*Crawls onto stage ignoring the outraged exclamations from the audience for the delays* Ahem. Good day! It is I, your benevolent GirlX901, here with an update of the Chess Master's Queen. I am so sorry for the delays. The dialogue in this was just NOT working with me until I finally gave in and had a fake fight with myself in the mirror to get it working. It was actually going to be longer but I realized if I didn't cut it off now it was going to be TOO long. The great news is the next chapter is already plotted out and I'll be wrapping that up once I finish the next chapter for The Black Cloaked Guardian. For my My Hero Academia fans, and just general FemIchigo fans, I have uploaded the latest installment in the FemIchi series. It is a BleachXMy Hero Academia crossover and the pairing is IchigoXAizawa. Go check it out! Also - I have a discord now! I'd love to gush over my femichi pairings, get ideas and inspirations - and just chat with all of you. It's still a work in progress but I'm really excited to make it a cool place to sit back, relax, and just have some fun nerding out. So please join me at: : / / . g g / M
Thank you to my beta readers!
Thank you to my followers, commenters, fans, etc.
I love you all SO SO much!
Chapter Nine - The Captain's Meeting
"I thought captain meetings were for, well captains," Ichigo murmured as she walked beside Captain Kyoraku towards the first division. "So why was I invited?" Weeks ago, Ichigo would be panicking that something was wrong. She would have been focusing solely on the fear of being found out and the Gotei Thirteen were out hunting down her loved ones while using her as bait. Now, she was simply curious.
"Maybe I just wanted to show you off," Captain Kyoraku teashed and Ichigo huffed out a laugh. A genuine one at that.
"And you had the Captain Commander send me a formal request just to do so. I'm sure that would go over well with the old geezer - uhp," Ichigo attempted to prevent the "geezer" comment from slipping through her mouth but it was too late. Captain Kyoraku's laugh could not be louder. Red burned across Ichigo's face as she glanced around at the people staring wide eyed at the pair of them. She hoped that they hadn't heard her comment and that they were simply staring at Captain Kyoraku for laughing so loudly. "Captain Kyoraku -" what could she say? Don't tell Captain Yamamoto I called him an old geezer? Stop drawing attention to us?
"My dear, you're spirited; that's for sure. I don't recommend calling him that to anyone but me though for the time being. He may look old but his bark and bite still leaves quite an impression."
"I would never," she swore and nudged him with her arm. "You still didn't answer my question. Why am I joining in on the meeting today?"
"Ah, I am sorry about this, Ichigo. Some of the members of Central Forty-Six are joining us today and they haven't seen you since your grandmother's departure. They are also a bit...strict on where they will visit noble wives and don't approve of us living in my quarters."
"Are people ever going to get over that? Do people not mind their business in this realm?"
"They want to check in on you. Make sure things are settling," he ignored her follow up questions.
"Ensuring you're walking me, feeding me, playing ball with me, and teaching me new tricks? If you're not, do I get taken to the pound or are they just going to put me in a box on the street? QUINCY WIFE - FREE TO SUBPAR HOME," Ichigo spread her hands out as if she were emphasizing a sign.
"Does tricks for treats," they entered through the first division and Captain Kyoraku tilted his head in greeting towards a few stray soul reapers. "I'd find you though and sneak you back home."
Ichigo stilled at that word. Home. It still didn't feel right. As if sensing her discomfort, Captain Kyoraku turned his attention to her.
"Be honest Captain Kyoraku, this is to show off the union again isn't it?"
The playful banter over, Captain Kyoraku's face became serious. Instinctively meeting her eyes through the veil. "Unfortunately my dear, for the time being we need to put on a show."
"For how long?"
"Until things settle."
"Which will be?"
"A few months. Not more than a year."
Ichigo gave a deep sigh. "I'm not meant for things like this. The whole noble lady kiss ass bullshit."
"You've got quite the potty mouth today," Captain Kyoraku quickly cut in with a raised eyebrow. Ichigo scoffed.
"I've got to get it out of my system before the captain meeting," she explained as if he should have known that. "As I was saying - I wasn't raised to be the perfect noble wife that drops everything to rub elbows with other nobles and people of high rank. Even so, I know enough to know that this is unusual. You are a captain and a noble lord - despite your level of nobility - you shouldn't be having me attend a military meeting." Even if the nobles wanted to meet with her, they easily could have scheduled a meeting otherwise. This was more than just 'checking in on her.' "So this seems weird. Has something happened that you should have told me about that you forgot?"
Captain Kyoraku quirked his eyebrow at her as if she had insulted him.
"I'm just saying you forgot I lived with you the other day," she defended herself and Captain Kyoraku cursed. He should have known the moment that she startled him when leaving the bathroom the other day would forever be held over his head. He should have lied and said he thought she was going to kick him again; but he didn't and now Ichigo had ammo.
"I've been on my own for a long time and I was exhausted."
"Still! You have to admit you're a bit forgetful."
Captain Kyoraku shook his head and placed his hand on the small of her back as they neared the meeting hall. "You're the first wife or significant other of a captain in years. You're also the first wife to enter into a political marriage with a captain. They are curious. I believe they wish to understand you more."
"Isn't that what the twelfth division captain's experiments were for?" That caught both of them off guard. Captain Kyoraku made a choking noise while Ichigo bit her lip. That was uncalled for. Well… it was a little uncalled for. The lunatic did have a large hand in the massacre of the quincys. No one could lie about that. Still, Captain Kyoraku didn't deserve that ire. "I apologize, Captain Kyoraku. I don't like being unprepared."
"You're...not wrong. Unfortunately Captain Kurotsuchi's… experiments… didn't account for understanding the personal nature of Quincy's. Such as their customs."
Ichigo pursed her lips to prevent another snarky comment from slipping through. No, butchering people and grounding them into hamburger didn't permit them from actually knowing that the Quincy were people. Just like them. She'd heard the stories. She saw the pictures. Captain Kurotsuchi liked to brag. Knowing what that monster had done to her people with the Soul Society's blessing was difficult for Ichigo growing up. Her father was viewed as one of them. A murderer. A monster. The majority of the Kurosaki Clan respected her father and treated him with the proper respect. They knew he had no involvement with the Soul Society's crimes. No say in the orders. It was the minority and other Quincy clans that continue to look at her father with disdain and treat her and her sisters as if they were crossbreeds - like mules they were damned to be seen as lesser and shouldn't be allowed to procreate. Something wrong with the world. She wondered what they must think of her now.
"Shunsui, Madam Kyoraku," Captain Ukitake greeted the pair as they neared a pair of closed doors and pulled Ichigo from her musings and Captain Kyoraku from his concerned gaze. Captain Ukitake along with a few other Captains stood outside the doors chatting.
"Morning Jushiro." Captain Kyoraku greeted warmly while Ichigo nodded her head more respectfully with her own greeting. Ichigo noted the other captains staring at her curiously and nodded her head in greeting again towards them. "Hasn't started yet?"
"The General hasn't even opened the doors yet. We're early." Captain Ukitake turned his full attention to Ichigo once Shunsui gave an contemplative hum. "How are you, Madam Kyoraku?"
"I'm doing very well, thank you Captain Ukitake. And yourself? How is your health?" The man's smile was blinding. Even through her veil, Ichigo felt like squinting her eyes and the sheer wattage that streamed from the man's face.
"I'm also doing very well. Haven't had an episode in quite some time. I'm happy to see you today. As you know Shunsui and I meet for our lunches but I thought you both could come and attend dinner with me this upcoming Friday. I'd love to hear more of life in the World of the Living and I need someone else to help prevent Shunsui from cheating at cards."
"I don't cheat," Captain Kyoraku actually looked offended. Ichigo was happy to have her veil in place so that he and Captain Ukitake couldn't see her bite her lip as she took in the pair's teasing of one another. It reminded her of her friendships back home. There's something about teasing one another that shows a true understanding and respect for one another.
"I know you looked at my cards when I went to the restroom Shunsui," Jushiro teased and Captain Kyoraku shook his head.
"I just played a better hand than you, Ju. You're being ridiculous."
"Tell that to my accountant who is still scolding me for losing three hundred dollars."
"You gamble?" It shouldn't have been a surprise to Ichigo that the men gambled, but it was.
"Well," Captain Kyoraku laughed and turned his head to make eye contact with her. She didn't know how he managed to do so, but he did manage to meet her eyes through the veil every time. "Jushiro gambles. I simply make investments," he teased with a wink.
Ichigo scoffed as Jushiro shook his head, aghast.
"As I said, Madam. Please attend and help me keep your husband in place."
"Dinner sounds great. Though I'm not sure I'll be able to help considering it will be my investments too." That got the two men to laugh. She didn't know where that came from but it recognized that she did not struggle talking with Captain Ukitake.
Captain Ukitake's gaze was diverted to something behind her. Ichigo turned and saw the manic looking captain arrive.
"Kenpachi," Captain Ukitake greeted and received a grunt in return.
"What's she doin' here?" he gestured to Ichigo with his chin. If Ichigo were a weaker woman she might have been intimidated but instead she just wondered if he slept with the bells in his hair or put them in everyday.
"Ah, Ichigo was invited to attend our meeting today," Captain Kyoraku explained and again put his hand on her waist as if trying to comfort her. She didn't need it but she supposed it was a nice gesture. "Have to say though, I'm surprised you're on time today Kenpachi. You're usually the last one to get here."
"Tch. One of my dumbasses ended up in the fourth because he thought it was a good idea to run head first into a wall. Figured I'd just make my way after disciplining him." Ichigo raised her eyebrows. Is that normal? She took in Captain Ukitake and Captain Kyoraku's unconcerned expressions as they listened to Captain Kenpachi's explanation. They looked as if he'd just told them that the sky was blue. That explains why Dad always thought it was a good idea to do surprise attacks when I least expected it. These people are nuts.
"Kekekeke, wouldn't expect anything less from you and your Neanderthals Kenpachi," the crackle of Captain Kurotsuchi's voice caused the hairs on the back of Ichigo's neck to stand on end. Behind Kenpachi the clown faced captain strode towards them with a young man beside him. The young man had mid-length black hair that feathered out and around his face. His hair looked soft to the touch. The young man carried a large stack of papers.
"What was that ya bastard?" Kenpachi growled. Kurotsuchi waved his hand as if swatting a fly.
"Nevermind that. Madam Kyoraku - what a pleasant surprise to see you here today," he leered at Ichigo.
Glancing down at the zanpakuto he had hanging from his belt directly in front of his crotch - Ichigo bit down on the urge to kick straight forward. She wouldn't even need to kick all the way up, just enough to hit his zanpakuto directly into his nuts. Beside her she could feel Captain Kyoraku and Captain Ukitake getting closer to her.
"Captain Kurotsuchi," she greeted with a nod instead and turned to the young man standing beside him that looked like he wanted to be anywhere else. "I'm sorry, I don't believe we've been introduced."
"Go Akane, Madam Kyoraku," the man managed a bow despite the stack of papers he carried. "I'm the fifth seat of the twelfth division. Welcome to the Soul Society." His smile was one of those thousand wattage ones that Captain Ukitake managed.
"Oh shut it," Captain Kurotsuchi was cut off by the large doors leading to the meeting room being opened.
"Looks like we're starting," Captain Ukitake smiled and turned to make his way towards the open doors. Captain Kyoraku guided Ichigo towards the door as well. They quickly merged with the captains that had arrived before them and had stood closer to the doors as they had spoken to Captain Ukitake. Finally they were all in the room and Ichigo was guided to stand besides Captain Kyoraku and the shortest captain with white hair.
"Captain Kyoraku, Madam Kyoraku," the childlike Captain greeted the pair as they settled into their place.
"Good morning Captain Hitsugaya," Captain Kyoraku greeted as Ichigo nodded to him. She hadn't remembered all of the Captain's names and was still struggling to memorize them. There was something about Captain Hitsugaya's name that was familiar to her. The familiarity seemed older somehow. She'd heard the name before the introductions that took place at the wedding. Perhaps she knew it from one of her father's bed time stories of his past.
Diverting her attention to the large room she took in it's grand appearance. Her father had never gone into detail of his time in the meeting hall as a captain. As there were no windows - likely to prevent anyone from listening in or attacking while meetings are in session - it was fairly dark in the meeting hall. Lanterns gave off a warm glow which bestowed a somewhat welcoming feel to the room - a feeling that was revoked by the sheer overwhelming presence of all the captains of the Gotei Thirteen. In a room full of uniformed soldiers, Ichigo felt out of place. There she was in fancy silks surrounded by armed men and women who had substantial spiritual pressure and martial presence. Ichigo took a glance towards the only other person in the room that didn't hold a high position to see how he handled being surrounded by such intimidation. Go Akane stayed near the back wall and in the perfect position to be just in sight to be called on but just out of sight to not draw attention to himself. He kept his attention focused on the files in his arms while everyone settled into their places for the meeting. She was impressed that he was handling being in the presence of people who hold his job in their hands so well. Despite his "I can't see you, you can't see me" approach - he still flinched when the ninja captain scoffed.
The woman's scoff made Ichigo realize just how quiet it was since everyone settled. Head Captain Yamamoto still hadn't entered the meeting hall to begin the meeting. Everyone was just standing there either looking at each other or avoiding eye contact. This was weird. She hadn't been in many meetings before but people conversed with each other in the ones she had attended. Perhaps this was like that summer camp she was forced to attend and they weren't allowed to speak unless they had the talking stick?
With her new pondering, an image of Kenpachi holding a brightly bedazzled stick in his large hands surfaced to the forefront of her mind. Ichigo bit her lip to prevent herself from laughing.
Finally - finally the doors near the large chair near the front of the hall opened and Captain Yamamoto entered followed by various members of the Gotei Thirteen. Yamamoto made his way to the head of the two lines and had his large staff whacking against the floor. Despite the staff against the floor being only wood against wood - the sound seemed to boom throughout the room. The Gotei Thirteen took up places behind him. Despite the meeting hall being very large no one entered the space between the captains into two parallel lines. No one stood in front of the doors that she and the captains entered through.
"Let us begin." Oh, so he had the talking stick. Besides him the French looking lieutenant stood holding what appeared to be a clipboard.
"All invited are in attendance, General." He was not french. Maybe a french ancestor - but definitely not french. It was a bit disappointing.
"And you?" Yamamoto raised a long eyebrow towards Go Akane.
"He is with me to provide our findings for the shield," Kurotsuchi explained in a bored tone and a nonchalant flick of his wrist.
"Very well. We'll address the Kurosaki union first then." Immediately all eyes turned to look at Ichigo and Captain Kyoraku. Oh shit.
"Well now. A meeting just for us, I'm touched," Captain Kyoraku touched his fingers to his hat and pulled down to hide his face. Ichigo felt like smacking him. What are you doing trying to hide? They can already see us. If I have to look at them so do you!
"Madam Kyoraku," Lord Enomoto cut in, ignoring Captain Kyoraku's teasing. "Thank you for agreeing to meet with us today. We appreciate your time."
Okay, time to kiss some ass in the name of ensuring the Kurosaki Clan and the Soul Society gets along. "It is an honor to be invited."
Lord Enomoto was a portly man. He was graciously balding - in that he didn't attempt to hide the fact that the hair around the center of his head no longer grew. Despite the hair loss on the top of his head, he had a bushy mustache covering his lip.
"We did not have much time to discuss matters with you when you first arrived. Now that you've settled, we hoped you would be willing to discuss some concerns of ours."
Oh shit, they know we haven't had sex yet. "Concerns, your lordship?"
"Now that the marriage is in place, we never had an opportunity to discuss your union going forward."
At this comment Ichigo turned her head to look at Captain Kyoraku. Captain Kyoraku did not meet her gaze but instead held an uninterested expression towards the Central Forty-Six members and Captain Yamamoto. No help there apparently.
"I am happy to answer any questions Captain Yamamoto may have. I presume that he will be directing the questions as he was the one to invite me." There. She set a boundary to ensure that she would be answering to one person only and not an entire team. Captain Yamomoto appeared to want to say something but a sickly looking man cut him off.
"Captain Yamamoto was directed to invite you from us. The Central Forty-Six attends a captains meeting every three months. We requested your attendance as well." Okay, the boundary didn't work.
"Forgive my ignorance, Lordship. While I was confused as to why Captain Yamamoto would request my attendance, I am now even more confused as to why the Central Forty-Six would request my attendance."
"There are matters regarding your marriage that need to be addressed."
"I did not think my marriage would warrant a military meeting."
She heard some stifled chuckles around her from the various captains in attendance. She was a bit proud of that.
"You are correct," Lord Enomoto stepped in before the sickly looking man could say another word. "What we have failed to explain, Madam Kyoraku, is that we had Captain Yamamoto request your presence in order to avoid additional meetings. We are still repairing the damage caused by Aizen and have elected to shorten meetings when available. If you would be so kind as to stand in the center, we'd be happy to begin."
Again Ichigo looked to Captain Kyoraku. This time, he actually looked back to her. His expression was unreadable. Like when her father would play poker with her and was upping his gamble. After receiving a nod from him, Ichigo made her way to the center of the room and faced the handful of Central Forty-Six members. She did not like this.
"Have you been settling in, Madam Kyoraku?" this time a woman spoke. Ichigo felt like kicking herself for not trying to remember any of their names before. Clearly - she didn't think this through. Was she really so focused on being upset about the arranged marriage that she didn't think to really take note of what was taking place behind the scenes? Her grandmother had handled everything so far - but her grandmother wasn't here. She'd fucked up. She'd fucked up so bad.
"Yes, thank you."
"I understand you are living in the squadron barracks."
Not a question - but still expecting an answer. "Yes."
"I do hope Captain Kyoraku's decision to reside away from his estate has not caused you any discomfort."
"Not at all."
"I understand you are used to a...different lifestyle."
They were silent as if waiting for an answer from her. Did they want her to complain about where she was living? "My parents chose to raise my siblings and I away from the estate. I was raised in a home connected to my parent's medical clinic; not the estate. To be honest with you, I'm much more comfortable in the barracks."
That information seemed to surprise the woman and some of the other lords. Even Captain Yamamoto raised an eyebrow.
The sickly looking man spoke again. His voice caused the tiny hairs on the back of her neck to stand up. For this reason alone Ichigo was grateful for the veil covering her face. She was already putting in a large amount of energy to not stutter her responses - she would hate to have to include schooling her features as well. Her father did say she wasn't good at that when he took her chips during their impromptu poker night.
"So your parents were not welcome on the estate." He's...putting words in my mouth. That's not good.
"No, my parents were always welcome to the estate." She wanted to say more. Tell them how her parents simply wanted her and her sisters to live a life not focused on power dynamics. Explain that her parents wanted to contribute to the community versus just the clan. But she didn't - because she wasn't going to give them more opportunities to twist her words.
"They just couldn't live on the estate."
Ichigo opened her mouth but no words came out. She stopped them before they sprinted out of her lips. When she was fourteen her mother had taken her aside and scolded her for talking without thinking. This was after she called a rival clan's heir an inbred pig that caused a bit of a tift between the elders. So, she took her grandmother's scoldings to heart, and took a breath, counted to five, then gave her response. "We could always live on the estate should we choose to. Again, my parents chose to live away from the estate."
"Miss Kurosaki-" the woman started and immediately Captain Kyoraku interrupted her.
"It's Madam Kyoraku." Despite not wanting to turn her gaze away from her opponents, Ichigo glanced at her husband. He was giving a lazy smile to the Central Forty-Six members. Ichigo was expecting him to be glaring at them heatedly. They had just insulted Ichigo twice in one sentence. Not only did they use her unmarried name but they lessened her title to a miss. She was the heir to the Kurosaki Clan. Even if they misspoke her name, she still had a title. To ignore her title was to downplay her position - even her clan. There should be more of a reaction than a simple correction and a lazy smile.
"Of course. My apologies." That apology is more fake than Urahara's gigais. "Madam Kyoraku, were your parents not allowed to reside at the estate as punishment for your mother bringing unneeded attention to the Clan by killing Isshin Shiba?"
Ichigo heard three gasps. One could have been her - must have been her if the racing of her heart was anything to go by. Ichigo bit into her bottom lip hard. The familiar sickening taste of condensed iron filled her mouth as her teeth cut into the flesh of her bottom lip like an overripe peach on an early fall afternoon. She wanted to sucker punch them all in the throat. Throw the woman down on Captain Yamamoto's chair - Million Dollar Baby her ass. She knew if she angeled it right - the uptight bitch would be paralyzed from the neck down. She wouldn't do her the courtesy of suffocating her with a pillow. This bitch would suffer.
"Why ask me these questions when you won't listen to my answers?" Ladies do not use contractions - if you have the energy to speak, you have the energy to speak correctly. "As I have already explained, my parents chose to live outside of the estate. This was their own personal decision made between a husband and wife. While I was not involved in this decision as I was not born yet, I do know that my mother intended to return to the estate if my grandmother stepped down from her position in the clan entirely - unfortunately she never got that chance."
Flashes of rain and blood cut across her vision. Her body felt the phantom weight of her mother's lifeless body. Her memories replayed her cries for her mother to wake up and stop sleeping as if her nine year old self and mother's body were in the very room.
"-did your mother kill Isshin Shiba?"
There was someone else talking now. A voice she didn't recognize. Had she heard this voice before? It sounded familiar but...not. "No."
"But your mother was involved in his death?" The tips of her fingers felt numb - as if she'd been holding onto a pint of icecream for too long. She knew she was squeezing her hands - she knew her nails were digging into the palms of her hands - so why couldn't she feel her fingertips?
"No. She was just… she was just there." It was harder to breathe.
"Clarify what you mean by that."
"By what?" Who was talking? Was that the woman, the sickly man, or the familiar man? Or was it Captain Yamamoto? Captain Kyoraku? There was something on her face. Something told her it shouldn't have been heavy and was soft - but it didn't feel light and it was scratchy. What was on her face? Why couldn't she see. What was on her face? Why was it on her face?
Thumpthump, thumpthump, thumpthump. What was that noise? It sounded like - yes, yes - it was a heartbeat. Why was her heart beating in her ears? Hearts weren't supposed to be in people's heads - right?
"That she was there." She was scared. She was so scared.
Ichigo. The deep timbre of Zangetsu's voice flowed through Ichigo like a mug of hot chocolate on a cold day. What felt like a static shock from the choker around her neck caused her to flinch. Ichigo felt herself blinking rapidly. Her chest felt tight as if she hadn't been breathing. Perhaps she wasn't. She felt something slide down her chin. Based on the taste in her mouth - Ichigo guessed it to be blood. What was that?
"Madam Kyoraku?" it was Captain Yamamoto getting her attention. Ichigo nodded her head to assure him she had heard him. How long was she unresponsive?
"Please repeat the question."
"You said your mother was in attendance to the death of Isshin Shiba." Ichigo looked at the man who was speaking. She'd never heard him speak prior to this day. Not only was his voice familiar but so was his appearance. Ichigo knew she had seen him before but was not sure where.
"I only know the story, your lordship. I am seventeen years old. I was not born at the time the incident took place."
"But you know your mother's version of the incident?"
"Yes," she nodded. "My mother told me about the accident when I was a little girl. She told me of the soul reaper named Isshin Shiba. They had fought a peculiar hollow together. She became injured and he was able to save her at the cost of his own life. I do not know the full details."
"I see." It was quiet again as the older man took in her words. The sickly looking man and uptight woman did not seem satisfied with her answer.
"Your mother is dead, Madam Kyoraku?" the uptight woman asked. Again, a shock to her neck where the butterfly clasp touched her neck.
"Yes. She was killed eight years ago."
"My condolences. I imagine that must have been difficult for you." Ichigo didn't respond. Even being silent made a difference when games such as these were played.
"She died fighting a hollow, correct? She was often acting as a soldier for your clan then."
So that's where you're going with this. Even when Ichigo had already told them that her mother did not kill her father - they weren't going to believe her. They wanted to play her mother as a soldier whose only focus was on protecting the clan.
"My mother sacrificed herself to protect me. She wasn't fighting the Grand Fisher. He was...hunting. While I didn't recognize the threat, she did. So she put herself between us and…" Ichigo trailed off unable to finish. It's interesting how deep memories will engrain themselves into one's mind - one's soul. Again her screams for her mother to wake up and hiccuping cries made themselves known in her consciousness - as if she were once again kneeling and pushing against her mother's cold body to no avail.
"Oh." The silence was awkward at that point. Ichigo didn't feel bad for making it awkward.
"Were those all of your questions?"
"Not quite, Madam Kyoraku. We did not have time to discuss your abilities earlier. I find it hard to believe that you lack spiritual energy when your grandmother and mother possessed exceptional ability."
"It is not that I lack energy, but rather control."
"I see. So you are able to create the quincy's arrow."
"A quincy's arrow depends largely on the control of one's spiritual energy. One needs to push the perfect amount of spiritual pressure through their fingertips to create the arrow. Seeing as I lack control - my arrows are not successful."
"Successful being?"
"They disintegrate before reaching their target."
"I see."
"Would you be able to give us a demonstration?" Lord Enomoto asked, seeming genuinely interested despite his being silent as she was dragged through the coals with the others.
"Your Lordship - if you truly want to see me fail and make a fool of myself I invite you to attend a tea ceremony performed by me. I assure you it will be more humorous than my attempt to pull my spiritual pressure beyond its containment in my vessel. If you are lucky you might even get tea out of it should I manage to not whisk it completely out of the cup and onto your clothes." Lord Enomoto chuckled and nodded his head. The other members, other than the ornery three, laughed as well.
"And if we would like to see you succeed at something?" the lady asked.
"When it comes to combat - I am skilled at hand-to-hand, swordsmanship, and archery, granted I'm given regular arrows and not a quincy's."
"And of the gentile arts?"
"My flower arrangement needs some work to be sure, but I am adept at painting and dancing. My focus was primarily on my studies growing up. While I may not be able to sew a straight line; I can tell you locations and navigate by using the position of stars and planets."
"I see. This would be why you and your family are determined for you to finish your education."
"Yes." Except that she wasn't going to be able to complete her education. She wouldn't be allowed to attend college like she'd wanted. She'd be forced to finish once she graduated from high school. This was a sore topic for her.
"Then there will be no changing your mind on that provision of the contract."
"Being educated is important to me. My grandmother knows that. The elders know that. To take that away from me is to cut off my arm and request that I swim. It is not a provision that can be changed."
"What can your education provide you that you would need as the wife of a noble? I fail to see how navigating using the stars will assist your husband." You did not just go there you misogynistic crypt keeper looking mother f-
"With all due respect, your lordship, my husband is the captain of squad eight of the Gotei thirteen and a noble lord. What use does he have for a woman whose only conversation skills rotate around gentile topics? What use does he have for a wife whose skill set is solely focused on subjects such as tea ceremonies. Captain Kyoraku doesn't even like tea. Furthermore, squadron eight is focused on investigation. In order to be able to investigate, one needs to have the ability to research. I should think that Captain Kyoraku's men and women would appreciate having their Captain's wife possess that skill set rather than the ability to ass kiss."
"..."
"..."
"..."
Oh fuck. Oh fuck, indeed.
It took her a minute to realize what she had just said. The minute seemed to last longer than sixty seconds - more like sixty thousand seconds. The familiar laugh of Captain Kenpachi sounded off behind her. Ichigo's eyes widened and her gut clenched. Captain Yamamoto's eyebrow was raised at her in surprise. The nobles looked angry. Ichigo felt her gut twist. She was dead. So, so dead. This was why she shouldn't be invited to important meetings. Nervous, she turned to look at Captain Kyoraku again.
He had his hat tilted in front of his head. If her veil wasn't on everyone would see her incredulous expression directed towards him. Now is not the time to hide your face. You're the captain - you fix this! He did not fix it.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Bwahahahahaha! Little kitten's got claws!" Thank you, Captain Kenpachi, but that is not going to help me right now.
Okay - new approach. Kissing ass may need to be a skill set she needs. No better time to learn than the present.
"My apologies, your lordship. As you can see, I am very passionate about my education."
"I'd say," Captain Unohana smiled gently.
"I'm sure that Lady Obuchi and Lord Makisshi did not mean to force you to defend your education, Madam Kyoraku. Nor did they intend to make it seem that your education would be taken from you despite the contract," Captain Ukitake assisted from behind Ichigo. It was clear what he was doing. He was supporting her while lecturing the nobles. Where her husband failed, his friends prevailed.
"I'm sure we can all appreciate the thought you have put in towards how you would use your education to assist your husband and thus the Seireitei," Captain Unohana supplied helpfully.
"Even if your language is not appropriate for the current setting," supplied Captain Yamamoto with both hairy eyebrows raised.
"Understood, Captain Yamamoto." Ichigo nodded her head and felt the knot in her gut loosen. "My apologies, again, for my crudeness."
"No matter. I believe that is all we needed from you today, Madam Kyoraku. We appreciate your attendance. I will have Lieutenant Sasakibe escort you home."
"Oh no. That won't be necessary, Captain Yamamoto. I know the way." Ichigo could not deal with more prissy people right now. While the french looking lieutenant was always kind and respectful to her - he was also uptight to the extreme. Ichigo saw him scold the little pink haired lieutenant for slurping her tea. She needed a break.
"I'd much appreciate it if you had someone to escort you, Madam. I know your husband would as well." Ichigo met Captain Kyoraku's stare as he nodded.
"If I may, Captain Yamamoto, Captain Kyoraku. Once I provide you with the reports - my tasks here are done," Go Akane spoke for the first time since the beginning of the meeting. "I understand Lieutenant Sasakibe will benefit more from attending the meeting that I. I can escort Madam Kyoraku back to Captain Kyoraku's squadron."
After a split second of consideration, Captain Yamamoto's eyes flickered to Captain Kyoraku. Captain Kyoraku in turn flicked his eyes towards Ichigo. Ichigo in turn felt the need to continue the game of hot potato - stare edition - and turned her gaze towards Go Akane. Go Akane - the confident little shit - smiled. Ichigo turned back towards Captain Yamamoto and saw Captain Kyoraku nod.
"Very well. Thank you again for attending today, Madam Kyoraku."
"Thank you for having me." Ichigo relaxed her shoulders and smoothly transitioned into a low bow towards Captain Yamamoto and the Central Forty-Six members. Upon standing she turned and hastily made her way towards the door without looking back. Within minutes her and Go Akane were making their way towards the gates of the first division and Ichigo felt like she could appreciate oxygen again.