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Post by Jiro Hitoshi on Jul 7, 2024 3:07:57 GMT -6
Bleach Unrated: REBOOTEDCurrent Arc: RejectionEpisode 475 "Benevolent Act": (continued) The clock struck ten as the teams paused for a well-deserved break. The moonlit Seireitei seemed almost peaceful under the stars, a stark contrast to the turmoil of the recent quake. Jiro and Makino joined their friends, Shin, Mitsuo, Haku, and Rin, at a clearing near the East Gate.
Jiro set down his pack and pulled out the food he had prepared earlier. "Alright, everyone, dig in," he said, handing out rice balls and pickled vegetables."Thanks, Jiro," Mitsuo said, gratefully accepting his portion. "I’m starving."Makino took a seat next to Jiro, stretching her tired muscles. "Feels good to take a break," she said, taking a bite of her rice ball. "We've made a lot of progress tonight.""Yeah," Shin agreed, plopping down with a sigh. "But there’s still so much to do. It's like the rubble just keeps coming."Haku nodded, his face streaked with dirt. "True, but every little bit helps. We’re getting there, slowly but surely."Rin, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, spoke up. "It’s kind of nice out here, though, isn’t it? Despite everything, the Seireitei still has its beauty."They all fell silent for a moment, taking in the serene night. The air was cool, and the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze provided a soothing backdrop to their meal."How’s everyone holding up?" Makino asked, glancing around at her friends."Exhausted, but in a good way," Mitsuo said with a grin. "It feels good to be doing something useful.""Agreed," Haku added. "We’re making a difference, and that’s what matters."Shin leaned back, looking up at the stars. "You know, I was talking to some of the older shinigami, and they said they haven’t seen anything like this in centuries. Makes you appreciate what we have even more."Rin nodded thoughtfully. "It’s a reminder of how fragile everything is. But also how strong we are, coming together like this."Jiro smiled, feeling a warm sense of camaraderie. "Yeah, we’ve got each other, and that’s what’s important. We’ll rebuild the Seireitei, piece by piece."
They continued eating in companionable silence, the bond between them growing stronger with each shared moment. Despite the hardships, they were united in their determination to restore their home.As the break drew to a close, Makino stood up, stretching her arms. "Alright, back to work, everyone. We’ve got a few more hours before we call it a night."The others groaned good-naturedly but stood up as well, ready to dive back into the task at hand. With renewed energy, they returned to the cleanup, their spirits buoyed by the brief respite and the knowledge that they were all in this together.Moved |
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Post by Jiro Hitoshi on Jul 28, 2024 0:09:27 GMT -6
Bleach Unrated: REBOOTEDCurrent Arc: RejectionEpisode 491 “Bad Taste”: Lunchtime during the cleanup effort found four of the six friends back on site, struggling with a particularly stubborn building that had collapsed. The more they cleared, the more rubble seemed to tumble in on itself, trapping the injured beneath. It was grueling work, and Jiro, Rin, Mitsuo, and Shin had stayed on well past midnight, hoping the mess would be resolved by now. Twelve hours later, they were exhausted and heading to the designated lunch spot in the safe zone.
As they walked, Jiro glanced at his friends. “What do you guys think of the new kid Maki-chan brought in?”“Huh, you mean Riku?” Shin asked, looking at Jiro.Mitsuo chuckled under his breath, “You mean other than he's just way too much fluff?”“Seriously!?” Rin rolled his eyes at Mitsuo and then turned to Jiro. “Is that what you've been thinking about for the last twelve hours?”Jiro nodded silently as they reached their spot and sat down. |
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Post by Shin Maki on Jul 28, 2024 0:12:13 GMT -6
Shin watched Jiro take his seat, still without saying a word. “This guy really has you bugged, huh?”
“What about him don’t you like?” Rin asked.
Jiro shook his head. “It’s not just one thing.”
“I think you’re being paranoid because it’s Maki-chan,” Shin said, opening his bento box.
“That’s a very good possibility,” Rin agreed, also opening his lunch. “Hell, we’ve all been friends for as long as we can remember.” He took a bite of his rice.
Shin pointed his chopsticks at Mitsuo, who was stuffing his face and listening. “If I remember correctly, Jiro did this same thing when Haku joined our group.”
Mitsuo looked around with his mouth full. “Why you pointing at me?” A few grains of rice fell back into his bento box.
Shin wrinkled his nose in disgust. “Dude, don’t talk with your mouth full.”
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Post by Mitsuo Hayashi on Jul 28, 2024 0:14:31 GMT -6
Mitsuo swallowed his lunch. “Then don’t direct shit at me.”
“I did it because you were the first one he talked to about it,” Shin grunted.
Mitsuo nodded. “I was?”
Shin sighed, running his fingers through his blond hair. “And they say blondes are stupid.”
“HEY!” Mitsuo exclaimed, looking annoyed. “That was a long time ago!”
Rin burst into laughter. “It’s been two and a half, three years. And Maki-chan has known Haku as long as she’s known Jiro.” He looked at Jiro. “Jiro is just easy to make jealous when it comes to Maki-chan.”
Mitsuo nodded in agreement. “Ain’t that the truth.”
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Post by Jiro Hitoshi on Jul 28, 2024 0:18:07 GMT -6
“That’s not true,” Jiro grumbled.
Rin chuckled. “You acted the same way with each new person who joined the group. It’s been you and Maki-chan for so long, you’re afraid someone will take her attention from you.”
“Maki-chan is one of the guys,” Jiro commented.
“Maki-chan was one of the guys,” Shin added. "I stress ‘was.’ She grew up into a hot-as-hell female, and even though she’s a damn good friend to us all, there’s not one of us here who can honestly say we wouldn’t want a chance with her.”
“True that,” Mitsuo retorted.
Jiro looked around at his friends with narrowed eyes. “Maki-chan is off-limits to you assholes. She deserves better than any one of us.”
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Post by Shin Maki on Jul 28, 2024 0:21:16 GMT -6
“Ain’t none of us stupid enough to make a move on Maki-chan. Her brothers would remove our privates.” Shin looked at the other three guys shaking his head, “Shit ain’t happening. I am kinda attached to my privates.”
Rin chuckled, his head shaking as he looked down at his lunch and took a bite. His attention came back to the group. “I don’t think you have to worry about Riku.”
Shin nodded, “I don’t think Maki-chan is,” Shin’s hand lifted as he made a quoting motion, “his type.”
Jiro’s head cocked with a deadpan expression, “he is pansexual. Everyone is his type.”
“Maybe it’s a piece of your ass he wants,” Mitsuo could not help a burst of laughter.
Jiro’s eyes narrowed at Mitsuo, “Yeah, and made it’s a piece of your ass he wants.”
Mitsuo got a disgusted look on his face, “I’ll knock his queer ass out cold he comes near me!”
“Dude! Since when were you a homophobe!?” Rin exclaimed.
“Good point, Rin.” Shin looked at Mitsuo with a raised brow as he leaned forward with his arm propped on his leg, “Better drop that shit real quick if you're looking to go into the Eleventh Division. You’ll have one as a commanding officer.”
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Post by Mitsuo Hayashi on Jul 28, 2024 0:23:32 GMT -6
Mitsuo gave Shin a confused look, “Fifth seat, Yumichika Ayasegawa is pansexual? I thought he was just flamboyant as hell.”
Rin shook his head as he laughed, “You’re so damn dense in the head.”
“What!? It’s an honest mistake.” Mitsuo bellowed.
The three were still laughing at Mitsuo, “Sure if you’re blind as a bat.” Jiro chimed in.
Mitsuo looked at Jiro with narrowed eyes, “at least I’m not imagining things. Maki-chan nor Riku are looking to be nothing more than just friends.”
“I’m not worried about that dumbass. Riku is hiding something. You three just can’t see the signs.”
“And like you can?!” Shin countered. “You’ve never been trained to be a ninja or assassin.”
“And you’re no, Hitokiri Battōsai.” Mitsuo added.
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Post by Jiro Hitoshi on Jul 28, 2024 0:24:43 GMT -6
Jiro said noting only glared at Shin and Mitsuo. He could not say anything in return to their comment. None of the three in the group were aware Jiro had been trained by Makino and her four brothers, inheriting skills that made him formidable. His unease about Riku wasn’t just jealousy or protectiveness; it was a sense that Riku might be hiding something dangerous. Jiro couldn't shake the feeling that Riku’s arrival wasn’t coincidental, and he didn’t want Maki-chan hurt in ways she couldn’t anticipate.
As they ate, Jiro's mind kept drifting back to the night before, when Makino had introduced Riku to the group. There had been something in Riku’s eyes, a flicker of something Jiro couldn’t quite place. It wasn’t just Riku’s pansexuality that set him apart; it was an air of mystery, of secrets carefully guarded. Jiro had seen enough deception in his training to recognize it, and it gnawed at him. He resolved to keep a closer watch on Riku, to protect Maki-chan from any threat, no matter how well-disguised.
The banter among his friends faded into the background as Jiro’s thoughts turned inward. He would need to talk to Makino, to share his concerns without alarming her. She was strong, yes, but everyone had their blind spots, and Jiro feared Riku might be hers. For now, he would play along, let the others think his jealousy was simple and irrational. Better they believe that than know the darker truths he guarded, the shadows that lurked just beyond the edges of their camaraderie.
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Post by Shin Maki on Jul 28, 2024 0:29:46 GMT -6
“We need more females in our group,” Shin claimed.
Mitsuo chuckled, “Why? You and Rin would just chase them off with your man charm.”
“Hey!? I resemble that remark.” Rin grinned as he dramatically flipped his hair back.
The group chuckled, “You’re right.”
Shin grinned wider, “What that me and Rin would chase them off, or that we need more chicks in the group?”
Jiro chuckled, “Both, but Maki-chan needs a girlfriend. All her friends are guys.”
“There’s Riku,” Mitsuo grinned.
“Riku is not a chick!” Rin retorted.
“Could have fooled me,” Mitsuo claimed.
Shin laughed shaking his head, “You’re such an ass, Mits.”
“I suggest you not rip on Riku about his sexuality while Maki-chan is around. You might get your ass handed to you.” Jiro informed Mitsuo.
“I don’t mean anything by it. It’s just poking fun at the dude.” Mitsuo defended himself.
"Well Maki-chan will not see it that way and I'm sure Riku will have something to say about as well," Shin informed Mitsuo.
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Post by Rin Matsumoto on Jul 28, 2024 0:46:57 GMT -6
"Maki-chan don't get along with too many females. She claims their too prissy for her." Rin stated.
"Compared to Maki-chan every female is too prissy." Shin chuckled.
"Well, she is being raised in a male-dominated household. It's only her, her mother, and Koko. With four brothers and her grandfather." Jiro explained.
"And then there is you," Rin claimed.
"I don't live there," Jiro stated.
"You might as well with as much as you hang out there." Rin chuckled. "Sometimes I think you're a Tori with as much as you hang out there." Rin's attention then went to a young woman walking toward them. She was wearing a dark purple striped kimono, her long black hair, tied up in a high ponytail that curled around her hips as she walked. She was right around the age of their group.
"She is far too good looking to be out here working," Rin commented as the other three guys looked in the direction Rin was looking.
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Post by Rika Ukitake on Jul 28, 2024 2:05:24 GMT -6
Rika walked down the street toward the east gate, one hand twirling a length of the long hair framing her face as she observed the surroundings around her. Her long lashes hid keen blue-grey eyes that were slightly narrowed, as if annoyed, but actually stemmed from concentration. She’d finished volunteering at another location but had returned to the sites to make another report tonight for her parents. Although, she only needed to make a brief appearance to complete it.
Sensing a defined movement out of the corner of her eye, she turned her head to watch a redhead around her age stride towards her.
He probably had one reason.
She stood in place, waiting for him to reach her to get this over with, her hair swirling behind her like a tail.
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Post by Rin Matsumoto on Jul 28, 2024 2:17:57 GMT -6
Rin's smile was keen, a glint of confidence in his eyes as he strode up to the lovely young woman. He moved with a natural grace, every step measured, purposeful. As he neared her, he noticed the way her hair shimmered in the light, framing her face perfectly. Her eyes, bright and curious, met his, and he felt a thrill run through him.
"Hey there," he said smoothly, his voice a rich, warm baritone. "I couldn't help but notice the way you light up the area. Mind if we chat?"
She looked up at him, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "You're quite bold, aren't you?"
Rin chuckled, the sound low and pleasant. "Life's too short to be anything else. I'm Rin, by the way."
She took a moment, as if waiting for something. "Rika," she replied in lieu of a longer reply.
"A beautiful name for a beautiful woman," he said, his eyes never leaving hers. "So, Rika, what's a captivating person like you doing in a place like this?"
She laughed softly, a melodic sound that made his heart skip a beat. "I am on my way home. And you?"
"Helping out with the cleanup efforts," Rin replied, his smile widening. "It's been ongoing for a few days now."
Rika raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Really, this is the first I have seen you here."
Rin leaned in slightly, his gaze intense and sincere. "Because we have mostly been working the evening shifts." Rin gave her an inquiring look. "So are you telling me you have been here helping out as well?"
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Post by Rika Ukitake on Jul 28, 2024 2:27:17 GMT -6
Rika remained in place as she looked him over, her tone even as she continued the conversation. “I’ve been here and there. To be honest, I get bored staying in the same place long and lose my motivation so I helped with more than one group. What, may I ask, made you change your mind today if you have been doing the rounds in the evening?”
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Post by Rin Matsumoto on Jul 28, 2024 2:46:39 GMT -6
"The issue with a particularly stubborn building that had collapsed. The more we cleared, the more rubble seemed to tumble in on itself, trapping the injured beneath. We," he pointed over his shoulder at his friends, "were working on it last night and things only got worse, so we stuck around to help get things in order and the injured and trapped freed from the rubble."
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Post by Rika Ukitake on Jul 28, 2024 2:57:51 GMT -6
Rika looked over to the building in question, her hand itching to draw her zanpakuto, but she was under strict instructions not to use it unless supervised. She could get out of control too easily, especially with that kind of rubble. "I see." She sighed. "It's too bad that the attack on Division 12 has most of the Gotei working on that sector. This kind of work could have been cleared quicker."
"How do you know that?" Rin asked.
She shrugged her small shoulders. "I listen to word around the districts and read."
Close enough. She didn't need to flaunt her family name for something like this. Even if it made finding things out easier, that didn't mean it wasn't possible for others to learn more if they tried.
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