Northeast Seireitei

[Adonai]

From Ninth Division

Wounded Reflection

A group of Ninth Division Shinigami rush over to Fourth Division carrying a burned and injured Kuwashii. They were in a rush because from their standpoint it seemed like the girl nearly died at the hands of Kisho. Despite their worries she was still conscious but just idle, laying still and staring upwards. She wasn’t without thought, she was thinking back to the fight, trying to understand what she had taken from it. With the adrenaline wearing off and without the scorching heat to dull the nerves the pain of her battle had begun to set in. This further prompted her to remain still as to not agitate her wounds but also to not cause herself needless pain.

"I could make you powerful...beyond reason...If only you will kneel. Under the care of mongrels too afraid to stoke and fan your flames and unprepared to contain them, your blade will dull and your flames will weaken."

She thinks back to the parting words from Kisho. His way of talking and looking down on people is detestable but she achieved her goal of getting his attention. It seems like he may be willing to train her and aid her in becoming stronger. Although she frowned and scrunched up her face when thinking about kneeling. In her mind she was thinking that the wording seemed like overkill, as if kneeling would be too much since she already threw herself at him asking to be trained. She can boil down the phrase “Kneeling” to one word, a word she learned from her human friends, cringe. The Shinigami carrying her saw her face scrunched up and assumed she was in pain and tried telling her to hold on, they were almost at fourth. Those words were in one ear and out the other. She was hoping that Kisho didn’t expect her to literally kneel, it's so old fashioned.

Putting that aside she is happy knowing that someone finally sees her as more than just a “little spit fire”. If she can learn how to be merciless from Kisho and how to fan her flames with more precision and ferocity her dream of becoming a Captain will be that much closer. Fanning her flames… She has to think back on what Kisho said about his own Reiatsu…

”Just by exerting your reiatsu even a bit the heat comes. If you've swung that blade around while releasing your reiatsu, I'm certain you've been cutting and burning things as a result. It'd make more sense if you haven't been doing so because you've actively restrained yourself from it."

Actively restraining herself… Her heart palpitates, her mind coming up face to face with the trauma of her past. She doesn’t want to confront it, her eyes darting from left to right as if searching for something else to think about or focus on because it hurts too much. Flashes of her white fire dance in her mind, then an image of blacked scorched earth, then more flames. She clutches at her Shihakusho and the image of her parents defending her from the other Rukongai citizens and more flames. Then the final image of her home burning down after being set ablaze by hired thugs out of fear of her. She pulls herself back and out of the memories but she sees her answer, the thing that is making her restrain herself. A fear of destruction. Destruction of her home, her family, and herself. She raises her right arm, her body is sore and in pain but she fights through it to place her palm on her face.

”I’m sure if I tell Kisho about this he’d know what to do… But man am I going to HATE the answer…”

She says, somewhat already knowing his response but in truth she knows what she has to do. Just how Lieutenant Gekka gave her the push she needed to face Kisho, she’ll need another push from Kisho to break the bindings of her restriction… She’ll have to burn down what remains of her old home, herself.

The Shinigami arrive properly at Fourth Division and hand her off. She doesn’t know how grievous her wounds are, she just knows that they hurt.

 

[Inkmasterru]

---

Fresh clothing, body cleaned of grime and blood, hair washed and re-braided. Her body still complained to her of the toil and fatigue it built up, yet the bath certainly helped ease the weight off her shoulders. Despite the busy nature of the 4th division, there was a moment of peace and quiet. Allowing Akemi to recuperate for the first time in days since the aftermath of the invasion. She didn't want to rest, but her body gave out before she did. So she will make the most of situation before the next incident, perhaps she earned a nice cat-nap.

Hesitantly she looked around, out the window of her room and the hallway. Before slowly lowering herself onto the bed, holding in her breath. The bed barely creaking under her small stature, before she let her breath out and just as she did...

"Make way! Make way! We have a patient with severe burn wounds!"

That exhale halfway turned into a groan as with a swing of her legs, she hopped off the bed. Muttering as she walked into the hallway, pulling out a sash out of her uniform, beginning to tie her already short sleeves up. Her feet picking up in stride as she arrived at the infirmary, approaching the small crowd surrounding a single bed.

"What are you all standing around for! We have a patient with burn wounds, Komi, start bringing balms and salves! You two girls, standby to apply kaido to stabilize her reiatsu. The rest of you disperse now, especially the men! We don't need a crowd to gawk at one patient, when there are many others still need tending to!"

As soon as she shooed away the crowd, she grabbed and pulled a curtain around Kuwashii's bed. Shielding her from prying eyes as Akemi grabbed scissors and begun to cut her Shihakushō. Switching tools as she carefully pulled away the cloth and cleaned around the wounds. Focused on her patient, she studied the wounds closely. Severe burns all over her body, chunks chipped off just as cauterized as the rest of her wounds.

Without raising her gaze, she spoke sharply to one of the girls applying kaido to Kuwashii.

"Speak short, quick and sweet. What made these wounds, what happened?"

"Y-yes of course, lady Akemi. Patient Kuwashii brought in from 9th division. She fought Kisho Date in a duel and lost... this the outcome. Her body seemed to have suffered 2nd to 3rd degree burns along with a few spear wounds"

Akemi froze at the mention of Kisho, her hands slightly trembling at memory of her brother arriving with similar burn wounds. The smell of his burning flesh, the gapping hole still fresh in her memory, lucky this wasn't that severe. She shook her head as she continued to tend to the patient.

"Th-thank you, damn the Date another victim, make my job harder why don't you."

"Lady?"

"It's nothing... secure her zanpakuto and other equipment. Her wounds aren't extremely critical, yet we still must act with due diligence. Apply kaido to the base at her head while checking for mental damage and keep Inemuri or Tanma Otoshi on standby. Where are those bandages and salve!?"

Komi came running back in with rolls of bandages and salve. The curtain slightly swaying as one of the other girls hissed. Quickly grabbing it to hide their patient laid bare as they continued to work on her.

"I'm here... I'm here lady Akemi."

"Good, apply the salve to the burns and cover them in bandages. Swap out as needed and make sure the patient remains still. If she interferes in the process or shows any signs of extreme pain, put her under. Yet apply anesthesia where necessary, I'm going to write a report for Captain Itaku."

She put the tools down and cleaned her hands. Just as Komi and the others stepped in to continue to treat Kuwashii. She grabbed a clipboard and sat down in a chair. Beginning to fill in her notes of Kuwashii's condition. Making sure to write in explicit detail. The severity of the burns, her drained reaitsu and despite being consious, her vacant expression. Whether it was of the trauma her body suffered or something else was not clear yet.

Once done, she sat in silence waiting for the treatment to be done. She supposed she will spend her rest time monitoring the patient. Watching to make sure nothing happens.
​

 

[Hyoroshi Iwamura]

Shizukana Kurayami: “Bless your consideration of your Captain, but, Where it concerns me is where I am the most fortunate! Don’t you see? The answer is clear. We’ve got no choice but to prepare for another excursion to Hueco Mundo. It’s been too long.”

Hyoroshi stared at his Captain. His face was statuesque; his gaze yet held a wordless understanding. It was rearing its ugly head again, that insatiable brutality in her, the very same that gave him pause from ripping her apart in West 78--one and the same as his until that very moment.

The moment played out again in his head, the same as it has almost every day for centuries. A debt still unpaid.

"It isn't your place to pay off debts, pup."

"Indeed it has, Captain. What we've discussed is important for the rest of the Seireitei to work with, but I agree. Our time is better spent taking the fight to the Arrancars. We will right our wrongs by your side. Just say the word."

Hyoroshi thought he heard his Zanpakuto grumbling something in the foggiest corner of his head, but out of a lack of interest in what it had to say rather than an inability to hear it, he continued to pay the spirit no mind.

Sazanami Kazuki: "During the attack on Naruki, my captain encountered one of the espada and two of such described humans. In his reports, these humans could see both Espada and Shinigami. If it was just that... they will be just written off as humans with high spirtual energy. Or given the case of the invasion, humans exposed to high spirtual energy."

"Yet what is perplexing about them... is that they possessed abilities: one was able to manipulate the very air we breath and the other... manifested his commands into reality. It is safe to assume that other humans kidnapped possessed similiar abilities. How or why these humans possess such strange powers is currently unknown. Yet the reason behind their abilties, may be the reason why the arrancars are kidnapping them."

Gently he closed the reports and walked to the entrance of the office.

"I will try to find out more on the matter, but for now I wish you luck with your Zanpakuto, Lady Kurayami. That you two once more reach a compromise as all partners should. And I wish you all luck with the execursion ... to Hueco Mundo. I would go with... but there are warmer places that call for my utmost attention. Please relay the message you wish for me to bring to Captain Izanagi."

A gust of fatigue rushed upon Iwamura in that moment. A hand lifted and rubbed the skin around his eyes; from the incident at the Tenth to the Human World invasion to the long days spent rebuilding, reporting and reconsolidating, the past ten days had been a blur. Standing now on the precipice of another journey into Hueco Mundo, the concern for the trip that was now blossoming in his gut extended only as far as his tiredness could hinder him. Iwamura was never one to seek retribution or revenge for the sake of it, a fact about him known well in the Division--this was merely a second chance to him, another opportunity to clean up a mess that should've never occurred at all.

He pulled his head back towards Kazuki as the former Lieutenant moved to the office's double-doors.

"Conditions permitting, Kazuki, I'll take you up on that offer for drinks. I could use some downtime before the time comes."

Iwamura looked to Shizukana.

"With that being said, Captain, Lieutenant, is there anything else you think we should discuss? When will we be heading out?"​

 

[TherosAestas]

Downing the rest of her cup of sake, Suzume’s eyes drifted to the now vacated seat beside her- cup still pressed to her lips. Yugure was certainly more blatantly confrontational than Hideo, but that was to be expected from the cousin who didn’t have to take out their own kin. Trauma and an extra two hundred years under one’s belt can do a lot to alter their personality, even in almost imperceptible ways. Lowering the cup from her lips, she shifted her gaze back to Hideo, not seeing the 600-year-old man he’d become, but the boy she’d grown up beside. Any other person might look at them and think she’d aligned herself with the wrong Shihoin, but she knew there was never anyone else she’d prefer for her life to be so painfully intertwined with.

Placing her cup down on the desk, her lips stretched into a smirk. A hazard indeed. Her fingers traced the lip of the silver cup. ”I would hope she would have noticed any discoloration to the silver from any poisons. Also, peach sake goes great with everything.” A soft chuckle escaped her lips, as she watched him contemplate the teapot, the foxglove motif not only a nod to its intended purpose but the nature of his second in command’s zanpakuto and taste for the deadly.

The air in the office felt heavier as Hideo bent down, his voice hushed as his words brushed across her skin. Another brother. Another unknown. To anyone who might be spying on them, she appeared unphased by whatever information was relayed to her, but to Hideo, the shift of her eyes to meet his, and their subtle narrowing should have been enough to tell him her thoughts on this. She hadn’t heard of this brother but she understood they would need to dig up all the information on them that they could.

The glint of the light off of the crest drew her attention down to it. Her hands gently closed over his as he shifted it back and forth. Her own voice lowered to in almost inaudible whisper, ”I’ll have Inei look into it. Both the crest and Haruki.” She released his hand, moving to pluck her second hair pin from where it peaked out of his obi. Replacing the pin in her hair, she rose from her seat, affording him only a single glance before she vanished.

Reappearing in her own room, she let out a low whistle. A young man, clad in all black, appeared before her on one knee, head down. Suzume leaned in close to his ear, relaying the information. Bring me the goings-on of the spring child and any word of an autumnal four maple palace.” Her eyes glinted dangerously as Inei nodded, understanding the meaning in her words. ”Go.” Without another word or movement, Inei vanished.

The wind rustled the leaves on the trees outside of Suzume’s room. The Seireitei seemed too calm before the coming storm. Folding her arms in front of her chest, she strolled back out into the rest of the barracks. Now she wanted nothing more than to either spar with her old friend or listen to him talk of anything else he has discovered.

​

 

[Adonai]

Kuwashii lays there, having no need to move her physical body as the Shinigami work on healing her. The physical part of the training is done, now is the time to think about everything she has learned and take lessons from it. For starters it was how she was fighting against Kisho. As much as she loves her flames even she has to admit she was over using them, in the sense of wasted energy. Kisho on the other hand was not as wasteful with his he was deliberate and precise, however, such a style may work well for him and not so much for her. The way she fights currently works well against the average run of the mill Hollows who don’t often take advantage of Reishi plates in the living world. Burning any surface they might land on is an adequate strategy, but against Arrancar it will not be that easy. She must think of a better usage for her Reiatsu and Zanpakuto abilities.

She continues to stare at the ceiling as the sound of nurses working around her is heard. They lift her arms carefully, applying bandages and even helping her sit up to apply bandages to her torso. She is compliant with their orders and guidance mostly because she is in her own head. If they told her to stop thinking, for whatever reason, then she may get a bit rowdy with them. Luckily such an order would never be given so she at least has the solace of her own mind to enjoy. While enjoying it a swell of inspiration is felt in her chest, a sense of inspiration that she connects back to stars. A Star doesn’t have its plasma stretch and reach out across its solar system, swathing everything in flames and ruin. No, it holds it close to its being and occasionally bursts of energy are released from it known as Coronal Mass Ejections. Her fascination with Stars sends her down a rabbit hole of ideas and lands on something new. She won’t stifle her flames like Kisho does, she will let them be seen but for those who tread too close they will experience something worse than mere burns.

”Less wildfire and more like an actual Star…”

Perhaps the nurses hear her or perhaps they ignore her and chalk it up to delirious muttering. Regardless of what they hear Kuwashii plans on reshaping her Reiatsu for the better. A second burning wave of inspiration hits her as she turns her head to look at her Zanpakuto. This idea to keep her Reiatsu close can also be done with her Zanpakuto as well, while sealed at least. She chuckles a bit, realizing how much of a fool she has been, her Zanpakuto has always kept its flames close to itself, like a proper Star should, she just never paid it much attention before.

”Seems like you’ve finally figured something out. Your grand obsession with stars and yet you are hell bent on talking about flames. You have no idea how much you’ve insulted me all these years.”

Zougeiro speaks to her at last now that she is finally figuring out what her Zanpakuto and herself truly are. A tear rolls down her face as she continues to stare at her Zanpakuto, elated that it is finally speaking with her again. She opens her mouth to speak but is halted by Zougeiro speaking again.

”You are on the path to Bankai, I will say that much. But how far down that path you are I cannot say. Is it just starting or is it towards the end? Only I know for certain. Now, what kind of Zanpakuto am I?”

”Fire.”

”Wrong, try again.”

His response is abrupt and sudden, enough to shock her and force her to think for a moment.

”But according to the Shinigami text you would be classed as an Elemental Zanpakuto, fire specifically. So-”

”Oh? So you get to tell me what I am? Me, who knows I better than you. Kuwashii, think beyond the arrogant mindset of your ilk and answer my question. What kind of Zanpakuto am I?”

”Mine?”

She thinks it's a trick question and gives an out of the box answer. Zougeiro’s chuckling echoes in her mind.

”As sweet and correct as that response may be, it is not the right answer. This is no trick test. Just tell me, when you close your eyes and gaze upon me, what you see is what I am.”

She closes her eyes and focuses and a vision of sorts is given to her, this is Jinzen. She stands on a rocky surface that is dwarfed by a massive burning white star. She is awestruck by its beauty, majesty, and power. She blinks and an Oni with pale blue skin whose hair and beard are made of flowing white flames stands before her. His arms are crossed as he stares down at her and she looks up at him in return. He then asks again, calmly.

”What kind of Zanpakuto am I?”

”A Star…”

”Correct. Remember that and do not forget it. I do not care what Shinigami classify me as, I know what I am and now, so do you. Use this knowledge to grow further so that we both may be radiant, brilliant, and grossly incandescent as that.”

He points to the star that dominates the sky of her inner world. The two sit down together to just stare at it. With this being her inner world she can gaze upon it all she wants without fear of eye damage. In reality her eyes are closed, she is so deep into Jinzen that she appears sleep and maybe at some point she will just transition from meditation to slumber. The last word any of the nurses heard from her was “Fire”. After that her eyes closed and it was at that point she learned how to use Jinzen properly. The next time she does battle will be different, with a better understanding of herself and her Zanpakuto things will go different for her.

 

[Deleted member 65]

​

---

"As I have stated before... I have additional reports on the humans."

The expression within Captain Kurayami’s eyes gradually altered from one of conviction into one of confusion as Sazanami continued. The very notion that the Arrancar, no, that Hollow-kind were colluding to kidnap humans gave her pause and she could not help but wonder if what Sazanami was reporting was accurate. Further explanation begot more outlandish claims, spiritually aware humans were anomalies as it was, but ones that possessed extraordinary abilities were ones that she had yet to meet. In fact, until that moment Shizukana did not believe such beings existed although the more that she contemplated the information she was being given, the more she was beginning to. The Captain of the tenth division did not strike her as someone who would lie on an offficial document meant to be examined by his fellow Captain. By all accounts, Kurayami had no choice but to take it all as fact.

"I will try to find out more on the matter, but for now I wish you luck with your Zanpakuto, Lady Kurayami. That you two once more reach a compromise as all partners should. And I wish you all luck with the execursion ... to Hueco Mundo. I would go with... but there are warmer places that call for my utmost attention. Please relay the message you wish for me to bring to Captain Izanagi."

Before she could ponder what this could mean in light of their circumstances, the woman’s thoughts were disturbed when Kazuki’s last words had been spoken during his stroll back toward whence he had come. She became unsettled upon hearing his comment pertaining to the relationship between her Zanpakuto and herself but because he had meant it in compassion and in consideration for her, she said nothing more on the subject besides to wish the man a safe journey to where he’d be going next. Of course, His request that she provide him with an answer to bring to his Captain had not fallen onto deaf ears either.

" Thank you for those sentiments, Sazanami. Although it seems you can’t assist us, please return to your Captain and tell him all that you’ve heard today, granted it isn’t much. I ask that you notify him of my need for volunteers to join our cause, whomever he can spare if any at all. I know that the tenth and the thirteenth are both overwhelmed with the aftermath of what’s happened by this point but I'd be eternally grateful for any aid. I bid you a safe trip to where you’re heading to next!”

Shizukana lifted a hand to gently dismiss Kazuki before she pulled out her phone, opened up her messages and began composing. This left her Lieutenant and her third seated officer waiting but she hoped that they wouldn’t mind a moment or two while she tended to her business on her Denreishiki. It wasn’t until she was somewhat through what she’d been doing and while she was that she spoke again, whether Sazanami had gone or whether he had not.

"With that being said, Captain, Lieutenant, is there anything else you think we should discuss? When will we be heading out?"

" Unfortunately, the wheels of motion are going to move slower than we’d prefer. As much as I'd love to jump to it, I must confer with the other captains as to what measures will need to be taken to cross our T’s and dot our I’s and get this mission on the road! Things were much simpler when we didn’t have all of this red tape to contend with as of late, gracious. It can’t be helped if we want…well, help.”

Finally finished with her message, Shizukana selected a bright green ‘send’ button with her thumb and instantly sent out a mass text to each of the Captains of the Gotei thirteen.

‘ Greetings to all of my fellow Captains! I do hope you’re all well, pleasantries aside, I am requesting a meeting amongst us. This meeting will be remote so that we will not be required to leave our divisions and so that this little get together is as timely as can be! I believe it is imperative that this happens as soon as possible so that none of our precious time is wasted. In three hours I will initiate a group video chat, I do hope to see you there! <3 xoxoxoxo‘

“ If all goes well, and everyone moves their booties, we will be on the way in less than two days' time. We can only hope that those poor souls last that long... I ask that you both prepare yourselves anyway that you see fit and if you happen to come across a candidate for this mission feel free to extend an invitation on behalf of myself. As far as today goes, you’re both free to go.”
​

---

POSTING ORDER: Shizukana -> Kazuki -> Hyoroshi -> Oyuki ​

 

[Inkmasterru]

---

Maybe Kazuki was wrong, at first Kazuki felt a coldness from Oyuki as if he was spitting his direction. As if he was looking at Kazuki as lesser in comparison to him. Remembering his first words to him back when he confronted Kisho. Yet he also remembered that unlike others Kazuki read with reikaku, Oyuki was unique. The coldness always followed him and always emitted from his Zanpakutō, not him. Though he still felt that Oyuki was looking past him as if he was insignificant to him, not worth to be acknowledged. Which begged the question, why did he interfere in that conflict when he could have just walked past?

It matters not, old Kazuki would have reacted, but this one was tired. Not in the mood to engage in an argument based in futility, as he felt that his words will mean nothing to one who mostly likely valued action. As his body continued to sway, he turned to face Oyuki and reward him with a tired smile. Before redirecting his attention to Kuwashii's reiatsu, something that he was focused on the whole entire time. Sensing it light ablaze alongside another that he knew all too well... Kisho.

So that is where she went... a few minutes passed as he deciphered that it was a bout between the two, the details lost, but that much he was able to understand. Eventually both reiatsu's diminished signifying the end of the bout and hers remained still alit. Bringing relief in Kazuki's heart that she survived. He wondered what possessed her to seek Kisho out as he doubted it was to avenge him, though he remembered her disappointment at the conclusion of the conflict ten days ago. He wondered what Oyuki said to her to inspire her to do so, all can be asked later. Yet despite how foolish it was, she was no fool, there must of been a reason. One good enough to risk her life, so for now he will let her simmer in the 4th just as he had, they can always talk on a later date.

"Conditions permitting, Kazuki, I'll take you up on that offer for drinks. I could use some downtime before the time comes."

Kazuki's head tilted to look at Iwamura as one of his hands moved to rest in his sash. The smile growing wider at the offer of going to drink with the wolfman despite not expecting it to be so sudden. Though he did offer as thanks for what he did for the 10th in Naruki and Katakura town. Kazuki pulled the hand in his sash out as it moved to cusp the back of his neck. A glint visible around his hand as the sunlight hit his arm, his chain link bracelet rattling in sound. He rubbed his neck as the smile transformed into a grin. The arm then dropping back to his side with a swing and a thud would be heard in the room as his swaying body roughly leaned into the beam of the doorway. He pushed off the beam, maintaining the smile as his body seemed unstable in it's posture and stance.

"Hmmm, you may join me at the eastern gate overlooking the east rukongai. Though take your time, me and the guardian are to have chat, after that you are more than welcome to join. I'll be sure to bring a extra jar for you."

Then Kurayami immediately addressed him, grabbing his attention for a moment.

" Thank you for those sentiments, Sazanami. Although it seems you can’t assist us, please return to your Captain and tell him all that you’ve heard today, granted it isn’t much. I ask that you notify him of my need for volunteers to join our cause, whomever he can spare if any at all. I know that the tenth and the thirteenth are both overwhelmed with the aftermath of what’s happened by this point but I'd be eternally grateful for any aid. I bid you a safe trip to where you’re heading to next!”

"Of course, Lady Kurayami. I will convey the message to my captain and if we have any men or women to spare, I will see if my captain can send them your way."

Kazuki's words were sincere as he truly wished them well. He would have gone with, but with a certain someone... there will be tension that will get the force killed. Tension that Kazuki was willing to put aside to fight a common foe, yet he felt that Oyuki would not. Shame... it would seem that he will have to wait for the battlefield to come to him, here at the soul society. He bowed to Captain Kurayami and begun to walk down the steps into the courtyard. Stopping at the last one and speaking without turning around.

"I don't know what you said to Kuwashii, but... be careful what lessons you instill in those who look up to you. As well as the message you speak to comrades who stand besides you... even those unspoken. For you may not always reap rewards."

Everyone could easily tell for who this soft-spoken message was for, yet it wasn't just for his ears. Kazuki said what he needed to say, not a care if he listened, more expecting for it to fall on deaf ears. Yet for those who stood beside him... his words may spark something, what that may be, only time will tell. Maybe nothing will happen at all, but he said his peace.

His sandals clicked softly as he walked in no hurry to the gate of the barracks. The body still swaying as if deterred by invisible winds, a hum emitting from his lips. Before he stepped through and... vanished. His Shunpo carrying him away to the nearest bar to grab some drinks, before heading to have a chat with a old acquaintance.
​

---

POSTING ORDER: Shizukana -> Hyoroshi -> Oyuki

NORTHEAST SEIREITEI -> EASTERN GATE​

 

[Nobody]

Kishō stops the moment Yūgure appeared so abruptly before him. He stared impassively at the woman in silence as she noted how he did not deal a finishing blow to the girl. She was right to note how surprising such a thing was, as those he's set his sights on rarely lived a normal life after an encounter with him, if they lived at all. Former Lieutenant Sazanami's was by luck, the Date's focus having shifted away from him and onto Captain Shizukana diminished the results of what could have happened to the man back then. This time was different. He initially planned on brutalizing the foolish child, but in the course of the exchange he had changed his mind somewhat, grown intrigued by the girl. Her death, for now at least would have been...something of a shame.

"You're right, I would never admit to something that didn't happen."

He remarked, for as far as he was concerned he hadn't helped her. Not yet at least. Should she join their Division, then perhaps that just might change. "I told her to leave that playground called the Tenth Division and to join us here. Perhaps then, something might be made out of her." He informed Yūgure on the offer he had extended to Kuwashii, pausing to glance back towards where they had...danced a bit.
​

“And while we’re on the subject of fire…My cousin’s been busy. And I’m going to need your help with something.”​

"I care nothing of the games of the Shihoin. Rather the politics of your clan, you should be focused on these gaps in the Seireitei's security. The potential threats and liabilities."

Unaware of what she is speaking of, he assumes she speaks only of the infighting and competition of her clan due to the vacant seat of head. Its a matter that is but a trifle to the Date as he scoffs dismissively.

"If there's nothing more we have work to be done."

 

[GhoulBunny]

“I told her to leave that playground called the Tenth Division and to join us here. Perhaps then, something might be made out of her.”​

Yūgure’s gaze lingered toward the direction Kuwashii had been taken—scarred, but still breathing. And then, slowly, she nodded.


“That might be the first time someone’s taken her seriously. Someone who didn’t just coddle her, or dismiss her as a girl playing soldier. You may have broken her bones, Date—but you also handed her something no one else would.”


And it was true. Beneath the injuries, the exhaustion, and the seared edges of her pride—Kuwashii had stood. Screamed. Survived. She had been tempered. The kind of tempering Yūgure understood far too well. The kind that demanded you bleed for the right to be taken seriously.

Maybe the Tenth really had failed her.

“She’ll be ten times stronger when she comes back,” Yūgure murmured. “Assuming she listens.”

Then, her expression shifted. Just slightly. The softness ebbed, and in its place came something sharper. Heavier.

“And while we’re on the subject of fire… my cousin’s been busy. And I’m going to need your help with something.”
​

“I care nothing of the games of the Shihoin. Rather the politics of your clan, you should be focused on these gaps in the Seireitei’s security. The potential threats and liabilities.”​

The scoff from Kishō was expected.

Yūgure offered no visible reaction—only a faint lift of her chin. But inside, her patience tightened like a wire.


“Trust me, Date,” she replied, calm and clipped. “I know you wouldn’t give a damn about Shihoin business. I wouldn’t come to you if that was all.”

Her voice didn’t rise. It didn’t need to. There was no dressing it up—just her gaze locked to his, level and clear.

“There’s a book. One my cousin found. I don’t know how, and frankly, I don’t care.” A pause. “It bears our seal. And it may be connected something that could cripple more than just my family. What’s written in that book might matter to the Gotei itself. If there’s even a chance that it holds something tied to the soul society then we don’t have the luxury of letting it rot on a nobleman’s desk.”

Her eyes flicked downward for half a second. A breath.

“I just came from there.”

She didn’t finish that thought.

She wouldn’t speak of the tension. Of the tea and the bitter undercurrent that ran between them like poison in a shared cup. She wouldn’t repeat the words her cousin had said about artifacts and records, or the way he’d acted like they had time to read about mochi recipes.

She just pressed her lips together and continued.

“He didn’t give me much. Enough to piss me off.”

Another beat. Another glance toward the battlefield they’d left behind.

“So now I’m giving it to you.”

She finally turned her body fully toward Kishō.

“If it’s what I think it is, Ninth Division takes control. This falls under our purview. And if my cousin resists?”

A long silence. Her tone didn’t change, but the threat was implicit.

“You’ll force his hand. No fighting….please you’ve done enough of that.”​

She was coming to Kishō no for violence but because he cared about getting a job done without truly caring what others thought about the way he did it…something Yūgure herself couldn’t do…yet anyways.

She stood there a moment longer, letting her words settle like embers on cooling ground.

And then?

“If you do this..you’ll have my thanks.”
​

 

[Nobody]

Unconcerned about Yūgure's worries, but annoyed that she still barred his path, the boiling volcano that was Kishō remained still as she spoke, a luxury very few are afforded. Perhaps its because it was Yūgure who was speaking that he deigned to allow her a few more words before he would decide to move her out of his way.
​

“There’s a book. One my cousin found. I don’t know how, and frankly, I don’t care. It bears our seal. And it may be connected something that could cripple more than just my family. What’s written in that book might matter to the Gotei itself. If there’s even a chance that it holds something tied to the soul society then we don’t have the luxury of letting it rot on a nobleman’s desk.”​

Kishō cocked a brow, some strange book was it? It too seemed like it could potentially be a trifle, however it was a possibility that he couldn't just ignore. If by chance, it was a hinderance, a danger, a risk to the Seireitei, it was up to him to deal with it.

"Very well, hand over the book and I will determine if it truly is a risk or not."

Deciding to look into the matter he held his hand out for her to hand the item over, only to be met with silence. What came next was something he did not expect.
​

“I just came from there.
He didn’t give me much. Enough to piss me off.”​

"Are you saying, YOU of all people returned empty handed?"

This was unbelievable to the man, certainly surprising. The fact that Yūgure was aware of the matter and had gone to deal with it personally only to return empty handed, and the fact that this surprised Kishō spoke volumes. It meant that, he was confident that she was more than capable of retrieving or handling any matter, something proven time and time again in their time together. It is why he is so patient with Yūgure, more than others outside of his clan. Was it that she couldn't get anything more...or she simply chose not to? He thought momentarily before he concluded something he had almost missed.
​

“If it’s what I think it is, Ninth Division takes control. This falls under our purview. And if my cousin resists?
You’ll force his hand. No figh-"​

"Conflict of interest."

He had cut her off as she spoke.

"You're aware of a potential risk from within your own family. However, because you're currently in a political battle for head, investigating the matter further, despite being a member of the Ninth would be perceived as a conflict of interest for you. Claims of potential bias interfering with our investigation. How wise of you."

As always, he had come to a conclusion all his own, and cemented it as fact within his own mind, regardless of how true or not it was. If he said it was true, it was true and if he claimed something was false, then it was false. There was no debating with him.
​

“If you do this..you’ll have my thanks.”​

"Spare me your gratitude woman. I do this for the safety of the Seireitei for it is my duty just as it is yours."

He begins to walk past her, his arms resting behind him. While walking he comes to a stop, foot partially off the ground.

"I will not fight with your cousin. He will comply with the investigation, or he will be executed so I can investigate."

He spoke matter-of-factly, as he continued onward, his destination the 8th Division to look into the matter now brought to his attention.

Headed to the Eighth Division​