Bleach (c) Tite Kubo
Black and Blue
Calm Before The Storm
Haruto Takada has only been part of the 13th Division for three weeks. And he's been stuck acting as a glorified janitor ever since; sweeping and mopping floors in maddening ignominy.
His supervising officer spouted some nonsense rhetoric about learning to serve before one can lead, about how every job is important, no matter how trivial it appears. Stuff about humility and patience and the only way he could've made it more groan-worthy was literally saying 'good things come to those who wait'.
Haruto doesn't buy a word of it. Not one bit. Sounded like a load of bull to get him to shut up, knuckle down and do a hell of a lot of work for no appreciation in return.
But he's not a seated officer, he can't exactly contradict or disobey his orders... yet.
Which is a problem because this is tedious and desperately dull.
Haruto didn't become a Shinigami to clean floors in some self-important clerk's seldom used office.
If he wanted to keep doing that, he would've stayed in Rukongai's 7th district!
Haruto wanted excitement and adventure! He wanted the glory of saving his comrades from untold dangers and unspeakable perils with his magnificent Shikai's power! … When the damn thing tells Haruto it's name, that is. That Zanpakutou spirit is an arrogant and lazy sod in equal measure. Every time he tries to commune with it, Haruto finds himself wanting to bludgeon the stupid sword against a rock for rebuffing his commands.
It's the reason Haruto's not a seated officer yet. He knows it for certain! He could've been well on his way to a seated rank by now if that stupid sword would just cooperate already! Maybe even scouted for the Lieutenant's posting! What better way to fulfill his ambitions than to be at the right hand of a Captain?
Haruto wants to be looked upon with awe, affection and pride. He longs for the day where it's Haruto Takada inscribed in the annals of Soul Society alongside Great Noble Heads like Byakuya Kuchiki, or revered Captains such as Shunshi Kyoraku, Jushiro Ukitake and the Captain-Commander Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto. Names to be remembered decades, centuries, millennia after they are dead and gone.
Instead, Haruto's been relegated to menial work.
His friends warned him becoming a Shinigami was a sucker's deal, but did Haruto listen? Oh no.
No, he was proud to be the only one in his circle to exhibit such a fierce reiatsu (the Academy instructors told him he was in the lowest percentile for academy admission, but what do those fools know? They were willfully blind or blindingly ignorant to his true potential). He joined because he wanted the pomp and glory of being an esteemed member of the Gotei 13, not this.
His old job before Shin'ou Academy earned him more respect than this, and that's the biggest sting of them all. Why not save this humiliation for the Fourth Division like all the other divisions do? Scrubbing floors was disgracefully beneath him.
How was Haruto supposed to prove his valour and skills in battle when he's trapped like this?
He laments bitterly that he should've applied to join the Eleventh instead. They might be uncouth, uncivilized, stinking barbarians with too much brawn and not enough brains, but he'd be in the thick of the action! He'd have a chance to show what he could really do, not... waste away from boredom.
With so little to do, could anyone really fault him for sneaking in a ten minute power nap between the mind-numbingly dull tasks on his docket? Truly?
Of course, that meant someone had to pick now of all times to interrupt his doze. And Haruto had no idea who it could be.
Today, he's tending to the Caretaker's office that functions as the main thoroughfare to the Hell Butterfly enclosures. Hardly the worst place in the Thirteenth's barracks, but the chittering of those stupid things' wings and carapaces are driving him insane.
Don't misunderstand him; Haruto knows perfectly well that the health and safety of the Hell Butterflies is of utmost importance. Without them the Shinigami couldn't perform any of their most sacred duties or travel safely between worlds without fear of being devoured by the Dangai's cleaners.
Doesn't change how much Haruto wishes he could silence the infuriating little bastards sometimes. Permanently.
No Shinigami were scheduled to travel to the Living World today nor perform excursions into Hueco Mundo, so no one was expected to be here before noon. Hardly anyone outside Haruto's immediate supervisor ever visits this room anyway, which makes this newcomer a completely unexpected (and altogether unwelcome) surprise.
Thankfully (or not?), the years of etiquette drilled into Haruto by Shin'ou Academy pushed him into an instinctual sloppy bow before his fogged brain caught up with the situation.
It's only when Haruto glimpses the long white hair, and more importantly the white Haori, that he snaps awake instantly and performs a properly respectful (fawning) waist-level bow in greeting.
"Good morning, Captain Ukitake!" Haruto offers, snapping to attention.
Captain Ukitake has always been an admirable man and he's one of Haruto's personal idols. He longs to have just a n ounce of this ancient warrior's powers and respect.
Spending any length of time with a Shinigami of such resounding stature would surely go a long way to help Haruto's own rise through the ranks. He is many things, but he is no fool. This was a golden opportunity and he had every intention of exploiting it.
The Captain turns his regard on him, and the man wears a kind expression. "There's no need for that sort of formality right now. Please continue with your work, pretend I'm not even here."
Haruto straightens even further, back ramrod straight and puffing out his chest with pride at being addressed so casually by his Division's great leader. "Yes. Of course, sir."
The Captain moves into the room, sparing a glance and offering a polite smile, "And you would be one of our newest graduates, is that correct? Your name would be… Haruto Takada, yes?"
Haruto beams at being recognised, then scolds himself for being so open about his emotions. Confidence is what he wants, not needless self-importance. He's not a narcissist, for heaven's sake.
"Yes sir. And may I say how honoured I am that you remember my name."
Perfect. Grateful, respectful and to the point.
"I make it a point of knowing the names of everyone under my command. Please relax, I insist upon it. This is only an informal visit. I'm afraid you'll pinch a nerve in your back if you keep up that stiff posture. The last thing any of us wants is for you to need a trip to the Fourth."
Haruto concedes and instantly forces himself to relax. The Captain is completely correct, of course. Formal is good, but this is just a bit too stuffy. "Of course, yes sir."
The Captain gives him a nod and the matter is closed.
Of course, Haruto is honoured and intrigued in equal measure. To see Captain Ukitake so far away from his office (and his sickbed) is a rare thing indeed.
"Is there anything I can help you with, sir?" Haruto volunteers eagerly as the Captain sweeps through the Caretaker's office to the corridor beyond.
Beyond the alcove where the clerks kept the travel records and maintenance reports are the corridors to the main Hell Butterfly enclosures.
The black and pink creatures mingle about in large floor-to-ceiling enclosures laced with hatches, locks and kido seals to keep them secure. Many indoor plants were cultivated and placed strategically to serve as enrichment activities and convenient hangings for feeders, water trays and other such minutiae involved in keeping the Hell Butterflies in the best health possible.
Granted, they don't actually require the feeders and passively consume the reishi in the air to sustain themselves, but apparently even Hell Butterflies deserve the occasional treat?
Captain Ukitake stands before the cages, observing the butterflies flint about in silence with his hands behind his back. How he can tolerate their incessant noise is beyond Haruto, but it's poor form to complain about it.
Some flap lazily about, others flutter excitedly between favored perches. More still are mercifully silent in place, gently swaying their wings in patterns and rhythms and doubtlessly communicating in whatever passes for language among these creatures.
The Captain appears to be lost in thought before he answers, "No. No, I'm fine. Thank you, Haruto."
Captain Ukitake regards him again with grateful look before turning his attention back to the cages, "In truth, I came here to think. I've had some… complex matters on my mind as of late, and I wanted somewhere out of the way to sort through it all."
"I have no doubt, Captain." Haruto concurs immediately and ventures a bold suggestion, "I'm honoured to have your company, Sir. But if it's not too bold to suggest, wouldn't the courtyard be a better place to… ruminate?"
Captain Ukitake's expression is a pleasant mask, but there's something unreadable in those brown eyes and Haruto winces guiltily.
He definitely crossed a line and scurries to recover some favour, "Of course, I only mean to suggest-"
Amusement dances across the Captain's face and his lips pull into a knowing smile, "That's quite alright. I understand your meaning. In truth, I would be sitting on the engawa outside the offices with a nice pot of tea, but the training fields are quite full today. It warms my heart to see the Division train so diligently in spite of our recent trials, or perhaps because of them, but it's not the most conducive environment for quiet thought. So I'm afraid I must purchase some of your solitude for a few moments."
Haruto accepts this with a nod, racking his brain to think of something - anything - he can talk about. He's trying to dig out anything he remembers about Hell Butterflies outside the common knowledge. Something to demonstrate his valuable insights to his Captain.
Of course, he's so lost in thought that Haruto fails to notice Captain Ukitake move further down the corridor in a specialist room.
Inside that far room are smaller cages for the sick and retired butterflies. Those cages lined the walls and contained one, rarely two, butterflies each. All of them were in some miserable state or another. There were tables covered in tools, seals, papers, focus lights and magnifying glasses. All sorts of devices for entomology.
Haruto hurries after his Captain, his duties forgotten in favour of personal curiosity and he watches the Captain circle through the cages before coming upon one marked with a red warning label.
Curiously enough, the Hell Butterfly inside is as lively and flighty as those in the main enclosures. Its frustratingly zooming about its tiny cage like a madman possessed but stops cold when the Captain's gaze lingers on it.
Captain Ukitake scrutinizes it with an unreadable expression. Silently, the Captain undoes the bolt latch keeping this cage sealed, a set of reinforcing kido spells vanish with it, and lets the door swing open on quiet hinges.
A spike of nervous panic overrides Haruto's reason and he blurts out the words before he can stop himself, "Ah, Captain; that one has a temper. If you set it free, the caretakers will be spending the rest of the day trying to contain it again."
You wouldn't imagine Hell Butterflies being temperamental by nature, being so tiny and all, but that little one somehow manages the impossible.
Despite Haruto's warning, Captain Ukitake offers a finger to the tiny creature and Haruto is stumped to see the butterfly flutter onto his hand without so much as a fuss. Haruto expected the damn thing to shoot right off like a bat out of hell.
Instead, its wings gently and contentedly sway back and forth when Ukitake draws it to his eye level for inspection.
Haruto has to wonder what the Captain is thinking. Or what magic he's employing to keep the blasted thing in check. Honestly, Haruto had to deal with that little pest on the day-to-day, he would've squished it in frustration long ago. And those bold red warning labels aren't just given out on a whim.
"There's a story behind this one." Captain Ukitake begins at last, his tone is distant and laden by heavy emotions Haruto can't place. Sorrow? Compassion? Neither or both?
"A story?" Haruto questions and curses himself. He wanted to demonstrate his knowledge, not be lectured like an ignorant student on their first day.
Captain Ukitake nods slowly, keeping his eyes locked on the (shockingly well behaved) little insect on his finger.
"Did you know when a Shinigami dies and their Zanpakutou is rendered inert; the Hell Butterfly linked to them withers away and dies as well? It's a sad thing to witness. But not all of them wither away at the same pace. By some mercy, and if we're swift enough, some can be saved. Hence this room." The Captain pauses and gestures around them with his spare hand.
The Hell Butterfly has since migrated to the back of his hand which Ukitake keeps level, like a falconer with a bird of prey resting on their forearm.
"If we're swift enough, we can place the withering butterflies in these cages. Special kido woven into their construction help to preserve and sustain them; give the Caretakers a chance to assess their condition, possibly nurse them back to health. Unfortunately, we're not always successful but we save the ones we can. And eventually, with enough time and patience, they may be rehabilitated enough to be imprinted onto a new Shinigami partner and their Zanpakutou."
Haruto blinked, he didn't know that and cursed his lack of attentiveness. He played it off with the air of a patient student. After all, how often did one's Captain take time out of their day to personally tutor you?
Captain Ukitake glances down at the butterfly on his hand, "Of course, some can't be rebound. Their own natural temperaments play a part in how easily that process can be achieved. And so often the trauma of losing their assigned Shinigami is unforgiving. If we can't save them, we do what we can to make their passing as peaceful and painless as possible."
"And what about this one, Captain?" Haruto prompts, "You said this one had a story."
"Ah yes. This one does. Most definitely a stubborn little critter," The Captain answers distantly. The black butterfly languidly flutters its wings and there's a weirdly nostalgic smile on his face, "As stubborn as the Shinigami it belongs to, I dare say. When its Shinigami died, this little creature withered like Hell Butterflies do. It teetered on the edge of death; we thought each new day would've been its last but it persisted. And then after nearly a year on that precipice, it recovered completely; almost overnight. By all accounts, it was a miracle."
Captain Ukitake raises it to his eye level again. And Haruto will swear until the day he dies that, for a split second, he saw a shimmer of tears in the Captain's eyes. "I think the Caretakers have even come to see it as something of a lucky charm, despite the difficulty they've had attempting to imprint it onto a new Shinigami."
There's a myriad of emotions playing in those dark brown eyes and Haruto wants to question it, but decides wisely against pushing his luck.
"Perhaps it's long past time we allow this one to re-join the rest of the flight." Ukitake announces, moving to do just that. The Hell Butterfly sits patiently on his hand as he passes Haruto and approaches the main cage. "Being amongst its move lively siblings will undoubtedly do it some good. Spending some time with them may even sway it to find its Shinigami again."
Ukitake undoes a small latch that seals a circular opening roughly thirty centimeters in diameter and offers the butterfly to it.
The Hell Butterfly flutters up, circled lazily around the Captain's head once as if lingering to express its gratitude then swooping inside to rejoin the main flight.
Other butterflies lifted from their perches to swarm their long lost sibling, like old friends rushing to greet each other after years of separation before they all settled on favoured branches deep within the cages, the wings and antenna flicking and chitter away, almost happily so.
The hatch is resealed and the Captain watches for a long moment, a faintly pleased smile on his face. He turns to regard Haruto.
"Thank you. This has been an extraordinary helpful exercise and it's helped me sort through some outstanding issues." Captain Ukitake offers with utmost sincerity, then departs the enclosures.
Rukia Kuchiki has to admit this is getting as frustrating as it was tedious.
Kiyone and Sentaro were walking on eggshells around her for weeks now. Every time Rukia crossed paths with the two Third Seaters in the barracks, it was like they didn't even know what to say to her anymore.
Whenever Rukia tried to accost them with a bit of friendly banter, they'd babble incoherently before clumsily excusing themselves with a hasty apology then practically bolt the other way.
Guilt, if she had to guess.
Kiyone and Sentaro ultimately contributed to saving her life, but Rukia figures they're still carrying a measure of shame for cutting it so close... not that Rukia could blame them. She knows that feeling all too well.
Still, Rukia has a mind to corner them and talk things out. None of that situation was their fault. Aizen was the one pulling the strings and played them all for fools.
If anything, Rukia is just grateful to have survived at all. And truly grateful that people felt she was worth saving in the first place. She should probably emphasize that whenever she gets the chance.
But personal affairs would have to wait. Arrancars had been detected in the human world and Captain Ukitake had summoned her with new orders.
This incursion caught them completely off guard. No one expected Aizen to move so quickly after he'd defected to Hueco Mundo. And it was bad enough the Gotei 13 were scrambling to fill in the blanks left behind by three traitor captains.
The Captain-Commander has since ordered the establishment of a forward vanguard comprised of experienced officers, and Rukia's name was on that list, which came as no great surprise. It wasn't hard to surmise that her familiarity with the town (and Ichigo Kurosaki) made her an ideal pick for a mission to assess the damage and coordinate efforts with their new Substitute Shinigami.
By some mercy, the Fourth division issued her a clean bill of health just in time. Sode no Shirayuki now rests comfortably on her hip and her reiatsu was completely restored.
Rukia is more than ready for a new assignment; she's eager.
But the unusual part of this situation is the Captain requested to see her alone. Which was puzzling. If this was a joint mission surely the Captain would want to brief every member of the vanguard? Rukia wouldn't be the only representative of the 13th assigned to this mission, right?
Rukia ponders those question on her way to the Captain's office.
When she'd arrives, she's shocked to see Fifth Seat Yomi Takanashi exit.
Takanashi was always a stern looking woman, who's stoic temperament clashed against the majority of the 13th's move lively outgoing attitudes, but Rukia respected her just as much as any warrior she'd ever met.
Not that they ever had much reason or occasion to talk, but Takanashi seems entirely reluctant to engage with her. Having that same shifty-eyed guilty demeanor as Kiyone and Sentaro, like they all knew something she didn't.
It compounds Rukia's frustrations even more, but keeps her mouth shut on the matter.
The blond woman blinks in surprise down at her, recovers to give Rukia a single nod of acknowledgement before departing down the hallway at a brisk pace.
"Ah, Rukia. Come in please. Close the door." Captain Ukitake beckons her. There's warmth in his tone, same as always, but something else seems to be bothering him and Rukia can't help but wonder what. "I see that Captain Unohana has deemed you fit for active duty again. I'm glad of it."
"So am I, Captain." Rukia responds with a grateful nod.
"And your powers? Have you managed to recover your reiatsu completely?"
"Yes sir." Her hand rests on Sode no Shirayuki's hilt proudly, feeling a comfortable thrum of power from her blade, "It feels good to be back."
"Good. I'm glad to hear." The Captain responds but his happiness is tempered by apprehension, he leans forward with a stern expression. "As I'm sure you're aware, Arrancars have been sighted in Karakura town a number of days ago. In response, the Captain-Commander has mobilized several officers to function as a Vanguard in an attempt to deter further incursions and make a ground assessment on the strengths of this adversary."
Rukia nods once in affirmation, "Yes sir. I'm aware. Lieutenant Abarai has already approached me on the matter, and I was on my way to speak with you about it before receiving your summons."
"Such is only prudent. You have the most experience working on collaboration with Ichigo Kurosaki, so your efforts in coordinating our strengths would be greatly appreciated and invaluable to the other members of the Vanguard." Ukitake responds and its only now Rukia senses a fractional hesitation in her superior officer.
"Is... that all you wanted to discuss, Captain?" Rukia probes carefully.
"No. There is another related matter. One that... requires a level of discretion that I cannot trust to anyone outside select members of the Thirteenth division at this time." Captain Ukitake explains, Rukia swallows down a lump in her throat. She already doesn't like where this is going.
"But you must listen to me, Rukia. I want to make myself perfectly clear on one count; this additional task is by no means an order. It's a request. One that you have every right to refuse." The Captain began gravely, meeting her eyes with a mix of sadness, compassion and understanding.
It puts Rukia on edge. What would require that level of consideration? "I understand, sir."
"And for the time being, what we discuss right now does not leave this room. Am I understood?"
"Perfectly, sir. May I ask what's this all about, Captain?" Rukia presses. She's getting nervous. What could possibly be so terrible to have the Captain acting this way?
"There's no easy way to say this." Ukitake folds his hands together and draws in a fortifying breath, his eyes are full of quiet empathy. "Rukia... Kaien is alive."
The words strike her like a sledgehammer. Rukia's struck dumb. Her eyes go wide and her jaw drops in shock. Those three impossible little words shake her to her core.
Her voice is thick with emotions she can't even begin to quantify, "... C-Captain?"
Ukitake's expression is grim but gives a single affirming nod. "I know what you're thinking. I've had the very same thoughts myself. But we've analyzed a reiatsu sample taken from the Combat Pass and its a near total match. The disparity easily explained away by natural variations all souls go through as they age."
"The combat pass..." Rukia echoes, her voice is strange to her own ears.
"Yes. Kaien has been in frequent contact with Ichigo Kurosaki. Truth be known, it's how we even discovered he was still alive in the first place." Ukitake confirms. "I emphasize once again that this is a request, not an order. However, if you're willing to undertake the task; I would like you to... find him. Make contact if you can."
Ukitake closes his eyes and exhales quietly, "Of course, I understand completely if you wish to refuse."
"And... do what?" Rukia asks so quietly its almost a whisper. "Bring him home?"
"No." Ukitake shakes his head, and Rukia gasps in shock.
Surely, that should be their one and only priority right now? If their Lieutenant has been alive, shouldn't they be making all haste to speed him home?
Ukitake forges on and Rukia quiets those runaway thoughts. "Unfortunately, its outside our power to bring him back to the Soul Society at this time, no matter how much we may want to. There is a... myriad of complicating factors that prevents us from doing so. More than I can get into in a single conversation. The cruel and unfortunate truth is as much as we dearly wish it were otherwise, we can't let him come back to the Soul Society. Not yet."
Rukia's face falls, reeling from the news. Kaien Shiba is alive? What... what mad miracle is this? What kind of cruel twist of fate brought him back from the grave?
"If you accept this request, I'd also ask to take that with you," Ukitake gestures to a side table where a long object sits, wrapped and bound in red cloth. It takes no imagination to guess what that object is. "That is an Asauchi Fifth seat Takanashi discretely procured. Nejibana was completely destroyed that night; we both witnessed that. Some things we've monitored from the combat pass indicates Kaien might not have his Zanpakuto. In which case, that Asauchi is for Kaien if he requires it. And if he doesn't, you're ordered to destroy it."
Rukia draws in a steadying breath, feeling the weight of her regrets pull her down more than ever. She has no idea how to react to the news, nor how Kaien would react to her.
Kukaku Shiba offered Rukia forgiveness for the deed and Kaien had apologized when he'd died, but... sixty years is a long time for opinions to change and resentment to fester. Would her teacher hate her for forcing him to live in exile? Would he have changed his opinions at all? His allegiances?
Or is this some sort of cruel trick by Aizen?
The Captain has to have considered these possibilities as well, but he sounds so... certain that this man must be the genuine article.
If nothing else, Rukia knows its her duty to try and make amends for that sin committed so long ago. It takes her a minute to muster her resolve but she does.
"I'll do it." Rukia swallows down the lump in her throat and declares with conviction, "I'll find him, Captain."
Author's note:
Ukitake has put a Hell Butterfly back in its cage, Rukia's got her orders (plus a side request) and I could say that I had a lot going on this week but honestly? I procrastinating like no tomorrow. I'm sorry. I'm hoping to get back to your regularly scheduled updates next week.
Edit: 11/12/2022 - just cleaned up the chapter to make it flow better.
Regards,
Aurora313