Sorry for the (semi) long wait guys!!! I've had a lot of problems with my school schedule next year, and I needed to figure it out, and still am doing it, in fact. Also, the uploader on FF wouldn't work, so I got mad at it and didn't get on for a day or so. Anyways, This is the first chapter to the sequal to Blue Moon!!! For those of you who are new (or have already read it) here is a recap on the previous story:
(Start recap)
Mitsuki is a new recurit to Squad 10, a young, shy, and reserved girl who has just returned from being kidnapped from the Shingami academy. Toshiro, who was told to get the reason behind the kidnapping from her, begins to gain her trust and eventually learns that Ryuu, her kidnapper, had killed her best friend Chiyo and she had wanted revenge.
Meanwhile, Unohana had seen a shinigami who seemed different. Suspicious, she underwent a rigourous studying period and found out that it had all the symptoms of one under possesion, but before she could warn Yamamoto, she was kidnapped.
Mitsuki and Toshiro had, by then, fallen in love and were happier than ever. Mitsuki was getting close to telling him the whole truth behind her story, but before she could Ryuu and his slaves send Toshiro a message: either he makes Mitsuki leave, or Unohana would die. Heartbroken, he forces Mitsuki to leave, but regrets his desicion and chases after her. He finds her in Ryuu's underground lair and with her is Chiyo, resurrected by Kiyoshi, Ryuu's second-in-command. The two argue, but Chiyo surprises everyone by turning traitor and almost killing Mitsuki. Toshiro, who was immensly angry, battles Chiyo and succeeds in killing her. He also travels to Mitsuki's soul world with the help of her zanpaku-to and brings her back from the brink of death. The couple, now forgiven by each other, return to the Soul Society.
When they return, a battle is already in place, as Mitsuki was only a trap to lure the two away from the real threat. Mitsuki, determined to make things right and come to reconciliation with her past, confronts Ryuu and battles him. And she proves her true worth- with the aid of the moon above, Mitsuki's power increases and she manages to defeat Ryuu with help from Kiyoshi, who turns out to be her brother.
(end recap)
Ok, hope that sorta-short summary helps. Anyways, here is A Thousand Sparkles, taking place five years later. Enjoy
A bird drifted down towards the earth, the sun beating down on its wings. It had been flying for some time now, and weary for rest, it alighted on a roof, preening its bedraggled feathers. Cawing forlornly, it watched the bustle of the people hurrying through the streets, going to do some task or other.
Below the bird a black-haired man passed, carrying a stack of paperwork. Ducking inside the building, he dodged several others and deposited the papers at a desk in front of a bored-looking secretary. She looked up as the stack appeared in front of her, and nodding, she flicked through the paperwork. "That will be all for today, Captain Hisagi. Thank you."
The man nodded. Looking around at the ordinary bustle of the First Division Headquarters, he noticed a slightly short, blonde-haired shinigami heading towards him, carrying at least twice the size of his former stack. Similar to her Captain's, her Zanpaku-to was strapped across her back, the blue fabric contrasting against her black uniform. The Tenth Division sign sewn into her outfit declared who she was, and the Shinigami who raced around let her through with some level of respect. A smile was evident on her face, despite the fact that she had been working on the paperwork for an hour or more that morning with her husband. Reaching the desk, she deposited her papers as well, than she turned and noticed Hisagi at the same time. "Oh, hello there." She said brightly. "How's it going in the Ninth Division?"
Hisagi sighed. "It's alright. It's been a little slow with recruits, but nothing to worry about. How's the Tenth Division doing, Mitsuki?"
Mitsuki smiled. "Great. Toshiro finally completed his Bankai, and Matsumoto's planning a party. I believe she's looking for you now." He winced. Matsumoto always seemed to drag him into…awkward situations, and now that he was a Captain, it would have been better if he hadn't been found in them at all. But no one could say no to the Tenth Division's lieutenant, except for Captain Hitsugaya, and even he didn't last long. Mitsuki giggled at his reaction.
"Well, thanks for the warning. I have to return to the office- It's my turn to train the recruits today." He said. Mitsuki nodded, waving goodbye as he pushed his way through the crowd.
The secretary smiled wearily at Mitsuki. "Welcome back, Hitsugaya. Is this all for today?" Mitsuki nodded. "Yes, I believe so. Do you have anything else for us?" she asked. The secretary looked through some files, than shook her head. "No, that's all. I believe there will be more tomorrow, though."
"Alright; thanks." Mitsuki responded, than headed outside, after checking her name off on a form the secretary handed her.
It had been five years since Ryuu had attacked the Soul Society, and though the scars of battle still remained, everyone had moved on for the better. Captain Hisagi had been promoted to be Captain of the Ninth Squad, and Mitsuki's own brother Kiyoshi, after much persuasion and mixed feelings, had been promoted to be Captain of fifth. Mitsuki herself had been asked to take the position, but nothing would make her leave Tenth Division- wherever Toshiro was, that's where Mitsuki was as well. And there was also the fact of her spiritual pressure- it still hadn't recuperated to its former strength, and Mitsuki was beginning to worry that it never would.
Kira was also going to be promoted to Captain of Third Squad, but upon hearing a rumor that Matsumoto would transfer over to become his Assistant Captain, he chickened out and refused. Currently, no one held the position, but Yamamoto and the other Captains were keeping an eye out for possible candidates.
There were other events that had happened as well. The most extraordinary and surprising for everyone was when Captain Ukitake had finally appointed an Assistant Captain, a fiery girl named Machiko Nyoko that ran the Squad better than Ukitake did and even kept his third seats under control, which instantly earned respect from several of the Shinigamis in her division, including Ukitake himself.
But the most memorable event, as far as Mitsuki was concerned, was her marriage to Captain Hitsugaya. The two had announced their engagement shortly after Ryuu had died, and had gotten married two years later. Life was basically as normal as any Shinigami could have- but being the wife of one of the most hard-working Captains wasn't easy. Mitsuki had already gotten used to the routine of life, but with helping her husband with paperwork, her own jobs as fifth seat, and getting angry letters from female soul reapers who were less than happy about their marriage took its toll after a while. She wondered how she had lasted this long.
Since she was meeting Toshiro at noon after he met with Captain Byakuya over an issue between some shinigami in their divisions, Mitsuki decided to pay her brother a visit. He was having a tough time, since several people, especially the ones that had been possessed by Ryuu, were highly suspicious of him. It didn't help that Aizen had been the former Fifth Division Captain, and had been one of the worst traitors the Soul Society had ever seen. Needless to say, Kiyoshi was going through tough times still, even after two years.
Flash-stepping to his office, she knocked on the door and walked it, not bothering to wait until he replied. His lieutenant, a short, sandy-haired boy that was even quieter than her brother looked up as she entered, then returned to his paperwork.
Kiyoshi sighed as she came in. "Hi, Mitsuki. Any news from Hitsugaya?" he asked. The two had become good friends after the battle, and from time to time they visited each other to catch up. Mitsuki shook her head. "Not really. Some members from Squad Six got into an argument with some of our new recruits, so Toshiro is over there smoothing things over. Captain Kuchiki isn't a happy camper."
Kiyoshi looked amused. "When is he not? Anyways, I have a Captain's meeting soon- I only found out about a moment ago."
"Alright, I guess we'd better leave." She said. "Oh, and help me keep an eye out for extra eleventh squad members running around, though- apparently, Captain Zaraki told them that anyone and anything that moves is something worth fighting, and they are attacking random people on the streets, even Captains. I almost got attacked by one on my way to drop off paperwork."
Kiyoshi nodded. "Alright, I'll keep that in mind." Gesturing to his Assistant Captain to continue his paperwork, he left the room, followed by Mitsuki.
They separated at the First Division Headquarters, and Mitsuki waited by the entrance to catch her husband as he came out. Nodding at the Shinigamis who went by, she settled down on the doorstop.
She watched as a rather ruffled bird flew off the roof, landing in the middle of the street to pillage the scraps left over from the Second Division's Lieutenant. Out of nowhere, an Eleventh Squad Shinigami flash-stepped from the shadow of the building and killed it. The sun made his red hair look pink for a split second, and he laughed as the bird writhed in the street before dying.
"Nice one!" his friend called, than they raced off to find other victims.
Mitsuki shuddered, suddenly cold. She couldn't help but feel that it was an omen of things to come.
So, what'd you think??? Reveiw please, you will get cookies!
And just so you know, I hope that this one will be longer than Blue Moon. I'm really excited about this story. :D