Back to Kiyoshi! And sorry about the looooooong update. I got a new computer, so I was busy downloading programs, figuring out how to work it, and all that jazz. Aaaaaanywas, here's the chapter!
When the hell butterfly came to his office, he knew that they had found out.
"Captain Kiyoshi Noukon, you are to report to General Yamamoto's office for an emergency meeting. Bring no one."
He watched the butterfly flit off, his face unreadable. Beside him, Machiko studied his face. She was rarely gone from his side nowadays, and they had fallen into a comfortable friendship. Perched on his desk, she poked him on the side of his head. "Hey, what's with that face? It's probably nothing to worry about."
He rose, not bearing to look at her. "Machiko," He said evenly, "Don't eavesdrop."
She grinned at him. "You know I will. Nice try." She followed him out the door, waving to several passing shinigami. "So, what's got you so worked up?"
"Past ghosts coming to haunt me." He said. She looked at him, puzzled, but didn't pursue the subject. Fingering the hilt of her zanpaku-to, her eyes nervously scanned the area. "Something doesn't feel right."
He stayed silent. They both felt apprehensive as to what the meeting was all about- since Kiyoshi was singly called, he knew that his one secret had been found out. Machiko still didn't know about his past sins- though they now understood each other more than anyone else, he still did not want to burden her with his past. Though she knew that he was silently struggling with it, she made no move to approach him about it- when he was ready to tell, he would tell. And pestering him would only delay it. Still, he knew an explanation was inevitable- especially after this meeting was over.
Too soon for his liking, he was staring at the doors of the First Division Headquarters. His face blank, he rapped on the doors. "Captain Noukon, reporting for a meeting."
The doors creaked open, and a shinigami ushered him in, casting a wary eye at Machiko. The girl gave him an innocent smile, sauntering toward the offices- relaxing, the shinigami said, "Right this way, Captain."
Kiyoshi allowed himself to be led off, glancing back at the direction of his friend- she was leaning against the wall of the offices, seemingly waiting for someone, and he sighed inwardly. No doubt she was waiting for a chance to sneak over and overhear his discussion with Yamamoto.
To his relief and slight annoyance, he was kept waiting for ten minutes before he was summoned into the office. He didn't really know what to expect- was Yamamoto just trying to say that t wasn't as serious as he thought, or was just trying to soften the blow, or get his guard down and then abruptly dismiss him from Captaincy…? Though that would be drastic, he would understand the decision.
The time drug by slowly, and when he was finally allowed to enter, he let out a breath he hadn't known he'd been holding for the last thirty seconds. He took a second to compose himself, and then head held high he went to face his fate.
Yamamoto's back was turned, but he knew it wasn't an act of dismissal- rather one of weary acceptance. This was confirmed when the Commander heaved a sigh, turning to face him slowly. In his hand was a report, and in the top left corner he noticed the squad ten insignia- for a moment fear gripped him as he thought that Toshiro, or gods forbid Mitsuki, had died- it explained the look of sorrow
on the commander's face, and fact that he was summoned alone. He would be the first to know, the first to silently grieve…and the first to help prepare for the funeral.
"I have received word from Captain Hitsugaya over a matter in the human world. Does the name Chiyo sound familiar?"
His head snapped up, eyes gazing intently at him- for a moment he felt selfish delight that his sister hadn't died, but equal shivers of terror raced down his spine. Forcing himself to stand still, he gave a slight nod.
"It seems to be that she is once again alive. Do you know why?"
Kiyoshi's eyes closed. "I do."
Yamamoto sighed. "I understand." His voice held a trace of sorrow, tinged with regret. "Assistant Captain Nyoko, there is no use eavesdropping. Come on it- you deserve to hear this as well."
From the window Machiko's head appeared- she gave Yamamoto a sheepish look before slinking over to Kiyoshi's side. "You heard…?" He asked, and she nodded. "You owe an explanation." She said quietly, but now harshly.
He was silent for a time, and then his eyes drifted upward to the ceiling, the hazel color unreadable. Machiko watched him patiently before he began to speak.
"As you know, when I joined Ryuu I had little knowledge of my powers. I hadn't known the true extent of them, and I was only beginning to know what they could be used for. I knew I could resurrect, and heal myself for a short period of time…but what I didn't know was that the only way to truly kill them was to kill them myself. So long as my sword refrains from cutting their heart, they will continue to come back to life, over and over again."
Machiko's face was riddled with anxiety and worry. "Why didn't she come back then? Why now?"
"From what I assume, it takes time for her wounds to heal. Judging on the damage taken, it takes longer to repair herself. No doubt a painful process, but it will continue unless I end this."
Yamamoto had been silent, but now he spoke. "If you can kill Chiyo, and rid us of her forever, then all past faults will be cleared. Until then…you are banished from the Soul Society. I cannot let this danger free to come to the Soul Society.
Kiyoshi bowed his head. "Understood."
"Then I'm going with him." Machiko said stubbornly. Kiyoshi looked at her, startled- she gave him a cheeky grin, then her expression grew serious. "I'm not gonna leave your side when you need a friend the most, Kiyoshi. I'll be with you till this is over."
He was at a loss for words- never had someone pledged their loyalty to him, never had they risked throwing away their life, career, and home to support him- his eyes grew misty, and blinking rapidly he turned his head after a quick nod to thank her.
"Are you sure, Nyoko? Following him means following his sentence as well. You will have to talk to your Captain…" Yamamoto trailed at the look on her face. Inwardly, he nodded- this girl's loyalty was
just what the purple-haired captain needed. "Very well. You two need to be ready to leave tonight- I'll have the gate open on time. And Noukon…"
"Yes sir?"
"I'll be looking forward to your return."
Kiyoshi bowed, a slight smile adorning his face. Yamamoto was truly a just commander, though he could be senile… pushing the thought aside, he and Machiko left the office, walking in silence back to his office.
She turned to look at him. "There's more to the story, isn't there?" she said softly. He avoided her gaze. "Yes." He said simply, and she sighed. "You'll tell me when you're ready, alright?"
He nodded, though he knew he would never tell her- if he did, then she'd never want him to go, and he'd be forever stuck between duty and self-preservation. Shuddering inwardly, he said, "Go tell Ukitake about your decision. He will want to know where his lieutenant is."
She nodded, resting a hand on his arm. There was a brief silence as they stared at each other- his heart swelled with a strange feeling, and an unspoken bond between them grew stronger. Machiko's eyes were glittering with worry, and she finally said, "If you ever want to talk, I'm here." Then she was gone.
He watched her leave, then slowly turned and returned to his office, deep in thought. He barely noticed his Assistant Captain, who was telling him about recent recruits- he nodded absently. "I'm going to be gone for a while due to a mission in the human world. You'll run things here." He said, and the boy nodded, anxiety crossing his features before he ran off, hurriedly rushing to his desk to finish the minor paperwork. Kiyoshi began preparing himself mentally for what he would encounter, worried that things in the human world wouldn't be pleasant when he arrived. Sighing for the umpteenth time that day, he wearily began packing.
Machiko was waiting for him when it was time to leave; Ukitake was by her side, his face a little sad, and Kiyoshi knew what was bothering him- his last lieutenant had died on a mission to defeat a hollow, and he was worried Machiko would receive the same fate. Though Machiko was strong, Kaien had been too- but in the end he hadn't been strong enough. Kiyoshi met his eyes, silently promising to let no harm come to the lavender-haired girl. Ukitake nodded slightly.
Kiyoshi's lieutenant had been following silently behind him, but when the gate opened he finally spoke. "Captain, please be careful." He said, and Kiyoshi gave him a brief smile. "Don't worry, Sota, I won't do anything without just cause." He ruffled his hair in a fatherly way before turning to Machiko. "Ready?"
She nodded, excited, a grin adorning her face. "Whenever you are, Captain!" She chirped, giving Ukitake a wave before bounding through the gate. Kiyoshi followed, hesitating slightly at the entrance. His gaze travelled across the Soul Society, drinking his fill before he left.
"Kiyoshi! Are you coming or not?" Machiko hollered, impatiently waiting further in. Snapped out his reverie, he nodded once more at Ukitake and Sota before finally disappearing through the gate and into the human world.
Sota watched him go. "He never promised to return." He said quietly. "He never said…"
Ukitake looked at the boy quietly. Kiyoshi had been like a father to Sota, and he couldn't help but feel worried and a little betrayed. But he offered no words of comfort- he had none, and he wouldn't lie to the boy that there was a one hundred percent chance that the Fifth Division Captain would return. And the odds weren't higher for his lieutenant either. Taking one last look at the place where the gate once was, he turned and walked away, wondering if he'd see any of the two again.
Chapter over GASP! Foreshadowing, or no...? Guess you'll have to find out. And please review! It's a fact that the more you review, the happier I am, thus it makes me type, and that means more chapters! YAY! :)