Title: Glassy Sky aka 17 Plans to Delete and Comeback
Category: Anime/Manga » Bleach
Author: TarthEyes
Language: English, Rating: Rated: T
Genre: Romance/General
Published: 09-23-10, Updated: 12-13-10, Re-master Version: 09-07-2018
Chapters: 03: Kabuki Theater, Words: 6,197
Music: Odd Future (Boku no Hero Academia) – Amalee (English Ver)
Glassy Sky
a.k.a. 17 Plans to Delete and Comeback
Disclaimer: Bleach does not belong to me. If the story was mine, I would have planned a way different battle with the elite stoneriders.
My previous fanfic was betaed by Chancewriter and there are some excerpts of it, so credit is in order.
Warning: This story is an alternative version of my original fanfic 17 ways of Erase and Rewind (no need to read to understand), but I have decided to update the story trying to follow the original Bleach manga now that has ended… well, it ended in 2016, but I just read it. So just as a heads up: SPOILER of all 685 chapters below.
Also, some warning on Hiyori's language, because you know, Hiyori.
In this world, you're gonna reap what sow What's going on?!
Breaking free from the rust in your soul
Gotta rise from a dark history
But I fell for these lies
I believed that I could start again if I threw it all away
But that mistake, could've sealed my fate
But now, today I've opened up my eyes and I feel so alive
We've just begun – Everything you've left undone
You can't rewind the days
But you can change your direction
What's going on?!
Cause I can see, that no one else is quite like me
A realm of possibility
Chapter 3: Kabuki Theater
ACT #I: MEET THE PROTAGONIST
The day that Unohana Retsu officially discharged Hiyori from the 'Severe Injury' Floor, the sky never have been bluer, like the calm ocean, clear and radiant full of life, the birds sang their song and the smooth delicate winter breeze tickled the blonde girl hair. Indeed, was one of the happiest days of her life.
Two changes came really fast after being moved to one of the regular hospital-like rooms.
The first one, the one she was truly pleased about: Hiyori was free to take a bath or a shower by herself. The feeling was incredible and even when she felt a little out of breath she was enjoying the sensation of independence that this action had given her. No more sponge baths from that rude and irritating nurse that made her strip in front of her. No! She was alone in a normal common shower and the feeling was absolutely glorious. Taking advantage of her new freedom, she had stayed in the bathroom getting dressed and had put a blue towel on her wet hair to help it dry more efficiently. The petit blonde was putting on a white kimono that the aforementioned nurse had given her and if she was being completely honest, she had to admit that these clothes were rather comfortable.
The second change was the one she truthfully detested: Unohana had lifted the restraining order of leaving Hiyori's room undisturbed, an old rule that had applied to everyone except for Shinji – Damn Baldy with connections in the right places- and Hiyori knew annoying and irritating people would soon be coming by to annoy and irritate her.
The girl continued getting dressed and at the moment that she was going to adjust her sash her hand touched the scar that was at the height of her waist. To be honest, calculating the seriousness of her injury the scar wasn't as big as anyone would have thought. It surrounded her entire waist, but the width was rather small. She finished quickly and opened the bathroom door that connected to her room.
Undeniably, the Baldy was there.
Pervert Hiyori voiced in her head giving him a hateful look and grabbing the edge of her kimono to close it even more. He looked at her with his Cheshire grin and winked making her cheeks burn red. Of course, the ex-lieutenant had kicked Shinji from her room a total of 197 times until now, but still, he returned or rather he refused to leave all together. What was that they said about insanity? Doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results? Hmm. Stupid, stupid Shinji.
She turned her back to him and bent over to take the towel from her hair. The blonde girl should have thought better.
"The view is even nicer on that side." The ex-Captain replied cocking his head to tease her and watching her firm butt. Hiyori quickly straightened with her face completely crimson and threw the wet towel at him.
She must be tired, he thought concerned, in any other circumstance that would have been a certain hit to where the sun doesn't shine.
She kept her back at him but began to think on what to say to keep him distracted. With her change in expression, he would have probably discovered she was getting drained and soon his stupid apprehensive remarks would make her lay down in bed, and she was very happy to be out of her fluffy prison.
"I am glad you finally took a shower Brat. You stunk up the whole place." Shinji retaliated at her making a disgusted face and covering his nose. Again, with a glare instead of a punch. She's not tired, she's exhausted. The blonde thought getting up from his chair and grabbing it with one hand as he began to walk in her direction.
She threw him a dirty look in an irritated manner from the corner of her eyes while taking a brush to comb her wet hair. The brush could be used as a weapon in case he wanted to make her sit down or come back to bed. He put the chair in front of her.
"Sit." He ordered.
"Go to hell." She threatened him with the deadly weapon of choice among hairstylists and recovering Vizards everywhere – the hair brush.
The tall man pushed her carefully to the chair "Been there, done that."
"I'm fine shithead I swear! Leave me alone! I have permission to be walking!" She tried to stand up.
"Ok…" He replied ignoring her pleading golden eyes the best he could and pushed her down to the chair gently by the shoulder. Her yellow hair was making a puddle on the back of her clothes because of the amount of water that it still carried. "Stay there still for a second." He returned to where the previously discarded towel was and grabbed it to put it between her back and her hair.
"Give me that thing you little monster!" He said taking the brush she was still holding.
"Hey! I'm going to use that!" Hiyori complained about turning to him because he was positioning himself behind her. "If you're so desperate for a brush you girly girl get your own."
"Shut up, stupid. I'm preventing you from making yourself bald." He lectured her amusedly, though he had to admit that that would be quite the twist of ironic fate for all the times she called him 'Baldy.' He continued, "I've seen the way you brush your hair like it was a hollow that needs to be killed."
"Hmm… shut up woman hair!"
"Stay still and quiet, monkey" And he began to brush gently, first getting rid of the knots and later smoothening it. "A good apple conditioner wouldn't hurt you, ya know."
She slapped his hand that was resting on her shoulder.
"If you want to continue doing this, do it without your moronic commentary."
Already feeling better, I see He voiced in his head, not bothering to hide his triumphant smile and continued brushing her hair.
"Anyway, I still can't believe you're wearing that." The female Vizard motioned to his clothes with a disapproving look.
"What's wrong with it?" He expressed innocently expecting a yell that came in just one second.
"Shinigami's clothes!" The girl screamed outrageously. But his response was already ready from the moment he had decided to wear the black uniform and be in Hiyori's presence.
"You expected me to wear my dirty clothes for the whole time we're going to stay here? Who do you think I am? You?" This time she moved to the side of the chair and hit him in the arm.
"Why are you hitting me Bokke, you're wearing the same thing!" He yelled at her as he re-positioned her to the chair so that she wouldn't fall.
"I know, but you people are MAKING me wear this," She pouted childishly. "is not like I have a choice on the matter"
"I didn't have anything else to wear, so is not like I have a choice on the matter." He answered copying her tone.
"Shinji you're a complete imbecile" Hiyori replied wrinkling her nose.
"Ditto." He had to resist an impulse to pull her hair to make her behave but taking into consideration that he was her caretaker and she was recovering it would seem rather horrible.
Glares were still being exchanged in the silence that ruled over them. But he continued to brush her hair in the sweetest manner for a little more time.
When he finally stopped Shinji checked his watch and moved to the front of the chair smiling.
"I have a surprised for ya!"
Her face wasn't puzzled or even a little intrigued. If she actually wanted to know what the surprise was, her eyes, cheeks or mouth didn't show it.
"I don't like surprises." She frowned.
"You're going to like this one," The blonde man promised happily. She rolled her eyes exasperatedly. "Well maybe not so much at the beginning, but at the end, you'll love it."
"What is it?" She said, not even trying to fake enthusiasm and looking at the window.
"I'm not telling you jack shit if you do not behave properly." Shinji acted like he had been hurt by her lack of interest. "And do not overdo it on the temper Hiyori, you have to take it easy and behave semi-pleasea –"
"Since when did you care how do I behave?" She cut him off.
"I always have," Shinji said narrowing his brown eyes at her. "But I'm showing you how much I care right now." He smiled truthfully.
Stupid Shinji and his cheesy words! The girl thought.
"So… Are planning on being a good girl and fake some gusto?" He questioned cheerily.
She narrowed her eyes to the size of slits and her prominent fang protruded from her mouth.
"No? Whatever." He asked and answer himself, "This is going to happen with or without your cooperation…. You can come in."
The door of the room open for the first of many times that day.
ACT #II: a FAMILY OF MISFITS
First, as it was expected, her surrogate family was there: The Vizards. They were surrounding her bed and showering her with comments and sentiments of concern. At one-time Love walked into the room he went to her and rumpled her hair.
"I'm glad you're ok, Bokke".
Lisa only nodded and dedicated a smile while she adjusted her glasses. Rose at the foot of her bed started testifying to the muses of health that brought Hiyori a speedy recovery. Hachi smiled proudly of the girl, remembering her bravery in the moments she was being healed. While Mashiro ran as fast as she could toward Hiyori and wrapped her into a tight hug squealing "Hiyoriiii is fine… ahhhh we were soooo worried, we can't believe you are alright!"
"Oi… Mashiro you're going to hurt her." Kensei yelled to his ex-Fukutaichou. "Stop hugging her so sturdily, remember what Unohana said."
In the seconds Kensei had muttered those words, Shinji hit his forehead, Lisa rolled her eyes and Hachi whispered an, "Oh-oh."
"What do you mean 'what Unohana said'?" Hiyori looked at the group with suspicion in her eyes.
"Nothing, nothing." Shinji intervened, trying to distract Hiyori with a fake apologetic expression.
"Kensei no-baka, you put your feet into your mouth!" And the green-haired girl stuck her tongue at him. "I know we have to be careful with her!"
"Oi… Mashiro you're making it even worse! You're confirming that I said something I shouldn't have." The Ex-Captain yelled at the girl and a big argument between them broke out.
But the noise generated by the other two Vizards didn't seem to bother Hiyori because at that moment a fire that resembled the Sou Taichou's zanpakutō, Ryūjin Jakka, had formed behind her. All the other ex-Shinigamis had lived with the little girl long enough to know what would happen if they behaved differently than normal with the injured blonde. So, Lisa put her hands over her ears, Rose sighed, Love took cover behind a couch and Hachi smiled apologetically.
"BEING CAREFUL WITH ME? WHO DO YOU ALL THINK YOU ARE? I'M PERFECTLY FINE! THIS IS NOTHING! I CAN TAKE BEING INJURED LIKE THIS AND EVEN MORE!" At this time Hiyori was standing and the chair had fallen by the strength in her stance.
Shinji came even closer trying to calm her down.
"Ok, ok we all know you're 'fine'." He motioned quotation marks with his fingers, "But you don't have to wake up the dead with your screaming Hiyori. Sit down, please," he said, voicing the last part in his old Captain's tone.
The girl complied with Shinji's request, but still, some popping veins could be seen on her face, her breathing was still frantic, and she wasn't uttering a word to any of them.
The conversation started between all the visitors and soon it shifted to unimportant business like the new acquaintances and the new places they discovered in Seretei. After a couple of minutes Hiyori noticed Shinji gave a look to Lisa, she passed the same type of glance to Rose, and him to Love, the brunette looked at Hachi and him to Kensei.
"It's getting late." The pink haired man told Hiyori in a tender tone.
"Late? I think it's like 5 o'clock in the afternoon." Hiyori replied annoyed, but of course, she didn't care if they stayed or went.
"Yeah, yeah… it's better if we go." Kensei said standing up and grabbing Mashiro of the floor like a sack of potatoes, paying special attention to cover her mouth, because the girl was about to talk and surely it will be something like 'no, I want to stay!'
All the Vizards started to leave, saying their goodbyes to both permanent occupants of the room, with Shinji following to lead them to the door. He stayed with them for a couple of minutes outside and returned seeing that the girl had finally decided to give up and sit on her bed.
"Baldy…" The girl looked at him while he examined a magazine Kensei had given him, she could read the cover that said ' Sereitei News Magazine*'.
"Hmm?" He said, his eyes not leaving the magazine.
"Is there something wrong?" Honey eyes had stopped looking at him and stared at her hands.
Damn it! She's starting to notice. Shinji thought, but of course, it didn't show. "Ah? What are you talking about?" He lied vehemently with a smile on his face. She was about to say something, but a knock could be heard at the door.
ACT #III: The icy meetup
"Good afternoon!" The head of a beautiful woman bubbled behind the door.
"Matsumoto-san, good afternoon!" Shinji greeted her friendly, recognizing her; she was a gorgeous Shinigami with long and wavy blonde hair, blue eyes, full lips, and very large breasts, she was also carrying a 10th squad Lieutenant badge on her sash, so of course, the tall Vizard stood up to play a good host.
Imbecile perv. Hiyori wanted to scream, run and hide. What is this Fukutaichou doing here? Hiyori had never ever seen her in her entire life. Has the Seretei gotten so bored that the only thing people did was visit her?
Where was Ichimaru Gin, Aizen or ANY other enemy? Because right about now Hiyori thought dying was a really good option. She looked closely at the intruder and it didn't take her long to know things could get much worse really fast. The busty woman was practically dragging a short, turquoise-eyed boy, with short, spiked, white hair that was wearing a standard sleeveless captain's haori with a green sash around his shoulders, held together by a round, star-like clip.
"We were walking by and we thought," Matsumoto put a delicate finger in her face in a thinking gesture, "Why not visit that lovely girl that Hitsugaya Taichou likes an- "
A vein popped in the small Captain's forehead "MATSUMOTO!"
"What? I thought you said you like her and you're were concerned" His face resembled now a tomato.
"I did not say that," He crossed his arms trying to sound nonchalant, but the blush on his cheeks gave him away, "I said… we could be good comrades and do a quick visit to check on the girl since we still have PAPERWORK TO DO."
Shinji smirked, "Oh sorry didn't notice you there Tōshirō-chan"
"Hitsugaya Taichou." The offended boy corrected and redirected his eyes towards the scowling girl in the bed, "I'm glad to see you're doing fine."
"Hmm," Hiyori glared "You'll need more than that to take me down."
Shinji whispered in an annoyed tone. "Bad weed never withers."
"What did you say, Baldy!?" She looked at him with a contemptible.
"Shut up idiot! We are in a medical area with a bunch of 'be quiet' signs! Something I'm planning to put in the entire warehouse when we get home, so I won't have to listen to your screaming."
Glares between the two blondes were being fired left and right, but the beautiful woman broke the battle the new arrivals were having by saying, "I am really glad of finally meet you Hiyori-chan?"
Hiyori eyed her with her usual countenance.
Rangiku's carefree expression got a little sad. "I was wondering if I could have a little talk with you?" Her tone was joyful but still a hint of sorrow could be registered.
"Matsumoto!" Hitsugaya called apprehensively.
Hiyori narrowed her eyes and nodded. Rangiku "I hope it's not a problem if I speak just to her, Shinji."
The girl answered menacingly stealing Shinji's response "No, it's not a problem." and looked at him "Out Baldy."
"Hiyo- "
"Out I said!" She moved her hand in the direction of the door, "And take the Chibi Captain with you."
Matusumoto snickered and Tōshirō glared, "You're smaller than me."
Both men left the room with quick steps and stood a couple of meters outside the door with their backs resting on the blue walls.
None said anything for what felt like a long time until the ice yielder casually asked: "Did she call you Baldy, Hirako? She called me that when we were fighting that Espada."
Shinji snickered. "She is talking about the face, not the hair."
"I don't really get it" Hitsugaya looked at the blonde ex-Captain, "But any way, really, how is she?"
"A pain in the ass, so that means she is back to normal. Hinamori-san?"
"Stable, but still in a comma for her own good. The 12th did a good job with the regeneration of her organs." The question uttered by the Vizards was making Toshiro travel through time to the night they uncovered Aizen's real face and when she was first injured.
The two men sighed very loudly.
After some time, the door opened and Rangiku came out "We're leaving! Thank you, Hiyori-chan! Goodbye Shinji!" Her bubbly personality was back.
"Taichou do you want to say goodbye to your girlfriend?"
"My what?"
Shinji bowed to both and rushed to the room while he could hear the ruckus the young Captain was making at his Lieutenant. Entering the area, he looked straight for the injured girl, but Hiyori's face didn't reveal anything to Shinji and did not bring the subject of what was the conversation about.
He gave her some needed space.
-INTERMISSION-
"Where can I return this surprise, you're giving me Shinji?"
"No taksies backsies," He said while reading his magazine that had been forgotten while 2 Shinigamis were visiting Hiyori.
"CONFESS YOU DICKHEAD! "The ex-FukuTaichou screamed when he had returned to his chair.
"What?"
"Is there a schedule to my visitations?" She said with steel in her voice and hate in her eyes.
Shinji looked at her with an unexpressive glance and then he started to laugh. Not laughing like a silly joke, but practically rolling on the floor at her words. When he was done because she had hit him for not answering fast enough, he replied,
"That wound really messed up your head, ah?" The tall blonde said cleaning the tears leaking from his eyes from laughing too much.
She hit him again, today was not a good day to mess with her.
And then another knock came to the door and she looked at him with fury, but he stood up before anything was said or done to his wellbeing.
ACT #IV: The GHOST OF THE PRESENT PAST
Hiyori could hear some rough whispering between a couple of voices and Shinji. She tried to move a little to take a peek, but she didn't measure the width of her bed correctly and fell to the floor with a very audible thud.
In a matter of seconds, a yellow and black flash was at her side.
"What do you think you are doing?" Shinji's voiced sounded angry and apprehensive.
Hiyori put a guilty smile on her lips and scratched her cheek.
"Eto… " a very uncharacteristic nervous laugh came to her throat.
"I'm glad to see you are well enough to be curious at a conversation, Hiyori-san" A tall light-skinned man with messy, light blonde colored hair and gray eyes that were shadowed by his hat entered into her view along with a beautiful dark-skinned woman with golden-colored eyes and a long purple ponytail.
"Kisuke… Yoruichi" She whispered. She had forgotten about the crazy shop owner.
Her former Taichou dedicated the girl a warm smile and came closer while the woman voiced a "Yo," as a hello. Hiyori stood up with Shinji's help, much to her displeasure and took notice for the first time of a person, no, a thing, that was standing up behind Urahara.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri was in her room in a Captain's haori and a yellow smirk on his face looking straight at her, she felt the need to explosively vomit.
"WHAT IN THE HELL is that alien doing here?!" She said pointing at him with contempt in her eyes while Shinji was practically pushing her into the bed "And who the fuck though giving him a Captain rank was a good idea?"
The blonde man whispered into her ear. "Do not get yourself upset." And his words sounded like an order.
She noticed his tone wasn't normal yet, obviously, he hadn't forgotten the fact that she had fallen out of her bed for eavesdropping. But when he detached from her proximity, Hiyori noticed he hadn't let go of one of her hands, holding it tightly and scowling towards the current 12th Division Taichou. Shinji was not angry at her for overhearing the conversation or even because she could have gotten herself hurt by falling. Shinji was pissed off at Kurotsuchi Mayuri and Hiyori was even more in love with him for that.
Hiyori swallowed hard. She could feel the tension inhabiting the room and none was saying anything.
"So…" She voiced as calmly as she could. "What's up?"
"Such horrible language." Mayuri intervened before Urahara could utter a word. "I suppose it's something to be expected of a," and his yellow smirk glowed even more, "half-snotty boy."
"Half?" Hiyori had heard the insult, but for the first time in her life, she was more puzzled by the meaning that the intention behind it. However, while the girl had responded in a way none could have expected, the Vizard next to her had let go of her hand and shunpoed in front of Captain with a menacing look.
Hiyori was even more surprised at this, Shinji had lost his patience? Today was the strangest day of her life.
"Hirako-san please." Urahara had stepped between the two men and even before any of them could shoot an insult Yoruichi had grabbed one arm of the Vizard and one of the Taichou and was pulling them to the door.
"Wait, Yoruichi! What are you doing?" Shinji was saying, trying to escape her iron grip unsuccessfully. For a being so thin that woman was very strong.
"I think some air will give you two a different perspective of things. Beside Shinji you haven't left this room in a long time, right?" The honey-eyed woman was, at that time, dragging both men out of the room.
"Unacceptable, unacceptable!" Mayuri was screaming outrageously.
The pale blonde accompanied the other three towards the door and said, stopping when they were out of the room.
"Please do not fight in the hallway. Unohana Taichou would be really mad at you and I would not like to be the person who is on her bad side." And with that, he closed the door in Shinji's face.
This day just keeps getting better and better. Hiyori thought, looking at Kisuke putting the lock on the door.
Urahara smiled and held the little girl's glare with kind eyes "I'm sorry to be so secretive Hiyori-san, but you and I have a lot to talk about."
Secretive? Ah? He must be talking about locking the door She said to herself in her mind, but nodded to indicate that man should continue.
"I do have a lot of things to tell you, but the only thing I ask of you is to wait until I am finished. I thought wrongly, I can see that now, that Hirako-san and Kurotsuchi-san should be here to help you grasp everything I'm about to say. But like usual," Urahara said taking his hat off and placing it on the bedside table and sitting down in Shinji's chair, "I give you less credit than you deserve".
The ex-Shinigami started telling the story as if it were a tale. Kisuke told her everything about the fight with Aizen since Shinji started fighting him one on one, all through Aizen's encounter with the Taichous that left a Lieutenant called Hinamori Momo practically dead, his own encounter with the rouge ex-Shinigami, Ichimaru's betrayal, the brunette's fusion with the Hogyoku, Ichigo's arrival and subsequent loss of his powers and Urahara's kidō sealing Aizen.
"You're a sneaky bastard, you know that?" She replied, surprised that his master plan had worked.
"Don't tell me you're feeling bad for Aizen Sousuke, Hiyori-san."
"OF COUSE NOT!" She screamed enraged and she remembered she must tone it down because probably an idiotic worry addict Baldy was outside trying to listen.
"Hmm… but, what is the big deal with me? Did you pull another one of your idiotic strategies and hide Aizen's sealed form in my body?"
"Not funny Hiyori-san." A shadow covered his eyes. She rolled hers.
"Whatever."
"Actually there's a little more. The reason I made Kurotsuchi Mayuri come and why I am here explaining these things to you has nothing to do with the battle that just ended."
"Mmm so why are you chit chatting and not getting to the point?"
"I was under the impression you wanted to know this information Hiyori-san. The reason I'm here is to let you know something I discovered. But first, I need to remind you of an important lesson: The difference between spiritual pressure and spiritual energy is simple: reiryoku is the amount of energy a being has stored within their body or soul, whereas reiatsu is the pressure that a person's reiryoku exerts. The difference is much like energy and power. Power is the amount of energy exerted per unit of time. Reiryoku is potential while reiatsu is energy in use. A skilled warrior can overcome a person possessing greater Spirit Energy by possessing greater Spiritual Pressure."
"I know all of that you imbecile." The blonde was getting bored with his classroom explanation.
"Well, Hiyori-san apparently your body does not. Researching for a method," Her eyes grew big at the use of a word like research, "I mean, looking for something to make your injury heal better and faster, I encountered the fact that for some reason you're not using your total reiryoku on your reiatsu. Obviously, I can only guess at the motive, but I'll have to point out that maybe it was your Hollow's doing."
She sighed with angry eyes, most of her problems could narrow down to that fatidic night where Aizen used everyone as experiments.
"So, being the smart ass you are what are we going to do about it?"
"Actually, we already did it. Hirako-san entered your inner world, and by doing this he transferred some of his foreign reiatsu to your body. That altered the chemistry of the interaction of your spiritual energy and your hollow energy. When your body recovers completely you'll be able to see the difference in your reiatsu, after all, you're a prodigy Hiyori-san."
"Don't call me that." She scowled as she remembered a question she had for him. "Why is Shinji so mad at E.T.?"
Urahara chuckled.
"You should know by now that Hirako-san is always looking after you." His words made her blush.
Yeah, yeah everybody knows now Shinji loves Hiyori and Hiyori loves Shinji… how annoying. She thought.
The shop owner continued with the same amused expression.
"And he overheard Mayuri saying you'll be a perfect experiment in his lab because of your strangeness."
Hiyori got up and started to walk towards the door with an angry expression on her face, her fist in the air and muttering something like, "killing the bug" and "HE calling ME strange," but Urahara grabbed the neck part of her kimono and dragged her to the bed again.
"I know you probably want to kill him, but Hiyori-san right now you had a very busy day and it's better for you to rest."
Hiyori gave him an evil eye but complied nonetheless, she was indeed very tired.
ACT #V: STANDING OVATION
"Hiyori, luv I need you to wake up for a moment." Shinji's extremely sweet voice in her ear was waking her out of her dreams.
What did he just call me? I am going to punch him when I wake up. She half opened her eyes and stared into Shinji's hazel orbs. "You have visitors, Hiyori." He replied at her look.
The girl re-closed her eyes and took her sheets as a shield from Shinji's hands.
"No, please no more people for today."
"Believe me this 'people' you're going to like to see." He was talking to her in that tone that showed he loved her over everything. Was he proud of the way she was taking what had happened with Aizen? And the problem with her reiatsu? Who knows? Lately, Shinji was behaving like a completely different person. She thought, remembering that if it wasn't for Yoruichi, he would have at least punched Mayuri in his creepy face.
Unwillingly she opened her eyes and took the sheets out of her face. Shinji looked at her with a tender smile and made her stand up.
Ok that is different. She voiced in her head while looking at the blonde tall man grabbing one of her hands and began taking her outside her room. They walked a couple of steps outside to a balcony that faced one of the esplanades of the building.
There, before her on the floor of the 4th Division where around 30 to 40 people, all Shinigamis of the 12th Division, Shinigamis that remembered the short, hot tempered, fair FukuTaichou.
Her eyes weren't big enough to take in what they were being witnessed to. A tall black-haired eyebrow-less man came to the front and smirked at the blonde girl.
"Can't believe you're still short," and he snickered.
"Akon." Her eyes readjusted, and her normal frown was on her face, "Ass! That is no way to speak to a sick person." and she made a rude hand gesture.
"Ano- ano…Sarugaki-san" A dark blue-haired woman with a chain around her forehead talked this time. "We all chipped in and bought you something." She pointed to the enormous bucket of flowers that was been held by a couple of guys. She was so impressed that she didn't even care that there were roses between the gift.
"And there is something we needed to say to you," Akon said.
The 40 members at the same took a bow and said, "Thank you for your dedication FukuTaichou."
There weren't words to describe what Hiyori's face looked like at that moment. She smiled showing the red blush in her cheeks and looking at her feet she responded. Ok, she could admit it to herself now, maybe, just maybe there were still some Shinigamis that were not completely useless.
"Arigatou guys."
.
Omake 1
Hanatarō Yamada felt really good about his lifelong decision of becoming a Shinigami of the 4th Squad. He might sometimes think Captain Unohana had made a terrible mistake about the seated position he upheld, but the work of the Division filled him with pride and satisfaction, so he had cero regrets about joining the medical group.
However, he was time and time again, for some reason, chosen to be a part of very dangerous missions for which he felt unfit and most of the times unprepared, the excursion to Hueco Mundo that had happened almost 3 weeks ago, was a clear example. Other times, he was in charge of mundane tasks that almost nobody would do willingly, but the healer didn't really mind since he felt useful and could help others even when he wasn't directly involved in using Healing Kidō.
In this particular scenario, he was helping a stranger (apparently a Shinigami many years ago and a Captain nonetheless) that had charmed him into doing this chore; which wasn't particularly difficult or dangerous, so he was more than happy to ease the tension on the man's shoulders by aiding him. Also, he was sympathetic to the Blonde (Vichard was it?), that had been taking care of a patient day and night with no rest for all the time the girl had been here.
So, when the smiling man approached him and asked if he could do it, how could he refuse?
Hanatarō sighed, his feet hurt, and he was beat. The boy looked directly to the darkening sky, he was thankful that the day was coming to an end.
His aching body and feelings were put on pause at the sight of Kuchiki Rukia accompanied by Ukitake Taichou.
"Rukia-san!" He greeted with cheer in his tone, but dread in his face.
"Oh Hanatarō, what are you doing out here by yourself?" Her purple eyes traveled to the red papers the medic was holding to his chest.
He made an apologetic bow to the Captain and smile to the woman handing to both, the white-haired man and the petit woman, one of the documents for them to scrutinize, "Are you going in? If you are, please take one and read it carefully before approaching the building."
"10 easy rules to follow when visiting the Hiyora Monster by Hirako Shinji," She read out loud and sweat-dropped remembering the Vizard he met the other day in the building in front of them.
The melodic sound of Ukitake's laughter made Rukia turn around to look at his Captain amused expression, "Those two will never change," he pronounced.
Hanatarō simply beamed at a job well done.
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Omake 2
(By popular demand)
10 easy rules to follow when visiting the Hiyora Monster by Hirako Shinji
1. Know the 4th Squad rules: self-explanatory, if you feel like defying Unohana Taichou, is your funeral.
2. Don't go if you're sick: The Hiyora monster has just recovered from a major injury, so her immune system is working not so good at the moment. If you're coming on with a cold. We will accept your gift, we will not require your presence.
3. Set a time limit: it is well-known this type of creature does have limited patience and will not be able to listen to your yapping for a long time. If you rather not be bitten, please make a short 30 min visit.
4. Observe privacy: just as the patience topic, the Hiyora does not care for personal busybodies, for your safety and the integrity of the Seretei, does not inquiry too much in her personal affairs
5. Don't touch the equipment: Urahara Kisuke is openly a mad scientist, the suggestion is, again, for the care of your own well-being.
6. Keep the noise down: see rule #1 and rule #1 explanation.
7. Keep your opinions to yourself: the Hiyora's temper was not affected by the injury, so her feelings about your opinion remain the same: she does not care a flying fudge. If you give them, prepared for trouble.
8. Keep conversation light: this type of monster hates small talk, however the mention of topics such as info on the 'wannabe God' that starts with A or the side effects of training in a place where no coufhumancouf Shinigami should train, is strictly forbidden and we reserve the right to kick you out if you bring Aizen or Ichigo up.
9. Avoid fragrance: That one is strictly directed at Kyōraku Shunsui.
10. Don't sit on the bed: If you do it, just consider the part of your body that touched the bed as lost.
Shinji: "C'mon! Is hilarious!"
Lisa: "You have some kind of dead wish, Shinji"
Love: "I agree. If she reads this, you're dead meat. Injuries or not."
Rose: "I disagree, it's not if she reads this, is WHEN she reads this."
Urahara: "I resent this paper Hirako-san. The equipment belongs to the 4th and the 12th, not to me."
Yoruichi: burst out laughing "Is super funny to see a dead man walking."
Shinji: …
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A/N: #SUPEREXTRALONGCHAPTERFTW
Phew…. Some many cameos, so many risks of OOCness, tbh Hanatarō and Tōshirō were the hardest since is the first time I write both.
The name of the chapter is Kabuki that is a is a classical Japanese dance-drama. Kabuki theatre is known for the stylization of its drama and for the elaborate make-up worn by some of its performers.
The individual kanji, from left to right, mean sing (歌), dance (舞), and skill (伎). Kabuki is therefore sometimes translated as "the art of singing and dancing". These are, however, ateji characters which do not reflect actual etymology. The kanji of 'skill' generally refers to a performer in kabuki theatre. Since the word kabuki is believed to derive from the verb kabuku, meaning "to lean" or "to be out of the ordinary", kabuki can be interpreted as "avant-garde" or "bizarre" theatre.
The last chapter of Hiyori recovering, I swear. Next, the whole plot starts moving in canon direction, so be prepared!
Also, do not worry the information about Ran-chan's chat with Hiyori will come up in later chapters.
The song above: Odd Future by Leeandlie, original UVERworld; from Boku no Hero Academia
*A cookie if you could name why Kensei gave that magazine to Shinji :)
Hope everyone enjoyed the chapter 😊, see ya in the next one
XOXO