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

DREAMS OF RUKIA: Chapter Eight

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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As I came to, I realized I wasn't in my home, but rather still in Soul Society. The main difference being that it didn't have that dreamlike aura to it... Is it possible that I can be here during the day? As I woke up, I found myself in Rukia's bed in her quarters, with her watching over me by sitting on a chair next to the bed. The strike-marks from Suzumebachi were gone, and Rukia had a concerned look on her face.

"Tsuchiya, you're awake! Are you ok?"

"Um, yeah, at least I am now. Why?"

"I'm just glad you're ok, Soi Fon must have worked you hard."

"Not really, I'm just still not used to moving a couple hundred meters in just 25 steps." I try to sit up but Rukia pushes me back down.

"Hey!" I say as Rukia shoves me back onto the bed.

"You ran out of breath, you need to lay down more. Captain's orders." She smiles as she says that, knowing I can't refuse now that she's called it an order.

"Fine, whatever. So what happened? How long was I out for?" I look around and notice the sun is in a different spot than before I blacked out.

"You've been out for a few hours. I thought for sure your dream time had ran out, but it looks like you can be here even while you're awake! That's good, right?"

"Of course it is! It means I can spend more time with you without you having to always be at my place." I smile as I reach a hand out to Rukia, who takes it. Within a few minutes Soi Fon knocks and enters.

"Oh my God, Tsuchiya! Are you ok? I'm so sorry for overworking you!" She looks genuinely worried, and while it's jarring seeing Soi Fon of all people caring so much about someone she just met, it was much appreciated.

"Yeah, I'm fine, just blacked out from breathlessness, that's all. Rukia won't let me out of bed, but I guess I can handle being 'bed-ridden' for a while after all that's been thrown at me."

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Turns out I would need the rest, because as I spoke a mysterious man approaches Head Captain Kyoraku, with evidence of something that would turn the 13 Court Guard Squads on their heads.

"You sure this is real?"

"Come on, Shunsui. Would I lie about something as dire as this? Surely you don't want someone running around after doing that." The man smirks as he shows Kyoraku video footage.

"...I guess you're right. A crime like this, as much as it pains me to say it, deserves the highest punishment... public execution."

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"Well, I'm glad you're ok! It must be a lot, all of this happening within a few days."

"Yeah, it is a lot. But thankfully I have friends to be there for me through it. So, Soi Fon, don't you have some business to attend to? I thought you said you needed to return to Lady Shihoin after our training."

"I did say that, I just wanted to make sure you were alright first! See you soon, Tsuchiya, I mean we still need to hone those Shunpo skills of yours!" She smiles and waves as she leaves the room.

"She seems... odd. I didn't expect her to be that nice, Rukia."

"You have Yoruichi to thank for that. Soi Fon used to be extremely serious, drill-sergeant-minded and strict, but Yoruichi taught her to live a little and not be so high-strung. Seems to have worked wonders."

"Yeah, I bet. Do I get to meet the other Captains?"

"Eventually you will, yes. But not right now, I don't want to overload your mind with even more information and stuff to remember." She grips my hand a little harder as her gaze lowers to meet our hands. It seems that I genuinely scared Rukia when I blacked out, she's being so clingy right now. Not that I'm complaining.

"Makes sense. Is this what we'll be doing for the rest of the day, just chatting as you hold my hand?" Rukia's eyes widen as her cheeks redden, she lets go of my hand and shifts awkwardly iin her seat.

"N-no, not unless that's what you want!"

"No need to get so worked up, Rukia. I'm just glad you and I have found new close friends in each other. Nothing could separate us."

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After a few more hours we hear a bang on the door, followed by the door opening. It's one of Head Captain Kyoraku's Vice Captains, Genshiro Okikiba, and a group of elite Soul Reaper soldiers.

"Sorry to interrupt, but we have orders from Head Captain Kyoraku. Rukia Kuchiki, you have been accused of treason against Soul Society and are under arrest. Seize her!"

Two soldiers suddenly are upon Rukia, taking her by the arms as she squirms.

"W-what?! B-but I didnt do anything wrong! Really!"

"It's nothing personal, Kuchiki. But orders are orders. And you, outsider. We have orders to arrest you for conspiring with Rukia."

"Tsuchiya, RUN!"

As some soldiers approach me, I stand up in bed, gripping my Zanpakuto, and concentrate on exiting the room and escaping in the least amount of steps. I take a step forward.

"Where'd he go?!" "He just vanished!" "FIND HIM!"

Now in a perfect hiding spot behind some crates, I watch as Okikiba and the squad of elite soldiers leaving the room with Rukia in tow. This was making me have flashbacks, because in Bleach something very similar happens to Rukia! Now, like Ichigo in the anime, I must battle my way through the Squads and stop Rukia's execution. Only it won't be as easy, as these Captains are much stronger than they were in the anime when this happened.

"No...Nonononono..."

As I look upwards, a sight in the sky makes my heart sink. It's a Garganta, and a few Arrancar emerge from it. It's too far away to make out who they are, but one has a flowing cape and a large broadsword, so it's easy to tell...

The Queen of Hueco Mundo has entered Soul Society. And she's probably not on my side.

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And that's the end of chapter eight! The Soul Reaper Civil War arc begins with the next chapter! Who does Tsuchiya have to fight? Let's hope he doesn't run into Kenpachi Zaraki...

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