64 Frigid Temperament

With the rest of the week passing without incident, sans a minor event where Ohta was asked to spar by the Ikakku, the underground chamber was closed off in preparation for using the Tenshintai. Yoruichi had shown up earlier that morning, so she, Ohta, Rukia, Orihime, Soifon, and Rangiku had gathered in the massive chamber.

Earning herself a deadpan stare from Ohta, Yoruichi, propping up a white, vaguely human-shaped doll, kicked things off by remarking, "This is quite the little harem you've managed to gather for yourself..." in a teasing tone.

More amused than intimidated by Ohta's expression, Yoruichi maintained a relaxed smile as she passed her gaze over Orihime, Soifon, Rangiku, and Rukia, settling on the latter as she asked, "I'm guessing you're up first...?"

Nodding in affirmation, Rukia replied, "My Sode-no-Shirayuki has been in a dour mood ever since she was forced to lend her powers to Ichigo. This is a good opportunity for her to vent..."

"Then, all you have to do is stab this big boy through the heart, just like when you transferred your powers the first time," stated Yoruichi, patting the white doll's shoulder. "Before that, I advise everyone but Ohta to back off and keep your distance. Manifested Zanpakuto Spirits can even imperil Captains if they're not careful."

Once everyone else had backed away, Rukia unsheathed her Zanpakuto, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath. She would be lying if she said she wasn't nervous, but with Ohta standing beside her, Rukia believed she could accomplish just about anything...

Opening her eyes, Rukia resolutely stabbed the Tenshintai in the heart, causing an abrupt explosion of frigid Reiryoku that pushed everyone back and froze everything within several tens of meters. Then, instead of dissipating, the Reiryoku, resembling the plume of snow that heralded an avalanche, retracted in on itself, swirling violently before merging into the figure of a beautiful, pale-skinned woman with waist-length, snow-white, lavender hair and cold, icy blue eyes whose outfit consisted of a pure white kimono with large sleeves, a long hem, a pastel, yellow-green obi, and a large, pale purple bow wrapped around her waist.

"She's beautiful..." muttered Rukia, having never seen Sode-no-Shirayuki with such clarity. She usually veiled herself behind a thin bamboo screen patterned with a snowy mountain, similar to an Emperor or a high-ranking Noblewoman that didn't wish to be seen.

Frowning deeply, the Yuki-onna-looking Spirit looked between Rukia and Ohta, her gaze lingering on the latter for a short moment before fixing on the former as she asked, "Kuichiki Rukia...you could not awaken my power on your own, so now you wish to steal it...?"

Shaking her head, Rukia did her best to appear firm as she replied, "That was never my intention. I want to work alongside you, but you refuse to acknowledge me. Tell me, Sode-no-Shirayuki, how can I convince you to lend me your power...?"

Manifesting a predominately white katana with a long, thin blade and an extended hilt adorned by a white ribbon, Sode-no-Shirayuki replied, "You can start by dying..."

Swinging her sword in a graceful arc, Sode-no-Shirayuki sent a crescent-shaped stream of icy wind at Rukia. The crescent was fairly slow initially, but the further it traveled, the faster it seemed to move. Unfortunately for Sode-no-Shirayuki, Rukia didn't even need to dodge as the blade of frigid energy impacted an invisible shield, scattering in a powdery explosion.

As Sode-no-Shirayuki shifted her gaze to him, Ohta's was equally as cold as he cautioned, "I would advise you to give Rukia a proper trial. You don't want me taking matters into my own hands..."

"..."

Contrasting Ohta's expectations, the palest of blushes developed through Sode-no-Shirayuki's incredibly fair cheeks as she said, "Please stay out of this, Ohta-dono..."

Recovering instantly, Ohta shook his head and replied, "I refuse. Rukia is my woman. I don't mind if the two of you want to 'settle' things, but if you seriously attempt to harm or supplant her will with your own...I will crush you..."

Leaving Ohta momentarily speechless, the blush in Sode-no-Shirayuki's cheeks deepened as she promptly averted her icy-blue eyes. The Spirit of a Zanpakuto was a reflection of its user, a materialization of their desires and the doubts rooted deeply within their hearts. They shared everything from their memories to their various senses, so Rukia wasn't the only one on the 'receiving end' when Ohta went to town on her...

Placing her hand on Ohta's arm, Rukia offered a comforting smile as she said, "I'm with Sode-no-Shirayuki on this one, Ohta. I want to at least try and defeat her with my own strength before depending on others..."

Looking down to meet Rukia's gaze, Ohta noticed a fierce determination in her obsidian-black eyes. He didn't know how she planned to win, but Ohta eventually adopted a smile, replying, "Fine...but I'll be watching you like a hawk..." before caressing the diminutive woman's head.

Feeling gratified, although it was fairly common for Ohta to tolerate her selfishness, Rukia grabbed him by the collar and pulled him into a brief but passionate kiss. Sode-no-Shirayuki frowned in the distance, but the pale-haired woman remained silent, waiting until Rukia released Ohta and for him to join the others before asking, "Do you honestly believe you can defeat me...?"

"If possible, I would prefer to avoid fighting you entirely," replied Rukia. "The two of us are one in mind, body, and spirit. We should be working together, not be at odds with one another."

Pointing her sword at Rukia, Sode-no-Shirayuki expressed, "If you truly believe we are one, swap places with me. You can be the one to rest in our Soul Palace while I serve Ohta-dono in your stead..."

Shaking her head, Rukia replied, "You know I can't permit that..." before adopting a faint, knowing smile as she added, "If I did, Ohta might come to hate you..."

Furrowing her brows, Sode-no-Shirayuki gazed in the direction of Ohta and his 'entourage,' finding the former staring back at her with crossed arms and an intent look on his face. If she intentionally did anything to imperil Rukia's life, Sode-no-Shirayuki had absolutely no doubt he would intervene...

Returning her gaze to Rukia, Sode-no-Shirayuki abruptly stated, "I hate you..." with a distinctly pouty expression. In truth, she 'envied' Rukia but hate was a stronger word and didn't make her appear as vulnerable...

Maintaining her smile, Rukia replied, "Even so, we must learn to work with one another. Neither Ohta nor I wish to suppress or make you subservient to us, but we need your power to oppose the perils that would force us to part..."

"Ohta-dono does not require our power..." contended Sode-no-Shirayuki. "It's 'you' who needs it to stand alongside him. You believe yourself to be inferior to him, and you're correct. A woman who would push their lover to bed other women lacks the qualifications to be Ohta-dono's wife..."

Though her right eye visibly twitched in response to Sode-no-Shirayuki's words, Rukia suppressed the urge to lash out. The pale-haired Zanpakuto Spirit was clearly just trying to irritate her, so she forced herself to remain calm, responding, "I am aware of my shortcomings...that's the reason we're in this situation. I wish to become a woman worthy of Ohta's love and affection. As my Zanpakuto Spirit, you must share that desire. Just tell me what I must do to win your trust, and we can start working toward it together..."

"..."

Seeing the passion and conviction in Rukia's eyes, Sode-no-Shirayuki's 'hatred' toward her diminished slightly. Unfortunately, the 'request' she had in mind, killing all the other girls, was far beyond Rukia's abilities. It might also cause Ohta to hate them, so Sode-no-Shirayuki found herself in a dilemma, unwilling to simply lend Rukia her power but unsure how to test her would-be Mistress's worth.

Looking toward Ohta, a near-imperceptible blush gradually permeated Sode-no-Shirayuki's cheeks. This was likely the only time she would be able to manifest in the real world, so she could think of better uses for her time than quibbling with Rukia...

Noticing the look on Sode-no-Shirayuki's face, Rukia raised her brows and inquired, "Could it be...you wish to spend time with Ohta-kun...?"

Though she furrowed her brows deeply, Sode-no-Shirayuki didn't refute Rukia's words. Instead, she turned to meet the raven-haired Shinigami's gaze and asserted, "The three of us, alone, for the next three days. If you can arrange that, I will begrudgingly lend you my power..."

Exhaling a faint chuckle, Rukia replied, "That's a simple matter..." before waving Ohta over, the latter appearing next to her in the blink of an eye, asking, "What's up? Manage to work something out...?"

Adopting a somewhat cheeky smile, Rukia explained, "Sode-no-Shirayuki said she's willing to lend me her power, but only if you pamper us the next three days. Alone."

"Seriously...?" asked Ohta, shifting his gaze to the pale-skinned Zanpakuto to ask, "What, specifically, did you have in mind?"

"Rukia and I are the same being," replied Sode-no-Shirayuki. "You cannot love one of us without loving the other. If she and I are to strengthen our bond, you, Ohta-dono, must serve as the bridge that unites us..."

"In other words, you want me to fuck you?" asked Ohta, causing the pale-skinned Zanpakuto Spirit to swallow audibly before responding, "That is a very 'direct' way of phrasing things, but you are correct..."

"Well, can't say I didn't see this coming..." replied Ohta, shaking his head but ultimately adding, "Let's do it." before picking up the started Rukia and Shunpo'ing over to Sode-no-Shirayuki, tossing the equally surprised Spirit over his shoulder and vanishing from the underground chamber...

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"And there they go..." remarked Yoruichi, unsurprised by how things had turned out. She had awoken her Bankai using a similar method, and it had been more interested in spending time with Kisuke than testing her. Now, whenever she wanted to use Bankai, she either needed to coax her Spirit into allowing it or needed Kisuke's 'assistance.' At least, that's how it was 'before' she experienced Soul Resonance with Ohta...

Turning to Orihime, Soifon, and Rangiku, Yoruichi warned, "The three of you should prepare yourselves if you wish to utilize this method. Even if Ohta doesn't subordinate your Zanpakuto Spirits directly, there's a good chance they will 'imprint' on him. In other words, they will pester you to spend time with him and threaten to withhold their power if you refuse."

Exhaling a throat chuckle, Rangiku replied, "That's no different from how Haineko usually behaves."

"Yeah, cat-like Spirits can be a real pain in the ass, can't they?" mused Yoruichi. Then, noticing Soifon's surly glower, she asked, "What's wrong, kitten?"

Immediately discarding her scowl, Soifon shook her head and replied, "There's nothing wrong, Yoruichi-sama. I'm merely...confused. You said the 'three' of us should prepare ourselves, but I've already attained my Bankai. Why would I need to undergo this training...?"

"It's because you 'hate' your Bankai," replied Yoruichi, crossing her arms as she added. "Also, I know you still have apprehensions about the duty you've been assigned, so this is a good opportunity to close the distance between you. You can't be his 'kagemusha' if he can't trust you and vice-versa..."

Though she frowned deeply, Soifon didn't protest Yoruichi's words. If the latter wanted her to 'trust' Ohta, she would even resort to self-hypnosis to convince herself. Members of the Onmitsukidō were expected to abandon their identities and sacrifice everything, even their allies, to complete their assigned duties. If her fate were to serve as Ohta's kagemusha(shadow warrior), Soifon would dedicate herself to that pursuit 'nearly' as much as she devoted herself to her Mistress...

Erasing the remainder of Soifon's doubts, Yoruichi adopted an ostensibly affectionate smile, stroking the slightly shorter woman's glossy black hair as she mused, "You're so cute when you're determined..."

"Yoruichi-sama..." muttered Soifon, her voice hot and heavy as she stared at her Mistress with a palpable yearning in her brown eyes. Fortunately for her, Yoruichi was in a playful mood, so she moved her hand from Soifon's head, caressing her cheek before cupping her chin and asserting, "I could just eat you up..." with a predatory glimmer in her eyes...

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(A/N: Shirayuki is a woman who understands her priorities (O w O). Also, daily reminder that this is not a harem novel. It's a complex, quadrilateral relationship with various subtleties (O 3 O)...)