Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Twilight Zanpaku-to ❯ Twilight Zanpaku-to ( Chapter 1 )

...Just not proper.
...Who're you kidding?
...Katsumi, you're insane...
How many days had she had the same conversation with herself? Letting out a strained sigh, she shifted her weight, moving her chin into the palm of her and rested her elbow on her knee as she sat cross legged in the grass. The great willow above gave her shade, but still she squinted against the afternoon light. Dark lashes fanned down, hiding her light blue eyes.
“This is insane.” She grumbled to herself, eyes flashing up once more. They came to rest on the object of her inner turmoil. “You were both accepted to the same academy, nobility has nothing to do with it here...”
With that, she pushed herself up off the grass, the blades making barely any sound as they were crushed beneath her bare feet. The young man, the one she had been debating about, was sitting alone on a small boulder, propped back against his hands with his long legs lazily stretched out in front of him.
Now, for the right thing to....”Do you dye your hair?”...say. Mentally, she smacked herself. His head turned slowly and for a moment she was dumbfounded when the depthless black eyes of Ukitake Juushiro met hers. With a short burst of air, the choppy bangs that fell over his eyes flew up, then settled to one side. “Well, what I meant to say, was that I liked it and hoped it was natural.” She said, a bit quicker than she would have liked.
Ukitake's slim eyebrow rose ever so slightly. “No, I don't dye it. It has been this way for years.” He said simply, turning away from her again, offering up his back. “I have to admit, I think you would look better if you grew out yours. The choppy, short cropped look isn't as flattering.”
Katsumi's own eyes widened slightly. If he had paid enough attention to her to come up with an opinion like that, how had she not noticed? Despite her wondering, she smiled.
“I'll keep that in mind.” She promised.
Turning once more, he pushed himself up off the rock to face her. “Onishi? Yes?” He asked, clasping his hands behind his back. The rough fabric of his uniform rustled softly, barely noticeable.
With a short nod, she bent at the waist, back stiff, praying that she was doing it properly and not making a fool of herself. As she straightened she found his eyes again. “Onishi Katsumi.” She finished with a warm smile that mirrored his own.
“Oh yes, the first non-noble to enter the Shinigami Academy.” Standing a bit over six feet tall, Katsumi found she had to look up at him. “I apologize for not introducing myself earlier. I am Ukitake Juushiro.”
“I know.” She said quickly, far too quickly. Her cheeks burned with flush, but lessened at his carefree laugh. “I'm sorry...I..”
“No, no...” He interrupted, waving a hand. “I should have believed them when they told me I had an admirer.”
Was she on fire? It certainly felt like it. With an inward groan, she smacked her forehead with the palm of her hand, physically. “I'm that obvious?” She groaned, eyes closed tightly as she shook her head.
Her eyes flew open, head jerking up at the feel of his fingers on her wrist. He had artists fingers, not fighters, long and slim. She couldn't help but notice that his skin was chilled as his fingers curled around her wrist and drew it toward him, his free hand enveloping her own. Slightly startled, Katsumi's eyes found his again.
“Please don't do that, you'll hurt yourself.” He said softly, releasing her hand with a smile. All Katsumi could do was frown. Without thinking, her hand shot out to capture his before it settled at his side again.
“Ukitake, you're hands are like ice..” She said, resting his fingers between her palms to warm them.
With a delicate shrug of his shoulder, he glanced somewhere off to the side. “They often are.” Came his simple response. “You haven't heard of my failing?” He asked, the happy tone in his voice fading out.
Smiling to replace it, Katsumi gave a shrug of her own as she let his fingers slip from her hands. “Maybe I just don't care.” With a glance down at his hand, Ukitake's smile returned.


“Please, Katsumi, you're going to miss your training. Your captain is waiting for you.” Ukitake's voice was low, slightly raspy. It was the last quality that urged Katsumi to get up. Pouring a cup of tea, she returned to the side of his bed, offering it to him.
“You should know by now, I just don't care.” With her chin raised like that, Ukitake knew better than to argue or try to persuade her. With his sigh of defeat, he sipped the tea and set it aside. Katsumi grinned, victory belonged to her. Reaching up, his chilled fingers brushed against her temple, pushing aside her hair to reveal her eyes. As she'd said, she'd kept his comment in mind, her hair now much longer than it had been in academy, falling to the middle of her back in soft curls. The brown tresses were much more flattering on her. “Please, try and sleep. You'll feel better when you do.” Katsumi urged.
Closing his eyes, he nodded. His hand slipped to the bed beside him, only to be caught up between her own, trying to bring warmth back into the slim fingers. The next words out of his lips startled her, his hand dropping to the bed anyway.
“Marry me, Onishi Katsumi.” It was a statement, not a question.
“Ukitake...” She lost her train of thought when he opened his eyes again. The black eyes were such a brilliant contrast to his stark white hair. A beautiful contrast. Shoulders slumped, she looked down at his hand. “I don't think it would look right for a lieutenant to marry a third seat, especially coming from the same squad.” She admitted.
“Is that the only reason you say no? The only reason you aren't a vice is that you requested the same squad as me.” He faltered a moment, then let out a sigh. “Everyone knows that once we've finished our training, we'll become Captains...when that day comes, Katsumi, you will say yes to me.” He promised, the slightest hint of a smile on his pale lips.
Prompted by his, Katsumi smiled herself. “Of course I will.” She promised in return.
After a few moments, Ukitake spoke up again. “Does that mean you'll go to your training now?”


Ukitake watched Katsumi mingle with the wedding guests. Turns out his vice had gone and taken his idea, marrying before Ukitake had a chance to. To him, Katsumi was more beautiful than the bride, a light green kimono bringing out the highlights in her brown hair. It fell below her waist now, flowers strung in the curls to match those on the fabric of her kimono. The outfit was much more festive than his Captain's uniform. Walking over, he took her arm gently, leaning down the few inches to bring his lips to her ear.
“I spoke with Yamamoto today.” He informed her softly. His warm breath washed over her skin, making the strands of hair that fell beside her face flutter before she turned her head to look at him.
“Oh, is that so?” She asked with a playful grin.
“It is. He said that he expects you to reach Bankai within the month, your position as Captain of the third squad is prepared. So now, you have a question to answer, Vice Onishi.”
Katsumi turned to face him. “Oh yes, that one.” With a finger on her chin, she made it appear as if she were deep in thought. “Well, you did ask again before you said you would, but I suppose my answer would not be changed by such an oversight. Yes, I will.”


For the first time in days, Ukitake was able to fill his lungs with a deep pull of fresh air. Hands on the railing of the balcony, he looked out over the city. The day was bright, not a cloud in the flawless, blue sky. Not too far away, the sounds of battle rang out from the training grounds. Katsumi was there now, training with Yamamoto himself. She was so close, he knew it. Today she would return and tell him she'd finally done it.
A flash of light distracted him, drawing him from his thoughts. A brilliant blue pillar shot upward, merging with the sky flawlessly standing only a few moments before dissipating into thin air like so many snowflakes. The smile on his face faded. Kaien was at his side abruptly, following his Captain's gaze. “Was that from the...”
“Yes, it was.” Ukitake cut off sharply, half way across the courtyard before Kaien could register his disappearance.
The training grounds had been thrown into disorder, the tall, sure form of Yamamoto surrounded by Shinigami of all ranks. The old man looked surprised, a look Ukitake had never seen on him before. Pushing his way through, he stood before the stunned Yamamoto. “Katsumi!” He demanded, black eyes searching the faces around him.
“Captain, you'll get sick again...” Kaien's sure voice spoke out, giving him something to hold onto. If he chose to take it.
“Katsumi!” He demanded again, this time forcing Yamamoto out of his stupor.
“Gone.” His aged voice whispered out. “She's gone. Her bankai...it took her.” He said, brows furrowed as he tried to understand himself.
Ukitake opened his mouth to speak again, but a fit of coughing had him doubled over, unable to let the words free. Kaien's arm slipped under his to support him and he shrugged it off, standing tall. “Took her where?” He asked, forcing his tone to remain calm, though it was hardly how he felt. “What do you mean, 'gone'?”
Yamamoto just shook his head. “I do not know.”


Sitting beneath the willow at the academy, Ukitake took a few moments to rest. He'd been asked to give a demonstration to the students and since he'd been feeling well enough to be up and about, he had accepted the invitation. Now, he felt out of breath and his lungs burned. His hands were cold too, keeping them clasped together for warmth. How many years had it been? He wondered silently, eyes closed in reflection. How long since she has warmed them for you? He tried to do the math quickly, counting the years since he'd lost Kaien, then tracking backwards. How long had Kaien been with him after her disappearance? He could hardly remember anymore, the first few since that day a blur.
His life was in order now, as much as it could be. He was still without a vice, the next seats constantly fighting for his approval, hoping to take Kaien's place. Although many might have found it annoying, it brought life to his days, especially those he spent in bed, or locked away to keep people from seeing his weakness.
Even he had to admit to himself that he'd grown stronger since she'd gone. He'd learned which days his body would allow him to train, and on those days when it was time to quit. He hadn't grown any taller, though his hair was longer now, falling past his shoulders. His mind began to move to a mental exercise he found himself running through less often now. A picture of her appeared in his mind's eye, the morning she'd left to train with Yamamoto. It shifted then, hair growing, face changing ever so slightly, imagining what she might look like now. Every time he came up with a different face, still undeniably Katsumi.
“Captain Juushiro?” His eyes opened, blinking a few times before raising his head to look at the one addressing him. His white hair fell away, revealing a young woman, nearly out of the academy. “Are you feeling alright?” She asked gently, not wishing to invade his privacy in the matter of his illness. He gave her a reassuring smile and rose, towering over her.
“I feel fine, thank you, Amaya.”
With a brisk nod, she turned on her heel to return to the main building, Ukitake following after a few moments. Just before entering, he glanced up to find Amaya facing him again, eyes wide. Her hand raised, one finger pointing behind him toward the city. “Captain..” Her voice was shaking and he turned quickly. Surely not a Hollow...
The brilliant blue column of light disappeared almost before he caught sight of it. His own eyes widened a degree, the image overlapping one in his memory. Before she could ask anything else, Amaya was left standing alone.
This day, the training grounds were empty when Ukitake flashed in. The speed of his Shunpo had greatly improved, bringing him from the academy to the grounds in an instant. At first, it didn't seem that anyone was there, though people were arriving from every direction, the first he noticed being Shunsui. Ukitake looked at the large man, but he simply shrugged his broad shoulders, the pink floral overcoat he wore fluttering in the breeze.
By the time his eyes scanned the arena once more, a small form lay crumpled in the center. Shunsui made it there before him. For such a lazy man, he could move when he wanted to. Nanao appeared where he had been, resting her hands on her knees to catch her breath. “What's wrong with you?!” She called out. The Captain ignored her, standing over Ukitake as he knelt down, picking up the small form of a woman, cradling her in his arms.
She was a complete mess, her vice uniform in shatters on her body. Smudges of dirt covered her arms and face, scratches and dried blood caking her skin. Her hair was matted and tangled, bits of nature sticking to the once beautifully, glossy strands. Her eyes fluttered open, light blue orbs staring up at him, taking a moment to focus. Deathly pale lips smiled up at him, a thin hand reaching up to stroke his hair, the strands slipping between her fingers.
“You have beautiful hair....do you dye it?” The voice that fell on his ears was barely recognizable. Raspy and weak, like dry leaves being crunched beneath a boot. He brought his hand to her cheek, making her eyes close a moment. “Your hands are still cold, Ukitake.”
“You almost killed me, running out like that, you should be more...” Nanao was cut off by Shunsui's hand coming up abruptly. Glancing down, she frowned a bit, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose a bit more. She didn't recognize the woman, but she didn't have to. Onishi Katsumi.
Abruptly, Ukitake's head turned into the crook of his arm, blocking a cough that rose to his throat. Katsumi's eyes closed again, her form slumping against him. “Shunsui...” He said softly. Immediately, the man was beside him, lifting the pale form of Katsumi from him, turning and disappearing from sight, Ukitake following with Nanao close behind.

The next time she opened her eyes, the room came at her in an abrupt blur. Someone was sitting beside her, pale features and white hair recognizable even without further definition. The figure leaned closer and she felt cold fingers slip into her hand. “Katsumi...” The voice only confirmed it in her mind, that this was Ukitake. Even as she grew sure, his features became more visible to her, her eyes sharpening.
Tears immediately came to her eyes as she looked up at him. “You see me...” The pure disbelief in her tone made Ukitake start. He opened his mouth to say something, but her eyes left him, searching the room. “Shunsui...you touched me..”
“Huh?” Shunsui pushed himself up from leaning against the wall, raising the edge of the straw hat atop his head to look at her. “Yeah, of course.” He shrugged, leaning back again.
“What are you talking about Katsumi?” Her eyes turned to Ukitake again.
“One day...no one could see me....touch me, hear me. I screamed my lungs out, and no one flinched...not even you.” Her voice had returned somewhat to normal, the rasp still there, but it was now recognizable as Katsumi's. The voice that he'd heard from his bedside so many times, the voice he'd woken to nearly every morning since they'd graduate Shinigami Academy together. “All I could do was kill. Hollows couldn't see me either, but I could kill them. Only my zanpaku-to seemed to make it to this world. I don't know where I was...” She admitted then, sounding small and lost.
Ukitake leaned closer to her, brushing back her washed and combed hair. Unohana had taken care of Katsumi herself. She'd made sure she'd been bathed, changed, her hair flawless, cuts tended, warmth brought back to her body. “You're safe now, just sleep, Katsumi.”
“That's my line...” She murmured, struggling with a groan to sit up. Unohana was there in an instant, pushing pillows behind her and helping her up.
The woman had a naturally kind aura, making everyone at ease in her presence. “You are just as stubborn as Captain Juushiro.” She smiled, making sure she was adjusted. She walked silently from the room once more, leaving behind a cup of tea and plate of food that no one had seen her put down.
“Katsumi...” Ukitake began, only to be cut off by Shunsui.
“Nanao? My sweet Nanao, is that you?” His voice raised slightly, if possible his ear perking up as well. “Coming my dear, sweet Nanao!” He said, gliding swiftly from the room, door sliding closed behind him.
With a soft shake of his head, Ukitake smiled, looking down at Katsumi once more. His eyes softened, the black finding emotion that they'd been lacking for years. “I missed you.” He said simply.
Katsumi just smiled, her lips once more rosy, their color returned. “I never left you. Every minute you spent in bed, I was there beside you.” She said softly, voice strained with emotion, holding back tears. “I wanted to hold you so badly when you mourned for Kaien. I tried...” She said, brows furrowing.
“You'll make yourself sick..” He said quickly, wanting her to stop more for his own reasons then her health. It wasn't proper for a Captain of the thirteen squads to tear up. “I knew you were there. I never stopped thinking about you. You don't need to say anything, Onishi Katsumi...I'm glad you're back. Now you rest and I'll stay by your side”