Author's Note:
Why, hello there! Fluffymushrooms unveils to you her first fanfiction ever: "Fireworks". Hope you will enjoy it! :]
Warnings: This is a ByaRuki fanfic. So if you do not like ByaRuki, I must suggest that it would be best if you did not read this work. However, if you do like ByaRuki (as I do), carry along!
Disclaimers: Bleach belongs to Kubo Tite, not to me. Although, I do own the plot of this story.
"Rukia-sama!"
Rukia groaned and pulled the covers higher over her head, trying to block out her maid's voice. She peeked at her clock next to her futon.
5:00 in the morning? Why was her maid waking her up so early? Rukia's sleepy mind tried to grasp at a possible explanation.
Maybe it's a Chappy bunny sale. Rukia smiled contentedly as she buried her face further into her pillow.
"Rukia-sama! Rukia-sama!"
Rukia opened one eye, "What's going on? It's so early."
"Rukia-sama, there is a Vice-Captians' meeting in half an hour," the maid called from outside the door.
A Lieutenants' meeting before their Shinigami duties started? What had happened? Was Seireitei under attack again?
That's not possible. The commotion would have woken me up.
"I'm coming."
Rukia hurriedly slipped into her uniform, all traces of sleepiness vanished. Putting on her sandals, she slid open her room door.
Was Nii-sama called out for a meeting, too? Did he know about this?
Despite having been appointed as the 13th Division's new Vice-Captain, Rukia still often felt that she did not meet up to her adoptive brother's expectations. She saw the respect and admiration the Clan members and Shinigami had for the Clan Head and Sixth Division, Byakuya Kuchiki. She also saw how those same people respected and even, to some extent, admired her.
It was all because of Nii-sama. She owed him nearly everything that was important to her: her job as a Shinigami, her Lieutenancy, even the place she lived.
And yet, a part of Rukia felt that she disappointed Byakuya in many ways. She recalled the many times she was in danger, each time ending with her Nii-sama having to save her. Rukia recalled how he often injured himself while doing so.
She always caused him trouble, and she still had not been able to repay his kindness. It bothered Rukia to think that Nii-sama had to put up with such a clumsy, weak sister like herself.
As Rukia neared her adopted brother's room, careful not to make a sound, she noticed that all the lights were off. Maybe there wasn't anything major and Nii-sama was still sleeping.
She sped up her pace. Just concentrate on getting to the meeting. It's probably nothing.
"Ahhhh, Kuchiki-fukutaichou, you're here." Nanao glanced up at her from the table.
I'm late? How did that happen? Rukia saw all the Vice-Captains staring at her from their seats.
Oh no.
"I'm so sorry," Rukia bowed, her cheeks red, and took her place at the table.
"It's alright. No worries."
Nanao adjusted her glasses and spoke, "There have been numerous Hollow sightings in the Living World. An unusually large amount."
"Ehhhh? We were called here for Hollows only? It couldn't wait until when our duties begin?" Renji asked irritably, rubbing his eyes.
"Normally, we would have discussed this during the day, but it's different this time," Nanao's tone suddenly turned grave.
"In each location the Hollows were found, there was always a newly, deceased human. A human body with its heart pulled out."
Several lieutenants gasped in disgust and shock. Rukia herself was taken aback and puzzled by this news.
"But how do we know that the abundance of Hollows and dead humans are related?" Hisagi put in. "What if a mad human had just killed the people? Maybe they naturally turned into Hollows from all the hatred that they were feeling."
"No. They did not," Nanao looked through the documents in front of her. "Kurosaki Ichigo literally saw something pull the Soul Chain out from the new Pluses, changing them into Hollows."
Rukia smiled with pride. Ichigo had just supplied them valuable information.
"However, that something vanished once he tried to dispatch it," Nanao continued. "We need a Lieutenant to go down to the Living World." She looked across at the silent Vice-Captains, "This mission may be especially dangerous, since we currently have no clue as to what we are dealing with.
"Nevertheless, it is very important that we find out what is endangering the humans and Pluses. Whoever volunteers will be doing Soul Society and the Living World a great favor."
Especially dangerous... very important... a great favor for Soul Society and the Living World... living up to Nii-sama's expectations...
"I'll go. I'll find out the cause of the disturbances." Rukia's voice broke through the heavy silence. Everyone turned to stare at her.
"Thank you for volunteering, Kuchiki-fukutaichou," Nanao smiled. "Are there any more questions?" The Lieutenants shook their heads.
"The meeting is adjourned."
Nanao then turned to Rukia, "I'll brief you on your duties for this mission."
Rukia nodded.
Byakuya left the Captain's meeting hall. It appeared that there were strange happenings occurring in the real world and a Vice-Captain was going to be sent down to investigate. In fact, the Vice-Captains were holding a meeting right now to decide who would go.
Surely not worth his time. Perhaps his noisy Lieutenant Abarai would volunteer and he would be left in peace for a few weeks.
It was still early, too early to begin his duties at the Sixth Division. Byakuya turned, bound for the manor.
Rukia walked along, the dim lanterns hanging the sole source of light in the wee hours of the morning. She decided not to go to the Thirteenth Division's building just yet, as there was still about an hour until work started.
Nanao had told her about the details of the mission and how long she should spend in the Living World.
Apparently, the mission would possibly take several months. Rukia did not really look forward to spending so much time away from home, but she contented herself with being able to protect the humans and help Ichigo. She would be able to see Inoue, Ishida, and Sado again, maybe even go to school.
And show Nii-sama that he doesn't need to worry about me anymore.
Rukia trudged on, satisfied with what she would do.
Byakuya saw a small figure headed his way.
It was Rukia.
When he heard that a Vice-Captain would undertake the investigation, Byakuya found himself hoping that Rukia would not volunteer herself for the job. Despite giving her permission to become a seated officer, he still did not like her to become involved in dangerous missions.
He could not watch over and protect her if she went to the Living World. She would be all by herself. Of course, there was Kurosaki Ichigo in the Living World, but Byakuya did not particularly like to rely on him to look after Rukia. It wounded his pride.
Rukia noticed him standing several paces away and bowed, "Good morning, Nii-sama."
"Rukia."
Byakuya deliberated as to whether he should ask Rukia if she was going on the mission. However, Rukia saved him the trouble.
"Did – Was Nii-sama called for a Captains' meeting?" The words were out of Rukia's mouth before she could retract them.
Stupid Rukia! Obviously Nii-sama attended a Captains' meeting. Why else would he be walking outside in the cold at 6:30 in the morning?
"Yes, I was." Byakuya's voice interupted Rukia's thoughts.
"Then... Nii-sama knows about what is happening in the Living World?"
Byakuya regarded her for a few seconds. "Yes, I am aware."
Where was she going with this? Rukia was looking everywhere and at everything, except at him. Byakuya felt uneasiness grow inside him.
"Nii-sama."
Violet eyes locked with gray ones.
"I am going on the mission tomorrow morning."
There was a moment of silence, then Byakuya opened his mouth, "I see." He turned away from her and began continuing toward the manor.
He's angry. Why is he angry? Rukia meekly followed behind him, thoughts running through her mind. Why wasn't he proud that she was undertaking such an important investigation?
Then again, Nii-sama is an expert at hiding his emotions. Perhaps he isn't angry after all. Yes, that must be it.
Byakuya strode on in silence.
Rukia had volunteered herself for the job, like what he had suspected she would do. She was already a Vice-Captain, he should expect that she will eventually be assigned missions like this.
Yet, this was different.
Rukia personally volunteered to go down to the Living World.
Why was he worrying? She was a powerful Shinigami, she could take care of herself. Also, Rukia's combat skills had improved tremendously. She would be more prepared to fight.
Nothing would go wrong.
But why had she volunteered? Was she not satisfied with being a Vice-Captain? There was no need for her to undertake unnecessary missions. She had enough paperwork to keep her very busy.
Was she not happy staying in Soul Society?
Did she... prefer the company of Kurosaki Ichigo?
What was she trying to do?
Rukia threw herself onto her futon.
Now she was very convinced that Nii-sama was upset.
Upon arriving at the manor, Byakuya had gone to his room without so much as another word to her. She still did not understand why he was mad. It made no sense.
She couldn't ask what was bothering him. Though their relationship had been improving ever since he had taken Gin's sword for her, Rukia still found that there was a wall between them, making conversations difficult and awkward.
However, Rukia was happy that things had become better. She now understood Byakuya more than ever before. Maybe there would even be a day when he would be more open with her.
Maybe he would one day tell her if something was bothering him.
Rukia smiled, allowing such blissful thoughts to fill her mind. She tried as best as she could to suppress her memories of what had happened earlier with Byakuya.
She still had to finish another day of work before she departed.
Thus concludes the first chapter of Fireworks. I really look forward to reviews, as they give me an idea of whether you like my fic or if I need to correct something (especially since this is my first work of fanfiction). Reviews let me know if there are actually people reading, as I write for you all to read. So... please review. The more reviews, the better! Also, I have already completed several upcoming chapters and will be uploading them soon enough, so be prepared for more of "Fireworks"!
Thanks for reading! ;]