Cracked Mirror

Rating: T

Genre: Adventure, General

Characters: Shuuhei Hisagi, Kazeshini

Summary: Zanpakuto are like mirrors: they are reflections of their owners' power and soul. They represent their true self. So how did Shuuhei Hisagi, a highly respected and honorable lieutenant, end up with such a bloodthirsty weapon?

This story will take place during Hisagi's childhood until the Soul Society Arc.

Inspiration: I've thought of this story a while back when I just finished reading 'Hollow Feelings' (a very good read and I highly recommend it). Hisagi has always been my favorite Bleach character and I've always wondered how he managed to get a polar opposite sword spirit despite how Zanpakuto are supposed to reflect their owners.

I will be focusing on Hisagi's past, his thoughts and feelings as he enters the Academy, and how he eventually becomes the lieutenant we come to know in Bleach.

This is my first attempt at writing a Bleach fanfic so I may end up getting some of the Japanese terms incorrectly. I welcome any good constructive criticism, so don't be afraid to review and tell me what you think.

Enjoy!


Prologue: The Empty Room

Shuuhei Hisagi was stressed.

He walked down the aisle of the Squad Nine barracks briskly, a file of papers always in hand, and the sound of his Zanpakuto, Kazeshini clinging against his side familiarly as he shoved past his hurried subordinates.

"Have you heard?" one of his subordinates said in a whisper as he went passed. "Captain Tousen has deserted us!"

"What? Our Captain, a traitor?" another exclaimed. "That can't be…"

"I saw them myself!" his tenth seat claimed. "Tousen was with the Squad 3 and 5 Captains. I even heard the Head commander Yamamoto couldn't do anything to stop them from escaping!"

"I can't imagine how Lieutenant Hisagi is feeling right now," one of his female officers muttered; her tone sympathetic. "The two of them were always close…"

Hisagi finally reached the entrance of his office, shutting the door quickly to silence out the gossip. He let out a tired sigh as he glanced around his office with weary eyes.

His desk, which used to be so neat and tidy, was now littered to the brim with papers. There were also boxes of files on the floor. His completed pile of his subordinates' medical records appeared minimal in comparison, even though he had pulled an all-nighter signing the documents.

Hisagi walked towards his filing cabinet and shoved the paperwork in. Once he had done that, he started dealing with the paperwork on his crowded desk. He didn't know how much time had passed when he finished sorting them while signing a couple in the process. His hand was aching, and his back had gone stiff from sitting too long.

It was already late afternoon as Hisagi finally got up. He flexed his arms and walked around his office in a leisurely pace for a few moments, making sure not to bump into the boxes. He suddenly remembered something he needed at his Captain's office, and after grabbing a few files, he was set on his way.

Squad nine had always been an energetic division, even more so after Tousen's abrupt departure just three days ago. Some of his officers were still resting in the Squad four barracks. Speaking of the injured, Momo Hinamori still hasn't woken up, and her condition worried him, Captain Hitsugaya, and many others immensely. He could not fathom how Squad Five was functioning without their Captain and Lieutenant. However, he was relieved to hear that his friend Renji has recovered and would be resuming his duties soon.

He entered his Captain's office quietly, placing a new stack of completed work along with the others on a nearby table. He took in the lightly lit room, the familiar calm atmosphere, and of course, the empty chair behind the desk.

It's like he never left, Hisagi thought. He could even see Sokyoku Hill from the window, and was briefly reminded of the events that had taken place. He swallowed uncomfortably, and turned his gaze away from the window and towards his captain's old desk.

He placed Kazeshini on the countertop as he sat down and quietly rummaged through the drawers. He didn't know why he brought his sword along with him. It wasn't like he expected an attack inside his own division. Hisagi supposed that old habits die hard.

He finally found what he was here for: the Captain's seal stamp. Since his Captain's betrayal, the Head Commander had assigned him, Kira, and Momo as acting captains until a suitable replacement could be found. Hisagi knew that it was his duty to uphold his division since he was lieutenant, but he still felt honored nonetheless of being given the official right.

You would make any Captain proud to have you as a lieutenant. His Captain had told him. It had been after his initiation ceremony, when Hisagi had expressed doubts of his capability to his Captain. Captain Tousen had given him a brief smile before saying this one line. His compliment had encouraged him immensely.

The quietness of the room made it easier for Hisagi's thoughts to wander, and he found himself staring at his katana, wondering for a brief moment whether or not he should try striking up a conversation with the deranged spirit. As soon as the thought passed his mind, Hisagi scoffed. He was in no mood to hear Kazeshini's derogatory language and constant death threats. In fact, Hisagi couldn't remember the last time he and Kazeshini had a civil conversation. His sword spirit still continued to hate him…even after all these years.

He sighed once again as he massaged his forehead, his eyes feeling slightly drowsy.

There was a time that he and his Zanpakuto weren't so different. If he had told this to any of his friends- Kira, Renji, Matsumoto- they would have dismissed his claims as a joke. He was the lieutenant of Squad Nine, known for being calm, mature, and punctual. It would be hard to believe he was ever even a tenth of what his zanpakuto was like.

He smiled softly to himself. His hand still wrapped around the seal tightly.

It has been a while since he thought about his past, but now that he was alone in the room of his traitorous Captain, now was as good a time as any to recall how he became the shinigami he was today.

-o-