Author's notes section:

[2023-02-13]: Hey, here is a preview of the story's next chapter. Please, bear in mind that it is, as mentioned, a preview. Some parts of it might not be included in the final release. I will try to finish this chapter as soon as possible. I would like to clean up some of the tasks in my schedule, and right now, there are many chapters queued there.

Info: As I promised, the preview of the next `Last Christmas` chapter. Enjoy, and don't forget to tell me what do you think.

Info: Ok, let me start with what I promised in the last chapter of `My home is where my heart lies`. So, I often find myself not motivated enough to progress through the story, to write something refreshing and good. And thus, I feel like I will be splitting the story into 3 parts, aka the initial story will be split into 3 separate works. It will allow me to finish one part, re-read it, and think about changes that are necessary to take place. Furthermore, I feel like I have made a lot of mistakes throughout these nearly 3 years of writing this story. And... a lot of these come from a simple concept; I have started too many stories, and I have not been able to conclude virtually any of these. Moreover, my writing style and English proficiency drastically changed/evolved throughout this time. As you might know, I'm a perfectionist; I would love each and every one of my chapters to hold the same standard, to be simply the best. And... yet, with my knowledge of language broadening, it would require me to completely rewrite the story to maintain more or less the same level. And, as you might expect, it would take me ages to do so. So, as I have said, I will try to conclude the first part of this series as soon as possible. Nevertheless, I expect that I will need at least 3 - 5 chapters to do so.

Don't forget to comment. I really appreciate your feedback.

Note that the dialogues written in italic are thoughts.

As always, I would like to thank you for everything. See you soon :)

Changelog:
[2023-02-13]: A preview has been released.

Info: As promised, here is the preview for the next chapter. I will try to finish it asap, but as nearly always, I can promise you when the piece will be finished. Anyway, Enjoy :)

Info: Overall, the current plan is for me to write 'My home is where my heart lies' and 'Family tree' alternatively. Between the updates of these stories, I will try to upload other texts. Maybe, just maybe, I will be able to finish some of the short stories. However, I truly doubt that. It seems that most if not all of the stories will be extended both in terms of the time and the number of chapters.

Info: I will try to rewrite some of the older chapters between releasing new ones. I expect to start working on that goal in the middle of January. So, please be informed that the new chapters might take a bit longer to be finished and published.

Bonuses' section:
A new story taking place in the Warhammer 40k universe.
Story of one lost soul: The war call: rewrite.
An entirely new story (possibly Akali x [Irelia, Syndra, Katarina]).
A new short story (Vi x Cait).
An entirely original story (possibly even 2 stories, one taking place in medieval times, the other in the far future)
Bleach story. (Byakuya x Yoruichi / ?)
Naruto story. (Neji x Hinata / Neji x TenTen / Nagato x Konan)
Fairy Tail story. (most likely Erza x Mira)
Maybe some Star Wars?

References:

*bonuses will be worked on when I don't feel like writing the chapters pointed out in the schedule :D

End of the author's notes section.

Byakuya barely managed to parry yet another lunge from his fellow Captain. Even though only an hour might have passed, he felt exhausted beyond his natural comprehension. He anticipated these sessions to be rough and painful. However, even his worst anticipation came close to what he had gone through by now. When Retsu Unohana had told him that he would most likely die during the training, Kuchiki regarded her words as a light threat but nothing more. Back then, little had he known that it would be a mistake he would need to pay up for in blood.

From the moment both officers entered the prison area, deep below the city, something changed in the usually stoic woman. The raven-haired woman did not waste time, starting their encounter with intensive ferocity. Bykauya was painfully reminded of Unohana's true identity when her blade carved a shallow wound on his left forearm. Even though the pain sharpened his senses and gave him a singular purpose to focus on, the nobleman was still confused. After all, for years, he had known Captain Unohana as a peer, a leader of the 4th Division, not a berserker similar in nature to Zaraki Kempachi. But all of these memories and thoughts must have been pushed aside if he wanted to survive. He needed all his skills and battle experience to keep up with the ferocious demoness.

"I expected more from you, Captain Kuchiki," the first Kempachi said in a nearly emotionless voice. "Why don't you use your bankai? Or, at the very least, shikai? Without utilising those, you'll find your demise rather quickly," she added, slowly approaching the weakened man.

"What would I learn if I used them?" Byakuya responded, panting heavily. "You might beat me, Captain Unohana, but it matters not. I must go through my own mistakes and pain to become more powerful. Borrowing power from my sword will not help me with that. So, please, let us continue. And, if I am destined to fall now, let it be that way," he added confidently, then stood up with noticeable difficulties.

"I'm not the same Retsu Unohana you've known for all these years," the demoness commented. "Here, I shatter my mask, revealing what I've been in the past. Here, I shall be known under the name of Yachiru Unohana."

"Well met, Yachiru Unohana, then," the nobleman stated, attacking immediately afterwards.

"You're too slow," the raven-haired woman spat a moment later. "If it's all you have to offer, let's not prolong the inevitable," she added, swiftly blocking the incoming slash.

The 6th Division's Captain knew he had lost a few moments before the curved blade ripped his chest wide open. For a heartbeat, he felt nothing as if he could continue the fight, but that state did not last long. A wave of cold hit him, seemingly taking all of his remaining strength.

Soon after, Byakuya fell to his knees, visibly struggling to remain conscious.