A/N: Hey, guys. Oh my god… I did not expect to get new favorites and follows within the first few minutes of the chapter being posted. It's as if you guys were watching your emails, or waiting on the Bleach page for my update to pop up. xD I'm so glad you all enjoyed it, and a big thanks goes out to phAntOmgh0st7018 for being the first to review the second chapter. Thanks also go out to Mailumia for following the story. You guys are the best. Cookies for all! xD I love you all so much, and I appreciate you sticking around with me through the years of inactivity. I'd also like to thank the FF admins for not deactivating my account or anything. xP I hope this next chapter gets as much if not more hits as the last one did. Onward ho! x3
Disclaimer: I do not claim to own any part of the Bleach franchise and make absolutely no profit whatsoever off of writing this story. No matter how much I wish I did.
Claimer: I do however own the OCs portrayed in this work of fiction. Sadly, I also gain no profit but faithful readers from the creation of these characters and the shenanigans they may get into throughout these stories I write. x3
Italics: thoughts/flashbacks
Chapter 3: Secrets Reveled, new trainers and a trainees sword?
Normal P.O.V:
'Oh no… What's happening sis?' Setsuko asked Haruko through twin telepathy.
'I dunno, but it's gotta be something big if Byakuya, Renji and Toushirou are all here.' Haruko responded.
'Yeah, I guess that's true… But, why is Toushirou here?' Setsuko wondered.
'No idea.' Haruko fibbed.
She had an idea that it had something with Setsuko's dreams. Haruko had known all along that there had to be something going on with Setsuko and her experiences in the snow. Of course Yamamoto-soutaichou would bring Toushirou into the equation.
Yamamoto-soutaichou cleared his throat and began addressing Setsuko and Haruko.
"Welcome, girls; I know you must be wondering why I have summoned you here to speak with me." Yamamoto-soutaichou spoke in what seemed to be a boomingly loud voice, breaking the awkward silence that had permeated the room as the girls had walked in.
"Hai, Yamamoto-soutaichou." The girls answered together, generally wondering that.
"Well, to answer your questions, it has been brought to my attention that you two have incredible amounts of suppressed Reiatsu which you were both previously unaware of. Before being brought to our world, I suppose you believed Reiatsu to be only a made-up ability in a television show you watched. Well, you probably realize by now, that this is not made-up. And, the fact of the matter is that I have received information stating that you especially, Setsuko, are far more advanced than you would believe yourself to be."
Yamamoto-soutaichou spoke clearly, explaining to the girls that their being brought here was not a mere coincidence.
"You must have noticed some things unusual as a child, growing up. Even in your own world, did you not witness strange beings, which seemed lost not only in the physical sense, but, as in lost in the wrong world?" Yamamoto-soutaichou asked the girls directly.
"Well, now that you mention it, I think I might have seen spirits before. I thought it was just a figment of my imagination, my eyes playing tricks on me because I was far to obsessed with Anime, specifically Bleach… I had always just thought I was trying to fulfill a wish of mine, I didn't think for even a second that any of it could be real until yesterday when my sister and I were pulled through our TV, and brought here." Haruko explained.
"I didn't know that you were seeing things too! Why didn't you tell me; I thought I was going crazy, Haruko!" Setsuko asked her sister a little angry that she had kept this a secret from her.
"I'm sorry, but, it's not as if I could just come out and tell you, "I see dead people." Really, Setsuko? Do you honestly think you would have believed me?" Haruko retorted.
"Well, I'd seen things as well. Maybe, not as clearly as you, but, I saw them." Setsuko mumbled.
"Hey, I'm sorry I didn't tell you; what would we have done though? We're here now, and they can help us. Right, Yamamoto-soutaichou?" Haruko asked Yamamoto-soutaichou nervously.
"Hmm… I believe I can supply you two with help. However, we must ascertain just exactly what we are dealing with here; we can see that Setsuko has ice elemental powers, which is why I have brought Toushirou here as he knows exactly how to deal with obtaining control of such powers since he has dealt with such from a young age."
"You both will of course, continue training with Byakuya and Renji, you will just be given extra time with specialists sharing your elemental abilities."
"Haruko, we will have to discover your abilities before I can assign you a new trainer. Is there anything 'special' you may recall that links you to an element of some sort? I can only assume that you would have something similar to Setsuko's experiences occurring in your past, considering you and Setsuko are twins. You seem to be connected, one's abilities are with them from birth, they simply lie dormant until one is ready to accept them and work toward controlling them."
Yamamoto-soutaichou spoke carefully; making sure the girls understood him clearly.
'I get to train with Renji as well as Toushirou? Oh, I've died and gone to heaven.' Setsuko thought excitedly to herself.
'Oh, get over yourself, Setsuko!" Haruko thought a little grudgingly.
"Haruko, are you listening to me?"
Yamamoto-soutaichou asked Haruko a little irritated that she had yet to answer his question and he was trying to help her. He would admit though that he already knew the answer, for, he, himself shared elements with this young girl. And if she were as powerful as she seemed she could very well give him a run for his money as strongest fire wielder. It would be wise to have these two in the Seireitei for help in battle.
"Oh, hai, Yamamoto-soutaichou; I'm listening. I was just thinking about your question… All, I can recall is that Setsuko and my parents told us on the day we were born it was a bright, sunny, and snowy day. We were born on December 20th at 7:15AM and now that I think about it, Setsuko was always drawn to the cold, and snow. She loved the icy weather, while I detested it. I will admit to the beauty of it all, but, I prefer the heat, the sunlight and warmth. Father told us I curled up in the blanket I was swaddled in at birth, and Setsuko attempted to crawl out of hers and reached for the snowflakes falling outside the window."
Haruko relayed her story, filling in some info about Setsuko as well, who seemed surprised; had their parents never spoken to her about all this? A collective thought ran throughout the males in the room as Setsuko just listened, intent to hear more.
"As we grew up, this continued to be a common factor in our near daily lives. Every winter, she would spend most of the days out and about 'frolicking' in the snow, while I sat in front of the fireplace with a cup of steaming cocoa, wrapped in several blankets trying to get warm. Summertime would come around and the exact opposite would reign true. I would be out running around, playing sports in the sun, while Setsuko would sit indoors, AC on full blast, if she were ever to come out with me she'd have to find a heavily leafed tree and carried around an umbrella and sunscreen. She burnt easily, while I froze easily. This was the only thing that signified us as different people, that and our personalities of course."
"If I recall correctly, I can think of one day when we were 10, I had managed to trick Setsuko out of the house and dragged her to a secluded beach with plenty of palm trees for 'Ice Princess' over here."
Haruko pointed to Setsuko who glared at her and turned away with a grunt. Renji smiled at Setsuko's act of childishness and Byakuya watched Haruko with admiration at her ability to remember and regale a story from such a long time ago and insult her sister at the same time. Toushirou eyed Setsuko warily as he felt the slightest of temperature drops and spikes in Reiatsu from her. Yamamoto-soutaichou simply listened to Haruko's story.
"Anyway, I was making a sandcastle version of the Seireitei, a very accurate reinterpretation I might add, I've got the pictures to prove it." Yamamoto-soutaichou cleared his throat, keeping Haruko on track.
Setsuko laughed and Haruko hid a blush, continuing with her story.
"The sun was blaring down on me and I was basking in the heat, I saw a spirit, I now know I wasn't imagining it because it was a young boy from our neighborhood who had drowned just a few days earlier, I had read it in the news… He seemed lost, I don't think he knew he was dead, and he kept calling for his mother I think. I reached out for him and he turned to me, but he wasn't a little boy anymore, he was a monster… I was scared… The water started boiling, bubbling beneath him, I think I made it bubble, the monster screeched and turned to ash, floating away with the current, waves came crashing down on me, and I thought I had imagined it all…"
"I turned to Setsuko, to see if she could verify what I had just witnessed. She wasn't paying attention to me; she was sitting, leaning against a lone tree where it seemed to be snowing only on that one tree. And the bottled water Setsuko had been drinking from was freezing over. She was napping; I don't think she even knew what was happening, though I know she wouldn't have been able to sleep out in the open like that on such a hot day if not for the snow falling around her. I never told her any of this, because shortly after I saw the frozen water bottle, everything around me started to spin and the next thing I knew I was being woken up by the waves lapping at my feet, I rolled over and Setsuko was still asleep, only not as comfortably because the snow was gone, water bottle ice melted and condensation dripping down the sides. It hadn't been long that I was out, but I woke Setsuko and took her home. Looking back once, I saw a figure standing over my sandcastle and upon blinking once, it was gone…"
"That was the last time I can recall anything big happening, I've seen spirits every now and then, but they were never dangerous like the one I saw at the beach. I never saw that figure that stood over my sandcastle again, and I never went back to that beach."
Haruko finished her story, Setsuko was shocked that Haruko had kept such a big secret from her, but couldn't complain because she had secrets of her own. Renji and Byakuya stood silently, watching the girls and Yamamoto-soutaichou cleared his throat to get everyone's attention.
"I see… So, I think we can all safely say Haruko; you possess the opposite element as your sister, fire. As, I am sure you know, I have the same elemental control, however I will not be training you. I will speak with Komamura-taichou and have him meet with you tomorrow, to discuss further work on your abilities. Setsuko, Toushirou, you will also meet with each other tomorrow. Until then, however, you will both need swords to train with. Visit the Shin'ō Academy forthwith and you shall both receive a practice sword for training and potential battles, until you are ready for your own Zanpakutō. You may all leave now." Yamamoto-soutaichou finished firmly.
"Hai, Yamamoto-soutaichou." The 4 in the room responded to their leader as they left quickly.
Renji, Byakuya and Haruko stood to the side, waiting as Toushirou and Setsuko made plans to meet up tomorrow and consult on her special training.
Toushirou's P.O.V:
"Setsuko, I shall inform Rangiku of our plans for tomorrow, and have her know to let you in. Come to my office at 7:00 AM, and we shall head out to a secluded area I have designated my elemental training spot. Until then, I have to return to my office now and check up on Rangiku, I am sure she has left all her work for me to finish as she went out to get drunk again. That woman, I swear; she can be so infuriating at times." I mumbled to myself at the end.
"Haha, of course, Hitsugaya-taichou; I will see you tomorrow. I appreciate you taking the time to help me; I can't wait to get to learn from you." Setsuko responded, politely bowing to me.
'She is very respectful, I may not hate this, and actually enjoy myself a little; until tomorrow.'
I nodded to Setsuko, giving her a slight smile as I turned and made my way back to my office.
Renji's P.O.V:
'Hmph… Toushirou's lucky he's got ice powers, he's got that much more of a connection with her…'
I thought to myself, glaring slightly at Toushirou and how Setsuko blushed when speaking to him. 'I thought she liked me.' I composed myself as Setsuko turned around, and skipped up to me. I couldn't hold back the smile; she was just too cute sometimes.
Normal P.O.V:
Haruko smirked at Setsuko, whispering something to her which made Setsuko blush and punch Haruko in the shoulder playfully. The group walked quietly to Shin'ō Academy to get the girls some training swords. When they arrived, it appeared that Yamamoto-soutaichou had someone sent to alert the workers there of the group coming for some swords, and they were waiting for them with training swords tailored to the girls' height, and soon the group had parted ways and left for their respective sleeping quarters, changing into their sleepwear and going to sleep.
November 21st:
It was a bright sunny day; there was lots of snow on the ground though. The beginning of the winter season. It seemed oddly familiar, yet slightly different, though I couldn't quite place my finger on it. I mean, aren't all winters pretty much the same here? Sun shining, snow falling… snow falling… that was what was different. While the ground was covered in a thick layer of snow, there was no fresh falling snow from the sky. The snow never stopped falling in our town.
"Why isn't it snowing anymore? I've gotta check this out." I whispered to myself.
I got up from my favorite window seat which had the perfect view of our yard, swing set connected to the tree-house fort my sister and I had built together on our 14th birthday when our parents started fighting. It was an escape for us. That fateful winter day 2 years later when our parents got into the car accident that ultimately ended their lives, that ended a bit of our lives too, didn't it… They were fighting again, while in the car that day. It was a little too hot that day, oddly enough though; it got way too cold in the house when we got the news later that night. We got this house and everything our parents owned after they died. The one thing our parents agreed on was my sister and I having a good life even should they not be in it with us. We've been living here on our own for a year now, it was hard at first, but we're adults now. It's better than a foster home splitting my sister and me up. Anyway, I wasn't supposed to be thinking about that.
I wiped a lone tear from my eye, put on a light winter jacket, some gloves and my snow boots and walked out the glass double doors to stand in the backyard and explore the fallen snow. The second I stepped outside and into the snow, I sank up to my ankles.
"Well, at least the night's snow fall was still heavy." I thought aloud, trudging my way to the swing, sitting down.
I looked up to the sky and thought it was a little warm today too. Maybe, I'm imagining it. My emotions are all out of whack.
"It really is a beautiful day, though." I smiled up at the sky and swung back and forth a bit.
A sparkle in the distance, high up in the clouds caught my eye and I stopped swinging momentarily to get a better look. I watched as a snowflake fell slowly down from the sky to land on the tip of my nose. I couldn't help the wide grin that spread across my face. And, I started laughing. Just a little laugh, that grew uncontrollably and wouldn't be stopped. I laughed so much that I fell off the swing and rolled around in the snow, clutching my sides as before I knew it, the sky was filled with beautiful sparkling snowflakes of all different shapes and sizes. Eventually I laughed myself out, sides and cheeks hurting; I looked back up to the sky, watching the now gorgeous heavy snowfall as I made a snow angel.
I lay still for a moment, just basking in the bright sunlight, enjoying the 'warmth' of the cold as I closed my eyes, laughed one last time, and relaxed happily.
'Setsuko, do you like my snow?'
I heard a faint whisper in my ear, startled out of my blissful rest; I sat up and looked around for the voice that interrupted my peace.
"Hello? Who's there, who said that?" I asked a little scared.
'It is me, Setsuko; I created this snow for you. Don't you like it? It's my masterpiece.'
"You 'created' the snow? How could you do that, isn't it just frozen rain?"
I asked the voice, and it laughed at me. It laughed!
"What's so funny? I learned that in school!" I shouted a little miffed at the voice laughing at me.
'Well, technically, yes it is 'frozen' water, young one. And, yes, I did create the snow. I have the ability to manipulate air and water to create snow and ice as well.' The voice said to me.
"Interesting… Okay, so you make snow, but why did you make it for me?" I asked confused.
'I wanted to make you happy, and to be able to communicate with you.' The voice responded.
"Why would you care about how I feel, or even want to talk to me? Why am I special?"
'We are connected. However, you are not aware of me, and all I have done for you. I want us to be together, I see though that you are not ready.'
"Not ready for what? I don't understand! Who or what are you anyway?" I asked loudly, standing up and looking to the sky again.
'It is not time for you to know these answers. Soon; soon, all will be revealed…'
The voice echoed before fading out and the snowfall around me started to die down.
"Wait! Don't leave me! I don't want to be alone, talk to me; tell me your name! Anything, please!" I shouted to the sky as the snow on the ground and in the sky started to flurry angrily around me until I couldn't see anything but a blurry shadow in the distance.
"Setsuko, where are you; I'm home!"
I heard a familiar voice shout out to me from inside the house. Haruko… I turned to the sliding glass doors which I had apparently left open. Tears I didn't know I had been holding in dripped down my face, and I ran into the house. With one last fleeting glance at the sky, the snow settled on the ground again, shadowy figure gone, snowfall gone, I wiped my face putting on a smile and closed the doors walking in to the living room to greet Haruko back from the store…
Setsuko's P.O.V:
I awoke early today, not needing my alarm and remembering where I was. I had the dream again, but it was no big deal, I would probably have it for the next month or so as per usual. I got out of bed, grabbed my clothes from yesterday, having designated them my training clothes; I would have to buy new clothes soon, and walked to my newly discovered private bathroom connected to my room.
I took a nice long shower, washing off the grime from last night. I had actually been up a while, secretly practicing with my sword in the forest behind Division 6 where I had trained with Renji that morning. And, as such, I had not wanted to disturb anyone else, so I went to sleep without showering. Instead, settling for undressing and toweling off in my bathroom, even if I had considered taking a shower in my personal bathroom, I was wiped and passed out the moment I lay down, not even putting on my pajamas.
'I'm glad I ran into that girl doing laundry last night. Wouldn't want to meet up with Toushirou smelling bad after only being here a day, and not even having been in an actual fight or anything…' I thought, as I put on my outfit and brushed out my hair, pulling the top layer back in a white ribbon and left the rest of it down, applying a light layer of silver eye shadow, and light pink lip gloss. I looked myself over in the mirror, making sure I looked presentable, before heading out to meet Toushirou in his office. Checking the clock on the wall on my way out of my room, seeing it was 6:00, I had the perfect amount of time to take a nice slow walk, and enjoy the snow on my way to Toushirou's office. I smiled at the thought, and headed out.
Renji's P.O.V:
So, I had just visited Toushirou's office to ask him if I could help with Setsuko's training today; let's just say that didn't turn out so great…
Here's what happened:
"Hitsugaya-taichou, do you need any help with Setsuko's training today?" I'd asked politely.
"No, I'll be fine, your assistance won't be needed, Renji." Toushirou had responded coolly, eyes closed.
"Are you sure, Hitsugaya-taichou? I mean, I can handle the weapons, or watch for hollows, you know guard you two?" I asked again.
"No, Renji. We're fine without you." Toushirou said again, getting frustrated quickly.
"Come on, Toushirou; I'll just sit there quietly and watch!"
"NO, Renji! You'll just get in the way, Setsuko's going to need the silence to concentrate, and let's face it. You are not one who knows how to keep quiet for very long. Learning to embrace her elemental powers will be hard enough as is, but with you around, she'll be distracted. Why are you so insistent on coming along anyway? You can train with her later; Yamamoto-soutaichou ordered this training session with me, not you. What does it even matter if I train her today, and you wait a while? Go bother, Byakuya."
Well, that was harsh… Fine, then; I'll go. I didn't bother to dignify Toushirou with a response and I turned around, barging out the door, angrily.
And, now we're here; me storming out of Toushirou's office, stomping right into none other than Setsuko for the second time in two days… she fell to the ground with an'oof' and I groaned to myself. "Shit; sorry, Setsuko. I wasn't looking where I was going." I bent down and grabber her hand, pulling her up into a standing position.
"Hey, Renji; what's happening? Why are you coming out of Toushirou's office in such a rush?" Setsuko asked, rubbing her back in slight pain.
"Nothing, I just gotta go meet up with Kuchiki-taichou and help with Haruko's training…" I muttered quickly, apologizing for running into her and running away using Shunpo, without thinking about what I said.
Setsuko's P.O.V:
"What was that all about? What happened with Toushirou, and why does Renji have to help Haruko…?" I asked myself bitterly at Renji's evasive attitude.
I walked into Toushirou's office, my mood a little sour now after running into Renji like that.
"Hey there, Setsuko. Are you ready to meet with Toushirou?" Rangiku greeted me brightly.
I couldn't be mad with Rangiku greeting me so happily. I smiled at her sweetly, and greeted back. "Hello, Rangiku; yes, I'm excited for today. May, I ask you if you know why Renji just ran me down and left without so much as a proper explanation as to why he seemed angry with Toushirou?" I asked her, hoping she could give me some helpful information on the subject.
"Oh, that; I believe Renji was mad that he couldn't join you during your training session with Toushirou today." Rangiku said with a smile.
"Really…? He wanted to spend more time with me…?" I asked myself quietly.
Rangiku smiled down at me, and called out to Toushirou whom we could hear sigh from behind his closed office doors. I heard feet and robes shuffling across the floor as he exited his office and greeted me. "Hello, Setsuko. How are you this morning?" Toushirou asked, roughly.
"I am fine, Hitsugaya-taichou. Are you okay though; I ran into Renji leaving in a huff just now." I responded carefully, not wanting to anger Toushirou anymore than he already seemed.
"Yes, well; you see, Renji came in asking to join us in our training. However, you need your full concentration in this elemental training, and I felt that Renji might be too much of a distraction for you if he were around…" Toushirou stated matter-of-factly.
"Oh, I see…" I muttered with a blush. Did he know how I felt about Renji, or did he mean he would be a distraction just as anyone else would be?
"Well, I am sure that he will get over it soon. For now, we must focus on you and getting you ready to accept and control your powers so you can obtain your Zanpakutō."
Toushirou finished with that, and began walking away. I said a quick goodbye to Rangiku and followed behind Toushirou so as not to lose him on the way to his secret training grounds.
A/N: Well, I don't know how I feel about this chapter. I am working on typing up a few chapters together so that if I don't have time to type on a day, I will already have the chapter prepared to post right away. I will take a short break after posting this chapter to sleep, and will get straight to work on the next chapter when I wake up. Again, I make no promises, because I always seem to break them, and I don't like breaking promises to others. I will try my hardest; it's working so far, but only barely. Thank goodness it's the weekend for me. No school on Friday, so I can get these chapters up quicker, I've got the whole day to work on them. Thank you again for sticking with me, and I hope you enjoy the chapter and will look forward to the 4th and 5th ones on the way in the next couple days.
Ja Ne
Kalypso-Fox