Just got paid, it's Friday night… But I've got no date, so I guess I'll write! Geez, my brain is fried! :/
Some special shout-outs: to rkfollower and narutofan1091. I'd say so far you're the most avid readers of this story and I appreciate it! Thanks for keeping in touch with the fic and constantly reviewing.
Also, to gloaming grove: I LOVED your review! *hops like a bunny* I don't mind people reviewing just to say they love the story or that is cute, but an in-depth review is so nice to read. And you still added the whole "love the fic, blah…" part too, which made it an even better review.
To those I've left out, thanks for reading as well. I read all your reviews and both me and my inbox say Gracias (Gracias=thanks in Spanish, for those who don't know :D).
Disclaimer: All Bleach characters are Kubo-san's property. If they were mine some wicked things would happen. But I'm too tired to think today so everything is as usual. School sucks! -.-"
This chapter rocks! *laughs mischievously*. Unlike past chapters, this consists of one scene from beginning to end, so keep your eyes open to make sure you don't miss anything. It's an important chapter the one we've got going on here.
Alright, that's enough banter. Read on kiddies!
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"Good morning, Nii-sama." She spoke as I entered the room.
It was not a pleasant night, so I was not in a good mood. However, I forbid the idea of being unpleasant towards my sister.
"Rukia."
I sat across from her at the table. A servant poured me some tea and placed it in front of me. I hoped the tea would bring me some comfort.
"Did you sleep well?"
"No."
Rukia had figured out a while ago that I find it difficult to sleep after clan meetings. The echoes of the elders' senseless judgments resound profoundly in my mind, reminding me of all my past mistakes, and this has kept me from sleep every night there is a meeting since Hisana died.
Regardless of this, she asks about my sleep every morning after, even though she knows the answer. I believe she does this in hopes someday I'll miraculously find assuage.
"The meetings still give you bad dreams?"
"No, they do not. I can't fall asleep, therefore I can't dream." I answered, sipping on my tea.
"Maybe you should skip work today, Nii-sama, get some rest."
"That's unnecessary. I don't plan on going to the office until noon. Also, I gain nothing from neglecting my work."
"So, are we still on for lunch?" Rukia asked while she had breakfast.
"Yes."
"Nii-sama," Rukia said, turning to look at me, "have you heard anything from Renji?"
"Not yet. He should be reporting today or tomorrow the latest."
"Does Ichigo know Renji's in Karakura?"
I flinched slightly at the mention of Kurosaki. It's not unknown to me that Rukia has feelings for him, but I'm deeply concerned about her association with the boy. As long as he remains human any romantic involvement would only hurt my sister, and I refuse to let her have the same ending as me, so I try in subtle ways not to fuel her wishes.
"I don't believe he's been notified of his presence."
Before Rukia had a chance to ask more questions I finished my tea. I left the table and grabbed my zanpakuto, hung it on my side and prepared to leave.
"I'm sure Abarai is fine. Don't worry about him."
I turned to face the door, leaving my sister with questions she shouldn't know the answers to.
"What about your sleep? Should I worry about that instead?"
I stifled a gasp at her words.
"You should not distract yourself with the problems of others, Rukia. Perhaps you should train, since it seems you could spare the time."
My lack of sleep had caught up with me, which is why I scolded her.
Rukia's constant care for others is one of her most impressive traits, but it's also one that kept her from becoming everything I know she can be. She won't change these attitudes so I don't worry about her growing cold like me, but at times I wish she was.
As I walked out of the Kuchiki Manor I reflected on this. Not engaging others in a friendly manner is beneficial since one does not become concerned with their problems, but it also means no one will worry about you as there's no empathy shown from either side.
To show no care for others, that's the way of the nobility. This has never agreed with me but I still obey it, though it's growing increasingly difficult to do so.
Just like yesterday, I walked through empty streets on my way to the division, more specifically the training grounds. Training had managed to ease my mind so perhaps it would work in the same way today.
It's disappointing to realize that any and all options that could bring an end to my personal issues would only worsen them, as all of them involve breaking the rules, and I can't bring myself to do it since I know the consequences all too well.
I had arrived at my destination, but the sight that was supposed to alleviate my discomfort only aggravated it.
I was not able to see through the dust that travelled in the air, although this was unnecessary. I had sensed her presence, as it grew stronger by the minute.
I considered interrupting her practice as she was using the division's training grounds, but I found myself intrigued by the scene that played in front of me.
Two days in a row, and at this time of day. Her intentions were obvious.
I stood still, watching her for a while, as she controlled the flow of ashes in all directions. I had to admit I was impressed by her demonstration of skill even though her intention was not to display them to me.
Suddenly a breeze of dust-colored ash travelled in my direction, forcing me to shunpo away from it. This particular action brought me to her attention.
I noticed her surprise upon seeing me, although she quickly retrieved the expression from her face, recalling the ashes and sealing them in her zanpakuto.
"Bankai," I whispered, taking a step towards her, "am I wrong?"
"Good Morning to you too, Byakuya-taicho" she said, responding to my unpleasantness with more.
The interesting fact was that I wasn't as disturbed by her choice of title as she believed me to be.
"I apologize for my displeasing behavior."
"Its fine, Taicho." she retorted, chuckling at my remark.
"So?"
"Yes, for a while now," she answered modestly.
I was impressed by the reaction, but conquering Bankai is something between a shinigami and his zanpakuto, so I felt like an intruder.
"Have you achieved it already?"
"Not yet."
Her answer did not surprise me, although it did disappoint me. Then, unconscious of the action and without having the capacity to halt it, I expressed my dismay.
"It's a shame you have not. For a moment I thought I had found an alternative to sparring with Abarai. Apparently I was wrong."
I turned my back on her, granting her permission to use the division's grounds to train. She needed it far more than I did.
"When you reach Bankai, find me… and we'll spar."
I started walking towards the office, but as is usual for her, she wouldn't let me have the last word.
"Why wait? You came here to train. It's not right that I'm invading your space and on top of that I force you out of your activities."
"My training can wait." I replied bluntly.
"This wouldn't be your normal training Taicho, it would be a match. I'm sure it's been a while since your last."
"I have no reason to spar with you, Fukutaicho."
"So that's how it goes, huh? There are only two reasons why you would refuse to spar with me, but I'm only willing to concede one."
"You're provoking me Matsumoto-fukutaicho. Is in your best interests that I suggest you stop," I responded, trying to shield myself from her rightful assumptions.
"Your first reason. You won't spar with me because I have not offended you in any way. You have nothing against me, therefore nothing to defend…"
I turned my head slightly to look at her from the corner of my eye.
"The second reason is that you don't believe I can fight you. Like I said, I'm willing to overlook only one, and I'm sure you know which one it is."
She had cornered me with her reasoning. I couldn't walk away now as it would represent an offense to her as a shinigami and as a woman. I turned to face her, my face emotionless as usual.
"If we are to do this we need rules. Any suggestions?"
"No kido."
"No shikai." I responded.
"Aww, that's just boring, Taicho," She answered, playing a pout upon her lips, "Fine. No kido, no shikai and no hakuda. Zanjutsu only. "
"Shunpo?"
"You'd be surprised," she spoke, her tone more arrogant and defiant than ever before.
"Very well."
She had allowed shunpo which was an unfortunate decision, even for her. With this I was certain I could end the battle whenever I pleased. However, I decided I would humor her for a while, after all, I was indeed going to practice, and even when this is not what I had planned for, I'll welcome it.
She grabbed the hilt of her zanpakuto and, in a swift motion, unsheathed it from its position on her back. She placed it in front of her, holding it with both hands. Her action compelled me to strip Senbonzakura out of her sheath.
I stood in my position, waiting for her to move forward.
"Are you ready, Kuchiki-taicho?" she remarked slyly.
I remained silent, unwilling to answer her question, as I found it irrelevant.
She charged me, running in my direction. Once I was in range, she attacked my right shoulder, forcing me to parry.
Another thrust and another parry.
I refused to attack her, even as her strokes grew in intensity and speed.
"Is that all you can do, Taicho?"
"Don't be cocky, Fukutaicho. You are in over your head," I answered, dodging her zanpakuto once again as she directed it towards my core.
"Give me some credit, would you? I'm sure you thought it would take less than this to beat me."
"I'm holding back, Fukutaicho. You do not wish for me to fight you with all my strength."
"Does that mean I was right yesterday?" she asked before launching yet another strike in my direction.
Her question varied my response to her attacks, as this time I opted to block her strike with Senbonzakura. I didn't waste time looking for an appropriate reply. However, I would not allow her to regard such consideration as true.
"What are you implying, Fukutaicho?"
"You don't really need me to enlighten you, right, Taicho?"
Her response confirmed my fears, as I saw her cringe from resentment.
She had been referring to her abilities.
In all honesty, I was pleasantly surprised by the displays of strength I had borne witness to in the past days, but in no way did I consider them enough to place her as viable match for my abilities.
"I outrank you. You can't possibly consider yourself to be at my level."
With this I felt her sword push harder against me, fighting to lower my zanpakuto.
"This is not about rank or strength! I'm not stupid, Byakuya. You train with Renji, and he's a fukutaicho. Rukia, she uses the same kido spells that you do. And she's not even seated!"
"Address me by my title, Fukutaicho. I have not given you the confidence to do otherwise."
I pushed her back to gain some space between us as I felt my temper shift at the thought that all she had said was true.
Her reaction to my thrust however, was unexpected. She disappeared from my field of vision and shunpoed in my direction.
Her zanpakuto found itself inches away from my neck as she held it steadily in its place. I had underestimated her greatly and she had forced me to concede to this fact as the surprise played on my face.
"Admit it already, Byakuya! I'm all out of subtleties and humor. This intimidates you, therefore you throw in my face anything and everything you can find to push me away. What the hell do you think I'm going to do to you?!"
My eyes grew wider as I ventured to look at her. My jaw hardened and my brow furrowed. My impassive stare was lost.
Her words had awakened my ire. Not only did she address me in an inappropriate fashion, but her intimations were erroneous and excessive.
I shunpoed away from my previous position, avoiding contact with her blade. This time I chose to attack, launching a strike aimed at her right shoulder.
When I realized I had to decelerate my sword it was too late. She had tried her best to dodge Senbonzakura but it was not enough.
Her blood was dripping from my sword, having slashed her forearm. Suddenly, horror played upon my face.
I had hurt her.
It was everything I had tried to avoid through displeasing behaviors and distance, and yet my efforts were fruitless.
I dropped Senbonzakura and shunpoed to her side.
I gasped at the vision of her stained uniform, her ripped scarf.
She looked down on her arm, as if checking if the pain she had sensed was indeed coming from a wound.
I could not find the words to say, stumbling on a stutter.
"I-I'm sorry Ran—"
My face turned violently to my right as she slapped me across the face with her hand, leaving a bloody mark on my face.
She had lowered her head, refusing to look at me. Her disgust at my action was evident.
"You can keep your apology, Kuchiki-taicho. I don't care for it. I have no use for it!"
My brain was working at full speed, trying to find a suitable response. Nothing came.
"Is your pride that important to you that you would hurt me, a fellow shinigami, just because you don't like what I have to say to you?"
I was frozen, utterly repulsed by my actions but with no way to take them back.
"You're not man enough to face me appropriately. I've no respect for you, Kuchiki Byakuya!"
She turned her back on me, walking in the direction of the sixth division's gate.
"Don't expect me to come and train your division anymore. Find someone else. Don't find someone else. Do whatever you want for all I care."
And once again she left with the last word, as I remained still in my position, gaping at the stains in my haori.
---------------X-------------
What?! Byakuya got slapped in the face? Yes, indeed he was... And he deserved it!
What will our poor Byakuya do to get himself out of this situation? You'll have to keep reading, because only I know how he will and I'll never tell! However, I will write about it, so keep in touch. :D
Remember what I said about school sucking? Well, I'll try my best to get chapter 10 up next week to keep with the rhythm I have going. I do have a test (organic chemistry *shivers in fear*) next week and I have to pass, so wish me luck. I'll try to not procrastinate as much and be productive this week so you, my lovely readers, can have at least your weekly dose of ByaRan.
I almost forgot. I wrote a fic in honor of Rangiku's birthday, you can find it in my profile if you wish to read it. It's titled "Rangiku's Birthday Presents".
As always, I'll end this note asking you to please review. I could really use the support to keep me going through the stressful week. And reviews always compel me to write. Like I've said before, this is not a bribe. I'll post with or without reviews, but it's always nice to get them, so please do :D.
Have a nice week everyone!