The white walls of Seireitei gleamed under the midday sun. Two figures made their way along the stone path of the Thirteenth Division barracks — but their moods couldn't have been more different.
Up front, Kuchiki Rukia-san walked with light steps, humming a tune only she seemed to know, her expression glowing with satisfaction. Behind her, Amamiya Miyako trudged along, shoulders slumped, looking like he'd just returned from the frontlines of a war.
"Oi, Miyako," Rukia called over her shoulder, half-turning to fix him with a look. "How much longer are you gonna drag your feet like that?!"
"…Anyone would be like this," Miyako muttered, "after being blasted over and over by Hadō and Bakudō with barely any chance to fight back."
Truthfully, it wasn't the first time he'd been forced to fight with severe limitations. Ishida Ryūken's past training had been harsh but calculated — but Rukia's… Rukia's felt like she was sneaking in some personal vendetta.
"Yare yare… such a weakling," Rukia sighed with exaggerated pity. Inside, however, she was practically dancing. For once, she had legitimately given Miyako a beating — fair and square. Their previous spars had always ended in frustrating draws or half-finished battles. This time, victory was hers.
"Please, Rukia-san," Miyako said dryly, "wipe that smirk off your face. It's making me think all that training was just your way of getting revenge."
Rukia coughed twice, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. "A-anyway… soon, the current stationed personnel in the Human World will return, and I'll be taking a posting there. So there isn't much time left for training you, Miyako. Of course I have to push you harder."
Miyako didn't bother pointing out the flimsy excuse. "Stationed in the Human World, huh…"
Inwardly, he frowned. So it's almost that time… The storm he knew was coming would engulf all of Soul Society. The Gotei 13 would be swept into a vortex of chaos — and Rukia would be at the very center of it.
"What's wrong?" Rukia tilted her head. "Come to think of it, you've been to the Human World before, right? Kiyone said something about me assisting her there once… but I can't remember it at all."
"Yeah. The stationing mission isn't too bad most of the time," Miyako explained. "Hollows in the Human World are usually weak — the spiritual energy there is thin. But…"
"But?"
Miyako's eyes narrowed. "I once reported to Captain Ukitake about a Hollow called Grand Fisher. It's… different. The first time I saw it, it still relied on that decoy bait on its head to lure prey. Its reiatsu wasn't anything impressive back then. But the second time… its spiritual pressure had grown. It stopped hiding and fought openly — even managed to defeat Tani-sempai."
"Eh? Grand Fisher defeated Tani-san?" Rukia's brow furrowed. She knew Tani — a seated officer with Shikai — and for him to lose to a Hollow in the Human World was no small matter.
"Yeah. I still landed a hit, but it escaped. I don't know if it'll show up again. If you run into it, Rukia-san, be careful. Your skills should be enough… but still."
Rukia gave a small nod. "Got it. I'll remember."
Miyako gave a small shrug. "Too bad, though. Since Tani-sempai was injured so badly, he can't take seated challenges for now. Otherwise, you might've been able to jump straight to Fourth Seat."
"Is that so?" Rukia murmured. She hadn't really considered her own rank much. In Miyako's opinion, she could probably even push for Third Seat — if he weren't already vice-captain, she'd be a strong candidate for that position in the future.
The two walked side by side, chatting idly, as they made their way back toward the Thirteenth Division barracks. Suddenly, Rukia's steps faltered. Her eyes flickered toward something ahead, and before Miyako could even ask, she spoke.
"Miyako, I… have something to take care of. See you later."
Before he could reply, she was already gone—vanishing around the corner without so much as a wave.
"…Yare yare," Miyako sighed. But a faint rustling from the nearby bushes drew his attention. He turned his head. "Kiyone? Sentarō?"
Sure enough, the two familiar faces peeked out sheepishly.
"Oh, Fukutaichō Miyako, did you go out with Rukia again today?" Kiyone Kotetsu asked with a mischievous grin.
"Yes! And why didn't you call me to join the training, huh?" Sentarō Kotsubaki puffed out his cheeks, though his voice slurred.
Miyako blinked. Their faces were flushed red, and their speech patterns were… off. Normally, they bickered nonstop.
"…So that's why Rukia bolted. She saw you two coming." He narrowed his eyes. "Oi… have you been drinking?"
"Does it matter? The day's duties are already done anyway," Kiyone hiccupped, waving a hand dismissively.
"Yeah, it's because you didn't come help us, Fukutaichō," Sentarō swayed where he stood.
"I'm not doing this for Miyako-san! I'm doing it for Captain Ukitake!" Kiyone suddenly declared.
"I'm also doing it for the Captain!" Sentarō barked back.
"Oi, oi, cut it out. Why are you two drinking in the first place? Bad mood?" Miyako stepped between them before their bickering turned into a shoving match. He knew them well—he had rarely seen either of them drunk since he joined the division.
Kiyone's shoulders slumped. "Fukutaichō, you don't know yet, do you? The Eleventh Division mocked our squad members again today."
"Yeah! Those kenka-baka battle maniacs! They're the worst!" Sentarō added, his face twisting in irritation.
"…Mocked, huh?" Miyako recalled something Rukia had mentioned before. He hadn't expected another incident so soon.
Kiyone crossed her arms. "Those guys are all top-notch fighters, but just because they won't talk back to Captain Ukitake doesn't mean they can treat us however they want! They keep making rude remarks. Sentarō and I are sick of it."
"That's right! Miyako-san, didn't you say you'd protect the dignity of the Thirteenth Division? You have to put them in their place!" Kiyone said boldly, her cheeks flushed from sake.
"Exactly! Teach them a lesson they'll never forget!" Sentarō nodded vigorously.
"…I hear you. But for now, you two should get some rest," Miyako said calmly, watching them shuffle off.
Once they were gone, his expression hardened.
"It's about time I fulfill my duty as Fukutaichō of the Thirteenth Division…" he murmured to himself. This wasn't just about pride—he had promised Ukitake-taichō he'd protect their division's honor.
But first, he would gather the full details from his squad. If he was going to confront the Eleventh, he'd do it with a reason no one could dispute.