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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on Oct 23, 2024 19:58:40 GMT -6
Captain Kuchiki didn’t remove his gaze from Fifth Seat Nagano. “I hope that is the case, Nagano, because the woman I saw last night looked like someone who had stumbled onto something more than she could handle.” He rose from his desk and walked to the window. “Usually, a woman of her skills would not leave Ninth Division unless it's for a medical reasons, and I know you are comrades. If an investigation for a story led her into something that’s caused her to leave the Gotei when it’s just coming back together, that is not something I can overlook.” He paused, closing his eyes. “Be certain, Yorusuke Nagano. If you have made a pact, promises have a way of coming out and destroying the person who kept them under the wrong circumstances.”
He fell silent, letting them digest those promises had cost their own captain in the past.
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Post by Yorusuke Nagano on Oct 23, 2024 20:51:49 GMT -6
Yorusuke felt the weight of Captain Kuchiki’s words, his expression carefully composed as he prepared his response. "Captain," he began, "Fuu did approach me, asking about the Robin Hood group and if we had uncovered anything new. At the time, we hadn’t made much more progress since she took leave, and I told her as much. She seemed concerned, worried that if we didn’t find more soon, the Robin Hood group might slip through our grasp. But she also made it clear that if she learned anything while on leave, she would share it with me immediately."
He paused, his voice steady but respectful. "I understand your concerns, sir, and I want to assure you that I haven't made any pacts or hidden promises with her. Fuu is just as committed to the investigation as we are, and I don’t believe she would act against the Gotei. She’s been clear that her leave is for personal reasons, but if something more were going on, she hasn’t confided in me about it."
Yorusuke glanced briefly at Renji before continuing. "I’ll remain vigilant, Captain Kuchiki, and if there’s any sign that her absence is tied to something more dangerous, you’ll be the first to know." He let his words settle, hoping they conveyed both loyalty and caution, aware of the delicate balance his captain expected from him.
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Post by Lt. Renji Abarai on Oct 23, 2024 21:00:33 GMT -6
Renji watched Yorusuke carefully then turned back to his captain. He gave a firm nod. "I believe the Fifth Seat, Captain. If he says that's what happened, then that's the truth. He has my full trust."
He looked over the Robin Hood files before them once more. "That is everything we have on the Robin Hood thefts. We have some additional leads to explore, but for the most part, we're waiting for the other shoe to drop. They'll slip up somewhere, and when they do, we'll know."
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on Oct 23, 2024 21:13:39 GMT -6
Byakuya remained silent for several minutes, looking between the two officers in his office, both remaining as quiet as him. “Very well. I hope you’re a man of your word, Nagano. We both know where the honor of Abarai led him, and it was not from a matter of the Gotei’s security that I brought this matter up.” He returned to his desk, face as composed as both of them.
When he next spoke, his voice hardened into the voice of the stern commander they both knew and acknowledged. “The matter of the Robin Hood gang is becoming more troublesome by the week. It will not be allowed to continued.” Both of the boys straightened their backs. “I want daily updates, and if there is anything that appears unusual or different from their patterns, I want a file made for those occurrences. I don’t care if it’s gossip that won’t go away or a matter of a different MO with their robbery. This group will be apprehended soon. Understood?”
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Post by Yorusuke Nagano on Oct 23, 2024 22:10:00 GMT -6
Yorusuke stood tall, his expression unwavering as Captain Kuchiki's voice turned sharp and commanding. "Understood, Captain," he replied firmly, giving a crisp nod. "You will have daily updates, and any unusual patterns or deviations will be documented and reported immediately. We won't let this group continue to operate unchecked."
He paused for a moment, then added with sincerity, "And as for Officer Ayumu, should she discover anything or her situation change, you'll be the second to know—right after me, sir. I give you my word."
Byakuya’s eyes narrowed slightly at Yorusuke’s comment, though his expression remained otherwise unreadable. There was a moment of silence as the weight of Yorusuke’s words hung in the air, and the captain’s gaze lingered on him, sharp and discerning. It was as though Byakuya was evaluating not only the promise made but also the man who had made it.
Slowly, Byakuya returned to his seat, his movements deliberate and composed. He didn’t speak immediately, but the subtle shift in his posture—sitting with an air of quiet authority—suggested that Yorusuke’s response had been noted. Whether he approved or not was left unsaid, though the brief flicker of something in his eyes hinted at both caution and expectation.
When Byakuya finally spoke, his voice was calm but carried a faint edge. "See that you do, Nagano." He then picked up one of the files on his desk, effectively signaling the end of the conversation and leaving no room for doubt that Yorusuke’s promise would be held to the highest standard.
Yorusuke met his captain’s gaze with resolve, understanding the weight of the responsibility he now carried. Byakuya’s mention of Renji’s honor hadn’t gone unnoticed, but Yorusuke knew his own duty and loyalty were equally on trial here. He would not falter.
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Post by Lt. Renji Abarai on Oct 23, 2024 22:39:49 GMT -6
Renji did not let himself react to his captain's words. He couldn't. He knew the man was poking at sore spots, searching for an opening in the armor. But he would find none. Decades of serving as Byakuya Kuchiki's lieutenant had taught Renji valuable skills. Namely an iron clad poker face that revealed nothing. Even when on the inside he was fuming.
So. That's how it was going to be. After all these years. He thought that had been a pivotal moment for the two of them as captain and Lieutenant. He had been wrong. Nothing had changed. Fine then.
"We will not let you down captain," Renji said clearly and with determination. He bowed to his captain. When he stood up, he asked calmly. "Are we dismissed, so we can continue working the case, sir?"
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on Oct 23, 2024 23:10:31 GMT -6
Something flickered behind his captain’s iron facade. “Fifth Seat Nagano is dismissed. Remain behind, Abarai.” Renji saw Yorusuke's gaze flicker over to him for just a moment. Then the Fifth Seat was gone. There were several moments of silence where Renji and the captain merely stared at each other. Renji waited. He had no idea what was going to come out of the man's mouth, but whatever it was... he wasn't sure he was ready for it. "Abarai, there is something I must say--" Captain Kuchiki began to speak. "Respectfully, Captain Kuchiki," Renji cut him off, for probably the first time in his career. He stood stiff with his hands behind his back. He didn't dare break eye contact. "Whatever you have to say to me, I don't want to hear it. I don't need to hear it. You've made yourself perfectly clear already. You value your honor and your dedication to this job and to your family name. I get it." Renji pointed in a random direction. "But my honor and my dedication will forever be to that woman, to Rukia. And nothing you say to me will ever change that. Her last name, the paperwork that legally makes her your sister, none of that matters. I knew her long before you ever did, and while I had the courage to try and save her life, you tried to stop me. I thought you regretted that, but apparently all you regretted was making two conflicting promises. So there is nothing I wish to hear from you. Not now and not ever. If you wish to strip me of my rank for speaking out of turn, then so be it. I'd rather have no rank than be a lieutenant to a coward."
Renji turned on his heel and walked towards the door. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have work to do. Catching the 'criminals' who helped keep people like me and Rukia alive in the slums." Renji walked out the door and calmly shut it on the way out. Shutting the door on his future? He wasn't sure, but he was prepared to find out. He left the office in utter silence with only Byakuya Kuchiki standing there. Byakuya’s eyes narrowed as his lieutenant stormed out of his office before he could say anything against his accusations. For a few minutes, he could do nothing but stare after him, rage and indignation running through him, once more utterly bewildered how he could be both so dumb and courageous at the same time. The slight to his own pride went unnoticed by the noble. Eventually, he smirked, eyes gleaming with new intent. “You still have much to learn if you’re going to support her, Renji, when you can’t yet read between my words on a matter such as this.” He pulled out a new sheaf of paper and started writing a letter, pausing mid stroke. Even if his intents had been misinterpreted, he knew had done all he could in regards to addressing the desperation on Officer Ayumu’s face without making it a threat or involving her own captain. His grandfather would have taken it further, but the weight from going against those teachings this time felt less onerous. He sighed, a shadow passing over his eyes. Even if he would have to find a way for Renji to clear his head. He continued with his letter. - ENd RP - "Fourth Visit; Weight of Shadows" |
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Post by Lt. Renji Abarai on Oct 28, 2024 16:58:19 GMT -6
Bleach Unrated: REBOOTEDCurrent Arc: The ChaosEpisode 562 "Stray Dog": Renji walked down the empty hallways of Sixth Division, heading back to the office he had been in hours ago. The entire work day had passed by in the blink of an eye, but for Renji it had dragged on. Stretching longer and longer like mochi dough. Once his shift was over, he had returned to his barracks and fished out one of his most prized mementos. The blood-stained white scarf Byakuya Kuchiki had laid over his head after he had defeated him all those years ago when Renji had fought to save Rukia. He and Ichigo Kurosaki had gone from enemies to tentative allies, and later on, to best friends. He owed everything to Ichigo. If not for his encouragement, he would have never achieved bankai and would have died facing off against his own captain.
Before, the captain's action of laying the priceless swath of cloth over him as he had laid in a pool of his own blood was a symbol of the man's acceptance and acknowledgment of his strength. It was a source of pride. Now, as he had packed the scarf into a box and wrapped it in brown parchment paper and tied with twine--no letter of explanation--the soft fabric felt like leaden sandpaper in his hands. Heavy, rough, abrasive.
Now, the scarf was meaningless. Though it felt heavier, the emotional weight it had once carried was no more. Byakuya Kuchiki had never said what he meant nor spoken clearly to begin with, but frankly, Renji had gotten tired of the avoidance and the secrets and the vague comments. One would have thought that in the time Renji had spent as the man's captain, that he was worthy of the respect of being spoken to clearly.
Clearly not. And Renji had had enough. Regardless of whether Kuchiki had meant his scathing remarks or not, the damage was done. He very obviously thought so little of him that he couldn't just say what he meant. Except for when it was convenient for him. Like hell Renji was going to allow the man to speak only on his terms. He had decades to speak about whatever it was he wanted to say, and only after he had insulted Renji in front of the fifth seat did he choose to say something. He didn't know what the man had to say or wanted to say, but it didn't matter. Whatever it was, it was too little too late. Renji had spent his career trying to earn the respect of his captain after first trying to surpass him, and it was obvious that trying to earn his respect had failed spectacularly.
Renji wasn't stupid. He knew a lost cause when he saw one. Stray dogs knew better than to chase after a meal that wasn't guaranteed. He was sick of howling at the moon, waiting for it to acknowledge him. He was sick of barking at the stars, waiting for the courage to jump and grasp them in his jaws to come to him.
So Renji carried the package under his arm all the way back to his captain's empty office. He pushed the door open and walked into the empty office, walking up to the desk. He placed the package on the top of his captain's desk, right in the middle on clear display.
He sighed heavily and turned on his heel, walking back out of the office and closing the door behind him.
He wasn't going to give up his career. No matter what. He made a commitment to being a Soul Reaper. To helping others. To defending their realm. He had spent multiple wars now doing just that. Nothing and no one was going to stand in his way. He would keep moving forward and up, reaching greater and greater heights. Becoming stronger and stronger. He had to, for Rukia's sake. For his own sake. From the beginning it had been the two of them, and in the end, that's how it would remain. Provided she still wanted that. He prayed to the gods she did, because he wasn't sure what the hell he would do if she thought she had to decide between him and her loyalty to the Kuchiki clan. Especially if he ended up being the odd man out in that decision. He would never force Rukia to choose, but if she felt she had to, he would respect that. It would hurt like hell, but he would support her, like he always did.
Renji Abarai was a stray dog. He was free to roam wherever he pleased. Free to dream of reaching great heights. Free to fight for what he wanted. Free to be himself and change himself for no one. He was not perfect, but he was true to himself, and that's what mattered.
And he didn't just fight for what he wanted, he fought for what was right. He always had and always would, and he would never apologize for doing so. Even if it caused him to go against his superiors. He made that choice when he chose to defend and fight for Rukia, and he would make that same choice over and over again if given the chance.
He was ripping the collar off. Whether it meant losing his position as lieutenant or not.
Renji Abarai was no one's pet.
He would jump and grab the stars in his jaws, so that he might stand among them one day. -END- "The Scientist Unleashed: Mayuri’s Fury Unbound" |
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