A/N: A tribute to Bleach. I really wish that Kubo had had the opportunity to finish the tale as he wanted; there's so much left up in the air! I'm still hoping that some other follow-up will be published and we'll get to see everything explained, but somehow I think chances of that are low. *sigh*
This story was supposed to be a one shot, but then it became way too long to put all in one chapter, so I had split it up. Which of course means that none of the chapters make sense in length, because they were all originally supposed to be scenes in the same one-chapter story. Point being, not all the chapters are as short as the first one, I can assure you. The chapters still give the best effect if you read them one after the other instead of taking breaks in between. I just figured it would be a lot less daunting to read 10K+ words in a couple short chapters than a giant one shot.
A good portion of this story is a fight scene. If you're not a fan of fights, then I suggest you turn back now. The fight scene is pretty long, and I'm surprised at how well it turned out. I don't usually write long fight scenes, and I was pretty pleased with it in the end. Timing of this story is set between the end of Aizen Arc and the beginning of Fullbringer Arc. Anyway, I shall stop rambling, happy reading!
Victory Scarf
"Renji," said the cold, commanding voice.
The lieutenant in question scrambled to his feet with some effort, using his sheathed sword to push himself up off the ground. He had just lost a very long spar and his legs were shaking badly with exhaustion. "Yes, Captain?" he asked.
Kuchiki Byakuya stood calmly in front of him, not a hair out of place and showing no sign of having expended any effort while defeating his lieutenant. "You will have to find something else to do at this time next week. I will be busy."
"Yes Sir," Renji said brusquely, bowing slightly. He was happy that Byakuya took any time out of his day to spar with him and was ecstatic when his captain had offered to make it a weekly occurrence. Understandably, the Kuchiki was a busy man and he couldn't always make it to their spars. "If I may ask, Captain, what will you be doing?"
He turned his head and gazed off into the distance, the slightest trace of a puzzled expression on his face. "I've been invited to spar with someone else."
"Would I be able to attend?" the crimson-haired man asked eagerly. "I think I could still learn from you by watching the fight."
"No," he answered. "My opponent has requested no observers." Byakuya flash-stepped away to attend other matters, without saying goodbye.
Renji didn't mind. His captain was usually that way. He staggered over to the nearest wall and slid down it, sitting on the ground and giving his legs a much-needed rest.