Okay heads up guys, the bold and italics part in the story might get you guys a little confused, so here's the legend:
Bold + Italics : Mizumi is speaking
Italics : Namiko's thoughts, if not, then she's speaking to Mizumi inwardly
Enjoy! :)
That man, his appearance had changed. He was still tall but he wore a grey over-sized Kimono with a dark blue obi. His hair was much longer and he looked much older. He stepped forward, smiling at Namiko.
"Well hello, little sister."
"What.. What are you doing here.." She gulped. She really had not expected Koharu to find her like that. In her mind she visualised herself combing the further Districts of Rukongai and then she would find him in some place, then she would ninja-ly appear behind him and catch him unaware. Well, clearly that wasn't going to happen.
"Oh, don't give me that look. I came all the way here by myself to greet you. Shouldn't I get a welcome back hug at least?"
Namiko simply just stared at him, her eyes narrowed and she looked at him as though she was trying to scrutinize him from head to toe. "What do you want?" she asked.
"What I want is very simple actually. You don't really need concern yourself that much." He paused, giving her the sly smile, and continued, "I want the nobles of the Seireitei dead."
"What?!"Namiko flared.
"Oh don't get so angry, I'm not sending them to their deathbeds now. My plan needs time to form, you see. Byakuya Kuchiki's not going to die so easily just yet." The mention of Byakuya's name made Namiko flinch and Koharu knew he hit the nail on the head. "Although I suppose killing him would be the most fun part out of my plan."
"He won't die so easily. Not by your hands at least. I think I should just do the Soul Society a damn favor and get rid of you." She hissed.
"Ah.. You won't do that. I know you won't my dear Namiko. So let's put that kind of topic aside shall we? We haven't seen each other for 10 years and the thought of killing me comes so easily to your mind. That really hurts, my sister."
Namiko took out her hidden zanpaktou and was about to unsheathe it when he said,
"Should you really be wasting your time dawdling here? I heard something's happened at the East of Rukongai last night. Something about the 13th Division Lieutenant and the Third Seat."
Kaien and Miyako? What could have gone wrong?
"If anything has happened I will find it out later. What I want to hear from you is about the fire, tell me straight so I don't have to ask you again-"
"Ah that, yes. Yes, yes, yes, do you need any more confirmation?" He cut her off. "Anyway, that was the last of them. So there will be no more of such things, I give you my word. I'm only telling you this because you're my sister. But I can't promise you I wouldn't touch the nobles. But that will be a long time before that happens so you can relax. And you should really get going." With that, Koharu disappeared from her sight, leaving Namiko stranded with her own thoughts.
Damn it, not again. She thought, and she hurriedly went off to the East of Rukongai.
"Due to the current unfortunate circumstances, the following promotions will be implemented as of today. Squad 13 Sixth Seat, Kotsubaki Sentaro as well as Fifrth Seat, Kotetsu Kiyone will take over the Third Seat of the squad. Ukitake Namiko will be promoted to be Lieutenant of the Division. That is all."
Namiko stepped forward and received her Lieutenant's Badge, which she attached to her left arm, as she had done so earlier when she was in Squad 4. Her face held a stoic expression. She was a leader of the squad now, and she didn't want her squad members to lose their faith in her by crumbling now. She could feel her insides twist as she held the pain in. It was unbearable, but necessary. And her mind went back to the two nights before, where she was off completing her mission, and her biological brother had told her to go to East Rukongai.
Namiko had arrived at the scene, panting and out of breath. It was raining, yet again. It was always raining. It was raining when Sojun died, it was raining when Hisana collapsed on the streets. Oh how she abhorred the rain. Sometimes she wished that she could just strangle her zanpaktou for allowing it to rain on all the bad days. But if it was raining, then won't that mean that something bad had happened?
When she had gone to the barracks earlier, Kiyone and Sentaro had told her that Miyako had died in a reconnaissance mission. And that was enough to freeze Namiko in her footsteps. As if that news wasn't shocking enough, they then told her that Kaien, Rukia and her brother had gone to pursue the 'killer' and seek vengeance for Miyako.
They were all idiots, she heaved as she ran in the rain. Obviously if the enemy could take out one whole damn recon team, then wouldn't they need even more people to complete the job? The more she thought, the more it killed her, so she quickly took off to where they had gone to.
This was East Rukongai. If memory served her well, this was where hollows usually liked to appear. Even on the days where she had been sent out on regular missions in the past, this was the hollows' favorite place to roam. Suddenly, she heard a voice, whether Rukia's or Kaien's she couldn't tell. But what she could recognize was the pain in the voice, which resembled closely to hers back then when she was crying over Sojun or Hisana. The familiar cries that ringed so loudly of sorrow and hurt.
Her pace quickened and then completely stopped when what she saw in front of her couldn't quite register in her mind. Rukia was holding onto a sword, a sword stained with blood. In her other hand, she was trying to support Kaien, which had blood stains all over him, and a wound that punctured the area near his heart. And Namiko looked even closer, and she realised that Kaien's eyes was close. Which meant that he was either unconscious or dead.
"Put him down, Rukia." She told the girl.
"But ma'am, the Lieutenant is badly injured and I'm afraid that in this rain, he might not make it to see his family!"
"Rukia, this is an order."
Obediently, Rukia gently laid Kaien Shiba onto the wet grass and she took a few steps back.
Trying to keep her cool, Namiko walked forward and placed Mizumi on the ground next to her. She placed her two palms, one on top of the other, and activated her kidou before slowly applying it to Kaien's wound. While she was doing so she instructed Rukia, "Go and call for Miss Kukkaku Shiba. She lives a few districts down from here. Hurry!"
Goodness, Kaien. Why? Why did you two choose to leave at this time, when I have just come back and have just recovered from Hisana's death? Why is the soul king so cruel to me? Why can't anyone let me off the hook for just a few days without someone close to me dying? Was I really such a bad kid when I was in the world of the living?
She continued to heal Kaien while fighting with the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes. She felt a hand touching her arm and she turned her attention to Kaien.
"Kaien-ni, don't worry, I'll be able to heal you up. Try to stay conscious!"
"No.. Namiko... Don't. I'm already going to die so no matter how much you heal me... It's not gonna work. Please... I have already left everything here, my heart and my soul, they have already left me. If I survive, there's nothing for me left. So please stop... I know it's hard for you Namiko, but it's alright... This time, it's really not your fault... If I were to continue living, I'll blame myself for eternity, so don't heal me anymore... I need to go where Miyako's gone to."
"Why... Why, Kaien? Why are you all always trying to leave me behind? Miyako is gone too. And you're leaving as well. How come you all enjoy hurting me so much? Why can't you all just stay and then everyone can be happy?" She sobbed, using her hands to wipe off the tears that were mixed with the rain.
"Namiko, I'm sorry... But you have got to stop acting like a kid. I know you understand... You're understand it soon, surely... I know it's painful for us to leave you.. But you're going to be alright, you hear? And remember that-" He stopped, and he choked out more blood, which showed to intensity of the pain he was trying to hold in.
Namiko reacted at that instant, and she continued healing him again. Just like before, Kaien gripped her hands with whatever strength he had left and said, "No.. Don't.. It's going to be meaningless... Namiko, just remember, that me and Miyako, we both love you very much... Sorry, that we couldn't do much for you in the end..."
And his voice trailed off at the end. Namiko checked his pulse and she doubled over, crying and weeping more tears than she had shed when Sojun and Hisana had died.
"No... No.. NO!"
She stood very still as she faced her Squad members. They looked at her with respect, respect that she felt she didn't deserve. Kaien had did an excellent job running the division. And she was wondering how she was going to do that. Especially since she hadn't really gotten that used to things around here. Nevertheless she gathered her courage to look at them in the eyes, to let them see that she was sincere in doing her best for them. Just by scanning through the faces in the crowd, she could see that many faces held sad expressions. These expressions weeped for their lost leader,which made her feel even worse because all that Namiko really wanted to do right now was to go into her room, lock the damn door, and cry her heart out. But right now, she couldn't do that. Not in front of people who were willing to trust her.
"As all of you know, I am Ukitake Namiko, and as of today, I will be your Lieutenant. I know that many of us, including me, are saddened by the loss of our late Lieutenant Shiba as well as Third Seat Miyako." Namiko paused, as she winced she mentioned Kaien and Miyako's name. Continuing, "They have been a great inspiration to us all and have likewise touched many of our new lives. I know that we are all upset and frustrated that such great people are gone. Nonetheless, we have to move on. I acknowledge that I am definitely not as competent and perfect like the two have been. But I promise that I will give my all for the 13th Division and that I will be your support in times of trouble. I will not hesitate to give my life to protect you. So, please, believe in me as you have believed in Kaien and Miyako. I look forward to bringing back the smile on your faces again."
Even as she remained a cool and calm expression as she dismissed her squad to their duties, deep inside, she felt as though a knife had been stabbed into her chest and was vigorously twisting about in its position. She felt like a hypocrite. For she knew that she would not be able to move on and let go like she had said in her opening speech to her new squad. It took her ten full years to get over Hisana and Sojun, and now, this was the man and women who had played such a huge part in her life. So what did she need, 100 years?
"Rukia, stay back. I have an important mission for you. Kiyone and Sentaro, bring her to the room to brief her about it." Namiko instructed carefully as she started assuming the role as a leader. She really hated doing the 'being in charge' thing. It didn't suit her. After all, being a leader meant that she couldn't do things as she freely wanted. If she were to do anything irresponsible and reckless, her division would be the one to suffer. She just couldn't let someone else take the blame for her actions, especially when she had sworn to them her loyalty and faithfulness to the squad.
After checking up on her brother-slash-captain, she headed to the room where her Third Seat(s) and Rukia were. From afar, she could hear Sentaro mocking Kiyone, as per usual. As she entered the room, she raised her hand forward to put them at ease before they even could stand to greet her. Namiko looked at Rukia and realised that she was fidgeting uncomfortably in her presence.
"Rukia, relax. I'm not going to eat you alive."
Rukia bit her lip, still unsure of what to answer as she shifted uncomfortably.
"What happened, wasn't your fault. I know you probably think that it is. But, I know and completely understand that in that situation, there was nothing else you could do. Kaien-ni, he also won't blame you. In fact, if he was here right now, he would smack you on your head and tell you how stupid you are for thinking that way. Miyako too, but she would probably say it more refined-ly and well, she won't smack you for sure." She replied, trying to get the mature tone in her voice. Namiko realised that what she said might make Rukia feel even more weird and awkward, so she went for a smile and Rukia nodded her head in reply.
"So Kiyone, go on and tell her about the mission."
Namiko let her third seat inform Rukia about the World Of The Living Mission while she just stood by the edge of the door, admiring the blooming bell-flowers by the pond. So it's that season already? She thought. Maybe I should go visit that person. The bell-flowers there are ten times more breathtaking than this suffocating ones here. Even if he doesn't want to see me, I'm not there to see him anyway.
"You'll be stationed mainly in a town called Karakura Town, with a radius of two and a half spirit miles. With someone of your abilities, it should not be too difficult a task."
Her brother's voice made Namiko jump up and snap out of her thoughts.
"Oh Captain Ukitake! You shouldn't be up. Weren't you resting, sir?" Kiyone and Sentaro started fawning on the captain, which was something Namiko had caught on as their daily routine. Especially now that they were the same rank, the competition between the two for who would get the most attention from her brother was getting fierce.
"Ahh I'm fine. Besides, this is Rukia's first mission on her own. I thought that she might be too nervous so I came to see her off."
"Thank you, Captain! You really shouldn't have bothered."
"No, not at all. You just do your best okay, Rukia? I know that you will do a good job."
"Thank you very much, sir!"
"No, not at all. I know you will do a good job."
What the heck, in the end I still ended up here huh. Well, at least the bell-flowers are just as beautiful as they had been last time. Bell-flowers were Namiko's most favorite flowers, but at the same time, her most hated flowers. While the flowers were alluring and pleasing to the eyes, the flowers themselves simply meant 'disappointment and loss' which was the exact description she would have used on herself. She had disappointed people when she was unable to master swordplay when she was in the Academy. She also disappointed many, she thought, by graduating later than Byakuya. She probably hurt and disappointed everyone by running away from Hisana and Sojun's death. By running away, she was announcing to the whole world that she was weak and could not stand against the mental torture and pain. The loss simply just applied to her loss of people she could do nothing to protect or save. She could have been more skilled, and then Sojun would not have died. She could have protected Hisana, if she had just been more objective to her search for Rukia. And then there was Kaien, who simply told her to stop healing him and let him die.
Her life really was just disappointment and loss, one after another. Hopefully, the storm of my second life has ended, she wished. She thought that if someone else was living her life, they probably would have lived it better than her. But she was not going to wallow in self-pity just because she didn't do all the right things. There were more important things right now. Like fixing her relationship with Byakuya.
She still didn't quite get why he was so pissed (well Byakuya didn't get pissed) or why he was unhappy that she had left. Byakuya was not someone who would go around showing how he felt. Or at least, his new self would not. And that was going to be hard in realising what he was thinking all the time. Well, the Soul King better bless whoever was Byakuya's lieutenant. Who was Byakuya's Lieutenant anyway?
"What business might you have in my manor?"
Okay, act normal Namiko, don't get so flustered. ACT N-O-R-M-A-L! She told herself.
"Um, the bell-flowers are in full bloom and they were calling for me."
"My manor is not a flower viewing garden. You do not come and go as you please."
Well, it wasn't as if she hadn't expected that kind of cold answer. An answer like "Indeed, they are splendid." would have been nice, but it wasn't like they were on close terms, not anymore anyway. But now, she had to at least reply him. If anyone were snooping around in her division barracks, she too would demand why and what they were doing there. It wasn't like she was going to let people who didn't belong in her division off. If someone wasn't meant to go somewhere, then they jolly well should just stay where they are. Just like her. She had no place doing in the Kuchiki Manor, now that Sojun and Hisana were gone.
"Yeah, I know. Are you going to get your guards to chase me out? After all, I have trespassed onto forbidden ground haven't I, Mr Rules?" She taunted, knowing full well that this was her one-way ticket out of the Kuchiki Manor. More than likely, she would be thrown out forever, given the Noble Kuchiki's new personality.
Byakuya Kuchiki did not reply, he just walked off, letting his guards do the job. He was actually quite surprised to find her in his house. Yes, the bell-flowers were really a beauty and his father had been the one to plant it there, instructing the servants to replant them every Spring and Autumn. He knew that his father had planted it for Namiko, his father had known that the girl really liked the flower, ever since she was a child. He knew that and that was why he hadn't told the gardener to remove them. But, she was not supposed to be here. She was not supposed to come back bursting into his life as though the part where she left him didn't happen.
He hoped that she would hate him and leave him alone for throwing her out of the manor, which was a good thing because he was swamped enough with his duties as it is. Inside, he knew why she had come to the manor. The latest news that week was that Lieutenant Shiba and Third Seat Miyako from the 13th Division had died in a mission. Rukia was the one who killed Kaien but that didn't really matter now. Namiko, as he had thought, had come to the Kuchiki manor to probably seek some comfort in the flowers or himself.
It wasn't that Byakuya had a grudge against Namiko for leaving him when Hisana had died. But he didn't quite want to provide solace to someone who had deserted him when he had needed it very much. Especially when said person claimed to be his 'best friend'.
Byakuya looked up to take one last glance at the moon before entering his quarters to turn in for the night. And the moon that night, was blurry from the clouds and also from his own thoughts.
Yeah, he hates me. Namiko inwardly sighed. She wasn't really thinking when she had yelled at Byakuya like that. I didn't expect a silent answer though. The old Byakuya would have said something sarcastic in return.
But I went there to reconcile our relationship. Damn, what am I doing? Namiko why are you so damn stupid! See, instead of making it all better again, you managed to make it ten times worse you stupid screw-up!
She cursed herself the whole way back to the 13th Division Quarters. And while she was busy coming up with the conclusion of how big an idiot she was inside her head, she spotted the same young and small girl standing at her division gates. She looked as though she was waiting for Namiko.
Upon taking a closer look, she swore inside, it was Hinamori Momo, again.
Oh come on, if you're running away again, I'm going to run away from you. Mizumi silently told her.
I know, I know. I'm probably going to see her around more often so I can't keep running away right. I know already so stop telling me.
"Hello, Hinamori." Namiko called out and quickly bit her lip so that she could contain the nervousness within her.
"Oh! Hi! Uh, um, hello Namiko-sensei, I uh ah-" As Hinamori started to stutter, Namiko put her hand out to stop her. "Hinamori, we are of the same rank now so you don't need to call me your sensei. Besides, I didn't teach you much, so, um, what I'm saying is that, well, you should just call me Namiko or whatever you want, but not sensei, please. It just makes me think that I didn't do a very good job and well, left you."
"Huh? No, no! You did a very good job sensei! I, um, I came here tonight to thank you for helping me in the past. And also.. to apologize to you." Namiko stared at the girl wide-eyed as she said that. Apologize? What for? If anyone as doing any apologizing tonight, it was supposed to be Namiko and not Hinamori.
Noticing that Namiko was staring at her, Hinamori found the need to explain. "You know, like when I saw you the other day, you um, well ran away from me, so I thought that.. that maybe you were upset or disappointed that I've let you down or something by not being a captain or something..."
Ah this one's an interesting girl. Although her reasoning is very illogical, I find it rather amusing. You better hang around her more. And hello, if you don't reply now you're going to make this situation really awkward! Mizumi chided her master.
"Hinamori, I'm not disappointed or upset or anything, really. I can't believe you would actually think that way! You see, I ran away because, well, I did leave you behind when I went on my 'mission'. And I thought that you would, hate me for leaving you behind in the dust or something." Namiko explained while trying to hold in her amusement and anxiousness.
"Oh, no, please don't think that way sensei! I -" At the mention of the word sensei, Namiko simply stared at Hinamori, as though waiting for her to change the way she addressed Namiko. "I mean, Namiko-san." Hinamori corrected, and at the mention her name with the honorific, Namiko burst out in laughter, finding the uncanny situation rather hilarious.
Seeing Namiko laughing out loud, Hinamori relaxed a little and let out a smile. When Namiko was done, Namiko looked at the now smiling Hinamori and she said, "Well, so basically that was a misunderstanding on both our parts right?" Without waiting for Hinamori to reply she continued, "Anyway, Namiko is just fine. And well, it's late so you should be getting back to your barracks, I guess. I'll see you around some more. Squad Five right?"
Hinamori nodded and accidentally yelled too loud a yes, which caused her to recoil in embarrassment. Namiko simply laughed it off and told her, "It was nice meeting you again. Go on and head back, alright? Goodnight." And with that, Namiko walked into her division and headed to her own room.
Namiko's eyes sprung wide open that morning. She faced the ceiling above her, trying to adapt to her new quarters. The 13th Division still felt rather unfamiliar since she had just returned over a week. A week, filled with so many changes and tragedies. She was wondering how she was going to survive with such drastic changes when a knock came by the door. It was her brother.
"Namiko, you're awake. I have something I need to talk to you about. Swing by the office later, alright?"
She nodded in acknowledgement before getting up. Jyushirou left the room and Namiko quickly threw on a new set of clothes, along with her rubber tight gloves and boots. She strapped on her Lieutenant's Badge, grabbed her zanpaktou, and headed out of the door. There was much to be done today, what with training and managing a squad and all. It was going to be busy, but hopefully, manageable.
"Well, whaddup, Captain Ukitake?" Namiko greeted her brother as she entered his office.
"Oh, take this." He handed Namiko a stack of paper. "These are the forms you need to fill up regarding the squad members. I also need you too look through the profile data of some of the members since we have vacant positions for the Fourth and Fifth Seat."
Namiko looked at the stack and cringed. She never really liked paperwork. Okay, I'll help you like before. We need to train for your bankai. You know that right? Yeah, I know, but that has got to wait okay?
"Right, I got it. Is that it?" She asked as she stretched her hand out to receive the papers.
"Ordinarily, that would be the case. But, I have something I want to speak with you about." Jyushirou looked at her for an answer. Namiko simply nodded for him to carry on. "I know that you've seen him around and that maybe you've noticed that he's changed. Namiko, I think you will probably blame yourself for it, but, I don't think that it's your fault."
Namiko thought for awhile, and then she realised that her brother was talking about Byakuya.
"I guess that you don't really understand why he's become like this or maybe you think you do because you believe that it is your fault. But, think about why he 'grew up'." he paused, and looked at Namiko in her eyes, "You know, for everyone, bygone days exist. And there is a reason why people grow from a child to an adult. That's just something for you to think about, if you're wondering."
"Well, don't be too bothered by Byakuya, he has his reasons for being so cold. If it's you, I'm sure that he will open up one day, not now, but he will. I'm sorry that I can't do very much to help you."
Namiko stared at him in surprise. "What, no, don't do that brother, you are not to blame."
"I'm saying that more as a brother than a captain." Jyushirou smiled apologetically.
"Yeah, I know. I got it. Bye, I'm going off." She told him as she left his office.
He didn't have to tell me all that, I already know. I guess, this is the end huh? No more impromptu battle sessions, no more fooling around in the Kuchiki manor. No more bell-flowers, no more moon viewing nights. No more Kuchiki-Ukitake tag team. All of these, will soon be forgotten. And I don't think I'll ever speak to him, at least not for the time being.
One of my longest chapter yet! thanks for reading and thank you for reviewing too :)