outer districts of West Rukongai. And while the West's outer districts don't see the same wealth as their counterparts, their afterlife is comfortable enough. Violence was minimal. Communities are strong and isolated in solidarity, protected by the natural barrier of the thick forests. The stillness was only affected by the occasional request of a Shinigami.
Batsu'unsai had been born under the West's quiet canopy in the 73rd district's forests. With a steady childhood, the only necessity she required was food. It was a natural provision provided by her parents and often shared amongst the small hamlets. Her mother and father were well-respected members of a tight-knit group situated near the northern borders of the district. Although some distance from North Rukongai, news and goods were easier to come by.
A questioning and curious nature developed in Batsu'unsai. Once in a while, her parents would leave home to pick out new clothes and trinkets by trading spare food with residents of North Rukongai. Their return would always provide exciting and interesting things. It was a smooth transaction, from what the young girl could see. The arrival of her new glasses triggered Batsu'unsai's bursting desire, begging her parents to take her outside the forest. To see the rich world away from the browns and greens, she pleaded and cried.
Her wish was granted. At the tender age of 7, she escaped from the dense prison like her parents did. Awe and glee occupied her small face as she walked around North Rukongai. It was a completely different lifestyle from her familiar one. The scent of fried food drifted from a small number of food stalls. Lively shouts from the streetside gambling attracted her ears.
Running children and herds of people moved about the streets. The elderly waved at her as she gave them a glowing smile. With a surplus of furs and meat in their hands, her parents made away with a nice exchange of amenities. That day was one of the most memorable.
When they got home, she desired to go straight back out. Faced with a whining daughter, her parents set conditions for her to join them. Only when momma and papa can leave too. Always be next to momma or papa. Never follow anyone, no matter what. Momma and papa can only take you in the afternoons, wait for us. If you can't find momma or papa, follow the sun to meet the southwest trail. If it's turning dark, walk away from the moon.
Batsu'unsai followed every condition her parents set. Never veering off course, no matter how amazing something appeared. For years, they could only head out a handful of times. Nonetheless, with age, her environment became increasingly familiar. The trail between her home and the streets of North Rukongai was deeply imprinted in her mind. It was that crucial to her.
By her mid-teens, her confidence skyrocketed. A smile graced her face as she paced the roads, her parents in tow. Traveling in the afternoon, her parents' lengthy business was left for the final hours of daylight. The boring hours weighed down on her. Kicking her feet, she sat on the bench, countless times.
*SHUUUU~*
And during one such evening, rainclouds rolled in, releasing a torrential downpour. The sky, oppressed by the clouds, darkened into night. Sitting outside, the scent of fresh rain drove into her nose. Under the hail of droplets, a cry from her mother shattered the thrumming rain.
"NOOOO!"
Outside a trading den, Batsu'unsai hopped off the bench and walked to the front door. Her clothes were wet and heavy, hugging her small, cold body. Peeking in through the door, she found her father. A metallic scent mixed with the rainfall aroma.
Resting on the floor, knives plunged into his chest. The last remaining light was focused on his shivering daughter, his lips fought to move. Desperate, his throat began to close. Thousands of raindrops buried his final words. Unable to tell her, he drifted away along with the flowing floods.
*SHUUUU~*
Movement in the far side of the room caught her eye. Her mother was pinned to the ground, thrashing and kicking. Shadows of beasts painted on the candlelit walls. Muffled yells muted by the cascading rain.
*shuuu~* *thump* *thump*
The echoes of rain faded; her heartbeat pounded in her ears. Meeting her mother's crying eyes, a screeching wail rattled through the dimly lit room.
"BATSU! RUN!"
The eyes that were previously set on devouring her mother were now drawn to her. A myriad of teeth flashed in delight at her small, shivering body. Circling around the room, they softly stalked their paralyzed prey. Their lengthy shadows soon cast over the shaken girl. Taking one last look at her pleading mother, she dashed back into the rain.
Racing through the flooded paths, the snarls and howls dwindled behind her. As fast and as hard as she could, she ran. Not knowing her destination, the rain swallowed her thoughts. Her legs moved her body through bending streets and over the piles of rubble. Stopping to see if anyone followed her, she breathed.
Memories of her parents' conditions burst into her mind, 'If it's turning dark, walk away from the moon'.
*SHUUU~*
Raindrops dotted her fogging glasses as she stared up at the sky.
*SHUUU~*
Missing.
*SHUUU~*
Only dark clouds and pelting rain.
*shuuu~*
So, she waited in crumbling buildings. For two days.
Then morning came. Dragging a grey sun in its wake.
Without her mother. Without her father. She started home.
In ragged cloth, she walked with the sun at her back. A hollow moon in her vision.
Her eyes wandered to the starving children who stole, scurrying like rats.
Bruised women washed their bodies at wells, exposing themselves like deer.
Men hurled fists in a blind rage, tearing at one another like wolves.
Lastly, her eyes sought the elders who waved when she smiled.
Their heads bowed in frailty and shame, like weak, wounded creatures accepting their mortal woes.
But she walked. With muddy feet, she walked all the way home.
When she reached the door, she was embraced by her weeping grandmother.
Her questioning nature burdened her young mind. Where was her mom? Who were those men? Was her dad okay? What happened? Why is her grandma crying? Didn't she follow all the rules?
Where was the moon?
Tears streamed down her cheeks as the answers flooded her delicate mind.
Beasts devoured her mother. They slaughtered her father. Her parents would never return to the woods. They left the safety of the woods for her. She failed to see the world for what it was.
A forest of predators and prey, where the weak are hunted.
So, she hid herself away. Deep inside the densest brush. Digging herself into a distant burrow. She would avoid having to survive the everlasting hunt.
Days turned to nights.
One year.
Winter's snow fell twice.
Two years.
Toddlers grew into children.
Five years.
Watching the rush of life, she watched, unmoving.
A decade.
Ten years withdrawn. All spent deep in the forest.
Until the hunt found her once more.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
[Present Day: ~ 900 A.D.]
Back in the second bedroom, Furoufushi began her nightly Jinzen [Sword Meditation]. Both of her eyes were clamped shut in absorption. Not once had her Zanpakutou called out to her. An hour elapsed before Batsu entered the room. Upon her entry, the two girls locked eyes with one another.
It wasn't the first time either of them had shared a room with someone. Reluctance took the form of small frowns on their faces. For 3 minutes the girls engaged in a staring contest. With bloodshot eyes neither backed down from the challenge. However, Batsu's large eyes twitched in dryness. A proud smirk spread on Furoufushi's lips. Fixing her glasses, Batsu broke the silence, her scornful voice cut into her roommate.
"I didn't know pink monkeys knew how to be quiet."
"Say that again cow. I dare ya."
Low and venomous, the one-eyed woman tensed her muscles ready to fight. Batsu walked around to her side of the room, ignoring the threat as if it were a passing breeze. The indifference caused Furoufushi to click her tongue in annoyance. With a bitter taste in her mouth, she gave up on communicating with her Zanpakutou. Standing up, she leaned the sword in the nearby corner and blew out the candlelight.
*Phuw~* *Shi~*
The light in the room dwindled into darkness. Both girls got underneath the covers, snuggling into the futons. The autumn chill hugged the floor, flowing through the cracks of their bedding. If there was one thing the women were happy about, it was the fact that another body would make the room warmer. Batsu gazed at the dark ceiling. A curious question lingered in her mind. Placing her glasses on the floor next to her, she turned her body over and offered a question.
"Do you like it here?"
Furoufushi flipped over in her futon to look at Batsu. Her sole violet eye squinted in appraisal. A wicked sneer lit up on her face. Sarcasm dripped from her mouth.
"Who doesn't like paradise? This is the bloodiest place in the entire world, but we can sleep like babies."
"How… how can you live in this place? It's like a cage. Everything around here."
Batsu's genuine bewilderment carried her words. In return, she received a mocking snort.
"Ha! A cage? Anywhere you look is a damn cage. At least in here, Tenchou has the chains, the keys, and this whole damn block. I can see it. Your mind hasn't left the streets yet. You're still a mutt. Your 'innocent' act doesn't work in here."
"So, I should be like you? Hehe~, like an animal? My! It's a very attractive offer, isn't it."
Furoufushi sat up, hearing Batsu's sarcastic remarks caused her to bare her teeth. The volume of her voice turned clear while the tone became callous and unforgiving.
"I was wrong. You're worse than I thought. You know being the top is the only way. But you just look away like a grass eater. Yeah. Yeah, that's exactly what you did, huh? Who'd you lose? Mommy? Dadd-"
Before Furoufushi could finish, Batsu rose, tearing her covers from her body. Bloodshot eyes peered over. She roared in hatred, vile speech poured from her snarling lips.
"SHUT UP! YOU BITCH!"
Furoufushi had a knowing smirk. Her body relaxed as she reclined back onto the futon. Still facing the fuming prey, sincere apathy mixed into her following sentences.
"There we are. The good girl nipped at my fingers. Just a coward. I thought I'd never see one. But here you are. No one gives a shit about what you've been through, leave it out there. Out with the other dying fools… because in here, in here it's a different story..."
A crawling chill encircled Batsu'unsai like the maw of a monster. Cloudy breaths escaped her chapped lips. The hair on her skin stood on end. Bottomless shadows seemed to absorb the other side of the room, swallowing her vision. A lone violet eye alit, radiated in the pitch black. It's rich, limitless light like an abandoned star in the endless reaches of the night sky. A low growl crept across the floor, approaching the shivering girl.
"Here… is my paradise. You are very, very lucky. One month. One. You leave… and there'll be no way back… I'll make sure of it."
"…"
Seconds passed in stillness.
Soon after shadows receded, revealing a girl with loose, long dark-pink hair. Her eyes closed in peace as she nestled under the covers. She was deep in the embrace of her slumber. Her serene expression conflicted with her trembling roommate.
Batsu slowly climbed under the covers, keeping her eyes trained on the other side of the room. Afraid to roll over and expose her back, she remained on guard. A sigh of relief fled from her strained lungs. Her muscles loosened as time slipped by. Her round eyes began to close. Exhaustion took her away from the worries.
The first day was over.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone