Chapter Six
He'd been meditating when a knock came to the door.
"Enter."
The sliding door opened to a kneeling soul reaper.
"Sir, report."
His silence had the soul reaper continuing.
"Lady Yamamoto has retired to her room to meditate and the substitute soul reaper is with her. All seems normal."
"You're dismissed."
The soul reaper left and the woman in the corner turned to the one still meditating.
"Is it wise to spy on her?"
"…I don't see what I'm doing is of your concern."
"We were all requested to keep an eye on her. I can't help if I followed your spy back to you."
The woman looked outside and up at the sun-setting sky.
"I'm guessing you aren't going to go through with what we discussed?"
His silence had her signing in annoyance.
"You're just as stubborn as when you were a child…"
Yoruichi glanced over her shoulder at him with sad eyes.
"She might not wait for you this time Byakuya…"
She left then, leaving him in utter silence. He slowly opened his eyes and turned his gaze from Hisana's picture to the portraits on the wall. The one on the left held his teenage self smiling wide, giving seven year old Ayame a piggy back ride. The right picture had the two older, he holding her close, both still smiling. His gaze softened at the Ayame in the picture, remembering what had happened two days after it.
Did he want to have a repeat of the past?
Of course not. But he had a duty as a captain to follow orders. He would just have to swallow his feelings and no doubt his pride to figure out why Ayame was giving him the cold shoulder. Unfortunately he had a strong idea of why.
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The smell of fresh cut frasier had her opening her eyes to find herself in a clearing in the middle of a forest. There was a small waterfall falling into a lake with a stream leading out and off into the forest. A soft churp found her gaze turning to see Kina, or who she knew as her zanpakutou Falkina, perched on top of a rock with a giant black wolf laying beside her, head in her lap. Falkina looked up with a smile as Ayame walked over to lay against said black wolf, inhaling his scent. The wolf grunted and she looked up into bright red eyes.
"Yes Cerbrenaru?"
[You almost lost your composure.]
"I'm sorry. It won't happen again."
She put her head against his neck.
"Why does it have to be him?"
[Your grandfather works in mysterious way even I don't understand. But he always does what is best.] Falkina said.
[If the boy tries something I'll enjoy devouring his face.] Cerbrenaru noted.
He and Ayame laughed while Falkina scold her other half. Yes this is definitely what she needed. A soft knocking from above had her leaving her inner world.
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Opening her eyes, she was met with an older maid named Shina with a set of clothes in her hand, an intricate comb on top.
"Forgive my intrusion ma'am but breakfast has come early today. Captain Unohana of the Fourth Division has arrive for an audience with you."
"Oh yes I forgot. Thank you Shina."
The older maid quickly helped her dress into a light pink kimono with magenta flowers and held together by a fading purple obi. Her hair was then piled on top of her head, her bangs moved to the side, pinned down with magenta flower clips. She then escorted Ayame down a long hallway and into a room to find Captain Unohana sipping on hot tea.
"I hope I didn't wake you too early my dear."
Ayame smiled wide with a shake of her head.
"Of course not Aunt Retsu! I'm glad you came."
The two embraced and then sat to enjoy their breakfast. They began their idle chat about everything they'd missed before Ayame was silent. Captain Unohana waited for the young woman to speak, knowing what was on her mind.
"Aunt Retsu, can I asked you a question? Just between us?"
The older woman let a brow rise.
"It's about what happened before I left. I know I said things I shouldn't have but I…"
"It's alright child."
Ayame looked up at her godmother.
"We all love you very much and we know you needed some time away. Even he thinks about you still…"
Ayame clenched her grip on her cup before setting it down.
"Thank you Aunt Retsu but that's none of my concern."
Captain Unohana looked at her goddaughter with intrigue.
"Oh? And why do you say that?"
A tiny smile appeared on Ayame's lips.
"After what happened?" I'm the furthest thing on his mind."
"Oh I assure you that you're always on my mind."
The two women turned with smiles at their new guests.
"Such a womanizer Uncle Shuni." Ayame noted.
"Don't worry Little Lady. I'm playing good." Shunsui replied.
"For now anyways. I'm sure Nanao keeps you in line." Joshiro added.
"Uncle Joshi, you're looking better today." Ayame said.
"Feeling better as well. Forgive us for interrupting but we seem to have a small problem."
Ayame sat her cup down, placing her hands in her lap.
"I'm assuming I'm to blame for this problem?"
Joshiro held his hands up in defense.
"It only involves your zanpakutō. Everyone seems to be interested in seeing your power." Shunsei said.
The room was silent before Ayame finally replied.
"I'm being summoned to Central 46. Very well…"
She stood with a proud, yet confident smile.
"Shall we go then? I do have practice with grandfather later and I would hate to leave him waiting."