Chapter 7: Refraction & Reflection
"It is a wonder how time perception changes due to your location. For shinigami five years are short, almost insignificant, and yet for a human, they're a necessary and fast part of development."
Anna quietly listened to her zanpakuto spirit talk. He had appeared in her dreams the night her parents died. Since then his visits were constant, but he had yet to reveal his name or face. She didn't mind, as his company was pleasant enough. Her inner world was a piece of open space, she loved floating in zero gravity around the stars and planets.
"I'm still fascinated by our different time stream. Can you imagine how differently time would pass by on another planet, or even another Galaxy?"
The spirit laughed. "Yes, it must be an interesting experience... Child, how are you fairing? I have not doubt your wound still stings.
She touched her chest, it felt a little tighter whenever her thoughts drifted to her late parents. "I will never forget them or the pain attached to their loss...but I am better now. I have lots of people that have taken care of me." She stretched out her hand and touched the spirit's gloved one. "I'm hoping I can add you to that list."
"I'd be honored." The spirit removed his cloak. Anna let out a small squeak when she saw his face.
The spirit had long flowing white hair and two bright white eyes that resembled stars, his body was dark blue mixed with deep purple and black, and he was covered in stars and nebulas.
"From now on you may call me Soburinsuta. I have the power to turn the laws of science to our favor."
Her eyes snapped open and instead of floating through the stars she was sitting on the wooden floor of the classroom. her sword was in her lap, she picked it up and held it close. 'Thank you, Soburinsuta.'
"I see you've managed to speak to your zanpakuto. Well done Anna."
Lady Fujiwara kneeled in front of her, placing her hand on her shoulder. "Take a rest. You've finished the lesson."
Anna nodded and remained seated. She looked around the class to see the other students still deep in meditation. Yoruichi and Kisuke looked serene, to her surprise Sosuke was calm too.
'Good luck everyone.'
"You waited half a decade. I'm impressed you lasted this long." The spirit's voice was no longer raspy or menacing, but he still doubted it's sincerity.
"The reason I seek you out now it's not for curiosity or power, rather a simple task from the academy curriculum, nothing more."
"Interesting. If that's the case then I suppose I should look more appealing."
When she removed her cloak the zanpakuto spirit didn't have her pitch black form or various cracks. She looked like a human geisha, her hair tied in a traditional bun and her face and skin had makeup. The only similarity to her previous form was the lily in her hair.
"It would be bad for you to fall behind on the curriculum... You may call me Kyoka Suigetsu, and I grant you the power to control your enemies five senses."
Sosuke was taken aback for a moment. At last his zanpakuto trusted him with her name and power, but it was not out of trust or deep connection.
"Is there a reason for your detachment? Have I done you wrong in any way?" He asked her. Sosuke hated the way his voice sounded, it was too emotional for his liking.
Kyoka Suigetsu scoffed. "You have yet to do anything that would displease me. I am merely preventing the inevitable, just play your part. Don't let them know your true abilities just yet. We shall speak soon."
He awoke immediately. Anna seemed to be out of meditation sooner and he startled lady Fujiwara.
"Oh good, your back. How was it Sosuke-kun? Did you see your zanpakuto spirit?"
"Yes. She was a little hesitant to interact, perhaps she's shy."
"Don't worry about that, mine took years before telling me his name, or even looking me in the eye. " Maya patted his head. "You'll make progress soon, I'm sure of it."
"Thank you, professor."
He wasn't too sure if he had time to wait. Kyoka's first warning had been to cease his curiosity and search for strength. Now she wanted him to remain quiet. 'For a part of myself, she sure is stubborn.'
Anna seemed content with her progress, maybe he'd ask her for advice later. As he stood up and put his sword back on it's case his eyes were glued to the dark green hilt. It was like she was mocking him.
'If this is how you want to act, then I'll just rely on others mediums for answers then.'
Hanabira carefully poked the green squishy pill. It looked like a wasabi bean, only larger and slightly rubbery.
"So this is a mod soul? They're really cute! What are you planning to do with them Yushima-San?"
The head scientist looked at her with a smile. "These little ones will be used in Project Spearhead. They'll put into bodies and have certain enhancing powers. According to the Head Captain, this will help us bridge the gap of hollows and shinigami."
"Sounds amazing. We are being a little overrun with hollows these past years. Can't wait to see these little guys in action!"
The green haired man chuckled and handed one to her. "Try putting one in a plush toy, you will laugh."
Hanabira raised an eyebrow. Oko Yushima wasn't a man that made jokes or collected plush toys. She shrugged and agreed to try it.
"I'll get going now. Good luck with the project Yushima-san!"
"Thank you, dear. I'll see you later."
Hanabira made her way from the twelfth division back to her own. Everything seemed to be in order despite her absence. Once she checked on the division she headed towards Ukitake's lake house.
"Hello handsome, I'm back!" she chirped. "The squad is in perfect condition and everyone sends you their best wishes."
A loud coughing sound was her answer. Ukitake was laying in his bed with a warm towel on his forehead. "Hello, Hana."
"Sounds like you need some pampering. I'll make you some stew, then light up a few candles and we can cuddle!"
He smiled. "That sounds nice, sorry you had to take care of the division and the visiting today."
"I'm your lieutenant Jushi, it's my job to make sure things run smoothly even if you're not there. Besides Yushima-san has almost completed Project Spearhead, so the visit to the twelfth squad was fun too."
"That's good to hear."
Ukitake kept listening to Hanabira as she talked and cooked the food. Whenever he was feeling sick they'd settle into that routine, and even on the best days she noticed he didn't mind her ramblings so as long as she kept him company.
"We're back! Anna insisted we brought cookies." Sosuke and Anna came through the door with many bags for sweets.
"Sweets are good for cheering up sick people! Ukitake-san, you agree don't you?"
"Yes Anna, I actually find the sweets to be a good medicine for me. Thank you!"
"Anytime! Sosuke and I are going to study. We'll be down for dinner!"
She noticed the kids seemed more anxious today, apparently, Ukitake noticed too.
"Wasn't zanpakuto training scheduled for today?" He asked.
"Yes. I recall Sosuke wasn't too pleased with it. He's not fond of his zanpakuto."
"Reminds me of someone I know."
Hanabira rolled her eyes. "Hey I actually get along very well with Mazari. She was just reluctant to interact when we first met. Those two are smart kids, they'll make a breakthrough in no time."
From the moment Sosuke asked her to study with him she knew something was amiss. He wasn't the type to enjoy studying with company, and he definitely not the type to become frustrated with a theme.
"Sosuke are you sure you're alright? You have been restless since the first lesson today."
He sighed. "It seems like I can't hide anything from you. I fear my connection with my zanpakuto is not as strong as I would like. Professor Fujiwara may claim it's a slow process, but it it's clear to me Kyoka does not want to further our bond."
"Maybe I can help you. There are some theories to strengthen bonds with zanpakuto spirits, we could try that."
He hesitated but ultimately agreed. "What do you have in mind?"
Anna went through her bag and pulled out a book, she flipped through the pages until she found what she was looking for. "Here. Read this."
"Red Thread & Red Ribbon...aren't these fictitious forbidden spells?"
"I thought so as well, but then I remembered the day that we met." For a moment she trailed off, so much had happened in those seven years. "You managed to subdue a hollow until Hana-senpai came to save us, even with your power that feat shouldn't have been possible to accomplish."
"Now that you mention it, whenever we work as a pair, my power seems to increase. There might be a base to your theory after all." Sosuke walked over towards her and patted her head. "I'm impressed, milady Anna!"
She blushed profusely. 'He's gotten taller again.' Knowing that if she tried to say anything else she'd likely babble, Anna just muttered a 'thank you'
"Let's begin."
Following the instructions of the book, the pair sat down on the floor, facing each other with their swords in their laps. Their hands were held forming an infinite sign formation, and thus the meditation began.
The two awoke in a beautiful beach with a night sky. She knew the starry sky came from her inner world and assumed the sea was from Sosuke's world.
"It's beautiful!" She let herself fall down on the sea water. It was cold but calm.
Sosuke chose to walk over the water, he looked over at the stars and the nearby sand. "I should have guessed it would work. Seems like we've always been bound."
He held out his hand and she took it, getting out of the water. "Shall we look for the others?" She asked.
Sosuke nodded and they walked over to the beach. She spotted Soburinsuta quickly, as the zanpakuto spirit was holding onto the top of a palm tree.
"Soburinsuta! Get down from there! It's me!"
The zanpakuto obeyed the command and jumped off the palm tree. He immediately went to hug her. "Mistress! I fear something has happened, our peaceful piece of the cosmos collided with a water mirror!"
She chuckled at her zanpakuto's explanation and hugged him. "It's alright. This is just a training exercise I'm performing with Sosuke-san.
Upon seeing Sosuke behind her, the zanpakuto spirit calmed down and even went to shake his hand.
"So you're Sosuke Aizen! Anna has told me a lot about you!"
"Has she now?"
Sosuke smirked at her. Anna was going to smack Soburinsuta for this. 'I'm about to die of embarrassment!'
"Men really like it when you talk about them. If it makes you feel better he likes talking about you too." A female voice spoke to her.
"That's a relief- wait!" She turned around and was greeted with a cute geisha in a purple kimono and a lily on her head.
"Greetings, I am Kyoka Suigetsu."
Sosuke hadn't noticed the arrival of his zanpakuto. 'She's always acting like a ghost.'
Anna didn't look too bothered by her, she even hugged her. "She's adorable!"
"You have a strange definition of adorable milady."
Kyoka was taken aback but didn't make any attempt of pushing Anna away. "May I ask why we are here? I was peacefully sleeping and suddenly the grey sky is filled with star swirls."
"Anna and I were putting a theory to the test. It seems we have a soul bond."
Kyoka's purple eyes widened. "That's another problem for us. You two must keep this information secret, otherwise, there'll be grave consequences."
"Are you always this optimistic?" He told her sarcastically.
"It is not my fault you seem to seek out danger through forbidden information. Do not drag the young lady with you, she deserves better than to end up a casualty of your schemes."
He was about to retort, but Anna beat him to it. "I am not being 'dragged down' by Sosuke! I help him because I believe in him, and we have the same goals. Perhaps we take risks sometimes but we're trying to do good."
The spirit smirked. "You really are attached, little lady. There's not much you two can do."
"It's not just us. I know Soburinsuta is on our side, if you agree to help us then we'll be four. C'mon Kyoka, I know you and Sosuke can be a good team, but you must bond more!"
"Very well. Do not say I did not warn you."
"Excellent! Now Sosuke you be nice to Kyoka, she's a sweetheart!"
"I am nice! "He protested.
"You like biology lab. That does not constitute nice!" Anna teased him. He noticed both Kyoka and Soburinsuta chuckled.
"Anna the frogs are dead before we dissect them. Not all of us cry over the dead lab specimens."
"Speak for yourself! Those innocent froggies..." Anna dramatically pretended to faint, her zanapakuto caught her and was seemingly distraught over the biology lab as well.
"For a pair of refractive light users, they're not very bright," Kyoka commented.
Sosuke smiled. "I don't know, their excessive empathy is really charming."
After studying the kids seemed to have brightened up. Jyuushiro smiled at them. "I take it you've solved your problem?"
"More or less, do you feel better Ukitake-san?"
"Oh yes, your mother's cooking should be mandatory medical treatment."
Hanabira blushed and laughed. "You praise me too much darling. Although I would be willing to make a feast in order to heal you."
Before he could say anything else he noticed Hanabira getting pale.
"Hana?"
She didn't say anything and rushed towards the kitchen. From the sound of it she probably threw up in the sink.
"Mother! Do you need help?"
"I'm fine." She came back as if nothing had happened. "I guess my stomach is sensitive today."
That wasn't the only strange thing to happen that night. Not long after Hanabira went back to her apartment with the kids he got a call from Kyoraku.
"Hey buddy, feeling better?"
"Somewhat. You usually don't call this late, do you need me to pick you up from the tavern."
"No, it's not that. Listen I hate to be the bearer of bad news but there are strong rumors that Project Spearhead is going to be falling throughout before completion."
"What?! The mod souls won't be used?!"
"That's what I've heard. I wanted to warn ya, you know that Hana won't be pleased by the news. Good luck telling her..."
Ukitake himself wasn't invested into the project, still, he knew his girlfriend was, and he knew how much it would affect her. 'Please Hana, don't do anything reckless.' He prayed silently knowing it would go unanswered.
