Chpt 10 - Admiration
*Flashback*
Rukia quickly made her way up the stairs towards Captain Sayuri's office, barely acknowledging any of the guards standing outside its entrance. Once at its doorway, Rukia took a deep breath before trying not to appear too anxious.
She knocked twice and waited patiently for the door to open. Soon enough, it opened, unveiling an airy yet welcoming space where Captain Sayuri stood at its center with her hands behind her back, smiling warmly while exuding resolve in her expression.
"Please come in, Rukia," she welcomed with a friendly smile. "What can I help with today?"
Rukia felt both anxious and excited as she entered the grand office, taking a deep breath before trying to formulate her questions.
"Why have guards at your entrance, Captain?"
"Since it has been announced that hollows have entered the soul society, Captain Hitsugaya insisted upon taking additional measures for my protection.
"Oh, I see..."
"Do you want to discuss something?" Sayuri asked in her affable voice, offering to chat.
Rukia decided despite her reservations, to express her feelings for Kaien and seek Sayuri's advice.
Rukia took a deep breath, forcing out words. "This is about Kaien," she began, " I have been training with him... and, honestly, I think that maybe... just maybe, there might be something between us..."
Sayuri's eyes widened in surprise. She opened her mouth to respond, only to close it again as though uncertain of how best to respond. Rukia looked around before giving Sayuri a thoughtful look before looking away again.
"Well," she replied after some hesitation, "it seems you have come to the right place."
Rukia felt an immense sense of relief at seeing her face again.
Sayuri invited her to come sit. "Let's have a chat," she suggested, indicating the two chairs in the corner. "Come, join me."
Rukia followed closely behind, taking her seat next to Sayuri in her chair.
"Now," Sayuri asked, "tell me everything."
Rukia did; she explained how Kaien made her feel, how his presence filled the room and increased her heartbeat. She spoke of moments of calm during their interactions and how her courage increased when seeing him again.
When she was finished, Sayuri smiled. "It sounds like you have strong feelings for him," she said. "But do you think that they'll ever be mutual?"
Rukia hesitated. "I don't know," she stated. "Sometimes it seems as if he likes me; other times it seems as though he doesn't see me at all."
Sayuri smiled. "Then that's what matters," she said. "Your love is enough. You don't need to know his feelings to make your own decision."
Rukia smiled, feeling lighter than she had in years. "Thank you," she replied with an upturned cheek.
Sayuri smiled. "Anytime," she said. "Now, what will you do?"
Rukia took a moment to consider her options before saying slowly, "I think," she stated softly, "that I will eventually tell him my feelings."
Sayuri nodded her head. "That seems to be a good decision," she stated.
"Could I ask you something else Captain?"
"Yes, of course"
She began, her voice trembling slightly. "I wanted to ask...how you and Captain Hitsugaya met and became so happy?"
Captain Sayuri smiled wider, her eyes twinkling as though remembering something fondly.
Sayuri placed her teacup down on the table.
"Well," she began, her voice laced with fondness. "It wasn't an easy road, but we eventually got there. I was originally arranged to marry your brother when you were much younger. But He chose your sister Hisana instead. I've known Captain Hitsugaya since we were children, so I was already very fond of him. We went to the soul academy together and he never left my side even in training with Captain Yamamoto. We were assigned to a joint mission, and we had to go to the other side of the Soul Society to take on a powerful hollow. It was dangerous, but it was also thrilling! Working so closely together led us to develop feelings for each other. When we returned, we both realized our feelings, so we decided to make things official."
Rukia smiled in relief. After hearing Sayuri's tale of romance, She realized love wasn't as complicated as she once believed - all that mattered was taking the plunge with courage and daring to begin something new.
She thanked Sayuri with a sincere smile, noting how inspiring her story had been for her. "Thank you," she replied with great sincerity.
"You are very welcome!" She warmly exclaimed. "And remember that if ever need advice or just someone to talk to, I am always here for you!"
Rukia nodded and thanked her again.
•• ━━━━━ ••✾•• ━━━━━ •••• ━━━━━ ••✾••
Toshiro entered the dimly lit office, enjoying its scent of incense and being met by walls filled with scrolls and documents stacked up against them in shadowy corners.
Sayuri and Rukia sat comfortably behind a large desk at the center of the room, Sayuri dressed elegantly in her Shinigami robes with her long black hair styled into an updo.
At first glance, they appeared to be deep in discussion.
They both fell silent as their eyes fell upon Toshiro standing in the doorway and both looked at him with surprise before Sayuri spoke up first.
"Toshiro! What brings you here?"
"I... came here to give you some news," he stated, "about the hollows."
Sayuri and Rukia exchanged glances before returning their attention back to him. "What news?" Sayuri asked incredulously.
Toshiro took a deep breath before continuing. "I heard from one of the other captains who visited the western district that there are hollows gathering there and becoming bolder. Soon enough they will make their move."
"Ok then, let's move along Toshiro. Rukia, you should stay here; I only say this for your safety as you are still somewhat under Kaien's training."
"No! I am going with you guys, how else am I supposed to learn to be a great soul reaper?"
"Very well, let's go."
•• ━━━━━ ••✾•• ━━━━━ •••• ━━━━━ ••✾••
Rukia watched as Hitsugaya and Sayuri prepared to battle against the hollows. Although their strength was great, the hollow numbers far outnumbered theirs. She became concerned for their safety.
Hitsugaya and Sayuri stood side by side, resplendent in their Shinigami robes with their zanpakutos drawn and ready. Small in stature, Rukia could see that both displayed great courage. Although she knew they would prevail eventually, her heart still ached with worry for their success.
Rukia heard a loud and terrifying screech as the Hollows appeared from nowhere and charged at them with incredible speed, sending Rukia reeling backward in fear as her hands collapsed together with shock. Rukia gasped, her eyes widening.
Hitsugaya and Sayuri joined together, moving together as one to meet the hollows head on. Hitsugaya displayed agility and grace unmatched by any Shinigami Rukia had ever witnessed; his zanpakuto whirling through the air like an impressive wind of blades; while Sayuri displayed strength and courage that truly inspired Rukia; hers effortlessly cutting through the hollows with ease.
Rukia stood watching, transfixed as her two captains battled off wave after wave of monsters with unrivaled skill and teamwork. Rukia stood back, marveling at their teamwork. She glowed at their show of swordsmanship - something which had previously seemed impossible -
Hitsugaya and Sayuri were soon standing triumphant, their zanpakutos in hand, silently acknowledging each other's success with a bow between them; Rukia could feel her heart fill with pride at their success.
She observed as they turned back towards her, beaming with pride for having achieved victory. Her heart filled with admiration.
As she watched Hitsugaya and Sayuri leave together, their zanpakutos glinted under the sunlight as they headed in different directions.
"I will strive to live up to her example and devote my life to protecting the soul society and its inhabitants."
Rukia resolved to be the best Shinigami she could be and protect the Soul Society from any possible evil forces. She set herself an ambitious goal of becoming a captain like Sayuri.
