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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on May 17, 2024 15:22:18 GMT -6
Bleach Unrated: REBOOTEDCurrent Arc: RejectionEpisode 439 "Twilight Steps away from Grief": After everyone had left the memorial for the night, the commander left the final cleanup to the caretakers and headed towards his office, Nanao appearing at his side soon after he left the shrine’s grounds. He chuckled at her quick timing, relieved some things hadn’t changed after all the beating they had taken. All the war wounds he couldn’t prevent. All the promises and vows broken asunder. He sighed and lowered his hat over his eyes. “Did Juu-chan get back to his manor all right?” Nanao nodded, adjusting the sleeves of her dark purple kimono. Like many today, she had not worn her Gotei uniform today. “He’s back at the manor. Taiyaka and Nobuyuki were at the gates when we arrived.”
Shunsui hummed in response. “Good. That will do for now.” He continued down the road. |
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Post by Lt. Nanao Ise on May 17, 2024 15:23:54 GMT -6
Her eyes narrowed over at her captain as she fell in step with him. She recognized that gait. “But I take it that you are not going to retire for the night again and you’re still going to keep me out of the loop of whatever you’re working on.”
“For a little while, yes,” he murmured. “It still needs work, and I’m running out of time.”
“Running out of time for what?” she insisted. “You do know you’re going to run yourself into the ground even more so than your best friend if you don’t stop soon. I know you’ve gone back to drinking, too, but you’re completely sober and not sleeping it off at all!”
Shunsui halted and laughed quietly. “Maybe so, maybe so. It would be nice to go sleep on the roof.”
“Shunsui!” Nanao snapped, sensing his attempt to evade her.
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on May 17, 2024 15:25:50 GMT -6
The commander sighed and looked to the woman at his side, more particularly at the steely glint in her dark blue eyes. “Bear with me for a little while longer, Nanao, then you’ll get enough work from me to stop worrying about it.”
She huffed and folded her arms. “Now you’re being ridiculous.”
Shunsui continued to look at her. “Perhaps but my answer stands. Despite how it looks, I know what I am doing, and this may be the best thing for me. Unlike Juu-chan, who’s always pushing himself to the limits, I rarely see the reason to. I can handle this stretch.”
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Post by Lt. Nanao Ise on May 17, 2024 15:29:32 GMT -6
“Liar,” she mumbled. She stepped forward and set her hand on his arm. “I know when you do most of your work and when you pretend to be lazy. I know you. Even now. But this is different.”
Shunsui chuckled again and set his hand over hers. “So it is, but you’ll understand in time why I kept it to myself. Leave it alone and continue to take care of the Gotei while I work on these details.” He released her and looked at the twilight sky ahead. “It’s a debt that’s long been overdue. Then, maybe I can relax….”
He turned back to Nanao. “Did you manage to catch Hirako?”
Nanao sighed and retrieved her spectacles from her sleeve, slipping them back on at the change of subject. “No, I didn’t. He’s quicker than me. He left peach saplings and disappeared, and he’s still rejecting candidates for his lieutenant.”
The commander started walking again. “Another thing I need to deal with soon. Probably going to lose blood doing it, too. I’ll give him a couple more days.”
She didn't like that reply either but recognized there was little she could do about it.
A pause fell between them but she broke the silence this time. “I’ll make sure you have a meal ready when you get back to the office. Even if you stay up all night.”
“Thank you, Nanao-chan.”
She puffed out some hot air. “Just don’t stay like this forever.”
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on May 17, 2024 15:36:55 GMT -6
He waved a hand at her. “Don’t worry. It’s too tiring to do this all the time. Away with you. Get something to eat before you tend to this old dog.
“Old dog my foot!” Nanao muttered. “Your eyepatch won't fool me, and most dogs don’t change their tricks.” She disappeared in a whoosh of shunpo.
Shunsui stared up into the sky as more stars started to appear, blinking at him as if shaking their limbs after waking from a deep slumber. "Maybe I should take a day or two to go hopping around for food in Rukongai. That is more fun than these secrets. But then again, a nap in the sun would be even better." He lowered his head, looking at the tall, quiet buildings and walls around him. "Soon, but not yet."
He glanced to his side. "And not when another pretty woman joins my musing. What can I do for you this evening, Lady Fire?"
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Post by Captain Ryo Hirabayashi on May 17, 2024 15:55:50 GMT -6
Ryo bowed with a smile. "She is quite fierce with you." Ryo's smile grew wide as she tried not to laugh. "I have to say that I love it. I imagine that's what I look like going up against Sajin. Though your stature isn't as intimidating." Ryo tucked her arms into her haori as she walked alongside the Commander. After a few moments she sighed. "I am in need of your guidance, Kyoraku. If you have the time..."
"I always have time for my fellows, rain or shine. It's what makes me the commander," Shunsui responded, slowing his walk for her. "What's on your mind, my lady captain?"
Ryo nodded with a sigh. "I will get to the point then." She stopped walking, turning to face the Commander. "I may be asking because I see myself as...changed. But, do you still see me as being capable of leading the Ninth?"
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on May 17, 2024 16:09:51 GMT -6
Shunsui halted in his steps as well and looked over to her, adjusting his hat to get a better look. “Change is not always for the detriment of us all, even if it’s painful or difficult to swallow. It’s a part of life, one way or another, and to be honest, I didn’t expect this coming from you, fiery Ryo. However, I can answer it all the same. Why do you second guess your capabilities of leading the Ninth?"
"Oh these days I feel my flame could barely light a dark corner in a room." Ryo grew quiet. She lowered her gaze, choosing not to look at her Commander. "Sousuke Aizen...He..." Ryo clenched her fists even as they were tucked away inside of her haori. "I am not myself, Kyoraku. I feel out of sorts. Rushed. I feel as if I am without direction."
“And yet you started to revive an old section of your division, even recruited a few members for approval,” her commander countered. “That doesn’t make me see a weak flame. Do I have the wrong perception? Was that a bluff to keep calm or an attempt to flay around blindly to find some footing?”
He gentled his tone. “Has something changed after that, Ryo?"
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Post by Captain Ryo Hirabayashi on May 17, 2024 16:37:22 GMT -6
Ryo could feel the heat of shame on her cheeks. It was as he said...an attempt to find her footing. Her eyes watered as she exhaled. "Not after..." Ryo shook her head. "Nothing changed after...All before. I feel as though I am just a shadow of what I was before what Aizen did. I've been questioning myself since my return. Sajin kept me distracted with his demands to step away. But, once you intervened, my doubts grew."
Looking up, Ryo looked around but not at the Commander. "I just want to know if you've also lost faith in me..."
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on May 17, 2024 17:02:04 GMT -6
Shunsui stepped up and touched her shoulder. "You're not the only one who fell in the dark, Ryo. If I believed you any lesser after what you had experienced, I wouldn't have spoken up when your bullheaded husband made his demands."
He let go and took a few steps past her. "I came by that day to share lunch in lieu of checking up on you, both of you. Conquering one demon does not mean you are guaranteed to win against the next. Sajin suffered because we held him back from rescuing you, and you broke against the cruelty of Sousuke Aizen as the shadows over us grew darker. There is nothing to be ashamed of. You were alone."
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Post by Captain Ryo Hirabayashi on May 17, 2024 17:02:58 GMT -6
Ryo shook her head. "It is my understanding that my situation with Aizen is not a unique one. But, here I am a Captain...And, I feel the weakest of the thirteen." She chuckled. "Sajin would say that all I need is a good fight to ground me. You know how much the gentle giant enjoys a fight."
"He's not the only one, if we're talking about the past. After all, you flaunted your prowess on the training grounds every chance you got. It has been one of your sexiest qualities. So I have to ask this way again. Do you think sparring will help?"
"I think it would, actually..." said Ryo with a nod. "I suppose I could always convince Puppeh to spar with me. Unless you're volunteering." A grin formed on her lips. "You may be the Commander but you'd get the same ass kicking as Sajin."
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on May 17, 2024 17:21:29 GMT -6
Heart lighter than he would admit at his fellow captain's mischievous expression, Shunsui smiled back, even winked at her. “As tempting as that would be, Captain Stripper, I’ll save that date for another day. I don’t come out of sparring with you unscathed even if I enjoy it.”
Another idea formed in his head and he held a hand out to her. “Get back on your feet by tossing or burning a Puppy a bit and I’ll let you help my sort out an Oni and maybe get me off my feet. Deal?”
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Post by Captain Ryo Hirabayashi on May 17, 2024 17:36:10 GMT -6
Ryo chuckled. "Deal." She smiled. Ignoring his hand, she stepped closer and hugged him. "Thank you, Shunsui..." Ryo stepped away and smiled as she tucked her hair behind her ear. "Thank you for not quite answering my question. Or at least not answering it in a way that would only cause me more worry." Ryo adjusted her hoari draped over her shoulders. "I need a bit more from you, if you don't mind. Captain Zayasu. I've heard that he has chosen to step down because of his wife. And, I think it's time we recognize that my Lieutenant shouldn't be my Lieutenant. The Eighth will need a Captain. And, Hisagi has beyond proven himself."
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on May 17, 2024 18:20:20 GMT -6
“I’m glad I was able to help a bit, Captain Hirabayashi, but you’ll have to save that favor,” her commander declared. “I’ll consider Lieutenant Shuhei if I see that he wants to leave the Ninth Division, yet I’ve heard that it was quite a different matter when you presented the option to him, even on a temporary basis. Therefore, he does not need to take that step, and there's nothing wrong with that. Talent is not the only reason we are made captains, my friend. Let the boy stand by your side for a while yet. We’ll need his eye on the Seireitei Communication with the kind of articles soon to come.”
"He was willing to do both, Captain." admitted Ryo. "I was the one who told him that he would have to give up one for the other. He is still with me in the Ninth because I decided he would stay. He's proven himself. And, if keeping his talents where should be, I am ready to relinquish the Communications to the Eighth."
Shunsui hummed to himself and looked up at the stars again. "I'll keep that in mind, but I think it's too soon for this from you or him. Why relinquish your position when you reached to improve it when you were lost? You may even feel more lost if you were given a new start...." He rubbed at the scar above his weaker eye. "Sometimes the way forward is taking a few steps back not rushing to the next destination."
He turned back to Ryo. "You may yet get your wish but not now."
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Post by Captain Ryo Hirabayashi on May 17, 2024 18:58:58 GMT -6
Ryo sighed and shook her head. "I understand. I don't agree. But, I understand." Folding her arms over her chest, Ryo continued to walk beside her Commander. "One other thing." Ryo pulled a fan from inside her haori and swatted at her Commander. "The Ninth is tasked with protecting the Seireitei. And, I am really good at starting fires. That being said with no connection to what I am about to say...If you call me Captain Stripper again...No one will ever see you again..." Ryo smiled.
Shunsui chuckled. "Did that little nickname get out after our brawls?" He tipped his hat. "But if you don't like it, I'll come up with another. And perhaps I'll commission the shopkeeper and our scientist to a contest to make fitting flame retardant clothing for you."
Ryo's eyes grew wide at the thought of a uniform that didn't burn away as she fought. "I'd really appreciate that. Thank you." She took a step away from the Commander, causing him to pause. Ryo bowed. "I'll leave you to your original task...Unless you have something else to say on the matter of how capable I am."
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on Jun 4, 2024 21:12:12 GMT -6
Shunsui tipped his hat at her. “I don’t think I need to say anything else. Whether or not I trust you will only push you so far, Ryo. Right now what matters is whether you believe in yourself. And if you find that you do, then everything else will fall into place. But if it’s the opposite — if the fight doesn’t give you the answer you need — my door is open, and I will teach you how to find that spark again. As your commander and your friend.” He started to walk away. “Just as you helped me when my world got a little too dark and lonely.” The commander said nothing more but continued on his way to First Division, leaving the brave lady captain to her own. To take her next step. And he would finish the preparation for his own. "It's going to be another long night." - END RP - "Seeking Assistance" |
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