When the Plum Blossoms Fall

Memoirs of Byakuya Kuchiki

Chapter 1:

My breathing quickened as I turned the corner of another never-ending street of the Rukongai. My eyes narrowed as I stared down the dark street, searching for the exit that was hidden from sight. Gritting my teeth in irritation, I dug my heels into the ground and skidded to a stop. Panting, I hunched over, transferring my weight to my knees as I attempted to catch my breath.

Dammit.

What had started out as a leisurely walk outside of the Seretei had climaxed into a roundabout sprint through the maze of streets that was the Rukon district. Not only that, but I had managed to get lost in one of the worst parts of the Soul Society. I couldn't remember what time I had left the Kuchiki house, and I didn't know what time it was now, as I had conveniently forgotten to take a watch with me when I had left. It was probably sometime around midnight, which was about the worst time to be outside during the night, as this was when the creatures of the night roamed about the empty streets. With my heartbeat calmer and my breathing regular I stood up again, wiping the beads of sweat that had formed above my forehead. My eyes darted to the shadows up ahead, and I instinctively placed a protective hand on my Zanpaktou as a sound tore through the silence, making my ears ring. With the sound came the distinctive cry of a cat, and I jumped as a metal garbage lid came crashing to the ground nearby. I rolled my eyes and released my grip around the sword as the silence returned to the street, helping to clear my thoughts and focus on the problem at hand.

I had been running around these streets for much too long now to not be able to find a way out. There must have been something I was doing wrong, as I knew I was running in circles. Though, in these identical streets it was hard to tell.

I closed my eyes in concentration, running my fingers through my black hair in thought.

Somehow, I needed to mark the streets with something where I had been. Rocks? No, that wouldn't be strong enough. There had to be something I could mark the street with...

My eyes snapped open at the realization. Of course! I quickly unsheathed my Zanpaktou and lowered it to the ground. I started scratching a series of complicated markings into the pavement below my feet. When I was finished, I ran a finger down the edge of my blade, testing if it was still sharp and surveyed my work. I had carved a replica of the Kuchiki clan symbol into the street, a picture so unique and complicated that only I would be able to recognize it. A small smile crept up my lips as I returned the sword to my belt. Glancing up I adjusted my eyes to the darkness before taking a few steps forward, beginning on my long journey home.

Eventually the markings in the pavement brought me to a clearing near the entrance of the Rukongai. With a final scratch at the ground I looked up and surveyed my surroundings. Suddenly, I realized that I had walked past this place earlier this afternoon. Four park benches stood droopingly at the base of the clearing. The backs of the surrounding shops and houses blocked the streets from view to my left and right, while up ahead lay a field of wild grass, and beyond, the walls of the Seretei. The whole place seemed to center around a lone plum tree growing in the centre of the square, it's petals draping the ground in a blanket of violet. Catching my breathe I stared in awe at the tree, disbelieving that this could have been the same tree I had walked by earlier. Then, it had only seemed like another spring plant in bloom, but now it was almost magical. The twilight surrounded the tree in a haze, and high above it the shine of the moon glinted off the glass-like dew drops. Each drop sparkled like a diamond, sharing space on the thick branches with the violet buds of the plum blossoms. The black bark of the tree ran along the branches, and to the roots below my feet which twisted through the cobblestones in thick trunks. As I stared I suddenly caught a flicker of movement high up in the branches. Gazing up at the movement I realized that it was a plum blossom, blooming and opening to a new world. A smile crossed my face as I patiently waited for the plum blossom to open. The time passed slowly... until, with a final movement the blossom threw open it's petals and shone with a new coat of dew. The purple violet glistened against the crystal drop, shining spectrums of rainbow light onto the surrounding area. With a jump I remembered my mission on finding my way home. Tearing my eyes away from the beauty of the tree, I glanced longingly across the field in front of me, to my home in the Seretei. My eyes looked up at the sky as I realized in surprise that the black was turning to orange, the sun peaking up at the tip of the hills in the distance. The blossoms seemed to open their petals wider, catching the rays of light and soaking up the remains of the dew. I smiled as I ripped my eyes from the sight, keeping a determined glance on the field and my return route home. With a final sigh I set off home at a light jog, pondering about what I had just seen. It seemed that I had stumbled open the most beautiful place in the Soul Society, a place only mere minutes away from my home.

I had found the diamond of the Rukongai.

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A little short, but I'm happy with the overall result. Please review!