Ninth Division Captain's Office

"Heavy Discussion":

Shunsui didn’t know what to expect from this visit. The last time he had spoken to Ryo, after a late night at the memorial, she had asked for his guidance in finding her fire again. She had doubted she could still be a captain at this time and had asked for his trust — and she had rekindled her own faith through the trial of battle. However, soon after, he received a letter respectfully calling the status of other officers in a similar state into question. Discussing this kind of situation wasn’t how he had picture congratulating her for getting her vigor back. But he couldn’t ignore such a letter either.

Shaking his head, the commander walked up to Ninth Division and knocked on the door of Lady Captain Hirabayashi.

Shunsui smiled, albeit weakly. “There are some it may take such measures, and it’s not a fun part of my job. But in this case, perhaps they sought help from someone who was more able to give them what they needed.” He started to walk a bit as he spoke. “I may be the commander, who, until recently, was jolly and easy to laugh with, but I do not know all of my people as well as I hope I do you.

I know of Suzume Shizuka and the trauma she faced, but she finds me entirely intimidating and speaks more with Nanao or other officers when delivering messages from 5th division or later, 10th division. So I cannot offer her the same advice or support as I hopefully gave you. Shizuka and her captain, Hitsugaya took a joint retreat of their own volition. It was probably too short to accomplish everything that comes with that kind of training, but I see it as a step in the right direction. Making her own decision on how to deal with the past. You may believe that she needs therapy to deal with the trauma of Las Noches, but for her, that may seem like surrendering to it. To being a victim. I’d rather let her move forward now.

In time, if she wishes to seek counsel, it will be there, but if I take that choice away from her, or from Rukia or my Nanao, I take away their power when they can reclaim it." He looked over to her for a moment. "As you have rekindled your flame." He returned to his pacing.

"When Rukia was assaulted the first time, she turned violent and unstable, unable to determine friend from foe. That is the only reason she was sedated and isolated from her friends and family when she was returned to us the first time. It wasn’t pleasant for anyone involved but it was necessary.

I followed a similar methodology when current Captain Ashimitsu was nearly killed by Ichimaru when chasing Miyamoto and nearly gave up.

However, this time, Lieutenant Kuchiki came out of this attack stronger than her older brother. He destroyed a portion of his ancestral home to find a moment of solace. She confronted what she believed to be the illusion of her beloved captain and when it was revealed to be truly him, tried to rally support to get him help. Yes, she carries scars from her time in Las Noches. All of us do. But she is focusing on the present. In addition, she may be adopted, but she is a Kuchiki. It would be a weakness to seek a stranger’s help for her nightmares. They are fiercely independent creatures who seek their own way in all things.” He looked out of the window. “This was not the first time she suffered for being part of the Gotei. That girl is strong. Give her time, Ryo. She’ll give you a run for your money.”

He sighed once more. “Those two will be alright, and if they need help, they have closer superiors, their captains that are watching over them, woefully balancing their own needs with that of the people that follow them. Juushiro will manage it. He always has. But if you want to worry and watch for someone, old friend, look out for our ice captain. This war with Aizen has taken so much from him and the kind of healing he needs is not something that comes easily. When he is also without his partner Hyourinmaru.”

The commander narrowed his own eyes down at the petite captain behind her desk. “So less than a month after you ask me if I still had faith in you, you’ve lost trust in me? Perhaps you are the one who needs to visit the doctor, Lady Hirabayashi, if you are going to be so moody. You haven’t even spoken to the ladies in question and you dismiss their strength while you spent a month reaching to others for your own. I never expected to see that kind of hypocrisy in you.” His voice roughened into a growl. “It certainly wasn’t why you were made captain.”

He lowered his hat over his eyes. “I wish I knew what brought this change in you, and if it causes harm to others, there will be consequences.”

He paused. “I shouldn’t even deign your insult to my friendship with Juushiro with a response, but for the sake of our former friendship, I will. I spent the day with my best friend after he had been ill. I sought counsel with him on a matter that concerns both of us, and I hope it will ease the burden of the sorrows he carries for the choices and mistakes we’ve shouldered.”

Shunsui sighed as she let her ire lose on him, filing away the censure she let fly with each breath, lowering his head further when she removed her haori. “Keep your haori, Lady Hirabayashi, at least until our meeting in two days’ time. Stepping down now when the realms are just quieting would make you as much of a fool or imcompetent leader as you claim I have been. If you care about people, you can give me some time to find a replacement for you — if that is the solution you set for yourself after all your trouble to regain your place.”

He turned around and looked up at the sky. “I apologize if my words seemed harsh. They were never meant to be misogynistic. But I appreciate you sharing your true feelings, harsh as they may be."

He walked over to the door and opened it. “I’ll leave you with a bit of truth in turn. Read the article on Miyamoto again before you judge her as harshly as you do me. She was younger than all of us when thrust into this war, and we have never let her stand down from it. Not for one single moment. It may have been wrong of me to throw candy at the Urahara boy in an effort to calm the room, but I had a duty to try. Sometimes a joke makes everything a little bit lighter. Laughter can be a healthy escape that hides the darkness of even endless duties, ones that continue to suck out more and more happiness from your long, long life. It- I failed that day.”

He glanced behind him. “I’ll explain other details at the coming meeting, especially the matter of Tervaden and Aizen. I don’t know if it will change your mind, but for the sake of your people, wait on giving your judgement or resignation then.”

He continued out. “Sometimes I forget how young a captain you actually are, Ryo Hirabayashi. You've supported me well in the past, so I hope I am not the reason you lose your spark again.”