Byakuya's POV
"Despite my clear distaste for the idea, I have been told that you will be accompanying Jushiro to the world of the living. You will behave yourself, listen to him and not jeopardize the mission. You'll be meeting him tomorrow morning at first light so I suggest you have an early night. Dismissed" I nodded and bowed respectfully, as I should. I knew this would happen at some point, it was only a matter of time even though I'm not considered ready for any assignments.
As soon as I returned home I was handed a stack of papers to read before tomorrow. Not that I was bothered by it, it gave me something to do while I had freetime. While reading a few of the pages I gathered we were going to be investigating the hollow activity, which had increased suddenly in a certain town called Karakura. I'd not heard of it before. There were a few individuals that I would personally be keeping an eye on, because of the apparent rumor of their spiritual energy, meanwhile Jushiro would be dealing with the more advanced tasks. Whatever that meant was beyond me, not that it really mattered much. I expect it would be the more combat focused tasks since I'm still young, so I would be forbidden to do tasks like that at the moment. "Master Byakuya, Captain Ukitake is here to see you" I turned around to see Kaiya at my door with Jushiro in tow. "Thank you, I thought I would be seeing you tomorrow Captain" He smiled at me and laughed a little. "Indeed, but I thought I'd come and see how you're doing, after all it's your first assignment outside soul society" It amazes me how someone can be so considerate. "It shouldn't be too bad, after all I have you with me anyway just in case something goes wrong" He nodded and smiled again. "Don't let Gineri get to you, he's just worried is all, I know what he said to you earlier and it sounded worse than he meant it, honestly. Make sure to get a good night's rest, you've got a busy day tomorrow" He waved at me and took his leave, for once I decided to take someone else's advice and got into bed to try and get some sleep.
The next morning I woke up feeling exhausted, I also had a strange dream involving a girl, although I have no idea who she is which made it even more unusual. I did consider talking to my grandfather about it but it seemed more hassle than it was worth so I decided to just try and forget about it. The thing that was bugging me is that she was a soul reaper. I knew the vast majority due to my family and myself being one already, the fact we also seemed very close irritated me… Surely I must know her if that's the case. No matter. I have more important things to worry about right now. "Morning, don't look too happy now will you kiddo? It doesn't hurt to smile every now and then" Forcing a smile was an option but there was little point when it'd be obvious. "You know very well any teenager doesn't smile this early in the morning…" Jushiro looked at me and shook his head. "You're like your father, you know that? I know you probably hear that far too often… Anyway, we'd best be off" Too often isn't the word. I'm constantly being compared to him, regardless of the fact I know nothing about him. It irritates me actually. All I've ever been told is he was a good man who died with dignity, that's all, nothing about my mother either.
"I forgot to mention what I need you to do, as you probably read in the papers, you'll be keeping a close eye on individuals with high spirit energy. However there's only one I want you to focus on, there have been reports that hers is equal to that of some low rank soul reapers. So I've taken the liberty of enrolling you in the school, I hope you like homework Byakuya" School huh? Seems easy enough. "Are you sure I can pass for a student? Aren't there age groups here?" He chuckled and handed me a uniform. "Of course, it's a high school. You're about the right age to be in a second year class so don't worry about it. I've put information about the girl on your desk in your room, take a look over them and you'll start tomorrow. Oh and here- A key to the flat, can't have you waiting around for me every night now can I? There's also a gigai in your room for you to use while we're here" I took the clothes and nodded, retreating to my room to sort out my things. Gigai's without someone using them looked awfully strange. After quickly adjusting to the temporary body, I changed into some night clothes and started reading the papers. Once I saw her picture, I remembered my dream last night, she was the girl. Something's going to happen to her and she'll become a soul reaper. Currently I didn't feel like going to sleep, so I changed into something appropriate to go out in and left quietly. After all, I'm supposed to be supervised so I can't have Jushiro knowing I'm sneaking around this late. The town looked surprisingly nice during at this time, when we arrived it was still light so I card very little, but know I see how beautiful the world of the living can be.
I explored the area around the flats but quickly grew bored and so I decided to venture further. I did make sure to bring a soul candy with me just in case however, I'm not that stupid. As I wandered around, I began to realise the humans are much like us souls, of course that's appropriate but I never realised just how much we had in common until now. Being born in the soul society, I never had the experience of being human. Just as I was looking through a shop window, a girl came and stood beside me. But to my demise it wasn't just any girl, it was the one I would be investigating. "Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you, there are some pretty things here aren't there~" She looked at me with a sheepish grin, I didn't really know what I should say. "There certainly are. Please excuse me, I must be going" Before I could escape she grabbed my sleeve, instantly letting go and blushing madly. "Ah- I'm sorry! It's just- You have a really posh accent, where are you from? You even dress well…" Her question shocked me to say the least. "Somewhere far from here, I've had a strict upbringing…" She still looked very embarrassed which was slightly amusing to me. "I see. Sorry for being so forward. Normally I don't talk to strangers but I feel like I know you… Well ah- I'll let you go now, perhaps we'll meet again" I smiled meekly and nodded, taking my leave swiftly.
By the time I returned, Jushiro was well aware I'd left. "I'm not going to lecture you Byakuya but please at least tell me if you're going to go exploring. At the very least. Even a note suffices, I'm responsible for you and considering you're in line to exceed your grandfather I don't think it wise to be wandering off and possibly getting yourself killed. Get some sleep, you've got an early start tomorrow" I held my tongue and just nodded in reply, getting back into my night clothes and into bed. Being treated like a child feels strange but he's right, it'd be his fault if something went wrong even if it was my doing. Unfortunately I didn't get much sleep, so when it was time for me to start getting ready, I was overly tired. Not including the lack of sleep that I had before we came here either. To my surprise, Jushiro had already left and left me a note reminding me not to do anything without his consent. I grabbed my bag, putting my shoes on and made my way to the school. Luckily I walked past it last night. Even so, I could just follow the other students since there were a large number of them. On the way there, I received many strange looks, I'd wager it was because I kept my hair long and it doesn't seem to be normal here… Especially in comparison to back home.
"Oi. New kid. What's with the ponytail? All guys look like you where you come from ay?" A group of kids came over to me when I reached the school yard, I didn't want to cause trouble on the first day here but if it comes to it… "You gonna answer or what? You mute or deaf?" Two of the guys started chuckling behind who I assumed to be the ringleader of their group. "Neither. I don't associate with low class brutes like yourself, but I'll be happy to teach you a lesson or two about manners" He grabbed the front of my shirt, hauling me upwards a little to look closer at me. "Did your mother teach you to speak like that? Or did they abandon you at some posh-ass school when you started walking?" Speaking ill of me is one thing. But bringing my family into the matter is another. "You dare speak of my parents that way! You haven't a clue so back off and let me go!" Two of the guys acted scared and burst out laughing while the one that held me up just tightened his grip. "Quit acting so tough Michio! Let him go already or you'll have me to deal with!" The girl from last night started walking over and I fell to the floor. "You can't protect someone you don't know Akira, we'll get him eventually when you're not around. In any case new kid, watch your back when you're walking home, got it?" I simply frowned. Resisting the urge to knock him out already. "Sorry about them. They take it upon themselves to scare the new kids whenever one joins. I'm Akira by the way, I forgot to ask your name last night" I stood up, dusting myself off before turning to face her. "Byakuya. So you protect the new students?" Akira giggled and shrugged. "If I don't no-one else will. Besides, I can hold my own against them any day, come on, I'll show you to class. I thought you might be the new kid when I saw you yesterday, it's not everyday I see new faces around here" I picked up my bag and followed alongside her.
The school wasn't as big as I thought it'd be. The classroom was pretty easy to find and everything else was just obvious. "So. Why'd you move here?" She glanced at me briefly, as if looking for an indication that I was listening. "Well- I've got family here. My parents passed away recently so I had to move here with my uncle until I find somewhere else to go" That's the best I can come up with? Really? So stupid! "I see. Sorry for asking…" We stayed silent until the bell for class went.
So the next few months went by like blur. It saddened me actually, to have to leave now… After I'd made a friend. I was worried though, if my dream was in fact a premonition or something, then she was going to die at some point and there's nothing I can do about it. "Hello~ Earth to Byakuya~ Anybody home?~" I snapped out of my thoughts to she Akira giving me concerned look. "Are you okay? You look kinda sad" I looked away from her, trying to think of something to say. How can I tell her that I'll be leaving tomorrow? "There's something I need to tell you. But I'm afraid you'll be upset if I do" She turned my head so I was facing her once more, picking a piece of grass from my hair. "Just tell me. We're friends aren't we? So what if I get upset? I'm a teenage girl so I'll cry over almost everything sometimes" I sat up and looked down at her, realising I might feel more than friendship for this girl. Even though we'd known each other for a short time, it's possible I love her, as much as I may hate to admit it. So telling her this is going to be harder than I thought. "Alright. To put it plainly… I'm leaving. I didn't want to tell you because…" I flinched when she held my hand, I wasn't used to having some touch me, in any form of comfort or affection. "Byakuya. I know what you're trying to say. It's only been about 6 months and it may sound strange but I know how you feel. I also know that despite what I want you can't stay if you have to leave. You'll always be my best friend and my first real crush, take comfort in that and don't worry about me. Plus you have my number so you can call me if you want to. We'll meet again sometime, in this life or the next, trust me" She wrapped her arms round me, holding me tightly as if afraid I'd just disappear. I didn't really know what I should do but I held her close to me. Being attached to someone you haven't known for long is a strange thing and it's going to hurt letting go. "Just don't forget about me will you? There's nothing worse than being forgotten by someone you care about" I shook my head and sighed. "I won't. I couldn't even if I wanted to. I best take you home, it's getting dark-" She put a finger to my lips to silence me, so I stopped talking. "Can't we stay out a little longer? After all, this may be the last time I get to see you, I propose a compromise. In return for leaving me, we go to the festival and have fun, I need at least one nice picture of you~" I smiled and thought about it for a second. "Fine. It's a deal. If I get one of you? Then I'll postpone hometime until 11:30" She pouted and nodded her head.
Jushiro messaged me just as we were on our way to the festival.
I see you've gotten too close to her... I hope you know what you're getting yourself into kiddo. Just be sure to be back here by 12 and I'll keep my mouth shut about it, I might even let you keep the phone. Jushiro.
I sighed quietly, putting it back in my pocket without replying. These past few months have been the hardest but the most enjoyable of my life so far, I sometimes wish I'd been born human, at least then I wouldn't have to leave nor would I have such responsibilities. "Hey! Wipe that grim look off your face will you? Smile, it suits you!" I pushed those thoughts away and focused on the present. As soon as I did crack a smile she took a picture of it, slightly embarrassing but it's not like I smile very often. "Now I have a nice picture of you, not just those mugshots I took" I frowned, taking a picture of her on my phone when she wasn't paying attention. "Who's got mugshots now?" Akira frantically tried to grab my phone to delete it but since I was taller it was hard for her to do so. As the hours went by I began to feel more and more upset, by the time I'd taken her home I was on the verge of tears. Something that very rarely occurs. Although I didn't let her go without one last hug, the next time I'd see her would be when she dies. That's a morbid thought to say the least. But at least she had the potential to become a soul reaper, and a powerful one at that. "Goodbye Akira. Here, I made this for you, so you definitely can't forget me" I tied a rope bracelet round her wrist which held a pendant that I made in it, it not only protects her from hollows but means she won't be detected by any. "Thank you, until next time Byakuya, I'll miss you" I waited until she'd gone inside to take my leave.
"That was touching, you act so coldly in soul society Byakuya, you should act like this at home. Anyway, leave the gigai here and someone will come to collect it, we'd best be off" I took a soul candy and stepped out of the gigai, feeling free at last but I still looked up at Akira's window, mainly to make sure she didn't see anything but also because it's the last time I'll see it for many years. "I'm ready"