Chapter 44: Beast Swords Arc: A Passing Walk

Minata's POV

"Hmm, it was nice for the Captain Commander to give the entire Gotei 13 the day off today. However, it is a bit uncharacteristic of him to do such a thing, don't you think? Like seriously, he gave every division the day off. It doesn't feel natural to me."

"It's best not to question his decision, or else you'll learn the hard way Mizukiri," I teasingly threaten as I watch the koi fish swim around in the Manor's signature lake. "Besides, this day off is well needed. The divisions need this time to rest, rebuild, and recuperate now that the whole Muramasa debacle is over with."

". . . And thanks to a certain Kuchiki Clan leader, the rebuilding part is going much more quickly than anticipated," Mizukiri says with a slight nod of her head. "I'm sure all of the divisions are happy with the Kuchiki Clan's contribution to the rebuilding efforts, but I'm sure it has raised some eyebrows for some people."

"What are you insinuating Kiri?" I ask as we stepped onto the path that led to the compound's eastern gardens. "Are you saying it's wrong for a rich noble family to help out in a time of need?"

"There's nothing wrong with a rich noble family helping out their community. I was not insinuating that it's a bad thing," she tells me a little snidely. "What I was insinuating was that it's going to raise some eyebrows that a person that basically had a hand in some of the destruction is the one that leads the family that's commissioned this rebuild effort . . . Besides, does Byakuya Kuchiki seem like the giving type at first glance?"

"Okay, so Byakuya doesn't appear as a giver at first impression. I'll give you that, but everyone is entitled to do something that's out of their nature every once in a while, and not be criticized for it," I say in the man's defense. "If you want, you can think of the Kuchiki Clan's contribution as a way of Byakuya righting a wrong. You know just as well as I do that he would do anything for the Gotei 13, but sometimes his duties to his clan clash with that."

"I guess you're right. Being a high ranking noble with duties to the Gotei 13 can be a conflicting thing," says my spirit as she brings a hand to her chin. "It's the same case for you, although, your clan hasn't called on you for clan duties, despite you being the next in line to lead."

"That is true. I do have to attend a Fukudome Clan function on occasion, but most of the main duties falls on the clan head. As long as my grandmother is able to lead, she'll continue to stay in the leadership position, and considering how young she first came into the role and how much she loves it, I'd say she's going to stay there for quite a long while." I thoughtfully say as I think it over. "Then again, she could choose to abdicate."

"And if that ever happens, well, no more living in the Kuchiki Manor for us! We'd have to go back home to the Fukudome Manor, where you would take your rightful place as clan leader and deal with all the stuff that comes with it," Kiri says with a grin as I spot the garden's entrance in the near distance. "But who knows when that will happen."

"Yes, who knows . . ." I say as I shake my head in agreement. "Anyway, didn't you say that you have to help oversee a certain party that's going on in another part of the manor?"

"I'm not going to the 6th Division's party to oversee it," she tells me quickly as a sneaky look comes across her face. "I'm going there to sneak myself some free food. Bye now!"

"What a craven thing for you to do," I mumble, but she quickly shunpos away before I could get the full sentence out. "And she doesn't even stay for the whole tongue lashing I was going to give her."

"Zanpakuto spirits can be fickle when they want to be . . . You were never strict with her to begin with."

"Criticizing my zanpakuto policing skills Byakuya?" I ask as I sense his presence somewhere behind me. "If I remember correctly, you and Senbonzakura weren't really on good terms either when we were younger."

"Truthfully, I detested Senbonzakura at first because of his tendency to show . . . attributes of the side of me that wasn't suitable for a future clan head to show." he tells me as he appears by my side.

"You mean the side of you that was brash, quick tempered, and easily irritated with almost anything that didn't go your way?" Byakuya simply scowled in response, but that only made me smile even more. "What? Don't give me that look Byakuya Kuchiki! You know you were all those things and more back when we were little."

"That may be true, but I do not want to reminisce on that now," he says in that deep voice of his. "Care to join me for a quick walk through the garden?"

"Sure," I say as I take his offered hand. He leads me through the entrance gate and down the main pathway, the stone walkway bordered on both sides by bushes and bushes of flowers, all of them coifed and maintained to a tee. For a while, I lost myself in the flowers, naming each one that I recognized while guessing the names of others that I was not too sure about. When I finally moved my attention back to Byakuya, the man was seemingly lost in thought, as if he was contemplating something that only he knew about. "Penny for your thoughts Byakuya?"

"I was just thinking about these past few days, that's all," he tells me as we turn a corner. "I was actually at a private meeting with Captain Commander Yamamoto before coming here."

"That would explain why you have been noticeably absent this morning," I say with a nod. "Are you allowed to talk about the details with others, or is it strictly a need-to-know basis kind of thing?"

"Since you know info that most of the Soul Society isn't privy too, I guess you do have a right to know," he tells me as the smallest of smirks shows on his usually stoic face. "As you could probably guess, my talk with the Captain Commander was mainly on Kouga and my plan to 'betray' the Soul Society . . . As a close friend of my grandfather and one of the people that helped seal my uncle away for a time, he, of course, understood the situation I was put in. He understood what I had to do as the head of my clan. However, he did voice his disapproval at the tactic I used in order to do it."

"Oh yes. If I put myself in the Captain Commander's shoes, I can see how much he would disapprove of the idea of one of his most loyal captains supposedly betraying the Soul Society at a time when most of the high ranking shinigami's zanpakuto spirits are running amok all over the place," I say as I shake my head. "So, was the tongue lashing just as bad as when he called you out for losing your haori? You know, after you came back from Hueco Mundo with Zaraki?"

"It wasn't as bad as that occasion, but it was bad," he tells me as we stop walking by a sakura tree. "And anyway, despite the disapproval I received after losing my haori, I still stand by my sentiment to this day. Of course, the haoris have their purpose, but they're still made out of cheap fabric regardless."

"And the next thing I know, you'll commission a new captain's haori to be made for yourself that's made out of a fabric that's expensive and of better quality. Maybe even have a proper collar and some gold piping along the edges. That should solve your haori problem." I say as I pinch the bridge of my noise. When I looked back up at Byakuya, his face was looking quite contemplative, as if he was really thinking about my idea. "Are you seriously considering what I just said?"

"I will be honest with you Mina, it's actually not a bad idea," he sincerely tells me as I feel his thumb rubbing circles along my knuckles. "I'm actually quite mad at myself for not coming up with the idea myself."

"It's nice to know. Now then, don't you have a party to get to? I'm sure the rest of your division is wondering where you are this minute, and you're not known for being less than punctual." I teasingly say as he pulls me a little closer to his body.

"As the 6th Division's captain, I should make an appearance at my own division's party. But first, I have to settle some unfinished business with you," he tells me, his face becoming serious. "I have to thank you Minata."

"For what?"

"For keeping my secret away from the others," he tells me simply. "Most of the other shinigami still do not show any indication that they knew about my clan's past with Kouga, or Kouga in general, and I prefer that it stay that way."

"You're secret is safe with me," I tell him before quickly pecking his lips, the action slightly taking him off guard, and when I say slightly, I mean a nanosecond-slightly. "Have you spoken to your grandfather yet about what happened with your wayward uncle?"

"I have; he's glad that the issue is settled."

Byakuya gives me a straight answer, never elaborating on the details. Nothing more, nothing less. It was a bit annoying, but I could understand it. Kouga was something that he wanted to forget about now. Now that he's gone, the issue was officially done with.

"That's good to hear . . . I guess you should be on your way Byakuya. You do have a party to attend after all."

"And I want you to come along with me," he tells me, his smirk showing once again. I guess the look on my face is telling him that I'm very unsure about his request, which leads him to continue with this. "It is only a simple request. Is deciding on accepting a party invitation that difficult?"

"It is if you're questioning how others will react to seeing us walk into the celebration together," I say, barely resisting the urge to shrug. "I don't think I'm very into the idea of ruining my afternoon by dodging questions back and forth by nosy shinigami."

"That is understandable, but I have a quick solution to that problem." says the Kuchiki as he starts guiding me toward the exit.

"And that is what exactly?"

"It's quite simple really. Just raise your spiritual pressure enough that it scares them away."

"Hmm. nice," I say sarcastically as I roll my eyes. "And next thing I know, you'll also suggest I shock them with my powers to scare them away if they get too pushy."

"Well, in any case, you should always have a Plan B . . ." Byakuya advises before raising the hand that he was holding onto and kissing my knuckles. I decided not to retort with a sarcastic comment, because in a way, he was right.

It is always good to have a plan B.

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