Part 9 "Interludes and Instructions"
Saezu sat crouched on a rooftop. Inpatients had long ago turned to painful frustration. Grimmjow had been summoned back to Hueco Mundo and had not returned. Left on his own the black haired Arrancar decided to take matters into his own hands. It was time to draw the boy out.
"If you do not go, I will." Rayna said to Yarinju as she leveled her gaze on him. They were standing together in a small courtyard that opened into the training area. It was beautiful in its simplicity. Lush green grass was decorated with a stone path that led from the house out to the training yard. Except for the arched opening the garden was enclosed by a stone wall. The two of them stood in the shade of a very old elm tree.
Yarinju faced his lady. The training that was planned for today had been cut short by Raynas antics. Lieutenant Hisagi had shown great skill and patients. Unfortunately, as with the others, he had underestimated Rayna. She had quickly become bored by his methods. The poor man probably still felt the sting to his pride at finding himself prone on the ground with Raynas foot planted on his backside.
Truthfully she was not as skilled as any one of the Shinigami that had been ordered to train her. Raynas abilities were in tactics and subterfuge. Once she surveyed, and established a weakness, she used the component of surprise to fell one after another. Yarinju tried to tell them, all of them. "Do not underestimate your opponent." With the exception of one, everyone had ignored him. Lieutenant Matsumoto was the only one to take his warnings seriously. That day training lasted well into the evening.
Both women were exhausted before Yarinju had called a quit to that days training. His frustration was evident with Rayna. "You are going to get yourself killed child. Battles are fought for life and death." There were times that if she had been more aggressive she could have easily bested the Lieutenant. Yarinju could not make the woman understand the seriousness of her position. Raynas one weakness is that she was never prepared to kill her opponent. This made training difficult because she was not willing to inflict wounds either. Although, Yarinju had to give her more credit her skill with her Zanpakato was almost flawless. But, she refused to use it as the weapon it was.
Now looking down at her he decided it was time to take her training into his own hands. The next time Rayna faced an combatant she would understand the consequences of not being prepared to kill her opponent. Pain could be a good lesson for her.
Raynas voice brought him back to the current situation. Hazel eyes stared up at him pleading. "You made me promise, that means you have to go. Please Yarinju, I fear for them." The concern and love in her voice had him. Most couldn't tell but Rayna had a heart for everyone she met with rare exception. The sigh he let out told her she had won. A brilliant smile crossed her face as she said in a staunch voice, "besides the great sour Captain Kuchiki is more than capable of protecting me."
Since being ordered to attend morning tea with him her attitude toward the dark haired noble had changed. Instead of defiant it was now more antagonistic. Truthfully, he had never seen her respond to anyone as she did him. Usually her acceptance of people just as they were won her many friends. Yarinju had also noted that she went to great lengths to avoid him. Except for the occasional night foray she had confined herself to her rooms or to the training yard. The white haired man wondered if she was aware of her own actions. He didn't complain. This self imposed confinement made her easier to protect.
The mood in the yard had lightened once Rayna knew she was going to get her way. Marching out in front of Yarinju and back again she mimicked the aloof captain. Yarinju smiled at her silliness at first, but his face froze in abject horror as the man himself appeared in the open archway.
"He is behind me isn't he?" Rayna said unaffected by her disrespectful behavior. Thankfully, Yarinju was only the one that could see the smile that still plagued her face.
"I am certain that my orders included training, yet, the training yard remains empty." The captain said from behind Rayna. "I am curious to know the level of skill that does not require discipline?"
Yarinju groaned inwardly as Rayna turned to the captain with an impish look on her face. "Maybe it is not my skill you should be questioning." Rayna could not keep the smile from her face, but did manage to stifle a giggle. Any one of the lieutenants could have bested her at her level of skill, but she had surprised them. Humility was the lesson that she had thoroughly enjoyed teaching.
Byakuya looked down at the redheaded woman. Holding her gaze he noted that her hazel eyes did not meet his with defiance. Mischievousness maybe, but there no sign of defiance. That look told him he should have paid more attention to the training yard this last week. No reports had come from the other squads. Now he wondered why.
The last week had given him great insight into her personality. The first thing he discovered was that her emotions were easily read. There was no pretense with Rayna what she was feeling was written on her face. That was not encompassing though because her thoughts were harder to discern. Aware of how easy she was to read she backed into reticence as a defense.
The first two days there mornings together had been spent in absolute silence. Rayna was stiff and unrelenting. On the third morning he had been later than usual because of his duties. It was the second time he had found her reading one of his books. She was so absorbed in it that she did not notice him until he sat at the end of the long table. A look of embarrassment crossed her face as she got up to place the book back on the shelf.
After Rayna replaced the book she made her way back to the table and began preparing his tea. Byakuya had to find a way to break the silence between them. "There are several volumes on the history of the living world that you may find interesting." A look of surprise crossed her face and the plate she was holding almost fell out of her hand. "If you have a thirst for knowledge then you may avail yourself to any of my books." A smiled played across her face for a fraction of a second. "Thank you, Captain Kuchiki," was all she said that day.
The following day Rukia joined them at his request. It was a good idea because the two women fell easily into conversation. Byakuya was able to listen and interject appropriately. Information came unexpectedly. Leaning that she had visited the living world on several occasions with her father told him that he was a Shinigami of high rank. There were other bits of information but none as important as listening to her talk of her family. There were no specific details but love filled her voice. The astute captain was left to wonder at the traces of sorrow that dimed her face.
Rukia was only able to join them once. Byakuya thought that their mornings would return to silence but he was wrong. The following morning Rayna watched him thoughtfully. After a servant had retreated in fear she asked, "You really do enjoy intimidating people?" The question had thrown him because it was direct and it held some truth.
"Sometimes it is easier to force respect through fear." His reply did not faze her. In fact nothing he did really seemed to intimidate her. Even in silence she seemed to regard him with an attitude of amused indifference. The only exception had been when he had seen her contrite.
"Fear causes distrust, but I suppose it can be a useful tool." Hazel eyes still assessed him, waiting for a reply. After that the two fell into conversation more easily. They discussed any manner of subjects and she was always ready with a reply. The only time she resisted him is when he pushed for information on her past. Surprisingly, Rayna was easy to be with when she wasn't defiant. Never placing expectations on him, she just accepted him as he was.
The astute woman managed to surprise him again this morning when they were discussing tactics. Byakuya was trying to assess her skills by discussing her training. The annoyed look that crossed her face told him all he needed to know. "Are you not challenged by your training?" The captain asked.
The woman across from him all but snorted when she said, "arrogance is a common weakness. While it is not a driving power, damaging pride can win a battle." The smile that crossed her face made Byakuya curious.
"What would you know of assessing weakness in combat?"
Intelligence lit Raynas eyes as she explained. "The first and best rule of combat is this. All enemies have one thing in common their weakness is the power that drives them. Find that weakness and you not only have power over them, you have the power to defeat them. The second rule is never revealing your own weakness to your enemy."
"Those are tactical rules, combat is much simpler." Byakuya corrected. They continued discussing the rules of engagement for some time. It was clear that she had a mind for tactics. It also became clear that she had distaste for fighting. That was when he decided to interrupt his duties to witness her training. Curious to assess her skill, he was irked to find her conversing with her companion in one of his many gardens.
"Where is Lieutenant Hisagi?" Byakuya demanded.
Rayna shrugged, "well…" she trailed off not really responding to him.
Yarinju was the one that spoke up. "Captain it seems that many within your ranks suffer from arrogance. Despite many warnings all save one assumed that Rayna has had little to no training."
Byakuya knew instinctively that it was the lieutenant of the 10th squad. Rangiku Matsumoto knew what Rayna was and she would not have underestimated the noblewoman or the Reiatsu that flowed within her.
"Perhaps, it is time I assessed your skill." Byakuya was no fool. He already knew the girl could hold her own. Rayna had previously fought against one of the Arrancar. Curious he wanted to know what other Shinigami traits she held. Using his flash step he covered the teen feet that separated them and came to stand over her. "How skilled is your Shunpo?"
Rayna looked up at him. A look came across her face that he couldn't quit describe. It was familiar. Yarinju had once warned him about that look.
The man spoke up now, "Captai..."
"Hold your tongue." Rayna said never taking her eyes of the captain in front of her. "It seems the captain wants to play."
Byakuya was not surprised when she disappeared and was suddenly behind him. With this woman it was best to expect the unexpected.
"I understand you are a master of Shunpo. I am interested to see how my skills compare." Disappearing once again, Byakuya once again found himself facing her. Only this time she had placed some distance between herself and him.
"Rayna, remember this is a captain with title. That deserves some decorum of respect," Yarinju warned. Wishing he knew exactly why the girl sought to purposefully irritate the man.
Rayna ignored him, keeping the captain in a level stare she said. "I played tag with Lady Yoruichi too." Suddenly she was so close to him he could feel her Reiatsu. Reaching up she whispered in his ear. "Not only did I win, but I improved the game."
With that she was gone again. Irked and tired of her game Byakuya thought it was time to truly test the womans skill. Reaching for his Zanpakato, he was more than surprised to find hit missing. Looking back up, he found Rayna standing across from him, Senbonzakura held out in front of her horizontally. The look on her face was still dangerous. Silently agreeing with Yarinju, he would remember to be more careful in the future when seeing that look.
"I just don't understand why Shinigami are not more aware of their Zanpakato," the tone she used was insulting at best. "If it is part of your spirit as mine is then you should be able to determine when it is under threat."
"Kurirayna Ishume Hirosasuke, you go too far. He is a Captain. That is enough of your games," Yarinju commanded.
"…And I ordered you to hold your tongue Yarinju." Rayna half whispered.
Yarinju dropped his head in humility. He had not meant to let loose another one of her secrets, but with her attitude toward the captain he was unsure how far she would take her games. Getting her attention was the best way to stop her next move. By her tone it would take some time for her to forgive him. This also meant he was going to have to enlighten the captain on who actually resided in his house.
Quietly and slowly Rayna approached Byakuya with Senbonzakura. Unable to read her face because her head was downturned, he expected to see contriteness. "I apologize captain," was all she said as she offered him his Zanpakato with a slight bow. Outstretched hands shook slightly as he took the sword from her. When she did look up at him he was surprised to see fear in her eyes. Why, after all she had done, was she now afraid of him?
Rayna stood before him with all the pride she could muster. The questions would come. Most she didn't have any answers for. The setting sun would see her in prison. After which they would use the Sekki-sekki to control her. The best she could hope for was execution. She wondered if the head captain would honor a request to keep her identity private.
The painful sensation that came over her interrupted her thoughts. A familiar spirit was crying out in pain. Rayna recognized it immediately "Nonu," she breathed out. The calling got stronger. The present situation lost all of its urgency. The captain could punish her later. Using her flash step she disappeared.
Byakuya stood in place his mind trying to make its way clear of the confusion that now overcame it. What did a lady of an honorable noble house have to be afraid of? The Hirosasuke family was still held high esteem amongst the three other noble families. Questions plagued him. The pain that crossed her face was even more of a mystery. What worried him most was the sudden rise in her spiritual pressure. Something was very wrong. He looked at the white haired man for answers.
Yarinju just shook his head. "It may take some time before she returns captain. We have misled her and she fears the consequences of the court guard."
"I need answers, if I am to protect Lady Hirosasuke." Byakuya said trying to keep the tinge of anger from his voice. He was aware of the collusion around placing her in his house. It had never occurred to him that Rayna would be innocent of it.
"Captain, all I can venture to say is that there is an order of secrecy that is binding beyond that which even the head captain can break. Lady Rayna is the only one that could break that order but the truth was long ago hidden from her."
Byakuya placed his Zanpakato, "Is the Lady of the Hirosasuke house by bloodline?"
Yarinju had no use for lying now "Yes, though thought to be long dead. Captain I need to be very clear. The order of secrecy applies to you. Central 46 may no longer exist but their law is still in effect."
"I am not a fool. I will have the truth, and I will know why the lady is not under the protection of her own family. I will find the woman and have what answers she can offer." Byakuya turned to leave but was cut short by a wave of spiritual pressure. It was a familiar sensation one that he now recognized. The feeling was slight as before but this time it held a wave of building power. It would make it easy to track the noblewoman.
"Captain," the deadly calm of Yarinjus voice got his attention. "Call a contingent of Shinigami we need to go." Waiting, he looked over at the captain. Yarinju knew what was coming next.
"Only the head captain can issue such an order." Byakuya replied staunchly, annoyed at being ordered by the white haired man.
"Yarinju Saenon former Captain of the 3rd division and specially assigned Akarui Guard Lieutenant issues that order. You can verify my rank and clearance later. There is no time now. The wave of pressure you felt was Lady Rayna being engaged in battle." With that he was gone.
Sigh... driven inside this weekend, the cold has gone past annoying and right into just pissing me off. I miss the sun. But, well... I am getting a lot of editing done the next chapter should be ready by tomorrow. Background noise for today on the T.V. was 'The Mummy' It looks warm in that movie... and then there were the Music stylings of Asian Kung Fu Generation... I think they are pretty much responsible for my Anime introduction which is weird. I am told it is the other way around... But got to say as a former drummer their drummer is a real bad..... You know the rest...
As always Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo... not me and I don't do this for profit.. this weekend I am doing it because I am hiding from the cold and needed somewhere to let my imagination wonder.