Between the Earth and Sky

by Kira Douji

HIATIS If you never take the last step, you will spend the rest of your life wondering if you would have fallen. Kuchiki Byakuya x Abarai Renji.

6. A Petal's Edge

Title: A Petal's Edge
Rating: MPAA: NC-17, Fiction Rating: MA
Pairing/Character/s: ByakuyaxRenji, Senbonzakura, Ikkaku, ByakuyaxHisana, Rukia, Ukitake
Disclaimer: The author holds no license of nor makes claims to any of the characters, concepts, or story the above originated from in any way. The characters are used without permission of the original creator for the sake of entertainment only. No profit is gained from the writing found hereafter, nor any personal credit taken for the character designs, personalities or concepts stemming from the original story used. All situations below, unless otherwise stated, have no bearing on the creator's original work, and are solely the creation of the author based on personal interpretation of the above mentioned works or are parodies exempted from copyright laws. It is the responsibility of the reader to observe all warnings before proceeding to the fiction below, as it may contain any number of situations, themes, ideas, views, or lifestyles not suitable for those under the age of 18 or which may be contrary or offensive to the beliefs of some. In the event that the following is the author's original work, or contains an original character, the author holds the copy write and should be contacted before either is used or distributed in any way. All questions and comments concerning the written work or otherwise can be made directly to the author.
Warning/s: Man Sex. Also various spoilers all over the damn place, including the most recent manga chapters (if you read really closely).
Word Count: 13,416
Summary: "The faster you run, the less that which you leave behind changes; the farther away, the more like a star it becomes. The more we defend ourselves from things beyond our ability to control, the greater the resemblance until we are all as stars: seemingly close, yet completely isolated."
Author's Note: Wow, this thing is a monster. I hope there is no longer any question as to why I consider all these fictions separate stories in their own right. As for the story itself, well, it was inspired by chapter 195. That's right, this is a chapter 195 story. You have been warned. On the up side, however, I like to think that it's a bit more in depth than merely focusing on that chapter. Everything here happens the day before, with the story concluding approximately on hour prior to 195.

It took me a long time to write this, and guess what all that extra time added. Endnotes. That's right. It is impossible to write more than a few sentences for Senbonzakura without references. I have provided all nine of them at the end of this story. That having been said, yes, Byakuya's zanpakutou does make a significant appearance in this story. No, I have not given it a gender yet; feel free to insert one as needed. On a partially related note, I managed to cross-reference Byakuya and Inoue. Ten points if you catch it without reading the endnotes.

Most of this story is told from Byakuya's point of view. This is part of the reason why it took so long. Despite this, I tend to switch viewpoints when there's a lot happening in the scene. I don't believe I've used this style in my Bleach writings yet, so I figured I'd warn you. Also be warned that Byakuya's point of view, according to me, tends to not only be very conflicting but also quite poetic. I recommend a good dictionary, in other words.

One final thing before you lose an hour or so to this story: this will be my last ByaRen fiction until Kubo progresses the story further. If you've read my previous work, you probably know by now that I prefer scribbling between the lines of canon. Well, with that being the case, there really isn't anything left to write until one of three things happens: Byakuya is reintroduced to the story, Renji dies, or the story arc is completed. I hope for the first, but with Kubo Tite, anything is possible.

A Petal's Edge
"It is at the edge of a petal that love waits."
- Unknown

Wind tore violently through his clothes, slicing angrily through the thin cloth. It viciously invaded the airy uniform, tearing at the tightly folded gi and loose hakama, daring even to rip at the pristine white haori, seemingly intent on mutilating the rank laden cloth. Yet no matter how it lashed exposed skin or fruitlessly attempted to rend inky black hair from the constricting grasp of nobility, the zephyr remained unacknowledged. It parted reluctantly, unwilling to let the shinigami pass through so quickly and with such little regard, yet was capable of little more than tattering previously immaculate clothing and howling past unhearing ears, unable to match the frenzied cacophony within.

War raged; thoughts and emotions clashed in vociferous uproar. Something long since dead had awoken and clawed its putrid way to the surface of tumultuous thoughts, demanding to be known once more. The noble sped up, flashing from the end of one walkway to the railing of another three levels up, turning as he briefly pushed off the wooden structure to land more firmly on the roof of another. Such things were better left in the past. Such things weren't meant to be disturbed. Such things… a layer of ice slammed into the monstrosity within, spreading around the unwanted and certainly unfounded emotion until it was properly covered.

"Is there a gain in this?" A familiar voice danced through his mind, easily slipping through the layers until it gained conscious recognition.

Byakuya knew he couldn't ignore it, yet he had no desire to answer that voice just now. His pace quickened, no longer letting his heel touch the ground before he moved on. Whispers wound up from the pits of his soul; cloying defiantly in his mind the longer he refused the answer. The monster growled and strained, for now unable to resurface, but still straining. The noble almost closed his eyes at the inner turmoil, but forced them to remain open by sheer willpower. He refused to be ruled by his emotions; to let this irrational anger wind any tighter around him than it already had.

"Cutting the pole unseen is still cutting the pole.1" It whispered again, power becoming more pronounced as the being slid closer to manifestation; pale pink flower petals already floating past on the breezeless air.

"It is not a matter of advice or who gives it," he breathed finally, words smothered by the wind.

"You disapprove without disagreeing, making it a matter of whom." the entity continued, heedless of the limitations of sound. "Those which see through the eyes of ages walk only softly; you know this to be true."

He hesitated, and a frown tugged the corners of sealed lips before the noble could think to stop it. "I cannot recall a time since I mastered you in which you have seen fit to chastise me so," he answered finally, blindly ignoring the mental strain the entire situation was forcing on him.

"It was not a coward who mastered me."

The ice cracked.

The captain stopped abruptly at the threshold of his office, laying a hand on the doorframe as his abused clothing slowly fell perfectly back into position. "It is not a coward with whom you speak." The response was as cold as the accusation had been, underlying anger lacing through it.

There was a slight shift in the air around him when the voice replied quietly, "Then what causes you take such flight?"

The frown deepened. "I am not fleeing-"

"Fear has its uses, cowardice does not.2" The tonality shifted, sharpening. "Yet even for fear, none appear now."

The ice splintered.

"I have nothing to fear." Byakuya answered coldly, finally stepping into his office.

Sakura petals flew in past him and coalesced into a familiar wispy white fog which slowly began to meld into an eerily translucent form, causing the noble to pull up short, barely inside the room. The being now facing him straightened and crossed ethereally robed arms, observing the shinigami as it finished its mimicry of manifestation. Ancient power dripped in invisible currents from its slim form, curling out to blend with the captain's own and filling the air with the faint scent of sakura blossoms, bits of excess spirit energy materializing as the pale pink petals which drifted silently between them. Light permeated the small area, white and soft yet visible despite the gentle sunlight which until moments ago had poured in through the open window and warmed the now chilled space. A pair of sanguine eyes gazed challengingly at him from beneath a curtain of white hair which hung to the ground and vanished in the rising fog.

"There is no shield strong enough to defend that which has no form, nor a spear strong enough to impale twinkling objects of air.3"

Byakuya held the gaze silently for a time before purposefully turning away from the being and walking onward to his desk. "Then I shall not shed tears for the loss of either."

Calculating red eyes followed him, Senbonzakura turning to maintain its sharp gaze on the shinigami who had mastered it. "The true horror is neither the pain of emotion nor the misery of grief, but being able to feel neither. The true defeat is not then to our hearts but of them.4"

Byakuya felt another unwelcome wave of emotion wash over him. Senbonzakura always trumped him in these word games.

------

Renji glanced up and behind him, hackles raised. There were no explosions, no frantic running around, no cries for help; just something… wrong. Ignoring the many sounds of the training he was supposed to be leading, he instinctively honed in on exactly what was bothering him. Kuchiki Byakuya had a very distinctive yet also quite subtle spirit energy; still, Renji had become rather apt at recognizing it from a distance, so it hadn't occurred to him to be worried about sensing it from his current distance. What caught his attention was the energy signature mixed in with it that he was also quite intimately acquainted with: Senbonzakura.

He shouldn't have been able to tell the difference unless the zanpakutou was released. Even then, the signal wasn't quite this distinct unless it was a full release. Unconsciously, Renji turned around completely to face the source of the strange feeling, straining his senses to figure out exactly what was going on. Byakuya's bankai did not feel like that: it wasn't nearly as condensed and faint. Even the noble's shikai flared a bit more. He frowned, left hand automatically settling on his own zanpakutou as he considered whether or not to investigate.

"Abarai-fukutaichou?"

Renji blinked and snapped out his revere, turning back towards the hesitant voice. "Eh? What?"

"Is, uh, is everything all right?" Rikichi inquired, subtly indicating the group of higher ranked sixth division members attempting to run training while their vice captain spaced out.

"Che," the red head frowned, watching the rather pathetic display. "Oi!" The third, fourth and fifth seats snapped their heads around, instantly recognizing the short call for attention. "Training's finished for today! Get th' assignments handed out!" Renji looked back at Rikichi, "Ya' better go check in with them. I've got somethin' ta look into."

Rikichi paused a moment, but then nodded and affected a sort of head-bob like bow before running back towards the group. With a sigh, Renji turned back around, honing in on the energy. It seemed to be coming from the sixth division headquarters, he noted absently while leaping up to the roofs he used more often than pathways and took off at a quick jog down the slanting tile. Oddly, the signals became no clearer the closer he came. No matter how hard he tried, Renji was only able to grasp the feeling of familiar power simmering under his senses. He wasn't sure whether to be worried about it or not.

The sixth division's vice captain landed soundlessly on the main pathway and quickly came upon the offices now so very familiar to him, stopping quite suddenly directly outside the main doorway. His hand was halfway to the door before his mind caught up enough to stop the action. Intensity he hadn't been able to sense until directly outside the source slammed into him with a force that made him lose his breath. A cold shiver went through him, weakening his knees before he could gulp in fresh air. This was a very potent warning; snapping and dangerous.

Renji took a deep breath and straightened, setting his jaw before sliding the door open.

"Shouldn't you be leading morning practice, fukutaichou?"

The intensity of his captain's gaze clashed heavily with the almost bored tone of voice he'd cultivated for the statement. The red head almost winced at the combination, but managed to avoid it. "I just finished," he half lied and walked in enough to close the door behind him. The air in the room was thick and carried the scent of sakura blossoms. Despite the lack of any more obvious signs of a zanpakutou's release, this did little to ease his nerves. Even more unsettling, though, was the distinct pause that followed his statement. Kuchiki Byakuya always answered immediately.

-----

The unseen figure moved its bloodied gaze from captain to lieutenant, watching the man as he attempted to piece together a puzzle he couldn't yet know the entirety of. Long strands of heavy, white hair swayed like curtains as it shook its head gently at the two shinigami, fixing its weighing gaze again upon the elder. Byakuya's attention was divided; it could tell without looking. Still, watching the noble struggle so pushed it to speak, low and softly: a tone it knew to be soothing.

"We embrace the fire to live, for to live is to know pain; if we cannot hold it, we will never apprehend pleasure."

"Taichou-?" The red head finally managed, but was immediately interrupted.

"Very well then," Byakuya cut in, withdrawing a letter from the folds of his gi and setting it on the desk in front of him.

Senbonzakura frowned openly at this. It could feel the ice in its charge strain; the cracks widening even as the shinigami tried so hard to bar himself the emotion. Renji moved closer to see the envelope, obviously wary of its significance. The ice weakened at the movement; melting as the flame drew closer, if only to the eyes of an apparition. It knew all too well how forcibly its master narrowed his vision; the fear of wandering on to another path keeping everything about him tightly bound.

"You were informed of the recent reports we received," the noble continued, performance flawless.

The tone seemed to affect his subordinate, though, causing the usually relaxed shinigami to frown a bit and nod adding only, "Yeah, a' course."

Byakuya sat back a bit, appearing to be collected while his zanpakutou could easily see the desperate bid for space in the move. The frown deepened, but it kept its silence in favor of watching how the conversation progressed. "It was determined," the man continued as if reciting a mission report, "that our best course of action would be to send a forward team to investigate recent events-"

"'It was determined'?" Renji interrupted immediately, swinging all attention back to him. "Meaning you don't agree with it."

Senbonzakura smirked in approval of the young shinigami, feeling how unsettled its charge became upon realizing the other man could so easily pick apart his wording. It knew nothing but a slightly narrowed gaze would show through to the noble's frosty exterior, but inside the ice was slipping.

"Regardless of my opinion, that is the course of action we will take," Byakuya finally answered, his tone leaving little room for argument, which the other man was obviously having a hard time finding the words to contend if his frustrated sigh was any indication.

"When there are too many paths," the spirit offered, returning its sanguine eyes to their previous captive, "there is the chance to lose oneself. When there is but one, a man can avoid losing his way. The question, then, is which situation is more desirable; the risk of becoming lost or being unable to change direction?5" Dark eyes glanced at the specter involuntarily, holding its gaze as it finished.

"Even if that's true-" Renji began, instantly regaining attention and nearly speaking over the other entity without being aware of it, but unable to finish his statement once again.

"This is the path that has been chosen," Byakuya interrupted firmly, eyes settling back on the other man. "This is the path that has been chosen, regardless of my desire to follow it. As is it yours, fukutaichou; you would do well to remember that."

-----

Renji ran a hand through his hair, dislodging his hair tie in the process as he willed himself to calm down. "Don't do this, Taichou…" His voice wavered angrily. Not only was there something wrong that the other man simply refused to tell him, but he felt like he wasn't even a part of this conversation! He set his jaw, speaking through clenched teeth as he glared back at the hard eyes boring into him. "You haven't explained a damn thing, an' yer obviously upset, so just tell me what's wrong!" he bit out tightly.

The noble frowned almost disapprovingly. "The details are listed in the missive-"

"Fuck the letter!" Renji exploded, hands landing solidly on the desk between them, producing a respectable addition to his anger. "I want you to explain it! I want you to explain what's got you so upset and what's so damn important that it's got yer hands tied!"

"Abarai-fuku-"

"No!" Some part of him acknowledged that he was shaking, but that same part was far too angry and confused to care at the moment. "It's not 'Abarai'! It's long past 'Abarai' and you fucking know it! Don't you dare pretend that it's not! This-" he snatched the letter on the desk and shoved it in the space between them, "doesn't mean a damn thing if it don' tell me why yer lying ta' me!"

The ice shattered, leaving Byakuya helpless in the wake of the monster which arose from it. He clenched his jaw, and forced his widened eyes to frost over again, using all his will to just maintain eye contact with his furious lieutenant, hoping, praying nothing of the chaos within him showed on his face. He had to get through this. He had to make it clean and unemotional or it would only be worse later.

"Taichou, you have ta' explain this!" Renji, thankfully, straightened enough to gesture in exasperation, opening the distance between them. "You can't just say things an' expect me ta' understand what ya' mean if ya' don't say that too!" He growled in frustration, crumpling the letter the tighter he held it. "I ain't like you: I'm not used ta' figurin' out what ya' mean and don't mean. I guess I'm just too dumb ta' understand things like that without havin' it explained to me." Here, he seemed to calm and exhaled harshly, softening his gaze a bit and looking back again. "So ya' need to tell me, okay? Otherwise… Otherwise I'm still just tearin' at my throat tryin' ta' reach ya'.6"

The fact that he was having trouble maintaining eye contact was no matter one that could be written off on the chaos inside him. He couldn't think with the cacophony of war raging inside him, but more importantly, he couldn't continue to pretend when everything he did to distance them from the situation was thrown back in his face. Grey eyes almost slipped away from the fiery man before him if not for the sudden movement of a soft, white light. Instead, the eyes traveled subtly to his left, following the path of the eidolon as it glided from the side of his desk to the immediate right of his vice captain, extending its faint glow to the flame haired man.

"The faster you run," Senbonzakura spoke in a soothing tone, facing Renji but addressing its master, "the less that which you leave behind changes7; the farther away, the more like a star it becomes. The more we defend ourselves from things beyond our ability to control8, the greater the resemblance until we are all as stars: seemingly close, yet completely isolated."

An albino hand extended to gently stroke the edge of Renji's jaw, obviously disconcerting to the young man who it seemed had only been faintly aware of the manifestation until the being touched him. Byakuya's gaze narrowed sharply, eyes darkening in anger at seeing what affected to a blade the other man could quite evidently feel pressed to his throat. Auburn eyes were widened in palpable alarm, searching out his own gaze for explanations, but finding only anger and making the shinigami once again uncertain of his actions.

"Tai… chou?" Renji cleared his throat as if to free his voice from fear and confusion before speaking.

Senbonzakura glanced back at Byakuya, otherwise unmoving, sanguine eyes challenging to the noble. The monster within him roared and sent him to his feet before he realized it, belatedly registering Renji's surprised backpedaling as a warning to reign in his emotions before he spoke. Radiating his anger rather than addressing it in words, he instead chose to speak solely to his lieutenant. His own zanpakutou had forced his hand in the matter: after that Renji more than deserved his explanation.

"In the meeting today," he began, consciously softening his gaze to lessen the unease in the room, "the recent intelligence reports were discussed; among them, the arrancar appearances. The most up to date report detailed an attack made by a pair of arrancar on several people who are thought to have had low levels of reiatsu. When they became aware of the attack, the ryoka intervened, but were pushed back until reinforcements arrived."

"Reinforcements…?" Renji echoed, immediately caught up in the explanation.

Byakuya inclined his head, "Urahara Kisuke and Shihouin Yoruichi provided back up and turned away the arrancar in question. It's unclear what prompted the attack, but it is highly probable, and generally accepted that the arrancar appearances are related to the movements of Aizen Sousuke. Because of this, Ukitake Taichou and his subordinates moved that action be taken to determine enemy strength and provide immediate support to those already involved in the living world. Of course, this entails making contact with all those capable of fighting, including all rogue shinigami, and working with them to determine the true nature of this threat, as well as engaging two arrancar of captain level fighting capability, if not more.

"Due to your… previous involvement with Kurosaki Ichigo and the remainder of his contingent, both you and Rukia were assigned to the forward team, which is to leave as soon as it has finished being assembled. Unfortunately, we were unable to immediately determine the rest of the team at the time you were assigned."

Renji was staring openly at this point, visibly sorting through all the information he was just told. Byakuya noted with no small amount of bitterness that the moment his explanation was through, Senbonzakura had stepped away from his adjunct and moved closer to his left once more. His gaze, though, remained on the flame haired man in front of him. He remained still in the following silence, afraid that any movement would conflict with his slipping grasp of his emotions.

Finally, Renji exhaled loudly and shifted his stance, left hand resting on Zabimaru's hilt, while his right held the letter up just a bit. His gaze traveled from the letter to his captain, a frown featured prominently on a face that represented only understanding. "… only Rukia an' I were assigned?"

Byakuya did close his eyes then, knowing he couldn't hold such a gaze during his answer without having pain reflected in it. "Both you and she were assigned immediately and without my consultation. I was given only the privilege of delivering the missive, after which you would return to be formally briefed."

He felt rather than saw the red head shake his head, but opened his eyes again before the other man replied. "You didn' say anything?"

The noble allowed himself a bitter smirk, knowing it was safe enough with his lieutenant. "I cannot disagree with the logic behind the decision, and therefore not with the decision. You are the most qualified personnel available."

A familiar flash of determination illuminated auburn eyes as Renji fisted his right hand around the letter and caught his captain's gaze firmly with his own. "I'm gonna take care of this, Taichou," he vowed softly and without another word spun on his heel and stalked purposely from their office.

Breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding escaped as the sixth division captain slowly sat down once more, struggling within to maintain the calm façade without. Wisps of flower-scented fog drifted past and around him as the haunting figure of his zanpakutou slowly vanished from sight, its voice lingering behind it.

"If you never take the last step, you will spend the rest of your life wondering if you would have fallen.9"

-----

"I didn't understand," Renji panted, trying to catch his breath after the long run, "before…"

Ikkaku arched an eyebrow at him, but otherwise stayed easily on the branch he was sitting on, zanpakutou leaning over him against the tree trunk.

The red head growled at the gesture and leapt up to the branch, affecting a casual crouch in front of the other man. "I mean…I said I did, but I didn'… so I guess… I guess I'm apologizin', okay?"

A grin slowly worked its way across Ikkaku's face. "Ooooh? That took some extreme measures…" He snickered.

"An' it wasn' appreciated," Renji groused, but still managed to relax now that he said it. "You spreadin' all that news about my bankai just ta make a point really fucked things up fer a while."

"Ah, Yumichika did mention something-"

"Mentioned what?" Renji cut in, now more than a little leery of the affects of telling either of his old division mates anything.

The third seat just leaned back and laughed, shaking his head to indicate he wasn't saying anything on the matter, but spoke before his sixth division companion could get a word in edgewise. "Why're ya' panting like ya' just tore apart half th' court, eh?"

The vice captain attempted a casual roll of his eyes but it came of more embarrassed than anything else. "Got into an argument with Kuchiki Taichou." The grin on the other man's face deepened in amusement, to which Renji hastily added, "It's not like- I mean- Damnit!" He threw up his hands and glared at his friend. "What the hell did Yumichika tell ya'!" Much to his annoyance, the man only snickered. Fuming and defensive, Renji yelled, "Would ya' stop that, already! You try an' argue with him without getting impaled and see how far you get!"

Unable to contain himself any longer, Ikkaku exploded into laughter, crossing his arms over his stomach and closing his eyes to keep the humored tears at bay. Somehow, he managed to maintain his balance on the branch despite all laws of physics, and a rather darkly brooding vice captain who had since begun contemplating the good of tossing him off said branch. "Ah- ah man, that was priceless! Friggin'… Che, I think yer the only one that he 'impales' –"

"Madarame!" Renji barked, his skin quickly matching the shade of his hair, equal parts embarrassed and angry.

"Ah…" Slowly, the third seat managed to contain his laughter back down to choked sniggering, although the look on Renji's face nearly threw him back into another fit. "Che, don't look so frickin' pathetic! You really think Yumichika wouldn't have told me?"

"Did you tell anyone else?" Renji bit out, slowly calming down.

"Nah," Ikkaku smirked, relaxing back against the tree as the last of his laughter trickled off. "Bankai's one thing; that was ta' prove a point. I'm not about ta' go gossipin' like some woman about yer sex life or whatever." He waved his left hand dismissively and laid his chin in his right, resting the elbow on his knee as he watched his friend calm down. "So whatcha' really here about, eh?"

With a sigh, Renji rested his arms on his knees again, sobering a bit as he looked at Ikkaku. "You probably don't know, since ya' don't ever receive any of the messages, so try not to go blabbin' it until it's common knowledge, okay?" His only response was a slight, curious frown, but it was enough. "Look, they spotted arrancar in the living world… there was already a fight an' everything. Rukia and I were assigned to a forward team ta' go check things out and… and there's probably gonna be a lot of strong guys runnin' around lookin' for a fight."

The grin returned full force. "They haven't assigned anyone else yet, have they?"

Renji shook his head. "I'm headin' over to be briefed now, if you wanna come."

Ikkaku nodded enthusiastically and jumped to his feet. "Then let's get goin'! We'll stop by eleventh an' pick up Yumichika on the way."

A significant pause forced the energetic shinigami to glance back at his still unmoving friend, eyebrow quirked at his strange, somber mood. Renji sighed and shook his head as if to clear it, standing up as well. "Look, this ain't just draggin' Ichigo outta some other mess he got himself into. An' I know you know that, so don't say it," he quickly added before Ikkaku could interrupt him. "This could… you're not gonna be under Zaraki Taichou's command on this mission." He hoped it was enough to get his point across.

They shared a long look before Ikkaku broke it abruptly by simply stepping off the branch. He looked up from below, Houzukimaru slung over his shoulders. "You comin' or what?"

-----

Given the sword's recent prevalence in his affairs, Byakuya hadn't been expecting its absence to be so quick in coming, nor so starkly rued. Yet, faced only with the soundless night and a long missed countenance barely viewable in the uninterrupted darkness of the room, the noble found himself almost wishing for the riddles Senbonzakura chose to grace him with whenever it made itself known. Almost. In a strange way, though, the silence was both disconcerting and healing. He supposed it had more to do with the purpose of the room than anything else.

Then again, Hisana had always had a soothing affect on him.

Even looking down at him from a photograph with her unchanging, ghost of a smile in a room housing nothing but his personal shrine to the one person he had let himself really love enough to fight for, protect and yet still lose. Even after breaking his oath to that very same woman. Even kneeling there uncertain and incomplete, the weight of his responsibilities bearing down on him as he sought what would inevitably be his own council with what he could only hope to be her approval. Even fifty years after everything they almost had, he entered into her endless gaze and calmed. Even the heavy thoughts he'd gone there to debate were dissuaded by the crispness of the normally still, lifeless air that lightened a weight he'd forgotten he was bearing.

He'd never spoken his thoughts out loud. The most to be issued from him while in the room was a soft greeting or farewell accompanied by the opening and closing of the shrine doors. Tonight was no different. He'd returned home just over an hour previous: barely enough time to bathe and replace his work robes with formal ones, including the white cloak draped across his shoulders to signify his rank as head of the Kuchiki clan. A position that felt extraneous in comparison to the danger they still faced. Shinigami were at the very core of their existence nothing more than soldiers in an army without leaders – he couldn't even remember the last time they were actually given something that could amount to an actual order. They could protect the living and the dead and, in providing such a wall to the terrible things even those in the outer divisions of Rukongai could never imagine, dulled the perception of those they protected. Even within their ranks, it took years to move beyond the illusion of being society's foremost.

The more powerful you became, the more you came to see how helpless you really were.

An unacknowledged sigh escaped into the air as the noble gracefully moved to lay a stick of incense in front of the photograph. His mind just couldn't remain on the matters of the clan while the matters themselves remained anything but family oriented. Thinking of the upcoming dinner with the clan elders unfailingly returned him to thoughts of the Gotei 13 and the preparations he should be doing instead of attending formal dinners and mediating petty disputes. They were his responsibilities and standards had to be maintained, but now more than ever the effort put forth on his behalf seemed nothing more than a pained imitation of life. What good did rules and appearances do when keeping both flawlessly intact led only to your downfall? Honor would destroy them all; something it had already nearly accomplished.

Yet, it was honor, rules, and even appearances that kept them going. Without them there was nothing left to defend, no ground to stand on, nor faith to hold. Without rules to guide, ground to build on, and faith to debate, what could a man strive for? It was a concept seared into his mind since childhood. Society was the greatest achievement of humanity and if the noble houses did not maintain it, it would be lost. It was a burden to be borne with elegance and perfection: the epitome of society. If not safeguarded, there would be chaos. For this he had to hold to the rules stricter than those he watched over. For this he had to delegate, moderate, and maintain the household. For this he had to grow stronger: if need be he would carry them forward himself. The Kuchiki were the mold for everyone else to attempt to fill.

He'd broken that mold once, and never truly regretted it.

For Hisana, he'd turned his back on everything he'd been bred for and brought her into his life. Because love had been one of the pure absolutes of the world: grand, unchanging and forever. Something that went beyond his parents, the clan, and society. Something worth fighting for. It had been a brief victory. Far too brief - with only years of lonely questioning left in its wake. It was hard to remember, sometimes, that there was a balance being maintained. Most hard to remember when that balance didn't seem present at all. Yet, somehow, everything was compensated for and it was exactly that compensation that kept men from acting.

His wife died, and a year later he was gifted with a sister, something he'd never had before. Rukia tried so hard to live up to the house she'd been brought into and he never once thought to actually treat her as the sister she was supposed to be. For the first few years it was hard just to look at her. He could never replace Hisana, nor did he ever want to, and in some ways it was that lie more than anything else that stung him in her presence. It had been freeing to finally tell her the truth, but had taken the words of his own adjunct to finally let down the burden of love immutable and move forward again.

Yet, what seemed like forward motion could easily be retracing his previous steps in a cycle he could not survive again.

A cycle he refused to take part in again.

Byakuya gracefully unfolded himself from the proper seiza and gently pulled the doors of the shrine closer together, pausing when all he could see was Hisana's gentle gaze. He watched her for a moment; almost certain he could feel her presence once more. He drew a slow breath, and upon exhale felt some of the tension leave him. "Thank you, Hisana." The feeling dissipated as he closed the shrine doors completely and turned to leave the room.

A servant girl stood at the entrance to the room, and bowed when he exited. "Kuchiki-sama – "

"Inform whoever sent you that I am not receiving any messages until tomorrow morning at the earliest," Byakuya interrupted immediately.

"Right away," she replied without hesitation.

"Before that, tell the kitchen to have my dinner moved to the informal reception hall, and inform Rukia that she will be dining with me tonight," he continued.

There was a slight hesitation before the servant replied, "… And what shall I tell the Elders?"

The head of Soul Society's first noble house turned towards his own chambers, saying only, "That I have more important things to attend to."

-----

The furniture had already been replaced by the time he'd entered the room, which even to someone used to spiriting servants from one end of the estate to another as if they were all well versed in shunpo was rather impressive given that they'd managed it in only a few minutes. Byakuya had used the time to exchange his formal robes for something a little less intimidating. It earned him a second look from the servant setting the last dish of food on the table. He paused a moment, waiting for the older woman to finish her task before taking his seat at the head of the small table. Normally, the room was used for larger gatherings in the range of eight to sixteen people, and as such seemed a good deal larger now that its usual furniture had been replaced with something more suited to dinner for two. He hadn't chosen the room for its space, though; he'd wanted the cooling night air as it drifted in from the wide open doors which presented a pleasant view of the large garden wrapped around the back of the entire estate.

He was still gazing at the fading landscape when the inside door slide open, drawing his attention immediately. Rukia stood to one side of the doorway, hands still partially on the sliding door, eyes tracing invisible patterns on the carpet. "… You wanted to see me, Ni-sama?"

Somehow, she always managed to look both endlessly uncomfortable and demurely elegant in her finer kimonos. "I wanted to dine with you," Byakuya corrected, indicating with a refined gesture that she should join him at the table.

"Ah, yes… of course." Rukia offered, stepping in and closing the door behind her before walking to the table and folding herself into a seiza as if she'd been doing it her whole life.

Byakuya nodded to her briefly and poured himself some soup from the pot at the center of the table, silently indicating the start of the meal. Following his lead, Rukia quietly began adding small amounts of the dishes on her side of the table to her plate. What followed was an awkward, yet flawless dance in which both managed to circle the available entrees while allowing the other easy access to any given dish simultaneously and without passing a word between them. Each having amassed the proper amount of food needed for one serving, their hands returned to their own plates and chopsticks, quietly taking a moment to determine which food to eat first while subtly observing what the other was doing. Byakuya added some meat to a bowl of rice at the same time Rukia picked up her bowl of soup. She didn't eat any of it until the elder Kuchiki had finally partaken of his own meal.

Despite the gentle flow of outside air, there was a definite feeling of stagnation hovering about the low table and those seated at it. Rukia slowly consumed her first bowl of the spicy soup, taking the opportunity of each sip to glance across the way. It wasn't hard, at least not for someone who'd spent as many years observing the heir of the Kuchiki family as she had, to tell that something was amiss that night. Having lived as part of the clan for a few decades already, she'd become accustomed to being summoned to some function or another at the drop of a hat, however she'd also integrated herself as well as she could within the life of the noble house and knew for a fact that the head of the clan was currently disrupting that life in a very sudden and jarring manner. The reason, of course, was elusive.

She waited, taking her time to observe her brother, or brother in law, if she wished to be accurate, and attempted to piece things together. There was the obvious issue of both her and Renji leaving tomorrow, but if that was what was causing this, why was she here? And come to think of it, where was Renji? Shouldn't he be fielding this? Rukia tapped her fingers lightly around the cup she was holding, feeling a lump of nervousness settle in her stomach as the silence stretched and she was left to her own musings. He didn't look up at her. He didn't say anything or even gesture. Part of her wanted to believe he'd simply forgotten she was there, but she knew better. He wasn't acknowledging her, but he had wanted her there for a reason: was directly breaking rank to have dinner with her. There had to be something worth all that, but what?

Rukia couldn't remember being this uncomfortable when left alone to ponder imminent and inescapable death, and yet here she was, fighting to keep the calm, emotionless façade demanded by the Kuchiki family name against uncertainties and insecurities roused from the simple act of dining with her brother. He'd always had that effect on her. Tonight, though, she just couldn't deal with it. Would it always take near death experiences to bring out everything he kept so tightly concealed? Hadn't she been lecturing Renji just the other day on how to deal with the stubborn noble? There had to be a reason, and she had to know, she couldn't leave without knowing.

Clutching the china cup as tightly as she dared, Rukia took a steadying breath and tentatively spoke. "…Ni-sama?" Byakuya looked up immediately, seemingly surprised by the suddenly spoken moniker, but quickly smoothed his features once more, his gaze sharp as he waited for her to continue. Rukia set down the cup firmly but carefully, afraid to drop it and did her best to hold the hard gaze. "Was there… something…?" She trailed off, resolve and nerve failing under the unflinching gaze.

For a moment there was silence and then a soft exhale of breath that could have been a sigh if she had believed him capable of it.

"You're prepared for your departure tomorrow?"

She blinked and hazarded a glance back at the noble sitting across from her. Still unflappably in a perfect seiza, expression properly schooled, hands still… and yet there was an intensity to his gaze that she hadn't noticed before. Shoring up some courage, she answered, "Twelfth Division provided us with everything we need."

"I see." Another pause followed as they watched each other, unmoving, until one sentence shattered the still air. "I expect to see you home when this is over."

Rukia stared. She couldn't help it. Never once had she heard a word even vaguely associated with care or worry come from him, let alone directed at her. Even more startling, though, was use of the word "home". In all the time she'd known him, she couldn't ever recall him using that word in reference to anything, let alone mean it so personally. "Of course!" she answered, instinctively, "I'll always come home, Ni-sama."

She was smiling, he noted carefully. It was hesitant; reminiscent of Hisana's few, hidden pleasures. Yet, it was anything but subdued. If Hisana glowed then Rukia beamed. It was like the difference between the sun and the stars. One was far away and even its brightest moments dimmed from the distance, while the other was close and warmed you with its presence. Byakuya found himself far more affected by it than he could have expected. On some level, he was aware that he should reply to her with some form of reciprocation, but hard as he tried to form them, the words escaped him. He felt at once content and overwhelmed and while he could keep both emotions from the eyes of others, they were not something he could control.

"Ni-sama?" His attention was drawn instantly back to the source of his uncooperative revelations and sentiments. "… When I come back… could we… could we do this more often?"

Rukia twisted her napkin nervously, watching for any hint of reaction. Something. Anything. Just enough to tell her that what little he had shown her of the mind behind the mask was really there and perhaps even willing to step forward once more.

"… I will arrange for it."

-----

Had he really been thinking about it, Renji would have been in awe of his own forwardness at the moment. It was one thing to disregard protocol behind closed doors, but entirely another to brazenly bypass the gate guards and servants of the Kuchiki estate without a second glance and make his way directly and openly to clan head's private chambers. Of course, the flame haired Shinigami hadn't afforded himself much thought since the briefing had ended. There'd been far too many other things to check on, arrange and take care of before he could even consider the one thing he needed and wanted to do the most. It hadn't been until night had fully settled on the land that he'd been able to walk the ornate halls of the grand estate, barely keeping himself from being lost by honing on to a spirit energy he'd become quite intimately acquainted with.

Oddly enough, the cold building seemed slithering with movement. He remained unhindered all the way until the hallway broke off into Byakuya's private wing not because there wasn't anyone to run into, but because all the servants seemed much more preoccupied than usual as they bustled about the estate in all forms of distress. Just as he slipped into the darkened hallway, however, he was stopped by a young woman who, barring him entrance, informed him that Kuchiki-sama was not accepting guests or messages until the morning. To this, Renji quite succinctly informed her that he wasn't a member of the clan and therefore not under the clan's jurisdiction. Of course, it came out rather differently, but the point was the same and sharp enough to allow him to push by her without much trouble. Finally faced with the one familiar doorway of the house, Renji paused a moment to straighten his kimono before sliding the door open and walking inside.

"You are the only person who has entered my rooms unannounced," Byakuya informed him quietly from the far side of the room, not bothering to turn from his moonlight vigil held within the doorway to his garden.

Renji smirked and closed the inner door behind him, walking closer to his captain's palely illuminated form. Byakuya had seated himself against the doorframe that led out to a shallow porch just before the grand garden that filled the back of the estate. The fading light of the moon dappled the folds of his dark emerald kimono so that they appeared to sparkle against its depths. The man's darkened back was still facing him as Renji drew close enough to reply without raising his voice. "If I said I was here you coulda' told me to leave."

"I wouldn't have," Byakuya answered simply, his gaze far off and unmoving.

Sensing the profound air surrounding the noble, Renji silently slid to the floor behind the man, just close enough to keep his presence constant, but without forcing his captain into an uncomfortable proximity. He gazed out over the dark vista, noting the differences in coloring the plants held this late at night, with such a bright moon. There were stars out too, though faint in comparison and not nearly as beautiful. It was no real question as to what had held the elder's attention for so long.

"It's still incomplete," Byakuya spoke suddenly.

Renji blinked. "Taichou…?"

"You should still be training," the noble continued, gaze slowly drifting back down to Earth.

Renji sighed a bit and leaned forward, laying his hand subtly on Byakuya's left arm. "This will be good training."

"Your reaction time needs work," Byakuya added softly, eyes trailing the floor through a myriad of unvoiced thoughts.

"I can take a few hits…" Renji answered lowly.

"Your use and defense against demon magic is completely unacceptable," the captain added, his voice dimming with each statement.

"I've made it this far."

Warm air brushed against Byakuya's ear as the response drifted by him. "You've made it this far," he agreed and fell silent for a long moment, contemplating far too many things at once. The shuffle of servants outside his door reminded him of the conversation he'd held with Rukia earlier that evening; of the unchanging thoughts broiling unhindered in his mind. He couldn't stand them. "You will make it this far again."

"Che, that's a real vote of confidence," his lieutenant scoffed at the phrasing.

"Do not prove me wrong and I will grant more faith to your skills," Byakuya replied, glancing back over his shoulder, "until then-" Renji's lips effectively silenced the remainder of his statement, pressing firmly against his own until he allowed the kiss to deepen and the younger man softened his touch. He felt himself being turned and didn't fight the motion until he had to pull away for the sake of breathing.

"I told you already, didn't I?" Renji murmured, seeking Byakuya's thought laden gaze. "I'll take care of it."

"I have every confidence that the correct people were chosen for this task," the noble answered softly, his dark gaze shifting back to meet his subordinate's heated one.

"Then stop actin' like I'm not coming back." The redhead shifted his position slightly, pulling back to sit on his heels instead of crowding the other man to the wall. A wry smirk played across his lips when Byakuya's eyes widened at his words. Renji shook his head lightly, "I'm slow but 'm not stupid, Taichou. You should know by now tha' I can tell when somethin's bothering you."

Byakuya allowed himself a slow, faint smirk. "You aren't slow, Renji." The younger man blinked a bit at his correction, obviously startled by it. "Just simple."

Auburn eyes rolled to the ceiling. "Thanks, Taichou," Renji replied sardonically.

The soft rustle of cloth heralded Byakuya's return to his feet, one hand straying against the wall as he glanced out the wide open doors one last time. Silence stretched between them, broken only by the quiet swish of loose material accompanying Renji's similar movement.

One could look at the night sky and see something permanent and unchanging in the carefully crafted patterns of stars, feeling at once the grandeur and despair of time unending. Yet change was as inevitable as night itself, and wrought itself carefully among the stars, stretching along their light to everything below. Once, he'd looked to the night sky for its unchanging stability; for the gentle light that felt like the soft gaze of his late wife. Now, he looked and was reminded only of the great distance between the sky and earth, who in all eternity would never meet十, and remembered that once, not so long ago, another man stood upon the earth and reached for the moon.

Once, not so long ago, the moon had reached back.

Byakuya dropped his gaze slowly and turned back in to the room, brushing by his lieutenant to pass into his private sleeping chambers unhindered. He paused, then, just inside the door and glanced back at the darkened outline of the usually bright young man in his antechamber. The white kimono was oddly subdued in the unlit room, though the moonlight drifting in gave the pink flower pattern on the shoulders and bottom hem of the robe a strange gleam that reminded him distinctly of falling sakura petals. The effect was offset by the barely dimmed flame of hair hanging loose over the shoulders. Vaguely, he wondered when the hair had been let down, as he hadn't noticed it earlier. Regardless of such cursory thoughts, he raised his eyebrows slightly towards the other Shinigami, silently questioning if he intended to follow.

Renji's expression didn't change much, which in itself was strange for the normally expressive Shinigami, but he did step closer and eventually follow Byakuya into the lightless room beyond, pausing once inside, to let his eyes adjust to the startling lack of moonlight. The noble moved off to the side, bending gracefully to retrieve and light a candle, before moving quickly to the other side of the room to light another, allowing for a soft, understated glow to provide just enough light to see by. A hand on his forearm directed his attention back to the younger man in the room with him. Auburn eyes held an intensity earlier hidden but now unleashed solely on the noble as their owner stepped closer.

"You really don't think I can do this, do you?"

Byakuya's eyes widened a fraction, staring back through the darkness. "Renji…"

"No. If it was you leavin', you'd think I was being foolish if I were worried." He frowned then, pulling Byakuya against him suddenly, holding the older man's gaze defiantly. "I am more than capable of handling this, Taichou. I'll prove it to you. Just you wait… I'll come back even stronger… that much closer to defeating you."

"… Is that a promise?"

"Ah. I swear it…" Renji whispered, leaning forward so their foreheads nearly touched, "… on my soul." He claimed Byakuya's lips before the noble could reply, parting them demandingly.

-----

Byakuya turned away before the doors finished closing, having no wish to have silhouettes seared into his mind until he saw them again. A slight wind signaled the gate's full departure, tugging lightly at his hair and haori, but doing little else. He began to walk away, settling recent emotions and memories under a layer of trained separation. Ignore the loss and focus on the pain. Form a box around the pleasant memories and shut them out. Carve a mask from the ice and let it overtake the pain. Move forward. On his third step, the mask slid firmly into place; the fourth would seal the box.

"Kuchiki-Taichou!"

The noble paused, and then turned back slightly, gaze landing directly on the man who had spoken his name. "Ukitake-Taichou," he answered in his normal refined parlance.

The white haired captain smiled brightly and hastened to close the distance between them. "A few of us were planning on meeting over lunch to share information, and perhaps take care of some of the extra work load we'll have now-"

"I am more than capable of handling the Sixth Division's work load on my own-" Byakuya began curtly, but found himself interrupted almost immediately.

"We were hoping you'd join us for discussion of our current situation and the currently leaderless divisions." Ukitake's smile softened slightly. "I thought you would like to have some input," he added quietly.

Byakuya's sharp gaze remained firmly on his fellow captain for a long moment, attempting to discern any meaning he may have missed from the words alone. The silence stretched on; one content to wait for an answer, the other wary to give one. But when the moment passed and Ukitake had not amended his statement, nor changed his expression, Byakuya was left with no meaning other than the one originally given and while generally wishing to distance himself from the elder captain, there was no pertinent reason for him to decline the invitation.

"… Very well."

-----

"Sorry to keep you waiting…" Ukitake briskly offered as he entered his office, a stack of paper per hand, both of which he seemed to still be in the middle of reading. "It's more hectic that usual, I'm afraid," he sighed and finally just placed the paper on his desk, looking instead to the person he was addressing.

Renji shrugged slightly, still standing despite the hour he'd already spent in the office. "I was warned," he answered simply.

"… I see." The captain took a seat at his desk, gesturing for Renji to do the same, but received only a slight shake of the head for his trouble. "So what can I do for the Sixth Division?"

"… It's actually a personal request… Sir." The red head hoped he didn't look as awkward as he felt at that moment.

The captain of Thirteenth Division furrowed his brow slightly at the information, momentarily wondering at could possibly bring the vice captain of his former charge seeking his help in a personal matter. "Has something happened?"

"Well, something like that… I mean something did happen, and I'm here 'cuz of it, but it wasn' anything bad… or anything."

Ukitake blinked. "So nothing's wrong, then?"

"Right."

"So, you need my personal help concerning a matter that does not need to be corrected?"

"… Yet," Renji amended, rubbing the back of his neck self-consciously.

"… All right…" Jyuushirou slowly sat back in his chair, watching Renji fidget nervously. "Does this have something to do with Rukia or the forward team the two of you were recently assigned to?" he hazarded.

"No- well yes, but that's not what I think's gonna be the problem."

"… do I get to find out what this problem that I may be able to help fix could possibly be?"

Renji glanced sheepishly to the side, took a deep breath and looked forward again. "It's actually about Kuchiki-Taichou, Sir."

"… What ab out him?" Ukitake queried softly, worry lacing his tone earnestly.

"It's just-" Renji exhaled sharply, frustrated with his own inability to vocalize the issue and just started talking, hoping the point would surface on its own. "We're still recoverin' from that whole catastrophe, an' everyone's got more work, an' more ta' be thinking about, I guess, but Kuchiki-Taichou – and Rukia too – really got the short end of the stick, ya' know? We got by it by th' skin of our teeth, but really… only thing that happened to most of us was a lot of battlin' and gettin' the shit kicked outta us, but Taichou – I mean, he almost had ta' kill his own sister, an' well, I don't think many of us really agreed with that, but it's not like he wanted ta' do it. And when he found out what really caused all this… it's like he thought he was somehow responsible for not catchin' on or somethin'… got really torn up about the whole thing… an' the one thing he could set right was making amends with Rukia, but of course that just reminded him of his wife…"

Ukitake made a soft noise in the back of his throat that could have been a polite redirection to the topic at hand or a subdued expression of surprise. Renji wasn't sure, but it did make him pause.

"Che – I gotta stop ramblin' like this – Taichou'd kill me if he ever found out I said any of this…" He sighed a bit, glancing back at the captain in the room with him. "Look, I guess my point is just that we all managed ta', well, move on, but Kuchiki-Taichou's still a little behind, an' it seems like things just started smoothin' out when Rukia an' I were placed on the team, an' I'm just afraid that when we leave everythin' we did ta', ya' know, work through it all I guess, will just … fall apart."

Jyuushirou allowed himself an extra moment to digest everything before formulating a reply. "I'm glad to hear that the three of you were able to help each other," he began gently, "but I don't see what you think I can do in your place. I'm afraid I'd make a rather poor substitute."

Renji almost answered, but then produced a weird, rather disconcerted look aimed at the man across from him and the last words spoken, wondering exactly how much he was supposed to read into the statement. He shook his head to clear it, refocusing on the task he'd set out to accomplish. "I'm not askin' for a replacement, just someone to make sure he's not alone all the time. All I'm askin' is that ya' keep him from closin' up again. I'm sure as hell not runnin' off ta' risk my neck if I'm just gonna come back ta' the same uptight, repressed noble I just spent three weeks calmin' down. You used to be his senpai, right?"

Ukitake frowned lightly at the language used to describe his former charge, but only sighed regretfully at the last question. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Abarai-fukutaichou, but Kuchiki-Taichou and I aren't on the best of terms. You'll have to find someone else-"

"There is no one else," Renji interrupted, suddenly firm when moments ago he'd been uncertain. "It has to be you."

"…Why?"

Renji sighed. "Because yer the only one that gives a damn… Sir."

-----

"Oi! Renji! Stop starin' off inta' space, would ya'?"

Pure instinct allowed the red head to dodge the wild swing that followed Ikkaku's yowling. "Watch that thing will ya'!" he snapped, getting into the other man's personal space.

"Che, I was watchin' it… woulda' watched it all the way to yer head if ya' didn't move." Ikkaku shoved him off to the side again with little thought. "Now, ya' got a map or what?"

Renji didn't bother answering, and simply followed Rukia's lead. He glanced up at the sky for a second, mind drifting back to his last view of Sereitei: his captain turning from the assembly, followed shortly by Rukia's captain. He dropped his gaze again, watching Rukia lead the way. She looked cute in the school outfit they'd been given: bright and energetic in the colorful world they'd stepped into. Almost as if she belonged to this strange place were time hadn't stopped and people went about their life, oblivious to the world around them. He sighed and glanced over to the rest of the team as they neared the school.

Here goes nothing…

---

1Carry a Long Pole Through the Gate
A man from Lu tried to enter the City Gate carrying a long pole.
First, he held the pole upright, but the pole could not pass through the gate.
Then he held it horizontally; but it still could not pass through. He was stumped.
By and by an old man came along and said to him, "I am not a Saint; but I have a lot of practical experience. Why not cut the pole in two at the middle?"
So the man cut the pole in two at the middle.
- Han Dan Chun, Wei, Three Kingdoms
It should be noted that this statement is in reference to Byakuya being irrationally upset with the fact that it was Ukitake suggesting to send out people close to Byakuya. Senbonzakura is saying this as a way of showing Byakuya that he's not fooling anyone about the real reasons he's upset.

2Mahatma Gandhi
"Fear has its uses, cowardice does not"

3The Sky is Falling
Once there was a man from Qi, who was worried about falling sky and sinking earth.
A friend, worried about his worrying, came to calm him.
He said to the man, "The sky is all air, nothing but air. As you inhale and exhale, and breathe air into the sky all day long, there is no need to worry about falling sky."
The man then asked, "So the sky is just air. Then what about the Sun, the Moon and the stars falling from the sky?"
He replied, "These are only twinkling objects of air. Even if they fall, they won't hurt you."
The man continued, "What about sinking earth?"
He replied, "The earth is made up of solid blocks of earth, which filled up all spaces. There are no empty spaces. If you stamp you feet on the ground all day, the earth will not sink."
Hearing this, the man is very happy. The friend is very happy.
-Lie Zi, Han Dynasty

4 The Broken Coda
We should not shed tears
for that will serve as a defeat of our bodies to our hearts
It is then nothing more than proof
for it to be said that our hearts are things
beyond our ability to control.
我々は涙を流すべきではない
それは心に対する肉体の敗北であり
我々が心というものを
持て余す存在であるということの
証明にほかならないからだ
- Kubo Tite
- Translation by chirachira of Live Journal

5Too Many Paths
One of Yang Tzu's neighbours,who lost a sheep, sent all his men out to find it, and asked Yang Tzu's servant to join in the search.
" What !" exclaimed Yang Tzu. " Do you need all those men to find one sheep ?"
" There are so many paths it may have taken," the neighbour explained. When his servant returned, Yang Tzu asked him : " Well, did you find the sheep ?"
He answered that they had not. Then Yang Tzu asked how they had failed to find it.
" There are too many paths," replied the servant. One path leads to another, and we didn't know which to take, so we hd to come back.
At that Yang Tzu looked very thoughtful. He was silent for a long time, and did not smile all day.
His pupils were surprised.
" A sheep is a trifle," they said, " and this wasn't even yours. Why should you stop talking and smiling ?"
Yang Tzu did not answer, and his pupils were puzzled.
One of them, Meng-sun Yang, went out to describe what had happened to Hsin-tu Tzu.
" When there are too many paths," said Hsin-tu Tzu, " a man cannot find his sheep. When a student has too many interests, he fritters away his time. The source of all knowledge is one, but the branches of learning are many. Only by returning to the primal truth can a man avoid losing his way. You are Yang Tzu's pupil and study from him, yet you seem to have failed completely to understsand him."
- Unknown

6 A Star And A Stray Dog
I will light a fire on an unreachable fang,
so that I won't have to see that star,
so that I won't let it tear at my throat.
届かぬ牙に　火を灯す
あの星を見ずに済むように
この吭を裂いて　しまわぬように
- Kubo Tite
- Translation by chirachira of Live Journal

7Einstein's Theory of General Relativity – Gravitational Time Dilation
"In most circumstances in the universe, time dilation is miniscule, but it can become very significant when space-time is curved by a massive object such as a black hole. For example, an observer far from a black hole would observe time passing extremely slowly for an astronaut falling through the hole's boundary. In fact, the distant observer would never see the hapless victim actually fall in. His or her time, as measured by the observer, would appear to stand still."

8 The Broken Coda

9Flower on the Precipice
We think the flower on the precipice is beautiful
because our fear makes our feet stop at its edge
instead of stepping forward into the sky
like that flower.
我々が岩壁の花を美しく思うのは
我々が岩壁に足を止めてしまうからだ
悚れ無き　その花のように
空へと踏み出せずにいるからだ
- Kubo Tite
- Translation by chirachira of Live Journal

十Memories in the Rain
If I were the rain
That binds together the Earth and the sky,
Whom in all eternity will never mingle…
Would I be able to bind two hearts together?
- Orihime's derivation of the poem in episode 7