Chapter 20: Goodbye to You
*Scatter-BRAIN95, I'm so glad to hear from you. I'll be responding to your reviews in more detail in a PM soon. Please review. Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach, just my OCs. *
It was night and while the few who were out were bundled up against the cold Naoko did not feel the chill.
She sat on the roof of a building that granted her an expansive view of the city. The wind toyed with strands of her dark hair. She looked at the small silver bracelet that encircled her right wrist. A spiritual barrier that keeps people from seeing me, I wonder if it blocks out temperature? It would explain why I don't feel cold. Naoko sighed and turned her eyes back out to the city whose lights glittered and gleamed in the night.
"I will grant you twelve hours to get your affairs in order and allow you to say goodbye to one person. However, if they realize anything, I will consider a violation of your orders and I will kill your friends."
That was the promise their captor left them which had been ten hours ago. Naoko had spent that time walking around town and visiting old haunts of hers. She went to the mall where she had spent that day trying on clothes and Yumichika reassuring her they were friends. Next was the waterfall, where her brother taught her how to form her bow.
The last stop she planned to be her own home, though she could not quite bring herself to go. Hence her high place of retreat. Sighing again, she clambered up onto her feet and traveled to her abode with a few bursts of hirenkyaku. The house was silent, which should not have been surprising given the late hour.
She phased through the door and lightly ascended the stairs to her bedroom. Slowly her eyes roved over the room, taking in every detail in the frighteningly possible case that she may not return to it.
Naoko removed her black blazer, the one handmade and gifted to her by her brother. Something this precious needed to be kept somewhere safe. She folded the garment and placed it tenderly on her bed. Speaking of precious… Her fingers brushed against her blue and silver hair clip and released it from her hair.
The accessory had ornamented her hair since she was five years old. The piece was in surprisingly decent shape after a decade's worth of wear. She slid her thumb back and forth over the diamond shape base, her fingers ghosted over the blue feathers. Reverently she set it down on her blazer.
The teen looked around her room again and her eyes fell on her desk. An idea slowly took hold the longer she stared at the pens and paper that littered the surface. That Arrancar said I could only say goodbye to one person… he said nothing about writing to anyone else.
She seized a sheet of paper and wrote down everything that happened after she and Orihime stepped into the Dangai. The Arrancar, how he threatened them, and left them no choice but to follow his order. Naoko took care to emphasize that last part so to leave no room for suspicions about her and Orihime being traitors. She added a few lines of apology for putting her friends through this and how much she cared about them.
Satisfied with her handiwork the Quincy folded the note and left atop her jacket and hair clip. I hope it's enough. She departed her quarters and traveled down the hall to her grandmother's room. When told she could only bid farewell to one person Naoko found she had a list of people she wanted to say farewell to, a fact that surprised her. When had she accumulated so many people she cared about?
There was her grandmother, of course, Yoruichi, Urahara, Rukia, her brother and mother, Ikkaku, Yachiru, Kenpachi, and Yumichika. She could even add Nanao and Nemu. A few months ago, that list would only include the first three people, now that list had more than tripled. Choosing who to say her goodbyes to was not easy, but she eventually settled on her grandmother. The woman who loved her, raised her, and made her the person she was today.
The bedroom was larger than her own, though most of the space was taken up by a sizeable bed, dresser, table, and armchair. Beautiful portraits of castles and mountain scenery dominated the walls along with the occasional pictures of friends and family. Her grandmother slept peacefully tucked under blue and white satin blankets. The woman's silver hair was free from its bun and sprawled over the pillows. The sight made her look simultaneously young and elderly.
How many times had Naoko crawled into this bed when she was sick or scared in search of comfort? Perhaps that was why she chose to say goodbye to her grandmother. She was trying to glean some measure of comfort she could carry with her to wherever she was going next.
"I'm sorry about all this, I really am. I know you'll worry over me and fear for me, but I promise I'll come back. I will, somehow and I'll tell you all that I did in Soul Society. Like how I played tag with Yachiru, or how Mom made a birthday cake for me, or how I made new friends who helped me become stronger."
A strange flicker of warmth touched her heart, she continued though, "I want you to stay safe and I hope you do. I'll do my best to stay safe too. I love you."
Her words failed miserably to convey what she felt and thought, but they would have to do. Besides it was not like anyone could hear her. She sighed and looked at the clock, ten minutes until midnight.
I guess I better get going. The teen gave her grandparent one last look, hoping that this would not be the last time.
The breakfast set before him looked delicious, but it was a shame he had no appetite. Yumichika's body and pride were still bruised from the beat down given to them by the Arrancar yesterday. They were seated officers, damn it! They should not have been so beaten.
Though to be fair these were the first real enemies, true threats, that Soul Society has faced in centuries. Had they become complacent because of that? Arrogant from dealing with minor problems with no thought that something bigger, something worse could confront them?
"But why? Doesn't it bother you that he betrayed Soul Society? Maybe that's a sign that there's something seriously wrong with how you run things over there."
Maybe Naoko is right, he thought ruefully.
"Are you gentlemen feeling well? Normally you have more voracious appetites, then this," Setsuna casually observed. She stood with a steaming mug of tea nestled in her hands.
Ikkaku shrugged, "Just… not hungry today."
A sudden sharp rap drew their attention to the glass French doors that led outside from the dining room. Captain Hitsugaya stood beyond the doors with an expression grimmer and more serious than was his usual countenance.
The lady of the house opened the doors, "I do have a front door you can use, Captain."
"Sorry, ma'am, but this is urgent." He looked at the other Soul Reapers, "I need you two to come with me. A situation has arisen and Ukitake has requested to speak with us."
A strange chill pooled in Yumichika's stomach. He and Ikkaku exchanged looks before rising from the table to follow the short captain. However, before departing Yumichika bowed to Setsuna.
"Thank you for allowing us to stay in your home. We are truly grateful."
She smiled gently and dipped her head in acknowledgement, "You are quite welcome. I wish you both the best of luck."
Hitsugaya led them to a small apartment where Matsumoto, Kuchiki, and Abarai were already waiting. Ikkaku shot Renji a questioning glance, silently asking him if he knew what this was about. The redhead shrugged, he was as clueless as they were.
"Stay here, I need to fetch one more person," Hitsugaya ordered.
The lad returned in an impressive time and with Ichigo Kurosaki trailing behind him. This cannot be good. That cold feeling in his stomach slowly spread throughout the rest of him.
"Matsumoto, place the call."
The fuzzy screen slowly cleared to reveal a solemn looking Captain Ukitake.
"Captain Ukitake, sir. What is the matter? Why are you speaking with us instead of the Head Captain?"
The older man slowly inhaled. "Because I was the last person to see Orihime Inoue and Naoko Ishida before they entered the Senkaimon."
No one bothered to hide their shock at the news. Naoko and Orihime had left Soul Society? When? What happened to them?
"Judging from your reactions it seems they did not make it over there."
"Ukitake, where did they disappear to? You know something, don't you?" Ichigo questioned.
"I can only tell you what we believe has happened. The two guards that were escorting them returned alive and according to them, they think that the young ladies were either abducted or have already been killed."
K-killed…? Yumichika's mind froze at the word. It was a possibility he did not dare entertain. She couldn't be… she couldn't…
"I know this is not easy to hear and we could be wrong. We're only going off on what little information we have. We don't know anything for certain," Ukitake tried to soothe.
"Orihime is not dead," Ichigo vehemently argued. He held up his arm, "My arm was badly wounded last night and yet now it's completely held without a single scar. The only person who can do that is Orihime."
"Is that so?" A new voice rumbled.
The Head Captain stepped up into view from behind Ukitake who looked as surprised as the rest of them.
"That's unfortunate. If you are correct, then Orihime Inoue is still alive and possibly Naoko Ishida as well. But at the same time Inoue's actions suggest an act of betrayal. If she had been abducted, she would not have been allowed to visit you, let alone tend to your wounds.
"The fact that she was able to suggests that Orihime Inoue joined the Arrancar of her own free will."
Yumichika cut off Ichigo's outburst before it could really start, "And what about the young Ishida? Is she a traitor as well?"
Hitsugaya took this as his chance to speak, "It's highly likely she went by choice. Aizen did send an Arrancar earlier to take her, perhaps Ishida had been persuaded to join them this time."
The Fifth Seat bristled, how dare he make such accusations? "Naoko would never join them! She was terrified when that Arrancar tried to take her before."
The boy gave him a chilling looked, "How do you know that wasn't an act? How well do you really know her?"
His questions made Yumichika stop short. Could it really have been an elaborate act? His mind brought forth the memories of Naoko's terror that night. Her trembling frame, white face, and panic laced reiatsu. No, there was no way any could fake fear like that.
Kuchiki spoke up, "Naoko and Orihime are my friends, I know them. I know they would never do something like this, there has to be another explanation."
"Whether there is so or not is irrelevant," The ancient leader rumbled. "Now that we know the Arrancar are prepared for war I need all of the Advance Team to return at once to assist in the protection of Soul Society."
"Wait… Does that mean you're abandoning Orihime and Naoko?" The noblewoman whispered.
Yamamoto cracked one eye open at her, "I am afraid so. There is no point in weighing the lives of two people against the fate of the world."
Her small hands curled into fists and she glared the man down, "Sir, with all due respect, but that is an order I cannot follow."
"I had a feeling you would say that."
From behind the group a pair sliding doors appeared and out stepped Captains Kuchiki and Zaraki.
"Come on, you lot. It'll be easier if you just come with us," Zaraki grunted.
"But we are authorized to use force should you resist," Kuchiki coolly added.
Yumichika did want to resist. He wanted to fight for Naoko and prove her innocence. He opened his mouth to do just that, but Ikkaku grabbed his arm. The Third Seat gave the barest shake of his head. Not here, not now. While he hated it, Ikkaku was right. Fighting right now would only make things worse, so he shoved his retorts back down his throat and followed their captain back to Soul Society.
Omake: The Twelve Days of Christmas
Genryusai Yamamoto blinked at the item he found in his office. It was a potted pear tree with a live brown bird chirping.
"Sasakibe, what is this?"
"I believe that's a partridge sir, in a pear tree."
Soi Fon's eye twitched at the intruders sitting on her desk. Two turtledoves cooed softly at the short, irate woman.
"Who the hell left these birds on my desk?!"
Kira was trying to wrack his brain which had stalled at the sight. A brightly wrapped package topped with an abundant bow sat innocently on his desk. Now logically he knew his new captain was not into malicious tricks and seemed to respect Kira enough not to prank him, but his instincts still warned him that there was a first for everything.
Cautiously he pulled the ribbon to undo the bow and when nothing happened he peeled off the top of the box. Nothing popped out or attacked him so he warily peeked inside and saw three clucking French hens.
"They sound quite lovely, don't they?" Unohana said, admiring her gift.
Isane nodded and gently stroked the bird's head with one finger, "They're so soft too."
The healer captain had been delighted to find four calling birds in a gold cage in her office. The only hint to who gave them to her was a card that read 'Merry Christmas'.
Sakura may not have been one for jewelry, but she was not about to turn down a gift of five gold rings. Each had a different engraving around the band and fit her fingers nicely.
"Five gold rings, huh? I wonder where he got that idea," she chuckled to herself.
Byakuya Kuchiki and Renji Abarai watched with slightly shocked and confused faces. Six geese had been placed in the small garden just outside their office. The animals were harmlessly milling about except for one that decided to make Rikichi his victim and chase him through the gardens.
"Um… sir?" Renji looked at his unflappable captain.
The noble took a slow deep breath which Renji recognized as him trying to rein in his temper. He turned away on his heel, "Put them somewhere they won't cause any damage, but take the one terrorizing Rikichi to the cook. I don't believe the men have ever had goose before."
Iba pointed to one of the large white birds, "Is that a goose or a swan?"
"I believe it is a swan," Komamura answered. "It appears there are seven of them."
There were indeed seven swans and they were swimming in the Seventh Division's baths.
"How the hell did anyone find seven swans in the middle of winter?" The lieutenant asked.
"Ladies, ladies, please one at a time," Kyoraku chuckled.
Eight maids dressed in odd looking Western clothing with pointed white hats and carrying pails. Upon seeing the captain, they flocked and fawned over him. Nanao's eye twitched in annoyance.
Diallo Harumi was a serious, stalwart man, but he knew when to have fun… like right now. He twirled and danced gaily with a young lady dressed in a bright red and green dress. She was one of nine ladies who had come into his Division and asking if anyone wanted to dance with them.
People quickly paused in their daily work to join in the merriment. All but their lieutenant who stood in the far corner, trying not to be seen. He got an idea then.
Once his dance finished he leaned down to the young lady, whispered in her ear, and pointed to his lurking lieutenant. The lady giggled and nodded. She seized Hisagi's wrist and dragged him out to the dance floor despite his protests. Harumi smiled, the boy really needed to loosen up occasionally, being too serious never did anyone any good.
Ten young men dressed in tights leapt about the Tenth Division mess hall in a choregraphed dance.
"What the hell is this?" Hitsugaya hissed.
"Haven't you heard of dinner and a show, Captain?" Matsumoto said cheekily. "They look good in those tights, I wonder…"
"Not going to happen Matsumoto."
With surprising courage eleven people gathered at the Eleventh and played music with delicate wind instruments. Zaraki did not particularly enjoy the show and tried to get the group to fight him as payback for playing a "sissy instrument" in front of him. The eleven pipers popped right out of there.
Twelve drums were beat relentlessly in the Twelfth Division. Nemu cocked her head at the interesting musical instruments and the heart thumbing music they made. Her captain however was not as appreciative.
Kurotsuchi clamped his hands over what passed for his ears, "Would you cease that damnable racket? ! I cannot think!"
One of the drummers paused, "Sorry, sir but we were given strict orders not to stop."
"Orders? Given by whom? !"
Stanley Marcus Flynn removed his hands from Ukitake's eyes, "Surprise!"
Thirteen snow laden pine trees were covered with bright, twinkling lights and glittering ornaments. The other Thirteenth members gasped in awe at the dazzling sight.
"Did you do this?" Ukitake chuckled in disbelief.
The American sheepishly shrugged, "Well it's Twelve Days of Christmas not thirteen so I had to think of something and what's more Christmas then Christmas trees?"
"You Americans decorate trees with lights and ornaments for this holiday?" Rukia asked.
"Hey, they do it in Europe too," he defended. "Anyway, I wanted to expose you guys to one of the best holidays ever. Merry Christmas!"
*And Merry Christmas to you all and Happy New Year!
You know, it always kind of bothered me that Orihime never bothered to write a letter or note explaining everything. I mean seriously, a shit load of trouble could have been saved if she had! So that's why I had Naoko do, though only time will tell if it'll do any good…
I'll post again Jan 12th.