1- Orders to Move
This is the rewritten version of Dark Blade! I have made a few changes including leaving out the character info. One of the many changes I've made is shortening 'Shirayuki' to simply 'Yuki'. And she is also—in order to follow better with the canon of Bleach—older than Byakuya. Other than that, I'm sure if you've already read the original version of this story, you can find the other differences.
. . .
"Nii-chan~! Time to get up!" I say loudly, ripping the covers off my little brother.
"Nee-sama…let me sleep. I can survive one day without going to class…" I grin and start tickling him. "Nee-sama! Stop! Please!"
"Not till you say you'll get up!" I hold him down as he starts struggling to get away.
"Nee-sama! Fine! I'll get up! Just stop tickling me!" I laugh and release him. I leave the room to let him get ready while I head to my own room to pull up my hair. I've got my own job to get to. I head for the door in my uniform and bow politely to my grandfather.
"What was all that noise just now…Yuki?" I swallow a little.
"Sorry, Sir. It was my fault." Byakuya says behind me, in his academy uniform. I blink at him. "I was playing with Yuki-neesama." Grandfather narrows his eyes and sighs.
"You two should know better than that." With that, he leaves the manor and heads for his office. I grab Byakuya by the shoulder.
"What was that about?"
"I didn't want you to get in trouble because I was so loud…" I sigh and push him out the door.
"Just get to school you little brat! And next time you do that, I'll kick your ass!" I spot Yoruichi standing on top of the fence and wave a little. Byakuya hurries to school and I step out into the yard. "Hey, Yoruichi." I greet the captain as she steps onto the grounds in front of me.
"That's captain to you, Kuchiki-sanseki." I laugh a little.
"Don't give me that, Yoruichi-chan." She growls a little. "How about we settle this with a race? To Urahara's secret training ground."
"You're on!" We shake and start our race, flash stepping the entire way and laughing as we go.
. . .
"You called for me, Onee-sama?" Rukia asks, entering the office quietly. I nod a little and sigh.
"Yea. I'm getting ready to head out, Rukia-chan. Though I've told you a thousand times that you can call me Yuki."
"Nii-sama knows you're going, right?" She sounds worried, completely ignoring my comment.
"Don't worry about it, Rukia-chan. My little brother knows my orders just as well as I do. I want you to help take care of Ukitake-taicho while I'm gone, okay?" She nods. "That's all I wanted to talk to you about. I need to talk to the captain." I give her a small smile and she leaves the office. I tie my seal on my arm and head to Ukitake-taicho's office.
"Kuchiki-fukutaichosan, you're—"
"I'm already on my way to his office, Kiyone-san. Though thank you." I get to the door and knock on the door.
"Come on in, Yuki." I open the door and go inside.
"You have further details on my orders?" He nods, sitting at his desk for once. Which means he's feeling well today.
"Yes…so you've already gotten the orders?" I nod once.
"A messenger arrived from Yamamoto-sotaichosama before I left the house to come in today. Though the only detail I was given was that I was to leave to the human world this afternoon."
"Okay then. You're orders are to go to Karakura town—where the spiritual activity is currently strongest—and keep an eye on things there until either things calm down or someone is sent to relieve you." I nod once.
"Sir. Do you need anything before I prepare to leave? You do look a bit flush…"
"I'm fine. Just a bit tired from going to the meeting. Don't worry about me." I sigh tiredly.
"Okay. I'll speak with the san-seki and prepare to leave." I back out of the room and head back to my office, calling for Kiyone.
"Ma'am?" I open my door.
"Locate your fellow san-seki and report to my office immediately." She nods and runs off. I sit behind my desk, wondering how the division will survive without a vice-captain. With Ukitake-taicho in such poor health most of the time and the two san-seki being drunkards…and no one available for even a temporary promotion to fill my place, I just hope I don't come back to a disaster area. The door opens
"Ma'am?" both of them ask, kneeling in the doorway. I sigh and wave them towards the couch.
"Sit down. I need to speak with you both." They do as instructed and I rest my elbows on the desk. "Now. I am leaving Soul Society this afternoon on orders from Yamamoto-sotaichosama. Seeing as there is no one available to take my position in my absence, you two—as san-seki—will have to take on my duties. In order to keep the division in order."
"Ma'am!" I sigh a little. I'm sure they can manage…if they stay sober long enough.
"Dismissed." They get up and hurry out of the room. I shake my head and start working on my paperwork. About lunch time, I finish up and start straightening out the office. Someone knocks on the door and I sigh. "Come in."
"I heard you're leaving." I look over my shoulder and smile at Byakuya.
"Yea. Did you come to see me off? I'm not leaving for another hour." He nods.
"I know that, Onee-sama. But we'll both be busy until then, so I figured I'd come by for lunch." He holds up a box lunch and I laugh a little.
"Thanks, Nii-chan." I take the lunch from him and fix a pot of tea before heading to the garden. We sit on the porch and start eating. "It's been a while, huh…?"
"What do you mean?"
"It's been a while since we've sat together like this…since before Grandfather died at least." Byakuya nods a little.
"True…" I grin and take a bite of food. "Onee-sama…?"
"What?"
"Be careful out there." I nod a little and smile at him.
"Don't worry about me, little brother. You know me." We finish eating and drink the tea in silence.
"Right…" I pat his back a little. "You shouldn't be stuck with such a menial job. You're more powerful than most of us…" I laugh a little.
"It's only because they didn't have anyone else for the job. I'll be done with this before you know it." I get up and dust off my hakama. "Shouldn't you be getting back to work, Byakuya?" He nods and leaves. "I'll come straight to your office when I report back." I call after him and he waves a little. I shut the door and finish up.
Honestly…it really has been a long time since we've spent more than five minutes with each other alone…at least since grandfather died and Byakuya became head of the family as well as the Sixth Division captain. It doesn't matter that I'm older than he is by a hundred years…it only matters that he's the first son. I shake my head a little and head for the door. I shouldn't worry about things like that when I'm about to go on an all too easy mission.
I sigh and head towards the gate in the main square. I suppose it's true that this mission will be a piece of cake for me. The only reason I only recently became a vice-captain was because I wanted to stay in the thirteenth division and the position didn't come open until a few years ago. Though I don't like it constantly being pointed out that I'm 'stronger than most'. Well, I should get going and stop getting lost in thought!
I've got to focus on this mission. It's my first real job since I became a vice-captain. If I foul up here, I definitely won't be able to face anyone when I get back. I get to the gate and go through to the human world.
. . .
"This is the street…I think." I sigh, staring at the address in my hand. I know that Urahara recommended I stay with Kurosaki-dono, but I'm not sure I shouldn't have opted to take the lodgings offered by Ukitake-taicho…but if I'd taken those lodgings, it would be too easy for me to be a noble rather than doing my job and blending in with the humans. More intelligent Hollows will have a harder time finding a Shinigami hidden by a Gigai and immersed in human society.
"Hey. You lost?" I look up and realize I got lost in thought again and lost my way. "Are you lost?" The guy repeats and I examine him. Huh…his expression looks sort of like Kaien…even his bright orange hair is spiked almost the same way. I wonder if he bleaches it.
"Actually yes. I'm looking for Kurosaki Clinic." He sighs and jabs his thumb over his shoulder. I blink in surprise.
"You're right in front of it."
"I see…thank you…"
"Kurosaki Ichigo." I recover from the shock quick enough that I'm sure it doesn't show on my face. I've had nearly three hundred years to practice hiding my emotions, so I'm sure I don't tip him off.
"Thank you, Kurosaki-kun. My name is Kuchiki Yuki." I bow a little in greeting..
"Where are you from?" I frown a little.
"Why?"
"You have an accent. I'm just wondering." Accent? I pause.
"Accent?" What does he mean by that? He nods and looks at the bags I'm carrying.
"Here." He grabs the suitcase and backpack from me before starting into the house. "You should get inside before you catch cold." I nod slowly and follow him in. "I'm ho—!" He dodges a kick to the head and I gasp.
"Otou-san, do we have to go through this every time Nii-chan comes home?" A girl asks quietly.
"Ichi-nii! Who's your friend?" I look at the kitchen table to see two girls sitting there, getting ready to eat. I bow a little.
"Good evening. My name is Kuchiki Shirayuki. I'll be staying here fr—" Kurosaki-dono abruptly turns from his attack on Ichigo and hugs me. I automatically reach up to grab my sword off my back, but stop when I remember I'm in a Gigai and don't have access to it. he should know better than to do that so suddenly!
"Welcome!" I wriggle free and back up, quite tempted to turn and leave to stay at the apartment I otherwise would be allowed to use.
"Dinner's getting cold." The blond girl says quietly. "Sorry I didn't cook enough for you to eat…" I wave my hand a little.
"It's okay. I ate when I got off the plane. I don't really eat a whole lot anyways…" The other one gets up and walks up to me.
"Kurosaki Karin. And that's my sister Yuzu. The idiot old man there is our dad." I nod a little.
"Nice to meet you, Karin-san, Yuzu-san. Um…Kurosaki-dono, where can I put my things?"
"After dinner, you can go up to the spare bedroom and get settled." I nod and sit with them at the dinner table. My pager goes off and I sigh.
"Excuse me…I have to go to the restroom. If you'd just tell me where to go, I can put my things away while you all eat as well." Kurosaki-dono nods once.
"Sure. Upstairs, third door on the right is the toilet. At the end of the hall, hand a right and the spare bedroom is at the end of that hall." I nod and grab my bags. I head up to the room. Hopefully Kurosaki-dono won't say anything about me leaving my Gigai…but I'm almost positive that his children will sense something off. I get to the bedroom and put my bags on the bed, grabbing my tube of 'Soul Candy'. I pop the pill into my mouth and swallow. I split from my body and face my Gigai.
"Stay in this room. No matter what happens. If they come, say that you are tired and want to sleep. Keep the light off and stay quiet."
"Ma'am." I climb out the window and onto the roof. I close my eyes to track the Hollow. It's nearby. I run towards it. just a small fry, huh? No problem. Before it notices me, I cut through it from behind and check the area to make sure there aren't any others.
Clear. I nod to myself and head back to the clinic. It will be interesting always doing this. Tomorrow I'm starting in the middle school third year class. In the same class as Ichigo. Unfortunately, because I look like a child still—despite my age and the fact that even my younger brother looks older than me—I'm playing the part of a child genius. That part shouldn't be too difficult since that's how it was for me when I was in the academy and actually the age I look.
I get to the clinic in a daze and get back in my Gigai. Kurosaki-dono is standing in the door.
"Kurosaki-dono…"
"Kuchiki…Yuki…it's been a while." I nod once.
"Yes it has…since before my brother even graduated. I heard about Masaki-dono. It's been almost six years now? I know it's late, but you have my condolences."
"Thanks…unfortunately it was the Fisher. So why are you here?"
"Urahara-dono recommended I stay here. Though your son is leaking out enough spiritual energy to draw an Adjuchas." I laugh a little. "But no. I'm here to regulate the Hollow appearances. An easy job for me, don't you think?"
"Don't get cocky, Kuchiki-gaki." He laughs. We laugh together for a moment. "Man…you haven't changed a bit."
"Neither have you, Kurosaki-teme." He turns and leaves the room.
"See you in the morning." I nod and close the door behind him.
