Halo everyone Y__Y Sorry for not being able to update in the last two weeks. I wasn't able to update or write in the last two weeks because I had to move to another house. I'm gonna miss my home Y__Y and because of that I am very behind schedule. OMG so many things to do… So maybe I won't be able to update weekly but I hope before Christmas comes, I have already adapted to this new place but don't worry this story is not on hiatus or something. Just sorting some things out at the moment. ^__^.
~/~/~/~ means change of scene.
Now unto the story.
'I hope it isn't you, Shin. I don't want to kill you twice.' He thought as he drifted to sleep.
~/~/~/~
It was has been four days since Shin took up his three new apprentices. He was now looking down at them, they are all crumpled to the floor heaving for air and groaning in pain. No fatal injuries could be seen but they are heavily bruised up.
"It has been four days now, and you haven't able to even touch me." He said to them while shaking his head in disappointment.
"You guys are missing the most important things when going unto a battle. Rest for today, we will continue tomorrow. Remember you only have two days left to get this from me. After that, whatever is in this scroll, you can just forget about it." He said as he left them.
~/~/~/~
As Shin was walking around Seireitei to get something to eat, he saw her. He remembered what Byakuya said.
'I guess I have to eventually reconcile with her huh?' Shin thought. He followed her until she was outside of Seireitei. She continued walking. Shin continued following her, hiding his presence as best as he can. When she arrived at her destination, Shin was shocked. He knew this place. This is where they would always meet. This is the place where he first asked her out. He just watched her from the shadows.
"Naze? Why do you have to do this to me? I was fine back then when I haven't met yet. I was very intent on dedicating my life as a shinigami. But you had just had to come and turn my life upside down. You just had to come and show me much happiness but when I was on the height of this happiness you just had to push me down. Don't you even realize how much it hurts when you slammed to the ground from a fall of that height? All these years, I thought you died. It hurt so much I thought death would be better. Now, you come back and throw my mind into confusion again. Trying to crumble the strong wall I made to save myself from further hurt. Naze, Naze, Naze!?" She said shouting the last part while kneeling next to a little memorial stone she made for Shin.
Shin looked at her. It broke him to see her like this. His emotions are battling inside that he wasn't able to keep his reiatsu in check, something that very rarely happens.
Her eyes widen as she detect the reiatsu. She knew it was Shin's. Only he had that distinct reiatsu and he was very very near. Anger and embarrassment rose inside her. Her face could match Abarai's hair in color from those two emotions.
"Shin! Show yourself you coward. Stalking me like I am some traitor." She screamed.
'Shimatta, she detected me. Should I just leave? No, she would be angrier at me if I did that. I had to talk to her, I need to. Atleast, to save our friendship.' He thought.
"My patience is going thin; show yourself before I drag you out of your hiding place." She fumed.
Shin slowly walked out of his hiding place and revealed himself.
"How long?" She asked still angry but trembling with embarrassment.
"Long enough…" Shin trailed off, he couldn't meet her in the eye.
"Why are you stalking me?"
"I wasn't, I just happened to see you and I just wanted to talk to you."
"Then, why didn't you just call me even before I arrived here?"
"I dunno, I guess I was just curious where you are going so secretly."
"Are you happy now? Happy to see me like this? Happy to see me break down because of you?" She asked.
"Honto-ni gomen nasai!" Shin exclaimed while bowing his head to waist level. She didn't answer.
"I really didn't mean to hurt you like that. If I could turn things back, I would have never left like that." He continued.
"I could never forgive you; you could have gone back after you had been treated. You could have told us sooner about what is that Aizen has been doing. You could have told me you were okay but you didn't. You just stayed with royal guards and just watch as everyone was fooled and as I succumb to my sadness. You don't deserve any forgiveness from me, not now not ever. Don't think things will just go back to normal just because you said you were sorry. Now, leave me alone and don't you dare approach me again, Aisora-taichou." She said.
"Chotto matte, Shaolin." Shin said.
"My name isn't Shaolin Fon, she suffered much when you died and she died after Yoruichi-sama and the others were banished. I am Soifon. Don't call me that name." Soifon said.
"I am not asking you to forgive me, I said sorry because it was the right thing to do and to let you know that I really didn't like what happened. But please, if you really don't care for me anymore, don't make yourself like a shell with no emotions and don't unleash your anger on other people. It's me you hate, so it's me you should hurt."
"Fine, you want me to hate you to death? That's good, because you know, I really wish you never came back and that you really died. Things would have been better that way. Now, leave me alone." She screamed.
"Do you really mean that, Sha-chan?" He asked sadly.
"Don't call me that stupid pet name of yours. And yes, I meant every single word I said, now scram."
"That's good, you're right it would be better that way. From now on, I won't be disturbing you unless it's a mission or of outmost importance to Seireitei. Sayonara, Soifon-taichou." He said before he disappeared. Soifon was looking away from him that she didn't see his face full of hurt.
"Good riddance." She said but inside a part of her regret what she had told him. The part of her that still loves him maybe.
~/~/~/~
Shin just entered the fifth division grounds. He was making his way to his room. He didn't want anyone to see him like this. He didn't want anyone to see his suffering side. All he wants others to see is his cheerful side but luck wasn't at his side. On his way to his room, many of his division members and seated officers saw him and greeted him. He forced a cheerful attitude and greeted them back. During the past weeks that he had been their new taichou, the members started to be more open to him and be more comfortable to him. He didn't even know that he has a secret fan's club now. Most of the members that is except the second most important member of the division, his fuku-taichou. Until now, Momo doesn't trust him. She was very distant and their relationship is purely professional. He entered his room and plopped down on the bed.
'There goes my dinner I guess. Not that I have any appetite anyway.' He thought as he stared at the stars in the night sky outside his window.
'I'm such a hypocrite aren't I? I always tell people to not bottle up their feelings but I should be the one taking that advice.' He thought.
'I guess you are.' His Zanpakuto answered.
'Haha, I'm such a baka. Of course she would hate me with the every fiber of her being; I'm no different than Sosuke. I just let others see what I want them to see.'
'I believe that you are not alone in that. Everyone let's other see what they wanted them to see. Everyone has their own reason for that, though I don't think your reason have the same as Sosuke's.'
'Arigatou, nee-san…' Shin thought as he drifted to sleep.
'Sweet dreams, Shin.' His Zanpakuto said as she also drifted to sleep.
~/~/~/~
"Aisora-san, Shihoin-taichou and Hikifune-taichou are here." Momo announced apathetically.
'She still hasn't accepted me and trusts me huh? Guess, I can't blame her for that.' Shin thought.
"Hai, please send them in. Arigatou, Momo-san." He answered.
Momo just nod and opened the door.
"Hikifune-taichou, Shihoin-taichou, you may come in now." Momo said while opening the door and going out of the room.
When they were sure that she was out of ear-shot, Kirio spoke.
"Still doesn't like you I see?"
"Well, that's already an improvement. When I first met her, she practically didn't even want to be at the same room as me. What do I owe this visit, obachans?" He answered.
"I heard you spoke with Byakuya and it looks like it turned out fine. So, why not try speaking to Soifon also?" Yoruichi asked.
"I already did. It didn't turn out good." He answered glumly remembering what happened the day before.
"How so?"
"Long story short, she wants me dead more than to even be an acquaintance to me again."
"Well, that was…" Shin cut off what Kirio was about to say.
"Let's not talk about it. How is Momo's training with you Kirio?" He asked.
"Well, she is naturally good with kido that's what I could say. She is very good at it; she could even combine some of it to make a combo attack or a trap. A potential kido master if guided correctly." Kirio answered.
"Well, that is to be expected. Knowing how Sosuke is so obsessed with mastering kido, he probably taught her as well. Afterall, he had a reputation of being a goody taichou to maintain. What's your business with me today, anyway?" He said.
"Well, not really that important. Just want to know how our fuku-taichou and that taichou are doing." Yoruichi asked.
"Not good. I used the scroll training with them." He started.
"Scroll training?" Yoruichi asked.
"Basic royal guard training." Kirio answered.
Yoruichi just nodded having a good knowledge what is the basic principle in the royal guards.
"On the first day, they do a mini one on one fight elimination round. Toshirou can't even dodge a sloppy punch from me after their mini tournament." He continued.
"Well, that was stupid. Knowing full well that they would have to battle you for that scroll." Kirio said.
"On the second day, they go out on a royal rumble before the victor attacked me. Again, Toshirou can't even touch me."
"Wow, so our fuku-taichou really gave him a hard time huh?" Yoruichi asked.
"Yeah, those two are good. On the third day, they made it a four way fight. They fought while they try to take the scroll from me but jeez, they should know that it was harder for them, including me in their royal rumble."
"Greed really can do wonders huh?" Kirio said.
"Just like I thought. On the fourth day, they didn't attack me directly. They set traps and right time to attack but it turned against because they tried to sabotage each other." Shin said while shaking his head.
"And today?" Kirio asked.
"Today's, no better. They all tried attacking me at the same time. I guess it's who gets the scroll wins." He answered.
"Seriously, what has the academy and those artifacts here teaching the new generation? First we saw a creepy person who dances like a lunatic and a person with feathers on his eyebrow, then a few fuku-taichou who drinks then just find themselves naked elsewhere and now a taichou and two fuku-taichou who can't understand figure a simple riddle." Kirio said.
"Obachan, you're one of those so called artifacts." Shin said mockingly.
"For the last time, I'm not an obachan." Kirio said while hitting Shin's head with the sheath of her Zanpakuto.
"Yeah, you're just an artifact." Shin said while rubbing his head.
"Do you really want to die?" Kirio said with a dark aura around her.
"Actually, I do…" Shin mumbled incoherently.
"What was that?" Kirio asked.
"Betsuni." He replied.
~/~/~/~
"Hisagi, Izuru. Could I talk to you for a moment?" Toshirou said gaining the attention of the two fuku-taichous who were about to go back to their division.
"Is there something you need, Hitsugaya-taichou?" Hisagi asked.
"I want to talk about the scroll test." Toshirou said.
"Tomorrows the last day huh? I guess, we really don't stand a chance of getting that thing from him. I mean he was able to stand up against three taichous, what could we do?" Izuru asked.
"Yes, individually we can't. But I think we will have a better chance if we do it as a team. The higher when we back it up with a plan." Toshirou said.
"And the scroll?" Hisagi asked.
"Sensei only said that 'only you' could read it. He didn't say that we couldn't teach it to others as well. Sensei is a witty person who likes to prank others so I think he was playing with us when he said that. And what's the point of treating everyone equally if he would only teach that technique to just one person." Toshirou replied.
"I see, so it's a promise that whoever gets it shall teach it to the others." Hisagi said.
"Agreed, you know me Hisagi-sempai." Izuru said.
"I'm a taichou, I uphold what I say. My honor and pride is at stake." Toshirou said.
"Then shall we form our plan now?" Izuru asked.
They both nod.
~/~/~/~
"So, you guys ready for today? Remember, today is the last day for this scroll. Give it all you got." He said.
The three look at one another and nodded then they disappeared via shunpo.
"Same old plan?" He said as he raised his knuckles to block Kira's sword using the metal plate of his gloves. He then pushed Kira a little and then punched his abdomen that made Kira crouch beside him. He was about to kick Kira away when he saw a metal object spinning like a pinwheel tied to a chain coming to his direction.
"So, finally using your shikai huh?" He said as he dodged Shuhei's Kazeshini by leaning slightly backward.
"Hadou# 58 Tenran" He heard from Kira from beneath him.
'Gotta dodge fast.' He thought as he dodged to the left but was surprise as he heard Kazeshini's sound coming from behind. He had to go right but as he goes right, he felt a hand touch his back and he heard someone chanting. He looked back and saw Toshirou. Toshirou has just finished the spirit chant.
'Kuso, it was a trap and I fell for it.' He thought.
"Hadou# 88 Hiryugekizokushintenraiho" Toshirou shouted. The area in front of Toshirou exploded as the kido hit head on. Dust and smoke gathered within the area. As the dust and smoke cleared, the three looked at the now very big crater where Shin was standing. Toshirou stood up from where he was thrown by the force of the impact.
They heard a clap.
"That was a good trap you set there. I really did fell for it. If I wasn't quick enough I would've been torn into pieces." Shin exclaimed enthusiastically as he appeared again while dusting his haori.
"It can't be. How could he dodge from that close range? He should have not enough time to dodge that." Toshirou said in disbelief.
"Yare yare, am I being underestimated here? Don't tell me you really think I would fall down in just one trap right?" He said.
"Nope, but we hope to even injure you." Shuhei answered.
"Well, things don't go as planned always you know. So, I hope you have plan B because I'm starting to take this up a notch." He said as he suddenly disappeared.
"Stay on your guard; he could just pop out of anywhere." Toshirou said as his two companion nods.
Shin suddenly appeared above Shuhei about to deliver a punch when Kira saw him.
"Sempai, above you." Kira exclaimed.
Shuhei was able to move slightly to the left to dodge the punch and also caught Shin's arm.
"Got you. Now, attack him while I hold his arm." Shuhei said. Toshirou and Kira raised their swords and lunged toward Shin poised to attack him. They saw him smirk.
"Baka, you fell for my feint." He said as he freed his arm from Shuhei's grasp and swiftly kicked Kira and Toshirou away. He then grabbed Shuhei's kosode and then kicked him towards Toshirou and Kira. Toshirou and Kira were just getting up when both of them were toppled down as Shuhei hit both of them.
They shakily got up trying to suppress the pain they got from Shin's kicks.
"Kuso, sensei's kick really could kill any normal shinigamis and hollows. It's like you are being pounded to pieces everytime he hits." Shuhei said.
"Done already?" Shin asked them.
"I guess we need to use plan B." Toshirou said as the two fuku-taichous nods.
"Soten ni saze! Hyourinmaru!" Toshirou exclaimed.
"Kare, Kazeshini." Shuhei said.
"Omote o agero, Wabisuke." Kira whispered.
"Now we're talking. The most powerful ice zanpakuto, the zanpakuto known for its unpredictable attacks and the zanpakuto that multiplies the weight of anything it strikes. This'll be interesting." He said.
Shuhei spins kazeshini and threw it Shin. Shin lunged forward towards the spinning sickle until at the last moment he dodged a little to the left to avoid it. Then, he back flipped to avoid the other sickle coming to him from the back. He caught the chain of the sickle to stop its attack but as he caught it he felt something hit the metal part of his gloves. He looked and saw Kira struck his gloves several times with Wabisuke. He was about to take his hands off the chains when he felt that he can't move his hand.
'Tch, my hands feel so heavy and it feels like my gloves are glued to the chains. Matte, glued to the chains?' He thought as he looked closer at his gloves. He saw the fabric of his gloves being glued to the chain by ice. He looked at where Toshirou is and he saw the chain of Hyourinmaru wrapped along the chains of kazeshini.
"Looks like we got you sensei. Kira do it." Toshirou said.
Kira struck his gloves several more times before Toshirou withdrew the ice. They looked at Shin and saw his hands on his sides not moving due to the massive weight. Shuhei then wrapped Kazeshini's chain around Shin then the sickles attached to the ground like anchors. Toshirou froze Shin's ankle and foot to the ground.
"Bakudo# 63 Sajo Sabaku" Toshirou exclaimed as a chain made of light restrained Shin.
"Bakudo# 61 Rikujokoro" Kira said. Six beams slam into Shin's torso and effectively paralyzed him.
"Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini!! Look upon yourself with horror and then claw out your own throat! Bakudo# 9 Geki." Shuhei chanted for good measure and added paralysis.
"Looks like it worked afterall. Didn't know you'll get too overconfident like that to fall into our trap. Kira hurry and get the scroll." Toshirou said.
Kira cautiously walked towards Shin. When he saw that he was effectively restrained and paralyzed. He searched Shin's Haori and saw the scroll. He took it and shunpo'ed back to his comrades. They huddled and was about to open the scroll when they heard clapping from behind. They looked back and saw Shin clapping at them and said.
"Well that was a good one."
"How? We haven't released you yet and we didn't even feel you get out of your restraints." Toshirou asked startled.
"Well, that's another thing that I know and you should learn. Well then, why not take a look at the scroll and claim your prize." He answered.
"Tch, so you were just playing with us the whole time. And we even tried hard to practice that plan." Shuhei said.
The three opened the scroll and read the content. It only contains one phrase.
"Strategic planning together with teamwork works wonders." Shin said as if he was the one reading the scroll.
The three just stared wide eyed at the phrase before they just smirked and chuckled.
"But as how you performed today, I think you didn't really need the scroll to tell you that right?" He said.
"Hai! Arigatou, sensei." They said.
"Sheesh, with the sensei thing again? Makes me feel too old." He answered.
"We almost failed the test. I don't know what came to me and I didn't realize it sooner. I was supposed to be a taichou leading my squad to work as one." Toshirou said.
"It was greed. It's an innate behavior in everyone. When we are offered of something that could potentially make us better than everyone else, it tends to cloud our better judgment. The royal guards aren't efficient because we are powerful individually but because we know how to act and move as one. Each one compliment the other, each one covers the other's weakness. A royal guard does not go into a mission alone unless it was a mission for a dire situation."
The three just listened to him.
"A taichou has his fuku-taichou to support him. A fuku-taichou isn't just chosen by a taichou because he is powerful. Unless a taichou has other motives, he chose his fuku-taichou because he best compliments him. It is the very reason why some taichous took a very long time to promote someone to be their fuku-taichou. Take Ukitake-taichou for example." Shin continued.
"Then, how come Soifon taichou took Omaeda and Zaraki-taichou has Yachiru?" Toshirou asked.
"It is a tradition that the taichou of the 2nd division was from a noble family of shinigami. I dunno how it happened but I think it was pure politics as to how Omaeda became the fuku-taichou of that division or maybe Soifon-taichou has her own plans why. I dunno maybe his a good decoy of some sort. Zaraki-taichou and Yachiru are like father and daughter, there is no one who knows him most than her. Don't ask me why the other taichous choose the others I don't really know their plans but I know they won't do it just because they are powerful." He finished.
"Speaking of that sensei, how is Hinamori-san doing?" Kira asked a little concerned.
"Well, I dunno. I guess she hasn't completely moved on from Sosuke's betrayal." He answered.
"Sumimasen, I know she has been giving you a hard time. I was speaking to her about it but she won't open up to you." Toshirou said.
"Shinpai shinaide, I was already prepared for that. So, it's alright." He answered.
"You are quite an amazing person, sensei." Shuhei said.
"Why'd you say that?" He asked.
"I dunno, it's just that there is something in you that every people would look up to. Do you even realize that there are so many people here in Seireitei who admires you? You even have your own fan club." Shuhei asked.
"I see, but you know, I was taught that admiring someone clouds your better judgment to fully understand them. If they stopped admiring and tried to understand more than those trivial things that they admire about me, they may have hated me instead." He answered as he saw a hell butterfly and landed on Kira's shoulder.
"All taichou and fuku-taichou are to report on the 1st division gathering hall in one hour." It said.
"Well, we better get cleaned up and go so we won't be late. See you there." Shin said as he disappeared.
"Jeez, there he goes again just disappearing like that after saying something so deep. I wonder if he'll ever teach us that." Shuhei said as look at Kira and Toshirou. He noticed Toshirou's pale expression.
"Hitsugaya-taichou, daijoubu? You look pale, like you saw something so horrifying." Shuhei asked.
"No, nothing I was just a little tired. We better go." Toshirou said as he shunpo'ed away.
"What's with him?" Kira asked as they also go back to their respective divisions.
'Admiration is furthest emotion from understanding…' Those words kept on repeating at Toshirou's head.
~/~/~/~
As everyone piled up inside the gathering hall, they noticed that Kisuke, Ichigo and the vizards are also there. When everyone was present, Yamamoto announced.
"This meeting has now started. Kurotsuchi-taichou , tell them what you found out."
"The special division has reported an increase of hollow attacks in the human world. Right now, the special division is to be split into three groups; one group will be at Berlin while the other will be at New York. The last group will be staying at Karakura town to protect it." Kurotsuchi started and motioned for Shinji to continue.
"I, Love, Hiyori and Rose will head to Berlin while Lisa, Hachi, Kensei and Mashiro will head to New York. Ichigo and Isshin will be the only one left to defend Karakura town. Ichigo does not want his friends to be further mix in this mess so we count them out." Shinji said.
"However, scouts have reported that Arrancars have started to appear and cause problems on nearby towns. They usually appear in groups so they requested for some backups until the special division are able to leave their designated posts." Ukitake finished.
"With this, I want a nomination for who would be the reinforcements." Yamamoto said.
"Hai, I have nominations." Shin exclaimed.
"Let us hear it." Yamamoto replied.
"I nominate, Hisagi Shuhei, Izuru Kira, Hinamori Momo, Abarai Renji and Hitsugaya Toshirou." He said.
"And your reason?"
"Well, since they are very familiar with each other, they make a good team. Add to that, it's quite a well balanced team of Zanjutsu and Kido users. It will also be an opportunity for them to use what they had learned from training and an opportunity for Hitsugaya-taichou of leading a team that isn't from his division. It's better to start with those whom you are familiar with, eh?" Shin answered nonchalantly but they could see a gleam on his eyes.
"And the decision of the other taichous?" Yamamoto asked.
All taichou nods which confirmed the nominations.
"Well, since it has been decided the reinforcements shall be sent tomorrow and now let us move on. It has been a month since the new taichous have been appointed. Is there any problems that arise inside the divisions since then?" Yamamoto said.
"Nope, none at all." Shin answered.
"Same here." Kirio said.
"None here either." Yoruichi replied.
"And the fuku-taichous? Do you have any questions for your taichous?" Yamamoto asked.
"I have." Momo exclaimed while raising her hand. Everyone looked at her.
"And that is?" Yamamoto asked.
"Why does Aisora-san call Aizen by his first name, Sosuke. Are they very familiar with each other? Why is his zanpakuto's cross-guard the same as Aizen's? And why does he have that string and pendant that I once saw when Aizen showed it to me? And I saw him once practicing his Zanjutsu kata, why is it the same as Aizen's? What is your relationship with Aizen, Aisora-san?" Momo asked Shin suspiciously.
End of Chapter 8
Translations:
Honto-ni gomen nasai – I'm really very sorry.
nee-san – big sis.
Betsuni – nothing
Tenran – Orchid sky
Sempai – called to upper class man
Soten ni Saze – Reign over the frosted heaven
Kare – reap
Omote o agero – Raise your head
Saju Sabaku – Locking bandage stripes
Rikujokoro – Six rods prison of light
Geki – strike
Shinai Shinaide – Don't worry
Kata – style / form
A.N: Well, that's chapter 8 for you ^__^. I hope you stay tuned to know the answer for Momo's questions. Err, if you figure the answer already please no spoiler. Next chapter will be tear jerking hehe joke ^__^. I hope I could update next week. I am currently halfway to chapter 11 and umm I already. Oh and yeah, I'm still thinking if I should pursue some romance in here. Well, I'll think about it. For now, thanks for reading and see you next update.
Please don't forget to read and review, good or bad it means a lot to me. ^__^
