Previous: Second Meeting
Quietly, Juushiro led his companion back behind the walls of Soul Society and past Soukyoku Hill, continuing well into its shadow. His eyes remained slightly narrowed as he contemplated the latest encounter of Soul Society greatest traitor, Sousuke Aizen, something that had increased since he had approached Tsukiro Ashimitsu.
"Such requirements for just a little bit of information. Maybe I should speak with the boy. Hm, Juushiro?" The veiled threat in his whisper echoed on his mind.
Had his aid become a danger to the boy?
As they continued walking, Tsukiro became restless as he felt Kotaishi's concern. Was he scared of the fact that Aizen could be hunting for him? He wouldn't lie. He was most definitely scared. However, being that his father was in Squad Two, he had taught Tsukiro that fear is only a weakness when you deny it. When you admit your fear and strive to conquer it, then it becomes your greatest strength. You overcome fear through will and courage.
... Great, now he sounded like Hal Jordan and the Green Lanterns. He might as well start reciting the oath and go buy a little emerald ring to wear on his finger... Not that anyone in Soul Society would know what he was talking about.
Beside him, Ukitake seemed just as restless.
“Captain,” Tsukiro started, “just to assure you, I have no intention of backing out, nor am I going to let myself be killed over something seemingly as small as knowing that Aizen is after the Seraph for whatever reason and Hitsugaya is on a mission to capture her before Aizen can use her for his own gains. While I may not be stronger than whoever is after me, I'll do my damnedest to outsmart them.”
The captain nodded and smiled slightly in return for the boy's honesty. "You have a good spirit in you, Tsukiro. I am glad for that." He turned back around and continued walking further into the undeveloped spot of land, his sandals making deep imprints in the brown dirt beneath them.
It doesn't matter at this point. It's too late to pull back now. I have already made my choice. I will do everything I can to protect the new generation from the threats that loom around Soul Society.
Ukitake still hadn't told Tsukiro where they were going and it didn't seem like they were there yet. He tried to keep his imagination from running wild. All the while they trekked across Soul Society, Tsukiro kept looking back behind them, jumping at shadows, just waiting for someone to jump out and try to take his life.
Juushiro's feet stopped at a large boulder deep into the shadow of the execution hill. It had been charred and the reiatsu of his hardest and greatest teacher, Yama-ji, still lingered in the air, that and the clay dust of the soil around them. He laid his hand on the rock.
Would that my slight glimmer of hope that what has been done can been altered in time becomes true and this all be a precaution for a time far ahead of us, not now.
He closed his eyes.
You're always telling me to trust my intuition, that it is my strength and my weakness, a gift and a curse. Even when it led me against you, you weren't mad, not for that. I'm trusting your words again, today.
"Tsukiro," he said abruptly, startling the boy, "I apologize that my interest in you and your desire for knowledge has led to another casting his vicious net; however, know that I will do my best to protect you."
