Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ The Shinigami and the Summoner ❯ Chapter 3

The three soul reapers and the summoner followed Urahara's directions go to the soul society once there go to the spot where Rukia was almost executed. On the edge of the cliff there should be a gateway into Spira. From atop the Sakura was amazed this place was nothing like the farplane. Although she had only been to the farplane once and only to pay respects to her mother, Sakura wondered how the soul society and the farplane were so different but they were both forms of an afterlife. Ichigo told everyone to be ready and that he would go first.

 

Ichigo did like Urahara directed walk to the edge of the cliff and take to steps. Ichigo swallowed hard he tried not to look down, he keep his eyes forward and took one step off of the cliff and then another…it was solid like there was a road underneath him. Ichigo then motioned to the others. Rukia took Sakura hand and lead her out to where Ichigo was standing, Renji did the same. Rukia read the rest of Urahara instructions, one more step and the gateway will open.

 

Sakura's hands fail from Rukia's, and then she moved in front of Ichigo. Then Sakura felt of the gateway she saw the door and reached for it. It was the temple gates; she pushed on the gates and jumped though the gateway trailed by the soul reapers. Another bright light appeared then faded. Sakura rubbed her eyes and slowly opened them. It was her village she was back.

 

“We're here!” She shouted, pulling on the sleeve of Ichigo's robe. “This is Besaid, where I live.”

 

Hearing the shouting the villages came out of their houses, “It's Lady Sakura!” One shouted. Several villagers came up to greet her enough she had been gone only one day. Their eyes narrowed when they saw the soul reapers, “Who are they?” Some asked angrily.

 

“They are my guardians.” Sakura announced. She felt another pair of eyes stair down upon her, the elders hurrying from the temple to see what was going on.

 

One of the elders saw Renji standing behind Rukia, his dark brown eyes widened, “Lord Azuma.” He said, “You have come home with your daughter at last.”

 

“What?” Renji started but was stopped Rukia punched him in the side with her elbow.

 

“Sir, my name is Rukia.” She bowed to the elder, “Ichigo and myself have brought Lady Sakura and Lord Azuma home to you. We fear that Azuma has lost most of his memories so we will company him and Lady Sakura on her journey across Spira.”

 

Sakura was glad for Rukia to be here, she was worried about what would happen when the people would see Renji. He did look like her father.

 

The elders eyes narrowed, “If you are truly Lord Azuma then you may stay and help you daughter, other with your two guardians. Please come this way.” The truth was that Azuma was long dead and the elders knew it, but the villagers didn't. The elders lied to the villagers to have them keep hope so Sakura showing up with Renji was all they needed. To them Azuma returned and would restore honor to their village.

 

There wasn't enough room in the temple for the soul repeaters to have their own rooms so Rukia stay in Sakura's room with her. While Ichigo and Renji shared a room, “So Renji how does it feel to be the great summoner?” Ichigo asked. Renji didn't think it was all that great. Having to play summoner and father wasn't his idea of fun and games. He decided to take a walk in the temple. The temple reminded him of one of Ichigo's movies he would watch on the TV.

 

The light from the dim candles bounced off the statues of the aeons casting long shadows on the walls. One caught his eye it looked like the giant bird that Sakura summoned: Valefor. The aeon that almost crushed him to death, Renji felt like slicing the statue in two with his sword but thought the elders and Sakura would be angry with him.

 

Hello Renji.” Sakura said in her most sweet voice, “Or should I say father.”

 

How long had she'd been standing there? Renji didn't say anything he only glared at her. “So what's the deal with everyone thinking your dad is still alive. I thought you said he was dead?”

 

Sakura's smile faded into a frown, “Yes…he is dead he died ten years ago trying to defeat Sin. The people in the village still believe he is alive only because of what the elders tell them. I did myself, I only found out the truth a few years ago. See I was only two when my father was killed. My mother died giving birth to me. So I've never really had parents.” She lowered her head and folded her arms across her chest, “When I saw you I thought you were my father. I thought he had finally come back me, but…it was only you. You look so much like him I just couldn't let Valefor kill you…” Tears ran down from her now red checks.

 

“I'm sorry Renji for all the pain I've caused you!” She began wiping her tears with her blue kimono sleeve.

 

Renji grinded his teeth and then bent down on one knee, “Sakura, it okay. Listen…” He placed both his hands on her shoulders, “I never met my parents either. Rukia is the only family I've ever had. Besides, a summoner needs guardians for her journey though Spira. Isn't that what you said?” Sakura nodded wiping her tears away again with her kimono.

 

Ichigo rubbed his stiff fingers though his messy orange hair. Is it morning already? He thought. He called out Renji name but no answer. He looked over at Renji's bed and it was empty. Ichigo thought if he's not in here then his with Rukia or outside training with his sword. Renji's sword still laid there were he left it last night so he must be with Rukia. Ichigo walked down the hall to Rukia's room and pounded on the door, “Hey Rukia! Is Renji in there with you?” The door opened and there stood Rukia her hair spiking out at every direction. She wore one of the kimonos the Sakura let her barrow since they are about the same size. The green kimono came down to just pass her knees. Rukia was starting to believe that Sakura liked to wear solid color kimonos. Sakura didn't like to stand out a lot just because she was a summoner.

 

Rukia told him see hadn't seen Renji since last night. Rukia thought it would be a good idea to ask Sakura seeing as she was always irritating him. The two walked down passed the statues of the aeons and into the chamber of the fayth, the chamber was large able to seat thirty people comfortably. Rukia looked around the chamber and in the saw Renji sitting down with his legs crossed and clutching his hands tightly together. He gradually pulled them apart and revealed a small ball of light.

 

Sakura who was sitting in front of him began clapping, “Go, Renji! You've mastered the first step into learning magic.” She turned and then waved to Ichigo and Rukia. She explained to them what Renji was doing. Her father was very powerful at using magic so if Renji must play the part of Azuma then he must learn magic. Lucky they would leave Besaid in a day or so. Renji wouldn't need to act like Azuma for to long.

 

Renji fell back onto the cool stones of the chamber floor, his hot sweat reacting to the cold stones felt great. His eyes opened to see Valefor starring straight at him. Renji screamed and bolted upright, launching himself behind Ichigo and Rukia. Valefor ducked behind Sakura and shrieked angrily at the shinigami.

 

Rukia and Ichigo starred at each other, Renji afraid of a bird? Well he was almost crushed to death.

 

Rukia wondered why it was so hard for Renji to master magic. Magic in this world was almost like spirit energy. Sakura clarified that this is a different world and magic different. Spirit energy came from within so does magic but magic must also draw on energy from the outside. She used the example from when she attacked Renji with her fire magic. The fire magic comes from rage within the body and the spirit of fire from the outside world. That's why Sakura believed when she tried using magic in Ichigo's world it was weak.

 

Sakura sent Valefor back so Renji could calm down, then she lead them out of the chamber and back into the temple. Where they could all get some breakfast and talk about what will come in the days a head.