Chapter Five – The Past Repeats Itself
Sorry for the delay in this chapter, wrote it long ago but it kept coming out flat instead of a bit angsty so I had to listen to the most depressing music I had then rewrite it several times. I hope it's nice
After breakfast Miki had asked Renji if she join his squad in their training, and as much as Renji wanted to agree he knew he couldn't, he had been away for seven years and he needed to gain their trust again, train new recruits, as well as note the changes he had missed the last few years, to do that he would have to focus all his attention on the officers; Miki's presence would it would be difficult, as he would end up paying more attention to her than the squad. Naturally she was disappointed, luckily Ichigo didn't mind and allowed her join his squad's training, something was grateful of; He hated not being able to give her what she wanted.
Something was wrong, Renji could feel it, he assumed he was overreacting, he knew Miki was safe in squad eight, as much as Miki and Ichigo argued childishly, his daughter was actually warming up to the orange haired captain. Still something was terribly wrong; he was starting to have Goosebumps which was never a good sign.
He shook his head trying to clear his worries, he was just being overprotective, and his daughter was fine. Unfortunately his conviction came crashing down when a tear faced and panic-stricken looking Rukia ran into squad six attracting lots of attention from the officers as well as Byakuya's.
"Renji, oh god I'm sorry." She mumbled between sobs.
"Rukia calm down what happened." Renji was trying to calm her down half hoping that Rukia's sudden appearance had nothing to do with his daughter
"Miki… she.." Renji froze, it felt as though time had stopped, Rukia was still apologizing but he couldn't hear it, some of the squad six officers gathered mumbled some incoherent words but Renji heard none of it, his head was reeling. Luckily Byakuya had the foresight to deal with the situation before it got out of hand.
"Perhaps we should take somewhere private, my office would be a better place for such discussions." Rukia earlier entrance had attracted lots of attention and most of the seated and unseated officers were watching them. Luckily Renji snapped out of his worried thoughts and looked around noticing the stares, and nodded to Byakuya. The three walked into Byakuya's office.
"Now, Rukia calm down and tell us what happened." Rukia still looked panicked which wasn't really helping Renji relax, something bad had happened to his daughter, he just knew it.
"She was training with the new recruits; we left her for just a few minutes and…" she paused, which only grated on Renji's nerves, he was frustrated and wanted her to get to the point fast!
"What happened to her!"
"Renji, calm down and let her speak."
"When we came back, we found her… she... Oh god I'm sorry we don't know who had hurt her, we…." Fresh tears poured down her face, her shoulder shook with each sob.
"Where is she?" He asked with an obviously forced calm.
"We took her to the fourth division, Renji..." Renji had left before she could continue.
*****At Squad 4*****
A frail red-haired girl laid in one of the beds unmoving, the only signs of life in her were from the beeping machines next to her, her face covered in bandages, the rest of her body was either covered in bruises or bandages, she was barely recognizable if not for the bright red hair.
"Oh God, I'm so sorry Miki." Renji ran towards his daughter. "It happened again."
Behind him Ichigo, Rukia and Byakuya stood in silence. Rukia sobbing while Ichigo hugged her to comfort her. Unohana walked in but Renji paying attention to anyone other than his injured daughter, the fourth squad captain sighed and turned to the three, she made a gesture indicating that they follow her.
"Unohana-Taichou how bad was the injury?" Byakuya asked as he was the most composed of the three.
"She was severely injured, whoever did this to her broke one of her ribs as well as both her wrists, she also had a concussion, as well as other minor injuries, but that isn't the worst of it, I'm afraid her spirit centers has been severely damaged with a kido spell, it would be safe to assume that whoever did that to her spirit centers is highly proficient in kido and able to combine different spells. It would take some time for the damage to heal." Rukia gasped in disbelief.
"How is that possible, we only left for ten minutes." Ichigo asked, he was surprised that someone could do that in such a short time and to a kid nevertheless.
"Unohana-Taichou, is it safe to assume there were more than one assailant involved." Byakuya asked, he had his suspicions. She nodded in response.
"Considering the injuries and the damage dealt I would say at least three people attacked her." Ichigo and Byakuya were enraged; it was disturbing to think that three people would attack a defenseless little girl.
"Why? She did nothing wrong." For the life of him, Ichigo couldn't understand why his officers would wait till he was gone to harm a girl who had not even been in Seireitei for up to a month, she had not done anything to them as far as he could tell.
"If I were to speculate Kurosaki, I would say it was because of the fight she had with your 20th seat, it might have caused some enmity towards her." That was the only reason Byakuya could think of that may have caused some officer to attack her, her attackers obviously waited till neither Renji, Ichigo nor Rukia were around to protect her. It was a cowardly move but was effective nevertheless. Ichigo's face turned angrier with each word Byakuya said, he couldn't believe his officers would stoop that low.
"Oh God, I told Renji I would keep her safe, what am I supposed to tell him." Unohana went through some of the details in the file she was holding.
"From what I saw, this isn't the first time she has been attacked, whoever healed her before did a good job, you would barely notice the scar on her face." The three looked sickened.
"What do you mean this has happen before?"
"While healing her, I noticed a barely visible scar on the left side of her face, as well as some signs of a broken wrist."
"Shit!"
"I'm so sorry, I keep trying to protect you and keep you safe, yet this keeps happening, shit I thought you would be safer here." Renji groaned, dropping his face in his palms. He felt a warm hand on his shoulder and looked to find Kyōraku-Sotaichou.
"She'll be fine, she's a strong kid."
He shook his head. "I failed her again."
"It's not your fault; you can't always be there for her" that didn't make Renji feel any better, he was supposed to be there for her always... he wanted to be there for her always.
"She was finally starting to open up."
"She was attacked in the living world?" he nodded somberly; it wasn't a memory he wanted to remember.
"Yea, she never got along with kids her age, she always found them childish." He laughed bitterly. "She couldn't get along with kids older than her because they saw her as a kid. In school, some kids pushed her off the swing…. She got injured badly, Kisuke and Yoruichi could heal her but the scar on her face remained." Behind them stood Byakuya, Ichigo, Rukia and Unohana listening each looked troubled.
"It took a lot to get rid of the scar, it wasn't completely gone, but at least she could barely see it."
"She'll be fine, she survived that, she can survive this." He had barely completed his sentence when Yoruichi stormed in.
"Renji, what happened."
"Yoruichi, I don't know, I really don't know what I'm doing wrong." Yoruichi matched toward Ichigo, fisted his haori and dragged him outside.
"Explain now!"
"She was training with the unseated officers, everything was going well, I left for ten minutes and then, when I came back… shit I'm sorry." Yoruichi murderous, not even Byakuya had ever seen the cat woman so angry.
She calmed down, turning to Unohana she asked. "How bad is it?"
"Most of the physical wounds can be healed, she would be unconscious for a while, she won't be able to use her Zanpakuto for a while, she would also need to undergo therapy, after which she should be fine in a month or two." Yoruichi groaned.
"Any permanent scars?"
"The bruises and broken bones can be healed, although she might have some scars on her face." Noting the grim look on Yoruichi's face, Unohana continued. "There is a new healing technique that can permanently heal the scars as well as the one she had previously, it's not guaranteed, but if it does she would be as good as new. Unfortunately the technique wouldn't work for her spirit centers, I'm afraid there's nothing I can do for that, she would need therapy." Yoruichi nodded.
"I'll talk to Renji." Before Yoruichi could go back in to the clinic, Byakuya asked the question that was on everyone's mind.
"What happened the first time? It is quite unusual for a child her age to have such injuries." Yoruichi exhaled loudly, it was obviously something she didn't want to remember.
"She was never good with kids her age, she got bullied often and Renji had to transfer her to different schools, at five she moved to a schools, it was a bit far but she was improving and making friends unlike before, most of her classmates were older, it seems they ganged up on her while she was in the playground, from what I know she was playing on the swings and was pushed off while mid-air, the landed on the side, she used her hand to cushion the fall, it really didn't help, she broke her left wrist and had a gash on her face." Rukia gasped loudly. "Don't worry she's strong, she'll be fine."
Byakuya felt guilty, he shouldn't have neglected her, it was his fault he wasn't there to protect her then and even now he still couldn't do a thing. He couldn't look at the injured child without feeling like it was all his fault.
"How bad is it?" Renji asked, preparing for the worst.
"She'll be fine." She whispered gently, patting his shoulder.
"Any scars?"
"Unohana, would put her though a special healing technique, the scars would be healed."
"She's gonna wake up right?" Yoruichi nodded in response. "Do you think she'll be safer with you and Kisuke?"
"I'm not sure, she'll miss you."
"Yea, but it would be better for her there; she would feel safer with you guys." Yoruichi wanted to tell him to snap out of the depressing thought but she knew he was right, after this attack Miki wouldn't want to be anywhere near a squad officer and probably wouldn't trust anyone again.
Renji had spent the past three days by his daughter's side, Byakuya had given him some time off so he could be with his daughter, Miki hadn't woken up but Unohana had assured them that she was okay and would wake up anytime now. During the three days Byakuya had learnt a lot about his daughter, he knew he really didn't deserve to call her that, he didn't even know what her favorite color or food was until a few days ago. Even though Yoruichi had assured him that Renji had long forgiven him, he wasn't sure he could forgive himself for the consequences others suffered because of his recklessness.
His self-loathing was interrupted by Isane who ran into the room Miki and Renji were in, noticing that something was going on he followed the squad four lieutenant, and was surprised to find Ichigo and Rukia there, but what was more surprising was Miki who had woken up but was… different.
Renji had noticed Miki's fingers twitch; he called out to her and was surprised when she opened her eyes, for a moment she flinched when he held her, then relaxed.
"Daddy?" she asked hesitsntly.
"I'm here, do you need anything?" she shook her head slowly.
"I'm sorry." She whispered miserably, Renji looked at her in confusion wondering what she was apologizing for.
"What are you apologizing for, you have done nothing wrong. It's all my fault for not being there." she shook her head again.
"Sorry for always disturbing you and acting like a brat." Renji chuckled softly, rubbing her hair lovingly.
"Nah, I raised you that way, you're a bit spoilt but that's okay with me, I don't mind the disturbance, besides it makes you happy and that all that matters."
"You're not mad at me?"
"Nah, I can't be mad at you when I spoilt you silly. Besides don't you like being a brat?" she nodded weakly. "That's good enough for me." He replied kissing her forehead. She tried to seat up but found she couldn't.
"My body hurts."
"It's okay, you'll feel better soon." He noticed her head was bowed down and she was playing with her fingers nervously. "Tell me what's bothering you."
"Can we leave here and go back to our house." Renji sighed he knew it was coming.
"I can't" she looked miserable but nodded in understanding.
"Okay." Ichigo didn't like seeing Miki so submissive and obedient, he liked seeing her fight back, he liked seeing her act all high and mighty like Byakuya, the kid in front of him wasn't the Miki he argued with endlessly.
"But if you want, I can ask Yoruichi to take you back to the living world, you can stay with her and Kisuke for a while." She looked at him expectantly. "You'd like that huh?" she nodded. "It's okay; you can stay there for a while.
Renji had asked Unohana if Miki could go to the living word for a couple of weeks, Unohana had agreed but had advised that she didn't stay there too long as Miki needed checkup to make sure the scars were properly healed, it was also advisable that she began the therapy as soon as possible. In the end, it was agreed that she would stay in the living world with Yoruichi and Kisuke for a week and then return to Seireitei to begin her therapy. Renji hoped that when she came back she would feel a bit better as well as willing to stay with him in soul society. He was determined to do everything in his power to make sure she was comfortable.
It had been three days since Miki left, the Kuchiki manor was uncomfortably silent, they had all missed Miki's early morning hyperactivity as well as the early morning show of a shirtless Renji running around (Chasing Miki of course). Renji had been quiet since she left, he rarely spoke to anyone, he buried himself in work, and when he arrived at the manor he went straight to bed, without eating. Ichigo, Rukia, Byakuya, Kyoraku and Ukitake were trying to find out who had attacked Miki but it was astonishing that no one had seen or heard anything during the attack, whoever had attacked her was good, and able to cover their tracks brilliantly, which made them wonder why someone would go through all that just to attack a little girl.
Byakuya had arrived at the manor later than usual and found Renji wearing only a loose kimono sitting next to the koi pond, his feet was bare and the wind blew his unbound hair in every direction, Byakuya felt his heart race, he wanted to console Renji, at the same time he wanted Renji to blame him for everything, it was his fault for not being there, he wanted Renji to yell at him, and at the same time he wanted Renji's yelling to turn into a passionate kiss. He hadn't noticed when he walked up to the redhead or when he sat next to him, he felt something soft on his lips and realized he was kissing Renji… and Renji was kissing him back.
The kiss was slow and passionate, pale fingers ran through fiery red locks, each subconsciously drifting closer to each other till there was no space in between them and Renji was almost sitting on Bykuya's laps, Byakuya pulled Renji even nearer enjoying the soft moans and whimpers Renji was eliciting, he kissed his tanned neck, tracing the tattoos, a flashback from seven years ago popping into his head, he brushed it away and continued his ministrations.. Suddenly Renji pulled away, his eyes wide and filled with guilt.
"I'm sorry I shouldn't have kissed you."Before Byakuya could respond, the redhead was gone.