♪♫♪
Gurgle. Pop. Pop. Gurgle
"Ahhh… no biggie. Alright. Less formal I shall be... "
She can't help but smile at Katsuo's slight fidgeting. It's obvious formalities and such were drilled into the boy in his youth, making it difficult for him to speak casually before her. Perhaps it is even her fugitive state that causes his apprehension, as his very own branch of the family lay in exile for years, and now it was she that put her own family's prestige on the line. As he continues speaking, she listens, engaging and nodding as he even goes as far as complimenting her mothering, something she was uncertain of, but would tell no one. Yes, she had the expertise of those that came before her, her own mother, grandmother, and even great grandmother, but not a single one of them faced the challenges she did, nor the ones she is soon to face.
Briefly lost in her thoughts, she joins Katsuo in his momentary silence, it isn't until he makes mention of his very own mother that the Oki woman snaps back into the conversation. Mom? Ten'yuu... How long has it been since she has seen her aunt? As sharp as her mind is, she can't seem to remember, only short flashes of her, her final memory of her, seeing the woman walk away from the compound, for the sake of her future family. Something Honoka is now all too familiar with. Though she does not share in the joys of having a partner, now she does have a life that depends on her; one that she will do anything for their sake.
"Well… I better get back to work, Honoka. You take care of yourself. Don't be afraid to hit me up if ya need anything, ya know. Seeya, hope he enjoys them sick beats."
"How much longer do you think that you can protect him, truly?"
Honoka's raised arm slowly lowers after she finishes waving farewell to Katsuo, and while her smiling expression does not change, it is clear her temperament does, especially to those closer in proximity to her. Firstly a genuine smile bidding goodbye to her visitor, now it hides the thoughts that run through her head at light speed. Hundreds if not thousands of doubts and insecurities for Masahiro, herself, and the Oki Clan as a whole. There was no doubt that she was strong herself, having become lieutenant not only in Second Division, but also eventually Head Lieutenant many years later, coming to serve under the Head Commander, turned criminal, turned father.
"As long as I need to."
The woman's ire is sudden to those before her. A sight Masahiro, in his short life has never witnessed, nor Haruki. Her eyes shine red with her reiatsu, alerted to intruders, not by their setting foot on the ground, but coming in contact with the large wooden gates that surround the entire Oki compound, that share a connection with the woman, whom despite her absence from the Gotei Thirteen, has not lived in peace for the entirety of her impromptu vacation. Living every single day watching over her shoulder, eyeing every nook and cranny, every shadow, wondering if there was someone there she could not perceive. Inadvertedly sharpening her already frightening sensing capabilities.
"Honoka-"
It is then, that the contents of the pot left on the flaming stove bursts from the kitchen, turning into a thick haze that fills the sky in a cloud of smoke, shielding those on the ground from the surrounding Omnitsukido. Scentless, but visibly tinted green, those slow to react fall from their platforms or support, paralyzed, but still conscious. As mere contact with traces of this newly brewed poison is enough to dampen the touch receptors, blocking signals from the brain to the body, preventing movement, and thusly preventing the activation of spells or zanpakuto against them. Those faster on their toes are able to retreat further back, as the woman has yet to move from her location with killing intent.
The voice is strangely familiar. Someone she once knew, she once taught little pleasures of being... alive. Trinkets and treats, things he never knew, things he was deprived of in his infancy and early childhood. Now seemingly stands before her and Akarui. In the distance from them, the children have ceased their playing, frightened by the sheer silent rage exuded from the ever calm Honoka. The surrounding Oki, in a frantic scramble, all seek to move indoors, away from the newfound commotion at the entrance, dragging the boys to what they believed was safety.
"You and the child will return with m-"
"No."
Honoka has no intention of letting the boy set foot outside of the compound. Not now, not yet. He is young, inexperienced. He ides not know the ways of the shinigami, nor the ways of death. Ways the three adults standing in the center of the entrance are more than comfortable with. In the boy's first century of life all she has instilled in him is the value of life, kindness, mercy, and compassion. Ideals that have little to no place in the Gotei Thirteen. While those deceased turn up in the Rukongai and are quick to learn of the hardships of life, Masahiro has lived happily at the Oki compound, ignorant to the ways of the world outside of the walls that contained his entire world. His only real lessons with his mother consisting of plants and their properties, as well as the concealment and sensing of reiryoku. He had much to learn, but placing her child in the grasp of the military and it's overseeing council was completely out of the question for the woman.
Her anger continues to seep through, but as long as the Captain of Second Division does not actively threaten her son's life, she will remain still, but ready. Yet his stalemate cannot continue much longer, as the surrounding plant life slowly begins to warp around them, growing prickly, jagged, and even toxic to the touch. This causes several Oki within the compound to lose consciousness within their own homes, while others become injured or pinned underneath their own plants, harboring resentment against Honoka, for her inability to still her sentiments. The one thing that occasionally manages to slip from her control; the effects her emotions have on the surrounding plant life.
"Honoka, that's enough."
"Not only have you disgraced us once by abandoning your post, but you continue to do so by putting the entire clan in jeopardy."
A double entendre, as she does this not only by allowing her rage to run rampant and twist the surrounding plant life at the expense of her family, but also by opposing the escort sent to retrieve her. The voice is one unheard of by anyone outside the clan for millennia, as it belongs to the previous matriarch of the Oki Clan, Kazue Oki, who slowly steps out from the main house after noting the abrupt changes to the plants in her home. She holds no fear to the three powerhouses outside, and approaches her eldest granddaughter fearlessly, despite her own age and frailty, she seeks to speak sense into the woman to prevent any further injuries or damage the reputation of the Oki.
The elderly woman turns to the apparition before them and gives a slight bow, although apologetic in nature, due to her granddaughter's selfishness, Kazue is unable to bow deeply in her old age, but her sentiment is true. Her hand lightly rests on Honoka's forearm, prompting the woman to look beyond the faux Captain before her, at the state of the greenery surrounding them. The rogue sighs, returning everything to its original state. The elderly woman now continues in a hushed tone, so as to no be overheard by anyone beyond who she intends to hear her words.
"Masahiro... he is safe here, still unbeknownst to the world, lest a close few. Taking him now will put him in the clutches of those who seek to turn him to his father, if not worse. She will go without a fight, I only ask that he remain here. Perhaps a few of your subordinates can remain and ensure his location?"
The grandmother turns to Honoka, slightly opening a single eye and glaring at the tall woman. Honoka had no intentions of explaining herself to anyone, but with the retired matriarch's interference, she is forced between a rock and a hard place. She inhales deeply, not wishing to further damage the clan's reputation, nor physically injure anyone around her. She knows fighting here will only cause numerous casualties, not only to her family, but the surrounding area as well. She closes her eyes briefly, reining herself in. Still she remains on edge, watching from every possible angle, waiting for him to strike. Her arms slowly raise, presenting herself to the Captain to be escorted away from her home. She doesn't say a single word, simply masking her thoughts and intentions behind her trademark smile. She grits her teeth, her tongue anxiously moving from side to side in her mouth as she is left to wait for his response.
