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Tag	By : LilMonk Category: Bleach > Het - Male/Female Views: 11404 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 5
- 6
- 7
Disclaimers: Bleach is the
sole property of Kubo Tite. I only own this fanfic.

A/N:Words in Italics denotes personal
thoughts (hence scenes of the past are in this font, as they are being
remembered).

When I use the word �man�, I�m using it in the context of gender and
not (im) mortality.

To make the scenes clearer:

*******

Followed by words in this font = Past

*******

*******

Followed by words mainly in this
font = Present.

*******

Previously:

Falling to one knee, the
bleeding limb was pressed against her side. It was hard to breathe. Coughing
out a copious amount of incarnadine fluid, beads of sweat dotted her forehead
as darkness encroached on the fringes of consciousness.

�Yoruichi!�

The last thing experienced was
velvety reception� then nothing.

0o---------------------------o0

The beginning of an end

Crimson mist condensed into a bolt
of white cloth that had been sliced into two. His outstretched arm felt
momentarily heavier. Realising what had happened, his attention was turned towards the husky
whisper that stung his pride.

�Did you presume to catch me... with such shyunpo?"

Even before he could catch a
glimpse of the deity that had appeared on his forearm, she was no longer there.

However, the easy affection in her
voice lingered in his mind. Devoid of mockery, that only increased the soreness
of his defeat. The warmth from her fingers seemed to have burnt through cloth
to remain branded on cool skin.

He would have preferred being
physically wounded. Those at least, would heal and be forgotten.

No, he couldn't fool himself with
his own lies�

*******

"Has she recovered yet?"

Stopping in his tracks, all
Urahara Kisuke would say was, "Yes." Then he was making light banter and
cracking a silly joke, distracting Kyouraku Shunsui from the subject.

Later, in the privacy of his
office, he could not help but fret over the issue. What had possessed her to
even attempt something so potentially suicidal? What a mother hen she could be.
Fortunately, only moderate internal injuries had been suffered, instead of
being carbonated by channeling such unstable energy. That skill was not yet
safe for her to employ, with that magnitude of power. Seeing Yoruichi return to
Seirei-tei in the arms of that haughty man had been annoying enough, but the
sight of her apparently lifeless body... even his vice-captain had kept out of
his way for the rest of the day.

The day after that incident, he had gone to visit her. His best
friend had not yet regained lucidity. He did not go to see her again until she
was awake. Kisuke couldn�t understand the reason behind his peevishness, but he could
identify the cause. It had to do with a certain man. That individual (when he
had gone the first time) had been there and from what he had seen... thankfully
he could be cat-quiet when required.

Watching through a minuscule
space between exquisitely patterned fusuma panels, he saw long fingers similar to an
artisan's clasping a bandaged hand. Those similarly graceful fingers of
the other hand touched a wan cheek, even as a faint smile hovered about pale lips of the
unconscious invalid. Green chrysanthemums bloomed in a porcelain vase on the
dressing table.

Those rare flowers were grown
only in one garden in Soul Society. Damn Kuchiki Byakuya. Kisuke hated the
choice he would force his friend to eventually make, and he didn't want to cost
her something as simple as happiness... the type she didn�t yet realize.

*******

"Three days."

While turning around, he finally
looked up to see his prey standing atop the roof of another adjacent building.
There was venom-tinged surety in the way she phrased it, along with an air that
would brook no insubordination from anyone. Being an outstanding commander
meant there were some things you never forgot.

�In three days, I�ll make him stronger than you.�

It was the first promise she had
made to him, yet sounded more like a declaration of war. The cold detachment in
her voice told him she was peeved by his actions, and was endeavoring not to
show fury or outrage. Senpai had made her point though; she was still as
frighteningly powerful as before, and had no qualms about rubbing it in. It
wouldn�t take much effort for her to slay him, which also included killing him
before he could use bankai.

�Do as you please but until then, the fight between you two is postponed.�

Absence of her usual easygoing
manner was a deadly warning to the motionless man below. If you try and
thwart me, I won�t hesitate to terminate your life.

"Should you wish to pursue us, go ahead!"

The rooftop was now empty, patches
of fluffy cloud against a darkening sky the only sight flanking worn tiles. It
was as if she had never been there, save for fading echoes of defiance.
Reprimanding him, reminding him...

�Shyunshin Yoruichi can�t be caught by the likes of you.�

*******

�That�s ridiculous!�

Rebuking while blocking a narrow tip with one hand re-positioning the tanto behind her left shoulder, she spun around and nearly
impaled his wrist with a deft stroke from her other weapon. Leaping backwards,
he single-handedly released a blast spell. A wide circular expanse of barren
earth was upended with the ferocious force of fiery red energy.

"Soukatsui without incantation.
Not bad, Byakuya."

Whirling around to knock away
the slim blade of her kaiken, he felt the larger of her two blades slice into his left sleeve
and graze the skin of his forearm. It went no further as he shifted to the side,
bringing his zanpaku-tou in a diagonal downward arc.

"As I was saying: to fight a foe
alone and be defeated without dying, is not dishonorable."

Swooshing whistle of wind past
her right ear induced a satisfied grin from her. That was close. Trying to
lecture and fight at the same time was something she and Kisuke both loved to
do, to see which one of them would be unable to cope first so the other could
move in for the kill.

"Foolish ego makes absurd rules.
If you�ve done your best but still lost, surviving does not mean you�re trash."

Both short blades were crossed to
counter the clanging impact of steel that had a much longer reach. They were
both pushing against each other, faces half an arms-length apart. She leant
closer while maintaining a stable center of balance, poised to move anytime.

"It just means you get another
chance to improve and defeat your opponent the next time around. That is more
productive than dying in a blaze of stupidity, all for the sake of so-called
honor."

Flame-shaped eyes widened,
obsidian irises expanding to signify- Yoruichi leapt backwards, as broken metal
clattered to the ground. Retreating further, putting more distance between them
while she worked out her next move. Anger for pouring vinegar on his beliefs,
eh? Now she would need to replace her little tools again.

He was standing there, placidly
handsome countenance in stark contrast to eyes that gleamed as if a dash of
mercury had been added to dark pools. They had changed roles once more, his
authoritative maturity making up for the difference in their years and
sometimes making him seem the more senior of the two. A ray of sunlight glinted
off the tapered end of that sword to reach her eyes.

"Then you and I will just have
to disagree, Yoruichi. I have no need for subordinates who are not willing to
stake their lives to win. Besides, with kidou such as the one you used to
defeat the Menos Grande a month ago, why master that if you�re not trying to
wipe out your opponents completely and spare them the disgrace of retreat?"

If Kisuke didn't exist, he would have been right. That last
erroneous statement was not a question. He did not understand, or perhaps he
did, but they had different beliefs on the definition of honor, winning� and
the motive for improving oneself. There was so much she could say, but talk was
not always the best of instructors. Besides, she had to obliterate the hint of detected interest in that method.

There was a peculiar expression
on her face, and Byakuya had the feeling he�d struck a nerve somewhere with his
words.

"What I learn is for the sake of
protecting those who matter... but that is none of your business. Whether you
comprehend my viewpoint... doesn't matter either. No one else can master the
kidou I used that day. Why? Because there are certain criteria to attain, such
as being able to easily cast and block this-"

One hand was raised in his
direction, two fingers pointing towards him.

"Blast spell seventy-one..."

A kite-sized sphere of crackling
red lightning had coagulated above her head. The shrill keening of gathering
energy was almost hypnotizing, as the glowing mass resembled an unstable whirlpool that was
becoming denser by the second. Infinite thin lines crisscrossing appeared in the
dirt, gritty particles ripped from the earth as the loss of soil surrounded his
position. He could see the movement of her lips as the spell was named but the
sound was drowned out. No incantation? Rapid escalation in spiritual pressure from her rendered
him unable to move. He had to bring out his full potential to defend.
Senbonzakura was released.

�Without being injured-�

There was a deafening explosion
as the unfurling cascade of annihilation struck their target.

The effect of using such a high
level hadou made a certain man shake his head, as he approached the training
grounds in the wilderness surrounding West Rukongai. Yoruichi had been
aggravated over something. That was rare. Whoever was on the receiving end of
her wrath was one unlucky soul� if he was still alive.

Dense smoke began to clear,
revealing an unmoving figure and another who was kneeling a good distance away.
Between them was what was left of the training grounds� an extensive crater
that appeared to have been gouged out by monstrous claws.

�Yoruichi, that was a bit
harsh.�

�Kisuke, there was a point to
illustrate about survival and power.�

�At least you aimed five meters
in front of him.�

"That was the only way he could
block without perishing."

She hadn't expected to feel this
guilty, or- Walking along the deep furrow over to the weary warrior, she
knelt down and tipped up his chin with two fingers. Speaking so that only he could
hear, a soft voice murmured, "Your death would be wasted. Being able to survive, so you
can train to defeat me.... doesn't that make more sense? After all, if I ever
became a monster that you had to destroy, you would then be protecting those
you treasure."

Was that... concern on her face?
He was staring, even as a trail of blood ran from the corner of his mouth to
drip onto parched earth. As he coughed, slender fingers steadied his chin and
wiped unsightly crimson off his skin. Her ability to fiddle with
black-and-white scenarios/rules was mind-boggling. The gentle pressure of soft
fingertips didn�t help either. She glanced upwards momentarily and was
transfixed by the play of sunlight over attractively mesmerizing features.
Bloodstained digits remained still. Both faces were only one hand-span apart...

Deliberately loud clearing of
the throat from the third person present made her jump up.

"Just kidding! Don't look so
serious, Kuchiki-san! You'll come up with your own special techniques someday!�

For a moment, he had wanted
to- Watching the two shinigami stroll off while trading jokes, Byakuya had an
epiphany. He could have dismissed those odd words, except for her tone. There
was such a world of sadness in it... as if she had first-hand experience.

Besides, the humiliation of
losing so badly only ensured her intentions had backfired. Her later betrayal
would consolidate the rejection of most of her ideals involving flexibility. This was just one of many little 'things' that would shape the man he became later... the one who
would send Rukia to the Soukyoku at all costs.

*******

Standing there, he stared up at the
peak where aged ceramic met steeply like seismic plates that had been frozen in
time. They were gone. He could pursue them but judging by her speed, all those
years had barely dented lethal prowess.

Even then, what had transpired
within the last five minutes finally sank in. That elite warrior had returned
to the very heart of their society. The prodigal who had deserted her rank,
conspired with an infamous outlaw and trampled on his dignity... spurning all he
had offered ages ago, without even deigning to give a reason or reply.

If that Kurosaki Ichigo was an
annoyance to make the blood boil, the sight of her was infuriating enough for
his brain to start shutting down while raw, vengeful instinct crudely demanded
to take over. The ancient wound still rankled. Haunting familiarity in that
duel was bringing back a history he did not want to go over. Do you still
remember- Subconsciously directing his thoughts towards her broke the last
straw in frazzled calm. At this moment, he needed absolute solitude to recover.

Realizing that Ukitake Juushiro was
practically gawking at him and that his behaviour might look unusual, all he
uttered was a curt, �That ryoka scum... he got away..."

Then the Kuchiki clan leader spun
around sharply and stalked off.

"Hey! Byakuya! What about the
others? Didn't you come to take care of everything?"

His coldly dismissive reply was
disdainful enough to make the thirteenth-division captain scratch his head in
puzzled resignation, before tending to the ryoka and Hanatarou.

"He always does as he pleases.
Never seen him so, er, reactive, though... What�s the hurry, since there�s no way
he�d catch up to those two?"

If a departing sixth division
captain could read minds, he would know that although the distance between them
was increasing, the object of his musing was cursing their encounter and
scolding herself for remembering sentimental idiocy.

*******

It had been fun. Unfortunately,
there was nothing more she could impart to Kuchiki Byakuya. His range and
precision of peripheral perception along with shyunpo had advanced
tremendously, as expected of a prodigy. It was not good to influence someone too much, or they could not develop their own specialities. He would continue ascending to loftier heights even without her help... training to attain bankai could be thoroughly completed. Kisuke needed her support. Furthermore, his warning had
struck too deep to be ignored. Getting her priorities in order had been
necessary. She could have sworn though, that the strange idea of Byakuya making
her smile with his concern was more than just a dream. All she knew was that
he'd left some unusually pretty blossoms as a token of visiting, when she'd
been unaware after the entire Menos Grande episode.

Enough of her silliness. Child's
play had to be discarded, for she was facing a grave possibility that chilled
her to the core. Would Soul Society still be her home after this? Hence, she
would enjoy the game to the last second. Strange, how one could get attached to
triviality...

Ducking beneath the sweep of his
arm as he tried to mark her, she sprang up and backwards, both hands closing
around his right forearm. Using that as leverage to swing herself around, both
knees collided with the small of his back. The overall momentum knocked her
opponent over, toppling him completely. Kneeling on his back, she absently
noted how soft his hair looked. The sudden urge to touch came and went without
her questioning its cause. Oh well, she was terrible with goodbyes and he would
doubtless be relieved to know her pestering had ended.

�You�ll definitely be one of the
greatest shinigami in histo-�

The earth seemed to tilt
disturbingly as her attempt to get up was disrupted. Feeling an unyielding arm
clamp across her calves as she released her grip, Yoruichi nearly rolled off
and with a violent motion from him, she found herself flat on her front, nose
nearly nudging the dirt.

�Hey, the sessions are over. I
command you to let me up-"

Breaking off angrily as she
turned her neck, nearly spraining it to look at him. There was something
unnerving about his usual lack of expression but those eyes... The last thing she
expected was to lose the red ribbon around her neck.

Had he lost his mind? What was
with this weird behavior? That did it; she was going to have to hurt him- His
body was reassuringly pliant against hers. He smelled like an intriguing
combination of grass, earth and steel. She didn't like the path her thoughts
were taking. What if Kisuke was right-

�Kuchiki-sa-�

Startling pressure of his lips
on her throat numbed her with shock. That moment of paralysis was all it took
for him to swiftly flip her over, so that they were face to face. What she saw
frightened her. There was such... gentleness in his features.

0o-------------o0

List of definitions in alphabetical order

Bankai: The 2^nd level of release for a zanpaku-tou, whereby the soul of the sword is fully bent to the owner�s will and can be completely utilized (i.e. brought out of the
subconscious) in the conscious world, making one 5-10 times more powerful than in shikai mode. Ban=complete, kai=release.

Fusuma: Sliding door
separating two rooms in a house.

Hadou: Attacking spells, under the kidou category.

Kidou: General term for all
demon arts techniques, 1 of the 4 shinigami fighting styles.

Soukatsui: Blast spell 33
(mid-level demon arts) that spits out blue fireballs.

Soukyoku: Executes the
Ultimate penalty by destroying the convict's body, in the form of a fiery bird
whose beak has the piercing force equivalent to a million Soul Slayers.
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