Chapter 28: Spar

Current Arc: Zanpakuto Unknown Tales Arc

Minata's POV

"Master, do you sense that?" asks my zanpakuto as we walk through the streets of the Sereitei. "Senbonzakura and Zabimaru's spiritual pressure have been flaring up and down for the past few minutes now."

"Byakuya did mention to us this morning that he had plans to face Renji in a sparring match today," I tell her as I turn to the direction that the Sixth's barracks were in. "I guess it's occurring now."

"Do we have enough time to go see it?" she asks me with a hopeful look on her face. "It's been a while since we've seen a sparring match between a captain and lieutenant."

"I guess seeing it for a little bit won't hurt . . ." I say with a small smile on my face. "Let's go."

"Yes ma'am." she tells me with a smile before we shunpo over to the Sixth. It only takes us three minutes to reach the Sixth's barracks, and already there is a small crowd gathered to watch the duel unfold in the training grounds. Even Captains Kyoraku and Ukitake were there, as well as my cousin and her zanpakuto, and from the looks of how the battle's been going so far, it appears that Byakuya is winning.

"Uh oh, someone's getting pushed around," says Mizukiri as we watch Renji get, literally, pushed back by Senbonzakura's blades. A red aura begins to surround him before he's enveloped by a cloud of smoke. The hiss of a snake echoes out through the area, and soon enough, Hihio Zabimaru rears its head. ". . . Or maybe not."

We watch the match unfold for a few more minutes before I suddenly notice that something was up. As Byakuya calls for his Bankai, he hesitates after stretching out his arm, his thousands of blades circling around behind him, his eyes widening for a fraction of a second. Renji doesn't even notice this as he continues his attack, and from then on, the match continues. But after a few more minutes pass, Byakuya sheathes his blade and calls the match off.

"Well that was an excellent match . . ." I hear Captain Kyoraku say as he walks over to the combatants. "You guys should be proud of yourselves."

"You both fought well," adds Ukitake as he turns to Renji, just as Zabimaru returned to its humanoid form. "Your powers and techniques have improved from the last time I've seen you fight Lieutenant Abarai."

"Thank you Captain Ukitake," says Renji, bowing his head slightly in respect, but then Byakuya's move to leave gets his attention. "Captain? Is something wrong?"

"Nothing is wrong . . . We are done for the day Renji." he tells him simply as he turns to look at him. As he turns, he locks eyes with me for a split second before leaving, Senbonzakura walking right after him as they made their exit.

"I wonder what's eating him up." mutters Kyoraku as he brought a hand to his chin.

"That's just Byakuya for you." says Ukitake as he suddenly notices me. "Ah Mina-chan, I see you and Mizukiri decided to come see the match too."

"We sensed the spiritual pressure from miles away, so we decided to come and take a look." I tell them simply as I looked out onto the training ground.

"I think we actually had Captain Kuchiki on the ropes during the match . . ." says Snakey with a smirk as he crossed his arms, a look mirrored by Chimpette, quite proud with what they managed to do during the battle.

"Well it did look like you had him cornered a few times."

"MARU IS THAT YOU?" Snakey asks, his eyes widening in surprise at the sound of the girly voice.

"I'm over here . . ." she calls out she and her master make their presence known. "Surprise!"

"Akira, you were watching too?" Renji asks her in shock as a small blush begins to form on his face.

"I was on my way back to my division when I noticed your match, so Shika, Maru, and I decided to come and check it out for ourselves." she tells him with a small smile in place. "It was a great match Lieutenant Abarai."

"Oh, thank you," Renji tells her breathlessly as his blush grew even more. "Thank you very much."

"Aw, are you actually blushing Abarai?" Kyoraku asks with a small smirk in place as he eyes Renji with a mischievous gaze.

"What? No! No I'm not!" Renji suddenly exclaims as he turns to the two captains, although the ever growing blush on his face hurts his claims.

"Smooth Renji, real smooth," says Chimpette with a roll of her eyes. "C'mon Snakey, we have to meet up with the other zanpakuto spirits. Remember?"

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that," says Snakey as he scratched the back of his neck. "Mizukiri, Shika, Maru, are you coming too?"

"Now where are you guys off to on this fine afternoon?" asks Ukitake as the zanpakuto spirits begin to walk toward the gate.

"We're off to compete in some sparring matches with the other spirits. It was Hozukimaru's idea . . . We'll see you later." says Mizukiri before the spirits shunpo out of sight.

"I never thought Mizukiri would so willingly compete in a match." mutters Akira as she comes over to me. "She usually doesn't like to compete in matches if she can help it."

"That was back when we were younger Akira. . . Things change cousin, things change." I tell her as Kyoraku and Ukitake walk over to the gate, already in deep conversation with each other.

"Umm, Akira-chan, may I speak with you for just a moment?" Renji asks, his face looking so unsure, so unlike his usual smug self. "I was hoping if I could ask you something."

"Oh sure . . ." she tells him with a small smile in place. "Ask away."

"Umm, I was hoping if I could ask you my question in private." he tells her bashfully, his eyes looking at me for a slight moment before turning back to her.

"I get it. I'll be on my way now," I tell them with a wave as I walk over to the exit. "I'll see you later then."

"Bye cousin . . ." I hear Akira call out to me as I walk over to the exit. I managed to reach the doors before Byakuya's 9th Seat, Mihane Shirogane, appeared before me, relieved that she caught me before I left.

"Oh Minata-chan, I'm glad I caught you just in time. Captain Kuchiki would like to speak with you in his office, if you may."

"I see . . . Tell your captain I'll be there in a minute."

"Right, thank you," she tells me gratefully before leaving. Before walking back in to the division, I notice something down by the first corner, but it disappears before I could get a good look at it.

"That was weird . . ." I mutter as I look at the corner for a final time. "But I shouldn't worry now. Better not keep Byakuya waiting."

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