bumbling bees

A dandelion floated through the air, controlled by a breeze that had no source. Aibuhime directed the spores of her zanpakutou like a conductor did their orchestra. Sweat ran down her forehead in long rivulets, dripped from her chin, and joined the rushing river below. 

Training was difficult. Aibuhime was a scientist and a researcher first and foremost, so she wasn’t used to exerting herself to such a degree. But Shi’Kuyo believed in her, and that belief combined with the confidence she held in her mental abilities to create the drive needed to push forward. There were ninety-nine forbidden spells, and she had barely learned one. And even then, that weak mastery she had over it was just over the basics. Her spiritual reserves were far too low to actually cast kidou so complex. 

“Natsu no Hi,” Aibuhime called, and she lifted her sword into the air. 

Below her the river continued to flow. It was born from a waterfall that unceremoniously spilled from a two hundred meter drop. The cliffs were covered in shrubbery and foliage, and a rainbow occasionally bridged the forest to the falls. Aibuhime’s family, the Yatsume’s, owned this portion of the eastern Rukongai. It was one of the few places the chief felt comfortable exercising her spiritual talents. 

A dandelion touched the rock she stood on. Instantly memories flooded in, forcing Aibuhime’s eyes to close. Already three were attached. Seeing all the menial things this rock had experienced over three years made her feel as if she’d been running for days straight. When the fourth hit the other three closed off, and suddenly all energy left Aibuhime. 

“Natsu no Hi . . .,” she breathed out. 

You cannot handle four years, the spirit whispered. You can barely handle three. And look around you--you can barely control a fortieth of my full potential. 

“I have to do this, Natsu no Hi. I’m strong.” As if to prove her point, Aibuhime attempted to stand straight. Next thing she knew her foot slipped and she fell into the river. 

You push yourself too hard, Aibuhime-chan, Natsu no Hi whispered. 

Aibuhime pulled herself onto the shore and coughed out the water she had accidentally inhaled. Tears mixed with the sweat and water, and not for the first time the Kidoushuu chief felt utterly defeated. The dandelions had faded away, becoming the curved blade of Aibuhime’s zanpakutou. 

“I have too, Natsu no Hi,” she choked out. “I have to be strong, for Tokomaru-Soshi . . .even if I’m weak, I have to at least pretend like it!”