Not a Mob: Psycho

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)...)

Contrasting Ohta's expectations, Sode-no-Shirayuki didn't try to compete with Rukia for his attention. Instead, she egged the latter on, pressing her to be more proactive while she sat in seiza off to the side, observing them with reddened cheeks.
Objectively speaking, since Rukia's and Sode-no-Shirayuki's senses were linked, it didn't matter which of them Ohta fucked. However, as Rukia was his woman, Ohta focused on her, forcing the petite Shinigami into dozens of different positions as they transitioned from their bed to the floor, atop most of their furniture, and even against the wall. Rukia struggled quite a bit at first, instinctually attempting to resist the pleasure, but after a while, both she and Ohta stopped caring, causing their lovemaking to become a lot more 'primal.'
Unfortunately, while Ohta wished he could fuck indefinitely like some kind of tireless sex god, his stamina had its limits. The semen he shot out was also packed with his Reiryoku, so after a few hours, Rukia was a twitching mess while he genuinely felt like he was on the verge of death. It was at that point that Sode-no-Shirayuki chose to get directly involved. However, instead of entreating him for sex, she cradled his head in her cool bosom, caressing his hair as he often did for Rukia...
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After their three-day descent into the abyss of pleasure, Ohta and Rukia returned to the underground chamber after recuperating, joined only by Soifon and Rangiku as Yoruichi had returned to Soul Society and Orihime was at school.
Standing in a relaxed Zanjutsu pose with her eyes closed, wielding the pure white katana representing Sode-no-Shirayuki's initial release, Rukia exhaled a frigid sigh, the roots of her hair gradually turning white as she muttered, "Bankai..." in a neutral tone.
In response to Rukia's utterance, her Reiatsu exploded outward in an eruption of ice and snow, similar to when Sode-no-Shirayuki manifested. When the explosion inverted, swirling around her before dissipating, Rukia no longer wore the standard Shihakusho of a Shinigami. Instead, she had on a pure white, ankle-length kimono with lined patterns. Unlike a normal kimono, however, it had an ornate collar, edges, and shoulder design with long, wide sleeves. Long ribbons formed loops behind her back, flowing gracefully in response to the fluctuations of her Reiatsu, while flowers of ice adorned her snow-white hair and the center of her chest, the former resembling a crown. As for her Zanpakuto, its shape hadn't changed, but the blade became transparent, resembling pure, unblemished ice.
Opening her eyes, revealing they had also become white, Rukia's voice sounded bone-chillingly cold and emotionless as she muttered, "Hakka-no-Togame(Censure of the White Haze)..." the name of her Bankai.
"Wow..." remarked Rangiku, genuinely awed by how beautiful Rukia's Bankai was. Ohta was similarly impressed, but he and Soifon had frowns as they simultaneously realized something was wrong.
While Rukia had certainly attained Bankai, artificially inflating her Reiryoku density and drastically increasing her Reiatsu, she hadn't moved a muscle since activating it. She appeared to be just as frozen as the terrain around her, and even from several tens of meters away, Ohta felt like he was in a deep freezer whose door had slammed and locked behind him.
Condensing psychic energy around his body, Ohta used Shunpo to reach Rukia's side, the ridiculously low temperature in the surroundings causing a visible layer of ice to appear across the surface of his psychic barrier as he eyed her up, asking, "You okay, monkeybun?"
Other than raising her eyes slightly, Rukia didn't respond to Ohta's words. She appeared to be frozen solid, and, as far as Ohta could tell, she wasn't breathing. Rather, after inserting a thread of energy into her body, Ohta's pupils contracted when he realized that not even feel her blood flowing...
*crack*
Though it was faint, Ohta felt a chill even colder than his surroundings when he heard a sharp sound emanate from Rukia's body, followed by a hair-thin crack appearing from her left eyelid to her jaw. She didn't bleed, but Ohta suspected that would change rapidly once her blood and body began to thaw...
Ignoring the danger, Ohta placed his hand, very gently, against Rukia's chest. He felt a potent chill even through the protection of his psychic and spiritual membranes, but he ignored it, consciously drawing the cold into his body as he depleted Rukia's Reiryoku. Yoruichi had informed him of his ability to absorb, adapt, and convert external energies before he became a Shinigami, so that's what Ohta did, his hair gradually turning white as a faint shade of pink returned to Rukia's complexion. With it, blood began to ooze from the crack in her face, but it was nothing a brief rest in her Gigai couldn't fix. If not, Orihime definitely could.
With no Reiryoku to sustain itself, Rukia's Bankai eventually dispersed, her hair regaining its raven sheen. At the same time, her pristine white kimono evaporated into icy mist, replaced by a standard black Shihakusho as she collapsed into Ohta's waiting embrace. His left arm and hair had lost their color, turning pure white, but his chest and right arm exuded a powerful warmth as he held her tenderly and stated, "You did well. Now sleep..." in a faint, soothing, somewhat assertive tone.
As Rukia collapsed from exhaustion, Ohta called out, "Soifon..." in a voice that was barely a whisper. Despite this, Soifon immediately appeared next to him, asking, "Shall I go and retrieve the one called Inoue Orihime...?"
Seeing Ohta nod, Soifon promptly vanished. In her wake, Rangiku walked over, asking, "How is she...?" in a concerned tone.
"She'll be fine..." assured Ohta, speaking more to himself than Rangiku. At the same time, he couldn't help wondering if something had gone wrong. Rukia's Bankai was nearly as devastating as his Kūsho, but the damage it caused was even more indiscriminate. After all, while his Kūsho hindered his senses, it didn't harm his body. Rukia's Hakka no Togame froze the very blood in her veins, and if she weren't careful, her entire body would fracture and crumble...
Feeling uncomfortable, Rangiku scratched her head, deliberating for a few seconds before asking, "Do you think it would be a good idea to move her to the hot spring?"
"That...is a very good idea..." conceded Ohta, attempting to pick up Rukia with just his right hand before Rangiku said, "Let me carry her. You should do something about that arm of yours before it gets even worse..."
Looking down at his left arm, Ohta noticed that pieces of his skin and a few crystalline chunks of flesh had flaked away without him realizing it. He could still move it, somehow, but he had absolutely no feeling in the appendage.
"You're on a roll today..." joked Ohta, entrusting Rukia's unconscious body to Rangiku. It was difficult for her to carry people due to her massive tits getting in the way, but Rukia's frame was light enough that Rangiku could extend her arms and support her with her elbows locked if she wanted to. Instead, she cradled the unconscious Kuchiki in a princess carry, whisking her away with an unpolished but passable variant of Shunpo...
While he didn't exactly 'trust' Rangiku, Ohta only stared in the direction of the hot spring for a few seconds turning his attention to his left arm and attempting to manipulate the energy within. It was a little difficult since it wasn't his, but he eventually managed to reverse the flow, extending his left hand to unleash a destructive avalanche of ice and snow that froze everything from the position he was standing to the far wall more than 300m away before scattering due to the impact, extending up to the roof and covering nearly half the underground chamber in glacial ice...
"..."
("...")
Feeling Anpu's presence, Ohta's expression became serious as he said, "I want one..."
("It hasn't been that long since you attained your Shikai...") replied Anpu. However, as he already knew what Ohta was going to say, he added, ("I'll consider it if you willfully subordinate that woman with the ashen cat and the tiny one with the stinger...")
"What, like thrashing or fucking their Zanpakuto Spirits...?" asked Ohta.
("If that's what it takes...") replied Anpu, adding, ("So long as they aren't able to cross you, I don't care what means you use. Keeping them around when their loyalties lie elsewhere is exposing yourself and those you care about to unnecessary risk...)
"You're not wrong..." admitted Ohta. However, as he hadn't been informed that Soifon would also be utilizing the Tenshintai, he didn't know how best to subordinate her. He could try shaming or embarrassing her as he did in the elevator, but Ohta was pretty sure she 'enjoyed' being bullied. In other words, she was a massive masochist. Not surprising, considering who her Mistress was...
("Treat her as you did your mate...") said Anpu, his voice a low growl as he added, ("Ravish her diminutive frame so thoroughly she can't imagine life without you...")
Raising his brows, Ohta remarked, "You're pretty fucked up, man...you're starting to make me think I'm a monster deep down..."
("Others will regard you as a monster, so you might as well embrace it...") asserted Anpu. ("If your enemies and allies alike learn to fear you, you will finally be able to live as you please...")
"That might work if I was content to live alone," replied Ohta. "But I don't want Rukia to become ostracized by her family and friends. Fear is good, but it can't be the only sentiment people have toward us. As a part of me, you should understand the pain of that loneliness..."
("...")
After a long silence, Anpu eventually replied, ("As I said, I don't care what method you use. But be forewarned. If you attempt to use the Tenshintai to steal my power, I will neither hold back nor show you mercy. I will take your body, eliminate all those who would lead this world to ruin, and then claim everything you have forsook...")
"You can fucking try," growled Ohta, subsequently adding, "Damn mutt..." under his breath. He had never seriously considered using the Tenshintai to attain his Bankai, as he didn't think it was wise to 'cut corners.' His first use of Kūsho and seeing Rukia nearly self-destruct were good examples of what could happen if you tried to wield power you weren't prepared for. Thus, unless he had no other options, he would try to awaken his Bankai in the traditional manner, reaching a compromise with the prick that had the nerve to name itself after an Egyptian God(A/N: For those that don't know, Anpu is the original translation for Anubis)...
("I can hear your thoughts...") remarked Anpu. ("And I am neither a prick nor did I choose this name. It has been with me from the moment I first gained awareness. As for 'fucking trying,' I won't even need to. So long as you continue to hold back and value the lives of so-called 'innocents,' you can never defeat me.")
"We're done talking," said Ohta, promptly 'severing' the connection with Anpu. The two could never be truly separated, as Anpu shared his senses and memories, but he could weaken the connection to his Soul Palace by simply willing it. He could practically feel the temperamental jackal being a butthurt bitch, but Ohta ignored him, proceeding to the hot spring after closing up most of the wounds on his left arm. He found Rangiku bathing naked as she tended to Rukia's body, but as the buxom blonde had been dwelling in his guest room the past four days, Ohta didn't bat an eye. The same could be said for Rangiku, who, other than casting a glance toward his cock, appeared calm and composed as she asked, "Want me to wash you back?" with a faint, intrinsically alluring smile.
"Maybe later," replied Ohta, casting aside his clothes and descending into the pleasantly hot water, retrieving Rukia's body from Rangiku without any resistance. She was sensible enough to know better than getting between him and his woman. If she didn't, Ohta would have given her massive and voluptuous ass the boot on day one...
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(A/N: Hey guys. If you're enjoying the story, please consider becoming a patron. I'm already reduced to eating eggs and rice to sustain myself, and it's only the middle of the month. I wouldn't care too much under normal circumstances, but I'd like to pick up some meds and purchase something a little healthier to avoid feeling like shit xD...)

"The method to attain Bankai in a short period is using an artifact known as a Tenshintai(God Change Body) to actualize your Zanpakuto Spirit in the real world," explained Rukia. "After that, you must persuade or defeat it. Should you fail, you could lose your life or have your will supplanted by that of your Zanpakuto..."
"That sounds pretty dangerous..." muttered Rangiku, assuming they would be unable to use their Zanpakutos for the duration of the trial, a sentiment that was confirmed when Rukia nodded her head, appending, "Unless you are supremely confident in your innate and practiced abilities, manifesting and attempting to defeat your Zanpakuto Spirit is suicide. For the duration of the trial, you will be unable to use your Zanpakuto. Furthermore, should you abandon the trial and forcibly reseal the manifested Zanpakuto Spirit, there's a good chance your Zanpakuto will become sealed, unusable from that moment onward..."
Shifting her gaze to Ohta, Rukia added, "That's where Ohta-kun comes in. If the person undergoing the trial has someone they trust to assist them, the process becomes much simpler and comparably safe. However, if you depend on an outsider to subjugate your Zanpakuto and achieve Bankai, it could 'imprint' on them, recognizing that person as its true master..."
Looking between Orihime and Rangiku, Rukia clarified, "In simpler terms, you would become bound to the person who subjugates your Zanpakuto Spirit. Orihime received her powers from Ohta, so it wouldn't matter much in her case. However, if you, Matsumoto-san, permitted Ohta to aid in the attainment of your Bankai, your very soul would be 'beholden' to him from that moment onward..."
"Yeah, that's not happening," said Ohta, chiming into the conversation before Rangiku could say or do something stupid. "I'm fine with you and Orihime, but I barely even know this woman."
"That didn't prevent you from giving me the ride of my life..." remarked Rangiku, her expression forming into an alluring pout. Even now, she felt like Ohta's cock was still within her, the echoes of his deep and forceful movements resonating through her body and causing a balmy wet mess between her thighs...
Blinking in surprise, Orihime asked, "Did you and Ohta-kun have sex...uh, Matsumoto-san...?"
"That's an understatement," replied Rangiku, crossing her arms in a way that accented her tremendous bosom as she revealed, "This boy treated me like a plaything and blew his load in me no fewer than six times. For a while there, I thought he would never give me a moment to rest and catch my breath..."
Instead of getting upset at Rangiku's words, Orihime looked at Ohta with glistening eyes containing a hint of longing. The most he had ever cum in her was three times, largely due to the presence of Rukia, so she wanted to experience what Rangiku had 'endured' at least once...
Shaking his head, Ohta lightly pat the hopeful ginger's head and said, "I'm not in the mood right now, but I will be eventually. Just be patient..."
"Okay~!" replied Orihime, smiling happily since Ohta was generally good at keeping his word. He hadn't expressly promised her anything, but she believed it was only a matter of time before he afforded her an experience even greater than Rangiku's.
Seeing the peculiar interaction between Ohta and Orihime, Rangiku raised her brows and asked, "What's the deal with the two of you? I thought you were lovers, but now you look more like a master and his pet..."
Answering in the duo's stead, Rukia explained, "Orihime is my attendant, interim physician, and a collateral lover of Ohta-kun's. He refuses to be in a committed relationship with anyone other than myself, but Orihime is an exception as she wishes to support our relationship, not interfere with it..."
"That's right~!" exclaimed Orihime. "I really 'really' like Ohta-kun, but I'm also really good friends with Rukia. I want them to be happy, and it makes me happy just being near them~!"
"I see..." muttered Rangiku, adopting a somewhat awkward smile as she scratched her head. Orihime's words made her feel sorry for the bubbly ginger, but she wasn't in a position to lecture others on their relationship dynamics. The boy-turned-man she loved broke up with her the day after they had sex and willfully avoided her from then onward. She had tried to get his attention and make him jealous by flirting and eventually sleeping with other men, but all he ever did was smile at her, make jokes, and then wish her well before summarily leaving, treating her as if they were barely acquainted with one another...
Feeling a sudden urge to get a drink, Rangiku stood up and said, "I'll be in the guest bedroom..." before sauntering off. Her departure was followed by the stares of Ohta, Orihime, and Rukia, all three eventually goggling at her ass, swaying seductively with each movement.
Waiting until Rangiku had retired to the guest room, Rukia remarked, "I can see why you're attracted to her. I never paid much attention to the appearances of other women in the past, but Matsumoto-san is certainly a beautiful woman..."
Nodding her head, Orihime cupped her breasts, staring down at them as she muttered, "I need to start drinking more milk..."
"Both of you are fine just the way you are," asserted Ohta, drawing the duo's gazes. "But that's not important right now. Tell me more about this Tenshintai method. What are the side-effects of having your Zanpakuto Spirit subjugated by another? Orihime doesn't even know the name of her Zanpakuto, so would she be able to use it?"
"That last part is certainly an issue," acknowledged Rukia. "However, as Orihime's Shinigami powers are derived from yours, you should be able to assist her in accessing her Soul Space/Palace via Soul Resonance. If not, she'll just have to wait until she learns the name of her Zanpakuto before undergoing the training."
"Sounds about right..." muttered Ohta, meeting Orihime's gaze to find she was staring at him with an expectant glimmer in her eyes. They had tried to trigger Soul Resonance a few times, but resonating with more than one person was difficult. They had gotten close, but as the process was like a clash of wills forced into a compromise, Orihime would invariably pass out before they could achieve the coveted state. Simply put, even with the powers he vested her serving as a 'bridge,' the gap between their mental and spiritual energies was too great.
"We'll try it later..." said Ohta, habitually caressing Orihime's head. At the same time, he prompted Rukia to continue with his eyes, compelling her to say, "As for the side effects, they're as I mentioned previously. Once a Zanpakuto Spirit has been subjugated, it effectively becomes subordinate to the person who bested it. Depending on the degree of subjugation, the Zanpakuto could simply ignore its wielder, refusing to lend them its power without 'permission' from the one it views as its master."
"Then why doesn't the Gotei use this method to awaken the Bankai of weaker Shinigami, consequently subjugating them?" asked Ohta. "Seems like a fairly reliable way to prevent betrayal..."
"It's because the person who becomes the new master of the Zanpakuto is obligated to maintain that relationship," explained Rukia. "If you neglect the contained Spirit, it could become moody and temperamental, outright refusing to lend its power. That forces the Shinigami with the subjugated Zanpakuto to stay close to the person who subordinated it. If the wielder doesn't have a strong bond with said person, their Spirits could even turn against them."
"Sounds incredibly convoluted..." remarked Ohta. However, at the same time, he could understand why this method wasn't used more frequently. Managing your own Zanpakuto Spirit could be a pain in the ass. Trying to subordinate and manage others sounded like a nightmare...
("...")
Pretending he couldn't feel Anpu silently judging him, Ohta said, "That's even more of a reason not to get someone like Rangiku entangled in our affairs. If she wants to undergo the training, more power to her. But she should get someone like her Captain to subordinate her Zanpakuto Spirit, not someone she barely knows and casually had sex with..."
Nodding her head, Rukia admitted, "That's certainly an option. However, as capable as Captain Hitsugaya is, he lacks the 'capacity' to manage the Zanpakuto Spirit of someone like Matsumoto-san. You should know that a Zanpakuto Spirit is a more 'primal' reflection of their wielders. While I am confident he would be able to subjugate Matsumoto-san's Zanpakuto, it would doubtlessly rebel unless she is similarly subordinate to him. And I don't mean subordinate in the vein of a Captain and his Lieutenant..."
"In other words, the person who subordinates the Zanpakuto needs to periodically fuck its original wielder...is that what you're saying?" asked Ohta.
"Any sufficiently powerful bond should suffice," argued Rukia. "However, if you consider that Matsumoto-san's Zanpakuto Spirit is a less 'uninhibited' version of her, I don't think it would be content with a master who ignores or refuses to sleep with its wielder..."
"And with that, you've convinced me 'not' to subordinate her Zanpakuto Spirit..." stated Ohta. He definitely didn't mind giving Rangiku a thorough dicking, but if her Zanpakuto became subordinate to him, he would 'need' to keep fucking her indefinitely. At the very least, he would be stuck with her until she managed to reclaim her authority...
"I understand your reservations," replied Rukia. "However, with Aizen's forces growing by the day, it would be 'beneficial' to have even one more person capable of using Bankai. Matsumoto-san is also an experienced Shinigami who has been a Lieutenant for many years. She would make a suitable candidate to fill the vacancies in the 3rd, 5th, and 9th Divisions."
Realizing that Rukia was pandering to his 'opportunistic' sensibilities, Ohta fell silent. It would unquestionably benefit him and, as a result, all of them to have another Captain under his thumb. He had humored the possibility of becoming the Captain-Commander of the entire Gotei in the future, so the more influence he had over its members, the better...
Closing his eyes and exhaling through his nose, Ohta replied, "We'll see how it goes with you and Orihime before I decide anything. But, Rukia..."
Opening his eyes and staring at the raven-haired beauty with a serious look, Ohta said, "You know I love you...but if you keep testing me like this, I 'will' lose my patience. Then you will have to accept 'everything' I would have given to others..."
Feeling Orihime's gaze practically drilling a hole into the side of his head, Ohta added, "Sans Orihime..." in a marginally fainter tone. At this point, the two were practically a packaged deal, so while Ohta didn't regard Orihime as his woman, he wouldn't neglect her. Not when her healing power could regrow limbs and effectively reverse time...
Catching Ohta off guard, Rukia firmly asserted, "I have been yours since we claimed one another. If my words and actions cause you undue frustration and you feel the need to vent, I will accept the consequences willingly. No matter the time or place."
"And if she can't, I'll lend a hand~" chimed Orihime, pressing the tips of her fingers together and adopting a smile that seemed to illuminate the entire room, shattering the tense atmosphere.
"Speak of which, have the two of you eaten~?" asked Orihime. "If not, I could try cooking."
"No/No...!" exclaimed Ohta and Rukia, their voices overlapping perfectly. Orihime wasn't nearly as airheaded as she acted, but she had a negative aptitude for cooking. Ohta allowed her to help out by cutting vegetables and preparing ingredients, but when she was left to her own devices, the dishes she prepared could best be described as 'experimental.'
Rising from the sofa, Ohta said, "I'll get started on dinner. The two of you should take it easy and get started on your homework if you have any. I'll call you over to set the table when it's finished."
Before Ohta could walk off, headed for the kitchen, Rukia mused, "Don't forget about Matsumoto-san's portion. You're free to send her away after dinner, but as long as she's here, she's our guest."
"Yeah, yeah..." replied Ohta, running his fingers through his messy brown hair as he continued on his way. Rukia wore the pants in their relationship, largely because he let her, so unless Rangiku pissed him off, he wouldn't give the buxom blonde the boot outright. If she 'did' end up becoming his subordinate, it would benefit him to conquer or stomach, not just her body and Zanpakuto...
...
..
.
(A/N: Ohta doesn't mind 'investing,' but Rukia is clearly the one thinking ahead in their relationship xD...)

Chapter 64: Frigid Temperament