A Distant Beginning

Having retired to the Kuchiki Manor, for now, the Vice-Captain of Squad two would spend his time here. This place would be indelible to him going forward in each venture. But the reason he came here was to pursue a course he'd hesitated on.

His mother's inheritance to him, it felt strange he knew he had the power to do it. But the will was another matter entirely. The Bloody crimson inner world that wove his being had shattered that day. Now when he ventured in, it was a field without end. A smell filled the open air that was intoxicating.

It reminded him of his mother, but he never pushed further. He didn't desire to see what laid there until now. He rested his Zanpakuto on his lap as he rested his head against the wall. Sitting in his own room, knowing he could ask anyone to help him. This wasn't something others could do anything about truthfully.

This was a problem that came down to one person and one thing. He lingered in his room, glancing around at each fixture within the room. The Kuchiki family was wealthy, but he began to understand it more. He felt a calm soothing the pain inside him, the guilt and regret. The roads he took broke down and left agony in the wake.

The times he ventured off the path of being a Healer and caretaker of those in need. He'd been unable to do many things. Bought into lies and promises, showed his lack of cunning and resourcefulness. Far too often did he endanger others with his antics. What kind of Vice-Captain was he, the person who'd been in charge. Must have considered him a weak failure in this regard.

But as he sat there thinking over each obstacle and mistake he'd made. The girl he met in the Garden of the burned city. She had hope yet, planting flowers. He wondered how far she made it in the end. But that wasn't the business of him anymore, was it? No, his eyes looked down at the Inherited sword. It was a long time before he sighed softly.

Glancing down and just considering the place more and the time by the sun's position. Would he remain in this room and not progress at all? His cousin was wounded, his Aunt and Uncle away with business at this moment. He'd not spoken to either at the moment.

His Reiatsu felt different as he softly relaxed his breathing. Meditating now as he began to concentrate. He began to focus on his mind instead. The emotions that he oftentimes submerged beneath his guilt. The situations he walked into careless and unaware. These were things that he desired to change. These moment by moment things.

Ulv Auber was a subject matter he sat in the middle upon. While it was true he held anger towards her. Mostly because he began to realize their relationship was beyond poor. But it was a thing to be forgotten at this point in time. His digits pulled the sheathed blade to his forehead now.

Focusing as the lit candles and the scene began to alter quickly. Changing now becoming an entirely different place. He could feel the gust of wind on his skin, as the sheet's from his bed vanished. He'd stepped now into the Inner World. Entering the domain that was both his and his Mother's sword. He knew Ruin and his Hollow could be found within this domain.

These facts were common knowledge to him at this moment. As he sat and took stock of the place, a far cry from the blood-drenched place. The place was a monstrosity in the making. But this, was peaceful if anything it helped him a great deal. See what he'd done wrong in each situation more and more.

A female voice came from the tall grass, she emerged from it walking. Carrying a Kiseru pipe and resting it in her palm. "Took you a long time to get here, you aren't Kokine-sama, but." She came forward looking at him closer.

She wore the outfit of a Geisha, though it was different from the common ones. She had a smell that was familiar to her. He could taste her on the air and each sense. She leaned back, saying something else. But not for his ear as she rubbed her chin.

She seemed to understand the situation, she could test him. Sure, but he could tell that wasn't her consideration. Their relationship wasn't going to be great, though the last one wasn't either. He and his previous Zanpakuto rarely spoke. When she did venture to help him, it was for a price. His blood and broken flesh, that was the point of it.

"So, you've inherited me from Kokoine, Takehiko Kuchiki, her son. I'm alright with that, your mother was important to me. But I won't go easy on you, sit here with me. We are going to deal with every single problem you have, answer me honestly. Or we are done talking for the day, got it?"


Takehiko was snapped out of his stupor by her brashness. This wasn't what he expected given the outfit she wore. But it did make sense, it was beginning to become clear and more so to him.