Segato was relaxing in one of the hot tubs that had been installed where the training rooms under Second Company's offices previously were. He'd been in the infirmary for three days after the battle with the Hydra...
One afternoon Captain Unohana had mentioned how she'd heard Captain-Commander Yamamoto had addressed the shinigami facing the Hydra, which was rather interesting since he'd been in another Captain's Meeting at the time. Segato had admitted to causing the illusion, knowing full well she would report it to the Captain-Commander sooner or later. Segato hoped the encouragement and positivity of the illusion would lessen any punishment received.
He was further contemplating the events that had happened since his return from Newark, when a familiar presence slipped into the hot tub beside him. An awkward silence stretched out, Segato not daring to turn his head and look. "Doesn't the Shinigami Women's Association have its own pool?"
"Captain Kuchiki removed it," Sui Feng answered.
"...there's a women's hot tub on the other side of the partition, too..." But Sui Feng chose not to answer this, and a few minutes of a very awkward silence stretched out.
"Sanjiro," Sui Feng began, as if she did not want to say it, "I.. have thought over your actions since you returned from Newark. I understand them now, as I realized I have... acted on very similar motives..." There was another period of silence, and- Segato hoped it was just one of his Captain's long braids brushing against him. "But, the meaning of our Company's symbol, the windflower, is 'Seek Nothing'. You sought a great thing, Sanjiro, and thus- you... were denied."
The words dropped onto the silent pool of Segato's thoughts, the splash an ironic echo. "I spoke those very same words to Tatsufusa Enjoji, after we sparred."
So that's what he was doing over at Eighth Company's grounds yesterday. "Sparred?"
"Yes; the greatest sparring match of all time, from dawn 'til the afternoon, and it was all for someone that loves neither of us..."
Sui Feng closed her eyes and sighed. She would have to be careful in her wording here. "Sanjiro, I am very proud of your work, and it pleases me to hear you have completed your assignments; you were loyal to me even before I unified the Stealth Force and became Captain... but personally, my... affections lie elsewhere."
A deep silence descended on the hot tub for a few minutes. When did I get this tired? Segato thought. Randomly, Don Kan'onji's words came to him. Maybe it is time to think of becoming a Captain, and move on.
Sui Feng rose out of the hot tub. "And Segato?" Segato turned and looked at her... in the eyes. Sui Feng smiled a surprisingly warm smile, with her eyes as well. "I like the windflowers."
EPILOGUE
Segato Sanjiro was walking towards the Captain-Commander's office. He had thought long and hard about it, and it was truly time. He knocked on the door.
"Enter," Answered Captain-Commander Yamamoto's voice, and Segato did just that. "Ah, young Sanjiro, I was informed you wish to speak with me briefly."
"Yes, sir. I... I wish to take the Captain proficiency test."
"Aaaah. You may wish to wait, Sanjiro."
"Wha- a- ...do you really think I'm not ready, Captain-Commander?"
There was a mysterious twinkle in Yamamoto's eye. "Quite the opposite: you have already been recommended for the position by five Captains..."
THE END
