"Ryu! There's someone who wants to see you. He's waiting inside your smithy," one of the Protectors called out as Ryu and Arashi returned to the smithy. "Is that so? I'll be right there," Ryu said as he sent the man on his way.
"Popular, aren't you? I bet you a meal it's someone from the Gotei 13," Arashi smirked. "Yeah, because I want to eat the food of someone who turns everything she grills to charcoal," Ryu rolled his eyes as he answered sarcastically, receiving a light punch from Arashi.
"Go to hell," Arashi said as she went to continue her duties. "You didn't deny it!" Ryu yelled out after her, causing Arashi to lose her footing and stumble.
"Ha, that was fun. Let's see what my newest visitor wants from me," Ryu mumbled to himself as he went inside the smithy.
"So, what brought you here, Byakuya Kuchiki?" Ryu said as he looked at the hooded figure that was covered head to toe in a simple and tattered light brown robe.
"I figured you'd know," Byakuya said as he removed the hood that covered his face. "I came here fo-" Byakuya started to speak, but Ryu cut him off. "I already know what you're here for, I was just playing for dramatic effect. I'll be straight. I can help you connect with Rukia, but I have a condition," Ryu said as he adopted a serious look in his eyes.
"Rukia is currently under my wing. As such, I have responsibility for her. You don't love her, not yet anyway, you're just doing your dead wife a favor. If she'll go with you, she'll only suffer. I'm not about that type of mental abuse. If I'm allowing you to meet with her, you need to care about her. Truly. I can tell if you don't. If you can't accept that, then there's no deal," Ryu spoke with a gaze that drilled through Byakuya.
"...I agree. It'll take some time for me to be able to act that way, but I will do it," Byakuya replied. After a few seconds of silence, Ryu stood up. "Very well, let's go set up a meeting. Though I advise you to start off small, don't go frightening her," Ryu advised as he snapped his fingers, teleporting the two away.
---
Rukia stared intensely at her squad member spar with each other. Although there was an agreement with the Gotei 13, she wanted to make sure they were ready for anything, so she bumped up the intensity of their training. She was so focused on analyzing the flaws of each of her underlings that she didn't notice Ryu and Byakuya appear behind her.
"Yo, Rukia. How's training going?" Ryu waved as he caught Rukia's attention, startling her. "What th- Can't you please visit normally?" Rukia pleaded with an annoyed look. "No can do. Anywho, can I steal you for a second?" Ryu asked.
"Not right now, I need to examine these spars," Rukia said as she pointed at the battles commencing. "No you don't," Ryu flicked his wrist, conjuring a Shinobi. "... I guess that I don't," Rukia said after a few seconds of silence before following Ryu.
"Did he want to have a re-match?" Rukia asked as she stared cautiously at Byakuya. "So you recognize who he is?" Ryu said in fake surprise while Byakuya's eyes widened slightly. "He didn't hide his Zanpakuto completely, so it wasn't difficult," Rukia said as Byakuya checked if his Zanpakuto was hidden. Sure enough, its handle could be seen popping out of the robe.
As the trio arrived at a clearing in the woods that thrived in the area, Ryu stopped. "I think this is a good enough place. I get the feeling that I shouldn't be here for this conversation, so I'll take my leave. Have fun," Ryu said as he teleported away.
Byakuya stood silently as his gaze was fixed on Rukia, who stood several feet away from him. Their previous encounter didn't end well, and the tension between them was noticeable.
Byakuya was impressed by Rukia's strength during their swordfight a few days ago, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for her abilities. He knew that she was a force to be reckoned with. Originally he wanted to use swordsmanship as a way to bond, but after the fight, he realized that he needed another way. Rukia's swordsmanship was comparable to his, he didn't have anything to teach her.
As he watched Rukia, he tried to think of a way to connect with her, to bridge the gap that had formed between them. He knew that it wouldn't be easy, but he was determined to try.
"Rukia," he said finally, breaking the silence between them. "I know that our last encounter was not the most pleasant, but I wanted to speak with you about something important."
Rukia's eyes narrowed as she turned to face him, her guard up. "And what would that be?" she asked, her tone defensive.
"I wanted to talk to you about the Protectors," Byakuya said, stepping closer to her. "I know that they are an organization that is very important to you, and I wanted to understand more about what they do."
Rukia's expression softened slightly, and she regarded him with a hint of curiosity. "Why would you be interested in the Protectors?" she asked.
"Because we share a common goal," Byakuya replied. "We both want to protect the Soul Society and its inhabitants, and I think that we could accomplish more if we worked together. I can help you train your underlings," Byakuya offered
Rukia's eyes widened slightly, and she looked at him with surprise. "You would be willing to work with me that easily, even after I kicked your ass?" she asked, causing Byakuya to choke on his saliva slightly before reforming his serious expression.
"I know that we have our differences, but I believe that we could learn a lot from each other. And besides, I have always believed that strength should be respected, no matter where it comes from."
There was a moment of silence between them, as Rukia considered his words. Finally, she spoke. "Very well," she said, nodding. "I'll work with you."
Byakuya smiled slightly, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. "I look forward to working with you, Rukia," Byakuya said softly.
"But how can you help us train? You must've noticed that our swordsmanship levels are about the same," Rukia inquired. "I can bring my division for joined training. My subordinates will gain from facing opponents far stronger than them, and your troops will gain from the vast experience my subordinates can offer," Byakuya suggested.
"Aside from that, I am also proficient at Kido. I haven't seen you use them in our fight, so I assume that I can offer that too," Byakuya added.
"That actually sounds good," Rukia said in a surprised tone. She didn't have any expectations for this conversation. Honestly, she thought Byakuya just wanted a re-match. But this was a good offer.
"I agree with the joined training, but we actually do have Kido spells. Well, it's not the same ones you use, at least not most of them. We know some of your spells, but we also have some original ones. I think we need to test them to see which is preferable," Rukia spoke with a sinister grin.
"A re-match wasn't my original goal, but I won't turn down an opportunity to even the score," Byakuya said with a glint of excitement in his stoic eyes.
"I'd like to see you try," Rukia replied.
---
Byakuya and Rukia stood facing each other, their eyes locked in a fierce battle of wills. Byakuya raised his hand and called out, "Hadō #33, Sōkatsui!" A blast of blue fire shot toward Rukia, but she was ready.
Rukia countered with one of her original Kido spells, "Hadō #70, Hōō no Ten!" A massive phoenix appeared in a burst of flames, soaring in Byakuya's direction and incinerating everything in its path, including Byakuya's attack. Byakuya was forced to dodge out of the way, narrowly avoiding the blast of flames.
Byakuya uttered the incantation for Bakudō #62 Hyapporankan, a spell that created a wall of water needles that would pierce the target. The wall of water needles shot at Rukia. Rukia responded with her own Bakudō spell, "Bakudō #67, Chijō Saikyō no Kabe!" A shimmering wall of energy appeared before her, blocking Byakuya's attacks and reflecting them back at him with double the force.
Byakuya dodged the water needles with ease before continuing to barrage Rukia with Hadō spells, "Hadō #63, Raikōhō!" A blast of lightning shot towards Rukia, but she was able to dodge it and counter with her own Kido spell, "Hadō #90, Kaminari no Ito!" A web of lightning shot against Byakuya, electrocuting him and forcing him to retreat.
Rukia followed up with another of her original Kido spells, "Hadō #50, Yaburegasa!" A giant pair of scissors made of spiritual energy appeared, slicing through Byakuya's defenses and narrowly missing him. Byakuya responded with a Bakudō spell, "Bakudō #61, Rikujōkōrō!" Six rods of energy appeared, pinning Rukia to the ground and immobilizing her for a couple of seconds before she broke free.
Byakuya didn't wait for her to regain her composure as he raised his hand and called out, "Hadō #88, Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō!" A massive dragon made of lightning shot at Rukia, but she was prepared. She countered with her original Kido spell, "Hadō #77, Kachōfūgetsu!" A swirling vortex of fire and ice appeared around Rukia, deflecting the dragon's attack and striking back at Byakuya with a barrage of elemental attacks.
Byakuya stumbled, momentarily disoriented by the shower of attacks Rukia launched at him. Rukia seized the opportunity to strike, calling forth another of her original Kido spells, "Hadō #66, Gyakusatsu Jōki!" A wave of poisonous gas erupted from her hands, enveloping Byakuya and choking him.
But Byakuya was not so easily defeated. He responded with a powerful Hadō spell of his own, "Hadō #91, Senjū Kōten Taihō!" A massive burst of energy shot toward Rukia, making the ground quake beneath it. But Rukia countered with Bakudō #75 Shin'en Kyūketsu, A Kido spell that created a vortex that sucked up the energy blast with incredible force.
"...That was my strongest Kido," Byakuya replied with a disgruntled expression. "Then I guess that makes it 2-0. But your Kido is still powerful, I'll be glad to learn it," Rukia replied while smiling victoriously. "I'll do my best," Byakuya smiled slightly as the two left the charred and destroyed clearing they fought in.