"It's…"
"Huge." Aoga completed Kanisawa's statement as the four of them looked up at the main gates of the Kuchiki Family Manor in awe.
"Welcome to my humble abode!" Kurui sang her words out happily as she bounced on her feet. "Feel free to make yourselves comfortable!"
"Humble abode?" Kanisawa muttered under her breath in disbelief. "Does she even know just how large her compound is?"
Shuhei gave a shrug in response. It will be easier to just go along with the flow since it is Kurui they are talking about.
The guards at the main gates gave a salute to Kurui the moment they spotted her, who greeted them happily in return.
"Morning! Kanbi-san, Hiricho-san! Are Sofu and Nii-sama at home today?"
"Good morning, Lady Kurui." One of the guards that Kurui had just greeted replied her in a respectful tone. "Both Lord Ginrei and Lord Byakuya are waiting for you in the main room."
"Thank you!"
Kurui physically dragged the three of them further into her manor as they took in the sights of what is being guarded by the gates of the Kuchiki Family Manor.
"So beautiful…" Kanisawa trailed off when she saw the garden as they walked along.
"I can show you around the garden later!" Kurui said as she made a turn which they quickly followed. None of them wants to get themselves lost in this huge manor.
"Here we are!" Kurui exclaimed when they reached a door. She slides the door open and went in immediately without knocking. The three of them have no other choice but to enter the room with Kurui and spotted the two elder Kuchikis immediately.
"Sofu! Nii-sama! I'm hommmmmeee!"
"Rui." An old man with white hair and a stern expression on his face chided as he looks at Kurui from where he is sitting on his elaborately crafted wooden chair. "How many times have I told you to knock before you enter?"
"You and Nii-sama sensed me even before I reached the door! There's no point in knocking!"
The old man, who Kurui's friends recognised to be Kuchiki Ginrei, the current Captain of the Sixth Division and Kurui's grandfather, gave an audible sigh. Seems like even a Captain is unable to contain the maelstrom of chaos known as Rui.
"Rui, introduce your friends to sofu." Byakuya reminded his hyperactive sister from where he stood beside the old man.
"Oh, right! Sofu, this is Shuhei, the tall one is Aoga, and she is Kanisawa! Guys, this is my grandfather!"
"Thank you for taking care of Rui. I know she can be a handful." The elderly Kuchiki gave them a nod which they quickly responded with a respectful bow. Kuchiki Ginrei is one of the most powerful individuals in the Seireitei in terms of both power and influence. They are having the jitters just by standing so close to him.
"Sofu! You say as if I get myself into trouble all the time!"
"You do, it's just that no one manages to catch you in the act red-handed." Ginrei admonished Kurui as he knocked Kurui on the top of her head with a knuckle, eliciting a yelp from her. "Go get changed and remember to visit your parents. You haven't been doing so in a long while. You and your friends can do whatever the four of you want later."
Shuhei eyes narrowed a little in puzzlement. Come to think of it, Kurui had never talked about her parents before.
"Kay." Kurui heeded the words of her grandfather before turning back to face them with her usual cheery expression.
"The servants will show you guys to your rooms later! My visit to Otou-sama and Okaa-sama won't be long!"
With that, Kurui exited the room and the room returned back to its silence, leaving three very nervous Academy students squirming at where they stand in front of the two Kuchikis.
"Thank you for being Rui's friends." Ginrei broke the silence as his words got the trio's immediate attention. "You don't know how much this means to us."
"I-It's nothing!" Kanisawa waved her hands in front of her in a flustered manner. "W-We didn't do much! If anything, Kurui has been a very nice friend to us!"
"She has always been very lonely since her parents are no longer around shortly after she was born." Ginrei drew out his words after taking a sip of his tea and Shuhei finally understand why Kurui never talked about her parents. They are no longer here. Kuchicki Ginrei's words to Kurui earlier must have been a reminder for Kurui to visit her parents' grave. "Both Byakuya and I are always busy with our work and we don't always have time for her. She doesn't have any friends her age that she can play with too, so she staved off her boredom by practicing the combat arts that we had taught her, often practicing from dawn to dusk. It's nice to see that she finally made some friends."
"If it is not too much trouble, please continue to be her friends." Byakuya added. "The two of us will not be around to keep her in line now that she is an Academy student. It will put us at ease if someone else can do it in our stead."
"Well, that's all Byakuya and I wanted to tell you." Ginrei commented as he stood up from his seat. "Enjoy your stay here and make yourselves at home. Honari."
A female servant entered the room at the mention of her name and gave a bow to each of them in turn.
"Lord Ginrei, Lord Byakuya, esteemed guests."
"Show Rui's friends to their rooms. They are our guests, treat them well."
"Understood, Lord Ginrei." The female servant replied before turning to the trio. "Esteemed guests, please follow me."
The trio politely excused themselves from the room before following after the female servant. Even if Kurui had told them what to expect when visiting a noble family, they still cannot get used to being treated as esteemed guests of utmost importance.
They doubt they ever will. The life of a noble and a commoner is just too different, but no matter what, Kurui will always be their friend. That will never change.
"Staring at your Zanpakuto like that will not cause it to tell your name sooner, Aoga."
Kurui, Shuhei, and Kanisawa looked on as Aoga sat down on the grassy shaded clearing that they are at with his Zanpakuto in front of him and stabbed downwards into the ground. Aoga is glaring at his Zanpakuto, as if glaring at it will whip the blade into submission and tell him its name.
The four of them are in the scenic garden within the Kuchiki Family Manor, trying to see if they can awaken it by performing Jinzen. Ginrei and Byakuya had gave them some pointers, but so far none of them had any luck.
"Argh! This is so frustrating!" Aoga gave up and threw his hands up in exasperation. "Why isn't it working?!"
"You are too impatient. This is a slow and delicate process." Shuhei said as he closed his eyes again to continue with his Jinzen. "This is not something you can force your way through."
"Nii-sama had told me before that there are rare instances where Shinigamis learned the name of their Zanpakutos in a life-and-death battle on their missions." Kurui added from her spot. "But I am not interested in finding out how true that is."
Shuhei looked at Kurui, who is now dressed in an elegant yukata which is a dark purple in colour. She is wearing a hairpiece known as a kenseikan, which she explains that she has to wear to symbolise her nobility as a member of one of the Four Noble Families. It is something he had saw her brother and grandfather wear as well. Kurui doesn't wear it at the Academy because she doesn't want to stand out, but she has to constantly wear the hairpiece on her head the moment she graduates and becomes a full-fledged Shinigami.
Shuhei personally thinks that Kurui looks beautiful in it.
The three of them are staying over at the Kuchiki Family Manor for a week in their two-month long summer break. According to Kurui, the succession ceremony for her older brother to take over their grandfather's position as the head of the clan will start a few days after the end of their visit, so the three of them cannot stay in the manor for long since the ceremony is only open to members of the Kuchiki clan.
Not like they mind. They are already very grateful towards Kurui who is hospitable and kind enough to invite them into her own home. Not all nobles like to have their manors visited by commoners from the Rukongai and not all commoners have the chance to see what the manor of a noble family looks like.
"Our results for the exams will be released tomorrow." Kanisawa stated nervously. "I hope I did well."
"I'm sure you did." Kurui stated nonchalantly as she tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear.
"Not everyone is as smart as you are." Aoga said as he lay on his back on the grass. "If only I have half the smarts that you have, I wouldn't be so stressed about trying to pass my exams."
"Keep the compliments coming." Kurui said in a haughty tone that earned her an eyeroll from the three of them.
"Seriously though, have any of you made any progress in learning your Zanpakuto's name? Even a little?" Aoga asked once more.
"Come to think of it, I have been having some weird dreams lately." Kurui put a finger to her chin in thought. "I'm not sure if it is related to my Zanpakuto though, I keep forgetting what went on in the dream for the most part when I woke up. I only remember the little pieces of it that I cannot make any heads or tails of."
"Maybe your brain is just weird."
"Hey! I am unique! UNIQUE! Not weird!"
"Are there any specialisations that you guys want to apply for when the next academic year starts?" Kanisawa questioned in curiosity. "Kurui, maybe you want to join the Kido Corps? If that is the case, you might want to apply for the Kido specialisation track."
"Nah." Kurui waved it off. "The Kido Corps feels like a boring place if all I use all day are Kido spells. I need something more exciting. Maybe the Eleventh Division? Nii-sama and Sofu will definitely have a fit over it if I apply to go there after I graduate from the Academy. Their reactions will be fun to watch."
"For some reason, I have a feeling that you will fit in just nicely in the Eleventh Division." Aoga gave Kurui a wary look as he lifted his head a little from where it is on the ground. "You want to be the next Kenpachi or something?"
"Ew." Kurui did a gagging motion as she made her opinion known. "No thanks. I don't want to kill a Captain and then be killed in return by the next one who wants to take over my position. I don't even know why they still keep that barbaric tradition around."
"Kurui as the next Kenpachi…" Shuhei gave his first friend in the Seireitei an appraising look from top to bottom before moving his gaze back up. "That sounds extremely likely."
"No, no, and NO." Kurui shook her head with her hands covering her ears to block out what she is hearing. "No Kenpachi Kurui. That is a bad idea. Sofu and Nii-sama will slaughter me even before that happens."
"Well, what division do you want to join after you graduate?"
"Whichever sounds like the most fun!" Kurui clapped her hands together happily. "One that I can skip- I mean, do the least work all day with lots of exciting stuffs happening all the time-"
"Definitely the Eleventh Division." Shuhei deadpanned. "That division fits your criteria perfectly."
Kurui seemed lost in thoughts as she considered that option.
"To risk Nii-sama's and Sofu's wrath to have fun, or to live a boring Shinigami life… should I or should I not?"
The trio ignored Kurui's pondering. Since when did anyone's wrath deter her from getting what she wants?
"Go on, open it up!"
Kanisawa gave an audible gulp as she slowly reached for the scroll that documents her results in her first academic year in the Academy. They don't know how she did it, but Kurui has arranged it such that their results will be sent directly to the Kuchiki Family Manor since they are staying here for the time being. Kanisawa's mind is now running at overdrive, if she fails…
"Well, if you are not going to open it, then I will."
Kanisawa gave a shocked gasp when Kurui simply snatched her scroll from the table and opened it up immediately.
"Kurui!"
"Annnnnnnnnd, you passed!" Kurui exclaimed happily as she turned the scroll around to let Kanisawa see her own results. "So many 'A's too! Congrats, Kanisawa!"
Kanisawa is torn between celebrating her success and berating the Kuchiki for what she did, but she settled for taking the scroll back from Kurui's hands. She still has five more arduous years in the Academy until she graduates and becomes a true Shinigami, but at least she passed her first year with flying colours. The first year is the hardest year for students who came from the Rukongai, since most of them would not have any prior training or knowledge in the combat arts and they have a lot to catch up on as compared to those who came from the Seireitei. If she didn't meet Kurui and if Kurui didn't go out of her way to tutor her, Shuhei, and Aoga about what they need to catch up on, Kanisawa isn't sure if she can even manage a pass. Despite Kurui's abysmal overall grades, Kurui had already learnt and understand every single thing that is tested in the Academy's curriculum at the back of her hand even into the final year. She is just too lazy to complete and submit most of her assignments, which had pulled her overall grades down significantly.
"Well, what is your results?" Shuhei asked as he peered over Kurui's shoulders, who had just begun to open her own scroll. She is the last to check on her results.
"There must be a mistake." Kurui said in a perplexed manner as she read her scroll again and again. "Why did the scroll say that I had successfully graduated from the Academy? Is this a scroll belonging to some sixth year?"
The group of friends all crowded around the petite girl as they looked at her results.
"But your name is written there. This is your scroll."
"Rui." Byakuya announced his appearance as he knocked on the door of the room where they are lounging at. "I assumed you received your results?"
"Yeah, but Nii-sama, this has to be a mistake!" Kurui passed her scroll over to her older brother, who looked at its contents quickly. "There's-"
"No, it isn't." Byakuya shook his head slightly at her words. "You were given a separate test paper for the written portion. As expected, you passed with flying colours." Byakuya paused for a second before looking back at Kurui again. "Although it would be much better if you didn't fail all your assignments on purpose."
Kurui's jaws dropped slightly as the realisation sank in.
"Nii-sama! You cannot just go behind my back and test me with a SIXTH YEAR'S test paper!"
"It was on the orders of the Captain Commander." Byakuya explained calmly to placate his agitated sister. "The instructors had noticed that you are too good to remain at the Academy and reported it to the Captain Commander during their Annual Meeting with him. He had ordered to let you graduate as soon as possible, so long as you passed the written exams given to sixth years. You are exempted from being tested on the practical portion since it is obvious that you are way above your peers in the combat arts with how often you send your bullies into the medical bay. There's no need to further test your skills in it."
"Nii-sama!"
"It is an order, Rui." Byakuya emphasised to his sister. "Sofu and I are not particularly pleased with this arrangement either since we know you won't like it, but we have our orders and we were ordered to not breathe a word about it to you. As Shinigamis, we follow the orders of our superiors without question. You know that."
Kurui remained silent, but her glare conveyed her displeasure very clearly.
"Hey, at least you won't be stuck in the stuffy Academy for another five years." Kanisawa attempted to defuse the situation as she slung an arm over Kurui's shoulder in a friendly manner. "And congrats, Kurui! You graduated in just a single year!"
"I still cannot believe I didn't notice that my test papers were those given out to sixth years." Kurui gritted out. "No wonder it felt so much harder than usual. I just thought that it was because I didn't study much before the exams."
"You would know how a first year's paper would look like if you bothered attending the lessons and not skipping out on most of them." Shuhei said in amusement although he tried his best to ignore the brief pang in his heart at the thought of his best friend leaving the Academy before him.
"Shut up, Shu."
"We can always meet up when we are free." Aoga tried his best to cheer Kurui up as he spoke in an excited voice. "You can tell us all about your experiences in your division!"
That comment seemed to remind Kurui of something as she looked at her brother with a glint in her eyes before giving him an evil smirk.
"I will be applying to join the Eleventh Division, Nii-sama."
Byakuya's eyes narrowed at that remark. Kanisawa swore that she could see sparks flying between the eyes of the Kuchiki siblings as they glared at each other.
"You will not be joining that group of barbarians, Rui. You are better than that."
"My goal is to make you have grey hairs even before you have kids. So, there. Nyeh!" Kurui stuck her tongue out at her brother in defiance as Byakuya pinched the bridge of his nose with a hand and closed his eyes, trying to forcefully lower his rising blood pressure.
"Do whatever you want. I will inform Sofu about your results."
Byakuya announced his surrender as he walked out of the room without much fanfare. Kurui did a loud 'HMPF!' and plumped herself down on the floor as she visibly sulked, much to her friends' secret amusement.
"Aww, Kurui! Don't sulk! You look too cute to be sulking!"
"I am not sulking. And I am not cute." Kurui batted away Kanisawa's finger which was poking at her cheek. If there is anything that Kurui disliked, it is when someone calls her cute. She dislikes that term since that term is synonymous to her being called a child. Kurui always insists that she is a young adult because she is already in her teens.
Physically, Kurui's slightly babyface appearance and her petite size makes her look a lot younger and less threatening than she really is. If it wasn't for the fact that she constantly brings her Zanpakuto with her wherever she goes, people would never have thought that such a beautiful and sweet girl is a Shinigami-in-training capable of beating down men many times her size. Kurui's status as a noble had drawn much unwanted attention as much as it had attracted good ones, and she had many chances to send those who had tried to bully her into the medical bay.
Kanisawa doesn't know why the bullies had thought that Kurui is a good target to pick on simply because they were jealous of Kurui's status as a noble. Kurui's skills in combat aside, she is a Kuchiki. Both her grandfather and elder brother are also high-ranking seated officers who have a lot of influence in how things work in the Seireitei. If the bullies had took a moment to think about how their actions will affect their future career as Shinigamis, the smarter choice will be to not incur Kurui's wrath. Somehow, this realisation never struck the bullies. They just kept coming back to try and physically bully Kurui only for the petite girl with a fiery temper to send them back to the medical bay within minutes. She never needed help even if Kanisawa and the boys will always be there to aid her if need be.
In the end, the only conclusion that Kanisawa arrived at was either the bullies are extremely stupid, or they probably have a death wish.
The scarier thing is that Kurui beat all her bullies off with her just her fists when those idiots had ganged up on her with their swords. To top it off, Hakuda is Kurui's weakest area in the four main combat arts and she still trounced them with ease.
"Come on, Kurui! Your pouting is making you so much cuter! Right, Shuhei?"
"Don't drag me into this." Shuhei said as he wisely distanced himself from his friends and the volatile Kuchiki.
"I hate all of you." Kurui crossed her arms and turned her head to a side, but it only serves to make her even cuter in their eyes. Kurui's babyface gives her a cute appearance no matter what expression she wears on her face, so hardly anyone takes her seriously even when she is angry. Her childish behaviours aren't helping things too.
"Don't talk to me, I am angry. Hmpf!"
"Aww, little Kurui is angry~" Kanisawa cooed as she laughed out loud with a hand over her mouth.
"We are so scared~" Aoga chipped in as he sang his words an octave higher than usual.
"Alright, this settles it." Kurui reached for her Zanpakuto and immediately began to slash at Kanisawa and Aoga, who cannot stop laughing as they dodged her strikes and bolted out of the room.
"Come back here!"
"Lalala~ We didn't hear anything!"
"Our little Kurui is definitely not sulking and she is definitely not cute! Right, Kanisawa?"
"Absolutely right!"
"Kanisawa! Aoga! Get back here and let me hack you into little pieces! I AM NOT CUTE!"