Chapter 13

Buffy exited the classroom quickly, hoping that she would be able to spot the rest of the first class, wondering if they all had the same schedule. She supposed she could have just asked Byakuya, but spending too much time with him might make her want to smack him. That haughty attitude was something she was determined to change.

"Hey, Buffy!"

I know that voice, Buffy thought as she turned, a smile spreading across her face when she saw Iba waving at her.

"Hi," Buffy greeted as Iba jogged to close the short distance between them.

"What did that Kuchiki kid want?" he asked, curious.

"Umm," Buffy began, not really wanting to tell the truth, but not wanting to lie to him so early in their friendship. She decided that saving a poor teenager's ego was for the greater good. "He just said that he had been going easy on me 'cause it was my first fight and I'm a girl, and that I should be ready for a real contest next time."

"I find that hard to believe," Iba replied with a snort. "But since you're willing to lie to protect the kid's ego, I'll let it go. This time."

"Are you saying I'm a bad liar?" Buffy asked in mock outrage.

"No, I'm saying I think it's highly unlikely that some kid could beat you," Iba replied with a shrug. "So, what class do you have next?"

"Let me check," Buffy replied, reaching into the folds of her shirt to where she had stashed her class schedule. "Kido training. You?"

"Same," Iba replied. He offered his arm to her. "May I escort you?"

"Such a gentleman," Buffy said with a giggle as she slipped her hand into the crook of Iba's arm. They began walking down the corridor towards the doors leading outside, Buffy more than willing to let Iba take the lead because he looked like he knew where he was going. "Do you even know where the Kido training is?"

"Yeah, it's in a field out back," Iba replied. "After I got settled in last night I went exploring a bit. I did not want to be around when that Madarame guy came back. How do you put up with him?"

"He grows on you. Kinda like a fungus," Buffy joked. Iba snorted in such a way that it could be interpreted as a laugh. "But seriously, I'm pretty sure that the only reason why I haven't completely pummelled him is because Yumichika would be kinda upset with me if I did. Which is probably why Ikkaku hasn't pummelled me, either."

"You're rather quite fond of your brother, aren't you?" Iba asked as they crossed the gate into the enclosed field that housed the Kido training grounds.

"Well yeah," Buffy replied. "He saved my life. We may not be related by blood, but sometimes your chosen family is your closest family, you know?"

"Makes sense," Iba replied gruffly as he extracted Buffy's hand from his arm. She looked at him curiously, but saw that he wasn't looking at her at all. She followed his gaze, and wasn't particularly surprised when she saw Ikkaku glaring at them. If looks could kill, they'd both probably be worm food right then. Buffy narrowed her eyes at him before slipping her hand in Iba's and leading him away from Ikkaku and Yumichika. The bald man was all but vibrating in rage and Yumichika just smiled at them, amusement sparkling in his eyes.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, woman?" Iba hissed as she dragged them across the field, as far away from Ikkaku as they could get. "You do know I have to share a room with that guy, right? I don't want him killing me in my sleep because I touched his girlfriend!"

"Okay, first of all, I'm not Ikkaku's girlfriend," Buffy said seriously. "It's none of his damn business who I choose, or don't choose, to spend my time with. Second, he'd never be that sneaky. If he's going to kill you, you'll know about it well beforehand. He did that with me, did that with the guy before me, and will most definitely do that for anyone in the future."

"That's just so much more comforting," Iba said sarcastically. Buffy was pretty sure he was rolling his eyes, but couldn't see them because they were hidden by a pair of sunglasses. "If you're just using me to make him jealous, you'd better tell me now so I can get out of this with as much of my dignity intact as possible."

"Okay, that's so not how I operate," Buffy replied, a little annoyed that someone would think like that about her. "I'm expanding my social circle and if Ikkaku doesn't like that, tough noogies. He's not the boss of me. The only person I'd be worried about his opinion is Yumichika, and he seems fine with it."

"And if he wasn't?" Iba asked, curious.

"I'd take his advice under advisement and would probably still hang around you anyway," Buffy replied with a shrug. "I might value his opinion much more than Ikkaku's, but he's not the boss of me, either. Bottom line is, you're fun and I like having you around, and I like to think I'm a decent judge of character."

"You hang around Madarame, though," Iba pointed out.

"I said I was a decent judge of character," Buffy replied. "I didn't say I was perfect or anything."

Iba chuckled, but couldn't say much more because at that moment the instructor approached a raised platform and stood on it so that everyone could see her.

The woman was tiny, barely taller than Buffy, with a delicate figure hidden underneath the standard black Shinigami uniform. She had long dark hair pulled back from her face in a low ponytail and long bangs coming down to frame her face. She smiled softly at her students as they assembled around the platform.

"I can't believe we're being taught by a woman," grumbled someone behind Buffy. The woman's manner changed as her eyes narrowed and she pointed at the naysayer.

"Bakudo number sixty-three, Sajo Sabaku," she said calmly, a chain snaking from her finger before winding itself around the man behind Buffy. She stepped off the platform and walked, her manner serene, to the man who was now bound. "You should be glad I'm in a good mood today, for if I wasn't I might have done much more damage."

She smiled softly and turned before heading back to the platform, standing on it once more so that everyone could see her before addressing the student body as a whole.

"And that is why you should never, ever, annoy a temperamental Kido master," she said, her voice amused. "To those of you who are new, my name is Ayame Morisue, and I will be teaching you Kido, one of the four main combat methods the average Shinigami has in his or her repertoire. I dearly hope that all of those who have been in my class before have been practicing, and that our newcomers will become proficient soon enough. Now, because this is the first class of the new term, I would like to review and demonstrate the three main types of Kido and their uses. Senior students, please come forward as you will be the ones doing the demonstrating. Can't let you get rusty, now can I?"

She laughed a little as the senior students came forward to do the demonstration. She launched into the lecture, going over offensive, or Hado spells, and defensive or non-offensive spells, or Bakkudo. There was also healing Kido, like the type Captain Unohana had used on Buffy after the entrance exam, but that was more releasing healing energy than an actual spell. After explaining a particular spell, she would get one of the senior students to demonstrate, giving the junior students a taste of what the spells were supposed to look like. Once the spells got too difficult for the students to perform easily, the instructor stepped in and began demonstrating.

All in all, it was an interesting introductory class. If she wasn't so terrified of blowing herself up, Buffy thought she might actually enjoy Kido once she got a chance to practice it.

"Something the matter?" Iba asked. Buffy glanced at him, wondering if her trepidation had shown on her face. Probably, if he was asking her about it. She had no illusions; she knew most men weren't as intuitive as Yumichika.

"I just have this strange feeling that I'm going to end up blowing myself up," Buffy replied as she turned and started heading out with the rest of the group. "I'm just way better with the whole physical fighting thing. Magic and Buffy are non-mixy things."

"I'm sure you'll do fine," Iba said, obviously trying to sound reassuring, patting her on the shoulder. They had just reached the gate leading to the enclosed field when Buffy felt someone grab her arm, pulling her away from Iba. Immediately, she started thrashing, hitting any part of her "kidnapper" that she could reach.

"Buffy, Buffy, calm down!"

She stopped thrashing when she heard Ikkaku's voice. He settled her down by placing his hands on his shoulders and she narrowed her eyes at him, not particularly happy that he had decided to go the sneaky route instead of confronting her head on.

"Buffy, is everything okay?" Iba asked, rushing over, his voice concerned.

"Yeah, everything's fine. Ikkaku's just being a butthead. I'll meet up with you later, kay?" Buffy replied, smiling reassuringly at Iba. He looked sceptical, looking from Buffy to Ikkaku to Buffy again before turning and leaving, although Buffy had a feeling that he wouldn't go far just in case she got into some trouble. She turned to Ikkaku, the reassuring smile wiped from her face, replaced with a narrow eyed glare. "What do you want?"

"What are you doing with that guy?" he asked seriously. "You don't even know him!"

"And you do?" Buffy retorted, arching an eyebrow. "Hate to say it, but who I do and do not spend my time with is really none of your business."

"I think it is," Ikkaku replied. "And what did that kid want at the end of last class?"

"Why do you think this is your business?" Buffy asked.

"Have you seen how people look at you?" Ikkaku asked.

"No, have you?" Buffy retorted.

"Stop answering my questions with more questions!" Ikkaku exclaimed in frustration, rubbing a hand over his bald head. "Yeah, I have seen the kind of attention you've been getting. I just don't want someone to hurt you or anything like that."

"You know, it's kind of strange," Buffy said thoughtfully.

"What's strange?" Ikkaku asked.

"The fact that you're noticing any of this at all," Buffy replied, holding her chin and tapping her nose with her index finger thoughtfully. "I mean, considering you're not even supposed to like me that much, you're sure noticing how other people react to me. It's almost like you're worried. Or jealous."

"Don't flatter yourself, girlie," Ikkaku grumbled. "I just don't want to be the one to pick up the pieces when some shmuck breaks your heart."

"Like you would," Buffy retorted, crossing her arms and glaring up at him. Some days she hated being so short, and today was one of those days. "Yumichika would be the one making sure I'd be okay. Rangiku, too. She seems to like me."

"Yeah well, I wanna save Yumichika the trouble," Ikkaku said with a shrug.

Buffy made a frustrated sound before turning and stalking off, no more words exchanged between the two of them. She wasn't sure if Ikkaku was planning on following her, but she also didn't care much. One more glare from her and she was pretty sure he'd back off. If not, a black eye definitely would do the trick.

"Are you gonna be okay?" Iba asked, joining Buffy once she was a safe distance from Ikkaku.

"Yeah, I'm going to be fine," Buffy replied. "You might have to watch your back, though. Sorry about that."

"I can take him. If I have to, I can hide behind you and let you handle him," Iba replied impishly, causing Buffy to stick her tongue out at him. "What happened? If you don't mind me asking, that is."

"He's just being Ikkaku," Buffy replied. "Overprotective while still being a raging jerk. I don't wanna talk about it."

"Fair enough," Iba said. "Let's compare schedules to see if we have any other classes together, then."

"Good idea," Buffy replied, handing her schedule over so that he could look it over. She could have sworn that a ghost of a smile crossed his face as he handed her schedule back to her.

"Looks like we've got the same classes," Iba replied. "Which means that we're done for the day."

"Really?" Buffy asked, checking her schedule over. Sure enough, that day they only had a half day of classes. It was the only one, though, as the other four days of the school week were completely booked. "Do you think the rest of the first class would have the same schedule?"

"Probably," Iba replied. "Why?"

"Because I have an appointment to keep," Buffy replied. "I'll see you around, kay?"

"Yeah, we should hang out after class sometime," Iba replied. "That is, if Ikkaku doesn't kill me."

"He won't," Buffy replied. "At least, I'm pretty sure he won't."

"That's so comforting," Iba retorted sarcastically.

"What? He knows I'll totally kick his ass if he kills my new friends," Buffy replied. "Anyway, I gotta go head to the courtyard. See you later!"

"See ya," Iba said as Buffy turned and ran off.

Buffy slowed to a jog about halfway to the school, hoping that she could find the courtyard with little trouble and wouldn't be late to meeting Byakuya. Somehow, she knew that annoying him would just make her day worse, even if she could easily smack him upside the head if he got too cranky with her.

"Ayasegawa!"

Buffy turned at the sound of her name for the second time that day, marvelling how easy it was for her to answer to Ayasegawa when Summers had been her last name for the past twenty years. She wondered, if she ever got to go back to Sunnydale, if she would keep her new name or revert to her old one. It wasn't something she could dwell on, though, because living in dreams would mean that she would miss the reality around her.

Seeing Byakuya jogging towards her, Buffy started walking towards him to meet him halfway. His expression was neutral, serious even, and Buffy wondered if this kid ever smiled. Probably not, Buffy thought as they met in the middle of the field.

"You haven't forgotten about our deal, have you?" he asked, arching an eyebrow.

"I may be blonde, but I'm not stupid," Buffy replied with a snort. "And I might have been smacked around the head a bit, but I doubt it's messed with my short term memory too much."

"I'll take that as a yes," Byakuya said, the corner of his mouth lifting just a little.

"So, where to?" Buffy asked as they started walking out of the field. Buffy was pretty sure they were being followed, but left it alone for now. She'd just have to yell at whoever was following them later, and she was quite certain as to who was following them.

"My manor," Byakuya replied, taking a slight lead because he was the person who knew where they were going. "Well, my family's manor. It's not mine yet, but it will be someday when I become the head of the Kuchiki clan."

"And where is that?" Buffy prompted.

"Near enough to the school that you'll still have the energy to train after walking there," Byakuya replied.

"Wow, vague much?" Buffy asked with a roll of her eyes.

"You'll see where we're going soon enough, I don't know why I need to tell you specifics now," Byakuya grumbled.

"I think you should tell her where you're going," said a voice from behind them. "At least so I know where you're going."

Buffy closed her eyes and counted to ten in her head, rather proud of her restraint, before turning around. She narrowed her eyes, yet again, at Ikkaku, who was standing about six feet away from herself and Byakuya. His arms were crossed over his chest and his expression was the type that would make a wimpy kid pee his pants in fear. Buffy was almost certain that Byakuya was going to do just that, until he stepped forward, puffing his skinny teenaged chest out in an attempt to make himself seem bigger, bulkier.

"Leave her alone," he said, trying to sound tough. "She can spend time with whoever she wants to."

"And what are you gonna do?" Ikkaku asked, arching an eyebrow. "Beat me up? Or are you gonna hide behind a girl?"

"I-I just might," Byakuya replied. "Beat you, I mean."

"I swear, all of the men I know suffer from testosterone poisoning," Buffy grumbled before she stepped in between the two posturing males. "Look, Ikkaku, I'm going to make friends, male friends, besides you and Yumichika, and you're just gonna have to live with it. I'm gonna go with Byakuya right now. If you don't like it, too damn bad. You are not the boss of me and I'm getting sick of your male posturing bullcrap. C'mon Byakuya, let's get out of here."

She turned and stalked off, Byakuya hurrying to catch up. When he finally did, he looked at Buffy in concern.

"I would have been able to take him, you know," he said quietly.

"No you couldn't, and there was no way in hell I was going to let Ikkaku wipe the floor with your face," Buffy retorted with a snort. "Besides, I don't need you fighting my battles for me. I can handle myself."

"You're obviously upset," Byakuya said uncertainly. "Maybe we should start this training some other day."

"You need to learn how to fight and I need some stress relief," Buffy replied. "I can't think of a better way than getting into a fight. Since I'm liable to kill Ikkaku if I got into it with him, you're my next choice. I promise I won't hurt you… much."

"Why do I get the feeling that I'm going to regret asking you to teach me how to fight?" Byakuya grumbled under his breath as he led the way to the family manor.

Buffy just laughed.

***

"Again."

Byakuya was breathing hard, his sword held out in front of him in an offensive position. He had bumps, bruises and cuts all over his body, and his eyes flashed in anger and frustration. Buffy stood in front of him, smirking smugly with not a single mark on her.

Not a single mark!

"I thought I asked you to teach me how to fight," Byakuya growled at her. He was about to launch another offensive attack when a voice stopped him.

"I think she's doing a pretty good job there, Byakuya-kun."

"Not now," Byakuya grumbled under his breath as his gaze focused on the roof. Standing there, dressed in a Shinigami uniform with a captain's haori draped over her shoulders was a dark-skinned woman with chin length violet hair. She smirked down at them for a few moments before jumping and flipping, landing gracefully on her feet.

"What do you want, were-cat?" Byakuya asked, his eyes narrowed.

"If you needed help with fighting, you could have asked me, Byakuya-kun. Although your choice of tutor seems to be doing fine on her own," the woman said, amused. "I'm Yoruichi Shihoin. My family and the Kuchiki family have been close for centuries. And you are?"

"She's also a captain and you will address Captain Shihoin as such," Byakuya said, narrowing his eyes at Buffy. "If you insist on being informal at all, she is to be addressed as Yoruichi-sama."

"I don't think I was talking to you, Byakuya-kun," Yoruichi said, ruffling his hair. Byakuya grumbled and batted her hand away. "So, do you have a name, or am I just going to have to call you Byakuya's tutor?"

"Buffy Ayasegawa," Buffy introduced herself. She stuck out her hand, wanting to make a good impression. "It's nice to meet you, Yoruichi-sama."

"Yoruichi's fine Ayasegawa-san," Yoruichi replied with a laugh. "Or do you prefer Buffy?"

"Whatever you're comfortable calling me is fine," Buffy said.

"Buffy it is, then," Yoruichi said with a smile.

"Do you two mind?" Byakuya asked impatiently. He was standing there with his arms crossed his chest, his eyebrow arched and tapping his foot impatiently. It reminded Buffy so much of Dawn that she felt a pang in her chest. "I thought I asked you to help me fight, not chit-chat with the were-cat."

"Well, I'll leave you alone, then," Yoruichi said before she disappeared from Buffy's side. She reappeared behind Byakuya and grabbed a hold of the ribbon that held his hair back. "If you can catch me first!"

She disappeared again and reappeared on the roof, ribbon dangling from her fingers and an amused sparkle in her yellow eyes. Byakuya growled in frustration and disappeared, giving chase. Buffy watched as he chased Yoruichi around the grounds for several moments, trying to track them as much as she could. It was difficult, because they were using flash steps, but by the time someone else had come into the courtyard, she had gotten reasonably good at it.

"I think your training session is over for today," said a grave voice from next to her. She looked up to see a grey haired man with a bushy grey moustache. He was dressed in Shinigami robes and he, too, had a captain's haori on his shoulders. Around his neck was an expensive-looking white scarf. His face was serious, not a hint of any kind of emotion anywhere on his face, not even his eyes. This must be Byakuya's grandfather, Ginrei, Buffy thought as she examined his face. Captain of the Sixth Division.

"I will make sure Byakuya knows that you will set up another training session with him in a few days," the moustachioed man said. "I'll walk you out."

With one last look at the two nobles chasing each other around the courtyard, listening to Yoruichi's laughs and Byakuya's annoyed snarls, Buffy allowed herself to be led out of the Kuchiki manor, knowing that she would most likely be a frequent guest in the months to come.

***

Bah. Okay, so I know it's about three and a half months late. And I know it's about 1,000 words shorter than what I've been churning out in previous chapters. Life's decided to kick my ass, as people who have read my other fic, "About The Blood" already know. I'm hoping to get back to my every two weeks posting schedule, although I'm not sure how well that will work out.

As always, questions/comments/criticism are always appreciated, and I will do my best to answer any questions you may have, although plot points are under wraps until they are revealed in the story.