Ok, so technically I did get a review, so here is chapter 10. And to the guest reviewer, the answer is no, I didn't know how much yen compares to US dollars. Sorry about that. So, here is the next chapter. So for this chapter a peek at Aya's trip and a glimpse at Soul Society and Karakura town.
Chapter 10
Her trip was becoming rather disappointing. Her future trips would be better she was sure, with Tosen not accompanying her, but this trip still bothered her. The whole point of her asking to go on these trips was to let off some frustrations, but this trip was only mounting to them. From they stepped foot in the world below the sands, Aya found she was still bored beyond belief. Every time she'd put her hand to her sword to kill something, anything, Tosen would become that much more alert. It was getting on her nerves. And the worst part was, there was almost no one strong around there. The stronger the reiatsu, the further away they stayed from the group. It was like they were running, and they probably were. And the worst part of all of this, was that she would be spending 3 days and 2 nights out here with Tosen, and the lesser arrancar that was to open the garganta home afterwords. She quietly sighs, and continues to follow the blind man through the forest of trees made form the reiatsu of dead and gone hollows.
Soi Fon stayed silent throughout the rest of the current Captains meeting. A question had been asked that she wasn't sure how to answer without being disrespectful. Suzumebachi was seething in her sheath at the captains back. How could Head Captain blame Soi Fon for not realizing the defection was in the making. It was all because of that no good Aya Yami being in her Squad before being transferred. And now she even heard whispers of doubt about whether or not she herself was in on it. Preposterous! She'd known there was something fishy about the cruel blonde when she was in her squad, and she'd voiced several concerns about it to the Head Captain. But this was war-time, and it wasn't time for her to be angry about false accusations. Everyone was scared right now, that there might be spies for Aizen in their midst. The unconscious Momo was under constant surveillance by her Stealth Force, as was Kira Izuru. The two most likely choices for a spy. When the meeting was adjourned, she stalks back to her office, ordering a watch change and a report. Of course, there was nothing to report, as neither suspect was acting suspicious at all. Who else were the traitors close to? Their former captains maybe, but they were banished from Soul Society like that horrible Kisuke. She sighs, wishing she had the advice of Lady Yoroichi at a time like this.
Renji drifts off yet again. He didn't know how Ichigo could stand this boring place. And what was with making him continue to go to school, when the others were off having fun scouting and fighting hollows? He scowls as he remembers Rangiku's words. 'We'll be off scouting all of the other areas, taking care of all of the other hollows, and if your gonna be in the area, you might as well be learning more about the traditions of the living!' And of course, Captain Hitsuguya agreed with her, because Head Captain had told them to learn something so they could update the Soul Candy souls and all of the other things they used the information for. It still didn't change the fact that the class he was in at the moment was making him fall asleep. Math. Who knew that the droning voice of a teacher made the already terrible subject worse.
Finally after what seemed like a year, his last class ran out. He goes outside and stretches, before heading over to the Urahara shoten. He worked on his list of chores, payment for staying with the former 12th Captain. He stood in the courtyard, sweeping, a job that used to be Jinta and Ururu's job. He paused, and rested his chin on the top of the broom. He sighed, remembering the fun he used to have in the Academy days, when there was no war to worry about. It was shortly after Rukia was adopted that Renji met Aya. He'd heard about her unusual arrival into Soul Society and was curious just like everybody else. She spent part of her time in the Academy and part of her time with the 13 Court Guard Squads. He was walking around a corner and ran straight into her. She stuck almost as much as he did, with her knee length blonde hair. She wore it in a ponytail back then.
"Watch where you're going Red," she says with disgust. He glares at her, already disliking her. "Well are you going to get out of my way or what?" she finishes impatiently. He knew people usually got out of her way as they walked. She had a bad attitude and a really icy reiatsu. It was actually said, that her reiatsu reminded some of the oldest Shinigami of the first Kenpachi. Not that she would become a Kenpachi, but it was the cold bluntness of her that told them she'd be a killer.
"No I won't move. It wasn't my fault I ran into you. Just because you're unusual doesn't mean that you can walk all over everyone." Renji told her. She took two steps forward and glared up at the taller redhead. Her hand for just a second twitched toward her Zanpakuto. That was another thing about her. Usually they are given blank zanpakuto when they start out, but when she came here, she already had one. And rumor was, it wasn't blank. The Court Guard Squads weren't giving the Academy much information about her though. The blonde glares again, puts her hand on his shoulder, and shoves him to one side as she walks to the other, in effect, making them move around each other. She went out of her way to be mean to him after that. But even through all of her meanness, he could tell they'd become comrades that day, if not friends.
Renji sighed again, starting to sweep again. It wasn't that he wasn't in love with Rukia when he started to develop his crush on her, it was that he knew Rukia wouldn't love him. Or couldn't. It didn't matter. But the more time he spent with Aya, the more he began to like her. Maybe it was because they had similar fiery personalities. But that never made the other girl he gave his affections to like him. He had terrible luck with girls He'd waited til two months after their graduation. He'd walked from 5th to 2nd where she'd been assigned. They'd decided to hang out that day and spar. He waited for her to finish her duties, and they'd walked back to the 5th division outdoor training grounds. The sky was clear, but it was rather hot, so most of 5th were in the air conditioned indoor facility. Aya dropped the bag of water bottles she'd brought, and Renji set down the bag of food they'd picked up on the way. It was a tradition of theirs, to eat after a hard training session. They'd fought til both were exhausted, having only taken short breaks to stay hydrated. As they ate their food, Renji summoned all of his courage.
"Aya...I have something to tell you," he started off nervously. She looked at him cautiously. She had no clue what was going on, but she knew it sounded like something she didn't want to hear. Her eyes narrow slightly. "Aya...I have...feelingsforyou." he finished rapidly. But Aya had heard.
"Renji...don't ruin our friendship," she said simply. Renji scowled.
"What's so wrong with liking you? Its normal. And its not like we wouldn't get along great," he said. He knew he'd already lost the battle before it began. She didn't have feelings like that. And definitely not for him. He knew that now. And he felt stupid for bringing it up. She had a point, he'd probably just ruined the easy friendship they had.
They'd hung out one time after that and it was awkward for both of them. She'd never answered a single message he'd sent her after that. But he had to get over his difficulties in love. There was a war coming, and he had to prepare for the very real possibility that he may have to fight her. He finished his chores, and dropped into the underground training room.
Ok so I know its a little shorter, but I brought in what was happening elsewhere. And gave a little insight as to what happened between Aya and Renji, mentioned in the chapter when they left to Hueco Mundo. So Review please, it feeds my soul and brings out more chapters. I will update faster if I get reviews. Even guest reviewers. I appreciate anything. But please don't be mean, thats all I ask. Until next time.