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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Mar 30, 2015 12:55:24 GMT -6
"Relief":Three months had passed since the terrible final attack by Vale Tervaden, the man who had now become human and had lost all memory of his evil deeds. In addition, when Yoruichi had snuck into Hueco Mundo, she had found nothing but ruins in the place of Las Noches. It appeared the man had gone mad once again, this time destroying everyone in Las Noches. People in the Gotei 13 had mixed feelings about such a quiet ending, but with the destruction of their home, the loss of their zanpakuto powers, and the blindness of their leader, even Central had taken a step back from enacting justice. That late morning, at the new desk of the commander, Juushiro was signing papers in Shunsui’s name while Nanao was reading another report aloud to the blind man propped against some cushions in the newly repaired Captain’s Assembly room, where they had begun to do their work and evaluate the full extent of damage that had been wrought on their forces, starting two weeks ago. Suddenly, all there felt a rush of energy flow through Soul Society. Juushiro’s usual smile grew and his eyes grew wet as the twin voices of Sogyo no Kotowari clamored for explanation at being shut away from him for so long. He was so happy that he nearly missed a breathless cry from Nanao behind him. He turned around just as the lieutenant threw herself into his best friend’s lap, paper and all.
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on Mar 30, 2015 12:57:19 GMT -6
Shunsui’s eyes twinkled in a way all had nearly forgotten as he embraced his crying aide. “Nanao-chan, calm down,” he murmured. She shook her head and refused to be consoled, tucking her head against his chest. Shunsui chuckled and held her close, closing his eyes for a moment before turning to his best friend.
“It looks like the gods have decided to have mercy on us, old friend. I have to say I am glad. It’s harder to tell when you’re tired if I can’t see you.”
Juushiro chuckled and shook his head. “Only you would be so nonchalant at such a wonderful change and comment on that particular aspect.”
Shunsui scratched his eyelid, above the nasty scar that remained. “I’m not being that nonchalant, just calm. Being in the dark seems to grant you that kind of depth, I guess.”
He looked to Nanao again and smiled gently. "I really gave you all a scare, and this change will ease a lot of good hearts."
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Mar 30, 2015 13:13:38 GMT -6
Juushiro nodded in agreement and rose, calling a hell butterfly. When the creature alighted on his finger, he turned to his friend. "I think you won't mind if I call the rest of this day a holiday, right?" Still stroking his lieutenant's head, Shunsui nodded. Juushiro turned to the butterfly and relayed the message. He smiled as the elegant form took off. "We must be doing something right, in spite of all the pain and suffering present, to have been saved twice."
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on Mar 31, 2015 12:04:03 GMT -6
Shunsui chuckled. “Saved twice? I think I would add one more to the quota.” He rubbed at his new scar again and made no further comment, not wanting to disturb the woman cuddled in his lap. Her hiccuping cries were finally dying down.
Juushiro nodded quietly. The room fell silent for a few moments, both in their own thoughts.
As Nanao finally sat up, brushing her tears away, Shunsui broke the quiet with a loud yawning stretch. “It’s a holiday, isn’t it?” he called out, hiding the strain of stretching the new muscle. He stood to his feet. “We should get out there.”
Juushiro chuckled and rose as well.
Shunsui turned to Nanao, who was gathering papers from the scuffle and smoothing them out, blushing prettily behind her still misty spectacles. He smiled and set a hand on her head. “Leave them, Nanao. I miss Rukon.”
She sat up. “You’re not up to a long trip like that,” his lieutenant retorted automatically, pushing her glasses up.
“But I miss it,” Shunsui stated again in a low mellow voice.
"You'll hurt yourself," she explained plainly.
He winked. "Not if I have you to keep an eye on me."
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Post by Lt. Nanao Ise on Mar 31, 2015 12:10:28 GMT -6
Nanao turned her head aside and started smoothing papers out again. “Who said anything about following you to a rowdy, dangerous place like that?” she muttered, trying to cool her blush. She didn’t really have a reason to be doing such a thing like that now. This was all routine. She was done crying. She needed to be professional.
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on Mar 31, 2015 12:17:08 GMT -6
“Then you will follow me somewhere else?” Shunsui murmured in the same low voice. Somewhere behind them, a door closed. He chuckled beneath his breath. His best friend was always good at reading the mood. Shunsui’s attention turned back to his beautiful lieutenant and the woman who held his heart no matter how many decades of mistakes he had made or how many times she had turned him down. “Will you, Nanao?”
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Post by Lt. Nanao Ise on Mar 31, 2015 12:22:36 GMT -6
She pushed her glasses up again, paused, considering his offer (searching for any traps), and then nodded curtly. “You still need rest. Visiting the market and sampling the wares at the stalls is not good for your health. It is hardly quiet or easy walking." She hesitated and then stood, brushing out her uniform before looking upwards at her captain. There was something..... different in his eyes. She lowered her head. "The market isn't going anywhere. We can go there daily for a week when you're healthy," she offered in her usual brisk tone.
"Just a week?" Shunsui asked quietly.
She chuckled and shook her head with a slight smile. "You aren't getting out of all the work that's piling up that easily, captain."
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on Mar 31, 2015 12:43:25 GMT -6
Shunsui chuckled and tucked a lock of hair back into her bun. "I wonder what high class restaurant will compete with my lieutenant's cooking."
Nanao's blush returned, full force. "Don't say such embarrassing things," she muttered, pushing at her spectacles. Again. "Of course they're better. Besides, I am not paying for that."
He leaned closer. "You said you'd follow me," he reminded her in a smooth whisper by her ear.
He could hear her heartbeat pick up. "Is it - is it quiet?" she asked, a little shrilly.
"Yes."
"Then we can go there." She turned around and reached for a book she'd set aside.
Shunsui watched her quietly, waiting for her to turn back around. As she turned, he stepped into her space, lifted his hand up into her hair, and ghosted a kiss across her lips. He lingered there for a moment and then stepped back. He set a hand on the book in her hand. "Leave it," he murmured.
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Post by Lt. Nanao Ise on Mar 31, 2015 12:48:58 GMT -6
His eyes were warm but still filled with that same intense look he'd always reserved for her. She hesitated and set the book back on the desk. Shunsui remained quiet, his solid hand still on her wrist. Feeling slightly chilly, she stepped towards his heat and kissed his cheek. Quickly. Before lowering her head again. "Don't die on me again. Please."
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on Mar 31, 2015 12:51:06 GMT -6
Shunsui wrapped his kimono around her and set his forehead against the top of her head. "Never, Nanao, never." She nodded. He stayed still, one arm around her and one on her wirst, holding her close. She took a shaky breath and pulled the kimono closer. Both were loathe to move for quite some time. |
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Post by Eisaku Koga on May 3, 2015 20:24:22 GMT -6
"New Greetings from the Shadows":"Once ten. Then, an even score - One for every one that led. Now, from hell and by fire, peace is no more. On edge until his prize is claimed." Koga's words softly echoed throughout the Captain Commander's office, as a garganta opened from the ceiling above. From it, flipped Eisaku Koga head first. He landed on his feet, head titled, as he looked to the Captain Commander. The Commander sat, with pen in hand, looking to the Espada.
"I have never had the opportunity to properly introduced myself to you, Captain Commander Shunsui Kyoraku." Koga leaned forward into an exaggerated bow. "I am the Seventh Espada Eisaku Koga." He rose from his bow slowly, eyes closed and a grin on his pale face. "Before your hand completes its movement to the hilt of your blade, please be assured that attacking me would not be wise. I am, in fact, here to disturb your peace. But, my presence is merely to serve as a distraction."
Koga's head tilted every so slightly as he watched the Captain Commander set his pen to his desk and leaned back in his chair. He nodded, the grin on his face growing a bit wider. "Yes yes, Captain. I know I am not welcome here. Especially after what I have done."
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on May 4, 2015 14:01:15 GMT -6
The commander’s eyes narrowed as his calm faded into the first signs of rage. Suddenly and without words, the captain’s room was engulfed in thick red smoke, the result of the kido spell Sekienton, blinding the foe, and in another instant, an explosion shook the room as Soren Soukatsui ripped through the wall. Finally, the commander growled, “Hyapporankan." Three attacks almost instantaneously. Sending half the spears at the espada, pinning him to the wall, more waited in his hand. “Now you and I are going to talk,” he stated, eyes dark with fury, at the now restrained espada, "starting with an explanation to your riddles." He pressed a button beneath his desk and waited.
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Post by Eisaku Koga on May 4, 2015 14:27:35 GMT -6
Koga's eyes closed, watering from the crippling fog. "It is not one that is hard to decipher, Commander Kyoraku." The Espada remained relatively still, pinned against the wall. Only moving to tap his index finger against the wall. He was counting. "Ten. Then, one for every one that leads. Now, another. Until he comes. Not difficult."
Koga slowly opened his eyes and focused on the Captain Commander. "A better question, Captain, is why I have been caught. Let us not forget I can see every tense of time. What am I here to accomplish?"
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on May 4, 2015 19:23:57 GMT -6
Shunsui’s eyes narrowed further. “So there are now four ayakashi. That is interesting.” He rose from his desk - and stabbed one of Koga’s eyes, spilling blood down his front. “That was for the first of lieutenants," he commented in an emotionless voice. "Now, who woke Las Noches, Espada?” He freed his sword, watching the creature's head slump forward. "I don't care what fate has in store for this meeting. Until the tables switch, you will pay for your actions on my own."
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Post by Eisaku Koga on May 4, 2015 19:32:05 GMT -6
Koga showed no sign of anger or pain. But, he continued to tap his index finger against the wall. Counting. "Two Age. Judgement. Eternity. Hell." Counting. "Why am I here, Commander? Why I am here? This attack is not a future I have failed to see. This is not a ripple. Ripple. I've seen this before. Prepared myself for the pain." Counting. A grin formed on the Espada's lips. "A heated name echoed throughout Las Noches. My name. It burned me from my slumber."
With one lavender eye still focused on the Commander. His finger still tapping. Still counting. "Why am I here, Commander?"
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