Chapter 9 - The Flash Goddess
Byakuya's POV
"How in the world did you reacquire the powers of a shinigami?"
It was the first question that came to my mind as I continued to level the boy with my iciest glare. An earlier report offered possible ideas as to how the boy got his powers back, but I wanted to hear his side of the story from his own lips.
Better to have the guilty admit to their crimes after all.
"Simply put, an old candy shop owner I know helped me out a lot. Thanks to him, I learned how to develop powers of my very own. I didn't take them from anyone," he answers, the scowl never leaving his face. ". . . Oh, by the way, Kisuke Urahara says hello."
"Kisuke Urahara? As in the ex-12th Division captain Kisuke Urahara?" Mizukiri mumbles, shaking her head. "He hasn't made much of a peep in decades, and now he decides to have a hand in shinigami business?"
"Hmm, Urahara was always an enigmatic individual," Ukitake speculates, sounding like he was not surprised by the sudden mentioning of the exiled ex-captain. "He always appeared one way, but acted in another. . . He was never one to leave things alone, especially if they really caught his attention."
"You've developed your own powers. I see," I decide to say, not liking this turn of events. "I must admit. It's commendable that you developed your own powers instead of taking the powers of someone else, but considering the time that has passed since we last met, it's likely that you're not fully used to your new powers just yet . . . You have made a foolish decision by coming here."
"Oh, have I?" he dares to ask, his glare challenging, yet petulant.
"You managed to survive my attack, one that rendered you powerless. You should have taken that as your chance to forget about the Spirit World; to live out your existence as a regular human," I say, the hold I had on my sword tightening slightly. "You wasted your chance, and I will ensure that you don't get another one."
"You're right. . . If I was in my right mind, I would have stayed home and forgot all about this whole Soul Society business, but after hearing that Rukia - your own sister - was going to be executed for simply helping me protect my family, my friends, and my hometown, I wasn't going to stay back and let it happen!" The boy exclaims, the white binding cloth covering his blade moving to unwrap on its own. "I'm not that kind of person, and I'm gonna make sure that this execution doesn't happen!"
"Defiant, almost like Kaien," I hear Ukitake mumble, likely thinking back to his fallen lieutenant.
He wasn't the only one struck by his words. Rukia's eyes widened in shock as she stared at the human who dared to go against an entire society, all for the sake of saving her.
Even as his angered stare stayed locked on me, I couldn't help but be impressed by the sheer audacity, and absurdity, of his statement. He was willing to go so far in an effort that could cost him his life, as well as the lives of those that came with him . . .
. . . He is certainly a risk taker; I'll give him that.
"Huh, that's one large zanpakuto!" chorused the twin spirits of Sogyo no Kotowari, both of them ogling the large blade with wide, attentive eyes.
"Hmm, that's strange. His blade is definitely not a katana or any of the standard blade forms," Minata mumbles, her eyes likely more on the blade than on the boy himself. "Looks like it's in a constant state of release, just like Captain Kenpachi's zanpakuto."
I knew Minata only meant to voice an observation, but the comparison between the ryoka and the fight-crazed barbarian only serves to make my blood simmer at the thought.
"What is the name of your zanpakuto?"
"My zanpakuto? Well, just because you asked nicely, I'll tell you . . . Better yet, let me show you!"
That last sentence is barely out of his mouth when a new figure slowly appears behind him. The figure looked to be a middle-aged man with dark, almost raven colored hair with matching stubble across his jawline. He was dressed in a style more common in the Human World, wearing a white dress shirt, black pants, black boots, a black overcoat, and a pair of sunglasses that showed his eyes.
"Master?"
"Zangetsu, I'm glad you could join the party." says the teen, never moving his gaze as the spirit turned his sights on me, his face conveying no emotion.
"So, this is your zanpakuto? It seems you have indeed progressed well since the last time we encountered each other. However, just because you've gained new powers does not mean you will defeat me!"
A quick use of Senka brings me behind him, but before I can strike, both the ryoka and his spirit have disappeared, only to reappear behind Rukia and Yamada.
"Hmm, you are quick. I wonder if you have become fast enough to dodge my shikai." I say, raising my blade. However, before I can even say "Scatter, Senbonzakura", my zanpakuto finds itself wrapped in a white cloth that has suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
Lifting my gaze, I come face-to-face with a woman that no one in the Seireitei have seen for decades, her infuriatingly feline smirk making itself known as she held onto the other end of the cloth, keeping my weapon at bay.
She was always a troublesome person, but that usually came with the territory of anyone who knew the Soul Society's aforementioned Flash Goddess.
Unfortunately, Minata and I knew her all too well.
T ~ P ~ O ~ S ~ L
"C'mon you slowpokes! I was sure you two would catch up to me this time around!"
The words only worked to incite the irritation of the young Kuchiki Clan heir, the young teen grimacing as he pushed himself to his limits to catch up with the purple haired woman who continued to outrun him. Not wanting to be left behind, his companion, the heiress of the Fukudome Clan, picked up the pace as well, beads of sweat spilling from her brow as she matched them step for step.
The three had been running throughout the Kuchiki property for the past few hours now, and while Byakuya and Minata valiantly managed to not drop dead from all the running they've had to do, they still couldn't catch up with the living speed demon that was Yoruichi ShihÅin.
"Okay! I think it's time we called it a day!"
The two teens were shocked at the abrupt announcement, both losing their balance as they came to a stop a couple of feet behind the dark-skinned woman. While Minata managed to only fall on her noble behind, Byakuya wasn't as lucky. He was carrying too much forward momentum and ended up falling on to his face.
"You're-you're ending our game already?!" Minata asked, a little shocked by this latest development. Though she was a little relieved at this turn of fortune, she was a little suspicious toward the reasoning behind it. "Is there something wrong?"
"Not really. Let's just say I have to go take care of something before the day's up and leave it at that, okay?" she asked, her voice teasing as she turned around to see that Byakuya still hadn't recovered from planting his face into the ground. "I never realized how much of a nature lover you were Byaku-bo!"
"I'm not in the mood for your teasing you damn were-cat!" he grumbled, finally picking his face up from off the ground. Predictably, a good amount of his face was covered in soil and grass. "And what in the world could make you end one of these goddamn chases so abruptly?!"
"A lot of things, actually," she said with a grin, crossing her arms as Byakuya quickly dusted his face off. "You both have improved your shunpo by leaps and bounds since the first day I tutored you two, but alas, you still can't catch me."
"We will, one day." Minata mumbled as she slowly got up, dusting her pants off as she did.
"I look forward to it." Yoruichi announced, ending her sentence with a smile before disappearing in the blink of an eye.
"I really hate her." Byakuya growled out, staring down the spot the purple haired woman was previously standing in.
"Hate is such a strong word, don't you think?" Minata mumbled as she stretched out her back, eventually getting rewarded with a few pops in her spine. "And you're only saying that because every time we do something with her that's speed related, she always wins or has the upper hand. . . You should be a little more careful with your emotions Byakuya. Showing jealousy is unbecoming of a noble."
"I'm not jealous of that damn werecat!" he exclaimed, irritated with Minata for even suggesting such a thing.
"Of course, you're not . . ." Minata trailed off as she plucked a piece of grass from out of his hair. "Eh, I think you missed a spot of dirt on your chin there."
"Don't start!" Byakuya warned her before quickly wiping at the spot she was pointing at. "One of these days, that woman will eat my dust."
"I look forward to seeing that . . ." Minata mumbled as she started to walk away. "If you need me, I'll be at home. I really need a bath."
The Kuchiki heir didn't bother to watch as his friend walked away, choosing to turn his gaze back on the spot that Yoruichi previously stood at before making her exit.
Byakuya knew that his grandfather meant well when he approached the two of them with the Flash Goddess in tow one day to announce that she would tutor them in shunpo, and at first, he didn't think much of it. In fact, he was eager to learn from the woman revered to be an absolute master in the skill.
However, as time went on, the woman's playful attitude began to grate on his nerves. She would tease him all the time and wouldn't act serious, even when she was teaching. He was willing to admit that Minata had a much better relationship with the woman than he ever would, but there were times when even the Fukudome heiress would get annoyed by her antics.
Yoruichi may be a member of one of the Four Great Noble Families, a Gotei 13 captain, and the Commander of the Onmitsukido, but in Byakuya's honest opinion, the woman didn't conduct herself in a way that was proper of her station.
"I will beat Yoruichi one day . . ." he promised as he walked off toward his quarters. ". . . I will."
Little did he know that it would take decades to pass before he would get his next chance.
T ~ P ~ O ~ S ~ L
"It took decades, but you finally have your chance . . ."
Though making a good point,I had to put Senbonzakura's words aside as I stared down the woman that dared to show her face after all this time. Aside from the longer hair, Yoruichi's appearance remained relatively unchanged since the last time I've seen her, and though her posture appears lackadaisical at first glance, those with a much more trained eye can tell that she was poised to strike at a moment's notice.
"It's been a while Byakuya." she says as she finally turns to face me, her golden yellow eyes virtually unreadable.
"What are you doing here Yoruichi?!"
Expecting Minata to be the one to ask that question, I was mildly surprised to see that it was the ryoka who voiced it.
The werecat doesn't bother to answer him.
Instead, she appears before him, and knocks him out cold, allowing his body to slump down onto her shoulder. The boy's sudden bout of unconsciousness causes his zanpakuto's spirit to disappear, being enough to earn a shout of disbelief to pour from my sister's lips.
The entire sequence could be considered a shortened version of what Yoruichi was like when she was actually serious for once. Quiet, blunt, and faster than anything known to man and soul alike.
Well, almost anything.
"I see you haven't changed much in terms of shutting people up Yoruichi."
"I just wanted to make sure that you remembered me well Minata," she says, her grin back in place. "It's good to see you too . . . Hmm, last time I saw you two, you were still teenage brats chasing after my coattails. Now look at you. I heard that you're the Third Seat of the First Division Mina . . . I'm mildly shocked that Soi-Fon allowed you to transfer out of the Second."
"Well, she did do it begrudgingly, if the rumors are true. . ." Minata mumbles, sounding almost wistful as she stood next to me.
"And then there's you Byakuya," she adds, turning her attention back to me. "Captaincy suits you well, though it seems you're still the high-strung, stick in the mud that you were when we were all younger . . ."
"You have some nerve showing your face after all these years." I end up saying, not bothering to recognize her words with a sharp retort, one I wouldn't hesitate to unleash if I was still many years younger.
"Some people say my boldness is one of my most charming qualities," Yoruichi admits, never missing a beat as she adjusts her hold on the ryoka. "Sheesh, this boy may be lean, but he's definitely not light."
"Well, that's what happens when you jab a knockout agent right into his major organs," Minata announces, having noticed something that, I must admit, I wasn't aware of. "It was always one of your favorite techniques when dealing with someone who either couldn't stop talking or don't listen."
"Ah, I see you still know me well Mina. Good to know . . . Now then, if you excuse me. We must be on our way."
"Do you really expect to escape with the boy that easily?" I ask, taking a step forward.
"Oh, is that a challenge I hear?"
"Take it for what you will," I challenge, taking another step forward. "You will not escape this complex at the speed you currently possess now?"
"Oh really, Byaku-bo?" she asks me, now resorting to using that ridiculous nickname she had given me all those years ago. "Just because I haven't been active as a shinigami for decades now doesn't mean I have gone lax with my skills. . . Besides, have you ever beaten me in a game of tag yet?"
"Shall we try again?"
Her smile grows as she disappears, me right on her heels. She may be known as the "Flash Goddess" because of her extremely proficient use of shunpo, but this time, I planned to beat her at her own game.
As soon as I had taken three steps, I realized that my goal was not an easily achievable one.
Despite not being active for close to a century now, it was obvious that Yoruichi was just as fast, if not faster, then what she was back then. Every time I thought I had her, she would disappear just as quick, reappearing a few feet away. However, I still had the slight advantage. The boy's weight was serving as a hindrance to her maneuverability, so it was only a matter of time before she made a mistake.
Eventually, I found my opening, slashing my old mentor right across her midsection as she made to turn to her right. A small smirk almost appeared as a result, until I realized she used Cicada to evade the attack in the nick of time. I ended up cutting through pieces of fabric instead of her stomach.
Next thing I knew, she was standing on the roof of one of the towers nearby, looking no worse for wear.
"Three days . . . In three days, this boy will be stronger than you, Byakuya Kuchiki. You two will continue your battle then, and only then!" she yells, suddenly turning her sights on Mina. "Take care of yourself, Mina-chan! Oh, by the way, congrats on achieving your bankai! I hope I get to see it one day! No time soon of course!"
Yoruichi didn't waste any time escaping with the boy after that, leaving with a shunpo that undoubtedly took her a couple of miles with just one step alone. It was futile to chase after her with such a head start, and though I was loathed to admit it, it was probably best to leave them be. She had mentioned that I would face off against Kurosaki in three days' time, and she was known to be a woman who kept to her word, though her demeanor most of the time would say otherwise.
Turning my head, Ukitake and his zanpakuto were not being subtle as they stared at Minata and Mizukiri with wide eyes, and though they should have shown a much better sense of decorum and propriety in this instance, I could not really blame them for their actions.
It wasn't every day you hear that your closest friend achieved their bankai, and without you noticing either.
I have so many questions now . . .
Minata's POV
"Leave it to Yoruichi Shihoin to cause a little bit of mischief before she makes her exit!" I think to myself as I stared at the tower she was previously standing on, studiously ignoring the look the 13th Division captain was sending my way.
It also raises the question of how she knew about my bankai in the first place. I was still only a teenager when she mysteriously disappeared from the Seireitei, and her location was still unknown when I finally achieved it a couple of years after I joined the First after my stints in the Ninth and Second Divisions.
It was actually Lieutenant Sasakibe who encouraged me to work on achieving my bankai during my first few months with the First Division, reasoning that it should be a goal that every hard working shinigami should strive to achieve if they wanted top progress in the Gotei 13. The man had a point, so I took his words to heart and started training to achieve it, and boy did Mizukiri not make it easy for me.
I trained in private when I could find the time, away from most of the Soul Society to be exact, but somehow, Sasakibe was there to witness me call it out for the first time after a few years of training. It was obvious to the both of us that it would be a work in progress from that day on, but I was just glad that I actually reached the point where I could call on it if need be.
Still, how in the Rukongai did Yoruichi find out about it?
Something tells me the answer involves a certain former 12th Division captain, but I could be wrong.
"Mina, I had no idea you achieved your bankai," cries Ukitake, sounding very excited as Sogyo no Kotowari shook their heads in agreement. "When did this happen?!"
"A long while ago," I say, keeping my answer vague as I spot Byakuya making his exit. ". . . Is he leaving already?"
"Captain Kuchiki! Where are you going?!" Ukitake asks, now noticing what I was seeing. "What about 7th Seat Yamada and the other man!?"
"I've lost my interest in those two. Do what you want with them if you wish." Byakuya coldly states as he and Senbonzakura walk away, seemingly wiping his hands from the actions that he had the greatest hand in among the three of us. Before Ukitake could even say another word, Byakuya shunpos away, effectively leaving us to deal with the aftermath.
"Well, that was a little rude, even for him," Ukitake mumbles, shaking his head. "He must have a lot on his mind."
"It appears that way," I say in return, turning my eyes to Rukia. She had been silent for the most part, her face faint and unreadable as she somehow managed to stay upright.
"Hm, I'll take care of the others Mina. You may go back to your division."
"Are you sure captain?"
"I'm sure. . . Don't worry," he says as he starts walking toward the other three. "And by the way, when you see Byakuya again, please tell him that if he finds himself in a similar situation such as this one, he needs to handle the situation like the captain he is."
The line took me so off guard, I couldn't help the small smirk that showed on my face, having not heard that kind of commentary since I was younger. Jushiro Ukitake was a pleasant, jovial man that could be at ease with anyone, but even he was capable of biting sarcasm if he wished it.
"I'll make sure to get the word to him the next time I see him. You have my word."
A/N: Leave a comment if you like!