Streets of Rukongai

“Friendly Neighbors”:

Noboru Fujioka stood with a group of neighbors, assisting those that had been hit by the earthquake last night. Fortunately, due to the Gotei’s quick reaction, most of the danger had passed and the damage seemed minimal — especially compared to the destruction the Rukongai has seen for over a year since the Gotei lost in the great war with the traitor Aizen. But still, some houses buildings had fallen and people were injured. The main difference being that the residents hadn’t retreated into their houses but were out. If the year of darkness had taught them anything, it was that they didn’t need the Gotei for everything.

“Hey, Baki! Slow down!” he called out as he and an older man handed out blankets. “Just because the tremors have slowed doesn’t mean it’s completely safe around here.”

Noboru huffed. “Well maybe if you weren’t always running off as soon as you could walk, I wouldn’t have to,” he murmured with little heat as he followed her down the street.

He smiled as his sister kneeled down by a family with a basket half covered by a towel. He watched as she held her puppy out to a young boy and the boy hugged her. Together, they set the squirming puppy into the basket with the others. And when she rose, she gave one of her peonies to the boy’s sister, saying something he couldn’t hear.

He waited until she skipped back over, hands behind her back as she twirled. “What did you tell her?”

His sister shrugged, her eyes more blue than green in the sunlight. "That I have some flowers she can help braid with me if she stays by her mom for a little longer." 

Noboru chuckled, but before he could come up with a retort he swayed in place. He blinked, not sure what it was when the animals started calling out and a low shaking rumbled through the area. Eyes narrowing, he grabbed Tsubaki and crouched down with her, hoping there was enough distance between the buildings and them.

"This was supposed to be over!" 

Noboru watched her turn around a couple times before spying a group of children who had escaped their elders, running down the hill with their arms out. Just like his sister years ago, now that the danger had passed, they wanted to go back to playing. He waved at a friend passed carrying takeout. As long as no one had died, they were learning to get back up and move on. Noboru looked to his sister who tossed the ball to the group of kids. 

"But it's still dangerous..."  he murmured. "You'd be safer here."

Nowhere was completely safe, but at least she wouldn't be in the spotlight. 

He tried a new angle as they walked over to their supplies, Tsubaki retrieving her basket of snacks and flower and Noboru, his sack of clothes. A cat slinked between their legs before leaping up into one of the intact houses.

"You know if you stayed, we could get a pet like you always wanted," he called out. 

Noboru released another sigh and joined her. “I know. You’ve never stayed in a place long, even the shop with all the flowers like your zanpakuto. You keep running around, trying to see or learn more.” He ruffled her head. “I should have taken the more exciting adventure stories away from you. They didn’t teach you to be careful. You just got into more trouble.”

He smiled again. “I won’t stop you anymore, but please be careful.

Tsubaki nodded. “I always am, despite what you think when I run off. I have Shira with me. She’s always watching out for me, too.”

“I’m not talking about that,” her brother replied, flicking his sister in the forehead. “She’s just watched you climb trees, fences, and crawl into small spaces since you were young. She’s your partner in crime. You need to be more aware of your surroundings from now. I won’t always be there to help anymore, and not everyone in the Gotei are good people. The traitors were a part of their ranks for years. Another traitor managed to kidnap one of the noble princesses from under their noses. You have to look after yourself and pay attention.”