Lookie! I freakin long Special!!! one person asked for it, so here you go, crystalstar83!! ^.^
You don't have to read this if you don't want to! it's not part of the plot of half and half! it's just taking a look of Ayame Kusabana before she was married to Kiyoshi Kusabana!!! It's also here so it can buy me time to think about the next chapter... XP
Well, here you go! enjoy!
Special! Turn Back the Pendulum!
"Did you hear about the new captain?" One Shinigami spoke.
"Yeah. The new captain of Division 12. I'm guessing that Hiyori isn't taking it all that well." Another gossiped.
"Oh, well. I don't understand why he was chosen over her." The first one shook his head. "I've heard that Captain Yukai knows him quite well."
"Does she like him?" The other asked after dropping his voice so that his friend could barely hear.
"I don't know. Apparently, she and the Captain of Division 2 elected him as a candidate." The first one glanced around so to make sure no one was listening to their conversation.
"I think she likes him. Maybe we should bug the new 12 Division Captain about it?" The second snickered.
"And while you're there, and since you will be bugging the captain about his personal life, could you ask him if he would like to come over for tea later on?" A feminine voice spoke behind the two Shinigamis. They froze in fear as they turned around to see a female captain.
"Ah….Captain... Yukai." The first one stuttered. The woman smiled a kind smile and stuck her hand on her hip. This did not help the two. "I…uh…well…" he tried to explain.
"You were doing what exactly, hmm?" The beautiful captain asked.
"I'm so sorry, Captain Yukai!" the male from the 10th division bowed. "We won't ever gossip again." The captain's eyes softened instantly.
"Ok, then." The woman brushed past them before stopping abruptly and thinking for a moment. "Oh, by the way." She turned to face the two Shinigamis who froze. They immediately calmed down when they saw nothing but a soft smile and honest, kind eyes.
"I consider Captain Urahara as a good brother. If I was to have a child, I would definitely ask for him to be the god father." She turned around and sighed. "I only wonder if you do this to all captains when they first become one."
To the Shinigamis wonder, the captain laughed lightly. It sounded like a melody of some sort. "So, how much did you gossip about me?" The woman asked, half wanting the answer and the other half not caring.
"Well…uh…." The boys struggled to find an appropriate answer.
"Captain Yukai!" A girl called. It was Hiyori.
"Well, hello there, Hiyori. And how are you today?" The happy Captain asked while scooping the girl up and setting her on her back. For some reason, Hiyori looked at Yukai as a sister figure. She would think of her as a mother if Kirio Hikifune hadn't already beat her to it.
"I can't find captain Hikifune!" The girl wined. The captain smiled.
"I'm afraid to tell you, Hiyori, but Captain Hikifune has been transferred." The blond girl jumped off of the captains back. They were outside and Hiyori had to shield her eyes to see Yukai's face.
"Transferred? Transferred where?" The second in command asked innocently. The captain took a knee to reach Hiyori's size.
"To Division Zero. The Royal Guard." The captain said with sadness in her eyes.
"You know it's not a good idea to tell her such things?" A man spoke. Hiyori and Yukai turned around. Yukai smiled.
"Better than just lying, Lieutenant Sosuke." The captain answered. She looked over at the young man with a soft smile. "Good morning." She slightly bowed.
"There's a captain meeting. Captain Ukitake told me to drag you if necessary." The lieutenant spoke with a small smile. "He mentioned to me how much you despise meetings. He also said that you send your lieutenant to sneak around and listen in."
"Ok, ok." The female captain laughed a little while putting up her hands in a defensive position. "I get it. Important meeting today. I'm going." She looked over at Hiyori. "We'll continue this later. There's something I've been meaning to tell you." The captain winked at the female lieutenant before walking off with the 5th division lieutenant.
After walking a little ways, Yukai decided to break the awkward silence. "Beautiful day huh?" She asked while looking around. "I hate meetings. They lock you up inside to talk about boring stuff when you could be outside." The captain giggled like a little girl.
"With all due respect, how did you become a captain?" The serious lieutenant asked. "You're hardly serious. You never come to captain meetings. You hardly ever fight. You force your lieutenant to all the paperwork…" He seemed ready to continue on, but stop to see if the woman had an excuse.
"Well, I have the determination to win any and all battles when need be. I have the attitude that's positive and constructive towards the other Shinigami." The woman then stopped and stared at the little pond they were passing. As if on cue, the birds flew off towards them. A little bird had managed to land on the captain's extended finger. She happily stroked it before holding out her finger to signal that she wanted it to go. The little bird sang a soft song and set off to catch up with the rest of it's family.
"And besides," The captain added before walking past the slightly stunned lieutenant. "My lieutenant loves doing paperwork. Of course, I think he only does so to get back at his ex-girlfriend. She's been doing a lot of missions lately." The captain smirked slightly.
"Well come on, Lieutenant. Do I have to drag you to the meeting?" The lieutenant quickly turned around and sprinted to catch up with the laughing captain.
'Animals hardly come to a Shinigami. Shinigamis have strong reiatsu that animals fear… how could a bird land on Yukai's finger?' The lieutenant pondered. He could see ahead was the captain, her 10th division captain robes fluttering in the wind. The inside of the robes was green and her sword was strapped to her back with a green sash with a star pedant. Her sword's sheath was white and her hilt was black. The guard was in the shape of a sun.
"Oh, lieutenant!" The woman sang out to the distant male. The said man returned to a sprint to catch up. When he caught up and apologized. The captain laughed it off and told him it wasn't a problem.
Soon, they came up to the first division doors. Sosuke took off in the other direction as soon as he knew she was there. She opened to doors to reveal all the captains already there.
"You're late, Captain Yukai." The commander spoke unkindly. The captain just smiled.
"I apologize, captain. Better late then never?" She bowed politely before taking her spot in the captains' meeting.
"Ok, there seems to be some trouble in Rukangai lately. There is some hollow trouble in the 1st district and then there are some weird occurrences in other places. I would like to assign one captain to the hollow problem and some other people for the other. Any volunteers?"
Yukai, with a soft smile, raised her hand. "Seeing that I was late, I will take the hollow duty." The captain-commander nodded in approval.
"Please send one of your division members with you." The old man spoke.
"I'll take Matsumoto-sama. She would love to go." The captain spoke happily.
"This seems more like a reward than a punishment for her…" Captain Kyōraku spoke while shaking his head. Yukai turned and smiled a beautiful at him and Captain Ukitake. This made the two captains smile.
"But with a face like that, who could punish her?" the 8th division captain spoke.
"She manages to always get on Captain-commander's good side…" The 13th division captain spoke. He too began to shake his head. "I guess little Yukai has finally grown up…"
The rest of the meeting Yukai spoke nothing at all. She stared out a window across the room. She smiled when a bird flew by.
"That's all. You're dismissed." The captain-commander spoke. The female captain, glad to finally leave that jell cell of a place, began to walk off.
"Captain Yukai!" The said woman turned around to find the 5th division captain walking up to her.
"Ah, Captain Hirako. It's an honor to speak with you." Yukai bowed politely.
"It wouldn't be half as much of an honor if you came to more meetings…" The male captain spoke.
"But then I wouldn't savor the time I do spend with you." The other captain spoke out. The 5th division captain laughed.
"Ah, so true. Gee, you sure are a smarty pants, aren't you?"
"Yes I am. But life wouldn't as fun if I wasn't." the woman spoke with a giggle. "So, did you have something you wanted to talk about?" The male instantly became quiet.
"Let's head over to your division, eh?" The woman instantly understood and gave a serious nod.
"How is your division, Captain?" The girl asked hoping that a change of subject would be good. They were now far away from the 5th division and was reaching 9th division.
"That's what I wanted to talk to you about." They turned the corner and Yukai nodded at the Shinigami as they passed by. They finally reached the 10th division headquarters. They opened the captain room and both stepped in. They walked inside to see Matsumoto sleeping in the lieutenant desk.
"He must of made her do his paperwork…" Yukai shook her head at the young 3rd seated 10th division member sleeping. She walked up to the girl and slightly shook her. This, however, didn't wake her.
Yukai sighed before taking a deep breath and coming close to Matsumoto's ear. "WAKE UP!!!!!" This startled both Hirako and Matsumoto. Matsumoto sprang to her feet and gave a salute.
"I'm ready for duty, Captain!!!" The girl practically screamed. The captain just nodded her head.
"Captain Hirako wants to chat with me, so I must ask you to start the mission without me." Matsumoto tilted her head slightly.
"M-mission?" the younger girl asked. The captain nodded her head.
"Yes, there is hollow trouble in the first district. We are to go there and solve the problem." The young girl nodded her head for a minute until she realized something.
"Captain, you went to a meeting?!" she asked, obviously astonished.
"Is it that hard to believe?" The captain asked with a sheepish look on her face. Her 3rd seat nodded energetically. "Well, no matter. You go ahead to the 1st district of Rukongai. I'll follow soon."
Matsumoto stood still for a moment, still with the astonished look on her face. Yukai then clapped her hands. "Come on! Hop to!" Matsumoto gave another salute and ran to the door. Before she exited, she placed her hand on the frame and turned to face her captain.
"Captain Yukai, does being captain keep you from doing paperwork?" she asked sheepishly.
"Well, most of it." The captain smiled lightly. "You gotta help your lieutenant a little." She then winked. "Although I haven't done paperwork in a while." Young Matsumoto nodded happily.
"Then I'll become a captain so I'll never do paperwork again!" She promised herself before running off.
"Energetic girl…" Hirako spoke while shaking his head.
"That's how most of my division is." Yukai stated with pride. "All so determined and willing. I know for sure that Matsumoto will reach lieutenant and maybe captain. I just hope I'm there to see it."
"You shouldn't say things so pessimistic, Yukai." The 5th division captain spoke. "You'll be there to see it. She wouldn't want it any other way."
"I hope so." The other captain spoke. "So, what did you like to say to me?"
"It's about my lieutenant, Sosuke Aizen. He is quite…"
"Devious? Mysterious? Corrupt?" The female finished. Hirako nodded.
"How did you know?" He asked.
"He asks me questions other people don't ask me. Like things about my zanpakutō, my weakness, why I've become a Shinigami in the first place, or even about the people I care for." The captain spoke while giving a look that showed that she was thinking. "The only normal question he's ever asked me was why I keep on going to the human world so much…"
Hirako thought for a moment with a questioning look growing on his face. "Why do you go to the human world so much?" He asked.
"I…I have my reasons…" The woman answered with a slight blush. The male captain sighed and nodded.
"Well, whoever he is, he is one lucky man…" The male replied, causing Yukai to become slightly started.
"I never mentioned a man, Captain Hirako." She quietly spoke.
"I don't think you would fall for a woman, Yukai." He knew he was right because Yukai blushed some more. "Just be careful with Captain-Commander. He's not all for the whole human-Shinigami relationship."
Yukai laughed nervously. "Yeah, especially not a Quincy." Hirako chuckled a little even though he was quite worried for his fellow captain.
"Especially if he's a Quincy." Hirako repeated. "I thought we killed them all off?"
"We did," Yukai sighed. "His family didn't want to be connected with the Quincy. They broke all ties with the Quincy and their ways. He, however, is a true Quincy." Yukai sighed again except it was more of a dreamy sigh that little girls give when they meet a cute boy.
"Anyway," Hirako did his best to change the subject. "I'm just telling you to keep your distance with Sosuke Aizen. He knows that you are powerful and friendly. He also knows that you have a connection with just about everyone in Seireitei. Your death or disappearance would definitely irk some people." Yukai laughed slightly.
"I'm happy to know some people care about me." She then made her way to the door. "Well, I'm going to check up on Captain Urahara and then go and catch up with Matsumoto-sama." Yukai stopped by the door when the male captain called out to her.
"Does he know about this man?" He asked. Yukai placed her hand on the door and nodded slowly. "What's his name?"
"Kiyoshi Kusabana." She answered with a singsong voice. Hirako just nodded.
"Well, then, I wish you two luck." He said jokingly. Yukai only smiled and walked out of the room saying her polite "goodbye."
Yukai marched around the 12th division headquarters until someone finally told her where Urahara was. "He's there?! I wonder why…" She told the young Shinigami. She then thanked him and ran off towards the second division. Worry by the fact that Hiyori was with him. She didn't think Urahara couldn't protect her, it was just that Hiyori wouldn't let him protect her.
"Let's go," Hiyori spat. "I don't like this place at all." She looked towards Urahara and Mayuri. She had already decided that she didn't like either of them. They walked out of the front doors, and instantly felt a presence. Urahara sealed the cave door before facing his opponent.
"Who's there?" Hiyori called out while attempting to grip her sword, but quickly realizing that it wasn't there. She had left it behind.
"What, don't wanna say hi to me?" A kind woman's voice called though the dark.
"Captain Yukai!" Hiyori ran over towards the captain who stepped out into the light. She quickly tackled Yukai by embracing the captain and then taking her place on her back.
"Captain Urahara." She nodded her head towards the said captain. She then took a glance over at the man covered in heavy makeup. "Uh…hello there…Mr…"
"Mayuri." He stated rather bored-like. "And you are Captain Yukai?"
Yukai nodded politely. "Of the 10th Division." Urahara, who was taken back by the way Hiyori was treating Yukai, stood in shock.
"Are you ok, Captain Urahara?" Yukai asked while waving her hand in front of the captain's face. Hiyori was currently snuggling and getting comfortable where she was, looking quite tired.
"Yeah…I'm fine…" He never expected that one coming. "What are you doing here, Yukai?"
"I came here to check up on you. Looks like you doing a little of recruiting." She motioned over towards Mayuri. "Well, I'm supposed to be on a mission right now, so I will kindly escort you, Mr. Mayuri, and little Hiyori back to the 12th Division if you wish."
Urahara smiled slightly. "It seems I have no choice since Hiyori has already asleep." Yukai smiled while grasping Hiyori's legs so that she wouldn't just fall off.
"Lead the way, Captain." The female captain stated while pointing down the cave.
Well, they showed Mayuri his new headquarters and was now heading towards Hiyori's to put her to bed.
"How do you do it?" Urahara asked. Yukai gave him a questioning look, so he elaberated. "How do calm Hiyori down so well? She never acts like this…"
Yukai gave a warm laugh. "Well, I didn't steal Captain Hikifune's position for starters." Urahara gave a death glare. "I just treated her with kindness. She hated me at one point, calling me things like weak and an all around loser." This made Urahara's spirits rise.
"After I saved her from a hollow when she first started out. After that, she started to confine in me. Soon, she became my little sister."
"Then what am I supposed to do?!" Urahara asked. Yukai smiled.
"For every one friend you have, there are always two people that hate you." She answered. "You cannot make everyone happy, and you cannot force people to like you. She'll either come around sooner or later, or she'll hate you forever." Urahara deadpanned.
"That doesn't help any…" He pouted. Yukai held back a giggle while opening the door to Hiyori's room.
"Just do this: Don't try. Let your division know you for who you are. You're trying too hard to connect, and therefore pushing them further away. After all, actions speak louder than words. Just be yourself, ok?" Yukai placed the young girl in her bed before pulling the covers over. Urahara smiled from the door.
Yukai smiled at the peaceful Hiyori before leaving and quietly shutting the door.
"Matsumoto-sama must be worried sick for me. I have to go to Rukongai." She stated while turning to leave.
"Where? Why?" Urahara wondered out loud.
"District 1. I'm going because of the increase in hollow activity as punishment for being late."
Urahara was confused by this statement. "Don't you love going out of Seireitei?" He asked. Yukai instantly put her fingers to her mouth.
"Shhh… they don't know that." She gave a slightly devious smile. "Besides, even someone that's a captain needs some training or else their abilities will rust." She gave a comical pose before turning around to run off.
"That would be you, Ayame." He muttered while shaking his head. The captain turned around and stuck her tongue out at the male captain.
"Oh, you know you love me, Kisuke." She sighed before turning around again. "This kind of reminds me of the old days… when we used to call each other by our first name; not by 'Captain' or by our last name."
"If I remember correctly," Urahara stated clearly. "You were the one that broke up with me." He smiled when he caught Yukai's reaction. She dropped her head slightly before turning around with a soft smile.
"Yeah, that's true." Yukai took up staring at the ground. "But I'm glad were still friends. I never regretted it, you know." Urahara gave a questioning look, so the female continued. "I never regretted dating you." Then Yukai disappeared from where she once standing, leaving the other captain rooted to his spot.
"Ayame…" He again shook his head, except this time he had a smile on his face. "Just as quick as Yoruichi. Well, almost just as quick." He then turned around and walked off towards the said cat woman to tell her of the whole Mayuri incident.
Within minutes, Yukai was standing in the heart of the first district. She looked around the deserted street. "It is late." She reminded herself. "And people are probably too afraid of the hollows around here to leave their home." She began to walk around.
"I wonder where Matsumoto-sama is?" as if to answer, the young girl came running up the trail with a terrified look on her face. Once the girl spotted the captain, she ran straight towards her while yelling.
"Captain Yukai! There's a huge hollow after a boy!" she finally reached Yukai, so she stopped and leaned over to breathe. "I got its attention, but its proved to be too much for me…" She panted heavily.
Yukai looked down the street and heard a screech that could only come from one source.
"You did well in dragging the hollow away from the boy, Matsumoto." The captain praised. "But you forget that there are plenty of people for the hollow to devour right here." Yukai drew here sword, which was a bight white color. Almost blinding.
"I want you to stay here and protect the people. I'm going to lead the hollow away from civilization." The captain stated boldly.
"Captain, you grew up here, right?" Matsumoto asked, worried that her captain might get lost in such a huge district.
"Nope, grew up in District 70." Yukai stated in a matter-of-fact tone. Matsumoto, never expecting this, fell over. "But," the captain continued. "I do know the area. I have a friend that I visit here from time to time." The captain gave a smile that was brighter than her sword.
"I can handle myself, don't worry." She then ran off in the direction Matsumoto came from.
"Good luck, Captain Yukai…" The young 10th division member quietly whispered before standing up dusting herself off.
Yukai jogged at a comfortable pace. There was no use in running at top speed if she didn't know where the hollow was. And besides, could it keep up with her running?
"Well, look at that, a delicious meal ready to be eaten." A hideous voice boomed out to the woman. She halted before turning around and holding her sword up to block. A huge paw came down on her sword and knocked her back. She recovered before even hitting the ground.
'This place is out in the open, and a good sparing place.' Yukai thought while taking in her soundings. 'Perfect place for my zanpakutô.' She mused to herself.
"Burn brightly in this darkness, Ra!" She called out while holding her sword vertically in the air. The area was then covered with a blinding light. The hollow, which looked like a chimera, covered it's eyes from the said light.
Once the light dimmed down, There was a great burning phoenix proudly hovering behind Yukai. Another thing that changed was that the sword was covered by the same white fire that covered the phoenix. The bottom of the hilt had a white orb set in it, making it look a little like western sword. There was no guard.
"Bringing out your Bankai already? I'm flattered."The chimera hollow spoke with sarcasm. Yukai smiled.
"That, my friend, is where you're wrong." Her smile showed two small fangs that weren't present before. "My buddy Ra here doesn't like being put down like that, now do you, Ra?" The phoenix cawed out in glee before spreading its wide wings. This caused the hollow to step back.
"Th-Th-That's your release?!" The hollow almost cried out in fear. "Y-You're Ayame Yukai?!"
The captain smiled before remove her captain's robe to reveal a sleeveless top. This revealed her strong muscles and a tattoo of a flower on her left chest. "That's Captain Yukai to you, my friend." The phoenix landed behind Yukai while wrapping its fiery, curled tail slightly around her.
"I'm sorry to say, but I'm going to have to get rid of you." The woman said calmly. Then her face turned instantly serious. "Attacking innocent people it something I cannot stand for." She pointed her sword at the hollow before posing in a position where she could either blitz in for the kill or block or dodge successfully. "Goodbye, Mr. Hollow." She muttered before instantly appearing behind the hollow on one knee.
The hollow screamed out in pain before muttering, "I knew going after that boy was trouble…"It then disappeared in a white and blue light. Captain Yukai looked over her shoulder, but never moved from her position until the hollow showed no sign of returning.
The captain stood up and swung her sword to clean the blood off it before placing it on her shoulder. The flaming sword seemed to have no effect her. Of course, her clothes looked a little singed.
Awww…. The phoenix named Ra cried out. I was wanting a good fight, too. Now, why did you call me out again? Yukai turned around before smiling an apologetic smile.
"I'm sorry, Ra-kun. Seeing that my 3rd seat ran in fear, I decided that overestimating my opponent was better than underestimating." She looked around before spotting her flying cape. "Ah, there you are you little bugger. Now get back here." She slowly chased after it.
Aren't you worried about what he said? The deep voice of her zanpakutô called out.
"Worried about who said what?" The captain absent-mindedly spoke while just barely missing her cape.
The great phoenix sighed. The hollow said that it was after a little boy. Shouldn't we find him? Finally, Yukai jumped up and just barely grasped her cloak. She landed gently on the ground before turning to face her zanpakutô once again.
"You mean the high spirit energy that's around here?" The captain calmly spoke while shrugging on her captain's robe.
You mean to tell me you knew of the boy beforehand?! Ra would've smacked himself if he wasn't using his wings to fly. And you didn't do anything about it?!
"Of course not." The captain spoke in a matter-of-fact tone. "It's strong, but uncontrolled. It's not, however, controlled enough for me to easily pinpoint it. The energy is too wild. The whole district seems to wreak with the spirit energy."
Yukai then placed her sword on her back. Instantly, the sheath formed and the sword took its sealed state. The phoenix then began to burn away from its feet up. Once it was gone, the deep voice seemed to still linger.
I think that Quincy is getting to you, Ayame. I don't understand why you love him so much… The voice echoed for a moment longer.
"Gee, it's like everyone is out to get him…" She placed her head in her hands.
"Captain Yukai!" Soon, Matsumoto came up to the woman. "You took care of the hollow?" It seemed more a statement than a question.
"Yup!" She called out, giving a victory sign while placing her other hand on her hip. "It wasn't much of a competition, actually."
"Who is good competition for you, Captain?" The young girl asked while shaking her head.
"You would be surprised. There is always someone better than you out there." The older woman spoke while combing her hand through her hair. "Now, do you have any idea where all this energy is coming from?"
"I do, ma'am. Apparently, it's an infant. I can lead you to the house if you would like." Yukai nodded, so Matsumoto led the way towards the said house.
"Well, how lucky of me!" The captain cried out while coming up to the house.
"What is it, Captain?" the 3rd seat asked.
"I wanted to see an old friend of mine. She took me in just before I entered the academy. She's probably almost over the hill by now." The woman giggled. "But, as you know, duty comes first. But, now I can do both at once." Matsumoto gave a questioning look, so her captain continued. "This is where she lives."
"What was it like, captain?" Matsumoto asked. "What's it like to move from the 70th district to the 1st?"
"Well, it was like heaven to me." Yukai answered with a shrug. "I went from living on the streets fending for myself from sex offenders to proper, kind people. There was, peace, here. Not an 'everyone-fend-for-yourself' kind of place. I loved it here. But, I had to wear fancy dresses and act and walk proper. It was something I wasn't used to."
Yukai giggled for a moment. "I hated it at first, but I've learned to love the chances I get to be in a dress or skirt." Matsumoto, for the first time, looked at her captain as a friend rather that a captain.
Matsumoto just smiled and nodded.
The duo came up to a pearly white door with a slightly faded sign that said "knock first, please". Matsumoto went to do so when Yukai held her hand up telling her to stop. Yukai opened the door quietly before entering silently. She removed her sandals and placed her sword by the door and her cloak on the rack. She then signaled Matsumoto to do the same.
"Ahh," Yukai sighed. "Just the way it used to be." She then stretched before walking into the next room. Matsumoto quickly followed behind.
After passing a beautiful and big living room, they came across a kitchen. Yukai opened a cabinet and took out a teapot. She set it up and began to make some tea.
"Captain Yukai, is it ok to just use this families house?" the unsure 3rd seat asked.
"Shh, Matsumoto-sama," The captain quietly scolded. "It's 3 o'clock. She puts the baby to bed for her afternoon nap around now. We can't wake her, now can we?"
"But captain," Matsumoto protested. "What about the woman? What will she think?"
The captain chuckled. "She already knows where here. Besides, she told me I was always welcome here no matter the time or day." She then looked towards the exit. "Isn't that right, Nana?"
Matsumoto turned around to face a smiling older woman. She looked about Captain Ukitake's age, maybe even older. Her hair was soft and white. Her face was soft and her stature was…well…small.
"Welcome, little Ayame." The woman said before walking up. Yukai leaned down to give a hug, but the elder had other plans.
BONK!
"Owww!" the captain stood up and rubbed her new bump on her head. "What was that for?!"
"For not coming back to visit and help with the children for over a year!" The old women half cried out, half whispered.
"I'm sorry." The captain pleaded. "I'm sorry." She repeated. "I've been so busy being captain. They hardly let us go anywhere anymore." Yukai sighed before bowing and apologizing again.
'Wow, think that Captain Yukai can be…controlled like that.'Matsumoto thought. 'She always seems so free… like no one could hold her back or even treat her like this.'Matsumoto then held back a giggle. 'She's like a little child that was caught with her hand in the cookie jar.'
"Wait, children?" Yukai asked. "I thought there was just one?" The old woman sighed before giving a devious smile.
"That show how long you've been gone, little Ayame." The old woman stated. "There's two now. About the same age, too. The other is a little boy. They're both sleeping in the upstairs room right now." As if on cue, two cries where heard. However, it wasn't cries that required food, drink, or a dipper change.
Matsumoto and Yukai exchanged looks before the captain shunpo-ed to get her weapon and then up the stairs.
"Is it another hollow?" The elderly woman asked Matsumoto after she ran to retrieve her sword.
"Another?! You mean more than one have attacked?!" From upstairs, you could hear the wall give in to immense weight. It was soon followed by a "Hadou Number 4: Byakurai(Way of Destruction Number 4: White Thunder)!!!" Matsumoto ran to the window to see a small hollow land on the ground before it was struck by lightning. It soon dissolved into the air.
Forgetting the question, both females ran upstairs to see Yukai hold two little infants.
"Awww, they're so adorable!" the captain cooed at the girl and boy she held in her arms. "Little Momo seems to be growing up." She rocked the two babies while Matsumoto sheathed her sword and looked over at the window. She noticed the whole wall was gone now.
"And who is this handsome young man here?" Yukai asked, gesturing towards the baby with white hair and ice cold blue eyes.
"His name is Hitsugaya Toshiro." The younger of the adults smiled sweetly to the young boy.
"Definitely going to be a Shinigami, whether he likes it or not." Yukai stated before setting the calm Momo back into the crib. Now with a free hand, Yukai stuck her finger to where the little boy could grab her finger with his two hands.
Matsumoto shivered at the cold weather. "Well, shouldn't we get the children out of this weather?" She asked. Yukai laughed.
"What weather? It's perfect outside." The captain then looked over her shoulder to face her 3rd seat. "And if we move the kids, this 'cold weather' will follow."
"You mean…?" Matsumoto asked without finishing her sentence. Yukai nodded and sighed.
"Yes, the hollows are after this young boy." The boy was now gripping her hand. When she looked back, she could've sworn her hand was turning blue from the coldness of his hand.
Yukai gave another soft laugh before humming a lullaby. Once she was done, she set the boy back into the cradle next to the already sleeping Momo.
"I guess I'll just have to make it my duty to come by and watch over this family to prevent the hollows from devouring him and prevent his icy spirit energy from freezing everyone in the 1st district!" Even though Yukai made it sound like she was only doing it for duty, Matsumoto could tell that she was more than thrilled to report this to the captain-commander.
"Besides, who would be better to watch him then me and my fiery Ra?" Yukai declared. In truth, it made since. Who would be better than the 10th division captain, Ayame Yukai: The Shinigami with the strongest light/fire zanpakutō, Ra the phoenix.
You plan on raising him, Ayame? The deep voice of Ra cawed out to Yukai.
'Of course, Ra-kun. Him and Momo both. I was a fool to not come to Rukongai move than I've already have.' Yukai told Ra.
So, is this training for when you and that Quincy have a child?
"Ra!" Yukai had accidentally spoke out loud, startling everyone except the children in the room. She could hear the great phoenix snicker in her head.
"Captain?" Matsumoto asked calmly. This wasn't the first time she chided her sword.
"It's fine, Matsumoto. In fact, I have to report to Captain-Commander, so I must leave." Yukai looked over at the older woman. "I promise I'll be back. I'll watch over these kids as if they were my own." The older woman nodded with a smile on her face.
"Uh, and I'm sorry about the hole in the wall…" Yukai gave a sheepish look. The elderly woman nodded again.
"Well, come on, Matsumoto. We have to go." Yukai walked out with her 3rd seat following her. She reached the door and shrugged her captain's robe on.
As soon as Yukai and Matsumoto came back, they were greeted by Ichimaru Gin. Matsumoto ran off with him while Yukai walked off back to the 10th division headquarters.
A hell butterfly then landed on Yukai's stretched finger.
"All captains! All captains! There is a meeting about to be held! Emergency! Please! All come!"
I think that includes you, Ayame. Ra stated slightly bored.
"Yeah, yeah. I figured as much." Yukai said slightly disappointed. "I go to one meeting and they expect me to go to all of them…"
They did say it was an emergency… Ra tried to comfort his master.
"Yeah, yeah." The captain stated before sighing. "I know. I hope no one's hurt." She looked around before shunpo-ing off towards the 1st division.
"Wow, Captain Yukai. You're here on time?" Ukitake laughed. "That's a change I could get used to."
"I couldn't…" The 10th division captain quietly mumbled.
"This meeting has begun!" The bellowing voice of the captain-commander sounded. Everyone took their place in the meeting room. "Well, Captain Yukai, glad to see you. On time, too." Yukai chuckled slightly.
"I've also come to report about the hollow activity in District 1. Apparently, there is a boy there with high spirit energy living there. He is only an infant, so we cannot place him in the academy. I wish to watch over him to make sure no other hollows come."
"Why you, Captain?" Ukitake asked. "There are plenty of other people who could take your place and do just as fine."
"That's where you are wrong, captain. You see, his spirit energy is icy cold. And it is strong. Who would be better than a fire/light user than me?" Yukai stated quite convincingly.
"Permission granted." The Captain-Commander spoke. "Back to the problem at hand. There seems to be Shinigami's that are missing. I need some people to go and fine the missing people…" He was then interrupted by the opening of the big doors.
"Send me!" Captain Urahara stated while standing at the now open doors. "Send me to go after them!"
"Request denied." The captain commander spoke.
"But, Hiyori is in there!" Yukai looked at her friend.
"Don't worry." Yukai stated. "If Hiyori's there, then there's no problem. Hiyori may look young, but she's strong in both spirit and strength. And besides, it's your job as her captain to trust her and put faith in her." Urahara then went silent.
After the captain-commander selected a bunch of captains and lieutenants, the meeting was adjourned. "Come on, Urahara." Yukai said while walking up to the said captain. "I've got something that would cheer you up." After Urahara wouldn't budge, Captain Yukai placed her hands on his shoulders and literally pushed him out of the room. She pushed him away from everyone else before speaking to him.
"Hey, earth to Kisuke!" She snapped her fingers in front of his face, but you could clearly see the sadness in his face.
"Fine," Yukai humph-ed. "If you don't want me to help you get over there to help Hiyori, then fine." Yukai began to walk off, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her.
"You know a way to go after them?" Urahara asked. Yukai smiled before turning around to face her friend.
"I can make you disappear long enough to go after them." She stated. Urahara eyes widened.
"You mean?" he asked.
"Yup. I'll let you use my cloak. If you want it, that is." She gave a devious smile. This caused Urahara to smile as well.
"I don't remember you being this devious when I was dating you." He stated.
"Things change." Yukai shrugged. "I change."
"Whatever that Quincy boy did to you…" Urahara started, but he stopped when he saw Yukai's face redden.
"Why does everyone want to talk about him?" She asked. This caused Urahara to laugh.
"You seem to always fluster just by us talking about him. It's good to see the great Ayame seem somewhat human for a change." The 12th division captain spoke.
"Since when did I seem like anything other than human?" Yukai countered.
Urahara shrugged. "Maybe you're an alien from outer space. Ugh, and I dated you!" Urahara gave a funny face while Yukai pouted before turning her back to him. Her hair flopped in the air and captain cloak fluttered in the wind, giving her an angelic look despite the pouting look on her face.
After a second or two, Yukai turned around with a smile on her face.
"We better hurry over to the 10th division." She stated. Urahara smiled and nodded.
"Oh, Ayame?" Urahara called out to his ex-girlfriend. She stopped in her tracks to listen to him. "Thanks. For everything." He stated.
The female captain turned around with an ear-to-ear smile. "No prob. That's what friends are for, right?" She turned around and relinquished her smile. "Just, just…" She lowered her head and sighed. "Don't you dare die on me. I don't know what I'd do with myself." Urahara laughed.
"You say that every time I go on a mission." He spoke with kindness. Yukai turned around and folded her arms.
"I say it for a reason, Kisuke." Her long hair flopped over her shoulder.
Urahara walked up to her and gave her a hug. "I promise, Ayame, I won't die." After the shock left her, Yukai hugged back.
"I hope so." She sniffled into his shoulder. As if to tease her, Urahara let her go and began to walk past her.
"We need to get going if I'm going to save my lieutenant." He stated. Yukai nodded and they left.
Yukai paced back and forth with her arms crossed. "He's got to be ok. He just has to." She told her 3rd seat. The two females where sitting in the 10th division headquarters. Yukai had finished her paper work and now had nothing to distract her from the truth: Urahara was gone for too long. Matsumoto had comforted her for a couple of minutes, but soon it wore off. She was now on the verge of falling asleep.
"Don't worry captain. Captain Urahara will be ok." Matsumoto's slurred words didn't seem to help out her captain much. Just when Yukai was about voice her worries again when a hell butterfly came into the room.
"Captain Urahara of the 12th division has been found with the missing Captains and lieutenants! He is to be charged of using said captains and lieutenants as test subjects!" Yukai gasped in fright before her legs collapsed beneath her. Matsumoto didn't have to asked what happened. Soon, Yukai's door opened to reveal the 2nd division captain.
"I'm going to save Urahara. Will you help?" The cat like woman asked.
"I…" Yukai found the ability to finally stand up. "Yes. I'll help. Just tell me what to do." Matsumoto gaped at her captain's answer.
"Captain! You can't possibly mean to go against central 46?!" She cried out.
"Matsumoto!" Yukai stated a little too harshly, causing the said girl to jump back. "Matsumoto." The captain repeated but softer. "I became captain…no…I became a Shinigami because I wanted to be able to protect the people I cared for. I grew up in district 70, where people fended for themselves and only the strong survived. I then decided that I was going to be the strongest ever only so I could protect the people who aren't as strong."
Yukai sighed before continuing. "If I can't even protect my friends, then I don't deserve the title Captain at all. So, if that means I have to go against god and everybody to protect those I care about, then so be it."
She then gave a small smile. "Besides, a little danger doesn't scare me." She then looked over at the other captain. "I'm ready to go." She walked to the door before stopping. "Watch over the place till I get back will you, Matsumoto?"
Matsumoto nodded until she realized that nodding didn't make sounds. "O-Ok." She choked out. Yukai nodded her head before leaving the room.
The cat woman then spoke to her while they headed over to central 46. "I'll go and save Urahara. You, with Tessai, are go get ready to leave. They can't stay in this realm. There are the others, too. Tessai is tending to them and he'll need your help."
Yukai nodded in understanding. "Understood."
"They're in that direction." Yukai nodded before shunpo-ing off in the direction 2nd division captain pointed in.
She soon reached the gate where Tessai and the other captains/lieutenants stood. They were worn out and destroyed and Tessai looked like he was on the verge of throwing up.
"Don't go near them," He stated. "They are in the process of hollowfication. They might kill you if you walk up to them." The captain's eyes widened.
"All these people, turning in hollows? How, inhumane." She shook her head in disgust. "Who or what did this to them?"
"It was Sosuke Aizen." The Kido master spoke.
"I knew that kid was a little on the crazy side." The woman stated before walking over to the gate to prepare it.
"Do you have anywhere to go in the real world?" Yukai asked after a moments of silence.
"No, but we'll find a place." Tessai stated.
"You won't need to." Yukai spoke while working on the gate. "When you get to the real world, it should be around 2 in the afternoon, on a Friday. Go to Karakura collage and look for a Quincy named Kiyoshi Kusabana. Mention my name and he'll take you in."
Tessai nodded in agreement. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me," Yukai turned to look at Tessai. "Thank him when you get there." She turned around before stopping. "And…tell him I said 'Yes, but I don't know when I'll be in the human world again, but when I do come over there, I'll be ready and waiting'."
Should I start calling you Ayame Kusabana now? Ra chuckled.
'Shush, Ra. Not the time right now.' Yukai thought. It worked, because Ra did not speak again.
Soon, Yoruichi appeared with the shaken Urahara. Yukai then began to open the gate.
"Take care of yourselves while there, understood?" Yukai stated while opening the gate.
"You're…you're not coming with us?" Urahara asked.
"Well, someone's gotta stay behind and take the blame." Yukai giggled. "Besides, by the time they get here, I'll be long gone. They'll never know I was even here. And you'll need someone here to watch over that pesky Sosuke and everything that the Shinigami are doing, right?" The door then opened.
"Ok, you got about two minutes!" Yukai called out. "Go!" Tessai, grabbing almost all the 'subjects', ran into the gate. Yoruichi grabbed all the others except Hiyori. Urahara grabbed his lieutenant and looked over at Yukai.
"Thank you. Yukai." He stated. "I'll never forget this."
"Don't worry, this isn't the last time you'll see me, I promise. Now take care of yourself, Kisuke!" the now ex-captain nodded before jumping into the portal. After the time was up, Yukai let go of the gait. She then stood up to leave when she heard footsteps.
"You…you let them go." It was Ukitake that caught her.
"Captain Ukitake." Yukai turned with a smile. "Nice to see you." She showed no sign of fighting back, but the way she talked, she seemed dangerous.
After a little thought, the other captain smiled before turning around to walk away. "Go before others catch you. How about some tea tomorrow morning for breakfast?"
"Sounds good, Captain Ukitake. I would love to. And thank you." She nodded before leaving with the fastest shunpo she could muster.
