Authors Note: I'd just like to say thank you for everyone reading this story, I hope you all will stick with it till the end! ^.^
Chapter 3:
Kuchiki Byakuya continued to kneel before me, still holding onto my wrist; although not tight enough to be able to feel my heartbeat any longer. After what just came out of my mouth, I had no clue what to say. Apparently, he didn't either.
We both stayed completely silent; me, because I was preparing myself for rejection, and he was probably just trying to figure out just how to reject my request; it probably didn't help that I involved not only the Captain-Commanders name in my request, but I practically guilt him by saying my Zapakutō wouldn't tell me his name unless he did this for me.
You can be such an idiot, Yuuko. I keep repeating this statement to myself, until Captain Kuchiki seemed to gather his thoughts.
"Ever since you became a shinigami, we have had many encounters with each other. I am far from blind, Shinobu. I see that you treat me a bit colder than you do other Captains, or even others in general. Correct me if I am wrong, but you do dislike me, don't you?" The Captains face was emotionless as he stared straight at me, less than a foot away.
I knew he already knew the answer, but it seemed like he wouldn't continue to speak until I told him the truth. Although, dislike is kind of an understatement to how I actually feel. "No, sir... You are not wrong." I couldn't help but avert my eyes as I said this.
From the corner of my eye, I can see Captain Kuchiki nodding, "At least you are honest. No one, other than a fellow Captain, has actually admitted that to me before." I heard him sigh softly, and he let go of my wrist. The folder on my lap fell to the floor as the Kuchiki stood up and went back around his desk to sit down.
Still unwilling to look back up at the Captain, I stared at the folder, now on the floor. For some reason, his last statement made me curious to know who else has told him the same thing I just did. Not even so I could find the person and we could discuss everything we knew about Kuchiki Byakuya's weaknesses, I really shouldn't be so opposed to do so though. I simply wanted to know who else despised the same person as I because... it felt wrong.
After a few minutes, Captain Kuchiki spoke again, "I have been very busy lately," He picked up another folder from one of the stacks beside him and flipped it open, seemingly giving it his full attention. "However, if you are willing to work with my schedule, day or night... I am not unwilling to teach you Kidō."
Immediately I looked up at the Captain, waiting for him to break out laughing to tell me it was all a joke and that he would never willingly help someone who doesn't even like him. I was actually hoping it wasn't all just a joke, and that he actually wanted to help me. Even though I was hoping he'd refuse before, at the moment, the last thing I wanted was for him to deny me this.
"R-really? You will teach me?" I couldn't help but ask, and although it came out unsteady, I had to make sure this wasn't just a trick; although if there was one thing Kuchiki's were known for, it was their honesty. That's one thing I can count on, especially after what happened.
Kuchiki Byakuya looked up from his report to look at me, "I am curious to know just wh-" before he could finish, the office door burst open.
Lieutenant Abarai Renji came in with a cheerful look on his face, "Captain! Sorry I'm late, things just went a little slowly is all." Abarai then looked at the occupied seat in front of his Captains desk, "Whoa! Yuuko, what are you doing here?!"
Both the Captain and I turned our attention to the red-head who just barged in, unaware of what he just interrupted. Renji was talking as loud as ever, and normally I enjoy the relaxed atmosphere around him, but at the moment, all I could think was: how annoying. I quickly wiped that thought from my mind though, the Lieutenant was my best... well, only friend. After all, I came here to be with him in the first place.
"Hey, Renji." I offered him a small smile, glancing at Captain Kuchiki, who was just barely in my peripheral vision. Dammit, what was he going to say?!
"Renji, you're free to go for today." Kuchiki Byakuya closed the report he just finished and stood up, glancing at me as he did so. "Shinobu, I expect to see you here tomorrow, no later than mid-day. Understood?"
I quickly stood up as well, it's considered unrespectful to answer orders when a Captain is standing unless you too are standing, or kneeling, before them. "Uh, y-yes, sir." Once again speech, you failed me. I bowed to the Captain standing before me.
Lieutenant Abarai then spoke as well, "Roger that, sir!" He quickly came towards me and grabbed my hand. "We will take our leave then, have a good night, Captain Kuchiki." Pulling me along, he waved at his Captain, before quickly running out of the office, shutting the door behind us. "Phew, wonder why my Captains in such a good mood. He usually makes me do a full stack of reports before letting me leave with you!" He laughed a loud laugh, still pulling me as we walked the halls out of the 6th division. "And whats going on tomorrow anyways, Yuu-chan?"
I quickly sped up my pace, so I was walking next to him rather than being pulled by the Lieutenant. "It's a long story, but it's definitely not something I can do without a few drinks in me." I cast him an amused glance, "You up for it?"
"Hell yeah!" Renji laughed, waving at the guards as we made it out of the barracks. Automatically, he led us to the nearest restaurant, one that had both sake and food. "Normally it's me who has to convince you to go drinking. Everything okay?"
I smiled at my friend, of course he would know something was up without me even having to say anything. People always say he isn't the brightest lieutenant, but the only ones who say that are the ones who don't know him. Abarai is extremely observant, he makes quick decisions when the situation calls for it. He really will make a great Captain one of these days. "Other than the fact that I just had to ask your Captain to teach me kidō? Oh, and he actually said yes. Other than that... yes, everything is okay."
The Lieutenant immediately ceased walking and turned to stare at me. He knew I wasn't a fan of the Kuchikis, although he still didn't know why. "Wait, Kidō? Why him anyways? Not that my Captain isn't great at it, but there are others who are better. Someone from the Kidō Corps for instance."
I nodded at him, agreeing completely. "I know, but Captain-Commander Yamamoto suggested I ask Captain Kuchiki for his assistance with it rather than someone else." Renji knew everything about my relationship with my zanpakutō, so I had no hesitation telling the Lieutenant the next part. "Also, my Zanpakutō said if I ever wanted to learn his name, I'd have to ask Kuchiki for his help with it as well."
Renjis eyes widened in shock at that last bit of information. "Whoa, really?" He shook his head and laughed lightly. "Well, now I see why you needed a drink." The Lieutenant wrapped his arm around my shoulder and continued to lead me to the restaurant.
I laughed along with him. This is why Renji was my friend, he could make me laugh when all I wanted to do was scream at the top of my lungs at how unfair life was. "Don't force too much into me like usual though, especially if I have to be at your division by mid-day."
Lieutenant Abarai tightened his hold on my shoulders, as if keeping me from running away. "Me? Give you too much?" He laughed loudly. "I have a feeling I'm going to be the one having to keep you from drinking too much all on your own."
We both knew that was a lie, I can definitely hold my alcohol and Renji likes to see how long he can keep up with me. He'll keep me there till dawn if he has his way.
A few minutes of walking later, we were walking into the building. Before we can even be placed at a table, Renji orders two bottles of sake.
It wasn't until well after midnight that I was able to drag Renji away from an unseated female shinigami from the 3rd division and get him out of the restaurant. I had only a bottle of sake myself, while Renji was on his 4th when I dragged him out.
"Oh, c'mon Yuu-chan! I could have had her with a couple more lines!" He draped his arm around my shoulder again, although instead of leading me, he was more leaning on it for support.
I laughed at him, even stupid drunk, he was amusing. Although, if I hadn't had anything in my system, I might be more inclined to smack him upside his head. "You probably would have, but then you'd wake up with no clue what happened, as usual; and I don't want to have another one of those conversations with you." He almost tripped over his own feet and I had to adjust him so he leaned on me more fully. I've had to lead him back to his quarters while he was too intoxicated many times before, so I don't mind.
"Those conversations? I have no clue what you're talking about Yuu-chan." Renji laughed loudly, right in my ear.
I waited a moment for the ringing in my ear to quiet down before answering, "Every time you don't remember, it's like you assume I was there and you want to know details." I sighed and added, "You're lucky I'm not that Rukia friend of yours, otherwise you'd be sore for a month every time it happens." I laughed softly, continuing to lead Renji back to the 6th division.
Not having any new sake in his system was starting to take an affect on the Lieutenant, he was walking more slowly than before, leaning almost his full weight against me as well. "Rukia would probably kill me actually." He giggled softly, and I could tell he was right on the verge of falling asleep standing up.
I've never actually met the adopted Kuchiki member, but I've heard about her a lot from Renji. For some reason, I don't doubt she would actually kill him if he asked her that. I could tell Renji had feelings towards her, but it is unclear to me whether she harbors the same feelings. Abarai believes she loves the Substitute Shinigami, Kurosaki Ichigo, though. I've never met the substitute shinigami, and with Rukia being a Kuchiki, adopted or not, I was never willing to go and ask her for myself either.
A few minutes of walking later, we were at the 6th division barracks. I was practically shouldering Renji's full weight, although it wasn't much of a strain on me; I didn't become a 4th seat without kidō or my zanpakutōs name with just my looks.
Considering it was so late, the doors to the barracks were already closed. One sole guard stood watch and once he saw us coming, he opened the door slightly for us to walk in. I nodded my thanks, not wanting to say anything that would bring Renji out of his drowsy state. I pulled the Lieutenant along, slowly making our way to his room.
Once I stood before the door leading to Abarai's quarters, I shifted the man leaning on me so I could open it. However, Renji was a foot taller than me, and this position didn't work well, especially not when the Lieutenant really did fall asleep while leaning on me at that moment. He slipped off me, and I quickly tried to catch him before he hit the ground, but I was too slow because of having some alcohol in me as well.
As soon as Abarai Renji hit the ground, Captain Kuchiki was immediately standing next to me. His quickness surprised me, as did his attire. You rarely see a Captain without his uniform on, so I was shocked to see the Kuchiki in a simple white kimono, although it still looked ridiculously expensive. He was carrying his sheathed Zanpakutō in his hand as well.
First he looked at his Lieutenant on the ground, than at me. He sighed tiredly, setting his zanpakutō in the sash on his waist, "Try to make less noise next time, you do realize the time, do you not?"
I nodded, speaking softly, "Yes, sir. I apologize. He had a bit too much to drink and... I'm sorry, sir." I quickly took a few steps back so I could bow completely to the Captain before me. Being somewhat intoxicated myself, I was more inclined to just leave the Lieutenant there on the ground and head straight back to my own quarters and just go to sleep. However, he was still my friend, so I couldn't just leave him there.
Captain Kuchiki nodded and opened the door to the Lieutenants room. I moved to bring Renji back to his feet, but before I could, the Captain was already doing it. Not wanting to just stand around doing nothing, I quickly helped, taking half of Abarai's weight onto me. We both carried him into his quarters, placing him gently on the futon, where the Lieutenant shifted onto his side and fell into a deep sleep.
We walked out of the room and shut the door softly behind us. "Again, I'm sorry for disturbing you, sir. I'll go back to my own barracks now, have a good night." I bowed, and in the middle of turning around to make my leave, the Captain spoke again.
"It's late, I'll walk you back to the 1st division."
Before I could even register what he said completely, he was walking past me, heading for the exit of the 6th division barracks. I quickly caught up to him and walked beside him. "Sir, you really don't have to. Besides, it's late. I can tell by your attire that you weren't working, I'll be fine on my own."
The Captain spared me a glance, "I'm completely awake now anyways, or do you not want me to because you can't bare to be with me?" He stopped walking when he finished his sentence, starring at me.
I quickly shook my head. "No, that's not it." I didn't know how to really explain why I didn't want him to come, but that certainly wasn't it. It's just... according to Renji, I can be very... revealing, while under the influence. I didn't want to tell him something I wouldn't want him to know normally. I sighed, it's not like I had that much to drink anyways, I'll be fine. "If you insist, please accompany me," I couldn't help but remember how tired he looked in his office earlier, "but please don't push yourself."
Captain Kuchiki nodded and continued walking. "Shinobu, you don't need to speak to me so formally at the moment. As you said before, I'm not in my normal attire, I am not working at the moment." He cast me an amused glance as he said this.
I smiled slightly at this, "Sorry, it's become a habit of mine."
We walked towards the gates, where I gave a soft knock and a couple moments later the guard outside opened the gate. The guard immediately stood straight and saluted the Captain. "Sir!"
Kuchiki nodded and waved his hand, indicating to the man to relax. "I'll be back shortly, I'm simply walking Ms. Shinobu to her quarters."
The man immediately looked shocked; I'm sure he's heard me talking to Renji about his Captain before, but he none-the-less bowed and stepped aside so we could continue walking.
Once we were out of the guards hearing range, I decided to gather my courage to ask a question. "Sir..." Crap, less polite Yuuko, ignore your habit for once. "I mean, Kuchiki," No way am I getting more familiar than that. "I'm just curious, why did you decide to teach me kidō, even after I told you I hated you?"
The Captain raised an eyebrow and seemed deep in thought for a moment before speaking. "Well, for one, you didn't use the word hate before." The look he sent me made my face heat up in shame. "For another, even though you feel that way, you still came to me. You could have simply ignored the Captain-Commanders suggestion and went somewhere else, but you didn't. I'm not going to bring up what your Zanpakutō said because that happened after you'd already made your decision to come to me, correct?"
I quickly nodded, "Yes, although I was going to come tomorrow to ask you rather than tonight."
Kuchiki seemed amused at that statement, "I assume so you could drink the night before?"
I couldn't help but laugh softly, "Pretty much, yeah."
The Captain stared at me for a moment, looking like he was debating something in his head. It wasn't until a few moments later that he spoke. "I have a question myself, if you don't mind?" When I shook my head no, he continued. "Why do you feel that way towards me?"
I stopped walking, stunned by the question. I really wasn't expecting him to ever ask that, although I was probably being naive thinking that. How was I supposed to answer? I'm going to look like a complete ass if I tell him that it wasn't even something he did, but a member of his family, which then caused me to have a deep hatred to anyone related to the Kuchiki clan.
There is no doubt that I feel my hatred is justified, but I knew it doesn't seem that way to others. Even Renji thought I was going overboard at first, but then he found out how deep my feelings really go, and he's stuck with me ever since. I sighed, might as well get this over with quickly. "I'll be honest, you specifically haven't done anything to me... however, someone from the Kuchiki family did something that," I paused, trying to find the right word. "well, hurt me. I'm sorry, I just don't trust the Kuchiki clan." I couldn't bare looking at him to see his reaction to what I said; I knew it would probably be a huge insult to say that, considering he's the head of the clan.
The Captain beside me was quiet for a few moments. "I understand. If you ever want to tell me what happened, please don't hesitate. Perhaps even, you may have a change of heart in the future."
I immediately looked up at him again, shocked. Was he serious? Or just being polite? Did he not care? And why do I even care what he thinks, dammit? These and a thousand other questions ran through my head. "I..." Once again, I was at a loss for words. I just said the first thing that came to mind: "Thank you."
The Captain smiled at me, before turning to continue walking in the direction of the 1st division. "Come on, it's late. You won't want to be late for our first session tomorrow, right?"
I smiled, quickly walking to catch up to the Kuchiki. "Right."
After a few more minutes of walking, we were at the 1st division barracks. The guard at the gate saluted to both the Captain and I. "Ma'am! Sir! Welcome back."
He bowed before standing straight again, "Shinobu-sama, ma'am, I was told to have you sent to the Senkaimon as soon as you arrived. You are to go to the living world and meet with Urahara Kisuke, where he will open a Garganta to send you and a Substitute Shinigami to Hueco Mundo. You will understand the mission once you arrive, good luck ma'am."
I stood straight, feeling the affects of the sake leaving my body as I nodded to the guard, "Order acknowledged, thank you." I was tempted to run off right away, that's what I normally would do, however, there was a Captain next to me. I turned to him and bowed, "It looks like we'll have to reschedule tomorrow, excuse me."
Immediately, I used shunpo and vanished from their view.
Authors Note: Hope you enjoyed this chapter, please review to let me know what you think! Updates are every week. :D
-The Neko Lover
