Life pretty much went back to normal after everything that happened and I became captain. Gin never even crossed my mind anymore because Hisagi and Lucy were always by my side. It also helped that Hisagi was quite the charmer, and I never complained when he was by my side.
Lucy and Renji started dating almost the day after she had told me she liked him. They were both perfect for each other with their 'I have to win' attitudes…not to mention the shade of red/pink hair on the two of them.
My squad was happy to welcome me back as their captain, and I had them doing drills and strength training every day unless they were called out on mission. We had to be ready for anything, no matter the danger.
A few days ago I got a summons from the head captain, which I wasn't expecting. I walked up to the oak door, nodding at the guards who have become accustomed to my face at this point. I heard him yell 'enter', and did as I was told.
As usual, I bowed deeply in front of the screen waiting for him to emerge. When he did, he had a look of worry on his face, and told me to rise.
"Is something the matter, head captain Yamamoto-san?" he waved his hand to let me know he was thinking of something and for me to keep quiet.
"Well, I don't know how to break it to you, Ariswana Taicho, but Aizen is on the move- and he wants you. You're like the ultimate weapon he's always dreamed of and he'll do noting until he has you. You would make a fine Espada and he needs you…bad." My blood ran cold at his statement.
"I'm not going without a ferocious fight, and I hope he knows that. He saw what it was like the last time he decided to infiltrate. I understand that I may be the only one who can take him down. If I have to, I'll fight all of Hueco Mundo and destroy them all. I'm not going there on free will, head captain." He nodded once at my response.
"I know you won't, I'm just worried about how he'll come about getting you. It's not going to be painless and it's not going to be easy. A forewarning to you, Ariswana- the most probable candidate for the job would be Gin Ichimaru. He knows you might be fetched easily by him from your performance the last time he showed up." I closed my eyes when he said his name.
"Well, don't worry about that one. I've been working on my issues and with the help of Hisagi, it won't be long…Oh, did I say that out loud? Sorry! I don't think you want to know about my personal affairs!" I said waving my hands around and sweating. He just smirked.
"Actually, I kind of look down at you as a daughter in a way since I've never had one of my own. I know you lost your parents at a very young age- and I'm having a hard time seeing you with another family other than this Soul Society. I'm interested in your life affairs." I blushed.
"Well, that's very kind of you headmaster, and thank you for the warning. My squad is on hollow training with Shuuhei and lord knows he may not be able to handle an emergency on his own- you see the scars. I'll stop by again soon, sir!" I yelled as I waved back at him.
I arrived at the scene just in time. Things were getting a little out of hand, and Hisagi couldn't keep up with all the hollows coming out of the hole.
"Oh, Ariswana! Help me out over here something's gone wrong. The training program, it's never had Menos before!" he said as 13 Menos came pouring out of the hole.
"Oh shit, this isn't good. Hang in there, Shuuhei!" I yelled as I drew my sword. "Cry to the moon, Tsuyoi Ishi!" my swords released into the double pair, and I jumped form each Menos head to the next taking them all down. The hole closed up, but there was still a small crevice that just wouldn't disappear…
"Thanks for saving my butt there. When the Menos started pouring out, your squad booked it and headed for the hills!" we both laughed and he kissed my hand before we headed back down.
"You know, I'm a little uneasy about that hole. It wouldn't close up no matter what I did to it- and all the holes in training usually close up immediately. Something definitely wasn't right. We'll have to call back-up on that later." I said.
"Ah, don't worry it was probably nothing. Some kind of bug in the program, it'll close up on its own." I stared ahead.
"I don't like the idea of there being a portal leading right into Hueco Mundo from Soul Society. Especially at a time like this. The head captain says I'm in prime danger because Aizen wants my power and will stop at nothing until he has it. Do you want to risk him coming down here and kicking all of our asses just to get me? It'll be our fault because we didn't close that hole!" he put his hand over my mouth.
"You need to relax, first of all. Second of all, we'll get our squads down there later to fend off whatever's left and then we'll seal up the hole using demon magic, simple as that. Don't get your panties in a bunch!" I smacked the back of his head and he laughed.
I was still uneasy about the hole for the rest of the day…you never know what could come into Soul Society without an invitation.
As Hisagi and I returned to civilization, Lucy came running up to me with a huge smile on her face.
"Hey, guys! Come with me, we're going to have a bit of a get together tonight."
We followed her over to a small house that was right by the lake. As we entered all of our friends waved to us, some with bottles of sake in their hands.
"It's about time! It's pitch black outside, we've been waiting here for hours!" a drunk Nanao yelled as she slumped an arm over my shoulders. I looked nervously at Shunsui.
"How on Earth did you manage to get her here?" I asked with a laugh as I set her down at the table.
"Well for one thing, we're not on Earth anymore darling. And it took a hell of a lot of prying and begging. I had to leave out the fact that this was my private little love hut as well." He said with a blush and a hiccup. I nodded once with a smile and turned to say something to Shuuhei but noticed he was gone.
"Come on, Swana the sake's going to taste bad by the time you have some!" he yelled from his perch on the floor as he poured each of us a cup.
"Hisagi, in case you haven't noticed sake always tastes like shit." I said with a giggle as Rangiku broke out into such a laughing fit she fell over. "Is anyone here sober?" I asked. Lucy raised her hand and so did Byakuya.
"I had to come round you two up, so I wanted to make sure I could see straight. Kuchiki just isn't much of a drinker, sorry to say." She said. I looked at Byakuya and smiled. I poured an extra glass and sat beside him. He looked up at me and shook his head in refusal because he knew what I was trying to do. I cupped his glass in one hand and took his own hand in my other.
"Ego honorem quem nocte."* I said to him with a smile. He looked surprised but accepted the shot of sake. We clanked glasses and drank away.
"You are just full of surprises, Ariswana Thompson." He said. I smiled at him as I poured us each another glass.
"Yes, I had a feeling you would know Latin. I feel as though you are full of so much honor and you have done so much for me personally, that I need a proper way to thank you. Each drink I have tonight is in your honor, Byakuya. Just keep in mind I can blame you for my hangover tomorrow." I said with a wink before we connected glasses once more. I looked to the right side of the table and noticed Hisagi was staring down at me with a slight smile. I excused myself from Byakuya's side and went to his.
"I'm surprised you were able to get Kuchiki to take a drink." He said with amazement. I just shrugged and re-filled my glass and topped him off.
"It just takes knowing the right words and knowing how to work the right people." I said while tipping my glass back and letting the warm liquid pour down my throat. "You would think there would be better liquor in death, right?" I said with a grimace. Hisagi just pat me on the back and laughed.
The night went on as such for a while until half of the party had passed out around the table and the only ones still standing were Hisagi, Rangiku, Lucy, and I.
"Hey, I would like to propose a toast!" Lucy said while standing. "I would like to make this toast to Ariswana—"
"No, Lucy, please don't!" I said with embarrassment.
"Let me finish! I would like to make this toast in honor of Ariswana and the wonderful things she has brought to Soul Society. She has made me feel more welcome than ever before and I have been here for how long? She has brightened faces, defeated enemies, and has proved herself to be a great captain. This is for you, Ariswana—may you live here long and prosper in all that you do." She said. Everyone else yelled in agreement as we all took a drink. "Oh yes, and may you also find that lucky guy who's been pawning after you for MONTHS and just so happens to be a friends and pretty high ranking and…" she couldn't finish before someone threw an empty glass at her head.
"What was that, Lucy? I didn't hear that last part." I said as I came to. Lucy just fell over into a fit of laughter and Hisagi desperately tried to hide his blush. That toast was the final drink that Rangiku could handle and she fell over to join the rest of the fallen soldiers.
"Wow I am very drunk." I said while I held my head in attempt to stop it from spinning. Lucy winked at Hisagi and lay on her side to make it look as though she had passed out. "No, come on Luce! You can't conk out too!" I yelled. She didn't stir and I felt defeated. Hisagi was also swaying where he sat and put a hand on top of mine.
"We're both in pretty poor condition, let's take a walk by the pond." He said. I smiled and we both stood.
The night was cool and there were small fireflies dancing across the top of the water. Lilli pads and white butter flowers had begun to grow in the waters as well. I inhaled the night air and sat down beside the pond. I put my fingers into the water and moved them back and forth just to disturb the waters a little. Hisagi watched every move I made without breaking his trance. I turned and made eye contact with him and smiled.
Come back to the tree, I'm sorry to say but I fear I can't hold myself up on my own." He said with a light laugh. We slid our bodies backwards until our backs met the sides of the tree. We were on opposite sides and an uncomfortable silence had fallen over us. I had figured out that I was falling for Hisagi a long time ago, and I knew he was flirtatious so I never complained when he flirted with me—but if he thought of it only as a game, I was scared to get hurt.
"Come here, Ariswana." I heard him say. My eyes widened and I gulped. I crawled over to the other side of the tree and sat on my knees in front of him. He was looking at the ground, but his eyes immediately shot into mine and sent me falling on my bottom. He leaned forward and took my hand and pulled me upright again but didn't let go of my hand.
"What is it?" I asked nervously.
He swallowed deeply and smiled lightly.
"I figured now would be the appropriate time, considering we're alone and it's not for a mission. I wish we hadn't been drinking but I suppose that's why I have the courage I do now to say this to you. Ever since I laid eyes on you when you first came here and were nothing more than a helpless soul, I thought you were the most beautiful thing on two legs. I immediately became interested in you and wanted to get to know the girl behind the pretty face, and alas I did. We helped you become the most powerful shinigami in Soul Society as we know it. You're vibrant, you're funny, you're smart, and you're so beautiful. Ariswana, the point that I'm trying to make through all of this babbling is that I've never felt this way before and I think I'm in love with you. I know that it will take a very long time before what Gin did to you mends but just know that I'm always going to be here, and I'll be here to protect you." He said.
I stared at him with my mouth slightly agape and my eyebrow cocked. I wasn't entirely sure how to react to all of that, but I was sure that I loved him too. Going by pure instinct I leaned forward and kissed him quickly on the lips. When I pulled away he looked star-struck and smiled widely at me. I smiled back at him and giggled. He pulled me closer and we lay together against that tree, kissing our troubles away.