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8th Division – Inner Garden
The gentle sound of a breeze stirred the pink petals of a flowering cherry tree. In the heart of the 8th Division's inner garden, Shunsui Kyōraku sat cross-legged, his wide straw hat tilted low to shield his eyes from the midday sun. Beside him, a small clay sake jug rested in the grass, half-empty, and an untouched cup swayed faintly in the wind.
He exhaled slowly, the faint smile on his lips half-hidden beneath his stubble. The garden was quiet, save for the cicadas in the distance and the soft rustle of leaves. Peaceful. Almost too peaceful for the Gotei 13.
Just as his hand reached lazily for the jug, a sharp voice broke the calm.
"Captain."
Shunsui winced slightly, though his smile never faltered. Lowering his hat just a fraction more, he turned his head ever so slightly. "Ah, Lisa-chan… what a pleasant breeze you bring. Or is it a storm today?"
Yadomaru Lisa stood at the edge of the wooden walkway, her arms folded, her expression as stern as always. Her lieutenant's badge glinted faintly in the light as her gaze drifted between the jug and her Captain. "You've been here since morning. More paperwork for the division is untouched."
"Paperwork?" Shunsui tilted his head, pretending to think. "Hmm… now, did I forget about that? Or was I simply waiting for the ink to dry on its own?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Captain."
The single word carried enough weight to straighten most men's backs. Shunsui only chuckled, lifting the jug and pouring himself another cup. "Come now, Lisa-chan. Paperwork won't grow legs and walk away. But these blossoms.." he gestured to the drifting petals overhead "they won't stay forever. Shouldn't we enjoy them while they're here?"
Lisa pressed her fingers to her temple, sighing. "Sometimes I wonder if you were born to torment me."
"Ah, but tormenting you keeps me young." He offered her the second cup, brimming with sake. "Here, share this moment with me."
"I'm your lieutenant, not your drinking companion," she said flatly, though she did not move from her spot.
Before Shunsui could reply, a soft voice, hoarse but warm, echoed from the garden gate.
"Still giving Lisa a hard time, Shunsui?"
Both turned. Jūshirō Ukitake stood at the entrance, his pale face framed by long white hair that drifted in the breeze. He wore his Captain's haori loosely, his gentle smile undercut by the faint rasp of his lungs.
"Jūshirō!" Shunsui spread his arms as if welcoming an old friend into his home. "You've come just in time. I was about to be executed by my terrifying lieutenant for crimes against paperwork."
Lisa's eyebrow twitched. "If only that were within my authority…" she muttered under her breath.
Ukitake chuckled softly, stepping into the garden. "Some things never change. You hiding from responsibility, and Lisa chasing you down."
Shunsui grinned, raising his cup toward his oldest friend. "Well, a man needs balance in his life. And what better balance than a fierce lieutenant and a kind-hearted friend?"
Ukitake shook his head, amused. "Just don't make her carry all your burdens. One day, even your charm won't save you."
Shunsui sighed theatrically, leaning back against the tree. "Ah, but until that day comes, I'll enjoy my blossoms, my sake… and the company of those who scold me." His gaze flicked between Nanao and Ukitake, his grin softening into something warmer.
The garden was quiet again, but this time it was filled, not with silence, but with the gentle presence of companionship.
Lisa left after a few minutes, leaving the two Captains in the silence and peace of the afternoon.
"Do you remember Jushiro, when we first joined the Serieitei. How long has it been?" Shunsui asked, his voice breathy and deep.
Jushiro finished his cup and then poured another for himself. His lips parted into a small smile as he lied back down onto the leaves, like Shunsui beside him, staring into the sky. "It's been a 100 years Shunsui. A century.. "
"Hmmmm..." Shunsui let out breath.
"Something's bothering you, isn't it? I'd guess it's the series of happenings in the Soul Society.." Jushiro sent him a look.
"Do you remember Jushiro? Our time in Shino Academy. We were hailed as geniuses. Never before seen in the history of the Gotei 13..." He laughed. "I do.." Jushiro nodded.
"At the time, with just our proficiency in Kido, Hakuda and Shunpo, we were far ahead of our peers. At the time, the concept of Shikai and Bankai were so complex, so foreign.." Shunsui sighed and lifted his cup to his lips and drank from.
Jushiro stared into the sky, a faint smile gracing his lips as the nostalgia welled up..
"Yeah, the good old days...
We got our asses handed to us by Miss Hikifune and Captain Unohana during our training sessions then." This earned a hearty laugh from the two, as silence reigned for a moment.
"Captains used to be so sacred, so high up on the food chain, we couldn't even comprehend their power.." Shunsui sighed and closes his eyes.
Jushiro finally nodded in realisation. "I see your reservations Shunsui..
The concept of Captain rank used to be so sacred and foreign, but now it feels entirely normal and mundane.. But isn't it supposed to be so?"
Jushiro turned his head to his friend..
"The rank of Captain used to be sacred. Shikai, Bankai, they were untouchable. But now, you have a new soul from the Rukongai, someone who barely understands what being a Shinigami is, or any related concepts, wounding a Captain in Bankai..
I would never have believed this if there was no concrete evidence, Jushiro.." He finally voiced it out and sighed deeply. Jushiro nodded with understanding. "I know what you mean, Shunsui. But you have to take into account, this Minato is too much of a freak.." Jushiro rubbed his forehead.
"That is the problem, Jushiro. We were freaks, but even we couldn't challenge Captains.." Shunsui for the first time had a serious expression.
"So what? The quality of Captains have reduced? Are we too weak now to even defend the Soul Society? Is that your point, Shunsui?" Jushiro's brows creased, but then Shunsui took a sip and then laughed.
"On the contrary, Jushiro. Don't you see." He sat up. "The times are changing, Jushiro. A new era is coming. Talents are rising, my friend.. Very soon, it'll be our turn to step down as Captains and let the new generation take over.." Shunsui held a peaceful stare into the sky.
"You had me for a moment there, Shunsui.. But you're right. It is a new era. If only that Minato fella wasn't a criminal. He would've made a fine replacement for me.." Jushiro sneered. "Hey! I called dibs. I swear I might die from a heart attack before I die in battle.. He could replace me, you know. Deal with Lisa and all that.." They looked each other in the eye and then laughed.
"You're right. He'd make a fine Shinigami. Going toe to toe with Yoruichi, Isshin, Kensei, and those lunatics from the 11th and coming out unscathed. I wonder what he'd turn out to be at the peak of his power.." Shunsui wondered.
" Too bad. Central 46 aren't known to be forgiving, we could really use someone like him.." Jushiro sighed. The two friends lay down on the soft grass with their eyes closed, basking in the warmth of the sun.
"By the way, Old man Kuchiki is stepping down soon as Captain.."
"What?!"
Jushiro whispered into Shunsui's ears and the man laughed heartily. "Hold your horses.. Don't celebrate just yet. I heard his grandson, Byakuya has achieved Bankai. It looks like he's be his replacement in the long run.."
Shunsui's joy burst like a deflated balloon. "Good riddance. I thought we were getting rid of the old man. Turns out we're just getting a younger version of him... At this point, just hand over the 5th Company's rights to the Kuchiki clan already.." Shunsui looked like he could cry.
"To be fair, old man Kuchiki was a bit of a hard ass ... if his grandson is anything like him, I can just imagine the headache.." Jushiro facepalmed.
"Hard ass? A dick is what he is.." Shunsui cleared his throat. They looked at each other and burst out in a hearty laugh. "For the record, you said it, not me.."
"Tsk. You sellout!" Their laughters echoed through the 8th Division, friendship that endured time itself.
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Enjoy guys...