Back From the Dead: Recuperation

This article, , is a short side-story entry in Bleach: The Coven War, set during Act I. The chapter takes place a short time following Back From the Dead: Kensei Muguruma!? but before events depicted in Ripple In a Pond, and thus serves as an interquel between the two chapters. Kenji serves as the main POV character.

The tension that hung in the air in the waiting room of the 4th Division's barracks could have been cut with a knife. Kenji stood off to the side adjusting the black gauntlet strapped to his left forearm, whilst his four students -- dutiful Mikado Sayaka, her sister Kichō, the wild Ace and the studious Momoko -- sat chattering quietly amongst themselves. Only Ace broke away from the group to approach his teacher.

"Mikado described the scene." The doubt in his tone was clear enough. Kenji knew what he was going to ask before he even opened his mouth. "Was it really former Captain Muguruma?"

Kenji measured his student with a heavy crimson-eyed thousand-yard-stare but he eventually relaxed his features and exhaled long before he replied.

"Unless The Coven has discovered the means of resurrecting the dead, then no, it wasn't Captain Muguruma."

"But it sure as hell looked, talked, fought and felt like him."

That, of course, Kenji kept to himself. Ace knew his teacher well however and knew not to push the issue; after all, Kenji had served under Kensei once in his career, and this served as just one more slap in the face he had suffered at The Coven's hands.

"It won't be easy but I want you to head back to the barracks. Van wasn't scheduled to leave for his patrol until this evening, so he should still be there. And last I heard Captain Komamura was in a Captain's meeting. Take Momoko and Kichō with you and tell Van I told him to try and stop rumours spreading amongst the Division."

"Yes, sir."

He playfully punched Kenji on the shoulder and successfully ducked below Kenji's half-hearted reprisal before ducking out the door. Regardless Kenji found his spirits lifted by the gesture.

"He wouldn't admit it," Mikado began, "but he's grateful to you, Kenji. We all are."

"I did nothing." Which wasn't true in the least. He was just trying -- and failing -- to be modest. "But you're probably wondering why I didn't send you off with the rest, right?"

It was obviously a question intended to change the subject and Mikado knew it.

"Yes, actually, I was."

"You'll find out soon enough."

And she did. The medics did their work well and soon Kenji and Mikado where permitted a few moments with Lieutenant Hisagi, though they where understandably told to keep it brief. Hisagi had suffered extensive injuries during his battle with whatever walked and talked in Kensei's skin.

"Lieutenant," Kenji greeted softly.

Hisagi was wracked by a series of coughs before he managed an answer. "Kenji... Good, I have a task for you."

And thus did Hisagi explain the task force proposed to investigate suspected Coven activity in the World of the Living and how Hisagi himself had volunteered for the mission alongside many of the other Lieutenants.

"I want you... to take my place."

And for the first time in years Kenji's burning desire for vengeance roared to life anew. He was being given the chance -- no matter how remote -- to strike back against the traitors who killed Captain Kuchiki and Lieutenant Yatsunishi.

And he was going to seize it.

"Certainly, sir. But I'll be taking Mikado with me."

"You are!?" She squeaked.

Hisagi was not surprised. "Agreed. Now... I must rest."

And just like that unconsciousness descended upon the Lieutenant and Kenji and Mikado where led from the room by nurses.

"I hope you are there Megumi."

The End. Next Chapter > Ripple In a Pond.