Chapter 64: 1,000 Yr. Blood War Arc - Feelings & Funerals

Byakuya's POV

The sunlight was already pouring into the room when I opened my eyes to welcome the new morning. The small immature part of me that I always have to fight back in the morning was not looking forward to what this day would bring, but it would have been pitiful of me to hide from it all under the covers. Knowing what I had to do, I bring myself up into a sitting position, finding my zanpakuto already sitting a few feet off to the side, looking out of the crack of the open shoji door that led to my personal garden.

"Good morning Senbonzakura," my voice was raspy due to the lack of use, but a nice cup of tea should cure that in a matter of time. "You're usually not this awake in the mornings. Did something happen while I was asleep?"

"Well, I guess you could say that."

"I must be mistaken, or my ears could possibly be playing tricks on me because I'm still not fully awake and aware right now, but did I just hear amusement in your tone?" I mumble, trying to not look too hard into the sunlight. "And what did you mean by having a 'I guess you could say that'?"

"Well, you had a lot to say while you were asleep . . . A whole lot. It was quite a sight. Something I haven't seen in years."

"I talked in my sleep? I haven't done that since I was a teenager," I add, slipping the covers off my legs. "I've quelled that nasty habit, but now it's back?"

"With authority." I didn't need to see Senbonzakura's face to know that he was smirking at me, and I didn't need to ask him why. When I was younger, I was prone to saying nonsensical things as I slept, and I ended up getting in trouble for it on certain occasions. My zanpakuto was the one that was the most privy to what I had to say, but on occasion, servants, and even worse, an elder or two have managed to overhear me speak whenever they passed by my room.

To make it worse, I was a sleep talker that, at times, didn't know the meaning of an inside voice.

"Senbonzakura, what did I say exactly, and did anyone else manage to hear it?" I ask as I slipped out of my futon.

"No, no one was close enough to hear you talk in your sleep aside from me. I made sure of it," he responds, pulling the shoji door open enough that he could fit his body through it. "As for what you said, it was mostly centered on Lady Minata."

"Did I say anything that would be considered rude or embarrassing if I said it out loud in public?"

"Well, for a while, you were quite fascinated on the thought of your girlfriend in the bathtub. Would that count?"

If I was still an emotional teenager, my likely response would have been to vehemently deny everything that he just said while trying to fight off the blush that threatened to make my face as red as Abarai's hair. Thanks to years of training and practice, I am likely to never have that kind of reaction ever again. However, I wasn't a completely emotionless man. I could have my moments.

This was starting to become one of them.

"I talked about Minata in the bath?" I ask, the feeling of my cheeks burning unmistakable as I walked over to my closet. "She mentions it innocently enough one time, and now she has me thinking like a miscreant."

"Yes, a well meaning miscreant, but that wasn't the only thing you said that is worth mentioning . . . You also said that you loved her, quite a few times in fact."

I was in the process of picking out a shihakusho when he said that, my head moving so fast that I may have given myself a sudden case of whiplash.

"It's true. You said it as you were sleeping, five times, by my last count," he adds, unfazed at my dubious face. "And the way you were saying it, you would think you were making up for all the times you've neglected to tell her that over the years. . . Granted, you both have been surprisingly open with each other when it comes to your feelings. However, neither of you have managed to say those fateful three words to each other yet, and I'm wondering why."

"You're technically a part of my soul. Shouldn't you know the answer already?" I say for a rebuttal, scowling as I picked out my uniform.

"True, but just because I am a part of you doesn't mean that you can use me as the easy way out. The best lessons are the ones that you learn on your own after all. Just because I'm your spirit doesn't mean I'll give you every answer."

"Why am I not surprised you said that?" I whisper to myself as I stepped into the bathroom. Outside of getting ready for the occasional function that required my attendance as a noble lord rather than as a shinigami captain, I usually spend twenty minutes of my time to get ready for the day. Thanks to what my zanpakuto had just told me, my time in the bathroom was double than what I was used to. What Senbonzakura told me plagued my mind through the entire duration, though his words did have some merit.

On one hand, there was the issue of me thinking about Minata in the tub, which in turn meant that I was dreaming of her naked. Ever since she first brought it up last night, it has stayed in my thoughts, no matter how much I try to push it out, and a part of me did not want to push it out.

Thanks to all my etiquette lessons, and the added advice from both mine relatives and Minata's female relatives, the concept of respecting women has been drilled into my head since my infancy. However, even after all that, I can admit, as a hot blooded male, that I was aroused by the very thought of Mina in such a situation, as well as situations similar to that.

That made for quite a cold shower.

On the other hand, there was the issue of the fact that I have never outright said 'I love you' to Minata. Granted, she has not said it to me either, but I do not believe it is because she was nervous about saying it. I have been courting her for more than two years now at this point, and many would believe that is too long to enjoy a relationship without having mentioned those three fateful words a single time within that span.

Then again, if we were following more normal dynamics for people of our station, we would have already been married with children, or with children on the way.

It was best if I push those thoughts aside for now. I wanted that in my future with Minata, but this was not the day to dwell on those pleasant possibilities.

In truth, saying the verbal affirmation of our love did not seem to matter to us. I know I sound a bit pretentious, but due to our lifestyle and societal standing, actions mattered much more than words. When it comes to the nobility, it's easier to lie with what comes out past your lips than what you do with your hands, a lesson Minata and I have become quite familiar with as we've gotten older and became more familiar with people who would only use their connections to us to further their own standing.

It simply became more natural for us to show our affection for each other through what we did rather than what we said. Though, now that I think about it, it would be nice to actually say the words to each other for once, just to hear those words pass Minata's lips would be music to my ears, and music to hers once I said it to her . . .

It would have to happen in the perfect scenario though. I do not want to make things awkward between us by saying it in a situation where it just didn't feel right.

"You took quite a while in there." comes Senbonzakura's teasing remark once I stepped out of the bathroom. "Something on your mind?"

"Plenty, thanks to you." I would have said more, but the familiar presence of one of the house servants approaching my door stopped me before I could say any more. "Yes?"

"Sorry for the intrusion Lord Kuchiki, but Lady Moka, Lady Seirin, and Lady Akira of House Fukudome have just arrived."

"Have them brought to the western dining room. Tell them I will be there momentarily with Lady Minata." I order as I turn to the shoji paneling to see the shadow of the servant knelt in front of it. I watch the shadow's head nod before it departs, my head turning to see my zanpakuto standing right by me, curiosity radiating off him in waves. "Considering what happened yesterday, Minata will likely not be in the mood to celebrate her promotion in a huge, grandiose fashion."

"Last time I checked, she wasn't really fond of those types of events in the first place, though her demeanor to them is much better than yours."

"That's true," I mumble as I moved toward the door. "However, I didn't want to not do anything for her, so, I decided to send a message late last night over to her family's manor, inviting her grandmother and closest aunt and cousin over for a breakfast celebrating the occasion. I figured a small get together was enough to suffice for now. . . I'm sure her family will want to celebrate in a much grander fashion once the rest of them find out about it later on."

"Aw, you are such a good boyfriend. I'm sure she'll appreciate the gesture."

Oh I hope she will.


Minata's POV

Did I ever mention how much I appreciate the man that is Byakuya Kuchiki?

I had spent the night tossing and turning in my futon, my mind crowded with thoughts on what the coming days would bring. The very next day was the funeral and the captain's meeting, the first one I will attend as my division's newest lieutenant. Since Sasakibe was also the lieutenant for as long as the division has even been around, this would also mean that I was the First's second lieutenant, ever, and that distinction was not lost on me. I had already gotten my share of eyes staring at me during the last meeting, but that was back when I was still the Third Seat, a position that didn't usually allow me the opportunity to sit in on such important gatherings.

I was expected to step up as the new second-in-command, to help over see the division as the Commander's newest right hand lady, but I knew I was stepping into some pretty big shoes, and I don't know if I'll be able to do the role justice. Sasakibe served as the lieutenant for many centuries, fulfilling the role admirably. I know the Captain Commander doesn't expect me to be Sasakibe 2.0 - because seriously, the man is irreplaceable - but he does expect me to rise to the task, and I do not want to let him down, especially with the increased workload I'm sure to get once I'm properly situated.

When I eventually woke up, I was tired due to my lack of sleep, and Mizukiri, who felt my distress the entire night, was just as tired as I was. She was quite unwilling to get out of bed, which left me to literally pull her out of it in kind. She didn't appreciate the move, and made her displeasure known by taking longer than usual in the bathroom, but I couldn't really care, not with what today would bring.

When we were both dressed, we stepped out in time to see Byakuya and Senbonzakura walking toward us from down the hall. We walked to the dining room together, but I could tell that Byakuya was hiding something from me the entire journey, judging from how much he was trying to stop the smirk from showing on his face. I wanted to ask about it, but by the time I had the nerve to, we were already in the hallway leading to the western dining room, the familiar traces of spiritual pressure hitting my senses like a tidal wave.

"You didn't . . ."

"But I did. I hope you don't mind . . ." he told me as he took my hand in his, finally letting the smirk show. "Now then, let's go meet our guests shall we?"

Our "guests' happened to be my grandma, my aunt, and my cousin, all of them smiling as they sat around the table with Rukia and Ginrei. It turned out that Byakuya had arraigned for a celebratory breakfast with our closest relatives in attendance, complete with all my favorite breakfast foods. Usually a promotion to captain or lieutenant would warrant a bigger celebration, but considering what has happened in the last 24 hours, it wouldn't be in the best tastes. This was all that I could ask for , and I was going to make sure I thanked Mr. Kuchiki the next time we were in private.

Being around the people that were closest to me was just what I needed to start my day. They put my mind at ease, helping me dispel all the negative thoughts that had been bubbling in my brain. As high-ranking members of their respective divisions, Rukia, Nana, and Aunt Seirin were all going to be attending the funeral with Byakuya and I. Ginrei would be going as well, since he had known Sasakibe for years. As for Akira, she would have tagged along, but Soi-Fon had already ordered her to oversee the Second's battle preparations while she and Oomaeda paid their respects.

Knowing her, her time at the funeral will likely be quite short compared to the rest of us.

We arrived as one group to the area where the funeral was being held, the pyre already standing tall in the center of the courtyard, already filled with shinigami from all the divisions, the Onmitsukido, and the Kido Corps. After separating myself from Byakuya's side, I made my way over to the Captain Commander's side, already at attention as he stood the closest to the pyre, his eyes trained on my predecessor's body, dressed only in a simple white robe. I could feel the eyes go to the badge tied on my arm, but I couldn't think on that now.

Today, I have much more important things to focus on.


Byakuya's POV

Chojiro Sasakibe was a man of unwavering devotion and loyalty.

He could have been a captain of a division many times over, and he was asked to take on the role many times over, but he always said no, preferring to stay by the Captain Commander's side till his very last breath. Even after achieving his own bankai, he still remained in his position till the very end. That kind of loyalty is hard to find, and hard to replace, and despite being a quiet individual, his presence loomed large over the First.

He personified what being a shinigami meant, and he will be missed.

Watching the Captain Commander and his new lieutenant stand before the funeral pyre as it was lit was a somber experience. With his head bowed, it was the most vulnerable I've ever seen the man, a sight that should never be taken lightly. Minata, on the other hand, was more resolute, standing firm as she watched the flames overwhelm Sasakibe's body. Fire was not Mina's favorite element to use, and I knew watching it engulf the body of a close comrade was not easy for her, but she showed no signs of succumbing to her emotions like many from her division were doing right now.

"If Minata was still a little girl right now, a torrential downpour would be falling on our heads right about now," I hear Lady Moka muse, having taken up her granddaughter's spot at my side once she moved to stand by the commander. "She has grown a lot through the years . . ."

"She had the proper guidance." I helpfully add as the flames started to peter out.

"You both did. You've both have come a long way from the tragedies that occurred when you were still so young," she adds as I see her looking up at me from the corner of my eye. "Your parents would have been proud of the people you have become."

The mention of mother and father was enough to finally get me to take a glance at her, her smirking face watching mine before she turned back to the now blackened pyre. "You really think so?"

"I know so," she tells me, her smirk replaced with an expression more proper for a funeral. "The funeral is pretty much over now, so I best get going. I need to work on the kido defenses while you have a captain's meeting to get to. . . Have a good rest of your day Byakuya."

"And you as well Lady Moka," I tell her, nodding as she and her daughter took their leave, choosing to shunpo from the premises instead of walking away like most of the crowd were doing. "Let's go Renji."

"Yes Captain!"

It wasn't long before we were all gathering in the 1st Division meeting room. All the available captains and lieutenants were here, with Kurotsuchi's Third Seat being the notable exception in the group. It was silent as everyone moved to stand in their respective spots, but no matter how much they tried to look stoic, there was a number of people who were curious to Minata's newfound status.

"I officially announce that this meeting has come to order." Yamamoto calls out, slamming his cane into the wooden floor, the vulnerable man now long gone. "First of all, I could feel the curiosity radiating off many of you during the funeral, and I believe I have an inclination as to why."

"Well, can you really blame us?" Kyoraku asks as he tips his cap. "It's not every day when one of our own gets promoted to an open captaincy or lieutenant's position, especially so soon after the previous holder of the position has left it."

"I have my reasons Captain Kyoraku, but at this moment, I will not be going into them. I want you all to understand that this was not a decision that I took lightly in making, and I will not accept any of you questioning it. Do I make myself clear?"

It felt like we were all bad kids being reprimanded by a parent, but considering the issue would undoubtedly be a personal one for the Captain Commander, we were all left to simply nod or voice our agreement with what the old man demanded.

"Good, now then, it is time we get on with the real matter at hand," his eyes move to the mad scientist down the row, whose grim face was already a telling sign that he only had bad news to report to the rest of us.

"Captain Kurotsuchi, it's time for you to report your division's findings. Who exactly are we dealing with?"

"Quincies."

The fact that he answered without his usual flourishes and details was proof of how grave our situation has become, let alone an enemy long thought dead was now seemingly coming back for its revenge . . .

Things really were only going to get worse before they got better.

A/N: Please review!