Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or anything to do with the franchise... but Saya (and her love for Ukitake!) belongs to me!
"Please, ojii-sama! You have to let me go to the Sereitei!" Saya stood before the king with her arms crossed in front of her chest. She and Souta were the only two in the private office of the king. Ever since she had stepped foot in her grandfather's office, she was pleading with him to let her go to the Sereitei. It had been over an hour and he still refused.
"I will not let you return to that place. You've only just finished your training and you should be focused on wedding preparations."
"How can I focus on wedding preparations when there is no groom?" Saya asked. She flinched at the memory of being told that Hideo had not yet returned from the shinigami realm. Having fully expected him to be there when she finished her training, Saya became upset when she found out he had never returned. She feared the worst.
"And that is exactly the reason why I cannot send you into the Sereitei."
"You're being unfair!" Saya huffed.
"Is it so awful that I want you here, where you are safe and sound? Is it so bad that I want you where I know you are protected? There are ryoka that have infiltrated the soul society, it's dangerous now."
Saya's face turned stern as she glared at her grandfather. "I'm sure you have sent me on far more dangerous missions. Are you saying that mere ryoka may be able to harm me, especially now that I've regained my bankai?"
"I'm saying it's risky especially since Oshiro…" The king stopped what he was saying when Saya's eyes turned sad. "I don't think you should go." He said calmly.
Saya shook her head and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down as well. She placed her hands on his desk before starting again. "Ojii-sama, that is exactly the reason I should go. I promise not to engage any of the ryoka unless absolutely necessary. I'll stay away from members of the Gotei Thirteen. It will be a simple reconnaissance mission, one to gather information to bring back here so that we may prepare ourselves. There is something off about this situation, I don't feel right about it. Please, let me be of some use. Let me go and figure out what is happening. Most of our communication has been cut off, even in the worse of circumstances, that shouldn't happen."
"I will send others…"
"I am the best person for this mission and you know it!" Saya snapped.
"So much for calming yourself down." Kamikaze chided.
Saya shook away his comment. "I have a thorough knowledge of the Sereitei and surrounding areas of Rukongai. I know how to get around and avoid better than any of your guard."
The king, obviously not enthusiastic about the tone Saya was using with him, graced her with a stern look that caused her breath to hitch. She took two steps back and sat in a large leather chair.
"You should have known better." Kamikaze said with a yawn.
"We could send Hikifune. She is the former captain of the twelfth division, I believe. She would have knowledge, perhaps better than yours, of the Sereitei." The king said in an even tone.
Saya narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Saya-sama, choose your words carefully. He can keep you from going, you know that."
Saya nodded slightly as she lowered her eyes and allowed Kamikaze's calm demeanor to blend in to her own.
"Ojii-sama, I know that I haven't always been… the most obedient. During my years as your personal guard, I often snuck out of the King's Realm. I acted carelessly and didn't always think of the consequences. But, I hope you understand that I did try to serve you as best I could. I always followed your orders and performed my duties without complaint. Ever since I've returned, I've done my best to fulfill the constituents of my punishment without protest."
The king raised an eyebrow to Saya's last statement.
"Well… I may have… drawn out parts of it. But you wouldn't have been happy if I had chosen any one other than Hideo-dono either." Saya was relieved when the king nodded slightly and gave her permission to continue. Saya took another deep breath. "What I'm trying to say, Ojii-sama, is that it is important to me that I do this. My fiancé is missing, ryoka have infiltrated the Soul Society, and communication has been shut off. Something is amiss in Soul Society, and I am asking permission to investigate so that we may prepare ourselves should any threat come forth. Let me be of some use to you, Ojii-sama, like I was before."
Saya held her breath and waited for the King's response. He was a master at masking his face; Saya was unable to read his expression at all.
"At least I know where I get it from, but I'm not that good. Even Byakuya-sama isn't that good."
"Shouldn't you refer to him as Byakuya-dono or Byakuya-kun, given your position?"
"It seems odd to call him anything else."
"I'm just saying, Saya-sama, that you really don't need to use such honorifics with him."
"Yes, but… that's really not what's important, Kamikaze. Do you think Ojii-sama will agree to our request?"
"See, now 'sama' is appropriate when referring to your grandfather."
"Kamikaze!"
"Pay attention, it seems like he's about to speak."
Saya looked up to see her grandfather staring at her intently. As if he knew she was having a conversation, however meaningless, with herself and was waiting for Saya to turn her attention back to him.
"Your request brings me a lot of despair, Saya."
She nodded.
"I simply wish for your safety, above all else, I want you here with me. But I don't think I can force you, any longer."
Saya shifted in her seat a little, but tried to seem apathetic, even though she was about to burst with anticipation.
"Saya, I will allow you to go to the Sereitei…"
"Thank you, Ojii-sama!" Saya interrupted.
"I have a couple of stipulations."
"I spoke too soon." Saya said to her zanpakuto. He answered her by pretending to pick foxgloves.
"One, you will not engage the ryoka, unless threatened first. As you mentioned, this is a reconnaissance mission, please treat it as such. Secondly, there will be no mingling with the members of the Gotei thirteen. Thirdly, you will take Souta-kun with you, because I trust him above any one to make sure you come home safely. Do not linger within the realm. Gather your information, find Oshiro-dono, and return as soon as possible. Are we clear?"
Saya smiled and nodded. Before she could help herself she ran around the desk and threw her arms around her grandfather.
"Thank you so much, Ojii-sama. I will do my best to make you proud. I will return to you, I promise."
Saya's grandfather returned her embrace. "Please do. I will prepare an untraceable Senkeimon to open near the woods of Division One. Go make your preparations."
"Hai!" Saya and Souta exclaimed before being excused.
"Saya-sama, are you going to tell me what the plans are? Or do I have to guess?" Souta asked as they walked down the halls of the palace.
Saya shook her head. "Not now, and not here. I will inform you after we leave. I expect we'll be there for more than a few days, so we'll have plenty of time to prepare. Make sure you bring supplies for camping out, we'll find shelter in a cave if need be."
Souta smiled to himself. "If I didn't know any better, Saya-sama, I'd say you're excited about this." He nudged Saya with his elbow.
Saya couldn't help but smile back, which she quickly replaced with a serious face. "This is a serious mission, Souta-kun… but I can't help but be a little excited, I actually get to be of some use to his majesty and do something more than be pampered all day. Besides, there are things I would like to confirm while we're there."
Souta cocked his head to the side, giving Saya an odd look. He sighed when he realized Saya wasn't going to say any more. "I suppose you'll let me know what you mean when we arrive, right?"
"Right. Go prepare yourself."
Saya left Souta at the entrance to her personal chambers. After closing the door behind her, she leaned against her door with her eyes closed and took a large breath.
"Are you ready for what you're going to face, Saya-sama?"
Saya leaned her head back against the frame. "I have to be, Kamikaze. Our main mission is to find Hideo and bring him back. I only hope that nothing has happened to him. Our secondary mission is find evidence against Aizen, proving his plans for treason. It won't be easy, since it's him, but we must try."
"Why are you waiting to tell Souta-kun until after you arrive? Isn't it fair to let him know before you go so that he can prepare himself?"
Saya took a deep breath and allowed the air to completely fill up her longs before she blew it out in a long, slow exhale. "I can't risk anyone overhearing us. I plan on telling Souta that Aizen is my father."
"But wouldn't Aizen be arrested just for that fact? It's not allowed for members of the royal family to associate with the members of the Gotei Thirteen. If you name him as your father, then he'll be arrested for breaking one of the most basic rules."
"He would, but I won't be satisfied with that. Oto… Aizen has been plotting treason for over a hundred years, at least. If he's arrested for this crime, the worst that might happen to him is imprisonment. I would have to answer as to why I decided to name my father after protecting his identity for so long. He might also have subordinates who know of his plans, and will carry them out for him. No, Aizen must be caught in the act of treason and we must find out who his cohorts are."
From the back of her mind, Saya saw as Kamikaze gazed at her with a serious face. "There are other reasons too, ne, Saya-sama? You don't wish to identify him as your father."
"Of course there are. I know all too well the penalty of being related to a traitor. How many wives, sons, and daughters have I killed because of the actions of the father? I can't assume that I would be any different. I'd rather not die, if I can avoid it. If our relationship is found out and he is caught for treason, then I most likely will be executed too." Saya shivered and opened her eyes into a hard glare. "What a hypocrite and coward I am. I've dealt out the same consequence I wish to avoid. Only now do I see how unfair it is, but perhaps it's only because my life is on the line."
"And if he mentions that you are his daughter?"
"… I won't deny it. But I'm hoping it won't come to that."
A knock came at the door, making Saya jump a little in surprise. She turned to open it and saw a butler standing there with a dress box in his hands.
"His Majesty wanted me to give this to you." He handed the box and bowed.
"Thank you." Saya closed the door once again and took the box over to her bed to open it.
A small smile edged the corner of her lips as she looked down at the contents of the box. The box held her haori, it looked much like the one Byakuya wore over his uniform, except Saya's was black, and fit a little more snuggly to the body. On the back was the typical kite, seen on the backs of the haoris worn by all of the captains. It was embroidered with golden thread and within the kite was the King's chrysanthemum. It was the haori she wore when she led the King's Guard on missions to eradicate hollows, treacherous clans, or during formal peace talks and treaty negotiations. "It's been quite a long time since I've worn this." She whispered as she let her fingertips trace the outline of the kite. "Does he really wish for me to wear it while I'm gone?"
"I do."
Saya turned when she heard the deep timbre of her grandfather's voice. "Ojii-sama, I didn't realize you had let yourself in."
He gave her a quirky smile. "You're the second person that I've snuck up on in the last week. I see my skills are as good as ever."
Saya nodded and smiled as well. "I thought that you didn't want me to have any contact with anyone. I'm supposed to be as anonymous as possible, even though that will prove somewhat difficult. Wouldn't wearing the King's crest give me away?"
"This is just in case. I doubt you'll be seen, but if you get caught by shinigami that are unfamiliar with you, then I thought that having this would ensure your safety. Or at least give you an excuse to not to explain yourself."
Saya smiled and threw her arms around her grandfather's shoulders. "Thank you so much, Ojii-sama!"
The king gave Saya a pat on her head before pulling away. "Keep yourself safe. Come home to me."
"Hai." Saya watched as her grandfather left her room. The heaviness of guilt started to settle on her shoulders as she thought about the secrets she was keeping from him. Although she wasn't the one committing the treason, she felt as if she was betraying him anyway.
"Stop thinking like that, Saya-sama. You're going with the intentions to protect him."
"The road to Hell is paved with good intentions, Hanryo."
Saya slipped out of her kimonos and let loose her hair. She was surprised to find it had grown so long. Her golden locks fell passed her hips in flowing waves. She ran her fingers through her hair and watched as the strands slipped through them.
My ladies-in-waiting always fix my hair for me these days, I suppose I just never noticed how long it's grown. I guess they wouldn't cut it; a princess is supposed to have long hair as a sign of the wealth of her family. They would probably let it grow to the floor if I let them.
Saya tied her hair in a high ponytail and then went to her wardrobe. Hidden in the back was the outfit she had been looking for. It was all black, as fitting with the traditional color of the King's Guard, along with the shinigami in the Soul Society. Her pants were made of a stretchy material that allowed Saya to move freely, but fit close enough to her body that it showed off the shape of her long legs. The top had long sleeves and was made of the same material that hugged her curves. A thick belt made of cotton was worn around her hips that snapped in back. Saya laced her knee-high boots before adorning her haori. She tied a matching gold obi around her waist.
She nodded her head with approval at the sight of herself in the mirror before packing more uniforms into her sack. She sent for dried nuts, berries, and meat to be brought to her and packed those as well. Not knowing how long they would be gone, Saya wanted to make sure she enough supplies to hold out for at least a couple of weeks. Souta would pack the necessary supplies as well.
Just as she finished arranging all of her supplies, Souta arrived back at her quarters.
"The gate is ready for us." He said.
Saya looked up at him and nodded. "Let's go."
Souta gave a small bow as Saya passed him to lead the way to the Senkeimon. Several palace guards and officials formed two lines on either side of the gate; the king standing in front of the doors at the end of the lines. Souta and Saya kneeled before him.
"Go now. May your blades be sharp, your mind be keen, and your courage strong."
"Yes, Sir!" They said in unison. Saya and Souta stood side-by-side as the gate opened before them.
"Souta-kun?" Saya whispered.
"Yes, Saya-sama?"
"Thank you for always being at my side."
Souta blushed slightly. "Thank you for standing by mine."
The two stepped through the gate and began their walk to the other side. Souta kept giving sideways glances towards Saya, though he didn't say anything.
"Spit it out, Souta-kun. I don't like that face you're making."
Souta jumped a little, not realizing that Saya had noticed his odd glimpses. "Forgive me, Saya-sama. I just thought that you would run towards the other gate, instead of, well… strolling along."
Saya's eyes looked amused as a slight smirk came to her features. "Perhaps I would like to take a few more moments of this illusionary peace. I am not looking forward to what will happen when we reach the other side."
"I don't understand what you mean, Saya-sama."
She sighed a little. "Souta-kun, my memories returned to me when I regained my bankai."
"They did? That's great, isn't it?" He asked with enthusiam lighting up his face.
Saya didn't respond.
"That isn't a good thing?" He looked confused.
Saya smirked. "Souta-kun, I think in some ways, I've always been a coward. Part of me is thinking, 'I'd rather not have never remembered everything.'" A sad smile found it's way to Saya's face.
"Saya-sama, what's going on?"
"There are a few things I would like to accomplish on this mission, Souta-kun. The first being to discover the whereabouts of Hideo-dono and make sure he's safe. Second, determine the motives behind the ryoka that have infiltrated the Soul Society. If they've broken in to attack the Court of Pure Souls, then we can leave them to the shinigami. If they have plans to assault the King's Realm, though it'd would be nearly impossible to break into, we may need to send for reinforcements. Though, it is the shinigami's duty to protect our realm as well. Thirdly…" Saya paused, searching for the words she wanted to use.
"… And the last thing, Saya-sama?" Souta asked.
"Collecting evidence and information. I suspect one of the captains of committing treason."
Souta's eyes widened in disbelief. "Saya, that's a rather bold claim. To think that one of the captains, sworn to defend the Soul Society and His Majesty, would commit treachery in unthinkable."
"I understand that. That's why I wish to collect evidence necessary to make a formal declaration to ojii-sama." The two fell silent as they continued their walk towards the gate that would lead them to the Sereitei.
"Saya-sama… how do you know this, and why didn't you report it earlier?"
"Like you said, it's a bold claim. I need proof." Saya closed her eyes for a moment. "I said before that my memories came back with my bankai. This wasn't information that I knew during my time as a soul reaper. It was something I learned the night of my attack. Knowing this information was the reason I was attacked."
Souta didn't react and for the first time in Saya's memory, she couldn't read his face.
"What are you thinking, Souta-kun?"
"I'm concerned for you is all. I don't understand your actions. It would have been easier to just mention this to your grandfather or one of his advisors, or to even send a warning to the Central Forty-six."
"You're right." Saya sighed. "But you will stand by me, won't you, Souta-kun?"
"Of course, but I would like for you to tell me everything."
"What do you mean?" Saya asked.
"You're hiding something and I want to know what it is. I think that I have the right to know the whole truth since I am helping you."
"Ah, you do know me better than I thought." Saya smiled and chuckled a bit, but she didn't seem amused. "The one that I suspect of being guilty of treason is also my father. This matter must be handled delicately."
Souta's mouth dropped open slightly before he realized and snapped it shut. He gave a simple nod.
A smirk played on Saya's features. "Don't look so upset, Souta-kun. That's why I'm doing this. I made a vow to protect my grandfather, and a promise to my father that I would stop him."
"… Can I ask… who is your father?"
"Aizen Sosuke."
Souta's eyes widened in disbelief. "But you always spoke…"
Saya interrupted before he could finish. "… So highly of him? I know. He's made a fool of me several times over." The irritation from her damaged pride soaked her every word. "I would like you to keep this information to yourself. If it comes to be known, play ignorant. The only reason I'm telling you this is because I trust you, but I wouldn't have if you didn't ask. I don't want your life to be at risk because of it."
"I… I understand, Saya."
"You called me Saya." She said softly. "You only call me Saya when you're really upset. Forgive me for causing you any distress."
Souta shook his head. "I'm fine." He said, though Saya didn't believe it.
They stopped before the gate. "Souta, I want you to find Hideo-dono for me. No direct contact with the Central Forty-six, do you understand? They've completely shut themselves off and even in a time like this, it seems odd. Avoid the captains at all costs… all of them. I don't want you getting hurt. If the ryoka somehow manage to break into the Court of Pure Souls, do not engage them. If you do encounter one, try to discover their reason for being here, but that is all. No fighting unless necessary. I too, will try to determine the reason for the ryoka's infiltration, and my main objective will be to collect any evidence against Aizen. Do you understand, Souta-kun?"
"Hai, Saya-sama." He said as he pulled his mask over his face. Saya, too, placed a mask over her face, though it had a cut-out for the eyes, and didn't hide them as Souta's did.
"Good, please open the gate."
Saya and Souta stepped out of the woods near the first division offices. It was just after dawn and the sky was beginning to take on the characteristic pink hues of the morning sunrise. Saya scanned the area for lingering guards but didn't see anyone nearby. She was careful to mask her spiritual pressure, not wanting to give away her presence and knowing that a few of the captains were more sensitive to her reitsu than others.
"Isn't the sky too bright for this early in the morning?" Souta asked.
Saya was knocked from her thoughts as she turned her attention up. "You're right. The sky… it's… turning gold. What's going on?" Saya squinted against the light and made out a large orb.
"What the?" Souta asked. Neither of them had seen anything like it before.
Saya flinched as the alarms over the Court sounded. "It's breaking through the protective dome!" Saya watched as the giant orb broke through the strongest protective kido spells known to the Sereitei.
"They're splitting up." Souta said. The orb dissolved and four spokes shot off in different directions. Orders were being given over the alarm system instructing the shinigami to find and destroy the invaders.
"Let's move." Saya said. "We'll split up, but be back here by nightfall. We'll assess any information we gathered and plan for our next move from there."
"Hai!" Souta made to flash away but Saya caught him by the wrist.
"Take care of yourself, Souta. If you get into any trouble, pulse your reitsu and I'll come as quickly as possible."
Souta nodded and Saya allowed him to go off. She took a moment to close her eyes and sought out the strongest of the spiritual pressures that had fallen off of the orb.
"Four spokes, and five people? No… six ryoka. One of their group is incredibly hard to get a reading on. They're able to mask their spiritual pressure easily. Wait…" Saya opened her eyes and furrowed her brow in frustration.
"What is it Saya-sama?"
Saya shook her head and concentrated again. "The strongest of the pressures landed near the eleventh division. I bet Zaraki-taicho is going to have a field day with this invasion."
"Are you wanting to head that direction, Saya?"
"Why would I want to do that? I want to go where the ryoka didn't land."
Kamikaze smiled and held and amused look in his eye. "I know you want to go straight to the fifth division, but that probably isn't the smartest thing to do."
Saya sighed. "Alright, then. To the eleventh division we go."
"I think that's the best choice for now, Saya-sama."
Saya flashed towards her destination, focusing on the unfamiliar spiritual pressure to guide her way. "What's this? The intruder is fighting with Ikkaku-san? Good luck to him."
"Are you reliving fond memories, Saya-sama?" Hanryo teased.
"Painful ones. I was knocked down more times than I would like to remember by Ikkaku. My body was sore for days."
Saya could hear Kamikaze's chuckle in the back of her head.
"It's not that funny." She scoffed. Saya flattened herself against a tile roof and watched the fight between Ikkaku and the ryoka. "He looks like a soul reaper!"
"Hai, but he's only a human." Kamikaze pointed out.
Saya studied him for a bit longer. "You're right."
"Are you going to do anything?"
"No. Ikakku is handling the situation, I won't engage unless forced. I have no desire to fight a ryoka." Saya turned her attention back to the fight and saw that the ryoka had just dodged a direct attack.
"Woah! He's agile! Ikakku is fast and strong… for that boy to dodge it…" Saya watched as the boy counterattacked and then once blocked Ikkaku's sword. "This should be interesting."
"One question. What is your name?" Ikkaku asked the intruder.
"Kurosaki Ichigo."
"Ichigo is it? That's a nice name." Ikakku said.
"Yeah? You're the first one to ever say that."
"Men with the word 'ichi' in their names are often powerful and talented. I am captain of squad three, eleventh division, Madarame Ikkaku. Since we both have 'ichi' in our name, let's make this a great fight!"
Saya raised a brow from where she watched and turned her attention to Kurosaki.
"Ha, whatever!"
Saya heard a chuckle from Kamikaze. "You're right, Saya-sama. This will be very interesting."
Saya smiled at Kamikaze's amusement and continued to watch the fight. Both men had shallow cuts on their brow and a few scratches on their arms. Neither had done any serious damage to the other. Ichigo was an odd one to figure out. Although he made many mistakes like a rookie, his skill and power level was beyond that of a novice. Though he often took his hand from his zanpakuto, his swings were powerful and refined.
"Tell me, who is your teacher?" Ikkaku asked. Saya was wondering the same thing.
Ichigo paused a moment before answering. "He only taught me for ten days. I don't know if that's long enough to be considered a teacher. But someone did teach me fighting tactics."
"Who is he?" Ikkaku pressed.
"Urahara Kiskuke."
Both Saya's and Ikkaku's eyes widened at the name of the former captain. Saya began studying the boy with a new intensity.
"What does that man have to do with this? Is he actually part of the plot with my father? No way. Urahara-san… certainly I wasn't taken in by both of them?"
"I see. So he is your teacher? Then it would be very rude of me to kill you too easily… Extend, Hoozukimaru!"
Saya watched as Ikkaku attacked with his released zanpakuto, Ichigo was caught off guard over and over again. He wasn't able to keep up with the three pieces of Hoozukimaru. Even though he was clearly at a disadvantage, Saya was amazed at Ichigo's endurance and, well, stubbornness. He kept taking hard hits from Ikkaku's sword, yet would get back up every time. Usually after saying some smart-ass comment.
"This kid is a punk. But talented." Saya mused as Ichigo was once again thrown to the ground.
Ikkaku told him that he wouldn't be able to keep up.
Ichigo just smiled. "You're wrong. I'm already getting used to it." He opened his hand and out fell the feathers that were usually attached to the end of Hoozukimaru.
Saya's eyes widened as Ichigo sliced through Ikkaku's sword and left a massive gash on his chest. Saya was even more surprised when Ichigo told Ikkaku to put his sword away.
"He… doesn't want to kill him. They are enemies, yet he's asking Ikkaku to put away his sword?" Saya watched as Ikkaku attempted to attack Ichigo once again, only to have his arm sliced. Saya watched as Ikkaku fell to the ground.
"This kid defeated Ikkaku?" Saya was in disbelief.
"Are you going to stop him from delivering the final blow?"
"No. Ikkaku would never forgive me. But I don't think this kid is going to kill him anyway. Look, he's applying the ointment that Ikkaku keep stored in the end of his zanpakuto."
Saya dropped to the ground and startled the young ryoka. He pointed his sword at her.
"Put your sword down, boy, you're in no condition to fight any longer and I have no intentions of fighting you either."
Ichigo didn't put his sword down, but he didn't advance on Saya either. "What do you want?"
"Chi, such a rude tone and I haven't even done anything to you. I want to know why you're here." Saya asked. Her tone was serious and cold.
"I came to rescue Kuchiki Rukia."
Saya's face remained like a stone mask, but she couldn't help but be surprised by the direct proclamation. "Any other reasons?"
"No. That's it. I won't let you stop me." Ichigo said. The serious demeanor on his face didn't make Saya question him further. She turned on her heel to leave.
"Good luck to you then." She said.
"Wait! Do you know where she is?" Ichigo was clearly surprised by the fact she didn't try to stop him or engage him in another fight.
Saya looked over her shoulder; the boy's face was expectant. "No. You'll have to ask someone else." Saya flashed away.
"You aren't going to question him more than that?"
"There's no need. That boy… he's honest."
"You haven't always been the best at deciphering honest people."
Saya twitched her brow in annoyance. "Shut it. You saw they way he acted and the resolve in his eyes to find Rukia-san. I have no interest in the ryoka if they're only here to rescue her. The protection squads can deal with them. Besides, they'll offer a good distraction so that we can accomplish our goals."
Saya could see Kamikaze leaning against their tree with his eyes closed and a small smile on his face. "Where are you going now?"
"Where else? To the fifth division."
Author's note: Thank you to all of my readers. I have to say, I think I have the best group of readers in all of fanfiction! You're always patient and kind and I truly appreciate it! (and you don't seem to mind the never-ending-ness of this story!) lol... Thank you so much for all of your kind feed back. We are now entering the "soul society arc." I'm excited about it. I hope you are too! Haha... I'm going to stop saying "I can see the end in sight." B/c I think that I automatically add 5 to 10 chapters on every time I say that. j/k, not that many, but still... it's already a lot longer than I originally planned.
Anyway, I thought this chapter dragged on a bit, but we should pick up more speed as Saya is back in the Sereitei.
Thank you so much for reading! Please take the time to leave a post! Thank you!
