Shinku No Sora O Koete {A BLEACH STORY}

Chapter 1 - Gotei

It was early in the morning when Hajime of the Gotei clan was awaken by soft singing, he opened an eye towards the direction of the noise finding the most amusing creature he's ever laid eyes on. "What are you?" he asked the bright blue orb floating about, dancing in the air in a circular motion.

"I am light." it sang back, almost whispering.

A smile crossed Hajime's face as he sat up and reached out to it. It fit perfectly onto his palm, and warm like he expected.

"What do you need from me light?" he asked the strange creature. "The Spirit King seeks your assistance, Hajime-san." caught completely off-guard by this revelation, Hajime but only released a scoffed laughter. "The spirit king? Like the real deal?"

The orb of light escaped Hajime's hold and in turn flashed an image infront of Hajime, it was a vision of what future awaits him.

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"Gotei will fall into the hands of the empty...

And Hajime, you wont be able to protect those who you treasure dear.

Following your down fall 12 of most powerful Clan... Will also Perish...

And Seretei will be a domain of pain and suffering...

No on will survive the final attack.

Soon after, the Spirit King, will be no more...

And madness shall reign for all of eternity..."

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Hajime was unsure of what happened next, but he was once again lying down as if everything was just a dream, or rather, a horrible nightmare. It took several minutes before everything was clear to him, regardless of the vision, he still had duties, and the clan went first, if alliance was what's going to save Seretei, then it might not be such a bad thing.

Hajime was just getting up when 3 knocks came from the door, it slid open halfway before Sanba his right hand man speaks. "Yukimura-sama, we have visitors from the Minamoto-clan." he says with youthful glee. "They came with the princess!"

"The princess?' Hajime asked with intrigue. Sanba nods in excitement. "Yes! Yukimura-sama should wear his best Haori, I'll ask Suzaku to prepare them for you!" Sanba ran off before Hajime was even able to reply to him. "So there's Minamoto princess?" He laughs at the thought royalty visiting his humble domain.

The Gotei is but the most powerful clan in all of Sereitei, but despite the power and the authority, Hajime, the clan head is but a simple man who enjoys carving statues in his free time, he lives a a humble hermit hut, and very much unlike his peers, he hides from the crowd and gives commands from the shadows.

Ootori, his second in command, calls the shots, mostly because Hajime feels that he is too old for battle, the newer generation of souls need guidance from strong, young, energetic youth such as Sanba or Ootori. Hajime's time had passed, but he still believes in a greater purpose, a purpose perhaps to unite all of Sereitei.

The idea was ridiculous, but it started to grow inside his head. How chaotic it would be attempt such a suicidal mission? Only he would have given half a thought to do such an insane stunt. But he had not much time to think today because just outside his hermit hut awaited the so called princess, just by her spiritual aura, he felt her arrival, she was not normal.

Hajime went out in his humblest garb bowing his head lightly to the princess that graced his humble abode. "Alfred, Princess, I greet you good day, how may I be of assistance?"

From his peripheral vision he could see that the Princess was not impressed or rather, she had no particular interest in him, she was distracted by the flower blooming gracefully next to the tree. It was a blue fairy flower, quite rare, and only visible to those with a particularly high reiatsu. Berfore he could study her even more, Alfred, the Minamoto head, took a step forward and greeted Hajime back. "It's been awhile Yukimura, something urgent has come up, and I am in need of your opinion."

Hajime stood from his bowing position and let of a laugh.

"My opinion merits nothing nowadays Minamoto, I'm not sure if you've heard, but Im no longer in-charge."

Alfred was shaking his head from the start only making Hajime look foolish in all his talking.

"You can't lie to me Yukimura, I know you too well."

Hajime crossed his arms like kid, who was only buying time fake an argument, truth be told, he has never been so distracted in his life, not because Minamoto was before him, but because of the Minamoto Princess, whom since her very arrival paid no attention to him at all. As much as he loved the life of a hermit, he though he deserved some attention when you've personally come to visit him in his place of silence.

Alfred noticed this peculiar interest and took advantage of it. "Ah yes, Ruka." he called on to his daughter who diligently went by his side and made eye contact with Hajime for the first time. Her eyes were crimson red. "Chiruka, this is Hajime Yukimura, Head of the Gotei Clan."

Chiruka gave a quick curtsey looking down, then locking eyes with Hajime once again, this made Hajime blush a bit. Her crimson eyes were nothing like he's seen in his entire life, nor were they the kind that gave away everything, this girl, was a black hole.

"As I was saying Hajime, we came here in urgent matter, there is something that I need for you examine." Alfred pulled out a small pouch from his pocket and handed it over to Hajime.

This pouch immediately caught the princesses undivided attention.

"That's it's remains." she says. "It was scared, just like me, but I killed it."

Hajime opened the pouch and saw nothing but dust, which made him wonder what Chiruka meant by what she said. "What is this Al?" he now turns to the old man confused.

"Vasto Lorde."

Just the word itself inflicted such fear to the seemingly fearless Hajime Yukimura, he knew Al didnt realize the fear in his eyes, but Chiruka who was once more looking at him knew his true emotions.

"It's not possible." Hajime shook his head handing the pouch back to Al. "We defeated the Vasto Lorde's Al, that was back when were were soldiers hired by the Central 46."

Al however shook his head. "They don't just dissappear Hajime." He reminded Hajime. "By the looks of it, they're growing in number, and at this rate." he paused eyes locked on Chiruka. "They might be even closer than we think."

With this words Hajime froze, recalling the dream he had.

'Gotei will fall into the hands of the empty... '

And if the vision was true, then all that he held dear will be taken away by the madness that will reign for eternity. He eyed Chiruka in particular, this time convinced of what his next actions should be. "Tell me, Alfred, what do you think about a Union between Gotei and Minamoto?"