Chapter Sixteen:
Rose's POV
I walked down the hall of the First Division not really concentrating on what the reason for this meeting was. Heather was all I could think about. She was coming back to her usual training sessions tomorrow but I was considering on visiting her after this was over. I then heard Kyōraku's voice down the hall and I could not help but to overhear the conversation. Not normally one to snoop, I tried my best to ignore it but overheard Heather's name and could not help but to listen in. I leaned against the wall and heard the conversation loud and clear. "…trust me, Shirō, Heather's worth getting to know." Kyōraku bragged. I did not like how he said that, Heather did not seem like that. "She must be if you didn't try to push your luck with her." I heard Ukitake's voice. I felt more at ease at the older captain's words as he continued, "She doesn't seem to be the kind of woman to give into something like that on charm alone." "Yeah, I didn't want to scare her off, but something tells me that I'll be going in for the kill soon." Kyōraku stated a little on the boastful side.
Pink clad bastard! He was pinning after her already?! I could not help but feel angered at hearing his plans. He goes through women faster than the Gotei was going through captains! Many of these women from his own division to boot! Seeing her upset was the last thing I wanted. I had to talk to her about seeing Kyōraku. I had to get my own act together if I wanted to keep her. I never thought of trying to attract Heather's attention but the thought that I could miss my chance with her depressed me. I want to at least be sure we had nothing in common before I leave her in another man's care.
I had waited for Heather patiently inside the dojo. I had left a message with Chikane to give to my student. I was nervous. What if I screw up? Not only would it make training with her that much more difficult but we would never treat each other the same again. No, I am not going to let that happen. I'm just going to have to watch and hold everything in and be there for her later. I guess I will just have to endure Kyōraku's sickening rants on romance and Heather's over ecstatic talking about how 'Shunsui' is and how wonderfully happy they are together. Oh! This is going to be a long, long relationship to sit through. She finally walked into the training room. "Hi, Captain." she greeted softly. "Just call me Rose, Heather. You're not a squad member yet." I assured her, trying to make friendly conversation. "Alright… Rose. What are we going to do today?" my student asked. "We're going to work on your hand-to-hand combat skills. It would do well if you were well-rounded and found your strengths before we sign you up for a squad to go under." I explained, realizing now that this lesson was probably not the best of choices.
Heather nodded and looked me over as if wondering how to go about this. "Relax, I'm going to teach you, not leave you to figure it out." I assured her while giving her a smile. She smiled back at me out of relief. "Alright, try and hit me." I instructed. She just stared. "Come on, you won't hurt me." I told her. She did not look like she had the heart to even think about striking me. "Is something on your mind?" I inquired and remarked, "Usually you would dive right in." "I'm sorry. I just got other things on my mind." Heather admitted. "You want to talk about it?" I prodded gently, not really understanding what could be wrong.
Heather shook her head and replied, "No, it's nothing, Rose. I'm sorry." I did not believe her for an instant. "Alright then, let's try to work this out of your system." I suggested. I watched her nod in agreement and get into a stance. I straightened up and watched her movements almost mesmerized. She suddenly decided to tap my leg with the side of her foot. Shit! I did not expect that. I have to be careful as to where my thoughts wander off to. The woman seemed to have felt a bit bolder for she had attempted to land a punch on me. I brushed her fist away, taking notice that she was still hesitant to fully attack me. I reached out and tapped her stomach with the palm of my hand, noting how lean she had gotten in the past few months. She had the potential for fighting and she knew it. The trouble was, getting her to stop being fearful of harming others. It had been drilled into her head that violence was not acceptable and confusing her like this was her only shortcoming. As long as I was the only one to be able to see this side of her, I was fine with it. "Again." I ordered encouragingly.
Heather looked determined and backed up a step only to swing with her other arm. I caught her fist not seconds before she made contact. She was beautiful up close. I must have gotten distracted because I hardly felt myself fall on the ground. She tripped me! I grunted at the contact of her weight falling on me the moment I realized that I did not let go of her and pulled my student down with me. Heather made a sound as she landed on top of me. We looked at each other at a loss for words. I wish that we could have stayed like this longer but all good things must come to an end. "Heather?" I called out to her softly and she seemed to snap out of some kind of trance that she was in. "Hm?" she replied. "Can you get off me now?" I asked her not believing what I was saying. Heather's cheeks burned red out of embarrassment. "Sorry." my student apologized as she tried to stand. She offered me a helping hand which I took despite my bruised ego. Once I reached my full height, I realized how close we were. Just a hair's breathe from touching each other.
Heather was the first to move, taking a step away from me. I breathed a soft sigh in relief, so much for smooth training. I think I was in need of a cold shower. "We're done for the day. You can go." I dismissed her. She inquired, "What happened? Did I do something wrong?" "Nothing." I responded standoffishly and went, "Let's just call it a day, Heather. You can go." "Do you want to talk about it?" she asked worriedly. I sighed, wishing that I could tell her but too much was at stake. She did not look very pleased with me. Heather shook head angrily and growled under her breath, "Men and their 'macho' bullshit." I felt a little offended at that. "What's wrong?" I asked as if I did not hear her. "Nothing," my student replied a little louder and continued, "I'm just sick of wasting my time trusting people who don't return the favor." "What?" I inquired, completely lost. Heather shook her head, refusing to speak as she collected her things. She was really upset. "I'll see you around, Captain." she spat coldly despite the hurt expression on her face. I winced. I did not have to be a genius to know that I screwed up. Torn between following her and apologizing or giving her some much needed space, I sighed sadly and decided to leave her alone. I had done enough damage for one day.
I walked back to the office, feeling miserable. Chikane was there doing her usual duties. She looked genuinely surprised that I was back so early. "Don't ask." I stated before she could say a word. My lieutenant gave me an expression as if she knew what happened and returned to her work. I sat down and tried my hardest to busy myself with work but something kept nagging me at the back of my head to go after Heather. I looked at the clock. She was probably hanging around with Byakuya by now. I swallowed my pride and stood up. Before I could go anywhere, Yoruichi Shihoin had opened the door. The first oddity I noticed was that she did not wear her usual smile; in fact, there was a light frown on her face. My colleague looked around the room as if looking for someone. "What brings you here, Yoruichi?" I asked confused why she would be here of all places around this time of night. She apologized, "I'm sorry to bother you, Rose, but I was hoping to find Heather here. I looked everywhere else she could have possibly been: Ginrei's, Shunsui's, and I even looked over at Kisuke's. She's not there. Both Byakuya and Ginrei are getting worried. She usually would have been home hours ago. Do you know where else she could be?" My stomach dropped. Heather's gone missing and it was all my fault! I knew I should have listened to my gut and had gone after her when I had the chance. "I—I don't know," I stuttered a little in my reply and explained already halfway out of the office, "I let her go early today."