About two weeks have passed since Rukia's birthday.
"Kisumoto Hajime, may I have a word with you?" Gengoro asked as class was ending.
"Yes, of course. What is it, Gengoro-Sensei?"
"I wanted to update you on a change in your schedule. Starting tomorrow, you'll be in Kido 3. The professors tell me you've been excelling in your Kido courses and are on the fast track to graduating early. Though, your Zanjutsu skills need some work. In fact, your Hakuda and Zanjutsu skills are a little below average. I suggest you get some extra training when you can and sign up for the supplementary electives next semester."
Right… I completely forgot to ask about electives, Hajime thought back to her dance with Byakuya two weeks ago and her heart skipped a beat. Shaking her head, she thanked Gengoro for the update and headed straight to Kuchiki Manor to report to Akane's side.
"Oh," she spoke in a disgusted tone, "I don't need you today. I'll be visiting my mother. So, feel free to do as you please. Though, I do expect my room to be spotless when I return."
"Of course," Hajime acknowledged with a bow. As Akane headed to the carriage, Hajime quickly stopped her, "Ah, Akane-Sama… my ribbon?"
"Ah," she gave a smirk, "I remember telling you I'll return it when I'm finished with it. Bye~" she teased as she rode away in the carriage.
Quickly, Hajime made her way to Akane's room and turned the whole place upside down looking for her ribbon. "Where on earth did she put it?!" Hajime asked agitatedly as continued to search around the room. It was nowhere to be found.
Defeated, Hajime cleaned up the room and decided to take the rest of the day to study. On her way back, she heard the clashing sounds of metal nearby. Hajime approached the backyard and saw Byakuya and Renji sparring with one another, she admired their focus and strength.
Could I ever…? She thought to herself as she looked at her hands.
"Hajime?" Renji questioned as he and Byakuya took a quick pause.
"Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt! I was heading back to my room and overheard you guys…"
"Does that mean you finished all your chores today? Why don't you join us!" Renji suggested.
"Oh, no, I couldn't. My Zanjutsu skills are below average, I'm still stuck in Zanjutsu 1."
"All the more reason to practice," Byakuya stated, "One does not learn how to fight from a book."
"Plus," Renji added, "The more you use your Asauchi, the quicker you'll be able to mold it into your Zanpakuto."
"That is true…"
"Then it's settled, go grab your Asauchi and meet us back here!" Renji declared, already making the decision for her.
Returning with her Asauchi, Byakuya allowed Hajime and Renji to spar as he watched from the sidelines.
"Okay Hajime, how are your shunpo skills? Have you reached Shunpo 6 yet?"
"Shunpo 6?! You're kidding, right? The only thing I'm confident in is Kido and I only just recently got placed in Kido 3."
"Ha-ha, what're you doing Hajime?" Renji teased.
"Hey! This is all foreign to me! Fighting has never been my forte."
"All right, all right, think back to what got you here in the first place. What made you decide to leave and join the Academy? Being a Shinigami isn't about fighting, it's about what you're fighting for."
What I'm fighting for… Hajime thought back to her time in the Rukongai and how she was powerless to save Hiyoshi from a Hollow. Her grip around her Asauchi tightened and Renji saw those same determined eyes he saw back in the Rukongai.
There you go Hajime, Renji thought to himself as he gave a smile, "Well?"
"I-I want to protect the people I love," Flashing back to her childhood and how she cowered in fear, she thought back to when she found out her mom was killed, "If I was stronger, if I had more power, I could have saved her… I could have saved them." Hajime's silver eyes sparkled as she fought hard to hold her tears back. Tightening her grip around her Asauchi, she looked Renji in his eyes, resolute, "I'm going to find her," she spoke firmly, "I have to find her…at least to tell her, I'm all right…"
When Hajime first arrived in Soul Society, her first instinct was to find her mother. Learning what she did from Rukia and Renji about Soul Society and Rukongai, her mother's soul had to be here somewhere. Originally landing in the South District of Rukongai, Hajime searched as far as she could. With 80 districts to go through, and the lower levels subject to crime and severe hardship, Hajime had a rough time surviving as she made her way to the end of the South district. It took her over three (Shinigami) years. Eventually, she made her way to the Eastern District and lost hope. After witnessing the hardship the people of Rukongai faced (at least the lower levels) for the past four years, Hajime decided to help those who needed it as best as she could. Just as she knew her mother would have wanted.
Stopping in Tomeina Kiri, food was scarce and clean water was scarcer. Many of the residents in Tomeina Kiri possessed little to no spiritual energy and so they had no need for food. The vendors that did manage to find food to sell were strict on whom they would even sell them to. Almost starving to death, that was when Hajime met Hiyoshi. He gave her a small piece of bread he managed to poach from a vendor. Though Hiyoshi possessed a small amount of spiritual energy, he knew Hajime needed it more. Eventually, Hajime and Hiyoshi shared what little food they managed to find over the years and looked out for one another. Even though her goal of finding her mother was pushed aside, she believes with her new power and strength, she should be able to find her. After all, Renji did eventually find Hajime.
"We all have people we want to protect," Renji spoke breaking Hajime out of her thoughts, "it's up to you to find the strength to do so. Remember your words Hajime, they'll help you get stronger. All right, let's get this started." Renji said as he shunpo-ed to the other side of the field, "Are you ready?"
"Ready!" Hajime yelled back as she prepared her stance. Renji and Byakuya both narrowed their eyes at her.
"Well, no wonder you're stuck in Zanjutsu 1, your positioning is all wrong! Sheesh, what are they doing at the Academy?" Renji yelled from across the way, "Taichou, can you help her?"
"Renji," Byakuya began, "You are her teacher today, aren't you?"
"Yeah, but Taichou… you're closer."
Byakuya was silent for a moment but then used shunpo to appear behind Hajime. Hajime tensed up a bit since she's been actively avoiding Byakuya since Rukia's birthday (which in actuality wasn't all that difficult to do). Softly, he positioned his hands over Hajime's and guided her to a more comfortable stance.
"Place both hands firmly on your hilt and position your blade at a 45-degree angle, like so," It was hard for her to concentrate when he was mere centimeters away from her face. His voice rang through her ear and sent a shiver up her spine, she tried her best to stay calm. As Byakuya helped secure her hands in the right position, her sleeve rolled up, revealing her bare wrist. Oh? He noticed, She's not wearing her ribbon again. has she misplaced it?
"Kuchiki-Sama," Hajime managed to say, flustered, "I think I got it."
Byakuya cleared his throat, noticing he was holding onto Hajime's hands longer than intended, "Yes, then you need to spread your legs out more, at least shoulder length apart. Make sure to place your dominant leg forward, aligned with your Asauchi."
Following Byakuya's guidance, Hajime's fighting stance was much more comfortable and allowed her to switch between defense and offense more effectively.
"T-Thank you," Hajime spoke as she couldn't dare to face him, her face blushing pink.
Byakuya gave a nod and returned to his previous position. Watching the scene unfold before him, Renji couldn't help but give a smirk, Do those two…?
Without giving Hajime a chance to mentally prepare herself, Renji quickly lunged at her, but Hajime was able to deflect the attack just in time. Using shunpo, Renji swung at her in rapid succession, Hajime barely able to keep up. His shunpo was advanced and precise, she was finding it extremely hard to catch up. Lost in thought for a moment, she lost sight of Renji. Renji shunpo-ed behind her to kick her but Hajime managed to use her shunpo to dodge. Trying to catch her breath, Renji wouldn't let up and was coming swinging from above. With no time to dodge or block, Hajime quickly used a Kido spell, "Bakudou #8: Seki!" A small blue shield formed on Hajime's forearm and repelled Renji backward.
Noticing a large presence swiftly lunging at her, Hajime held up her Asauchi to block. Pressing her other palm against the edge of her blade, the force was dragging her back. It was Byakuya.
"Hajime, tag out!" Renji called out.
"Eh?" Byakuya was in a totally different league than Renji, even if they both were going easy on her.
Their training sessions continued for about three hours with Byakuya and Renji swapping out mid-attack. By the time they finished training, Hajime was sprawled out on the floor, exhausted.
"You've done well today, Hajime." Byakuya stated as he reached out his hand to help her up.
"I'm sure you'll move up to Zanjutsu 2 in no time!" Renji exclaimed also reaching his hand out to help Hajime up.
Quickly taking Renji's hand and catching her breath, she thanked the two Shinigami for their time. Noticing a weird tension in the atmosphere, Renji quickly said his goodbye and headed back to Squad Six's Barracks.
As Byakuya was heading back to his chambers, Hajime turned around, almost grabbing onto his haori sleeve and stopping herself, she said, "Kuchiki-Sama," he turned around to face her, "I have been meaning to ask you… I know electives will add more to the tuition and I promise to work hard to pay you back for your generosity, but would you be all right with me adding a few electives to my schedule next semester?"
"Hajime," he began, "Do not worry about the finances and focus on what is best for your education. What electives are you thinking of adding?"
"Gengoro-Sensei suggests supplementary Zanjutsu and Hakuda classes."
"And you? Is there any class you would like to take in particular?"
"I saw there were healing Kido classes. My instinct to fight may not be as strong as other Shinigami but my instinct to help I hope makes up for that,"
"Healing Kido requires an intense amount of concentration and Reiatsu control. Though, if it's you, I have no doubt that you will succeed."
"Thank you," she said softly, "I'll make sure to do my best!"
. . .
The Next Day
As homeroom ended and lessons with Gengoro finished, Hajime made her way to her new Kido classes. She was both excited and nervous. Hearing the lively students beyond the door, Hajime took a deep breath and entered the classroom. It quickly turned silent, and everyone was staring at her.
"Ah, she's here. Everyone!" The professor called out to get his students' attention, "This is the new student that will be joining us. Please introduce yourself to the class."
Giving a bow to her classmates, Hajime introduced herself as told.
"Wow, she's like a doll," one girl whispered.
"She looks fragile. She wants to be a Shinigami, can she even fight?" Another student whispered.
"Kisumoto-San, why don't you find a seat, our lecture will be starting soon."
Hajime walked up the stairs and made her way to the empty seat in the back of the class. Her fellow classmates continued to whisper as she walked by them.
"Ne, isn't that the girl Kuchiki Taichou is sponsoring?"
"No way, then she's staying at Kuchiki Manor?"
"Whaaa, how lucky~!"
"I heard she's been buying her way to the top. There's no way she belongs here at the Academy."
"My brother, who went to Rukia's birthday party a few weeks back, actually saw her dancing with Kuchiki Taichou."
"Whaa-!"
"The nerve-!"
"I wonder if she's trying to seduce him."
"Poor Akane-Sama…"
While Hajime grew accustomed to hearing rumors spread about her, she didn't want to ruin the reputations of those that have helped her along the way. As she turned to confront her classmate, she was interrupted before she could say anything,
"All right everyone, let's all head to the outside training field!" The professor yelled out as he was making his way out of the door.
At the field, the professor gave each of his students three Kido spells to perform in rapid succession, followed but a higher-level Kido spell to test their skill level.
All eyes were on Hajime when it was her turn to showcase her skills. For her test, she fired Bakudou #30: Shtotsu Sansen (shoots three beams of light to pin the target on a surface, slamming into an opponent's body forming a perfect triangle), Hadou #32: Okasen (fires a wide arc of yellow flames at the target), and Bakudou #39: Enkosen (summons a shield of condensed Reiatsu to block an opponent's attack). She performed each spell fluently.
As for her higher-level Kido spell, she was given Hadou #54: Haien to perform. Facing her target, Hajime recited the incantation as shown in her text but was distracted by the giggles and whispering happening behind her. Losing focus, she tried to fire Haien and it backfired on her, creating a large cloud of smoke.
Her classmates continued to laugh behind her back and whispered, "Wow, she really doesn't belong here."
"What a fluke!"
"I can't believe Kuchiki Taichou would sponsor someone like her."
"Better luck next time, Kisumoto-San," The professor consoled, "You did only just join us after all."
. . .
It was lunchtime finally and since Hajime's schedule changed, it was difficult to meet up with Kisume for lunch, so she sat by herself. Angry at herself for what happened at the outdoor training field (messing up a Kido spell she could have easily cast had she not let her classmates get to her and most importantly, sullying Byakuya's name and reputation), Hajime wasn't focused on her surroundings. A few of her new classmates led by Tomiko (her sparring partner in one of the Zanjutsu classes) slowly walked up behind Hajime carrying a large container of fruit punch. Before Hajime realized it, they dumped the juice on her, turning her hair pink and soiling her clothes. Everyone in the cafeteria laughed at her.
"You get what you deserve, loser," Tomiko spoke as she was starting to walk away, "Oh, right. Hey everyone, Hajime here said she'll be happy to take all your leftovers~!" At those words, a fellow student threw their half-eaten applesauce at the back of Hajime's head. Other students quickly followed suit, laughing and tossing food at Hajime until the lunch bell rang.
I was wrong… Hajime thought to herself as she stood there, this is definitely worse than high school…
Hurriedly, Hajime gathered up her belongings and made her way back to Kuchiki Manor.
At the Manor, Akane's mother showed up and decided to stay as a guest for an indefinite amount of time. Since Akane and Byakuya celebrate their five-year anniversary soon, she was pushing Akane for a grandchild. As the two of them and Byakuya were taking a walk through the Manor halls, they bumped into Hajime.
Akane looked at her with a pleasing smirk, "It seems someone else also shares my displeasure with you."
"Ah," Akane's mother, Akihiko, spoke, "is she the rude one you told me so much about?"
"The one and only. Hey filth," Hajime raised her gaze to meet Akane's, "how dare you show yourself like this in front of my mother, get cleaned up, and meet us in the garden immediately."
"Of course," Hajime answered as she swiftly wanted to hide in her room. How embarrassing it was to have Byakuya see her like that.
"Hajime," he called out too late, Akihiko quickly grabbing onto him, changing the subject.
"Won't you join us in the garden for lunch, Byakuya-Sama?" Akihiko asked.
"My apologies, Mother-in-law, I have paperwork I must tend to. Shall I have Mikasa prepare a room for you tonight?"
"No need, I'll be staying with Akane."
As Byakuya said goodbye to the two women, Akihiko pulled Akane close to her to warn her, "You better watch out for that personal attendant of yours. She smells like trouble. And your husband, keep him on a tight leash or you'll lose him."
"She wouldn't dare," Akane stated vehemently.
Before heading back to his chambers, Byakuya decided to stop by Hajime's room to check on her.
"Hajime," he called out as he gently knocked on her door, "Are you all right?"
Trying her best to fight the tears forming in her eyes as she sat crouched against the door, she didn't answer.
"If something happened…If I could help, please let me," he spoke softly.
Tears started falling down her face. At this point, she wasn't upset about what happened at the Academy. Instead, the worry in his tone of voice shattered her heart completely, as she realized just how much she truly cared for him and how she knew she shouldn't.
"Hajime…"
Please stop, she thought to herself as she laid her head against the door to hear his voice once more, if you call my name one more time… I don't think my heart can take it.
"Nii-Sama? Is something wrong?" Rukia, who just returned from a mission, asked as she observed Byakuya in the hallway.
"Rukia, you've returned?"
"Yes, I've just returned. Is everything all right?"
"I believe something happened today at the Academy."
"I see," Rukia gently spoke as she knocked on the door to get Hajime's attention. Noticing that it was Rukia's voice, Hajime opened the door and quickly pulled Rukia into the room. After catching her footing, Rukia noticed Hajime's sullied look and tear-filled eyes. Poking her head out to speak to Byakuya she whispered, "Nii-Sama, I'll take care of things here and report to you afterward."
"Very well." Rukia gave a small smile, closed the door, and sat next to Hajime on the floor.
"So, what happened?"
Hajime told Rukia everything that happened at the Academy today; the rumors behind her back, her blunder with her Kido test, and how she believes she's ruining Byakuya's name.
"Hajime…" Rukia reassured, "don't worry about what others think. Nii-Sama offered to help because he believes in you, we all do. Now," Rukia said as she stood up, holding a hand out to Hajime, "let's get you cleaned up before your hair turns pink permanently"
Getting cleaned off and dressed into her Manor uniform, Hajime thanked Rukia for her time and met with Akane and Akihiko in the garden.
"For a personal attendant, you sure are late," Akihiko hissed disapprovingly.
"My apologies," Hajime spoke as she bowed.
Her mother's warning echoing in her head, Akane grew frustrated, "You," she spoke with disgust, "Why does Byakuya-Sama address you so casually?"
Catching her off guard, Hajime explained, "I've come to know Kuchiki-Sama through my friendship with Rukia and Renji. Since we see each other often, I told him he could drop formalities-"
"I forbid it," Akane snapped, "The next time he addresses you as such, you best remind him that you are nothing more than a servant here."
Maybe that's for the best, Hajime thought to herself, "Understood, Akane-Sama."
Akihiko gave a smirk as she was proud of her daughter for putting Hajime in line.
"Now, my mother and I are thirsty, fetch us some tea." Making her way to the kitchen, Hajime quickly brewed tea for the women and served it to them.
"Snacks as well," Akane insisted.
"Of course, what would you like, Akane-Sama?"
Akane and Akihiko looked at one another and named five dishes that Hajime didn't know how to prepare. Instead of facing their wrath, she agreed and told them that it would take a while to prepare the dishes they requested. In the meantime, they could enjoy some freshly made biscuits that she brought out. She figured one of the cookbooks in there had to have these recipes.
After a couple of hours of making these dishes and failing at a few of them, Hajime finally got their meal prepared for them. Not wanting to admit that the food was good, Akane and Akihiko ate as they continued their conversation.
"I can't believe it's been five years since we've been a part of this family," Akihiko relished, "I can't wait for the two of you to start having children!"
Taken aback by the sudden conversation, Hajime had a coughing fit, "E-Excuse me," she said as she quickly tried to clear her throat.
Making their way back to their room, Akane dismissed Hajime close to midnight, "Ah," she spoke as Hajime was just about to leave, "I'll need you all day tomorrow. We have important guests arriving and I don't have time to wait for you to return from class. Understood?"
"Yes… I understand. Good night Akane-Sama, Akihiko-Sama."
Hajime was starving. All the kitchen staff had already gone to bed and after cooking a full meal for Akane, she just wanted something simple and easy to eat. So, she grabbed a carton of ice cream from the freezer. As she was eating her bowl of ice cream, her hand cramped up (Akane and Akihiko constantly wanted massages) and she dropped her spoon on the floor. As she was about to pick it up, someone beat her to it.
"Kuchik-Sama…"
"Another long night, Hajime?"
Thinking back to Akane's words, Hajime put her hand up to stop him, "Ah, Kuchiki-Sama… I think it may be best for you to address me appropriately, after all, I am simply a maidservant here at the Manor. So… if you can address me as Kisumoto-San, I would really appreciate it."
Taken aback by her words, Byakuya didn't want to question the matter, "I understand," was all he was able to say.
The silence they shared between them was insufferable.
"Oh," Hajime spoke to lighten up the mood, "Akane-Sama told me some guests were arriving tomorrow?"
"That's right. Since it's almost our five-year anniversary, Akihiko has been urging us to bear children. The Manor Elders agree with this. Akihiko took it upon herself to invite fortune tellers and fertility doctors to the Manor tomorrow."
"Then… I wish for nothing but good news for you tomorrow." She said with a smile full of agony, "I should probably head back, I have some studying to catch up on."
"Good night... Kisumoto-San." He hoped she couldn't hear it but there was sadness in his words.
Even though she thought it would have been better this way, it hurt even more. Her heart ached with pain as she walked back to her room, "Good night, Kuchiki-Sama."
As Byakuya watched her fade into the darkness of the hall, he let out a heavy sigh, This stirring in my heart… is it because of you, Hajime?