Chapter 7: A Risky Recovery


"There is a very good reason that most Captains look down on those who graduate from the Academy early. There are simply so many things that can be done with spiritual energy, most of them bad, that it takes years to impart the proper wisdom about what to try, and what not to." ~ Retsu Unohana, after an incident involving Kaien Shiba


That day...

Rukia Kuchiki fell to her knees, desperately gulping for air, her heart thundering in her chest. It was all she could do to remain mostly upright, her limited energy draining out of her.

"Rukia! Are you all right!?" Kiyone's voice echoed, as though she was further away than the few steps that she was.

Did... it work?

She couldn't feel her right hand. Slowly, she forced her neck to turn, letting her eyes fall on the simple katana once more clasped into her grip. The hilt, and her hand, were both coated in a thin layer of ice. While that was keeping her fingers locked in place, white frost covered her entire arm up to her neck and was actually misting slowly in the warm air.

You're... back.. Sodo no Shirayuki..

I never left you, dear Rukia, I was merely buried for a time. But please... don't try anything like that again soon. The sweet voice resounded within her mind, and she could feel the tears leaking from her eyes. Now hush dear, and rest. Give yourself time to recover before you call upon me again.

Thank you.. thank you... she closed her eyes against the emotion, thank you...

When she opened her eyes once again, it was to blink confusedly at a ceiling. Gentle sunlight was coming in through the window beside her.

I must have passed out... it's morning already! Where is Kiyone, where did she bring-

"That was reckless, Rukia."

Her heart clenched, and she felt her mouth go dry. Oh no...

When she found her voice, it was a bare whisper, "Nii-sama?"

"Attempting to jump-start your powers by having Third Seat Kotetsu transfer a portion of hers directly into your body was both reckless and irresponsible." It sounded as though he was sitting somewhere nearby. "You're lucky that you did not damage either your Soul Chain or your Soul Sleep with that stunt, considering your combined lack of experience, as well as the opposing nature of your powers." Though his tone was as bland as ever, she still wanted to wince as he repeated himself. "Captain Ukitake was beside himself with worry, and Vice Captain Kotetsu was forced to sedate her sister."

"Is Kiyone all right?"

There was a pause. "She was having a panic attack. For a few moments, your power nearly vanished entirely. She thought that you had died."

"I am sorry, Nii-sama."

There was a longer pause, though she still couldn't bring herself to look at him. "Rukia.. you did nearly die with this stunt of yours. You must swear to me that you will never do something so dangerous again."

"I swear, Nii-sama."

"Good. I must return to my division. I have Captain Ukitake's assurances that you will be kept out of combat for the next month, and Vice-Captain Kotetsu will be visiting you every other day to monitor your spiritual power's recovery." she heard him rise, and saw his stoic face appear above her. "In addition, Third-Seat Akon will be examining your Zanpakuto tomorrow to ensure that you did no damage to it."

"Yes, Nii-sama. Thank you, Nii-sama."

His expression softened slightly. "Rukia... I nearly lost you once because of my own failures. Do not make me protect you from yourself as well."

Her heart felt like it dropped into her stomach as he spoke. There was only a hint of the pain, but for him, even that little loss of control meant that he was screaming inside. "I'm so sorry.. I'm so sorry nii-sama!"

A cool hand hesitantly touched her hair. It was awkward, as though he was doing something he had long ago forgotten how to do. "It is.. all right. Remember your oath to me, and.. keep yourself safe." Without a further word, he turned, vanishing in a flash-step.

Her hands slowly slid up to her face, furiously digging into her eyes, trying to remove the tears.

"Stupid... so stupid...stupid stupid stupid!" her palms covered her eyes as she felt herself falling, sobs rolling through her, "How could I have been so stupid? And Kiyone.. how could I have talked her into this!?"

It had been her idea, in the beginning. She had been going through every medical textbook on energy-recovery that she could find, looking for something, anything, that could help. Even though everyone told her that her powers would be back, probably within two or three months, that was simply too long. She did not have that kind of time before the battles started, before war came. Her sword had to be back in her hand, her spirit within her mind once more, and her demon-magic had to be back at full strength.

Otherwise.. I would just be a burden, again. A useless burden, forcing others to defend me, making Captain Ukitake leave soul-reapers out of the battle to keep me safe.

Then... then she'd had an idea. A soul reaper could transfer their powers to a regular soul by forcing their energy directly into a human's Soul Sleep. Normally, one of two things would happen. If the soul was strong enough, it could absorb the energy, and utilize it until it was gone, like a battery. And if the soul wasn't... their soul sleep would be unable to absorb the power, and the soul would die as it dissolved from the internal pressure.

But with Ichigo.. he already had latent spiritual power. When I pushed my power into him, it awakened his own. The only reason he didn't simply utilize that, instead relying upon mine, was because he didn't know any better, and had no control over his own power.

And so she had tracked down Kiyone. She was her friend, and despite her sometimes grating and worshipful personality, she had earned her status as Third-Seat, as well as consideration for the Lieutenant's post. Most importantly, she had excellent control over her powers, and could be relied on to use a precise amount.

It had taken a lot to convince her to do it. Rukia had had to practically break down and beg for her help before she caved.

And so when the Captain was busy in a meeting with Captain Soifon, going over the training schedule for the next week, she and Kiyone had slipped away to find a secluded facility to utilize. Once there, she had prepared herself as the blonde woman carefully summoned a ball of energy to her hand. Once they were both sure that the level was stable, and the amount fairly small... Kiyone had shoved it into her heart.

Almost at once she could feel that it worked, the energy seeping directly into her Soul Sleep, awakening her zanpakuto's spirit from its imposed slumber. And then...then it had hurt. It had burned like nothing she had ever felt before as her awakened power and Kiyone's reacted violently to each other. Vaguely, she had been aware of herself screaming, though she was not exactly sure when that had happened. All of her focus had been within her own soul, within the tiny space that was her Soul Sleep.

It had taken nearly everything that she had to freeze that fire within her mind, to let it slowly merge with her own powers, absorbing it with as much care as she could manage. The alternative would have been to allow Kiyone's fire to explode outwards as it fought to get away from her ice.

Had that happened my soul sleep and chain would have shattered from the conflict. I might have lived...maybe, but I would have lost everything..

Any further examination of her own stupidity was interrupted when a knock sounded at the door to her room.

Even my senses are dulled right now.. if I couldn't even tell people were that close. Frantically wiping her face with the blanket, she took a few deep, calming breaths. Remember the lessons Rukia, you are a Kuchiki.

Normally, all she had to do to fall into the proper, noble, frame of mind was to draw upon the ice of her sword. Though she could as least feel that icy wellspring once more, she didn't dare draw on it.

Exhaling one last time, she nodded to herself, and called out, "You may enter."

Her Captain entered, his normally joyful face completely serious. Kiyone shuffled in behind him, violet eyes locked on the floor. And behind them...

It took most of her self-control not to lose her expression of perfect calm as Soifon entered, but it was her Captain who spoke first, "Rukia."

"Captain Ukitake."

He moved to where her brother had stood just minutes earlier, staring concernedly down at her. "Are you all right?"

"I will be fine, Captain. I was able to ensure that no damage was done to myself during the process."

"Regardless, that was a highly dangerous and reckless act Rukia, not at all something that I would have expected from yourself." his tone became firm, "I have already spoken to Kiyone, and though she attempted to take the blame for you, it seemed clear that this plan was your own."

Kiyone..."It was, Captain."

He sighed, thin shoulders falling. "Why Rukia? Why did you have to rush things? You risked everything on Kiyone's ability to control her power, and your ability to keep it under control when it reacted against your own."

"I was tired of being a burden, Captain."

His eyes stared into her own.

"I was so tired...of being a burden on you and my-"

"Idiotic." Soifon interrupted her, the equally small woman regarding her without expression as the Captain leaned against a wall. "Even without spirit energy you're still useful, your mind works doesn't it? Though perhaps recent evidence indicates that it does not."

"Shaolin, please." Rukia had to stop herself from gaping at her Captain's open use of the other's name. She had never heard anyone refer to the Second Captain so informally. Even the drunken louts from the Eleventh didn't dare use her first name, regardless of how many drinks in they were. "I'm sure she already heard enough of that from Byakuya."

Thankfully, she had, though she was sure that he would subtly remind her of that for the next several months. Or decades. Probably the latter, knowing both her brother and her own luck.

"I am sorry Captain. I know my actions were irresponsible, and that I also put Third-Seat Kotetsu in danger as well." it was a struggle to keep her voice even. This is like when I was waiting for my death all over again... "Please sir, I was the one who convinced her to do this, against her own wishes. If there is any punishment to be had, please limit it to myself."

"It may have been your idea, Rukia," his voice was kind, but remained firm, "But she should have known better. You will not be allowed to resume active service for the next month, and you will have to be cleared by both the Fourth Division and the Twelfth division before you will return on a provisional basis. If you pass those tests, and in my opinion, you perform acceptably during your probation period of one additional month, you will return as a full squad member."

She had to keep herself from wincing. Though she would at least be able to defend herself, he was basically consigning her to the two months of infirmary and rear-line work that she had been trying to avoid.

He probably worked out how long it would have taken my powers to awaken normally, then made sure that the punishment lasted just as long.

"And further.. Third-Seat Kotetsu will be your assigned handler during this time period, and will also be on probation. Any further reckless acts or rule-breaking on the part of either of you will result in her demotion." Ukitake glanced at the blonde woman behind him, his face becoming hard "That includes drinking on duty Kiyone."

"Sir, yes sir." her usual cheerful adoration was completely absent, and Rukia felt a little bit more of herself die inside.

"You will also both be excluded from the training exercises that will begin tomorrow." this was Soifon, her tone as bland as it had been before, as though she held no real interest in the proceedings before her. "And your participation in them once your probation period begins will be determined by me."

Great, just ban us right now why don't you.

Ukitake turned away from her, and she could practically feel the disappointment radiating off of him. "Vice-Captain Kotetsu is otherwise occupied today, so Third-Seat Iemura will be by this afternoon to evaluate both of you. Please remember my words, and think over your actions carefully. You are both fine soul reapers, who will one day ascend to great heights, but this.. this is not something that can be overlooked."

And with that, he left them, the other Captain calmly striding out behind him.

She waited until she was sure that they were gone before she spoke quietly, "Kiyone... I.."

"Oh just shut up!" A gloved hand covered her mouth, "Don't even say it!"

Blinking, she stared up at her.

"I did it cuz I wanted to help you! It worked and you're all right, so there's nothing to be sorry about!" her friend stared right back down at her, "Yeah, we got in trouble, but I get in trouble all the time remember!"

About every other day, on average. Unless she's having an off week.

"And you still gained something! Just because you aren't a full member doesn't mean you can't train, and now you get two full months of it, without having to deal with all of the paper-work and other stupid shit that we have to do!" she removed her hand, poking Rukia in the forehead with a finger, "Don't you get it Rukia? The Captain was just acting mean to keep the ninja queen off his back! He's giving you a long time to prove that you're strong!"

"He was still plenty mad Kiyone.." she spoke quietly, shaking her head.

Her friend's exuberance faded, and her slim body sat heavily on the bed next to her. "Yeah. I haven't seen him that mad in a long time. I guess he's punishing us and helping us at the same time."

"That sounds like him." she felt a weak smile form, "Still..."

A hand covered her mouth again, "Hey! Stop that!"

"Grrrmmph!" Wiggling, she managed to pull her arms out from under the sheets, using her freed hands to push the offending limb away, "You stop that! You can't just stop me from saying what I'm going to say!"

"Oh yeah? Watch me!" the gloved hands grabbed at her wrists, hauling her hands up and above her head.

"Stop it!" Rukia was struggling and trying to get her arms free for all she was worth, but nothing seemed to dislodge the other woman. "Kiyone! I'm just trying to apol-"

Somehow the blonde managed to pin both of her hands above her head with one hand, and the other promptly flew back down to stop her from saying anymore.

"Rukia! I told you that you don't have to!"

Glaring upwards, she opened her mouth and bit down as hard as she could.

Kiyone yowled, quickly retrieving her appendage, shaking it frantically.

"And I told you to stop it!"

"Well last time I checked, I was still the Third-Seat of our division, probation or not! So I order you to stop apologizing Officer Kuchiki!"

Her mouth had shot open to contest that, then slammed shut, her teeth grinding as she glared upwards.

"Why you-"

"Ahem."

Both of their heads spun to the doorway, where a blonde man stood, one cheek twitching slightly.

"If you are both quite finished exerting yourselves, I am to evaluate your spiritual energy." a hand slowly pushed his reflecting glasses upwards, "Or if you prefer, I could come back once you're finished with each other."

"What's that supposed to mean Iemura?" Kiyone glared from atop her, eyes narrowing.

"I would think it obvious, given your current.. position."

If she had thought she would die of shame when her brother and Captain had spoken to her, now it felt like she would die of embarrassment as their position became clear. Kiyone, at some point, had straddled her waist to keep her pinned down, and with one hand pinning her arms above her head, it certainly would seem that something was happening.

Her own flush rising to her face, Kiyone practically leaped off of her and the bed, looking anywhere but at her or the other Third-Seat. "Just do your tests already."

"Very well." he started to pull out some equipment from the pouch slung around his back. "This will only take a few minutes. Please contain yourselves until I am finished."

The heat in her face vanished at his comment, her eyes narrowing. "Please remember, Third Seat Iemura, that though I have no rank, I am a member of the Kuchiki family. You will treat me with the dignity that my status requires."

Kiyone, well aware that Rukia didn't care at all for her status, and even went out of her way to make sure that people treated her like anyone else, seemed to barely keep her own face straight as Iemura paled considerably.

"Ah... y-yes ma'am. I will keep what I have seen to myself."

"Very well. You may proceed." she kept her voice cold and detached, even if she was dancing inside as the man paled even further. "But do remember who my brother is. He is quite... protective."

"Y-yes.. Kuchiki-dono. I w-will remember."

"Good. You may proceed."

Both she and Kiyone barely kept themselves together as the now terrified officer struggled through the exam, and he hurriedly jotted down their results on a slip of paper before practically fleeing.

They waited until he was well gone before bursting out laughing, doing their best to enjoy their few moments of joy after their otherwise abysmal night and morning.


Stealth Corps Report: Captain Sui-Feng's Eyes Only

Evaluation of Third Seat Kiyone Kotetsu, 13th Division; Compiled 04-18-1995

Known Family: Isane Kotetsu (2nd Seat, 4th Division)

Parents were servants of the Kyoraku family, both are deceased

Previous Rank: 7th Seat, Division 8

Historical Records: Kotetsu graduated honorably from the Academy in 1908, having unlocked her Shikhai in her sixth year. Received offers from Divisions Five, Eight, Ten, and Thirteen. Accepted a post as a fifteenth seat in Division Eight. Initially an exceptional officer, progressed rapidly to reach the seventh seat position. At some point following her last promotion with the division she began exhibiting signs of alcoholic addiction. Voluntarily entered Division 4 for treatment, accepting a transfer to the calmer Division 13 after being cleared by Captain Unohana. She resumed her rapid climb up the ranks but still showed indications that her problems were not behind her.

Current Evaluation: A competent officer limited by her personal problems. Exhibits equal spiritual pressure to her higher ranked sister in combat situations, and her less placid personality marks her as a superior fighter. Hero-Worships Captain Ukitake for accepting her despite her problems, and supporting her over the last five decades.

Observational Warning: Kotetsu is more loyal to her current Captain than to the Gotei itself.

Zanpakuto: Kasai-no-barado. Released form is a straight-edged blade with an orb mounted at the end rather than a point. Noticeably increases the temperature around itself and its wielder. Known abilities include fire manipulation, the flames emerging from the orb.

- Streaming gout of fire, recorded at twenty-five meters

- Ten meter wall of fire, used to protect her flank from hollows during patrol (03-1962)


Next up is Chapter 8: A Series of Duels

Here, Rukia tries to do what happened to Ichigo to herself only to find out that it isn't anything close to being that simple. A small scene with her brother, which is a relationship I always wanted to see more of, before Ukitake arrives to both help and punish Rukia and Kiyone. Followed the chapter up with a stealth corps report on the latter to expand her a bit. Will probably put more of those out to expand other minor (or OC) characters.

Please read and review, criticism is welcome, flames not so much, as usual. Reviews are my lifeblood as a writer.. every-time my email goes off with a review it makes me want to write more, so please take the time to leave one. Guests can leave them as well, and it only takes a minute, so please. Even if it's as simple as "I enjoyed it, please continue."

Thanks, Kat