Kumiko walked into ukitakes office the following morning, noticeable bounce in her step. With a wide infectious smile, she greeted the captain sat at his desk
"morning jushiro" she said brightly.
"morning. No shunsui this morning?" He smiled warmly at her, noticing she was alone.
"he just ran upstairs," Kumiko explained, leaning in to give ukitake a side hug "I made soup last night, he's just putting some in your freezer"
"you're too good to me" he told her with a gentle smile, squeezing her hand gently before letting her go "how was your day yesterday?" He asked her as she took her seat opposite him
her face lit up, "really good. Shunsui took me to a lake, It was so beautiful " she told him, "thank you for allowing me the time off. "
"my pleasure ". He told her with a grin, followed by a small shake of his head"shunsui wasn't going to take no for an answer"
"I was doing what?" Kyoraku questioned breezing into his friends office
"pestering me for Kumiko to have yesterday off" the pale man grinned at him as Kyoraku shrugged before putting his hand on Kumiko. He really couldn't argue that
"what's our plans today captain?" Kumiko asked him, remembering to address her friend correctly in work. Hand coming up to squeeze Shunsuis that rested on her shoulder
"Sentarou and Kiyone seem to be behaving today. I thought we might continue our training." He told her kindly, not wanting to slack on the hard work urahara had been doing until recently "later today I wish to join my division in patrolling the Rukongai. It has been too long since I've been"
"sounds good" Kumiko confirmed excitedly"I've not done that either yet."
ukitake stood up from the desk with flawless grace, prompting Kumiko to do the same.
"have a good day love"shunsui told her, kissing her lips when she was standing. Kumiko pulled away quicker than she wanted, painfully aware of her temporary captain stood right behind them, waiting for them to finish .
Ukitake had a patient smile on his face, too pleased to see his friend so happy to care in that moment how unprofessional he was.
Kyoraku turned away from Kumiko, nodding at ukitake "see ya later juu" before he walked out of the office to find a sunny roof to lay upon. At least until his lieutenant found him and forced him to actually do some work
"You can do it Kumiko" ukitake quietly encouraged the struggling woman, breathing heavy in her battle to push herself away from him.
Kumiko had asked him to raise his spiritual pressure fully. Convinced she needed to push herself to her limits, Ukitake begrudgingly agreed. She was overwhelmed with the power the man had, the gentle pull she had associated with him, ramped up exponentially, surprising her. Kumiko was battling to raise her head off him, even a little.
"keep trying. " he urged her, watching her closely. Ukitake was worried he was allowing her to push herself too hard. He needed to be ready to pull away if she needed. Her whole body was shaking with the force, her own spiritual pressure was ramped up, swirling around her, teeth clamped together tightly.
Gathering every ounce of strength she could find in herself, Kumiko planted her hands on ukitakes chest and forced herself back with a shout, head leaving his chest for just a few seconds before slamming back into him
ukitakes arms came up around her, securing her in his hold before Bringing his spiritual pressure back down to an undetectable level. Keeping her up right as her own spiritual pressure dampened, he happily praised her
"you did it" he almost laughed, tapping her back proudly "you pulled away"
Kumiko breathed out, checking her footing before leaning away from him. His hands rested on her arms gently, proud smile on his face
"that was so hard" she told him exhausted, shocked laugh escaping her "I never fully realised how much you and urahara hold back with me. It's easy to forget just how powerful all you captains are "
"you have incredible strength yourself kumiko" he reminded her "you wouldn't have been able to do that a few weeks ago"
Kumiko nodded incredibly proud of herself, about to ask him if they could try again, she noticed him looking over her head with an amused look
"shunsui? You avoiding nanao chan again?" He asked him with a wary smile
Kumiko whipped around to see shunsui walking toward them, small grin on his face almost hidden by his low hat
"not this time. I've been asked to come and find you, seems your third seats have had an argument. " he told him, amused smile widening "they accidentally set your divisions kitchen on fire"
seeing the shocked look on his friend face, he held up a soothing hand, stopping next to them "everyone is fine. There's not much damage. But you're needed over there"
ukitake rolled his eyes before looking to Kumiko "I have to go deal with that. I'm afraid we'll have to cut today short"
"I can take over" shunsui offered, chuckling as the pair whipped around to look at him shocked "i don't need to use my spiritual pressure" he added widening his grin
"you want to train me?" Kumiko asked him, eyebrows raising comically suspicious"how?"
"hand to hand" he smiled at her "I'd like to see how well you can use your zanpakuto "
Kumiko looked to ukitake, unsure. Ukitake looked at his friend, questioning look on his face. He knew all too well what his friend was like. He found it difficult to believe he was willingly volunteering to do any work. Not having many options though, he sighed "it's up to you Kumiko "
"we can try" she said after a moments silence, feeling apprehensive at the grin still on shunsuis face
" come join me at the office when you're done." Ukitake told Kumiko, laying a hand on her shoulder "hopefully we'll have time to go to the Rukongai"
"I will " she told him, giggling as jushiro walked passed muttering softly "behave shunsui"
Kyoraku turned his grin to Kumiko "ready?"
"no" Kumiko laughed, with a small shake of the head"what do you want to do?" She asked him, not knowing what was expected of her
shunsui withdrew one of his zanpakuto, holding it up in a defensive stance "just spar with me" he grinned. Kumiko slowly took out her zanpakuto holding it up uncertainly. Shunsui looked her over before standing up straight, lowing his own weapon
"is that how you hold your zanpakuto? He questioned her confused. Kumiko looked down to the weapon in her hand
"what's wrong with how I'm holding it?"
Shunsui tightened the hold of his own, bringing it up quickly and swiping it roughly at her zanpakuto. Surprised by his quick reaction, Kumiko couldn't strengthen her grip before her zanpakuto flew out of her grip and landed on the floor a few feat away from them
" that" he told her with a smile, going to pick it up before handing it back to her " your grip was too loose."
"I don't normally hold it like that" she defended herself weakly" I'm just a little nervous "
"what are you nervous about?" He asked her kindly
"training with you. You're way stronger than I am" she told him honestly "I don't want to embarrass myself"
"you manage fine with Urahara. " he gently reminded her "sometimes we have to fight people stronger than ourselves." He added patiently"pure strength isn't the only way to win in a battle Kumiko. You can't give them an edge. Hold it properly"
feeling slightly scolded, Kumiko adjusted the hold on her zanpakuto, both hands gripping it firmly, but not without a little room to move. Seeing kumikos feet spread slightly, balancing her weight and finally holding her weapon properly, shunsui mimicked her stance, tipping the tip of his zanpakuto towards her. Pleased she was holding her weapon better
"attack me" he commanded her gently, waiting patiently for her to make the first move. Kumiko hesitated, her preferred way to fight was to let her opponent make the first move. Seeing as shunsui looked like he wouldn't make a move, Kumiko darted forward, bringing her zanpakuto up and down towards him, shunsui brought his own up easily to block it. Looking at her over their clashed swords he spoke again
"you're hesitating." Pushing her zanpakuto away with his own, shunsui opened his right hand quickly, letting his own drop, to catch it quickly with his left, swinging up towards Kumiko. Bringing her own up just in time to block it, kumikos feet were pushed backwards across the ground by the force of his blow. "There's no power behind your attack. Stop thinking too much, and come at me like you would anyone else" he told her, swinging at her again. Kumiko countered quicker that time, missing the small smile on his lips, concentrating on his movements
Changing from defensive to offensive, Kumiko pushed forward, swinging at the captain. Kyoraku walked backwards, meeting her attacks easily, letting her pursue him. "Faster" he told her, dodging her last attack completely. Kumiko chased after him, bringing her zanpakuto down at him, which he easily dodged again. After swinging her sword multiple times, shunsui having not countered once, choosing to instead step out of the way, Kumiko became frustrated. Stopping her pursuit she asked him, slightly out of breath
"why are you just dodging?" She accused him, noticing he was looking perfectly composed "why aren't you blocking?"
"did you know it takes a lot more energy to swing and miss than it does to connect? " He asked her patiently, effortlessly twirling his zanpakuto in his hand"I was waiting for you to change your tactics when you realised wildly swinging around wouldn't work. Now you've wasted your own energy and I have plenty to use on an attack that won't miss "
Kumiko felt annoyed with herself, worrying too much about fighting with shunsui, all her fighting skills seemed to have gone out the window. Kumiko huffed before readying herself again, shaking off her annoyance.
Darting forward, Kumiko took a swing at him again, watching as he stepped the the right like she assumed, before flash stepping behind him to bring her zanpakuto down. Shunsui easily brought his zanpakuto up and behind him, catching her blade before using his own flashstep
"that's better, you're thinking now" he told her, before racing back to her, the sound of their zanpakuto clashing echoed around the space
Kumiko sat on the dusty floor as her muscles tingled and twitched with exhaustion. Zanpakuto held loosely in her grasp as she got her breath back.
"you haven't even broken a sweat" she complained, looking up at shunsui, looking as fresh and composed as he did when he arrived
"I've practiced for hundreds of years love" he smiled down at her
"it's impressive how you can switch hands between attacks " she told him impressed with his skills "I should really practice with my left more"
"it's good to be able to use both hands" he granted, offering one of his own down to her"something to add to your training " he smiled, helping bring her to her feet
"I need to practice with the lieutenants" Kumiko laughed standing back up "you, Kisuke and jushiro are too strong for me"
"you have it easy" he chuckled, smoothing her hair behind her ear "I had to train under the old man. He was not a patient teacher. And he Hit hard too"
"or were you just a naughty student?" She countered laughing
"probably a bit of both" he grinned, wrapping his arms around her "are you done for the day love?"
"yeah" Kumiko breathed as shunsui pushed her body close to his "im done "
"good" he told her, teasing smirk on his face "since I'm no longer your teacher I can do this" he said, leaning down to kiss her happily. Kumiko moaned into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck as he squeezed her bottom.
Separating, shunsui rested his forehead against hers, looking into her eyes
"shall we go see if jushiro has made his third seats cry?" He asked her, grinning at her laugh
Kumiko noticed the lingering smell of smoke as she followed shunsui back into ukitakes office. Said man was sat at his desk frowning at the paper he was writing on, all his windows were opened widely, breeze gently blowing his long hair behind him
"hey handsome " shunsui greeted him, getting him to look up. The look on his face was enough to make shunsui laugh "going well then?"
"I have to fill out so much paperwork regarding the fire" he sighed, pinching the beige of his nose "it's going to take me hours"
"where are your third seats?" Shunsui asked him, not hearing any bickering or crying nearby
"I had them lead the patrol of the Rukongai" he offered, looking back down "im afraid I'm going to be doing this for the rest of the day. Sorry Kumiko, you should take the rest of the day off"
"you sure?" She asked him stepping forward "I could help?"
"thank you" he smiled at her "but I need to fill them out. You'd have nothing to do "
"if you're sure" she said slowly, feeling guilty "I could go see Kisuke.? " looking up to shunsui, checking he didn't want her help either
"that sounds like a great idea, I'll walk you" he smiled down at her, sparing his busy friend another glance "we will leave you too it juu "
"do you want to come over for dinner later?" Kumiko asked quickly before shunsui could lead her away "I can make us a curry?"
"that would be wonderful " ukitake smiled at her before frowning at the pile of paperwork littering his desk "hopefully I will have finished this not to late"
"we will wait for you" Kumiko promised, as they took their leave
"Oh, it's just you" urahara said at seeing Kumiko enter the room, after looking towards the door opening eagerly
"what the hell was that?" Kumiko laughed, joining him on his bed with a wide smile. "You should be pleased to see me"
Urahara smirked at her, sitting himself up more to give her more room "I am, but I'm waiting for Unohana. I've asked if I can leave early. I'm sick of sitting this bed "
"do you feel well enough to leave? You're still on pain relief" she asked him with concern. Urahara just rolled his eyes at her
"I can lay in bed all day at home just as well as I can here " seeming to recite the reasoning he had given anyone who would listen today "im capable of taking oral pain killers. I need to get back to work"
"you aren't going back to work yet" Kumiko told him sternly "you need to get better "
"I am better" he told her grumpily, folding his arms across his chest
"better enough for one of Hiyoris special hellos?" She asked him, knowing full well he wasn't. His guilty look spoke volumes "exactly. You have a fractured skull kisuke. It takes time to heal"
Kumiko suppressed a laugh when he pouted and looked away like a sulky child.
"I can still rest at home. I hate being here" He grumbled
"stop being moody" Kumiko laughed, pushing his knee under the blanket "you don't know what Unohana will say yet"
"what have you done today?" He asked, needing some decent conversation about the world outside of his hospital room. Glancing at the clock hung up on the wall, he realised she should still be with ukitake "why are you here so early?"
"trained with ukitake this morning. Shunsui turned up because his 3rd seats set fire to their kitchen" Kumiko laughed telling him. Urahara couldn't suppress his wide smile
"those two are a nightmare. He needs to hurry up and get a lieutenant "
"they're probably not giving him any time to find one" Kumiko grinned "he had to go deal with the fallout, so shunsui took over the training"
urahara sent her a questioning look "how did he do that?"
"we spared. With our zanpakuto " she offered
"how that go?" He grinned at her
"awful" she giggled in return "he's a good teacher. It surprised me. But I'm not as good a fighter as he is. He was holding back so much "
"he's exceptional at Zanjutsu. If you want to throw him off ,use kido. He's too lazy to practice " urahara laughed as her eyes brightened
"how's your kido?" Kumiko asked him interested
Kisuke rubbed the back of his head, gently minding the bandage still wrapped around. "I don't know how to answer that without bragging"
Kumiko laughed loudly "that's not like you. You always brag. You sure you're well enough to leave?" She asked leaning over to place her hand on his head, checking for a temperature
"shut up" he laughed, leaning away from her. a gentle knock at the door pulled their attention
captain Unohana walked gracefully into the room, sending them both a sweet smile "Urahara san. I've been told you've been pestering my staff?"
Kumiko laughed as Urahara defended himself "not pestering. Enquiring. "
"you would like to leave? Are you not happy here in the 4th?" She asked him sweetly, making him widen his eyes
"no! No, you're division has been great. I'm just ready to go home" he finished weakly, all his strong arguments seemed to have left his mind now that he was in front of the terrifyingly sweet captain
Unohana took a seat next to them, grabbing the medical file on the countertop and reading through
"your medication has come down." She muttered to herself, scanning through it easily . Urahara silently prayed to a god he didn't believe in, urging any one, any thing out there to make Unohana let him leave
"I plan to use a final healing kido on you in a few hours. If I'm happy with how it goes, I will allow you to continue your recovery at home" she told him. Smiling at the wide grin on his face "but"
Uraharas face dropped. "But?"
"you are to remain on bed rest for an additional 2 days. You can move between the bed and your sofa, but no more. You need someone to stay with you for the first night. And I will personally be checking on you every other day"
"sounds fair " urahara relented, willing to agree to just about anything if it got him out of here
"nothing strenuous. You'll have to ease your way back into work. " she continued, gracefully standing from her chair"I'll prepare some pain medication foryou to take home. If the pain becomes to much, you will send for me"
"yes, Unohana san"
"then I shall see you later for your treatment" she told him, turning to leave
"any chance I can leave now? Go for a walk or something?" Urahara pushed his luck.
Unohana turned to look at him gently, "30 minutes " she told him, nodding the the corner of the room
Uraharas face dropped at seeing what she had nodded to
"you've got to be kidding me"