Shortly after returning to Soul Society following Hajime's death, Akashi had a long heart-to-heart talk to, well, himself as he knows Renji will remember his words when his time is over. He told him of his past life, what Hajime meant to him, and his fate. "I know deep down; you feel the same way about her that I do. Please, all I ask is that you find her. I leave the mission in your capable hands, Abarai Renji." Akashi's memories resealed as promised and as Renji regained his memories back, he agreed to look for Hajime.
. . .
Two years have passed since the events of Karakura Town. As Ichigo and the others moved on with their human lives, still holding onto the hope of seeing Hajime one day, Rukia and Renji searched for her every chance they got.
"Vice-Captain Abarai Renji, have you gotten any closer to finding Kisumoto Hajime?" The Captain-Commander questioned, as he grew desperate for new recruits.
"Not yet, sir. Rukia and I finished exploring the north end of the Rukongai and were beginning to start our search of the western districts. There are still no clues to her whereabouts."
"I see. Well, Captain Kuchiki has a mission today in the eastern region of Rukongai, I suggested he take you alongside him. It would be best to take advantage of the timing and examine the area. Hurry along, he is departing soon, you are dismissed."
"Yes, sir!" Renji bowed to Yamamoto and made his way to Kuchiki Manor.
Heading to Byakuya's room, he noticed the door was slightly opened. When Renji knocked on the door, a woman's voice told him to enter the room. Following the invitation inside, a fair-skinned lady with purple hair and brown eyes greeted Renji at the door while Byakuya was sitting on the floor finishing up his paperwork.
"Ah, Akane-Sama. I didn't know you'd be here today." Renji said as he bowed to the woman.
"I'm trying not to see the elders today," Akane explained as she was putting on her makeup.
"You're late, Renji," Byakuya stated as he put his paperwork aside and gathered his belongings.
"My apologies, Captain! I only just learned about this mission from the Captain-Commander."
"You mind if I come too?" Akane chimed in.
"Akane-Sama, we're heading to the Rukongai, surely someone of your stature- "
Cutting Renji off, "The elders have been urging me to do more charity work anyway. You'll put in a good word for me if I go with you, won't you, Byakuya-Sama?" Akane said as she grasped onto Byakuya's arm and batted her eyes.
"Just be careful. The Rukongai can get dangerous. I would also advise changing into a less-lavish kimono, we will be heading to the lower districts of the Rukongai today."
"Don't worry, my dear. I can handle my own, those lousy commoners wouldn't dare dirty my kimono."
Byakuya was tasked with patrolling the lower (60-80) districts of South Rukongai. There have been talks of increased hollow appearances and the loss of various souls. The task force consisted of Byakuya, Renji, his third and fourth seats, and making a guest appearance today was his wife, Toujiro Akane.
Akane is the first daughter of the Toujiro Clan, a family of high noble standing, and as the heir to the Toujiro Clan, the Kuchiki Clan Elders proposed an arranged marriage to strengthen both clans. They have been married for six years now and while Akane was infatuated with Byakuya at first sight, Byakuya merely tolerates Akane's presence for the sake of his clan. However, Akane is spoiled and quite heartless, only putting on the performance of a noblewoman when in the presence of her father or the clan elders. As soon as the eyes are off her, she continues to bad mouth others, oftentimes getting violent (throwing plates and glassware) at the servants or using her Kuchiki name to get what she desires.
As the group of five headed to the 70th district of Rukongai, Byakuya ordered his third and fourth seats to examine the forest on the outskirts of the district to see if they can gather any clues on the unusually increased activity of hollow. Renji was tasked with gathering information to see if anyone knew of the souls lost to the hollow attacks.
Byakuya and Akane were observing the towns folk; many of them were asleep in the streets, some visibly malnourished and there were plenty of kids, roaming around on their own. Even though this was a common sight for the lower districts of the Rukongai, when Byakuya and his squad made it to district 73, there was a slight difference in the people's well-being.
The 73rd district of South Rukongai is known as Tomeina Kiri (Transparent Fog) and is known for the thick fog enveloping the entire town. Many people took advantage of the fog and resorted to various crimes such as theft and murder. Since water is a necessity to live and Tomeina Kiri was lacking in the valuable resource, vendors traded the water they had for valuable items that they then traded for food and more water to trade and sell.
As Renji scanned the area, he noticed that the children looked to be well cared for, as well as the elderly. Noticing this odd predicament, Renji asked the people of the district if any help was given to them, and they replied to him that an angel had been sent to them.
"An angel?" Renji questioned as he continued to walk through the district. Then, he saw her. That familiar spiritual pressure, lavender ribbon (which she now tied around her wrist), long flowing white hair, and side bangs that curled up at the ends. The young woman was assisting the small children with their cups of water and passed around sweets and other small scraps to those who came to her. Even if those without noticeable spiritual pressure don't get hungry, they can still taste and enjoy the sensation of sweets. So, that's the angel everyone's talking about, huh? Renji thought with a smile.
"Hajime-Chan, thank you for helping us like this." An elder woman said while taking the cup of water from the young woman.
"Any way I can help," The young woman explained with a smile, "I'm sorry this was all I could manage to gather."
"It's all right dear. We appreciate everything you're doing for us." The elder woman replied as she gently placed her hand over the young woman's.
At the same time, Byakuya and Akane walked over to the same area as the young woman and noticed how she was helping the elders and children get the food and water they needed to survive. Noticing the two nobles, the people of the district started to whisper to one another.
"Hey, Obaa-San, who are those people?" The young white-haired woman asked the elder.
"Ah, they're nobles of the Kuchiki Clan, one of the four great noble clans. Kuchiki-Sama is also a Captain of the Gotei 13. I've never seen such a powerful Shinigami up close before."
He's beautiful. The young woman thought to herself as she admired the man's regal qualities. As she observed Byakuya's long black hair, shades of red took over her line of sight.
"Yo, Hajime." Renji greeted.
"Akashi…" Hajime froze. She didn't think she'd see her old friend so soon.
"Actually—" Before Renji could fully explain himself, a loud crash was heard followed by a woman's shrieking.
A young boy was kneeling on the floor with a bowl smashed into pieces and a fish flopping on the ground. As the child was bringing home the fish he caught, he tripped over a rock and spilled seawater on Akane's kimono. He immediately bowed on all fours to apologize to Akane, but she wasn't having any of it.
Akane knelt in front of him and picked him up by the collar of his shirt, "Do you think an apology is going to return this kimono back to its original state? Do you know how expensive this was? There's none like it in the world and you ruined it!" She threw the boy back, causing him to yell in pain. However, he continued to kneel and apologize, unsuccessfully. Picking up a piece of the shattered bowl, she quickly threw it at the boy but ultimately missed her target and instead, cut Hajime's cheek who was shielding the boy.
"Are you alright, Hiyoshi-Kun?" Hajime whispered as she held on to the boy. He nodded, hiding the tears in his eyes, "Go see Obaa-San, I'll handle things here." The boy did as he was told and ran back to the elder woman. Hajime stood to face Akane, who grew visibly furious.
"You. How dare you let that boy escape, he needed to be punished for what he did!"
"Punished?" Hajime gave a smirk, "The one that should be punished is you. Is that how you treat children? You are a noble, are you not? I'm sure you bring disgrace upon your clan."
That hit a nerve. Akane immediately walked up to the Hajime and slapped her as hard as she could, "I could have you killed in an instant."
"Next time, I would advise against wearing such expensive fabrics. You are in the Rukongai, or did you forget?"
"Why you-!" Raising her hand to prepare for another slap, Byakuya intervened.
"Akane, that is enough. You may return to the manor if that is what you wish. I will let the Elders know you were of help today." Akane scoffed at Byakuya and yanked her arm from his grasp. Byakuya, ordering his third and fourth seats to escort Akane back to Kuchiki Manor, told Renji the two of them would finish today's mission alone.
As Akane left, he turned his attention over to Hajime, who went back over to console Hiyoshi. "Miss, are you ok?"
Hajime gave a slight bow and smiled, "I'm fine. I apologize for creating a ruckus, I understand it is your clan that I spoke ill of. My sincere apologies."
"My wife has a short temper; I apologize for her behavior."
"Wife, huh? Must be difficult, being married to someone like that." Byakuya simply closed his eyes as if in silent agreement.
"Your cheek…" Byakuya began.
"Ah, it's fine, don't worry about it."
"May I?" Byakuya gestured his hand to Hajime's cheek and healed it with Kido, "My healing Kido may not be on par with Captain Unohana but at least there will be no scar."
So warm… As her cut healed, she gave a smile, "Thank you." They even have the power to heal? They really are powerful people.
"Onee-Chan!" Hiyoshi called out.
"If you'd both excuse me, I should head back." Hajime gave a bow and said her goodbyes to the two men.
"Ah, Hajime, wait!" Renji began, "Captain, she's the person I told you about, can I have some time to talk to her?"
"Alright. I'll be making my way to the next district, I'll be expecting you to follow quickly."
"Yes, sir." Renji quickly made his way over to Hajime, who was tending to the boy's wounds.
"Akashi… it's good to see you again." Hajime said as she pulled Renji into a hug.
"Actually…It's Renji, He only regained his memories for two days."
"I see…" Hajime whispered, giving a gentle smile, "Well, it's good to see you Renji."
Renji explained to Hajime that he wanted to fulfill Akashi's last wish and mission, which was to have Hajime attend the Shinigami Academy.
"Shinigami?" Hajime said, "Like you? With those powers?"
"Your spiritual energy is strong. With the right training, you can make it far. I see how much these people mean to you but if you become a Shinigami, you can help even more people, you-"
"But I would have to leave" Hajime butt in, "I would have to leave these people? The family that I've made?"
"Family?"
The little boy from earlier, Hiyoshi, ran over to hug Hajime while using her body as a shield to hide from Renji. While some spirits cross over with their actual family, most are alone. To fill the void of loneliness, many of the people in Rukongai often form families of their own. For the two years (four in Soul Society) that have passed in the World of the Living, Hajime formed her own family with Hiyoshi as a younger brother to her.
"I can't leave him Renji. He's my family, he can't survive on his own here."
Renji knew this all too well when he and Rukia grew up in one of the most dangerous districts in Rukongai. But he couldn't leave without her. Not because of his mission or his promise to Akashi, but because deep down, he cares for her. He knows what life is like in Rukongai and he doesn't want her to have to live through that for the rest of her time.
"Are you sure you won't reconsider? Think of all the people you could help."
"I'm sorry Renji. It was great to see you but I'm not leaving, I can't." Hajime pulled Renji in for a hug and told him he was welcome to visit her anytime. "You found me Renji, just as you promised you would. I'm thankful you fulfilled Akashi's last wish. Come visit when you can."
The two parted ways and while a small part of her wishes she went with him, Hajime was finally free of the pain she endured in the World of the Living and simply desires to live out her days with her new family.
. . .
Later that night, Renji decided to visit Hajime to try and convince her one last time to become a Shinigami.
The fog was especially thick in Tomeina Kiri tonight, even the criminals had a difficult time navigating through the district. As night has fallen, Hajime made sure to check on her elderly neighbors and tucked Hiyoshi into bed.
Not having eaten yet (and giving away all the food and scraps she was able to find), Hajime was starving. She made her way to the river, as best she could, to try and catch fish for dinner. As she reached the river, the town was eerily silent. No yelling, no sounds of items breaking, nothing. It was quiet. Too quiet.
Then, like a sharp knife, there was a harrowing roar slicing through the silent air. Groups of hollows somehow made their way deep into the district and you could hear the panic and fear from the townsfolk.
Hiyoshi-Kun! Hajime quickly tried to make her way back to her home, but the fog was so thick, she couldn't make out her surroundings.
Then, as if right on cue, the fog was starting to dissipate, exposing a hollow on all fours with pores on its back. It was a Mistier; the pores on their back allow them to manipulate the water in the air and create thick curtains of fog, allowing them to hide from and ambush their targets. However, the Mistier wasn't the issue. There was another hollow beside it, emerging from behind one of the buildings, its large muscular body towering, hands just as large with sharp claws, and a gas mask covering its face. It was a Suckerfish. Suckerfish store poison in its body and can release it upon a single touch to their victim. The poison travels through the victim's body causing extreme pain resulting in a numb body and ultimately, disintegration.
Since hollows often target those with high quantities of spiritual pressure, they were all focused on Hajime. While the Mistier would usually use its fog as a cover, it chose not to, as if it was taunting her.
Hajime was terrified. She remembers the pain she felt when the Gillian grabbed her back in Karakura Town and since she was powerless, her chances of survival were slim.
Slowly she stepped back. Trying to look behind her for an escape route. Because of the fog, she was further from her home than she thought and there were not many buildings to hide behind, not that they would hide her anyway. No movements were made, it was a standoff. The only thing Hajime could think to do was run and so she did.
As Hajime ran from the hollows, they quickly leaped after her. There was nowhere to hide and so she tried to lure them out of the district.
"Onee-Chan!" Hiyoshi's voice called out from afar. The fog was starting to thicken once more.
"Hiyoshi, stay back! It's not safe here. It's me they want, go back home and get Obaa-San and the others to safety!" This was easier said than done. It was difficult to see past the fog thanks to the Mistier.
Taking advantage of its target's weakness, the Suckerfish quickly lunged toward Hajime. "Onee-Chan!" Hiyoshi quickly pushed Hajime aside and was grabbed instead. His screams of pain were harrowing.
Then, as if to taunt her again, the Mistier dispersed the fog. The Suckerfish was towering over her, with Hiyoshi in hand. Its poison already making its way into the boy's soul.
Hiyoshi! I have to find something to attack it!
Hajime scanned her surroundings and found a thick log close by. She quickly grabbed it and went to attack the Suckerfish, violently swinging the log at its lower body. Roaring at the pain, the Suckerfish kicked Hajime against one of the buildings.
Get up. I have to get up. She looked over to the Suckerfish who still had Hiyoshi in its grasp, his soul was starting to disintegrate. Her body trembled in pain, but Hajime made it to her feet, picked up a nearby broom, and lunged for the Suckerfish once again.
"You let him go! You let him go right now! It's me you want isn't it, take me instead!"
"Onee-Chan…" Hiyoshi began, "Please… run away." Aware of his fate, Hiyoshi gave a small smile to Hajime as tears fell down his face, "Thank you… for taking care of me."
"No-no! I am not leaving you!" Hajime grew frantic, tears starting to form in her eyes, "I can't lose you!"
Unbothered by the attack on its leg, the Suckerfish tightened its grip on Hiyoshi and decided to feast on the soul's essence instead.
"No… N-no, please! Nooooo!" Hajime grew hysterical. The family she built was taken from her. Despair took over and she simply dropped to her knees.
The Suckerfish turned its attention back to Hajime, after all, she was their true target all along. As it reached its claws over to latch onto her soul, its arm was cleanly cut off.
"Howl, Zabimaru!" Renji felt the strong presence of Hollow when he arrived in Tomeina Kiri but the fog was so thick, he lost his way. Quickly, he purified the Suckerfish before it was able to poison Hajime and as Mistier do, it decided to retreat once the Suckerfish was slain.
"Hajime," he knelt down beside her, trying to comfort her, "are you alright?"
"Renji…" She looked up at him, her sparkling eyes filled with tears, "Why didn't you come sooner?!" She yelled out as she pounded him against his chest, "You could have saved him! Why did you come so late?! I…I-" As she stopped hitting Renji, she sunk to the ground once again, whispering, "I couldn't protect him, I lost him."
"Hajime, I-"
Drowning his voice out, Hajime glanced over at Zabimaru in Renji's hand, "If I had gone with you, would he still be alive?"
"Hajime, you can't-"
"Hajime-Chan." The elderly woman from this morning spoke as she made her way to Hajime.
"Obaa-San…" Tears forming in her eyes again, she limped over to give her a hug.
"You did what you could, it's not your fault." The woman spoke as she gently placed her hand on Hajime's cheek.
"I was supposed to protect him, not the other way around! I was-I was so powerless; I couldn't do anything."
The woman looked to Renji and pulled Hajime into another hug, "You should go with him, the Shinigami."
"Eh?" Her eyes widened.
"If you wish to achieve the power needed to protect the ones you care about, you won't do that here. They can teach you to access that power and strength you already possess. You are meant to do great things; I knew it and Hiyoshi knew it. If not for yourself, do it for him."
"I can't leave you here."
"I'll be fine. You've given up your life at the expense of others, it's time for you to live yours. Just promise you'll visit from time to time."
"I-I…"
"Just say you promise and go."
"…I promise" Hajime responded with a smile.
The two said their goodbyes and as Hajime walked back to Renji, determination shone in her eyes. "I'll do it," she began, "I'll become a Shinigami. For Hiyoshi."