Finally. This chapter is finished. I'm was sick and very busy choosing schools...so yup, I'm glad i finished the chapter.
Black Cat Angel: Thank you soo much for the review! It really motivates me to write...I'm glad you like the story:)
Disclaimer: I do not own bleach, or else Gin would be living happily now.
_
Skye
I adjusted my feelings as I make my way to the squad. I still remember vividly the conversation I had with Byakuya yesterday. I shouldn't have been so impolite. But at the same time, I am happy to have such a conversation with THE Byakuya.
"Skye! Sheesh, you're late today."
"…."
"Hey! Don't ignore me!" He shouted. "You are supposed to train the squad today."
"Where do I meet them?" I asked.
"At the training grounds."
As I walked there, I saw the members chatting casually. Everyone was in a carefree mood until they saw me. They stopped speaking and just stared at me. Feeling uncomfortable with all eyes on me, I broke the silence by greeting them.
"Good morning. I'm going to be training you today."
None of them spoke. They all look nervous. After a while, one of them asked me. "Ano…where is Renji? He's…usually the one training us."
"I don't know. He just asked me to train you guys today. I'm following his orders."
More stares. I guess they are scared of me. Or maybe they are scared of my powers. Either way, they do not look happy to know that I'll be training them.
All of a sudden, one member walked towards me and said to me coldly, "We will train under you today. But don't expect us to accept you. I know you became a seated officer without graduating, and that you beat Kenpachi taicho, but he was just going easy on you that day. He didn't even release more of his reiatsu. So don't be proud of your achievements. For all we know, you may have become a 3rd seat because of your family. Hn."
I was taken aback by his sudden rudeness. Not knowing what to say, I lowered my head. How could he say that my family was the reason I'm here. He doesn't know anything. This idiot, I want to kill him with my zanpakuto now.
"What are you doing? Shouldn't you be training them?"
I squeaked, pulled out my zanpakuto and pointed it at the person. I immediately regretted it. Standing right in front of me is Byakuya Kuchiki, and he does not look happy about the fact that my sword is pointing at his nose. All the members behind me gulped. But I'm sure most of them are hoping more than anything that Byakuya will kill me.
"Is this how you greet your captain, Minori?"
"My deepest apologies, Byakuya taicho." I immediately sheathed my sword and bowed.
Ignoring me again, he walked past me towards the cowering members and said emotionlessly, "Minori will be training you from now on. I want you all to respect her. Those who show disrespect to your sensei will be punished. Start your training immediately."
With that, he left, not giving me another glance. Relieved, I asked my squad to stand in rows and warm up. After that, I instructed them to pair up and try to block the attacks. I leaned against the tree as I monitor their practice.
"Skye chan! Din't know ya in charge of training ya members!" Gin walked beside me. After the incident yesterday, I don't know whether I should be excited to see him.
"What are you doing here, Ichimaru taicho?" My voice void of emotions.
"Ya seem cold t'day. Aren't ya happy to see meh? Don't needa be too formal to meh, Skye chan!" He grabbed my chin and turned my face to face him.
I slapped his hands away. "It's not polite to go touching other shinigami you barely know, Ichimaru taicho."
"Tsk tsk. Come on, I know ya for a long time now." Gin grinned at me. "I see ya still angry at meh fer leaving ya behind yesterday, huh."
"Hn. You caused quite a scene yesterday, Ichimaru taicho. Don't think that I'll forgive so easily."
"Al'right. How're ya?"
"What do you want, Gin? Shouldn't you be working?" I asked, irritated by his presence.
"I just took care of some troublemakers tryin' to enter through de west gate, so I decided ta visit ya."
I rolled my eyes. "Whatever." I decided to ignore him from now on.
"Ya wanna meet meh tonight, Skye chan? I promise I won't run away 'his time." Ichimaru bent down and whispered in my ear. My head is screaming. This is wrong! He shouldn't do that!
"Move away from me." I whispered back, my body too weak to move on its own.
I can feel him smirk. "Why do ya wan meh to move?"
"You're too close." I whispered. My cheeks are burning. "Gin." I pleaded.
"So are ya meeting meh tonight?"
I saw Byakuya walking towards the training grounds, surveying the situation. My eyes widened. Then he saw me - with Ichimaru whispering in my ear. Even though he's at quite a distance, I can see his frown. I froze.
"Gin. Please."
"Hmm?"
"Please. He's here." I barely managed to say the last sentence.
Gin smirked again before standing straight again. "Ya still as tense as b'fore, Skye chan. I'm just messin' with ya. I'll go now, b'fore ya get into trouble again!" He disappeared before I can protest.
Byakuya talked to a member before leaving again. I signed, relieved that he disregarded me.
After another hour, I conclude the training. "That's all today. You've worked hard. Thanks for your cooperation."
"Ano…Skye sensei." I turned around. "Byakuya taicho wants to see you after the training."
Byakuya
I can't believe my eyes. They are doing it again. Whispering like a couple. What irritated me the most was the fact that the guy is Ichimaru. They are still being affectionate in public despite the fact that I caught them yesterday. Ichimaru Gin is starting to get on my nerves. So what if they had a past? Didn't she say that she wanted to forget about it? But why does it matter to me what she does? I quickly eased my frown and walked away, but not before ordering one member to ask Minori to report to me after the training.
I couldn't concentrate on my work. I was reading the information blindly while thinking about what I saw just now. I just couldn't get it out of my head. Minori is just another female shinigami in seireitei, so why am I more concerned about her matters? She doesn't mean anything to me, so why am I thinking about her now?
"Byakuya sama, you're back!" Hisana rushed in to hug me. "I'm so worried!"
"There's no need for you to worry, Hisana. You know that I will be save."
"I thought that you're not coming home today. I missed you."
"You missed me?"
"Hai. I kept thinking of you. I can't even sleep!"
"You need to take better care of yourself, Hisana. You need plenty of rest. Thinking of me will not make you feel better."
"But it DOES make me feel better, Byakuya sama."
I raised my eyebrows.
"It's true! That's why I'm thinking about you all day."
"You're thinking of me because the thought of me makes you feel better?" I looked at her incredulously.
"No. I'm thinking of you because I love you."
I clenched my fists. No, it can't be. Hisana, you can't be speaking the truth. If not, that means that I…
Skye
"Explain yourself."
"What?" I raised my head, only to see his slate grey eyes piercing through me.
"What are you supposed to do today?" He asked me curtly.
"Train the members."
"And what did you actually do?"
"I train them? I asked them to practice on defensive swings." I said, confused.
"You did? I saw you doing something else when I randomly inspected the training." He stood up, still maintaining eye contact with me.
So this is where it is going. What is wrong with him? I can understand that he is apathetic and cold towards people, but what does he gain by questioning me like that? Just go straight to the point!
"I apologize for having the conversation with Ichimaru taicho when I was supposed to be training the members." I said with menace.
Byakuya looked at me with amusement in his eyes. "I do not care about your relationship with Ichimaru as long as you focus on your task and refrain from being intimidate in public."
"WHAT? What is that supposed to mean?" I asked angrily.
"I am your captain." He said simply.
With that, I exploded. "I AM NOT IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH GIN! AND DEFINITELY NOT AN INTIMIDATE ONE. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOU BEING MY CAPTAIN. YOU KNOW WHAT, I DON'T GIVE A DAMN."
I breathed heavily. Wow. I actually vented my anger on my captain without holding back at all. And I cursed in front of him. I feel a little guilty, but I am not sorry. I don't care about what he thinks of me anymore.
Byakuya, after witnessing my outburst of anger directed at him, frowned slightly at me. And that's when I see it. The faint amusement mixed with a little bit of anger lingering in his eyes. Emotions. Byakuya is showing some emotions! My heart skipped a beat.
"Taicho! I just…" Renji entered the office without acknowledgement, stopping a few steps in front of me. "Sorry, I will report later then." He glanced at me, slightly surprised that I showed any emotions and snickered.
Then, just as quickly as it comes, the emotions faded. Byakuya turned his gaze at Renji. "What is it?"
"I just escorted the transfer of Rukia Kuchiki our holding cell to the Senzaikyu."
"She what?" I turned around.
Renji rolled his eyes at me. "I just said that Rukia…"
"I understand. Both of you may leave now." Byakuya interrupted me.
Rukia. "But that means that she…"
"Did you not hear what I say? You can have your meaningless conversations outside." Byakuya repeated firmly, silently daring me to say otherwise.
She is his sister! Rukia is his sister! How could he be so coldblooded? "THAT MEANS THAT SHE WILL DIE!" I shouted, losing my temper for the second time this day. "WHAT DID SHE DO TO DESERVE THIS?"
"She is charged with 'unauthorized lending of shinigami powers' and 'late return'. She is going to be executed 25 days later using the soukyoku." Renji said quietly.
My eyes widened. I covered my mouth with my hand. I blanked out. Rukia is going to die in 25 days. I didn't know that. And I didn't even get to have a proper conversation with her. I tried to speak, but no words came. I already lost two people closest to me before, and even though I am not close to Rukia, I feel a strong connection towards her. I want to know her. I want to be her friend. I want…
"Uhh…Skye.." Renji touched my shoulder lightly.
"…"
"Uhh…you are crying?" He whispered, clearly uncomfortable telling me that.
I touched my cheeks. It's wet. All thanks to Byakuya, now I am totally exposed. Naked. Bare. Well, no use trying to cover that up now.
"I want to see Rukia." I said, ignoring Renji's comment.
Byakuya's voice hardened. "You may not. As a prisoner locked up in the Senzaikyu, she had committed a serious crime, hence you are not allowed to visit her. This is the last time I am saying this, leave."
"She is your sister." My voice is shaking as I pleaded to him. I don't know what else to do. This is the first time I appear vulnerable in Seireitei.
Apparently, Renji wasn't comfortable with my 'conversation' with Byakuya, as he shook me lightly on the shoulder, trying to gain my attention as he said, "Uhh Skye, why don't you clean up first? Let's go." He pulled me towards the door. "Come on."
"Clean up?" I looked up at Renji, remembering his existence. "I'm perfectly fine. Leave me alone; can't you see that I'm making a request?"
"You are still uhh…crying. So go wash up." Renji mumbled, pointing to my tear stricken face as he pulled me harder.
"Your request is denied. Without my permission, you may not visit Rukia." Byakuya sat down and continued his paperwork.
I pushed Renji away as straightened my Shinigami robes. "So what if I'm crying? The sky is crying too." I took one last look at Byakuya before leaving his office.
Outside, the rain droplets begin to fall.
Byakuya
"So what if I'm crying? The sky is crying too." Skye stalked out of my office with Renji following closely behind her.
I turned around to face the window. Indeed, it's raining. I don't want her to cry. It took all of my willpower not to rush next to Skye and comfort her just now. I'm sorry. I said silently in my heart.
Skye
"Skye, hey, are you alright?" Renji asked as he tried to keep up with my fast pace.
I stopped abruptly and used the back of my hands to wipe away my half-dried tears. "There. Are you happy now?"
"Yeah…Listen…"
"I want to see her." I said stubbornly.
Renji fidgeted, as if contemplating something. "Skye, give up. You can't save her. You can't see her. Just live with it."
I whirled around. "Are you her friend?"
"We were good friends. We grow up together in Inuzuri." Renji stated. "But…listen. I don't want her to die too, but there's nothing I can do. This is sentenced by the central 46. Their orders are absolute. I didn't know you were friends with Rukia."
"I need to see her." I said firmly.
"Since you need a captain's permission and Byakuya will not allow you to see her, I guess there's nothing…"
"Captain's permission?" I interrupted, an idea floating in my mind.
"Yeah. But Byakuya…"
I cut him off impatiently. "Who says I must ask Byakuya? There are 13 captains in Seireitei."
Renji raised his eyebrows. "You are not thinking of asking…oh this is a bad idea." He scratched his head. "Even if you succeed, do you know what will happen when Byakuya finds out? Urgh…"
"Then help me cover up as much as possible." I looked at him. "She's your friend too, Renji." Without hearing his response, I flash stepped to the 3rd division.
"Where's your captain?" I asked Kira.
"Oh Minori san." Kira looked up from his paperwork. "You sound strange today."
I am not going hide my irritation. Let them see my true colors then. I can't be bothered to look calm and composed when Rukia is about to die. "Don't call me that. I'm Skye."
"Minori is part of your name too. Are you alright?"
"I decide what I will be called, so don't you ever call me Minori again. Where is Gin?" I snapped.
"You mean Ichimaru taicho. He's…"
"Skye chan! What brings ya here in the 3rd division? My my, ya wet! "
I turned around. "Where were you? I want to talk to you. Alone." I glanced at Kira. He bowed to Ichimaru before closing the door behind him.
"There were troublemakers in the west gate. I went ta take care of them. So what ya wanna talk to me about?" Gin showed me his wide mocking smile. "Ya don't seem to be in a good mood t'day."
"I need your help. I want to see Rukia Kuchiki." I said, shifting my feet uneasily. Would he help me?
He opened his eyes, and I caught a glimpse of his sky blue eyes. "Ya wanna see the Kuchiki girl?"
I nodded. "She is transferred to the Senzaikyu just now. I need a captain's permission to see her, so...please."
"Ya want my permission then." Ichimaru's smile widened. "Ya should ask ya own captain, Skye chan."
I groaned. "Byakuya's not going to approve. He doesn't even have a heart for his sister. And you are the only captain I'm close to. So please let me see her, Gin."
"Really? Since ya say that ya close ta me…so what'll I get as a reward?"
"What do you want?"
"I want ya."
My anger flared up again. "Ichimaru Gin, don't take advantage of this situation. I'm not joking. What do you want from me?"
"Am not joking. I want ya." He leaned against his desk. "Ya still mad at me fer disturbing ya t'day an' yesterday, aren't ya? I don't even get ta spend time with someone close."
I inhaled deeply. Although I don't hate him, Ichimaru is really getting on my nerves. Sometimes I really think that he's a sadist. "Why don't I give you a box of dried persimmons? Your persimmon trees can't bear fruit in this season." I said, thinking about the fruitless trees I saw around the 3rd division.
He seemed to be thinking about my suggestions. "Three boxes."
"Deal." I grabbed his hand as I walked past him. "Let's go now" I said before he changed his mind.
Rukia
Ichigo. He's coming.
"Do you see that, Rukia? Through that window, Soukyoku. They'll be used for your execution." Renji said.
"You can stare at it for the rest of your days and think about the crimes you've committed. This is why this place is called a repent tower." One of the guards freed me. "Abarai futaicho, thank you for escorting us. Let us be on our way."
"…"
"Futaicho?"
"Listen to this." Renji grabbed my shoulders and whispered in my ear. "It's an unconfirmed report, but the other day, some trouble makers tried to break into soul society. They were a group of five…One of them was a shinigami with a sword as long as his height and had orange-colored hair."
Why, Ichigo, why? Why did you risk your life coming here to save someone as worthless as me? I'm not worth saving.
"Kuchiki san, you have visitors." I sat up. Shit. Him. And he is all wet.
Skye
"Ichimaru Gin." I heard Rukia spat out the name as if there were poison in them.
"Ya never change, do ya? Still no manners at all. Tsk tsk. Ya should call meh Ichimaru taicho. If ya don't speak properly, ya'll get scolded again by ya onii san."
"…Please forgive my rudeness, Ichimaru taicho. May I ask, what brings you here?"
Before Ichimaru can reply, I moved out of his shadows and stood next to him, smiling at Rukia. "Rukia chan! Nice to see you again!"
Her face immediately softened after seeing my presence. "Ah. Minori san. Nice to see you too. What are you doing here?"
I waved my hand. "Just call me Skye. Well, I want to see you, considering we don't have much time left to interact….Gin!" I suddenly remember him. "Thanks for bringing me here. You can go now."
"I'm s'pposed to monitor ya talk, Skye chan. Ya really shouldn't be chasing me off after what I did fer ya."
I pulled at his haori. "I promised to give you something in return. We need privacy. Bye bye!"
Just then, a hell butterfly flew in. "Attention all captains! Attention all captains! Your presence is required for an emergency meeting."
I looked at Ichimaru expectantly. "That's for you, Gin. I can take care of myself."
"Well well. I'll see ya later then, Sora chan!"
"Stop it, Ichimaru!" I slammed the door at his face. Then, I turned to face Rukia. "Well then, now that we are at peace…Rukia chan!"
Thanks for reading! reviews are always appreciated! I really wanted to make this chapter longer but I feel that it is better to end here...not like it's a cliffhanger or anything, so there's nothing to worry about. And I shall try my best to post the next chapter asap! 0.o
