A/N: this one turned out...still weird? I actually revised this already...-oh yeah-the reviews-it keeps me alive: if MARY-SUES are FLAWED, then Hikaru is a Mary-sue 'cause she's certainly not perfect! )
disclaimer: bleach is not mine...happy?
On The Wings of an Angel
Chapter 8: Kindred
"Breath, Hikaru. Snap out of it." Rukia ordered her daughter whose hands are still shaking from anger. Rukia knew that once Hikaru had reached the limits of her patience, all hell will break loose-literally. It is also one of the reasons she had decided to live in Soul Society permanently, there's no telling when Hikaru will have a temper fit among ordinary humans who might not survive the experience. Ichigo managed to tame their daughter into a tolerable, and maybe even somewhat sweet child but her initial short-tempered personality surfaces once in a while when they least expect it.
"A-a...I'm sorry Mom...I...they...uh..." Hikaru stuttered once she regained control of herself and realized what she was about to do.
"It's okay Hikaru. These jerks are lucky I am feeling only slightly annoyed today. Come on Rukia. Let's report these bastards to Ukitake-taichou, he should know what's to be done with them." Ichigo remarked pulling the two battered men by their collars.
Rukia sighed, What did I do to have such a barbarian for a husband and a berserker for a daughter? Am I the only sane one in the family? She mused. Then she kicked the two men hard on their shins. On second thoughts, I think I can live with their insanity.
Hikaru looked at her hands. She couldn't believe she lost control over her temper and almost murdered those men. She knew they probably deserved to be beaten but then again she also knew she had no rights to take their lives, and that was what she was about to do back then. She's certain of that.
"Oi, Hikaru, it's not your fault." Ichigo ruffled his daughter's hair. He knew very well that she's feeling guilty about almost committing murder. "You know, had it been Yoruichi, she'd probably skin them alive, or worse, strip them down to their skins, pour honey over their bodies and feed them to the ants. Or something strange like that, you never know what clever devices of torture that cat-lady would come up with." He added, winking at her.
Hikaru smiled. She knew she has a terrible temper, she's working out on it and had even managed to double the length of her patience (which is about as long as 20 intakes of breathe ) she also knows where she got that legendary temper: from both her parents. She had lost her patience before only twice actually, once was when she was being bullied in the playground and the second time was when she saw her mother being ripped in two by a menos. The second triggered the release of her zanpakuoto and displayed the extent of what she can do when angered.
"Hikaru, compose yourself. We're going to meet Ukitake-taichou." Rukia called for her daughter's attention.
Hikaru focused on her surroundings, somehow without noticing it, they have arrived in Ukitake-taichou's private quarters. She haven't met him before and only knew him through her mother's stories, but even then she knew she'll feel at ease with the captain. The door slowly opened and a white-haired man with a dignified aura about him emerged with a smile on his face.
"Rukia! How long has it been since we last saw each other? I am so glad that you finally decided to settle here in Soul Society. You have no idea how much people here missed you!" Ukitake-taichou cheerfully greeted Rukia. He seemed to be in better health than the last time she saw him.
"Thank you, Taichou. Uhm, Taichou, this is our daughter, Hikaru." Rukia gestured towards Hikaru, who positioned herself behind Ichigo, as usual.
"Uh, nice to meet you, Ukitake-taichou. I am Kurosaki Hikaru." She said as she stepped out of Ichigo's shadow, bowing deeply to Ukitake.
"Ah, so it is you! Come closer Hikaru. My, you look like your mother! If it weren't for your eyes I'd say you're more of her sister than her daughter!" Ukitake-taichou remarked at her uncanny resemblance to Rukia. Ichigo smirked. Of course, Hikaru got her eyes from him, although he was glad that Hikaru's are more warm and open unlike his, which is intimidating and often cold. Hikaru smiled warmly at him. She's beginning to like the man already.
"I was told that you have achieved bankai in the human world, under Urahara Kisuke's, ah, training. Will it be too much if I ask you to release your bankai right now? Can you possibly do it at will?" Ukitake did not waste any more time dancing around the topic. He had waited for centuries to meet someone like Hikaru, he wouldn't let a chance like that pass him by.
"It is okay Ukitake-taichou. I think I can do it. May I, Mom? Dad?" Hikaru asked her parents, she remembered what happened earlier and she's worried that her parents might restrain her from summoning her zanpakuoto again.
Rukia looked meaningfully at Ichigo, she knows that Hikaru's temper had stabilized by this time, she's allowing her to go bankai but she wants to have Ichigo's permission as well. After all, it had been so long since Hikaru had released her bankai in Kisuke's weird training room. Rukia is not even entirely confident that her daughter will be able to do her bankai at will.
"Its fine Hikaru. There's no harm in doing your bankai, remember, you control it-don't let it control you." Ichigo said, remembering his hollow days. Somehow he's still suspicious about his own daughter's bankai. It is too powerful for crying out loud! And since when did a single zanpakuoto yield a twin bankai?
Hikaru asked for an open space. She haven't summoned her bankai for 9 years already, and the first time she did-it wasn't even at will! She did it purely on instinct and fear as own life was put on the line. She doesn't know why she told Ukitake-taichou that she can do it, she's not a hundred percent certain she could. One thing she's sure though, ever since entering Soul Society, her reiatsu had increased. She knows she have the much needed spiritual energy reserve required for the releasing of a bankai. Ukitake led them to his backyard. Nobody is there except them and his two assistants (the 2 third seats of the 13th division), who remained silent throughout the conversation.
"Descend Tsubasa no Kami," Hikaru called forth her shikai easily. Ukitake didn't blink one bit as he witnessed the forming of a zanpakuoto from thousands of light particles gathering in the atmosphere. He was almost tempted to touch one of the feathers that floated about Hikaru, the sight was...celestial...it was a treat to behold, of course since the zanpakuoto Hikaru is summoning will not be used on him, he could appreciate its beauty. As soon as the soul-slayer materialized, Hikaru took a deep breath and steadied herself for a feat she haven't done before. "Ban-kai" she said in a calm but controlled voice, almost a whisper. She felt same feeling of being released she did 9 years ago. She was able to pull through her bankai at will. There was a blinding burst of light for a split second, which forced Ukitake to blink, and when he squinted against the light, Hikaru is now wielding two zanpakuotos, two delicately curved, white-bladed katanas. Ukitake almost cried with joy.
"You...you don't know how much you made me happy Hikaru...you have no idea...Rukia...Ichigo...I'm asking you formally now...can I train your daughter?" Ukitake turned to Hikaru's parents, now he is sure why he had continued to live despite his weak body, it is because of this moment. Such a prodigy appeared. His soul is almost singing with joy.
Rukia felt her heart melting at the look in Ukitake's eyes. He was so happy. She cannot see anything wrong with him training Hikaru, besides, both she and Ichigo only wield a single zanpakuoto. It would certainly give Hikaru the advantage if someone who actually knows how it feels like to use two zanpakuoto will teach her. Ichigo seemed to be thinking along those lines too for they both said at the same time, "We'd be honored, Ukitake-taichou."
Hikaru felt excited. Nobody trained her in the use of her bankai, since Kisuke-ojichan forbade her to release it in the human world. She knows that it must be great to be trained by someone who actually knows how to fight expertly using it.
"Thank you very much Ukitake-taichou!" she said whole heartedly, bowing deeply once again to Ukitake, Hikaru admired Tsubasa for a second before sealing her once again. Her sword dematerialized into floating feathers of light.
"It is I who must thank you Hikaru, you've given me another reason to keep on living." Ukitake smiled at his "prodigy." The two third seats burst into tears of happiness as they saw the lively vigor in their captain's eyes. They knew that he had always been fond of Rukia, it was a bonus that her daughter turned out to be that way.
"You must all be tired now. How inconsiderate of me. Let me show you to your new home, Ichigo." He addressed to Ichigo, since he's the "man".
Just then Ichigo turned to face Ukitake, his mouth full of dumplings, which he hastily tried to swallow out of embarrassment by being caught eating when he shouldn't be.
"Dad! How come you get to eat first!" Hikaru cried indignantly. Rukia kicked his shins again,
"Baka Ichigo! Aren't you ashamed of yourself?! And just where did you get those dumplings?" Rukia rattled on.
"urm...eally...ungry...harvn't..eatern..shince...lunch...yet..yone..'ave..me...some." he said in between chewing and gulping. Ukitake let out a hearty laugh.
"Its okay Rukia, besides it's my fault for not offering you any refreshments first. Come on, you must eat and rest, follow me, your new home is just right over there..." Ukitake walked for about 20 more steps before pointing out a neat house about 1 kilometer away from his home. It is far enough for privacy but close enough for them to see each other regularly. Rukia couldn't help but get teary-eyed as she thanked her captain's generosity.
A/N: this one's reposted! Turned out exactly the same with less errors and some more explanations...i guess (sorry!)...i'll be working on the next chapter...her entrance to shinigami academy!
