Sorry for the wait!
"How was your walk?"
Hezza sat across from the creepily nice Captain. That guy had helped her find the office again. Only after he realized that she had seemed to make it into the male dorms of the Fourth Division. There had been quite a few yells. And not just from Hezza.
"It was good. I was able to learn the Sai spell."
Retsu had leaned forward, lacing her fingers together when she said that.
"Oh? Did Captain Mayuri help?"
Hezza didn't know how she knew that, but it was better to be honest.
"Yes. I guess I wandered into his Division by accident. He allowed me to use Sai."
"On Nemu?"
"Um…" She looked down into her lap. "Yes. That's correct."
There were a few seconds of silence between them. How the fuck did she learn that? The Captains must speak to each other. At least that's what it seemed like. The brunette wondered for a single second if he was also afraid of Retsu. But he was plenty scary enough. So how demonic was she?
"I see. That was very nice of him." Hezza nodded in agreement. "Now. Why don't we get you a hot shower and new clothes, yes?"
The brunette's shoulders dropped. Finally!
"Yes please! If possible."
Retsu gave her a soft smile and stood. She offered her a hand as she walked around the desk. Hezza took it and trailed behind her. The halls were empty at this hour. Most of the Division was out. Either doing their chore for the week or helping out in the Medical Ward.
They stopped at a door. Hezza allowing Retsu to push the heavy wooden door open. Inside it was decorated in a traditional Japanese style. On the opposite side of where they entered from was a sliding screen. It had been left ajar. Sunlight from the outside flooded in. A low mahogany table was situated just a few feet in front of it. Pillows and floor chairs all around it.
Calligraphy scrolls and painting were hung with care between glass plates to preserve them. A large circle wooden table dominated the center of the room. A golden square box perched in the middle of the block. To the left and right were more sliding doors. Unohana moved silently to the right, moving the screen back. Hezza stepped over, gasping.
"Amazing!" There was a huge soaking tub built into the floor. Steam was rising up from the heated water. In one corner two shower heads were mounted to the walls.
"Here." Retsu pushed a basket of soaps in the younger girl's hands. "Use whatever you want and wash off. Then have a soak in the tub for a little bit. I'll have some clothes outside the door. Just let me know when you're ready to get dressed."
The girl was speechless. Why was she treating her like this? For some stranger that waltzed into her hospital. Healing someone without proper training. Someone that had just died.
"I… thank you…" Retsu paused in the doorway for only a few seconds. Giving her a small smile before walking out of the room.
The brunette sighed, lowering the basket. She carefully moved over to the shower, placing the soaps on the ground. She quickly stripped down, throwing the dirty clothes in a pile. The water snapped on, instant hot water running out of both shower heads. She stood under the falling water, sighing as the water burned her skin.
After the long day yesterday, this was bliss. The pounding water was such a contrast to the misting when she died. While it never touched her skin, she knew that it had been freezing. Now. She was wrapped up in the warmth. Near orgasmic.
Once she was sure every part of her was warmed up, she bent down and grabbed shampoo and conditioner. Rubbing each floral scented soap in her hair in turn. Simply amazing. She froze, recognizing the scent. Lavender. A single tear rolled down her cheek, mixing in with the rest of the hot water.
She shook her head, washing out the conditioner before picking up the body wash. She squeezed some onto the loofa, making a ton of bubbles. It was invigorating to scrub away all the dirt and grim. It had caked on pretty thick when she ran away from the… she still didn't know what they were. Those dark monsters.
The water washed away the body wash. Down the drain. Steam rose to the ceiling. Her head tilted back, watching the vapors disappear before it even gets away from the water. After standing there for a little while she turned off the shower. The left-over water dripped off her fingers, trailing behind her as she walked over to the soaking tub.
It wasn't as hot as the shower she just took but it was still pretty nice. It gave off a medicinal smell. Not so much as bitter as it was spicy. Clove and ginger mostly. She had wrapped her hair in a towel before sinking down into the tub. Her head was just above the water.
"Master."
Hezza gasped, struggling to stand up. Water splashing around, but not out of the tub. She looked around, trying to find the source of the voice. It had echoed around the room. Or maybe it was just in her head. At this point, it would take something amazing to surprise her.
She settled back down in the water, eyes narrowing. The brown orbs glanced back and forth, half expecting someone or something to pop out. Under the treated water she crossed her arms across her chest. She shook her head and rolled her eyes.
"I need a nap."
With the last word she got up and out of the water. Using the large burgundy towel left by the side to dry off. She wrapped it around her body, slowly walking towards the sliding door.
"Captain Retsu?"
There was a ruffle of cloth against cloth before Retsu called out.
"Are you ready to dress?"
Her voice was so close to the door that Hezza had to lean back.
"Yes!"
The screen rolled back, revealing the smiling woman. She motioned for the girl to step into the main room.
"Here, put these on." Retsu saw the concerned look cross the girl's face. "They're new, silly. I'll turn around."
The Captain did what she said, waiting until she got the garments on.
"Okay…"
Retsu nodded and walked towards the round table, picking up a long robe.
"This is one of my simpler ones. You can borrow my old kimonos until you can get your own clothes." She paused, helping the girl slip into the cotton. "Or I might just dress you up like this for my own enjoyment."
She chuckled to herself as she tucked in the extra tangerine colored cloth. Retsu guided Hezza's hands to hold things in place while she took the olive-green obi and tied it around her waist.
"This is really nice." Hezza commented once Retsu stepped back to admire her work. "Thank you."
"Come. We will start meditating." The Captain's voice did not allow her to say anything else. She followed her over to the low desk. Both picking their own seat. "I would like you to start this after each meal. You can find a quiet place and sit down. Only for about an hour. So now. Close your eyes and relax your muscles."
"Okay."
She followed her instructions, feeling each muscle loosen up. Eyes slipping closed.
"Now. Slow your breathing. Feel the flow of energy around you." Retsu paused. Letting the girl get into a rhythm. "Collect it."
The Captain watched in silence as a slight glow surrounded the girl across from her. The dark navy arura licked up her skin, encasing her.
"What you want to work on is increasing your Reiryuko levels stored within you. With more Reiryuko, the more you can heal, the more you can fight. When released, it changes to Reiatsu. This can be felt by everyone. You don't have to have high levels of Reiyuko to have a large Reiatsu, or Spiritual Pressure."
Hezza breathed in and out in turn. Trying to understand the words she was speaking. Then it clicked. That paralytic feeling that was pinning her down. That was Captain Mayuri's Reiatsu.
"It seems you are understanding what I'm saying." There was a sense of pride in her voice. "Good. Now expand it. Push it to its limits. There is a cap on each and every Shinigami. No matter how much they push, they will eventually top out. What I want to do is find your breaking point and see if I can push you past that."
The words worried Hezza. Could she live up to Unohana's hopes? She shook her head, just a few millimeters to each side. Hell yeah she would. There was no other option. Only forward until the brink. Then she would have to jump off and see where she landed. There was going to be some long and difficult days ahead of her.
"I'm expecting you to be a great force in the Gotei." She paused, uncertain if she should say her next words. "You'll be even greater than I am."
Hezza said nothing as she got used to the force within her. She didn't want to get too far ahead of herself. She didn't even know what the woman in front of her could do. It must be something great if she was a Captain. And although she didn't look old, there was an air of wisdom that surrounded her as a silent cloak.
Retsu could feel the girl's Reiatsu fluctuate slightly.
"Relax your shoulders. You're getting nervous."
She was right. Of course. Her shoulders tensed up, nearly touching her ears. They slowly lowered down to a slight slope. Retsu nodded, noticing the difference immediately. Good. She'll be caught up before the entrance exams start. They will have to go over some Soul Society history and Zanpakutos but she should make it.
Retsu turned to look outside. Meditating on her own. It was rare that she could get this long alone. Well. Mostly alone. So she would take advantage of it. Hezza could feel the Captain's Reiatsu pressing down on her. It was immense. Just like Captain Mayuri's.
Hezza bit the inside of her cheek. Determined to focus on her own shallow pool of energy. She would figure all of this out and learn what she had to in order to survive.
"Alright, you can relax now." Retsu's words brought Hezza out of her deep meditation.
"Ah." She opened her eyes, looking at the woman across from her.
"You did well for your first time. I noticed that you were able to collect about ten percent of your strength." She stood, brushing off the front of her robes. "Do you have any questions for me?"
The girl looked down to her lap, studying her hands.
"I heard a voice when I was in the water…" She trailed off, looking up and scratching the back of her head. "I know that sounds crazy but it was like it was in my mind."
Hezza dropped her head too quick to see Retsu's eyes widen. The Captain moved to her side, picking the girl up with two hands. Hezza gasped, startled at the sudden man handling.
"You heard something?" The words came out in a low hiss.
Her tone was frightening. Hezza's brown eyes opened with a startling speed. Hands grabbing onto the arms holding her above the ground.
"Um! Ye-yes! It just said 'Master'!"
"Why didn't you say this sooner?" Her face was tilted down. Shadows covering her emotions. There was a dark, strong killing intent coming from her. One that was even worse than Mayuri. This one promised a very painful death.
"I didn't think it was important! I just thought I was tired! Hearing things!" There was a desperate plea in her voice to let her go.
Unohana seemed to snap out of whatever it was that took hold of her and slowly lowered the girl to the ground. She sighed out loud and started to tug the kimono down back into place. No use having it all roughed up.
"I see." The black haired Captain stood back. A critical eye looking the girl up and down. Hezza cowered back, not one to like confrontations or fights. Retsu's face melted into one of concern. She had slipped back into her old self.
"I'm…. I'm sorry." The girl dropped to her knees, placing her hands in front of her and touching her forehead to the ground. "I will not keep any more secrets."
Retsu sighed again and carefully knelt on the ground before the bowing girl. She placed a hand on her head. Gently. So as to not scare her even more.
"I apologize." The brunette slowly looked up, tears in her eyes. "I hope you won't have to see that side of me again. At least until you can hold your own."
"Um… right." She sat up, hands nervously playing with each other. "Should I come back after lunch?"
Retsu removed her hand, shaking her head. She stood, regally moving towards the door to the hallway.
"No, I believe you understood what to do." She pulled the door open, waiting on the side. "If you want to practice with someone you can find any of the Seated Officers and practice with them."
The girl nodded a few times. She grabbed her book and quickly scrambled to her feet. Retsu gave her another warm smile before she left out of the room.
Anyways. Hope you enjoyed! A little dark side of Retsu in this chapter :)