Chapter 6
These are from Arina's past…
"Come on Arina! How do you always win," my oldest brother asked me. We were playing a game of GO in the courtyard. He had challenged me thinking that he could win. But as usual he couldn't.
"Sorry. You know I don't mean to," I said back to him. Our father was busy discussing matters of state or something and we, my five brothers and I, had been banished to the courtyard.
As usual two of my brothers would take turns trying to beat me at GO while the other three would practice with their zanpakutō and were off fighting one another.While my second oldest brother was setting up the board for another game, one of the servants of the palace came and told me that my father wanted to see me immediately. I bid my brothers farewell and followed the maid. Even though I was thirteen, I was still accompanied everywhere.
When I entered the room where my father was I ran and gave him a hug. Once the hug was over he turned me around so that I was facing another person in the room. He was tall, already a full grown man.
"Arina, this is Renji Abarai. When you turn eighteen you will marry him," my father told me.
I looked up at Renji. He had bright red hair pulled back in a pony tail and was wearing the traditional soul-reaper robes, a sword on his left side. He was tall but then again I was thirteen years old. He bent down to my level.
"Hello Princess," he said to me with a smile on his face.
I got a look of disgust on my face. "Don't call me that! I hate it! Just call me Arina," I told him.
"Alright Arina. What would you like to do today," he answered a smile still on his face.
I thought for a moment. Then I knew what I wanted to do. I quickly ran out of the room, surprising the maid waiting for me who instantly called my name. I payed her no heed. I knew the way to my room. When I reached my room I pushed open the door and headed to my dresser. My first zanpakutō, Kugui, was there waiting for me.
When I turned around Renji and the maid were both there. The maid was as usual upset about my outburst saying something about behaving more lady-like. Renji, on the other hand, was still smiling. He seemed to have enjoyed the surprise.
"I want to fight you Renji-san. Your zanpakutō versus mine," I answered his question at last.
"Now Princess," the maid started but I turned on her with Flying Spirit drawn and in my hand.
"I want to fight him. I won't kill him. That I can assure you. I just want to practice," I told her quietly.
She was startled, as was Renji.
"Are you sure that's a good idea, Arina? Maybe we should just play a game of GO instead," he said coming towards me with his hands up in surrender.
I laughed, long and hard. "I've had Flying Spirit for almost three years and I have gone through twice as many mentors. I've been practicing on my own for a while. I know I'm kinda small but I love to fight with Flying Spirit. It's like we were made for each other. If you don't want to fight me fine. At least teach me some moves," I eventually told Renji.
To that he nodded his head, and thus began our friendship…