I have returned! Disclaimer: Bleach does not belong to me, only my OCs belong to me
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The next day dawned on Avira, stretching out, walking out of her house. She was supposed to see Yaijime here today. She was supposed to find out more and more about the info on the whole Kuchiki Rukia issue she had been looking into for Reno, a friend of hers from the academy whom later joined the same squad as her years after her. In an effort to have him focus on his brother's recovery, Avira found herself taking the job and finding the info for him.
She was excited to see Yaijime even though she had seen him yesterday. However, she'd be on duty this time around the barracks and deemed to be on her best behavior. Any stunt like she pulled two days ago will end in the same aspect and she rather not ends up in Yamamoto's bad side today, especially considering the circumstances. She found herself running out, heading to the main barracks where the meeting for the taichous would take place. That would probably be the Head Captain, the fukutaichou, and Yaijime himself. Hopefully, things would go well with her grandfather and the others who agreed with him.
She was definitely in a rush today and wanted to see Yaijime before the meeting to talk to him for at least a second to wish him the best of luck. He did raise her like one of his own bloodlines but a family wasn't all blood as she learned from him growing up. It's what made her call him grandfather and Kaguya her younger sister.
She was suddenly stopped by the people of Central 46 walking by, spotting Yaijime in the middle. Her eyes widen in surprise, glancing at him before seeing them walking away.
Yaijime didn't even look at her. What was going on? That wasn't like him.
"Grandfather!" She shouted over to them causing the man that was her former guardian to turn to look over to her for the moment, giving a sympathetic smile.
"Avira, I'm so glad to see you here." Yaijime smiled, "Are you heading to the main barracks to hear me talk to your Captain Commander?"
Her mind went blank for a moment, wanting nothing more to be by his side to help him with this, but she hadn't known the details of such things, but supporting him was what she wanted to do.
"Yes, I sure am. You may have said you don't need my help for this, but I at least wanna support you for my own reasons." She nodded at his comment firmly turning those eyes from confusion to determination. She was a Hozuki; she had to be stubborn to her own thoughts. Even her sister was often stubborn.
He sighed, ruffling the girl's hair, causing various First Division members to look at each other in confusion, "I don't know what I am going to do with you, child." Laughter filled his lungs happily, ruffling her hair a bit harder, "Well I guess I cannot stop you it seems." He motioned her to follow him.
The fourth seat of the first division merely nodded following him along with the other Central 46 members.
"Avira, I'm actually happy to run into you instead. It's rare for me to see my granddaughter two days in a row." Yaijime couldn't help but smile. Even if he had been such a momentous day a part of him wanting her here. It felt nostalgic, to say the least.
"Really? I guess you know that you weren't going to see me today. I am one of the Head Captain's higher-ups after all. I am sure you knew I was going to have some involvement." She teased, smiling slightly at him, feeling as if the world's weight had been off her shoulders.
Avira nearly was stubborn as Yaijime. Nearly, the old man of Central 46 noted to himself of his granddaughter. They had reached the main area where the other seated officers had gathered including Genshiro and Reno.
"Greetings Hozuki Yaijime." The third seat of the First Division bowed at the Central 46 member, smiling politely, "We've been waiting for you to show up sir. It's a pleasure to see you again. However, I wish it was on better terms. The Head Captain and the members of the First Division welcome you." Everyone around that had been seated officers bowed to the members of Central 46 including Avira herself.
"In normal circumstances, yes, I would agree. However, the stakes for the Soul Society are very important, and I trust you all will carry on no matter the decision." Yaijime spoke to all the officers present, "Our job in Central 46 is to ensure what is good for the Soul Society and it is the same in the Gotei. Never forget that. I ask for your patience for this might take quite a bit of time. No one is innocent until proven guilty."
"Indeed." Came the voice from the door of the barracks.
Captain Commander Yamamoto and his fukutaichou Saskiabe came out of the doors of the main barrack. The soutaichou, with his hands behind his back, staring at the Central 46 members.
"Hozuki, it's a pleasure to see you again. However, we have more pressing matters. This matter better is good." Yamamoto stated to the man who merely nodded.
"I assure you Head Captain, it is the case we were looking into and I promise you I shall add my views in this case. However, whatever decision we make affects the Gotei as well as you're already aware of." Yaijime nodded at the long-bearded man who merely sighed.
Meanwhile, Avira shuffled next to Reno who merely looked concern, "You think he'll actually talk the old man out of it?" He whispered low enough for only Avira to hear.
She sighed, "I'm not all sure, but hey, Yaijime is a very good speaker and he might be able to rule the entire central to despite the idiots in there." She shrugged her shoulders, fixing her gaze at the two talking to each other.
"Yaijime, I am aware of what you might be planning to say. Regardless, I shall listen to your words beforehand and I will list my views of the situation as usual. Here, come inside." He gestured to the door before looking at all his seated officers, "Seated officers! You are to remain here until the decision is further made only the members of Central 46, the fukutaichou, and myself shall be the ones deciding this meeting. That is all. I hope we are to settle this well for the sake of the Soul Society. Make no mistake we will." And with that, the Captain Commander walked into the building along with Chojiro and Yaijime and his followers.
The conversation suddenly erupted from the seated officers, talking about what this could mean for the Gotei and wonder what exactly was going on as well.
"You forgot that Head Captain Yamamoto is very old fashion. It's no surprise, the man has been running the Soul Society for the last thousand years." Another voice piped in.
It was 5th seat Korayama Testu. A Genius and a strategist of sorts for the first division. His blue spiky hair shined bright from the sunlight shining down on it. His blue eyes looked cold as if he had been unaffected by the situation. Hozuki Avira had always been a bit of a rebel in the Gotei 13 so it was no surprise to Tetsu that she was being a troublemaker once again. She's the adoptive granddaughter of Hozuki Yaijime, a Central 46 member no less. She should have better matters. Reno was already an idiot from Rukougai. He had no reason to be more courteous, but Avira? He expected more from her than that.
Besides, Rukia deserved to be executed if he had been cast out as well.
"I heard you guys talking last night about it. Avira, your grandfather is a lot of things, but convincing a ruling to be different to what has been the practice for someone who's run the Soul Society for centuries." The spiky black haired man declared, adjusting his rectangular glasses. He remembered Yaijime had made contact with the four noble clans as well, far back to even when the Shiba clan had been hailed as one. He had to keep the ideology of the law and conform to it, no matter what.
Avira sighed, "I'm more than aware, I know the kind of man the Head Captain is.. I've known him since my academy years." The speech in her academy orientation that had set her sights on Yamamoto being her captain when she graduated the academy. She had been captivated by his own views, made him seem to be softer than most people let on. Before becoming a seated officer, Avira was never allowed to be in the Central for protection reasons so she never met the Head Captain directly until she graduated from the academy.
"Don't be so vocal about that notion, Testu." Reno frowns, crossing his arms over his chest, glaring at the man, "Avira wasn't supposed to know, she stumbled upon that…"
"I am more than aware, Reno." A roll of blue hues, eyes adjusting to the seventh seat's face, "My hearing is as sharp as the 10th division's third seat. If I remember correctly, that's your sister, Avira. I doubt it matters anymore considering it's been made public to at least the First Division now. There's been quite the mixup, and I highly doubt that Yamamoto-soutaichou will be showing any mercy. Global justice rules individual justice. If Yaijime is against such actions, then Yamamoto will bear him to remind himself of such given that he used to be a part of the Gotei himself." If he had gotten punished for Global Justice by his father, then so should Rukia. It was fair, and Rukia had done something far worse than what he had done.
Reno and Avira both remained silent. True, Avira was aware that Yamamoto-soutaichou was clearly aware of such things and there was not much to talk him into once his decision had been made. However, Yaijime had been the same in making people try to see how things aren't truly what they are. It would be a dead end for both of them if one does not submit to the other in this argument. That, Avira was certain would have to be the result.
Reno just didn't want one of his old friends from the academy running around with an arrest on her hands because things didn't go well on a mission. She could've been injured. Is death something that should be truly something because of one tactical error? Could it happen to anyone right? Was the thought in his mind. Deep down though, Reno didn't want to lose someone else in his life. His little brother was still in critical condition and comatose. What could he have wanted than to have to worry about another person? He knew Avira told him to not worry about it but she barely knew Rukia, she only knew her through her sister who had been in the same class as them.
"You both didn't think about that, did you?" Came the response from Testu, "Or perhaps did you not want to believe? I'm not about mind games, you two. I just know how to feel people's' responses and such. I know that is how you're both feeling. I know Reno was close to Rukia in his academy days, and Avira, your sister was close to Rukia to in her academy days as well. Regardless of what personal reasons you both have, you both know the outcome is inevitable. Taking feelings into consideration of this ruling will not be the Soul Society's decision. Rulings like this are never favoritism."
"Favoritism? You dare say that when you don't know the whole story?" Reno found himself angered. Damn guy was an asshole when he wanted to be but even if he had a point he wouldn't know the story.
"Calm down, Reno, we all don't know for the moment, all we can do is speculate." Avira sighed, putting a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Which gives me plenty of reasoning to tell him there's a chance." Reno hollered back, pushing Avira away from him, smacking her arm away from him, "Just shut up okay, Testu."
"It's quite unprofessional for you to be like that, Reno, saying that to your higher seated officer like that and shoving Avira-san as well she's higher rank, and she understands plenty and she's Hozuki Yaijime's granddaughter. Then again, what do I expect from a half class boy." He was not talking down Rukia only making Reno realize his stupid decision, "Now calm down before the Captain Commander shows himself to witness your actions. You have a brother to be taken care of. You can't be worrying about an old classmate when your brother is in a coma."
Avira could understand what Testu meant by such words. It would be like if her sister was brutally injured, and she knew she would be able to do everything in her power to care for her sister and be there for her both in spirit and physical. Kaguya and Yaijime are the only family members she has.
Reno sighed, sadly looking down at the ground. Testu might be an asshole, but he was saying some truths there. Avira had given him such words, telling him not to worry about it and just let her handle such things. She didn't have a giant issue to handle and she's sure Reno would want to handle things for her if her sister was in a coma right now.
And besides, he did not want to be on the receiving end of the taichou's Zanpukto. That thing kind of scared him sometimes.
"I appreciate your words Testu-san." Avira bowed in respect to the spiky black haired main, "Thank you for banging that into Reno-san's head. I tried to but it really didn't work." Reno had been dense but so was Avira. Okay, maybe she was a bit more open-minded but seriously, Reno needed to stop worrying about everything. Then again, he was in a pretty bad place at the moment.
"Sometimes, you do just need to hear the honest truth. Reality isn't sunshine and rainbows as you're probably aware." Testu declared with a small nod. He did, in truth, respect the both of them, but he needed them to realize what was happening in the Soul Society what they both needed to focus on.
Avira hesitated for a second, remembering what the exact state she had been in before meeting her grandfather before he took her in. She was nothing but a random girl wandering the streets of District 60. Many people were not the nicest to her and more wanted her kicked on. She could hardly stay in one place. She once was a rambunctious child, playing a few pranks on those in the district when she was finally sick and tired of being alone. Not to mention trying to steal food.
-Flashback-
"Hey, it's that girl Avira again, she's smuggling food. Hey kid, no stealing allowed." A whip came to follow, hitting the ground against the small girl who yelped, jumping back away from the older men of the Rukogai only to watch the bucket of food fall on their faces that she ever so established on the small fruit shop. Oranges and other kinds of various fruits smacking the two men who had decided to chase her down for what would be the third time this week.
Avira immediately didn't waste any time, bolting from the area at full speed away from the men who had been struggling to their feet immediately picking up and running after the short brown haired girl, "Get back here, girl!" The blond one to the right exclaimed, holding a knife up this time around, irritated by the girl finally. She had messed with the wrong person this time around and she would definitely pay for it.
She yelled over to them, startled for merely a second, seeing the knife in the blond-haired adult male causing herself to run as fast as she could. She didn't want to get hurt from that thing. She passed by a few wooden houses in the town and found herself in the main area where there was a little white fountain of water, "No way, I'm gonna get some food. You people don't even give me a chance to do anything." The small girl pouted. It wasn't fair how this entire town was against her. What did she do so wrong? She just wanted food. Why do they get to smuggle it anyways?
In the main area of the town, where the leader would be held was looked to be a very rich man. Strands of his blond hair in his beard were mixed with grey tones, being pretty old for his age for he had no hair hiding his forehead merely a small bald spot around his head, talking to the leader of this district that Avira had heard holler at her plenty of times during her stay in this district. The older man whom Avira didn't recognize recognized the two men holding knives and scolded them.
"Stop!" Anger was obvious in his facial reactions, startling all three of them. Avira's small, babyface had been washed away with color at that moment, terrified of the man.
"Yaijime-kun, don't bother, they didn't mean any harm." The leader explained, stroking his black, long beard, eying Avira, "This girl has been running around our district for weeks. Many people take her in, but she's so troublesome."
"That doesn't justify what they're doing. Don't try to make killing justified, especially in this place. Only the Soul Society and my fellow Central members can only do such notions for we have the right. This girl could've been doing this as an act, a cry of help have you, and you believe it would've been right for them to torture this poor child? Disgusting." The man, Yaijime declared with a roll of his eyes.
The leader deadpanned, eyes widening in shock, trying to save him from a mere chew out from the Central 46 member, "No-no, you don't understand; I didn't see the weapons in their hands, honest."
"Your lying skills are horrible, Akiyama-san." Yaijime rolled his eyes once again, "Which makes me question your just of being the leader here. If you've been doing this to more of these poor souls who have no place to go, what makes me think you could be a strong leader?" He glared darker at the man causing himself and the men to jump.
"Augh, you wouldn't!" Akiyama yelped, eyes widening in horror at the older man for a moment before Yaijime narrowed his eyes.
"Do you take me for a fool, Akiyama? A district member like yourself has no right to lecture the likes of me. If I catch any of you doing such things to me again, I will not hesitate to have you arrested. Got it?" Yaijime's spiritual pressure sparked only a little, not wanting to scare the little girl across from them further, but just enough to not have her running away from him. He wanted to help her after all.
The three-man jumped at the spiritual pressure, immediately running away from the man whom they were more than aware of couldn't handle in a battle. Once they were gone, he looked down at the little child who was on her knees because of the spiritual pressure, panting from the presence.
"It's alright, child, I calmed those who decided to hurt you. No one will hurt you now, dear." A hand offered the girl up. He could tell she had been through quite a bit. Her clothes were muddy, ragged and ripped from being worn out so much from being worn for so long. Her short brown hair had been snarled and filled with some twigs.
"Can you tell me your name?" His gentle voice asked, smiling warmly at her.
The girl nearly held back tears, wiping them before they could fall from her face. He...didn't know her and he just helped her out of nowhere. He was a lot different from the others. Her voice couldn't come with anything out until she felt a pat on her head, causing her tears to fall now, sniffling at the kind man's small gestures.
"Now, now, it's alright, I understand why you're sad. Can you tell me your name?" His smile brightened.
"It's-It's Avira, s-sir." Came the response from the little girl between her sobs.
Yaijime came to realize that betrayal had hit this girl multiple times. She must've had it hard in the district. They didn't take kindly to newcomers and wanted to leave everything under wraps. She had been crying out of joy and sorrow. She probably didn't cry till this point. No one probably treated her well either before.
"Avira, that's a beautiful name." Yaijime chuckled. She had nowhere to go and Yaijime had always wanted a child around. He did have the room for the child, and he did want some company after his old years, "What's say I take you in, Avira. My name's Hozuki Yaijime, and I am a member of Central 46. Grounds of which allow the law to be placed here in Soul Society. You could leave this place and find yourself much happier, better place with me. I don't bite, I'm an old retired man, trying to make peace by doing which I believe is right for the realm of the Soul Society. It's why I come to these poor areas doing what I could. I want to help the Rukougai District." And he did just save her life probably just now so what were the details? He proved to her he didn't mean harm.
"Ah, um…" Avira began, blinking. The young little girl found herself wondering if he could be like the others but no one had saved her like this before. It was...odd just how happy this man was. He seemed like such a kind person, just from helping her. No one ever helped her before. She found herself smiling, despite the tears still going down her face.
"I'd love to, Yaijime-san."
-End Flashback-
The sudden shouting of the doors opening from the barracks caused Avira to zone back into her reality, glancing at Yamamoto who was the first person to burst out of the barrack doors, following his Lieutenant, and Yaijime and the other members of Central 46. All the members quieted themselves down for the next announcement. All was quiet. The tension, building like a knife ready to cut butter.
Everyone was silent when Yamamoto cleared his throat, "Seated officers! A decision has been reached." Everyone was dense for a moment. All eyes of the division seated officers were tense for a moment, "Regardless of the decision made, I advise you all to realize this is only for such reasons why we are doing it. We cannot allow such hooligans settle in the Soul Society and we must strive to make it a better place. This is our duty as being a part of the Gotei 13, the ones who bring balance to this world and the human world as well." Yamamoto's eyes opened for a moment, "The declaration will be…"
"That we shall arrest the Shinigami who's decided to pass down the power of a Shinigami to a human. Such a thing is treasonous and she has more sins than that. Overcoming her stay in the human world, hiding from the Soul Society as well." Yaijime spoke up, causing Avira's eyes to shoot up from the shock, "That is a disturbance in our balance that is punishable by death at best. Let this be well known, even if this is a child it does not exclude any actions." Reno's eyes as well were huge, staring immediately back at Avira who looked just as surprised.
What? But Avira said…
The countless conversation sparked around them. Reno immediately grabbed Avira by her shoulder, snapping her over to look at him, "You told me that he wasn't going to do that! That he believed there were exceptions. Were you lying to me? Were you trying to make me feel happier because this all happened?"
She didn't respond. Anguish had consumed her face. She swore she heard Yaijime right last night. He was going to do everything in his power to help Rukia out. She heard that from his lips. She knew it wasn't a lie, but she couldn't find herself to make a response. No one would listen to her now, especially given Yaijime's word. Her mind threw her into a blank. There was all truth in Yaijime's words. He'd never lie to her. What was going on?
"I-I…" She trailed off watching Yaijime walk by her.
That wasn't like him at all to smile like this, this irritated her so much. He never did that. He never liked death, especially since he was a Central 46 member. She couldn't stomach it anymore. She did what she had to do, running away from Reno and towards Yaijime who had been at the gate doors of the barracks now. Tears were fighting to envelop in her eyes. He tried dragging her back, wanting to explain why she lied to him. Why she lied to him when she never had before. It felt like he had been betrayed like his own heart had been ripped out. Why did she not be upfront about this whole ordeal, to begin with?
He hated her, he was disgusted by her actions. She should've been honest but she just lied to her face that damn idiot.
"Grandfather!" She ran over to the barracks, rushing over to him, running in front of the passage, "Is that really true? Did you lie to me last night? No, y-you couldn't of. You never do that to me. Do you really want her to die?"
"Shameful, you aren't reacting well to the news. I doubt your sister would've reacted differently either. Avira, we are all faced with decisions that we have to make in our lives. One, of which we sometimes don't like, but this is good for everyone. It's not something I'd expected you to question." Yaijime explained briefly before walking away from her, "I still love you very much. You, and Kaguya both but you'll get over this eventually." And with that, he and his subordinates walked away.
Good? Did he call this good? The good for everyone? What the hell? He wasn't talking about it like this before. What was happening? How come he wasn't doing what he said he was going to do last night? This didn't make any sense. Her grandfather didn't let her down like this before.
Before he was away from her, he turned to Avira, "You should let this go. Take your duties over the execution. Forget about it, a decision has been made, and you cannot argue it, Avira. Don't get reckless because of someone of your division. Don't try to get yourself killed for the sake of Reno who talked you into looking into this." He turned and walked away.
Avira wanted to call him out, say that his words were not that last night but she found herself unable. Right arm, reached out as if the signal him, "G-Grandfather." She muttered but he was already at a distance where he wouldn't be able to hear her words.
Her grandfather was wrong about one thing though, it had been her decision as well. Not just Reno's. She wanted to do something about this too.
How was she supposed to do anything about this now though?
She was so frustrated right now. Reno hated her, she could see it in his eyes. He did, he really did. What could she say to him? And Yaijime, she didn't know what was going on with him either. No one would believe her, especially not the Head Captain and Reno. What was she supposed to do?
Her fists clenched. She wished she could get to the bottom of all this but she couldn't go in the human world and do something about this. It was against the rules for her to venture out without the permission of the captain and it had to have been a mission. Damn, she felt so trapped inside. She couldn't solve this even if she tried.
So what caused Yaijime's 180 will be explained later on! No spoilers on that! Please fav if you like and review, I'd really appreciate it! :)
