2: Real sunshine.
Soon after the three men visited, I fell ill. A high fever meant I fell in and out of consciousness and I was never fully aware of the time. My dreams were about the man, Zaraki, but the dreams nearly always ended with him walking away from me and darkness cloaking my body as though I was being snatched away. I always woke up at that point, but suddenly came to realise it was only a dream. Outside, I could see the grey clouds floating past; it was going to rain soon. I like the rain, but I hate the storms that accompany the rain. I listened intently for any sound, outside or inside, but none came. I was alone and this time I knew it was real and not a dream.
After a few days, my fever settled down and I was able to sit up properly. These days I was always waiting – the visit from the strange man had lifted a burden on my heart and I felt for the first time in years, excited. Excited that a Captain of the Thirteen Court Guards had visited me especially, and he could maybe come back! However, the excitement never lasted long. The chains that bound my energy, also bound my feelings. It had been years since I had smiled properly, and I so badly wanted to be free of these bounds. Was this what my life was meant for? A lifetime rotting away in some cell for a crime I didn't mean to commit?
More days passed, and still I was waiting. I had not slept for I was too impatient, but I was no longer aware of what was going on. My limbs had seized up and moulded themselves into the surroundings. I felt tired, but I could not sleep, but when I did sleep I wanted to be awake; what choice do I have? Thoughts rampaged through my head like a 'herd of angry elephants' as they say in the world of the living. Suddenly, a key turned in the lock, and my eyes blinked wide open. Was it him? Had he finally come back after what feels like a human lifetime? The giant doors opened, and in walked the strange man Zaraki. He looked totally different in the sunlight – my heart skipped a beat when I saw him; a scar that runs down his face, wild, wavy hair and a ripped Captain's cloak that billows after him. Zaraki was tall and like a beast, I could only imagine what he must be like if he was angry. I then noticed the two same men standing behind him – Captain Kuchiki (his name came back to me at that moment now I could see him in the light) and my father, the Captain-General. He wasn't looking at me, or rather he was trying not to look at me. I felt so ashamed to call him my father, but I know I shouldn't.
A few seconds passed before more people walked into the cell – all wearing white masks and cloaks. They walked up to me and grabbed my chains. I gasped and recoiled, but I then realised that one of the white-cloaks was holding keys in his hand. He inserted them and the chains came loose. Shock overcame me, wave after wave. Was I to be released, finally? I looked at my free hands and feet and looked at the strange man Zaraki. He squinted his eyes, as though waiting for something to happen. Byakuya Kuchiki stepped forward to the centre of the cell and stopped.
"Zooi Yamamoto, you are free at last of your heinous crime for which you have served 36 years. Let this be a lesson to you and mercy will not be accepted lest you commit something of the same calibre. You are free to leave the Repentance Palace under the guidance and instruction of Kenpachi Zaraki. You shall also be given your zanpaku-tō and your shikakushō to use. It is up to you whether you choose to carry on your training to enter the Thirteen Court Guards, but for now your name is changed to Zooi Tamyaomo, please remember this as this is your name everyone is given. Nobody is to know that you are the Captain-General's daughter with the exception of a particular few." Byakuya stated in a formal manner, looked at me briefly, turned and stood behind Zaraki.
"Please, come with me." Rumbled Zaraki. His voice ripped through my chest and until I gasped and shivered. It was beautiful, and I could not help but jerk back against the wall. Zaraki moved towards me; a rough style of walking, as though he was a commoner and not a Captain.
"Zooi," he rumbled. "Can you walk?" he placed a large, bony hand on my knee and for some unknown reason, tears spilled and ran down my cheeks. I shook my head, for I had not walked properly since the day I was locked up. Dangling my feet over the edge of the cold stone slab, I suddenly realised how thin I had become. Although I did eat, it was never often and sometimes I refused food. I tried to stand with the help of the white-cloaks, but once I let go, I collapsed into a useless heap on the stone floor. I heard the Captain General snort quietly.
"If she cannot walk, leave her here until she can." He said in a gruff voice. I had not heard the man speak for 36 years, and my heart thumped against my chest for he was the voice of authority. Unexpectedly, Zaraki scooped me up in one swift movement into his gorilla-like arms and turned towards Byakuya and Yamamoto.
"Now then, shall we leave?" Zaraki said simply and strode towards the door. For the first time in 36 years I saw the outside of this dingy cell and as I glanced back, something hit me and I coughed and gasped, what strength I had suddenly diminished and I passed out. Zaraki's hands shook me lightly and I half opened my eyes; beautiful blue sky was all I could see and the amazing buildings of the Seireitei. I sighed and passed out once again.
"Staying too long in that cell took away all her spiritual energy, especially those chains – they absorbed it. Make her strong, Zaraki, for you are the right person. I forgot about her because it was painful and I feel sorry for her. I cannot bear to look at her because she looks too much like her mother. Bring her up well, for I did a disastrous job. When the time comes, you must tell me why you wanted to raise her and teach her. For now though, I must leave." The Captain-General stopped and walked towards his quarters. Byakuya escorted Zaraki back to Eleventh Company's quarters where I was to recover. Dreams floated over me, a tingling sensation ran through my blood, and I felt alive; alive like real sunshine.