Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with Bleach and Seirei Tsukai no Blade Dance.
Reason of Choice
In the Astral Zone, Toshinari was standing on a branch of a large tree. He looked and was seeing spirits roaming around.
"I suppose everything is coming together," Toshinari said, "I guess I can move on to the next phase."
Toshinari suddenly felt an incoming attack and dodge a flame attack as he back flipped and landed on his feet on the ground. Toshinari was surprised and then he turned and saw who was it that attacked him it was Rubia Elstein.
"I've found you," Rubia said with a glare.
"Oh dear," Toshinari said amazed, "I did not expect you to find me."
"You took a few souls to the place where you came from," Rubia said, "the place called the Soul Society. I want to know what you plan to do with him."
"Uh, I have no idea what you're implying," Toshinari said.
"Kamito Kazehaya, Jio Inzagi, and Velsaria Eva Fahrengart," Rubia said, "you took them to that place. I want to know what you are planning."
"What makes you think that I am planning for anything?" Toshinari replied, "I'm just doing my duty expected of me."
"That would be fine… if it wasn't for the fact that you're being selective," Rubia said, "there have been other people that have died but you never bother to take their souls to the Soul Society."
"Oh and what makes you think that?" Toshinari asked, "You're just saying things with no proof."
"I have proof," Rubia said, "and I can show the proof that I have."
"Hmm, okay let's just say for argument sake that what you just said is true, it still doesn't answer one thing," Toshinari said, "why are you attacking me? Whatever what your reason is, it's pointless and it's just stupid to attack me."
"You can be useful to help me in what I am trying to do," Rubia said.
"Oh, so you're testing me," Toshinari said, "I see," Toshinari shook his head, "However I have no interest. I rather not be involved so I'm going to have to decline."
"Are you sure you want to refuse?" Rubia asked.
"Yeah I'm sure," Toshinari said, "so with that, I'm taking my leave."
Toshinari used Shunpo to leave and Rubia was surprised and ran and stopped to where Toshinari stood and looked around. Rubia narrowed her eyes and was disappointed.
"How unfortunate," Rubia said.
"Cardinal," A female voice said.
Rubia turned and saw Lily who kneeled before Rubia.
"Lily," Rubia said, "what is going on with Muir?"
"It's not good," Lily said upset, "she's gone off the deep end."
"I suspected so," Rubia said, "no choice. We have to stop her now otherwise she will ruin things further with my plans. We have already lost the important piece with Kamito Kazehaya and the Dark Spirit Restia is gone as well. We can't let things get ruined any further."
"Understood Cardinal," Lily said as she stood up.
"Let's go," Rubia said.
Rubia and Lily left and went on their way. Meanwhile someone was watching and it was someone with the white cloak and hood. The person smiled and turned around and went on the other way.
District 40 of West Rukongai, Takame, Soul Society
It was early in the morning and Velsaria stepped out of her small rundown house by the river. Velsaria sighed and then she turned around and looked someone and it was actually her Elemental Spirit Dreadnought. Velsaria smiled as her contracted spirit kneeled before her Elementalist.
"To think you would be able to be with me," Velsaria said with a smile, "I'm grateful. Thank you Dreadnought."
Dreadnought nodded and light surrounded the spirit and went in the spirit seal that appeared on Velsaria's right hand. Velsaria looked at her spirit seal and smiled as she was grateful. The night before when Velsaria was sitting in her house, she heard a noise that was coming from outside. Velsaria was concerned and went outside to see what was going on. She was surprised when she stepped outside and saw Dreadnought who kneeled by her house. Velsaria was shocked and happy to see her contracted spirit. She learned from Dreadnought that the fortress spirit was able to link himself to her spirit seal even as she was being taken to the Soul Society. Velsaria was not sure how Dreadnought he was able to it but for her, it did not matter as of now she had her contracted spirit with her. Now she was having a walk in the district. Velsaria had plans to give her answer of whether or not she would join the Yarikawa Clan. Velsaria had her answers and knew what her answer to be. Later on, Velsaria arrived at an area that had grave markers. Velsaria looked on and saw the place that had look like they were graves.
"Are these graves?" Velsaria asked.
Sher suddenly noticed someone who was standing by the grave markers and it was a Shinigami who was a tall and lean looking man with silver hair tied to a small ponytail and he had brown eyes.
"Who is this?" Velsaria asked in her head.
The silver haired Shinigami turned and noticed Velsaria.
"Oh hello there," The silver haired Shinigami said.
"H-Hello," Velsaria responded.
On the other side, there was somebody who was seeing the Shinigami and the person was Katsuie who drew his sword from his sheath and glared at the Shinigami as he readied his sword.
"You bastard!" Katsuie yelled.
Velsaria and the silver haired Shinigami were surprised and the Shinigami quickly readied himself as Katsuie charged towards the Shinigami with his sword with the intent to slice him. Velsaria was surprised to see Katsuie and the Shinigami saw his would-be attacker and easily dodged Katsuie's attack and faced the angry tall man.
"Katsuie?" Velsaria spoke.
"My dear old friend," The silver haired Shinigami said.
"Friend?" Velsaria asked.
"Don't you dare call me that," Katsuie replied angrily, "We're no longer friends Yoshikatsu, especially when you made the choice to betray us and now, you're a damn Shinigami, a servant to the oppression and scum of the Seireitei."
"Katsuie," The Shinigami named Yoshikatsu said.
"I have no sympathy for you Yoshikatsu," Katsuie continued, "you are dead to me so prepare yourself."
"Don't do it," Yoshikatsu said, "it's not right."
"Shut up!" Katsuie responded angrily.
Katsuie charged and swung his sword towards Yoshikatsu but the Shinigami easily dodged the sword swing and then with the last swing that Katsuie did, Yoshikatsu countered by flipping Katsuie over and had him fall on the ground and then when Katsuie quickly recovered to turn to do his own counter, Yoshikatsu quickly drew his sword and placed his blade by Katsuie's neck. It was a shocked to both Katsuie and Velsaria seeing how fast and focus Yoshikatsu was.
"This is over," Yoshikatsu said, "don't waste your life Katsuie."
Velsaria was in awe in what she saw and Katsuie was angry as he looked at Yoshikatsu with defiance.
"Just kill me," Katsuie said, "I'd rather die here than receive mercy from a traitorous bastard like you."
Velsaria was shocked in what she heard what Katsuie had just said and Yoshikatsu had a disappointed expression as he looked at Katsuie.
"You are such an idiot," Yoshikatsu replied, "I'm not going to kill you especially since you demand it. I wish you would stop this foolishness."
Yoshikatsu moved his sword from Katsuie's neck and proceeded to sheath his sword as Katsuie stood up.
"This isn't over Yoshikatsu," Katsuie said, "I swear that you and all those you are with will pay for what happened here," Katsuie then pointed at the grave markers, "those graves are those that died as the result of the heinous actions of the Seireitei."
"You still don't understand," Yoshikatsu said, "what happened here was a terrible tragedy but that doesn't mean that everyone in the Seireitei is guilty. What happened was perpetrated by one individual."
"Yeah and that one individual is being protected by all of you which makes the rest of you guilty," Katsuie pointed out, "you have no excuse for this and you especially Yoshikatsu have no excuse in joining the Gotei 13 after what happened."
Yoshikatsu frowned and then had a sad expression.
"It seems that I have overstayed my time here," Yoshikatsu said, "I have to go back."
Yoshikatsu began to walk away and Katsuie clenched his teeth as he watched Yoshikatsu leave.
"Just you wait!" Katsuie declared, "The Yarikawa Clan will bring the hammer of justice against the Gotei 13 and all the nobles in the Seireitei and you won't be an exception Yoshikatsu Koda!"
"I am not your enemy," Yoshikatsu said as he stopped walking, "I do not wish to fight you nor do I want to fight Jiro."
"You have no say in the matter," Katsuie countered, "the moment you joined the Gotei 13 as a Shinigami, you became one of the Yarikawa's enemies. There's no talking out of this."
"Damn, I really hate this," Yoshikatsu said.
Yoshikatsu continued walking and he left as Katsuie just stood there and watched and Velsaria was shocked in what she saw and heard.
"Katsuie," Velsaria said.
Katsuie turned and saw Velsaria.
"Oh Velsaria," Katsuie said and then he frowned, "sorry you had to see that sad display."
"It's fine," Velsaria replied, "Don't worry about it. But since you're here, it saves me the trouble to come to you. I need to talk to you."
"Right of course you do," Katsuie said and then he smiled, "I take it that you're ready to join us."
"My apologies but I'm afraid that I can't join you and the others," Velsaria said.
Katsuie was shocked at Velsaria's answer and looked at the long blonde haired woman.
"A-Are you serious?" Katsuie asked.
"I am," Velsaria said, "I want to inform you and Jiro Yarikawa that while I do appreciate the offer to join the Yarikawa Clan, I'm afraid that I must decline."
District 40 of North Rukongai, Minori
Restia was sitting and relaxing on the roof of the house that herself, Kamito, and Est were staying. Restia was looking up in the sky and sighed.
"I never believed that I would be here in the Soul Society," Restia said, "if it was up to me I would not be here… but Kamito is here and I vow to never separate from him again."
Someone came on the roof and it was Est and she stood behind Restia.
"So this is where you were," Est said.
"Well it's not like I was hiding Demon Slayer," Restia said.
"I don't trust you," Est said.
"Oh?" Restia replied sounding amused, "Is that so?"
"You know what you did in the past," Est said, "and just because Kamito forgives you doesn't mean that I do."
"Well it's a good thing that I'm not concern of whether or not you forgive me," Restia said, "I don't care if you don't approve me."
"I know that but I'm going to warn you that I will make you pay if you hurt and betray Kamito again," Est warned.
"You have no idea," Restia said, "Did you not hear me yesterday? Everything I did was for Kamito's sake."
"Your way of doing things led to Kamito's death," Est pointed, "don't think that you can walk that back."
"You don't need to remind me," Restia replied, "I have such regret with how things went. Not that I need to prove or answer to you on anything but I will protect Kamito. I will stay by his side."
"I will stay by Kamito's side," Est said, "and I will never leave him like you did."
Restia turned her head to Est, "You're a cheeky little one."
Est just started at Restia in silence and Restia was actually amused and the two swords just faced each other. Meanwhile Kamito was inside and was listening in on what both of his contracted spirits were discussing about and he sighed.
"I really hope they can get along," Kamito said, "Anyway, I think it would be good if the three of walked around in the district."
Kamito got up and stepped out of the house. He walked and was able to see Restia and Est and called for the two of them suggesting that they stroll around in the district together. Naturally, they both like the idea and got off from the roof to join with Kamito. The three of them walked together and Restia wrapped her arms around Kamito's left arm and was feeling happy. Est decided to do the same thing and wrapped her arms around Kamito's right arm. Kamito chuckled softly as they continued on their way.
District 40 of West Rukongai, Takame
Velsaria gave her answer to Katsuie about whether she joins the Yarikawa Clan and her answer was that she declined the invitation. Katsuie just stood and was surprised at Velsaria's answer.
"Can you tell me why?" Katsuie asked as he was a bit upset, "Why don't you want to join us? I can assure you that it is not a waste."
"I cannot bring myself to join you and your group," Velsaria said, "I know what occurred in the past thanks to Kozue. I now know about what happened when a noble from the Seireitei intentionally caused a disaster when performing a ritual that brought forth Hollows and attacked everyone all for the sake in the attempt to control them and it was known that the noble that cause the tragedy here would not get punished for it."
"Even with that, you still won't join?" Katsuie asked not happy that Velsaria was declining.
"Yes even with that, I will not join," Velsaria said, "it is not to say I don't believe in what you are trying to do. What happened here is unforgivable but I don't feel it is my right and place to get involved."
"Not your right and place?" Katsuie asked, "Velsaria, what do you mean by that?"
"I myself have done terrible things in the past," Velsaria said feeling regret, "I was obsessed in defeating someone who basically did not acknowledge me. Feeling that my pride and performance shattered, I went to means to get stronger in hopes to face the person and defeat them but in the process, I hurt a lot of innocent people, including my own dear sister who looked up to me and loved me as I loved her," Velsaria felt sad as she remember how cold she was towards Ellis, "I do not have any right to fight any cause with the way I hurt people in the past. Besides, even if it wasn't the case, I'm not so sure if I really want to be involved in your group and with listening to you and that Shinigami, I feel there is more going on."
"There is nothing more going on," Katsuie insisted, "it's clear cut."
"I don't think it is," Velsaria said shaking her head, "Kozue felt the same way and I agree with what she said."
"You can't be serious," Katsuie said.
"I am so I must refuse," Velsaria said, "my apologies Katsuie. I know you had hoped that I would join you but I must refuse. Please let the leader know of my decision."
"You're making a mistake Velsaria," Katsuie said, "I know you have potential. I can sense it from you. Can't you reconsider?"
"I gave you my answer Katsuie," Velsaria replied, "Please do not ask me anymore of this."
"Damn it Velsaria," Katsuie responded.
"It can't be helped," A male voice said, "to be honest, I didn't think she would actually join us."
Velsaria and Katsuie turned to the side and they saw that it was Shigure.
"Shigure," Katsuie said.
"I actually think it's understandable that she wouldn't join us," Shigure said.
"What are you saying Shigure?" Katsuie asked, "Don't you realize we could be missing out of a potential aid for the Yarikawa Clan?"
"This woman just came here recently," Shigure pointed out, "she's new and has no stake in joining us. She wasn't here when that incident with the Hollows happened and let's be really, really honest. The Yarikawa Clan… our leader Jiro Yarikawa, he's no different and you know it to be true."
Katsuie was taken aback from what Shigure just said and Velsaria was wondering what Shigure meant. Shigure then turned to Velsaria.
"Don't worry Velsaria," Shigure said, "we'll let our leader know of your decision. Frankly in my opinion, you actually made the right call," Shigure turned to Katsuie, "we need to head back to the base and let Leader know and besides, the meeting will start soon and we need to be there."
Katsuie had his head down and sighed
"Fine, we do need to get back for the meeting," Katsuie said.
Katsuie and Shigure went to head back to the base of the Yarikawa Clan. As they were leaving, Katsuie looked back at Velsaria and was disappointed. Velsaria looked on and sighed.
"This is the right call for me," Velsaria said in her head.
Velsaria brought out her right hand and her spirit seal glowed and Dreadnought came out and was right next to her. Velsaria looked at her contracted spirit and smiled and felt comfort having Dreadnought with her.
District 40 of North Rukongai, Minori
Kamito, Est, and Restia were walking thought the marketplace of the district and they were looking around as the two girls were still holding on Kamito's arms. It earned them looks from other people and it made Kamito chuckled softly in response. Someone walked by and they stopped and saw the trio and it was Kota.
"Oh hi there Kamito," Kota greeted.
"Hi Kota," Kamito responded back happily.
Kota noticed Resita and was curious.
"And who is this?" Kota asked, "Another girl you know?"
"Yeah," Kamito said happily.
"Hello there," Restia said, "I am Restia and you're Kota. Kamito mentioned you. You're one of his friends."
"Yeah and it's nice to meet you Restia," Kota said.
"Nice to meet you as well," Restia said.
"So Kamito, is this girl here new?" Kota asked.
"Yeah in fact," Kamito said with a warm smile, "She's someone very important to me just like Est."
That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: Schemes are planned out and a being directs their attack on Kamito.
