Fleeting Sakura Arc:

Chapter 6:

Down the sewers

It is strange. A professor once said that humans are the most intelligent creatures on the planet. A priest followed after and talked about the Forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden that gave us the knowledge of good and evil.

If we are intelligent, then we can create. But why have we invented chains that are keeping me against a cold wall?

If we can differentiate good from evil, then why is nobody helping me?

The metal rattles. Pulling on them will not do any good, but while in a panic I don't think like that. I imagine mustering enough strength to tear the things off the wall and ignore the searing pain around my wrists. Died blood cracks all around my body, opening up fresh wounds from the whipping and torture I have endured.

It just doesn't make sense.

Humans gained knowledge of good and evil, but knowledge must have replaced emotions. It is different to 'know' than it is to 'feel'. That is perhaps why God banished the first humans from the garden – he knew just how cruel creatures they had become.

"Please! Don't do this!"

They won't listen. Nobody has listened ever since I was dragged in here.

People aren't as knowledgeable as they think. All that I have heard since I have come to this place are accusations and insults. They curse me, someone, who is weak and stands out. We understand the same language, but my words don't reach their ears. It is like convenient deafness that has taken over an entire population.

Is this their definition of 'good'?

At first, there was merely mistrust that they felt towards me. An unusual woman that appeared out of nowhere wearing strange clothing. Some were more obvious with it than others. And the rest reacted with mere hate born from fear.

I thought 'if I stay good and meek, they might realize I mean no harm.' What a naïve way of thinking. I should have escaped. I should have torn out of my holding cell, taken a sharp rock, and slit the throat of my guard. But I did none of those things because I was tired of running and being scared. I just wanted to find a place to rest and where I wouldn't need to feel afraid anymore…

How stupid I had been.

"I'm not a witch! Why don't you understand that!?" I scream and scream and scream at the men who piece together what would soon become my tomb.

They aren't going to burn me nor hang me. For the first time, I wish that method of death instead of this one.

The door is being slowly sealed shut by using bricks. Each one is placed on top of another, piece by piece, like a puzzle. The sight of it growing makes it harder to breathe, my eyes are burning, and my throat is shredded raw with each scream. It hurts, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts and hurts, but nothing is here to stop it.

All of this was triggered by a draught season and a miscarriage amongst the villagers. I did nothing to cause those – I was locked up the whole time. But these people considered me a bad omen and…

Now they think that if I disappear so do their problems.

But that is not how it will end. All they're going to get is a corpse chained to a wall.

Another failure in life, that is what is happening to me.

It is so hilarious that I can't help but start laughing. I laugh as loudly as I scream.

"You think doing this will save you!? Even if I die, more and more of you will just die of starvation after me! God my ass! Figments of imagination aren't going to do shit!"

The men sealing the wall don't even flinch. The shadow is cast by the rising wall grows bigger and bigger.

If we are intelligent, then why…

"Y-you can't be serious," I cackle, but the anger is lost in it. It is a weak sound, as I notice blood dripping underneath the chain down the skin of my arm. "Just how much of bloody idiots can you be!?"

Each new brick added takes equally a part of me away. Something is falling apart, and ringing fills my ears.

"No, no, no, no, no! Stop it! Don't leave me here!"

This wouldn't be a quick death. The air would slowly disappear, my body would start to eat itself and dehydration would drain me. A painful death and I would face it all alone. This one cell doesn't even have a window, once the only entrance is sealed not even the sunlight could get here. It would be complete darkness where anyone can lose their mind.

Finally, the door is shut completely.

"N-no," I whimper, but now it is truly only me that is here to hear it.

I hate the dark.

Business is slow.

Even by the low standards that the district has anyone can see it as plain as a day. The street that is usually popular among the people has currently only a few occupants scattered here and there. No one lingers – they pay for what they want, take it, and go. Not even the small street rats are here scurrying to steal commodities.

Maybe this silence should be embraced, so to speak. It is rare to not worry about thieves and yell over all the noise for the other person to hear you.

But for those who are not used to this, silence is deafening.

The hairs on my arms stand up, despite how the heat has brought sweat to my brow. I continue sitting behind the table, a jar on each side, and eyes skidding along the length of the street. I am either waiting for a customer or someone to just come out and slit my throat. That fear certainly wouldn't be anything new or unusual, but the sense of danger in an unlawful area becomes real when everyone is being staggered.

The death of the young wife has taken the liveliness. There is a small patch of darker ground where blood-soaked it. The thing has been tried to cover up with new dirt and water, but… it is like the ground can't forget what happened as well.

A rough hand lands on the top of my head and turns it forward. "Stop fidgeting – you look like an idiot."

"What if I am an idiot?" I shoot back but end up calming down a bit.

"Then you are," Genji states gruffly and draws a chair next to mine. He sits down, arms crossed. "Nothing I didn't know before."

"… Did you know that a body was found not far from where we take our water?" I ask the sudden nearness to the crime scene wakes up unpleasant memories. Perhaps ordinary people would shy away from such topics, but there is clearly something wrong with my brain.

I am an idiot.

"Yeah," he reaches out to a smoking pipe and lights it up by using a small candle fire made a little while ago. When someone wants a smoke, it is usually clear to tell that they need it to calm down. "Ichiru, that was his name. A neighbor told me that his body was recognized a little while back. He came from the upper stream, near the district wall. Folks also said he was a real hard worker."

A painful lump grows inside my throat. All these bodies and all these names… it is different to be traumatized by the death of a stranger, but when a name is put on the lifeless face things feel more real.

My mouth dries, the bottom of my gut clenches.

"Don't you find the fact that we sell water from the same river that the body was from… repulsive?" I ask, hesitantly and with my voice lowered. He can hear me though, judging how the smoking pipe is lowered.

"There have been deaths occurring long before I started selling water 'ere," he says and blows out a smoke cloud. The roughness of his voice is there, but it is strange not to hear him scolding or insulting. He doesn't call me an idiot for questioning the obvious.

A humorless smile spreads on my face. Right, we could be eating the meat of a lamb owned by a dead man and nobody would know. The water doesn't taste any different. The weather hasn't turned gloomy nor are there any clouds. Even now, if a new body were to be discovered, we wouldn't know and continue sitting here in peace.

In the back of our minds, many were definitely thinking and thanking their luck that the dead ones weren't someone they loved. I did it too. I was happy to know that Hisana and Sophie were not in place of that body in the river or the wife of Heisuke drowning in her own blood. I was glad that it hadn't been me in those situations…

But with how I am going, I might as well soon be there. Numb, cold, and just another corpse.

I truly am an idiot.

"I really hate it," I say, hollow, already feeling like someone gave me a dose of anesthesia. "People can keep on moving no matter who dies around them."

Genji stays silent for a while, but for so long that it becomes suffocating. I smell smoke. It enters my lungs like a snake, yet I prefer it to the stench of blood. Anything is better than that sickening iron scent.

"Why are you talking like this?" He finally asks. "Wipe that look in your eyes. It makes me sick."

For a moment, Kiki's words and cackle echo in my ears.

"The broken kind."

I close my eyelids. "Don't know what you mean."

"Sure, you don't," he scoffs, the solemnness in his voice decaying. "Don't go back being a walking corpse."

"Speaking of going back, my shift is ending soon," I say easily and open my eyes. The sunlight is much brighter than I remember, and I squint my blurred gaze to the end of the street once more. "Remember the time you told me about the district's sewer system? You said there were a few abandoned around the river."

"Yeah, but those things are dangerous. Unstable. There are a few blockages here and there, but that is what makes those rusty old things unpredictable. A few are collapsing even now… Why are you asking about those?"

"Can't you guess? You said I am an idiot. I am about to do something stupid."

"Idiots can't die."

I grin with no mirth, too afraid to look at Genji, and have my walls crumble. "Then there's nothing to worry about."

For the first time in an entire week, grey clouds start to gather over behind the tall walls.

"I am terribly sorry. Forgive my ignorant self and punish me as you see fit – there is no way I'll say this!" I snap and crumble the piece of paper in anger.

Sophie's face scrunches up similarly and she holds her ground. "You will if you don't want him to stab you! Take responsibility for what you said and don't drag us down with you! What in the name of Seireitei was going through that head of yours when you insulted him!"

Hinata's face pales as she looks at the older woman with concern, ignoring the strange looks the people passing by are giving us. "I-I don't believe Kuchiki-dono would be that harsh."

As if she is the object of her current agitation, the blonde whips around, the loose kimono revealing her legs for just a moment. Without hesitation, she raises her index finger near the petite girl's nose sharply. "Oh, a mass murderer could waltz in right now and you wouldn't think he could murder us all. That boy is clearly from some fancy upper town family and has been fed with a silver spoon. Trust me, I've known that the first moment I saw him."

Hisana flinches, a look of brief sadness and disbelief flashing in her eyes. But then she lowers her gaze and only gives her a subtle nod. Maybe she can understand where her friend is coming from. She is not an obvious airhead who doesn't have a clear picture of her mentality and views, but sometimes those just get the better of her.

Or maybe it is because certain someone is making her much softer than usual.

I purse my lips, sweat gathering to the back of my neck. I hadn't bothered putting my hair up, not that I usually do. It would have been convenient in this weather, though. And for waiting the same noble who I had outright insulted yesterday. Forget about dragging him across the street like a disobeying brat, the words I said to him were much worse. I had practically spit on his ancestors' graves.

Do I regret doing what I did? Only a fraction.

Is Sophie worrying that I might be publicly executed for doing such a thing to Byakuya? One hundred percent.

What was I thinking? Pretty speeches aren't enough to change a person. No, that is not why I had even opened my mouth. There was nothing else, but the desire to let out my frustration and fear.

"Ah, Kuchiki-dono, good day," Hisana says and immediately gives a polite bow. Sophie follows suit, but not before giving me a meaningful glance.

I stiffen, slowly turning and giving the approaching youth a single nod. Strangely though, he doesn't meet anyone's eye.

"Hn," the boy says, not exactly polite nor rude. A borderline between those two. Like yesterday, he wears the same clothes we gave him with a reluctant expression when he glances down at them. There is now an obvious tear in one of his sleeves. Alarming.

An awkward silence ensues between the four of us.

I frown, not having expected Byakuya to be silent. The images I came up with consisted of him glaring venomously at me, demanding an apology with me crouching forehead touching the ground. None of that happens. The sweat on the back of my neck is positively dripping down the spine and I swallow thickly. What's up with him?

I feel… deflated. This entire time I have been coming up with ways to go around a possible confrontation and he acts like nothing ever happened.

As if sensing my disbelief, a familiar frown tugs the ends of his eyebrows down. Still, he doesn't look at me. "Are we going or not?"

That is definitely more like Byakuya I know.

"Sure," I say dumbly and look at my two friends with a silent question in my eyes. They also seem a bit put off by his behavior. "Genji gave me a few tips on where to start looking. Luckily, there is a big sewer that we can look into today."

"What can you tell us about this sewer?" Byakuya asks, once again surprising me by his calmness. He isn't still looking at me, though.

Tentatively, I glance down at his side where the handle of a sword is poking out. This time around he is hiding it underneath an extra layer, which seems a bit odd at first glance, but at the same time, it doesn't draw much attention. Unless someone stands close and he makes it obvious, it is doubtful the weapon is noticeable.

Perhaps it is because he has his sword – unlike before – that the young boy can afford to stay calm. That explains his surprisingly neutral demeanor.

I reach into my yukata and pull out a piece of folded paper. Looking around, it is very unlikely anyone can see us behind the corner, and I open the thing fully for those around me to see. A drawing – a map – has been drawn with careful thin brushes of ink to show a part of town with the river running through it.

"This is the Eastern part of the district. The wall starts from the edge of this paper and the river goes through it. Right here," I point at a slightly narrow spot of the river where a bridge crosses it as a single line, "is an old sewer, underneath the bridge. The area is not very active so not many go near it, but this thing goes through the entire town beneath us. At least, it did when it was still active. Nowadays there are separated ones on each side of the town."

"How is your informant sure that we should be looking from there?" Byakuya asks, skepticism dripping out of his mouth.

For the first time today, I have an urge to kick him. "Because this sewer has a few exits across the river. If someone wanted to sneak away from one place, they could end up in another without detection."

All eyes light up in understanding. My heart is hammering, and I pray the shaking of my limbs isn't obvious. I fold the paper back into my clothes and look at the sharp grey eyes.

"Nobody pretty much pays any attention to these old sewers, because they are said to be blocked from outside and in. However, occasionally there have been sightings of water coming out of them, despite the sealing claims," I continue and then take a deep breath. "Yesterday, at Kiki-san's place, I notice one connection that all of her patients had – they all live somewhere near the river."

"Not all victims were found near the river, though," Byakuya interjects.

"But there is a connection between the entrance of the "closed" sewer," I explain and take slight delight in how his expression changes. "You mentioned that the culprit had an underground torture chamber or whatever, this kind of would make sense. Don't you agree?"

He nods, a hand itching to reach for the sword. A nervous habit, perhaps. "We thought of the possibility and searched the grounds of the houses, but… this would make more sense why we couldn't find any witnesses. The killer escaped down into the old sewers without a trace."

"Weren't the victims covered in blood?" Sophie asks, speaking up for the first time what has felt like forever. "Why weren't there any blood trails?"

I shrug. "Your guess is as good as mine. Whatever killing method he uses it makes sure he doesn't get any on himself. At least not enough to make his escape obvious."

Another silence comes between us all and a similar expression is reflected on each face. Disbelief, horror, and dark swirls of realization that the murderer could be waltzing somewhere beneath our feet without a care. It is frightening. To think that there has been such a way to avoid the eyes of the Soul Reapers with such methods.

A monster crawling out from the ground to hunt its prey.

Not very original.

"What now?" Hisana asks faintly. Much like me, her hands are shaking, too.

We look at the only Soul Reaper amongst us. To give him credit the black-haired boy doesn't even flinch. His eyes merely harden as imaginative cogs begin to turn in his head. At that moment, I feel a bit of pity towards him. Whose idea was to put someone as young as him into a position he is in now? What can someone as young as him think when faced with a murder case like this one?

One thing is for sure, this must be nothing new to him. While I am busy thinking of ways to escape from this district if things get ugly, he is definitely coming up with his next step. Unlike him, I want to make a run for it.

"Well?" Sophie asks, obviously not liking the heavy atmosphere and the way it suffocates us. "Can't you go ahead and tell your superiors about this or whatever? We could let them handle this."

His head snaps up, mouth opening without hesitation. "No! I-I mean, yes, I shall do so."

It is like watching someone trip before collecting themselves back up with as much dignity as they have left. For a moment, there is a flash of pink on his pale cheeks and I frown.

Did he just…?

Byakuya clears his throat. "However, it would be best to investigate further before giving inadequate evidence to them."

"Inadequate evidence," I echo quietly to myself, feeling a bit miffed. I am the one who gave him this piece of information, but apparently, it is not good enough. "What do you want us to do then? Scour the sewer?"

The suggestion is meant as a sick joke with poor taste and I even gave a smile to match. Sophie also cracks a grin at the attempt, but the corners of our mouths fall as suddenly as they came. Because the black-haired boy is not laughing, neither is the girl next to him. They share a look, one serious and the other clouding with intense worry.

The hairs on my arms stand up.

Oh, you've got to be kidding me.

"Are you insane?" I ask without thinking. Surprisingly, Sophie doesn't elbow me to the side for showing such rudeness.

Byakuya raises his eyes to me, narrowing them. "We don't have a choice."

A dry laugh comes out of my lips. "C-correction, the three of us," I gesture at myself and the girls, "have a choice. Remember our deal? We can bail ourselves out of this mess. "Inadequate evidence" my foot – do you want to catch this guy or have him arrange your funeral?"

This time the heat that rises on his face can't be my imagination, nor the way he avoids looking directly at me. "My squad is currently receiving numerous clues as we speak, and my word wouldn't carry much weight without firmer proof."

"Your word wouldn't carry enough weight?" I want to scoff but end up biting my tongue. I cross my arms, not believing what I am hearing. Just a few days ago he was carrying himself like a peacock in front of the men under his watch and now he is backing away.

Hisana steps forward, glancing once at Byakuya before looking at me and Sophie. "I… I think that if Kuchiki-dono were to tell his superiors where the information came from… they wouldn't be as trusting."

"What? You're saying that the Soul Reapers don't trust a word of a couple street rats?" Sophie's question is rhetorical. She holds no malice in it, though. In fact, compared to before her eyes are calm, like what she said is just common knowledge.

Purple flowers bloom underneath the heavy layer of makeup she applied this morning. It is poor quality though because even my eyes keep on wondering to the bruises all over her body. They peak out from underneath her loose collar even though she is being more modest than usual in her outfit choice. Seeing her like this only makes me more conscious about my own bruises.

The blonde had offered to lend me some of her makeup, but I ended up declining that offer. That is why the bruise on my cheek is obvious and stands out.

A deep sadness spreads on Hisana's face and her head lowers. Her mouth opens but then closes as if she has second thoughts about continuing.

"No, that is not it."

The three of us look at Byakuya. For a moment, the frown he wears deepens familiarly, but then resolution seems to come to him.

"There is another lead that we have been investigating and for a moment the surveying of this district is a second priority. I do not have a high enough rank to sway entire squats to cease their missions without proper evidence. I do believe that your theory is possible," he says and glances at me for a moment, "but that alone will not be enough to convince the people above."

"Then what would be enough?" Hisana asks hands on her chest. She isn't quivering anymore, but the unease hasn't been completely wiped off.

Grey eyes flicker to her before looking back down. "I would need to find something, see it with my own eyes and then report it. After it has been submitted Soul Reapers are bound to look further into the sewers."

By 'something' he could mean anything, I think, and am bombarded with different images. Whatever there is in that long and twisting sewer, it could be a decapitated body, bloody markings on the walls, or even the murderer himself.

The sword at his hip is now painfully obvious. I can't stop looking at it or remembering the time he drew it out of the sheath inside that small dungeon. The blade was cold and bright back then, a strange combination. I have no idea why that memory is so vividly pressed into my skull. It was far more intimidating than any rugged knife a simple burglar around these parts could carry.

Perfect for killing.

"By any morbid chance that we meet this Aketuchi – "

"Akemichi," he corrects without changing his expression.

"Are you confident enough to protect us?" I finish and cross my arms behind my back. It is more to do with the fact that I am shaking rather than trying to appear serious.

Just how strong is his at this point in life? It doesn't matter what kind of position awaits him in the future. We need the strength of a Soul Reaper in the present. This thought makes me nervous because so far, there have only been glimpses of arrogance and childish pride. His scrawny figure does nothing to help that, despite that one time he tackled me down and proved to own some form of muscle.

Byakuya gives me the first true glare of the day. This time, he does not hesitate to grab the sword by the handle. "He won't stand a chance."

It is so… damp.

The hole opening before us could as well be an endless pit. The rotten wood that should have served as a barricade has fallen apart ages ago and only a few planks hang on to the edges with old rusty nails. There are more than several perfectly large holes where a person could fit in and just like Genji said there are signs that water has at one point come rushing out. While dirt has piled up at the side in the middle there is a trail that should have either been covered or worn out at some point during these years.

My heartbeat is now a loud drum. A person locked somewhere deep inside my brain is banging on a door, trying to get out and shout out their reasoning to my mind. I ignore them, muffling the noise and growing sensation of suffocation. It almost feels like someone is trying to squeeze my esophagus shut.

This is one of the many times that I hate being right. This could be a perfect place for Akemichi to hide and perform his gruesome murders.

Unlike me – someone who is lately used to being thrown into smelly and dark and crummy spaces – Hisana is not looking so good. Her face is chalk white and her limbs have been replaced by shivering willow branches. Sophie is faster in pointing it out though and wraps her arm around the girl's shoulder.

"You should go back," the blonde says with a concerned frown. "Your face is pale."

"I-I'm fine," she tries to insist and straighten up but the slouch in her posture just comes back when she glances back at the entrance. "I-I d-did agree to come… and I want t-to help."

Byakuya turns around at the sound of her stutter. The way his eyes look at her up and down is obvious, but the look that crosses his face is almost endearing. "This is far enough. You shouldn't go in if you're sick. It will only make things worse."

Either he means that her condition becomes worse or that her inadequate help won't get us anywhere. The former seems more likely because purple eyes widen in panic.

"N-no, I'm truly f-fine, Kuchiki-dono," she says and bows her head. "I th-thank you for your c-concern."

Now I too am frowning and take a step closer to her. I feel how clammy her grip is when I reach out for her hand in reassurance. "Hisa-chan, your body is frail. You have basically been out in the sun all day and even walked all the way here."

"Then," she raises her chin with a weak smile, "perhaps w-water will make me feel better."

"We don't have time for that," Byakuya says and the words make the girl flinch. "We do need someone to stay here on guard – "

"Or in case you won't come out," Sophie cuts in meanly and I pass Hisana to her. She wraps her arm around her protectively, letting her lean against her side before looking up and meeting my eyes. "I'll stay here with her. If you two aren't… back by sundown, I will inform the Soul Reapers."

I am not sure which is worse – waiting here without knowing what is going on or going to face the people who beat her up at one point. Still, her decision somewhat surprises me. I thought for sure she would insist on sending Byakuya alone into the sewer, but… this makes me question all the things she has said to me until now.

"You're actually letting me go?" I ask doubtfully, a bit worried if this case has shaken her up too badly.

Brown eyes harden and her arms tighten around quivering Hisana. "Someone has to look after her."

A glass case that has been shielding my heart suddenly cracks. My hands clench into fists from the sight of the two of them and suddenly everything seems a bit too real for my taste. The earlier shaking worsens and for a moment my vision becomes blurry.

Hold it in.

"Give us a sec," I say to the boy next to me without looking to see his answer and pull my two friends further away to the shadow of the bridge.

Just like I said, not many people mingle in this area. From where we stand there is a view of a single porch where an elderly woman is sitting. Her head is lulled to the side, so either she is sleeping or just taking her eternal rest there.

As soon as we are out of the Soul Reapers earshot, Hisana leans forward to rest her sweaty forehead on my shoulder. I hug both her and Sophie close, smelling our sweat and faintness of perfumed ointments and fabrics. This is how they have smelled like together since the day we met. Our roles in each other's lives seem to reverse every day.

At one point, I am the eldest, the mother and big sister who has to hug and tell them it is going to be alright. This is one of those times, but I can't stop wishing to be curled up in a blanket back at our house.

"Mirai-san," Hisana whispers into my yukata. "Please be safe."

"Why are we even doing this?" Sophie echoes my thoughts, the things I keep on repeating to myself.

"Think of all the good that comes out of this," I say, trying to make my voice sound calm. "Think of all the food, clothes, and makeup you can have once this is over. Think of the life out of this smelly place."

"I want to tell you 'no', but you won't listen… I just know it," Sophie says and begins shaking. The dampness of her face soaks through the fabric.

I stiffen, the burning in my throat worsens. "Don't cry. Your makeup will be ruined."

"What am I supposed to do then?" She raises her head, brown eyes surrounded by rims of red. "What if you die?"

The word carries so much weight and she is not even aware of it. My breath hitches, the hairs on my body stand up, but my face remains frozen. I become numb to the uncomfortable sensation of heat, sweat, and fear. The black-haired girl senses the change and the rapid growth of the heartbeat against her cheek and looks up. Her eyes are just as glazed over as ours are.

Die.

I bite my tongue, slowly separating myself from them. I do not dare to look back into the dark sewer just yet.

"Die?" I repeat and hold both of their hands. One is smooth and tanned the other pale and rough. "Genji said that idiots can't die."

Sophie laughs emptily, the look in her eyes is full of loss. "And you are a huge idiot who wants to act like a righteous hero."

I shake my head, not looking away from Hisana especially. "I just want to make sure that your futures are good… no more suffering."

With that, I turn around and walk towards Byakuya. I do it quickly because otherwise I might break down and start crying. This is the furthest thing I want to do but given that he carries a weapon gives me small hope. Oh, wait, when has hope ever helped me?

I wait for him to step in through the falling apart planks before sticking myself through. But just as I am about to enter and disappear into the dark completely, I look over at the two girls one last time.

My eyes burn, my body feels cold, but I still flash them a wide smile. It must look uncomfortable, judging by how their faces sour over.

"Don't worry. Remember, idiots, can't die."

The repetition of that one fact makes it sound forced. Like I am trying to reassure myself and not them.

If this place is used by someone to commit crimes, then that person must be truly desperate. The air is still, like a sealed fish container that has been shut for years before the owner finally decides to open it. Only that the fish is completely ruined, and the smell burns your nose like acid.

For many times now, the life on the streets and in worse conditions have hardened me to withstand such things. Even if I am uncomfortable, I keep on moving forward and looking around in the dim light of a glowing orb held in Byakuya's hand.

My curiosity wins over the suffocating silence. "What's that thing anyway?"

Much like yesterday in Kiki's house, he doesn't seem comfortable. His movements are stiff, and he has had a disgruntled look on his face since the start. The thought of getting this all done and over with quickly must be going through his mind and my question doesn't make things better.

He doesn't snap at me, though. Merely grits his teeth and clenches the peculiar object in his fist.

"A prototype," he answers, and I expect an elaboration, but he says nothing else.

"You Soul Reapers come up with strange stuff, huh," I hum and look around, trying to make sure my breathing remains regular. "Can't your sword glow or something? Why not use it?"

Both of his shoulders twitch. "They do not glow. I ask you to stay silent."

Impossible.

"We have been down here for a while now. Might as well make conversation," I reason, though understand that it doesn't make much sense. I should be quiet in case the one we are looking for is behind a corner, but my mouth keeps on opening. "How long have you been a Soul Reaper?"

"That is irrelevant," he answers curtly. Again, he does not exactly snap but it is close by. The atmosphere is strained after all.

A rat suddenly appears near our legs and Byakuya stiffens. I blink lazily down at it and watch it run away into the dark and to the rubble of dirt against the walls.

I don't take a step closer to the frozen boy. "They are more scared of us than us them."

"I'm not scared," he hisses and begins walking at a much brisker pace.

"Don't worry, the light will scare them off."

He stops for the second time and whirls around, his face a few shades darker. The orb does give some amount of light, but not enough to distinguish proper shades. The color change might as well be just a shadow cast by the low ceiling.

"I am not scared," Byakuya spits each word out with huge strain, obviously attempting to keep his voice down. His eyes are wide and hard, the glint in them is sharp.

My hands remain frozen at my sides.

"If you insist on keeping up pointless chatter then – "

"I'm scared."

He halts, whatever lecture or insult he was thinking vanishes. We stare at one another and then slowly he looks down at me. I bite my tongue, knowing what he sees is a pair of legs barely standing up. It is like I am standing while an earthquake is occurring. I shift my weight restlessly from one foot to another and clench the fabric of my sleeves.

I have to breathe, but even that becomes harder the longer the deafening silence continues. I hate the noise of my own heartbeat.

"So," I start and swallow thickly. My voice sounds too loud. "can we please keep on talking?"

For the first time, the noble looks awkward. His eyes keep on wandering, mouth opening, and closing. The sight of it creates stones that keep on falling down into my gut and I wipe my clammy hands against my clothes. I fear he might find this ridiculous.

"Will it… As long as you don't ask or say anything foolish," he finally manages out and straightens up. But when he turns his back to me and starts walking again, his pace is no longer fast.

My shoulders fall and if this were another situation I would grin. But it is not, and I can't stop feeling grateful for him.

"So? When did you become Soul Reaper?" I repeat my previous question.

He frowns and looks at me over his shoulder. "Didn't I tell you not to ask foolish things? Why do you want to know?"

I shrug. "It just came to my mind. You seem pretty young compared to the others from your squad."

The observation must strangely strike him because he quickly looks away. His reply comes in a mutter, but it is loud enough to be heard. "I graduated from the academy ten years ago."

The revelation makes me reel back a bit. He has the looks of a teenager so ten years ago he must have been a child, but then the realization of how differently people age in here kicks in. That is right… this isn't the World of the Living. Despite having lived in this place for quite some time, you can't suddenly get used to the idea that you age differently. Byakuya fits in the latter, but it's bizarre to think he is much older than he looks.

"Exactly how old are you?"

Some color appears to flash on his face again, but for the second time, it is hard to tell with such poor light. "That is none of your business."

"Hmm… guess you're right about that," I nod, thankful that he doesn't react more negatively. "Then I'll just guess it. You look nineteen-twentyish."

"Huh!?" His voice rises above an octave and the look on his face is just pure incredulousness. "What part of me looks like nineteen years old to you?"

My mouth clicks shut. Surprised that he would get so agitated by this, I can only continue walking, startled. Your height, your temperament, your baby face… everything?

"I'm one hundred and seventeen! I'm not a kid!" He declares loudly as if I just insulted his entire family. His voice echoes against the walls and a few rats jump in their hiding places if the small squeaking noises are anything to go by with.

"Shh!" I hush him and look around in panic. "A-alright, I get it! I get it! Quiet down! Jeez! It was just a guess!"

He doesn't yell, but the noise of his teeth gritting together is just as loud. He starts muttering something under his breath. "… insulted."

The choice of bending closer in curiosity may not be the best action on my part. "What?"

"I've never once been so insulted!" He repeats and whirls around, back to brisk walking.

"Waah! Wait up!" I call out, panicking and thinking he might actually plan on leaving me behind. "It is just that Hisana-chan and you seem to be around the same age, so I just assumed – "

"Same age?" His tone changes completely. "Just how old is she?"

I frown, confused why he is making such a big number out of a simple guess. "I have no idea how long she's been in here for, but she died in the world of the living while being around twenty. She ain't really sure, though."

"Died," he parrots, but unlike how the word sounded out of my mouth, he gives it a totally new meaning.

I freeze and the boy next to me stops walking too. It is funny – I have been thinking of that word a lot lately. At this very moment, I am thinking about it, in these sewers searching for Akemichi and bloody prints.

That's right. He hasn't…

"I, Sophie-chan and Hisana-chan have died," I explain to him what common knowledge should be and talk about it like discussing the weather. When he doesn't say anything, I exhale quietly under my breath. "Believe me, once is more than enough."

Plenty enough.

We continue walking and I swallow the bitter envy I suddenly feel down my throat. All this time I have walked besides people who could moderately understand the feeling of dying. But… even though Byakuya is trained to fight monsters beyond my imagination, he is a lot more oblivious to the world than one could think. A soul born in Soul Society, not brought here to wait for their return. He definitely doesn't understand how lucky he is.

I want to shake off the thoughts in my head. This dark tunnel with barely enough light is making them worse. An invisible force just keeps on squeezing my lungs to the point it is painful and my ears start ringing. However, before I can think of a new topic to calm myself, Byakuya surprises me by opening his own mouth.

"How did she die?" His voice is low, almost soft, and that is clue enough to tell who is on his mind.

Now I wish we could be back on the surface. The sight of the sun would make this much easier to talk about.

"Ask her," I say simply, and the message is clear. I've no right to tell.

Luckily, he understands this and doesn't try prying open a tightly closed lid. But the conversation makes me feel uneasy, nonetheless. There is no telling if he and Hisana will be having another private conversation soon. The last one resulted in this situation. Is it even right for them to make contact at this point in time? At one point, I thought I had the control in the situation, but the way the bottoms of my feet get stuck in something slimy on the ground shows how that is not the case. I am just as powerless as I ever have been.

This sucks. I nearly slip on something and my heart jumps up to my throat. Byakuya hears my gasp and stiffens, whirling around immediately. However, when he sees that nothing is wrong and that I stumble, he lets out a bothered sigh.

And just like that, the serious atmosphere is broken.

"Focus. Don't be tardy or I'll leave you behind," he says without missing a beat or letting me recover.

Why you little –

"I can't help it if I slip. I do not have the reflexes of a cat, you know," I huff and straighten up. I do not show it, but his small threat does make me a bit frightened.

Byakuya lets out a sound similar to a chortle. "I doubt you would have them even if you wanted to."

Now he is just making fun of me. "Do you have to be such a – "

"Shh!" He holds up a hand to my face, silencing us both with the quick movement.

Cold sweat trails down my back from the change. Grey eyes are not focused on me, but on the dark opening in front of us. Just a little further ahead, light pours in from a higher spot on the ceiling – an entrance from the streets. But that is all, there is nobody there and I can't hide the relief I feel.

Without saying a word, Byakuya approaches the light spot with cautiousness. His footsteps can barely be heard.

I stay silent, watching from behind him and inching forward little by little.

"Someone was here," finally, he speaks. But only after having crouched down and staying in that position for a moment.

The lump I had in the back of my throat before we entered the sewers is back and I take a few steps towards him. I do not even need to ask how he can be so sure when I see what he is looking at in the orb's light.

On the ground, there are dark patterns, almost like a leopard. The comparison is poor, but if I ignore the rusty dark red color then that is the image that pops into my head. When I can't continue that line of thinking I get dizzy and the hairs on my body stand up. The splatters can't be mistaken with paint or any other substance – I have seen enough of this iron tasting substance to know.

"It isn't fresh," I state before another deadly quiet moment can pass. Then, I look up at the sewer entrance above and then follow it down an old rusty ladder.

Curious and desperate to get out of this dump for even a moment, I begin to climb.

"Oi, what are you doing? We should keep on going," Byakuya calls out after me, probably thinking that I am running.

"I'm going to check where we are," I answer without looking back. When at the top, I reach out to the lid that mostly seals the sewer shut. There is an additional weight on it though, and my lungs strain under the sudden lack of air.

No, try harder, the voice inside my head urges and I push as much as I can with one arm. Sweat gathers on my brow. There is a threat that I can't get this one to open and that I might fall from here. The ladder doesn't feel too sturdy and the metal makes noises at the smallest of a twitch from me.

The boy below gets more impatient the longer the struggling noise continues. "If you can't open it, let us go. You're wasting time."

"I can open it! Just wait a bit more!" The words come out accidentally as yells and cold sweat shoots down my spine the second my voice bounces on the walls. Air from the outside blows against my face from the small opening.

"I shall not," is the only thing Byakuya says before I hear his footsteps.

Freaking out that he is really planning on leaving me here, I quickly descent down and jump off the ladder when only a few more steps are required. He meets me there, still holding the orb and having only gotten a few feet forward. I frown, agitated, and frustrated that I couldn't do what I set out to do and that he couldn't have more patience.

I give the sewer opening one last look before following him deeper into the wide tunnel. Guess going through that is impossible.

"Keep this up and I'll tell Hisa-chan that you were being mean."

"A-as if I'd care for something like that," he stutters, lying poorly.

I can't stop a snort and cover my mouth. His face turns flustered and it makes it harder to hide my amusement. However, in a few seconds, I sober up. Young love… is this how it's supposed to go? The time when Hisana and Byakuya met I noticed them exchanging some curious glances, but for it to develop to this in such a short period is alarming. Is this how most romantic interests are formed? Seems kind of rushed to me.

Those thoughts… I push them aside. This is no time or the place to think about such things.

We make a few turns to left and right. I have tried to keep up a mental map with the directions and imagine where the river is, but so far, we could have walked to the other side of town with no idea about it. Unfortunately, we do not have all the time in the world to explore this place.

"Do you sense anything?" I want to find something and get out of here quickly. "Shouldn't you Soul Reapers have some supernatural hearing?"

"Where did you hear such things?" Byakuya asks back in disbelief. "Our hearing is no better than yours, but we can sense the spiritual pressure of souls around us."

"I've heard about that," I say without thinking. "What I want to know is if you can sense anyone else besides us in here?"

"Akemichi may have been in a squad in charge of research and development, but that doesn't mean he didn't receive Soul Reaper training. Even if he were here, he would definitely try masking his presence."

Cold sweat is back, and I glance around nervously even though most of the walls are covered by shadows. "T-then can't he sense you?"

"Who do you think I am?" The boy asks insulted. "I have been keeping my spiritual pressure low this entire time. It is yours that we should be more concerned with."

"Eh?" My eyes widen. "Mine? Is it that obvious?"

"Not so much – it is barely there, but – "

His words get cut off. Not because something attacks us, but because his entire body weight is suddenly dragged down. Much like what happened with me, he slips, and it throws him off balance.

The light orb in his hand falls too, in slow motion.

The object hits the ground, cracks, and then breaks. The light in it evaporates into the air, fading within seconds of shattering.

The dark sewer turns pitch black and something within me breaks apart.

I scream.