Disclaimer: I do not on Bleach, just the OCs
A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who has left a review, comment, saved as a fav or for an alert. I truly appreciate each one. I hope you enjoy the new chapter :)
Byakuya and Yoruichi once again have gone their separate ways. This time it's different. This time they will have to truly face the pain of a severed connection. They both sat and watched as the sun rose over the Soul Society. Both Yoruichi and Byakuya shared the same thought, what we had is gone (?)
She returned only to hurt me more.
He doesn't understand I didn't come back to hurt him.
Why did my dream of her coming back turnout to be a nightmare?
Why am I surprised that the nightmare came true instead of the dream of you and I, Byakuya?
Yoruichi, even with you gone the memories and dreams hadn't faded away but now they must be erased.
Byakuya, could holding onto the dream so tightly kill it and leave only a faded memory?
Yesterday we laughed and lived, but then you left me alone and part of me died.
I wish I could bring back yesterday, and wipe some of the pain away.
Yoruichi, I can't live in yesterday.
Even if I repent for the pain, you'd still only resent.
This is why I don't believe in fairy tales, Yoruichi
This is why we must say good-bye, Byakuya
Yoruichi returned to the real world with Ichigo, the young strong-willed orange haired ryoka and the others. She returned once more to the shop of her shaggy haired friend Kisuke instead of being able to return home to the Shihoin manor.
It was late and Yoruichi was tired. She talked with her best friend before going to bed. "This situation with Aizen is just getting started. I thought this would be over by now but it is just the beginning of something worse. Something far worse is going to happen. We must be prepared Kisuke and we must prepare Ichigo and the others". Yoruichi leaped onto her purple and gold silk pillow and sat down. She focused on the war yet to come, despite their closeness Yoruichi could not open up and tell the exiled former captain of the 12th everything that happened.
"Don't worry I have Ichigo and the others covered," said Kisuke as he lowered his green and white striped hat covering his eyebrows and gave a knowing grin. "So will you be returning to the Soul Society soon? I am sure they've already started welcoming you back," he cautiously added, "or were you not able to mend things with certain individuals?"
"Some mending did take place but some things will remain broken. Perhaps it is for the best I need to get my heart in the right place. The soul and the heart is what will win the fight. I will not be able to put up a fight if part of my heart is somewhere else." Just as Kisuke opened his mouth to add something Yoruichi curled into a ball and closed her eyes. "Good night, Kisuke".
"Good night Yoruichi-san." Kisuke turned around and started walking towards the door.
"Kisuke, I had quite the conservation with Soi Fon. Soi Fon did ask about you in her own way."
"She did, I thought she would've been very angry with me."
"Oh she is."
"I guess I need to be careful, nothing stings like a hornet," said Kisuke just before he closed the door and walked slowly away. "If Yoruichi has been able to talk to Soi Fon then that means what's broken is between Yoruichi and Byakuya. It's not surprising he's always been a cantankerous brat and that doesn't always change with age".
Yoruichi tried to get comfortable. She'd slept on that pillow many times. Her grandmother made her the pillow and it made her feel closer to home and more comfortable, but tonight no matter which position she tried she still could not get comfortable.
"This is useless", said Yoruichi as she stretched across the pillow. I'd already planned for a negative reaction. I knew he wouldn't take it well. I just didn't expect him to be so cold. I guess I really didn't expect him to hate me. I let him go so he could live his life and he move on. He did move on, maybe I've just been holding to Byakuya-bo for too long, he's not there anymore. Yoruichi lowered her head and closed her eyes. "This is like a bad dream and I just can't wake up".
Byakuya was having a hard time sleeping as well even with being exhausted. He had been up for 37 hours. Whenever he closed his eyes all he would see was Yoruichi so he decided just to stare at the ceiling. The young head of the Kuchiki clan was in the middle of a verbal warfare with himself. "Why can't I get her off my mind? She came back from the dead. All those times I just wanted to see her again." It was nothing like I dreamt it would be. She even came as a damn cat". She said she came to see how I was doing. "But she came just to mock me. On the Senzaikyuu she said she would make him stronger than me. I can't believe she trained that ryoka to obtain bankai". Why so that boy could beat me, so he, so he could rescue Rukia? "It doesn't make a difference" she was supposed to come back for me. "She left without so much as word today". I looked for her and she didn't even say good-bye, to anyone. The only reason I even know she left was because I happen to catch a glimpse of a black cat entering the gate. "It's not surprising that she left and went back to the human world". That way she can stay out of my life. That is what I want.
~A few weeks have passed~
"Yoruichi-san you do know its safe for you to walk as hmm, not in your cat form," said Kisuke as he watched Yoruichi lying on the windowsill at the front of his humble shop.
"I know Kisuke. I am just used to it I guess, " she laid her head back down and watched the children, Jinta and Ururu, work on their chores. Tessai was outside so the red headed overly exited little boy and the shy dark haired girl were actually working. Yoruichi could feel Kisuke watching her. "Is there something else Kisuke?"
"It's just you've seemed a little down since your return from the Soul Society. I know it must have been hard to deal with but there has been progress". He held one finger in the air. "Aizen, Gin, and Kaname had to flee. You even said yourself that Soi Fon has forgiven you for leaving and is back to being Soi Fon that in it is a major step. Soi Fon is not the type to forgive and forget so easily."
"Yes, there has been progress, but Aizen still got away and we don't know exactly what his next move will be or when it will happen". She laid her head back down once again. She swayed her to tail the side. "Was that last part for me or you, Kisuke?"
"What no, not for me. I was just commenting on Soi Fon's personality. More importantly, we did get Aizen to show his true colors and that is a step in the right direction".
"You sound like my grandfather".
"Old Emeka he's a smart man, and he's right it was not a total loss Yoruichi".
Yoruichi got up and leaped off the windowsill. She walked slowly past Kisuke. "Maybe not to you", I ended up losing more, a lot more. "I am going out for some fresh air". She left the room and went outside.
"Yoruichi-dono" cheerfully said Tessai uncrossing his muscular arms from over his broad chest. His black mustache moved as he gave a small smile.
"Tessai", politely responded Yoruichi as she headed to the roof of the store. Yoruichi response was missing "life"; it caused both Tessai and Kisuke to share a concerned look as both men watched the little black cat disappear to the rooftop.
Fresh air is something both Byakuya and Yoruichi enjoyed. Byakuya had just stepped out for some fresh air. He went for a short walk and ran into Unohana, Ukitake, and Shunsui.
"Hi Byakuya", said Ukitake, the white headed captain of the 13th Division with smile.
"Yes, how are you doing Byakuya," added the Captain Shunsui Kyoraku as he tipped his straw hat.
"Hello", briskly responded Byakuya. He made no attempt to stay and socialize with the senior captains. He started walking away right after saying "hello".
"Captain Kuchiki are you feeling ok?" Unohana questioned with a warm concerned smile.
It stopped Byakuya in his haste to get away. "I am fine my injuries have healed." Byakuya then started walking away faster.
"I told you that new frown his face was not from Gin's blade," remarked Shunsui as Byakuya walked away.
Byakuya did not stop or turn around after he heard the remark he just continued walking, pounding the memories of Gin with each step. Gin that bastard. Once again that same scene where Yoruichi stopped Byakuya from fighting Gin played through Byakuya's mind. "Lets go, Byakuya" Yoruichi's words echoed in his ear. Why didn't you ask me to go with you when you left Yoruichi? It was the first time Byakuya had ever asked that question. Of course she's not here to answer.
"Captain Kuchiki" said a young messenger interrupting Byakuya's thoughts.
"What?" snapped Byakuya
The nervous messenger that knelt before Byakuya would not even raise his head he quickly started relaying the message." My apologizes Capt. Kuchiki, your grandfather would like for you to have dinner with him at his home tomorrow."
"I will be there", calmly responded Byakuya.
The next day Yoruichi pulled herself out of bed, transformed into her true form, and slipped into a nice hot bath. Today is a new day. Shinji has already made an appearance that means the time is drawing near. The spiritual pressure from that arrancar appeared earlier was massive and he wasn't even complete. Aizen's been a busy boy. It's not surprising; nothing Aizen does should be surprising. Yoruichi brought her knees up to her chest. That's why I've gotta get my head back into the game. I can't keep focusing on what cannot be undone. I can't continue to think about someone who isn't thinking of me. I am sure Byakuya has pushed every thought of me out of his mind. Yoruichi relaxed and closed her eyes. She sank deeper in the warm bath water.
Yoruichi was wrong Byakuya could not push her out his mind. He tried and tried but her face kept invading his head again and again. Her words would linger in his ear. He couldn't sleep well because her laughter filled his dream. Yoruichi's reappearance had disturbed him more than her disappearance. Byakuya knew why, despite his feelings of pain and betrayal a small part of him was happy she was alive. That part of him wanted her back. That part Byakuya had been buried away for years, buried in a graveyard of sadness and bitterness. That part of him was young, rash, and emotional and that part started to resurface the moment Byakuya saw Yoruichi on the Senzaikyuu. Damn that woman. Byakuya cursed to himself as he tried to concentrate on his on paperwork.
Then it happened Ulquiorra Cifer and Yammy arrived in Karakura Town. The Gotei and even some individuals in the human world that could sense spiritual pressure knew the moment that Ulquiorra and Yammy arrived they were complete arrancar. They were fully developed and unbelievably powerful. Yoruichi and Byakuya in two separate worlds were both rushing because of the same reason. Yoruichi was racing to face the unknown, to do battle with Ulquiorra and Yammy while Byakuya was on his way to a captain's meeting to discuss those very same arrancar.
Yoruichi and Kisuke arrived just in time to save the orange haired substitute shinigami just as Yammy was about to deliver a devastating blow.
Yammy the brown gigantic arrancar was shocked by their appearance. He angrily questioned, "Who the hell are you? Doesn't matter I'll kill you." Yammy tried to attack but Yoruichi easily tossed the colossal arrancar like a piece of trash.
My, my he's as dumb as he is big. Arrancar you really picked the wrong day to meet me.
Yammy quickly got back up and tried to punch his huge fist down on Yoruichi and Kisuke, but Kisuke and Yoruichi eluded him. The giant arrancar became more enraged as Yoruichi proceeded to ignore him to go and continue forward to treat Orihime. The teenaged girl had been badly hurt by Yammy.
Yammy tried to attack Yoruichi before she reached the unconscious Orihime but Yoruichi was too quick. Yoruichi kicked Yammy so hard in the face she busted his lip and knocked in a few teeth. Remnants of Yammy's hollow mask, which covered most of his jaw line, did not protect him from the damage.
Yoruichi soared upward towards the sky as Yammy fell to his knees. She looked down upon the bloody and beaten arrancar. She then came crashing down on his head sending him face down into the ground. Yammy was not finished yet but the fight was over once Ulquiorra and Kisuke stepped in. Despite his much smaller size and melancholy appearance, from what appears to be a permanent trail of teal tears under each eye, Ulquiorra was very powerful. He easily deflected Kisuke's blast from Benihime, Kisuke's zanpaktou, saving Yammy. The type of power exhibited by Ulquiorra surprised both Kisuke and Yoruichi, but despite his great power Ulquiorra decided that he and Yammy would return to Las Noches and report to Aizen that Ichigo was nothing more than trash. Before Ulquiorra and Yammy returned to Las Noches, Ulquiorra pierced Ichigo's soul with his emerald green eyes.
Kisuke and Yoruichi tended to the wounded Ichigo, Orihime, and Chad. Yoruichi wasn't 100% herself. She injured her left leg and arm attacking Yammy due to his skin's dense spiritual pressure. She fought through the pain and made sure everyone else was OK.
A couple of days later it was very obvious Yoruichi's appetite did not suffer due to her injuries. Tessai quickly brought Yoruichi two more large bowls of oyakodon.
"Thank you, Tessai"
"Yoruichi-dono it is my pleasure". The muscled bound kido master waited for Yoruichi to finish her milk. "Would you like anything else?"
"No Tessai. I am good." Yoruichi turned her attention to her shaggy blond friend. "Kisuke, I met with Soi Fon today. Gotei members will be here soon to meet up with Ichigo. They believe as we do there will be more completed arrancars soon and a team from the Gotei will be here soon. "
"I guess it's starting. We'd better get ready. I'll leave you to your meal." Kisuke started to walk to the door. He stopped in the doorway and asked, "Yoruichi-san did old Soi Fon say anything else?"
"She did ask me to go back to the Soul Society to train with her once I get better".
"Oh I see that's not surprising."
"Kisuke, I think she should train with you. It would be good for her."
Kisuke laughed, " Yoruichi-san, I don't think she'll think agree, but if she did it might just be fun, for the both of us." He took a cherry lollipop out of his pocket and stuck it in his mouth. He smiled to himself and walked away.
Soi Fon had already relayed her report to Captain-Commander Yamamoto. He'd called another captain's meeting to discuss Captain Soi Fon's findings. After the meeting Byakuya was concerned about Rukia's return to the real world. Captain Ukitake figured he might have those feelings.
The older wiser hazel eyed captain offered Byakuya some advice. "Hey Byakuya don't worry. Rukia is in good hands your Vice Capt. Renji is going and even you were impressed by the way he handled himself battling you. Hitsugaya is leading the team so you know the team is under good leadership. Also, Ichigo is quite an amazing young man". Ukitake patted Byakuya on the shoulder. "Don't worry," he said in kind almost brotherly tone.
"The team assembled is capable. It is Captain Hitsugaya's responsibility not mine. " Byakuya pulled his shoulder forward quickly and continued on his way. Ukitake's words did help even if Byakuya wished Ukitake had not said anything. The report of Yoruichi being hurt had gotten to him. This bothered him a great deal more than he was willing to admit. He could not believe how worried he was about her. She was supposed to be out of his heart and his mind but somehow she kept finding her way back. She getting injured serves her right. If she'd chosen to stay in the Soul Society instead of going back to the real world she would not have been hurt. Byakuya stopped, as he realized not only was he worried about her injury but was also still upset she did not stay in the Soul Society, she left again.
The team chosen by the Gotei 13 along with Ichigo had been attacked by a group of arrancars led by Grimmjow Jeagerjaques the sexta Espada. The Grimmjow the tall spiky blue haired Espada crushed Ichigo, and the Gotei had to release the limiters on the shinigami so that they could defeat Grimmjow's powerful fraccions. The remnants of Grimmjow's hallow mask, a panther's jawbone and teeth, revealed his ferocious nature. If it had not been for Kaname, the stylishly dressed blind right hand man of Aizen, retrieving Grimmjow, Grimmjow would have "fuckin' killed'em all" as he originally planned.
This attack was a wake up call for everyone. The intense training for the upcoming battle with Aizen and his army started. Everyone worked to get stronger.
Kisuke adjusted his stripped hat and closely watched young giant Chad and Renji train. "Yoruichi-san are you going back to the Soul Society after bringing Orihime here to me?" Kisuke questioned as he looked slightly over his shoulder at Yoruichi leaning against the wall adjacent to him. She still appeared to be in deep thought. He smiled slightly waiting for her answer.
Yoruichi unfolded her arms and held up her head. She replied in a flat tone, "Yes". She was already gone before Kisuke could ask another question.
A/N:
Velveteen: Ok, ok, that chapter was huh different especially with that depressing opening.
Peace in Chaos: Yeah I know but hey at the end Yoruichi is heading back to the Soul Society :)
Velveteen: You really like the angst part of this relationship :( are we going to have to go through the entire 5 stages of grief or are you using the 7 stages?
Peace in Chaos: No, I am not all about the angstiness (yes I made that word up) of ByaYoru it's just a part of their relationship I am exploring right now. No, I'm actually using the "new stages of grief" which only has 3 stages, suffering just covers a lot :)
Velveteen: Are you going to ask for comments and reviews again?
Peace in Chaos: Yes I am, as always please continue leavings your comments, reviews, and PMs. I read them all and I enjoy hearing from those he read my stories. It's quite the motivation tool.