Yo- I mean, hello, Byakuya.
...Hello, Kurosaki.
Um, how's it going?
Quite well. The Division is running smoothly, my family is strong, healthy and happy, and the chance of rain is low, but not impossible.
...
And yourself?
...How long has Renji been gone again?
Two weeks. Is something the matter, Kurosaki?
Oh, nothing, just something Rukia said to me earlier. So, you're not busy?
No, not at all. Was there something you wished to discuss?
...
...Really, Kurosaki, what was it that my sister has said to upset you thus?
...It's not important.
Then, why are you here?
Well, with Rukia's training, I've been spending a lot of time in the Soul Society, right?
Intuitively, yes.
The thing is, to what point do we train? What is the goal? What would satisfy your family?
Hmm. Ideally, there is no 'goal'. By setting a point to reach, you make it impossible to develop evenly. To work towards a single point is detrimental to a balanced individual.
Yeah, I can see that, but there has to be a point where we say 'By George, she's got it', right?
That is correct as well. To be safe, she should achieve a high level of proficiency-
Oh, is that it? Well, at the rate she is going, just a few more weeks of training and-
-with her Bankai.
Oh. Well, that might take a bit longer.
Yes. For a shinigami to develop their second release, many years, even decades, of dedication are sometimes required. That, or a training regime which requires them to train at their limit for months at a time. Even then, several full years are sometimes needed for Bankai to materialise in the individual. This is the extent of the training you will need to commit to.
Oh. And, as her trainer, I'll be here for all of that...
Naturally.
...
...
WHAT THE HELL? You never said I would be here for so long! I have a freakin' life, damn it!
Kurosaki, calm do-
No, you calm down! I have every right to be upset, you uppity basta-
Kurosaki, you-
Why didn't you mention I would be here for so long when I agreed? I thought that I could go back home after just a month or two or intense training, but a freakin' decade? How could you just expect it of me?
I asked because I knew you truly would not mind.
...What?
Your perspective is human, and thus, flawed in its' sense of time, because, for a God of Death, time is immaterial. Some of us may live for thousands of years at a time. But even before knowing this, you would not have cared, because what you saw was a friend in danger, a friend in need, and you would do almost anything to help them in any way possible.
...
Furthermore, I know that, for someone so in tune with their sword, you have not been fighting many battles with hollow, mostly because your powers have become much more destructive, and you do not wish to harm the town, the people you love and protect. Here, in the training grounds of the Kuchiki garden, you can stay in touch with your inner self without having to hide your powerful nature to protect others.
...
In fact, you are free to pursue any human interests that you wish, and because you are here, you may pursue them for a long time. Communication can be established to the human world so that you can talk to your family and friends, we may set up a home school system so you do not fall behind in your education, and...
...and what?
...
...
...Follow me.
...
...
...I still can't see why you couldn't tell me.
...In complete honesty, I do not believe it will take years for you to help Rukia achieve bankai.
Really? Then why did you start with that?
Because I cannot be sure.
Oh. Then why say it at all?
...Because... you, and the people around you... change quickly. You all become strong in nearly no time at all, and when faced with an obstacle that should be not passable, you develop, change tactics, hit harder, move faster, rethink, reorganise, redirect, and then, against all odds, win. It is this quality in others that you inspire.
So, it isn't because I am a great teacher...
Actually, your form and technique are quite sloppy. But Rukia already has both, along with extensive kido expertise.
...That's nice... Go back to the part where you were praising me.
Hmm. It is this ability to inspire others to your cause that makes them work harder than they would otherwise, but it is my belief that there may be something more behind it. For one, you-
Well, I don't really 'Inspire Others To My Cause'.
Hmm?
I really just tell them how their cause is my cause too. Instead of changing someone, I just redirect them. They do most of the work, and they really do work their asses off, because it is what they want, not what I want.
...Truly exceptional. However, intuitively, there is... something... 'more' to it than that. An extra quantity that you do not fully understand yourself.
Yeah, but hearing it from you just somehow makes it sound better.
I have noticed eloquence is not your greatest gift.
...
...
There's a double meaning in that.
...Hmm?
If you noticed that this isn't my greatest gift, then something else is.
Pardon?
Actually, with all these meetings between us, someone who didn't know might think there was something going on here.
What?
I sounds kinda suspect that I'm here at your request, staying at your mansion, having these private 'convo's. And now, with the whole 'Ichigo, you inspire me'-
-I never said-
-you probably would have, eventually-
-an eventuality now with a tiny probability-
~I think you liiiike me,
Coz I inspiiiiire you~
Kurosaki, you are embarrassi-
~You think I'm Leeaadership,
Ma-aa-aa-te-ri-al~
This is ridiculous.
'So, Ichigo-san, do you like my hair today?'
Keep walking.
'Oh, so my sister is progressing well? How about we talk about you.'
That doesn't even sound like me.
...
...
When did I start letting you get away with such things...
It's kinda funny. The whole while I was speaking, I kept on expecting to hear 'Scatter'.
Hmm. Don't make a habit of it.
I don't think I could handle the- hey, what's with all the guards?
We are here.
What?
We have arrived.
Oh. So, where are we?
We are in a far part of the Kuchiki manner, a part easily accessible to the public by doors there and there. The guards are here for the purpose of keeping out those who would trespass, but it is not just from the citizens of the Seireitei.
What do you mean? Is this part over here prone to hollow attack?
No, but... it would be better if you saw for yourself.
Ok, so what am I looking at?
Just throught here, Kurosaki Ichigo.
Uh, thank you?
Now, in this room there is one thing only.
Yeah, a door.
How very astute. What about the door is different to you, or out of the ordinary?
Well, nothing really.
No?
Well, it has a lock, but apart from that, it looks just like the door to my room. It even has the '15' on it.
Yes. Now, just out of curiosity, what happens when you open the door?
...It makes a loud creak and you see through to the other side of the room?
Yes. Now, close the door.
Ok?...
Do you see this key?
Yeah. Kinda pointless though. There's nothing in the other room.
Oh. Then you wouldn't mind unlocking the door?
What, it's locked? Must be a really useless door...There.
Now open it.
Ok, but...-!
...Rukia and I had a long discussion about a week ago, concerning the length of stay that you may have to endure. She said that the only thing that would make any enduring trips bearable for you would be if you had a way back to the world of the living that was quick and convenient.
...Byakuya, this-
It was rather difficult finding a way past the Cleaner Between Worlds, but there were many people who wanted to do anything at all for you. You are a very inspirational character after all.
Byakuya, is this...
What was, I thought, going to be more difficult, was persuading The Head Captain to allow us to create a permanent portal to the Living World. I was incorrect, however, since he surmised your ability to travel back and forth as a tactical advantage.
Byakuya, this is my room.
Yes. Step though. It is completely safe. Everyone made sure of it.
But, what about-
It has been taken care of, Kurosaki, Oh, and one more thing.
Yeah?
I left a small compensation for the training sessions in your bed.
What?
It is not a habit of mine to say thank you. Although, if your presence continues here, in this world, that may even change.
Byakuya, I can't thank you enough.
Do not thank me. It was the idea of your best student.
But I only have- oh.
Yes. In fact, may I recommend that you use my gift with my sister?
Sure, whatever it is, I'll- WHAAAT?
~Oh, hello, Ichi-kun. ~You look tired. ~Why don't you join me?~
Matsumoto? What are you doing in my- No, don't lift the sheets!
Oh, what's wrong, Ichigo-kun? Don't you like your surprise?
Wait, I mean, I don't not like that sort of thing, I'm just not the sort of guy to- oh, you've got your shikahusho on.
Oh, is that disappointment I hear, Ichigo? I didn't know you were that type.
Matsumoto, what are you doing in my bed?
Well, we were done with construction, and I was just soooo tired, so Kuchiki taicho suggested I could take a nap while you weren't here. I must have slept longer than I thought.
No, it is my fault. I brought the lad early. I could not contain my excitement.
...
...
...
(Aside) Did Kuchiki-taicho just make a joke?
(Aside) He's been doing that a lot lately. He even told me that he left a present in my bed, and that I should 'use' it with Rukia.
Oh, you mean these?
...These are tickets to the JMLB! The game is in two weeks! These teams are huge!
My sister did say that she wanted to learn more about human culture.
She also said you were in a very good mood today.
...
I'm beginning to see why she said so.
Is Kuchiki-taicho smiling?
Must be a trick of the light.
No, his lips are curved, just upwards, only a little, but-
Hey, time to go, Boobs-chan.
Aww, but I never get to see Kuchiki smile-
Well, he's going with you.
Kurosaki, it is rather rude to eject house guests in this fashion.
Hey, we're neighbours now, right? We'll get over it.
-!
Oh, and I think that Mrs Rangiku here wouldn't mind a nice little tour of the Kuchiki mansion. Remember, if you don't contribute, my efforts with Rukia are in vain.
Oh, so you are in to 'Petite Girls'. I understand now. That's why you weren't interested in my usual approach.
Kurosaki, this is-
Hey, you made the deal, it's your bed, you get to lie in it, if you know what I mean.
Yes, I could use another little nap, can't you Kuchiki-taicho?
Lieutenant Matsumoto!
Just Rangiku is fine.
-!
See ya tomorrow, neighbour! Have a 'good night'!
...
...
...
Whew, they're gone. I guess. Hey, how do I lock the door?...Oh, I still have the key... There we are.
...
I wonder if he was saying those things on purpose the whole time. There's no real way to tell. But I know that last one was on purpose. Anyway, I got him back pretty good. Matsumoto'll cause him a bit of trouble. If not do him a world of good...
So, two tickets to Major League Baseball... Take my sister... Hey, what could be the harm, right?
Ichigo is starting to catch on to Byakuya and his subtleties... Might have been a bit OOC, but Ichigo is testing his boundaries. Also, hands up if you can see what I'm trying to do in the background...I think I was very unsubtle this chapter. Oh well.
Ooh! The reason it took me so long to post this chapters is because I was trying something else, but it wasn't really working, as it felt a bit too OOC, but if this chapter is reviewed enough (or hated enough) i'll post it as a Deleted Scene. Actually, I might just rework it and add some of the failing jokes as the deleted scene. I do tend to have trouble getting enough words, after all! Oh, and thank you for the reviews! It is the icing on the FF cake, IMO.