A/N: Hello everyone! Hope you're liking the story so far! Soon we'll be having another timeskip and introducing the other villains of the show like Kaname, Gin and some of the Espada. I'll try to keep the updates regular but will be dealing with some school stuff this week so just a heads up in case I can't update as quickly. Thanks for reading! 😋
©Bleach and its characters don't belong to me, they belong to Tite Kubo and Shounen Jump. Only Anna Maria, Hanabira and Maya belong to me.
Chapter 10: Dwindling Sorrows
The words echoed inside his head like a mantra. He couldn't bring himself to believe it.
In retrospect it made sense. His unstable power, her mother's secrecy regarding his lineage and the fact that she called him 'little prince'. But all the evidence in the world could not prepare him for what he'd discovered.
"Of all the possible answers, I never expected this." He told Anna.
The girl nodded and placed her hand over his. "I'm taken aback as well, but at least it's one mystery put to rest."
He nodded and yawned. All the emotional labor of the day had taken its toll and he was dozing off.
"I'll go buy us dinner. We need to keep something down eventually. Do you want anything specific?"
"Whatever you get it's fine."
Anna nodded and headed out. Sosuke fell asleep almost immediately, his zanpakuto was waiting for him in their inner world.
"I am beginning to miss the sky and palm trees. This looks too grey." Kyoka Suigetsu told him. She floated towards him, placing a cold hand on his cheek. "I am sorry child. I am afraid nobody could have prevented this."
"There were many who considered themselves her friend and yet only Lady Fujiwara came to tell us."
"It's not a matter of loyalty. There's no shinigami that would dare stand to the Central. I am afraid it'd be a lost cause."
"Until now that is."
His zanpakuto spirit kneeled so that she would be face to face with him. "Sosuke, this is what I have been warning you about. Straying from your course will only do you harm. More than what has come."
"I can't just sit here and do nothing! They burned her alive! They'll keep killing anyone who disagrees or faces them. I won't allow it."
The spirit nodded. "If that is what you chose, then I shall accompany you. But my warning remains."
"Thank you."
Sosuke felt somebody shaking him. He awoke to see Anna smiling down at him. "I got us tofu miso soup and some cheesecake."
"My favorite food and your favorite treat. Lucky both of them are soft. Thank you, Anna."
"No problem. Now let's eat!"
Throughout the meal he still felt uneasy, the days weight was pushing him down but he didn't want to concern his friend.
'I shall feel better tomorrow.' he lied
Sosuke had fallen asleep after the meal, and Anna was feeling drowsy as well.
Kyoka Suigetsu and Soburinsuta had materialized. Anna rubbed her eyes, thinking it was a hallucination.
"We thought you two might need company. I see my master is fast asleep." Kyoka put Aizen's head on her lap and patted it in a motherly fashion.
"You two may fight but I like that you're trying to comfort him," Anna told her.
The spirit shook her head. "This child is untamable, he gets an idea in his head and nobody can sway him." Kyoka shook her head. "I am merely trying to help him, even if that involves some coldness. A part of me does believe he'll be able to achieve his goals. He's a strong one."
Anna smiled. "That much is true."
She felt Soburinsuta wrap his arms around her letting her rest on his starry chest. "You're strong as well my mistress. Please do not forget that."
"I won't." The spirit kissed the top of her head. They all stayed there for a while. The only light in the room coming from the stars encrusted in Soburinsuta's skin.
She picked up the letter Hanabira left her and tried to read it.
My Dear Anna Maria:
It's hard to remember a time when I wasn't close to you or your family. The day your parents arrived here to the Soul Society I was there to greet them, I was there when you were born and through the time you became Sosuke's closest friend.
Despite not being my child by blood, I do regard you as my daughter. A kind, spunky and intelligent daughter who makes me so very proud. You're an amazing child Anna and I regret not being able to see you become an amazing adult. If Armando and Marianna could see you now they would feel just the same.
With this, I leave you with a choice. You may feel that the injustices of this society outweigh the good, just as I did. You can choose whatever path you prefer, whether it be to fight or to remain as you are. Do what makes you happy, I support whatever it is you want most.
Thank you for letting me be a part of your life sweetie. I loved every second of it and I wish you the best, I love you Anna.
Hanabira Aizen
Anna wiped her tears and kissed letter, before falling into a deep sleep beside the zanpakuto spirits.
"Kaname! Dinner will be ready soon!"
"Somebody is here to see you Kakyo"
The brunette woman tilted her head. "Me? I'll be there in a second."
Kakyo was surprised to see a young woman at the door. She looked like Hanabira in terms of style and posture but her eyes were icy blue and her hair was black.
"Hello! How can I help you?"
"Hi, are you Miss Kakyo?"
"Yes."
"I'm sorry to be meeting you in these circumstances. My name's Anna Maria, I am a friend of Hanabira and...I regret having to tell you she's passed away."
Kakyo couldn't process it at first but then the words sunk in. "Dear me. I can't believe it, she was a good friend. My condolences, is her family doing well?"
"Yes. That's what I came here to tell you. Hanabira's son and I have been visiting all of her acquaintances. If there's ever anything you guys need you may contact us."
"That's kind of you. Thanks dear."
"I'll be off now. Take care!"
The girl left just as quickly as she arrived. Kakyo sat down trying to process it all. One of her dearest friends was now gone forever.
"Are you alright?" Kaname asked.
"Yes. I'm really going to miss her. Hana was one of the few shinigami that really cared about the people of Rukon. I really wanted to work with her in the future."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Will you continue training to be a shinigami?"
"Oh yes, now I'll do it in the memory of my dear friend! Do you still want to come along Kaname-kun?"
"You know I shall support you no matter what, but perhaps not in fighting. It's not really something I'm good at."
Kakyo laughed. "Thank you. I know we'll do great things together."
"I am so damn ready!" Anna had been waiting for this day for a long time. Everything was ready for the group's vacation. Both she and Sosuke took the time to warn Hanabira's friends and after a week of staying at home wallowing in their sadness all she wanted was a relaxing vacation. Only the last preparations remained.
"Let's see, appropriate clothing, Japanese to Spanish dictionary, glasses, books, and communication devices. I believe we have everything." Sosuke shut his own suitcase and placed it near the entrance. "You better check yours again Anna, we'll be leaving for two weeks."
"Coming!" She rushed towards her suitcase but ended up tripping on a loose floorboard.
"Are you hurt?" Sosuke quickly rushed to her side.
"I'm fine. Just really embarrassed."
She looked back at the floorboard, it had snapped into two and there was something under it.
"Why would there be a box here?" Anna picked up the item along with a handwritten book that was also there.
"That's the first copy of mothers book. I helped her write that one..." Sosuke was surprised that they'd found something like that stashed away.
"This seems light, but it has a kido lock. Maybe we shouldn't open it." Anna placed the box back where she found it. It's presence seemed very unsettling to her.
"There must be a reason why she left us this...we must find out why, when we return."
"I'm surprised. I thought you'd be all over researching the items now." she told him.
"I am immensely curious, not to mention my mental state is not the best, but that's unimportant. We have a vacation to look forward to."
They put everything back in it's placed and prepared to leave. Anna knew that whatever Hanabira had left them was likely a game changer, but right now all she wanted was to rest a little.
She felt Sosuke discretely hold onto her hand. Anna didn't say anything and just rested her head on his shoulder as they walked away from the apartment and to the senkaimon gate. Once they crossed it the background faded from concrete roads and structures to a desolate but calm beach.
"Welcome to the Caribbean.' Anna smiled at Aizen. He was staring in awe at the vastly different surroundings.
"Looks a lot like our inner world. I like it."
The communicator in her pocket buzzed. Yoruichi sent a message saying she and Kisuke would take a little longer to arrive. "We seem to have the place to ourselves. Care for a swim?"
"Of course, after you milady."
The pair headed for the waves and got swept away almost immediately by the cold salty water. Neither seemed to mind as they kept on swimming for almost an hour. Anna had to wipe her curls away from her face 'If this keeps up my hair is going to get frizzy.'
She noticed Sosuke had caught up to her. he smiled and helped her with the last of the messy curls. "Let me guess, I look horrible."
He chuckled, "On the contrary, you look perfect."
Then he pulled her into a kiss.