Bleach: Starting as a Vasto Lorde

The sliding shoji screens, adorned with delicate cherry blossom patterns, allowed slivers of moonlight to filter onto the muted tatami mats. When paired with the faint light of the delicate paper lanterns and the elegant low table, it invoked an intimate atmosphere.

This serene setting, however, was disrupted when Kazuya and Yoruichi took their seats at the table. Between them sat a plate of steaming delicacies, their aroma nearly making his stomach growl.

"Yor, I'm a little skeptical about this…" He put on a brave expression as he eyed the delicacies. "But if it's for my dearest wife, I'll gladly put my life on the line and eat food that's clearly not made for… human consumption."

Swallowing down food with radioactive seasoning was a small price to pay for Yoruichi's happiness.

Yoruichi tapped her fingers on the table. "I had Rukia and Momo help me this time."

Although things started rocky with Rukia, they could recover and create some positive memories — at least Yoruichi did. She suspected Rukia didn't share the same sentiment. Frankly, it was Rukia's fault for making a glorious mess out of the kitchen.

Kazuya's eyebrows rose in surprise. "Damn. They returned without seeing me."

"More like Rukia dragged Momo away. Rukia looked like she was fighting the urge to spend more time with you. Lass made the tough decision to prioritize her future over you."

"As her boyfriend, I'm pleased with her priorities," he said, lips slowly curving into a cold smile. "After all, she knows she'll be spending the rest of her life in my basement, as my lovely wife."

Yoruichi shook her head, unable to discern if he was joking or serious. "You do realize that kind of talk would provoke Byakuya to fight you to death, right? That lad becomes protective for family… or he used to be. I'm not sure anymore."

Still considered an exile, she hadn't introduced herself to Byakuya and the rest of her people in the Soul Society. She had seen Yūshirō, her brother, from a distance, and he was holding up pretty well on his own.

He cracked his knuckles. "I'll sit Byakuya down with just my right fist."

"Yeah, I don't doubt that for a second." Yoruichi chuckled, propping her elbow on her thigh and leaning her chin on her palm. "You'll not believe the things that happened behind your back."

The very memories of her little adventure with Rukia and Momo had her grinning silly.

Kazuya leaned forward, intrigued to hear her mischievous activities behind his back. "Seems like you all had a blast without me. Care to share some snippets?"

"I will, after you share why Unohana attempted to murder you."

She needed to know if her friend committed some grave mistake to incur Unohana's wrath, or if it was just a slip-up during their training.

He let out a deep sigh. "I'd appreciate it if you showed a little more concern for your husband."

"You survived the soul shredding process of reincarnation, then you survived Aizen. A tough bastard like you'll live through anything. At this point, I'm more concerned about the deity who is working overtime to save your ass."

{Someone finally recognized my hard work! Partner, I demand a raise!}

'You don't even have a salary.'

{I do. It's watching you. For the raise, I want five stuck-to-each-other-like-a-glue hugs and three French kisses, ON TOP of my current salary.}

'You can have it.'

{Yay~! So happy!}

"Father, who is this woman…?"

The happy-go-lucky Nami quite flabbergasted Tsubasa.

Kazuya gave a nod as he spoke, "Yor, the only deity in this world is the Soul King… I think I'm related to him."

"Related to Reio?" Yoruichi asked, wide-eyed. "You're pulling my leg, aren't you?"

Not even Yoruichi believed him — that's just how absurd his words were. The Soul King was the epitome of power and authority in the Soul Society, a ruler that people never saw but believed in, regardless.

"Well, it's a little complicated. I'll tell you everything when I have verified it myself."

Her gaze sharpened as she pointed at his face. "You'd better. Anyway, what did you do to Unohana? Did you try to make a move on her, or did you piss her off?"

"Wow, you're doubting your husband. What happened to the unwavering trust between couples?"

She clicked her tongue, looking mighty annoyed by his playful antics. "Stop going off-topic. Unohana won't try to kill you for no reason."

"There is a reason," he said with a sigh, his gaze distant. "You know Unohana's past, right?"

"Gathering information is Onmitsukidō's speciality. I was the head of that organization. There aren't many influential people I'm not familiar with here."

"Oh yeah. I sometimes forget my lazy cat wife used to be a badass assassin."

"For the love of Reio, stop calling me your wife!" Yoruichi snapped, giving him what felt like a final ultimatum. "As for Unohana's past, is there a reason to bring it up? Unohana has reformed and became a healer to make up for her past actions. She hasn't been involved with violence for centuries. There was even one case where she healed a vicious criminal because she didn't want him to die."

Although she wasn't the closest to Unohana, she had been on the receiving end of Unohana's kindness many times. Apart from a few occasional slip-ups in her Reiatsu, Unohana had been the definition of a kind soul.

"Reform?" Kazuya chuckled. "Can a cat stop meowing and start barking?"

Confusion clouded Yoruichi's face. "What are you implying?"

"It's cat's nature to meow. And it's Unohana's nature to fight a bloody battle. She can suppress her nature, but she can never get rid of it. She'll always live and die for violence. Does that paint the picture for you?"

Yoruichi nodded slowly, somewhat unfocused. "I don't get the vague metaphors. Tell me the whole damn story."

"Then listen closely because I'm not going over it again."

***

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