A/N I thank anyone for reading. Much appreciated. :D
Black Cat Angel – Huh... I've heard of the drinking, but not the chocolate. They need to get chocolate. XD
Luafua – Ah, that's okay. :D I know, right?! :D I was so proud of myself. X3 I did good as first person. :D So very happy right now. X3
PsychoIdiotLady – Ah, that's alright. Eventually everyone stops reviewing. :3 Sad, but true. XD Yes, too used to writing in third person. :D For once, I thought I'd write first person to check it out. It's actually surprisingly easy. :D An example? I got it written in five hours. X3 Amazing~! :D Riko can cry! D: Amazing! XD
CCaptain43 – Me likey, too. :3
Chibi-Onee-chan – I had to write it out. XD Tried listening to some sad, sad music to try and get the emotions right. XD As I've mentioned before, music is my inspiration. X3 And I'm glad I did well. :D
DeathKnight KiraKira – Thank god. :D I was self conscious the whole time. XD Yes, I was so excited after I posted the last chapter that I couldn't stop writing until it was done. :D
DreamingInThePast – Yay. :D I did good. X3 And it is?! :D I tried to put as much emotion into it as I possibly could. :3 I cried. I had to write it. XD And yes, drama can be a pain in the behind, but it's life. :3 Sadly. X3
whitefyrefoxxy – Thank you! :D I tried me best. :D And they will. X3 Count on it~! Them men aren't cowards, they'll talk to 'em. XD
xXStarburstNinjaXx – Thank you so much~! :D I tried my best. X3
Undefined – Ah, okay, yeah I can understand. :3 I do that sometimes when I'm lazy. :D
Guest – Thank you so much! :D I try my best. X3 And Kaori stronger...? Maybe?
WOW! :D Eleven reviews~! :D Just... WOW! :D My god, I'm just smiling like an idiot right now~! XD And I did good with the first person! :D Yay~! :D I still got this chapter out faster than the others. X3 I think I'm doing good. XD
Sorry for any mistakes! DX
Disclaimer – I do not own Bleach.
Warning – Swearing.
-:-
Shinji blinked, standing in the Soutaicho's office.
Ichigo was yelling loudly, trying to hold back at the tall, very enraged man. Huh... Maybe he should stop delivering his paperwork himself to the Soutaicho. Yamamoto was sitting calmly, even when Zaraki smashed his hands on his desk. Hitsugaya was standing next to him with a livid glare on his face, glaring at the Soutaicho. Byakuya... Well, he looked kinda... sad. Which was weird, 'cause he was a stuck up noble. That's what Shinji thought, anyway.
"So," He said conversationally. "What's going on?" Shinji asked with a smirk.
"Hirako," Hitsugaya greeted coldly, turning to glare at him.
"Do you know what you did?!" Kenpachi snarled, glaring down at the Soutaicho, turning and pushing the substitute shinigami off of him. "And get the hell off!"
"Kenpachi, calm down!" Ichigo yelled, glaring up at the man. "What's wrong with you?!"
"What?!" Kenpachi snarled, glaring down at the man.
"What's wrong with you?! I was talking to the old man then you came in here and tried attacking him!" Ichigo yelled, pointing at the Soutaicho when he mentioned him, not noticing the frown that crossed his face when he was called old man. "I don't know a lot of stuff that goes on here, but I'm pretty sure you could be arrested for doing that." He paused. "Right?" He asked, glancing at the Taichos.
"Eh, more or less," Shinji said, shrugging lightly as he walked forward. "Okay, what's on your minds?" He asked as he grinned at the other men in the room.
"Get the hell out, Hirako, before I kill you where you stand!" Kenpachi snarled, turning to glare at the blonde man.
Shinji widened his eyes in shock, including the other people standing in the room.
"Zaraki, stand down!" Yamamoto ordered, standing up and sending the man a firm look to show he wouldn't stand for this behaviour.
"Take that order and shove it up your ass!" Kenpachi growled, almost smirking when he saw the old man open his eyes and send him a cold glare.
"Zaraki!" Hitsugaya snapped, seeing the tall Taicho glare down at him with narrowed eyes before he snorted and looked away. Shinji's jaw dropped open when he listened. "Soutaicho, your order went..." He scoffed in a frustrated way, holding up his hands and glaring at the old man. "It went completely wrong. They took it the wrong way and..."
Shinji and Ichigo frowned in confusion before the latter widened his eyes with realization. Uh-oh. Hitsugaya took a step back and gripped his head with frustration on his face. Kenpachi curled his upper lip and growled lowly under his breath. Byakuya stared at the floor with a look of utter hopelessness.
"Woman won't let me talk to her!" Kenpachi growled, pacing around the room as he glared at anything. "I see her in the hall, try to talk to her, and what does she do?! She turns and run away! I go to her room and talk to her and—and I ain't lyin'—she climbs out the fucking window!" He snarled, turning to glare at the old man. "This is all your fuckin' fault, you old son of a bitch!"
"Uh... I'm just gonna go," Shinji said, placing the pile on the desk and turning around to walk away with wide eyes.
"Hold on, back up. What happened?" Ichigo asked, crossing his arms and glaring at the Taichos.
"They "broke up" with us," Hitsugaya said, seeing the orange haired shinigami widen his eyes, all growing quiet when Shinji slipped and fell to the floor.
Oh, wow! Shinji pushed himself up and turned his head to stare wide-eyed at the other Taichos, pausing before he got up and rushed towards the door. Probably better to get out of there before Kenpachi starts pounding the Soutaicho's face in. Though that would be a sight to see. He grinned at the thought, heading out of the room.
"Why?" Ichigo asked, cocking an eyebrow with a frown. "Unless you guys were being stupid and just told them to get out of your divisions?"
Hitsugaya scoffed. "Don't be foolish. We... tried being gentle." He said, looking away with a frown.
"We stayed quiet when they came in and they came ta some fucked up conclusion," Kenpachi grunted, seeing the prodigy glare at him. "What? Ya weren't sayin' anythin'."
"So why don't you just explain it to them?" Ichigo asked, rolling his eyes with a scowl.
"You don't think we tried?" Hitsugaya asked, glaring at the taller man. "I've been trying since yesterday. I haven't slept yet!" He snapped.
Now that he brought it up Ichigo noticed there were dark circles under his eyes. A glance at Kenpachi and Byakuya confirmed that they also looked exhausted. He let out a small sigh and looked down at the floor in thought. Okay, so from what he was getting, the girls just made a simple assumption. So all they needed to do was talk to them and all would be well. But they said they weren't listening to them.
"Just order them to," Ichigo said, shrugging lightly with a frown. "Order them to listen to you. It's not like they're leaving your divisions today, right?"
Silence.
It was that silence that made Ichigo frown. Oh, you gotta be kidding. They were supposed to leave today?! He turned his head to glare at the Soutaicho, blaming him for this mishap. He didn't react to his glare, but ah, to hell with him! Groaning, he rubbed his face as he sighed, his other hand resting on his hip.
"Get them before they leave, then!" Ichigo snapped, glaring at all three. "Hell, I'll go with you guys since they seem to be very fond of me."
They glared at him for that.
"I mean, with me there they'll stay, right?" Ichigo asked, rolling his eyes with a scoff. "Let's go."
"What makes you think we will follow you?" Byakuya asked, giving the man a glare.
"Hey, I'm doing this out of the goodness of my heart! A simple thanks would be good enough. Let's go," Ichigo repeated, rolling his eyes with a small 'sheesh' leaving his mouth. "I'll be back later to talk to you." He warned, turning and walking backwards, pointing at the Soutaicho in a threatening way.
It didn't scare the old man.
Kenpachi frowned, glaring at the substitute shinigami before he reluctantly followed. If she talked to him with Ichigo there, hell, he'll be damned. Though he wouldn't be surprised if the woman remained stubborn. Byakuya and Hitsugaya followed, the three glaring daggers at the old man as they left. Once they stepped outside, Yamamoto remained silent, staring at his desk.
"Don't talk to us, don't go near us, don't even look at us!" Kenpachi mocked, letting out a snarl as he stomped with the other men.
"Thank god you didn't try talking like a woman," Ichigo said, staring at the man flatly. "I think seeing you scared will be enough to tide me over until my vacation is done."
"I ain't fucking scared!"
"Suuuure, you aren't."
Hitsugaya trailed after them, his eyes unfocused with his hands clenched by his sides. Kayo... wouldn't let him talk to her. He's tried multiple times to talk to her. For god's sake, he even waited outside her room all night! He kept asking her to open the door so they could talk, but she wouldn't respond.
"Kayo... open the door."
Hitsugaya stared at the door with a frown, placing his hand on the surface with exhaustion written on his face. He could hear her slide down the door on the other side. She was still up. Frowning, he turned, leaning against before he slowly slid down with a frown. Sitting down, her slowly moved his hand until he was turned enough to rest his cheek and hand against the door.
"Kayo... please..." He murmured, furrowing his brows when he heard a sniffle. "Kayo, you... you got it all wrong."
He heard a whimper. "Please leave, Hitsugaya Taicho..."
"Kayo, open the door. Please...!" He must have sounded desperate. "Please!"
"Leave!"
Hitsugaya winced, as if he had been physically struck. He didn't move, keeping his hand on the door as if he could feel the warmth from her body. It wasn't until the sun started to show itself did he finally, and wearily, stand up, staring at the door with furrowed brows before he slowly trudged away. On the other side of the door he could hear sniffling.
"Shorty!"
Hitsugaya jumped and looked up. "W-What?"
"Hah! He responded!" Kenpachi said, snickering to himself.
Ichigo rolled his eyes. "I asked if you wanted to go to your division first?" He asked, staring at the short Taicho curiously. He frowned when he saw the usually confident Taicho hesitate before looking away. "Or... Byakuya, how about you?"
Byakuya paused before slowly nodding. Ichigo frowned. Okay? They weren't acting themselves. Was this hurting them more than they let on? Shrugging it off he continued forward, finding the silence unsettling. It wasn't surprising from Byakuya, but both Kenpachi and Toshiro? Yes, it was strange not hearing them talk. Kenpachi didn't even demand a fight! He shook his head lightly before continuing on.
By now their fukutaichos had to know about the transfers, right?
It seemed about right, when they walked into the sixth division to see Renji glaring at the noble with his arms crossed over his chest. Ichigo let out a little frustrated sigh. Oh, man. Byakuya had frowned when he saw the glare, ignoring it and moving on. He tried to, until Renji stepped in front of him.
"What the hell is this?! Kaori's getting transferred? Today?!" Renji growled, glaring down at the shorter man.
"Hey, Renji-"
"Be quiet, Ichigo! This concerns the sixth division, since it's where Kaori belongs!" Renji snapped, placing his hands on his hips and curling his upper lip in a snarl.
"It was the best course of action," Byakuya said, staring ahead coldly. "The law in each division is not to fraternize with-"
"Who cares?!" Renji snapped, glaring at a couple people standing by. "Get back to work! Listen, Taicho, I know you listen to all the rules, but Kaori... Hell, you didn't see her before!" He said with a growl, rubbing his head. "Taicho... it looked like she had been crying all night."
Byakuya frowned with a pained look crossing his face.
"And when I tell her to talk some goddamn sense into you, what does she say? She says you broke up with her!" Renji yelled, narrowing his eyes dangerously and staring at the noble accusingly. "Hell, I heard her father's coming to check what the hell is wrong with you!"
"I did no such thing. She had come to that conclusion herself," Byakuya said, glaring at his fukutaicho. "Stand down, Renji. I will talk to her."
"And if she doesn't listen?!" Renji asked, frowning to himself, sighing when the Taicho stayed silent. He shook his head lightly. "Taicho... you know how stubborn she can be. Ah.. she... She's really convinced herself you guys are done." He said, turning and walking away with a frown.
"...That was unpleasant," Hitsugaya commented, glancing at Zaraki with a frown, who glanced at him with a similar look. He narrowed his eyes. "We're not becoming friends, right?"
"Hell no."
"Oh, good."
Ichigo rolled his eyes before motioning them to follow, telling Byakuya to lead them to Kaori's soon-to-be empty room. As if that conversation didn't raise their hopes. Man, some people really had bad timing. Once they arrived at her room Ichigo raised his hand on knocked.
"Get lost!"
"Kaori," Byakuya murmured, stepping forward.
"Oh hoh! Hell no! You, get the fuck lost!"
Ichigo winced. "Uh... Kaori? It's me, Kurosaki Ichigo." He frowned, the small group frowning when they heard something thump.
The door slid open slightly, just enough to show the redhead's eye. "I'm packing up. So, I'm sorry I can't greet you properly, Kurosaki-sama."
Ichigo raised his eyebrows at the suffix. "Ichigo is fine," He said, waving his hand dismissively. "Listen, Kaori, it just seems that you came to the wrong conclusion about Byakuya and you."
He frowned when the door slammed shut. "Get lost! I'm not listening! And I'm packing!"
Ichigo turned his head when Byakuya stepped forward, trying to open the door. He frowned when it didn't budge, pausing before he raised his hands and placed it on the door, calling the woman once more. Hitsugaya narrowed his eyes, drawing his brows together, not used to see the noble act like this. Kenpachi frowned when he saw the usually uptight man clench his hands, which were shaking lightly.
"Kaori...!" Byakuya said more urgently. "Open the door."
"Fuck you! Get lost! And I said I'm frickin' packing!" She stayed silent. "Sure, there's not a lot of stuff... but I'm packing to go to my new division! So get lost, noble!"
Ichigo frowned at what she called him, like it was a swear word or something. It seemed to have its affect, unlike all the other harsh words she was using, since Byakuya winced. He knew first hand that she didn't like nobles, even though she was nobility herself. To hear her call him that...
"Kaori!"
"Just... get lost...!"
Byakuya stepped back when something hit the door, furrowing his brows lightly before he placed his hands on the door lightly once more. He knocked, frowning when there was no response. Resting his forehead on the surface, he continued to knock lightly, which caused Ichigo to frown before he grabbed him to lead him away from the door. Byakuya was shaking lightly, which caused Ichigo to wince.
"You need to listen to him, Kaori!" Ichigo said, frowning when there was no response.
He paused before listening closely. Was that... sniffling? Another pained look crossed his face. Jeez... How can he even try to fix this? The only fixing he did in the Soul Society was beat the bad guys. This was something way more personal. He stepped towards the door, knocking loudly.
"Open the door!"
"Please... just leave me alone..." Ichigo frowned at the quiet voice.
"We'll... try again later," He said, turning to see Byakuya staring at the door with such a sad look on his face. He slowly nodded before he turned and walked away. "Byakuya..."
"Oh, hell no, you're coming with us!" Kenpachi snapped, grabbing the noble and tugging him down the hallway.
Ichigo face-palmed.
"Way to be sentimental, Kenpachi," Ichigo said flatly, motioning the prodigy to follow.
Hitsugaya was staring at the door before he turned and followed with furrowed brows. Would that happen with him and Kayo?
It wasn't long until they made it to the tenth division, since it was closer than the eleventh. When they walked into the courtyard, they were met with very, very disappointed looks from the fukutaicho and third seats. Matsumoto was frowning, which was never good. Even more surprising, Renta and Seika were frowning disappointingly at the Taicho, both their arms crossed over their chests. Hitsugaya frowned, walking forward.
"Okay, what the hell is going on?" Renta asked, stepping in front of the short Taicho. "Kayo's been crying non-stop, plus she's been saying some crazy stuff."
"You guys broke up?!" Seika snapped, scoffing lightly and looking around with a scowl. "What is that about? I thought you guys were doing fine?!"
"Kayo is being transferred," Matsumoto stated, the third seats going quiet and stepping back.
Hitsugaya paused before nodding. "Yes."
"Why?"
"I was ordered to," Hitsugaya said, hearing the three go silent. "By the Soutaicho. He did not want any more fraternizing going on in the divisions."
"But-"
"He did not like this two years ago, it would stand to reason he would not like it now," Hitsugaya said, staring at the ground, remembering the conversation he had with the old man two years before. "I had no choice but to listen."
"Everyone has a choice...!" Renta snapped, so much emotion in his eyes it made the Taicho frown. "Hanako broke up with me, by choice, and I may have overreacted when she told me," He ignored the snort from his sister about overreacting. "but I respected her choice all the same! Taicho... this... you had no choice at all in the matter and now Kayo..." He furrowed his brows. "Kayo just looks so broken."
"Hitsugaya Taicho," Seika sighed lightly. "I don't know if you'll be able to make this better."
"She won't listen to us," Matsumoto said, furrowing her eyebrows. "Hitsugaya Taicho..." He frowned when she used his respective title. "We tried telling her she may have thought too much into it, but..."
"Even if he didn't mean to break up with me," Kayo murmured, her back turned towards the three high seats, packing up her books. "It would be best if he wasn't with someone that has no confidence in themselves."
"Kayo..." Matsumoto murmured.
"It's okay," Kayo said, turning and giving a sad smile. "It would be better... right?"
Hitsugaya frowned before walking past the three, heading for the barracks. Ichigo grinned at the three high seats, though it looked forced, slipping around them and quickly heading after the white haired Taicho. There was awkward silence when Kenpachi and Byakuya remained, though the former quickly said fuck it and went after the two, dragging the noble with him. Walking into the barracks they walked over to their fellow Taicho when they saw him standing in front of a door, knocking lightly.
"Kayo," Hitsugaya called, frowning when he heard nothing. "Kayo, open the door."
Inside they heard a shuffle. "...Please go away."
"Kayo, I wasn't chasing you off...! Please, just open the door and we can talk!" Hitsugaya said, staring at the door with furrowed brows. "The Soutaicho...!"
"...Go away..."
"Uh, listen, Kayo, it's Kurosaki Ichigo," Hitsugaya closed his eyes, still knocking on the door. "You took the whole thing out of proportion. It was the old man that ordered your transfer, not Toshiro." Ichigo said, grinning nervously at the door. "So, why don't you come out here and talk to him?"
"That doesn't exclude the fact he's transferring me!" Kayo snapped, growing quiet again. "And... I don't want to see him."
"Kayo," Hitsugaya said, trying to open the door. "That... Please, just talk to me!"
"Stop making this worse!"
Kenpachi frowned before he turned and walked to the other side of the hall, crossing his arms and leaning against the surface. This whole thing was making him uncomfortable, not that'd he would say it out loud. It... just sounded really sad to hear that tone in the woman's voice. Byakuya was silent, staring at the door quietly. Hitsugaya furrowed his brows, his breathing growing ragged.
"Please, Kayo...!"
"If you care about me anymore, you'll leave me alone...!"
"I do care about you, a lot, but... Kayo..." Hitsugaya lowered his head, stepping back. "I'll leave you alone, for now. We are going to talk about this and straighten it out." He said, turning and walking down the hallway.
Ichigo frowned, glancing at the door when he heard sniffling. He had to blink when Byakuya walked towards the door, knocking lightly, somehow his knock sounding different than Hitsugaya's. The resident inside the room seemed to notice the difference, sliding the door open slightly. Byakuya, including Ichigo and Kenpachi, winced when they noticed how red her eyes were.
"Shigeko," Byakuya murmured, seeing the small woman look up at him. "Can you tell Kaori I wish to speak to her?" She stayed silent. "Please..."
Kayo widened her eyes slightly before tears welled in her eyes. "I... I can't do that, Kuchiki Taicho... Kaori told me... she told me..." She whimpered lightly. "She told me she didn't ever want to see you again."
That same pained look crossed his face. "Just... please... Tell her I want to see her." He said, making the woman's breath hitch when she saw his eyes.
She stayed silent before slowly nodding. "...Yes, sir..."
"Thank you." Byakuya said, turning and walking down the hallway.
Kayo grabbed the side of the door, peering down the hallway after the Taicho, furrowing her brows before bowing down to the last two people. Kenpachi frowned and nodded before he turned and head after the other two. Ichigo gave the woman a sad smile, seeing her nod slowly before a pained smile crossed her face.
"...Just promise me... you'll talk to Toshiro," Ichigo said, seeing fear cross her face. "Just... not right away!" He said quickly, seeing the woman furrow her brows. "When you feel ready."
Kayo paused before nodding.
"Care to fuckin' explain to us?!" Ikkaku yelled, glaring up at the man.
"Calm down!" Kenpachi growled, glaring down and his third and fifth seat, who were glaring up at him. He had to frown when he saw his fukutaicho staring up at him with a glare, as well. "She mistook the whole damn thing! The old bastard is the one that made me do it!"
"Yet you didn't try to argue back!"
"You know how fuckin' stubborn the old ass is!"
"You are even more stubborn," Yumichika said, closing his eyes and lightly shaking his head. "Zaraki Taicho... she already took on a quarter of the division after she finished packing." At the stunned stares he sighed. "You know angry she gets."
"Only this time she's fuckin' furious," Ikkaku said, cringing with a frown. "Taicho, she's getting ready to leave, now."
Kenpachi frowned, looking up in time to see the front door slide open. Riko stepped out, carrying a small bag that held her spare shihakusho and a few items(which was all she owned), blinking and grinning when she saw Kurosaki Ichigo before frowning when she saw who he was with. Walking down the steps, she quickly turned left, causing everyone to blink when they saw her trying to climb the wall.
"The hell're you doing?! Get down!" Kenpachi growled, stomping towards the woman. "We're gonna talk!"
"Fuck that!" Riko growled, glaring at the man when he stepped towards her. "I mean it, Zaraki Taicho, get the hell back!"
Kenpachi scoffed. "Really? 'Cause I'm fuckin' serious when I say we're gonna talk!"
"I don't wanna talk to you!" Riko snarled, stomping around the man. She growled when he grabbed her wrist, turning to glare at the man. "Let go!"
"I wanna talk!"
"Oh, ain't that a fucking surprise?!" Riko yelled, rolling her eyes with a scoff. "Tall, dark, and fuckin' scary wants ta talk! Oh, man! Where's the fucking press?!" At the confused stare she frowned. "I don't know what that means, but let go! I'm heading to the ninth division!"
"I was ordered to transfer you, don't fuckin' blame this all on me!" Kenpachi snarled, pulling the woman until she flush against him, wrapping his arms around the struggling woman. "Calm down!"
"Let go! I said, let go!" Riko yelled, pushing against the man. "What do you mean ordered?!"
"The old ass ordered me to transfer you!" Kenpachi yelled, growling when she continued to struggle. "We both hafta agree on endin' this! I didn't fucking agree!"
"Yeah, well I did!" Riko growled, looking and glaring up at the man.
Kenpachi widened his eyes slightly when he noticed her red eyes, like she had been crying, frowning slightly before bringing his hand up to her face. He growled when she slapped his hands away, quickly pulling his other arm away and stepping back. Turning, she stomped away, glaring at the three spectators. She snarled when he grabbed her wrist, turning and glaring up at him.
"You're really startin' to piss me off, Zaraki Taicho!" Riko growled, trying to tug her wrist free. "And I don't care if you were ordered to transfer me!"
"Then why the hell're you overreacting?!"
"Overreacting...?" Riko asked quietly, narrowing her eyes dangerously, which had everyone cringing. "Overreacting?! I'll tell you why I'm overreacting! If what you're saying is true about the Soutaicho, then I fucking hate you even more!"
Kenpachi snarled when he felt something similar to pain go through his chest.
"And why the hell is that?!"
"Because you went through with the order!"
He frowned and widened his eyes, seeing the woman curl her upper lip before she pulled her wrist free, turning and stomping towards the exit. She stumbled, reaching up and wiping her face before she continued on, the Taicho able to hear her breathing erratically. He growled before walking after her, frowning when Hitsugaya stepped in front of him.
"Get outta the way!" Kenpachi growled, looking up to see the woman step through the gates. He hesitated before opening his mouth. "Riko!"
Those that knew the man widened their eyes in shock, including the one he called. She looked back with wide eyes, which caused Kenpachi to widen his eyes and frown when he saw tears running down her face. She was crying... It wasn't something he wanted to see. Riko stayed silent, feeling a lump in her throat. He called her by her name...
"We're gonna talk about this, Riko!" Kenpachi yelled, seeing the woman cringe before she turned and continued on.
He snarled before turning and kicking the wall, causing everyone to step back when the wall tumbled down. Ichigo frowned when he noticed how hard he was breathing, glaring at the rubble before he turned and started pacing, growling under his breath. He sighed lightly before facing the three Taichos, telling them to give the women a couple days before attempting to talk to them again. They all begrudgingly agreed.
Yachiru stared at the gate sadly.
Riko...
Kaori stared up at the eighth division with one pissed off look, narrowing her eyes before she walked through the gate, holding her small bag of belongings. She ignored the people that stared at her curiously. They weren't the people she was used to. Walking up the steps she narrowed her eyes. Everything was different. It took her a while to find the office, but when she located it she knocked twice, waiting silently.
"Come in,"
She did just that, walking into the room with her head lowered and her hands clenched into fists, her knuckles white. Slowly, she raised her eyes and glanced around the office. This room was different than the sixth's. Turning her head, she stared at the smiling Taicho. Kyoraku didn't show his concern when he noticed her eyes.
"Welcome to the eighth division, Chiharu-san. Or can I just call you Kaori?" Kyoraku asked, smiling gently at the woman.
"...Just call me whatever you want," Kaori said, lowering her eyes to the floor. "Where's my room?"
"You're in luck, we found an empty room yesterday~!" Kyoraku paused when the woman winced at the last word. "Kaori... since you're joining us, you don't need to be put to work right away." He said, seeing the woman nod once.
He raised his hand when he saw Nanao raise her head sharply to send him a firm stare. She frowned in confusion before glancing at the redhead, pausing when she saw her stance. Back slouched, face blank, eyes red... She sighed lightly and nodded to the Taicho, seeing him smile. Standing up, he gestured the woman to follow him.
"Come, I'll show you to your room," Kyoraku said, seeing the woman glance at him before following. "I hope you adjust to our division."
"...Me, too," Kaori murmured, staring at the floor with narrowed eyes.
Stopping, she heard Kyoraku Taicho murmur a soft 'oh?' before peering around him. Her eyes grew large, seeing Kenta standing in the hallway. He stared at her, having heard the news. Walking forward, he spoke quietly to the Taicho, seeing Kyoraku nod before he pointed down the hallway and told him where the woman's room was located. Smiling, Kyoraku turned and walked back towards his office.
Kenta gestured Kaori to follow, the redhead pausing before heading after him. It didn't take long to find the room, the woman walking in and looking around.
Same sized room. Same looking walls. Same looking room...
Yet so much different.
Setting her bag down, she lowered her head and stared at the small table pressed against the wall. Turning, she widened her eyes when Kenta wrapped his arms around her, slowly rubbing the back of her head. Tears welled up in her eyes before she whimpered and wrapped her arms around him.
"You have to speak with him," Kenta murmured, hearing the woman gasping lightly as she cried. "Just not now... Speak with him when you are ready." He said, furrowing his brows when she started sobbing. "You'll be fine, my little girl. It's okay." He cooed, closing his eyes when her cries grew louder.
Kaori fell to her knees, bringing her father down with her, holding him tightly as she cried into his robes.
Kayo stared up at the thirteenth division building, wrapping her arms around herself for a moment before she walked through the gates. She gasped when someone tripped in front of her, hearing the person apologize before they moved on. Furrowing her brows, she continued forward, heading up the steps and through the door, staying quiet the entire way. Finding the office, she raised her hand and knocked lightly.
"Come in," A kind voice called out.
She paused before sliding the door open, peering inside before walking in, glancing around the room with furrowed eyebrows. It looked nothing like Hitsugaya Taicho's. Her chest hurt at the reminder of the tenth division. Turning her head, she stared at the Taicho of the thirteenth division. Ukitake smiled when he saw her, seeing Rukia look up from her desk.
"Hello, Shigeko-san," Ukitake said, giving a close-eyed smile. "Welcome to the thirteenth division."
"Th... Thank you, sir," Kayo murmured, trying to give a smile.
Rukia furrowed her eyebrows when she saw the pain in the woman's eye, pretty sure the Taicho could see it, as well. She knew who this person was. She was often with Kaori, wasn't she? Why did she look so hurt? Ukitake stood up and smiled kindly at the small woman, seeing her take a step back when he rose to his feet.
"I shall show you to your room, Shigeko-san," Ukitake said, seeing the small woman avoid his stare and nod. "If you will follow me." He said, heading for the door.
Kayo moved to the side, watching as he walked through the door. He stopped when he opened the door, holding his hand out with a smile. Nodding, she walked ahead of him, standing in the hall before following the tall man. She felt a little admiration for the man, having heard he's been a Taicho for a long time. She gasped when he glanced back, quickly looking to the side with wide eyes. Oh, god. Their eyes almost met.
It would be very uncomfortable if that happened.
For her, anyway. They stopped in front of a door, Kayo glancing at it and realizing it was her room. She bowed down to the Taicho in appreciation, standing straight and heading for the door. Sliding it open, she glanced inside curiously. Could use a little cleaning, but other than that she had no complaints.
"Shigeko-san," She turned and looked up. "are you okay?" Ukitake asked, eyebrows furrowed worriedly.
Nobody heard the news. She gave a smile the best she could, saying she was alright. He didn't look like he believed her, but he smiled and nodded. Walking into the room made her furrow her eyebrows, glancing around the small room. Setting down her two bags she glanced at the floor, feeling her eyes burning before she closed them.
Dropping to her knees she let the tears run down her face, raising her hands and wiping her eyes.
"No, no!" Kayo murmured, shaking her head, taking a deep breath to calm herself. "Don't cry..." She wrapped her arms around herself, her shoulders shaking.
"Aw, yeah, like crying would've done something! Agh! Why the hell did I have to do that?!"
People cocked eyebrows curiously when they saw the woman stomping past the gate, her eyes narrowed dangerously and her teeth grit. She stopped when she noticed their stares, snarling at what the hell they were looking at. They quickly looked away, hearing her stomp away. Riko looked up, glaring at the ninth division insignia, letting out a scoff before she walked up the steps and slammed the door open.
"Get the hell outta the way!" Riko growled, glaring at the couple walking down the hallway.
They jumped and quickly did what she said, staring at her with wide eyes. Finding the office she knocked, crossing her arms and continuing to growl under her breath. The door slid open, a tall, young-looking man blinking down at her curiously. She frowned at the tattoo on his face, glaring up at him.
"New subordinate here!" Riko snapped, seeing him frown in confusion before he moved aside.
Kensei looked up, seeing the woman looking around the office. She glanced at him, letting out a grunt. Letting out a sigh, he sat straight, recognizing this woman's attitude. Well, it showed where she liked living. Too bad it would have to change.
"Welcome," Kensei grunted, seeing the woman nod. "I'm gonna say it now." She frowned in confusion. "I won't stand for any of your attitude. There are no fights here, unless it's for training."
"What?" Riko asked, widening her eyes and gawking. "How fucking stupid!"
"If you are caught causing a fight you will be given a strike. Five strikes and you will be suspended without pay," Kensei said, seeing the woman's jaw drop. "Am I clear?"
"Holy shit, yeah, whatever. Loud an' clear..." Riko tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. "...Hirako Taicho?"
Kensei frowned. "Muguruma."
"Huh, that's a mouthful," Riko commented, letting out a scoff. "But yeah, I got it. No fighting. Which is kinda stupid, but eh..." She said, shrugging lightly and looking to the side flatly.
"Good. Hisagi, can you show her to her room?" Kensei asked, seeing his fukutaicho nod.
Riko followed the man, glaring at the floor. They walked in silence, Hisagi frowning uncomfortably to himself, stopping when they arrived to her room. He jumped when she bumped into his back, turning to see the woman rubbing her nose with a scowl. Glancing at him for a moment she looked at the door, nodding in thanks.
"Uh... I hope you will enjoy your time here," Hisagi said, seeing the woman stare at him.
"Yeah? Me, too," Riko muttered, opening the door and walking in. "Huh... looks the same." She commented, glancing around the small room before she dropped her bag and removed her zanpakuto.
Okay, the rules. No fighting. Probably means no back-talking, so she's gotta stop that, too. Sliding the door shut behind herself, she stood straight, taking a deep, quivering breath. Closing her eyes she furrowed her brows and bit her lip. There was no use keeping a strong front if she was by herself.
"Better not fuckin' cry," Riko muttered to herself. Feeling better she took another deep breath and opened her eyes. "Better clean up. Seeing dust here an' there." She paused. "Gotta stop talking to myself while I'm at it."
Yeah, I'm kinda making fun of myself at the end there. XD I have a tendency to talk to myself when I'm alone. XD Eating blueberries. Yum. :9
February 3, 2013