disclaimer: I do not own Bleach
A/N: Thanks to everyone who has faved, alerted, posted a comment/review, or left a PM :) I hope you all enjoy this chapter as well.
Ai and Yoruichi followed a member of the Zero Squad down a long corridor. The palace was quiet, maybe just a little too quite for Yoruichi's liking. She and Ai were in the northern wing and well away from the royal family but the corridor was still lined with guards.
It seemed as if they'd walked in silence for miles until Ai spoke, "Yoruichi, thank you for doing this." Ai looked over and smiled at Yoruichi. "I know you would've preferred to spend more time back in the Soul Society."
"Ai, no it's a pleasure and a honor."
"I hope you still think that after you meet your new student". Yoruichi raised her right eyebrow and turned back to Ai. "Not only have I taken you way from young Kuchiki who's a fine young gentleman"
"Ai"
"Sorry I forgot to add handsome and single."
"Ai"
"Instead leaving you to spend time with I am bringing you to meet Sho Ito.
"Yoruichi Sho Ito is well, he's", Ai placed her hand on her chin and looked downward as she searched for answer, she quickly raised her head "he's, he's special. Yes, that's it he's special."
Yoruichi shook her had gently and smiled, " Funny, that's the same way, Adaeze described Byakuya just before he and Ginrei arrived at the Shihoin". Yoruichi laughed lightly, "If Sho Ito is like Byakuya then things will be interesting but he's nothing I can't handle. If I can train Byakuya Kuchiki I train anyone, he was more than just special", Yoruichi noticed Ai's smile and realized she made a bad choice using that word, "I mean Byakuya was talented but difficult and arrogant but we got past it."
"Sho is similar to Byakuya in some aspects but you've never met anyone like young Sho." Ai looked up and smiled at Yoruichi the way Yoruichi's grandfather did when he wanted her do something he knew she hated like when she was a kid and he made her eat brussels sprouts. The two women paused the Zero Squad member reached for the door. "Ready or not here we come Sho." Ai and Yoruichi waited as the door slowly slid open.
The women entered the room to find a young man relaxing in a golden chair in the middle of the room. His left leg fell over the left arm of the chair as he sat gapped leg across the chair. He did not bother to stand or even acknowledge the two women who entered he continued reading a magazine about motorcycles from the human world. His head bobbed up and down as he listened to music on his mp3 player. Every once and awhile he'd laugh flashing his pearly white perfect teeth.
Yoruichi could tell by the look on Ai's face that Ai was not pleased with the young man. She watched as Ai flared her nostrils. Ai breathed heavily and Yoruichi thought Ai would pull the young man out of his sit. Yoruichi had taken a quick count of the guards as soon as they stepped in the room. There were four guards lined up along the left and right side of the room and three guards lined up along the wall behind the young man. Ai and I would have no problems taking these guys
"Sho what is the matter with you?" Ai took two steps forward.
"Ai, oh you're back. QT didn't think you'd be back so soon. QT does not want to be called Sho, remember," Sho spoke without looking up from his magazine.
This only upset Ai more and Yoruichi too. What disrespectful little brat, both Ai and Yoruichi thought in unison. "Your mother named you Sho and that is what I will call you."
QT rolled his eyes. "Did you bring that so call goddess of flash? QT would like to" QT stopped as he saw Yoruichi out of the corner of his eye. He slowly sat up and stared at Yoruichi. "Ai you shouldn't have QT's birthday isn't until December 25th, but QT is very happy with his gift. QT doesn't think he can wait that long to unwrap it", he said with a sly smile as he licked his lips and moved his eyes up and down Yoruichi. His eyes finally stopped as his met her fierce glare and he knew Yoruichi was not happy. He laughed and rubbed his chin.
"Sho we have no time for your foolishness. Yoruichi is only here for seven days to train you. Don't waste any of her time. Do you understand?"
"Gees, Ai why you gotta be such a hard ass all the time. QT does not like that kind of attitude it's brings negative energy. Besides QT plans on making the most of his time with baby girl. "
Something about QT using the nickname her grandfather had given her pissed Yoruichi off. "Sho, QT, or whatever you want to be called lets get one thing straight I am only here to teach you shunpo master steps and nothing more. We will not waste any time and you will not get away with slacking off."
QT stood up and stretch his Adonis like 6ft frame interrupting Yoruichi's speech. "Damn when you talk all assertive like that it's sexy as hell. Don't worry QT won't be slacking and you will enjoy all the time you get to spend with QT. Who knows you might learn a thing or two, QT is the best baby girl don't forget th-".
Yoruichi took QT's obi (sash/belt) before he could finish his statement. QT managed to grab his hakema (pants) before he exposed himself. Yoruichi smirked at the shocked QT. "If you were the best you wouldn't need a teacher," said Yoruichi as she held up the obi.
QT reached to take the Obi out of Yoruichi's hand. "You know if you wanted QT to take his clothes off," he appeared behind her, " you could've just asked," he whispered in Yoruichi's ear.
"My, my, m- " QT reached to grab Yoruichi before she finished her statement but she disappeared from his grasp leaving only the obi that fell slowly to the ground.
"My aren't you slow," said Yoruichi as she stood across the room with her arms folded. "You've got a lot to learn and we only have a few days I suggest you take things more seriously."
QT threw back his head and laughed. "Ok boo we can have it anyway you like it." He smiled innocently at her with puppy dog eyes.
"Good, first don't call me boo, baby girl, or any other cutesy nickname. Again, I am here to train you and nothing more. We'll start as soon as you fix yourself up. I'll meet you in the east courtyard in 15 minutes." Yoruichi and Ai walked out of the room leaving an intrigued QT standing in the middle of the floor holding up his hakema.
As the two women stepped into the hall the Zero Squad member closed the door and then took the lead. Once Ai and Yoruichi were a few feet from the door they said, "What an arrogant brat!" Both women laughed.
"Yoruichi I tried to warn you."
"Ai there's no proper warning for that," Yoruichi pointed her finger over her shoulder behind her, "QT makes Byakuya-bo seem like Mr. Congeniality. I don't know how you've put up with him for so long."
"He wasn't always like that. You're not going to believe this but he was a shy sweet kid."
"You're right I don't believe you. Sho maybe but I can't even imagine QT as a kid."
"No, he was shy up until he hit puberty. Suddenly he went from hiding in the corner to standing under the spotlight. Girls thought he was handsome and were taken in by his perfect smile and turquoise eyes. He made only As and he excelled at swordsmanship and kido. His hand-to-hand wasn't anything to write off either, before puberty he was my best student. Sho's potential was even greater than Emeka's", Ai sighed and shook her head, "but that was before puberty now he just a handful." She held one finger up in the air, "He's a talented handful though. That's why I wanted you to teach him the real art of shunpo. Now he just uses it to cause or escape from trouble. The Soul King is worried that Sho's mouth will get him into so much trouble one day he won't be able to escape. Sho is his only nephew and he wants to make sure that does not happen. I knew the minute the king spoke to me that you would be the perfect teacher for Sho."
"I understand Ai, like I said if I can teach Byakuya-bo I can teach anyone." Yoruichi smiled smugly. "Don't you worry. I think me and Mr. QT have reached an understanding."
Ai and Yoruichi stopped walking once they reached the courtyard where Yoruichi and QT would be training. The courtyard was huge there was more than enough space for Yoruichi to train 25 QTs. Four walkways and their connecting buildings boxed in the courtyard. There was a fairly large courtyard garden on the southeast side of the courtyard. The courtyard garden consisted of mostly of stone and rock, but there were evergreens too bad none of them were big enough to climb, but it made a perfect place to mediate. After meeting QT Yoruichi figured she'd be using the garden before the seven days were up.
Yoruichi still wished for a more natural setting to train like she had when she trained Byakuya. Her mind drifted back to when she and Byakuya trained and how she easily escaped from him by heading up a tree. One day she made her move up a tree and young Byakuya followed. Byakuya was doing well until he hit a weak tree branch and went tumbling down the ground. Yoruichi laughed when he fell but her smile quickly changed to concern when she reached him and saw the huge bump on his head. Byakuya appeared surprised Yoruichi did not say anything other than, "You should be more careful, Byakuya-bo".
Yoruichi leaned in to see to check Byakuya's bump and he leaned away from her.
"I was being careful and I am fine."
Yoruichi frowned, "Your not fine, you've got a big bump on your head. You must have fallen pretty hard to damage such a hard head."
"I am fine." Byakuya tried to stand too quickly and got a little dizzy."
"That's it. Sit Byakuya I'll be right back." Yoruichi returned shortly, she'd take her long black wrist guards and soaked them in the cool waters of a nearby stream. She placed the cool wet guards on to Byakuya's bump. "I am taking you to Unohana's as soon as we get back." Byakuya frowned.
Yoruichi smiled as she thought back to that day. Ai noticed her smile. "Yoruichi, I know that smile can't because QT is on his way."
"No, I was just thinking about flash stepping through the trees." Ai raised her eyebrow. "I remember-" Yoruichi paused as her mind flashed to the last time Byakuya chased her through the trees it was the day before she left the Soul Society this time he didn't fall but he still didn't catch her. Yoruichi's smiled disappeared as she remembered how the sunset on that day. "Its nothing never mind. Ai you don't have to wait with me. I am fine and I am sure you want to see your husband. I don't want Az to think I am keeping you". Yoruichi smiled at Ai.
"Are you sure Yoruichi? I can stay longer Az will understand."
"No, need. I am sure QT, I mean Prince Sho will be coming soon".
"Ok, I'll see you at dinner." Ai smiled and flash stepped away.
Yoruichi waited patiently for Sho's arrival, five minutes past, then 10, and then 15. "This is unbelievable at least Byakuya-bo was on time for our first training session".
Punctuality was one of the many things Byakuya took pride in. Another thing Byakuya took pride in was being reliable and he was just about to demonstrate his reliability as he visited his grandfather.
"Byakuya so you have returned," said Ginrei as he held his back to Byakuya and continued feeding his koi.
"I promised Ai-sama, I would let you know how much she appreciated the box of chocolates".
"Very good." Ginrei still did not turn around. He moved to another part of his koi pond and threw out more food.
"Good day, grandfather."
"Good day, Byakuya". Byakuya turned to walk away. "Did you find out where Yoruichi was going?"
Byakuya paused. There's no way to avoid answering the question. Byakuya turned back around. "Ai-sama said she was taking Yoruichi to the Royal Realm". Byakuya removed all emotion from the statement hoping not to encourage his grandfather to ask more about the meeting.
"Oh, I see that makes sense."
Byakuya stared at his grandfather's back. Why was Yoruichi going to the Royal Realm? That question plagued Byakuya's mind since he left the Shihoin estate. Byakuya had much to his dismay continually asked himself, "Why was Yoruichi going to Royal Realm?" The need to know burned from within Byakuya could not resist responding, "Yoruichi going makes sense", hoping to prompt Ginrei to explain more.
"Of course, Ai did the same when she was around Yoruichi's age."
Byakuya frowned at his grandfather's cryptic response. I can't ask more, that will only open another Yoruichi and I discussion. That's probably what he wants me to do. "I see." Byakuya turned and walk away from his grandfather.
"Do you really see Byakuya? I think not. You better open your eyes or she'll slip right through your fingers again," Ginrei said almost in a whisper as he finished feeding his koi.
Meanwhile the seemingly uncatchable Yoruichi stood in disbelief as she stared at QT who just arrived 15 minutes late. She could tell QT had put an effort in fixing himself up for their training session. He'd taken off his sandals and replaced them with black tabi boots and tied bands around them to keep his black pant legs from moving. He wore a bright red sash that was tied tightly around his waist. He had on a white sleeveless haori. Yoruichi stood in silence as he tied a black headband around his bronze locks.
"I am ready when you are Miss Goddess of Flash". He winked at Yoruichi as he slowly removed his haori and revealed his ripped body that glistened in the sun.
He's shinny, why is he so shinny, what is that baby oil? A breeze came through and Yoruichi smelled coconut. Yoruichi smiled held her head down and laughed a little. I can't believe he oiled himself down, well that's one way for me not to catch him I guess. Yoruichi held up her head and smiled her arrogantly wining smile. To bad for QT you'll have to catch me. This is going to be an interesting seven days.
Velveteen: QT has made an appearance ;P
Peace in Chaos: Yes, my best friend loves him and it's been awhile since I've been able add him to a story. He fits this one.
Velveteen: Byakuya and Yoruichi are at least thinking of each other
Peace in Chaos: Yes, they say distance makes the heart grow fonder, now have little more time to think about each other.
Thanks for reading the chapter. Please leave comment, review, send an PM whatever float your boat until next time.