Bleach: Sea of butterflies

The morning after Yoruichi's wild party was quiet and calm. Sunlight streamed in through the open windows of the 6th Division's barracks, illuminating stacks of paperwork that awaited attention. Seated behind his desk, Musashi methodically filled out form after form, his brush gliding across the paper with practiced precision.

Next to him sat Captain Kuchiki Ginrei, his expression as stoic as ever as he focused on his own stack of documents. The only sounds in the room were the soft scrapes of brushes on paper and the occasional shuffle of parchment.

"So, you and Sōjun had a party yesterday?" Ginrei's calm voice broke the silence.

Musashi's brush paused for a moment before he gave a short nod. "Yes."

"Have you thought about becoming Byakuya's guardian?" Ginrei asked, his eyes remaining on his work.

Musashi's hand stopped moving completely this time. He placed the brush down and glanced at Ginrei. "Yes Captain. Today, I'll go to see Sōjun and his wife."

Ginrei nodded approvingly but said nothing further. They resumed their paperwork, letting the quiet once again fill the room.

---

Later that day, Musashi arrived at the gates of the Kuchiki residence. The guards, recognizing him, stepped aside and allowed him to enter without question. He strode through the elegant pathways of the estate, his eyes forward but his mind focused on the task ahead.

As he approached the main building, Sōjun's wife greeted him at the entrance, cradling a small bundle in her arms. She smiled warmly at him. "Welcome, welcome, Musashi. I thought you'd look worse after last night's party."

"I know how to control my liquor," Musashi replied, his tone as steady as ever.

She chuckled and tilted her head toward the house. "Well, what are you waiting for? Come in."

Musashi nodded and stepped inside. As they moved to the sitting room, he glanced at her. "Where's Sōjun?"

"He'll be along soon," she said with a knowing smile. "After all, you're visiting."

They sat across from each other, and Musashi's gaze lingered on the baby in her arms. Her soft cooing brought a surprising sense of calm to the room. After a moment, she noticed his gaze and smirked.

"Surprised?" she asked, rocking Byakuya gently. "He's calmer than most babies, but he can be quite fussy at night. Sōjun barely sleeps."

"I see," Musashi replied, watching the baby with a quiet intensity. "He's small."

"They all are," she said with a light laugh. "But don't be fooled. He'll grow up strong. Just like his father." Her gaze softened as she looked at Byakuya, her eyes filled with love and pride. "Do you have any experience with children, Musashi?"

"None," he admitted. "I've never needed to."

"Well, you'll have plenty of chances now." She smiled knowingly. "If you decide to become his guardian, you'll have to learn."

Musashi tilted his head slightly. "Do you trust me with that responsibility?"

"Of course," she said without hesitation. "Sōjun trusts you, and I trust my husband's judgment. Besides, you're not the type to back down from something once you've decided on it."

Musashi's eyes narrowed for a moment, but he nodded slowly. "I see."

The gentle hum of the atmosphere was broken by the sound of sliding doors. Both of them turned their heads.

"Hel...lo Musashi," Sōjun's voice came from the doorway.

The man stumbled inside, looking half-dead, his hair disheveled and his eyes half-lidded from exhaustion. His sluggish movements were reminiscent of a man who'd fought a war against his own body and lost.

"Good morning, Sōjun. How are you faring?" Musashi's voice carried the faintest hint of amusement.

"Haha… not so good," Sōjun admitted with a weak smile, flopping onto a cushion. "So, why'd you come here?"

Musashi's gaze shifted to the small bundle in Sōjun's wife's arms. She smiled knowingly and met his eyes. "So? What is your decision?"

Musashi crossed his arms and closed his eyes for a moment. After a brief silence, he opened them and spoke with finality. "I've decided to become his guardian."

Both parents smiled, and Sōjun's wife stepped forward, holding the baby out toward him. "Here."

Musashi's eyes widened. "W-wait, why are you giving me the baby?!" he stammered, panic creeping into his normally calm voice.

"Just calm down. You'll be fine," she said gently, carefully placing Byakuya in Musashi's arms.

Musashi's whole body stiffened like a statue, his eyes darting around in distress. But after some time, his grip relaxed, and he began to adjust to the weight of the baby in his arms. Byakuya's small face peeked up at him, his tiny eyes blinking slowly.

"Hmph. He's lighter than I expected," Musashi muttered.

---

That night, Musashi stood in front of the 2nd Division's barracks. The night air was cool, and the chirping of insects echoed around him. He leaned casually against a post, arms crossed, waiting.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," Suì-Fēng's voice came from behind him.

Musashi turned to see her walking toward him. "Don't worry, I just got here," he said.

"So, where are we going for our race?" he asked.

"Follow me," she replied, and they walked together in silence.

After some time, Musashi glanced at her. "I thought the heir of your family would be male."

"The Fēng family goes by strength, not gender," she said, glancing away. "Besides… they're dead." Her voice became quieter with those words.

"I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring that up," Musashi said sincerely.

"It's fine," she said with a small smile. "I've already moved on."

Soon, they arrived at a clearing in the forest. "Here we are," she declared.

"What are the rules?" Musashi asked.

"No fighting, no Kidō. First to Sōkyoku Hill wins," Suì-Fēng said with a smirk.

'I see. She chose the forest for its terrain advantage,' Musashi noted.

"3…2…1… Go!" she shouted, vanishing with a flash step.

Musashi followed, his eyes tracking her every move. She darted from branch to branch with feline agility, her small frame moving fluidly through the trees. Musashi's movements were heavier but deliberate, his powerful strides propelling him forward like a charging beast.

He stayed behind her just enough to keep her confident. But as they neared the final stretch, he surged forward, overtaking her in an instant. He reached Sōkyoku Hill moments before she did.

"How?! You were right behind me the whole time!" she gasped, hands on her knees, panting. "You held back, didn't you?!"

Musashi's calm gaze met hers. "Does it matter? I won." His eyes glowed with amusement.

Suì-Fēng's face turned bright red. "F-fine," she muttered, looking away.

---

The next morning, Musashi sat at a table with Yoruichi, sharing breakfast.

"LLLLlady Yoruichi, g-good morning!" stammered Suì-Fēng as she entered the room.

Yoruichi's eyes went wide before she burst into laughter. "Bwahaha! What is with that uniform?!" she howled.

Suì-Fēng's face burned as she glared at Musashi. "It's his fault!"

Musashi kept a straight face, but he slowly looked away covering his mouth with his hand.

Pfff

A small snort escaped from his mouth. And the room went into silence.

"No way…" Yoruichi said, eyes wide. "Did Musashi just laugh?!"

(End of a chapter)