Episode 7: Turn Back the Pendulum

A/N: I've been thinking about doing this for some time now, and it's about time I start this. These characters belong to Bleach and Koei. This has nothing to do with the anime or the game; it's just a fanfic made filler.

p.s. This chapter might seem to go by with very little detail, for your future references…

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400 years have passed for the people of the 16th century, for those who are now nothing more than figures in the history books. For those who saw a new world of hardships, and terror. As death came to the warriors of an old age which came anew for their children and grand children, their time living was nothing more than a test for them ahead, as they will enter a new world, much like the last world they kept on remembering, but this new world is a peaceful one, called Soul Society. The people from 1600's, those who saw the strange world that burns in their mind now have a chance to make a new life. Some of them chose to forget those painful memories, while few chose to remember it. Now they start a new life anew…

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On a road, a young man in his late teens, or early 20's with a mind of brilliance about him wanders around the land of rukongai, traveling place to place on the back of a dark brown mare, having time wave at him as he passes by. As he was riding, a young girl was being harassed by a group of drunk residents of rukongai. These guys were making a scene and since nobody was going to stop them, he minas well end it himself. He lets out a sigh and got off his horse. The men were of course being boys, trying to seduce a girl for their ridiculous urges.

"Guy's can you stop this and leave the girl alone?"

"Who do you think you are newcomer?" One of them said.

"Why don't chya you beat it before you get your eye's poked out." One of them said, pulling out his katana and showing it to him, trying to scare the boy off.

The boy raised a little grin at him, accepting his ridiculous challenge.

"You don't want to do that." The boy said with a smile.

Without a second thought, the drunk man charged at the boy with his katana already drawn. The boy lifts an eyebrow at the man. Can he move any slower? The boy simply took a step to the side and places a foot under the man, tripping the charging man and making him fall to the ground. Before he could get up, the boy lifts his foot and slams it on the man's head. Not too hard, just enough to make him out cold. The boy then turns his sights at the remaining group of men. They both looked at each other and made a run for it, a smart choice. The boy then turns around and slowly approaches his horse and hoped on it's back and quickly rode off. His name is Toshiie Maeda. He may have a wild look on him, not to mention is wild relative, but that's how all the Maeda's are, but he's an honorable warrior and a brilliant young man. He traveled from place to place, performing little miracles for the weak and lowering down the morale of bandits as he moved along. One day as Toshiie was in a pub after just doing a small favor by saving a family from being hustled, which they repaid him with money. Of course, Toshiie was so noble, that he didn't take the money the first two times, but a third time he took it and thanked them. As he ate his onigiri, he overheard a couple of orphan kids, boys talking about 'Shinigami' or 'Soul Reapers'. As he listened, he heard them about how they lived and what they did. They seemed thrilled as they talked about it, which made Toshiie grow a little grin as he thought about his past life. The boys were talked about kiddy things about how they would use their powers and practice as if they had sword. They talked about how their fantasy life would be like if they graduated and became shinigami. Toshiie pondered on what he was about to do for the rest of his life, if he dies if that's even possible now. Toshiie lets out a little sigh, and gave two of his remaining rice balls to the two little boys.

He heard you have to go to the academy for a couple of years, so Toshiie enrolled for the school and wore their uniforms. Toshiie's time in the academy was the most fun he had in years. Even if he wasn't that good in kido, and blowing up the whole class on his first day on kido training, he was the top swordsman of his class.

Years passed until he finally graduated from a student, into a shinigami and got recruited into Komamura Sajin's squad, Squad 7. On his first team mission, he killed a giant hollow with one strike, like it was nothing. That is until a whole army of giant hollows appeared out of the blue. His team were practically shaking in their straw sandals due to their fear and the shock. Toshiie simply smiled, and in an instant, he suddenly released bankai of his zanpakuto, easily killing all hollows in one blow, and he accomplished this within 5 days. Just as soon Toshiie and his team returned from their mission, Toshiie was approached by his captain, Komamura Sajin. He never saw his captain up this close before, and he seemed a little shocked by his captain's canine face., however it looked pretty cool to him. Toshiie was to follow him, out of his squad's walls. It appeared that Komamura was escorting him to the Squad 1, into the very office of the Head Captain himself, and with two other captains standing by his side. As soon Toshiie walked into that office, his life has been changed forever…

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Kanetsugu Naoe served the family, the Byakuya house loyally for many a year, serving as an advisor for the head of the house. Ever since Byakuya was born, Kanetsugu was in charge of keeping an eye on him, and to make sure that he grows up well. As soon Byakuya turned ten years old, Kanetsu became his sword instructor and taught him the ways of fighting, and sometimes the ways of war, and occasionally help him master kido for the academy. He's not that far in his kido, but his skill is quite good for his young masters age. He taught him about patience, confidence, and bravery to the young boy. At times they would play Shogi, a Japanese chess which Byakuya was very frustrated at first because of his immaturity, but as years passed, Byakuya finally found a way to beat him. Eventually there was an event when most of the captains of the 13 Courts where exiled for a crime, and after Kanetsugu and Byakuya finished their lesson on a hot summers day, they sat on a porch for a well deserve break with a fresh cut piece of sweet water melons served by the kind servants of the house.

"Kanetsugu-sensei." Byakuya said after swallowing down a cold sweet bit piece of water melon.

"Yes young master."

"Why don't you become a captain?" Byakuya asked in a curious tone. Especially with his teachers skills and mind, he would've made an excellent captain. Thought for Kanetsugu it was an odd question to ask, but after all he is a curious immature child.

"Because I'm quite fine with my position as your advisor and your teacher my young pupil, besides I'm not even a shinigami. Why do you ask my young master?" Kanetsugu said, wiping a juice stain from his mouth with his sleeve.

"I just thought grandfather would've made you a captain by now. You served both me, my father, and my grandfather for many years as their teacher. And your even good with kido."

Even though young Byakuya has a good point, he didn't care that he's not captain. It is true that his swordsman ship is legendary and strangely enough, well knowledgeable for kido.

"Young master, it's not my job to choose my destiny. I gave my totally loyalty and my life for you and the house." Kanetsugu said with a smile full of pride.

Years passed as Kanetsugu watched a careful eye on him as he grew older, even old enough to have a wife. Byakuya married a beautiful young lady name Hisane, and he cared for her as she is now her master. He knew well with their relationship and was the first people that new. Even if this woman was from rukongai, it shouldn't be wrong for their young master to be happy. He ignored the insults that were thrown at him from the other advisors, after all it's their job to make sure their master stays happy, that is until his wife passed shortly. He would offer his young master companionship no matter how many times he was driven away from the lost of his beloved wife. One day, Byakuya approached to Kanetsugu to help him with a decision between his family's law and his wife's last wish to find her long lost sister and never tell her about herself, even if that is logically impossible, but even so, he would have to help his young master with that road if he comes to it. Kanetsugu smiled and told him that isn't a choice for him, it's a choice for Byakuya himself. Eventually Byakuya brought in a girl named Rukia. He was ordered by his young master to stay away from Rukia and told him to keep his secret between themselves. When Rukia was ordered to be executed, the young master stayed in his deceased wife's shrine all day long, which worried him. Though, he was relieved after this boy, Ichigo Kurosaki saved her, even though at the cost of his young master's blood which he didn't like. After Aizen's betrayal, Byakuya order Kanetsugu to watch over the house and keep it intact as he was hospitalized for the following months.

One day after his young master's recovery, Kanetsugu was sent into the office of Yamamoto Genryusai for an order by Byakuya Kuchiki. He left without question and did what he was told. As he opened the door, there he saw a line of 9 captains present. Kanetsugu scurried his eyes at the captains, he saw Byakuya Kuchki standing by the side of Yamamoto Genryusai himself.

"Kanetsugu Naoe, by the recommendations and approval of us, you are here by now proclaimed as a new captain of the 13 Guard Courts."

As Kanetsugu heard that, he couldn't believe it.

"I'm not even a shinigami sir." Kanetsugu said, just trying to correct them, though he meant no offense.

"By your profile and the recommendation of us 6, there is no doubt in our authority."

Without question, Kanetsugu had a feeling this day would come, especially at a crucial time the Soul Society was in, and he had a pretty good idea who recommended him...

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At the house of another royalty family, the Date clan, a young man with a dark brown eye patch with expensive yet stylish royal kimono of a green dragon sat in his room as boring years went by of being pampering like a house dog watching the world go by as he stared out the window and staring up at the sky. The only thing that kept him entertained were the servants that sparred with him so much, that he could practically read their entire movements and thoughts. He was never to leave the walls of his castle due to his fathers orders. No matter how many times he would try to make his way through the front door, and no matter how many times he tried to sneak away, he would eventually get caught by his father and grounded for months on end. Eventually news reached him of something called the Shinigami Academy, the betrayal of the Captains from a place called the 13 Courts, and how they will never get another captain by a servant he eavesdropped on as he went out to get some fresh air. That topic piqued his interest in becoming a captain and he knew that he could easily accomplish that within a week. He approached his father to join the academy, however his answer would always be the same, referring to the outside world as filth. Eventually enough was enough and he left the house with force, with his own fists. Punching his way through soldiers and guards that where in his way for freedom. The soldiers knew that they can't harm their rampaging master which made it easy for Masamune. He ignored the warnings from his father and the pleads of his servants for him to stay. What stood between him now and the door for freedom is his stubborn father.

"MASAMUNE! You leave through that door, and you are never welcomed back and I will have you executed!" Masamune's father roared.

"Go ahead." He shouted "Go ahead and send your soldiers after. You know I could kill them all if I wanted to. And you know what, screw this dump! I would rather die outside these castles very walls instead of living with a money grubbing man like you! Now get out of my way." Masamune said showing his teeth.

His father stared down at Masamune getting ready to punch him, instead he moved out of his way, and Masamune pushed the doors wide open by himself. And ever since that day, Masamune never took a step inside that house ever again.

Even there is no way for him to change it now, the reason why Teremune had his own son in house arrest was because he feared him. He knows the stories of his son and when the dark hole appeared over the sky long time ago after his death. He feared that Masamune would cause something similar to this new and beautiful world, but he has a point. He trusts his son, but if it something like that happens again, may the heavens help us…

Without even looking back at his home, more like his prison, he headed straight for the shinigami academy. The first thing he was going to do is, graduate from the academy, and become a captain as soon he graduates. Just as soon he took step on the academy's grounds, all attention was on him just like that. Masamune ignored all eyes and quickly enrolled himself into his class. An average student would graduate in 4 years, but for Masamune, it was only 6 short days. Just as soon he got his zanpakuto, at night he already got shikai of his zanpakuto in 5 minutes and then he then got his bankai in 30 minutes, it only made him sweat a little. Then in the morning, just after he graduated, he was handed a scroll by a messenger. Just as soon he left, Masamune opened the scroll and read the message. As he read a small grin appeared on his face…

To be continued…