Kumikos sobs had quietened down in Uraharas embrace. Wiping gently at her face she heaved a sigh, finally pulling her face from his chest. Too exhausted to be embarrassed.
"thank you for saving me". She told him softly "all of you" she added, seeing ukitake and shunsui standing near them conversing quietly
"don't be daft". Urahara told her quietly, rubbing her back soothingly "I'm just glad you activated your panic button "
"I didn't know If I had or not , I just managed to hit it a few times before.." she trailed off not wanting to get into it yet
"I'll see if I can come up with something else. Until then I want you to wear that everywhere you go ." He told her, before looking up to the conversing captains "Jushiro will you take Kumiko home please? "
she turned to look at him shocked. "What? I thought I was staying with you" almost pleading with him to not leave her
"I'll come back." He promised her, gently nudging her to stand on her feet. Jumping up after her "I need to go see the head captain. Kurotsuchi isn't getting away with that. I have half a mind to go after him myself " he almost spat, still seething at what he had witnessed.
Kumiko held his hand in her own. Squeezing it to make him look at her "please don't. I don't want you getting hurt, or in to trouble"
"shunsui will go with you, Urahara" ukitake said, his tone final. "While I take you home Kumiko"
"i will?" Shunsui asked confused, he wanted to stay with Kumiko.
"I don't need him to hold my hand ukitake." Urahara said still sounding angry
"the head captain would probably appreciate a report from you both, it also wouldn't end well if you were to encounter Kurotsuchi alone. Plus, it gives me time to calm Kumiko down without you hovering shunsui" he told them, not leaving it up for discussion
maybe then they will actually talk about what has been going on and stop this nonsense
"come on Kumiko, let's get you home". Urahara said kindly, ignoring the two looks he was receiving from his friends. He wrapped a gentle arm around her, leading her down the street
"don't worry". He said softly so only she could hear "they'll be fine "
Urahara watched as jushiro took Kumiko home. Eyes glancing to shunsui who was also watching them leave . He rubbed a heavy hand down his face before turning to walk to the 1st division. A few moments later Shunsuis footsteps could be heard catching up.
"are you ok?" Shunsui said quietly behind him
"no I'm pissed. That bastard Kurotsuchi went to far" urahara said, stopping himself from kicking a near by trash can
"is he the only one you're pissed at?"
"no. I'm pissed at you too" urahara admitted not looking back. "And you're still pissed at me "
"I'm not pissed" shunsui started to say, stopping when urahara laughed without any real humour. He stopped walking to face him
"yes. You are"
"ok. I was ". Shunsui said holding up his hands "I handled it poorly "
"why didn't you just come speak to me? I gave you space. I let you calm down. I thought you would've come find me when you were ready, but it's been days since you forgave miko, ". Urahara told him, trying not to let the anger he felt at Kurotsuchi be misplaced to Kyoraku
"you were still ignoring me right up until Kumiko sent her distress signal,"
"I know. I didn't know how to approach the subject". Kyoraku admitted, he wasn't very good at this
"just showing up would have been a start. I never ment to hurt you shunsui. I didn't know how you felt about her" urahara told him what he wanted to say for days now
"how do you feel about her?" Shunsui asked him
"I love her". Urahara said, catching the way Kyorakus breath hitched "but only as a friend shunsui. I don't have any romantic feelings for her. And she dosent for me either "
he let go of the breath he was holding relief flooding him "im sorry" he told Kiske "I was an ass. I know that it wasn't fair to treat you that way "
"it's fine". Urahara said turning to start walking again "just don't hurt her"
"that's the last thing I want to do" he said softly "we good?"
"yeah, we're good"
"Are you sure they'll be ok?" Kumiko asked jushiro again, sat on her table together.
Arriving home ukitake held her as she cried and he released his spiritual pressure to calm her down. All the feelings of fear Kurotsuchi and put in her had been replaced by his sweet protection. He had told her to sit down while he made them some tea
"they will be fine. If anything they were both to concerned about you to argue with eachother." He told her to ease her worry "I was hoping they would take the opportunity to let go of this silly argument "
"is that why you sent Shunsui with Kiske?" Kumiko laughed gently at his smirk "you never fail to surprise me ". She told him with a smile making him laugh
"being unassuming has its perks " he winked at her "how do you feel now Kumiko?"
"it's probably better to ask what I'm not feeling" she told him with mirth "im tired, exhausted even. I'm still scared, I'm scared he will come back. I'm worried about shunsui and Kiske and im angry. Im angry at what he did to me, angry I wasn't strong enough to stop it. Angry that it's ruined what was supposed to be a really great day" Kumiko ranted, before taking a deep soothing breath "sorry"
"no need to apologise Kumiko, they're all valid emotions for you to be having. ". He soothed her, before adding " Although I wish you weren't so hard on yourself, you've been doing really well with your training. In a couple months, I bet you could fight your reaction to captain Kurotsuchi"
"maybe. I don't know. Im just too overwhelmed right now to see it." Kumiko said rubbing her tired eyes. "I hate that I needed rescuing. That I was BEGGING for someone to come and save me. Poor weak Kumiko needing saving by three big, strong men. Im pathetic "
ukitake reached over to put a hand on her shoulder "you're not weak Kumiko. Everyone needs help sometimes. Even us 'big strong men'" he finished with a laugh, causing her to laugh lightly too
"thank you though. I don't mean to sound ungrateful, I really appreciate you coming to help me, you were with Kiske when I hit the alarm?" She asked him interested
"Kyoraku and I bumped into him. I stoped to say hello when something started beeping on his person, by his reaction, we assumed it was you so followed him. I'm glad we did" he said, cupping her cheek lightly with a smile before bringing his hand back to the table
"he didn't tell you I was in trouble? Why wouldn't he ask for help? Who knows what he could've walked into. I was on a mission, there could have been hundreds of hollows for all he knew" Kumiko said, concerned about her friends lack of self preservation
"he seemed incredibly worried, Kumiko. I think he just wanted to get to you as fast as he could." He told her, unknowingly making her feel guilty "Luckily Kyoraku and I are rather good at flash step. We struggled to keep up, I imagine he would have lost anyone else. I've never seen him move so fast."
"I've never seen him that angry before ". Kumiko admitted " I know he was mad when I went missing, but I could tell it was because he was worried. This was different. It's hard to imagine him being that way, he's normally so sweet and silly"
"we're all capable of that when someone you love is in danger or hurting Kumiko. You are too." He told her calmly, not being particularly worried about Uraharas reaction, he actually thought Kyoraku would act the same, and was surprised when he held urahara back from getting at the other captain. The exact opposite to what happened in the captains meeting. He recalled
the sound of the door opening made both Kumiko and ukitake turn to the kitchen. Urahara walked in, Kyoraku right behind him. Kumiko had to fight back the tears threatening to fall again upon seeing her best friend
Urahara walked around the table to where Kumiko was sat. He knelt next to her on the floor, grabbing one of her hands gently
"you ok miko?" He asked her softly, seeming much more like himself than the angry man ready to attack a captain earlier , Kumiko nodded her head, worried she'll cry if she started to speak. Urahara gave a sigh of relief before raising up on his knees to hug his friend, who squeezed him tightly in return
"im really sorry miko". He mumbled into her neck. Pulling away she looked at him funnily, he looked sad, she noticed and guilty?
"what are you sorry for? You saved me". She told him, pushing his hair off his face, only for it to fall back where it usually sits
"I promised you. I told you that you wouldn't have to see him alone. I said I would be there, and I wasn't. I'm sorry". He told her, the shame he was feeling twisted in his stomach
idiot
" it's not your fault Kiske. He was ordered to not get involved, you couldn't have known. " she soothed him " don't be mad anymore "
he smiled at her as he stood, bending down to kiss the top of her head "im ok, I'm not mad." At the look she gave him he laughed and amended "ok. I am still mad. But I've got it under control " taking a seat to her left.
Kyoraku walked further into the room then, making his way to Kumiko who stood up to meet him in a hug.
He wrapped his arms around her, her arms squeezing around his waist . Shunsui had been desperate to get her safe in his arms since they arrived at the ambush. The only reason he didn't grab her and take her away was because that's not what she needed in the moment. And he wanted to give her anything she should could ever need or want. Pulling away Kyoraku sat down in her seat, pulling her to sit in his lap. Not yet ready to let her go
"how did it go?" Ukitake finally asked, now that everyone was sitting
"fine, we spoke to captain commander. Told him everything that had happened " Urahara started
"Yama-jii was pissed at Kurotsuchi. Said he would remind him who gave the orders for him not to get involved " Kyoraku added, squeezing Kumiko lightly
"that's good" ukitake commented "I don't think he's stupid enough to go against another direct order"
urahara scoffed at that "Kurotsuchi will try to find a way around it" noticing Kumiko stiffen slightly, he changed his tone "he ain't going to get anywhere near you Kumiko"
"you cant promise me that" she told him softly " he could approach me anywhere, on a mission, shopping. Here" shivering at the thought of him coming to her home making her feel sick
"yes I can. you're not going on any more missions. If you want to go anywhere, I will be with you. I'm not leaving you alone anymore Kumiko" Urahara said with conviction
"what? ". She asked confused "I don't want to stop going on missions . And while I appreciate it, you don't want to do some of the things I do. I've made some friends now Kiske, I'll want to do things with them too"
"no"
the word hung heavy in the air. And it annoyed Kumiko
"no?" She asked him annoyed he hadn't said more " I can't just sit in the office all day doing nothing. I don't want Kurotsuchi to change the way I live my life . I won't let him"
"it's still no Kumiko. You're not going on any more missions. If you want to go shopping I will take you " he said also getting annoyed with her arguing
"you can't do that!" She said standing up and slapping her hand on the table
urahara stood up just as quickly both his hands hitting the table as he said "im your captain, I decide who does or doesn't go on missions. You will do as your told". Anger getting the better of him, fear for Kumiko clouding his reasoning
Kumiko frowned at him, pushing away Kyorakus hand who had tried to gently pull her back
"you may be my captain but you can't dictate how I spend my free time Kiske! " she raised her voice at him
"yeah? Watch me. You ain't going anywhere alone Kumiko, I CANT GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN". He shouted the last part at her. Immediately regretting how it made her eyes widen and her anger fizzle away. He sighed heavily hands coming up to his face
"it's been an emotional day. Perhaps it would be better if we take some time alone to process what happened before someone says something they regret ". Ukitake said calmly standing also
"come on Kiske, you can come with me for a while" ukitake added to the man, happy to see his shoulders sag slightly, anger leaving him
"im not leaving her here alone jushiro " urahara told him softly
"I'll stay". Kyoraku interjected "I won't leave her side, and walk her to work in the morning " he promised
"everyone is going to decide what's best for me today then, are they? ". Kumiko muttered leaving the table and walking to her room. Mumbling about "not even asking my opinion " before closing her door loudly.
"I swear, I won't let her out of my sight. Go cool down with juu. I'll bring her to you in the morning" Kyoraku continued to promise
Urahara nodded before walking out of the apartment "let me know if anything happens shunsui" jushiro said before following urahara and closing the door softly behind him.
Kyoraku sighed. He had just made up with Kumiko and Urahara. Now they're both at eachothers throats . He understood though, what Urahara wanted. Even if he went about it too heated. Things will be better in the morning he thought when everyone cools down
I just hope she doesn't push me away
Kyoraku stood outside her bedroom door, taking a minute to listen. after not hearing any crying, he knocked it gently
"Kumiko, can I come in?" He asked her softly hoping she would answer him
"do what you want. No one else is asking me what I want". Came her soft reply
at least she isn't telling me to fuck off
shunsui opened the door and slipped in the room quietly, closing the door behind him. Kumiko was laying on her bed staring at the ceiling, she hadn't moved to acknowledge him.
"he's only trying to protect you Kumiko." He said softly, walking over to sit on the edge of her bed "even if he went about it the wrong way"
"I know. But it still made me mad. I can't be held prisoner shunsui. I just can't. I've spent most of my life living in the middle of nowhere. I could go anywhere anytime . I'm not going to hide away because of Kurotsuchi" she told him, all the anger from before seemed to have left with urahara
"im sure Kiske knows that. You didn't see him earlier. I've never seen him so scared." Kumiko sat up, worried look on her face, Kyoraku gently laid his hand on it. Thumb rubbing her soft cheek with his thumb "juu will calm him down. I'm sure he'll be more reasonable in the morning. I have a feeling he has a very hard time not giving you anything you ask for". He smiled down at her, corners of her lips tugging upwards.
"this whole day is a mess" she sighed before remembering with a blush "oh. We were supposed to be going on a date tonight. Sorry that got ruined"
"I had been thinking about it all day" shunsui smiled at her. "It's fine, I can take you out another night. All I really wanted was to spend time with you" he said brushing her hair behind her ear
she smiled up at him, before turning to hide a yawn
"you must be exhausted ". He said "why don't you go to sleep" he said standing "I won't be far, so don't worry about Kurotsuchi"
Kumiko lightly bit her lip, debating wether or not she should say
"will you sleep here with me?" She rushed out before she could change her mind " I don't want to be alone" she finished softly
"of course I will" he told her
kumiko jumped up out of bed, digging into her draw she pulled out a sleep gown "I'll just go get ready for bed". She told him turning to the door "make yourself comfortable "
shunsui watched her leave the room heading to the bathroom. He started debating with himself if he should undress or not. He didn't want to give her the wrong impression. He didn't need to have sex to enjoy sleeping next to her. He just wanted to hold her close. But on the other hand he hated wearing clothes in bed. The idea of twisting and turning all night in his Shihakusho sounded like his own personal hell. He wanted to feel his skin on hers.
Taking too long to decide Kumiko returned to the bedroom, Kyoraku exactly as she left him, staring at her bed, brows furrowed in concentration
"what's wrong?" She laughed, snapping him out his inner debate. He turned to look at her ready to explain when every word he had ever learned suddenly left his head
she wore a short silky night gown. Lace at the top that follows the curve of her breasts, plunging down the middle. It had thin straps over her shoulder, showing plenty of her perfect skin. Kyoraku coughed, eyes darting back to the bed, shaking the dirty thoughts entering his brain .
"I wasn't sure if I should undress or not" he admitted making her laugh
"how do you normally sleep?" She asked him, walking past to get into her side of the bed
"boxers or naked usually " he said with an awkward chuckle
I'm acting like a teenager he scolded himself
"then just wear your boxers ". She told him "I don't want you to be uncomfortable"
he sent her a grateful smile for deciding for him and began to remove his clothes, draping them over her chair. Kumiko averted her gaze by pulling the blanket back for him. Not wanting to be caught staring at his body
and what a body it was. His wide hairy chest sat above a slight six pack she didn't know he had. Strong arms with defined muscles that stretched and moved as he took off his clothing. Kumiko stopped herself looking south
Kyoraku noticed her eyes on his body, turning away as he took off his pants. He couldn't stop the smirk on his face. Walking around the bed and climbing in, he lifted his arm, offering her to cuddle into his side. Which she did. Wrapping his arm around her, fingers gently caressing the soft silk on her hip. Her arm went around his waist, head resting on his chest
"I feel like a teenager spending a night with a girl for the first time" he admitted to her chuckling, he could feel her smile against his skin. He leaned down to kiss her hair
she sighed sleepily, nuzzling into his chest slightly
"you're really comfortable " she told him, hearing his laugh in his chest
"I've got to be good for something,". He joked "go to sleep miko, things will be better in the morning"
Kumiko leaned up to him, giving him a gentle kiss, which he happily returned. Snuggling back into his side she whispered "good night shunsui"
"good night love"
