Oh my god, it's been so long since I updated. I'm really really sorry for that and my only excuse is that it was Christmas and I just got really busy (as well as sick). Thank you to all my readers, and please enjoy this chapter!
Chapter Ten – Frivolities
"Are you sure you want to come along?"
"I'm meant to watch you at all times, aren't I?" Hiyori replied, "And I can't exactly do that from the Seireitei, can I, dumbass?"
Ruka shot the shorter girl a glare, only refrained from arguing with her for one simple reason; they were going to see her grandmother. Not Hiyori's, but Ruka's own grandmother. That, she decided, was punishment enough.
"Whatever. If this is what you want." Ruka relented.
Hiyori was immediately suspicious, use to receiving backlash from one of the few people who stood up to her. "…What?"
"If this is what you want." The dark haired woman reiterated.
"Are you saying that because actually I let you visit your grandma?"
"…Yeah, of course- Actually," Ruka decided to add, "How come you're letting me leave that bloody house at all?"
Hiyori shrugged. "I guess I'm just feeling generous."
Ruka, though she might never say it, was pleased by the admission. A small smile wound its way to her lips, now certain that another thing had yet to change. Throughout their many years working together, Hiyori and Ruka had always had an unorthodox relationship that involved far more yelling and fighting than any actual work. It was common, among new recruits, to mistake that for hate. The small moments, revealed in not so many words, often proved them wrong.
As the pair walked through the streets of upper Rukongai, home to many of the richer and nobler residents of the Soul Society, they had gathered a few odd stares. Ruka wasn't really sure why. Though she and Hiyori were opposites in many ways – height, hair, appearance – it wasn't that either look exceptionally odd. Perhaps it was the fact that Hiyori wore her Lieutenant's badge.
Whatever the reason, it made Ruka's skin prickle.
"Sasaki?" Hiyori demanded.
Snapping to attention, Ruka glanced down at her. "Yeah?"
"What way?"
Ruka glanced around at the large number of houses in the area. Most were closed off with tall fences and heavy gates, a silent display of the wealth a family possessed. Ruka pointed down the street.
"Down, then left. If we keep walking we'll see it." She explained.
Hiyori nodded before marching forward. Ruka trailed after at a more languid pace, intent upon immersing herself in the surroundings she had grown up in. Even as a child, she had been spiteful and detested the place.
"Keep up, Sasaki, or I'll drag you there!" Hiyori shouted.
Ruka turned to her. "You're welcome to try." She responded mildly.
"I might just do that." She growled, stomping over to Ruka.
Before she could protest, the woman felt a tug on her long plait, which resulted in a sharp yelp from her. No matter how strong someone was, pulling on their hair would always hurt. Like a dog on a leash, Hiyori began to drag Ruka forward by her hair, a satisfied grin on her face.
"Let go, you brat!" Ruka cried irritably.
Hiyori cast a glance back. "Why? I'm not letting you waste any more of my time, you lazy-"
"Shhh."
Mercifully, Hiyori let her go and Ruka was once again able to stand to her full height. She began to scan the area.
"What?" inquired Hiyori, huffing impatiently.
Ruka turned around, frowning. "Nothing." She concluded; it must have been her imagination.
"Well, keep moving then."
Ruka sighed, although had long ago resigned herself to following Hiyori's orders and soon obeyed without further comment. Hiyori walked ahead, her feet slapping against the ground and raising small clouds of dust as she stomped through like an elephant. There was no way she came from a noble background. Ruka had been far more unfortunate.
Although she had loved her parents, their extravagant lifestyle and careless behaviour led to the many upsets in Ruka's life. When they died, leaving her grandmother, Aiko, the sole possessor of all the riches and responsibilities of the Sasaki family, Ruka wasn't sure whether to be happy or sad. Aiko told her to be both, saying that there was no shame in it, and no reason not to be.
"Woah." Hiyori gasped, looking up.
Ruka came to a short stop, only just then spotting what Hiyori had. A great, wooden wall stood before them, stopping only for the opening of a stone arch that displayed the grounds inside. A winding path led up a hill, cherry blossoms dotting the sides, and beyond that lay a house. It wasn't so big as to be considered pointlessly extravagant, but considering it house only a few staff and one old lady, there were a number of rooms that went unused.
"Guess you haven't seen the Shihōin manor then." Ruka teased, walking past the gaping girl.
"Hey! Shut up!"
"Only if you do."
"I don't have to. I outrank you."
"I don't even have a rank."
"Sure you do. Third Seat of the Twelfth Division." Hiyori asserted, before growing quiet to add, "We never found someone good enough to replace you."
Ruka could only stare at Hiyori, surprised that she would admit something so clearly involving loving emotions. It was odd, and there was no correct way of responding to it, so Ruka could only say, "I always knew I was irreplaceable."
"I always knew you were an arrogant bitch. But it looks like we're here." Hiyori's sudden change of subject wasn't that unusual, as it was obviously to distract Ruka from hitting her.
Amazingly, it worked, as Ruka focused on the door before her. She noted absently the scratches on it from when she had tried to cut through it with a wooden sword as a little girl.
"I'll ring the doorbell." Ruka declared, thinking that Hiyori might not reach. She pulled the string, causing a lever to swing and a bell inside the house to ring loudly.
A few moments passed, and Hiyori began to grow impatient. "Ring it again." She ordered.
Ruka opened her mouth, only to stop as she heard footsteps from within. She turned towards the door, setting her expression to a grim, serious look. When the door began to open, Ruka almost turned to run away.
But it was too late.
Aiko Sasaki was a severe-looking, older woman who wore her black hair pulled back in a tight bun, and possessed a remarkable resemblance to Ruka herself. They had the same green eyes, and might have been alternate versions of each other had Aiko not had a small scar on her lip, and Ruka had curly hair. And also if she had not immediately wacked Ruka over the head with a closed fan.
"You're the most insolent granddaughter I've ever had." Aiko snapped.
"I'm your only granddaughter."
"Sadly."
Hiyori watched the quick exchange with wide eyes, wondering why Ruka didn't retaliate. She had never been one to stand by as she was insulted; at least not without good reason, and most of those reasons encompassed beating them up at a later stage.
"Can I come in?" Ruka asked, even going so far as to add, "Please."
Aiko frowned at Ruka, having to peer upwards due to her stunted stature. "You may."
"Good. Oh, and this is Hiyori Sarugaki. I don't think you ever met." Ruka introduced the two in passing.
"I've heard the stories." Aiko remarked.
"They're all lies." Hiyori assured the oldest woman present.
Aiko snorted but refrained from commenting and instead shut the door behind them. "Come. I'm having lunch in the foyer."
"It's not really a foyer." Ruka argued.
"It is whatever I want it to be."
Ruka sighed, dropping her head in resignation. There was no arguing with the stubborn old woman, and if you were smart, you learnt that fast. Hiyori followed silently, biting her tongue to keep from shattering the silence that was as awkward as she was short.
"So, what do you have to say for yourself?" Aiko asked suddenly, bitingly.
Ruka shrugged, forgetting she couldn't see it as the older woman walked ahead. "I don't know."
"Yes, you do."
"Um…Sorry?"
"For?"
"Leaving?"
Aiko 'tsk'd. "You're late."
"Sorry."
Ruka didn't sound too sincere. Hiyori was amazed at the relationship between the two women. It was almost mother-daughter, and there seemed to be a respect – or, at the very least, an understanding – between them that had never seemed possible with Ruka. Respect was a strange thing to be seen from Ruka, and had previously only ever been given to Kirio Hikifune.
"What the hell is she late for?" Hiyori blurted aggressively, before she could think to stop herself.
"Manners, Miss Sarugaki." Aiko snapped.
"She doesn't have any." Ruka replied.
"Shut up, dumbass."
Aiko huffed, but didn't reply as she walked out through an open door. Ruka followed with hesitation, remarkably at ease within her old home, and also waved Hiyori through.
Outside, the foyer was nothing more than a large deck, upon which a table and chairs was set up. A few small plates of food could be spotted, making Hiyori growled. Although she had eaten before she left, it had clearly not been enough.
"Go fetch the book." Aiko was saying to a nearby maid.
The short, bespectacled servant nodded dutifully. As she passed Hiyori and Ruka on her way inside, she stared at the taller of the two. Ruka merely stared back, so that it remained unclear if the two knew each other or not.
"Come over and sit." Aiko ordered.
She had already taken a seat, and was sipping on a glass of what seemed to be fruit juice. Hiyori crossed her arms, stomping over with Ruka.
"Keep your back straight, Miss Sarugaki. Don't slouch, walk lightly – no one wants to hear you clomping around like an elephant. Uncross those arms- don't scowl!"
Hiyori obeyed none of the commands, and indeed her scowl only deepened. "I don't have to listen to you, old lady." She huffed, irritated at overbearing Aiko was.
It now seemed almost understandable if this was truly why Ruka ran away.
The glass was placed back on the table, Aiko's drawn face hidden. There was a strange smirk on Ruka's lips that sent a shiver down Hiyori's spine.
"What?" she demanded, sitting forward on the edge of the seat.
It was Aiko who answered. "You are a foul-mouthed brat, Miss Sarugaki, who has no idea how to behave like a lady. No wonder you get along with Ruka so well-" Ruka's snort was hurriedly disguised as a cough, "-but this is no matter. I'll have you fixed by the end of the day."
A sudden, loud thud echoed throughout the air, and Hiyori's vision went briefly black. Obscuring her sight, as she realised upon closer observation, was a large book that quite possibly consisted of over more than twenty centimetres of pages. The short, petite maid from before stood just in the field of Hiyori's vision, causing her to wonder how she had carried such a thing, before turning her attention back to the tome. She eyed it sceptically.
"We'll start by fixing your vocabulary." Aiko declared. "This is the Sasaki book of poetry, and all of the poems within were written by members of our family extending back to hundreds of years ago. You are to read them all."
Ruka was struggling to contain her laughter.
"Now, begin."
.
.
.
Ultimately, there were six of them.
They called themselves guardians, while Chizuko Takahashi called them cruel.
Born out of fire, blood and war, it was their inevitable nature. Chizuko understood that some strived to be better, and were even foolish enough to believe they were. But they weren't.
Five of these guardians sat around a table, whilst at the head of the table sat the sixth, their indomitable leader. He was a tall man, long-limbed and muscular. Chizuko stood behind him, so that she could not see most of him, just the plain cut of his black hair, and only knew that he had a long face, pale blue eyes, and that his name was Isao Yamazaki. The silver-haired woman, Masaki, sat closest to him.
"It's too early to risk being exposed." She declared, looking only at Isao.
The man moved so that he rested his cheek in his palm, posture nonchalant. The tilt of his head exposed a large burn scar that covered his left cheek and neck.
"Although we would risk it even as we attempted to stop that very thing from happening." He drawled.
"Our decision must be based upon which risk is greater." Shuji Watanabe, a well-groomed, dark haired man, determined.
Chizuko felt her eyes drift around the table. Her many years among them had taught her many things, all though it seemed little compared to the amount she didn't know of them. Anything that was of importance was never said around her, and she knew only insignificant things; such as how aside from Masaki, the five other lead figures among the organisation were men.
The next to speak was only just barely that, and like Chizuko, possessed the appearance of a teenager rather than someone of their true age. His curly hair was a pale blonde, whilst his eyes were an unusual, glaring dark purple that didn't match the softness of his face and warm smile.
"Ruka Sasaki is a liability. We do not know the extent of her knowledge, only that she knows enough to pose a threat. We also don't understand her, and her motives. But, regardless of if she involves the Gotei Thirteen or not, she kidnapped our Takahashi once before; it is more than likely she will do it again." He, Katashi Yamazaki, announced lightly.
"Killing her could also draw attention to our activities." Shuji argued.
A third man groaned. "We should just kill her!" the extremely tall Tsuneo declared.
"Unless you have something of importance to say, Tsuneo, shut up." Masaki sighed.
The man snorted, making his long face seem even more unattractive and ruffling the coarse jaw-length of his brown hair. "If that's the way this is working, then perhaps you don't need to speak at all, woman."
"'Woman'? Is that meant to insult me?"
"Tsuneo," Isao interrupted calmly, "I've already made it clear that Masaki is invaluable, and deserves our respect. You would do well not to force me to repeat myself."
Tsuneo ground his teeth together, irritated, yet held it in following a cold stare from Shuji.
"Thank you, darling." Masaki fawned, lowering her eyelashes flirtatiously at Isao.
Chizuko felt whatever small amount of like she had for the woman drop even as it had just risen. Frivolous and silly though Masaki might appear, there was a reason she sat among these powerful men; and for that, she had Chizuko's respect. However begrudgingly, Chizuko would give credit where credit was due.
"You all digress." Isao remarked absently, not seeming to acknowledge Masaki's thanks.
Katashi shrugged, leaning back in his chair. "I've already given my opinion on the situation."
When? Chizuko wondered, but no one spoke this question out loud.
"Kill her." Tsuneo added.
Masaki sat back, away from Isao. "How?"
"An excellent question, Miss Mori," Shuji agreed, a polite smile upon his lips, "How indeed."
Masaki turned to him and returned the slightly condescending expression. "Truly, you are the last of us here with any manners, and sense."
"Not the last." Shuji denied.
All at once, five sets of eyes were directed in the direction of the final, silent, 'guardian'. Osamu Abe had been watching the discussion with quiet intensity, keeping his thoughts to himself. Now, he merely looked at them all, one by one pinning them down with his scrutinizing, black eyes. He was hidden mostly in darkness, having taken a seat in the deepest shadow of the room, and using his dark skin to his advantage.
"I'm not sure." He spoke slowly, voice deep and rough on the ears.
Chizuko couldn't help but like his subtle accent, one that turned his words into a melody. Very quickly, the small reprieve of peace was swept aside.
"But I think we must," he declared, "Ruka Sasaki must vanish."
This definitely isn't as long as I would like, although quite a bit was revealed. Since I just sort of thrust a whole heap of characters upon you in that last scene, I figured I write down their names as well as some basic information about them so that you can reference it and understand them better.
So, we have:
Isao Yamazaki - black hair, pale blue eyes, tall and muscular, with a long face, perpetually tired expression, and a large burn scar along his left cheek and side neck.
He's patient, stubborn, easily bored, often morose in manner and has a strict moral code. He's also the same man from the scene where Chizuko Takahashi swears her vow.
Masaki (nicknamed 'Masa') Mori - silver hair, brown eyes, tall and curvy, and elegant/beautiful features
She's often flirtatious, passionate, self-serving, and proud (which ties in with her jealousy and vengefulness)
Shuji Watanabe - black hair, green eyes, tan, medium build and height, narrow nose and pointed chin. He's quite attractive, and always appears well-groomed.
He acts like a sophisticated, polite/courteous gentleman, although is often sadistic
Katashi Yamazaki - white-blonde hair, deep purple eyes, short and athletic, and a youthful/cute face
Outgoing, quick-thinking, creative ideas although lacks motivation to follow them through, and appears cheerful and friendly despite his apathy, selfishness, and unhelpfulness. On a sidenote, he's Isao's adopted younger brother.
Tsuneo - light brown hair, grey eyes, pale skin, extremely tall (think Kenpachi Zaraki's height) and thin, people also tend to find him unattractive.
He's a vain, violent man who feels above the law, is malicious and cruel, and respects few (of those few, none are women)
Osamu Abe - bald, dark skin, black eyes, square jaw with strong, handsome (though middle-aged) features and thick eyebrows. He has a lean build, dresses informally and has his ears pierced colourfully.
He can be irrational, spontaneous, displays seriousness and impassiveness, and is easily able to inspire awe and respect
I hope this helps, as I know that I sometimes struggle with names and keeping up with who is who in some stories. Thank you to all who read this, I love you, and please feel free to review with your thoughts and stuff.
