8 Chapter 18: A Lesson Needed

"Kakashi!"

Turning I saw a rather familiar face, Kaien Shiba this time in a uniform and a Vice-captain badge.

"Well look at you, a Vice-captain" I said with a smile

"Yes, I'll be serving under Captain Utitake" he declared

"Good, then meet me here" I said writing a piece of paper of the courtyard address

"Why?"

"For training"

"But I really don't need-"

"Tell your Captain and I'll meet you there" I said walking away

"But I don't-"

Training Yard

I insisted on Kaiens training due to the fact that I would most likely be doing so. Seeing the young Shiba enter with annoyed expression.

"What he tell you?"

"He said 'it'll do you some good, go train and come back with a few new skills' and waved me off" he answered

"I know"

"How did you know!?"

"Ever since I was reassigned as Vice-captain in Division 8 I've been getting request to be a teacher" I answered

As we spoke Toshiro and Momo came in with an also annoying face.

"Ah Toshiro, Momo you came good now we can get training started" I said

The three stood in a line standing at a attention.

"Now before we get started let me ask you a few questions 1: When fighting what is the first thing you look for?"

"A weak point" Toshiro answered

"No, you look for a pattern in their style"

"That's absurd, the weak point is vital in fighting" Toshiro retorted

"Oh? Even if you found it, you wouldn't be able to get to it unless you know how ones fights, if you don't you might as well let them strike you down and who knows you might find more than one weak point" I explained sternly

"Uh..." he said nervously

"Now Kaien show me how you fight"

Later

The three had been improving like most students do. After the class I needed to go directly to the Shihoin Clan.

"Kakashi!"

"Oh Byakuya haven't seen you in awhile" I said as I turned to see the young Kuchiki

"I did it" he said excitedly

"What?"

"I asked Hisana to marry me!" He said with a huge smile on his face

"Oh congratulations!"

"Thank you! To think that this day would come"

"Whens the wedding?"

"This summer, but Hisana said she doesn't want a huge wedding so she wanted me to invite those who are close"

"So that means me?"

"Of course, but could I talk to you on the way to the Shihoin-"

"Vice-captain?" A messenger called

"Yes?"

"The Shihoin have rescheduled their session for tomorrow, they send their deepest apologies"

"Tell them it is forgiven, and thank you for the update" I said

"Yes, sir"

He left quickly to tell them before they leaving their home.

"It looks like I have some time"

We stood on the balcony looking at the blue sky, and grassy plains.

"Hisana is sick"

"Oh does she have a cold?"

"No, it seems to be much more serious"

I could see that his heart had sank due to the unfortunate development.

"Will she be alright?"

"They say...she'll live long enough to do the things she needs" he answered sadden

"I see"

"So Kakashi I want your advise on what I should do?"

Carefully thinking it over I wanted to help my student, no matter how old he got he would remain that way in my eyes.

"Unfortunately I can't say it'll be alright that would be a lie..."

He looked at me waiting for something comforting to help him

"When she is gone you'll feel an enormous amount of pain in your heart, but..."

"But what?"

"Don't let the pain of her death follow you, let the happiness and love she had for you follow the same love and happiness you have make her days count"

He didn't show any emotion or tell that could be given. I had hoped that my advise and wisdom was enough to give him some closure to his question.

"I want you to meet her"

"Hmmm? Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure you'll like her"

Kuchiki Clan

Entering the home of Byakuya it was fairly large, and seemed to be small enough for their needs.

"Byakuya is that you?" A gentle voice called

"Yes, I've brought company"

Coming out of the kitchen you could tell that she wasn't feeling well. Though she was going to that dim her smile.

"Oh you must be Kakashi, nice to meet you"

"And you must be Hisana nice to meet you as well"

We sat at a small table in the family room, where food was offered. Though it was limited due to Hisanas illness, preparing us some plates for us.

"Thank you for the food"

"It's no trouble"

"Now Byakuya tells me you've become ill"

Her smile didn't dim for a second, as she treated it as normal situation.

"Yes, but I have time to do the things that need attending"

"Like what?"

"I'm searching for my sister" she explained

"Really, I don't want to cause any trouble, but you do know that finding any family in the Soul Society is almost impossible"

"Hehe that's what Byakuya tells me, but if there's a chance I can find her then I'm willing to do it" she reaffirmed herself

"Then...Good luck"

"Thank you"

We spent the better half of the hour talking with her, and she seemed content with what she was dealt.

Byakuya escorted me to the door of the Clan Estate, standing outside just for a moment.

"Thank you for coming Kakashi"

"It was no trouble, and your soon to be wife is very nice as well" I complimented

"Thank you"

"Well good night"

Home

As I returned a certain emptiness came over to me. Looking at my empty home, I began to wonder on somethings. When I die what would I see before I left? My students? My happy moments as Vice-captain? Or...nothing

"The Wolf fears?"

"Of course, we all fear something just depends on what's worth fearing"

"So what do you fear? Death?"

"No, as a Soul Reaper a chance of dying is a constant, but my fear...is being unable to help those close to me" I answered

"Such a noble man, a selfless man, a man thinks of others more than himself"

"I don't know about noble, but as long as I live...I'm going to guide them as much as I can."

Next Day

Toshiro and Kaien clashed swords as one focused on the other. Toshiro outclassed Kaien in swordsmanship, but that didn't mean Kaien was a pushover still being a formidable warrior.

The two stopped as they were out of breath. Sweat came down their brows as they stared at on another.

"That'll be enough, good you're both showing great improvement just a couple things: Toshiro be careful how much power you don't to wear out before your enemy, Kaien watch how you retreat a second off and you're gone" I advised

"Yes, Kakashi-sensie"

My students were greatest pride they went from inexperienced to Soul Reapers. I couldn't be prouder, in thought a familiar figure came. The large form of Sajin Komamura walked in the area where we trained.

"Vice-captain Hatake" he spoke quietly

"Sajin I haven't seen you awhile, how've you been?"

"I need to talk to you privately"

"Okay, you're dismissed" I said to the others

As the two left Sajin looked at me with confused eyes.

"Kakashi I made a friend a few days ago, and a friend of his died...killed by her own husband" he explained

"I see, very unfortunate"

"The thing is he wasn't given a sentence, he walked away free"

I did not know who this man Sajin called friend, but I could tell that he was confused.

"He says she loved the world always able to see the good, but when speaks of it he...has a sense of dread" he explained

From what he told me this man hated the world, he had seen the outcome as an insult.

"Losing a loved one is the hardest thing one could feel"

"But when he spoke he sounded like he...hated what she loved"

"A loved ones passing opens us to...many dark paths in those moments of pain, but if you just hold it all inside no one will be able to understand or help you" I explained the best I could

Though Sajin seemed to have understood what I tried to tell him.

"Thank you for your...advice"