Awkward Heals
New member
As one match reached its end, another lost one of its competitors to forfeit. For a moment, Kazumi was thrown into silence. Soon she would be alone in the prepared tent, interviewing those that had survived the first round but had not advanced. Alone with the man who had promised to kill her on sight. Kazumi clenched her teeth. His words spoke only of such retaliation if she were to be found on the grounds of Second once more. Completing her assignment in such a place should not be enough to raise the man's distaste for her. Yet, all the same, she feared looking into those piercing eyes once more, especially in such close quarters. Swallowing her fear she opened her mouth to continue. Yet no words came to her before she was jostled by another.
”KAZUMI!! I’VE MISSED YOU SO MUCH!”
Head swiveling to face the voice calling out to her, relief flooded the woman at the sight of a familiar face. The warm sensation of the forceful hug shoved away all the hesitation out of her very body. As she had pulled away, a happy smile came to her as she looked up at the large grin of Signy. Pointing to the microphone in her hand as an explanation, she gave no words in return. Yet it mattered little as soon enough Signy was gone as quickly as she had arrived. Despite the lack of her friend by her side any longer, she felt once more invigorated. Turning back to the screens, she continued with her commentary.
Thus far, it appeared as if the Captain of Squad Four had perhaps won this match. Though it was still an uncertainty until the status of his opponent was realized after the large-scale attack.
"Nakamoto appears to have Ueki in quite the bind. After such a huge attack, is he safely within his Bankai? Or has he succumbed to the heat?!"
The previous fervor returning to her voice, Kazumi watched intently, waiting to see what would become of the man who had locked himself away in what appeared to be an attempt to protect himself. Not having seen many of these contestants in any type of battle, it had been intensely fascinating watching each unique style reveal itself.
Practically holding her breath, Kazumi watched the bulb that housed Ueki closely. Concerned for the man's safety, she wondered how well he would be protected from the fierce attack, if at all. Though time seemed to stand still, little time had truly passed before Ueki's retaliation.
"Sugoi!"
The exclamation came as the man emerged from the cocoon of his own making. Still coated with the bark of his bankai, the man emerged. It was difficult to tell how extensive his wounds were beyond the wood barrier. He answered the question himself quickly enough, suddenly hacking away at his own "armor". It took little time with his rapid motions to remove what he aimed for, revealing a body that showed no damage at all from the attack. Excited for his next move, Kazumi was shocked by his next actions.
“I’m done here.”
"Ueki has forfeit the match!"
The man continued to speak while at the same time using his abilities to retrieve the limp Oki woman from the rubble she had been buried in.
"Captain Yu Nakamoto is the winner of the match!"
Phone chiming with an alert, Kazumi removed it from her sash and gave the message a quick glance. Orders from Captain Yugure. Knowing the speed of those already on their way, Kazumi had little time to move from her secluded corner to her assigned tent. Handing the microphone to a fellow Division member standing nearby, the transition between announcers would be a smooth one. The man began talking the moment he received the device, continuing where Kazumi had left off. Preparing to leave, a sudden thought struck her. Turning to another who was standing close, Kazumi gave the man an urgent task before quickly making her way through the crowds to find her way to the tent.
Breathing out deeply, Kazumi situated herself in the seat designated to her. Anticipation intertwined with fear. Her inexperience with such a task made her wonder exactly how well of a job she would do, yet at the same time, there was a strange feeling of excitement. Her anxiety nearly floored her when she had received the microphone, yet she had found herself enjoying the activity all the same. She hoped the same elation filled her during her current objective.
"Yo."
Before the flap of the tent had opened, Kazumi was already on her feet, having felt the familiar reiatsu approaching. A large smile upon her face, she looked happily upon her Captain. All the better, it seemed she had been healed as well. Although she had wished for Yasu's victory, win or lose she was proud of her Captain and grateful she had survived, especially considering the opponents she had faced and the damage dealt.
Before Yasu could take a seat, another was felt right outside. Grin growing all the larger, Kazumi quickly poked her upper half outside, greeting the man who had returned from his errand. With a quick thanks, Kazumi was soon backing her way into the tent once again, her back to her Captain for a moment. Arms cradling something to her body, it was difficult to see what exactly Kazumi held until the moment she turned to face Yasu. A delighted look upon her face, she revealed the gift to the other woman, moving to place the bag near Yasu's seat before settling into her own.
As the cameras readied and focused upon Yasu, Kazumi considered the first time she had seen the woman. Their first mission together. The despair she had felt believing her to be dead and the concern upon realizing her new status as a Vizard. She had spent so much time watching as the woman continued pushing forward, a smile upon her face and filling those around her with life. Now such a person was her Captain, and Kenpachi title or not, Kazumi felt all the more proud to work under such a soul. The same one that waited patiently as Kazumi finished gathering her thoughts and began with her questions.
“As a Captain, do you feel as though you’ve gained anything from your participation?”
Yasu took a moment to answer, delving into introspection on her own self and power. As Kazumi continued, she found the process to be much easier than announcing had been. It took little time sitting with her Captain who contemplated each question and answered them all with complete sincerity and true self-reflection. Though Kazumi had disliked the idea of the Games entirely, it made her glad to watch as Yasu considered her next moves and focus. How much more would the woman grow during their time together? Kazumi was excited to find out. Though seemingly satisfied with the information she learned about her own abilities, it wasn't difficult for Kazumi to notice something else appeared to be on her mind. Something gnawing at the front of her mind. All Kazumi could do for now was silently root for her and trust Yasu would do not only what was best for herself, but their entire squad.
Finishing off her last question, the Captain continued on now speaking directly to the audience without Kazumi as a go-between.
May our denizens continue to support the Gotei Thirteen and all of our endeavors! I'll see you again in just a bit with a post-game interview with none other than Omoni Hageshi."
With this last statement, Yasu stood. Cameras panning away as they shut down the live broadcast for the moment, reverting instead to a sort of "highlight reel" of the match between the four contestants. Making a hasty exit, Kazumi stood when she had, bowing to her Captain before giving a small wave as she departed. Though she wished for more time to speak to her, Kazumi understood very well. Yasu was busy enough, with her own job to continue on to do despite the trial she had just endured. Such a conversation certainly wasn't one meant to broadcast, either, along with Kazumi's own duties. They could only part ways for now and do what was expected of them.
Breathing in through her nose deeply, Kazumi focused on these slightly meditative exercises while awaiting the other of the singular match that she would interview. For this alone, she had expected three visitors from their bracket. However, with nothing remaining to even attempt to heal of the fourth participant, the poor soul's demise did serve to lighten her workload.
Soon after Captain Yugure's departure was Hiroka Ikari's arrival.
Along with her own Captain, he would prove to be one of the easiest people for her to talk to during her assignment. Despite the almost angry seeming glare that he directed toward the camera, responding to her without truly looking at her, Kazumi did not waver. Her excitement over meeting him overrode any sense of discomfort she felt by the fierce eyes that stared down at the camera. To her, this man was an inspiration. Ranked a seat below her own self, the man had still thrown himself into battle with the Captains of the Gotei 13. Not only that, he had survived his match and received such little damage it seemed he wouldn't be checking in to the medical relief tent.
Although he appeared hostile and unwilling, his answers were lucid and thoughtful, though short and to the point as well. Each reply mulled over carefully before he spoke, his true feelings visible. Seemingly bothered by his own failure to win his match, his resolve was stronger. Reaching her final question, it gave her no pause to see what could be perceived as a threatening lean toward the camera.
"Despite the namesake of this tournament. This is not a game. If you ever wish to pursue an accolade of any kind. Know your limits and don’t let your name be wasted."
Nodding, Kazumi was to her feet simultaneously as the other stood, returning his bow as she thanked him for his time. Flopping back into her chair once he had left, Kazumi breathed out a large sigh. Was she prepared for the remaining Captains, the beasts she had not yet met or truly known? There was also the matter of the one she did know. Captain Mukuro. His final words to her reverberated in her head as they had done so many times before. Once again she attempted to calm herself. Though threatening, such held no merit in the current situation. She was simply completing her assignment, and as per his warning, had never even wandered close to the grounds of Second Division.
Even still, the large knot that had formed in her throat would not ease its grip upon her. Like the technique the man had used to lift her body from the ground by ghostly images of snakes wrapping around her neck, it felt as if she could no longer breathe. Certainly, they had seen each other in passing or some area or another at various points over the last hundred years. In all that time Kazumi had always given the man a wide berth. Now they would be face to face, mere feet away from each other as he was expected to answer questions coming from the likes of her? The deterioration of the situation seemed inevitable. Concerns growing, a fast-paced and strong presence was making its way toward her, accompanied by one of her fellow squad members.
Panic set in, her chair nearly fell to the ground as she stood. Foot caught on one of the legs, it swept forward with her movements. Landing on its back two legs, Kazumi frantically turned to reposition the small piece of furniture only to discover the pair had already entered. Without even the need to turn and look, relief filled the woman. This presence was not Kyomu's.
Clearing her throat, she turned with a smile to the latest arrival. This man she could recall no interaction with, either. Yet he appeared to have a kindness about him that she found soothing. Perhaps he simply radiated an inner light he held, or maybe he was simply the warm center of the world for her after having believed he was her former Captain. Either way, she recentered herself and proceeded. He appeared to rush, answers volleyed back to her nearly instantly. Though he didn't seem to put the time into considering the questions as the others had, she sensed no lies nor hidden feelings in his responses. In a hurried manner, he was just as sincere. Once more, annoyed eyes looked deeply into the camera lens.
“Of the final three contestants, who do you imagine will claim the title of Kenpachi?”
"Honestly it's a toss up. They're all amazing."
Kazumi could only nod along with his sentiment. Not having the connections this man did, her knowledge of most contestants of the Games was by reputation alone. The events that had occurred were unexpected in her eyes, not at all following what she had envisioned herself when the brackets had been announced. Once more she sat with three who she knew not personally, but by their actions. Considering this, she had to agree. The trio left for the title were no joke, and who would win was anyone's guess then.
Answers shorter than the man before him, it took little time for them to finish. She supposed she wouldn't want to stick around much longer, either, after such a battle. Preparing to stand the moment the last syllable was uttered of her last question, Kazumi wasted no time in rising at the same time as the other. Expecting his short and rapid response, she gave a deep bow as the man departed. Opting to remain standing this time, Kazumi did not take back to her seat when the tent was empty of her most recent visitor. With him gone and the cameras no longer on, the small screens within had been unmuted, alerting those within of the most recent events.
"No, I've only lost something. My time."
Eyes having wandered to the screen showing the members of the final bracket getting into place, the sudden sound of the man's voice put a chill up her spine. Had he arrived and begun answering the questions he knew would be asked? Had she been so distracted she hadn't noticed him even arrive? Or did he simply hide from her to prove how simple a task he would find in ending her? Despite the distortion of the words filtered through the small, cheap speakers, Kazumi took a moment to see the man's face on one of the screens. Words directed toward Yasu and not Kazumi. A breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding was released. There would potentially be upset from her Captain for not completing the interview with their former commander, Kazumi was grateful for the misstep the man had made. Maybe it hadn't been one at all and he had simply opted to speak with Yasu instead.
A loud outburst could be heard from another device, though it was as easy to hear as those that surrounded her. Glancing around the various screens, she was surprised to find that the uproar was caused by the scene surrounding the winners. Tenzen Oda had thrown in the towel before the bout even began. With a sudden retreat, the man was gone, though it appeared not from shame nor fear but rather an urge to be elsewhere. Buried beneath her shock, considerations that she was meant to interview him as well in such as case rose as well. Yet now he was gone, and with her being required to remain where she was, she found no option.
A long breath leaving her loudly, she looked around the various events and then pushed away, approaching the entrance of the tent. Lifting the flap she took a few steps outside, glancing about her at the many people milling about and speaking excitedly or in anger over how the matches had wound up. Watching silently, Kazumi enjoyed the brief reprise she was given. Despite unexpectedly enjoying herself and her role more than she had anticipated when it was given her, a quiet moment to herself was needed. Thinking over her performance thus far, she couldn't help but wonder if she had done well at all or failed completely. Using her Captain as her inspiration, Kazumi had attempted to follow along with the energy and behavior that Yasu exhibited. Only their next interaction would shine some light upon how the woman felt about Kazumi's behavior.
Remaining where she stood, eyes gazing out upon the masses swirling around her. The excitement and upset. She supposed she could aid with garnering interviews from those that passed by while she waited for the arrival of her final interviews for the round.