Rain, Forgive Me

Chapter One: Disappear with the wind, my fleeting recognition

Whispering lights flickered around her and caused a pattern of shadows to develop on her body. Red strands floated in front of her view. They waved from side to side as if they were ribbons grasping for the light source ahead. Or possibly, the crimson hair strands were reaching out for oxygen.

Dense waves coursed around her small and fragile body making her almost unconscious self to be tossed around like a rag doll. But as soon as some of the waves had arrived, they quickly disappeared. This left the water still. And again, she was left descending downward into blackness getting farther from the light.

She was the one who had stirred up the currents by the force of her impact against the surface of the water. She was to blame for disrupting the peace. Where did this leave her? Fifteen feet below the surface and sinking lower by the second. Her arms tried to deny this fact by reaching out for the surface which was her salvation. They stretched out beyond her.

But more terrifying to her at the moment, more than the thought of sinking lower into the water or not getting air, was the water itself. She was petrified of it. Maybe the theory of drowning made her fear deepen. She hated every second that she was in the thick liquid.

The young woman saw blurred images from past the surface. It was like looking into a broken mirror because the shapes were distorted and tinted a shade of blue. Even though the scene was hard to recognize, she knew what was going on. For it had only been a few moments before, when she was standing on the edge of land. The edge of hope. But now she plummeted into her darkest nightmare.

The image above her had no relevance at all when she suddenly felt a pain in her chest. Her mouth fell agape from the pain. This let in the salty water into her throat in which she was surrounded by. She regretted it immediately. The pain from her chest was the pain of her lungs not breathing. They desperately needed air! Her blood was full of carbon dioxide and needed oxygen to cleanse it.

Could she have swum up? Yes she could have, but she was too scared to move. She only moved her hand higher to the light. She wanted to pull herself up with her thoughts but obviously couldn't. Her loose hand formed into a fist. Then, the fear consumed her at last, and she let out a scream.


Youth sprang from the cherry trees. They were in mid blossom. Pink, crisp, and flowering petals that looked so pretty seemed to have a mind of their own in the currents of the chilly breeze. They loved to dance around the people they came across as if to say, "Welcome to spring!" Such a wonderful greeting they gave. Some people however, hardly gave a thought to the lively petals. One such person was out this day walking in the Seireitei. He would never give the trees a second glance.

And although the breeze would tug on his jet black kimono; the sun would glare off his face, and the petals would dance around him, he would shrug them away from his thoughts. It wasn't because this man was heartless. It was because this man was on a mission.

His important mission, this fine spring day, was to turn in lieutenant's paper work to his captain. A very important task indeed but he did not see it as a good thing. He thought it was boring. In any case, he was a new Lieutenant and he couldn't simply shrug off paper work no matter how much he disliked it.

The man took in a deep breath as he saw the building approaching from beyond the horizon. He held tightly to the papers in his hands. His legs moved at a steady pace. This brought him closer to his destination.

"Here goes nothing." He said as he slid open the bamboo door. He was hoping he wasn't late. He paused at the front of the room waiting for recognition and approval to go in.

"Come." Said the captain who was sitting at a dark oak desk, doing paperwork. The lieutenant entered into the quiet atmosphere.

The ink brush under the dark haired captain's control began to write. Then it paused. He glanced up at the other man with his violet coal eyes.

"Captain Kuchiki," The lieutenant began to say in a respectful voice. "I have the documents you asked for."

"Did you finish them, Abari?" His captain asked as he continued to write.

"Yes sir." Renji Abari, the lieutenant, answered.

"Leave them on my desk." Instructed the captain without another word. Renji did so, placing the papers on the desk before him. Cool light came in from the multiple windows and gave the room a soft glow. A natural feel.

Many bookshelves lined the walls along with a grandfather clock. It was rimmed with gold and had the same matching pendent swinging inside its glass case. Renji could tell it was smooth to the touch with just a glance.

Then came the clock's noble chiming. The bells ring was more powerful than others he had heard but he was glad that he didn't own such a disturbing clock. The chimes signaled that it was four o'clock in the evening.

Byakuya Kuchiki looked at the clock. His eyes searched it.

"What is it?" Renji noticed the simple gesture.

"Have the third seat and the new recruit returned from their mission?" He inquired showing no emotion as usual.

Renji focused, "No, not yet." He answered.

"They should have finished an hour ago." Captain Kuchiki stated. He didn't expect a reply from the lieutenant, he didn't need one. He knew well enough what could have happened to them.


Her high pitched scream was no use under the crushing water. The sound was no louder than a mumble and was instantly engulfed by bubbles. There was not a sound on the surface.

Hopelessness filled her. Her arms made an attempt to swim up. They thrashed about but it was too late. She didn't have enough strength to make it to the top anymore. All the thrashing only made her sink more.

The light from ahead was no longer visible because she had sunk so deep into the lake. Or perhaps, the light faded because she was losing consciousness.

The woman hadn't thought her life would end like this. In the thing she hated the most. It was truly entrapping and despairing. She thought of how she ended up here in the first place.

"That hallow." Her thoughts told her. The thought also answered the question as to where she had received the cuts on her back. She couldn't feel their sting anymore because she was going numb.

She had been on patrol with the third seat of squad six. She was fairly new to the squad and had to be looked after when she was on a mission. Most of the time, she was looked after by the third seat, whom she'd forgotten the name of.

They had run across a hallow. One stronger than she had ever seen. It took out the unexpecting third seat with one blow! This had left her with the impossible task of protecting their lives.

By the looks of where she was now, reality hit her. She had failed. Both of their lives were going to end today.

She couldn't stand the pain of not being able to breathe, anymore. Her lifeless body hit the lake bottom. She felt coldness, blackness consume her. She felt her wounds sting once more. Then she felt nothing at all.


"Do you want me to go check things out?" Renji offered.

"Yes, they were last patrolling near the East gate". Byakuya Kuchiki informed.

The red headed lieutenant gave a nod and disappeared out of the office in the blink of an eye. His speed left the office papers floating on the ground in a mess. The captain breathed out as he left his desk to pick up the papers.

Meanwhile, Renji was flash stepping to the East gate. His hair pinned up with a yarn like tie. Each time he strutted forward, gusts of air would threaten to knock off his shades which were placed on his forehead.

His thoughts wondered what had happened to them. "They're probably just late. It's only been an hour since they were supposed to return. Maybe they stopped to eat dinner or something." But his carefree demeanor had another side. A caring one; one that told him to worry. "I swear if they're goofing off…"

Only a few minutes had passed and he had made it to the closest of the four gates from the sixth division. The East gate. The guards there recognized him immediately.

"Lieutenant Abari." They bowed their heads.

One looked up at him, "What can we do for you?"

"Just open the gate." He said nonchalantly. Sometimes people greeting him so formally annoyed him.

"Yes sir!" They began to use a pulley system that opened the heavy gate.

"Thanks." He said. He could suddenly feel the reiatsu of the two missing members. They were weak. He ran towards where the spiritual pressure derived from.

The scene before him gave him more than enough answers as to what had happened. Trees were fallen over. Shards of bark were scattered on the ground. Grass was torn from its roots, leaving mud. There was a few large foot prints. "Hallows.." He whispered.

Hidden under tree branches, was the third seat. Renji ran to him and knelt down next to him. He cleared away some of the branches.

"N-no!" The third seat mumbled.

"What? What is it?" Renji helped the wounded third seat sit up.

The man only pointed towards the near bye lake, trembling, "S-save her." He could barely say.

Renji knew the third seat would be okay for the moment. He left the much shorter man there and went to the lake.

A deep red blood trail led to the water and a zanpakuto rested on the edge. Half in the water and half in the mud. He wasted no time and dove into the water.

The water was cold but he ignored the stinging on his once warm skin. He swam downward looking for the new recruit. He found her on the bottom of the lake, which wasn't too far under. He swam faster, his muscles kept him going.

He grabbed the body and resurfaced. "Riina..."


Her eyes shot open. Instantly, she sat up and coughed out water. She panted heavily, thankful for the air.

She widened her eyes in surprise when she noticed she was on land. She placed her hands down at her sides and felt the thick mud around her. Blood was still on the ground along with her zanpakuto. She grabbed it.

Suddenly, she felt her body being hoisted up into the air. The world spun around and finally stopped when she was looking down at the ground six feet away. She was being carried.

"You two stay awake now." She heard a deep voice. She recognized it. Lieutenant Renji's.

The third seat and herself were flung over each of his shoulders.

Riina opened her mouth to say something but only mumbling came out. She clicked her tongue against her teeth and tried again, "R-Renji?"

"Atta girl, stay awake this time." He laughed. Riina had no idea what he was talking about, maybe she had passed out or something.

Being flung over someone's shoulder was uncomfortable, that's all she knew at the time being.


Renji's arms were occupied by the two bodies. He had trained his muscles well enough so they weren't heavy to him. Besides that, the two shinigami that he carried were both short and light weight. He had slung them over and wrapped his arms around their inner knees to keep them from falling over.

He felt the red headed girl shift, apparently trying to move. Then he heard her mumbling voice, "P-put me d-down!" She demanded.

"No can do." Renji said. "You can't walk by yourself so just shut up and enjoy the ride."

He heard a heavy sigh come from her.

He made it past the East gate and went to squad four. He was sure that they could take care of everything.


Bright sunlight streamed in through the window. A slight draft joined in as well because the window was cracked open. The sun was beginning to set. Riina could tell by looking out the clear glass opening in the wall. She sat up in the bed groggily. It had only been a few hours since the 'accident'.

She felt her side and her back. The injuries were healed. She then noticed someone else in the room. "M-Matsumoto? How long have you been there?" Riina gasped and felt that her privacy had been violated.

"I told you to call me Rangiku, didn't I? And not very long." Her bright orange hair seemed brighter in the afternoon sun. She also looked taller than usual, but that was just because Riina was sitting on the hospital bed.

Riina flung off the white sheets that covered her, this exposed her bare feet. She swung them over the side of the bed. "Yeah, yeah. Rangiku." Riina repeated as she always did when she made the mistake of addressing the lieutenant by her last name.

"So, what happened?" Rangiku asked.

Riina scuffed her nose at the memory, "Nothing. A hallow just got the best of me." She stared down at the ground. She slowly placed her feet to the cold ground. She added her weight slightly to her feet allowing her to stand up.

"Don't be too hard on yourself; you're just a beginner soul reaper." She encouraged.

"Are you always this bubbly?" Riina wanted to ask but from what she had experienced over the past few months, was that the answer was yes. Rangiku was definitely an excitable one but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

Riina felt the woman put a hand on her head. Rangiku had placed her hand there, not to comfort the girl, but to fix her messy bed hair.

Riina swatted her hand away, "Hey!"

Rangiku only giggled, "I'm trying to fix it Riina-chan!"

Riina rolled her eyes. "Since when did she start calling me 'chan' anyway?" She sighed. Then she took a step closer to the taller woman and turned around. "Alright fine." Riina pouted but then smiled a little, "Rangiku, the woman tends to be able to do whatever she wants."

Rangiku patted down the small girl's hair until it looked just right, although she didn't have a comb, she was still able to fix up her hair. Two long red strands were on each side of her face along with two curls that stretched out past her ears. This style was similar to Soi Fon's, the captain of the second squad. Along with side bangs that almost covered her left eye, her hair was almost finished. Lastly, Rangiku put the rest of her hair into the usual ponytail and tied it up with a colorful scrunchy.

"Thank you, Matsu… Rangiku." Riina fixed her error. She had to look upwards to see the woman's face. Rangiku was so much taller than her. Matsumoto was 5 foot 7 inches while Riina was a mere 4 foot 11 inches.

Rangiku's baby blue eyes sparkled, "You're feeling better now right? Then you have to join me and Izuru for a drink!" She bounced up happily and grabbed Riina's arm.

"I have to be up early tomorrow, maybe some other time." Riina got her arm loose of Rangiku's grip.

"You always say 'some other time'!" Rangiku whined.

Riina had said that, admittedly more than twice. She didn't want to be rude to the Lieutenant but Riina really hated sake. The smell itself made her want to vomit. So she'd simply answer her with 'some other time'. Though after a while, Riina considered just telling Rangiku to stop asking because it would get rather annoying. Riina walked over to the corner of the room where her sandals and socks were.

Rangiku gasped out of nowhere, "Izuru probably started without me, that weasel!" She ran out of the room in a rush, leaving a gust of air.

But she was back quickly and placed her head around the doorway, "Join us later if you ca-an!" She said the word 'can'. Then she gave a wave and was gone for good this time.

Riina also noticed that her zanpakuto was in the corner. She picked it up and put it into her sheath.

She had on her sandals by now and took the short way out of the barracks, which was through the window. Her feet padded against the soft green grass as she jumped out of the window. The air was refreshing. And she took a long inhale before running to the squad 6 barracks.

It took her a very long time to get there even though the squad four barracks are the closest to the squad six barracks. It had been a rough day and all she wanted to do was sleep. She made it to her room by sundown. She went through the door and saw that she had left the lanterns lit from this morning, oops. "Well it didn't cause a fire, so..." She closed her door and went to her drawer. She took out her pajamas. Which was a dark midnight blue kimino. It had white swirly designs on the bottom but besides that was very bland and light weight. It was comfortable enough to sleep in. Besides that, she didn't own many clothes.

She went into the bathroom to wash her face, brush her teeth, and etc. She looked into the mirror as she slipped off her black kimono to reveal a tank top underneath. She pulled down the center of the shirt revealing it in the middle of her chest right where her heat was located. She fully undressed and started the shower, not giving it another thought.

Finally, she was in bed. She opened her curtains so she could look out to the moon before she drifted to sleep. She closed her eyes minutes later and could swear that she felt the moon's light on her skin. Then she fell asleep.


The zanpakuto at her side reflected the light and shone it off the wall. It was attached to her sheath that was a white belt around her waist. Riina had her hands on her hips and a frown plastered on her face. Her maroon eyes were narrowed in anger.

"Why can't I join the team?" She demanded.

The captain of the sixth company sat before her at his comfortable desk. No longer able to concentrate on his paperwork, he looked her in the eyes. "Asuka, you had your chance to defeat that hallow and you fai.."

Riina Asuka interrupted, "Yes sir, I know I failed. Give me a second chance, come on!" She said. "I just have to get rid of that stupid hallow. I'm going to kill it if it's the last thing I do!"

"I already said no." Byakuya Kuchiki didn't like to be interrupted. Then he straightened papers on his desk.

Riina opened her mouth to say something further but decided against it. "Yes... sir." She bowed respectfully. Then she swung her foot around causing her to face the opposite direction, towards the door.

As soon as she exited the room, she half slammed the sliding door behind her. Her fists were clenched. She began to run.

It had only been yesterday that the encounter with the hallow had happened. It was one of the worst so far. This morning she had intended to kill that hallow but seeing as though her captain wouldn't let her go on the search team he had dispatched, the dream of getting revenge began to fade.

Or so you would think… Riina ran fast to the last known location of the hallow, the east gate.

The thought of getting in trouble for her actions was in the back of her mind. She ran faster trying to feel any reiatsu at all. She made it past the east gate with no trouble and ran through the familiar forest area.

Then she felt it like a sudden wave, the spiritual pressure! It was close by.

"Gahh!" A deep pained yell escaped from her lips. She rolled on the ground form the pressure of the hit. She stopped rolling only to look up furiously at the being.

White skeleton, a large being, it's mask was decorated with red and blue spots. Claws came out of its bony fingers and a long tail was attached to its body. Its teeth were large and it was hungry for the taste of shinigami souls.

Riina got up and wiped her bloody mouth.

"What's a matter, soul reaper?" it laughed in a deep voice. The spiritual pressure coming up from it was so immense that the ground shaped beneath its claws. "Are you giving up already?"

Riina ran full pace at her zanpakuto, which had been knocked out of her hand from the monster. The sword was close, but the hallow had predicted that she would try to go and get it. It swung its arm at her. The young shinigami jumped, avoiding the attack, she hit the ground and slid towards her sword.

She was only an inch away from retrieving it when she was flung backwards. The hallow had her in its hands.

Riina squirmed just enough to get her arms free of its grip. She called out, "Bakudo 33, red flame cannon!" She had her palms facing the hallow. "Please work!"

The attack missed completely and even if it had reached its target, it was too weak to do any harm. The hallow laughed, "You're weaker than last time!"

"Shut your mouth!" She yelled over its laughter. She struggled more to get out of its hand but to no avail. Riina felt its grip get tighter and she let out a groan of pain.

"It's over for you, reaper." It said.

"N-not yet!" Riina yelled back then she closed her eyes. She got her spiritual pressure to flare up in great amounts. Her spiritual pressure resembled white flames, they engulfed the being's hand and made it roar because the pressure burned its hand.

The hallow dropped her. She hit the ground running. She dove to her zanpakuto and got it in her grasp. She rolled out of the way of an oncoming blow. The hallow's arm missed.

Riina jumped up and faced her enemy. The glare off the shiny blade momentarily blinded it. Now was her chance to attack. She pounced into the air and brought down the sword on the hallow's arm. It screeched.

The hallow was scrunched over in front of her. It was bleeding purplish blood by the gallons.

Riina breathed heavily, feeling the weight of the sword in her hands. She smiled at the small victory. Then she felt the ground shake.

"Haha!" The hallow laughed again. "I didn't even feel that!"

Riina was about to say something when the hallow struck her with its tail. This flung her body into a tree.

"You soul reapers are always so reckless. You talk too much too." He said. "That's why when I'm done with you, I'm heading back to the world of the living."

Riina coughed. She glared up at the monster. "What're you talking about?" She gripped her zanpakuto tighter. It was a miracle she had held unto it.

"Humans. Much easier to kill and non-talkative. Sometimes you get lucky and eat one with as much spiritual pressure as a soul reaper." It answered.

"…you've eaten human souls?" Her eyes looked down at the ground now.

"So many that I've lost count. They taste so good. I love it when they squirm and scream helplessly, it makes them taste even better." Its loud booming voice chuckled.

Riina rose to her feet. She gripped her sword with both hands. "..how dare you." She whispered. Her voice was deadly. "How dare you!" She lifted her raging face. She gripped her sword tighter. This time her voice seemed as lethal as acid.

White spiritual pressure lit the area. "Dissipate Genkaku shoujou!" She beckoned her shikai.

Her sword turned black and then steamed into the air. Like a black cloud ascending. The sword was gone and only the heath was left. The black cloud in the air began to disappear as well. It dissipated.


A white cloak was over his black kimono. The breeze wisped around him. He was out on the patio of one of his gardens. It was beautiful and serene. Everything was a shade of green and what garden would be complete without some flowers. They contrasted nicely with the green.

A stream could be heard nearby. It was a peaceful surrounding. But then the captain noticed a particular butterfly. It had black and red wings, a hell butterfly.

He stuck out his hand and it landed on his finger.

"Captain Kuchiki." Came a loud voice that derived from the butterfly.

"Have you made any progress?" Kuchiki's voice was deep.

"I've just been informed that there are strong spiritual pressures near us at the East gate. We're going to check it out."

With that, the butterfly flew off. Leaving peaceful surroundings once again.


By the time the search team had arrived to the area, the battled was over.

They looked at the large hallow who was disintegrating into the atmosphere. It had left a huge dent in the ground.

Then they saw the shinigami responsible for killing the beast. A little girl, Riina. She was standing in a striking position with her zanpakuto out stretched. Her head lowered.

She jerked her head up. Red hair flowed in the same direction. She glared at them as if ready to attack but then her face softened. She placed her zanpakuto in her sheath and walked away without a word.


"What were you thinking?" Renji demanded as he escorted the now 'criminal' girl.

They were walking towards the squad six captain's office. The trail leading there was so beautiful. The Kuchiki clan had a lot of money and sure knew how to use it. Riina caught a cherry tree petal as it fell from the branches above.

"I had to kill it." She said. "It almost killed me yesterday, and I needed to get revenge."

Renji fell silent knowing that he probably would have done the same actions. His eyes narrowed a bit.

Riina held unto the petal with her thumb and index finger. It was smooth and slightly damp. She let it go, letting it drift into the breeze.

But she frowned as the breeze stopped blowing and the petal was left dive bombing towards the ground. It crashed and crumpled. Riina sighed, was she going to be like that petal? Had her lucky breeze just run out and she was heading for a crash? Only time would tell.

They had reached the captain's office.

"Good luck, you're gonna need it." He said.

Riina opened the door. It was noon by now and the lighting in the room was adequate. She bowed, "Captain Kuchiki."

"What could have possibly possessed you to defy a direct order?" The captain wasted no time.

"I needed to kill that hallow!" Riina said louder than she should have. She quieted, "Besides you never said I couldn't look for the hallow on my own."

Byakuya wasn't pleased with this answer, "One week on probation. You will only run small errands."

Riina looked off to the side. She frowned but knew that she deserved the punishment, "Yes sir."

"You may leave." He gave permission and she left outta there as soon as she could.


"So what happened?" Renji asked later that day.

"…don't ask." Riina narrowed her eyes. She didn't want to talk about it. "Looking on the bright side I get to be lazy for a few days." Riina smiled and swung her arms a little.

Suddenly there was a loud grumbling sound.

Renji looked around, "A hallow?"

"Not quite." Riina said with her hand on her stomach. "It's just me."

Renji burst out laughing, "What do you have in there? A dog?"

"No, I'm just hungry!" Riina snapped back. Her hand was still on her mid section.

"You better get something to eat before someone thinks there's a hallow in your stomach." Renji laughed.

Soon after that they departed ways and Riina got something to eat. She wasn't looking forward to the week ahead of her on probation. But it's not like she did anything except run small errands for squad six anyway. It was like her main job. It was really boring too.

Riina headed to her room. The day was at an end. There was a slight breeze that made the night chilly. The stars were brighter tonight than last night. She was about to open the door when she felt something. It was cold… cold spiritual pressure? She twirled around because she recognized it immediately. But just as she turned around, it was gone.

"It was probably just a breeze." She thought. Maybe it was… or maybe someone was there.