“Even if the world’s physical beauty is unknown to me, I know of another beauty,” the dark haired captain of the ninth division stated as his subordinate joined at his side to watch the flower field below the cliff. The spiky haired male didn’t understand what the other meant, but was content to stand with the blind captain.
Tousen was the one man Hisagi was sure he could trust. Tousen’s acts were justified. Tousen was wise.
Tousen was a traitor.
Betrayal
Rustle. Rustle.
The tall pile of papers slowly shrunk as the wind from the open window blew each sheet to the ground. The thought of picking them up never crossed his mind. What was the point? More would fill their place.
The room was dark to match his mood. The man didn’t leave the room for two days. One of the major concerns was Kira Izuru and Hinamori Momo, the two who came to his rescue during their school years. They were affected the most by the recent event. Hisagi should have seen the infidelity come and tried to stop it. Before his thoughts could develop fully, a knock on the door distracted the temporary captain.
Only two people bothered to visit the ninth division. Matsumoto Rangiku and Abarai Renji. Those two were the only ones he had been seeing most of lately.
“Enter.”
To keep a professional appearance, Hisagi reached for a pen and the nearest document. As he filled out the blanks, the last voice he expected to hear was the one belonging to a sixth seated officer.
“Sir…you have a meeting with the Academy…”
Hito Tai didn’t use eye contact. During the years Tai spent with the ninth division, the captain’s office was an area off limits to the lower ranks. Even though one week had passed since the parting of the group that came to save the Kuchiki, Soul Society still didn’t seem normal.
For the Academy to insist for a meeting with the captain of the ninth division, something must have been…odd.
“A meeting? Are they not aware of the situations at hand?”
“Er…Yes, but they are determined on seeing you.”
“When speaking to a higher rank, do not use long gaps.”
“…Yes sir.”
As Tai left the room, he wondered where the soft spoken vice-captain the division knew had disappeared to.
***
“You are enrolled in the ninth division, the section which fell under the leadership of Tousen. But he is no more.”
A moment of silence was given to the man spoken about. It was the kind of respect given to those who died in war but she didn’t understand why it was given to that man – didn’t the captain choose to leave Soul Society with the one called Aizen?
was sure of it. As embryonic thoughts filled her mind, the important ones – like listen to the head of the school who continued with the list of expectations lecture given to each graduating member – slowly disintegrated away…
“Young lady, are you listening?”
The annoyed, low pitched voice pierced through her developing thoughts, causing her to apologize automatically.
“To be assigned during the confusion is unexpected but the Gotei-13 seems to have granted you immunity. Do not wreck this chance, ”
As soon as the man stopped speaking, she flicked her downcast eyes towards the door located to the left after hearing three consecutive knocks. Her gaze returned to the hardwood floor beneath after a short while.
“Enter…ah, Hisagi-san.”
“Yo – I mean, good morning.”
looked up at the deep voice but not enough to show her full face. A tiny grin spread across her lips at the slip. Raven locks covered it, having only long eyelashes visible. She wondered who the person was as he walked in front of her slightly. missed the glance thrown her way.
The older man made stepped over to where the other stood and grinned. “Hisagi Shuhei…I cannot put my pride into words when students talk about your position as captain.”
Hisagi paid no attention to the sharp intake of breath heard from behind. He did not want to be here. It was the same room as years ago when he first met the blind captain. That was when he was promised a rank as seated officer because of the talent he possessed.
“Thank you, Riza-san. Who I am today is your doing.”
The man smiled and let the compliment get to his head, not seeing it as a lie. The spiky haired man became what he was not because of Riza but Tousen. It was frustrating to see how much influence Tousen had over him.
“ is the reason you’ve been asked here. For that I apologize, considering the situation at hand but Yamamoto-sama requested her to be transferred into your division immediately.”
As Riza spoke, he made the presence of clear through hand gestures. As Hisagi looked over his shoulder to see the cause of the fuss was, a sense of déjà vu passed.
‘Mina?’
“Introduce yourself.” Said Riza with his hands folded behind his back.
could feel her heart skip a beat at the staring she received from both males. “ , first year student of Riza Yoshi-san.”
“Look up when talking to a higher ranked officer.” Hisagi stated as he walked over to stand directly in front of her. He missed the surprise Riza expressed when not questioned about ’s year.
She didn’t want to look up but when doing so slowly, her body tensed at the intimidating gaze of her tall to-be captain. His lips were set in a line as if trying to erase any emotions trying to peer out although his eyes were a different story.
He tried to be discrete about examining the face belonging to the woman in front of him but failed. She saw what was happening and tried to keep her green eyes blank, not wanting him to know anything. As the two starred at each other, neither realized the lack of breathing.
They didn’t flinch when the head of the Academy coughed.
“Tomorrow evening, you’ll be in my office.”
Hisagi said as he turned around to bow at his former teacher before leaving. blinked a couple of times; the man seemed to be looking for something…would he know?
Frowning, the woman silently answered the question, ‘No.’
***
“We’ll always be together, not matter what happens.”
A girl with long, wavy hair opened her arms to the setting sun. She breathed in deeply before turning her head to look at the one who sat on the grassy hill.
“It’s a promise, Hisagi Shuhei!”
The ends of the white dress swirled as she spun around. Smiling, the male with black spiky hair stood and walked over to the spinning mass of white, stopping the movement with a hand.
“You’ll keep your promise, right?”
The sentence was a whisper as his lips glided against her right cheek. Green eyes were covered by eyelids as she nodded.
“I always keep my promises.”
***
Aki Mina.
Her face never left his mind. She was finally coming back to him today.
As eyes scanned the room, he realized it was still dark. Should the curtains be opened for today? Mina loved natural light and she would be coming into the office in less than half an hour.
For the first time in the past two months, Hisagi grinned. The day had been spent cleaning the entire office, waiting for the arrival of Min- . But why would she change her name when entering Soul Society?
While he thought, Hisagi was in the process of clearing the cluttered desk. A piece of paper with bolded text caught his attention. The words, ‘To Hisagi Shuhei,’ made him frown.
Before reading further, a knock on the door was heard. The sheet was forgotten about and slipped to the floor in his haste to sit on the captain’s chair.
“Enter.”
To his dismay, the face of the sixth seat officer became visible. Before getting annoyed at Tai’s appearance, the said officer announced the presence of a .
“Let her in.”
With black hair tied up in a high ponytail, stepped inside the main office of the ninth division. It was…dark and an instant dislike grew inside of her. The one who led her here left and closed the door.
She had always been told to keep her emotions to herself and when presented with a situation without previous experience, gather information before speaking.
“Captain, this officer is ready for duties.”
bowed.
“Please, take a seat.”
She noted the tone of voice was lighter than yesterday. Her footsteps were quiet against the hardwood floor, hinting at the training received to become a member of the Gotei-13.
Hisagi watched her come closer and his light mood started shrinking. The person now in front of him hosted a star shaped scar on the side of her neck. Mina didn’t have a scar...and she would have pranced across the room at the sight of him. But the woman known as did not.
Each step taken by her was cautious as though the ground would break if not. The clear green eyes he looked into prior to the current time wasn’t concentrated on him but to the shelves of books behind the desk.
Why would Mina change?
“…Sir?”
Blinking, Hisagi emptied his mind to focus on present events and not past. The one who sat in front of him was a first year student. Why didn’t that thought process properly? It was after six years the students were sorted into divisions. What…why was she here? What was the General Commander thinking?
“…Do…you know of the responsibilities expected?” stared at him for a short while before training her eyes to the folded pair of hands in front of her.
“Yes sir.”
“Each division runs differently and knowing that, you should have been briefed on how the ninth works.”
“Information on each was the first lesson ever taught at the Academy.”
“No complaints?”
“…No sir.”
The delayed answer was a mistake made by and noted by Hisagi. She hoped he wouldn’t ask what she truly thought. To lie to fellow shinigami was looked down upon.
“Mina…”
The random name caused her to look up at the interrogator. What did this have to do with the division? The soft eyes of the captain were not an expected sight. There was a time when she would do anything to receive that look from him…
She was uncomfortable. The paced heartbeat and pulse started quickening. “I-I’m sorry?”
“Why did you change your name?”
Wha? What was happening? He reached over to stroke her cheek with a finger. A small smile was present on those thin lips…
Smile? Riza-san clearly told her of the…betrayal which took place two months ago. He mentioned the names of Hisagi, Hinamori and Kira.
They were said to be deeply effected by the event. But if Hisagi Shuhei was truly scarred from the event, why was he smiling? Her uneasiness must have been evident to him since he stopped touching her.
A light blush was strewn across his cheeks. Apologizing, he said she was free to go.
Before left the room, she placed a hand on the doorframe.
“My name is .”
***
“Reeeeeeennnnaaaaa-san!”
The woman turned to face her drunken comrade. Three weeks passed since her arrival and she was pleased by the friendly atmosphere. There wasn’t much to do except for training sessions for newcomers like her.
But when senior members fought against her, they would be on the ground, unable to move in five minutes. There was a reason graduated five years before schedule but that was a secret shared between three people.
She kept her spiritual energy low, following the advice given to her by the shinigami who brought her to Soul Society. If anyone discovered the power she possessed, the results wouldn’t be pleasant.
“C-c-come heeeerre and d-d-d-drink with u-s!”
refused politely since she didn’t know the men and left the ninth division’s recreation hall. The night was still young and the stars were quite vibrant tonight.
The noise of the drunken men faded as she walked further away from the hall. When a low building came into view, she jumped onto the roof and used the buildings – which increased in height – to get to the second highest one.
No one was there and was glad. She liked spending some time by herself. After walking to the middle of the area, she fell backwards and sighed.
The silver moon was big and beautiful. Nights like these were like a reward for hard work. As stared at the moon, a translucent image of a certain captain looking over his shoulder caused her to bolt up.
What was with that? Image or not, why did he pop up everywhere she went? Hisagi kept calling her Mina and after a certain incident she figured that person might have been an ex-lover.
*
“ -san, I’m sorry about today…I didn’t mean to claim the blanket as mine…”
A brown haired male stood in front of her with his head hung, obviously ashamed at his behavior. watched the downcast eyes of a member of the fifth division. At first it was surprising when the blanket was taken from her while she slept but he was drunk, so it wasn’t a big deal.
explained to him why what happened was alright and he reluctantly forgave himself. As the older man left, the woman walked towards her sleeping quarters. She never noticed the lack of people in the hallways nor the person who had been following her.
“Mina…”
As she twisted her body at the name, she found a chest in her gaze. Tilting her head up, found her captain. She backed away and he treaded forwards. Each of his muscled arms was on either side of her, confining her in.
Her cheeks coloured a deep red as the man closed the distance between their lips. Her heartbeat raced – something that happened many times nowadays. She was too shocked at the recent turn of events to do anything.
That was when she smelled the alcohol. He was intoxicated.
“Why are you like this, Mina? You were never shy around me…”
The image of a calm and wise Hisagi melted away during the time spent in Seireitei. His thuggish personality emerged, not being able to hide away for too long. He wasn’t captain material.
His lips glided across her right cheek before brushing against lips. The cool night became hot as he wrapped his arms around her. tried to remember how to breathe and keep calm as it reminded her of…him.
Rage grew in her and she pushed Hisagi away using her restrained strength. The man was on the floor as she ran away.
*
wondered if he was aware of his actions. She wouldn’t know because Hisagi never came into her sight in the past few days. He was busy with paperwork and another upcoming mission, as told by fellow companions so she didn’t bother to find out.
That was one of her weaknesses… was too passive. Even after death, she didn’t find reason to hate him.
***
With legs dangling over the side of the highest building, Hisagi watched the newest member of the division as she bolted up from lying down. He’d been an idiot lately. To think that sake caused ungentlemanly like actions made him hate it.
Even though looked like a woman from his life before death, there couldn’t be any more differences between the two.
Mina was outgoing, bubbly and friendly. was shy, quiet but friendly as well. He couldn’t believe how calm she could be. Because for some reason, Hisagi felt the need to pry into other’s business, he went over to the twelfth division to find out about ’s past life.
She died from betrayal.
His fists tightened at the thought and rage welled within. She lived with a man who saved her from the streets at the age of five. Thirteen years later, the innocent girl’s life was wrecked.
He raped her and killed her two days later.
She wasn’t Mina…she was . The woman who didn’t hold a grudge against the murderer was the one who Hisagi forcefully kissed.
Betrayal was a horrible thing.
***
When feeling a source of energy behind, turned. She found the subject of her thoughts sitting atop of the next building, gazing down at her. For a short while, both watched the other before looking up at the moon above.
“To stargaze alone isn’t fun.”
He called out and she nodded in response. “Come up, it’s the best spot.”
looked up at him, thinking if she should or not. It seemed as though sake wasn’t part of his evening meal. Though, there wasn’t a choice. The captain gave a semi-order and it was her job to follow instructions.
Sighing, jumped up and seated herself a little ways away from him. A comfortable silence ensued before the senior shinigami spoke.
“I’m…sorry for that day.”
He brought up a knee and rested his elbow on it. Both individuals found it easier to talk while looking up. used the chance to lie on her back.
“It’s…alright. Hisagi-san wasn’t in his senses.”
Every word formed was true to her but not to him. Hisagi knew what was happing at the time but couldn’t control it. The person he knew for three weeks was someone who interested him.
She hardly spoke yet made friends inside and outside the division and didn’t make a big deal of him kissing her. She seemed to be quite forgiving.
“Why do you forgive so easily?”
A light breeze tossed dark bangs over thoughtful green eyes. There wasn’t a straight forward reason, really. found hating wasn’t necessary in the world. Hate always led to things people regret doing afterwards. That was how she…died.
“Why shouldn’t I? I’d rather forgive than hate.”
“But why would you excuse the one that killed you?!”
’s breath hitched. His hand tightly grasped her shoulder and loosened the grip after realizing what had been said out loud.
“I-I’m sor-”
“Please don’t apologize.” She formed a weak grin. “It’s a captain’s profession to look up the history of their subordinates.”
“…Get mad at me!”
“E-excuse me?”
Green eyes locked onto brown ones and found fury running through them. He pushed her to the ground and unsheathed his sword, standing in the process. With his spiritual energy raising and the tip of the blade pressing against her nose, a threat was acknowledged. The force repressed since the day first came into Soul Society emerged.
She unsheathed her blade as well and jumped back, entering a fighter’s form. He came running towards her first, aiming to slice her abdomen but she was too fast. stepped left, not allowing the steel blade to cut through her.
Within six seconds, the roof underneath them was destroyed from their fighting. Both panted at the intense amount of exercise before lunging at each other again, yelling.
She never felt hate before and guessed the emotion was just that. His face now resembled that murderer’s. A desire for him to be burned was foreign. Gripping her katana tightly, jumped, surprising him. Her body was out of control and her hands had a mind of its own.
Hisagi waited for to be at least a foot away from his face before stepping over the side. She wasn’t fast enough to stop herself from crashing into the ground. He knew someone must have heard them and sheathed his weapon.
The power he sensed was not normal. Where had that come from? Hisagi took a hold of the officer’s uniform and took off to ninth division headquarters.
What he saw was hate, rage and pain. To keep emotions suppressed wasn’t healthy. As soon as they reached the captain’s office, the door was quickly opened and he tossed her onto a nearby couch.
“What was that?”
He asked while moving towards the desk, trying to look for the first aid kit.
couldn’t believe what happened. She lost total control. Her gaze traveled over to the man who almost cut her up. He didn’t seem as though he would try to cut her at the very moment.
“When someone dies via betrayal, an unknown power is given to them.”
Her voice was quiet, making Hisagi strain to hear the response. It was hard to do since he was trying to bandage the cuts made on the upper part of his left arm.
“Here, give it to me.”
Hisagi stopped wrapping the cloth around, dropped it and looked away.
“Since I’ve shared a secret with you, would you mind answering question for me?”
“Hn.”
“This Mina…who was she?”
He didn’t speak for awhile as she covered the torn skin and tied a knot after finishing. “She was…my special girl. It was years and years ago last seeing her. Dunno if she’s dead or not. Looked kinda like you.”
“I…figured.”
His eyes rolled over to her, “Why aren’t you mad right now?”
“What’s done is done.”
Her hands stopped working and rested on top of the bandages. “But may I ask why you attacked me?”
“Keeping hate inside is not healthy.”
Speaking those words made him feel empty since they were not his own. They belonged to Tousen. Both were interrupted by a black butterfly flying into the room through the open window. How did that get open?
Before Hisagi could ponder on it, the butterfly hovered above his ear, giving him a message before leaving the room.
“Oi, before we get arrested, there’s something you need to know.”
Arrested? blinked and tilted her head in confusion. “Don’t keep hate bottled up.” He placed a hand on the top of her head, causing her to blink again. As both stared at the other, the door opened, revealing the head of the seventh division, Sajin Komamura.
was a little startled by the fox head of the captain. Her surprise disappeared as a hand squeezed hers. She looked at Hisagi, who nodded at his senior.
“Time to go.”
He let go and headed out, expecting her to follow.
“Hisagi-kun, you know very well fighting between shinigami is forbidden.”
As Sajin moved aside, four shinigami were exposed from behind the large man. He looked at and shook his head.
When stepping into the hallway, both of them were taken in different directions. While walking with her respective captors, looked over her shoulder to find Hisagi watching. She tilted her head and grinned.
Betrayal was a horrible thing but with everything bad, something good always came out.
Written by: Lily
Edited by: Chii-chan