The first thing Mitsuri did when I teleported us to Tokyo was gasp at all the lights and LED screens flashing different ads.
"Everything is so bright!" She said, clutching my sleeve as we walked through Shibuya Crossing. "There's so many people… and everyone's wearing unique clothes— oh! That girls hair is pink too!"
"Truly tragic…" I sighed, pretending to look offended. "I thought your hair would be one of a kind."
She elbowed me, laughing. "You always say that, but I know you like it when people stare."
"Of course I do," I replied with a grin, "I worked hard to look this good, it'd be a crime if they didn't stare."
Mitsuri giggled again, her voice like warm honey. Even after all these years that we've been together, that laugh still did things for me. Fifteen years married, four kids, and Mitsuri could still make my heart race like I was a blushing virgin.
That's love right there.
We spent the afternoon wandering through the city like tourists. Passerbys would stare, whispering to each other, asking if we were celebrities or models. Sometimes they even asked for autographs.
Mitsuri was fascinated by everything—neon lights, vending machines, street performers, even convenience store snacks. Every few minutes she'd tug on my sleeve with a "Darling look at this!" or "Can we try that?"
And, because I was pathetically, hopelessly weak to her smile, I'd say yes every single time.
By the time we stopped for more sweets at a small café overlooking the Sumida River, she was humming softly, licking whipped cream off her finger.
"Don't look at me like that," she said, cheeks puffing when she caught my grin.
"Like what?" I asked, feigning innocence.
"Like you're thinking of something naughty."
"I'm always thinking of something naughty." I said, leaning closer until she squeaked and swatted my arm.
She pouted but couldn't hide the pink spreading across her cheeks. "Moh… fifteen years, and you still tease me so much."
I shrugged, "If I ever stop, check if I've been replaced by a doppelgänger."
Her expression softened. "Fifteen years Darling…" she murmured as she gazed out at the glowing skyline with shimmering eyes. "It feels like yesterday, doesn't it? When we were still running around the mountains fighting demons."
"Yeah," I said quietly, "back then, I didn't think I'd ever end up here. Beautiful loving wife, adorable kids, relative peace."
Mitsuri smiled faintly, "You make it sound like some kind of a curse."
"It's the nicest curse I've ever been under."
She laughed softly, reaching across the tale to lace her fingers through mine. For a moment it felt like the world had stopped spinning. Just her and me, sitting in the middle of a city that didn't know our names, a moment of normalcy.
When the sun dipped low, we finally made our way towards Karakura town. The setting sun painted the sky in shades of gold and crimson as we lazily drifted to our destination.
Rukia met us there, standing by the Kurosaki clinic with a subdued expression. Her white scarf fluttered slightly in the wind.
"Satoru-sama," Rukia respectfully bowed, "I didn't expect you to bring company."
"This is my wife," I declared proudly. "Mitsuri."
Mitsuri bowed politely, "Nice to meet you, you must be Rukia Kuchiki."
Rukia nodded, though her eyes flickered with confusion. Probably at the warmth and love that Mitsuri radiated like an aura.
"Likewise, it's an honour to meet you Mitsuri-sama."
Mitsuri leaned closer to me, "Darling… she seems so sad."
"She's going on trial," I murmured, "she's pretending not to be scared."
Mitsuri's expression softened again, "That's awful… you poor girl."
Rukia looked like she didn't know what to do with the genuine sympathy Mitsuri was showing her. I spoke up to distract Rukia from her own thoughts.
"She'll be fine love," I put an arm around Mitsuri's shoulders, "Ichigo is probably gonna crash the party anyways."
"Who's Ichigo?"
"You'll meet him," I smiled, "he's what I'd imagine if Sanemi had a kid with Kyojuro. Always yelling, no sense of tact, and way too much power to know what to do with."
That got me a gentle slap on the shoulder.
A Senkaimon opened in front of us, Rukia gave me one last glance before stepping through. Mitsuri and I followed after. I turned towards the city one more time.
'Man… I sure hope the kids don't give Chiron too much of a hard time.'
[Scene Break]
When we stepped through the Senkaimon, the air of the Seireitei hit us… clean, crisp, laden with reiryoku. Mitsuri's eyes widened when she took in the white buildings and endless sky.
"This place is beautiful…" she whispered, "it feels almost peaceful, but sad."
"That's the 'afterlife' for you," I hummed, looking towards the Gotei barracks, specifically the first division barracks. "Lots of sad, and lots of 'peace'."
Our escort was none other than Captain Unohana. She walked with that soft, serene elegance that hid her bloodthirsty nature effortlessly. If I hadn't known who she was I would have thought she was exactly like Kanae.
She smiled politely as she approached us, "You've brought someone with you Satoru-sama."
"Yup," I said, looping an arm through Mitsuri's hips, "my better half, Mitsuri. Don't be fooled though, behind her cute smile is someone who can take down half the captains with ease without even drawing her sword all before breakfast."
Mitsuri blushed at my not so humble brag of her abilities, "D-Darling! Don't say things like that!"
Unohana's smile didn't change, but I felt her spiritual pressure flicker into something sharp. "Is that so? Well, I'd love to test that claim, perhaps you would humour me with a spar yourself as well, Satoru-sama?"
"Hmm? Sure… you'll be at the top of the list of the challenges I'm probably going to be getting today."
Her eyes opened slightly, gleaming with a dangerous light. "Then consider this a formal request. After the meeting?"
I gave her a lazy two finger salute, "Hai hai, Captain. You got it."
As we continued walking, Mitsuri tugged on my sleeve. "Darling… she's scary, but she's so calm about it."
"That's probably what makes her so scary," I replied cheerfully. "People tend to run when someone comes at them with a 'peaceful' smile and a sword in their hand."
She giggled quietly, still holding on to my arm as the barracks loomed ahead.
We arrived at the First Division's main hall as the sun bled orange through the Seireitei's sky. Mitsuri's eyes never stopped darting around, taking in the towering doors, the rows of sakura trees, the hum of energy in the air.
"Are you nervous?" I asked quietly.
She looked up at me, then smiled… soft, trusting, beautiful. "A little, but we're together, so no— not really."
I squeezed her hand gently, "Good answer."
The meeting would take place early tomorrow morning. Unohana showed us to our quarters for the evening. Mitsuri peeked out from the sliding doors, watching as the sun vanished below the numerous rooftops dotting the horizon.
"It's strange," she said. "We've fought demons and all sorts of curses… but this place feels different. It's like the air is anticipating something."
"Because it is," I replied easily, "the meeting early tomorrow morning will be revealing a lot of things that will set a lot of things in motion. I have a feeling that a few feathers will be ruffled."
She turned towards me, a small, mischievous smile on her lips. "You always do, trouble follows you around Darling."
I hummed, "You say that like it's a bad thing. Besides, would I really be me without some chaos around me?"
I pulled her into my arms, she melted into my embrace as we watched the twilight deepen. Her head resting on my chest, "You know…" she said, "I still can't believe this is real sometimes. Us. Our kids. Everything."
"Yeah?" I murmured against her hair, "me neither… but I'm glad it is. I'm glad I met you Mitsuri."
"Honestly Darling… there you go again. Saying really sweet things." She giggled, then tilted her head up at me. "Promise me one thing?"
'I've got to stop everyone from raising so many damn flags around me… I've been doing so good.'
"Sure… anything." I replied.
"No matter what happens tomorrow, you will come back to me."
"Obviously," I chuckled, "nothing in the infinite universe will keep me from doing what I want."
As night fell on the Seireitei, I felt something settle deep inside me. Like a puzzle piece falling into place. A cold wash of power filled me. Smiling, I closed my eyes and listened.
"You have awoken your inheritance my son." Izanami's voice whispered in my head. "Show those who think themselves above you their place tomorrow, claim your birthright."
I sighed in amusement, my mother just gave me express permission to absolutely annihilate anyone who got in my way tomorrow. I didn't doubt that there would be a few people that would. If not the captains then the nobles.
'Don't worry, mom… I'm the strongest after all.'
[Scene Break]
The first thing I noticed in the morning was the distinct lack of sound. There was the family scent of judgement in the air. Wanting to test my new powers I snapped my fingers while thinking of clothes.
Almost instantly, my usual outfit of a white button up shirt, black fitted trousers, and dress shoes appeared on me. I didn't even need to get dressed, I smirked.
Then I teleported outside of the room and glanced at the two guards who stiffened at my sudden appearance.
"'G'Morning Gentlemen," I grinned, enjoying the uncomfortable look on their faces while I made a show of adjusting my sleeves. "Mah… what's wrong, you look like someone died?"
No answer, just that collective tightening of the jaw. The same thing that all men do when they're thinking something but are too polite to voice it.
'Ahhh that's what it is.' My grin turned sly.
Last night, Mitsuri had been in a particular mood. Soft kisses turned heated, whispers became moans… and before I knew it— well, I hadn't been trying to keep my voice down either.
"Interesting night then?" I asked, my grin never fading.
One of the guards coughed, face turning redder than a tomato. The other one's eye twitched.
'Come on… don't make it so easy.'
"I mean to be fair," I continued, leaning casually against the support pillar, "you guys insisted on guarding me and my wife and then stood directly in front of the door, kind of on you don't you think?"
Still silence.
So I sighed dramatically, grin widening as I went in for the kill. "Relax, not everyone can relate. Some of us have beautiful wives, other have…" I gestured towards them as I lowered my sunglasses to give them a 'knowing' look, "…calloused hands and crushed dreams."
They both made strangled noises as their faces turned even redder.
"Oh come on," I chuckled, "don't look at me like that. Do you know how thin these walls are? You two have been standing there for hours… it's really a you problem at that rate when you decide to stay for the show."
The one on my left has a vein actually bulge on the side of his head.
"Anyways," I said as I straightened up, "I'm off to go get some mochi… tell my darling wife she can go ahead to the meeting place first I'll catch up."
"W-wait!" One of them called, but I was already gone.
[Scene Break]
I'd stopped by every stand that sold sweets in the entire Soul Society. Every stall had been raided and their stock bought out. One elderly lady had bowed profusely after I paid her in pure solidified reishi. I was having fun testing my powers, she called it 'godly currency'.
Now I walked into the main assembly hall where the captains were already in position. Mitsuri stood awkwardly in an empty spot.
A paper bag full of mochi in one hand, I waved casually, peering at everyone through my shades that were haphazardly hanging on my face.
"Yo, sorry I'm late… I got lost on the road of life."
The silence was deafening as every eye turned towards me.
"Huh… tough crowd." I hummed.
Kyoraku chuckled, "You certainly know how to make an entrance."
"I try," I said as I let go of the bag and let it float next to me, Mitsuri rushed over to my side, "Want some, Love? They're fresh." I grinned.
She ignored the eyes on her as she took a few out and munched on them as she stood next to me.
Byakuya's eye twitched so subtly I almost missed it. Soi-fon looked like she wanted to stab me. Komamura's tail actually stiffened.
Toshiro just sighed under his breath. "Unbelievable."
Unohana, only smiled, that polite serene smile that somehow also promised endless pain. There was a hint of amusement there though.
Mitsuri, who had finished the mochi she had taken, nudged me. "Darling… maybe you shouldn't—"
"Too late," I said cheerfully, plopping down in mid air as if I was sitting in a particularly plush invisible seat, "besides, everyone could use some sugar in the morning. Especially him."
I nodded towards Zaraki Kenpachi who was in the middle of taking a mochi from the bag.
Zaraki grinned unnervingly as he took a bite out of the mochi. "Not bad."
"See," I gestured proudly, "a man of culture."
"Enough," Yamamoto didn't shout, he didn't need to. The other captains stiffened and returned to their positions. "Before we begin this meeting, I'd like to introduce our guest to everyone formally."
"Oh? Really going to spill my identity like that gramps?" I grinned at Yamamoto.
A flicker of something… maybe exasperation… crossed his ancient face. But he ignored it, like an expert.
"After a thorough investigation by Zero Division, they revealed to me that Satoru-dono is the direct child of Izanami no Mikoto. The goddess of creation and death."
"Hah?!" Loud exclamations filled the room.
"As the one true heir of the divine line, he is royalty and as such, his life is to be guarded by all of the Gotei 13 should it be necessary."
Gasps, murmurs, sharp inhales.
Byakuya's composure shattered like glass, Toshiro's eyebrows shot up beyond his hair, Aizens smug smile faltered. Even Kyoraku stopped grinning.
"Lady Izanami?" Unohana murmured softly, her smile replaced by another look… reverence, maybe even recognition.
Yamamoto didn't give anyone time to think, he tapped his staff once and silenced everyone. I floated a piece of mochi from the bag and munched on it loudly.
"What?" I asked, looking at the captains who turned towards me, "don't look at me, the meeting is starting."