Okay, so over the past few days I have come up with a range of ideas for this story (so much so that I have started to write the fourth chapter) I was going to wait to update until next week, but I've gotten some lovely feedback so early update, just a little thank you ^^
Daybreak slowly enveloped the Seireitei, the sun rose from the rolling clouds. Mild light seeped through the windows of the many buildings. Leaves in hues of orange and yellow, taken hostage by the autumn breeze. Although it was still early, both Rangiku and Isshin had long ago awoken preparing for the mission that awaited them.
"Remind me again why you're doing this..?" the Fukutaichō questioned sceptically in a whispered tone. The woman's expression was set in a deadpan, her body leaning against the door frame she had been requested to stand by.
"Watch and you'll find out" The voice of Isshin murmured from above her. Sighing, the strawberry blonde glared upwards, watching as her Taichō gathered his bearings, balancing himself on the beams of the ceiling.
The room just so happened to belong to their third seat, who was sleeping soundly under the sheets of his futon. Silky white tendrils poked out and onto his pillow, not a snore escaping him. Isshin shuffled on the platforms above him, a broad smile playing on his lips.
Clearing his throat, he straightened up, dark silver orbs glinting in anticipation. Matsumoto gasped as the man suddenly launched himself from the beam. Large, sandaled feet vastly approached the sleeping boy with bone-breaking intent. "Good Morning Tōshirō!" he announced, in a voice that echoed across the room and halls.
Hidden teal eyes snapped open, dark lashes narrowing. In a blur of white fabric, Tōshirō had out manoeuvred his elder. Rolling statically off the mattress and onto the cool flooring, the nimble footed graduate ended in a crouching position, panting lightly. Isshin fell unceremoniously to the ground with a crash, causing the floor to quake under his weight.
Like a frightened parent, Matsumoto had prepared to lunge forwards and rescue the petite frame from being crushed. Instead she found herself stumbling over the dead weight of the Divisions leader, landing by the said boys feet.
Her hair now a frazzled mess, she rose from her position. The distinctive presence of her spiritual pressure quickly flared around her, pressing down on those near her. Tōshirō rolled his eyes, used to such hectic mornings and wake up calls. He stepped back, leaving the second in command to deal with the man that had tripped her.
With an expression deadly enough to kill small animals, Matsumoto towered over the crumpled, fire wielding maniac. Snatching him up by the front of his Shihakushō, she pulled him onto his knees. "What kind of stunt are you trying to pull?!" she demanded, her frosty eyes bulging.
His face somewhat scuffled from being planted into the floor, the experienced reaper looked directly forwards with a sly grin. His orbs becoming shady as his gaze met the vices most profound feature. "Whoa, your breasts look even bigger up close" he chortled "Nice…"
Realising his mistake, Isshin recoiled. The movement was proven useless as the grip on his front turned into deaths hold itself. He watched helplessly as rage swarmed in the flawless Lieutenants eyes. Lids closed over widened pools, waiting for the inevitable.
"I'll be in the office…" the smallest in the room sighed. A fresh uniform was clasped in his hands, planning to find someplace private to change. He shook his head, leaving an enraged Matsumoto to beat the 'complimenting' Taichō with her sheathed Zanpakutō.
Now dressed, Tōshirō sat quietly in the office. His brows creased as he struggled to knot his sash, the heavy weight of Hyōrinmaru causing the material to slip from his fingers. As the sleek, mantis green silk escaped his digits for the fifth time, he gave up.
Placing the long katana-like blade on his lap he shuffled up, so the flat of his back rested against the maize material of the sofa. He blinked as he looked up, strutting into the room with her sleeves rolled up, was Matsumoto. Bright copper locks were no longer in a mess, and instead bounced neatly to frame her face.
Trailing sluggishly behind, with his body hunched was Isshin. Multiple grazes and developing bruises marred his ivory flesh. In comparison to the Fukutaichō, his hair was flat, and his Haori seemed dusty. "You know you should really learn to take a compliment" he chuckled, a toothy grin becoming apparent on his lips.
Rangiku frowned, ignoring the comment and settled down next to the young subordinate. "Just give us the assignment brief already, ne?" she yawned, stretching out her arms. Tōshirō looked between the two adults, the comment catching his attention.
"Would you like me to leave?" he asked, pushing himself away from the sofa so that the tips of his toes pressed against the floorboards.
"What are you talking about kiddo? You're coming too" Ishhin chuckled, rubbing a particularly swollen bruise on his cheek. Hitsugaya blinked as his Taichō extended his other arm to ruffle his unruly mess of hair.
Taken by surprise, Tōshirō's reflex of swatting him away didn't kick in until after the man had withdrawn. Without much protest, he fell back onto the sofa, intrigued to know what the mission was.
"Well, what's the mission?" Rangiku questioned, watching as Isshin sat opposite them, placing himself onto the coffee table. He ran calloused fingertips through jet black hair, looking directly at the two, his facial features grim.
"I'm sure that you're both aware that just over a week ago, I sent four of our units to investigate a strange spiritual presence in the far reaches of the west Rukongai…" He started seriously, eyes narrowing towards the window.
"Junrinan…" The toneless crowned subordinate commented, his mind recognising the area described as his childhood home. Isshin nodded in confirmation, looking towards his third seat.
"That's right Tōshirō… They made base in the forest area, where the Reiatsu was emitting from"
Matsumoto tilted her head, her expression clearly oblivious. "E-Eh I never heard of such deployment!" she protested, her eyes finding Tōshirō's, whose eyebrows were furrowed in thought. He noticed the confusion set in her expression and explained slowly, his pools meeting hers.
"Four units, they had been sending updated reports on their findings. That is until three days ago, when the paperwork stopped coming all together. According to what they had written, there was no sign of the spiritual disturbance…"
At Tōshirō's knowledge of the mission, Rangiku's frown deepened "How do you know all this?" she muttered, folding her arms over her stomach. The smaller glanced her way once more.
"It was all written in the paperwork you hid under the sofa…" he countered, arching an eyebrow.
Rangiku's hues widened, locking the small boys head against her side. "Nani!? You suggesting I'm slacking eh, Tōshirō!?" she gasped, kneading her knuckles roughly against his scalp. The young prodigy tried to squirm from her deadly headlock, his little hands clasping protectively over his hair.
"H-hey Rangiku, quit it!" he grumbled as Hyōurinmaru slipped from his lap with an iron clang.
Isshin watched, giving a slow, dismissive wave of his hand. "Now, now… Rangiku leave the kid alone…" he drawled plainly, covering his mouth to stifle a yawn. "Not unless you want me to go on this mission alone that is" he suggested, eyes directing at her knowingly.
The woman immediately freed the miniscule captive, who pushed away from her, his hair static. He blinked, looking somewhat dazed for a moment, before shaking his head and collecting his Zanpakutō.
Lounging back on the sofa, the busty Vice arched an eyebrow "So what's the problem?" she asked, tilting her head in curiosity. Isshin clasped strong hands together, closing steely eyes. "I sent the order for the units to pull out and return… They are yet to arrive." He paused for a long moment, as if becoming lost in his thoughts. "The worrying thing is I gave that order three days ago…"
TBC...
Yup little cliff hanger~ But Chapter three is when the adventure starts~ :D Please R&R it really gives me motivation!~ Thank you for reading and I hope to hear from you!~
Hatter!~ ^^