Disclaimer:
I don't own Bleach or any ideas/characters. I only own references and images for my OC.
Chapter 8
Kimura POV
It had been five days since I told Captain Hitsugaya my whole story. We had sat beneath the cherry blossom tree for a few hours more, with me explaining to him who knew, and how Rangiku refused to turn away from me, she continued to stay my best friend.
I was shocked when he continued to hold my hands in his and rub his thumb over my hands as we sat and spoke. We only got up to leave when the clouds started to roll in looking like it was going to rain. We disappeared heading back towards our barracks, we appeared in the courtyard by the pond just staring at each other.
Neither knowing what to say. The last thing he did was stand close to me and run his fingers down my cheek and press his forehead against mine before telling me to get some sleep.
I turned and walked back to Rangiku's and my home. I opened the door and watched as Rangiku jumped off the couch. She started running sentences off about how worried she was and couldn't feel me anywhere. I finally looked at her and broken down falling to my knees. I remember feeling her kneel in front of me and hug me. I babbled how my father told me to tell the captain my whole story, and that now there was someone hunting me.
I hadn't felt this helpless since that day in the street with those kids. I cried myself to sleep, and just let my friend comfort me.
Five days – since the last time I saw Captain Hitsugaya. I fell into a routine with Rangiku and mainly that meant that I was the one doing all her paperwork, so things didn't fall behind. Thankfully the summer festival was coming up in two days and aunt Nanao had asked me to participate by singing.
'I use the word ask lightly… it was more of a demand in the form of a question… I was so scared when I started to refuse her, I swear fire started to come from her eyes.' I shook the memory out of my head. My acid burn was finally healed, and I no longer had to have the wrappings on.
I was walking towards the pond of our barracks so I could check in on my zanpakutos and calm my nerves about the festival approaching. I stopped short when I saw Captain Hitsugaya sitting on a boulder with his eyes closed and his zanpakuto resting against him.
'He must be to speaking to Hyorinmaru.' I thought to myself. I almost turned to walk away so I don't intrude on him, but his voice stopped me.
"You do not have to leave Kyoraku." I stopped walking away and saw that he hadn't opened his eyes.
"How did you know it was me? I had my pressure blocked" I asked him as I walked forward and saw the smirk on his face.
"I will always know its you." Was all he said to me opening his eye to look at me. He moved his right hand to point at another rock formation inviting me to sit. "I enjoy coming her to speak to Hyorinmaru in the peace." He turned his face fully towards me as I sat down.
I sent him a small smile as I sat on the formation. "I had the same idea. I'm feeling rather nervous about the festival approaching and my performing. I thought perhaps my zanpakutos could calm my nerves." I finished saying as I situation myself pulling both my zanpakutos and laying them on my lap.
I noticed Captain Hitsugaya's confused expression when I mentioned the festival. "Oh, that's right, you've been gone. Aunt Nanao asked me to perform for the summer festival and I couldn't say no." I saw his face flinch a bit when I mention he had been gone, but he corrected himself quickly.
"I apologize. I went searching to see if I could find any trace of your attacker. It took me longer than I had anticipated." I didn't bother hiding my shocked expression at his revelation hat he was gone because he was looking for my hunter. "What will you be performing?" he asked me casually while adjusting Hyorinmaru to his lap.
"She wants me to sing a song." I blushed as I told him this. I saw him look at me full while tilting his head to the side. "I haven't sung in front of anyone in over a hundred years." I chuckled blushing even further.
I watched as he stood and walked towards me. He lowered his face, so it was level with mine, and moved to speak into my ear, causing me to gasp and blush further.
"I look forward to hearing you perform." I felt his breath ghost my cheek as he whispered to me before standing straight and walking back to his home. I let out a breath that I was holding and almost fell off the rock I was sitting on.
I crossed my legs and took a deep breath again while closing my eyes. I felt the shimmering in the air as my zanpakutos manifested. I opened my eyes and saw Shenron in his dragon form, albeit a condensed version and Tianma in her Pegasus body.
'You two know you don't have to stay in you beast manifestations.' I stated as I raised an eyebrow. I watched as Tianma started to glow and became a woman standing in an ornate kimono what mimicked the stars that were on her wings. We both looked at Shenron and he just sighed turning to a man wearing a red yoroi and cowl covering his face.
'Happy?' Shenron asked me as he leaned against the boulder neck to me crossing his arms. I smiled at him and his obstinance.
'How are you feeling milady?' Asked Tianma. 'I noticed your captain has returned.' I glared at her while she gave me a knowing smirk causing Shenron to snicker next to me.
'I don't know what you're talking about.' I growled to her. I watched as she shrugged and started to walk towards the pond.
'I am worried milady. The stars are growing dark, and their formations are becoming hard to read.' Shenron looked at her and stood straight at her concerned expression.
'What do you mean Tianma?' I asked her, watching as she just shook her head.
'I cannot see what is to come, it is as if something is obscuring the stars from my view.' She whispered. 'Please milady, stay alert.' I nodded to her as she turned and looked at Shenron who nodded also. They both disappeared and I continued to star at the pond.
'Great…. Just great….'
Kimura POV
The day of the festival finally arrived. I was walking towards the Kuchiki Manor to meet with Lady Rukia so we could go to the celebration area together. She was performing a dance for the festival and insisted that we get ready together. She was so enthusiastic I couldn't help but to agree.
As I neared the Kuchiki Manor the doors started to open, and Rukia started walking out towards me.
"Kimura! There you are. Are you ready to head over so we can prepare?" I smiled at Rukia and saw she was holding her performance kimono in her arms as she approached me.
"Yes, I'm ready. Aunt Nanao already has my outfit there, something about making she I don't make any unapproved alterations." I laughed as she finally stood in front of me. I was taller than her, as she walked next to me. She laughed at my comment remembering how she saw my adjusted uniform when I arrived. We both vanished heading towards the preparation area.
As we arrived, I noticed that everyone that was set to perform was there getting everything ready.
"Kimura!" I turned as I heard my name being shouted. I saw Rangiku waving her hand in the air and running over to us. Rukia excused herself as she turned to go get dressed.
"Rangiku, what are you doing here?" I asked her as she slid to a stop in front of me with a big smile on her face.
"Did you think I wasn't going to come and wish you luck? The captain and I will be there when you perform. So do you most amazing job, you are representing squad ten now you know." Rangiku told me while winking and flicking my nose.
"Thanks so much for adding my pressure and increasing my nerves. You're such a great friend Rangiku" I gritted out to her sarcastically. She laughed as she turned to walk away to find Captain Hitsugaya.
I walked into the dressing area and saw the Kimono that Aunt Nanao had delivered for me. It was gorgeous. It mimicked the night sky with hues of purples and blues and the edges lined with dark green silk for my squad colors.
'Really out did yourself this time aunt Nanao.' I said to myself as I started to get dressed.
Third Person POV
It seemed as if the whole of the seireitei had gathered for the summer festival. Everyone was laughing a talking with each other. Shunsui maneuvered his way to the back of the area where he would be able to see the stage and everyone that was in the center area. He saw Nanao and Rangiku chatting by the cherry blossom tree. He saw that Captain Hitsugaya was standing there as well dressed in his silk captain's haori for the special occasion that this was.
Shunsui noticed that he looked rather uncomfortable and out of place as Rangiku waved her arms around while she drank her sake, and tried to keep the bottle away from Nanao who was trying to take it away from her.
"Rangiku really, could you display at least some semblance of control?" Hitsugaya ground out as he turned his head away from his lieutenant.
"Captain! It's a party! Loosing up a bit! Oh, hey Shunsui!" Rangiku exclaimed as she spotted the head captain walking over.
"It's Head Captain Kyoraku! Show some respect" Captain Hitsugaya turned quickly and shouted at Rangiku. Shunsui laughed harder and waved his hand at Hitsugaya brushing off the correction.
"Relax Captain – don't be so stiff." Shunsui retorted. "Nanao, was everything ready for her?" I asked Nanao as she nodded enthusiastically to his question.
"Oh, captain you're in for a real treat! Kimura has the loveliest voice, its almost as if it puts you into a trance." Rangiku gushed as she swayed handing the sake bottle over to Shunsui, ignoring the murderous glare from Nanao.
Toshiro hummed his acknowledgement to Rangiku slowing closing his eyes and leaned against the wall that was behind him.
Suddenly music started to play, and Rukia's presence appeared on the stage. She was to preform right before Kimura, and Renji arrived just in time for the start of her performance.
"Thought you were going to miss it Abarai." Toshiro mumbled to Rukia's husband who just glared at the white-haired captain but gave no response.
Rukia completed her routine, and everyone clapped and acknowledged how wonderful of a routine she had done.
"Captain – come on Kimura is up next! I don't want you to miss anything!" Rangiku grabbed Toshiro's arm and made him stand up straight as Kimura walked onto the stage and stood right in the center looking out to the crowd.
Toshiro POV
I felt Rangiku grab my arm and drag me closer to Shunsui, Nanao, and herself. I looked up to the stage and saw Kimura standing there in the most beautiful kimono I had every seen.
"You really outdid yourself with the kimono Nanao." I heard Shunsui tell his lieutenant who squealed in response and she smiled brightly.
I looked back towards Kimuras face after looking over her kimono and saw her staring right at me. Her hazel eyes were so bright with the flames that were surrounding the stage. I found it hard to breathe.
"Kimura" I whispered just barely enough for me to hear myself say it. I watched as a blush appeared on her face and she lowered her eyes.
The music began to play and I watched as she began taking deep breathes to calm herself.
Kimura POV
When I saw Captain Hitsugaya staring at me and watched his mouth say my name I couldn't help the fact that a blush creeped onto my face.
I heard the music start to play and knew that was my cue to get ready. I looked out into the crowd but decided to ground myself by just looking at my captains' eyes as I started my song.
"Here's one thing I want you to know
You got someplace to go
Life's a test, yes, but you go toe-to-toe
You don't give up, no, you grow"
I watched as Captain Hitsugaya leaned a tiny bit forward at my words, and I kept my eyes on him. I kept my arms in front of me as I took one step forward closer to the edge of the stage, still looking at him.
"And you use your pain
'Cause it makes you "you"
Though I wish I could hold you through it
I know it's not the same
You got living to do
And I just want you to do it"
I turned my gaze away from him and looked at the rest of the crowd. I opened both my arms to the side, slowly matching my feet to the rhythm of the song and smiling.
"So get up, get out, relight that spark
You know the rest by heart"
"Wake up, wake up if it's all you do
Look out, look inside of you
It's not what you lost
It's what you'll gain raising your voice in the rain
Wake up your dream and make it true
Look out, look inside of you
It's not what you lost
Relight that spark, time to come out of the dark
Wake up, wake up"
Feeling a bit more confident and comfortable, I turned my eyes to my father and Nanao, switching between them, Captain Hitsugaya and Rangiku.
"Better wake those demons
Just look them in the eye
No reason not to try
Life can be a mess
I won't let it cloud my mind
I'll let my fingers fly"
"And I use the pain 'cause it's part of me
And I'm ready to power through it
Gonna find the strength, find the melody
'Cause you showed me how to do it
Get up, get out, relight that spark
You know the rest by heart"
"Wake up, wake up if it's all you do
Look out, look inside of you
It's not what you lost
It's what you'll gain raising your voice in the rain
Wake up your dream and make it true
Look out, look inside of you
It's not what you lost
Relight that spark, time to come out of the dark
Wake up, wake up"
"So wake that spirit, spirit
I wanna hear it, hear it
No need to fear it, you're not alone
You're gonna find your way, oh"
"Wake up, wake up if it's all you do
Look out, look inside of you
It's not what you lost
It's what you'll gain raising your voice in the rain
Wake up your dream and make it true
Look out, look inside of you
When you feel lost
Relight that spark, time to come out of the dark"
Wake up
Mm-mm, wake up"
Slowly I ended the song taking deep breathes as the silence hit me. I bowed to the crowd and heard them cheering and applauding.