A pack of Tokishakuyakusan tablets were delivered from a doctor employed by the Kuchiki clan to Charmaine's cafe. She was told when to take and not to eat with it in her system by the messenger. Which confused her until she recalled until she was told Byakuya arranged for this treatment. Put a smile on her face as she sent the messenger away with baked goods, and a chance to date one of her children.
"Do I call him father now or later?" Valarie asked about Byakuya, "Since you are already pimping me and Harlee out."
"Wow!" Harlee and Victor stared at her.
"Your mother only offers your company," Yuki explained, " 'cause you haven't made any friends."
"He speaks the truth." Korikio and Koshi agreed with Yuki.
Valarie was left to stand alone on a topic that left her to scoop her Broombuggy into her arms and just walk away. Choosing to be quiet for the rest of the opening duties since they were opening soon. Coos and groans from her Broombuggy had her stroke his scales every now and then.
"Sorry I am late." Ichika came crashing through the front door, " I… "
"You are on KP duty." Charmaine greeted her.
She was given her usual time to change her clothes into her proper work attire and then get to get to work. He was tapped on the shoulder by Valarie and ended up following her to the stairs. Where she was handed a neatly knotted piece of cloth, that she undid to find a surprise inside.
"It's a more kimono style uniform," Valarie explained, "Your fellow Shinigami told me how uncomfortable you were."
Ichika ended up hugging Valarie with a certain Broombuggy happily wagging that tail out of excitement for her. This lasted for a good second before the girls separated as a huge thank you followed. Left Valarie into a state of shock over simply altering a uniform to a co- workers taste.
"You should be a seamstress," Ichika walked out in her new uniform, "Since you look at the part."
Miniature version of the Shihakushō with all the basic accessories of a British maid's uniform, ruffled apron to hair piece. Made to fit Ichika's style and allow her to move like she was in her Shihakushō.
"Natural at it," Valarie watched Ichika move around, "I blame my late father for getting me interested."
"What was he like?" Ichika asked.
"Always smiling and telling us to reach for our dreams." She sadly smiled.
Their hand was taken by Ichika in a moment of quiet for someone near and dear to her.
8*8
To better understand the use and handle of his father's Zanpakutō after inheriting the blade upon his death. His sister was the one that requested to come with him. Her excuse was to better understand Gotei 13 and the Shinigami. Away from the doorstep of Charmaine's cafe they were taken by a special staircase after summons were delivered. Giving little time for everyone to say their farewells to the ether had to leave. Only a promise to stay healthy for her children's sake and stay honest with Byakuya was made. All was left to be talked about between them before they went to be trained by the Royal Guard.
"Thank you for being able to take off at the last moment to be here," Charmaine nodded to Byakuya, "If I was given a little more notice, I could have planned a more proper sending off."
"I have confidence in my lieutenant to run everything," Byakuya looked to his niece, "He did give me a spirited young one."
"My daughter created that," Charmaine said of Ichika's new cafe uniform, "I forget she inherited my talent to sew."
Byakuya just stared at a little longer taking in the small details of the kimono styled maid attire. Shortness of the bottom half on his niece alone made him a tad uncomfortable. Everything to the obi incorporated- apron to the Kanzashi hair piece all in black-n- white. Showed a creative drive in Valarie that showed she was making an effort.
"Will I be able to get along without them?" Byakuya turned his eyes to Charmaine.
"That the news I wanted to inform you," She happily held up a flier, "Mr. Kyōraku visited us a few days ago and has allowed us to recruit new employees."
"He personally visited here?" Byakuya asked with a single twitching eyebrow.
"To inform us," She thought him becoming jealous was cute, "From the Spiritual Arts Academy."
"Did he also want to convince you to release a photo collection book?" Korikio recalled.
"All the pictures would be of Madam Duana." Koshi further recalled.
Byakuya had one of his fingerless white tekko hands gently taken by Charmaine in an assuring manner. Which acted as a way to calm him down when she had more to say on that subject.
"My terms were," She thought he should hear them, "My children and you picked the images."
"More like we pick the settle ones and you more sultry ones," Harlee passed them, "Mr. Kyōraku was willing to help with sultry ones."
Feeling his angry boil over once more from that news again had him witness the tight grip. That Charmaine calmly held on his hand when her youngest brought up such a detail.
"Don't all of you have work?" She reminded them all.
Kurozakura and Delmare ended up making their way toward them with tails wagging. Stopping at Byakuya's feet with their little heads looking up at him. Screeching happily as they took in the smell of Cherry Blossoms from his person.
"Seems you are becoming one of their favorites," Charmaine pointed out to him, "Since you're the second Shinigami they quickly warmed up toward."
"Who was the first?" Byakuya asked.
"My late husband." She removed her apron.
She then told everyone she was walking Byakuya back to the Division sixth barracks with Kurozakura. Which left Yuki and Ichika to acknowledge her with a head nod. Other to follow as she switched out her apron for her cloak as her Broombuggy was picked up by Byakuya. Which was a welcomed gesture on his part as Kurozakura crawled onto his shoulders.
"Careful," Charmaine advised him, "I need to trim his talons."
"He is fine." Byakuya offered her his arm.
Which she took before out the door and on their usual evening walk to the barracks they took together. Stopping only times to take in the views on their path before starting back up. They're pace wasn't so fast that Byakuya needed to rush back. While they were too slow, that slight doubt was cast on Renji's leadership.
"How are you?" Byakuya asked about her health.
"Much better," She shared, "I've been cleared."
Kurozakura joined in by happily fanning his wings and tail from his perch on Byakuya. Which earned him a gentle stroking from Byakuya between his horns.
"Thank you for having those tablets delivered," She thought to that was generous of him, "I never knew you cared so …. "
They came to complete stop with facing her and taking hold of her like they had back in her those hours ago. Time he was the one that gently wove their fingers together taking in the softness of her skin. Noticing she was never once pulled away from his calloused covered fingers and hardened skin. Into her eyes he could spend all day just gazing until he fell asleep beside her. Allowing her to step closer to him until the aroma of tea entered his nostrils as he inhaled.
"No need to thank me," He answered her, "I am finding myself opening up in a way I have not felt. Since my late wife or when my eyes were opened by stubborn Ichigo."
"Same," She laughed, "Have you ever read the reports of my son's training under him?"
"I thought we discussed you charming your way into reading those?" Byakuya reminds her.
"Don't tell me you don't do the same for your niece?" She turned the tables.
He ended up backing down knowing she was right on him always bothering the ninja about Ichika. Ever since he had her start working a job the elders of his clan called the commoner's position. He worries what she had done this time to the newly established business within the Seireitei.
"I do dislike it," He agreed with her, "When you are right."
"Good." She smiled.
This time she was the one kissed with him leading the way when he stepped forward with their hands still connected.
