Ahhh! I got all A+ in my GCSE science modules! It's only a third of the grade though, my coursework is gonna bring me right down.
Being back at school is so bad, I've been back for three days and I've already got homework for almost every lesson. And I have to complete my art at the weekend which is gonna take forever.
This one's only got a bit of comedy in, then I go all serious. hehe. Me serious is something hardly seen.
Chapter 9 : Spring
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Another meeting had been called with all the captains and lieutenants. Since Kya had completed the interviews and had come to no conclusion at all about any particular Shinigami, except that they were either boring, too tightly strung, or awesome, she needed to speak to them all again.
This time, however, she was not hungover, and she had not placed it at the most inconvenient spot in the entire of Seireitei. She had instead asked all the high-ranking officers to gather in the hall of the 7th division. Why 7th division? It was just the first number that came to Kya's head. Actually no, the first number that came to Kya's head was 573.86, but since that wasn't a division, she had chosen another.
Komamura was not very happy about being invaded by the entire captain and leiutenant party, but was far too politie to mention it to Kya. She had shown him respect throughout the interview, and hadn't made a snap about him being an overgrown fox at all. That was something he liked very much.
Most of the officers had already arrived, Byakuya, Zaraki and Yachiru had yet to be seen. They were five minutes late, Kya made a mental note of this.
Naturally, the others didn't know she had made a mental note. Actually the others did not even know Kya was there. She was hiding in a small cupboard on one side of the room, peering out of the key hole. Why? Because she wanted to hear what they talked about when she wasn't there. As well as that she was planning to make them wait an hour before jumping out yelling 'Only joking! I am here!' The looks on their faces would be priceless. Then again, did she really have the patience to wait an hour?
Zaraki walked through the door, Yachiru on his shoulder. So only Byakuya was left. Why was he always the last to arrive? Surely he should have been the first with his speed and law-abiding nature? Kya never did get that. Even before he met Hisana he always use to try to go by the rules. Kya guessed that was what happened if you were brought up in a super rich family like the Kuchiki. Still, he should learn to relax more.
Speak of the devil... Kya thought as the tall man entered the room. He looked around, noticing Kya's absence. Why was she always late? His eyes hesitated when they crossed over the cupboard Kya was hiding in. Shit, did he know Kya was there? No, that was impossible.
He walked over and stood off to the side of the main group of people.
Kya watched the crowd for a few minutes, listening to what they were saying. It was dull, they weren't spilling any gossip or anything, just politely making conversation. It only took five minutes for Kya to give up on her plan. She lept out of the cupboard.
"Oh, hey" she said sounding confused to the group who had all immediately turned to her, "uh, how did I get in that cupboard?" she asked
"You were hiding in it" Byakuya informed her blankly.
"Oh yes, thank you Byakuya, I was indeed hiding in it," she told everybody before adding, "But it was for my research, I was listening to see if any of you gave any hint of being conspiring jacks" she paused and raised one eyebrow, "You're all really dull"
Everyone's eyes narrowed to the size of dots. Well, everyone except Byakuya, Matsumoto and Yachiru, who had grown used to comments like this coming from Kya.
"Right so, everyone in a circle then" She said. People just continued to stare. She clapped her hands, waking them up from their daze. "Come on, circle, circle" she drew little circles in the air with a finger as she said this. People did as they were told and a large ring of confused faces appeared in the room. Kya stood in the middle.
"Good, now after my intensive interview process." Mayuri stifled a laugh, Kya glared at him, "yes Mayuri? Is there something you would like to share with the rest of us?"
Mayuri shook his head. When did she start acting like a teacher?
"Alright, now if I can continue without interuptions," she looked at Mayuri again, he didn't move, "After my interview process, I would like to say that I found many of them satisfactory, and many of them tedious. Some of you are the most boring Shinigami out there. Then again, some of you were, uh, fun."
She peered over at Hisagi, a twinkling in her eyes. He looked down at the ground, turning slightly red, far too embarrassed about the whole thing.
"Anyway" Kya continued ignoring eveyone's confused expressions, "Because of that I've decided to set a few tasks, to see who is really Captain or Lieutenant potential. Also, it will give me time to observe your characters further."
People's excitement grew.
"Oooh, what kind of tasks Purple-chan?" Yachiru asked.
"You'll all just have to wait and see, wont you? I won't be setting them quite yet, so I'll contact you when I'm ready." she answered. Renji, Matsumoto and Yachiru started asking her questions. She paid them no attention. "So, that's all for now, I'll see you all soon"
And made her way out of the circle and left. As soon as she exited the room voices spoke up, curious at what posible tasks Kya could set them.
One thing was for sure, they would not be normal.
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Byakuya stood silent in the garden of the Kukichi residence. It had been two days since Kya's meeting and she hadn't contacted anyone about the tasks yet. She was certainly taking her time.
The sun shone above Byakuya's head, making the green leaves of the trees turn golden in the light. Today was the day he hated, the day all the memories returned.
What was he doing? Surely he should have gotten over it by now.
He sighed.
Then he felt it. It was just a twinge, but it was a familiar twinge none the less.
"You don't have to just stand there, you know?" he spoke still looking out over the garden. He heard soft footsteps on the wooden veranda from behind him.
"I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't have come." the gentle voice spoke, now beside him on the gravel path.
"You got past security just as easily as always" he stated. He glanced briefly at the visitor. An odd expression was on her face, one that resembled a mixture of sorrow and sympathy.
"Yeah" Kya replied
"Why are you here?" he asked, his gaze returning to the green in front of him.
"I just..." her voice was soft, reminding him of times long since past. "I just... wanted to see if you were ok."
He raised an eyebrow.
"I know today must be hard for you." she explained, "I wanted to come and make sure you weren't killing yourself or anything. Then I realised how inappropriate it was for me to be the one to comfort you on a day like today, so I decided not to come. But I couldn't not do anything. So I came. I just wanted to see you and then leave. I didn't expect to talk to you or anything, I knew you wouldn't want to."
He sighed again.
A silence came over the two Shinigami. Neither of them looked at each other. They just peered out over the grass before them. The only sounds that could be heard were those of the birds in the trees or the gentle blowing of the wind through the branches. They stood there like that for five minutes, neither wanting to disturb the peace.
"You really loved her, didn't you?" Kya asked breaking the silence.
"Of course" he replied. To anyone who had didn't know him, it would sound like the rest of his statements, but Kya saw it for what it was; filled with heartbreak.
"I... I'm glad you met her" she said in almost a whisper. Byakuya turned to face her, a puzzled expression on his face. She was still turned out towards the garden, but was now looking down at the ground.
"Really?" he asked, for once showing his confusion.
"Yes," she answered before adding, "she made you happy, didn't she?"
"Yes, for the short time we had together, she made me happy"
"How many years has it been?" Kya whispered
"Fifty two" Byakuya said sadly, "It's been exactly fifty two years since Hisana's death"
Another silence took hold of the area. Byakuya was still looking at Kya. Kya was still looking at the ground. After another five minutes Kya couldn't stand it anymore and looked up at the garden.
"Spring" she sighed, no longer whispering. "Always spring."
Byakuya's eyes widened at the comment. He hadn't heard those words for so many years.
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"You know it's winter in the real world?" Kya asked him.
They were sitting on the grass in Rukongai. It was a field they came to often, just to talk. A lone sakura tree sat in the center of the field, soft pink petals falling to the ground.
"Yeah" he answered her question
"And yet it's still spring here." she told him, leaning back and looking up at the sky. "It's always spring here. Sure, we say winter and summer, but there's only ever the slightest change in the weather. The cherry blossoms are always in bloom and the grass is always green. I don't think I can remember the last time it rained."
Byakuya thought about this. It was true, the seasons only brought about the slightest change in temperature, the skies were always blue.
"I guess you're right" he told her.
"It's annoying really" she continued "Winter in the real world is beautiful. The snow glistening in the dark is something all people should see at least once in their life."
"I've only ever seen snow twice" he said. She glanced at him.
"That's my point"
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"What?" he asked Kya surprised at her statement.
"Why is it always spring?" she asked in return. She sighed.
"I dont know" Byakuya answered.
They stood there for another fifteen minutes, each not saying a word, but instead looking out onto the spring that shone in the garden.
It's always spring here.
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Yay for Byakuya!
Ok my friends, now I'm actually not sure on the whole always being spring thing, but whenever they are in Soul Society it's sunny and green, so I'm saying it is. If it isn't, well, too bad.
I'm not feeling well. I just spent three hours sleeping and now I'm a bit better. I cant be ill tommorow, I have things to do.
Reviews make me smile and everyone likes my smile (not), so go on, do it. :)