I do not own BLEACH, nor Aizen, though I very much hope I did, or at least his Zanpakutou. Oh, of course I do not own the other characters as well. The only thing I own is my OC here Aki-chan. The rest goes to Kubo Tite, the guy who kind of broke my brain.

Thank you, dreamerxofxroses and sakuraseason, for adding Petals Rain to your favorites.

Mysticbreez: He sure is. :)

(All thoughts of the characters are in 'this is thinking' this single inverted comma and italic format.)

Chapter 11 – Rebirth of two flowers.

The present…

Spring is over it is mid-summer now. Chiaki had been a captain for almost three months since her appointment during mid-spring. Everything seems to be going on well. She planned a training routine that is suited nicely for her squad, and sometimes even trains them herself since she is an instructor after all. She treats her squad with kindness and fairness, the type that all her old friends had shown and taught her. In return, the squad members are accepting her well, believing that this lady would help them stand up again.

Being a captain and an instructor at the same time sure is tough. Running to both sides in the Seireitei to fulfill her duties is rather strenuous on Chiaki's body. But Chiaki didn't mind, she likes it when she's busy. It gave her no time at all to think about any other thing than just her work.

She is having her day off today. Actually almost the whole Seireitei is. Summer is here and the students at the academy were off for their summer breaks. Plus today is the day for the annual fireworks festival, most people had probably already went to the carnival with their friends and family. The whole place had become exceptionally quiet.

Chiaki recalls the old times. Every year, Aizen would sit on the roof of Squad Five with her and they would watch the fireworks together. While most couples like to visit the carnivals and have fun, those two preferred to be away from the crowds. Their friends didn't mind their absence from the carnivals, because the fireworks festival is a special day after all, and everyone likes to celebrate it with their special someone, in their own special way.

But now, Chiaki is walking alone in Seireitei on this 'supposed to be special' summer afternoon, wondering where she should go. When she stops at a dead-end, Chiaki realized she had come to the very last end of Seireitei, the Thirteenth Squad's barracks. She thought for awhile and tried to feel for Ukitake's Reiatsu before heading in.

"Sakamoto-taichou!" Kiyone and Sentarou both greeted Chiaki as she enters her best friend's barracks.

"You guys, please, just call me Chiaki." Chiaki sighed. "Pretty yukata you both have there, heading to the carnivals?"

"Of course! It's summer after all!" Sentarou replied.

"Where is Juush-… Ukitake-taichou? I guess he is still around?" Chiaki asks as she looks around.

Kiyone and Sentarou giggled a little. "Of course! He's in his office if you're looking for him." They both said in unison. "We have to go now Sakamoto-taichou! See you!"

"It's Chiaki! Bye! Have fun!"

"You too!" They both said in unison again as they exit the barracks.

Chiaki raises her eyebrow. "Me too?" She shrugged and headed for Ukitake's office and found his door closed. "Yo handsome man!" She tries to imitate Kyouraku. "Can I come in?"

There was no response. But Chiaki knows Ukitake is inside, his Reiatsu is there.

"Juushirou-dono? Are you busy? Am I disturbing you?"

Just then she felt Ukitake's Reiatsu spike suddenly and then decreases rapidly, and it is worrying Chiaki. She decided she should just enter anyway. "Juushirou-dono, I'm coming in."

Entering the office, she found Ukitake kneeling on the floor beside his desk, a hand clenching onto his chest. He was sweating all over, and panting hard, sucking in a lot of air out of reflex.

"Juushirou-dono!" Chiaki rushed forward and kneeled in front of him. She started patting onto his back with some force, while the other hand supported his head. "Now calm down Juushirou-dono, stop taking in all the air. Try to cough. Come on, you can do it. Cough! That's what you do best!"

Ukitake tried to muster some strength so that he could cough. After a few times of dry gags, he finally managed to start coughing and out came all the blood that was choking him. Chiaki just stayed there and soothed his back with gentle, light pats while the other hand is cleaning blood off Ukitake's face with the sleeve of her captain's Haori. "Feeling better?"

Ukitake nodded slightly. His breathing was still shallow, irregular and coarse.

"Can you stand? Come, I'll help you get back to Ugendo."

"Sorry…" Ukitake apologized with his soft, coarse voice, as he look up at Chiaki who is now kneeling beside his futon, gently wiping his face with a warm towel, probably to get the bloodstains off his face.

"For what?"

"I made a mess…" Ukitake raised his hand slightly and tugged at Chiaki's sleeve gently. "Your Haori…"

"I think it's prettier like that, red and white." Chuckling, Chiaki removes her Haori to put it aside, and continued to clean Ukitake's face. "Don't worry about it. I have a spare one back in my room… …Alright, all done!" Chiaki placed the towel back into the small basin, and grabbed another clean, cold towel. She folded it nicely and placed it onto Ukitake's forehead. "Your handsome face is stainless again! You looked like crap just now."

Ukitake said nothing, but just stared at Chiaki.

"Hey, you angry…? Guess I got over the boundaries. Sorry…"

Ukitake shook his head and smiled, as he lightly pats Chiaki on her hand. "Thank you…"

"For what? Saying you looked like crap?" Chiaki puts the back of her hand on Ukitake's cheek, checking his temperature. "Seems like the fever burnt your brain."

"Not that Aki… Thank you… for staying… and helping…"

"If this is called helping then I think I'll need to marry you for a thousand lifetimes to repay all the kindness you've shown me."

"I don't mind… if you want a sick old man like me…" Ukitake chuckles lightly.

"You wish! Now close your eyes and rest. I'll go and get your smelly medicine." Chiaki stood up and made her way to the kitchen while she continued to mumble random things. "Argh, that stinking tea. Wonder how you actually swallow that."

When Chiaki was out of sight, Ukitake sat up slowly and picked up the stained Haori Chiaki left beside his futon. He wanted to have his servants clean it when he realized he had allowed all of them to take a break on this festive day. 'The servants had all gone to have fun at the carnivals…' He thought. 'Even the servants had gone to the carnivals… Why must I fall sick at this moment? I'm such a...!'

"Hey! Why are you up?" Chiaki place a small tray beside Ukitake's futon. "Maa naa… Here, your smelly tea. Drink it up."

Chiaki holds the cup up to Ukitake's lip, Ukitake just stared into it.

"I know it's terrible, but it's good for you, now stop frowning and drink it up."

"Aki…" Ukitake looks up from the cup. "Can you do me… two favors?"

"Two? Sure."

"Go to that drawer, and get a package in white. Then I'll tell you what to do."

Chiaki walk towards the drawers and got out a white package. "This?"

Ukitake nodded with a smile. "It's a gift for you. Open it up."

"Really?" Chiaki sat back down and opened the package, revealing a white Yukata full of red floral motifs, a red Obi and some hair ornaments. "These are beautiful! Thank you Juushirou-dono!"

"Now, can you please do me the first favor that is to get changed into it?"

"Okay…? Be right back! Now drink your tea while I'm at it!"

When Chiaki came back in her new Yukata, Ukitake nearly choked on his tea.

Stunning.

Too stunning.

Ukitake couldn't help but just stare, especially at Chiaki's neck which is now fully revealed since her red hair is now tied into a bun. Her skin is probably made to be nibbled on.

Ukitake shook that idea off his head and cleared his throat. "You look… beautiful."

"Thanks to you!" Chiaki was beaming with a slight blush on her face. "You have great taste Ukitake-dono. I like it a lot!"

"Now Aki. I want you to go to the carnivals and join Kyouraku and gang. It will be fun."

"Silly." Chiaki sat back down beside Ukitake. "How can I leave you here alone?"

"Please Aki, for my sake." Ukitake squeezed Chiaki's hand gently. "I don't want you to miss such a big festival just because of my coughs. Please... I'll be fine."

Chiaki thought for awhile and sighed. She knows Ukitake will never give it a rest until she agrees to it.

"Alright… But before I leave, I want you to finish the rest of your tea and lay back down to rest."

After leaving Ugendo, Chiaki did make a trip down to the carnivals. She promised Ukitake after all. Walking down the crowded streets, Chiaki was trying to find the familiar man with pink Haori by picking up his Reiatsu, but it led her out of the crowded places, and to an open space where some other captains and vice-captains were. Including her very own lieutenant, Hinamori Momo. They were sitting on the grass, drinking Sake, eating snacks, chatting and probably waiting for the fireworks.

"Oi! Aki-chan! Over here!" Kyouraku wave to Aki.

"Good evening everyone." Chiaki smiled to each of them, especially warmly at Hinamori, who just looked away.

"Chiaki-san! I'm so glad you're here! You look great today!" Rangiku grabbed onto Chiaki and pulled her towards an empty space beside her. "Come seat with me! Heh-heh! Now drink up! Cheers!"

"Matsumoto, mind your manners. And didn't Unohana-taichou warn us not to force Sakamoto-taichou to drink?" Hitsugaya Toushirou said firmly to Rangiku.

"It's alright Hitsugaya-taichou. But just this one cup Rangiku-san. I wouldn't want Unohana-taichou to be angry."

"See Taichou. Chiaki-san approves. Stop being so grumpy!" Rangiku pouted as she looks to Hinamori, who had been quiet since Chiaki's arrival. "Ne, Hinamori-chan, what's wrong? You drunk already?"

Hinamori just shook her head.

"Anyway Aki-chan," Kyouraku takes a sip of his Sake before continuing, "Where is our handsome friend?"

"Handsome is sick, Kyouraku-taichou. When I went to visit him he had an attack, I wanted to stay with him at the Ugendo, but you know that old, stubborn, handsome man." Chiaki laughs bitterly.

"Ah, guess he must have tricked you into wearing this Yukata and nagged at you till you come and join us. Poor dude, he was so excited about today. He must be very disappointed."

"Yes he was, I could tell straight from his face. I guess I'll celebrate it with him some other day." Chiaki looks to the sky, as she finishes her cup of Sake and stand up. "I guess I'll be heading off for now. Enjoy yourselves everyone."

"Leaving so soon Sakamoto-taichou?" Kira look up at Chiaki.

"You're no fun Chiaki-san! Stay!" Rangiku grabbed onto Chiaki.

"I'd love to, but I better not. Next year maybe, give me some time."

"That's right Rangiku-chan." Kyouraku shifted his straw hat, knowing clearly what Chiaki is thinking. "Take care Aki-chan. Don't catch a cold up there."

Chiaki is now sitting on top of her office's roof, waiting for the fireworks to start. The same roof that she and Aizen spent many summer festivals with.

She wondered if watching the fireworks alone makes any difference compared to watching it with Aizen back then. She guessed not. But when the fireworks started, together with the happy cheers of everyone all over Soul Society watching it, she can't help but allow tears to flow out of her eyes, and then it led her to sobbing.

The feeling of loneliness. How long has it been since she last felt this empty?

She continued sobbing, until she felt a small, curious, careful yet sad Reiatsu behind her. "Sakamoto-taichou…?" The owner of that Reiatsu called out.

Chiaki wipes her tears away quickly and took in a deep breath. "Yes Hinamori-chan? Why are you here?"

"I'm here, to ask you that same question, Sakamoto…taichou. Why didn't you stay? Isn't it lonely to watch it alone? Or… did my presence disturbed you?"

Chiaki shook her head. "Silly. It's not that. I've been watching the fireworks on this roof every year. And loneliness is just something I need to force myself to adapt to."

"Why…?"

"Hinamori-chan, I was too dependent on the people that I love. So when they leave me, it hurts me really badly. I don't want to go through the same thing anymore… It's torturous."

Silence.

"Do you know why people gather together, Hinamori-chan?" When Hinamori didn't answer, Chiaki continued. "Because of their fear of loneliness. Add each individual's fear of loneliness together, and there you go, a gathering. A party, a gathering, they are a consolidated version of a group of lonely people who wants a change in their life. I used to be one of those people, but I cannot do that anymore. I'm spoilt. So I guess I need to be punished. Now run along and get back to your friends, they must be waiting for you. It's windy here, you're going to catch a cold standing there."

Hinamori Shunpo off the roof, only to come back a few minutes later with shawls draped over her shoulders and a tray of tea in her hands. She set the tray down beside Chiaki, and draped one of the shawls over Chiaki's shoulders, covering her upper body and arms. This surprised Chiaki. "Th-thanks."

Hinamori settled herself down at the other side of the tray and poured both of them tea. "Since I heard you can't have Sake, we shall have tea. I'm good at making them… Aizen-taichou used to like it a lot."

"Then it must be good. Sousuke can be quite picky at times."

"Kyouraku-taichou… He shared some stories about you to us just now… You… Were you really that close a friend of Aizen-taichou?"

"Like you said, from my point of view back then, yes. But I can't be sure about him."

"I didn't mean what I said that day. I'm… sorry, I was too ignorant."

"No Hinamori-chan, I'm serious. Sometimes I just don't know what was he thinking. I thought I knew him really well, but I guess it was just me overestimating myself." Chiaki squeezes Hinamori's shoulder gently. "You better not commit the same mistake I did. Admiration, attraction, dependence and understanding, they are all very different things. I learnt it the hard way."

"Will you take part in the winter war? Will you fight Aizen-taichou? Will you… kill him? Like you said! He must have his reasons for betraying Soul Society!"

Chiaki chuckled at her question and sighed, as she tries to think of an answer that will lighten the atmosphere yet not disappoint Hinamori. "If Yamamoto-Soutaichou makes me, I'll go, Hinamori-chan. I'm getting paid for my job, so I better do. You better do too. I don't want any of us to be fired. As for whether I'll kill him or not… Hm… It depends, Hinamori-chan. It depends."

"So… you might kill him after all?"

"If he doesn't kill me first, that is." Chiaki sips on her tea. "Hey, this tastes great!"

"Thanks…" Hinamori paused for a moment. "I guess he might kill me too. He tried to anyway. He might just do it again."

"Hm… If he really does attack my cute fukutaichou…" Chiaki puts her hand back on Hinamori's head. "Then I'll have no choice but to disfigure that nerdy face of his."

Ichimaru Gin was standing right outside the wing of chambers in the Las Noches, firing different kinds of Kidou high up towards the outside of Aizen's window. "Aizen-taichou!" He shouted out loud so Aizen could hear him. "It's da fireworks festival yo! We dun have those here, so I figured Kidou will produce da same effects. You wanna go to the rooftop? I'll get Harribel-chan ta keep ya company."

Aizen walks to the window and puts his hand out.

"Aizen-taichou! Ya joining in da fun? But fire it up there please, yer hand is facing me!"

Aizen didn't answer as he gathers some Reiatsu to fire a Fire Canon.

"Yoo-hoo! You hear me? Aizen-taich-OUCH! Oi! Watcha doin'!"

Aizen went back to sit on his couch and sighed.

"Aizen-taichou! Ya almost killed me wit sucha strong Fire Canon!" Gin shouted out loud again. "And I said up there! What's wrong? Human calls it PMS I heard. Ya at it, again?" Gin emphasized. "But those are fer girls!"

Indeed. Aizen had been very impatient ever since that day he saw Chiaki in Ulquiorra's recollection, and it's driving him insane. But much to Gin's amusement. Like what he did just now, he would tease Aizen with hints of Chiaki whenever he could.

Aizen figured that Chiaki is now an instructor at the academy, judging by what he saw the other day. If the students were to have another field trip, he will have Ulquiorra bring her back to Las Noches.

He had already prepared Chiaki's uniform. A white long coat, high collar, red Obi. He changed his black bed sheets into red, and all the furniture white. Things he believes his future Queen of Las Noches would fancy.

The next day morning when Chiaki woke up, her head was groggy due to lack of sleep. Hinamori was with her the whole of yesterday night. Or more like, she was keeping Hinamori company instead. It was like Hinamori is deprived of a listening ear. She needs someone who could tolerate it when she mentions Aizen's name endlessly.

Hinamori was bombarding her with questions. Not just Aizen related, but also things like her past, her family, her friends, her likes and dislikes, her Zanpakutou, and even her hair. Chiaki told her as much as she could, but decided to leave all the Aizen parts out, especially when she talked about her past. A part of her wants Hinamori to learn and see the truth about Aizen, yet another part of her feels that she should not disappointed this poor girl further. She decided that she should let Hinamori see the truth herself, especially when this girl is one who needs a lot of convincing before she believes.

"Oh! Good morning Hinamori-chan", Chiaki was shock at Hinamori's presence in the office. "You're early today."

"Good morning, Sakamoto-taichou." Hinamori greeted her with a shy smile.

It isn't weird for vice-captains to report for work earlier than their captains, but ever since the first day Chiaki became Squad Five's Captain, Hinamori hasn't been punctual. Even though she still completes her work on time, but she tried to avoid Chiaki as much as possible.

Yet today is different, Hinamori had arrived earlier than Chiaki. And when Chiaki went to her desk, there were freshly brewed tea, a bowl of Miso and some Onigiri on her table. "Are these… breakfast?" Chiaki didn't know what to say, so she could just ask the obvious. If she could, she would have slapped herself inwardly. 'Of course these are breakfast Sakamoto Chiaki, can't possibly be offerings right?'

Hinamori nodded. "You don't like Onigiri…?"

"Oh no, it's not that. I'm just surprised! Thank you Hinamori-chan! They look delicious! Do you mind if I eat them here in the office?"

"Of course not, Sakamoto-taichou. I placed them there just so you can have them before you start working. I heard you skip meals frequently, so…"

Chiaki's heart warms at hearing those words. She was so glad that Hinamori has decided to open up to her slowly.

"Ah…" Chiaki smile sheepishly at her vice-captain. "It's so embarrassing that an old woman like me still needs others to worry about my meals! I'm so sorry! Saa… Itadakimasu!"

Chiaki took a bite on her Onigiri, face still beaming.

"Oh yes Sakamoto-taichou, Third Seat Kiyone and Sentarou from Squad Thirteen came by earlier with your Haori. They said Ukitake had already made his servants clean it for you."

Chiaki sighed. "That handsome old man really worries too much. I wanted to go retrieve it myself later."

"Actually… I think Ukitake-taichou likes you a lot... He's a kind man, Sakamoto-taichou."

"He is, Hinamori-chan. And yes he likes me a lot. That old guy has a huge crush on me!" Chiaki pretended to draw a huge circle with her hands and then pointed at her own head as she continued. "It's as obvious as fleas on Madarame Ikkaku's bald head."

Hinamori chuckled at her captain's description. "You mean you knew it all along? Then why don't you two get together?"

Chiaki slouched into her chair and shrugged. "Maa naa… Maybe I'm selfish. I want things to stay like this between us. Until I have the rights to fall in love again, then I'll allow myself to indulge in his kindness." She sighed and smiled. "But right now… It's better for us to stay as friends. Close friends."

Hinamori just tilted her head, not understanding Chiaki's logic.

"Maa naa! You'll understand when you grow older, but hopefully not as long as I took. Speaking of that old man, you mind if I ask you to take over the training this evening so I could go check on him?"

"Sure Sakamoto-taichou! Just leave it to me."

End of Chapter.

Yukata is a kind of casual summer, kimono-like clothing. It's much thinner and less complicated compare to Kimoni. Onigiri are rice balls, those triangular ones you always see in anime. Itadakimasu is what Japanese say before a meal, meaning "I'll receive", to give thanks to nature's gift.

Aizen's part was short, because I seriously couldn't write a PMS-ing Aizen. PMS-ing Aizen is non-existent, isn't it? XD

Boring chapter, wasn't it? There wasn't any developments here. But it will get better! Waiting for your R&R! :)