Skeleneko's Note: This isn't my story. I have permission from Twilight Countess (Amy) to repost this. If you like this story be sure to look out for her book "Eris"!
Senbonzakura
Notes: I'm calling the ability to walk on air Sky Stepping because I can't find the real name. And also, I know it's implied that Gin and Byakuya became captains at the same time, but just work with me here…
Chapter Twelve: Think About It
Byakuya's P.O.V. (we all missed him!)
Byakuya refused to release a sigh of frustration. Why couldn't Ichimaru understand that Byakuya wanted nothing to do with him? It was the same when they were at the academy.
No matter how much Byakuya ignored him, Ichimaru still took amusement in their one-sided conversations.
Byakuya spoke, but didn't turn to look at Gin. "Do you have trouble counting, 5th Squad Lieutenant? This is my Division."
"Oh, that ain't nice, 6th Squad Taicho-san," said Gin. "I was just takin' the 5th's beautiful 4th seat on a walk wit' me."
Byakuya realized that Ichimaru wan not alone. Beside Gin was a woman he had not seen in a very long time.
"May I introduce ya to the Goddess of Air, Sayuri Hisana," said Gin, pushing Hisana toward Byakuya. He noticed that she was wearing his scarf. She didn't look at him, but stared determinately at the ground.
"So you're the Goddess of Air I've heard so much about, Sayuri."
"Hai, Kuchiki-taicho," she still refused to meet his eyes.
"Now, don't ya be so modest, Hisana-san," said Gin, standing behind her. He grabbed Hisana's wrist with his bony fingers.
"Rumors of not only 'er Sky Steps, but also 'er beauty have spread throughout the Court of Pure Souls. But as ya can see, they hardly do 'er justice." Gin briefly kissed Hisana hand.
"Wouldn' ya agree, Kuchiki-taicho..."
Byakuya inwardly clenched his fists. "Please return to your division, Ichimaru-fukutaicho, you don't belong here."
"Oh, well," said Gin. "C'mon, Sayuri-san, it's apparent tha' we ain't wanted."
"Hai, Fukutaicho," said Hisana. Byakuya saw his scarf flutter behind her as she followed Ichimaru out of sight.
Byakuya stood there for a while until continuing the path he had been walking.
"Ah, to be young and in love,"sighed a voice in Byakuya's head.
"I don't know what you mean, Senbonzakura" said Byakuya.
"Don't try to deny that you were happy to see her," she said.
"It doesn't matter, we're worlds apart now," said Byakuya.
"Only because you made it that way, she was there for you when you were promoted to captain. Tell me, did you ever congratulate her for any of her accomplishments?"
"No," said Byakuya quietly.
"She has worked hard to get where she is in only half a decade,"Senbonzakura continued. "She feels the need to prove that you and Ukitake weren't wasting your time by bringing her here."
Byakuya sighed softly.
"And you ignored her. She noticed, but didn't dare confront you about it,"
"It's in the past, it cannot be helped," said Byakuya.
"Not necessarily,"said Senbonzakura. "You saw she was wearing your scarf, after all these years. Think about it."
Hisana's P.O.V.
A few hours later, Hisana was walking through the streets of Rukongai. She was now in her gypsy clothes, but had Takuaji tied to her by her orange sash.
Despite how extremely awkward their meeting was, Hisana was happy to see Byakuya again. Of course, Gin did nothing to help the situation. He had always teased her about Byakuya because he knew the light green scarf used to be his.
Her musings were interrupted when she heard the sounds of a struggle in a nearby alleyway. Hisana quickened her pace and heard voices.
"Nowhere to run, you little thief!" said a man who had cornered a little boy. The boy had red hair with and was clutching a jar of water protectively to his chest.
"Hey!" yelled Hisana. "Leave him alone!" The man turned on her, leering.
"You'd best be minding your own business, whore!" the man shouted. Hisana remembered a time when she might have been intimidated by this man, when she first entered Soul Society. She had been so weak, so helpless. She berated herself for her lack of strength. She felt like such a hypocrite. Most souls were never reunited with their families, and she had given hers up willingly…
"I said leave him alone." Hisana stated more firmly.
"Ha!" the man jeered. "Wha'cha gonna do, girl?" He advanced on her. "Little sluts should know their place!"
"How foolish," said Hisana. "Way of Binding Number 9: Strike."
The man was engulfed in red light and then fell to the ground, paralyzed. Hisana walked up his body lying in the dust.
"I don't like people who mistreat children," said Hisana darkly, in an attempt to sound intimidating. "I'm not going to kill you, but pray that you never cross my path again. Am I understood?"
The man cowered in fear. "Hai!"
As soon as Hisana lifted the spell, the man ran down the alleyway and out of sight.
Hisana finally allowed her attention to drift toward the little boy. He stood against the wall, rooted to the spot.
Hisana bent down to meet his eye level. "You okay?" she asked.
The boy stomped on Hisana's foot and took off running. Hisana easily shunpoed in front of him. He collided with her and fell backward onto the ground.
"That's not a very nice way to thank me," said Hisana. She didn't blame him. If she were in his shoes, she probably wouldn't trust any adults either.
"What's your name?" she asked.
He said nothing, but stayed very still.
Hisana took his arm and raised him to his feet. She kneeled in front of him and started to dust of off his clothes.
"Even mischievous little boys have names," said Hisana.
"Renji," the boy mumbled.
"Renji?" Hisana smiled. "That's a nice name." She stood up. "Well, Renji, if you're going to pull off stunts like that, you better have some others with you to serve as distractions."
Renji hung his head. "I'm lost," he said. "I can't find my friends."
(A.N. Renji hasn't met Rukia yet.)
"I'm sorry," said Hisana. Then she heard a stomach give a large growl.
"Are you hungry?" asked Hisana.
"No, of course not, not hungry," Renji insisted. Hisana just laughed.
"Here, take this," Hisana offered him a green apple from her skirt pocket. Renji widened his eyes and hesitantly allowed Hisana to slide the apple into his hands.
"By the way," said Hisana. "Have you seen a little girl with violet eyes, about your age, kinda looks like me…?"
"Sorry, Gypsy Lady, I don't hang out with girls."
Hisana sighed. "I see," But then Hisana had an idea. "Do you like high places, Renji?"
"What?" Renji looked confused. "Sure, I guess…"
"Climb on my back," said Hisana. Renji, still looking wary, hoisted himself onto her back. He wrapped his arms around her neck and she slid her arms under his knees. Hisana frowned at how light he was.
"Hang on," she said as she hopped onto a glowing square.
"Yikes!" Renji's gripped tightened. Hisana jumped from one square to one square to another, laughing. She stayed the same height as the roofs until she reached the woods.
Then she ascended, her blue squares forming a staircase. Behind her, she could see Renji trying to take in the zooming scenery.
Hisana stopped when she came to one of the taller trees. She hopped off her square and landed on a thick branch. Renji got off Hisana, sitting down and hugging the trunk of the tree. Hisana sat down beside him.
"Do you see it, Renji?" Hisana pointed in front of her. From this height, you could see past the white walls and see all the buildings that made up the Seireitei.
"Yeah," said Renji quietly.
"That's the Seireitei," said Hisana. "That's where souls with strong reiatsu go." She turned to face him. "People like you."
"Why would I want to go there?" asked Renji. "My friends are all here."
"You could always come back for them," said Hisana
"No, I could never ditch them like that; they're the only family I got."
Hisana sighed.
"At least you have one," muttered Hisana so Renji could not hear her. "Just …think about it, okay, Renji?"
"Okay," said Renji grudgingly.
After she dropped off Renji back in Rukongai, Hisana returned and was in her black robes once more. She walked by herself among the shelves of the vast library. Renji was too young to enter the academy, but hopefully the seed she planted in his mind would grow in time.
Hisana was now jumping up and down to retrieve a kido book just beyond her reach. She gave a huff of frustration. She jumped one more time and finally was able to grab hold of the spine. She landed with a triumphant smile as she held the stubborn book in her hand. But then she felt the floor under her quiver and the bookshelf rotated 180 degrees around her, casting her into darkness…
Author's Note. Dun, Dun, Dun!