The Training
Byakuya´s uttered words had the desired effect. The spectators immediately scattered without a word. Ikkaku was pissed, but seeing what just happened to Ichigo, who voiced his opinion, obeyed anyway.
Renji waited for quite a while and when he was certain that his captain was nowhere near, only then he straightened up and went over to where Ichigo was still lying. "You just had to made it worse, didn't you? Well, thanks." He snorted.
"Fuck off." Ichigo looked pitiful. He was lying on the ground, his pride shattered. Now everybody saw him belittled by captain of the Sixth squad. The happiness he required thanks to the booze was indeed short-lived. He didn't even want to get up.
"Stop feeling sorry for yourself and get up. We need to get to the Fourth." Renji still stood above him.
"Just go away." Ichigo really did not want to face his friend just now.
"Fine!" The red-head snapped. Renji wasn't as much angry with Ichigo as he was with himself for giving in and fighting him. He knew better. He went to get himself treated.
Ichigo was sitting in his office, his shoulder still sore. He was preparing himself for another unpleasant audit with the general. Well, the old man isn't scary or mean to him or anything, but he just has a way of making you realize to the fullest what a disappointment you are. No matter, he had to go.
He was standing in the office of the general. It looked like it could accommodate tens of people, it was just that spacious. He was there alone. Sometimes Ichigo thought that the general is a drama queen, who really loves his entrances. It was sort of a psychological game, really.
The door slid open.
Ichigo didn't bother to turn around assuming it would the old man, finally, but the reiatsu felt different. No way… He turned his head to confirm his suspicion. Kuchiki Byakuya was looking back at him with his blank expression as always. "Tell me you didn´t…." Ichigo started to accuse the other captain, but he was cut off by the entrance of the general. Byakuya straightened, being the perfect soldier he is. Ichigo just folded his arms.
"Gentlemen." The two of them just nodded in reply.
"Let us get right to the topic at hand. So, Ichigo, I believe today is the day, when you are supposed to show me your progress." He spoke in that weary voice of his, eyes closed.
His old habit kicking in as it did every time Ichigo was nervous; he started to scratch the back of his head. He was trying to come up with a believable excuse for making even Kira quit on him. Not very successfully. The awkward silence was hovering among them.
"May I ask for the reason of my summoning to this meeting?" Byakuya broke it.
So he doesn't know why he is here, interesting…
The general opened one eye and looked questioningly at Ichigo, like he should be the one to answer that question.
"Why are you looking at me?" he shot back. The rage from the humiliation still present within him.
"You don't have a kido teacher anymore now, do you?" the general Yamamoto calmly replied.
"No, I don't…" Ichigo was scratching himself on the head, waiting for the storm to come.
"Wrong."
He looked up at Yamamoto in disbelief. Did Kira change his mind?
"So, to get back to your question, Kuchiki-taicho." He continued. "Your next high priority assignment is to train Kurosaki Ichigo in the art of kido combat."
"Hai." Byakuya bowed his head.
"Wait, what?!"
The elder men both looked at him as if he was retarded.
"He is going to be my.." Ichigo started still in disbelief, but was quickly cut off.
"I shall ask you again. Do you or do you not have a teacher of kido at the moment, Kurosaki Ichigo?"
"No, but…"
"Then, I have just solved that problem now, haven't I? Captain Kuchiki Byakuya is hereby assigned as your new, and hopefully last, kido teacher. Dismissed." General Yamamoto effectively ended the discussion. And turned around to leave, clearly not open to any other questions or whining. Kuchiki will be your last kido-teacher, Kurosaki Ichigo, of that I am sure. The old man smirked to himself.
As soon as the general left, Ichigo turned to the raven-haired man and spat out: "You are not teaching me kido."
"Yes, as the matter of fact, I am." The calm, velvet voice answered.
"Well, I don't want you anywhere near me, you bastard, let alone having you train me."
"That is not your choice to make, or mine for that matter. I have been assigned a job, which I am determined to do. And let me assure you that I will not, under any circumstances, quit."
Oh, yeah? Challenge accepted, man! He thought, but out loud he said: "Fine, whatever." His sole intent now was to leave this room and go and train or something to get the anger out of his system. As he was opening the door, the cold voice called on him.
"Kurosaki Ichigo." Byakuya waited for the young man to stop and listen to him. "I am your superior now. You shall address me with respect and do what I say. I will not go easy on you like the others did. You shall improve or die. Your choice." With that said, he disappeared. Leaving enraged Ichigo still holding the door handle.
Ichigo was standing in a training field, which Byakuya instructed him to meet at. He was a little early, since he wanted to get to know the place. It was good to be cautious with the captain. The orange-haired man did not take the threat he received lightly. Therefore, he decided it would be best if calmed himself and try to contain and consciously feel his reiatsu. As he was in deep concentration, he noticed Byakuya´s presence almost instantly. But he decided not to show it. It would be good to have something to surprise Kuchiki with. Good strategy. Shall I help you? Zangetsu spoke. The mind of his sword always made itself known, when he concentrated hard enough on his reaitsu. Nah, I got that. Ichigo replied in his mind.
Byakuya took his time. He was gracefully coming to the spot, where Ichigo was sitting. His ever-present blank expression on his face. But if one looked hard enough, he could notice the slight amusement in his eyes. This will be fun, even though he would have never said that aloud. The captain flash-stepped only to stop few inches behind Ichigo´s back. "Shall we begin?" he uttered not even looking at the other Shinigami. Ichigo made no movement or sound.
Byakuya moved some distance further. "Show me, what you can do. Attack." he commanded.
Ichigo slowly stood up, feeling his reiatsu responding to his intention the best it ever has. He felt confident. "Way of destruction, number 4. Byakurai!" Ichigo shouted, his left arm stretched towards Byakuya. He used all his power to make sure to take the man down. And it looked promising at first, but then Ichigo lost his concentration (he just needed to smirk at Byakuya, as if that would give him his pride back) and the forming white lightning exploded to his face, knocking him good few yards back. Byakuya´s expression did not change. This is pretty much what he expected from the new addition to the 13 captains. He waits for Ichigo to get back on his feet. When that does not happen for quite a while, he grows concerned. Not that much about Ichigo´s well being, but about the assignment he has been entrusted with. You simply cannot teach a dead person. So he flash-steppes to the lying figure and bends to see, how badly that idiot has hurt himself.
Ichigo has been waiting for this exact moment. He lurched himself at the man with incredible speed and knocked him down. He was kneeling on top of Byakuya and secured his hands with both of his. He leaned closer, victorious look in his eyes. "I got you, teacher." The last word was dripping with sarcasm.
"You are being childish, Kurosaki Ichigo. You have not achieved anything."
"Oh, yeah? And who is lying on the ground now, huh?" Ichigo taunted.
Byakuya remained silent, but did not make any attempt to shake Ichigo off of himself.
"Admit it. I am stronger and quicker than you, old man. You cannot teach me."
"Possibly. But you still cannot use even a low class kido spell such as Byakurai without blowing yourself up, now can you? My assignment is to teach you kido, not some bar-like fight, which you obviously know well enough." Byakuya calmly replied and with one graceful move, which he learned from Yoruichi, got from under Ichigo.
"How did you.."
"Shall we continue our lesson now? I will attack." Byakuya continued undisturbed.
These lessons were without swords. It was supposed to be only kido against kido. And Kuchiki Byakuya is sure not the man to hold back. If Ichigo is not quick enough, he will positively have to stay in the Fourth division´s barracks for quite some time. He prepared himself.
"Byakurai." Came the low voice. At that instant a thick rod of lightning shot in the direction of Ichigo. He wasn't wasting any time, he used the only defense he knew would not blew up in his face. "Way of binding number eight. Seki!" he yelled. A small unstable shield was beginning to form in front of his left hand. He focused more. The shield grew bigger and thicker. Just in time. Byakuya´s lightning hit his shield, which held, but the sheer power of the blow made him take a few steps back.
Ichigo grinned, nevertheless. His shield was able to hold Byakuya´s lightning! But before he could savor this fact, Byakuya cast another white lightning at him. This time firmly hitting his target.
"The enemy will not wait for you to break into victory dance every time you will be able to fend off his attack."
Ichigo just glared at the man.
"You seem to understand the basics of how the kido works, judging by the fact that you were able to make a shield. So it has to be your concentration that is causing the problems." He analyzed the young man.
"So, how was your relationship with your father, young man?" Ichigo said half mockingly and half menacingly. He hates those, who analyze him. Byakuya just arched one of his eyebrows. Of course, he could not have understood what Ichigo meant, since there were no shrinks in Seireitei.
"Never mind.." Ichigo said. "Your point being?"
"As I was saying you lack concentration, so our further job here is meaningless unless you learn it."
"And how do you suppose I do that?" Ichigo was annoyed. Can´t the old man make a point, for god´s sake..
"Come tomorrow after work to my mansion and we will proceed there." With that said Byakuya left.
Ichigo just stood there. What? was the only thought in his mind. Is he trying to lure me in his house to….To do what exactly, you moron! But…He had a nice feel to him, when I kneeled on him, so it maybe wouldn't….STOP! Stop! Just stop! I am losing my sanity here. Zangetsu? he called mentally his sword.
Yes?
Do you have some funny story to tell me?
Why would you ask that? Is it because of the way you thought about Byakuya just now?
Shut up! I didn´t!
Oh, I see. And with that Zangetsu´s presence disappeared from Ichigo´s mind.
He stood there some more waiting to calm down, but when that didn't happen, he cursed and went home.
The work was stretching endlessly. Ichigo was so curious. He was so lost in thought that he didn't hear even Renji barging in his office.
"Kuchiki-taicho is teaching you kido?" Renji blurted out. His full height was hovering above Ichigo, his hands on the desk, which just might not stand the pressure this time.
"And hello to you, too. I hope you had a calm and nice day, Renji."
"Rukia told me about it! This was your plan all along, wasn't it?" Renji apparently had some sort of epiphany, which needed to be confirmed. Immediately.
"What? What was supposed to be my plan?" Ichigo was tired. Ever since he knew he would be stuck in here, he was arguing with Renji and Rukia. Rukia said that she is not going to put up with the twin of his brother and stopped talking to him. They would say hi to each other or make some small talk, but that was it. But Renji was a whole different story. He was determined to "make Ichigo normal again." His ways of doing that were questionable.
"Kuchiki-taicho training you?" Renji offered.
"Really, Renji.."
"Don´t really me! You did! I noticed there was something going on. And the way you talk and behave. It all makes perfect sense now." the lieutenant was smiling now.
"Oh, it does?"
"You like my captain." Renji winked at him.
Ichigo was just sitting there, looking at the other man and waiting for the "revelation" to sink in.
"Are you fucking kidding me? That man made an idiot out of me! The whole Seireitei knows it thanks to Yumichika and Rangiku! I do not like him, I never had and I never will." He yelled, when it finally did.
"Oh, yeah?" Renji laughed. "So why are you coming to his mansion today?"
"Because we will have the training there." Ichigo´s voice was cold.
"Uh-huh." Renji was still laughing. "And that is why you are shaved and have a new uniform on you. I can see the logic behind that. Besides ruining the Kuchiki mansion with your exploding spells is just exactly what they need. I mean, I guess I heard Rukia talking about the remodeling, they would like to do."
Ichigo was standing now. "Shut up! He said we should work on my concentration and said to meet in his house. That´s it."
Renji just looked at him and burst in laughter again. "Sure." He managed to get out in between gasps for air.
Ichigo did not feel like arguing with this thickhead today, so he just left. It was time for his training anyway. But the conversation with Renji made him uneasy. He did wear new uniform and was cleanly shaved. But that was because wanted to make Byakuya see the good soldier and officer he was. Or at least that was what he thought the reason was. But who should know better than himself, right? Surely, not some stupid Renji!
All of a sudden he was standing in the entrance of the huge mansion. He was nervous, like really nervous. If he will be forced to do some kido spells in this state of mind, he for sure will be the start of their remodeling. Fuck it, let´s go. As soon as he entered the courtyard a servant appeared.
"Kurosaki-taicho, may I escort you to Kuchiki-sama?" He bowed and asked politely.
"Uhm, sure." Ichigo answered, not really sure, what was he supposed to say. He never had any servants.
He was led through what seemed like a maze. Then they finally entered a beautiful garden and the servant disappeared.
He stood there dumbfounded. Was he supposed to go further and look for Byakuya or was he supposed to stay put and wait for the noble to come and get him...
"Are you going to just stand there?" Said a voice from somewhere under the blooming sakura-tree.
"No, sir." Sir? Did I just call Byakuya, sir? The mansion had some weird effect on him. He could also hear a low chuckle. Did Byakuya just laugh?
Ichigo proceeded to the bench, where Byakuya was sitting.
"Sit." The raven-haired man commanded, pointing to the empty place next to him. Ichigo obeyed without a word.
The two of them were just sitting there in a complete silence for a while. The only sound was the gentle breeze that brushed against leafs of the tree. They weren't facing each other. Ichigo was very nervous now. What if it wasn't him, who was interested as Renji suggested. What if Byakuya lured him in here on purpose. What if..
"You are probably wondering what we will do to make your concentration better." Byakuya cut through the silence.
Ichigo just looked at him, expecting more to come. Byakuya on the other hand still looked like a greek statue, strictly looking ahead of him.
"I will teach you calligraphy."
"You will what?" Ichigo was in shock. This was the last thing he expected.
"I was under the impression that you were still not old enough to have problems with hearing. But as it seems to be the case, I shall repeat myself. I will teach you calligraphy." Now he looked at the young man, amusement dancing in his grey eyes.
"Why the hell should I learn to paint some signs?" Ichigo was back to his normal self. All respect and nervousness gone.
"Calligraphy is about concentration and calm. Thus it will be your training for now." Byakuya explained in calm voice and stood up, waiting for Ichigo to do the same.
"Shall we?" He asked, when the other part clearly did not get the non-verbal language.
Ichigo stood up and let himself be guided deeper to the garden to a small bower, which had already all the supplies needed. Byakuya sat down and gestured for Ichigo to do the same.
"Is there any particular sign you like?"
"Uhm, no not really, I guess." Ichigo muttered.
"Very well. Let us start with the sign for tea then." And with that Byakuya started to explain the rules and techniques for calligraphy.
I would like to thank you very much for the reviews and support. I wanted to put here at least a short chapter, because unfortunately I will not have as much time in the upcoming days. But the next chapter should be here until the end of next week. Thanks again!