あなたの夢か?
Yumeka: Once upon a time, I owned Bleach…
Byakuya: If you did, I wouldn't get owned by Yoruichi!
Renji: Snap out of your daydream!
Byakuya: Plagiarism is against the law. We must uphold justice. If we do not, who will?
Renji: Yeah! No flaming or spamming please. And all OCs are Copyrighted.
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Chapter 1: The Place Where I Cannot Go
It was a beautiful spring morning in Soul Society. Birds were chirping, flowers were everywhere and the sky was cloudless. That would be perfect, the girl thought. In reality, it was a cold spring morning in Soul Society. Birds were silent, dead flowers were everywhere and the sky was so misty that you couldn't see any clouds. Yumeka peeped around the corner, staying hidden in the shadows as well as possible.
Her ebony black bangs were plastered to her forehead with rain, and her two supposedly cute pigtails were soaked. Nevertheless, with her indigo eyes, rosy lips and pale glowing skin, Yumeka looked like a princess. But she was anything but that. And it had always been her dream when she was young. A pretty girl was running away from a boy with a sword, when suddenly a stranger jumped down from a tree and said- Yumeka was interrupted in her thoughts by a loud shout of, "So it's you, demon cat!" A peal of hearty laughter broke the silence.
She scolded herself mentally for being so scared; it wasn't like he had found out yet.
"Well that's a fine way to greet me, isn't it, Little Byakuya! And after I came all this way just to see you!"
"Silence! Why would I ever want to be visited by the likes of you in the first place?! I will be head of the Kuchiki clan soon enough, you know – I don't have time to waste on you!"
"Is that right?" She replied, deftly undoing the string that held Byakuya's hair back and it cascaded down. A vein throbbed in his forehead, a warning sign to all who knew him well.
"Why, you..!" He swung his sword, but she shunpo-ed and reappeared at the top of the Kuchiki palace. Yumeka felt a pang of jealousy. Why can't I get his attention like that?
"Haha! If the Head of Clan Kuchiki can get his hair tie stolen by a girl, then I worry about the future of the clan!" She sneered unpleasantly. Byakuya's expression resembled Kusajishi Yachiru's when her candy got taken away.
"Don't you move an inch, Shihouin Yoruichi…" He threatened, "I'm gonna…"
"Kuchiki Byakuya, you can't get me!"
Yumeka looked at the dark skinned girl who was twirling a white string between her fingers. She grinned mischievously at a boy whose long black hair flowed past his shoulders. He was holding a zanpaku-tô and scowling at the newcomer with deep dislike in face. Yumeka hoped that she would never have to face him like that, ever. Yoruichi's foot twisted, and then she vanished. Byakuya was breathing heavily.
"I see… it seems to me you wish to call my wrath upon yourself…" He looked forward and Yumeka scaled up the tree, eyes wide. "Very well…I shall make you see the error of your ways!"
Yumeka perched on a branch, swinging her legs. She was amazed how Byakuya still couldn't see her. The stranger jumped down from the tree and said, "You will never harm this poor girl! Or I shall cut you down!" "For my own shunpo… is far superior to that of the likes of you!!" Byakuya cried, and departed. All Yumeka could do was stare enviously at the empty space where he was a second ago. She had secretly been practicing shunpo, looking forward to the day where she would be the one he wanted to chase. She leapt down lightly and twirled into mid-air, leaving dead leaves floating down.
"I'm home, Yasuko-san." She mumbled.
"Come help with the new deliveries, Yume-chan!"
Yumeka sighed. Her twenty-one year old aunt (who died in a car crash) was always like this.
-Flashback-
"Yasuko-san…I…" Yumeka whispered, "I'm so happy that you took care of me…I'm so grateful…thank you."
"Yumeka! A customer!" Yasuko shouted, although her niece was only an inch away.
-End of Flashback-
Moving, checking and labeling the new products was an easy job, considering Yumeka's other experiences. It was almost twwnty minutes before Yasuko noticed that Yumeka was soaked to the skin. They lived in the small apartment above a pet shop, so that they would hear if there was a robbery. The small shop, despite its shabby appearance, was the home to more than fifty different types of animals. Sticking the last pink label on a packet of food which promoted a 15 discount, Yumeka ran up to her room and clumsily knocked over a box of doggy treats.
She soaked in the bathtub, recounting the strange events that happened at the Kuchiki Palace. Byakuya with his hair down looked cute.
"Yume-chan! Customer!" Yasuko screeched. Yumeka splashed water onto the floor as she desperately struggled to get her clothes on. Soon she admitted defeat, and instead put on a black robe and a white hakama with the number 六 on it. The shop opposite sold cosplay items such as this, including fake zanpaku-tôs and other weapons.
Yumeka dashed down the stairs. According to Yasuko, it was rude to keep a customer waiting, especially if they asked for your help.
She closed her eyes and squeezed water out of her hair.
"Welcome to the Seireitei Pet Shop! How may I help you?"
Byakuya sweat-dropped. What a creative name.
"Do you sell peacock medicine? Our's seem to have gotten quite sick."
Inner Byakuya: She's so not professional…Man! I'm tired from that fight with Yoruichi!
Yumeka glanced at the customer before gaping at him.
Inner Yumeka: Shut your mouth, it's unbecoming!
"…Ah, yes, um, this way." She blushed and led him over to the exotic pets section. "…Eh, here you go," Yumeka picked up the pink bag and handed it to him. She noticed that his hair was tied up with a black string.
"Thanks." He brushed her hand by accident, and Yumeka blushed even worse.
"Y-you're, um, I mean, eeh…" She stuttered. "Your shunpo is really good!" She spilled before running back upstairs to hyperventilate.
"Huh? You've seen me shunpo?" Byakuya called after her. He waited for a reply, but there was none. "What a weird girl." He threw the door open and Yumeka sneaked a last glance at the love with glazed eyes.
That night, Yumeka tossed and turned in her bed, but couldn't sleep.
I touched Kuchiki Byakuya.
I touched Kuchiki Byakuya.
I touched Kuchiki Byakuya.
She got up and left a note to Yasuko saying that she would be out. With
that, she shunpo-ed out of the window and reappeared outside a bar. Yumeka heard happy voices and singing inside. She had never felt like that…felt like she belonged here. She pushed open the door and bright lights temporarily blinded her.
"Hey, hey kid. You're too young to be in here. What are you, eight?"
"N-no…I'm nine. Actually, I'm here to find Yoruichi."
"Yoruichi?! Isn't she a bit old for you?"
"Not in that way." Yumeka whispered.
"Did someone say my name? You said my name!" To Yoruichi's left sat Matsumoto, Hisagi and Kira. To her right was Shunsui and Ukitake. "Yo…little girl."
"Hii," Yumeka looked at Yoruichi's wrist. A piece of white string was looped around it. "Um, why are you wearing such an ugly piece of string? I could get you a nicer one." Already drunk, Yoruichi ruffled the younger girl's hair. She's so cute. I want a child like that with Kisuke-chan.
"You're so cute! Of course you can have it, but only if you give me a nicer one!"
"Thanks!" Yumeka's face lit up as she revealed perfect teeth. She shunpo-ed out and materialized outside the Kuchiki Palace, standing on Byakuya's window sill. He was fast asleep, muttering things like
"Never…Senbon Zakura Kageyoshi…Die!"
Yumeka had to stifle a laugh. He sleeps like a baby. Oh well. Her slim fingers tied the string to one of wind-chimes and she was gone.
"Ne…" Byakuya yawned, brushing his hair. It was a shame that he lost his best hair tie to THAT Demon Cat. His face looked like bird shit. Nobody really knew but secretly, Byakuya really worried about his looks. He believed that a good first impression was everything. Closing his eyes, Byakuya heard the soft chimes that the metal pipes made. He looked admiringly at them in the mirror, and then saw the cord. "Hey…" Although he didn't know who returned it, he felt glad that Soul Society was gradually accepting him into their community, instead of treating him like a brat.
-Flashback-
Byakuya hid in the bushes, listening to Hisagi Shuhei and Ukitake Jyuushiro talk while drinking tea.
"By the way, have you heard?" Ukitake said quietly, making
Byakuya strain his ears to listen.
"Heard what?" Hisagi drawled.
"Apparently, among this year's new recruits, there's a real genius… the likes of which we haven't seen since yourself."
"I'm really no genius…" Byakuya scratched his face absent-mindedly, had he landed himself in some poisonous bush? Lost in this thought, he almost missed the next part of the conversation.
"Apparently, this kid…graduated from the Shinigami Academy after only a single year."
"One year…that's really something."
"Isn't it though? Age wise, he's…let's see… you know Captain Kuchiki's grandson, Byakuya-kun?" Byakuya's eyes widened and he heard his name.
"Yeah, that impertinent little…" Grk! I must remember to crush that son of a bitch! How dare he fucking say things like that about a noble?
Inner Byakuya: Ooh! Getting mouthy, are we? Keep your temper, Kuchiki-kun, and concentrate on that reiatsu concealing spell you're holding!
"Yes, quite."
And Ukitake too! "Apparently this newcomer is about Byakuya-kun's age, or perhaps a little younger…but I hear he has obtained a seated position as soon as he was assigned to a division."
Ah…I've got competition, ne, Inner?
Inner Byakuya: I believe so, Kuchiki-kun.
Gah…stop calling me that!
"MA--N… A seated officer at that age, huh? This must be one scary little genius we're dealing with here…guess this puts me one step further away from that vice-captain position!"
"You don't need to sound so happy about it."
"So…what division's he in? Where was this genius kid assigned?" Hisagi asked, trying his best not to sound curious or anything. In fact, he wasn't. He was downright jealous of the kid. Actually, the first thing Hisagi wanted to do was give him a good beating for being so clever. Ukitake merely sipped his tea, smacking his lips loudly too.
"He was assigned to fifth…"
That means a fight. I must fight that kid. Now! Come on, Inner, let's go!
Inner Byakuya: Are you quite so sure?
Yes…at least I think so…
Byakuya went home that day feeling much more confident that he had beaten the newcomer.
Hmph…I wonder how he became a seated officer with skills like that? Maybe the rest of the newcomers were even worse. Well hah! I bet I'll become a Captain! Don't you think so, Inner?
Inner Byakuya: Hmm…maybe, maybe not.
Why's that?
Because if that weird girl is the one you compete against, then she'll probably become Captain.
Shut up.
I'm only tellin' the truth!
-End of Flashback-
Byakuya sighed in frustration. He really wanted that Captain Position. Turning off the light, he buried deep into his blankets and fell asleep wondering who in Soul Society had gotten his hair tie back.
"Spying on Kuchiki?" A voice sounded in the half-darkness behind
Yumeka, making her jump.
"No…I mean, yes…I mean…" She looked behind her at the tall, red haired boy. Somehow, he seemed intimidating.
"I'm Abarai Renji. Who're you?" Renji asked, flashing a smile at her. He really resembled a red pineapple with red hair spiked up in a ponytail (not unlike Shikamaru).
"I'm Yumeka." She continued to look at the boy until he sighed.
"Why are you spying on Kuchiki? He's such a spoilt brat."
"Idon'tknow." Yumeka said a bit too quickly. Renji grinned evilly like he always did when an idea struck him.
"Oi! Kuchiki! You've got an admirer!" He yelled.
Byakuya slowly turned around, as if he would personally murder the person who said that. Yumeka blushed until she was almost the same colour as Renji's hair. "Ow! What did you hit me for? I was only helping! You would never make a move."
Getting more suspicious, Byakuya shunpo-ed and pressed his zanpaku-tô onto Renji's throat. Yumeka panicked and ran away. Renji, you son of a bitch! However, Byakuya remembered the weird girl yesterday and he compared her to the girl he just saw. He released his grip on Renji's collar and stalked to the edge of the trees.
"Yes! The intelligent detective Kuchiki Byakuya has already solved the mystery!" He muttered, before realizing how lame it sounded. Renji sniggered at that.
Yumeka sweared that she would hit Renji until he became mincemeat. What was he thinking? She paced around the small backyard before picking up her wooden sword and pretending to hack Renji into pieces.
"Not bad…but you need a lot more practice." Byakuya stepped out from the forest. Had he been spying on me all this time? Yumeka dropped her sword and cringed inwardly. "I followed you from the Kuchiki Palace. After all, my shunpo outstrips your running by far."
Inner Byakuya: Why are you being so polite? You're a noble; she's a commoner from the Rukongai!
That girl was unlike any that he had seen before. Apart from leaking a huge amount of reiatsu, she also had an enormous energy surrounding her soul, making it difficult to breach.
Inner Byakuya: Who are you? Why did you spy on me this morning? screaming Say something, you idiot!
"So…want to fight me?" He asked casually. Yumeka's jaw dropped. Oh my God! He wants to fight me! I'll die! "What? Is there something wrong with that?"
"No…it's just that…you're very good. And I'm not. I can only do shikai."
Inner Byakuya: Only do shikai? Only do shikai? That's good! For someone from the Rukongai. Of course, we're better, aren't we?
Shut up! Byakuya unsheathed his zanpaku-tô and waited. Yumeka, holding her suburitō, stood opposite him. Neither of them moved.
Hado No. 88: Hiryugekizokushinteraiho. A massive blast of black reiatsu surged towards Byakuya's stricken face. He didn't have time to dodge it, or to defend himself against Yumeka's powerful and accurate blows.
A drop of icy water fell onto Byakuya's cheek. He stirred, and woke up to see Yumeka's anxious face beside him. Suddenly, a chain of memories from their brief fight broke through a barrier.
"Wait – how did you use kidō without saying it? And why was your reiatsu black?"
Yumeka lifted her eyebrows slightly.
"Non-verbal kidō should be easy enough if you concentrate on the name and effect of it. And I don't know why my reiatsu is black. Yours is blue, right?"
"No…not anymore. Ever since I discovered my zanpaku-tô's name, my reiatsu turned pink." Pink…
"You were out cold for ten minutes." This fact didn't seem to bother Byakuya. He got up and looked around the back of the shop.
"How old are you anyway?" He asked.
"I'm two years younger than you." Was her reply.
She walked away, giving a sign that she wanted him to leave. He picked up the zanpaku-tô and remained motionless at the shop's front door.
"Well, I'll leave, then." He hesitated. "You're better than any girl I've ever met."
"Thanks." She answered, oblivious to the fact that he had gone.
"Ginrei-san, have you ever heard of black reiatsu?" Byakuya questioned his grandfather that evening at dinner.
"Black reiatsu? Yes, only Hollows or Vizards have that." The old man replied. The young boy frowned.
"What about a different type of energy, but much more powerful?" Byakuya persisted. He was determined to find out her secret.
"I haven't heard of such in Soul Society, but when I was still alive, I had a friend who was a Shinobi. He had really powerful energy, they call it chakra. Perhaps that is the answer."
Byakuya scoffed, and went up to his room. Shinobi...they don't even exist.
The following morning, since Yumeka had long finished her chores, she went to the Rukongai. Even in new surroundings with people who didn't know her, Yumeka still felt insecure.
"Hey! No one dares trespass on our territory, right Renji?"
"Um…I…didn't know…"
"Yuu-chan! What are you doing here?" Renji sauntered over and smacked the younger boy's head. "Sheesh! She's our friend!"
"I wanted to play with you guys…" She started, while the other boy said something about a 'baka aka-pine'. (Stupid red pineapple).
"OK! Let's play Eternal Tag! You're it!" Renji hit the brown haired boy and ran off. Yumeka shunpo-ed to the roof of Renji's small house. Endless Tag...
Hee hee! He can't catch me!
Somehow, Renji managed to grab hold of a ledge and swing himself up to the roof.
"Um…If you can get up here, doesn't it mean he can too?" Yumeka asked the bigger boy shyly.
"Nah…I knocked him out."
--
Yumeka: That was a bit crappy wasn't it?
Renji: Nah…
Byakuya: Hmph. If I was an author, my superior story would be much better than that.
Yumeka: Please REVIEW! REVIEW! REVIEW!
Renji: And I thought she was shy…