Author's note: Okay, go ahead and sue me, I created an OC. She's a supporting character however, and does not really do much. In fact, you won't really see her much at all. Okay, that's a lie. You might see her a bit more, but she's no MarySue. Okay, she's a little, tiny bit MarySue, but I find her delightfully quirky. Regardless, she gives continuity to the story. Oh, just read it. Feel free to bash me if you want, but give the poor girl a chance.
Maya the menace
Jushiro followed the directions given by the students he asked prior, trying to stave off the despair and anxiety he had felt at seeing Ryo again. Focusing at the mission at hand, he looked for the small, precocious girl who went by the name of Maya Natsume. According to the reports he had read, she had graduated within 3 years of joining the academy, and had placed on top of her class in close combat, swordsmanship, and agility, as well as placing high in the use of Kido. Finding the slight girl he'd been looking for before seeing Ryo, he quickly made his way towards her, pushing back thoughts of the woman that had plagued his heart and mind for the past thirteen years.
" Maya Natsume?" he asked, not sure he had the right person.
"Hello..." she said, turning around. Her green eyes were as big as saucers, and her pink little lips formed a surprised O.
"OHMYGODS!" she yelled the next instant, delighted to find herself in front of her hero. " Captain Jushiro Ukitake! What, did I win a contest? She asked excitedly, an infectious grin on her face.
"Hm. Hello. I see you know who I am!" he said surprised, but glad to meet such an adorable, excited young lady.
" Of course I do!" she replied loudly, amazed to be standing in front of him. "You're my favourite captain! I've wanted to join your squad since I was a little girl! My dad used to tell me all kinds of tales about you! HOLY CRAP! Nobody is going to believe I just met the famous Captain Ukitake! Can I have an autograph?" she continued, bouncing up and down in clear excitement.
"Err. I suppose I can do even better than that. I've come to make you an offer, young lady. Perhaps we can talk privately?" he inquired, smiling back at her, her enchanting personality rubbing off on him, bettering his dark mood.
"WAH! Of course, follow me, Captain, I know just the spot!" she imparted, turning around and running in the direction of a cluster of cherry trees, leaving the amused captain no choice but to follow along.
Once he caught up with her, he was glad to see she had chosen a wonderful spot, secluded, yet within sight of the festivities which took place on the grounds before them. She waited for him under an enormous cherry tree, bouncing up and down.
"Ta-da! Nice, right? How can I help you, captain? Have you come to offer for my hand?" she said, blinking her eyes in his direction, a born flirt, he thought amusedly.
" He,heh. No, sorry to disappoint you, young lady. And I believe you are still too young for marriage, specially to an old man like me!" he replied with a kind smile, not wanting to hurt her feelings "I have come for a better offer, I believe. I'm very impressed with the reports I have seen of your short stay at the academy. Congratulations for graduating with such haste, by the way" He mentioned, glad to see another smile take over her features.
" Thank you! That means a lot to me, specially coming from my personal hero! I still can't believe I'm talking to you. Can I touch your hair? It looks so soft. I wish I had long hair like yours." She said in a rush, raising one hand to brush the waist length hair that currently sat loose about his shoulders, as was his custom.
" Err. Natsume-san? About your future..." he argued softly, watching the young lady before him caressing a strand of his hair.
" WOW! So soft! Just like I thought it would be. I can't wait to tell Rii-chan. Wow." She was still entranced, rubbing the strands on her fingers, weighting the texture and suppleness.
" You have perfectly beautiful black hair, Natsume-san. It's short now, but I'm sure it will grow just as long one day if you wish. And it looks wonderful on you." He told her kindly, slowly extracting his strand of hair from her fingertips.
"Aw. You paid me a compliment. You're so sweet and dreamy, just like I always imagined." She said with a content sigh, staring at him adoringly.
" Thank you, I suppose." He chuckled nervously, aware the conversation had completely gone off track.
" So, if you're not here to marry me, and I have not won the "meet the captain of your dreams" contest, how can I help you, Captain Ukii-chan?" she asked with a smile, looking at him eagerly.
"Ukii-chan? I suppose I've been called worse. You are a delightful young lady, Natsume-san. And I've come to ask you if you'd like to try out for a seated position in my squad. After evaluating your results in the academy, I've come to the conclusion you'd be a perfect fit for my squad. Of course, you have to pass the exam, and try out for the seated position, but I believe you'll do wonderfully." He told her, excited at the prospect of having such a delightful, informal young soul amongst his unit, bringing a breath of fresh air to his ranks.
"Really?Thisisthebestdayever!" she shouted, hugging him at the waist. Jushiro let her, coming to understand the young lady had absolutely no regards for formality.
" I'm glad to hear that, Natsume-san. The exam will take place in a few days. I look forward to seeing your results and welcoming you into my squad." He said evenly, trying not to laugh at the young lady's antics, finding a certain solace in the sprite's impromptu hug.
" Okay! I can't wait either. Wait till Rii-chan hears this. She's gonna freak! She's going to be so jealous, it's not even funny." she told him with glee, stepping away from her hug.
"It's settled then, young lady, I look forward to our next meeting. I have to unfortunately go, since I've been away from my office for a few hours already, and my faithful third seats must be wondering where I am. It was a delightful pleasure to meet you." He said, bringing her hand up for an informal handshake. She pumped his hand, delighted.
"Okay, Captain Ukii-chan. I'll see you shortly. Make sure to tell everyone I'm coming, okay? Bye!" she told him, promptly turning around and running towards the festivities again, skipping merrily towards the refreshment table.