The Reluctant Leader
As Aimi slept soundly, a Hell Butterfly fluttered on the window. Byakuya extended his forefinger where the butterfly rested and conveyed him a message. Before he left he looked at Aimi and left for Seireitei.
As the Gates opened, he was surprised to see his captain to receive him. "It was so sudden Byakuya-sama" Ukitake said
Byakuya only nodded to his captain and together they went to the Kuchiki manor, wherein they were ushered to the elder Kuchiki's room. Byakuya looked puzzled and Ukitake only bowed his head and gestured that he enter the room.
The room was gloomy, he saw his father laying on the bed, his mother sitting by the bedside, softly talking with the 4th Division's captain, Unohana Retsu. Both women looked at him as they saw him and silently approached him.
"Your father is very ill Byakuya" his mother softly said. Byakuya embraced his mother who by this time cried seeking strength from her son. While holding his mother, Byakuya looked at the 4th Division captain and asked "Taichou, what happened? When I left he was doing well"
"The wound that he got during his last battle suddenly ruptured. Though it was healed decades ago, somehow it opened again from the inside. We are still looking for the remedy that would fully heal the wound from inside but at the moment the only treatment we could give him is temporary. One more factor Byakuya-sama is that with all the physical strain your father went through when he was still captain is now taking toll on his body." Unohana calmly said
"Byakuya…" his father called him
Silently Byakuya went to his father's bedside and knelt beside him. "So many things I want to tell you…" his father began "and yet time is no longer on my side… lead the clan well Byakuya.."
"Father, I.." Byakuya was shocked at his father's statement. His father took his hand and held it with his own, he looked at his son and said "I have no time left Byakuya, I'm nearing my end... I know you will be a good leader"
Byakuya could not believe that his father was bidding him farewell. He always thought of him invincible, the former captain of the 6th Division and esteemed member of Central 46 Chambers. Never did it enter his mind that he would assume the clan leadership that soon…
His mother approached them and Byakuya gently stood and went out of the room to give them privacy. Moments later his mother called for him and when he entered the room, he knew that it would be the last time that he would speak with his father.
"Byakuya… thank you… I am proud of you… always." His father softly said as he grasped his son's hand
"I am honored to be your son, father" he replied, as he realized that it was only at this moment that his father spoke to him in that manner, since he was young his father would always lecture him on honor and how to conduct himself , grooming him to be his successor.
His mother cradling his father's head to her bosom stifled a sob and Byakuya felt his fathers grasp loosen. 'Arigato otōsan… sayōnara."
The funeral of the 27th Head of the Kuchicki family was a solemn one. All noble families of Seireitei were present, as well as the Gotei 13. Byakuya strictly followed royal protocol and attended to each head of the noble families and clans. As he faced his longtime friend and senpai, Shihouin Yoruichi, his composure almost broke as he regarded the Shihouin clan head like his elder sister. It was Yoruichi who broke royal protocol and hugged the Kuchiki heir, knowing that the gesture spoke more than words of comfort.
As his father's remains was lighted up, Yoruichi stepped toward him and softly said "You will do well Bya-boo, do not fret too much." Byakuya who was staring at his father's corpse replied "I hope you are right senpai…"
After a week of mourning came the ceremony of Byakuya's recognition as the new clan leader of the Kuchiki family. It was an elaborate affair and everyone in the noble houses were present. After the ceremony, Byakuya went to find his Division captain who was speaking with one of the guests. As he approached, Ukitake and his companion bowed before Byakuya and he politely returned the gesture.
"Taichou, can I have a word with you?" he asked
"Of course Byakuya-sama" Ukitake replied. Byakuya lead his captain to the study area, upon closing the door, he faced him and said "after this ceremony, can I resume my mission to the real world?" he politely asked
"But what of your duties? What would your elders say?" Ukitake inquired
"They cannot protest any orders coming from Gotei 13, even you are aware of that Taichou.." Byakuya reasoned out
"Byakuya-sama, not that I am being intrusive, but how about your duties as clan leader?" his captain asked
"Taichou, I may sound selfish but I need to be away for awhile… I am also worried about my charge. It has been awhile since I left the real world.." he reasoned out
Ukitake knew that the young noble was overwhelmed with the recent events and wanted to have time for himself, he knew the strains of being a head of a family being a noble himself. "Alright Byakuya-sama, I'll be sending the request for duty through a Hell Butterfly tomorrow afternoon, you may leave the following day"
As Ukitake promised the following day as Byakuya was having a meeting with his elders, a Hell Butterfly flew from one of the windows of the manor's social hall and upon seeing it he silently thanked his captain for being considerate. The following morning, he was at the Gates, eager to leave for the real world and to be with his beloved.
His captain was there to see him off. Byakuya was puzzled upon seeing his captain's troubled expression.
"Taichou…" he began
"Byakuya-sama, her days in the real world is nearing its end" his captain spoke " you might be coming back sooner than you expected"
"I see…" he replied, worried about Aimi's condition
As the Gates opened, Byakuya looked back at his captain and left for the real world. As the Gates closed, Urahara and Yoruichi silently joined Ukitake who was still looking at the portal.
"Our young noble really loves her" Urahara softly said
"I know… it was my idea in the first place…" Ukitake commented "but at the turn of events, I no longer know if I did the right thing"
"Ukitake, you did what you thought was best for him. After all that has happened, do not lose confidence in him" Yoruichi assured her friend.
As the three captains left the portal, it was Yoruichi who glanced back and wished Byakuya well.
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thank you so much for the reviews: ) and for the grammatical errors, sumimasen...
bella68, as promised, here it is : D
