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*=Knight of the Night=*
"Hey, Ichi-nii! It's time to leave for the lake show," Karin called out as she left the front gate.
"You guys go without me. I have, erm…things to do." The orange-haired adult rubbed his hair as he tried to come up with a believable excuse to get rid of his family members as soon as possible.
"What could you possibly have on Hanabi night except for having fun, Ichigo?" Isshin cheerfully remarked as he continued to drag his eldest along by the head.
The young medical student protested with a punch aimed for his father's back. "I told you I am not interested. Every year, the same thing, it gets boring."
"I am not taking your word for it. Come on now." The ex-captain ushered his son along to the family crew.
"It's so stupid. I gotta sneak out soon." Ichigo's amber eyes bore an irritated expression.
At some point when the people by the lake were lost in the swarm of festivities, he slipped out of the crowd. Popping in the mod soul to transfer into his shinigami form, Kurosaki left behind his human body to give the impression that he was still with his family.
It was not too hard to arrive at his destination given that he had been living in Japan all his life. Flash step made the search even easier. Now to find the white house like Byakuya said.
'POP!'
Ichigo almost jumped out of his sandals when strings of fire exploded into the night sky. He took a second to marvel at the raining sakura.
"Now that's the Hanabi I'm talking about! The lake is so plain." He also wondered if Rukia was enjoying herself in midst of the vast night crowd. There was no way of knowing it unless he made it to her house first.
The discreet envoy noticed a cliff, Byakuya's definition of a high area. Empty? Or not. As another burst of fireworks went up, a white bungalow appeared under the brilliant flash.
That's it! He sped towards it.
Flash-stepping around the house in an attempt to see a reasonable entrance, his eyes caught sight of a shoji door at the back. Now it was all too easy. Ichigo slid open the portal slowly, trying not to make any creaking noise. The house was dark which meant everyone must have gone by the sea festival.
It was hard to believe he was in Rukia's house.
The uninvited guest went along the short corridor to notice a small room first. Some small yukata lay on the bed. He looked around the environs to see the portrait of a little girl with silky black hair, just like Rukia.
"It's that girl's. No point looking here then, I suppose."
Kurosaki exited the room and strode along the corridor to reach the door of another room. "This better be it!" He switched on the light as he entered. Warm brown eyes skimmed through the room to spot anything with a metallic glint to it.
"I better look everywhere, then." He began to inspect the wardrobe despite feeling guilty for going through someone else's personal stuff. A smile clung to his face as he spotted a Chappy in the corner resting by a pile of clothes. "Just when you would think that midget must have grown up." He closed shut the wardrobe and went towards her desk, crouching down to check underneath it. There were some stacks of papers but no sign of any sword.
Ichigo was getting frustrated by then, so he sat on the bed for a while before deciding to check through the drawer even though it was unlikely a zanpakuto could fit in there. But he would not risk missing it. Rummaging through the contents, his eye caught sight of an old portrait, and out of curiosity he withdrew it.
A jolt of surprise went through Ichigo as that famous glare stared back at him. "Byakuya!"
The orange flame-head stifled a laugh; it was not always that you saw the noble Kuchiki trapped in a photo. But the stationary glower and those frozen grey eyes caused chills to travel down his spine.
"I never thought she actually cared for him…other than for being a member of his clan," he mumbled while inspecting through a second drawer only to find nothing.
"Looks like I was wrong." Ichigo put the portrait into the empty space as he went for the bottom one.
This whole task of Byakuya's was getting on his nerves. He had been searching for some time and the house's owners would probably come back anytime now. Kuchiki's hired spy was about to leave the room when he had an idea.
"What if…?" He rushed towards the bed and kneeled down on the ground to inspect below. A grin spread over his face as he caught sight of a dormant Sode no Shirayuki.
Byakuya left the celebrating crowd and headed for his Division quarters. His body felt so extremely tired from the day's events that he could not care less about anything else. With the exception of one confirmation.
There was a knock on his door. "Taichou!"
"Come in," he ordered flatly.
It was his pineapple-headed vice-captain wearing a worrisome expression. "Why have you left so early? Some other captains were looking for you, so I came to check up."
"I have no interest in conversing with anyone tonight. Leave now, Renji."
"Hai." Abarai shut the door as he left without asking anymore questions regarding his captain's unusual behavior.
Byakuya's eyes began to slowly close as his vision changed into an abyss of darkness.
"Beep Beep."
A sound was coming from his shihakusho. The dreamer's eyelids flew open as his hand quickly slipped out a small-screen device from the inner pocket.
"Connected," it read.
Seconds later, a tiny white dot appeared on this dark screen confirming the location of the most beautiful ice zanpakuto – his sister's Shirayuki.
A figment of her soul visible before him.
"Thank you, Kurosaki Ichigo. A job well done."
He went back to his slumber after tracing the single dot for one last time.
It felt like he was a step closer, despite all the distance.
It had been a week since their Hanabi had started and Rukia was beginning to get bored of it. So she stayed behind tonight while the rest of them went for another dash of fireworks. Still no reason to be found for her bedroom light being lit on their first Hanabi night.
The young woman was enjoying the night scene from her balcony when she noticed something shining outside. After giving it some thought, she went to see it from up close.
It was her zanpakuto.
"What is it doing lying outside?" Rukia scratched her head as she tried to come up with an explanation.
She was about to pick up the sword when something cold slid past her throat. Looking from the corner of her eye, she gasped and froze.
Another blade was bared beneath her chin.
Rukia was kneeling on the ground so it was not possible to lift her head to see the face of the intruder in this situation.
"It kills me to see you like this, Rukia-chan."
No one addressed her as 'Rukia-chan'.
She sensed the tall body crouch down beside her. This time his voice spoke much closer to her. "Aren't you gonna pick up your sword? I ain't holding my zanpakuto by your neck for show."
Rukia was too shocked to utter any words. She forced her eyes to glance sideways to see a silver-haired man staring into them, grinning as if it was his way of celebrating Hanabi.
"Coward!" She did not fear him; rather she was disgusted by his mocking grin and lazily-shut eyes. The captive remained in her position as she struggled for any strength.
"My, my Rukia-chan." He stood up, his weapon leaving her vicinity. "That's a change since the last time I saw you. You could barely even breathe in my presence."
The leer turned infinitely more dangerous.
"I want to see what else has changed about you."
Rukia looked at the man with a glare of confusion. Another gasp left her frozen mouth as she saw a brief flash of his ruby-red eyes. Eyes that had the intent of killing in every speck of their bloody colour.
He swung his short sword to point it towards where she remained on the ground, too afraid to make a sudden move. "A duel would do me the highest honour."
"I have nothing to do with you. Leave!" She was incensed by his actions and arrogance. Most of all, she was alone in her yard. Even if she screamed, no one would hear her.
"Should I tell a certain someone that the humans' manners have rubbed off on you? He would be most disappointed, as if you have not done enough to shame him already." His calm yet terrifyingly intimidating voice ran shivers down her spine.
"I don't know what you are talking about, but if you are really asking for your behind to get kicked out of my yard, I will gladly do so." The pale-skinned Ladyma clutched onto her weapon's hilt and jumped a few paces backwards, hoping to stall for some time to plan her defense. "And do not speak of manners to me when you have the audacity to attack a woman."
"I hear ya. Just so you know, if you lose the match, you are to hand over your zanpakuto. Understood?"
She really hated this man now.
"I don't plan on losing to the likes of you." Her night-blue eyes glared fiercely towards the menacing figure. It was almost annoying that his remained shut after that brief deathly stare. It aroused her anger even more.
He chuckled. "You sure are like him. He would be proud; it's a pity that you will stain his glory once again." With that he charged towards her.
Rukia reacted just in time to block the attack, but his sheer strength caused her to stumble backwards while struggling to maintain her balance and not sprain her ankle. It had been a while since she had fought so her body was rather rusty.
"I don't know if you can get any slower than this, Rukia-chan. Let me make it easy for you and end it!" He came rushing at her in a flash, too fast to comprehend his movements; his blade would have met her throat if she did not block it at the last second.
It was all she could do just to keep pushing his blade away as he applied more force on her zanpakuto, threatening to slice her windpipe with her own sword. Seeing no other options, Rukia jumped a few paces backwards, breaking their lock.
The outmatched reaper lay panting on the ground, struggling for some air to supply her tired lungs. The bones in her ankle were giving way. Whether she would be able to stand for long was not her prime fear; the fact that she would barely be able to block the next attack was a more pressing issue, especially when she was facing a strong opponent.
A captain level.
Moreover, she did not trust his intentions, whatever they really were.
"Why is she not calling upon her Shikai yet?" The ex-captain mused as he watched her shivering under the stress. "Tired already?" He smiled as his barb managed to provoke a glare from her. Gin watched the girl stand up and concentrate her focus on her hands, planning for her next move.
"Hadou 31 : Shakkahou!"
"Oh no, you don't." He dodged the attack and flashed right behind her,his soul cutter held beside her ear. She was completely open to his attack.
Rukia noticed her red blast of fire burning up the bushes. She was helpless, and it was very unlikely anyone would hear their attacks over the booming fireworks. He was too fast for her to attack him anyway.
Before she could realize where he was, a twinge of pain shot through her throat as the cold metallic blade slit through her skin. The slight fighter refused to lose yet, and forcefully kept her mouth shut so as not to emit any cry of defeat. It was humiliating enough that she was already losing to this wicked man.
The expert swordsman released her as he withdrew a few steps behind. "I don't plan on killing you, but I see you are making it harder for me to resist."
"What do you…want?" She managed to voice her anger shakily, gaze darting back while one hand pressed against the cut to stop any bleeding or pain. Tears were threatening to flood the girl's eyes and taint her pride at any minute, marking her weakness. "I must not cry. I refuse to cry!" She shook in terror.
"Take up your sword, Rukia-chan. It's not over yet."
Rukia saw him come forward with another flash. She dodged the first two attacks in a row, but failed to keep up the pace. As she attempted to raise her weapon to defend against his next attack, in desperation her left leg shot right up to kick him in his gut with every bit of strength that she could muster.
He grunted in surprise. Now at last was her chance for a successful Kidou attack! "Hadou 4: Byakurai!" A bolt of lightning left her fingertip destined for his heart. But it was immediately met with a blue fire blast.
"Have you forgotten that a captain can do kidou without its incantation?" He seemed perfectly unharmed.
"Why do you want my zanpakuto?" Her neck was still stinging as the night breeze went past the cut.
"Did I say that out loud? Oh, I was only kidding." He walked a few steps away from her, creating a distance between them.
"Draw your shikai," he ordered.
Rukia stood mutely, which caused Gin to scowl for a second, but he did not bother with further warnings as he called upon his own zanpakuto.
"Shoot to kill, Shinso!" His normal wakizashi suddenly glowed white under the dark sky and extended into a long spear heading at high speed for her heart.
It was too fast for her to dodge. She shut her eyes, anticipating the lance to pierce through her chest at any moment. Humiliation no longer seemed to bother her.
"Ah!" Rukia screamed in despair but felt no pain. Blue eyes fluttered open to see the sword tip resting right in front of her, a minute distance away from piercing through the flesh.
"It's no fun if my opponent is sleeping." He recalled his shikai.
"I wasn't sleeping!" Rukia retorted while she watched him wave off her remark. "I should not give up to this scum."
Snatching up her katana from where it had fallen on the ground, the angry sorceress sprang towards him, trying to take advantage of his unguarded moment. She never even got close, as a sudden burst of lightning crackled right at her. Rukia flung herself to the side. Just as she was convincing herself the attack had missed, a huge blow was concentrated on her stomach, causing the tiny form to topple to the ground forcefully. The pain was excruciating, and she coughed up some blood. Tears began to fall down her cheeks, making vision soon become impossible.
She heard his steps, coming forward with obvious killing intent despite whatever he said earlier. Before she could get up and run, he grasped her neck and brought Rukia to her feet. She could barely stand as pain began to form inside. His grip was murderous, almost depriving her of any oxygen or energy.
"Let go…Please." Through her blurry vision she could sense him planning his next blow.
"Why must he entrust his goals onto street trash like you? I dislike it." His voiced hissed into her ear, causing her to fear him as she would a serpent coiled on her chest. Rukia had no idea what those words meant, but lost interest as another kick was directed to her stomach, causing her head to go dizzy as she flew through the air. From the corner of one eye she could see his 'Shinso'attack coming in her direction. There was nothing she could do to defend against this as it was very likely that the point would get her even before she could land.
But instead the clash of swords echoed into the night air.
How could it be even possible when her Shirayuki was lying somewhere on the ground?
Through a heavy body Rukia could feel the strong embrace harboring her. Someone just protected me, she realized. Her eyelids fluttered open to see an unfamiliar sword blocking the lethal thrust just a few inches away, while her unknown protector held on strongly.
"Urahara?"
The fallen angel noticed a white glove on the hand which was still deflecting the attack.
"Rukia, I am sorry."
A deep comforting voice chimed in her head. She looked up at the sound of her name to see a longing pair of eyes gazing back at her earnestly.
Not the nicest reunion. Enough for now. See you soon.
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