From Hell and Back
Days passed in cold loneliness, but Masaki kept herself warm with talking to her zanpakuto spirit and the other being occupying her soul. She would sneak in periodically to buy some food, but she otherwise kept herself hidden. Finally, it came time for the Academy graduation ceremony. In her escapade to the Academy, she also stole an Academy uniform.
There Masaki sat in her seat as the speakers droned on and on. She nearly fell asleep. She'd nearly forgotten how boring some shinigami could be, but not quite soon enough it was time to hand out the diplomas and division assignments. When her alias was called, she rose to her feet and walked across the stage to grab it. She noticed the slight confusion on some of the staff's faces as they called her name. Masaki noted with relief that they disregarded it.
After she was handed her diploma, Masaki waited another hour for the ceremony to end. How long was the stupid thing anyway? She thought impatiently to herself. Once they were set free, Masaki rushed away from the Academy, desperate to be free. She counted herself lucky that she got her training from ranking officers that she knew, and not stuffy classrooms. She probably would've gone mad if she had to face a set of two schools.
Masaki was tempted to use shunpo to get to her abandoned home, but she thought better of it. She was taught by the best in shunpo, and if she used it, she'd be tempted to go all out. That would be problematic if anyone with good eyes caught sight of her. Academy students were not nearly that good. Instead, Masaki ran. Lost in thought about how new recruits showed up to their divisions the next day, she didn't see anyone in front of her until she almost crashed into them.
Masaki caught herself at the last minute and managed to rock back onto her heels. Then she looked up and saw who she almost toppled. Her mouth hung open in shock as she drank in the sight of the Ninth Division lieutenant. Slowly, her eyes started from the top and traversed to his feet, and then darted back to his face. Masaki gulped a tiny bit.
Hisagi Shuhei, the shinigami Masaki had been dating for the last couple of years in her time. She had fallen in love with him during one of their long, disastrous missions. He had saved her, and she him, several times over the course of it. And, eventually, she learned to appreciate him for who he was and wanted to be with him. Of course, now, though, he had no idea who she was or what they had gone through. A nervous sweat broke out across Masaki's skin.
Then, to Masaki's embarrassment, she began to stutter. "Uh, um, s-sorry, sir. I was just…um…on my way to, er, somewhere. I didn't mean to…I mean, I wasn't expecting, er…Sorry. I have to go now."
Masaki didn't think about the consequences this time and used shunpo to get out of the incredibly awkward situation she found herself in. She tried hard, as her feet flew over ground, not to think about what he and his companion, the Third Division lieutenant, Kira Izuru, thought about that encounter. She must've left them dazed and confused. She shook her head, she mustn't think of that. If she thought about Shuhei at all, she would lose it. She missed him so much already, and seeing him didn't really help with that.
When Masaki finally arrived home, she leaned against the wall, feeling her heart beat frantically, mostly from the pace she set, but also from having the image of her boyfriend in her mind. Well, future boyfriend. She felt her body slide to the ground as her chest heaved and heaved until she found herself sobbing.
What on earth was she doing here? Without the comfort of those who raised her and loved her, how on earth was she going to accomplish something so huge? She was sixteen for crying out loud! She may tall and sometimes be intimidating, but that didn't instill emotional stability. How was she going to be around these people and not think of them being hers? See people who've died and seeing them breathing and walking and without a care in the world?
Images of all her loved ones mangled and cold surfaced, and Masaki sobbed harder. All the ones she loved all died eventually. Her father's human friends, her uncle Renji, a few of the other lieutenants who helped train her, along with a couple of captains, some of the Vizard and, heck, maybe even her father could be dead! And yet, she, the sixteen year old daughter of a MIA shinigami/Vizard, was still alive. It wasn't fair, it just wasn't fair!
As Masaki's sobs slowed down and eventually disappeared, her sense of reason seemed to come back to her. Of course it was unfair, but she had a chance at making it fair. She shouldn't waste this given opportunity. A renewed sense of determination burned through her; she volunteered for this mission and she would commit to it! Masaki sensed the approval of her two residents of her soul. Drying her face, Masaki decided it was time to step out and get something to eat.
It was easily to slip into the crowd of new recruits heading towards the Gotei Thirteen barracks. They were fairly easy to spot: the nervous looks, the hyped up chatter, and the frantic stragglers trying to catch up to other people in the group. Masaki masterfully squeezed her way in, but was a total misfit: she was utterly calm. After her little episode the day before, Masaki had gained somewhat a sense of equilibrium.
Eventually, the mass reached a point where it was time to split up and head off to the separate divisions. Masaki headed off with the wave headed towards the Thirteenth Division. It was the furthest from where they were, so there was a long trek ahead. She heard moans from within the throng about the distance, and Masaki couldn't help but roll her eyes. That's when her eyes wandered and spotted a certain someone walking in another direction.
It was Shuhei. She felt the world stop for an instant and her breathing freeze. She let out a small gasp as, for one wild second, she saw that he glanced in her direction. His eyes caught something and he stared as he walked. Masaki tore her gaze away, refusing to believe that he was looking at her. Masaki was a bit tall, able to be noticed due to that and being far in the front of this crowd, but her hair was such a mundane color that she wouldn't stick out terribly. It didn't make sense that he would pinpoint her. Heck, he could be looking at something past her for all she knew.
Masaki kept her eyes forward from that point on.
The group was met, once they reached the barracks, by the two third seats, Kotetsu Kiyone and Kotsubaki Sentaro. Masaki pressed her lips together to keep from laughing as she over heard the two arguing. It seemed like Captain Ukitake Jushiro was unwell again, and would be leaving the new recruits to the care of the third seats. It was amazing to Masaki how the two ever got anything done. They had stayed the same through the years.
While standing there in the group of new recruits, Masaki observed how nervous the group was getting from the third seats' bickering. To newcomers, who had no idea how Kiyone and Sentaro worked, it would appear scary. For all they knew, it could be run like the Eleventh Division. However, they should have a bit of knowledge on the Thirteenth Division, seeing as they just exited school and every division has a different function. She could hear their frightened mutterings as they continued to stand there. She was tempted to roll her eyes at them again.
All of a sudden, a hush descended upon the throng as a figure stepped out, clear as day. Masaki was mildly surprised to see the tall, white haired man come around a corner and stand in front of them. She had assumed that the captain of the Thirteenth Division was ill. Apparently, she had been mistaken. Ukitake stepped in front of the crowd and smiled at the newest members of the division, which put most at ease within seconds.
"Welcome," he began, coughed a little, and then continued. He announced the basic things about the division such as what it was like to be there and what you could expect to get out of being in the division, and he described some of the duties and responsibilities of being a division member. He also said things about the individual and such. Masaki had heard this speech from him before, only in more casual terms, but she struggled to pay attention anyway.
Soon they were all dismissed, and Masaki began making her way towards the living quarters of the barracks. She nearly jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder. So much for her being able to sense everyone around her. She turned her head back and up to see Ukitake looking down at her with a curious face. Uh oh. She could sense what was coming.
"Excuse me, but I was just thinking you look familiar. You look remarkably close to another division member, Kuchiki Rukia. Do you know her by chance?" he asked.
Masaki's throat closed, and she had to open her mouth to inhale. Of course she knew her! But she couldn't say that. How would she explain that? She couldn't say that she was her sister. As far as anyone knew, her aunt Hisana had been the only sister to Rukia. Saying she was the long lost sister would be out of the question. Saying she was a cousin would be impractical, seeing as her looks were so close. The only solution would be to deny knowing her and say that her looks were coincidental.
Nervously, Masaki lowered her eyes, turned around and bowed in respect. "I have only heard of her, Ukitake-taicho, but I do not know her personally."
Sensing her tension, Ukitake smiled at Masaki. "Ah, okay. I was just wondering. You should meet her, though, she's a wonderful shinigami. I have a feeling you two would get along."
Masaki couldn't help it as a little smile snaked its way onto her face. "Well, I shall seek her out, then, when I get the chance. It was an honor to meet you, Ukitake-taicho."
With that, Masaki bowed again, and quickly made her way towards her new living arrangements. She wanted to get as far away from that situation as possible, the fear still lingering in her veins. Taking in deep breaths, Masaki finally found her room, and discovered that it was the same room she used whenever she came to Soul Society to train, back in her time. She blinked once, twice, and then laughed. She stifled it when she got weird looks from her fellow shinigami. Masaki apologized quickly, and then disappeared into the recesses of her room.
Masaki walked away from the exam feeling a little wary. She had just applied for a seated position, and was confident that she would land a position. However, she wondered if she showed off a little much. She saw shocked expressions from the examiners' faces. Maybe it was because she was supposed to be fresh from the Academy and Academy graduates weren't supposed to be that skilled. She bit her lip as she walked back towards the Thirteenth Division barracks.
Night had settled over the Seireitei and cool breeze whipped around the maze like city. Masaki reveled in the coolness and the sense of relief it brought. It calmed her mind as she walked on autopilot towards her room. She closed her eyes and paused for a minute just to relish the sensations it brought. Her reveling was brought up short as a raucous noise came from somewhere to her left.
It sounded like a bunch of voices, indistinguishable from the sheer number of them. And then, abruptly, they disappeared. Masaki figured that a door to a bar of some kind had been opened and then closed, and the footsteps softly coming her way suggested that someone had left. Her eyes snapped open as she felt the familiar reiatsu wrap around her like a blanket of safety and comfort, though a little rough around the edges. Quickly, Masaki began walking.
"Hey, you!" an all too familiar voice called out. Masaki froze in place, knowing she was the only one about and that his voice was so loud only someone deaf wouldn't be able to hear it. However, she may have been frozen, but she did not turn around.
"Hey, can you give me a hand here?" Hisgai Shuhei's voice carried over to where Masaki was, and Masaki couldn't help but turn around to look.
Shuhei was shouldering two drunken fools, and the weight looked to be a bit much for him. The said fools were Kira Izuru and Abarai Renji. Of course, at this point in time, Masaki knew that Shuhei had a crush on Matsumoto Rangiku, and that he would carry her any day of the week. So it only made sense that carrying two heavy guys would make him ask for help. Masaki sighed. As much as she wished she could make herself decline, she felt herself accepting his favor.
Masaki walked over, and sensing that Renji was heavier than Kira, offered to take the red haired man. Shuhei's face looked infinitely gratefully and very much relieved. However, as soon as she took Renji onto her back, she felt him snuggle his face in her hair and sniff. She stiffened, and she almost went rigid when she heard the next words out of Renji's drunken mouth.
"Mmm. Rukia, you smell nice."
Masaki walked forward woodenly, feeling akin to a toy soldier marching forward, completely silent. In her mind, however, she was screaming.
Ew! That is so wrong! This is my uncle! I mean, I knew he always loved mother, but really, that is just disgusting. I'm Rukia's daughter and he's doing…this. Gross, just gross. I mean, I know he's drunk and everything, but seriously…ew.
All the while, her zanpakuto, Akumuryu, was laughing hysterically at Masaki's predicament. With a loud "Shut up!" from Masaki, Akumuryu tried to turn his laughter into a mere chortle. No such luck, he just guffawed until he could guffaw no more. Masaki groaned. Out loud.
"Are you okay?" Shuhei asked. "Is he too heavy for you?"
Masaki shook her head, and then answered, "No, he's not. I was just thinking about…unnecessary things."
"I see. Wait, you're the girl who I ran into the other day, aren't you?" Shuhei replied unexpectedly.
Masaki nearly tripped over her own feet in surprise. Hesitantly, she answered, "Um, yeah. Sorry about that. But you must have a good memory, though, sir." Masaki added the sir as an afterthought, realizing she was being a bit too familiar with a superior officer.
Out of the corner of her eye, Masaki saw Shuhei smile a bit. "I do, but then again it's hard to forget someone who almost rams into you."
Masaki blushed in embarrassment, but said nothing.
"So you just graduated from the Academy, I take it," Shuhei said conversationally. Usually, he was not one for talking to strangers, but in this case, he seemed to want to talk to Masaki.
"I did, indeed, sir. I just came back from the exam for a seated position."
"Already?"
Crap, Masaki thought. Most people wouldn't take that test that soon. Most would be getting used to being in the Gotei Thirteen and their abilities before taking that. Dang it, I should've been more careful.
"Uh, yes. I just thought that…well, I could test my limits. I know, it's a bad way to do it, but I always did better with practical tests back in the Academy. I need something to push me in order to find things out, you know?"
It was partially a lie, but it was mostly the truth. It was another way in which Masaki was like her father: she performed better under pressure.
"I understand that," Shuhei replied simply. "Well, I hope you get the position you're hoping for." He turned to look at her with a small smile.
Masaki grinned back at him. "That means a lot, sir, thank you."
The rest of the walk was in silence. Shuhei dumped Kira off at the Third Division barracks. Masaki waited, knowing that Shuhei didn't expect her to know where the Sixth Division was at, and she needed to play her role correctly. Once Shuhei removed himself from the Third Division, the two set off towards the Sixth Division with Shuhei leading.
"What division did you place in?" he asked conversationally.
"Thirteenth," Masaki replied casually.
Shuhei nodded. "That's a good division to be in, or so I hear. Ukitake-taicho is a good man."
Masaki couldn't help but smile hugely at that. "I know." She noticed what that implied, and then backpedaled. "I mean, I talked with him a little bit today, and I've heard a lot about him. I can tell that he's a great man."
Shuhei glanced over at her and then nodded. Again, the two fell back into a companionable quietness. Eventually, they reached the Sixth Division, and then searched the place for Renji's room. Once they got there, Masaki let him slide off her back and onto his futon expertly without disturbing him in the slightest. After Renji was safely tucked away, still in his clothes, though, the two exited the Sixth Division area, and said their goodbyes.
Masaki was the first to start walking away, and as she did, Akumuryu remarked, I think the boy likes you already.
Impossible, Masaki replied, we've just met. There's no way he could have a crush on me that soon.
Crush at first sight?
In my dreams. Anyway, I think you need to learn to keep some opinions to yourself. Otherwise, you might be getting a beating.
Akumuryu just laughed.
A/N: I would like to thank all those who favorited/alerted this story, and to my first reviewer, Thunder Claw03. This came out a lot faster than I thought I would, but the story just kept flowing and flowing. Most of this was actually written today. Well, I hope you enjoyed it.