Tairei9: I don't own bleach, give full credit to the creators, and wish for everyone who has this far to review and tell me what you think. I wish to thank the readers for reading this far and for the reviewers for review and on with chapter twenty three!
Chapter twenty three.
Kumiko's eyes fluttered open to see a golden colored room, showing her that it was late afternoon. She looked to one side to see the door open. It showed a walk way and a garden.
"Where am I?" thought Kumiko, trying to recall what occurred. Then she remembered the earlier events.
"That's right, Kuchiki-Taichou-san found me," Kumiko thought dazed. She still though had no idea where she was but was relieved that the pain was mostly gone. She still ached a little bit, but otherwise okay. She looked to her other side and saw a cushion. She reached out, her arm a little stiff and felt it. It was still warm.
"Who was here? Ichi-ni-san? Or somebody else?" she questioned herself. She put her arm back under the blankets, feeling cold. She adjusted herself to a more comfortable position, wincing ever so slightly. She then fell back into a deep sleep, content. She dreamed of a woman sitting by a pond under a tree smiling weakly.
"Come here, Kumiko!"
"Okaa-san…"
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Byakuya walked down the street, his face his usual impassiveness. But in his head was another story.
"This child his become more and more confusing," he thought, "The sooner we get that woman questioned and Unohana get's that testing done the better."
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"Here," Byakuya said to Unohana handing her the vial.
"Ah, what might this be?" she questioned.
"This is that child's blood. You do know that Ukitake-?"
"Yes I do," Unohana said gently. She put the vial away safely and said, "I will test it as soon as I can."
"Arigato."
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Yes it was very befuddling indeed. He continued to walk towards his destination, hoping for no interference. He soon had begun to walk into Rukongai and the sun had completely set, leaving him in the dark. But it didn't matter, he could still see.
Soon he came to a forest and walked on the dusty road. He truly didn't mind walking, considering he wasn't exactly sure where his destination would be. He continued to walk until someone crossed his path.
"You are Kariya Jin?" Byakuya asked stopping. His voice was not threatening.
"Yeah," Kariya said smiling.
"I hear you have been doing what ever you want," Byakuya said.
Kariya closed his eyes, "Kuchiki Rukia. I heard that shinigami Yoshi slashed up was your little sister." There was a pause.
"Have you come for revenge?"
"It is unrelated. Regardless of who and what they are, anyone who disturbs Soul Society will be cut down," Byakuya said indifferent. Kariya flung his arm sending a blast of wind at Byakuya. Kariya's face looked crazy. There wash a silent lengthy pause.
"No ready stance?" Byakuya asked.
"And what about you? I'm always ready," Kariya Jin said.
"I see," Byakuya said. Another pause and Byakuya disappeared, making Kariya look surprised. Byakuya appeared directly behind him. Byakuya sliced at him, only for Kariya to flash step a few feet away.
"So a lowly bount like you has mastered shunpo," Byakuya said. Hands still in his coat, Kariya looked at his coat.
"You scratched me," Kariya said, "Well; it's my turn to go." Kariya disappeared in a ball of wind and the wind blew, making the trees leaves rustled. Byakuya stood there and suddenly disappeared as something crashed down. Byakuya appeared not too far away.
"Got you!!" Byakuya disappear right before punched at where Byakuya once stood. Kariya straightened up and dodged Byakuya's blade.
"I heard about Bount's manipulation of puppets. That thing I could not see a moment ago. Was that your puppet?"
"Maybe," Kariya said.
"Very well then. I will just have to cut down your puppet as well," Byakuya said, indifferent. They then flash stepped fighting, but not extremely serious.
"That's Kuchiki Byakuya for you," Kariya said as they both stopped, "You are greater than the rumors claim. I'm glad that I got to met you."
"What?" Byakuya said, his eyes narrowed.
"In the history of the Four Noble Families of Soul Society, you are said to be the greatest leader in the history of the Kuchiki clan, Kuchiki Byakuya," Kariya said, "It is only natural that people with a level of skill would want to fight with you. And I am more that pleased with the level of your power."
"What are your goals?" Byakuya asked.
"Goals?" Kariya looked up. "Among the shinigami in the thirteen protection squads, you are by the most famous. If news spread that you were defeated, unrest would spread through Soul Society."
"Such nonsense," Byakuya scoffed.
"It is true, other wise I would not have come out this far." Kariya said, smiling, "But are a softer than the information indicated. It seems when one of my accomplices was about to deliver the final blow you frantically tried to save her. Then you rushed to go save Kumiko-chan when you saw to your sister. On top of that, you came here alone to avenge your sister. And if I'm right Kumiko. I thought you of all people would not succumb to petty provocation."
"This is meaningless," Byakuya said unaffected, "I already told you, I merely cut down anyone who disturbs Soul Society."
"Well whatever. You must die here to further our goals."
"Discussion is useless," Byakuya said, "You will be the one to die here."
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Byakuya walked along the walk way of the Kuchiki house. The fight with Kariya ended in a draw. That ryoka boy had interfered, which annoyed him. He suddenly stopped and asked, "What are you doing up?"
Kumiko peeked out of the room and really didn't have an answer to give him. So she fibbed a little.
"I couldn't sleep. Did you get in a fight?" she asked timidly. He just nodded, rather than get into the details.
"Arigato. For saving me," Kumiko said meekly. He turned around and walked back over to her. She looked up into his face. He kneeled down and touched her cheek. He stroked it and said, "Go to sleep. Your body has not fully recovered yet," he said softly. She nodded and went back into her room.
"Goodnight Kuchiki Taichou-san," Kumiko said.
"Kuchiki-sama."
"Eh?" she said, looking back at him.
"You do not need to call me that," Byakuya said, "You may call me Kuchiki-sama."
"Alright. Good night Kuchiki-sama," Kumiko said leaving.
"Good night Kumiko," Byakuya said walking away.
Tairei9: Aww, wasn't it cute. Well review!! Sorry for the shortness.
