Chapter Five: Not about Pride

I have decided to try to improve things on my own. What I have learned about sensing spiritual pressure has been enlightening. I believe I have figured out the basics of what Soul Reapers call Kido. I can't actually do anything too complex with it. But it is something, and I'm getting better.

I've decided to start teaching some of the locals to use spiritual pressure by sheer focus. If I can teach a few dozen people to wield their powers, I could use them to restore order to the region. In time I can form some kind of knightly order if you will, dedicated to defending the innocent.

It won't fix everything, but if I can establish peace... Well, people could start improving their lives. I'd rather do this from scratch than join the Soul Reapers. Assisting them would be a waste of my talents.

-On the Rukongai, by Sosuke Aizen

Byakuya entered the 5th Division and found it as much of a mess as always. To its credit, however, he was greeted by a soldier. 'Oh, Third Seat Kuchiki,' said the soldier 'you're here for Lieutenant Aizen correct?'

'Yes,' said Byakuya, 'there is something I must speak with him about.'

'I'm afraid Lieutenant Aizen is gone.' said the soldier. 'He went off on an errand, sent by Captain Hirako.'

'I see.' said Byakuya. 'Then I will take my leave.'

He departed out the door and began making his way through the courtyard. Then he heard a voice. 'Hey you, noble boy!'

The disrespect inherent in the tone was inexcusable. Byakuya halted at the impertinent tone of the one who was speaking. Turning around he saw a blonde haired girl with spiky pigtails and a prominent tooth sticking out over one lip. He regarded her with irritation. He was well aware of her reputation and saw how the squad members were crowding in to watch. 'Lieutenant Sarugaki, what is it?'

'Hey, who the hell do you think you are talking down to me you brat! I outrank you!' snapped Hiyori. 'I'm a Lieutenant, and you're just a lousy third seat!'

That was about to change, but Byakuya saw no reason why he should enlighten her. 'Is there a particular reason you are accosting me, Lieutenant?' It was obvious she was looking for trouble and was planning to start a fight.

'Accosting?!' roared Hiyori. 'What?! You think that because you've spent a bunch of doe on the Rukongai that I don't have the right to talk to you! Get your head out of your ass you stuck up jerk!'

'I'm done talking to you.' said Byakuya before turning to leave.

It would have been the worst thing he could have done. The best way to avoid a confrontation with Hiyori was to let her scream at you. At least until whatever slight you had committed against her was forgotten. Snubbing her and turning to leave was a perfect way to enrage her.

It would have been a terrible thing to do if it were not for one small matter of consideration.

'Don't you walk away from me you brat!' snarled Hiyori.

Byakuya sensed Hiyori coming at him even as he stepped forward. Quite calmly, he pivoted on one foot, drew his sword, and slashed her across the side as she passed him. Hiyori gasped in pain, then landed with a crash on the ground. She screamed as blood soaked the grass beneath her. Byakuya wiped off his sword on the grass, sheathed it, then turned to the squad 5 members.

'Get her to squad 4.' he said,

Then he left. Overall it had been a very satisfying resolution, but he had other matters to attend to.

It was a solemn and important air within the Squad 6 barracks. Byakuya Kuchiki kneeled before his Grandfather, his sword at his feet. Ginrei Kuchiki spoke in a grave voice, filled with pride. 'Do you solemnly swear to uphold the laws of the Soul Society, and the pride of the Sixth Division?'

'I swear.' said Byakuya.

'Do you swear to live your life with honor?' asked Ginrei.

'I swear.' said Byakuya.

'Do you vow to go to any lengths, even sacrifice your soul to protect the pride of the Soul Society?' asked Ginrei.

'I swear.' said Byakuya.

'Then rise, Lieutenant Byakuya Kuchiki.' said Ginrei.

Byakuya arose, his expression betraying none of the anticipation and pride he felt. Ginrei looked over him with eyes filled with uncharacteristic emotion. 'I will be honest Byakuya; I never expected you to reach this level as quickly as you did. You have exceeded my expectations in every regard. I… I am proud to have to have you as a Grandson. You have already brought great honor to the Kuchiki Clan.'

'Thank you Grandfather.' said Byakuya.

'But don't take this as an opportunity to grow complacent.' said Ginrei. 'You still have a long way to go before your skills are complete. Never stop learning, Byakuya. To do otherwise is to invite complacency.'

'I promise you I won't-' began Byakuya.

And then he found a pair of breasts clad in a black top pressed against his back. Two dark arms wrapped around his torso. Byakuya's eyes narrowed as he felt hot breath on his neck.

'…It's you,' He said in a seething tone. Yoruichi leaped backward as he whirled around.

'Hey,' she said, 'I just figured I'd say congratulations on your recent promotion to Lieutenant. Thanks for the hair tie by the way.' She raised it above her head. 'Bye!'

Byakuya knew he was playing right into her game; he knew that. Even though the ceremony was technically complete, he ought to stay. But he found himself pursuing her anyway throughout the Seretei. They left the Kuchiki Manor far behind and zigzagged across the rooftops at top speed. Back and forth they went, up down and around. Byakuya poured his power into speed. He drew nearer and nearer, only for Yoruichi to increase her speed again.

'What's wrong Byakuya?' she called back. 'Having trouble keeping up?'

'You're the one who's sweating.' He said loud enough for her to hear, increasing his own pace.

'Funny,' she said, dodging him as he came upon her, 'you talk big, but I don't think you can back it up.' She backflipped up onto a roof and rushed away.

'You should concern yourself with escaping.' said Byakuya as he appeared in front of her.

She smiled, and Byakuya found himself smiling as he rushed onward. On and on the chase lasted until they were both dripping with sweat and shaking from exertion. Finally, it ended with Yoruichi and him facing each other in a grassy field.

'You lose,' she panted, 'that's one more for me, and none for you.'

Byakuya controlled his breathing and resisted the urge to continue the chase. '…I will catch you one day.'

'I doubt it.' she said. 'Still, I'll admit that you are giving me more of a workout.' She paused, stretching out one of her long legs. 'The gangs are becoming more organized.'

'Of course, they are.' scoffed Byakuya. 'It's only natural that in the face of total annihilation they would unite. We're driving them back, hunting them down one by one. Forcing them out of every hole they hide in. Soon only the outer regions will remain untamed.'

'Don't get cocky Byakuya,' she warned. 'I know you think everything is going just as planned. But that's usually when things fall apart. Speaking of which, I have a report you might want to look at.' Removing a scroll from her captains hiyori, she tossed it to him. Byakuya caught and read the contents.

'This… are you certain?' He asked, voice serious. 'Is this information accurate?'

Now it was Yoruichi's turn to scoff. 'Byakuya, look who you are talking too before you ask stupid questions. My best agent collected it.'

'…I'll handle this myself.' said Byakuya. 'It will be my top priority.'

'Just be careful, alright.' said Yoruichi. 'We have no idea what this guy is capable of.'

Sajin Kommamura watched the horde of disorganized thugs charge his forces. Their wicker shields locked, the militia met the thugs, breaking their momentum. Then using their spears they began stabbing outward, killing many. Kommamura noted that several of the more powerful were breaking through the wall. Flash stepping before them, he brought down his sword with a single strike. It hewed them in half with one blow.

Their greatest warriors defeated, the thugs fled. Yet the militia auxiliaries appeared upon a wall above the road. They began casting stones with slings upon them. The fleeing thugs were battered with stones, and many of them fell and did not rise again. Those that remained fled limping off into the outer districts.

'Another victory, Kommamura?' said a calm voice.

Kommamura glanced back and saw Lieutenant Aizen, smiling. 'Yes, the gangs have been routed in this district. Once we're done here, we should be able to deal with the less serious groups.'

'You've done well thus far.' said Aizen. 'The Soul Society is pleased with our efforts. However, our task is not yet complete. Byakuya has given me reports of a madman with far more power than the average thug. The stealth force reports that he is armed and incredibly dangerous.'

'I understand, Lieutenant.' said Kommamura. 'My men are ready to fight, when shall we depart?'

'I will be leaving at once.' said Aizen. 'However, you and your militia will remain here and set up a defense network. If this beast of a man succeeds in gathering the thugs under his sway, he may send them on another offensive. You will ensure they go no further, as you always have.'

'With respect, Lieutenant, I believe I can be of more help to you here.' said Sajin.

'Please understand, Sajin, Lieutenant Aizen has the utmost faith in your abilities.' said Tosen. 'But you are not trained for this kind of threat. This task that must be handled by elites.'

'…I understand.' said Sajin. 'I will do as you ask.'

Sosuke Aizen and Kaname Tosen walked out into the middle of nowhere, sensing around them. When Aizen was certain no one else he spoke. 'I must admit that this foray into politics has spiraled out into a saga of adventures. It most certainly was not in the original plan.' He paused and bit his lip. 'I hadn't been planning to appear in the political sphere until after we became Captains.'

'Do you believe it will prove a hindrance?' asked Tosen.

Aizen smiled, knowing what answer Tosen wanted to hear. His subordinate, for all his desire for vengeance, was ultimately a romantic at heart. He knew that Tosen had enjoyed their stint as knight errants quite a bit. 'If you mean to ask if it interferes with our plans, Kaname, then no. Everything is still advancing as we had hoped.

'Soon, within a few years even, we will be able to begin experimenting.' He took a moment to admire the rolling hills and swaying trees. 'A nice view. I admit I take a certain satisfaction of being regarded as a hero.'

'Captain Hirako believes you are undercutting his authority.' noted Tosen.

Aizen's smile widened. 'I know, it amuses me. Even so, I doubt he's realized that I despise him almost as much as he despises me. I will take great satisfaction in breaking him personally.'

'What of Byakuya Kuchiki?' asked Tosen. 'Do you believe he might be of use?'

'I sincerely doubt it.' replied Aizen. 'Byakuya is quite devoted to the failing system we have made our enemy. He would never knowingly assist us if he knew what we were planning. Even so, this idea of his may prove very useful when we take power. Having a reputation for benevolence cannot hurt.'

They met Byakuya some ways further along. He looked up to them, sword propped against one shoulder as he leaned against a great boulder. 'You are late.'

'I apologize,' said Aizen, 'we observed a battle between Sajin's men and the gangs. They have come far these past years. I believe Sajin may have a promising career ahead of him.'

'We should get going.' said Byakuya, all for business.

The three Lieutenants made their way through the forest, Aizen in the lead. As they walked, Aizen noted that Byakuya had matured since he had seen him. Souls in the soul society did not age with time but rather changed to reflect their mental state. Byakuya it seemed, had been changing of late. He had not yet altogether left behind the boyish features he'd had a few years ago. But he wasn't the same person.

After a time of traveling, they came to a place filled with the corpses of the slain. All of those who were dead had been armed, though their swords were shattered and cut. Tosen kneeled down by one of the bodies.

'Whoever did this had a truly enormous amount of spiritual pressure.' reflected Tosen. 'We should advance with caution; he may still be around.'

'Spiritual pressure is irrelevant if one lacks skill.' stated Byakuya. 'Aizen, how shall we proceed?'

Aizen realized that he was being deferred to like the more experienced soldier. This was a refreshing change of pace. 'I see no reason why we should not continue. We should learn whether these thugs were part of a rival gang or killings of bloodlust.'

'Individuals like this are the source of much of the decay which besets this world.' reflected Tosen. 'We should hunt them down and purge them.'

They pressed on past the village, following the spiritual pressure into a forest. There they came across a man, leaning against a tree with a battered and serrated sword over one shoulder. His eyes were closed, as though he were resting, but many corpses lay lying about as his feet. His eyes opened and he surveyed them with interest. 'So you're the guys they sent after me. I was wondering how many people I'd have to kill to get yer attention.'

This individual was suicidally overconfident if he thought he could fight them. 'You were trying to draw us to you then?' asked Aizen.

'Yeah,' said the man, 'yer powers have been flashing up and down the Rukongai for years now. I figured I'd lure you here so I could fight you-'

There was a burst of blue energy which blasted the man in the chest. He fell onto the ground with a crash breaking the tree in the process. Aizen glanced up to see Byakuya holding out one hand, having just fired a kido. 'That was hardly sporting, Byakuya.'

'I was trained by the Captain of the Stealth Force.' stated Byakuya. 'We are finished here, let us return to the Ser-'

And then the man was leaping down upon him, sword swinging down. Byakuya brought out his own blade just in time, and their clash sent their robes flying around them. Finally, Byakuya was forced to yield ground in a flurry of blows. Massive amounts of spiritual pressure surged from both. The man, whoever he was, obviously had a great deal of potential.

'Shouldn't we involve ourselves?' asked Tosen as they watched the duel play out before them.

'I have absolute confidence in Byakuya's ability to defeat him.' stated Aizen. 'See, the heir to the Kuchiki Clan has already dealt several vicious wounds.'

'…I can't see, Lord Aizen.' said Tosen. 'And I don't think our enemy is slowing down.'

'Hmm,' said Aizen 'yes, you may be right.'

There was silence as Byakuya and his enemy began to step around each other, trading blows. Byakuya had taken several small wounds, given some serious ones on his opponent. Yet whoever this man was he possessed an ability to withstand wounds — one which dwarfed comprehension. Aizen glanced to Tosen and realized that the blind man looked moderately concerned.

'Aizen, we should intervene?' suggested Tosen.

Aizen should have relented here. But he had to admit he felt like showing something of his true nature here. Yet how to demonstrate it within the bounds of his kindly mask? What would Captain Ukitake say if he wanted someone to die horribly on his watch? 'What about his pride?'

'…You aren't serious.' said Tosen in deadpan.

'Pride is very important to the nobles of the soul society.' said Aizen sagely. 'If we were to intervene to save him his pride would be shattered. For a noble might be considered more shameful than being alive-'

Then he was interrupted.

Byakuya had been in the midst of what was the most terrifying and frustrating fight he'd ever been in. By all accounts, it shouldn't have been. His enemy was clumsy and fought like a berserker with no rhyme or reason to his attacks. It had been a simple matter to deal several wounds to him which should have been the end of things. But then the kido should have been the end of things. Yet his enemy kept on coming, and he was smiling in a shark-like manner which was more than a little disturbing.

And then to top it off the people who were supposed to be helping were standing around doing nothing. Then he overheard Aizen talking about the pride of the Kuchiki clan as though he knew something about it. His words indicated that he didn't!

Byakuya vaulted over his enemy's back, slashing him across the shoulder as he landed. He turned on Aizen. 'Aizen,' he said, 'if you are done misrepresenting the Kuchiki Clan's concept of pride, I could use your help.'

This statement seemed to surprise Aizen, and the spectacled man blinked. '…I stand corrected.'

Then he took action.

Byakuya could barely follow him. He scarcely caught sight of Aizen gripping his sword. Then the man who had been giving Byakuya a great deal of trouble was all of a sudden falling forward. A vicious slash across his chest spilled blood. Aizen was standing behind him, blade in hand. The man caught himself, before falling onto the ground. His sword was broken.

Byakuya was in awe and almost felt some pity for the man. Aizen truly was Captain level. Byakuya had barely been able to follow him. Then there was no way his enemy could have conceived of what had happened.

'I apologize, Lieutenant Kuchiki.' said Aizen. 'I wanted to see how far you had progressed. I judged that you would be more than capable of defeating him, had it continued. Thus I requested that Tosen remain inactive. However, it hadn't occurred to me that you would view my inaction as irresponsible.' He sheathed his sword. 'I apologize about the joke about pride. It won't happen again I assure you.'

'…It is no matter.' said Byakuya, regaining his composure. 'We should return to the Seretei and report that the gangs are all but finished in this region.'

'Are you sure?' asked Aizen, raising an eyebrow.

'This man killed many of the remainders,' said Byakuya, 'they were obviously unable to stop him. Now that they have witnessed that he is nothing to the power of the Gotei 13 things will be simple.'

'Very well,' said Aizen, 'I'll take your word for it. We should-' As he turned to leave, their fallen enemy reached out an arm and grasped Aizen by the foot. Then something happened which Byakuya would remember for the rest of his life. Aizen's eyes seemed to flash as he looked down in irritation. Then the mask of a kindly man which had begun to slip around Byakuya was for a moment gone.

In its place was something driven, furious, and holding what he beheld in contempt. Aizen's sword flashed, and the man's hand was cut from his wrist. Aizen sheathed his sword and glanced to Byakuya. 'Shall I finish him?' He asked.

Byakuya felt as though his next decision would be very important. 'No, he is beaten and maimed. There is no need to inflict any more punishment upon him. Even if he survives his wounds, he will know better than to challenge the Gotei 13 in the future.'

'As you say, Byakuya.' said Aizen, before sheathing his sword.

They left that clearing behind and made their way onward. They halted only to attend to Byakuya's wounds. Tosen proved quite skilled at healing kido. Before long Byakuya was once again healthy. Even so, he could not forget the merciless glint in Aizen's eyes. They made their way back to the Rukongai and were greeted by crowds of grateful citizens. The gangs had been an endless threat in the Rukongai and had now been ended. Byakuya had also spent a lot of his personal funds on improving the Rukongai. Streets had been paved, the wells purified among a host of smaller improvements.

Byakuya felt an enormous sense of pride. They had done this, with their efforts they had improved the lives of many. It had been almost easy. And yet the feeling of elation was mixed with shame. He knew that the Soul Society could have been doing so much more, had they only tried. His gaze focused away from his comrades, to where a girl he knew was watching. Hisana was watching, and she smiled at him.

'Excuse me,' said Byakuya, 'I have some business to attend to. I'll meet up with you later.'

'By all means,' said Aizen with a smile. Something in it seemed almost sincere.

Aizen had to admit; he was in a good mood. Far better than he should have expected for so minor a mission as this. He found it almost disturbing, and yet he had to admit that their mission did provide him with a benefit. Even so, Tosen seemed apprehensive.

'You seem troubled Kaname.' said Aizen as they walked upon a deserted road. 'What is it?'

'When this meeting was arranged.' said Tosen. 'I was expecting to eliminate Byakuya Kuchiki before the end of it. Why did you spare him?' There was a note of accusation in his tone.

Tosen was aware of Aizen's ruthless streak. That was good. 'He is more useful to us alive at present.' said Aizen. 'This… humanitarian expedition is an excellent source of goodwill from the locals. When my new regime is installed, it will smooth things along quite well. If I were to take these actions on my own, I would become the target of stealth force operatives.

However, since Byakuya is involved, the Soul Society will focus on him. Yoruichi Shihoin is notoriously fond of him, which means that she is unlikely to target him. And if by some chance the leadership changes their ire will be focused on him.'

'If that is the case,' said Tosen, 'then would not it also negate the positive effects of this whole operation?'

'Those come from people not associated with the Soul Society.' admitted Aizen. 'They will remember I was here, and I can pass myself off as having been the prime mover behind events. And it's true, in a way.' He considered things further. 'Besides, there is no certainty that all the captains and nobles will end up dead at the end of our operations. Some might be convinced to continue serving, once the battle is won. A sense of continuity is a very powerful thing.'

They walked the rest of the way in silence. Aizen realized that his own explanation for why he was doing this rang hollow in his heart.

Author's Note:

I have a confession to make. I HATE Hiyori. She's the only Vizard with a personality, and it is terrible! I found her so unsympathetic and unreasonable that I stood up and cheered when Gin cut her in half. And I booed when it was revealed she survived. So yeah, I'm glad I wrote that scene in.

On a separate note, no points for guessing who it was that Aizen curb stomped. This chapter is a bit shorter than I would have liked, but even so it documents important events. We're homing in on the end of what I've written so far. Once I've posted the last chapter I have written in advance, I think I'll take a break. I still haven't hammered out the exact details of this fic, so yeah.

Hope you enjoyed this update, I usually update on Mondays But I figured since I was really late for the last update I ought to post this one early. Penance, you know.