The Road Ahead: Chapter Zero - Prologue
Author'sNote:
Hello guys! This is darkshadow007. I'm new to fanfiction and this is my first one. Please read and review.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach and its characters.
Now on with the story….
Prologue
-2 weeks after the fall of Wandenreich-
The war had ended. Quincy forces who had once envisioned the fall of Soul Society were subdued and destroyed. The Shinigami emerged victorious. However, the joy of victory over perhaps the greatest enemy of Soul Society yet was marred by death and destruction which loomed over Seireitei. Countless bodies scattered over the area were but one of the indicators of the war; the indicators of the Crusade that threatened the very existence of Soul Society. The remains and rubble of the buildings of the barracks of the divisions were unbearable to look at. Broken Zanpakutos, shattered crosses were nothing but another reminder of the Crusade and were a common sight now. Yes, the war had ended; perhaps the very apocalypse was avoided; but a new and a much, much harder work was laid ahead of Shinigami – To restore the Soul Society to its former glory.
Over the remains, some flurry of action was visible. A few groups of survivors were moving to and fro with an urgency which suggested their purpose – to search for fellow survivors. Some others were healing the injured – it was once the work of Fourth Division; but as nearly whole of the Division was annihilated in the war; it was not possible for survivors to sit idle and wait for the healers. They had to tend their own injuries. The surviving Captains and Lieutenants were working as hard as possible to help the needy. A possible threat of massive epidemic was avoided – by a hair's breadth. The material loss was enormous and was going to take months to recuperate. The losses were high, too much was destroyed but one thing, the one most important resource was not destroyed; on the contrary it was brimming to spill out. It was the resolve, the determination, the hope of a better future. Yes, the Shinigami were tired; but their eyes were lit up with undefeatable resolve and hope. The boundaries were forgotten; the walls demolished. Even the low Rukongai recruits were working in earnest together with the Noble Shinigami. Perhaps the war had buried those differences for good? But seemingly an unity was forged between the people. Yes the whole of Seireitei was busy rebuilding.
A tall, white haired man was walking over Execution Grounds towards another one standing near the edge of the ground; wearing a tattered flowered haori and a brimmed straw hat absently viewing the city beneath. Both were seemingly middle-aged; however the young face of white haired belied it, making him look considerably younger. His scarred face, courtesy of recent war, wore content albeit something tired look; if the bags under the eyes were any indicators. Instead of his regular goofy face, his friend had a contemplative look on his face, which as far as his friend recalled, was a rare sight. But he knew the reason. His two thousand year friendship had taught him very well how to read his friend perfectly. Considering it a bad idea to disturb his internal musings, Ukitake just stood beside his friend, enjoying the beautiful sight laid before them. A beautiful dusk settled over Seireitei. The sky was a vibrant mixture of offhand strokes of orange, yellow and red. The people below were colored in a beautiful mixture of golden hue. Ukitake took in the picturesque view of vermillion-washed rebuilding city beneath reverently, as if seeing it for first time. After all it was a great relief to see everybody working so hard to achieve the normalcy that once resided over the city.
Kyoraku Shunsui stirred from his musings upon recognizing an all too familiar reiatsu besides him. A calming presence, as if was easing him from his troubles. He knew too well that this man beside him, his true friend was always the best company he'd ever want.
He asked "Ah Juushiro… is it really okay for you to move around?" A tone of genuine concern laced his voice.
Ukitake smiled. "Do not worry about it my friend. I'm alright now. This is the one of the rare times I've ever seen you without Nanao-san."
Kyoraku answered sheepishly, "She is at my office. I told her to complete some of my paperwork so that I can have a walk. It's pretty stressful, you know?"
Ukitake knew it. His friend had a bit of troubled reiatsu. So, he said, "Yeah, yeah. I can only imagine the workload of a Soutaicho at this moment. Rebuilding is not a minor task. Speaking of which, looks like things are returning to normalcy now, though I seriously doubt that it will be anything like before."
"Aa..." Shunsui said, shaking his head. "We are rebuilding with all we can. I do hope that everything will be in order in a span of next few months. However, this was one hell of a fierce war. I'm just glad that it is finally over. Even Winter War was not this harsh."
Mention of Winter War stirred those unpleasant memories inside both Captains. Nevertheless, this Crusade was much harsher than Winter War, if the destruction happened was any indication. So, Ukitake answered simply. "True."
Kyoraku stared ahead. A look of deep contemplation was donned over his features. Ukitake did not disturb him. After all, it was but natural for a Soutaicho considering the situation.
A companionable silence enveloped them.
The Lieutenant of 1st Division, Nanao Ise looked up from behind a rather big pile of paperwork to see the serious the face of her Captain. She did not prod him; however, to tell her what was the issue. She knew that her Captain was thinking hard over something very important for a past few days. Disturbing him would only lead to a break in the chain of thought which he would not appreciate at the moment. So, she drew her attention back on the waiting pile of paperwork on the desk, which had only increased last hour, courtesy of her Captain. She was about to retort as per usual, but it was killed by the rare somber expression on his face. As a result, she took over the extra work of her Captain, albeit a bit grudgingly.
Kyoraku sat absently sat in his chair. He knew that dumping his work on his Lieutenant was wrong. But for now, that was least of his worries. His thoughts were focused on a matter so important that it would be single most important decision taken in a long time. He needed to think it through thoroughly, from every perspective possible.
'No helping it then. No matter what perspective I choose, the answer I arrive at is the same. Looks like Ichigo-kun will be busy for quite a long time now…. that is if he agrees… but I don't know anyone other than him who would be able to take this responsibility. Guess I'll have to just convince him. Alright, I will talk to him after some time. Right now he deserves some rest.'
With a contented sigh, Kyoraku turned his mind to less important things, which required his attention, most important of which was a bottle of sake…
Author's Note :
That's it for today! Please don't hesitate to convey your reviews. Constructive criticism is always welcome.
Darkshadow007 signing off!