This chapter is mostly left untouched because I think it's pretty sublime on its own so there's no need for me to add or revise major changes other than fix some mistakes ('that woman' term is lessen… I think).

And yeah, the conversation between Gin and Kanao are still my favorite parts.

Edit (3/19/20): AHEM. Excuse me for the title change.

(Chapter edited. There might be some minor mistakes.)

Each of these companion's utilized their own task,
bestowing their strengths to the garden they designed.
But eventually, through the passage of time, their responsibility elapsed.
And the three companions parted to a long awry road,
passing through each other's presence without acknowledgement.

Interlude

Unseen Stranger to Unlikely Companion: Prancing after the Petals

The Flower District had become a particular subject of curiosity by a certain Shinigami. And this certain Shinigami is the same person who interrogated the woman about the incident of amalgamated snake in her home.

He wasn't investigating about the snake; the snake is obviously not there, as every person can see. Rather, he was looking for an information about the direct victim of the former incident; not the woman, mind you, he was talking about the other one who was inflicted by the snake's poison.

Only from the Fourth Division knows about the true nature of the poison, especially with the fact this poison came from a masked hollowfied snake. And the Twelfth Division further investigated the eccentric nature of it, seeing how Captain Kurotsuchi seemed to be highly interested in it—and everyone knows in Gotei 13 how tenacious he would be if something catches his eye, he would claimed it no matter what. That's how the Head of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute operates and works.

But that wasn't the thing the Shinigami was curious about—no, it was not the poison. It was the person who directly were poisoned to it. He wasn't interested at the poison in first place.

The woman had told him about a strange girl with scary eyes. Saying that she had a certain pressure around that makes her distant, except for certain individuals who had the audacity to approach the scary girl. These words certainly implies this girl had reiatsu with her, unknown to herself that she had it in the first place as the woman—he noted she had no reiatsu—was too intimidated to come in contact with her.

Though, he can't help but thought there are more than what is seen. After the incident, he received that people had been flocking around her—flocking might not be the right word, it is more like she is open now—and have been noted by the people around the girl that she had changed, even though she was not aware of this herself.

Don't judge the book by its cover—a very common saying to not underestimate ones appearance. He had wondered if the girl—with all the strangeness surrounding her—had some kind of relation about the certain group in Human Realm who are now all but gone after the supposedly threat was disposed. An information that wasn't recorded in Daireishokairō, the library that was supposed to document everything in the history.

A Slayer Corps.

But he had no way to confirm it so he will investigate further to find out.

Whether if it was just simple myth or a hidden fact.

Kanao was taken back at the familiar sight when she woke up but something within her thought she should've expected it. White walls, constricting smell and the silent room. Of course, she would be back here in this place, considering what just happened to her.

But still, being brought here of all places… are all her wounds really all that bad? She must have lost a lot of blood so they probably…

Rolling her eyes to the side, she saw a blood bag with a tube connected to her wrist.

Yeah. As expected, she did lost a lot of blood. But still, it made her wonder why as a soul, she still needed blood. Did she retained her blood type as a soul? Is her heart still beating even as a soul? Is her blood circulating like a living being as a soul? Everything about being in Soul Society is so confusing.

Wait, her thoughts reeled. If she is in Seireitei, are siblings okay in Rukongai? When she passed out, did they follow after her? Was that man—

Kanao stopped her trail of thought, remembering someone saved her against that man—the boss of Black Zeal from taking her hand. Who was that? She wondered, recollecting her fragmented memories when she was in pain. She can recall that savior of hers introducing himself as Shinigami but she can't recognize anyone with the same appearance of the Shinigami who saved her. The Shinigami she knows are only few people; Kusajishi, Captain Unohana and her assistant, that slit-eyed man, and Kenpachi.

But… that empty-looking mint green eyes… Kanao wondered if that was people meant when you meet someone like you is like looking yourself in the mirror… That was probably the first time she met someone with the same apathetic eyes like hers.

"Oh my, looks like you're finally awake?"

She rolled her head to other side when she heard a gentle voice entering the room. Blinking at the new appearance of the person, she doesn't recognize the new face coming towards her since it wasn't the certain Captain Unohana nor her assistant, Isane.

But… for some reason, she can't help but stare at the newcomer.

"All right. I'll be replacing the bandages of your wrist and your legs. So I would advise you to not move that much while I do it, okay?"

Kanao blinked in response, realizing that she was gaping at the person in front of her and closed her mouth. What in a world… why is she staring at this person…?

"Hmm…? What is it? Is there something wrong?"

Her eyes widened as she caught herself staring the woman in front of her again and shook her head in response, perhaps too strongly when she got dizzy from doing it.

The woman softly smiled at her. "If there's something wrong you feel in your body, don't be afraid to tell me, okay?"

Not knowing what to say, she just mutely nodded at her.

Watching at the woman who rolled the bandage in her wrist, Kanao silently observed the appearance of her nurse. Long black hair and gentle pale purple eyes… there was nothing distinct in the appearance of the woman, seeing that she only wore the black garment that Shinigami wore, lacking the white garment over it—indicating that she was no Captain—or that weird metal tied to the left upper arm that Kusajishi showed to her—indicating that she was no Lieutenant either.

Well, probably except the weird sparkle in her eyes as if reflecting light off from them. But that was only it.

"I'm done with your wrist. Now let us move on to your legs." The woman announced, as if absent-mindedly and move to the leg of the bed before she continued her work to her legs.

Kanao continued to stare at her. Really, there should be nothing notable about her to attract her attention. She can already see that she was not an amateur when it comes to dressing her wounds and replacing the bandages. There really should be nothing at all. And yet why… why does she found herself time to time to stare at her as if she already knew her before?

"And we're done!" The woman cheerfully announced before smiling at her. "Thank you for your time. I hope for your speedy recovery!"

As she watched the woman was about to walk away from her, she moved her hand and grabbed the woman's wrist without knowing. Kanao blinked in surprise at her own actions.

"Hmm? What's wrong?"

She looked at the woman in front of her, blinking at her before eventually gathering a courage to speak, "…what's your name?"

The woman pointed to herself. "Me? My name is Kochō Kanae."

Kanao tilted her head with a thoughtful frown. That name feels familiar. But she can't lift a finger why it was familiar.

"What about you? What's your name?"

Realizing she was still gripping the woman's wrist, Kanao let go of it as if she was burned before she bowed her head to Kanae. "My name is Tsuyuri Kanao."

Surprised, Kanae blinked and stared at her for a while before she gave her a smile. "That's strange. I feel like I know you before and yet I can't bring myself why."

Kanao blinked at the nonchalant response. She felt the same thing too?

"But that's probably just me." Kanae laughed, as if she found the idea ridiculous. "Is that all? Is there anything you want to know?"

Not wanting for the woman in front of her to leave, Kanao thought for an idea before a question came to her. "Do you know who brought me here?"

Kanae tilted her head in thought. "Hmm… As I remember, it was seated officer from Sixth Division. What was his name again… Uhh… Tokitō… Tokito Muichirō? Yes! It was Tokito Muichirou who brought you here!"

"I see." Kanao wondered if this was the same Shinigami who saved her. "Thank you for telling me."

"Anything else?"

"No, there's no… Ah. Can you tell Captain Unohana for my early discharge?"

"Eh? Why?"

"…please."

Kanae gave her a hesitant look. "But the wounds on your legs…"

"I can stand. My legs are still here so I can still walk."

"But you'll reopen…"

"Then give me your… something you give to the injured when they're too weak to walk."

"Wheelchair?"

"No. It's something… in the underarm…"

Kanao forgot what it was called. Was it a stretcher? It doesn't seemed to be like it though…

Kanae sighed defeatedly. "You're really stubborn, aren't you? Fine. I'll tell Captain Unohana for your early discharge."

Kanao bowed her head in gratitude when the woman left the room to talk to her superior as she hoped that Captain Unohana would return the gesture.

Gin was bored. Or rather, he can't sleep at all.

Some may say that his habit of walking around the Seireitei was his way of hunting down preys in the night, attacking a poor soul to his relentless teasing. But he disagreed at those claims. His teasing are just his passing hobby or, you can even say that his mischievousness was just one of his whims—like some sort of cover of his true demeanor, purposely misdirecting his real purpose of his actions. He had to admit, it was really fun watching people trying to figure out as they try to unveil his purpose when it always leads to one thing to another—concocting theories about him.

Well, in other words, he was bored—and he can't sleep. This insomnia of his was an enemy he can't defeat on his own. Though, he didn't even try to beat it since he was completely fine at his situation when he can always watch the stars above him in its sparkling beauty.

In the corner of his eyes, he caught a glimpse of pink yukata that he had to halt his walk and he turned his attention to a familiar appearance. Landing his sight to a certain woman sitting at the nearby bench, rubbing her legs as if trying to ease its pain, he smiled at his newfound prey and walked towards her.

"My, my… what are ya doin' here in the middle of the night, young lady?"

She looked up at him after he said those words before donning a look of recognition, "Oh. It's you."

He casually sat beside her. "Yes, it is me. The gentleman who gave you the Pass. And you didn't answer my question."

"…from the Fourth Division. I was brought there to heal my injuries."

His smile deepened. Even though it was only a split second, she casted a worried look before her expression immediately returned to a neutral stare, effectively hiding her own emotions. But unfortunately for her, he can read people's thought just by subtle actions, even if they don't know to themselves that they were thinking those kind of thoughts.

Why, he wasn't called a genius for nothing.

"I wonder…" he purposely dragged his words, "if you needed this certain gentleman to accompany you to Rukongai…?"

Gin can see her stiffened beside her but she didn't respond to him. "Young lady… perhaps you forgot something in your home? Something that seems to be important in a time like this?"

"How did you know about the pass?"

Ah… he forgot. She was naïve of his teasing—or maybe she just had no tolerance at his jesting that she prefers direct answers rather than misdirection."Hmm… whatever do you mean, I wonder? That I know you forgot to bring your pass with you?" Despite that, he pushed his teasing further.

Instead of responding to him, she stared at him thoughtfully, as if searching for something to his face. He raised an eyebrow and opened his mouth to speak but she got him beat to it. "Why do you like dancing around the topic, Mr. Captain?" she said curiously.

Gin tilted his head, eyeing her as he tried to read at her expression. She doesn't seem to be annoyed or angry at him, just like others does when they try to talk with him. But rather, it is more of a… curiosity?

My, what is so curious about him that she had to give him that look?

"No, no, no. 'Mr. Captain' is not my name." He tutted, shaking his finger. "It's Captain Ichimaru to you, young lady."

"…you didn't answer my question."

A chuckle dispersed from him. What a stubborn woman… "Instead of answering that question, why don't you tell me, young lady," he responded. "What am I like to you? A cunning fox or a traitorous snake?"

Gin always used these words every time people tried to read him but he never gave them the satisfaction—an opening to give them one. He knows people distrust him because of his demeanor, along with his appearance that implied disturbing intentions. But to him, people judging his appearance was pretty stupid thing to do. However, thanks to that, people had expected him to always concoct unsettling actions—which they aren't exactly wrong since he had done pretty troubling actions himself. And with that expectations of theirs, he decided to use that perception and manipulate their thinking that always produces 'what if?' or 'did he?' in their predictions about him.

And he wondered if this woman had the same thoughts like them.

"Does it matter?" The woman responded, as if he just asked a simple thing. "So what if you're a fox or a snake? Even though your… appearance does suggest it, what matters is what you do and your intentions. My own judgement doesn't influence you at all." She fixed her eyes to him. "Isn't it?"

"…well. You're right about that."

Curious. What a curious lady. Gin wondered if she was this naïve the whole time or simply just innocent of the inner workings of the world. She's definitely not suspicious of him—rather, she didn't suspect him in anything at all. Others had been wary of him over simplest thing—even doubtful of him for nothing at all. He was questioned, interrogated, examined simply over a suspicion without even an evidence and yet… this woman saw nothing in him. What kind of perception does this lady have to look at him with such honest eyes?

What does she see in him?

"I accept."

Snapping out of his daze, Gin realized he had been staring at her. "What?"

"You said earlier if I needed your presence to open the gate. I accept that invitation."

He raised an eyebrow. "You will?"

"Yeah. It was my fault that I forgot Pass."

Despite himself, he smiled. Not from mockery nor from sneer, it feels like he was genuine smiling. Ah… it's been a long time since he does this to other people. Who was the other person he gave his genuine smile?

A blonde woman with a mole under her lip came in his vision.

"Well then, shall we go, young lady?" Gin tried to distract himself from the image and the nostalgic memory that came to wash over him.

She stared at him for a moment before she responded, "My name is not 'young lady'. It's Tsuyuri Kanao."

Oh. Gin can't help but note the similarity of her name to one of the officers in Fourth Division. Kanae, he recalled. Kochō Kanae, the big sister of his seated officers in his Division, Kochō Shinobu. He wondered if these three are related to each other.

"Well then, Tsuyuri." He offered his hand. "Shall we go?"

Without accepting his hand, Tsuyuri stood up and walked passed him without looking back. He allowed chuckle to escape through him. She and Shinobu might be related, seeing how they both want to ignore him. But his officer is feistier than this girl, no matter how Kocho tries to hide it from him.

Without a single exchange between them, they arrived the gate in silence as Tsuyuri left him without a word and passed through the gate.

What a gloomy night for him. He thought as he watched the girl walked away from him.

There was a man sitting in the room, unable to asleep because of his unrestrained restlessness.

It was a room so small and rundown yet enough to be called 'home' for this certain kind of person. He doesn't care about 'looking good' in the eyes of others, nor cares about the opinion of others; he is simply just… him. Why would he allow the outlook of others about him change him when it wasn't him all the same? He doesn't care, they can go fuck themselves for all he cares.

But it wasn't the reason why he can't fall asleep; it was the uncurbed restlessness he was feeling, particularly how… no, particularly what happened at the Orange Zeal earlier in the afternoon when he confronted the siblings and that woman who claimed to be their guardian. Even though she caught him off guard for stealing his sword with her own hands, she wasn't the reason of his restlessness. She was just merely a passing thought, an unnecessary dirt that can be cleaned.

It was the Shinigami who kicked him earlier.

Even though it was just a split second, he was able to glimpse the perpetrator's appearance—a very familiar appearance—that he was found dumbfounded at his sudden arrival. What the hell is he doing here? The Orange Zeal was supposed to be his turf, yet he didn't noticed him roaming around the area. Or at least, according to his men, they didn't notice that Shinigami's presence.

Or maybe, his men deliberately didn't told him.

That's why he was caught off guard; and, currently restless. He knew that Shinigami. He knew his identity and how that person taught him. He was supposed to be not here and yet, there he was, getting his ass kicked by that Shinigami again.

And meeting that Shinigami once again was getting his nerves that he can't sleep.

"Boss, boss! Something bad is happening!"

He raised his head from his position as his right-hand man—what was his name again? Something-i?—barged in his room. He was breathing heavily and a fountain of sweat falling from his temple.

"What is it, Chichi?"

"It's Miki, boss—"

"Did you say something?"

His henchman shook his head. "N-no, boss! I mean, something bad is happening right now, boss! A woman just suddenly charged at the front and we don't know what to do!"

A scowl marred his face. "What, a woman? What does a mere woman did that you can't handle it yourself? Have you become so pathetic that you can't forcibly drag her outside?" he said with a glower.

"I-I could do it, but I can't! We can't! She's too strong to handle and she's not alone!"

Narrowed his eyes in alarm, he stood up from his bed. Since he had nothing else, he could use this to pass some time. "Fine. Let's go, Migi."

"…it's Miki, boss—"

He ignored his right-hand man throughout the way as he walked to his destination in the front. When he arrived, his eyes widened at the sight of his men lying wounded in the floor, twitching and groaning in pain as a lone person—a woman stood among the pile of men under her as she had her back facing him. Silently, with a tranquil fury flowing in his blood, he wordlessly unsheathed his weapons from his side and walked towards her before he stopped a few meters from her.

And then he screamed with all his might.

"YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS, YOU GODDAMN WOMAN!" He made a stance, pointing his sword against her."If you're the one who did this to my men, I'll make sure to bring you pain thousand-fold than how you inflicted them!"

Motivated by his anger with his sword sharpened of his burning resolved, he moved to attack the seemingly defenseless woman with her back still facing him. But instead of his sword connecting its way towards her, a pain made its way to his own face and he was, once again, thrown to the ground. He immediately sat up, recovering his stance despite the bleeding face as he saw the woman with her outstretched fist towards him, as if she just punched him. He felt his temper rise when he saw this.

"I'll pay for this, you say?" The woman said with a gritted teeth. "No! It is you who will pay for what you did to my flowers!"

He blinked owlishly when she suddenly pulled a pot of flower out of nowhere. "…what?"

"Kanroji. I already told you, it's not worth it. These so-called Black Zeal had been all but a group of thugs now trying to find glory in face of violence. Even though you did retaliate violence with violence, you should realize what you did to these wannabes will strike back against you in return. They're very tenacious bastards, after all."

A man—which he noticed just now—walked towards the woman's side nonchalantly as if there were no piles of men sprawled at the ground. He had weird heterochromatic eyes with bandages in his mouth and a snake wrapped around his neck.

"Iguro-kun…" The woman was about to say something to the man but his right-hand man, Maki, interrupted them with a shout.

"You!" He pointed rudely at the snake man. "Yes, you! I'm talking to you, you insufferable bastard! Don't talk rudely in front of the Great Boar who is standing before you! If you don't treat him with respect, I'll personally handle you!"

"Oh my, is it the Noble Pretender, Miki, standing in front of me?" The snake man responded, openly mocking him. "If you are personally going to handle me, I would suggest to face Kanroji first. If you can't beat her then you have no chance to handle me."

"Iguro-kun!" The woman whisper-yelled at him as if upset at the words he just said.

"N-no, no. Don't get the wrong idea, Kanroji. What I mean is…"

And then the two whispered on their own in front of them, seemingly without care in the world. Seeing them relaxed and comfortable in front of him, and most of all, he was ignored, he felt his temper rise once again and pointed his sword to them.

"You two are an odd pair. You," he pointed his sword to the woman, "came here for a pot of flower and you," pointed at the snake man, "just followed after her? What comes after when you ambushed me? What do you expect?"

The pair stopped their talking, staring at him weirdly for some reason. It was the woman who started to talk to him and raise the pot of flowers towards him. He raised an eyebrow, his temper forgotten at the strange gesture.

"I said earlier I came here for this pot of flowers, right?" She said to him before she threw the pot behind her shoulder, surprising him at the sudden action. "No! I did not came here for small petty reason like that! That was an excuse to see what kind of person the leader of Black Zeal, which is," an odd red blemish appeared in her cheeks, "to be honest, you are actually a looker but…!" the blemish disappeared as she pointed his finger at him with a fierce expression, "I won't forgive someone who attacked a woman defenseless in the corner last time!"

He scoffed, finally getting what she mean. "I see. So you're here to get your revenge for her I attacked earlier?"

Instead of an outburst he was expecting, he was met a clueless blinking from her, "Eh? Earlier? I was talking about a few days ago."

"…what?" If she wasn't talking about that woman, then who the hell…

"Are you talking about her? The woman who attacked those two men in front of Red Light? Boss had no hand in that. I'm the one who did it."

He gave his right-hand man, Magi, with a confused look. How come he didn't know about that?

"So it's you!" The woman exclaimed in anger as she walked towards him and gripped his collar. "What did you do that for?! Why did you harm her?! Wha…" Her words faltered, looking at him and his right-hand man. "Wait, I'm confused. Who is the leader between the two of you?"

"I—"

"I am." He confirmed to the woman while throwing a glare towards Mari. Did he just try and claim that he was the leader?

"The so-called Fangs of Vengeance. What a tacky name for justifying your violent actions." The snake man rebutted in their conversation. "Leader, if you didn't know what your men has been doing, then let me fill you in. Your men has been nothing but a nuisance. I don't know if it was your influence as The Leader or the Noble Pretender pretending to be the leader but the Black Zeal's purpose was supposed to try and help the people here in this district. But ever since your emergence as a leader, all they do is making unnecessary ruckus and chaos around the Flower District. Are you aware in all of this, Great Boar?"

He gritted his teeth. "Yes."

"Don't lie." The snake man shook his head. "I know you don't know this. I've taking a close look on you since the beginning."

"You fucking stalker. Don't you know privacy—"

"'Orange Zeal of the Flower District is my turf. I can do whatever I want here and my men can do whatever they want here. If anyone messes with my Black Zeal here, I'll make them taste my Fangs of Vengeance', that's what you said, right? Do you realize what those words mean, right?"

He shot a glare at the snake man as he bristled what he just heard. Those words felt familiar. As he recalled, he said those earlier when…

"That's obvious." His right-hand man, Michikatsui, huffed. "Anyone harms us will get harmed in return—"

"Shut up, Noble Pretender. I'm not talking to you." The snake man glared to his henchman before he returned his gaze at him. "Answer me, Great Boar. Are you aware what I've talked about?"

He didn't said a word in response.

"…fine. I'll take your silence as a no. Then let me tell you what you didn't know since you've so busy stepping over a child in the street. Heh. I guess, you and your men are not so different, aren't you?"

"You… you bastard…!" He glowered at him.

"Kanroji and I are former members of Black Zeal, did you know that? We left when you became the leader and when it became the home for dirty bastards. Are those your friends, I wonder? Or was it Noble Pretender's? I don't know. I can't count anymore dumb idiots who thinks they can claim glory in the face of violence. What about you, Great Boar? What do you think in all of this? Did you want to lead the whole time or were you just trying to find fame like your men is trying to do?"

…no. He's not. That man trusted him and he wanted to follow his steps. If only he didn't leave and became a Shinigami, this responsibility wouldn't have rested in his shoulders.

"…as expected. Drill those words in your head, Great Boar." The snake man started to walk away but stopped for a short while. "If Tokitou saw you like this and how far the Black Zeal under your command has fallen, he would be disappointed."

He stiffened at the mention of the former leader of Black Light. Tokitō Muichirō… he remembered now. He was the one who kicked him earlier and saved that woman, leaving him unconscious on the side. Now he realized why he can't sleep. He didn't want him to see him become like this. A leader who is supposed to lead that has been all but gave up that responsibility. A responsibility that he trusted him to lead it.

And he doesn't want to see him again. Not like this.

"Boss, they're leaving…"

He raised his attention at the odd pair as he saw them walking away. He huffed. No matter. He can always take care of them when time comes.

"Boss, you're not going after them?"

Then he turned his head to him. That's right, he had something to talk with him.

"Miki. About that woman's words. Was that true?"

His henchman smirked. "That's right, boss. Coincidentally, it is also the same woman whom you dealt earlier."

Oh? It's the same woman, huh? Yes, what a coincidence…

But that's different matter. That's not what he fucking wants to talk about.

"That gorilla woman said you attacked that woman. Why didn't I know about that?"

His underling started to sweat. "N-no, boss! I-I just forgot to mention it! I didn't mean—"

He raised his sword close to his neck, effectively shutting him up. "The Fangs of Vengeance. My Fangs of Vengeance. Why did you attack that woman without my permission? You know I only have the authority do it and I don't remember giving it to you." He narrowed his eyes. "Don't tell me you lied to my men and used that authority when I didn't gave it?"

"I-I'm sorry, boss! I'm really sorry—"

Without warning, he slashed his shoulder as his underling screamed in pain. He swiped his sword in the air, splashing the blood away from the blade before sliding it back to its scabbard.

"If you think Fangs of Vengeance doesn't apply to you, you're wrong. It's a form of punishment that I created whenever I think someone did wrong. You and my men are no exception to this. And you have no right to exercise this authority without my permission, got that?"

"Y-yes… I'm sorry…"

"Good." He ignored the writhing man in the floor as he walked passed his underling.

"W-wait, boss… Where are you going?"

He didn't stop his walk. "Collecting someone's Fangs of Vengeance."

"Who?"

"That woman."

Those were his only response as the sun rises up in the yellow horizon.

Kanao resisted the urge to lie down in the corner of the streets when her legs was getting sore from all the walk.

It took her a long time to arrive in her 'home' since she was walking slowly to prevent the reopening of her wounds in her legs, frequently sitting on nearby chair throughout the way whenever she saw one. She was even scolded one time when she didn't realize she was sitting to an elderly woman's chair and got chased away.

She sighed before looking at the horizon, the sun setting down into the night. Are those siblings okay? Did they find a roof to stay? If only for her wounds, she would already at her home a long time ago but Kanao had walked throughout the whole day…

"Onee-chan!"

She looked at the side at the familiar call before someone promptly came out from her 'home' and she fell to ground when something tackled her. Looking down at the culprit clinging at her middle, she saw the little sister of the siblings before she raised her attention as she saw the little girl's brothers came out from her 'home'. A sigh of relief overcame her. Of course, they would stay there. With her gone, it was probably the vacant 'home' they found.

"This is bad, Onee-chan!"

She returned her attention back to little girl and saw her wearing a worried look. "What?"

"It's him! He said he wanted to see you!" The girl gripped her yukata as she looked at her with unshed tears. "Run away, Onee-chan! I don't want you to get hurt again!"

Confused at her words, she tried to calm the little girl down. "What are you talking about? Who's waiting—"

"I am."

Tilting her head up above her when a shadow fell upon them, Kanao saw a good-looking man with piercing green eyes looking down at her. Recognizing the identity from his eyes, she immediately stood up and dragged the little sister behind her, ignoring the racking pain from her legs as she backed away from him.

"Don't run. I am not here for your hand. Neither does your feet."

Kanao narrowed her eyes. "…then what is it?"

"Fangs of Vengeance."

"…what about it?"

Kanao took a tentative retreated a step when the man raised his hand, his fist clenched aimed at her. "A fair fight. That's your fangs of vengeance."

She gave him a frown, confused at his words. "What?"

His eyebrow twitched, gritting his teeth before he shouted at her. "Are you fucking dumb?! I'm asking you to fight me!"

It took her a full minute to register his words in her brain before she was able to exclaim one single word she can come up with.

"What?!"

Kanao was bewildered when she heard those words from him. Fight? Fight for what? What is she fighting for? Why is she fighting him? For what reason is she fighting him? Why is he asking of this from her? And most of all…

Did he wait for her… just for this…?

He did say 'Fangs of Vengeance' to her but she thought it was for him, an act of retribution used against others whom he thought acting wrongly; opposing him and use the 'Fang of Vengeance' to them in retaliation. But if he approached her for this, didn't he already did it in their meeting? Her slashed wrist and legs was the evidence of that incident. Moreover, if he was asking for a fight now, she's not a good shape to accept his words since she was still recovering from wounds that he, himself, inflicted.

What is his intention? She was confused; very, very confused at his current actions towards her. Wait. Kanao recalled his words. Did he just said 'your Fangs of Vengeance' earlier? Her Fangs of Vengeance? Why does he want it from her? What does he benefit from it?

"Oh, I'm sorry if I have to interrupt your conversation but I have something to do with her."

Kanao distracted her attention at the sudden voice who interjected them as a man with a familiar—very familiar face came to them to their exchange. Seeing his appearance, she looked at the person who interrupted them with wide eyes as she recognized him.

Isn't he… the one who saved her—the Shinigami who saved her from this man in front of her?

"You!" The man beside her exclaimed at the new face. "What are you doing here in Flower District?! I thought you—"

"You got the wrong person to accuse, Hashibira." The man quickly cut him off. "If you're talking about my brother, it was just a coincidence. Muichirō was visiting my home a few days ago when he saw you attacking someone and intercepted you for furthering the damage."

"…what the hell. I didn't know he got a brother living in here."

"Looks like you're not doing a great job being The Leader of Black Zeal if you didn't know, Great Boar."

"Wha—?!"

She watched both men in front of her as they bicker back and forth. They seem to know each other…at least, to some degree. She took a quick note to herself that the man beside her was named Hashibira and the man's brother was Muichirou.

While she had no qualms of them having their quarrel, her legs had been incredible sore and tired, additionally, the wounds on her legs seemed to be on verge of reopening since the agonizing pain she was feeling right now was getting more than just tolerable. Without a word, Kanao walked away from them to search for something to sit and rest to ease the pain from her legs. Or maybe, do the breathing method if the massages doesn't work.

"Hey. Where are you going?"

Recognizing the man's voice, she replied without looking back, "I'm tired. I'll wait at the side to finish your conversation."

"…actually, I'm done talking with this guy. Arguing with him any longer will only waste my time."

"Hey!" Hashibira yelled.

"What, it's true. After all, you didn't work any spare time to find that your former leader's brother was living in 17th District, right?"

"…!"

She halted her steps when she heard those words. She looked back at the man's appearance while recalling the appearance of a certain Shinigami. If the reaction of Hashibira of this man to be trusted and the man's words about his brother, perhaps they were related…? And those words 'former leader' from the man while talking about his brother… then that means the Shinigami and the former leader of Black Light are the same person…?

If that's the case, then that means Hashibira's predecessor as a leader was the same Shinigami who saved her…?

…what…? Kanao was confused at the silent revelation she just found out.

"Now, let us go and ignore this boar. Before I forgot, my name is Tokitō Yuichirō, twin brother of Tokitō Muichirō who is the former guardian of this guy," he jabbed his thumb at Hashibira, "before he became a Shinigami and saved you a few days ago. I'm actually here to fetch you by my brother's words who wanted to meet you formally."

Not just someone who wanted to fight her and now there's someone who wanted to meet her…? Is there gonna be a time where she's going to get her well-earned rest? "I'm sorry but I have to refuse you." Kanao bowed her head to the man in apology before she raised her head. "And my name is Tsuyuri Kanao."

Yuichirō trailed his eyes at her bandaged wrist and to her wrapped up legs. "Because of your injuries, huh."

She blinked, wondering at his contemplating words.

"Alright. Hashibira, can you carry Tsuyuri for me?"

"Eh?" She was surprised at his words. "No, I—"

"HUH?! Why would I?! Didn't she said it herself she don't want to?!" Hashibira cut her off before she can finish her sentence.

"Hmm. Tsuyuri, the reason you refused me because of your wounds, right? Your legs are hurting that's why you didn't accept me and can't currently walk, right?" Yuichirō turned to her, as if asking for clarification.

"Yeah." Kanao nodded. That was pretty much of it. And also, she wanted to sleep since she walked all night.

"Then are you gonna be fine if I let Hashibira carry you to my brother?"

"Hey! Don't order me like a slave in your bidding!"

"That's…" She trailed off, looking at her 'home' where she can see the siblings peeking to them. Yuichirou seemed to catch the meaning of her gaze.

"I see. So it's them. Stay here, Tsuyuri, Hashibira. Let me talk to them before we go."

After she saw Yuichirou enter her 'home', she immediately collapsed at the ground as the strength of her legs gave out.

"Hey, are you okay?"

She gave Hashibira a surprised look since she didn't expect those words from him. "I'm fine. Just tired."

"Oh."

Both of them stayed silent after that.

Rubbing her legs to ease the pain—and her wrist was beginning to hurt too—she found out it was futile and resorted to use the breathing method. Closing her eyes, she inhaled a huge amount of air before she exhaled it out; repeating this actions repetitively, focused and determined it would ease her pain.

"You know how to use breathing technique too?"

Her concentration broke when Hashibira spoke. "Breathing technique?" Too? She silently added.

"Yeah. It's like… breathing continuously."

Kanao gave him a skeptical look. "Yeah… continuously." Doesn't everyone breathes continuously?

"We're okay now. I was able to convince the siblings to take their Onee-chan with us temporarily." Yuichirou arrived without them noticing as he looked at her. "With Hashibira carrying you, you're gonna be fine, right?"

Tilting her head, she wondered why he seemed to be in a hurry, but despite that, she nodded at him.

"Alright. Now, Hashibira, carry her."

"No way." He crossed his arms.

"Why not? This is your chance to meet Muichirō again, you know."

"That's the reason why I'm not going with you!"

Kanao glanced between them before landing her eyes at Hashibira. Did he and the former leader had a fall out?

"What, that's such a weak excuse to not carry Tsuyuri. Have you been getting weaker ever since you've become a leader? Have you not been working out since then? I don't care if you want to meet him or not, all I want for you is to carry her. Well, since you don't want to, seeing that you have gotten weaker, I have no choice but carry her myself."

Seeing Hashibira trembling and clenching his fists in rage, she tried to interject. "No, you don't have—"

Before she can finish her sentence, Kanao found herself levitated—realizing she was being carried and currently resting in the arms of Hashibira, with his hands under the back of her knees and her upper back; bridal carrying her. She gaped at him in surprise.

"Weak? Weak, you say?" He growled under his breath as she can see him having a murderous expression very, very close to her face since she was literally under his chin. "I'll show you weak, you bastard! Can you see a weak person carrying this woman like this effortlessly by themselves?!" She let out a yelp when he raised her above his head.

"I'm glad you're still lively as always, Hashibira. And also, carry her properly, you idiot. Are you trying to kill her from fright?"

"OOOOOUUUU!"

"He's not listening…"

Looking at the darkening skies above her, Kanao can't help the disbelief coursing through her. Just what in a world she got herself into?

"Now, let's go, Tsuyuri, Hashibira."

"Yeah!"

Author's Musing:

Hmm… I wonder if the anime for Bleach would be a reboot or a continuation. As I said before, there's a 50-50 chance that an anime would be announced (if anything else, I would fucking howl in laughter if it's revealed to be only BURN THE WITCH OVA) at AnimeJapan in late March (I think? I may got the date wrong; if it is, late April probably). While the reboot is cool (like FMA:B, Fruits Basket 2019, HxH 2011), but I think continuation is more likely.

(Or maybe it is already announced while I'm writing this.)

Terminology used in the chapter
(taken from r/bleach and wikia)

Seireitei Tsūshin (Seireitei Communications/Court of Pure Souls Correspondence): Also called Seireitei Communications Monthly, is a magazine released in Soul Society.
Chūō Shijūroku (Central 46): The highest authority of Soul Society below Soul King. Comprised of 40 Wise Men and 6 Judges.
Gijutsukaihatsu Kyoku (Technological Development Department/Shinigami Research and Development Institute): Soul Society's organization for research and development department.
Daireishokairō (Great Spirit Library): The source of all of Soul Society's recorded knowledge and history.