One of the shorter chapters, so my bad. I hope you like it though!
Chapter 2: A Night Out
With one golden eye open, Yoruichi watched her Lieutenant, who was glaring at the paperwork in front of her. As the Corps Commander of the Patrol Corps, Kirara was the one who went over most of the information gathered. While it had been very quiet recently, there was always those plotting underground, and there was always a mountain of paperwork for her to go over.
"What?" Kirara's voice was flat as she broke the quiet of the main chamber of the Squad 2 offices. She had been sitting nearby, ignoring the group of those in the Executive Militia who knelt before the Captain.
"Oh Kirara, so cold," Yoruichi shivered.
"That's what you get for making me go there," Kirara replied, still not looking up from her paperwork. Nearby, Soi Fon glared at her for her disrespecting the Captain, but was also ignored.
"But-"
"Don't go there," Kirara growled, knowing from the smirk in Yoruichi's voice exactly what she was going to say. "I will bring these to my office and finish them here," she threatened. She usually did her work on the main floor with Yoruichi, who vastly preferred the large, open space that looked out to the beautiful sky, but sometimes went to her office if either the Captain was away, or if she was being particularly annoying. Or if she had a particularly bad hangover that warranted the use of the peaceful office that was filled with cool air that was pumped in, thanks to the extravagant upgrades that Fourth Seat Omaeda had installed when he had arrived.
"You get bored in your office too easily, you never finish anything there," Yoruichi smirked. Kirara tried to hide her blush. It was true. She had a poor attention span and when she was left alone to her thoughts it never went well.
"Can't I just finish this in peace?" Kirara sighed, finally looking up.
"Fine, fine, be boring," Yoruichi waved her hand dismissively, and Kirara sighed in relief, turning back to her paperwork. However, as she lifted her pen, she felt Yoruichi's gaze on her again. As soon as she noticed Kirara's hesitation over being watched, Yoruichi's smirk widened.
"So when are you going to admit you love Hirako?" with a moan of irritation, Kirara flung herself backwards onto the ground. Soi Fon's scowl grew at her childish attitude. She just couldn't understand why Lady Shihoin had chosen Kirara Yamada to be her Lieutenant. She was childish, lazy, drank way too much, and flirted with half the Gotei 13.
"Isn't it bad enough you make me go to the Squad 5 Barracks? You have to bring him up when I'm trying to do work?" Kirara whined as Yoruichi smirked, sprawled across her large seat as she watched her Lieutenant having a tantrum.
"For someone who collects information while working on hunches and feelings for a living, you sure do ignore a lot of your own," the noble teased.
"You are the worst," Kirara declared with a huff, her face red. "Why did I join this Squad?" she whined. Yoruichi just watched her with a lazy smirk as her golden eyes gleamed. "I'm going to my office," Kirara pushed herself up, collecting her things in her arms.
"You're awfully wound up Kirara, perhaps you should take it easy," Yoruichi called after her.
"I'm going drinking tonight. I'll be late tomorrow," Kirara warned her. Yoruichi laughed, not bothered in the slightest.
"Lady Shihoin?" Soi Fon finally couldn't hold it back any longer. The cat-like Captain turned her amused gaze on the young girl who was part of the family that had served her own for years. "Why do you put up with her blatant disrespect?" she asked.
"Because she's fun to tease," Yoruichi shrugged as she stretched and lay down again. "And she's a very good Lieutenant," she added. Soi Fon sighed. She didn't believe that in the slightest. She was almost as bad as Kisuke.
'Perhaps there is some truth to Captain Shihoin's words,' Kirara opened her eyes and looked around the thick forest that towered over her. It blotted out the sky almost entirely, only leaving a small view of the sky as stars twinkled overhead brightly.
"Excuse me?" Kirara's voice was testy.
'You have always been wound up by Captain Hirako, Kirara,' she looked around to see a cloaked figure standing beside a tree several feet away. All that could be seen of the figure, were the glowing golden lights of his eyes. His voice was deep and soft. 'Perhaps there is more to it than simple anger over what transpired so long ago?' he suggested.
"Old man, don't start questioning my feelings as well. I get enough of that from everyone else," Kirara warned the spirit, who gave a small chuckle.
'It does not bode well to dwell in denial,' he hummed.
"And I imagine it would not bode well for you to dwell in the koi pond?" Kirara folded her arms as she growled at him.
'I imagine not,' the Spirit mused.
"Then stop suggesting that I have feelings for Hirako," Kirara hissed. The spirit remained silent, watching as Kirara wandered around the world that was entirely her own. It was silent, and a gentle wind blew, pushing the strands of hair that fell from Kirara's ponytail out of her face. "Hey, old man?"
'I do respond to my name as well,' there was a slight irritation in his voice that made Kirara smirk victoriously. She and the Spirit had been going back and forth in irritating one another for as long as Kirara had known him.
"How things are at the moment...it's a little too calm, don't you think?" she turned to another tree as he appeared by it.
'I feel the same unease that you feel Kirara,' he confirmed. 'It could simply be nothing, but I believe it is the Calm before the Storm. Be on your guard,' he warned, and ducked behind the tree he was beside.
"I hope I'm just being paranoid," Kirara murmured. "Thank you, Kokoro no Kage," she turned to look to her left, and the Spirit emerged from behind the tree her gaze rested on. He gave one short nod.
Kirara opened her eyes and sat up properly, stretching. Cool air blew through the room, much to her relief. The weather was only getting warmer, and it made Kirara more and more sleepy. Not that the cool air helped her stay awake, she mused as he looked down at the paperwork in front of her. She was halfway through, and had gotten bored. "Okay...maybe the Captain's right...I never get work finished in here," she yawned widely.
'Perhaps it is time to change that? You are almost finished,' Kokoro no Kage's voice echoed in her head.
"That is true..." Kirara nodded, before looking out the window. "But it's getting late, and I have to meet Natsuki soon," she commented. The only reply she got was a sigh. She looked over a couple more, before standing and stretching. "The rest shall be Future Me's problem," she decided.
'One day you will realise that that logic is not wise,' Kokoro no Kage sighed again. Kirara grinned. Unlikely.
"Kirara!" the Lieutenant looked up as she walked into her favourite bar, and was instantly greeted by Natsuki. The blonde's face was flushed red, and her eyes slightly unfocused as she rushed over, stumbling over her own feet before latching onto Kirara's arm.
"Couldn't wait till I was done?" Kirara chuckled, allowing herself to be pulled over to the table Natsuki had gotten them.
"Was Lisa's fault," Natsuki slurred, pointing accusingly to their fellow Lieutenant.
"I couldn't have stopped her even if I tried," Lisa shrugged, her own cheeks tinged pink.
"You know she's a lightweight," Kirara chuckled as she took a seat, managing to pry her arm free to pour herself a drink. "Well...I suppose I may as well play catchup," she grinned. Lisa's glasses flashed, and she held up a thumbs up as Kirara swigged the liquid in the cup.
"May we join you?" they looked up to see the Captains of Squads 3 and 7, along with the Lieutenant of Squad 7, standing behind Kirara.
"Of course, but you will have to pay the fee," Kirara smirked.
"Fee?" Rose frowned in confusion. Still new, he had not been drinking with Kirara.
"Don't worry," Love chuckled, patting the blond's back. "I've got this," he held up a bottle of sake. Kirara and Natsuki cheered as Lisa smirked in approval.
"Consider the fee paid. Take a seat," Kirara gestured, pouring them drinks.
"How's the arm?" Jin'emon asked Natsuki with a smirk. The Lieutenant of the Tenth Division replied by sticking out her tongue at him.
"I hope you're happy. I got lectured by the meaner of the Yamadas," Natsuki pouted, and hiccuped.
"Why did Kirara lecture you?" Love asked in a mock innocent voice.
"Hey! I will revoke the right for you to sit here," Kirara warned him, looking offended.
"Oh yes, the Lieutenant of Squad 4 is your brother, isn't he?" Rose smiled at the young woman.
"Unfortunately," the four Lieutenants chimed. Love chuckled. Almost everyone was lectured by Seinosuke if they ended up in the Squad 4 Barracks for healing more than once. Kirara smirked.
"How's Captaincy treating you, Captain Otoribashi?" she asked.
"Oh sure, he gets treated by polite Kirara," Love muttered, but looked amused.
"I've told you before, call me Rose," the Captain told her. Kirara grinned, taking another drink. "It's been...interesting," he said, and took a drink.
"And then she had the genius idea to take on half of Squad 11," Kirara laughed as Natsuki blushed. The others around the table laughed loudly at Kirara's story about Natsuki.
"Hey...at least finish the-" Natsuki hiccuped during her complaint. "Story! I took like all of them out!" she whined, and hiccuped again.
"I think you've had enough," Kirara smirked, moving the sake bottle out of her reach. Natsuki pouted.
"You're the worst," she declared. Kirara's smirk only grew, and she emptied her cup. When Natsuki suddenly smirked, Kirara paused, her eyes narrowing slightly. She didn't like it when Natsuki changed so quickly. It was never good. "How about we hear the story behind why Kirara was stuck on desk duty for a month?" she suggested. Everyone looked curious, and Kirara's eyes narrowed.
"You bitch," she growled, feeling her face growing even warmer, and not because of the sake.
"Serves you right," Natsuki sang with glee.
"Okay, this I gotta hear," Love grinned. Kirara groaned and put her face in her hands. Natsuki's smirk grew as the others grew more intrigued. A year ago, Kirara had suddenly ended up on desk duty, and had refused to talk about it.
"So you all know how Captain Shihoin loves to send Kirara to the Squad 5 barracks, right?" Natsuki began.
"Why am I not surprised that the story starts this way?" Rose sighed in amusement. Kirara didn't lift her head, instead dropping lower to the table.
"Because they always do," Love muttered back.
"So Kirara is over at the Squad 5 Barracks, bringing Lieutenant Aizen some paperwork," Natsuki began.
"Please don't," Kirara whined, but was shushed by the others.
"And, shockingly enough, Captain Hirako was there as well, and of course, the two start fighting," Natsuki giggled.
"Why is it every story about you starts with you arguing with Captain Hirako?" Jin'emon chuckled, looking to Kirara, who just lifted her head to glare feebly at the other Lieutenant.
"And, sure enough, he calls Kirara a Princess one too many times," Natsuki was giggling, barely able to contain her laughter. "Kirara just completely loses it and-"
"Can't we just leave it there?" Kirara groaned, but was just shushed again. Natsuki smirked triumphantly, as if to show Kirara what happened when she tried to cut her drunken best friend off from alcohol. Kirara just buried her face back in her hands.
"As I was saying, Kirara loses her temper, and the next thing you know, she kicks the desk over on top of Captain Hirako," Natsuki told everyone. There was a second of stunned silence, before loud laughter broke out. Kirara sighed as Lisa smirked and Natsuki giggled.
"Natsuki, at least finish the damn story if you're going to tell it," Kirara grumbled, reaching out and filling her cup with sake. "Yes, I kicked over Hirako's desk. But what happened as I did is the most important part," she shook her head as everyone's laughter died down, and they watched her curiously.
"It really is," Natsuki nodded with a giggle.
"What happened?" Rose asked eagerly.
"So Hirako's lying on the ground under his table, there's still some choice words being thrown about, when who should walk in, but Captain Kuchiki himself," Kirara continued. There was a sympathetic hiss as everyone sucked in a breath. Out of all the Captains in the Gotei 13, there were very few who would actually react to Kirara and Shinji's fight, and Captain Ginrei Kuchiki was one of them.
"That's unfortunate," Love voiced what they were all thinking.
"Yeah," Kirara sighed. "I didn't think his lecture would ever stop, about behaving like the rank I am, and respecting the Captains, all that shit," she took another swig. "And then went to Captain Shihoin, who had to give me desk duty to get him off her case. Most boring month ever," she shook her head in disgust.
"You'd think that would have taught you," Jin'emon scoffed.
"Nothing teaches Kirara," Lisa shook her head. "She'll never change," she told the other Lieutenant.
"Thank god for that," Kirara yelped as Natsuki tackled her in a hug.
"Hey, I'm still mad at you for telling that story," the dark haired Shinigami frowned, pushing at Natsuki to get her off, but the other young woman wouldn't move. Kirara sighed heavily, shaking her head.
"You know," Lisa, who was the most composed of the drunken Shinigami, spoke up and earned everyone's attention. "Captain Hirako is the only one you fight with," she commented. Kirara frowned, not liking the direction that the conversation was going. Lisa's statement was one that Yoruichi often said herself.
"She's right," Rose nodded in agreement, a red flush across his normally pale features thanks to the large amount of sake that Love had provided him. "Why is that?" he asked. Kirara frowned, looking away.
"It's not important," she muttered, taking a gulp of her drink and wincing as it burned her throat.
"She won't say," Natsuki finally released her with a shake of her head. "I've been trying to find out for years," she pouted at Kirara, whose frown only intensified, and she focused on drinking instead.
"Are you in love with him?" Lisa's sudden question made Kirara spit out her sake all over Natsuki, who shrieked in disgust. Kirara coughed violently, struggling to get air into her lungs.
"Hell no!" she finally managed to get the words out as Natsuki patted her back.
"You sure? You two would be awfully cute together if you stopped fighting for five seconds," Rose commented lightly, a small smile on his face.
"You're disgusting," Kirara told him flatly as Love guffawed loudly. "We are not discussing this," Kirara said as Lisa opened her mouth to speak again.
"What was that phrase from the world of the living?" Rose wondered aloud. "Ah yes. 'The lady doth protest too much, methinks'," he quoted, making the others snort with laughter.
"And I think I will take Rose quoting nonsense from the living as my cue to leave," Kirara decided. She stood up, downing the last of the bottle of the sake as everyone else complained loudly. "Goodnight all," she turned and walked away with a light wave of her hand over her shoulder.
"I think we've upset her," Rose commented as he watched her leave.
"She'll be fine," Love waved it off easily.
"Yeah, she doesn't let that stuff get to her," Natsuki agreed with the other Captain. "It's just bad memories for her," she told Rose, who frowned, but nodded as he realised it was the general consensus.
Kirara sighed as she reached her home, getting inside and going straight into her small bedroom. Despite her higher position, she preferred the small apartment she owned, as she was very rarely actually there. It was cosy, and provided her with privacy and alone time, which she was very grateful for right at that moment. Stripping out of her uniform and switching to her sleeping clothes, Kirara just fell onto her futon and rolled over onto her back.
'It is not wise to dwell on the past Kirara, I have told you before,' Kirara sighed as the male voice echoed in her mind. She glanced to the corner, where her long bladed Zanpakuto rested. 'Especially if you are telling the truth and you do not possess feelings for him,' Kokoro no Kage continued.
"I'm too drunk for this right now," Kirara told her Zanpakuto Spirit. "Leave me alone," she rolled onto her side and closed her eyes.
'It is alright to guard your heart, Kirara, but do not shut yourself off completely. You will regret it,' Kokoro no Kage warned, but Kirara didn't reply.
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