Northeast Seireitei
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Nobody
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Seated in his office Itaku finds himself reclined back. There are papers in front of him, awaiting his review and signature. While it looks as though he is procrastinating going through them the truth is, he had already finished going through each document. His decision on their respective matters long since made, yes what he was delaying wasn't the actual reading but finalizing. This was an attempt to use this work as a shield for him against other things. Holed up in his office with these many papers, added with a tired look of dismay one would assume the healer was overworked, stressed and already had enough on his plate. His subordinates caring for the man who seemed to care for him would knock, be welcomed in and when gazing at his desk would lose the heart to ask or bring up whatever trivial matter they had to spare him of further stress.
For those not associated with him or his peers, his subordinates would serve as the first line of defense, informing them of how busy he was and how he couldn't be disturbed at the moment due to all the administrative work he was currently handling on top of overseeing their training. It truly was a perfect plan.
Except for one thing.
"Boss, its about time you started heading for that meeting or whatever."
...
"Right...that."
The perfect aid, Kokuren exists almost as the man's shadow. The only other person one would find within Itaku's voice aside from the man himself. Often aiding him in his plots and schemes she also helps him in facing the inevitable. A groan escapes him followed by a sigh before he pushes himself from the large desk to stand up.
"Hey, Kokuren. Find Budo while I'm gone. Tell him to look after the place in my absence, and to follow up on those still recovering and going through therapy. And tell him I'm still waiting on the report from his department too!"
She bows in response hiding her frown. Normally one to accompany him, she knows this meeting is taking her Captain to a place that she cannot follow. It is a place that even Itaku himself doesn't wish to go to...but go he must. He does not move in a hurry. Instead of feet propelling him into a shunpo they instead drag him across the floor towards the door that is slowly slid open. He sighs once more and begins his slow stroll towards trouble in the guise of a meeting. While he couldn't avoid it, he could delay the headache with each casual step he took.
He smiles and waves towards those of his division who see him, glancing into rooms where there are members of his squad fitting some shinigami with Reiteashi (霊手足, 'Spirit Limbs'; 'Spiritual Prosthetics') obtained from the Twelfth Division, while others were having their respective prosthetics adjusted. The incident ten months ago should the importance of such a thing, the aftermath of the chaos was rather....destructive, unsettling even for many. For Itaku, there could be no better job security, another opportunity to advertise his and his division's importance.
"Perhaps I should use this chance to bring up funding while there."
He ponders to himself with a devious smile on his lips. While others were recovering mentally and emotionally from the tragedy, unsettled by the level and frequency of domestic terrors within the Seireitei's very walls, Itaku was pondering on how to exploit such things for his benefit. Perhaps, this meeting wont be a complete waste of his time after all.
Nobody
Member
"I should just quit."
A tired voice drawls out from behind a desk. No, not tired, more annoyed than anything. He missed the days of anonymity granted to him by being just another shinigami. His days of leisure exchanged only for burden after burden. He had worked tirelessly to help those injured from the incident back during the clash between the Shiba slayer and former Lieutenant of the Fifth Division, then there was the time he had to act as a proctor for the new Captain of the Eleventh. It was a shame he had to leave early due to unforeseen circumstances...a lie of course. How dare they force him to do something so...demeaning.
If there was anytime to be grateful for Fourths workload, it was then. It facilitated a believable enough excuse. Even if his opponent was less than thrilled or impressed, that was hardly his concern. Resting his head against he desk, he could only sigh and grit his teeth. 'I should really train someone to be at least...partially competent enough to fill in for me.' He never gave any thought to actually training anyone first hand. Sure he oversaw the training and teaching of Healing Kido as a whole, but to raise someone up directly? The thought dared not cross his mind, for who was truly worthy of such attention from him? Who would even had 1/4th of his talent to even be able to grasp...anything he taught?
His eyes glance over a few scattered sheets laying beneath him. The first ones were the obvious results of progress from various staff members and their Kaido, along with a number of potential prospects. Underneath was the intel regarding an alarming spike of reiatsu from Hueco Mundo. Despite the length of time there were some still on edge. Although nothing considerable had happened as a result of such readings, that in and of itself was cause for alarm.
He sits up, leaning back to stare at the ceiling momentarily. "I hope...I wont be getting any more work soon." Perceiving this moment of momentary peace as little more than a red flag.
"Perhaps I'll go visit the Twelfth again."
He exclaimed, pushing himself to his feet as if what he had said was less a thought and more a decision he had made. He was either ignorant of the fact that his presence there was a hinderance, or he simply didn't care. Perhaps it was a little of both.
Arriving Shinigami Research and Development → 4th Division
Entitled she is, Shibuya continued her ignoring of those 'lesser' than her, completely stonewalling any attempts that may or may not have been made to stop her as she entered the grounds of Fourth Division. She didn't want, nor need, help navigating. Neither did she need to be questioned by anyone that would just get in her way, or even try to prevent her from showing up unannounced. Tit-for-tat, petty revenge for the times Itaku or Kokuren have disturbed her.
However, as she began making her way toward Itaku's office she stopped, spying the man in question.
Convenient he seemed to be stepping out, though she dreaded why he'd be leaving the comfort of his office, her headache ticking up a touch at the mere thought of his disturbing her little worker bees.
"Ōhei," she called, head upturned as-if she were attempting to appear larger than she is, "What a coincidence,"
As much distaste as she holds for the man and her perceived idea of who he is, Shibuya wants to appear as professional as possible in public, so as to not damage her standing too much. That doesn't stop the near outright sneer she dons as she approaches Itaku, and asks just barely loud enough for him to hear, yet still with all the audacity of her over-inflated ego, "Would you care for a meal?" her default choice of meeting, far more casual than it otherwise would be, providing her a friendlier approach to swaying whoever she happened to need at the moment.
Her volume raises as she continues, "I've matters to discuss with you,"
Nobody
Member
"Ōhei, What a coincidence,"
Hearing the disturbance he wondered what manner of trouble was heading his way. His face twisting into an annoyed scowl until he saw the disturber. As she stomped his way he greeted the pint sized monster with his most charming of smiles. He wasn't certain as to what reason would actually force the goblin from her hole and into his office, but who cared. The reason was meaningless, what mattered was that she had delivered herself to him on a silver platter herself.
"Ah, if it isn't CAPTAIN Harai!"
He made sure to address her by her title, though if it was done to mock her or not was anyone's guess. He placed his hands on his hips, bending down at the waist some as if trying to draw near, closer to her eye level his smile never vanishing, teeth almost sparkling as he beamed at her. "A meal with you? I dare not pass up such an opportunity!" He readily agreed as he moved to step beside her, motioning for them to proceed onward to go enjoy their meal elsewhere.
"What a coincidence, I also wanted to see you to have a word or two."
Just what is it he had in mind? What was he scheming this time? Questions the short elder might be asking herself, earning her a headache during their travels and perhaps even their meal. He was always up to something, one way or another, and in the end it was always he who benefitted the most out of anything. He made sure his every step matched her stride, glancing down towards her every now and then, eyes gleaming like tiny jewels in the light.
"Dare I ask for a hint to what it is you could need of little ol' me?"
He lightly probed, seeing what he could find out from her for the purpose of her visit. Regardless of what it is, he'd be sure to get something in return.
She bristles as he greets her with her proper title, scowl overcoming her features for a second, before being forced back to neutrality the moment she notices her own twisted expression.
"Is that so? How serendipitous, then. This saves you the trip to Twelfth,"
With some effort, she smiles back, duller, less friendly and familiar. Her annoyance at his visits to her squad going unsaid. Curious she may be, thoughts swarming various trains, as to what he'd want other than to be a pest, she doesn't dwell as much as she may have otherwise. Itaku wants something of her, for one reason or another, and that could allow her a decent trade-off– As long as she keeps her wits about her. Her ego won't allow her to admit that, perhaps, she is too easy to bait into fury, into headspaces that may make her easy prey.
Wasting no time, she turns on her heel, leading Itaku along with a quick flick of her wrist to follow. They aren't going far, a few minutes walk at most, toward a little restaurant tucked away in the maze-like layout of Seireitei that is never particularly busy. Never too many eyes nor ears.
"Eye for an eye," she huffs out, expectant that he'll return the favour.
"Consider it to be an extension of our prior work together," left purposefully vague, not enough information to garner anything substantial, not that she thought she even needed secrecy for this venture in question. A habit more than anything.
Slowing to a crawl, Shibuya gently tugs Itaku's haori sleeve as she veers them down a narrower path, almost an alleyway with the lack of bustling life and lack of direct sunlight overhead. Further down the way a small sign can be seen, advertising their destination with a quaint display written and drawn in chalk.
Nobody
Member
"Intruiging~"
He cooed, not letting on rather or not he understood just what she was referring to. Both seemed to be gauging and playing the other. It was an amusing little game, at least to Itaku that is. He continued following alongside her silently, shooting obvious glances her way here and there. Seeing the pair together brought a swarm of whispers and talks from others, all manner of rumors will have undoubtedly rounded the Seireitei several times over by day's end.
A slight tug at the sleeve of his haori helped guide him towards an unexpected path; an alleyway. He cringed inwardly, not one to tread upon such an unseemly and perhaps nasty place, but for now he'd have to suppress his own disgust.
"Why, Captain Harai, just where are you taking me? I-I don't know if I've prepared my heart or mind enough for this-"
His face growing visibly flush as he turns his head, bringing a hand up to his face shyly. His words alone would cause anyone to misinterpret just what the two were doing, one might even assume he himself had forgotten and was genuinely perceiving this as something rather...scandalous. In reality he did it simply to poke at the midget, seeking to amuse himself until they made their way inside and actually got down to business.
"Can't say I expected to come to such an....interesting place. And to be escorted here by someone so...."
His voice trails off, though it remained to be seen if he was actually talking to her or rather himself.
"I hope the place is clean inside at least."
He huffed, puffing his cheeks as his eyebrows furrowed, and even then he still appeared cute and breathtakingly handsome.
The buzzing began the moment she had walked off with the man, of little enough consequence she'd hardly paid any mind to the influx of whispers her bugs were picking up. Now, however, being made aware of what could be said about the two behind their backs, she suddenly became too conscious of the tittering Shinigami whispering to one another about what they'd seen.
"Nowhere like that! This isn't illicit, you–!" her voice isn't particularly loud, but it's uneven, cracking as it threatens to go above her comfortable range into a shriek.
As-if burned she lets go of Itaku's sleeve, speeding her stride to put distance between them. Her ears flush and hot with embarrassment.
Taking the lead she leads them into the establishment, jaw clenched even as she nods in acknowledgement toward the only other person there– A woman, sweeping quietly, friendly in her returned nod at the duo.
Inside it's small, cramped, only two western-styled tables and two chairs at each, nothing adorning them aside from pillows on each chair. At the bar are two stools, and a stack of wooden slabs. The place is clean– barren, yes, but clean. Shibuya huffs and glances over her shoulder, 'good enough for you?' going unsaid.
She chooses to sit at one of the tables, pushed up against the wall. Slightly more private compared to the other, which basks in what little sunlight the building gets through a window.
The woman offers each of them one of the wooden slabs– Menus. The choices are simple, Izakaya food, tea, sake. Considering the location, Shibuya chooses to assume what they get will be more refined than the average.
"Korokke," she states plainly to the waitress, handing back her menu. She almost leaves it at that, until her eyes flick toward Itaku for a moment.
"And a bottle of Kotei no Hitsugi," she gives a sharp smile to the woman when she notices her pause, about to ask if she's sure. The spiel of it's so expensive on the verge of tumbling out as Shibuya continues, cutting her off properly, "I'm sparing no expense for my dear friend. If you have the Yuzu flavour, we'll take that,"
The woman nods, then waits for Itaku's order before scurrying off into the kitchen. She comes back for only a moment to give them the bottle of sake, and two striped cups.
Shibuya pours herself a cup of her own family's sake and settles into her seat properly.
"Now, then," taking a sip of her sake– particularly sour, she notes, meaning this bottle will run her a decent bill- she looks properly at Itaku.
"I'm sure you've heard that traces of Hollow-like energy, most likely to be an Arrancar, were found in Rukongai some time ago, yes?" her brow furrows as she says it, nearly a scowl, yet not quite there, displeased but not outright hostile, "Call me paranoid, but that has put me on-edge,"
She leans back against her chair, one hand idly holding her cup near her chest, the other resting on the table. Her finger taps against the wood as she continues.
"So, I want to ensure my men know how to utilize Kaidō should we end up in conflict, being taught by the best Fourth has to offer, obviously.
I'd also like to build a small, secondary lab somewhere within Fourth that focuses on the creation and production of medical equipment, medicines, and smaller novelty products. Twelfth will man it, though that being said, the reason I want it in Fourth rather than Twelfth is for the purpose of allowing Fourth to learn from us. To be able to create, or at the very least offer their ideas, of what they want or need as doctors and nurses to do their duties more efficiently.
What better way to secure conveniences of their line of work than to be the ones directly handling or overseeing it, hm?"
Long since calmed from her companions teasing, her words are confident, sturdy. She downs the rest of her cup, and places it back on the table.
Folding her hands over her knee, eyes narrowed to a near glare, Shibuya lets her words stand. The two of them are predators, always sniffing for blood, so she's prepared for any counter-offer Itaku may propose, a million scenarios bubbling in her head, gnashing against the constant headache the Centipede's induce.