A/N: I told myself I should wait before uploading this story but I'm just dying to know what kind of response it will get. The following story is a rewrite of Waiting for Tomorrow. In essence, yes it is the same story, but at the same time it is completely different. At the time of initial writing I was much younger, and while I always recognized the complexity of the character I created, I did not have the knowledge or skills to understand how to best portray her. That being said, it is my belief that essentially the character Raina can probably never be portrayed by me. Attempting to confine her character within the boundaries of my own, limited perceptions would be a tragedy, and so I would like to suggest that you, the reader, allow yourself free reign in deciding who she is. Make your own deductions based on what you read into the story, rather than relying on me to provide the framework. Hence, because of my belief in an indefinable character, the story needed to be completely rewritten, using techniques that have proved to be quite challenging and sometimes difficult to accommodate. What you will now (hopefully) begin reading is the end result. The story will not be entirely according to canon, but I hope that in the spirit of free reading, you will suspend all notions on what must or mustn't happen, and just enjoy the story for what it is.
PrologueUrahara Kisuke sat crossed-legged on a comfortable cushion just inside the open doorway of his shop, affording him a full view of any approaching customers while at the same time positioning himself right in the path of the gentle breeze that would occasionally sweep past. The stifling summer heat made itself apparent in the form of hazy air rising in waves from the dusty ground in the courtyard, and the cloudless sky was of a blue so deep that it almost hurt to look at. Kisuke fanned his hot, sweaty face with one hand while the other reached for the glass of ice tea Tessai had placed at his side a few minutes ago. Even though his pale blonde hair was damp with sweat beneath his green and white sandal hat, he left the signature piece in place, preferring its familiar weight. The interior of the shop was quiet, since all three his employees and constant companions were in the underground training facility, monitoring the progress of the group of teens that had come to him for help. They were a talented group of youngsters, of that there was no doubt, but in the face of recent events Kisuke wondered if their efforts would be enough, even when coupled with Soul Society's finest. Their enemy was indeed formidable, and more cunning than he had initially anticipated. His own over-confidence, along with Soul Society's stubborn refusal to see the truth in time had only succeeded in presenting their common foe with the opportunity he needed to gain one over them.
Kisuke's hand stopped fanning when his thoughts turned to the one person who might be able to tip the scales in their favour. The possibility of her joining their side was just as high as the possibility of her turning on them. Kisuke was well aware that she had been running away from this very situation for years, but with regards to the recent turn in events, there now lay a choice ahead of her, a choice he did not envy. It was the choice between turning traitor or pledging her loyalty – a choice between family and friends, between a brother and a lover. In spite of the many years he had known her Kisuke could not be sure she would make the right decision. The curse of her ability meant she lived on a moral knife edge, walking the thin line between good and evil. It was a wonder she had managed to stay neutral for as long as she had, if she had even been neutral to start with.
The sound of Kurosaki Ichigo's complaints of hunger reached Kisuke's ears even before Kisuke saw him, interrupting his reverie and turning his thoughts back to the youngsters currently under his tutelage. Shortly afterwards, heavy footfalls sounded behind him, and seconds later the boy himself flopped down beside the older shopkeeper, stretching out onto his back with a sigh.
"Hey Sandal-hat, when are we going to get some food around here? You can't have me training hours on end and not expect to feed me. I can't run on empty, you know," Ichigo stated matter-of-factly, folding his hands behind his head. Kisuke rolled his eyes, the small movement hidden by the shadow cast across the top half of his face from the brim of his hat.
"Do you think your enemy will stop to allow you a snack time whenever you demand it?"
"I'm not fighting an enemy now, am I?"
"If you continue to take your training in such a light manner, you will not be prepared when the time comes."
Ichigo grumbled something in response, but Kisuke's attention was drawn away by his sudden detection of an approaching entity.
"Looks like we have company," he announced, pressing his hat further down so that the top half of his face was almost completely obscured in shadow, hiding the concern that momentarily flashed in his eyes. Ichigo pushed himself into an upright position and squinted off into the hazy afternoon air. "Friend or –"
The need to complete his question was eradicated by the appearance of a group of Shinigami, clad in black despite the sweltering heat. Both Kisuke and Ichigo immediately picked out the head of the group in spite of his much smaller stature. The white-haired captain of the 10th squad, Hitsugaya Toushirou, carried himself with enough importance and authority to make up for his lack in height. Though he was youthful in appearance, the boy-captain was talented enough so as to inspire no doubts in his underlings regarding his ability to lead. Kisuke rose to his feet to greet the group, smiling easily and opening his arms in welcome. He noticed that the boy-genius was accompanied by not only his own vice-captain, Matsumoto Rangiku, but also by Abarai Renji from the 6th Squad and two members of the 11th Squad. The odd collection of Shinigami piqued Kisuke's interest, though Ichigo seemed to be more puzzled by their actual appearance in the real world than anything else.
Renji was the first the greet Ichigo, the two men firmly clasping hands in a display of the strong level of trust between them. Though they had started out as enemies, the two had eventually discovered a similar level of passion and ambition drove them both, not to mention their common fondness for a certain young lady. As a result of their shared interests, Renji and Ichigo became fast friends, each housing a vast level of respect for the other. Kisuke watched as similar greetings were passed around, the reunion ending off with Ichigo ruffling Captain Hitsugaya's spiky, white hair, which only earned him a fierce glare and a string of muttered threats from the boy captain. Intervening before a fight could break out, Kisuke quickly ushered his guests into the cooler living area behind the shop. Tessai, having heard the commotion out front, came out with a pitcher of the same ice tea Kisuke had been drinking earlier and offered everyone a glass. Once each person had been made comfortable around the low, round wooden table, Kisuke settled down to inquire after their sudden appearance at his shop.
"Hollow activity has spiked in the past few months," Hitsugaya proceeded to explain, his expression once more lapsing into the serious, controlled one he commonly wore when conducting business. "Soul Society decided to deploy a team in order to monitor their activity for anything unusual and also to try and slow down the enemy's plans. We were chosen." Kisuke had figured as much, but hearing the words spoken aloud only emphasised his earlier feeling of urgency. A general discussion ensued amongst the companions once formalities were out of the way, covering topics such as Ichigo's training, living arrangements for the group of Shinigami, and Soul Society's plans for dealing with the imposing threat at hand.
"Soul Society has lost three of its Captains – three Captains that know everything about Soul Society, including how we will react in battle. This will not be an easy fight," Renji pointed out near the end of the discussion. A sullen silence descended over the group, but it lasted for only a short while before Hitsugaya broke it.
"There was one more thing I hoped to discuss with you, Kisuke."
"What's that?" the shopkeeper asked with thinly veiled interest.
"It's about Raina."
Kisuke lapsed back into silence at the Captain's request, his amiable grin fading away at the mention of Raina. "I need you to tell me where I can find her," he continued, unperturbed by Kisuke's sudden change in demeanour. Kisuke stared at the boy for several uneasy moments before attempting to reply.
"It's not that simple, Captain Hitsugaya," was all he would offer after his lengthy silence, shrugging his shoulders to signal his inability to explain entirely.
"You are in contact with her, correct? You ought to be able to give me her location."
"Yes, but you must understand. You can only find Raina when she wants to be found."
"I'll take my chances. We need to know where she stands."
Kisuke opened his mouth to argue, but Ichigo leaned forward to interrupt. "I'm going to stop you right there and ask, who is this Raina woman?"
"A runaway Shinigami," Hitsugaya replied briskly, but his vice captain snorted in derision drawing everyone's eyes towards her.
"She's much more than just an ordinary runaway," she mumbled, flicking her hair back over her shoulder with one hand before folding her arms beneath her generous bosom. Ichigo tore his eyes away from the woman's dangerously revealing assets, his interest piqued by her vague response, and he straightened his lean upper body as though preparing for what was to come. It was obvious by the look in his eyes that he burned to ask more questions, but he pushed them all aside long enough to take advantage of the opportunity to make an observation.
"Regardless, why would you need to know where a runaway stands? Isn't it obvious, since she ran away?"
"With Raina there is no clear cut distinction between black and white, only shades of gray," Kisuke quickly replied, shaking his head to emphasize the complete mystery the woman in question presented.
"Okay, so what makes her so important that Soul Society needs to track her down?"
"Because of who she is," the youthful captain explained with emphasis. "Her name is Aizen Raina," he finished, his arms folding over his chest and the line between his eyebrows deepening. Ichigo's surprise could not have been more evident. He leaned forward with a wide-eyed look, his hands coming down hard on the round table.
"Aizen? Then she's related to that bastard Aizen Sousuke?"
"She is his sister," Kisuke confirmed in a quiet voice.
"How can you not know whose side she's on? Don't you think that's a little irresponsible?"
"The only person in the world who knows Aizen Raina's true intentions is Raina herself," Kisuke explained, fighting the urge to pinch the bridge of his nose in frustration. The name Aizen Raina was well known in certain circles of Soul Society, but no one seemed to understand who this girl really was. The stories about her grew more outlandish with each retelling, until the truth had faded into obscurity along with the woman herself. It was probably not all that far-fetched to say that only four people existed who knew the whole story, himself and Raina included; but even knowing what he did, Kisuke did not doubt that his version would differ in some ways from the others.
The incredulous look on Ichigo's face prompted Kisuke to continue before the teen could jump to any conclusions. "It's a long and complicated story."
Ichigo gazed into the older man's eyes, hoping to see some hint that he would divulge what he knew on this unknown Shinigami; all he saw, however, was a darkening of his eyes as they filled with reluctance. Instead, the youth turned his attention to the 10th Squad Captain, who still sat silently with his arms crossed.
"Tell me the story. I think it's necessary for us all to be on the same page if she's as important as everyone thinks."
The white-haired boy shook his head with a sigh. "I don't know much myself, only who she is and that she left many years ago. It's been speculated that she left because of guilt."
"I would too if I'd been involved with that two-faced scum," Renji added.
"You misunderstand, Abarai-kun. She left for many reasons, partly because of guilt, but mostly because she was confronted by a choice she did not know how to handle," said Kisuke.
Matsumoto suddenly sat erect. "How is it you seem to know so much about her?"
Kisuke smiled enigmatically, his usual, joking tone returning. "Let's just say I have my sources."
"Well come on Sandal-hat, you've got us all intrigued now. You might as well tell us."
Kisuke regarded each person around the table and noted the curiosity and general eagerness in each face. Perhaps, he thought, it would be better if people knew the truth. It might become imperative in the near future, considering the likelihood of her involvement. With a sigh he consented.
"Very well, but you must forgive me if I am unclear on certain details. This story started many years ago, before I was made a Captain. Aizen Sousuke was already a Shinigami, but none of us were yet aware of a younger sister, one who was being moulded and shaped exactly to Aizen's liking…"