He was overwhelmed by the taste of this scrumptious feast he allowed himself. The tastes were all very different from one another, the dishes were well prepared and not a single strand of inconsistency could be tasted on the tongue bed of the black haired Shinigami. He may have found a new restaurant to eat at after a long day's work. He looked to the other two and found them to be enjoying their meal in the same manner. As he ate, he reminded himself that he was a lot hungrier than he originally assumed, plowing through every plate of BBQ beef that came within his line of sight. In between chomps however his focus was still on this familiar looking child before him. He finally managed to finish gorging his face long enough to sit up and notice Akarui had politely placed her dishes to the side and had taken her leave.
The wait staff was awfully generous to her, she must’ve placed a spell on them prior to this visit because she was as stern as she could be curt. A side that Shusuke would have yet to see, he now would probably have to wait well into his graying years for that. She mentioned to pack anything he might not finish for anyone that he cared for. But it was a strange thing, up until that moment he was reminded of how deep of a solitude he had placed himself in. There...wasn’t anyone he really cared for. There Was but his whereabouts was unbeknownst to him at the present time, and he wouldn’t even recognise him at this point anyway. He didn’t answer, instead just politely nodding and smiling. But it was her words that she had left him with that more so caught his attention.
”This will be the only time that I will offer my aid to you, Kiyoshi. Heed these words: Nobody can hurt you without your permission, and tactics without strategy are the noise before defeat.
I suppose truer words couldn’t have been spoken. As shameful as it was for him to admit, it was difficult to look her in the eye when she had said that. Self defeat was becoming a trend and it was time for him to set it aside and take himself seriously. She walked out along with the white haired Shinigami. For a moment he looked into his lap, to find his first lady there ready for their next move. He sighed, and pondered the next moves going forward, but in order to do that. One must reflect on the past. He signaled the waitress but she motied to him that it was her break time and instead got the attention of a the younger boy chopping up ingredients in the kitchen prior. He looked big for his age, his clothes barely fitting him the way it should but it was his eyes that struck him the most about his appearance. Royal purple. Two gorgeous deep lavender galaxie that resided in his skull much like his own. These where generational, and can only be found mainly in one particular Clan.
He dared not ask the boy his parents lineage, most Rukongai children do not know who their real families are and thus form bonds and deep affections with one another found in the districts surrounding the seireitei. This was practiced everywhere, even in the richer districts it would seem. If this young boy was who he thought he was, then he was well taken care of. That was all Shu needed to know, but he was big, and looked very much like himself when he was younger, but he had wavier black hair and his eyes were kinder. I guess that was an attribute given to him by his mother. The young boy would loom into Shusuke’s similar orbs and ask for his order.
”Is there anything else we can get you, mister?”
He had such a kind voice, more like his mother than he would ever know. It was such a shame, but he was humbled that he had such keen manners for one so young. But looking at where he grew up, it should come as now surprise. Shusuke gave him another order for a slew of BBQ, rice and edamame, he sent the boy off but not without slipping a small wad of cash in his obi sash holding up his ragged clothing. He chuckled, hoping it wouldn't fall out, but he placed it well enough for it to be hidden until seen. His dark humor told him that it was money long overdue.
Over the past five months, the Seireitei has experienced certain strange events, more recently surrounding the revelation of a traitor from his own squad, Shirogane Kuchiki. The former highest ranking member and the chagrin to Shusuke’s misery at work. He turned out to be a devious bastard who slayed his entire clan to rise to power. Thus, giving him certain influence over Central 46, instructing them that he needs a sacred item to perform a cleansing ritual of whatever sort. But in turn, was looking for hollow abilities to wreak havoc on…..He did not know. All he new after that was that he did not get as far as the Rukongai before succumbing to his wounds sustained from fighting newly appointed Captain Tenzen Oda, Arashi Suta and Lieutenant Yasu Yagure within the Kuchiki compound which is now...not what it once was.
Things haven’t been the same around the division of late because of Shirogane. He was poised to become its next captain despite his similar failure in his attempt like Shusuke, he had a certain presence that was always welcomed among the silent brotherhood that lied in the 6th Division. All swearing to the commandments that shinigami hold sacred, they are seen as the model division to act on the laws and be a visual representation of the excellence that is the Shinigami Military. Despite his aloof appearance, Shusuke is the biggest example now, even more so than before. He knows all the rules, and while he may not police them all, he is aware of them. It was his duty to know them, as with all Shinigami, they must know the regulatory implication set in place for the order of not only the Seireitei, but the world at large. They were responsible for the balance of life between the living and the dead. Although it was a task they took for granted some, nonetheless. It was a task that behooved them to perform their duty with the utmost integrity and divinity. That creed was bonded especially into those of the Sixth Division.
He folded his arms underneath his pectoral muscles and pondered these things further. But he needed to uplift his comrades from the recent loss they had just taken. Another ‘turncloak’ division, he wondered if this must've been how the members of the Second Division felt. No matter, a job will always need to be done. He received his food and began to finish his second helping. In no matter of time he would be finished eating and then slip the restaurant the cash needed and more for the phenomenal service. He would be back no doubt. Tucking away his zanpakuto in his sash, he got up and left the establishment and was parted with a kind goodbye from the staff. How kind, in his short time there they sent him off so greatly. Most assuredly, because he ate and played so well.
It wouldn’t be too long until he made his way down the street before he was stopped by the black haired youth that served him prior to leaving. He looked at him unimpressed and a little bored, wondering why he was stopping him. Out of breath, he asks Shusuke about the reasoning behind the gesture he made.
”In all the time i’ve been working in the district. No shinigami has tipped like that. What makes you so generous?”
To him it was a simple answer really. But it wasn’t the time for this particular conversation, both of them would need some time before truly taking stock of the information before them. But Shusuke felt a bond to the boy already, and thus was responsible for his well being. As he always was and should have been. Once again their purple orbs met each other and this time it was different. He could feel...Power from this boy. Not surprising but. It was certainly present. That was good.
Looking away and upward to the sky, the day was definitely turning to be interesting to a degree. He simply responded to the boy saying…
”Never question generosity. It's quite rare. You’ll be seeing more of me maybe so get used to it. And if ya wanna chop more than carrots ever, let me know.”
With that final word he turned on his heel and left. The child watched him perplexed as he examined the money once more before looking back at the kitchen where he needed to get back to. He wondered if he could actually chop something more than carrots. That Shinigami would need to come back in order for him to find out.
Shusuke was now making his way back to the Sixth Division’s barracks to hopefully address the state of the squad and the meaning behind his promotion to 3rd seat. He did not know if he would be a capable leader, but for the time...He would need to find the talent. He used his Deireishiki to send a mass message to all of his members to gather in the main hall so Shusuke can address the affairs within the division. Hopefully he’d have their support.
Rukongai ———————————— traveling to ———————————— Southwest Seireitei
