Quiet Conclusions [Solo Training]

[Ishikawa Seiji]

Healing wasn't linear.

Grief came and went in waves, and while he'd kept much of it buried, hidden and locked away from the rest of the world. From anyone that might so much attempt as to offer comfort, there was only so much anyone could take, including him. A flicker of light at the end, a request granted from one of the seated members permitted him the chance to leave. He was to work on the way there, naturally, to gather a few items native to the outer limits of Rukongai, but there was no insistent rush for him to return by a certain time or a certain day. If needed, a Hell Butterfly would be sent his way, but that was unlikely. So he left in a jumble of thoughts, half of focus, of what was now his duty to look into, the other of what he had left behind for years. A foolish notion really, the other was never that far from his mind, he had simply shut the door and hidden the key in the depths, to protect himself emotionally. Maybe it was time such a trend ended.

The mission comes first.

A reminder to himself, a thought that rang out as he offered a short bow to his superior before leaving and trudging through the long hallways that made up many parts of the Kidō Corps' barracks. A satchel slung over his right shoulder as was habit whenever he now ventured beyond the walls of the Seiretei, and Zanpakuto at his side, he moved beyond those walls without a word to another. Footsteps seeming to echo and ring in his ears with each step, a swift Shunpo pushed him past that point of return, where the splendor of the first few districts faded into something all the more familiar. Thought many still briefly lowered their heads as they passed, not yet far out enough that such respect faded into hatred. No, some at least saw the good of what some of his now comrades did.

Despite that fact, he did little too acknowledge most that showed such gratitude, save for the occasional raise of his head to glance their way. It was probably for the best, he had no desire to be held up. Or put false niceties before anyone, not right now, he was not sure that anyone could affect him positively at the moment. Few in number as those he trusted were and now ever fewer with his recent graduation. It had been a rather boring ceremony all things considered, but with hundreds to allow into the ranks of various Divisions, it wasn't too surprising. What was however, was that he'd been requested by the Kidō Corps, as had a handful of others, he'd merely needed to accept whichever he preferred more. A conundrum most certainly, but it had not taken long to settle on what he wished for.

Yes, the quiet and rather isolated nature of the Kidō Corps compared to the rest would allow him not only to grow, but so do in a kind of peace he hadn't known existed within the Gotei 13 as a whole. It was never totally silent of course, the occasional sound of massive explosions were quite the dead giveaway as to their specialty, but within the large libraries of the squad, it was almost soundless if not for the turning of a page. Or even the occasional soft words offered to those of higher rank as they passed by into sections that were restricted to those who were lower on the totem pole. Seiji did not mind, he was grateful enough simply being there. To know that regardless of what he did, or the chaos and noise beyond the barracks, he could return here and find some sort of comfort.

Never the same as being home of course. But he wasn't sure what such a word meant to him anymore. Had anyone asked a few years prior, he would have said that his shack within the 64th district of Rukongai was it, because of course it was. It was their home and where they had managed to scrounged out a living somehow. Now? He did not have an answer to give, the Seiretei didn't feel like home, only work and a job that both paid and fed him well. The dormitories at the academy had been nice, but he knew such a place would never be permanent and he would leave soon enough. Perhaps he had no real home at present, but that would not stop him from returning what he saw as the closest possibly to such a thing.

Walking was tiring but speeding up his movement would only get him so far, and so he simply endured the trek and rested whenever he could. Finding himself repeatedly pestered by the children of the streets. Well, pestered wasn't the right word, it made it sound like he loathed them. He didn't, but forcing his usual smile was a little more challenging than normal. Straining mentally as they came close and asked their questions of him. Most once they got bored left quickly and returned to their own struggles, fed up of a Shinigami perhaps, or because of his elusive and sometimes cryptic responses. To him, it was easier than telling the truth, of burdening such young souls with knowledge they had no need of. Yet one, despite it all, remained.

"Hey mister, where are you going... is it someplace fun? Can I come?"

A question asked innocently enough, but she had been walking at his side for the past half an hour already. Reaching up to grab at fabric at first, then now, at his hand to get his attention, though she could only just barely reached, she tugged nonetheless. It did not get him to stop, but it did make him listen to such words. Fun? No, it wasn't really. Quite the opposite in fact, yet he would not breathe a word about it. A smile still upon his lips as he shrugged in indifference, as if her joining him did not matter one way or another. It did. No one else should be there, not for this. Perhaps it was just his stubbornness talking, or inner critical voice that told him no one would want to see him as such a total wreck that hid behind layers of words. Nonetheless, he answered.

"Dunno. Home.. I guess? Ya can come half way wit' me if ya want ta. I got some things I gotta do first, an' I can't promise ta feed ya neither. 'Kay?" He spoke casually, glancing down only words as a hidden gaze peered at this girl. Soft hair, a rarity in this place and bright eyes that reminded him not just of such innocence and youth, but of the world around him. A deep grey, reflected in the citizens that surrounded them. Still she seemed upbeat, almost happy about the whole idea. Of the concept of simply tagging along for the ride. Strange yes, but he supposed every child out here wanted to find something to do to pass the time. Maybe this was just her way of doing things. Either way, he wasn't going to shoo her off if she was so determined to join him.

"Okay!"

[Ishikawa Seiji]

It was a distant humming that greeted his awareness as he proceeded further down the path. Further from the place he wondered if he should be calling hole now. But he had just told the young child now beside him that he was heading home, so that couldn’t be right could it? No. In truth, the emerald haired shinigami wasn’t entirely sure which he should consider his home. Despite the instinctual attachment he had towards his dwelling in outer Rukongai. That was mostly in part, due to the memories contained within those distant lands. Oh how many there were, even in death they remained.

He had always been fond of that ramshackle place, considering they had both managed to build it with their own two hands. As much as he knew he should be focusing on the task ahead of him, one assigned to him. His mind could not help but wonder and idle about just as his feet did. Taking him and that overeager girl further away from safety and into more dangerous lands. From brief glances it seemed she would not mind it, and he was not one to bother with conversation when he had such a pressing goal. Or at least it was to him.

“Hey mister, can I touch that sword of yours?” Innocent enough, a child’s curiosity. He wondered if she had ever seen one before, raised by thugs or other Shinigami. Probably not. Even so he shook his head a little, a few strands of hair flying out of place. No matter, none had decided to shove themselves into his eyes so he was fine. “No. Ain’ a thing ya be yanked ‘bout. Ya don’t go touch in’ it. Understand?” An unnecessary question really, but he had to be sure. The last thing he needed was his Zanpakuto stolen or dragged off by some child. He wasn’t sure he’d be getting it back if someone else took to trying to sell it. Better to be careful, maybe he should have covered it. Well, it was too late now to bother changing things.

Of course reaching the further districts was no easy feat. But getting to the 20th didn’t take long, a few hours at most and yet still that girl remained persistent. She had asked a few more questions and he’d given brief if somewhat clipped answers. But that hadn’t deterred the girl in the slightest. In fact she seemed all the more curious, even if he did watch her dart into an alleyway a few times. To steal food to munch on or to hide from people that might take advantage. He couldn’t blame her for that, kid was resourceful for sure. A requirement really, the further out you went.

Still that district was his limit for the night. An inn was easy to find, the owner was more than happy to help a Shinigami. Though it was once inside the room that he took to changing into clothes more befitting a citizen, rather than anyone of note. Blade shifted now onto his back, partially hidden at least until pulled from the sheath. Others could mistake it for whatever they wanted, if it kept others from dragging him into trouble, he’d do it. Of course, such events usually found him in one way or another and typically, he’d welcome it. Even enjoy it.

Today, or this week even, was not such a time.

“Where are you going then?”

The small voice did not surprise him, he’d heard her climb up to his window with some difficulty. Slipping inside was bold, but she’d come this far, so he wouldn’t begrudge the girl a roof over her head for the evening. Not when he knew first hand how difficult such a thing could be to come by when you were alone. He had just been lucky back then, ever so lucky to have some kind of support. Him, and then others he’d met across the centuries. It had worked out, well after a fashion and a lot of blood spilled. But who was counting really?

“The 64th, stoppin’ off at the 40th though so ya can stay there. Safer then where I’m gonna end up.” The answer given with a small shrug of his shoulders. His Zanpakuto tested so it would rest comfortably tomorrow, he removed it as he spoke. Letting the sheathed blade rest beside his bed for the evening. It would do for now. Only as he sat down, did hidden eyes turn to the hit again. “Ya mind telling me yer name and why yer followin’ me?” Not much better time than now to ask. Out on the road there were too many chances of being overheard and tailed. Here at least, it was relatively safer, given he had paid for the room in advance. He would simply had to trust that the owner wasn’t a secret hogging bastard for tonight.

“Shio! And cause it’s fun! Nothing better ta do! Can I have some of your breakfast tomorrow mister? I’m hungry…” words that were once upbeat quickly faded into softness and almost unease. A worry that he might say no, that he may truly kick her out and leave her without food, lodgings and worst of all entertainment. He supposed he couldn't judge her reasoning, had any of the Shinigami he had seen as a boy seemed friendly. He probably would’ve followed them to see what all the fuss was about. Instead he saw a downcast expression and her bottom lip pulled between growing teeth nervously. It seemed wrong not to hunker the girl, not to at least keep her busy until they got there. He’d got here somewhat quicker than usual, no thanks to brief uses of Shunpo. But that couldn’t last with another tagging along for the ride. A slower pace then, at least until he got his little task done. Oh well, he had no problem getting to be out here a little longer.

In truth, despite it being not that long since he’d joined. It felt as if months had gone by without any semblance of proper fresh air. Holed up as he often felt within the archives and libraries of the Kido Corps, many a time for a useful and enjoyable reason. But they were a little too stuffy at times, even for someone like him that did find reading to not be a total bore like many of his peers in the Gotei likely did. Regardless, he considered Shio’s words for a moment, all before he let out a quiet sigh. Smile still upon his lips as he answered. “Sure, not all of it though ya hear? And it ain’t mister, it’s Seiji, makin’ me feel old with stuff like that.” His name mumbled out as the young Shio merely stared at him, clearly torn between delight and confusion. Though she eventually nodded rapidly in agreement, just as there was a knock on the door itself. Not hearing the approach, he kept an eye on his Zanpakuto even as he neared and opened the door.

Only to be relieved at the sight. Merely dinner being delivered, that which he soon took inside and shut the door with a resounding click. Small bits of bread, miso soup and fish. It wasn’t a lot, especially given the area. But it was more than enough. Plenty left to share even, sitting with his legs folded and the tray now across a low table in the middle of the room. Bread quickly passed to the young Shio, who seemed to gape at it for a second before yanking it from his grasp. Quick to devour half of it, before shyly dipping the remainder in the miso, along with a small mouthful of fish. Hungry, a small amount of Spiritual power then, good to know. Still, upbringing left him eating quickly before it was taken or otherwise removed from him. Old habits were hard to break. Enough to be filling without making him want to be sick once he moved. He’d still be able to train as he was in an hour or so once others had settled in for the night.

That hour, strangely enough, passed rather quickly. Shio from what he gathered, rather tired from walking so far. Not usual then, yet no parents chasing after her or him either for suddenly appearing to kidnap their daughter. Strange. Did she simply roam as she pleased and found the necessities for survival whether and wherever she could? A risky tactic, but if it kept her alive, he would not doubt it. Nor question the girl, her life out here was her own. As was his. Helping her for a little while wouldn’t change that, but perhaps he could ask before he left her in a few days. It wouldn’t hurt to check in once or twice later, just to sate his curiosity now would it? Of course not. Sleepy as she seemed it took barely half an hour before the girl was asleep, curled up on the edge of the bed. A blanket once laid atop the bed now surrounding her form entirely as she slept. He’d leave her be, there was one thing he had left to do before he could turn in for the evening and surrender to the world of his dreams and memories once more.

A hand placed upon his Zanpakuto, gently extracted from beside the singular bed in the small room and slipped between his obi soundlessly. A single brief glance back at the sleeping figure before he edged quietly out the door and into the night. Brisk and slightly bitter air was a welcome distraction from his thoughts, a sudden gust to greet him as he wandered out of the entrance. Leaving a rather haggard and confused innkeeper in his wake. But that suited him just fine, better to leave others puzzled than those who followed him to ask questions. He really didn’t want to be bothered, not this late at night anyway. There were many that would ask too many questions, too many voices barging into a moment of peace against a backdrop of constant walking and a duty far greater than he would likely ever understand. His superiors had to have a plan, but the emerald haired shinigami thought little of questioning just what that was at the moment. It wasn’t like they’d tell him anyways, he’d tried that plenty with his teachers at the academy and got not a single decent answer out of them. He was just a mere unseated Shinigami, one among countless others, who would bother? No one.

With such intrusive thoughts pushed aside for the meantime, the young male walked in silence through the now near deserted streets. A fine layer of ice trying to press itself against the ground yet not quite succeeding, the air certainly had a chill to it, but there was little risk of snow. Not yet anyhow and that was what he was banking on. A time, freezing or not, to himself. Both to train and think, he could hardly stop his mind even in the middle of what had come to be rather repetitive movements until he felt his technique to be acceptable enough. Quiet footsteps crunching against the dirt below until he reached far enough away, he’d come to a small river he’d seen while travelling into the District earlier that afternoon. Now away from everything, so much so that he could hear little else but the howling winds and his own softer breathing. How many he wondered, bothered to search for such stillness as he did? A rare few, no doubt.

Near soundless water bathed in moonlight, and soon his own form followed suit. Not stepping slowly now, but whirling around with each moment that passed. A flash of steel catching the light to reflect into the small forest that stood tall in the distance. There was no telltale sign of a blade being used, not a single sound as the emerald haired Shinigami sliced through the air. Only slightly inexperienced, yet a self-assured grip guided him and his as yet nameless Zanpakuto around the edges and across the river. Back and forth he went, almost appearing as if he were dancing between the dampness underfoot. His mind for once cleared as he simply followed familiar motions, familiar teachings from days long since passed.

If someone had come and asked him just how long he spent continuously repeating the same pattern, Seiji knew he wouldn’t be able to give an accurate answer. Instead, he merely kept going until his limbs began to sag from the weight of his blade. Until he could keenly feel perspiration lining his brow and eventually dripping into his eyes, only then did he gradually come to a stop. Breathing harshly, as after what had to have been at least an hour if not more, he lowered his Zanpakuto. Carefully sheathing such a weapon, it was as he heard the resounding clink, that his body seemed to give up. Staggering back across the river only to end up kneeling and panting out a breath. It took a few minutes before he could gather his wits about him once more, a hand tiredly wiping away what he could off from between his bangs. If nothing else, he was most certainly exhausted now.

Light winds blew as he got to his feet, he trudged slowly back to the inn, the pressure soft. As if he were being gently led along the streets by an old friend, wanting to make sure he got back safely. While a nice feeling, he paid little attention to it at that moment. Not even as something seemed to whisper upon the breeze, too faint to be heard. Nowhere near enough to catch his notice as he stepped off the streets and into the inn. A wordless nod in the sleepy innkeeper's direction before he dragged himself up that small flight of stairs. It wasn’t much, but it was far better than drifting off in the cold during this weather. Anything would be better than that, and a warm bed sounded perfect right about now. Even if said furniture was half occupied by a young girl, curling up onto the edge was enough. The young Shinigami was asleep within a few minutes, pulled into dreamland by the soft winds blowing just beyond the window.

[Ishikawa Seiji]

Unfortunately his foray into dreamland was not nearly as soft nor gentle as the winds that guided him back to the inn that night. Instead of a peaceful dream, or even an all consuming void of blackness that passed by his awareness - so much so that he would not remember the in-between state of falling asleep and waking up, he found something far worse. Even if it felt like a dream, a harsh cough resounding out from a shaking form assured him that it was not as his eyes partly peeked open. The resonance of such force while on his back pushed through his chest, making it ache even as he laid there. Harsh ground beneath him, no sunlight to be seen, yet beside his form was the distinct scent of pollen in the air. Of vibrant flowers and as he sat up slowly, there was enough moonlight to show him just where he seemed to be, in a whole field of such delicate life. As if someone had painstakingly placed them here to bloom for some kind of purpose, or perhaps as a kind of living art? He couldn't be sure.

Thin fingertips scraping at the dirt beneath his hands, using what little strength he had to stand. Body feeling like lead, as if he were weighed down by something somewhere, even if as he stood he could feel no breeze. No soothing gust to calm him, not anything, only a cloudless but pitch black sky above with nothing but the moon to light the way. There weren't even stars, why? For a moment Seiji merely stared, a near golden gaze looking to the skies above. So distant yet it felt close enough to touch, but even as he reached a hand up he was no closer. With a sigh it was lowered to his side, half way through the motion before he caught a sound, not upon the wind but as if the words were suddenly forced upon him. From nowhere and everywhere at once, surrounding and pressing into his ears yet the sound was ever so faint, straining to hear it as he took cautious steps towards what he thought was the source. It wasn't.

"SEIJI!"

A voice once again, shouted he knew but no closer in range. Where? There was no one else here, rapid shifting of steps, turning and looking - scanning - hoping for a trace of anyone. Or of something. A glimmer of something, a home in the distance, a large tree beside it. He took off running, stumbling partly even as he did, a rush of adrenaline about the only thing keeping him upright. Keeping his body from all but collapsing. Coughing even as he ran, a flash of memory, of when he had been so ill as a boy he could barely breathe. He pushed past it, past the ache that settled into his chest, familiar and yet terrifying at once. The small home stood atop a hill he'd missed, how had he not noticed it before? A struggle even to reach the summit, stopping only briefly to heave in air as a hand rested against worn bark, sturdy and unyielding under his fingertips. Just what he needed, just how he should be. One day perhaps.

Breath caught, at least for now, he took off again. Down a winding path and leaping straight over a small wooden gate that surrounded the property, without a thought he burst through the door. No knocking no nothing, only to fall, that voice again calling his name but even more distant. As if he he were hearing his name from beneath the waves, a quick shunpo back towards that door did nothing but prolong his plunge into the depths. The moment he let himself go however, finally closed his eyes and let himself be taken off to wherever this would lead? He woke up.

Back ramrod straight as he shot up, sweat covering his whole shaking form as he sucked in a shuddering breath. Eyes wide and smile wiped from his lips as he stared into the darkness. Nothing. Still pitch black, barely a few hours of sleep then. Slipping from the bed, too shaken to not there was no other presence there. No sign of the girl that had followed along with him all day. He wandered, slowly over towards the window and looked out. What he saw beyond was massive snowfall and a chill overcoming his limbs one by one. A creaking within that small space, that small shack of his alerted him, a squeaking floorboard that made him spin around and have to catch his hand against the frame of the window just to stop from feeling dizzy. Nothing made such a sound here, unless someone else was walking around here, which shouldn't be possible. He was the only one here, or at least that was how it was supposed to be.

"If it isn't the little failure, afraid of your own shadow now?" The figure spoke, bathed in shadow himself. Seiji could make out the edges, a modern looking attire, human perhaps and that voice that sounded so familiar. So alike to his own, harsher perhaps darker, but he couldn't understand why. The most striking feature that he could see were the eyes that looked at him, mocking and observant, a bright vermilion that felt as if such a gaze could see his every weakness and flaw. "Who're you, how'd ya get in here?" He barely bothered with his usual drawl instead focusing on what or rather who was before him. A hand reaching towards his right side and finding nothing. No, no no! Where was his Zanpakuto!? Surely he had it? Didn't he? Instead, all he found after reaching into his robes, torn and tattered yukata and not the robes of a Shinigami, was that of the small tanto blade he always carried with him. He did not remove it, not yet, not daring to look away from this figure.

Despite sounding surprisingly calm, every fiber of his being told him to run from this person. To hide and never look back. "Looking for this? You know I really hoped you'd be smarter, that you wouldn't fail me again. A shame. A moment alone and you aren't nearly as strong as you pretend to be, are you Seiji?" Poking and prodding, vicious in the assessment made as a hand lifted something. A blade, his Zanpakuto. Sheathed and fine, seemingly but that did not mean his fingers did not itch to gain the weapon back. To hold it again, a feeling of comfort wanted within this strangeness. Howling winds outside, shaking the small frame of the slung together wooden shack, yet not a sound got in. No matter how heavy the weather become beyond these walls. The figure seemed disappointed, even in shadow he could see shoulders sagging and a shake of a head. But that wasn't what caught his attention, it was his name in that voice, that did.

"Shin?" He asked slowly, carefully, each syllable as if he could not believe the word leaving his lips in puzzlement. The figure stood slowly, bed creaking under the release of weight, springs that weren't even truly there yet still a face hidden from view. The suit however wasn't, well tailored and crisp, a deep crimson like those eyes that flickered away from him for a second in consideration. "Sure, let's go with that." Flippant and almost bored sounding, as if this being had better places to be. Creaking steps until the pair faced one another. For Seiji, it was like staring at a mirror image of him only... not quite. The suit stood out, a vermilion gaze, hair as white as the snow beyond his doors and beyond that skin so pale he would seem almost sickly if not for the confidant manner in which he moved. Stopping a few paces away and bending slightly, head tilted and a twisted grin upon his lips. Like a beast playing with their food.

"You poor thing, so useless even after you've tried so hard. You'll never reach the same heights you know?" A sad deprecating tone, not anger or even disappointment. No, it was simply pity. Being looked down upon, infuriating, it drove Seiji to act. To close the gap to try and reach now, to punch that stupid look off of his face. Shin or not, they'd had their scraps before and this wouldn't be the last. How dare he! Yet before he could even blink, before he could reach his target he was stopped by a surge of pain. A spindle like hand in his hair, gripping and twisting until it hurt, in the other a blade, his very own Zanpakuto placed at his neck mere inches away from drawing blood or cutting an artery. "Bastard." Words hissed through clenched teeth but even if he attempted to move it was utterly useless. Nothing he did seemed to work, as if being held not by a single hand but by a chain forged by the strongest steel imaginable. Only released when he was thrown back harshly into the wall, a blizzard beyond howling even louder now.

Tossing the blade in hand aside, clattering to the floor near the bed as the sheath lay dormant upon the surface, the figure calling himself Shin sighed as vermilion eyes looked to the window. "I guess our time together is up for now, such a shame, messing with you is such fun. But don't worry Seiji, we'll see each other again soon." It didn't sound good, and his mind in that moment focused not on words but in the pain blooming along his right shoulder from the force of it all. Much more and he was sure he would've been shoved through that wall rather than into it. "Wait a minute!" He half shouted when his body had regained enough to move and act, a hand reaching out to grab and yank. The moment he tried, there was nothing, like vanishing into the air itself. No fabric or another being at all. The only sign of life was his discarded Zanpakuto. Slow steps, wincing as he moved to reach out to pick up his blade that had been tossed aside like a toothpick.

Only upon that touch, did the storm grow worse and before Seiji could act, a blizzard consumed and ripped the shack apart. Exposed to the elements, the biting chill startling him. But not in pain but... awake? He rose into sitting slowly, looking around and finding Shio still curled up beside him and fast asleep. His own left hand clutching his Zanpakuto so tight he thought his palm may bleed. Yet as he let go and set the weapon down beside him there was nothing, no blood or voice to be heard, yet the pain in his right shoulder remained. Couldn't have been a dream, maybe it was back when he was Rukongai, a day he couldn't recall due to illness perhaps? There had been a small handful after Shin's demise after all. Was this his penance for failing? For not following him when it had been offered, for not living up to what his brother should've been by now? Maybe. Whatever the case might be, that ache was real and along with it meant that conversation had to be some kind of real right? Even if it was only his mind playing tricks on him.

Seiji found as he moved, that he wasn't too keen on going "home" anymore. No, he would finish the task assigned to him and then return. Nothing more. Carefully extracting himself around a sleeping girl wasn't the easiest but he managed, enough to step quietly and peek past the flimsy inn curtains. The sun barely risen, he hadn't slept long then, not surprising even if he felt relatively rested - if rather shaky emotionally. Best not to think about it. A hand reaching up, to rub against his face, to be rid of sleep that lingered beneath his eyes and most importantly wake him up. He still had things to do. Awake now he moved as softly as he could, gathering his belongings before heading out the door. Throughout, Shio slept the entire time, clearly exhausted from walking so far. She needed the rest and he wouldn't trouble the girl further. Left on the table, a small pouch filled with money, enough to help her for a little while. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

"Mind lettin' me pay fer another night? Let the girl in there rest woulda an' something ta eat too. It'll be jus' her." A request and a warning as he meandered down the stairs into view of the main entryway, but the money he handed over seemed to be more than enough, if the drowsy innkeeper's suddenly widened eyes were of any indication. Money was sparse out in these parts, he knew that well, and for once he could use that to his advantage. What he got in return was a rapid nod of agreement and not a single gruff dismissal in sight. She'd be well taken of then, that was something. It was with a mumbled thanks that the emerald haired Shinigami departed from the inn and began that long journey again. A little shorter now as the memory of that laughter rung out in his mind. Perhaps if he focused solely on his duties, then he could forget that sound. Even if it was only for a little while, once he returned the general chatter of the barracks would do him just fine, but until then he would make do.

Reaching the 40th district wasn't difficult and while those he had to collect from weren't the happiest about a Shinigami of all people showing up, they took it frankly as best they could. He wouldn't blame them for the prejudice they held, he had been exactly the same prior to joining the academy. Not all of those like him were awful brutes, it was simply the only kind people saw out here, nothing could be done about that now. Not without a fundamental change in the system, a fact of life that Seiji knew he could not influence one bit. Not with how little power he held, not now. Still as fast as he could be, returning to the Seiretei still took a few days of travel, but by the time he entered the familiar walkways of the Kido Corps it was late afternoon and frankly his first thought was to nap. Instead, lingering irritation about the task not being done made him deliver what they needed as promised, a quick few moments before he was due to be dismissed for the day. "Oh, Ishikawa-kun, anything interesting happen?" A normal question, casual from his superior moments after he'd been waved away, the young Shinigami simply shrugged.

"Not really."

[Deleted]

I counted 40 paragraphs, so that'll be 200 TP~