Chapter Eighteen:
(Aizen's POV)
I sat in the office looking over private research on forming some device called 'Hogyoku'. It seemed the best possible solution to the breaking down of a Soul Reapers limitations. The door suddenly opened, I was not the least bit worried. Hirako would only see paperwork for the squad. "Sōsuke, get over to the dojo, you're late." Late for what? The recruits are not scheduled until later this week. "Late captain?" I questioned, not knowing what was going on. "You're teaching the kid." he informed me but I was still confused. "I still don't understand , sir." "Heather. She's your responsibility now." Hirako informed me as if it were obvious. Now he tells me. This man truly was troublesome. "I thought Captain Ōtoribashi was teaching her." I almost questioned the captain and he gave me a skeptical look, "Haven't you heard Sōsuke? She's dating Rose now. It's been all over the place since he stepped down. So, I figured that you needed something to keep you busy."
The news caught me by surprise, mostly that Ōtoribashi had stepped out of his dream-world in order to notice anything. "I see." I replied trying to seem barely interested. If what they say about her is true, and I had witnessed first-hand that it was, she could be either a wonderful asset or a potentially hazardous threat to my plans. "The only good think for us is that she's got her foot in the door." Hirako explained in a bored tone. That was not exactly what I was hoping to hear. "Captain?" I asked as if I did not understand. He was suspicious of Heather. I'm not going to lie, I have my doubts. The woman just steps into our lives, knowing what's going to happen to all of us. Many of the captains had taken to her presence kindly. It, if anything, comforts me to know that at least one officer is skeptical. I am now in high hopes that my captain's attention would be lead more towards Heather and I will have more time with my thoughts.
"Surprised, Sōsuke?" Hirako inquired with a smirk and leaned back in his seat. He must be thinking that he had found the upper hand on me. "You don't strike me as the type of man to do this kind of charity, captain." I replied mentally rolling my eyes. This kind of behavior was truly a bore. "Charity? I don't know about that, she's going to be your student after all." he replied, his face turning serious, "I'm just there to make sure your doing it right." Within those ten seconds, that woman had turned into a monkey wrench carefully toss into my plan by this man. I would not have any problems with this if she would bene…Heather can be molded. I inwardly sighed in relief, an extra set of hands would not be such a bad thing, especially when the owner of this particular set knew too much for her own good. "My student?" I repeated making sure that what the captain was telling me was correct.
He smiled widely at me in his usual obnoxious manner. "You got it! Now let's get you two aquatinted." Hirako replied as he stood up, "Heather is probably waiting for you right now." I followed the man, keeping track of how far the distance was kept between us. He kept himself a few paces farther than usual. That woman may be proven more useful than I originally thought. I took in a moment to think through things now that I had to build her from where Otoribashi left off. Does she even know of my intentions? Knowing how cruel chance can be, she would. If that were the case, she would know about my zanpakutō. I guess that I will have to test that theory, but not now. Even though Hirako is under the kanzensaimin, Heather will suspect a trick. I have no choice but to wait for the opportune moment.
We walked into the dojo and I found her sitting with her back against the wall, waiting for us with her eyes closed. My student cracked an eye open then straightened up the moment that she noticed out presence. "Sorry we're late, Heather. Sōsuke was a little slow on the uptake." Hirako apologized and set the blame at my feet. Soon that will change , I just have to wait just a little longer. The woman smiled in our general direction softly and replied, 'It's okay Captain Hirako, a little rest never hurt anyone." Heather had indeed changed a great deal since she had first arrived.