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Post by Ichigo Kurosaki on Apr 29, 2024 19:07:45 GMT -6
Bleach Unrated: REBOOTEDCurrent Arc: RejectionEpisode 429 "Full Ride": Ichigo stood outside of the First Division office with Haku, who still had the bandages wrapped around his head from their "fiasco" with Kido. He really hoped Kyoraku didn't ask about the bandages. And if he did, he prayed that Haku didn't say exactly what caused it. He turned to the boy. "Hey, thanks for doing this, by the way. Especially after... you know." Haku smiled up at Ichigo, shaking his head. "Nah, it's nothing. Besides..." His smile turned into a sneer and he placed a hand on his chin. "Now I have something to blackmail you with if I ever need a favor.""Hey! What happened to the 'sweet kid' persona from earlier!?" Ichigo gritted his teeth at Haku, clenching his fist. "You sure changed your tune fast." |
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Post by Haku "Katsumi" Yamamoto on Apr 29, 2024 19:14:38 GMT -6
Haku made the biggest doe eyes he could muster and folded his hands in front of him, tilting his head at Ichigo. He batted his long, white eyelashes at the substitute Soul Reaper. "Why whatever do you mean, Ichi-san? You wouldn't be calling little ol' me two-faced, now would you?"
He smirked when the carrot top squirmed and growled under his breath. To be fair, Ichigo Kurosaki was way more fun to mess with than he expected. He learned that quickly on their walk over to First Division. At first Haku was a tad bit twitterpated over meeting the man, but after getting to know him, he was exactly as everyone described him. A big goof and hopelessly easy to pick on, but also respectable and admirable.
Haku laughed and elbowed Ichigo in the ribs. "Come on, I'm just joking. I get it all the time. Let's go see, Kyo-jisan and see if we can get you those Kido classes." Haku stepped up to the office door and knocked on the wood with his knuckles.
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on Apr 29, 2024 19:49:14 GMT -6
Shunsui looked up from the commander’s desk, for once not littered with old reports or wrinkled dirty plans, the mess of a man who spent as little time as possible there for only the bare minimum of work on most days. Instead, a take away pile took up in one neat corner and ink covered what looked like several new reports laid out before several drafts. Another table was covered in books he’d removed from the archives with more papers sticking out of them. A map sprawled on the floor as well.
Chuckling at the rare combination in front of his door, he removed his new hat and set it over his latest plans.
“Enough with the noisy formalities, kids." He stood up and waved a hand. "If you're going to disturb me, get in here and stop making me wait. I don't have time for 20 guesses as fun as that can be."
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Post by Haku "Katsumi" Yamamoto on Apr 29, 2024 20:08:50 GMT -6
"Sorry, Kyo-jisan," Haku apologized as he opened the door. He walked up to the commander's desk, looking around at everything Kyoraku had been pouring over before they walked in. He wanted to ask him what he was planning, but one, he knew better than to ask, and two, it was obvious that he was busy and didn't have time to chit-chat. "We'll make this quick ojisan."
He looked back at Ichigo who walked up beside him. "Ichi-san had a question to ask of you."
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on Apr 29, 2024 20:21:24 GMT -6
Shunsui chuckled at the state of two kids before him, both covered in dust and Haku sporting a bloody bandage and some blood in his white hair. It was a sorry sight, but it did him a world of good. “Well I suppose I better listen, but will it explain why you decided to go head to head with our wonder boy?"
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Post by Ichigo Kurosaki on Apr 29, 2024 20:31:31 GMT -6
Ichigo panicked and waved his hands in front of him. "N-no, I-- You see what happened was-- We were--" He couldn't get a full sentence out as he thought of how to explain what had happened.
Haku looked wide eyed between Ichigo and Kyoraku. He didn't actually want Ichigo to get into trouble. Besides, it was his fault to begin with. He raised his hands as well, shaking his head. "No, no! It wasn't his fault! I got carried away. I roped him into it."
Ichigo looked to Haku with surprise. He smiled and turned to Kyoraku, placing a hand on the back of his neck. "Well, I got carried away too. My bad. He was trying to teach me Kido and I kinda overdid it." He lowered his hand, his expression becoming more serious. "Actually, that's why I'm here, Shunsui. I wanted to ask if it was possible for me to take Kido classes at the academy." He raised his hand, looking down into his palm. "I don't just want to be a substitute shinigami any longer. I want to actually earn the title of shinigami. And I'm willing to do whatever it takes to do that."
He clenched his hand into a fist and looked back up at the commander. "That's why I need to learn Kido! This entire time I've seen Soul Reapers performing incredible spells, but I had never even performed a level one spell until just half an hour ago. I wanna take a Kido class at the Academy, if at all possible!"
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on Apr 29, 2024 20:47:58 GMT -6
Shunsui rubbed at his eyepatch before shrugging and deciding to remove it again. “So you decided to play around with Kido without anyone else to monitor you and got into a little explosion?”
“Well,” Haku admitted sheepishly, “he kind of threw me into a wall.”
Ichigo turned on Haku. “You said it would be small.”
“You used too much power!”
Shunsui laughed quietly and held up a hand. “I think I get the picture here.” He looked over at Ichigo who still seemed to be warring with a level of wariness. He scratched at the scar above his eye with another chuckle. “You’re good, wonder kid. You’re not the first to overshoot with Kido. Let’s just keep you away from any explosive spells until you can do this one right. Yes?” He waved a hand. “Then again, if there’s an enemy in front of you, go ahead and send them sky high with a slight push. Sounds like it will give us an ego boost.” He took a seat at his desk and indicated the chairs opposite him.
“Take a seat, Ichigo. You too, Haku, since you decided to get involved. I better take a look at that head wound before you get into more mischief.”
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Post by Haku "Katsumi" Yamamoto on Apr 29, 2024 20:56:04 GMT -6
The two of them sat as Haku grumbled and crossed his arms. "Come on, Kyo-jisan. I'm fine! I've been in worse scrapes during my training."
"Worse than getting getting thrown through a wall?!" Ichigo gawked at Haku.
Haku rolled his eyes and whispered to Ichigo with his mouth blocked by his hand. "I'm trying to throw you a bone here!" Ichigo immediately pressed his lips together and turned away. "I told him Kido was dangerous. It's just how it is for Soul Reapers. There's always a certain level of risk involved and you have to be willing to-- OW!"
Haku flinched away from Kyoraku as the bandage was pulled off and replaced with a small cotton ball with disinfectant. He swatted Kyoraku's hand away, grasping the other wrist with his hand. "You don't have to put that stuff on! Ichigo already cleaned and disinfected it! It just looks bad cause of my hair!"
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on Apr 29, 2024 21:10:10 GMT -6
“Quit putting up a fuss like that and I’ll let you tell Sasakibe AND Isane about it,” the commander huffed, a bit of a bite to his tone. He sighed when the boy flinched. “Just stay still. There’s enough going on without you causing a scare, okay?” He patted his head.
Ichigo watched as Haku huffed and crossed his arms, letting Kyoraku clean and redress the wound. He smiled warmly, reflecting on how much the captain classes of the Gotei cared about Yamamoto's grandson. Even though this was his first time meeting Haku, he could tell he was important to a lot of people in the Gotei.
"I take it he's a tough one to keep out of trouble?" He ignored the look from Haku that said "whose side are you on anyway?"
"Depends on the day and our mood," Kyoraku murmured. "Sometimes it's just nice to worry over someone and we get that excuse with him."
"Okay! That's enough!" Haku cried out, face flushing a bit and throwing his hands up.
The commander let him go, finally smiling a bit. "Next time, don't come in bloodied after not seeing you for years, scamp. Yama-jii will have all our hides from the grave."
He returned to his desk. "So where were we?"
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Post by Ichigo Kurosaki on Apr 29, 2024 21:48:13 GMT -6
Ichigo smiled, turning in his chair to face Kyoraku more. "Kido classes. I want to take a class on Kido at the academy. I know I'm not really a shinigami, nor do I plan on staying here in the Gotei--my life is in Karakura--but I want to improve myself as a shingami."
He shook his head sternly. "I don't want to waste the time of the instructors there, so I was wondering if it's possible to just take one class. I mean. That's really all I'm missing, isn't it? I've been doing this since I was fifteen. I'm in my late thirties now..." He shuddered at the thought. "I just feel like I should be improving instead of remaining stagnant."
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on Apr 29, 2024 21:53:55 GMT -6
Shunsui shrugged. "Well, to be honest, for a soul reaper, you're still a baby, Ichigo, so I wouldn't let it get to you that much." He leaned back in his chair. "All of you Kurosakis will slowly stop aging at some point, courtesy of your father's blood, and just because you haven't done any kido doesn't mean that you're all that far behind. But as far as taking one class," he shook his head slowly, "I'm not sure that I can do that."
Ichigo was silent for a moment while he took in Kyoraku's words. Was he going to be middle-aged forever? How long would he even live? Then again, his looks hadn't changed all that much since he turned thirty. He was lucky if he looked a year or to older between then and now. But that was something to ponder over later. He looked up at Kyoraku once more. "So... is that because I'm not allowed to take any classes, or are you telling me I have to be 'in for a penny, in for a pound?'"
Haku listened silently, though on the inside his mind was racing. If Ichigo had to go through the entire Shino Academy curriculum, there was no way he wouldn't still be in the academy by the time he joined. He would be attending the academy with Ichigo! He tried to keep a poker face as he imagined him and Ichigo Kurosaki in student uniforms taking the same classes.
"It would be better if you go the full way, Ichigo, and I have more than one reason for it," the commander replied. He paused. "I'd pass this on to your sister too. If you're restless, she will be in time, too. Now, the root of the matter is what you've told us -- that you've been a substitute soul reaper. You’ve acted as a substitute and that means you’ve been exempt from any technicalities in Soul Society, powers being only a small part of it. However, as a student in the academy, you’d get exposure. Others will seek you out and you will hear about all the gossip and bureaucracy. Can you stand above it or not be a part of it? Second, the academy is where the Gotei’s first relationships form. It’s not just training. You find your comrades there. Eventually, you will return and you don’t want to be a hero on a pedestal when this is your home. It’s a heavy burden even if you’re ready for it.”
He stood up. "However, you are the hero. I can discuss an exception with Headmaster Isamu Yamaguchi, but it would only be for you, not your sister. But consider carefully. Those who don't go there are set apart. It's not easy to be a part of the group later. You know the lieutenants and our captains, some officers, but how many of the younger, rank Gotei soldiers know who you are and not what you are?"
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Post by Ichigo Kurosaki on Apr 29, 2024 22:59:29 GMT -6
Ichigo sat and rolled Kyoraku's words around in his brain. The man had a way of being long winded, and this was no exception. Even Haku seemed a little perplexed. But even so, he got the feeling of what the man meant.
He nodded and hummed. "Alright. I'm picking up what you're putting down, old man. If I do this I do this all the way. No half-assing it." He grinned up at Kyoraku, leaning forward onto his knees. "So, how does this work? Do I get a letter of recommendation or anything? Or do I just waltz into the admission's office and ask for an enrollment application? You guys have a test, right? I'm sure I'll have to pass that like everyone else, right?"
Shunsui grinned, a kind of manic light in his eyes. "I think I'll let Haku here set you up. You won't be the only one who passed through those walls with some staggering prerequisites. You might even graduate early. Go over with your classmate," he emphasized, "and get it all sorted it out." He tipped his head up. "And welcome aboard. I look forward to what you'll bring."
While Haku wiggled excitedly around in his seat, clenching his fists tightly, Ichigo blinked at Kyoraku. He raised an eyebrow at him. "I get why Haku is excited, but what's got you all giddy and in a rush to kick us out? You got something up your kimono sleeve?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about~" Kyoraku sang. He flicked a wrist at them. "Now out you go. I got other things to do, you know. I'm a busy busy man."
Ichigo wasn't buying it of course, but Haku didn't even bother to ask. Just as Ichigo was about to ask again, Haku stood up and grabbed Ichigo's wrist, dragging him up out of his seat and towards the door. "Woahhh!!! Chill out, kid! You're gonna pull my arm out of socket!"
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Post by Haku "Katsumi" Yamamoto on Apr 29, 2024 23:16:49 GMT -6
"Hurry up then! We gotta make it to the admissions office before they break for lunch!" Haku rushed him to the door, pulling on his wrist. "They take an hour for lunch and then the futz around for half an hour after they've come back from their food comas! If we don't go now we'll be there all day!"
He turned and grinned at Ichigo. "This means I can call you Ichi-kun instead! Cause we're equals now!" "I told you already you could just call me Ichigo!""Nevermind that, hurry up!" Haku pulled him harder. He waved at Kyoraku before closing his office door. "See ya, Kyo-jisan! Thanks a lot!"
Haku let go of Ichigo's hand in lieu of using shunpo. "Come on slowpoke! Race you there!" He ignored Ichigo's protests to slow down as he disappeared towards the academy. -END RP- "Time Off"
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Post by Commander Shunsui Kyoraku on Sept 26, 2024 19:55:22 GMT -6
Bleach Unrated: REBOOTEDCurrent Arc: The ChaosEpisode 531
"Behind the Scenes": Shunsui and Juushiro sat at the great desk of the commander’s office in First Division, scrolls at their feet and ink on their hands from reading the long documents that now took precedence upon the table. The commander had removed everything that didn’t belong to this particular project before his best friend had arrived this afternoon, and though he stayed quiet while rereading his work — while he waited for his best friend’s opinion — he continued to tap his fingers along the armrest of his chair, betraying himself. He wanted to be patient, but too much had happened already. And much more could occur to stop his progress if it wasn’t ready yet. As much as he wished otherwise, time was not on his side. Yet. Maybe he could turn some of the tide his way if this progressed as he wished, but could not count on that. And he couldn’t return to his old ways or start on a new path until he’d found that balance. “I heard that Mayrui paid a visit to the living world,” his friend murmured, turning a page. Shunsui turned back to Juushiro. “So I’ve heard. It’s the talk of Seireitei. If he wanted to make it a secret, he should have sent someone else. To see a man like him leave his domain for anything but a meeting or battle sets the tongues wagging.” |
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Post by Captain Juushiro Ukitake on Sept 26, 2024 19:58:40 GMT -6
Juushiro chuckled. “There are some outrageous stories as to why he would go there, that’s for sure. I hope he realized it’s an exercise in futility.”
Shunsui scoffed. “That’s not likely. We’re sitting on a landmine here, and soon enough, it’s going to go off. I just want someone else to clean up the mess that follows.” He looked to his friend as his white-haired friend rubbed his temples. “Should we take a break? If you get sick again, I’ll have a riot on my hands.”
Juushiro smiled and shook his head. “I’m fine. Isane and Naomi wouldn’t have let me return to work if I weren’t. It was just a small cold.”
“A cold that was reason enough for Yumi-chan to stay by your side and nurse you instead of going to Karakura to be at her friend’s side. We’re lucky you recovered as quickly as you did.”
Juushiro sighed, setting his pages down. “At the time, Yumiko said she would only be in the way, but I don’t think it was only my cold that kept her here. If she left for Karakura now, I believe she would be tempted to stay away until the matter of Masahiro Ryouma’s funeral had passed. She doesn’t want to run away but facing her brother — and her heritage — is going to be difficult.”
The commander nodded, releasing a sigh of his own. “Well, at least you and Kita are healing.”
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