Thrumming marks of fights
Persistence keeps you going
Questions to be asked
Epic Nine: Question and Answer
She propped her hand against the cool tile of the hall as she took in a large amount of air. Rangiku had hoped that she would be able to make it to the First Division before the meeting had ended, but judging by the distant dispersing spiritual pressures, she figured she was too late. At any rate, she didn't think breathing should really be this difficult for as slow as she was going.
She removed the hand that was bracing her against the wall so she could turn and lean her back against it.
The chilled tiles felt good against her skin, so she took a minute to rest her throbbing muscles. Putting a hand to her forehead, she felt the heat moving from her face to her palm. She was pretty sure her face had combusted with her traveling efforts. It was almost embarrassing, despite her condition. She could feel the burn in her arms and legs too, now that she took a minute to think about it. Things like that just seemed to slip her mind while she was focused on something else.
She mentally groaned. If she was this sore now, she could only imagine what a nightmare tomorrow was going to be.
If she was in a caring mood, she might've acknowledged the slight mortification of an intruder, even one seeming skilled, making her so weary. At the moment though, she was more concerned about the state of her body. She really hadn't been forced into that much action in a long time, at least not with someone that was animatedly trying to gut her.
Her hand traveled down to inspect her newly injured left side. She couldn't feel any wetness, so she thanked whatever deity there may be that it didn't tear open on the way over. They had just changed it, and if she had to configure herself to rewrap soaked bandages while wincing the entire while again, she would not be happy. Then again, she wasn't sure she would be able to feel anything anyway as long as she was on top of all the layers of gauze they applied around her.
It would've only taken a touch of kido by someone in the Fourth to close the offending wound, but she was advised by the medical staff to let this one heal naturally, as it didn't seem too serious. She didn't really mind, she supposed, as she had this alternative in the back of her mind since the beginning anyway. She would just have to be more careful than usual for a while. Then again, she didn't normally participate in any strenuous activities on a daily basis, so she thought she was probably okay.
Currently, the Fourth was undergoing some problems of their own, making them a bit more drained and shorter on staff than usual. She knew that her friends were worried about her, but they didn't really need to know the details as long as she was taking care of it. Seeing how they only dropped her off then left, they didn't have much say in the matter. Momo had been fine enough to go to the meeting with only minimal cuts and scrapes, so Rangiku had just told them to go and that she was old enough to stay in the Fourth by herself.
She would've been given one of the top priorities if she pushed it, but she didn't see the point in it. If they had their hands full already, she didn't want to inconvenience them any more than she needed to. They reminded her of the proper method to care for the wound (not that most soul reapers didn't already know), and sent her on her way, making sure she knew that rest was important. It was enough for her to get by.
She might not listen to the rest thing right away, as there were more important things she needed to know, but she figured she would be fine. It was just a scratch, and it wasn't anything everyone should be immediately worried about. Other soul reapers let wounds like this heal naturally all the time, so it wasn't a big deal for her either.
Admittedly, she did know a basic healing spell that all academy students learned, but she knew her own skills and opted to pass on trying to close the gap herself. She wasn't bad at kido, having a lot of practice at it from being a lieutenant for so long, but she wasn't that good at it either. She used it when she needed to.
She always found that it took more of her energy to perform some of the same tasks than it took others. She remembered asking Nanao about it once, and she was told that everyone manipulated kido in different ways and at different rates, just like reiatsu, as kido was just another form of it. One wasn't as adept with it if it took more out of them. Which was understandable. She supposed that's why people like Nanao and Momo could always fire away without restraint. They were some of the best, after all.
Healing spells were always a bit more complicated and energy consuming anyway, she noted, so if the cut really started to bother her, maybe she could ask Nanao to patch it up quick. Besides, there always was a little bit of pride in having battle scars. Even for some of the more embarrassing ones.
She tilted her head towards the sky and sighed. She needed a drink.
She supposed it was alright, as she wasn't going to be taking any medication for her side. She wouldn't need it. Sake was the best sense duller she'd found anyway. After all the excitement today, it would be nice to cool off for a while. Maybe she could nap a bit on the office couch. It always was her favorite…
She groaned out loud this time. She had promised to help her captain with the mountain of inspection paperwork didn't she? That was still due tomorrow, no matter how worn they became within the next twenty four hours.
She wasn't exactly sure how much they had left, but she knew they were pretty close to being done. It would probably take most of the day tomorrow though, if they abandoned it early tonight. She personally thought that it was best left for the morning when their heads were clearer, but she knew that her captain would more than likely pull an all-nighter with or without her constructive presence.
Sometimes she thought that he used paperwork in some of the same manner that she used sake. Granted, there was a part of her that just plain liked the stuff and she was pretty sure no part of him liked those nasty white sheets, but she knew excuses to have no time to yourself when she saw it. She had been doing it for years, after all.
She liked the feeling of not having to think, or of having something else to blame the direction of her thoughts on. She knew that there wasn't anything to really blame, but if she could have that peace of mind, even for a little bit, then she was satisfied. She supposed Captain Hitsugaya thought too much in his spare time too, given the way he was.
There was just too much going on. She gazed skywards, catching the faint light of stars that were far away. It almost reminded her of days in the Rukongai, when all she ever had to worry about was surviving and the boy she spent her time with. It was a shame that things couldn't stay that simple forever. She would've been content with it.
She sighed. There was really nothing she could do about it now, so there wasn't really a point of worry what happened back then. The past was the past. Sensing company nearing, she straightened up a bit. There may be nothing she could do about the past, but she could certainly try to take care of things in the present.
-Secrets Of The Scorned-
Shunsui was frowning slightly as soon as he felt whose spiritual pressure they were nearing. Even though it was faint from exhaustion and probably her trying to keep a low profile, he could still read it like she was standing right next to him.
There was no reason that Rangiku should be wandering around the streets of Seireitei. He maybe understood not being in the Fourth, as he himself didn't like to spend a length of time there despite the great hospitality, but she should be at home resting.
He glanced to his side at Nanao, her brow still furrowed and her head slightly bent, and it looked like she was still deep in thought. So deep, that perhaps she hadn't felt it yet. At any rate, she would see the owner soon, if she didn't feel her first. The action, or rather lack there of, proved how hard she was thinking over everything. Nanao rarely was out of it. He supposed the times were tiring on everyone though, and even if she seemed it at times, Nanao was not immune to what was going on.
Sometimes it seemed like she was though. He had to admit that he was impressed, and it wasn't just because of today. This huge problem in the Soul Society had started way before then.
She was what the higher ups hoped an ideal soldier would be. She was calm and collected. He knew today had shaken her, like it would shake anyone whose closest friends were attacked by unknown persons. Despite that, she didn't let it show in public. He could see it now of course, but that was only when they were alone. She was acting as if she normally would under anyone else's eye.
In a time of war and insecurity like this, they needed stable units. Those were the ones that could lead and follow orders enough to get the job done. She had an unwavering loyalty, and she would follow him without question on whatever grand scheme he was undergoing at the moment. Following him to Yama-ji was a prime example of that. She was everything they wanted her to be and everything she needed to be.
Yet, admirable as these qualities were, he couldn't help worry slightly. It was true that she was a near perfect warrior, and that was what bothered him. A warrior. They were not mindless weapons, no matter what some of the higher ups wanted to believe. They had to follow their own morals too. While he knew that Nanao was an amazing person as well, he doubted whether she would put her own intuition and instinct above what someone else told her to do. It was sad that he didn't know the answer to this after so many years, but it wasn't like he ever had an example to believe otherwise.
It was true that she would share her own opinions occasionally, but would she ever act on them?
"Sir, is that…?"
He inwardly smiled. He didn't think it would take her that long.
"I believe so, Nanao-chan. Shall we see why our delightful sake-loving friend is out and about?"
He looked over at her and receiving a nod, they increased their pace a little, knowing that Rangiku had probably already sensed them. She wasn't moving after all.
-Secrets Of The Scorned-
"Rangiku, what are you doing here?"
Her tone was straight to the point as usual, but it also held a hint of exasperation. She was tired and worn out and sick of being worried, even if those worries weren't established all that well. There were too many things happening at once and not enough time for her to get her thoughts in order, where they should be.
The strawberry blonde chuckled lightly, rubbing the back of her head with a cheery smile on her face. It slowly faded, and she sighed, a smile still in place. Nanao noticed that it looked tired too, and she thought that the other woman probably had just as many things on her mind as she did, if not more.
"Well, at the moment I'm catching my breath, but my original reason for coming this way was to hope to make it to the meeting."
Nanao shook her head. It would be like Rangiku to do that, even if she normally avoided things related to work like the plague. Even if her cause was well and good, she could've just gotten someone to fill her in on what happened. Wasn't she supposed to be resting in the Fourth anyway? She made to lecture her about straining her body like that, as she could practically see the exhaustion rolling off her in waves, but her captain spoke up before she was able.
"Yare, Rangiku, shouldn't you be at the Fourth?"
Rangiku straightened up further, pushing off of the wall to stand without support. Her smile dropped, and the face she wore when dealing with business came over her, revealing a seriousness that only presented itself at certain times. She shook her head and replied, and if Nanao didn't know the woman that well or knew what had actually happened, she might've been fooled that there wasn't anything wrong at all.
"I'm fine. Really." She added it as an afterthought to the skeptical looks she received. Not that she blamed them for thinking that way. It wasn't very pretty. "The Fourth is trying to contain a virus right now so they can let it run its course. It's nothing too bad by itself, but it's been spreading to many lately and is nasty in large numbers. They thought it'd be best if I just rested at home for now."
There were two nods in response, and Rangiku was satisfied with that. "It's not really that bad. Just some light duty for a while." To prove her point, she took a few steps in the direction of the Tenth, but to her dismay, she stumbled a bit. She laughed to shake it off. "Just a little cramp."
Nanao rolled her eyes. She knew that Rangiku just didn't want them worrying about her, per usual. She preferred to deal with her problems on her own, and as much as Nanao would like to help out, she respected her space. Sometimes things just had to be taken care of yourself. She understood that. You couldn't always rely on someone else to fix things for you.
"So…" Shunsui's drawl gained both of their attention. "Why were you in such a hurry to get to the First?" His seemingly innocent question resulted in an interesting response.
Nanao saw the almost…panicked look that flashed across her face for just a brief second. She recognized it from when she had a question she didn't want to give the answer to. She saw her friend's eyes dart around quickly before she closed them and laughed, the shaky kind that was used to break tension. Nanao rose her eyebrow at this.
"You know, just wanting to keep up with duties and all. It is partly my fault they got away anyway, so I just wanted to make sure everyone knew what was going on."
Shaky. That's exactly what it was. Nanao was certain that her captain had picked up on the somewhat strange behavior, even for Rangiku. It was almost like she was keeping something from them. That puzzled her.
Shunsui knew something was a little off. It was written all over Rangiku's face, no matter how hard she tried to pretend there was nothing the matter. He always had a knack for following his gut feelings, and his suspicions were confirmed when he saw further proof. For one, she was almost nervous around them, and he knew that she was completely comfortable in both of their presence.
Then, he caught sight of her subtly shifting her weight from one foot to the next. He recognized that as a sign of anxiousness, like there was somewhere else she wanted to be. What sealed the deal for him though, was the way she was slowly inching her way towards Nanao and the path that would lead her back to the Tenth. It was barely noticeable, but they had always said that he was good at reading people.
Ahh, so she had something to say that was for Nanao's ears only. He didn't doubt her loyalty to the Soul Society one bit, so he figured it was something woman-related that he didn't need to know about. Now that he thought about it, she did keep flicking her eyes back towards him. That was okay. He knew a hint when he saw one.
He looked over at Nanao to find her glancing at Rangiku's shifting feet while the person of study was looking down the hall. She looked up, and he caught her gaze, the same thought going through her mind also. He saw it in that look in her eye. She had always been a brilliant child, and that had not changed in the years they had been together. Sometimes she just chose to hide that intelligence behind glass shields and quiet tones.
But she had noticed. That made things easier then.
"Well, as you can probably tell, the meeting has already ceased. I assure you that all that you told to us was reported. Now, you should be resting. I'm going with you back to the Tenth to make sure you listen, and then I'm going to return to the office." She gave a pointed look to Rangiku so she didn't interrupt before she turned her attention to her captain.
"Goodnight, sir, if you choose to go home as well." She really wanted him to help out with the ton of work they still had left, but with how tonight was going, she wasn't going to push anything. Besides, if she worked into the early hours, she would still have enough time for a quick nap before the next work day started. She was sure she could get it done in that time slot.
He grinned slightly at her, and she knew that he had understood the meaning behind her words. It was clear to her that Rangiku had something she wanted to say when they weren't in the captain's company. While it was odd, it didn't make Nanao any less curious as to what it was. She wanted to make sure Rangiku got the rest she needed anyway.
"Goodnight my ever so thoughtful Nanao-chan!" He opened his arms as if to engulf her in a hug, but expecting something of this sort, even in these times, Nanao easily sidestepped and heaved a sigh. If she had her book with her, she would've hit him with that. As it was, her fan would have to do.
At least she had the satisfaction of seeing that smile on his face after he pretended that it hurt, rubbing the growing knot on his head. Even if it was foolish, it still meant that things were somewhat heading back to normal.
"And goodnight to you too, Rangiku." He smiled at her, and she returned the gesture with a little wave as he started to stroll off with no particular destination in mind. He stopped after a minute though to turn back to his lieutenant with a halfway serious tone. "Don't stay up too late."
Nanao didn't answer, so it was good that he wasn't really expecting one, continuing on like he didn't say anything at all. She was pretty sure he was talking about paperwork in particular, but she supposed he also meant staying awake because she was thinking too hard. It was thoughtful, in its own sense. He was subtle about some things at least.
They watched him disappear down the hall corner, and Nanao heard the breath that Rangiku let out in response. Turning towards her and raising her brow, she gave her a pointed look. "Now what's so secretive that you couldn't wait to tell me?"
Rangiku was quiet for a moment, and when she spoke, her tone was softer. There was no need to act. "It's about those three intruders. I guess I had a few questions I thought you could answer."
She started a slow shuffle towards the Tenth, knowing that Nanao wanted to get back to the office soon as well. "And this was wasn't important enough to ask within other company?" Her tone was a little skeptical she noted, and Rangiku thought it was probably from being tired off all this already.
"I guess it's not really that important, no. I suppose it didn't really matter if others overheard or not." She sighed a little, and rubbed her neck. "It's a little bit easier to think without someone who knows more than you do hovering about though."
Nanao nodded, knowing the feeling of being overshadowed and watched. Sometimes it wasn't easy being second in charge, as you were constantly observed on your reactions to everything as well as your opinion. Sometimes it wasn't good to throw your own opinion out there if it didn't match the majority. From a problem solving standpoint, that method was ridiculous because you couldn't get new ideas to the table if nobody spoke up, but there was a time for silence also.
Nanao doubted that her captain would make any judgments based on someone's opinion alone, but she did remember a time he had cautioned a few in the division on letting things through the grape vine. At a time like this, they couldn't really afford any ideas causing a rift between their already shaky cooperation with each other. There was no need for the ones in charge to be divided on what they think should be done about things.
"So what have you thought about?" She looked over towards Rangiku, seeing a pensive look on her face. She knew that she was also prone to mull too many things over in her mind when given the chance. That was probably one of the reasons they got along so well, their past history aside. They were alike in many ways.
Rangiku was silent for a few moments more, thinking on the best way to phrase her question. After debating on it, she thought there was really no need to be subtle about it, so she just came out and asked.
"You know a lot about kido right? Like connected to some sort of reiatsu manipulation?"
"Yes…" She gave her a strange look as she went on a bit hesitantly. "Kido broken down is just reiatsu manipulation at a primal form. That was one of the concepts we learned in the academy. That isn't news to you."
Although not really proficient in the art itself, Nanao knew Rangiku knew most of the same things she did on the subject. Even if it didn't seem likely, the woman had paid attention when she needed to.
"I know a bit about the theory behind it, but I don't know about how to do it and other things like that. I need to know if you think kido could be used to form a physical weapon. Like a blade."
The thought had occurred to her earlier, and now she wanted to know. She watched Nanao furrow her brow as she thought about it, and knew if anyone would be able to tell her, it would probably be her best friend. She didn't doubt that Nanao had read about it somewhere.
"I have read cases where soul reapers, usually disarmed and defenseless ones, have performed stunning effects with reiatsu, which was labeled as kido at the time." Rangiku nodded her head, following along with every word. "Whether this was kido in actuality or perhaps reiatsu from their zanpakuto, even though not in hand, I'm not sure of. Those books were badly worn at the time that I had them. Despite that though, the tales all had a similar quality in that all of the warriors managed to defeat their obstacles with an impromptu weapon or defense that was not in their possession before and not a discovered trait of their zanpakuto. "
"So you're saying that those cases could have been just left over energy, and not some form of manipulation." If that was true, then maybe her thoughts weren't on the right track. The figure that attacked her didn't have a zanpakuto did they? She didn't see one.
"Yes. That is possible. As we know, one's zanpakuto can be seen as a reflection of the soul, and therefore, is a part of the wielder. Even if it's not with you, a soul reaper can usually still feel it. In a desperate state, like in those cases, they may be able to channel that connection without physically connecting."
Rangiku hummed in a thoughtful manner, trying to think how all of this fit together. "How easy would something like that be to do? Do you think you could do it?"
"Right now, probably not. Even if I attempted for a few days I probably still wouldn't be able to get it exactly right. I don't think I've ever come across something like that. Assuming the amount of control on reiatsu needed, I believe it would take a large amount of energy to do, if one wasn't practiced in the skill."
The bespectacled woman stopped, causing Rangiku to look at her. "Did they use some sort of reiatsu weapon on you?" She would've thought that Rangiku would've let them know that detail when she told them what happened, even if she wanted to confirm with Nanao if it was possible.
"Not exactly." She looked away for a minute, her eyes clouding over with memories of the skirmish earlier on. She could still hear the echoes of metal clashing and the weight pressing her backwards through the air. "But I felt something when we clashed. They didn't have the body structure for the amount of force behind their attacks, especially without a zanpakuto. I know that's not exactly good evidence to go by considering what we are, but there are still some truths to it."
She looked up at Nanao for a second, and noticed that her hands were hanging idly by her side. It was a strange thought to have, but it was different to see her without her book. She supposed that there were more important things to worry about before. She wondered why she even noticed this insignificant detail when what was going on was so important, but then she remembered that sometimes Nanao seemed a stranger to her. There were times that she felt she really didn't know her that well at all, or that she had changed somehow. Shaking her head from those thoughts, she listened as Nanao began to speak.
"I suppose that they could've reinforced their blades with reiatsu. That probably wouldn't take much energy at all, if the objects didn't have any to begin with. They were on the arm correct?" Rangiku nodded and watched as she continued, almost like she was murmuring to herself.
"That would almost be like a shield. If they didn't have a zanpakuto, that would be a great way to build stamina in reiatsu manipulation, allowing them to use kido easier. Then even someone with a relatively low spiritual pressure could build on it. Adding a layer onto a blade could probably give it that extra boost you were feeling."
Nanao's mind was buzzing with this new information she thought about. In its entirety, it probably was very possible for someone to do. The situation had never come across to her, or she probably would have tried it for herself. It definitely wasn't something they ever brought up in the academy.
"Assuming all of this is possible and they had enough energy, this person would have to have a pretty decent control right?" Nanao nodded. Rangiku further believed in her theory now. She had only felt a small increase in spiritual pressure from her opponent when they struck, but that wouldn't be unusual if they were experts had masking their energy in the first place.
"Would there be control enough to totally cancel out the sensing of kido completely?"
Nanao blinked. Even in the advanced kido classes she took, there was always the pull of forming energy. Even some of the best still produced the effect. For it to disappear completely, it made her think that this person had been doing this for a long time…or was very powerful.
"I watched them form fire. They molded it in their hands and used it to attack. I watched it twice. There was nothing, at least from the one I was against."
Even if Rangiku wasn't an expert, it didn't take a soul reaper of very high class to sense even a little of the effect. It worried her a bit.
"Then I think we're dealing with someone that we shouldn't underestimate."
Rangiku nodded, and they both continued on their way to the Tenth. "But not Aizen."
Nanao looked at her. "You think so too? Captain Kyouraku thinks the same as well." She waited a moment before adding, "Momo didn't think it was him either." She waited to see how Rangiku would react. If she would've told that to anyone else, she doubted they would've been surprised. Rangiku didn't give any reproachful response, however.
"Exactly. It's not just us then. It didn't seem like something he would do. I'll run this by Captain Hitsugaya, and if we can get enough people that think-"
"I don't think he's going to share the same opinion." Nanao cut her off, remembering the scene she had encountered earlier. At Rangiku's questioning look, she explained. "Momo had mentioned to Captain Hitsugaya her thoughts on the matter. It…didn't go well."
She saw Rangiku grimace. "And I thought they were getting along so well." She sighed. "I'll have to work on that one. I'm almost sure it's not Aizen. Call it intuition or maybe just a hopeful guess, but if so many of us think the same, it can't be a wasted effort right?"
Nanao gave a small sigh. "I hope not."
Rangiku smiled a little in response, but it wasn't the happy kind. "Besides, I think it was a woman."
-To Be Continued…
The haiku thing. It's something I have done and something I do here now too. That's how I plan to start off sections of my book-in-progress, which at this rate, will never get off the ground. Haiku is the one form of poetry I really like. I was even published in a statewide book for a competition once.
Look at all the technical stuff I went through. Dialogue adds a lot of words, I realized. It's still kinda amazing how I can say a whole lot of nothing in so many words though huh?
Review if you wish to leave a comment :)