Byakuya left the kitchen with the two wrapped up bento boxes and headed off to the front of the manor. He was currently dressed in a blue kosode and matching hakama along with sandals and tabi.
Soujun's voice reached his ears with the inquiry, "Byakuya, where are the two of you going?"
Byakuya turned to see his father, paler than usual, giving him a near ghoulish appearance. His lungs were bothering him again; the boy knew that instantly by looking at him. He smiled as he replied, "I was going to take her into some of the mountain terrain in Jurnrinan. Is that close enough to the manor, Father?"
Soujun nodded his agreement and said, "I'll have a skeletal guard sent over, in a little while. Just until we know her actual abilities, and then yes, the ultimate goal is for the two of you to have more freedom."
"Alright, Father. Drink your teas, and get some rest. You don't look well," Byakuya replied before leaving out the front door of the mansion. He held out the bento boxes to Tama, who had her hair pulled up into a loose bun at the back of her head. She was wearing a grey kosode and matching hakama as well as pair of sandals, but no tabi.
She accepted the wrapped bento boxes from him and watched as he knelt down. She hesitated before remembering that the last time she'd been on his back was when he was carrying her into the Seireitei. She'd puked on him. If he was going to try to feel her up, his best chance to do so would've been while she was slipping in and out of consciousness. She then climbed onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck and locking her ankles around his waist. He locked her legs in place by looping his arms around them, keeping the contact respectfully at being under her knees.
"Try not to puke on me this time," he joked.
"I was poisoned you spoiled prince," she reminded him.
He smirked a bit as he replied, "I know."
Then they were off, with him flash stepping across the Seireitei heading towards Jurnrinan. She blinked as the world blurred around her and wondered to herself, 'he did say he was fast. Just how fast is he?'
"How did you get so fast?"
He scowled a bit but answered, "You know that the Sixth Division and Onmitsukido are mostly responsible for upholding the law in Soul Society?"
"Yes," Tama acknowledged.
"The Onmitsukido is linked to the Second Division. That's because the Second Division Captain, Yoruichi Shihouin, was Commander-in-Chief of the Onmitsukido before she even became a Captain. She holds the honorary title 'Goddess of Flash' owing solely to her skill in flash step. She's been my private tutor in that skill for the past two years," he revealed.
She nodded a little as she replied, "I see. It'd be a good skill to have. It could help evade attacks if I get good enough at it."
His smile grew wide as he declared, "then I'll teach you a few of the secret high level techniques I know."
"Alright," She agreed as she lowered her head in contemplation, "maybe add in some empty hand combat too."
"Hakuda—again, not my favourite or best skill, however, I can give you the basics," he acknowledged. With a final leap he landed in a village, and knelt down. She climbed off his back and glanced around. Seeing how many people were around her heart rate increased, her palms became sweaty, and her mouth felt as if she'd swallowed a bucket of sand.
'There's so many people here. What if—he could be anyone. I never saw his face! I don't know who to look for! Who to avoid! I-I'm going to die,' her panicked thoughts raced through her mind and her breathing began coming out in short rapid gasps.
Byakuya placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a small squeeze while he called to her, "Tama."
The indigo blue met the soft grey, he placed his free hand on her other shoulder, giving it the same gentle squeeze and kept his eyes on her. He could feel her trembling.
"I'm here. Focus on me. I'm here with you," he coaxed. She kept her eyes on him and he relaxed a little, realizing he had her attention. What was that exercise he read about in the psychology book his Father had him read? Right, box breathing. Inhale, hold, exhale, simple enough but the trick was getting her to do it. Well, he may look a little foolish for a minute or two but better that than having her pass out in the middle of a village, right?
"Alright, we're gonna take some slow deep breaths together. Breathe with me, inhale through your nose," he coached. He inhaled deeply through his nose, watching her struggle to do the same. He could only hope that would improve as she calmed down. He continued, "Hold it for three, four, five, exhale through your mouth slowly."
Again he demonstrated and she did her best to mimic. They repeated the process a second time, a third, and a fourth time. The trembling had stopped, her breathing was slower and more evened out, she wasn't gasping anymore. A fifth round and a sixth, she no longer reminded him of a frantic leopard being stalked by a hunter.
A seventh for good measure and she looked exhausted. Releasing his grip on her shoulders he took his water skin from his kosode, offering it to her. She hesitated before accepting it and unscrewed the cap on it, taking a small drink from it.
'That was an anxiety attack. We're in a crowded space though. She doesn't feel safe in crowds? I—she didn't see him,' he realized. He also realized everyone standing around, their focus on the dark haired girl who was red faced, likely with embarrassment.
"Don't you all have anything better to do than gawk at strangers? Mind your own business and get out of here," he barked at the bystanders, a vein on the side of his forehead protruding a little. The villagers muttered amongst themselves as they ignored him and continued about their business. He looked to her as she took another swig of water from the water skin before replacing the cap and holding it out to him. He accepted it and placed it back inside his kosode. "Thank you," she mumbled.
"It's nothing," he replied as he nodded towards the mountains in the distance. They began walking through the village towards the rocky terrain.
"Funny, I'm supposed to train to be your body guard, but far as I can tell, it's you taking care of me," she mused.
Byakuya chuckled as he glanced over at her and advised, "if he were well enough right now, it would be Father training you, not I. Although he is going to send someone to watch us so we won't be on our own the entire time."
She fell silent for a few moments before mentioning, "your father seems quite ill."
"He's always had frail health. Grandfather worried he wouldn't be able to rise in rank to succeed him as Captain, however, Father currently serves as Grandfather's Lieutenant. That alone has earned more respect from Grandfather," he confirmed.
"I hope he recovers soon," Tama admitted. At this Byakuya shot her a smile and affirmed, "he always does."