Tourist in the Rukongai

[William O, Creed]

His eyes opening with a vague cloud of blurring white clouding over the vision he was allotted in the first moments of consciousness. Today marked the first experiment he would undertake by himself in quite some time. He’d worked quite a bit early in the week in order to get today off from the police department. It wasn’t one of usual days off as those weren’t really days off anymore, he’d been a part of Uzaki Enterprises for about a month now and in that time, he’d felt his stamina draining as exhaustion set in. Still though despite it all he wouldn’t change any of it. He was helping people and living the best life he could by himself.

He’d set out everything that he would need today last night and now getting out of bed he got dressed. His coffee maker thankfully had decided to actually work the way that he had set it up this morning and now he just needed a little bit of creamer. Taking his time William sat at his living room table with his equipment spread out across the table. Setting his cup of coffee down on the table he begins to go to work cleaning each piece of metal while making sure that everything was set right away, that no damage had come to any of it that he may have missed. Thankfully though this was something he did after every battle and at least once a week, so nothing turned out to be a major issue.

It took him about half an hour to get everything cleaned the way that he wanted, put back together and then placed on his person. His coffee thankfully was smooth and went down easy as it should this morning. Placing the empty cup in his sink William ran the water from the faucet for a moment allowing a bit of water to fill the cup. Looking over his apartment, checking his clothing and person to make sure he had everything. “Alright time to do this then.” Speaking to himself William pulls out a doorknob from his left pocket placing it up against his closest door on the above the actual doorknob and then pulling it open. Just like that William could see something totally different like he was looking at a television screen and he stepped forward out onto the street of the rukongai.

Making sure to pull the doorknob off the door and place it back in his pocket William closes the door behind him afterwards now knowing that he is in Soul Society. The door that he had just walked through turned out to be one to a home although if anyone was inside of it they may now be quite confused if they had seen William just suddenly appear in front of their door. Walking along the street William masks his reiatsu knowing that it was better to stay hidden for the time being while he enjoyed himself than to alert all the Shinigami around here that a Fullbringer had just suddenly barged in. Either way though it was time to find something to eat and one of the stalls should have something tasty.

[Taiyo]

The chime of a store bell rang, and the chattering of customers echoed in the little store on the corner. The little music box within playing a small tune for those nearby to enjoy while they waited. Chiaki pushing his way through the crowd to the front counter where his older brother Akira was currently working. The boy smiling up at his brother as he bounced on his toes in excitement. They were both black haired like their father but possessed their mothers eyes, and each had an air of happiness about them. As most of the Kodomo family did almost always, but today was a very exciting day for them both. Their father had returned home for the first time in ages.

"Big brother~! BIG BROTHER~!"

Chiaki began to shout over the crowds loud mummers and conversations that nearly drowned his voice out. Akira who had been busy with his work turned only briefly before trying to shoo his younger brother away.

"Chiaki, I am very busy. If you need something go ask Fumika or Hinata. I do not have time to deal with you at the moment."

Chiaki simply puffed his cheeks out in a childish manner before sticking his tongue out and wading through numerous customers who had packed into their store. It was a general store, though not typically busy enough to be considered full, today seemed to be an exception. Chiaki eventually broke through the sea of people and moved into the back room. There he spotted his two sisters working on different things that the young man didn't understand. 

"Fumika~! Hinata~! Father is home! You should go see him~!"

Though at first they did not respond, the duo of sisters eventually looked to Chiaki and then back to one another. After a brief pause Hinata spoke up with a smile.

"Fumika, take Chiaki home to see father would you? I will be fine here."

Fumika's expression clearly showed her hesitation but after a brief nudge from her older sister, she eventually smiled then hugged her sibling in thanks. With that Fumika guided Chiaki out of the store and into the street. Yet they were surprised by the face they had been longing to see. The tired look was present but the smile of joy of Taiyo greeting them happily.

"FATHER~!"

Chiaki was the first to hug their father, followed by the Daughter. Taiyo hugging his children dearly but gently, embracing them for a few moments until the moment passed. The two children stepping back to look their father over. He was very different physically than the last time they saw him. He was almost... taller it seemed. 

"We missed you so much Father~! Genkai wouldn't stop talking about you."

"And Chiaki kept crying for you every day."

Fumika teased only for Chiaki to retort childishly and embarrassed that he did not. Taiyo simply chuckled before he gently patted his son upon the head and ruffled his hair. The boy's head looking down as his face turned red. Though it was clear they had missed him dearly, not even Chiaki wanted Taiyo to feel as if his presence was demanded. He had a hard enough time leaving them alone as it was, but the whole family knew it was necessary. Taiyo had saved lives during the invasion thanks to his training... but it didn't stop the ache of longing to be reunited again. Everyone in the family felt it, and seeing their father whole but also healthy... Fumika and Chiaki's eyes began to tear up until they hugged him once more, weeping in joy.

Taiyo simply craddled his children in his arms for as long as they needed. Naturally drawing the attention of other family members, it wasn't long before the whole family had gathered up. Even the ever busy body Akio who barely had a free moment drove everyone out of the store to spend time with the father who they had longed to see. It wasn't long till they all were gathered up in a small restaurant nearby, chattering nonstop and pestering their beloved father with questions about the invasion. Taiyo was not to inclined to speak of the death he had witnessed, so it didn't last long however. They eventually turned the conversation to more pleasant talks while they caught up.

It was not going to be quiet with this family in the area, yet Taiyo wouldn't have it any other way.

[William O, Creed]

Moving through the streets of the Rukongai wasn’t something that William had done before, although this was pretty much how his Father had described it to him while he’d been growing up. This had to be one of the nicer districts of the Rukongai though that much William was certain about, none of the buildings looked like they were going to topple over nor were they abandoned so the souls in this area had it better than some of the others. He’d noticed almost right away as well that he couldn’t spot any homeless although he knew they could just be better at hiding than he was at looking for them.

He’s been expecting a dirt street, but the one he was standing on right now was something similar to cement, a light white or maybe even a really light shade of gray that was sturdy and would take more than most could muster to break it. The more and more he looked around the one thing that stayed constant was the fact it was mostly nice which meant he might have appeared closer to the Seireitei then he maybe would have liked although he couldn’t see it, so he wasn’t sure how close he really was.

It wasn’t something to really worry about though with his reiatsu suppressed he wouldn’t be able to be felt from a distance unless it was by someone, he wouldn’t have been able to hide from anyway. William knew how difficult it was to sense reiatsu, it was the reason why anyone that could do it, was a valuable tool. In his opinion though you had to be good enough to peek past his and anyone else’s attempt to hide it. For this reason, William just kept looking for a restaurant or really something like a food stall.

It’d take him a couple of minutes wandering in the same direction while keeping to himself to come out onto the main street of the district. A road much wider than the one he had been on filled with more stalls for business. Realizing that he had just basically been walking on a residential road while looking for a Walmart William felt the metaphorical hand smack against his face. The crowd was much bigger on this road, large enough that William didn’t think most even saw him, whereas in the end almost everyone he passed had been looking at him. There just wasn’t anything he could do about his clothes though.

It was finally time for breakfast when William came across an open entrance building that had quite a welcoming scent. Moving through the front door William explained to the employee at the front that it would just be him, led into the restaurant where he sat at the counter on the other side of the chef. The scent here was the strongest, something he’d get to enjoy while waiting for the ramen he ordered to come across the counter. In his excitement though William hadn’t noticed the large group on the other side involved a Shinigami. He’d seen them, but the Shinigami perhaps was in just the right position that his family concealed him or maybe William was just a bit too hungry, either way now both of them were inside and William didn’t know.

[Taiyo]

Taiyo and his family were immersed in their own little world even as the front of the shop was opened. They didn't notice the new stranger who had entered immediately but Taiyo took notice of him quickly when the stranger ordered Ramen. The bowl having slide to the strangers location, and Taiyo took note of the strangers attire. At first he said nothing, enjoying the time with his family while laughing and smiling with them. It wasn't till Taiyo's family split up for the moment for bathroom breaks or to order more food that the shinigami stood up from his table. Slowly moving over to the spot where the man sat and casually waving as he did so. Not trying to sneak up on the man and speaking out.

"Yo~! Are you here alone?"

Taiyo could tell he seemed pretty much alone at this point, but he didn't want to assume. He had seen clothing like this at the human world but he figured it was not his business. In truth he was a little suspicious of the man's clothing. Had another invader arrived? Well so long as they weren't a hollow, demon or seeking to be violent he wasn't going to make a scene. Not when his family was nearby.

"If you are why not join us for a meal?"

Naturally this was going to bleed into his next set of questions, his hand reaching into his pocket as he went to grab something very important. A treasure of his to be sure, one that he loved very dearly. His face still warm and happy. It was then that he flourished a set of pictures of his darling children, and if it were possible his eyes would probably be sparkling as he showed the pictures of his kids.

"SEE~!? Look at my darling children! Why not join us for a feast! My treat mister. No one should be alone when such a good time is being had nearby! Come come~! Lets enjoy the reunion of a family and eat till we drop~!"

Taiyo was practically wiggling on the spot as he showed off his kids photo and in the seat behind him where his children were. His oldest sons simply placed their hands on their face while tilting their head back in disgrace. Their father was obsessed with showing his family off to those around him, his pride swelling in his voice despite their clear embarrassment.

"Father, please stop harassing that man and leave him to his meal. He probably just wants to eat alone."

Taiyo would look over his shoulder with a pout at Akio but kept the photos to be seen while he did so.

"Hush now! Everyone needs to know my children are the best in the world and I love them. I can share that with a stranger if I wish."

It wasn't till Fumika walked by and grabbed Taiyo by the ear to drag him back to the table that he left the strangers side. Chiaki walking up to the side of the stranger and waving before following Hinata back to the table. His older sister picking him up before smiling at the man and bowing with courtesy to the man.

"Though father is... obsessed with showing off pictures. If you wish to join us, you are welcome too. We can pay for the meal mister... if you can stomach father fawning over us long enough to eat."

The woman then proceeded to go back to their table but they did offer a chair while waiting patiently to see if the man wanted to join them for food. Clearly fine with letting a stranger enjoy their celebration if he wished to.