Chapter Fourteen: "Testing Determination" By: Midorigrove
It was after the New Year. Midori had kept training with Ikkaku and Yumichika. She would hear them complaining about it being cold, but she knew that this would be the best time to train. It would help them build stronger lung compacity that would help extend their endurance and stamina. Her routine became something of a norm for her. She would train in the afternoon with them, and then she would go to the 13th division to check in on Jushiro and spend time with him. Several times, she had to make a trip to the 8th division because Jushiro was visiting with her uncle. She was still kind of upset at him. He had tricked her, and she wasn't going to let him off the hook as easy as saying he was sorry.
Captain Unohana was glad that Midori had a routine. Since she was a go between in the Seireitei and really did not have many duties with regards to a division, she was free to do what she needed to do. Captain Unohana was happy for her that she seemed to be returning back to her old self. She watched as Midori left one morning dressed in her stealth uniform to go and train in the 11th division barracks. She smiled as she vanished out of the gate.
Midori made her way to the 11th division. She had a feeling that today was going to be the day that she would finally be able to have that one on one fight with Captain Zaraki. She entered the training grounds for the 11th division, and it was completely empty except for Ikkaku, Yumichika, Captain Zaraki, and Yachiru. They looked at her as she came into view. Ikkaku and Yumichika smiled at her, and then she saw Captain Zaraki's face. He was just staring at her like he was waiting for something.
"So, today we battle!"
She knew it. She smirked at him and turned around to walk out onto the field without greeting anyone. Captain Zaraki let Yachiru jump down from his shoulder as he went to meet Midori on the battlefield.
"He didn't even give her time to greet us," Ikkaku said frustrated.
"Kenny is excited to finally fight her." Yachiru sat down on the rock Kenny had dropped her on.
As soon as Midori turned around to face Captain Zaraki, she was surprised at him charging at her. She flashed stepped out of the way. He smiled and swung around to hit her with his Zanpakuto. She dodged and flashed stepped away from him.
"Well, if he is going to play this way," Midori thought to herself as she flashed stepped quickly toward him and kicked him in the side. He did not budge.
Yumichika and Ikkaku looked on in shock, "How did that not make contact?"
"She's trying to fight him with no spiritual pressure," Yachiru answered Ikkaku.
Captain Zaraki let Midori jump away from him without swiping his blade at her. She turned her head, and then she saw it. There was a yellow glow that covered his entire body.
She made a mental note, "A shield with his spiritual pressure. I never thought of doing that."
She smiled and cracked her neck. Kenny could see that she was getting ready for their battle. Midori let about twenty percent of her spiritual pressure out and tried her technique, again. This time she heard Kenny groaned. She had made some contact.
"It seems that shield of yours is stronger than I thought."
"Oh, you can see it. That's an accomplishment, you should be proud."
Midori knew he was making fun of her. She flipped back and landed couched down. Ikkaku and Yumichika had never seen this before. They looked on in anticipation. Midori let go of fifty percent of her spiritual pressure, and it caused some of the rocks around them to crumble. Kenny laughed at her.
"Are you ready now, girl?"
"You'll see."
She flashed stepped from her position and landed a kick to his head. Kenny went flying but used his Zanpakuto to pull him back into battle. Midori went on a defensive as Kenny tried to strike her with his blade. She could feel his spiritual pressure getting more intense, but she didn't want to awaken anything above her fifty percent. She flashed stepped from him and pulled her Zanpakuto from her hips. It released Seigi's spiritual pressure all at one time and immediately turned into axes. The strength of all of that spiritual pressure mixed with Midori's excited Kenny.
He rushed toward her and their Zanpakutos collided. She noticed that Kenny had not transformed his and wondered why.
"Why haven't you called out your Zanpakuto into its shikai?"
"It is already in its shikai form."
Midori was disappointed she knew that was definitely not his shikai. She could hear it screaming at her.
"Can you not hear her screaming?"
"Her? Are you trying to take my mind off this battle?"
"No, just thought you would want to know."
Midori pushed Kenny with her axes. She held one in her left hand to steady his blade and swung the other at Kenny. He jumped back to avoid it. She retreated her shikai back to its katana form.
"Do you think I am done?"
"If you cannot transform your Zanpakuto into its shikai form, I will not either. A fight should be fair, should it not?"
Kenny was getting pissed off, but he understood her meaning. He knew that she wanted everything to be fair, but he had enough strength in him to beat her.
"Captain Unohana and I fought years ago," his words surprised Midori. He knew that Captain Unohana was her role model, "and she did not have a problem with it. Are you saying that you are better than Captain Unohana?" Midori never thought she was better than anyone.
She transformed her Zanpakuto back into axes, "If this is what you want Kenpachi Zaraki, I will give it to you."
Midori raced toward him with her axes in hand. A long leather wrap that hung off of them was wrapped several times around her wrists. It was something that she had added. It helped her keep a grip on them better.
Kenny smiled and collided with her axes, "I only want to fight. I live to fight."
"Is that how you want to die, Captain Zaraki, in battle?"
"If only the angel of war could claim me."
He pulled back his blade and swiped at her. Midori jumped back and then she felt Captain Zaraki's spiritual pressure get stronger.
"Midori, I think he has part of his spiritual pressure hidden. Do you think it has anything to do with that eye patch?"
"I don't know, Seigi. I'm honestly afraid to ask him."
"Talking to yourself, girl!"
"Does he even know my name?" she rolled her eyes and ran toward him.
She leaped at his sword swing and jumped on his blade, it shocked her from his mere spiritual pressure. She flashed stepped quickly rubbing her leg. It tingled.
"What the hell was that?"
Kenny smiled. He was happy that he finally had an opponent that he could actually compete with. He ran toward her and Midori felt overwhelmed. She tried to dodge his attack, but her leg was asleep, and she felt a sting on her leg as he swiped with his sword down on her. She, immediately, saw beads of blood appear on her leg. She flashed stepped far away to give her time to heal her leg. She started Kaido on it when Kenny noticed a green light coming from Midori's hand.
"It's interesting you think you have time for that!"
He raced toward her and flashed stepped behind her. She was stunned but jumped immediately to avoid it. She hated that now she was playing cat and mouse, and she was the mouse. Her leg stung, and she didn't have time to heal it.
"Looks like I am going to have to work on that more," she reminded herself.
Midori stood with the leg of her pants sliced.
She shook her head, "My favorite pair."
The cold was beginning to enter into her lungs. She could feel it pushing against her, but it only caused her to feel alive. She pushed past the needles in her chest and started on the offensive. She pushed out an additional ten percent of her spiritual pressure as she ran toward Kenny. She started swinging her axes at him over and over again in a fury of attacks. Kenny was now on the defensive. He felt his feet push back as Midori swung at him. Her arms were feeling tight, but she had to continue. She wanted to give Kenny what he wanted.
They jammed their Zanpakutos together for a moment, "Bring out your Soul Image, girl!"
"I don't do that unless there are two of you."
"Forget that, I can just increase my spiritual pressure if that will make you bring her out."
"Fine!"
Midori was not happy with this decision, but she jumped back away from him and an orange light enveloped her. Kenny was happy when he saw two of her. Midori threw her black axe to her double, and they both flashed stepped toward Kenny and both kicked at him. They collided together at his stomach at the same time. He could feel the pain as a couple of his ribs were broken. Kenny felt them break, but they did not bother him too much. He laughed which caused brown eyed Midori to jump away from him. Violet eyed Midori was left with only one ax, and she noticed she was vulnerable when Kenny kicked her and sent her flying.
Yumichika stepped away from Ikkaku to go toward her, "She needs to learn, Yumichika. Midori needs to learn that not everyone fights fair like her."
"But I know for a fact that hurt."
Midori could feel the sharp pain in her ribs. She touched her side and felt two ribs broken.
"Guess that was payback," she told herself.
She stumbled to get up, but she forced herself to do it. She mentally called her double back to her. She felt her nose bleed. It was the first time in her whole life that her nose bled. She stared cold at Kenny.
He could see her face, "Now, she's ready."
Midori could feel a part of her mind lose focus. It was like all she could feel was rage. She pushed out the other forty percent of her spiritual pressure, and it was like lightning pulsed through her veins. She flashed stepped so quick that Kenny didn't see it. She punched him so hard that it sent him flying through a rock. She wasn't done yet, either. She walked toward him letting him get back up. Her Soul Image was still by her left side protecting her injuries. She saw Kenny flash step at her, and his blade connected with her ax, but she pushed him off.
"What the hell! Midori has never been like that with us," Ikkaku complained.
"No, she hasn't used all her spiritual pressure at once on us, and there were two of us."
"She is scared. She fears Kenny will defeat her." They both looked at Yachiru who was still sitting there happy. She had a huge smile on her face. "She won't hold it for long. Her body will give out."
"What," Yumichika jerked his head back to see Midori's Soul Image was fading!
Midori heard her ax hit the ground, 'Damn, its over already.'
She reached to pick it up, and as she got both her axes back, she was kicked through a rock by Kenny. He had summoned more of his spiritual pressure, but his eye patch still rested on his face. Midori jumped toward him from the rubble that laid around her and in one swipe she cut the strap on his eye patch.
"Now, you can use all of your spiritual pressure. You wanted a fight, right?"
He smiled and a surge of spiritual pressure pushed out of him. It bore down on everyone there even Midori could feel the tension from it.
She stabled her leg that was still bleeding, and her ribs ached from pain, but she was ready for this battle to continue. When Kenny turned around, he held on to his Zanpakuto with two hands.
Midori had never saw him once so far use both his hands on his Zanpakuto, "Switching to Kendo, I see."
"You know? It's no wonder people see you as surprisingly intelligent. You are very observant."
He lifted his sword in the air, and then Midori felt it. The seal on her arm began to burn. The Hollow inside of her was fighting against her.
:Is it because my spiritual pressure cannot keep it at bay?" she questioned herself.
She grabbed her arm and watched Kenny as a yellow skull was produced behind him by his immense spiritual pressure. She was surprised at his attack, but her mind was on her seal.
"Captain Zaraki, don't!"
He did not hear her well, and then he swung down his blade on her. Midori felt it surge through her, and then her hand transformed. It produced long claws and black skin on her left arm. She held his blade at her fingertips, and her eyes were golden slits. Everyone was surprised at how Midori had stopped his attack.
"Not now!" She berated herself.
Kenny spiritual pressure pushed out past his blade and cut into her body leaving scraps and deep cuts, but his blade did not make any contact to her.
She glared at him with her golden eyes. He peered around and saw that Midori had changed, and a new spiritual pressure that was dark and evil took the place of her regular spiritual pressure.
"Run," Midori screamed out!
She pushed her spiritual pressure around the evil spiritual pressure that flowed out of her. Her right hand began to glow yellow as she tried to seal the place on her arm. She was holding back the Hollow inside of her with all that she had. Her hand began to change back into her normal hand, and her skin turned back from black to a pale flesh color. Her eyes did not change.
She lifted her head, and a screeching scream came out of her, "I said, RUN!"
Everyone was shocked. Yumichika ran off toward Midori and Ikkaku and Yachiru followed him. They got to Kenny who had sheathed his sword and was standing there staring at her. He was confused.
"How did Midori become a Hollow?" entered his mind as he walked toward her.
She glared at him more, "Get out of here while I can hold it in!"
He dropped to his knees and noticed that Midori's whole face and arms were covered in cuts, and she was still herself, but her eyes were not hers.
"Midori, how long have you been a Hollow?" Her Hollow eyes showed a scared look.
"He's not afraid of me. Why won't he listen?" her thoughts questioned his demeanor. It shocked her.
Yumichika and the others noticed Midori's eyes, too, and they placed their hands on their Zanpakuto. They did not know what to make of her.
"Don't draw your weapons. Midori, just concentrate."
She closed her eyes and focused on her seal. The yellow light around the seal began to sink into her skin. She could feel it burning, and then she opened her eyes to see it turn from gray to black.
"It's working," she was relieved.
Finally, Midori felt that the seal was complete, and she looked up at him. Kenny saw looking at him the violet eyes of Midori. He was relieved. He grabbed her head, placing his head against hers. He saw himself in her. Her struggling self. It was right what Yachiru said. Midori had a special place in Captain Zaraki's heart. He stood when he felt the others staring at him.
Midori was confused, "Why did Captain Zaraki do that?"
She got up from the ground not taking her eyes off of him.
"You can call me Kenny like Yachiru does, if you want." She smiled at him.
Yumichika noticed all the cuts on Midori's face. They were small, but they did not look good on a lady, "Captain, look what you did to her face."
"Midori? How long have you had that inside of you?"
Kenny was talking about her Hollow. Everyone wanted to know. They all stood in silence waiting for her to answer.
"I have had it in me since the incident with Kisuke Urahara. It was done by an experiment that he was working on. The tattoo on my arm is a seal for my Hollow. Not many know about it because Commander Yamamoto said that if people knew they would fear me."
"How were you not killed?" Kenny pushed her. He wanted to know more.
Midori gulped cold air down her dry throat, "There were people there the day I tried to kill Commander Yamamoto that wanted me alive. I transformed for the first time in the 1st division barracks and had the intent to kill everyone. I was scared by it. It was like it consumed me. If it was not for Captain Unohana, I would have been either killed, or I would have killed everyone in the Seireitei."
Ikkaku, Yumichika and Yachiru all gasped at her words. They couldn't look at Midori, not like Kenny was. He pitied her. He could feel the intent of the Hollow inside of her when her eyes changed. He placed his hand on her head, again.
"It will be alright, Midori. We will keep your secret, and you can still train here with us. I would advise though not to use all of your spiritual pressure, again. It seemed that may have triggered it." Midori looked up at Kenny and smiled.
"Thank you, Kenny. I am glad that you guys are not scared of me." She looked at everyone. They all looked at her.
"Why would we be scared of you? You are just Midori," Yumichika grabbed her arm in his, "but we need to do something about these scratches on your face. They do nothing for your beauty." Midori chuckled, but a sharp pain stopped her.
"That fight was incredible. Thank you for the broken ribs, Captain."
"I should also thank you for the broken ribs as well."
He smiled and walked off with Yachiru on his shoulder. Midori had found someone else to add to her list as a role model.
"Kenpachi Zaraki, you have my respect, my praise, and my loyalty," she thought to herself reveling in her accomplishment of receiving Kenny's respect.
Yumichika and Ikkaku held their arms around Midori and helped her back to the 4th division barracks. Her spiritual pressure that was left from that battle was being used to hold the seal on her and the Hollow beneath it at bay. When they walked through the gate to the 4th division, Hanataro saw them.
He rushed to them, "Midori? Are you alright? Let me go and get Captain Unohana." He shuffled off to get her.
Midori looked from side to side to see that Ikkaku and Yumichika were waiting patiently, "Thank you for bringing me back. Thank you for being my friends."
They both blushed at her words. They always thought of Midori as a friend, but it was through their acceptance of who she was that made her finally feel that they were.
"We've always been friends, Midori."
"Yea, no matter what. We've got your back." Midori smiled to stop the happy tears from falling.
Captain Unohana saw Midori and raced to her, "What happened to her? Who did this?" Yumichika and Ikkaku let her go, leaning her on Hanataro.
He walked Midori to her room as Captain Unohana stood there waiting for answer, "Captain Zaraki and Midori were fighting."
"Yea, but she gave him some broken ribs, too," Ikkaku pushed out after Yumichika. They could see Captain Unohana was not happy.
"You go back, and you tell Kenpachi Zaraki that this was uncalled for. He could have killed her!" They both rubbed their heads.
"Oh, and one more thing, Captain Unohana," Ikkaku started, "Don't tell her that," Yumichika interrupted him. Captain Unohana's face started to scare them, so Ikkaku yelled out what he was going to and then they ran off, "Midori's seal broke!"
"Tsk. Cowards."
Captain Unohana rolled her eyes and went in to see Midori.
She was sitting on her futon while Hanataro was fussing over her, "You have to lay down, Midori. Those are serious wounds."
"I am fine."
"I don't think so, lay down," Captain Unohana commanded her with an agitated tone. Midori did as she was told and laid down.
"Why were you fighting with Captain Zaraki? I have told you not to push yourself. I knew before those two told me that your seal broke. I could feel that evil spiritual pressure from all the way in the 11th division." She checked Midori's arm.
She was surprised to see that the seal had turned black, again, "Did you seal it on your own?"
"Yes, ma'am. I had to use the rest of my spiritual pressure to seal it. Did I do it correctly?'
"Yes, well I will double check it. First, we need to heal your ribs and those cuts on your skin. I can't believe Kenpachi would do this."
"Don't blame him, Captain Unohana, I wanted to fight him, too." Midori smiled at her, and she huffed.
She healed Midori's ribs and the cuts on her skin. She started the seal on Midori's arm and found that Midori had sealed it, completely.
She patted her head, "Now, that you are healed it's time to rest. No training for a week and no going anywhere. I want you to rest and recover."
Midori shook her head, even though, she was against it. She had to listen to the woman she trusted and loved like a mother.
"Yes, ma'am, mom."
Calling Captain Unohana mom made her heart skip a beat, and her face blush. She was happy to hear it from Midori. It placed her in good spirits. She hugged Midori, and her and Hanataro left the room.
"Get better soon, Midori," Hanataro called to her as Captain Unohana closed the door.
Midori calmed her heart from beating so fast. She was happy. She was happy that Kenny trusted her and that he wanted to protect her secret. She was happy they didn't run from her or try to kill her for being a Hollow. She felt that her friends and family were getting bigger as she started over in the Soul Society. Maybe one day, she would have an even bigger family, and people she could trust whole heartedly. She laid down on her futon, covered herself up, and fell asleep with a smile on her face.
Day one was the beginning of hell for Midori, not only did she have to stay in her room and rest, but she could not see anyone, and she could not train. All she thought about was to get Kenny to teach her how to create that shield with spiritual pressure.
She began her long days thinking about what she could be doing, "Maybe I could write Byakuya a letter. I haven't seen him in a while, and I do believe that Ginrei and Sojun did pass since the last time I saw him. I bet he is in horrible shape. I hate that I stopped going to visit him, but Captain Unohana told me not to because of the attack years ago. Oh, and there is the part where he got married to a girl. I think her name was Hisana. I hope he is making her happy."
Midori walked over to her desk and started writing a letter.
Day two, Midori had found a comfortable spot leaning on a small table next to her balcony. She lazed around in her uniform whites.
She began to wonder about the Seireitei, "Let's see, how many captains are still needed in the Seireitei. 1st Division has Grandfather Yamamoto, 2nd Division now has Soi Fon, I bet she is a pain in the butt. She was when Yoruichi was around, 3rd division is still vacant, I believe. I miss Rose. He was always a great friend to talk to. The 4th Division is my new mother, Captain Yachiru Retsu Unohana. I wonder if she would get mad at me calling her Yachiru…I bet she would. 5th Division, yuck! That bastard, Sosuke Aizen. Let's wish that is short lived. I really do miss Shinji. He was so helpful in escaping Aizen back then. Did I ever thank him? The 6th Division is my handsome friend, Byakuya. I bet he has grown up into an even more handsome husband. Make a note to check that out. Lord, my head is messed up. Why am I even thinking about him when I have Jushiro, ugh!"
She paused for a time. She, suddenly, got bored of her rambling and watched the trees blow in the breeze as she fell asleep.
Day three, Midori was lounging again in her new favorite spot. She would walk around her room from time to time, but her thoughts went back to the captains of the Seireitei.
"I left off with Byakuya, I think. 7th division, now, has Sajin Komamura. I wonder what kind of guy he is. I heard he wears a bucket on his head. That sure is a funny thing to wear as a captain. I wonder why? Then there is the great 8th division, my sweet uncle is over and has been for centuries. No wonder he is lazy, I would be too after that long. The 9th division, man I miss Kensei. He was so interesting to watch get mad at Mashiro. I miss her, too. I think they replaced him with Kaname Tosen, that guy is creepy, and it's not the fact that he is a good sword fighter and he is blind. I would never hold that against him. It is the fact that he came back unharmed when he went out with Kensei's company during the incident. Did this guy have a guardian angel or something back then? I need to put that on a list to question him some time. The 10th Division has been vacant for so long! I really hope Isshin does what he said and becomes a captain real soon. So much potential."
Midori's thoughts started to get away with her. She started thinking back on all the people she lost because of the incident. Tears fell from her eyes as she thought about how she would never see them, again. She stopped for the day. She made a mental note to start back tomorrow with the 11th Division.
Day four, Midori began again in the same spot. It was becoming a normal day to day occurrence. She did not bother with her hair either. She just let it lay on her shoulders.
"So, 11th division is my new favorite, Kenpachi Zaraki. He is definitely a role model for me. He is strong, caring, and he understands people and their situations. I also like hanging out with him, Ikkaku, Yumichika, and Yachiru. The best. The 12th Division used to be "him," but now Mayuri is over it. I really don't want to go visit him. He is even more creepier than the new recruits for that place."
She tried to push Kisuke from her mind, but there he was like a thorn. She could still see his funny smile, the way his hair was always a mess, and how he caught her from falling that one time.
She smiled at the thought of him, "You were the good guy, right? Aizen tricked us, right?"
She wanted to believe that was true, but everyone told her otherwise. He did abandon her.
She slammed her fist on the table, "Bastard!" her mind became clear when she thought of Jushiro, "Saving the best for last, my Shiro's Division, the 13th. I really like everyone on his squad even Kiyone and Sentaro. They still don't trust me fully, but they have warmed up to me. I really miss, Shiro. I want to see him, soon."
Thoughts of Jushiro flowed through her mind. Thoughts of them together and naughty thoughts of them. She started drooling at the thought, then she snapped out of it, someone was bringing her dinner. She ate quietly without even looking at the person who brought it to her. She was a mess.
The next two days went by crazily. She still talked to herself, making plans to visit Shunsui, Jushiro, and Kenny. She wanted to make sure that they all knew she was safe, and she wanted to see them. She missed them. Her thoughts began to wonder about the spring that Kisuke had taken her to several times.
"Where was that spring, again? It was under the 2nd Division, I believe. It has been a long time since I have been there. The location is still a little fuzzy."
She nodded to herself on the sixth day. She was ready to be out of this room and back to doing her daily routine. Captain Unohana did come and check on her from time to time to make sure the seal was still in place and her injuries were coming along well. She made note of Midori's appearance, but Midori didn't care. She felt like she was being held against her will, and that no one was going to free her.
Day Seven, freedom! Midori was leaning on her makeshift lounging chair when the door opened, and it was Hanataro. He stared at Midori in surprise. It was like her body glowed with the opening of that door and the sun shining through it. Her hair was all over the place, and her eyes were soft.
She looked at him and in a quiet voice, "May I be freed from here?"
Hanataro bowed to her, "Sorry, Midori that you had to stay in here so long, but yes, Captain Unohana has told me to tell you that you are free."
A large smile pushed itself onto her face. She jumped up from her comfortable seat and hugged Hanataro.
Hysterically, she started screaming, "I am FREE!"
He laughed at her excitement. When she let him go, he excused himself with thoughts of her disposition coursing through his mind, "Midori has lost it in seven days, but I won't tell her that."
She stopped him before he shut the door, "Hanataro, will you please send this letter to Captain Kuchiki in the 6th division. I cannot go there, unfortunately, and I would really like to send him this letter."
"Sure, I will be happy to."
"Thank you!" He closed the door.
Midori cleaned the musk smell from her body and dressed in her regular uniform because her stealth uniform was all ruined due to her battle. She combed her long locks and created a wave in them. She braided them onto one side and placed them over her left shoulder. She took a step to her door and breathed in the fresh air as she reopened the door. The cold air pushed onto her face and into her lungs. She walked out of the 4th division barracks and made her way to the 8th division barracks. She wanted to make sure that her uncle knew she was not still mad at him. It was several months ago that he had tricked her, and she had not gone to see him other than to see Jushiro. She was feeling kind of down. It really did not bother her that he was playing a cruel joke on her, but she felt bad.
Hanataro made it to the 6th division barracks and knocked on the captain's office.
He heard Byakuya's voice from within, "Enter."
Hanataro entered to find that Byakuya was there with his wife. His wife was a very petite lady. Her hair was so the it framed her face, and she had one strand the fell between her eyes. Her disposition showed that she was not a pushover. She watched as Hanataro spoke with her husband. She was interested in everything having to do with Byakuya. She loved to learn new things about him.
He bowed, "I have come to deliver a message from Midori. She wishes she could be here in person, but Captain Unohana has not lifted her ban since the attack. I am sorry."
He handed the letter to Byakuya. His wife noticed him place it in his drawer.
"Thank you. Tell her that I am sorry she cannot come in person."
"Yes, sir." Hanataro scrabbled to leave.
Hisana looked at Byakuya with a question, "Who is this Midori?"
Byakuya surprised turned his head to her, "She is an old friend."
"I see. I will leave you, then." Byakuya watched her leave.
He leaned back in his chair, thinking about Midori, "Why won't you come here in person, Midori. I know for sure that Captain Unohana has told me you have had permission for some time to come visit me. Maybe me being married makes her feel uncomfortable."
He pulled the letter from his desk. He could smell Midori's honeysuckle perfume on it. He opened it in a rushed fashion. He had missed hearing from her. He missed seeing her, even more. He looked at her writing. It was calm and somehow vitalizing to him.
Byakuya,
It has been a long time since we have talked. I have heard over the years of the loss of your grandfather and your father. They were both very honorable and caring men. I loved serving both of them in my time as 3rd seat. I, surely, will miss them as I know you do, too. I wanted to let you know that I have been doing fine. I have been training again with the 11th division, under the watchful eye of Captain Zaraki. He is a really good captain. I bet you have met him, so you already know. I wanted to tell you this in person, but I can't. I don't have the necessary strength yet to travel to you. I fear that those who have hurt me before will hurt me again, and I am in no way talking about members of your division. There are just others who I cannot trust in the Seireitei, but anyway. I wanted to tell you that I am currently in a relationship with someone. He is an amazing guy, and he treats me well. I know you have Hisana. I really hope I got her name right. If not, I am so sorry. I will apologize to you repeatedly when I see you. If you are wondering who I am talking about. The guy I am with. It is Captain Ukitake. Please don't be upset or depressed about it. I know how you get. I just hope that you took my advice and are giving Hisana, again sorry if that is not right, the best life possible, and that you are loving her like she deserves. You deserve a happy life and in no way would I have been able to give you that. I fail myself daily, but I am happy to report that I am claiming back the life I had before I was with "him." I still hate to hear his name. I want you to know that I really miss you. I miss your smile, and I miss your hugs. They were the best. It was the best feeling when I just needed to calm down to feel your arms embrace me. I will try harder to show you that I am a woman who you can be proud of. I really hope that you are doing fine and that this letter does not upset you in any way. I hope to see you soon.
Xoxo
-Midori Kyoraku
P.S.
Thank you so much for always being there for me when I have never done anything to afford your trust and belief in me. I really am glad that I have you as my dearest friend. Also, make sure to make lots of babies with Hisana, okay that's the last time. I am pretty sure that is her name at this point, but we need to see more Byakuya babies in the world.
Byakuya smiled at the end of the letter. He could see all of Midori's expressions in her writing. He rubbed his fingers over her name and the xoxo she left on the page. He knew that their unrequited love was so long ago, but she still held a special place in his heart. He still loved her even though he loved his wife. It was a different love. He was happy with her finding someone else to share her life with. He held her note in his hands for a while. She wanted him to be happy, and he would make sure that happened. He had to express his feelings further to Hisana, and he couldn't believe that after three times of mentioning her name in the letter that Midori realized she had the right name. He laughed to himself at this revelation before folding the letter up and placing it back into his desk. He would wait for her to visit him.
"Hopefully in the future I can introduce you to Hisana, and maybe one day, you will get to tell me how my acceptance of our marriage was the best thing I did. I miss you too, Midori, more than you will ever know," his thoughts were flooded with seeing Midori again.
He missed her smile most of all. He sat in his chair thinking more about her letter. She also gave him so much comfort in being near him. Her hugs were something he looked forward to as well. He knew that when he was finally able to see her again, he would make sure to embrace her and accept the changes in their lives together.
Midori entered the 8th division barracks and headed straight for her uncle's office.
She opened the door and looked at Shunsui, "Uncle, I am sorry for being a brat a few months ago. I wasn't really mad. I just didn't want you to play with my emotions."
He smiled at her, and his eyes darted to Jushiro who was waiting patiently for her to finish. Her heart leapt from her chest as she made her way to him. They embraced each other in front of Shunsui and kissed. Shunsui rolled his eyes and looked away.
When they finished kissing, he looked back at them, "I never thought you were mad, but upset I could hear that when you screamed in the hall. I am just glad you are okay from your training with Captain Zaraki." She smiled.
She knew that Captain Unohana would tell him. She had no doubt in that. They were always sending messages to each other about her. It became a normal thing for her. It almost seemed like she was the child of a divorced couple that got along.
She looked at Jushiro who was rubbing her back, "I have missed you, Shiro."
Her calling him that was inappropriate for the location because he couldn't do anything to her, but it sent electric sparks through his body. He placed his arm around her waist and made sure she understood his feelings with a squeeze. She smiled. Shunsui understood the situation. He rolled his eyes before pushing them to leave his office to express their feelings.
"I think you guys need some alone time. Go ahead." He pointed to the door. Jushiro rose from his seat and held his hand out to Midori.
He looked at Shunsui, "Raincheck?"
"Of course."
Midori and Jushiro went to leave the barracks, but Midori pulled him into her old room.
He noticed how spoiled she had been when she lived with Shunsui, "He really spoiled you."
"Yes, but I don't want to talk about that. I told you that I missed you, Shiro."
He could see her seductive looks staring at him. She grabbed him and pushed him on her bed. They kissed each other feverishly and made love to each other in her old room.
She fell asleep in his arms as he looked around her room. He noticed that she had a shelf of magazines and all of them were the Seireitei Communication.
He smiled as he thought about her interest in the magazine he got for his birthday, "You really are a fan."
He kissed her head, got out of the bed, and placed his kimono over him. He looked at her magazines and found out that his stories were all bookmarked. His smile continued as he found a really cute keychain on her desk. It was of two fish kissing.
He ran his fingers over to girl fish, "Midori, are we these kissing fish? I want to be just like this with you, an eternal sign of our love," he mumbled to himself not loud enough for her to hear.
He saw the yukata that Midori had worn all those years ago. It still had traces of cherry blossom scent on it. He loved how neat and lived in her room was. He could see who she was in everything in that room. He saw in the corner beside of the bookcase, a flash of silver. He went to it and picked up a bent locket. He pried it open and saw a little girl that looked like Midori. She was in the arms of a woman who looked just like Midori and a man who resembled Shunsui.
He smiled at it, "I wonder why you are in the floor?" He took the locket and placed it on her desk.
He took off his kimono and returned to her bed. He began kissing her to wake her a little, and then he made love to her, again. She woke to his entrance into her, and she grasped his arms.
He leaned down and kissed her, "I love you, Midori Kyoraku. I love all of you."
"I love you too, Jushiro Ukitake. I love everything about you."
They fell asleep in the bed as the sun began to set. She curled up next to him and could hear his strong heartbeat. She was happy.
The next day, Midori woke up to Jushiro still sleeping. She pushed his white hair from his face and kissed his cheek.
"You really do complete me, Shiro," she thought as she grabbed an old haori that Shunsui bought her many years ago.
She wrapped it around her and walked out to her balcony. She missed living here with her uncle, but she knew that he would not care about her borrowing her old room for the night.
She looked down at the pond to see a member of the 8th division. He looked up at her and waved. She smiled and waved back at him.
Suddenly, Jushiro's arms were wrapped around her waist, "Good morning, gorgeous. Who are you waving at?"
"I am waving at one of the division members."
"Did you know that sun allows me to see through your haori? It got me in the mood, again." He kissed her neck.
"I don't want you to overdo it." She placed her ear on his chest. He had a strong heartbeat. "For a guy who is sick often, you really have a strong libido."
"It's only strong because you take such good care of me, Ri."
He enveloped her lips with his and led her back to her bed. They made love again before getting dressed and leaving the 8th division barracks. He always knew how to make her feel loved in his embrace and his kisses. She was happy to be with someone like him who truly cared for her with no strings attached.
Midori was on a mission as she walked to the 11th division. She wanted to check in with Ikkaku and Yumichika to let them know she was fine, and she wanted to see if Kenny would teach her his technique of creating a shield with spiritual pressure.
Midori found Yumichika and Ikkaku in the barracks. They were surprised to see her after so long. She smiled at them as she walked up to them.
"Hey, guys! Have you missed me?"
Yumichika and Ikkaku looked at each other and in unison, "Of course, we did."
They both patted her shoulders. They asked her about her absence for the past week, and she recounted the time in her isolation to recover her body and spiritual pressure. They could not believe that she was made to stay in her room for that long. She just laughed with them about how irrational it was.
Midori then proceeded to ask them about Kenny's whereabouts, "Do you know where Captain Zaraki is?"
"He is probably in the usual spot or on the roof lounging around," Ikkaku answered.
"Usual spot? You don't mean the secluded area with the large trees?"
"That is exactly where he would be. He seems to have been down since your battle with him. He may have just had a lot on his mind," Yumichika explained.
Midori turned to leave, "Thank you, guys. I will see you later."
She rushed off before they could say anything, "Wait…She sure is in a hurry. I guess we will have to wait longer to train with her, again."
Ikkaku missed training with Midori. He wanted to fight against her and her techniques she displayed in battle with their captain. Him and Yumichika just watched her as she disappeared around the corner of the gate to their barracks.
Midori walked back to the secluded field where she first met Kenny. She went to the same tree, and there he was. He was wearing a scowl on his face, and Yachiru was chasing after a butterfly. She stopped to watch Yachiru, and the butterfly she was chasing fell on Midori's hand.
She held it out to Yachiru, "Here you go."
"Huh? Mi-Mi! Kenny, Mi-Mi is here!"
She ignored the butterfly and ran to Kenny to get him up. He looked groggy and a little irritable. Midori walked over to him and sat down beside of him. He was resisting to wake up. He had not heard about Midori being there.
"It seems Yachiru that Kenny is neglecting his subordinates, today. We can just leave him be." Kenny immediately opened his eyes to glare at her.
"What subordinates am I neglecting?"
She turned and smiled at him and pointed at herself. He scoffed at her and closed his eyes again. Midori smirked and turned to sit with her legs crossed facing him.
"I was wondering if you could teach me something, Kenny?" He did not move.
"I thought I told you, I don't train."
"You may not train but seeing as you seemed to care about me the other day, I figured that if I asked you to teach me how to create a shield with my spiritual pressure that you would oblige. Something didn't happen after that fight did it?"
Midori knew that Captain Unohana must have said something to him. She was livid that day, and it seemed since Kenny knew that she would scold him for putting Midori through such a battle. He opened his eyes again and stared at her. Midori still wore a goofy smile on her face that came natural to him.
"You seem to have changed since the first time I saw you, Midori."
"Um…yes, I believe so. I mean Seigi has told me this, and Captain Ukitake has as well."
"It shows in how you can sit there with that carefree look on your face. It makes you look like you aren't serious about anything."
She turned her face away, and then in one turn she looked up into his eyes with a serious face that made him think about Captain Unohana, "I am serious. I want to learn how you do that shield, and also, you are the only person I know that has ever done such a technique. It is quite interesting and besides, I have chosen to look up to you as a role model, so you will help me, yes?" She couldn't be serious for long. In the middle of her statement her face changed to the same goofy smile.
Kenny rolled his eyes and leaned forward, "Fine. I will, but Captain Unohana cannot know about this. You understand."
"Yes, I understand."
Midori and Kenny stayed in that secluded place from prying eyes and ears. They sat across from each other in the open portion of the field.
"Okay, now close your eyes and see your spiritual pressure."
"Okay."
Midori closed her eyes, and in her mind, she stood in darkness. She walked out into the darkness, and there she saw a ball of purple and orange swirling energy that was being held by glowing green chains.
She reached forward and heard a familiar voice, it was Seigi, "Midori, are you sure you want to do that?"
"What will happen if I do?"
"Let me ask you first, what do you plan to do with that spiritual pressure," Seigi was curious about why Midori needed the chains off of her spiritual pressure.
"I plan to use it to create a shield with spiritual pressure around my body for protection in battle, so I do not have to use your skills all the time."
Seigi had a sadness appear across his face. It was his solemn vow to protect Midori. If she did not need him, why was he here?
She noticed the look on his face, "There will be enemies that appear that will need to be dealt with. They will be stronger than me, and you and I know a shield as a precaution will help us be victorious in battle."
It was like she said the exact thing that he wanted to hear. He placed her hand on the ball of spiritual pressure and together the chain burnt off in their hands. Seigi got down on one knee with Midori's hand in his.
He was vowing to her again, "I will always be there with you to help you fight in battle. Please, use all the spiritual pressure you need in order to obtain your goal."
As Midori meditated, Kenny watched her. She was concentrating so hard, and her face was so calm. He then felt it like a ripple of a wave from the ocean washing over him. Midori's spiritual pressure exploded, and a green aura covered her. He watched on with Yachiru who had jumped on his shoulder. He saw how the green aura turned from a large tree with strong roots and encased her body like a blanket. It collected around her and formed to her body. He saw it in that same instance disappear and reappear around her like his shield does.
He smiled and wondered about her easy flexibility, "A genius just like I have heard about. To adapt that fast, Midori must know how to manipulate her spiritual pressure, well."
Midori opened her eyes and saw Kenny smiling, "Did it work?"
He turned his head sideways, "You cannot feel it?"
Midori allowed her senses to heighten, and then she felt it. It felt like a skin over her own body. It was almost like a full body suit being skintight against her.
She looked up at him, "I finally do. Thank you, Captain!"
Midori sat there for some time after when Kenny went back to his tree. It was so simple that she did not know why she never thought about it before or was it so simple because of Seigi. There was a lot about Seigi she still did not know, but she wanted to know it all. He was not created by her, but by someone who had abandoned him. Why did his former master do away with him like trash? These thoughts filled her head as she stared at Kenny.
Her mind switched in the instant that he noticed her staring, "Does he really not hear her calling him?"
She looked at Yachiru and saw it. The voice from his Zanpakuto was not the sword, but it was coming from her. She cleared her throat. She knew she couldn't tell Kenny. That was not how things worked with a Zanpakuto.
"Kenny?"
He was still staring at her, "What?"
"You say your Zanpakuto is always in its shikai form. Why is that?" He looked toward the ground to think for a moment.
He then looked back at her with a nonchalant attitude, "It has always been that way besides, I have the same spiritual pressure as a captain, so what should it matter?"
Midori got up on her knees, "It should matter a lot, actually. By learning the name of your Zanpakuto and calling it out, you could double your strength if not triple it. You love to fight, so why would you not want to be stronger."
She caught his attention about power and fighting, but he knew that he would never hear his Zanpakuto.
He never had the heart to hear it, and as long as the sword does not disobey his orders, he will never have a reason to change, "I just have no use in those kinds of tactics in battle. Why do you say these things? Do you hear it or something?"
She gulped down air, "I can hear her calling you."
A serious and sad expression appeared on her face. She wanted him to hear her calling. She wanted him to help her because she was in so much pain, and Midori could feel how lonely she was.
"Well, I don't hear her or it or whatever you want to call it. I have never in all these years, so I assume I don't need to."
Midori rose from her seat and bowed to Kenny, "I will not bother you about it either, but please be kinder to your sword. It is your lifeline between you and your fighting."
She walked away as Kenny began to say something to her. He could feel that she had the same look in her eyes that Captain Unohana had the day that she came to fuss at him for fighting with Midori. She was disappointed in him. He placed his arms behind his head and looked up between the branches of the tree. Yachiru went back to chasing butterflies, again. He did not know what to do. It was not like he could hear his Zanpakuto calling him, or perhaps, it was that he did not want to hear it. He closed his eyes and fell back asleep.
Midori was done with her mission, but she still had loads of time to kill since she did not have to be back in the barracks till nighttime. She entered back into the 11th division barracks and hung out with Ikkaku and Yumichika. They could sense something similar to her as their captain but did not ask her. They figured that whatever she wanted with the captain, that she got it. They spoke about many different things including Kenny's Zanpakuto. It was something that the both of them never understood, either.
Ikkaku decided to head in for the day because he was feeling bored, and Midori was left alone with Yumichika. He could feel her disappointment from the moment she had come back to the barracks.
"What is going on with you? You have been upset since you came back."
She looked over at him. She could see the concern on his face, but she did not want to talk to him about how much she was disappointed in Kenny. How he was so nonchalant about his Zanpakuto's name. She turned her head away from Yumichika to stare out in the barracks.
A few members of the division walked by and bent down to Yumichika, whispering in his ear. It seemed they wanted to know if there was anything going on between him and Midori.
"As if."
They looked at Midori and began flirting with her, "Hey sweetheart, since you and Yumichika don't have a thing going on why not come back to my room, and I would be happy to show you how a real man would treat you." Midori laughed at him.
He got flustered. Yumichika started to say something, but Midori's face turned serious, and she rose from her seat to face him, "I doubt it seeing as there is only one man here at the moment, and that is Yumichika. Before you begin to assume anything let me tell you something, a woman would never allow a boy such as yourself to take her to bed unless you treat her with some respect, so be off with yourself."
Yumichika chuckled to himself as the other members began to fall over themselves. They walked off with their tails between their legs because Midori had left them speechless. She sat back down beside of Yumichika and leaned her head on his shoulder.
A blush appeared on his face, "So, as if, right. Then why can the subtle touch of my head on your shoulder cause you to blush."
She sat back up and laughed. She had left Yumichika speechless, but her smile as she laughed caused his blush to deepen. When she wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, she saw him deep in thought.
"Yumichika, I was only teasing you. I know that those guys were just being jerks. Please, don't be upset." He turned to face her.
His face was serious, "Midori, I can trust you, right. I can tell you anything, and you won't tell no one."
"I would never break your trust in me. Please, if you are holding something in, let me be the one you can confide in. I promise to not tell a soul."
She thought he was going to relay his feelings for her, but instead it was about his Zanpakuto.
"I am a sham, a hack. I am the 5th seat in the 11th division of men who would die by fighting in combat. They all fight with Zanpakuto that have only combat abilities, but yet, here I am. I have to hurt my Zanpakuto in order to fit in and be like them."
"I see, but what exactly do you mean by hurting your Zanpakuto?"
"The name of my Zanpakuto is Ruri'iro Kujaku. He is very picky and has a favorite color, but the thing is when I call upon him he is a Kido type Zanpakuto, and in the 11th division, anyone who uses a Kido type Zanpakuto is considered a coward," Midori placed a hand over her mouth, "That is why I have to only call my Zanpakuto out by saying Fuji instead of Ruri'iro. In the Fuji state, my Zanpakuto turns into a combat style weapon."
She placed her hand on his that was resting on his lap.
She stared into his face, and he stared back into her, "It's okay, Yumichika. It is alright for you to be different from everyone. I know that your Zanpakuto would understand if you would explain it to him. He is probably not as complicated as you think he is. Just be confident in your blade and your decisions and everything will be alright."
Her words helped him. He could see why men were so enamored by her looks, but if they knew her personality, she would never get any rest from them constantly worrying her with their advances.
He closed his eyes and placed his free hand on hers, "Thank you, Midori. That helps a lot."
She kissed his forehead, "Anytime."
It happened so fast he thought it was a dream. His face was still burning red when he looked at her just sitting next to him looking out in the barracks.
She had a way of healing others when she needed to be healed. He wanted to know more about her. He wanted to know why over the past year she had changed so much in demeanor from their first meeting. He could see the darkness leaving her eyes every day. It was like she was alive, again.
"How could it be true that you are a traitor? Did that man really hurt you that bad to make you so unhappy that you wanted to die?" he wondered about her. The rumors did exactly like Midori said, they spread like wildfire.
She turned back to him, "Do you think I can do that, too? Changing Seigi's form. I would love to try."
Yumichika saw that Midori was turning this thing he did into something positive. A thing that she wanted to do herself to change her fighting style.
"I could help you, if you want me to?"
"Please. I will look forward to your instruction."
She smiled at him again before she got up to leave. Yumichika stood with her and walked her all the way back to her barracks.
She turned to him as they got to the gate, "One day Yumichika, I would love to tell you a secret of mine, but until then, will you please allow me to keep yours close to my heart."
The blush appeared on his face again, "Sure."
She hugged him and walked into her barracks. He watched her enter her room and left. He could still feel her arms as they hugged him. The blush on his face stayed there until he returned to his barracks to turn in for the night. Her words lingered on his mind, waiting for her to return the next day.
Midori appeared at the 11th division barracks with a new stealth uniform. Someone had sent it to her yesterday, and she found it in her room when she returned from talking with Yumichika. She gathered the guys, and they all went to the 11th division training ground. Last night when she went back to her room, she had a talk with Seigi about changing his shikai into a secondary form. He was not happy that she wanted to, but she explained it to him in a way that he had no choice but agree.
"Seigi for me to be able to fight better a second form may be the best way to go. I mean you will always be my main Zanpakuto but having a second form will be easier for me when I use too much spiritual pressure. It could also help the outcome of a fight we get into. I promise that if you don't like it or it hurts you in some way, I will not do it."
Her promise to drop it if it hurt him was the reason that he agreed. He knew Midori was not doing it for the sake of power.
Today, Ikkaku allowed for Yumichika to train Midori. He was serious about her training.
"Did you ask him about what you wanted to do, today?"
"Of course. I never do anything without talking with Seigi first. He is my Zanpakuto"
"Good."
Yumichika had Midori call upon her Zanpakuto regularly, and then she had her revert it back.
He then told her to call him differently than using his regular full name, "Okay. Um…"
Nothing came to her mind. She was oblivious to what to say.
Yumichika saw her struggling, "Your Zanpakuto is named Seigi no Nai Seitoshi, so by using a part of the name will help in creating a new transformation. You do call him by the first part of his name Seigi which means resilience, why not try calling him by the last part of his name and see if that will work." Midori agreed to his advice.
She concentrated and pulled her Zanpakuto from her hips, hearing a whisper of words enter her mind, like it was calling to her.
She called out, "Devour and Purge, Seitoshi!"
Those words caused her Zanpakuto to glow green. As Ikkaku watched them, he noticed something different about Midori's Zanpakuto. Instead of the normal double war axes she always had, a new weapon appeared before her. It was a large two-handed battle ax. It had golden filigree on it and a golden handprint, but the axe was not the normal white or black color, it was gunmetal gray. It had a green tassel of flair at the bottom of the hilt and the hilt was wrapped in black leather.
Yumichika could not believe how it just appeared with his suggestion. Midori marveled at its appearance. It was strange, and it weighed considerably more than her two war axes. She did not hear any screaming from the blade and considered that Seigi was happy about his new transformation. She tried to swing it, but she did not have the strength in her arms. It fell to the ground with a loud thump.
Ikkaku started to laugh very loudly, which caused Midori some embarrassment.
She stomped over to him and hit him in the head, "Shut up, baldy!"
"Who are you calling bald, whimpy?"
"I will show you, whimpy!"
Yumichika ignored them to inspect Midori's new ax.
"She created it flawlessly, but it is too heavy for her. I wonder why? Is this because Seigi no Nai Seitoshi is upset at her?" he pondered to himself about the reasons behind her being unable to wield it efficiently.
He looked over at Midori who was walking back. Ikkaku was rubbing his head again after she had slapped him three times for mocking her.
She grabbed the hilt and slung it over her shoulder, but she fell over with it this time.
Yumichika helped her up, "Midori, I think Seigi is upset with you."
"What do you mean?"
Yumichika and Midori stared at the battle ax, "Normally, a Zanpakuto is weightless to its wielder, but your Zanpakuto is extremely heavy. Perhaps, this is because Seigi is mad about you turning the blade into something new."
"Maybe it is, or maybe it is because I need to train with it."
Midori grabbed the ax, again and balanced it on her shoulder. She felt how it dug heavily into her shoulder. She flinched but it did not deter her from her goal.
She asked Ikkaku and Yumichika to train with her, and as she raised her ax up to swing it at them, she tried countless times, but the ax did not make it far before she dropped it or she fell over with it. She then began to flash step with it, but it slowed her down or it would not swing with her. She fluxed her spiritual pressure, but that did not work, either. By the end of the day, she was defeated. Ikkaku and Yumichika left her out on the training field all by herself because she was disappointed in herself and nothing, they said changed her mind.
She sat and stared at this failed transformation, but she was not about to give up.
She stood up, "Seigi come out!"
He appeared before her. They both looked at each other, and they were miserable.
"Are you in pain? Do you hate it this much to humiliate me like that? If this was something that you did not want, then why did you not tell me?"
Her questions were like bullets to him. He felt utterly useless and like a failure. He kneeled before her.
"Please accept my apologies, but I did not want to dissuade you from your goal, my lady. I fear that you will replace me with this atrocity. Tell me what I should do."
Midori walked up to him and placed her hand on his head.
She squatted down, placing her hand on his cheek, "Trust me, I could never replace you, Seigi. I am sorry for thinking I needed more."
She hugged him. He hugged her back. He wanted to serve Midori all he could, but it seemed that she always wanted more than he gave her. He thought she was trying to replace him, or maybe she felt like she lacked something in herself, she is trying to fill?
He hugged her tighter, placing his hand on the back of her head to pull her closer to him, "I will promise to bend my life to your will, Midori. I take this vow again to prove that I am worthy of you being my master."
She pulled from him, "You do not need to prove anything to me, Seigi. You have always protected me. Just continue to stay by my side, and I promise that I will return to you the strength, guidance, and love that you have shown me."
"I think I am ready to accept this, if you would my lady."
He bowed and pointed with his arm the way to the new weapon. Midori reached down, and as if she was lifting a feather, the ax came from the ground and laid to rest on her shoulder. She smiled and nodded to Seigi who disappeared back into her Zanpakuto. She had finally mastered a new form of Seigi no Nai Seitoshi, and she was happy with the results.
The next day, Midori returned to the training grounds to train with Ikkaku and Yumichika.
"I believe today will have a different result."
She proceeded to have Ikkaku and Yumichika train with her. She summoned her second form of her Zanpakuto, and to the guys' surprise, the battle ax rested with ease on Midori's shoulder. She flashed stepped to both of them and swing her ax with ease. It created a green arc as it flew past them. They both smiled at her.
"You did it!" Ikkaku was happy for Midori being able to control her new weapon, even though, he still thought it was funny what happened yesterday to her.
Yumichika placed his Zanpakuto back into its sheath, "Thank you, Yumichika. You were right, Seigi had a lot to do with the disaster that was yesterday. I am glad your guidance helped me resolve the issue."
She bowed to him as she placed her Zanpakuto back into its sheath. Yumichika was happy that he could help Midori. She had become such a good friend of his, and he hoped she would always be a great friend to him, Ikkaku, Yachiru, and even the captain. He smiled at the girl who he confided everything with.