[Tsunayshiro's head descended upon the forest, touching down softly. He found Naoyuki on his back, struggling to stand.
At that same time, Shimura had been conjuring a denser and denser storm to entrap Gin completely. Once he saw she sent one of her blades to chase after Naoyuki and the other clan head, he scowled and closed the two of them off in that twisting vortex, leaving them isolated. Within that space, he fought with Gin, carrying on despite the deep wound she put in his arm. He was, after all, chasing her with his rage every moment he fought. The remaining nobles rushed to give chase only to be stopped by a woman with long black hair, wearing a cute, floral dress. One of Gin's old item. Ururu, looking no older than thirty, leveled her hand in the direction of the oncoming group.
Polite, she curtsied while standing on thin air.]
It's nice to meet you. I'm Urahara Ururu.
[One of the nobles interrupted, drawing her sword and swinging for Ururu as she bowed, only to see her arm twist back unnaturally. Ururu's hand had raised and she had done nothing more than give her a 'gentle' shove in response.]
Please. Cheap shots are part of my family's trademark. [Dusting her hands off, Ururu settled into a stance.] Now, please, all of you. Surrender or die.
[Naoyuki groaned, picking himself up from the ground. The sword he clashed with had been something else entirely. Something that shouldn't have rightfully existed. When Tsunayashiro landed beside him, he could see the sickeningly angry blade clutched in his hand and could feel its malice.]
Urahara. I'll take my time to cut you into pieces, so please... Raise your sword. It won't satisfy me until I kill you as a soul reaper would.
[Naoyuki fell on his side, seemingly having trouble just breathing. His zanpakuto, embedded in a tree, wouldn't come free when he went to pry it loose. Tsunyashiro scoffed, picking up the young man by the arm, looking on as his head slumped. Naoyuki took in a breath, deep and distorted, just as Tsunayashiro lifted that evil sword to plunge into his chest. When the young man raised his head to look him in the eyes, Tsunayashiro was met with black sclera. A white mask with a fox's smile.]
Got'cha.
[Naoyuki's mask split at that smile, a bright red cero bursting from his open mouth, engulfing Tsunayashiro and burying him into the dirt. Burned over most of his upper body, the old man looked up in surprise to see the fox's mask peering down at him.]
Hollowification!? As if you could have gone any madder!
[ the jackhammering of her heart against her ribs is all gin can hear over the storm around her and shimura. he doesn't know it yet but she's already decided that, regardless of the punishment and the captain commander's stern face, she's going to kill this man. that is how the port mafia resolved issues, how gin was brought up to deal with them when she'd been but a black lizard battalion squad member. verlaine had said to make sure an opponent stayed down because if they got up again- well, this is an example of it already. giving the tsunayashiro clan time to regain enough force to do this. verlaine would tell her to kill them all.
using her blades to kill a fellow shinigami had been something gin hadn't had to do in twenty years. somehow, the fact kisuke's returning is causing all this is perfectly normal in the back of her mind. she's unhappy about it, but how many things has she not done for urahara kisuke before that have eaten away at her? not in anger but in sorrow.
at the periphery, she is certain she's spotted ururu and that's a relief. if she's noticed then it means others had to have as well. the urgency of rashomon reaching its target is less so now as gin doesn't think it's fast enough to catch up before a more severe blow is aimed at naoyuki's very delicate, very frail, very human skin. had urahara seen her at first and thought of that too? how breakable humans are in comparison to shinigami and hollows and everything else living and breathing under the same blue sky.
thankfully, ururu's arrival also means gin has one single opponent to focus on. the target of her anger and all she needs is one good blow. what would verlaine say? he'd probably ask her to curb that anger and wait for an opening but gin doesn't want to wait. she's no genius, she can't calculate the variables of this battle, of whatever else is going on outside the storm. there are guesses that can be made but those aren't good enough in this situation.
oh, her old mentors would be so disappointed. even dazai, though this is the sort of strategy he would've goaded pawns into using (gin included). rashomon whispered quietly as she lets go of the blade and the hound returns, reaching with dark, hungry jaws to tear at the storm as if it were solid cloth and not just air. she has no blade to parry the katana like this and so gin allows it to sink into her shoulder.
the pain is blinding for a moment or two, being stabbed is never pleasant. shimura's look of triumph falters when he sees gin is reaching to grab onto his hand to hold the hilt in place. there. now she's close enough. ]
Rashomon[ —from hound to blade again, she's within reach, the small slit over his throat, the artery wide open and dousing everything red. the storm goes and gin waits because she wants to make sure shimura is dead. ]
[A number of young men and women, fresh out of high school, came to assist Ururu with her targets. The soul reapers scattered, taking to the new arrivals with a deep affront, leaving Ururu to sigh, dusting her skirt off with one hand. In her other hand, a noble gurgled helplessly with her fingers closed around his throat.]
It would be rude to take away this opportunity for them to learn. A shame. I would have been able to let go of quite a lot of stress if I were allowed you all.
[Shimura had descended upon Gin with sheer force, coming to believe he could pin her at a complete disadvantage. Killing her before her power could be restored by an order would be the most practical move. It would give him a chance to assist Tsunayashiro. No matter what, he couldn't let him take Kisuke's head. Lost in thought, he chased down Gin with every intent to crush her so that she couldn't stand again. She was a Captain, after all. If he didn't obliterate her with force, then she could only stand back up.
When he came to drive his sword into her, he had been aiming for her throat. Rather than avoiding it, she re-directed him to drive it through her shoulder instead. Strong, ruthless fingers closed around his sword guard, keeping him locked in place. Before he could retreat and force the blade free? She accomplished what she set out to do. Shimura only had that one moment of frustration and shock left in his life before Gin activated Rashomon once more.]
This only buys you--
[Certainly, something she paid for and earned. He couldn't finish those words without his throat, after all, dead before he could even touch the pavement, his storms dissipating into whispers of wind while the ones in the street fought.]
[Tsunayashiro stood up, gritting his teeth through the pain that flared along his skin after being burned so thoroughly by Naoyuki's cero. He advanced and swung his blade with a roar of force. The young man put his body into parrying the blow, wincing. He was blown back, breathing hard from the pain as he splintered his way through a tree trunk. The entire thing collapsed, forcing him to dive to avoid being caught underneath it. Tsunayashiro was on him in an instant. Decoy after decoy, destroyed when Tsunayashiro unleashed Enryakoten's power. Fire. Ice. Lightning. Stone. Blades. The zanpakuto that could imitate all other zanpakuto was something deadly in the elder's hands and it took everything Naoyuki had to simply escape and slow the more experienced warrior down. Tsunayashiro advanced, unimpressed by the bag of tricks he was being shown, slicing the mask off Naoyuki's face in one stroke. In the second, he scored a blow on the young man that could be considered the last, cutting him from shoulder to hip with a master's precision. His sweatshirt burst open and with it, blood blossomed from him. For that moment, Tsunayashiro lowered his guard. He was certainly cut in two.
Naoyuki had run out of decoys. Gadgets. Tricks. Blood ran down his front freely and, in that moment of victory and elation, Tsunayashiro considered letting him fall to simply watch. In the middle of his swing, one of the black hounds of Rashomon had grabbed hold of his leg, tearing into the bone of his calf and slowing his assault but he could attest--his training guaranteed he would still finish the swing.]
How convenient.
[Tsunayashiro stirred, something in him seizing up when Naoyuki reached up and ran fingers through his hair. As if he hadn't been cut. Impossibly, he stood, the sickening slash in his shoulder knitting together through a fiery blue light that burned in the center of his chest. The light vanished soon after, his wound failing to heal any further. Even as bloodied as he'd been and so close to death again, Naoyuki smiled wide.]
'Enrakyoten'. I remember that file. It's so deadly that I couldn't possibly recover fully from that last swing but now that I have, I've recovered something important. Still, I'm even more grateful it was weakened somewhat by Captain Akutagawa's assist. Close one, right?
Truly. You really are a monster, Urahara Kisuke. Even so, you won't survive this a second time.
Sir! [Almost annoyed, Naoyuki made himself laugh and waved his sword reproachfully. His shoulder, still quite injured, wouldn't let him grip it with his other hand. Even as Tsunayashiro drew his sword once more, he still scolded his attacker.] I'd like you to keep that word out of your mouth but I won't have to worry about that for very long.
[Tsunayashiro came forward like a bullet, aiming to skewer Naoyuki's throat. He came to a halt, the tip of his family's sword stopped dead on the flat of Zangetsu. Ichigo, boiling with anger beneath the reiatsu-shrouding cloak he carried for those precise circumstances, loosed a cool breath and squared his shoulders.]
There's some things I don't tolerate. Kyoraku is just going to have to clean this one up.
[ 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. ]
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?
[ 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.]
[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.]
[ 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. ]
[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.
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.
[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?
[ 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. ]
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.]
[ how could gin be mad at ururu when such an apology was offered? she returns the hug lightly, a little stiffly because of the injury. she's not sure she can say something about all this without her voice wavering, and so instead she instead hopes the quick squeeze relays that message: it's okay, it's fine. it's past.
at least, in gin's opinion, ururu cannot be held responsible about anything here. she'd like to hope that the truth of urahara's reincarnation-whatever-he-did was kept from her for a reason better than just to 'spare her feelings'. she's going to be mad if that was the case. ]
Yes, I think Sato-san shouldn't be allowed to just disappear into his lab until he rests up from this...adventure.
[Quite suddenly, the icy gap between Gin and Oono seemed to dissipate in a small way, exposing Naoyuki to their merciless judgment. Oono was the optimistic type but she was tough and sensible and Gin, from what he'd learned in a short time, cared little for his particular brand of obfuscation.
Had his previous incarnation been so obvious that she'd expect him to deflect?]
I mean, I have a bed in the warehouse--
[Ururu, happily, squeezed Gin one more time before rounding on Naoyuki and kicking him in the side, spinning him through a shop window.]
SATO-SAN!?
[Oono's otherwise relaxed facade vanished with the young man in question as she was stunned into stillness.]
[ privately, gin can't help but think that is a very well-deserved kick. she bites her lower lip, hiding a smile. ]
He's fine. [ gin can't help but find a certain level of kinship with naoyuki's companion now that they have established that someone needs to keep an eye on him. permanently.
her tone is deadpan, with just the slightest tinge of sarcasm infused to make her stance more than clear. ] Now what he needs is a proper bed and not some ratty nest in a warehouse.
I am sure anything urgent can take care of itself until he's had at least sleep and proper food. [ gin looks at oono: he's your problem now. ]
[A little gasp escaped him as he sat up. Though Ururu's blow looked deadly to any outsider, she made an effort to purposefully strike him where he wasn't injured and to have him land far beyond any broken glass. He might have slammed through another wall but it was still a careful enough landing him where he wouldn't truly be hurt too much more than before.
Oono didn't know that much. She simply gawked at Gin. Ururu, coming back beside her, pinched Gin's robes and tugged them unconsciously, clearly looking for her opportunity to talk with her again. Naoyuki choked out a sigh once more as Oono hurriedly jumped through the window to look for him.]
S-S-Soul reapers are all crazy, aren't they!?
[Despite wearing her own shihakusho, of course, she was only a substitute soul reaper. Once Oono found Naoyuki, she resumed her fussing just as Ururu spared Gin a worrying look.]
Do you want me to treat you properly, Gin-chan? [Of course, she never lost that bad habit Kisuke had taught her. She understood, well enough, that Gin hadn't truly distanced herself from Kisuke throughout the years--even after he passed. It pained her, seeing the conflict that had stricken her earlier.] They may be noble soul reapers but their swords carry curses. He taught me how to purge vile things.
[ satisfied in letting oono fuss over naoyuki, and that he is, in fact, just fine makes gin turn her attention to ururu. her shoulders sag a little, the weight of the injury beginning to sink in despite the first aid administered before. it would most likely scar, a rare thing for gin who is quick on her feet and has always been skilled enough to avoid blows that would scar. she's been injured plenty but always more superficial than not. ]
If you do not mind, please, Ururu-chan. [ there are the beginnings of a smile there. gin keeps her voice down, between them because, well, there are things she wants to ask. ] You've been looking after him all this time?
[ not upset about being kept out of the loop. if anything, it had probably been for the best. ]
[Mindful of Gin and her station, Ururu didn't look to pry at how she'd been handling herself in the past few decades. It wasn't as if they'd never seen one another since then but, without Kisuke, she'd become much more independent. She hadn't assumed Gin would recognize her or treat her quite the same. Even so, she seemed a bit happy to conjure her best, most appropriate kido to treat her. The grid-like web of tendrils she conjured from her fingertips found Gin's partially-repaired wounds and began stitching them in tightly, painlessly, much the way her father had taught her.]
He sprung up out of nowhere, as you might expect. I haven't been able to figure out where from and he'll lie about his parents.
Even so. [It took a startlingly short amount of time. Eight Division soul reapers had started arriving to clean up the scene, a number carrying seal warrants to see if Gin was willing to approve memory erasure for any bystanders. Ururu, her voice still soft as it always would be, offered Gin an apologetic smile that fit her all too well with time.]
[ gin frowns. none of this bodes well, especially because it's kisuke and his secrecy has reasons but also— ] Oh, that feels a bit weird [ she doesn't pull away and instead forces herself to relax. it doesn't hurt and the ease with which her wound is mending speaks of care and practice; of someone who took lessons bestowed on them to heart. gin doesn't smile but the tense lines of her body ease up. ]
I don't think it's smart to leave him unsupervised. [ she knows ururu will keep an eye on him but gin? gin can't so easily sneak back and forth due to her station. and in truth, would she even trust anyone else to do this? ] If you say it is him then ... I don't have a reason to doubt him but—[ it is maybe herself that wishes he wouldn't be kisuke. ]—what is he planning to do?
[ but gin knows that to answer that question she's going to need to keep visiting naoyuki and see.
[Ururu had rarely put herself forward as someone terribly confident even around Gin but it wasn't as if she were ever unreliable even in her youth.]
D-Did you see how far she kicked me...?
It's only a fracture! J-J-J-Just keep still, Sato-san!
[In turn, Ururu made no comment on that and simply narrowed her eyes to a fine point, focusing on knitting the last bits of skin and flesh together so that only one was clean and visible. She even ran the spell over Gin's scar, working through her tissue to bridge it together so finely it would only be visible as a sheepish, thin line on her skin.]
Shy of interrogating him, I don't know. He's using Kisuke's custom kido, his zanpakuto and he even prepares his tea the same way but... It's clear he doesn't know why he's doing it. If you bring up certain names or concepts, he's clueless. The only one he recognized had been yours.
[ none of what ururu is saying is helping this puzzle. gin is glad for the information but she knows that kisuke's intellect is-was unmatched, and whatever is at work here she might not be able to see anything until it is too late.
naoyuki shouldn't have to suffer or die, if he's kisuke or whatever and however he's linked to the shinigami—gin glances towards the side watching the two young adults fussing on the side.
yet, he recognised her name--it makes gin want to shrink away and reach out at the same time. if she hopes will she get hurt again, if she hopes too much-- ]
[Ururu frowned deeply, recognizing Gin's distant expression for what it was. No matter how she'd once been, what she shared with her father had been a strikingly keen eye.
You've already made up your mind.
She'd agonize over it but Gin was unerringly faithful. She and Kisuke shared that misery--the stubbornness and tenacity to persevere where everyone else would advise them to live more freely. As much as she loved him, she couldn't help but wonder if they would have lived more peacefully without their obsessions.]
I will. So, Gin-san... How much of this are you willing to keep in your report?
[There might have been a time that she was softer spoken but Ururu left Gin without an opening. If she was going to imply there was a need to protect Kisuke--the next thing to follow would be controlling what information left with her. For only a moment, Ururu's eyes were even sharper than her father's.]
As much as is needed to protect him. [ meaning: as little as possible, painting over details with broad strokes. gin could shoulder the weight of what happened here, she would take responsibility for the lives she took, and she would handle it. not just because kisuke is important to her but because this is also part of her duty. ] Soul Society is best left in the dark for now, I'll speak with the captain commander personally to ensure things are kept private.
[ and of course, her own squad she trusted to have her back no matter what her report said. ]
But...I will be back because-- [ she's sentimental. because she's still in love. because she wants to protect him. ]
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At that same time, Shimura had been conjuring a denser and denser storm to entrap Gin completely. Once he saw she sent one of her blades to chase after Naoyuki and the other clan head, he scowled and closed the two of them off in that twisting vortex, leaving them isolated. Within that space, he fought with Gin, carrying on despite the deep wound she put in his arm. He was, after all, chasing her with his rage every moment he fought. The remaining nobles rushed to give chase only to be stopped by a woman with long black hair, wearing a cute, floral dress. One of Gin's old item. Ururu, looking no older than thirty, leveled her hand in the direction of the oncoming group.
Polite, she curtsied while standing on thin air.]
It's nice to meet you. I'm Urahara Ururu.
[One of the nobles interrupted, drawing her sword and swinging for Ururu as she bowed, only to see her arm twist back unnaturally. Ururu's hand had raised and she had done nothing more than give her a 'gentle' shove in response.]
Please. Cheap shots are part of my family's trademark. [Dusting her hands off, Ururu settled into a stance.] Now, please, all of you. Surrender or die.
[Naoyuki groaned, picking himself up from the ground. The sword he clashed with had been something else entirely. Something that shouldn't have rightfully existed. When Tsunayashiro landed beside him, he could see the sickeningly angry blade clutched in his hand and could feel its malice.]
Urahara. I'll take my time to cut you into pieces, so please... Raise your sword. It won't satisfy me until I kill you as a soul reaper would.
[Naoyuki fell on his side, seemingly having trouble just breathing. His zanpakuto, embedded in a tree, wouldn't come free when he went to pry it loose. Tsunyashiro scoffed, picking up the young man by the arm, looking on as his head slumped. Naoyuki took in a breath, deep and distorted, just as Tsunayashiro lifted that evil sword to plunge into his chest. When the young man raised his head to look him in the eyes, Tsunayashiro was met with black sclera. A white mask with a fox's smile.]
Got'cha.
[Naoyuki's mask split at that smile, a bright red cero bursting from his open mouth, engulfing Tsunayashiro and burying him into the dirt. Burned over most of his upper body, the old man looked up in surprise to see the fox's mask peering down at him.]
Hollowification!? As if you could have gone any madder!
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using her blades to kill a fellow shinigami had been something gin hadn't had to do in twenty years. somehow, the fact kisuke's returning is causing all this is perfectly normal in the back of her mind. she's unhappy about it, but how many things has she not done for urahara kisuke before that have eaten away at her? not in anger but in sorrow.
at the periphery, she is certain she's spotted ururu and that's a relief. if she's noticed then it means others had to have as well. the urgency of rashomon reaching its target is less so now as gin doesn't think it's fast enough to catch up before a more severe blow is aimed at naoyuki's very delicate, very frail, very human skin. had urahara seen her at first and thought of that too? how breakable humans are in comparison to shinigami and hollows and everything else living and breathing under the same blue sky.
thankfully, ururu's arrival also means gin has one single opponent to focus on. the target of her anger and all she needs is one good blow. what would verlaine say? he'd probably ask her to curb that anger and wait for an opening but gin doesn't want to wait. she's no genius, she can't calculate the variables of this battle, of whatever else is going on outside the storm. there are guesses that can be made but those aren't good enough in this situation.
oh, her old mentors would be so disappointed. even dazai, though this is the sort of strategy he would've goaded pawns into using (gin included). rashomon whispered quietly as she lets go of the blade and the hound returns, reaching with dark, hungry jaws to tear at the storm as if it were solid cloth and not just air. she has no blade to parry the katana like this and so gin allows it to sink into her shoulder.
the pain is blinding for a moment or two, being stabbed is never pleasant. shimura's look of triumph falters when he sees gin is reaching to grab onto his hand to hold the hilt in place. there. now she's close enough. ]
Rashomon[ —from hound to blade again, she's within reach, the small slit over his throat, the artery wide open and dousing everything red. the storm goes and gin waits because she wants to make sure shimura is dead. ]
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It would be rude to take away this opportunity for them to learn. A shame. I would have been able to let go of quite a lot of stress if I were allowed you all.
[Shimura had descended upon Gin with sheer force, coming to believe he could pin her at a complete disadvantage. Killing her before her power could be restored by an order would be the most practical move. It would give him a chance to assist Tsunayashiro. No matter what, he couldn't let him take Kisuke's head. Lost in thought, he chased down Gin with every intent to crush her so that she couldn't stand again. She was a Captain, after all. If he didn't obliterate her with force, then she could only stand back up.
When he came to drive his sword into her, he had been aiming for her throat. Rather than avoiding it, she re-directed him to drive it through her shoulder instead. Strong, ruthless fingers closed around his sword guard, keeping him locked in place. Before he could retreat and force the blade free? She accomplished what she set out to do. Shimura only had that one moment of frustration and shock left in his life before Gin activated Rashomon once more.]
This only buys you--
[Certainly, something she paid for and earned. He couldn't finish those words without his throat, after all, dead before he could even touch the pavement, his storms dissipating into whispers of wind while the ones in the street fought.]
[Tsunayashiro stood up, gritting his teeth through the pain that flared along his skin after being burned so thoroughly by Naoyuki's cero. He advanced and swung his blade with a roar of force. The young man put his body into parrying the blow, wincing. He was blown back, breathing hard from the pain as he splintered his way through a tree trunk. The entire thing collapsed, forcing him to dive to avoid being caught underneath it. Tsunayashiro was on him in an instant. Decoy after decoy, destroyed when Tsunayashiro unleashed Enryakoten's power. Fire. Ice. Lightning. Stone. Blades. The zanpakuto that could imitate all other zanpakuto was something deadly in the elder's hands and it took everything Naoyuki had to simply escape and slow the more experienced warrior down. Tsunayashiro advanced, unimpressed by the bag of tricks he was being shown, slicing the mask off Naoyuki's face in one stroke. In the second, he scored a blow on the young man that could be considered the last, cutting him from shoulder to hip with a master's precision. His sweatshirt burst open and with it, blood blossomed from him. For that moment, Tsunayashiro lowered his guard. He was certainly cut in two.
Naoyuki had run out of decoys. Gadgets. Tricks. Blood ran down his front freely and, in that moment of victory and elation, Tsunayashiro considered letting him fall to simply watch. In the middle of his swing, one of the black hounds of Rashomon had grabbed hold of his leg, tearing into the bone of his calf and slowing his assault but he could attest--his training guaranteed he would still finish the swing.]
How convenient.
[Tsunayashiro stirred, something in him seizing up when Naoyuki reached up and ran fingers through his hair. As if he hadn't been cut. Impossibly, he stood, the sickening slash in his shoulder knitting together through a fiery blue light that burned in the center of his chest. The light vanished soon after, his wound failing to heal any further. Even as bloodied as he'd been and so close to death again, Naoyuki smiled wide.]
'Enrakyoten'. I remember that file. It's so deadly that I couldn't possibly recover fully from that last swing but now that I have, I've recovered something important. Still, I'm even more grateful it was weakened somewhat by Captain Akutagawa's assist. Close one, right?
Truly. You really are a monster, Urahara Kisuke. Even so, you won't survive this a second time.
Sir! [Almost annoyed, Naoyuki made himself laugh and waved his sword reproachfully. His shoulder, still quite injured, wouldn't let him grip it with his other hand. Even as Tsunayashiro drew his sword once more, he still scolded his attacker.] I'd like you to keep that word out of your mouth but I won't have to worry about that for very long.
[Tsunayashiro came forward like a bullet, aiming to skewer Naoyuki's throat. He came to a halt, the tip of his family's sword stopped dead on the flat of Zangetsu. Ichigo, boiling with anger beneath the reiatsu-shrouding cloak he carried for those precise circumstances, loosed a cool breath and squared his shoulders.]
There's some things I don't tolerate. Kyoraku is just going to have to clean this one up.
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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. ]
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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?
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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.
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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.]
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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. ]
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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. ]
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[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.
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at least, in gin's opinion, ururu cannot be held responsible about anything here. she'd like to hope that the truth of urahara's reincarnation-whatever-he-did was kept from her for a reason better than just to 'spare her feelings'. she's going to be mad if that was the case. ]
Yes, I think Sato-san shouldn't be allowed to just disappear into his lab until he rests up from this...adventure.
[ the smile is a little mean; sharp. ]
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[Quite suddenly, the icy gap between Gin and Oono seemed to dissipate in a small way, exposing Naoyuki to their merciless judgment. Oono was the optimistic type but she was tough and sensible and Gin, from what he'd learned in a short time, cared little for his particular brand of obfuscation.
Had his previous incarnation been so obvious that she'd expect him to deflect?]
I mean, I have a bed in the warehouse--
[Ururu, happily, squeezed Gin one more time before rounding on Naoyuki and kicking him in the side, spinning him through a shop window.]
SATO-SAN!?
[Oono's otherwise relaxed facade vanished with the young man in question as she was stunned into stillness.]
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He's fine. [ gin can't help but find a certain level of kinship with naoyuki's companion now that they have established that someone needs to keep an eye on him. permanently.
her tone is deadpan, with just the slightest tinge of sarcasm infused to make her stance more than clear. ] Now what he needs is a proper bed and not some ratty nest in a warehouse.
I am sure anything urgent can take care of itself until he's had at least sleep and proper food. [ gin looks at oono: he's your problem now. ]
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Oono didn't know that much. She simply gawked at Gin. Ururu, coming back beside her, pinched Gin's robes and tugged them unconsciously, clearly looking for her opportunity to talk with her again. Naoyuki choked out a sigh once more as Oono hurriedly jumped through the window to look for him.]
S-S-Soul reapers are all crazy, aren't they!?
[Despite wearing her own shihakusho, of course, she was only a substitute soul reaper. Once Oono found Naoyuki, she resumed her fussing just as Ururu spared Gin a worrying look.]
Do you want me to treat you properly, Gin-chan? [Of course, she never lost that bad habit Kisuke had taught her. She understood, well enough, that Gin hadn't truly distanced herself from Kisuke throughout the years--even after he passed. It pained her, seeing the conflict that had stricken her earlier.] They may be noble soul reapers but their swords carry curses. He taught me how to purge vile things.
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If you do not mind, please, Ururu-chan. [ there are the beginnings of a smile there. gin keeps her voice down, between them because, well, there are things she wants to ask. ] You've been looking after him all this time?
[ not upset about being kept out of the loop. if anything, it had probably been for the best. ]
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[Mindful of Gin and her station, Ururu didn't look to pry at how she'd been handling herself in the past few decades. It wasn't as if they'd never seen one another since then but, without Kisuke, she'd become much more independent. She hadn't assumed Gin would recognize her or treat her quite the same. Even so, she seemed a bit happy to conjure her best, most appropriate kido to treat her. The grid-like web of tendrils she conjured from her fingertips found Gin's partially-repaired wounds and began stitching them in tightly, painlessly, much the way her father had taught her.]
He sprung up out of nowhere, as you might expect. I haven't been able to figure out where from and he'll lie about his parents.
Even so. [It took a startlingly short amount of time. Eight Division soul reapers had started arriving to clean up the scene, a number carrying seal warrants to see if Gin was willing to approve memory erasure for any bystanders. Ururu, her voice still soft as it always would be, offered Gin an apologetic smile that fit her all too well with time.]
You can tell. It's him.
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I don't think it's smart to leave him unsupervised. [ she knows ururu will keep an eye on him but gin? gin can't so easily sneak back and forth due to her station. and in truth, would she even trust anyone else to do this? ] If you say it is him then ... I don't have a reason to doubt him but—[ it is maybe herself that wishes he wouldn't be kisuke. ]—what is he planning to do?
[ but gin knows that to answer that question she's going to need to keep visiting naoyuki and see.
she's not sure how to feel about that. ]
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[Ururu had rarely put herself forward as someone terribly confident even around Gin but it wasn't as if she were ever unreliable even in her youth.]
D-Did you see how far she kicked me...?
It's only a fracture! J-J-J-Just keep still, Sato-san!
[In turn, Ururu made no comment on that and simply narrowed her eyes to a fine point, focusing on knitting the last bits of skin and flesh together so that only one was clean and visible. She even ran the spell over Gin's scar, working through her tissue to bridge it together so finely it would only be visible as a sheepish, thin line on her skin.]
Shy of interrogating him, I don't know. He's using Kisuke's custom kido, his zanpakuto and he even prepares his tea the same way but... It's clear he doesn't know why he's doing it. If you bring up certain names or concepts, he's clueless. The only one he recognized had been yours.
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naoyuki shouldn't have to suffer or die, if he's kisuke or whatever and however he's linked to the shinigami—gin glances towards the side watching the two young adults fussing on the side.
yet, he recognised her name--it makes gin want to shrink away and reach out at the same time. if she hopes will she get hurt again, if she hopes too much-- ]
Ururu-chan, will you keep an eye on him for now?
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You've already made up your mind.
She'd agonize over it but Gin was unerringly faithful. She and Kisuke shared that misery--the stubbornness and tenacity to persevere where everyone else would advise them to live more freely. As much as she loved him, she couldn't help but wonder if they would have lived more peacefully without their obsessions.]
I will. So, Gin-san... How much of this are you willing to keep in your report?
[There might have been a time that she was softer spoken but Ururu left Gin without an opening. If she was going to imply there was a need to protect Kisuke--the next thing to follow would be controlling what information left with her. For only a moment, Ururu's eyes were even sharper than her father's.]
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[ and of course, her own squad she trusted to have her back no matter what her report said. ]
But...I will be back because-- [ she's sentimental. because she's still in love. because she wants to protect him. ]
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It was a blessing, then, that Naoyuki was lying on his back and staring up at the ceiling of a mangled shop rather than at Gin.]
Good.
[Ururu, lowering her head, bowed one more time.]
You'll want to leave before he sees you making that face.