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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on Jun 23, 2016 13:52:07 GMT -6
Eyebrow raised at that description, Byakuya had another matter to address before her description. She had finally revealed herself. Whether by design or not, he now knew she was either attached to or a part of the Masunobu family or the even same Lady Masanobu who had sent the journal to him. His eyes narrowed slightly, but he was careful to disguise it as he stepped forward and then turned to face her. He could pretend it did not answer at least part of his questions.
“Putting your choice of words for my state aside, are you sure this is necessary, Lady Saya?” He folded his arms before him. “I may have fallen in the water once, but I do still have my training. Distance is a small matter to me.”
If you would prefer to maintain that which you have done so far.
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Post by Saya Masanobu on Jun 23, 2016 15:52:26 GMT -6
Catching his subtle hint, Saya looked to Byakuya her eyes lowering from his. "I apologize for the secrecy, Kuchiki-sama. It has become more of a habit then a way of deception." She bowed to him. "I did not mean...I did not...know..." She paused again and looked into his slate blue eyes. She felt embarrassed now keeping it from him. She knew he could be trusted, he was a Kuchiki, but her centuries of training keep her from telling him.
"I wanted to tell you that day you approached me seeking help with the gift, but in the merchant square was, and is not the appropriate place to inform one that they are a Tori, Masanobu. The two well known clans of Assassins." She lowered her eyes from him again. "I guess I was kind of hoping you already knew of my origins."
She let his haori slip off her shoulder as she brought it around draping it over her arm extending it to him. "I understand your feelings here and if you wish to leave and never speak to me again I understand. I will also have the gifts returned by mid day tomorrow."
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on Jun 23, 2016 18:16:35 GMT -6
Byakuya ignored the offered haori and continued walking towards the Masunobu manor on the Koriyama estate, pausing a few steps ahead of her. “It would be shameful to order you to return something that inspired the poetic painting in your bag, Lady Masanobu. As it would be to take away that which is covering a woman’s decency.” When she draped the clothing around herself again, he resumed their short walk. “I also believe you will be glad to know that I did not take your secrecy as a manner of deception. I knew were of nobility, and if I didn’t know you by sight, it was highly likely that you were of a retainer household. The responsibility and decision to reveal yourself was not something I should interfere in. Even if the Kuchiki Clain lost their retainers, I, at least, recall enough from my teachings to honor that.” Another slight smile rose on his lips, a teasing light in his eyes. “Though you will forgive me if I refrain from any other gifts for a short while. I would not want you to become greedy.” Moved |
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Nov 10, 2016 16:00:14 GMT -6
"Noble Meeting in the Park": Yumiko sat on a bench in the park of the Nobles Quarter, one hand smoothing over her baby bump, the other on the case she had brought with her. She’d let her feet carry her here after Kisuke had informed her of the situation and had probably gone back down to Kita and Kadaj. He’d made the offer for her to join him, but Yumiko had shaken her head. Even if that event wasn’t plaguing her as it had been before, Kita’s name was still a bitter note in her mind. As well as her husband’s. It was too early to face that ache. But she didn’t want to dwell on the pain either. A sentiment that Misao’s child seemed to agree with, kicking against her belly. Yumiko smiled and spread her fingers out, feeling out her growing child and reveling in the warmth it gave her. “It’s alright, little one. Mom’s okay.” She unsnapped the straps keeping the case closed and pulled the wooden flute out, fingers running over the imprinted dents of years. Placing her fingers on the right holes and closing her eyes, she lifted the instrument to her lips. As she played, she recalled the forest, the ‘garden’ that Misao had created for her, mysterious in the way the shadows draped over everything, enchanting in the way the numerous sounds pricked at her ears as she had walked through the undergrowth. Long ferns spread out, covering the path, with half-moon fungi sunbathing beneath them. The trunks of the great pine trees were smooth under her fingertips. And then the sunlight opened up as they passed into the brilliance opened by a fallen giant and the refracting light of a sapling dancing in the breeze. The balance of life and death was stunning to behold. It had eased her heart. Ending the song, Yumiko picked up a leaf that had settled on her lavender grey kimono.
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Post by Kouen Masanobu on Nov 10, 2016 17:40:33 GMT -6
Not far from where the woman sat Kouen was standing. He was headed back to the manor, via shortcut through the park, but when he heard the music of the flute being played so sweetly he could not help but stop and listen then seek out the source from where it came. Finding the young woman he stopped behind her and listened until she was finished and rested the flute to her lap.
"That was very beautiful." Kouen replied softly so not to spook her. He stepped into her view with a warm smile. "Did you teach yourself or did an elder teach you?"
When she turned to look at him his eyes widened as did his smile. His arm then folded in front of him as he bowed to the woman sitting in front of him. "Forgive me, Lady Ryouma. I did not know it was you." He stood, "I am the third born son of Kazuo and Saya Masanobu; Kouen Masanobu."
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Nov 10, 2016 19:57:28 GMT -6
“Good afternoon, Masanobu-san," Yumiko replied, lowering her head. "Thank you for the compliment.” She looked to the flute in her lap. “I taught myself a long time ago and found a reason to return to it again recently.” Her smile lifted slightly. “It’s almost a shame I forgot about it for as long as I did.”
But there were memories attached to it that I was reluctant to retrieve.
She ran her fingers over the imperfections again. "But I'm glad I found a reason to play it once more. It's no longer possible to play the samishen with my current condition."
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Post by Kouen Masanobu on Nov 10, 2016 21:09:54 GMT -6
"Nonsense," Kouen responded receiving a confused look from the woman. "It is only impossible if you allow it to become impossible. My mother played the samishen all her life. Even when she was pregnant with my baby brother and sister, and she got as big around as the tree of ages here in the park."
The two shared a chuckle as he stepped toward her. "May I?" Kouen ask her as he gestured to the open spot next to her. She nodded slowly as he took a seat next to her. "My father and mother taught their children that if you love something that much you never give up on it, no matter what it is."
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Nov 10, 2016 22:10:02 GMT -6
Yumiko looked out over their surroundings again. “Unfortunately, music was something that suffered when I was confined. It didn’t matter if I knew a few pieces by memory if I couldn’t keep my hands steady. And then I cracked the shamisen that I had grown up with. Eventually, I forgot. I focused on my studies and hoped to be freed."
She looked down and folded her hands on her lap against the warmth of her child. “But when I was living with Ukitake, I stumbled on one of his youngest nieces learning. It reminded me.”
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Post by Kouen Masanobu on Nov 10, 2016 22:38:11 GMT -6
Kouen sighed. "Yes, I know about your sealing. It was a very harsh thing to do to one as young as yourself." His head shook as he looked out over the lake. "The Gotei has odd ways of dealing with things they do not understand. They would rather destroy it than discover its origins and how it works to try to either help it or learn how they could control it."
He looked over to her and smiled again. "I guess that is one reason why I never joined."
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Nov 10, 2016 23:38:38 GMT -6
Yumiko nodded. “I understand, but I also know that there were difficult circumstances though, so it’s not as simple as that.” Her fingers clasped together. “And there were those who didn’t want it to be that way and made it bearable.” She paused. “You probably know that Ukitake has protected me, but I doubt you know that Kyoraku was there in the beginning, too. He made me books with raised pictures to help me study even when I was blind.”
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Post by Kouen Masanobu on Nov 11, 2016 0:00:21 GMT -6
Kouen shook his head with a smile across his lips a he leaned forward resting his elbows to his knees. "I do not know the whole story, and I am sorry, but I truly do not wish to know." He looked back at her. "I do not mean to be rude. I just know how I am, and what you see is not what I see when it comes to this story." He sat up then stood to his feet and stretched out.
"The truth of the matter is what happened to you should have never happened. There was negligence in play, not only by Central, but your family." He paused giving her a side glance checking for a reaction before he continued. When there was none he pushed on.
"One who is scared of what lurks in the darkness will never understand it. Or so my father always told his sons." He smiled, "Which is the reason why they will never defeat Sousuke Aizen. When they can understand his point of view then and only then, will they will know how to stop him. One must think like their prey to even get close to them and once you are close to them, you have the chance of losing yourself in their darkness. All for the sake of the killing blow."
He turned looking at her. "Perfect examples. Ichimaru Gin and Urahara Kisuke. Ichimaru lost himself in Aizen's darkness. Urahara has seen it and understands it. Though he walks the line between the two and still has not stumbled and lost his way. Only a strong willed and minded man could succeed at that feat."
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Nov 11, 2016 22:05:42 GMT -6
Yumiko saw no reason to argue with him about the negligence of her family and Central, but there was no reason to comment either. It was in the past. It had shaped her. But dwelling on the fact didn’t help. Or contemplating revenge, as Sousuke Aizen had attempted to teach her.
But his talk of darkness did garner a reply. “From my perspective, it is not only a strong will and mind that is needed to escape the call of darkness from Aizen or his followers. You need a goal as well, and one that is not linked to that same darkness.” She looked over the lake before them again. “Aizen thrives on the dark churning emotions, and as long as revenge, vengeance, even a certain brand of justice leads the Gotei in their war against him, he has an advantage.”
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Post by Kouen Masanobu on Nov 12, 2016 14:24:50 GMT -6
Kouen looked to the woman and smiled. "Which is why I believe Aizen Sousuke's defeat is close at hand now that Commander Urahara as take command. He will remold and reshape the Gotei into what it should have been centuries ago."
He looked up to the sky smiling. "We will finally be free of that devil." He looked back to Yumiko still smiling. "It won't happen over night. Maybe not even in the next few years. The New Commander has his hands full with getting things in order. It is going to take some time, but I have faith that we will get there soon enough."
He paused for a second looking to the woman's midsection. "So when are you due?"
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Post by Yumiko Ryouma on Nov 12, 2016 14:33:18 GMT -6
Yumiko smiled back at the question and though it faded slightly a moment later. “In a month, give or take a week. It’s a short gestation. Because there’s another trial coming … and we will need more than the powers the gods gave us centuries ago.” She shook her head and looked to Masanobu once more. “How is your sister? I hear Aizen threatened her to get to Sojiro."
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Post by Kouen Masanobu on Nov 12, 2016 14:46:52 GMT -6
Kouen grinned. "She is a trooper. Hanging in there like she always does. One day I would just like to see her run away scared. Be the delicate woman mother wanted to raise her as and not a Masano --" Kouen paused his head tilting slightly as he chuckled. "She tagged around behind us boys since she was old enough to start walking. Trained with us, spared with us, played our games." Another chuckle slipped from him.
"I don't think she has ever owned a doll." His fingers combed through his dark hair. "The weakest time I think I have ever seen her in I believe, is when father passed on."
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