The Iced Moon Arc Bleach

by tending

Lieutenant Kuchiki has a secret. A variety of secrets that the Gotei 13 do not know until a figure of her past and present tips them off and then a story is told, a past. A past connected to the very creation of the Soul Society from the Soul King to zanpakutos. Soul reapers are not the utmost rulers after all.

33. Pick A Side

Pre-Note

Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach. This is for creative purposes. I do own this plot.

Reminder: Mature-rating. Mystery-themed. Light sexual content. Crucial to remain attentive to detail. This is for Rukia and her relationships.

---

Pick A Side

Past

Ichigo couldn't stop thinking about what could possibly be happening at the Okasake manor now.

His momentary glimpse of darkness back at the manor was quickly replaced with the vision of the Rukongai. They had been brought to the past—again—at the worst possible time.

He wondered how the fuck the Head Captain was timing this thing.

Though he was listening and watching as he was supposed to, he feared for what was there.

The light's blade coming back burnt and charred only enhanced his worries. What did that mean? He didn't believe that the light could vanish that easily but he did fear that it could make things harder for Rukia.

The Gotei 13 had come to the conclusion that it couldn't purify whatever it found so it returned burnt because of whatever darkness it had tried to purify.

That made sense.

Though that didn't make him less worried. Why was the Head Captain slipping them back and forth from present to past without warning? He wasn't even with them anymore to answer anything.

If what that light found was the soul shadow of Okasake Gureta, they were in trouble. He thought of the younger Rukia's sheatsu for a second and felt somewhat relieved.

She could handle it.

But that didn't mean he didn't want to see it for himself. He really needed this storytelling process to speed the fuck up.

###

It had been three months since her enchanting meeting with the Okasakes and their peculiar heir. Since its occurrence, she hadn't heard a word from them. The events of that month seemed like a dream — one she'd inevitably come to remember as a peculiar tale to tell her grandkids if she had any.

Life easily resumed back to normal once she met them. Renji and Raiden did their best to keep her away from assassin talk and activities and like that, it disappeared. She hadn't thought of her ability nor did she speak of it with Captain Kuchiki.

Working the day shift moving crates for a market made it easy to fall back into place as did building her relationship with Roger. Choda came in and out to see her again and once and for all, she was normal again.

It was amazing how Kit was able to change everyone's mind about her. Though, she was sure he had used some magical, assassin technique to get to them all so quickly.

By no means was she liked. The daily sneers and curses from the sellers and the attitudes which defined the adults were still there except, her reputation for her abnormal strength had plateaued.

Everyone knew of it now and more than ever, needed her help with moving things which naturally landed her her first job. With that, she was able to buy herself a new kimono and even bargain to buy a journal she wanted to keep for drawing and writing.

And just when everything seemed to be perfectly in place, a shadow would cast itself upon her during a dark day in November.

###

Winter was set to roll in as the bleakness of autumn left the trees stripped and skies grey, setting the tone for weather that Rukia found herself incredibly immune too.

From their stares alone, Rukia could tell that she had once again become an outkast — though they had accepted her abnormal strength, they could not bypass how the temperature shift had not affected her.

In pursuit of feeling normal again, she ignored them. Thinking it could be a side effect of her 'neglecting' her hidden powers, she decided not to ask questions in fear of becoming curious again.

Although, that mindset was becoming harder and harder to pursue as she was cornered again.

First by her powers and then…by him.

It was set to rain again. She'd been dismissed from her job early after she had accidentally broken seven crates with her hands.

Even though she had done her best to be delicate, the power spoke for itself and crushed the box each time. With the seventh box, she hadn't even touched it before the parts went flying. Despite her remorse, her employer's fury was greater.

Now she stood next to the river chopping wood to store for the fires her friends would depend on to keep warm.

Like that, he would come behind her.

He cleared his throat.

With a quick glance at him now beside her, she resumed chopping. "What are you doing here?"

He got straight to the point. "That power of yours is becoming a nuisance."

She agreed but didn't respond.

"It's only a matter of time before it gets out of your control." She felt his gaze on her right side. "You need to master it."

"I want nothing to do with your organization, I told you." She mumbled under her breath as she tossed logs to the side.

His gaze left her. "Because you're picking a side."

"I don't care for either one." She muttered before raising her arms high to have the ax cut through another log.

"One side can help you." The heir reasoned. "You're wasting time acknowledging the other one."

Her eyes left the bark of the tree she had been cutting upon and met his in a rush of frustration. "Did they send you here?"

The annoyance in her expression seemed to amuse him.

"No," he cackled, "why?"

"Then why are you advertising your organization to me? I already told you I had no interest."

"You may not but your power isn't going to bear with your stubbornness much longer, Rukia." The voice of a man had returned. It instantly struck her when she heard her name again which inevitably brought back the chills.

She remained quiet, allowing him to continue. "A basket or crate Rukia could easily become someone's head."

She leaned back, "were you watching me?"

He smirked. "The seventh one only means that you're losing it faster than I thought."

Rukia's eyes trembled for her.

"Soon, all it'll take is a glance and then…"

"Do you want it?" Rukia offered. The question obviously struck him. "You're the heir without the right sheatsu, no? I could easily give it to you if you want even if your uncle and father didn't accept it the first time."

"Is it 'cause I'm young and they think I'll change my mind?" Rukia asked. His silence gave her moments to think and a set of questions arose. "Why wasn't it taken away from me after I made it clear that I wouldn't train or take care of it like I'm 'supposed' to? Why wasn't there any lock or spell put on it so I wouldn't have to deal with what I'm going through now? It's all about getting me to go down there and ask for help, isn't it? Train so that I get it under control and then what? Convince me to join them?"

He snickered. "Your mind is on track as I anticipated but know that Hirosuke isn't usually depicted as the villain as easily."

"So?" She questioned boldly. "He's still trying to bait me into the same organization I want nothing to do with."

"Even if that's true, those villagers were right and you know it." His heavy voice reeked of revolt. "You're dangerous to them—you'll only become more dangerous if you don't know how to control what's inside."

Rukia didn't know how to respond to that. Instead, she resumed chopping.

"How'd you know?" She casually asked.

"Someone with your power shouldn't be allowed to roam so carelessly." He asked her. "Did you take my father's words so literally?"

Yes. "Maybe I did. You said it yourself that you didn't come down here 'cause of them."

"And you believe me?" Surprise glossed over his tone.

"Whether you're lying or not doesn't change the fact that either way I'll have to end up down there for 'help'." Rukia said. "If you're not gonna take it from me then I have to deal with it by myself."

He observed her. "You intend on suppressing it yourself."

She didn't answer.

"You are reluctant to have involvement but that power of yours is not only great but triggered by your own instinct—your raw instinct." He explained. "It's been awakened, there's no telling how it will react at any given moment now that it has been released from its shackles within you."

Rukia stopped. "And the same power which kept it locked can't keep it hidden again?"

"Your mentality is strong, Rukia but you should already know that it won't last long with that instinct of yours." He warned. "This isn't the first time you've experienced such power."

Rukia unknowingly clutched the ax in her left hand tightly as she looked at him. "You've been watching me longer than you've known me. How?"

He grinned. "How I, of all people, knew about your sheatsu before anybody else?"

She was fully facing him now.

"I already told you, I know you."

"That doesn't answer the question." Rukia said. "How'd you know it before them? Before me? I was told that I was suppressing it so much, not even your uncle could sense it from me."

She stepped closer. "You mentioned that you had some other power. Is that it?"

"I'm surprised you haven't mentioned Ginrei's inability to feel it either."

A silent gasp left her lips. The Captain? That was surprisingly the last person who came to mind but he was right. Even when she had explained that she was able to create a barrier from reishi to protect herself from Koga Kuchiki, he had only thought of it as strange. And long before that, he had never mentioned sheatsu to her. It only meant that her suppression skills had been immense enough to shield it from three high ranking officers. Though with that thought in mind, didn't that mean it was possible for her to suppress this power herself?

But wait—"how do you know about the Captain?"

She was starting to feel strange. Her grip on the ax handle only grew tighter. The abnormal heir could only smile.

"I know you, Rukia."

"Know me how? You've been stalking me all these months but I still don't know why." Rukia said. "If it isn't for my power then—"

"I like you." The confession struck her. Faint pink came to her cheeks but was quickly removed as it settled in.

"What?" It came out as if the thought was absurd.

"More importantly, our bondage to each other is irreversible. If it was, you wouldn't be able to casually greet me here as a friend."

"I never called you my friend."

"You also haven't seen me in months either." He put his arms behind his back and slowly walked behind her. "And yet, you were able to treat me as if I've always been there."

Rukia kept her head low as he walked behind her. "It's almost as if you knew me and were used to my presence. As if, our bond…" he then leaned closer to her right side, "had transcended past time and worlds."

She snapped her head right to see him. When she did, she observed him—no memory of him came to mind.

"I'm brushing you off as normal because I don't care about your noble status. You're just like me anyways, why would you care about formalities like them?" Rukia asked him which brought delight to him.

"Like them..." he repeated in satisfaction. "You're right, they belong to a different world than us. If you talked to someone like that over there you'd be crucified."

Rukia picked up another log to chop.

"And yet…part of it feels as if this is natural to you…that, this sort of interaction has happened between us before."

"Do you feel normal?" She inquired.

"Why do you ask?" He didn't sound surprised by her question.

"You could just be feeling some familiarity ya know…like, talking to me makes you remember life before you were adopted or something, I don't know?" Rukia supposed.

"Are you saying we're similar?"

"No, I'm just saying that you relate to the peasantry?" She didn't know if that was a real word but it seemed to fit.

"Maybe," it sounded like he had a different answer, "or," and then it came, "we both have that shared charm with nobility."

"Charm?" Rukia scoffed, he was starting to sound ridiculous. "Please, if it wasn't for this thing, I'd never meet your uncle or your father."

"That's where you're wrong." He said. "You would've met them either way."

"For what?" Rukia asked. "There's no—"

"You're more than your sheatsu."

"Right," she sarcastically remarked, "I wonder what meaningful quality of mine they'd find worthy of their time to be around."

"Your personality kept you alive all these years, not your power." His words wiped the smile off her face. "You'd draw them in no matter what power you had or didn't because of that. That daring personality is one we both share."

Rukia tried to speak but he didn't let her. "You so often forget to include Ginrei in your noble hatred too. Have you already humanized him? Do you exempt him from nobility because he wants nothing of you?"

"The rich only want what they can exploit, abuse and can't have."

"And what makes you think you're not something to be exploited and abused by him either?" He inquired but Rukia didn't know how to answer that. Thankfully, he moved on. "You're on a dangerous path, I suggest you leave it."

"You want me to take advice from you?"

"This isn't advice." A dark look donned his features. "It's a warning. We're exactly alike so I know what's in store for you."

"That doesn't scare me."

"It should." He remained stern. "Your refusal to talk about it with him tells me all I need to know."

Rukia was quick to refute that, though it was true she hadn't mentioned next to nothing about what she had gone through three months ago. "It isn't like that."

"Oh?" He grinned.

"I don't talk about it 'cause I want nothing to do with it. The more I talk about it, the more it becomes real. You'd know that if you were watching carefully. I haven't mentioned a single thing about powers or my strength to anybody. It's only when I created that damn barrier one day that I had to mention it."

"Is that all?"

"Yes." Rukia asserted in annoyance. "What reason would I have to mention my power that I don't plan on using? I want nothing to do with the organization so what's the use?"

"There's reason to that but there's also fear…"

"Fear?" Rukia asked.

"It's the same reason you won't give into Hirosuke's protection or aid, you're afraid of being used as a tool because of your abilities—the thought of being coerced into joining the organization you despise the most haunts you more than being unable to control what you created." Rukia felt like she had become see-through however, her thoughts in regards to the Captain were untrue. There wasn't fear there, he had a genuine heart.

"You're wrong about the Captain." The smile left his face again. "There just isn't any use in speaking about something I don't care to know about. I'll deal with it when I need to, it has nothing to do with him."

It was clear she had made him upset. "Your friendship with him is already destroying your heart."

She eyed his clenched fists. "And that bothers you how? It has nothing to do with you so please just leave me alone."

"I came to befriend you."

"I don't want your friendship."

"The hypocrisy is only beginning to swallow you, Rukia."

"And what is it to you?"

"It is everything to me."

"Why?"

"Because I know you, Rukia."

"No, you don't."

"You best believe I do."

"I don't know you nor do I want to know you."

"—You act as if the curiosity wasn't killing you for months."

"But it wasn't." Rukia assured with confidence. "I made it clear then and I'll make it clear now," she slightly leaned in to look as menacing as she sounded, "I want nothing to do with you or your organization. I haven't thought of anything remotely close to it which includes you, your uncle and your father. The only reason you'll see me down there is to get whatever strength I need to get this thing under control, got it?"

When he didn't respond, Rukia leaned back, picked up a pile of wood and walked away.

###

Locating the shed Kit had instructed her to use if she needed anything was easy. Entering was not.

Her hand trembled as she gently pulled the handle of the charred wooden door and stepped into a blob of darkness. The tunes of the wind outside ceased as glints of candle fire were lit one by one along the walls of wood.

When she took a step forward, her bare feet made contact with a red rug. Light from outside seeped in through the cracks and slashes on the walls of wood which Rukia found odd but didn't have enough interest to question it.

A quick observation of the dimly lit room told her that nobody was here. She assumed they must've stepped out given the slice of space beneath the door diagonal to her, which was brightly lit honey gold yellow, instantly reminding her of the gorgeous corridor she had walked through downstairs.

She turned to her right to see a low table that clearly served as a desk with a cushion. It looked like it hadn't been touched in years despite the half cup of tea sitting on a navy blue coaster and the fading knee prints on the red cushion.

Although she didn't want to pry, curiosity took hold of her when she caught sight of the papers rolled out on it. Attempting to decode them from her spot, her feet propped her on her tippy toes to get a better look before the door cracked open and had her immediately pull herself back in shock.

Two men came in, immersed in their own conversation as she nervously clutched the two sides of her open cardigan together despite neither of the men noticing her until after.

"Who are you?" One of them eventually asked after recognizing her.

Rukia stilled, "uh…hi, um—"

"What do you want?" The other man questioned rudely.

"I was told I could come here if I had any questions…"

"By who?"

"Kit." Rukia answered quickly. "He…" the two men looked at each other just then, "told me that if I ever had any questions I could come down here and tal..."

Their eyes got wide for a second and popped.

"Oh my god," the other one rushed to say, he walked forward, "—my lady, I'm so sorry for my partner's rudeness—"

"Leave." A gruff voice instructed. Rukia recognized who it belonged to before she saw him standing in the middle of the door frame behind the two men.

Without hesitation, they shouted 'yes!', knelt and vanished by flash-step in an instant.

Head Commander Okasake walked in without addressing her or looking at her. His silence made her queasy. She held onto the side of her arms again—one of the most obvious signs of frailty and nervousness.

"What would you like to say?" It was almost as if he was agitated.

With that in mind, she got straight to the point. "I'm sure you expected this but I need help controlling my powers. Kit said I could come here if I had any questions so I was hoping I could talk to someone who could be of help."

He didn't look at her as he moved the papers on the desk to the side.

"Hm," he made a sound that reminded her of the Captain, "is that all?"

Yes?

"I'm…not quite sure what else needs to be said." Rukia replied honestly. "I just need help keeping it down."

"Did you expect that to happen?"

He still wasn't looking at her.

"No…well, yes, but I thought I'd be able to control it."

"But you could not." He pointed out as if he was trying to emphasize her failure deliberately for her to feel small about her incompetency.

Of course, she gritted her teeth mentally.

"No." She simply responded. The nervousness had left her and visibly transformed into a more confident and agitated stance despite her hands still touching the sides of her arms.

He didn't respond immediately after that. Rukia felt as if she had become invisible for a second until he addressed her.

"It will take several years."

Rukia almost leaned forward in shock. Years?!

"What?"

"It will…" he finally met her eyes, "take several years for you to master holding it down. It is not something that can be mastered in a day. What you have is an entity inside of you greater than all the dimensions in existence combined. You cannot expect to rid yourself of this organization so quickly."

And there it was…

Rukia felt as if his reaction to her request had been because of that—because he knew how much she didn't want to have this association.

She let her arms fall to her side as a response, the frustration evident in her face.

"You are displeased with that idea however," he lowered his gaze to the paper on his desk, "that is the only option you have."

"You would have had to have it done," he added, which instantly made her clutch her fists, "which is why it is best you complete it now."

"And why wasn't this said to me the first time?" She tried to hide her dismay but it showed for itself.

"You would not have welcomed it the first time." He answered as he continued to busy himself with moving papers and folders on his desk.

She hated how much of that was true but…

"This is crazy…" she whispered to herself, sounding defeated, "…isn't there any easier way? Putting a lock on it? A spell? Something?"

"Those are not options for you." He responded. "If it were to be unlocked from its spell, without the proper ability to control it, it would not only kill you but would cause havoc upon all the dimensions it could touch and there is no limit to its scope and size so long dimensions can be made."

She couldn't believe this.

"If you start now, the earliest you can be released might be reduced to twenty years or so." He continued. Twenty years?! And although that meant nothing in Soul Society time, it still was a long time to her.

"So…I'm just stuck here? With this—your—organization until then?"

"Your training will be conducted in the exact same fashion the others are. The only difference is that you are a highly specialized student now and thus you will be isolated from the others."

As if that made it any better.

The urge to revolt remained despite knowing that it was fruitless. It seemed that he sensed her passion immediately.

"There is nothing that can be done." He reiterated once again to her which truly cemented the walls around her for real.

"Are you setting me up to become an assassin?" Rukia questioned boldly, not liking how smoothly prepared he was for her submission.

"No." He responded roughly. "Mastering your sheatsu will not make you an assassin. You lack the heart."

And although she knew he was implying that she lacked dedication towards it, it still sounded like an insult.

"The training you endure here will not touch on anything having to do with being an assassin other than controlling that entity inside you. Once you are able to master it, you are free to go, your relations with this organization are in other words, cleared." His words of freedom reminded her of the first time he had guaranteed it months back.

Liar.

"I have not deceived you." He suddenly said, which surprised her. Could he read her thoughts? "It is your power which refuses to stand still. It cannot remain dormant now that it has been awakened despite the years your subconscious spent suppressing it. It has had its first taste of breathing now. You cannot expect such a thing to sleep because you want it to. You must understand your entity as another being inside of you, not as just a force living inside of you."

Rukia just listened, unable to formulate a response after he had read her thoughts off so easily.

"These are lessons that you will have to master on your own. Your reluctance will become a barrier to you and prevent you from leaving here if you do not rid yourself of this animosity sooner." He said. "You must think of your submission as a way of freeing yourself. It is only then your training period can be shorter and true freedom can be achieved."

"I'm sure you know exactly what I think about that then." Rukia said. "It sounds like another way to reel me into the perks trainees get."

"You do not need to interact with any of them or anything here for that matter if you don't wish to."

"You're right, I don't but how do I know I won't be fooled into doing so anyway?" Rukia inquired, taking a bold step forward. "I know that I have to do this no matter what but there's no way of guaranteeing I won't go through something like this again with whomever trains me. No matter what you say I know this power is valuable to this organization somehow and though you and everyone here keep refusing my offer to give it up, you can't tell me that there isn't something you or this organization don't want from me when it comes to the way I use it."

"I do not know what to tell you since you do not believe what I say to you." His hostility shook her. "You are your own barrier, it is not me or this organization. You have not been caught in a web, destined to be conditioned as you think."

"Really?" She wanted to scoff. He had to be kidding but the stern look and tone paired with who he was already told her it wasn't a joke.

"Again, you do not believe me but there is nothing that this organization needs from you other than your power to be controlled inside of you."

"And then?" Rukia asked.

"Your freedom."

My freedom…

Rukia unclenched her fist and released a breath of annoyance, "let's start then."

###

It was only the beginning of March but the snow was already starting to disappear. In light of the frost leaving, Rukia had taken up other interests while she meandered back and forth, daily, from downstairs to upstairs to complete her training.

She hadn't seen the Head Commander ever since that day months ago. For that, she was glad. She wasn't too keen on seeing him or his nephew who also disappeared.

It was safe to say she understood her power better now but not enough to be coerced by all the magic downstairs. The most she had allowed herself to see was the grand library which had a load of books for her to borrow.

She had taken one on plants and gardening. Now, her next move was to somehow make the ground of this district work to support a field of food for her and everyone here.

It was just her, her friends, gloomy skies and daily trips downstairs to a dark room with moonlight seeping in through somewhere where she'd go through training exercises with a Sensei's face she couldn't see.

During one of these gloomy days, she met Captain Kuchiki near the Ash Forest. Someone who she still hadn't spoken to about her training and her powers. In her view, it was better kept secret.

The last thing she needed was any other assassin making her feel small.

"Your seeds." He explained as a silk sack of teal made its way into her hand. "They will be in season soon. It is best you plant them accordingly."

"Thank you." Rukia said with a smile. "I got a book to guide me so I should be fine. What kinda seeds did you bring?"

"They are labeled." He answered.

As expected…She peered into the sack and saw labels of cabbage, cucumbers, beets, onions and more.

"There are further instructions at the back."

Rukia's smile got brighter. "You even put corn here, oh boy. I don't even like corn that much but at least the villagers have something useful to sell."

"The ground near the river will not be suitable for these seeds."

"I got a book and a few ideas on how to do that. Even if I can't fix the place near the river, I can start planting where the field starts."

"You are confident that book will be enough." He observed.

She nodded her head. "It should be, I got it from dow—" she immediately cut herself off once she caught herself, "it's fine, Captain, really. If I have any questions, I'll ask."

###

Months later

"Do not run. I have not come to coerce you."

He knelt down onto the ground in front of the muddy hole she was digging for her flowers.

Unlike usual trainees and contrary to the expected complete date, Rukia had gotten the hang of her abilities rather quickly. She now knew how to suppress it, control it and minimize her strength which had all been done within months—much to the surprise of her Sensei who happily always spoke of her fast progress.

Now that her training was over, their relations were to end there; however, his unexpected arrival didn't trigger her the way she had imagined it would.

Perhaps the lines of authority were blurred between them in her mind because of their power—her power. Understanding what it meant to have it in her short training period seemed to have made it easier to breathe around him as a figure of authority but also…someone like her.

Someone rare.

"You're…kneeling on the ground?"

"I am resting on my body." She knew better now that 'body' often alluded to the Soul Society's grounds itself.

"Right, so what brings you down here?" Rukia stuck the shovel into the ground and brought up some dirt.

"Your garden business has flourished."

"Oh?" Surprise took her. "How'd you know?"

She looked straight ahead.

She giggled. "Guess it's kinda hard to miss now. Why?" She grew nervous. "Is that a problem?"

"I am simply observing how you transformed the land."

Oh. She resumed digging, "I wouldn't have been able to do it without Renji, Raiden, Koda, Oda, Uzi and Roger, believe me. And a couple other villagers who chipped in."

Plus Captain Kuchiki who gave me seeds, though she had no intention of telling him that part.

"They do not fear you anymore." The villagers.

He was right—they didn't. In fact, they saw her as an abnormal force but not one to fear…at least, not anymore. Perhaps her efforts with this garden had finally made them see her as one of them.

"No." She answered. "Think this garden changed their minds and the fact that I'm no longer breaking things or hurting anyone accidentally."

"You have become one with your power now. For that, you have now freed yourself from unnecessary hurdles." To her, that translated into an 'I told you so' though she wasn't going to point it out.

Perhaps that had been the key all along to finally blending into a crowd. But wait—

"Is that why you came up to check on me?" Rukia asked, even though he could've just sent Kit.

"You created this garden without using any of it." Well, of course I did.

"I told you I didn't want to be a part of the ass—"

He cut her off. "What does your own power have to do with it?"

"Uh.." isn't that obvious?

"If you wish for it to be free of association, it will be. It is you."

"Sheatsu's a universally known assassin thing." Rukia argued. "That's not something I can get rid of, Sensei."

That was the first time she had ever called him that and with a tang of attitude which seemingly rendered him silent for a moment. She moved her shovel to start digging again.

"We are not God, Rukia."

She froze.

"I am not God." He repeated but with himself. "We are equally susceptible to influences of good and bad, binded to the imperfection of this world and its widgets."

Rukia didn't know what to say.

"I am not the God that can heal everything I see in sight, I am not a creation that is capable of solving everything, I am a mere person just like you who was given a gift that acts like a gift and at times, a curse. When confronted with the imperfections of this world, I am reminded of this curse, one that cannot heal the darkness of others but can shield them in times of catastrophe."

"…And yet, I am perceived as a God by many, beheld as a creature given the ultimate gift of power to rewrite the fate of human life, the virtuous star."

"I was not given this gift because I am God or capable of being a God. I am not God. This monstrosity of a world was not a creation of God, it was created by the forces of imperfection—through a life force—that is not and will never, by nature, be perfect though some would have you believe that is how this universe works. It does not."

He finally looked up at her. "A dear family member of mine would have you believe this also. We are Gods in this world, not by nature, but by people who have decided to look upon us as virtuous creatures and believe that we are models of perfection when we are not any different in composition and weaknesses as anyone else."

"To the people of this land, we are born with an inherent divine standing above others which has been placed upon us out of fear. There is a desperation and need for reliance, understanding, hope and direction. For that, we are Gods, perceived as creatures beyond anything across this universe. That is not inherently the purpose of our existence but associated with our existence."

The visions which his words gave rise to in her head were horrifyingly evil to her.

"We are God." He stated flatly. "Not by choice, not by birth, but by those who feel this sense of order and divinity is necessary. That is why so many perceive us this way, despite how inaccurate it may be. People, even those closely among us, benefit from this need and approval of greatness."

Rukia clutched the hilt of the shovel tighter. "So what'd they think of me? Your family member—I mean."

"You would not be spared from her world of divinity and truth, I'm afraid. Another divine creation, gifted to this world to do only great things and produce more order and alignment. A symbol of virtue and humility, a symbol of strength and wisdom."

God…

"I'm sure you are familiar as you are uncomfortable with the treatment you receive downstairs however, that is not but a small quarter of how she and the others would greet you if you were formally recognized." Rukia could only imagine it as of now but it already brought quivers. "It is precisely why I have not told her."

His admission broke the visions immediately.

"You haven't?"

"You would be another God in the making to her. Your rejections would mean nothing."

So it would be true…"But…I'm not…"

"You are not God but they will perceive you as one."

"Just like everybody else sees you and Head Commander Okasake." Rukia concluded to show she understood but he slightly turned his face when she did which gave her the impression she had been wrong.

"Hiroshima is excluded from this conversation. He believes we are God, I do not."

Rukia was almost startled. "What?"

"We are different in that aspect, yes. But it is the fundamental truth of this world and our existence. The systems which exist here are merely replicas of the human world where we all came from. Hiroshima has never understood this nor will he ever." He explained to her with some disappointment laced in his tone. "But that is our truth only a few wise ones will understand and accept."

"I am only telling you this for you to understand why disassociating yourself from this organization through your power is not as wise as you think. You may distance yourself without foregoing your own gift which has no association to anything you wish for it to not have. You do not have to see yourself as anything but yourself with a gift that was birthed by you and you alone. Once you rid yourself of this perception, perhaps you may achieve greater things within your life for yourself without any interference from both worlds you choose to deny."

Rukia took a moment to reflect on his words.

"It still won't change how people will look at me just like they look at you. They'll treat me like something I'm not. You're not happy with it so why would I be?"

His reply made it sound easy. "The perception of others matters less."

Rukia lowered her brows. "Even if you choose to ignore it, it's still there—it's still all around you. If you're against the idea of being a God then how do you feel when that's exactly how everyone around you treats you in spite of knowing how awful it makes you feel?"

"Very few know of my thoughts about this title. It does not fare well with everyone but it is known and that is what matters." He explained to her. "The family member I have mentioned to you is also aware of these thoughts but chooses to ignore it. There are views that cannot be changed."

Rukia paused, caught by surprise again. "She knows?"

"My opinion did not stop her, I let her go her way and she has lived upon Hiroshima's indulgence and the fictitious connections she's imagined as evidence." He explained with a sense of urgency. "I could not change her but she did not try to change me. You must realize that there is power in recognizing yourself for who you are. And though you may be surrounded by many who view it differently, what matters is that you know and those who matter to you, do know even if they do not agree."

He stood up gracefully with his hands near his lap. She followed his face as he stood. "That is all I have come to tell you. You may continue planting your…" his eyes averted to the orange marigolds lined with red on the ground, "…Chrysanthemum flowers now."

He definitely did not know his flowers. She didn't know why but she expected him of all people to be aware of this kind of thing. She realized then that she was doing exactly what everyone else was doing to him—expecting things from him that he was not.

She corrected him immediately, "those are marigolds but I appreciate you trying."

She watched him turn around with the flap of his haori and skirt mimicking the sound of the wind. Taking that as him leaving, she bent down to peer over her hole and start placing the marigolds in but then he paused.

She felt it.

The sound of his feet against the gravel had stopped. She looked up and saw exactly what she presumed. He seemed lost all of a sudden. Not much of him moved except his clothes with the wind.

She didn't know if she wanted to question him or if she wanted to carry on as if nothing had happened.

"You did not see that boy."

Rukia grew stiff at his rough delivery.

"Uhm…" she stood up with her hands joining at her lap.

Tell the truth…

"He came to visit me once. But I think…he's been watching me or maybe he's just…" ill? Rukia lost her nervous stance immediately and took a step forward. "What's wrong with him, actually? Why does he keep acting like he knows me?"

Her own questions surprised her. Never once had he occupied her mind long enough to have her appear so bothered and yet, the moment he resurfaced as a topic, the rush of curiosity spilled out.

He didn't answer her.

Rukia dragged the shovel with her as she inquired more. "You said he wasn't well. What type of illness does he have? What type of power does he have? I get that he's strange but what's the cause of all that?"

After a long, billowing silence he responded with a voice twice as rough as his first words after turning. "You are not a part of this organization."

What does that have to do with anything?

"If you were to know of that boy it would cause you more harm than good." His monotonous delivery was guided by a warning. "You should not be speaking with it for any reason. If it persists, you will have to tell 3rd Seat Kit."

But wait—

"Is it that bad?"

She caught a sliver of his face. "You should not enjoy its attention."

Rukia grimaced. "I don't. I think he's a creep but…his illness, you never said what it was even though I can see something's wrong with him."

She could no longer see his face. "Some illnesses do not have definitions or labels. They are what they are, disease with no limits, unstoppable and incurable, they just are what they are. He is that. So you must stay away. Do not give him any opportunity to take advantage of you."

Rukia watched him turn around and firmly place his hands over the round head of a stick which hadn't been with him before. His glare was so sharp it hurt.

"You have been warned."

Her insides shook.

It was only fitting that the sky would rumble to indicate rain as he disappeared from her view.

###

"It's strange how Okasake didn't immediately become concerned about the fact that she had been visited by the other Okasake before." Tōshirō said. "Leaving it to a division member was careless."

"Well, Lieutenant Kuchiki doesn't seem to mind him as much either." Rangiku mentioned.

"It might be her way of disassociating herself from the organization. Letting anyone know would further her relations with them." Captain Ukitake figured.

"The fact that he met her again should've been a sign to him. Instead, he told Kuchiki that she wasn't a part of the organization and thus he couldn't say what was wrong with him." Uryū said.

"See that's fishy." Kensei said. "It's all about getting her in."

"And putting her at risk?" Rangiku asked.

"Okasake merely warns her about him but never says what or who exactly he is. That alone already puts her at risk even if his fixation with her started long before she even got here." Tōshirō said.

"What do you think, Kurosaki-kun?"

"Wish I knew." Ichigo responded honestly.

"Telling her to stop talking to him doesn't solve anything either." Shinji said.

"The older Captain Kuchiki in present time mentioned that Kuchiki was different from his other fixations because he continued to interact with her in his physical form. Maybe they never expected it to be anything more than a temporary fixation because of her power." Uryū theorized.

"I believe he avoided the nature of the heir to keep her away from the organization, not to join it." Captain Unohana said.

Captain Ukitake agreed. "He knows that she doesn't wish to be a part of it so in order to steer her curiosity from him, he needed to give the heir the same association."

"Just like how she sees assassins and sheatsu as one." Ichigo concluded.

"Still not making any sense, why didn't he stop the kid directly?" Kensei asked.

"That would bring more attention to her." Mayuri answered in annoyance.

"Captain Kurotsuchi's right." Uryū said. "If they made it a big deal, he figured the heir would pursue her more."

###

Another month would pass by in silence from that organization after Head Commander Okasake had visited her.

Renji and Raiden were her only access to that world, coming in with their stories about their training process and people they met while down there. A long time ago, this would have agitated her but after hearing how he had felt about his title made it a lot easier to listen to the glamorous life trainees lived even if it wasn't right.

Rukia wished to question his opinion on that the next time before she realized there was no next time.

She found that ever since he had left her that day a string of potential questions always came to mind randomly.

He seemed easy to talk to and far more open to admitting faults than the other Okasake who she now knew relished in the glory of being the Soul Society's God.

That put her off from that Okasake in particular but not entirely, so long he had that personality of his.

Somehow she couldn't wait to see him again.

Him being the younger Okasake of the two who knew he wasn't God. It would only be fitting if she knew more about what his stance meant to him.

###

Kit appeared in front of her in a flash with a book he gripped tightly in front of his chest.

"This is my personal copy, it's a first edition, one of the first published!" He exclaimed in excitement. Rukia could tell he was trying to restrain himself from jumping in the air. She couldn't believe he was so ecstatic over a book.

He leaned over and handed it to her, allowing her to read the title herself.

The Virtuous Ones of the Soul, it read in bold ink followed by a smaller subheading, Gods of Our Nature and then the author's name, Asa Cornel.

"This has everything?" Rukia asked him.

"Oh, no," he leaned again, "this is only the first part."

What?

"How many are there?" Rukia inquired.

"My, my, there must be four hundred!"

"Four hund—?! What on earth would there be to write about?"

"What do you mean?" Kit asked her. "You and our Head Commanders are virtuous beings with many outstanding qualities and abilities. Your powers are more than anything this world was prepared f—"

Rukia cut him off. "You believe in this stuff too?"

His response reeked of disappointment but not offense. "Why, of course I do. You and our Head Commanders are our saints. I am proud to be a member of the Slayer of the Eye, a member who honours and protects the truth."

Right…

"You are mentioned in that book as well!"

Rukia grew uneasy. "What? Me?"

Kit fluttered his fingers. "Hm, let me see, it's on page 506, the chapter on the Next Deity. A prophecy! That came true!"

A prophecy?

Rukia leafed through the pages to the chapter.

Great…she couldn't wait to get into that one.

"It would fill some of the parts missing from your studies since you chose not to become one of us which I truly understand and respect, my lady."

"Rukia." She corrected him. He flashed a wide smile, illustrating his reluctance with his teeth.

"I will have you borrow it." He continued. "It is all yours to read. Do not hesitate to re-read it again! Some of these marvelous things do take time to adjust to, especially for you with its power!"

"Uh, sure."

"I must get going," he said hurriedly, "I look forward to your thoughts!"

He disappeared.

Rukia flipped the book back to page three and started to read.

For the souls who need guidance.

For the souls who seek truth.

Many thanks to my little sister, Okasake née Cho Estelle, her sister-in-law, Okasake Gureta, my divine brother-in-law, Okasake Einosuke Hirosuke and divine leader, Okasake Einosuke Hiroshima.

Brother-in-law…? Rukia was appalled to think that the family member he had been referring to was his sister-in-law though if this was her book, she was certain it was her. Gee.

###

"This is ridiculous." Rukia remarked as she turned another page to Roger who had been listening to her re-quote some of the lines in Kit's 'holy' bible. "What does this even mean?"

"Well, judging by the lines you just read, it means that you are God and we are all beneath you." Roger said humorously. "You represent the pinnacle of virtue and thus all your lovely decisions are the essence of knowledge, strength and truth."

"Yeah, I got that." She slammed the book close. "I can't believe his own sister-in-law would write all of this. It manipulates people into thinking they can't do anything wrong."

"It isn't all shit if you ask me." Raiden said over her shoulder to her surprise.

"Not you too." Rukia responded in disappointment.

"Whaaat?" He cracked a smile. "I think she makes a couple of good points that's all."

"Oh really? Like what?" Rukia asked. "This entire book isn't even based on facts. It's just what she believes the Okasakes are and she has everyone thinking that's what they are too."

"Okay, maybe not points from that book but she's got another one with a list of virtues n'a bunch of shit which gets to the bottom of the real issue of the Soul Society."

"Slay the Eye." Rukia answered.

Raiden snapped his fingers. "That's it! Slay the Eye of the Soul Reaper. I read it, she might sound deranged at times but I think she makes pretty good points about them."

"I don't care about that Raiden, I'm talking about how she views the Okasakes and their power and has everyone thinking that's what they are too."

As he munched on some snack she knew was from downstairs, he asked, "are what?"

Rukia threw him an incredulous look. "God, Raiden. She has everyone thinking they're God, that they're the pinnacle of virtue, the holy ones, the saints! She has essays upon essays in here about our powers that she doesn't even have!"

Raiden arched a brow. "Our?"

"Oh, you know what I mean." Rukia snapped as Raiden looked to Roger for a better response.

"Rukia-sama happens to also be mentioned in this book, indirectly through her sheatsu. There is quite a lot of talk about the divinity of their sheatsu level in ways that are very intricate and perhaps an over-extensive reach but also a prophecy or a consideration of another divine one to come." Roger mellowly explained to him.

"Oh? So you're like, God, according to this book." Raiden clarified.

"Worse than God, some virtuous, holy, figure, the epitome of a bunch of other fancy natural and divine words and connections that I'm definitely not. I don't like how she gets to speak on power she doesn't even have. There's so much talk about my sheatsu here that I highly doubt is true."

"So why do you have it?" Raiden asked.

Rukia frowned. "I don't know but it can't be some ridiculous holy connection like this."

"To be the third fucking owner of something like that has to have some connection somewhere. If the Okasakes are God then maybe there is some truth to it but less crazy."

Rukia hated how true that sounded. She couldn't believe Raiden was starting to make more sense.

"Even if that's true, it's certainly not whatever's written in this. I mean, even the Okasakes aren't God but she makes them out to be. She has all these connections, all these reasons to justify the way things are the way they are and it's just not right." Rukia said. "There is a divine reason for everything, even for us."

"I wouldn't take it to heart, it's just a shitty book series. If people are dumb enough to believe that type of shit it's on them. The Okasakes are God to everyone here so I don't think she's wrong about that. I mean, I see them like this place's God 'cause they gave birth to it but that's just me and the others. Trust me, her followers aren't as big as you're thinking. People downstairs think the Okasakes are God but they're not giving any dumb explanations from any of her writing to justify it other than what I just said."

"Really?"

"She's only got one popular book among the masses and that's the one I mentioned, the guidelines shit about being virtuous. Everything else? Just stuff for her lil'cult group, everybody else is completely normal about it."

"They still see the Okasakes as God though." Rukia pointed out. "They're still treated like everything she describes in this book."

"That sorta can't be helped, Rukia. I mean, c'mon, they're the creators of this world. Don't cha think some kind of holy treatment should be expected?"

"I'm starting to think that if you read this book you'd agree with everything on here. She's just making assumptions about their powers, about what they mean, and even if people don't take everything word-for-word, it sounds believable when you think of them as God."

"They are God."

Rukia disagreed. "And if that's what everybody believes then that means this book has more credibility than you think. People might read this, teach this and have everyone believe that this power is something so divine it is the essence of greatness and virtue and every other fancy word she mentioned in here."

"I believe it is mandatory for trainees to take a history class on the origin of the Soul Society and the Head Commander Okasakes." Roger mentioned to Rukia before turning to Raiden who sat comfortably against their tree. "Do tell us, what is told?"

"I don't really pay attention." Raiden replied in the midst of a yawn. "But the Okasakes are holy people. If you knew more of the history Ruks maybe you'd get it. Everyone already sees them as God down there so there's no reason to say it or teach it, it's just known."

"In that case, everything in this book is true." Rukia said before pacing back and forth in frustration.

"And this is pissing you off so much, how? Nobody knows you got that shit, you have it controlled now so no one will ever know. What's the point of getting so mad about how you'd probably be seen?"

"I'm not God, my sheatsu isn't holy and I'm not some virtuous being who represents this place." Rukia answered as she paced. "Everyone thinks it though. Everyone thinks that there is some divine explanation as to why we ended up in this place."

"Not everybody, Ruks—"

She continued on, speaking more to herself. "It's wrong for them to think that way. It's wrong for them to even think we have Gods. We have rulers, souls just like us, not God. Their idea of God is perfection."

"Which the Okasakes—"

Rukia stopped to cut Raiden off. "Are not, Raiden. They are not perfect. I can't believe you've lived here all these years and still have the nerve to think that they're so great when they're responsible for all of our problems."

Raiden couldn't respond.

"I need to talk to Kit." Rukia announced hurriedly before running away from their river spot. Roger silently watched her go as Raiden's gaze remained drilled to the ground.

###

"Kit!" Rukia called the moment she stepped into the familiar dim lit room she had stepped in a few months back.

Surprise caught her when the dark room had only a single candle burning on the low table for its only guest, Head Commander Okasake.

Frozen in her place, it seemed he was as surprised to see her there too despite not having changed his idle expression. She was getting used to reading nobles' blank face.

"Oh…" was the first thing that came out of her mouth as she drew the book near her chest.

He caught sight of it.

"I see you have discovered the book of our virtuous selves." The moment he pointed it out, the moment she felt herself erupt in disbelief.

"This is crazy." She said, immediately. "Is this what people really think of you? Of us? Our power?"

His gaze resumed to his papers while he casually explained, "parts of that book are very over exaggerated however, once the theatrics are uplifted then…yes."

Rukia slumped.

"Do not read any of her works if you wish to disassociate from here. It will discourage you from using your ability."

"I read it so I could understand you." Rukia confessed, which was staggering enough to get a glimpse of his gaze again. "This book," she began softly, "uses our powers, our sheatsu and manipulates people into thinking that we have the ultimate virtue of this world. That any of our decisions, your decisions, are justified because they're coming from some virtuous place being," she began to quote a line from the book, "'our minds which abstain from and are resilient to temptation, wickedness and sin'."

"These are not definite truths to everyone." He explained. "Cornel has her own individual ensemble of people who affectionately believe her, others are only familiar and trust her work on the virtues of this world, that is all."

"Slay the Eye of the Soul Reaper." Rukia answered.

"You have become familiar with that also…" he observed.

Rukia moved closer to the desk. "Not by choice. That family member you mentioned is your sister-in-law, her!"

"How could you let her write so many books like this when you know none of this is true?" Rukia asked.

"Cornel has had an obsession with divinity long before we had any family liaisons." He answered, Rukia leaned back. "Her research began long before I had known her. Nothing I say will change what she sees. She believes we are God and that is the belief she will continue to spread so long she's alive. Contrary to your belief now, she is a mentally sane person, she simply just believes in us being beyond this world."

"And that's harmless to you?"

"She writes bibles and relays them to her religious keep and those who are mindless to follow her," he relayed casually, "she does less harm than those books would have you believe. What is important is that you separate yourself from those visions she has of this world and us and make one for yourself."

"And that's how you continue to be around her? Around everybody else?"

"I cannot change their perception so I simply ignore it. You will find it easier to accept their behaviour around you if you are able to make that distinction with yourself."

She pressed her lips together before laying the book on his desk. "This is Kit's. Please let him know I returned it. I rather not have to explain what I thought about it since he's clearly a follower."

He gestured with her left hand for her to leave and she did.

Once she stepped out into the night and was given some air to breathe under a dull porch light attached to the roof, she thought of what he said and instantly came to the conclusion that she wouldn't use this power. In fact, she'd never think about using it again. It was safe and locked now, for good.

It was better than having to watch everyone blindly uphold her as the pinnacle of virtue, a gift from God or whatever.

###

"You know all this talk about God got me thinking of the rest of these brainwashed idiots." Ikkaku said.

Yumichika agreed. "The obsession is ghastly."

"Well it's not exactly surprising." Ichigo said. "In the human world, there's lots of Gods. People believe something created the universe and see it as something powerful that rules above them. The Okasakes being the one to birth this place is just that."

"Still seems a bit excessive." Lieutenant Hisagi said.

"It's not. Of course they're treated like God. They are God. There's not a single being in the world with a brain who would treat them as otherwise." Sui-Feng said in irritation.

"Uh…we just saw one?" Lieutenant Hisagi pointed out.

"Two actually when you count the Head Commander of the Soul Society." Lieutenant Kira corrected.

"That's just a matter of personal opinion." Sui-Feng answered.

"But Captain, if Sensei Okasake is sayin' it too, doesn't that mean—" Ōmaeda stopped talking when she popped open an eye.

"Minister Asa's books are centered around a religion which worships these types of beings—chosen ones." She continued to explain. "She recognizes their gifts."

"Yeah, while tellin' everybody their invincible and we gotta listen to them because they did shit or in the Lieutenant's case, has shit." Kensei pointed out.

"Kuchiki's concern about the Okasakes being God are valid though as mentioned, they are responsible for creating our world and thus we cannot perceive them like us." Tōshirō said.

"The only question is whether Rukia counts as someone holy too or if it's just a rare case of someone wielding a special type of power." Ichigo said.

"Judging by how she's treated downstairs, that book pretty much confirms she is something holy." Rangiku said.

Tōshirō disagreed. "They're treating her that way because of the type of power, as Kurosaki said. She hasn't exactly done anything on par with the Okasakes to be received as something celestial…they're just expecting her to because of the type of power within her."

"I guess pretty much anything connected to the creation of the Soul Society is 'presumed' to be holy." Shinji said. "Okasake Gureta's kid was expected to have some pure bloodline or whatever but if that was true, he probably could've stopped her from killing him naturally, no?"

"Then…Rukia's power could just be what it is…" Ichigo said. "A rare type of sheatsu, nothing more."

"Though I don't think anyone here would be willing to accept that conclusion." Uryū replied.

"They're all too focused on the fact that it means something holy." Lieutenant Hisagi said.

"It's like a cult." Rose said.

Shinji agreed. "And with the way they're smilin' and cheerin' down there, I don't think they'd just be unhappy with anyone who disagreed with them."

Momo gasped. "You don't think they'd do anything to them, Captain?

He looked down at her. "It's pretty obvious they're very serious about this whole noble-god thing. You heard what Lieutenant Kuchiki read, didn't ya? And how creeped out she was? They treat her like a goddess down there."

"I suppose…" Momo said.

"But that'd all have to change at some point I mean, she does join the organization." Rangiku reminded them. "And I doubt everybody forgets their divine agenda to make her change her mind."

"Kuchiki mentioned that she used this opportunity to help the Rukongai." Tōshirō said.

"Which means that it just got bearable." Ichigo responded

###.

A Month Later

She was down there again.

To return and retrieve a book that is.

It was amazing how she was growing less and less concerned with her hypocritical self as she took more trips to borrow books from the grand library on plants and gardening. Although she stressed that it was vital to continue her expanding vegetable gardening, others saw something more.

The Head Commander frequented his office beneath the 78th District, aware of her presence when she came and went despite never meeting. He did not mind her coming and going so long she was near.

The more she could embrace herself and ignore the perceptions of it from others, the better.

He stared dead into the eyes of his visitor shortly after recognizing her presence yet again in the library. The slits against the walls of the shed coupled with two tall candles provided a joint blend of blue and gold light into the room.

A conversation ensued regarding business matters.

His friend's head leaned forward in disapproval. "There are no words I can say that will be convincing."

"I did not say you could convince them, they just require a second opinion."

When he didn't respond, Hirosuke figured that he had won him over.

"It is a small deed, likely to last less than two minutes." Hirosuke explained further. "They are likely to obj—"

He stopped once he heard the creak of his office door. Tiny footsteps headed towards them.

Rukia stilled at the sight. The Head Commander was there with company. Company she knew. Rukia stiffened as the visitor turned. She was making eye contact with Captain Kuchiki.

Hirosuke immediately dived into an introduction, "ah," sparing her a quick glance and assuring nod, "this is the third wielder of the divine power—"

She threw herself forward, "Captain?"

Head Commander Okasake stopped.

She was in front of them now.

"This is where you have been parading your time." Captain Kuchiki responded to her.

Kinda…sorta…Wait—

"Not exactly—" she stopped. It seemed that he was not surprised to know she was the one who wielded it.

Had he known all along?

Before Rukia could point it out, Head Commander Okasake spoke.

"You are acquainted with each other?"

"I was not aware of this." Ginrei replied coolly. Her powers.

"You are lying." He accused sternly.

Rukia intervened. "…I never said anything about it."

His gaze shortly met hers before resuming his attention to the Captain.

"You may be an excellent suppressor," he was addressing her, "but I do not think that would have been enough if you were acquainted with him for long."

She agreed.

Although he was the Head Commander of the Soul Society and couldn't sense it, Captain Kuchiki operated on a different level of attentiveness that surpassed his in her mind too.

Somehow he should have at least felt something.

"If I had known you would not have discovered it the way you had." He responded.

So he would've told him…

"I informed you of her wishes." Head Commander Okasake shared. "You would have had a hunch."

"I presumed you would handle the matter accordingly."

What did that mean? Coerce her into joining them? Into using her power?

She felt as if the Captain had thought of the person as foolish and stupid. Now he knew it was her.

"Without suspicion that the very person who wielded it could be an individual you seem to know very well?" Rukia was glad Head Commander Okasake was good at asking questions.

"I did not assume anything of that sort."

Head Commander Okasake didn't look as if he believed him but straightened his back in defeat.

"Perhaps I will give you two time to talk." He proposed.

"We…really don't need to say anything though." Rukia said. Maybe an apology, but she could leave that for later.

"I believe you do. If it is true you knew nothing then I reckon this comes to a surprise." His words were directed to the Captain.

Rukia felt the need to excuse herself. "I'll be outside then."

She bowed and walked out of the door, stepping onto the grassy and sandy floor of the outside. When she heard the door open, she turned to see the Captain had followed her out too.

Feeling much more relaxed, she approached him with her usual questions.

"You really didn't know?" Rukia inquired.

"No."

"Not even a hunch?" She asked, knowing she would not get an answer to the same question twice.

No one really knew…except him.

In defeat, she eased into her apology. "I didn't tell you because I didn't want to be a part of it."

"The Ash Forest."

"That was where I had to hide after the villagers found out I had it." Rukia confessed.

"The barrier."

"Accidentally discovered."

"And the book."

"Courtesy of the library downstairs." She admitted.

"You have been acquainted for awhile."

Rukia frowned. "Not entirely my fault. The first time 'round I was cleared but then my powers started acting up and I had no choice but to control it and now…"

"You like the library."

Her brows crimped. "I know what you're thinking but I'm not being coerced into joining." She paused.

He could tell her what she was needed for.

"What does he want?" Rukia asked.

"Hirosuke needs nothing."

Rukia didn't believe him, she frowned at the thought of him lying.

She crossed her arms. "I know that isn't true."

"If there was use for it, he would have told you."

"Captain—" she really hadn't expected him to lie.

"You are not obliged to do so."

"It doesn't make sense no matter how much I try to believe that he simply doesn't have any use for it." Rukia said.

"There is no reason."

Rukia sighed, disappointed.

"Perhaps if you had chosen to train, along the way there would be instances where your abilities would be of use but so long you choose not to, you're not binded by anything to do so."

"And what if those 'instances' require this thing one day?"

"You're not obligated to fix them." He simply answered. "What you do with what you have concerns only you."

"I guess that brings some disappointment…" to you…to him…to everyone.

"It was a rare moment in history thus it was treated for what it was."

The curiosity bubbled inside of her, wanting to know what sort of things the Head Commander had imagined her doing with this power before meeting her.

"I guess I can't." Rukia slouched in defeat. "Still, I feel…" she looked down, "obligated when I think of the fact that there's something I could be doing with my power but that's not something I would rather be doing."

"So long as you have that ability, your thoughts and choices are held with great value."

"'Cause they see me as something holy. It's not about accepting my choices, it's about feeling as if they have too or else they're doomed for ten centuries or something." Rukia couldn't help but emphasize her annoyance about being viewed as a special deity.

"It works in your favor." The Captain pointed out. "If that had not been the case, you would not be able to live the life you have lived up until now since discovering your abilities."

That's true…

"Fair point." Rukia admitted defeat. "But that doesn't mean it's okay."

"You are uncertain of what you want."

Oh, how she hated how well he could read her.

"I really wish you'd stop doing that." Rukia sneered. "But yes," she admitted with reluctance, "I don't want to be seen as God or something above everyone else but if I'm not seen as that, I can't live the way I choose. There's already a bunch of roles promised to me despite not proving any suitability except for the fact that it exists inside me."

"You are not brought into this world with anything you cannot handle. That is the natural order."

Rukia disagreed. "Not everything is fixed, Captain….just because I have something doesn't mean I'm meant for it."

"It is not a coincidence it is you."

"I'm flattered but in what way does having this thing suit me? I could become an assassin, yes—probably a Sensei—get out of the Rukongai and live as you're supposed to when you die and come to the afterlife but what about everyone else?"

The Captain just leaned his head forward. "Precisely."

Rukia arched a brow.

###

A Year Later

Rukia's vegetable garden had expanded in ways that helped her district in the imaginable. There was still trouble with stealing, greedy adults and even insects but it had brought some hope to them.

She even had kids from other districts trying to steal from her, which had become difficult to manage to the point where other Rukongaiers asked to stand guard.

Her old friend Choda had permanently moved to the market as well but he, with a few of his other friends, didn't stay with Rukia and Renji. He'd help out with the garden too which once again made Ichigo wonder what had happened between them since he clearly had no sheatsu or reiatsu and would probably stay in Rukongai so, would they remain in contact? Did they remain in contact? Are they in contact?

This particular friend weighed on his mind mainly because he'd been one of her first friends here and judging by how often he was around her, he found it strange that there had been no mention of him from Rukia in present time, up until now.

Did he die?

He hoped not. A falling out was better than death.

Another girl with purple hair who had been the 'lil birdy' Raiden tended to refer to was also another regular person in their lives now. She came in and out to help with crates when she wasn't downstairs training to be an assassin.

They soon learnt that she was the 'Major Ira' they had heard about in present time, but she was known here as 'Wildfire'. By the looks of it, she was closer with Renji and Raiden but was still pretty friendly with Rukia.

It made him happy to see such an active community of people who were at least being fed for the most part.

Even the obnoxious little girl with two orange pigtails who had wanted Rukia's powers matured a bit and came over to help.

He felt that this had been the most important change that had come to Rukia's life. They treated her normally—they didn't suspect she was a divine being or accuse her of being selfish or weird. Even though the entire district didn't remember what had happened, they knew she wasn't normal but they accepted her for keen sense and immense strength.

The Okasake clan and the assassins were practically invisible. The regular kids who were assassin trainees were extra nice to her but they again never mentioned anything about her abilities.

Ichigo became confused, yet again, as to how becoming an assassin and an Okasake associate fit into all this.

She still talked to Byakuya's grandfather but he didn't mention anything about the assassins or the Sensei Okasakes after their first meetup since seeing each other downstairs.

By the looks of it, Rukia was happily expanding her garden, building relationships with shopkeepers and living her life.

What changed?

Another year went by and then another. Rukia and everyone else looked the same but the landscape changing gave a pretty clear indication of something revolutionary.

###

Upon seeing the pale blue of the petals and the yellow core of the cistus flower she opened her flower guide book and her quotebook, scribbled the name down and crossed it out.

Cistus

"I think we're almost done the Cs in this book." Rukia said before looking around.

The place was almost deserted—they were near the outskirts of the 78th District. A place with little to no trees, dry ground and empty sheds.

She had never been on this side before for obvious reasons.

The place was dead.

"Coneflower." He said.

Rukia flipped through her quotebook and saw that it was crossed off.

"We got that one too. It was further down that side." Rukia replied before leafing through the guide's pages. "I think the only ones we haven't seen here are catnips, candytufts, coppertips—all the weird sounding on—"

"Captain Kuchiki!" She was cut off by a soul reaper who approached them, alarmed.

He knelt, "pardon the interruption, Captain but a group of sheatsu-powered hollows have broken into the Soul Society. They are currently infiltrating different parts of the Rukongai District. Head Captain sent a personal message for the 6th Division and 11th Division to clean it up."

Rukia figured he was an assassin-soul reaper if he knew about sheatsu. The Captain was about to respond but a terrifyingly strong spiritual pressure followed by sheatsu shook the ground.

"Rukia!" A voice called behind her.

It was Wildfire with Roger slithering behind her.

Rukia turned around. "Wildfire? What's wrong?"

She bowed towards the Captain behind her first before meeting her eyes again. The red tint on her face indicated that she was about to explode.

"There's a bunch of hollows and soul reapers tearing up the place. Some stupid soul reapers were fighting and blew the entire turnip field to bits! My turnips specifically!" She said before glancing at the soul reaper to the left of her who was still kneeling.

Wildfire glared at the 6th Division member who immediately explained in fear, "t-the 11th Division were assigned to the districts above sixty, we were assigned to the districts below it. It is likely one of those members who were being too reckless."

"They are unable to fight each hollow one on one due to the sheatsu they are using, thus it seems they are becoming more violent in their approaches." Roger said. "I'm guessing the 11th Division doesn't have too many assassin-soul reaper hybrids like yourself."

"They are barbarians." Captain said behind her. "They do not rely on such power."

"Well that's just great." Rukia sarcastically remarked. "Can't we get the assassins to finish them off or something?"

"The Head Captain delivered this message to us personally, I don't think assassins can be involved…" the division member answered. "They did break in on soul reaper territory so…."

Geez. She was starting to get real tired of these property boundaries.

"Come on." Rukia said to Wildfire and Roger.

###

Ichigo knew the 11th Division was violent but he didn't expect all of them to be so rude and aggressive towards regular civilians as they were now.

Some of the division members were dragging Rukongaiers to hide for 'protection' while simultaneously injuring them.

It was a mess. Hollows were destroying a bunch of sheds, almost half of Rukia's garden was blown into bits now, it was a disaster.

They were even dragging kids now.

Ikkaku and Kenpachi were hollering and cheering for their men behind him but he couldn't stand it.

"Yeahhhh! Now this is what I'm talking about!" Kenpachi shouted with his eyes wide in exhilaration.

"You should not be amused, Zaraki." Tōshirō scolded. "This behaviour is completely against the soul reaper code of conduct!"

"Yeah, yeah," he brushed it off.

Another hollow roared above them, the wind from its mouth was enough to push a group of people down beside them. A division member only glanced at them and told them to 'hurry the fuck up' because they were in his way.

This was crazy.

"Man, I can't wait to fight one of those sheatsu powered fuckers." Ikkaku said with a wide grin.

"I don't know if you can recall but you already lost to a sheatsu powered individual at the very start of his whole thing." Mayuri said.

"That's when I didn't know shit." Ikkaku argued. "Now, I know what I'm going up against."

Ichigo finally spotted Rukia who was told, with Wildfire and Roger, to go 'hide out in some shed'. He was partially surprised she listened despite half of her entire garden going down. It was stressing out a lot of people who were trying to save the veggies but were hauled out of the way by more big guys belonging to the 11th Division.

The violence ensued for what felt like hours. To no surprise the 11th Division members were sloppy and uncaring about the amount of sheds and trees being broken down. Though as time went on, he noticed that the remaining sections of the large garden hadn't been touched.

She was protecting it…from afar.

###

It took days to clean up the mess from the battle which had ensued. Whatever vegetables were scattered, splattered or buried in mud were made use of while some, which were splashed onto the ground, were left for the animals.

Sheds were starting to be reconstructed despite great animosity and hunger. A huge slate of the garden being destroyed had led to more fights due to the availability of rations being severely reduced.

Shopkeepers argued with her, kids argued with her and a large portion of things were starting to be stolen.

It was a mess.

She tried to divide what she could but she never had that much vegetables to begin with and by the looks of it, more people had crossed over markets and come to her area precisely for that.

If things went on like this, they'd have nothing left soon and the rations that she and her friends had pickled and preserved for the winter would only be enough for them.

She needed to think fast.

The greed, anger and hatred was starting to accelerate in a way that would lead to more chaos than there was before.

She remembered Kit. He was a chef and then she remembered the availability of rations downstairs and became…hopeful.

###

Upon seeing her he had erupted in his usual glee until she asked him if he could help supply food upstairs.

There was a look of regret on his face.

"Oh come on…" Rukia said, appalled, "you guys have a lot, you can share! Or at least, hand out some meals to them upstairs."

He rubbed his knuckles, "I wish I could, my lady, I do but I was told to stop doing that following the Seireitei's purchasing of districts closer to the soul reaper side."

"What?" Rukia asked.

He gave her an uneasy smile, "we own downstairs, not upstairs. Now usually we were still able to meander upstairs but it seems that the Head Captain has gotten a bit hostile with our presence and decided to take us to court. They ruled in favor of him because of the location and now well…we can't do anything upstairs. Only districts above ninety will have our full protection."

"When did this happen?"

"Head Captain actually filed this suit against us quite a few years ago but it is only now that they were able to go through it. The Seireitei owns one to eighty-nine, ours is ninety and above. That being said, we can no longer take cases upstairs."

"He owns the land, not the people." Rukia argued.

"Considering that you all live there, you all come with the land. Upon arriving here, your presence is automatically filed into the soul reaper database because this is their territory." Kit explained which immediately infuriated. "Now this does exclude our assassin trainees."

That didn't make the situation any better.

"How would he know you're giving rations upstairs? You guys have been doing this for awhile now, no?"

"Yes but they concluded a few days ago that we were going against the formal agreement between assassins and soul reapers so we were put under strict instructions not to." Kit said.

Rukia's shoulders slouched. "This is ridiculous. Those soul reapers destroyed most of the stuff we had growing. It's gonna get cold soon and we don't have enough to last us through the winter."

"I'm afraid there isn't much I can do." Kit apologized. "Head Commander Okasake was very absolute about not interfering with anything."

"Wait—which Head Commander?"

"Pale blue." He answered.

Okasake Hiroshima.

Rukia closed her eyes, unsure of what to say or what to do. She said her goodbyes to Kit and wandered back upstairs to see a fight ensuing and most of the vegetables gone. Roger had gone into his larger form to scare off people who were determined to get past and steal.

The end of a peaceful era had come. Short-lived but memorable.

After watching it all ensue, she sighed and prepared herself for a conversation she never saw herself being in…until now.

"Wildfire." Rukia called as she approached the back of her.

"They took everything." She informed her. "Raiden and I turned our backs for a second and they were gone."

"We can figure all that out later." Rukia said which surprised her. "Do you know how to call those hell butterfly things?"

"Yeah, why?" She inquired before calling up on one. "Who you gonna call?"

Rukia just stared at her in defeat.

###

She leaned against the bark of the tree with crossed arms with her feet curled around the branch she was standing on as she stared into the grey eyes of the person she had called.

Captain.

There was silence between them. She was already like glass to him, he could see through her and know what she wanted to talk about or at least, say.

The defeat probably glistened in her eyes quite brightly. She felt as if she had lost and it nipped at her pride a bit.

There was only one thing she could say as she prepared herself to head into a world she only grew to despise more.

"I only trust you." Rukia said firmly. She was serious. Her voice was low and expression was hard.

He closed his eyes and reopened them as a sign of understanding.

She wished there was another way but this was not only an easy way, physically, it would also cover a lot of ground.

"I'm going to tell him myself, considering how hard I tried to get out of it I'm sure…" she sighed, "this will be great news to them."

"You have not lost."

Rukia gave him a half hearted smile. "You and I both know that isn't true."

###

It seemed that the Head Commanders were both very busy so traveling to come speak with her would take some time.

She had told Kit to pass on the message but he believed she should tell him the 'wonderful' news herself.

Days went by and then weeks. She couldn't believe she was being ignored this long considering that it was her calling. She figured they, specifically the younger one, would come rushing to hear what she had to say.

Then one day she felt his sheatsu downstairs and went. It was raining hard that day. She made a note to write every detail in her journal when she had time as she stepped in and got straight to the point.

He looked at her in silence upon hearing what she had to say. Rukia didn't feel the need to say anything more, it's not like he was going to deny it.

Then slowly, he explained to her, almost as if he was speaking to someone who was grieving, that it would take some time and that she would go through introductory stages like her 'peers' had and then it would branch off to other specialized classes.

She didn't say anything to that. She had expected it after all—Renji, Raiden and now even Wildfire told her about all this stuff. She just wanted to know when she'd begin.

Then he told her about the dress code and the mandatory hair changes to indicate she was a trainee—all stuff she had heard from them and seen.

When Renji was clothed in his assassin kimono, his hair was left down with a bandana he tied around his forehead, Wildfire's hair was left down with two strands of hair clipped back with a butterfly clip and Raiden…well there wasn't anything that could be done about that.

Everyone's hair was always left down and straight or semi-straight.

Finally, he said something she didn't expect.

"Once you are done here, it is your choice whether you become an assassin or not."

Rukia was tired of hearing this. She didn't have a real option—she knew—so she didn't say anything. Following that, she waited for him to add something more but he didn't.

He was observing her.

"Did Ginrei change your mind?" He inquired which loosened her up immediately.

"No." Rukia said. "He wouldn't do that…" she added and by 'that' she was referring to forcing her, he knew.

His sharp stare cut her, "Kit will handle the rest. You are dismissed."

Rukia bowed and then left.

She really had lost.

###

The entire year had been a blur. From that day onwards, she had enrolled and began what Renji, Raiden and Wildfire were about to graduate from—school.

Everything had been quite fast-paced. The start of it all was the most memorable. A day before starting she was told to choose between the assassin kimono or another version where instead of wide open pants, there was a skirt.

It looked like a short-sleeved dress with the chest area having some block of bulletproof material on it. She chose that.

She didn't think her hair could form any shape but the curved tips it had but she was proven wrong the moment they put some oval dome over her head and before she knew it they had loosen up and now looked like her hair had been cut into layers (AN: reference moodboard from Interlude: Two Faced).

From that day onwards, everything became a blur. Before she knew it summer was approaching slowly and apparently given her 'gifted qualities' the years it had taken others to graduate was achieved in almost a year for her which meant she was graduating with Renji, Raiden and Wildfire.

Midway Sensei Okasake had come to monitor her progress and she had learnt more about him, his beliefs and the Soul Society.

Rukia would even call them…friends.

It was strange at first but it seems that the universe had not only wanted her to lose, they wanted her to be a sore loser.

Graduation was quick. A symbol of it was given through these black cuffs that were now around her wrist and now she was really starting to feel like an assassin.

It was on that day, in between the transition from the celebration to the assembly that she was called upon into his office again.

His back was to her when he cut to the chase and asked her of her decision.

"I'll go on with it." Rukia said. "Under a condition though."

She felt comfortable asking him that now given how their short time together had changed her perception of him.

"I know I'm not done yet but do you think I could access some of the Rukongai District's complaint files from the districts the soul reapers' own?" Rukia asked. "I heard they were sealed and only one of you can request them."

"It is not possible considering that you still have two other stages to complete however, considering your academic accomplishments, prodigy status and work outside of here I will grant you an exception."

She smiled.

"Though you will have to manage your work separately—on your own time—it won't be counted towards your criteria for stage two." He explained. "We can go over your plan once we are finished with the assembly."

"Thank you." She bowed. "Though…don't we do all that in the Seireitei?"

"Your route for your community service has not been approved yet. You will all get your assignments by next week—by then we will know."

"Know what?"

She saw a glimpse of his left eye.

"Who you will be dealing with."

---

End Note

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