Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Sleeping with the Enemy ❯ Kidou Training ( Chapter 12 )

Chapter 12: Kidou Training

 

“Let me take you down

`Cause I'm going to strawberry fields,

Nothing is real

And nothing to get hung about,

Strawberry fields forever.”

-The Beatles “Strawberry Fields Forever”

 

Amaya Edogawa's fingers flew over the ebony and ivory keys of a black grand piano that had resided in one of Sereitei's numerous storage buildings for decades. Her eyes were closed and her head bobbed as she played out Mozart's Piano Sonata in A (Rondo Alla Turca) using absolutely no sheet music, having long ago memorized the piece. Amaya had originally gone to the building for the sake of pulling some extra supplies and old files for Division Seven, but her curiosity had gotten the better of her as she returned for a second time just to see what else was in there hidden beneath old drop cloths.

Nina sat on the top of the closed lid of the piano studying a hardback green and gold covered book that Captain Aizen had given her to read in order to help her with her kidou skills. A stack of smaller books was next to her, but this particular book was fascinating; it held many spells within its pages that she had never even heard of before.

Amaya finished her playing for a moment and looked up at her friend with curious green eyes. “Well, what did you think? Have I lost my touch?”

Nina glanced up. “No, of course not. I think you sounded great.”

Amaya stood up to look at the page Nina was on. “Is that one of the books Captain Aizen loaned you?”

“Mmhmm…” Nina trailed.

Amaya paused. “It can't possibly be that interesting.”

Nina held the book over to Amaya. “Actually, it really is. You should see some of these spells in here. This is material that the teachers don't teach you at the Academy.”

“Such as?”

Nina flipped to a page. “Well this spell for completely hiding one's reiatsu, for one.” She turned to another. “And here are some higher level ones…this Level Ninety was the one Captain Aizen used the other day to destroy that Hollow.”

“Damn…” Amaya trailed as she read the description in the book. “Is that spell even legal?”

Nina shrugged. “I suppose it is if Captain Aizen used it.”

Amaya sat back down on the piano bench and opened a piece of music. “Speaking of your captain, aren't you supposed to be training with him soon?”

“Not for another half hour,” Nina said, smiling.

Amaya resumed her playing once more, this time choosing Tchaikovsky's Waltz of the Flowers, but somewhere outside the structure, a tall man with a pale face and long white hair dressed in the unmistakable haori of a Division captain had paused. He swore he could hear piano music in the near distance, and he strained his ears to listen. He began to walk toward the sound and finally, he came to the open door of the storage building to find a very pretty young woman with radiant long, red hair sitting at the bench. She was not alone, however, but he couldn't help but lean in the doorway to listen to her play. He felt he probably should have made his presence known to the two women, but he thought that it would be rude to interrupt her playing.

He stood there for several moments as she concluded the piece, and he applauded. “Bravo! That really was something.”

Amaya and Nina both jumped at the unexpected company, but both girls stood to their feet upon seeing the haori and bowed.

“Thank you, Captain…?” Amaya began.

The man smiled. “Juushiro Ukitake. I'm captain of Thirteenth Division.”

Amaya dared to glance at the captain in her presence, and she blushed at his warm, handsome smile. Nina raised an eyebrow at her friend's reaction, but she said nothing.

He approached the ladies from the doorway, smiling warmly. “I didn't mean to startle you.” He paused for a moment to think. “I don't believe I've seen either of you girls. Are you among the recent graduates?”

Nina nodded. “Nina Seito. Third Seat, Fifth Division.”

Amaya smiled shyly, which was uncharacteristic for her. “Amaya Edogawa. Third Seat, Seventh Division.”

“Ah, you must be the talented ladies that I've been hearing so much about. Both of your captains have spoken highly about you two.” He smiled at Amaya directly. “Would you mind playing another one? I was walking past, and I couldn't help hearing you.”

Amaya was still blushing away, and she shook her head. “N-no…of course not. Do you have any requests?”

Ukitake shook his head. “I'm happy with whatever you decide.”

Amaya nodded nervously. “Well…let's see...um, how about a little Chopin piece? The Butterfly Etude.”

She began to play a fun, light tune, choosing to stick with a piece that was rather short so she could play other pieces for Captain Ukitake if he so wanted. He smiled lightly, not having heard such lovely music performed in the manner Amaya was performing it in quite some time. He could tell that she truly enjoyed music because she played with feeling and from the bottom of her heart. To Amaya, music was a form of expression, much like Nina's drawing was a means of expression for her.

She finished the piece, and Ukitake grinned. “You really do have some talent. Have you ever thought about playing for a real audience?”

Amaya nodded. “I did in the student orchestra at the Academy, but I haven't performed since graduation.”

“Oh…did you not know that Seiretei has an orchestra?” Ukitake asked her.

Amaya's face lit up. “Really? I wonder if I can join.”

Ukitake smiled and Amaya blushed all over again. “Well…I don't see why not.”

“I think he's right,” Nina chimed as she closed the kidou book and put it with the rest. “I've always thought you were far too talented to waste it. You should see about trying out.”

Amaya nodded. “Well…okay. I think I will.”

Ukitake stood up. “Please excuse me, but I must be going. It was very nice to meet both of you, and Edogawa-san, if you get accepted you should come by my Division and let me know.” He smiled. “I hope I see you around.”

The white-haired man left leaving Amaya to blush furiously. Nina slid off the piano with her books tucked beneath her arm.

“My,” she began, giggling. “He certainly made you blush.”

Amaya blinked. “I…I heard Captain Ukitake was a nice guy, but…I never thought he was so….”

Her words trailed off, but Nina laughed. “You think he's cute.”

“How could I not! Did you see that smile?!” Amaya remarked.

Nina laughed again. “Oh, I saw it, now if you'll excuse me, I have to meet my captain for some kidou training.”

 

 

Nina approached the training grounds where she found Captain Aizen with his back turned and hands resting inside the sleeves of his robes. The summer breeze rustled the tall grass around him and ruffled his messy brown hair.

She approached Aizen and bowed toward him. “I hope I am not tardy, Captain Aizen.”

The Captain turned around with his usual pleasant smile. "You are but that's alright, at least you're here."

"My apologies for my lateness in that case," Nina responded. "I shall be more attentive to punctuality next time I'm with friends." She held the green kidou book under her arm. "I brought your book with me."

"Was it of any use?" he asked glancing at the book quickly. "I actually wanted to see what you have learned and spar using kidou."

Nina eyed her captain. "Spar using kidou? Captain Aizen, I'm afraid I will hurt you if we did that."

He chuckled. "Well, isn't that the point of sparring?" he asked with a smile. “Besides, it will be far more interesting than aiming for nonmoving targets.”

Nina shrugged. "If you say so, Captain." She glanced down at the book. "Some of the material in this volume was rather helpful, but much of it could use a more trained hand than my own."

"Then would you like to practice with me?" Aizen offered.

Nina bit her lip sheepishly, somewhat embarrassed to admit that she needed someone to help her with her kidou, but she nodded anyway. "If...if you don't mind..."

"It's quite alright. Which type of kidou did you need help with?" he asked.

Nina chortled uncomfortably. "Uhh...all of it? Really, I find it is difficult for me to grasp. Remembering the incantation is particularly a challenge."

Aizen chuckled again amused at her response."You can always try writing it down a few times that usually helps."

"Perhaps, but I won't exactly be reading it off in the middle of a fight with a Hollow, you know," Nina lightly joked. She came closer to Aizen and opened one of the pages that she'd marked with a sticky piece of paper. "I think I'd like to see this one; it was way over my head."

He came and stood close to Nina and held the book pressing his fingers next to her grip. "Have you at least tried to memorize the incantation first?"

He slightly placed his hand over hers as they held the book and looked at it together.

"She just said it was 'way over my head', Captain Aizen," a voice suddenly broke in.

Aizen snapped his head up and spotted Gin crouching atop a tree branch grinning at the pair. Aizen frowned a little at him. “What are you doing up there, Gin?”

Nina turned, her gaze following Aizen's up to the tree in which the Third Division captain squatted. The silver-haired man hopped down and approached them, and Nina suddenly blushed, belatedly realizing the close proximity of Aizen and the fact that his hand was resting over hers.

"Uhm...I-I managed to memorize what I could understand..." she trailed, trying to continue her conversation with Aizen - and failing.

Aizen held his annoyed glare at Ichimaru who now stood in front of the two grinning widely and in a manner that Nina was not quite sure that she liked.

"Just 'cause yer teachin' her doesn't mean you have to be so close...heh," he teased, having noticed that they were leaning together.

"What are you doing here, Gin?" Aizen asked.

"Oh, nothin' much, really…decided to stop by an' say hello, and then I saw that ya was busy," Gin responded amusedly.

Aizen took a step away from Nina. "And so you decided to show up now?" he asked.

"Exactly," Gin said, his always present grin now growing to that of a Cheshire cat.

Nina swallowed hard. She felt as though she and Captain Aizen had been caught doing something they weren't supposed to, and she wasn't certain why. Still, she kept her manners as well as her composure. "Hello, Captain Ichimaru."

"Hello there" the man greeted turning to face Nina with the same smile. "I didn't know Captain Aizen had enough patience to teach kidou to others Well, then again, ya do teach 'em kids at the Academy right?"

"I teach calligraphy, Gin," Aizen told him. "And kidou isn't that difficult to teach."

"Yeah…anyways why ya so serious? Am I botherin' ya?" Gin continued to ask in his usual sarcastic matter.

"Well you did interrupt a training session," Sousuke replied.

"Didn't look much like trainin' to me…heh," Gin responded looking at Nina and wanting to see what sort of reaction she might have. Rather than leaving, he decided to engage Nina in pointless conversation so he could intrude and annoy as long as he could. "How have ya been?"

Nina bit her lip, wishing that he would go away and let Aizen do what he came to do. "I've been fine, thank you."

Gin's smile twisted into a grin, pleased to see that he was making her rather uncomfortable with his presence.

"Good.”

"Gin, would you mind leaving?" asked Aizen crossly. “You're taking up our training time.”

"How cruel!" Gin complained, facing Aizen once more. "It's alright…I know when I ain't wanted."

"In that case, I suggest you leave now," the other Captain warned.

Ichimaru chuckled slightly to himself. "Sure…I'll leave ya two alone."

Nina watched Gin wander off, and she glanced up at Aizen uncomfortably. "Does he always just pop in like that?"

"Well, it's a bit of a hobby of his, I believe," Aizen replied looking down at his pretty Third Seat with a smile.

Nina blinked and turned her attention to the book once more. "I mean no offense, but that is a rather strange hobby."

The man smiled at her, "He just doesn't know what to do with his spare time. Shall we get back to where we were, then?"

Nina nodded. "Yes, of course. We have wasted too much time already."

Sousuke picked up Nina's training as though nothing had even happened. Eventually, they began sparring, firing off destructive fire and lightning type kidou at one another. Aizen had assured Nina that she couldn't harm him too badly, and he would do his best to go easy on her. It went on for some time, probably a good couple of hours, before both parties tired out. A few tree branches and parts of the ground were burned and smoking from the spells they were using, but Aizen was satisfied with what they had accomplished.

"I must say, you learned very quickly. I'm impressed," Aizen commented, dusting the ash from his uniform. He walked over to where he had left his haori and began pulling it on. "Perhaps we should do this again.”

Nina stood up, her hands charred from all the kidou she'd blasted at Captain Aizen. "I hope I didn't wear you out too much," she said as she dusted herself off. She approached him and picked up the book. "You really were quite helpful."

"No, it's alright," he replied, dusting parts of her that she had missed. He gently took the book from her. "You're just a fast learner. Kidou is rather simple once you memorize and practice it."

Nina found herself blushing at his touch, but she continued to conversation. "Either that or I simply needed a better teacher." She reached back and fixed her loosened ponytail. "Honestly, I really did not like the teacher at the Academy that much. I didn't feel like I learned anything from him like I do with you.”

“It does take it's time for some, though really your kidou abilities are not as bad as you say. In time you might have potential to learn higher level spells."

Nina raised her eyebrows in surprise and followed her captain onto the red bridge that crossed the Fifth Division pond. "You really think so, Captain?"

She stopped and turned to gaze down into the pristine water below and watch the koi swim around.

He turned around to her. "Of course. Would I lie to you?" he asked as the gentle water flowed by.

“No, of course not,” Nina responded as they gazed down at the water together. “I didn't mean to imply that.”

Aizen chuckled a little. “Of course not." He paused. “Would you want to practice by yourself? I can always loan you the book again."

Nina blushed. "Yes, I believe I would benefit from some practice by myself if you really don't mind loaning me your book for a while longer.”

Sousuke handed the book to Nina. “Please, take it and keep it as long as you like.”

She took it and tucked it beneath her arm. “Thank you, Captain Aizen.”

"Of course," he said. He paused for a moment and wondered how he could get to know her more. Finally, Aizen spoke again. “Tell me, what made you want to be a Shinigami?”

Nina hopped up onto the railing of the bridge and let her feet dangle over the side as she looked down into the water with the book in her lap. A leaf fell from a tree and rippled the surface. "Well...it's rather tragic, really...my mother was killed by a Hollow in front of me. I watched her die and there was nothing I could do to save her."

"Ah, I see," Aizen replied softly as he gazed at the fallen leaf gently dancing on the water's surface and the fish continued their way. A light breeze pushed against the treetops above. "So…that's your motivation for becoming a Shinigami?"

Nina nodded. "Yes, it is. I just...I felt so helpless. It was coming after me, actually, and I didn't know why at the time, and...she protected me, like any good mother would do. Unfortunately, she had to die doing it, and I didn't want her death to be for nothing."

"That's a very noble reason. I'm glad to have someone like you as my subordinate," he said sincerely.

Nina softly smiled. "Thank you." She paused. "What about you? I told you my reason, and I think it's fair you tell me yours."

"My reason?" he echoed and briefly closed his eyes for a moment. "It's quite a long story. Perhaps, next time." He pushed back his glasses. "I wouldn't want to bore you with such a dull story while we could feed my koi."

"Somehow, I doubt it would be boring," Nina assured him. "But I understand if you do not wish to tell me at all. After all, some reasons are a bit more personal than others." She glanced down and decided to change the subject once and for all as Aizen didn't seem as though he felt comfortable discussing that particular issue. "Did you just say these are yours?"

"Yes they are…er, well they have been in Fifth Division for as long as I can remember. My former Captain used to take care of them so I suppose I took over that," Aizen explained. "Here." He handed her some bread crumbs in a small bag form his inner coat pocket. "They seem to like it."

Nina took a handful from him and began tossing a few pieces at a time down to them. "Indeed they do. Birds enjoy it, too." She paused to toss a few more crumbs down. "I used to feed seagulls with my mother when I was a child."

"Seagulls?" he asked. "Ah, so I take it you have visited the beach?"

A nostalgic smile crossed Nina's lips. "Visit? I grew up there. My home was only a short walk away."

Aizen held a small smile. "I see." He fed the fish the last of the food and glanced at the sky as it slowly turned orange. "I think it's time for us to get going."

He moved closer to her and held out his hand. Nina took it and slid down from the bridge's railing.

"Yes, we probably should. I imagine Amaya-chan is going crazy from looking for me since she will want to eat out this evening."

Aizen held onto Nina's hand for a moment, not letting go even though she was already on her feet. "Then we should get going so your friend doesn't worry."

Nina nodded. "Thank you for the practice. I hope we do that again." Her hand slid reluctantly out of Aizen's as she turned the opposite direction. Nina glanced over her shoulder and smiled pleasantly as she carried the book beneath her arm. "Good night, Captain."

He watched her go, a part him not wanting her to leave so suddenly.

"Good night," he called.

"Good night, indeed. Right, Captain Aizen?" Gin suddenly said from nowhere.

Aizen turned to see his friend standing next to him. "I thought you left."

"I thought ya was gonna get some trainin' done, not go out on date," Gin retorted.

Sousuke glanced over at Gin and continued walking. "Did it seem that way?"

“Pretty much" Gin answered following behind.

"Great," Aizen said sarcastically. He paused. "And just why do you feel the need to butt into everything I do?"

"Ain't that what friends do?" Gin replied in his sarcastic matter. "We are friends right?"

Aizen pushed on his glasses, annoyed. "We are, but you wouldn't see me intruding on your personal life and spying on you. I must say, Gin, you should consider yourself fortunate that I am a patient man, but one of these days, that patience will wear thinner than it already is. Do you understand?"

"Touchy, touchy… ya don't gotta be a grouch 'bout it ya know? Not like I'm gonna steal 'em women of yers," Gin replied with a grin of epic proportions as he poked his companion's arm. "I would never even think of doin' such a thing! Besides…ya don't strike me to the patient type, Captain."

"I'm not," Aizen said ominously.

"Of course yer not…makes me wonder when ya'll stop livin' with yer lies.”

"In due time, Gin. In due time."