Half of the salmon remained after they finished eating. Currently they were resting for a moment before heading back towards the Seireitei. As much as Tama did want to search for that house she recalled, she couldn't see any landmarks that would help identify where the house was located. They'd resolved that they'd speak with Sojun when they returned to the Kuchiki manor, and perhaps someone could accompany them back to this district.
He was thinking he could get some flash step training in with her on their journey back into the Seireitei, but then as he as about to propose his idea he stopped short. A sensation like staring down into the abyss of an ocean overwhelmed him, he had sensed it once before.
His slate grey eyes narrowed as he positioned himself so he was more in front of her, his eyes scanning the area around them while he listened intently. Soon however that feeling of the abyss left him, and in its place was a sensation similar to the electricity he could feel in the air during a thunder storm. After a moment he turned around and saw a tall male figure standing off to the left of them, with a hooded cloak. The hood was up but Byakuya brightened at the sight of the person, knowing exactly who it was before they pulled back the hood of the cloak, revealing their jet black hair, a single kenseikan on the left side of his head symbolized his nobility as a direct descendent of the current head of the clan. Once the man lifted his head, his gentle bluish purple eyes gazed affectionately at the teenagers before him, his mouth curving into a kind hearted smile as he greeted them, "I'm glad you two are alright. I was worried with that storm last night."
"Lord Sojun," Tama greeted him with a vibrant smile. Byakuya relaxed fully and informed him, "Luckily Tama seems to know this area fairly well. She knew where there was a cave deep enough for us to wait out the storm."
"I take it you've recovered," Tama pressed the father figure. Sojun gave a slight nod of his head as he confirmed, "I have. It seems you two already took care of breakfast for yourselves."
Tama nodded a little before offering, "I could grab a few apples for you, if you'd like. There's still some salmon."
"I'd like that," Sojun admitted, accepting the intended invitation. Tama smiled as she hurried off to gather some more apples for the sixth division Lieutenant. Sojun sat down on the grass with Byakuya joining him. Sojun looked to his son and gave a knowing grin before he stated, "you like her, Byakuya."
Byakuya glanced at his father with a quirked eyebrow before reminding him, "we're friends. Of course I like her, Father."
"Is she only a friend?"
The question made the younger Kuchiki blush slightly before he admitted, "We've kissed—twice."
"I see," Sojun mused before deciding to embarrass his child a little by hinting, "I guess it's good thing we had that talk last year, then."
"Father," Byakuya groaned, his shoulders sagging while he brought his hands up to hide his face in them. Sojun let out a hearty laugh, lightly patting his son's shoulder. He calmed down as instantly as the laughter began and assured him, "I'm just having a little fun at your expense, Byakuya."
Byakuya nodded his head a little and asked his father, "that kido that we suspect was used—how much do you know of it?"
Sojun regarded his son before admitting, "very little, I'm afraid. The spell was designed to not only restrain someone's memories but also place shackles upon their power and restrict it. Each time that the person affected by the spell is brought to the brink of death, a shackle is removed and their power increases."
"Just before you arrived, I could sense someone else," Byakuya admitted.
"As did I, however, you used your mother's specialized kido on her. She'll be fine," Sojun soothed.
"Actually Father, I question that. When I found her, she was being bound with Saju Sabaku, and someone was moving in to attack her. I used Sokatsui to discourage them while I added a flare of my spiritual pressure to hers, which broke the kido. I don't think she realizes that we broke that spell together, but if she hadn't known how to flare her spiritual pressure, she'd still be bound," Byakuya stated.
He then raised his hand showing the thin scabbed over graze he'd received from her attacker yesterday. After Sojun was able to observe the healed injury Byakuya added, "the blade was poisoned. Whomever this is, it's clear what their intensions are. I'm alright, but I was dizzy and nauseated for a while. I slept it off, and then the storm hit, and I passed out again for a few hours."
"I see," Sojun voiced his acknowledgement. 'That is troubling. If it was a toxin that affected him to that degree, it would have to be a lethal dose to anyone without any toxin resistance. Not only that, he's built a resistance to the most common toxins which would likely mean this poison isn't easily obtained. The attacks are attempts at assassination,' he realized, though he didn't dare tell Byakuya this.
He gave his trademark warm smile as he suggested, "from now on, I think it's best you both train with me. You can focus on your flash step and swordsmanship, I'll work with her to improve her Hakuda skill."
"Alright, Father," Byakuya agreed.
Sojun looked over and grinned seeing Tama reappear with four apples in hand, two for Sojun, one for herself and another for Byakuya. At the sight of the apples, the teenage boy remarked, "what? Found your favourite food?"
"No, I like the juice though, and it's a change from drinking water all the time," Tama replied. Byakuya gave a small hum in reply. She did have a point, water was good for hydration but it didn't have much flavour. The juice from the apples on the other hand tasted like—well—apples. It was a refreshing change from drinking water and tea, he had to acknowledge that. He also had to acknowledge that. She looked to Sojun and stated, "I look forward to training with you, Lord Sojun."
The Lieutenant beamed as he returned, "and I look forward to training you both. I have little doubt you'll both become quite strong, and do many great things for soul society and humanity."
'I would be honoured to be a Shinigami one day,' Tama thought to herself. She smiled at the sight of a hawk flying through the sky, with its wings at full span, gliding on the wind.
'How freeing it would be to fly like that hawk,' she thought to herself.
'She's weird, but—it's refreshing to be around someone who notices the small things. It certainly helps me see the world a little differently,' Byakuya mused as he observed her fascination with the bird. His eyes went upwards, gazing at the small feathered animal as well as he pondered, 'I wonder what she thinks about when she sees birds and butterflies. They certainly captivate her.'
