Hajime rolled his shoulders to relieve the tension. This whole arc is just too eventful. He can't wait for it to be done and over with, knowing he'll have a break before the Arrancar arc happens. As he returned from the report made to old man Yama, he decided to take the stairs—the long ass stairway—to get down. He opened his senses and didn't sense any important reiatsu so he decided to really kick back and relax on the walk back. Releasing one of the many reiatsu restrictions he had, Hajime temporarily released half of his reiatsu.
"Hey!"
"What?"
"We're hungry."
Hajime placed his hand on his zanpakuto's hilts, "I'll go and get some food."
His zanpakuto vibrated with excitement, responding happily to his promise. Hajime continued to make it down the stairs before finally reaching the bottom, barely catching a tile drop close. Sensing three reiryoku, Hajime turned and walked off. He doesn't want to deal with it, besides... Zaraki is behind him.
Hanataro POV
After getting noogied a second time by Ichigo, I suddenly sensed a large spiritual pressure. Ganju and I fell to the ground and Ichigo struggled to stand. The pressure was overwhelming.
'I recognize this spiritual pressure, it's Captain Saito of Squad 9.'
I tried to fight against it, "Ichigo, pull us underground." He complied and staggered to hoisted me over his shoulder while grabbing Ganju's shirt collar.
He threw Ganju down the secret exit and climbed in himself before quickly shut the top, sealing it off.
"Who... was... that?" Ichigo asked, catching his breath.
"That was Captain Saito of Squad 9. He's one of the oldest and strongest Captains here." I answered.
We all got up and carefully lifted up the tile so we could see. Captain Saito had stopped and looked in our direction, narrowing his eyes. He turned the other way and continued to walk away from us, not bothering to investigate.
"Did he see us?" Ganju asked.
"No, I don't think so." I answered and put the tile back into place.
"That was Captain of Squad 9, Saito Hajime. He's very quiet and serious but he's also very kind. He usually doesn't have a suffocating air. He must be deliberately hiding most of his spiritual pressure." I concluded before lifting the tile again and scanning the area, "The coast is clear." I whispered.
"Then let's go!" Ichigo exclaimed before shoving the tile out of the way and snatching the collar of my uniform, hauling me up. Ganju wasn't far behind.
Ichigo dropped me to my feet before all three of us raced up the long staircase, determined to save Rukia.
————
Hajime continued to idle as he walked, passing many groups of shinigami who rushed passed him.
Stopping at a very familiar barracks's gates, Hajime walked to the door and lightly knocked, waiting for a reply.
Nanao opened the door and wasn't surprised to see one of her captain's best friends at the door. The two were known for checking up on Captain Kyoraku every now-and-then, and vice versa.
"Captain Saito! Please come in. Captain Kyoraku was just enjoying some snacks." Nanao politely bowed then moved to the side to let the Captain inside.
"I'm sure he was." Hajime said as he swept past her and into the room, finding Shunsui lying on the floor, humming, with his straw hat covering his face. "Shunsui, you should replace your guards." Hajime hinted at the fact that the Ryoka had overpowered Squad 8's guards.
"Already?" Shunsui bemoaned as he took his sake cup, "I wasn't expecting the guy so early."
Hajime scowled at the drunkard. He glanced to Shunsui's right and saw a tray of red bean paste buns, two sake bottles with an accompanying cup and a whole jug of sake next to the tray. Hajime swiftly took the glass of sake out Shunsui's hand, "I suggest you give your guest a proper greeting."
Shunsui groaned again. He relished these moment when his friends and him were alone. Hajime may be the middle child between the three of them, but he certainly acted like the older brother or mother hen. So Shunsui took the chances he got when they were laid out for him. Groaning one last time, Shunsui finally sat up and stood to meet Hajime's height, towering over him by just a few inches.
"I still don't understand why you won't send me." Nanao argued after she watched the little show between her captain and one of his best friends. "Though I'm only your lieutenant, for a single Ryoka, I'd be more than enough."
Hajime and Shunsui both looked at the young Lieutenant. "Nanao," Shunsui spoke up, "we've been over this already." He grabbed his swords and put them in his stash. "This is a direct order from old man Yama. He doesn't want anyone to know we're still having problems with these pesky Ryoka. You know how old folks are when it comes to losing face." Shunsui explained.
While Shunsui and Nanao were talking, Hajime was minding his own business. Grabbing his zanpakutos's hilts with just his left hand, he slid the blades out of their sheaths until a good 6 inches of each blade were showing. "Come out, Umi no Kami." The two blades turned to a mist-like state, seeping out their sword and sheath. The mist swirled around the room until it formed two forms; a teenage boy and young girl, both sporting blue hair and sea green eyes. The two children looked alike to the point that it's uncanny. "There, eat those red bean paste buns." Hajime said as he pointed to the tray abandoned on the floor.
Umiko rushed over to the tray, a twinkle in her eyes as she sat down and grabbed one of the buns. Aoi wasn't far behind his sister. He joined her while yawning, lazily taking another bun from the tray and slowly eating it.
Hajime held his hand out and was quickly given a bun for him to snack on as he watched Shunsui get scolded by his lieutenant.
"All right then." Shunsui calmed, turning his back to his company, "Don't look so worried. I'll be fine." He soothed when he saw his lieutenant's face. "It won't take long," he said as he walked, pausing when he saw his friend's zanpakuto spirits. Shunsui patted Umiko's head while taking the jug of sake out of Aoi's hands before Hajime scolded them. "I'm just going to go have some fun."
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Reborn: Bleach Edition
FanfictionI sigh once I realize I died. Isn't that just peachy? The ironic 'save a innocent boy from a car.' However, once I was reincarnate, I see this as a second chance. Reincarnation is a second chance for people, so I'm taking my chances. Let's hope I ch...