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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on May 13, 2016 20:43:59 GMT -6
The commander chuckled lightly. “Thank you, Kira. I am feeling rather well today, and there are good people making sure that it stays that way.” He tipped his hat towards Nanao, who coughed into her hand. Smirking by now, Shunsui leaned back. “What can I do for you? And how is Kita? I know you check on her. And I am usually on some kind of drug when I see her.”
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Post by Lt. Izuru Kira on May 13, 2016 21:43:40 GMT -6
"Kita is doing as well as she can without Ichimaru being around. She is very worried about his welfare." He sighed softly and looked toward the balcony out over the Gotei. "So many rumors about what happened to Ichimaru. I think a few got back to her and they are really wearing on her."
His eyes adverted back to the commander. "It's Sojiro I worry about the most." His head shook. "He is not taking his father's disappearance and the gossip very well." His hand lifted as he combed his fingers through his pale blonde hair.
"The boy has been in a number of verbal fights and about seven or eight physical ones. He needs guidance and with Kisuke being down and his other mentors being so busy no one has the time to help him and guide him like he needs." He sighed again. "And poor Kita. Between being cook, maid, nanny, healer and dealing with her own worry and stress she is a zombie by the end of the day. It's not like she don't try to help him and talk to him, but like his father he knows how to play things off to put her mind at rest. Even if it is just for a little while."
He paused and bowed to his Commander once more. "That is why I have come to you. I have a suggestion to help the boy, and with him being an Ichimaru I know it will take an act of the Commander or a higher up to get this to take place."
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on May 13, 2016 23:04:07 GMT -6
Shunsui sighed and shook his head. “Kita is a wonderful woman, but her forgiving, trusting nature is one of the reasons that Ichimaru fell for her. It would be hard for Kita to completely admonish someone who is growing to embody his father so much - when she misses that man so much.” He looked up again. “I can see where you’re going with this. And you’re right. This will be a difficult thing to accomplish.”
He rubbed his chin. “He is an Ichimaru. And when his father was in there, he kept to himself, excelled, and slipped into our ranks - graduated and became an officer in a single year. That is what people know of his father. And though the kid may need the guidance of the Shin’o Academy, he may have the skills to do the same.”
Kyoraku paused. “Even within the Academy, he may find himself alone.” His voice dropped, considering the words he had spoken. He chuckled, recalling his own days in those halls. And then spoke again.
“What are your thoughts on this dilemma, Izuru Kira? You spent a long time at his father’s side and now you defend the son - maybe even see him as family. What do you think will help this paradox we have before us?”
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Post by Lt. Izuru Kira on May 13, 2016 23:22:59 GMT -6
Izuru nodded. "He is like my little brother. I want to see him succeed." Izuru spoke without hesitation and a spark of pride in his eyes. "Even with his father shining though I see a lot of his mother in him as well. They balance one another out. Day light and Dark. The Sun and the Moon. Summer and Winter."
Izuru paused and gave a slight nod almost unnoticeable if one would not have been paying attention. "Yin and Yang. Between them Ichimaru and Kita created a child with a perfect balance. He needs the guidance to keep him in the light like both Kita and Ichimaru desire." He paused a questioning look in his eyes wondering to himself if he should speak his next thought or not.
When the Commander urged him to share his thoughts Izuru nodded and spoke what he was thinking. "I believe Sojiro can surpass his father." He quickly added with reassurance. "For the good that is! But only if he is given the proper chance and the proper guidance. Without it. Who knows what could happen to him."
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on May 13, 2016 23:56:01 GMT -6
After the lieutenant’s confession, the commander was silent, tapping his fingers on his chin while gazing at a point on the wall. Evaluating the words and the actions presented by the person before him. Izuru tried to smile under his intense study and ran a hand through his hair. But he didn’t turn away. The boy was serious.
I wonder what Ichimaru would say seeing you like this. Shunsui closed his eyes. It’s a pity he can’t be here.
Shunsui rose to his feet. “Walk with me to the balcony, Lieutenant.” He looked to Nanao. “See if Juushiro’s up for a walk to my office please. And Kuchiki-san too, if you can manage it.”
She nodded, sliding out of her seat, and then hesitated. Her eyes narrowed up at him. Shunsui laughed and lifted a hand to his forehead. “If I cover them as soon as you return,” he murmured, good eye twinkling, “will you stop frowning? It’s not good for your complexion.”
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Post by Lt. Nanao Ise on May 13, 2016 23:58:59 GMT -6
Nanao huffed and maintained her professional expression - in spite of his particular wording. But then again, it wasn't that difficult. It wasn't his best veiled compliment. “I will hold you to the logical part of that frivolous remark," she muttered.
Nanao pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose. “Keep an eye on him,” she ordered.
Kira straightened. “I will,” he stated.
A fleeting smile chased itself across her lips before she turned from the room, closing the door behind her.
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on May 14, 2016 0:27:42 GMT -6
Shunsui discarded his eyepatch and walked over to the balcony. “While we wait for my old friend and the bluest noble of us, I am going to put a couple observations to you and then ask a couple questions. Think on them before you answer.”
Kira gave a solid nod in understanding.
Nodding at his resolution, Shunsui turned to the view that was set out before him. He sighed. “The landscape from here used to be one of the biggest perks to taking this job. And to me, it was higher than the hot assistant or perfect lure of the hot springs. I mean,” he chuckled again, “it’s the only place that will make you relax - and that’s without the savory hum of alcohol. Just get someone there… and half the work is done.”
The young lieutenant’s cheeks reddened. Shunsui grinned.
“I should probably explain why it was higher, shouldn’t I?” he mused aloud. Without waiting for his captive audience to reply, he looked back to the scenery, shaded his eyes, and blinked in reminiscence. “It was a glorious sight. Below, the buildings and walls - we don’t really pay attention to what is white, grey, or any color in between. But from above….. everything fitted together. Everything shone. It made …. the weight of this position …. both overwhelming and fitting.” He set a hand to his hat, shading his eyes further as his voice cracked a bit. “Saying the words, being sworn in, it all became real, and there was no where to run. You’d be the worst kind of scum to destroy that kind of beauty.”
“Captain Commander…..”
Shunsui gave a sad smile. “Sorry, I rambled.” He glanced back to the view. “Now, it serves as a reminder. A constant symbol of the state of the Gotei and the people that exist around us. The expanse of white no longer exists. There are no longer the winding corridors to trace in roving patterns. It’s all been ripped apart. Mixed up. And there are holes.” He took ahold of the railing, looking over the ledge. “There are pieces missing or broken.”
He turned back to Kira. “Do you think Sojiro will grow from being thrust into the center of that? As Kita’s son, he is a guest. An observer. As a member of the Academy, he will become a part of the situation we are in now. People will start fights with him. Suspect him. They will shun him. But he will be a part of the puzzle. Your little brother will be confronted with the mess left behind - a mess that his father started. And would you be able to show him both sides?”
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Post by Lt. Izuru Kira on May 14, 2016 1:04:34 GMT -6
Izuru looked out at the slow growth of the place they called home. No longer did the buildings tower. No longer did the walls surround them from the outside. The gates ripped down. The divisions barely standing. The people of their realm scared from unmentionable things and acts forced upon them, and the blue skies still scorched with traces of gray and emerald green fields now stained with blood of their fellow soul reapers and/or villagers. Their lives as they knew it were turned upside down. Their lives changed for the rest of their living and breathing days. No matter how many walls were rebuilt. No matter how many buildings reached out to touch the clouds once more. No matter how many gates were locked tightly before them to keep out the newest antagonist and no matter how many rains came to wash away the blood stained ground. Their lives were touched in a way none of them will ever forget.
Then he remembered. Taking a deep breath he slowly turned and looked to the Captain Commander once again. "Yes. He can." He paused as Kyoraku raised a brow. "Your eyes tell me you do not believe this, but there is one thing you all seem to be forgetting about him."
Kyoraku's head cocked to the side waiting to hear what this was that they forgot.
Izuru smiled. "He is neither his father or his mother. No matter how many of their traits or how much of their personality he has. Sojiro is his own person. Yes, he is an Ichimaru, but he is the Ichimaru that will put the honor back into his namesake." Izuru's smile widened.
"He will do not only himself, but the Gotei proud when he graduates from the academy."
He turned and looked out over the Gotei again. "He will succeed where his father failed." He looked back to Kyoraku as their eyes met. "I know he will."
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on May 14, 2016 14:13:15 GMT -6
“And what have you seen that will prove that, Lieutenant Kira?” The door opened fully, allowing Captain Kuchiki to walk in with Ukitake. “Faith in a family that you’ve been building behind the scenes? Gratitude for those same people sparing you from the worst during our time of captivity?” the noble inquired in a emotionless voice.
“That is too far, Byakuya,” Ukitake murmured, keeping his voice low.
“Perhaps,” Kuchiki allowed, nodding his head in acknowledgement. He looked back to Kira. “But though there have been times you have questioned your faith in your former captain, there are also times that your loyalty have acted as blinders.”
He paused as Lieutenant Ise walked in and handed Ukitake a familiar bottle.
“I have no such limitations.” Nanao brought in more chairs and then looked to the commander who returned to his desk and handed her the blindfold to cover his eyes. Byakuya watched exchange in silence and remained standing as Ukitake took a seat and let him continue. Kira stayed where he was. “Gin Ichimaru nearly killed Rukia.”
“On Aizen’s orders,” Kira interrupted.
The noble’s eyes narrowed. “And then he killed the man who ordered him in the next war,” he continued. “I have no personal quarrel with the man, but my story is one of many such stories of Gin Ichimaru.” He folded his arms. “With the man outside of the Gotei, such grudges rust. But by bringing the son in, they will fester and turn to Sojiro.”
“He is fighting because of the rumors of the recent war. What do you think will happen if he hears even more stories about his father?” The noble hesitated. “What many wish to do to his second father? Or his mother? Or his aunt? The ugliness of Soul Society is coming out. Will a boy who is already unstable because of the loss of his father and the status of his mother be able to take it?”
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Post by Lt. Izuru Kira on May 14, 2016 17:57:16 GMT -6
Izuru looked between the Captains before him. “Permission to speak freely, Captains?”
The three Captains nodded to him; taking a deep breath Izuru continued. He looked to Kyoraku first, “First I would like to address Captain Kuchiki’s statement when he walked in.” Izuru’s look slowly moved to Byakuya as he spoke.
“I owe you no expiation as of my loyalty to my former Captain, my present Captain or even my future Captain, nor do I owe you one for the family I choose. Unlike you. A Noble. I am free to believe, think and live the way I choose without consequence. Unlike the Noble’s where they are told what they have to believe in and if they do not follow suit of the family; become an outcast just for having their own thoughts and beliefs.” He paused giving Byakuya a brief second to only quirk his lips to speak again; however, Izuru cut him off.
“My loyalty to Ichimaru, as you said, ‘blinded me’, but in reality my loyalty to him proved to be right. Ichimaru did not betray us for the reasons you all believed. He followed Aizen because of a vow to the woman he loved. His vow: To get close to him and kill him.” His head nodded. “Yes, Ichimaru’s choice brought a darkness into his life and he did things that he himself was not proud of, but he did it for a greater deed. He chose to taint his life, his future and his path. ALL to fool a man just so he could kill him in the end. A deed no one in this room or any other could have succeeded in or did they ever. If it were not for Tervaden, Aizen would still be dead to this day.”
Izuru looked back to Kyoraku. “As for being able to show Sojiro both sides. There is no need for that. He has seen and lived both.” He then turned his attention to the three. “As for the reason he fights. It’s because the fools talk trash. They know nothing of the truth. Only rumors. Gossip. Things that have been exaggerated upon to make the so called antagonists look worse than they really are. All so the Soul Society can look glorified. They judge and cast stones without knowing the truth. Sojiro has lived it. He has seen it just as I have. He has the right to step up to the ignorant and set their lies straight. Only then will his family stop being the outcast.”
Izuru then looked to Juushiro. “Sojiro is not impressionable. If he were all the attempts Aizen had taken with him would have proven successful and Sojiro would still be in Las Noches.” He looked between the Captains once more. “The teachings from his mother, Urahara, Tessai and Captain Ukitake held with Sojiro. His light like his mother’s burns strong. His light even stronger than that of his mothers.” His head shook.
“Why? His blessing from the Gods? His teachings from his mentors? The teachings of his mother and father along with Tervaden's and even Aizen's?” He looked to the three men again. “Maybe. I am sure all these things helped to mold and create the boy into what he is today, but no matter the reason. Sojiro is none of them, nor is he any of us. He cannot be judged by anything but his actions and if you are going to judge him for standing up for what is right. For fighting for what he believes in. Then as of today; I will resign from the Gotei 13. Because if this is the case. I have been doing the same thing that you all deem so wrong.”
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on May 14, 2016 20:44:57 GMT -6
Shunsui chuckled from seat after Izuru's heartfelt speech, rubbing his chin with a sheepish grin. "There will be no need for that, young Izuru. Please take a seat and remove such thoughts from your mind. You are a great asset to the Gotei 13 and always have been." He chuckled again. "It's times like these when you find out where people's strengths lie. And Ichimaru would be proud of you - if he were here." The commander paused. "It's not easy giving loyalty where few will - even more so when you've learned to regret it more than once. And yet, you have been brave enough to do this multiple times. It is a rare gift."
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on May 14, 2016 20:51:21 GMT -6
Juushiro smiled with his friend. "Soji has always wanted to go to the academy and I agree with you, Izuru. Now is the time for the guidance and growth he won't learn at home." He lowered his head, eyes darkening in grief. "He has seen and learned enough at his parents', even his family's side. Both the good and the bad. He has been spared little. And I don't want him to withdraw as Kenji could have done but didn't. As Evita has." The kind captain lifted his head. "It is time for Sojiro to grow into his own person."
A moment later, the commander sighed. "But it won't be easy."
Juushiro nodded. "No, it won't be. His father is missing at such a critical time. Kita has little time for anything but enduring her own pain. And Soji wants to protect his mother and little Kadaj. And they all deserve some peace and quiet. In the academy, he will only have one of the things he needs. A place to acquire experience and the skills to survive. He will have to find the rest."
He paused. "If he will go, he will need a new support system."
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Post by Captain Byakuya Kuchiki on May 14, 2016 21:21:57 GMT -6
The high noble spoke up again. “At this point in time, he must step away from the family that has shaped him. He must prove that he can rely on himself. And perhaps, if he can do this - and withstand the confrontations considering his heritage as well as relatives (as you have done) - he will be evaluated for his own qualities. And weaknesses. Maybe he will become his own person.”
"He is his own person," Kira stated.
"Not to others. They see Gin Ichimaru, the ghost of a traitor, and someone few could read. And if it's not him, they see his mother. The goddess. Who changed sides and supported our nemesis. Together, they are a danger and a threat."
Captain Kuchiki turned and took a seat finally. "That is what you have to break. After you get the boy to let others take care of his family."
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Post by Lt. Izuru Kira on May 14, 2016 21:45:19 GMT -6
"He won't be leaving right way so he has time to adjust to his leaving for the academy. He knows his mother has the support of the shop, the Kurosaki's," he sighed continuing, "and Tervaden if she needs it."
"Does Tervaden's support to her bother you, Kira?" Kyoraku asked him.
He looked the way of his Commander with a small nod. "A little yes. At times I feel he is behind Ichimaru's disappearance. He hates the idea of the two of them being together. With Ichimaru out of the way Tervaden get to have his cake and eat it to."
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Post by Lt. Renji Abarai on May 15, 2016 12:23:58 GMT -6
Before another word could be spoke in the First division office the door burst open as a tall red head known as Lieutenant Renji Abarai burst into the room. He was sweaty, dirty and a few traces of blood spotted his clothing and body. He bowed quickly staying that way as he apologized to the ones in the room.
“Sorry for the interruption, but we have a major issue at this very moment.”
Renji’s voice was shaken, annoyed and a touch of fear lingered when he went silent. As they looked at him to continue he took a deep breath and went on.
“The sealed statue of Aizen... it has... disappeared.”
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