A Strange Dream

Liu Ziyun suddenly opened his eyes and froze on the spot.

[So... that's how they kicked me out?]

He shook his head helplessly, stood up, and left the Underground Space.

Back in his dorm, he collapsed onto his bed without even taking off his shoes. Exhaustion washed over him like a tidal wave, making it almost impossible for him to keep his eyes open. He closed his eyes and fell into a deep sleep almost instantly.

In a dream.

Liu Ziyun found himself standing in a strange space. This was neither his Inner World nor any place he was familiar with. The sky was an eerie dark gold, the ground was deep black, and in the distance stood a majestic mountain peak.

His gaze was drawn to the mountain peak. At its summit lay a massive crater. But instead of lava, the crater contained a gigantic golden Giant Egg.

The Giant Egg was covered with intricate patterns; the black patterns resembled abysses, and the red patterns resembled blood. The two colors intertwined, forming a mysterious pattern on the golden eggshell.

Life-Taker and Tulu stood beside the Giant Egg. Their hands, imbued with their own power, were carving different patterns onto the egg. With each stroke, a ray of light flowed from their hands into the egg, making it even more radiant.

Liu Ziyun's gaze pierced through the Giant Egg and saw inside, a stunningly beautiful woman lying within.

Her eyes were closed, as if she were asleep. Her face was serene and peaceful, with even a faint smile at the corners of her mouth. Her long hair cascaded down her body like a black waterfall. Her skin was as white as jade, appearing exceptionally pure in the golden light.

Liu Ziyun heard a voice. The voice was very soft and gentle, as if it came from a very, very far place. It was the woman speaking, murmuring, telling a story. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't make out her words.

Just as he was trying to listen, the woman suddenly opened her eyes.

Two sharp beams of light shot from those eyes, piercing straight at him.

Liu Ziyun suddenly woke up with a start.

He sat up, panting heavily. Cold sweat soaked his entire body, streaming down his face and dripping onto the blanket. His heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would leap out of his chest.

Who is that woman...?

He racked his brains. The woman's face was so familiar; he must have seen her before. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't remember who she was.

What are they doing, Life-Taker and Tulu? What are they hiding?

Those patterns... those patterns look like they were carved using their very power. Like a seal, or like something being nurtured.

What exactly is it?

He took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

[No... that woman, I think I've seen her before. But why... can't I remember who she is? I'm sure I've seen her. But something seems to be affecting me, making me unable to recall.]

He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to fall asleep for a long time.

[Never mind... I'll figure it out later.]

He closed his eyes, forcing himself not to think about those things.

But the woman's face, those sharp eyes, were deeply imprinted in his mind, impossible to forget.

For the next few years, Liu Ziyun continued to live a seemingly mundane life in the Fourth Division. He would appear in the Medical Room on time every day to deal with the mountain of medical documents; he would return to his dormitory every evening and then enter the Underground Training Ground in the dead of night to carry out his daily training.

But in his heart, he always cared about the World of the Living.

He had been keeping a close eye on Isshin Shiba and Masaki Kurosaki's lives. Through the message delivered by Yoruichi Shihōin, he learned that everything was proceeding according to plan.

Just like in the original story, Ryūken Ishida found a reason to break off his engagement with Masaki Kurosaki. The proud Quincy ultimately chose to let go. After Masaki Kurosaki came of age, he let her leave the Ishida Family and start an independent life.

On this day, Yoruichi Shihōin came to Seireitei again to Liu Ziyun.

She still had that impatient look on her face, arms crossed, chin slightly raised. "Isshin Shiba is marrying Masaki Kurosaki. Now you don't need me to keep delivering messages, right? It's such a hassle to have to come every few days."

Liu Ziyun accepted the message with a smile, "Just let me know when their first child is born. Everything else should be fine."

Yoruichi Shihōin her eyes. "Okay, I got it. What a pain. I'm off."

After saying that, she turned and left, her departing figure conveying a sense of relief, as if she had finally been freed.

Liu Ziyun watched her figure disappear through the door, a smile playing on his lips.

[It'll be soon... it'll be soon.]

He turned and walked back to the team.

Medical Room, Liu Ziyun was engrossed in processing paperwork. Suddenly, the door was pushed open, Isane Kotetsu stood in the doorway, her face bearing that businesslike expression, but a hint of tenderness lurked in her eyes.

"Ziyun, the captain wants you to go there."

Liu Ziyun looked up, saw her, and immediately put on his signature, slightly roguish smile, "Okay, Isane."

He stood up, walked to her side, and naturally took her small hand.

Isane Kotetsu blushed slightly, but did not pull away. The two walked hand in hand toward the Captain's Office.

Captain's Office.

Retsu Unohana sat upright at the tea table, several documents spread out in front of her. When she saw the two of them walk in hand in hand, a complex emotion flashed in her eyes, a mixture of sour jealousy and a hint of relief.

But she didn't say anything, she just pointed to the seat opposite her. "Sit down."

The two sat down, but their hands remained clasped.

Retsu Unohana looked at Liu Ziyun and said, "Ziyun, Tōshirō Hitsugaya has taken over as captain of the Tenth Division. What will happen next?"

Liu Ziyun, then shook his head. "That should be it. From now on, let's just keep hiding."

Retsu Unohana nodded. "Since everything's alright, you can go now."

Liu Ziyun chuckled, a hint of slyness in his smile, "Well... there's no need to rush down, is there? We can talk things over a bit."

Retsu Unohana and Isane Kotetsu both gave each other a look of disgust and said in unison, "Get lost."

There was disdain, helplessness, and an indescribable tenderness in that voice.

Seeing the two of them looking like that, Liu Ziyun had no choice but to let go of Isane Kotetsu's hand and leave the Captain's Office in a disheveled state.

Behind them, two people burst into barely suppressed laughter.

In that laughter, there was joy, warmth, and a feeling of... home.

Liu Ziyun stood outside the door, listening to the laughter, a smile also appearing on his lips: [It'll be soon... it'll be soon.]