The following morning urahara and Kumiko were in his secret underground training room, playfully continuing their game of "snatch kiskes hat of his head" Not wanting to physically tire Kumiko out before her training with ukitake, who they were waiting for, it had become more of a game of chase, instead of trading blows. Urahara easily dodged every lunge Kumiko made at his head, side stepping last minute.
Kumiko was panting slightly, big smile on her face.
"you know". She said, reaching out for his hat again to grab thin air. His smiling face a few feet to her left. "You could pretend like I have a shot at getting actually your hat " turning to run at him again
Urahara was running backwards laughing at her, easily jumping from rock to rock without looking, feet sure of where they land "and how do you think you will get better if I start letting you win? If you want my hat, you've got to earn it" ducking quickly as she jumped at him, missing her grab for his hat entirely, catching herself just in time to stop herself crashing to the floor
"I'm going to get that hat of yours one day Kiske, mark my words"
"oooh scary Kumiko. I'm shaking in my sandals" he said in mock fear making her laugh. while standing on a high rock looking down at her. "hey!" He exclaimed, hat suddenly being pulled off his head. Hands scrambling to the top of his now bare head. Captain ukitake had suddenly appeared behind him, twirling the hat around on his finger with an amused smile. Flash stepping suddenly to stand next to Kumiko, gently handing it to her "is this what you were after, Kumiko-san?" He offered with a laugh
"yes sir" she said as she slammed the now acquired hat onto her own head with a cheesy grin "thank you for your help" eyeing urahara who was walking towards them
"that don't count". He chuckled pointing at her
"you never specified I couldn't have a team mate, seems a legit win to me" she said cheekily
"alight chuckles, I'll let you have the assist". He laughed grabbing his hat back and putting it on his own hair, turning to ukitake "I never had you pegged for a sneak attack"
"needs must in a situation as serious as this urahara-san" the captain joked lightly " are we ready to begin our training?" He asked looking to Kumiko, who's eyes were scanning the room behind him, hint of sadness is her unique lavender eyes
"yes sir," she said a little sadly. Kumiko had been silently hoping shunsui would accompany his friend today. She wanted to fix things between them, hating the awkwardness between them. It is a lot more difficult to manage as he seems to be avoiding her.
Catching on to her thoughts he laid a hand on her shoulder and said happily "Kyoraku sends his apologies for missing our session today; it seems his paperwork has built up and his lieutenant has threatened to tie him to his desk unless he finishes it"
no, he didn't send his apologies Kumiko thought he's avoiding me . She appreciated him trying though.
Kumiko looked up at captain ukitake and asked softly "how is he?"
"he will be fine Kumiko. He just needs a little time to arrange his thoughts. Try not to let it worry you"
so he told ukitake what had happened Kumiko thought embarrassed that the kind captain knew what she and urahara did. She pulled her hair over her shoulder to cover the evidence sat on her neck. If ukitake noticed, he chose to ignore it, which she was thankful for
he also said he "will be" fine. Meaning he's not fine now . Before she could think anymore about it ukitake began talking again
"are we ready to begin?" He asked her, bringing her mind back to the room "I spoke with urahara, and we thought it may be best to start off smaller and work our way up . Instead of unleashing it all on you at once and asking you to pull away"
"I think it's the best way moving forward, letting you walk before asking you to run" urahara chimed in
"whatever you guys think, I'm happy to try". Determination in her eyes
Ukitake was releasing his spiritual pressure gradually, stopping when a small amount was released,
"how does that feel Kumiko?" He asked the Woman in front of his tall frame.
" it feels warm, safe. Not overpowering. I can feel the pull of it, just about" Kumiko explained the best she could
"can you try and walk backwards away Kumiko?" Urahara instructed from their side. Sat on a rock watching intently
Kumiko took one step back, brow furrowed in concentration. She could do it, but her body was telling her to step forward again. She held herself firm. "I can, but the pull is wanting me to go forward" she said softly
"take another step back" Uraharas voice entering her ears, she took another bigger step back, the pull feeling fainter, the further she got away from ukitakes lowly pulsating Reiatsu. Another two steps back and Kumiko could no longer feel it. The feeling of warmth and protection left her.
"I can't feel it anymore" she told them, both men having a proud smile on their lips
"excellent work Kumiko" ukitake smiled at her
"go stand back where you were Kumiko, we will try it again with more Reiatsu being released " urahara asked of her, writing quickly across a note pad resting on his leg
Kumiko did as she was asked, standing in front of ukitake
"I will release more this time, but not a lot more ok? " he told her, beginning at her nod
the feelings of protection overwhelmed Kumiko once again, the pull of it bringing Kumiko one step closer to him. A look of determination on her face, Kumiko tried to slide her foot back, trying to get some distance between them again, . It was like her feet were stuck to the floor, ukitakes Reiatsu unrelentingly, yet gently trying to pull her in.
Kumikos brow stated to sweat lightly at the inner battle she was having with herself.
"step back miko". Urarhara told her softly
"I.. can't" Kumiko grunted though clenched teeth
"you can". He encouraged his struggling friend "step back"
she's so strong urahara silently cheered her on I know she can do it
Kumiko gripped at every ounce of determination she could muster and forced herself to step back. Twice. Fighting the force pulling her forward Kumiko leaned back against it with all her might, throwing herself onto the ground behind her, panting heavily
a "whoop" of cheer came from Urahara, clapping loudly at his friend. She smiled wildly sitting up, taking the offered hand ukitake held down to her to bring her on her feet
"you did very well, Kumiko-san" he smiled gently at her "you should be very proud at how hard your working"
"thank you, captain" she breathed out
"ukitake is fine" he smiled at her "or jushiro if you're feeling particularly brazen. There's no need to address me so formally here"
"I knew you could do it miko". Urahara came up behind Kumiko, wrapping his arms tightly around he waist for behind, he lifted her feet off the floor and span her around as she laughed
"put me down before you drop me" she giggled at his antics.
Feet firmly back on solid ground, she asked to go again
An hour later, Reiatsu increased considerably, Kumiko was struggling against the pull, forehead resting firmly on ukitakes chest. Grunting with the amount of energy she was using, Kumiko pulled her head away from the strong pull. Hands gripping the captains arms as leverage. Struggling about 3 inches away, her eyes darted up to see ukitakes face, a little more tired looking than it was twenty minutes ago. His lips were parted slightly, breathing increased.
Deciding to speak up for the silent captain, not wanting him to become sick again, Kumiko said quickly "that's enough " spiritual pressure quickly retreating, Kumiko fell to her knees lightly, exhausted. "I'm done for today" she panted
"you've done wonderful today Kumiko" ukitake told her kindly, taking a seat on a near by rock to gather his energy back
"you too". She said smiling up at him "a couple more sessions and I think I'll be able to step back a few paces from your high Reiatsu"
"so do I" Urahara said joining the Pair. "Maybe then we can try you resisting someone else's spiritual pressure hmm?"
"sure, kick a girl while she's down why don't you?" Indicating to her body sitting on the floor
he gently kicked the bottom of her shoe, "shut it you" he said fondly, ukitake laughing at their comfortable joking "thank you for you're help again ukitake "
"my pleasure" he said standing up gracefully "if you'll both excuse me, I should go make sure my 3rd seats aren't killing eachother ". Sending Kumiko a look at her laugh " I shall see you soon Kumiko, Urahara" taking his leave to a chorus of "bye!"
"come on you, get up " Urahara said, helping Kumiko get to her feet "you can head home too. Take the rest of the day off and rest. You're going to join the scouting team on their mission tomorrow, so I want you well rested "
kumikos face broke into a big smile, getting back to her feet. "Really?" She said excitedly "thank you! I can't wait to get out of here for a while " laughing loudly at the pretend knife urahara just shoved through his heart
"you wound me, here I was thinking you enjoyed my company " he joked leading them out of the training grounds
"that's not what I ment and you know it" bumping her hip into his
"go home and rest. Report to my office tomorrow morning at nine, I'll go over the mission with you." He told her again
"yes sir" Kumiko said softly, giving him a soft salute
Ukitake walked through the gardens surrounding Kyorakus home, looking for his friend. He knew he wouldn't be in the office, not on a day as warm as this one. So choosing not to waste his time he came to where he thought he might find him.
Spotting his friend sat on the grass leaning on a large cherry blossom tree, his favourite place to hide from nanao when its warm. Flowers scattering the green grass, a small pond filled with koi fish a few feet away. The trickling sound of water from the pond feature creating a peaceful ambience to the already beautiful setting.
Jushiro sat down next to his friend in the shade, thankful for the cool breeze ghosting his face . His friend had his hat low over his face, chest rising and falling deeply
"you can stop pretending to be asleep now Kyoraku , nanao chan isn't here" jushiro told him with amusement in his voice. Knowing nanao found it harder to wake up her sleeping uncle to shout at him for skipping work, Kyoraku used the trick often. Smile on his face, shunsui took his hat off to lay on the grass next to him, sitting up slightly "how did you know I wasn't asleep?" He asked his friend
"you forget I shared a room with you for many years in the academy, shunsui" with a smile "you weren't snoring "
"I snore?"
"loud enough to rattle the windows my friend" jushiro smiled at his friends deep laugh "that snore kept me up many nights, it's why I always went to bed before you" he joked
"sorry juu-chan" Kyoraku laughed at his friend. He had never known "you should have woken me up or something "
"I tried". Jushiro laughed remembering "when calling your name didn't work, I used to throw things at you. You are impossible to wake, my friend "
"is that way I kept waking up with random things in my bed? I had thought you were a sleep walker that liked to tidy up " he confessed with a wolfish grin. Laying back down against the tree "yare yare. You had it rough being my roommate . Between my snoring and how messy I was" their shared dorm room was comical to see. The left was pristine. Bed made tightly, books stacked neatly. Floor surrounding clear bar one clean blue rug .
The right side of the room however was a different story. You couldn't see the floor from scattered clothes and books left forgotten there. Empty sake bottles cluttered the side table, bed left in a state of array after the occupant had vacated it.
They shared a laugh remembering their school days
"that and the many array of bed guests you brought through. I had trouble keeping all their names straight". Kyoraku laughed enjoying their reminiscing
"I seem to remember you having your own pretty little visitors once or twice juu"
looking back to the small pond ukitake smiled at remembering "I did. I seem to recall you once drunkenly stumbling in before offering to join us"
Kyoraku sat up suddenly trying not to choke on the laugh that erupted from him "that time I actually remember you throwing something at me "
"it worked. You learned to knock after that". Jushiro smiled
"you nearly broke my nose with that book that's why" he chucked, heaving a sigh and laying back down "when did we get old juu?"
"you will always be young at heart, I'm sure" jushiro told his friend "how long have you been hiding from nanao chan?"
"about two hours " Kyoraku said closing his eyes again, enjoying the warmth the sun was leaving on his skin. Kyoraku loved being outside in nature. Wether it be in his gardens or relaxing on a warm roof. If he was outside he was happy. Ukitake shook his head at his friends effort to avoid work with a smile. It amused him greatly the lengths his friend will go to avoid writing his own name on a piece of paper. He wouldn't never tell him that though, it would only encourage him. And one of them needs to be sensible enough to get them out of trouble.
"are you taking a break from your 3rd seats trying to convince you who loves you more?" Shunsui asked Softly, dozing in the sun
" no, I had just left urahara and Kumiko. We were doing some more resistance training" he continued at Kyorakus light grunt of acknowledgement " she done really well, managed to create some distance a few times. She was asking about you". That made Kyoraku eye his friend
"she seemed disappointed you didn't join me"
he sighed in response. "I wasn't ready to face them both yet. I'm still having some feelings towards the situation. "
"maybe it would help to speak with her, or Urahara? ". He offered. "Separately so as not to mix your feelings "
"maybe. " Kyoraku offered "im not sure I'm ready today though"
the flickering spiritual pressure quickly approaching there hiding spot made Kyoraku sit up suddenly
It felt like nanao was on her way to drag him back to work. And she felt mad.
"you know what juu? That's a great idea". Kyoraku said jumping too his feet quickly "I'll go and see her now, tell nanao chan I'm in a meeting would you? "
the shock stunned ukitake slightly, seeing his friend move so quickly before feeling the angry Reiatsu coming their way
"Kyoraku?"
"thanks juu!" Kyoraku cut him off, flash stepping away, his friends final shout missing his ears
jushiro sat alone and sighed deeply
what am I going to do with him. He wondered and what am I going to say to nanao chan now?
Kumiko had retired to her bed after having a lot hot bath and something to eat. Laying down on her stomach, legs lightly swaying in the air as she read a book she had been trying to finish the last few weeks. The window was open, letting a much needed cool breeze to wash over her warm skin, the heat of the day being unforgiving. She wore a thin black slik nightgown, coming to rest a few inches above her knees, hair thrown up in a messy bun to Keep it out of her face
A knock at her door interrupted her escape into a different world. Turning her book over and laying it on her bed as to not loose her page, Kumiko slid off the bed, quickly wrapping a matching silk nightgown around herself, tying it tightly at her waist. She opened the door slightly, peering around so to hide her scantily clad body from who was knocking.
"shunsui?" She breathed softly, opening the door more in surprise.
Kyoraku took in her form as she opened the door wider and his breath hitched. She looks absolutely ravishing
the hem of her top was lightly teasing at her soft thighs, long enough to hide everything. Short enough to tease what lay beneath. The belt around her waist pulled in tight, accentuating her small waist and full breasts, a perfect curvy hourglass figure. The swell of her breasts peaked out the top, her shape of her nipples quietly making themselves known under the silk
her beautiful long hair messily sat in a bun on the top of her head, showing her elegant neck, strands of hair escaping framing her beautiful face. Eyes wide but with an uncontrollable smile ghosting her lips
she looks happy to see me Kyoraku thought, trying to peel his eyes away from her sexy form. Hand itching to reach out and touch her. Rub his hand up her smooth thighs. Press those full breasts into his chest. Capture those lips in a heated kiss. Her looking at him like that almost took his breath away
"may I come in for a moment?"
"Of course" she said, pulling at the hem of her nightgown, trying to cover herself more. She opened the door wider, stepping out the way to let him pass. Kumiko folded her arms across her front, getting shy about her lack of clothing . She closed the door and moved towards the kitchen where he had stopped walking
Kyoraku was in his full Shihakusho and captains haori. Usual pink kimono across his shoulders. Hat ontop of his head. He looked better than he did previously, the darkness on his face had disappeared. Bruise under his eye started to fade slightly. He was Looking more fresh and calm.
Like he did before the incident the other day Kumiko thought he doesn't have that care free smile back yet though
"is everything ok?" She asked him, briefly concerned ukitake had fallen Ill again
"everything is fine". He promised "I just wanted to clear the air a little. I would like for us to be friends again " he said sending her a small smile
friends. The word echoed in her mind. Suddenly her heart ached. He just wanted to be friends
I would rather have him as a friend, than not at all Kumiko thought, trying to convince herself his words didn't hurt. That her chest didn't ache at the thought of not having more with the man who both captivated her and frustrated her more than anyone she had previously met. At least he is looking at me again
"I would like that" she said, stepping to stand a little closer to him, hands coming down to play with the belt of her dressing gown. "I would very much like to forget the whole thing" she laughed lightly, that didn't quite match the look of loss in her eyes
Kyoraku gave a small sigh of relief, before offering her a small smile "good, it was becoming tiring trying to avoid you" he joked. Well. It was less tiring and more gut wrenchingly painful. "I missed you"
"I missed you too". Kumiko admitted stepping to hug him lightly. Which he returned, wrapping his arms around her
Kumiko closed her eyes tight, trying to cement into her memory the way it feels to be in his arms. How his chest hair tickles her face. How he smells warm and clean. Like cherry blossoms she realised.
Kyoraku gently kissed the top of her head, hair tickling his nose. Enjoying having her close to him again. Her hair smelt like coconut again. She gently pulled out of his embrace sending him a small smile.
"have you spoken to Urahara?" She asked him. He tired not to let his name being mentioned dampen his mood. But his jaw clenched slightly,
"no. I'm not yet ready to mend that bridge" he told her, eyes softening at her sad look ". But I will. Eventually. I just need a little more time to shake these feelings" he told her. She nodded in response. It was still slightly awkward between them. The icy cold environment between them had thawed considerably. It just wasn't quite where it was before yet.
But it's a start. They both shared the same thought
"I didn't mean to interrupt your evening. I just wanted to apologise again. I'm glad we talked Kumiko" he said walking towards the door with her trailing along behind him
"you didn't interrupt". She offered "i was just relaxing before my mission tomorrow "
her words made him spin round by the door "what mission?" He asked. Jushiro never mentioned she would be going out on a mission. She wasn't supposed to be going on missions until she had seen how she reacted to everyone's spiritual pressure. He was growing concerned for her safety
"tomorrow I'm going to be joining the 7ths and 3rds scouting party, to investigate an unusual amount of hollows near the forest". She offered him " lieutenant Kira will be running it I believe"
"is that a good idea? What if you encounter a hollow?" Thinking how she might get hurt, unable to fight through kiras spiritual pressure. The idea she could be put in danger shook him to his core
"I suppose I could tell it a joke? Invite it out for dinner?" She laughed "what do you think I will do? ". Her giggle made him smile in spite of himself
"I ment with kiras Reiatsu spiking" he clarified, amused by her silly notion
"it'll be fine, I've already felt it, it Doesn't really effect me". She promised him "both urahara and captain amagai think it'll be fine"
he gave a sigh of reliefat that, worry leaving him he admitted to himself of course urahara would make sure she was safe before sending her out
"in that case, I hope you have fun. Please take care of yourself ". He added slightly begging her, opening the door to her apartment
"I will. I promise "
walking through the door he turned to look at her one more time "I shall see you soon then?"
She nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah. Bye shunsui"
"bye"
Kumiko closed the door as he left. Walking back into her bedroom to finish reading her book. Throwing herself onto her bed, getting comfortable again. And began trying to read again
the words seemed too not go into kumikos head, a single word floating around her thoughts
FRIENDS
