I don't own Bleach. Set about 500 years pre-series. Theme: Sora no Mukou from Higurashi.
A/N: The 'Yachiru' in this story is the first Yachiru, not an adult version of Yachiru Kusajishi.
Yachiru sat on the temple stairs, making a miniature snowman. She was bored, and she couldn't leave while he was in there. She rubbed at a scar on her neck; they always ached when she got cold. She toyed with a strand of her brown hair- should she cut it again? Zaraki needed a hair cut too, so maybe she could talk him into cutting her hair if she cut his.
"Took you long enough, Zaraki," she teased. "I didn't know you were so religious."
She'd taken him on as her student just last summer. It was the best decision she'd made in years. His blush reminded her that even though he looked nearly full-grown, he was just a boy, barely out of childhood. He was still growing- he'd tower over her, and she was taller than many men. She wished he'd put some weight on; he ate like a horse, but she thought he'd vanish if he turned sideways.
"I ain't, really. I think I spent some time with the village priest when I was younger, but I just thought I should say thank you today. It is New Year's, after all, and you're the first good thing that I've seen since waking up in the Eightieth."
"When you were among the living, you saw ghosts, didn't you?" she mused. "Your parents probably thought you'd make a good priest or an exorcist."
"You know I can't remember that, Chiru-sensei."
"Sorry," she said, abashed. She should've remembered that he'd lost his memories to the konso ceremony. If she ever found the shinigami who'd brought him to Soul Society, he, she, or it was in for the thumping of a lifetime. Honestly, what were they teaching the Academy brats these days? Even if Zaraki had resisted the konso, there was no excuse for incompetence.
"Anyway, what are we doing in the mountains? Do you have 'business' here?"
She often worked as a bounty hunter when she couldn't find work as a bodyguard. Most of her clients tended to underestimate her, but all of her kills were fast and clean. Zaraki showed some talent in swordplay, but she hoped he would eventually make his way into the Gotei 13.
"No. I wanted to show you something, and this place has the best view."
She didn't look back as she led the way. She knew he'd be right behind her.
00
"It's almost midnight," Yachiru remarked, huddling closer to him for the warmth. He hesitated and wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
"What's going to happen?" Zaraki asked. "Oh!"
She smiled wistfully at the faint glow that blossomed from the Seireitei.
"They're setting off fireworks over there," she said, dreamily. "I lived there, once, serving in the Seventh Division."
"Are you going to go back there?" he asked, worriedly.
"Not without you, Zaraki, I promise. I've left behind too many comrades. If we go to the Seireitei, we'll go together."
He held out his fist, with his little finger extended. "Doesn't mean anything if ya just say it."
She chuckled. She often forgot that he was still just a child.
"I promise to never leave you behind," she said, hooking her pinkie to his. "If we go to the Seireitei, we'll go together."
For Zaraki's sake, she intended to keep that promise.
Happy New Year, everybody. Reviews?