Bleach: The Forgotten Captain - The Memoirs of Akari Miyazaki

Chapter 20 A Hundred Years Without You - Part 11: The Kiyashi Twins

I clutched my sword hilt with trembling hands. Training in the Soul King's palace was more demanding than anything I had ever done. From early morning until late at night, I underwent various training sessions: strength, endurance, agility. However, the most exhausting part was the sparring sessions that pushed me to my limits. For the hundredth time, I wished I had my usual spiritual powers at my disposal.

How wonderful it would be to no longer tire after a few Kidō spells and to fully unleash the potential of my Zanpakuto.

"Enough for today," declared my training partner. She was none other than Kirio Hikifune, formerly the captain of the twelfth division of the Gotei 13 and now a member of the Royal Guard.

I quickly understood why Hiyori had idolized her, for I, too, couldn't help but find her demeanor extremely engaging.

"Even if it doesn't feel like it, you're making progress," she praised as we exited the training room.

"Oh, really?" I mumbled, eyeing her skeptically.

"You have little spiritual energy, but you're gradually learning to manage it. Those with less energy available must use it more effectively. Today, you lasted much longer than on our first day of training," Kirio cheerfully smiled at me. I returned her smile, though I still wasn't entirely convinced of my progress.

"...you and your damn secrecy!"

"That's enough!"

The loud, almost shouted exclamations made me jump. Kirio beside me also halted, but she seemed more annoyed than shocked, unlike me. The voices came from the throne room next to us, and the footsteps grew louder. Bursting through the wide-open doors was none other than Sato.

I hadn't seen him since our arrival at the palace.

He abruptly stopped when he spotted me. He had replaced his previous plain clothing with opulent silk kimonos.

Kirio next to me gestured for a bow. However, Sato's gaze remained fixed on me. "Akari, how are you?"

I shrugged and gave him a smile. "My training is going quite well, I have a lovely room, and the food here is delicious. So, I can't complain. But how about you? Your transgressions don't seem to be punished as severely as I initially feared."

Sato put on a wry smile. "Well, I enjoy certain privileges here," he confessed and finally cast a glance at Kirio. She seemed about to say something, but at that moment, the King himself appeared in the doorway of the throne room.

"Sato, please return to your chambers. Akari has had a long day and needs rest."

Sato didn't look at the King. "Certainly, Your Majesty," he forced out between clenched teeth and left without sparing the King a glance.

"I'm pleased to see that you're making progress, Akari. We'll intensify your training soon," the King told me and bid farewell. We bowed, and in turn, made our way to my chambers. Until now, I hadn't been allowed to wander the castle alone.

Once I felt that Sato and the King were out of earshot, I turned to Kirio. I had had several burning questions for a while, but I didn't want to pester her immediately and risk getting on her nerves. I remembered one of my mother's many lessons; she believed it was much easier to extract information from people when you got along with them.

After almost two weeks of training together, I felt I had developed a certain rapport with Kirio.

"Is the King a very kind ruler?" I casually asked. Kirio raised an eyebrow and laughed.

"Well, he's not a ruler in the traditional sense. As our leader, he's strict but fair. He knows when to be generous, but also when it's appropriate to be strict."