DREAMS OF RUKIA: Opening Arc & Soul Reaper Civil War Arc

DREAMS OF RUKIA: Chapter Five

DISCLAIMER: THERE WILL BE SPOILERS FOR MAJOR EVENTS AND CHARACTERS OF BLEACH AND ITS SUBSEQUENT LIGHT NOVELS. If you don't wish to be spoiled, then do NOT read until you have seen all of Bleach and know of the light novels Can't Fear Your Own World, WE DO knot ALWAYS LOVE YOU, and Spirits Are Forever With You.

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After a long, boring day of training, playing games and watching Bleach, night finally returned. Eagerly going to bed, I fell asleep much faster than usual.

Upon waking up in the Soul Society, nobody was in the room. I was in Rukia's quarters, but Rukia wasn't anywhere to be found. Peeking out the door, I noticed Aizen sulking around and called out to him.

"Hey! Vice Captain Aizen!"

He yelps and looks around frantically to find who called him, finally noticing me.

"O-oh m-m-mister Tsuchiya."

"Aizen, do you know where Rukia went? I can't find her anywhere."

"Y-yeah! She's w-waiting for you in the t-training grounds."

"Thanks, Aizen." I pat him on the shoulder as I pass by him, trying to be calmer around him due to his skittish nature. It was still SO jarring having Aizen acting this way, but I couldn't really ask anyone because this is normal to them.

Upon reaching the training grounds, Rukia's standing facing me. "Took you long enough, Tsuchiya. I've been waiting forever!"

"So sorry, Rukia. I didn't know where you went, I had to ask Aizen for directions."

"Ah, Sosuke Aizen. So skittish, he's been that way since his former Captain Momo Hinamori was sealed away in Muken a few years ago."

My brain freezes. What? Momo in Muken, Aizen a Vice Captain? Then it hit me. They must have swapped roles in this timeline. "Ah, so he feels exposed without someone to cling to?"

"Yeah, poor guy. Anyway, we need to train your resolve. I have this saying when talking about stuff like this: In a battle, the one who gets in the way isn't the one who lacks strength, but the one who lacks resolve."

"Makes sense. So how are we gonna do this? Training resolve isn't physical, it's mental. So it's probably gonna be hard to-"

Before I can continue rambling, Rukia punches me in the face, sending me flying across the clearing. "Tawake! Do you ever shut up? I know what I'm doing!"

"Y-yes, Rukia..." Slowly getting up, I realize this could be part of the test. I stand up and draw my Zanpakuto, acting as if I wasn't just punched.

"Wow, you got up fast. Ready to continue?"

"Always."

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After a long, grueling training, I felt... stronger. Not physically, but mentally. My training had paid off, and I returned with Rukia to her quarters. Entering the small Jinzen room, I placed my Zanpakuto on my lap and began to meditate.

Upon entering my Inner World, I sat and took in the lovely view until my Zanpakuto spirit appeared behind me again.

"Tsuchiya Isoruko. You've grown significantly, I'm impressed in your growth in such a short time."

"Um... Thanks?"

My spirit approaches me again, looking out at the mountain range in the distance. He is clearly contemplating something, but I can't tell what. Finally, his eyes turn to focus on me as he speaks.

"You are now worthy of my power, Master. You do not have much time, so before you go I will reveal my name to your ears. I..."

He draws a sword, pointing it at my face as he triumphantly, and dramatically, reveals to me his name.

"...am Tsumetai Shiroi Mofu." (Cold White Blanket)

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Aaaand that's Chapter Five! I know it's a shorter one, but trust me. The chapters are going to get a bit longer now that Tsuchiya has heard his Zanpakuto's name, because now Rukia can manifest in the real world to Tsuchiya!

I hope you enjoyed, thank you so much for reading!