"Unwanted Memories"
Prologue: The Fight
"You're too dependent on protecting those pieces of shit over, Kokoro," his velvet voice spoke. "That's what makes you weak, weaker than your past self." He laughed darkly," Or maybe they are what keeps you fighting, yes? So I should attack them, yes?"
"No!" She cried out, blocking his lunge," I won't let you hurt them! Not any of them!"
He seemed taken aback by something, and an amused smirk touched his lips.
"I see… so that's what Akane-hime chose you for." He mused, and she stiffened at the name of her zanpukuto. "There is a spark in your eyes. A spark that not I, who has watched over you before you were not born yet and still inside your mother's stomach, has noticed." Her fingers twitched, and a crimson sword metalized in her grip from nowhere. "I… want to see that spark again, Kokoro."
One last enticing smirk and he vanished into thin air. Kokoro allowed her guard to fall as the ones she wanted to protect flash-stepped (expect for a few) joined her side.
"Masashi," Rukia's voice chimed into her head," who was that man? And why did he seem to know you?"
"…I don't know who he is, and I don't know why he knew me. I can't seem to remember him, and Akane-hime isn't answering my questions," she answered after a pause.
Her grip on the sword tightened, her knuckles turning white.
"But I intend to find out."