Hello everyone and Happy New Year!
Now that FFN is up and running again, I will continue to post here!
As always, I hope that you'll enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 27
Dissipate
The torrential rain cascaded over the Seireitei, its relentless embrace shrouding the world in a glistening curtain. The rhythmic assault of raindrops against the roof of the venerable meeting hall resonated like a relentless drumbeat, infusing the air with a palpable sense of foreboding.
Within the hallowed halls of the First Division, the room was awash in a warm, golden glow, courtesy of the tall floor lamps that cast their luminous embrace upon the finely wrought architecture. Each detail of the chamber was brought to life, from the filigree of the walls to the rich hardwood floor. The captains, though grateful for the comforting radiance, knew all too well that the inclement weather held a significant purpose for their gathering.
As the last echo of closing doors reverberated, Captain Commander Yamamoto's staff met the floor in two authoritative strikes, its resounding echo punctuating the room.
"This Captains meeting has come to order," his voice rumbled through the hall, a testament to his unwavering resolve.
Captain Kyoraku, his straw hat providing a shield against prying eyes, inclined his head, the somnolent gaze beneath focusing on his revered mentor.
"What's the deal, Yama-ji? Why did you call us here in this weather?" His words carried a nonchalant air, a testament to years of familiarity between mentor and student. Yamamoto, recognizing the urgency of the matter, refrained from chastising Kyoraku for his informal address.
"It's come to my attention that there is a possibility that Aizen might strike earlier than expected for the Winter War. Earlier this week, there have been reports of a dark presence lurking around the outskirts of the Seireitei." he intoned, the gravity of his words settling heavily upon the assembly. Most of the captains exchanged quizzical glances, while Byakuya, as stoic as ever, kept his eyes veiled in customary reserve.
"Is it a hollow, sir?" Jushiro ventured, his concern etched across his features. "Or are we talking about an Espada? Maybe even an Arrancar?"
Yamamoto's countenance hardened, his patience worn thin by the enigma that eluded them.
"That has yet to be answered. Unfortunately, no one has been able to see this entity clearly, let alone capture it. There were just reports of a dark, ominous shadow." His words hung in the air, leaving an unsettling chill in their wake.
A thoughtful silence blanketed the room, each captain lost in contemplation.
"Well, what would you like for us to do? Shall we take turns on patrol?" Kyoraku offered.
"More or less," the Captain Commander replied, his gaze sweeping over the gathered leaders.
"Since we are on high alert, I want to be sure that we are prepared for any possible outcome. We have a fairly decent sized group of students from the academy set to graduate within a month's time that are working under you all. In the upcoming days, I want you all to take turns in escorting them to the World of the Living for an intense training. There, they shall build their skills in fighting hoards of hollows. I want reports on their progress to see how many shinigami we'll have in reserve for front line battles. Tomorrow evening, I want Squads Four, Six, Ten and Eleven to start the first round of training. Back here, I want Squads Two, Seven, Eight and Thirteen to go on patrol outside of the Seireitei. The remaining squads will remain here and resume operations as normal until they travel to the World of the Living the day after tomorrow. When the first group returns, they will assume patrol the next day and so forth in this rotation. Understood?"
"Understood, Commander."
The authoritative sound of Yamamoto's cane reverberated through their eyes once again. Everyone exited the room silently; the weight of their responsibilities settled upon them, the echoes of the rain outside a constant reminder of the storm that loomed on the horizon of the Seireitei.
As everyone walked down the open air hallway, Byakuya paused and took in the gloomy rain, a silent huff escaping his nose. Each raindrop echoed the beating of his heart. The heavy downpour matched the ache in his heart, leaving him yearning for the one person he couldn't have - Miyako. The rain reminded him of her water type zanpakuto; the lights that were sprinkled throughout the Seireitei had the same warm glow of her eyes. He wondered how she was doing: was she warm…dry…happy? …Did he ever cross her mind? It was still hard to know the truth. He could almost feel her presence in the cool touch of the rain; a few drops landed on his cheek.
"The rain stirring your thoughts, Captain Kuchiki?" Captain Kyoraku inquired, slowly walking up behind him. Byakuya stood still for a moment longer. He didn't turn to face Captain Kyoraku. He had to keep his usually composed expression intact; the facade betraying the turmoil within.
"Yes, Captain Kyoraku," he admitted, his voice a low murmur. "The rain... it brings forth memories that I can't forget. I admit that it's painful to watch."
Kyoraku raised a brow at Byakuya's sudden confession; he really hadn't seen much emotion from the man since Rukia's execution…even back to when he was a hotheaded teenager. Now that he had time to think about it, he noticed that Byakuya was missing his usual silken scarf, another thing he never left the manor without since he was crowned as the head of the Kuchiki Clan. He wondered what prompted these changes…maybe soon he'd find the answer to this mystery. Tossing that thought aside, Shunsui nodded in understanding, his eyes reflecting a somber understanding. "Rain has a way of stirring old wounds," he mused. "But sometimes, it also washes away the pain, leaving behind a fresh start."
Byakuya's gaze remained on the rain, his thoughts drifting back to Miyako. He could almost see her standing in the midst of the downpour, her presence ethereal yet vivid. The yearning within him intensified, a silent plea for a connection that fate seemed determined to deny.
Choosing not to respond to the fellow captain's thoughtful words, they continued down the hallway, Byakuya's steps carried the weight of unspoken words and unresolved emotions. Each footfall echoed with a yearning that seemed to resonate through the very walls of the First Division. He couldn't help but wonder if, somewhere in the distance, Miyako felt the same pull, the same ache for something lost. For now, all he could do was return home and pray that tomorrow would be different.
The bleak morning sky mirrored the somber mood that hung over the Seireitei, its once vibrant hues muted by the storms' aftermath. A chilling breeze swept through the otherwise tranquil compound of the Sixth Division barracks.
Byakuya had arrived in this office right before dawn to prepare for the upcoming training exercise in the World of the Living. He meticulously reviewed the profiles of his interns, examining their weaknesses and strengths. After giving it some thought, he began to compile a list of teams. Halfway through the list, he narrowed his eyes; a sense of foreboding suddenly crept into his consciousness, casting a shadow over his otherwise composed demeanor.
He had initially decided to keep his distance from Miyako, but something kept telling him to stay close to her. He cursed; it was difficult to keep away, but with that feeling in his bones, he couldn't shake it off and move on. Byakuya covered his face with a lone hand and sighed; his nerves were going to be the end of him. He knew that Miyako was more than a capable fighter. She had honed her skills through years of training from Soifon, the academy and recently, even himself. Byakuya knew that he didn't have to worry about her well-being, but that unsettling premonition hovered over him that he couldn't ignore. His nerves, usually unwavering, were starting to fray, putting him on edge.
As his thoughts wrestled with his growing anxiety, a knock on the door brought him back to reality. Renji stepped into the office bearing a steaming cup of green tea.
"Good morning, Captain!" Renji greeted with a smile, hoping to keep the environment neutral. He was also on edge since Byakuya was not the cheeriest guy to be around lately.
Closing the door behind him, he was quick to carefully place the gray ceramic mug on Byakuya's desk, showing a sign of camaraderie. Byakuya acknowledged the offering with a curt nod, his mind still grappling with the anxiety from moments ago. He took the cup into his hands, gratefully welcoming the warmth, contrasting from the cold weather outside. He was hopeful that the hot tea would give him some relief as he took a sip.
"I came a little early to finish yesterday's paperwork and see what else you needed from me before we start for the day." he stated with some unease in his voice, trying to stay on Byakuya's good side.
Byakuya furrowed his eyes in contemplation and he waved off the matter of administrative duties.
"Nevermind that, Renji. We have more pressing matters to discuss."
Later in the courtyard, everyone started to assemble for the daily morning meeting, careful to not step in the puddles that littered the stone ground. Miyako, who usually wore her Onmitsukudo garb, opted to wear the full shinigami robe, hoping the extra layers would keep the chilly air at bay. Another chill breeze sent shivers down her spine, despite wearing the full robe, making her wish that she was back in the onsen; cold weather was never her friend.
After she had found herself at the gates yesterday, she had quickly retreated back to her compound and spent a copious amount of time in the onsen, trying her damnest to forget what she had almost done. Usually, her sacred place brought solace and comfort, but it made her more restless - Byakuya had a way of ruining her soaking time, whether he was present or not.
As if she possessed reality altering powers, just thinking about him was enough for him and Renji to enter the courtyard. Miyako watched from afar as they continued to walk towards the center and waited for everyone to gather. Again, the thought of him being cold without his scarf ran through her mind, making her wish that she had it to keep her warm…but she knew that would cause more problems than she wanted. She let out a sigh before joining the rest of the crowd.
After seeing that everyone was present, Byakuya readied himself to make his announcement, his face as hardened as usual.
"I want to inform you all about a change in your internship. We will be joining Divisions Four, Ten and Eleven for a joint training exercise in the World of the Living. You will be exterminating hollows and will be evaluated in your combat skills and swordsmanship. You've all been split into two different teams and will be working together."
The crowd looked at one another after hearing the statement.
"We'll depart this evening and will meet at the main senkaimon. For today, you have the choice to do as you wish; you can train here or elsewhere and prepare for tonight. Lieutenant Abarai and I will remain here, as per normal standards if you require any assistance. That is all."
After Byakuya dismissed everyone, some of the crowd had gone their merry way while some had stayed behind. Miyako stood by her lonesome as another cool breeze had rushed through the corridor, sending a shiver up her spine. This definitely called for another soak in her onsen and a nap.
As she focused on banishing the chill, a presence drifted behind her with a soft and tentative voice that broke through her reverie.
"Hey, Miyako…how are you? It's pretty cold out, huh?"
She turned around to find Isshiki, his smile a fragile thing, the corners tugging downwards slightly. "I almost didn't recognize you now that you're wearing the normal shihakushou."
With pursed lips, she managed to give him a small smile. "...Good morning, Isshiki."
"Can we talk for a moment?" he asked quietly, motioning away from the stragglers that surrounded Byakuya and Renji. Nodding quickly, Isshiki led Miyako to a quiet corner away from prying ears.
"Are we okay?" His voice hung in the air, fragile and uncertain.
"What do you mean, Isshiki?" she replied, her hand unconsciously finding its way to her right arm.
"Lately…I feel like you've been distant…you're quick to leave here everyday and you've been declining to enjoy each other's company…" he continued. "Is everything alright? Did I do something to offend you?"
His words were like another strike to the fragile barrier she had built around her emotions. A wave of guilt washed over her as she saw the pain reflected in his eyes. She had put Isshiki on the backburner, tossing him on the shelf like an unfinished project. That definitely wasn't her intention especially after he'd been so kind to her when she was down, but now…
"Isshiki," she began, her voice trembling, "I..."
Wanting to assure his sincerity, Isshiki grabbed her right hand, cradling it in his. Her eyes went wide with his display of affection, a shiver went up her spine. His hands were a nice contrast to the cold but, his skin suddenly felt prickly against hers…it was a stark contrast of how she felt when Byakuya embraced her. The echo of her heartbeat boomed in her ears; she felt like she couldn't breathe.
"Because if I did…I apologize. I'd love to make -"
Now it was Isshiki's eyes that went wide when Miyako hastily pulled her hand out of his embrace. Guilt washed over her when she saw the shock and hurt in his eyes; she gave him a look of regret.
"...I'm sorry Isshiki…"
Isshiki stood there in disbelief as Miyako quickly left the vicinity. The warmth of her hand in his quickly dissipated. Clenching his fist, he stirred in his frustration.
"I don't know why you keep trying so hard with her," a bitter voice spat, bringing him back to reality. "You're not going to win this battle."
Isshiki's skin started to crawl when he heard the familiar voice. Rika approached him from behind with an ominous frown on her face. Usually, Isshiki was accustomed to Rika's frowns and looks of displeasure, but now, something was different about them; a deeper darkness lurked within her venomous gaze, freezing him momentarily in a chilling apprehension. Another cool breeze brought him back to reality.
"You don't have to be so negative, Rika." he replied, clearly upset at her words. "I'm just trying my best because I am concerned and want to make things right."
Rika's frown deepened, her eyes narrowed like a predator ready to snatch up its prey.
"Trying your best isn't always good enough; don't be stupid. You'll never win her heart, no matter how hard you try."
Rika began walking towards Isshiki, eventually slowing down as her shoulders lined up with his.
"Besides," Rika continued, her voice dripping with cruel satisfaction, "It's not like she'll be around for much longer, anyways." she commented and continued walking past him.
The casual cruelty of her statement sent a jolt of horror through him. Isshiki, who was usually either all smiles or neutral, was now glaring at his classmate with disgust; her last comment made his stomach drop as he turned towards her.
"What's your problem?! Why are you being so cutthroat and what did you mean that she won't be around for much longer?!"
Rika didn't bother to face him.
"I'm just stating the facts, Isshiki. Miyako is of noble blood; she is not meant to be with a commoner as yourself. She will eventually assume her place as the head of the Shihouin Clan and the Captain of the Second Division. That alone will keep her too busy to worry about you. You need to give up on trying to be with her."
Isshiki kept his glare on her, his despair growing by the second.
"For some reason, I don't think that's what you were referring to!"
Pausing momentarily, Rika looked over her shoulder at him. "You can assume whatever you want, but facts are…facts."
Rika didn't waste any more time on Isshiki, leaving him tangled in his web of thoughts as he stood alone in the corridor. He clenched his fists; this training couldn't start any sooner.
That evening wasn't more merciful in the weather, still filling the air with an uncomfortable chill. Under a partly cloudy sky, the shinigami had arrived at the main senkaimon gate with their captains and lieutenants. Miyako stood in the crowd not too far from the front where Byakuya and Renji stood. Isshiki had arrived right after she had. He took glances at her, observing not only her, but Rika as well. Rika stood in the crowd with crossed arms, still sporting an unpleasant frown. Her words weighed on him for the rest of the day. No matter what, he was going to protect Miyako, even if she wasn't open to him at the moment.
Byakuya and Renji both held single pieces of paper in their hands, ready to declare the two teams that would be working together.
"Alright, everyone!" Renji shouted. "The names that I call will be working with me for this exercise!"
As Renji started to call names, Isshiki had hoped that he was on the same team as Miyako. His hopes were dashed when he heard Renji announce his name.
"The rest of you will be with Captain Kuchiki! Now line up!"
A blush rushed to Miyako's face; she hadn't worked under Byakuya's guidance since their falling out and wondered what prompted the change. As everyone had started to sort themselves between Byakuya and Renji, Miyako and Byakuya had managed to lock eyes with each other for a moment.
Byakuya was no fool; despite Isshiki's attempt to conceal their conversation from earlier, he stole glances at the two when no one was paying attention. Seeing how Miyako had snatched away from the boy and his outburst towards Rika, not to mention that the shadow of the foreboding feeling still haunted him, he decided at that moment to change his list in order to keep Miyako close by. Rika, who had stayed out of his way, also showed signs of a changed demeanor. After displaying that she couldn't be somewhat trusted after eavesdropping on him and Miyako's relationship, he decided to keep her close as well.
"Be careful today." he whispered to Miyako, shocking her. It was the first words that he had said to her since he apologized, leaving her to wonder what prompted sudden concern. Suddenly, the dark feeling she had when she had heard that Byakuya was in a captains meeting last night reared its ugly head again. She gripped Unabara's hilt with furrowed brows. Deep down, she was hoping that she was being paranoid for nothing. Pushing her thoughts aside, she hurried to line up.
Soon, all of the divisions were organized and ready to enter the gate. The large white doors opened towards them releasing a deep creaking sound until they were completely open. Miyako looked to her right and gave a smile to Shirayuki, who waved back with a sweet smile. To her left, she could also see Rumi through the crowd. Miyako let out a sigh of relief; at least she'd be training with her friends today.
'World of the Living, here we come!'
The pale moonlight had greeted the shinigami after they had exited the senkaimon. Another breeze, a bit warmer than that was dominating the Seireitei, embraced them as the closing of the senkaimon reverberated through their ears. Two hundred feet below them sat Karakura Town, bustling as the citizens began to wind down for the day.
Miyako watched as Captains Unohana, Kenpachi and Hitsugaya had another discussion to dish out more instructions before they met with Byakuya. Everyone watched in awe as Captain Unohana constructed a large kido barrier to contain the combat.
"We will now conduct the training for today," Captain Hitsugaya started, bringing attention to a device in his hand. "This device will be used to summon low and mid level hollows for a total of five rounds with each round lasting longer than the one before it. Division Four will provide both combat and medical services by rotating their groups. We will be on standby, watching your progress and will intervene if necessary. Be sure to take stock in today's training because we'll be rotating sessions every other day until the end of your internship, starting…"
Toshirou pressed a button on the black device, sending a strange vibration through the air. "Now."
It didn't take long to hear the familiar roar of a hoard of hollows coming their way, prompting everyone to draw their zanpakuto. A large hollow lunged towards Miyako, who was quick to dispose of the hollow with just one strike of her zanpakuto. More hollows threw themselves towards her, prompting her to call on Unabara's power to fight. The familiar light of Unabara's ribbon caught Byakuya's eye. Her movements instantly took him back in time to when he first saw her in the forest, mesmerizing him again with her power and graceful dance of quick and sharp movements. A small smile sprouted on his lips and quickly vanished before anyone had a chance to notice. Soon, he focused his attention on the other shinigami, noting their performance.
Now with the third round over, a break was issued to assess injuries and for everyone to rest. Miyako and Rumi managed to check on one another while Shirayuki had to administer medical treatment.
"How are you holding up, Miya?" Rumi asked.
"Just a bit tired," Miyako admitted, stretching her aching muscles. "But still in one piece. You?"
"Same!" she replied, stretching afterwards. "If we're not totally trashed, wanna grab Shirayuki and go for a drink?!"
Miyako gave her a wide, cheeky smile. "Hell yeah!"
Isshiki watched from afar with clenched fists as he saw Rumi and Miyako give each other a high five. He still couldn't shake Rika's words. Nothing eventful had happened, so he shouldn't have had anything to worry about. He took a glance at Rika, who stood alone, eyes closed and arms crossed. He narrowed his eyes at her, still standing strong to keep his eyes on her before returning his gaze on Miyako. 'I'll protect you…with everything that I have!'
Captain Hitsugaya abruptly clapped his hands, commanding everyone's attention.
"Okay everyone, your break is over!" he called out. "We'll begin the next round…now." he continued before pressing the button. Again, another hoard of hollows came charging at the group. Everyone readied themselves and began fighting. Miyako focused on her enemies and surroundings with many eyes focused on her. One pair of eyes in particular narrowed their eyes as they continued to watch her, briefly glowing red. When it seemed that the hoard of hollows was dwindling down, an ominous rip opened in the sky with a familiar roar. Everyone's eyes went wide at the party crashers - a group of two dozen Gillians.
"What the hell?!" Renji yelled.
Captain Hitsugaya shared the same thought. "Damn! Kurotsuchi said nothing about this thing being able to summon Gillians!" he spat, quickly stuffing it into his robe and drawing his zanpakuto. Byakuya was quick to draw his zanpakuto along with Rangiku and Kenpachi, whose smile had grown wide at the excitement.
"Everyone, stay back and observe!" Byakuya ordered.
Byakuya, Renji, Toushiro, Kenpachi and Rangiku all charged for the group of Gillians as everyone watched the fight. Everything was going well until a very large hoard of hollows had ambushed the group from every angle, blotting out the moonlight and encasing them in darkness. Miyako and the others were quick to defend themselves to the best of their ability. Isshiki struggled to tear through the sea of hollows in an attempt to reach Miyako, but they proved to be more difficult to fight than he thought, even when using his shikai.
Far from Isshiki, Miyako found herself being relentlessly assaulted by the hoard, feeling that they were more aggressive than usual. Despite her skillful strikes, their numbers seemed to multiply, some of them landing blows that cut into her arms and legs.
Miyako was growing tired and knew that she had to get the swarm off her back. She cut away more hollows to give her room to activate shunko, but before she could speak, she let out a loud agonizing scream when she felt something cut her across her back.
Even through the screeching of the hollows, Byakuya could hear Miyako's harrowing scream. The eerie feeling from earlier crept up again in his spirit, making his stomach sour and a chill up his spine. He had had enough and needed to end this to see if she was alright.
'Dammit! I told her to be careful!'
Pointing his zanpakuto downwards, he summoned his bankai and made quick work of all of the hollows. Everyone dropped to their knees, thankful to have escaped the hell they were in. The captains looked around to find many casualties strewn across the sky. Captain Unohana quickly ordered Isane to help her with administering healing while the others took a head count of their interns. Byakuya's eyes darted all over the place in a concealed panic. He didn't waste any time joining Renji.
"Is everyone in your group accounted for?" Byakuya queried, his tone revealing an undercurrent of concern.
Renji, confirming the well-being of his group, inquired about Byakuya's charges. The captain's response, a narrowing of the eyes, betrayed his unease.
"Everyone is accounted for except for Shihouin and Omaeda. Have you seen them?" Byakuya's gaze sought answers, finding none in Renji's nod.
With narrowed eyes, he left Renji's side. With determination, Byakuya scoured other areas, searching for the missing pair. Despite efforts to locate them among the injured that were being healed and the other groups, his inquiries yielded no results. Closing his eyes, he extended his senses, seeking their reiatsu, only to be met with the disconcerting void of their absence, as if Miyako and Rika had vanished into thin air.