The Suicidal And The Sacrificial

Epilogue 4: The Gentle And The Kind

Division 4

A few weeks after Nozomi was released from Muken, the entire division is already dead tired of trying to fix her mess.

Isane peeked and saw Unohana piling the papers. "Is there anything I can do to help you?", the Captain asked with a gentle voice. "Ah... Nozomi-san escaped her chore. According to the report, she crashed into division 13 barracks. Should I go and fetch her?", Isane asked. "You can let her be. Captain Ukitake is better at taming her", Unohana gave a short laugh.

"Why does she has such fondness for Captain Ukitake? I mean, he's barely out of his barracks. How did the two of them meet?", Isane walked towards the table hoping to hear some answer. "Why don't you ask her?", Unohana suggested. "She said it's due to their hair color", Isane answered with doubt. "I guess that's the reason", Unohana nodded.

Flashback- 500 years ago

Tsunayashiro's Manor- Pavillion

"My dear Nozomi, did you have fun in the academy?", a bluish-white long-haired woman with blue eyes opened her arms. "I'm home, mother", the toddler version of Nozomi ran towards the majestic goddess of the clan. "A kid who is even smaller than me had this very cocky attitude!", Nozomi started complaining about the incident and the rules that the instructor read in the manual. "Rules? Like?", Hanae, the young lady of the house showed her interest in listening to her daughter's story. 

 "Do not seek beauty in battle. Do not seek virtue in death. Do not make the mistake of considering only your own life. If you wish to protect that which you must protect... ...slice the enemy you must defeat from behind". 

Nozomi gave stress to the ending statement. "You did pretty well in memorizing them on your first day", Hanae hugged a mini version of herself and held her hand as they enter the manor's main hall. 

Hall

All the servants bowed their heads and one went closer to remove Nozomi's outer garment. "Welcome back, young lady", the servant gulped as she touches the clothing. "It's not like I'm going to kill you. Why are you acting as if you're going to commit a mistake?", Nozomi engaged in a conversation. "I apologize for my action. If it sends you those thoughts, I will reflect upon them. Please spare me", the servant knelt and bowed very low. "Whatever", Nozomi pouted and looked up to her smiling mother. Some older youngsters paraded and the tension increased. The eldest kicked a servant for no particular reason. "I clearly told you not to let those lowly creatures inside the manor. Do you want me to beat you badly once more?", Daiki, the eldest teen raised his chin. "Seize your action at once, brother. The Lady of the house in our midst", a younger but taller teenager turned in Hanae's direction. "You're too soft, Kiyoshi-sama. That's why you're not measuring up as the next head of the clan. Don't tell me you're supporting that snot", Daiki glared at Nozomi who hid behind Hanae. 

"Is everyone home already", a voice came from the room at the edge and the spiritual presence inside the manor increased enough to knock off the servants. Hanae raised her hand and healed the servants in an instant. Her healing ability was known all throughout Soul Society. She was nominated to be one of the Division Zero but rejected because she doesn't want to be separated from her beloved daughter. 

The next day, 

Nozomi woke up and heard a voice in her mother's room which is just across from hers. She ran to open it upon hearing a man's voice. The huge grin on her face disappeared to see a different person. "Young lady, a pleasant morning. I believe you forgot to wear your outer garment", Jushiro bowed his head. He is seated on the tatami mat with only the center table separating him and Hanae. "What are you doing here? There's class later and you're flirting with my mother?!", Nozomi crossed her arms prepared to lecture on Jushiro. "Nozomi, he's a good friend of mine. I believe you already met the new Captain of Division 13, Ukitake Jushiro", Hanae introduced.