Chapter 3: Harry? Is That You?
Byakuya stood on a hill overlooking the main Senkaimon gate. He could see his sister Rukia standing on the left of Ichigo Kurosaki. His lieutenant was on the boys right and all three were talking. A little ways away the Kido Corps was firing up the Senkaimon. A group of Soul Reapers had a stretcher that was covered with them. He knew Kugo Ginjo's body was under the sheet. It shouldn't have surprised him that Ichigo wanted to give the man a proper buriel but it did. He would never be able to figure the boy out but he knew Ichigo understood him better than anyone did.
Do you think the peace will last longer this time master? Senbonzakura asked within his mind. It was a good question all things considered. They had four years of peace after Aizen was sealed. It had taken them a year to end the conflict with the Fullbringers and it was thanks to Ichigo it ended as it did. I hope so Sen, we need it more than ever now that things were beginning to settle. He could tell most of the Soul Reapers were tired and some were even thinking of retiring early. The Winter War had been brutal and hard for everyone.
There was no telling what the future may hold but Byakuya wasn't going to hold his breath. "Captain Kuchiki, I have a message for you from the Head Captain." His left hand settled on the hilt of his Zanpakuto as he looked at the messenger from the corner of his eyes. He didn't have to speak when all the messengers knew him by now. "He wants you to report to his office at once." He looked back down at his sister who was now saying goodbye to Ichigo Kurosaki. To him this place would be a little bit quieter now that the boy was back in the World of the Living. Don't jinx us master or we'll never be rid of the boy! Senbonzakurs scolded his wielder jokingly.
Rolling his eyes mentally he turned on his heel and flash stepped away. I wonder what the old man wants. When not being formal the Head Captain didn't mind being called old man. He was well over two thousand years old. Byakuya was only 450 years old and that was nothing compared to the old man. Whatever it is, it seems urgent and important if he is calling you to his office immediately. He had to agree with his blade on that one. Genryusai didn't do things that weren't important. He has been leading them for a very long time. But it seemed like there were things that needed to happen. If he had to guess he would assume the Soul King was guiding the Head Captain and thus them as well.
He reached the old mans office and rapped on the door twice before waiting. It didn't take long to hear a "come in" before he was sliding the door open. When he stepped in he was instantly drawn to the magnificent Phoenix that was perched on the old mans shoulder. Tearing his eyes away from the bird he centered his attention on the Head Captain. "You asked to see me sir?" He was always respectful to the man who became pretty much everyone's pseudo grandfather when they weren't being formal.
Fawkes took flight and flew over to Byakuya before settling on the nobles right shoulder. The Phoenix knew exactly who he was even if he didn't look the same. "Yes Captain Kuchiki, there is much to discuss. For starters you had a past life before you had been born here into the Kuchiki family. That past life is still very much tied to you by the threads of destiny. A prophecy if you wish to think of it a different way. In that past life you were a young wizard named Harry Potter." He picked up a box and took out the memory pill and tossed it to his subordinate knowing now was the time to give it to him.
"Those are the memories the Soul King has taken from you the moment you passed through a permanent experimental Senkaimon gate. It was known as the Veil of Death. The King sent your soul into the womb of your current lifes mother. It gave you the opportunity to train and gain experience so that you may be on par with the man you are destined to kill. His name is Tom Riddle but he goes by Lord Voldemort. An abomination that has upset the balance we uphold as Soul Reapers."
Byakuya caught the pill and held it up to inspect it. This small pill held his stolen memories from a life he had once lived before. He wondered what would happen if he took the pill. He didn't want to lose who he had become. Byakuya Kuchiki had a little sister, had once loved a woman with all his heart. He had seen battles and been in a war against one of his own. No matter what master you will always be Byakuya Kuchiki. Those past memories aren't meant to change you but merely fill a void that has been empty for so long. He lowered his hand and accepted the words Senbonzakura had spoken. "What is my mission sir?" He rolled the pill around between his fingers absently.
Genryusai noticed but said nothing as Fawkes returned to his shoulder. "You are to leave for London, England once you have assimilated your memories. An old friend named Albus Dumbledore will meet you at a place called Number 12 Grimmuald Place. You are to deal with the abomination known as Voldemort. Once the prophecy is fulfilled I wish for you to check out the experimental Senkaimon gate. Report anything you feel needs reported outside of your mission parameters." He grabbed a blank sheet of paper and began drafting a letter for Albus so he knew Byakuya was on his way soon.
Byakuya left the office with the pill still in hand and flash stepped straight to his home. He stopped at his sister's room and checked on her before heading to his chambers. Sliding his door open he sat on his futon and took the pill. Instantly he was bombarded with flashes of memories. Each one painting a rather sad and disturbing picture of what his past life was like.
With he help of his Zanpakuto he was able to assimilate the memories easier. It had the benefit of analyzing what he saw and how to feel about it all. He wouldn't be the one they stepped all over. And he would be sure they knew he wasn't what he used to be. He was Byakuya Kuchiki, Head of the Kuchiki Clan and Captain of the 6th Squad. Harry Potter had been a boy with too much pressure on his shoulders. He made Ichigo look even more tolerable than he was now. And Ichigo was the one he respected which said a lot actually.
Don't worry master. He laid back on his futon and accepted the comfort given freely by his Zanpakuto. He laid there for a few moments before getting up and packing a few changes of clothes. He would be in the World of the Living for who knows how long. Luckily for him he didn't need a gigai since magicals were spiritually aware. Will you tell Rukia what you are doing? Senbonzakura asked as Byakuya finished packing his clothes. Yes after I visit Hisana's shrine. He closed his suitcase and left it on his futon.
He walked the familiar path to the shrine he had of his wife. It would surprise many if anyone knew that Byakuya never had a set gender preference. He had married Hisana because he loved her. They may not have had a lot of time together but he loved her with all his heart. Reaching her shrine he slid open the door and walked up to her picture. He lit an incense and prayed for a moment. Then he just stood there staring at her picture. He missed Hisana so much but he knew eventually he would need to move on. After several moments he turned and left the shrine before making his way to his sister's chambers.
Byakuya felt nervous for some reason but pushed it away and slid her door open. He walked up to his sleeping sister and kneeled on the floor. Gently he placed a hand on her cheek and ran his thumb over the soft skin. "Rukia, you must awaken for a moment." He knew he didn't have a lot of time left before he had to leave.
Rukia shifted in her sleep before her violet eyes opened. She saw her big brother and placed a hand over his. "Whats the matter big brother?" Her voice was thick with sleep as she searched his face. Wondering why he was here so late into the night.
"I have a mission from the Head Captain. I am leaving for the World of the Living to tie up lose ends from a life I lived before this one. I will be across the seas in the UK and I do not know how long I will be gone for." He slowly moved his hand from her cheek only to cradle one of hers in both of his. "You may visit me whenever you wish Rukia for I will not be parted from you for long periods of time." He let her hand go and leaned forward before placing a kiss to her forehead. "I must go now Rukia, but know that your big brother will come back." He pulled away and stood up then walked out her room and into his.
He looked around to make sure he had everything. Once he did he pulled Senbonzakura from his sheath and made a personal Senkaimon. Making sure the destination was London, England. Then he sheathed his sword and left through the gate without looking back.
Byakuya was soon standing above London, England. He took a moment to admire the beautiful lighting. The crisp chill of the night and the way the atmosphere felt. He didn't feel at home here but he never missed an opportunity to admire beautifully towns. Japan is not the only country they patrol and look after. Its why there are so many Soul Reapers divided between all 13 Squads and thats before a fresh wave of new graduates. Japan is their main focus since it is the one that is hit more often by Hollows.
Shaking his head he used flash step to get to his destination. Do you think they will try and make you into what you used to be? Or will they accept you as you are? That was a very valid question and one Byakuya didn't have an answer for. They will have to accept me as I am. I do not look like a teenage boy and my mannerisms are not what Harry Potter had before the Veil. It may have been me back then but I am a different person now. Harry Potter and Byakuya Kuchiki are nothing alike. He accepted his past life for what it was but he was older and wouldn't drift back into old habits. He wasn't Harry Potter anymore but he knew his soul was tied to this prophecy.
We are close master. He sighed and dropped to the ground without a single noise. Ahead of him he could feel the mage and knew it was time to face the music. He was so thankful that Mayuri had created devices that acted as a sort of subspace to carry things in. His was a sakura blossom necklace that is hidden beneath his Shihakusho. The moment he rounded the corner he saw the man the Head Captain had told him about. "Albus Dumbledore?" He asked as he stood just inches away from the old mage.
Albus was stunned speechless as he looked at who could only be Byakuya Kuchiki. This was not what he had expected, Harry had been a teen when he fell through the Veil. He was expecting his new body and looks to match how old he had once been. Boy was he wrong and now he had to figure out how to turn it around in his favor. Too bad he had no idea who he was messing with. "Harry my dear boy! How good it is to see you. Come let us head inside, everyone is eager to see you."
He narrowed his eyes at the old man, well he may look old but Byakuya had a feeling he was older than Albus. "My name Albus is Byakuya Kuchiki. You will do well to address me as such or Captain Kuchiki." He then followed the man to the front door and stepped inside. The house felt odd to him and a bit creepy.
"Right sorry Byakuya my boy. Its just shocking to know you were still alive and now you are here." Albus led Byakuya through the hallway and into the dinning room. Where he could see every member of the order including the Weasley children. It was sad that they wouldn't get to have the same experience with Byakuya like they had all hoped.
Byakuya stepped into the room and instantly all eyes were on him. Most of them were shocked and a few were upset. Why he didn't know nor care, he was here for a reason. Not to cater to the whims of mindless sheep and their master. "Harry? Harry is that you?" His eyes settled on a rather unkempt man with black hair and grey eyes. He looked like a mix of hopeful and heartbroken.
The man next to him was sickly looking and had tired brown eyes. He could feel the wolf within the man. His memories supplied names to faces but there was no lingering emotions. He had lived far longer than anyone here. Had become Byakuya Kuchiki in every sense of the word. His steel grey eyes swept around the room as he settled his hand on the hilt of his Zanpakuto. "No longer have I lived by that name. Harry Potter is nothing but a ghost of my past here. I am Byakuya Kuchiki, Captain of the 6th Squad of the 13 Court Guard Squads and Head of the Kuchiki Clan. I am here to clean up what Harry Potter left behind."
He made sure they all got the message before he turned on his heel and left the room. He went up the stairs and found the room that would offer him the privacy he wanted and needed. Using a bit of Kido he made sure he wasn't disturbed until morning. Good night Senbonzakura. He said to his Zanpakuto. Good night master. He closed his eyes and let sleep claim him.
Okay chapter done! I know Byakuya was a bit harsh there at the end. I am trying to keep him in character but my muse has taken over and it says Byakuya will be OOC while around the wand wavers. Well he will mostly be OOC. I hope you like this chapter and how its turning out so far.