A/N I thank all those that read. Much appreciated. :3
Black Cat Angel – Hopefully he will. :D
PsychoIdiotLady – For some reason, I just love writing them all together. XD I wish I had done that before. XD Yeah, he was in a previous chapter, though I forget which one. Gotta put him in here more often. And I'll try, got stuck again. XD
DeathKnight KiraKira – I'm eating a lot of fruit and vegetables lately. XD Yes, that's how they are! Sadly! Stubborn! XP
dbzbnfan202 – It'll get better... hopefully. X3 And no problem, I liked the story. :D
Dina Sana – And here it is~! :D
DreamingInThePast – As much as I love drama, which is weird considering how much I love comedy, I can't help but write a little funniness here and there. X3 I have a knack for writing sad stuff! :D Strangely, only when I'm listening to sad songs. XD Yep, sadly Kayo isn't strong enough to materialize him, but he tries to comfort her. DX Everything will get better... hopefully. X3
Indefinate Shadow – It'll get better! :D
whitefyrefoxxy – Can I just say... how much I love you for telling me about that song? :D It really helped me write this chapter~! =D
Chibi-Onee-chan – It's weird writing him sad, but he needs to feel sad! X3 It'll show he's human! :D
Guest – That's because I'm finally getting excited with the plot~! :D I write faster when I'm all giddy. X3
xXStarburstNinjaXx – Yep, it let you review. :3 That pairing seems to be a favourite, even in Life is Full of Surprises. X3
BOOM! Another chapter! :D
Oh, my god! :D Eleven reviews, again~! Man, I'm just practically yelling in happiness here~! :D
Am I foreshadowing? D: I started English today and the instructor was talking about plot lines, antagonists, protagonists, climax, first and third person. When he got to foreshadowing I started thinking, "Am I doing that?" XD
And I just found out... I started this in JUNE! D: And I'm only on chapter 14 right now. Wow, I'm taking my time. XD
Disclaimer – I do not own Bleach.
Warning – Swearing.
-:-
Getting pissed off, getting pissed off, getting pissed off!
Riko frowned, glaring at the people that stared openly at her in confusion. She was sitting in the mess hall, for supper, of the frickin' ninth division, glaring at the tray of food. She was going to throw it if they continued to fucking stare. Tapping her fingers she let out a growl before glancing around. No gambling, no people laughing at crude jokes, no... nothing. It was boring! Why couldn't Zaraki Taicho send her to another division that was fun?!
She growled lowly once more at the thought of the man.
What she wouldn't give to punch his face. A frightening grin slowly crossed her face as she thought about it, scaring a few people sitting nearby. Someone walked into the room, letting out small sigh before pausing and twisting his head in the direction of the woman. Eyes growing wide he grinned.
"RIKO~!"
Her head shot up, just in time to see Haku before she was engulfed in a hug. Oh, shit! She forgot he was apart of the ninth division! Growling, she tried pushing him back, letting out a growl before slumping. He leaned back and sat across from her with an excited grin on his face, one that made Riko snort before she gave a half-hearted smirk back.
"So? What are you doing here?" Haku asked, leaning forward with a smirk. "Here to see me?"
"You wish," Riko snorted, rolling her eyes. "No, I got transferred here."
Haku blinked before his eyes grew large. "You're a member of the ninth division?" A nod. "Here?" Another. "...Aw..." He slumped on the table and pouted.
"Why's that bad?" Riko asked, glancing at the food before taking a bite from her rice.
"No fraternizing," Haku answered, furrowing his brows and sighing.
Riko blinked before smirking widely. Maybe this won't be as bad as she thought it would. Haku saw her smirk, narrowing his eyes and pouting before saying he'll be back. She waved her hand, seeing him heading off to get his food. Taking another bite from her tray she frowned slightly and sighed. It was so different here. She scowled.
It sucked.
It didn't take long for Haku to grab his food and head over to the table, a kind smile on his face the entire time. It almost made her feel better. Almost. But if he kept pouting and saying he couldn't "do" anything with her she won't hesitate to punch his face. He had to pause and study the woman when he noticed... something was off. Sure, he didn't know her as well as her friends, but he's admired her.
She kinda looked... sad.
"Are you okay?" Haku asked, furrowing his brows slightly.
"Fine," Riko said, taking another bite before scowling. "And you better move your leg away before I kick it."
He held up his hands with a grin, chuckling when he did as she ordered. Riko sighed lightly and rested her cheek against her palm, furrowing her brows lightly. She almost... wanted to know what Zaraki Taicho was doing. Closing her eyes she frowned, biting her lip when she felt heat rushing to her eyes. Don't cry, dammit. She jumped when she felt a hand on her shoulder, looking up sharply to see Haku staring at her in concern, a smile crossing his face when their eyes connected.
They stayed silent.
"...We're not having a moment, right?" Riko asked, narrowing her eyes with a frown.
"No," Haku said, smiling at the woman. "Are you sure you're okay, though? You look like... you got your heart broken or something." He said in a joking way.
He frowned when he heard her inhale sharply, widening his eyes slightly before he looked at his food.
"So...? How are you finding the ninth division?" Haku asked, changing the subject to something less personal.
"Eh... different." Riko stared at her food. "So much different than what I'm used to."
Kayo peered into the mess hall, furrowing her brows before walking inside. Biting her lip she walked through the door, rubbing her arm before she went to get her food. Though she didn't really feel all that hungry. Pausing, she stood still before continuing on. She had to eat, even if she didn't feel like it. Grabbing her food she walked over to one of the empty tables, sitting down quietly.
Silent.
She wished she was sitting with Renta and Seika, she wanted to hear them joke with one another, she wanted to see them smiling... She wanted to go back to the tenth division.
Tears filled her eyes once before she closed her eyes once more and lightly shook her head. Why couldn't she stop crying? She ate quietly, not glancing at those that sat down at the table, keeping quiet the entire time until she finished her food and stood up. Heading out of the mess hall she walked down the hallway, keeping her eyes trained on the floor.
Cheer up, girl.
Kayo widened her eyes and gasped. Tekisenko!
I don't like seein' ya so sad, girl.
...I can't help it, Kayo walked into the barracks, heading for her room. Her new room. Walking inside she slid the door shut behind herself, staying quiet before slowly sitting on the floor, wrapping her arms around her legs. Quivering breaths left her mouth, the small blonde closing her eyes tightly as she shook.
When she opened her eyes, she was standing in an endless meadow.
Furrowing her brows, she turned, seeing a tall man staring down at her with a melancholic look on his face. Stepping forward, he wrapped his arms around the small woman, resting his chin on top her head silently. Kayo blinked before her eyes filled with tears, wrapping her arms around Tekisenko and crying silently. He let out a small laugh, feeling tears running down his face.
"Look at what ya did... Ya gone an' made me cry," Tekisenko murmured, tightening his grip.
"I'm sorry... I'm sorry...!" Kayo whimpered, shaking her head and trembling. "I'm so sorry!"
"Who are ya apologizin' ta, girl?" Tekisenko asked, opening his eyes and giving a sad smile. "To me? Or Hitsugaya Taicho?"
"I'm alone!" Kayo yelled, looking up, making her zanpakuto wince when he saw her expression. "I'm in a place where I know no one... and... I can't stop crying...!" She bit her lip and closed her eyes tightly. "My chest hurts... and I don't even know why...!"
Tekisenko stared down at her silently, reaching up slowly and wiping away his master's tears. She still hadn't mastered him, and she was nowhere close to being able to materialize him in the world, but... She made him so happy whenever she was happy herself. In his home, when she was happy and cheerful, the clouds would part and it would be sunny twenty-four seven. It was warm in his home when she would smile.
But now... clouds covered the entire sky.
It was dark in his home.
It was cold.
"You are still young, Kayo," Tekisenko said, seeing her widen her eyes slightly when he called her by her name. He gave a sad smile. "But... ya will be happy again. And I can't wait until then." He said, closing his eyes and smiling, letting out a small laugh when the tears ran down his face. "And when yer sad... I'm sad."
Kayo furrowed her eyebrows, feeling her zanpakuto tremble.
"Please... Kayo... my beautiful little master," Tekisenko bent down until his forehead pressed against hers, smiling sadly. "Don't be sad anymore."
Kayo opened her eyes, raising her head and looking around to see she was back in her room. Don't be sad... anymore. She wished that would be so easy. Closing her eyes again she leaned against the wall, trembling slightly. She wanted to go home, but now... she didn't know where "home" was.
Kaori ate quietly, ignoring everything that was going on around her. This place sucked. Sure, she didn't have to work, but still... It didn't feel like a home to her. Where would home feel? It wasn't the sixth division anymore. Not with her parents. She still refused to be a noble. It wasn't here, at the eighth division. Where was her home? Sighing lightly, she finished her food, standing up and heading outside.
What can she even do anymore?
Train. She snorted at the thought. She couldn't train worth crap. Not by herself, anyway. She always got help from Renji, but he was at the sixth division. Walking outside, she looked up and stared at the moon, her face blank. What is she even doing anymore? She wasn't strong enough, not even to keep that seat she trained so hard for. She couldn't do much...
No! There was no use thinking like that! Holding up her fists she looked up and glared at the moon, as if it mocked her. She'll try to get stronger, and when she does... she'll finally kick Riko's ass. A smirk crossed her face at the thought. A delicious aroma wafted through the air, causing the redhead to blink and turn her head to try and find the source.
Someone was sitting on the steps... smoking a cigarette.
Should she...? No! She quit, she wouldn't do that any—Her eyebrows shot upwards. Hold up a sec... Kuchiki Taicho was the one that made her quit. They weren't together anymore...
Five minutes later she walked down the hallway with a cigarette hanging from her mouth, having bummed one off the man. Hey, they weren't together anymore, what did she care? She ignored the sharp pain that went through her chest at the thought, ignoring it and grinning to herself. She can do anything she wanted. Hah! She can smoke all she wanted! She can sleep in now!
She can... feel totally alone in this division.
She hung her head at the thought, furrowing her eyebrows slightly. Oh, well. What can she do? Make Riko and Kayo sleep in her room so they can keep her company? She paused. What were they doing? They had separated... well, under a bad situation, but she was curious. The last time she saw them they were crying. Which was strange, since Riko was crying! That's twice she's seen the woman cry!
Amazing...
Why are you pretending you're not hurt?
"Holy shit!" Kaori yelled, scaring a couple people that had been walking by. She grinned and blushed in embarrassment, rushing away from the area. "What did I tell you about that?!" She scowled.
And what have I said about talking aloud? It makes you look a little crazy.
"So? I'm used to it," Kaori said, continuing towards her room. "And what did you mean pretending?"
You've been affected a lot more from your decision than you let on.
"My decision?" Kaori asked, glaring ahead with a frown. "He's the one that decided the whole thing! Demoting me... sending me to another division... noble bastard..." She muttered under her breath.
...Kaori... you love him...
"Not anymore!" Kaori snapped, slamming her door shut behind herself and pulling her futon out of the closet. She laid on it and crossed her arms stubbornly. "Now he can seduce all the women he wants now that I'm out of the way!"
You cannot lie to me, Kaori. You love him, even though you are trying to convince yourself otherwise.
"I'm not trying to convince myself!" Kaori snapped, covering her ears and closing her eyes tightly, as if they would prevent her zanpakuto from talking to her. "Just leave me alone! I don't love him! He doesn't love me, that's for sure!"
Kaori almost felt relieved when she didn't hear Taiyo no Gifuto respond. She didn't love him anymore. She didn't! Kaori's lips trembled before she hugged herself, cursing herself for the tears that ran down her face and onto the futon. She hated feeling like this. When would these feelings leave her alone...? Opening her eyes, staring at the wall through misty eyes, she took a deep breath.
"...I don't love him..."
Two Days Later
"Holy shit..." Riko blinked, gazing at both her friends. "You look like crap."
"Thank you so much for the compliment," Kaori grumbled, circles of fatigue under her eyes as she slouched on the steps of the eighth division. "I tried on makeup, can you tell?" She asked mockingly, scoffing and looking to the side.
"Don't appreciate the attitude," Riko said, giving the woman an annoyed stare. "So what? You guys cried three days straight?"
"Didn't you?!" Kaori snapped back, glaring up at the woman.
"I stopped crying two days ago," Riko said truthfully, receiving stunned stares from both her friends. "But not crying doesn't mean I feel better, though." She said, looking to the side with a sigh. "Though, y'know, I read that crying makes someone feel better!" She said with an awed look on her face.
Kaori stared at her flatly. "That's stupid."
"I don't feel any better," Kayo murmured, resting her chin on her knees, staring at the ground sadly. "I feel worse."
"You look worse, too," Kaori commented, receiving a pout from her friend. "Hey, it's an observation." She said with a cheeky grin.
"Heh heh," Riko grinned widely, making the redhead frown at the way she laughed. "You don't look like a model yourself, Kaori."
"I happen to look beautiful," Kaori mocked, waving her hand while flipping her short hair, which caused the other two to chuckle for a moment. She grew quiet, staring at the ground. "But... seriously... do you two feel like we made the right decision?" She asked, glancing at the two.
They shrugged lightly. "Don't know," Riko murmured. "But... Zaraki Taicho didn't even try to argue with the Soutaicho that I should stay in the eleventh division." Her mood suddenly soured, glaring straight ahead. "Already got two strikes."
"Two strikes?" Kayo asked, tilting her head slightly in confusion.
"Muguruma Taicho said I can't get into fights, so if I do start a fight... I get a strike," Riko said, crossing her arms with a scoff and looking to the side. "Wasn't even fighting. Bunch a girls came up to me and started mocking me that I wasn't good enough in bed if Zaraki Taicho broke up with me. And that I was ugly."
Kaori and Kayo's eyes grew wide, both their jaws dropping.
"So, I punched each one in the face and said, "Hey, you're not exactly brimming with beauty yourself!" Riko yelled, laughing loudly, which gained attention. "They ran away crying their eyes out and..." She scowled once more. "And Muguruma Taicho happened to be walking by when it happened."
"Yeesh," Kaori cringed. "I would hate to get punched by you."
Riko smirked and held up her arm to show her 'muscles,' which caused the redhead to roll her eyes with a smirk. Kayo smiled before frowning once more, which made the other two stare at her worriedly. Riko sat beside her, hesitating before placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Kayo... ya alright?" Riko asked, furrowing her brows.
"...I don't know anyone at the thirteenth division," Kayo murmured, closing her eyes and biting her lip. "I want to go back home."
Riko frowned in confusion. "And where's that?"
"I don't know!" Kayo wailed, covering her eyes and sobbing.
Riko jumped and started flailing her arms, her eyes wide before she grabbed the woman and started patting her head stiffly. Kaori was making a face, staring at the woman and her 'comforting,' If it even looked like that. It looked like she was hitting Kayo a little harder than what would be considered soft.
Heck, Kayo was even whimpering when Riko would 'pat' her head.
"O-Okay, I think that's good enough," Kaori said, waving her hand with a frown.
"Ya sure?"
"I'm sure," Kayo said, moving away and rubbing her head. "When was the last time you comforted someone?" She couldn't help but ask.
Riko scowled. "Hey, I held you two after... that, right?" She asked, crossing her arms.
Kaori sent her a flat stare. "You kept tightening your grip and we eventually had to push you away when we couldn't breathe," She said, seeing the woman glare at her. "Heck, I think my ribs cracked for a moment! Face it, Riko, you're not suited for comfort." She said, grinning widely.
Riko mocked her words. "Yeah, I'm more suited for..." She paused and looked to the side. "...Fighting...?" She murmured, making a face.
"...How about sex?" Kaori asked, grinning widely when both her friends sputtered and sent her horrified stares.
"Shuddap!"
"Hey, you were the one that was hung up on the subject."
"That was 'cause... 'cause... Shuddap!"
Kaori started laughing, which caused Kayo to smile and Riko to growl and look away with a frown. They stayed silent, looking at the blue skies. It was peaceful. It almost caused them to relax. Kaori blinked before grinning, pointing at the sky. Both Riko and Kayo glanced where she was pointing and squinted their eyes.
Hoh! An eagle!
"Whoa!" Riko smirked. "Imagine having that as a pet."
Kayo shuddered. "I don't think I can."
"...Probably have to feed it mouses." Kaori said, cringing at the thought.
Riko quirked a brow and turned to stare at the redhead. "Did you say mouses?"
"Yeah."
"Isn't the plural mice?"
Kaori frowned. "How should I know? I'm not a teacher!"
Kayo couldn't help it. She started laughing, which caused her two closest friends to jump and stare at her curiously. Even if she was still hurting... she still had her two favourite people in the world. They blinked when she kept laughing to the point of tears running down her face, both glancing at one another before they smirked.
They went back to being quiet, staring at the blue skies once more.
"Kaori..."
"Yeah?"
"...Why do you smell like cigarettes?"
Kaori cringed. Oh, man. Why did Riko have to bring that up? Turning her head to gaze at her friends she cringed again when she saw them frowning at her, like they already knew what she had been doing for the last two days. She chuckled nervously, seeing them narrow their eyes and start glaring at her.
Oh, man.
Everyone was avoiding him.
He could tell. Since just now when he was walking down the hallway a couple of his subordinates spotted him and jumped into an empty storage closet. Growling under his breath, the Taicho of the eleventh division kept stomping down the hallway, his hands clenched by his sides. For the last three days he's been beating his subordinates like there was no tomorrow. Everyone was aching from their 'training' with the Taicho.
Heck, it wasn't even considered training!
He would swing that damn bokken, since he was forbidden from killing them, and would knock them out cold.
Yachiru had tried to calm him down by trying to distract him with going to the Rukon, but that hardly did anything. It only seemed to fuel his rage. He was anxiously waiting to go and see Riko, but Ichigo said maybe another day would be better. He kicked the wall in anger. Hell, didn't she have enough time to think it over?! He was getting real pissed off. He wanted to fight, he wanted to see the woman, he wanted to... do something!
Kill something!
Anything!
"Taicho,"
"WHAT?!" Kenpachi snarled, turning to glare down at his fifth seat.
Yumichika sighed. "You need to calm down," At the intense glare he clarified. "Your reiatsu has knocked out most of the subordinates."
"See if I care!" Kenpachi snapped, continuing on down the hallway.
Yachiru frowned, holding onto his shoulder, as usual. He's been more angry than usual. He's gotten multiple complaints for not controlling his reiatsu, which was still high along with his anger. He had to be stopped a lot of times from going to the ninth division, all the subordinates saying he needed to give the woman more time, seeming to know why their Taicho was angry.
Everyone cared for the Taicho in the eleventh division, so of course they would know why he was furious.
Amazingly, he had been meeting up with both Hitsugaya and Kuchiki, all three talking about something. Anything. They hadn't even let their fukutaichos listen. They would meet up usually at the sixth or tenth division and would just... talk. It was so strange. They didn't even like each other. Though Yachiru heard that people would hear Ken-chan yelling and swearing in anger from inside the room.
Sighing, she let go of his shoulder, dropping to the floor.
He didn't even notice she let go. She furrowed her eyebrows. Ken-chan hadn't been sleeping much. He was drinking more. She didn't like it. She still didn't know what was wrong. Why couldn't he go see Red-chan and make everything better? He can get her to come back and everything would go back to normal.
Of course, it wasn't that simple.
Kenpachi snarled, glaring at anything that was in his vision. Drinking didn't do shit for him, he was still sober. But he probably didn't smell all that great. Not that he cared what anybody thought. He kept his 'promise' to Ichigo about keeping away, so he was trying to find anything to keep his attention from going to the ninth division right away. Though it wasn't working. Letting out a frustrated sigh he walked into his office, shutting the door behind himself.
Heading over to the couch he laid down and crossed his arms behind his head, glaring at the ceiling.
He told her it wasn't his decision to transfer her, yet she still... Growling under his breath he looked to the side. Why the hell was he feeling like this? He didn't even know why it pissed him off so much. Still... she's probably one of the few women that's kept his attention for more than a month. Three years later... and he still got a kick out of how red her face can turn. A smirk crossed his face at the thought of the woman blushing.
Letting out a sigh, he closed his eyes.
Maybe a nap will make him feel better.
So many... So many people... So many... prey...
I want to sink my blade deep inside them... I want to hear them scream...
"Hitsugaya-kun,"
The white haired Taicho blinked before looking up, seeing Hinamori standing in front of his desk. Oh... How long has she been standing there? He's been zoning out more than often for the last two days. His fukutaicho and third seats had to make sure he was eating alright, even though they were still angry. They were worried when they saw him after he had gotten back from following Kuchiki and Zaraki.
"Hinamori... what can I do for you?" Hitsugaya asked, clearing his throat and sitting straighter.
She furrowed her eyebrows. "Hitsugaya-kun... are you alright?"
"Of course, I am." Hitsugaya said, looking to the side. "I... I'm just a little tired."
"Have... you seen her at all since...?" Hinamori let the question hang in the air.
"I tried to, but Kurosaki said to give her some time," Hitsugaya said, staring at his desk with a small frown on his face. "She said..." He gritted his teeth. "She said I would be better off without her. Without someone that had no confidence in themselves." He reached up and rubbed his temples.
Hinamori set down the paperwork she had offered to deliver. Hirako Taicho told her what he had seen two days ago, in the Soutaicho's office. She didn't know Hitsugaya would be this much affected by the breakup. From what Hirako Taicho knew it seemed like it was Kayo was the one that broke it off. Staring at her long-time friend, and brother, she reached over and placed a hand on his shoulder.
Hitsugaya looked up, staring at her with a frown.
"Do you believe what she said?" Hinamori asked, seeing her friend frown.
"No..." Hitsugaya narrowed his eyes. "I... with her... I was happy. I got frustrated when she wouldn't open up, but she tried her best." He slammed his fist on the desk(his new one, since he got it replaced). "And now... she... she's..." He placed his elbows on his desk and covered his eyes. "I don't know what to do." He said in a defeated voice.
Hinamori paused before she smiled. "You love her."
Hitsugaya's head shot up, wide eyes staring at his oldest friend in shock, parting his lips slightly. Love was a strong word...! Gulping, he looked off in the distance. Did he love Kayo? Seeing her smile always made him feel warm, and whenever she would hug him he would feel so happy.
"Hitsugaya Taicho!"
He turned, letting out a surprised yell when Kayo jumped and hugged him. His eyes were wide for a second before he smiled and wrapped his arms around her. His eyes grew wide once again when she pecked his mouth, blushing brightly at the same time she did, both looking away bashfully. The twins were around the corner, he had seen them, both going 'awww' at the sight.
Smiling, he ignored everyone and rested his forehead against Kayo's, holding her tightly.
Kayo blinked before she smiled brightly.
They had yet to utter that word... Probably because they were still young, but... saying that word showed how serious one was. They had told each other they liked each other, liked spending time with each other, liked everything about the other. But love... They never said that word in each other's presence.
Furrowing his brows, Hitsugaya frowned and looked at his desk. Everyone treated him like a child. He knew everyone treated her like a child, as well, despite their ages. They were way older than their appearances. But when they were with each other, they treated one another like adults. Whenever he was with her he felt... so at peace and... happy. He felt happy when he was with her. But seeing that smile on her face three days before had shocked him. He's never once seen a smile so sad before.
"...Yes..."
Hinamori blinked, raising her head when he finally spoke. He had went quiet for a couple minutes, staring at him with wide eyes. Hitsugaya looked up with a determined look in his eyes, one that made her pause before she smiled widely.
"I love Kayo."
When can I go to them? When can I finally relish the feeling... of my blade sinking into flesh...
They're trying to hold me back... Saying it's not time yet...
I don't care...
I want... I want...
Renji was starting to get worried.
Glancing upwards, he frowned slightly when he saw Byakuya peering outside the window. It almost seemed like he was exhausted. How he was going to make it up to Kaori, he didn't know. But he went to see her yesterday. Renji frowned when he remembered how tired she looked, like she hadn't been getting any sleep. She looked exactly like... Kuchiki Taicho. Clearly, she was trying to convince herself she didn't care.
"Taicho," Renji said, seeing the man slowly look towards him. "Do you want me to get you something to drink?"
"No, that's fine," Byakuya said, glancing at his paperwork before furrowing his brows. "Renji..."
"Hmm?" Renji didn't look up from his paperwork.
"Do you think I made the right decision sending Kaori off?" Byakuya asked, looking up from his paperwork.
Renji looked up, staring at the man with wide eyes. Did he seriously just ask that? Parting his lips in shock, he stared at the Taicho he dreamed of surpassing. Byakuya was staring at him with that look in his eyes, one that made him cringe. The same look that he had seen in Kaori's eyes.
"Taicho," Renji closed his eyes and sighed before reopening them to stare at the noble. "You did what you thought was right. I may not agree with you, but you did what you thought was right. Kaori may not agree, too, but later she'll hopefully see it the same way you do."
Byakuya slowly nodded, turning his gaze towards his desk.
"You just have to keep trying to make her see you love her," Renji said, smirking in amusement. "You know how stubborn she can be."
To Renji's astonishment a small smile crossed Byakuya's face, looking at the table and slowly nodding. Yes, he knows. She can be incredibly stubborn when she wants to. Especially when she tried to hide her smoking from him. He had been trying to get her to stop the habit, but since it was addictive she would sneak off and try to smoke. The places he found her hiding in... He chuckled lightly when he remembered he found her sitting behind a few large shrubs one time, remembering her wide-eyed stare as she looked up at him.
"I found this."
"...You found the pipe I threw away."
"Okay, now that sounds bad."
Byakuya slowly closed his eyes and tried to relax. He had to try multiple times to stop from going to the eighth division to see Kaori. He wanted to see her, to hold her, tell her she got the whole thing wrong. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath, frowning slightly. Couldn't she see he did was he thought was the best for the both of them? Perhaps it was a bad decision.
Those times he's met with Zaraki and Hitsugaya, they also said they had to stop themselves from going to their former subordinates' new divisions. They surprisingly got along. Well, about as well as one would think with him and Zaraki. The man sure loved to complain to them about the woman and her being thick-headed. Byakuya had to say the same with Kaori about being thick-headed. Why did he love such a stubborn woman?
A sad smile crossed his face.
Should he try to go see her later on today... or did she need more time? No, perhaps he should give her one more day. He's heard it wasn't smart to smother a woman. Well, from Renji he's heard that from, but he agreed it wasn't smart to smother a woman. It was almost strange. Turning, he looked out the window once more, staring at the sky.
He loved someone that he hated when he first met her, who hated him in return.
Smiling, he closed his eyes, he imagined Kaori's grinning face.
Maybe opposite do attract.
"So? Where should we go?" Riko asked, rolling her shoulder with a scowl. "Get something to eat?" She asked, looking pointedly at her friends.
Kaori frowned. "You trying to say something?"
"Think you could work out more, but eh, nobody's perfect," Riko said, shrugging lightly with a grin.
Kaori gawked before she scowled, glancing at Kayo to see her pouting. Snickering, Riko led the way, saying that she would pay for the meal. What pissed them off before, when they had been talking about anything, anything to get their minds away from their former Taichos... was about their "raise." Riko and Kaori started yelling loudly in anger when they realized that "raise" had been fake.
Kayo only started giggling at the things they yelled.
At least she was smiling again. Riko narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips, looking up. As long as she was there she'd help them with this situation. Their Taichos, the bastards, hadn't tried to contact them yet. Which meant... Well, she didn't really know what that meant. But someone she knew from the eleventh division said that Zaraki Taicho was pissed.
She could tell.
She's been sensing his reiatsu pulsing like crazy.
They walked down the street, heading to the district where all the restaurants were. That's the part of the Seireitei they loved. There was foods of all kind to choose from. So what? They loved their food, but that didn't mean they got fat. Which was surprising, since they ate quite a lot. Maybe it was because Riko would order them to work out like crazy sometimes.
Kaori sighed loudly and opened her mouth to once again complain about that fact.
"INTRUDER ALERT! INTRUDER ALERT!"
The three women stopped and widened their eyes, hearing sirens going off. Kayo turned her head, something catching her attention in the sky. Looking upwards, she gasped and pointed, causing both her friends to look where she was pointing. Kaori muttered, "What the hell?" when she saw large screens growing bigger around the Seireitei. Riko frowned, her eyes hard as she unconsciously stepped close to her friends, grabbing the hilt of her zanpakuto(since it was customary in the eleventh division to always carry a zanpakuto(habits were hard to get rid of)).
On all the screens, including the televisions in each and every building, were flashing red, written on the screens, "Intruder Alert."
In the twelfth division, Satoru looked up from his work, furrowing his brows with a frown. That's strange. There was no "okay" for test runs. The machine containing the hundreds of tiny cameras he built opened, all the cameras shooting off through the pipe that lead to the outside.
"Ah!" Satoru cried out, rushing towards the machine to shut it off.
"Fukazawa!" Kurotsuchi's face appeared on his computer screen, causing him to stop and look towards the computer. "I thought I ordered no test runs with your security system! The Soutaicho hasn't authorized it!"
Satoru shook his head. "I didn't do anything, Kurotsuchi Taicho! I... My security system wouldn't activate unless a soldier was wounded!"
Kurotsuchi frowned and narrowed his eyes. He didn't do anything...? Unless... He turned his head when the television in his office changed from the "Intruder Alert" to a scene. A scene that made almost everyone's eyes grow wide in the Seireitei, all those that were looking at the screens in wonder. In each division, the sirens startled or woke up the Taichos, all looking around in confusion before glancing at the screens in their offices.
Ichigo ran out of the fifth division, looking up and staring at the screens with wide eyes.
In another part of the Seireitei, Riko's eyes grew wide, both Kaori and Kayo gasping behind her in horror.
On the screen, a white haired man, also wearing a white kimono, held someone by their neck, holding them in the air. His short spiky hair was covering his eyes, a grin across his face. The man in his grasp was gasping with wide eyes, blood running down his body. Around them, at least a dozen bodies surrounded them.
"Come on..." The man muttered on the screen, bringing the man closer to him and raising his head, his yellow eyes peering at the man. His blade went through the man, causing many people to gasp in horror. "Scream for me." He murmured, his eyes growing wide, along with his grin.
He did as the man wished, screaming loudly in pain, everyone watching in terror when the white haired man twisted his sword in the man's gut, causing the screams to increase. The attacker's eyes rolled back, that grin growing into a sick smile.
"Yes... scream for me..." He started giggling.
The man soon went limp, which caused the attacker to frown before he threw him aside. Two men walked over to him, their eyes narrowed seriously. It was silent, everyone still staring at the screens in shock.
In the area with the three men, the black haired man glanced at the obviously crazy fellow.
"Hijo," He said, gaining the man's attention. "Let's go."
"Aw," He whined, furrowing her eyebrows and pouting. He ignored the blood that pooled around him, ignoring the stench in the air. "But I wanna play with more shinigami! I wanna play! I wanna play!" He turned, facing the two with a grin crossing his face. "Will you two play with me... Aoi? Teru?"
They frowned and took a step back.
"And I thought I told you," Hijo said, tilting his head and widening his eyes frightening, that sick smile crossing his face. "If you're talking to me... call me by my full name."
"Hijoshikina," Teru said, stepping forward with a frown. "We have to leave. Now."
"Aw... okay," Hijo said, furrowing her eyebrows and sighing. They turned their heads when they heard yelling, seeing at least two dozen shinigami running towards them. He blinked before another frightening grin crossed his face. "But that's okay... I got some more playmates~!" He laughed before shooting forward, spinning around and swinging his zanpakuto.
When he passed the group, standing behind them, he looked up, licking the drop of blood that landed on his face with a smile.
Teru and Aoi gasped and widened their eyes, watching as all the shinigami fell to the ground, all dead. Glancing at the man that started laughing they narrowed their eyes and frowned, unsheathing their zanpakuto and stepping forward. They had an objective in the Seireitei. If they were right, the ones that had all the say in the Seireitei was...
"Central Forty-six~!" Hijo sang, reaching up and licking his finger covered in blood. His eyes flashed gold. "Where are you~?"
February 4, 2013