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[hatician]

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[cloths]

[ this is more impressive than when she'd caught urahara out dealing with a hollow. gin's mouth beneath the mask is shaped in a neat little 'o' and oh no, that was incredibly competent and hot. not that she's ever been one to find competence attractive or not (one would argue that dazai's competence was a hit or miss that looked like incompetence in all but few cases until the results came in).

the corners of her eyes crinkle, betraying her smile.

on the floor the man is giving a groan of pain but he's been all but put down and gin doesn't even want to think how much pain he must be under that one blow. it had been clean and effective and ready. the reflexes of someone who is always ready. again, gin is torn between being worried that her mission has gone so awry and just sheer respect for how effective he was in dealing with the problem.

terrible, this man is going to be terrible for her—and gin has always had a weakness for that type. ]

No, no clean exit but probably the rooftop. [ the service corridors had no cctv and she wants to get out of here before someone can pin this on her and the port mafia. the boss was going to be furious. ]

[cloths]

[ gin is not usually stained in blood, hers or others. sneaking in behind targets to slit throats meant she is out of the way of the arterial spray. she misses her mask in this moment, using a free hand to wipe the lower part of her face, and there is something utterly dark and pleased about what she has just done.

she waits, sure that shimura is very much dead before taking a step back. she's aware the other part of rashomon should be near naoyuki's vicinity if not already there. there is the urge to go chase the other conspirators and dispatch them all. (and where did she lose that touch of kindness she had? somewhere after her human death or much later after urahara's?). adrenaline though is doing a great job in keeping the wound at the back of her mind as she turns towards ururu and the teenagers that had come in.

gin doesn't care for the humans, surely naoyuki's friends? ichigo's brood and successors once he retires, yes? but she does smile at ururu, warm. ]It's nice to see you, Ururu-chan. Can you please make sure there are no more surprises around? [ she looks well and that dress is perfect on her. ]I'm going to find Kisuke. [ the slip of the name doesn't even cross gin's mind as she turns, heading off.

ichigo's reiatsu is cloaked so she can only sense tsunayashiro's and naoyuki's, more faint than before but present. gin tampers down on panic, on concern.

but apparently she need not worry because that is very much ichigo and she's--well, there is a reason why soul society owes him so much and why he's feared by many and respected by the rest. man, oh man, the captain commander is going to have such a mess to clean up here. ]

[hatician]

Of course. [Ururu curtsied once more, though much more out of gratitude than the way she had taunted her enemies earlier. She was in the middle of cleaning her hands with a kerchief, freshly stained pink. A little flush came over her cheeks when she saw Gin's injuries but she knew better than to press a soul reaper on those things. Instead, she pinched a syrette between her fingers and tossed it to Gin before she took off. An injectable to help seal her wounds for treatment.]

It's good seeing you, Gin-san.

[Gin had already turned away when she made her mistake, prompting a more somber expression from Ururu. She shook it off, feeling guilty over her silence over the past few years, knowing she hadn't been brave enough to reach out to her to bring up Naoyuki. Hearing his name from her only deepened that guilt. Not that it lasted long.]

Urahara-san! One of them got past us and Oono went to help! Can we trust that Soul Reaper?! Naoyuki won't be able to take a guy like that by himself!

[One of the students in the group on the street called out. Their little trio had been a little beaten up but were otherwise fine, a few of Naoyuki's attackers laid out and bleeding from superficial injuries. Unlike the more seasoned warriors, they weren't as eager to take someone's life if they weren't a hollow. Ururu frowned deeply, watching Gin disappear over a rooftop before she could warn her. On the other hand, Oono would be a problem all by herself.]

[Ichigo and Tsunayashiro met swords, the two old men contrasting deeply. One, worn down and still dignified, met the other, brash-looking and quite healthy. For his age, Ichigo didn't show a hint of stillness in his hand. When he met blades with Tsunayashiro, he was more than ready to retaliate to each follow-up swing. Tsunayashiro, feeling he was being toyed with, began unleashing more of Enrakyoten's stored abilities. Various powers from the Captains of the Gotei 13 manifested, Rashomon included.

Naoyuki hadn't stuck around. Enrakyoten was terrifying but Zangetsu would require some geographical restructuring. That was going to be a busy weekend for him. Loosing a breath, he came to a halt in the street just below the mountain trails, tossing off his ripped hoodie. His tee was smudged with mud and blood, the long cut in his clothing showing bruised, burned skin. Even with automatic regeneration, he wasn't going to recover from an injury made by soul cutter that strong so easily. As it stood, he couldn't move more than two fingers on that hand

Just in time for the last of the nobles to arrive. This one looked pristine though he didn't carry the same imposing presence as Shimura or Tsunayashiro.]

This doesn't have to be a failure. I still have a chance...

[Naoyuki could feel Oono and Gin as they came close, though Rashomon was still quicker. The shadowy hound had trailed him even down the path, lunging forward and locking down on the last noble's shoulder to keep him from drawing his sword. He fell back, ripping the hound's shadow free before darting toward Naoyuki who drew his own. There was a scuffle and a moment's retaliation. Oono landed first, her sword half-drawn, expecting Naoyuki to be defenseless. She could intervene and give him time to escape at least, even if she'd be hurt. Always in his lab, he never followed along when they...

Rather, while she did draw her sword, she didn't take any further step. There was something unnervingly cold about the look in his eyes when he ended the last noble's life with a single stroke, flicking blood free from his blade once his enemy fell, perishing. His head was swimming with pain and exhaustion so much he couldn't see anyone but the dead man lying at his feet. He lifted his hand to touch his chest, right along the long string of bruises.]

Too easy. Do I really feel nothing about doing this?

[hatician]

[With her mask on, Gin was afforded a few levels of protection from him but he had been watching her as he made that fancy little move happen. The slightest crease in her expression wouldn't go unnoticed.

Well, not that he even needed to see that. Gin was clearly a fan of operators. Once he stood up straight, he offered her a cute little wink and stepped over the then-unconscious lieutenant so he could reach into his pocket for his phone. From his own pocket, he found a little sim card to replace the lieutenant's with.]

Very good to know. Do you know who would cause the most uproar if I were to take them hostage, by the way?

[cloths]

Take them— [ gin falls silent and considers the question. well, technically fukuchi's group would be the most upset if one of their men went missing but if mori found out, he'd really... well, mori wasn't known for being kind to subordinates who broke the rules.

she watches him, curious and nervous, not obvious to most; except gin might as well be an open book to urahara with the way her fingers and expressions give away her thoughts.] Probably my own boss, why? Unless no one finds out it was you and by extension me... then it'd just mean Fukuchi's group would be upset.

[cloths]

[ a quick nod of thanks at the offered syringe and gin tucks that into a sleeve before heading off. there are many things she doesn't like in this moment but those will be dealt with once kisuke is safe. gin would have protected naoyuki for the simple fact he is human (but that is all about to go out the window once she realises a few things) as that is her duty as a shinigami. of course, she wouldn't have felt her emotions slip their leash if the target had been a stranger.

torn skin stings, the muscle having taken the brunt of the blade but gin knows there are worse injuries than a clean stab. this is nothing in return for a life. a future threat to kisuke eliminated with the usual practicality that she's known for. as a captain, gin is frighteningly practical, and while earlier on she had been a tad harder, she's softened up in the sense that she has a kind word here and there. that she is not to be disobeyed but that she can be reasonable if the facts are presented.

however, she's also unapproachable, a 'distant beauty' as some of the new 7th squad recruits whisper when she's not around. she stops only briefly to inject and feels the instant relief, it'll hold until it is properly treated and he flexes her fingers.

what a mess. ] Fuck.[ not fast enough, she should be moving faster. once this is over she's going to find yoruichi-san and ask for further training. she has to be stronger this time, she can't allow anything to happen to him again.

once she feels the seal lift she can feel her hounds draw strength, a direct extension of her: mad, hungry, loyal.

there's no hiding the utter relief when she spots a dead body that is not naoyuki's and the one hand nearby comes back around to circle its mistress, curling around the shadows of her captain's white haori, like a shadow. a command given with a twitch of her hand and one of the hounds is now turning to stare at oono while the second slips into the shadows, just to be sure.

gin doesn't know what to call him, so instead she treads lightly but there is no mistaking the brisk pace, the way she cuts the distance between them as quickly as possible while trying to hide the concern.

fuck it, if he doesn't care about taking a life it's unimportant. gin doesn't care, he's still breathing.]

They were trying to kill you.

[hatician]

[A heavy gust of wind came from the mountains. Ichigo was done. With the last of the hostile presences either subdued or dead, Naoyuki had his time to breathe. Looking up to the cold, grey sky above and finding it beautiful as one appreciated more things once they returned from the brink of death. That elated feeling was only masked by the sheer exhaustion that rolled over him all at once. He had his moment to appreciate life. Next, he had to take in everything and be ready for the next time. It would be worse. He'd need more tools at his disposal. Truthfully, had he been alone, he might have been able to take out Tsunayashiro but not the whole group.

Already, despite how he could barely move one hand, he was thinking about the next battle as if it would break out in the next few moments.

Oono had already come to him, looking to check his face but something made her stop and come to slide. Naoyuki, hand still clutching his sword, looked pensive. Focused. Gin touching down had caught his eye in the middle of his thoughts and he recognized her. There had been a moment in which he noticed her seal had been removed. It changed the frequency of her spirit once the floodgates were loosed and kept him vaguely aware that there could still be danger if even she were on still on her guard.

Gin would see something familiar in him. Careful, active observation. For only just a moment, he was reading her. Once he understood it had all ended, he smiled wide but it was something a little hollow. As if he still hadn't quite left the fight. Oono was already beside him, checking him carefully. She was closer to their strong arm than a medic but she insisted on trying to look over and decide how to handle his bruises. She had stirred earlier when Gin arrived but caved and went after him the moment that strange feeling cleared. She had seen Gin fighting earlier.

Trying to kill him? Of course. ]

That would be a reasonable assumption. That, or they were the strongest muggers I've ever come by.

[Said cheerily even despite the pain and despite how he hadn't put away his sword.]

[cloths]

[ they aren't alone, gin is keeping half of her attention on oono and the familiar way she stays by his side; so she doesn't laugh even though there is a flicker of amusement at those words, betrayed in the way she tilts her head a little. naoyuki will probably have a complete dictionary to gin-mannerisms soon enough, she's stoic compared to her younger self but perhaps she's coming to accept that naoyuki is urahara. what that will mean later is another issue entirely but while she's still on guard, she is letting rashomon take point in keeping track of anything that might have escaped.

the hollowness of that smile though...] I told you this would happen, Sato-san. [ there was no way gin would permit herself too much familiarity in an open space like this. a quick glance in oono's direction again, and she feels unreasonably annoyed. ] Do you even know what you're doing? The wounds aren't as superficial as he's trying to make them appear.

[ she's not fourth but she knows those bruises go deeper, those cuts sting more and that tomorrow he's going to be hurting and ought to stay in bed. will he? if he's kisuke, then certainly not. ]

[hatician]

Seriously? That's almost a little too clean for an event like this.

[He fished around his pockets for his phone, speaking with the knife still between his teeth.]

I even went through the trouble of disabling cell signals when we came in, so it's really just going to be a bit of a fight.

[When was it ever so simple? Well. Not that he wouldn't be ready. If any of them possessed abilities at all like Gin's brother, then he'd have an excuse to use his knife. Taking it from between his teeth, Kisuke continued. Gin had been so attentive and trusting with him that he couldn't quite resist giving her something interesting to work with.]

Is there anyone in the crowd you'd like a bit of petty revenge on, by the way? Anyone who might have bugged you recently?

[hatician]

[By his proper name. Was it because of Oono? A little of his smile withered at the thought but it was bound to vanish anyway. He'd been prepared for injuries of that kind already but feeling them was something else. The pain still rung in his head. Using the hogyoku for more than a few moments at a time was risky, so his recovery was incomplete.

Oono raised her head, wheeling on Gin only halfway. Her hands were bathed in green light, her healing kido flaring to a massive extent. It was something powerful and well-controlled and still, the bruising was hardly going away. Oono looked a solemn mix of panicked and furious over something he couldn't quite see. Deciding to move beyond it, Naoyuki lifted his broken hand a bit shakily, offering them both a smile when she interjected.]

I know what I'm doing! His injury, it's too--!

Please go easy on Oono-san, Captain Akutagawa. Her healing kido is really up to par but I was dealing with a cursed soul cutter.

[Oono stilled at the words, not understanding the implication fully but the word 'cursed' contained something obviously troubling. Combined with his damaged state and the fact that he was carrying his own soul cutter, she was worn down with all her questions.

He was sure to make neither of them any happier with his words--especially not the next few. As if his injury simply didn't matter to him. As if he were completely pleased with the whole outcome except for one wrinkle.]

I think I lucked out! I got so much valuable information, today but... I'm sorry it came with you being hurt, Captain.

[cloths]

Cursed. [ because that's the word that is worth repeating out of that entire sentence; gin isn't mean enough to bully a human girl for lacking proficiency in the healing arts. and in gin's opinion, she does but that is neither here nor there. as long as naoyuki isn't bleeding to death this will do.

rashomon, now satisfied that there is nothing to fear in the vicinity dispells, gin's sword returning to her hand before she sheathes it away. ] Why are you running around with a cursed-

[ but then he has to say that and she's speechless that he can be so flippant about everything he's doing. this man is an idiot, just like kisuke was.

gin looks murderous despite the fact she's not frowning nor yelling, the trademark akutagawa glare that spelt violence, if looks could kill, there would be a significant body count behind. ] It's nothing, unlike your own injuries, Sato-san.

[ however, how to deal with this? if she accepts that he is kisuke's reincarnation what does that mean? aside from his old enemies, what else did he inherit? gin can't help but feel apprehensive about his well-being, his happiness, the fact that his life could be cut short through no fault of his own.

because if she accepts that he is kisuke's reincarnation, and she has mostly done so, then it also means he's not exactly the same person and shouldn't be burdened with the weight carried by his predecessor. gin doesn't want him to suffer anymore than she wanted kisuke to suffer.

and though the familiarity is plain to see now that she's spent more time observing him, there is enough of a difference from the wary, worn-down man she knew compared to this man who is recklessly confident in a charming way. who isn't scarred in the way kisuke was.

gin glances at oono.

besides, he's human mostly, correct? ] Either way, if your companion's skills are not sufficient, I can ask someone from Four to help.

[ it is also that moment that akutagawa gin decides that she's not getting involved with this person. she will help and protect him, but that's it, and that decision being made causes something in her to relax; if she won't get involved then it won't hurt. he can't leave her again.

and then it is much easier to help prevent whatever disaster he's clearly heading towards. ] As for cursed objects, we need to contact Twelve.

[cloths]

This is an important event but it's not the main act. Why would they send someone like me to that? I'm just here to cover the lower side of things. [ more or less. gin doesn't have the skills some of her other co-workers who rise through the ranks do: you know like her brother who turns his coat into a raging stabby monster of death.

the question catches her off-guard, but even as she hesitates the answer is obviously yes. ] Urahara-san, are you planning something devious because you are bored tonight? [ a hint of teasing there, a certain appreciative warmth solely for him to see in private. ]

A few people in the main room are ability users, how well do Soul Reapers hold against that type?

[hatician]

[He'd say nothing of how her spirit could have affected her body since she could see through the veil of death. In a sense, though, she was right. She'd really need a little training to be just that dangerous to go shoulder-to-shoulder with monsters like that.

Even with that in mind, he smiled quite happily and offered Gin a wide shrug.]

Would you say I look bored? It's time spent with you at a nicer party! If I add my personal flavor to it then I'd rather call that enhancement.

[With that, a tiny bit of honesty. Gin, trusting him and knowing him a bit better than she should have for the sake of her sanity, likely understood he would be fine by the end of the evening no matter what.]

As for myself, you don't need to worry. In a worst-case scenario, I could always just brute-force things and knock everyone out in the building but I wouldn't want to overwhelm your senses quite so. Instead, I think I'd just like to use the chance to field-test a few experiments of mine.

[hatician]

[Oono's struggle with his injury only hastened with Gin's harsh appraisal and her suggestion. Something in her seemed to strain, putting her utmost into combatting whatever it was in Tsunayashiro's sword that made it so difficult for Naoyuki to recover.

The entire time, Naoyuki watched Gin with an air of ease, unperturbed by his injury. Fascinated with how she regarded him. In such a short amount of time, she showed signs of something promising. Something that made his heart skip a beat. That understanding that some part of her was looking at him as someone important to her was both a relief and a twist of a knife in his stomach.

It wasn't the suspicion that she was seeing Kisuke when she looked at him. He'd already understood that he wasn't quite his own person some time ago. When he awakened Benitaisho, it became abundantly clear that he was a piece of someone else. Part of that understanding gave him a sense of peace.

That feeling renewed something in him. He would, if everything went the way he wanted it to, be whole again. With a weary smile, he finally turned his sword over, hand shaking, and sheathed the blade. Just in time for the rest of the rest of his group to arrive. None of them seemed ready to see him with a sword, even if it were sheathed.]

You don't need to contact Soul Society for additional assistance, Captain Akutagawa.

[It wasn't an issue of pride or even a concern for his safety. There were certain things that could damage her reputation. He was certain of it. It was one thing for him to sneak into her division and another for her to suddenly request aid from two other divisions to assist him.]

I'll be fine when I return to my lab. Would you believe me if I said I were ready for this?

[cloths]

Enhancement. [ gin echoes looking at urahara like he's suddenly started speaking a foreign language. she's torn between amusement, an uncertain fondness and concern for doing her job. ] I certainly can't stop you from doing anything.[ practical to the last and gin isn't even going to tell him no, because ultimately, she trusts him. there is no reason not to; he's done everything so far, in gin's perception, to be trustworthy without intending to. from helping her when injured to agreeing to attend this party.

she does not touch him though she's tempted to tug at his suit, to smooth it out once more before whatever else he wants to test out happens. ]

I do want to know how it is that he seems to recognise you but you can tell me after. [ a pause ] Not that I wish to pry into your business.

[cloths]

[ and yet it is painfully obvious that gin is not concerned about her reputation when it is weighted against his wellbeing. it's not even part of the equation; no matter what she says or how she addresses him, it is clear that kisuke remains her biggest, most obvious, most painful blindspot.

gin would trade her life for his, now more than ever, certain that if someone does deserve a second chance at life it is him. as if it really were such a simple thing to decide and be certain of. ]

I would believe you. [ gin doesn't like it, that's for sure. she opens his mouth as if she wants to ask more, then decides against it. asking is inviting him closer and that's not what gin wants; she doesn't need to be close to protect him.

a quick glance at oono to see how her healing is progressing and whether gin can leave well enough alone or will step in. ] I also don't feel particularly reassured by that knowledge. [ with good reason, gin would argue.

she needs to speak to him in private but she also doesn't want to speak to him in private and give him any wrong ideas of where he most certainly, absolutely and without doubt stands in regard to her. ]

[hatician]

Oh, that? I still have no idea how they know me.

[Allowing Gin her chance to give him a little subtle attention, even if just watching him carefully, Kisuke picked through one of his pockets to find a little metal canister. It looked something like a smoke bomb and he slid one finger into the pin, ready to pull it.]

Not that it would surprise me if they're someone I've irritated in passing. Even if I were a more agreeable person, I suppose that would just be the inevitability of life.

[Smiling a little wider, he thought aloud.]

The next time we do a date, we should go somewhere nicer, by the way.

[hatician]

I apologize, then. I don't think I'm as inspiring as Shiro, so I wouldn't know how to reassure you.

[In many regards, Naoyuki and Kisuke were no different from one another. When they needed help, they wouldn't hesitate to take it. When they needed privacy, they would endeavor to guarantee it. In this way, he and Kisuke were two entirely different people. He was happy to take Gin's answer when she gave it to him without prying to begging more of her. He understood, in a sense, that it was the best he would get.

Oono grimaced, shaking her head when he smiled her way, attempting to look reassuring.]

It's healing but you shouldn't just disappear into your lab once I'm done, Sato-san.

[The two young men arriving were accompanied by Ururu, who had been quietly approaching, a grim look on her face. Naoyuki blinked rapidly, hasty in putting away his sword. Oono averted her eyes, not wanting to look even as she kept her hand steady in finishing up the touches on his shoulder.]

Urahara-san! I...

[Ururu looked at him a moment, impassive, before turning to Gin and pulling her in for a tight hug, whispering in her ear softly. Shyly.]

I'm sorry... For not telling you about him.

@ghaist childhood friends!!

[hatician]

[It took hours for him to revert the real Karakura, returning it to its space. It certainly wasn't something that could wait as every resident had been rendered unconscious through the process. He couldn't leave a single person aside though, at both Yoruichi and Tessai's insistence, he made the effort to rest once it was complete. He'd been working throughout it all, concealing the depth of his injuries to allow everyone else that priority.

'Kisuke. It's over. Settle like the rest of us.'

Yoruichi, knowing him too well to bother trying to force him to let himself, watched impassively as he set up his console at the kitchen table and began making more work for himself. Monitoring the fourth's data on Hiyori's recovery and beginning to piece together research to return Ichigo's powers to him only a few hours after they were lost, Kisuke loosed a sigh.]

I'm sitting and enjoying tea. Resting.

[Yoruichi left, responding with her own exasperated sigh. It didn't surprise her than Kisuke went back on his promise less than an hour after making it. Rather, she decided she simply didn't have the energy to convince him to stop. Instead, she offered the shop's new guest a curious look and smile before disappearing into her room down the hall. Kisuke must have been quite distracted by his work and the exhausting pain he was in to not notice her.]

It's not going to end here, after all.

[cloths]

[ gin flashes yoruichi a smile as they pass each other and she knows to follow the direction the other had been coming from to find him. nerves keep her from hurrying along to say hello, and she knows it is ridiculous. it's been a long time but it has not been— alright, a century and then some is a long time but now that aizen has been unmasked everything should be fixed.

he could come back to soul society. captain mayuri wouldn't like that but—

the past could stay in the past. gin feels oddly hopeful as she fiddles with her hair, a loose braid to keep her hair tidy and--she fusses briefly with her appearance before stepping into the kitchen.

she's being ridiculous she knows. ]

What's not going to end here?

[hatician]

[He hadn't seen her prior on the battlefield. Among the captains, Gin had been one of those best suited to assist Ichigo in Hueco Mundo. That much might have been a blessing for him. If he had to count her among the ones who faced Aizen before he could arrive then he might not have stood a chance at sleeping that week. Still, he hadn't realized she was there until she stepped through the threshold, so Gin was treated to a rather genuine flash of surprise in his eyes visible even through the gentle blue light of his holographic monitor.

In two parts, he stood up. There was a wave of pain that radiated from his ankles to his throat that slowed him immediately but, beyond that, his relief in having a chance to see her again fell prey to the doubts that kept him anchored to his shop in the first place. He didn't go to her immediately, restrained by that realization that he'd squandered his obligation.]

Gin--

[What right did he have to speak with her so cordially after all of that? A hundred years of silence after he promised he wouldn't leave her like the others--]

Ah. No, it's Captain Akutagawa now, correct? You haven't been a lieutenant for quite some time...

[cloths]

[ she relishes the look of genuine surprise on his face because honestly, genius bastards are so hard to be caught off-guard, and she does not often manages it. it has been a long time since they both have shared the same space and were gin a more emotional person she may have reached out to touch him. instead, she tilts her head, cataloguing the way he is moving.

the way he gets up does not escape her scrutiny though gin remains where she is rooted in place by that formal address. there is a little glimpse of hurt and discomfort but she shakes it off and straightens.

after all, she is proud of her rank. ]

Well, yes, but don't be stupid, Kisuke.

[ we're friends.

although... ]

[hatician]

No. I supposed even that wouldn't change.

[Not those memories of...

Little escaped him. The paranoia built up in him for nearly a century had cultivated something completely new in him. The near-constantly jovial young man he was no longer fit who he was in the present. Pieces of him had been shaved off and replaced by bits of a mask and shards of armor.

Still, he could see that miniscule shift in her expression. A tiny squeeze of her eyes that carried him forward. Pain gripped at him but he reached for her arm, regardless, falling into an old habit. The dignity and grace that came with being a Captain of the Thirteen Court Guard squad?]

I'm sorry for leaving you, Gin. My little shadow.

[cloths]

[ everything changes, everything has to or one risks stagnating; the changes she sees in him are concerning but this all feels too much to reach out and ask. gin wishes she could, she wishes she could touch his arm and draw answers out of him-no matter how much he tries to withhold them. but she no longer has that quiet confidence when it comes to him, even if she still feels fond.

the nickname still has the slightest tinge of red creeping across her cheeks and then she's grasping his forearm. ]

It's... it doesn't matter anymore. [ not entirely true, she's not mad at him but it's still...difficult to think of it. gin hates abandonment irrationally so, so even when she can make sense as to why things happened the way they did, she's still prone to feeling agitated. ]

I didn't want to wait longer. [ to see you. soul society bureocracy would take some time in removing his exile, even though aizen had been defeated and kisuke was proven to be innocent beyond all doubt- so gin had come. ]

You look like you need sleep. [ to put it delicately. ]

[hatician]

[He scarcely had the time to give her any sort of reassurance before Gin gripped his arm, the soft pressure of her weight and her insistence on him. 'Kisuke's Little Shadow' had been her nickname upon her graduation and acceptance into the second division as she'd, just so constantly, find her way to his side. With time, he made concessions to free up her schedule to let her have her way as a little apology for the amount of time he left her on his routine missions. The only place she couldn't ever follow him into had been the Maggot's Nest and, for that brief time, meetings between captains.

Quite suddenly, it ended, and he was left with his new labs, sterile and empty of any presence other than his own. He pretended not to notice she wasn't in the corner of his sight anymore though he'd always feel as if he were waiting for that occasional tug on his sleeve.

He didn't often think of much else other than his work as a soul reaper and, beyond that, putting a stop to Aizen's ambitions. Beyond that, he had been ready to give up on any inclination that he could return to--]


It's a little too soon to rest.

[Her grip squeezed him and he couldn't fault her for it. Even if he wasn't to blame, it didn't change that he'd disappeared.]

Have you eaten since you were treated? I don't have it in me to make anything but I can order something.