It's been… *looks at the last update* a year wow. I'm sorry if this chapter took a bit to finish because school happened. This actually took me long to get into the 'mood' writing this fic but at least I'm back! …for now.
And this chapter features a certain character's appearance.
Enjoy and happy reading!
(Chapter unedited. There will be some mistakes.)
…
A Gathering Respite
…
"Seems like Muichirou is preoccupied with something. You might have to wait a little longer before he visits here again," Yuichirou had confided Kanao, telling her that her stay might be extended in his house which she actually expressed if she can still stay and the siblings for a little longer. "It's fine. Like I said, I don't hate it, it's just a little crowded. I can tolerate that," he assured despite his indifferent tone.
Kanao was thankful for that, and she expressed her gratitude by silently making chores around his house. The siblings eventually joined her endeavor to clean the house, wipe the floor, and take out the trash despite how little that was on the bin. "Onee-chan was grateful to Yui-nii-san, that's why we have to help you!" Teruko had reasoned, along with the nod from her brothers. Kanao had no reason to stop them, although, she did intent of doing the chores by herself. Well, in a perspective, the siblings was also freeloading so it would make sense that they would help her.
Walking around in Yuichirou's house, it occurred to her that this was probably the first time she stayed in a house. A real, proper house compared to her tent back in 14th District. Kanao can vaguely remember that she hadn't stayed in a house like this: a well-built wall, a proper hinged door, an unbroken window—everything in this house was not something she should have stayed. On a second thought, this house seemed like an out-of-place for Rukongai.
His brother probably funded the house, Kanao reasoned. Muichirou was a shinigami, of course he would have enough money to give Yuichirou for a proper house.
Kanao didn't count how many days they had stayed in Yuichirou's house, but she assumed that it was nearly a week. She silently wondered what the shinigami was preoccupied about that it took him this long to come back in his twin brother's house.
"Can't sleep?" a voice asked behind her. Kanao turned to look at the still-awake Yuichirou, his dark hair and dark green eyes illuminated by the light of the moon. She was outside, standing at the backyard of the house, looking up to the night sky before she was disturbed by his appearance. "Well, we, as souls, doesn't really get tired," Yuichirou remarked, standing beside her. "Despite that, we're used to live like a human where we sleep, eat, mingle so I guess it's just an old habit refusing to leave us."
"I do get tired," she bluntly told him before she realized.
"I know that," he said matter-of-factly. "Yuichirou was like that too. Well, it's just the difference between who had the potential and those who are not."
Kanao glanced to her side, seeing an indifferent look in Yuichirou's face. They're really similar, she thought contemplatively. It wasn't because their appearance was similar, but the way the twins can bluntly talk what was on their without any care of anyone's opinion. She can still remember Muichirou criticizing Inosuke and the sharp words he threw like a dagger. "Yuichirou-san," she started. "Do you… want to become a shinigami?"
He scoffed. "Shinigami? No way. I'd rather kill myself than become a shinigami."
She blinked. Isn't his brother…?
"You're probably thinking that my brother is a shinigami, why shouldn't I like them?" He instantly saw what was on her mind. "You're probably not going to believe this but Muichirou hated them too. In order to know what was going in his state, he had no choice but to take care of the role he hated."
The truth was right beside them all along but those who knew the truth wasn't allowed to say it. Kanao remembered certain words from Muichirou, and she can only sigh at their complicated situation. "The truth… My apologies if I sounded like a broken record at this point, but why are you not allowed to tell what is going on with us?" Kanao had asked this question multiple times to him and he didn't gave her a straight answer every time she did. Mostly, it just consisted of him dodging the question.
"You're not giving up, aren't you? As I said before, because we are the 'leashed'." As always, Yuichirou dodged it.
"Then what kind of leash is it?" she revised her question.
"One that chokes you to death if you disobey."
She frowned. "You're making it sound like you're nothing more than a dog."
"That's why we are called the 'leashed'," he told her, sighing. "We're stray dog tied up with an unseen chain. Even if we want to say it, this 'leash' we carry would only incite misfortune. We'd rather keep our silence than bring bad luck around us."
"But your brother worked so hard to search the truth, why haven't you told him even under wraps? Even try tell him the truth secretly?" Kanao can't help the growing irritation within her, but the truth was so close that it was just right beside her.
"Did you listen what I just said earlier, little girl?" She was startled at the hissing, harsh tone from Yuichirou. "We have a leash that chokes us to death and it brings us misfortune. We were already shown an example for that."
"Example…" Kanao swallowed her gasp of shock. "Who…" …is it? Who was the victim of that example? Unspoken words didn't made it out from her mouth.
An uncomfortable silence washed over them, as neither attempted to break it until, "Well, that aside," Yuichirou was first to do it. "You're supposed to be tired, Tsuyuri, why are you out here?" he asked nonchalantly.
It took her a while to respond. "Stargazing," she said.
"Stargazing," he mused as he looked at the dark sky with small dotted lights on it.
"I was reminiscing." Of the memories I've lost, she inwardly added, and Kagaya-san's Garden.
"Stargazing can be relaxing and great for looking back for past memories," Yuichirou acknowledged. "But… what are you reminiscing?" he frankly asked.
"Rukongai," Kanao admitted. "The Flower District."
He raised an eyebrow. "Why?"
"I lived in Rukongai as long as I can remember, maybe even longer than I was alive." Kanao's eyes moved to a particular flickering star in the sky. "Because of that, this place… has been something like a home for me. Especially the Flower District."
Kagaya-san's Garden of Stars. Kanao doesn't know if living here in this seven-district area in North Region in Rukongai, particularly the 14th to 20th District, was something of an amazing coincidence. And also she doesn't know if she liked living here at all. Did she have a positive experience living here? Perhaps. Did she have negative reception of this place? Maybe—perhaps, she doesn't really know. But somehow, for some reason, the thought of leaving this place doesn't seem to sit well with her, as if she doesn't want to be plucked out. She was comfortable being here.
But Muichirou left this place despite hating the shinigami, she pondered about that.
"I get what you mean," Yuichirou sympathized. "It's just like seeing your family member off when they chose to start a new life in another place." He laughed humorlessly. "I'm used to that kind of thing."
Kanao glanced at him. "Just like Muichirou left you to become a shinigami?"
"…yeah. You know, nothing really gets past to you, aren't you?" he said incredulously.
She blinked. "Is… it a bad thing?" she asked confusingly.
He shrugged. "Not really. I think Muichirou could use someone like you or something." He went silent after that remark and looked at the stars above them. Kanao decided to join him, comfortable silence washing over them. "Well," Yuichirou started, slightly startled her. "I forgot to tell you about this earlier, but I think my brother will finally have a free time tomorrow. Just prepare yourself if you still haven't reached your decision."
Kanao offered him a small nod of gratitude and said her thank you with that. Yuichirou left without a word and silently went back inside his home with muted footsteps. She returned her attention to the night sky.
Home, Rukongai, Flower District, the truth, and shinigami. What a predicament. If she was on her usual self, she could have refused the offer (which she did) but the truth always tips the scales. But she's undecided of leaving Rukongai—the Flower District, even though the thought seem superficial, but her gut says otherwise. So in the end, after all, I should become a shinigami, huh…
An existence that was unwillingly accepted. That is what we are, but not without a price. In order to be accepted, the wild flowers had to be pull out from their roots and planted to a proper garden.
Kanao still wondered what Kagaya truly meant with those words.
…
Kanao didn't expect Muichirou to come back with a new face beside him. Even though Inosuke, now covered in bandages just as she had met him first, was also with him, the blonde-haired person was a surprise. Is this the Agatsuma Zenitsu he talked before? she recalled. Muichirou did say before he was going to meet him before but she never expected she would meet him now.
"Good to see that you are doing well, Tsuyuri," Muichirou greeted before he turned to his twin brother. "Kanroji and Iguro still not here?" he asked.
Kanao also turned to look at Yuichiro inquiringly. Kanroji and Iguro? She thought she heard them somewhere before. "No, not yet," he replied to his twin brother. He seemed to notice her stare and he replied to her, "You'll meet them eventually. Muichirou told me to never tell you about them."
"Don't worry, they're the same… kind as us," Muichirou added. "They're not really outsiders."
Ah, she finally remembered. Kanroji and Iguro, they were part of the names he told her before. If she recalled correctly, they were the ones who didn't become a shinigami.
"Anyway, you already knew this Inoue here," Muichirou continued, pointing at Inosuke who yelled 'hey!' at him which was ignored. "This depressing guy here is Agatsuma Zenitsu. He may not look at it at first glance, but he is your senior in terms of breathing technique."
"Nice… to meet you." The blonde bowed his head to her. "I don't mind being called Zenitsu," he told her in a mumble that Kanao didn't almost catch it.
Looking over his appearance, Zenitsu was… not something she didn't expect. She doesn't know why but there is an accompanying disappointment as she observed him and his mellow disposition. Kanao was confused of her own expectation. Why am I expecting him to be loud, not this…? she wondered. "Nice to meet you," she greeted back with her own bow. "I'm Tsuyuri Kanao."
"Hey," came a callous voice. Kanao looked over to Inosuke. "You still haven't forgotten about it, don't you?" he asked.
Kanao stared at him, trying to remember what he was talking about.
"Are you kidding me?! That—the Fang of Vengeance!" Inosuke snapped loudly. "You forgot about it?!"
"…I did," she admitted. In her defense, it was his sudden appearance that made her question if that scene was real or not. To think he had the audacity to barge in to the Red Light just because of her so-called Fang of Vengeance… Was he really that eager to fight me? she thought confusingly.
"Don't fight," a feminine voice chided. "We're all here to get along, why don't we do that instead?"
Huh? Kanao blinked at the newcomer—two newcomers, she realized—and saw the familiar-colored hair of pink with green tips. "You…" she trailed off in recognition. The woman in front of her was the same woman she saw a few weeks ago.
"I'm glad to have finally met you," the pink-haired woman beamed. "I'm Kanroji Mitsuri."
"…finally?" Kanao asked suspiciously. She had no recollection meeting her before, as far as she knows.
"Apologies for Mitsuri's sudden words," the man with a bandage on his lower face beside Kanroji remarked. "Back then, we saw you being surrounded by Black Zeal's group. Mitsuri tried to teach them a lesson but I held her back. Besides, our intervention was unnecessary anyways since they already left before Kanroji could approach them."
"…you saw me back then?"
Kanroji smiled apologetically. "We did. Sorry about that."
"No, you don't have to." What a surprise, Kanao mused. She was noticed at that time, but then again, that was close to their position. It was natural that it would catch their attention.
"By the way, this man beside me is Obanai Iguro-kun." Kanroji introduced her companion. "He's very reliable and a good friend of mine!"
Kanao glanced at the dark-haired man beside him, seeing him with his eyes closed. He's smiling, she scrutinized. "Tsuyuri Kanao," she introduced with a small bow to them.
"Gorilla woman," Inosuke said.
"What did you just say?" Obanai snapped at his comment.
"Get along, you two," Kanroji scolded.
Kanao can only blink at them.
"They get along pretty well, huh…" Zenitsu mumbled beside her. He turned to her. "You know breathing technique?" he asked.
"Kind of," she replied.
"I see," he said dispiritedly. "As far as I remember, that's all I can do since I came here."
"All you can do?"
"Just a sense of drive that I have to prove myself for some reason. It's been stuck to me like a stamp, I can't get away with it."
Kanao nodded at his explanation, trying to ease herself. She tried to erase her thoughts that this man shouldn't be acting like this, with a subdued and downcast disposition, when he should have been loud and obnoxious. That's strange. This is the first time I saw him too, Kanao pondered. Or maybe…
"Are you done introducing yourselves?" Muichirou called them, which she realized the Tokitou twins was already inside the house, waiting for them. "If you're done, then come inside. It's time for an orientation."
…
"Since you're all done with the introduction," Muichirou started, standing over them where they all sat at the floor. "I'll be blunt—Tsuyuri, have you reached your decision? Depending on your answer, you might not join here and went on with your life here in Rukongai."
"Huh?" Kanao didn't expected that the discussion would start with her. "I… To be honest, I'm still undecided," she admitted. "But… weighing the importance, staying here in Ruko—no, here in Flower District kind of feel insignificant to me. Searching for truth weighs more than anything. Reclaiming my identity… I want to know about it." Despite the resolute words, Kanao can't still help the hesitation in her voice. "I'll accept it, Muichirou-san. The offer you have given to me," she accepted the challenge.
"That's good, Tsuyuri," he approved. "There's no right or wrong decision, even if you say you don't want to accept it. There's nothing wrong wanting to stay here for the rest of your life if you are already comfortable living here. But…" He gave her a penetrating look. "Accepting the offer means there would be risks on it. I can't guarantee it would keep you safe. Worse, you might be even branded as a traitor. Are you sure about this, Tsuyuri?"
He's giving me a way out, she realized, even though I have already accepted it. "I have thought about it, and I accepted it. Not everything comes free, there's always a sacrifice to make," she told him, now firmly than before.
Muichirou stared at her, as if looking for something. "That's decided then," he said eventually. "Tsuyuri Kanao will now be officially joining us, is that alright with you?" He looked over the rest of them.
"If she's useful," Iguro said.
"That's fine by me. Finally, a new girl member!" Kanroji rejoiced.
"I don't really care," Inosuke said flatly who seemed to want to leave.
"Fellow new member, I guess…" Zenitsu mumbled.
"Alright." Muichirou nodded at their answers. "Now that has been all resolved, once again I'll be blunt again—I won't be the one who will teach you the breathing technique."
Kanao frowned. She thought he would be the one to teach them. Wait, she looked over the rest of her companions. If she heard correctly, according to Muichirou, Zenitsu was her senior when it comes to breathing technique meaning he doesn't need to be taught. Inosuke also already knew it, and the same goes to Kanroji and Iguro. Does that mean I'm the only novice here? she thought. "Then who will…?" she asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" he said matter-of-factly. "You're the only one here that is only aware of breathing technique and not using it. Of course, everyone—except my brother—in this room is your teacher."
Kanao was speechless. Is this the reason of this gathering? To make her acquainted of her teachers?
"But Muichirou, why can't it be you? It would have been convenient if you're her teacher," Kanroji asked.
Muichirou sighed. "I'm busy now, especially the current situation in Seireitei."
"What happened?" Iguro asked.
"There was an intruder."
"In Seireitei?!" Kanroji gasped in shock. Kanao never expected that news. An intruder? In a supposedly most guarded place in Soul Society?
"Everyone is on high alert now since the intruder was not identified. We don't know what their intention was, and nothing was taken nor violated whatsoever. Only the Gotei 13 knew of this and it was publicly treated as minor incident." Muichirou paused, contemplating. "However, even though nothing happened, the intruder left something: a flower crown made of wisteria."
"You don't mean…"
Kanao looked over at Kanroji and Iguro, seeing them sporting a surprised look. Inosuke and Zenitsu had equally confused expression as hers. "Wisteria..." she muttered. That reminds her of a certain Pass carved in a flower of Marigold.
"You don't know?" Iguro said when he heard her mutter. "Before the Flower District became a seven-district area, the rainbow-colored sunflower wasn't the emblem before, it was wisteria." Iguro crossed his arms. "But still, it's unthinkable someone from here would dare to penetrate Seireitei on their own—"He paused. "Wait, don't tell me, Tokitou, does the Gotei 13 starting to get suspicious of the Flower District?" he said in realization.
"Apparently," Muichirou confirmed. "With the snake incident and now this, not just Gotei 13 had their eyes in here but also Central 46. The pacifistic agreement is slowly crumbling while Flower District is prospering. To make it worse, word that Flower District has now an equal to Central 46 must have aggravated them."
"You're right," Iguro agreed. "The moment they started getting shinigami patrolling here means they were already planning to dismantle this place."
"But who would go to Seireitei recklessly?" Kanroji pondered. "It wasn't… one of us, right?"
"No, none of us did. We're already in Seireitei and we swore that we won't make unnecessary attention," Muichirou replied.
"Umm," Zenitsu started in the middle of their conversation. "Intruders are certainly worrying, but the breathing technique…?" he reminded.
"Right." Muichirou sighed. "Anyways, here's the plan. Inosu will go to Iguro and my brother. Tsuyuri and Agatsuma will go with Kanroji. Any complaints?"
"Yeah, I have," Inosuke retorted. "My name is Inosuke not Inosu!"
"Alright, there seems to be nothing," Muichirou brushed him off. "I'm going back. Any more time I spent time here will only court certain higher-up people. You can go home or start training, whatever." He was about to walk away but then he stopped as if remembering. "Before I forgot," Muichirou gestured to Inosuke. "Inosuke, come with me. Let's talk."
Inosuke twitched, scowling deeply but went to him nonetheless. He paused, turning around to Kanao. "Don't you dare forget about it," he told her. "The Fang of Vengeance."
He still haven't given from it, isn't he? Kanao had no choice but to accept his words. If she'll grant it then he would stop pestering her about it.
"Yeah, yeah, before we get into that," Yuichirou pushed Inosuke to his twin brother. "Let's work around your metaphor. Do you even know what vengeance mean?" he asked.
"…it means you fight back, right?" Inosuke replied hesitatingly.
"Well, you're not wrong but still it's wrong," Yuichirou sighed.
Kanao watched them go around the corner of the house, presumably behind the house, so that Inosuke and Muichirou would have their 'talk'. "They really do get along, aren't they?" she commented flatly. Well, she doesn't know what kind of 'talk' they will be having but she decided it was none of her business to pry anyway. Kanao followed after Zenitsu and Kanroji when started to walk away outside the house and to the road. Kanao bid farewell to the siblings—Kiyoshi, Shoichi and Teruko—telling them she'll be back.
"Where are we going?" Zenitsu asked, walking beside Kanroji. Kanao caught him subtly sliding his eyes sliding to the older woman's revealing chest before he looks up to her face. Pervert, Kanao decided, and for some reason, she expected it.
"Where? Nowhere," Kanroji replied, which earned her confused looks. "We're just taking a walk, that's all. Besides, we haven't really known each other so how about we talk about ourselves while we walk?" she suggested.
Kanao thought it was fine, so she nodded.
"Talk about ourselves—I think there wasn't interesting about me though," Zenitsu said detractively.
"It can be anything. Hobbies, likes, something like that," Kanroji compromised.
Zenitsu looked down contemplatively. "I… well, it's obvious that I don't remember what I was like when I was alive. The life I had here when I first arrived here… it's nothing. I don't remember that much."
"That's natural," Kanroji shrugged. "We're not really equipped with perfect memory so we tend to forget things."
"I guess," Zenitsu agreed. "…Muichirou already said this, right? That I know breathing technique? It was strange to be complimented like that…" he trailed off nervously.
"Of course!" Kanroji said. "We were surprised when we saw that you have greater knowledge and application of breathing technique. We would have mistaken you as Urokodaki-san if you wore a tengu mask."
Kanao perked up at that, and she looked at Zenitsu curiously. If she remembered correctly, Urokodaki or Urokodaki Sakonji was their teacher of breathing technique, according to her conversation with Muichirou before. Does that mean he learned it by himself? she thought, waiting for his answer.
"I don't really know if I should be flattered by it or not," he said nervously. "The Breathing Technique was something kind of natural for me, so I thought I should do it every day. I don't know why, but I feel like I should do it, like, I should do it. Or else..." He sighed. "I really don't know. Just a feeling I might lose something if I don't do it."
"Hmm… so it was something of an instinct rather than doing it knowingly?" Kanroji pondered.
"Something like that."
"I see. Thanks for telling us, Zenitsu-kun. Now," Kanroji turned to Kanao. "What about you, Kanao-chan?"
Kanao twitched when Kanroji and Zenitsu turned their attention to her. Having people's eyes on her will never be something she would get used to, as she realized during when she was ambushed by Black Zeal before. "Umm," she mumbled, trying to gather some words what to say. Will it be safe to mention about Kagaya-san? she wondered. Since he was the first person she made acquainted of while aimlessly wandering here in Rukongai so… "I… met a man named Kagaya," she said cautiously, trying to gauge their reaction.
Kanroji nodded attentively. Zenitsu simply raised an eyebrow. Seems like they didn't know about the true identity of The Founder of Flower District, Kanao observed. "We met by a coincidence," she continued. "He… was the first person that I made acquainted here in Rukongai as far as I can remember. We traveled here and there, and then…" Huh? Kanao was confused. How did they get separated again? She can't remember at all.
"And then?" Kanroji encouraged her to continue.
"We drifted apart," Kanao said eventually. How strange, how did they get separated? She can't grasp a finger to it. "And then I wandered alone. And then the Flower District was established."
"That must have been a lonely journey, Kanao-chan," Kanroji remarked with a sympathetic smile. "Other than that, any hobbies? Anything you wanted to do in your spare time?"
That one is easy. "Watching people," Kanao told her without a beat.
Kanroji raised an eyebrow, and she looked up in wonder. "Are you, in any chance, the Observer from Farthest Gaze?" she asked.
"Who?" Kanao blinked in confusion.
"Sorry for that sudden question." Kanroji waved her hands in apology. "Let me do that again, do you live in 14th District?"
"I am."
"In the boundary between 13th and 14th?"
"Yes."
"That's close to the gate?"
"…yes." Kanao was increasingly getting confused at the questions.
Kanroji beamed. "I can't believe it! You are the Observer from Farthest Gaze! I never expected it would be you, Kanao-chan!"
"Who?" Kanao asked again. She had no idea what she's talking about.
"You don't know?" Zenitsu said, looking at her with a confused look. "Observer from Farthest Gaze is an infamous figure in Flower District. She's kinda treated like a figure for a test of courage. 'Anyone who survives the gaze and being scrutinized thoroughly by this figure is also a guaranteed that you'll survive living in the Flower District' or 'Observer from Farthest Gaze is the silent guardian who guards the Flower District, observing anyone who enters the place' or something like that. Quite popular to the kids as a bedtime story. Some even says the Niji Ou was based after her." Zenitsu stared at her, moving his eyes up and down to her figure. "I never expected it would be you though…" he mused, as if an afterthought.
Was she… always that well-known? The thought made Kanao nervous. If she was well-known that means people knew her this whole time instead of being a person that doesn't have any worth to others like she have had always thought to herself.
"Seems like you don't know about it," Kanroji remarked, looking at Kanao's confused face, giggling. "If you pay attention what people said about you I'm sure you'll be surprised! There was even a Shinigami looking for you! Who else would specifically asked for someone who is a strange girl with scary that lives in a dirty tent—of course it would be you! Well, at least, that's what Iguro told me while he scouted in the Flower District."
"Shinigami…" Kanao muttered. Now that reminds her, she wondered how Kusajishi had been doing. It's been a while since they last saw each other. Wait, she thought, catching herself. Why is she looking forward to see the little shinigami again? Kanao inwardly shook her head.
"Anyways," Kanroji continued. "That was interesting, Kanao-chan! Again, I never expected you're the Observer from Farthest Gaze. It's an honor to see herself in the flesh."
Kanao shifted uncomfortably at the older woman's words. "Am I… really that popular?" she asked.
"Of course you are! You stood out the most, I guess not really the most, but everyone at least has heard about you! Now that I look closely, you do have scary eyes!" Kanroji suddenly waved her hands. "Wait, I didn't mean it offensively! You have beautiful eyes, but there's a certain quality in it as if you were looking so sharply and scarily. Well, I guess it's because you have big eyes, but it's still! It's beautiful! Possessing big eyes is a good quality for a person to have—"Kanroji suddenly stopped, frozen in the middle of her talking. She hanged in head as she bowed. "Sorry, Kanao-chan, for suddenly ranting like that. I'm really sorry," she said glumly.
"No, it's fine. Since I asked you if I was really that popular and you just answered to my question…" But she went too far though… Kanao decidedly didn't voice out the last part.
Kanroji laughed halfheartedly. "You're really kind, Kanao-chan. Thank you," she said. "Now, since I've heard about you, now it's my turn to tell you about myself. I used to be an Oiran in Red Light."
Kanao blinked at that. "Really?" Zenitsu asked, now attentively since Kanroji has now started speaking.
"That's right. It went smoothly at first, but I eventually quit since I made a mess in front of Red Light," Kanroji said dejectedly. Kanao, for some reason, thought there was something familiar in those words. "There were troublemaker who wanted to take me away from there. I resisted since we, as Oiran, weren't allowed to have service outside the establishment so I refused. But there were so insisted about it that I… that I…" she trailed off, as if remembering something unpleasant.
"That I…?" Zenitsu repeated.
"That I beat them myself," she told them timidly.
Stunned silence came over at Kanao and Zenitsu, gaping at what she had said. Oh, I see, Kanao finally remembered. Those two goons who attempted to take Hara-san said something about an Oiran being kidnapped and no moved to save her… It seems like that was far from the truth and they heard the wrong rumor, if the Oiran they talked about was the former Oiran, Kanroji.
"Remember me to never anger you, Kanroji-san," Zenitsu said, slightly paling.
Kanroji chuckled. "I will, Zenitsu-kun. Anyways, I personally went to The Manager of Red Light about what happened, and I requested that I should quit working as an Oiran, and surprisingly, he accepted it! Do you know what he said to me? 'It's fine. If that's the path you want to take, I will respect that.'" She sighed dreamily. "The Manager of Red Light… what an admirable man. If only there was someone like him out here…"
"Did you see his face?" Kanao asked curiously.
"No, I didn't. His office was so dark that I can barely see anything." Then she became distracted, looking up dreamily. "But I'll never forget his voice. That deep and kind voice. Ah… if only…"
"I see." Kagaya probably didn't want anyone to see his disfigured face, especially around his head leaving him blind.
"The Manager of Red Light… you mean, The Founder of Flower District, right?" Zenitsu asked, slightly disturbed. "Isn't that a scary experience? I mean, you know, you're standing before him…"
"It was scary," Kanroji admitted. "But he insisted that we should be casual to each other. I failed. I mean, why I should act informally to my boss, and on top of that, the person who created the Flower District?!" she said incredulously.
"I understand." Zenitsu nodded supportively.
"Isn't it?! He's so considerate and kind to me even though I made a mess that might ruin the reputation of Red Light, but he forgave me! Can you believe that? He overlooked my actions! I was ashamed of myself that I requested to quit being an Oiran and he asked me why? Why should I quit being an Oiran? Oh, poor me, during that time, my heart went 'thump, thump!' so loudly that I wondered if he heard it and I—"Kanroji froze, and then she hanged her head. "There I go again I rambled…"
Zenitsu laughed reluctantly beside Kanao. Is being talkative part of Oiran's job? she wondered, recognizing the same habit that Hara had on Kanroji. Well, it would make sense that they would be talkative since their job was to please the customer... among other things.
"Anyway," Kanroji forcibly said. "After I quit being an Oiran, I wandered for a while until I eventually met Iguro-kun. It was an embarrassing meeting but nevertheless, the fact that I met Iguro-kun during that time is more important than how I met him."
Zenitsu looked confused. "But how did you—"
"Kanroji-san, did you happen to know someone named Hara?" Kanao deliberately cut him off, seeing the older woman making a hesitant look at Zenitsu's inquiry.
"Hara?" Kanroji put a delicate finger under her chin. "Not really. I might have already forgotten about it. However, the name is kinda unfamiliar to me. Why ask? Is she a friend of yours?" she asked.
Is Hara a friend of hers? Kanao asked herself. "…yes," she said eventually. "She's one of the current Oiran in the Red Light."
"Oh, I see! Being friends with an Oiran is a good thing you know! Ah, it's not like I'm making an advertisement to visit the Red Light, this is just my personal opinion. When I first went there, they were lots of friendly women there. Though, as I heard, they have been setting their priorities wrong for a petty rivalries or something instead of being a safe haven for women." Kanroji chuckled. "Perhaps, my tendencies to ramble might came from there."
"Hara-san has that habit too," Kanao admitted.
"Is it now? That's quite a relief." Kanroji smiled, and Kanao can't help but return it, although, unconvincingly, confusing herself why she did. "Sorry about that, Zenitsu." The older woman turned to the only man in their group. "With all that girls talks and all. Now that we've known each other, our destination has been set in stone."
"Where?" Kanao and Zenitsu asked.
"Where—to get a sword, well, a wooden sword to be accurate," Kanroji told them. "You guys got any money?"
Zenitsu shrugged beside her, as Kanao shook her head. Kanroji facepalmed. "Of course, that was stupid of me. Alright. We will be making our own wooden sword or let's look for one. After that, we will begin our breathing lesson."
…
"So what did you want to talk about?" Inosuke asked. They were in the back of Yuncho's house, hidden from naked eyes of other people, not even a sunlight peeking to them as they took refuge here in this shadowed corner.
"First of all, I'll apologize for what I said to you before," Muicho said, although he delivered in a dispassionately that Inosuke doubted if they were honest words. "You may not believe why I'm saying this, but at the very least I acknowledge that that it was shitty of me to take it out how irresponsible you were."
Inosuke cringed. He really had to mention that… "You bastard, are you really apologizing or is this just a continuation roasting how irresponsible I am?" he growled.
"I am apologizing, but only the harsh words I said, not about how the Black Zeal had gotten so low under your leadership," the former leader clarified. "As far as I know, you really neglected your responsibilities as The Leader, and now it's just the home of dumbass idiots now."
Silence was all Inosuke could deliver in response. Ever since that gorilla woman had ambushed their turf and the last time he had visited the home of the former leader's twin brother's home, he never returned anymore to the turf. He wandered everywhere in the Flower District but the Black Light's territory. As wanderer, he felt free as before he was given the responsibility as The Leader, however, having someone following after him—that he would never forget. The ability to lead, but to be free, to be not tied down of the mantle that was given to him—he prefers that more than ever.
"No need to be thoughtful about it, Inosuke," Muichirou said, softly than Inosuke had heard him before. "Besides, regarding about the Black Zeal this was bound to happen. Those type of people has been already in the group even under my leadership. Although, I know how to handle myself but to you, it seems like they really admire you than me."
"Huh?" Inosuke didn't expect that to hear. "What do you mean by that?"
"It means that they took an example from you. And now that you are their leader, and since you were quite violent in the past, they decided to take that perception of you than what you are now." Muichirou looked at Inosuke's surprised expression. "Well, in a way, isn't that great, Inosuke? You have overzealous followers than I once had when I was The Leader. But the only mistake you did was overlooking, no, you never really saw them that they look up to you—that they really admire you and your way of things."
"I…" Then the actions they did when he wasn't there was all for his sake? That they weren't exactly trying to go against him? No, Inosuke remembered, no, they weren't for his sake anymore. If what that snake man is true that they were trying to find glory in violence…
That is not his way of things. What Inosuke wanted was the thrill of a fair fight. At least that's what his instinct told him.
Then let me tell you what you didn't know since you've so busy stepping over a child in the street. Heh. I guess, you and your men are not so different, aren't you?
Is that what they really saw in me? Inosuke doesn't like that. He doesn't like that they chose that as an example.
"Now that I've apologized and all," Muicho started. "And since we're speaking about Black Zeal, what do you think, Inosuke? Wanna step down as The Leader? You know I still haven't got your answer if you wanted to be a shinigami."
Stepping…down? Inosuke thought, not expecting the notion. Right, that woman with strange eyes told him—Kamo?—that he would be part of this so-called team. Regaining memories that they lost… that's what he remembered. "What makes you think that I would step down?" Inosuke asked challengingly.
"Oh, you won't? Just asking. If you won't step down, you're automatically out of the team then." Muichirou shook his head. "Didn't know you were this weak-hearted. Not only you abandon Black Zeal, but you also chose to be ignorant. How very weak of a mindset you have, Inoku."
"What?! Weak?!" Inosuke temper instantly flared the moment he heard the word. "You wanna make me show how weak I am?! Then I'll fucking—"
"Then decide, Inosuke," Muichirou told him firmly, making him shut up at the intense look Inosuke received. "You want to be The Leader? Then do what The Leader should do. You want to regain your memories? Then accept the offer to become a shinigami. You want to be a wanderer? Then be a worthless bum in the corner who doesn't know what to do of his own life. Decide, Inosuke, just decide what you want to do with your own life."
"…how did you know I left Black Zeal since—"
"Answer my question first, then I'll answer yours."
"Ah, geez! This is so troublesome!" Inosuke exclaimed, getting impatient. "I don't want to be The Leader! It's something I got from you and carried in my back. Yes, I'm bad at it. Yes, I'm not doing well with it—and yes, I'm not taking it seriously! It's because it came from you that I decided to take the responsibility from you!" He paused, trying to recall the second question. "Do I want to regain my memories? I don't give a damn about it! I'm fine without it, and I'm fine with what I have! Do I want to be a wanderer? No fucking hell! I don't like being by myself!" Inosuke crossed his arms after he said those words, disgruntled that he really had to use his brains to answer the question.
"Huh. That's surprisingly," Muichirou remarked dryly. "Never expected that you don't like being by yourself. But," he continued when Inosuke was about to retort. "Your answer is more than enough. Welcome to the team, Inosuke."
"Huh? I didn't accept your offer, you dumb Muio!"
"But before you could join the team, face your problems first. It won't do that you still have unfinished business here."
"Like I said, I didn't—"
"—didn't accept the offer." Muichirou finished for him. "I know that, Inosuke, I'm not deaf. Nonetheless, you are still welcome to the team. We will be waiting for you."
"Waiting…?"
Muichirou started to walk away from him. "That's right, you dumb idiot. Waiting. As I said, fix your problems first, and then we will accept you."
Inosuke can only watch the back of the former leader of Black Zeal until he was only a blur in the distance.
What did he mean they will wait for him?
…
Terminology used in the chapter
(taken from r/bleach, wikia and google)
Rukongai (City of Wandering Souls): The slums outside of Seireitei where souls from the World of the Living/Human Realm are sent.
Gotei Jūsantai (13 Court Guard Squads/Gotei 13): 13 squads of soul reapers serving as the military force of Soul Society.
Seireitei (Court of Pure Souls): The citadel at the center of Soul Society where nobles and Shinigami live.
Oiran (First Flower[?]): A high-ranking courtesan. Also considered as a prostitute but they were distinguished from them since they were highly trained entertainers and had a greater degree of choice who would be their customers. ([?]According to the Wikipedia, the first kanji of Oiran means 'flower' and 'leader' or 'first' in the second).
…
Sorry if this chapter wasn't up to your liking. I forgot some things and I have revisit/reread the chapters to get the general feel of the fic. In contrary, the next chapter is the start of another mini-arc with the characters coming together!
See ya in the next update!