Mejiis pov.
The calm breeze stroked my cheek gently as I slowly opened my eyes and looked at the blue sky. I was sitting under a tree and leaning against it to get away from the warm sun on this summer's day. I was smiling for myself as I was thinking back to the past. I sure was shy back then. Renji would just tease me about how I was back then if I were to tell him I was thinking about it, the very thought of him teasing me though made me smile as well. I turned my attention to the fight going on a couple of meters in front of me. Ikkaku and Yumichika were testing each other's strengths to become better fighters, I wasn't interested in fighting right now though, I just relaxed for a bit.
But a lot sure has happened since the time at the academy, about 40 years has passed I believe? Me and Renji are no longer just friends. No, we're closer. I remember the day he confessed to me as if it was just yesterday. It was a week before graduation and we were in the living room when he suddenly looked at me with such seriousness and longing at the same time. He walked up to me, took one of my hand in his and the other he used to lift my chin up so that I was staring into his eyes. No sign of insecurity could I find in his eyes, even though it was in a situation where nervousness is expected. He said' 'Mejii, for a long time now I've watched you and fallen for you more and more each day. I don't want to hide it anymore so now I'm asking you… to be mine''. At that moment Renji looked at me with such passion that it felt like I got lost in his eyes. I myself had developed feelings for him as well but hid them as I was worried about him not feeling the same way. With a smile I placed my other hand on his cheek and leaned in and kissed him, a bit surprised at first, it took Renji a second to realise what was going on, but as soon as he understood, he kissed back and everything about it felt so right, I pulled away and stared into his eyes. He had a gently look in his eyes but his lips clearly showed that he wanted more' 'yes'' I simply spoke making Renji smile as he kissed me.
My cheeks always turn a bit pink when I think about that. Me and Renji now live together in rukongai. However, that is not all that has happened. We both graduated and joined divisions! Renji decided to join the 6th division which captain Kuchiki is in charge for, Renji later told me that he is Rukias brother and he joined his squad to become stronger than him. Renji has even made it to a lieutenant position! His relationship to Rukia bothers me a little though, I wish they could find a way to become friends again as they used to be. Oh, and Renji isn't fighting with Shuuhei anymore! After Shuuhei fell for Rangiku he confessed to me that he thought he liked me but actually saw me as a sister, ever since then I often call him brother and he often calls me sister, me of course being the younger one, he teases me a lot. But hey, at least he and Renji aren't fighting anymore!
Izuru and Momo have both become lieutenants as well but in other divisions. Momo in the 5th division under captain Aizen. And Izuru in the 3rd division under captain Ichimaru. All of them were so proud of their positions which they should be. I was the only one who was not a lieutenant. After joining the 11th division and had my eyes set on becoming the lieutenant it was clear that Yachiru had that position thanks to her and captain Zarakis relationship. Ikkaku was later given the second seat, not just because of his fighting skills but because captain Zaraki really liked him. Yumichika is the forth seat. ''I don't like the number three'' was all he said and was given number four instead. I was given number three after that. Captain Zaraki has allowed me to go on lieutenant meetings though, as if I was one. Yachiru wants to play more than listen to the important news on the meetings, she attends but don't remembers much. Although captain Zaraki isn't always that interested in the information, sometimes he needs to know to make reports or to let me make them. So even though I am not the lieutenant I am considered one.
When captain Zaraki first approached me on this idea I did ask him why me and not Ikkaku, he is the second seat after all. ''out of all the idiots in this squad, your head is the most focused on what needs to be done. Although that is not typically the behaviour for a member of the 11th division I can see the importance of it. I can't trust anybody else with this but you. Besides, didn't you want a higher ranking?'' captain Zaraki playfully said while Yachiru was hanging on his shoulder. ''yay, blondie will play with me!'' she giggled with excitement giving me yet another nickname. I smiled at her and nodded. Yachiru really is someone you have to be around a lot to get used to their behaviour. At first I found her to be a bit annoying, she was a lieutenant but never acted like one. But now I like her a lot and as the only girls in this squad we've gotten close.
What else has changed? Well I now know the name on my swords, or well one of them. I learned the name on off the swords quite quickly but could never understand why not on both. I approached captain Kyoraku about the matter and he told me that it was very unusual. Captain Kyoraku fights with two swords and was my best option for answers. But he didn't have much to say. Instead he smiled at me in a fatherly way, petted my head and simply said' 'all zanpakuto are different, perhaps yours are a bit more independent? Try to talk to them.'' After finishing his sentence, he walked over to captain Ukitake, I had interrupted their walk after all. Since then I've tried to get my other sword to talk to me, but so far no answers.'' perhaps I should talk to her about questions?'' I spoke for myself as I was watching Yumichika and Ikkaku fight and testing their powers. I had been so deep in thought that I had missed them releasing their shikai. I was jealous, I want my swords to release as well. Realising I was getting more annoyed by the minute I stood up, put my hands on my swords and drew them. They hadn't noticed me yet, but I was going to change that. I jumped up in the air and swung downwards making them jump away. ''w-what the?! Mejii!'' Ikkaku shouted surprised at my sudden attack. I smiled playfully at him. ''we thought you were sleeping'' Yumichika said and gently moved some hair from his face behind his ear. I chuckled, 'don't underestimate me. I'll take both you sissies on'' Ikkaku smiled at me got into a fighting position, as did Yumichika. I took a step back so I could see them both clearly and positioned myself as well. ''the shikai rule is on Mejii'' Ikkaku said and waved his hand at me. The shikai rule basically means that anybody who is in the fight or enters the fight, has to go into shikai. ''tch'' I simply said and sheeted one of my swords. I placed the other one in my right hand and held it out in front of me and said my zanpakutos name' 'furasshu Hinoko'' a light as quick as lightning both appeared and disappeared showing the shikai form of my zanpakuto. [furasshu=flash, Hinoko=sparks.] My katana Hinoko has lightning powers and her blade resembles that. Almost like a chainsaw look does the blade have and I can feel the power from her. ''finally'' was all Ikkaku said and looked at me and Yumichika. ''let's do this!''
After a while of fighting, we were all laying on the grass beneath the tree. Right where I had been relaxing before I joined the fight. We were breathing heavy and our zanpakutos were lying next to us. We had been fighting for a few hours and it always cheered me up to battle like this. I liked feeling as strong if not stronger then guys. I did get a lot of negative comments at first when I said I wanted to join the 11th division, but I feel like I've proven myself. ''when did your meeting start Mejii?'' Yumichika said sitting up and looking at me and Ikkaku. I sat up as well and scratched the back of my head' 'hm, they would send someone out when it was time'' Ikkaku yawned as soon as I had finished my sentence, catching not only mine but Yumichikas attention. ''I still can't believe you agreed to do that work. Without recognition.'' He said and stretched his body. I raised an eye brow. ''don't bother yourself about my choices if you can't understand them.'' I said as I stood up and brushed some dirt of my hakama. I can be a bit harsher with my language towards the guys in my division, they are used to things like that. ''I'm just thinking about you, that's all.'' Ikkaku as usual has a soft spot underneath his so called *masculine* behaviour. He always acts tough but to his closest friends he can admit to worrying about them. ''I know Ikkaku. Thanks.'' I said having my back towards them, I could hear them both sigh with relief. I picked up my katana and turned to them. ''well, I'm off'' I said and started to walk but was quickly stopped by the two guys behind me shouting. ''hey where are you going?!'' I turned my head to them. They both looked at me with raised eyebrows. ''I asked captain Hitsugaya to meet with me at his office. I have a few questions I'd like to ask.'' They looked quizzically at me' 'what questions?'' Yumichika spoke. ''I'll tell you later. See ya!'' I said and took off before they could reply.
In the beginning I had a hard time with captain Hitsugaya. I didn't feel accepted in his stare and he always had such cold remarks towards me. But time has changed, thankfully. After meeting him with Momo and Rangiku, I saw a looser side of him and we can now talk with ease to one another. I don't have that with a lot of captains because of the vibes I get from them, but captain Hitsugaya is definitely someone I trust!
I arrived at the area where the 10th division is located. Not as many training and open areas as there are in the 11th division but still looked quite nice. I noticed Rangiku in the distant carrying a mountain of paper and I ran up to her. ''Lieutenant!'' I shouted and Rangiku turned around with a serious tone but softened her expression when she noticed me. ''Mejii! What brings you here? And how many times have I told you to call me Rangiku?'' she smiled at me playfully but with lots of love behind it. I scratched my cheek a little.''ah sorry, I'm here to see captain Hitsugaya. I asked to meet him today about some questions that I had.'' I said smiling at her. ''is that so? Well then, help me carry half of these and I'll take you to him'' she said winking and I immediately took half of the papers and we walked together to his office. ''Why did you want to meet him all of a sudden? Are those questions urgent? '' Rangiku asked with an interested look. ''not that urgent, besides I asked him last week to meet me about this.'' I said and chuckled a little. ''eeeh, I haven't heard about this!'' Rangiku said with a complaining tone which she uses sometime when she feels a bit left out. ''don't worry, nothing important.'' I said to help her feel better. ''well, if you say so. Oh where here!'' Rangiku said and stopped outside the door.
Rangiku opened the door without asking for permission from her captain to enter, I was beginning to realise how closely they work together. I could never dream of doing that. Captain Hitsugaya was deep into paperwork and didn't look away as he was starting to scold her for her behaviour' 'Matsumoto, how many times have I told you to let me know you're coming in?'' he was annoyed, almost growling. Matsumoto just smiled and laughed it away. ''look who came to visit you'' she said and placed her pile of paper on his desk and gestured at me to do the same. Captain Hitsugaya looked up and noticed me. ''ah right you wanted to talk?'' he said not changing his expression a lot. I know captain Hitsugaya takes on a lot of paperwork and I'm sure that he'd just like to finish it, yet I come here and interrupt him even more than Rangiku does. I nodded apologetically. He sighed and leaned back in his chair before stretching his body for sitting still so long.''Right sit on the couch there, will you leave us in the meantime Matsumoto?'' matsumoto stretched her arms after carrying so many papers and said' 'eeeh really, I want to listen to Mejii too!'' complaining to her captain who obviously got annoyed' 'just go!'' he said and Rangiku sighed and smiled' 'yes captain.'' and left after that. Captain Hitsugaya breathed out'' Rangiku is very friendly huh?'' I smiled nervously at him to try and brighten the mood. ''if that's the word you want to describe her with.'' He had his eyes closed and leaned back in the couch. I sat up straight'. ''thank you for agreeing to meet me.'' I said and bowed. Captain Hitsugaya just waved his hand a little annoyed' 'it's fine. You had some questions right? Why come to me?'' captain Hitsugaya said with a serious tone. Captain Hitsugaya doesn't have time to play around with me really, although he seemed grateful to get a break. Knowing him, I have to be respectful and serious, there isn't a lot of people who get away with being super friendly with him, I am not one of them yet. I swallowed hard. ''the truth is that the questions I have is about my zanpakuto. I know a lot about them but this is a problem like no other. My captain has no experience with zanpakutos. I talked to captain Ukitake and captain Kyoraku but they didn't have answers either. Besides them you are the only other captain I feel comfortable asking and could potentially be the one to help me get most answers.'' Captain Hitsugaya had the same serious expression on as he had before I started talking. Knowing that this doesn't sound like a big problem I bowed once more ''please help me'' captain Hitsugaya sighed, 'I'll see what I can do. Now the questions?'' he obviously didn't think that this was a job for a captain, which I understand AND agree. However, I don't want to have to talk to captain Kurotsuchi, he freaks me out. I placed both of my zanpakutos on the table between us and started talking. ''these are the two zanpakutos I have been given. Normally when fighting with two swords you have one katana and one wakizashi. These two are both katana though-'' Hitsugaya didn't look interested yet. I can see why; you can still fight with two katanas but it is very rare. ''I've learned the name on one of the swords but the other is unresponsive-'' this sparked an interest. I could tell. ''after asking captain Kyoraku about his swords, he uses two as well after all, he said it was odd indeed that both of them didn't transform. He informed me that trying to talk to it might help. Of course I have tried that, but it is as if nothing is in there, like an empty shell.'' He turned his eyes from the swords to me instead. ''I have tried to ask Hinoko if she knows the reason. That was some time ago now and she didn't have anything to say.'' As I was about to continue captain Hitsugaya raised his hand and gestured me to be quiet. ''so basically, the problem is your unresponsive sword?'' I nodded. ''just as Kyoraku said, the zanpakuto is different from shinigami to shinigami and therefore I can't do much. I could talk to Kurotsuchi for you but it will anger him more if I do it instead of you.'' captain Hitsugaya was thinking around the problem, which is the only thing he can do. I knew that from the beginning, he couldn't help me much but it was something I needed to confirm. I sighed.'' yes sir.'' Was all I said. ''your zanpakuto will answer in no time…'' captain Hitsugaya said and gave me a faint smile in order to cheer me up a bit. ''thanks, I'm just worried it'll end up like captain Zarakis zanpakuto.'' Captain Hitsugaya chuckled a little' 'Zaraki is one of a kind, don't let your worries get to you.'' with that said I smiled at him with gratitude.
''Hitsugaya-kun?'' a soft voice spoke behind the door. Knowing that voice and that nickname for him we both knew who it was. ''come in'' he said and as soon as the door opened and closed he turned his head and said' 'and it's not Hitsugaya-kun, it's captain Hitsugaya!'' as usual, Momos nicknames for him annoyed him and I giggled a little. ''ah Mejii you were in here as well? I came to get you and matsumoto said she saw you here last but she didn't know if you were still here.'' she simply said and smiled at me. ''yeah, just had a few questions about my zanpakutos.'' Momo smiled at me and nodded before she turned her eyes back to captain Hitsugaya. ''Hitsugaya-kun, I'm just here to get Mejii for the meeting.'' His eyes turned a little pink it was almost invisible' 'sure, we just finished here anyways. And its captain Hitsugaya!'' Momo just giggled and I stood up and walked with her. But before I exited the room I turned around towards captain Hitsugaya and bowed' 'thanks for your help today.'' He just waved' 'it's fine, now hurry up and go'' I smiled to him as I closed the door and went with Momo.
The meeting started at sunset and didn't last very long. Everybody was in there as me and Momo entered and sat down on our spots on the tatami. I looked around and observed what everybody were doing. Brother Shuuhei was joking with Izuru who seemed to find whatever he said funny. Rangiku was talking to Isane and Nanao, both Isane and Nanao blushing at the things Rangiku said. Marechiyo was joking around with Tetsuzaemon about who knows what. Nemu was sitting quiet as she usually does. Yachiru had decided to sit down right next to me and the two goons from the 13th division Kiyone and Sentaro, who are just filling in the role as the 13th divisions lieutenants, were arguing as usual. Renji however was sitting quietly next to Shuuhei and Izuru, usually he would join them but today something was off. I kept wondering why but got distracted by Chojiro. Chojiro had to clear his throat to get everybody's attention and to get everyone to be quiet so that he could start the meeting.
The meetings with the lieutenants was more serious than usual today. It was about the capturing of Rukia Kuchiki who had been in the living world for some time now. We had found out that she had given her powers to a human who became a substitute shinigami. That is illegal and she was to be punished for that. I knew about this, all of this, but I was surprised to hear what had been decided about this. Chojiro cleared his throat' 'today it was decided who are to go and fetch Rukia Kuchiki. After the meeting that was held today it was decided that the 6th divisions captain Kuchiki and 6th divisions lieutenant Renji Abari were the ones to fetch her.'' Not a lot of people reacted to the news, but I did. I instantly turned my head and looked at him with worry. Renji didn't change his expression one bit, he kept his gaze focused on the floor which made me even more worried. Chojiro looked at Renji' 'it was decided to fetch her tonight. We all wish you luck on your mission Renji Abari.'' Chojiro finished his sentence and Renji turned and looked at him. ''yeah'' was all he said and Chojiro nodded and cleared his throat. ''well then, on to the next subject...''
The meeting continued on as usual after that with the same things we go through every week. I kept my eyes on Renji through the meeting though to see if this affected him, however, he didn't even flinch. I have never seen him so focused like that, it almost frightened me.
After the meeting both me and Renji remained in the room we were in. everybody else had left but I knew I had to talk to him about this and it seemed like he understood that as well, since he didn't leave either. We were sitting face to face, Renji had moved back so that he was leaning against the wall but I hadn't moved an inch. He crossed his arms waiting for me to speak. His eyes were closed and he looked like he was ready to listen to what I have to say. I however, wanted him to start. Knowing that Renji would wait for me to start I sighed and started talking. ''how are you feeling?'' I asked giving him a concerned look. He slowly raised his head and looked at me, at first with seriousness in his eyes that usually leaves me filled with lust, but this time I got worried. He noticed my worry and breathed out the tension and relaxed more. ''I'm fine, captain Kuchiki has been trying to get them to choose us for a while, so I've been prepared for it.'' I noticed how my mouth dropped a little and I raised an eyebrow ''you've never told me this.'' I felt a little hurt but not enough to let it show, I don't want him to feel guilty. ''I thought about telling you, but since it wasn't decided yet, I thought I should wait until it was.'' He scratched the back of his head. I understood what he meant. ''I see. What now? It has been decided now.'' Renji didn't answer at first, he rested his hands on his knees and was silent for a moment. During that time, I decided to stand up and sit down next to him. His eyes followed me and as I sat down and leaned my head on his shoulder, he leaned his head on mine. I hugged his arm and he started to talk. ''it's been a long time now since me and her lost contact. Right now I don't have a problem with capturing her. I know that she could face death penalty for her actions but I'm sure captain Kuchiki will change their minds, so I don't have that much of a problem with it. I'm just angry that she did it from the very beginning. '' Renji said. I sighed with relief ''so you don't feel down about it?'' he choked his head. ''no, more glad to be the one to fetch her. Like I said, just angry she did it from the very beginning.'' I smiled at him, wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him deeply, Renji didn't hesitate to kiss back and pulled me into his lap. I noticed his hands were gradually getting lower on my body and I had to pull back from the kiss to stop him. He looked surprised at me, as I never stop him. I giggled and said ''Renji we're not exactly at home''. Realising where we were, he started to blush a little and let me go. We both stood up and walked outside together still blushing. ''shame that I'm working tonight.'' Renji said and winked at me, clearly hinting at what he was about to do in the meeting room. I started to blush a little but giggled at the same time as well. Although it's still a bit embarrassing, I'm comfortable enough around Renji to talk and joke about it a bit. We stopped when we were outside the building as we saw both Ikkaku and Yumichika waiting outside. The two of them were smiling from ear to ear which made me smile as well, they are contagious. ''so what are you two idiots waiting for?'' Renji said and looked bored. ''we heard you're working late tonight.'' Yumichika said, ''which means that as tradition, we get to sleep over at your house with Mejii and drink sake until we crash!'' Ikkaku said and started to do his lucky dance. Even though Renji knows I can take care of myself, he started this thing early on as he was very protective of me, now it has become a tradition more or less that they follow me home and drink sake. That's why they get so happy whenever it happens. Renji sighed at Ikkakus dance but turned his head at me and smiled. ''well, I'll see you later. Don't worry too much.'' I smiled. ''I'll try.'' He leaned down and kissed me on the cheek before he turned around and left, leaving me with my two division mates.
The two of them didn't wait to drag me with them to mine and Renjis home. We even met some friends on the way who we invited there! Izuru, Shuuhei and Rangiku! Even though they are always so busy they accepted and for the rest of the night we all drank and had so much fun! I couldn't help to worry about Renji though, which I always do. But they all made it easier for me as I was laughing so much and the sake helped to forget a bit as well.