Bleach: Sea of butterflies

The early morning sun filtered through the windows of the 6th Division barracks, casting soft rays of light onto the wooden floors. Birds chirped in the distance, signaling the start of a new day. Musashi rubbed the back of his neck as he stepped out of his room, his expression as stoic as ever.

"Ahhh, Musashi. What a beautiful day," came a loud, familiar voice from the side.

Before Musashi could react, a heavy arm draped itself around his shoulders. He glanced to his right to see Arasaka grinning like a fool, his eyes squinting from the brightness of the sun.

"You're way too loud this early," Musashi grumbled.

"Loud? Nah, I'm just alive!" Arasaka replied, pulling him closer with a hearty laugh.

"Hey, Musashi, I was looking for ya!" came another voice from the other side.

Suddenly, another arm wrapped around his opposite shoulder. Musashi's eyes twitched as he turned his head to see none other than Yoruichi Shihōin, Captain of the 2nd Division, her trademark mischievous grin firmly in place.

"Captain Yoruichi? What are you doing here?" he asked, already feeling the headache forming.

"Ahhh, you gave me the cold shoulder yesterday, Musashi," she said, pouting like a child. "You become Lieutenant and don't even say 'hi' to me. How cold of you!" She made a show of clutching her chest like she'd been mortally wounded.

Musashi's groan was long and low. "Here we go again..."

Yoruichi's pout vanished in an instant, replaced by a wide grin. "Haha, don't worry, I won't tease you *too much* today. I'm just here to invite you to your own party, that's all!"

Musashi's deadpan stare could have burned a hole through a steel plate. "Uh-huh. You just want an excuse to drink."

"What?! Of course not!" Yoruichi said, feigning offense. But the way she looked away while scratching her cheek told a different story.

'No, it's definitely that,' Musashi thought, closing his eyes in tired acceptance.

"So, do you want to invite anyone?" Arasaka asked, eager to steer the conversation away from Yoruichi's antics.

Musashi's eyes locked onto Arasaka, the intensity of his gaze making his friend visibly sweat. 'And you're on board with her plan, huh?' he thought.

"Well, I don't want him at the party," Musashi said bluntly, pointing straight at Arasaka.

"Hey, why not?! I'm your best friend!" Arasaka protested, looking wounded.

Yoruichi's grin returned. "Now, now, Musashi. Arasaka's already coming. I invited him myself. Is there anyone else you want to invite? And don't think you can skip out on this party. I'll drag you there if I have to."

Musashi's sigh was long and tired. "Fine. I want to invite Kuchiki Sōjun."

Both Yoruichi and Arasaka blinked in surprise, Arasaka's mouth hanging open like a fish out of water.

"Sōjun?" Arasaka repeated as if he'd misheard. "Isn't that a little… stiff for a party?"

"Done," Yoruichi said without hesitation, ignoring Arasaka's comment. "Anyone else?"

Musashi's eyes narrowed in suspicion. Yoruichi's mischievous smile was growing wider by the second. She nudged his side with her elbow.

"What about a certain someone who's been training with you a lot lately, hmm?" she teased.

"What are you talking about?" he asked, his voice flat but his scowl deepening.

"Oh, don't worry, I already invited her." Yoruichi's eyes gleamed with mischief.

Musashi's sigh this time was one of pure resignation. "Leave me alone, please."

---

Musashi stood in front of the 2nd Division's barracks, his arms folded. Beside him were Sōjun and Arasaka. The faint thrum of music and the distant sounds of laughter could be heard from inside.

"What are we waiting for? Let's go already!" Arasaka said, clearly impatient.

They entered together, greeted by a room already full of soul reapers from multiple divisions. The room was filled with laughter, food, and, of course, barrels of sake.

While moving through the crowd, Musashi was approached by Captain Shunsui Kyōraku. The captain's laid-back smile and relaxed demeanor stood out even in this lively crowd.

"Well, well, if it isn't the new lieutenant," Kyōraku said, his voice as smooth as ever. "Congrats on the promotion, Musashi."

"Captain Kyōraku," Musashi said with a slight nod of respect. "Didn't expect to see you here."

"Oh, you'd be surprised where I pop up when there's sake involved," Kyōraku chuckled, tilting his straw hat. "But truth be told, I'm here to see the new lieutenant in action."

"Action, huh?" Musashi raised an eyebrow.

"Don't worry, I'm not here to fight," Kyōraku said with a grin. "Just wanted to see if you're the type to join in on the fun or stay in the corner like a brooding hero."

---

Later, Musashi was sitting in a quiet corner, enjoying a moment of peace. That peace didn't last long as Suì-Fēng approached him, her arms crossed and her expression serious.

"Musashi," she said firmly. "We need to settle something."

Musashi tilted his head slightly. "Settle what?"

"Our next challenge," she said, narrowing her eyes. "I've decided on it."

He leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees. "Oh? And what's it going to be this time?"

"A pure contest of speed. No tricks, no fancy moves. Just raw speed." She smirked with confidence. "First to reach the top of Sokyoku Hill wins."

Musashi raised an eyebrow. "And what's the wager?"

"If I win, you have to train with me every week, no excuses."

He leaned back, considering it. "And if I win?"

"Name it," she said with determination.

Musashi thought for a moment, then grinned slightly. "If I win, you'll have to wear pink uniform for an entire week." 

Suì-Fēng's face turned red—not from embarrassment, but from frustration. "Fine. You're on, Musashi." She extended her hand, and he shook it firmly.

---

By the time the party ended, most of the attendees were either passed out or barely conscious. Sōjun was one of the latter, swaying like a reed in the wind, his cheeks flushed red from the sake.

"H-Hey, Musashi," Sōjun slurred, slapping him on the back. "You're… you're a great lieutenant… don't forget…"

Musashi sighed. "Yeah, yeah. Come on, I'm taking you home."

With one arm around Sōjun's back, Musashi helped him walk to the Kuchiki residence. Sōjun's wife greeted them at the door, letting out a soft laugh when she saw her husband's state.

"Had a good night, I see," she said, taking Sōjun from Musashi's arms. "Thank you for bringing him home."

Musashi nodded. "Take care of him."

As he walked away, he glanced back at the peaceful home. For a brief moment, he thought of Byakuya's small face and the words Sōjun had spoken before.

"I'll think about it," he muttered to himself before vanishing into the night.

(End of a chapter)