Lotus Blooming

**Date Started:** 3 December, 2021
**Date Completed:** 6 December, 2021
**Next Role-Play**: N/A
**Previous Role-Play**: SPELLBOUND
**Users Involved:** User:Ash9876,
**Setting:** Seireitei
**Characters Involved**:
* **Present:** Kurome Kuchiki, Kikka Monshō (Spirit)

*Emerge
The bloody flower of hell
bares her petals on land
white like snow*
## Chrysanthemum's Heartbeat

Atop the Sōkyoku Hill, there was a single woman who had been meditating with her blade sitting before her. She was deep in meditation, so deep that several days had passed while she was alone. There was one frequent emissary of the Kuchiki Clan sent to check on her, but they were not allowed to interrupt her meditation. After all, this was her final step towards achieving Bankai. It was a step that the Kuchiki Clan finally considered her worthy for, after her magnificent display of spellcraft against Minamoto Kuchiki in the Kuchiki compound.

Her spiritual energy flowed outwards, manifesting almost like a flower around her. In fact, her spiritual energy concentrated itself from a distance, continuing to gather itself until it finally took on a corporeal form. It was a form that Kurome had seen plenty of times before, but this was her first time being able to manifest it all on her own. Kurome had finally opened her eyes and looked towards the figure before her.

"It seems I was finally deemed worthy...Kiku- No, sorry...I should refer to you as Kikka Monshō." Kurome stood and took her blade in her hand.

"Your spiritual power might finally be ready to handle this training, Kurome." The spirit spoke, her voice commanding attention immediately. It wasn't thunderous, but more so alluring, comparable to a lone flower within the desert. "But *you* aren't. I refuse to let you wield my true power until you conquer your fear."

"..." Kurome was momentarily rendered silent by her zanpakutō's claims. It was true. While Kurome's spiritual power had grown significantly over the past ten years, there was one key element that always stopped Kikka Monshō from granting Kurome her full power. It was an incident etched into Kurome's memory, and the real reason why Kurome pursued Kidō, even though she was a true genius of the blade in her youth.

"That moment in your life was a tragic accident. But you continue to let it bind your blade, Kurome." Kikka Monshō released her spiritual pressure into the air, with a vibrant purple flooding the atmosphere in flower petals. Spiritual power gathered at her chest, and she poured her hand within, gripping a blade and pulling it out in a single swing.

Most zanpakutō spirits wielded the Shikai form of themselves as their main blade. Yet, strangely, the blade in Kikka Monshō's hands did not resemble the one wielded by Kurome in Shikai. It was a katana, longer than the sealed state's, and glowed a bright purple. It was nowhere close to the longsword that Kurome wielded.

"Until you reclaim the strength of your Shikai, you won't be able to even scratch the surface of your Bankai. After all...that's why you didn't go through with the Tenshintai."

Kurome was silent the entire time Kikka Monshō spoke. Those were hard-hitting words. It was true. Kurome had concealed, no...restricted the true strength of her blade a long time ago. It was an unconscious decision. Ever since she realized the power she could wield, she feared it. It was absolutely frightening, not knowing who would be slain by merely a swing of her blade.

"Very well." Kurome drew her blade, lifted it parallel to her face while chanting. "Bloom from bloodshed, Kikka Monshō." Once more, the longsword attributed to Kurome's Shikai was unveiled in her hand. Its twelve petals were glimmering with purple spiritual pressure, as she took up her stance.

"Today I'll demonstrate it to you, Kiku. I'll accept my power fully!" Kurome exclaimed, as an aura flared around her, signifying her readiness for battle.

"...Do not regret those words." Kiku spoke, her body glowing in the same light as Kurome's. "If you take even one step back, your true potential will be locked away forever by the cage you created."

"For the last ten years, I ran away from you. I created a bridge between us that even the greatest Kidō could not overcome. But I understand what you've been trying to tell me. I am sorry, Kiku." Kurome steeled her stance and resolve. "Strike me, with all of your strength! I promise I'll withstand it!"

"..." Kiku's impassionate stare lodged directly into Kurome's eyes. They still quivered. There was fear still there. But behind that fear stood resolve, that, even with shaking legs, continued to stand strong. Kurome knew that she couldn't overcome that fear and trauma. But there was a confidence within her. A confidence that she could control her power. That she would not let go, not this time.

"Very well." Kiku prepared her stance. She dashed forward instantly, leaving naught but a petal in her place, as she appeared only a meter in front of Kurome. "I hope you can stand firm against your own strength." Kiku said, almost coldly, as she swung her blade downwards, aiming directly for Kurome's right shoulder.

Before Kiku could strike Kurome, she raised her sword horizontally above her head, as both blades clashed together. A shockwave was produced on the floor as reiatsu began to pour in both blades. Kiku's blade began to glow white, while one of the petals of Kurome's Shikai also began to whiten. As their strength peaked, both Kurome and Kiku anticipated each other's moves and exclaimed a single word.

"Hirake!" Both shouted in unison. An explosion of spiritual pressure occurred between both women, enveloping their surroundings in pure white.

From within that white light, was the image of a youthful man with black hair wearing the robes of a shihakushō, and what seemed to be a younger Kurome, in their own chambers.

*"Kurome, Kurome!" The man, who was older than Kurome, spoke enthusiastically. "Look! I've finally graduated! I have a zanpakutō, and I am a certified Shinigami of the 6th Division!"*

*"That's amazing, Kaima-niisama! You must be so strong!"*

*"You'll get even stronger, Kurome! Make sure you work hard to keep up with me, okay?"*

*"Yes, nii-sama!"*

The light expired. Kurome and Kiku were both pushed backwards. Neither of them suffered any wounds, but a fraction of Kurome's longsword began to break. The petal that the white light emitted from had fallen from the blade.

"That..." Kurome began to say, but couldn't bring herself to say it. She had suppressed those memories. All of them. She had almost forgotten she *had* an older brother.

"You must understand, Kurome." Kiku spoke, without moving, simply pointing her blade towards the Shinigami. "You cannot face your back from this. One misstep and it will cost you all of your power. Be fearful. Quiver, shake, cry. But stand. Face forward. Accept the truth that blooms from within us."

"..." Kurome looked at her cracked sword and fallen petal. She knew that the difference between Kiku and herself was great. But she was unaware...just how much difference there was. Kurome had realized at that moment why she had felt so behind. She was never moving forward. Kurome was stuck in the past, all those years ago.

"I understand." Kurome's eyes were steeled to see this through. She prepared her stance once more, even though her sword was breaking apart. "I won't give up, Kiku. Come!"

Kiku didn't change her expression. She merely acknowledged Kurome's resolve. Once more, she disappeared in a single step, this time appearing to Kurome's left without any warning. Kiku's blade soared through the air as it aimed for Kurome's neck, but Kurome narrowly managed to raise her blade to block Kiku's, once more releasing a shockwave of spiritual energy.

"If you try release at merely one petal, my blade will pass through, Kurome."

"Tch...!" Kurome grunted, as the spiritual pressure emitted by Kiku's attack continued to war with Kurome's own. White energy filled up a third of Kiku's blade's length, while three petals on Kurome's blade began to turn white.

Both Kurome and Kiku read each other again, and exclaimed. "Hirake!" White reiatsu once more bathed the arena, and Kurome was once more confronted with an image of the past she had suppressed.

*"Haah...I finally landed a blow, nii-sama!" Kurome cheered. She was in the Shinō Academy uniform, wielding a wooden blade against her older brother. She managed to land a blow on Kaima, despite his greater experience and skill.*

*"Hmph, fine work Kurome. That wasn't my true strength, but you have reached an admirable level." Kaima said, though it was a bluff. In truth, Kaima was caught completely off-guard by the strength of Kurome's reiatsu and her skill. She was close to reaching his own level even though he had two years of experience ahead of her.*

*Kaima bowed, before walking off. From the corner, a Kuchiki elder also stood. He had simply been observing the battle, and walked, following Kaima's path.*

Kurome's eyes opened after the light receded. "That was...the day I first landed a blow on my brother. It was only six months after entering the Academy."

A tear welled down Kurome's eye, but she wiped it. "I thought he was proud of my progress, but I remember...He quickly left afterwards for weeks. We didn't talk for what felt like a month..."

"Do you remember what happened afterward?" Kiku asked.

"...Not quite. But I suppose..." Kurome looked towards the floor, seeing three of her petals on the ground and another fissure in her blade. "That you must break my blade further for me to find out?"

"Two more strikes." Kiku spoke, and Kurome winced. "This will end in two more strikes. Your fate rides upon this, Kurome."

"...I understand."

There was no hesitation, no build up. Kiku simply moved forward and struck Kurome, this time from underneath. Kurome swung her sword downwards to match Kiku's strength, and once more the petals were bleached white. It wasn't one, nor three. This time, *five* petals turned white.

"Grr..." Kurome groaned, as the moment the fifth petal turned white, she and Kiku spoke once more. "Hirake!"

There it was, the white light. That blinding white light that Kurome wished to avert her eyes from.

*It had been three months since Kaima returned from his duties in the Sixth Division. Evening fell when Kurome had returned home from the Academy and she was informed that Kaima was here for a couple of days. Ecstatic, she went to meet him in his chambers, but there was someone else there with him. An elderly Kuchiki man, who Kurome was loosely acquainted with. They were speaking, and minding her manners, she was about to turn back. But a particular sentence caused her to stay.*

*"Are you aware Kurome is graduating next month?" The older man asked.*

*"Yes...unfortunately. She has far surpassed our expectations." Kaima responded, speaking in a grimace tone. Kurome was about to gasp, but she shut her mouth and moved away from the door, while still listening into the conversation as she concealed as much of her reiatsu as possible.*

*"What are you going to do about it? The trajectory she is heading will make* her *the potential clan successor instead of yourself. You are aware of how much that darned Byakuya cares about strength." The elder said. Kurome was shocked to hear such words about the clan head. She didn't realize the sort of political games the Kuchiki elders played behind the scenes. She was aware Kaima was in contention to be the clan head, but she had no idea her talent was being brought into this conversation.*

*"It's simple. An accident during our sparring session should be enough to mar her spiritual growth. Perhaps an accidental wound in the Hakusui should do." Kaima said, almost chuckling as he did.*

*Kurome could only cover her mouth as she choked back a scream. Her tears fell onto the wooden floors, making the slightest noise.*

*Kaima heard a sound, and immediately widened his eyes as his steps became flurried, moving closer to the door. By the time he reached outside, it was too late. Nobody was there, other than the teardrops that had soiled the wood, which Kaima did not even notice.*

"...!" Kurome's eyes and ears were ridden by shock. She couldn't believe what she just heard. Was it true? Did Kaima intend to seal her spiritual power growth? All...for the sake of clan head?

"Kurome..." Kiku's voice mellowed out slightly out of concern. She was well aware what her master was going through at this time. This was the same pain that overcame Kiku every day. That day, even if Kurome blocked those memories, Kiku had every word of that conversation, even if it wasn't hers to hear.

"Kiku..." Kurome struggled to stand. Her body was shaking. But she couldn't give in yet. Even if she desperately wanted to run away. She couldn't run away, not like this. Not when there was only one more blow to take. Her whole being told her to run away, but then she looked at Kikka Monshō's eyes. From the dispassioned eyes just a few minutes ago, to the eyes of a concerned sister.

"...Confirm to me...that none of this is fabricated." Kurome demanded of her zanpakutō.

"These are the memories you and I share, Kurome. Nothing within these scenes can be fabricated."

"...I see." Kurome noticed the five petals on the floor. Only the central 7 had remained. The sword had almost been completely broken. The hilt and a thin blade were all that was left.

"...I cannot strike you as you are, Kurome." Kiku said, a pang of regret in her voice. "In order to awaken your true power and view the truth...you have to strike me."

"...So it all falls onto me." Kurome said. Her hands were shaking. Her reiatsu was unsteady. She knew what she *had* to do. But she was frightened. If the truth was unveiled to her...would she be able to withstand it? Was it worth the strength?

*"Kurome. Why did you help that student and compromise your score?" Kamui Shihōin asked, wearing the Shinō Academy uniform.*

*"They were stopped by a circumstance that couldn't be helped, Kamui! Of course I had to help them!" Kurome responded.*

*"So now they'll work on the assumption that they were good enough to pass this test, when they weren't. When the time comes, they will fail the real situation, and be unable to move on. Was that helping them?"*

*"I...!" Kurome clenched her fist. He wasn't completely wrong.*

*"There's nothing wrong in helping those who cannot help themselves, Kurome. As Shinigami, we must protect the Soul Society. That includes our comrades. But allowing them to be complacent will simply lead to their eventual death."*

*"...So you're saying I should abandon them?"*

*"If you're too weak to save them without consequence to yourself, yes." Kamui walked past Kurome, saying one last thing. "We can only speak of saving others when we're the strongest. I hope you remember your promise."*

*"...Yes, you're right. I let myself get carried away." Kurome didn't look back at Kamui, but she made a soft smile. "Until I'm strong enough to save everyone, I will simply become stronger myself."*

"I'll do it, Kiku." Kurome was emboldened, as she stood, readying your stance. Her resolve could be peered through her eyes. There was a strength that wasn't there a few moments ago.

"*...So it's him.*" Kiku could only softly smile, preparing her own stance. "Come, Kurome Kuchiki! Face the truth of our strength!"

"HAAAAAAAAAH!" Kurome charged forward, with her blade in tow. She leaped upwards, her blade beginning to crack further under the pressure. But she did not care. She swung it downwards with extreme strength, as Kiku responded with an equal fervor, swinging her blade upwards.

All of her petals glowed white, while almost all of Kiku's blade had been engulfed in white. Both spoke once again, "HIRAKE!"

The white energy burst open, revealing one final scene that Kurome glued her eyes to. This was the moment that she had regretted her whole life. The moment which changed the path Kurome took. She had to see the truth for herself.

*Kaima and Kurome stood in the Kuchiki Clan training grounds. They both wielded their real Zanpakutō, a request by Kaima himself. Although Kurome feigned confidence, in truth, she was frightened. She recognized the elder that was overseeing their match. It was the same elder that Kaima spoke to earlier. He wouldn't stop the match if Kaima tried to use lethal force. Kurome was frightened, but she had to feign composure. She tried her very best to trust the older brother she trusted for her whole life.*

*"Begin!" The elder announced, and both siblings began their battle. Despite Kaima's superior experience, it was a very even match. In fact, it was tilting towards Kurome's favor ever so slightly. Both crossed swords equally, and while Kaima slyly aimed the Saketsu at multiple points, Kurome adeptly deflected all the strikes while maintaining a degree of pressure.*

*Of course, even if Kurome was more skilled, she lacked the same endurance Kaima did. She took a step back out of exhaustion, and Kaima pounced on the opportunity. His blade was perfectly poised to strike Kurome's chest, and he intended to strike only millimeters away from her Saketsu, in the hopes of sealing her spiritual growth.*

*Kurome anticipated this, even if she didn't wish to believe it. The moment Kaima pounced forward, Kurome unveiled her trump card. "Bloom from bloodshed, Kikka Monshō!" Kurome unveiled her Shikai state. A brilliant purple blade. Kaima continued to pounce forward, believing that his momentum would triumph Kurome's block, but he was unaware of his sister's abilities. The moment their blades clashed, Kaima poured an incredibly malevolent reiatsu from his blade. This wasn't a feint. He was truly intending on stopping Kurome's growth here, forever, and claim it was an accident.*

*Kurome was panting, as Kaima continued to press forward. Her blade began to shine white, stretching from the guard all the way to the pointed end of the sword. Kaima was also pushing forward, and managed to nearly break through due to the momentum. But that was when Kurome knew she had no other choice. "Hirake!" Kurome exclaimed. A bright white light shone from her chest, blasting at Kaima from close range. A combination of the reiatsu Kaima injected into his attack, as well as Kurome's reiatsu that lay dormant within Kikka Monshō. It was a blast so tremendous that it shook the compound, prompting other Kuchiki clan members to appear on the scene.*

*The scene that they would witness was something unlike anything they would have seen before. Kurome stood alone, injured by her own attack with burns across her body, while Kaima was collapsed beneath her. Kaima had died from the blast, and all Kurome could do was stand, hopelessly shocked by her own deeds. Her eyes emptied, and she fell on the floor. All strength had left her body. This was simply the end. Kurome would be disgraced by the clan, exiled and never allowed to be a Shinigami.*

*Somehow, someway, the elder that once took Kaima's side, instead ruled Kaima's death as an accident. A tragic accident. He weaved a tale of Kaima attempting to use advanced Kidō at close range, and Kurome, in a bid to counter it, forced both of their spells to misfire. He was the unfortunate target. Kurome knew that wasn't the truth...but that was the truth she had to live with. She pursued mastery over Kidō in order to repent for her older brother's death. She took his place among the Sixth Division. Kurome continued to exist as a Shinigami, all while the memory of Kaima slowly was removed from her mind.*

*Other things began to take priority, until Kurome realized her growth was at a standstill. Her rivals, her friends, her classmates, were all continuing to grow. Why did Kurome continue to stagnate..? Was her pursuit half-hearted? She couldn't come to an answer. She clawed her way through every book, every mentor, and came to nothing. Until she was walking through the Kuchiki household one day, and a picture of Kaima, with a candle lit underneath, caught her eye. It came to her at that very moment.*

*Kurome's pursuits of strength were never half-hearted. Kurome was a dedicated Shinigami of the Soul Society. Kurome was a Kuchiki who upheld their morals and standards. But Kurome had forgotten...she was the younger sister of Kaima Kuchiki...and his killer.*

Kurome's sword had been broken completely. All of its petals had fallen. The shell that once covered Kurome's strength was lifted. That shell, now broken, unveiled a brilliant purple katana from within. It was the same as Kiku's. The true form of her zanpakutō was in her hand, as well as all the power it should have had.

Kurome, despite her previous hesitation and fear, did not seem to fear the memories that were presented in front of her. She stood and observed them fade, along with the white light they accompanied, for the last time. Kurome had her memories returned to her. She closed her eyes briefly, and looked out of the Sōkyoku cave.

"Kiku...was it my fault Kaima-niisama died?"

"...That is a question I cannot answer."

"I used to believe it was my fault. If I was just a little weaker, maybe nii-sama would not have felt threatened by my strength. If I had used your abilities a little earlier, perhaps I could have avoided the retaliation becoming fatal. Those thoughts used to plague me so much that I intentionally weakened your power with Kidō. Rather than an automatic counter, I transformed your reiatsu into barriers instead. All so I could believe that my power wasn't killing anyone, it was defending me."

"...What do you believe now?"

"I remembered something I was once told. We can only speak of saving others when we're the strongest."

"By that man Kamui, wasn't it?"

"Yes. I killed Kaima-niisama. That sin will be forever mine to bear. However...I cannot let it stop me. Rather than pursue his own strength, he sought to suppress mine. I couldn't save him because I was not strong enough, but I refuse to allow something like that to happen again."

"My power is yours, Kurome."

"Thank you." Kurome said, facing Kiku and readying her blade. "I believe it's time for us to achieve Bankai, isn't it?"

"Yes." Kiku responded, readying her blade to acknowledge Kurome's resolve. "You finally have the resolve to withstand your full strength! Come, let us achieve Bankai, Kurome!"

## CLIMB THE VINE

"Before we begin, Kurome." Kiku said, as she observed the flow of Kurome's spiritual power. She was intending on using Kidō as a supplement to her zanpakutō abilities. "I understand you wish to use Kidō in this fight, and I cannot stop you." Kiku began speaking, and Kurome's curiosity was piqued.

"But?" Kurome asked in turn.

"If you wish to acquire Bankai...you cannot use that Kidō *against* me."

"Would that not make us simply equal in every aspect, then? How would I obtain Bankai without defeating you?"

"...That is something you must find out, Kurome."

"Very well. Let us begin!"

Kurome dashed forward with resolve. She closed the gap between herself and Kiku nigh-instantly and had already prepared her blade, keeping its blade facing behind Kurome while the hilt was being grasped at her waist. It was a stance meant to attempt to fool Kiku's eyes. If her and Kiku were equal in skill and power, she'd have to overcome the spirit with wits.

The method wasn't wrong by any means, but it simply wasn't enough. As Kurome inched ever closer and reached a range closer than most swordsmen would dare to engage in, she swung her blade upwards at remarkable speeds, almost as if she was pulling it out of its sheath, in an attempt to strike Kiku's sword arm. However, Kiku anticipated this move. Kurome was a woman whose form of battle was dictated by logic, so using logic to counter her approaches was easy enough for one who knew her. Rather than actively move her entire blade, Kiku instead adjusted the position of the butt of her hilt, which directly collided, pushing it along the same path as Kurome's blade, actively clashing against it.

The release of reiatsu from both parties was equal this time, and even without saying a single word, the clash concluded and Kurome and Kiku both took a step back to reorient their stances.

"...Tch, I should have known." Kurome and Kiku were both left without injuries, but Kurome was frustrated. She understood immediately that if she was put into a situation where she could not use Kidō, Kiku and herself would be at a standstill. Breathing inwards, she thought for a moment. Kiku did not pursue her, so clearly this was not meant to be a battle, so much as a test. She broke her stance, and breathed out.

"*What should I do...*" Kurome began to think. She could not use Kidō against Kiku, for that wouldn't allow her to achieve Bankai. However, her own strength wasn't enough to break through. Kurome was aware that Kidō would be the only way to defeat Kiku, yet she wasn't allowed to use it...against her?

"...*Ah, so that is it.*" Kurome chuckled, and Kiku caught her reaction.

"What do you find amusing, Kurome?"

"I figured out your test, Kiku." Kurome smiled as she looked upon her zanpakutō's spirit.

"I see. If you have, then come...defeat me, Kurome." Kiku spoke. Although her voice was calm, her reiatsu began to flare outwardly. She was impassioned and excited.

Kurome pushed off the floor once again, and Kiku stood still, merely awaiting for Kurome to reach her. It was only when Kurome was halfway to meeting Kiku's blade that she did the unexpected. "Tenran!"

Kiku's eyes widened, and she was about to tell Kurome she failed before the unexpected happened. Rather than aiming the spell at Kiku, Kurome aimed it at *herself*. It was a difficult maneuver to pull off, but she managed to cause the tornado to surround her own body, vastly increasing the speed, momentum and emitted reiatsu in her strike as she swung her blade against Kiku's own.

The ensuing clash was tremendous, shaking the very cave Kurome and Kiku were in as the tornado continued to push Kurome forward, irrespective of Kiku's strength level.

For the last time, both exclaimed, "Hirake!"

As the cave was bathed in a white light, Kurome and Kiku ended up on opposite sides of the cavern. Both of them had been standing, and three seconds passed by.

Those three seconds felt like was an eternity, as finally the slash Kurome performed against Kiku showed up on her skin in the form of a scar across her torso, with blood dripping onto the ground as the zanpakutō spirit bent to her knees.

"You passed, Kurome." Kiku said, as her body began to disappear into reishi, being absorbed into Kurome's blade.

"...I don't feel like I have obtained Bankai?"

"Trust me...you will figure it out soon." Kiku smiled as she faded away. Kurome stood, awaiting what was to come next.

A tremendous influx of reiatsu was outpoured from her blade, and Kurome struggled to grip it with both hands. This was unusual. Zanpakutō were weightless to a Shinigami...so then why?

The reiatsu began to take on a tangible form, seemingly appearing like a woman. But Kurome was shocked, not just at the appearance of the woman before her, but the power and knowledge that seemed to bloom within her.

"This is...!" Kurome felt the sensation and instantly knew what it was. The true peak of any Shinigami's pursuit of strength. The immortalization of a Shinigami's name in the history of Soul Society. This was...

"Bankai."

*Fin*