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Post by Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya on Sept 29, 2024 12:34:24 GMT -6
Bleach Unrated: REBOOTEDCurrent Arc: The ChaosEpisode 524 "A New Chapter": Toshiro Hitsugaya sighed as he walked through the halls of his division. It had been a month since he stepped foot in the Tenth Division barracks. In that time, he had trained with Suzume Shizuka, his third seat. He did his best to--gently--provide her with the skills she needed to move on from the ordeal she had gone through in Las Noches. He was no therapist, and certainly did not make for riveting conversation about one's feelings, but he tried his best, even as he kept his own feelings in. Despite Suzume being his friend, she wasn't necessarily the one he would rather be sharing his feelings with. No. All of those people were either dead or had moved on to their own issues. He couldn't blame them. Everyone had their own lives now.
The month of training had been fruitful in every other aspect except for regaining his zanpakuto. He had become better at Hakuda, Kido, Zanjutsu and even Hoho, and yet still, after meditating for hours on end, he still could not reconnect with Hyorinmaru. He didn't know what was missing and he had become increasingly frustrated. There had been a few times where he was able to access his inner world only to find the vast frozen lands empty. He knew Hyorinmaru was there somewhere. He still existed. He could feel him locked away somewhere deep inside his soul but just out of reach. He still had no idea how to access that part of himself. Maybe it was somewhere in his soul he had never reached before. He was beginning to fear that he never would.
But he had become stronger, more confident in his abilities without Hyorinmaru. He wasn't ready to face a reality without his partner, but he was prepared to keep moving forward as captain despite not being connected to him... yet.
Suzume had already set off to reacquaint herself with her barracks, which left Toshiro to himself. He took some much needed time that day to just be alone with his thoughts and emotions and after showering and dressing in a white kimono with blue snowflakes on the sleeves and a black hakama, he made his way to his office where he expected his lieutenant to be. He hadn't bothered with his captain's uniform. It was the end of the day anyway; he just wanted to make his presence known and see how Kugo had faired the past month. He felt extremely guilty to have left his new lieutenant to run the division on his own so soon after transferring. He would have to make it up to him. Maybe that Izakaya they had met at.
Toshiro opened the door to the captain's office and stepped through, seeing Lieutenant Korin Kugo hard at work at the desk. "Lieutenant Kugo. It's good to see you again." He looked around at the immaculately clean office. Not a single scrap of paper or chair out of place. He nodded to himself in approval. |
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Post by Lt. Korin Kugo on Sept 29, 2024 12:46:12 GMT -6
Kugo took the tip of his pen out of his mouth and looked up from his work. "Captain!" He stood up quickly and bowed. "Fantastic! You're back. You...You are back, yes?" He stepped around the chair and pushed it under the desk.
"You must tell about your training. I am sure it was exciting. Or not...Perhaps..." Kugo sighed and hunched over. "I'm sorry if I'm a tad overwhelming right now. I am happy to talk with someone who doesn't want anything from me...Unless, you want something from me..."
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Post by Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya on Sept 29, 2024 12:56:35 GMT -6
A wave of pure amusement washed over Toshiro so hard he couldn't stop the laugh that bubbled out of him. He chuckled then placed his fist to his mouth, clearing his throat. "No. No. I'm just here to check on you and let you know that--yes--I am indeed back. Permanently."
The amusement was quickly replaced with burning hot guilt as he looked at the desk to see it scattered with work. Toshiro frowned deeply. "I owe you an apology, Kugo. You must think me a terrible captain for leaving you to run the division so soon after your transfer." He bowed to Kugo in thanks. "Thank you for your hard work, Lieutenant. I promise to make it up to you. Please take some well earned rest for the next few days, if you wish."
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Post by Lt. Korin Kugo on Sept 29, 2024 13:00:48 GMT -6
Kugo shook his head and moved to fix the papers on his Captain's desk. "No need to apologize, Captain. I am usually far more tidy than this. There's just some much going on. And, I must admit...I did get a bit behind in my paperwork."
He stacked the papers neatly in a pile. Then, straightened the chair before stepping back to make sure the desk was straight. "Great." he nodded. "So, you've returned. I hope in better spirits and condition?"
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Post by Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya on Sept 29, 2024 13:20:45 GMT -6
Toshiro gave a dry chuckle, walking around the desk to inspect all of what Kugo had been working on. "This is Tenth Division, Kugo. We're always behind on paperwork. The days we aren't are true accomplishments indeed. It's just how it is when our division has to sign off on all large scale operations as well as gather personnel for those missions. A lot of administrative work gets funneled through us. It's not always paperwork, but the administrative tasks are just as important."
He looked away from the papers on the desk and crossed his arms into his sleeves, looking up at Kugo. "As for my training... It was... It went well. There have been improvements. I'm still not where I want to be, but I have come to the conclusion that I will have to look elsewhere for a way to regain my power. Traditional methods are not working as hoped. But it was not all for nothing."
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Post by Lt. Korin Kugo on Sept 29, 2024 13:38:09 GMT -6
"Well..." Kogo tugged on the leather strap across his chest. "Have you tried...not trying? That sounds strange, I know. But, perhaps in your eagerness to reconnect...You seem impatient. Or, perhaps you're not as open to reconnect as you appear..."
Kugo raised his hands. "That's not to say that you are impatient or not ready. I am simply throwing out suggestions."
Toshiro gave a sigh and shook his head. "No, you are correct. I am certainly impatient when it comes to this. It is difficult to... not give it my all to try and reconnect with Hyorinmaru. Perhaps you're right. Maybe it is not up to me to decide when the time is right."
Kugo nodded. "If your heart's reflection isn't healing...It's because you aren't, Captain. What about you is still broken?"
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Post by Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya on Sept 29, 2024 14:06:55 GMT -6
Broken? There were a lot of things about him that were still broken. He had failed those closest to him. He had failed to protect them. He had given the last battle his all and barely made it out by the skin of his teeth and with nothing to show for it. And now he had let his new lieutenant run an unfamiliar division all by himself for a month. And all he had to show for it was improving all his other skills and somehow managing to pull Suzume out of her constant state of fight or flight. He supposed that was an accomplishment all on its own, but that wasn't what his training was for. That wasn't who his training was for. He was glad for her, that she could benefit, but it wasn't his goal. He brought her along because he knew the alternative: she would continue to spiral until she finally broke. So for that he was content with the outcome of his training.
"I..." Toshiro shook his head and sighed. He couldn't say all that out loud. Not yet. Not to this lieutenant. He wasn't the one Toshiro wanted to say them to. "That is a conversation for another time. But... thank you for your thoughts. I'll have to take some time to reflect."
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Post by Lt. Korin Kugo on Sept 29, 2024 14:32:08 GMT -6
Kugo narrowed his eyes and folded his arms over his chest. "Things you wish to say....But, not to me. Perhaps, you should visit her. Say it to her. Or, write it down." He shrugged then reached for his haori on the back of the chair. "I am here to make your job easier. Even if the words aren't for me, I can still hear them...If it helps."
Without another word, Kugo draped the haori over one shoulder and smiled. He began walking towards the door of the office then stopped. "Captain, when you get settled again, shall we go for ramen again?"
Toshiro blinked in shock. He was stunned silent for a moment before he gave a soft chuckle and scratched the back of his head. It seemed he had yet another lieutenant that saw right through him. "Yeah, we'll do that. My treat. For your troubles."
"It's been no trouble at all. " laughed Kugo. "It's been a pleasure to get to know everyone. I'll let you pick the ramen shop and pick up the tab, if you truly wish to make it up to me."
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Post by Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya on Sept 29, 2024 14:47:01 GMT -6
Toshiro nodded to Kugo and straightened the papers on the desk once more. "Deal. Thank you for your understanding, Lieutenant. And for the advice."
"Any time." He waved over his shoulder at the Captain. "Oh," Kugo turned around to face the Captain as he walked backwards toward the door. "A message from Captain Komamura. He says come see him when you get a chance." He turned on the balls of his feet and out the door.
Toshiro blinked after Kugo as he watched his Lieutenant leave. Komamura wanted to see him? Did he mean... Sajin or...? Regardless of which one he meant, he couldn't imagine what either of them wanted with him. Perhaps Captain Hirabayashi wanted her officer back. Either way, tomorrow he would take a trip over to... whichever barracks he was meant to go to. He sighed and shook his head. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. He blinked and called out, "Come in."
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Post by Shiori Miyazaki on Sept 29, 2024 15:28:53 GMT -6
Shiori slid the door open, her gaze falling on the white-haired captain seated behind the desk. She blinked, startled by the sight. The only white-haired captain she knew was Captain Ukitake, but Captain Kuchiki had black hair. So who was this?
Her eyes flicked around the room, searching for any clue about where she was and who this unfamiliar captain might be, but found none. Stepping cautiously inside, she lowered her head in a deep bow. "My apologies," she said, her voice polite but uncertain. "I believe I’ve come to the wrong place."
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Post by Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya on Sept 29, 2024 15:36:53 GMT -6
Toshiro was taken aback for a moment as the beautiful girl about his age who was dressed in a fine kimono about the same color as her cobalt blue hair stepped into his office. Her eyes were about the same color as well, though a few shades brighter. Her gloves and cape around her shoulders were adorned with gold bands and green gems. He had no idea who she was and had never seen anyone like her before, but she had a zanpakuto at her hip, also the same color as her hair and clothes. It was like the midnight sky had jumped down to earth and walked through the door to his office.
"I... I suppose that depends on where the right place is," he responded to her, moving away from his desk to approach her cautiously. The closer he got to her, the brighter her eyes seemed to become. She had a certain... aura about her. He blinked, as if the action could make her reiatsu manifest before him so he could study it more closely. "This is Tenth Division. I'm Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya. May I ask who you are?"
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Post by Shiori Miyazaki on Sept 29, 2024 15:53:10 GMT -6
Shiori bowed once more to the captain. "Captain Hitsugaya, please forgive my rudeness. I am Shiori Miyazaki, a Mystic of the Miyazaki Clan."
Rising, she met his striking teal eyes, her voice steady. "I was searching for Division Six, Captain Kuchiki's office. It seems I took a wrong turn along the way."
She offered another respectful bow. "I apologize for the intrusion. I’ll be on my way now and out of your hair."
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Post by Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya on Sept 29, 2024 16:01:34 GMT -6
Toshiro shook his head with a polite smile. "Don't worry about it. Sixth and Tenth are neighbors, so I can understand how you got turned around." He gestured to the door. "I'm not officially on duty until tomorrow, so I am free to walk you over there if you would like an escort. The barracks can sometimes be a maze."
For a moment he considered the title she had given him. Mystic? Miyazaki clan? He had heard about the Miyazaki clan and read about them in the academy, but he had never officially met one of their clansmen. At least he hadn't thought he had. He wasn't privy to all of the details on their... organization. They were a private entity, separate from the Gotei, yet still sworn to protect the people of Soul Society. They had no legal authority or power, but they were allowed to act in the best interests of the public where the Gotei's forces were spread thin. It was a harmonious existence, they were told.
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Post by Shiori Miyazaki on Sept 29, 2024 16:11:23 GMT -6
Shiori paused mid-step, glancing back at the captain. "Are you sure it won’t be any trouble?" She cast a quick look toward the hallway, watching as officers from the Tenth Division hurried by.
Her focus returned to the snow-haired captain. "It was a bit overwhelming just finding my way to the wrong place," she admitted with a gentle smile. "If you're offering, I’d really appreciate the help."
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Post by Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya on Sept 29, 2024 16:15:04 GMT -6
Toshiro shook his head and walked out of the office with her. "It's no trouble it all. Don't worry about it." He closed the office door and together they walked down the hall towards the exit of the main building.
"So... you said you were a Mystic with the Miyazaki clan? Do you mind if I pick your brain a little? I read about your clan in the academy, but I've never met anyone from the Miyazaki clan," he asked her. "I have to admit I'm more than a little curious." Moved
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