Transcending Bonds

Summary: What does Sasuke see beyond his blade? That is the question he struggles to answer as he slowly remembers his forgotten past. When the question does really matter and he realizes the answer, to whom will he point his blade to: his new bonds or his old ones? Originally written by Imperialpatty

Playlist of Songs that I listened to for this chapter:

Juice WRLD - Empty

The Weeknd - Acquainted

Translation of Certain Terminology:

Reiryoku: spiritual energy, power

Reiatsu: spiritual pressure

Reishi: spiritual particles

Sasuke, how have you been? I've gotten word by way of Chief Instructor Gengorō that you chose the Second Division. I must admit I cannot help but wonder why you would go there, of all places? Nii-sama has on occasion spoken highly of Captain Soifon's abilities, but rumours of the conduct of the Soul Reapers assigned there are highly questionable…

Rukia lifted her calligraphy brush from the paper and frowned at her written words, placing the brush down onto the maroon clay tray on the table in front of her. I can sound so callous sometimes, she thought chidingly and released an exasperated sigh. "I can't help but feel a little disappointed…"

She had been certain that he would come to the Thirteenth Division. She was among the handful of Soul Reaper that knew of Uchiha Sasuke's origins in the Realm of the Living and, as far as Rukia knew, the only one who Sasuke trusted. I'm his only ally in Soul Society… his only friend. She would be lying to herself to deny she had been a little hopeful that Sasuke would join her here in the Thirteenth, if for nothing else than for their bond alone.

His sudden rise through the Academy must have undoubtedly attracted many Division Recruiters to bring them into their own ranks. It was uncommon, but not unheard of for students to be offered a seated position upon graduation, and Rukia couldn't help but wonder if Sasuke had been given such a prestigious offer and, if so, had he accepted?

No, Rukia thought, burying the thought. He isn't the kind of man that can be allured like that. A bubble of doubt formed in the pit of her stomach. Is he?

If such had happened, Sasuke would be an officer to one of the cruelest and utterly ruthless Divisions in Soul Society. Their notoriety was well known, for they were Soul Reapers that hunted and often killed other Soul Reapers. It did not matter whether you were nobility or of common stock, if your activities were noticed by the Onmitsukido, your days were numbered.

It was for these very reasons Rukia could not understand why Sasuke had chosen to go there; he was merciless to Hollows and his electrifying spiritual pressure unlike any she had ever felt, but he wasn't an executioner of souls.

Was it by your choice to go there, Sasuke? Rukia glanced at her letter again. Sighing, she took the paper, crumbled it up into a ball, and placed it at the end of several other paper balls lined up on the wooden floor. Staring at them briefly, Rukia glanced at the brush and ink jar and a neat pile of blank paper, wondering if she should bother writing a letter at all.

He's probably still adjusting there, Rukia reasoned, her mind wandering to her frosty initial experience when she first joined the Thirteenth Division. However, it hadn't taken her long to feel welcomed and forge bonds with the others. Since their last encounter at the academy, Rukia had not heard from Sasuke at all. She had sent several letters to him in the past weeks but had not received a reply which had begun to worry her.

Briefly, just once, she had considered sneaking off to seek out Sasuke but had quickly chastised herself for even humoring such a ludicrous thought. For reasons that eluded her, the Captain-Commander, including her own captain and three of his peers, had a keen interest in the enigmatic Uchiha Sasuke, and saw her friendship with him as a liability, a threat to whatever it was they had planned for him. They may very well be intercepting my letters...

Standing up, Rukia collected her zanpakutō and stashed it in her obi before making her way to the shoji doors of her room. The sun loomed over the Division Barracks and Rukia basked in its warmth before she began walking toward the main entrance.

Entering the main hall, she caught sight of both Kotetsu Kiyone and Kotsubaki Sentarō and sighed when she could hear them both arguing in front of their juniors.

"Yeah, well the captain left the most important things in charge to me," Kiyone huffed, turning away from Sentaro as her lips curled into a smirk. "You can talk as much as you like, but we both know the captain favours me!"

"Are you daft?" Sentarō insulted. "The captain would never leave the greater responsibilities to someone like you. He obviously left everything to me!"

"As if! No one in their right mind, especially the captain, would leave any form of responsibility to a gorilla-like you!"

"What did you say, you flat-chest nutjob?!"

Rukia's face flickered with annoyance while the other bystanders turned about and left the main hall entirely. Her superiors would often argue like petty siblings with one another, but for once she found her patience tested. She took a step forward, intending to intervene and chastise the two for creating a scene rather than focus on their respective duties-

She froze in her stride, her reprimands unheard as her voice was trapped in her throat as reiatsu was exerted outside the main doors that both Kiyone and Sentarō blocked off in her childish argument, now silenced. Both of their eyes widened at the spike of reiatsu; Sentarō clenched his teeth, his fingers tentatively reaching for his zanpakutō while Kiyone looked as if the air had been punched out of her lungs. However, just as quickly as the reiatsu had come it vanished like a fleeting memory and the doors slid open.

"Sasuke-san?" Rukia breathed as she was met by a familiar pair of obsidian pools, raven locks reflecting iridescent blue beneath the sunlight. His garments had changed; though he bore the garb of a Soul Reaper, his dark purple obi remained wrapped around his waist, the hilt of his zanpakutō protruding on his right. His reiatsu... she thought, processing what had just happened. That couldn't have been his... For a moment, she had thought a lieutenant had released such potent reiatsu, but all she saw was Sasuke.

"Rukia..." Sasuke murmured, his voice as soft as a summer breeze tugging Rukia from her thoughts. His obsidian eyes were solemn as always, ever hard to reveal his true thoughts or emotions. His Sharingan, however, were always fierce and calculative like a hawk searching miles away for its prey. Even she trembled beneath the gaze of his crimson eyes when she captured him in the Realm of the Living.

"Oi!" Sentarō had regained his composure yet threatened to be lost once more as he confronted the amnesiac, a bulging vein popping from his brow. "You have a death wish or somethin'?! You can't just release your reiatsu like that!"

Sasuke's gaze lingered on Rukia briefly before flickering to Kiyone, ignoring Sentarō entirely. "You must be Kiyone. I have a transferee with me."

"Hey now!" A man with a large afro appeared from behind Sasuke's shoulder. "I can introduce myself just fine without you intimidating everyone! Sheesh!"

"Hn."

Sentarō simply looked at Kiyone with an astonished look in his eye, one that his peer reciprocated in kind before the two third-seated officers approached them. "I wasn't aware anyone from the 2nd Division had requested a transfer."

"It's happening now," Sasuke answered. He took a step aside, pushing the Soul Reaper through the entrance and walked inside, with Sasuke following close behind. "This is Kurumadani Zennosuke. I've been tasked to see that his transfer is done swiftly."

"On whose authority?"

Sasuke slid his hand into his kosode and pulled out a sealed letter bearing the insignia of the Onmitsukido. He took three steps toward Kiyone and offered the parchment to her. "Everything you need to know is written on this."

Hesitantly, Kiyone took the parchment from Sasuke's fingers before she broke the seal and began to read its contents. Her eyes widened the more she read, and after a silent pause, she nodded. Handing the letter over to Sentarō, she said, "You can't be serious..."

Rukia said nothing in the exchange that followed, watching the newcomer step past Sasuke and introduce himself politely to both Kiyone and Sentaro, the latter taking a moment to read the letter and much like Kiyone, his eyes slowly widened. Turning his head, Sentaro studied both Sasuke and Zennosuke with suspicious eyes.

"Are you-"

Sasuke slipped his eyes closed. "Well?"

Scoffing, Sentarō handed the letter back to Kiyone and crossed his arms. "Look even if this isn't a hoax," he shouted, as he always does, "this is no easy matter to deal with."

"Your captain is indisposed," Sasuke commented. "Without an active lieutenant, transfers can be approved now only by the joint Third-Seated officers."

Rukia realized he wasn't wrong. With Captain Ukitake's chronic illness often leaving him bedridden and without a lieutenant, such responsibilities now fell upon both co-Third Officers, Sentarō and Kiyone. And Captain Ukitake is indisposed, she realized, recalling that his leave of absence began two days ago. Technically, either of them was able to approve transfer requests on behalf of the captain in such circumstances, but they had never done so, usually leaving such matters to Captain Ukitake once he returned to active duty.

"Look, I get this may be a special request made by your captain," said Kiyone as Sasuke slowly opened his eyes, "but you must understand that we can't just bypass our captain like this. It wouldn't be-"

Kiyone's voice was lost and both she and Sentaro's arms briefly went limp beside their bodies.

Rukia glanced between the two of them and then at last to Sasuke, stealing a glint of scarlet as he closed his eyes.

"We'll be happy to oblige," Sentarō said, his boisterous voice eerily calm.

"I'll see to the paperwork," added Kiyone, her face serene.

What did he just do?

She continued watching Sasuke as both her superiors greeted Zennosuke and introduced themselves, the once tense atmosphere fading into memory. Sentarō offered to give Zennosuke a tour of the grounds and when the latter glanced briefly at Sasuke, who gave a simple nod, turned back to Sentarō, and left with the boisterous man. Kiyone bid farewell to Sasuke and began walking back inside the main building, leaving Rukia alone with him in the now barren hall.

She had so many questions, especially after watching her superiors do a complete reversal when it came to approving Zennosuke's transfer, yet didn't know which to ask first.

"Rukia."

Sasuke's voice pulled her from her reverie. "Yes?" she asked.

"Do you have time to talk?"

"It's been a while, hasn't it?" Rukia said, her head hanging.

Sasuke was in one of the training fields restricted to use by members of the Thirteenth, the evening sun looming ever bright. It was surprisingly peaceful for the amnesiac and somewhat familiar. Both he and Rukia stood near the edge of a small koi fish pond, staring at each other's reflections on the water's calm surface.

"Yeah," he answered solemnly.

"How are things at your new post?" Rukia glanced at him, flashing a smile. "Not what you quite imagined, is it? The daily experience of a Soul Reaper, that is."

Nothing about my experience here is what I imagined. "Complicated," Sasuke answered, staring absently at one of the koi fish swimming beneath his reflection.

"How so?"

Glancing at Rukia, he considered telling her everything, about his trial to join the Onmitsukidō, why he had coerced Zennosuke and Rukia's superiors with his Sharingan to accept his transfer, the Old Man's continued interference in his affairs. He wanted her to understand, but the weight of that burden may put Rukia at risk as well. Undoubtedly her captain kept a close eye on her when he could; he didn't want her to deal with further scrutiny from him or the Old Man who was hard at work to keep secrets from him. It didn't help matters that he had been followed here. Apart from the one time he sensed it on the way to the Thirteenth Division barracks, his observer masked their reiatsu well.

Banishing his distracting thoughts, Sasuke asked, "Could you do me a favor, Rukia?"

"Huh?" Turning her head, Rukia stared up at Sasuke with curious eyes. "A favor?"

"The odd one I escorted here," continued Sasuke, who met her gaze. "Zennosuke... help him adjust here."

Rukia's smile faded into a frown. "Did something happen at your division, Sasuke-san?"

Sasuke narrowed his sight on Rukia's reflection. Too much has happened, he thought bitterly. "You can say that." He didn't know what else to say. He couldn't let her know what had happened to bring to Zennosuke under Ukitake's protection, and what he had to do in order to spare his life.

"Sasuke-san." Rukia's voice carried iron undertones as she turned to face him. "You can't talk about it, can you?"

The amnesiac brought a single finger to his lips, silencing Rukia, her eyes widening ever so slightly hinted by shock and understanding at the same time. Her purple eyes darted left but she did not turn her head. Good, she noticed him too.

"Zennosuke is more trouble than he's worth at the Second," Sasuke continued in a level tone. "He doesn't have the ability necessary to progress there, and he's already fallen under scrutiny. The Thirteenth is more welcoming to his sort and more understanding about mistakes."

"I... see," Rukia murmured, her reflection shimmering on the calm water's surface rivaling a mirror. Sasuke glanced at her reflection. As much as he wanted to say more, he was glad that Rukia wouldn't press the issue, at least not at the moment. "I'll be sure to write to you about his progress."

"Thank you, Rukia."

She gripped the fabric of her sleeve so tightly her petite knuckles paled. "Sasuke-san... if things are too difficult there, you could just transfer as Zennosuke has here. I'm certain you would adjust-"

Sasuke's voice was as sharp as a blade. "I'm staying in the Second, Rukia."

She had not expected his answer so swiftly, or so Sasuke thought as she fell silent for a long moment. "Why?"

"...I want to see the trap the old man has snared for me."

"So foolish," Rukia said vexingly, letting go of her sleeve as she turned to face him. Sharp, purple eyes with the same intensity as their duel in the Realm of the Living, her loose strands of black hair swinging softly with the breeze. "I know you aren't exactly happy with your predicament, Sasuke-san, but playing such a game with him of all Soul Reapers is completely foolhardy! Have you no regard for your own soul, Sasuke-san? If you intend to be antagonistic, they will be ruthless in their judgment!"

"I suppose you would call it foolhardy," Sasuke murmured, a small smile curving his lips. He had suffered the unwanted attention of women both human and a soul. Rukia was petite in size and stature, but beneath that was a will solid as ice and durable as steel that he found he couldn't help but respect... and admire. "We'll see soon enough."

"Take this matter more seriously, Sasuke-san!"

"Enough," Sasuke drawled out, a sigh of annoyance escaping his lips. "I'm not seeking your approval."

"Then why?" Rukia prodded. "Why tell me anything at all?"

Sasuke didn't quite know the answer to that himself. She was the only bond he had that tied him to Soul Society, the only person who he could call his friend, though he had never said it aloud. Her presence was like the verdant breeze caressing over them, soothing and calm. He could be himself around her, unguarded and comfortable. And even that's been spoiled, he thought, mindful of their unwanted audience that remained out of sight. The longer he lingered, the more danger he poised to Rukia and he would not bear that burden.

"I told you before, Rukia..." Sasuke started as he took two steps closer to Rukia, aware of how close he was to her. So was she, the faintest blush tinting her cheeks in awareness of how close he was to her, deep purple eyes laced with uncertainty. "I don't mistrust you."

"Sasuke-san..."

Closing his eyes, Sasuke pictured the bottom of the steps of the Thirteenth Division barracks entrance. "I'll be in touch, Rukia." Without another word exchanged between them, Sasuke flashed out of Rukia's sight.

Tachibana Genbu called him in. He sat in his chair with a sour look on his face. "How fares Kurumadani Zennosuke, hm?"

"Alive," Sasuke answered. "And no longer an issue of the Second Division."

"I can't say I'm pleased with this outcome," Genbu admitted. "However, you handled the matter well enough, I suppose."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed on Genbu, resisting the urge to draw his zanpakutō and slay the man. On the mission to investigate Zennosuke, Sasuke had followed his former teammate to a tea house in the Rukongai belonging to a local shot caller that ran the establishment. However, rather than selling information to him as Genbu had previously believed, Zennosuke had been paying off a debt he owed to the man, a symptom of an old gambling addiction that had left Zennosuke in a precarious situation. Only when the owner claimed that Zennosuke hadn't paid him everything that was owed despite Zennosuke's protests saying otherwise did Sasuke intervene, using his Sharingan to coerce the man to forgive Zennosuke's debt.

When he turned in his report to Genbu, the Third-Seat was not at all pleased to learn that someone from the Second Division had nearly tarnished their name by falling victim to their own vices and put them in potential risk. Initially, Genbu had wanted for Zennosuke to be punished arbitrarily anyway for dishonorable conduct unbecoming a Soul Reaper, yet Sasuke had managed to convince Genbu to have him transferred to another division, thereby 'punishing' Zennosuke to a division with little to any opportunities for advancement. Entranced is a better word, Sasuke thought, recalling how he had used his Sharingan on Genbu as he had on Kiyone and Sentarō.

"What happens now?" Sasuke asked, staring down at Genbu. "I've passed your test."

"Indeed, you have." Genbu pulled out a sheet from his desk, glimpsing it before offering the paper to Sasuke. "Tomorrow, you and those that passed their preliminary trials will be summoned to undergo initiation. Be certain to have that on your person when you are called on."

Although reluctant, Sasuke reached out and took the paper from the Third-Seat, glancing it over briefly before his eyes flickered to Genbu in annoyance. "This is a will."

"Your powers of observation are astounding as well," Genbu said, his voice was laced with sarcasm. "As you're undoubtedly aware, the path of the Onmitsukidō is not for everyone. There's a high possibility you may very well meet your end during the initiation. Consider this a courtesy extended by Captain Soifon to get your affairs in order."

Soifon, hn? Perhaps he would actually get a chance to meet this elusive captain of the Second Division, but the thought was quickly replaced by the possibilities of what he may face tomorrow. If his trial was anything to go by, the Onmitsukidō would prepare something unexpected and psychological in nature. He had yet to uncover the identities of the other initiates, and both Hansuke and Bakusuke would be asking questions concerning Zennosuke's sudden transfer. At the very least, Sasuke thought, slipping his eyes closed. I'll know what to prepare for in this initiation.

"Genbu..." Eyelids parting lazily, the tomoes surrounding his pupils spun slowly on crimson, snatching the old Third-Seat's eyes in his hypnotic trance. Genbu's body language slowly shifted into a relaxed state, his once smug expression now an emotionless blank page, his eyes staring away into nothingness. "What is this initiation?"

The Third-Seated officer's eyebrow twitched. "...Captain Soifon has had each of the initiates closely evaluated to determine where they are best suited to serve in the Onmitsukidō. However, to serve directly under the Captain herself, those chosen for the Punishment Force must undergo the initiation rite, to ensure they will seek nothing."

Seek nothing. "What happens during the initiation?"

"...You and three others shall be made to engage Captain Soifon in combat for twenty-four hours."

Sasuke's eyes widened. Of all the possibilities, he had not considered that he would have to face the captain herself. "Why would she fight us herself? Does she intend to kill us?"

Genbu's upper lip twitched. "...My captain intends to test you. Only those with wills of steel and unyielding resolve are allowed to serve in her Punishment Force. If your resolve proves brittle, Captain Soifon will break you and scatter your shards."

Scowling at Genbu's choice of words, Sasuke considered his situation carefully. He knew of Soifon only be ear; ruthless, efficient, and immensely powerful. This was no longer a matter of overcoming the challenge, but rather surviving it. I can't do it alone, he realized, swallowing the bitter pill of reality. The only chance he would have was to work together with the other initiates and form a strategy to confront Soifon as a united front. However, their identities were unknown to him, like the rest of the Onmitsukidō.

But not to Genbu.

"Who are the other initiates?" Sasuke pressed.

"...They are..." Genbu paused, both of his grey eyebrows twitching, his hands trembling.

Sasuke cursed silently. Despite the power of his Sharingan, he had yet to fully grasp their hypnotic abilities completely. Genbu was beginning to show signs of resistance, and he could not take the risk of discovery. Slipping his crimson eyes closed, Sasuke listened to the gasp from Genbu and his unsteady breathing as the Third-Seated officer regained himself.

"W-What?" Genbu stuttered. "What was I..."

"Are you okay?" Sasuke asked, revealing his obsidian eyes and feigning a slight look of concern. "You were explaining the purpose of the will when you suddenly went silent."

Genbu stared at him. "The will? Oh yes... Consider it a courtesy extended by the-"

"This is unnecessary," Sasuke interrupted, placing the paper sheet down on Genbu's desk before turning for the door. His mind was no longer focused on the aging Soul Reaper, but on who he had to face tomorrow.

"Are you so certain about that, Uchiha Sasuke?"

Pausing at the door, Sasuke turned his head slightly right, glimpsing the older Soul Reaper.

"Very."

Author's Note: To be honest, I didn't believe I'd get this chapter out at all. Within the span of two weeks, my life has been flipped upside down and made worse by this pandemic. However, I can honestly say this is the first chapter I've written that brought me back to the reasons why I started writing in the first place... and I wanted to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to you all, my loyal readers that have awaited for this story to be updated for a long time.

Also, I'll take this chance as well to apologize for missing my own deadline. I know there is no excuse for it. However, feel free to leave your thoughts on the chapter and about the progression of the story thus far. I do read all of my reviews, though I am quite poor at responding to you all. In other words...

Review. Favorite. Follow.

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Wolf's Honour