Hey lovely readers!!! Hope you've been enjoying the story so far especially the last update. Unfortunately, things are about to go bad so I'm afraid no more jokes for awhile:[ but don't worry-it'll still be loads of fun. Enjoy and don't forget to review!!!!!!
Gray part I
It had been over two weeks now and Byakuya was still not talking to Yoruichi. Although for the time being this had more to do with the fact that she was on a mission with Soi Fon then the fact that he was too embarrassed to face her. Life went on like it normally would with the exception of his usual lessons with Yoruichi of course.
He spent most of his time trying not to think about Yoruichi and their fight. Because when he did he always came to the annoying conclusion that it was stupid. It was an incredibly stupid fight over a stupid little prank that he had made even stupider by acting so stupid. In other words, things should have blown over by now but because of Byakuya's stupid stubbornness and embarrassment things were as bad as ever between them. Byakuya was almost glad Yoruichi was gone because at least that gave him an excuse not to talk to her. I'll talk to her when she gets back, he told himself. But Byakuya should have known by now, things never go as planned.
Byakuya was in class when he heard what had happened. The students were working in pairs to practice their sword fighting. Byakuya was paired up with Kaien Shiba, one of the few friends he had. Their skills had always been fairly evenly matched but lately Byakuya had gotten the upper hand.
"It's not fair," complained Kaien good-naturedly after Byakuya sent his sword flying for the third time in a row. "You've got one-on-one training with Yoruichi. The only training I've had is running from my sister."
Byakuya flinched at the name, "She's not my sensei anymore."
Kaien stared at him, in shock, "What happened? Did she steal one too many hair-ties?"
He shook his head, "No, more like one too many pranks."
"Ah, I see," smirked Kaien. He walked over to pick up the wooden sword that Byakuya had sent flying, "You know, I'd always got the impression you enjoyed it when Yoruichi teased you. Seriously, when you guys fought it was like you two had your own language or something. Kūkaku always thought there was something going on between-"
"There was nothing going on between us, Kaien!" said Byakuya through clenched teeth.
Kaien looked at his normal cool-headed friend, somewhat bemused, "Riiigght. If you say so."
Just then, a younger student rushed into the practice room, "Sensei! There's been a horrible hollow attack in the Rukon District! There's over a hundred hollows!"
Byakuya stared at the breathlesss girl. Rukon District? His mind felt numb and sluggish. But…that's where Yoruichi and Soi Fon are.
Their Sensei, a tall middle-aged man with dark hair, also stared at her in bewilderment at the girl, "B-but why? Why so many?"
The girl shook her head, "I don't know. But all classes are to be canceled and the students sent home."
He nodded slowly, "Do you know which court guard squad is being sent there now?"
"The Second Court Guard Squad is on their way," replied the girl. "Apparently their lieutenant and captain were in the area at the time."
"My God," he gasped, "They'll be crushed before their subordinates even leave the Sereitei."
"Byakuya. Byakuya! Hey are you ok? You don't look so great," Kaien jabbed Byakuya's shoulder.
Byakuya had turned deathly pale. He looked like someone had just hit him in the stomach. There was a strange roaring sound in his ears making it impossible to think. And worse, it seemed he had lost all control of his limbs. He couldn't move.
"Byakuya! Snap out of it! We gotta move, class has been dismissed." Byakuya stayed where he was, rooted to the spot, wooden sword still clutched in hands. The other students were whispering animatedly about this strange event as they walked out of class.
"Byakuya! Move, dammit! Yoruichi's gonna be fine," shouted Kaien in Byakuya's ear.
Byakuya jumped at the sound of Yoruichi's name and turned to stare wide-eyed at Kaien. "Wha-what?"
Kaien sighed and tugged the sword out of Byakuya's hand, "Just come on. Everyone's already left."
He was finally able to regain control of his legs and followed Kaien blindly out of the room. He kept hearing his sensei's words, they'll be crushed, over and over in his head.
Once they were outside, Kaien pulled Byakuya around to face him, "Look, you gotta pull yourself together Byakuya. She's going to be fine. She always is."
Byakuya stared at his friend, trying to make sense of everything. What the hell was going on? He felt sick and worried and angry all at the same time. It was making his head throb and felt like he was going to throw up. "You don't know that," he managed to choke out.
Kaien shook him, "This is the infamous goddess of flash, the Captain of the Second Court Guard Squad, and the only person I know who can eat 30 bowls of rice and chicken without exploding. She's going to be fine. Now get yourself together or I'll tell Yoruichi how you fell apart."
Byakuya glared at Kaien. Sometimes Kaien was as bad as Yoruichi. "You wouldn't."
Kaien smirked, "Watch me."
"If you tell Yoruichi-" growled Byakuya, fists clenched.
"Now that's more like it," grinned Kaien. "That's the Byakuya I know. Now come on let's get something to eat and wait for Yoruichi to come back with some grand story about how she kicked one hundred hollow's back to Hueco Mundo."
Kaien carefree attitude set Byakuya at ease. He breathed more easily, "Okay. Food sounds good."
Kaien grinned, "Let's try to beat Yoruichi's record. Think you can eat 30 bowls of rice and chicken."
Byakuya gave him a weak smile, "Not in a million years." He started heading in the direction of Yoruichi's favorite restaurant.
Kaien followed, but not before breathing a sigh of relief. Byakuya had bought it. The truth was, he wasn't at all sure if Yoruichi was gonna be ok. In fact, he was pretty sure she wouldn't be.
