Disclaimer: Although I would very much want Ukitake Juushirou or Byakkun to be real and mine, but sadly they are not and they belong to Kubo Tite who also owns BLEACH and all the other gorgeous characters. Only the OCs Kuroki Yuu and Tsubasa are mine.

Sweet Nightmare's Good Byes: Shh! XDD

Yuu-chan's Zanpakutou will appear finally! If you would like an intro to it go to the end of this chapter before you start reading. Or you could read first then go to the intro. :)

(All thoughts of the characters are in 'this is thinking' this single inverted comma and italic format. New words in Japanese are explained at the end of the chapter. Emphasizes are bolded and in italics.)


Chapter 9 – True Noble.

"Shucks." Rukia unsheathes Sode no Shirayuki and blocked an attack from the Hollow. She had accidentally released her Reiatsu awhile ago while at the rooftop giving a Soul Burial. A Demi-Hollow startled her and made her lose concentration. Now, Hollows are coming towards the hospital's direction, hungry for the Reiatsu she released.

"Watch out!"

Rukia turns to her back upon hearing the warning. A Hollow was behind her and had knocked her Zanpakutou away. It was too late to do anything, to even fire a low level Kidou. She raises her arms to shed herself from the Hollow while shutting her eyes tight out of reflex.

"Yakitsukusu, Kotogeume!"

Rukia felt a sudden burst of heat and light in front of her. When she opens her eyes, the Hollow was burning in flames, vanishing slowly together with the smoke. Yuu was standing there, panting hard, a bow in her hand when the smoke has cleared.

"You gave me quite a shock, Rukia!" Yuu shouted across. She then notices a few more Hollows coming their way. Pointing her finger towards them, she taunted, "Impudent creatures! Come get me if you can!"

Jumping from roof to roof, Yuu allows her Reiatsu to pour freely out of her. It was a bait to lure the Hollows away from the hospital and crowd.

"Yuu-sama!" Rukia cried out, worrying for the Royal Servant who is slowly disappearing out of sight.

"Oi Rukia!" Ichigo dashes towards his Shinigami friend. "What happened?"

"We need to help Yuu-sama!" Rukia looked towards Ichigo, and was shock to find everyone else there, including her adoptive brother who is now glaring at her.

"Where is Ojou-sama?" Tsubasa asks Rukia, very worried for his mistress' safety. "I felt her releasing Kotogeume!"

Byakuya looks around, and vanishes with Shunpo, not leaving a word.


Yuu was still dashing forward without a plan of where to go. The Hollows are catching up, and if she doesn't do something fast they would definitely get her because of her weakness in short distances battle.

"Yakitsukusu!" A red, burning arrow started forming within her hand when she shouted the release command. Leaping up high and turning towards the Hollows, she fired the glowing arrow, sending a large wave of flame towards her targets. "Kotogeume!"

A few Hollows down. But more are catching up.

"Damn!"

Just then, a large cloud of pink caught her eye. Uncountable number of petal-like blades engulfs the remaining Hollows. As the petals disperses, the Hollows are nowhere to be found as well.

"Byakuya!"

Byakuya frowns upon hearing his name being shouted across the streets so loudly. He Shunpo to where Yuu is standing, and is glad to find her unharmed.

"Byakuya!" Yuu shouted again and grabs onto Byakuya's hand as she twirls happily around him. "You saved me Byakuya! With pink petals! That was made of win! Your Zanpakutou is epic!"

Byakuya didn't quite understand the last part of her sentences. Does it mean he did something good? He decides to ignore it though, not that he needed to pick up these weird speaking habits. "Seems like you lied."

"Hm?" Yuu tilts her head. "About what? You being a winner? Nah! I was being honest."

"You said you weren't trained to fight." Byakuya turns to the direction where the hospital is situated. "But you did fine just now. It was at least a Fifth Seat's standard."

Yuu beams at Byakuya and shrugs playfully.

"We should return." Byakuya sheaths Senbonzakura. "Hide your Reiatsu before more of them come."

When they return to the hospital roof, the younger ones were relieved to see the Royal Servant had made it back safely.

"Ojou-sama!" Tsubasa dashes forward to his mistress. "Thank god you're fine!"

Yuu ruffled Tsubasa's head and walked towards the young Shinigamis. "How about you guys?" She lower herself so that she was at Rukia's eye level. "Are you hurt?"

Rukia shakes her head. "I'm fine because of your help, Yuu-sama. I'm grateful for it."

"We will have to head back to the Seireitei." A hell butterfly flutters around Byakuya. "I can keep this unknown to the elders, but you will have a lot to explain to the Soutaichou, Rukia. You should come too, Kuroki-Taishi."

Yuu cringes when Byakuya calls her by rank, as this means that he is getting all serious again. "Yare, yare!" She pats Rukia's shoulders and squeezes them gently. "Don't worry, it will be fine. Let's go."


Yuu rubs her tragus when Yamamoto Soutaichou slams his wooden staff hard on the office floor. She was standing behind her Shinigami friends, who are standing horizontally in a roll in front of the Soutaichou, all having a rather glum face. Everyone who was involved was there, except for Tsubasa, who was told by Yuu to wait outside of the office, and Ichigo, who stayed in Karakura. Ukitake Juushirou was called to join in the meeting too, since he is Rukia's captain after all.

"What did I tell you about the citizens' safety, Kuchiki-Taichou?" Yamamoto's firm voice questions Byakuya, who looks to Rukia from the corner of his eyes before shutting them back again.

Rukia's head was low, as she waits nervously for her punishment to come. Will she be asked to stay in Soul Society and not allowed for special missions anymore? Had she shamed her captain who always had faith in her? And more importantly, had she shamed the Kuchiki family and her brother?

"I apologize, Soutaichou. It was me who has failed to lead them properly."

Rukia gasps silently upon hearing her brother apologize on her behalf.

"Kuchiki Rukia, do you realize how much that small mistake you made could lead to really serious trouble for the Gotei 13?"

"Yes, Soutaichou. My apology."

"You should be thankful to Kuroki-Taishi. As a Royal Servant, she has no obligation to risk her life and help you in that situation."

"Yes, Soutaichou. I understand."

"I will leave the decision to Ukitake-Taichou to see if he sees a need in your punishment. Leave us now, Kuchiki Rukia and Abarai Renji. I have further things to discuss with Kuroki-Taishi and the captains."

"Hai." Rukia replies promptly and firmly, as she turns and headed for the door.

"I could understand if Abarai-fukutaichou makes this mistake." Byakuya said while back facing the two, making them halt. "But it seems that you have yet to learn the proper manners a member from a noble family should have, Rukia."

"I-I'm sorry." Rukia bow down. "Shitsurei Itashimasu, Yamamoto-Soutaichou, Ukitake-Taichou, Kuchiki-Taichou, Kuroki-Taishi."

Yuu's eyes followed the pair of youngsters as they take their leave. Renji remained silent the whole time, while Rukia just hang her head low and exited the office.

"Just give me a minute." Yuu finally spoke. "I'll be back real soon!"

She went after the two young Shinigami. "Rukia! Renji!"

The two friends paused and turned to the voice.

"Ah, Kuroki-Taishi." Rukia bows. "I'm really grateful for your help this morning."

"It's Yuu." Yuu bent her knees a little so she was at eye level with Rukia. "You're welcome! Although as a Royal Servant I have no obligation to help you out, but as a person with a heart I certainly have the obligation to do something and not watch you get hurt."

Rukia nodded.

"Are you okay? Don't put on such a sad face! Everyone makes mistake! I do too, and the advisors would always say really mean things to me and Tsubasa. So don't take it to heart!"

Tsubasa was walking towards his mistress, nodding and agreeing at what she said.

Rukia smiled bitterly and shook her head. "It's not that, Yuu-san. I'm just disappointed at myself… When can I finally become a noble that could make Nii-sama and the family proud of me? Why do I always end up doing what a noble is not supposed to do?"

Yuu laughs and ruffles Rukia's black hair. She whispered to Rukia when she notices Byakuya opening the door. "That is because everyone in the Seireitei doesn't know the real meaning of being a noble." She pats Rukia on her shoulder gently and straightens herself to speak in a normal tone. "Since I won't be done anytime soon, can you two do me a favor by bringing Tsubasa around Seireitei? I'm sure he is dying to explore this place and see how things work."

Tsubasa's eyes brighten at this idea. "Can I really?"

"Oh. Sure!" Renji nodded. "You will tag along right, Rukia?"

Rukia looks from Renji, then to his brother who is approaching them and giving her a nod of approval. She took the cue about following the Royal Servant's requests. "Okay."

"Run along then!" Yuu pushes the three of them towards the gates and whispered, "Before Captain Grumpy catches you…!"

"Yamamoto Soutaichou is waiting, Kuroki-Taishi." Byakuya said after the three youngsters left. "You should head back in."

"Okay! Right away!" Yuu walks towards the door while giggling. When she went past Byakuya she gave his arm a gentle punch. "Anyway, don't be too hard on Rukia. She's trying her best."

"I'm just educating her the proper manners. She can't possibly go on as a Kuchiki, or even a Shinigami, with things she learnt in the Rukongai."

"Ahh, whatever!" Yuu shrugs. When he notices Byakuya walking in the opposite direction, she shouted across. "Hey! The office is this way!"

"I am excused from this meeting, since I have reports about this incident to write."


"Seireitei is huge…" Tsubasa looks around, eyes sparkling like a child in a candy store. "What's that? This building looks different from the other squads."

Renji looks to where Tsubasa is pointing. "Oh, the Onmitsukido. Their current commander-in-chief is Squad Two's captain, Soifon. So they are stationed here as well."

"I see…"

"Oi Renji!" A loud voice called out to Renji.

The three friends turn to the voice, finding Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika.

"Oh, Ikkaku and Yumichika-san."

"Hm?" Ikkaku approaches Tsubasa and examines him from head to toe. "Who are you?"

"Such nice uniform you have there!" Yumichika pushes Ikkaku aside and started touching the new set of Kosode and Hakama Yuu bought for Tsubasa. "Beautiful! You've got taste!"

"Nice to meet you!" Tsubasa was glad to interact with more Shinigami. "My name is Tsubasa. I'm Kuroki-Taishi's attendant."

"Oh my! A Royal Servant!" Yumichika exclaims. "That explains the taste! The name's Ayasegawa Yumichika. Nice to meet you too."

"So you're working for the Royal Family eh, then you must be strong!" Ikkaku pulls out his wooden sword. "I'm Madarame Ikkaku from Squad Eleven. Let's fight!"

Tsubasa steps back, nervous about his current situation.

"W-Wait guys." Renji butts in. "We're near Squad Two! You won't want Soifon-Taichou to come and get our asses locked in her division's cell would you?"

"Ah, that would be unsightly, but that is just what we could expect from Ikkaku."

"Oh shut up Yumichika." Ikkaku sheaths his sword. "Then let's bring it to another day."

"I would love to be around beautiful people like you, Tsubasa-san. But do excuse us for now, guys. We have some errands to run, if not Yachiru would bring hell to us. And that won't be beautiful at all."

"Acks!" Ikkaku gasps upon hearing his Vice Captain's name. "Let's hurry, Yumichika."

Tsubasa heave a sigh of relief when the two of them left. "So they are from Squad Eleven?" Tsubasa asks Renji.

"Yeah. I was part of Squad Eleven too before I got selected to be Kuchiki-Taichou's Lieutenant."

"So you guys get transfer from squad to squad?"

"Yes, it's common for that to happen, but some people serve a particular squad for a very long time, like Rukia. Some even serve a squad for the whole of their life."

"I see!" Tsubasa looks to Rukia who is quiet and standing by his side the whole time. "So you have been under Ukitake-Taichou ever since you became a Shinigami?"

Rukia did not answer.

"Rukia?" Tsubasa tilts his head.

"Oi Rukia." Renji pats Rukia's back slightly, making her jump a bit.

"Oh! Sorry!"

"It's alright." Tsubasa smiles. "Are you alright? What's wrong?"

Rukia just shook her head, and the three continue strolling down from barracks to barracks.

"Here's my squad!" Renji announces.

Squad Six. Rukia sighs as she recalls who is in charge here and could feel his presence.

"Tsubasa, since you've been serving Yuu-sama for such a long time, can I ask you a question?" Rukia bits her lip.

"Sure." Tsubasa stops in front of Rukia with a smile.

"What does it mean, when Yuu-sama told me that the people in Seireitei do not understand the real meaning of being a noble?"

"Eh?" Tsubasa tilts his head, puzzled. "Well… I'm not exactly sure. But if it helps… Ojou-sama once told me that a noble is someone with high moral character, like being courageous or generous. It is much more than the money you own or the title you are carrying or given."

"Courage and generosity?" Rukia mutters to herself.

"Well, of course there are a lot more qualities, but those are some examples. I am just a servant and have no place to comment on nobility, but I do agree in what Ojou-sama told me. Because by following Ojou-sama around to many places and meeting people from all walks of life, I've seen and observed the behavior of nobles from all over the world."

Rukia nodded and smiled. "I see… Thank you, Tsubasa."

"Don't mention it. Glad it helped!"

At the gates of Squad Six, Byakuya turns to enter his barracks again, wondering if the presence of Yuu and his servant would soon ruin the efforts he puts in to educate and protect Rukia.


End of Chapter.

Kuroki Yuu's Zanpakutou

Kotogeume (虎刺梅): Literally means "tiger, thorns and plum blossoms". In Kanji form, it is a name of a flower that is bright red in color and does not blossom or survive long in cold weather (in English it is called Euphorbia milii, or commonly called the Christ Plant or the Crown-of-Thorns). Kotogeume has a green hilt, normal silver blade and brownish-red sheath.

Kotogeume is a fire based Zanpakutou. It releases to its Shikai form with the command, Yakitsukusu (焼き尽くす), which means to "burn all to nothing". Upon release, the sword changes into a red bow with a sharp, knife like tip. Arrows are formed by concentrating Reiatsu and under the control of its wielder. An arrow formed for Kotogeume is red and appears to be on fire. The greater the Reiatsu concentrated in forming the arrow, the more powerful the attack is. But a greater amount of Reiatsu spent will also means that the wielder will need more time to follow up with forming a second arrow. Also, a very good accuracy is required, and hence a lot of training in terms of accuracy is required for the wielder.

Another down side is that the attack from Kotogeume does not work well in confined space. Even though there is a knife like tip on the bow which is meant to injure like a blade, Kotogeume is not suitable for battle when surrounded by too many opponents and when attacking an opponent that is too close in terms of distance.

Shitsurei Itashimasu is similar to "please excuse me", said when a person takes his leave or did something that will disturb someone else. But the Itashimasu form is higher in politeness level than the Shimasu form.

Sorry that I'm updating so slowly. My school project is at its final phase and so I'm getting even more caught up by it. Hopefully I'll be able to write and update more after Feb! In the meantime hope you have enjoyed this chapter!