Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ The story of 4 ❯ It all begins ( Chapter 1 )

Suzume was sitting under a cherry blossom tree after 3 hours of constant training. Her breaths were uneven and her heart was pounding. She looked up to the early morning sunrise. It stained the sky with beautiful hues of red, yellow, and orange. It was spring and the cherry tree was in full bloom which just added a maginficent touch to the scenery around her. Suzume sighed,

"My, it's a beautiful day to be trainin' don't ya think?" came a voice from behind. Out of instinct she ripped her sword from its sheath and it stopped right before the third divison's captain Ichimaru Gin's throat.

"Hehehe, little jumpy aren't ya Suzume-chan" Suzume lowered her sword before replying "Sorry Ichimaru-Taichou" Gin smiled "Don't ya be worryin' 'bout that" Gin observed the area where she was training at. There were many shattered boulders along with lots of deep gashes in the ground.

"Wow I bet ya you've been tryin' to reach your Bankai level ain't I right?" Suzume looked up at him she trusted him. But, out of respect for her superiors she called him by all his formal names and acted politely. "Yes, Ichimaru-Taichou" she replied. "Let me help then" said the captain as his sword came straight at her with killing intent. Suzume instantly dodged and counter attacked but she knew it wouldn't be any good. She was up against a captain. She knew she would die out here. Now the two were now locked in a dance of life and death. But, back at the main compound somebody felt Suzume's reiatsu becoming weaker and weaker. He stood up and ran outside his raven black hair waved slightly as he ran. Minutes passed like hours as he drew closer to the battleground. Once he had gotten there he was shocked he saw the 11th divison's third officer with her Bankai activated. But, it soon disappeared and then he saw the traitor Ichimaru Gin. He saw him going in for the final blow. He ran in front of Suzume's collapsed body.

"Kuchiki-Taichou wat'cha doin' interruptin' my fight?" Gin asked. Byakuya just picked up Suzume's dying body and used shunpo to get Suzume to the 4th division's captain. As he ran the walls around him were blurs. He had gotten to the 11th squad barracks when Kenpachi noticed that another that Byakuya was there.

“What's this?” Kenpachi said in his usual rough voice. Byakuya looked at the other captain.

“She was attacked by Ichimaru Gin, third division's captain” he simply stated. Yet again he was off running. It was another 10 minutes before he arrived at the 4th division barracks. He didn't care about the other Shinigami as he pushed past them. At that moment Unohana was giving a lesson about the more complex techniques used by higher level healer Shinigami. Byakuya burst through the door. Then and only then did he stop to look at the pale form in his arms. Unohana looked up and instantly took her out of his arms and laid her down on a stretcher.

“Hanatarou would you please get me my medical kit from my desk?” Unohana asked in a worried tone. “Isane,” the captain looked up at her lieutenant. “Isane go and lead Kenpachi and Yachiru here now”

“Hai” Isane said and with that she was gone. Byakuya watched intently as Unohana healed the gashes inflicted on Suzume's petite frame. He didn't know why he saved her. She was the third seat in the 11th division Kenpachi should've saved her but then again he couldn't sense reiatsu even if he tried. His lieutenant had no sense of direction so he thought maybe that's why. Although, he was impressed that a third seat had reached Bankai at such an early stage usually it took at least 10 years to reach Bankai but her, she reached it in half the time. The image of her Bankai will always be etched in his mind. He saw a huge white tiger beside her about ready to kill Gin, but that was when she collapsed and that's when he had to intervene. But the killing intent of her and her Bankai was something that would strike fear into most enemies' eyes. Kenpachi entered somewhat quietly as he saw Byakuya kneeled beside the other captain watching the gashes disappear.

“Luckily she didn't suffer to much internal damage” Said the female captain as she bound the rest of Suzume's wounds. Byakuya watched as the small frame of the girl who fought a captain was carried away.

“What happened...to her!?” Kenpachi yelled “What happened to one of my best fighters!” He looked to the Kuchiki seated on a bench beside Unohana's desk. “Like I said before, she was attacked and almost killed by Ichimaru Gin” Byakuya stated once again. His eyes were as cold as stone as he said that. But, just moments before his eyes expressed something of what seemed to be worry for another person. “Byakushi-kun Are you okay?!” Yachiru yelled “Byakushi is Suzume chan going to be all right?” Byakuya sat there.

“I have no idea if she'll even live through the night” The Sixth Division captain said. Still with no hint of any concern for the life he had saved. Yachiru looked a little hurt. But they all turned to see the lieutenant of the 13th division walk in. Her name was Hikaru Haruki. She and Suzume were close friends when growing up in Rukongai's 78th district. She looked over at Suzume wanting to know what happened but she was on a very tight schedule. Her captain's sickness was getting to him again and she needed medicine now. She looked back at her captain sitting on a bench looking very pale. Isane looked out to see him and grabbed Unohana by the wrist and pulled her out to take care of the captain.

“Taichou!” Hikaru said panicked seeing him throw up blood. It scared her to see him in this condition, and for some reason she would always seem to worry about him. Some thought she liked her captain and others just thought she was just a caring person. She watched nervously as Unohana took care of his coughing and wheezing. Ukitake smiled looking at his panicked vice-captain.

“Hikaru, don't be so afraid see they're takin-...” he was cut off as another coughing spasm struck him hard. Hikaru suppressed another gasp of fear for her captain as she saw more blood leak from his mouth. During that time though Suzume had regained consciousness and walked out of her room. Kenpachi looked up from his watch on Ukitake and smiled his signature grin. Yachiru jumped up and literally tackled Suzume. Suzume laughed but she wondered why so many people were here. She scanned the empty classroom. Isane had evacuated it after Ukitake arrived. Then she saw Hikaru trembling as she watched her captains illness worsen.

“Taichou stay with us please don't die” Hikaru said soon after Suzume walked up and saw Ukitake. His usual calm and peaceful aura was gone; instead there was a stiff scared and tense one that replaced it. They finally stabilized him and brought him to a small room. Unohana looked at the trembling vice-captain.

“Don't worry” she said with her usual gentle smile, “He's been in worse condition. He'll be fine in about two days.” Then Unohana looked at Suzume a little surprised. “I wouldn't think you would be conscious let alone walking. But, I guess that proves that you truly are one of the eleventh squad.” Byakuya lifted his head for a moment and saw Suzume.

“Umm Unohana-Taichou; how did I get here?” The captain looked up and smiled

“Well believe it or not it was the Captain of the Sixth Division who saved your very life.” Unohana stated it simply, and watched Suzume's eyes go wide,

“You-you mean Kuchiki-Taichou?!” Byakuya walked over and said

“Don't stress yourself; it will open your wounds.” Then he walked away.

“But-but why would he waste his time on scum like me? I mean im from one of the worst districts in Rukongai and I'm a third seat and not even in his division.” Suzume walked back towards her close friend and helped her walk to Ukitake's room. Luckily for them he had regained is calm aura and smiled when he saw his vice-captain.

“Hikaru,” Ukitake said in a soothing tone “Hikaru, I need you to do me a big favor. I need you to take over my duties as a captain as long as I'm away” Hikaru's eyes went wide. “My captain's robe is right here” Ukitake said as he pointed toward a folded article of clothing. “It should fit you because we're about the same height” Suzume walked over and handed it to her in a most distinguished manner. Then saluted her and said,

“At your service Hikaru-Taichou” Ukitake laughed slightly as Hikaru put on the robe and smacked Suzume upside the head. Unohana walked in as Hikaru put on the robe. She looked questioningly at Ukitake and he explained.

“Suzume you should go back to your room now and sleep for a little while” Suzume obliged but muttered her oppositions under her breath. “Isane will be in to check on you every 3 hours to change your bandages” Unohana informed Suzume as she left the room. Meanwhile Byakuya went to go and check on his vice captain Abarai Renji. He more so heard Renji before he saw him.

“Howl Zabimaru!” Renji yelled as he fought with a close friend and subordinate Kei Teruko. Kei laughed as she saw his attack coming. She knew how to dodge and counter perfectly, along with annoying him as a bonus. Like she predicted his attack was coming from above and so she jumped up and parried with an un-activated Zanpactou. Then with a swift kick in the abdomen Renji ended up on the ground with a thud. Rei stood over him and looked quite proud but her smile soon faded as she turned to face her captain.

“What may I ask were you two doing out here at 6:00 am?” Byakuya asked with an icy tone that sent shivers up Kei and Renji's spine.

“W-w-we were just sparring that's all.” Kei said fumbling for words. But, before she could continue her captain was gone. Meanwhile Shinsui was in Ukitake's room joking around trying to keep the sickly captain happy. But, for come reason none of his jokes would work.

“Okay, what is wrong with you Ukitake?” Shinsui asked wanting to know what was bothering him so much. Ukitake looked over and just smiled,

“I have my vice-captain taking over my duties while I'm here. I just hope she's doing okay especially since Kiyone Kotetsu and Sentarou Kotsubaki my third seats can be extremely irritating.” Shinsui laughed as he thought of Hikaru putting up with the third seats antics.

“Ah, but you see Ukitake those two aspire to be like you the want to be great fighters like their captain” Shinsui added before his closest friend drifted off to sleep. He then left so that Ukitake could have some peace and quiet. Suzume was fast asleep but there was an evil presence lurking just around the corner of her room. Gin had snuck in the barracks and was one room away from Suzume. When Ukitake noticed his presence, he got up and grabbed his Zanpactou and snuck out. He knew it was outrageously dangerous to be fighting in his current state but he didn't care. If there was one thing he was going to prevent it was his vice-captain's best friends death. Soon after he used Shunpo and was instantly behind Gin.

“Ah, Ukitake-Taichou great to be seein' ya well after that lil' attack ya had back there” Gin said. “But, now ya know of my intentions so now ya have'ta die.... Shoot to death Shinsou” Suddenly Gin's blade nearly stabbed Ukitake but he was able to parry it just in time.

“All of the waves become my shield. All of the lightning become my sword! Sougyo no Kotowari!” Suddenly Ukitake's blade split into two blades and had been connected by a rope like material. Ukitake now stood ready for Gins next assault. Gin attacked again aiming for the gaps in Ukitake's blades. But Ukitake parried and went for Gin's throat. But instead he had cut his chest. Gin was at a major disadvantage as he saw his attacker move in for a single blow that would end his life. But suddenly Ukitake dropped coughing blood. Suzume had woken after a loud crash. She instantly unsheathed her Zanpactou and ran into the room where Gin was about to kill Ukitake.

“Kill by Darkness, Kenshiko!” Suzume said as her Zanpactou morphed. She was going to kill him for what he did. How dare him try and kill Ukitake-Taichou!! Her mind raged. Gin hadn't noticed Suzume before it was to late. She slashed open his neck without thinking. She was in a blind fury; as if a whole other spirit had taken over. She watched as Gin's body fell to the ground with a soft thud. Ukitake looked up at the girl he meant to save but he ended up being saved by that girl. Unohana rushed in the room wanting to know what all the commotion was about. She gasped as she saw Ichimaru Gin's dead body on the ground with blood pouring from his throat and Ukitake being picked up by Suzume. Her blade was bloody as she set it down on the ground so that she could carry the sick captain back to his room.

“W-w-what's going on?” she stammered. She looked at Suzume then her blade then Gin.

“You-you killed him?! You killed a captain!?” Unohana ran down the hall and out the doors. She ran all the way to the commander.

“Yammamato-Taichou I need to have a word with you!!” Unohana sounded panicked as he opened the door to his office.

“Come in, come in” the elderly man said as he gestured towards the small chair. “What's wrong Unohana?” The female captain drew in a breath to calm herself.

“Yammamato there-there's been a-a murder” Hikaru had heard the news as she walked by the commanders office. She dropped her papers instantly and ran off toward her captain's room. When she finally burst through the door she saw Suzume and her captain talking quietly. Ukitake looked up and told her to sit down for a moment.

“Ukitake- Taichou Unohana said that there was a murder here?!!” Ukitake looked up and smiled.

“You heard wrong, it is more like your friend here saved my life” he looked at Suzume she was fumbling for words as she replied “N-no it-it is j-just the duties f-for a lower ranked Shinigami to protect a captain at all costs” Suddenly they all heard a crashing noise and Kei, Renji, and Byakuya all ran through the doorway.

“Suzume, Hikaru thank god you guys are okay” Kei said as she saw the three talking. Suzume though was far from okay though. Her wounds had reopened and were bleeding profusely. Renji noticed this after Suzume got up to leave.

“Taichou look she's bleeding!!” Renji said after he saw blood seeping out between her fingers. Byakuya looked over and said

“Renji, go find Isane right now” with that Renji left Kei was in shock because they came here thinking one of their friends were dead. But, when Hikaru explained the situation from Unohana's point of view they all gasped. All but two, Ukitake and Byakuya, they looked at Suzume to see how she would react.

“I will face my charges and punishment without fear or remorse. I do not care for I should be punished after killing a captain” Ukitake looked up in shock her eyes shown no emotion and were as cold as stone.

“Y-you can't accept a punishment-...” Ukitake was cut off as a coughing spasm struck again. Suzume knew what to do, she was close friends with Unohana and she usually worked there in her spare time. She told every one to clear away except Hikaru Suzume told her to rub Ukitake's back and he soon stopped wheezing. Kei and Byakuya watched Hikaru treat her captain in silence.

“Hikaru please wipe the blood from his cheek while I go and get another pillowcase” Suzume said. Hikaru took out a small washcloth and wiped the blood from her captain's face. Ukitake sat up and Hikaru backed away

“Hikaru please come here” Ukitake said Kei and Byakuya left to go find Renji who hadn't come back with Isane. With that Hikaru obliged she stood at the side of Ukitake's bed. “You've always been a loyal Shinigami and have helped me a lot these days so here's my thanks to you” He hugged Hikaru tightly and whispered “Thank you so much” Hikaru's eyes widened why is he doing this? What does he mean thank you? Hikaru thought. But at that moment all she could do was hug him back. She felt tears on her shoulder.

“Hikaru you don't know how much this means to me that you willingly obliged to take care of the squad while I'm away” Ukitake said as small tears ran down his cheeks. Soon after he let go of her and they both acted like nothing had ever happened, when Suzume walked in with the clean pillowcase. She changed it quickly before leaving. She had just gotten to the edge of her room when she collapsed.

“Damn stupid cuts stop bleeding” Kei was just coming back with Renji, Isane, and Byakuya when they saw her collapsed. Isane picked her up and set her down in her bedroom and started to give Suzume a special medicine it was replenishing the blood lost.

“Isane what's going on?” Kei said as she watched Isane re-wrap Suzume's wounds. “I think I just saw a body in the store room” Isane looked up and walked out and sure enough there it was still on the floor Gin's dead rotting corpse. But, that was when Yammamato and Unohana walked in.

“Unohana-Taichou t-there's a dead body in the s-store r-room” Isane stuttered. She was barely able to hold her a scream back another scream as they entered the room where a horrid stench of rotting flesh overcame them. All of them except Yammamato,

“So she did kill Gin, tell her that she will be on trial tomorrow” Yammamato said as he picked up the dead body. Unohana walked into Suzume's room Suzume looked tired and empty as if all will to live was sucked out of her.

“You heard didn't you” Unohana said.

“Yeah, every word” Suzume replied. “It's just that I don't know what came over me it was as if a whole other spirit possessed me and made me kill him” Suzume was confused, scared and on the verge of tears but, as usual she didn't let it show. Unohana approached slowly trying to cheer her up. “But you” Suzume said “You told him I murdered Gin. You don't know half of it, you didn't know that Ukitake would've been the one dead if it hadn't been for me!” tears were slowly running down her cheeks glistening like liquid crystals. Unohana backed away Kei came back in and calmed her friend as Byakuya watched from the doorway. He saw a black aura around Suzume filled with hate and anger.

“Suzume calm down, just calm down” Kei said finally calming Suzume enough to finally fall asleep alone. But, Ukitake though fell asleep with his vice captain by his side. She had told the whole 13th division where she was going but not what for. So they all knew where to go if something was wrong. Hikaru watched Ukitake's sleeping form. It was a peaceful night but she and Kei were unaware of the events to come during the next day. Ukitake suddenly started to cough in his sleep. His condition was worsening no doubt. She woke her captain and used the same procedure as before. He smiled as the pain in his chest seemed to disappear.

“Are you okay now?” Hikaru asked somewhat worried. Ukitake looked up at her a little surprised at that she would use that procedure instinctively.

“You should get some sleep; it's not healthy for a captain to be up this late with no work.” Hikaru smiled “But, Ukitake-Taichou I do have an assignment and that is to make sure you don't choke on your own blood while you're asleep.” Ukitake just closed his eyes; it amazed him that his vice captain was so devoted to helping him recover, and helping him with his paperwork, going to meetings with him just incase he started in another coughing fit. He listed a ton of things she's helped him with and was just dumbfounded. He closed his eyes and Hikaru could just barely hear it but Ukitake whispered “Arigatou Hikaru-kun” with that Hikaru fell asleep along with her captain. Suzume woke at 3:00 am as usual and took a shower then changed into her finest Shinigami robes. She sat in Ukitake's room waiting for Hikaru to wake. But, unfortunately Yammamato came and got her before anyone was awake. She followed her commander silently. Mayuri, Kenpachi, Byakuya, Tousen, Aizen, Kommamura, Unohana, SoiFon, Hitsugaya, and Shinsui were there waiting as the jury. Yammamato spoke coldly

“Suzume Shiraha, you have been sentenced here on the account that you have intentionally killed the Third Division Captain, Ichimaru Gin.” Suzume looked around everybody's eyes were cold and so were hers. Her blue eyes resembled ice as she listened to Yammamato speak further. “Do you or Do you not find yourself guilty as charged?” Yammamato asked. Byakuya's eyes were locked on Yammamato as he heard Suzume speak “In a way yes I do believe I am guilty. But, there was a reason behind it. Everybody here knows Ukitake-Taichou?” All the occupants nodded. “Well, you see I was sleeping and awoke to a crash. I instinctively walked in there with my Zanpactou to see Ukitake-Taichou on the ground coughing blood. Then, I saw Gin put his sword up to Ukitake-Taichou's throat and that's when something came over me and I killed him” The jury looked at Suzume and then looked at Yammamato.

“Suzume I admit you are very brave for owning up to this and telling your motive. But what do you mean by something came over you?”

“That I don't exactly know” Suzume said “I'm just as confused as you are on that topic” Yammamato looked down.

“Can you describe the feeling?” Suzume closed her eyes and remembered that day.

“I remember an overwhelming sense of anger and hatred than it was as if that spirit of hate and anger took over my body and killed him.” Byakuya stood up and everyone looked at the Kuchiki who was explaining everything from what he saw of her before she fell asleep. Then they looked at Suzume and Yammamato

“Those in favor of conviction raise your hands now” The elder said. At that moment everyone but Byakuya and Shinsui raised their hands. “Majority rules, Suzume you hereby are convicted as charged” Byakuya's eyes were wide that feeling of his came back.

“Yammamato please don't please don't send her to the execution grounds” Byakuya said Shinsui's head shot over to Byakuya. “What is he doing?” Asked the 12th Division captain, “Is he begging Commander-sama not to kill that brat?”

“Are you defying me?” Yammamato said. At that moment Byakuya sat back down.

“Damn it” Shinsui said in a low tone. Suzume looked up at her commander.

“I will accept any punishment you give me. I lost fear of death when I joined my division so go ahead and execute .Im not afraid of becoming an experiment in Mayuri-Taichou's lab. I've lost all fear.” Yammamato looked at her with an icy glare,

“You will be executed three days from today. Court Dismissed!” Suzume was then lead to her jail cell in the 6th Division Barracks. She didn't cry, she didn't whine or try to escape. She just sat there waiting, watching, and wondering. Byakuya came in to give her food but she didn't eat, she didn't want to. He watched her as if she was someone important in his life. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Hikaru and Ukitake were there just outside. Byakuya opened the door. Ukitake and Hikaru were in shock, there was a hero sitting in a jail cell waiting and wanting to die.

“Suzume it's us” Hikaru said. Byakuya opened the door so that they could enter and talk amongst themselves. Hikaru hugged her friend tightly.

“I made a request to be executed by a blade and not by some bird” Suzume said.

“Y-y-you mean you're going to be killed for protecting another captain?!” Hikaru said. Suzume just looked at her friend and then Byakuya then Ukitake.

“Kuchiki-Taichou, why did you not vote for my conviction as a criminal?” Suzume asked. Byakuya looked at her a little surprised.

“That is one thing that you shouldn't know” The 6th Division Captain said flatly.

“You should've left me there” Ukitake mumbled. He thought Suzume wouldn't have heard him. But, he was proved wrong when Suzume's hand collided with the side of his head.

“Don't you ever talk like that” Suzume said. “Don't you ever say that, I did that because there is a person in this room excluding me that cares deeply about you.” Ukitake was just then stuck hard in a way that scared him. He remembered at that moment his vice Captain. He remembered how she would help him with everything even if it seemed meaningless. Suzume's words somehow touched the inner reaches of his heart. He looked over at Hikaru and hugged her.

“I care about you too” He said into her ear. Hikaru's eyes were wide. After that Hikaru and Ukitake left, Byakuya looked at Suzume. Even when she was stressed she didn't show it. Then suddenly, Renji and Kei came bursting through the door. Kei ran over and looked at her friend

“Suzume are you alright?” Kei asked she saw Suzume but she was different like she had lost all will to live.

“Yeah, if you consider alright as dying in three days.” Renji looked at her shocked.

“W-what?” Renji and Kei said “What do you mean dying in three days?” Kei said. She was confused.

“I was convicted of a crime and will be executed 3 days from today” Kei was shocked to see her friends face with no emotion. It kind of scared her knowing that Suzume wasn't afraid to die. Kei stayed there for a few more hours talking with her then left as she saw Suzume fall asleep.

“Hanatarou” Unohana said “Hanatarou would you get those herbs out of the cupboard?” Hanatarou obliged and brought the herbs to his captain. Hikaru walked in with Ukitake both were quiet as they entered the area. Hikaru helped her captain get back into his bed. It was 9:00 pm, and they both were exhausted. Hikaru laid down on the futon that Unohana had provided. They both slept somewhat peacefully. Suzume slept through the night but with dreams of her past. That night she remembered the first time she saw Gin. He was the one who saved her life in Rukongai. She was now running from the man who chased her with a dagger. She remembered when she tripped and fell he closed in on her. He was just about to kill her when she saw a sword and a man with silver hair in front of her.

“Are ya ok?” he asked she got up and nodded. “Good now if ya will jus' stay there for a moment.” She watched him chase the man away, then walk to her pick her up and brought her to the bathhouse first. He cleaned her face gently, as if she was his child. He got her redressed into something more appropriate than the rags she had on. “Hey, do ya want to meet a close friend of mine?” Gin asked. All Suzume could do was nod as she walked beside him. Her now clean raven black hair waved slightly as they entered the court of pure souls.

“Um excuse me mister what is your name?” Gin looked down and slightly smiled.

“Call me Gin” he replied. He took Suzume's small hand in his and walked to the Tenth Division barracks and introduced her to Rangiku. She somewhat hid behind the person who saved her as Rangiku looked down.

“Awww, aren't you just so adorable” She said. Suzume's bright blue eyes widened as Gin picked her up and set her in Rangiku's arms. Gin was about to leave when Suzume said,

“Gin-sama are you going to come back?” Gin looked down at the small child.

“Of course I will.” Then he headed towards the Commander's office. Suzume looked up at the lady holding her

“What's your name?” Rangiku looked down at the small child with innocent blue eyes. Rangiku smiled and looked at her. She reminded her of Momo Hinamori. She looked so innocent.

“Just call me Matsumoto” Suzume grinned.

“You can call me anything you want I-I don't really have a name. Matsumoto smiled at the young child as she set her down, as she saw Gin coming with Yammamato. Suzume backed away from the elder who had come with another captain Juushirou Ukitake was his name.

“Gin-sama” Suzume said “Gin-sama I have a friend whose injured back home can we please go and get her?” Gin looked down at her with a friendly smile

“Of course” He put Suzume on his shoulders and headed back to Rukongai. She directed the captain through the district with no trouble. Soon enough they arrived at a shack and inside was a 17 year old with gashes all over her body. “Hikaru” Suzume said, “Hikaru are you alright?” Gin approached Hikaru and said. “We're here to get ya out of here” with that Gin picked Hikaru up and went yet again into the bath house. He told Suzume to stay there while Hikaru washed herself off. Gin was going to get Matsumoto. Once he got back there and explained everything Matsumoto grabbed a set of old Shinigami robes and ran over there once she got there she was shocked, all of the gashes on that girls body were bleeding. She got Hikaru out of the Bathhouse and brought her into Unohana about 15 minutes later. Unohana examined each of the girls carefully. Knowing that there was a chance no matter how small; that they could be sick. Then she took care of Hikaru's wounds. Gin looked at Suzume.

“What's your name?” he asked Suzume looked down.

“Don't have one” she replied. Gin smiled and said “Then with your permission may I give you a name?” Suzume looked at Gin as he scooped her up she hugged him “You can do that if ya want” she said copying the way Gin spoke. They all laughed even Hikaru who was talking with Ukitake about entering herself and her 9 year-old “sister” into the Shinigami academy.

“I'll call you Suzume, because you're small and innocent like a sparrow, as for you last name you shall be called Shiraha. Due to the fact that you are as light as a feather and that you're first name is a bird.” Suzume hugged the man tighter and fell asleep in Gins arms. “Have good dreams `kay” Gin said and he walked out of the 4th Division barracks. Suzume came to and she looked around her cell and walked around. She looked out the small window. When there came a voice from behind her. She didn't turn around though. She didn't want to show who ever her visitor was that she was crying what have I done? I killed the one who saved me from death... She let her tears fall freely as she turned around to see Hikaru.

“Suzume are you alright?” Hikaru asked. As Byakuya walked in. and heard her say.

“I killed the man who saved my life.” Suzume said just able to hold back a sob.

“I am a criminal” Byakuya went into the jail cell and looked her in the eye.

“You are far from a criminal” he said into her ear. Also he somewhat hugged her. As he felt her tears fall onto his captains' robe. He let go of her and said “As long as you're with me you can go to his funeral.” Suzume hugged Byakuya without noticing what she did until after she let go of him. Then she backed away slowly noticing the look of shock and surprise on his face.

“Gomen, Byakuya-sama” Suzume said a little afraid as to how he would react but she soon let of a sigh of relief as Byakuya stayed silent and didn't act violently. He just walked out of the cell and gestured for her to follow him and Hikaru, and she obeyed. They walked to the burial ceremony just as it ended.

“Now you can pay your respects in quiet” Hikaru said. Suzume walked over to the freshly filled in earth.

“Gin-sama I'm so sorry, but soon I will be able to repent for my crime.” Tears flowed freely onto the grave of Ichimaru Gin. The wind blew carrying her sadness throughout the whole soul society.

“And what crime might ya be talkin' `bout” Suzume's head shot to her left and she saw Gin.

“Gin-san” Suzume cried. “Gin-san h-how are you alive?” Gin helped Suzume up and embraced her. “You didn't kill me you killed the experiment Mayuri was conducting” Byakuya had a look of revulsion as he watched the captain hug Suzume.

“Ichimaru how come you couldn't tell the world you were alive so that Suzume-chan wouldn't have to face an execution 2 days from now?” Byakuya asked coldly.

“What Suzume-chan executed?” Gin said he was confused but didn't care he leapt off in the direction of the commander. Suzume sat there dumbfounded as she tripped over a rock. Byakuya caught her by the arm and helped her back to her feet. She could barely stand. She was so shocked. Byakuya carried her back to her cell. And set her down on the bed beside him. He was a little scared because she didn't talk. Or say anything. Until she heard rushed footsteps,

“Yammamato-sama is coming” Suzume said. She watched as the elder walked in with Gin. Byakuya looked at them with his usual cold steady gaze.

“Suzume-chan you're free” Gin said. Suzume looked up silently and smiled. Not her usual fake smile but, her genuine one that showed she was truly happy. Yammamato walked over to Suzume and handed her, her Zanpactou. She strapped it on her side and smiled. As she drew her Obsidian black blade. It shined brightly in the sunlight. Yammamato smiled as she hugged Hikaru. “Go tell Ukitake” she said. Hikaru bolted in the direction of Ukitake's room in the 4th Division Barracks. Suzume exited the room with some nervousness but mostly happiness. Matsumoto was out there waiting with her captain and third officer.

“Hitsugaya-Taichou, Amaya-san, Matsumoto-chan what are you all doing here?” Hitsugaya stayed silent but Matsumoto was far from it.

“Gin you're alive!!!!” Matsumoto yelled. As she hugged him tightly Suzume backed behind Byakuya and looked at them a little freaked out. Byakuya turned around his stare was softer. He walked her back to the 11th Division barracks where she was tacked by Yachiru.

“Ken Ken-chan Suzu-chan is back!!” She yelled. Suzume and Byakuya raised an eyebrow. “Suzu-chan?” Suzume said. Yachiru grinned “Yea that is your nickname from now on” Suzume laughed as Kenpachi came running over and drew his sword and slashed. But, Suzume drew her blade and parried.

“You're still a great fighter” Kenpachi grinned and sheathed his sword. Suzume walked around, talking to Ikkaku and Yumichika. But, soon after she used Shunpo and was at the door to Ukitake's room. She knocked softly just incase he was asleep. “Come in” Ukitake said. As he got up and opened the door. What he saw shocked him. He saw Suzume at the door. His eyes were wide.

“You really are free” Ukitake said quietly...