Chapter 13: The Bonds between Teacher and Student

Written by Greatkingratt88. Once again, thank you.

Fairy Tail is owned by Hiro Mashima. BLEACH is owned by Tite Kubo. Me? I own JACK SQUAT.

A new chapter brought to you be ours truly is a good way to start the month, don't you think? We've finally done It, we're passed 100,000 words! And to think, were not even CLOSE to the end of this story, no far from it! Still, I really hope you all enjoy this chapter.

Please though, leave me a review. It gives both me and my writer the motivation we need to continue!

One day turned into night, turning into another day into another night into another day, and before Erza knew it, five more months had passed, nearly a year having passed since she first started teaching. It was absurd, amazing, and a little frightening, how quickly time passed- in the few instances she had the time and energy to philosophize, that was. From dawn till evening, she was busy- with teaching, with lunch, with her students, with after-school activities, with this and that.

Some, admittedly, was entirely by her own choice- Erza was the kind of person who would rather be overworked than sit idle.

Five months ago, lying in her bed, she had reflected that maybe this was what she had needed. Before that, she had thought she was done grieving- but nightmares had haunted her enough that she could see now that had just been a delusion, wishful thinking. She had sought to drown her grief in the blood of her enemies, but that had made no difference- if anything, it had made it worse. But here, far from any hollow or suchlike monster, where she never had cause to raise her sword- here, she had found some solace. She had learned how to teach, somewhat- how to pay attention, how to balance the carrot and stick, how to command respect without fear... well, to an extent. But with all her efforts dedicated to helping others, all her energy spent on it, it had become strangely therapeutic. Erza had never imagined it, but somehow... she liked it here. Not as a place to stay at forever, but for the time being, being the sensei was all right.

Like right now, with yet another late night sparring with Abarai Renji. For all this time, they had snuck out to the dojo, at least three nights each week, and if any teacher or student knew, then nobody said a thing.

And Abarai... he had soared. She had been hard on him, every step of the way, always adjusting her skill and strength enough that he could never quite match her- but in this short time, he had come a long way. He was stronger than any of his classmates by far, faster. His reflexes were quicker, his muscles were bigger, and he had begun to hear the voice of his blade. Knowing all this, Erza's heart would sometimes swell with pride, a pride unlike any she had known for the longest while- the pride of knowing that she had made somebody's life better. Not saving somebody's life- improving it. It felt good enough that sometimes she felt a little ashamed, as if all her accomplishments as a teacher were just for herself, for healing her wounds, for making herself feel bigger. She always dismissed that, though- what point was there to work, if you could not enjoy it?

"Oi, oi, oi!" Renji cried enthusiastically, thrusting his wooden blade at Erza's face, tearing her from her musings, "Don't fall asleep, sensei! I'm not gonna go easy on you!"

"Good boy," Erza said calmly, with a smile. She was impressed, though she didn't show it- he was fast enough now that, when she was distracted, he almost got past her guard.

Thrusting viciously against her chest, feinting once against her midsection, he cut a short, vicious swipe against her neck, and Erza found she could just barely block it. The dull blade of his training sword touched her neck, and though it could go no further, it was clear- he had got her on the defensive.

"That woulda drawn blood, sensei," Renji said, grinning confidently.

"It would," Erza said contently, and shoved him backward, "but don't get so sure of yourself, boy."

Lunging forward, she struck hard, once, two, three times, nearly knocking the blade out of his hands. He hung on, just barely, and tried a counterattack- just like she had taught him. The sword stabbed forward, and Erza moved her head to the side, and firmly planted her foot in his chest, sending him flying with a kick. He landed with a thud, and for a moment, Erza wondered if she had gone too far.

But after a couple seconds, Renji groaned, and propped himself up.

"Oof..." He mumbled. "Hell, sensei, I can never win..."

"Do not attempt anything you are not prepared to fail." She said sternly. "If winning means trying and failing a thousand times, then what do you do?"

"I try a thousand and one times," He said, grunting and getting to his feet again.

"That's right," She said, nodding. "You've done well. Do not compare yourself to me- there is no student in this school you could not beat."

"Yeah, yeah," He mumbled, nodding, looking a little groggy. "So, again?"

"I think you had enough for one night," she said, laughing a little. "Sit down, rest, and go to bed when your head clears up."

"I can still fight," he mumbled defiantly, but sat himself down on the mat nonetheless.

"I know you can," Erza said merrily, grabbing two bottles of water from her teacher's desk, and sat herself opposite of him. "But you have to know when it's time to stop. That's an important skill, too."

"Do you, sensei?" Renji asked, taking a swig from his bottle. "Know when to stop, I mean."

"Why do you ask?"

"Because..." He hesitated, huffed, and drank again, "well, you always seem so... fired up, I guess. And this is just the training grounds... what are you like when it's a real fight?"

"...good point," Erza mumbled, and took a drink of water herself. "Where I came from, we never learned an ounce of discipline- it was all heart, intuition, giving everything you've got to protect your family. Back then, I'd go crazy if I had to, even if it meant dying..."

Renji drank another swig, sweat pouring from his forehead. "Is that how you... I mean, if it's not uh, too personal." He sounded anxious, as if he was afraid he'd crossed a boundary.

"No, that's not it," Erza said, shaking her head, holding her hand up dismissively, to put him at ease. "That's not how I died. Don't worry yourself. Funny that- you'd think that's how I'd go out..." She shook her head. "Anyway, enough about me."

"Yeah, sure." Renji said, wiping his brow. "Um..."

Not wanting this to turn into an awkward silence, Erza said, a little quickly, "So... how about uh, girls?"

"Girls, sensei?"

Erza shrugged. "Most your friends date and such, don't they?" She had noticed Renji- as had anyone with eyes, really- had his eye on this one student, Rukia. She had come with him from the Rukon, his one surviving friend. She was pretty, in a quiet sort of way. Typical, really- long time comrades turned lovers, you heard about that all the time. "You got somebody you're interested in?"

"I don't know what you mean," Renji murmured defensively.

"Like a certain raven-haired student? One who's good at kido-"

"Well, look at the time!" Renji said, standing up. "Thanks, sensei- I really appreciate this, but... you were right, it's late. Know when to quit, and all that. See you tomorrow night, yeah?"

Erza sighed. So much for not being awkward, then. She had a way to go still, didn't she?

Later, during lunch, Erza sat by herself in the dining hall. There was a teacher's table, but Erza never felt at home there- they were stiff people, formal and strict, and dreadfully boring. Not that she'd say it out loud, but they were not her people. So, she would pick her own table, often ending up next to other students. There was no rule against it, but it was frowned upon. Luckily, Erza felt confident she could out-frown most people in the school.

As she opened her simple lunch of rice balls, fish and soy sauce, she spotted Hinamori, looking a little undecided. Waving to her, she motioned for her to come sit.

"Come," she said, as Hinamori approached her table, "I've got a spot for you, too." She gestured at the chair opposite of her.

"Is- is that all right, sensei?" Hinamori mumbled.

"Company is better than being alone," Erza shrugged. "Sit down if you like- or don't."

Looking hesitant still, a little nervous, Hinamori eased herself down into her seat, and took out her lunch, no different from Erza's. Contentedly, Erza ate, and quietly, Hinamori joined her.

"So," Erza said, after a little while, "how are you doing in classes these days?"

"Just fine, sensei," she said shyly. "Except zanjutsu, I'm doing fine- or at least decently- in all subjects. Thanks to you, I am sure I will pass."

"It's nothing," Erza said happily. "I'm glad I was able to be a proper teacher." Nearly a year it had been, and Momo's extra lessons had ended three months ago. The girl had grown some muscle, listened to Erza's advice, and finally caught up to the rest of the class. Right now, she was just slightly above the average- she knew how to use a sword well enough for her level. Given her affinities, though, she wasn't likely to be much of a swordsmaster.

"How is kido?"

Momo smiled lightly.

"Sensei says, well..."

"Go on, say it," Erza said encouragingly, "if you got praised, it's all right to tell people about it."

"Sensei said my essay about the flow of spiritual particles upon the discharge of an offensive kido was brilliant. He said I was years ahead of my class. He even said..." She blushed. "He said it was genial."

"There you go," Erza said, nodding cheerfully, "I couldn't do that in a million years- you'll make an expert mage, I'm sure."

"You can't have been that bad, sensei," Momo said, ignoring the praise. She was humble, Erza had noticed- she seemed uncomfortable with being in the spotlight, with being better than others.

Erza took a bite of her last rice ball, and chewed. "You know how you were in swordsmanship? That was me in kido. I could barely control my own reiatsu at all."

Momo giggled. "It's hard to imagine you as a student, sensei."

"I'm serious," Erza insisted. "I would have failed my first classes, if it wasn't for..." She went quiet.

If it wasn't for Marisa.

"Sensei?"

"It's- it's nothing," Erza mumbled. Damn it, she should be able to say it as it was. "There was somebody, a clever girl who was good at kido- like you, but a little bolder- who held me up, who got me through the first month. I owe her a lot."

"Is she..." Momo said, and trailed off, looking nervous again. They both knew what she meant, and Momo looked scared, like she had gone too far. "I- I mean, I don't want to pry, sensei-"

"She died." Erza said flatly. "Back then. I'm sure everybody knows, anyhow. It's nothing to run from."

"I'm sorry, sensei."

"Don't be." Erza said, trying to sound neutral. She felt a sting at the memory, tugging at her heart in ways all too familiar, but she was in charge of herself- she was well past the point of breaking down. "It wasn't your fault. Or my fault. It was nobody's fault. I shouldn't have brought it up, really."

"No, it's fine," Hinamori said, shaking her head, "you still remember those people, and that's good. You shouldn't act like they're an embarrassment, sensei."

"They're not," Erza mumbled, "but... well, I guess it's good to remember them for the good they did."

It was strange, how close Hinamori had become- a student giving a teacher advise, on personal issues, Erza was fairly sure that wasn't standard. But even so, she found she didn't dislike it.

"That's right," Hinamori said enthusiastically. "You should think of the good times."

"I will." Erza mumbled. "In my own time." She sighed, and downed the last piece of rice. "Well, for now, that'll be enough, I think. Good... good talk, Hinamori."

With that, she stood up, and walked away- just like, she realized, Renji had this morning. Ways to go, indeed.

The next day, Erza walked across the school courtyard, having just finished a class. A little break was in order, although it would be mostly her drinking tea while grading student performance. At least it looked pretty outside, autumn having coloured the trees in marvelous shades of red, yellow and brown.

Which was why it was all the more irritating when she was interrupted, some man blocking her path, with a posture like he owned the world.

"Erza Scarlet, kendo teacher?" He demanded authoritatively. He was posh, that was for sure- he wore wavy, flowing robes in several layers, with the most extravagant colours- golden, deep purple, deep blue striped with silver. His face was strict; he had a hawk nose and thin lips, and it was like he wore a great big sign that said 'Look at me, everybody, I am very rich and important'.

"That is I," Erza said, sighing inwardly.

"Do you know who I am?" He said, as if it should be obvious.

"Should I?"

He harrumphed. "I am Akamura Senrei, first of my house, lord of the great and venerable house of Akamura, true and loyal servants to the Gotei Thirteen-"

"Did you want something?" Erza said brusquely. It wasn't very polite- but, it seemed, neither was he.

"Do I want something?" He sneered. "I have come to put an end to your vicious persecution of my son, Jinto!"

Oh dear. Sighing even deeper in her mind, Erza said,

"If you have a complaint, file it with the principal."

"I tried that. Many times! And each time, I got vague answers, excuses, and hints that you were an unruly, unprofessional teacher with no respect for authority or reason! So I came here, in person, to settle this matter once and for all."

Akamura Jinto had been a nuisance since the first day, Erza recalled, and though he had settled down in her class, he was anything but a model student- arrogant and condescending, viewing the rules are guidelines at best.

"All right," she said coldly, "let's settle this."

"Good! Good!" Senrei said angrily. "You will leave my son alone, you will apologize-"

"Let's settle how he skips class when he feels like it. Let's settle the way he bullies around students weaker than him. Let's settle how he underperforms, and acts like he still has a right to pass class."

"What?!" Senrei cried. "You rebellious bitch, how dare you?"

There were people watching now, all over the school yard; students, teachers, one pair of eyes after another turning her way.

"Why don't we discuss how he's tried to peek in the girls' dorm rooms, several times?" Erza continued mercilessly. "Why don't we discuss why he has no respect for anybody? Children are ignorant- they are as good as their parents taught them to be. So why did nobody teach him respect? Why do you come here, demanding respect for your son, when he's doing nothing to earn it?"

"How dare you!" Senrei shrieked. "My son is a genius, and it is commoner filth like you, envious of our talent and success, who are the problem here! I don't know how you got this far, if you bribed, stole or whored your way up to a comfortable position like this, but I will not allow this kind of disgraceful behaviour! I'll see you fired, you and every last school employee!" He was practically frothing, nearly running out of breath as he screamed his insults.

"I've nothing further to say." Erza said. She wasn't even angry- this man was pitifully angry, self-absorbed and ignorant; being insulted by him was nothing. "Teach your son better manners, and there won't be a problem."

"Enough!" Senrei shouted, and raised his hand to slap her. Easily, Erza blocked his strike with her forearm, and quickly grabbed his wrist, holding on to it hard. There was a circle around them know, mortified teachers and excited students, looking at her and this obnoxious man as if they were the center of the world.

"Yes, enough. I agree." Erza said coldly, gripping his wrist even harder.

"Unhand me, you lowborn scum!" Senrei cried, desperately trying to break free- but in vain; he was nowhere near as strong as she was.

In the crowd, Erza could see some kids from her class- including Jinto.

"Akamura!" She demanded harshly. "Yes, you- I can see you at the back! Walk up here, right now!"

Looking deeply uncomfortable, the young Akamura walked up to her, watched by all.

"Your father is under the impression that-" Senrei interrupted her, shrieking some more profanities, but Erza squeezed his wrist a little harder, and he went into a quiet whimper, "under the impression that I have been persecuting you. Bullying you. This is a serious charge. Do you agree with your father's assessment, Akamura?"

The nervousness on his face, the discomfort, the fear- Erza did not envy him.

"Come on, father," he mumbled nervously, visibly upset, "just- just let it go. It's fine. I can handle it myself, I-"

"She is a criminal little bitch, and we will not stand for this affront to our pride!" Senrei cried out, his tone in between a squeal and a shout.

"You did not answer my question, Jinto," Erza said steely. "Have I treated you unfairly? Would you like to take this up with the principal?"

He hesitated, for a long time, looking torn, but then said,

"N-no. No, all right? Just-just leave it be. Please let him go, sensei."

"Well, there you have it," Erza said, finally letting go of Senrei's wrist. "There has been a misunderstanding. Your son was not persecuted, but you acted out of fatherly concern. Let that be enough."

"What the hell are you thinking, Jinto?" Senrei hissed, rubbing his wrist. "She is- she's a low-born whore, and you don't have to take this abuse! This will go to all the courts, I swear it!"

"Father, I- I have class soon," Jinto mumbled, nervously looking around him, "I have to go, all right?" Quickly, he hurried away, away from Erza and back to the circle around them.

"Come back here, you little brat!" Senrei sneered. "I swear to all the gods-"

What he was about to swear would be forever a mystery, because Erza's fist connected with his jaw, and into the schoolyard mud he went, face first. She could hear cheers from parts of the crowd behind her, students howling, laughing, whistling.

"Harassing a teacher, attempting assault, all in front of witnesses? Take it to your courts, then." Erza said. "I'm not afraid of you, or your money."

"You'll regret this," he sneered, slowly getting himself to his feet. "If it is the last thing I do, I will see to it that you will regret this indignity, Erza Scarlet!"

"I'll be right here," she said calmly. Then turning to the others, she said loudly and clearly, "What are you all looking at? You have classes- the show is over, move along!"

Slowly, the crowd dispersed, each one going their own way. She could see her students, looking amazed; she saw other teachers, looking utterly horrified. She saw Jinto, leaving the scene, with a look of utter shock on his face. And last of all, she saw the principal coming her way, with a grim expression on his face.

"You really messed up this time, Scarlet," He said, shaking his head. "Come with me. To my office, right now."

She was marched into his office, and somewhere in some distant, absurd part at the back of her head, it struck her that she would be late for class. And then, of course, it started to dawn on her, slowly but steadily, that maybe she had really screwed up.

"Principal Kateyama-" She began, but he stopped her immediately.

"Just... be quiet." He said, in a strangely low-key tone. "Shut up for a minute." He walked over to his desk, an aged, finely polished thing, and took out a liquor bottle, and a glass, and poured himself a healthy drink. He took the glass in his hand, and downed the liquor in one gulp, and gave a deep, throaty grunt.

"I needed that," he said, sounding strange- not angry, not afraid, just... sort of hollow. "Gods, did I need that."

"Sir-"

"Do you know what you have just done?" He snapped, pointing at her angrily.

"I stood my ground." Erza said stubbornly. But now, with the anger she had felt dissipating, her frustrations gave way to worry. Akamura Senrei was rich, and influential- although to what degree, she did not know. He could make life difficult for her- maybe even stop her career entirely.

"Stood your ground!" Kateyama snorted, now working himself up into a proper fit of rage. "Oh, you stood your ground all right- and then it opened up under your feet!"

"That doesn't make sense-"

"Shut up!" He snapped. His cheeks were reddening, and he was breathing heavily. "You humiliated a nobleman in front of all these children, and now..." He rubbed his temples. "Do you have any idea what this could mean?"

"I could lose my job," Erza said cautiously, "and-"

"You're always so damn smug," Kateyama sneered, "proud and stubborn, because you're strong. Always looking down on the rest of us, without knowing the first thing about tact, diplomacy or subtlety, and you just..." He trailed off, almost choking on his words.

"You wanted me to give them special treatment. I wouldn't. That was all."

"You think that was all?" Kateyama roared. "Do you think you'll just be fired, that he'll be happy with that? He'll see you executed- and he'll see every teacher on this academy fired! Every last one! We'll be lucky if he decides we shouldn't get a hundred lashes each for this!"

"You can't mean..." Erza mumbled. Surely, he couldn't go that far?

"Don't you see why we have to kowtow to those pathetic nobles? They've got money and power, and we don't. And now, because you decided principle is so goddamn important, you've endangered every last one of us! What are you going to do, hero? Protect us all?" He ended, sarcasm dripping from his voice. He took a deep breath again, and poured himself a new drink.

"Do you think it's easy?" He sneered, pouring himself another drink. "Do you think it's easy, passing incompetents because their father is rich? Ignoring their bullying? Oh, I'm sure you must look down on us all- but you never had to walk a mile in our shoes. Not a single damn step, Erza Scarlet, not a single damn step!"

"I never..." Erza mumbled. But it wasn't wholly true, she knew- she had never understood or approved of the way the teachers gave in, and never thought much of why. It had seemed... cowardly. But bravery was easy for the strong, and difficult for the weak, and this was a kind of enemy she couldn't take her sword to.

"Yes, you did." Kateyama said, with steel in his voice. "And it worked. For a while. They were more afraid of you than of their fathers, those brats. But you took it too far, and now, we all pay for it."

"I never meant..." She mumbled.

"Of course you didn't." Kateyama said, with a despairing look on his face. He buried his face in his hands, and groaned. "You are a good person. You've got a sense of justice. It's just that you haven't got much else going for you. "Look at me- I've been here for over two hundred years, bowing to spoiled brats with rich fathers every step of the way. I'm sure you must think it's pathetic- but I worked myself to the bone to run this school right, till my back nearly broke, because that's why I am here- why this school is here. To guide the young in life. And that meant being practical, knowing when to be strict, knowing when not to..." He groaned again.

"It's not pathetic." Erza said firmly. "You've done what you had to- I see that now."

"It's a little late," Kateyama mumbled. "But it's appreciated, still."

"They couldn't shut down this school, could they? They need shinigami."

"That they do- but they can replace every last member of staff."

"That won't happen."

"Is that so?" The principal murmured. "Good heavens, I need another drink..."

"I won't happen," Erza said, putting her fist over her heart, "because I'm going to take full responsibility."

"What now?" The principal murmured, as he poured another glass.

"Write a statement." She said, nodding eagerly. "I've been an unruly, rebellious character, I haven't worked well with other teachers, and despite complaints I never listened. I'll sign that, you can show it to the courts, or whatever necessary- I'll take it all on myself."

"You stupid damn hero," Kateyama mumbled, downing another drink, "want some?"

"No thanks." Erza said.

"You would sign this?" Kateyama said, sitting down behind his desk. "All on yourself? They could see you executed, you know."

"I don't intend to die like this." Erza said, with conviction. "Write it down right now- make me out as horrible as you can, I don't care. Nobody should be punished for this that didn't have anything to do with it."

"You're certain?"

"You have a school to run, principal." Erza said, smiling. "That's all that matters, isn't it?"

"...I suppose." He murmured. He procured an ink pen from his desk, and a sheet of paper. "Well, let's write then, shall we?"

"Yes, sir."

Erza missed her class that day. A document was drafted, she had read through it and approved it, and finally put her signature on it. When the time came, at least the school would be safe. She had half expected to be arrested the same day, but oddly enough, the day passed without much else happening. And so did the next, and the one after that. She doubted this would be the last of it, but for the moment, life continued on as usual.

So it came to be that now, three days later, she was again training late at night with Abarai. He had grown much now, fast, strong- it was a workout training him, one that she welcomed. It had been long since she had even held her zanpakutou, and it was good to remind herself that she was a fighter at heart, if a teacher for the moment.

This particular night, though, Abarai was different. His movements were sluggish, and he made mistakes she hadn't seen him make in months- again, and again. Finally, having smacked him across the head for the third time in a row in an all too simple counterattack, she stopped, stepping back.

"What is it, sensei?" He said irritably, assuming a stance.

"Abarai, sit down." She said firmly.

"What? I'm here to train-"

"Sit down." Her tone was one that accepted no disagreement. Looking confused, Abarai sat down cross-legged, and Erza followed suit.

"What's going on, sensei?"

"You tell me, Abarai," she said, stretching her arms. "you're the one that keeps fighting like a beginner. What's eating you?"

"It's nothing," he said evasively, "just- just stuff. School is hard and all that, you know?"

It was a pitiful excuse, and even Erza could see it was a blatant lie.

"Abarai," she said, looking him in the eye, "I will not force you to tell me what eats at you. However, I will not train a student who lacks the focus and conviction. You showed me that when we first started- so what changed?"

"I..." He mumbled, running a hand over his mouth, looking exasperated, "it's this... thing, all right?"

"A thing," Erza said, nodding, "and what is this thing that has you this upset?"

"I'm not upset!" he snapped.

"I can tell," Erza said dryly.

"It's just..." He sighed, grunted, and leaned back, holding himself up with his arms. "Just... never mind, sensei. It's nothing you need to worry about."

She sighed, and smiled at him reassuringly. "You know, we teach boys to be strong. Girls too, since this is a school for shinigami- but boys especially. But there's one thing they aren't taught at all. You know what that is?"

"Sensei?" Abarai said, sounding confused- and curious.

"What you don't get to learn, what people don't tell you nearly enough, is that even when you're strong, it's okay to be weak. It's okay to tell people how you feel- bottling it all up isn't good for anybody. When you're down... if you have people to rely on, then rely on them instead of trying to do it all on your own. Do you understand?"

He sat quiet for a while. "...I guess." He murmured after a while. There was a look on his face, emotional, uncertain. "Look, I can trust you, right? You're not going to tell nobody?"

"Not a soul." Erza nodded.

"It's stupid, really." He grumbled, looking down at the floor. "I shouldn't be mad. It should be good. I should be happy!"

"But you're not."

"Yeah."

"What happened?"

"It's- it's Rukia," he mumbled quietly.

"Did you-"

"I didn't do nothin'!" He said sharply. "It's just... simple. Some bigwig came to see her yesterday." He stopped, hesitating again.

"How big are we talking here?" Erza said curiously.

"Head of the Kuchiki clan" Renji said sullenly. "Wigs don't get much bigger than that."

"...no, they certainly don't. What happened?"

"They wanna adopt Rukia," Abarai said, sighing, "and uh, I should be happy, right? She'll get everything she ever needed. She'll have it made for life. That's good, right?"

"But you don't feel that way," She looked at him, and tried her best to sound understanding, "that's all right, Abarai. I'm going to make a guess- she'll be rich now, she'll be nobility, and you're still a poor kid from the Rukongai. You're afraid you'll lose her. As a friend, or... well, more than that."

He didn't say a thing, but he didn't have to; the looks passing over his face said it all. Hurt, sadness, anger, displayed as clearly as a painting on a canvas.

"That rich fucking prick!" He sneered. "I'm going to graduate, I'm going to work my ass off- and I'm going to one-up him!"

"What good would that do?" Erza said bluntly.

"...I dunno," he said, shrugging. "I just... I want to be... I wanna be good enough for her, all right? That's all I want!"

"I don't know Rukia as well as you do," Erza said, cautiously- she was treading on thin ice, she realized- "but she never struck me as the kind of girl who needed her friends to impress her. Do you think she is shallow?"

"Of course not! She- she's the best there is, and..." He trailed off, emotion thick in his voice.

"If she truly is your friend, then no amount of money and status can get between you," Erza said, and made a fist, putting it over her chest, "and if it ever happened that she felt the way you did, then I don't think she'd let that stop her. She's strong. You love her- so show her more respect than that. She's not a prize, she is your friend. If you are good enough for her, it won't be because you are strong or rich, but because you are who you are."

Or so she guessed, at least- Erza would be the first to admit she didn't really know the first thing about romance. Act like you knew what you were doing, just like day one...

"I... I guess so," Abarai said, stubbornly staring down into the floor. "I just... this... this has me really fucking edgy, like I wanna hop outta my own skin."

"Renji," she said, calling him by his given name, something she only rarely did, "it's okay. It's okay for you to be angry. It's okay for you to be frustrated. It's okay to feel weak. Things will happen the way they happen, and sometimes, we're powerless to help it."

"So what? Do I just roll over, forget this?"

"However," Erza said sharply, "we always give our all, no matter what. If you want something to happen, work for it. Do you want her to notice you? Then talk to her. You could get rejected- but your friendship will survive. Or you might not, and everything you wanted might come true. Do you want to be powerful, strong? Then don't do it for somebody else. Do it for yourself, Renji, to protect your loved ones- not to live up to what you imagine is somebody else's standards. Don't live your life for other people. Live it for yourself, the way you want to."

"...uhm." Renji said, looking stunned. "I uh, I dunno..." He sat quiet for a while, just staring at Erza. She had raised her voice, she realized, let that teacher's mask slip, let her true self shine through.

"Yeah, maybe," he said, at last, slowly standing up, "yeah, who the fuck knows. I dunno. Maybe you're right. Or maybe I should just try'n find a way to punch that rich git in the nuts some day." He walked slowly towards the door, and Erza felt unsure- had she really helped him, or had she just done more damage?

Then, before going out the door, he turned his head towards her.

"...thanks, sensei." He mumbled. "That- that was good. Havin' somebody to talk to, it's... uh, it's good. For me. Thanks. I uh, feel much better now. I'll uh, just go... I promise I won't slack next time, okay?"

"Sure thing!" Erza said cheerily. And with that, Renji walked out of the dojo, feeling as overflowing with emotion as only a young man could.

The next day, between classes, something unexpected happened. She was on her break, and on her way to the teacher's lounge, she passed by the kido classroom. She walked past the door, absent-mindedly noting that it was open, which was unusual- and then, having taken a few steps past it, she realized that she recognized the voice coming from inside the classroom.

She blinked. Could it be? Quickly, she turned around, glancing into the classroom, as discreetly as she could.

"And as you can see from the spirit particle flow, it is not only the added power that transforms the essence of a higher level hadou, but the skill of the caster. Each word has a subtle effect on the energy we manipulate, at a molecular level. That is the essence of kido, offensive, defensive or otherwise, bending spirit particles to our will. Understanding this allows us to..."

Erza spaced out, just staring for a bit. The glasses, the short brown hair, the gentle voice... Aizen, her old sensei, back in that classroom- just the way it had been all those years ago. It felt like an eternity, and like yesterday at the same time.

"Fascinating, isn't it?" It was the voice of the regular kido teacher, a woman named Shikumi. She usually had a prim, proper and strict look on her face, the kind that just oozed disdain, but today she looked... pleased.

"Aizen-taichou paid a visit on a clerical errand, and offered a guest lecture. His knowledge on the minute details of kido workings is amazing- the students are luckier than they know, hearing his words of wisdom."

Erza felt like she spoke solely because she felt the need to praise him, not because Erza was here- the two never had got along that well.

"Yeah, that's true," Erza nodded. "I uh, I remember when he taught me..."

"Oh yes, he did teach back in your day, didn't he? What was he like?"

"Very... attentive." Erza said. She wasn't looking forward to a conversation about this- but luckily, as if to answer an unsaid prayer, the bell rung, and the students stood up, bowed to Aizen, and walked out.

"It's been a pleasure," he said, watching them leave.

Erza stood there, watching the class flood out, all of them seeming... excited, for once. Theoretical kido wasn't usually an uplifting subjected, even for the talented; to Erza, it had been hell on earth. He had made a difference, it seemed.

Among the last out was Hinamori, looking like she was about to burst.

"Sensei!" She exclaimed happily, when she saw Erza. "Oh sensei, you should have seen it- it was brilliant! It's just... I had no idea how many things I don't know!"

A strange thing to be excited about, Erza thought, but she nodded and smiled nonetheless.

"There is so much to learn, and... it's like an endless field of knowledge! I could work on kido all my life, and not learn an iota of the sum total of what there is to know about it!"

She said it like a child who had just found a giant cave full of free candy.

"He taught me too, you know," Erza said, chuckling lightly.

"Oh yes, I heard he used to teach here- wasn't he wonderful?" Hinamori said, with a dreaming look in her eyes. "I don't want to disrespect Shikumi-sensei, but..."

"He's an expert," Erza said, shrugging. "and a decent man, too. He helped me pass when I was clueless."

"Yes- an expert." Momo said, nodding eagerly. "I want to study this- I want to learn all these things, not just one lecture..."

"Maybe that can be arranged one day." It was Aizen's smooth, calm voice, coming from behind her.

"Sensei- taichou!" Momo squealed. "I didn't mean-"

Before she could embarrass herself, or choke, Erza cut in, "She is the top of her class, you know."

"I noticed you took notes. Very energetically, actually. Was I mistaken, or did you break a pen?"

"Two, actually," Momo said, blushing. "I'm- I'm sorry, I don't mean to interrupt..."

"I do not often see students with such passion for the subtle arts," he said, and smiled, "it is a joy to see. I am not a teacher anymore, but sometimes I miss the privilege of shaping young, impressionable minds. There is no greater joy, I think, than guiding others to success."

"Or kicking them until they manage," Erza said, chuckling lightly.

"Oh, I don't believe I was as harsh as that," Aizen said, smiling at her.

"I was the kind to need some serious motivation," Erza assured him.

"Kicking?" Hinamori mumbled, giving Erza a confused look.

"Scarlet-sensei is making a joke, Hinamori-kun," Aizen said, "she never was very skilled in that particular field, but that is no cause to stop trying. Suffice to say she found kido... challenging."

"Still do," Erza said, shrugging. "I use it sometimes, but... well, I'm more of a brute force kind of person. Not like Hinamori here, she knows what's what."

"So I noticed." Aizen said, and Hinamori looked a little overwhelmed. "Well, I must be going- but I wanted to say: I heard about your trouble with nobility." He looked at her, the smile gone, and continued with a serious tone, "I want you to know you have friends where it counts. Should it come to that, you will get a fair trial."

"...thanks." Erza said. It was not exactly overjoying to be reminded of it, but knowing she had support was good, still.

"Well, I shall be going," he said, turning around. "Good luck, Scarlet- and Hinamori, I look forward to seeing what you can achieve."

Just after he had turned around the corner of the corridor, Hinamori turned to Erza. "Did he really mean that?"

"He's more tactful than me," Erza said ponderously, "but I've never known him to lie, or flatter people. If he says you are talented, then he believes it. I do too, actually," she added.

Looking positively elated, Hinamori hurried away, presumably to the next class, shouting a quick good-bye. Erza smiled. As difficult as it could get, there were people worth fighting for- it was good to be reminded of that.

With the bustle and stress of teaching, with the duties of a shinigami, even with the threat of a nobleman hanging over her, some things were never altered. Today was such a constant, something that she would never let change if she had any say in it. Here, today, she was off work, walking up a small, elegantly maintained dirt road leading to the Gotei Thirteen's designated graveyard. Well outside the walls it lay, but still not so far you could not reach it by foot without difficulty. Every year, on this day, she would come here, to offer flowers to the tomb stones, to remind herself not of her failure, but that they had been good people, her classmates, and it was only her memory that let anything of them live on still.

It was a quiet, desolate place, well maintained but mostly deserted. There had not been much left to bury, but stones had been raised still- the Gotei had at least that much respect for its service members. And walking through the gates, taking her time as she strode through the alleyways, she took in the solemn, sad serenity of the place, feeling the smell of flowers, dirt, trees, every step of the way. Inevitably, she came to her destination, because no matter how slow she took it, each step was one foot in front of the other, one step closer.

Thus it was that, for too many years in a row now, she stood before the graves of her fallen comrades. Quietly, she placed a flower before each stone, until there were only three left. Upon those three, she placed a garland on each one. They were more expensive, and much grander, and part of her always felt that it was unfair- but there was no denying it; these three had mattered more to her. She could barely remember the names of the others now, each one fading from her memory each year little by little, but these three had been her friends.

Marisa. Remon. Sensuke.

She felt a tear at the corner of her eyes. She hadn't cried for a long time, hadn't felt the need to- and she didn't feel the need to hold that back, either. But life had moved on, and the sincere sadness in her heart was enough, the feeling of loss, the experience of memory- it was enough to honor who they had been.

"You made it, huh?" It was a tired, raspy voice, mumbled from behind her back.

"Of course," Erza said, her voice quiet, subdued, thick with emotion, "always, no matter what."

"Yeah..." It was Rod, of course, the one and only other person who would come here on this day. "Fuck, I don't know why I keep coming- I hated them all..."

"You're lying, as usual," Erza said, smiling slightly, and turning to face him, "it's easier that way, isn't it?"

"Something like that." He was smoking a cheap cigarette, and looked older- he did each year. Worn, wrinkles forming at the edge of his face, dark rings under his eyes... and still looking like nothing could hold him down.

"Every year. Because you're still a good person."

He laughed joylessly. "It's nice to have at least one person who thinks that about me- even though it's as wrong as wrong gets. We do things, over in the special forces..."

"That would send chills down my spine, right?" Erza shot back teasingly. "I don't think anything would shock me now- but you can't tell me, or you could, but you'd have to kill me?"

"Your sense of humor is dreadful, Scarlet," he said, but there was a small smile on his face, despite his words.

"How have you been doing? I hardly see you these days."

Rod shrugged. "You can joke, but since I joined the special forces, most of what I do is confidential. I can tell you I got ninth seat there by now, and that I'm doing well... well, where I work, you either do well in your missions or you tend to come down with an unfortunate case of death."

"Now whose sense of humor is terrible?" Erza said, feeling glad, despite the scenery around her.

"Still yours. I am a veritable comedic genius- if I didn't love crawling around in the mud, hiding perfectly still for days on end, constantly doing near-death situations and grueling paperwork on top of that so much, I'd resign to become a standup comedian."

Erza sniggered. "Before you know it, you'll be personal assistant to the commander herself, for sure."

"Some fat idiot got that spot already, and he's connected. I like it well where I am. So how about you?"

"I'm actually a teacher," Erza said, "for the time being. I'll be going back to soldiery eventually, but right now, I boss kids around until they learn how to wave a stick right.

"You?" Rod said, choking with a short burst of laughter. "If there is a god, he has a sense of humor, at least!"

"I'll have you know I am very appreciated by my students," Erza protested.

"And feared."

"And feared," she admitted. "A bit of both works, I find. You wouldn't believe how good it feels to make somebody else find their way. Exhausting, but good."

"Maybe I chose the wrong profession," Rod said, shrugging. "Well, too late now, I suppose." He tossed his cigarette away, and put it out with his sandal. He sighed. "Here we are, in this depressing place..."

"We don't need to be here much longer. We could go to dinner," Erza said, nodding encouragingly.

"Nah- but thanks," He said, taking out another cigarette, "I've got another assignment, starting in an hour. I had to do some serious scheduling to even fit this in. Still... I'll take you up on that dinner some time later."

"Whenever you can, sure," Erza said, nodding, "I don't want to lose contact. Don't be a stranger."

"I feel like I am one already," he said, a bit hopelessly. "Well, I'll see you around- later, Scarlet."

"Good bye, then," Erza said, and watched as he turned around, walking off. No more than ten minutes had he been there- but he had come, and that was what mattered. She wondered how he fared- did he have close friends to rely on in the forces, like she had had, like she still did? Somehow, she wasn't sure.

She stayed for another half hour or so, just taking in the scenery, before turning to walk away, too.

"Sleep well, all of you," she mumbled, as she began her walk back, "you've earned it."

She left the cemetery feeling sombre, solemn, and more aware of the sun's rays than before, shining down on her.

But there was more around than sun rays, tweeting birds and trees, she noticed. Only a hundred feet or so within the exit gates, she felt a presence.

"Come out," she said, firmly but not with hostility. Looking embarrassed, a little ashamed even, Hinamori Momo stepped out from behind a tree.

"I'm sorry, sensei," she began, but Erza did not let her ramble, stumble into her own insecurity.

"Should you not be in school?"

"A-actually, I had double classes of kido today, and I am ahead of the curriculum. A lot." She said shyly.

"Well, I hadn't expected you to be the kind to skip class. But what brings you here? On this day?"

She said nothing, looking too intimidated. Erza sighed.

"I'm not angry with you, Hinamori," she said reassuringly, "but you are technically out in the Rukon. This is not, strictly speaking, a safe zone for students. Do you have permission from a teacher?"

"Oh-oh my goodness," Hinamori mumbled, a look of dread on her face, "oh dear- I didn't think- I didn't know. I mean, I haven't been back out here since I first came here, I didn't know-"

"Calm down." Erza said, and extended her hand. "Come here. I'll make sure you won't get in trouble."

Tentatively, as if the touch might burn her hand, Hinamori walked up, and after some hesitation, she took Erza's hand. They locked hands, and Erza made sure not to grab too hard- her student had it hard enough without fractured hand bones.

"Let's go," Erza said, walking forward.

"You're really not mad?" Hinamori mumbled.

"No, I'm not," Erza sighed, "but an explanation would be nice. This was a... personal sort of trip."

"I was... curious," Momo said, hanging her head, "and I saw sensei walking out of the gates, and... I just sort of wanted to know what you were going to do on your day off. S-so I followed you. Oh gosh, that's creepy, isn't it?"

Erza chuckled. "There are a lot of things people could call you, but creepy isn't one of them, Hinamori."

"I didn't realize it would be so long, and... well, before I knew it, I was out here. Then I realized why you'd be going to a cemetery... I didn't mean to snoop, sensei."

"I'm sure you didn't,"

"I really wasn't!" Hinamori said insistently, "it's just that sensei-"

"You can call me Erza out here," Erza said, cutting her off, "right now, I am not a teacher. This is my day off, so no need to mind formality."

"...it's just that, um... miss Erza" at this, Erza had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. She was adorable, the way she couldn't err enough on the side of caution to be polite, "you always seem so... well, so strong. And kind. I wondered what you were like when you weren't teaching. I guess."

"It is considered improper for teachers to fraternize with students outside of a classroom," Erza noted.

"I-I know," Hinamori said, looking down at her sandals.

"Then again, did it ever seem like I cared what those stuffy people think is 'proper'?"

"Oh," Hinamori said, seeming relieved.

"So, since we're walking here in the sunny weather and all, free from school, why don't you sate your curiosity?"

"Sen- miss Scarlet?"

"You obviously followed because you were curious. So, ask away- ask about everything. Don't hold back a single thing- ask to your heart's content. If it's too sensitive, I'll decline to answer- but otherwise, I'll answer any question you have, as well as I can."

Why she did this, she didn't know. Somehow, she felt talkative, relaxed, and in an oddly decent mood for such a solemn day.

"It-it's fine," Hinamori mumbled, but she didn't seem quite as shy as usual. "I don't have to..."

"But you can," Erza said firmly, "anything you like."

There was a look on her face, but the seconds passed as they walked, and Hinamori said nothing. Erza shrugged mentally, and walked with her in silence. They had walked for a good few minutes, when she suddenly piped up,

"It was your friends you visited just now, wasn't it?"

"Yes," Erza said, nodding, "yes, it was."

"Did- did I get in the way?"

Erza looked her in the eye. "I probably wouldn't have been that happy if you had walked in on me placing flowers on their headstones- but you didn't. You're fine."

Hinamori was quiet for a little longer, gathering her courage, before finally daring to say,

"Is it true? What they say, I mean."

"That depends what 'they' say," Erza mumbled. "I'm sure some people say there was a thousand dead bodies, and I swore vengeance and slayed a thousand hollows that day, before heroically toppling over."

Hinamori actually giggled a little. "They sometimes talk, and... well, a lot of the boys like to imagine things like those. They like big, strong heroes. They like proud, handsome ones like Kuchiki Byakuya, or big, powerful ones like Zaraki Kenpachi. And they seem to like being taught by one, too."

"I'm not a hero," Erza shook her head, "I'm just somebody who tries to do what she thinks is right, sometimes,"

"Some people would say that is heroic."

"...so what else do they say?"

Hinamori shrugged. "A lot of the same things. I don't know- I didn't snoop. It's rude, I think, looking into somebody's personal history. All I know for sure is that something terrible happened, and your friends died."

"Smart girl," Erza nodded affirmatively, "yes, that about sums it up. Do you want to know?"

"If- if miss Scarlet doesn't mind," she said shyly.

"It was a routine patrol. First thing we were supposed to do after graduating as shinigami. Everyone does it, no trouble," Erza took a deep breath, the memories swelling into her mind like a tide, "and... well, we were an anomaly."

"You don't need to push yourself-"

"We were ambushed." Erza said firmly, her grip on Hinamori's hand tightening a little, as she powered through the memory, "a hollow, far stronger than any we were equipped to face, popped up. It picked off half our group before we knew it had happened. We had split up, you see." She took a couple of deep breaths again.

"It attacked, and there was nothing we could do. The officers escorting us died. My fellow students dies. I tried to fight it, I tried to get them all together, but, but-" she paused, taking in another deep breath, forcing herself calm, "-you see, sometimes you're just powerless. Sometimes there's a bigger fish and there's nothing you can do about it. So I watched them all die, eaten one by one. There was so much blood..." She mumbled the words, as it played through her mind again, the screams, the despair...

"It was just me left. Rod lived, but he was knocked out. I just barely got enough power to hurt the thing, and it ran away... and then I sat there, in the field, surrounded by blood and bones..."

"S-sensei, my hand," Hinamori whimpered. Erza realized she had been gripping it tighter, much too hard, and as if burnt, she immediately let go, and stopped walking.

"I'm so sorry!" She said, a bit of emotion leaking through in her voice. "That- that was inappropriate, Hinamori. I should have known better."

She smiled at Erza. "It's fine, miss Scarlet. I knew what I was asking about- it's okay to make mistakes."

"It's not fine to let myself hurt other people over it, especially my students," Erza berated herself.

"I'm not your student right now, remember?" Momo said cheerily. "I'm just somebody out walking, in my free time.

"I- that's right," Erza mumbled. "I'm sorry, it was... I lost myself in memory there."

"It would be strange if that sort of thing didn't leave a mark," Hinamori said. "it's a sign you're still a person, isn't it?"

"...yeah." Erza murmured.

"By the way- if I don't call you sensei, then you can call me Momo. Just when we're not at school. It's only fair, right?"

"All right," Erza said, nodding. "When we're not at school."

"Good, then. Let's go then, Erza Scarlet." She smiled, and held out her hand again. Hesitantly, as if afraid she'd break it, Erza took it.

"Sure. Let's go... Momo."

As you can all see, Erza has really bonded with her students by now, especially Momo and Renji. I always thought these two should have more of a role to play in cannon, and while Renji gets at least a decent amount, poor Momo is neglected. Well, considering how she is my favorite Bleach character, I cant have any of that!

Of course, Erza herself now also has to deal with a problem she has no experience in. Nobility. Fairy tail surprisingly doesn't have any corrupt nobles who abuse their power. Their king is a nice man, and Hisui is very competent, and has the quality's of a good leader. With BLEACH though...Well, look at the 46. They may not be "corrupt" per say, but they are incompetent. Not to mention, I find it highly likely in a place like the gotie 13, that a noble would try to use and abuse his power over a matter like this. How will Erza get out of this one? You'll have to just wait and see, in the next chapter!

Thanks for reading, and please leave a review.