Kira Izuru
Vice-Captain of the third division under Manatsu Dengeki
President of the Haiku club by interim in the absence of the former president.
Friend of Matsumoto Rangiku, Abarai Renji and Shuhei Hisagi.
Court-martialed for disobeying orders, getting permanently injured and not dying. But the day is not over, for a misfit wishing to honor his mentor's last wishes.
Wake Me Up (Emotional Piano Cover) feat. Fleurie - Tommee Profitt
It seemed as if there was no sunlight these days. The fault lied entirely with the constantly blazing memorial fire erected in the middle of the East Courtyard, the never-ending cushions of smoke clouding the Seireitei sky. Remains of soldiers were still found daily from the wreckage of Soul Society, too injured to be healed, their Reika damaged beyond repair. The clinic erected in the first division took care of all the wounded. But the damaged beyond repair victims at risk of creating class 1 hollows were to be processed by Konso, soul burial.
Isane Kotetsu was taking her nursing team on a tour. She paused to stop a fight between her sister and Sentarō Kotsubaki, both hospitalized with a broken leg.
Outside, soldiers were still working in the devastated courtyard. Among them, Zaraki Kenpachi was napping under the shade of two columns while soldiers from his division were cleaning the debris and ruins. Yumichika approached not really liking this arrangement, this was not his idea of a beautiful day, and he hated getting sweaty. Yet, as he approached, about to share his feelings, Zaraki silently warned him that he was dead if he woke up Yachiru. Yachiru who snored loudly, dreaming of fishing giant koi carps, eating Ichinose pastries, fighting giants and riding clouds, rainbows and unicorns.
Well, having survived the last apocalypse when some poor souls didn't, gave Yumichika a new cheery outlook on life and he turned away from his initial target, to sit wisely next to Ikkaku. He leaned on his friend, as they watched as more unseated soldier gather and move the debris in a well-coordinated ballet. They both remembered vividly the last dance of the Primeros. Such as been dubbed the events that resulted in the total and complete destruction of the entire east courtyard. True, there was not much to say. The job was done. They all did their job well. Some people just weren't lucky chap.
Kira Izuru sat in his wheelchair, the stark, sterile atmosphere of the courtroom amplifying his inner turmoil. His once strong and agile body was now confined to this mechanical contraption, a constant reminder of the injury he had sustained in the last war, of the things he personally lost in that fire. His legs may have failed him, but his sense of duty and honor still burned within.
The courtroom was just a room per say. It was just a room in the first division headquarters which used to open on a once luxuriant garden. Now its flowers and trees were covered with ashes. Only six captains sat in front of him. His new captain, a stern figure among them, radiated strength in her captain's haori. She, the woman who killed Gin Ichimaru, looked at Kira with disappointment etched across his face. Next to her, there was the Captain Commander Yamamoto and the Captains Retsu Unohana, Jūshirō Ukitake, Abarai Renji and Hitsugaya Toshiro.
Before they could all proceed, Yamamoto requested for a minute of silence for all of the fallen.
After that, Sasakibe ordered two lower soldiers to close the door.
"Vice-Captain Kira Izuru," Dengeki began, her voice heavy with reproach, "You were warned not to challenge your former captain. You were warned by me no less and still choose to bypass my orders and engage the enemy resulting in you sustaining extremely critical injuries. Your actions endangered everyone under your command. Please, explain yourself."
Kira stared ahead. For a long minute, it was as if she hadn't said a word. It was as if he hadn't heard her. Then his eyes met Dengeki's. Not challenging. Not defiant. Just grave.
His voice trembled as he replied, "I answered your query already, Captain. Days ago to be exact. When our world was collapsing all together, we told you, Captain, that it was a matter of honor. It was necessity and opportunity that made me chase Ichimaru Gin. I could not stand idly by while he besmirched our division's name."
"Is that it? You called him a mentor not long ago."
"He taught me everything, the man you killed on that hill. He taught me everything I know. But I needed to try and stop him. I had a score to settle with that man who was my mentor like you said. He was everything to the division. So, I disobeyed your orders. I am sorry Captain. I won't contest the charges."
Dengeki turned to the Captain Commander and her fellow captains in attendance, hoping they'd have something to say to salvage that situation. No one spoke. The ball was in her court.
"I wish you would. I really wish you would." She said.
"I have a question, Captain."
"What did he say when after he saved the day… After he saved Matsumoto Rangiku and all of you really? What did he say when you all sentenced him to his death? What did Gin Ichimaru said?" He shouted with venom, admirably losing his temper. He really didn't know what he was feeling, right now.
Shit. Renji looked up in horror, his eyes pointing toward Kira, warning his friends he was treading on thin ice. Kira was facing jail time or worse a dishonorable discharge. He was just one vote. There was nothing he could do if Kira ruffled the Captain Commander the wrong way and got demoted. He understood in part the history, he had with Gin. He had the same with Kuchiki Byakuya. For Kira and Renji, the academy had been a tedious journey when Gin and Byakuya were part of the elite advanced class, getting their officers stripes at a young age. They were the unreachable stars. The unattainable. Yup, he got it.
Dengeki Manatsu suddenly rose, her chair scraping the floor. Yamamoto stopped her. She continued, nonetheless.
"He said: "If tomorrow you were to turn into a snake and start devouring humans. And with the mouth that you use to devour humans. You tell me that you love me. Could I tell you? I love you the same way I do today? "
Tears blurred Kira's vision. Emotion caught up with him. He could barely contain the effusion of sadness.
"He said that?"
"He did."
Kira tried not to shed tears and he fought and fought those away to no avail, his eyes red.
"What else do you wanna know Izuru Fukutaicho?" Dengeki asked.
Yamamoto cleared his throat roughly.
"Nonsense. You didn't have to answer a single query. Today, we gather to address a matter of utmost importance within our esteemed Gotei 13. Disobedience, my fellow warriors, is one of the gravest sins a soldier can commit, and it is our duty to uphold the principles that have guided us for centuries. I am surprised and frankly appalled, Izuru fukutaicho, that you didn't even try to contest the charges, meaning you knew that the actions you were engaged in that night were wrong.
In soul society, we are bound by a code of discipline, honor, and loyalty that has been the very foundation of our existence. Disobedience is a direct betrayal of these values, a breach of trust that undermines the very essence of our society. It is not merely a matter of following orders. It is a matter of maintaining the order that keeps our world safe and secure.
When a soldier disobeys orders, they jeopardize not only their own lives but also the lives of their comrades. They disrupt the chain of command, sow chaos on the battlefield, and create vulnerabilities that our enemies can exploit. In doing so, they betray not only their superiors but also the very ideals upon which our society was built.
Today, I stand before you to announce that we will not tolerate such transgressions. Disobedience will be met with swift and severe consequences. We will not allow a single soldier to put our world at risk. We will not allow a single soldier to undermine the unity and discipline that define us.
I understand the loyalty and the love that many of you have for your comrades. But it is precisely because of that love that we must take such a strong stance against disobedience. We must safeguard the order that protects us all, and that means dealing with transgressions decisively.
For those who commit acts of disobedience, know this: I will not hesitate to put such a soldier in jail and toss away the key. It is not a decision I make lightly, but it is a decision I make out of a deep sense of duty to our society, to our people, and to the ideals we hold dear.
Let this be a clear and unwavering message to all within our ranks. We will stand united in our duty, our discipline, and our unwavering commitment to the soul society. Disobedience has no place among us, and we will ensure that it remains so. Please, Sentence this fool to a hundred days in jail."
There was a long pause. Finally, Renji shook his head.
"I'm sorry, Captain Commander, for interrupting. But are we here, because Kira fought Gin Ichimaru? Hell, I'd fought him too if I had the chance. That was Gin Ichimaru for godsakes. We understand loyalty and obedience, Yamamoto Sotaicho. But we are soldiers, and we understand also our plain duty. Right from wrong. I once defied my captain to save a fellow soldier. A friend. I defied you too in doing so…"
"This is not the same…"
"Forgive me. I disagree again. This is absolutely the same. My captain… could have thrown me in jail then and toss away the key. He did not. Instead, I had to fight by his side, mend and repair that broken relationship. It was hard. It was punishment enough. It chipped away at my pride for many reasons. But it also teaches me enough so that I can be a captain today, seating by your side. That is true leadership."
Dengeki blushed, ticked. Captain Yamamoto stared at Renji. Renji was at a loss of words, breathless, but he just couldn't back down now. He finally turned to Kira.
"I mean… I don't know what I mean… You know me I'm not good with words, y'all. But Sotaicho, if you condemn Izuru, you should throw me in jail too. At least a hundred days for going against Kuchiki Byakuya killing his sister. It shouldn't be too late."
Hitsugaya groaned. That made a lot of sense.
"I disobeyed too Sotaicho. I choose to save my lieutenant and I didn't kill Gin Ichimaru when I had the chance, like you requested. I'm…not sorry."
Another tense silence.
"I feel like it's confession time and it is a good time as any to say that Shunsui and I drank all your plum wine, Sotaicho. Although, it had been left unattended in the first cabinet of your office during the war, so who could blame us really. Oh! And I also disobeyed a healthy good amount of times because the world needed saving. I'm also mostly not sorry. Sorry."
Yamamoto stared at Unohana in awe, waiting for her to pick a side, be the sensitive person she was. She didn't disappoint.
"What Jushiro just said ! The wine was absolutely delicious, Sotaicho." Unohana said calmly.
Jushiro nodded again. Sotaicho's mouth gaped open in disbelief.
"Do you want to add something, Dengeki Taicho?"
"No… Nothing. I think we can all learn from today."
"Fine then…" Sotaicho started.
They were all rising from their seat with cozy smiles on their faces.
"Jail doesn't seem appropriate here…"
He pause.
"Yet, I think you will all benefit from doing a hundred lap around the Seireitei. No shunpo. No rest."
"What?"
"You heard me, Captain Abarai. I recall you've been out of the clinic for weeks now. You were right to remind me of my past negligence. I see that you would all benefit from a hundred laps around the Sereitei to remind you of the values you should uphold in all circumstances. It will help vivify your young blood."
"Sotaicho, my blood isn't very young. It's sickly and wants to die." Jushiro said.
"200 laps."
"That's ridiculous! I mean I have surgeries scheduled in the afternoon, Sotaicho." Unohana said.
"300."
"Why am I being punished? I'm the plaintiff here, Sotaicho." Dengeki said.
"400."
"Thank you, Sotaicho." Kira said, bowing low.
"Is he going to do this in a wheelchair?" Dengeki moaned.
"How else do you want me to run, Taicho?"
"Sotaicho, I protest heavily. Izuru Fukutaicho is at an advantage here. It's a motorized wheelchair."
"Do you want me to hop into a non-motorized wheelchair to level the field for you, Captain?"
She nodded, eyes wide.
"I'd like that, yes."
"I'm crippled."
"That was your choice I recall."
"That's petty."
"I'm the petty captain. You should all know by now. Not the cute one that can cook. "
"How old are you?"
"How low do you want me to go?"
"What ?"
"Multiply that number three to seven times and divide it by ten, you will get my real age then, Izuru. Now you heard the man, shut up and run. Sorry, crawl."
Byakuya Kuchiki
Brother of Kuchiki Rukia
Captain of the sixth division
Head of the Kuchiki Clan
Even with their alarmingly dwindling numbers, his training didn't prepare him to face this formidable army.
Byakuya Kuchiki, Captain of the Sixth Division, and his Vice-Captain, Shane, stood in front of the Ichinose Estate, a solemn and imposing structure that seemed to echo the grief that had befallen it. Their purpose was clear – to visit Keikosuki Ichinose, the Captain of the Fifth Division, who had returned home under the weight of an unbearable loss. A wound Kuchiki Byakuya personally dealt her, and he couldn't say he was proud of that moment. He certainly rehearsed it in his mind prior to the battle. Why had he thought he was better suited to the task than Jūshirō Ukitake? How arrogant? How dumb a move?!
He won't question he made a certain number of bad decisions since he crossed path with that woman, even before that to be honest. Yet, he should have known better.
This, here, was another dumb decision per say.
He slept for almost a week. Everyone who got the luxury did, ask Renji about it. Because as soon as the war was over, every able soldier had been summoned to the front tasked with rescue or cleaning missions. He slept. He rested.
Unsurprisingly, Keikosuki Ichinose had been awake just the day after the battle. She fussed around Byakuya, Shane, Momo, and all the wounded really, overtly challenging Unohana and the doctors when they asked her to take it easy. Nope, she distributed teaspoon of her incredible reiatsu like it was an open faucet. He just knew. Even plunged into an artificial coma, he felt her overwhelming reiatsu pressed his chest, and her sweet scent like cinnamon and sugar making him hungry for wakame biscuit.
At night, she boldly sneaked in his room to feed him an extra dose of spiritual power and tell him about her day with Momo. It was something she only did with him, and it was the kind of privilege Kuchiki-sama appreciated greatly. That was when his heart, this traitor, would leap from joy inside his chest.
To be even more honest, the effect of Unohana sleeping spells also wore off after two days. He'd honestly been perfectly awake and good to go 48 hours later. Yet, he won't lie, he enjoyed so much the secretive nature of their encounter, her proximity, her familiar scent, the softness and suppleness of her hands, and her snores when she dozed off from now and then, that he continued to pretend to be incapacitated longer than he should have. The embarrassing part was that he was almost sure Unohana knew.
He was just a crude man.
Finally, on the fifth day, he heard Unohana talked with Kotetsu Fuku-taicho. He was almost sure she did it on purpose, stopping in front of his room, telling her lieutenant that Suki's mothers and sisters were on their way to take her home for her father's memorial, and they were expected to arrive tomorrow.
He knew then he had to cut the charade. He had to tell her. The thing is… He did the best he could really. His heart rushed in anticipation of the dreaded moment. He waited anxiously for her that night.
He waited for her. As soon as she came back, and realized he was awake, his favorite monster woman screamed in victory and went on babbling excitedly about all the meals he missed and how she needed to start cooking right away because everybody was too thin around her. She joked about missing her happy pigs. She laughed excitedly. He watched her in awe.
"… I'm going to call Unohana-Taicho! No, Momo will be so happy. I have to tell her! And Rukia-san… and Abarai-taicho… and Ukitake-Taicho…and Zaraki-taicho… Oh and Yamamoto-Sotaicho… He asked a lot about you. They all asked a lot about you. I knew you'd make it though. I told them I wouldn't let anything happen to you. Oh! I can hear Kotetsu Fukutaicho. I should tell her too. She will be so happy!"
He straightened up in the bed wondering how this conversation should go from there, her babbling voice distant.
"Kyoraku Taicho… Dengeki Taicho… Komamura Taicho…"
Before she could leap out of reach, he grabbed her wrist, stopping her. She paused with a frown.
"Are you alright?"
"I have something to tell you, Captain Ichinose."
She frowned. He seldom used her titles when he was somewhat aggravated by her. She started immediately to wonder what she did this time. Was it that he wasn't hungry? She frowned too.
"Kuchiki-sama, you're frightening me. Are you sure you don't want me to call someone from the fourth?"
She was a tad shorter than in his memories. She lost a bit of weigh, especially in the area he came to be fascinated with, her waist. He admonished himself immediately for going there. She wasn't wearing tabi or socks. He could see her round toes wiggle on the floor as she moved. She noticed his gaze and tried to hide, rearranging the trail of her kimono on her tiny feet. He lost his focus again.
She cleared her throat.
"Kuchiki Sama."
He needed to stand for this. He paced for a minute. She watched him curiously. He paused, his eyes stern.
"Keikosuki…"
She stared at him with the expression of someone wondering what she did wrong this time. She looked down toward the floor. Was it her toes? Were they that ugly? She wiggled them miserably. They were indeed ugly.
"I don't usually talk about this. In fact, I have never talked about this to anyone."
Hope. Was it that he had ugly toes too? She looked down, very focused. Nope. His toes were absolutely perfect. Like his tone legs and… She almost missed when he started talking again.
"I lost my father when I was really young…"
Needless to say, it wasn't what this Suki expected, and her face exactly mirrored that. Byakuya scratched his forehead, an awkward gesture from him.
"I lost him not young enough that I didn't remember him or not know and experience how final death was. But just young in the way I saw the world then completely differently. He was killed in action hundreds of years ago. "
She gasped.
"I'm not saying this to say that my father shouldn't have died that day. Death doesn't ask. He was always fighting for something greater than himself. He was living for something greater. The clan. His honor. His family. As a result," he paused. "He died a warrior's death lonely but… honorable. Like I said, I'm not trying to say that it wasn't his time. I'm just trying to explain what it felt like to lose him."
Her heart-shaped lips fell apart troubled. She slowly nodded.
"Oh! I see…"
"Keikosuki…"
She was staring at him with wide eyes. He paused, unable to look at her. It was so long ago, and he thought the pain would have felt different by now. But it was the same storm of feelings he struggled to contain in his chest.
"What did it feel like then?" She asked softly, with a firm resoluteness in her voice.
It was his turn to be surprised. He didn't really expect this question or even expect he would have to answer. He couldn't answer without diving in those feelings once more, let them come forth. He just couldn't explain without doing all of that. It hurt.
"Cold."
She tilted her head.
"Suffocating. Excruciatingly cold and empty. This void filled my chest, replaced my heart and emotions with a black hole of misery for the longest of time. It felt surreal that I had to live without that person. It was like the sun stopped rising… and the lights were dimmed, and the colors were gone. It felt cold and dark. In order to survive this loss, to not drown… I had to abandon a part of myself. I needed to be someone else, get stronger, discard the child in me… The child that couldn't function properly without him… It didn't help I lost my mother shortly after that. The numbness was already there… like a comfortable mantle… I just needed a new companion and I found it in my zanpakutō. I trained so hard to get stronger. "
He inhaled sharply because the memory was so vivid. The hours he devoted to sharpening his skills, training, blood and sweat mixing. Suki's eyes were brimming with unshed tears. His own sight was blurring and for a minute, Byakuya couldn't comprehend what was happening. She bit her lips and blinked. He swallowed hard. A tear slides down his cheek. He leaned closer to her left ear, brushed her face tenderly, and whispered.
"I don't want that to ever happened to you, Keikosuki."
Shiro Sagisu – Recollection 3
As soon as he said those words, he felt her stiffened. He followed her gaze then. She was staring through the window, noticing for the first time her sisters Cleo and Ayasuki at a closing distance being escorted by Sasakibe. They were both wearing black kimonos with no ornaments or jewels. She turned again toward Byakuya, mouth open, searching for air. He picked up her hand delicately in his, brushing the back with his thumb. He was saying something again, but Suki honestly couldn't hear him. She was so cold, condensed air came out of her mouth.
"Byakuya-sama…"
She looked up straight into his eyes. Olive green met Grey. She watched the storm grew in them. She knew then.
"Keikosuki… I am truly sorry."
She inhaled sharply and sobbed openly.
"No… "
She shook her head.
"He's gone."
"My father cannot… You must be mistaken. He is lively and healthy and…stubborn…just like you… He is strong. He wouldn't… He just wouldn't. He wouldn't leave me. He is retired now and he wouldn't leave us. He is… He can't…"
He pulled her in his arms. Reiatsu sizzled around them, and he felt the ground shake. He expected this.
"Keiko, look at me."
She shook her head in denial. He looked through the window to see the earthquake, just like what happened in Karakura, wasn't confined to just the building. The windows were starting to make a racket and her pressure was rising unnaturally. A glass on the table broke. The glass windows split slowly. In her office, Unohana watched the store make a powerful racket. She bolted from her chair and raced to get to Kuchiki's room.
Byakuya saw it happen in slow motion. The only tangible thing was Keikosuki Ichinose's hurried breath against his chest. He closed his eyes to try to contain that insane spiritual pressure with his own.
"No…"
She pulled away but his grip on her wrist remained firm.
"No."
"Suki, Seven days ago, he took his own life."
"That's ridiculous! He loved life! He told us it was the most precious thing! You're lying ! I know you're lying. Why are you lying? My father would never do this."
"Your sister Cleosuki watched him die."
"Oh…" It was more a moan than an acknowledgement.
She leaned forward in his arms, trying to catch her breath. The world turned critically red. Unohana tried to open the Shoji door, unsheathing Minazuki. He stopped her then, closing the door with a silent line of kido.
The spell pink and red bind turned the shoji door into a wall of stone. Unohana and her lieutenant could be heard outside.
"Byakuya, open the door."
He ignored them and focused on Keikosuki. The vacillating Red.
"Your mothers and your sisters want to take you home for his memorial. I need you to stay in the present."
Dissolving in tears, Keikosuki was crumbling toward the floor. He gathered her in his arms, supporting the best he could, holding her head, rocking her gently.
"Keiko, you know what regret I still hold. I wish at that time I let somebody do this for me. I wish I'd shared this burden with someone. So, my heart wasn't frozen in stone for all these years. So that I didn't make as many mistakes than I did. I am right there with you. You can use me however you want. I will always be there for you."
As he said those words, he felt a moisture on top of his head but didn't immediately bother. Her powerful reiatsu was violently tearing him apart. But he could withstand it more easily than the first time she had that kind of episode. He watched the walls breaking apart. His hands were clawing at her neck to keep her in his arms.
"You don't understand. I did something terrible. He won't ever forgive me. It's all my fault. It's because I turn out this way. Because I'm different and ugly inside… I'm a monster… I'm sorry… I'm so sorry… Please Kuchiki Sama, forgive me."
He was about to say something to comfort her, when he felt it again more acutely than before, the moisture in the air, a sudden shift in pressure and a cold gust of wind blowing on his face. Something was wetting his hair. He looked around again and realize they were no longer in the Fourth Division clinic. They were outdoors with the vastest milky sky above their head. He was brought back to the memory of the war. He recalled her potent bankai and an honest chill travelled his spine. Persephone. Was it her bankai again? Did she trigger her bankai without incantation? He fell deep in concentration not sensing her zanpakutō. Was it real? It felt so real. He looked up again. It was snowing. No, it was real. They were no longer in Soul Society. He's never seen snowflake so perfectly shaped before, not even when they were manufactured by Toshiro Hitsugaya. The whole world seemed alien to him. He watched them in awe, float in the air, light as feathers. He just couldn't comprehend. Giant reindeers passed them by. A white rabbit was spying on him from behind the skeleton of a dead tree. He blinked and the creature sauntered away. His gaze followed it curiously and he froze as he noticed the shadowy figure staring at them from a distance. A man, dressed in leather hunting clothes, a scarf covering his face, was staring at him. From the shock of seeing the two captains, the tiny man lost his stack of wood who hit the snowy ground hard.
Byakuya immediately tried to stand and carry her up with him. The snowy figure scowled and stared at him coldly.
"Keiko?" He whispered.
She looked up. He blinked unwillingly. He could have sworn for a second that her eyes had been black. But he blinked and she looked perfectly normal. He opened his eyes wide, and the snow was gone too. They were back in the sterile room in the fourth division clinic. He looked around again.
Everything seemed normal except Suki was still crying in his arms. Except he felt exhausted beyond was imaginable… and disoriented. He could have believed he imagined it all if it was not for the snowflake melting inside the palm of his hand. Except for the haunting memory of the mysterious dark figure watching them everything was back to normal, and his instinct was to hold her tighter.
She sighed and stretched again. His instinct wanted to keep her there longer. He didn't really understand what just happened. They remained like that a couple of minutes more, until her heart wasn't rushing so fast in her chest. As minutes passed, the world returned to normal.
"I'm sorry…" She suddenly said.
He won't lie. The determination in her voice pulled him out of her trance. She bolted gracefully on her feet. He followed her up, not knowing what he should do. She wiped her tears quickly and composed herself.
"I think I am already feeling better. I must go to my sisters. They must be asking for me. They must be devastated if what you say is true…"
Vulnerability shined in those eyes.
He nodded, not knowing why he felt suddenly so disoriented. What were they doing here again? What happened? What could he do to help?
"I thank you for your kindness again."
She squeezed his hand softly then let go.
"Goodbye. Kuchiki-sama…"
His kindness? Byakuya swallowed hard. He just destroyed her world.
She clumsily bowed.
"Keikosuki, wait..."
Keikosuki opened the door to find Unohana and her lieutenant behind. They were staring at her curiously. She forced a smile on her lips.
"Keikosuki, I am here if you need a friend."
She smiled faintly, sharing one last look with him. It was like she became a different person entirely.
"So Kuchiki-sama is my friend now…"
"I think I have been for a while now. Nakama. Like you said. Although, I confessed that I have not been a particularly good one. The fault lies with me. I don't have much experience in this."
She didn't dispute the fact, maybe because she believed it too or maybe she was too exhausted to do so. She simply nodded. He remembered staring at the door long after she was gone.
The whole Gotei 13 attended the funeral of Tadashi Ichinose. Yamamoto said a few words for his deceased friend. Sasakibe spoke of his old mentor. In a moving sequence, Cleosuki tearfully recounted her father's last moment.
All the Suki Chan were aligned on the side in black, a black veil and shawl concealed their hair and face, making it difficult recognizing who was who. Yet, he recognized her by her size, her posture, the way she walked, and her powerful reiatsu. He admitted he hardly think of anyone else but her. He faithfully followed her steps from the corner of his eyes. He never met her eyes once. They didn't exchange a word.
It's been two weeks since.
Keikosuki was allowed to stay with her family, even exceeding her quotas of authorized leaves. When the subject had been brought up in council by a worried Unohana, the Captain commander pretended to not have an opinion on the matter. He changed topic without subtleties and focused the conversation on the Seireitei renovations.
So, he wasn't on an official mission to bring her back per say, yet one could say this was a mission in the common interest of the Gotei 13.
"Captain… Having second thoughts?"
Nope, Byakuya was on a mission to correct a mistake. He clenched his jaw, in annoyance. He didn't like being read like an open book. He knew Shane was probably enjoying this, even if his expression remained Neutral.
"Let's announce ourselves, shall we?"
The front gate of the Ichinose Estate creaked open slowly, revealing the somber aura that enveloped the place. Byakuya and Shane proceeded through the well-tended garden, their footsteps muffled by the fallen leaves. The atmosphere was heavy, weighed down by the sorrow that had settled over the estate like a shroud.
As they reached the front door, Byakuya turned to Shane, and the latter raised his hand to knock, his expression as composed as ever, but with a hint of concern in his eyes. Byakuya frowned. He should have been delighted that she defected. From the first time he laid eyes on her, he knew she was not a soldier. He knew she didn't have it in her to stomach the horror of war. Really, he should have left it at that.
On the other hand, Keikosuki needed someone to pull her from the depths of her grief, to remind her that she was not alone in this trying time. Maybe he selfishly was not prepared for the funeral to be the last time he saw her. Maybe this was about his own unpreparedness to say goodbye. Whatever the reason, he simply couldn't leave it at that.
A butler came to open, after a silent onceover, his eyes lingering on Byakuya longer than it should be polite to, he turned heels and invited them to follow.
"The young mistresses are all home gathered in the family room. You are in luck. Since yesterday, visitors are allowed again in the estate."
Byakuya and Shane said nothing, patiently following through the maze of hallways. They crossed path with children running around. A boy almost crashed into Byakuya. He politely excused himself before running away. The children continued their way to the garden. He could admit that he stared too long. It just reminded him of something familiar. He watched the children disappeared inside a room.
On the walls, they were dozens of portraits of Suki-Chans, making Shane paused occasionally, when he found a specimen to his liking. There was a lot of this instances. Shane knew what he wanted to do when he grows up, he wanted to marry a Suki-chan. He was almost sure his captain wanted to do the same thing.
"This one is named Ayasuki. They even said here that she is single. She is studying at the academy. Those pictures on the wall are like a whole dating service. It's like you could get to know her just from her pictures. She plays violin."
" Oh this one is so pretty, she is gorgeous. No, this one is the true beauty. She is named Asamisuki… Oh too bad she's married, and she has five children. This other one is…dead. This one too. Natsuki. Oh, it's really sad! All these ones are dead…"
Byakuya refused to take the bait. He didn't care.
"Oh here she is! Our esteemed colleague! The gallery portrait of Ichinose-Taicho! She is riding a horse… She is using a bow. Oh! Here, she is skating in the snow… I think it says under her status that it's complicated. She is unavailable for…"
Byakuya stopped immediately and peeked over his shoulder.
"Gotcha!"
Byakuya grunted at Shane's practical joke.
"That wasn't funny!"
"That was hilarious. If you could have seen your face… You fell so hard so fast." Shane snickered. "It's like Hisana at the market."
"That's ridiculous."
"You know what's ridiculous?"
"I don't want to hear it, Shane. I just told you. We're visiting a colleague."
"What was it again? You bought the whole cart of flowers every time you saw her and you absolutely refused to speak to her. The poor girl was spooked into thinking you hated her. Stella and I always wondered. What did you do with all those flowers? You know me, I won't tell a soul. "
"None of your business."
"What are we doing here, Captain?"
"I just told you. Visiting. You shouldn't have come if you didn't want to."
"Visiting the Ichinose Estate is nice. Yet, tell me a postcard wouldn't have sufficed."
"Visiting a nakama in mourning, you idiot. In case you forgot your academy training, this is one of our duty as Gotei 13 soldiers to make sure our brothers in arms are taken care of in their time of need."
"So, this has nothing to do with the fact the brother is a pretty sister, right? I'd like to do that but with Matsumoto Rangiku. Would you go with me, Captain? I think it's too early though."
" You're chatty these days."
Shane shrugged and smirked.
"You're not yourself these days. You are unfocused, irritable, and restless."
Byakuya gave him another glare as warning. But let's just remind ourselves, Shane was blind from that side so he kept going.
"I'm your lieutenant and your chamberlain. Your health is my duty. Your thoughts are never just your own. You are the Kuchiki Head."
"Your point. Surely there must be one."
" You asked me almost every day if I have news from the other divisions. Yet we all know that you really only wanna ask about the fifth division."
"I thought you were friends with Hinamori Momo. Sorry, I didn't know my inquiries as innocent as they were, bothered you. I won't ask again."
"Friends… is the keyword. I'm not her stalker. Women don't like stalkers, Captain Kuchiki."
"Shane, one must have experience with women to say those things with this much confidence." Byakuya retorted.
Point taken. Yet, it didn't discourage Shane Terashima.
"You didn't put it in your head that she is the one, didn't you?"
"You think you know me…"
"Better than Ginrei at least."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You realize there is no way he will indulge this new inclination of yours."
"Good Morning, Gentlemen!" An enthusiastic voice sounded behind them.
They turned and both men got supremely uncomfortable as they realized they finally got to the family room and they were now surrounded with dozens of beauties, young, or old, all Suki-Chans. Blondes, brunettes or both. Blue eyes. Brown eyes. Skinny. Curvacious.
Byakuya recognized the one who came looking for Captain Ichinose after the battle. She spoke at the funeral. He bowed in front of her.
"I'm Cleosuki Ichinose."
"I'm Kuchiki…
"Kuchiki Byakuya." All the suki-chans finished for him.
" Kuchiki Byakuya, Captain of the sixth division, Head of the Kuchiki Clan, CEO and Chairman of Kuchiki Corp, Fourty Years widower… Recently searching for a new spouse, I heard. See, I am also a widower. My ninth husband left this world just two summers ago. We have much in common. "
Shane wanted to laugh. Byakuya's shocked face was currently priceless. The latter didn't know if he should be offended, flattered or scared. It was just the way she said it, with all the Suki Chan circling them like they were Onmitsukidō trained, and Byakuya and Shane were their targets. They currently moved as one. They would learn much much later this was called a Suki's bee formation.
"Yes, we know who you are. And you must be Vice-Captain Terashima Shane…" Another one said.
"Yes, you are the very accomplished Ayasuki. I saw your portrait earlier."
"It's old. Twenty years old. I think I truly mature and I look way better now. What do you think?"
He gulped uneasily.
"I will graduate Shino next year. Wouldn't you agree? You're unmarried and a noble. Are you courting someone these days? The modern folks call it dating."
As much as Shane was confident earlier, he couldn't help but blush from head to toes. She was unexpectedly blunt. He felt a bit cornered and turned to Byakuya, blaming him for this. Except, the noble captain was even less comfortable with this many women. "It's very nice to meet all of you." Shane said before retreating back behind his captain.
"We'd like to have a word with Captain Ichinose." Byakuya cut in.
"We knew that too."
"They are taller than I expected. Kuchiki men are usually so short from one generation to another. It's generally a hit or a miss. But they look well-proportioned…everywhere. Write that down, Eri-chan, will you?"
A girl did as she was told.
"I don't see what special about him though, Cleo. Smells like our ferocious sister already. Reiatsu maniac. I bet he is a bloody killer like her." An older lady said.
"Come on, let's not be mean, Chisonosuki."
Chisonosuki was the kind of Suki who never engage in empty promises. She glared in Byakuya's direction.
"They both look like Shokuro Kuchiki." Another one said as she sat next to her.
"Kannasuki, you can let him sit first."
"He is wealthy but is he full of greed like his ancestors?" Another spoke. She was very short, but she commanded respect among her sisters because they all nodded in unison.
"Argh…I want to see his face closer. His eyes seemed too far apart from where I sit."
"Send your children get your glasses, Chisonosuki."
"He has big hands, grandmother. I bet he plays an instrument."
"Do you play an instrument?"
Byakuya turned to Shane again, aggravated. Didn't they hear him the first time? Cleo was the one to come to their rescue.
"First here are our elder sisters Rinkosuki and Junosuki. This is Fujikosuki and her twins granddaughters Tanakosuki and Emikosuki, our grandnieces. The latter don't have much in the reiatsu department. They're normies. You'd be disappointed if you went that route, Kuchiki-sama."
Byakuya frowned.
"I beg your pardon?"
The nerve on his forehead was playing tricks with the light.
"Yes, we beg to differ. We would be the one disappointed. He is pretty but nothing exceptional. I like the lieutenant better. Wealth is one thing but sturdy genes are better." Fujiko said.
"Don't mind, Fujiko, Chisono, Juno and Kanna. They are our big sisters. All men looked the same to them since they've seen so many come courting our sisters, with more or less pure intentions. They are all married with families of their own. But they've been kind enough to be staying with us since Father… Since Father's death. They also helped with the company. I'm sure you will get their approval eventually…"
"What do you mean their approval?"
"Chances are as slim as his noble derriere. Don't they eat proper meals in that house?" Fujikosuki said with a disgusted grimace.
"Wait, you must be mistaken… I am not here to court a Suki-chan."
"Shush… Emisuki, be a darling, go fetch some refreshments for our guests. So which one of us will be the lucky girl?"
Byakuya was suddenly speechless. Shane started to cough uncontrollably. Byakuya was now staring at those women with a look of pure aggravation. He was about to lose his temper, Shane realized. He cut in.
"The quality of your offer is undeniable. Such quality… and variety… Yet, I think when it comes to courting, Ichinose Keikosuki is the name that comes back in the discussion. We'd like to see her."
Shane answered for Byakuya.
"What kind of idiocy is this? Not at all. That's not the purpose of my visit. We are just colleagues… "
There were a few shocked gasps, sideways glares, then furious whisperings among Suki-Chans for a couple of minutes. They finally finished their internal pow wows on a consensus Cleo would be the speaker for all and send these villainous outsiders on their ways.
"I'm truly sorry. You've come a long way for nothing, and I will have to ask to you leave."
"What?"
"Keikosuki is just off limit. She is a soldier now. Father decided sometimes ago. He won't ever agree to give this one daughter in marriage. He was adamant she won't ever enter another alliance without his consent. With his death, it becomes clear this Suki should remain celibate till the day she dies."
"She told me about her past, yet I think holding her responsible for rash decisions taken when one was too young to understand the consequences would be a nonsense."
"She eloped with a rebellious fool when she was not of age yet, putting every one of us in danger... If my granddaughters ever did that to me…" Fujiko started.
Byakuya glared in her direction. He couldn't care less for what she was about to say and it shows. She glared back.
" Fujiko, please."
"I'm sorry Kuchiki-Sama. You have to understand. We love our sister. It came at a very high cost for father I can't disclose with you now. She very much owed him still."
"It happened hundred years ago…"
"Well, a year or a millenia is the same to a Suki Chan. We are not made to forget at will. We owe everything to our father. He didn't forgive so this Suki Chan can't forget. Simple."
"I beg to differ. He is dead. It is quite simple indeed."
"Kuchiki-Taicho…" Shane warned.
Needless to say, he was ignored.
"The man is dead. Are you going to hold your sister accountable forever? Is she being made to live with this guilt forever like it's a prison of the mind? Do you know what it does to her?"
There was another collective gasp. Shane shook his head; in denial this was really happening. Where was Lord Kuchiki's earlier compassion ?
"Well, his memory is still very much alive for every Suki Chans. Now, Kuchiki Byakuya, there are other Suki-chans available just as accomplished as this Suki. They are others out there. You can make your choice among them or leave."
Hidden CItizens - Für Elise (Beethoven Cover - Epic Trailer Version)
Byakuya frowned and turned to leave, when he came face to face with the man itself, staring at him with cold eyes. He froze and stared at the giant portrait of a tiny man really.
Byakuya stood in the dimly lit room, all noises dying down around him, his gaze fixed upon the giant portrait that loomed over him – a depiction of Suki's father, a man others saw as good and honorable. However, Byakuya's discerning eyes revealed a different truth beneath the strokes of the artist's brush.
The room carried the weight of history, the air thick with unspoken secrets. Byakuya's expression remained impassive, but his eyes betrayed a deep contemplation as he observed the imposing figure on the canvas. Those eyes, he knew them. Those features frozen in a stern countenance, he saw them before. To others, he might be the embodiment of authority, a respected patriarch. But Byakuya saw beyond the façade. In the lines etched upon the canvas, he discerned the shadows of a tyrant, a figure who wielded his authority as a weapon, particularly against his own daughters. A treacherous figure. Someone Byakuya decided would be an enemy.
"Byakuya?" Shane shouted. He had been shouting for a moment now. But it's like Byakuya was far away. And now, he was losing it completely, leaking reiatsu in the room like an open faucet.
Byakuya was slowly coming to the realization that the shadowy mysterious figure he saw in the snow and that portrait shared a strange familiarity. The man he saw standing in the snow carrying woods looked just like…
He simply left the room, leaving Cleo completely stunned. Before they could gather their thoughts, Byakuya disappeared using Shunpo.
Next=The difference between expectation and hope