#2: New Life
Brilliant green eyes snapped open in shocked manner. Breaths were let out in sharp intakes and outtakes; panting, ragged harsh. One pale hand flew toward an equally pale forehead, drenched by cold sweat. Another hand gripped the sheet tightly, painfully.
"…It was that dream again…" the young man whose emerald eyes murmured wistfully. "Why did I dream those dreams, over and over? What do they mean anyway?"
Silence within his small room regarded him. Thankfully, he got a room which stood a bit far from the others; it was the secluded and most silent of all rooms within their shared house; he was glad that Harumi was so thoughtful about him.
The young man removed his blanket and stood up from his futon. He managed to slide the shoji door soundlessly and walked outside. He stood in the middle of the narrow, dark hallway for a while and finally decided to turn left, towards the kitchen; he wanted to get some water to gulp; he was dry to death.
He was slightly surprised when he found that the kitchen's lamp was lit. He wondered who was still up in this ungodly hour. He doubted that neither Ginjo nor Naoto was; they both were heavy sleeper if they wanted to.
He carefully slid the shoji door and slipped in. He saw one person had occupied one of several tatami pillows there, having a cup of steamy tea.
"…Harumi…" he muttered.
The person spun around and smiled wisely. Harumi was a tall, tanned woman with well-endowed bosom, sand-colored blonde hair with several little braids dangling and bright yet calming green eyes. She was clad in dark blue kimono with white flowers pattern and black sash. Her mannerism was somehow calm, composed, and graceful. She didn't talk much and always seemed to have wisely advices and soothing comfort around her person. The young man liked her best among his other house-occupants.
"Uriya. Can't sleep?" she asked in deep tone.
The young man, Uriya, only nodded softly. He took another pillow and sat reservedly beside the woman. His elbows were propped neatly on the wooden table, in front of his chest and he waited patiently for Harumi to ask him another question.
Harumi sighed. Uriya wasn't really a conversational man; ironically, similar like her. It was in his nature, to be so reserved, cold, and detached all the time. It was in his past mannerism too, when he was still living his life as an Es—Harumi shook her head gently; she didn't want to remember that particular memory; the memory of them living their life or rather, afterlife, as monsters. She wanted to forget that certain memory and stepped into new life they have regained.
"Is that another dream again?" she asked carefully.
Uriya only nodded, again.
Harumi scrutinized the young man before her intently. "What was it this time?"
Uriya sighed heavily before answered in monotone, detached voice. "The same as always. Dark, gloomy night, with creepy crescent moon hanging on the sky. White sand. The world was entirely in black, grey, and white. And then suddenly red attacked my vision, covering the entire scenery. I heard eerie screaming from faraway; somehow I felt something important… something, I don't know, horrible, was coming…" he paused to control his slightly erratic breaths. "…And then, everything went blank, darkness engulfing. And I woke up, drenched in my own sweat and—and felt terrified somehow."
Harumi knew that it was such brave confession, coming from usually stoic and silent Uriya. And she appreciated it; that he had decided to open himself in front of her. So she wanted to try to help him.
"It sounded like… our late residence." She stated matter-of-factly.
Uriya nodded wistfully.
Harumi stood up and offered him a cup of tea which he accepted gratefully. Then she sat down again and watched him quietly sipping his tea.
"From the twelve of us, only you, I, and Satoru who had regained full memories of our previous life. We gain new life, thus new names; and I do really hope that finally—finally we can be happy with our life." Harumi smiled sadly.
"…I agree. I—I want it too." Uriya uncharacteristically stammered, triggering a wider smile from his companion.
"Yes, especially you. You, who in the past often questioned the meaning of heart… and life itself, either to that mortal girl or to yourself. You, the previous Cuarta Espada, Ulquiorra Schiffer."
Uriya frowned distastefully at her. "Don't call me with that name, ever."
Harumi chuckled. "I know. I don't want to be called with the name of Tia Halibel, previous Tercera Espada, either."
Uriya snorted. "Your present name is Tia Harumi; it's quite similar."
"Same with you, Shizu Uriya."
They fell into somewhat comfortable silence, before Harumi stood up and straightened her kimono. "Empty your cup and get back to sleep. Tomorrow is your first day to be in academy, isn't it? You have to prepare yourself."
Uriya groaned. "I know! Just—just don't make me remember about that, Harumi."
The woman laughed softly. "Nervous, are you?"
"I'm not!"
"Whatever. Just get back to sleep. Night, Uriya."
"…Night, Harumi." And then she left for her own room.
"…Academy, huh? Don't think I will join the group of shinigami-trash who, years ago, tried to subdue us to death… what an irony…" Uriya emptied his tea and went back to his dim-lit room, still frowning about his dream and the academy.
###
When the morning came, Uriya felt a bit fresher than last night. His second attempt to sleep had been successful without having another horrible dream; and he fell to oblivion for at least three hours before Harumi knocked his door to wake him up.
He quickly scrambled for his towel and undergarment before dashing towards the bathroom. Fortunately, none of the other male occupants had awakened, yet, and ravished the bathroom. He shuddered imagining to wait for their long, long, bath time. Well, for exactly only Sazero who did take a long time to bathe, but still… sigh.
He untied his yukata and plunged himself inside the bathtub full of hotter-than-usually-warm water he had been provided himself with. Ahh, nothing could beat the enjoyment of bathing early on the morning, without any disturbance at all…
"Damn, Uriya!! Don't drown yerself too long within, do ya?! I need to take a bath, quickly!" Ginjo's voice boomed, albeit muffled by the wooden door. Accompanying his exclaim, his fist rapped impatiently, threatening to break down the door with it.
Maybe he was wrong, Uriya rolled his eyes exasperatedly. No such thing like refreshing, relaxing morning bath inside this house… honestly. He had been inside for just 5 minutes, for god sake!
"It's not only you who have to take a bath early, trash." He deadpanned, loud enough for the other to hear.
"Who do you call trash, you dumbfuck?!"
"You, moronic scumbag. Now, leave me alone. I want to bathe in peace."
"Che." Sulking, Ginjo turned around and left, still grumbling about the green eyed fucker who now reigning over the bathroom. Uriya let out a small smirk and resumed his bath.
Ten minutes later, he arrived at the kitchen, also their dining room somehow; fully dressed in his academy uniform with books and some of his clothing for change inside his bag, and sat on his usual seat, beside Sun-Sun. The quiet girl was the second person Uriya liked best after Harumi, save her seldom sharp tongue. Sun-Sun could be a harsh commentator sometimes.
Harumi smiled at him and served him with a bowl of rice, a plate of fried fish, preserved vegetables, miso soup, and a cup of green tea. Uriya, on the first time she cooked, was surprised knowing she could actually cook. Well, back there, they lived as Espada and they were served by their fracción or lower arrancars whatsoever. But now, they had to cook to eat; something Harumi found that she was fond of.
At the table, Uriya noticed that almost all of the house's occupants had sit on their respective seats. Kazuhito Satoru, previously known as Primera Espada, Coyote Starrk, yawning widely, sat on the end of the table, beside Harumi. Since he was considered the oldest among them, it was rather appropriate to call him as, say, older brother? Or father, maybe? Whatever. To be honest, Uriya didn't even think he was suitable enough to be their 'leader'. But it had been proved once; he was the Primera after all.
Jiruga Naoto, known previously as Quinta Espada, Nnoitra Jiruga, sat on the other side of Harumi, squawking something about 'cheater' and 'looser'. Uriya guessed that he lost his sparring against Naru, again. Talking about past habit, he mused. He still had his toothy smirk and lewd attitude, albeit some harsher manners had been less improved; if he wanted to safely pass Harumi's deadly thwack.
Jiruga Tetsuya, known previously as Nnoitra's fracción, Tesla, now reborn as Naoto's little brother; sat quietly beside Naoto. Uriya pondered that he liked him, firstly, despite his tendency to praise Naoto, a lot; and mimicking everything he did or wore. For first time, he could tolerate him, but after sometimes, he had been tired of him… sigh.
Tia Akane and Maria, previously known as Apache and Mila Rose, respectively; both of them were Halibel's fracción back then; sat side by side, bickering against each other about something Uriya didn't really want to know. Honestly, they were bickering all the time, for god sake, over something trivial, such as what yukata's color they want to wear or where they want to hang out that night… sigh.
Tia Sun-Sun, another previously Halibel's fracción, sat across them and beside him. She watched her sisters' bickering with amused eyes and sometimes she piped in some harsh comments. Typical… sigh.
Kazuhito Ririna, previously known as Lilynette Gingerback, Starrk's baby fracción; sat on the other side of Satoru; busying herself reprimanding her 'father' about not being sleepy when eating. She even thwacked his head if she found him sleeping while facing his food. Another typical… sigh.
Onodera Naru, previously known as former Tercera Espada, Neliel Tu Oderschvank or Nel; sat beside Ririna, silently eating with somewhat proud aura. For time to time, while eating, she glanced towards Naoto with smug eyes, who glared back at her; undoubtedly challenging him for another bout of sparring. Uriya was some kind of surprised knowing this; for usually it was Nnoitra who challenging her most of time, not the other way around.
Both Jiromaru Ginjo and Akihiro Sazero, previously known as Sexta and Octava Espada, Grimmjow Jaggerjaques and Szayel Apollo Grantz, respectively; weren't appearing on the site, yet. Ginjo was presumably bathing, while Sazero… well, who knew? He was a mad scientist and narcissist after all.
"Uriya, ya dimwit! Ya used the entire firewood for hot water, again!" Speaking of the devil, Ginjo burst in and took a seat beside him, while prodding him harshly on the back. "I hafta chop other chunks for my own bath, thank you very much!"
Uriya only rolled his eyes wryly and smirked.
Harumi gave Ginjo one bowl full of rice and its companions; which he accepted heartily; and then glaring disapprovingly at both her little sisters who were still bickering each other. They were instantly silent, much to both Ginjo's and Uriya's amazement. Harumi's gaze was infamous for its terrifying effect.
"So…" Ginjo started in between his munches. Harumi glared at him slightly and he quickly swallowed his food before continued, "You're going to academy, huh?"
Uriya only nodded, eating calmly and reservedly.
"Why do ya hafta anyway?" Ginjo asked absentmindedly.
"…Because I want to." Uriya wanted to smack his head for his lame reason.
"Oh…" Ginjo gulped his miso soup before stared at him funnily. "Weird."
"What weird?"
"Well… ya rarely want something. Ya usually keep yer silent and, well… receive everything like stoic person ya are."
Uriya stopped his eating and stared back at him. "…Really?"
"Mmhhmm."
"…I see." He retorted expressionlessly.
Ginjo made faces at him and resumed his meal.
With Ginjo not remembering his past as Sexta Espada, Uriya could learn to tolerate the teal-haired man to some extent that he did truly like his companionship. He even began to ponder his opinions to such degree and considered them as logical. Like this one he barely uttered.
It was true that he rarely showed his emotion, except for Harumi; even that could be counted with fingers. He never asked for anything, everything; and rarely uttered his own opinions to others. He even talked less; if somewhat he didn't at all.
"Well, I guess I have realized now that I do want to join the academy." He remarked easily.
"Che, ya just wanna show off yer strength."
"You really admit that I am stronger than you, Ginjo?"
"It's not that, you dumb-head!!" Ginjo roared angrily… and received a hard wooden-spoon-hit on his forehead from Harumi. He rubbed the spot and glared at the woman, who glared back at him; he lost somehow. So, he went back to glare at Uriya.
"Yer not stronger than me, you fucker!"
"Language, Ginjo." Uriya admonished him coldly. "If you really want to convince yourself for being stronger than me, then why don't you also join the academy by yourself?"
Ginjo still glared at him and eventually looked away, embarrassed. "I don't like regulation."
"Lame reason, trash."
"Fuck it, ya fucker!"
By now, both of them received some very good tea-cups-hits from Harumi, for bickering and badmouthing while eating together.
Still rubbing the side of his head from Harumi's hit; Uriya finished his meal and prepared to leave for academy. Today was the first day's ceremony and he surely didn't want to be late for it; even though considering how boring the session could be.
"You will come home at holiday, won't you?" Harumi asked him softly.
"Off course I will, Harumi." Uriya answered and smiled at her a bit warmly.
"Be safe." This was Satoru's remark and Uriya didn't feel like to answer to that one.
"Yo, Uri-chan, find some girls to fuck there, will ya?" Uriya only frowned in disgust at Naoto, who toothy-smiled at him in lewd manner. He didn't feel obliged to answer him either. Tetsuya only nodded appreciatively at him.
"Bye, Uriya." Akane and Maria waved, almost dismissively, at him. Sun-Sun, however, only smiled and nodded at him.
"Tell me everything about the academy later, Uriya. Maybe next year I want to join too." Naru beamed at him.
Uriya smiled faintly and retorted calmly, "I promise I will tell you about everything later, Naru."
"Thanks, Uriya. Have nice days at there."
Ririna jumped from her seat and, to his shock, hugged him tightly on his waist. "Ririna will miss you, Uri-chan."
Uriya was at lost; and he did the only thing he knew: he hugged her back albeit awkwardly. "I will miss you too, Rin-chan. I will come back at holiday, I promise."
Ririna looked up at him and beamed a smile before releasing him and sitting back at her pillow. Uriya decided that he liked the child more after this.
Ginjo merely gave him a hard glare and finally croaked, "Just don't die there, you dimwit."
Uriya rolled his eyes good-naturedly and smirked. "I won't, trash. Who do you think I am?"
Ginjo only snorted, disgruntled.
When he finally tied his sandals, he remembered something; or rather, someone. "Where's Sazero?"
Harumi answered him. "He's still sleeping due to his late experimenting times. He barely came home at 5 this morning... what a pain." She rolled her eyes in exasperation.
Uriya merely raised his eyebrows and shrugged.
"Well then, I'm off."
"Bye, Uriya! Be careful there!"
He nodded dismissively at his 'family' and walked towards the gate with unwavering steps. They lived in Jyuninrin-an, the first district of Rukongai; thankfully, it was shortening his time to go to the academy somehow.
However, he felt something nagging at the back of his mind. Feeling of something …bizarre would happen later.
He only hoped that he would be fine all the way; for the sake of his new life and 'family'.
Oh, he really hoped so.
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