Bleach: Cero Devastador

I first put the swords on the table and took both scabbards to another room where I prepared a big bucket of lukewarm water and olive soap. I left the scabbards to soak and returned to the main room where the scent of steak was already starting to settle on the atmosphere. Mikoto and Sakuya looked like they were mumbling something silently as they cooked, they made sure that no one could listen to that conversation. 

I took Hebimaru first and began by cleaning the hilt and handle, then I scrubbed the blade with a soft fabric cloth to remove all impurities while I inspected it to look for scratches. 

'Hyan!~' I heard a mature yet seductive voice in my mind.

'Damned snake, you can't talk but you know how to moan, huh? I already told you that even if we get scratched these will be repaired over time so long as we can access your Reiryoku with an appropriate connection!–' Shitsutora hissed as if she were the snake.

"Don't care".

After I was done with Hebimaru's inspection, I took Shitsutora.

'N-No, Wait! Ahn!~'

With her I was extra careful, I noticed that aside from some minor scratches there was nothing noteworthy about the Zampakuto, however, I did notice that those scratches were fixing up on their own at a visual rate, just as she said. It is because Kurayami wasn't as gentle using her weapon as me and she still sustained a considerable amount of damage in her Shikai. 

Blades should always be cleaned with dry cloths, hilt and handles with natural soaps and non-chemicals to preserve the design depending on what materials were used. Shitsutora has a tiger fur handle that needs extra care while Hebimaru's handle is a scaly water-resistant material. 

'B-Brat, s-stop! I-I can't...'

"Hush, blades don't talk".

After the cleaning process was done for both, I went back to the other room to clean the scabbards and make sure there weren't residual pieces of stone or other impurities within that could scratch the blade. After that, I leaned them out in the courtyard to get a bit of sun and get nice, dry, and warm. 

I returned to the main room and prepared to do the best part. This time I took Shitsutora first and put some grapeseed oil, coating her in it. Then, with the whetstone, I slowly and gently sharpened the edge. 

'Uhm!~'.

"I bet Yoruichi never did this for you~"

'Don't say that!'

"I have noticed all this time that Shinigamis don't seem to care about their Zampakutō. Their reiryoku repair the blade? pitiful excuse for their uncaring demeanour. Your sword is a life-preserving tool, you should treat it as such".

'T-This is... so good–'.

"Did you say something?~"

'This is terrible! Stop it!'.

…

After I was done with Shitsutora, I did the same to Hebimaru. I noticed something had changed in the edge, Hebimaru now had a purplish hue around the edge, like the poison dripping off a fang, I didn't hear anything from her other than a few subtle hisses. 

I remember back then I heard Hebimaru's voice telling me her name, but how come she doesn't talk or speak now? moreover, she doesn't have a humanoid form in my inner world as Shitsutora does. 

I felt the sharp edge and no doubt our compatibility was the greatest, it didn't matter how beautiful of a sword Shitsutora was, Hebimaru was my Zampakutō.

I kept going to make sure Hebimaru was extra polished and couldn't help but notice the obvious disregard of this family towards the procedure of keeping a sword in check. Murasaki had moved away from the newspaper and was now counting cash... I'm sure he's just here waiting for food and will go on his way once he's belly is full. 

The kids were playing with horses and carriage toys, totally unbecoming. 

"Sigh"

...

The meal was finished, and the smell of delicious honey steak was ingrained in my nostrils. I put both swords to the side and waited for the scabbards to dry up. Sakuya and Mikoto took their dear time preparing a banquet and I noticed there seemed to be some tension between them which was understandable.

We all ate in silence, something unusual as that brat Mikoto always had something to say. Instead, she has been just sending me odd glances and whenever I look back she does a little 'hmph' and avoids my gaze. Cheeky brat, if you wanted some action you should have just come to have it. 

"Are there any fights lined up, Murasaki?" I asked first after I was full to the brim, I intended to have a nice fight after an enjoyable meal, but it ended up being a disappointment. 

"Big brother, a-about that... I don't think there will be any for a while. Unlike before, you have already defeated the strongest in Rukon and you even destroyed Kurotora. It will be difficult to be challenged by other fighters who aren't Shinigami and if you're the one to challenge, they more than likely aren't going to accept. As for Shinigami, the majority of them have responsibilities and have no time to attend or challenge anyone to a clandestine duel, even Kurotora must have had reasons to do so and Ikkaku Madarame is the most promising in the current generation in the Shin'o Academy so–".

"So annoying..." I twitched my tongue in annoyance and left the table, heading out. 

"Ryōma, are you satisfied? I-If you want anything else I can cook it–"

"I am satisfied, it was tasty. Thanks, Mikoto, Sakuya".

"It was nothing..."

**

**

'He must be irritated...' Sakuya finished her meal deep in thought.

"I'll be off then" Murasaki picked up a haori enthusiastically to go out after finishing his meal, just as predicted. 

"Don't stay outside too long, Murasaki!"

"Hai!"

'This kid... he's been spending more and more time outside, he also didn't comment about yesterday. I-I wonder if he found himself a little lover?~'

It didn't matter if she looked left right or centre, there were no problems whatsoever and all the kids she had struggled to take care of were living a relatively happy life. Her heart was bereft of worries. 

Sakuya came out to the courtyard, Mikoto was sitting there pensive; watching Ryoma who was now shirtless, holding two swords, one in each hand. 

WHOOSH!

He disappeared from his spot and reappeared somewhere else, displacing at inhumane speeds, but his movement released a little shockwave that made him twitch his tongue in annoyance. 

Sakuya sat next to Mikoto, awaiting Ryoma's next request... the blonde saw that and still evaded Sakuya's face with a frown. 

"How long are you going to be upset with me?".

"Forever... you know how I feel and yet–"

Sakuya bit her lips, "I can't give up my happiness for your sake anymore".

Mikoto gasped, her expression aghast as she remembered that nightmarish moment, the one in which Sakuya took her spot and suffered what was supposed to be her tribulation. 

"Thanks to Ryōma we are all safe now. Murasaki, Ryōta, Ryōsuke and you... I am not your mother, I am just someone who took care of you when it was needed" Sakuya stood up, at that moment Mikoto felt apprehension, as if a treasure was slipping away. 

"W-Wait, Sakuya!–" She tried to reach out for her, but Sakuya wouldn't stop. The woman ignored Ryoma who also turned to look at her as she walked towards the biggest tree in the courtyard, an old log so tall that it nearly overshadowed the manor. A bokken was leaning on the tree, it was the bokken that Ryoma usually used for his morning training routine.

Sakuya picked up that bokken and wielded it. 

"You all now have enough money and resources to be safe and choose whatever you want to do in the soul society without being unhindered, you could even join the academy if you wanted. You are no longer starving or in hunger... I am no longer needed" She exhaled deeply.

"I am now free to do what I want to do with my life. I have a new beginning" Sakuya looked at Ryoma briefly and smiled, the young man stared at her with his head tilted in confusion wondering what she was doing. Usually, she'd just look from afar and wait for him to ask her for water, food or anything he needed. 

This time, it was different. 

'What I want to do is be by Ryōma's side. If you are the type of person who can't stay in one place, then I will chase after you no matter what! I will make it so that you can't bear to leave me behind!'

She took that sword and swung it against the tree with all her strength. 

BAANGG!!

****

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