I'm so sorry for taking so long! I was so excited to write this chapter! But then, after I wrote like the first quarter, I got caught in life's evil claws of doom, and I either never found the time to write, or never had any inspiration. Sigh, I hope this chapter didn't suffer too much due to it. I was trying to do something cheerful, but…that's not really my field of expertise (and I know certain people, *cough, BrightBurningFlames, Hubalaboo, , cough* are probably nodding their heads in agreement)
Anyways, not really May the 10th anymore for some people, but whateves. It's may the 10th for me, even if it's LATE may the tenth…
Chapter 14
"Utae, Meikin no Ginkaze."
Byakuya narrowed his eyes slightly against the dust kicked up by the wind. He watched as Hisana lifted her sword. She held it with two hands, and the reason became immediately obvious. The hilt melted to metal, and the sword shortened. Then, without warning, it split into two blades. They looked almost like two oddly shaped daggers. Byakuya frowned. There was something off about those blades, and the way Hisana held them as if picking up a piece of paper. They didn't seem to be real blades.
Hisana flicked her wrists. The metal fanned out, until she held two large silver metal fans. The metal was intricately carved, yet as thin as foil. Silver tassels hung of the end of them, swinging in the wind. He saw Hisana draw back and suddenly swing the fans at the hollow before her. Wind surged from them, rolling forward and kicking up dust. The hollow growled, seeming unsure of what had happened.
But Hisana hadn't created the wind to attack. She leapt forward, riding on the current until she was eye-level with the hollow. Byakuya saw her twist sideways nimbly as a cero shot at her. She moved through the air effortlessly and gracefully. Lifting both fans, she called out calmly, "Hitotsume no Uta, Ginkumo! (First Song, Silver Clouds)"
She spun in a circle above the menos, arms spread, twirling at the air with her silver fans. Silver reiatsu turned to a silver mist, surrounding the menos like a cloud, mist that began to spin around the hollow. Faster and faster it spun, obscuring the hollow from sight. Hisana narrowed her eyes and one last spin, fans at an angle, seemed to draw a silver blade of reiatsu. The blade spun into the cloud. Over the wind, they heard a roar. Hisana flipped back, landing beside the swirling mist, just as the stormy winds calmed, and the mists relaxed, and spread out. The shinigami, and indeed, everyone in the vicinity, watched in awe as they saw the menos stagger, its mask slashed into pieces, as was its body, before it disintegrated.
Hisana turned toward Byakuya, who was staring at her, trying, and failing to keep his expression neutral. "How was that, Kuchiki-taichou?" she asked in a teasing manner, "am I strong enough to be your fifth seat?"
Byakuya cracked a smile. He could not help it, not with Hisana smiling so brightly at him. "That was exceptional," he said, and Hisana beamed. She flicked her fans shut, and said, "Let us take care of the rest of them."
Though Byakuya nodded and turned back to slaying hollows, he could not keep his mind on his own work. The image of Hisana elegantly twisting through the air was burned into his mind. She looked like a bird, he thought, only one with more grace and elegance than any that fly through the sky. It seemed so easy for her.
Several times, he found himself watching her. He found that her fan, closed, functioned as a blade. Hisana would frequently switch between closing it, and opening it in combat. She fought delicately, not rough, like many other warriors. She was refined while doing her work, as if she was performing a tea ceremony. Byakuya never thought that such a thing was possible.
Perhaps I am just biased, he thought to himself, amused.
Rukia was also contemplating her sister's display in awe. "Some no Mai, Tsukishiro!" she cried, feeling a wave of satisfaction as more than one hollow were caught in the dangerous ring. She turned as she heard Hisana call out her attack again, and she too had managed to get more hollows caught in the cloud of silver mist.
A thought occurred to her. She paused, and her Momo voice her thoughts, "Your sister's zanpakutou is amazing! But it's strangely similar to yours, isn't it, Rukia-chan?"
Rukia turned to the fifth division lieutenant. "I was thinking the same thing," she said, looking at her own white blade. "The way her attacks are articulated, and the way the attacks are. Is there a connection?"
The two put off any more comment and once again began their attacks within minutes, the rest of the hollows were defeated. At last, they could spare breath for talk.
"Nee-sama," Rukia stepped forward as Hisana landed lightly beside Byakuya. Momo shunpoed forward till she too was among them. "Hisana-san, your zanpakutou…it's similar to Rukia-chan's."
Hisana smiled. "I would have been surprised if you hadn't noticed. I'm not sure how to explain it. Perhaps it is because we are sisters."
"Does that mean they're related in some way?" Momo asked, interested.
"Perhaps," Hisana shrugged. "My zanpakutou didn't explain much. She merely told me that she is very similar to Rukia's zanpakutou, but as a different element. But let's not worry about that now. Where are the others? Shouldn't they be back by now?"
The other shinigami looked toward the forests, as if that would help them make out something.
"Ulquiorra, Nel, what the hell happened to you guys?" Ichigo said, the corners of his mouth twitching. Ulquiorra shot him one of his cold gazes.
The two had the air of ones that had been living it rough. Their clothing were tattered and disheveled, as if they had never gotten a change since after the war, which, Ichigo reflected, might be true. The white fabric held some soil stains and traces of dried blood. Even their faces were slightly stained. Nel flicked her hair back to shake out sticks and leaves. "You're so mean, Ichigo! We've had to hide in trees since morning, in case some shinigami came by!"
Ichigo was grinning now, especially at Ulquiorra's rather put out look. His usual neat appearance was all but lost. His hair was in disarray, and there was a smudge of dirt in upon his chest. "Is our rather disorganized appearance the only thing you can take in, Kurosaki?"
Before Ichigo could answer, however, Toushirou stepped up. "Would you explain what happened? You're reiatsu is slightly off from the last time I met you," his eyes were narrowed with suspicion. Matsumoto also walked up to stand behind him, though her eyes kept straying to Ichimaru, measuring him.
Ichimaru nodded in agreement. "Ya guys' reiatsu seem less hollow-like, but still very hollow like."
"Really?" Ichigo asked. He frowned, and for the first time, he realized that indeed, instead of the pure hollow-type reiatsu, they did have a different sort of reiatsu.
Ulquiorra and Nel gave each other a look. Then, Ulquiorra sighed and spoke. "It happened after I 'regenerated'. I wondered if it was due to the fact that I was killed by a shinigami, despite him being in hollow form."
They watched in fascination as he raised a hand to his arrancar outfit. Slowly, he pulled the zipper down.
Ichigo's eyes widened and he gasped. Ichimaru let out a small chuckle. "Ah, I see."
Toushirou frowned. "I don't see. Unless he's supposed to have a hollow hole there and-"
"That's exactly it!" Ichigo shouted, pointing a finger at Ulquiorra. "Where the heck's your hollow hole? And where are your face markings?" he added, wanting to slap himself for just noticing that they were gone.
Ulquiorra left his collar zipped down, and spoke casually. "My hollow hole started getting smaller, and then, a few days ago, it completely vanished. My markings grew fainter as my hole grew smaller, and vanished along with it."
"What does that mean?" Matsumoto asked, eyes wide at the unbelievable news.
"Unless I am mistaken, it means that I have gained a heart," Ulquiorra said with in an impassive voice. He put a hand to his chest. "I can feel something there. And, since my hole closed…"
"He's been acting a little less cold and indifferent," Nel suddenly interjected, elbowing the usually emotionless ex-espada playfully. Ulquiorra frowned, irritation flashing across his face for a moment. Ichigo raised a brow at this. "You can actually react to things for once?"
"I suppose. It is an interesting experience. And as much as I hate to admit you are right, Kurosaki, you did stand correct when you said that I was becoming more like you," he added, his eyebrows creasing minutely as though irritated at the admittance.
"But what does that make you?" Toushirou asked. "You aren't arrancars now, are you?"
Nel scratched her head. "I don't know. We can still use hollow powers. Show 'em, Ulquiorra-dono!"
To their surprise, the ex-espada obliged and a second later, a tree was reduced to nothing after a powerful cero had been fired at it. He turned toward them, but Ichigo was staring at Nel. "You too?"
Nel nodded. "I don't know how I came to be. I know that for a long time, I didn't want to be a hollow anymore. I asked Orihime-chan if she could somehow remove my hollow side. But it didn't really work, and she was kidnapped before she could try another method. But I noticed that as I fought for friends, and thought more like a person, rather than a monster, my hollow side started to diminish slightly. My hollow hole's gone too, but I can still use some of my hollow powers."
Ichigo scratched his head, frowning, trying to wrap his head around his information. Ichimaru nodded appreciatively. "Ara, I always wondered whether a hollow could reverse the curse of bein' a hollow."
"I'd think they almost resemble those who call themselves Vizards, yet more complete. We should ask Kurotsuchi to confirm it, but from what I can sense, they are the perfect shinigami-fied hollow, which was what Aizen had been aiming for," said Toushirou nonchalantly.
Ichimaru turned his slitted eyes to the small captain. "I don' doubt that intuition of yours. Too bad Aizen was too preoccupied with his own power to know that his goal was completed, not that I'm complainin' that he's dead!"
There was an awkward silence. The two ex-espada remained silent, Ulquiorra still, and Nel fidgeting. Ichimaru turned to Toushirou. "Well, Hitsugaya-taichou, what do ya suggest we do?"
Toushirou's eyes slid to the man, measuring him. "Why are you asking me?"
"Well, ya have the most authority here. I'm on probation, Ran-chan's an lieutenant, and Kurosaki's only a substitute."
The younger captain frowned. For a split second, he appeared to be in deep thought. Then he spoke again, turning his turquoise eyes upon the newcomers. "We'll take them to Seireitei, for the Soutaichou to decide. I heard that he gave them permission to come."
Nel grinned and rushed up to him and pulled him into an embrace. "Thank you, little captain! You're so nice!"
Toushirou jumped in shock at the sudden movement and began to struggle against her hold. He heard Matsumoto shift slightly, and snicker. "Oi! Let go!"
The young woman let him go, still smiling widely. "Sorry, I couldn't resist it. You looked so cute!"
Sensing that she may be like a childish Matsumoto, Toushirou let out a sigh and beckoned them forward. "Let's go. But remember, don't try anything funny, or I won't hesitate to kill you. Kurosaki, since you seem to know them well, I'm putting you in charge of keeping an eye on them."
The captain turned on his heel and began to walk away. Ichigo exchanged a look with the two ex-espada, and they followed him. Matsumoto let out a stifled giggle, and gazed at Nel with a friendlier look now. It seems that she had found another person like herself. Ichimaru took up the rear, his grin still in place.
"So, what happened after you went back?" Ichigo questioned, directing his question more at Nel, since he still didn't feel quite comfortable talking to Ulquiorra without hostility.
"Well, as we said, our hollow-side started to diminish. We still had most of our powers, but some of them morphed slightly, and our reiatsu changed."
"The other hollows didn't accept it, despite us still having hollow powers," Ulquiorra interjected. "They did not leave us in peace, especially since we fought against Aizen during the war. The Arrancar that survived don't hesitate to attack us."
"In other words," Ichigo said, feeling a smirk coming on again, though fighting to keep it down, "You were bullied."
Nel pouted. "We could have handled them! We just didn't have anywhere we could rest in peace. That's why we decided to come here."
The smirk formed fully on his face. He glanced sideways at Ulquiorra. "Of all people, I would never have expected you to be reduced to having no place to stay."
"If I weren't keeping up a good face for the shinigami, I would rub that smirk off your face, and with rather painful means," Ulquiorra said, though his face remained blank.
Ichigo looked at Nel now. "What happened to your…er, companions?" he asked, remembering the energetic, though rather cowardly hollows Nel had for friends. Nel's face sobered slightly, and a sad smile touched her lips. "They…decided to stay behind. They didn't think that Soul Society would let them come, because they were hollows. They didn't want to give us more trouble. I just hope that they can live long enough for me to request help and permission to get them in the future."
Ichigo chose not to comment on the likelihood of Pesche and Dondochakka had of living okay without Nel. But then again, they had lived pretty long, even while Nel was a child, so they should be fine. He also chose not to comment on how the shinigami might take this. He looked at the stiff back of the captain walking before him. He had not reacted to Ichigo's words, and continued to walk at a brisk even pace.
They had cleared the trees now, and were in the outskirts of the area. Toushirou turned to the others. "You go to the gate, and I will retrieve the others." His eyes were focused on Ichimaru, measuring him. Ichimaru gave him a nod of understanding. This was another test. His eyes met Matsumoto's, and he gave her a nod. Matsumoto inclined her head in understand. She would also be a judge in this. Toushirou turned away.
"See ya, Chibi-taichou!"
Toushirou ignored the comment and shunpoed away.
"Hello, Kurosaki-kun!" the giant gatekeeper boomed. He smiled pleasantly at them, before noticing Ichimaru and beginning to tremble.
"Hey Jidanbo!" Ichigo said, smiling at the giant. Jidanbo nodded, but he was still nervous. He flinched slightly as Ichimaru walked forward and gave him a wave, "Hey, how's it goin', gatekeeper?"
"Ichimaru-taichou!" Jidanbo said, struggling to stay calm.
"Don' worry. I'm not here to cut off your arm again," Ichimaru said, his sly grin widening as Jidanbo made a gurgling noise in response to the comment. Matsumoto gave him a shocked look, before trying to compose her face, running the information in her mind. She suspected that this might only be the least of Ichimaru's doings.
Ulquiorra and Nel were appraising Jidanbo. Ulquiorra looked merely bored at his size, while Nel's eyes were wide and a childlike wonder. "Hey, he's huge! Like Yammy, though not quite as big."
"And not as rough," Ulquiorra commented.
Jidanbo stared at them. "Strangers? What are you bringing them here for?" he asked, eyes focused on Ichigo. "They have a hollow reiatsu!"
"It's fine, Jidanbo!" Ichigo quickly said, but the giant's gaze had turned hard. "You aren't up to anything, are you?" he said suspiciously. Ichigo shook his head, trying to get it through to him. He could see how one could interpret it as that. After all, he was here with two ex-espada and Ichimaru. Though Matsumoto was also there, she wouldn't be able to do much to convince Jidanbo, as she was busy staring at the sky and musing.
"Jidanbo, it's fine," a calm voice issued from behind them. Ichigo turned to see Toushirou approach them, along with all the others that went to exterminate the hollows. "Toushirou!"
"It's Hitsugaya-taichou!" the boy said irately. His turquoise eyes turned to meet Jidanbo's. The giant's eyes widened. "Hitsugaya-taichou! You're here! And Kuchiki-taichou, Hinamori-fukutaichou as well," he gave a respectfully nod to the shinigami. "Kuchiki Rukia, and…uh…" he stared blankly at Hisana.
"Kuchiki Hisana," Hisana dipped her head in greeting.
Toushirou cut across the greetings. "Jidanbo, can you let us through? We're bringing these people to see the Soutaichou."
"Hitsugaya-taichou, you are leaving so soon?" Jidanbo said, and his face looked crestfallen. "And here I'd hoped that we'd finally have time to just talk for once. You know that we haven't really had a proper conversation since you were still just a boy from Rukongai!"
"Yes I know," Toushirou said, sighing, though the corners of his lips twitched. "You were always so obsessed with the city rules back then. I'm sorry I can't talk, but duty as a captain has to take priority in this case. I know this seems suspicious, but I assure you that we aren't up to anything."
Jidanbo studied him. He turned his eyes strayed to the others. Hisana looked wary, having not really known the espada, but the rest seemed generally accepting of their presence, though in Byakuya's case, it as hard to tell because he kept his face impassive. He turned back to Toushirou. "All right, I let you through. Hitsugaya-taichou has always been a honorable person, so I will trust him, in the honor of our friendship!"
Toushirou opened his mouth to say thanks, but Ichigo cut across them. "Wait a second! You and Toushirou are friends"
"Yes, is there something wrong with that?"
"No," Ichigo said, and took on an expression suitable for speaking to the soutaichou. He was just imagining a young Toushirou standing by the towering Jidanbo, for surely Toushirou was even smaller back then. He swore he felt a rib crack from the effort of not laughing.
Toushirou seemed to see through his façade, and narrowed his eyes at him.
Jidanbo lifted up the giant gate, and watched as the group passed through. "Come and visit me again soon!" Jidanbo called. Some of the shinigami turned, and gave him a nod. Toushirou gave him one small smile before turning away again.
"Hitsugaya-taichou came to us to report that he had found the two ex-espada that had aided us in the war, and told me of their strange circumstances. He asked me whether I approved of taking them to Seireitei. I gave approval, and we proceeded back," Byakuya finished, stepping back into the line.
The room was silent after his speech. The two lines of the captains had their eyes fixed either upon Yamamoto, or the two odd figures standing at the end of the line, looking out of place. Nel bit her lip nervously, while Ulquiorra's face was stony and firm. He met the other captain's gazes steadily. The captains gazed back with hard expressions, measuring him. He felt vaguely disturbed by Zaraki's gaze, however, for it had a sort of hungry expression, and he swore that every so often, he could hear the fearsome man give a sinister chuckle under his breath.
"Ichimaru and Hitsugaya said that their hollow holes vanished?" a high-pitched, creepy voice spoke. The eyes turned to Kurotsuchi, who was also gazing at the ex-espada with a hungry look in his eyes. "I would very much like to-"
"That will not be permitted," Yamamoto spoke up. He gazed hard at Kurotsuchi. "I offered them the friendship of the Gotei 13 if they were no threat to us. They have done nothing wrong yet, and so I will not permit you to experiment on them or harm them in any other way."
"With due respect, Soutaichou," Kurotsuchi burst out, "they opened that garganta to Soul Society, and that caused the hollow invasion!"
It seemed that he really wanted to study the ex-espada.
"And how else were they suppose to get here," Ichimaru piped up, grinning at the twelfth captain.
"Shut up, Ichimaru," Kurotsuchi spat. "You're still not completely forgiven, so watch your words!"
"Ooh, that was harsh," Ichimaru said. He looked to the other captains. "Chibi-taichou, you'll back me up right?"
Toushirou didn't look at him. "Soutaichou, Ichimaru does have a point."
"Hmm," Yamamoto said. But before he could say more, another voice spoke. "Yamamoto-soutaichou."
All the eyes turned to Nel, who had been the one to speak. She looked a little nervous with all the attention suddenly on her, but she kept her voice steady. "We accept the responsibility of causing that hollow invasion, but I also wanted to add that you probably don't need to worry about us doing something like that again. The barriers between the worlds are still quite unstable, and traveling here was really hard. I can't even fathom how traveling back would be, even through a garganta."
"You can't prove that," Kurotsuchi challenged, but Yamamoto cut him off. "That is enough. If what Odelschwanck says is true, then, that is a new piece of important information. However, as Kurotsuchi-taichou said, we cannot confirm it. That is why you, Kurotsuchi-taichou, will be put in charge of research about this."
Kurotsuchi grumbled, but he nodded. At least he had something to research, even if it wasn't his preferred field of research.
"And now, back to dealing with these espada. If they have been completely shinigami-fied, then we will need to see how this changes their abilities, and whether they can perform things such as Konso. Since I did offer them the chance to join the Gotei 13, I will keep to my word. For now, I will put Ulquiorra Schiffer in eighth division under Kyouraku-taichou, and Nelliel tu Odelschwanck in fourth division under Unohana-taichou. Is that clear?"
"Yes sir," the captains chorused, though some with considerably les enthusiasm than others. Soi Fon was openly glaring at the espada, distrust clear in her eyes. Kyouraku grinned, and nodded, observing the stoic Ulquiorra through his peripheral vision.
"You are not to attack them without provocation. Inform your subordinates of the situation. Dismissed."
The congregation immediately disbanded. Some, such as Soi Fon, strode quickly away, glaring threateningly at the two ex-espada as she left. Others lingered slightly. Zaraki looked just itching to fight them, and displeased that he was ordered not to do so. He compromised but lingering and studying them.
Ulquiorra stood still, and said quietly to Nel, "You know Yamamoto's motive, correct?"
"Yes," she breathed back. "They are going to observe us. Why else would they put us under those captains? Aizen always said that Kyouraku Shunsui and Unohana Retsu were two of the most threatening captains in Seireitei."
"Don' forget Ukitake-taichou!" a voice said, and they turned to see Ichimaru. He was grinning. "I think that Yamamoto-soutaichou would've chosen him if he weren't sick all the time. Poor man!"
"Why didn't he put us under Hitsugaya?" Nel asked, cocking her head. "He also seemed really powerful!"
"I'd think he knew chibi-taichou has his hands full with his lieutenant, training Hinamori-kun, and his personal obligation to keep an eye on me…oh, Chibi-taichou!" his hand shot and grabbed the captain's shoulder as he passed. Toushirou stopped, and turned to glare crossly at Ichimaru. "What is it?"
"Thanks!"
Toushirou rolled his eyes. "Whatever." He appraised the two ex-espada. "I'm hoping that I was right when I decided to bring you back."
"If you distrust us so, why did you bring us back?" Ulquiorra challenged coolly. "You only had Ichimaru and Kurosaki's word."
"True, and I think you know I don't completely trust Ichimaru. But I trust Kurosaki, more or less."
He swept away, walking stiffly out of the room. The others stared after him. "In other words, he was testing Kurosaki as well as me," Ichimaru commented.
"Toushirou-kun doesn't trust easily," a deep, casual voice spoke. Kyouraku had approached them, followed by Unohana and Ukitake. "It's always been in his nature to distrust first rather than trust."
"Aizen-"
"Aizen was unfortunate. I don't know whether he ever actually trusted Aizen, but Momo-chan did, and he went along with her trust. But enough about the past, I came here to meet my new subordinates, not talk about another captain!"
He waved merrily. "I'm Kyouraku Shunsui, captain of the eight division," the man said. Ulquiorra gave him a stiff nod. Unohana stepped forward and said in her warm tone, smiling welcomingly at Nel. "I am Unohana Retsu, captain of the fourth division. I must warn you now that while the fourth may be considered by many to be weak, we are actually strong in combat as well, so don't think you can just relax while you are there"
Somehow, Nel felt a chill go down her spine at the woman's smile as she said that.
Meanwhile, Kyouraku was whining to Ukitake, "The soutaichou is really cruel, isn't he, Juu-chan? He kept this lovely young woman away from me! But I won't be sad, because I still have my lovely Nanao-chan to keep me warm!"
The ex-espada didn't know whether or not they should be disturbed by his words.
Things seemed to be slightly tense with the arrival of the two ex-espada. Most shinigami were wary of them. Some were afraid, while others, the bolder ones, were scathing toward them.
As expected, the shinigami put them through many tests. They found that they could perform konso. However, they didn't have a zanpakutou exactly like the shinigami's. When they released, they had a slightly varied form of their Resurrección. For Nel, Gamuza still transformed into a double-sided lance, and she could still use its attacks, but she no longer took on a centaur form. For Ulquiorra, his zanpakutou changed into a dark javelin, which he could still summon more of at will and fight with. He only lacked his hollow-like appearance. They also revealed that they could still enter their Resurrección form. This, combined with their previous deadly battle skills, made them formidable fighters.
As for their appearance, they showed that they were able to now fully remove their masks, and regenerate them. Their markings also came back when the entered their Resurrección form, but they no longer had a hollow hole (Kurotsuchi wouldn't stop muttering about how he'd love to blow a hole in their chests to see if they could survive with one). Ichigo also said that Ulquiorra looked a little less deathly pale, which earned him a frown from said ex-espada.
And yet, some shinigami really couldn't let old prejudices lie down, and whispered about them in fear and avoided them as much as possible. Despite them knowing that it would be good to have such powerful allies, they were wary, and prejudiced about the ex-espada.
Ulquiorra paused before the door of that captain's office, and paused for a moment to wipe the faint irritation from his face before knocking politely.
"Enter," a stressed voice said from within. The pale young man pushed the door open. There, he found the tenth division captain working diligently on a pile of paperwork that towered over his small form, and Ichigo leaning against the desk, staring blankly at the papers. "Seriously, Toushirou, you don't really accept me to do this, do you?"
"Isshin-san said that you should come and help me, because he feels bad that he came here, exploited our kindness, and didn't do work for his old division," Toushirou snapped. "And stop calling me by my first name!"
Ichigo ignored his latter comment, and said, "That old man! He came here, and then just got up without warning and left again! I'm seriously going to murder him one day!"
"He's your father. Now, shut up and stop irritating me, or I'll lock you in another room," the small captain's eyes turned now to address Ulquiorra, who was watching the scene with an air of someone who was tired of waiting. "Is there something you needed?"
"Kyouraku-taichou wants to have a word with you," he said monotonously, wanting to finish this quickly. Toushirou looked surprised, but stood without hesitation. "Kurosaki, finish that pile, would you?" he said, indicating his towering pile. Ichigo looked aghast. "What? Why?!"
"For calling me by my first name," Toushirou said, smirking slightly, and left the room quickly, ignoring Ichigo's further protests.
Ulquiorra paused to let him pass, unsure of what to do from there. He didn't particularly want to hang around this foreign division, but he also felt it awkward to follow the captain.
"Hey, Ulquiorra," Ichigo called out. The ex-espada turned slowly, and his emerald eyes met Ichigo's brown ones. "What is it, Kurosaki?"
"Geez, you're still so stiff, even after gaining a heart, as you say. I just wanted to know how you were, err, you know, getting along?"
"I am fine. I don't need your concern," he said coolly. Ichigo frowned. "Doesn't seem that way."
"I can manage," Ulquiorra said. He turned to go, but Ichigo called out again. "Hey, look, I know we never really talked, but take my suggestion. Try and talk to the shinigami more, at least, the ones willing to talk to you. Maybe if you gain some friends, people will accept you more."
Ulquiorra paused at the door, and turned, the lightest smirk upon his face. "Why, Kurosaki, are you actually giving me advice as a friend?"
"Well," Ichigo scratched his head awkwardly, "I'd rather we weren't enemies, you know? It wasn't pleasant to get a whole blown in my chest."
"And I found it unpleasant to loose an arm and leg as well," Ulquiorra said. "Well then, let me give you some advice. Finish that paperwork, Kurosaki, before the captain comes back. From what I heard, he easily froze you into an ice sculpture. I wouldn't want to be on his bad side."
He turned to go, and heard Ichigo fume, "He's just as bad as Toushirou or Byakuya…and did he just smirk?"
Ulquiorra wiped the expression off his face again, though on the inside, he was feeling an odd feeling of warmth and something that made him want to laugh, though he didn't oblige. Hmm, I suppose this is the feeling of amusement.
He left the division as fast as possible, and quickly approached the eight. He saw the lieutenant leaving the barracks just as he was about to enter it. She gave him a quick nod. He was surprised that she acknowledged him, and gave a nod back. She headed toward the sixth.
He was about to enter the division again when a second person stepped out. It was Toushirou, and he was frowning. He noticed Ulquiorra, and gave him a nod. "Schiffer."
"Hitsugaya-taichou, wasn't Kyouraku-taichou going to speak to you?"
The captain paused for a second, before saying, "he only said three and a half sentences before he fell asleep."
The ex-espada nodded, wondering why he'd even asked. Toushirou was gazing at the espada curiously. The three and half sentences that Kyouraku had said ran in his mind again. "Can you do me a favor? Can you try and, I don't know, get to know Ulquiorra a little, because I think he would fit in better if he starts getting to know people. After all, and I don't mean to be rude, but you've known what it's like to be unaccepted. You're the best person…for…"
Toushirou had rolled his eyes at the captain. His eyelids had drooped lower and lower with each word. He was actually quite surprised that he'd managed to say so much before falling asleep. He wondered if he should just ignore it, and pretend that Kyouraku hadn't said anything (the man surely wasn't going to remember saying it in his drunken state?).
But now, as he looked at the ex-espada, who looked slightly awkward with shinigami robes, he felt different. Ulquiorra still wore his helmet-like hollow mask, as if he wasn't ready to mingle with the shinigami yet.
This is so not my thing, the captain thought. Matsumoto's the one that's good at talking with people.
"Schiffer," he spoke, careful to keep his voice as cool and nonchalant as possible. The young man turned to face him, his expression as blank as always. "Yes Hitsugaya-taichou?"
"Do you regret your decision to come here?" he asked. Ulquiorra didn't answer, and measured him with his eyes. "I am speaking to a captain."
"Yes, you are. But I will not judge you for what you say. I won't attack you if you say something odd. I just think you should be sure of what you want, and leave before you regret it, if you don't want to be here."
Once again, the espada hesitated. "I do not regret leaving Hueco Mundo. However, I do not know if I can say the same to joining the Gotei 13. I do not think the shinigami want me here."
Toushirou gazed at him steadily. "The shinigami here are mostly nobles, and they are used to centuries of a structure and society that has changed very little. It is hard for them to accept something new."
"Hitsugaya-taichou, you don't trust me, do you?" Ulquiorra said, his gaze boring into the boy's. Turquoise eyes met his steadily. "I neither trust, nor distrust you."
"If I gained your trust, would you accept me?"
Toushirou considered this. "Perhaps. Remember, I don't look at people with prejudices for their heritage. I'm from Rukongai, though I'm sure that means little to you. But when I first came here, I too wasn't accepted for years. In fact, I'm sure there are still many that don't accept me. That's why I decided that I wouldn't just dismiss you because you are different in heritage. I only care for your loyalty to the Gotei 13 and Soul Society. That is all." he turned, and began to walk away.
"You are very different from other shinigami, Hitsugaya Toushirou," the ex-espada said quietly, but the boy heard him. Toushirou paused, and turned his head back slightly to look at him. Ulquiorra remained impassive. "Yes, you are different, and not just because you are a Heavenly Guardian. Like Kurosaki, you don't see things as other shinigami do, though you two aren't very alike in other aspects."
"Hmm, you'd be surprised how many other shinigami have different thought processes as well," he said, and walked away. "But in the end, we only work for one thing. Order."
Nel sighed as she strolled out into the white tiles just outside of the division barracks. She tried to smile as one of her fellow officers walked by. The officer gave her a rather scared glance and hurried away. She frowned, and wondered once again when she would be accepted.
"Odelschwanck-san," a voice suddenly said. Nel turned to see a familiar face. Her face broke into a grin. "Rukia! Please, call me Nel. I don't want formalities."
Rukia nodded. She couldn't help but be amused still that this girl had once childishly demanded of her what her relationship was with Ichigo. The woman still had some of her childish, playful antics, but acted overall with much more maturity. "I was heading over to the Shinigami Woman's Association meeting, and I was wondering if you'd like to come with me."
Nel's eyes widened. This was the first time she'd been invited to a gathering of shinigami that weren't all her friends. She bit her lip nervously. "Umm,"
"It'll be fun. They're all nice people."
Nel thought about it for a moment longer, and then nodded her consent. She followed Rukia as they left the fourth division barracks and headed toward the sixth. But they didn't enter the sixth, but instead took a turn and traveled down a foreign street. Eventually, they reached the entrance of what seemed like a large manor. Looking up, Nel saw the word "Kuchiki" written upon a name plaque.
Rukia pressed a finger to her lips, and, grinning, sneaked in. Nel followed, confused. "Isn't this your own home?" she whispered.
Rukia grinned. "Yeah, but Nii-sama doesn't approve of us using it for our meetings," Rukia said. Gesturing, they skirted some servants and entered the manor. Creeping silently through the halls, Nel couldn't help but marvel at the grandness of the manor. Las Noches had also been grand, but the traditional Japanese feel of this place seemed to be much more warm and comforting than the tall, wide marble halls of Las Noches.
Rukia stopped very suddenly in the middle of a hall, and pressed her hand to the wall. Nel was confused at what she was doing, and jumped slightly in shock as a hidden door in the wall slid open. Rukia was about to enter, when a voice interrupted. "Ah, I never knew where the entrance was to the secret passage ways."
They turned to see Hisana walking toward them. She had shed her shinigami's robes, in favor of a light Yukata with cherry flowers embroidered upon it.
"Nee-sama!" Rukia said, nervous. Hisana winked. "Byakuya-sama is in the garden. I would suggest that you go in quickly."
Both Rukia and Nel were surprised by Hisana's words. Rukia's elder sister had never seemed the type act like this, but then again, she had hung around Unohana for three decades.
Nel followed Rukia into a surprisingly spacious room. There were many female shinigami milling around, some munching on snacks, while others gossiped amongst each other. She was pleased that she recognized them all, as they were all high-ranking officers. They all turned as she and Rukia entered. There was a pause, in which all of them gazed curiously at Nel. Nel smiled nervously at them.
There were a variety of reactions. A small pink haired girl, Kusajishi Yachiru, grinned widely and waved. Matsumoto Rangiku did the same. Hinamori Momo got up, and greeted Nel friendlily. But others were less welcoming. Kurotsuchi Nemu only gazed at Nel with a blank expression, and Soi Fon, the second division captain, visibly glowered at her. She apparently still didn't trust the ex-espada. Ise Nanao adjusted her glasses. "Kuchiki, why did you bring her here?"
"I thought she might want to join us. It'll help her fit in," Rukia said confidently.
"I think it's a good idea," Momo piped up. "Odelschwanck-san has only come to Seireitei. It'll be nice for her to be able to socialize with us."
Nel nodded. "I just want to have fun with all of you! I really don't mean any harm!"
Nanao gave a nod of approval, and Yachiru bounded up to them. "Hey, hey! I heard you had a child form! Can I see it?"
Nel laughed. "I'm not sure. I don't know if I can go back into it anymore."
Yachiru looked disappointed, but her expression cleared. "That's okay! You can still be a part of this. As the president of the Shinigami Woman's Association, I declare you a member! C'mon, and play with me! We were having a contest of who can eat the most sweets!"
"I wouldn't," Rukia said, the corners of her mouth twitching. "No one has ever beat Kusajishi-fukutaichou." Nel laughed. She looked around, and saw that the others seemed to have relaxed more now that Yachiru had given her permission to join, though they were still wary.
"Not now," Nanao said. She adjusted her glasses again. "We have things to discuss. First thing's first, the-"
"-snacks are running low," Nemu suddenly spoke in a monotone. "We need to get more."
"Yes we do!" Yachiru suddenly said. "Peachy, go get some!"
Momo looked startled. "What?"
"Yes," Nanao said, "You haven't gone to get them in a while. You should go…"
Her glasses flashed, and Momo felt a little nervous. It seemed that Nanao was in one of her determined moods. She sighed, and stood, walking toward the secret door. She opened it, looked around furtively, and then dashed out.
As soon as the door slid closed behind her, Nanao adjusted her glasses again, so that they caught and reflected the light in the room, blocking out her eyes. "So then, now that she is gone, we may discuss the matter at hand. Are we all in agreement that there is something quite suspicious going on between Hinamori-fukutaichou and Hitsugaya-taicho?"
"Yes!" Kotetsu Kiyone piped up. "It's getting really weird. I caught him smiling at her, and he never smiles!"
"That is not as amazing as you think," Kurotsuchi Nemu spoke. "He always smiles at her."
"How do you know this?" Kiyone asked, shocked. Nemu didn't reply, and Kiyone decided that she didn't want to know. Isane timidly spoke, "He sat by her at every spare moment when she was in coma, and she sat by him while he was in a coma."
"Hitsugaya-taichou always does seem more relaxed around her," Rukia commented.
Soi Fon rolled her eyes. She didn't know why this was important, but she was interested to the extent of showing them her skill at gathering information. "That is hardly information that is worth anything. I have heard sources that tell of them sneaking out of the division to walk in private gardens, or visit Rukongai. Once, someone caught sight of them watching the stars and Hinamori leaning against Hitsugaya and holding his hand. They've even been spotted embracing once, though I'm a little doubtful about the reliability of that fact."
The others looked impressed at her information. "Wow, something must be going on between them."
"I've always said so!" Matsumoto Rangiku said. "Hina-chan would make up the strangest excuses to come and visit taichou, and sometimes she comes with no excuse, and then in less than a minute, both of them would be gone, and no one sees them for hours. Oooh, I do wonder what they could be up to!"
Nel felt a little awkward. "Umm, why is it important? Should we really be prying into their personal lives?"
All of them gazed at her. Matsumoto patted her on the arm. "Someday, you'll understand the exact importance of how we must monitor the blossoming of young love. As Hinamori's friends, we must not let her and taichou fail!"
Nel suspected that the shinigami were merely bored and had nothing better to do.
"Alright!" Yachiru suddenly spoke. "I have an idea. Someone must go and talk to Peachy first, and find out as much as they can. Hmmm, I know! Hey, Oddy, you do it!"
Nel blinked, unsure as Yachiru was gazing directly at her. "Oddy?" she asked, confused. She nodded. "You know, you're kinda odd, and your name's Odelschwanck! Besides, you're new, so you're the least suspicious. Just talk and ask her about snowy, will you, Nelnel?"
Nel blinked at the sudden change in nicknames. "Uh, well…"
Nanao was suddenly gazing intently at her. "As a member of the Shinigami's Woman's Association, you cannot disagree with the president's request. Do not fail."
"Yay! Don't fail, Nelly!" Yachiru said jubilantly. "Go, go, go! You must complete your mission!"
Nel smiled slightly. She couldn't help it. Yachiru was just so very endearing, despite the fleeting rumors she'd heard of her being a demon child. She got up and left the way Momo had.
The shinigami stared after her. "She isn't that bad," Kiyone said. Her sister nodded. "She's always very helpful and nice in our division. A little too bubbly sometimes though."
Soi Fon frowned, but didn't say anything. Rukia smiled faintly. She would tell Ichigo that Nel seemed to be making friends. He'd be relieved, because he had seemed genuinely worried for them. Her smile widened as she remembered fondly the flustered way he'd acted when she'd teased him about worrying for them. He flatly denied being that worried, especially for Ulquiorra.
Matsumoto's gaze suddenly snapped to her. "Kuchiki!" she said loudly, rousing her from her reverie. "Go and recruit your sister to this."
"What?" she said, her brain processing the command. "Right now? I can always do it later."
"No, do it now! We need her to help us keep Kuchiki-taichou away and all that. Go tell her now!"
Rukia frowned suspiciously. "You guys aren't up to anything, are you?"
"Of course not!" Matsumoto laughed lightly, while pushing her toward the door. "Don't be suspicious! Now go, and don't come back until you have your sister!"
She pushed the smaller shinigami out the door. As soon as the door slid closed, she turned, and clapped her hands together. "So, who thinks that there's something going on between her and Kurosaki Ichigo?"
Glancing furtively around the garden, Momo took a deep breath and then shunpoed from the shadow of the grove of bamboo she had hidden herself in. She would have much rather taken her time, admiring the exquisite gardens, but fear for her safety did not permit her to relax.
She traveled from shadow to shadow, keeping her reiatsu muted, and her steps quiet. She was almost at the gate…
Instinct and reflexes allowed her to duck as a blade came slashing toward her. Her assailant was hidden by the shadows, but she had a good idea who it was by the level of skill they had using the sword. She ducked from side to side, twisting as the blade came at her again and again. She was pleased that all her training sessions with Toushirou had paid off, as the young captain was also very fast and used difficult maneuvers. After dodging a few strikes, she noted that the sword wasn't sharpened by reiatsu, and was only an ordinary metal blade. Gathering reiatsu around her hands, she blocked the blade with it, and at the same time, muttered, "Hadou 11, Tsuzuri Raiden."
Electricity burst from her fingers and down the metal. She felt the person holding it drop it in surprise, and grinned slightly at her success.
"That was impressive, Hinamori-fukutaichou," Kuchiki Byakuya spoke, stepping out of the shadows he had been shrouded in. his lip twitched slightly. "That kidou was particularly strong. I do not remember the last time that a level 11 kidou had hurt quite that bad."
"Thank you Kuchiki-taichou," she spoke, bowing. "I'm sorry to be trespassing."
Byakuya pursed his lips for a moment. "I take it that the Shinigami Woman's Association still see my manor as the most suitable meeting place."
It was a statement, and Momo couldn't deny it. She only flushed slightly, and giggled nervously. The man closed his eyes, and frowned delicately. "I thought to teach you shinigami a lesson on not taking my warnings lightly, but it appears that going easy on you did not have much of an effect. I see that Hitsugaya-kun was successful in his training with you, Hinamori Momo. You would make an able captain."
Momo's eyes widened. The man's face remained mostly emotionless, but his lips were still twitching. "You still need training, and your skills could still use polishing, but I am quite sure we will benefit from having you lead the fifth."
"Thank you, Kuchiki-taichou," Momo said, bowing again. Byakuya nodded. "I shall be having a word with Kusajishi. You would do well not to let me see you come back."
And with that, he disappeared into the shadows, and into the depths of his manor.
Momo smiled. It seemed that Toushirou had been right. As always.
"Shirou-chan, why do I even try to prove you wrong?" she giggled fondly, imagining how his face would look if she said that to his face. He would have grinned slightly, an I-told-you-so look in his eyes. But she wasn't complaining. She was glad that he was right about her skills, and that his efforts had gained her the approval of another captain.
"Well, soon, we'll all see just what kind of a captain I could make."
So, I hope you people liked Hisana's zanpakutou, or at least are okay with it. There's probably not much left to go in this story. Just some more randomness, and I'll be bringing this to a close, unless there is something you want to see, like certain characters interacting. Then, I hope you will leave me a review to tell me, or message me. XD. I am writing a sequel, though…kind of… (I know, you're all like "What, not another one!").
I hope you don't mind what I did with Nel and Ulquiorra. I just…really…really wanted to make them more powerful, and yet at the same time, take away a little of their hollow side, because I simply don't think that Soul Society will accept them just as they are if they were still fully hollow. This way, they are able to use more shinigami abilities, while still retaining hollow abilities. I hope it's okay. If there's any requests to what you guys want in terms of positions for those two, feel free to message me. And the same for the others. Momo is going to be captain of the fifth, no changing that now. Rukia, I am thinking of elevating her to lieutenant of the thirteenth (we'll just have to convince Byakushi…), and Ichigo is staying as a substitute for now, and maybe he'll get a position in the future. But really, any suggestions are welcomed.
Once again, it really make me very happy if you would be kind enough to leave a review for this author who is spirally down into depression because life is generally sucking a lot at the moment. XD. Thank you for reading!