It's friday now!...Well on the larger part of the world it is. Not so much where I live, although I wish it was, since that would mean that the living nightmare tomorrow will be would be already over. Or just beginning. Gosh, someone should really invent a time machine.... But I digress *blushes*
We'll just pretend it's friday. So let's start again.... Hi everyone! End of the week= weekend (duh!) and a new chapter...Number twelve to be exact.
I'm so very sorry for delaying postage on this chapter, but I've been super busy with school. The good thing is that I'll go back to posting fridays, and hopefully there will be no more delays of any kind. That of course, if school allows it.
We're back to Byakuya's POV people. No more ranting on my part (just the disclaimer as usual)..... Happy reading my lovelies!
Disclaimer: All Bleach characters are Kubo-san's property. If they were mine some wicked things would happen.... I'd like it if the Shinigami Women's Association destined some funds into rebuilding their pool at Byakuya's Manor. I don't get why the man complains, really. A bunch of hot women parading through his gardens in itty-bitty bikinis.I bet that sucks, right? Byakuya, you're too faithful man! Get some tail!...I shall make that happen hahaha. But since I own nothing, then poor Byakuya will continue with his celibacy. So boring!
---------------X-------------
It was a monotonous morning in the Kuchiki manor.
I woke up later than usual, tired from the hectic days that preceded this morning.
It was curious to realize the next few days would be the complete opposite of those before this morning, since I suddenly found myself deprived of any kind of company.
Rukia, thanks to Ukitake's suggestion, was assigned to leave for Karakura, which is why no one was at the table when I arrived to have breakfast, and no one will be joining me for lunch either. Only a servant remained in the dining room, ready to pour my tea before carrying on with his chores.
I am rarely in the mood for conversation, but with everything that's happened lately I needed to. However, no one was around, which only added to my frustration.
I gathered my belongings and headed towards the office, ready as I could be to face a day of complete solitude.
Rukia is set to leave for the human world today, along with Renji, Hitsugaya-taicho and his fukutaicho.
I could go and send off my sister, but it could prompt an awkward situation, so I decided against it, as I was sure I would not be able to find an appropriate reaction if I encounter the blond shinigami.
As aware as I am of the fact that I will miss my sister's company dearly, I have to admit she won't be the only one I'll miss.
After walking for a while, I reached my division's quarters. I had resolved to put all my issues aside and throw myself into work, which would be of much use since I would be occupied with not only paperwork, but training as well.
As soon as I entered the office I noticed the frailty of my resolve, as I could only think of everything I would do differently if I were given the chance to correct it.
I must admit though, that even when I realize I was in the wrong, I can't fully understand why, leaving me aware only of what I should not do.
This proved to be a complicated situation, one that I could not find a way to remedy. And her departure leaves me without an opportunity to clarify, which could be detrimental or favorable for my intentions, depending on the perspective from which it is viewed.
Distance could calm her, hence, enabling me to apologize for my actions. Or it could also allow her anger to fester, rendering any efforts insufficient.
I can't help but think it is all a silly misunderstanding, but given a second thought, the scenario becomes daunting. Something about it is far deeper than it seems, and I can't determine what that is.
But I refuse to let things end this way, although I can't understand why this is so important to me.
---------------X-------------
I arrived home at the end of the day, only to find an empty house. Not even the elders swarmed my quarters in an attempt to gain my attention. It was a grounding feeling, that of loneliness.
It's interesting that I consider myself lonely now, since I have been alone for over 50 years.
It was not the image of an empty bedroom that aggravated me, but rather a note, placed on top of my pillow, which compelled me to sigh.
It was from Rukia. It consisted of a few lines, in which she apologized for her reaction the previous morning. I didn't get a chance to see her after the meeting, and I was told by a servant she would be spending the night at the Thirteenth Division, in preparation for her departure.
She must have asked a servant to leave the note in my bedroom, as no one but me would enter, so I would be the only one to see it.
I cared not for the contents of the letter, as it was me who did wrong by my sister. What mattered most was the gesture. That she took the time to say goodbye before leaving, even when I would not deign to put my issues aside to be a good brother to her.
Moments like these are the ones that remind me of how much I've failed her, and how many times I've sworn not to do it again, only to be blinded by my pride once more.
I took the note and placed it inside the nightstand's drawer, next to Hisana's portrait. I remembered that promise I made such a long time ago, and how many times I have broken it by being indifferent towards Rukia.
I prepared myself for sleep, thinking of how the next day will be just as uneventful as today.
---------------X-------------
Twelve days of a routine schedule had passed, and I still had no news on my sister or the status of the mission. Things had gotten so dull that, on the tenth day after my sister's departure, I was actually looking forward to that night's clan meeting.
To my dismay, nothing interesting happened at the meeting, leaving me only with the sleep deprivation that is usual after every session.
I was lodged in my desk since the early morning, working through piles of paperwork. Throughout the day I forced my brain to find diversions only to keep myself from sleep. It was late in the afternoon when my wishes were granted, albeit not in the way I had hoped for, since a jigokucho made its way into my office, carrying a message.
Attention all Taichos and Fukutaichos. Your presence is required immediately at Yamamoto-sotaicho's office. You will be briefed on the specifics once you arrive.
This recent turn of events was unexpected, although it provided me with an opportunity to leave the office, as well as an event to look forward to, given that these past days have been monotonous. I quickly settled my affairs in the division and rushed towards the Sotaicho's office.
Upon my arrival, I was escorted inside the office by the first division's fukutaicho. Once there, I noticed most taichos and fukutaichos had already arrived as I expected. We waited a few minutes for the rest of the attendants before the Sotaicho commenced the meeting.
"As you all know, Hitsugaya-taicho, along with a group of shinigami, were assigned to patrol Karakura with orders to find and eliminate the arrancar that have been threatening the peace in the city. He's been kind enough to communicate with us from the human world to brief us on the state of the mission."
While the Sotaicho commenced the meeting, I noticed a screen standing at his right. There, I saw the image of the young shinigami, waiting to relate the status of the mission.
I paused for a moment to think about the urgency with which the meeting was called. If he and the other shinigami remained in the human world, there was no need to request an assembly just to pass on the latest details, as a report could have served the same purpose without removing us from our daily tasks.
However, it is useless to consider this at the moment, as it is too late to contest the need for a meeting.
"Today we encountered four arrancar," said the young Taicho, "we confronted them but were only able to dispose of three, as one escaped after our limit was released. Kurosaki Ichigo and the other humans got involved in the battle as well."
How could they allow that last arrancar to escape? If you count the humans and the shinigami that were in the city, the arrancar were clearly at a disadvantage.
"Still, we were unsuccessful in completing the mission. Also, I have evidence to believe the arrancar we encountered were not the only ones to have fled Las Noches after the war, which suggests we should maintain our present course of action."
"Hitsugaya-taicho, perhaps you should elaborate on the reasons why that last arrancar was able to escape. I know I wouldn't have allowed that to happen." Kurotsuchi Mayuri replied.
Given this last response, I couldn't help but think this meeting was turning into a dull event, in the same fashion as the previous days.
"That is not important right now, Kurotsuchi-taicho. Hitsugaya-taicho, please continue." The Sotaicho said.
"As a matter of fact, Yamamoto-sotaicho, I don't mind answering Kurotsuchi-taicho's question. In fact, I think it will alert the rest of you to the seriousness of the matter."
"Then carry on, Hitsugaya-taicho."
"Around two hours past midday we sensed a high spiritual pressure. I, along with my fukutaicho and Abarai-fukutaicho, decided to investigate this. We sent Kuchiki Rukia to alert Kurosaki Ichigo and his friends. Twenty minutes after that, we encountered the arrancar. Kurosaki, Abarai and I confronted them and started a battle. The arrancar were accompanied by hollows, which prompted me to order Matsumoto and Kuchiki Rukia to fend them off to keep them away from us."
I was glad to hear my sister was kept from harm's way, considering I rather have her fight a hollow than an arrancar.
"You mentioned four arrancar, Hitsugaya-taicho, but so far you've only referred to three." Ukitake pointed out.
"While we were battling the aforementioned arrancar, another one approached us. He took us by surprise and attempted to engage Kurosaki in battle, only to be stopped by Kuchiki. When this happened, a hollow took advantage of her position and attacked Rukia, injuring her…"
My sister, injured. I… I must go to her.
"Where is Kuchiki Rukia, Hitsugaya-taicho?" I asked, interrupting the boy during his briefing, urgency present in my tone.
"She is probably in the Soul Society right now, being cared for by the Fourth Division. I sent her along with…"
The young taicho had not finished speaking when I was out the door, heading towards the Fourth Division to meet my sister.
It had been so long since the last time this feeling of utter terror had overcome me. Rukia is everything that is good in my life, since the rest was comprised of unimportant events and unpleasant memories.
I hate to admit I've come to need my sister so much, the past few days being the perfect example of this. Without her, I am an automaton. She's the one thing that maintains in me a sense of humanity, as well as the strongest reminder of the love I have for Hisana. Because of this and much more, I couldn't get to the Fourth Division fast enough to ease my concerns and be by her side.
Once I found myself at the gates, I decided it was best I try to regain the self control I'm known for. I took a deep breath to calm myself and assume a better attitude before meeting my sister.
I walked through the gates of the Fourth Division and approached an officer for information on Rukia's whereabouts.
"Kuchiki-taicho, hold on."
I turned my head slightly to glance at the woman who had addressed me.
"Kotetsu-fukutaicho, I suppose Unohana-taicho sent you on her behalf."
"Kuchiki-taicho, I know this doesn't interest you right now, but the Sotaicho is not pleased by your absence. Unohana-taicho was able to appease him though. She sent me here so you can see your sister."
The gray-haired shinigami was right. I couldn't bring myself to care for my rushed reaction at the Sotaicho's office. However, her comment was not lost on me, as I noted Unohana-taicho's involvement. When the time comes, I shall express my gratitude towards her for the help she provided.
"You shouldn't worry though; she's not in grave condition. She's mildly hurt, but she's conscious and responsive, so she should make a quick recovery," The woman began walking in my direction, passing by me before beckoning me to follow her, "Come with me, Kuchiki-taicho, I'll take you to see Rukia."
We began walking through the corridors, turning a few corners before reaching Rukia's room.
"She's inside the room, Taicho. I'll leave so you can have some privacy."
I opened the door and stepped inside the room, releasing an almost inaudible sigh at the sight of my sister. My face was impassive as always, in an attempt to keep Rukia from worrying about me.
"Nii-sama, what are you doing here? Is the meeting over?" She asked, surprised to see me in the room.
"How do you know about the meeting?" I asked.
"Unohana-taicho mentioned it while she was healing me."
"I was allowed to leave before it ended." I replied, walking over to her bed.
"You should return, Nii-sama, many things happened today and you must have knowledge of them."
"Hitsugaya-taicho will surely send a report with further details soon, so I'm sure I'll find out what is going on. Also, you will tell me exactly what happened in Karakura, Rukia."
I noticed a hint of surprise in Rukia's eyes upon hearing my words. Aside from what I had expected to miss after leaving the meeting, there was something else I had not been told, and I was sure this would not appear on the report. I searched for ways to gain this valuable information from my sister.
"How were you injured, Rukia?"
"Hitsugaya-taicho had commissioned me and Matsumoto-fukutaicho to take care of the swarm of hollows that accompanied the arrancar to Karakura, while he, Renji and Ichigo battled. I followed his orders, but suddenly another arrancar appeared. He meant to attack Ichigo from behind, in order to consume his soul, but I stopped his…"
"You shouldn't have directed your attention towards Kurosaki, Rukia," I replied coldly, frustrated over how all this had come as a consequence of her involvement with the boy, "there was no need for you to provide any help or to worry about him, especially not in the middle of a fight."
"You're wrong, Nii-sama," she answered, defiant, "I would do it again. He is…"
Rukia paused for a moment, unsure on how to finish the sentence.
"…He is my friend, Nii-sama, and that arrancar sent an opportunistic attack his way, and if I hadn't blocked the strike, Ichigo would have died. It was low, what that arrancar did, so I couldn't allow that to happen."
"You had orders, Rukia!" I answered, losing my composure, "Why can't you understand you could have lost your life saving the boy?"
"Nii-sama, I'm sorry I've worried you, but I'm sure you can understand my point. You've saved me many times, and you know why you did it. Your reasons and mine are the same."
Her words weighed heavily on me, in ways they rarely ever did. She denied having any special feelings for Kurosaki first, but her speech proved her wrong.
"He's important to me, and what I did I would do for anyone I deem important if the situation occurred. I know I'd do it for you, even if this aroused your anger. I apologize for causing you concern, Nii-sama, but I'd still do it again."
I sighed, after trying hard to stifle the urge. My worries over Rukia would never end, and even when this is something I've always been aware of, it is also a thought I've kept hidden in the back of my mind, so I won't have to accept it. As hard as it was, I had no other option but to agree with my sister. Rukia's stubbornness had finally compelled me to understand what I had been denying for so long.
She grabbed my hand, searching for contact as she rarely ever did around me. It was only to ease my concerns, and perhaps allow me to regain composure. I took her hand in mine and squeezed it gently as an expression of my gratitude, amongst other things.
"Not to worry you any further, Nii-sama, but I haven't told you all that happened, and I believe you will want to know the rest."
"You don't need to speak right now, Rukia. Perhaps you should rest. I can read it the report."
"Well, you could do that, but I think it's best you hear this from me." she said.
"What else happened, Rukia?"
"When I stopped the arrancar's attack, one of the hollows that surrounded us charged me. Since I was busy blocking the arrancar's strike, I found no way to respond. I couldn't block him, or the arrancar would have wounded me. If Matsumoto-fukutaicho hadn't shunpoed in time that hollow would surely have killed me."
I couldn't believe what I'd just heard. Matsumoto Rangiku had saved my sister, despite all my offenses.
I had so many unanswered questions at the moment, I couldn't decide on which to ask. "She…" I whispered.
"Yes, Nii-sama. Matsumoto Rangiku saved me."
I turned my back on Rukia, to prevent her from noticing the expression on my face. My heart was pounding so hard I felt it would rush out of my chest. I couldn't believe what the woman had done, even when it's obvious the gesture was not intended for me.
I was dumbfounded, unable to find a reaction that didn't release my feelings into the air. What Matsumoto Rangiku did had to be, by far, the least subtle of ways providence could find to show me the error of my ways.
"Was she injured?" I asked, trying my best not to let concern show through my words.
"Yes. She covered me with her body while we escaped from the hollow, and with that, the strike that was directed at me wounded her."
She had suffered yet another wound, and even when I was not at fault for this one, I couldn't help feeling guilty for it, as it was the result of my sister's stubbornness. I felt responsible.
"Is she alive?" I asked. It was then that I noticed the hint of fear with which I inquired.
"Yes, Nii-sama. I believe she's in the Fourth Division as well."
I sighed, relieved after hearing Rukia's answer. I couldn't point to the source of my concern. In fact, I was not able to understand why I suddenly felt the urge to be with her. My reasons were unknown to me.
I turned to meet Rukia's gaze, hiding my worries behind my impassive stare.
I had to leave my sister and find the woman who was now the source of my worries. I quickly and unexpectedly resolved a way to do so without arousing suspicion in Rukia.
"Is there anything else you feel you must tell me, Rukia?"
"No, Nii-sama, that about covers it." She replied.
"Then perhaps you should rest, it's been a long day. I will leave you to your sleep. In the meantime, I'll return to the Sotaicho's office. I will come back and check on you later."
I walked towards the door, trying my best to conceal the urgency with which I left.
"Nii-sama," Rukia called before I opened the door, "I'm sorry for what happened. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."
"Is fine, Rukia," I replied, my body still facing the door, "please rest. I'll come back after I speak to the Sotaicho."
With that I left Rukia's temporary quarters in the division and set myself the task of finding Matsumoto Rangiku.
---------------X-------------
Oh my, the rug's been pulled from under Byakuya. And yes, both Rukia and Rangiku are injured. I'm a freaking slayer ^.^ . Well, not really. Is just that it takes something drastic to throw everyone's favorite noble captain into action, and now he's looking for Rangiku, which means they will meet soon. Or not?... You'll know soon enough. Right after I resucitate Hisana. Oops spoiler for next chapter? NOT.
On that note. Next chapter up next friday. I'm getting back to the weekly update rhythm. It's better for me, since I'd say you'd like it better if I posted everyday, but that's not possible right now. I wish I could post everyday, but even when they say 'when there's a will, there's a way' there's not many ways if you look at my daily routine. But enough of that.
Thanks to all of you who have left reviews. They really help motivate a writer, especially through a writer's block or breakdown (kinda going through one right now :/ ). Anyways, if you feel like it, leave a comment and let me know your thoughts. I'm always happy to hear (or read) your opinions. I try to PM all reviewers but there's only so much hours in one day, so if I've forgotten about one of you I'm sooo sorry. I blame school as usual :D
Ok, no more ranting for now. Comments and reviews accepted as always. Just thought I'd mention it once more. Have a nice week everyone.