It's strange, I noticed that once the document was on it takes the ['s, at least the right sided one out. It doesn't keep Asterisks either. Nor dashes…anyway. I just wanted everyone to be aware I suppose, I'll adapt the chapters from here on.
[Soul Society – Orbonne Corridor, Third Person
A light flickered brightly, resonating through the circular corridor. The walls were of a granite-type rock, and the lower walls were perfectly sculpted in a black marble. It was polished and cleaned daily. The Orbonne Corridor is the hall that leads to the Captain's meeting room, where the Grand Commander sits.
Captain Ukitake twiddled his thumb on his soul slayer as he strolled through the halls. It was rather empty, so each foot step was echoed loudly. He was heading south, in the direction of lower Seireiti, to the captains private estates. Reaching the door way, he could see the sunrise shining gracefully on the platform ahead. The platform was made of a gray, shale color. Yet each edge was perfect, there were no faults or cuts in craftsmanship. It was truly fit for the citizens who dwelled within Soul Society.
A cherry blossom petal flowed in front of his face, bringing him to a slow stop.
"Byakuya. I was looking for you." Jushiro called out.
Byakuya took 3 steps forward, from behind Ukitake.
"What is it that required our meeting in person?" Byakuya forwardly asked.
"Byakuya, I had forgotten to inform you of Miss Rukia's assignment." Jushiro replied.
Byakuya lowered his eyes, and stepped to the right, facing the sunrise.
"You summoned me for such a trivial matter?" Byakuya said.
Jushiro shrugged, and took a step forward.
The sunrises in Seireiti were unique in every way. The sun was smaller, yet brighter in Seireiti, despite sharing it with the real world. It was a common belief that the Sun looked like this because of the abundance of high-quality spirit particles in the air. Or so it was stated by the Technology Bureau.
"Miss Rukia," Jushiro started. "…has been assigned to the Kurakara area, Sector 63."
Byakuya looked to Jushiro from the side of his eye.
"The area with that Substitute Soul Reaper? Is that not his origin?" Byakuya asked.
Jushiro nodded in reply.
"I take it this was your doing?" Byakuya asked, as to have a level of discomfort in his voice.
"I coordinated it, thinking it would be a good start, seeing as Rukia has not regained her powers as of yet." Jushiro said.
Byakuya began to walk away as Jushiro was talking.
"Captain Ukitake. This is the second time you've troubled me with something so trivial as to meet you here again." Byakuya said, then disappearing with a flash step. Jushiro looked in his wake suspiciously, as the cherry blossoms fell.
"Perhaps it was for the better. I chose Sector 63 because Miss Rukia is familiar, and would have help. It is good start for someone gaining their bearings." Jushiro said to himself.
Jushiro continued walking south, through the dawn break light.
[Memory: Soul Society - Ukitake's Assignment office, Third Person
The paper door of the west wall opened slowly, as the fabled captain revealed himself.
"You'll be stationed mainly in a town called Kurakara City, with a radius of two and a half spirit miles." He said to Rukia."For someone like you, it should not be a very difficult task."
Rukia's eyes were filled with surprise. The squad 13 members all bowed before him.
"Captain Ukitake! You should be laying down, sir!" One of the members said.
Jushiro raised his hand, as to calm his squad and Rukia.
"No, I feel fine today!" Jushiro started. "Besides, even if it is just a short term assignment, it is her first on her own again, and I thought she might be nervous."
Jushiro walked in, closing the door behind him.
"So I came to see her off." He finished.
Rukia bowed before him, with great respect, thanking him.
"No need for the formalities." Jushiro said. "Have you told Byakuya?"
Rukia sat up, looking respectful at Jushiro.
"Yes, I have…well…" Rukia bit her tongue. She knew her brother might disapprove. "…no, I haven't."
Rukia tightened her grip around her soul reaper robe.
"He might have said 'Don't bother me with an announcement so trivial'." Rukia said. "So I was thinking of going without notifying him."
"I see." Jushiro responded. "Understood, if you think its best, than so be it." He smiled and kneeled down to the lowly soul reapers height.
"You needn't worry, I will tell Byakuya." Jushiro smiled. "We'll see you when you get back."
[Soul Society - Mountain Training Grounds, Rukia
Water rushed down its fall, crashing 15 feet below into a small pond. It was pure, clear water, almost as clear as the air. The plants and life were just as in the Kuchiki Residence. Vibrant and perfect.
"Dance! Sleeve of White Snow!" Rukia yelled.
An Angelic white light surrounded her soul slayer and forged the blade into a pearl white crystal, all the way down to the handle, even leaving a white ribbon tail. Rukia gracefully swung the soul slayer, to and from, and in many circles. The ribbon was in constant motion, symbolizing masterful dancing.
She took a large step forward, and raised her right arm, twirling the soul slayer in the matter that it was almost a weapon of great grace and beauty. She twirled the blade through her fingers like it had no weight at all. In the soul slayers path, there was an icy air that followed. Though her talent with the blade was far from the only graceful thing she was showing. Her whole body was moved in sync with her soul slayer, moving slowly, yet gracefully, wrapping the spirit particles around her in a constant motion.
The crystal blade glistened in the sun, shooting bright rays of light to each rock and surface in the area. It was like a shimmer of light that was dancing about. Taking a deep breath, she thought to herself.
From the northern skies, scream, empower. Dance with the mystical force of nature, with the grace of a goddess, and a deity's might.
She spun once more, and grasped the blade with a closed hand, and settled back into a battle position. Her spiritual pressure was now focused, and blazed with a powerful fury.
"Hey, Rukia! That's pretty classy." A voice shouted.
Rukia quickly dropped from Shikai, and blushed brightly. She nervously sheathed her soul slayer and stood straight to the person.
"Renji! What are you doing here?" Rukia asked, embarrassed.
"Just came a walkin'. I didn't know you were using the forest training center. Zabimaru is used to the jungle…" Renji shrugged.
Rukia shook her head, and walked to the pond. Almost angry, but not quite. She was not sure if she was angry that Renji was there, or if because he watched her silently as she danced. She could hear Renji walking closer, as the grass was crushed beneath his steps.
"Rukia. I heard you were going to Kurakara C…" Renji said, being cut off before finishing.
"Yes. I am…Captain Ukitake assigned me there." She replied.
Renji stood next to her, looking to the raging water of the waterfall.
Renji. Don't.
"You're going to see Ichigo, aren't you?" Renji said forcefully. "I guess you're just at that age".
"Stop with that foolish talk!" Rukia yelled. "You're only but a few decades older than me. You are no different. Don't talk as if we are weak to the hearts desire."
Renji laughed, and patted Rukia roughly on her shoulder, almost jerking her body around.
The hearts desire. We soul reapers are trained to not mind our personal desires and habits. Though all are weak in ways…there are some things we mustn't be part of. Even Nii-san, he was married. Though after she passed, his heart grew bitter and cold.
Renji shook his head, and placed his hands on his hips.
"If you love him, Rukia, you cannot be together. He ages maybe 15 times faster than us. You'd be in a world of difference in a matter of…" Renji said, only to be brutally cut off again.
"I said no such thing!" Rukia yelled. "I am strictly there on assignment. Duty comes first as a soul reaper."
"You broke it once, who's to say you won't again? I'm not going to drag you back here because you keep making mistakes." He sheepishly smiled and taunted.
"Then don't!" She yelled once more.
Rukia felt a tear come from her eye, running down her cheek. Renji stopped, and his half smile had fallen from his face. He realized she was not finding it humorous or playful. He turned around, and began to walk off, with his normal 'angry' expression. Rukia held a closed fist.
He turned his head to her, once before leaving. Deciding not to say anything.
I cry too easily. Why am I so fragile? Do I not have any resolve?
[Kurakara City - River, Orihime
Orihime walked happily down the street, eating what seemed to be another random mixture of foods and pastes that was naturally distasteful to the normal stomach. Only a small bowl, almost a cup that she ate out of. She walked over the steel bridge that overshadowed the small river below. Down below, a shining caught her eye. Ichigo sat next to the riverside.
"Kurosaki-kun!" She happily waved and shouted, as she ran down from the bridge.
"Inoue-san!" Ichigo replied, with a curious expression.
She stood next to him, looking at the waves that splashed from the rocks Ichigo threw. Grabbing a small container from her bag, she offered it to Ichigo. Inside lie a mixture of red and brown, and was unknown in nature.
"I…no thanks Inoue-san." Ichigo replied, worryingly.
Orihime placed the container back, still with the happy nature she always had.
"Kurosaki-kun! You have not been eating right lately. Is something going on?" Orihime asked.
Ichigo didn't respond. Orihime gazed at him as he sat, and blandly stared into the river. Her face had a concerned look, and moved closer, sitting down.
Kurosaki Ichigo. I don't think I've never actually called him by his first name…and he never calls me by mine.
"When I look like that, it's usually because I miss onii-san." Orihime commented. "You seem sad, Kurosaki-kun. Do you miss someone?" She asked.
Ichigo sat perfectly still, and the only motion was the breeze blowing his hair and clothes a sway. It seemed he had acknowledged it, but was in deep thought.
Who could Kurosaki-kun be missing?...
"I'm alright. I'm just tired, I …" Ichigo stated, after a period of silence.
Perhaps we are not close enough to be considered friends? No, after going to Soul Society, and fighting for Kuchiki-san…
Orihime put her hands on her knees, and looked down.
Kuchiki-san is the only once I've seen call Ichigo by his first name so freely.
Ichigo closed his eyes for a moment, and combed his hand over his forehead.
"Kuro…I mean, Ichigo-san." Orihime said, getting Ichigo's attention. He looked towards her, as she looked back at him almost with the infamous 'puppy dog' expression.
"Ichigo-san! Don't stare at me so. What is it?" Orihime asked.
Ichigo shrugged his shoulders, than looked back to the water.
"Feels weird. You've always called me Kurosaki-kun." Ichigo replied.
Kurosaki-kun…
"It's okay though, Inoue-san." He finished.
Orihime's face glow an embarrassed red. She grabbed his shoulder with her left hand, and tried to get his attention once more.
"Kurosa…I mean, Ichigo-kun, you miss someone desperately right now!" She said, shaking him. "I want to be here to help you! We are friends, aren't we? That's what friends do…"
Ichigo looked at Orihime almost surprised. He rubbed his neck, as if agitated and does not know what to say.
"Of course, Inoue." He replied. She stared back at him with a frustrated expression.
Ichigo!
"If we're friends, you can call me Orihime, Kurosaki-kun!" She raised her voice.
She stood up, and faced the river.
"If we don't help our friends, then who will?" She asked.
"Orihime-san…you just called me…"
SEP. 2nd :
In regards to the names and situations in Chapter 2:
I made the mistake of quoting Rukia's brother nee-san as opposed to nii-san. That was plain wrong and I just am not used to using them in those terms, as only Rukia uses them so. Either way, I changed it in the chapter. I will just keep note of it in future chapters. Thanks for letting me know that. That's what reviews are good for!
As for Orihime referring to talking to Ichigo by his first name, notice that in the story it's noted as 'so freely'. This doesn't mean no one has EVER called Ichigo by his first name. Keep in mind how many times Chad, Uryuu, and others have called him Ichigo, but as well as simply Kurosaki. And keep in mind, how many times was Orihime present when they did? Not that it was ever said to be wrong, I think the characters known him by both.
I apologize for any confusion. I just tend to rely heavily on the readers paying close attention to my descriptions, and will try to less of that in future chapters.
Thanks for reading, and I hope to read more from everyone as well as writing myself.
That's it for Chapter 2. I was glad to see a few people liked it, and I hope I can keep writing in the way people would like. I am always glad to see someone reviewed, and everything is encouraging.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed my first chapter! Please review the second as well, if you can!
