Oh look, chapter four! It's about twenty five minutes later than I wanted it to be but, eh, at least it's done. This one is kind of really long, if only because I had to introduce a new character and oh, hey yeah, the character. Her name is Madoka, her nickname is Do, not as in do like do this but Do like doe. She also has a profile on my dA so feel free to check it out since I feel a little like me description of her here, through So and Shuhei's eyes, didn't quite do her justice. No Ken in this chapter sorry but the next chapter, ohmagee.
Once again, I read it for errors after I finished but it's past midnight and I've had a rather taxing day so this might be riddled with flaws for all I know. Feel free to kindly point them out to me. You'll only get thanks from me I promise, granted you're nice. ^^ Shout out to , gnarly, and new to the list lisamariem. They've all either added this to their allerts, review or both and I really apreciate it. Go check out their stuff, they've all got some pretty cool fics that I'm enjoying~
Oh, and just so you all know, I don't own Bleach, it probably wouldn't be half as good if I did. XD
Chapter 4 To Be My Best
Stacks of steam rose from the hot water and filled the room with a soft, vanilla scented haze.
The shudders were open but the curtains were closed, making the midday light seem darker than it really was.
It made for a nice atmosphere, draining away stress to replace it with a dreary sleepiness.
So sighed, in contentment and frustration, she was not getting out of this bath. Nope, not at all. She was just going to sit there and stew in the heat for the rest of her life, hair spread around her, body nice and warm.
It sounded like a good plan, a perfectly sane idea only, it wasn't.
She wouldn't be hearing that right now though, nope. She wasn't home now, there was no one, absotivly, posilutely, no one around to make her get out of the steamy Eden only, there was.
"So… Soichi!" a concerned voice called through the bamboo door and So slid farther into the water, submerging herself mouth deep into the pool. "You can't stay in there forever…"
"Yes ah can!" she retorted, popping up for just long enough to shout in her bizarrely quiet way.
"So…" a sigh from the other side. "I'm coming in alright?"
Seconds ticked by and then "Mhm."
The door slid open and a young woman stepped in.
"Do" So sighed, turning away from her friend.
"Come on now dear… It couldn't have been that bad." Do, or Madoka as her actual name was, stepped to the edge of the bath and looked down at her small friend hiding in the water.
"Neh" So gurgled and floated away from her, dunking herself under the water. Around her, her black hair fanned out, turning the steamy, clear surface inky black.
"Going under water won't make me go away." She said patiently, gazing down at the water with soft, lavender eyes.
"Ah!" So popped up again and took a deep breath while rubbing at her eyes. As nice as the water felt, the soap and oil still stung.
"Silly girl" Do laughed and grabbed a face towel for her friend. "Are you alright?"
"Hm, mhm" she nodded, blinking up at the taller woman. She couldn't help but smile, Madoka always made her happy, just seeing her could bring a smile around.
She was much taller than So, and seemed even more so while she was sitting there in the bath. Her friends five foot seven form seemed to tower over her slight self but, it wasn't menacing or bothersome, it was… comforting.
Being around Madoka was always comforting, her Doka, her Do was always there, so gentle and kind. Even now she was a soothing presence, trying ever so gently to coax her out of her safe place.
So supposed, if she was to think about it rationally, it was about time she got out. She'd been sitting there for a good two hours now, her fingers and toes were wrinkly and her face had a less than healthy flush to it by now. Plus, the steam was starting to make her dizzy.
"Come on now, let's get out of the tub. It's not healthy to be in there so long."
So pouted "squad four."
"Yes, yes I am." A smile lit up her chocolate face, full pink lips parted to show a row of straight, white teeth. Round cheeks spread with a dark splash of freckles started tinting burgundy with the heat of the room and she held out a hand to So.
The little captain sunk down again, eyes just above the water, and pointed to the far corner where she'd left her towels.
To be completely honest, that was one of the biggest reasons she hadn't gotten out yet. She didn't want to make that chilly, okay it wouldn't have been that chilly but still, walk all the way over to the other side of the room.
Do was happy to make the trip though, all be her feet dry she didn't have to worry about getting cold or feeling exposed, though So was rather fine to walk about naked, her hair was a garb all on its own after all.
"Here darling." She held the towel open and So rose out of the water, stepping into her arms.
She squeaked happily as the older woman hugged her tight, her face smooshing between her rather ample bosom.
It was a point of jealousy at times but, when she as looking for affection, nothing was better than resting her head on Do's soft pillowed chest and listening to her heart beat. It was just nice, everything about Madoka was nice, nice and soft and feminine.
"Thanks" So sighed into her chest, a smile on her flushed face.
"Of course. Now, come on, let's get you dressed and do your hair… You can tell me all about what ever run in it was you had with Captain Zaraki."
"Neh" So frowned at mention of the large captain and hugged her towel close as Do twisted her wet hair around her arm, never minding that the sleeve of her dress was now drenched, and dropped another towel on So's head.
They walked into her room, it had taken a lot of effort to get the large bath built in as an add on in only three days but the fourth had done good work, and So slid on clean underwear and a white yukata while Do gathered together various hair care products and the like. It took quite a bit to take care of So's hair, regardless of its health; the sheer quantity was enough to warrant at least an hours devotion after every bath.
Drying it was easy enough. Grabbing it at the end So forced out a burst of her spiritual energy that shook off the wetness effortlessly. It was a bit of an odd, unorthodox technique but she found it quite effective with the way she used it.
Nice and dry, she sat on the edge of her bed and kicked her legs back and forth, see how much effort it took for her toes to touch the floor.
"Alright, what am I doing?" Do asked, moving to sit behind the smaller girl. She frowned when she got nothing more than a shrug and pushed a lock of burgundy brown hair out of her face. "You sure are helpful" she muttered sarcastically, though So could hear the smile in her voice. "How about a braid? You seem a little antsy today."
"Hm… Sure" So nodded, stilling so Do could start her work.
It began with relative silence. Do's hands worked quickly, the motion muscle memory after three hundred plus years of performance. Over under, over under, over under, it was a soothing feeling, a soothing action, she liked doing So's hair.
Just past her neck now, she let herself slide out of the somewhat hypnotic state braiding always dropped her into and struck up a conversation, her motives ulterior but surely not hidden.
"So, past the fighting, how's your day been?"
"Lousy" So muttered, crossing thin arms over her flat chest.
"Oh come now, it can't be that bad" the buxom lass insisted.
"It is" she huffed, insistent herself.
"Well, what happened? Can you tell me that?"
"No" she fussed, squirming in her place on the bed.
Do sighed "so difficult sometimes … Come on."
"No."
"So" her voice was that soft pleading tone. Motherly and patronizing but also full of care. It always reminded So of a parent, trying to convince their child to take medicine because it will make them better a sweet, sad, convincing tone of voice.
The tiny shinigami sighed and kicked her legs slowly, it was hard for her to resist that voice but she would, she would, okay… no, no she wouldn't.
"Eh called meh short" she muttered, pulling her legs up to her chest. "He'sa mean 'er no reason" she frowned.
Do laughed and was promptly knocked off the bed by a pillow to the head.
"Don't laugh!" So fussed, leaning over the edge to look at the woman laughing on the floor.
"I-I'm sorry So, I'm sorry" she said with a gasp. "I just…" she looked up at the girls flushed, pouting face and closed her mouth, though her smile remained. "I'll shut up" she conceded. "Just let me finish the braid."
They sat in silence as Do finished up, decorating her handiwork with flowered pins and pendants, the end tied off with a beaded, blue ribbon.
"All done. Now, let's get out there and face the world hm?"
"Eh" So shrugged and fell onto her side, snuggling down into the pile of pillows she slept on in lieu of a proper mattress.
"No, no" Do stood and wagged a finger at her small friend. "Up you go!"
Do wasn't the strongest girl in the world, but she could lift at least one hundred twenty pounds, a good thing since So was currently only ninety seven.
With a look of determination on her face, she slid her arms under So's and hefted her up out of bed, the captain protesting as she kicked her feet and squirmed, trying to get out of the surprisingly strong grip.
"Put me down!" she fussed as Do dragged her over to her closet.
"Get dressed" she said, dropping her only to shove her in.
She'd been a touch nervous doing that. Though she and So were darling friends it didn't mean the smaller, stronger girl wouldn't hurt her. It had happened plenty over the years, though it was never anything too serious, but still.
Grumbling incoherently So got dressed in a clean shihakusho and shrugged on her captains robe. She didn't want to go back out but Do was the most persistent person she knew… well second most, and she didn't want to upset her.
She stepped out of the closet, the left side of her outfit slipping off a small, sloped shoulder.
Do smiled. "We should get you some clothes that fit… Later though, now come on. I'm sure you've got work to do or something. "
"Ehhe…" So sighed and walked over to her door. She slid it open with Do standing behind and was greeted with the sight of Shuhei, one hand raised as if to knock, stairing at them perplexed.
She looked up at him and blinked, head tilting to the side quizzically. "Shuhei." She said softly and he dropped his hand, going rigid.
"U-Uh yeah Cap- er… So?" he still wasn't used to addressing her so casually. "I was coming to check on you. You've been gone for a while."
So nodded and Do smiled bright. "Oh, how sweet of you!" she crooned and Shuhei regarded her with confusion, he'd never see her before.
"Um… Thanks? Are, are you a friend of the cap- ah So?" He was seriously having trouble with this!
"Oh, why yes I am" she smiled, stepping around the smaller girl to present herself properly. "Squad Four Fourth Seat Madoka Moru at your service… though you can call me Do, or Doka if you'd like. So is one of my best friends so I'd like to thank you for taking care of and putting up with her as your new captain." She laughed cheerily as they shook hands and a vein bulged out in So's forehead.
"I know she can be a bit to handle sometimes" Do went on "but she's really quite sweet. Just, awkward you know… Very awkwa—Ow!" She flinched and ducked down as a sudden pain washed through her head.
So had punched her, non-too gently, in the back of the skull.
"H-Hey, that was mean So!" she whined and So huffed, crossing her arms again.
Shuhei gave a somewhat nervous laugh and rubbed at the back of his neck. "You're a knock out today hu?" he asked, trying to be funny.
Mercifully, So laughed and beamed up at him cheerily again. "She's okay" she assured him. "Ah didn't 'it that 'ard."
"Yeah, but it still hurt" she sighed, standing. She rubbed at her head and gave So a rather halfhearted glare before turning back to Shuhei. "Anywho, I don't think I caught your name, what with my prattling on" she laughed softly. "I don't usually talk this much but I have quite a bit of energy today."
"Heh, that's okay. The name's Shuhei Hisagi. I'm her lieutenant if you didn't already know."
She flushed and he wondered why then…
"Oh! I can't believe I didn't recognize you. I'm so sorry Lieutenant." She sighed "I meant no disrespect."
She bowed and he shook his hands and his head. "No, no, it's no problem really. No need to get so formal on me now." He laughed, once again with a nervous tone, and looked the panicking woman over. It was odd how quickly she changed emotions, it was spastic really and he wondered if she was okay.
She was still apologizing and he figured, if he couldn't stop her, he might as well take a minute to analyze her. Knowing So, just for these first few days, had given him confidence in his ability to read others.
She was a pretty woman he guessed. Quite busty she wasn't as well-endowed as Rangiku but definitely a cup size or two away. It was a little hard to avoid staring honestly but he managed to pry his eyes away and catch the rest of her figure. It was much more prominent in her outfit, a china style dress, high collared, long sleeved, and slit up the sides. It was tied at the waist with a red sash and something was sewn into the corner too. It looked nice but he wondered why she wore it instead of the general uniform.
She was in squad four right? Must be giving patients heart attacks in that, he smirked and diverted his gaze back to her face before either of them noticed his roaming eyes and thought the worst.
He caught her eye for a moment, the lavender shining bright as she went on explaining something he wasn't even quite sure of anymore, and then found the few obscured by dark hair colored chocolate brown and burgundy.
He cheeks were flushing, making the dark freckles on her face stand out even more and his confusion rose as she dropped her head into her hands and sighed deeply.
"I'm very sorry" she finished and he blinked.
"Uh…"
So smacked her again and she jumped over a few feet away from them.
"Stop it! Ahn ya say 'm weird" So shook her head and looked back up at him, tugging at the braid rather hard. "Cahn ya get er'one together Shuhei? Isa wanta tell the squad somethin'."
"Yeah, sure… I'll send out a call right away… Is the courtyard okay?"
She nodded. "Isa fine… Thanks" she smiled.
He started away and then paused, turning. "What're you… we… you? Doing captain?" he asked.
"Isa just wanna say hi to everyone" she said, looking down bashfully, arms behind her back.
Now why'd she have to go do that? He sighed and smiled, "alright, come on out in a few minutes I guess."
He disappeared around the corner and Do sidled up next to her, resting a gentle hand on her head.
"A public statement?" the bubbly woman asked.
So nodded. "Isa want them ta trust me… Isa wanna be great."
Do smiled. "Well then, good luck… should I come with you, or maybe call Ko?"
"Nh" she shook her head and grabbed Do's hand. "Isa do it on my own… er… with Shuhei. Hesa nice" she smiled.
"Glad to know it… I think he was checking me out though."
So nodded her agreement "Isa kinda obvious" she laughed.
"He probably thinks I'm a little odd" she grinned. "Wouldn't be the first."
"Nope" So shrugged and looked around. "Isa… Am I… Should ah go?" she asked.
"Of course you should silly girl!" Do said cheerfully, leaning down to peck the shorter girl on the temple. "No head along and I'll get back to my Captain."
So smiled and nodded, swaying softly with the rush of air that passed as Do flash stepped away.
On her own, she made her trek far slower, pausing occasionally at windows to watch the people going by, leaving their previous to congregate in the courtyard just inside the squad entrance gate.
A hell butterfly flitted past, tweeting out its message as it did.
She'd never been too good with those little creatures. They were so fragile after all and, while So was all small and dainty, she could occasionally be heavy handed and smash them. She always felt horribly guilty afterwards .
"Captain, there you are!" She jumped a little as Shuhei addressed her and she realized she'd made it outside.
She stood on the steps above her squad, all lined up neatly across the cobbled way. She blinked dumbly at the sight before her, glad that she had her hair there as a shield so they couldn't see her gawking.
Where there really so many of them? So many people just watching her.
Her head swam for a moment and she reached out, grabbing tight to Shuhei's sleeve.
"Are you okay?" he asked, watching as she swayed on her feet.
"Mhm… Isa lot of people" she sighed and used her free hand to rub at her eyes.
Below, they were all chattering and she knew she couldn't start this without complete silence. "Could you… quiet them down?"
She bit her lip, taking a conscious effort to correct her speech making it come out deliberate and slow.
"Sure um… Quiet down everyone!" Shuhei shouted over the crowd. A rather blunt approach but effective as they all snapped their mouths shut within seconds. It was encouraging to So at least but she was still nervous. Thankfully, Shuhei kept talking.
"Thank you all for coming in such a timely manner. I know you're all very busy but the Captain would like to address you all. If you could, please give her your attention."
He nodded towards her and she stepped forward, at the center of the stairs.
Taking a deep breath, she smiled in a worried way and thought back to every etiquette class her parents had ever made her take. They'd taught her more than the speech classes ever could and, with those thoughts in mind she opened her mouth.
"Thank you all again…" she began in a slow, still soft tone that she hoped would carry to the back.
"I… I know I'm quite but… please bear with me." It took an insane amount of effort not to fidget with her hair or clothes and she found herself twisting her arms behind her back to resist the urge.
"I'm sure that… You are all quite curious about me… very… skeptical? I am new after all…" she kicked at the ground for a moment, eyes diverted but corrected herself almost instantly.
"I understand that… change is, hard. It can be confusing and… uncomfortable." She bit her lip and decided to go for it.
"I am uncomfortable… right now… right here… I'm not good with people… focusing on me or… or people in general but… But I want to be." She released her arms and pushed the lose strands of hair behind her ears to reveal her blushing face. "I want to be… I want to be my very best for all of you!"
Another deep breath.
"I want to… to be better at talking to you all… I want to be not only your leader but… but your friend." She closed her eyes and grabbed on to the braid, self-control be damned, she was freaking out!
"May I… May I ask a favor of you all?"
Silence stretched across the distance till one brave soul finally piped up "Sure!" making So smile as a small wave of affirmatives rolled over the crowd.
"C-Could you… would you all be willing to… help me? Will you help me get better, help me be the best that I can be?"
Again the silence stretched for just a minute, and she feared the worst, felt herself start to panic but, a heavy hand dropped onto her shoulder and she looked up at Shuhei's smiling face.
"Of course we will captain. Isn't that right everyone?" he shouted.
A cheer erupted from the crowd and So smiled brightly, tears, happy tears, stinging the corners of her eyes though they never fell.
"Thank you" she said over the noise, a noise that settle soon after they realized she'd started speaking. "Thank you so much."
And there we have it, chapter four has come to an end and chapter five is in production. It may take two days instead of one since it'll probably be even longer than this but it'll be worth it hopefully. ^^ Anyway, I hope you all liked this, it was a little bit of friendship and fluff and So being awkward and unsure of herself. This won't be the last time we see her having trouble in front of a crowd so, get used to it. XD
Um, a note I've been meaning to make since the beginning of the fic, I don't use honorifics and the such. You know -Chan, -Kun, -Sama, -Senpai and the like. I know what they mean, I've had basic Japanese lessons, but I'm not confident with the language and I'd rather not try to use something that I don't have full understanding of. Plus, I've just grown to dislike writing, and I say writing, not reading, things where they're speaking English but have Japanese words and phrases thrown in. I don't know why really because when I'm talking it out, the dialogue and stuff I mean, I use these honorifics and they sound fine but, I just can't seem to write them.
It really sucks because in the original outline and profiles and stuff the girl were all called So-Chan, Do-Chan, and Ko-Chan respectively by each other and their friends and I got super used to it. I suppose I could write it just for them when talking to one another but then that wouldn't work out because they're close enough to not need the honorific... Eh, I'm rambling, sorry about that.
Tl;dr You can ignore most of it. Anyway, hope you all enjoy~ Always look forward to feedback but if you're content to just read and run, that makes me happy too. Have a good day/night/evening. I'll try to get the next chapter up soon.