"Please make yourself comfortable. Let me know if there's anything you need." Jushiro's warm voice drifted towards me like a calm breeze as I finished braiding my hair for the night.
"Thank you," I told him, looking up from the hair tie that he had loaned me. He was doing that squinty-eyed, warm-smile thing that always made my heart flop. "This is really very kind of you both. I never dreamed of coming here…" I trailed off, trying to hold my tongue as the word again tried to naturally roll off of it.
"It's no problem," he told me warmly. "Goodnight," he said simply, taking ahold of the sliding door. It had been decided that I would rest tonight in his adjoining room, across from his bedroom with the living room in between us.
"Goodnight, Jushiro," I returned easily. The subdued low-standing lantern that burned to my left caught my soft smile as I looked to him.
Looking back into my lap at the small circular mirror I carried, I clicked it shut and put it to the side as I heard the sliding door shut.
Looking towards the door, the skin on the back of my neck prickled as I felt a silencing kido activate on the other side. I wonder if Shunsui is going to come over? I thought absently, wondering if it'd be worth it to try and listen to it. Probably not, I decided.
Settling down, I wrapped the white, starchy sheet around myself before plunking my head onto the pillow dramatically. Breathing deeply, I tested my comfort as I automatically started to roll around on the futon Jushiro had loaned me. Not feeling satisfied, I ripped the blanket off and let it drape over my legs. Perfect.
Fiddling with the plain, white jinbei that Jushiro had provided me, I stared up at the ceiling as thoughts began to circle in my mind. I'm back in the Seireitei. The cold water of the thought seemed to rush over me.
I had never thought I'd be able to return. I knew that I was going to have to at some point, but I assumed it would have to be through the firework cannon again. Not like this.
I can't believe my plan worked. Shifting myself, I held up my hand towards the enclosed lantern. Seki, I commanded silently.
A round shield formed over the flame of the lantern, causing the light to flicker as the flame spit. It was soon exhausted, and a small trail of smoke filled the kido spell before I released it.
Lowering my hand, I stared at where I thought the smoke might be as my mind continued to wander. Aizen wasn't there today. Even the thought of him made my body unnaturally still despite my heart picking up. Can I keep calm around him? With everything that I know?
I bit my lip anxiously before pinching myself. I had been trying to quit that habit for quite a long time now.
I have to, I decided. As I am, I'm not sure I can defeat him. I need to get stronger. Rolling onto my side, I sighed as I realized I was at an impasse.
I need to train. My brain tried to reach back to what I could remember about this before time. I don't think I'd be able to just come and go. Shunsui and Jushiro had to smuggle me in as is.
The two captains, while eager to bring me here, had tried to keep me away from prying eyes on our way in. They had flash stepped with me between them, and there had always been an arm over my shoulders as we went along. It was only because I had spent so much time training alone at home that I had been able to recognize that they were doing that to disguise my spiritual energy with their own.
I guess that explains why the wall didn't fall down again. I shivered at the thought of that happening again.
So where else can I possibly train? I wracked my brain trying to come up with something.
A lightbulb.
I wonder if Kisuke is a captain yet? My brain chewed it over while I listened to the crickets outside.
I need to get stronger.
My zanpakutou's icy steel burned on my back where I had tied it.
Two sharp knocks woke me up. Keeping my eyes shut briefly, I let my tight grip on my powers loosen as I reached out to see who it was. Not recognizing the energy but seeing that they were relaxed and their signature was smaller than mine, I reined myself back in before I approached the door that led to Jushiro's private deck.
Rewrapping my jinbei where they had escaped, I smoothed my hair before I opened the door.
"Good morning, my lady." The blonde girl that had approached Jushiro and I yesterday was bowing before me on the ground, a hot meal on a tray in front of her. "I have brought you your breakfast," she announced.
Looking at the food, I nodded before picking it up.
"My lady!" she suddenly yelled, making me jump slightly. "I will carry that for you!" She took it from me quickly before looking down in what might have been genuine horror. "I'm so sorry!"
Quickly putting the tray down on a table that stood off to the side, she rushed back to bow before me once more.
"Please accept my apologies, my lady! I did not mean to take it from you!" I could see that she was trembling slightly, obviously stressed.
"It's no problem," I told her, trying to put extra sincerity into my voice. "I'm the one that's not used to being served," I told her honestly. I hadn't had a chance to establish my business well enough for that yet.
At this, she looked up at me curiously. "Are you not nobility, my lady?" she asked, relaxing slightly.
"I'm not," I told her honestly.
This seemed to make her pause. "Then what are you, my lady?" she asked, eyes seeming to go even wider.
"Kiyone!" a male voice screamed, making us both jump as her counterpart appeared. "You mustn't be rude to the Captain's honored guest!" he yelled at her. I looked over in surprise. Is that what Jushiro has labeled me as?
Me looking at him seemed to make him freeze, and he immediately gave a deep bow. "I am sorry for the intrusion, my lady!" he yelled, head down, before he dragged the blonde away rather roughly. I watched as she squirmed and complained in his grasp but decided to do nothing.
Going to close the door after they left, I looked down and realized that a houmongi had been left folded on the ground. Picking it up gently, I closed the doors before unraveling it.
The pink silk glided on my fingers, friction nonexistent as I admired the light green flowers embroidered on the arm. The vines dipped underneath the obiage before they crawled down to circle my legs.
This is extraordinarily fine, I realized. Thinking back, I don't think that I had anything like this in my previous life.
Swallowing, I felt my hands tremble a small amount. Is it normal for someone to give something this nice to a prostitute? What about bringing them to their home? I wondered.
Somehow, I wondered, I might be deeper in this than I realize. I didn't know the customs of the time by heart, but I had a strong sense that this was abnormal.
Perhaps this is all normal, and I'm just experiencing culture shock. I doubted myself. It wouldn't be the first time that had happened since I came back. I may have some learning to do.
Convincing myself of that, I gingerly laid the outfit out on the futon before I approached breakfast.
Breakfast, in and of itself, was not usually a great affair for me. I had never been much of a breakfast eater, rather someone that had an early lunch and dinner. But this food was good, and I was happy to pick around the eggs that had been provided.
Did a squad member make this? I wondered, thinking about the blonde girl earlier. Wiping my mouth, I puzzled over her name once more. Shaking my head in frustration after a few seconds, I considered it lost to the wind for the moment and moved on with my day.
Slowly slipping on the new outfit, I put extra care to handle it delicately. It glided over my shoulders and hugged my form elegantly. Unable to find a mirror, I had to go off of hope and experience that it was on me correctly as I began to comb through my hair with my fingers yet again.
I need to find a proper brush as of yesterday, I thought with frustration as I untangled another knot.
Slipping my hair stick in to hold my hair properly and deciding I was finally ready, I slipped on my geta and left. What should I do now? I wondered as I started to walk somewhat leisurely. Hugging to the side politely as two Soul Reapers approached me, they surprised me by bowing their heads respectfully as I passed.
"Lady Keisei, good morning," they said briskly, and I almost reeled from genuine shock.
So that's what Jushiro has decided to have his subordinates call me! Keisei was a title reserved for courtesans in the upper districts that held time with the noble families and clans. I didn't think that I was ready to be called that yet. However, I bit my tongue.
"Good morning," I said, carrying on as I thought a courtesan might. Perhaps that's what I am now? I thought back to them bringing me here, the gifts leading up to that point, and this formal kimono. They have fooled me, I decided, thinking of Jushiro and Shunsui. I didn't know that they thought of me in that way…
As if drawn in by an unseen wave, I found myself in front of Jushiro's office. Going to knock on the western-styled door, I stopped myself when I could hear the quiet mumble of voices.
Holding my breath, I tried to listen for a few seconds before I decided nothing was coming through. The door was too thick. Maybe that's why they used a western design?
Dropping my hand, I walked away from the door and started to wander away. After three steps, I heard the door open.
"Hello!" Jushiro's voice made me turn around. "Come on in. I was just finishing up with Captain Hirako and Captain Muguruma for the training exercises. We're on our way to the training field now. Would you like to join?" He smiled at my cheerfully.
"I would!" I found myself readily agreeing, smiling back. Stepping out of the doorway, Jushiro started to smooth my hair down as the other two captains emerged behind him. Wait. What if Aizen's there? A sudden viper in my stomach, twisting up and squeezing around my trachea to strangle me.
"We need to get you a brush…" Jushiro murmured to himself, finding a small knot.
"What, she's already been here for a day and you still haven't got everything?" Shinji complained loudly, putting a hand on his hip, his boldness somewhat distracting me from my dark thoughts. My eyes unconsciously skimmed around, looking for him.
Kensei Muguruma looked between the three of us before scowling slightly. "Who's this?" he asked.
"Haven't you heard? Ukitake's got a—"
"Her name is Lady Keisei," Jushiro interrupted Shinji, making him frown dramatically and tsk. Oh, I am a secret, I realized.
Kensei looked at me hard, seeming to measure me. I didn't let myself wilt but rather looked at him back straight in the eye. I hope I make a better impression this time. The first time, he hadn't been impressed with me at all. I doubted he ever took a real liking to me.
After another solid second of staring each other down, he walked past with a harrumph.
"All right, time to go!" Shinji announced, following behind. "Come on, you love birds," he shot back at us as Jushiro finished tidying my hair. Putting a hand on my back, we followed the others.
Jushiro talked lowly into my ear, distracting me from the other two as we walked. "I've sent for your other things. They'll be here by this evening. Sorry we couldn't go together," he told me apologetically.
Reaching for his hand, I rubbed it up and down soothingly. "It's no problem," I told him, aiming a happy face up. He smiled back at me.
The Seireitei was just as confusing as when I had first come here. I couldn't tell if there had been walls moved or new buildings created, which only made me feel worse. I can't believe I got stuck in a 1,000-year-old maze.
Eventually, the clicking of my geta padded onto soft grass. Up ahead, I could see a large mass of Soul Reapers organizing themselves into standing ranks. At the head of the group stood Mashiro. And him.
It's time. My grip on my own powers was a vice grip. I was compacting myself into a smaller and smaller space, a small box pressing in around my shoulders. I fought to keep my head up as I strangled myself.
"Are you all right, Lady Keisei?" Jushiro asked, looking down in concern as I shivered and wobbled slightly. Shinji and Kensei, both of whom had trailed on ahead, looked back at us.
"I'm fine," I reassured him, accepting the arm he had offered me. "It was just a long walk." I gestured to my geta, and he seemed to understand.
"Why don't we find you a place to sit?" he offered, looking around as we approached the Soul Reapers who had quieted down and were now staring at us. I kept my eyes down, knowing his gaze was also on me.
"I'm fine, really," I told Jushiro. "I just need a moment," I insisted as he looked like he was going to offer again.
He kept his hand gently on mine. "I understand," he told me as we stopped in front of the group. I'm intimidated right now, I realized.
He's going to realize that we aren't being normal. Act normal, my inner hollow whispered in my ear.
Anymore, after we had trained with Shinji, we only talked when we disagreed. It had turned out that we were actually very similar people.
Giving the mental equivalent of a nod, I raised my eyes to look over the Soul Reapers in front of us. As Jushiro began to give the group instructions, Kensei and Shinji flanked us on either side to look over their squads.
Stay calm, my hollow tried to reassure me as I tried to focus on Jushiro to distract myself. He was being a little long-winded, telling the group in detail that they were going to be doing battle exercises together.
I could only assume that this was a normal affair, not having been able to stay in one place too long during the war.
"Let's go sit by the tree. I had my squad members set out a table for us." Shinji's firm hand landed on my shoulder, making me jump in surprise. Jushiro laughed quietly next to me at my reaction as the Soul Reapers walked away, forming small groups.
"Ah…" I started, unsure of what to say. Trailing off, I watched as Aizen and Mashiro joined their respective squads.
"I'll set out a blanket for you," Jushiro offered, gently leading me towards the welcoming shade.
Looking up, I thanked him warmly as Shinji observed us. Shinji is kind of awkward, I realized.
"You're getting a little red," Jushiro started to coo over me delicately as we sat next to the disgruntled Kensei, a soft blanket protecting my apparently delicate behind from the wooden chair. I let his smooth fingers delicately touch me as he observed my pre-sunburn.
"Why would you bring someone so delicate here, Captain Ukitake?" Kensei asked over his already filled sake cup.
"Ah," Jushiro started, looking away from me and seemingly realizing how involved and close he had been to me. "Lady Keisei is more than what meets the eye," he told him, smiling genially.
Kensei didn't say anything, but rather finished his drink and then looked at me strongly again. "And?" he asked me.
I tipped my head, confused. "And?" I parroted back after a few seconds, missing the shared amused look between Shinji and Jushiro.
I could see visible agitation starting to leak into Kensei as he poured himself a second drink. His eyes skipped over my own empty o-choko before they returned to it. Locking eyes with me, he poured me a drink while staring me down. Is he flirting? I thought, confused if it might also be an intimidation tactic.
"And," Kensei paused as if making a point, "how did you two happen to meet?" he finished, looking in between Jushiro and I.
I floundered slightly, not having expected him to care about me at all.
"We met in Rukongai," Jushiro offered politely to cover for my falter.
"I see." He nodded before immediately finishing that drink as well. Still a heavy drinker, huh? I noticed timidly. The thought of having to deal with drunk Soul Reapers made me nervous. While I trusted Shunsui, and Jushiro rarely got drunk, it was the other captains that I wasn't sure I could best physically. They're strange men to me right now, I thought with a lead like pain.
As if seeing my internal thoughts and wanting to draw away from them, Shinji fell into an easy conversation with Kensei. I allowed my graciously poured drink and sipped on it slowly.
I kept my eyes trained away from the Soul Reapers that trained directly behind me.
Putting my hand on the table as I refilled my o-choko and continued to drink, I resigned myself to watching the leaves blow and cradling my powers deeply hidden in my chest to pass the time.
When Shinji's hand glided over mine surreptitiously, I nearly jumped out of my socks like a fork in a live toaster.
Putting my drink down, I quickly checked to see if I had spilled on my new outfit before my politeness got the best of me and I looked up.
Thankfully, Kensei and Jushiro were so wrapped up in talking about lieutenants, specifically Jushiro's lack thereof, that they hadn't noticed.
"Scare you?" Looking over, I found that Shinji had put his elbow on the table while he held his head up in his hand.
A cat had caught my tongue.
"I have that effect on people." He smiled at me mischievously. He does have a creepy vibe, Shiro agreeing with my unconscious thoughts. Are we sure we had a crush on him? she wondered aloud to me.
"I've noticed," I said simply, not sure if I wanted to bait him on like the others so much. It's true that I had had feelings for him. We had gotten off on the wrong foot at first, but I had taken the chance to get to know him and then crushed on him. But him up and leaving like he did…hadn't left a good taste in my mouth. He hadn't really ever apologized for it either.
Not that he had a chance to, I argued with myself.
He hummed at my response, stroking a thumb over my soft hand gently. His mischief-brown eyes locked onto mine. He opened his mouth to say something—
Two powers suddenly crackled to life behind me. One was deceptively small. I can remember the inferno, I can remember the screams as they're locked inside—I froze.
My eyes stayed locked on where Shinji had been as I watched him quickly stand and address the two lieutenants, Aizen and Mashiro.
The wind blew.
The leaves rustled.
The dragonflies buzzed by.
The screams of my comrades faded.
Taking a deep, shaky breath, I came back to find myself still holding my o-choko terribly still and my breath lodged in my throat. Trying to discreetly catch my breath, I put my drink down as I resolutely faced forward.
I chose this chair to make sure I did not have to face him. I will not face him today, I decided, looking at the bark of the tree with a falsely calm interest.
"Who is that, Captain?" His voice sent centipedes scuttling down my spine, thousands of tiny legs tickling me. I resisted the urge to shudder in revulsion. I held my bile down as I felt a quiet, cold sweat threaten to break out.
I did not turn around.
"This is Captain Ukitake's friend I told you about, Lady Keisei," Shinji answered.
There was a beat, and I could only imagine they were waiting for me to turn and address them.
"I have no interest in lieutenants," I answered sharply, wishing I had a paper fan to hide behind like Kisuke.
Shinji chuckled at this while Jushiro regarded me curiously.
"Whaaa?" Mashiro started up, distracting us all. "Why!" she demanded, scuttling around the table to face me, which immediately set off Kensei.
"Get back!" Kensei ordered her, voice raised as they started squabbling.
"It's an honor to meet you, Lady Keisei." He spoke to me. Ignoring him, I took a long sip of sake. "My captain speaks very highly of you," he continued. I got the sense he was wanting me to address him back.
Not today, I had already decided. I can't do today. Jushiro watched with growing curiosity as I waved Aizen away.
"Sir," I heard him address Shinji before quickly leaving.
I let myself take a visibly deep breath before I finished my cup. I let my gaze settle on Kensei and Mashiro, still fighting a few meters away, as I began to chew over that interaction in my mind. As if realizing he could help, Jushiro stood and involved himself with the captain and lieutenant duo.
Stepping back and standing over me and much too close, Shinji poured me another.
"That's my lieutenant, Aizen Sosuke," he told me, leaning down closer to my ear and grabbing my shoulder. His thin hands were deceptively strong, and I found myself shivering slightly. "He seems to have an interest in you. I'd steer clear of him if I were you," he told me flatly before suddenly dropping his hold on my shoulder and sitting down.
"Hey, hurry up! The sake is almost gone!" he called out when he saw Kensei start another argument with Mashiro, the blond's personality doing a complete 180.
My throat bobbed nervously at the thought. How did I cause this? What did I do? Unable to help myself, I turned as gracefully as I could in my seat and glanced towards where I knew he would be.
Even thought he was holding up his sword and practicing the drills with a smaller team, Aizen glanced back towards me as if sensing my stare. Looking away quickly, I toyed with a lock of my hair as I stressed briefly.
Taking a deep breath, I joined the others as they sat, Mashiro making her way back to her own team.
The sun was settling low, cradling itself against the traditionally tiled roofs as I sipped sake with Jushiro on the porch.
I was leaning into him, his arm comfortably draped over me as we watched the fireflies twirl and waltz over the grass, teasing the large-eyed carp from just out of reach.
"There's a captain's meeting tomorrow for the new opening in Squad 12," he started, rubbing my arm as if to warm me.
I hummed, my sake-sluggish brain trying to turn its gears. Kisuke, I recalled.
"I think Captain Shihoin is going to suggest her third seat. She speaks quite highly of him," he continued. I looked up at him curiously.
"Nervous to have a new captain?" I asked, my words slightly slurred.
Looking down at me warmly, he brushed my hair out of my face. Thankfully, when we had returned earlier, my items had been delivered and I had had a chance to freshen up.
"It is a little nerve-racking, isn't it?" he admitted, looking out over the yard as daylight edged up our bodies, sliding out of direct view.
I shivered lightly at this, not because it was cold—Soul Society always had at least pleasant weather—but because of the amount of trust that Jushiro was showing to me. I had never been able to get to know him before, I thought morosely. I regret that now.
Noticing, Jushiro leaned away and shrugged off his haori before draping it over my shoulders. My heart bridled, warmth blooming around it at the obvious affection.
"Thank you." I smiled at him gently, my head tipping a bit from the sake's weight. Bringing up my knees and wrapping my arms around them, I leaned into him again. "You know, Jushiro," I started as he finished off the rest of the sake.
He hummed pleasantly, enjoying the warm glow the drink left him with.
"Sometimes I think that I'm nervous, but I'm actually really excited." My voice bellied my womanly, adult outfit, instead showing a childish side of me that was slowly deteriorating as time went on. "So I wouldn't worry too much about it," I finished, toying thoughtfully with his hand.
He wrapped his hand around mine, holding it reassuringly. "That's very thoughtful of you. I hadn't thought of that." He put his hand on his chin, seeming focused. "Oh, that reminds me!" he started, suddenly chipper as he clapped his hands together.
"Oh?" I asked curiously, wondering if he had started to get a little tipsy. His face had reddened quite a bit.
"I got you these almonds! They're the same color as your hair," he told me, suddenly materializing what could easily be a three-liter jar of almonds.
"Oh?" I was baffled.
Silencing the flame of my lantern with another seki, I laid my head down and stared at the ceiling. The alcohol made the black, shadowy splotches swirl more than usual.
Kisuke…
My hands trailed down my form, slipping easily underneath my jinbei.
The next day, Shunsui joined us for breakfast.
Passing me a napkin, Jushiro explained to him, "I figured since we had that meeting today and the training yesterday that I'd get a few days ahead of paperwork."
"Ah, what an overachiever!" Shunsui praised him, expertly picking at his fish. "I left Lisa to take care of everything for me today." He laughed mischievously.
I smiled, giggling quietly as I enjoyed my rice.
"And how are you fitting in, Lady Keisei?" Shunsui teased the new name, eyes sliding over to Jushiro who tried to hide his embarrassment with a cough.
"I'm doing good, thank you," I told him happily. "I've only been here for a few days, but the Seireitei is very welcoming. It's been nice to meet the other captains and lieutenants." Cleaning my chopsticks in my soup, I delicately put them down.
"Oh? Who have you met?" Shunsui asked around a mouthful of rice.
I held up my fingers, counting to myself for a second. "I've met Captain Hirako, Captain Muguruma, and their lieutenants. And I've met some Soul Reapers from the Thirteenth." I tacked the last bit on.
"I see, I see. What'd you think of them?" he asked me, seeming genuinely curious.
My eyes fluttered as I tried to come up with a description. Sheesh, it's hard to come up with something based off of yesterday only!
"They're…interesting?" I accidentally spaced the words out, not able to think of something.
Jushiro smiled at my response. "I'd like to take you to meet the other captains today, but since there's a meeting, Sensei will be there."
He must mean the Head Captain? Seeing my questioning look, Shunsui explained. "We didn't exactly tell anyone that we were planning on bringing you here. You're a secret." He winked at me, making my face instantly heat up.
"I don't mind being a secret," I told him, fanning myself in an open attempt to calm down.
They both smiled at me pleasantly before they exchanged a look.
"We're going to get an early start for the meeting today," Shunsui told me, reaching over the table to brush his hand through my hair before he stood.
"That's unusual," I teased, remembering all the times that I had made him late before.
"Well! Maybe we're just turning over a new leaf?" He looked over at Jushiro, watching him slip his white haori on.
Jushiro only laughed when he realized Shunsui was talking to him.
While the two bantered, I stood up and politely folded my hands. "I hope you both have a good day," I said, bringing them out of it slightly.
"Thank you. You too, darling," Shunsui told me with a summery voice as he opened the doors and left.
"Feel free to make yourself at home," Jushiro started, hanging back. "I'll send someone to pick this up for us." He gestured to the table. "I shouldn't be home too late tonight." Leaning down, he gently kissed me on the head.
"Thank you. I'll look forward to it." I beamed at him.
Nodding at me as if assuring himself, he quietly left, leaving me feeling snuggly.
Now what? I puzzled as I sensed their reiatsus flash step away. I twisted my hair stick thoughtfully.
Humming to myself, I rocked back on my heels before going into my room. I think I have something in mind.