Chapter 1
The Shinigami Atsumi of Rukongai bolted up out of bed, splashed water on her face and threw some clothes on. She was late. Again. She ran using her flash step to the morning work out. She ran down the hallway with a broad smile on her face pushing larger men than herself out of her way. They grumbled but when they saw who it was, they held their tongues.
Since graduation from the Spiritual Technique Institute Atusmi had joined the 11th squad under Kenpachi Zaraki's command. When she reached the practice room she bolted across the floor leapt up to grab the top boken hanging on the wall and pushed off the wall with her feet to come down on her sparring partner who was already on her.
CLACK! "You're late Atsumi!" said her partner with a grin.
"Yes, sir Madarame 3rd seat, sir!" CLACK went their boken swords. Atsumi loved to fight and looked forward to her morning workout more than most others in the squad. Women in the 11th squad were a rarity, but Atsumi didn't care. The best fighters were in the 11th and that's where Atsumi wanted to be.
At first she was virtually ignored, which for her was worse than being picked on. So she picked fights. She won some she lost some, but more wins than losses gained her some respect.
During these morning practices fewer and fewer could beat her each week. Soon she was sparring with officers and quickly developed a report with Ikkaku Madarame the squad's third in command. Atsumi raised in the ranks and quickly became a seated officer.
As Atsumi made a name for herself she often wondered about her friend Tashi of the Touichi clan. There were a lot of rumors that she had fled to Rukongai after a falling out with her family. Atsumi wanted to help her, but didn't know where Tashi had run off to.
Later that morning, after morning practice Atsumi made her way to the 4th squad building where, her old friend from school, Eri was working. Atsumi came in holding a towel to her head and escorted by another 11th squad member. "Oii! Where's Eri? I'm bleedin' here!"
A group of fourth squad members gawked at Atsumi surprised she had managed to get injured so early in the day. They parted and Eri, almost expecting to see her friend, came forward. "Who did it this time, Atsumi?"
"Madarame."
"Why are you smiling?! This is a serious injury!"
"Yeah, but I got him" said Atsumi with a grin.
Back in the practice room Ikkaku lay unconscious on the floor while Vice Captain Yachiru Kusajishi patted his bald head. "Baldy! Wake up! Sake stinker got you good!" she giggled. She continued to pat his head. "Baldy? Baaaal-dyyy!"
--
Later that same day Renji bounced from rooftop to rooftop. He rested on the peak of one old decrepit building and scanned the horizon. He was in a slum of Rukongai close to where he grew up. Memories of that time flooded his senses, but he shook them off and continued his hunt.
He found a condemned building, one of many along the way. He jumped down into the alleyway and walked along with his hand on the hilt of Zabimaru out of habit. The doors and windows were boarded up, but he found a large hole where wooden planks were leaned up against it to hide the entrance. He carefully moved them aside and entered.
The inside was dusty, but sound. He tread quietly, as only a high ranking Shinigami could, and peered around a corner. He saw nothing but a doorway to another room and layers of cobwebs, but he could feel it; the reason he was there. He watched his step, sure not to trip any traps that were set, or to make any unnecessary sounds.
He entered the other room and noted it was not as dark inside as he had suspected. The sunlight streamed in through between the planks over the windows, and the dust caught the light. Renji stood in the middle of the room and relaxed. He put his hands on his hips and called out "OII! TOUICHI! I know you're here. Come out!"
He got no response.
"OII! TOUICHI-SAN!" he yelled louder. "C'mon! I don't have all day. It's time to go back."
He swore it got even quieter.
He looked around and said "It's time to go back. It's petitioning time again." He looked around, frowned, cocked his head. 'Where is she hiding?' He scratched the back of his head and yelled "OI--!"
"You're not here to bring me back to my parents are you?"
"AH!" Renji jumped, unaware that she had snuck up behind him. He spun around and looked over Tashi with a critical eye. She was a lot skinnier than he remembered her. She looked worn, a little worse for wear.
She looked at him with older eyes and waited for an answer. Renji said "What if I was?"
"I wouldn't let you" she said. She had changed in the year he had seen her last. After walking out on her marriage to Yukimaru none of the other families would take her in. Staying in the Seireitei was against the rules if she was not a Shinigami. Despite her talent she couldn't stay there. Tashi was forced to leave the Seireitei to take care of herself.
Rukongai became her new home. An unescorted woman was not welcomed in the more reputable corners of Rukongai and she found herself sinking lower and lower through the districts until she found herself living in abandoned buildings and sharpening her sword skills to stay alive.
Renji could feel she had become more powerful in that one year. Her spirit force had been released, and she was no longer afraid to use it. He said "The captains were asking about you. It's time for the graduates to petition for the 13 squads. Your petition is welcome, if you're interested." Renji looked around and then said "Unless of course you wanted to stay here."
Tashi was ready to go back, but new she couldn't go back as she was. She looked down at her gi and saw how worn it was in comparison to his. It was frayed around the edges, and bled grey in some spots. She tried to dust off some of the dirt. She looked up at him sheepishly and mumbled "I'm a mess. I can't face them like this."
Renji approached and put his hand on her shoulder. "Eh, I'm sure we could find you something before presenting you to the board." Renji heard her stomach growl loudly.
She sighed "Alright. Let's go."
"You don't seem too enthused" he said crossing his arms once again.
Tashi looked up at him, swerved a bit, then passed out on the ground.
"Touichi-san? Touchi-san!" Renji laid her out and tapped her hollow cheek. "Wake up! C'mon!" 'Did I find her…too late?'
--
Atsumi
got a bandage for her wound and headed back to the 11th
squad building. She was distracted by the thought of Tashi in
Rukongai. She walked along the landing outside the training room then
took a seat. She allowed her legs to dangle off and stared down at
the blades of grass. She didn't see any of it.
"That bandage is truly ugly" said someone.
Atsumi blinked out of her trance and looked up. "Oii! You shouldn't talk to me that way, Asegawa! You're 5 and I'm 4. The end!" There was a bit of tension between Yamichika Asegawa and Atsumi. She out ranked him by seating, but he had been around longer and she knew, was more powerful than her in some ways. They were friendly, but it was a strange friendship.
"I said the bandage was ugly…" He flipped his hair with a shake of his head and crossed his arms.
She looked back at the ground and said "Sorry, I just…I'm distracted lately."
"With what?" he asked "If it's not a beautiful thought then why waste time on it?"
"Maybe it is" she said.
"Please share it" he said as he settled himself down on the landing next to her.
"Friendship. I'm thinking about a friendship I once had."
"Your missing friend?"
"Yes."
"She was beautiful" he said in matter of fact way. "A bit stiff, but fine-looking in other ways."
"You know, Yamichika, she was pretty in a lot 'a ways. She didn't care 'bout rank n' shit. Just…" she shook her head.
Yamichika didn't really have much to say and simply wanted to enjoy the fine weather. "I'm sure she's still beautiful."
Atsumi missed Tashi something terrible and just wanted to see her friend again.
--
Renji
wanted to quickly bring Tashi back to the Seireitei and directly to
the fourth squad. He picked her up and flew back as quickly as he
could. She awoke during their journey back and they talked a bit.
After a short rest they returned to the Seireitei and directly went
to the fourth squad. After a meal and some minor healing techniques
Tashi was better.
While Tashi was resting in the infirmary Renji went to find Atsumi and Eri, Tashi's old friends. He was unsuccessful with his limited personal time that day and had to return to his Captain's office for duty. As Renji stood next to his Captain's desk he had to break the silence. Recalling his captain's interest in Tashi he said "So, sir…uh…" he waited for Byakuya Kuchiki to look up from his writing to continue "Tashi Touichi. I found her sir. She's in the infirmary if you'd like to visit sir."
Byakuya looked at Renji expectantly.
"If you'd like" repeated Renji.
"……" Kuchiki went back to his writing and he said "I would not."
"She's going to be re-evaluated after she recovers. For now she's in the infirmary, but I don't think she has a place to stay otherwise."
The Captain continued to write orders and seemingly ignore his Vice Captain.
"I'd say she could stay with me…"
The captain did not put his pen down but looked at Renji with surprise.
"But, sir, I don't have enough room in my quarters."
The captain grimaced and continued to sign off on orders, invoices, and various other administrative duties of a captain.
Renji mumbled "Just sayin…"
--
The next day Renji searched again for Atsumi and Eri. He dropped by the 11th squad building searching for Atsumi and bumped into Ikkaku. "Oii, Ikkaku, have you seen Atsumi-san?"
"She's out to lunch, I think, with that girl who always wears those pigtails."
Yamichika was also there and asked "What do you need her for?"
"'Member that Tashi girl? She's back. She was a good friend of Atsumi and Pigtails. I just wanted to let them know."
Yamichika said "I think they'll probably hear soon enough. Gossip works fast in this place."
Renji searched the various cafeterias but though he may have missed them. He dropped by the 13th squad and left a message for Jyoushirou Ukitake that Tashi was back in town and he would bring her by later if she felt up to it.
