Chapter Text
It happened all too quickly.
One second you were given the option to stay and be killed or give up your zanpakuto in exchange for being a vigilante in some unknown land. It took a while and some quick planning but the latter seemed to have been the option chosen.
You could still picture the captain of the 12th division rapidly tying on to his holographic screen. The sly smile etched on his face as the portal to a new yet risky life awaited. There were second thoughts, of course. You could have just faced the wrath of the captain of the 1st division. But anyone with a brain knew he was not one to change his mind.
Mayuri did the thinking for you and before you could react, you fell into the void.
The dark, cold, and empty void.
For who knows how long, you fell and fell till a small dot of light met your eyes.
Was this the new life waiting for you? Did Mayuri ultimately end your life and this was the gateway to a new one? Probably not.
Each passing second, the light grew bigger and bigger till you realized what you were staring at.
Blue and white colors clashing with anger. Waiting to engulf you with it’s gigantic waves.
“Kitsune!” You called out. On command, a small violet fox appeared. Whipping its tail, a thin barrier of ice formed. Not expecting your powers to be that weak, you quickly snapped the small animal away and braced for impact.
The moment your body hit the ice cold waters, you were quick to swim to the surface. All effort was futile as a large wave soon crashed over you. With your lungs barely capturing enough oxygen, you were more than thankful when Kitsune thought of lending you a bit of his left over powers.
It took a little too long for your liking but you managed to reach the surface. Extending your hand, you managed to form a small ice platform. Surely it would break after 2 or 3 crashes but you were still breathing and that’s all that mattered.
Eyes widening at the rising wave, you cursed and shivered at the thought of drowning.
‘So much for a new life, huh?’ Kitsune commented. It was subtle but you could feel that he too was scared of the outcome.
Closing your eyes, you waited for the hit only to be met with nothing. Opening your eyes, you saw how the ocean was now calm and peaceful. Staring at the sky, the portal you had been falling from was nowhere in sight. Instead, a full moon and a thousand stars greeted you.
‘Amazing…’ Kitsune commented as he materialized and sat beside you. His violet from swaying back and forth from the waves movements. “I was pretty sure we’d make it out alive, though. Probably not in one piece, but alive.”
“Oh please,” You shivered as a gentle breeze of wind brushed against your wet clothing. “You were scared shitless too. Remember, I die means…”
“I die too. Yada yada~” The fox replied. “What now?”
“Well…” You looked around and barely saw any sight of land. “We seem to have a portion of our powers so we might be able to pass on a few meals.”
“Maybe I can try to fly up there and see if-”
“No. You and I both know you’re weak. The risks are too high. Let’s play it safe and just pray to whoever god they have in this world sends help.” Telling him to go back to the inner world, you were glad to see him comply. Sighing at the turn of events, you gripped your haori. At least you had the burden of a cloth to keep you warm.
Hugging your knees, you tried to close your eyes and take a nap. It was dangerous but not being used to having such a tremendous chunk of your power taken away from you was something you were not accustomed to. Focusing on the soft howls of the wind made your muscles relax.
Just 5 minutes and you’d be fine.
5 minutes passed and you woke up to pink skies.
“Crap. Ah well. At least I didn’t abandon ship.” Inhaling the salty air, you had to take a few minutes to admire the view. It wasn’t everyday a person would sit on a thin platform made of ice in the middle of nowhere. Trying to stand, you managed to maintain balance and deduced it made no difference.
Not wanting to die of boredom, you asked Kitsune to appear.
“Can you try to make a pole?” You pointed to where you stood.
“And how is that supposed to help us?” The fox commented as he wiggled his bum to create what you had asked for. “What’s ne-”
He cut himself off once he saw you ripping your haori to create a makeshift flag.
“Jesus, woman.” His blue eyes watched intently as you began to do your work. “Ya worked hard for that and now you rip it as if it’s nothing…”
“If you think about it…” You said as you tied the ends. “I was never that good of a captain anyway. No captain would ever run away, no?”
“Didn’t Toshiro run away a few centuries ago?” He twitched his ear.
“Toshi’s important to Soul Society. We’re Visored. It’s a miracle we even got our captain’s status. He was able to clear his name and that's where the difference is.” You sighed. “Compared to us, my fingerprints were on that zanpakuto. Blood was everywhere and I was the first one they saw. No one was there to prove it wasn’t me.”
“Oi. I tried to let them listen to what I had to say…” Kitsune lowered both his ears and walked towards you. His fur was damp and he felt cold. “Then again, our records were never the cleanest. Sucks…”
“We’ll make it through.” You patted his head. With the haori now leading the platform somewhere, you sent a silent prayer to whoever could hear to send you a sign that your thoughts would be right.
Before you knew it, the moon was now rising.
Resting your head on your knees, you clenched your fists. You brought this to yourself so suffer the consequences. If you were truly destined to die in the ocean then so be it. It sounded much better than an execution for the entire Soul Society to witness anyway.
Chuckling at the negativity, you allowed yourself a few minutes to cry. Besides, it was never good to keep it all in. Yes. Screaming at the top of your lungs, you shrieked and cussed each curse you knew of. Regret came after when your throat dried up and all you had was ocean water.
“Idiot…” You scolded yourself. Looking at your surroundings, you squint your eyes. Not sure if it was hunger or some sort of ocean mirage, you were sure it was a boat. A rather large one at that. “Kitsuneshin!”
“What?” The groggy fox said as he materialized beside you. Not hearing any response, he looked at where your focus was. “Holy ship…”
“Do you think you can use a bit of your hollow powers? Just to catch their attention?” You asked him as you stood up and adjusted the small sail.
“I dunno if it’ll be enough but we can try.” Kitsune replied as he began to glow. Shifting his form into violet mist, you extended your hand and a fox mask took his place. “Good luck to us…”
Wearing the mask, you winced at the sudden burst of power. Using kido, you shot a ray of red light into the sky. Hopefully it was enough to capture their attention. Falling to your knees, you felt as if your heart was about to leap out of your chest. Wanting to make sure they got the message, you shakily stood up and sent out one more burst of light.
“Enough.” Kitsune scolded you as he regained his human form. “That was more than enough.”
It took awhile but the ship managed to steer its course towards the small platform. Upon further assessment from their reiatsu’s, Kitsuneshin quickly came to the conclusion that the people on board were nothing like the two of you. He watched as they carefully lifted your body unto the ship and followed suit.
“How on Rex Lapis did the two of you end up in a place like this?” A woman spoke up from behind the crowd.
Not sure what to answer, Kitsuneshin looked at your sleeping body and sighed. Not quite used to interacting with the outside world, he swallowed his pride and switched into his fox form.
“A shapeshifter?” One of the crewmembers commented.
“I don’t think so.” Beidou added. “Leave them be for now. Anyone who travels this area by ice platform is bound to be tired.”
Instructing her crew to fetch blankets and prepare the night’s meal.
2 days had passed and you finally woke up. Not expecting a bed and blanket, you quickly stood up only to fall back down. The gentle swaying of the boat was much better than what you had to endure. Looking for Kitsuneshin, you summoned him only to fail.
Following his reiatsu, you exited the room and found yourself walking up a flight of stairs. Laughter and chit chat could be heard as you neared the door waiting for you. Listening even more, you were sure one of them was your inner hollow. Was he finally interacting with the outside world?
“Ah!” Kitsune reacted the moment you opened the door. “Told you she’s awake.”
“Did you rest well, (y/n)?” A curvy woman with an eyepatch asked you. In her hand seemed to be a bottle of liquor. Standing up, she extended her arm and wrapped it around your shoulders, thus dragging you to join the crowd. “Kit here was just telling us about his adventures?”
“A-adventures?” What was he up to? And why was he in his human form?
“I was just tellin’ them about our fights back in our world.” He said so casually. “They were pretty curious as to why we ended up here so I just sorta told them, yeah.”
“Come, come.” The eyepatch lady began to walk away from the group. Guiding you towards a more quiet area, she motioned for you to sit on one of the barrels. “But really though, how are you feeling?”
“Confused.” You blinked. “Why are you helping us? What exactly did he tell you?”
“He stated that you two fell from the skies and almost drowned.” She gulped a bit of her drink. “However, I’m more curious as to how you were able to create those beams of light. I do not see you having a vision.”
“A vision?”
“Visions are what grants us special powers.” Showing you hers, you noticed how her vision glowed a bright violet hue. “Don’t get me wrong~ I took it upon myself to throw the two of you overboard in case you caused any trouble.”
“I…” You bowed your head. “If Kitsune ever caused any trouble I’ll do my best to fix it.”
Laughing at your response, she put the bottle down and ruffled your hair.
“Such complete opposites yet it makes sense how you two share the same karma.” She shook her head amusedly. “Im the captain of this ship. Just call me Beidou. It’ll be a pleasure to have you on board.”
Telling her your name, she nods her head in content.
“So anything you wanna learn about this place, (y/n)?”
“What’s the name of this place?”
“We call our home Teyvat. We’re currently heading back to Liyue but it’ll still take us a good 6 months before we see signs of land.”
Shivering at the time frame, it was only now you grasped how close you were to your end.
“What is the name of your ship?”
“Oh?” She wasn’t expecting that question. “The Crux Fleet. If you like adventures and bounties then looks like the God of Luck is with you since that’s what we’re known for.”
“I see.” You replied. “Thank you. For saving us.”
“It’s not much of a big deal.” She shrugged. “So tell me, what are you and Kit, really? Feel free to use your terms.”
“Uh. In my world, we’re soul reapers. We protect human beings and souls from hollows. But, I guess you could say Kitsune and I are a rare case.”
“How so?” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“Kitsune is, or used to be, one of the things we hunted for. Compared to the bounties, he managed to enter my body and severed the boundary between his and my soul.”
“So you're half hollow?” Beidou raised a brow. “I bet my mora you were a controversial gal in your world.”
“Somewhat…” You chuckled. “I had a few companions, though.”
“So is this what signifies what you are?” Beidou waved her hand and materialized your hoari. “I asked one of my crew members to sew it up.”
“Oh.” You accepted the piece of cloth and stared at it. “Well… this just symbolizes one was strong enough to be able to defend our home.”
“A hierarchy?”
“Yeah. But, I’m not sure if I’m still applicable to the title. I kinda abandoned my division after things went south for me.” You awkwardly chuckled at the memory.
“Must’ve been something grand to make you run away.” Beidou lifted her chin and stared at the starry skies. “I’m not one to judge. If you’re a criminal then you’re a criminal. But, if you believe you weren’t at fault then I guess I can side with you on that as well.”
“You barely know who I am though.”
“I may have this eyepatch to block half of my vision but I can tell when one means well.” Standing up she stretched and picked up the bottle of liquor. “6 months is a pretty long time to be out in sea and do nothing. What’d you say I take you under my wing?”
“I don’t have my powers anymore.”
“Nonsense. If you managed to create a beam of light with no sword, claymore, or book then it must be there.” Beidou fully faced you now. “What do you call those people who don these coats?”
“Captains.”
“You wouldn’t be a captain if you were weak.” Flicking your forehead, she laughed. “Stop seeing yourself as weak. If you let me train you then I’m more than confident by the 5th month, you’ll feel like a portion of your old self.”
Staring at your haori, you chewed on your inner cheeks. She did have a point. You knew the basics of swordplay, quick movements were muscle memory for sure, and Kitsune was there. If you could hone it in Soul Society then maybe you could in Teyvat too.
Perhaps it wouldn’t be too bad to start from scratch in this world.
“Kit already agreed, just in case you need his permission.”
“Of course he’d do that…” You slouched but picked yourself back up. “Alright. I guess it wouldn’t hurt.”
“That’s my future prodigy~” She ruffled your hair once more. “Now c’mon! Drink with me to celebrate the start of your new life!”
And so you did.