Shortly after finding Hisa and the others, we were able to find a way back home, well back to the Academy at least, I got to slice through dimensional space and we all ended up tumbling into the Headmaster's room in a crumpled heap. Even if Headmaster Bara was a bit angry at us, he was still relieved that we were all okay. but the good mood didn't last long, we were informed that in our abscense Gotei 13 and Aizen's Arrancars were waging an all out war in the human world, specifically right in Karakura town where Head Captain Yamamoto had a "Fake" Karakura town made to protect the other one, most of the teachers and squads were in the human world already, the Headmaster stayed behind in order to oversee the safety of the Sereitei, and to make sure we got back safely. He told most of us to go rest, but had Hisa stay behind in order to discuss her promotion to officer, captain, whatever it was. So I left quietly to find someplace to think...
I was sitting on the hill I nearly died on earlier, it was snowing outside, I was watching as it fell by, looking back at the Academy Building I realized that...an entire year has gone by since I got here, and tons of memories kept popping up in my head.
"Was it...all really one year?" I said to myself leaning back and looking at the sky.
"What are you trying to get a cold and pass out again?" I turned to see Hisa and Toko standing there, Hisa had a slight smile and her arms were crossed over her chest and Toko sighed a bit but smirked.
"Hey come on, that was one of my off days!" I said smirking a bit.
"Uhhh-huh," Hisa said ruffling my hair and sitting down nearby. "Your as reckless at ever, you haven't really changed at all have you Vathana?"
"I think I might've gotten taller and somewhat stronger and more reliable?" I said looking to the both of them as Toko sat down nearby too, and we were all watching the snow.
"Hmm...nope same Vathana," Toko said laughing, I sighed a bit as Hisa joined in as well.
"Well you two haven't changed m-..." I trailed off, and Toko and Hisa gave me a confused look.
"What's wrong Vathana?" Hisa asked.
"Well...your an Officer now Hisa-san, your stronger than I am. Toko's even better at just about everything too, being the son of a noble family and all, and...I'm just mulling along trying to keep up..." I said sighing.
"Oh come on now Vathana," Toko said slapping me lightly on the back. "Where's that endless spirit you usually have? That determination that we followed into battle before?"
Hisa punched me lightly in the shoulder, but it still knocked me over. "Yeah Vathana, and your still calling me Hisa-san? Haven't we known each other long enough? Don't put yourself down, you got way stronger than you were when you first got here."
I looked to the both of them. "You guys...do you really mean that?"
"Damn straight they do!" I turned it was Kokoro, she was dressed in her normal clothes but with a winter jacket and scarf too.
A memory went by from when I arrived, and I was greeted by Kokoro, Hisa, Toko, Zakuro, Gwen, and Suchi-Ru. We all really did grow in the past year. Suchi was with Aizen, Gwen and Zakuro went off to live their own lives, the old group was hardly there anymore...I was honestly a bit sad, but we were still mostly here.
"Zakuro...Gwen-san," I whispered, Hisa lightly shoved me again and I turned she looked sad too, but she had a strong look in her eyes, she was truly worthy of being an officer.
"Vathana, we have to move on, the only one left from the old times is Suchi-Ru, we will get her back someday, but for now, we're here, enjoying what little peace we have, besides the Headmaster wants us to protect the Sereitei, and as your Captain I order we all follow what he wants," Hisa said seriously, I looked at Kokoro, she nodded, and Toko did the same thing.
"Alright...but for now, we should rest, I'm seriously beat," I answered falling over onto the snow and sighing a bit.
"Heh, nap a bit, when we're heading in we'll wake you up, then we'll go see how everyone else is doing," Kokoro said smiling and sitting near Hisa.
4 friends, out of the 7 that were here on that first day... we were never gonna give up, and our family / friends had gotten even bigger since that day, we had gotten stronger, and we were going to keep getting stronger. Let's continue this adventure~
