Chapter 34: Turning the Page

Minata's POV

"How is Lieutenant Sasakibe holding up Captain Unohana?" I ask as I stare at the still body lying in bed.

"His vitals are good, but it will be a while before he wakes up," the raven-haired captain tells me as she stands on the other side of him. "How is your division doing? I bet it hasn't been easy knowing that your lieutenant is hurt and the Captain Commander is missing?"

"We're doing well, all things considered . . . None of the spirits have attacked our barracks yet, but the troops are at the ready to provide assistance if another division needs it."

"That's good to hear," she says as she turns to look out the window. "Soul Society has never seen anything like this within her midst. The zanpakuto spirits actually turning on their masters? It's just an unfathomable reality."

"And yet here it is happening right outside the door," I say as I turn to look in the same direction she was looking in. "Have you encountered your zanpakuto spirit yet Captain?"

"No . . ." she tells me with a small shake of her head. "Minazuki isn't one for useless fighting. Knowing my spirit, she'll probably stay on the sidelines and let the other spirits battle instead. Have you encountered yours yet Mina-san?"

"Not yet, but I have a feeling I will soon enough," I tell her as I pinch the bridge of my nose. "I better get back to my division now. Who knows how long it will take before the spirits come knocking on the 1st Division's doorstep."

"Then you should make your leave Mina-san," she tells me, her smile comforting. "Don't worry about Lieutenant Sasakibe. He's in good hands here."

"Of course he is Captain Unohana. Besides, with your medical skills, anyone who is under your care is in good hands."

"Thank you Minata. Have a good night."

"Considering recent events, I don't think it's possible at the moment." I think to myself as I walked out the room. The Fourth Division was busier than usual due to the attacks, with nurses and the more experienced doctors tending to the wounded, and the cleaning staff clearing away old bandages and dirty linens. The place smelled strong of cleaning supplies and bad smelling medicine, so I was glad to finally get some fresh air in my lungs once I was outside.

"How long have you been waiting outside Akira?" I ask as I feel her presence nearby. I turn left to see my wild-haired cousin walking up to me with a stack of paperwork clutched to her chest, looking like she materialized from right out of the shadows.

"Not very long actually," she tells me with a smirk. "I was originally planning to head straight back to my division after doing some research at the Records Hall, but then a small "diversion" interrupted my plans."

"A diversion?" I ask as she looked for something in her pocket. "What do you mean by that?"

"Here's a hint," she tells me with a smirk. "He's around your height, shows a lot less emotion in public than you do, and he wears decorative headpieces, except his are white."

"I see you ran into Byakuya," I say as she takes out a folded piece of paper. "Is that for me?"

"Yep, but before you say anything, I have to say this first. I was the one that suggested he write this for you in the first place," she tells me with a grin as she hands me the small note. "I better be on my way before SoI-Fon sends a squad to find me. I'll see you later cousin."

"Bye Akira. Oh, and before you go, you may want to get your hair cut before it actually starts dusting the ground" I say with a chuckle as I looked at her hair, which was only a few inches from the floor. "I bet Aunt Seiren is really getting on your case about it."

"You have no idea . . . And even Renji has suggested I cut my hair a little shorter," she tells me, her face slightly going red as she spoke the name of the 6th Division lieutenant. "Anyway, I should get going. Bye cousin."

"Bye . . ." I say with a smirk as she shunpoes away. Once she's gone, I slowly open the note to see what Byakuya had to say; the page was covered in his perfect calligraphy.

Minata,

You know that this isn't usually how I usually send out my correspondences, but due to the current situation at hand, this will have to do.

I'm fine for now, but after today, my name will not be seen by others in such the positive light it usually is. I just wanted to let you know that what I am doing is best for the Soul Society and that eventually everything will come to light when the time comes. I hope you are not displeased with my decision, but instead, supportive of the choice I have made. It is best for all sides.

Stay safe Mina,

Byakuya

"Of course I'm supportive of your decision Byakuya. I just hope you get through this ok," I say as I put the note in my pocket. My hand suddenly goes to the hilt of my weapon as the presence of an all too familiar being hits my senses. I look up at the top of the barracks to see my zanpakuto looking down at me with a stoic glare on her face and her arms crossed over her chest.

"Hello master . . ."


Byakuya's POV

"What are you doing Byakuya?" calls the orange haired peasant, his face showing his obvious shock as I stood in between him and my zanpakuto after stopping their fight. Muramasa stood only a few feet behind us "You're in the way!"

"No, I am not . . ." I tell him in my usual manner. "I am exactly where I need to be."

"What the hell?" the ryoka asks in anger as I see his grip tighten around the hilt of his blade, already in its bankai state. How he managed to regain control of his spirit is beyond my comprehension, but he somehow managed to do it. "Have you decided to join Muramasa's side? Is that it? Or have you decided to surrender to the zanpakuto?"

"Surrender? I will never surrender to a zanpakuto," I tell him as I close my eyes. "I am merely following my own path. A path I have chosen, just like how the zanpakuto spirits have chosen their own path after being freed from their bonds to their respective masters. . . ."

"Hmm, I'm curious," I hear Muramasa say from his spot behind us. "What motivates you to go on this path you are taking? Surely there must be something that motivates you more than anything else."

"I'm merely walking this path in order to uphold my self-respect," I tell him as I unsheathe my blade. "Ichigo Kurosaki, do not pursue Muramasa any longer, or else you will perish. This is your final warning."

Senbonzakura's thousands of blades begin to shroud us, allowing for our escape, and allowing me to start the next chapter of a tale that must be stopped.

Please review!