The Storm Approaches
"Are you ready?"
Urahara looked at the band members. The stage platform with the Ryoka was geared to slide through the Senkaimon gate just in front of the Seireitei Radio station when it opened.
"Ready."
"Good luck. We will be monitoring your situation from here, and Mayuri will be monitoring the situation from the Seireitei," Urahara informed the group. "If there is any trouble, we'll get you back."
Urahara pushed a button, the gate opened and the stage with the band, ready to play, slid through the gate.
Shūhei and Yori were there to greet them when they arrived.
"Hey."
"Hey."
"Your fans finally figured out you were on tape and stopped showing up at the station just the other day. Let's hope it stays this way," Shūhei relayed to the group.
"Where is Kenpachi?" asked Ichigo, knowing that the Eleventh Division Captain had a non-existent sense of direction. The radio station was a bit out of the way at the very edge of the Ninth Division complex.
"Worried I wouldn't be here to save your ass?" Zaraki asked with a grin, as he exited the station.
"Che, I thought you would still be making your way here," said Ichigo, rolling his eyes.
"Worried about me, Ichigo? I'm touched."
"I brought him here," interrupted Yori, heading off the taunting. "No fighting."
Zaraki was about to say something.
"And no egging him on. You promised," said Yori, looking over to Captain Zaraki.
"Let's get this show on the road," said Ichigo. "Ready, Shūhei?"
Hisagi nodded.
Ichigo signaled the group to start the song."One-two-three-and."
When the band finished, Shūhei spoke into the remote microphone and announced, "For all of you that have tuned in, that was the Ryoka playing 'Burn it to the Ground.' Now, what you all have been waiting for...the number of first person in line to buy tickets for the Ryoka Concert."
The band members said together "Good luck, everyone!"
Ganju played a drum roll.
Orihime was the one chosen to draw the number. She giggled as she reached into the large drum and grabbed a thin piece of paper. She leaned in towards the microphone and read the number and the name of the person. "Three-zero-nine-eight-six, which belongs to…Harunobu Ogido!"
The whistled, cheered, and hooted, "Way to go Haurnobu Ogido!"
Renji continued, "Three zero nine eight six, and higher, you have thirty minutes to line up at the box office to buy your tickets!" Ichigo added, "See you all at the concert!"
The mikes were cut and the Living World band members stayed on the stage while Rukia, Renji, and Ganju jumped off and waved to their band mates before they entered the radio station.
"Great practice and great job today! See you tomorrow." Yori spoke into a mini phone device. "Okay Kisuke-san, pull them back."
The band members continued to wave as the gate opened up and the stage started to slide back just as a crowd of shinigami raced towards performance site. They saw the members waving and the gate shut.
"Man! Just missed them."
"Maybe they will be at the stadium!"
And the crowd turned and raced to the stadium.
The fans ran past the station, not noticing three members of the Ryoka were watching the scene from the studio's picture window.
"That was close," as Rukia let out the breath she was holding.
"Good idea for the advancing crowd to see the band go back through the gate. By the looks of it, they would have knocked the station to the ground if they hadn't," Shūhei said, relieved.
"Yea, I wouldn't want to use Zabimaru to round up the crowd to keep them contained," said Renji.
The small group chuckled.
Shūhei began to laugh as he pulled out his ticket. "What do you know! I am number three-zero-nine-eight-five, the number just before the drawn number!"
"I guess you won't need that press pass after all," Yori smiled slyly.
"I could let the person before me have it, or," Shūhei looked at Yori, "I could place it in a second chance raffle and raise money for the Rukongai project."
"A better idea…wait until the concert is sold out, and draw from the names of the people who did not get a seat," Yori suggested.
"You sure about that?" asked Renji. "The shinigami would only be spending that raffle money on sake anyhow." Renji winked at Shūhei "Yes, a little less sake and more money for the project," Shūhei added.
"The barkeeps in the Rukon and Seireitei are not happy with me right now. It seems that your absence made the profits fall mightily in a few of the drinking establishments."
Renji and Shūhei chuckled. "You do have a way to keep us otherwise occupied."
Byakuya could hear the animated speech of his lieutenant coming from quite a distance. Rukia's voice was just as animated, which was surprising, as she was normally a staid person. Byakuya sensed, rather than heard the third person in the party, Yori Macawi. The threesome was headed towards the Sixth Division Offices.
"Unbelievable! We sold out five thousand seats..."
"...plus the five hundred for the dress rehearsal..."
"...in just under an hour-and-a-half!"
"And they want to see us? Can you believe it?"
Did you see the faces of the people who showed up at the radio station when they saw the band leaving?" asked Renji, for the third time.
"They were shocked to see us. They thought it was a pre-recorded event," said Rukia. "Good thing we had Urahara's gate right behind the band before the fans could rush the stage."
"And if that was not quick enough, there was always Captain Zaraki" added Renji.
The group broke out into fits and giggles.
Neither the volume nor the excited tone abated, much to the Sixth Division Captain's chagrin. The trio entered the antechamber of the Division's office. The doors that separated the lieutenant's and the captain's offices were once again open to let fresh air into the work area. The laughter and talk now invaded Byakuya's once quiet space. It was bad enough to hear it coming from a distance, now it was spilling over into his office. Byakuya flared a bit of his aura towards the threesome.
"Abarai."
The overly boisterous conversation ceased.
"Oops!"
Then the three burst into laughter again.
Evidently the annoyed aura coming from Byakuya was not a deterrent. This surprised Byakuya. Had they been drinking? That bit of spiritual pressure usually quelled anything—that, and the stern, no-nonsense look he gave.
Byakuya upped the spiritual pressure to just below killing intent.
Another 'oops' followed by an 'uh oh' came from the trio as they entered the lieutenant's office.
Yori appeared in the doorway and bowed., "I apologize, Captain," she said, sliding the shoji doors shut.
Just as Byakuya was about to write another character on the new form, his hand jumped with the next burst of laughter from next room. Slowly closing his eyes and exhaling calmly, Byakuya gently put his brush down on its holder, got up from his desk, and walked over to the closed doors. He slid the doors open roughly and stared at the three shinigami in Renji's office, sending off a wave of killing intent at the apparently drugged and drunken souls before him.
The giggles ceased, but the smiles on their faces remained. The group did not look contrite in the least.
Byakuya was surprised by the behavior of the group. He thought his lieutenant had overcome his origins through discipline and self control, tutored by Kuchiki heir himself. This display of undisciplined behavior was uncouth and unbecoming—even for Renji.
And his sister, Rukia! Hadn't the Kuchiki ways been drilled into her? Was this latent display of feelings not quelled? She should know this behavior was unacceptable for any Kuchiki—adopted or not.
Renji and Rukia's blatant disregard of the decorum with which one should conduct oneself in the workplace and the lack of respect of his Kuchiki sensibilities was shocking, to say the least.
Byakuya's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a voice clearing by the person, in his mind, who was the instigator and the likely perpetrator of the behavior exhibited by his sister and subordinate.
"Renji, Rukia, go on ahead without me. I will follow you shortly."
The childhood friends took off without hesitation. As they got outside of the Sixth Division, the laughter began again, and continued as they made their way to the group's destination.
Byakuya kept his stare fixed on Yori. She met his gaze and did not flinch.
"I blame you for the unacceptable behavior exhibited by my sister and lieutenant." His voice calm, cold, with a bit of a bite at the edges. He was clearly furious.
"I fully accept the blame."
Byakuya stared at her, unsure if he was surprised or annoyed.
"Captain, if you would, please lower your spiritual pressure."
A collective sigh of relief was heard and felt throughout the Sixth Division, thankful they were not on the receiving end of their captain's aura.
Yori began to speak as Byakuya turned towards his office.
"Please do not misunderstand..."
Byakuya cut Yori off.
"What is there to misunderstand? My sister's and subordinate's lack of discipline in exercising even a modicum of control over their emotions, especially in my presence? Making fools of themselves?"
"Captain," Yori began, "they meant no disrespect to you. They no longer feel helpless or alone."
Byakuya stopped in his tracks, his back to her. "Helpless?"
"You cannot ignore where they come from. No matter how much you try to beat out their humble origins, they carry around the guilt of getting out of Inuzuri and not knowing how to help those they left behind. Now Rukia and Renji have found a way to make a difference and they are reveling in the fact that others are willing to help them in this mission."
Yori paused. Having captured the captain's attention, Byakuya stood still, listening.
"Five thousand five hundred people purchased their tickets today to come see Rukia, Renji and their friends—Ichigo, Uryuu, Chad, Orihime, Ganju, Karin, and Kon. They bought tickets and pledged to help Rukia and Renji make their first home a better place for those left behind. There are four thousand others who are willing to do the same, and they won't be attending the concert. That is a rush, a high that you just cannot keep inside for long."
Byakuya turned his head to look over his shoulder as Yori continued.
"No amount of training or lessons will rid either of them of their rough and tumble beginnings. If anything, it seems to have galvanized their resolve to show everyone that no matter where you come from, you can truly count, be an asset, be someone."
Byakuya started to walk into his office.
"Haven't you noticed how Rukia's poise and confidence have grown in the last three months? How she has truly blossomed into the Kuchiki princess and a stronger shinigami?"
Byakuya paused again. He had noticed the air about Rukia was much more confident—yet respectfully so. Proud without being prideful, arrogant, or conceited. Rukia did indeed have the aura, presence, and poise of a Kuchiki princess.
The Sixth Division Captain turned to look at the unseated shinigami.
"And are you telling me you hadn't noticed Renji being on time, alert, focused, and more efficient at work?" asked Yori, one eyebrow raised with the slightest of smirks.
"You are responsible for these changes?"
"No. He only needed to have a mission that occupied his free time more efficiently and effectively than sitting in a bar, drinking sake for hours."
Byakuya studied her for a moment, then nodded.
"Unless you want Renji late, hung-over, grumpy, and non-productive tomorrow, I should go."
Byakuya started to turn to go back into his office, when he heard Yori speak again.
"You are welcome to join us, Captain, sans the killing intent."
Yori winked at him and smiled.
"I will pass. It is in my best interest that my lieutenant arrive sober and on time tomorrow. You may go."
"Aye, Captain. Good evening." With a deep bow, she was gone.
As Byakuya made his way back to his desk, he mused over the information Yori had presented. He indeed had noticed the changes in Renji. Renji was more focused in his duties, and his confidence had grown; he had finally stepped out from Byakuya's shadow and was coming into his own. Renji was truly a lucky man to have found a person who could rein him in and channel his abilities.
Byakuya closed his eyes to center himself. Focused once again, he opened his eyes, picked up his brush, and began to fix the form he smudged earlier.
AN: Although this story has been written and completed for quite some time, I have been swamped lately, and I was unable to post earlier. My just-as-busy-beta looked it over, and dusted it off. Many thanks for fitting me into your busy schedule Rukilex!
To celebrate the end of my birthday week and a rough work schedule, my friends took me out to the best rock concert last night. Those of you in the Chicago area, if you haven't seen 7th Heaven--go! They kicked arse! Two-and-a-half hours of pure rock. They are known for their medleys--'Thirty Songs in Thirty Minutes' and for their covers ('Uprising' was awesome), but they are gifted song writers as well. You can buy them on itunes. No, I do not belong to the band's PR--they are just that good. I have listened to their musics, but last night was the first time I saw them, and understood what my friends have told me---they are bloody incredibly fantastically awesome.
As always, Tite Kubo owns the characters and the Bleach Universe he created, I am just irritating Byakuya and molding the Ryoka into rock stars.