Chapter 4: Reluctance.
"Dance for me!" The raven haired woman shouted holding out her zanpaku-to. "Halaza!" Her sword transformed into a long wooden staff with a handle that matched her blue colored bangs.
The man standing opposite of Alexis Freeman wore a traditional male Soul Reaper shihakusho. Across his right arm was the band that signafied he was a lieutenant as well. His dirty blonde hair was cut short to his scalp but had long bangs that went down to almost his eyes. He pulled his sword from his side and held it upside down.
"Suffocate," Joshua Longwire Lieutenant of Squad 11 smiled, "Coplungir!" His entire sword vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Retox," Alexis spun causing the long staff to flex all around her generous hips, "Huda!" Alexis spun again causing the staff to fly out and smash through the smoke.
Longwire leapt into the air, the smoke that became his zanpaku-to followed him up surrounding him. "You're to slow still Freeman! You cant distract all men with that body of yours, some of your oppenents will only want your head as a trophy. Not your body to brag about."
"I'm trying here Joshua." Alexis stomped her foot holding Halaza by her side. "Why are you even here? I thought you'd be at the wedding."
Longwire's face tightened and held out his hands. The smoke fired forward and surrounded Alexis. Alexis took a deep breath and held it as she felt the air around her grow thin. The smoke from Coplungir was sucking the oxygen from around her.
"Get out of it Alexis." Joshua said as he walked forward. "You can do it I know you can."
Alexis fell to the ground, her zanpaku-to changing back into the sword state. She held her breath as long as she could but finally exhaled and began to gag and choke on the lack of oxygen. The smoke around her grew thicker and began to swirl around her body sucking the oxygen from her lungs.
"Enough." Joshua waved his hand and the smoke gathered into his hand and took the shape of its sealed sword state once more. "You arent focused Alexis."
"You nearly... Killed... Me." Alexis breathed heavily. "All I asked was why you didnt go to Captains Nowland and Wayne's wedding."
"My captain is marrying that degenerate man." Joshua upturned his nose and walked away back towards the seireitei. "I dont know what Captain Nowland sees in that opium addict."
"He's pretty handsome for an opium addict though." Alexis jogged to catch up with her fellow Lieutenant. "Everyone else is there. Even Captain Shoultson went. And that crazed mad man doesnt go to anything."
Joshua kept quiet and looked over at the bright lights that were coming from the edge of the Seireitei. Cheers and laughter could be heard coming from the celebration of the wedding of the two Captains. He sighed heavily and dropped his head low.
"This means that Squads 7 and 11 will be working more closely now." Joshua shouted. "Means I have to deal with that control freak Kelly Anthems!"
Aleix laughed quietly. She looked over to the celebration as well and frowned slightly. Images of Rellik ran through her mind, and memories of their one night encounter. She turned her head from the celebration and wrapped her arms around her very generous bust.
"You need to stop thinking about him." Joshua warned.
"How do you know what I'm thinking?" Alexis asked with a shaky voice.
"It's written all over your face Alexis." Joshua shot back. "Wade is no longer here. You need to accept that. Stop being so damn reluctant about letting the past be the past."
"You're one to talk!" Alexis kicked Joshua hard between the legs and took off running. She ran until she reached Squad 2 barreks and rested against the outside wall. She whipped her tear filled eyes and shook violently. "Stupid idiot. Talking to me about letting the past be the past. He doesnt know what he's talking about. Rellik promised me." Alexis looked at the large wall that seperated the Seireitei from the Roukon district. The sun was setting on the other side and cast a large shadow over her and her damned thoughts.
Cheers could be heard all over as Todd Wayne and Tess Nowland walked from the large white tent. Captain Wayne held his new bride's hand high into the air and bowed himself as their guests cheered. Captain Nowland blushed bright red as she saw her new husband bow and make a fool of himself.
Lieutenant Kelly Anthems stood in the back of the crowd with her brother, Captain Clark Anthems. They were watching the wedding and being quiet as the newly weds walked through the crowd. Each of their long light blonde hair was up in a very stylish aspect and stood nearly a head taller then the rest of the guess. Captain Wayne reached over and took his lieutenant's hand and smiled as Nowland grapsed Kelly's other hand.
"I want to thank you for coming Lieutenant Anthems. You as well Captian." Nowland said, her voice filled with thanks and appreciation.
"The Anthems family bestows the greatest of wishes and respect to this wedding." Captain Anthems said in his soft voice. "I believe you will find my family's gift more then suitable for your marriage."
"Thank you Captain!" Wayne grasped his fellow captain's shoulders and hugged him tight. "You truely are a great friend and man! Despite what people say about you!"
Lieutenant Kelly water dropped at what her captain said and bit her lip to keep from speaking her mind. Captain Anthems smiled and patted Wayne hestitantly on the back and pushed the man away.
"Come Todd," Nowland grasped her husband's hand, "We need to meet with Head Captain Yukes. He says he has a special present for us both." The newly weds walked away as Captain Xezon approached and stood next to the tall siblings.
Captain Anthems looked over at the young Captain and exhaled. "Felix, surprised you came."
"Wouldnt miss it." Xezon drank from his glass and spat at Anthems' feet. "Any chance to spend time with fellow captains," Xezon stepped away, stumbling a little, back towads his seat, "I'll do it!"
Wayne held his wife's hand and entered into Head Captain Yukes' large office. Nowland smiled as the newly weds approached their mentor and saluted him. Yukes was sitting behind his large desk reading a small book. His walking staff sat beside him, leaning agaisnt his large chair.
"Welcome Mr. and Mrs. Wayne." Yukes spoke softly.
"It is still Nowland Head Captain." Nowland said respectfully. "I'll still be Captain Tess Nowland. Though once retired," She squezzed her husband's hand, "I'll be Tess Nowland-Wayne."
"Excuse me then." Yukes said softly again. "Do you know why I called you two here?"
"I hoped it was to congratulate us both Henry." Wayne spoke, his voice heavy with smoke. He let go of his wife's hand and placed his wooden pipe into his mouth. "But you were never exactly ok with our relationship. So no games sir."
"Thought you liked games Captain Wayne." Yukes joked.
"Head Captian please." Nowland's eyes pleaded with the two most important men in her life.
Yukes and Wayne exhaled loudly at the same time. "Very well Tess." Yukes stood up and held onto his cane as he walked about the desk. "I called you both here to simply inform you that my time is coming to an end in this world." Wayne and Nowland's expression changed immediately. "Dont feat. The sickness that plagues me is not contagious..."
"That is not why we show these faces Henry." Wayne walked to the old man and sat down before him. Nowland walked over and sat next to her husband and looked over the father figure of a man before them both.
"I know." Yukes smiled through his closed his eyes. His long silvery hair that went to his mid back. "Captain Tribulet gives me a year. Maybe less. Not enough time to train them, but I have decided my successor." Yukes grasped Wayne's arm. "You have faught me at every corner, you disobeyed me and have shown me countless amounts of disrespct. However I can see in your eyes that you truely care for me as a father, just as Tess does." Wayne grasped Tess' arm as well. "You are strong willed and have proven yourself in all maters of being a great leader. So my wedding present, is that you, Todd Theodore Wayne, will become General to the Soul Society King, and Head Captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, and Captain of Squad One, upon my death."
Nowland looked to her new husband with eyes filled with awe. Wayne was speechless. He sat there as Yukes looked over him and began to shake his head.
"No." Wayne said sternly. "No I wont do it. Tess would be a much better Head Captain then me."
"Todd," Nowland grasped her husband's hand and smiled, "Trust me sweet heart. You are the perfect man for this squad."
"I like the post I have." Wayne said defensively. "I've worked hard in Squad Seven. I've been striving to keep it working for nearly five centruies. I wont give it up."
"Your reluctance is useless." Yukes said loudly. "It is already done! I have sent word to Central Fourty-Six and they have agreed to it. You will become Head Captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads on my death." Yukes turned around and walked back to his chair. "Now get over it!"
Rellik walked through the air port looking up at a large screen with departure times. He checked the time for the flight and walked to his terminal. As he sat down and placed his bag by his feet, a young girl came running pass him. She was nearly see through and had a chain that protruded from her chest.
"Help me please!" The girl shouted tugging at the chain. Rellik looked closely to see a dark figure eating at the chain quickly. "I dont want to become a monster please help me! Somebody!"
Rellik looked around to make sure no one was paying attention before biting down on a piece of candy that pushed his soul from the gigai. The girl let out a soft scream as Rellik's gigia appear to fall asleep as his true form stepped towards her.
"Hello there little girl." Rellik pulled Ragnok from his back and placed the hilt upon her forhead. "I'm a Soul Reaper and I'm going to make you all better. I promise." Rellik smiled at the girl and he saw the dark figure slow down eating away at the chain. "Konso." Rellik pushed the hilt hard against the girls head and watched the young whole vanished before his eyes.
Rellik stood back up and saw a living boy try and sneak into his pocket. 'That little son of a bitch.' Rellik quickly rejoined with his gigai and snatched the boy's hand quickly.
"Geez!" The boy yelled and ran off quickly. Rellik checked his pocket and exhaled happily. Rellik sat back up and waited for his plane to board. He closed his eyes and pretended to sleep as he sat waiting.
