Out of My Mind

Chojiro - Momo

She felt her body moving with every breath that left his chest as she snuggled her way against him; fingers lightly dragged themselves in a small circular pattern against her back as the lazy afternoon seemed to have claimed the both of them. It was one of few days they had left together...

He had been assigned to go on a solo mission on behalf of the Society, a position he hadn't been eager to agree to even though he was the most qualified for it; he was always hesitant in leaving Soul Society, remarking that he needed to keep at Captain Yamamoto's side. It took the First Captain himself suggesting that he'd attend the mission before he would even recognize it. A short reconsideration had his name signed at the bottom of the reports that detailed whatever this matter was about. He was assigned to leave in two weeks with no idea when he would return.

It wasn't exactly the most comfortable situation but... she knew she had no say in it.

She just passed on some good luck and told him to come back when he could.

Until then though, she had to cherish these kind of moments while they lasted.

"Thirteen days you know." she remarked.

"That far away?" he questioned, glancing down briefly to the woman lying on his chest. Her dark hair had been pulled out from its usual bun and let down into a short ponytail that played on her shoulders. The black material of her uniform seemed to merge into his own and almost rid the separation of their bodies. He knew she didn't like the prospect of his departure that was coming up, not that he did either, but he tried to ease it down as much as he could. "It's going to take years to get here."

A light chuckle escaped her and proved that his system worked once more. "That's not going to work forever."

"I'm just aiming for the now."

Shaking her head, she slipped her arms into the empty space at his sides and pushed herself back away from his chest. "The only problem is that the now keeps becoming the past."

"You'll be okay; I promise."

"How do you know?"

"Because I know you."

He didn't know her completely but... well she supposed it was close enough. Fingers moved to tuck aside the loose bangs that had fallen into her face as she kept her eyes settled on the man below her. There was always something about his colorless eyes that drew her in again and again, probably more so because it was impossible to see what exactly he was looking at. Not to mention, there was a certain look of attraction in the way he dressed and the way he carried himself; he conducted himself as a gentleman and acted chivalrous at all times, regardless of the given situation. There was a lot to him that she couldn't resist...

"This whole thing still seems so strange to me." she started.

"It's not the first time an outside mission called for just one person in attendance." he spoke, shifting slightly to find a more comfortable position underneath her. "They don't happen all that often, but they are in existence."

"No I meant like... this matter between us."

"Why would you say that?"

She noticed the slightly questioning look that marred his lips into a small frown and for a moment she might've regretted her choice of words. Not that it was meant to be taken in a bad way, it was just a matter she had been stuck on lately since that mission of his was fast approaching. "It's just when I look at you I see this perfect person, the perfect figure that everyone looks to and someone that everyone wants to mimic. And then there's me..." she answered, offering a light chuckle as she moved to sit back slightly; fingers brushing aside her hanging strands once more. "This person who was so willing to be caught up in a delusion and who has all these problems. I guess the point is, I just don't see how you could have chosen me over everyone else, but I'm glad you did."

He listened intently to her words after wondering where she was going with it in the first place, but noted how she took it with a sense of humor; she was making light of it since there was no debate to them. Fingers moved to readjust the front of her uniform before they fell to balance on the curves of her waist. "There are things that everyone can see in someone else, but not in themselves. It could simply be in the way they talk or smile, the way they go about things... the smallest of things hold something important to someone else. And that's all that's needed sometimes."

...

...

Those thirteen days went by hour by hour until the departing dawn was upon him. It would be dishonest to admit that he had been up half the night from his nerves, the thought of the departure wasn't exactly something he could sleep on. But it was here now and he needed to step out to accomplish what had been asked of him. Captain Yamamoto kept with him most of the morning, going over the last few details that were needed to know before he seemingly departed abruptly.

He didn't question it and went about getting last minute things together.

"Good morning, Sasakibe."

That voice was recognizable from anywhere and he knew immediately who it was. A light chuckle left him before he turned around to where the shorter woman stood just a few feet behind him. "Up a little early, aren't we Hinamori? Did you come to see me off?"

"Something like that." she answered, fingers nervously pulling lightly on the white sash around her waist. "I uh... might've managed to debate this whole matter over and get it switched from a one person mission to a two person assignment."