I smile because of Cherry Blossoms

by Sassafras1009

A hollow attack in Rukongai leaves a teenager injured. The Lieutenant who intervened offers her a deal: guard his teen son while he's away, and in return she'll be trained by their family. Friendship, and maybe more begins to blossom but will these budding feelings survive an unspeakable tragedy? There's a reason why as adults they smile when they see cherry blossoms.

1. The intervention

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, it belongs to Tite Kubo. Only the OC is my idea, her backstory, abilities, appearance, etc. I do not make any money from this story.

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Hot dirt road beneath her bare feet, a dark haired teenager with indigo eyes and peach toned skin stood before the triple headed creature. Others scurried around her, yelling, screaming, it was pure chaos. Adults were knocking down young children and the older children were lifting the smaller ones back to their feet. It moved towards another local kid. No, not today! Gripping the white hilt attached to her side she leapt up and slashed, her blade blocking the attack that had been intended for the child, but now the beast had ensnared her only weapon, and she could see the creatures teeth were beginning to pierce through the blade.

Fighting against her own panic she hollered the only thing she was concerned about, "someone get that kid!"

She didn't know when they showed up or why they had journeyed out so far from the Seireitei but she could smell cherry blossoms, and felt an electric sensation. There were no cherry trees anywhere in the district. This much she knew, and there wasn't a single cloud in the sky.

The beast let go of her blade unexpectedly, causing her to lose her balance and descend towards the ground. The beast's mouth lunged for her. She observed as a black and white blur moved rapidly slicing off each of the beast's heads, but not before one of its teeth broke her skin. She screamed out as the searing pain invaded her arm. She was still conscious, realizing that she'd fallen into the arms of a Shinigami, and noticed the badge on their left arm: Sixth squad Lieutenant.

Hurried footsteps padded towards them, and a boy inquired, "father, is she alright?"

"I fear she may have been exposed to a toxin, Byakuya," The man's voice answered. As her vision blurred she noticed that the man's indigo eyes were narrowing in the direction where the beast had stood.

"It seems this creature is not yet willing to admit defeat. I can't leave yet, but she needs medical treatment," he concluded. That was the last thing she heard before everything went black.

'I'm nobody. Just let me die. Stop that thing. Save the village,' she silently pleaded.