Chapter 10: Old and New Faces
The moon was still high in the sky when Yukiko woke up feeling refreshed. She had to take a moment and remember what all she'd done that would make her sleep so long and only after examining her own memories was she able to determine why she'd passed out so early.
Once she'd determined the cause of her sleeping all day, she got up quietly, changed, and made her way outside. Knowing it was too early for the cafeteria to have any food or anyone to be awake, and knowing that she wouldn't be able to return to sleep, she made her way to the training grounds to get in her morning practice.
An hour into her training, she was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. When she turned around, she saw her Captain walking toward her. "Shouldn't you be sleeping?" he asked in an almost scolding tone.
"Probably," she answered blushing slightly at being found out. "I couldn't sleep though, so I decided to kill some time until breakfast."
"Feeling better then?"
"Yeah, Captain Unohana really knows her stuff," Yukiko replied lightly. She looked up at her Captain and looked him over. He seemed a lot more at ease than she usually sees him. She guessed it was because Mashiro wasn't around. "So...does her coming over here mean I don't have to go to squad 4 today?"
"Nah, besides you've already been there before," he answered scratching his head. "It'd be a waste of time."
"Well...I only went over there before because I was injured," Yukiko pointed out in embarrassment. "In fact, I don't think I've seen Captain Unohana when I wasn't sick or injured."
"Well her whole job is healing people so that's not surprising," Kensei pointed out. "Just be glad you've only seen her twice."
Yukiko had to grin at this and nodded. "So then, today I'll be heading to squad 5...right?"
"Yep, you should feel alright about it," he replied as he turned and looked up at the sky. "You've already met the captain and lieutenant before after all."
"True." Yukiko finally put her sword away and went to sit on the grass before staring up at the sky as well. "You know, I was hoping to have the chance to show them how much I changed. I didn't want Captain Hirako to think I have no control and I'd rather Lieutenant Aizen didn't think I was an airhead that gets lost wherever they go."
"Aren't you?" he asked in a teasing manner. He glanced down at her and saw her attempt to glare at him. It was rather pathetic and held no real intimidation. Internally he laughed at the expression but he didn't let it show. "I'm kidding. Look as long as you show them exactly who you are now you should succeed."
This changed her expression and she smiled shyly once more. "You think so?" she asked leaning back on her hands.
"Doesn't matter," he replied simply. "You have to have the confidence that who you are is just fine, otherwise you'll go back to how you were."
Yukiko blushed at that and she pulled her knees up to her chin protectively. She had to admit he was right, but it wasn't exactly easy for her to have confidence in anything. It was certainly easier now than before but still, she felt she still needed to improve. She needed the strength to keep the people she cared about from getting hurt, especially from her own hand.
"Thanks...I'll try," she promised softly.
The pair stayed where they were silently watching the stars until she finally decided to move. Getting back on her feet she turned and looked determinedly at her captain.
"No I won't try," she corrected herself and clenched her fists. "I will gain that confidence...I will become someone strong...someone you can be proud of captain."
Kensei met her eyes at this and he could see a small amount of confidence in her words shine in her eyes, thought it was dimmed severely by the nervousness that was always there. Still, her declaration made him grin. "Good answer," he chuckled. "Well here's what you need to take with you. Once you've eaten, and I mean eaten a meal, head on out. Oh and tell Shinji I said hi."
He handed Yukiko another envelope which she took and bowed deeply trying to hide the blush that appeared at his words. They did make her feel better though. "Thank you, Captain. I will." He lifted a hand in acknowledgment of her words as he turned and left.
A couple hours after her discussion with Captain Muguruma, Yukiko had eaten, alerted her friends to where she was going next and taken off toward the squad 5 area. She was surprisingly excited about the prospect of seeing the 5th squad captain and lieutenant once more and had actually been looking forward to the encounter ever since she'd heard she was being sent to each squad.
The reason being, they were the only ones she'd met prior to her entry into the Gotei and wanted to show them just how much she'd changed. It didn't take her long to reach the right area and as soon as she did she put her map away and began searching for the two spirit energies. Once she'd located both of them, and found them near each other, she began heading in that direction.
In almost no time she found herself in front of the squad 5 barracks. She took a moment to verify that both the energies that she recognized were somewhere inside before moving to open the door. For some reason, just as she did so, one of the energies was suddenly right there and opened it first.
Looking up in surprise, she found herself face to face with the lieutenant. "Ah, Lieutenant Aizen," she mumbled in surprise forgetting for a moment what she'd prepared to say.
"Ah...Yukiko isn't it?" he asked gently. "You're not lost again are you?" He seemed a little concerned at the thought and Yukiko quickly shook her head.
"No, sir. I'm actually here to deliver something for Captain Hirako," she mumbled lightly. "I was actually just about to head inside to find him."
"I see, well why don't I show you the way," Aizen murmured gesturing for her to enter.
"Th-thank you," Yukiko stuttered feeling embarrassed by his gentle request. She followed him through the door and down the hall sensing the second energy she knew drawing closer.
"So, how have you enjoyed your squad?" Aizen asked curiously. "I have heard that Captain Muguruma can be a bit harsh on his subordinates."
"Oh no, he's been very good to me," Yukiko replied softly. "If it wasn't for him, I doubt I'd have ever gotten into the Gotei 13. But now I'm starting to feel more and more as if I truly belong here."
"I see," Aizen murmured. After a time of contemplative silence he spoke again. "Have you gained control of your Shikai yet?"
"Yes," Yukiko answered easily. "That's one of the things my captain has helped me with since I arrived. Oh, I never did get to thank you for showing me your Shikai, Lieutenant Aizen. So thanks." She bowed at this in her gratitude before smiling up at him. "It really was amazing. I kind of wish mine had as useful an ability as yours does."
"You flatter me," Aizen murmured softly reaching out and lightly patting her head. "I'm sure your Shikai is useful in its own right. And please, just call me Aizen."
Yukiko felt herself blush at this and nodded finding it impossible to reply. Shortly after this they arrived at a rather sizable enclosure at the center of the barracks. Sitting at one of the railings, relaxing, was a man with very long blond hair and wearing a captain's haori.
"Captain, you have a visitor," Aizen murmured gesturing to the girl beside him.
As he did so, the captain turned around and looked up at the young 10th seat. "Ah, you're Kensei's brat right?" he asked getting to his feet and looking her over as he towered over her.
"Y-yes sir," Yukiko stuttered. Somehow, her nervousness returned with a vengeance and she couldn't shake it. "A-and it's Yukiko."
"Right," he muttered digging a finger into his ear. "So, what've you got for me?"
Yukiko handed over the envelope and waited as he tore it open and read the contents, seemingly in a bored fashion. When he reached the end he let loose a small "tch" before crumpling up the paper and sliding it into a pocket.
"Um...and Captain Muguruma says hi," she mumbled almost imperceptibly.
At this the captain of squad 5 grinned and laughed. "He actually asked you to say that?" he asked in amusement. "Whatever. Since you came all this way why don't you show me how much you've grown since I caught you in the orchard?"
Yukiko swallowed hard at this. She'd wanted to prove that she was better than before, but suddenly having him ask her was a bit much. "Um, w-what do you suggest, sir?" she asked timidly.
"Eh, Shinji's fine," he muttered with a bored frown. "Sir makes me sound like an old man. As for what to do, why don't you and I have a short sparring match."
"Eh?!" Yukiko gasped not sure how else to respond. "I-I don't know if I really should, sir."
"Shinji...and it'll be fine," he replied pulling out his own blade and tapping it on his shoulder. "Come on, what do you say?"
"Captain, I think this is highly inappropriate," Aizen spoke up. "She's only a 10th seat. I doubt she'll be able to keep up with..."
"You do just fine sparring with Mashiro right?" Shinji cut in.
"Yes...but I..."
"Then this should be easy for you," Shinji cut her off.
Yukiko swallowed again before remembering what she'd wanted to prove in meeting this captain and nervously nodded before pulling out her own sword. She prepared herself for what was to come only to freeze in surprise moments later when something collided with the captain's face, throwing him across the grassy enclosure.
"Hey, baldy! What do you think you're doing?" the person demanded. To Yukiko's surprise, the person was wearing a squad 12 uniform and stood no taller than the captain's waistline.
"What the hell do you want, Hiyori?!" Shinji demanded. He'd sat back up holding onto his now bleeding nose. Yukiko felt a twinge of sympathy and worry for the captain but paused when Aizen placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry, this sort of thing happens all the time," he told her in exasperation. "The two of them are rather old friends and tend to be a bit harsh on each other."
"Hey, who are you calling old friends, Aizen?" Hiyori demanded turning on the two spectators. Her sandy blond pigtails whipping about as she turned to face them, ignoring the downed captain. "And who's this?"
"That's Kensei's 10th seat," Shinji answered, having calmed down and somehow cleared away the blood from his nose. "I was just going to have her spar me, but since you're here why don't you do it?"
"Tch, like a 10th seat could really be any match for a lieutenant," Hiyori scoffed.
"Um, if you don't mind my asking...who are you?" Yukiko asked curiously. During the conversation she'd somehow managed to find her voice.
"I'm Hiyori Sarugake, the Lieutenant of Squad 12," the short girl answered. As she spoke, Yukiko found herself staring at the rather obvious snaggle tooth that was always visible. "And you think you can take me on?"
"Well...I have been doing a lot better," Yukiko muttered scratching the back of her head nervously. The sword in her hand hung weakly at her side as she glanced between everyone present. "But...I think I'll be able to hold my own."
"You think so?" Hiyori demanded harshly. Her voice alone made the 10th seat flinch. "Fine, let's go then!" With that the smaller soul reaper pulled her sword out and charged the larger female.
Yukiko wasn't expecting this and only managed to get her blade up at the last moment. She was able to hold the lieutenant's attack at bay and moved to the side in order to direct the remainder of the attack away from her. Then swung her blade at just the right angle to knock the lieutenant's blade into the air and sending the smaller soul reaper back a few feet.
Hiyori looked stunned at this and growled her irritation when she heard Shinji laughing. Then she charged once more.
For the next twenty minutes the two females exchanged blows back and forth without any of them getting through. The lieutenant's direct and forceful approach was really wearing down on the 10th seat who didn't have nearly as much physical strength and preferred to dodge or redirect the blows rather than just take them head on.
Eventually Hiyori got fed up with the larger girl's evasive style and pulled away before releasing her blade. "Chop Cleanly, Kubikiri Orochi," she muttered.
"It's just sparring, Hiyori," Shinji called out. He was worried the girl would continue to grow irritated and end up hurting the 10th seat, or making the other hurt her.
"I'm ending it now!" the female lieutenant declared. She shot forward again, faster than before and Yukiko dodged a few times not sure exactly what she was supposed to do.
Feeling as if the fight should definitely end before someone got hurt, Yukiko threw up a wind barrier only in front of her, just in time to deflect Hiyori's blow. Meanwhile, she calmed her own breathing, held her blade in front of her pointing downward and ran one palm along its length. "Breathe, Soyokaze," she murmured.
As soon as her own blade was released, she dropped the barrier that the lieutenant had been attempting to break and looked her over carefully. "Please, I'd rather not cause any damage," she murmured worriedly.
This only proved to anger the lieutenant even more as she attacked again, swinging her saw-like blade toward Yukiko's head. The 10th seat, however, was able to remain calm and swung one of her fan blades, lifting the lieutenant into the air and over the other side of the enclosure without cutting into her.
"Can't we just call it quits?" Yukiko requested once more. "I feel like this is just escalating out of control."
Hiyori sat up from her spot on the ground, panting from the impact and not saying a word. Yukiko took that to mean the fight was over and replaced her sword in its sheath.
"I've got to say, you've really improved," Shinji laughed walking over to the 10th seat and lightly patting her shoulder. "Well, I think we've kept you long enough. You should probably start heading back. Aizen, will you show her out?"
Yukiko nodded toward the captain and started following the squad 5 lieutenant out of the barracks. At the same time, all the unseated members that had gathered to watch the battle, dispersed and went back to whatever they'd been doing before hand.
"You're lucky you know," Shinji muttered to the small lieutenant who was still sitting on the ground. Her sword by this point had reverted back to normal and she slowly put it back in her sheath.
"What are you talking about?" Hiyori asked, though her voice was way more subdued. Apparently the encounter had really freaked her out.
"That there was Yukiko," Shinji answered easily. "She's that girl. The one Kensei took in."
Hiyori looked up at him in shock and her face turned the slightest bit pale. "That was her?!" she demanded, getting her attitude back. "How the hell did she do all that? I thought she was supposed to have no control."
"Naw, she's way better than the first time I met her," Shinji answered scratching at his head. "But just so you know, had she still been lacking in control, you'd be in worse shape than you are."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"That girl, has enough power to fight on par with Mashiro," Shinji answered calmly. "And you know how little she's able to hold back. Without her control, your first attack would have landed you where you ended up at the end, but with a few cuts here and there."
Hiyori seemed to pale again as he finished up his explanation. Then without another word she just up and left. Shinji figured whatever she'd been there for hadn't been important so he didn't bother trying to call her back. Still, he was pleased she'd arrived when she did. It gave him a chance to simply observe the girl's strength without having her fight Aizen. Kensei was right, she really had improved, far more than he thought possible. Now, her only hope was to have all the rest see what he and Kensei did.
Shippoman: Things are heating up. Yukiko has seen Aizen's shikai and everyone knows what that means. At least she's almost made it halfway through the squads managing to keep herself calm even against the angry and loud Hiyori. Next she'll have to deal with the noble Kuchiki household. * spoiler * Yes everyone's favorite kuchicki will be making an appearance in the next chapter so stay tuned, and please remember to R&R.