The Good Life
Part 1: Training Day
It was very ironic that I actually started to write this story about Rukia trying to become a Vice Captain just a week before the character became a Vice Captain in the manga.
Reviews are very welcome ^^
It was morning in Seireitei as Byakuya and his sister Rukia were having breakfast in their estate dining room. The two sat across from each other at the large dining table eating in easy silence. After a while Rukia looked up from her plate.
"Brother, I heard yesterday that Gotei 13 was creating a list of candidates for tryouts to help fill the captain and vice captain vacancies in the 3rd and 5th Divisions."
"Yes," Her brother replied in his usual monotone voice. "I was the one who helped draft the proposal."
Ever since the Winter War, those two nearly leaderless Divisions had been picked clean, manpower wise to strengthen Gotei 13's remaining Divisions. The worse offender was the 2nd Division but for a good reason, Sui-Feng's people suffered the most casualties because they were on the frontlines to defend the Soul Society and needed the replacements to strengthen their thinning ranks quickly. Now, with the Winter War behind them, it was decided to get those two neglected Divisions back up and running immediately. The best way to do that was with tryouts within the ranks of Gotei 13 and let the strongest and smartest determine the winner. The only thing required was that the candidate must have achieved Shikai for a vice captain's position and Bankai for a captain's.
"I wish to add my name as a candidate for one of the vice captain positions." Rukia announced softly.
"You are a young woman and you no longer need my permission." He finally admitted.
"I know brother."
"But you must realize there are only two vice captain openings and you have no seated position. You will also be facing dozens of competitors. It will be difficult."
"Yes brother, but I wish to try, regardless." Rukia said and she watched as her brother gave her a thoughtful look.
"Do you have a plan?"
She shook her head. "Not yet."
"You only have a month to prepare before the tryouts start. I do not have the time or the 'ability' to train you before that date. However, if you are determined, there is one person who can help you. I would suggest you seek out Yoruichi Shihoin."
He caught his sister's surprised look and he gave the smallest of shrugs. "I may call into the question of her character but her skills are beyond reproach. She can teach you much but all I ask is that you do not pick up any of her 'habits'. Besides, considering what she did for training Ichigo, you should do just as well in half the time."
Rukia smiled warmly. "Thank you brother, your support means much to me."
Byakuya merely nodded his head in acknowledgment, satisfied that his sister now had what she needed now to accomplish her goal.
For the longest time, Byakuya had been quietly using his influence to keep Rukia in the lower ranks so she could be safe. If she should receive any promotion, it would put her in greater danger. Captains, Vice Captains and Seat Officers led out in front, that's how it is. Lately, he was having second thoughts in that wisdom. His last interference cost Rukia the vice captain position in the 13th Division but instead of being devastated for being looked over again, she worked and trained even harder.
Now here she is again, trying to grasp the opportunity for a promotion in one of the other Divisions. He was proud of her determination and at the same time, ashamed of himself for sabotaging her career. Where is the pride in that? He had to face the fact, he couldn't always protect her and he must stand aside and let her grow up.
However, if he had his way, he would send her to anyone but Yoruichi but he was forced to admit, she was the best mentor for her to learn from.
Suddenly, Byakuya briefly frowned. "One thing I must warn you about Yoruichi. She will invite you to play the game of tag."
"Tag?" Rukia questioned.
A little later at the Seireitei cafeteria, seated at a far off table by themselves, two people were having a private and slightly confusing conversation over breakfast.
"What is this thing called again?" Sui Feng asked as she lifted another piece of fish to her mouth.
"An aeroplane or as more simply put, a flying machine." Yoruichi explained over her plate of noodles.
The Chinese woman chewed and swallowed her food. "And they have this thing called a helie-chopper?"
"Helicopter," Yoruichi helped. "It can fly straight up."
Sui Feng looked baffled. "Why do they have two different flying machines?"
"Well, each one can handle different functions but the aeroplane needs a big area to land and take off while the helicopter requires just a small clearing."
"Sounds like the helicopter is the superior, why not just use that?"
"Because the aeroplane can carry more weight."
"Then build a bigger helicopter."
Yoruichi laughed. "It doesn't work that way."
"Why not?"
The golden eyed woman threw her hands up. "Got me there. Kisuke can probably answer that better than I can."
The two went back to eating for a minute when Sui Feng looked up again. "Yoruichi-sama, why are you telling me so much about the World of the Living lately?"
The woman across from her answered with a sincere smile. "I would like to show it to you someday, properly."
The Chinese woman looked excited. "Just me and you?"
"Like Thelma and Louise, except the part of running from the authorities and driving off the cliff together."
"Yoruichi-sama?"
"Yes?"
"What are you talking about again?"
The older woman giggled. "Sorry, it's a movie. I'll show it to you sometime."
Sui Feng grinned as she stirred the pile of rice next to her pieces of fish with her chopsticks. "I would like that."
"Then it's a date."
The two women exchanged smiles as they resumed eating again. A few moments went by when a smirking Yoruichi started eyeing the food on the Chinese woman's plate.
Why not?
In flash, with her chopsticks, the golden eyed woman snatched a piece of fish from Sui Feng's plate. Yoruichi used to steal food off her plate when she was younger over a century ago causing the Chinese woman to look up in confusion.
However, the woman across from Sui Feng looked completely innocent like nothing happened, even as she chewed and swallowed the evidence.
Sui Feng glanced at Yoruichi's plate and with her chopsticks, she seized several noodles and popped them in her mouth. When Yoruichi looked at her surprised, she merely shrugged as she chewed.
"What?" A smug Sui Feng said.
Before they knew it, they each started retaliating, eating from each other's plate, laughing and giggling quietly.
"Actually, the fish tastes pretty good today." Yoruichi commented happily.
Sui Feng nodded. "The noodles aren't half bad either. What are these dark things sticking to them?"
"Tiny bits of beef."
As Sui Feng turned pale, Yoruichi chuckled. "Relax, it's chopped up pieces of mushrooms. I know you hate meat and are a true lover of fish." She finished with a wink and the Chinese woman soon started to blush.
It was then they spotted Rukia approaching their table. "Sui Feng-taicho," The petite woman said and politely bowed to them. "Yoruichi-san."
The Captain of the 2nd Division nodded back in acknowledgment and Yoruichi smiled warmly. "Hello, Rukia. What can we do for you?"
The small woman smiled hesitantly to Yoruichi. "You probably heard by now that they're forming a list of candidates for vice captain positions in the 3rd and 5th Divisions. I wish to add my name to it and I would be grateful if you could help me to prepare."
"You are competing for a vice captain's position?" Sui Feng commented. "You are very bold and smart enough to know who to approach for help. I wish you well."
"Uh, thank you, taicho." Rukia was surprised by the encouragement considering the last time they exchanged words was when Sui Feng put her through a wall when she tried to protect Ichigo from her.
"Is your brother okay with me training you?" Yoruichi asked.
"He actually told me to seek you out."
Yoruichi and Sui Feng looked at each other in surprise. Byakuya told his sister to seek Yoruichi out? The former captain was surprised beyond words. She could count dozens of instructors capable of training Rukia but her brother suggested her. She felt… well very confused and touched.
"Then I would be honoured to be your teacher. As I understand, these tryouts start in a month, we should start immediately. I say tomorrow morning at a place of your choosing"
"Can we meet at our family estate?" When Yoruichi agreed, Rukia was all smiles. "I will be waiting for you in the morning. Thank you."
With a slight bow to the two women, Rukia left them to finish their breakfast.
"What are her chances?" Sui Feng quietly asked Yoruichi. The Captain knew Rukia but they were far from friends, especially after she put her through that wall when Rukia dared to stop her from apprehending Ichigo.
"I can't say but she has talent. I'll know more tomorrow when I get to see her up close." Yoruichi shrugged and it was the truth. She never had a chance to witness Rukia's full potential and she was looking forward to it. She loved teaching.
"Does this mean you are planning to spend a lot of time with her?" The Chinese woman asked.
"Why Sui Feng, is that a hint of jealously I'm detecting?" The goddess teased.
The Captain blushed. "No, it's just… It's hard enough to see each other as it is."
"Its okay, Sui Feng and it'll be only for a month," Yoruichi assured her. "Besides, it's not like I have a thing for petite women with dark hair who wield swords."
If Yoruichi meant that as a joke, Sui Feng did not laugh.
Early the next morning at the Kuchiki estate, Byakuya greeted Yoruichi at the front entrance.
"Shihoin," Byakuya said. "Rukia is waiting for you out back at the training yard."
The gold eyed woman flashed that cocky grin of hers at him. "Nice to see you too Byakuya. Your sister is aiming high for a vice captain's position."
"You would be correct," Byakuya replied. "She will be pleased to see you."
Rukia was out in the spacious training area of their estate performing a series of complex manoeuvres with her katana to help pass the time while she waited for Yoruichi. The sword blade sliced delicate arches through the air as the long white ribbon attached to the end of the hilt followed Rukia's every move in beautiful twirling and coiling patterns.
She was not wearing her Soul Reapers uniform, instead dressed in a white, sleeveless practice outfit. Rukia continued as she leapt high in the air, slashing her weapon as imagery targets before landing. She slowly stood up, giving her weapon one last twirl before sheathing it.
It was then she heard someone clapping their hands in applause.
"That was beautiful, Rukia," Yoruichi said as she and Byakuya stepped into the training area from a line of trees. "It was like watching a dancer at work."
"Yoruichi-san," Rukia blushed slightly. "Thank you for coming."
"Of course," The golden eye woman smiled. "You asked after all. Are you ready?"
Rukia nodded.
"If you need nothing further I'll leave you two alone," Byakuya spoke in a reserved tone as he turned to go. "I'll see to it that one of the servants bring you some refreshments."
When her brother left, Yoruichi slowly approached Rukia and walked in a full circle around her. She didn't move but the young woman felt like a little canary being eyed by a cat. Now facing her, Yoruichi stared at the petite woman before her.
"In order to train you properly, I must know what I have to work with," Yoruichi said. "I want to see the extent of your skills in Zanjitsu, Hakuda, Hoho, Kido and Shikai. Are you ready?"
Rukia just nodded.
The golden eyed woman smiled. "Then let's begin."
It went on for almost an hour. Rukia exhausted every spell and form of attack she had and all the while Yoruichi just watched, gauging her. When she unleashed another attack from her sword firing off a column of ice, Yoruichi shouted.
"Enough!"
Rukia sheathed her sword as her teacher approached. "Is something wrong?"
"Yes there is," Yoruichi said a little irate. "Right now you have the raw talent to be a vice captain with little difficultly but yet you are not even a seated officer. Why?"
"I…" Rukia hesitated before shaking her head. "I don't know."
She's lying, Yoruichi thought. Can't be anymore obvious than that but I won't push it, although I hate secrets.
"Does this mean you don't what to help me now?" Rukia's asked quietly. Her eyes filled with an unreadable emotion.
"No, I will help you," Yoruichi promised. "Your skills with a sword are strong, so I won't worry about that. Your kido is impressive but I have a few things I can teach to give you a leg up but more importantly I would like to sharpen your hand to hand technique and work on your flash step."
Relieved, Rukia nodded in agreement. "Where should we start, Yoruichi-san?"
"Well," The goddess considered their location for a moment. "I don't think your brother will appreciate us destroying his backyard with kido. I've got a better location for that, so let's start with some hand to hand sparring. Prepare!"
Rukia nodded and assumed a defensive stance.
"We will take turns attacking and defending," Yoruichi instructed, readying her own defensive stance. "You will attack me first and don't stop until I say so. Ready? Begin!"
Knowing who she was facing, Rukia attacked and didn't hold back. She threw everything she had at Yoruichi but none of her punches or kicks could reach her. The Goddess of Flash either blocked them or dodged with such speed that it made her feel like she was standing still. After five minutes of nonstop attacking, Rukia was nearly exhausted after giving it her all.
"Enough!" Yoruichi held up her hand, signalling for Rukia to stop. "Now it is my turn."
Catching her breath, Rukia took a defensive stance and prepared herself for the eventual onslaught.
"Are you ready?" Her teacher asked.
With eyes focused on her opponent, the smaller woman merely nodded.
"We begin now."
One moment she was looking at Yoruichi then in the next she was knocked down flat on her back. She didn't even see her move! Immediately, Rukia jumped back up to face her teacher again before having her legs swept out from under her. Again, Rukia hopped to her feet only to be knocked down once more. No matter what she did, Rukia was outclassed by Yoruichi's sheer speed alone. Frustration and anger was building as she was knocked down again and again but Rukia remained calm and in control. She refused to give up.
After impacting the ground for what felt like the hundredth time, Yoruichi stopped. "Good."
"Good about what?" Rukia breathed hard as she stood up once more, refusing to lower her defences, for all it did to help her. "I couldn't stop you from hitting me once."
"But you didn't give up or lose your temper." Yoruichi said with a warm smile.
"You were testing me?"
The taller woman nodded, pleased with her new student. "Now with that question answered, I can properly begin training you."
Several hours of intensive combat training later…
"This was a very productive day." Yoruichi declared as they start walking away from the training yard. "You are a quick learner. Just remember in a fight, it's better to act than react."
"I will remember and thank you Yoruichi-san," Rukia said politely to her teacher.
"There is one last thing I would like to do," Yoruichi said thoughtfully. "But only if you are up to it?"
"What is it?"
Slowly, Yoruichi sauntered up to the petite woman, grinning devilishly before the golden eyed woman playfully slapped her on the right shoulder shouting. "Tag, you are it!" Before flash stepping away.
Rukia suddenly looked around confused. "What? I don't understand?"
She waited for a response before calling out again. "Yoruichi, where are you?"
After a few more moments, she shouted out once more. "Please Yoruichi, what are you doing?"
Suddenly, Rukia heard Yoruichi's voice behind her. "You are kidding, right? Is this a trick? You don't know the game tag!"
The young woman turned to face her. Yoruichi was just ten feet away.
"In case you haven't heard, before I was adopted by Byakuya, I was poor. I didn't have time for children's games while trying to survive. Just finding clean drinking water was a luxury."
"I'm sorry but still…" Yoruichi looked dumbfounded. "No children games? I find that hard to believe…"
"You're calling me a liar," Rukia shouted, looking hurt. "What do you know about being poor? You were a noble, and when you were in exile, you were at least an adult able to look after yourself. Me, it was just my sister and the other kids who were in the same boat."
Yoruichi held up a hand to her. "I didn't mean to call you a liar. It's just..."
Rukia looked away, hugging herself with her arms. Her voice filled with anguish. "I never had a chance to have a childhood, Yoruichi-san. Being young and poor, you tend to be invisible. No one cares and you are treated worse than dirt."
Yoruichi took a step closer, listening.
"I don't like talking about it. It was a hard and unforgiving life." Rukia said sadly before she looked back at her teacher. Yoruichi could she her face was stained with tears. The older woman was almost heartbroken by the sight and her story. On impulse she went up and bent down to hug the other woman and Rukia returned the embrace.
"I'm so sorry Rukia." The taller woman said.
"Thank you," the younger woman whispered, pulling back a little to face her, patting the older woman on the shoulders lightly. "And Yoruichi-san…"
"Yes?"
"Tag, you're it!" A grinning and triumphant Rukia flash stepped away, leaving a wide-eyed and bewildered Yoruichi standing there, realizing she'd just been had.
I tagged her! I actually tagged the Goddess of Flash! Rukia thought as she darted through the forest flying at full speed. Okay, it may not be legal on how I did it but I did it anyway!
Besides knowing how to fight, Rukia was a natural actor who could put on a performance that could fool almost anyone. Plus being able to shed tears at the drop of a hat is also an added bonus in selling that performance. She hoped that Yoruichi wasn't too upset over this.
Suddenly, Rukia felt an eruption reiatsu behind her and it was quickly closing faster than she could…
The young woman felt a body colliding against her back and two strong arms wrapping around her, pinning her own arms against her sides. Then they were both falling, through branches and leaves and the last thing she saw was the lake they were about to land in.
The two tumbling figures hit the surface hard, kicking water high in a large column. Rukia was the first to reach the surface, as the water started to settle around her. She looked left and right until she saw Yourichi's head breaking the surface close to her.
The two equally drenched women stared at each other for a tense moment when Yoruichi started to laugh gleefully.
Rukia was surprised and quite relieved. "You're not mad?"
"Mad?" Yoruichi crowed. "I've never had this much fun playing tag in years. You tricked me hook, line and sinker!"
"But what I did was so underhanded…"
"Who cares! That was fun!"
Byakuya was seated comfortably in his back patio chair, reading a book when he heard approaching laughter. Looking up, he saw Yoruichi and Rukia coming up the path towards the mansion. Both of them were dripping wet from head to toe, walking with an arm around each other, like they were the best of friends.
"Brother," Rukia waved as the two of them walked by into the mansion. "We had a wonderful day of training! Can Yoruichi stay for dinner? We're going upstairs to bathe and get cleaned up, thanks!"
His face was passive as he nodded but internally, Byakuya was cringing as his greatest fear was being realized.
They-are-actually-bonding!