Chapter 21: Promises Unbroken

After that night I kept my word, volunteering so that I can visit Soken on yearly inspections. In those few years things were getting worse for Byakuya. His wifes sickness was getting worse, and every minute she had given in the pursuit of finding her sister. Though this time it would be her last walk.

Kuchiki Clan

Staring at the red gate I could feel a deep sadness. It covered the home like a blanket, entering there wasn't a servant in sight. Knowing my way I saw the Captain, sitting by his wifes side. Peering over his shoulder Hisana lay motionless her eyes closed. Thunder was heard from the grey clouds.

"Looks like rain"

Byakuya remained silent, holding onto his wifes hand. Keeping my gaze on the sky, the smell of rain calming. Small drips came down as the sky was trying to hold back tears.

"Kakashi..." Byakuya said just above a whisper

"Hmmm?"

"It's painful...loosing her" he spoke softly his voice subtlety cracking

"Let it out"

"Why?"

"Because if you hold it in, you'll be presented a darkness you never want to explore"

"...it hurts"

"I know, it always does"

Her eyes cracked open just a bit, enough to see Byakuya. Seeing him she smiled brightly, as it would be the last time she would see the young Captain.

"Please...don't leave" he whispered

Unable to speak she just slightly shook her head. I moved to outside the room, as lightning struck and crack of thunder. Just knowing she was no longer with us, a loud roar of pain shouted to the heavens. A man had made his pain known, not having any words of assurance.

"Remember, I'm here...anytime"

Leaving just as the rain came down, hit poured over the Seireitei. Small rivers went down the streets as everyone ran for cover.

Captain-Commander Office

The elder Reaper sat pouring us a hot cup of tea. Receiving word of Byakuyas unfortunate loss.

"I heard of young Captain Kuchikis wifes passing" he said taking a sip

"Yes...I was present" I said taking the cup in hand

Captain-Commander Yamamoto sat quietly taking in the heat of the drink. Knowing it was cold outside, sighing as our young friend was struggling.

"I have given the Byakuya sometime to get back on his feet, but now I must discuss an important matter"

I paid more attention to the conversation, putting my students predicament aside.

"Captain Isshin Shiba, has been officially declared dead"

"On what grounds?"

"We can't find any trace of him, or even his body is if he is indeed dead" Captain-Commander Yamamoto answered

"Unfortunate turn of events"

"Yes, but we must come back from such ill tidings, so I must ask you...this will you take on the responsibility as Captain?" He asked

I stared into my drink as I didn't how to respond. Not even achieving my Bankai, I still thought I was incapable of being Captain.

"I appreciate the offer, but no thank you"

"Well it was worth the effort, but you can't run forever you may be forced to take on the title" he advised

And this I knew, but I couldn't help feel it wasn't my time yet.

"I know"

Leaving I could feel his powerful stare on my back. Like a massive weight was placed on my shoulders.

As I walked throughout the Captain Counsel Chambers, I ran into Toshiro who seemed to be staring into the sky. His expression lost in thought, as he didn't seem to notice me.

"Toshiro"

Hearing me the short statured boy turned to face his visitor.

"Oh Vice-captain Hatake, I recall that I told you not to call me Toshiro"

"Did you just give me an order?"

Hearing the mistake a sweat drop came down his forehead.

"Yes?"

"So I will disregard that comment...Toshiro"

Pouting he looked down in embarrassment. I began to walk away as I knew his problem would come out on its own.

"Kakashi-sensie?"

"Yes, Toshiro?"

"...can you teach me how to use Bankai?"

I turned to see him determined as he spoke.

"Why do you want to learn Bankai?"

Returning his eyes back to the ground he clenched his fist.

"Captain Isshin died and I advised that we stay, because I wasn't able to help him" he explained

"So you wanna learn Bankai then?"

"Yes, please"

I didn't know how to achieve Bankai, but I did have theory on how. My eye the Sharingan I possessed, could allow a way to do so.

"Fine, meet me outside the Seireitei"

Outside

Toshiro did as instructed and came to my private training ground. It was the same one I had during my first few years as Vice-captain.

"I'm here, now teach me Bankai" he demanded

"Do you know how one gains their Bankai?"

"No, I don't know"

"It's something I can't teach, but he can" I explained pointing to his Zanpakuto

"How?"

"Originally you would have to force your Zanpakutos spirit into our world, but that takes 10 years" I answered

Gritting his teeth in frustration, he seemed to be in hurry to master it.

"In this case we will force it out, and you will have to subjugate it in order for him to teach you"

"What? How can we force my Zanpakuto spirit out?" He asked

"You'll have to go into your Inner world and find it"

"Then he'll teach me?"

"No, you must then subjugate it, and once you have hold of it we can draw it out here"

"Why must I draw it out here if I've already subjugated?"

"Because in there you'll need pure skill, but once it's out here it will use every trick it knows"

Narrowing his options he needed to do this or face not having a Bankai.

"How long could this take?"

"If you've paid attention in class a week maybe, more if you haven't" I answered

"Fine, let's get it over with" he growled

"Very well then"

"So how does this work-?"

As he asked his last question, I caught him with my Sharingan. Falling backwards, falling on the grass. Using my Sharingan this will keep him from being distracted by outside influences, unlike meditation which is more common than my method. He can only leave by either winning or being defeated letting him return.

I couldn't see how he was doing, his body wouldn't reflect the condition it was in. Toshiro was a brilliant fighter one of my best students, but he still had much to learn.

Keeping a careful eye his body began to sweat showing he was struggling. I wouldn't expect any less from a Zanpakuto spirit, they know their wielders. How they act, how they fight, and what they're capable of.

Toshiros breathing was getting faster, his muscles tensed and he showed fatigue. Though midnight began to approach, the young man shot up quickly taking in heavy gulps of air.

His eyes wide, his sweat dripping off his brow, clutching his chest tightly. Looking around he soon calmed himself, seeing me must've reassured he was awake.

"That was-"

"Intense?"

"Yes! Very much so" he agreed still holding his chest

"Well you're fighting someone whose known you since the first time you've held it" I explained

"Now I understand why it takes so long to achieve Bankai"

"Exactly, but you're cutting that time down in a very large margin"

He still felt as if he was still in battle , helping him up he went to the barracks. Tomorrow would be another trial for him.

"Well Kakashi Hatake, you seem to be busy"

Coming out the darkness was Sosuke Aizen, with regular cold star that mismatch the warm smile he wore.

"Well I am a Vice-captain"

"Of course you are, and the fact you're helping Toshiro Hitsugaya obtain his Bankai?"

"I may not know how to achieve Bankai, but I can at least I can help him increase his energy to a point he can obtain it on his own" I retorted

"Oh really, tell me how you intend on doing that?"

"As I told Toshiro, I have my ways"

Aizen then approach me still wearing that smile.

"You should be careful, or you could be putting him endanger" he advised

"Toshiro can handle himself, unlike a certain someone" I insulted indirectly

"Oh is that threat? You really think you can defeat a man who thinks farther than you?"

"No, but someone else will I guarantee that" I answered I then placed my hand on him

He may or may not have felt it, but I carefully placed a seal on him. I don't when such a thing would come in handy. Better to safe... than dead.

AN: Sorry if the explanation Kakashi gave on how to use Bankai is a bit vague or incomplete.